bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical features of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Grozinsky‐Glasberg Simona , Mazeh Haggi , Gross David J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), also known as islet cell tumors, are rare neoplasms that arise in the endocrine tissues of the pancreas. Most of pancreatic NETs (50–75%) are nonfunctioning (not associated with a hormonal clinical syndrome); however, in up to one third they can secrete a variety of peptide hormones, including insulin, gastrin, glucagon, vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatostatin etc., resulting in rare but unique clinical syndromes. In this article, the clinical features of the different types of PNETs will be reviewed. Other aspects of the management of these tumors (surgery, treatment of advanced disease, tumor localization) are not dealt with here, as they are covered by other papers in this volume.
Prior pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and in‐hospital outcomes for community‐acquired pneumonia in elderly veterans
Authors: Li Chenghui , Gubbins Paul O. , Chen Guoqing J. 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUNDStudies of adults hospitalized for community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) reported better outcomes associated with prior pneumococcal vaccination (PV), suggesting potential additional benefits of PV in hospitalized CAP patients. Influenza (flu) vaccination (FV) could independently/additively improve CAP outcomes in hospitalized patients.OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of prior PV and FV on in‐hospital outcomes in elderly veterans hospitalized for CAP.DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.SETTING AND PATIENTSA total of 6,723 elderly veterans who were admitted to Veterans Affairs hospitals for CAP between October 1, 2002 and September 30, 2003.INTERVENTIONPV in the 5 years and FV in the 1 year before admission.MEASUREMENTSThe association of prior PV and/or FV with inpatient mortality and length of stay (LOS) (primary) and risk of any bacteremia and respiratory complications (secondary) were assessed using logistic regressions and generalized linear model, controlling for patient demographic and clinical characteristics.RESULTSPrior PV alone was not associated with shortened LOS, or reduced risk of inpatient mortality or respiratory complications. Lower risk of bacteremia was associated with prior PV (odds ratio: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48‐0.90). After adjusting for patients' characteristics, risk of inpatient mortality was not statistically significantly different across the vaccination groups, but having had both PV and FV before CAP admission was associated with a 10% reduction in LOS (95% CI: 0.86‐0.95) compared to having had neither vaccinations.CONCLUSIONSignificant survival benefit and improved in‐hospital outcomes may not be expected among CAP‐hospitalized elderly patients with prior PV alone. However, having both PV and FV before CAP admission may reduce LOS. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:287–293. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Association between serum soluble corin and obesity in Chinese adults: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Peng Hao , Zhang Qiu , Shen Hengshan , Liu Yan , Chao Xiangqin , Tian Honggang , Cai Xiaoqin , Jin Jianhua 
Published: February 2015

ObjectiveCorin has been suggested to be associated with obesity by cell‐ and animal‐based studies. However, the association has not yet been studied in populations. Here, the aim was to explore the association in a general population of China.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study. Data on demographic information, lifestyle risk factors, and personal medical history were collected; body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressures were measured; and serum corin, blood lipids, and blood glucose were determined in 2498 participants aged above 30 years.ResultsLog‐transformed corin correlated to body mass index (r = 0.197, P < 0.001) and waist circumference (r = 0.289, P < 0.001). In the risk factor‐adjusted analysis, compared with participants in the lowest quartile of serum corin, participants in the 4th quartile had significantly increased risk of prevalent overweight or obesity (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.67‐3.04) and central obesity (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.30‐2.34). ORs of overweight or obesity and central obesity positively and significantly increased with serum corin levels (P for trend < 0.001).ConclusionsSerum soluble corin was significantly and positively associated with obesity. Our findings suggested that serum soluble corin may be a marker or risk factor for obesity.
Superdomains in the protein structure hierarchy: The case of PTP‐C2
Authors: Haynie Donald T. , Xue Bin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSuperdomain is uniquely defined in this work as a conserved combination of different globular domains in different proteins. The amino acid sequences of 25 structurally and functionally diverse proteins from fungi, plants, and animals have been analyzed in a test of the superdomain hypothesis. Each of the proteins contains a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) domain followed by a C2 domain. Four novel conserved sequence motifs have been identified, one in the PTP domain and three in the C2 domain. All contribute to the PTP‐C2 domain interface in PTEN, a tumor suppressor, and all are more conserved than the PTP signature motif, HCX3(K/R)XR, in the 25 sequences. We show that PTP‐C2 was formed prior to the fungi, plant, and animal kingdom divergence. A superdomain as defined here does not fit the usual protein structure classification system. The demonstrated existence of one superdomain suggests the existence of others.
Native mass spectrometry and ion mobility characterization of trastuzumab emtansine, a lysine‐linked antibody drug conjugate
Authors: Marcoux Julien , Champion Thierry , Colas Olivier , Wagner‐Rousset Elsa , Corvaïa Nathalie , Van Dorsselaer Alain , Beck Alain , Cianférani Sarah 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAntibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are biochemotherapeutics consisting of a cytotoxic chemical drug linked covalently to a monoclonal antibody. Two main classes of ADCs, namely cysteine and lysine conjugates, are currently available on the market or involved in clinical trials. The complex structure and heterogeneity of ADCs makes their biophysical characterization challenging. For cysteine conjugates, hydrophobic interaction chromatography is the gold standard technique for studying drug distribution, the naked antibody content, and the average drug to antibody ratio (DAR). For lysine ADC conjugates on the other hand, which are not amenable to hydrophobic interaction chromatography because of their higher heterogeneity, denaturing mass spectrometry (MS) and UV/Vis spectroscopy are the most powerful approaches. We report here the use of native MS and ion mobility (IM‐MS) for the characterization of trastuzumab emtansine (T‐DM1, Kadcyla®). This lysine conjugate is currently being considered for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer, and combines the anti‐HER2 antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin®), with the cytotoxic microtubule‐inhibiting maytansine derivative, DM1. We show that native MS combined with high‐resolution measurements and/or charge reduction is beneficial in terms of the accurate values it provides of the average DAR and the drug load profiles. The use of spectral deconvolution is discussed in detail. We report furthermore the use of native IM‐MS to directly determine DAR distribution profiles and average DAR values, as well as a molecular modeling investigation of positional isomers in T‐DM1.
Compound specific isotope analysis of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers: a method for source fingerprinting and field investigation of in situ biodegradation
Authors: Chartrand Michelle , Passeport Elodie , Rose Carla , Lacrampe‐Couloume Georges , Bidleman Terry F. , Jantunen Liisa M. , Sherwood Lollar Barbara 
Published: February 2015

RATIONALEThe manufacturing and uses of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) have resulted in a serious environmental challenge and legacy. This study highlights the ability of compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to distinguish among various HCH sources and to support the evaluation of the potential for in situ biodegradation in contaminated groundwater.METHODSTests were conducted to verify the absence of significant isotope fractionation during HCH sample pre‐concentration including dichloromethane extraction, solvent exchange into iso‐octane, and H2SO4 clean‐up, and analysis by gas chromatography/combustion‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C‐IRMS). The method was then applied to four Technical Grade (TG) HCH mixtures procured from different sources and to groundwater samples from a contaminated site.RESULTSThe pre‐concentration method enabled determination of carbon isotope ratios (δ13C values) of HCH isomers with no significant isotopic fractionation. The TG‐HCH mixtures had significantly different δ13C values. Moreover, for any given TG‐HCH, all isomers had δ13C values within 1.1‰ of each other – a distinctly uniform fingerprint. At the HCH‐contaminated field site, compared with source wells, downgradient wells showed significant (up to 5.1‰) enrichment in 13C and the δ13C values of the HCH isomers were significantly different from each other.CONCLUSIONSA method was successfully developed for the CSIA of HCH isomers that showed potential for HCH source differentiation and identification of HCH in situ biodegradation. At the HCH‐contaminated site, the observed preferential isotopic enrichment of certain isomers relative to others for a given source allows differentiation between biodegraded and non‐biodegraded HCH. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CHIMP, the CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform
Authors: Stentz Anthony , Herman Herman , Kelly Alonzo , Meyhofer Eric , Haynes G. Clark , Stager David , Zajac Brian , Bagnell J. Andrew , Brindza Jordan , Dellin Christopher , George Michael , Gonzalez‐Mora Jose , Hyde Sean , Jones Morgan , Laverne Michel , Likhachev Maxim , Lister Levi , Powers Matt , Ramos Oscar , Ray Justin , Rice David , Scheifflee Justin , Sidki Raumi , Srinivasa Siddhartha , Strabala Kyle , Tardif Jean‐Philippe , Valois Jean‐Sebastien , Vande Weghe J. Michael , Wagner Michael , Wellington Carl 
Published: February 2015

We have developed the CHIMP (CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform) robot as a platform for executing complex tasks in dangerous, degraded, human‐engineered environments. CHIMP has a near‐human form factor, work‐envelope, strength, and dexterity to work effectively in these environments. It avoids the need for complex control by maintaining static rather than dynamic stability. Utilizing various sensors embedded in the robot's head, CHIMP generates full three‐dimensional representations of its environment and transmits these models to a human operator to achieve latency‐free situational awareness. This awareness is used to visualize the robot within its environment and preview candidate free‐space motions. Operators using CHIMP are able to select between task, workspace, and joint space control modes to trade between speed and generality. Thus, they are able to perform remote tasks quickly, confidently, and reliably, due to the overall design of the robot and software. CHIMP's hardware was designed, built, and tested over 15 months leading up to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. The software was developed in parallel using surrogate hardware and simulation tools. Over a six‐week span prior to the DRC Trials, the software was ported to the robot, the system was debugged, and the tasks were practiced continuously. Given the aggressive schedule leading to the DRC Trials, development of CHIMP focused primarily on manipulation tasks. Nonetheless, our team finished 3rd out of 16. With an upcoming year to develop new software for CHIMP, we look forward to improving the robot's capability and increasing its speed to compete in the DRC Finals.
Understanding Korean Transnational Girls in High School Science Classes: Beyond the Model Minority Stereotype
Authors: RYU MINJUNG 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThis study examines six Korean transnational girls enrolled in two advanced placement (AP) biology classes to understand their experiences in science classrooms at the intersection of race, language, and gender. Confronting the model minority stereotype for Asian students, which is particularly salient in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related disciplines, I ask why these six girls chose to take advanced science and mathematics classes, in general, and AP biology, in particular, and what challenges they faced in the focal biology classes. Based on an analysis of classroom observation and interview data, I argue that their decisions to take science and mathematics courses were ways of negotiating their positions as members of a racial minority, English learners, and Koreans with stereotyped characteristics. In the class, they encountered challenges related to various modes of language used in advanced science classes, such as unfamiliar science terms, complex texts, social linguistic skills required in discursive practices, and various knowledge going beyond class texts. While challenged, the girls were not empowered enough to pursue academic assistance in the gendered sites of the AP biology class. I discuss research and pedagogical implications of the study focusing on the science education of transnational nonnative English‐speaking students.
Language, Access, and Power in the Elementary Science Classroom
Authors: SCHOERNING EMILY , HAND BRIAN , SHELLEY MACK , THERRIEN WILLIAM 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThe Next Generation Science Standards call for the adoption of many aspects of scientific inquiry in the classroom. The ways in which classroom talk and classroom environment change as students and teachers learn to utilize inquiry approaches are underexplored. This study examines the frequency with which linguistic markers related to access and power appear in student and teacher speech in the elementary science classroom. As teachers begin to implement argument‐based inquiry methods, teacher and student use of these markers changes significantly. These changes indicate that students whose teachers utilize argument‐based inquiry have greater access and power in the science classroom. In this paper, the mechanisms by which teachers afford their students access and power are explored from a quantitative perspective.
Prospective multicenter study of ultrasound‐based measurements of fetal head station and position throughout labor
Authors: Vitner D. , Paltieli Y. , Haberman S. , Gonen R. , Ville Y. , Nizard J. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess the relationship between fetal head position and head station during labor, as measured using an ultrasound‐based system, and the occurrence of occiput posterior (OP) position at delivery.MethodsThis was an international prospective observational study including women who delivered between January 2009 and September 2013 in four centers: one in Brooklyn, NY, USA; one in Haifa, Israel; and two in Paris, France. We used an ultrasound‐based system (LaborPro) to monitor fetal head station and position non‐invasively throughout labor. We collected data on demographics, labor parameters and outcome.ResultsA total of 595 women were included. In 563 (94.6%) women, fetal head position at delivery was occiput anterior (OA), in 31 (5.2%) it was OP and in one (0.2%) it was occiput transverse. In 89% of pregnancies with intrapartum OP when fetal head station was above −2, the head position turned to OA at delivery; the equivalent figures were 74% and 63% OA at delivery when intrapartum OP was diagnosed at head stations of −2 to < 0, and 0 and below, respectively. Cesarean delivery was performed in 35% of pregnancies with fetal head in OP position at delivery, as opposed to 10% of those with non‐OP position at delivery. On retrospective analysis, all deliveries in OP were already in OP at station −2 and below.ConclusionsIn this first assessment of fetal head position at delivery according to fetal head position at various station levels, our data show that 100% of OP positions at delivery were already in OP position at station −2 and below. We did not observe rotation from a non‐OP to an OP position from station −2 and below. Nearly two‐thirds of fetuses in OP at station 0 and below will rotate to an OA position for delivery. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Fetal middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery pulsatility index: effects of maternal characteristics and medical history
Authors: Akolekar R. , Sarno L. , Wright A. , Wright D. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo define the contribution of maternal variables which influence the measured fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI) in the assessment of fetal wellbeing.MethodsMaternal characteristics and medical history were recorded and fetal MCA‐PI and UA‐PI (n = 36 818) were measured in women with singleton pregnancies attending a routine hospital visit at 30 + 0 to 37 + 6 weeks' gestation. For pregnancies delivering phenotypically normal live births or stillbirths ≥ 30 weeks' gestation, variables among maternal demographic characteristics and medical history that are important in the prediction of MCA‐PI and UA‐PI were determined by multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsSignificant independent contributions to MCA‐PI were provided by gestational age at assessment, East Asian racial origin, being parous and birth‐weight Z‐score of the neonate of the previous pregnancy. Significant independent contributions to UA‐PI were provided by gestational age at assessment, Afro‐Caribbean, East Asian and mixed racial origin, cigarette smoking, being parous and birth‐weight Z‐score of the neonate of the previous pregnancy. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to define the contribution of maternal variables that influence the measured MCA‐PI and UA‐PI and express the values as multiples of the median (MoMs). The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) MoM was calculated by dividing MCA‐PI MoM by UA‐PI MoM. The model was shown to provide an adequate fit of MoM values for all covariates, both in pregnancies that delivered small‐for‐gestational‐age neonates and in those without this pregnancy complication.ConclusionsA model was fitted to express MCA‐PI, UA‐PI and CPR as MoMs after adjusting for variables from maternal characteristics and medical history that affect this measurement. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Accuracy of three‐dimensional ultrasound compared with magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of Müllerian duct anomalies using ESHRE–ESGE consensus on the classification of congenital anomalies of the female genital tract
Authors: Graupera B. , Pascual M. A. , Hereter L. , Browne J. L. , Úbeda B. , Rodríguez I. , Pedrero C. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo establish the accuracy of three‐dimensional ultrasound (3D‐US), compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for diagnosing uterine anomalies, using the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology–European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESHRE–ESGE) consensus on the classification of congenital anomalies of the female genital tract.MethodsSixty women with uterine anomalies suspected after examination by conventional two‐dimensional ultrasound were evaluated with 3D‐US and MRI. These data were analyzed retrospectively to confirm the presence and type of uterine malformation in accordance with the ESHRE–ESGE consensus. Sensitivity, specificity and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were calculated, using MRI as the gold standard, and agreement between the two methods was evaluated by kappa index.ResultsCompared with MRI, for the diagnosis of normal uteri, 3D‐US had a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 98.2% and kappa index of 0.900. For dysmorphic uteri and for hemi‐uteri, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were all 100%, and kappa was 1.00. For septate uteri, the sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 88.9%, PPV was 95.5%, NPV was 100% and kappa was 0.918. For bicorporeal uteri, the sensitivity was 83.3%, specificity was 100%, PPV was 100%, NPV was 98.2% and kappa was 0.900.Conclusions3D‐US is highly accurate for diagnosing uterine malformations, having a good level of agreement with MRI in the classification of different anomaly types based on the ESHRE–ESGE consensus. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Climate–conflict research: some reflections on the way forward
Authors: Buhaug Halvard 
Published: February 2015

A decade of systematic research on climate change and armed conflict has revealed a number of interesting patterns but few results that are robust across studies. This essay takes stock of the quantitative empirical literature, identifies central limitations, and presents five priorities for future research in the field. While these priorities refer to technical and operational aspects of statistical analysis, their underlying motivation, and objective, is to develop a better and more refined theoretical understanding of possible indirect and conditional connections between climatic changes and violent conflict. WIREs Clim Change 2015, 6:269–275. doi: 10.1002/wcc.336This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Values‐Based Approach to Vulnerability and Adaptation
Esophagectomy for End‐Stage Achalasia
Authors: Watson Thomas J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAchalasia is a disease for which treatments are palliative in nature. Success of therapy is judged by a number of metrics, the most important being relief of symptoms, such as dysphagia and regurgitation. Patients often compensate for symptoms though a variety of dietary and lifestyle modifications, making symptomatic assessment of therapeutic outcome unreliable. Given this fact, and the progressive nature of the condition if left inadequately treated, patients not infrequently present with the disabling manifestations of end‐stage disease for which esophagectomy is the best option. In appropriately selected patients, and when performed in experienced centers, esophagectomy with foregut reconstruction can be undertaken successfully with acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality, as well as a good long‐term symptomatic outcome, in cases of end‐stage achalasia.