bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced anticancer properties of lomustine in conjunction with docosahexaenoic acid in glioblastoma cell lines
Authors: Harvey Kevin A. , Xu Zhidong , Saaddatzadeh M. Reza , Wang Haiyan , Pollok Karen , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. , Siddiqui Rafat A. 
Published: December 2014

OBJECT
Glioblastoma is a rapidly infiltrating tumor that consistently rematerializes despite various forms of aggressive treatment. Brain tumors are commonly treated with alkylating drugs, such as lomustine, which are chemotherapeutic agents. Use of these drugs, however, is associated with serious side effects. To reduce the side effects, one approach is to combine lower doses of chemotherapeutic drugs with other nontoxic anticancer agents. In this study, using glioblastoma cell lines, the authors investigated the anticancer effects of lomustine, alone and in combination with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid normally abundant in the brain and known for its anticancer potential.

METHODS
Cells were cultured from 3 human-derived tumor cell lines (U87-MG, DB029, and MHBT161) and supplemented with either DHA or lomustine to determine the growth inhibitory potential using WST-1, a mitochondrial functional indicator. Human-derived cerebral cortex microvascular endothelial cells served as a normal phenotypic control. Cellular incorporation of DHA was analyzed by gas chromatography. Using flow cytometric analysis, the DHA and/or lomustine effect on induction of apoptosis and/or necrosis was quantified; subsequently, the DHA and lomustine effect on cell cycle progression was also assessed. Western blot analysis confirmed the role of downstream cellular targets.

RESULTS
U87-MG growth was inhibited with the supplementation of either DHA (ED50 68.3 μM) or lomustine (ED50 68.1 μM); however, growth inhibition was enhanced when U87-MG cells were administered equimolar doses of each compound, resulting in nearly total growth inhibition at 50 μM. Gas chromatography analysis of the fatty acid profile in DHA-supplemented U87-MG cells resulted in a linear dose-dependent increase in DHA incorporation (< 60 μM). The combination of DHA and lomustine potently induced U87-MG apoptosis and necrosis as indicated by flow cytometric analysis. Activation of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was evident in lomustine-treated U87-MG cells, although this activation did not appear to be dependent on DHA supplementation. Additionally, lomustine-treated cells' growth arrested in the G2/M cell cycle stage, regardless of the presence of DHA. Similar to the U87-MG observations, the combination of DHA and lomustine resulted in growth inhibition of 2 additional human-derived glioblastoma cell lines, DB029 and MHBT161. Importantly, in primary human-derived cerebral cortex endothelial cells, this combination was only growth inhibitory (40.8%) at the highest dose screened (100 μM), which indicates a certain degree of selectivity toward glioblastoma.

CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, these data suggest a potential role for a combination therapy of lomustine and DHA for the treatment of glioblastomas.
Les médecins grands et beaux sont-ils plus souvent perçus comme de « grands » médecins ?
Authors: Macé Serge , Wolff François-Charles 
Published: December 2014

Objectif : Examiner dans quelle mesure les caractéristiques physiques telles que la taille, la corpulence et l’apparence physique des médecins traitants sont corrélées à la confiance que leur portent leurs patients, le degré auquel ils suivent leur prescription et l’évaluation qu’ils font de leur compétence. Méthode : Enquête par questionnaire auprès de 1161 jeunes adultes (âge moyen = 20,1 ans). Résultats : La confiance des patients, le degré auquel ils suivent leurs prescriptions et la compétence qu’ils attribuent à leur médecin traitant sont corrélés positivement avec sa taille et sa beauté physique, mais négativement avec son âge et sa corpulence. Le sexe du médecin n’a pas d’incidence sur le jugement.
Long-Term Monitoring of Endangered Laysan Ducks: Index Validation and Population Estimates 1998–2012
Authors: Reynolds Michelle H. , Courtot Karen N. , Brinck Kevin W. , Rehkemper Cynthia L. , Hatfield Jeff S. 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Monitoring endangered wildlife is essential to assessing management or recovery objectives and learning about population status. We tested assumptions of a population index for endangered Laysan duck (or teal; Anas laysanensis) monitored using mark–resight methods on Laysan Island, Hawai'i. We marked 723 Laysan ducks between 1998 and 2009 and identified seasonal surveys through 2012 that met accuracy and precision criteria for estimating population abundance. Our results provide a 15-y time series of seasonal population estimates at Laysan Island. We found differences in detection among seasons and how observed counts related to population estimates. The highest counts and the strongest relationship between count and population estimates occurred in autumn (September–November). The best autumn surveys yielded population abundance estimates that ranged from 674 (95% CI = 619–730) in 2003 to 339 (95% CI = 265–413) in 2012. A population decline of 42% was observed between 2010 and 2012 after consecutive storms and Japan's Tōhoku earthquake-generated tsunami in 2011. Our results show positive correlations between the seasonal maximum counts and population estimates from the same date, and support the use of standardized bimonthly counts of unmarked birds as a valid index to monitor trends among years within a season at Laysan Island.
PREVALENCE OF ALPHA THALASSEMIA IN MICROCYTIC ANEMIA: A TERTIARY CARE EXPERIENCE FROM NORTH INDIA
Authors: Sharma Monica , Pandey Sanjay , Ranjan Ravi , Seth Tulika , Saxena Renu 
Published: December 2014

IntroductionCases with microcytosis not responding adequately to iron supplementation are diagnostic dilemma and have been reported to harbor alpha (α) thalassemia mutations. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the common α globin gene deletions in cases with microcytic anemia.Methods Fifty four patients selected (22 females and 32 males) had microcytic anemia (MCV < 80 fl, Hemoglobin Hb <12gm/dl) with raised TRBC (> 5M/mm3) but normal HbHPLC. They had either low or normal Transferrin Saturation (TS). Gap-PCR for four common a-gene deletions (-a3.7, -a4.2, - -aSA and --aSEA) was done.Results Out of the total fifty four microcytic anemia cases nineteen (35.2%) were found to have a gene mutations; Three homozygous and sixteen heterozygous cases of chiefly -a3.7 deletions, a single case of -- a SA were noted ; but no -a4.2 and –SEA mutations were found.Conclusion In India a gene mutations may be much more than what has been documented and its presence should be considered as a causes of relentless microcytic anemia not responding to iron. It can confound iron deficiency anemia hence its coexistence should be sought even in the face of low iron stores in subjects who respond incompletely to iron supplementation. Since no RBC indices or a discriminant function can identify its presence only molecular studies commonly using Gap PCR for common α thalassemia deletions mutation including – α SA need to be done for their detection.
Using Standardized Patients to Teach Point-of-Care Ultrasound-Guided Physical Examination Skills to Internal Medicine Residents
Authors: Skalski Joseph H. , Elrashidi Muhamad , Reed Darcy A. , McDonald Furman S. , Bhagra Anjali 
Published: December 2014

Abstract

Background
Point-of-care (POC) ultrasound has been shown to improve procedural outcomes and physical examination accuracy in multiple settings. There are limited data regarding the optimal way to train nonradiologists in POC ultrasound. This is a primary barrier to more widespread use of ultrasound in the physical examination.

Objective
We created a workshop to instruct postgraduate year (PGY)-2 and PGY-3 internal medicine residents in POC ultrasound imaging of the abdominal aorta and kidneys.

Methods
A half-day simulation center workshop was created to review ultrasound operations and teach residents to independently obtain ultrasound images of the abdominal aorta and kidneys on standardized patients with normal anatomy. The workshop incorporated didactic instruction and hands-on ultrasound practice in small groups. Each resident's ability to independently obtain ultrasound images was assessed using a preworkshop and postworkshop skills examination with a standardized patient. Resident knowledge and attitudes toward POC ultrasound were also assessed using a preworkshop and postworkshop test and survey.

Results
A total of 58 residents completed the workshop, and 84% were able to independently obtain high-quality images of the abdominal aorta and kidney after workshop completion, compared with 16% on the preworkshop test. Residents demonstrated a statistically significant increase in their self-reported confidence with ultrasound operation and image acquisition.

Conclusions
Training using standardized patients can prepare residents to independently obtain POC ultrasound images of the aorta and kidneys. Training resulted in increased resident confidence with POC ultrasound and self-reported likelihood of future use.
Medicine in 2035: Selected Insights From ACGME's Scenario Planning
Authors: J. Nasca Thomas , W. Thomas Charles 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has the responsibility for overseeing the preparation of future physician specialists and subspecialists to serve the American public. To ensure ACGME's ability to adapt and sustain its accreditation activities in a future marked by significant uncertainty, its administration and board of directors embarked on a planning process that would frame its strategic actions in support of this responsibility. We describe the scenario planning process, and report key insights that resulted from it. We also discuss in greater depth a subset of those insights, which challenge certain conventional truths, call for new collaborative directions for the ACGME, and reaffirm the importance of professionalism in service of the public across all future scenarios evaluated.
Appendix: Educational gaps among healthcare providers: An institution needs assessment to improve pain management for postsurgical patients
Authors: González-Fernández Marlís , Aboumatar Hanan , Conti Deena , Patel Amit M. , Purvin Michael A. , Hanna Marie 
Published: December 2014

Objective: Nurses should be educated in pain management because they are more likely than other healthcare professionals to educate patients about their pain. The authors sought to identify the knowledge gaps in postoperative pain management among postsurgical nursing staff and the existence of institutional policies and educational programs to support them in delivering optimal pain management services.
Setting: Academic hospital.
Participants: Two hundred seventy-seven registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse managers, physician assistants, and other health professionals.
Interventions: Nurses participated in an online, anonymous survey that consisted of 43 questions in two broad categories: (1) knowledge and attitudes about pain management and (2) institutional pain management and assessment.
Main Outcome Measure: Knowledge base of surgical nursing staff regarding postoperative pain management.Results: The overall mean knowledge score was 44.84 percent, with the highest percent of correct answers in the cancer pain category (54.03 percent). Recognition of signs and symptoms of pain had the lowest correct response rate (40.91 percent). Forty-nine percent of respondents reported that pain management protocols tailored to the specific population treated were available, 42 percent reported that patient pain education was always performed, 29 percent reported that they received regular training about pain management, and 17 percent had access to national pain management guidelines.
Conclusion: The survey results demonstrate general gaps in pain management knowledge among nurses, particularly in recognizing signs and symptoms of pain. This work may guide the development of programs that improve postoperative pain management by increasing the frequency of nurses' pain education and improving the availability of pain-related policies and protocols.
Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor restores decidualization markers in stromal fibroblasts from women with endometriosis
Authors: Erikson David W. , Chen Joseph C. , Piltonen Terhi T. , Conti Marco , Irwin Juan C. , Giudice Linda C. 
Published: December 2014

Purpose Decidualization comprises specific biochemical and morphological changes in uterine endometrium essential for establishment of pregnancy. This process is abnormal in women with endometriosis, a disorder in which endometrial-like tissue is present outside the uterus. The aim of this study was to restore cAMP-induced decidualization marker expression in endometrial stromal fibroblasts from women with endometriosis by using chemical inhibitors to PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways in vitro. Methods Endometrial stromal fibroblasts (eSF) from women with (eSFendo) and without (eSFnon-endo) endometriosis were treated with inhibitors to EGFR tyrosine kinase (gefitinib), mTOR (rapamycin) and MAPK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) (UO126) during 8-bromoadenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-br-cAMP)–stimulated decidualization. Decidualization was assessed by evaluating expression of insulin growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1), prolactin (PRL) and forkhead box protein O1A (FOXO1A) by quantitative real-time PCR. Results Gefitinib restored expression of decidualization markers in eSFendo to levels consistent with those in eSFnon-endo. Elevated levels of phosphorylated mTOR in eSFendo were reduced to levels found in eSFnon-endo, by gefitinib during treatment with 8-br-cAMP. Additional gene expression analyses suggested dysregulation of EGFR negative feedback regulators in eSFendo. Conclusions Results implicate EGFR signaling as an underlying cause for aberrant cAMP-induced decidualization in women with endometriosis, and provide a potential target for management of infertility associated with the disease. The reduction of p-mTOR levels in eSFendo during 8-br-cAMP treatment suggests cooperation between EGR and protein kinase A signaling in the regulation of mTOR in eSF.
mousikē and Sophistry in Plato’s Protagoras
Authors: Gladhill Bill 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
In the following paper I argue that Plato’s Protagoras is fundamentally about the utilization of mousikē to define sophistry. Protagoras imitates a choral education and argues for sophistry as the endpoint for musical education in Greek society. However, in setting sophistry in dialogue with mousikē Plato gestures to the radical implications of the private training of sophistic mousikē and its performance in public context.
Staten-Generaal en wetgeving
Authors: van der Woude W. 
Published: December 2014

Staten-Generaal en wetgeving
Hoewel bepaalde constitutionele idealen (zoals democratie) nopen tot een zekere parlementaire betrokkenheid bij wetgeving, is het vrijwel onmogelijk harde juridische maatstaven en arrangementen te verzinnen die Kamerleden dwingen intensiever gebruik te maken van hun wetgevende bevoegdheden. Via de kabinetsformatie laat met name de Tweede Kamer haar invloed op de wetgeving overigens wel degelijk gelden. Hierdoor wordt de democratische invloed op wetgeving strikt genomen niet kleiner, maar wel minder zichtbaar. Om deze zichtbaarheid te vergroten worden suggesties gedaan als een terugkeer naar de wetgevingsenquête, uitbreiding van het aantal rapporteurschappen en het verruimen van partijpolitieke ondersteuning.
Depletion of Core Needle Biopsy Cellularity and DNA Content as a Result of Vigorous Touch Preparations
Authors: Rekhtman Natasha , Kazi Sofia , Yao JinJuan , Dogan Snjezana , Yannes Angela , Lin Oscar , Silk Mikhail , Silk Tarik , Durack Jeremy C. 
Published: December 2014

Context
Touch preparations (TP) of core needle biopsies (CNBs) are used at some institutions for on-site assessment of CNB adequacy. In our clinical practice, we have encountered instances in which TPs resulted in substantial depletion of CNB cellularity.

Objective
To examine the effect of increasingly vigorous TPs on cellularity and DNA content of CNBs.

Design
Ex vivo CNBs (n = 56) were performed on resected lung and kidney tumor specimens. For each specimen, CNBs were performed in quadruplicate on tumor and nontumor tissue and subjected to 1 of 4 TP methods: imprint, 1-cm drag, 2-cm drag, or full-slide drag. Overall cellularity in TPs relative to corresponding CNBs was estimated semiquantitatively. DNA was extracted and quantified from 12 TPs and corresponding CNBs. Two cytopathologists performed a blinded diagnostic assessment of Diff-Quik–stained TPs.

Results
Cellularity of imprint, 1-cm, 2-cm, and full-slide TPs represented, on average, 19%, 33%, 41%, and 46% of total CNB cellularity, respectively (p = .003). Average DNA content in imprint, 1-cm, and 2-cm TPs was 0.3 μg (range, 0.1–0.8 μg), 0.4 μg (range, 0.1–1 μg), and 0.6 μg (range, 0.2–1.3 μg), respectively, which represented on average 15%, 36%, and 50%, respectively, of total CNB DNA content. Diagnostic accuracy was not inferior for less-extensive TPs, compared with more-extensive TPs.

Conclusions
Vigorous TPs may contain a substantial fraction of CNB cellularity and DNA content, whereas more-limited TPs are less disruptive to CNBs but remain suitable for cytologic assessment. We suggest avoiding excessively forceful TPs and, whenever clinically feasible, obtaining additional samples to ensure sufficient cellularity for potential ancillary studies.
Analyse fréquentielle régionale des précipitations journalières maximales annuelles dans le bassin hydrographique - Chéliff, Algérie
Authors: Benhattab Karima , Bouvier Christophe , Meddi Mohamed 
Published: December 2014

L’estimation locale des pluies extrêmes et de leur période de retour est souvent peu précise du fait de données peu nombreuses. Le regroupement de données d’une même région permet souvent d’améliorer la précision de cette estimation. Cet article propose une approche régionale pour l’estimation des pluies journalières de fréquence rare, pour le bassin hydrographique du Cheliff (nord-ouest de l´Algérie). La première étape consiste à définir et à valider les régions homogènes de la zone d’étude. Le test d'homogénéité est basé sur la statistique H, qui compare les rapports des L-moments calculés localement à chaque station à leur moyenne sur la région considérée. La deuxième étape consiste à identifier la distribution régionale et à estimer ses paramètres par analyse du diagramme des L-moments et/ou calcul de la statistique Zdist, qui compare les rapports des L-moments régionaux à ceux de la distribution candidate. La loi GEV (« General Extreme Value »), qui a été utilisée dans plusieurs études antérieures de régionalisation des précipitations extrêmes, a été identifiée comme distribution régionale adéquate. Les paramètres de la GEV ont été calculés à l’aide de la définition des L-CV, L-CS et L-CK régionaux. La troisième étape consiste à déterminer localement les quantiles de pluie associés aux différentes périodes de retour, par multiplication du L-coefficient de variation régionale L-CV par la moyenne des précipitations journalières maximales annuelles observées au site considéré. Les pluies calculées par cette méthode, qui peut être appliquée à toute station de la zone étudiée, peuvent être significativement différentes de celles calculées par ajustement local. Les valeurs de l’erreur quadratique moyenne entre les quantiles calculés par approche régionale ou locale sont égales à 10 % pour la pluie journalière maximale annuelle décennale, et à 35 % pour la pluie journalière maximale annuelle centennale. Cette erreur diminue quand la longueur de la série locale augmente, ce qui suggère que l’approche régionale consolide effectivement l’estimation des quantiles de pluie.
Risk Premiums and Forward Basis: Evidence from the Soybean Oil Market
Authors: Lewis Karen E. , Altman Ira J. , Manfredo Mark R. , Sanders Dwight R. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTForward pricing contracts for soybean oil are important supply chain arrangements in both the biodiesel and food industries. Forward pricing is often extended to end‐users by soybean oil processors where the forward price quote is a function of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) futures price and the cash‐futures basis. Upon entering a forward pricing agreement, the processor (seller) assumes the risk associated with basis fluctuations. This research examines if soybean oil processors extract a market premium for assuming this risk. Using forward basis quotes and subsequent realized basis values for soybean oil, it is found that soybean oil processors do not charge an embedded cost for their forward pricing services. Furthermore, the results suggest that the absence of a statistically significant embedded cost may be due to the lack of predictability in the basis or the inability of soybean oil processors to adequately forecast soybean oil basis levels.
Poly(ether ether ketone)/wrapped graphite nanosheets with poly(ether sulfone) composites: Preparation, mechanical properties, and tribological behavior
Authors: Jiang Wenlong , Jin Xu , Zhang Haibo , Jiang Bo , Jiang Zhenhua , Zhang Yunhe 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTAntiwear composites with extraordinary tribological performances and good mechanical/thermal properties were developed by the dispersion of poly(ether sulfone) (PES) wrapped graphite nanosheets (GNSs) inside a poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) matrix via melt blending. The tribological behaviors and the mechanical/thermal properties of the composites were carefully investigated. Compared with pure PEEK and PEEK/GNS composites, the PEEK/wrapped GNS composites exhibited considerable enhancements in those performances; these were attributed to the eliminated layer of PES; this elimination not only eliminated the GNS aggregation inside the PEEK matrix for homogeneous distribution inside the PEEK matrix but also enhanced the interfacial adhesion between the PEEK and wrapped GNSs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41728.
Tuning CO2 Uptake and Reversible Iodine Adsorption in Two Isoreticular MOFs through Ligand Functionalization
Authors: Parshamoni Srinivasulu , Sanda Suresh , Jena Himanshu Sekhar , Konar Sanjit 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe synthesis and characterization of two isoreticular metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Cd(bdc)(4‐bpmh)]}n⋅2 n(H2O) (1) and {[Cd(2‐NH2bdc)(4‐bpmh)]}n⋅2 n(H2O) (2) [bdc=benzene dicarboxylic acid; 2‐NH2bdc=2‐amino benzene dicarboxylic acid; 4‐bpmh=N,N‐bis‐pyridin‐4‐ylmethylene‐hydrazine], are reported. Both compounds possess similar two‐fold interpenetrated 3D frameworks bridged by dicarboxylates and a 4‐bpmh linker. The 2D Cd‐dicarboxylate layers are extended along the a‐axis to form distorted square grids which are further pillared by 4‐bpmh linkers to result in a 3D pillared‐bilayer interpenetrated framework. Gas adsorption studies demonstrate that the amino‐functionalized MOF 2 shows high selectivity for CO2 (8.4 wt % 273 K and 7.0 wt % 298 K) over CH4, and the uptake amounts are almost double that of non‐functional MOF 1. Iodine (I2) adsorption studies reveal that amino‐functionalized MOF 2 exhibits a faster I2 adsorption rate and controlled delivery of I2 over the non‐functionalized homolog 1.