bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overall survival and final efficacy and safety results from a Japanese phase II study of axitinib in cytokine‐refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Eto Masatoshi , Uemura Hirotsugu , Tomita Yoshihiko , Kanayama Hiroomi , Shinohara Nobuo , Kamei Yoichi , Fujii Yosuke , Umeyama Yoshiko , Ozono Seiichiro , Naito Seiji , Akaza Hideyuki ,   the Japan Axitinib Phase II Study Group
Published: October 2014

In an open‐label, multicenter phase II study of Japanese patients with cytokine‐refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma, axitinib showed substantial antitumor activity with an acceptable safety profile. Here, we report overall survival and updated efficacy and safety results. Sixty‐four Japanese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma following prior therapy with cytokines were treated with axitinib at a starting dose of 5 mg b.i.d. Following median treatment duration of 14.2 months, median overall survival was 37.3 months (95% CI, 28.6–49.9). The objective response rate, the primary endpoint of the study, was 51.6% (95% CI, 38.7–64.2); the median duration of response, 11.1 months (95% CI, 8.2–13.7); and the median progression‐free survival was 11.0 months (95% CI, 9.2–12.0), assessed by the independent review committee. Common treatment‐related all‐grade adverse events were hypertension (88%), hand‐foot syndrome (75%), diarrhea (66%), proteinuria (63%), fatigue (55%) and dysphonia (53%). In an exploratory analysis, median overall survival was found to be significantly longer in patients who had greater decreases in plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 during the first cycle of treatment. In conclusion, the present study showed axitinib to be effective, and toxicities with long‐term treatment were generally controllable with axitinib dose modification and/or standard medications in these Japanese patients. Some frequently reported adverse events warrant close monitoring and management. Changes in the plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 may be used as a prognostic factor for overall survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma following axitinib treatment. This study is registered at ClinicalTrial.gov (identifier NCT00569946).
Cataract and quality of life in patients with glaucoma
Authors: Skalicky Simon E , Martin Keith R , Fenwick Eva , Crowston Jonathan G , Goldberg Ivan , McCluskey Peter 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo assess the impact of cataract on quality of life (QoL) for patients with glaucoma.DesignCross‐sectional study.ParticipantsTwo hundred forty‐two patients with mild (n = 67), moderate (n = 80) or severe (n = 45) glaucoma and 50 controls (glaucoma suspects). Patients with cataract of any severity were included.MethodsThe following data were collected: sociodemographic information, phakic/pseudophakic status, cataract grade according to the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III, visual acuity and visual field test parameters. Glaucoma severity was stratified according to binocular visual field loss. Visually significant cataract was defined as: LOCS III criteria nuclear cataract ≥3/6.9, cortical cataract ≥3/5.9 or posterior subcapsular cataract ≥2/5.9.Main Outcome MeasuresPatients’ QoL was measured using Rasch‐transformed scores from the Glaucoma Activity Limitation‐9 (GAL‐9) questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the association between cataract and GAL‐9 (logit) score.ResultsFifty‐six (23.1%) patients had at least one visually significant cataract. At least one visually significant cataract (standardized coefficient [β] 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.34, P = 0.011) and poor visual field index (better eye) (β 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.36–1.88, P < 0.001) were independently associated with worse GAL‐9 score.ConclusionsCataract influences glaucoma‐related QoL among glaucoma patients of all severity levels and is an important cause of potentially reversible visual impairment among glaucoma patients. The Rasch‐analysed GAL‐9 questionnaire is a useful metric to quantify visual disability related to cataract in glaucoma patients.
The Malleability of Participation: The Politics of Agricultural Research under Neoliberalism in Bolivia
Authors: Córdoba Diana , Jansen Kees , González Carolina 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThis article analyses how neoliberal restructuring encouraged the use of participatory methods in agricultural research in Bolivia and how, at a later stage, participatory development initiatives had to be adapted to prevent conflicts with the post‐neoliberal views of farmer organizations. The article contributes to the debate on the normalization of participatory methods in agrarian development. Engaging with Foucault's work on governmentality and neoliberalism, our analysis goes beyond interpretations of participation which conceptualize it exclusively as a technology of power to discipline subjects. Drawing on a distinction between a liberal and a neoliberal moment in the restructuring of agricultural research, we study the case of PROINPA (Foundation for the Promotion and Research of Andean Products), a national NGO that was once part of the state system for agricultural research but was then privatized. Although PROINPA employed participation mainly to enhance managerial effectiveness, it also facilitated moments of participation from below. We argue that participation designed by this type of NGO is not just ‘technical’ as PROINPA professionals would like to perceive it, nor is it simply ‘political’ as critical views on participation hold. Instead it is malleable in the sense that each actor is involved in finding a new balance between technical, economic and political considerations.
Call me Alix, not Elix: vowels are more important than consonants in own‐name recognition at 5 months
Authors: Bouchon Camillia , Floccia Caroline , Fux Thibaut , Adda‐Decker Martine , Nazzi Thierry 
Published: October 2014

AbstractConsonants and vowels differ acoustically and articulatorily, but also functionally: Consonants are more relevant for lexical processing, and vowels for prosodic/syntactic processing. These functional biases could be powerful bootstrapping mechanisms for learning language, but their developmental origin remains unclear. The relative importance of consonants and vowels at the onset of lexical acquisition was assessed in French‐learning 5‐month‐olds by testing sensitivity to minimal phonetic changes in their own name. Infants’ reactions to mispronunciations revealed sensitivity to vowel but not consonant changes. Vowels were also more salient (on duration and intensity) but less distinct (on spectrally based measures) than consonants. Lastly, vowel (but not consonant) mispronunciation detection was modulated by acoustic factors, in particular spectrally based distance. These results establish that consonant changes do not affect lexical recognition at 5 months, while vowel changes do; the consonant bias observed later in development does not emerge until after 5 months through additional language exposure.
Sharing the Knowledge: Sharing Aggregate Genomic Findings with Research Participants in Developing Countries
Authors: Kerasidou Angeliki 
Published: October 2014

AbstractReturning research results to participants is recognised as an obligation that researchers should always try to fulfil. But can we ascribe the same obligation to researchers who conduct genomics research producing only aggregated findings? And what about genomics research conducted in developing countries?This paper considers Beskow's et al. argument that aggregated findings should also be returned to research participants. This recommendation is examined in the context of genomics research conducted in developing countries. The risks and benefits of attempting such an exercise are identified, and suggestions on ways to avoid some of the challenges are proposed. I argue that disseminating the findings of genomic research to participating communities should be seen as sharing knowledge rather than returning results. Calling the dissemination of aggregate, population level information returning results can be confusing and misleading as participants might expect to receive individual level information. Talking about sharing knowledge is a more appropriate way of expressing and communicating the outcome of population genomic research. Considering the knowledge produced by genomics research a worthwhile output that should be shared with the participants and approaching the exercise as a ‘sharing of knowledge’, could help mitigate the risks of unrealistic expectations and misunderstanding of findings, whilst promoting trusting and long lasting relationships with the participating communities.
Can the Antarctic terrestrial midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, tolerate life in water?
Authors: EVERATT MATTHEW J. , CONVEY PETER , MIRBAHAI LEDA , WORLAND MICHAEL R. , BALE JEFF S. , HAYWARD SCOTT A. L. 
Published: October 2014

1. Early‐season flooding and ice entrapment at sub‐zero temperatures pose significant challenges to any polar terrestrial invertebrate.2. The chironomid midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, is native to the sub‐Antarctic island of South Georgia and has been introduced to the maritime Antarctic (Signy Island). While the majority of its 2‐year life cycle is spent as a terrestrial larva, it is found in habitats potentially exposed to prolonged flooding.3. The current study explored the tolerance of the larvae to extended submergence, demonstrating survival for at least 28 days, underlain by their ability to respire (oxy‐regulate) whilst submerged. To date, this ability is not known to be shared by any other terrestrial midge. Larvae also demonstrated notable anoxia tolerance whilst encased in ice, surviving for up to 28 days.4. These data indicate a capacity to survive ecologically relevant periods of submergence and/or ice entrapment, such as may be experienced in their natural habitats.
Effects of trophic similarity on community composition
Authors: Morlon Hélène , Kefi Sonia , Martinez Neo D. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractUnderstanding how ecological processes determine patterns among species coexisting within ecosystems is central to ecology. Here, we explore relationships between species’ local coexistence and their trophic niches in terms of their feeding relationships both as consumers and as resources. We build on recent concepts and methods from community phylogenetics to develop a framework for analysing mechanisms responsible for community composition using trophic similarity among species and null models of community assembly. We apply this framework to 50 food webs found in 50 Adirondack lakes and find that species composition in these communities appears to be driven by both bottom‐up effects by which the presence of prey species selects for predators of those prey, and top‐down effects by which prey more tolerant of predation out‐compete less tolerant prey of the same predators. This approach to community food webs is broadly applicable and shows how species interaction networks can inform an increasingly large array of theory central to community ecology.
Developing network data envelopment analysis model for supply chain performance measurement in the presence of zero data
Authors: Tavassoli Mohammad , Farzipoor Saen Reza , Faramarzi Gholam Reza 
Published: October 2014

AbstractPerformance measurement of supply chain (SC) has a vital impact on SC management and can increase efficiency of whole system and also brings competitive advantages for companies. Conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models treat the supply chain as a black box and do not deal with interactions of components within supply chain. Existence of zero data in supply chains can be a new assumption in performance evaluation. The main objective of this paper is to propose a new network DEA (NDEA) model in the presence of zero data. In addition, to rank supply chains, this paper proposes a novel super‐efficiency formulation of NDEA using input saving and output surplus concepts. To demonstrate applicability of the proposed model, a case study is presented.
Ensuring a Place for Family Court Services in the Family Court of the Future: Do or Die
Authors: Fieldstone Linda 
Published: October 2014

In order for family court services to thrive amidst the next wave of budget cuts, court and legislative deliberations regarding essential services, and ongoing barriers to services experienced by litigants, units must make themselves relevant to parties, the court, and the family law community. Learning from Family Court Services of Miami‐Dade County, Florida, it is essential that units develop collaborative relationships both within the court and the community. Various innovations and protocols are offered in order to ensure family court services a place in the family court of the future.
Key Points for the Family Court Community
Readers will be able to justify the need for a family court services unit in their judicial system.
Readers will be able to identify barriers and restrictions currently placed on family court services programs.
Readers will be able to detail components of family court services that will keep the unit relevant by making the unit indispensable to the parties, the court, and the family law community.
Readers will be able to identify strategies for family court services to do more with less and stay afloat even when there are budget cuts and threats of elimination.
Readers will have a case example in the Family Court Services unit in Miami‐Dade County, Florida, to refer to when proposing the creation, development, or modification of a unit in their family court.
Inhibition of bladder cancer invasion by Sp1‐mediated BTG2 expression via inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 1
Authors: Devanand Preethi , Kim Sun Il , Choi Yong Won , Sheen Seung Soo , Yim Hyunee , Ryu Min Sook , Kim Se Joong , Kim Wun‐Jae , Lim In Kyoung 
Published: October 2014

Significantly lower endogenous expression of B‐cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) was observed in human muscle‐invasive bladder cancers (MIBC) than matched normal tissues and non‐muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC). BTG2 expression was inversely correlated with increased expression of the DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a in MIBC, but not NMIBC, suggesting a potential role for BTG2 expression in muscle invasion of bladder cancer. Over 90% of tumor tissues revealed strong methylation at CpG islands of the BTG2 gene, compared with no methylation in the normal tissues, implying epigenetic regulation of BTG2 expression in bladder carcinogenesis. By using EJ bladder cancer cells and the demethylating agent decitabine, transcription of BTG2 was shown to be up‐regulated by inhibiting DNMT1 expression via modification at CpG islands. DNMT1 binding to the BTG2 gene further regulated BTG2 expression by chromatin remodeling, such as H3K9 dimethylation and H3K4 trimethylation, and Sp1 activation. Induced BTG2 expression significantly reduced EJ cell tumorigenesis and invasiveness together with induction of G2/M arrest. These results demonstrate an important role for the BTG2/TIS21/PC3 gene in the progression of bladder cancers, and suggest that BTG2/TIS21/PC3 is a promising epigenetic target for prevention of muscle invasion in human bladder cancers.
Inducing RNA interference in the arbovirus vector, Culicoides sonorensis
Authors: Mills M. K. , Nayduch D. , Michel K. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBiting midges in the genus Culicoides are important vectors of arboviral diseases, including epizootic haemorrhagic disease, bluetongue and most likely Schmallenberg, which cause significant economic burdens worldwide. Research on these vectors has been hindered by the lack of a sequenced genome, the difficulty of consistent culturing of certain species and the absence of molecular techniques such as RNA interference (RNAi). Here, we report the establishment of RNAi as a research tool for the adult midge, Culicoides sonorensis. Based on previous research and transcriptome analysis, which revealed putative small interfering RNA pathway member orthologues, we hypothesized that adult C. sonorensis midges have the molecular machinery needed to perform RNA silencing. Injection of control double‐stranded RNA targeting green fluorescent protein (dsGFP), into the haemocoel of 2–3‐day‐old adult female midges resulted in survival curves that support virus transmission. dsRNA injection targeting the newly identified C. sonorensis inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (CsIAP1) orthologue resulted in a 40% decrease of transcript levels and 73% shorter median survivals as compared with dsGFP‐injected controls. These results reveal the conserved function of IAP1. Importantly, they also demonstrate the feasibility of RNAi by dsRNA injection in adult midges, which will greatly facilitate studies of the underlying mechanisms of vector competence in C. sonorensis.
Prospects for the return of shell‐crushing crabs to Antarctica
Authors: Aronson Richard B. , Frederich Markus , Price Rick , Thatje Sven 
Published: October 2014

AbstractRapidly rising sea temperatures off the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) are placing the Antarctic benthos at risk of increasing predation from durophagous (shell‐breaking) brachyuran and anomuran crabs. Crabs are at present excluded from Antarctic‐shelf environments by their limited capacity to down‐regulate magnesium ions in their blood, a constraint that paralyses and kills them under cold conditions. Interspecific variation in the ability of Subantarctic crabs to flush out magnesium ions predicts which species should be capable of extending their ranges to shelf environments along the Antarctic Peninsula. In agreement with those predictions, the brachyuran Halicarcinus planatus was recently found in the shallow subtidal zone at Deception Island, an emergent volcanic cone located off the WAP. Geothermal activity at Deception Island provides a warm‐water opportunity for persistence in a cold ocean, and heavy ship‐traffic there could accelerate the delivery of non‐native species. Large populations of anomuran king crabs (Lithodidae) have recently been discovered on the continental slope off the WAP, at ambient sea temperatures slightly warmer than the waters over the shelf. The lithodids are generalized, durophagous predators that could expand to shelf habitats as the overlying waters warm rapidly. Another brachyuran, the globally invasive, durophagous European green crab Carcinus maenas, also appears poised to expand to nearshore habitats in Antarctica. Successful expansion of predators and other benthic species to the Antarctic shelf would accelerate the global trend towards functional homogenization of the marine biota. Long‐term monitoring programmes should be established immediately to assess the extent of the problem in Antarctica.
Non‐invasive imaging of allogeneic transplanted skin graft by 131I‐anti‐TLR5 mAb
Authors: Sun Hukui , Yang Guangjie , Liang Ting , Zhang Chao , Song Jing , Han Jiankui , Hou Guihua 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAlthough 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) uptake can be used for the non‐invasive detection and monitoring of allograft rejection by activated leucocytes, this non‐specific accumulation is easily impaired by immunosuppressants. Our aim was to evaluate a 131I‐radiolabelled anti‐Toll‐like receptor 5 (TLR5) mAb for non‐invasive in vivo graft visualization and quantification in allogeneic transplantation mice model, compared with the non‐specific radiotracer 18F‐FDG under using of immunosuppressant. Labelling, binding, and stability studies were performed. BALB/c mice transplanted with C57BL/6 skin grafts, with or without rapamycin treatment (named as allo‐treated group or allo‐rejection group), were injected with 131I‐anti‐TLR5 mAb, 18F‐FDG, or mouse isotype 131I‐IgG, respectively. Whole‐body phosphor‐autoradiography and ex vivo biodistribution studies were obtained. Whole‐body phosphor‐autoradiography showed 131I‐anti‐TLR5 mAb uptake into organs that were well perfused with blood at 1 hr and showed clear graft images from 12 hrs onwards. The 131I‐anti‐TLR5 mAb had significantly higher graft uptake and target‐to‐non‐target ratio in the allo‐treated group, as determined by semi‐quantification of phosphor‐autoradiography images; these results were consistent with ex vivo biodistribution studies. However, high 18F‐FDG uptake was not observed in the allo‐treated group. The highest allograft‐skin‐to‐native‐skin ratio (A:N) of 131I‐anti‐TLR5 mAb uptake was significantly higher than the ratio for 18F‐FDG (7.68 versus 1.16, respectively). 131I‐anti‐TLR5 mAb uptake in the grafts significantly correlated with TLR5 expression in the allograft area. The accumulation of 131I‐IgG was comparable in both groups. We conclude that radiolabelled anti‐TLR5 mAb is capable of detecting allograft with high target specificity after treatment with the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin.
Comparison of Abstinence and Coital Frequency Between 2 Natural Methods of Family Planning
Authors: Fehring Richard J. , Schneider Mary 
Published: October 2014

IntroductionThe length of periodic abstinence, due to overestimation of the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle, is often a cause for dissatisfaction, discontinuation, and user error with natural family planning (NFP) methods. The objective of this research was to compare the length of required abstinence (ie, estimated fertility) and coital frequency between 2 NFP methods.MethodsThis was an analysis of data from a 12‐month prospective comparison study in which participants were randomized into either an electronic hormonal fertility monitor (EHFM) group or a cervical mucus monitoring (CMM) group—both of which included a fertility algorithm as a double check for the beginning and end of the estimated fertile window. The number of days of estimated fertility and coitus was extracted from each menstrual cycle of data, and t tests were used to compare the means of these 2 variables between the 2 NFP methods.ResultsThe study involved 197 women (mean [SD] age 29.7 [5.4]) who used the EHFM to estimate the fertile window and 160 women (mean [SD] age 30.4 [5.3]) who used CMM to estimate the fertile window. They produced 1,669 menstrual cycles of data. After 12 months of use, the EHFM group had statistically fewer days of estimated fertility than the CMM group (mean [SD] days, 13.25 [2.79] vs 13.68 [2.99], respectively; t = 2.07; P = .039) and significantly more coitus (mean [SD] coital acts, 4.22 [3.16] vs 4.05 [2.88], respectively; t = 1.17; P = .026).DiscussionThe use of the EHFM seems to provide more objectivity and confidence in self‐estimating the fertile window and using nonfertile days for intercourse when avoiding pregnancy.