bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling the efficacy of the extent of surgical resection in the setting of radiation therapy for glioblastoma
Authors: Hathout Leith , Ellingson Benjamin , Pope Whitney 
Published: May 2016

Standard therapy for glioblastoma (GBM) includes maximal surgical resection and radiation therapy. While it is established that radiation therapy provides the greatest survival benefit of standard treatment modalities, the impact of the extent of surgical resection (EOR) on patient outcome remains highly controversial. While some studies describe no correlation between EOR and patient survival even up to total resection, others propose either qualitative (partial versus subtotal versus complete resection) or quantitative EOR thresholds, below which there is no correlation with survival. This work uses a mathematical model in the form of a reaction–diffusion partial differential equation to simulate tumor growth and treatment with radiation therapy and surgical resection based on tumor‐specific rates of diffusion and proliferation. Simulation of 36 tumors across a wide spectrum of diffusion and proliferation rates suggests that while partial or subtotal resections generally do not provide a survival advantage, complete resection significantly improves patient outcomes. Furthermore, our model predicts a tumor‐specific quantitative threshold below which EOR has no effect on patient survival and demonstrates that this threshold increases with tumor aggressiveness, particularly with the rate of proliferation. Thus, this model may serve as an aid for determining both when surgical resection is indicated as well as the surgical margins necessary to provide clinically significant improvements in patient survival. In addition, by assigning relative benefits to radiation and surgical resection based on tumor invasiveness and proliferation, this model confirms that (with the exception of the least aggressive tumors) the survival benefit of radiation therapy exceeds that of surgical resection.
Reference ranges for serum periostin in a population without asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Caswell‐Smith R. , Hosking A. , Cripps T. , Holweg C. , Matthews J. , Holliday M. , Maillot C. , Fingleton J. , Weatherall M. , Braithwaite I. , Beasley R. ,   the Periostin Study Team
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackgroundThe clinical utility of serum periostin as a type 2 biomarker in asthma is limited by lack of reference range values derived from a population without respiratory disease.ObjectiveTo derive age‐ and sex‐related reference intervals for serum periostin from an adult population without asthma or COPD.MethodsSerum periostin levels were measured in 480 individuals, comprising 60 female and 60 male adults in each of the 18‐ to 30‐year, 31‐ to 45‐year, 46‐ to 60‐year and 61‐ to 75‐year age groups. Key exclusion criteria included a doctor's diagnosis of asthma, chronic bronchitis or COPD, and a history of wheezing or use of respiratory inhalers in the last 12 months. The distribution of periostin and logarithm‐transformed periostin levels was derived, and 90% confidence intervals for an individual prediction were calculated.ResultsThe distribution of serum periostin was right skewed with a mean (SD) periostin of 51.2 (11.9) ng/mL, median (IQR) 50.1 (43.1 to 56.9) ng/mL and range 28.1 to 136.4 ng/mL. There was no association between logarithm periostin and age or sex, although levels were low in current smokers. The 90% confidence limits for periostin were 35.0 and 71.1 ng/mL.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceSerum periostin levels in adults without asthma or COPD are similar to those in adults with asthma. Serum periostin measurements do not need to be adjusted to take account of a patient's age or sex, although levels are lower in current smokers. Reference values for serum periostin levels in adults without asthma or COPD are provided.
Conformational IgE epitopes of peanut allergens Ara h 2 and Ara h 6
Authors: Chen X. , Negi S. S. , Liao S. , Gao V. , Braun W. , Dreskin S. C. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackgroundCross‐linking of IgE antibody by specific epitopes on the surface of mast cells is a prerequisite for triggering symptoms of peanut allergy. IgE epitopes are frequently categorized as linear or conformational epitopes. Although linear IgE‐binding epitopes of peanut allergens have been defined, little is known about conformational IgE‐binding epitopes.ObjectiveTo identify clinically relevant conformational IgE epitopes of the two most important peanut allergens, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6, using phage peptide library.MethodsA phage 12mer peptide library was screened with allergen‐specific IgE from 4 peanut‐allergic patients. Binding of the mimotopes to IgE from a total of 29 peanut‐allergic subjects was measured by ELISA. The mimotope sequences were mapped on the surface areas of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 using EpiSearch.ResultsForty‐one individual mimotopes were identified that specifically bind anti‐ Ara h 2/Ara h 6 IgE as well as rabbit anti‐Ara h 2 and anti‐Ara h 6 IgG. Sequence alignment showed that none of the mimotope sequences match a linear segment of the Ara h 2 or Ara h 6 sequences. EpiSearch analysis showed that all the mimotopes mapped to surface patches of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6. Eight of the mimotopes were recognized by more than 90% of the patients, suggesting immunodominance. Each patient had distinct IgE recognition patterns but the recognition frequency was not correlated to the concentration of peanut specific IgE or to clinical history.ConclusionsThe mimotopes identified in this study represent conformational epitopes. Identification of similar surface patches on Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 further underscores the similarities between these two potent allergens.
Impaired airway epithelial cell responses from children with asthma to rhinoviral infection
Authors: Kicic A. , Stevens P. T. , Sutanto E. N. , Kicic‐Starcevich E. , Ling K.‐M. , Looi K. , Martinovich K. M. , Garratt L. W. , Iosifidis T. , Shaw N. C. , Buckley A. G. , Rigby P. J. , Lannigan F. J. , Knight D. A. , Stick S. M. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackgroundThe airway epithelium forms an effective immune and physical barrier that is essential for protecting the lung from potentially harmful inhaled stimuli including viruses. Human rhinovirus (HRV) infection is a known trigger of asthma exacerbations, although the mechanism by which this occurs is not fully understood.ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between apoptotic, innate immune and inflammatory responses to HRV infection in airway epithelial cells (AECs) obtained from children with asthma and non‐asthmatic controls. In addition, to test the hypothesis that aberrant repair of epithelium from asthmatics is further dysregulated by HRV infection.MethodsAirway epithelial brushings were obtained from 39 asthmatic and 36 non‐asthmatic children. Primary cultures were established and exposed to HRV1b and HRV14. Virus receptor number, virus replication and progeny release were determined. Epithelial cell apoptosis, IFN‐β production, inflammatory cytokine release and epithelial wound repair and proliferation were also measured.ResultsVirus proliferation and release was greater in airway epithelial cells from asthmatics but this was not related to the number of virus receptors. In epithelial cells from asthmatic children, virus infection dampened apoptosis, reduced IFN‐β production and increased inflammatory cytokine production. HRV1b infection also inhibited wound repair capacity of epithelial cells isolated from non‐asthmatic children and exaggerated the defective repair response seen in epithelial cells from asthmatics. Addition of IFN‐β restored apoptosis, suppressed virus replication and improved repair of airway epithelial cells from asthmatics but did not reduce inflammatory cytokine production.ConclusionsCollectively, HRV infection delays repair and inhibits apoptotic processes in epithelial cells from non‐asthmatic and asthmatic children. The delayed repair is further exaggerated in cells from asthmatic children and is only partially reversed by exogenous IFN‐β.
Effect of probiotics on clinical and immune parameters in enthesitis-related arthritis category of juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Shukla A , Gaur P , Aggarwal A 
Published: May 2016

SummaryGut microflora and dysbiosis as an environmental factor has been linked to the pathogenesis of enthesitis-related arthritis (JIA-ERA); thus, we performed a proof-of-concept study of probiotics to modulate the gut-flora and study the effects on immune and clinical parameters of children having JIA-ERA. Forty-six children with active JIA-ERA were randomized to placebo or probiotic therapy along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed using a six-point composite disease activity index (mJSpADA) based on morning stiffness, joint count, enthesitis count, sacroiliitis/inflammatory back pain, uveitis and erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C-reactive protein (ESR/CRP). Frequencies of T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cells in blood were measured using flow cytometry. Serum cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)−4, IL-17, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 were measured by cytokine bead array using flow cytometer. The average age of 46 children (44 boys) was 15 ± 2.5 years and duration of disease was 3.5 ± 3 years. There was no significant difference in improvement in mJSpADA between the two groups (P = 0·16). Serum IL-6 levels showed a decrease (P &lt; 0·05) in the probiotic-group. Th2 cell frequency (P &lt; 0·05) and serum IL-10 levels (P &lt; 0·01) showed an increase in the placebo group, but again the probiotic use did not show a significant change in immune parameters when compared to the placebo. Adverse effects among the probiotic and placebo groups were diarrhea (36 versus 45%), abdominal pain (9 versus 20%), minor infections (4·5 versus 20%) and flatulence (23 versus 15%), respectively. Thus, we can conclude that probiotic therapy in JIA-ERA children is well tolerated, but failed to show any significant immune or clinical effects over NSAID therapy.
The publication rates of abstracts presented at the Turkish Respiratory Society (TUSAD) annual congress: adequate or not?
Authors: Günay Sibel , Sariaydin Muzaffer , Sarinc‐Ulasli Sevinc , Günay Ersin , Demir Secil , Unlu Mehmet 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to determine the publication status of the abstracts presented at the Turkish Respiratory Society Congress between 2011 and 2014.MethodsThe abstracts were classified according to presentation type (oral presentations, poster discussion, etc.), study type, study design, topic, publication status, time interval between the presentation and the publication date, and the journal in which the article was published. The conversion rate of presentations into full‐text articles in peer‐reviewed journals were surveyed through Elsevier's Scopus.ResultsThe total number of abstracts submitted in the congress was 2 009. In terms of study type, the majority of abstracts were case reports (56.4%) and the remainder was original research. Totally, 179 abstracts were published in an indexed journal with an overall publication rate of 8.9%. 18.3% of oral presentations were converted into full‐text article. Publication rates according to study types were 14.8% for original researches and 4.4% for case reports. The first three subspecialties with the highest publication rates were “sleep related breathing disorders” (16.9%), “interventional pulmonology” (16.7%) and “pleural diseases” (15.2%). Median publication/acceptance time was 8.0 months (0–38).ConclusionThis is the first study evaluating the publication rates of abstracts presented in a respiratory congress. Although the number of presented abstracts in the congress increased year by year, prominently in the case reports, over all conversion rates were decreased. We put forward that encouraging the authors to conduct higher‐quality investigations would raise the publication rate as well as improve the scientific quality of congress.
Squamous cell carcinoma in association with a red tattoo
Authors: Schmitz Inge , Prymak Oleg , Epple Matthias , Ernert Carsten , Tannapfel Andrea 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackground and objectivesAlthough tattoos have become exceedingly popular in recent years, only few cases of severe reactions leading to malignant transformation have been reported in the literature. This stands in contrast to the virtually innumerable number of tattoos worldwide. The composition of tattoo dyes is highly variable, and even the same colors may contain different compounds. The objective of our study was to investigate in what way tattoo dyes may potentially trigger skin cancer.Patient and methodsWe report the rare case of a 24‐year‐old woman who – seven months after getting a tattoo on the back of her foot – developed a squamous cell carcinoma in close proximity to the red dye used. Complications started in the form of nonspecific swelling. The lesion was histologically examined. The composition of the incorporated dye was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive element analysis. Thermogravimetry and powder diffraction were used for further characterization.Results and conclusionsWhile the tattoo dye primarily consisted of barium sulfate, traces of Al, S, Ti, P, Mg, and Cl were also detected. The analysis showed pigment granules of varying sizes. In rare cases, tattoo inks may have carcinogenic effects, which appear to be multifactorial.
Retrospective analysis of 56 soft tissue defects treated with one‐stage reconstruction using dermal skin substitutes
Authors: Gümbel Denis , Ackerl Martin , Napp Matthias , Daeschlein Georg , Spranger Nikolai , Stope Matthias B. , Ekkernkamp Axel , Matthes Gerrit 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackgroundThe closure of wounds associated with soft tissue defects is surgically challenging, frequently requiring extensive plastic surgery and free flaps. The combination of dermal skin substitutes and split‐thickness skin grafting is an innovative method used to cover such wounds. We incorporated this technique into the standard therapeutic armamentarium for complex injuries to the extremities. Clinical results of 56 patients thus treated are presented.Patients and methodsIn 44 (78.6 %) cases, the method described was used for defects on the lower extremities, including seven (12.5 %) individuals undergoing amputation stump coverage. Twelve (21.4 %) defects were located on the upper extremities. In two (3.6 %) cases, Matriderm® matrix was used to protect nerves from adjacent surgical implants.ResultsIn 41 (73.2 %) patients, the graft healed without any complication. Fifteen (26.8 %) patients displayed impaired wound healing following defect closure and were subsequently managed conservatively. One patient (1.8 %) showed graft failure, leading to revision surgery. None of the patients required extensive plastic surgery.ConclusionsIn cases where plastic surgery is unavailable or undesirable, the use of dermal skin substitutes in combination with split‐thickness skin grafting represents a promising alternative for covering wounds associated with soft tissue defects.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a comparison of two staging systems in a population‐based study
Authors: Ferraro D. , Consonni D. , Fini N. , Fasano A. , Del Giovane C. ,   Emilia Romagna Registry for ALS (ERRALS) Group, Mandrioli J. 
Published: May 2016

Background and purposeTo compare two recently developed staging systems for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [King's College and Milano‐Torino staging (MITOS) systems] in an incident, population‐based cohort of patients with ALS.MethodsSince 2009, a prospective registry has been recording all incident cases of ALS in the Emilia Romagna region in Italy. For each patient, detailed clinical information, including the ALS functional rating scale score, is collected at each follow‐up.ResultsOur study on 545 incident cases confirmed that King's College stages occurred at predictable times and were quite evenly spaced out throughout the disease course (occurring at approximately 40%, 60% and 80% of the disease course), whereas MITOS stages were mostly skewed towards later phases of the disease. In the King's College system there was a decrease in survival and an increase in deaths with escalating stages, whereas in the MITOS system survival curves pertaining to intermediate stages overlapped and the number of deaths was fairly homogenous throughout most stages.ConclusionsThe King's College staging system had a higher homogeneity (i.e. smaller differences in survival among patients in the same stage) and a higher discriminatory ability (i.e. greater differences in survival among patients in different stages), being more suitable for individualized prognosis and for measuring efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
Joint dynamic species distribution models: a tool for community ordination and spatio‐temporal monitoring
Authors: Thorson James T. , Ianelli James N. , Larsen Elise A. , Ries Leslie , Scheuerell Mark D. , Szuwalski Cody , Zipkin Elise F. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimSpatial analysis of the distribution and density of species is of continuing interest within theoretical and applied ecology. Species distribution models (SDMs) are being increasingly used to analyse count, presence–absence and presence‐only data sets. There is a growing literature on dynamic SDMs (which incorporate temporal variation in species distribution), joint SDMs (which simultaneously analyse the correlated distribution of multiple species) and geostatistical models (which account for similarity between nearby sites caused by unobserved covariates). However, no previous study has combined all three attributes within a single framework.InnovationWe develop spatial dynamic factor analysis for use as a ‘joint, dynamic SDM’ (JDSDM), which uses geostatistical methods to account for spatial similarity when estimating one or more ‘factors’. Each factor evolves over time following a density‐dependent (Gompertz) process, and the log‐density of each species is approximated as a linear combination of different factors. We demonstrate a JDSDM using two multispecies case studies (an annual survey of bottom‐associated species in the Bering Sea and a seasonal survey of butterfly density in the continental USA), and also provide our code publicly as an R package.Main conclusionsCase study applications show that that JDSDMs can be used for species ordination, i.e. showing that dynamics for butterfly species within the same genus are significantly more correlated than for species from different genera. We also demonstrate how JDSDMs can rapidly identify dominant patterns in community dynamics, including the decline and recovery of several Bering Sea fishes since 2008, and the ‘flight curves’ typical of early or late‐emerging butterflies. We conclude by suggesting future research that could incorporate phylogenetic relatedness or functional similarity, and propose that our approach could be used to monitor community dynamics at large spatial and temporal scales.
Folate‐/FAD‐dependent tRNA methyltransferase from Thermus thermophilus regulates other modifications in tRNA at low temperatures
Authors: Yamagami Ryota , Tomikawa Chie , Shigi Naoki , Kazayama Ai , Asai Shin‐ichi , Takuma Hiroyuki , Hirata Akira , Fourmy Dominique , Asahara Haruichi , Watanabe Kimitsuna , Yoshizawa Satoko , Hori Hiroyuki 
Published: May 2016

TrmFO is a N5, N10‐methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2THF)‐/FAD‐dependent tRNA methyltransferase, which synthesizes 5‐methyluridine at position 54 (m5U54) in tRNA. Thermus thermophilus is an extreme‐thermophilic eubacterium, which grows in a wide range of temperatures (50–83 °C). In T. thermophilus, modified nucleosides in tRNA and modification enzymes form a network, in which one modification regulates the degrees of other modifications and controls the flexibility of tRNA. To clarify the role of m5U54 and TrmFO in the network, we constructed the trmFO gene disruptant (∆trmFO) strain of T. thermophilus. Although this strain did not show any growth retardation at 70 °C, it showed a slow‐growth phenotype at 50 °C. Nucleoside analysis showed increase in 2′‐O‐methylguanosine at position 18 and decrease in N1‐methyladenosine at position 58 in the tRNA mixture from the ∆trmFO strain at 50 °C. These in vivo results were reproduced by in vitro experiments with purified enzymes. Thus, we concluded that the m5U54 modification have effects on the other modifications in tRNA through the network at 50 °C. 35S incorporations into proteins showed that the protein synthesis activity of ∆trmFO strain was inferior to the wild‐type strain at 50 °C, suggesting that the growth delay at 50 °C was caused by the inferior protein synthesis activity.
Stromal Cell‐Derived Factor‐1 Alpha Is Decreased in Women With Migraine With Aura
Authors: Liman Thomas G. , Neeb Lars , Rosinski Jana , Reuter Uwe , Endres Matthias 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundEndothelial dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiology of migraine with aura. Stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 alpha (SDF‐1α) is involved in the maintenance of endothelial integrity via mobilization of vascular stem cells.ObjectivesWe sought to determine whether SDF‐1α levels are decreased in women with MA.MethodsIn this post hoc analysis of a case‐cohort study, levels of SDF‐1α were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelial function was assessed using peripheral arterial tonometry. Arterial stiffness was assessed by fingertip tonometry derived and heart‐rate‐adjusted augmentation index (AI).ResultsTwenty‐eight women with MA and 27 age‐matched healthy women were included in this study. Levels of SDF‐1α were significantly lower in women with MA compared to age‐ and risk factor‐matched healthy women (1763 ± 281 vs 2013 ± 263 pg/mL, P = 0.006). SDF‐1α levels were positively correlated with AI in healthy women (r = 0.49, P = 0.009), but not in women with MA (r = 0.05, P = 0.78). SDF‐1α levels were negatively correlated with CD144‐positive endothelial microparticles (EMP; r = −0.31, P = .02), and activated CD62E‐positive EMP (r = −0.35, P = .01).ConclusionLevels of SDF‐1α are decreased in women with MA and are associated with EMPs as a surrogate marker of endothelial dysfunction. This might contribute to the pathophysiology and vascular risk in MA, but evidence from larger prospective studies is warranted.
Pertrogenesis and tectonic implications of the late Jurassic basic rocks from the northern Shi‐Hang zone, Southeast China
Authors: Zhou Qing , Jiang Yao–hui , Liao Shi–yong , Zhao Peng , Jia Ru–ya , Liu Zheng , Wang Guo–chang , Ni Chun–yu 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe tectonic setting of the late mesozoic of South China is in a debate between two schools of thought: an intra‐continental rift zone along a passive continental margin or active rifting associated with subduction of the paleo‐Pacific Plate. In this study, we present new sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U‐Pb zircon ages, along with geochemical data of three basic dikes that cross‐cut the Dexing porphyry copper deposit. The deposit is the largest of its kind in eastern China and part of large scale mineralization associated with Mesozoic magmatic activity in the area. Our results indicate that the dikes were emplaced in the Late Jurassic with an average U‐Pb age of 153.5 ± 2.4 Ma. The intrusions have bulk εNd(t) of ca +0.7 and zircon εHf(t) value of +1.54 to +6.92. Based on relatively enriched light rare earth elements (LREE) and depleted high‐field‐strength elements (HFSE) abundances with pronounced negative Ta–Nb, Hf–Zr and Ti anomalies in multi‐element diagrams, we propose that these dikes were derived from a subduction‐modified lithospheric mantle source. The variability in Hf isotopes identifies some degree of crustal contaminations. Our data support a scenario with a back‐arc extensional setting or an intra‐arc rift environment associated with the westward subduction of the paleo‐Pacific Plate at or prior to the late Jurassic as the most likely cause for these subduction signatures.