bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The financial burden of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a Nova Scotia experience
Authors: Ens Andrea , Lang Bianca , Ramsey Suzanne , Stringer Elizabeth , Huber Adam M 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common childhood rheumatic illness. There is little published data on the financial burden of this illness. The primary objective of this study was to determine the annual costs borne by families of a child with JIA living in Nova Scotia (NS).

Methods
All families in NS with a child followed in the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic at the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) in 2009 were mailed a self-report questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluated disease related costs, gross household income and perceived financial burden. Dillman's method was used to optimize return rates. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize results. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship of distance from the IWK and cost. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare median costs between groups.

Results
Of 172 possible respondents, we received 54 completed questionnaires and 11 blank questionnaires (overall response rate 31.4%). Approximately one third (35.9%) of parents rated the financial burden as moderate or large and 36% rated financial resources available as poor. The median annual total cost per patient was $619.50 CAD (range 0, $5535) which was a median 0.7% (range 0, 37%) of gross household incomes. The largest expense for families was visit related costs. There was not a significant relationship between total annual costs and distance from the IWK (rs = 0.18, P = 0.2). Families of a child with oligoarthritis had significantly lower costs than the families of a child with another subtype of JIA ($359.00 CAD vs. $877.00 CAD, P = 0.02).

Conclusions
The costs associated with having a child with JIA in NS are on average modest, but may be considerable for some families. Oligoarticular JIA is associated with smaller costs. Many families perceive the burden to be at least moderate and the availability of financial resources to be poor. Supports should be targeted to those families most in need.
A phase II trial of neoadjuvant IMRT-based chemoradiotherapy followed by one cycle of capecitabine for stage II/III rectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Ji , Gu Weilie , Lian Peng , Sheng Weiqi , Cai Gang , Shi Debing , Cai Sanjun , Zhang Zhen 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Purpose
Neoadjuvant chemoradiation has become the standard treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) and improves local control. This study explored the feasibility of an intensified chemoradiation treatment followed by one cycle of capecitabine before surgery for LARC.

Methods and materials
Patients with histologically confirmed, newly diagnosed, locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (cT3-T4 and/or cN+) located within 12 cm of the anal verge were included in this study. Patients received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to the pelvis (total dose 44 Gy in 20 fractions), as well as concurrent oxaliplatin (50 mg/m2 d1 weekly) and capecitabine (625 mg/m2 b.i.d. d1–5 weekly). One cycle of capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 b.i.d. d1–14) was given two weeks after the completion of concomitant chemoradiation, and radical surgery was scheduled six weeks after chemoradiation.

Results
Between October 2007 and November 2008, a total of 42 patients were enrolled in the study (median age 51 years; 31 male). Of these, 38 underwent surgical resection and 4 refused radical surgery because of almost complete primary tumor regression and complete symptom relief after neoadjuvant therapy. Fifteen patients underwent sphincter-sparing lower anterior resection. Six patients had a pathological complete response (pCR). The incidence of grade 3 hematologic, gastro-intestinal, and skin toxicities were 4.7%, 14.3%, and 26.2%, respectively. Grade 4 toxicity was not observed. Surgical complications (incisional infection within 2–3 weeks after surgery) were observed in 5 patients. Good responders (defined as TRG 3–4) had a significant difference in DFS (81.6% vs. 16.8%, respectively; p = 0.000) and OS (83.9% vs. 40.7%, respectively; p = 0.007) compared to those who were evaluated as TRG 1–2.

Conclusions
Our study indicates that neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by one cycle of capecitabine before surgery has a good treatment efficacy, with only mild toxicities associated with chemoradiation and acceptable surgical complications. Treatment response was an early surrogate marker and correlated to oncologic prognosis.
[18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation as a biological marker of hypoxic status but not glucose transport ability in gastric cancer
Authors: Takebayashi Ryusuke , Izuishi Kunihiko , Yamamoto Yuka , Kameyama Reiko , Mori Hirohito , Masaki Tsutomu , Suzuki Yasuyuki 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The use of [18F] 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for detection of gastric cancer is often debated because FDG uptake varies for each patient. The purpose of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in FDG uptake.

Material and methods
Fifty patients with gastric cancer who underwent FDG-PET and gastrectomy were studied. Snap-frozen tumor specimens were collected and examined by real-time PCR for relationships between maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) and mRNA expression of the following genes: glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

Results
Tumor size was the only clinicopathological parameter that significantly correlated with SUV. Transcripts for the genes evaluated were about three-fold higher in malignant specimens than in normal mucosa, although only HIF1α was significantly correlated with SUV. When divided into intestinal and non-intestinal tumors, there was a significant correlation between SUV and tumor size in intestinal tumors. Interestingly, the weak association between SUV and HIF1α expression in intestinal tumors was substantially stronger in non-intestinal tumors. No correlation was found between SUV and mRNA expression of other genes in intestinal or non-intestinal tumors.

Conclusion
SUV was correlated with HIF1α, but not PCNA, HK2, or GLUT1 expression. FDG accumulation could therefore represent tissue hypoxia rather than glucose transport activity for aggressive cancer growth.
WikiPathways for plants: a community pathway curation portal and a case study in rice and arabidopsis seed development networks
Authors: Hanumappa Mamatha , Preece Justin , Elser Justin , Nemeth Denise , Bono Gina , Wu Kenny , Jaiswal Pankaj 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Next-generation sequencing and ‘omics’ platforms are used extensively in plant biology research to unravel new genomes and study their interactions with abiotic and biotic agents in the growth environment. Despite the availability of a large and growing number of genomic data sets, there are only limited resources providing highly-curated and up-to-date metabolic and regulatory networks for plant pathways.

Results
Using PathVisio, a pathway editor tool associated with WikiPathways, we created a gene interaction network of 430 rice (Oryza sativa) genes involved in the seed development process by curating interactions reported in the published literature. We then applied an InParanoid-based homology search to these genes and used the resulting gene clusters to identify 351 Arabidopsis thaliana genes. Using this list of homologous genes, we constructed a seed development network in Arabidopsis by processing the gene list and the rice network through a Perl utility software called Pathway GeneSWAPPER developed by us. In order to demonstrate the utility of these networks in generating testable hypotheses and preliminary analysis prior to more in-depth downstream analysis, we used the expression viewer and statistical analysis features of PathVisio to analyze publicly-available and published microarray gene expression data sets on diurnal photoperiod response and the seed development time course to discover patterns of coexpressed genes found in the rice and Arabidopsis seed development networks. These seed development networks described herein, along with other plant pathways and networks, are freely available on the plant pathways portal at WikiPathways (http://plants.wikipathways.org).

Conclusion
In collaboration with the WikiPathways project we present a community curation and analysis platform for plant biologists where registered users can freely create, edit, share and monitor pathways supported by published literature. We describe the curation and annotation of a seed development network in rice, and the projection of a similar, gene homology-based network in Arabidopsis. We also demonstrate the utility of the Pathway GeneSWAPPER (PGS) application in saving valuable time and labor when a reference network in one species compiled in GPML format is used to project a similar network in another species based on gene homology.
Comparative amino acid decomposition analysis of potent type I p38α inhibitors
Authors: Ebadi Ahmad , Razzaghi-Asl Nima , Khoshneviszadeh Mehdi , Miri Ramin 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground and purpose of the studyp38α is a member of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) considered as a prominent target in development of anti-inflammatory agents. Any abnormality in the phosphorylation process leads to the different human diseases such as cancer, diabetes and inflammatory diseases. Several small molecule p38α inhibitors have been developed up to now. In this regard, structural elucidation of p38 inhibitors needs to be done enabling us in rational lead development strategies.MethodsVarious interactions of three potent inhibitors with p38α active site have been evaluated in terms of binding energies and bond lengths via density function theory and MD simulations.ResultsOur comparative study showed that bothab initioand MD simulation led to the relatively similar results in pharmacophore discrimination of p38α inhibitors.ConclusionThe results of the present study may find their usefulness in pharmacophore based modification of p38α inhibitors.
Understanding brain dysfunction in sepsis
Authors: Sonneville Romain , Verdonk Franck , Rauturier Camille , Klein Isabelle F , Wolff Michel , Annane Djillali , Chretien Fabrice , Sharshar Tarek 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Sepsis often is characterized by an acute brain dysfunction, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Its pathophysiology is highly complex, resulting from both inflammatory and noninflammatory processes, which may induce significant alterations in vulnerable areas of the brain. Important mechanisms include excessive microglial activation, impaired cerebral perfusion, blood–brain-barrier dysfunction, and altered neurotransmission. Systemic insults, such as prolonged inflammation, severe hypoxemia, and persistent hyperglycemia also may contribute to aggravate sepsis-induced brain dysfunction or injury. The diagnosis of brain dysfunction in sepsis relies essentially on neurological examination and neurological tests, such as EEG and neuroimaging. A brain MRI should be considered in case of persistent brain dysfunction after control of sepsis and exclusion of major confounding factors. Recent MRI studies suggest that septic shock can be associated with acute cerebrovascular lesions and white matter abnormalities. Currently, the management of brain dysfunction mainly consists of control of sepsis and prevention of all aggravating factors, including metabolic disturbances, drug overdoses, anticholinergic medications, withdrawal syndromes, and Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Modulation of microglial activation, prevention of blood–brain-barrier alterations, and use of antioxidants represent relevant therapeutic targets that may impact significantly on neurologic outcomes. In the future, investigations in patients with sepsis should be undertaken to reduce the duration of brain dysfunction and to study the impact of this reduction on important health outcomes, including functional and cognitive status in survivors.
CD4 T cell-intrinsic IL-2 signaling differentially affects Th1 and Th17 development
Authors: Fujimura Kenjiro , Oyamada Akiko , Iwamoto Yukihide , Yoshikai Yasunobu , Yamada Hisakata 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTIL-2 signaling is involved in clonal expansion of antigen-specific CD4 T cells. IL-2 is also reported to promote Th1 but inhibit Th17 differentiation, although in vivo relevance remains unclear. In addition, IL-2-dependent Foxp3+ CD4 Tregs suppress T cell proliferation, complicating the in vivo role of IL-2 in the development of Th cell responses. To elucidate the roles of cell-intrinsic IL-2 signaling in CD4 T cells, we cotransferred TCR-Tg CD4 T cells from IL-2Rα (CD25)-deficient and WT mice and analyzed development of antigen-specific Th1 and Th17 responses. It was revealed that Th17 development of antigen-specific CD4 T cells was largely unaffected, whereas Th1 development was impaired by the lack of IL-2 signaling. Similar data were obtained from mixed BM chimera experiments using BM cells from CD25-deficient and WT mice. In addition, although in vitro blockade of IL-2 during Th17 development greatly increased the percentages of Th17 cells, it did not affect their numbers, indicating that in vitro Th17 development is also IL-2-independent. Th1 development was dependent on IL-2 in vitro as well. Thus, our data suggest that cell-intrinsic IL-2 signaling is critical for Th1 development but plays a limited role in Th17 development in vitro as well as in vivo.
Significant Improvement in Survival After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation During a Period of Significantly Increased Use, Older Recipient Age, and Use of Unrelated Donors
Authors: Hahn Theresa , McCarthy Philip L. , Hassebroek Anna , Bredeson Christopher , Gajewski James L. , Hale Gregory A. , Isola Luis M. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Lee Stephanie J. , LeMaistre Charles F. , Loberiza Fausto , Maziarz Richard T. , Rizzo J. Douglas , Joffe Steven , Parsons Susan , Majhail Navneet S. 
Published: May 2013

Purpose Over the past four decades, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) has evolved as a curative modality for patients with hematologic diseases. This study describes changes in use, technique, and survival in a population-based cohort. Patients and Methods The study included 38,060 patients with hematologic malignancies or disorders who underwent first alloHCT in a US or Canadian center from 1994 to 2005 and were reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. Results AlloHCT as treatment for acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and myeloid leukemias (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas increased by 45%, from 2,520 to 3,668 patients annually. From 1994 to 2005, use of both peripheral (7% to 63%) and cord blood increased (2% to 10%), whereas use of marrow decreased (90% to 27%). Despite a median age increase from 33 to 40 years and 165% increase in unrelated donors for alloHCT, overall survival (OS) at day 100 significantly improved for patients with AML in first complete remission after myeloablative sibling alloHCT (85% to 94%; P < .001) and unrelated alloHCT (63% to 86%; P < .001); 1-year OS improved among those undergoing unrelated alloHCT (48% to 63%; P = .003) but not among those undergoing sibling alloHCT. Similar results were seen for ALL and MDS. Day-100 OS after cord blood alloHCT improved significantly from 60% to 78% (P < .001) for AML, ALL, MDS, and chronic myeloid leukemia. Use of reduced-intensity regimens increased, yielding OS rates similar to those of myeloablative regimens. Conclusion Survival for those undergoing alloHCT has significantly improved over time. However, new approaches are needed to further improve 1-year OS.
Fertility Preservation for Patients With Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update
Authors: Loren Alison W. , Mangu Pamela B. , Beck Lindsay Nohr , Brennan Lawrence , Magdalinski Anthony J. , Partridge Ann H. , Quinn Gwendolyn , Wallace W. Hamish , Oktay Kutluk 
Published: May 2013

Purpose To update guidance for health care providers about fertility preservation for adults and children with cancer. Methods A systematic review of the literature published from March 2006 through January 2013 was completed using MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library. An Update Panel reviewed the evidence and updated the recommendation language. Results There were 222 new publications that met inclusion criteria. A majority were observational studies, cohort studies, and case series or reports, with few randomized clinical trials. After review of the new evidence, the Update Panel concluded that no major, substantive revisions to the 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations were warranted, but clarifications were added. Recommendations As part of education and informed consent before cancer therapy, health care providers (including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, urologists, hematologists, pediatric oncologists, and surgeons) should address the possibility of infertility with patients treated during their reproductive years (or with parents or guardians of children) and be prepared to discuss fertility preservation options and/or to refer all potential patients to appropriate reproductive specialists. Although patients may be focused initially on their cancer diagnosis, the Update Panel encourages providers to advise patients regarding potential threats to fertility as early as possible in the treatment process so as to allow for the widest array of options for fertility preservation. The discussion should be documented. Sperm and embryo cryopreservation as well as oocyte cryopreservation are considered standard practice and are widely available. Other fertility preservation methods should be considered investigational and should be performed by providers with the necessary expertise.
Limits to sustained energy intake. XIV. Heritability of reproductive performance in mice
Authors: Vaanholt Lobke M. , Sinclair Rachel E. , Speakman John R. 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARYLimits to sustained energy intake (SusEI) are important because they constrain many aspects of animal performance. Individual variability in SusEI may be imposed by genetic factors that are inherited from parents to offspring. Here, we investigated heritability of reproductive performance in MF1 mice. Food intake, milk energy output (MEO) and litter mass were measured in mothers (F0) and daughters (F1) that were raising litters of 10 pups. Cross-fostering was designed so that half of each litter consisted of biological offspring and the rest came from one unrelated female (i.e. fostered pups). Food intake increased linearly during early lactation and reached a plateau during late lactation (day 9–13, called the asymptotic food intake, FIAS, equivalent to SusEI). Parent–offspring regression showed that FIAS, MEO and litter mass were all positively and significantly related between mothers and their biological daughters, but no significant relationships were found between the same traits for mothers and fostered daughters. FIAS at peak lactation was significantly correlated to adult food intake and body mass when the mice were 6 months old and not lactating. In conclusion, a large part of the variation in FIAS could be explained by genetic variation or maternal effects in pregnancy whereas non-genetic maternal effects in lactation were negligible. As a consequence, biological daughters of mothers with high reproductive performance (i.e. high milk production and hence higher litter mass at weaning) had a better reproductive performance themselves, independent of the mother that raised them during lactation.
Sperm-attractant peptide influences the spermatozoa swimming behavior in internal fertilization in Octopus vulgaris
Authors: De Lisa Emilia , Salzano Anna Maria , Moccia Francesco , Scaloni Andrea , Di Cosmo Anna 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARY
Marine invertebrates exhibit both chemokinesis and chemotaxis phenomena, induced in most cases by the release of water-borne peptides or pheromones. In mollusks, several peptides released during egg-laying improve both male attraction and mating. Unlike other cephalopods, Octopus vulgaris adopts an indirect internal fertilization strategy. We here report on the identification and characterization of a chemoattractant peptide isolated from mature eggs of octopus females. Using two-chamber and time-lapse microscopy assays, we demonstrate that this bioactive peptide is able to increase sperm motility and induce chemotaxis by changing the octopus spermatozoa swimming behavior in a dose-dependent manner. We also provide evidence that chemotaxis in the octopus requires the presence of extracellular calcium and membrane protein phophorylation at tyrosine. This study is the first report on a sperm-activating factor in a non-free-spawning marine animal.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Liquid Crystalline Polystyrene
Authors: Wang Bai , Ma Hong Wei , Wang Yan Shai , Li Yang 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
The paper introduces a simple method to synthesize novel liquid crystalline polystyrene (LC-PS) containing a mesogenic unit at a side chain by hydrosilylation through poly[(4-vinylphenyl)dimethylsilanol] (PVPDMS) and liquid crystal monomer cholesteryl 4-[4-(undec-10-enoyloxy)benzoyloxy]phenyladipate (M). The LC-PS had high purity, high molecular weight, narrow distribution, good thermal stability, and typical thermotropic liquid crystallinity (SA phase), as shown by 1H NMR analyses, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The glass-transition temperature (Tg) of LC-PS was much lower than that of PVPDMS, while the clearing point (Ti) of LC-PS significantly increased compared with M.
Diversion at the ER: How Plasmodium falciparum exports proteins into host erythrocytes
Authors: Römisch Karin 
Published: May 2013

Malaria is caused by parasites which live in host erythrocytes and remodel these cells to provide optimally for the parasites’ needs by exporting effector proteins into the host cells. Eight years ago the discovery of a host cell targeting sequence present in both soluble and transmembrane P. falciparum exported proteins generated a starting point for investigating the mechanism of parasite protein transport into infected erythrocytes. Since then many confusing facts about this targeting signal have emerged. In this paper, I try to make sense of them.
Female circumcision: Limiting the harm
Authors: Kandil Mohamed 
Published: May 2013

Objective: To review the strength of evidence that links many health hazards to female genital cutting.Material and methods: Literature search in Medline/Pubmed and Google scholar.Results: Female genital cutting is still practiced secretly in both underdeveloped and developed countries due to prevailing strong traditional beliefs. There is insufficient evidence to support the claims that genital cutting is a harmful procedure if performed by experienced personnel in a suitable theatre with facilities for pain control and anesthesia. Cutting, however, is advised not to go beyond type I.Conclusion: Law makers around the globe are invited to review the legal situation in relation to female genital cutting. Proper counseling of parents about possible risks is a must in order to make informed decision about circumcising their daughters. The procedure should be offered to parents who insist on it; otherwise, they will do it illegally, exposing their daughters to possible complications.