bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment and disease progression in a birth cohort of vertically HIV-1 infected children in Ukraine
Authors: Mahdavi Saboura , Malyuta Ruslan , Semenenko Igor , Pilipenko Tatyana , Thorne Claire ,   Ukraine European Collaborative Study Group
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Background
Ukraine has the highest HIV prevalence (1.6%) and is facing the fastest growing epidemic in Europe. Our objective was to describe the clinical, immunological and virological characteristics, treatment and response in vertically HIV-infected children living in Ukraine and followed from birth.

Methods
The European Collaborative Study (ECS) is an ongoing cohort study, in which HIV-1 infected pregnant women are enrolled and followed in pregnancy, and their children prospectively followed from birth. ECS enrolment in Ukraine started in 2000 initially with three sites, increasing to seven sites by 2009.

Results
A total of 245 infected children were included in the cohort by April 2009, with a median age of 23 months at most recent follow-up; 33% (n = 77) had injecting drug using mothers and 85% (n = 209) were infected despite some use of antiretroviral prophylaxis for prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Fifty-five (22%) children had developed AIDS, at a median age of 10 months (IQR = 6-19). The most prevalent AIDS indicator disease was Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP). Twenty-seven (11%) children had died (median age, 6.2 months). Overall, 108 (44%) children had started highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), at a median 18 months of age; median HAART duration was 6.6 months to date. No child discontinued HAART and 92% (100/108) remained on their first-line HAART regimen to date. Among children with moderate/severe immunosuppression, 36% had not yet started HAART. Among children on HAART, 71% (69/97) had no evidence of immunosuppression at their most recent visit; the median reduction in HIV RNA was 4.69 log10 copies/mL over a median of 10 months treatment. From survival analysis, an estimated 94%, 84% and 81% of children will be alive and AIDS-free at 6, 12 and 18 months of age, respectively. However, survival increased significantly over time: estimated survival rates to 12 months of age were 87% for children born in 2000/03 versus 96% for those born in 2004/08.

Conclusion
One in five children had AIDS and one in ten had died. The half of children who received HAART has responded well and survival has significantly improved over time. Earlier diagnosis and prompt initiation of HAART remain key challenges.
Transcriptional profiling reveals intrinsic mRNA alterations in multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from bone marrow of newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients
Authors: de Lima Kalil A. , de Oliveira Gislane L. V. , Yaochite Juliana N. U. , Pinheiro Daniel G. , de Azevedo Júlia T. C. , Silva Jr Wilson Araujo , Covas Dimas T. , Couri Carlos E. B. , Simões Belinda P. , Voltarelli Julio C. , Oliveira Maria C. , Malmegrim Kelen C. R. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Background
Bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a diverse subset of precursors that contribute to the homeostasis of the hematopoietic niche. MSCs can be isolated and expanded in vitro and have unique immunomodulatory and regenerative properties that make them attractive for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D). Whether autologous or allogeneic MSCs are more suitable for therapeutic purposes has not yet been established. While autologous MSCs may present abnormal function, allogeneic cells may be recognized and rejected by the host immune system. Thus, studies that investigate biological characteristics of MSCs isolated from T1D patients are essential to guide future clinical applications.

Methods
Bone marrow-derived MSCs from recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients (T1D-MSCs) were compared with those from healthy individuals (C-MSCs) for morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics and for differentiation potential. Bioinformatics approaches allowed us to match absolute and differential gene expression of several adhesion molecules, immune mediators, growth factors, and their receptors involved with hematopoietic support and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs. Finally, the differentially expressed genes were collated for functional pathway enrichment analysis.

Results
T1D-MSCs and C-MSCs were similar for morphology, immunophenotype, and differentiation potential. Our absolute gene expression results supported previous literature reports, while also detecting new potential molecules related to bone marrow-derived MSC functions. T1D-MSCs showed intrinsic abnormalities in mRNA expression, including the immunomodulatory molecules VCAM-1, CXCL12, HGF, and CCL2. Pathway analyses revealed activation of sympathetic nervous system and JAK STAT signaling in T1D-MSCs.

Conclusions
Collectively, our results indicate that MSCs isolated from T1D patients present intrinsic transcriptional alterations that may affect their therapeutic potential. However, the implications of these abnormalities in T1D development as well as in the therapeutic efficacy of autologous MSCs require further investigation.
Outcome of Patients With Recurrent Osteosarcoma Enrolled in Seven Phase II Trials Through Children's Cancer Group, Pediatric Oncology Group, and Children's Oncology Group: Learning From the Past to Move Forward
Authors: Lagmay Joanne P. , Krailo Mark D. , Dang Ha , Kim AeRang , Hawkins Douglas S. , Beaty Orren , Widemann Brigitte C. , Zwerdling Theodore , Bomgaars Lisa , Langevin Anne-Marie , Grier Holcombe E. , Weigel Brenda , Blaney Susan M. , Gorlick Richard , Janeway Katherine A. 
Published: July 2016

Purpose The use of radiographic response as the primary end point in phase II osteosarcoma trials may limit optimal detection of treatment response because of the calcified tumor matrix. We performed this study to determine if time to progression could be used as an end point for subsequent studies. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of outcome for patients with recurrent/refractory osteosarcoma enrolled in one of seven phase II trials conducted by the Children’s Oncology Group and predecessor groups from 1997 to 2007. All trials used RECIST or WHO radiographic response criteria and the primary end point of response rate. The following potential prognostic factors—age, trial, number of prior chemotherapy regimens, sex, and race/ethnicity—were evaluated for their impact on event-free survival (EFS). We used data from a phase II study (AOST0221) of patients with osteosarcoma who were given inhaled granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor with first pulmonary recurrence who had an EFS as well as biologic end point to determine the historical disease control rate for patients with fully resected disease. Results In each included trial, the drugs tested were determined to be inactive on the basis of radiographic response rates. The EFS for 96 patients with osteosarcoma and measurable disease was 12% at 4 months (95% CI, 6% to 19%). There was no significant difference in EFS across trials according to number of prior treatment regimens or patient age, sex, and ethnicity. The 12-month EFS for the 42 evaluable patients enrolled in AOST0221 was 20% (95% CI, 10% to 34%). Conclusion The EFS was uniformly poor for children with recurrent/refractory osteosarcoma in these single-arm phase II trials. We have now constructed baseline EFS outcomes that can be used as a comparison for future phase II trials for recurrent osteosarcoma.
Randomized Phase III Trial of Irinotecan Plus Cisplatin Compared With Paclitaxel Plus Carboplatin As First-Line Chemotherapy for Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma: JGOG3017/GCIG Trial
Authors: Sugiyama Toru , Okamoto Aikou , Enomoto Takayuki , Hamano Tetsutaro , Aotani Eriko , Terao Yasuhisa , Suzuki Nao , Mikami Mikio , Yaegashi Nobuo , Kato Kiyoko , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki , Yokoyama Yoshihito , Tanabe Hiroshi , Nishino Koji , Nomura Hiroyuki , Kim Jae-Weon , Kim Byoung-Gie , Pignata Sandro , Alexandre Jerome , Green John , Isonishi Seiji , Terauchi Fumitoshi , Fujiwara Keiichi , Aoki Daisuke 
Published: July 2016

Purpose Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is a rare histologic subtype that demonstrates poor outcomes in epithelial ovarian cancer. The Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group conducted the first randomized phase III, CCC-specific clinical trial that compared irinotecan and cisplatin (CPT-P) with paclitaxel plus carboplatin (TC) in patients with CCC. Patients and Methods Six hundred sixty-seven patients with stage I to IV CCC of the ovary were randomly assigned to receive irinotecan 60 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 plus cisplatin 60 mg/m2 on day 1 (CPT-P group) every 4 weeks for six cycles or paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 plus carboplatin area under the curve 6.0 mg/mL/min on day 1 every 3 weeks for six cycles (TC group). The primary end point was progression-free survival. Secondary end points were overall survival, overall response rate, and adverse events. Results Six hundred nineteen patients were clinically and pathologically eligible for evaluation. With a median follow-up of 44.3 months, 2-year progression-free survival rates were 73.0% in the CPT-P group and 77.6% in TC group (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.58; P = .85). Two-year overall survival rates were 85.5% with CPT-P and 87.4% with TC (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.61; one-sided P = .76). Grade 3/4 anorexia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and febrile neutropenia occurred more frequently with CPT-P, whereas grade 3/4 leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, and joint pain occurred more frequently with TC. Conclusion No significant survival benefit was found for CPT-P. Both regimens were well tolerated, but the toxicity profiles differed significantly. Treatment with existing anticancer agents has limitations to improving the prognosis of CCC.
E-Mail Communication Practices and Preferences Among Patients and Providers in a Large Comprehensive Cancer Center
Authors: Cook Natalie , Maganti Manjula , Dobriyal Aditi , Sheinis Michal , Wei Alice C. , Ringash Jolie , Krzyzanowska Monika K. 
Published: July 2016

Purpose: Little is known about how electronic mail (e-mail) is currently used in oncology practice to facilitate patient care. The objective of our study was to understand the current e-mail practices and preferences of patients and physicians in a large comprehensive cancer center. Methods: Separate cross-sectional surveys were administered to patients and physicians (staff physicians and clinical fellows) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with current e-mail use. Record review was performed to assess the impact of e-mail communication on care. Results: The survey was completed by 833 patients. E-mail contact with a member of the health care team was reported by 41% of respondents. The team members contacted included administrative assistants (52%), nurses (45%), specialist physicians (36%), and family physicians (18%). Patient factors associated with a higher likelihood of e-mail contact with the health care team included younger age, higher education, higher income, enrollment in a clinical trial, and receipt of multiple treatments. Eighty percent of physicians (n = 63 of 79) reported previous contact with a patient via e-mail. Physician factors associated with a greater likelihood of e-mail contact with patients included older age, more senior clinical position, and higher patient volume. Nine hundred sixty-two patient records were reviewed, with e-mail correspondence documented in only 9% of cases. Conclusion: E-mail is commonly used for patient care but is poorly documented. The use of e-mail in this setting can be developed with appropriate guidance; however, there may be concerns about widening the gap between certain groups of patients.
Hypersalinity drives physiological and morphological changes in Limia perugiae (Poeciliidae)
Authors: Weaver Pablo F. , Tello Oscar , Krieger Jonathan , Marmolejo Arlen , Weaver Kathleen F. , Garcia Jerome V. , Cruz Alexander 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT
A fundamental question in biology is how an organism's morphology and physiology are shaped by its environment. Here, we evaluate the effects of a hypersaline environment on the morphology and physiology of a population of livebearing fish in the genus Limia (Poeciliidae). We sampled from two populations of Limia perugiae (one freshwater and one hypersaline) in the southwest Dominican Republic. We evaluated relative abundance of osmoregulatory proteins using western blot analyses and used a geometric morphometric approach to evaluate fine-scale changes to size and shape. Our data show that gill tissue isolated from hypersaline fish contained approximately two and a half times higher expression of Na+/K+ ATPase proteins. We also show evidence for mitochondrial changes within the gills, with eight times more complex I and four times higher expression of ATP synthase within the gill tissue from the hypersaline population. The energetic consequences to Limia living in saline and hypersaline environments may be a driver for phenotypic diversity, reducing the overall body size and changing the relative size and shape of the head, as well as impeding the growth of secondary sex features among the males.
Modulation of digestive physiology and biochemistry inMytilus californianusin response to feeding level acclimation and microhabitat
Authors: Connor Kwasi M. , Sung Aaron , Garcia Nathan S. , Gracey Andrew Y. , German Donovan P. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTThe intertidal mussel Mytilus californianus is a critical foundation species that is exposed to fluctuations in the environment along tidal- and wave-exposure gradients. We investigated feeding and digestion in mussels under laboratory conditions and across environmental gradients in the field. We assessed whether mussels adopt a rate-maximization (higher ingestion and lower assimilation) or a yield-maximization acquisition (lower ingestion and higher assimilation) strategy under laboratory conditions by measuring feeding physiology and digestive enzyme activities. We used digestive enzyme activity to define resource acquisition strategies in laboratory studies, then measured digestive enzyme activities in three microhabitats at the extreme ends of the tidal- and wave-exposure gradients within a stretch of shore (&lt;20 m) projected sea-ward. Our laboratory results indicated that mussels benefit from a high assimilation efficiency when food concentration is low and have a low assimilation efficiency when food concentration is high. Additionally, enzyme activities of carbohydrases amylase, laminarinase and cellulase were elevated when food concentration was high. The protease trypsin, however, did not increase with increasing food concentration. In field conditions, low-shore mussels surprisingly did not have high enzyme activities. Rather, high-shore mussels exhibited higher cellulase activities than low-shore mussels. Similarly, trypsin activity in the high-shore-wave-sheltered microhabitat was higher than that in high-shore-wave-exposed. As expected, mussels experienced increasing thermal stress as a function of reduced submergence from low to high shore and shelter from wave-splash. Our findings suggest that mussels compensate for limited feeding opportunities and thermal stress by modulating digestive enzyme activities.
District nurses' experiences of musculoskeletal wellbeing: a qualitative study
Authors: Boniface Graham , Ghosh Sudip , Robinson Lisa 
Published: July 2016

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders significantly contribute to staff sickness and absence in the NHS. District nurses are especially at risk because patient handling tasks are often carried out outside a clinical environment. Study aim: To explore district nurses' lived experience of musculoskeletal wellbeing. Study design: An exploratory qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Method: Semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample of seven district nurses. Findings: Study participants accepted musculoskeletal pain as part of nursing and reported little time for physical activity, often because of work and family commitments. Participants identified treating patients' leg ulcers as a risk factor for developing MSD, while generic workplace wellbeing initiatives delivered via email failed to engage their interest. Conclusion: This study provides a useful insight into district nurses' experiences of musculoskeletal wellbeing and represents an important first step in producing recommendations for future research with the aim of developing strategies for improving workplace musculoskeletal wellbeing that would be acceptable to staff.
A PHENETIC STUDY OF THE CALAMUS FLABELLATUS COMPLEX (PALMAE) IN WEST MALESIA
Authors: SYAM NASRIANTI , CHIKMAWATI TATIK , RUSTIAMI HIMMAH 
Published: July 2016

SYAM, N., CHIKMAWATI, T. & RUSTIAMI, H. 2016. A phenetic study of the Calamus flabellatus complex (Palmae) in West Malesia. Reinwardtia 15(1): 27 - 41. — The number of species within the Calamus flabellatus complex is still under controversy because the taxonomic status of the species is not yet clear. Morphological observations were conducted on 119 collections of Calamus in the Herbarium Bogoriense (BO) and specimen images from the Singapore Herbarium (SING) and Kew Herbarium (K). The results showed that C. flabellatus complex (all species related to C. flabellatus) in West Malesia consisted of eight species and two varieties, i.e. C. acuminatus, C. amplijugus, C. congestiflorus, C. corrugatus, C. flabellatus, C. hypertrichosus, C. javensis, and C. ruvidus. They can be distinguished using several characters, i.e. leaf sheath, knee, ocrea, leaves, inflorescence, shape of fruit, number scale of fruit and seed. Calamus flabellatus var. laevibus and C. flabellatus var. congestispinosus are two new proposed varieties. Phenetic analysis of C. flabellatus complex in West Malesia divided all species into two major clusters with similarity coefficient of 46%.
A review on paleoenvironment suitability for hominid fossils and other early vertebrate faunas: a case from Pucangan and Kabuh Formations, Central and East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Kapid Rubiyanto , Arif Johan , Irawan Dasapta Erwin 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
The northern part of the East Java Basin has become a focus of research by earth scientists, among others, because of the existence of hominid fossils and remains of other vertebrate taxa within the Quaternary sedimentary sequence. Fossil-bearing layers are found in the Kendeng Zone, mostly within the well-known Pucangan and Kabuh Formations, which are distributed from Central to East Java. However, not all formations contain vertebrate fossils as well as hominid elements. It is important to consider what factors may have influenced the concentration of vertebrate fossils in those formations. In this study, we describe sedimentary facies at three key field locations: Sangiran, Ngawi, and Mojokerto. Our study indicates that vertebrate remains and hominid fossils mainly accumulated in continental sediments associated with lacustrine and fluvial systems. In this regard, Sangiran and Ngawi B offer the greatest prospect for yielding hominid remains, owing to their unique paleoenvironmental and paleogeographical settings as a highland during the Early–Middle Pleistocene period. Certain parts of the Kabuh Formation in the Mojokerto region also hold high potential, especially those displaying evidence of continental deposition.
A recuperabilidade em Objetos de Aprendizagem de Línguas: descritores em repositórios digitais
Authors: Costa Alan Ricardo , Fialho Vanessa Ribas 
Published: July 2016

A finalidade da presente pesquisa é discutir a característica da recuperabilidade e sua importância em Objetos de Aprendizagem (OAs) e Objetos de Aprendizagem de Línguas (OALs), sobretudo no que diz respeito à presença de descritores em repositórios. Tal discussão se dá tendo como base uma investigação de cunho exploratório efetuada pelo grupo de pesquisadores responsáveis pelo repositório virtual de recursos didáticos para o ensino de Espanhol como Língua Estrangeira (E/LE) Acción E/LE, com vistas a ressalvar o papel de descritores que propiciem uma recuperabilidade pedagógica. Os resultados indicam que seis dos sete repositórios averiguados apresentam descritores pedagógicos, como “nível do objeto (básico, intermediário ou avançado)”, por exemplo, que podem contribuir para a construção de uma lista de descritores para o Repositótio Acción E/LE. Conclui-se que os atuais repositórios de OAs, apesar de passíveis de melhorias quanto ao uso e a organização de descritores pedagógicos, podem servir como referência para o aumento da recuperabilidade de repositórios digitais de OALs.
Concentration with a single sign-changing layer at the higher critical exponents
Authors: Clapp Mónica , Faya Jorge 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
We exhibit a new concentration phenomenon for the supercritical problem

-

Δ
⁢
v

=

λ
⁢
v

+

|
v
|

p
-
2

⁢
v

in
⁢
Ω

,

v
=

0

on
⁢

∂
⁡
Ω

,

-\Delta v=\lambda v+|v|^{p-2}v\quad\text{in }\Omega,\qquad v=0\quad\text{on }%
\partial\Omega,

as

p
→

2

N
,
m

∗

{p\rightarrow 2_{N,m}^{\ast}}

from below, where

2

N
,
m

∗

:=

2
⁢

(

N
-
m

)

N
-
m
-
2

{2_{N,m}^{\ast}:=\frac{2(N-m)}{N-m-2}}

,

1
≤
m
≤

N
-
3

{1\leq m\leq N-3}

, is the so-called

(

m
+
1

)

{(m+1)}

-th critical exponent.
We assume that Ω is of the form

Ω
:=

{

(

x
1

,

x
2

)

∈

ℝ

m
+
1

×

ℝ

N
-
m
-
1

:

(

|

x
1

|

,

x
2

)

∈
Θ

}

,

\Omega:=\bigl{\{}(x_{1},x_{2})\in\mathbb{R}^{m+1}\times\mathbb{R}^{N-m-1}:(|x_%
{1}|,x_{2})\in\Theta\bigr{\}},

where Θ is a bounded smooth domain in

ℝ

N
-
m

{\mathbb{R}^{N-m}}

such that

Θ
¯

⊂

(
0
,
∞
)

×

ℝ

N
-
m
-
1

{\overline{\Theta}\subset(0,\infty)\times\mathbb{R}^{N-m-1}}

.
Under some symmetry assumptions, we show that there exists

λ
∗

≥
0

{\lambda_{\ast}\geq 0}

such that
for each

λ
∈

(

-
∞

,

λ
∗

)

∪

{
0
}

{\lambda\in(-\infty,\lambda_{\ast})\cup\{0\}}

,
there exist a sequence

p
k

∈

(
2
,

2

N
,
m

∗

)

{p_{k}\in(2,2_{N,m}^{\ast})}

with

p
k

→

2

N
,
m

∗

{p_{k}\rightarrow 2_{N,m}^{\ast}}

and a sequence of solutions

v
k

{v_{k}}

which concentrate and blow up along an m-dimensional sphere of minimal radius contained in

∂
⁡
Ω

{\partial\Omega}

, developing a single sign-changing layer as

p
k

→

2

N
,
m

∗

{p_{k}\rightarrow 2_{N,m}^{\ast}}

.
In contrast with previous results,
the asymptotic profile of this layer on each space perpendicular to the blow-up sphere is not a sum of positive and negative bubbles,
but a rescaling of a sign-changing solution to the critical problem

-

Δ
⁢
u

=

|
u
|

4
/

(

N
-
m
-
2

)

⁢
u

,

u
∈

D

1
,
2

⁢

(

ℝ

N
-
m

)

.

-\Delta u=|u|^{{4}/({N-m-2})}u,\quad u\in D^{1,2}(\mathbb{R}^{N-m}).

Moreover,

λ
∗

>
0

{\lambda_{\ast}>0}

if

m
≥
2

{m\geq 2}

.