bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
T cell receptor binding affinity governs the functional profile of cancer-specific CD8+ T cells
Authors: Tan M P , Gerry A B , Brewer J E , Melchiori L , Bridgeman J S , Bennett A D , Pumphrey N J , Jakobsen B K , Price D A , Ladell K , Sewell A K 
Published: December 2014

SummaryAntigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer via patient-derived T cells is an attractive approach to cancer therapy, with the potential to circumvent immune regulatory networks. However, high-affinity tumour-specific TCR clonotypes are typically deleted from the available repertoire during thymic selection because the vast majority of targeted epitopes are derived from autologous proteins. This process places intrinsic constraints on the efficacy of T cell-based cancer vaccines and therapeutic strategies that employ naturally generated tumour-specific TCRs. In this study, we used altered peptide ligands and lentivirus-mediated transduction of affinity-enhanced TCRs selected by phage display to study the functional properties of CD8+ T cells specific for three different tumour-associated peptide antigens across a range of binding parameters. The key findings were: (i) TCR affinity controls T cell antigen sensitivity and polyfunctionality; (ii) supraphysiological affinity thresholds exist, above which T cell function cannot be improved; and (iii) T cells transduced with very high-affinity TCRs exhibit cross-reactivity with self-derived peptides presented by the restricting human leucocyte antigen. Optimal system-defined affinity windows above the range established for natural tumour-specific TCRs therefore allow the enhancement of T cell effector function without off-target effects. These findings have major implications for the rational design of novel TCR-based biologics underpinned by rigorous preclinical evaluation.
Childhood adversity, adult homelessness and the intergenerational transmission of risk: a population‐representative study of individuals in households with children
Authors: Cutuli J. J. , Montgomery Ann Elizabeth , Evans‐Chase Michelle , Culhane Dennis P. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis study tested for associations between childhood adversity, adult homelessness and contexts of developmental risk in households with children. Data were drawn from the 2010 Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, representative of the population of Washington State residents. Considering adults in households with children, those who experienced higher levels of childhood adversity were more likely to have experienced homelessness in adulthood. Meanwhile, a 10‐factor index of cumulative developmental risk was independently associated with childhood adversity and with adult homelessness. Adult homelessness appears to represent a circumstance through which past childhood adversities are brought forward and associated with contexts of developmental risk for subsequent generations of children.
Variation at presentation among colon cancer patients with metastases: a population‐based study
Authors: Heedman P. A. , Canslätt E. , Henriks G. , Starkhammar H. , Fomichov V. , Sjödahl R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimThe study aimed to describe and follow a 2 year cohort of colon cancer patients with Stage IV disease from presentation to long‐term outcome.MethodThe records of 177 colon cancer patients diagnosed in southeast Sweden during 2009–2010 with disseminated disease at presentation were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsThe patients were heterogeneous with respect to age, performance status and survival. Despite metastatic disease, local symptoms from the primary tumour dominated the initial clinical picture. Forty‐one per cent had anaemia. The time from suspicion of colon cancer to established diagnosis of disseminated disease varied from 0 to 231 days (emergency cases included, median 12 days). The majority (77%) were diagnosed in hospital. In 53% the primary tumour and the metastases were not diagnosed on the same occasion which may increase the risk for misinformation or delays in the care process. The possibility of simultaneous diagnosis was doubled when the patient was investigated as an inpatient. Patients were seen by one to 12 physicians (median three) in the investigation phase, and one to 47 (median 11) from diagnosis until the last record in the hospital notes. The 1‐year survival was 46%.ConclusionPatients with metastatic colon cancer at presentation are heterogeneous and warrant an adapted multidisciplinary approach to achieve the goal of individualized treatment for each patient in accordance with the Swedish national cancer strategy.
Transanal minimal invasive surgery for rectal lesions: should the defect be closed?
Authors: Hahnloser D. , Cantero R. , Salgado G. , Dindo D. , Rega D. , Delrio P. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimTransanal minimal invasive surgery (TAMIS) of rectal lesions is increasingly being used, but the technique is not yet standardized. The aims of this study were to evaluate peri‐operative complications and long‐term functional outcome of the technique and to analyse whether or not the rectal defect needs to be closed.MethodConsecutive patients undergoing TAMIS using the SILS port (Covidien) and standard laparoscopic instruments were studied.ResultsSeventy‐five patients (68% male) of mean age 67 (± 15) years underwent single‐port transanal surgery at three different centres for 37 benign lesions and 38 low‐risk cancers located at a mean of 6.4 ± 2.3 cm from the anal verge. The median operating time was 77 (25−245) min including a median time for resection of 36 (15−75) min and for closure of the rectal defect of 38 (9−105) min. The defect was closed in 53% using interrupted (75%) or a running suture (25%). Intra‐operative complications occurred in six (8%) patients and postoperative morbidity was 19% with only one patient requiring reoperation for Grade IIIb local infection. There was no difference in the incidence of complications whether the rectal defect was closed or left open. Patients were discharged after 3.4 (1−21) days. At a median follow‐up of 12.8 (2−29) months, the continence was normal (Vaizey score of 1.5; 0−16).ConclusionTransanal rectal resection can be safely and efficiently performed by means of a SILS port and standard laparoscopic instruments. The rectal defect may be left open and at 1 year continence is not compromised.
Segmental vs extended colectomy in the management of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Heneghan H. M. , Martin S. T. , Winter D. C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimThe optimal surgical approach to the management of colorectal cancer in the setting of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is contentious. While some advocate total colectomy, others perform segmental resection followed by regular endoscopic surveillance. This systematic review evaluates the evidence for segmental colectomy (SC) and total (extended) colectomy (TC) in the management of HNPCC.MethodTwo major databases (PubMed and Cochrane) were searched using predefined terms. All original articles, published in English, comparing the oncological outcomes of SC and TC in HNPCC patients from January 1950 to July 2013 were included.ResultsEighty‐four studies were identified. After applying exclusion criteria, six studies involving 948 patients were included (mean age 47.4 years, 51.8% male). SC was more commonly performed than TC (n = 780; 82.3%). Mean follow‐up was 106.5 months. Metachronous high‐risk adenomas were detected more often after SC, although the difference was not statistically significant (23.4% vs 9.6%; OR 2.258, P = 0.057). Metachronous cancers occurred more frequently after SC than after TC (23.5% vs 6.8%; OR 3.679, P < 0.005). However, there was no difference in overall survival (90.7% vs 89.8% for SC and TC, respectively; P = 0.085). Only one study reported operative mortality (0% in each group), there was no report of operative morbidity or functional outcome.ConclusionThe optimal surgical approach in the management of HNPCC remains unclear. More adenomas and cancers occur after SC than after TC but there certainly is no evidence to suggest that more radical surgery leads to improved survival.
Suboptimal surgery and omission of neoadjuvant therapy for upper rectal cancer is associated with a high risk of local recurrence
Authors: Bondeven P. , Laurberg S. , Hagemann‐Madsen R. H. , Ginnerup Pedersen B. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to estimate the risk of local recurrence in an audited cohort of patients, with a particular focus on patients with upper rectal cancer treated by partial mesorectal excision without neoadjuvant therapy.MethodPerioperative clinical data on all patients who underwent mesorectal excision for primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum in the period from 2007 to 2010 were prospectively collected and follow‐up data on oncological outcome were retrieved from patient records. Three‐year actuarial local recurrence rates were estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods.ResultsLocal recurrence was diagnosed in 17 of 247 patients treated with curative intent. The 3‐year actuarial local recurrence rate was 7.0% (95% CI 4.0–11.8). The risk of local recurrence was negatively associated with tumour stage (P = 0.015), an involved circumferential resection margin (P = 0.007) and tumour height (P = 0.044). The local recurrence rate at 3 years was 13.5% after partial mesorectal excision, 2.9% following total mesorectal excision and 5.7% after extralevator abdominoperineal excision (P = 0.032).ConclusionTumour stage and an involved circumferential resection margin were the most important predictors of local recurrence. For cancer of the upper rectum, partial mesorectal excision was associated with a high risk of local recurrence.
Assessment of the quality of patient‐orientated internet information on surgery for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Sacchi M. , Yeung T. M. , Spinelli A. , Mortensen N. J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimThis study examines the quality of websites providing information on ulcerative colitis, including treatment options and surgery.MethodTwo search engines (Google and Yahoo) and the search term ‘surgery for ulcerative colitis’ were used. The first 50 sites obtained with each search engine were assessed. Sites were evaluated for content and scored using the DISCERN instrument, which evaluates the quality of health information on treatment choices.ResultsOne hundred sites were examined, of which 14 were duplicates. Of the remainder, 58 provided patient‐orientated information for adults and one site provided information for surgery in children. The other 27 sites included six scientific articles, three blogs, three links, six resources for clinicians, five fora, two video links and two dead links. Of the 58 websites that provided patient information for adults, only 26 (44.8%) had been updated within the last 2 years. Only 13/58 (22.4%) were affiliated to hospitals and clinics. Most sites (38/58, 65.5%) were associated with private companies with commercial interests. Although most websites contained information on symptoms and treatment options for ulcerative colitis, 37 (63.8%) did not describe any of the risks of surgery. Overall, only seven (12.1%) websites were identified as being ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ using the DISCERN criteria.ConclusionThe quality of patient information on surgery for ulcerative colitis is highly variable. There is potential for internet provision of valuable information and clinicians should guide patients with to access high‐quality websites.
Quantitatively Representing Nonlinear Disaster Recovery
Authors: Zobel Christopher W. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThis article provides a new technique for quantitatively characterizing the progress of recovery operations in the aftermath of a disaster event. The approach extends previous research on measuring dynamic, or adaptive, disaster resilience by developing a robust approach for characterizing nonlinear disaster recovery. In doing so, it enables a more accurate mathematical representation of diﬀerent categories of recovery behavior and provides support for a much broader application of existing theory. Because the new approach inherits the ability to compare the relative behavior of multiple scenarios simultaneously, it also can serve as the basis for analytically comparing the expected performance of different plans for recovery operations. Practical application of the technique is demonstrated and discussed in the context of recovering electrical power after Hurricane Sandy struck the New York metropolitan area.
Coping with Group Behaviors in Uncertain Quality Function Deployment
Authors: Yan Hong‐Bin , Ma Tieju , Huynh Van‐Nam 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTQuality function deployment (QFD) is a planning and problem‐solving tool gaining wide acceptance for translating customer needs (CNs) into technical attributes (TAs) of a product. It is a crucial step to derive the prioritization of TAs from CNs in QFD. However, it is not so straightforward to prioritize TAs due to two types of uncertainties: human subjective perception and user variability. The main focus of this article is to propose a group decision‐making approach to uncertain QFD with an application to a flexible manufacturing system design. The proposed approach performs computations solely based on the order‐based semantics of linguistic labels to eliminate the burden of quantifying qualitative concepts in QFD. Moreover, it incorporates the importance weights of users and the concept of fuzzy majority into aggregations of individual fuzzy preference relations of different TAs in order to model the group behaviors in QFD. Finally, based on a quantifier‐guided net flow score procedure, the proposed approach derives a priority ranking with a classification of TAs into important and unimportant ones so as to provide a better decision‐support to the decision‐maker. Due to the easiness in articulating preferential information, our approach can reduce the cognitive burden of QFD planning team and give a practical convenience in the process of QFD planning.
A Rare Variant of Type I Truncus Arteriosus: Truncus Arteriosus with Anterior Origin of a Main Pulmonary Artery
Authors: Çelik Serkan F. , Karakurt Cemşit , Elkıran Özlem , Öztürk Mehmet , Görmeli Ayşe C 
Published: December 2014

Mini‐AbstractTruncus arteriosus with anterior origin of a main pulmonary artery is a very rare condition. In this report we present a newborn who has a truncus arteriosus with anterior origin of a main pulmonary artery.
Gas chromatography column as an ambient‐temperature volatile trap
Authors: Kuenen L.P.S. , Hicks Matt N. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractOpen‐tube volatile traps have largely been shunned in favor of solid adsorbent containing traps for the collection of volatile pheromones and attractants. Solid adsorbents require large solvent rinses and glass capillaries can be difficult to maneuver for the collection of volatiles from small or hard‐to‐reach odor sources. A gas chromatograph (GC) column (DB‐1), an open‐tube glass capillary, and a SuperQ®‐containing capillary were compared for their collection efficiencies from rubber septa and live calling insects. All three traps captured similar ratios of test compounds from septa at airflows >10 ml per min. Eluting analytes from a packed adsorbent, SuperQ, required at least 30× more solvent than was required to collect all the pheromone from the open‐tube glass capillaries, and the GC column enjoyed an additional three‐fold reduced solvent volume compared to the glass capillary. Thus, analytes could be eluted from the GC‐column trap and directly analyzed on GC without solvent evaporation. We placed glass wool ‘plugs’ in both GC columns and glass capillaries and found no volatiles in these plugs, indicating that breakthrough did not occur during 1‐h collections at 25 ml per min. We demonstrate here that at ambient laboratory temperatures, a DB‐1 GC column effectively collects Oriental fruit moth sex pheromone volatiles from a rubber septum and live pheromone‐releasing moths. Release ratios of pheromone from rubber septa are consistent with earlier reports from static air systems, whereas the release ratio of the (Z)‐8‐dodecenyl alcohol (Z8‐12:OH) from female Grapholita molesta Busck (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) differed from published results and is likely due to different collection methods or moth‐strain origin.
Colour change ability and its effect on prey capture success in female Misumenoides formosipes crab spiders
Authors: ANDERSON ALISSA G. , DODSON GARY N. 
Published: December 2014

1. Changing between white and yellow body colour in certain crab spider species has been interpreted as an adaptation for matching the background colour where they hunt and thereby remaining cryptic to prey and/or their own predators. The potential costs and benefits of colour change in female Misumenoides formosipes Walckenaer were investigated via assessment of prey opportunities and capture success, in conjunction with the tendency for and rate of colour change on different backgrounds.2. It was tested whether being matched or mismatched to their background affected foraging by moving females between white and yellow inflorescences. Female colour was quantified in digital photos using the Lab colour space component of Adobe photoshop, providing the first empirical assessment of the rate of colour change for a crab spider species.3. Insect visits (potential prey) on inflorescences with and without spiders and prey capture success with females matched and mismatched to their background were quantified.4. Yellow females abandoned white inflorescences, whereas white females remained on and underwent colour change on yellow inflorescences. This difference supported the notion that the costs of colour change differ depending on the starting colour. Female departures from white flowers were apparently not due to a lack of insect visitation, as white inflorescences had higher visitation rates than did yellow inflorescences, even in the presence of spiders.5. An increase in the prey capture success of females who transitioned from white to yellow body colour on a yellow background supported the hypothesis that colour matching functions to deceive prey.
Natalizumab improves ambulation in relapsing−remitting multiple sclerosis: results from the prospective TIMER study and a retrospective analysis of AFFIRM
Authors: Voloshyna N. , Havrdová E. , Hutchinson M. , Nehrych T. , You X. , Belachew S. , Hotermans C. , Paes D. 
Published: December 2014

Background and purposeImpaired ambulation is a prominent disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis and can lead to reduced quality of life. Whether natalizumab, a monoclonal antibody shown to reduce disease activity in relapsing−remitting multiple sclerosis, could impact ambulation performance was examined.MethodsA prospective open‐label study, TIMER, was conducted in natalizumab‐naive patients (n = 215). The timed 25‐foot walk (T25FW) and timed 100‐m walk (T100MW) were assessed at baseline and at weeks 24 and 48 of natalizumab therapy, together with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. The effects of natalizumab on T25FW performance were also examined in a retrospective analysis of natalizumab‐treated patients (n = 627) and placebo control patients (n = 315) from the AFFIRM study.ResultsIn TIMER, a significant increase from baseline in T25FW speed was seen at week 24 (P = 0.0074) and in T100MW speed at weeks 24 and 48 (both P < 0.001). A greater proportion of patients showed clinically meaningful increases (≥20%) in walking speed on the T100MW (25%) than on the T25FW (13%) at week 48 (P = 0.032). In AFFIRM, natalizumab increased the proportion of patients with ≥20% confirmed improvement in T25FW speed at year 2 by 78% versus placebo (P = 0.0133).ConclusionsNatalizumab increased walking speed in patients with relapsing−remitting multiple sclerosis. The T100MW may be more sensitive to changes in ambulation capacity than the T25FW, and both tests appear to detect clinically meaningful improvements in ambulatory function.
Intercontinental genetic structure and gene flow inDunlin (Calidris alpina), a potential vector of avian influenza
Authors: Miller Mark P. , Haig Susan M. , Mullins Thomas D. , Ruan Luzhang , Casler Bruce , Dondua Alexei , Gates H. River , Johnson J. Matthew , Kendall Steve , Tomkovich Pavel S. , Tracy Diane , Valchuk Olga P. , Lanctot Richard B. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWaterfowl (Anseriformes) and shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are the most common wild vectors of influenza A viruses. Due to their migratory behavior, some may transmit disease over long distances. Migratory connectivity studies can link breeding and nonbreeding grounds while illustrating potential interactions among populations that may spread diseases. We investigated Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a shorebird with a subspecies (C. a. arcticola) that migrates from nonbreeding areas endemic to avian influenza in eastern Asia to breeding grounds in northern Alaska. Using microsatellites and mitochondrialDNA, we illustrate genetic structure among six subspecies:C. a. arcticola,C. a. pacifica,C. a. hudsonia,C. a. sakhalina,C. a. kistchinski, andC. a. actites. We demonstrate that mitochondrialDNAcan help distinguishC. a. arcticolaon the Asian nonbreeding grounds with >70% accuracy depending on their relative abundance, indicating that genetics can help determine whetherC. a. arcticolaoccurs where they may be exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) during outbreaks. Our data reveal asymmetric intercontinental gene flow, with someC. a. arcticolashort‐stopping migration to breed withC. a. pacificain western Alaska. BecauseC. a. pacificamigrates along the Pacific Coast of North America, interactions between these subspecies and other taxa provide route for transmission ofHPAIinto other parts of North America.
A Crook is a Crook . . . But is He Still a Crook Abroad? On the Effect of Immigration on Destination-Country Corruption
Authors: Dimant Eugen , Redlin Margarete , Krieger Tim 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper analyzes the impact of migration on destination-country corruption levels. Capitalizing on a comprehensive dataset consisting of annual immigration stocks of OECD countries from 207 countries of origin for the period 1984-2008, we explore different channels through which corruption might migrate. We employ different estimation methods using fixed effects and Tobit regressions in order to validate our findings. Moreover, we also address the issue of endogeneity by using the Difference- Generalized Method of Moments estimator. Independent of the econometric methodology, we consistently find that while general migration has an insignificant effect on the destination country’s corruption level, immigration from corruption-ridden origin countries boosts corruption in the destination country. Our findings provide a more profound understanding of the socioeconomic implications associated with migration flows.
Long‐Term Groundwater Depletion in the United States
Authors: Konikow Leonard F. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe volume of groundwater stored in the subsurface in the United States decreased by almost 1000 km3 during 1900–2008. The aquifer systems with the three largest volumes of storage depletion include the High Plains aquifer, the Mississippi Embayment section of the Gulf Coastal Plain aquifer system, and the Central Valley of California. Depletion rates accelerated during 1945–1960, averaging 13.6 km3/year during the last half of the century, and after 2000 increased again to about 24 km3/year. Depletion intensity is a new parameter, introduced here, to provide a more consistent basis for comparing storage depletion problems among various aquifers by factoring in time and areal extent of the aquifer. During 2001–2008, the Central Valley of California had the largest depletion intensity. Groundwater depletion in the United States can explain 1.4% of observed sea‐level rise during the 108‐year study period and 2.1% during 2001–2008. Groundwater depletion must be confronted on local and regional scales to help reduce demand (primarily in irrigated agriculture) and/or increase supply.