bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medullary thyroid cancer diagnosis: An appraisal
Authors: Trimboli Pierpaolo , Giovanella Luca , Crescenzi Anna , Romanelli Francesco , Valabrega Stefano , Spriano Giuseppe , Cremonini Nadia , Guglielmi Rinaldo , Papini Enrico 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTSince its first description in 1951, a timely diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) may represent a diagnostic challenge in clinical practice. Several contributions have been addressed to the treatment and follow‐up of MTC, but review articles focused on the diagnostic problems of this cancer in clinical practice are sparse. As a delayed diagnosis and an inadequate initial treatment may severely affect the prognosis of this thyroid malignancy, the appropriate use and the correct interpretation of the available diagnostic tools for MTC are of crucial importance. The purpose of the present article is to provide an easy‐to‐use guide reviewing the main issues of MTC diagnosis: (1) basal serum calcitonin; (2) stimulated serum calcitonin; (3) additional serum markers for MTC; (4) ultrasound and other imaging techniques; (5) fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology; (6) calcitonin measurement on FNA washout; (7) rearranged during transfection (RET) mutations; and (8) scope of the problem. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1216–1223, 2014
Hydrograph separation to improve understanding of Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics in Headwater catchments
Authors: Chaplot V. , Ribolzi O. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractDissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a key component of the global carbon cycle, but, to date, large uncertainties still exist on its source and fate in first‐order streams. In a 23 ha rangeland and steep‐slope headwater of South Africa, our aim was to quantify the contribution of overland flow (OF), soil water (SW) and ground water (GW) to DOC fluxes (DOCF), and to interpret the results in terms of DOC sources and fate. The average 2010–2011 DOC concentration (DOCC) at the catchment outlet was 4.7 mg C l−1 with a standard error of ±2.5 mg C l−1, which was significantly lower than in SW (15.2 ± 1.6 mg C l−1) and OF (11.9 ± 0.8 mg C l−1), but higher than in GW (2.3 ± 0.6 mg C l−1). Based on end‐member mixing using Si and Na concentration in the water compartments, the average SW contribution to DOCF was 66.4%, followed by OF (30.0%) and GW (3.6%). The resulting estimated DOCF at the catchment outlet was 8.05 g C m2 y−1. This was much higher than the observed value of 2.80 g C m2 y−1, meaning that 5.25 g C m2 y−1 or 65% of the DOC is lost during its downslope and/or downstream transport to the catchment outlet. Complementary investigations revealed that the DOCC in SW dropped from 15.2 ± 1.6 to 2.6 ± 0.3 mg C l−1 during its downslope transport to the river system, which corresponded to a net loss of 5.10 g C m2 y−1, or 97% of the catchment DOC losses. These results on DOC sources and potential fate in headwaters are expected to improve our understanding of the impact of hydrology on the global C‐cycle. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ROC‐based calibration of flood inundation models
Authors: Schumann G. J.‐P. , Vernieuwe H. , De Baets B. , Verhoest N. E. C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe use of spatial patterns of flood inundation (often obtained from remotely sensed imagery) to calibrate flood inundation models has been widespread over the last 15 years. Model calibration is most often achieved by employing one or even several performance measures derived from the well‐known confusion matrix based on a binary classification of flooding. However, relatively early on, it has been recognized that the use of commonly reported performance measures for calibrating flood inundation models (such as the F measure) is hampered because the calibration procedure commonly utilizes only one possible solution of a wet/dry classification of a remote sensing image [most often acquired by a synthetic aperture radar (SAR)] to calibrate or validate models and are biased towards either over‐prediction or under‐prediction of flooding. Despite the call in several studies for an alternative statistic, to this date, very few, if any, unbiased performance measure based on the confusion matrix has been proposed for flood model calibration/validation studies. In this paper, we employ a robust statistical measure that operates in the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) space and allows automated model calibration with high identifiability of the best model parameter set but without the need of a classification of the SAR image. The ROC‐based method for flood model calibration is demonstrated using two different flood event test cases with flood models of varying degree of complexity and boundary conditions with varying degree of accuracy. Verification of the calibration results and optional SAR classification is successfully performed with independent observations of the events. We believe that this proposed alternative approach to flood model calibration using spatial patterns of flood inundation should be employed instead of performance measures commonly used in conjunction with a binary flood map. © 2013 California Institute of Technology. Hydrological Processes © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Promoting Positive Mother–Infant Relationships: A Randomized Trial of Community Doula Support For Young Mothers
Authors: Hans Sydney L. , Thullen Matthew , Henson Linda G. , Lee Helen , Edwards Renee C. , Bernstein Victor J. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTDoulas, whose traditional role is to support women during labor and delivery, are being increasingly utilized within community‐based programs where a primary goal is supporting mother–infant relationships. The present study investigated the effect of doula services on parenting among young, low‐income mothers. A total of 248 pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive either doula services or routine medical and social services. The doulas provided prenatal home visitation, support during labor and delivery, and 3 months of postpartum home visitation. Parenting was assessed through video recordings of mother–infant interaction at 4, 12, and 24 months of child age and maternal report of parenting attitudes and stress. Intent‐to‐treat analyses showed that mothers who had received doula services endorsed more child‐centered parenting values, showed more positive engagement with their infants, and were more likely to respond to infant distress at 4 months. Their infants were less likely to show visible upset during observed interactions. Most effects of the program on parent and child behavior faded over time. Community doula intervention is a promising practice for supporting parenting and parent–infant interaction. Integration of doulas into longer term home‐visiting models might sustain the early impact of doula services and enhance parenting services offered by traditional home‐visiting programs.
How is radiating leg pain defined in randomized controlled trials of conservative treatments in primary care? A systematic review
Authors: Lin C.‐W.C. , Verwoerd A.J.H. , Maher C.G. , Verhagen A.P. , Pinto R.Z. , Luijsterburg P.A.J. , Hancock M.J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractMany terms exist to describe radiating leg pain or symptoms associated with back pain (e.g., sciatica or radiculopathy) and it appears that these terms are used inconsistently. We examined the terms used to describe, and the eligibility criteria used to define, radiating leg pain in randomized controlled trials of conservative treatments, and evaluated how the eligibility criteria compared to an international pain taxonomy. Eligible studies were identified from two systematic reviews and an updated search of their search strategy. Studies were included if they recruited adults with radiating leg pain associated with back pain. Two independent reviewers screened the studies and extracted data. Studies were grouped according to the terms used to describe radiating leg pain. Thirty‐one of the seventy‐seven included studies used multiple terms to describe radiating leg pain; the most commonly used terms were sciatica (60 studies) and disc herniation (19 studies). Most studies that used the term sciatica included pain distribution in the eligibility criteria, but studies were inconsistent in including signs (e.g., neurological deficits) and imaging findings. Similarly, studies that used other terms to describe radiating leg pain used inconsistent eligibility criteria between studies and to the pain taxonomy, except that positive imaging findings were required for almost all studies that used disc herniation to describe radiating leg pain. In view of the varying terms to describe, and eligibility criteria to define, radiating leg pain, consensus needs to be reached for each of communication and comparison between studies.
A stochastic fractional dynamics model of space‐time variability of rain
Authors: Kundu Prasun K. , Travis James E. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractRainfall varies in space and time in a highly irregular manner and is described naturally in terms of a stochastic process. A characteristic feature of rainfall statistics is that they depend strongly on the space‐time scales over which rain data are averaged. A spectral model of precipitation has been developed based on a stochastic differential equation of fractional order for the point rain rate, which allows a concise description of the second moment statistics of rain at any prescribed space‐time averaging scale. The model is thus capable of providing a unified description of the statistics of both radar and rain gauge data. The underlying dynamical equation can be expressed in terms of space‐time derivatives of fractional orders that are adjusted together with other model parameters to fit the data. The form of the resulting spectrum gives the model adequate flexibility to capture the subtle interplay between the spatial and temporal scales of variability of rain but strongly constrains the predicted statistical behavior as a function of the averaging length and time scales. We test the model with radar and gauge data collected contemporaneously at the NASA TRMM ground validation sites located near Melbourne, Florida and on the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands in the tropical Pacific. We estimate the parameters by tuning them to fit the second moment statistics of radar data at the smaller spatiotemporal scales. The model predictions are then found to fit the second moment statistics of the gauge data reasonably well at these scales without any further adjustment.
Simultaneous T1 and B1+ Mapping Using Reference Region Variable Flip Angle Imaging
Authors: Sung Kyunghyun , Saranathan Manojkumar , Daniel Bruce L. , Hargreaves Brian A. 
Published: August 2013

PurposeTo present a new method that can simultaneously and efficiently measure T1 and B1+ maps using reference region variable flip angle (RR‐VFA) imaging.MethodsAssuming T1 relaxation time in a reference region such as fat is well characterized, and the reference region sufficiently covers smoothly varying B1+ field inhomogeneity, B1+ maps can be measured from VFA images, conventionally used for T1 measurements. Fat‐only images from two‐point Dixon acquisitions were used to compute B1+ maps, and the B1+ maps were compared with ones using the double‐angle method (DAM) in 22 breast MRI patients at 3T. Additionally, high spatial resolution VFA images were acquired to show T1 measurements with and without the RR‐VFA B1+ correction in six patients.ResultsRR‐VFA is able to generate reliable B1+ maps, similar to those using the conventional DAM. This simultaneous T1 and B1+ mapping can also be used to reduce T1 estimation errors, where T1 maps have more uniform fibroglandular tissue T1 and better depiction of heterogeneous T1 of breast masses.ConclusionA new method that can measure both T1 and B1+ maps based on Dixon VFA images is described, offering improved T1 quantification with no scan time penalty. Magn Reson Med, 70:954–961, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The prognostic effect of high diagnostic WT1 gene expression in pediatric AML depends on WT1 SNP rs16754 status: Report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Ho Phoenix A. , Alonzo Todd A. , Gerbing Robert B. , Kuhn Julia , Pollard Jessica A. , Hirsch Betsy , Raimondi Susana C. , Gamis Alan S. , Meshinchi Soheil 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundWT1 is aberrantly over‐expressed in most cases of AML. We recently demonstrated that WT1 SNP rs16754 correlates with favorable outcome and high diagnostic WT1 expression in childhood AML. We examined the clinical correlates of diagnostic WT1 expression within a contemporary COG trial and determined whether its prognostic impact differs between SNP+ and SNP− patients.ProcedureWT1 mRNA expression was measured via qRT‐PCR in diagnostic specimens obtained from 225 patients enrolled on COG‐AAML03P1. Direct sequencing of WT1 exon 7 was performed to determine SNP rs16754 genotype. WT1 expression was correlated with disease characteristics, SNP status, and outcome.ResultsPatients were categorized into four groups (quartiles: Q1 through Q4) based on diagnostic WT1 expression for analysis. FLT3/ITD (P = 0.017) and WT1 mutations (P < 0.001) both occurred more frequently in patients with the highest WT1 expression. SNP rs16754 frequency did not vary significantly among the quartiles. When all patients were considered, survival outcomes were similar between quartiles. However, when only SNP− patients (n = 150) were analyzed, those with highest WT1 expression (Q4) had the poorest OS (51% vs. 72% for Q1–Q3, P = 0.006) and EFS (35% vs. 54% for Q1–Q3, P = 0.031). Among SNP+ patients (n = 75), survival did not vary significantly between WT1 expression quartiles.ConclusionAlthough WT1 expression was not prognostic when all patients were considered together, stratifying patients by SNP rs16754 genotype revealed significant differences in outcome. In SNP− patients, high WT1 expression predicted decreased survival in univariate, but not multivariate, analysis, due to a preponderance of high‐risk cyto/molecular abnormalities in the highest expression quartile. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:81–88. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variable presentation between a mother and a fetus with Goltz syndrome
Authors: Sellars Elizabeth A. , Wusik Katie , Weaver K. Nicole , Hopkin Robert J. 
Published: August 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Goltz syndrome is a rare and variable X‐linked dominant condition that can affect a number of organ systems. Most patients have no family history of Goltz syndrome indicating that new mutations are relatively common.What does this study add?

This case demonstrates the importance of considering Goltz syndrome in family members even when the symptoms are mild. This degree of variation between mother and child with a prenatal diagnosis has rarely been described. This is also the first report focused on prenatal diagnosis, which allowed a thoughtful, patient‐centered approach to prenatal and postnatal management.
Identification of interleukin‐1 beta, but no other inflammatory proteins, as an early onset pre‐eclampsia biomarker in first trimester serum by bead‐based multiplexed immunoassays
Authors: Siljee Jacqueline E. , Wortelboer Esther J. , Koster Maria P. H. , Imholz Sandra , Rodenburg Wendy , Visser Gerard H. A. , de Vries Annemieke , Schielen Peter C. J. I. , Pennings Jeroen L. A. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the predictive value of growth factors, cardiovascular, and immunological markers for first trimester identification of early onset pre‐eclampsia (PE).MethodsIn a retrospective case–control study, maternal serum samples of 35 early onset PE cases and 35 controls were analysed by multiplexed immunoassays, to determine serum concentrations of 41 proteins whose functionality can be associated with PE pathogenesis. All levels were converted into multiples of the gestation‐specific normal median. For prediction modelling, proteins that were found to be significant were combined with previously obtained values of three established PE markers, that is, placental growth factor, placental protein 13, and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A. Prediction modelling was used to determine predicted detection rates for 5% and 10% false‐positive rates.ResultsThree of the proteins examined in this study, interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), fibrinogen, and carcinoembryonic antigen, showed significantly different serum levels at p < 0.05. In prediction modelling, only IL‐1β added predictive value to the three previously established biomarkers, by increasing detection from 38.2% to 44.1% at a 5% false‐positive rate.ConclusionsThis study indicates that IL‐1β has potential to improve first trimester prediction of pre‐eclampsia. Studies on larger cohorts will be needed to validate these findings. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic transitions in α, θ and γ polymorphs of ultraporous monolithic alumina
Authors: Museur L. , Bouslama M. , Amamra M. , Kanaev A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSpectroscopy of α, θ, and γ phases of high‐purity ultraporous alumina has been studied at cryogenic temperatures of 7 K in the near‐IR–VUV range of spectra with synchrotron radiation excitation. The UV photoluminescence (PL) spectra are dominated by optical transitions of self‐trapped excitons, while the PL excitation spectra are assigned to free excitons and interband transitions. The analysis of PL excitation spectra indicates a tendency to fundamental bandgap narrowing in order of 9.36 eV (α) to 7.60 eV (θ) and 6.85 eV (γ). Structural defects related to oxygen vacancies are responsible for the visible F+/F transitions decrease in order γ > θ > α. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carbon disulfide as a dopant in photon‐induced chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Dousty Faezeh , O'Brien Robert T. , Gahler Roland , Kersten Hendrik , Benter Thorsten 
Published: August 2013

RATIONALEThe addition of a dopant to an Atmospheric Pressure PhotoIonization (APPI) source of a mass spectrometer has been shown to enhance the degree of analyte ionization. A series of different dopants has been successfully utilized; however, there has been very little published on the characteristics of a good dopant. We have proposed carbon disulfide (CS2) as a novel new dopant based on its absorption cross‐section for the VUV photon's energy used and its unique gas‐phase ion chemistry, notably the fact that it does not contain a proton.METHODSThe ability of CS2 to enhance the ionization effectiveness of APPI was tested by using a group of compounds that have different proton affinities (PAs) and electron affinities (EAs). These results were compared to results obtained using the commonly used dopants, toluene and anisole. Particular attention was paid to the formation of [M]+ ions relative to [M+H]+ ions. Mass spectra were collected using a Waters Quattro Premier liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) system equipped with a commercial Photomate™ photoionization source.RESULTSThe results show that CS2 increases the ionization efficiency of most of the analytes studied in this work comparably to toluene and anisole. CS2 promotes both ionization routes of [M]+ and [M+H]+. In addition, due to the higher ionization energy (IE) of CS2 (10.01) compared to the IEs of toluene (8.83) and anisole (8.20), CS2 can enhance the ionization efficiency of analytes that cannot be enhanced with toluene and anisole.CONCLUSIONSWe have determined that CS2 is a viable dopant for use in APPI sources. For some analytes, significant [M+H]+ ion signals are observed; therefore, the donated proton must come from either water clusters or solvents. In addition, CS2 promotes the ionization of analytes with low PAs and higher IEs than that of toluene and anisole. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grouted connections for offshore wind turbine structures
Authors: Schmidt Michael , Fehling Ekkehard , Braun Torsten 
Published: August 2013

AbstractOn offshore wind turbine structures, grouted connections are widely used to connect the tower structure to the foundation while accommodating the unavoidable geometrical tolerances effectively. The long‐term behaviour of high‐ and ultra‐high‐strength grouts primarily depends on the adequate strength and durability of the material plus the process reliability. The performance of the fresh and the hardened grout is influenced by many factors that have to be evaluated and considered individually with respect to the “rough” offshore conditions. Those factors are: mix performance and consistency, the ambient conditions at the place and time of use, the equipment for and stability of the mixing and casting processes, the length of casting time and the thermal and mechanical loads during the early stages. To ensure adequate long‐term behaviour, a meaningful quality assurance system should be set up to cover both the materials and the processes. The article emphasises some fundamental experiences gained by the authors with numerous wind turbine parcs in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Crosstalk Between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Endothelial Cells Leads to Downregulation of Cytokine-Induced Leukocyte Recruitment
Authors: Thin Luu N. , Mcgettrick Helen M. , Buckley Christopher D. , Newsome Phil N. , Ed Rainger G. , Frampton Jon , Nash Gerard B. 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have immunomodulatory properties, but their effects on endothelial cells (EC) and recruitment of leukocytes are unknown. We cocultured human bone marrow-derived MSC with EC and found that MSC could downregulate adhesion of flowing neutrophils or lymphocytes and their subsequent transendothelial migration. This applied for EC treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), interleukin-1β (IL-1), or TNF and interferon-γ combined. Supernatant from cocultures also inhibited endothelial responses. This supernatant had much higher levels of IL-6 than supernatant from cultures of the individual cells, which also lacked inhibitory functions. Addition of neutralizing antibody against IL-6 removed the bioactivity of the supernatant and also the immunomodulatory effects of coculture. Studies using siRNA showed that IL-6 came mainly from the MSC in coculture, and reduction in production in MSC alone was sufficient to impair the protective effects of coculture. Interestingly, siRNA knockdown of IL-6-receptor expression in MSC as well as EC inhibited anti-inflammatory effects. This was explained when we detected soluble IL-6R receptor in supernatants and showed that receptor removal reduced the potency of supernatant. Neutralization of transforming growth factor-β indicated that activation of this factor in coculture contributed to IL-6 production. Thus, crosstalk between MSC and EC caused upregulation of production of IL-6 by MSC which in turn downregulated the response of EC to inflammatory cytokines, an effect potentiated by MSC release of soluble IL-6R. These studies establish a novel mechanism by which MSC might have protective effects against inflammatory pathology and cardiovascular disease. Stem Cells 2013;31:2690–2702