bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of telbivudine in late pregnancy to prevent intrauterine transmission of the hepatitis B virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Deng Min , Zhou Xin , Gao Sheng , Yang Shi-Gui , Wang Bing , Chen Hua-Zhong , Ruan Bing 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a serious public health problem in many parts of the world. Presently, even with proper joint immunoprophylaxis, approximately 10-15% of newborns from HBV carrier mothers suffer from HBV infection through intrauterine transmission. One of the risk factors is the level of maternal viraemia. Telbivudine is a synthetic thymidine nucleoside analogue with activity against HBV. A few studies have evaluated the efficacy of telbivudine in preventing intrauterine HBV infection during late pregnancy. So we conducted this meta-analysis to arrive at an evidence-based conclusion. We searched Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge and China Biological Medicine Database from January 1990 to December 2011. Relative risks (RR) of the seropositivity rates for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in newborns and infants were studied. Mean differences (MD) in maternal HBV DNA levels were reviewed. Finally two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and four non-randomised controlled trials (NRCTs) were left for analysis which included 576 mothers in total, of whom 306 received telbivudine treatment and 270 did not receive any drug. All newborns received hepatitis B vaccine (HBVac) and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) after birth. The seropositivity rate for HBsAg or HBV DNA was significantly lower in the telbivudine group, both at birth and at 6–12 months follow up. Meanwhile, maternal HBV DNA levels prior to delivery were significantly lower in the telbivudine group. In addition, the frequency of serum creatine kinase (CK) elevation was similar in the two groups. Our meta-analysis provides preliminary evidence that telbivudine application in late pregnancy is effective in the interruption of intrauterine HBV infection, with no significant adverse effects or complications. More high quality, well-designed, double-blinded, randomised controlled and large size clinical trials are needed for further investigation and more convincing results in the future.
Daptomycin as supportive treatment option in patients developing mediastinitis after open cardiac surgery
Authors: Weis Florian , Heyn Jens , Hinske Christian L , Vogt Ferdinand , Weis Marion , Kur Felix , Hagl Christian , Beiras-Fernandez Andres 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Mediastinitis is a severe complication after cardiac surgery. While improvement of prophylaxis and of medical and surgical therapy has reduced its incidence, the treatment of mediastinitis continues to be a challenging problem. Within this study, we report the successful use of daptomycin as supportive therapy in patients developing mediastinitis after open cardiac surgery.

Methods
The records of 21 consecutive patients who developed mediastinitis after cardiac surgery were retrospectively reviewed. After diagnosis, all patients received surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy with daptomycin. All patients were followed up to death or discharge.

Results
Clinical improvement after combined surgical and antibiotic therapy with daptomycin was found in 90.5% of the patients. The median time until clinical improvement occurred was 5 [4/6] days. Daptomycin was well-tolerated and no major adverse events during therapy were observed observed.

Conclusions
This study provides new and helpful information regarding the beneficial use of daptomycin as supportive treatment option in patients developing mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.
Assessment of network perturbation amplitudes by applying high-throughput data to causal biological networks
Authors: Martin Florian , Thomson Ty M , Sewer Alain , Drubin David A , Mathis Carole , Weisensee Dirk , Pratt Dexter , Hoeng Julia , Peitsch Manuel C 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundHigh-throughput measurement technologies produce data sets that have the potential to elucidate the biological impact of disease, drug treatment, and environmental agents on humans. The scientific community faces an ongoing challenge in the analysis of these rich data sources to more accurately characterize biological processes that have been perturbed at the mechanistic level. Here, a new approach is built on previous methodologies in which high-throughput data was interpreted using prior biological knowledge of cause and effect relationships. These relationships are structured into network models that describe specific biological processes, such as inflammatory signaling or cell cycle progression. This enables quantitative assessment of network perturbation in response to a given stimulus.ResultsFour complementary methods were devised to quantify treatment-induced activity changes in processes described by network models. In addition, companion statistics were developed to qualify significance and specificity of the results. This approach is called Network Perturbation Amplitude (NPA) scoring because the amplitudes of treatment-induced perturbations are computed for biological network models. The NPA methods were tested on two transcriptomic data sets: normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells treated with the pro-inflammatory signaling mediator TNFα, and HCT116 colon cancer cells treated with the CDK cell cycle inhibitor R547. Each data set was scored against network models representing different aspects of inflammatory signaling and cell cycle progression, and these scores were compared with independent measures of pathway activity in NHBE cells to verify the approach. The NPA scoring method successfully quantified the amplitude of TNFα-induced perturbation for each network model when compared against NF-κB nuclear localization and cell number. In addition, the degree and specificity to which CDK-inhibition affected cell cycle and inflammatory signaling were meaningfully determined.ConclusionsThe NPA scoring method leverages high-throughput measurements and a priori literature-derived knowledge in the form of network models to characterize the activity change for a broad collection of biological processes at high-resolution. Applications of this framework include comparative assessment of the biological impact caused by environmental factors, toxic substances, or drug treatments.
Analysis of T-DNA alleles of flavonoid biosynthesis genes in Arabidopsis ecotype Columbia
Authors: Bowerman Peter A , Ramirez Melissa V , Price Michelle B , Helm Richard F , Winkel Brenda SJ 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The flavonoid pathway is a long-standing and important tool for plant genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Numerous flavonoid mutants have been identified in Arabidopsis over the past several decades in a variety of ecotypes. Here we present an analysis of Arabidopsis lines of ecotype Columbia carrying T-DNA insertions in genes encoding enzymes of the central flavonoid pathway. We also provide a comprehensive summary of various mutant alleles for these structural genes that have been described in the literature to date in a wide variety of ecotypes.

Findings
The confirmed knockout lines present easily-scorable phenotypes due to altered pigmentation of the seed coat (or testa). Knockouts for seven alleles for six flavonoid biosynthetic genes were confirmed by PCR and characterized by UPLC for altered flavonol content.

Conclusion
Seven mutant lines for six genes of the central flavonoid pathway were characterized in ecotype, Columbia. These lines represent a useful resource for integrating biochemical and physiological studies with genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data, much of which has been, and continues to be, generated in the Columbia background.
BIRC6 (APOLLON) is down-regulated in acute myeloid leukemia and its knockdown attenuates neutrophil differentiation
Authors: Schläfli Anna M , Torbett Bruce E , Fey Martin F , Tschan Mario P 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) were intensively investigated in the context of cancer where they promote tumor growth and chemoresistence. Overexpression of the IAP BIRC6 is associated with unfavorable clinical features and negatively impacts relapse-free survival in childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Currently, BIRC6 levels in adult primary AML have not been compared to the expression in normal myeloid cells. Thus, we compared for the first time BIRC6 levels in adult primary AML patient samples to normal myeloid cells and studied its regulation and function during neutrophil differentiation.

Findings
We found significantly lower BIRC6 levels in particular AML subtypes as compared to granulocytes from healthy donors. The lowest BIRC6 expression was found in CD34+ progenitor cells. Moreover, BIRC6 expression significantly increased during neutrophil differentiation of AML cell lines and knocking down BIRC6 in NB4 acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells significantly impaired neutrophil differentiation, but not cell viability.

Conclusion
Together, we found an association of low BIRC6 levels with an immature myeloid phenotype and describe a function for BIRC6 in neutrophil differentiation of APL cells.
Proline Recognition through C–H···π Interaction within Crystal Structures of Dl-Proline–Calix[4]pyrogallolarene Molecular Complexes
Authors: Fujisawa Ikuhide , Harima Noriko , Takagi Kenji , Hiraoka Shuichi , Shionoya Mitsuhiko , Murayama Kazutaka , Itsuno Shinichi , Kato Ryo , Aoki Katsuyuki 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
X-ray analyses of two calix[4]pyrogallolarene complexes with Dl-proline have shown that they form host–guest-like 1:1 complexes in which the pyrrolidine ring of proline is incorporated into the bowl-shaped cavity of calix[4]pyrogallolarene through C–H···π interactions.
Phase-Transfer-Catalyzed Synthesis of Butyl 4-Methoxyphenylacetate and Its Simultaneous Hydrolysis by Potassium Hydroxide in Oil–Water Biphasic System
Authors: Wang Maw-Ling , Vivekanand Perumberkandigai Adikesavan , Yu Ming-Chan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Herein, we report for the first time simultaneous hydrolysis during the phase-transfer-catalyzed synthesis of butyl 4-methoxyphenylacetate using potassium hydroxide in biphasic medium. Effect of operating parameters on the reaction is presented. The yield of ester increases with the increase in the agitation speed up to 500 rpm and above that the conversion is not influenced by the agitation speed. At higher concentration of base, the hydrolysis product is more favored. Lower temperature and larger volume of water favors the esterfication. At high concentration of catalyst, sharp decrease in the yield of the ester is noticed. In the presence of highly polar solvents, the conversion of ester increases initially and then there was a sharp decrease. Rational explanations to account for the phenomena based on the results are made.
Fabrication of WO3-Based Composite Films and Improvement Its Photochromic Properties by Copper Doping
Authors: Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Inada Masaya , Suzuki Hisao , Ota Toshitaka 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Tungsten-based photochromic composite films were fabricated using peroxopolytungstic acid methanol solution and transparent urethane resin. The composite films showed photochromic properties by UV–vis light irradiation. Photochromic properties of the films were improved with addition of the other elements of Cu. The reaction rate constants k of the films with the Cu/W ratio of 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 were 2.68 × 10−2, 3.33 × 10−2, 2.57 × 10−2, and 1.51 × 10−2 min−1, and the constant of the film with Cu/W of 0.1 was larger than that of the nondoped film.
γ-Methylidene-δ-valerolactones: New Reagents for Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Cyclization Reactions
Authors: Shintani Ryo 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
New reagents, γ-methylidene-δ-valerolactones, have been developed for the synthesis of various cyclic organic compounds under palladium catalysis, and a full overview of the use of these reagents have been described. These reagents primarily act as precursors for 1,4-zwitterionic species through oxidative addition to palladium(0) followed by decarboxylation, thereby introducing a four-carbon unit in a newly formed cyclic framework. In some cases, they can also be used for the synthesis of ring-expanded lactones as well as spirocyclopropane derivatives, depending on the substituents and/or the reaction conditions. Some mechanistic aspects of the newly developed catalysis have also been discussed.
The printed press’s representations of the 2005–2007chikungunya epidemic in Réunion:Political polemics and (post)colonial disease
Authors: Jansen Karine Aasgaard 
Published: September 2012

From 2005 to 2007 the French overseas department and Indian Ocean island of Réunion experienced for the first time ever an epidemic of chikungunya. Chikungunya is a vector-spread disease by mosquitoes that leads to painful rheumatic symptoms, and infected approximately one-third
of the island’s population of approximately 802,000 inhabitants.
This article is based upon a discourse analysis of text and images of 111 articles on chikungunya in Réunion’s two main newspapers. During the epidemic the Réunionese printed press functioned as a
provider of information, and an instigator of political polemics. The newspapers’ criticism responded to ‘orientalist’ representations of chikungunya within national press – and officialdom, but also reflected local perceptions of neglect and abandonment by the French
nation state. While taking issue with other studies of press coverage of the outbreak, however, I argue that the polemics illustrate historical Réunionese geopolitical identifications with France, instead of postcolonial opposition.
Film Review
Authors: Carelli Fabiana 
Published: September 2012

A ILHA DOS ESPÍRITOS/THE ISLAND OF THE SPIRITS, LICÍNIO AZEVEDO (2010) Mozambique: Ébano Multimedia
This article is a critical review of the documentary film A ilha dos espíritos/The Island of the Spirits (2010), by the Brazilian-Mozambican film-maker
Licínio Azevedo.
Optimal dividend-payout in random discrete time
Authors: Albrecher Hansjörg , Bäuerle Nicole , Thonhauser Stefan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Assume that the surplus process of an insurance company is described by a general Lévy process and that possible dividend pay-outs to shareholders are restricted to random discrete times which are determined by an independent renewal process. Under this setting we show that the optimal dividend pay-out policy is a band-policy. If the renewal process is a Poisson process, it is further shown that for Cramér–Lundberg risk processes with exponential claim sizes and its diffusion limit the optimal policy collapses to a barrier-policy. Finally, a numerical example is given for which the optimal bands can be calculated explicitly. The random observation procedure studied in this paper also allows for an interpretation in terms of a random walk model with a certain type of random discounting.
A Bayesian sequential testing problem of three hypotheses for Brownian motion
Authors: Zhitlukhin Mikhail V. , Shiryaev Albert 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
We consider a sequential testing problem of three hypotheses that the unknown drift of a Brownian motion takes one of three values. We show that this problem can be solved by a reduction to an optimal stopping problem for local times of the observable process. For the case of “large” periods of observation, we derive integral equations for the optimal stopping boundaries and study their limit behaviour. Other cases will be considered in subsequent papers.
The work can be regarded as a further step in the sequential testing problem of two hypotheses for Brownian motion, solved more than 30 years ago (see [4]).
On the exact distribution of the estimated expected utility portfolio weights: Theory and applications
Authors: Bodnar Taras , Schmid Wolfgang 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In this paper we consider the portfolio weights obtained by maximizing the expected quadratic utility function. The unknown parameters of the return process, the mean vector and the covariance matrix, are estimated by their sample counterparts. Assuming independent and multivariate normally distributed returns we derive the conditional density of the estimated weights given the mean vector of the asset returns and the unconditional density of the estimated weights. Moreover, the characteristic function of the estimated weights is calculated and it is used to determine the moments of higher order. Furthermore a test for the mean-variance efficiency is presented.
Central limit theorem for the integrated squared error of the empirical second-order product density and goodness-of-fit tests for stationary point processes
Authors: Heinrich Lothar , Klein Stella 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Spatial point processes are mathematical models for irregular or random point patterns in the d-dimensional space, where usually d = 2 or d = 3 in applications. The second-order product density and its isotropic analogue, the pair correlation function, are important tools for analyzing stationary point processes. In the present work we derive central limit theorems for the integrated squared error (ISE) of the empirical second-order product density and for the ISE of the empirical pair correlation function when the observation window expands unboundedly. The proof techniques are based on higher-order cumulant measures and the Brillinger-mixing property of the underlying point processes. The obtained Gaussian limits are used to construct asymptotic goodness-of-fit tests for checking point process hypotheses even in the non-Poissonian case.
Risk margin for a non-life insurance run-off
Authors: Wüthrich Mario V. , Embrechts Paul , Tsanakas Andreas 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
For solvency purposes insurance companies need to calculate so-called best-estimate reserves for outstanding loss liability cash flows and a corresponding risk margin for non-hedgeable insurance-technical risks in these cash flows. In actuarial practice, the calculation of the risk margin is often not based on a sound model but various simplified methods are used. In the present paper we properly define these notions and we introduce insurance-technical probability distortions. We describe how the latter can be used to calculate a risk margin for non-life insurance run-off liabilities in a mathematically consistent way.
A note on optimal consumption and investment in a geometric Ornstein–Uhlenbeck market
Authors: Ziehaus Christina 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
We consider the problem of maximizing the utility of consumption and terminal wealth in a geometric Ornstein–Uhlenbeck market. We calculate the optimal consumption and wealth processes for power, logarithmic and exponential utility as well as their behavior depending e.g. on subjective discounting or the time horizon. We also use a specific example to show the identity of the solutions calculated by the primal and the dual method.
Adaptive estimation for an inverse regression model with unknown operator
Authors: Marteau Clement , Loubes Jean-Michel 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
We are interested in the problem of estimating a regression function φ observed with a correlated noise Y = φ(X)+U. Contrary to the usual regression model, U is not centered conditionaly on X but rather on an observed variable W. Hence this model turns to be a difficult inverse problem where the corresponding operator is unknown since it is related to the joint distribution of (X,W). We focus on the case where the eigenvalues of the corresponding operator are observed with small perturbations and, using a well adapted spectral cut-off estimation procedure, we build a data driven estimates and derive an oracle inequality.
Some multivariate risk indicators: Minimization by using a Kiefer–Wolfowitz approach to the mirror stochastic algorithm
Authors: Cénac P. , Maume-Deschamps V. , Prieur C. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
We consider some risk indicators of vectorial risk processes. These indicators take into account the dependencies between business lines as well as some temporal dependencies. By using stochastic algorithms, we may estimate the minimum of these risk indicators, under a fixed total capital constraint. This minimization may apply to capital reserve allocation.
On the functional local linear estimate for spatial regression
Authors: Chouaf Abdelhak , Laksaci Ali 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Consider Z

i
= (X

i
,Y

i
), i ∈ ℤ
N
be an F×ℝ-valued measurable strictly stationary spatial process, where F is a semi-metric space. We study the spatial covariation between X

i
and Y

i
by using the local linear estimate of the functional spatial regression E[Y

i
|X

i
]. The main result of this work is the establishment of the almost complete convergence for the proposed estimator, under some general conditions. We illustrate our methodology by applying the estimator to climatological data.
Bounds for joint portfolios of dependent risks
Authors: Puccetti Giovanni , Rüschendorf Ludger 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we survey, extend and improve several bounds for the distribution function and the tail probabilities of portfolios, where the dependence structure within the portfolio is completely unknown or only partially known. We present various methods for obtaining bounds based on rearrangements, duality theory, conditional moments and reduction techniques. In particular, we consider the case where only the simple marginal distributions are known, the general overlapping marginals case where certain joint distributions are known and the case of additional restrictions on the dependence structure, as, for example, the restriction to positive dependence. Some of the bounds pose a considerable numerical challenge. We discuss the quality of the bounds and numerical aspects in some examples.
Expression of the CD11c gene in subcutaneous adipose tissue is associated with cytokine level and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Tao Tao , Li Shengxian , Zhao Aimin , Zhang Yanyun , Liu Wei 
Published: September 2012

Objective
Alterations in the phenotypes of macrophages in adipose tissue play a key role in inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). The phenotypes of macrophages in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and the relationship between proinflammation markers and IR in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remain unclear. The objectives of this study are to characterize the gene expression of macrophage markers and cytokines in the SAT of PCOS women and to estimate their relationships with circulating levels of cytokines and IR.

Methods
The cross-sectional study involves 16 PCOS women and 18 normal control women. Cytokines and macrophage markers in the circulation and SAT were determined using ELISA, quantitative PCR, or immunofluorescence staining. IR was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR).

Results
The gene expression levels of CD11c along with TNF
α and leptin in SAT remained significantly higher in PCOS women than in normal women (P<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in CD68 mRNA expression in SAT between women with and without PCOS (P>0.05). Furthermore, CD11c mRNA abundance provided a stronger contribution to models predicting serum levels of TNFα (sTNFα) than did CD68 mRNA abundance. Lastly, increased sTNFα was associated with increased HOMA-IR in PCOS women, and this association was independent of both overall and visceral adiposity.

Conclusion
The high expression level of CD11c mRNA in SAT was proved to be an important feature in PCOS women. Furthermore, CD11c mRNA abundance made a stronger contribution to models predicting sTNFα in which existing proinflammatory properties might significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of IR in PCOS women.