bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in health‐related quality of life by occupational status among women diagnosed with breast cancer—a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lundh Marie Høyer , Lampic Claudia , Nordin Karin , Ahlgren Johan , Bergkvist Leif , Lambe Mats , Berglund Anders , Johansson Birgitta 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether longitudinal changes in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among breast cancer patients vary by prediagnosis occupational status or postdiagnosis changes in working time.MethodsWe identified 1573 patients in the Breast Cancer Quality Register of Central Sweden and asked them to participate in a longitudinal questionnaire study. A total of n = 841 women completed three questionnaires within a mean time of 4, 16, and 38 months postdiagnosis. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine changes in European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Breast Cancer‐Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire subscales stratified by prediagnosis occupational status and postdiagnosis changes in working time.ResultsOver time, the proportion of employed women reporting good functioning increased more, and the proportion reporting a high level of symptoms decreased more compared with women on sick leave/disability pension and retirement pensioners (p < 0.001). The latter two also showed a worsening in several subscales (p < 0.05). Among employed women, more consistent improvements in role and social functioning were observed among those with an increase/no change in working time than among those who had decreased it or stopped working (p < 0.05). A decrease in the proportion reporting pain was observed among women with an increase/no change in working time compared with women with decreased working time, among whom the proportion reporting pain increased (p = 0.008).ConclusionsBeing employed prediagnosis and resuming work to the same extent as prior to the breast cancer diagnosis are associated with consistent improvements in HRQoL. These results highlight the importance of interventions to improve HRQoL and policies to support return to work following diagnosis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystal structure of the S187F variant of human liver alanine: Aminotransferase associated with primary hyperoxaluria type I and its functional implications
Authors: Oppici Elisa , Fodor Krisztian , Paiardini Alessandro , Williams Chris , Voltattorni Carla Borri , Wilmanns Matthias , Cellini Barbara 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTThe substitution of Ser187, a residue located far from the active site of human liver peroxisomal alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), by Phe gives rise to a variant associated with primary hyperoxaluria type I. Unexpectedly, previous studies revealed that the recombinant form of S187F exhibits a remarkable loss of catalytic activity, an increased pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP) binding affinity and a different coenzyme binding mode compared with normal AGT. To shed light on the structural elements responsible for these defects, we solved the crystal structure of the variant to a resolution of 2.9 Å. Although the overall conformation of the variant is similar to that of normal AGT, we noticed: (i) a displacement of the PLP‐binding Lys209 and Val185, located on the re and si side of PLP, respectively, and (ii) slight conformational changes of other active site residues, in particular Trp108, the base stacking residue with the pyridine cofactor moiety. This active site perturbation results in a mispositioning of the AGT‐pyridoxamine 5′‐phosphate (PMP) complex and of the external aldimine, as predicted by molecular modeling studies. Taken together, both predicted and observed movements caused by the S187F mutation are consistent with the following functional properties of the variant: (i) a 300‐ to 500‐fold decrease in both the rate constant of L‐alanine half‐transamination and the kcat of the overall transamination, (ii) a different PMP binding mode and affinity, and (iii) a different microenvironment of the external aldimine. Proposals for the treatment of patients bearing S187F mutation are discussed on the basis of these results. Proteins 2013; 81:1457–1465. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of disulfide linkages in recombinant human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor
Authors: Mo Jingjie , Tymiak Adrienne A. , Chen Guodong 
Published: April 2013

RATIONALERecombinant human G granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF) produced in Escherichia coli is a non‐glycosylated polypeptide containing five cysteine residues. The reported major disulfide (S‐S) linkages in mature human G‐CSF are C36–C42 and C64–C74, leaving C17 as a free cysteine, which could potentially result in S‐S scrambling. The purpose of this work is to illustrate different mass spectrometry (MS) approaches for characterization of S‐S linkages in therapeutic proteins including S‐S scrambling using rhG‐CSF as a model protein.METHODSPeptide mapping analysis of both non‐reduced and reduced digests of rhG‐CSF was performed to demonstrate the presence of S‐S linked peptides and their corresponding reduced peptides. High mass accuracy measurements of these peptides provided the initial identifications of S‐S linkages. Collision‐induced dissociation (CID) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) were used to fragment these peptides in order to obtain further sequence information and identify S‐S linkages.RESULTSS‐S linked peptides and their corresponding reduced peptides correlating with major S‐S linkages were observed. Peptides that correlated with other S‐S linkages as a result of S‐S scrambling were also observed.CONCLUSIONSPresence of the reported major S‐S linkages in rhG‐CSF was confirmed. S‐S scrambling was also observed in which C18 was involved in S‐S linkages and C37, C65 or C75 were present as free cysteines. This study demonstrates the practical utility of combining different MS methods for characterization of S‐S linkages in therapeutic proteins. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectra of methyl esters of brominated fatty acids and their presence in soft drinks and cocktail syrups
Authors: Bendig Paul , Maier Lisa , Lehnert Katja , Knapp Holger , Vetter Walter 
Published: April 2013

RATIONALEBrominated vegetable oil (BVO) is frequently used as a solubility transmitter in soft drinks. Being banned in Europe and Japan but permitted in the United States and Canada, there is a need for analytical methods suitable for use in food control. Brominated fatty acids in BVO are usually determined by gas chromatography (GC) after their conversion into the corresponding methyl esters.METHODSGC with mass spectrometry (MS) was used to record the electron ionization (EI) and negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectra of relevant brominated fatty acid methyl esters synthesized for this purpose. Brominated fatty acids obtained from transesterified BVO from soft drink and syrup samples were also analyzed.RESULTSGC/NICI‐MS was the most sensitive method for the detection of brominated fatty acids but GC/EI‐MS was found to be more suited for quantification due to the formation of more selective fragment ions in the higher mass range. Suitable ions were selected for determination of the methyl esters of brominated fatty acids in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Artifacts produced by the transesterification of BVO with boron trifluoride were observed and discussed. BVO was also quantified in three syrup samples commercially produced for use in cocktails/long drinks. In one of the syrup samples that tested positive, BVO was not labelled in the ingredient list. Bromination experiments produced evidence that one or more Br2‐18:0 isomers identified as a shoulder peak of threo‐9,10‐dibromooctadecanoic acid in several soft drink and syrup samples originated from the bromination of partly hydrogenated plant oil.CONCLUSIONSBVO was determined for the first time in syrup samples. Attention should be paid to the problem of BVO occurring unlabeled in soft drinks and cocktail syrups imported from North America. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel magnet focusing plate for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization analysis of magnetic bead‐bound analytes
Authors: Gode David , Volmer Dietrich A. 
Published: April 2013

RATIONALEMagnetic beads are often used for serum profiling of peptide and protein biomarkers. In these assays, the bead‐bound analytes are eluted from the beads prior to mass spectrometric analysis. This study describes a novel matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) technique for direct application and focusing of magnetic beads to MALDI plates by means of dedicated micro‐magnets as sample spots.METHODSCustom‐made MALDI plates with magnetic focusing spots were made using small nickel‐coated neodymium micro‐magnets integrated into a stainless steel plate in a 16 × 24 (384) pattern. For demonstrating the proof‐of‐concept, commercial C‐18 magnetic beads were used for the extraction of a test compound (reserpine) from aqueous solution. Experiments were conducted to study focusing abilities, the required laser energies, the influence of a matrix compound, dispensing techniques, solvent choice and the amount of magnetic beads.RESULTSDispensing the magnetic beads onto the micro‐magnet sample spots resulted in immediate and strong binding to the magnetic surface. Light microscope images illustrated the homogeneous distribution of beads across the surfaces of the magnets, when the entire sample volume containing the beads was pipetted onto the surface. Subsequent MALDI analysis of the bead‐bound analyte demonstrated excellent and reproducible ionization yields. The surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) properties of the strongly light‐absorbing γ‐Fe2O3‐based beads resulted in similar ionization efficiencies to those obtained from experiments with an additional MALDI matrix compound.CONCLUSIONSThis feasibility study successfully demonstrated the magnetic focusing abilities for magnetic bead‐bound analytes on a novel MALDI plate containing small micro‐magnets as sample spots. One of the key advantages of this integrated approach is that no elution steps from magnetic beads were required during analyses compared with conventional bead experiments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing of data‐centric and event‐based dynamic service compositions
Authors: Hummer Waldemar , Raz Orna , Shehory Onn , Leitner Philipp , Dustdar Schahram 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYThis paper addresses integration testing of data‐centric and event‐based dynamic service compositions. The compositions under test define abstract services that are replaced by concrete candidate services at runtime. Testing all possible instantiations of a composition leads to combinatorial explosion and is often infeasible. We consider data dependencies between services as potential points of failure and introduce the k‐node data flow test coverage metric, which helps to significantly reduce the number of test combinations. We formulate a combinatorial optimization problem for generating minimal sets of test cases. On the basis of this formalization, we present a mapping to the model of FoCuS, a coverage analysis tool. FoCuS efficiently computes near‐optimal solutions, which are used to automatically generate test instances. The proposed approach is applicable to various composition paradigms. We illustrate the end‐to‐end practicability based on an integrated scenario, which uses two diverse composition techniques: on the one hand, the Web Services Business Process Execution Language and on the other hand, WS‐Aggregation, a platform for event‐based service composition. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“But Before I Go to My Next Step”: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescent English Language Learners' Transitional Devices in Oral Presentations
Authors: Kibler Amanda K. , Salerno April S. , Palacios Natalia 
Published: April 2013

This multiple case study examines patterns in the oral second language use of three Spanish‐speaking English language learners in rehearsed presentations produced annually over 4 years (Grades 9–12) in a U.S. high school. Analysis focuses on students' changing use of transitional devices called frame markers (Hyland, 2005) as a lens for understanding language used by school‐aged immigrant students in academic settings, the nature of classroom presentations, and the role of a range of contextual factors from a longitudinal perspective. Students produced relatively complex structures to mark transitions, even at early proficiency levels, likely due to opportunities for rehearsal and use of supporting written texts. Despite notable commonalities, students took varied paths in language use, responding individually to presentational environments. Such findings provide evidence that both context and individual variation contribute to oral second language use in school settings and provide a rationale for research that attends to academic and presentational settings in which students produce oral language.
Robotic‐assisted pancreatic surgery
Authors: Fernandes E. , Giulianotti P.C. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic surgery is a challenging application of minimally invasive surgery. Due to the complexity of the surgical technique, requiring dissection along major abdominal vessels as well as delicate reconstruction involving biliary, pancreatic and enteric anastomoses, reports on laparoscopic pancreatic surgery have been scanty. With the advent of robotic‐assisted surgery, however, the increased dexterity granted by endo‐wristed instruments, the improved three‐dimensional vision and the computer filtration of the surgeon's movements have brought minimally invasive pancreatic surgery into a new era.MethodsAs the surgical group which has performed the highest number of robotic‐assisted pancreatic procedures worldwide, we review the state of the art of minimally invasive robotic‐assisted pancreatic surgery. Clinical results from all major robotic‐assisted pancreatic surgery series are considered.ResultsPreliminary reports from the published major pancreatic surgery series show encouraging results, with morbidity and mortality comparable to open surgery. Preliminary data on cancer survival rates also appear to be similar to open series.ConclusionRobotic‐assisted pancreatic surgery is safe and feasible for all pancreatic diseases. The complexity of pancreatic procedures warrant them to be carried out in specialised centres, where short‐ and long‐term outcomes seem to be similar to the ones achieved in open surgery.
When Context Matters: Assessing Geographical Heterogeneity of Get-Out-The-Vote Treatment Effects Using a Population Based Field Experiment
Authors: Fieldhouse Edward , Cutts David , John Peter , Widdop Paul 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The presence of heterogeneity in treatment effects can create problems for researchers employing a narrow experimental pool in their research. In particular it is often questioned whether the results of a particular experiment can be extrapolated outside the specific location of the study. In this article, we use a population-based field experiment in order to test the extent to which treatment effects for impersonal mobilisation techniques (direct mail and telephone) are sensitive to where they are carried out (geography) and the context of the election in which they were conducted. We find that on the whole it does not much matter where an experiment is conducted: the treatment effects are to all intents and purposes geographically uniform. This has important implications for the external validity of get-out-the-vote field studies more generally, especially where single locations are used. However, there is one important exception to this: experiments carried out in high turnout locations at high salience elections may show larger effects than those carried out in low turnout areas.
Medical student interest in academic medical careers: a multi-institutional
study
Authors: Greenberg Ruth B. , Ziegler Craig H. , Borges Nicole J. , Elam Carol L. , Stratton Terry D. , Woods Sheila 
Published: April 2013

Little is known about how medical students view academic medicine. This
multi-institutional study explored student perceptions of this career path. During
2009–2010, third- and fourth-year students at three United States medical schools
completed a 30-item online survey. In total, 239 students completed the questionnaire
(37 % response rate). Significant predictors of students’ desires for academic medical
careers included interest in teaching (γ = 0.74), research (γ = 0.53), interprofessional
practice (γ = 0.34), administration (γ = 0.27), and community service opportunities
(γ = 0.16). A positive correlation existed between accumulated debt and interest in
academic medicine (γ = 0.20). Student descriptions of the least and most appealing
aspects of academic medicine were classified into five categories: professional,
research, personal, teaching and mentoring, and patients/patient care. Students are more
likely to be interested in a career in academic medicine if they have participated in
research or were influenced by a mentor. Factors that may also influence a medical
student’s decision to pursue a career in academic medicine include age and debt
accumulated prior to medical school. Professional aspects of academic medicine (cutting
edge environment, resources) and the opportunity to teach were the most appealing
aspects.
Friendship networks and social status
Authors: BALL BRIAN , NEWMAN M.E.J. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn empirical studies of friendship networks, participants are typically asked, in interviews or questionnaires, to identify some or all of their close friends, resulting in a directed network in which friendships can, and often do, run in only one direction between a pair of individuals. Here we analyze a large collection of such networks representing friendships among students at US high and junior-high schools and show that the pattern of unreciprocated friendships is far from random. In every network, without exception, we find that there exists a ranking of participants, from low to high, such that almost all unreciprocated friendships consist of a lower ranked individual claiming friendship with a higher ranked one. We present a maximum-likelihood method for deducing such rankings from observed network data and conjecture that the rankings produced reflect a measure of social status. We note in particular that reciprocated and unreciprocated friendships obey different statistics, suggesting different formation processes, and that rankings are correlated with other characteristics of the participants that are traditionally associated with status, such as age and overall popularity as measured by total number of friends.
Diffusion and contagion in networks with heterogeneous agents and homophily
Authors: JACKSON MATTHEW O. , LÓPEZ-PINTADO DUNIA 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe study the diffusion of an idea, a product, a disease, a cultural fad, or a technology among agents in a social network that exhibits segregation or homophily (the tendency of agents to associate with others similar to themselves). Individuals are distinguished by their types—e.g., race, gender, age, wealth, religion, profession—which, together with biased interaction patterns, induce heterogeneous rates of adoption or infection. We identify the conditions under which a behavior or disease diffuses and becomes persistent in the population. These conditions relate to the level of homophily in a society and the underlying proclivities of various types for adoption or infection. In particular, we show that homophily can facilitate diffusion from a small initial seed of adopters.
Mastitis detection in dairy cows: the application of support vector machines
Authors: MIEKLEY B. , TRAULSEN I. , KRIETER J. 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYThe current investigation analysed the applicability of support vector machines (SVMs), a sub-discipline in the field of artificial intelligence, for the early detection of mastitis. Data used were recorded on the Karkendamm dairy research farm (Kiel, Germany) between January 2010 and December 2011. Data from 215 cows in their first 200 days in milk (DIM) were analysed. Mastitis was specified according to veterinary treatments and defined as disease blocks. The two different definitions used varied solely in the sequence length of the blocks. Only the days before the treatment were included in the blocks. The following parameters were used for the recognition of mastitis: milk electrical conductivity (MEC), milk yield (MY), stage of lactation, month, mastitis history during lactation, deviation from the 5-day moving average of MEC as well as MY, and the 5-day moving standard deviations of the same traits. To develop and verify the model of the SVMs, the mastitis dataset was divided into training and test datasets. Support vector machines are tools for statistical pattern recognition, focusing on algorithms capable of learning and adapting the structure of the input parameters based on the training dataset. The results show that the block sensitivity of mastitis detection considering both mastitis definitions was 84·6%, while specificity was 71·6 and 78·3%, respectively. Showing feasible features for pattern recognition of biological data, SVMs can principally be applied for disease detection. However, without further performance improvement or different study settings (e.g. other indicator variables) SVMs cannot be easily implemented into practical usage.
CONSOLIDATED HEALTH ECONOMIC EVALUATION REPORTING STANDARDS (CHEERS) STATEMENT
Authors: Husereau Don , Drummond Michael , Petrou Stavros , Carswell Chris , Moher David , Greenberg Dan , Augustovski Federico , Briggs Andrew H , Mauskopf Josephine , Loder Elizabeth 
Published: April 2013

Economic evaluations of health interventions pose a particular challenge for reporting. There is also a need to consolidate and update existing guidelines and promote their use in a user friendly manner. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) statement is an attempt to consolidate and update previous health economic evaluation guidelines efforts into one current, useful reporting guidance. The primary audiences for the CHEERS statement are researchers reporting economic evaluations and the editors and peer reviewers assessing them for publication.The need for new reporting guidance was identified by a survey of medical editors. A list of possible items based on a systematic review was created. A two round, modified Delphi panel consisting of representatives from academia, clinical practice, industry, government, and the editorial community was conducted. Out of 44 candidate items, 24 items and accompanying recommendations were developed. The recommendations are contained in a user friendly, 24 item checklist. A copy of the statement, accompanying checklist, and this report can be found on the ISPOR Health Economic Evaluations Publication Guidelines Task Force website (www.ispor.org/TaskForces/EconomicPubGuidelines.asp).We hope CHEERS will lead to better reporting, and ultimately, better health decisions. To facilitate dissemination and uptake, the CHEERS statement is being co-published across 10 health economics and medical journals. We encourage other journals and groups, to endorse CHEERS. The author team plans to review the checklist for an update in five years.