bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Temperature on Reaction of Hexagonal BN Powder in Wet Air Between 1073 and 1373 K
Authors: Xinmei Hou , Yanxiang Liu , Ziyou Yu , Kuo‐Chih Chou 
Published: April 2014

The reaction of hexagonal BN powder in wet air at 1073–1373 K for 18 h was investigated using TG, XRD, and SEM analysis. Initially, the oxidation occurred rapidly with simultaneous volatile reaction. At long times, a steady state was achieved and the degradation rate was determined by the volatilization reaction. Temperature affected the reaction behavior. At 1073 K, it consisted of two linear processes. With temperature increasing, initially, the paralinear kinetics was observed and then followed the linear rate. The sample shape also affected the reaction behavior. The reaction kinetics was dealt with Chou's model and gotten good agreement.
Efficacy and tolerability of tamsulosin 0.4 mg in Asian patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia refractory to tamsulosin 0.2 mg: A randomized placebo controlled trial
Authors: Kim Jung Jun , Han Deok Hyun , Sung Hyun Hwan , Choo Seol Ho , Lee Sung Won 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin dose increase to 0.4 mg daily in Asian patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia refractory to tamsulosin 0.2 mg treatment.MethodsWe carried out a 12‐week, single‐center, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial in 220 patients. Patients treated with 0.2 mg tamsulosin daily without other lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia medication for more than 3 months and refractory to this treatment were enrolled. We defined “refractory” as an International Prostate Symptom Score of 13 or greater and a maximum flow rate of 15 or under despite medication. Patients with a surgical history related to lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia or a postvoid residual of 150 mL or greater were excluded. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the 0.4 mg group (two tablets of 0.2 mg tamsulosin once daily) or the 0.2 mg group (one tablet of 0.2 mg tamsulosin and one tablet of placebo once daily). International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum flow rate, blood pressure, heart rate, and adverse events were compared between the two groups at 4 weeks and 12 weeks.ResultsA total of 220 patients were enrolled and analyzed. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. After 12 weeks of medication, the International Prostate Symptom Score was not different between the two groups. However, the improvement in maximum flow rate was greater in the 0.4 mg group than the 0.2 mg group (3.0 ± 0.48 mL/s vs −0.25 ± 0.30 mL/s, P < 0.01). The proportion of patients who showed an increase in maximum flow rate of more than 5 mL/s was 10.9% in the 0.2 mg group versus 16.3% in the 0.4 mg group (P = 0.209). There were no significant differences in bother score or postvoid residual between the two groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were also not different between the two groups. The incidence of adverse events was 10.9% in the 0.2 mg group (dizziness 5.5%; abnormal ejaculation 1.8%; palpitation 1.8%; and headache 1.8%) and 9.09% in the 0.4 mg group (dizziness 3.6%; abnormal ejaculation 1.8%; palpitations 1.8%; and headache 1.8%).ConclusionsTamsulosin 0.4 mg appears to be a safe treatment regimen for treating lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia in Asian patients who do not respond to 0.2 mg treatment. Increasing the dose of tamsulosin results in a significant improvement in maximum flow rate without any increase in cardiovascular complications.
Clinical characteristics and oncological outcomes of testicular cancer patients registered in 2005 and 2008: The first large‐scale study from the Cancer Registration Committee of the Japanese Urological Association
Authors: Miki Tsuneharu , Kamoi Kazumi , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Kanayama Hiro‐omi , Ohyama Chikara , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Eto Masatoshi , Naito Seiji , Fukumori Tomoharu , Kubota Yoshinobu , Takahashi Satoru , Mikami Kazuya , Homma Yukio 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo describe the clinical and pathological characteristics and oncological outcomes of testicular cancer diagnosed in Japan, we report the results of the testicular cancer registration carried out by the Japanese Urological Association.MethodsTesticular cancer survey was conducted by the Japanese Urological Association in 2011 to register newly diagnosed testicular cancers in 2005 and 2008. The survey included details such as age, presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, tumor markers, histopathology, clinical stage, initial treatment and clinical outcomes.ResultsWe analyzed 1121 cases of testicular primary germ cell tumor among 1157 registered patients. The median age was 37.0 years. Seminomas and non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors accounted for 61.9% and 38.1%, respectively. Measurements of tumor markers were documented in 98.6% of the patients; however, there was an unsatisfactory uniform measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin, which made it difficult to evaluate the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification in all patients. The 1‐ and 3‐year overall survival rates from the entire cohort were 98.3% and 96.8%, respectively. According to the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification, 3‐year overall survival rates in the good, intermediate, and poor prognosis group were 99.1%, 100% and 79.9%, respectively.ConclusionsThe present report is the first large‐scale study of the characteristics and survival of testicular cancer patients in Japan based on multi‐institutional registry data, and showed a good prognosis even in an advanced stage. The improved survival attributed substantially to accurate diagnosis and effective multimodal treatment.
Game immersion experience: its hierarchical structure and impact on game‐based science learning
Authors: Cheng M.‐T. , She H.‐C. , Annetta L.A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMany studies have shown the positive impact of serious educational games (SEGs) on learning outcomes. However, there still exists insufficient research that delves into the impact of immersive experience in the process of gaming on SEG‐based science learning. The dual purpose of this study was to further explore this impact. One purpose was to develop and validate an innovative measurement, the Game Immersion Questionnaire (GIQ), and to further verify the hierarchical structure of game immersion by construct validity approaches, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n = 257) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n = 1044). The second purpose was to investigate the impact of game immersion on science learning through SEG play (n = 260). Overall, the results supported the internal structure of the GIQ with good reliability and validity, and the inter factor bivariate correlations for each construct indicated a high internal consistency. Players did learn from playing an SEG, and game immersion experience did lead to higher gaming performance. Moreover, players' gaming performance plays a role in mediating the effect of immersion on science learning outcomes through SEG play. However, as players became more emotionally and subjectively attached to the game, the science learning outcomes were not definitively reliable.
African American Adolescents and Mental Health Care: A Metasynthesis
Authors: Bains Ranbir Mangat 
Published: April 2014

ProblemAfrican American adolescents access mental health services at lower rates than their Caucasian counterparts, thus resulting in a large disparity. The purpose of the study was to understand the experiences of African American adolescents in dealing with mental health conditions and what led to or hindered their access to mental health services.MethodsA metasynthesis of six qualitative studies was conducted using the meta‐ethnographic approach by Noblit and Hare.FindingsFour reciprocal themes illuminating the experiences of African American adolescents with mental health issues were revealed: uncertainty and soul searching, strength of the inner circle, shame and reluctance, belief in the system. Each of the themes was explored in detail through the rich quotations of the adolescents.ConclusionsThe findings provided an insight and understanding into the process the adolescents went through before seeking help and may aid as a framework for designing interventions to better serve this vulnerable population.
PMC, a potent hydrophilic α‐tocopherol derivative, inhibits NF‐κB activation via PP2A but not IκBα‐dependent signals in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Hsieh Cheng‐Ying , Hsiao George , Hsu Ming‐Jen , Wang Yi‐Hsuan , Sheu Joen‐Rong 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe hydrophilic α‐tocopherol derivative, 2,2,5,7,8‐pentamethyl‐6‐hydroxychromane (PMC), is a promising alternative to vitamin E in clinical applications. Critical vascular inflammation leads to vascular dysfunction and vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension and abdominal aortic aneurysms. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of the inhibitory effects of PMC in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exposed to pro‐inflammatory stimuli, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with interferon (IFN)‐γ. Treatment of LPS/IFN‐γ‐stimulated VSMCs with PMC suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in a concentration‐dependent manner. A reduction in LPS/IFN‐γ‐induced nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation was also observed in PMC‐treated VSMCs. The translocation and phosphorylation of p65, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inactivation and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly inhibited by PMC in LPS/IFN‐γ‐activated VSMCs. However, neither IκBα degradation nor IκB kinase (IKK) or ribosomal s6 kinase‐1 phosphorylation was affected by PMC under these conditions. Both treatments with okadaic acid, a PP2A‐selective inhibitor, and transfection with PP2A siRNA markedly reversed the PMC‐mediated inhibition of iNOS expression, NF‐κB‐promoter activity and p65 phosphorylation. Immunoprecipitation analysis of the cellular extracts of LPS/IFN‐γ‐stimulated VSMCs revealed that p65 colocalizes with PP2A. In addition, p65 phosphorylation and PP2A inactivation were induced in VSMCs by treatment with H2O2, but neither IκBα degradation nor IKK phosphorylation was observed. These results collectively indicate that the PMC‐mediated inhibition of NF‐κB activity in LPS/IFN‐γ‐stimulated VSMCs occurs through the ROS‐PP2A‐p65 signalling cascade, an IKK‐IκBα‐independent mechanism. Therapeutic interventions using PMC may therefore be beneficial for the treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases.
Prospective long‐term study of hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients with hematologic malignancy
Authors: Tamori Akihiro , Hino Masayuki , Kawamura Etsushi , Fujii Hideki , Uchida‐Kobayashi Sawako , Morikawa Hiroyasu , Nakamae Hirohisa , Enomoto Masaru , Murakami Yoshiki , Kawada Norifumi 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimTo elucidate the clinical characteristics of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBV‐R), we performed a prospective long‐term study of patients with hematologic malignancy, including both hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers and those with resolved HBV infection.MethodsTwenty‐one patients with hematopoietic stem‐cell transplants (HSCT) and 36 patients given rituximab‐based chemotherapy were enrolled. Entecavir was administered prophylactically to eight patients with HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). HBV‐DNA was measured every month in 49 patients with resolved HBV infection, and preemptive therapy was given to eight patients with HBV‐R.ResultsHBV‐R developed in five (26%) of 19 patients with HSCT and three (10%) of 30 patients given rituximab‐based chemotherapy. HBV‐R occurred a median of 3 months (range: 2–10) after the end of rituximab‐based chemotherapy and 22 months (range: 9–36) after HSCT. HBV‐R did not develop in patients with an antibodies against HBsAg (anti‐HBs) titer exceeding 200 mIU/mL at baseline. Mutations in the “a” determinant region with amino acid replacement were detected in four of the eight patients with HBV‐R. Preemptive therapy prevented severe hepatitis related to HBV‐R. Entecavir treatment was stopped in four patients with HBV‐R. Since the withdrawal of entecavir, HBV‐DNA has not been detected in two patients persistently positive for anti‐HBs. No patient had fatal hepatitis.ConclusionsProper management of patients with HBsAg or resolved HBV infection prevented fatal hepatitis related to HBV‐R in patients who received immunosuppressive or cytotoxic therapy. Entecavir could be safely discontinued in patients with HBV‐R who had acquired anti‐HBs.
Assessment of safety of non‐anesthesiologist‐assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography based on performance status in elderly patients
Authors: Park Tae Young , Choi Jung Sik , Oh Hyoung‐Chul , Kim Ju Wan , Do Jae Hyuk , Jung Yong Hun 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been increasingly performed in the elderly patients, yet little is known concerning objective criteria of safety. This study aimed to determine the potential predictors for the procedure‐related outcomes.MethodsTwo hundred eighty‐one patients older than 70 years who were indicated for ERCP (group A [n = 195], 70–79 years of age; group B [n = 86], ≥ 80 years of age) were prospectively enrolled and analyzed for the development of serious adverse events related to ERCP.ResultsERCP was not performed in six patients at high risk for the procedure. There were significant differences between group A and B in Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) (23.1 vs 14.9, P < 0.01) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (3 and 4, 49/195 vs 33/86, P < 0.05). Major ERCP‐related complications (hypotension, severe bradycardia, hypoxia, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction) occurred in five patients from group B and three from group A. Post‐ERCP pancreatitis occurred in one patient from group A and bleeding in one from group B. In univariate analysis, old age (≥ 80 years), American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥ 3, and DASI < 10 were statistically significant predictors for overall serious events related to ERCP. In the multivariate analysis, DASI < 10 (only manage to ambulate) was independent predictor for overall serious events related to ERCP.ConclusionDASI score is useful predictor for the feasibility assessment of safe ERCP in the elderly patients.
Oral antiviral therapy improves the diagnostic accuracy of alpha‐fetoprotein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Shim Jae‐Jun , Kim Jung Wook , Lee Chang Kyun , Jang Jae Young , Kim Byung‐Ho 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimsAnalysis of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels affords limited diagnostic accuracy because of the high false‐positive rates, especially in those with active chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We measured AFP levels before and after commencement of oral antiviral therapy and explored the utility of these data in terms of early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with CHB.MethodsA total of 207 patients with CHB who were treated with an oral antiviral agent were consecutively included. Dynamic changes in AFP levels and the diagnostic utility of such changes for HCC detection during the therapy were explored.ResultsThe proportions of patients showing elevated AFP levels (≥ 20 ng/mL) were 22.2%, 5.5%, and 1.3% at baseline; and at 6 and 12 months after commencement of antiviral therapy, respectively. All patients who did not suffer from HCC exhibited normalization of AFP levels at 12 months. The cumulative incidence of HCC was 9.5% during 36 months of follow‐up. If AFP levels were over 20 ng/mL after 12 months of antiviral treatment, the probability of HCC development approached certainty. The positive predictive value for HCC development remained at 100% in patients prescribed long‐term (≥ 12 months) antiviral therapy, if AFP levels persistently or abruptly elevated more than 12 ng/mL.ConclusionsIn the era of oral antiviral agents, AFP might be a useful biomarker for HCC surveillance in patients with CHB.
Evaluation of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of gastrointestinal mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma
Authors: Xu Xiaoxiao , Wang Zhenxing , Yu Yong , Wang Yafei , Zhang Lianyu , Sun Baocun , Da Wanming , Zhang Yizhuo 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThis study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and long‐term outcomes of patients with mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.MethodsClinical and pathological features of patients with MALT lymphoma in the GI tract, who were treated consecutively at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from 2001 to 2011, were evaluated retrospectively.ResultsAmong a total of 99 identified cases, 79.79% of lymphomas were localized in the stomach, 20.20% in the intestinal tract, and disseminated disease was detected in 35.4% of cases. The estimated 5‐year overall survival (OS) and 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) rates were 73.1% and 65.1%, respectively. The comparison between stomach and intestinal tract lymphomas demonstrated no significant difference in characteristics, but nodal involvement was significantly lower in gastric MALT lymphoma (26.6%) as compared with intestinal tract MALT lymphoma (60%, P = 0.006). The outcomes of gastric and intestinal MALT lymphomas were similar (OS, P = 0.492; PFS, P = 0.408), and so was the survival between proximal and distal gastric lymphomas (OS, P = 0.077; PFS, P = 0.181). Serum lactate dehydrogenase level above normal was identified as the only adverse prognostic factor for both OS and PFS.ConclusionThe clinical characteristics and outcomes demonstrated no significant differences between gastric and intestinal tract MALT lymphomas. Serum lactate dehydrogenase level was an independent prognostic factor for the survival of GI MALT lymphoma.
Second peak in the distribution of age at onset of ulcerative colitis in relation to smoking cessation
Authors: Takahashi Haruhiko , Matsui Toshiyuki , Hisabe Takashi , Hirai Fumihito , Takatsu Noritaka , Tsurumi Kozue , Kanemitsu Takao , Sato Yuho , Kinjyo Ken , Yano Yutaka , Takaki Yasuhiro , Nagahama Takashi , Yao Kenshi , Washio Masakazu 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThe prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing steadily in Japan. In Western countries, a bimodal distribution, with UC onset peaks in youth and middle age, is observed, and smoking cessation is reported as a risk factor for UC. However, there are few reports on a bimodal distribution of onset age among Japanese patients. Therefore, the distribution of onset age and factors related to late onset (i.e. onset at 50 years old or later) were investigated in UC patients in Japan.MethodsA questionnaire survey of UC patients was conducted to investigate the distribution of the age of onset and factors that may be related to UC onset in a Japanese university hospital.ResultsAmong 465 UC patients, 343 patients responded. In the distribution of onset age, a large peak was seen in patients aged 10–20s, and small peaks were seen at age 40–44 years and then in 50–60s. In addition, the onset age was older in the UC patients diagnosed in 2001 or later than in those diagnosed in 2000 or earlier. Late onset was more common among the UC patients diagnosed in 2001 or later (vs 2000 or earlier: interaction odds ratio = 4.98, 95% CI: 2.21–11.25, P < 0.01) and among former smokers (vs never‐smokers: interaction odds ratio = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.40–6.14, P < 0.01) on multivariate analysis.ConclusionsSimilar to UC patients in Western countries, a bimodal distribution of onset age was also observed in Japanese UC patients, and smoking cessation may partly contribute to the increase in late‐onset UC patients in recent years in Japan.
CD34+ cell therapy is safe and effective in slowing the decline of hepatic reserve function in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Nakamura Toru , Torimura Takuji , Iwamoto Hideki , Kurogi Jyunichi , Inoue Hiroto , Hori Yukie , Sumie Shuji , Fukushima Nobuyoshi , Sakata Masahiro , Koga Hironori , Abe Mitsuhiko , Ikezono Yu , Hashimoto Osamu , Ueno Takato , Oho Kazuhiko , Okamura Takashi , Okuda Seiya , Kawamoto Atsuhiko , Ii Masaaki , Asahara Takayuki , Sata Michio 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimPreclinical studies in rodent models of chronic liver fibrosis have shown that transplantation of peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells leads to hepatic regeneration and a reduction of liver fibrosis by suppressing hepatic stellate cell activity and increasing matrix metalloproteinase activity. The aim of this study was to examine the safety and clinical efficacy of intrahepatic transplantation of autologous granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐mobilized PB‐CD34+ cells in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.MethodsPB‐CD34+ cells were isolated from G‐CSF‐mobilized apheresis products. Ten patients were treated with G‐CSF‐mobilized PB‐CD34+ cells (treatment group) and seven patients were treated with standard medical therapy. For mobilization, patients in the treatment group received subcutaneous injections of 10 μg G‐CSF/kg/day for 5 days. The cells were then injected at three different doses (5 × 105, 1 × 106 and 2 × 106 cells/kg) through the hepatic artery. Thereafter, all patients were followed up for 24 months.ResultsG‐CSF treatment and leukapheresis were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were observed. Patients in the treatment group had a significant but transient splenomegaly. After 24 weeks, serum albumin was significantly increased in patients who had received middle or high doses of CD34+ cells compared with baseline. Doppler ultrasound showed a significant increase in hepatic blood flow velocity and blood flow volume after CD34+ cell therapy. The hepatic vein pressure gradient decreased in two patients who received high‐dose CD34+ cells at week 16.ConclusionsCD34+ cell therapy is feasible, safe and effective in slowing the decline of hepatic reserve function.
The role of Fbxw7 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent non‐tumor liver tissue
Authors: Imura Satoru , Tovuu Lkhagva‐Ochir , Utsunomiya Tohru , Morine Yuji , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Arakawa Yusuke , Kanamoto Mami , Iwahashi Shuichi , Saito Yu , Takasu Chie , Yamada Shinichiro , Ishikawa Daichi , Bando Yoshimi , Shimada Mitsuo 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimFbxw7 is a tumor suppressor gene through ubiquitination and degradation of multiple oncoproteins. Loss of Fbxw7 expression is frequently observed in various human cancers. In the present study, we examined the role of Fbxw7 expression in both non‐tumor liver tissues and tumor tissues on clinicopathological significance.MethodsSixty‐six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), who underwent hepatectomy, were divided into two groups: high and low gene‐expression group, based on the Fbxw7 expression level. We compared the clinicopathological factors between the high expression and low expression groups in both tumor and non‐tumor tissues.ResultsFbxw7 messenger RNA expression level in the non‐tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in the tumor tissues. In the analysis of Fbxw7 expression in tumor and non‐tumor tissues, disease‐free survival rate in the Fbxw7 high expression group was significantly higher than that in the low expression group. In multivariable analysis, Fbxw7 low expression in both tumor and non‐tumor tissue was detected as the strongest independent risk factor for HCC recurrence.ConclusionsLow Fbxw7 expression in both tumor and non‐tumor tissue may be an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence after hepatectomy in patients with HCC.