bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the Near‐surface Urban Heat Island in Beijing, China by Satellite Remote Sensing
Authors: XU YONGMING , LIU YONGHONG 
Published: November 2014

AbstractUrban heat island (UHI) effect is an important impact factor of the regional climate and ecological environment. How to observe and analyse the spatial distribution of UHI has become an important issue of urban environmental research. In this paper, the near‐surface air temperature of Beijing was derived based on the Landsat/TM satellite imagery on 26 July 2011 to study the near‐surface UHI. A statistical model at 195‐m window size was established to estimate the air temperature, using land surface temperature, normalized difference vegetation index, altitude, and surface albedo as independent variables. The mean absolute error (MAE) of the model was 0.87°C, and the R2 was 0.66, indicating that the method can be used to effectively estimate the air temperature. The air temperature distribution obtained from remote sensing revealed that the UHI effect in Beijing was very significant and showed a concentrated pattern. The heat island intensity was stronger in the southern part than in the northern part of the city. In addition, the relationship between the air temperature and impervious surfaces was analysed. The air temperature increased with increasing impervious surface coverage, and the rate of change depended on the impervious surface coverage. When the impervious surface coverage was below 40 per cent, the temperature increased rapidly with increasing impervious surface coverage, and when the impervious surface coverage was above 40 per cent, the temperature increased slowly. This study provides a new approach to monitor near‐surface UHI and reveals its relationship with impervious surface, providing a scientific reference for urban planning and environmental assessment.
Blood Flows in Tributaries of the Portal Vein: Anatomical and Angiographic Studies in Normal Beagle Dogs
Authors: Mogicato G. , Vautravers G. , Meynaud‐Collard P. , Deviers A. , Sautet J. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryLiver anatomy, particularly its vascularization, has been investigated in many studies in dogs. Knowledge of blood flow from the main tributaries of the portal vein (PV) is necessary to explain the preferential sites of secondary lesions within the liver based on the site of the initial malignant lesion. How these flows come together was established in an earlier ex vivo study. Here, we highlight in vivo the blood flows from the main PV tributaries and their distribution in the liver of normal dogs. Portographs of the main PV tributaries were obtained in seven dogs after injection of an angiographic contrast medium. After euthanasia, the livers and their portal vascularization (PV and tributaries) were extracted for a comparative corrosion cast study. Flows were demonstrated in the cranial mesenteric vein, caudal mesenteric vein and splenic vein. However, no proper flow could be distinguished for the gastroduodenal and ileocolic veins. All these tributaries primarily supply the lateral liver lobes (right or left). Most of our observations indicate that the cranial mesenteric, caudal mesenteric and splenic veins primarily supply the right lateral lobe and the caudate process of the caudate lobe and secondarily the left lateral lobe, left medial lobe and the quadrate lobe. The two other tributaries (gastroduodenal and ileocolic veins) primarily supply the right lateral lobe and the caudate process of the caudate lobe.
Exploitation of sperm‐Escherichia coli interaction at the receptor‐ligand level for the development of anti‐receptor antibodies as the vaginal contraceptive
Authors: Kaur K. , Kaur S. , Prabha V. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIn an earlier work performed in our laboratory, we have been able to isolate a sperm receptor (SR) from human spermatozoa playing critical role in fertilization using sperm–‐E. coli interactions at the receptor‐ligand level. It has been hypothesized that for the development of an immunocontraceptive, antibodies generated against the SR should have the ability to impair sperm parameters. In this league, an attempt was made to generate anti‐SR antibodies and their effect on sperm parameters such as motility, viability, Mg2+‐dependent ATPase activity, acrosome status, and apoptotic index was examined. Loss of sperm motility was observed with 100% agglutination. Interaction of anti‐SR antibodies with spermatozoa resulted in reduced Mg2+‐dependent ATPase activity (1020 ± 0.53%), premature acrosomal loss (61.5 ± 0.67%) as well as induced apoptosis (58.76 ± 2.5%). The induction of sperm damage was specifically because of anti‐SR polyclonal antibodies as it could be mitigated by the addition of purified SR. Further, when in vivo efficacy of anti‐SR antibodies was checked, results showed that a single intravaginal administration with anti‐SR antibodies in female BALB/c mice led to the failure of conception. However, simultaneous administration of SR with anti‐SR polyclonal antibodies resulted in sustenance of fertility. Infertility induced by anti‐SR antibodies did not show any other tissue pathology; hence the present work highlights the potential of anti‐SR polyclonal antibodies to be used as a vaginal contraceptive.
Identification of known and novel germ cell cancer‐specific (embryonic) miRs in serum by high‐throughput profiling
Authors: Rijlaarsdam M. A. , van Agthoven T. , Gillis A. J. M. , Patel S. , Hayashibara K. , Lee K. Y. , Looijenga L. H. J. 
Published: November 2014

SummarymicroRNAs (miRs) are short non‐coding RNA molecules (≈21 nucleotides) involved in regulation of translation. As such they are crucial for normal cell development and differentiation as well as cellular maintenance. Dysregulation of miRs has been reported in various diseases, including cancer. Interestingly, miRs can be informative as tumor classifiers and disease biomarkers. Recent studies demonstrated the presence of miRs in body fluids like serum, thus providing a putative non‐invasive tool to study and monitor disease state. Earlier targeted studies by several independent groups identified specific embryonic miRs as characteristic for germ cell tumors (GCT) (miR‐371‐2‐3 & miR‐302/367 clusters). This study reports a high‐throughput miR profiling (≈750 miRs) approach on serum from testicular germ cell tumor patients (14 seminoma and 10 non‐seminoma) and controls (n = 11), aiming at independent identification of miRs as candidate biomarkers for testicular GCT. A magnetic bead capture system was used to isolate miRs from serum. Subsequently, the TaqMan Array Card 3.0 platform was used for profiling. The previously identified miRs 371 and 372 were confirmed to be specifically elevated in serum from germ cell tumor patients. In addition, several novels miRs were identified that were discriminative between germ cell cancer and controls: miR‐511, ‐26b, ‐769, ‐23a, ‐106b, ‐365, ‐598, ‐340, and let‐7a. In conclusion, this study validates the power of the embryonic miRs 371 and 372 in detecting malignant GCT (SE and NS) based on serum miR levels and identifies several potential novel miR targets.
Helicobacter‐negative gastritis: a distinct entity unrelated to Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Genta R. M. , Sonnenberg A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryBackgroundHelicobacter‐negative gastritis is diagnosed when no organisms are detected in a gastric mucosa with typical features of Helicobacter gastritis (Hp‐gastritis). If Helicobacter‐negative gastritis consisted mostly of ‘missed’ Helicobacter infections, its prevalence should represent a constant percentage of these infections in a population, and their clinico‐epidemiological features would overlap.AimTo compare the epidemiologic patterns of Hp‐positive and Hp‐negative gastritis.MethodsFrom a pathology database, we extracted demographic, clinical and histopathological data from patients with gastric biopsies (1.2008–12.2013). We allocated patients to high (≥12%) and low (≤6%) H. pylori prevalence regions defined by ZIP code‐based data. The prevalence of H. pylori‐positive and ‐negative gastritis by sex, age and state were expressed as a per cent of the total study population stratified accordingly.ResultsOf 895 323 patients, 10.6% had Hp‐gastritis and 1.5% Helicobacter‐negative gastritis. Hp‐gastritis, but not Helicobacter‐negative gastritis, was more common in males than females (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.16–1.19). While Hp‐gastritis was more prevalent in high than in low‐prevalence areas (OR 3.65, 95% CI: 3.57–3.74), Helicobacter‐negative gastritis was only minimally affected by the underlying H. pylori prevalence (1.7% vs. 1.5%). The age‐specific prevalence of Hp‐gastritis peaked in the 4th to 5th decades; Helicobacter‐negative gastritis exhibited a low and relatively flat pattern. The geographic distribution of H. pylori‐positive and ‐negative gastritis showed no significant correlation. Intestinal metaplasia was found in 13.0% of patients with Hp‐gastritis and in 6.1% of those with Helicobacter‐negative gastritis (OR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.40–0.47).ConclusionThese data suggest that Helicobacter‐negative gastritis is, in the vast majority of cases, a nosologically and epidemiologically distinct entity that deserves further investigation.
Managing the challenge of PTLD in liver and bowel transplant recipients
Authors: Lauro Augusto , Arpinati Mario , Pinna Antonio D. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryPost‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) remains a common complication of liver and bowel transplantion. The ubiquity of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) combined with engraftment of organs rich with lymphatic tissue and the requirement of highly immunosuppressive regimens are factors that account for the high frequency and poor prognosis of PTLD in this population. Early detection of the virus followed by pre‐emptive reduction of immunosuppression are essential components in the management of PTLD, but can increase the risk of graft loss. More recently, the anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) has been shown to improve survival in various transplant populations with PTLD, while other therapeutic options, such as chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy, have minimal clinical impact. EBV‐directed cytotoxic T cells have shown promise in the management of PTLD but clinical use is currently limited by lack of technical facilities worldwide.
Transition experience of young adults with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): a mixed methods study
Authors: Plevinsky J. M. , Gumidyala A. P. , Fishman L. N. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundOutcomes following transition can be poor; many young adults are ill prepared to take responsibility for their health care, older adolescents report incomplete understanding of medications, and parents remain largely responsible for their care. Good patient–provider relationships are associated with better adherence; however, the role of the relationship between post‐transition patients and their providers has not been explored. The current study aimed to understand transition of young adults with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), the impact of the paediatric patient–provider relationship and what determines the adult patient–provider relationship.MethodsThis study examined the experience of young adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (aged 18–30) after transition. Twenty‐nine patients completed a 31‐item online survey of their transition experience from paediatric to adult care. Responses were coded quantitatively and qualitatively, and qualitative responses were analysed by two independent raters.ResultsPositive themes regarding adult providers included independence, autonomy and trust, while negative themes included initial discomfort and confusing logistics. Five of six patients who reported ‘terrifying’ first visit experiences with their adult providers reported overall positive relationships. The earlier the diagnosis age, the less involved in medical decisions they were as an adult (r = 0.41, P = .03). Those who had a more positive experience with their paediatric providers were more likely to bring up confusion with their adult providers (r = .45, P = .04), and those who had a more positive experience with their adult providers were more likely to endorse collaborative medical decision‐making (r = .57, P < .001).ConclusionsPatients diagnosed with IBD at a young age may need extra education and self‐management strategies, as they were less likely to exhibit behaviours indicative of a successful transition to adult care. Additionally, transition programme development may benefit from the post‐transition perspective across chronic illness populations.
Integration of a postoperative calcitonin measurement into an anatomical staging system improves initial risk stratification in medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Yang Ji H. , Lindsey Susan C. , Camacho Cléber P. , Valente Flávia O. F. , Germano‐Neto Fausto , Machado Alberto L. , Mamone Maria Conceição O. C. , Brodskyn Fábio , Biscolla Rosa Paula M. , Tuttle Robert Michael , Dias‐da‐Silva Magnus R. , Maciel Rui M. B. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryObjectiveStaging systems applied to medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) rely on initial clinical and pathological features and do not consider the response to treatment. To determine whether MTC staging can be improved by incorporating the first postoperative calcitonin measurement.Patients and measurementsEighty‐five patients being monitored for MTC (median follow‐up 5 years) were retrospectively classified according to both the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the proposed combined risk stratification system (low, intermediate and high risk), which incorporates the first postoperative calcitonin measurement, using the outcomes no evidence of disease (NED), biochemical evidence of disease, structurally identifiable disease and death.ResultsNinety per cent of AJCC I patients were classified as NED at final follow‐up. When we added a postoperative calcitonin measurement, 95% low‐risk patients were classified as NED at final follow‐up. AJCC stages I and IV were associated, respectively, with no occurrence and a high rate (63%) of structurally identifiable disease. Stages II and III yielded similar predictions of structurally identifiable disease, 13% and 14%, respectively. When we included the postoperative calcitonin level, the patients with structural evidence of disease included none from the low‐risk group, 10% from the intermediate group and 63% from the high‐risk group. The proportion of variance explained analysis (PVE) was better for the combined risk stratification system (54%) than for the AJCC system alone (32%).ConclusionIncluding the first postoperative calcitonin measurement with the anatomical staging system can better predict the clinical outcome of patients with MTC and refine the follow‐up of these patients.
Evaluation of theDDAVPtest in the diagnosis of Cushing's Disease
Authors: Rollin Guilherme A.F. , Costenaro Fabiola , Gerchman Fernando , Rodrigues Ticiana C. , Czepielewski Mauro A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo analyse the performance of the desmopressin (DDAVP) test in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease (CD).MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of 124 patients with suspected hypercortisolism who were recruited from an outpatient endocrinology clinic and investigated for Cushing's syndrome (CS). TheACTHand cortisol responses to theDDAVPtest were assessed to determine patient diagnosis and test the procedure's diagnostic accuracy.ResultsA total of 68 patients hadCD, while 56 had suspectedCS. According toROCanalysis, anACTHpeak of 71·8 pg/ml (15·8 pmol/l) followingDDAVPadministration was able to diagnoseCDwith a specificity of 94·6% and a sensitivity of 90·8%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 89·9% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 95·3%. An absoluteACTHincrement ≥37 pg/ml (8·1 pmol/l) over baseline had a sensitivity of 88·0%, specificity of 96·4%,NPVof 87·0% andPPVof 95·3% in diagnosingCD. Only 2 of 56 cases withoutCDhad an absoluteACTHincrement ≥37 pg/ml (8·1 pmol/l) over baseline. TheDDAVPtest was superior to other clinical instruments in diagnosingCS.ConclusionsTheDDAVPtest could be a useful additional tool to diagnoseCDin patients with suspectedCS.
Cumulative Voting: Investor Protection or Antitakeover? Evidence from Family Firms in China
Authors: Chen Yugang , Li Wenjing , Lin Karen Jingrong 
Published: November 2014

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThe Chinese government regulates on the adoption of cumulative voting (CV) in order to protect minority shareholders by allowing them to elect a dissident director. However, adopting CV may deter potential acquirers, reducing the effectiveness of corporate takeover as a governance mechanism. Even worse, lacking enforcement of CV adoption allows firms to adopt CV when they need to deter potential acquirers.Research Findings/InsightsFirst, we find CV adopters have better governance overall, but also have tightened control such as higher ownership concentration. This evidence hints that when a firm adopts better governance to signal the market, it may tighten control in other ways such as increasing shareholder power and adopting CV. Second, we distinguish the role of CV in investor protection by examining its competing effects on tunneling and antitakeover. We find that CV does not reduce tunneling but lowers the probability of CEO turnover and of the firm becoming a takeover target. These results indicate that CV is used as an antitakeover measure in family‐controlled listed companies. Finally, we find that adopting CV has no impact on company performance.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsOur evidence sheds light on the incentives embedded in the ownership structure that can determine the governance mechanism in family firms.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsSince 2002, the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission requires firms with a controlling shareholder holding more than 30 percent of shares to adopt CV. Our study shows that this policy has unintended consequences and does not always protect minority shareholders.
Comparison of the Cellient™ automated cell block system and agar cell block method
Authors: Kruger A. M. , Stevens M. W. , Kerley K. J. , Carter C. D. 
Published: November 2014

ObjectiveTo compare the CellientTM automated cell block system with the agar cell block method in terms of quantity and quality of diagnostic material and morphological, histochemical and immunocytochemical features.Materials and MethodsCell blocks were prepared from 100 effusion samples using the agar method and Cellient system, and routinely sectioned and stained for haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid‐Schiff with diastase (PASD). A preliminary immunocytochemical study was performed on selected cases (27/100 cases). Sections were evaluated using a three‐point grading system to compare a set of morphological parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test.ResultsParameters assessing cellularity, presence of single cells and definition of nuclear membrane, nucleoli, chromatin and cytoplasm showed a statistically significant improvement on Cellient cell blocks compared with agar cell blocks (P < 0.05). No significant difference was seen for definition of cell groups, PASD staining or the intensity or clarity of immunocytochemical staining. A discrepant immunocytochemistry (ICC) result was seen in 21% (13/63) of immunostains.ConclusionThe Cellient technique is comparable with the agar method, with statistically significant results achieved for important morphological features. It demonstrates potential as an alternative cell block preparation method which is relevant for the rapid processing of fine needle aspiration samples, malignant effusions and low‐cellularity specimens, where optimal cell morphology and architecture are essential. Further investigation is required to optimize immunocytochemical staining using the Cellient method.
Dreidimensionale (3D) Histologie im Routineverfahren: praktische Durchführung und deren Evaluation
Authors: Eberle Franziska Carola , Kanyildiz Mukaddes , Schnabl Saskia Maria , Schulz Claudia , Häfner Hans‐Martin , Adam Patrick , Breuninger Helmut 
Published: November 2014

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDie lückenlose Aufarbeitung der Ränder eines Tumors mittels dreidimensionaler (3D) Histologie erscheint oft kompliziert und auf eine Personalunion von Operateur und Histopathologe reduziert. Wir stellen klare Regeln vor, die eine Kommunikation zwischen allen Beteiligten erlaubt und überprüfen deren Anwendung in der täglichen Routine.MethodikDie Gewebeeinbettung, Befundinterpretation sowie Kommunikation zwischen Operateur und Histopathologe basiert auf einem festgelegten Algorithmus unter Zuhilfenahme von Uhrzeiten und Einbettkassetten, welche eine exakte topographische Orientierung erlauben. Die Anwendung dieses Verfahrens in der täglichen Routine wurde an 947 operierten Basalzellkarzinomen hinsichtlich der Entwicklung von Rezidivtumoren evaluiert.ErgebnisseBei einer medianen Nachbeobachtungszeit von 47 Monaten entwickelten sich bei 10 von 947 operierten Basalzellkarzinomen (1,1 %) Rezidivtumoren. Basalzellkarzinome vom fibrosierenden Typ sowie Basalzellkarzinome, welche im Rahmen der Erstoperation nicht R0 reseziert werden konnten, zeigten ein signifikant häufigeres Auftreten von Rezidiven (p < 0,05 bzw. p < 0,001).SchlussfolgerungenStandardisierte Regeln für den Umgang mit exzidiertem Gewebe erlauben eine effektive Anwendung der 3D‐Histologie im täglichen klinischen Alltag. 3D‐Histologie führt zu einer niedrigen Rezidivquote. Primär nicht R0 resezierte Basalzellkarzinome vom fibrosierenden Typ wurden als Risikogruppe für Rezidive identifiziert.
Embryonic development of fin spines in Callorhinchus milii (Holocephali); implications for chondrichthyan fin spine evolution
Authors: Jerve Anna , Johanson Zerina , Ahlberg Per , Boisvert Catherine 
Published: November 2014

SUMMARYFin spines are commonly known from fossil gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates) and are usually associated with paired and unpaired fins. They are less common among extant gnathostomes, being restricted to the median fins of certain chondrichthyans (cartilaginous fish), including chimaerids (elephant sharks) and neoselachians (sharks, skates, and rays). Fin spine growth is of great interest and relevance but few studies have considered their evolution and development. We investigated the development of the fin spine of the chimaerid Callorhinchus milii using stained histological sections from a series of larval, hatchling, and adult individuals. The lamellar trunk dentine of the Callorhinchus spine first condenses within the mesenchyme, rather than at the contact surface between mesenchyme and epithelium, in a manner more comparable to dermal bone formation than to normal odontode development. Trabecular dentine forms a small component of the spine under the keel; it is covered externally with a thin layer of lamellar trunk dentine, which is difficult to distinguish in sectioned adult spines. We suggest that the distinctive characteristics of the trunk dentine may reflect an origin through co‐option of developmental processes involved in dermal bone formation. Comparison with extant Squalus and a range of fossil chondrichthyans shows that Callorhinchus is more representative than Squalus of generalized chondrichthyan fin‐spine architecture, highlighting its value as a developmental model organism.