bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of tax reduction policies on consumer purchase of new automobiles: An analytical investigation with real data‐based experiments
Authors: Chan Koon Hung , Leng Mingming , Liang Liping 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe investigate and compare the impact of the tax reduction policies implemented in the United States and China to stimulate consumer purchase of new automobiles and improve manufacturers' profits. The U.S. policy provides each qualifying consumer with a federal income tax deduction on state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase price (up to a cutoff level), whereas the Chinese policy reduces the vehicle sales tax rate for consumers. We observe that these policy designs are consistent with the tax management system and the economic environment in the respective country. We analytically determine the effects of the two tax reduction policies on the automobile sales and the manufacturer's and the retailer's profits. Numerical examples are then used to provide insights on the importance of certain factors that influence the effects of the two policies. Finally, a numerical experiment with sensitivity analysis based on real data is conducted to compare the merits and characteristics of the two policies under comparable conditions. We find that the U.S. policy is better than the Chinese policy in stimulating the sales of high‐end automobiles, whereas the Chinese policy is better than the U.S. policy in improving the sales of low‐end automobiles. The U.S. policy is slightly more effective in increasing the profitability of the automobile supply chain; but, in general, the Chinese policy is more cost effective. The methodology developed herein can be used to evaluate other tax reduction policies such as those related to the purchase of energy‐saving vehicles and to serve as a decision model to guide the choice of alternative tax reduction policies. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 61: 577–598, 2014
Patient and central venous catheter related risk factors for blood stream infections in children receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Yacobovich Joanne , Ben‐Ami Tal , Abdalla Tameemi , Tamary Hannah , Goldstein Gal , Weintraub Michael , Yaniv Isaac , Toren Amos , Kenet Gili , Revel‐Vilk Shoshana 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe use of central venous catheters (CVCs) has greatly improved the quality of care in children receiving chemotherapy, yet these catheters may cause serious infectious complications. The aim of this prospective registry study was to assess the host and CVC‐related risk factors for blood stream infections (BSIs).ProcedurePatients undergoing CVC insertion for chemotherapy were followed prospectively for CVC complications. At the time of enrollment demographic‐, clinical‐ and CVC‐related data were collected. Survival and Cox‐regression analysis were performed.ResultsA total of 423 CVCs were inserted into 262 patients for a total of 76,540 catheter‐days. The incidence of BSIs was 1.95 per 1,000 patient‐days (95% CI 1.66–2.29). Myeloid leukemia and younger age were associated with higher risk for BSI. At least one BSI occurred in 187 CVCs with an incidence of 2.84 per 1,000 catheter‐days (95% CI 2.47–3.24). Externalized CVCs, that is, tunneled externalized catheters and peripheral inserted central catheters, were associated with higher risk for BSI in the group of diseases with relatively lower rate of infection. However, in diseases with high rate of infection no such association was found. The type of BSI was associated with the diagnosis and the CVC type. CVC occlusion was associated with higher risk for recurrent BSI and for coagulase negative staph BSI.ConclusionsBoth patient and CVC‐related factors are associated with higher risk of BSI in children receiving chemotherapy. The results of this study could be used in developing studies aiming to reduce the rate of BSIs in children with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:471–476. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) and its ligands in pediatric cancer
Authors: van Dam Laura S. , de Zwart Verena M. , Meyer‐Wentrup Friederike A.G. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractProgrammed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) and its ligands, PD‐L1 and PD‐L2 maintain self‐tolerance and modulate physiological immune responses. Recently, targeting the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway with blocking antibodies has emerged as a potentially promising approach to treat advanced cancers in adult patients. Since tumor PD‐L1 expression is currently considered the most important predictive biomarker for successful checkpoint blockade, we summarize expression data for the most common tumors of childhood. Additionally, we give an introduction into PD‐1 function in the immune system to then focus on PD‐1 mediated tumor immune escape. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:190–197. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis via ATRP, kinetics study and characterization (molecular‐morphological) of 3‐Arm star diblock copolymers of the (PS‐b‐P2VP)3 type
Authors: Polymeropoulos George , Moschovas Dimitrios , Kati Anastasia , Karanastasis Apostolos , Pelekanou Styliani , Christakopoulos Panagiotis , Sakellariou Georgios , Avgeropoulos Apostolos 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThe synthesis of five homopolymers (PS)3 and the corresponding diblock copolymer 3‐arm stars of the (PS‐b‐P2VP)3 type is reported through atom transfer radical polymerization. Such star homo‐ and copolymers are prepared without any addition of solvent (bulk polymerization). The kinetics study results lead to the ability of predicting the best polymerization time with high values of monomer to polymer conversion, sufficient polydispersity indices and average molecular weights. Molecular characterization through size exclusion chromatography, viscometry, low‐angle laser light scattering, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR, respectively) verified the successful synthesis of both homopolymer and copolymer 3‐arm star‐like architectures. Furthermore, the morphological characterization of the final copolymers is reported through transmission electron microscopy studies verifying the self‐assembly without any indication of homopolymer or Cu(I) traces. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 23–32
Reduced expression of GDF‐15 is associated with atrophic inflammatory lesions of the prostate
Authors: Lambert James R. , Whitson Ramon J. , Iczkowski Kenneth A. , La Rosa Francisco G. , Smith Maxwell L. , Wilson R. Storey , Smith Elizabeth E. , Torkko Kathleen C. , Gari Hamid H. , Lucia M. Scott 
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUNDAccumulating evidence suggests that chronic prostatic inflammation may lead to prostate cancer development. Growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15) is highly expressed in the prostate and has been associated with inflammation and tumorigenesis.METHODSTo examine the relationship between GDF‐15 and prostatic inflammation, GDF‐15 expression was measured by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in human prostatectomy specimens containing inflammation. The relationship between GDF‐15 and specific inflammatory cells was determined using non‐biased computer image analysis. To provide insight into a potential suppressive role for GDF‐15 in inflammation, activation of inflammatory mediator nuclear factor of kappa B (NFκB) was measured in PC3 cells.RESULTSGDF‐15 expression in luminal epithelial cells was decreased with increasing inflammation severity, suggesting an inverse association between GDF‐15 and inflammation. Quantification of IHC staining by image analysis for GDF‐15 and inflammatory cell markers revealed an inverse correlation between GDF‐15 and CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD68+, and inos+ leukocytes. GDF‐15 suppressed NFκB activity in luciferase reporter assays. Expression of the NFκB target, interleukin 8 (IL‐8), was downregulated by GDF‐15.CONCLUSIONSThe inverse relationship between GDF‐15 and inflammation demonstrates a novel expression pattern for GDF‐15 in the human prostate and suppression of NFκB activity may shed light on a potential mechanism for this inverse correlation. Prostate 75:255–265, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interferon inducible antiviral MxA is inversely associated with prostate cancer and regulates cell cycle, invasion and Docetaxel induced apoptosis
Authors: Brown Shanora G. , Knowell Ashley E. , Hunt Aisha , Patel Divya , Bhosle Sushma , Chaudhary Jaideep 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe interferon inducible Myxovirus (influenza virus) resistance A (MxA) is considered as a key mediator of the interferon‐induced antiviral response. Mx proteins contain the typical GTP‐binding motif and show significant homology to dynamin family of GTPases. Strong interaction of MxA with tubulin suggests that Mx proteins could be involved in mitosis. Studies have shown that MxA inhibit tumor motility/metastasis and virus induced apoptosis. However, the clear association between MxA expression and cancer remains unknown. Meta‐analysis suggested that MxA expression was inversely correlated with prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we demonstrate the expression MxA in PCa and its functional significance on the cancer phenotype.METHODSThe expression of MxA protein in prostate cancer was examined by immuno‐histochemistry. MxA was knocked down (shMxA) or over‐expressed (pMxA) in DU145 or LNCaP PCa cell lines respectively. These cell lines were used to study proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and anchorage independent growth. Co‐localization of MxA with tubulin was performed by immuno‐cytochemistry following Docetaxel treatment.RESULTSThe expression of MxA protein was significantly decreased in PCa as compared to the normal tissues. DU145 cells lacking MxA (DU145 + chMxA) showed significant increase in proliferation, associated with decreased expression of CDKN1A and B. Increased migration, anchorage independent growth in DU145 + shMxA cells was associated with increased MMP13 expression. Tubulin organization was also dependent on MxA expression. Tubulin polymerizing agents such as Docetaxel was less effective in promoting apoptosis in cells lacking MxA due to altered tubulin organization. Gain of MxA expression in LNCaP cells (LNCaP + pMxA) resulted in cell cycle arrest that was associated with increased expression of CDKN1A. MxA expression was also down‐regulated by dihydrotestosterone in LNCaP cells.CONCLUSIONSMxA expression is inversely correlated with prostate cancer. Down‐regulation of MxA in LNCaP cells by DHT suggests that MxA could play a significant role in disease progression. Loss of MxA expression results in increased metastasis and decreased sensitivity to Docetaxel suggesting that MxA expression could determine the outcome of chemo‐therapeutic treatment. Additional studies will be required to fully establish the cross‐talk between androgen receptor‐IFN pathway in regulating MxA expression in the normal prostate and prostate cancer. Prostate 75:266–279, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) deficiency decreases latency of tumorigenesis and increases metastasis in a murine genetic model of prostate cancer
Authors: Escara‐Wilke June , Keller Jill M. , Ignatoski Kathleen M. Woods , Dai Jinlu , Shelley Gregory , Mizokami Atsushi , Zhang Jian , Yeung Miranda L , Yeung Kam C. , Keller Evan T. 
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUNDRaf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) has been shown to act as a metastasis suppressor gene in multiple models of cancer. Loss of RKIP expression promotes invasion and metastasis in cell transplantation animal models. However, it is unknown if RKIP expression can impact the progression of cancer in an autochthonous model of cancer. The goal of this study was to determine if loss of RKIP expression in a genetic mouse model of prostate cancer (PCa) impacts metastasis.METHODSEndogenous RKIP expression was measured in the primary tumors and metastases of transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP+) mice. RKIP knockout mice (RKIP−/−) were crossbred with (TRAMP+) mice to create RKIP−/−TRAMP+ mice. Mice were euthanized at 10, 20, and 30 weeks for evaluation of primary and metastatic tumor development. To determine if loss of RKIP alone promotes metastasis, RKIP was knocked down in the low metastatic LNCaP prostate cancer cell line.RESULTSEndogenous RKIP expression decreased in TRAMP+ mice as tumors progressed. Primary tumors developed earlier in RKIP−/−TRAMP+ compared to TRAMP+ mice. At 30 weeks of age, distant metastases were identified only the RKIP−/−TRAMP+ mice. While prostate epithelial cell proliferation rates were higher at 10 and 20 weeks in RKIP−/−TRAMP+ compared to TRAMP+ mice, by 30 weeks there was no difference. Apoptosis rates in both groups were similar at all timepoints. Decreased RKIP expression did not impact the metastatic rate of LNCaP in an orthotopic PCa model.CONCLUSIONSThese results demonstrate that loss of RKIP decreases latency of tumor development and promotes distant metastasis in the TRAMP mouse model in the context of a pro‐metastatic background; but loss of RKIP alone is insufficient to promote metastasis. These findings suggest that in addition to its known metastasis suppressor activity, RKIP may promote tumor progression through enhancing tumor initiation. Prostate 75:292–302, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Foams as 3D perforated systems: An analysis of their Poisson's ratios under compression
Authors: Brincat Jean‐Pierre , Azzopardi Keith M. , Buttigieg Alistair , Scarpa Fabrizio , Grima Joseph N. , Gatt Ruben 
Published: October 2014

Using experimental data, it is shown that the Poisson's ratios of standard (untreated) open cell polyurethane foam vary when loading in different loading directions, since foam is inherently asymmetric and anisotropic. The loading direction which is in plane orthogonal to the rise direction of the foam constantly exhibited the most negative Poisson's ratio across foam samples of different types, even at moderate compressive strains. It was also shown that although the foam may become auxetic at very high values of compressive strain, it shows an incremental negative Poisson's ratio at moderate compressive strains. The results obtained are discussed in light of the deformation mechanisms, which have been proposed in literature to explain negative Poisson's ratios in foams. The effects of changing loading direction on the mechanical response of the foam are highlighted.An image of the symmetrical face of a foam cube, taken using a confocal microscope at 4× magnification.
How climate change research undermines trust in everyday life: a review
Authors: Lucas Chloe , Leith Peat , Davison Aidan 
Published: October 2014

Empirical and theoretical research on trust has received little attention in climate change literature despite the central role of trust in determining responses to climate science. We reassess the challenge of climate change communication in light of recent research on trust across social, psychological, and neuroscientific disciplines. We argue that networks of explicit and implicit trust in everyday practices are a foundation of stable society. Climate change research demands that we re‐evaluate our trust in many elements of our everyday lives in a way that is profoundly unsettling. The threat posed to networks of trust by climate science has contributed to political polarization of the issue. Such adversarial debate has its source not in competing biophysical claims, but in different networks of trust in existing socio‐technical systems. We argue that a more nuanced understanding of the psychological and social foundations of trust offers opportunities for messengers of climate change to connect with alienated publics. We conclude that the challenge of climate change communication is not primarily to engender trust in scientific claims, but to re‐align the networks of trust that make everyday life possible.WIREs Clim Change2015, 6:79–91. doi: 10.1002/wcc.320This article is categorized under:Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > CommunicationSocial Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Sociology/Anthropology of Climate Knowledge
Impact of Severe Oesophagogastric Varices on Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients
Authors: Liu Hsiao‐Tien , Cheng Shao‐Bin , Wu Cheng‐Chung , Yeh Hong‐Zen , Chang Chi‐Sen , Wang John 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to clarify both short‐term and long‐term results of patients with concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and high‐risk oesophagogastric varices (OGV).MethodsThis retrospective study identified 927 cirrhotic patients who underwent curative resection of HCC between 1995 and 2012 in single institution. Patients were separated into 3 groups (A, B, and C) according to general rules for recording endoscopic findings of oesophagogastric varices proposed in Japan in 1991. Groups A, B, and C consisted of patients without OGV (F0), patients with mild to moderate OGV (F1 to F2), and patients with high‐risk OGV (F3 and/or red color sign), respectively. All patients in group C underwent prophylactic endoscopic variceal ligation/sclerotherapy. Post‐operative complications, mortality, overall survival, and disease‐free survival were compared among 3 groups.ResultsNo patient had post‐operative variceal bleeding. Complication rates of Clavien‐Dindo grade II to V in three groups were 13.6, 14.0, and 6.9 %, respectively (P > 0.05). Operative mortality, 5‐year overall survival rate, and disease‐free survival rate among the 3 groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05).ConclusionsProphylactic endoscopic variceal ligation/sclerotherapy effectively prevented from post‐operative variceal bleeding in patients with high‐risk OGV. Operative mortality, major morbidity, and survival of patients with high‐risk OGV were similar to those of patients without OGV or those with mild OGV. Liver resection remains a feasible choice for cirrhotic patients with concomitant HCC and high‐risk OGV.
Transvaginal hysterotomy for cesarean scar pregnancy in 40 consecutive cases
Authors: Huanxiao Zhang , Shuqin Chen , Hongye Jiang , Hongzhe Xie , Gang Niu , Chengkang Xu , Xiaoming Guan , Shuzhong Yao 
Published: October 2014

AbstractTo propose a novel procedure as a safe and effective treatment for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), a cohort study was initiated in patients diagnosed with CSP and treated with transvaginal hysterotomy from December 2009 to March 2013, either as a primary or secondary therapy. All diagnoses were confirmed by both sonography and pathology, either a gestational sac or residual tissue after termination of pregnancy or miscarriage in the cesarean section scar. Basic clinical characteristics and perioperative data were collected and analyzed. A total of 40 patients were included. The mean age was 32.88 ± 4.55 years. The mean size of gestational sacs of the CSP mass at diagnosis was 33.78 ± 13.14 mm. Mean serum β-hCG level at diagnosis was 47379.73 ± 45285.10 IU/L. Mean operative time was 57.25 ± 24.52 min. Mean postoperative hemoglobin drop was 1.635 ± 0.906 g/dL. Complications were one case of bacteremia and two cases of hematoma. Mean hospital stay after surgery was 4.95 ± 2.62 days. Mean serum β-hCG levels decreased by 88.5, 93.5, and 96.5 % at postoperative day 2, 4, and 6, respectively. All patients’ β-hCG levels returned to normal range within 1 month after surgery. Transvaginal hysterotomy with removal of ectopic pregnancy tissue and repair of cesarean scar defect is a promising approach to manage CSPs, with a short hospital stay, low postoperative pain, blood loss, and cost.
Factors Associated with Non-Attendance at a Hand Surgery Appointment
Authors: Menendez Mariano E. , Ring David 
Published: October 2014

Background Patients who miss scheduled appointments without notifying office staff—“no-shows”—disrupt practice workflow and decrease access for others, resulting in misuse of resources and lost revenue. The primary purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with no-shows in a hospital-based outpatient hand office. Secondarily, we studied factors associated with cancelations. Methods Of the 14,793 new adult patient appointments to our outpatient hand surgery office scheduled between January 2011 and December 2013, 880 (5.9 %) were no-shows and 2715 (18 %) were cancelations. Data on patient demographics and timing of the visit were collected to construct a multinomial logistic regression model of determinants of appointment no-shows and cancelations. Results Factors independently associated with no-shows included younger age, Hispanic or black race, unmarried status (single or divorced), appointment on a Monday or Tuesday, and residence near the office. Factors associated with cancelations were female sex, unmarried status (widowed or divorced), winter season, and appointment on a weekday other than Friday. Conclusions Non-attendees are more likely to be younger, unmarried, non-white, to have their appointments at the start of the week, and to live near the office. Knowledge of these factors might prove useful for implementation of tailored quality improvement initiatives to reduce non-attendance and maximize productivity in the hand surgery office setting. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic IV.
Detection of glyco‐mucin profiles improves specificity of MUC16 and MUC1 biomarkers in ovarian serous tumours
Authors: Ricardo Sara , Marcos-Silva Lara , Pereira Daniela , Pinto Rita , Almeida Raquel , Söderberg Ola , Mandel Ulla , Clausen Henrik , Felix Ana , Lunet Nuno , David Leonor 
Published: October 2014

The CA125 assay detects circulating MUC16 and is one of the most widely used cancer biomarkers for the follow‐up of ovarian cancer. We previously demonstrated that detection of aberrant cancer‐associated glycoforms of MUC16 as well as MUC1 in circulation could improve the yield of these serum assays. Our aim was to refine ovarian cancer biomarkers by detection of aberrant glycoforms (Tn, STn, and T) of MUC16 and MUC1 in ovarian cancer tissue using Proximity Ligation Assays (PLA).We studied two series of serous ovarian tumours, a pilot series of 66 ovarian tumours (27 cystadenomas, 16 borderline tumours and 23 adenocarcinomas) from Centro Hospitalar S. João, Porto and a validation series of 89 ovarian tumours (17 cystadenomas, 25 borderline tumours and 47 adenocarcinomas) from the Portuguese Institute of Oncology Francisco Gentil, Lisbon.PLA reactions for MUC16/Tn, MUC16/STn, MUC1/Tn and MUC1/STn were negative in benign lesions but often positive in borderline and malignant lesions, in both series. An even better yield was obtained based on positivity for any of the four glyco‐mucin profiles, further increasing sensitivity to 72% and 83% in the two series, respectively, with 100% specificity. The strategy is designated glyco‐mucin profiling and provides strong support for development of PLA‐based serum assays for early diagnosis.
Agomelatine-induced liver injury in a patient with choledocholithiasis
Authors: Eder Piotr , Permoda-Osip Agnieszka , Majewski Przemyslaw , Linke Krzysztof , Rybakowski Janusz K. 
Published: October 2014

ObjectiveA case of agomelatine-induced hepatotoxicity is described in a 47-year female patient who has received the drug, 25 mg/day, for 4 months, for the treatment of depression.MethodsThe patient was admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology because of fatigue and nausea, with concomitant elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 550 U/L, and asparagine aminotransferase (AST), 300 U/L.ResultsLiver biopsy showed diffuse lymphocyte infiltration in the dilated portal spaces without lesion of hepatic lobules. Several weeks after stopping agomelatine, the liver enzymes returned to normal. Subsequently, small gallstones in common bile duct were detected and removed by the endoscopic sphincterotomy.ConclusionsIt is hypothesized that choledocholithiasis could theoretically increase a risk of developing agomelatine-induced hepatotoxicity in this patient. Any pre-existing liver disease should be a contraindication for treatment with agomelatine.