bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abnormal Winter Weather in Japan during 2012 Controlled by Large-Scale Atmospheric and Small-Scale Oceanic Phenomena
Authors: Ando Yuta , Ogi Masayo , Tachibana Yoshihiro 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Negative Arctic Oscillation (AO) and western Pacific (WP) indices persisted from October to December 2012 in the Northern Hemisphere. For the first time, the monthly AO and WP were both negative for three consecutive months since records have been kept. Although in general negative AO and WP phases cause Siberia, East Asia, and Japan to be abnormally cold, Japan was relatively warm in October 2012 even though both the AO and WP were strongly negative. The temperature of the Sea of Japan reached a record-breaking high in October 2012, and it was found that heating by these very warm waters, despite the small size of the Sea of Japan, overwhelmed the cooling effect of the strongly negative AO and WP in October. Linear regression analyses showed that Japan tends to be warm in years when the Sea of Japan is warm. Consequently, the temperature over Japan is controlled by interannual variations of small-scale oceanic phenomena as well as by large-scale atmospheric patterns. Previous studies have ignored such small-scale oceanic influences on island temperatures.
A Comparison of 2 Methods of Endoscopic Laryngeal Sensory Testing
Authors: Kaneoka Asako , Krisciunas Gintas P. , Walsh Kayo , Raade Adele S. , Langmore Susan E. 
Published: September 2014

Objective: This study examined the association between laryngeal sensory deficits and penetration or aspiration. Two methods of testing laryngeal sensation were carried out to determine which was more highly correlated with Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores. Methods: Healthy participants and patients with dysphagia received an endoscopic swallowing evaluation including 2 sequential laryngeal sensory tests—air pulse followed by touch method. Normal/impaired responses were correlated with PAS scores. Results: Fourteen participants completed the endoscopic swallowing evaluation and both sensory tests. The air pulse method identified sensory impairment with greater frequency than the touch method ( P < .0001). However, the impairment identified by the air pulse method was not associated with abnormal PAS scores ( P = .46). The sensory deficits identified by the touch method were associated with abnormal PAS scores ( P = .05). Conclusion: Sensory impairment detected by the air pulse method does not appear to be associated with risk of penetration/aspiration. Significant laryngeal sensory loss revealed by the touch method is associated with compromised airway protection.
Use of a Fluoroscopic Overlay to Guide Femoral Tunnel Placement During Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Araujo Paulo H. , Moloney Gele , Rincon Gustavo , Carey Robert , Zhang Xudong , Harner Christopher 
Published: September 2014

Background: Intraoperative recognition of the local anatomy of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is difficult for many surgeons, and correct positioning of the graft can be challenging. Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of an overlay system based on fluoroscopic landmarks in guiding femoral tunnel placement during PCL reconstruction. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twenty cadaveric knees were arthroscopically prepared, and their PCL femoral insertion sites were digitized. The digitized images were co-registered to computed tomography–acquired 3-dimensional bone models. Twenty surgeons with diverse backgrounds performed simulated arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterolateral (AL) and posteromedial (PM) bundles of the PCL, first without and then with the aid of a lateral fluoroscopic image on which the position of a target insertion site based on literature data was displayed as an overlay. The surgeons were allowed to adjust tunnel placement in accordance with the displayed target position. A 3-way comparison was made of the tunnel positions placed by the surgeons, the native insertion site positions, and the literature-based positions. Results: The overlay system was effective in helping surgeons to improve femoral tunnel placement toward the target and toward the anatomic insertion site ( P < .05). For femoral AL tunnel placement, surgeons needed 2.35 ± 2.21 extra attempts, which added an extra 80.00 ± 67.95 seconds to the procedure. For PM tunnel placement, surgeons needed 1.80 ± 1.88 extra attempts, adding 66.00 ± 70.82 seconds to the simulated surgery. In their first attempts, more than half of the surgeons positioned either the AL or PM femoral tunnel >5 mm from the native insertion site. With the use of the overlay, 70% of the surgeons were <5 mm away from the PM and 75% from the AL native insertion site. Conclusion: The use of a fluoroscopic overlay to guide intraoperative placement of the femoral tunnel(s) during PCL reconstruction can result in more anatomic reconstructions and therefore assist in re-creating native knee kinematics after PCL reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: Intraoperative fluoroscopy is an effective, easy, and safe method for improving femoral tunnel positioning during PCL reconstruction.
My contribution, my dream – a look at the future of APS
Authors: Koike T 
Published: September 2014

We found, in 1994, that the epitope for anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) developed when β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) was adsorbed on polyoxygenated polystyrene plates. We also found, in 2009, that the cleaved form of β2GPI (nicked β2GPI) was bound to angiostatin 4.5 and attenuated its antiangiogenic property. We described in 2000 that antiprothrombin antibodies were bound to prothrombin exposed to immobilized phosphatidylserine (aPS/PT) and more than 95% of antiphospholipid syndrome patients who were positive for aPS/PT had lupus anticoagulant. We demonstrated that in the cells stimulated by human monoclonal anti-β2GPI antibodies, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation was observed in the presence of β2GPI. Furthermore, we found that complement activation was essential for thrombus formation in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome in vivo.
Autoimmunity, phospholipid-reacting antibodies and malaria immunity
Authors: Gomes LR , Martins YC , Ferreira-da-Cruz MF , Daniel-Ribeiro CT 
Published: September 2014

Several questions regarding the production and functioning of autoantibodies (AAb) during malaria infection remain open. Here we provide an overview of studies conducted in our laboratory that shed some light on the questions of whether antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and other AAb associated with autoimmune diseases (AID) can recognize Plasmodia antigens and exert anti-parasite activity; and whether anti-parasite phospholipid antibodies, produced in response to malaria, can inhibit phospholipid-induced inflammatory responses and protect against the pathogenesis of severe malaria. Our work showed that sera from patients with AID containing AAb against dsDNA, ssDNA, nuclear antigens (ANA), actin, cardiolipin (aCL) and erythrocyte membrane antigens recognize plasmodial antigens and can, similarly to monoclonal AAb of several specificities including phospholipid, inhibit the growth of P. falciparum in vitro. However, we did not detect a relationship between the presence of anti-glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) antibodies in the serum and asymptomatic malaria infection, although we did register a relationship between these antibodies and parasitemia levels in infected individuals. Taken together, these results indicate that autoimmune responses mediated by AAb of different specificities, including phospholipid, may have anti-plasmodial activity and protect against malaria, although it is not clear whether anti-parasite phospholipid antibodies can mediate the same effect. The potential effect of anti-parasite phospholipid antibodies in malarious patients that are prone to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome, as well as the (possibly protective?) role of the (pathogenic) aPL on the malaria symptomatology and severity in these individuals, remain open questions.
α-1-Antitrypsin (AAT)–modified donor cells suppress GVHD but enhance the GVL effect: a role for mitochondrial bioenergetics
Authors: Marcondes A. Mario , Karoopongse Ekapun , Lesnikova Marina , Margineantu Daciana , Welte Tobias , Dinarello Charles A. , Hockenbery David , Janciauskiene Sabina , Deeg H. Joachim 
Published: September 2014

Key PointsDonor treatment with AAT suppresses GVHD in the transplant recipient while enhancing the GVL effect. AAT effects are mediated via cell type–specific alterations of mitochondrial bioenergetics.
Secular trends in the prevalence of low risk factor burden for cardiovascular disease according to obesity status among Chinese adults, 1993–2009
Authors: Du Tingting , Sun Xingxing , Yin Ping , Yuan Gang , Zhang Muxun , Zhou Xinrong , Yu Xuefeng 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity are now common among Chinese. We aimed to examine secular trends in the prevalence of low risk profile and to examine whether comparable changes in the prevalence of low risk profile across waist circumference (WC) groups and body mass index (BMI) categories have occurred.

Methods
We used data from the nationwide China Health and Nutrition Survey conducted in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, and 2009. There were 7274, 8368, 9369, 8948, 8786, and 9278 participants included in the analyses across the six study periods. We created an index of low risk factor burden from the following variables: not currently smoking, BMI < 25 kg/m2, WC < 90/80 cm in men/women, untreated systolic/diastolic blood pressure < 120/80 mmHg, and not having been previously diagnosed with diabetes.

Results
During the period of 1993–2009, the age-adjusted prevalence of low risk profile decreased from 16.2 to 11.5% among men and from 46.3 to 34.6% among women (both P < 0.001); Similar significant trends were observed in all age groups, rural/urban settings, education groups, WC status and BMI categories. The change in the prevalence of low risk profile was more striking among obese persons (P for interaction terms cohort *BMI were < 0.001). In 2009, 2.0 and 25.6% among central obese men and women had a low risk profile; Of note, was that 0.1 and 0.3% general obese men and women had a low risk profile.

Conclusions
The prevalence of low risk profile declined considerably over the past 17 years in all demographic groups, WC status, and BMI categories. Public health prevention strategies are urgently needed.
A wood density and aboveground biomass variability assessment using pre-felling inventory data in Costa Rica
Authors: Svob Sienna , Arroyo-Mora J Pablo , Kalacska Margaret 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe high spatio-temporal variability of aboveground biomass (AGB) in tropical forests is a large source of uncertainty in forest carbon stock estimation. Due to their spatial distribution and sampling intensity, pre-felling inventories are a potential source of ground level data that could help reduce this uncertainty at larger spatial scales. Further, exploring the factors known to influence tropical forest biomass, such as wood density and large tree density, will improve our knowledge of biomass distribution across tropical regions. Here, we evaluate (1) the variability of wood density and (2) the variability of AGB across five ecosystems of Costa Rica.ResultsUsing forest management (pre-felling) inventories we found that, of the regions studied, Huetar Norte had the highest mean wood density of trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than or equal to 30 cm, 0.623 ± 0.182 g cm-3(mean ± standard deviation). Although the greatest wood density was observed in Huetar Norte, the highest mean estimated AGB (EAGB) of trees with a DBH greater than or equal to 30 cm was observed in Osa peninsula (173.47 ± 60.23 Mg ha-1). The density of large trees explained approximately 50% of EAGB variability across the five ecosystems studied. Comparing our study's EAGB to published estimates reveals that, in the regions of Costa Rica where AGB has been previously sampled, our forest management data produced similar values.ConclusionsThis study presents the most spatially rich analysis of ground level AGB data in Costa Rica to date. Using forest management data, we found that EAGB within and among five Costa Rican ecosystems is highly variable. Combining commercial logging inventories with ecological plots will provide a more representative ground level dataset for the calibration of the models and remotely sensed data used to EAGB at regional and national scales. Additionally, because the non-protected areas of the tropics offer the greatest opportunity to reduce rates of deforestation and forest degradation, logging inventories offer a promising source of data to support mechanisms such as the United Nations REDD + (Reducing Emissions from Tropical Deforestation and Degradation) program.
Solid-phase microextraction fiber development for sampling and analysis of volatile organohalogen compounds in air
Authors: Attari Seyed Ghavameddin , Bahrami Abdolrahman , Shahna Farshid Ghorbani , Heidari Mahmoud 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
A green, environmental friendly and sensitive method for determination of volatile organohalogen compounds was described in this paper. The method is based on a homemade sol-gel single-walled carbon nanotube/silica composite coated solid-phase microextraction to develop for sampling and analysis of Carbon tetrachloride, Benzotrichloride, Chloromethyl methyl ether and Trichloroethylene in air. Application of this method was investigated under different laboratory conditions. Predetermined concentrations of each analytes were prepared in a home-made standard chamber and the influences of experimental parameters such as temperature, humidity, extraction time, storage time, desorption temperature, desorption time and the sorbent performance were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the use of single-walled carbon nanotube/silica composite fiber showed good performance, high sensitive and fast sampling of volatile organohalogen compounds from air. For linearity test the regression correlation coefficient was more than 98% for analyte of interest and linear dynamic range for the proposed fiber and the applied Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector technique was from 1 to 100 ngmL-1. Method detection limits ranged between 0.09 to 0.2 ngmL-1 and method quantification limits were between 0.25 and 0.7 ngmL-1. Single-walled carbon nanotube/silica composite fiber was highly reproducible, relative standard deviations were between 4.3 to 11.7 percent.
Quadrature conductivity: A quantitative indicator of bacterial abundance in porous media
Authors: Zhang Chi , Revil André , Fujita Yoshiko , Munakata-Marr Junko , Redden George 
Published: September 2014

The abundance and growth stages of bacteria in subsurface porous media affect the concentrations and distributions of charged species within the solid-solution interfaces. Therefore, spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements can be used to monitor changes in bacterial biomass and growth stage. Our goal was to gain a better understanding of the SIP response of bacteria present in a porous material. Bacterial cell surfaces possess an electric double layer and therefore become polarized in an electric field. We performed SIP measurements over the frequency range of 0.1–1 kHz on cell suspensions alone and cell suspensions mixed with sand at four pore water conductivities. We used Zymomonas mobilis at four different cell densities (including the background). The quadrature conductivity spectra exhibited two peaks, one around 0.05–0.10 Hz and the other around 1–10 Hz. Because SIP measurements on bacterial suspensions are typically made at frequencies greater than 1 Hz, these peaks have not been previously reported. In the bacterial suspensions in growth medium, the quadrature conductivity at peak I was linearly proportional to the density of the bacteria. For the case of the suspensions mixed with sands, we observed that peak II presented a smaller increase in the quadrature conductivity with the cell density. A comparison of the experiments with and without sand grains illustrated the effect of the porous medium on the overall quadrature conductivity response (decrease in the amplitude and shift of the peaks to the lower frequencies). Our results indicate that for a given porous medium, time-lapse SIP has potential for monitoring changes in bacterial abundance within porous media.
Phase I Study of 30-Minute Infusion of Carfilzomib As Single Agent or in Combination With Low-Dose Dexamethasone in Patients With Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Papadopoulos Kyriakos P. , Siegel David S. , Vesole David H. , Lee Peter , Rosen Steven T. , Zojwalla Naseem , Holahan Joseph R. , Lee Susan , Wang Zhengping , Badros Ashraf 
Published: September 2014

Purpose Carfilzomib is an irreversible inhibitor of the constitutive proteasome and immunoproteasome. This phase I study evaluated the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of carfilzomib administered as a 30-minute intravenous (IV) infusion. Safety and efficacy of carfilzomib as a single agent or in combination with low-dose dexamethasone were assessed. Patients and Methods Patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) were administered single-agent carfilzomib on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 of a 28-day cycle. Cycle one day 1 and 2 doses were 20 mg/m2, followed thereafter by dose escalation to 36, 45, 56, or 70 mg/m2. Additionally, carfilzomib was combined with low-dose dexamethasone (40 mg/wk). Results Thirty-three patients were treated with single-agent carfilzomib. Dose-limiting toxicities in two patients at 70 mg/m2 were renal tubular necrosis and proteinuria (both grade 3). The MTD was 56 mg/m2. Nausea (51.5%), fatigue (51.5%), pyrexia (42.4%), and dyspnea and thrombocytopenia (each 39.4%) were the most common treatment-related toxicities. Overall response rate (ORR) was 50% (56-mg/m2 cohort). Increasing carfilzomib dosing from 20 to 56 mg/m2 resulted in higher area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to last sampling and maximum plasma concentration exposure with short half-life (range, 0.837 to 1.21 hours) and dose-dependent inhibition of proteasome chymotrypsin-like activity. In 22 patients treated with 45 or 56 mg/m2 of carfilzomib plus low-dose dexamethasone, the ORR was 55% with a safety profile comparable to that of single-agent carfilzomib. Conclusion Carfilzomib administered as a 30-minute IV infusion at 56 mg/m2 (as single agent or with low-dose dexamethasone) was generally well tolerated and highly active in patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM. These data have provided the basis for the phase III randomized, multicenter trial ENDEAVOR.
Aprepitant, Granisetron, and Dexamethasone for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting After High-Dose Melphalan in Autologous Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Trial
Authors: Schmitt Thomas , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Neben Kai , Freiberger Anja , Hüsing Johannes , Gronkowski Martina , Thalheimer Markus , Pelzl Le Hang , Mikus Gerd , Burhenne Jürgen , Ho Anthony D. , Egerer Gerlinde 
Published: September 2014

Purpose The optimal regimen to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is unclear. To evaluate the effect of aprepitant in addition to a standard regimen, we conducted this randomized, placebo-controlled phase III trial. Patients and Methods Patients with multiple myeloma were randomly assigned at a one-to-one ratio to receive either aprepitant (125 mg orally on day 1 and 80 mg orally on days 2 to 4), granisetron (2 mg orally on days 1 to 4), and dexamethasone (4 mg orally on day 1 and 2 mg orally on days 2 to 3) or matching placebo, granisetron (2 mg orally on days 1 to 4), and dexamethasone (8 mg orally on day 1 and 4 mg orally on days 2 to 3). Melphalan 100 mg/m2 was administered intravenously on days 1 to 2. ASCT was performed on day 4. The primary end point (complete response) was defined as no emesis and no rescue therapy within 120 hours of melphalan administration. Quality of life was assessed by modified Functional Living Index–Emesis (FLIE) questionnaire on days −1 and 6. Results Overall, 362 patients were available for the efficacy analysis (181 in each treatment arm). Significantly more patients receiving aprepitant reached the primary end point (58% v 41%; odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% CI, 1.23 to 3.00; P = .0042). Absence of major nausea (94% v 88%; OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.09 to 5.15; P = .026) and emesis (78% v 65%; OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.25 to 3.18; P = .0036) within 120 hours was increased by aprepitant. Mean total FLIE score (± standard deviation) was 114 ± 18 for aprepitant and 106 ± 26 for placebo (P < .001). Conclusion The addition of aprepitant resulted in significantly less CINV and had a positive effect on quality of life.
Relationship Between Male Pattern Baldness and the Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer: An Analysis of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial
Authors: Zhou Cindy Ke , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Cleary Sean D. , Hoffman Heather J. , Levine Paul H. , Chu Lisa W. , Hsing Ann W. , Cook Michael B. 
Published: September 2014

Purpose Male pattern baldness and prostate cancer appear to share common pathophysiologic mechanisms. However, results from previous studies that assess their relationship have been inconsistent. Therefore, we investigated the association of male pattern baldness at age 45 years with risks of overall and subtypes of prostate cancer in a large, prospective cohort—the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Methods We included 39,070 men from the usual care and screening arms of the trial cohort who had no cancer diagnosis (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) at the start of follow-up and recalled their hair-loss patterns at age 45 years. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were estimated by using Cox proportional hazards regression models with age as the time metric. Results During follow-up (median, 2.78 years), 1,138 incident prostate cancer cases were diagnosed, 571 of which were aggressive (biopsy Gleason score ≥ 7, and/or clinical stage III or greater, and/or fatal). Compared with no baldness, frontal plus moderate vertex baldness at age 45 years was not significantly associated with overall (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.45) or nonaggressive (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.30) prostate cancer risk but was significantly associated with increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.80). Adjustment for covariates did not substantially alter these estimates. Other classes of baldness were not significantly associated with overall or subtypes of prostate cancer. Conclusion Our analysis indicates that frontal plus moderate vertex baldness at age 45 years is associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer and supports the possibility of common pathophysiologic mechanisms.