bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Global Burden of Disease for Skin, Lung, and Bladder Cancer Caused By Arsenic in Food
Authors: Oberoi Shilpi , Barchowsky Aaron , Wu Felicia 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background: Arsenic is a ubiquitous, naturally occurring metalloid that poses a significant human cancer risk. While water consumption provides the majority of human exposure, millions of individuals worldwide are significantly exposed to arsenic through naturally occurring levels of arsenic in grains, vegetables, meats and fish, as well as through food processed with water containing arsenic. Thus, we estimated the global burdens of disease for bladder, lung, and skin cancers attributable to inorganic arsenic in food.
Methods: To determine foodborne inorganic arsenic exposures worldwide, we used World Health Organization estimates of food consumption in thirteen country clusters, in conjunction with reported measurements of total and inorganic arsenic in different foods. We estimated slope factors for arsenic-related bladder and lung cancers, and used the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency skin cancer slope factor, to calculate the annual risk of the cancer incidence in males and females within each country cluster.
Results: We estimated that each year 9,129 to 119,176 additional cases of bladder cancer, 11,844 to 121,442 of lung cancer, and 10,729 to 110,015 of skin cancer worldwide are attributable to inorganic arsenic in food.
Conclusions: These estimates indicate that foodborne arsenic exposure causes a significant global burden of human disease.
Impact: Estimating the global cancer burden caused by arsenic exposure in food will support policies that reduce exposure to disease-promoting environmental hazards. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(7); 1187–94. ©2014 AACR.
Exposure to Infections and Risk of Leukemia in Young Children
Authors: Marcotte Erin L. , Ritz Beate , Cockburn Myles , Yu Fei , Heck Julia E. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackground: Epidemiologic studies indicate that infections in early childhood may protect against pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods: We identified 3,402 ALL cases among children 0 to 5 years of age using the California Cancer Registry. From California birth records we randomly selected controls in a 20:1 ratio and frequency matched them to cases by birth year. We investigated markers of exposure to infections, including month of birth, timing of birth in relation to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasons, and birth order based on data from California birth certificates and national infection surveillance systems.Results: We observed an increased risk of ALL for spring and summer births, and for those first exposed to an influenza or RSV season at nine to twelve months of age compared with those exposed during the first three months of life, and this association was stronger among first born children [odds ratios (OR), 1.44 and 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.13–1.82, for influenza exposure at nine to twelve months of age]. Decreased risk was observed with increasing birth order among non-Hispanic whites but not Hispanics (OR, 0.76 and 95% CI, 0.59–096, for fourth or higher birth order among whites).Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that infections in early childhood decrease risk of ALL.Impact: Our findings implicate early life exposure to infections as protective factors for ALL in young children. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(7); 1195–203. ©2014 AACR.
Patterns of Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake in Newly Eligible Men and Women
Authors: Wernli Karen J. , Hubbard Rebecca A. , Johnson Eric , Chubak Jessica , Kamineni Aruna , Green Beverly B. , Rutter Carolyn M. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background: We describe patterns of colorectal cancer screening uptake in a U.S. insured population as individuals become newly eligible for screening at age 50 and assess temporal trends and patient characteristics with screening uptake.
Methods: We identified a cohort of 81,223 men and women who were members of Group Health and turned 50 years old from 1996 to 2010. We ascertained receipt of colorectal cancer screening within five years. Time to screening was estimated by year of cohort entry using cumulative incidence curves and Cox proportional hazards models–estimated patient characteristics associated with screening uptake.
Results: Stool-based screening tests were the most common, 72% of first screening tests. The proportion of individuals initiating colorectal cancer screening via colonoscopy increased from 8% in 1996 to 1998 to 33% in 2008 to 2010. Patient factors associated with increased colorectal cancer screening were: turning 50 more recently (2008–2010; Ptrend &lt; 0.0001) or Asian race [HR, 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10–1.19]. Patient factors associated with decreased screening were: being a woman (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.68–0.72), Native American (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.60–0.78), or Pacific Islander race (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72–0.95), and having prevalent diabetes (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.75–0.82) and higher body mass index (Ptrend &lt; 0.0001).
Conclusions: Patient characteristics associated with initiation of colorectal cancer screening in a newly eligible population are similar to characteristics associated with overall screening participation in all age-eligible adults. Our results identify patient populations to target in outreach programs.
Impact: Disparities in receipt of colorectal cancer screening are evident from onset of an age-eligible cohort, identifying key groups for future interventions for screening. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(7); 1230–7. ©2014 AACR.
The Potential for Markers of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition to Improve Colorectal Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Busch Evan L. , McGraw Kathleen A. , Sandler Robert S. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to be an important mechanism of cancer cell metastasis. Clinical measurement of EMT markers in primary tumors could improve risk stratification and treatment decisions by identifying patients who potentially have metastatic disease. To evaluate the potential of EMT markers that could be used for risk stratification for patients with colorectal cancer, we conducted a systematic review of studies (N = 30) that measured at least one of a selection of EMT markers in primary tumors and patient outcomes. Fifteen of 30 studies (50%) reported at least one statistically significant result supporting a role for one of the selected EMT markers in identifying patients at risk for worse outcomes. Importantly, however, we identified design inconsistencies that limited inferences and prevented meta-analysis of data. We offer a number of recommendations to make future studies more informative and standardized, including consistent sampling of different parts of the primary tumor, larger sample sizes, and measurement of both protein and RNA expression of a given EMT marker in the same tumors. Strengthening the literature per our recommendations could facilitate translating EMT markers to clinical use. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(7); 1164–75. ©2014 AACR.
Prognostic Role of Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio in Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Templeton Arnoud J. , Ace Olga , McNamara Mairéad G. , Al-Mubarak Mustafa , Vera-Badillo Francisco E. , Hermanns Thomas , Šeruga Boštjan , Ocaña Alberto , Tannock Ian F. , Amir Eitan 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackground: Inflammation influences cancer development and progression. An elevated platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), a marker of inflammation, has been linked to poor prognosis in several malignancies. Here, we quantify the prognostic impact of this biomarker.Methods: A systematic review of databases was conducted to identify publications exploring the association of blood PLR and overall survival (OS) in solid tumors. Data were pooled in a meta-analysis. Pooled HRs for OS by disease group and by PLR cutoff groups were computed and weighted using generic inverse-variance and random-effect modeling.Results: Twenty studies comprising 12,754 patients were assessed. Cutoffs for PLR defining risk groups ranged from 150 to 300 and were dichotomous (12 studies; group 1) or split into three groups (&lt;150/150–300/&gt;300, 8 studies; group 2). Higher PLR was associated with significantly worse OS in group 1 [HR = 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI, 1.49–2.34); P &lt; 0.001] and with a nonsignificant association in group 2 (HR per higher category = 1.21; 95%CI, 0.97–1.50; P = 0.10). The size of effect of PLR on OS was greater for metastatic disease (HR[group 1] = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6–2.7; HR[group 2] = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1–2.4) than for early-stage disease (HR[group 1] = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0–2.2; HR[group 2] = 1.0; 95% CI, 0.8–1.3). A significant association was observed for colorectal, hepatocellular, gastroesophageal, ovarian, and pancreatic carcinoma in group 1 and for colorectal cancers in group 2.Conclusion: A high PLR is associated with worse OS in various solid tumors. Further research of its regulation and relevance in daily practice is warranted.Impact: PLR is a readily available and inexpensive biomarker with independent prognostic value in solid tumors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(7); 1204–12. ©2014 AACR.
Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase: Key Kinase for Stem Cell Phenotype in Glioma and Other Cancers
Authors: Ganguly Ranjit , Hong Christopher S. , Smith Luke G.F. , Kornblum Harley I. , Nakano Ichiro 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a member of the snf1/AMPK family of protein serine/threonine kinases that has recently gained significant attention in the stem cell and cancer biology field. Recent studies suggest that activation of this kinase is tightly associated with extended survival and accelerated proliferation of cancer stem cells (CSC) in various organs. Overexpression of MELK has been noted in various cancers, including colon, breast, ovaries, pancreas, prostate, and brain, making the inhibition of MELK an attractive therapeutic strategy for a variety of cancers. In the experimental cancer models, depletion of MELK by RNA interference or small molecule inhibitors induces apoptotic cell death of CSCs derived from glioblastoma multiforme and breast cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanism of action of MELK includes, yet may not be restricted to, direct binding and activation of the oncogenic transcription factors c-JUN and FOXM1 in cancer cells but not in the normal counterparts. Following these preclinical studies, the phase I clinical trial for advanced cancers with OTSSP167 started in 2013, as the first-in-class MELK inhibitor. This review summarizes the current molecular understanding of MELK and the recent preclinical studies about MELK as a cancer therapeutic target. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(6); 1393–8. ©2014 AACR.
Familial Transmission of Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Zöller Bengt , Li Xinjun , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina 
Published: May 2014

Background—
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) clusters in families, but the familial risk of VTE has not been determined among adoptees. The aim was to disentangle the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to the familial transmission of VTE.

Methods and Results—
The Swedish Multi-Generation Register was used to follow all Swedish-born adoptees born from 1932 to 2004 (n=80,214) between January 1, 1964, and December 31, 2010, for VTE. The risk of VTE was estimated in adoptees with ≥1 biological parent with VTE compared with adoptees without a biological parent with VTE. The risk of VTE was also estimated in adoptees with ≥1 adoptive parent with VTE compared with adoptees without an adoptive parent with VTE. Adoptees with ≥1 biological parent with VTE (n=137) were more likely to have VTE than adoptees without a biological parent with VTE (standardized incidence ratio) 1.51 (95% confidence interval, 1.27–1.79). The standardized incidence ratio for VTE was highest for adoptees with a biological parent diagnosed with VTE before the age of 50 years (standardized incidence ratio=2.03, 1.24–3.14). In contrast, adoptees with ≥1 adoptive parent with VTE (n=156) were not at increased risk of VTE (standardized incidence ratio=1.07, 0.91–1.25).

Conclusions—
These novel findings suggest that genetic factors make a stronger contribution to the familial transmission of VTE from parents to offspring than family environmental factors.
Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Variants in Casein Kinase II (
CSNK2A2
) to be Associated With Leukocyte Telomere Length in a Punjabi Sikh Diabetic Cohort
Authors: Saxena Richa , Bjonnes Andrew , Prescott Jennifer , Dib Patrick , Natt Praveen , Lane Jacqueline , Lerner Megan , Cooper Jackie A. , Ye Yuanqing , Li Ka Wah , Maubaret Cécilia G. , Codd Veryan , Brackett Daniel , Mirabello Lisa , Kraft Peter , Dinney Colin P. , Stowell Donald , Peyton Marvin , Ralhan Sarju , Wander Gurpreet S. , Mehra Narinder K. , Salpea Klelia D. , Gu Jian , Wu Xifeng , Mangino Massimo , Hunter David J. , De Vivo Immaculata , Humphries Steve E. , Samani Nilesh J. , Spector Tim D. , Savage Sharon A. , Sanghera Dharambir K. 
Published: May 2014

Background—
Telomere length is a heritable trait, and short telomere length has been associated with multiple chronic diseases. We investigated the relationship of relative leukocyte telomere length with cardiometabolic risk and performed the first genome-wide association study and meta-analysis to identify variants influencing relative telomere length in a population of Sikhs from South Asia.

Methods and Results—

Our results revealed a significant independent association of shorter relative telomere length with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Our discovery genome-wide association study (n=1616) was followed by stage 1 replication of 25 top signals (
P
<10
–6
) in an additional Sikhs (n=2397). On combined discovery and stage 1 meta-analysis (n= 4013), we identified a novel relative telomere length locus at chromosome 16q21 represented by an intronic variant (rs74019828) in the
CSNK2A2
gene (β=−0.38;
P
=4.5×10
−8
). We further tested 3 top variants by genotyping in UK cardiovascular disease (UKCVD) (whites n=2952) for stage 2. Next, we performed in silico replication of 139 top signals (
P
<10
–5
) in UK Twin, Nurses Heart Study, Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, and MD Anderson Cancer Controls (n=10 033) and joint meta-analysis (n=16 998). The observed signal in
CSNK2A2
was confined to South Asians and could not be replicated in whites because of significant difference in allele frequencies (
P
<0.001). CSNK2A2 phosphorylates telomeric repeat binding factor 1 and plays an important role for regulation of telomere length homoeostasis.

Conclusions—
By identification of a novel signal in telomere pathway genes, our study provides new molecular insight into the underlying mechanism that may regulate telomere length and its association with human aging and cardiometabolic pathophysiology.
ظهور شعار بني نصر على مقابض الأبواب بمسجد أحمد سالم الشهير بالصيني بالإسكندرية (The Appearance of Nasrid Motto on the Doorknobs of Ahmad Salem’s Mosque, Known as Elsainy in Alexandria)
Authors: عاصم عبد الكريم إسلام 
Published: May 2014

The unique appearance of Nasrid motto “La ghalib ila Allah” (there is no victor other than god) on the doorknobs in Ahmad Salem Mosque, which was built in 1930, by Italian architects and designers, reflects the influence of the Andalusian art on the Islamic buildings. Many reasons could explain this influence, as the historical and religious relationship between Andalusia and Alexandria, by a lot of immigrants who came to the city and became the most famous Imams in the city. Moreover, the Italian architects and designers who were managing the largest part of the construction business in Alexandria, in the first decade of twentieth century, their studies of the Islamic Art in their country before they move to Egypt, concentrated on the Andalusian art, due to that their work in the Islamic religious buildings was influenced by the Andalusian art. Through a concentrated study in the meaning of the motto, and relating it to the conditions of constructing Ahmad Salem Mosque, and taking into consideration the remaining inscriptions in the Mosque, it becomes clear that one of the main reasons of inscribing the Nasrid motto was a reflection of Ahmad Salem‘s status after building the Mosque, showing and telling everyone that God helps everyone with good intent, and He helped me in constructing this Mosque. This means that this motto was not just copied words and art from Alhambra Palace, in Turkey; but it was selected intentionally by the owner and the designer of the Mosque.
(Please note that this article is in Arabic)
Solar Cooking in the Sahel
Authors: Newton Beth , Cowie Sophie , Rijks Derk , Banks Jamie , Brindley Helen , Marsham John H. 
Published: May 2014

Solar cookers have the potential to help many of the world's poorest people, but the availability of sunshine is critical, with clouds or heavy atmospheric dust loads preventing cooking. Using wood for cooking leads to deforestation and air pollution that can cause or exacerbate health problems. For many poor people, obtaining wood is either time-consuming or expensive. Where conflicts have led to displaced people, wood shortages can become acute, leading to often violent clashes between locals and refugees. For many refugee women, this makes collecting wood a high-risk activity.For eight years, Agrometeorological Applications Associates and TchadSolaire (AAA/TS) have been training refugees to manufacture and use solar cookers in northeastern Chad, where there are more than 240,000 refugees. Solar cookers are cheap and simple to make. They are clean and safe, greatly reduce the need for wood, reduce conf licts, reduce the time girls spend collecting wood (thus favoring education), and allow pasteurization of water. Around 140,000 people in the area are now eating solar-cooked food.Using long-term records of direct sunshine from routine surface measurements and aerosol retrievals from SEVIRI on board Meteosat, we present a climatology of conditions suitable for solar cooking in North Africa and West Africa. Solar cookers could be widely used, on an average of about 90% of days in some locations, with large seasonal and spatial variations from changing solar elevations, dustiness, and cloudiness. The climatology will facilitate the future distribution of solar cookers by organizations such as AAA/TS, who work using high-tech information to improve the lives of millions utilizing simple technologies.
Effectiveness of the Dorsal Thermoplastic Locking Orthosis to Prevent Floating Toes in Postoperative Follow-up of Weil Osteotomies
Authors: Godoy-Santos Alexandre Leme , Diniz Fernandes Tulio , Luzo Candida , Ortiz Rafael Trevisan , Sakaki Marcos , Weil Lowell 
Published: May 2014

Background: The Weil oblique distal metatarsal osteotomy is regularly used in the treatment of primary metatarsalgia. The most frequent complication is the floating toe, which occurs in up to 36% of postoperative follow-up. The theory of reducing the plantar flexor mechanism tension associated with the retraction of the dorsal structures during the healing process of the surgical procedure may explain this negative evolution. Objective: This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the Tucade dorsal thermoplastic locking orthosis in the prevention of floating toe after Weil osteotomy. Methods: In all, 30 patients with metatarsalgia diagnosis submitted to Weil osteotomy were treated in the postoperative period with the Tucade dorsal thermoplastic locking orthosis. Results: The floating toe was not observed in this case series. There was 1 case of superficial wound irritation at the dorsal surgical incision and 1 case that evolved with transfer metatarsalgia. Statistical analyses were performed—American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Scale for lateral toes and extension of the lateral toes—using the t test, and P < .0001 was obtained for comparison of the preoperative and postoperative periods in the population studied. Conclusion: The Tucade dorsal thermoplastic locking orthosis during the postoperative period of Weil osteotomy proved to be effective in the prevention of floating toes. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV: Case Series
Posttranscriptional regulation of c-Myc expression in adult murine HSCs during homeostasis and interferon-α-induced stress response
Authors: Ehninger Armin , Boch Tobias , Uckelmann Hannah , Essers Marieke A. , Müdder Katja , Sleckman Barry P. , Trumpp Andreas 
Published: May 2014

Key Points
Increasing levels of c-Myc protein during differentiation of HSCs are posttranscriptionally regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Interferon-α-mediated entry of quiescent HSCs into the cell cycle is associated with robust upregulation of c-Myc protein but not mRNA.
Transcriptome differences between two sister desert poplar species under salt stress
Authors: Zhang Jian , Feng Jianju , Lu Jing , Yang Yongzhi , Zhang Xu , Wan Dongshi , Liu Jianquan 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background

Populus euphratica Oliv and P. pruinosa Schrenk (Salicaceae) both grow in dry desert areas with high summer temperatures. However, P. euphratica is distributed in dry deserts with deep underground water whereas P. pruinosa occurs in deserts in which there is underground water close to the surface. We therefore hypothesized that these two sister species may have evolved divergent regulatory and metabolic pathways during their interaction with different salt habitats and other stresses. To test this hypothesis, we compared transcriptomes from callus exposed to 24 h of salt stress and control callus samples from both species and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and alternative splicing (AS) events that had occurred under salt stress.

Results
A total of 36,144 transcripts were identified and 1430 genes were found to be differentially expressed in at least one species in response to salt stress. Of these DEGs, 884 and 860 were identified in P. euphratica and P. pruinosa, respectively, while 314 DEGs were common to both species. On the basis of parametric analysis of gene set enrichment, GO enrichment in P. euphratica was found to be significantly different from that in P. pruinosa. Numerous genes involved in hormone biosynthesis, transporters and transcription factors showed clear differences between the two species in response to salt stress. We also identified 26,560 AS events which were mapped to 8380 poplar genomic loci from four libraries. GO enrichments for genes undergoing AS events in P. euphratica differed significantly from those in P. pruinosa.

Conclusions
A number of salt-responsive genes in both P. euphratica and P. pruinosa were identified and candidate genes with potential roles in the salinity adaptation were proposed. Transcriptome comparisons of two sister desert poplar species under salt stress suggest that these two species may have developed different genetic pathways in order to adapt to different desert salt habitats. The DEGs that were found to be common to both species under salt stress may be especially important for future genetic improvement of cultivated poplars or other crops through transgenic approaches in order to increase tolerance of saline soil conditions.