bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Methylated Biomarkers and a Robust Assay to Detect Circulating Tumor DNA in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Fackler Mary Jo , Lopez Bujanda Zoila , Umbricht Christopher , Teo Wei Wen , Cho Soonweng , Zhang Zhe , Visvanathan Kala , Jeter Stacie , Argani Pedram , Wang Chenguang , Lyman Jaclyn P. , de Brot Marina , Ingle James N. , Boughey Judy , McGuire Kandace , King Tari A. , Carey Lisa A. , Cope Leslie , Wolff Antonio C. , Sukumar Saraswati 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The ability to consistently detect cell-free tumor-specific DNA in peripheral blood of patients with metastatic breast cancer provides the opportunity to detect changes in tumor burden and to monitor response to treatment. We developed cMethDNA, a quantitative multiplexed methylation-specific PCR assay for a panel of ten genes, consisting of novel and known breast cancer hypermethylated markers identified by mining our previously reported study of DNA methylation patterns in breast tissue (103 cancer, 21 normal on the Illumina HumanMethylation27 Beadchip) and then validating the 10-gene panel in The Cancer Genome Atlas project breast cancer methylome database. For cMethDNA, a fixed physiologic level (50 copies) of artificially constructed, standard nonhuman reference DNA specific for each gene is introduced in a constant volume of serum (300 μL) before purification of the DNA, facilitating a sensitive, specific, robust, and quantitative assay of tumor DNA, with broad dynamic range. Cancer-specific methylated DNA was detected in training (28 normal, 24 cancer) and test (27 normal, 33 cancer) sets of recurrent stage IV patient sera with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 96% in the test set. In a pilot study, cMethDNA assay faithfully reflected patient response to chemotherapy (N = 29). A core methylation signature present in the primary breast cancer was retained in serum and metastatic tissues collected at autopsy two to 11 years after diagnosis of the disease. Together, our data suggest that the cMethDNA assay can detect advanced breast cancer, and monitor tumor burden and treatment response in women with metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Res; 74(8); 2160–70. ©2014 AACR.
Molecular Pathways: Interleukin-15 Signaling in Health and in Cancer
Authors: Mishra Anjali , Sullivan Laura , Caligiuri Michael A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractInterleukin-15 (IL-15) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the development, survival, proliferation, and activation of multiple lymphocyte lineages utilizing a variety of signaling pathways. IL-15 utilizes three distinct receptor chains in at least two different combinations to signal and exert its effects on the immune system. The binding of IL-15 to its receptor complex activates an “immune-enhancing” signaling cascade in natural killer cells and subsets of T cells, as well as the induction of a number of proto-oncogenes. Additional studies have explored the role of IL-15 in the development and progression of cancer, notably leukemia of large granular lymphocytes, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. This review provides an overview of the molecular events in the IL-15 signaling pathway and the aberrancies in its regulation that are associated with chronic inflammation and cancer. We briefly explore the potential therapeutic opportunities that have arisen as a result of these studies to further the treatment of cancer. These involve both targeting the disruption of IL-15 signaling as well as IL-15–mediated enhancement of innate and antigen-specific immunity. Clin Cancer Res; 20(8); 2044–50. ©2014 AACR.
Efficacy of Chest Compressions Directed by End‐Tidal CO
2
Feedback in a Pediatric Resuscitation Model of Basic Life Support
Authors: Hamrick Jennifer L. , Hamrick Justin T. , Lee Jennifer K. , Lee Benjamin H. , Koehler Raymond C. , Shaffner Donald H. 
Published: April 2014

Background

End‐tidal carbon dioxide (
ETCO
2
) correlates with systemic blood flow and resuscitation rate during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (
CPR
) and may potentially direct chest compression performance. We compared
ETCO
2
‐directed chest compressions with chest compressions optimized to pediatric basic life support guidelines in an infant swine model to determine the effect on rate of return of spontaneous circulation (
ROSC
).

Methods and Results

Forty 2‐kg piglets underwent general anesthesia, tracheostomy, placement of vascular catheters, ventricular fibrillation, and 90 seconds of no‐flow before receiving 10 or 12 minutes of
pediatric basic life support
. In the optimized group, chest compressions were optimized by marker, video, and verbal feedback to obtain
A
merican
H
eart
A
ssociation‐recommended depth and rate. In the
ETCO
2
‐directed group, compression depth, rate, and hand position were modified to obtain a maximal
ETCO
2
without video or verbal feedback. After the interval of
pediatric basic life support
, external defibrillation and intravenous epinephrine were administered for another 10 minutes of
CPR
or until
ROSC
. Mean
ETCO
2
at 10 minutes of
CPR
was 22.7±7.8 mm Hg in the optimized group (n=20) and 28.5±7.0 mm Hg in the
ETCO
2
‐directed group (n=20;
P
=0.02). Despite higher
ETCO
2
and mean arterial pressure in the latter group,
ROSC
rates were similar: 13 of 20 (65%; optimized) and 14 of 20 (70%;
ETCO
2
directed). The best predictor of
ROSC
was systemic perfusion pressure. Defibrillation attempts, epinephrine doses required, and
CPR
‐related injuries were similar between groups.

Conclusions

The use of
ETCO
2
‐directed chest compressions is a novel guided approach to resuscitation that can be as effective as standard
CPR
optimized with marker, video, and verbal feedback.
Whose Kingdom? Whose Power? Whose Glory?
Authors: Black C. Clifton 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Though it endures, the Lord’s Prayer is not a “classic”: neither the ideal expression of a mature civilization nor a statement adaptable in every generation. Subverting the culture in which humans feel most at home, Jesus’ prayer offers an unsettling settlement. Its jarring consolation punctures every form of nationalism, undermines human sovereignty, and offers a bridge to other religions, to all seeking peace in this world.
‘He Spoke and It Was’: Human Language, Divine Creation, and the imago dei
Authors: Klingbeil Gerald A. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
This study examines the triangle linking biblical creation, anthropology, and human language. It takes as its point of departure the notion that language is an important part of the image of God in which humanity was created (Gottebenbildlichkeit). Since most of creation is accomplished through God’s spoken word (see Gen 1 and also John 1), the human ability to speak and communicate abstract concepts appears to be an echo of the divine and distinguishes humans from the rest of creation. The paper traces some of the highlights marking the important role of language within the context of human history, including the fall and the divine plan of redemption, thus linking the theological categories of anthropology and soteriology.
Linking Siberian Snow Cover to Precursors of Stratospheric Variability
Authors: Cohen Judah , Furtado Jason C. , Jones Justin , Barlow Mathew , Whittleston David , Entekhabi Dara 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Previous research has linked wintertime Arctic Oscillation (AO) variability to indices of Siberian snow cover and upward wave activity flux in the preceding fall season. Here, daily data are used to examine the surface and tropospheric processes that occur as the link between snow cover and upward forcing into the stratosphere develops. October Eurasian mean snow cover is found to be significantly related to sea level pressure (SLP) and to lower-stratosphere (100 hPa) meridional heat flux. Analysis of daily SLP and 100-hPa heat flux shows that in years with high October snow, the SLP is significantly higher from approximately 1 November to 15 December, and the 100-hPa heat flux is significantly increased with a two-week lag, from approximately 15 November to 31 December. During November–December, there are periods with upward wave activity flux extending coherently from the surface to the stratosphere, and these events occur nearly twice as often in high snow years compared to low snow years. The vertical structure of these events is a westward-tilting pattern of high eddy heights, with the largest normalized anomalies near the surface in the same region as the snow and SLP changes. These results suggest that high SLP develops in response to the snow cover and this higher pressure, in turn, provides part of the structure of a surface-to-stratosphere wave activity flux event, thus making full events more likely. Implications for improved winter forecasts exist through recognition of these precursor signals.
The effects of dimethyl 3,3′-dithiobispropionimidate di-hydrochloride cross-linking of collagen and gelatin coating on porous spherical biphasic calcium phosphate granules
Authors: Kim Yang-Hee , Son So-Ra , Sarkar Swapan Kumar , Lee Byong-Taek 
Published: April 2014

Collagen- and gelatin-coated porous spherical granule was prepared by slurry dripping process using biphasic calcium phosphate powder. The coating was stabilized by cross-linking with dimethyl 3,3′-dithiobispropionimidate di-hydrogenchloride (DTBP). Afer DTBP cross-linking, the nanostructure of collagen- and gelatin-coated surfaces was changed from smooth to fibrous and net-like structure. Excellent cross-linking of the coating was seen as indicated by the differential scanning calorimetry thermogram and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra. After cross-linking the relative intensities of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peaks were decreased and amide bands were shifted to the left. The interaction of gelatin with DTBP cross-linking agent was stronger than that with collagen according to differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results. The compressive strength of the granular bone substitutes increased significantly after the coating process and gelatin coated biphasic calcium phosphate granules showed highest value at 3.68 MPa after cross-linking. Porosity was greater than 63% and did not change significantly with coating. Biocompatibility investigation by in vitro and in vivo showed that the coating improved the cell proliferation marginally. However, the cross-linking process did not jeopardize the excellent biocompatibility of collagen and gelatin. The in vivo study confirms better bone formation behavior of the cross-linked gelatin and collagen coated samples investigated for 8 weeks in vivo.
SMART designs in cancer research: Past, present, and future
Authors: Kidwell Kelley M 
Published: April 2014

Background Cancer affects millions of people worldwide each year. Patients require sequences of treatment based on their response to previous treatments to combat cancer and fight metastases. Physicians provide treatment based on clinical characteristics, changing over time. Guidelines for these individualized sequences of treatments are known as dynamic treatment regimens (DTRs) where the initial treatment and subsequent modifications depend on the response to previous treatments, disease progression, and other patient characteristics or behaviors. To provide evidence-based DTRs, the Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) has emerged over the past few decades. Purpose To examine and learn from past SMARTs investigating cancer treatment options, to discuss potential limitations preventing the widespread use of SMARTs in cancer research, and to describe courses of action to increase the implementation of SMARTs and collaboration between statisticians and clinicians. Conclusion There have been SMARTs investigating treatment questions in areas of cancer, but the novelty and perceived complexity has limited its use. By building bridges between statisticians and clinicians, clarifying research objectives, and furthering methods work, there should be an increase in SMARTs addressing relevant cancer treatment questions. Within any area of cancer, SMARTs develop DTRs that can guide treatment decisions over the disease history and improve patient outcomes.
La santé des immigrants au Canada : état des connaissances, interventions et enjeux
Authors: Battaglini Alex , Chomienne Marie-Hélène , Plouffe Louise , Torres Sara , van Kemenade Solange 
Published: April 2014

Cet article présente une synthèse de recherches en cours présentées dans le cadre du symposium intitulé : « La santé des immigrants au Canada : état des connaissances, interventions et enjeux » organisé par l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada (ASPC). On commence par un portrait général de la santé des immigrants au Canada. On analyse ensuite le rôle des travailleurs communautaires de la santé pour contrer les inégalités de santé pour cette population, et certaines modalités d’adaptation de services de santé pour répondre à la diversité linguistique et culturelle grandissante de la société canadienne. On conclue avec l’initiative sur les collectivités amies des aînés. Tout au long de ce symposium, les conférenciers ont privilégié une approche axée sur les déterminants de la santé qui vise à améliorer les résultats de santé des populations ciblées et à fournir des services adaptés et à réduire les inégalités de santé. Les présentations en format Power-Point peuvent être consultées sur le site web suivant : http://www.rrasfo.ca/plrs/presentation.html .
A large kindred of pulmonary fibrosis associated with a novel ABCA3 gene variant
Authors: Campo Ilaria , Zorzetto Michele , Mariani Francesca , Kadija Zamir , Morbini Patrizia , Dore Roberto , Kaltenborn Eva , Frixel Sabrina , Zarbock Ralf , Liebisch Gerhard , Hegermann Jan , Wrede Christoph , Griese Matthias , Luisetti Maurizio 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Interstitial lung disease occurring in children is a condition characterized by high frequency of cases due to genetic aberrations of pulmonary surfactant homeostasis, that are also believed to be responsible of a fraction of familial pulmonary fibrosis. To our knowledge, ABCA3 gene was not previously reported as causative agent of fibrosis affecting both children and adults in the same kindred.

Methods
We investigated a large kindred in which two members, a girl whose interstitial lung disease was first recognized at age of 13, and an adult, showed a diffuse pulmonary fibrosis with marked differences in terms of morphology and imaging. An additional, asymptomatic family member was detected by genetic analysis. Surfactant abnormalities were investigated at biochemical, and genetic level, as well as by cell transfection experiments.

Results
Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis of the patients revealed absence of surfactant protein C, whereas the gene sequence was normal. By contrast, sequence of the ABCA3 gene showed a novel homozygous G > A transition at nucleotide 2891, localized within exon 21, resulting in a glycine to aspartic acid change at codon 964. Interestingly, the lung specimens from the girl displayed a morphologic usual interstitial pneumonitis-like pattern, whereas the specimens from one of the two adult patients showed rather a non specific interstitial pneumonitis-like pattern.

Conclusions
We have detected a large kindred with a novel ABCA3 mutation likely causing interstitial lung fibrosis affecting either young and adult family members. We suggest that ABCA3 gene should be considered in genetic testing in the occurrence of familial pulmonary fibrosis.
Association of serum Clara cell protein CC16 with respiratory infections and immune response to respiratory pathogens in elite athletes
Authors: Kurowski Marcin , Jurczyk Janusz , Jarzębska Marzanna , Moskwa Sylwia , Makowska Joanna S , Krysztofiak Hubert , Kowalski Marek L 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Respiratory epithelium integrity impairment caused by intensive exercise may lead to exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Clara cell protein (CC16) has anti-inflammatory properties and its serum level reflects changes in epithelium integrity and airway inflammation. This study aimed to investigate serum CC16 in elite athletes and to seek associations of CC16 with asthma or allergy, respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and immune response to respiratory pathogens.

Methods
The study was performed in 203 Olympic athletes. Control groups comprised 53 healthy subjects and 49 mild allergic asthmatics. Serum levels of CC16 and IgG against respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were assessed. Allergy questionnaire for athletes was used to determine symptoms and exercise pattern. Current versions of ARIA and GINA guidelines were used when diagnosing allergic rhinitis and asthma, respectively.

Results
Asthma was diagnosed in 13.3% athletes, of whom 55.6% had concomitant allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis without asthma was diagnosed in 14.8% of athletes. Mean CC16 concentration was significantly lower in athletes versus healthy controls and mild asthmatics. Athletes reporting frequent RTIs had significantly lower serum CC16 and the risk of frequent RTIs was more than 2-fold higher in athletes with low serum CC16 (defined as equal to or less than 4.99 ng/ml). Athletes had significantly higher anti-adenovirus IgG than healthy controls while only non-atopic athletes had anti-parainfluenza virus IgG significantly lower than controls. In all athletes weak correlation of serum CC16 and anti-parainfluenza virus IgG was present (R = 0.20, p < 0.01). In atopic athletes a weak positive correlations of CC16 with IgG specific for respiratory syncytial virus (R = 0.29, p = 0.009), parainfluenza virus (R = 0.31, p = 0.01) and adenovirus (R = 0.27, p = 0.02) were seen as well.

Conclusions
Regular high-load exercise is associated with decrease in serum CC16 levels. Athletes with decreased CC16 are more susceptible to respiratory infections. Atopy may be an additional factor modifying susceptibility to infections in subjects performing regular high-load exercise.
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and its associated factors among children at South Wollo Zone Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Arage Getachew , Tessema Gizachew Assefa , Kassa Hiwot 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy negatively affects the suppression of viral replication. It increases risks of drug resistance, treatment failure, Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-related morbidity and mortality among children. This study assessed the level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and its associated factors among children at hospitals in South Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected children in April 2013. A total of 464 children who were taking Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in the hospitals were included. Data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires using a face-to-face interview method. Descriptive and summary statistics were employed. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were computed. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were computed to determine the level of significance.

Results
Of the 464 study samples, 440 children with their caregivers were included in the final analysis. A total of 78.6% of the caregivers reported that their children were adherent to antiretroviral therapy in the month prior to the interview. Caregivers' knowledge about antiretroviral treatment [AOR = 2.72(95% CI: 1.82, 5.39)], no current substance use of the caregivers [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.21(95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.34, 7.13)], proximity to the health care facility [AOR = 2.31(95% CI: 1.94, 4.63)], if the child knows HIV-positive status [AOR = 3.47(95% CI: 2.10, 6.81)] and caregiver’s educational status [AOR = 0.59(95% CI: 0.21, 0.82)] were significantly and independently associated with adherence of children to antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusion
Adherence of antiretroviral therapy in this study was comparable to other studies conducted in developing countries. Caregiver’s knowledge about antiretroviral therapy, no current use of substances, close proximity to health facilities, and letting child’s know his/her HIV status improves adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Health care providers should educate caregivers about antiretroviral therapy and encourage HIV positive status disclosure to the child.
Novel ZnO microflowers on nanorod arrays: local dissolution-driven growth and enhanced light harvesting in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Lu Hao , Deng Kaimo , Shi Zhiwei , Liu Qiong , Zhu Guobin , Fan Hongtao , Li Liang 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
ZnO nanostructures were manipulated, via a low-temperature solution process, from pure nanorod arrays to complex nanostructures of microflowers on nanorod arrays with adjusted quantities of flowers. We proposed the mechanism of local dissolution-driven growth to rationally discuss the novel growth process. These nanostructures were used as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. Compared to pure nanorod arrays, the nanorod array-microflower hierarchical structures improved the power conversion efficiency from 0.41% to 0.92%, corresponding to a 124% efficiency increase. The enhancement of the efficiency was mainly ascribed to the synergistic effect of the enhanced surface area for higher dye loading and the improved light harvesting from efficient light scattering. Present results provide a promising route to improve the capability of light-harvesting for ZnO nanorod array-based DSSCs.
Distant-talking speaker identification by generalized spectral subtraction-based dereverberation and its efficient computation
Authors: Zhang Zhaofeng , Wang Longbiao , Kai Atsuhiko 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Previously, a dereverberation method based on generalized spectral subtraction (GSS) using multi-channel least mean-squares (MCLMS) has been proposed. The results of speech recognition experiments showed that this method achieved a significant improvement over conventional methods. In this paper, we apply this method to distant-talking (far-field) speaker recognition. However, for far-field speech, the GSS-based dereverberation method using clean speech models degrades the speaker recognition performance. This may be because GSS-based dereverberation causes some distortion between clean speech and dereverberant speech. In this paper, we address this problem by training speaker models using dereverberant speech obtained by suppressing reverberation from arbitrary artificial reverberant speech. Furthermore, we propose an efficient computational method for a combination of the likelihood of dereverberant speech using multiple compensation parameter sets. This addresses the problem of determining optimal compensation parameters for GSS. We report the results of a speaker recognition experiment performed on large-scale far-field speech with different reverberant environments to the training environments. The proposed GSS-based dereverberation method achieves a recognition rate of 92.2%, which compares well with conventional cepstral mean normalization with delay-and-sum beamforming using a clean speech model (49.0%) and a reverberant speech model (88.4%). We also compare the proposed method with another dereverberation technique, multi-step linear prediction-based spectral subtraction (MSLP-GSS). The proposed method achieves a better recognition rate than the 90.6% of MSLP-GSS. The use of multiple compensation parameters further improves the speech recognition performance, giving our approach a recognition rate of 93.6%. We implement this method in a real environment using the optimal compensation parameters estimated from an artificial environment. The results show a recognition rate of 87.8% compared with 72.5% for delay-and-sum beamforming using a reverberant speech model.