bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mixed Treatment Comparison of the Treatment Discontinuations of Biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Desai Rishi J , Hansen Richard A , Rao Jaya K , Wilkins Tania M , Harden Elizabeth A , Yuen Andrea , Jonas Daniel E , Roubey Robert , Jonas Beth , Gartlehner Gerald , Lux Linda , Donahue Katrina E 
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND: Introduction of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has considerably changed treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over the past decade. Very little information is available on comparative discontinuation rates of the biologics. OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment discontinuations for 9 biologic DMARDs in adults with RA. METHODS: We searched electronic databases through May 2012 to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with RA that compared biologic DMARDs with placebo or another biologic DMARD. The primary outcome was treatment discontinuation during the blinded phase of the trials, measured as overall withdrawals, withdrawals resulting from lack of efficacy, and withdrawals resulting from adverse events. Random-effects meta-analysis estimated the effect size for individual agents, and adjusted indirect comparisons were made between biologics using mixed treatment comparisons (MTC) meta-analysis. RESULTS: Forty-four trials were included in the analysis. In comparison with placebo, biologics were less likely to be withdrawn because of lack of efficacy (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.27) and more likely to be withdrawn because of an adverse event (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.70). Based on the MTC, certolizumab had the most favorable overall withdrawal profile, followed by etanercept and rituximab. Certolizumab had lower relative withdrawal rates resulting from lack of efficacy than adalimumab, anakinra, and infliximab. Anakinra had higher relative withdrawal rates resulting from lack of efficacy than most other biologics. Certolizumab and infliximab had more, while etanercept had fewer, withdrawals because of adverse events than most other drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Based on MTC using data from RCTs, differences in discontinuation rates were observed, generally favoring certolizumab, etanercept, and rituximab over other biologic DMARDs. These potential differences need to be further explored in head-to-head trials or well-conducted observational studies.
The pubertal transition in 179 healthy Danish children: associations between pubarche, adrenarche, gonadarche, and body composition
Authors: Mouritsen Annette , Aksglaede Lise , Soerensen Kaspar , Hagen Casper P , Petersen J H , Main Katharina M , Juul Anders 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundPubertal onset is usually defined by breast development in girls and testicular growth in boys. Pubarche is defined as the attainment of pubic hair and is considered as a sign of pubertal transition. Pubarche is preceded by a gradual increase in production of adrenal androgens, DHEA and Δ4-androstenedione (Adione), a process termed adrenarche.ObjectiveTo study the natural course of pubertal transition and the associations with adrenarche, body fat, and linear growth.Design and methodsA longitudinal study of 179 healthy children (89 girls) with higher socioeconomic background examined every 6 months for 5 years. Pubic hair stage, breast stage, genital stage, testicular volume (TV), height, weight, and four skinfolds were measured.ResultsIn girls, median age (25th and 75th percentiles) at thelarche (B2+) was 10.1 years (9.3–10.9). In boys, median age at attaining a TV >3 ml was 11.5 years (10.9–12.0). Median age at pubarche (PH2+) was 10.9 years (10.3–11.4) in girls and 11.6 years (10.8–12.4) in boys. Only 6.8% (4/59) of the girls and 24.6% (15/61) of the boys developed pubic hair as the first isolated sign of puberty. Serum DHEAS and Adione increased with age, although the increase in Adione was most pronounced in girls. No associations between early age at thelarche/testicular growth and increased body fat (BMI and sum of four skinfolds) were observed.ConclusionDanish children rarely experience pubarche as the first sign of puberty. No associations between age at pubertal onset and body composition were found. Circulating levels of Adione, but not DHEAS, increased with the onset of puberty, although with large interindividual variability.
MEN1 intragenic deletions may represent the most prevalent somatic event in sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Alvelos Maria Inês , Vinagre João , Fonseca Elsa , Barbosa Eva , Teixeira-Gomes José , Sobrinho-Simões Manuel , Soares Paula 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivePrimary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is characterised by an inappropriate over production of parathyroid hormone and it is the most frequent pathological condition of the parathyroid glands. A minority of the cases belong to familial forms, but most of them are sporadic. The genetic alterations underlying the sporadic forms of pHPT remain poorly understood. The main goal of our study is to perform the molecular characterisation of a series of sporadic pHPT cases.Design and methodsWe have studied matched blood and tumour from 24 patients with pHPT, who went to a medical appointment in Hospital Pedro Hispano. Informed consent was obtained from all individuals. TheMEN1,RETandCDKN1Bmolecular study was carried out in the germline DNA by PCR/SSCP and direct sequencing. Parathyroid tumours were further analysed by the same methods forMEN1,CDKN1BandCTNNB1genetic alterations. The multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification technique enabled the evaluation ofMEN1gene deletions. Protein expression for menin, cyclin D1, parafibromin, p27Kip1, β-catenin and Ki-67 was conducted by immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe study of parathyroid tumours detected two somaticMEN1mutations (c.249_252delGTCT and c.115_163del49bp) and revealed the presence ofMEN1intragenic deletions in 54% (13/24) of the tumours. InRETandCDKN1Bgenes only previously described, non-pathogenic variants were found. Cyclin D1 protein was overexpressed in 13% (3/24) of tumours.ConclusionsThese results suggest thatMEN1alterations, remarkably intragenic deletions, may represent the most prevalent genetic alteration in sporadic parathyroid tumours.
Early changes in carcinoembryonic antigen but not in calcitonin levels are correlated with the progression-free survival in medullary thyroid carcinoma patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy
Authors: Hajje G , Borget I , Leboulleux S , Chougnet C , Al Ghuzlan A , Mirghani H , Caramella C , Hartl D , Schlumberger M , Baudin E 
Published: October 2012

IntroductionThe prognostic value of serum calcitonin (CT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) doubling time has been recently demonstrated in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) patients. No study has yet validated the surrogate role of these markers for survival during treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in patients with advanced MTC treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy, the relationship between early changes of serum CT or CEA levels and progression-free survival (PFS).Patients and methodsThe files of 28 consecutive metastatic MTC patients with progressive disease, treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy in a single tertiary referral center between 2000 and 2010, were retrospectively reviewed. Serum CT and CEA measurements and radiological Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) evaluations were collected every 3 months. The relationship between changes in serum CT and CEA levels at 3 months, defined by an increase or a decrease of at least 20%, and PFS according to RECIST 1.0, was estimated using Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test.ResultsThe median follow-up for the 28 patients was 68 months. According to RECIST, a partial response, a stabilization or a progression was observed in 14, 43, and 43% of cases respectively. Median PFS from the initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy was 4.5 months. Median PFS among patients with and without significant CT increase at 3 months was 4.6 and 3.3 months respectively (P=0.75). Median PFS among patients with a significant CEA increase at 3 months was 2.7 months, whereas it was 19.1 months in patients in whom CEA did not increase (P=0.02).ConclusionAt 3 months, an increase of serum CEA but not of CT levels appears as a valuable surrogate marker of short PFS in MTC patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. A prospective validation is expected.
Urinary Cystatin C and Tubular Proteinuria Predict Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Kim Sang Soo , Song Sang Heon , Kim In Joo , Jeon Yun Kyung , Kim Bo Hyun , Kwak Ihm Soo , Lee Eun Kyung , Kim Yong Ki 
Published: October 2012

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of urinary cystatin C, a tubular damage marker, with the progression of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

RESERCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The baseline values of serum and urinary cystatin C were measured as primary parameters and those of urinary nonalbumin protein (NAP) were measured as secondary parameters. In this prospective observational study, a total of 237 type 2 diabetic patients were followed up for 29 months (13–44 months).

RESULTS
Both the urinary cystatin C-to-creatinine ratio (CCR) and NAP-to-creatinine ratio (NAPCR) were significantly different according to the degree of albuminuria. Both markers had strongly positive correlations at baseline. After adjusting for several clinical factors, both urinary CCR and NAPCR had significant associations with the decline of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = 0.160, P = 0.021; r = 0.412, P &lt; 0.001, respectively). Urinary CCR had positive correlations with the decline of eGFR in the subpopulation of patients with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2. In patients with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and normoalbuminuria, only urinary NAPCR showed a significant association with the decline of eGFR; urinary CCR did not. In multivariate regression analysis, the number of patients who progressed to chronic kidney disease stage 3 or greater was higher in those in the upper tertiles of both the urinary levels of cystatin C and NAP than in those in the lower tertiles.

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that urinary cystatin C and NAP may be predictors of the progression of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
Notes on entropic characteristics of quantum channels
Authors: Rastegin Alexey 
Published: October 2012

AbstractOne of most important issues in quantum information theory concerns transmission of information through noisy quantum channels. We discuss a few channel characteristics expressed by means of generalized entropies. Such characteristics can often be treated in line with more usual treatment based on the von Neumann entropies. For any channel, we show that the q-average output entropy of degree q ≥ 1 is bounded from above by the q-entropy of the input density matrix. The concavity properties of the (q, s)-entropy exchange are considered. Fano type quantum bounds on the (q, s)-entropy exchange are derived. We also give upper bounds on the map (q, s)-entropies in terms of the output entropy, corresponding to the completely mixed input.
Above-threshold ionization of hydrogen and hydrogen-like ions by X-ray pulses
Authors: Bachau Henri , Budriga Olimpia , Dondera Mihai , Florescu Viorica 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis paper adresses the problem of above-threshold ionization (ATI) of hydrogen interacting with an intense X-ray electromagnetic field. Two approaches have been used. In the first approach, we calculate generalized differential and total cross sections based on second-order perturbation theory for the electron interaction with a monochromatic plane wave, with the A 2 and A · P contributions from the nonrelativistic Hamiltonian (including retardation) treated exactly. In the second approach, we solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) for a pulsed plane wave using a spectral approach with a basis of oneelectron orbitals, calculated with L 2-integrable B-spline functions for the radial coordinate and spherical harmonics Y lm for the angular part. Retardation effects are included up to O(1/c), they induce extra terms forcing the resolution of the TDSE in a three dimensional space. Relativistic effects [of O (1/c 2)] are fully neglected. The isoelectronic series of hydrogen is explored in the range Z = 1 − 5 in both TDSE and perturbative approaches. Photoelectron angular distributions are obtained for photon energies of 1 keV and 3 keV for hydrogen, and photon energy of 25 keV for the hydrogenic ion B4+. Perturbative and TDSE calculations are compared.
Coincidence of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Arnold Chiari II Malformation: A Case Report
Authors: Paudel S , Kayastha P , Pradhan R , Ghimire RK , Ansari MA 
Published: October 2012

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is the developmental abnormality in which abdominal viscera herniate into the thoracic cavity through defect in the diaphragm. Almost 10% of congenital diaphragmatic hernia has associated central nervous system malformation including anencephaly, myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus. The Arnold-Chiari malformation is a congenital abnormality of Central Nervous System (CNS), characterized by downward displacement of the parts of the cerebellum, fourth ventricle, pons and medulla oblongata into the spinal canal. Here we present an extremely rare case with coexistent congenital diaphragmatic hernia and Arnold Chiari II malformation occurring in a viable fetus of 20 weeks gestational age. NJR I VOL 2 I ISSUE 1 46-49 Jan-June, 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njr.v2i1.6981
La différenciation sociale des enfants
Authors: Lignier Wilfried , Lomba Cédric , Renahy Nicolas 
Published: October 2012

Résumé Les sciences sociales ne constituent pas des sciences « habituelles » de l’enfance, par comparaison avec les sciences cliniques et médicales en particulier. Pourtant, elles peuvent apporter beaucoup à la compréhension du jeune âge, autour des notions d’historicisation de l’enfance, de socialisation primaire ou encore de différenciation sociale des enfants. Cette dernière entrée est ici privilégiée, sachant qu’elle a l’avantage de ne pas exclure les deux autres – on parlera ainsi d’historicisation et de socialisation différenciées. Nous insistons sur trois manières distinctes d’aborder la différenciation des enfants : par la différenciation « concrète » des enfances, par l’identification différentielle des enfants, par les perceptions enfantines des différences sociales. Nous évoquons par ailleurs les enjeux méthodologiques inhérents à l’étude de ces enquêtés particuliers que sont les enfants.
La canzone di Jordan Bonel S’ira d’amor tenges amic iauzen (BdT 273,1) e alcuni problemi nell’edizione critica dei testi trobadorici
Authors: Resconi Stefano 
Published: October 2012

Certains traits propres à la tradition manuscrite troubadouresque – rareté des erreurs graves qui pourraient servir de guide à l'éditeur et contamination textuelle endémique – rendent pour le moins difficile l’application fidèle des principes méthodologiques lachmanniens dans l’approche critique de ce genre de textes. Dans cet article, nous proposons des procédures facilitant la reconstitution des liens généalogiques qu’entretiennent entre eux les témoins manuscrits, y compris dans les cas les plus problématiques. Ce genre de procédures repose plus précisément sur une évaluation prudente des différents types d’innovation textuelle en vue de leur intégration dans un système cohérent. Nous donnons un exemple de ces procédures à partir de l’étude de la tradition d’un des rares textes troubadouresques qui n’ait pas encore été édité de façon scientifique : S’ira d’amor tenges amic iauzen de Jordan Bonel (BdT 273,1) dont nous livrons ici pour la première fois une édition critique.
L’électronique à l’aide de l’éditeur : miracle ou mirage ? Bilan de quatorze années de travaux au LFA
Authors: Kunstmann Pierre 
Published: October 2012

Cet article présente d’abord un bilan de quatorze années de travaux (1997-2011) au Laboratoire de Français Ancien (LFA) de l’Université d’Ottawa. Le site internet www.lfa.uottawa.ca en constitue la fenêtre de diffusion et est structuré en deux parties : la base « Textes de Français Ancien » et la série « Textes en Liberté ». Plusieurs travaux sont menés en collaboration avec l’ATILF (CNRS, Nancy) : la « Base de Graphies Verbales », le « Dictionnaire Électronique de Chrétien de Troyes », l’édition critique électronique des Miracles de Notre-Dame par personnages. Ce site héberge également la base bibliographique ARLIMA. Ces bases textuelles constituent un apport essentiel de l’électronique à l’éditeur. Leurs vastes possibilités de recherche permettent en effet d’interroger des corpus très étendus.
Le Libro de los exemplos por ABC, recueil d’exempla du xve siècle
Authors: Darbord Bernard 
Published: October 2012

Cet article présente un recueil d’exempla espagnols : le Libro de los exemplos por ABC de Clemente Sánchez de Vercial (XVe siècle). Ses sources ainsi que certains de ses principaux thèmes (l’amitié et l’aumône) y sont analysés à travers de nombreux extraits.
Le Roman de la Rose, de l’édition aux manuscrits
Authors: Frieden Philippe 
Published: October 2012

De tous les textes en langue vernaculaire, le Roman de la Rose est celui dont l’histoire éditoriale est la plus complexe en raison du grand nombre de manuscrits qui l’ont transmis. Cet article tente de retracer cette histoire de la fin du Moyen Âge au xxe siècle en suivant deux pistes : d’une part celle de la langue du manuscrit (sa proximité ou son éloignement du point de naissance de l’œuvre), d’autre part celle du contenu du texte. Au fil des deux siècles de sa copie, le récit de Guillaume de Lorris et de Jean de Meun s’est vu augmenté de nombreux ajouts. L’étude d’une interpolation contenue dans quelque vingt-six manuscrits sera l’occasion de mesurer la façon dont la variance du texte médiéval a été diversement perçue et prise en compte par les éditeurs du Roman de la Rose.
Low power current sources for bioimpedance measurements: a comparison between Howland and OTA-based CMOS circuits
Authors: Bertemes-Filho Pedro , C. Vincence Volney , M. Santos Marcio , X. Zanatta Ilson 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Multifrequency Electrical Bioimpedance (MEB) has been widely used as a non-invasive technique for characterizing tissues. Most MEB systems use wideband current sources for injecting current and instrumentation amplifiers for measuring the resultant potential difference. To be viable current sources should have intrinsically high output impedance for a very wide frequency range. Most contemporary current sources in MEB systems are based on the Howland circuit. The objective of this work is to compare the Mirrored Modified Howland Current Source (MMHCS) with three Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA) based voltage controlled current sources (i.e., class-A, class-AB and current conveyor). The results show that both current conveyor and class-AB OTA-based current sources have a wider output current frequency response and an output impedance of 226% larger than the MMHCS circuit at 1 MHz. The presented class-AB OTA circuit has a power consumption of 4.6 mW whereas current conveyor consumed 1.6 mW. However, the MMHCS circuit had a maximum total harmonic distortion of 0.5% over the input voltage from -0.5 to +0.5 V. The OTA-based current sources are going to be integrated in a semiconductor process. The results might be useful for cell impedance measurements and for very low power bioimpedance applications.
Effects of Medium Supplements on Proliferation, Differentiation Potential, and In Vitro Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Gharibi Borzo , Hughes Francis J. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess great potential for use in regenerative medicine. However, their clinical application may be limited by the ability to expand their cell numbers in vitro while maintaining their differential potentials and stem cell properties. Thus the aim of this study was to test the effect of a range of medium supplements on MSC self-renewal and differentiation potential. Cells were cultured until confluent and subcultured continuously until reaching senescence. Medium supplementation with fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, ascorbic acid (AA), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) both increased proliferation rate and markedly increased number of cell doublings before reaching senescence, with a greater than 1,000-fold increase in total cell numbers for AA, FGF-2, and PDGF-BB compared with control cultures. Long-term culture was associated with loss of osteogenic/adipocytic differentiation potential, particularly with FGF-2 supplementation but also with AA, EGF, and PDGF-BB. In addition FGF-2 resulted in reduction in expression of CD146 and alkaline phosphatase, but this was partially reversible on removal of the supplement. Cells expressed surface markers including CD146, CD105, CD44, CD90, and CD71 by flow cytometry throughout, and expression of these putative stem cell markers persisted even after loss of differentiation potentials. Overall, medium supplementation with FGF-2, AA, EGF, and PDGF-BB greatly enhanced the total in vitro expansion capacity of MSC cultures, although differentiation potentials were lost prior to reaching senescence. Loss of differentiation potential was not reflected by changes in stem cell surface marker expression.
Concise Review: Stem Cell Therapy for Muscular Dystrophies
Authors: Wilschut Karlijn J. , Ling Vivian B. , Bernstein Harold S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMuscular dystrophy comprises a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscle resulting from defective proteins critical to muscle structure and function. This leads to premature exhaustion of the muscle stem cell pool that maintains muscle integrity during normal use and exercise. Stem cell therapy holds promise as a treatment for muscular dystrophy by providing cells that can both deliver functional muscle proteins and replenish the stem cell pool. Here, we review the current state of research on myogenic stem cells and identify the important challenges that must be addressed as stem cell therapy is brought to the clinic.
Animation Films to Develop Effective Listening Skills in the Classroom
Authors: Moulic Manas 
Published: October 2012

Listening as a language skill is an active process of receiving aural stimuli. It involves attention, reception, comprehension and retention of the message or intention of the speaker. In professional life, efficient listening skills make workers more productive, accountable and cultivate positive working relationships with bosses, clients and colleagues. Thus, Technological Universities prescribe teaching Listening as a language skill at the undergraduate level. But as Listening is not taught at the school level, it becomes a challenge for us to improve listening skills of such students taking admission to technical Institutes at their undergraduate level. However, my experiment in my Institute’s Language laboratory showed positive result when such learners were asked to listen to popular animation films. In my paper, I would focus on the importance of Listening Skills and factors affecting it; problems faced with technical undergraduate learners and the syllabus; why only popular animation films, preparing classroom tasks and how it helped in developing effective listening skills. Keywords - Effective Listening Skills & Popular Animation Films