bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐Incision Transaxillary Robotic Thyroidectomy
Authors: Lin Ho‐Sheng , Folbe Adam J. , Carron Michael A. , Zuliani Giancarlo F. , Chen Wei , Yoo George H. , Mathog Robert H. 
Published: September 2012

ObjectiveWe reviewed our initial experience with robotic thy‐roidectomy to identify challenges and limitations of this new surgical approach when applied to a North American population.Study DesignCase series.SettingAcademic institution.Subjects/MethodsRetrospective review of 18 consecutive robotic thyroid lobectomies performed from February 2010 to April 2012 involving 16 female patients. Two patients underwent robot‐assisted completion thyroidectomy a few months following the initial thyroid surgery, one for cancer and the other for goiter.ResultsMedian age was 47.5 years (range, 18‐62 years), and median body mass index was 28.7 (range, 19.4‐44.5). Median thyroid nodule size was 2.9 cm (range, 1.1‐4.7 cm). All but 1 case (6%) was performed successfully via single axillary incision. There was no conversion to an open approach. Median operative time was 170 minutes (range, 95‐220 minutes), and median blood loss was 12.5 mL (range, 5‐75 mL). Complications occurred in 4 cases (22%) to include temporary vocal cord pareses (n = 3) and a postoperative hematoma that required exploration. Median hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1‐3 days).ConclusionSingle‐incision transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy can be technically challenging in North American patients with a larger body frame due to difficulty in optimal placement of all 4 robotic instruments via a single axillary incision. All 3 cases of temporary vocal cord paresis occurred early in our experience and may have been due to our relative inexperience with this new approach and associated instrumentation. Other limitations include less than optimal visualization of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in the contralateral lobe as well as poor access to the substernal region.Level of Evidence: 4
Auditory‐Perceptual Speech Outcomes and Quality of Life after Total Laryngectomy
Authors: Eadie Tanya L. , Day Adam M. B. , Sawin Devon E. , Lamvik Kristin , Doyle Philip C. 
Published: September 2012

Objective(1) To determine potential relationships between speech intelligibility, acceptability, and self‐reported quality of life (QOL) after total laryngectomy and (2) to determine whether relationships are stronger when QOL is measured by a head and neck cancer–specific or discipline‐specific QOL scale.Study DesignCross‐sectional.SettingUniversity‐based laboratory and speech clinic.Subjects and MethodsTwenty‐five laryngectomized individuals completed disease‐specific (University of Washington Quality of Life; UW‐QOL) and discipline‐specific (Voice Handicap Index–10; VHI‐10) QOL scales. They also provided audio recordings that included the Sentence Intelligibility Test (SIT) and a reading passage. Thirty‐three listeners transcribed the SIT sentences to yield intelligibility scores. Fifteen additional listeners judged speech acceptability of the reading passage using rating scales.ResultsThe QOL scores were moderate across the UW‐QOL physical (mean = 77.63) and social‐emotional (mean = 78.02) subscales and the VHI‐10 (mean = 17.91). Speech acceptability and intelligibility varied across the samples, with acceptability only moderately related to intelligibility (r = 0.41, P <. 05). Relationships were weak between ratings of intelligibility and self‐reported QOL (range, r = 0.00‐0.22) and weak to moderate between acceptability with QOL (range, r = 0.01‐0.46). The only statistically significant, but moderate, relationship was found between speech acceptability with the UW‐QOL speech subscore (r = 0.46, P <. 05).ConclusionListeners’ ratings of speech acceptability and intelligibility were not strongly predictive of disease‐specific or voice‐related QOL, suggesting that listener‐rated and patient‐reported outcomes are complementary.
Use of Effective Project Communication Principles in an Overseas IT Project: A Case of Wipro Technologies
Authors: Rajhans Kirti , Shah Mona N. 
Published: September 2012

This case deals with the specialties involved in project management (PM) communication. It purports that project communication has some nuances of emphasis that differentiate it from general business communication. PM has emerged from the discipline of Operations Management (OM), a branch of management science dealing with the hardcore scientific practices in executing work. Thus, like OM, PM quantifies, systematizes and documents almost all actions. Therefore Project Communication (PC) too follows standardized procedures and manuals, as PM operates within constraints of budgets and deliveries, like in Operations Management. There is little scope for rework. It is even more acute in case of overseas projects, where challenges like differences in organization and project culture, time zones, language, technology and distance, etc. add to the enormous complexity. Thus, PC entails accuracy and systematic handling of communication networks. Constituent members in the network must follow strict documentation procedures. The project manager should display sophistication in handling interpersonal communication problems. In fact, he must even anticipate probable pitfalls and take proactive efforts to avoid them later in the process. The present case depicts the efficient communication practices which Nitish followed for Wipro’s overseas project. His success is an outcome of following good interpersonal communication while adhering to the communication plan and the project framework.
The Employee Strike at University of Health Sciences, Lahore–Punjab
Authors: Qureshi Zafar I. , Mahmood Hassan 
Published: September 2012

This case traces the series of events that led to the crippling employee strike faced by the University of Health Sciences in 2009–2010. Instigated by a somewhat ambiguously worded directive from the Punjab Government (under whose aegis the UHS functions) regarding the regularization of contract employees, the misunderstanding snowballed into a full-fledged revolt by the majority of the UHS contractual staff against the university management. This led to the university finally having to relieve 65 per cent of its work force from employment. This case narrates in detail how these events came to pass. It also presents a brief overview of the UHS organizational structure; its decision-making dynamics; and the institutional context in which it functions. A brief outline of the university VC’s leadership style is also presented.
Semaphorin 6A regulates angiogenesis by modulating VEGF signaling
Authors: Segarra Marta , Ohnuki Hidetaka , Maric Dragan , Salvucci Ombretta , Hou Xu , Kumar Anil , Li Xuri , Tosato Giovanna 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Formation of new vessels during development and in the mature mammal generally proceeds through angiogenesis. Although a variety of molecules and signaling pathways are known to underlie endothelial cell sprouting and remodeling during angiogenesis, many aspects of this complex process remain unexplained. Here we show that the transmembrane semaphorin6A (Sema6A) is expressed in endothelial cells, and regulates endothelial cell survival and growth by modulating the expression and signaling of VEGFR2, which is known to maintain endothelial cell viability by autocrine VEGFR signaling. The silencing of Sema6A in primary endothelial cells promotes cell death that is not rescued by exogenous VEGF-A or FGF2, attributable to the loss of prosurvival signaling from endogenous VEGF. Analyses of mouse tissues demonstrate that Sema6A is expressed in angiogenic and remodeling vessels. Mice with null mutations of Sema6A exhibit significant defects in hyaloid vessels complexity associated with increased endothelial cell death, and in retinal vessels development that is abnormally reduced. Adult Sema6A-null mice exhibit reduced tumor, matrigel, and choroidal angiogenesis compared with controls. Sema6A plays important roles in development of the nervous system. Here we show that it also regulates vascular development and adult angiogenesis.
Conditioning regimens for allotransplants for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: myeloablative or reduced intensity?
Authors: Bacher Ulrike , Klyuchnikov Evgeny , Le-Rademacher Jennifer , Carreras Jeanette , Armand Philippe , Bishop Michael R. , Bredeson Christopher N. , Cairo Mitchell S. , Fenske Timothy S. , Freytes Cesar O. , Gale Robert Peter , Gibson John , Isola Luis M. , Inwards David J. , Laport Ginna G. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Maziarz Richard T. , Wiernik Peter H. , Schouten Harry C. , Slavin Shimon , Smith Sonali M. , Vose Julie M. , Waller Edmund K. , Hari Parameswaran N. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
The best conditioning regimen before allogeneic transplantation for high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains to be clarified. We analyzed data from 396 recipients of allotransplants for DLBCL receiving myeloablative (MAC; n = 165), reduced intensity (RIC; n = 143), or nonmyeloablative conditioning (NMAC; n = 88) regimens. Acute and chronic GVHD rates were similar across the groups. Five-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was higher in MAC than RIC and NMAC (56% vs 47% vs 36%; P = .007). Five-year relapse/progression was lower in MAC than in RIC/NMAC (26% vs 38% vs 40%; P = .031). Five-year progression-free survival (15%-25%) and overall survival (18%-26%) did not differ significantly between the cohorts. In multivariate analysis, NMAC and more recent transplant year were associated with lower NRM, whereas a lower Karnofsky performance score (< 90), prior relapse resistant to therapy, and use of unrelated donors were associated with higher NRM. NMAC transplants, no prior use of rituximab, and prior relapse resistant to therapy were associated with a greater risk of relapse/progression. In conclusion, allotransplantation with RIC or NMAC induces long-term progression-free survival in selected DLBCL patients with a lower risk of NRM but with higher risk of lymphoma progression or relapse.
A prospective study of circulating adipokine levels and risk of multiple myeloma
Authors: Hofmann Jonathan N. , Liao Linda M. , Pollak Michael N. , Wang Ye , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Baris Dalsu , Andreotti Gabriella , Lan Qing , Landgren Ola , Rothman Nathaniel , Purdue Mark P. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
It has been hypothesized that the observed excess risk of multiple myeloma (MM) among obese persons could be the result of altered circulating levels of adipokines, polypeptide hormones with pro- and anti-inflammatory properties secreted by adipose tissue. We investigated whether circulating levels of leptin, total adiponectin, and high molecular weight adiponectin are associated with subsequent MM risk among 174 MM patients and 348 controls within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Inverse associations with MM were observed for total adiponectin (highest quartile vs lowest: odds ratio = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.26-0.93, Ptrend = .03) and high molecular weight adiponectin (0.44; 0.23-0.85, Ptrend = .01). These associations remained after restricting to MM patients diagnosed ∼ 8 years or more after blood collection. Leptin levels were not associated with MM risk. The results of this study, to our knowledge the first prospective investigation of circulating adipokines and MM, suggest that adiponectin may play an important role in obesity-related myelomagenesis.
Human red blood cells at work: identification and visualization of erythrocytic eNOS activity in health and disease
Authors: Cortese-Krott Miriam M. , Rodriguez-Mateos Ana , Sansone Roberto , Kuhnle Gunter G. C. , Thasian-Sivarajah Sivatharsini , Krenz Thomas , Horn Patrick , Krisp Christoph , Wolters Dirk , Heiß Christian , Kröncke Klaus-Dietrich , Hogg Neil , Feelisch Martin , Kelm Malte 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
A nitric oxide synthase (NOS)–like activity has been demonstrated in human red blood cells (RBCs), but doubts about its functional significance, isoform identity and disease relevance remain. Using flow cytometry in combination with the nitric oxide (NO)–imaging probe DAF-FM we find that all blood cells form NO intracellularly, with a rank order of monocytes > neutrophils > lymphocytes > RBCs > platelets. The observation of a NO-related fluorescence within RBCs was unexpected given the abundance of the NO-scavenger oxyhemoglobin. Constitutive normoxic NO formation was abolished by NOS inhibition and intracellular NO scavenging, confirmed by laser-scanning microscopy and unequivocally validated by detection of the DAF-FM reaction product with NO using HPLC and LC-MS/MS. Using immunoprecipitation, ESI-MS/MS-based peptide sequencing and enzymatic assay we further demonstrate that human RBCs contain an endothelial NOS (eNOS) that converts L-3H-arginine to L-3H-citrulline in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent fashion. Moreover, in patients with coronary artery disease, red cell eNOS expression and activity are both lower than in age-matched healthy individuals and correlate with the degree of endothelial dysfunction. Thus, human RBCs constitutively produce NO under normoxic conditions via an active eNOS isoform, the activity of which is compromised in patients with coronary artery disease.
Transcriptomic analysis of peritoneal cells in a mouse model of sepsis: confirmatory and novel results in early and late sepsis
Authors: Bhatty Minny , Fan Ruping , Muir William M , Pruett Stephen B , Nanduri Bindu 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe events leading to sepsis start with an invasive infection of a primary organ of the body followed by an overwhelming systemic response. Intra-abdominal infections are the second most common cause of sepsis. Peritoneal fluid is the primary site of infection in these cases. A microarray-based approach was used to study the temporal changes in cells from the peritoneal cavity of septic mice and to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this subset of sepsis patients.ResultsWe conducted microarray analysis of the peritoneal cells of mice infected with a non-pathogenic strain ofEscherichia coli. Differentially expressed genes were identified at two early (1 h, 2 h) and one late time point (18 h). A multiplexed bead array analysis was used to confirm protein expression for several cytokines which showed differential expression at different time points based on the microarray data. Gene Ontology based hypothesis testing identified a positive bias of differentially expressed genes associated with cellular development and cell death at 2 h and 18 h respectively. Most differentially expressed genes common to all 3 time points had an immune response related function, consistent with the observation that a few bacteria are still present at 18 h.ConclusionsTranscriptional regulators like PLAGL2, EBF1, TCF7, KLF10 and SBNO2, previously not described in sepsis, are differentially expressed at early and late time points. Expression pattern for key biomarkers in this study is similar to that reported in human sepsis, indicating the suitability of this model for future studies of sepsis, and the observed differences in gene expression suggest species differences or differences in the response of blood leukocytes and peritoneal leukocytes.
Characterization of EssB, a protein required for secretion of ESAT-6 like proteins in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Chen Yi-Hsing , Anderson Mark , Hendrickx Antoni PA , Missiakas Dominique 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundStaphylococcus aureussecretes EsxA and EsxB, two small polypeptides of the WXG100 family of proteins. Genetic analyses have shown that production and secretion of EsxA and EsxB require an intact ESAT-6 Secretion System (ESS), a cluster of genes that is conserved in many Firmicutes and encompassesesxAandesxB. Here, we characterize EssB, one of the proteins encoded by the ESS cluster. EssB is highly conserved in Gram-positive bacteria and belongs to the Cluster of Orthologous Groups of protein COG4499 with no known function.ResultsBy generating an internal deletion inessB, we demonstrate that EssB is required for secretion of EsxA. We use a polyclonal antibody to identify EssB and show that the protein fractionates with the plasma membrane ofS. aureus. Yet, when produced inEscherichia coli,EssB remains mostly soluble and the purified protein assembles into a highly organized oligomer that can be visualized by electron microscopy. Production of truncated EssB variants in wild-typeS. aureusconfers a dominant negative phenotype on EsxA secretion.ConclusionsThe data presented here support the notion that EssB may oligomerize and interact with other membrane components to form the WXG100-specific translocon inS. aureus.
Identification and characterization of circadian clock genes in a native tobacco, Nicotiana attenuata
Authors: Yon Felipe , Seo Pil-Joon , Ryu Jae Yong , Park Chung-Mo , Baldwin Ian T , Kim Sang-Gyu 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
A plant’s endogenous clock (circadian clock) entrains physiological processes to light/dark and temperature cycles. Forward and reverse genetic approaches in Arabidopsis have revealed the mechanisms of the circadian clock and its components in the genome. Similar approaches have been used to characterize conserved clock elements in several plant species. A wild tobacco, Nicotiana attenuata has been studied extensively to understand responses to biotic or abiotic stress in the glasshouse and also in their native habitat. During two decades of field experiment, we observed several diurnal rhythmic traits of N. attenuata in nature. To expand our knowledge of circadian clock function into the entrainment of traits important for ecological processes, we here report three core clock components in N. attenuata.

Results
Protein similarity and transcript accumulation allowed us to isolate orthologous genes of the core circadian clock components, LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY), TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1/PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 1 (TOC1/PRR1), and ZEITLUPE (ZTL). Transcript accumulation of NaLHY peaked at dawn and NaTOC1 peaked at dusk in plants grown under long day conditions. Ectopic expression of NaLHY and NaZTL in Arabidopsis resulted in elongated hypocotyl and late-flowering phenotypes. Protein interactions between NaTOC1 and NaZTL were confirmed by yeast two-hybrid assays. Finally, when NaTOC1 was silenced in N. attenuata, late-flowering phenotypes under long day conditions were clearly observed.

Conclusions
We identified three core circadian clock genes in N. attenuata and demonstrated the functional and biochemical conservation of NaLHY, NaTOC1, and NaZTL.
Cefditoren: Comparative efficacy with other antimicrobials and risk factors for resistance in clinical isolates causing UTIs in outpatients
Authors: Hatzaki Despina , Poulakou Garyphallia , Katsarolis Ioannis , Lambri Niki , Souli Maria , Deliolanis Ioannis , Nikolopoulos Georgios K , Lebessi Evangelia , Giamarellou Helen 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
To investigate a possible role of Cefditoren, a recently marketed in Greece third-generation oral cephalosporin in urinary infections of outpatients.

Methods
During a multicenter survey of Enterobacteriaceae causing UTIs in outpatients during 2005–2007, Cefditoren MICs were determined by agar dilution method in a randomly selected sample of uropathogens. Susceptibility against 18 other oral/parenteral antimicrobials was determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute methodology.

Results
A total of 563 isolates (330 Escherichia coli, 142 Proteus mirabilis and 91 Klebsiella spp) was studied; MIC50/MIC90 of Cefditoren was 0.25/0.5 mg/L respectively, with 97.1% of the isolates being inhibited at 1 mg/L. All 12 strains producing ESBLs or AmpC enzymes were resistant to cefditoren. Susceptibility rates (%) for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefuroxime axetil, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and fosfomycin were 93.1- 94.1- 96.8-93.1-71.9 and 92.8% respectively. Cefditoren MIC was significantly higher in nalidixic/ciprofloxacin non-susceptible strains; resistance to cefditoren was not associated with resistance to mecillinam, fosfomycin nitrofurantoin and aminoglycosides. Multivariate analysis demonstrated history of urinary infection in the last two weeks or three months as risk factors for cefditoren resistance.

Conclusions
Cefditoren exhibited enhanced in vitro activity against the most common uropathogens in the outpatient setting, representing an alternative oral treatment option in patients with risk factors for resistance to first-line antibiotics.
Stress associated gene expression in blood cells is related to outcome in radiotherapy treated head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Bøhn Siv K , Russnes Kjell M , Sakhi Amrit K , Thoresen Magne , Holden Marit , Moskaug JanØ , Myhrstad Mari C , Olstad Ole K , Smeland Sigbjørn , Blomhoff Rune 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundWe previously observed that a radiotherapy-induced biochemical response in plasma was associated with favourable outcome in head and neck squamous carcinoma cancer (HNSCC) patients. The aim of the present study was to compare stress associated blood cell gene expression between two sub-groups of HNSCC patients with different biochemical responses to radiotherapy.MethodsOut of 87 patients (histologically verified), 10 biochemical ‘responders’ having a high relative increase in plasma oxidative damage and a concomitant decrease in plasma antioxidants during radiotherapy and 10 ‘poor-responders’ were selected for gene-expression analysis and compared using gene set enrichment analysis.ResultsThere was a significant induction of stress-relevant gene-sets in the responders following radiotherapy compared to the poor-responders. The relevance of the involvement of similar stress associated gene expression for HNSCC cancer and radioresistance was verified using two publicly available data sets of 42 HNSCC cases and 14 controls (GEO GSE6791), and radiation resistant and radiation sensitive HNSCC xenografts (E-GEOD-9716).ConclusionsRadiotherapy induces a systemic stress response, as revealed by induction of stress relevant gene expression in blood cells, which is associated to favourable outcome in a cohort of 87 HNSCC patients. Whether these changes in gene expression reflects a systemic effect or are biomarkers of the tumour micro-environmental status needs further study.Trial registrationRaw data are available at ArrayExpress under accession number E-MEXP-2460.