bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resolvin D1 reverses chronic pancreatitis-induced mechanical allodynia, phosphorylation of NMDA receptors, and cytokines expression in the thoracic spinal dorsal horn
Authors: Quan-Xin Feng , Fan Feng , Xiang-Ying Feng , Shu-Jun Li , Shi-Qi Wang , Zhao-Xu Liu , Xu-Jie Zhang , Qing-Chuan Zhao , Wei Wang 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
We previously reported that immune activation in the spinal dorsal horn contributes to pain induced by chronic pancreatitis (CP). Targeting immune response in the CNS may provide effective treatments for CP-induced pain. Recent findings demonstrate that resolvin D1 (RvD1) can potently dampen inflammatory pain. We hypothesized that intrathecal injection of RvD1 may inhibit pain of CP.

Methods
Rat CP model was built through intrapancreatic infusion of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). All the rats were divided into three groups: TNBS, sham, and naïve controls and were further divided for intrathecal RvD1 administration. Pain behavior of rats was tested with von Frey filaments. Anxiety-like behavior and free locomotor and exploration of rats were evaluated by open field test and elevated plus maze. Pancreatic histology was evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Phosphorylation of NMDA receptor and expression of inflammatory cytokines were examined with Western blot, real-time RT-PCR and ELISA.

Results
Behavioral study indicated that compared to the vehicle control, RvD1 (100 ng/kg) significantly decreased TNBS-induced mechanical allodynia at 2 h after administration (response frequencies: 49.2 ± 3.7% vs 71.3 ± 6.1%), and this effect was dose-dependent. Neither CP nor RvD1 treatment could affect anxiety-like behavior. CP or RvD1 treatment could not affect free locomotor and exploration of rats. Western blot analysis showed that compared with that of naïve group, phosphorylated NR1 (pNR1) and pNR2B in TNBS rats were significantly increased in the spinal cord (pNR1: 3.87±0.31 folds of naïve control, pNR2B: 4.17 ± 0.24 folds of naïve control). Compared to vehicle control, 10 ng/kg of RvD1 could significantly block expressions of pNR1 (2.21 ± 0.26 folds of naïve) and pNR2B (3.31 ± 0.34 folds of naïve). Real-time RT-PCR and ELISA data showed that RvD1 (10 ng/kg) but not vehicle could significantly block expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6. In addition, RvD1 did not influence pain behavior, NMDA receptor phosphorylation or cytokines production in sham-operated rats.

Conclusions
These data highly suggest that RvD1 could be a novel and effective treatment for CP-induced chronic pain.
Corkscrew angiopathy of intracranial vessels in a young stroke patient: a case report
Authors: Alurkar Anand , Karanam Lakshmi Sudha P , Oak Sagar P 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Introduction
We present a rare finding of a ‘corkscrew appearance’ of the distal cerebral vessels in a young Asian woman who presented with acute stroke.

Case presentation
A 32-year-old Asian woman presented with a 3-month history of recurrent right-sided transient ischemic attacks. Her clinical workup and brain imaging results were normal. A digital subtraction angiogram revealed an abnormal corkscrew appearance of all intracranial distal vessels. She was discharged on a single antiplatelet drug. She had no further transient ischemic attacks on clinical follow-up. A digital subtraction angiogram performed 1 year later revealed no changes in the appearance of these vessels.

Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge no similar previous reports exist in the literature. The present report describes a unique case of an unusual corkscrew appearance of the distal intracranial vessels. However, the underlying etiology in the present case remains unknown.
Construction of a novel selection system for endoglucanases exhibiting carbohydrate-binding modules optimized for biomass using yeast cell-surface engineering
Authors: Nakanishi Akihito , Bae Jungu , Kuroda Kouichi , Ueda Mitsuyoshi 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
To permit direct cellulose degradation and ethanol fermentation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741 (Δ
sed1) codisplaying 3 cellulases (Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase II [EG], T. reesei cellobiohydrolase II [CBH], and Aspergillus aculeatus β-glucosidase I [BG]) was constructed by yeast cell-surface engineering. The EG used in this study consists of a family 1 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) and a catalytic module. A comparison with family 1 CBMs revealed conserved amino acid residues and flexible amino acid residues. The flexible amino acid residues were at positions 18, 23, 26, and 27, through which the degrading activity for various cellulose structures in each biomass may have been optimized. To select the optimal combination of CBMs of EGs, a yeast mixture with comprehensively mutated CBM was constructed. The mixture consisted of yeasts codisplaying EG with mutated CBMs, in which 4 flexible residues were comprehensively mutated, CBH, and BG. The yeast mixture was inoculated in selection medium with newspaper as the sole carbon source. The surviving yeast consisted of RTSH yeast (the mutant sequence of CBM: N18R, S23T, S26S, and T27H) and wild-type yeast (CBM was the original) in a ratio of 1:46. The mixture (1 RTSH yeast and 46 wild-type yeasts) had a fermentation activity that was 1.5-fold higher than that of wild-type yeast alone in the early phase of saccharification and fermentation, which indicates that the yeast mixture with comprehensively mutated CBM could be used to select the optimal combination of CBMs suitable for the cellulose of each biomass.
A BCL2 promoter polymorphism rs2279115 is not associated with BCL2 protein expression or patient survival in breast cancer patients
Authors: Searle Claire J , Brock Ian W , Cross Simon S , Balasubramanian Sabapathy P , Reed Malcolm W R , Cox Angela 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) gene family encodes pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins that are critical regulators of programmed cell death. Higher levels of BCL2 expression in breast tumours have been shown to be an independent prognostic factor for improved survival from breast cancer. The promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2279115 has been associated with both BCL2 expression and patient survival. The aim of this study was to attempt to replicate these observations in a cohort of 1015 UK women with breast cancer, and to compare genotype frequencies in cases and controls. In this study, 1015 breast cancer cases and 1034 control subjects were genotyped for the rs2279115 SNP by 5’ nuclease PCR. Paraffin embedded tumour tissue for 342 case subjects was assembled into tissue microarrays, and the level of expression of BCL2 was established by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan Meier survival curves and Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to examine the effect of genotype on patient survival. The effect of SNP genotype on tumour BCL2 protein levels and breast cancer susceptibility was assessed by logistic regression. In this study higher BCL2 expression was significantly associated with improved survival from breast cancer (p = 0.015), in keeping with previous reports. The SNP rs2279115 was not found to be associated with tumour expression of BCL2, (p = 0.77), and neither was it associated with case/control status (p = 0.25). There was no significant association between the SNP and overall survival (p = 0.75). In conclusion, we found that higher tumour BCL2 expression is associated with improved survival from breast cancer, in keeping with previous studies. However, in contrast to a previous report, the promoter SNP rs2279115 was not associated with BCL2 expression or overall survival from breast cancer.
Randomized Phase II Study of Bortezomib, Thalidomide, and Dexamethasone With or Without Cyclophosphamide As Induction Therapy in Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ludwig Heinz , Viterbo Luisa , Greil Richard , Masszi Tamas , Spicka Ivan , Shpilberg Ofer , Hajek Roman , Dmoszynska Anna , Paiva Bruno , Vidriales María-Belén , Esteves Graca , Stoppa Anne Marie , Robinson Don , Ricci Deborah , Cakana Andrew , Enny Christopher , Feng Huaibao , van de Velde Helgi , Harousseau Jean-Luc 
Published: October 2012

PurposeBortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) is an effective induction therapy in multiple myeloma (MM). This phase II, noncomparative study sought to determine whether addition of cyclophosphamide to this regimen (VTDC) could further increase efficacy without compromising safety.Patients and MethodsPatients age 18 to 70 years with previously untreated, measurable MM, who were eligible for high-dose chemotherapy–autologous stem-cell transplantation (HDCT-ASCT), were randomly assigned to bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2, thalidomide 100 mg, and dexamethasone 40 mg, with (n = 49) or without (n = 49) cyclophosphamide 400 mg/m2for four 21-day cycles, followed by HDCT-ASCT. The primary end point was postinduction combined rate of near-complete response (nCR) or better (including complete response [CR] with normalized serum κ:λ free light chain ratio, CR, and nCR).ResultsPostinduction, 51% (VTD) and 44% (VTDC) of patients achieved combined CR/nCR, with bone marrow–confirmed CR in 29% and 31%, overall response rates of 100% and 96%, respectively, and very good partial response or better rates of 69% per arm. Post–HDCT-ASCT, combined CR/nCR rates were 85% (VTD) and 77% (VTDC). In all, 35% (VTD) and 27% (VTDC) of patients were negative for minimal residual disease (MRD) during induction and postinduction. Three-year overall survival was 80% (both arms). Grade 3 to 4 adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs were observed in 47% and 22% (VTD) and 57% and 41% (VTDC) of patients, respectively. The primary health-related quality of life end point (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 [EORTC QLQ-C30] Global Health score) steadily increased with VTD during induction and reached a clinically relevant difference post-transplantation versus baseline.ConclusionBoth VTD and VTDC are highly active induction regimens producing high combined CR/nCR and MRD-negative rates; however, VTDC was associated with increased toxicity and suggestion of transient decreases in Global Health score, without an increase in activity.
Biallelic ATM Inactivation Significantly Reduces Survival in Patients Treated on the United Kingdom Leukemia Research Fund Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 4 Trial
Authors: Skowronska Anna , Parker Anton , Ahmed Gulshanara , Oldreive Ceri , Davis Zadie , Richards Sue , Dyer Martin , Matutes Estella , Gonzalez David , Taylor A. Malcolm R. , Moss Paul , Thomas Peter , Oscier David , Stankovic Tatjana 
Published: October 2012

Purpose The prognostic significance of ATM mutations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is unclear. We assessed their impact in the context of a prospective randomized trial. Patients and Methods We analyzed the ATM gene in 224 patients treated on the Leukemia Research Fund Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 4 (LRF-CLL4) trial with chlorambucil or fludarabine with and without cyclophosphamide. ATM status was analyzed by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and was related to treatment response, survival, and the impact of TP53 alterations for the same patient cohort. Results We identified 36 ATM mutations in 33 tumors, 16 with and 17 without 11q deletion. Mutations were associated with advanced disease stage and involvement of multiple lymphoid sites. Patients with both ATM mutation and 11q deletion showed significantly reduced progression-free survival (median, 7.4 months) compared with those with ATM wild type (28.6 months), 11q deletion alone (17.1 months), or ATM mutation alone (30.8 months), but survival was similar to that in patients with monoallelic (6.7 months) or biallelic (3.4 months) TP53 alterations. This effect was independent of treatment, immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene (IGHV) status, age, sex, or disease stage. Overall survival for patients with biallelic ATM alterations was also significantly reduced compared with those with ATM wild type or ATM mutation alone (median, 42.2 v 85.5 v 77.6 months, respectively). Conclusion The combination of 11q deletion and ATM mutation in CLL is associated with significantly shorter progression-free and overall survival following first-line treatment with alkylating agents and purine analogs. Assessment of ATM mutation status in patients with 11q deletion may influence the choice of subsequent therapy.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Interval-Compressed Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Localized Ewing Sarcoma: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Womer Richard B. , West Daniel C. , Krailo Mark D. , Dickman Paul S. , Pawel Bruce R. , Grier Holcombe E. , Marcus Karen , Sailer Scott , Healey John H. , Dormans John P. , Weiss Aaron R. 
Published: October 2012

Purpose Chemotherapy with alternating vincristine-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide-etoposide cycles and primary tumor treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy constitute the usual approach to localized Ewing sarcoma in North America. We tested whether chemotherapy intensification through interval compression could improve outcome. Patients and Methods This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial for patients younger than 50 years old with newly diagnosed localized extradural Ewing sarcoma. Patients assigned to standard and intensified treatment were to begin chemotherapy cycles every 21 and 14 days, respectively, provided an absolute neutrophil count greater than 750 × 106/L and a platelet count greater than 75 × 109/L. Patients received vincristine (2 mg/m2), doxorubicin (75 mg/m2), and cyclophosphamide (1.2 g/m2) alternating with ifosfamide (9 g/m2) and etoposide (500 mg/m2) for 14 cycles, with filgrastim (5 mg/kg per day; maximum, 300 mg) between cycles. Primary tumor treatment (surgery, radiation, or both) was to begin at week 13 (after four cycles in the standard arm and six cycles in the intensified arm). The primary end point was event-free survival (EFS). The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT00006734). Results Five hundred eighty-seven patients were enrolled and randomly assigned, and 568 patients were eligible, with 284 patients in each regimen. For all cycles, the median cycle interval for standard treatment was 21 days (mean, 22.45 days); for intensified treatment, the median interval was 15 days (mean, 17.29 days). EFS at a median of 5 years was 65% in the standard arm and 73% in the intensified arm (P = .048). The toxicity of the regimens was similar. Conclusion For localized Ewing sarcoma, chemotherapy administered every 2 weeks is more effective than chemotherapy administered every 3 weeks, with no increase in toxicity.
Rituximab Maintenance Therapy After Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation in Patients With Relapsed CD20+ Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Final Analysis of the Collaborative Trial in Relapsed Aggressive Lymphoma
Authors: Gisselbrecht Christian , Schmitz Norbert , Mounier Nicolas , Singh Gill Devinder , Linch David C. , Trneny Marek , Bosly Andre , Milpied Noel J. , Radford John , Ketterer Nicolas , Shpilberg Ofer , Dührsen Ulrich , Hagberg Hans , Ma David D. , Viardot Andreas , Lowenthal Ray , Brière Josette , Salles Gilles , Moskowitz Craig H. , Glass Bertram 
Published: October 2012

Purpose The standard treatment for relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is salvage chemotherapy followed by high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). The impact of maintenance rituximab after ASCT is not known. Patients and Methods In total, 477 patients with CD20+ DLBCL who were in their first relapse or refractory to initial therapy were randomly assigned to one of two salvage regimens. After three cycles of salvage chemotherapy, the responding patients received high-dose chemotherapy followed by ASCT. Then, 242 patients were randomly assigned to either rituximab every 2 months for 1 year or observation. Results After ASCT, 122 patients received rituximab, and 120 patients were observed only. The median follow-up time was 44 months. The 4-year event-free survival (EFS) rates after ASCT were 52% and 53% for the rituximab and observation groups, respectively (P = .7). Treatment with rituximab was associated with a 15% attributable risk of serious adverse events after day 100, with more deaths (six deaths v three deaths in the observation arm). Several factors affected EFS after ASCT (P < .05), including relapsed disease within 12 months (EFS: 46% v 56% for relapsed disease after 12 months), secondary age-adjusted International Prognostic Index (saaIPI) more than 1 (EFS: 37% v 61% for saaIPI < 1), and prior treatment with rituximab (EFS: 47% v 59% for no prior rituximab). A significant difference in EFS between women (63%) and men (46%) was also observed in the rituximab group. In the Cox model for maintenance, the saaIPI was a significant prognostic factor (P < .001), as was male sex (P = .01). Conclusion In relapsed DLBCL, we observed no difference between the control group and the rituximab maintenance group and do not recommend rituximab after ASCT.
Screening for haemoglobinopathies on cord blood: laboratory and clinical experience
Authors: Wolff Fleur , Cotton Frédéric , Gulbis Béatrice 
Published: October 2012

Objectives Blood from the umbilical cord (cord blood) is screened for haemoglobinopathies in several neonatal screening programmes, as well as before banking as a source of stem cells. We investigated the pre-analytical and analytical aspects of neonatal screening for haemoglobinopathies on liquid cord blood using the Sebia Haemoglobin kit. We give an interpretation of the results as well as a proposed scheme for reporting of the results. Methods A neonatal screening programme on liquid cord blood has been performed in all labour wards in Brussels since 1994. Using that material, the screening methods of isoelectric focusing and capillary zone electrophoresis were compared using 962 cord blood samples. From December 2008 to December 2010, 47,388 neonatal samples were analysed by capillary electrophoresis as the first-line method for neonatal screening. High-performance liquid chromatography was used as the second-line method. Results Capillary zone electrophoresis on liquid cord blood enabled the detection of all clinically significant haemoglobin variants, significant levels of Hb Bart's, and β-thalassaemia major. Among the 47,388 neonatal samples tested, 362 (0.7%) were suspected to be contaminated with maternal blood, but no diagnostic error was reported retrospectively for a major haemoglobinopathy. Recommendations for the interpretation and reporting of results of neonatal screening for haemoglobinopathies using the Sebia Haemoglobin kit are proposed. Conclusions A routine capillary electrophoresis kit adapted to neonatal screening and liquid cord blood is reliable for screening for haemoglobinopathies. It enables early detection and reporting of all major haemoglobinopathies and most minor ones. It also enables use of a simple scheme to report the results.
Efficacy versus effectiveness study design within the European screening trial for prostate cancer: consequences for cancer incidence, overall mortality and cancer-specific mortality
Authors: Zhu Xiaoye , van Leeuwen Pim J , Holmberg Erik , Bul Meelan , Carlsson Sigrid , Schröder Fritz H , Roobol Monique J , Hugosson Jonas 
Published: October 2012

Objective To assess the impact of different study designs on outcome data within the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). Methods Observed data from the Gothenburg centre (effectiveness trial with upfront randomization before informed consent) and the Rotterdam centre (efficacy trial with randomization after informed consent) were compared with expected data, which were retrieved from national cancer registries and life tables. Endpoints were 11-year cumulative prostate cancer (PC) incidence, overall mortality and PC-specific mortality. Results In Gothenburg, the 11-year PC incidence was higher than predicted (5.8%) in both the intervention (12.4%) and control arms (7.3%). The observed overall mortality was higher than predicted (15.9%) in both the intervention (17.8%) and control arms (18.5%). The observed PC-specific mortality in the intervention arm was 0.56% versus 0.83% in the control arm, while the expected mortality was 0.83%. In Rotterdam, the observed PC incidence in the intervention arm (10.4%) was higher than expected (4.4%). The incidence in the control arm was 4.6%. The observed overall mortality was lower than expected: 13.6% in the intervention arm and 14.0% in the control arm versus an expected mortality of 16.1%. The observed PC-specific mortality was lower than expected (0.65%) in both the intervention (0.27%) and control arms (0.41%). Conclusions Our results suggest that an efficacy trial with informed consent prior to randomization may have introduced a ‘healthy screenee bias’. Therefore, an effectiveness trial with consent after randomization may more accurately estimate the PC-specific mortality reduction if population-based screening is introduced.
Particle/Cordierite Monolithic Catalysts Dual-bed Reactor with Beds-interspace Supplementary Oxygen and Performance for Oxidative Coupling of Methane
Authors: Ji Shengfu , Wang Wenhua 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
A novel dual-bed reactor comprising of the upper-layer Na2WO4-Mn/SiO2 particle catalysts and the under-layer Na3PO4-Mn/SiO2/cordierite monolithic catalysts with beds-interspace supplementary oxygen was constructed for oxidative coupling of methane (OCM). The catalytic performance of OCM in the dual-bed reactor was remarkably improved compared with that in the previously reported chemical reactor for OCM.
Tornado Warnings in Three Southern States: A Qualitative Analysis of Public Response Patterns
Authors: Donner William R. , Rodriguez Havidan , Diaz Walter 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Recent research in three Southern states supplied data describing the role community structure and culture played in shaping public response to tornado risks. The following study identifies and describes how residents received, made sense of, and ultimately used information to make decisions about responding to warnings. In addition to a range of theoretical concerns, research was also intended to develop a set of safety policies derived from what the data reveals about the social psychology of risk perception, economic constraints to shelter, and the cultural aspects of response. Data analysis reveals a diverse set of social factors governing community response to tornado warnings, including social networks, language, issues in comprehension, siren ambiguities, false alarms, tornado tracking, local business behaviors, warning specificity, and cultural myths.
Creating An Executive Doctorate In Civil Security In The United States
Authors: Collins John W. , Soo Hoo Tsung Y. (Bill) , Krantz Michael , Cosgrove Richard 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
For the past decade, over 300 programs have been developed and implemented in the field of Homeland Security. Very few exist at the doctorate level. This article shares the trials and tribulations over the past five years to create such a degree. The authors share their experiences from proposal development, through University-level approval, state approval and regional accreditation. Also, this doctorate takes on a new moniker for Homeland Security - "Civil" Security and focuses on Leadership, Management and Policy for aspiring executive-level candidates and those preparing for academia.