bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in cancer-related pathway genes and lung cancer
Authors: Lee Shin Yup , Kang Hyo-Gyoung , Choi Jin Eun , Jung Deuk Kju , Lee Won Kee , Lee Hyun Chul , Lee So Yeon , Yoo Seung Soo , Lee Jaehee , Seok Yangki , Lee Eung Bae , Cha Seung Ick , Cho Sukki , Kim Chang Ho , Lee Myung Hoon , Park Jae Yong 
Published: September 2016

We evaluated the associations between potentially functional variants in a comprehensive list of cancer-related genes and lung cancer in a Korean population.A total of 1969 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 1151 genes involved in carcinogenesis were evaluated using an Affymetrix custom-made GeneChip in 610 nonsmall cell lung cancer patients and 610 healthy controls. A replication study was conducted in an independent set of 490 cases and 486 controls. 68 SNPs were significantly associated with lung cancer in the discovery set and tested for replication.Among the 68 SNPs, three SNPs (corepressor interacting with RBPJ 1 (CIR1) rs13009079T>C, ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) rs1465952T>C and solute carrier family 38, member 4 (SLC38A4) rs2429467C>T) consistantly showed significant associations with lung cancer in the replication study. In combined analysis, adjusted odds ratio forCIR1rs13009079T>C,RRM1rs1465952T>C andSLC38A4rs2429467C>T were 0.69, 0.71 and 0.73, respectively (p=4×10−5, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively) under the dominant model. The relative mRNA expression level ofCIR1was significantly associated with rs13009079T>C genotypes in normal lung tissues (ptrend=0.03).These results suggest that the three SNPs, particularlyCIR1rs13009079T>C, may play a role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer.
The effects of being habitually barefoot on foot mechanics and motor performance in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years: study protocol for a multicenter cross‐sectional study (Barefoot LIFE project)
Authors: Hollander Karsten , van der Zwaard Babette C. , de Villiers Johanna Elsabe , Braumann Klaus‐Michael , Venter Ranel , Zech Astrid 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundBarefoot locomotion has evoked an increasing scientific interest with a controversial debate about benefits and limitations of barefoot and simulated barefoot walking and running. While most current knowledge comes from cross sectional laboratory studies, the evolutionary perspective suggests the importance of investigating the long‐term effects. Observing habitually barefoot populations could fill the current gap of missing high quality longitudinal studies. Therefore, the study described in this design paper aims to investigate the effects of being habitually barefoot on foot mechanics and motor performance of children and adolescents.MethodsThis study has a cross‐sectional, binational design and is part of the “Barefoot Locomotion for Individual Foot‐ and health Enhancement (Barefoot LIFE)” project. Two large cohorts (n(total) = 520) of healthy children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years of age will be included respectively in Germany and South Africa. A barefoot questionnaire will be used to determine habitually barefoot individuals. The testing will be school‐based and include foot mechanical (static arch height index, dynamic arch index, foot pliability) and motor performance (coordination, speed, leg power) outcomes. Gender, BMI and level of physical activity will be considered for confounding.DiscussionThe strength of this study is the comparison of two large cohorts with different footwear habits to determine long‐term effects of being habitually barefoot on foot mechanics and motor performance.
A strategy to ensure safety of stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium cells
Authors: Choudhary Parul , Whiting Paul John 
Published: September 2016

AbstractCell replacement and regenerative therapy using embryonic stem cell-derived material holds promise for the treatment of several pathologies. However, the safety of this approach is of prime importance given the teratogenic potential of residual stem cells, if present in the differentiated cell product. Using the example of embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, we present a novel strategy for ensuring the absence of stem cells in the RPE population. Based on an unbiased screening approach, we identify and validate the expression of CD59, a cell surface marker expressed on RPE but absent on stem cells. We further demonstrate that flow sorting on the basis of CD59 expression can effectively purify RPE and deplete stem cells, resulting in a population free from stem cell impurity. This purification helps to ensure removal of stem cells and hence increases the safety of cells that may be used for clinical transplantation. This strategy can potentially be applied to other pluripotent stem cell-derived material and help mitigate concerns of using such cells for therapy.
Comparative study of allogenic and xenogeneic mesenchymal stem cells on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Ashour Rehab H. , Saad Mohamed-Ahdy , Sobh Mohamed-Ahmed , Al-Husseiny Fatma , Abouelkheir Mohamed , Awad Amal , Elghannam Doaa , Abdel-Ghaffar Hassan , Sobh Mohamed 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Background
The paracrine and regenerative activities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may vary with different stem cell sources. The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of MSCs from different sources on acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by cisplatin and their influence on renal regeneration.

Methods
A single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (5 mg/kg) was used to induce AKI in 120 Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were treated with either rat bone marrow stem cells (rBMSCs), human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs), or human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (hAFSCs). 5 × 106 MSCs of different sources were administered through rat tail vein in a single dose, 24 hours after cisplatin injection. Within each group, rats were sacrificed at the 4th, 7th, 11th, and 30th day after cisplatin injection. Serum creatinine, BUN, and renal tissue oxidative stress parameters were measured. Renal tissue was scored histopathologically for evidence of injury, regeneration, and chronicity. Immunohistochemistry was also done using Ki67 for renal proliferative activity evaluation.

Results
MSCs of the three sources were able to ameliorate cisplatin-induced renal function deterioration and tissue damage. The rat BMSCs-treated group had the lowest serum creatinine by day 30 (0.52 ± 0.06) compared to hADSCs and hAFSCs. All MSC-treated groups had nearly equal antioxidant activity as indicated by the decreased renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased reduced glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at different time intervals. Additionally, all MSCs improved injury and regenerative scores. Rat BMSCs had the highest count and earliest proliferative activity in the renal cortex by day 7 as identified by Ki67; while, hAFSCs seem to have the greatest improvement in the regenerative and proliferative activities with a higher count of renal cortex Ki67-positive cells at day 11 and with the least necrotic lesions.

Conclusions
Rat BMSCs, hADSCs, and hAFSCs, in early single IV dose, had a renoprotective effect against cisplatin-induced AKI, and were able to reduce oxidative stress markers. Rat BMSCs had the earliest proliferative activity by day 7; however, hAFSCs seemed to have the greatest improvement in the regenerative activities. Human ADSCs were the least effective in the terms of proliferative and regenerative activities.
Self-enforcing agreement in cooperative teams: an agent-based modeling approach
Authors: Xiong Hang , Kinsella Stephen , Payne Diane 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Purpose
In cooperative teams (such as agricultural cooperatives), self-enforcing agreement plays a critical role in guaranteeing members’ work incentives when the monitoring from a third party is absent. In order to provide an effective sanction to the violators so as to maintain the agreement, two seemingly conflicting strategies are proposed. One is allowing the members to exit the team freely. The other is imposing a high exit cost to restrict members from leaving the team. The arguments behind each strategy are elaborated in Lin (J Comp Econ 17:504–20, 1993) and Dong and Dow (J Comp Econ 17:472–84, 1993), respectively. However, these strategies have never been tested in the same model. In fact, no formal model is presented for one of the arguments. To fill this gap, we develop a model that incorporates the two arguments as two scenarios in a shared framework.

Methods
An agent-based model is developed to test the two competing hypotheses in the theory of self-enforcing agreement. The model takes heterogeneity of team members (e.g., their laziness, work ability and patience to future well-being) into consideration, which allows us to better understand the divergence of these two arguments.

Results
Using the agent-based model, we conduct computational experiments for testing the two hypotheses. Estimation on the experiment outputs show that (1) The sustained discount rate is lower in exit-free cooperative teams than exit-restricted ones when shirking members exist, which confirms the argument of Lin (J Comp Econ 17:504–20, 1993), and (2) The sustained discount rate is lower in exit-restricted teams than exit-free ones when members’ leisure preferences are not too diverse and the economics of scale are not too large, or when the sizes of the teams are large enough, which verifies the argument of Dong and Dow (J Comp Econ 17:472–84, 1993).

Conclusion
We find the two arguments essentially claim different consequences under different conditions of members’ characteristics and team size. Our study demonstrates agent-based simulation can be an effective approach of testing game theoretical arguments and exploring game theoretical ideas.
Off-label use of tumescent local anaesthesia in endovascular and surgical techniques
Authors: Glowacki P. , Greiner A. , Rass K. , Frings N. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryTumescent local anaesthesia (TLA)has increasingly established itself as the anaesthesia method for operations on varicose veins and has become the standard method in the case of endovascular techniques. However, Off-label use occurs due to the reduced concentration of the local anaesthetic, the incorporation of additives together with a high quantity of LA which exceed the manufacturer’s recommended maximum dosage. In spite of a lack of significant complications arising from the approved use of the TLA and unambiguous positive evaluations of this anaesthesia method by international medical professional associations, the operating phlebologist should inform the patient of this Offlabel use both in the case of operative procedures and endovascular techniques in order to avoid any legal problems.
Effect of Participating in a Quality Improvement System over Time for Point-of-Care C-Reactive Protein, Glucose, and Hemoglobin Testing
Authors: Bukve Tone , Stavelin Anne , Sandberg Sverre 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Users of point-of-care testing (POCT) in Norway participate in a quality improvement system that includes education and guidance in safe laboratory management along with participation in external quality assurance schemes (EQAS).
The aim of this study was to identify the effect on the analytical performance of POCT C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, and hemoglobin (Hb) with the use of a quality improvement system over time and to identify which factors are associated with good performance.

METHODS
Participants' results from 19 EQAS for CRP, glucose, and Hb from 2006 to 2015 along with information on the instruments used and different practice characteristics were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors associated with good laboratory performance. An instrument evaluation and comparison for CRP determination was performed by using commutable EQA material.

RESULTS
The mean number of participants in each EQAS was 2134, 2357, and 2271 for CRP, glucose, and Hb, respectively. The percentage of good participant performances increased gradually whereas that of poor performances decreased with participation in a quality improvement system over 9 years for all 3 analytes. Independent factors associated with good performance were type of instrument, the number of times performing EQA, performing internal QC weekly, performing 10 or more tests weekly, and having laboratory-qualified personnel perform the tests. Considering CRP instrument performance, Afinion and QuikRead exhibited the lowest systematic deviation.

CONCLUSIONS
The analytical quality of CRP, glucose, and Hb testing is improved by systematic participation in a quality improvement system over time.
EFFECT OF α-TOCOPHEROL AND ASCORBIC ACIDS ON PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD IMMUNITY PROFILE OF MALE NATIVE MUSCOVY DUCK
Authors: Tugiyanti E. , Zuprizal Z. , Rusman R. , Yuwanta T. , Ismoyowati I. 
Published: September 2016

The purpose of the research was to assess the effect of α-tocopherol and ascobic acids on the performance and immunity blood profile of male native Muscovy duck. The materials used were 84 male Muscovy ducks at 9 weeks old. The research used completely randomized design with 7 treatments. The treatments were E0C0 : basal diet without α-tocopherol and ascobic acids, E400: basal diet+ α-tocopherol 400IU, E600: basal diet+α-tocopherol 600IU, C400: basal diet+ascorbic acid 400mg/kg, C600: basal diet+ascorbic acid 600mg/kg, E200C200: basal diet+α-tocopherol 200IU+ ascorbic acid 200mg/kg, and E300C300: basal diet+α-tocopherol 300IU+ ascorbic acid 300mg/kg. Each treatment was repeated 4 times and each replication consisted of 3 ducks. The observed variables were body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, packed cell volume (PCV), total of plasma protein (TPP), leucocyte count, basophil, heterophil, eosinophil, monocyte, lymphocytes count and heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio of Muscovy duck. The result indicated that E0C0, E400, E600, C400, C600, E200C200 and E300C300 had no significant difference in body weight, feed intake and feed conversion. There were significant effects on PCV, leucocyte count, percentage of heterophil and lymphocytes, but had no significant effect on eosinophil, monocyte and the H/L ratio. The C400 resulted a higher PCV count, percentage of heterophil, and H/L ratio. The C 600 produced the highest leucocyte count. In conclusion, the supplementation of ascorbic acid at 400 - 600 mg/kg feed ascorbic acid could improve theimmune profile, but could not improve the performance of Muscovy duck.
Prototype-driven alternations: The case of German weak nouns
Authors: Schäfer Roland 
Published: September 2016

AbstractOver the past years, multifactorial corpus-based explorations of alternations in grammar have become an accepted major tool in cognitively oriented corpus linguistics. For example, prototype theory as a theory of similarity-based and inherently probabilistic linguistic categorization has received support from studies showing that alternating constructions and items often occur with probabilities influenced by prototypical formal, semantic or contextual factors. In this paper, I analyze a low-frequency alternation effect in German noun inflection in terms of prototype theory, based on strong hypotheses from the existing literature that I integrate into an established theoretical framework of usage-based probabilistic morphology, which allows us to account for similarity effects even in seemingly regular areas of the grammar. Specifically, the so-calledweakmasculine nouns in German, which follow an unusual pattern of case marking and often have characteristic lexical properties, sporadically occur in forms of the dominantstrongmasculine nouns. Using data from the nine-billion-token DECOW12A web corpus of contemporary German, I demonstrate that the probability of the alternation is influenced by the presence or absence of semantic, phonotactic, and paradigmatic features. Token frequency is also shown to have an effect on the alternation, in line with common assumptions about the relation between frequency and entrenchment. I use a version of prototype theory with weighted features and polycentric categories, but I also discuss the question of whether such corpus data can be taken as strong evidence for or against specific models of cognitive representation (prototypes vs. exemplars).
Improved bounds in Weaver and Feichtinger conjectures
Authors: Bownik Marcin , Casazza Pete , Marcus Adam W. , Speegle Darrin 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
We sharpen the constant in the

KS
2

{\mathrm{KS}_{2}}

Conjecture of Weaver [31] that was given by Marcus, Spielman and Srivastava [28] in their solution of the Kadison–Singer problem.
We then apply this result to prove optimal asymptotic bounds on the size of partitions in the Feichtinger Conjecture.
The Impact of Pharmaceutical Innovation on Cancer Mortality in Belgium, 2004–2012
Authors: Lichtenberg Frank R. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Cancer mortality declined in Belgium during the period 2004–2012, but there was considerable variation in the rate of decline across cancer sites (breast, lung, etc.). I analyze the effect that pharmaceutical innovation had on cancer mortality in Belgium, by investigating whether the cancer sites that experienced more pharmaceutical innovation had larger subsequent declines in mortality, controlling for changes in cancer incidence. The measures of mortality analyzed – premature (before ages 75 and 65) mortality rates and mean age at death – are not subject to lead-time bias. Premature cancer mortality rates are significantly inversely related to the cumulative number of drugs registered 15–23 years earlier. Since mean utilization of drugs that have been marketed for less than 10 years is less than one fourth as great as mean utilization of drugs that have been marketed for at least a decade, it is not surprising that premature mortality is strongly inversely related only to the cumulative number of drugs that had been registered at least 10 years earlier. Drugs registered during the period 1987–1995 are estimated to have reduced the premature cancer mortality rate in 2012 by 20%. Mean age at death from cancer increased by 1.17 years between 2004 and 2012. The estimates indicate that drugs registered during the period 1987–1995 increased mean age at death from cancer in 2012 by 1.52 years. The estimates also suggest that drugs (chemical substances) within the same class (chemical subgroup) are not “therapeutically equivalent,” i.e. they do not have essentially the same effect in the treatment of a disease or condition. The estimates imply that the drugs registered during 1987–1995 reduced the number of life-years lost to cancer at all ages in 2012 by 41,207. The estimated cost per-life-year gained in 2012 from cancer drugs registered in Belgium during the period 1987–1995 was €1311. This estimate is well below even the lowest estimates from other studies of the value of a life-year saved. The largest reductions in premature mortality occur 15–23 years after drugs are registered, when their utilization increases significantly. This suggests that, if Belgium is to obtain substantial additional reductions in premature cancer mortality in the future (15 or more years from now) at a modest cost, pharmaceutical innovation (registration of new drugs) is needed today.
Maximal function characterizations of Hardy spaces associated to homogeneous
higher order elliptic operators
Authors: Cao Jun , Mayboroda Svitlana , Yang Dachun 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Let L be a homogeneous divergence form
higher order elliptic operator with complex bounded measurable coefficients
and

(

p
-

⁢

(
L
)

,

p
+

⁢

(
L
)

)

${(p_{-}(L),p_{+}(L))}$

be the maximal interval of exponents

q
∈

[
1
,
∞
]

${q\in[1,\infty]}$

such that the semigroup

{

e

-

t
⁢
L

}

t
>
0

${\{e^{-tL}\}_{t>0}}$

is bounded on

L
q

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

${L^{q}(\mathbb{R}^{n})}$

.
In this article, the authors establish the non-tangential
maximal function characterizations of the associated Hardy spaces

H
L
p

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

${H_{L}^{p}(\mathbb{R}^{n})}$

for all

p
∈

(
0
,

p
+

⁢

(
L
)

)

${p\in(0,p_{+}(L))}$

,
which when

p
=
1

${p=1}$

, answers a question asked
by Deng, Ding and Yao in [21].
Moreover, the authors characterize

H
L
p

⁢

(

ℝ
n

)

${H_{L}^{p}(\mathbb{R}^{n})}$

via various versions
of square functions and Lusin-area functions associated to the operator L.
Long-term outcome of profound hyponatremia: a prospective 12 months follow-up study
Authors: Winzeler Bettina , Jeanloz Nica , Nigro Nicole , Suter-Widmer Isabelle , Schuetz Philipp , Arici Birsen , Bally Martina , Blum Claudine , Bock Andreas , Huber Andreas , Mueller Beat , Christ-Crain Mirjam 
Published: September 2016

Background
Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality in hospitalized patients and given its impact on mortality and morbidity, a relevant medical condition. Nevertheless, little is known about factors influencing long-term outcome.

Methods
This is a prospective observational 12-month follow-up study of patients with profound hyponatremia (≤125 mmol/L) admitted to the emergency department of two tertiary care centers between 2011 and 2013. We analyzed the predictive value of clinical and laboratory parameters regarding the following outcomes: 1-year mortality, rehospitalization and recurrent profound hyponatremia.

Results
Median (IQR) initial serum sodium (s-sodium) level of 281 included patients was 120 mmol/L (116–123). During the follow-up period, 58 (20.6%) patients died. The majority (56.2%) were rehospitalized at least once. Recurrent hyponatremia was observed in 42.7%, being profound in 16%. Underlying comorbidities, assessed by the Charlson Comorbidity Index, predicted 1-year mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–1.64, P < 0.001). Furthermore, ‘s-sodium level at admission’ (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.29, P = 0.036) and ‘correction of hyponatremia’ defined as s-sodium ≥135 mmol/L at discharge were associated with mortality (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.94, P = 0.034). Mortality rate fell with decreasing baseline s-sodium levels and was lower in the hyponatremia category ≤120 mmol/L vs >120 mmol/L (14.8% and 27.8%, P < 0.01). Patients with s-sodium level ≤120 mmol/L were more likely to have drug-induced hyponatremia, whereas hypervolemic hyponatremia was more common in patients with s-sodium >120 mmol/L.

Conclusion
Hyponatremia is associated with a substantial 1-year mortality, recurrence and rehospitalization rate. The positive correlation of s-sodium and mortality emphasizes the importance of the underlying disease, which determines the outcome besides hyponatremia itself.