bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased long-term expression of pentraxin 3 in irradiated human arteries and veins compared to internal controls from free tissue transfers
Authors: Christersdottir Björklund Tinna , Reilly Sarah-Jayne , Gahm Caroline , Bottazzi Barbara , Mantovani Alberto , Tornvall Per , Halle Martin 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Clinical studies have shown that radiotherapy increases the risk of cardiovascular disease at irradiated sites years after exposure. However, there is a lack of biological explanations in humans. We therefore examined human blood vessels exposed to radiotherapy and studied C-reactive protein (CRP) and pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a new marker for adverse cardiovascular outcome dependent on TNF- alpha (TNFα) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) expression.

Methods
Pairs of irradiated and non-irradiated human conduit arteries and veins were harvested from the same patient during autologous free tissue transfer for cancer-reconstruction at a median time of 48 weeks after radiotherapy. Differential gene expression was studied using qRT-PCR, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and cellular origins determined by immunofluorescence.

Results
Gene expression in irradiated arteries compared to non-irradiated showed a consistent up-regulation of PTX3 in all patients and in a majority of veins (p < 0.001). Both TNFα and IL-1β were increased in irradiated compared to non-irradiated arteries (p < 0.01) and IL-1β correlated to the PTX3 expression (p = 0.017). Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining confirmed an increased expression of PTX3 in endothelial cells, macrophages and smooth muscle cells.

Conclusions
The sustained expression of PTX3 in arteries and veins tie biological evidence in humans to clinical studies and encourage further exploration of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of a radiation-induced vasculopathy.
Combination of autophagy inducer rapamycin and oncolytic adenovirus improves antitumor effect in cancer cells
Authors: Cheng Pei-Hsin , Lian Serena , Zhao Robin , Rao Xiao-Mei , McMasters Kelly M , Zhou Heshan Sam 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Combination of oncolytic adenoviruses (Ads) and chemotherapy drugs has shown promising therapeutic results and is considered as a potential approach for cancer therapy. We previously have shown that autophagy may generate decomposed cellular molecules that can be used as nutrition to support virus replication in cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated a unique combination of the novel oncolytic Ad-cycE with rapamycin, an autophagy inducer and first-line chemotherapeutic drug.

Methods
The combination of oncolytic Ad-cycE and the autophagy inducer rapamycin was assessed for enhanced antitumor effect. We also evaluated the combined effects of rapamycin and Ad-cycE on cancer cell viability. The interaction between Ad-cycE and rapamycin was analyzed with Calcusyn (Biosoft, Ferguson, MO).

Results
We show that rapamycin induces autophagy, enhances Ad E1A expression and increases Ad oncolytic replication. Combination of rapamycin and Ad-cycE elicits stronger cytotoxicity than single treatment alone. The analyzed data indicates that the Ad-cycE and rapamycin combination has a significantly synergistic antitumor effect.

Conclusions
Our study provides a new insight into vector development and demonstrates the novel roles of autophagy in adenovirus replication. The combination of autophagy-induced chemotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy may be a new approach to improve future cancer treatment.
Long-term neurological outcome of a cohort of 80 patients with classical organic acidurias
Authors: Nizon Mathilde , Ottolenghi Chris , Valayannopoulos Vassili , Arnoux Jean-Baptiste , Barbier Valérie , Habarou Florence , Desguerre Isabelle , Boddaert Nathalie , Bonnefont Jean-Paul , Acquaviva Cécile , Benoist Jean-François , Rabier Daniel , Touati Guy , de Lonlay Pascale 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Classical organic acidurias including methylmalonic aciduria (MMA), propionic aciduria (PA) and isovaleric aciduria (IVA) are severe inborn errors of the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids and odd-numbered chain fatty acids, presenting with severe complications.

Methods
This study investigated the long-term outcome of 80 patients with classical organic aciduria (38 with MMA, 24 with PA and 18 with IVA) by integrating clinical, radiological, biochemical and genetic data.

Results
Patients were followed-up for a mean of 14 years [age 3.3-46.3 years]. PA included a greater number of patients with abnormal neurological examination (37% in PA, 24% in MMA and 0% in IVA), lower psychometric scores (abnormal evaluation at age 3 years in 61% of patients with PA versus 26% in MMA and 18% in IVA) and more frequent basal ganglia lesions (56% of patients versus 36% in MMA and 17% in IVA). All patients with IVA presented a normal neurological examination and only 1/3 presented cognitive troubles. Prognosis for MMA was intermediate. Biochemical metabolite analysis excluding acute decompensations revealed significant progressive increases of glycine, alanine and glutamine particularly in PA and possibly in MMA but no correlation with neurological outcome. A significant increase of plasma methylmalonic acid was found in MMA patients with intellectual deficiency (mean level of 199 μmol/L versus 70 μmol/L, p < 0.05), with an estimated significant probability of severe outcome for average levels between birth and age 6 years above 167 μmol/L. Urinary 3-hydroxypropionate (3-HP) levels were significantly higher in PA patients with intellectual deficiency (mean level of 68.9 μmol/mmol of creatinine versus 34.6 μmol/mmol of creatinine, p < 0.01), with an estimated significant probability of severe outcome for average levels between birth and age 6 years above 55 μmol/mmol. As for molecular analysis, prognosis of MMA patients with mutations involving the MMAA gene was better compared to patients with mutations involving the MUT gene.

Conclusion
Propionic aciduria had the most severe neurological prognosis. Our radiological and biochemical data are consistent with a mitochondrial toxicity mechanism. Follow-up plasma MMA and urinary 3-HP levels may have prognostic significance calling for greater efforts to optimize long-term management in these patients.
CD38 in the nucleus accumbens and oxytocin are related to paternal behavior in mice
Authors: Akther Shirin , Korshnova Natalia , Zhong Jing , Liang Mingkun , Cherepanov Stanislav M , Lopatina Olga , Komleva Yulia K , Salmina Alla B , Nishimura Tomoko , Fakhrul Azam AKM , Hirai Hirokazu , Kato Ichiro , Yamamoto Yasuhiko , Takasawa Shin , Okamoto Hiroshi , Higashida Haruhiro 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
Mammalian sires participate in infant care. We previously demonstrated that sires of a strain of nonmonogamous laboratory mice initiate parental retrieval behavior in response to olfactory and auditory signals from the dam during isolation in a new environment. This behavior is rapidly lost in the absence of such signals when the sires are caged alone. The neural circuitry and hormones that control paternal behavior are not well-understood. CD38, a membrane glycoprotein, catalyzes synthesis of cyclic ADP-ribose and facilitates oxytocin (OT) secretion due to cyclic ADP-ribose-dependent increases in cytosolic free calcium concentrations in oxytocinergic neurons in the hypothalamus. In this paper, we studied CD38 in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and the role of OT on paternal pup retrieval behavior using CD38 knockout (CD38−/−) mice of the ICR strain.

Results
CD38−/− sires failed to retrieve when they were reunited with their pups after isolation together with the mate dams, but not with pup, in a novel cage for 10 min. CD38−/− sires treated with a single subcutaneous injection of OT exhibited recovery in the retrieval events when caged with CD38−/− dams treated with OT. We introduced human CD38 in the NAcc of CD38−/− sires using a lentiviral infection technique and examined the effects of local expression of CD38. Pairs of knockout dams treated with OT and sires expressing CD38 in the NAcc showed more retrieval (83% of wild-type sire levels). Complete recovery of retrieval was obtained in sires with the expression of CD38 in the NAcc in combination with OT administration. Other paternal behaviors, including pup grooming, crouching and huddling, were also more common in CD38−/− sires with CD38 expression in the NAcc compared with those in CD38−/− sires without CD38 expression in the NAcc.

Conclusions
CD38 in the NAcc and OT are critical in paternal behavior.
Real-time prostate motion assessment: image-guidance and the temporal dependence of intra-fraction motion
Authors: Cramer Avilash K , Haile Amanu G , Ognjenovic Sanja , Doshi Tulsee S , Reilly William Matthew , Rubinstein Katherine E , Nabavizadeh Nima , Nguyen Thuan , Meng Lu Z , Fuss Martin , Tanyi James A , Hung Arthur Y 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

Background
The rapid adoption of image-guidance in prostate intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) results in longer treatment times, which may result in larger intrafraction motion, thereby negating the advantage of image-guidance. This study aims to qualify and quantify the contribution of image-guidance to the temporal dependence of intrafraction motion during prostate IMRT.

Methods
One-hundred and forty-three patients who underwent conventional IMRT (n=67) or intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMAT/RapidArc, n=76) for localized prostate cancer were evaluated. Intrafraction motion assessment was based on continuous RL (lateral), SI (longitudinal), and AP (vertical) positional detection of electromagnetic transponders at 10 Hz. Daily motion amplitudes were reported as session mean, median, and root-mean-square (RMS) displacements. Temporal effect was evaluated by categorizing treatment sessions into 4 different classes: IMRTc (transponder only localization), IMRTcc (transponder + CBCT localization), IMATc (transponder only localization), or IMATcc (transponder + CBCT localization).

Results
Mean/median session times were 4.15/3.99 min (IMATc), 12.74/12.19 min (IMATcc), 5.99/5.77 min (IMRTc), and 12.98/12.39 min (IMRTcc), with significant pair-wise difference (p<0.0001) between all category combinations except for IMRTcc vs. IMATcc (p>0.05). Median intrafraction motion difference between CBCT and non-CBCT categories strongly correlated with time for RMS (t-value=17.29; p<0.0001), SI (t-value=−4.25; p<0.0001), and AP (t-value=2.76; p<0.0066), with a weak correlation for RL (t-value=1.67; p=0.0971). Treatment time reduction with non-CBCT treatment categories showed reductions in the observed intrafraction motion: systematic error (Σ)<0.6 mm and random error (σ)<1.2 mm compared with ≤0.8 mm and <1.6 mm, respectively, for CBCT-involved treatment categories.

Conclusions
For treatment durations >4-6 minutes, and without any intrafraction motion mitigation protocol in place, patient repositioning is recommended, with at least the acquisition of the lateral component of an orthogonal image pair in the absence of volumetric imaging.
Bridge jobs in Europe
Authors: Brunello Giorgio , Langella Monica 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
We study the transitions from career to gradual and permanent retirement by a sample of (Continental) European males aged 55 to 70 in the late 2000s. We find that only 14.6% of the workers in this sample moved from a career to a bridge job by the time of the interview, much less than in the United States, where this share is estimated at close to 60%. We use the cross country and time variation in employment protection legislation and minimum retirement age to study whether recent changes in these labour market institutions have had any effect on the transitions out of career jobs. We find that policies that have increased minimum retirement age and reduced the strictness of employment protection legislation have raised the hazard into gradual retirement in Northern and Central European countries and the permanence in career jobs in Mediterranean countries.

JEL codes

J26, J11, J21
Proliferation and estrogen signaling can distinguish patients at risk for early versus late relapse among estrogen receptor positive breast cancers
Authors: Bianchini Giampaolo , Pusztai Lajos , Karn Thomas , Iwamoto Takayuki , Rody Achim , Kelly Catherine M , Müller Volkmar , Schmidt Marcus , Qi Yuan , Holtrich Uwe , Becker Sven , Santarpia Libero , Fasolo Angelica , Del Conte Gianluca , Zambetti Milvia , Sotiriou Christos , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Symmans W Fraser , Gianni Luca 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Introduction
We examined if a combination of proliferation markers and estrogen receptor (ER) activity could predict early versus late relapses in ER-positive breast cancer and inform the choice and length of adjuvant endocrine therapy.

Methods
Baseline affymetrix gene-expression profiles from ER-positive patients who received no systemic therapy (n = 559), adjuvant tamoxifen for 5 years (cohort-1: n = 683, cohort-2: n = 282) and from 58 patients treated with neoadjuvant letrozole for 3 months (gene-expression available at baseline, 14 and 90 days) were analyzed. A proliferation score based on the expression of mitotic kinases (MKS) and an ER-related score (ERS) adopted from Oncotype DX® were calculated. The same analysis was performed using the Genomic Grade Index as proliferation marker and the luminal gene score from the PAM50 classifier as measure of estrogen-related genes. Median values were used to define low and high marker groups and four combinations were created. Relapses were grouped into time cohorts of 0–2.5, 0–5, 5-10 years.

Results
In the overall 10 years period, the proportional hazards assumption was violated for several biomarker groups indicating time-dependent effects. In tamoxifen-treated patients Low-MKS/Low-ERS cancers had continuously increasing risk of relapse that was higher after 5 years than Low-MKS/High-ERS cancers [0 to 10 year, HR 3.36; p = 0.013]. High-MKS/High-ERS cancers had low risk of early relapse [0–2.5 years HR 0.13; p = 0.0006], but high risk of late relapse which was higher than in the High-MKS/Low-ERS group [after 5 years HR 3.86; p = 0.007]. The High-MKS/Low-ERS subset had most of the early relapses [0 to 2.5 years, HR 6.53; p < 0.0001] especially in node negative tumors and showed minimal response to neoadjuvant letrozole. These findings were qualitatively confirmed in a smaller independent cohort of tamoxifen-treated patients. Using different biomarkers provided similar results.

Conclusions
Early relapses are highest in highly proliferative/low-ERS cancers, in particular in node negative tumors. Relapses occurring after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen are highest among the highly-proliferative/high-ERS tumors although their risk of recurrence is modest in the first 5 years on tamoxifen. These tumors could be the best candidates for extended endocrine therapy.
Pleural ultrasonography versus chest radiography for the diagnosis of pneumothorax: review of the literature and meta-analysis
Authors: Alrajab Saadah , Youssef Asser M , Akkus Nuri I , Caldito Gloria 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Ultrasonography is being increasingly utilized in acute care settings with expanding applications. Pneumothorax evaluation by ultrasonography is a fast, safe, easy and inexpensive alternative to chest radiographs. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the current literature comparing ultrasonography and chest radiography for the diagnosis of pneumothorax.

Methods
We searched English-language articles in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library dealing with both ultrasonography and chest radiography for diagnosis of pneumothorax. In eligible studies that met strict inclusion criteria, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pleural ultrasonography in comparison with chest radiography for the diagnosis of pneumothorax.

Results
We reviewed 601 articles and selected 25 original research articles for detailed review. Only 13 articles met all of our inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. One study used lung sliding sign alone, 12 studies used lung sliding and comet tail signs, and 6 studies searched for lung point in addition to the other two signs. Ultrasonography had a pooled sensitivity of 78.6% (95% CI, 68.1 to 98.1) and a specificity of 98.4% (95% CI, 97.3 to 99.5). Chest radiography had a pooled sensitivity of 39.8% (95% CI, 29.4 to 50.3) and a specificity of 99.3% (95% CI, 98.4 to 100). Our meta-regression and subgroup analyses indicate that consecutive sampling of patients compared to convenience sampling provided higher sensitivity results for both ultrasonography and chest radiography. Consecutive versus nonconsecutive sampling and trauma versus nontrauma settings were significant sources of heterogeneity. In addition, subgroup analysis showed significant variations related to operator and type of probe used.

Conclusions
Our study indicates that ultrasonography is more accurate than chest radiography for detection of pneumothorax. The results support the previous investigations in this field, add new valuable information obtained from subgroup analysis, and provide accurate estimates for the performance parameters of both bedside ultrasonography and chest radiography for pneumothorax evaluation.
Analysis and Design of Direct Steam Injection for Tomato Concentrate Sterilization
Authors: Casoli Paolo , Copelli Gabriele 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Direct steam injection is a sterilization technique which is often used for high-viscosity fluid food, when the preservation of the quality characteristics and energy efficiency are the priority. In this work, an apparatus for the sterilization of tomato concentrate has been analyzed by means of a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, in order to optimize the exchanger performance in terms of temperature distribution inside the product. A multidimensional two-phase model of steam injection inside a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluid was adopted to evaluate the thermal history of the product and the condensation rate of the steam injected in the heat exchanger during the thermal process. Subsequently, the CFD analysis has been extended to examine the effects of the different process parameters (sterilization temperature, steam flow rate, radial and axial temperature profiles and nozzle geometry) on the resulting product. Results obtained allowed to understand the effects of process parameters on the behavior of the condensing steam and obtain better performance of the exchanger in terms of temperature distribution of the treated product.
Study, Copy, and Conquer
Authors: Brown Julie Hedges 
Published: September 2013

Schumann's 1842 chamber music exemplifies a common theme in his critical writings, that to sustain a notable inherited tradition composers must not merely imitate the past but reinvent it anew. Yet Schumann's innovative practices have not been sufficiently acknowledged, partly because his instrumental repertory seemed conservative to critics of Schumann's day and beyond, especially when compared to his earlier experimental piano works and songs. This essay offers a revisionist perspective by exploring three chamber movements that recast sonata procedure in one of two complementary ways: either the tonic key monopolizes the exposition (as in the first movement of the Piano Quartet in E♭ major, op. 47), or a modulating main theme undercuts a definitive presence of the tonic key at the outset (as in the first movement of the String Quartet in A major, op. 41, no. 3, and the finale of the String Quartet in A minor, op. 41, no. 1). Viewed against conventional sonata practice, these chamber movements appear puzzling, perhaps even incoherent or awkward, since they thwart the tonal contrast of keys so characteristic of the form. Yet these unusual openings, and the compelling if surprising ramifications that they prompt, signal not compositional weakness but rather an effort to reinterpret the form as a way of strengthening its expressive power.
My analyses also draw on other perspectives to illuminate these sonata forms. All three movements adopt a striking thematic idea or formal ploy that evokes a specific Beethovenian precedent; yet each movement also highlights Schumann’s creative distance from his predecessor by departing in notable ways from the conjured model. Aspects of Schumann’s sketches, especially those concerning changes made during the compositional process, also illuminate relevant analytical points. Finally, in the analysis of the finale of the A-minor quartet, I consider how Schumann’s evocation of Hungarian Gypsy music may be not merely incidental to but supportive of his reimagined sonata form. Ultimately, the perspectives offered here easily accommodate—even celebrate—Schumann’s idiosyncratic approach to sonata form. They also demonstrate that Schumann’s earlier experimental tendencies did not contradict his efforts in the early 1840s to further advance his inherited classical past.
Prevalence of Transposed Teeth as Seen on Panoramic Radiographs in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Campbell Richard E. , Levin Linda , Mauseth Spencer E. , Hu Junyi , Zheng Shu , Wilson Stephen , Saal Howard 
Published: September 2013

Objective To assess the prevalence of complete and incomplete transpositions of teeth in subjects with repaired cleft lip and/or palate. Design Retrospective review. Panoramic radiographs from 364 subjects with repaired cleft lip and/or palate and with or without syndromes were compared with 364 panoramic radiographs from noncleft controls. The percentages of completely or incompletely transposed teeth, missing teeth, and pegged teeth were recorded for each subject and control. Setting Primary care dental clinic in a university affiliated, not-for-profit hospital. Main Outcome Measures Presence of complete and incomplete transposed teeth, missing teeth, and pegged teeth detected on subjects' panoramic radiographs. Results This study revealed greater prevalence of tooth transposition in subjects with cleft lip and/or palate (52/364 = 14.3%) as compared with noncleft controls (1/364 = 0.3%; P < .001). Conclusions There was a higher prevalence of tooth transpositions in subjects with repaired cleft lip and/or palate with/or without syndromes than in noncleft controls. There was a weak association between transpositions and missing teeth ( P = .12) and between transpositions and pegged teeth (.23).
Effects of Gravity on the Velopharyngeal Structures in Children Using Upright Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Kollara Lakshmi , Perry Jamie L. 
Published: September 2013

Objective The influence of gravity on the velopharyngeal structures in children is unknown. The purpose of this study is to compare the velopharyngeal mechanism in the upright and supine positions while at rest and during sustained speech production in children between 4 and 8 years old. Methods A 0.6 Tesla open-type, multipositional magnetic resonance imaging scanner was used to image subjects in the upright and supine positions. The scanning protocol included a T2 fluid attenuation inversion recovery and an oblique coronal turbo spin echo scan with short scanning durations (7.9 seconds) to enable visualization of the velopharyngeal anatomy during rest and production of sustained /i/ and /s/. Results The magnetic resonance imaging protocol used for this study enabled successful visualization of the velopharyngeal anatomy in the sagittal and oblique coronal planes at rest and during sustained phonation of /i/ and /s/. Positional differences demonstrated a small nonsignificant ( P > .05) variation for velar measures (length, thickness, and height), retrovelar space, and levator veli palatini measures (length and angles of origin). Conclusions Gravity had a negligible effect on velar length, velar thickness, velar height, retrovelar space, levator muscle length, and levator angles of origin. Supine imaging data can be translated to an upright activity such as speech. This is the first study to provide normative levator muscle lengths for children between 4 and 8 years old. Upright imaging may be a promising tool for difficult-to-test populations.