bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NERC matters: Sharing NERC compliance responsibilities risky to reliability
Authors: Carpentier Deborah 
Published: November 2012

AbstractEach user, owner, and operator of the bulk power system (BPS) must register with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) if the entity performs any of the functions listed in the NERC‐defined functional categories.1 In registration, NERC must prevent duplication of responsibilities.2 Having multiple entities registered in the same functional category for the same BPS facility is antithetical to this fundamental requirement (e.g., two entities registered as the Generator Operator for the same generating facility).
Safety of SSRIs during pregnancy: a controlled study
Authors: Altamura AC. , De Gaspari IF. , Rovera C. , Colombo EM. , Mauri MC. , Fedele L. 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to analyze the efficacy and the safety of SSRIs during pregnancy.MethodsA group of 30 pregnant women affected by Major Depressive Disorder by SCID I interview (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Text Revision criteria) and treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) were included in the study. They were matched to a comparison group of 26 pregnant women.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in any of the pregnancy outcomes of interest between the treated women and comparison group. There was no statistically significant association in newborns of women treated with an SSRI and the control group in the first and fifth minute Apgar score, and no newborns were admitted to neonatal Intensive Care Units.ConclusionsNo definitive association between use of SSRIs during pregnancy and an increased risk of birth defects or other adverse outcomes could be found. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 15B is a survival factor for ERα‐positive breast cancer
Authors: Shahmoradgoli Maria , Riazalhosseini Yasser , Haag Daniel , Becker Natalia , Hovestadt Volker , Heck Stefanie , Sinn Hans‐Peter , Schneeweiss Andreas , Mannherz Otto , Sahin Özgür , Lichter Peter 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBreast cancer is a heterogeneous disease at both the clinical and molecular levels. This heterogeneity may give rise to different therapy responses. Molecular profiling has facilitated identification of signatures for stratifying patients who would potentially benefit from given therapies. Previously, we reported on a subset of genes with the potential for predicting response of primary breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Herein, we report that patients with luminal (estrogen receptor α [ERα]‐expressing) breast cancer were enriched for nonresponders. To identify novel factors that contribute to the survival of breast cancer cells, a loss‐of‐function screen was performed with a subset of genes overexpressed in patients with disease resistant to chemotherapy. This approach led us to identify protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 15B (PPP1R15B) as a factor with a potentially essential role in the survival of ERα‐positive breast cancer cells. Functional analyses showed that PPP1R15B depletion results in impaired proliferation due to unsuccessful transition of cells from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle, and apoptosis induction. Moreover, our data revealed a regulatory role for PPP1R15B in activating ERα. Furthermore, a high level of PPP1R15B mRNA expression was associated with poor outcome following tamoxifen‐based therapy. Accordingly, knockdown of PPP1R15B expression sensitized tamoxifen‐resistant MCF‐7 breast cancer cells to tamoxifen while reducing ERα abundance in these cells. Our findings reveal a novel role for PPP1R15B in the survival and therapy response of ERα‐positive breast cancer and may open new avenues for tumor subtype‐specific therapeutic strategies in the era of personalized medicine.
microRNA expression profile in a large series of bladder tumors: Identification of a 3‐miRNA signature associated with aggressiveness of muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Pignot Géraldine , Cizeron‐Clairac Geraldine , Vacher Sophie , Susini Aurelie , Tozlu Sengül , Vieillefond Annick , Zerbib Marc , Lidereau Rosette , Debre Bernard , Amsellem‐Ouazana Delphine , Bieche Ivan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) in bladder tumors in order to identify miRNAs involved in bladder carcinogenesis with potential prognostic implications. Expression levels of miRNAs were assessed by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR in 11 human normal bladder and 166 bladder tumor samples (86 non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and 80 muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)). The expression level of 804 miRNAs was initially measured in a well‐defined series of seven NMIBC, MIBC and normal bladder samples (screening set). The most strongly deregulated miRNAs in tumor samples compared to normal bladder tissue were then selected for RT‐PCR validation in a well‐characterized independent series of 152 bladder tumors (validation set), and in six bladder cancer cell lines. Expression levels of these miRNAs were tested for their association with clinical outcome. A robust group of 15 miRNAs was found to be significantly deregulated in bladder cancer. Except for two miRNAs, miR‐146b and miR‐9, which were specifically upregulated in MIBC, the majority of miRNAs (n = 13) were deregulated in the same way in the two types of bladder tumors, irrespective of pathological stage : three miRNAs were upregulated (miR‐200b, miR‐182 and miR‐138) and the other 10 miRNAs were downregulated (miR‐1, miR‐133a, miR‐133b, miR‐145, miR‐143, miR‐204, miR‐921,
miR‐1281, miR‐199a and miR‐199b). A 3‐miRNA signature (miR‐9, miR‐182 and miR‐200b) was found to be related to MIBC tumor aggressiveness and was associated with both recurrence‐free and overall survival in univariate analysis with a trend to significance in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.05). Our results suggested a promising individual prognostic value of these new markers.
The triterpenoid cucurbitacin B augments the antiproliferative activity of chemotherapy in human breast cancer
Authors: Aribi Ahmed , Gery Sigal , Lee Dhong Hyun , Thoennissen Nils H. , Thoennissen Gabriela B. , Alvarez Rocio , Ho Quoc , Lee Kunik , Doan Ngan B. , Chan Kin T. , Toh Melvin , Said Jonathan W. , Koeffler H. Phillip 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDespite recent advances in therapy, breast cancer remains the second most common cause of death from malignancy in women. Chemotherapy plays a major role in breast cancer management, and combining chemotherapeutic agents with nonchemotherapeutic agents is of considerable clinical interest. Cucurbitacins are triterpenes compounds found in plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, reported to have anticancer and anti‐inflammatory activities. Previously, we have shown antiproliferative activity of cucurbitacin B (CuB) in breast cancer, and we hypothesized that combining CuB with chemotherapeutic agents can augment their antitumor effect. Here, we show that a combination of CuB with either docetaxel (DOC) or gemcitabine (GEM) synergistically inhibited the proliferation of MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells in vitro. This antiproliferative effect was accompanied by an increase in apoptosis rates. Furthermore, in vivo treatment of human breast cancer orthotopic xenografts in immunodeficient mice with CuB at either low (0.5 mg/kg) or high (1 mg/kg) doses in combination with either DOC (20 mg/kg) or GEM (12.5mg/kg) significantly reduced tumor volume as compared with monotherapy of each drug. Importantly, no significant toxicity was noted with low‐dose CuB in combination with either DOC or GEM. In conclusion, combination of CuB at a relatively low concentration with either of the chemotherapeutic agents, DOC or GEM, shows prominent antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cells without increased toxicity. This promising combination should be examined in therapeutic trials of breast cancer.
Influence of cement stiffness and bone morphology on the compressive properties of bone–cement composites in simulated vertebroplasty
Authors: Helgason B. , Stirnimann P. , Widmer R. , Boger A. , Ferguson S. J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractVertebroplasty is widely used to treat vertebral compression fractures. Little is known about the influence of morphological parameters of the bone on the properties of the bone–cement composite. Furthermore, although generic finite element (FE) models have been suggested as a way to compute the values of these properties, their accuracy has not been established. In the experimental part of this study, we tested bovine cancellous bone and three different polymethylmethacrylate bone cements and determined six quasi‐static uniaxial compressive properties of bone–cement composite specimens and 10 morphological parameters of the bone. For the FE work, we used two simulations, one being μFE and the other unit cell FE. In conclusion, we found that (1) for composite specimens, that relative contribution of the cement to the overall response of the composite increases with increasing cement stiffness; (2) the anisotropy ratio is the bone morphological property that exerts the most significant influence on the experimentally obtained compressive properties of the bone–cement composites determined; (3) the accuracy of the computed compressive properties of the composites ranged from low to high, depending on simulation method used. The largest errors, however, can partially be explained by difference in boundary conditions between the experimental testing and the simulation techniques. The lattermost finding points to the potential for simplified FE models being incorporated into automatic material mapping schemes in whole bone vertebra FE simulations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Mechanical and biocompatible characterizations of a readily available multilayer vascular graft
Authors: Madhavan Krishna , Elliott Winston H , Bonani Walter , Monnet Eric , Tan Wei 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThere is always a considerable clinical need for vascular grafts. Considering the availability, physical and mechanical properties, and regenerative potential, we have developed and characterized readily available, strong, and compliant multilayer grafts that support cell culture and ingrowth. The grafts were made from heterogeneous materials and structures, including a thin, dense, nanofibrous core composed of poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL), and a thick, porous, hydrogel sleeve composed of genipin‐crosslinked collagen–chitosan (GCC). Because the difference in physicochemical properties between PCL and GCC caused layer separation, the layer adhesion was identified as a determinant to graft property and integrity under physiological conditions. Thus, strategies to modify the layer interface, including increasing porosity of the PCL surface, decreasing hydrophobicity, and increasing interlayer crosslinking, were developed. Results from microscopic images showed that increasing PCL porosity was characterized by improved layer adhesion. The resultant graft was characterized by high compliance (4.5%), and desired permeability (528 mL/cm2/min), burst strength (695 mmHg), and suture strength (2.38 N) for readily grafting. Results also showed that PCL mainly contributed to the graft mechanical properties, whereas GCC reduced the water permeability. In addition to their complementary contributions to physical and mechanical properties, the distinct graft layers also provided layer‐specific structures for seeding and culture of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells in vitro. Acellular graft constructs were readily used to replace abdominal aorta of rabbits, resulting in rapid cell ingrowth and flow reperfusion. The multilayer constructs capable of sustaining physiological conditions and promoting cellular activities could serve as a platform for future development of regenerative vascular grafts. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Opportunity lost: End‐of‐life discussions in cancer patients who die in the hospital
Authors: Zaros Mark C. , Curtis J. Randall , Silveira Maria J. , Elmore Joann G. 
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUNDEnd‐of‐life discussions are associated with decreased use of life‐sustaining treatments in patients dying of cancer in the outpatient setting, but little is known about discussions that take place during terminal hospitalizations.OBJECTIVESTo determine the proportion of patients assessed by the clinical team to have decisional capacity on admission, how many of these patients participated or had a surrogate participate in a discussion about end‐of‐life care, and whether patient participation was associated with treatments received.DESIGNRetrospective review.SETTINGInpatient.PATIENTSAdult patients with advanced cancer who died in the hospital between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007.RESULTSOf the 145 inpatients meeting inclusion criteria, 115 patients (79%) were documented to have decisional capacity on admission. Among these patients, 46 (40%) were documented to lose decisional capacity prior to an end‐of‐life discussion and had the discussion held instead by a surrogate. Patients who had surrogate participation in the end‐of‐life discussions were more likely to receive mechanical ventilation (56.5% vs 23.2%, P < 0.01), artificial nutrition (45.7% vs 25.0%, P = 0.03), chemotherapy (39.1% vs 5.4%, P <0.01), and intensive care unit (ICU) treatment (56.5% vs 23.2%, P <0.01) compared to patients who participated in discussions. There was no difference between palliative treatments received.CONCLUSIONThe majority of patients with advanced cancer are considered to have decisional capacity at the time of their terminal hospitalization. Many lose decisional capacity before having an end‐of‐life discussion and have surrogate decision‐makers participate in these discussions. These patients received more aggressive life‐sustaining treatments prior to death and represent a missed opportunity to improve end‐of‐life care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:334–340 © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Expression changes of cytoskeletal associated proteins in proteomic profiling of neuroblastoma cells infected with different strains of rabies virus
Authors: Zandi Fatemeh , Eslami Naser , Torkashvand Fatemeh , Fayaz Ahmad , Khalaj Vahid , Vaziri Behrouz 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRabies virus invades the nervous system, induces neuronal dysfunction and causes death of the host. The disruption of the cytoskeletal integrity and synaptic structures of the neurons by rabies virus has been postulated as a possible basis for neuronal dysfunction. In the present study, a two‐dimensional electrophoresis/mass spectrometry proteomics analysis of neuroblastoma cells revealed a significant effect of a virulent strain of rabies virus on the host cytoskeleton related proteins which was quite different from that of an attenuated strain. Vimentin, actin cytoplasmic 1 isoform, profilin I, and Rho‐GDP dissociation inhibitor were host cell cytoskeletal related proteins changed by the virulent strain. The proteomics data indicated that the virulent strain of rabies virus induces significant expression changes in the vimentin and actin cytoskeleton networks of neurons which could be a strong clue for the relation of cytoskeletal integrity distraction and rabies virus pathogenesis. In addition, the expression alteration of other host proteins, particularly some structural and regulatory proteins may have potential roles in rabies virus pathogenesis. J. Med. Virol. 85:336–347, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of different cooking regimes on the microstructure and tenderness of duck breast muscle
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Daoying , Dong Han , Xu Weimin , Gao Feng , Zhou Guanghong , Zhang Muhan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDCooking has a great influence on meat tenderness, and we assumed that changes of tenderness in this process resulted from the liberation of actin and associated structural changes. Therefore, in this study, we investigated changes in the microstructure and tenderness when duck breast muscle were cooked to different internal endpoint temperatures (70, 80, 90, 95 °C) by three cooking regimes (conventional cooking, two‐stage cooking and three‐stage cooking).RESULTSWhen duck breast muscle was cooked to an internal endpoint temperature of 70 °C, the three‐stage cooking significantly decreased the Meullenet–Owens razor shear force (MORSF) value (P < 0.05) and resulted in a longer sarcomere length (P < 0.05) compared with the conventional cooking. However, further improvement of the tenderness and an increase in sarcomere length did not occur at higher internal endpoint temperatures. The two‐stage cooking regime, with a much longer cooking time below 55 °C, also resulted in a lower MORSF value (P > 0.05) and increased sarcomere length (P < 0.05) at an internal endpoint temperature of 70 °C compared with the conventional cooking. Significant liberation of actin was also observed in duck meat cooked between 50 and 60 °C.CONCLUSIONThe two‐ and three‐stage cooking regimes with initial temperatures of 50–60 °C and endpoint temperature of 70 °C could improve tenderness of duck breast meat, which might be related to the liberation of actin. Three‐stage cooking had the great advantages of improving meat tenderness and reducing cooking loss; therefore, this is to be recommended for further application and research.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the quality and bioactive compounds of Chinese cabbage (Brasicca rapa L. ssp. chinensis)
Authors: Mampholo Bevly Mmakatane , Sivakumar Dharini , Beukes Mervyn , van Rensburg Willem Jansen 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe perishability of Brassica chinensis poses a major challenge to distribution and marketing. The aim of this work was to select a suitable modified atmosphere packaging to retain the overall quality and bioactive compounds during storage.RESULTSFour types of biorientated polypropylene packaging (BOPP) – BOPP03, BOPP04, BOPP05 and BOPP06 – with different perforations were evaluated regarding the maintenance of quality parameters (weight loss, leaf yellowing, colour L*, C*, h°), decay, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, bioactive compounds (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total phenolic compounds), antioxidant scavenging activity, overall appearance and odour evaluation, at 10°C at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days. Leaves were packed in BOPP (two 2‐mm holes) and packed and unpacked leaves were included for comparison. The modified atmosphere created (2% O2 and 7% CO2) inside the BOPP05 reduced leaf yellowing (higher h°), improved the overall appearance with acceptable odour, moderately maintained chlorophyll a and b, bioactive compounds and antioxidant scavenging activity, and remained marketable for up to 10 days at 10°C. Gas composition within the packages influenced the retention of bioactive compounds and overall quality.CONCLUSIONApplication of BOPP05 is a promising method for extending the shelf life of B. chinensis leaves in order to promote its utilisation and commercialisation via urban fresh‐produce markets. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of l‐ascorbic acid by peroxomonophosphate in aqueous acid medium
Authors: Soni Narendra K. , Sailani Riya , Khandelwal C. L. , Sharma P. D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe kinetics of oxidation of l‐ascorbic acid (H2A) by peroxomonophosphate in acid aqueous medium has been studied. The stoichiometry of the reaction corresponds to the reaction as represented by the equation

equation image

where A is dehydroascorbic acid. The reaction is second order versus first order with respect to each reactant. The rate is retarded by hydrogen ion concentration. A plausible reaction mechanism has been suggested. The derived rate law (2) from such a mechanism accounts for all experimental observations:

equation image

Such pH dependence is somewhat different from that observed in the case of metal ion oxidants. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 41–16, 2013
Drug‐induced sleep endoscopy for upper airway evaluation in children with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Ulualp Seckin O. , Szmuk Peter 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To evaluate sites and characteristics of upper airway obstruction, as detected with drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Material and Methods:The medical records of children who underwent DISE were reviewed. Data pertaining to demographics, past medical history, body mass index, tonsil size, adenoid size, polysomnography, and DISE were obtained.Results:Eighty‐two children had DISE and severity of OSA was mild in four patients, moderate in 17, and severe in 61. DISE revealed obstruction at the level of velum in 67 patients, oropharynx/lateral walls in 72 patients, tongue in 10 patients, and epiglottis in 10 patients. Oropharynx/lateral walls were the most common single site of obstruction. The majority of children had obstruction at multiple sites. Combination of velum and oropharynx/lateral walls was the most common multiple sites of obstruction. Prevalence of complete obstruction at velum and oropharynx/lateral walls in children with severe or moderate OSA were greater than those of children with mild OSA. Complete obstruction at oropharynx/lateral walls was documented in 50% of children with grade I tonsils and 64% of children with grade II tonsils.Conclusion:The oropharynx/lateral walls are the most common site of obstruction in children with single site obstruction. Combined oropharynx/lateral walls and velum obstruction was the most common sites of obstruction in children with multiple site obstruction. Children with grade I and grade II tonsils may suffer from complete airway obstruction. DISE is a useful tool to identify upper airway obstruction sites in addition to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Laryngoscope, 2013
Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Organic Carbon Stocks in Mediterranean Soils (1956–2007)
Authors: Muñoz‐Rojas M. , Jordán A. , Zavala L. M. , De la Rosa D. , Abd‐Elmabod S. K. , Anaya‐Romero M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDuring the last few decades, land use changes have largely affected the global warming process through emissions of CO2. However, C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems could contribute to the decrease of atmospheric CO2 rates. Although Mediterranean areas show a high potential for C sequestration, only a few studies have been carried out in these systems. In this study, we propose a methodology to assess the impact of land use and land cover change dynamics on soil organic C stocks at different depths. Soil C sequestration rates are provided for different land cover changes and soil types in Andalusia (southern Spain). Our research is based on the analysis of detailed soil databases containing data from 1357 soil profiles, the Soil Map of Andalusia and the Land Use and Land Cover Map of Andalusia. Land use and land cover changes between 1956 and 2007 implied soil organic C losses in all soil groups, resulting in a total loss of 16·8 Tg (approximately 0·33 Tg y−1). Afforestation increased soil organic C mostly in the topsoil, and forest contributed to sequestration of 8·62 Mg ha−1 of soil organic C (25·4 per cent). Deforestation processes implied important C losses, particularly in Cambisols, Luvisols and Vertisols. The information generated in this study will be a useful basis for designing management strategies for stabilizing the increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations by preservation of C stocks and C sequestration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.