bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of HER2 Immunity in Outbred Domestic Cats by DNA Electrovaccination
Authors: Gibson Heather M. , Veenstra Jesse J. , Jones Richard , Vaishampayan Ulka , Sauerbrey Michele , Bepler Gerold , Lum Lawrence , Reyes Joyce , Weise Amy , Wei Wei-Zen 
Published: February 2015

AbstractDomestic cats share human living environments and genetic traits. They develop spontaneous feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) with similar histopathology to human breast cancer. HER2 and AKT phosphorylation was demonstrated in primary FMC by immunoblot analysis, indicating HER2 as a therapeutic target. FMC lines K12 and K248 expressing HER1, HER2, and HER3 were sensitive to receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors gefitinib and lapatinib. To test HER2 vaccine response in cats, purpose-bred, healthy cats were electrovaccinated with heterologous (xenogeneic) or point-mutated feline HER2 DNA. T-cell reactivity to feline self-HER2 was detected in 4 of 10 cats that received bear HER2, human–rat fusion HER2 (E2Neu) or mutant feline HER2 (feHER2-K), which contains a single amino acid substitution. The variable T-cell responses may resemble that in the genetically heterogeneous human population. All immune sera to heterologous HER2 recognized feline HER2 expressed in 3T3 cells (3T3/HER2), but not that in FMC K12 or K248. Immune sera to mutant pfeHER2-K bound 3T3/HER2 cells weakly, but they showed better recognition of K12 and K248 cells that also express HER1 and HER3, suggesting distinct HER2 epitopes displayed by FMC that may be simulated by feHER2-K. In summary, HER2 DNA electroporation overcomes T-cell immune tolerance in approximately 40% of healthy cats and induces antibodies with distinct specificity. Vaccination studies in domestic cats can expedite vaccine iteration to guide human vaccine design and better predict outcome, with the added benefit of helping feline mammary tumor patients. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(7); 777–86. ©2015 AACR.
Assessment of Perioperative Cardiac Risk of Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery Using Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography
Authors: Hwang Ji-won , Kim Eun-Kyung , Yang Jung-Hoon , Chang Sung-A , Song Young Bin , Hahn Joo-Yong , Choi Seung Hyuk , Gwon Hyeon-Cheol , Lee Sang-Hoon , Kim Sung-Mok , Choe Yeon Hyeon , Oh Jae K. , Choi Jin-Ho 
Published: February 2015

Background—
The appropriate indication for coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) as a part of preoperative evaluation has not been defined yet. We investigated the value of coronary CTA in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Methods and Results—
We included 844 patients (median age, 67 years; male sex, 62%) who underwent coronary CTA for screening of coronary artery disease before noncardiac surgery. Clinically determined revised cardiac risk index were compared with the extent and severity of coronary artery disease assessed by coronary CTA. Perioperative major cardiac event (PMCE), defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or pulmonary edema within postoperative 30 days, developed in 25 patients (3.0%). Significant coronary CTA finding was defined as >3 any lesions with ≥1 (diameter stenosis ≥70%) stenosis based on the relationship between the severity of coronary artery disease and PMCE risk. The risk of PMCE was 14.0% in patients with significant CTA findings, whereas 2.2% of patients without significant CTA findings regardless of revised cardiac risk index score. The predictive performance of revised cardiac risk index could be improved significantly after addition of significant coronary CTA findings (c-statistics=0.631 versus 0.757; net reclassification improvement=0.923; integrated discrimination improvement=0.051). On the basis of revised cardiac risk index and coronary CTA, the risk of PMCE could be estimated with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 76%, 73%, 8%, and 99%, respectively.

Conclusions—
Addition of coronary CTA to clinical risk improved perioperative risk stratification. Absence of significant coronary CTA findings conferred low PMCE risk with high specificity and negative predictive value regardless of clinical risk. Coronary CTA may improve perioperative risk stratification in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Women Versus Men
Authors: Zusterzeel Robbert , Spatz Erica S. , Curtis Jeptha P. , Sanders William E. , Selzman Kimberly A. , Piña Ileana L. , Bao Haikun , Ponirakis Angelo , Varosy Paul D. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Caños Daniel A. , Strauss David G. 
Published: February 2015

Background—
Women have been under-represented in trials of cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillators (CRT-D). Previous studies suggest that women benefit from CRT-D at shorter QRS duration than men and that there may be no benefit of CRT-D in patients without left bundle branch block (LBBB) regardless of patient sex.

Methods and Results—

We compared sex-specific death risk in 75 079 patients with New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and prolonged QRS duration (≥120 ms) receiving either CRT-D or implantable cardioverter defibrillator in subgroups according to QRS morphology and 10-ms increments in QRS duration. We applied propensity score weighting to control for differences between treatments. Among patients with LBBB, women receiving CRT-D had a lower relative death risk than those receiving an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (absolute difference, 11%; hazard ratio=0.74 [95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.81]). In men, the lower mortality with CRT-D versus implantable cardioverter defibrillator was less pronounced (absolute difference, 9%; hazard ratio=0.84 [0.79–0.89]; sex×device interaction
P
=0.025). In those without LBBB, the mortality difference was modest and did not differ between women and men (absolute difference, 3%; hazard ratio=0.88 [0.79–0.97] in women and absolute difference, 2%; hazard ratio=0.95 [0.91–0.998] in men; interaction
P
=0.17). In subgroups according to QRS duration, CRT-D was associated with better survival in both sexes with LBBB and QRS ≥130 ms, whereas there was no clear relation between QRS duration and survival in patients without LBBB regardless of patient sex.

Conclusions—
In a large real-world population CRT-D was associated with a lower mortality risk in both sexes with LBBB, although more pronounced among women. Only among those with LBBB, both sexes had better survival with longer QRS duration. The mortality differences in patients without LBBB were attenuated in both sexes.
Does Sex Affect Anticoagulant Use for Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation?
Authors: Lip Gregory Y.H. , Rushton-Smith Sophie K. , Goldhaber Samuel Z. , Fitzmaurice David A. , Mantovani Lorenzo G. , Goto Shinya , Haas Sylvia , Bassand Jean-Pierre , Camm Alan John , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Janský Petr , Al Mahmeed Wael , Oh Seil , van Eickels Martin , Raatikainen Pekka , Steffel Jan , Oto Ali , Kayani Gloria , Accetta Gabriele , Kakkar Ajay K. 
Published: February 2015

Background—
Among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), women are at higher risk of stroke than men. Using prospective cohort data from a large global population of patients with nonvalvular AF, we sought to identify any differences in the use of anticoagulants for stroke prevention in women and men.

Methods and Results—

This was a prospective multicenter observational registry with 858 randomly selected sites in 30 countries. A total of 17 184 patients with newly diagnosed (≤6 weeks) nonvalvular AF and ≥1 additional investigator-defined stroke risk factor(s) were recruited (March 2010 to June 2013). The main outcome measure was the use of anticoagulants (vitamin K antagonists, factor Xa inhibitors, and direct thrombin inhibitors) for stroke prevention at AF diagnosis. Of 17 184 patients enrolled, 43.8% were women. More women than men were at moderate-to-high risk of stroke (CHADS
2
score ≥2: 65.1% versus 54.7%). Rates of anticoagulant use were not different overall (60.9% of men versus 60.8% of women) and in patients with a CHADS
2
score ≥2 (adjusted odds ratio for women versus men, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.09). In patients at low risk (CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc of 0 in men and 1 in women), 41.8% of men and 41.1% of women received an anticoagulant. In patients at high risk (CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score ≥2), 35.4% of men and 38.4% of women did not receive an anticoagulant.

Conclusions—
These contemporary global data show that anticoagulant use for stroke prevention is no different in men and women with nonvalvular AF. Thromboprophylaxis was, however, suboptimal in substantial proportions of men and women, with underuse in those at moderate-to-high risk of stroke and overuse in those at low risk.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01090362.
Relation of Murine Thoracic Aortic Structural and Cellular Changes With Aging to Passive and Active Mechanical Properties
Authors: Wheeler Jason B. , Mukherjee Rupak , Stroud Robert E. , Jones Jeffrey A. , Ikonomidis John S. 
Published: February 2015

Background

Maintenance of the structure and mechanical properties of the thoracic aorta contributes to aortic function and is dependent on the composition of the extracellular matrix and the cellular content within the aortic wall. Age‐related alterations in the aorta include changes in cellular content and composition of the
extracellular matrix
; however, the precise roles of these age‐related changes in altering aortic mechanical function are not well understood.

Methods and Results

Thoracic aortic rings from the descending segment were harvested from C57
BL
/6 mice aged 6 and 21 months. Thoracic aortic diameter and wall thickness were higher in the old mice. Cellular density was reduced in the medial layer of aortas from the old mice; concomitantly, collagen content was higher in old mice, but elastin content was similar between young and old mice. Stress relaxation, an index of compliance, was reduced in aortas from old mice and correlated with collagen fraction. Contractility of the aortic rings following potassium stimulation was reduced in old versus young mice. Furthermore, collagen gel contraction by aortic smooth muscle cells was reduced with age.

Conclusions
These results demonstrate that numerous age‐related structural changes occurred in the thoracic aorta and were related to alterations in mechanical properties. Aortic contractility decreased with age, likely because of a reduction in medial cell number in addition to a smooth muscle contractile deficit. Together, these unique findings provide evidence that the age‐related changes in structure and mechanical function coalesce to provide an aortic substrate that may be predisposed to aortopathies.
Shifting the CARASIL Paradigm
Authors: Menezes Cordeiro Inês , Nzwalo Hipólito , Sá Francisca , Ferreira Rita Bastos , Alonso Isabel , Afonso Luís , Basílio Carlos 
Published: February 2015

Background and Purpose—

Cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL) is a rare form of nonhypertensive cerebral small-vessel disease caused by mutations in the
HTRA1
gene. CARASIL is characterized by early adulthood onset of subcortical infarcts, cognitive impairment, alopecia, and spondylosis. Until recently, this disorder was almost exclusively reported in the Asian population.

Methods—
Description of the clinical, imaging, and genetic study of 2 siblings with CARASIL, with a brief comparative review of published non-Asian cases of the disease.

Results—

Both patients exhibited the typical phenotype: cerebral small-vessel disease, spondylosis, and abnormal hair lost. Mutation screening was performed for
NOTCH3
and
HTRA1
genes. No mutations were found in
NOTCH3
. The study revealed the presence of a homozygous c.496C>T substitution in
HTRA1
in both siblings.

Conclusion—
This report highlights the need of considering this entity in the differential diagnosis of cerebral small-vessel disease in young patients, even in the non-Asian populations.
A revision of the genus Conicofrontia Hampson (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, <br />Apameini, Sesamiina), with description of a new species: new insights from morphological, ecological and molecular data
Authors: RU BRUNO LE , CAPDEVIELLE-DULAC CLAIRE , CONLONG DESMOND , PALLANGYO BEATRICE , VAN DEN BERG JOHNNIE , ONG’AMO GEORGE , KERGOAT GAEL J. 
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study was to review the species of Conicofrontia Hampson, a small genus of noctuid stem borers (Noctuidae, Apameini) that is distributed in East and Southeastern Africa. We review the morphology of species in this group and provide new diagnoses and ecological data for five species. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Hygrostola dallolmoi (Berio, 1973) (= Conicofrontia dallolmoi Berio, 1973) comb. n. and Conicofrontia bipartita (Hampson, 1910) (= Phragmatiphila bipartita Hampson, 1910) comb. n., stat. rev. One new species is also described: C. lilomwa, sp. n. from Tanzania. Wing patterns as well as male and female genitalia of the five species are described and illustrated. Finally we carried out molecular phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analyses on a multi-marker dataset of 31 specimens and 15 species, including the five mentioned species. The results of molecular analyses provide a clear support for the proposed taxonomical changes.
An Analysis of the Linkage of Pacific Subtropical Cells with the Recharge–Discharge Processes in ENSO Evolution
Authors: Chen Han-Ching , Sui Chung-Hsiung , Tseng Yu-Heng , Huang Bohua 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The Simple Ocean Data Assimilation, version 2.2.4 (SODA 2.2.4), analysis for the period of 1960–2010 is used to study the variability of Pacific subtropical cells (STCs) and its causal relation with tropical climate variability. Results show that the interior STC transport into the equatorial basin through 9°S and 9°N is well connected with equatorial sea surface temperature (SST) (9°S–9°N, 180°–90°W). The highest correlation at interannual time scales is contributed by the western interior STC transport within 160°E and 130°W. It is known that the ENSO recharge–discharge cycle experiences five stages: the recharging stage, recharged stage, warmest SST stage, discharging stage, and discharged stage. A correlation analysis of interior STC transport convergence, equatorial warm water volume (WWV), wind stress curl, and SST identifies the time intervals between the five stages, which are 8, 10, 2, and 8 months, respectively. A composite analysis for El Niño–developing and La Niña–developing events is also performed. The composited ENSO evolutions are in accordance with the recharge–discharge theory and the corresponding time lags between the above denoted five stages are 4–12, 6, 2, and 4 months, respectively. For stronger El Niño events, the discharge due to interior STC transport at 9°N terminates earlier than that at 9°S because of the southward migration of westerly winds following the El Niño peak phase. This study clarifies subsurface transport processes and their time intervals, which are useful for refinement of theoretical models and for evaluating coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation model results.
The Characteristics of Ice Cloud Properties Derived from CloudSat and CALIPSO Measurements
Authors: Hong Yulan , Liu Guosheng 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The characteristics of ice clouds with a wide range of optical depths are studied based on satellite retrievals and radiative transfer modeling. Results show that the global-mean ice cloud optical depth, ice water path, and effective radius are approximately 2, 109 g m−2, and 48 , respectively. Ice cloud occurrence frequency varies depending not only on regions and seasons, but also on the types of ice clouds as defined by optical depth values. Ice clouds with different values show differently preferential locations on the planet; optically thinner ones ( &lt; 3) are most frequently observed in the tropics around 15 km and in midlatitudes below 5 km, while thicker ones ( &gt; 3) occur frequently in tropical convective areas and along midlatitude storm tracks. It is also found that ice water content and effective radius show different temperature dependence among the tropics, midlatitudes, and high latitudes. Based on analyzed ice cloud frequencies and microphysical properties, cloud radiative forcing is evaluated using a radiative transfer model. The results show that globally radiative forcing due to ice clouds introduces a net warming of the earth–atmosphere system. Those with &lt; 4.0 all have a positive (warming) net forcing with the largest contribution by ice clouds with ~ 1.2. Regionally, ice clouds in high latitudes show a warming effect throughout the year, while they cause cooling during warm seasons but warming during cold seasons in midlatitudes. Ice cloud properties revealed in this study enhance the understanding of ice cloud climatology and can be used for validating climate models.
Understanding the Influence of Assimilating Subsets of Enhanced Atmospheric Motion Vectors on Numerical Analyses and Forecasts of Tropical Cyclone Track and Intensity with an Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Wu Ting-Chi , Velden Christopher S. , Majumdar Sharanya J. , Liu Hui , Anderson Jeffrey L. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Recent studies have shown that assimilating enhanced satellite-derived atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) has improved mesoscale forecast of tropical cyclones (TC) track and intensity. The authors conduct data-denial experiments to understand where the TC analyses and forecasts benefit the most from the enhanced AMV information using an ensemble Kalman filter and the Weather Research and Forecasting Model. The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at the University of Wisconsin provides enhanced AMV datasets with higher density and temporal resolution using shorter-interval image triplets for the duration of Typhoon Sinlaku and Hurricane Ike (both 2008). These AMV datasets are then spatially and vertically subsetted to create six parallel cycled assimilation-forecast experiments for each TC: all AMVs; AMVs withheld between 100 and 350 hPa (upper layer), between 350 and 700 hPa (middle layer), and between 700 and 999 hPa (lower layer); and only AMVs within (interior) and outside (exterior) 1000-km radius of the TC center. All AMV subsets are found to be useful in some capacity. The interior and upper-layer AMVs are particularly crucial for improving initial TC position, intensity, and the three-dimensional wind structure along with their forecasts. Compared with denying interior or exterior AMVs, withholding AMVs in different tropospheric layers had less impact on TC intensity and size forecasts. The ensemble forecast is less certain (larger spread) in providing accurate TC track, intensity, and size when upper-layer AMVs or interior AMVs are withheld. This information could be useful to potential targeting scenarios, such as activating and focusing satellite rapid-scan operations, and decisions regarding observing system assessments and deployments.
Rapid exclusion of acute myocardial infarction in patients with undetectable troponin using a sensitive troponin I assay
Authors: Body Richard , Burrows Gillian , Carley Simon , Lewis Philip S 
Published: February 2015

Objective With a high-sensitivity troponin assay, it may be possible to exclude acute myocardial infarction with a single blood test on arrival in the emergency department by using a novel ‘rule out’ cut-off set at the limit of detection of the assay. We aimed to determine whether this can also be achieved using a contemporary sensitive troponin assay that does not meet ‘high-sensitivity’ criteria. Methods In a prospective diagnostic cohort study, we included patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected cardiac chest pain. For this secondary analysis, serum samples drawn on arrival were tested using a contemporary sensitive troponin I assay (s-cTnI; Siemens Ultra ADVIA Centaur, 99th percentile 40 ng/L, limit of detection 6 ng/L). Acute myocardial infarction was adjudicated by two independent investigators based on reference standard troponin testing ≥12 h after symptom onset. Results Of 414 participants, 70 (16.9%) had acute myocardial infarction and 205 (49.5%) had initial s-cTnI concentrations below the limit of detection. Using the limit of detection as a ‘rule out’ cut-off gave a sensitivity of 94.3% (95% CI 86.0–98.4%) for acute myocardial infarction. If only patients with s-cTnI below the limit of detection and no electrocardiogram ischaemia were considered to have acute myocardial infarction ‘ruled out’ (41.8% of the cohort, n = 174), sensitivity would rise to 97.1% (90.1–99.7%) and negative predictive value to 98.8% (95.9–99.9%). Conclusions Acute myocardial infarction cannot be excluded in patients with s-cTnI concentrations below the limit of detection using the contemporary sensitive assay evaluated. Future work with this assay should focus on serial sampling over 1–3 h and combination with clinical information and/or additional biomarkers.
La Passione. Via Crucis al Colosseo di Mario Luzi
Authors: Iannaco Domenico 
Published: February 2015

La poesia del XX secolo nasce confrontandosi con la Modernità. Nell’Italia del dopoguerra, in particolare, la nuova epoca è vista come possibilità mancata, come tradimento di una concezione umanistica della vita e della storia. L’ homo faber non coincide con l’ homo oeconomicus. Luzi vede la Modernità come prova purificatrice, che restituirà l’essenziale. Così, accanto alla produzione lirica, si sviluppa in parallelo la composizione di poemetti, i cui “eroi” si fanno portatori della visione ultima dei poeti. Il ritorno al poemetto è comune anche a Giorgio Caproni, Maria Luisa Spaziani e Alda Merini. Per le loro opere si può parlare di “neogotico”. Sono scritti tutti animati da un sentire religioso, quasi, “francescano”: si interrogano sul mistero dell’essere e del divino. Sono caratterizzati da una simbologia comune e da stilemi, atti a esprimere l’afflato religioso e filosofico. Sono spesso “slanci amorosi per la vita”. Ne risulta un cristianesimo “poco dogmatico”, “mistico”. La Passione di Mario Luzi (1999) è il testo esemplare di questa produzione, perché presenta un Cristo forse “troppo umano”, che affronta il problema dell’amore per la vita e il suo essere stato uomo tra gli uomini. Da questo indimenticabile ritratto emerge tutta la nostalgia di un poeta, giunto ormai alla fine del suo viaggio terreno.