bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Significance of Telomere Length and Associated Proteins in Oral Cancer
Authors: Sainger Rachana N. , Telang Shaila D. , Shukla Shilin N. , Patel Prabhudas S. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose Telomere shortening is an important event during carcinogenesis. Although studies suggest role of multiple proteins in telomere length regulation, there is dearth of reports in oral cancer which is a leading malignancy in Asian countries especially in India. Thus the present study was carried out to study these mechanisms and explore the pathways involved in telomere—telomerase regulation and identify possible prognostic markers to understand the biology of oral tumors for better treatment approaches. Methods Telomere length was determined by Southern Hybridisation method, telomeric repeat binding factor (TRF) 1 and 2 expression was detected by Western blot method and telomerase activation by telomeric repeat amplification protocol. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (Version 10) software. Results Significant shortening of telomeres was seen in the tumor tissues as compared to normal tissues. Poor prognosis was observed in the patients with higher telomere length in malignant tissue, higher tumor to normal telomere length ratio (T/N TRF LR). Expression of TRF-2 but not TRF-1 protein was significantly higher in the malignant tissues. We also observed telomerase activation in 75 malignant tissues. Conclusions Our results reveal significant clinical usefulness of telomere length, T/N TRF LR and telomerase activation in the prognosis of oral cancer patients. TRF-2 overexpression in malignant tissues appears to play an important role in telomere length shortening in oral cancer.
Effects of an individual 12-week community-located “start-to-run” program on physical capacity, walking, fatigue, cognitive function, brain volumes, and structures in persons with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Feys Peter , Moumdjian Lousin , Van Halewyck Florian , Wens Inez , Eijnde Bert O , Van Wijmeersch Bart , Popescu Veronica , Van Asch Paul 
Published: November 2017

Background: Exercise therapy studies in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) primarily focused on motor outcomes in mid disease stage, while cognitive function and neural correlates were only limitedly addressed. Objectives: This pragmatic randomized controlled study investigated the effects of a remotely supervised community-located “start-to-run” program on physical and cognitive function, fatigue, quality of life, brain volume, and connectivity. Method: In all, 42 pwMS were randomized to either experimental (EXP) or waiting list control (WLC) group. The EXP group received individualized training instructions during 12 weeks (3×/week), to be performed in their community aiming to participate in a running event. Measures were physical (VO2max, sit-to-stand test, Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12)) and cognitive function (Rao’s Brief Repeatable Battery (BRB), Paced Auditory Serial Attention Test (PASAT)), fatigue (Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Function (FSMC)), quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29)), and imaging. Brain volumes and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were quantified using FSL-SIENA/FIRST and FSL-TBSS. Results: In all, 35 pwMS completed the trial. Interaction effects in favor of the EXP group were found for VO2max, sit-to-stand test, MSWS-12, Spatial Recall Test, FSMC, MSIS-29, and pallidum volume. VO2max improved by 1.5 mL/kg/min, MSWS-12 by 4, FSMC by 11, and MSIS-29 by 14 points. The Spatial Recall Test improved by more than 10%. Conclusion: Community-located run training improved aerobic capacity, functional mobility, visuospatial memory, fatigue, and quality of life and pallidum volume in pwMS.
The combined effect of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone concentrations on glucose homeostasis in older patients with prediabetes: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Karras Spyridon N , Anagnostis Panagiotis , Antonopoulou Vasiliki , Tsekmekidou Xanthippi , Koufakis Theocharis , Goulis Dimitrios G , Zebekakis Pantelis , Kotsa Kalliopi 
Published: November 2017

Background: The combined effect of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone on glucose homeostasis has not been adequately investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the role of parathyroid hormone/vitamin D axis on glucose homeostasis in elderly persons with prediabetes. Methods: Patients with prediabetes ( n = 144) and healthy age-matched controls ( n = 81) were included in this cross-sectional study. Study parameters included anthropometric characteristics, morning fasting glucose (fasting plasma glucose), insulin (fasting plasma insulin), parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function. Both groups were stratified into subgroups according to vitamin D status and tertiles of parathyroid hormone. Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of body mass index, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone status. In the prediabetes group, fasting plasma glucose differed significantly across parathyroid hormone tertiles, increasing from the first to the third tertile ( p = 0.011). There were higher fasting plasma glucose values in participants with vitamin D deficiency/parathyroid hormone third tertile compared to all other groups ( p = 0.031, 0.027 and 0.039, respectively). Conclusion: Parathyroid hormone status is associated with impaired glucose homeostasis; hypovitaminosis D combined with high parathyroid hormone concentrations are associated with glycaemic dysregulation in elderly patients with prediabetes.
Diabetes based on 2-h plasma glucose among those classified as having prediabetes based on fasting plasma glucose or A1c
Authors: Menke Andy , Rust Keith F , Cowie Catherine C 
Published: November 2017

Objective: Determine the prevalence of diabetes using 2-h plasma glucose among people who otherwise would be categorized as having prediabetes based on A1c and fasting glucose, and to determine whether those people were more likely to have cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: Among 3644 adults with prediabetes based on A1c and fasting glucose in the 2005–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional survey of the US general population, we estimated the percentage who would be categorized as having diabetes based on having a 2-h plasma glucose ⩾200 mg/dL. We calculated odds ratios of cardiometabolic risk factors associated with having 2-h plasma glucose ⩾200 mg/dL. Results: A total of 6.9% would be categorized as having diabetes based on 2-h plasma glucose. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) associated with having 2-h plasma glucose ⩾200 mg/dL were significant for total hypertension (2.06, 1.35–3.14), high triglycerides (1.64, 1.10–2.44), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.55, 1.01–2.39), albuminuria (2.05, 1.33–3.14) and elevated alanine aminotransferase (1.78, 1.09–2.91), but not for other cardiometabolic risk factors. Conclusion: A total of 6.9% of people categorized as having prediabetes based on A1c and fasting glucose would be categorized as having diabetes based on 2-h plasma glucose. They were more likely to have hypertension, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, albuminuria and elevated alanine aminotransferase.
Rethinking the Normal Vote, the Personal Vote, and the Impact of Legislative Professionalism in U.S. State Legislative Elections
Authors: Carsey Thomas M. , Winburn Jonathan , Berry William D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLegislators might rely on their partisan base for electoral support—what scholars call their normal vote—or they may cultivate support among nonpartisans through casework or constituency service—what scholars call a personal vote. Previous research frequently argues that legislators face a tradeoff between pursuing the normal vote and a personal vote as traditionally defined, often focusing on resources used by incumbents to build their personal vote. In contrast, we argue that securing the support of partisans and nonpartisans alike should be evaluated based on how a legislator performs in office, and that the so-called normal and personal vote need not be viewed as in conflict. We evaluate our claims using data from state legislative elections following redistricting, focusing on legislative professionalism to measure the resources available to incumbents that they might use to cultivate a personal note.
Validation of American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth staging system among prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Omar 
Published: November 2017

Background The objective in this paper was to validate the prognostic performance of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th and 8th systems among prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy. Methods The surveillance, epidemiology and end results (SEER) database (2006–2014) was accessed through the SEER*Stat program and AJCC 7th and 8th editions were calculated utilizing T, N and M stages, histological grade group, as well as baseline prostatic-specific antigen (PSA). Cancer-specific and overall survival analyses according to 7th and 8th editions were conducted. Moreover, multivariate analysis was conducted through a Cox proportional hazard model. Results A total of 72,999 patients with prostate cancer were identified in the period from 2006 to 2014. Overall survival was assessed according to AJCC 7th and 8th staging systems. The test for trend for overall survival was significant ( p < 0.0001) for both staging systems. Concordance index for AJCC 7th system was: 0.791 [standard error of the mean (SE): 0.017; 95% CI: 0.758–0.825]; while concordance index for AJCC 8th system was: 0.840 (SE: 0.015; 95% CI: 0.811–0.869). In a multivariate analysis among patients with M0 disease, lower grade group, N0 stage and pT2 stage were associated with better cancer-specific survival ( p < 0.01); while PSA level did not predict cancer-specific survival. Conclusion There is a clear improvement in the discriminatory ability for AJCC 8th versus AJCC 7th staging system in the postprostatectomy setting. This may be related to better integration of biological factors into the staging system.
Isokinetic Strength Deficit 6 Months After Adductor Canal Blockade for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Christensen James E. , Taylor Natalie E. , Hetzel Scott J. , Shepler John A. , Scerpella Tamara A. 
Published: November 2017

Background: Recent evidence shows a delayed return to sport in children and delayed quadriceps recovery in both adults and children who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with concomitant femoral nerve blockade (FNB) compared with those who had no blockade. We evaluated the use of adductor canal blockade (ACB), as an alternative to FNB, at the time of ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Patients who receive ACB will have greater isokinetic strength at 6 months postoperative compared with patients who receive FNB at the time of ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective record review was performed at a single academic medical center to identify all patients aged ≥16 years who had undergone ACL reconstruction with blockade between January 2010 and January 2015. Exclusion criteria included (1) non–sports medicine fellowship–trained surgeon performing the procedure, (2) continuous nerve catheter or concurrent epidural used, (3) revision ACL reconstruction or multiligament reconstruction as the index procedure, (4) previous contralateral ACL reconstruction, (5) concurrent microfracture, and (6) additional surgery within the 6-month outcome period that affected recovery. Isokinetic strength testing was performed using a computerized dynamometer, measuring total work at fast speed and peak torque at slow speed at 6 months; results were evaluated as a percentage of the nonoperative side. Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of block type on isokinetic strength outcome variables, controlling for age, sex, body mass index, graft type, and surgeon. Results: There were 230 patients receiving FNB and 30 patients receiving ACB included in the study. The multivariate regression analysis identified a greater side-to-side deficit in extension total work for the ACB group compared with the FNB group ( P = .040), after controlling for age, sex, body mass index, graft type, and surgeon. Conclusion: Compared with FNB, ACB for ACL reconstruction is associated with a persistent fast-activation isokinetic strength deficit at 6 months after surgery. This is the first study to compare FNB to ACB, and results are concerning for patients planning an early return to sport.
CTLA-4: a moving target in immunotherapy
Authors: Rowshanravan Behzad , Halliday Neil , Sansom David M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCD28 and CTLA-4 are members of a family of immunoglobulin-related receptors that are responsible for various aspects of T-cell immune regulation. The family includes CD28, CTLA-4, and ICOS as well as other proteins, including PD-1, BTLA, and TIGIT. These receptors have both stimulatory (CD28, ICOS) and inhibitory roles (CTLA-4, PD-1, BTLA, and TIGIT) in T-cell function. Increasingly, these pathways are targeted as part of immune modulatory strategies to treat cancers, referred to generically as immune checkpoint blockade, and conversely to treat autoimmunity and CTLA-4 deficiency. Here, we focus on the biology of the CD28/CTLA-4 pathway as a framework for understanding the impacts of therapeutic manipulation of this pathway.
A knock-in mouse strain facilitates dynamic tracking and enrichment of MEIS1
Authors: Xiang Ping , Wei Wei , Hofs Nicole , Clemans-Gibbon Jack , Maetzig Tobias , Lai Courteney K. , Dhillon Ishpreet , May Christopher , Ruschmann Jens , Schneider Edith , Rosten Patricia , Hu Kaiji , Kuchenbauer Florian , Hoodless Pamela A. , Humphries R. Keith 
Published: November 2017

Key Points
The new mouse strain C57BL/6N-Meis1em1Bcca can track the dynamic changes of MEIS1 expression by a GFP reporter and an HA epitope tag. This tagging strategy provides a platform to study the function and regulation of Meis1 as well as other transcription factors.
Quality of life of Hurler syndrome patients after successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Aldenhoven Mieke , van den Broek Brigitte T. A. , Wynn Robert F. , O’Meara Anne , Veys Paul , Rovelli Attilio , Jones Simon A. , Parini Rossella , van Hasselt Peter M. , Renard Marleen , Bordon Victoria , de Koning Tom J. , Boelens Jaap Jan 
Published: November 2017

Key Points
Functional health of transplanted HS patients was significantly diminished. Patients with higher enzyme levels showed favorable results. Psychosocial health appeared unaffected compared with healthy peers.
The significance of changes in platelet concentration during the early phase after severe burn injury in a Chinese mass casualty
Authors: Shou Beiming , Li Junqiang , Tang Chenqi , Tan Qian , Zheng Dongfeng , Sun Binwei , Nie Lanjun , Zhang Hongwei , Jiang Yanan , Wang Chunming , Wu Yanwen 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Background
Changes in platelet concentration are common in severe burn patients. Platelets play a key role in the course of disease. This study aims to explore the significance of platelet concentration during the course of the disease in victims of a mass burn casualty.

Methods
A total of 180 patients were involved in the “8.2” Kunshan explosion accident in China. The examined data included age, gender, total burn area (% TBSA), third-degree burn area (% TBSA), and platelet concentration within the first 5 days after the burn injury. The patients were divided into two groups according to four indicators (resuscitation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, septic shock). We collected several types of data for the patients and divided the patients into a complication group and non-complication group according to the diagnostic criteria. We analyzed the platelet concentration of the two groups using t tests to determine whether significant differences were present. P values &lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results
The group with successful resuscitation had higher platelet concentration than the failure group on day 3 and day 5. The patients who suffered from acute kidney injury (AKI) and septic shock had a lower platelet concentration than non-sufferers on day 3 and day 5.

Conclusions
The platelet concentration of burn patients can dynamically reflect the pathophysiological changes of the body. It can be used as an early objective indicator of prognosis in mass burn casualty cases.
Individual differences in schizophrenia
Authors: Rolls Edmund T. , Lu Wenlian , Wan Lin , Yan Hao , Wang Chuanyue , Yang Fude , Tan Yunlong , Li Lingjiang ,   Chinese Schizophrenia Collaboration Group, Yu Hao , Liddle Peter F. , Palaniyappan Lena , Zhang Dai , Yue Weihua , Feng Jianfeng 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundWhether there are distinct subtypes of schizophrenia is an important issue to advance understanding and treatment of schizophrenia.AimsTo understand and treat individuals with schizophrenia, the aim was to advance understanding of differences between individuals, whether there are discrete subtypes, and how fist-episode patients (FEP) may differ from multiple episode patients (MEP).MethodThese issues were analysed in 687 FEP and 1880 MEP with schizophrenia using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for (PANSS) schizophrenia before and after antipsychotic medication for 6 weeks.ResultsThe seven Negative Symptoms were correlated with each other and with P2 (conceptual disorganisation), G13 (disturbance of volition), and G7 (motor retardation). The main difference between individuals was in the cluster of seven negative symptoms, which had a continuous unimodal distribution. Medication decreased the PANSS scores for all the symptoms, which were similar in the FEP and MEP groups.ConclusionsThe negative symptoms are a major source of individual differences, and there are potential implications for treatment.
Antiemetic Prophylaxis as a Marker of Health Care Disparities in the National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry
Authors: Andreae Michael H. , Gabry Jonah S. , Goodrich Ben , White Robert S. , Hall Charles 
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND:US health care disparities persist despite repeated countermeasures. Research identified race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status as factors, mediated through individual provider and/or systemic biases; little research exists in anesthesiology. We investigated antiemetic prophylaxis as a surrogate marker for anesthesia quality by individual providers because antiemetics are universally available, indicated contingent on patient characteristics (gender, age, etc), but independent of comorbidities and not yet impacted by regulatory or financial constraints. We hypothesized that socioeconomic indicators (measured as insurance status or median income in the patients’ home zip code area) are associated with the utilization of antiemetic prophylaxis (as a marker of anesthesia quality).METHODS:We tested our hypothesis in several subsets of electronic anesthesia records from the National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry (NACOR), fitting frequentist and novel Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models.RESULTS:NACOR contained 12 million cases in 2013. Six institutions reported on antiemetic prophylaxis for 441,645 anesthesia cases. Only 173,133 cases included details on insurance information. Even fewer (n = 92,683) contained complete data on procedure codes and provider identifiers. Bivariate analysis, multivariable logistic regression, and our Bayesian hierarchical model all showed a large and statistically significant association between socioeconomic markers and antiemetic prophylaxis (ondansetron and dexamethasone). For Medicaid versus commercially insured patients, the odds ratio of receiving the antiemetic ondansetron is 0.85 in our Bayesian hierarchical mixed regression model, with a 95% Bayesian credible interval of 0.81–0.89 with similar inferences in classical (frequentist) regression models.CONCLUSIONS:Our analyses of NACOR anesthesia records raise concerns that patients with lower socioeconomic status may receive inferior anesthesia care provided by individual anesthesiologists, as indicated by less antiemetics administered. Effects persisted after we controlled for important patient characteristics and for procedure and provider influences. Findings were robust to sensitivity analyses. Our results challenge the notion that anesthesia providers do not contribute to health care disparities.
Αn assessment of components of crop loss due to infestation by Dacus oleae, in Corfu
Authors: Kapatos Ε.Τ. , Fletcher B.S. 
Published: November 2017

An assessment of components of crop loss caused by the olive fly, Dacus oleae, was carried out in Corfu during the years 1976-1979. The results indicate that the most important component of crop loss due to D. oleae infestation is the preharvest fruit drop induced, mainly, by the third stage larva. Using three starting dates, which coincided with the main periods of infestation between July and October, estimates were made of the proportions of infested fruits induced to fall prematurely before the start of harvesting in November. The larva of D. oleae consumes only a small proportion of the fruit pulp (on average 4.48 %). The effect of infestation on the acidity of the oil is indirect and it is important only when the fruits remain for over a week on the ground before they are collected. Compensation by the tree for premature fruit drop caused by D. oleae infestation does not appear to be of any significance in assessing crop loss.
Funicular sensilla of Dαcus oleαe: fine structural characteristics
Authors: Hallberg Ε. , Den Pers J.N.C. Yan , Haniotakis G.E. 
Published: November 2017

The funicular sensilla in Dacus oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are found both on the surface and in the single olfactory pit. The surface sensilla are of three types: two are single-walled, the third is double-walled. The fine structure of these three sensillar types indicates olfactory function capabilities. The single-walled sensilla are, as a rule, innervated by two sensory cells. The long single-walled sensilla have unbranched sensory processes, whereas in the short they are branched. The double-walled sensilla usually possess three sensory cells that send unbranched sensory processes towards the tip of the hair. The olfactory pit sensilla are of two types: one type is identical to the double-walled type found on the funicular surface. The second type is poreless and found only in the olfactory pit. The poreless sensilla are innervated by three sensory cells, two of which terminate inside the cuticular hair, while the third does not enter inside the hair but terminates freely below it. The functional capabilities of this sensillar type are unknown.
Preliminary information on parasitization rates and larval survival of Metaphycus helvolus Comp. and Metaphycus lounsburyi How., parasites of Saissetia oleae Olivier, under laboratory conditions
Authors: Macropodi Μ. V. 
Published: November 2017

Parasitization rates and larval mortality of M. helvolus and M. lounsburyi parasites of S. oleae were studied under laboratory conditions. Mean life duration of M. helvolus, under temperature 23±1oC and relative humidity 65-70%, was found to be 8.4 days. Only a relatively small proportion of the individuals of S. oleae was parasitized, but the greater proportion of the larvae of the parasite was successfully developed to the adult stage. Mean life duration of M. lounsburyi, under temperature 19±1oC and relative humidity 65-70%, was found to be 10.2 days. Oviposition of M. lounsburyi occurred at a much higher rate but the fact that several eggs were usually laid per S. oleae individual greatly reduced the proportion of the parasitic larvae which developed to the adult stage.