bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes treating stage III non‐small cell lung carcinoma with curative‐intent radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin‐paclitaxel chemotherapy
Authors: Trinh Hon , Pinkham Mark Blayne , Lehman Margot , Zarate Dannie , Dauth Margaret , McGrath Margaret , McCaffrey Elizabeth , Mai Gang Tao , Horwood Keith 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThoracic radiotherapy administered concurrently with chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with inoperable stage III non‐small cell lung cancer, but the optimal chemotherapy regimen is not clearly established. The objective of this study was to assess outcomes in a large cohort of patients treated with curative‐intent using carboplatin and paclitaxel.MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing curative‐intent radiotherapy to 60–66 Gy in 30–33 daily fractions with concurrent weekly carboplatin (AUC = 2) and paclitaxel (45 mg/m2/week) between March 2004 and May 2012 were identified from a prospective database and reviewed individually. A minimum follow‐up of 3 months was required unless death occurred sooner. Response to treatment was defined according to established guidelines on re‐staging computed tomography scan at 3 months. Toxicities were assessed using a standardised scoring system.ResultsOne hundred and seven patients were analysed. The median follow‐up was 43.5 months. Three months after treatment, a complete or partial response was observed in 72 patients (68%), and nine patients (8%) had already died. The overall locoregional failure rate was 47%, and failure eventually occurred at any site in 75 patients (70%). Median progression‐free survival, and median survival were 15 and 22 months, respectively. Grade 3–4 neutropaenia, thrombocytopaenia, nephrotoxicity, oesophagitis and pneumonitis were observed in 15%, 1%, 3%, 11% and 9% of patients during treatment, respectively. There was one episode of fatal radiation pneumonitis.ConclusionTreatment with thoracic radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy is feasible. Survival and toxicity outcomes compare favorably to those reported using cisplatin‐based regimens.
Why evolutionary biologists should get seriously involved in ecological monitoring and applied biodiversity assessment programs
Authors: Brodersen Jakob , Seehausen Ole 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWhile ecological monitoring and biodiversity assessment programs are widely implemented and relatively well developed to survey and monitor the structure and dynamics of populations and communities in many ecosystems, quantitative assessment and monitoring of genetic and phenotypic diversity that is important to understand evolutionary dynamics is only rarely integrated. As a consequence, monitoring programs often fail to detect changes in these key components of biodiversity until after major loss of diversity has occurred. The extensive efforts in ecological monitoring have generated large data sets of unique value to macro‐scale and long‐term ecological research, but the insights gained from such data sets could be multiplied by the inclusion of evolutionary biological approaches. We argue that the lack of process‐based evolutionary thinking in ecological monitoring means a significant loss of opportunity for research and conservation. Assessment of genetic and phenotypic variation within and between species needs to be fully integrated to safeguard biodiversity and the ecological and evolutionary dynamics in natural ecosystems. We illustrate our case with examples from fishes and conclude with examples of ongoing monitoring programs and provide suggestions on how to improve future quantitative diversity surveys.
Structural mechanisms of inflammasome assembly
Authors: Lu Alvin , Wu Hao 
Published: October 2014

Inflammasomes are supramolecular signaling complexes that activate a subset of caspases known as the inflammatory caspases, an example of which is caspase 1. Upon stimulation by microbial and damage‐associated signals, inflammasomes assemble to elicit the first line of host defense via the proteolytic maturation of cytokines interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐18, and by induction of pyroptotic cell death. Inflammasome assembly requires activation of an upstream sensor, a downstream effector and, in most cases, an adaptor molecule such as apoptosis‐associate speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Depending on whether ASC is required, inflammasomes can be categorized into ASC‐dependent and ASC‐independent inflammasomes. Here, we review current understandings of the structures of inflammasomes, as probed using traditional structural methods, as well as biochemical, biophysical and single‐molecule methods. The key structural scaffold for inflammasome assembly is composed of filaments of Pyrin domains and caspase recruitment domains (CARD) in the sensor, adaptor and effector components. Nucleated polymerization appears to govern the ordered assembly process from activation of a Pyrin domain‐containing sensor such as AIM2 by dsDNA or NLRP3 by extracellular particulates, to recruitment of the Pyrin domain and CARD‐containing adaptor ASC, and finally to activation of CARD‐containing caspase 1. The underlying filamentous architecture of inflammasomes and the cooperativity in the assembly may explain the ‘all‐or‐none’ response in inflammasome activation. Inflammasomes are tightly regulated by a number of cytosolic inhibitors, which may change the morphology and assembly kinetics of inflammasomes. Biochemical and cellular studies suggest that Pyrin domain and CARD filaments possess prion‐like properties in propagating inflammasome activation within and between cells.
Sponge cell aggregation: checkpoints in development indicate a high level of organismal complexity
Authors: Eerkes‐Medrano Dafne , Feehan Colette J. , Leys Sally P. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractStudies of regeneration provide insight across many scales of animal biology from the processes of cellular communication to the ecology of whole populations. Sponges are highly regenerative animals, with studies showing adults can both recover large portions of their body after predation or damage due to storms, and even reform whole individuals, via an aggregation stage, from dissociated tissues. While sponges are clearly highly regenerative, few studies actually show dissociated cells forming functional individuals. As sponges often serve as model organisms for studying the development and function of traits in metazoans, determining the universality and mechanics of their regeneration potential is important. We tested the capacity of members of seven sponge species from temperate freshwater and marine environments, from a range of taxonomic positions, and with different habits, to form functional sponges after dissociation. Development to a functional sponge progressed through a series of checkpoints: the sorting of cells and removal of debris; adhesion to a substrate and differentiation of cells; organization of cells into tissues; and regionalization of tissues. Two of the seven species tested, Spongilla lacustris and Haliclona cf. permollis, progressed through all four checkpoints, while the remaining five species progressed to various levels of development before aggregates disintegrated. Our findings highlight three important conclusions: (1) The ability of aggregates to differentiate into functional sponges is not as widespread as previously thought; (2) The species‐specific ability of aggregates to develop to functional sponges appears to be an adaptive trait; and (3) The progression of development in aggregates through checkpoints, which in later development involves formation of tissues and regionalization of tissues, highlights the complexity of the sponge body plan and suggests fundamental rules in development shared across metazoans.
Cryosurgery and curettage‐cryosurgery for basal cell carcinomas of the mid‐face
Authors: Samain A. , Boullié M.C. , Duval‐Modeste A.B. , Joly P. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundSurgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can be technically difficult in mid‐face area. Cryosurgery is proposed for low‐risk BCC. Cryosurgery has been poorly investigated in mid‐face BCC, which is considered as having a high risk of recurrence.ObjectiveTo assess the results of cryosurgery and curettage‐cryosurgery in patients with mid‐face BCC.MethodsA retrospective study was performed between 2005 and 2012 in a reference centre for cryosurgery. Inclusion criteria were: (i) diagnosis of BCC confirmed histologically; (ii) location in the mid‐face area; (iii) treatment with cryosurgery performed between August 2005 and December 2010; and (iv) minimal follow‐up of 18 months after cryosurgery. Follow‐up data were recorded until April 2012. Curettage was performed before cryosurgery in 55 cases of nodular BCC (38%). Patients were followed after cryosurgery either by a dermatologist (n = 48) or by their general practitioner (n = 90). Twelve patients were lost to follow‐up.ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐eight patients of mean age 76.5 ± 11.1 years, with a total of 144 BCCs were included. Mean follow‐up was 40.7 ± 15.6 months. Wound healing occurred after a median delay of 4 weeks (range 1–12 weeks). No severe complications were recorded. Seven recurrences (4.9%) were observed after a median time of 24 months (range 4–36 months). The 5‐year Kaplan–Meier recurrence‐free rate was 94%. Thirteen patients with previously treated BCC or morpheiform BCC were treated with cryosurgery as palliative indication, although their subtypes of BCC were theoretical contraindications to cryosurgery. When excluding this subgroup, the 5‐year Kaplan–Meier recurrence‐free rate of the rest of the population was 96.5%.ConclusionCryosurgery and curettage‐cryosurgery can be considered as an alternative and simple method for treatment of BCC of the mid‐face area.
Estimation of normal values of serum transaminases based on liver histology in healthy Asian Indians
Authors: Choudhary Narendra S , Saraf Neeraj , Saigal Sanjiv , Gautam Dheeraj , Lipi Lipika , Soin Arvinder S 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackground and AimLiver biopsy‐based studies have shown that serum levels of aminotransferases are lower than conventional cut‐off of 40 IU/mL in persons with normal histology. There is no such study in Indian population based on liver histology. This study aims to estimate normal values of serum aminotransferases in healthy Indian population with normal liver histology.MethodsThis retrospective study includes all liver donors who underwent liver donation at our centre and had a preoperative liver biopsy done for various reasons. All the donors had negative viral markers. Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) was defined as > 5% hepatocytes having steatosis and no changes of steatohepatitis.ResultsThe study included 331 donors (147 males) with the ages of 35.7 ± 10.2 years. NAFL was present in 167 donors (50.4%). In comparison with male donors with normal histology (n = 67), donors with NAFL (n = 80) had significantly higher age, body mass index, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein, and fasting blood sugar. In comparison with female donors with normal histology, donors with NAFL had significantly higher body mass index, ALT, and triglycerides; however, there was no significant difference regarding other parameters. Of the AST and ALT in normal histology donors, 95th percentile were 33.8 IU/L and 38.6 IU/L for males and 31 IU/L and 35.2 IU/L for females. Twenty‐five donors had lean NAFL (body mass index < 23 kg/m2).ConclusionSerum aminotransferase values in healthy Asian Indian population with normal histology are provided. Histological NAFL is present in half of apparently normal donors, and it has different clinical and biochemical associations in males and females.
Screening for alcohol misuse within people attending a psychiatric intellectual disability community service
Authors: Pezzoni V. , Kouimtsidis C. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundThere is some evidence that people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) living in the community are exposed to the same risks of alcohol use as the rest of the population. The aims of this project were to investigate the prevalence of alcohol use disorders in patients withIDknown to a psychiatric community specialist team, and to explore appropriate screening tools and any relationship between alcohol use disorders and mental health co‐morbidities.MethodA random sample of 40 patients was recruited and interviewed usingCAGEand Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to assess alcohol use. Information on physical and mental health was also collected.ResultsOne in five patients was positive onCAGE(20%) andAUDIT(22.5%). Significantly more of those had a history of mental illness compared with those who were negative. Thirty per cent of the total sample had been diagnosed with at least one health condition, which clinical notes failed to report. In addition two out of three of those positive onCAGEorAUDITwere smokers.ConclusionsThe study suggests that alcohol use disorders seem to be a hidden problem within theIDpopulation, existing alongside multiple physical and mental health needs.
Police and Security in the World Heritage City of Antigua, Guatemala
Authors: Little Walter E. 
Published: October 2014

ResumenLa seguridad es una preocupación creciente tanto de los residentes locales y turistas internacionales en Antigua, Guatemala. La ciudad no estaba preparada para el aumento de los delitos relacionados con el turismo y el tráfico de drogas. Representaciones locales y nacionales de la Antigua como un tranquilo pueblo colonial español han estado fuera de sincronía con la realidad. La respuesta del Estado a la delincuencia se ha producido en relación con el estado de Antigua como un sitio del Patrimonio Mundial. Basándose en el concepto de Taussig del “sistema nervioso” y la teoría de Agamben de “estado de excepción”, muestro los límites de Debord “sociedad del espectáculo”, en un contexto turístico transnacional en el que los residentes están preocupados por la delincuencia. Al centrar la atención etnográfica sobre la policía, le explico Antiguëños ‘y las actitudes de los mayas acerca de la policía es ambigua y se refieren a las opiniones acerca de los roles de seguridad y la policía. Mi análisis pone de relieve cómo el turismo gafas jugar a cabo en relación a la labor policial.
Policing's Productive Folds: Secretism and Authenticity in Brazilian Cultural Heritage
Authors: Collins John F. 
Published: October 2014

ResumenNo Centro Histórico de Salvador, Bahia [O Pelourinho], as tentativas policiais de inibir os movimentos de turistas e baianos, tanto quanto o apoio oferecido por estos oficiais às tentativas por parte de representantes do Instituto do Patrimônio Artístico e Cultural da Bahia de separar os moradores das suas práticas cotidianas memorializadas como patrimônio cultural, geram um desdobramento da paisagen urbana/histórica do Pelourinho. Estos buracos metafóricos perforam o cotidiano obviamente construido pelo Estado baiano e apoiam a alegação ideológica oferecida pela burocracia patrimonial baiana de que esta instituição realmente proteja os bens e os legados da nação e da humanidade. Isto não quer dizer que tais buracos no tecido do centro histórico sejam ícones verídicos do passado baiano ou a vida popular. Ao contrário, isto revela a importância surpreendente do policiamento às tentativas estaduais de apoiar representações supostamente duradouros e autênticos em espacos que, mesmos patrimonializados, continuam sendo socialmente complexos.
Looking at tardigrades in a new light: using epifluorescence to interpret structure
Authors: PERRY E.S. , MILLER W.R. , LINDSAY S. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThe use of epifluorescence microscopy coupled with ultraviolet (UV) autofluorescence is suggested as a means to view and interpret tardigrade structures. Endogenous fluorochromes are a known component of tardigrade cuticle, claws and bucco‐pharyngeal apparatus. By imaging the autofluorescence from tardigrades, it is possible to document these structures in detail, including the subdivisions and boundaries of echiniscid (heterotardigrade) plates and the nature and spatial relationships of the texture (pores, granules, papillae and tubercles) on the various plates. This allows the determination of taxonomic features not easily seen with other microscopic techniques.
Effect of L‐lysine on expression of selected genes, serum concentration of amino acids, muscle growth and performance of growing pigs
Authors: Morales A. , García H. , Arce N. , Cota M. , Zijlstra R. T. , Araiza B. A. , Cervantes M. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryLysine (Lys) is the first limiting amino acid (AA) in most feed formulations for pigs and most abundant, along with leucine, in muscle proteins. An experiment was conducted with 17 pigs (17.7 ± 0.05 kg initial BW) to identify a role of dietary Lys in the control of protein synthesis in pigs. Fourteen pigs were randomly assigned to one of the two wheat‐based dietary treatments: Lys‐deficient, 3.0 g/kg (DEF) and Lys‐adequate, 10.8 g/kg (ADE). Samples from jejunum mucosa, liver, Longissumus and Semitendinosus muscles, and blood were collected. The other three pigs were sacrificed at the beginning of the trial to measure basal carcass composition. Weight gain, gain:feed ratio, Lys intake and loin eye area were greater in ADE than in DEF pigs (p < 0.01). Muscle‐related carcass characteristics were better, and myosin heavy chain IIb expression (MyHC IIb) in Semitendinosus was higher in ADE than in DEF pigs. Expression of AA transporters CAT‐1 was lower (p < 0.05), serum Lys was higher and serum Val was lower in pigs fed the ADE diet. The higher muscularity, MyHC IIb expression in Semitendinosus muscle and Lys serum of pigs fed the ADE diet suggest that Lys increases growth rate not only by functioning as protein construction unit but also as potential control of the protein synthesis process.
Testing the Validity of the Sibling Sex Ratio Instrument
Authors: Huber Martin 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe test the validity of the sibling sex ratio instrument suggested by Angrist and Evans using the methods proposed by Kitagawa and Huber and Mellace. The sex ratio of the first two siblings is arguably randomly assigned and influences the probability of having a third child, which makes it a candidate instrument for fertility when estimating the effect of fertility on female labor supply. However, identification hinges on the random assignment of the instrument, an instrumental exclusion restriction, and the monotonicity of fertility in the instrument. We find that the instrumental variable tests of Kitagawa and Huber and Mellace do not point to a violation of these assumptions in the Angrist and Evans data (which can, however, not be ruled out even asymptotically as the tests cannot detect all possible violations).
The floral transcriptome of Eucalyptus grandis
Authors: Vining Kelly J. , Romanel Elisson , Jones Rebecca C. , Klocko Amy , Alves‐Ferreira Marcio , Hefer Charles A. , Amarasinghe Vindhya , Dharmawardhana Palitha , Naithani Sushma , Ranik Martin , Wesley‐Smith James , Solomon Luke , Jaiswal Pankaj , Myburg Alexander A. , Strauss Steven H. 
Published: October 2014

Summary

As a step toward functional annotation of genes required for floral initiation and development within the Eucalyptus genome, we used short read sequencing to analyze transcriptomes of floral buds from early and late developmental stages, and compared these with transcriptomes of diverse vegetative tissues, including leaves, roots, and stems.

A subset of 4807 genes (13% of protein‐coding genes) were differentially expressed between floral buds of either stage and vegetative tissues. A similar proportion of genes were differentially expressed among all tissues. A total of 479 genes were differentially expressed between early and late stages of floral development. Gene function enrichment identified 158 gene ontology classes that were overrepresented in floral tissues, including ‘pollen development’ and ‘aromatic compound biosynthetic process’. At least 40 floral‐dominant genes lacked functional annotations and thus may be novel floral transcripts.

We analyzed several genes and gene families in depth, including 49 putative biomarkers of floral development, the MADS‐box transcription factors, ‘S‐domain’‐receptor‐like kinases, and selected gene family members with phosphatidylethanolamine‐binding protein domains. Expanded MADS‐box gene subfamilies in Eucalyptus grandis included SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO 1 (SOC1), SEPALLATA (SEP) and SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) Arabidopsis thaliana homologs.

These data provide a rich resource for functional and evolutionary analysis of genes controlling eucalypt floral development, and new tools for breeding and biotechnology.
Coaching Reduced the Radiation Dose of Pain Physicians by Half during Interventional Procedures
Authors: Slegers A. S. , Gültuna I. , Aukes J. A. , van Gorp E. J. J. A. A. , Blommers F. M. N. , Niehof S. P. , Bosman J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe increased use of C‐arm fluoroscopy in interventional pain management has led to higher radiation exposure for pain physicians. This study investigated whether or not real‐time radiation dose feedback with coaching can reduce the scatter dose received by pain physicians. Firstly, phantom measurements were made to create a scatter dose profile, which visualizes the average scatter radiation for different C‐arm positions at 3 levels of height. Secondly, in the clinical part, the radiation dose received by pain physicians during pain treatment procedures was measured real‐time to evaluate (1) the effect of real‐time dose feedback on the received scatter dose, and (2) the effect of knowledge of the scatter dose profile and active coaching, on the scatter dose received by the pain physician. The clinical study included 330 interventional pain procedures. The results showed that real‐time feedback of the received dose did not lead to a reduction in scatter radiation. However, visualization of the scatter dose in a scatter dose profile and active coaching on optimal positions did reduce the scatter radiation received by pain physicians during interventional pain procedures by 46.4% (P = 0.05). Knowledge of and real‐time coaching with the scatter dose profile reduced the dose of pain physicians by half, caused by their increased awareness for scatter radiation and their insight into strategic positioning.