bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipocalin‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 expression in high‐grade endometrial cancer and their prognostic value
Authors: Srdelić Mihalj Sanja , Kuzmić‐Prusac Ivana , Zekić‐Tomaš Sandra , Šamija‐Projić Ivana , Čapkun Vesna 
Published: December 2014

AimsTo demonstrate lipocalin‐2 (LCN‐2) immunohistochemical expression together with matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) protein in high‐grade endometrial cancer and determine their correlations with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, histological subtype, presence of vascular invasion, patient age and overall and disease‐free survival.Methods and resultsImmunohistochemical staining was performed using LCN‐2 and MMP‐9 antibodies on high‐grade endometrial cancer (n = 85) diagnosed at Split University Hospital Centre during 1998–2010. Immunohistochemical expression was determined on archived paraffin‐embedded samples and scored semiquantitatively. Survival time was analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the log‐rank test was used to assess between‐group differences. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used on multivariate survival analysis. Patients were followed from the time of primary surgery until death or last follow‐up until December 2012. LCN‐2 and MMP‐9 were highly expressed in high‐grade endometrial cancer. Univariate analysis showed positive immunohistochemical staining for LCN‐2 and MMP‐9 to be associated with shorter survival in patients with high‐grade endometrial cancer. Multivariate analysis showed LCN‐2 overexpression to be associated with shorter overall and disease‐free survival in high‐grade endometrial cancer.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that LCN‐2 expression may be an important independent indicator of shorter survival in patients with high‐grade endometrial cancer.
Effect of Tooth‐Colored Restorative Materials on Reliability of Heat‐Pressed Lithium Disilicate
Authors: Stijacic Tijana , Chung Kwok‐Hung , Flinn Brian D. , Raigrodski Ariel J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPurposeRestorative material selection in complete mouth rehabilitation is an important factor in long‐term management of potential technical complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the reliability (fracture resistance) of lithium disilicate fatigued with different restorative materials.Materials and MethodsA step‐stress accelerated life‐testing model was used. Seventy disc specimens were heat‐pressed. Five groups of different indenter materials fatigued the lithium‐disilicate specimens: group WC (tungsten carbide served as a control), group PR (interpenetrating polymer network [IPN] resin‐based denture tooth), group POM (heat‐pressed leucite glass‐ceramic), group LD (heat‐pressed lithium disilicate), and group ZR (zirconium dioxide). Lithium‐disilicate specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 14). Specimens were fatigued to failure according to three step‐stress profiles: light, moderate, and aggressive. Use level probability Weibull plots were generated, and each group's reliability, failure rate, and mean life to failure were calculated.ResultsThe IPN resin‐based denture tooth group had the highest reliability and mean life to failure, and lowest failure rate as compared to lithium disilicate and zirconium dioxide. No significant difference existed between the reliability of the tungsten carbide and leucite glass‐ceramic groups and the IPN resin‐based denture tooth group.ConclusionsLithium‐disilicate specimens fatigued with IPN resin‐based denture teeth exhibited higher reliability than specimens fatigued with lithium disilicate and zirconium dioxide. There was a difference in fracture characteristics in lithium‐disilicate specimens fatigued with tungsten carbide, lithium disilicate, and zirconium dioxide, versus those fatigued with IPN resin‐based denture teeth and leucite glass‐ceramic material.
Predation has no competition: factors influencing space and resource use by echinoids in deep‐sea coral habitats, as evidenced by continuous video transects
Authors: Stevenson Angela , Mitchell Fraser J. G. , Davies Jaime S. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPredation and competition are highly influential factors determining space use in foraging animals, and ultimately contribute to the spatial heterogeneity observed within habitats. Here we investigated the influence of competition and predation on space and resource use via continuous video transect observations – a tool that has not previously been employed for this purpose. This study therefore also evaluates video data as a pragmatic tool to study community interactions in the deep sea. Observations were compiled from 15 video transects spanning five submarine canyons in the Bay of Biscay, France. Substrate choice, positioning on the coral, echinoid aggregate size, and the presence/absence of predators (e.g. fish and decapods) as well as competitors (both inter‐ and intra‐specific) were recorded. Two dominant co‐existing echinoid taxa, echinothurids and Cidaris cidaris (3188 total observations), were observed in the study. For the echinothurids, no significant trends were detected in the inter‐ and intra‐specific competition data. For Cidaris cidaris, significant shifts in substrate use were correlated to the presence of inter‐specific competitors (echinothurids), whereby an increase in dead coral substrate usage was observed. Highly significant patterns were detected amongst echinoids near fish and decapod predators. A shift to the base of the coral infra‐structure was correlated to the presence of fish, and fewer individuals were observed in the open areas of the reef and a greater number were found in the mid and top sections of the coral when in the presence of decapods. Aggregates formed irrespective of the presence of predators. Aggregations are likely to form for feeding and reproduction rather than for defensive purposes; and migration along the coral infra‐structure may be a predator‐driven behaviour as echinoids seek refuge from predators. Predation risk might play a stronger – or more detectable – role in structuring echinoid space and resource use in deep‐sea coral habitats. In addition, the study successfully detected patterns in the video data thereby demonstrating its potential usefulness for similar ecological studies on other deep‐dwelling megabenthos.
Trends of cost and mortality of patients on haemodialysis with end stage renal disease
Authors: Chang Yu‐Kang , Hsu Chih‐Cheng , Chen Pei‐Chun , Chen Yi‐Shan , Hwang Shang‐Jyh , Li Tsai‐Chung , Huang Chiu‐Ching , Li Chung‐Yi , Sung Fung‐Chang 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimThe prevalence of end‐stage renal disease in Taiwan is among the highest in the world. Treatment reimbursement for haemodialysis was capped in 1996 in order to contain costs. This study evaluated temporal changes in the costs and utilization of medical care and mortality in patients receiving haemodialysis following capped reimbursement.MethodsUsing insurance claims data in Taiwan between 1998 to 2009, we established eight annual subcohorts of patients with incident haemodialysis, increasing from 6099 in 1998 to 7745 in 2005. With a 4‐year follow‐up paradigm for each subcohort, we evaluated resources use and costs of medical services, as well as mortality trends.ResultsThe annual mean cost for each haemodialysis patient increased from US $431 to $737 for emergency visits, US $9007 to $13 280 for hospitalizations and US $79 141 to $92 416 (16.8% increase) for total costs, from the initial to final subcohorts, respectively. Compared to the 1998 subcohort, the adjusted hazard ratio of deaths declined from 0.97 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.02) for the 1999 subcohort to 0.86 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.91) for the 2005 subcohort (P for trend <0.001). The corresponding cumulative probability of deaths decreased from 45.5% to 35.4%.ConclusionsThe mortality for patients with haemodialysis decreased annually, whereas the overall annual cost increased despite capped reimbursement for haemodialysis. These results encourage further study on reasons of increased uses of emergency service and hospitalization.
Bone marrow engraftment and associated dermatologic sequelae in a three‐yr‐old after liver transplantation
Authors: Sheu Johanna , Saavedra Arturo P. , Degar Barbara A. , Duncan Christine N. , Fawaz Rima , Tan Jennifer K. , Schmidt Birgitta A. , Kim Heung B. , Huang Jennifer T. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe present a case of a three‐yr‐old child with a history of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis treated with systemic chemotherapy, who developed progressive liver failure and received an orthotopic split liver transplant while continuing on chemotherapy. One month following transplant, he developed acute graft‐vs.‐host disease of the skin and gastrointestinal tract. Peripheral blood chimerism studies post‐transplant demonstrated an increasing predominance of donor lymphocytes and granulocytes. Shortly after, the patient developed vitiligo, and two yr after transplantation, the patient developed skin manifestations of psoriasis. We discuss and review the current literature, which demonstrates that chimerism following liver transplantation is rare and in our patient may be related to his profound immunosuppression around the time of liver transplant as well the development of acute graft‐versus‐host disease. While autoimmune disease can occur after solid organ and stem cell transplant, our patient developed skin manifestations of autoimmunity after liver transplantation, which is also rarely described.
Effectiveness of coping strategies intervention on caregiver burden among caregivers of elderly patients with dementia
Authors: Chen Hui‐Mei , Huang Mei‐Feng , Yeh Yi‐Chun , Huang Wen‐Hui , Chen Cheng‐Sheng 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundCoping strategies are a potential way to improve interventions designed to manage the caregiver burden of dementia. The purpose of this study was to develop an intervention targeted towards improving coping strategies and to examine its effectiveness on reducing caregiver burden.MethodsA controlled study design was used. Fifty‐seven caregivers of dementia patients were enrolled. Coping strategies were assessed with the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist (WCCL‐R) and caregiver burden was assessed with the Chinese version of the Caregiver Burden Inventory. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group was offered a series of five interventions in which problem‐solving skills, knowledge of dementia, social resources, and emotional support were taught every 2 weeks, and the control group was telephoned every 2 weeks for the usual clinical management. Two weeks after the end of the intervention, we again administered the WCCL‐R and the Caregiver Burden Inventory. Two‐way repeated‐measure anova was used to evaluate the changes in coping strategies and caregiver burden.ResultsForty‐six participants completed the study. No statistically significant differences were noted in the demographic data between the two groups. On the problem‐focused coping subscale on the WCCL‐R, the intervention group's mean score increased by 3.8 points, and the control group's decreased by 5.1 points (F = 7.988, P = 0.007). On the seeking social support coping subscale on the WCCL‐R, the intervention group's mean score increased by 3.8 points, and the control group's decreased by 3.1 points (F = 4.462, P = 0.04). On the Caregiver Burden Inventory, the intervention group's mean score decreased by 7.2 points, and the control group's increased by 2.2 points (F = 6.155, P = 0.017).ConclusionsPsychosocial intervention can help caregivers to adopt more problem‐focused and social support coping strategies, which are beneficial in terms of reducing the caregiver burden.
THE ACTION OF TOBACCO SMOKE, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ARTERIAL PRESSURE AND DEGENERATION
Authors: Lee W. Emerson 
Published: December 2014

1. Nicotine is the most important poison in tobacco smoke.2. Pyridine bases, in the quantities in which they are present in tobacco smoke, are not injurious to the smoker.3. Smoking raises the blood‐pressure by vaso‐constriction, accelerates the heart and respiration, and increases intestinal movements. In excess, cerebral depression may occur, and, with the coexisting depression of the vaso‐motor centre, may lower the blood‐pressure to such an extent that collapse may be induced.4. The amount of nicotine inhaled during smoking depends not so much on the tobacco smoked, as upon the form in which it is smoked. The greater the condensation area between the point of combustion and the entrance into the mouth, the more nicotine will be inhaled.5. Arterial disease may result from prolonged tobacco smoking.
A CRITICISM OF SOME RECENT WORK ON PROTAGON
Authors: Wilson R. A. , Cramer W. 
Published: December 2014

1. Protagon is decomposed by the prolonged action of warm alcohol.2. The composition of protagon is not altered by recrystallisation from alcohol, whether the volume of alcohol used is large or small.3. Protagon is as certainly a proximate principle of nervous tissue as oxyhæmoglobin is a proximate principle of blood.4. The observations of Rosenheim and Tebb have no bearing on protagon.
THE ACTIVATION OF PANCREATIC JUICE
Authors: Ayrton Barbara 
Published: December 2014

I. There are two different kinds of activation of pancreatic juice: (a) the formation of trypsin by the action of the ferment enterokinase; (b) activation in the absence of enterokinase, in which calcium is intimately concerned, and which is, as far as one can tell, a chemical process.II. It is conclusively proved by the temperature method that spontaneous activation may occur when no enterokinase or ferment of any kind is present; and that the activation of the juice is really spontaneous in so far that it is caused by the juice, or some of its constituents only, and not by any external agent.III. The spontaneous activation of the juice is dependent on the presence of calcium salts in the juice, as well as on some other factor which is destroyed by decalcification. Hence it is not possible, after decalcification, to activate by further addition of calcium salts. Excess of calcium salts, on the other hand, may inhibit activation.IV. (a) The spontaneous activation of juice is very much accelerated by heat.(b) The calcium reaction of juice is in no way affected by change of temperature, within broad limits, e.g. under 40°C.(c) Activation of the juice by enterokinase is very much retarded by raising the temperature to 350°C., on account of the destruction of this ferment by the heat in an alkaline medium. On the other hand, in a neutral medium the action of enterokinase, like that of all other ferments, is quickened by rise of temperature.
ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF TUTIN
Authors: Fitchett Frank , Malcolm John 
Published: December 2014

1. The symptoms which follow the administration of tutin in various classes of animals are described, and the conclusion is arrived at (see end of II.) that the severity of the effect is proportional to the degree of differentiation of the nervous system.2. The poison is found to exert little or no influence on the vital properties of amoeboid cells, ciliated epithelium, muscular tissue, or nerve trunks and endings (see III.).3. Some of the effects of tutin on the alimentary, circulatory, respiratory, and urino‐genital systems are described; these effects can be explained as results of the increased excitability of nerve cells. The heart is practically unaffected; the respiratory centre is strongly stimulated, so that the movements of respiration are markedly increased in rate and depth, or rendered ineffective by reason of their spasmodic character, or cease from exhaustion of the centre.4. Convulsions and a comatose condition are the symptoms referable to the central nervous system. The seat of origin of the convulsions is discussed. On post‐mortem examination, the grey matter of the brain and cord show marked congestion with scattered haemorrhages, but the Nissl granulations are apparently unchanged (IV.).5. Tutin markedly increases the CO2 output, due in all probability solely to the effect on muscular movements. It has no marked influence on nutrition as a whole (V.).6. Tutin is readily absorbed, but is excreted with difficulty (or perhaps it so affects the nerve cells as to leave them for some time susceptible to a smaller dose than the first). It is not excreted in appreciable amount in the gastric juice, urine, or milk (VI.).7. Alkalis destroy the toxic power of tutin even in weak percentage; thus 8 c.c. of 0·2 per cent. NaOH for 5 min. at 40° C. destroyed 20 mg. of tutin. All fixed alkalis have a similar action, but ammonia has not this power, and alkaline carbonates have only a slight effect on the toxicity (VII.).8. Tutin is found to be more toxic to mammals than picrotoxin; it also seems to be more toxic than coriamyrtin (VIII.).9. No efficient remedy for tutu‐ or tutin‐poisoning has been discovered, but alkalis destroy unabsorbed tutin in the stomach, and sedatives such as choral may tide the animal over the attack (IX.).10. We can find no evidence of immunity or tolerance in rabbits or pigeons fed on tutin for some time (X.).We beg to acknowledge, with thanks, a grant of £20 towards the expenses of the work from the Agricultural Department of the Government of New Zealand. The tutin used in the experiments was supplied to us by Mr B. C. Aston, F.C.S., Chief Chemist to that Department, and our special thanks are due to him for preparing and purifying the samples sent.
THE POSSIBLE VICARIOUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PITUITARY AND THYROID GLANDS
Authors: Simpson Sutherland , Hunter Andrew 
Published: December 2014

If it is accepted that the iodine‐containing body in the thyroid—the “iodothyrin” or “thyroiodin”—represents its physiological active principle, diminution or absence of which in the system leads to the various symptoms of hypo‐thyroidism, then our failure to detect iodine in the pituitary following thyroidectomy may be taken as evidence against the theory of compensation. That is the assumption on which our experiment is based; but although it is supported by much of the evidence, it cannot be said to be absolutely established. If it should turn out after all to be incorrect—if the relation of the iodine to the thyroid is merely an accidental one, as it is claimed to be by many,—then the result of our experiment would prove nothing against a possible vicarious function of the pituitary.But even if the thyroid function is bound up with the presence of an iodine‐containing body, it cannot be claimed that the experiment as it stands is a conclusive one; for, in the first place, a single negative result is of little value as an argument, and, in the second place, the experiment may have been of too short duration. If it had been carried on longer it is possible that the pituitary would in time have been able to lay up a store of iodine. Possibly the very absence of iodine is significant, for it may be that on the removal of the thyroid the first thing the organism did was to seize upon and use up the small store of iodine which we found the normal pituitary to contain. With time and opportunity it might next have proceeded to lay past a supply for the future.It is our purpose, therefore, to repeat the experiment on a larger scale, and with due attention to the possibilities of error which have been suggested to us by the present attempt. In the meantime, however, we have deemed it advisable to put our investigations on record for the benefit of those who may be especially interested in this line of work.
THE RELATION BETWEEN REFRACTORY PHASE AND ELECTRICAL CHANGE
Authors: Tait John 
Published: December 2014

The object of this communication is to bring forward evidence in favour of an intimate association between the absolutely refractory phase of a tissue and its negative electrical variation, and between the relatively refractory phase and the positive return electrical change.A general argument in favour of the association is the fact that the absolutely refractory phase corresponds in all probability with a katabolic or disintegrative change, while the relatively refractory phase certainly corresponds with an anabolic or reintegrative change. On the other hand, the negative change of potential accompanying activity is uniformly assumed to be katabolic, the positive return change to be anabolic. In addition to this, experiment has shown that the time of the refractory phase as a whole closely corresponds with the time of the complete electrical change.Specific experimental evidence in favour of the association is furnished by a comparison of Waller's experiments on protoveratrinised nerve with Tait and Gunn's and Tait's experiments on yohimbinised nerve. (From a pharmacological point of view, protoveratrine is virtually identical with yohimbine.)Protoveratrine greatly modifies the character of the electrical response of nerve, yohimbine greatly modifies the refractory phase; and these modifications are such as are not known to be produced by any other agent. Analysis has in each case shown that the modification consists of an enormous prolongation of stage II.—relatively refractory phase or positive return electrical change, as the case may be—without any corresponding modification of stage I., i.e. of the absolutely refractory phase, or of the original negative electrical change. The available data do not, however, allow of an exact correlation of the time‐duration of the individual events.
TWO NEW METHODS OF READING THE ARTERIAL BLOOD‐PRESSURE IN MAN
Authors: Oliver George 
Published: December 2014

1. The auditory and visual methods of reading the arterial blood‐pressure here described are more delicate and exact than the digital method.2. The auscultatory method furnishes the total pressure cycle of the arterial blood‐pressure, whereas the digital indicates the maximum limit only.3. Besides notifying the arterial blood‐pressure, the auditory method furnishes useful clinical indications of the state of the heart's action (whether vigorous or otherwise) and of the tonus (hypotonus or hypertonus) of the arterial wall.4. The visual method indicates two degrees of pressure, the maximum and the mean; and, as the latter is midway between the maximum and the minimum pressure, the minimum may be inferred from the visual data.5. As the auditory and visual methods afford identical readings, the visual may be employed in conditions not favourable to the use of the auditory.6. These methods (auditory and visual) are as easy to apply as the tactile.