bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis isolates from breeding cattery cats in Japan
Authors: Ito Yoichi , Iijima Yuko , Itoh Naoyuki , Kimura Yuya 
Published: December 2017

Objectives The present study reports the multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis isolates from cats maintained in breeding catteries in Japan and discusses their potential for zoonotic transmission. Methods A total of 41 faecal samples positive for Giardia-specific antigen were procured from cats maintained in five breeding catteries and subjected to PCR to amplify four gene loci, namely small subunit ribosomal RNA ( SSU rRNA), glutamate dehydrogenase ( gdh), beta-giardin ( bg) and triose phosphate isomerase ( tpi ). The PCR-amplified DNA fragments were sequenced to determine the G duodenalis genotypes (synonym for assemblages). Results The most commonly occurring single assemblage was assemblage F (68.3%; n = 28/41), followed by assemblage A (12.2%; n = 5/41) and assemblage C (2.4%; n = 1/41). The mixed assemblages were identified as follows: assemblages F and A (9.8%; n = 4/41), assemblages F and C (4.9%; n = 2/41) and assemblages C and D (2.4%; n = 1/41). Additional sub-genotyping of assemblage A isolates based on three of the sequenced loci ( gdh, bg and tpi ) revealed that all eight isolates were identified as sub-assemblage AI and/or AII. Conclusions and relevance The present study is the first to report the detection of dog-adapted assemblages C and D in feline isolates from Japan. In addition, zoonotic sub-assemblage AI and human-adapted sub-assemblage AII were also identified. Thus, we concluded that the risk of transmission of G duodenalis from breeding cattery cats to humans is considerable and cannot be ignored.
Naturally Available Extracts Inhibiting Cancer Progression: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abraham Marin , Augustine Dominic , Rao Roopa S. , Sowmya S. V. , Haragannavar Vanishri C. , Nambiar Shwetha , Prasad Kavitha , Awan Kamran Habib , Patil Shankargouda 
Published: December 2017

Aim. This systematic review is aimed at evaluating the literature on the efficacy of naturally available extracts that inhibit cancer. Methods. A literature search was performed to strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology analysis. Approximately 3000 research articles were initially selected. Of these articles, 200 were included, and 2800 were excluded. On further scrutiny, 150 of the 200 studies were reviews, seminars, and presentations, and 50 were original study articles. Among these articles, 20 studies were selected for the systematic review. Results. The predominant molecular pathways followed by natural extracts were nuclear factor kappa B ligand, suppression of the protein kinase B-Akt/P13K pathway (an intracellular signaling pathway important in regulating cell cycle), vascular endothelial growth factor downregulation, and tumor protein-P53 tumor suppressor upregulation. Conclusions. It is evident that natural extracts have the ability to inhibit cancer progression. Continued research in this field could facilitate the use of natural extracts with currently available anticancer agents.
Does the Addition of Either a Lateral or Posterior Interbody Device to Posterior Instrumented Lumbar Fusion Decrease Cost Over a 6-Year Period?
Authors: Schadler Paul , Derman Peter , Lee Lily , Do Huong , Girardi Federico P. , Cammisa Frank P. , Sama Andrew A. , Shue Jennifer , Koutsoumbelis Stelios , Hughes Alexander P. 
Published: December 2017

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Objectives: Few studies have compared the costs of single-level (1) posterior instrumented fusion alone (PSF), (2) posterior interbody fusion with PSF (PLIF), and (3) lateral interbody fusion with PSF (circumferential LLIF). The purpose of this study was to compare costs associated with these procedures. Methods: Charts were reviewed and patients followed-up with a telephone questionnaire. Medicare reimbursement data was used for cost estimation from the payer’s perspective. Multivariate survival analysis was performed to assess time to elevated resource use (greater than 90% of study patients or $68 672). Results: A total of 337 patients (PSF, 45; PLIF, 222; circumferential LLIF, 70) were included (63% follow-up at 6 years). PSF and circumferential LLIF patients were 3 times more likely to reach the cutoff value compared with PLIF patients ( P = .017). Conclusions: Circumferential LLIF and PSF patients were more likely to have higher resource use than PLIF patients and thus incur greater costs at 6-year follow-up.
Results of Posterior Vertebral Column Resection: Surgical Modification of Suk Technique
Authors: Aydinli Ufuk , Kara Kursat , Mutlu Muren , Yaray Osman 
Published: December 2017

Study Design: Consecutive, retrospective review. Objectives: To evaluate and report a modified posterior vertebral column technique. Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of 20 patients. Patients having severe 3-dimensional deformity with flexibility less than 20% and managed by posterior vertebral body resection (PVCR) between 2011 and 2014 were included in this study. There were 12 female and 8 male patients, with a mean age of 18 year (range = 3-63 years). Results: The average follow-up was 3.5 years (2-5 years). The preoperative coronal plane deformity was 84° (70° to 120°) and corrected to 42° (28° to 68°), showing 60% scoliosis correction. Average preoperative local kyphotic angle was 92° (82° to 110°). Correction rate for kyphosis was 62%. All patients after surgery showed their baseline neurological status, and no complications were encountered. The mean estimated blood loss was 1072 mL (350-2000 mL). Thirty-nine percent (33% to 50%) of total blood loss occurred after vertebral body resection, and 61% (50% to 67%) blood loss occurred after the removal of posterior elements. The ratio of estimated blood loss to estimated body blood volume was 26% (range = 19% to 52%). Conclusion: We found that 60% of total bleeding occurs during and after posterior bone resection. Spinal cord is open to possible iatrogenic direct spinal cord injury with surgical instruments for a much shorter period of time compared with the original technique.
Are there opportunities for a closer collaboration on clinical stroke research in Europe?
Authors: Berge Eivind , Ford Gary A. , Stapf Christian , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Fischer Urs , Coveney Sarah , Weimar Christian , Arnold Marcel , Arsovska Anita , Lemmens Robin , Nederkoorn Paul J. , Kelly Peter J. 
Published: December 2017

Introduction One of the aims of the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) is to facilitate academic, multinational clinical stroke research. However, despite examples of successful regional and national stroke research networks and collaborative groups, there is no organisational structure at a European level that can facilitate multinational clinical stroke research. Materials and methods In a project including a survey and a workshop and involving stroke researchers in the ESO, we sought to identify the challenges faced by existing clinical stroke research networks, to define the purpose and roles of any future European stroke research collaboration, and to propose an organisational structure. Results The survey and workshop gave strong support for an alliance model with independent network members, with the purpose of facilitating clinical stroke research through improved coordination and communication, provision of support, education, and advocacy and communication with other stakeholders. The focus of a proposed European clinical stroke research alliance should be multinational randomised-controlled trials in acute care, prevention and rehabilitation, but the alliance could also support other forms of multi-national clinical stroke research. Conclusion There is an interest for increased collaboration on multinational clinical stroke research in Europe, in the form of an alliance of independent research networks and collaborative groups. The ESO Trials Network Committee will continue consultation with existing stroke research networks and collaborative groups, and other key stakeholders, to assess the feasibility and support for development of an ESO Trials Alliance.
Interim results of brentuximab vedotin in combination with nivolumab in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Herrera Alex F. , Moskowitz Alison J. , Bartlett Nancy L. , Vose Julie M. , Ramchandren Radhakrishnan , Feldman Tatyana A. , LaCasce Ann S. , Ansell Stephen M. , Moskowitz Craig H. , Fenton Keenan , Ogden Carol Anne , Taft David , Zhang Qu , Kato Kazunobu , Campbell Mary , Advani Ranjana H. 
Published: December 2017

Key Points
BV and Nivo were well-tolerated in patients with R/R HL, with less than 10% of patients treated with systemic steroids for immune-related AEs. The complete response rate was 61% (82% objective response rate), and patients were able to undergo stem cell transplant without adverse impact.
Erythropoietin promoted the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma through hypoxia induced translocation of its specific receptor
Authors: Miao Shuo , Wang Su-Mei , Cheng Xue , Li Yao-Feng , Zhang Qing-Song , Li Gang , He Song-Qing , Chen Xiao-Ping , Wu Ping 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Background
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hypoxia-inducible stimulator of erythropoiesis. Besides its traditional application in anemia therapy, it offers an effective treatment in the cancer patients, especially those who receive chemotherapy. Several reports indicated that it could promote the tumor cell proliferation through its specific receptor (EPOR). Unfortunately, the role of EPO/EPOR in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progressing is still uncertain.

Methods
Protein in tumor tissue from HCC patients or H22 tumor-bearing mice was detected with immunohistochemistry. Cells were cultured under 1% oxygen to establish hypoxia. RT-PCR and western blotting were used to measure mRNA and protein of EPO/EPOR, respectively. MTT, flow cytometry and PCNA staining were used to detect cell proliferation. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to study the expression and location of cellular EPOR. The EPOR binding studies were performed with 125I-EPO radiolabeling assay.

Results
EPO and EPOR protein were up-regulated in HCC tissue of patients and H22-bearing mice. These were positively correlated with hypoxia-inducible factor -1 α and ki-67. Hypoxia up-regulated the expression of EPO and EPOR in HepG2 cells. It also induced the proliferation and increased the percentage of divided cells after 24, 48 and 72 h treatment. These were inhibited in cells pre-treated with 0.5 μg/mL soluble-EPOR. Immunofluorescence staining presented that EPOR was obviously translocated from nucleus to cytoplasm and membrane under hypoxia. EPOR binding activity was also increased after exposure to hypoxia. Recombinant human erythropoietin obviously elevated cell proliferation rate and the percentage of divided under hypoxia but not normoxia, which were also inhibited by soluble-EPOR.

Conclusions
Our result indicated for the first time that EPO promoted the proliferation of HCC cells through hypoxia induced translocation of it specific receptor.
Trial registration TJC20141113, retrospectively registered
Generic and attribute-specific deep representations for maritime vessels
Authors: Solmaz Berkan , Gundogdu Erhan , Yucesoy Veysel , Koc Aykut 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Fine-grained visual categorization has recently received great attention as the volumes of labeled datasets for classification of specific objects, such as cars, bird species, and air-crafts, have been increasing. The availability of large datasets led to significant performance improvements in several vision-based classification tasks. Visual classification of maritime vessels is another important task, assisting naval security and surveillance applications. We introduced, MARVEL, a large-scale image dataset for maritime vessels, consisting of 2 million user-uploaded images and their various attributes, including vessel identity, type, category, year built, length, and tonnage, collected from a community website. The images were categorized into vessel type classes and also into superclasses defined by combining semantically similar classes, following a semi-automatic clustering scheme. For the analysis of the presented dataset, extensive experiments have been performed, involving several potentially useful applications: vessel type classification, identity verification, retrieval, and identity recognition with and without prior vessel type knowledge. Furthermore, we attempted interesting problems of visual marine surveillance such as predicting and classifying maritime vessel attributes such as length, summer deadweight, draught, and gross tonnage by solely interpreting the visual content in the wild, where no additional cues such as scale, orientation, or location are provided. By utilizing generic and attribute-specific deep representations for maritime vessels, we obtained promising results for the aforementioned applications.
Evaluating which plan quality metrics are appropriate for use in lung SBRT
Authors: Yaparpalvi Ravindra , Garg Madhur K , Shen Jin , Bodner William R , Mynampati Dinesh K , Gafar Aleiya , Kuo Hsiang-Chi , Basavatia Amar K , Ohri Nitin , Hong Linda X , Kalnicki Shalom , Tome Wolfgang A 
Published: December 2017

Objective:
Several dose metrics in the categories—homogeneity, coverage, conformity and gradient have been proposed in literature for evaluating treatment plan quality. In this study, we applied these metrics to characterize and identify the plan quality metrics that would merit plan quality assessment in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) dose distributions.

Methods:
Treatment plans of 90 lung SBRT patients, comprising 91 targets, treated in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Dose calculations were performed using anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) with heterogeneity correction. A literature review on published plan quality metrics in the categories—coverage, homogeneity, conformity and gradient was performed. For each patient, using dose-volume histogram data, plan quality metric values were quantified and analysed.

Results:
For the study, the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) defined plan quality metrics were: coverage (0.90 ± 0.08); homogeneity (1.27 ± 0.07); conformity (1.03 ± 0.07) and gradient (4.40 ± 0.80). Geometric conformity strongly correlated with conformity index (p &lt; 0.0001). Gradient measures strongly correlated with target volume (p &lt; 0.0001). The RTOG lung SBRT protocol advocated conformity guidelines for prescribed dose in all categories were met in ≥94% of cases. The proportion of total lung volume receiving doses of 20 Gy and 5 Gy (V20 and V5) were mean 4.8% (±3.2) and 16.4% (±9.2), respectively.

Conclusion:
Based on our study analyses, we recommend the following metrics as appropriate surrogates for establishing SBRT lung plan quality guidelines—coverage % (ICRU 62), conformity (CN or CIPaddick) and gradient (R50%). Furthermore, we strongly recommend that RTOG lung SBRT protocols adopt either CN or CIPadddick in place of prescription isodose to target volume ratio for conformity index evaluation.

Advances in knowledge:
Our study metrics are valuable tools for establishing lung SBRT plan quality guidelines.
Analysis of intra and extramyocellular lipids in the multifidus muscle in patients with chronic low back pain using MR spectroscopy
Authors: Takashima Hiroyuki , Takebayashi Tsuneo , Ogon Izaya , Yoshimoto Mitsunori , Morita Tomonori , Imamura Rui , Nakanishi Mitsuhiro , Nagahama Hiroshi , Terashima Yoshinori , Yamashita Toshihiko 
Published: December 2017

Objective:
To analyse the intra- (IMCL) and extramyocellular lipids (EMCL) concentration in the multifidus muscle (Mm) using MR spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with low back pain (LBP), and to evaluate the correlation between those lipid concentrations and age, obesity, atrophy of the Mm and LBP intensity.

Methods:
60 LBP patients underwent routine diagnostic MRI of the lumbar spine before undergoing imaging for the study. Body mass index, as an indicator of obesity and visual analogue scale, as an indicator of LBP were also measured. Proton MRS was acquired with a single-voxel point-resolved spectroscopy sequence. Furthermore, the MRS volume of interest for measuring the IMCL and EMCL concentration at L4/5 for the right Mm was determined, and we measured the cross-sectional area of Mm as an indicator of muscle atrophy.

Results:
Age showed correlation with EMCL concentration (r = 0.314, p = 0.008). The body mass index showed correlation with EMCL concentration (r = 0.358, p = 0.005). The cross-sectional area of Mm showed correlation with EMCL concentration (r = −0.543, p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, the LBP visual analogue scale showed correlation with IMCL concentration (r = 0.367, p = 0.004).

Conclusion:
There were correlations between age, obesity, muscle atrophy, and EMCL concentration in Mm. IMCL concentration in Mm showed a correlation with LBP intensity. This may suggest that IMCL concentration could become an effective objective indicator of chronic LBP intensity.

Advances in knowledge:
We investigated the characteristics of fat content in Mm with LBP patients. This study was demonstrated the association of the IMCL and EMCL concentration in Mm with various patient parameters.
Initial study of three different pathogenic microorganisms by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Karami Najmeh , Mirzajani Fateme , Rezadoost Hassan , Karimi Abdollah , Fallah Fatemeh , Ghassempour Alireza , Aliahmadi Atusa 
Published: December 2017

Background: Diagnoses of respiratory tract infections usually happen in the late phase of the disease and usually result in reduction of the pathogen load after broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, but not in eradication of the pathogen. The development of a non-invasive, fast, and accurate method to detect pathogens has always been of interest to researchers and clinicians alike. Previous studies have shown that bacteria produce organic gases. The current study aimed to identify the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by three respiratory tract pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Methods: The VOCs produced were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), with prior collection of microbial volatile compounds using solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber. The volatile compounds were collected by obtaining bacterial headspace samples. Results: Results showed that these three organisms have various VOCs, which were analyzed under different conditions. By ignoring common VOCs, some species-specific VOCs could be detected. The most important VOC of E. coli was Indole, also some important VOCs produced by S. aureus were 2,3-Pentandione, cis-Dihydro-α-terpinyl acetate, 1-Decyne, 1,3-Heptadiene-3-yne, 2,5-dimethyl Pyrazine, Ethyl butanoate and Cyclohexene,4-ethenyl furthermore, most of identified compounds by C. albicans are alcohols. Conclusions: The detection of VOCs produced by infectious agents maybe the key to make a rapid and precise diagnosis of infection, but more comprehensive studies must be conducted in this regard.
Simulation and visualization of multiple KEGG pathways using BioNSi
Authors: Yeheskel Adva , Reiter Adam , Pasmanik-Chor Metsada , Rubinstein Amir 
Published: December 2017

Motivation: Many biologists are discouraged from using network simulation tools because these require manual, often tedious network construction. This situation calls for building new tools or extending existing ones with the ability to import biological pathways previously deposited in databases and analyze them, in order to produce novel biological insights at the pathway level. Results: We have extended a network simulation tool (BioNSi), which now allows merging of multiple pathways from the KEGG pathway database into a single, coherent network, and visualizing its properties. Furthermore, the enhanced tool enables loading experimental expression data into the network and simulating its dynamics under various biological conditions or perturbations. As a proof of concept, we tested two sets of published experimental data, one related to inflammatory bowel disease condition and the other to breast cancer treatment. We predict some of the major observations obtained following these laboratory experiments, and provide new insights that may shed additional light on these results. Tool requirements: Cytoscape 3.x, JAVA 8 Availability: The tool is freely available at http://bionsi.wix.com/bionsi, where a complete user guide and a step-by-step manual can also be found.
Effects of Online Recommendations on Consumers’ Willingness to Pay
Authors: Adomavicius Gediminas , Bockstedt Jesse C. , Curley Shawn P. , Zhang Jingjing 
Published: December 2017

Recommender systems are an integral part of the online retail environment. Prior research has focused largely on computational approaches to improving recommendation accuracy, and only recently researchers have started to study their behavioral implications and potential side effects. We used three controlled experiments, in the context of purchasing digital songs, to explore the willingness-to-pay judgments of individual consumers after being shown personalized recommendations. In Study 1, we found strong evidence that randomly assigned song recommendations affected participants’ willingness to pay, even when controlling for participants’ preferences and demographics. In Study 2, participants viewed actual system-generated recommendations that were intentionally perturbed (introducing recommendation error), and we observed similar effects. In Study 3, we showed that the influence of personalized recommendations on willingness-to-pay judgments was obtained even when preference uncertainty was reduced through immediate and mandatory song sampling prior to pricing. The results demonstrate the existence of important economic side effects of personalized recommender systems and inform our understanding of how system recommendations can influence our everyday preference judgments. The findings have significant implications for the design and application of recommender systems as well as for online retail practices. The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2017.0703 .
Chief for a Day: Elite Capture and Management Performance in a Field Experiment in Sierra Leone
Authors: Voors Maarten , Turley Ty , Bulte Erwin , Kontoleon Andreas , List John A. 
Published: December 2017

We use a field experiment in Sierra Leone to examine how the identity of the manager influences rent seeking and performance in participatory development projects. Specifically, we vary the composition of a committee responsible for implementing a development project—local elites or randomly selected villagers. The design is unique in that it permits us to explore the effectiveness of two alternative local governance modalities and the extent of elite capture in community projects. We find little evidence that local elites capture project resources. We do observe they are better managers of development projects. Improved performance covaries with a proxy for power of the local chief. Data and the online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2866 . This paper was accepted by Teck-Hua Ho, behavioral economics.