bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can EGFR-TKIs be used in first line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer based on selection according to clinical factors ? -- A literature-based meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Chongrui , Zhou Qing , Wu Yi-long 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
In the first line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), several clinical trials have shown that not all NSCLC patients can benefit from treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) than receiving chemotherapy. Some trials treated patients with TKI according to their clinical characteristics. A few studies only chose patients with an epidermal grouth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation for TKI therapy. We aimed to determine whether patients could be treated with TKIs based on clinical factors in the first-line setting.

Methods
We performed a meta-analysis of randomized trials involving patients with advanced NSCLC treated with chemotherapy or TKIs by different selections. Efficacy outcomes of interest were the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) of each treatment arm.

Results
Four trials enrolled unselected patients, and two trials selected East Asian patients using the clinical factors of gender and smoking history. Five trials chose patients with an EGFR mutation who were randomized for treatment with TKI or chemotherapy. For unselected patients, the risk ratio (RR) of the ORR was 3.52, the hazard ratio (HR) of the PFS was 1.29 and the HR of the OS was 1.35. For the clinically selected patients, the RR of the ORR was 0.64. The HRs of the PFS and OS were 0.83 and 0.92, respectively. The ORR and PFS were better for TKIs than for chemotherapy in patients with an EGFR mutation. The ORR was 0.47, and the HRs of the PFS and OS were 0.36 and 1.00, respectively.

Conclusions
Advanced NSCLC patients with an EGFR mutation benefit most from TKIs. EGFR-TKI treatment is justified for patients with unknown EGFR status,and those who cannot tolerate chemotherapy owing to age, poor performance status (PS) or other medical conditions, when selected according to clinical factors in the first-line setting.
Clusterin and FOXL2 Act Concordantly to Regulate Pituitary Gonadotroph Adenoma Growth
Authors: Chesnokova Vera , Zonis Svetlana , Wawrowsky Kolja , Tani Yuji , Ben-Shlomo Anat , Ljubimov Vladimir , Mamelak Adam , Bannykh Serguei , Melmed Shlomo 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPituitary tumors grow slowly and despite their high prevalence are invariably benign. We therefore studied mechanisms underlying pituitary tumor growth restraint. Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG), the index human securin, a hallmark of pituitary tumors, triggers pituitary cell proliferation and murine pituitary tumor development. We show that human gonadotroph cell pituitary tumors, unlike other secreting tumor types, express high levels of gonadotroph-specific forkhead transcription factor FOXL2, and both PTTG and Forkhead box protein L2 (FOXL2) stimulate gonadotroph clusterin (Clu) expression. Both Clu RNA isoforms are abundantly expressed in these nonhormone-secreting human tumors, and, when cultured, these tumor cells release highly abundant levels of secreted Clu. FOXL2 directly stimulates the Clu gene promoter, and we show that PTTG triggers ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase/IGF-I/p38MAPK DNA damage/chromosomal instability signaling, which in turn also induces Clu expression. Consequently, Clu restrains pituitary cell proliferation by inducing cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors p16 and p27, whereas Clu deletion down-regulates p16 and p27 in the Clu−/− mouse pituitary. FOXL2 binds and suppresses the PTTG promoter, and Clu also suppresses PTTG expression, thus neutralizing protumorigenic PTTG gonadotroph tumor cell properties. In vivo, murine gonadotroph LβT2 tumor cell xenografts overexpressing Clu and FOXL2 both grow slower and elicit smaller tumors. Thus, gonadotroph tumor cell proliferation is determined by the interplay between cell-specific FOXL2 with PTTG and Clu.
Optical components and optical systems for VCSEL diode laser systems
Authors: Gronenborn Stephan , Miller Michael , Heusler Gero , Mönch Holger 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
High power vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays can be used as a versatile illumination and heating source. They are widely scalable in power and offer a robust and economic solution for many new applications with moderate brightness requirements. The use of VCSEL arrays for high power laser diode applications enables multiple benefits: full wafer level production of VCSELs including combination with micro-optics; assembly technologies allowing large synergy with LED assembly thus profiting from the fast development in solid state lighting; outstanding reliability and a modular approach on all levels. With the use of μ-lenses, the described optical principle of near field imaging and superpositioning of many thousands of VCSELs gives perfect control over intensity distribution and is inherently robust. With a slightly modified approach, lines of any desired length can be built from modules of 1-cm length and are therefore scalable for a wide range of applications.
Development and evaluation of an automated digital image analysis software for obtaining seagrass leaf metrics
Authors: Ramfos Alexis , Gazis Andreas , Katselis George 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
We developed a simple and inexpensive digital image analysis method for measuring leaf area and the length of strapped-shaped seagrass leaves. The method uses specialized software that permits automatic leaf and scale recognition in digital images along with batch image processing. The leaf biometrics of 80 Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa leaves were used for the evaluation of the method for accuracy, precision, and speed in comparison to manual measurements. Each leaf was measured 90 times under different combinations of several factors that might affect software estimation. The factors examined included leaf shape, leaf orientation in the image, scale dimensions, image resize, and binary conversion. Estimates of leaf length and leaf area were highly correlated between the new image analysis procedure and manual measurements. Relative error values between the two methods were <10% in 99% of leaf length measures and in 75% of leaf area measures. The factors examined explained <10% of the relative error variance; the remaining variance was mostly attributed to technical issues concerning leaf size and image illumination. The digital method proved to be approximately 2.5 times faster than the manual one.
Satisfier function in Ritz–Galerkin method for the identification of a time-dependent diffusivity
Authors: Yousefi S. A. , Lesnic Daniel , Barikbin Zahra 
Published: October 2012

Abstract.
The problem of recovering a
time-dependent coefficient in a parabolic partial differential
equation has attracted considerable attention in the classical
literature on inverse heat conduction problems. In this article, the Ritz–Galerkin method with satisfier
function is utilized to solve the inverse problems of identifying the
temperature and the unknown diffusion coefficient
in the one-dimensional heat equation from various additional information. Numerical examples are presented and discussed.
Inverse problems for second-order differential pencils with Dirichlet boundary conditions
Authors: Buterin Sergey A. , Yurko Vjacheslav A. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract.
Inverse spectral problems are studied for second-order differential pencils on a finite interval with
arbitrary behavior of the spectrum. The spectral data introduced generalize the classical discrete spectral data
corresponding to the specification of the spectral function for the selfadjoint Sturm–Liouville operator. The connection
with other types of spectral characteristics is investigated. By the method of spectral mappings a uniqueness theorem is
proved and constructive procedures for solving the inverse problem are obtained.
An X-ray powder study of the structure and microstructure oftrans-dichloridobis(1,5-diamino-1H-tetrazole-κN4)palladium(II)
Authors: Ivashkevich Ludmila S. , Lyakhov Alexander S. , Serebryanskaya Tatiyana V. , Gaponik Pavel N. , Ivashkevich Oleg A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe crystal structure of the coordination compound [PdCl2(CH4N6)2],trans-dichloridobis(1,5-diamino-1H-tetrazole-κN4)palladium(II), has been determined from X-ray powder diffraction data collected at room temperature. The structure has been solved by direct methods and refined using Rietveld analysis. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP21/c, with Z=2. The unit cell dimensions area=5.73491(4),b=11.94450(4),c=8.61685(4)Å, andβ=99.6367(6)° with cell volumeV=581.930(5)Å3. A slightly distorted square-planar coordination geometry is formed around the Pd atom by two Cl atoms and two tetrazole ring N atoms of two 1,5-diamino-1H-tetrazole ligands, which are in atransconfiguration. In the complex molecule, the planes of the tetrazole rings are inclined at 53.7(3)° with respect to the coordination plane. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds of the amino groups N—H···Cl and N—H···Nringare responsible for formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular network. The powder pattern of the compound was strongly affected by the anisotropic line broadening. The width of the Bragg peaks was interpreted by a phenomenological microstructural approach in terms of anisotropic strain effect to complete the Rietveld refinement.
Highly Flexible, Transparent and Electrically Conducting Silver Nanoparticles Films Enabled by Controlled Sedimentation
Authors: Ombaba Matthew , Hasegawa Takayuki , Lu Li , Yasuda Yusuke , Kimura Mutsumi , Nishida Takashi , Koh Shinji , Uraoka Yukihara , Saif Islam M. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTOften, silver nanoparticles (AgNps) are looked at in the realm of their plasmonic effects that are characterized by unique absorptional bands in the visible spectrum. Herein, the kinetics of a simple gravity mediated sedimentation process of AgNps, in aqueous suspensions. The surface energy mismatch between the AgNps and the receiver substrate allow for the formation of irregularly shaped AgNp microclusters with interconnected microchannels with dimensions and particle density controlled by the distance between the exposed substrate surface and the water/suspension interface. An investigation of the interplay between these properties and the films’ nanoparticle density is presented.
ESR Anisotropy of Organic Semiconductor Molecules: Calculation and Experiment
Authors: Matsui Hiroyuki , Kumaki Daisuke , Takahashi Eiji , Takimiya Kazuo , Ikawa Mitsuhiro , Tokito Shizuo , Hasegawa Tatsuo 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTWe investigated the anisotropic g tensors of nine kinds of organic semiconductor molecules in the cationic state by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Large anisotropy was obtained in sulfur-containing molecules because of the large spin-orbit coupling at the sulfur atoms. The calculated g values were validated by electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments for the cation radicals in solution.
Ecosystem‐level consequences of symbiont partnerships in an N‐fixing shrub from interior Alaskan floodplains
Authors: Ruess Roger W. , Anderson Michael D. , McFarland Jack M. , Kielland Knut , Olson Karl , Taylor D. Lee 
Published: October 2012

In long‐lived N‐fixing plants, environmental conditions affecting plant growth and N demand vary at multiple temporal and spatial scales, and symbiont assemblages on a given host and patterns of allocation to nodule activities have been shown to vary according to environmental factors, suggesting that hosts may alter partner choice and manipulate symbiont assemblages based on shifting plant needs. This study assessed economic trade‐offs among N‐fixing symbionts of thin‐leaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia) by examining whether alder–Frankia associations change in response to the up‐regulation (P fertilization) and down‐regulation (N‐fertilization) of N‐fixation activities, and whether these changes are associated with differences among Frankia partners in their relative C cost and/or N benefit to A. tenuifolia.Relative to control plots, alder in +P plots had significantly higher nodule biomass and N‐fixation rates; these parameters were significantly lower in +N plots, translating to stand‐level N inputs that were more than an order of magnitude greater in +P than +N plots. Nodule respiration and N‐fixation rates were positively correlated, and analyses revealed that alder employs mechanisms to increase the efficiency of C use when N fixation is up‐regulated. Of the eight Frankia OTUs (operational taxonomic units) identified, two were dominant, with significant differences in Frankia OTU composition across samples being explained by fertilization treatment. Dominant OTUs had similar up‐ and down‐regulatory responses to treatments but differed in C costs of N fixation, while the most abundant sub‐dominant failed to up‐regulate N‐fixation rates in +P plots. Differences among Frankia OTUs in traits relevant to plant performance may form the basis for host choice and explain successional shifts in alder–Frankia assemblages. We suggest that manipulation of Frankia assemblages is an adaptation for a species such as A. tenuifolia that maintains a high dependence on atmospheric N across radically different growth environments. Because of the strong effects of thin‐leaf alder on soil N contents, it appears that host changes in C partitioning to nodule activities, including the physiological consequences of host specificity for Frankia assemblages, results in alder both driving and responding to environmental heterogeneity at small to large spatial scales.
On Governing Collaborative Information Technology (IT): A Relational Perspective
Authors: Prasad Acklesh , Green Peter , Heales Jon 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
Organizations today invest in collaborative IT to engage in collaborative alliances to sustain or improve their competitive positions. Effective use of this collaborative IT in an alliance requires a deeper understanding of their governance structures. This effort is to ensure the sustainability of these alliances. Through the relational view of the firm, we suggest relational lateral IT steering committees, relational IT operational committees, and relational IT performance management systems as IT governance structures for collaborative alliances. We then incorporate these structures, develop a model for approaches to governing collaborative IT, and evaluate the effectiveness for such governance structures in the IT-dependent alliances. We suggest that IT governance efforts of an alliance should contribute to their collaborative rent. We also suggest that the collaborative rent of an alliance would relate to the business value of its alliance partners. Field survey data containing 192 responses indicate a positive influence of the suggested IT governance efforts of the alliance on the collaborative rent of the alliance. The results also suggest a positive impact of the collaborative rent of the alliance on the business value of the alliance partners.
Maternal and Neonatal Circulating Markers of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk in the Metformin in Gestational Diabetes (MiG) Trial
Authors: Barrett Helen L. , Gatford Kathryn L. , Houda Candice M. , De Blasio Miles J. , McIntyre H. David , Callaway Leonie K. , Dekker Nitert Marloes , Coat Suzette , Owens Julie A. , Hague William M. , Rowan Janet A. 
Published: October 2012

OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to compare glucose, lipids, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus treated with metformin or insulin and in cord plasma of their offspring and to examine how these markers relate to infant size at birth.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Women with gestational diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to metformin or insulin in the Metformin in Gestational Diabetes trial. Fasting maternal plasma glucose, lipids, and CRP were measured at randomization, 36 weeks’ gestation, and 6–8 weeks postpartum as well as in cord plasma. Women with available cord blood samples (metformin n = 236, insulin n = 242) were included.

RESULTS
Maternal plasma triglycerides increased more from randomization to 36 weeks’ gestation in women treated with metformin (21.93%) versus insulin (9.69%, P &lt; 0.001). Maternal and cord plasma lipids, CRP, and neonatal anthropometry did not differ between treatments. In logistic regression analyses adjusted for confounders, the strongest associations with birth weight &gt;90th centile were maternal triglycerides and measures of glucose control at 36 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS
There were few differences in circulating maternal and neonatal markers of metabolic status and no differences in measures of anthropometry between the offspring of women treated with metformin and the offspring of women treated with insulin. There may be subtle effects of metformin on maternal lipid function, but the findings suggest that treating gestational diabetes mellitus with metformin does not adversely affect lipids or CRP in cord plasma or neonatal anthropometric measures.
Ice-shelf basal melting in a global finite-element sea-ice/ice-shelf/ocean model
Authors: Timmermann R. , Wang Q. , Hellmer H.H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe Finite Element Sea-ice Ocean Model (FESOM) has been augmented by an ice-shelf component with a three-equation system for diagnostic computation of boundary layer temperature and salinity. Ice-shelf geometry and global ocean bathymetry have been derived from the RTopo-1 dataset. A global domain with a triangular mesh and a hybrid vertical coordinate is used. To evaluate sub-ice-shelf circulation and melt rates for present-day climate, the model is forced with NCEP reanalysis data. Basal mass fluxes are mostly realistic, with maximum melt rates in the deepest parts near the grounding lines and marine ice formation in the northern sectors of the Ross and Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelves, Antarctica. Total basal mass loss for the ten largest ice shelves reflects the importance of the Amundsen Sea ice shelves; the Getz Ice Shelf is shown to be a major meltwater contributor to the Southern Ocean. Despite their modest melt rates, the ‘cold water’ ice shelves in the Weddell Sea are still substantial sinks of continental ice in Antarctica. Discrepancies between the model and observations can partly be attributed to deficiencies in the forcing data or to (sometimes unavoidable) smoothing of ice-shelf and bottom topographies.
Genotype-environment interaction and stability analysis of four fine rice varieties
Authors: Biswas P L , Nath U K , Ghosal S , Patwary A K 
Published: October 2012

Genotype-environment interactions through different stability parameters and performance traits of four fine rice genotypes were studied. The traits were; days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of effective tillers per hill, panicle length (cm), number of fertile grains per panicle, number of sterile grains per panicle and yield (t/ha) in four fine rice genotypes across nine environments along with experimental farm of Genetics and Plant Breeding department, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Mymensingh. Significant differences were observed for genotypes, environments and genotypesenvironment interaction. Stability analysis after Eberhat and Russells model suggested that the genotypes used in study were more or less responsive to environmental changes. Most of the genotypes performed better in Comilla. BAU125 was found stable for effective tillers per hill and comparatively less sensitive to other genotypes in panicle length and number of sterile grains per panicle. BR5 was stable for days to maturity and plant height whereas Kalizira performed better than other genotypes for fertile grains per panicle. In general, only the genotype BAU125 was found stable for effective tillers per hill, panicle length and lowest number of sterile grains per panicle. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12011 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 17, 2012
Salmonellosis in layer chickens: pathological features and isolation of bacteria from ovaries and inner content of laid eggs
Authors: Saha A K , Sufian M A , Hossain M I , Hossain M M 
Published: October 2012

We isolated and identified Salmonella organisms from ovaries of dead layer birds and from inner content of laid eggs of different poultry farms. The thirty eight ovarian swabs for bacteriology, visceral organs (liver, lung, spleen, egg follicles and intestine) of 38 dead birds for pathological study from 15 layer farms and 45 laid eggs (5 eggs/farm) from reported 9 Salmonella infected farms constituted samples of the study. Samples were subjected to isolation and identification of the causal agent followed by gross and histopathological study of the affected visceral organs. Seventeen of 38 ovarian swabs (44.7%) were Salmonella positive. The percentage of Salmonella Gallinarum, Salmonella Pullorum and paratyphoid causing Salmonella were 70.6%, 17.6% & 11.8%, respectively. About 53% livers of Salmonella affected birds were enlarged, congested, friable and bronze coloured with white necrotic foci. About 59% egg follicles were congested, hemorrhagic, discoloured with stalk formation and 70.6% intestines showed hemorrhagic to catarrhal enteritis. At histopathology, 76.5% livers were congested with formation of multifocal nodules and 82.4% egg follicles were congested with huge leukocytic infiltration. Infiltration of heterophils in intestinal mucosa was found in 47.1% cases. Four Salmonella isolates were found from 9 laid egg samples (5 eggs content comprised as 1 sample) and isolation rate was 44.4% reporting transovarian transmission in poultry Salmonellosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12095 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 6167, 2012
Seroepidemiological study of visceral leishmaniasis and cattle as a possible reservoir host at Trishal Upazila in Bangladesh
Authors: Akter S , Alam M Z , Islam M T , Mondal M M H 
Published: October 2012

To study the effect of months, seasons, age and sex on visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in human, data were collected during March 2010 through February 2011 from the register book of Upazila Health Complex (UHC) of Trishal, which is an endemic region for VL in the Mymensingh district. Besides, 70 blood samples were collected from suspected VL human patients to compare microscopy with rK39 immunochromatographic strip test. Additionally, 50 cattle blood samples were also collected from houses with active or recently-treated VL patients to determine the possible animal reservoir of VL through rK39 strip test. Of the suspected VL patients in the UHC registered book, 43.8% were seropositive. The percentages of seropositive cases were higher in September (73.3%), November (67.2%) and August (65.5%) than in May (18.5%), June (27.5%) and March (36.7%). The rainy season (58.4%) and the winter season (50.6%) showed higher seropositive than the summer (30.7%) season which was significant (p? 0.001). Hospital cases of VL were significantly (p?0.05) higher in 3-14 years (49.3%) and 15-45 years (43.5%) than in children <3 years (32.1%) and adults aged >45 years (33.6%) people. The estimated sensitivity of rK39 strip test and microscopic examination were 100% and 58.8%, respectively and the specificity were 72% and 100%, respectively. Only two cattle blood samples were found positive to rK39 strip test. Our present study indicates that rK39 strip test is superior to the diagnosis of VL compared with parasitological confirmation by direct microscopy of the peripheral blood. Further works are needed to focus on molecular approaches for diagnosis and epidemiological study of VL, sand flies investigation and to confirm the cattle as animal reservoir for VL transmission. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i1.12097 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(1): 7986, 2012