bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shared Renewable Resources: Gains from Trade and Trade Policy
Authors: Takarada Yasuhiro , Dong Weijia , Ogawa Takeshi 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis paper examines the effects of international trade and trade policy in a two‐country, two‐good model with an open‐access renewable resource that is internationally shared. We show that both countries may still benefit from trade when they specialize in the production of their comparative advantage good, although the shared resource is reduced by trade. In addition, we demonstrate that the steady state utility of a resource‐good importing country may be reduced by trade, even if it specializes in the production of a non‐resource good. Import tariffs and export taxes on a resource good may increase or decrease the shared stock level depending on the production patterns in a trading steady state. The trade policy is likely to be Pareto‐improving when the shared stock rises, while both countries may be made worse off by the trade policy when the shared stock falls.
Types and Prevalence of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii Complex in Northern Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Wen-Shyang , Wang Nai-Yu , Feng Jou-An , Weng Li-Chuan , Wu Hsueh-Hsia 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

The frequency of the carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii
(CRACB) complex increases annually in our hospitals. However, the types and prevalence of carbapenemases among isolates still remain unclear. In this study, we identified and collected 672 carbapenem-resistant isolates from a medical center in Northern Taiwan between April and December of 2010. There were 577 genospecies 2 (
Acinetobacter baumannii
), 79 genospecies 13TU, and 16 genospecies 3 isolates. The isolates had an acquired
bla
OXA-24
-like gene, which was confirmed by sequencing for the encoded OXA-72 carbapenemase, and were often associated with high-level carbapenem resistance. These CRACB complex isolates remained susceptible to colistin (100%). The genotyping of isolates was conducted using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with ApaI digestion. In most clonally related groups, patients were from both branch hospitals. The results indicate that interhospital dissemination of clones occurred. This study provides updated data on the types and prevalence of the CRACB complex. In addition, it presents a warning on the emergence and spread of CRACB complex harboring
bla
OXA-24
-like genes in northern Taiwan.
MRP1 Overexpression Determines Poor Prognosis in Prospectively Treated Patients with Localized High-Risk Soft Tissue Sarcoma of Limbs and Trunk Wall: An ISG/GEIS Study
Authors: Martin-Broto Javier , Gutierrez Antonio M. , Ramos Rafael F. , Lopez-Guerrero José A. , Ferrari Stefano , Stacchiotti Silvia , Picci Piero , Calabuig Silvia , Collini Paola , Gambarotti Marco , Bague Silvia , Dei Tos Angelo P. , Palassini Elena , Luna Pablo , Cruz Josefina , Cubedo Ricardo , Martinez-Trufero Javier , Poveda Andres , Casali Paolo G. , Fernandez-Serra Antonio , Lopez-Pousa Antonio , Gronchi Alessandro 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Patients with localized high-risk soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the limbs and trunk wall still have a considerable metastatic recurrence rate of more than 50%, in spite of adjuvant chemotherapy. This drug-ceiling effect of chemotherapy in sarcoma setting could be explained, at least partially, by multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanisms. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether mRNA and protein expression of ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein), ABCC1 (MRP1), and GSTA1 (glutathione S-transferase pi) was prognostic in localized high-risk STS. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-PCR studies were performed from biopsies at the time of diagnosis. Patients of this series were prospectively enrolled into a phase III trial that compared three versus five cycles of epirubicin plus ifosfamide. The series of 102 patients found 41 events of recurrence and 37 of death with a median follow-up of 68 months. In univariate analysis, variables with a statistically significant relationship with relapse-free survival (RFS) were: MRP1 expression (5-year RFS rate of 23% in positive cases and 63% in negative cases, P = 0.029), histology (5-year RFS rate of 74% in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma and 43% in synovial sarcoma, P = 0.028), and ABCC1 expression (5-year RFS rate of 33% in overexpression and 65% in downregulation, P = 0.012). Combined ABCC1/MRP1 was the only independent prognostic factor for both RFS (HR = 2.704, P = 0.005) and overall survival (HR = 2.208, P = 0.029). ABCC1/MRP1 expression shows robust prognostic relevance in patients with localized high-risk STS treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy, which is the standard front line treatment in STS. This finding deserves attention as it points to a new targetable protein in STS. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(1); 249–59. ©2013 AACR.
Disease Location Is Associated With Survival in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Chen Qian , Smith Carin Y. , Bailey Kent R. , Wennberg Paul W. , Kullo Iftikhar J. 
Published: October 2013

Background
We investigated whether disease location influences survival in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Methods and Results

Patients (n=12 731; mean age, 67.5±12.7 years; 57.4% male) who underwent outpatient noninvasive lower extremity arterial evaluation were followed up for 5.9±3.1 years for all‐cause mortality. Peripheral arterial disease (n=8930) was defined as a resting or postexercise ankle‐brachial index (
ABI
) ≤0.90, and normal
ABI
(n=3 801) was defined as a resting and postexercise
ABI
of 1.00 to 1.30. Presence or absence of disease at the proximal location or distal location was determined on the basis of
D
oppler signals in leg arteries; 42% had no
PD
or
DD
, 45% had proximal (14% postexercise
PD
only), 30% had distal disease, 17% had both proximal and distal disease, 28% had proximal only and 14% had distal only. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with disease location, and
C
ox proportional hazard regression to assess the respective effects of proximal or distal disease on survival. Older age, male sex, diabetes, heart failure, and critical limb ischemia were associated with distal disease, whereas female sex, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and critical limb ischemia were associated with proximal disease. Over a mean follow‐up of 5.9±3.1 years, 3039 patients (23.9%) died. After adjustment for potential confounders, the hazard ratios (
HR
s) of death associated with
PD
only and
DD
only were 1.3 (1.3 to 1.4) and 1.5 (1.4 to 1.6), respectively. After additional adjustment for resting
ABI
, there was no significant association between proximal disease and death, whereas the association of distal disease with death remained significant (
HR
, 1.2; 95%
CI
, 1.1 to 1.3).

Conclusions

In patients with peripheral arterial disease, proximal and distal disease locations were associated with distinctive risk factor and comorbidity profiles. Distal disease was associated with worse survival even after adjustment for risk factors, comorbidities, and resting
ABI
.
Complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer in 400 patients
Authors: Srisomboon Chaisit , Koizumi Kiyoshi , Haraguchi Shuji , Mikami Iwao , Iijima Yoshihito , Shimizu Kazuo 
Published: October 2013

Background We report the results of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for treatment of primary non-small cell lung cancer, which was performed completely through the monitor in 400 consecutive patients. Patients and methods Between September 25, 2002 and August 25, 2011, a retrospective database of 400 consecutive patients who underwent complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for treatment of primary non-small cell lung cancer was reviewed. Demographic, histopathologic, preoperative, perioperative, postoperative, and outcome variables were assessed using standard descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Results Operating time was 258.13 ± 62.53 min, volume of blood loss was 253.21 ± 206.66 mL, duration of drainage was 3.6 ± 3.2 days, volume of drainage was 708.1 ± 522.8 mL, the postoperative respiratory complication rate was 14.8%, the reoperation rate was 1.3%, and operative mortality was 1.0%. The 5-year postsurgical survival rates for pathologic stages I, II, and III were 93.9%, 62.0%, and 61.6%, respectively; the 3-year postsurgical survival rate for pathologic stage IV was 40.0% Conclusions Complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for treatment of primary non-small cell lung cancer is associated with safety and acceptable postoperative complication rates, operative mortality rates, and survival rates.
Exploring the Mediating Effect of Organizational Trust Between Organizational Justice Dimensions and Affective Commitment
Authors: Mukherjee Kamal , Bhattacharya Ranan 
Published: October 2013

Extant research has established that perceptions of justice in the organizational arena lead to desirable employee attitudes and behaviours. However, there seems to be a paucity of research exploring how social exchange variables act as mechanisms linking justice perceptions with their output. The present research is therefore a small step towards bridging this gap by examining the role of a social exchange variable, Organizational Trust (Trust), as mediating the relationship between each of the three Organizational Justice dimensions: Distributive (DJ), Procedural (PJ) and Interactional Justice (IJ), and an organizational level outcome (Affective Organizational Commitment - OC). The study finds that PJ and IJ does not have any significant relationship with Trust and only the relation between DJ and OC is fully mediated by Trust. Further, there is no interaction effect of the three justice dimensions upon Trust. The study concludes with a discussion regarding the findings, the limitations under which it has been conducted, and its implications for management practice.
A randomized clinical trial of oral versus intravenous methylprednisolone for relapse of MS
Authors: Ramo-Tello C , Grau-López L , Tintoré M , Rovira A , Ramió i Torrenta L , Brieva L , Cano A , Carmona O , Saiz A , Torres F , Giner P , Nos C , Massuet A , Montalbán X , Martínez-Cáceres E , Costa J 
Published: October 2013

Background: Steroids improve multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses but therapeutic window and dose, frequency and administration route remain uncertain. Objective: The objective of this paper is to compare the clinical and radiologic efficacy, tolerability and safety of intravenous methylprednisolone (ivMP) vs oral methylprednisolone (oMP), at equivalent high doses, for MS relapse. Methods: Forty-nine patients with moderate or severe relapse within the previous 15 days were randomized in a double-blind, noninferiority, multicenter trial to receive ivMP or oMP and their matching placebos. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were determined at baseline and weeks 1, 4 and 12. Brain MRI were assessed at baseline and at weeks 1 and 4. Primary endpoint was a noninferiority assessment of EDSS improvement at four weeks (noninferiority margin of one point), with further key efficacy assessments of number and volume of T1 gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+), and new or enlarged T2 lesions at four weeks’ post-treatment initiation. Secondary outcomes were safety and tolerability. Results: The study achieved the main outcome of noninferiority at four weeks for improved EDSS score. No differences were found between ivMP and oMP in the number of Gd+ lesions (0 (0–1) vs 0 (0–0.5), p = 0.630), volume of Gd+ lesions (0 (0–88.0) vs 0 (0–32.9) mm3, p = 0.735), or new or enlarged T2 lesions (0 (0–194) vs 0 (0–123), p = 0.769). MP was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: This study provides confirmatory evidence that oMP is not inferior to ivMP in reducing EDSS, similar in MRI lesions at four weeks for MS relapses and is equally well tolerated and safe. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00753792
Positively correlated miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in mouse frontal cortex during early stages of alcohol dependence
Authors: Nunez Yury O , Truitt Jay M , Gorini Giorgio , Ponomareva Olga N , Blednov Yuri A , Harris R Adron , Mayfield R Dayne 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough the study of gene regulation via the action of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) has experienced a boom in recent years, the analysis of genome-wide interaction networks among miRNAs and respective targeted mRNAs has lagged behind. MicroRNAs simultaneously target many transcripts and fine-tune the expression of genes through cooperative/combinatorial targeting. Therefore, they have a large regulatory potential that could widely impact development and progression of diseases, as well as contribute unpredicted collateral effects due to their natural, pathophysiological, or treatment-induced modulation. We support the viewpoint that whole mirnome-transcriptome interaction analysis is required to better understand the mechanisms and potential consequences of miRNA regulation and/or deregulation in relevant biological models. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that ethanol consumption induces changes in miRNA-mRNA interaction networks in the mouse frontal cortex and that some of the changes observed in the mouse are equivalent to changes in similar brain regions from human alcoholics.ResultsmiRNA-mRNA interaction networks responding to ethanol insult were identified by differential expression analysis and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Important pathways (coexpressed modular networks detected by WGCNA) and hub genes central to the neuronal response to ethanol are highlighted, as well as key miRNAs that regulate these processes and therefore represent potential therapeutic targets for treating alcohol addiction. Importantly, we discovered a conserved signature of changing miRNAs between ethanol-treated mice and human alcoholics, which provides a valuable tool for future biomarker/diagnostic studies in humans. We report positively correlated miRNA-mRNA expression networks that suggest an adaptive, targeted miRNA response due to binge ethanol drinking.ConclusionsThis study provides new evidence for the role of miRNA regulation in brain homeostasis and sheds new light on current understanding of the development of alcohol dependence. To our knowledge this is the first report that activated expression of miRNAs correlates with activated expression of mRNAs rather than with mRNA downregulation in anin vivomodel. We speculate that early activation of miRNAs designed to limit the effects of alcohol-induced genes may be an essential adaptive response during disease progression.
Salmonella Typhimurium TTSS-2 deficient mig-14 mutant shows attenuation in immunocompromised mice and offers protection against wild-type Salmonella Typhimurium infection
Authors: Pati Niladri Bhusan , Vishwakarma Vikalp , Selvaraj Sathish kumar , Dash Sabyasachi , Saha Bhaskar , Singh Neera , Suar Mrutyunjay 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Development of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) live attenuated vaccine carrier strain to prevent enteric infections has been a subject of intensive study. Several mutants of S. Typhimurium have been proposed as an effective live attenuated vaccine strain. Unfortunately, many such mutant strains failed to successfully complete the clinical trials as they were suboptimal in delivering effective safety and immunogenicity. However, it remained unclear, whether the existing live attenuated S. Typhimurium strains can further be attenuated with improved safety and immune efficacy or not.

Results
We deleted a specific non-SPI (Salmonella Pathogenicity Island) encoded virulence factor mig-14 (an antimicrobial peptide resistant protein) in ssaV deficient S. Typhimurium strain. The ssaV is an important SPI-II gene involved in Salmonella replication in macrophages and its mutant strain is considered as a potential live attenuated strain. However, fatal systemic infection was previously reported in immunocompromised mice like Nos2
−/− and Il-10
−/− when infected with ssaV deficient S. Typhimurium. Here we reported that attenuation of S. Typhimurium ssaV mutant in immunocompromised mice can further be improved by introducing additional deletion of gene mig-14. The ssaV, mig-14 double mutant was as efficient as ssaV mutant, with respect to host colonization and eliciting Salmonella-specific mucosal sIgA and serum IgG response in wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Interestingly, this double mutant did not show any systemic infection in immunocompromised mice.

Conclusions
This study suggests that ssaV, mig-14 double mutant strain can be effectively used as a potential vaccine candidate even in immunocompromised mice. Such attenuated vaccine strain could possibly used for expression of heterologous antigens and thus for development of a polyvalent vaccine strain.
Fine mapping and identification of a candidate gene for a major locus controlling maturity date in peach
Authors: Pirona Raul , Eduardo Iban , Pacheco Igor , Da Silva Linge Cassia , Miculan Mara , Verde Ignazio , Tartarini Stefano , Dondini Luca , Pea Giorgio , Bassi Daniele , Rossini Laura 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Maturity date (MD) is a crucial factor for marketing of fresh fruit, especially those with limited shelf-life such as peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch): selection of several cultivars with differing MD would be advantageous to cover and extend the marketing season. Aims of this work were the fine mapping and identification of candidate genes for the major maturity date locus previously identified on peach linkage group 4. To improve genetic resolution of the target locus two F2 populations derived from the crosses Contender x Ambra (CxA, 306 individuals) and PI91459 (NJ Weeping) x Bounty (WxBy, 103 individuals) were genotyped with the Sequenom and 9K Illumina Peach Chip SNP platforms, respectively.

Results
Recombinant individuals from the WxBy F2 population allowed the localisation of maturity date locus to a 220 kb region of the peach genome. Among the 25 annotated genes within this interval, functional classification identified ppa007577m and ppa008301m as the most likely candidates, both encoding transcription factors of the NAC (NAM/ATAF1, 2/CUC2) family. Re-sequencing of the four parents and comparison with the reference genome sequence uncovered a deletion of 232 bp in the upstream region of ppa007577m that is homozygous in NJ Weeping and heterozygous in Ambra, Bounty and the WxBy F1 parent. However, this variation did not segregate in the CxA F2 population being the CxA F1 parent homozygous for the reference allele. The second gene was thus examined as a candidate for maturity date. Re-sequencing of ppa008301m, showed an in-frame insertion of 9 bp in the last exon that co-segregated with the maturity date locus in both CxA and WxBy F2 populations.

Conclusions
Using two different segregating populations, the map position of the maturity date locus was refined from 3.56 Mb to 220 kb. A sequence variant in the NAC gene ppa008301m was shown to co-segregate with the maturity date locus, suggesting this gene as a candidate controlling ripening time in peach. If confirmed on other genetic materials, this variant may be used for marker-assisted breeding of new cultivars with differing maturity date.
Progression from new methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonisation to infection: an observational study in a hospital cohort
Authors: Balm Michelle ND , Lover Andrew A , Salmon Sharon , Tambyah Paul A , Fisher Dale A 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Patients newly colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are at higher risk of clinical MRSA infection. At present, there are limited data on the duration or magnitude of this risk in a hospital population with a known time of MRSA acquisition.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study of 909 adult patients known to have newly identified MRSA colonisation during admission to National University Hospital, Singapore between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2011 was undertaken. Patients were excluded if they had history of previous MRSA colonisation or infection, or if they had been a hospital inpatient in the preceding 12 months. Data were collected on the development of MRSA infection requiring hospitalisation up to 30 June 2012.

Results
Of 840 patients newly colonised with MRSA as identified on active surveillance and not clinical specimens, 546 were men (65.0%) and the median age was 65 years (range 18–103 years). Median follow up was 24 months (range 0 –64 months, 85.1% followed >6 months). Clinical infection occurred in 121 patients (14.4%) with median time to infection of 22 days (95% CI 14–31). Overall 71.9% (87/121) of infected patients developed infection within 60 days of the date MRSA colonisation was detected. However, 17/121 patients (14.0%) developed clinical infection more than six months after documented MRSA acquisition. The most common sites of clinical infection were skin and soft tissue (49/121, 40.5%, 95% CI 31.7-49.8), respiratory tract (37/121, 30.6%, 95% CI 22.5-39.6) and bone and joint infections (14/121, 11.6%, 95% CI 6.5-18.7). Thirteen patients (13/121, 10.7%, 95% CI 5.8-17.7) had bacteraemias, of which six (5.0% 95% CI 1.8-10.5) were primary and seven (5.7%, 95% CI 2.3-11.6) were secondary to infection at other sites. Crude mortality at 30 days and six months was higher in patients with MRSA infection than colonisation alone (aOR 5.49, 95% CI 2.75-10.95, p<0.001 and aOR 2.94, 95% CI 1.78-4.85, p<0.001 respectively).

Conclusion
Risk of clinical infection is highest soon after MRSA acquisition. Prevention of MRSA acquisition in hospital will have significant impact on morbidity and mortality for patients.
Burden of peripheral arterial disease in Europe and the United States: a patient survey
Authors: Marrett Elizabeth , DiBonaventura Marco daCosta , Zhang Qiaoyi 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The aim of the current study was to quantify the burden of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with respect to health-related quality of life, work productivity and activity impairment, and healthcare resource utilization.

Methods
Data were obtained from the 2010 EU National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), which included participants from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK (5EU, N = 57,805) as well as the 2010 US NHWS (N = 75,000). The NHWS is an annual, cross-sectional, self-administered Internet survey which employs a stratified random sampling frame to match the age and gender characteristics of the NHWS sample with known population statistics. Participants who self-reported a diagnosis of PAD were compared with participants who did not self-report a diagnosis of PAD on health-related quality of life (mental and physical component summary scores and health utilities from the Short Form-12v2), work productivity and activity impairment (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire), and healthcare resource use in terms of the number of physician visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations in the past six months through regression modeling adjusting for demographics and health characteristics.

Results
A total of 743 (1.29%) and 777 (1.04%) participants self-reported a diagnosis of PAD in the 5EU and US, respectively. After adjusting for demographics and health characteristics, patients with PAD reported worse health-related quality of life, as measured by health utilities (5EU: 0.66 vs. 0.70; US: 0.66 vs. 0.72; all p < .05), greater overall work impairment percentage (5EU: 38.27% vs. 27.48%; US: 23.89% vs. 14.26%) and greater healthcare resource use compared to participants without PAD (all p < .05).

Conclusions
These results suggest a significant burden for patients with PAD in both the 5 EU countries and the US with respect to both quality of life and economic outcomes. Improved management of these patients may have profound effects from both patient and societal perspectives.