bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI): the correlation between disease severity and psychological burden in patients treated with biological therapies
Authors: Mattei P.L. , Corey K.C. , Kimball A.B. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundMultiple metrics evaluate the efficacy of psoriasis treatment, but interestingly, the correlation between the mostly widely used clinical trial efficacy end point, the physician‐rendered Psoriasis Area Severity Index PASI score and, the most widely used quality of life metric, the Dermatology Life Quality Index DLQI, is not always high.ObjectiveTo perform a systematic review to determine PASI to DLQI correlation.MethodsRCTs of biological agents for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis were reviewed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The mean percentage PASI improvement and change in mean DLQI values were recorded and compared for treatment groups from baseline to 10–16 weeks of therapy.ResultsA search of the literature yielded 155 sources, of which 13 RCTs met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Percentage of PASI improvement from baseline correlates with DLQI changes with an r2 value of 0.80 from baseline through weeks 10–16. When grouped by mean percentage reduction in PASI, agents demonstrating >75% mean reduction in PASI demonstrated a mean DLQI improvement over agents that achieved <75%–50% mean reduction in PASI or <50% mean reduction in PASI [minimal clinically important difference (MCID) 3.2]. In addition, a reduction in mean PASI of at least 75%, predicted a mean movement from DLQI band 3 to DLQI band 1, in all nine treatment arms demonstrating such efficacy.ConclusionsMean PASI and DLQI correlate predictably in patients with chronic moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis undergoing treatment with biological agents. A reduction in PASI of at least 75% can translate to significant quality‐of‐life improvement in patients treated with these therapies.
Quantitative identification of mucosal gastric cancer under magnifying endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement
Authors: Miyaki Rie , Yoshida Shigeto , Tanaka Shinji , Kominami Yoko , Sanomura Yoji , Matsuo Taiji , Oka Shiro , Raytchev Bisser , Tamaki Toru , Koide Tetsushi , Kaneda Kazufumi , Yoshihara Masaharu , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and AimMagnifying endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) is clinically useful in diagnosing gastric cancer and determining treatment options; however, there is a learning curve. Accurate FICE‐based diagnosis requires training and experience. In addition, objectivity is necessary. Thus, a software program that can identify gastric cancer quantitatively was developed.MethodsA bag‐of‐features framework with densely sampled scale‐invariant feature transform descriptors to magnifying endoscopy images of 46 mucosal gastric cancers was applied. Computer‐based findings were compared with histologic findings. The probability of gastric cancer was calculated by means of logistic regression, and sensitivity and specificity of the system were determined.ResultsThe average probability was 0.78 ± 0.25 for the images of cancer and 0.31 ± 0.25 for the images of noncancer tissue, with a significant difference between the two groups. An optimal cut‐off point of 0.59 was determined on the basis of the receiver operating characteristic curves. The computer‐aided diagnosis system yielded a detection accuracy of 85.9% (79/92), sensitivity for a diagnosis of cancer of 84.8% (39/46), and specificity of 87.0% (40/46).ConclusionFurther development of this system will allow for quantitative evaluation of mucosal gastric cancers on magnifying gastrointestinal endoscopy images obtained with FICE.
Biofeedback therapy in constipated, female patients and caused by radical hysterectomy or vaginal delivery
Authors: Park Soo‐Kyung , Myung Seung‐Jae , Jung Kee Wook , Chun Yoon Hee , Yang Dong‐Hoon , Seo So‐Young , Ku Hyun‐Sook , Yoon In Ja , Kim Kyung Jo , Ye Byong Duk , Byeon Jeong‐Sik , Jung Hwoon‐Yong , Yang Suk‐Kyun , Kim Jin‐Ho 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and AimChronic constipation is frequently seen in women who have undergone hysterectomy or delivery. However, reports regarding anorectal physiologic features in those patients are rare. Patients with constipation associated with either radical hysterectomy or vaginal delivery were analyzed in order to clarify the anorectal physiologic features and the effectiveness of biofeedback therapy.MethodsOf the constipated patients, a hysterectomy group (n = 40), delivery group (n = 41), and a control group (n = 89), who had no history of either surgery or delivery before developing functional constipation were included. Their anorectal physiological tests and the effectiveness of biofeedback therapy were investigated.ResultsThe volume of desire to defecate was greater in the hysterectomy group than in the control group (86.5 ± 55.0 mL vs 62.9 ± 33.7 mL; P = 0.03), and more than 240 mL of maximal volume of toleration was more frequently noted in the hysterectomy group (32.5%) than in the delivery group (14.6%) and control group (13.5%) (P = 0.02).The failure of balloon expulsion was more frequently noted in the delivery group (44.0%) than in the hysterectomy group (15.0%) and control group (25.0%) (P = 0.01). The defecation satisfaction score was significantly increased after biofeedback therapy in the hysterectomy group (2.0 ± 2.7 vs 7.8 ± 1.5, P < 0.001), the delivery group (1.6 ± 2.1 vs 6.7 ± 2.0, P < 0.001), and the control group (2.5 ± 2.7 vs 6.9 ± 2.1, P < 0.001).ConclusionsRectal hyposensitivity could have been the characteristic mechanism in the hysterectomy group, whereas dyssynergic defecation could have been the cause in the delivery group. Biofeedback therapy was effective for both groups.
A systematic review of radiofrequency ablation versus percutaneous ethanol injection for small hepatocellular carcinoma up to 3 cm
Authors: Shen Ai , Zhang Hua , Tang Chengyong , Chen Yong , Wang Yefei , Zhang Chao , Wu Zhongjun 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and AimRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) have been used for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) < 3 cm, but there is controversy which of the two methods is superior. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review to assess survival, complete tumor necrosis, recurrence and metastasis, major complications, costs, hospital stays, and posttreatment survival quality of RFA versus PEI for treating small HCCs < 3 cm.MethodsWe conducted a search for published articles in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library until March 2012. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi‐randomized clinical trials were included.ResultsFour RCTs with 766 patients were included in this review. We found that RFA is significantly better than PEI with respect to a 3‐year overall survival for small HCCs (RFA vs PEI, hazard ratios [HR] = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48–0.90, P = 0.009), especially for HCCs > 2 cm (HR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.31–0.99, P = 0.045). RFA had a lower risk of local recurrence (HR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15–0.96, P = 0.040), but no difference is seen for distant intrahepatic recurrence. RFA had higher rates of complete tumor necrosis, but RFA also caused more major complications and was more costly than PEI. Begg's and Egger's tests detected no significant publication bias among the four RCTs.ConclusionsRFA appears superior to PEI with respect to local tumor control and 3‐year survival for small HCCs < 3 cm. RFA was more feasible in patients with HCCs > 2 cm or Child–Pugh A liver function.
Consumer Visual Processing of Food Labels: Results from an Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: Ares Gastón , Giménez Ana , Bruzzone Fernanda , Vidal Leticia , Antúnez Lucía , Maiche Alejandro 
Published: February 2013

AbstractFood labels play a key role in attracting consumers' attention and providing information that could largely influence their purchase decisions. The aim of the present work was to evaluate how consumers acquire information from food labels using eye‐tracking measures. Fifty‐three consumers completed two tasks in which they evaluated perceived healthfulness of the products and willingness to purchase by looking at three unknown labels of three different products (mayonnaise, pan bread and yogurt).Participants' eye movements were recorded using an eye tracker while evaluating the labels. Results showed that in order to evaluate their willingness to purchase and perceived healthfulness of unknown food labels, consumers directed their attention to selected areas, searching for specific information such as brand, ingredients, nutritional information and the image on the label, regardless of type of product and label design.Practical ApplicationsAttention measures based on memory have been reported to be poor indicators of what consumers actually attend to, mainly due to the fact that attention is not necessarily active and conscious. Eye‐tracking measures could be a useful way of studying consumers' processing of visual stimuli such as food labels. Results from the present study suggested that attention toward unfamiliar food labels was mainly determined by top‐down factors. Consumers mainly scanned the labels, searching for specific information related to brand, composition and nutritional information.
Texture and Semantics: The Conceptual Structure in Consumers' Minds
Authors: Varela Paula , Ares Gastón , Fiszman Susana 
Published: February 2013

AbstractConsidering that the memory encoding of perceptual components of our experience involves systems that are associated with the perceptual mechanism, textural terms might be organized in consumers' minds in relation to their perceptual experiences. The aim of this work was to better understand the semantic organization of texture characteristics for Spanish‐speaking consumers, trying to obtain a meaningful word categorization, and to study differences between Spanish and Uruguayan consumers. Fifty‐two Spanish consumers and 47 Uruguayan consumers were asked to sort 37 textural terms according to their own criteria and to write down a few words related to or describing each group. Spanish and Uruguayan consumers categorized the textural terms in the same way, suggesting that they might have developed the same memory structure. Nevertheless, differences were identified in terms of the number of groups used to classify the textural terms and the words used to describe them.Practical ApplicationsUnderstanding the structure of texture vocabulary in consumers' minds could contribute to better describe the texture of food products during product development and the design of marketing and communication strategies. Results from the present work showed that despite cultural differences textural terms were arranged in groups clearly related to food physical structure and the mechanisms underlying their perception.
Does Patients' Place of Residence Affect the Type of Physician Performing Primary Excision of Cutaneous Melanoma in Northern Scotland?
Authors: Green Joanna , Murchie Peter , Lee Amanda J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundRural residence may adversely affect cancer outcomes, perhaps because rural cancer patients are managed differently. Current UK guidelines recommend all patients with suspected melanoma be referred urgently for specialist excision biopsy; however, up to 20% of patients receive their biopsy in primary care. This project explored if rural dwellers with melanoma were more likely to have their primary biopsy in primary care.MethodsA clinical database of all primary cutaneous melanomas diagnosed in Northern Scotland between January 1991 and July 2007 was analyzed for patient demographics, clinical variables, and intermediate outcomes. Significant findings on univariate analysis were then included in a binary logistic regression model to adjust for confounders.ResultsOn univariate analysis patients living in rural areas were significantly more likely to have their melanomas excised in primary care compared with those living in the city (26.3% compared with 17.7%, P < .001). There were no significant differences between rural and urban dwellers in Breslow thickness or completeness of excision. Following adjustment for key confounders, those living in suburban areas and remote small towns were significantly more likely to be treated contrary to current UK melanoma guidelines compared to those in cities.ConclusionsIn Northern Scotland patients living in suburban areas and remote small towns are significantly more likely to have an initial melanoma excision in primary care, contrary to current UK guidelines. This geographical contrast signposts the way to further in‐depth research into the interplay between place of residence and how the cancer journey is experienced.
Hinduism and TESOL: Learning, Teaching and Student‐Teacher Relationships Revisited
Authors: Sharma Bal Krishna 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis historical and philosophical survey provides an overview of ‘learning’‘teaching’ and ‘student‐teacher relationships’ as espoused in Hindu philosophy and its ancient educational practices. It shows that some of what have been regarded as the standard practices and innovations in language pedagogy in the Western world today, especially in Anglo‐American educational contexts, were in existence in the traditional Hindu educational ethos found in the Vedic and Upanishadic periods in the South Asian sub‐continent. This calls into question the representation of learner‐centeredness, autonomy and class discussions as innovative constructs. It shows that such practices in TESOL, for example, are not inherently West‐based and, thus, by contrast are in fact appropriate in non‐Western cultural contexts like Nepal.
Full-Genome Characterization of a G8P[8] Rotavirus That Emerged among Children with Diarrhea in Croatia in 2006
Authors: Delogu Roberto , Lo Presti Alessandra , Ruggeri Franco Maria , Cella Eleonora , Giovanetti Marta , Ciccozzi Massimo , Ljubin-Sternak Suncanica , Bukovski-Simonoski Suzana , Lukic-Grlic Amarela , Ianiro Giovanni , Fiore Lucia 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT
The whole genome of a G8P[8] rotavirus from the 2006 epidemic in Croatia was sequenced and showed a Wa-like genotype constellation. Its VP7 gene clustered with DS-1-like G8 African rotaviruses and a G8P[4] German strain. Remaining genes clustered with contemporary Belgian G1P[8] rotaviruses, suggesting reassortment between human G8 and G1P[8] rotaviruses in Croatia or other European countries.
Detection of the HIV-1 Minus-Strand-Encoded Antisense Protein and Its Association with Autophagy
Authors: Torresilla Cynthia , Larocque Émilie , Landry Sébastien , Halin Marilène , Coulombe Yan , Masson Jean-Yves , Mesnard Jean-Michel , Barbeau Benoit 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT
HIV-1 proteins are synthesized from a single transcript in an unspliced form or following splicing, but the existence of an antisense protein (ASP) expressed from an antisense polyadenylated transcript has been suggested. Difficulties linked to the detection of this protein in mammalian cells led us to codon optimize its cDNA. Codon-optimized ASP was indeed efficiently detected in various transfected cell lines following flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analyses. Western blot analyses also led to the detection of optimized ASP in transfected cells but also provided evidence of its instability and high multimerization potential. ASP was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm in a punctate manner, which was reminiscent of autophagosomes. In agreement with this observation, a significant increase in ASP-positive cells and loss of its punctate distribution was observed in transfected cells when autophagy was inhibited at early steps. Induction of autophagy was confirmed by Western blot analyses that showed an ASP-mediated increase in levels of LC3b-II and Beclin 1, as well as colocalization and interaction between ASP and LC3. Interestingly, Myc-tagged ASP was detected in the context of proviral DNA following autophagy inhibition with a concomitant increase in the level and punctate distribution of LC3b-II. Finally, 3-methyladenine treatment of transfected or infected U937 cells decreased extracellular p24 levels in wild-type proviral DNA and to a much lesser extent in ASP-mutated proviral DNA. This study provides the first detection of ASP in mammalian cells by Western blotting. ASP-induced autophagy might explain the inherent difficulty in detecting this viral protein and might justify its presumed low abundance in infected cells.
Molecular Pathways: Tumor-Derived Microvesicles and Their Interactions with Immune CellsIn Vivo
Authors: Pucci Ferdinando , Pittet Mikael J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCancer is not merely a cell-intrinsic genetic disease but also the result of complex cell-extrinsic interactions with host components, including immune cells. For example, effector T lymphocytes and natural killer cells are thought to participate in an immunosurveillance process, which eliminates neoplastic cells, whereas regulatory T lymphocytes and some myeloid cells, including macrophages, can create a milieu that prevents antitumor activity, supports tumor growth, and reduces survival of the host. Increasing evidence supports the notion that carcinoma cells communicate with immune cells directly, both within and away from the tumor stroma, and that this process fosters suppression of immunosurveillance and promotes tumor outgrowth. An important mode of communication between carcinoma cells and immune cells may involve tumor-derived microvesicles (tMV), also known as exosomes, ectosomes, or microparticles. These microvesicles carry lipids, proteins, mRNAs and microRNAs and travel short or long distances to deliver undegraded and undiluted material to other cells. Here, we consider the capacity of tMVs to control tumor-associated immune responses and highlight the known and unknown actions of tMVs in vivo. We also discuss why microvesicles may play a role in cancer diagnostics and prognostics and how they could be harnessed for anticancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 19(10); 2598–604. ©2013 AACR.
Milatuzumab–SN-38 Conjugates for the Treatment of CD74+ Cancers
Authors: Govindan Serengulam V. , Cardillo Thomas M. , Sharkey Robert M. , Tat Fatma , Gold David V. , Goldenberg David M. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCD74 is an attractive target for antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), because it internalizes and recycles after antibody binding. CD74 mostly is associated with hematologic tumors but is expressed also in solid cancers. Therefore, ADCs of the humanized anti-CD74 antibody, milatuzumab, were examined for the therapy of CD74-expressing solid tumors. Milatuzumab–doxorubicin and two milatuzumab–SN-38 conjugates with cleavable linkers, differing in their stability in serum and how they release SN-38 in the lysosome, were prepared. CD74 expression was determined by flow cytometry and immunohistology. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo therapeutic studies were conducted in the human cancer cell lines A-375 (melanoma), HuH-7 and Hep-G2 (hepatoma), Capan-1 (pancreatic), NCI-N87 (gastric), and Raji Burkitt lymphoma. The milatuzumab–SN-38 ADC was compared with SN-38 ADCs prepared with anti-Trop-2 and anti-CEACAM6 antibodies in xenografts expressing their target antigens. Milatuzumab–doxorubicin was most effective in the lymphoma model, whereas in A-375 and Capan-1 solid tumors, only milatuzumab–SN-38 showed a therapeutic benefit. Despite much lower surface expression of CD74 than Trop-2 or CEACAM6, milatuzumab–SN-38 had similar efficacy in Capan-1 as anti-Trop-2–SN-38, but in NCI-N87, anti-CEACAM6 and anti-Trop-2 conjugates were superior. Studies in two hepatoma lines at a single dose level showed significant benefit over saline controls but not against an irrelevant immunoglobulin G conjugate. CD74 is a suitable target for ADCs in some solid tumor xenografts, with efficacy largely influenced by uniformity of CD74 expression and with SN-38 conjugates providing the best therapeutic responses; SN-38 conjugates were preferable in solid cancers, whereas doxorubicin ADC was better in lymphoma tested. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(6); 968–78. ©2013 AACR.
Hydrogen Peroxide Promotes Aging-Related Platelet Hyperactivation and Thrombosis
Authors: Dayal Sanjana , Wilson Katina M. , Motto David G. , Miller Francis J. , Chauhan Anil K. , Lentz Steven R. 
Published: February 2013

Background—
The incidence of thrombotic events increases during aging, but the mechanisms are not well understood. To investigate the prothrombotic role of oxidative stress during aging, we tested the hypothesis that aged mice overexpressing the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase-1 (Gpx1) are protected from experimental thrombosis.

Methods and Results—

Susceptibility to carotid artery thrombosis was first examined in wild-type C57BL/6J mice. After photochemical injury of the carotid artery, the time to stable occlusion was significantly shorter in 12- and 18-month-old mice compared with 4-month-old mice (
P
<0.01). Unlike wild-type mice, transgenic mice overexpressing Gpx1 (Gpx1 Tg) did not exhibit shortened times to occlusion of the carotid artery at 12 or 18 months of age. Wild-type mice also exhibited increased susceptibility to venous thrombosis after inferior vena cava ligation at 12 or 18 months of age (
P
<0.05 versus 4 months of age). Gpx1 Tg mice were protected from this aging-related enhanced susceptibility to venous thrombosis. Age-dependent platelet hyperactivation, evidenced by increased hydrogen peroxide, fibrinogen binding, and activation of fibrinogen receptor αIIbβ3, was observed in thrombin-activated platelets from wild-type but not Gpx1 Tg mice (
P
<0.05). Enhanced platelet activation responses in aged mice were also prevented by polyethylene glycol–catalase or apocynin, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Aged mice displayed increased intraplatelet expression of p47
phox
and superoxide dismutase-1, suggesting a mechanistic pathway for increased hydrogen peroxide generation.

Conclusions—
Our findings demonstrate that hydrogen peroxide is a key mediator of platelet hyperactivity and enhanced thrombotic susceptibility in aged mice.