bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Individual radiosensitivity in a breast cancer collective is changed with the patients’ age
Authors: Auer Judith , Keller Ulrike , Schmidt Manfred , Ott Oliver , Fietkau Rainer , Distel Luitpold V. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Background. Individual radiosensitivity has a crucial impact on radiotherapy related side effects. Our aim was to study a breast cancer collective for its variation of individual radiosensitivity depending on the patients’ age.
Materials and methods. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 129 individuals. Individual radiosensitivity in 67 breast cancer patients and 62 healthy individuals was estimated by 3-color fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Results. Breast cancer patients were distinctly more radiosensitive compared to healthy controls. A subgroup of 9 rather radiosensitive and 9 rather radio-resistant patients was identified. A subgroup of patients aged between 40 and 50 was distinctly more radiosensitive than younger or older patients.
Conclusions. In the breast cancer collective a distinct resistant and sensitive subgroup is identified, which could be subject for treatment adjustment. Preliminary results indicate that especially in the range of age 40 to 50 patients with an increased radiosensitivity are more frequent and may have an increased risk to suffer from therapy related side effects.
Ants as Ecosystem Engineers in Natural Restoration of Human Made Habitats
Authors: Kovář Pavel , Vojtíšek Pavel , Zentsová Irena 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Three to four dominant seed-transporting ant species of different size categories (Tetramorium caespitum, Lasius niger, Formica rufibarbis/Formica pratensis) on the plateau of abandoned ore sedimentation basin (tailings containment) were studied as pioneer and subsequent colonisers of this industrial waste deposit, from the viewpoint of their functioning in plant seed dispersal. We examined the role of ants in primary vegetation succession. Experiments of seed removal by ants with plant species found within close proximity of tailings were related to the succession. Ant activity generates a considerable shift in the quality of the colonised surface, as they collectively act as ecosystem engineers
Demonstrating disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Sertpoyraz F. , Oncel G. , Kobak S. , Yalcin M. , Kumanlioglu K. , Karapolat I. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryAim: We aimed to investigate the relationship of fluor-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F FDG PET/CT) with clinical, laboratory parameters and conventional radiographs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients, material, methods: 25 patients with RA diagnosis were evaluated by sociodemographic, clinical [duration of disease (year), the joints in which the complaints started, most recent joint involvement]; other parameters used in RA-specific clinical assessment [Steinbocker functional staging, disease activity score 28 (DAS 28 score), health assessment questionnaire score (HAQ score), general RA assessment (patients’ and physicians’ global assessment), patients’ assessments of pain and general health condition (visual analog scale)], laboratory, radiological [conventional radiology of hand and foot joints], positron emission tomography [18F FDG PET visual total score and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) total score] parameters. Results: No significant correlation was detected between the 18F FDG PET total score and SUVmax total score of the patients and clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters (p > 0.05). There was no relationship between the cut-off values determined according to the disease activity and 18F FDG PET/ SUVmax total values (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In our study, no relationship was found between disease activity demonstrated by 18F FDG PET/CT in RA patients and clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters. 18F FDG PET/CT appears to be a more sensitive method in demonstrating disease activity compared to other evaluated methods.
Ex vivo cyclic mechanical behaviour of 2.4 mm locking plates compared with 2.4 mm limited contact plates in a cadaveric diaphyseal gap model
Authors: Irubetagoyena I. , Verset M. , Palierne S. , Swider P. , Autefage A. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryObjectives: To compare the mechanical properties of locking compression plate (LCP) and limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) constructs in an experimental model of comminuted fracture of the canine femur during eccentric cyclic loading.Methods: A 20 mm mid-diaphyseal gap was created in eighteen canine femora. A 10-hole, 2.4 mm stainless steel plate (LCP or LC-DCP) was applied with three bicortical screws in each bone fragment. Eccentric cyclic loadings were applied at 10 Hertz for 610,000 cycles. Quasistatic loading / unloading cycles were applied at 0 and 10,000 cycles, and then every 50,000 cycles. Structural stiffness was calculated as the slope of the linear portion of the load-displacement curves during quasistatic loading / unloading cycles.Results: No bone failure or screw loosening occurred. Two of the nine LCP constructs failed by plate breakage during fatigue testing, whereas no gross failure occurred with the LC-DCP constructs. The mean first stiffness of the LCP constructs over the course of testing was 24.0% lower than that of constructs stabilized by LC-DCP. Construct stiffness increased in some specimens during testing, presumably due to changes in boneplate contact. The first stiffness of LC-DCP constructs decreased by 19.4% and that of locked constructs by 34.3% during the cycling period. A biphasic stiffness profile was observed: the second stiffness was significantly greater than the first stiffness in both groups, which allowed progressive stabilization at elevated load levels.Clinical significance: Because LCP are not compressed to the bone, they may have a longer working length across a fracture, and thus be less stiff. However, this may cause them to be more susceptible to fatigue failure if healing is delayed.
Cone thermogenesis and its limits in the tropical Cycas micronesica (Cycadaceae): Association with cone growth, dehiscence, and post‐dehiscence phases
Authors: Roemer Robert B. , Terry L. Irene , Marler Thomas E. 
Published: October 2013

• Premise of the study: Thermogenesis is a prominent pollination‐related feature of cycad cones and is generally assumed to play a role in pollination. Although typically studied just before, during, and immediately after the cones’ pollination phase, thermogenesis may be present in other cone developmental phases.• Methods: We assayed thermogenesis in Cycas micronesica, Guam's endangered cycad, over successive cone developmental phases by measuring temperatures in shaded and unshaded in situ cones for up to 7 wk. We also studied the effect of ambient conditions on cone thermogenesis in laboratory experiments and estimated the cones’ metabolic heating rates.• Key results: Pollen cones exhibit a continuous, but small, metabolically generated thermogenesis for multiple weeks, including a single thermogenic peak temperature greater than peak ambient each day. The magnitudes of those daily peak temperature elevations above ambient reach maxima twice during cone development: a few days before dehiscence and approximately 1 wk post‐dehiscence. Excised cones in dark, fixed temperature environments generated multiple thermogenic events (∼24 h period) over ∼10 d. Cones appear to initiate a protective temperature regulatory response at temperatures ≥∼38°C.• Conclusions: Cycas micronesica pollen cones exhibit several thermogenic attributes not reported in other cycads, including continuous thermogenesis for many weeks. These cones grow in a hot tropical environment that likely confines their metabolically generated temperature increases to a small thermogenic window beyond which they encounter heat stress. These findings suggest the presence of thermogenic functions not strictly related to pollination and a potential vulnerability to warming climates.
Mutations in GERANYLGERANYL DIPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE 1 affect chloroplast development in Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Ruppel Nicholas J. , Kropp Kelsey N. , Davis Phillip A. , Martin Arielle E. , Luesse Darron R. , Hangarter Roger P. 
Published: October 2013

• Premise of the study: Within plastids, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase is a key enzyme in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway that catalyzes the formation of geranylgeranyl diphosphate, a precursor molecule to several biochemical pathways including those that lead into the biosynthesis of carotenoids and abscisic acid, prenyllipids such as the chlorophylls, and diterpenes such as gibberellic acid.• Methods: We have identified mutants in the GERANYLGERANYL DIPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE 1 (GGPS1) gene, which encodes the major plastid‐localized enzyme geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in Arabidopsis thaliana.• Key results: Two T‐DNA insertion mutant alleles (ggps1‐2 and ggps1‐3) were found to result in seedling‐lethal albino and embryo‐lethal phenotypes, respectively, indicating that GGPS1 is an essential gene. We also identified a temperature‐sensitive leaf variegation mutant (ggps1‐1) in A. thaliana that is caused by a point mutation. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid levels were reduced in ggps1‐1 white tissues as compared with green tissues. Phenotypes typically associated with a reduction in gibberellic acid were not seen, suggesting that gibberellic acid biosynthesis is not noticeably altered in the mutant. In contrast to other variegated mutants, the ggps1‐1 green sector photosynthetic rate was not elevated relative to wild‐type tissues. Chloroplast development in green sectors of variegated leaves appeared normal, whereas cells in white sectors contained abnormal plastids with numerous electron translucent bodies and poorly developed internal membranes.• Conclusions: Our results indicate that GGPS1 is a key gene in the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway.
Development of microsatellite markers for Leucosceptrum japonicum and L. stellipilum (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Li Yue , Maki Masayuki 
Published: October 2013

• Premise of the study: We developed 10 new primers for amplifying microsatellite loci for both Leucosceptrum japonicum and L. stellipilum to study the genetic structure of hybrid zones between these two species.• Methods and Results: We isolated DNA fragments containing microsatellites from an enriched library and designed the 10 primer pairs amplifying the fragments. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 11 in both L. japonicum and L. stellipilum. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.84 and 0.00 to 1.00 in L. japonicum and L. stellipilum, respectively. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.84 and 0.00 to 0.89 in L. japonicum and L. stellipilum, respectively.• Conclusions: These newly developed markers will be useful in investigating genetic structure and hybridization patterns in hybrid zones between L. japonicum and L. stellipilum.
Impaired Health Status and the Effect of Pain and Fatigue on Functioning in Clinical Trial Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Petri Michelle , Kawata Ariane K. , Fernandes Ancilla W. , Gajria Kavita , Greth Warren , Hareendran Asha , Ethgen Dominique 
Published: October 2013

Objective.Our study evaluated the impaired health status of clinical trial patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explored the relationship between changes in fatigue and pain and their effect on overall health status.Methods.Pooled treatment and placebo data from a phase Ib clinical trial of adults with moderate/severe SLE were analyzed. Measures included patient-reported Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 Survey, Version 2 (SF-36v2), Fatigue Severity Scale, and numeric rating scales (NRS) for pain and global health assessment and clinician-reported global assessment of disease activity (MDGA). Disease burden was compared to the US general population. Health status of responders and nonresponders on pain or fatigue were compared.Results.The sample included 161 patients with SLE, predominantly female (96%) and white (72%), with average age of 43 ± 11 years. Mean SF-36v2 component summary scores reflected overall problems with physical [physical component summary (PCS); 35.2 ± 9.7] and mental health (mental component summary; 40.9 ± 12.9). Patients with SLE had worse health status on all SF-36v2 subscales than the US general population and comparable age and sex norms (effect size −0.51 to −2.15). Pain and fatigue responders had greater improvements on SF-36v2 scores (bodily pain, physical functioning, social functioning, PCS), patient global health assessment NRS, and MDGA than nonresponders. There was moderate agreement in responder status, based on global assessments by patients and clinicians (68.1%), with some discrepancy between patients who were MDGA responders but patient assessment nonresponders (27.7%).Conclusion.Improvements in patient-reported pain or fatigue correlated with improvements in overall health. Patient assessments offer a unique perspective on treatment outcomes. Patient-reported outcomes add value in understanding clinical trial treatment benefits.
Hypocrites démocraties
Authors: Conesa Pierre 
Published: October 2013

Comment justifier cette défiance du gouvernement envers le peuple dont il n’est que le délégué ? Difficilement ! Malgré quelques avancées législatives, le non-droit demeure la règle, si l’on ose dire. Et l’hypocrisie par-dessus le marché. Mais il y a du nouveau : côté contre-pouvoirs, les médias sont, depuis peu, relayés par les citoyens connectés.
Ontologie du secret , de Pierre Boutang
Authors: Besnard Jérôme 
Published: October 2013

L’être se montre et se cache. Faut-il même qu’il se cache pour être pleinement, à l’instar de l’humilité, cette vertu qui n’est et ne vaut que si elle n’est pas montrée ? Éclairage sur un ouvrage réputé difficile.
« Avoir des secrets »
Authors: Bougnoux Daniel 
Published: October 2013

Quoi de plus séduisant que d’avoir des secrets ? Une tradition d’explication, qui s’efforce de tirer la vie hors des plis, anime l’Occident, jusqu’à la philosophie des Lumières. Cette conquête optique du monde se heurte aux mondes propres de chacun. Être un sujet ne revient-il pas à avoir des secrets, y compris pour soi-même ?
Improving Family Satisfaction and Participation in Decision Making in an Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Huffines Meredith , Johnson Karen L. , Smitz Naranjo Linda L. , Lissauer Matthew E. , Fishel Marmie Ann-Michelle , D’Angelo Howes Susan M. , Pannullo Diane , Ralls Mindy , Smith Ruth 
Published: October 2013

Background
Survey data revealed that families of patients in a surgical intensive care unit were not satisfied with their participation in decision making or with how well the multidisciplinary team worked together.

Objectives
To develop and implement an evidence-based communication algorithm and evaluate its effect in improving satisfaction among patients’ families.

Methods
A multidisciplinary team developed an algorithm that included bundles of communication interventions at 24, 72, and 96 hours after admission to the unit. The algorithm included clinical triggers, which if present escalated the algorithm. A pre-post design using process improvement methods was used to compare families’ satisfaction scores before and after implementation of the algorithm.

Results
Satisfaction scores for participation in decision making (45% vs 68%; z = −2.62, P = .009) and how well the health care team worked together (64% vs 83%; z = −2.10, P = .04) improved significantly after implementation.

Conclusions
Use of an evidence-based structured communication algorithm may be a way to improve satisfaction of families of intensive care patients with their participation in decision making and their perception of how well the unit’s team works together.
Lipopolysaccharide Stimulates Platelets through an IL-1β Autocrine Loop
Authors: Brown G. Thomas , Narayanan Padmini , Li Wei , Silverstein Roy L. , McIntyre Thomas M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractLPS activates platelets through TLR4, aiding productive sepsis, with stimulated splicing and translation of stored heteronuclear pro–IL-1β RNA. Although the IL-1R type 1 (IL-1R1) receptor for IL-1 shares downstream components with the TLR4 receptor, platelets are not known to express IL-1R1, nor are they known to respond to this cytokine. We show by flow cytometry and Western blotting that platelets express IL-1R1, and that IL-1β and IL-1α stimulate heteronuclear I-1β splicing and translation of the newly made mRNA in platelets. Platelets also respond to the IL-1β they make, which is exclusively associated with shed microparticles. Specific blockade of IL-1R1 with IL-1R antagonist suppressed platelet stimulation by IL-1, so IL-1β stimulates its own synthesis in an autocrine signaling loop. Strikingly, IL-1R antagonist inhibition, pharmacologic or genetic suppression of pro–IL-1β processing to active cytokine by caspase-1, or blockade of de novo protein synthesis also blocked LPS-induced IL-1β mRNA production. Robust stimulation of platelets by LPS therefore also required IL-1β amplification. Activated platelets made IL-1β in vivo as IL-1β rapidly accumulated in occluded murine carotid arteries by posttranscriptional RNA splicing unique to platelets. We conclude that IL-1β is a platelet agonist, that IL-1β acts through an autocrine stimulatory loop, that an IL-1β autocrine loop is required to amplify platelet activation by LPS, and that platelets immobilized in occlusive thrombi are activated over time to produce IL-1β. IL-1 is a new platelet agonist that promotes its own synthesis, connecting thrombosis with immunity.
Evidence for a Functional Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Signaling Axis in Fibrotic Lung Disease
Authors: Datta Arnab , Alexander Robert , Sulikowski Michal G. , Nicholson Andrew G. , Maher Toby M. , Scotton Chris J. , Chambers Rachel C. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) recently has emerged as a key cytokine in the development of type 2 immune responses. Although traditionally associated with allergic inflammation, type 2 responses are also recognized to contribute to the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. However, the role of TSLP in the development of non–allergen-driven diseases, characterized by profibrotic type 2 immune phenotypes and excessive fibroblast activation, remains underexplored. Fibroblasts represent the key effector cells responsible for extracellular matrix production but additionally play important immunoregulatory roles, including choreographing immune cell recruitment through chemokine regulation. The aim of this study was to examine whether TSLP may be involved in the pathogenesis of a proto-typical fibrotic disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We combined the immunohistochemical analysis of human IPF biopsy material with signaling studies by using cultured primary human lung fibroblasts and report for the first time, to our knowledge, that TSLP and its receptor (TSLPR) are highly upregulated in IPF. We further show that lung fibroblasts represent both a novel cellular source and target of TSLP and that TSLP induces fibroblast CCL2 release (via STAT3) and subsequent monocyte chemotaxis. These studies extend our understanding of TSLP as a master regulator of type 2 immune responses beyond that of allergic inflammatory conditions and suggest a novel role for TSLP in the context of chronic fibrotic lung disease.
Multispectral Photoacoustic Imaging of Prostate Cancer: Preliminary Ex-vivo Results
Authors: Dogra Vikram S. , Chinni Bhargava K. , Valluru Keerthi S. , Joseph Jean V. , Ghazi Ahmed , Yao Jorge L. , Evans Katie , Messing Edward M. , Rao Navalgund A. 
Published: October 2013

Objective:
The objective of this study is to validate if ex-vivo multispectral photoacoustic (PA) imaging can differentiate between malignant prostate tissue, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and normal human prostate tissue.

Materials and Methods:
Institutional Review Board's approval was obtained for this study. A total of 30 patients undergoing prostatectomy for biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer were included in this study with informed consent. Multispectral PA imaging was performed on surgically excised prostate tissue and chromophore images that represent optical absorption of deoxyhemoglobin (dHb), oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), lipid, and water were reconstructed. After the imaging procedure is completed, malignant prostate, BPH and normal prostate regions were marked by the genitourinary pathologist on histopathology slides and digital images of marked histopathology slides were obtained. The histopathology images were co-registered with chromophore images. Region of interest (ROI) corresponding to malignant prostate, BPH and normal prostate were defined on the chromophore images. Pixel values within each ROI were then averaged to determine mean intensities of dHb, HbO2, lipid, and water.

Results:
Our preliminary results show that there is statistically significant difference in mean intensity of dHb (P < 0.0001) and lipid (P = 0.0251) between malignant prostate and normal prostate tissue. There was difference in mean intensity of dHb (P < 0.0001) between malignant prostate and BPH. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of our imaging system were found to be 81.3%, 96.2%, 92.9% and 89.3% respectively.

Conclusion:
Our preliminary results of ex-vivo human prostate study suggest that multispectral PA imaging can differentiate between malignant prostate, BPH and normal prostate tissue.
Accuracy of Residents' Retrospective Perceptions of 16-Hour Call Admitting Shift Compliance and Characteristics
Authors: Gonzalo Jed D. , Yang Julius J. , Ngo Long , Clark Alicia , Reynolds Eileen E. , Herzig Shoshana J. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Resident-Fellow Survey measurement of compliance with duty hours uses remote retrospective resident report, the accuracy of which has not been studied. We investigated residents' remote recall of 16-hour call-shift compliance and workload characteristics at 1 institution.

Methods
We sent daily surveys to second- and third-year internal medicine residents immediately after call shifts from July 2011 to June 2012 to assess compliance with 16-hour shift length and workload characteristics. In June 2012, we sent a survey with identical items to assess residents' retrospective perceptions of their call-shift compliance and workload characteristics over the preceding year. We used linear models to compare on-call data to residents' retrospective data.

Results
We received a survey response from residents after 497 of 648 call-shifts (77% response). The end-of-year perceptions survey was completed by 87 of 95 residents (92%). Compared with on-call data, the recollections of 5 (6%) residents were accurate; however, 48 (56%) underestimated and 33 (38%) overestimated compliance with the 16-hour shift length requirement. The average magnitude of under- and overestimation was 18% (95% confidence interval  =  13–23). Using a greater than 10% absolute difference to define under- and overestimation, 39 (45%) respondents were found to be accurate, 27 (31%) underestimated compliance, and 20 (23%) overestimated compliance. Residents overestimated census size, long call admissions, and admissions after 5 pm.

Conclusions
Internal medicine residents' remote retrospective reporting of compliance with the 16-hour limit on continuous duty and workload characteristics was inaccurate compared with their immediate recall and included errors of underestimation and overestimation.