bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive quantification of anti-angiogenic therapy by contrast-enhanced MRI in experimental pancreatic cancer
Authors: Raatschen Hans-Juergen , Fischer Susanne , Zsivcsec Benjamin , Schoenfeld Christian-Olaf , Hotz Birgit , Buhr Heinz J , Hotz Hubert G 
Published: July 2013

Background Currently, early changes of tumor vasculature after angiogenesis inhibition can only be evaluated by histopathology, a method not suitable in a clinical setting. Purpose To quantify effects of different angiogenesis inhibitors on the microvasculature of orthotopically implanted pancreatic cancers by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to establish a non-invasive technique for monitoring antiangiogenic cancer treatment. Material and Methods DSL-6A/C1 pancreatic cancers were implanted in the pancreas of 109 Lewis rats. Three weeks later, antiangiogenic treatment was initiated by administration of Bevacizumab ( n = 38) or Suramin ( n = 27) while the control group ( n = 44) remained untreated. Dynamic MRI was performed 24 h, 1 week, and 4 weeks after treatment initiation. Fractional tumor plasma volume (fPV, %) and vascular permeability (KPS, mL/min/100 cc) were calculated based on the MRI data by using a pharmacokinetic model. Results Twenty-four hours after the initial dose, a significant decline in KPS was observed in the Bevacizumab group compared to the control and Suramin group (0.002 ± 0.008; 0.057 ± 0.046 and 0.064 ± 0.062 (mean ± SD); P < 0.05). At 1 week, fPV was significantly smaller in Bevacizumab and Suramin treated tumors compared to control tumors (6.25 ± 2.74, 7.47 ± 3.44, and 15.10 ± 9.97, respectively; P < 0.05). Differences in tumor volumes were first observed after 4 weeks of treatment with significantly larger control tumors (4380.3 ± 1590.6 vs. 869.6 ± 717.2 and 1676.5 ± 2524.1 mm3; P < 0.05). Conclusion Dynamic MRI can quantify antiangiogenic effects on tumor microvasculature before changes in tumor volumes are detectable. Thus, this technique is a reasonable addition to morphological MRI and may be applied as an alternative to histopathology.
Development and Validation of a Pediatric Sports Activity Rating Scale
Authors: Fabricant Peter D. , Robles Alex , Downey-Zayas Timothy , Do Huong T. , Marx Robert G. , Widmann Roger F. , Green Daniel W. 
Published: July 2013

Background: Having simple and reliable validated outcome measures is vital to conducting high-quality outcomes research in the field of orthopaedic surgery. Activity level is a key prognostic variable for patients with sports injuries. There is a paucity of such activity scales for children and adolescents who are otherwise healthy and athletically active. In addition to frequency and intensity of athletic activity, level of play and coach/trainer supervision are important variables unique to children and adolescents that are not captured in available adult scoring systems. Purpose: To create and validate a concise and comprehensive activity rating scale for athletically active children and adolescents 10 to 18 years of age. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Item generation was performed with a panel of orthopaedic surgeons and adolescent athletes. Item reduction, pilot testing and scale refinement resulted in a final 8-item instrument, the Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS). Existing methods were used to determine reliability and validation. The Flesch-Kincaid score was calculated at a 6.6th-grade reading level (approximately 13 years old); therefore, although all subjects provided their own answers, parents were allowed to assist children younger than 13 years with reading the questionnaire. Results: Scale reliability was excellent (test-retest reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.91; internal consistency, Cronbach alpha = .914), and there were no floor or ceiling effects. There was also robust construct validity: Convergent validity testing revealed positive correlations between the HSS Pedi-FABS and level of competition in athletic activity, number of reported hours of athletic activity per week, and existing comparable adult and pediatric scales. Discriminant validity was shown with age, body mass index, and type of sport as measured by the Daniel scale. Conclusion: The 8-item HSS Pedi-FABS can be used to reliably and accurately evaluate activity level as a prognostic variable for clinical research studies. It is a simple, reliable, and valid metric to assess activity in children and adolescents 10 to 18 years of age. This instrument will lead to better evaluation of posttreatment outcomes and patient-reported activity for child and adolescent athletes.
Characteristics of diabetic patients associated with achieving and maintaining blood pressure targets in the Adherence and Intensification of Medications program
Authors: Klamerus Mandi L , Kerr Eve A , Bosworth Hayden B , Schmittdiel Julie A , Heisler Michele 
Published: July 2013

Objectives To determine patient characteristics associated with achieving and sustaining blood pressure (BP) targets in the Adherence and Intensification of Medications program, a program led by pharmacists trained in motivational interviewing and authorized to make BP medication changes. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with diabetes and persistent hypertension in Kaiser Permanente and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Using two-level logistic regression, baseline survey data from 458 program participants were examined to determine patient characteristics associated with (1) discharge from the program with a target BP (short-term success) and (2) maintenance of the target BP over a nine-month period (long-term success). Results In multivariable analyses, patients who screened positive for depression or had a higher baseline systolic BP were less likely to achieve short-term success (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.42 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19–0.93], p = 0.03; AOR 0.94 [0.91–0.97], p < 0.01; respectively). Patients who reported at baseline one or more barriers to medication adherence were less likely to achieve long-term success (AOR 0.50 [0.26–0.94], p = 0.03). Conclusions Although almost 90% of patients achieved short-term success, only 28% achieved long-term success. Baseline barriers to adherence were associated with lack of long-term success and could be the target of maintenance programs for patients who achieve short-term success.
Retinoic acid plus arsenic trioxide, the ultimate panacea for acute promyelocytic leukemia?
Authors: Lallemand-Breitenbach Valérie , de Thé Hugues 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Rarely in the field of cancer treatment did we experience as many surprises as with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Yet, the latest clinical trial reported by Lo-Coco et al in the New England Journal of Medicine is a practice-changing study, as it reports a very favorable outcome of virtually all enrolled low-intermediate risk patients with APL without any DNA-damaging chemotherapy. Although predicted from previous small pilot studies, these elegant and stringently controlled results open a new era in leukemia therapy.
Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) gemmea, a potential vector of Leishmania siamensis in southern Thailand
Authors: Kanjanopas Kobkan , Siripattanapipong Suradej , Ninsaeng Ubolrat , Hitakarun Atitaya , Jitkaew Somnat , Kaewtaphaya Preecha , Tan-ariya Peerapan , Mungthin Mathirut , Charoenwong Chetsuda , Leelayoova Saovanee 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania siamensis, is an emerging disease in Thailand. Although reported cases have been increasing, epidemiological information of the disease including host and vector aspects is not clearly known. This study was a preliminary survey of the potential vector of L. siamensis in an affected area of leishmaniasis, Trang Province, southern Thailand.

Methods
The collection of sandflies was performed around the area where a case of leishmaniasis was reported using CDC light traps. Species of sandfly were identified based on morphological characteristics according to Lewis’s key. PCR amplification and sequencing of the heat shock protein 70 gene (hsp70) was used to identify L. siamensis DNA in sandflies.

Results
A total of 146 male and female sandflies were collected in the affected areas. Of 71 female sandflies, four species were identified, i.e., Sergentomyia (Neophlebotomus) gemmea, S. (Neophlebotomus) iyengari, S. (Parrotomyia) barraudi and Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) stantoni. Among these species, S. (Neophlebotomus) gemmea was the most predominant species in all areas. DNA of L. siamensis was identified in S. (Neophlebotomus) gemmea. Nucleotide sequences of PCR products using DNA extracted from S. (Neophlebotomus) gemmea showed 99.8% identity to L. siamensis.

Conclusion

S. (Neophlebotomus) gemmea might be a potential vector of L. siamensis in an affected area, Trang Province, southern Thailand. However further studies are needed to prove whether these sandflies can be natural vectors of leishmaniasis.
In vitro antiviral activity of plant extracts from Asteraceae medicinal plants
Authors: Visintini Jaime María F , Redko Flavia , Muschietti Liliana V , Campos Rodolfo H , Martino Virginia S , Cavallaro Lucia V 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Due to the high prevalence of viral infections having no specific treatment and the constant appearance of resistant viral strains, the development of novel antiviral agents is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiviral activity against bovine viral diarrhea virus, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), poliovirus type 2 (PV-2) and vesicular stomatitis virus of organic (OE) and aqueous extracts (AE) from: Baccharis gaudichaudiana, B. spicata, Bidens subalternans, Pluchea sagittalis, Tagetes minuta and Tessaria absinthioides. A characterization of the antiviral activity of B. gaudichaudiana OE and AE and the bioassay-guided fractionation of the former and isolation of one active compound is also reported.

Methods
The antiviral activity of the OE and AE of the selected plants was evaluated by reduction of the viral cytopathic effect. Active extracts were then assessed by plaque reduction assays. The antiviral activity of the most active extracts was characterized by evaluating their effect on the pretreatment, the virucidal activity and the effect on the adsorption or post-adsorption period of the viral cycle. The bioassay-guided fractionation of B. gaudichaudiana OE was carried out by column chromatography followed by semipreparative high performance liquid chromatography fractionation of the most active fraction and isolation of an active compound. The antiviral activity of this compound was also evaluated by plaque assay.

Results

B. gaudichaudiana and B. spicata OE were active against PV-2 and VSV. T. absinthioides OE was only active against PV-2. The corresponding three AE were active against HSV-1. B. gaudichaudiana extracts (OE and AE) were the most selective ones with selectivity index (SI) values of 10.9 (PV-2) and >117 (HSV-1). For this reason, both extracts of B. gaudichaudiana were selected to characterize their antiviral effects. Further bioassay-guided fractionation of B. gaudichaudiana OE led to an active fraction, FC (EC50=3.1 μg/ml; SI= 37.9), which showed antiviral activity during the first 4 h of the viral replication cycle of PV-2 and from which the flavonoid apigenin (EC50 = 12.2 ± 3.3 μM) was isolated as a major compound.

Conclusions
The results showed that, among the species studied, B. gaudichaudiana seemed to be the most promising species as a source of antiviral agents.
Therapeutic effect of Yang-Xue-Qing-Nao granules on sleep dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Pan Weidong , Kwak Shin , Li Guoyan , Chen Yiyun , Cai Dingfang 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of add-on Yang-Xue-Qing-Nao granules (YXQN) on sleep dysfunction in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods
PD participants fitted with an actigraph took either YXQN or placebo granules in a randomized manner for 12 weeks while maintaining other anti-parkinsonism medications (e.g., dopaminergic agent, dopamine agonist) unchanged. Additional participants without sleep disturbance or PD served as controls. The changes in detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) of physical activity with respect to diurnal activity (DA), evening activity (EA), nocturnal activity (NA), Parkinson’s disease sleep scale (PDSS) score and unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS) score were evaluated every 4 weeks during the 12-week YXQN intervention period and again at week 16.

Results
A total of 61 (placebo group, n = 30; YXQN group, n = 31) idiopathic PD participants with sleep dysfunction (mean age ± standard deviation, 63.4 ± 8.6 years; mean duration of illness, 5.8 ± 6.6 years) completed the study. Significant improvements in EA (p = 0.033, 0.037 and 0.029), DA (p = 0.041, 0.038 and 0.027) and PDSS score (p = 0.034, 0.028 and 0.029) were observed in the YXQN group at weeks 8 and 12, and maintained until week 16, respectively.

Conclusion
YXQN improved the DFA parameters, and PDSS and UPDRS scores in PD participants.
Mapping the translational science policy ‘valley of death’
Authors: Meslin Eric M , Blasimme Alessandro , Cambon‐Thomsen Anne 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTranslating the knowledge from biomedical science into clinical applications that help patients has been compared to crossing a valley of death because of the many issues that separate the bench from the bedside and threaten to stall progress. But translation is also inhibited by a science policy environment with its own impediments. Mapping these policy impediments give a more complete picture of the valley of death. Stem cell science is one example where success in moving from the bench to the bedside has confronted policy challenges generating difficulties as challenging as those facing scientists and clinicians. We highlight some of the characteristics and challenges of the science policy valley of death common to the U.S. and Europe, illustrate them with a recent example from stem cell science, and describe some promising strategies for traversing the valley.
Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus NY-4, a novel denitrifying, moderately halophilic marine bacterium
Authors: Li Rongpeng , Zi Xiaoli , Wang Xinfeng , Zhang Xia , Gao Haofeng , Hu Nan 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The isolation and characterization of a novel halophilic denitrifying marine bacterium is described. The halophilic bacterium, designated as NY-4, was isolated from soil in Yancheng City, China, and identified as Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus by 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis. This organism can grow in NaCl concentrations ranging from 20 to 120 g/L. Optimum growth occurs at 80 g/L NaCl and pH 8.0. The organism can grow on a broad range of carbon sources and demonstrated efficient denitrifying ability (94.2% of nitrate removal and 80.9% of total nitrogen removal in 48 h). During denitrification by NY-4, no NO2
--N was accumulated, N2 was the only gaseous product and no harmful N2O was produced. Because of its rapid denitrification ability, broad carbon use range and ability to grow under high salinity and pH conditions, NY-4 holds promise for the treatment of saline waste waters.
Genetic Analysis of Recently Identified Osteoporosis Susceptibility Genes in Southern Chinese
Authors: Xiao Su-Mei , Kung Annie W. C. , Sham Pak C. , Tan Kathryn C. B. 
Published: July 2013

Context:
Fifty-six genomic loci recently were identified as associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in a large meta-analysis study of mainly European-descent subjects. Circulating factors related to calcium and phosphate metabolism, eg, serum levels of calcium, phosphate, vitamin D metabolites, PTH, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), may affect bone turnover and metabolism.

Objective and Design:
We aimed to investigate the effects of these reported variants, as well as their interactions with 5 studied circulating factors, on BMD in a southern Chinese prospective cohort (n = 2670). The identified interactions were further replicated in an independent cohort of 800 Chinese females.

Results:
Approximately half (n = 27) of the reported variants were successfully replicated in our sample of southern Chinese individuals. We further demonstrated a significant interaction between MARK3 and serum ALP levels (Pmeta = 9.89 ×10−6); the effect of MARK3 rs11623869 on BMD was stronger in the presence of high serum levels of ALP. In addition, several interactions between other genes and circulating factors were suggested.

Conclusions:
Our study has provided an independent replication of associations between several reported loci and BMD in a large sample of southern Chinese individuals. These replicated loci may represent osteoporosis susceptibility genes in both Chinese and European-descent populations. Furthermore, we have shown that serum ALP levels modified the association of MARK3 with BMD. Understanding the mechanisms of the interactions between BMD-related loci and circulating factors may help to determine the pathogenesis of susceptibility to osteoporosis and could have implications for clinical care.
A novel method to study contact inhibition of locomotion using micropatterned substrates
Authors: Scarpa Elena , Roycroft Alice , Theveneau Eric , Terriac Emmanuel , Piel Matthieu , Mayor Roberto 
Published: July 2013

Summary
The concept of contact inhibition of locomotion (CIL) describes the ability of a cell to change the direction of its movement after contact with another cell. It has been shown to be responsible for physiological and developmental processes such as wound healing, macrophage dispersion and neural crest cell migration; whereas its loss facilitates cancer cell invasion and metastatic dissemination. Different assays have been developed to analyze CIL in tissue culture models. However, these methods have several caveats. Collisions happen at low frequency between freely migrating cells and the orientation of the cells at the time of contact is not predictable. Moreover, the computational analysis required by these assays is often complicated and it retains a certain degree of discretion. Here, we show that confinement of neural crest cell migration on a single dimension by using a micropatterned substrate allows standardized and predictable cell–cell collision. CIL can thus easily be quantified by direct measurement of simple cellular parameters such as the distance between nuclei after collision. We tested some of the signaling pathways previously identified as involved in CIL, such as small GTPases and non-canonical Wnt signaling, using this new method for CIL analysis. The restricted directionality of migration of cells in lines is a powerful strategy to obtain higher predictability and higher efficiency of the CIL response upon cell–cell collisions.
Nitrate Combustion Methods to Prepare Highly Active Cu/ZnO Catalysts for Low-Temperature Methanol Synthesis: Comparative Behaviors of Citric Acid in Air or Argon Atmosphere
Authors: Zeng Chunyang , Shi Lei , Sun Jian , Yoneyama Yoshiharu , Wang Tiejun , Tsubaki Noritatsu 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
A citric acid-assisted solid-state method is developed to prepare highly active Cu/ZnO catalysts in different atmospheres (air and argon). The entire catalyst preparation process is accomplished with inexpensive raw materials. It is environmentally friendly in that no water is used and no waste water is produced during the entire process. These as-prepared catalysts are investigated in low-temperature methanol synthesis with CO2-containing syngas. The properties of these catalysts are systematically studied by thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and N2O chemisorption techniques. The activity and methanol selectivity of Cu/ZnO catalysts are closely related to the metallic Cu0 surface areas and Cu crystalline sizes. Compared with traditional solid-state or sol–gel autocombustion methods, the catalysts prepared by this citric acid-assisted solid-state method exhibit much higher activity and methanol selectivity.
Co-Creation with Production Externalities
Authors: Syam Niladri B. , Pazgal Amit 
Published: July 2013

Co-creation, the participation of customers in the design and production of goods and services, has been gaining popularity in recent years. In this research we incorporate firm pricing into the joint production process allowing us to study (1) production externalities between firm and customers, (2) production externalities among customers, and (3) optimal pricing by firms. We show that given a choice, a monopoly firm will opt for co-creation with customers rather than deal with passive price-taking consumers. Furthermore, the firm will increase the effort it devotes to co-creation as the number of potential co-creating customers increases. We show that the profit of a firm facing a centralized pattern of externalities among customers (with an expert, or lead user, in the center) can be higher than its profit when facing a decentralized pattern of externalities among customers and clearly dominates its profit when customers do not have any cross externalities. Thus, we provide a different justification for the use of lead users, one that depends on their network centrality and not on having lower cost, more information, or greater ability than the firm. Because the decentralized pattern has more links than the centralized pattern, our results demonstrate the importance of the pattern of links between customers, and not just their number, in determining the profitability of co-creation. Furthermore, we find that the lead user's externality spillover to other connected users, her neighbors, acts as a force multiplier on the efforts exerted by all participants in equilibrium. Specifically, a higher spillover from the lead user increases the efforts of the firm, the neighbors, and the lead user herself, and this may lead to beneficial outcomes for all. Finally, we show that in co-creation environments, a monopolist firm may benefit by committing to a single price rather than exercising price discrimination. This is because the pricing structure affects customers' incentive to invest effort in the innovation-production stage.
Feasible Synthesis of TiO2 Deposited on Kaolin for Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Henych Jiří , Štengl Václav 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to synthesize a photocatalyst on the basis of TiO2 with kaolin as the support material. Properties such as layered structure and a suitable particle size of kaolin could be beneficial in the production of a high-quality and relatively cheap photocatalyst on an industrial scale. Homogeneous hydrolysis with urea as a precipitation agent and kaolin as support material was used to obtain a kaolin surface covered with TiO2. Samples were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda porosity determination. Photocatalytic activity was assessed by a Reactive Black 5 azo dye discoloration in a water suspension and by acetone decomposition on a thin layer of sample in a gas phase. The characterization confirmed that the well crystallized TiO2 was distributed effectively over the whole surface of a kaolin substrate, and photocatalytic tests revealed that the active surface layer of titania particles on kaolin performed well, suggesting that kaolin acts as a suitable support.