bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life, immunomodulation and safety of adjuvant mistletoe treatment in patients with gastric carcinoma – a randomized, controlled pilot study
Authors: Kim Kab-Choong , Yook Jeong-Hwan , Eisenbraun Jürgen , Kim Byung-Sik , Huber Roman 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts are widely used in complementary cancer therapy. Aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a standardized mistletoe extract (abnobaVISCUM® Quercus, aVQ) in patients with gastric cancer.

Patients and Methods
32 operated gastric cancer patients (stage Ib or II) who were waiting for oral chemotherapy with the 5-FU prodrug doxifluridine were randomized 1:1 to receive additional therapy with aVQ or no additional therapy. aVQ was injected subcutaneously three times per week from postoperative day 7 to week 24 in increasing doses. EORTC QLQ-C30 and -STO22 Quality of Life questionnaire, differential blood count, liver function tests, various cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-2), CD 16+/CD56+ and CD 19+ lymphocytes were analyzed at baseline and 8, 16 and 24 weeks later.

Results
Global health status (p <0.01), leukocyte- and eosinophil counts (p ≤0.01) increased significantly in the treatment group compared to the control group. Diarrhea was less frequently reported (7% vs. 50%, p=0.014) in the intervention group. There was no significant treatment effect on levels of TNF-alpha, IL-2, CD16+/CD56+ and CD 19+ lymphocytes and liver function tests measured by ANOVA.

Conclusion
Additional treatment with aVQ is safe and was associated with improved QoL of gastric cancer patients. ClinicalTrials.Gov Registration number NCT01401075.
Common fixed-point results in uniformly convex Banach spaces
Authors: Akkasriworn Naknimit , Kaewkhao Annop , Keawkhao Attapol , Sokhuma Kritsana 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
We introduce a condition on mappings, namely condition

(
K
)

. In a uniformly convex Banach space, the condition is weaker than quasi-nonexpansiveness and weaker than asymptotic nonexpansiveness. We also present the existence theorem of common fixed points for a commuting pair consisting of a mapping satisfying condition

(
K
)

and a multivalued mapping satisfying conditions

(
E
)

and

(

C
λ

)

for some

λ
∈
(
0
,
1
)

.
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated channels: a potential molecular link between epileptic seizures and Aβ generation in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Saito Yuhki , Inoue Tsuyoshi , Zhu Gang , Kimura Naoki , Okada Motohiro , Nishimura Masaki , Kimura Nobuyuki , Murayama Shigeo , Kaneko Sunao , Shigemoto Ryuichi , Imoto Keiji , Suzuki Toshiharu 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
One of the best-characterized causative factors of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the generation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). AD subjects are at high risk of epileptic seizures accompanied by aberrant neuronal excitability, which in itself enhances Aβ generation. However, the molecular linkage between epileptic seizures and Aβ generation in AD remains unclear.

Results
X11 and X11-like (X11L) gene knockout mice suffered from epileptic seizures, along with a malfunction of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels. Genetic ablation of HCN1 in mice and HCN1 channel blockage in cultured Neuro2a (N2a) cells enhanced Aβ generation. Interestingly, HCN1 levels dramatically decreased in the temporal lobe of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) during aging and were significantly diminished in the temporal lobe of sporadic AD patients.

Conclusion
Because HCN1 associates with amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) and X11/X11L in the brain, genetic deficiency of X11/X11L may induce aberrant HCN1 distribution along with epilepsy. Moreover, the reduction in HCN1 levels in aged primates may contribute to augmented Aβ generation. Taken together, HCN1 is proposed to play an important role in the molecular linkage between epileptic seizures and Aβ generation, and in the aggravation of sporadic AD.
Inactivation of Bacillus cereus vegetative cells by gastric acid and bile during in vitro gastrointestinal transit
Authors: Ceuppens Siele , Uyttendaele Mieke , Hamelink Stefanie , Boon Nico , Van de Wiele Tom 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
The foodborne pathogen Bacillus cereus can cause diarrhoeal food poisoning by production of enterotoxins in the small intestine. The prerequisite for diarrhoeal disease is thus survival during gastrointestinal passage.

Methods
Vegetative cells of 3 different B. cereus strains were cultivated in a real composite food matrix, lasagne verde, and their survival during subsequent simulation of gastrointestinal passage was assessed using in vitro experiments simulating transit through the human upper gastrointestinal tract (from mouth to small intestine).

Results
No survival of vegetative cells was observed, despite the high inoculum levels of 7.0 to 8.0 log CFU/g and the presence of various potentially protective food components. Significant fractions (approx. 10% of the consumed inoculum) of B. cereus vegetative cells survived gastric passage, but they were subsequently inactivated by bile exposure in weakly acidic intestinal medium (pH 5.0). In contrast, the low numbers of spores present (up to 4.0 log spores/g) showed excellent survival and remained viable spores throughout the gastrointestinal passage simulation.

Conclusion
Vegetative cells are inactivated by gastric acid and bile during gastrointestinal passage, while spores are resistant and survive. Therefore, the physiological form (vegetative cells or spores) of the B. cereus consumed determines the subsequent gastrointestinal survival and thus the infective dose, which is expected to be much lower for spores than vegetative cells. No significant differences in gastrointestinal survival ability was found among the different strains. However, considerable strain variability was observed in sporulation tendency during growth in laboratory medium and food, which has important implications for the gastrointestinal survival potential of the different B. cereus strains.
Workshop report: Can an understanding of the mechanisms underlying age-related loss of muscle mass and function guide exercise and other intervention strategies?
Authors: Jackson Malcolm J , McArdle Anne , Vasilaki Aphrodite , Kayani Anna 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
An international workshop was hosted by the University of Liverpool on 15–16 July 2011 to address at a basic level what is known about the fundamental mechanisms by which skeletal muscle mass and function are lost during aging and to examine the nature of interventions that might prevent these mechanistic changes. Of particular importance was to attempt to evaluate how different forms of exercise (or muscle contractile activity) influence these processes and how these effects can be best optimized to prevent or delay age-related loss of muscle function. The program took the form of a two-day meeting, comprising a series of invited talks and breakout sessions designed to identify key gaps in current knowledge and potential future research questions. The aims of this Workshop were two-fold: 1. To identify the current state-of-the-art in the understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to loss of skeletal muscle mass and function that occurs with aging and to address at a mechanistic level how, and to what extent, exercise and/or other interventions might prevent these changes. 2. To identify specific areas of research where information is sparse but which are likely to yield data that will impact on future strategies to manipulate age-related loss of muscle mass and function in older people. The areas discussed in detail were loss of functional motor units, reduced muscle stem cell activity, age-related changes in transcriptional responses of muscle to exercise and nutrition, age-related changes in protein homeostasis, mitochondrial function, altered cross-talk between muscle with immune cells and how the developments in basic science to understand mechanisms underlying age-related loss of muscle mass and function can be translated. Following each session three key areas where further studies are needed were identified.
Impact of hormone receptor status on patterns of recurrence and clinical outcomes among patients with human epidermal growth factor-2-positive breast cancer in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Vaz-Luis Ines , Ottesen Rebecca A , Hughes Melissa E , Marcom P Kelly , Moy Beverly , Rugo Hope S , Theriault Richard L , Wilson John , Niland Joyce C , Weeks Jane C , Lin Nancy U 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
In gene expression experiments, hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER2)-positive tumors generally cluster within the luminal B subset; whereas HR-negative/HER2-positive tumors reside in the HER2-enriched subset. We investigated whether the clinical behavior of HER2-positive tumors differs by HR status.

Methods
We evaluated 3,394 patients who presented to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) centers with stage I to III HER2-positive breast cancer between 2000 and 2007. Tumors were grouped as HR-positive/HER2-positive (HR+/HER2+) or HR-negative/HER2-positive (HR-/HER2+). Chi-square, logistic regression and Cox hazard proportional regression were used to compare groups.

Results
Median follow-up was four years. Patients with HR-/HER2+ tumors (n = 1,379, 41% of total) were more likely than those with HR+/HER-2+ disease (n = 2,015, 59% of total) to present with high histologic grade and higher stages (P <0.001). Recurrences were recorded for 458 patients. HR-/HER2+ patients were less likely to experience first recurrence in bone (univariate Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.53, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.34 to 0.82, P = 0.005) and more likely to recur in brain (univariate OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.93, P = 0.033). A lower risk of recurrence in bone persisted after adjusting for age, stage and adjuvant trastuzumab therapy (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.83, P = 0.005) and when first and subsequent sites of recurrence were both considered (multivariable OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.80, P = 0.002).
As compared with patients with HR+/HER2+ disease, those with HR-/HER2+ disease had significantly increased hazard of early, but not late, death (hazard ratio of death zero to two years after diagnosis = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.28 to 2.86, P = 0.002, hazard ratio of death two to five years after diagnosis = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.00, P = 0.001; hazard ratio of death more than five years after diagnosis = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.19, P = 0.285, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, stage at diagnosis, grade and year of diagnosis).

Conclusions
Presenting features, patterns of recurrence and survival of HER2-positive breast cancer differed by HR status. These differences should be further explored and integrated in the design of clinical trials.
Angiogenic factors and their soluble receptors predict organ dysfunction and mortality in post-cardiac arrest syndrome
Authors: Wada Takeshi , Jesmin Subrina , Gando Satoshi , Yanagida Yuichiro , Mizugaki Asumi , Sultana Sayeeda N , Zaedi Sohel , Yokota Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) often leads to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) with a poor prognosis. Endothelial and leukocyte activation after whole-body ischemia/reperfusion following resuscitation from cardiac arrest is a critical step in endothelial injury and related organ damage. Angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin (Ang), and their receptors play crucial roles in endothelial growth, survival signals, pathological angiogenesis and microvascular permeability. The aim of this study was to confirm the efficacy of angiogenic factors and their soluble receptors in predicting organ dysfunction and mortality in patients with PCAS.

Methods
A total of 52 resuscitated patients were divided into two subgroups: 23 survivors and 29 non-survivors. The serum levels of VEGF, soluble VEGF receptor (sVEGFR)1, sVEGFR2, Ang1, Ang2 and soluble Tie2 (sTie2) were measured at the time of admission (Day 1) and on Day 3 and Day 5. The ratio of Ang2 to Ang1 (Ang2/Ang1) was also calculated. This study compared the levels of angiogenic factors and their soluble receptors between survivors and non-survivors, and evaluated the predictive value of these factors for organ dysfunction and 28-day mortality.

Results
The non-survivors demonstrated more severe degrees of organ dysfunction and a higher prevalence of MODS. Non-survivors showed significant increases in the Ang2 levels and the Ang2/Ang1 ratios compared to survivors. A stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the Ang2 levels or the Ang2/Ang1 ratios on Day 1 independently predicted the 28-day mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curves of the Ang2 levels, and the Ang2/Ang1 ratios on Day 1 were good predictors of 28-day mortality. The Ang2 levels also independently predicted increases in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores.

Conclusions
We observed a marked imbalance between Ang1 and Ang2 in favor of Ang2 in PCAS patients, and the effect was more prominent in non-survivors. Angiogenic factors and their soluble receptors, particularly Ang2 and Ang2/Ang1, are considered to be valuable predictive biomarkers in the development of organ dysfunction and poor outcomes in PCAS patients.
Relation between proteinuria and acute kidney injury in patients with severe burns
Authors: Hu Jiong Yu , Meng Xin Chun , Han Jian , Xiang Fei , Fang Ya Dong , Wu Jun , Peng Yi Zhi , Wu Ya Zhou , Huang Yue Sheng , Luo Qi Zhi 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Proteinuria in burn patients is common, and may be associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) and adverse outcomes. We evaluated the incidences, outcomes, characteristics and determinants of proteinuria and its influence on AKI and outcomes in burn patients.

Methods
This retrospective study was carried out in a hospital's burn department. The study population consisted of patients with burn injuries admitted during a five-year period. Positive urine dipstick readings were defined as mild (± or 1+) or heavy (≥ 2+) proteinuria, and AKI was diagnosed and staged according to the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End Stage (RIFLE) classification system. Patient characteristics, management and outcomes were evaluated for associations with proteinuria using nonparametric tests, chi-square (χ2) tests and binary logistic regression.

Results
Of the patients admitted to the burn unit during the study period (n = 2,497), 865 (34.64%) were classified as having proteinuria. In the patients whose total burn surface areas (TBSA) were > 30% (n = 396), 271 patients (68.43%) had proteinuria and 152 of these patients (56.09%) met AKI criteria. No patients without proteinuria developed AKI. Intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rates were 0.8%, 16.67% and 30.77% (P < 0.001) in the groups with no, mild and heavy proteinuria, respectively. Logistic regression analysis identified proteinuria (OR 4.48; 95% CI, 2.824 to 7.108; P < 0.001) and sequential organ failure assessment (OR 1.383; 95% CI, 1.267 to 1.509; P < 0.001) as risk factors for AKI.

Conclusions
We observed a high prevalence of proteinuria in patients with severe burns (> 30% TBSA). Severely burned patients with proteinuria had a high risk of developing AKI and a poor prognosis for survival. This suggests that proteinuria should be used for identifying burn patients at risk of developing AKI.
An observational study to determine the effect of delayed admission to the intensive care unit on patient outcome
Authors: O'Callaghan David JP , Jayia Parveen , Vaughan-Huxley Eyston , Gribbon Michael , Templeton Maie , Skipworth James RA , Gordon Anthony C 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Delayed patient admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to lack of bed availability is a common problem, but the effect on patient outcome is not fully known.

Methods
A retrospective study was performed using departmental computerised records to determine the effect of delayed ICU admission and temporary management within the operating theatre suite on patient outcome. Emergency surgical and medical patients admitted to the ICU (2003 to 2007) were divided into delay (more than three hours from referral to admission) and no-delay (three or fewer hours from referral to admission) groups. Our primary outcome measure was length of ICU stay. Secondary outcome measures were mortality rates and duration of organ support.

Results
A total of 1,609 eligible patients were included and 149 (9.3%) had a delayed admission. The delay and no-delay groups had similar baseline characteristics. Median ICU stay was 5.1 days (delay) and 4.5 days (no-delay) (P = 0.55) and ICU mortality was 26.8% (delay) and 24.2% (no-delay) (P = 0.47). Following adjustment for demographic and baseline characteristics there was no difference in either length of ICU stay or mortality rates between groups. ICU admission delay was associated with both an increased requirement for advanced respiratory support (92.3% delay vs. 76.4% no-delay, P <0.01) and a longer time spent ventilated (median four days delay vs. three days no-delay, P = 0.04).

Conclusions
No significant difference in length of ICU stay or mortality rate was demonstrated between the delay and no-delay cohorts. Patients within the delay group had a significantly greater requirement for advanced respiratory support and spent a longer time ventilated.
Aging effects on DNA methylation modules in human brain and blood tissue
Authors: Horvath Steve , Zhang Yafeng , Langfelder Peter , Kahn René S , Boks Marco PM , van Eijk Kristel , van den Berg Leonard H , Ophoff Roel A 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Background
Several recent studies reported aging effects on DNA methylation levels of individual CpG dinucleotides. But it is not yet known whether aging-related consensus modules, in the form of clusters of correlated CpG markers, can be found that are present in multiple human tissues. Such a module could facilitate the understanding of aging effects on multiple tissues.

Results
We therefore employed weighted correlation network analysis of 2,442 Illumina DNA methylation arrays from brain and blood tissues, which enabled the identification of an age-related co-methylation module. Module preservation analysis confirmed that this module can also be found in diverse independent data sets. Biological evaluation showed that module membership is associated with Polycomb group target occupancy counts, CpG island status and autosomal chromosome location. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the aging-related consensus module comprises genes that are involved in nervous system development, neuron differentiation and neurogenesis, and that it contains promoter CpGs of genes known to be down-regulated in early Alzheimer's disease. A comparison with a standard, non-module based meta-analysis revealed that selecting CpGs based on module membership leads to significantly increased gene ontology enrichment, thus demonstrating that studying aging effects via consensus network analysis enhances the biological insights gained.

Conclusions
Overall, our analysis revealed a robustly defined age-related co-methylation module that is present in multiple human tissues, including blood and brain. We conclude that blood is a promising surrogate for brain tissue when studying the effects of age on DNA methylation profiles.
Dendritic cell science: more than 40 years of history
Authors: van Spriel Annemiek B , de Jong Esther C 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Historical overview of the major milestones and discoveries in dendritic cell science.
Over 40 years of research into the field of DCs has revolutionized our understanding into the activation and regulation of the immune system. This minireview discusses the major breakthroughs in DC science that have paved the way to the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology-Medicine awarded to Bruce A. Beutler and Jules A. Hoffmann (for their discoveries in innate immune recognition) and Ralph M. Steinman (for his discovery of the DC).
Penetration of Time to Change leaflets on stigmatised attitudes to people with mental illness
Authors: Mendes Vania , Easow Joby Maducolil , Luty Jason 
Published: October 2012

Aims and methodTo determine whether members of the general public read a leaflet from the Time to Change anti-stigma campaign. The leaflets were sent to 1000 members of the public at random. Those who read the leaflet were asked, in a statement concealed within the text, to return it. A second study involved modified leaflets being posted to 400 members of a representative panel of the UK general public.ResultsOnly 20 of the 1000 (2%) people who received the unsolicited leaflet returned them, which suggests that the vast majority were unread. However, the leaflet achieved a good response in the sample from the research panel with at least 29% of participants (115 of 400) reading the leaflet.Clinical implicationsA very small proportion of people acknowledge unsolicited leaflets. However, the leaflet was read by almost a third of a research panel. Hence, few people are likely to read unsolicited leaflets, including those containing a public health message.
Mixed-methods evaluation of a leadership development programme for higher specialist trainees
Authors: Healey Christine , Fearnley David , Chivers Mandy , Wadoo Ovais , Kinderman Peter 
Published: October 2012

Aims and methodNewly appointed consultant psychiatrists have reported that management and leadership is an area for which they are unprepared. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of a leadership development programme based on the principles of ‘action learning’ for higher trainees. A questionnaire survey was sent to 54 trainees and consultants who had attended the programme. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 participants using the concept of maximum variance sampling.ResultsThe relevance of the topics covered, the opportunity for free discussion and increased understanding of National Health Service policy were rated highest. At the end of a thematic analysis, themes were organised into four major categories: (a) lack of engagement with management during training; (b) the lasting impact of the leadership development programme; (c) understanding the larger organisational context; and (d) transition to consultant psychiatrist.Clinical implicationsThe findings suggest that programmes such as this can be successful in raising awareness and increasing engagement in medical leadership and management.