bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of outside air temperature on the preparation of antineoplastic drug solutions in biological safety cabinets
Authors: Umemura Masayuki , Itoh Akio , Ando Yuichi , Yamada Kiyofumi , Wakiya Yoshifumi , Nabeshima Toshitaka 
Published: April 2014

Purpose In Japan, biological safety cabinets are commonly used by medical staff to prepare antineoplastic agents. At the Division of Chemotherapy for Outpatients, Nagoya University Hospital, a class II B2 biological safety cabinet is used. The temperature inside this biological safety cabinet decreases in winter. In this study, we investigated the effect of low outside air temperature on the biological safety cabinet temperature, time required to admix antineoplastic agents, and accuracy of epirubicin weight measurement. Methods Studies were conducted from 1 January to 31 March 2008 (winter). The outside air temperature near the biological safety cabinet intake nozzle was compared with the biological safety cabinet temperature. The correlation between the outside air temperature and the biological safety cabinet temperature, time for cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine solubilization, and accuracy of epirubicin weight measurement were investigated at low and high biological safety cabinet temperatures. Result The biological safety cabinet temperature correlated with the outside air temperature of 5–20℃ ( p < 0.0001). Compared to cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine solubilization in the biological safety cabinet at 25℃, solubilization at 10℃ was significantly delayed ( p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Measurement of epirubicin weight by using a syringe lacked accuracy because of epirubicin’s high viscosity at low temperatures ( p < 0.01). Conclusion These results suggest that the biological safety cabinet temperature decreases when cool winter air is drawn into the biological safety cabinet, affecting the solubilization of antineoplastic agents. We suggest that a decrease in biological safety cabinet temperature may increase the time required to admix antineoplastic agents, thereby increasing the time for which outpatients must wait for chemotherapy.
Leader as priest: Plucking the fruit of a flawed metaphor
Authors: Ruth Damian 
Published: April 2014

This paper takes its cue from Hatch et al. and their metaphor of leader as priest. This metaphor is extended in order to critically assess the importation of the discourse of spirituality into the arena of corporate leadership. In exploring this extended metaphor it becomes apparent that the concept of a spiritually informed corporate leadership is flawed. We may expect individuals to behave ethically and morally, but we should not confuse this with good or bad corporate leadership and link such leadership to corporate action. By pushing the limits of the leader-priest metaphor, we do not claim to vitiate the value of the metaphor, but we provide different perspectives on some standard questions and show that the problem of reprehensible corporate action might be more productively addressed as an issue of poor quality social and legal design rather than a spiritual or moral deficit.
Association of ADIPOQ variants and heart failure in an Italian population
Authors: Pileggi Silvana , Barlera Simona , Nicolis Enrico , Crociati Luisa , Pietri Silvia , Specchia Claudia , Franzosi Maria Grazia 
Published: April 2014

Objectives: Adiponectin has insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. There are few and controversial data on the role of ADIPOQ variants in heart failure (HF) pathogenesis. We planned this large association study to investigate the potential association of four selected ADIPOQ polymorphisms with HF in a population of Italian origin. Methods: We genotyped 1173 cases with symptomatic HF and 1136 controls for alleles rs17300539, rs266729, rs1501299 and rs2241766. Cases were patients enrolled in the GISSI-Heart Failure genetic sub-study, with a long-term follow up (median 3.9 years). Controls were blood donors with no history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD). Genotype and allele frequencies of the four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were compared between the two groups. Results: Clinical characteristics were significantly different between HF patients and controls. No significant differences were reported in the allelic and genotypic distribution, with the exception of rs266729 G allele, which showed a significant association with an increased risk of HF [odds ratio (OR) = 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.48; p = 0.006). We divided the GISSI-HF population according to HF etiology (ischemic and nonischemic) and presence of diabetes. For rs266729 G allele, a significant association with HF was confirmed in both ischemic (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.06–1.56; p = 0.009) and nonischemic patients (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.02–1.42; p = 0.03) as well as in nondiabetic patients (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.05–1.49; p = 0.012). rs2241766 G allele showed a significant reduction of risk of HF in nonischemic (OR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.62–0.95; p = 0.02) and diabetic patients (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.45–0.84; p = 0.0025). Conclusions: We confirm the association between rs266729 G allele and an increased risk of HF and between rs2241766 G allele and decreased risk of HF. Our study extends the knowledge on the influence of ADIPOQ variants on CVD.
An Integrated Multivariable Artificial Pancreas Control System
Authors: Turksoy Kamuran , Quinn Lauretta T. , Littlejohn Elizabeth , Cinar Ali 
Published: April 2014

Objective: The objective was to develop a closed-loop (CL) artificial pancreas (AP) control system that uses continuous measurements of glucose concentration and physiological variables, integrated with a hypoglycemia early alarm module to regulate glucose concentration and prevent hypoglycemia. Materials and Methods: Eleven open-loop (OL) and 9 CL experiments were performed. A multivariable adaptive artificial pancreas (MAAP) system was used for the first 6 CL experiments. An integrated multivariable adaptive artificial pancreas (IMAAP) system consisting of MAAP augmented with a hypoglycemia early alarm system was used during the last 3 CL experiments. Glucose values and physical activity information were measured and transferred to the controller every 10 minutes and insulin suggestions were entered to the pump manually. All experiments were designed to be close to real-life conditions. Results: Severe hypoglycemic episodes were seen several times during the OL experiments. With the MAAP system, the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia was decreased significantly ( P < .01). No hypoglycemia was seen with the IMAAP system. There was also a significant difference ( P < .01) between OL and CL experiments with regard to percentage of glucose concentration (54% vs 58%) that remained within target range (70-180 mg/dl). Conclusions: Integration of an adaptive control and hypoglycemia early alarm system was able to keep glucose concentration values in target range in patients with type 1 diabetes. Postprandial hypoglycemia and exercise-induced hypoglycemia did not occur when this system was used. Physical activity information improved estimation of the blood glucose concentration and effectiveness of the control system.
MLN4924, an NAE inhibitor, suppresses AKT and mTOR signaling via upregulation of REDD1 in human myeloma cells
Authors: Gu Yanyan , Kaufman Jonathan L. , Bernal Leon , Torre Claire , Matulis Shannon M. , Harvey R. Donald , Chen Jing , Sun Shi-Yong , Boise Lawrence H. , Lonial Sagar 
Published: April 2014

Key Points
Blockade of NAE and bortezomib induces phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mTOR inhibition. NAE inhibition and bortezomib combined induce synergistic plasma cell apoptosis.
Biocatalytic potential of vanillin aminotransferase from Capsicum chinense
Authors: Weber Nora , Ismail Abdelrahman , Gorwa-Grauslund Marie , Carlquist Magnus 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
The conversion of vanillin to vanillylamine is a key step in the biosynthetic route towards capsaicinoids in pungent cultivars of Capsicum sp. The reaction has previously been annotated to be catalysed by PAMT (putative aminotransferase; [GenBank: AAC78480.1, Swiss-Prot: O82521]), however, the enzyme has previously not been biochemically characterised in vitro.

Results
The biochemical activity of the transaminase was confirmed by direct measurement of the reaction with purified recombinant enzyme. The enzyme accepted pyruvate, and oxaloacetate but not 2-oxoglutarate as co-substrate, which is in accordance with other characterised transaminases from the plant kingdom. The enzyme was also able to convert (S)-1-phenylethylamine into acetophenone with high stereo-selectivity. Additionally, it was shown to be active at a broad pH range.

Conclusions
We suggest PAMT to be renamed to VAMT (vanillin aminotransferase, abbreviation used in this study) as formation of vanillin from vanillylamine could be demonstrated. Furthermore, due to high stereoselectivity and activity at physiological pH, VAMT is a suitable candidate for biocatalytic transamination in a recombinant whole-cell system.
Assessment of biofeedback rehabilitation in post-stroke patients combining fMRI and gait analysis: a case study
Authors: Del Din Silvia , Bertoldo Alessandra , Sawacha Zimi , Jonsdottir Johanna , Rabuffetti Marco , Cobelli Claudio , Ferrarin Maurizio 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
The ability to walk independently is a primary goal for rehabilitation after stroke. Gait analysis provides a great amount of valuable information, while functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers a powerful approach to define networks involved in motor control. The present study reports a new methodology based on both fMRI and gait analysis outcomes in order to investigate the ability of fMRI to reflect the phases of motor learning before/after electromyographic biofeedback treatment: the preliminary fMRI results of a post stroke subject’s brain activation, during passive and active ankle dorsal/plantarflexion, before and after biofeedback (BFB) rehabilitation are reported and their correlation with gait analysis data investigated.

Methods
A control subject and a post-stroke patient with chronic hemiparesis were studied. Functional magnetic resonance images were acquired during a block-design protocol on both subjects while performing passive and active ankle dorsal/plantarflexion. fMRI and gait analysis were assessed on the patient before and after electromyographic biofeedback rehabilitation treatment during gait activities. Lower limb three-dimensional kinematics, kinetics and surface electromyography were evaluated. Correlation between fMRI and gait analysis categorical variables was assessed: agreement/disagreement was assigned to each variable if the value was in/outside the normative range (gait analysis), or for presence of normal/diffuse/no activation of motor area (fMRI).

Results
Altered fMRI activity was found on the post-stroke patient before biofeedback rehabilitation with respect to the control one. Meanwhile the patient showed a diffuse, but more limited brain activation after treatment (less voxels). The post-stroke gait data showed a trend towards the normal range: speed, stride length, ankle power, and ankle positive work increased. Preliminary correlation analysis revealed that consistent changes were observed both for the fMRI data, and the gait analysis data after treatment (R > 0.89): this could be related to the possible effects BFB might have on the central as well as on the peripheral nervous system.

Conclusions
Our findings showed that this methodology allows evaluation of the relationship between alterations in gait and brain activation of a post-stroke patient. Such methodology, if applied on a larger sample subjects, could provide information about the specific motor area involved in a rehabilitation treatment.
The Chemerin Receptor 23 Agonist, Chemerin, Attenuates Monosynaptic C-Fibre Input to Lamina I Neurokinin 1 Receptor Expressing Rat Spinal Cord Neurons in Inflammatory Pain
Authors: Dickie Allen C , Torsney Carole 
Published: April 2014

Background: Recent evidence has shown that the chemerin receptor 23 (ChemR23) represents a novel inflammatory pain target, whereby the ChemR23 agonists, resolvin E1 and chemerin, can inhibit inflammatory pain hypersensitivity, by a mechanism that involves normalisation of potentiated spinal cord responses. This study has examined the ability of the ChemR23 agonist, chemerin, to modulate synaptic input to lamina I neurokinin 1 receptor expressing (NK1R+) dorsal horn neurons, which are known to be crucial for the manifestation of inflammatory pain. Results: Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from pre-identified lamina I NK1R+ neurons, in rat spinal cord slices, revealed that chemerin significantly attenuates capsaicin potentiation of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) frequency, but is without effect in non-potentiated conditions. In tissue isolated from complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) treated rats, chemerin significantly reduced the peak amplitude of monosynaptic C-fibre evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) in a subset of lamina I NK1R+ neurons, termed chemerin responders. However, chemerin did not alter the peak amplitude of monosynaptic C-fibre eEPSCs in control tissue. Furthermore, paired-pulse recordings in CFA tissue demonstrated that chemerin significantly reduced paired-pulse depression in the subset of neurons classified as chemerin responders, but was without effect in non-responders, indicating that chemerin acts presynaptically to attenuate monosynaptic C-fibre input to a subset of lamina I NK1R+ neurons. Conclusions: These results suggest that the reported ability of ChemR23 agonists to attenuate inflammatory pain hypersensitivity may in part be due to a presynaptic inhibition of monosynaptic C-fibre input to lamina I NK1R+ neurons and provides further evidence that ChemR23 represents a promising inflammatory pain target.
Efficacy and safety of pamidronate in Modic type 1 changes: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Cecchetti Stella , Pereira Bruno , Roche Antoine , Deschaumes Christophe , Abdi Dihya , Coudeyre Emmanuel , Dubost Jean-Jacques , Mathieu Sylvain , Malochet-Guinamand Sandrine , Tournadre Anne , Couderc Marion , Vayssade Marielle , Daron Coline , Soubrier Martin 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background
Erosive degenerative disc disease, also known as Modic type 1 changes, is usually characterized by low back pain with an inflammatory pain pattern, as seen in spondyloarthropathies. Intravenous pamidronate has proven to be effective in patients with ankylosing spondylitis who are refractory to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and in painful bone diseases in general, such as Paget’s disease, fibrous dysplasia or vertebral fractures. We therefore hypothesize that pamidronate would be effective in treating low back pain associated with Modic type 1 changes.

Methods/Design
This study, called PEPTIDE (short for the French title “Etude Prospective sur l’Efficacité et la tolérance du PamidronaTe dans les dIscopathies Degeneratives Erosives”), will be a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, phase two clinical trial. A total of 48 patients will be recruited. These patients will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups, with 24 patients in each group: one group will be given pamidronate and the other a placebo. Pamidronate will be administered at a dose of 90 mg per day for two days consecutively, and every patient, irrespective of treatment group, will be given paracetamol to maintain blinding by preventing drug-induced fever. The primary outcome measure is a between-group difference of 30 points on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at three months. Secondary outcome measures are improvement in functional status and the drug’s safety. Primary and secondary outcome measures will be assessed at each visit (inclusion, at six weeks, three months, and six months). If the primary goal is not attained, the patient will be offered a rigid or semi-rigid back brace, irrespective of the treatment group.

Discussion
To date, only local treatments, for example intradiscal corticosteroid therapy, lumbar arthrodesis or back braces have been studied in randomized, controlled trials, with controversial results. This trial is currently ongoing and, if conclusive, should provide physicians with an acceptable alternative to those treatments. The results should be publicly available in spring 2015.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01799616.
Metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer with a late, complete and durable response to docetaxel chemotherapy: a case report
Authors: Daverede Luis , Ralph Christy , Jagdev Satinder P , Trigonis Ioannis , Trainor Sebastian , Harnden Patricia , Weston Michael , Paul Alan , Vasudev Naveen S 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Although treatment options for men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer have improved in recent years, the outlook for patients remains poor, with overall survival in the region of 2 years. Response rates with chemotherapy are modest and disease progression is usually observed within months of stopping treatment.

Case presentation
We present a case of a 72-year-old White man of British origin with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer with bulky lymphadenopathy and a serum prostate-specific antigen of 295μg/L. He received treatment with docetaxel chemotherapy plus prednisolone, but received just 3 cycles before treatment was stopped due to toxicity and lack of response (prostate-specific antigen was 276μg/L 4 weeks after the last dose and there was a confirmed stable appearance on computed tomography scan). Unexpectedly, at follow-up 4 months later, the patient was clinically better; his prostate-specific antigen had dramatically improved to 4.1μg/L and a re-staging computed tomography scan revealed complete resolution of his bulky lymphadenopathy. At the time, he was receiving a luteinising hormone-releasing hormone analogue but no other disease-modulating treatment. He remains well and asymptomatic, with his most recent serum prostate-specific antigen measuring 0.14μg/L, 18 months after last receiving chemotherapy.

Conclusion
We report a case of complete and durable regression of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer following palliative chemotherapy which, to the best of our knowledge, has not previously been reported in the literature.
The RUMiC longitudinal survey: fostering research on labor markets in China
Authors: Akgüç Mehtap , Giulietti Corrado , Zimmermann Klaus F 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
This paper describes the Longitudinal Survey on Rural Urban Migration in China (RUMiC), a unique data source in terms of spatial coverage and panel dimension for research on labor markets in China. The survey is a collaboration project between the Australian National University, Beijing Normal University and the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), which makes data publicly available to the scientific community by producing Scientific Use Files. The paper illustrates the structure, sampling frame and tracking method of the survey, and provides an overview of the topics covered by the dataset, and a review of the existing studies based on RUMiC data.

JEL codes

C81; J01; P36; R23
Modulation of β-amyloid by a single dose of GSK933776 in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease: a phase I study
Authors: Leyhe Thomas , Andreasen Niels , Simeoni Monica , Reich Arno , von Arnim Christine AF , Tong Xin , Yeo Astrid , Khan Shahid , Loercher Amy , Chalker Michelle , Hottenstein Charles , Zetterberg Henrik , Hilpert Jan , Mistry Prafull 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Introduction
In this study, we evaluated the safety and pharmacodynamic effects of the Fc-inactivated anti-β-amyloid (anti-Aβ) monoclonal antibody GSK933776 in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. Aβ and tau levels were investigated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the relationship between Aβ levels and Aβ modulation in plasma was explored. The feasibility of a continuous sampling method using a lumbar catheter was assessed.

Methods
This trial was a phase I, open-label, uncontrolled, single-dose, exploratory experimental medicine study of intravenous GSK933776 at doses of 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg (n = 6/group). The time course of plasma and CSF concentrations of GSK933776 and Aβ was assessed. Sample size was based on feasibility, and no formal statistical analyses were performed.

Results
Following administration of GSK933776 at doses of 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, there were decreases from baseline in CSF Aβ1–42 (from 0 to 12 hours) by 22.8 pg/ml (6.2%), 43.5 pg/ml (9.2%) and 60.5 pg/ml (12.5%), respectively. Plasma concentrations of total Aβ18–35 and Aβ4228–42 increased immediately after infusion and CSF tau concentration increased slightly, but did not significantly change, following administration of all doses of GSK933776. Pharmacokinetics confirmed the presence of GSK933776 in the CSF, which exhibited a dose–response relationship. One patient underwent minor surgery without sequelae following a ruptured lumbar catheter.

Conclusion
GSK933776 demonstrated pharmacological activity and target engagement in CSF and plasma, and the continuous sampling method via a catheter successfully assessed the Aβ changes following single-dose administration of GSK933776.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01424436. Registered 4 August 2011