bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroendocrine‐derived peptides promote prostate cancer cell survival through activation of IGF‐1R signaling
Authors: DaSilva John O. , Amorino George P. , Casarez Eli V. , Pemberton Bradley , Parsons Sarah J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDNeuroendocrine (NE) cells promote the progression of prostate cancer to a castration‐resistant state through the production of paracrine growth factors. We have demonstrated this principle using in vitro and in vivo proliferative endpoints; however, the contributions of NE‐derived pro‐survival factors and anti‐apoptosis to this phenomenon have not been thoroughly investigated.METHODSHere, we utilized conditioned‐medium (CM) from LNCaP cells, engineered to undergo NE differentiation, and examined its effects on PC3 and LNCaP cell survival.RESULTSStatistically significant changes in clonogenic survival, Annexin V staining, PARP cleavage and trypan blue positivity of approximately twofold were observed in the presence of NE‐derived CM relative to control‐CM for both LNCaP and PC3 cells. These changes were partially abrogated by antagonists of the neuropeptides neurotensin, bombesin, and PTHrP. Selective inhibitors of IGF‐1R, EGFR or Src caused significant and nearly complete blockade of prostate cancer cell survival due to NE secretions. Similar increases in cell survival were observed for LNCaP or PC3 cells treated with NE‐derived medium in the presence of docetaxel. Increased phosphorylation of IGF‐1R, following treatment with NE‐derived medium, was accompanied by decreased protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type F (PTPRF) mRNA, and protein levels. Overexpression of PTPRF decreased cell survival, the amplitude and duration of IGF‐1R phosphorylation, and enhanced PARP cleavage in the presence of NE‐derived medium.CONCLUSIONSThese data support the hypothesis that NE‐derived factors act upon prostate cancer cells to stimulate pro‐survival signaling and describe a novel mechanism of cross‐talk between NE‐derived factors and IGF‐1R, mediated in part by PTPRF. Prostate 73: 801–812, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crystalline silicon solar cells with laser ablated penetrating V‐grooves: Modeling and experiment
Authors: Untila Gennady , Palov Alexander , Kost Tatiana , Chebotareva Alla , Stepanov Anton , Zaks Marat , Sitnikov Andrey , Saprykin Dmitry , Grishaev Andrey 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDifferent approaches are under elaboration aimed at the cost reduction of solar electricity. 3D penetrating emitter solar cells are expected to offer performance enhancement at lower costs, using low carrier lifetime cheaper silicon. Using laser ablation, we have prepared indium–fluorine–oxide/(n+pp+)Cz‐Si/indium–tin–oxide bifacial silicon solar cells with deep (110–120 µm) penetrating V‐shaped emitter with aspect ratio of 3–4 (height to half‐width of the V‐grooves). Compared with the reference cell textured with conventional random pyramids and thus not damaged by laser action, which showed front/rear active area photocurrents of 41.1/33.3 mA cm−2, V‐grooved solar cells showed only slightly less front photocurrent of 40.1–40.7 mA cm−2, whereas the superior rear photocurrent of 34.2 mA cm−2. The latter indicates that deep penetrating emitter is especially useful in the case of bifacial solar cells. The best pseudo‐efficiency for V‐grooved cell of 19.5% with estimated bifaciality of ∼80% was obtained for the cell that has been subjected to the smallest laser action during V‐grooving. In addition, ray‐tracing model was applied to calculate efficiency of light absorption by a V‐grooved silicon solar cell for wavelengths in the range from 400 to 1200 nm. The depth of the grooves was varied from 0.05t to wafer's thickness t. The obtained experimental and computational results confirm that the design of crystalline silicon solar cell based on deep penetrating V‐shaped emitter makes possible to obtain high‐efficiency solar cells even in the case of low‐quality silicon wafers.Silicon wafer with deep penetrating V‐grooved emitter. magnified image
Concentration quenching and thermal activation of the luminescence from terbium‐doped a ‐SiC:H and c ‐AlN thin films
Authors: Guerra J. Andres , Benz Felix , Zanatta A. Ricardo , Strunk Horst P. , Winnacker Albrecht , Weingärtner Roland 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe effect of terbium (Tb) doping on the photoluminescence (PL) of crystalline aluminum nitride (c ‐AlN) and amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide (a ‐SiC:H) thin films has been investigated for different Tb atomic concentrations. The samples were prepared by DC and RF magnetron reactive sputtering techniques covering the concentration range of Tb from 0.5 to 11 at.%. The Tb‐related light emission versus the Tb concentration is reported for annealing temperatures of 450 °C, 750 °C and 1000 °C. In the low concentration region the intensity exhibits a linear increase and its slope is enhanced with the annealing temperature giving an activation energy of 0.106 eV in an Arrhenius plot. In the high concentration region an exponential decay is recorded which is almost independent on the host material, its structure and the annealing process (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Technical skills measurement based on a cyber‐physical system for endovascular surgery simulation
Authors: Tercero Carlos , Kodama Hirokatsu , Shi Chaoyang , Ooe Katsutoshi , Ikeda Seiichi , Fukuda Toshio , Arai Fumihito , Negoro Makoto , Kwon Guiryong , Najdovski Zoran 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundQuantification of medical skills is a challenge, particularly simulator‐based training. In the case of endovascular intervention, it is desirable that a simulator accurately recreates the morphology and mechanical characteristics of the vasculature while enabling scoring.MethodsFor this purpose, we propose a cyber‐physical system composed of optical sensors for a catheter's body motion encoding, a magnetic tracker for motion capture of an operator's hands, and opto‐mechatronic sensors for measuring the interaction of the catheter tip with the vasculature model wall. Two pilot studies were conducted for measuring technical skills, one for distinguishing novices from experts and the other for measuring unnecessary motion.ResultsThe proficiency levels were measurable between expert and novice and also between individual novice users. The results enabled scoring of the user's proficiency level, using sensitivity, reaction time, time to complete a task and respect for tissue integrity as evaluation criteria. Additionally, unnecessary motion was also measurable.ConclusionThe development of cyber‐physical simulators for other domains of medicine depend on the study of photoelastic materials for human tissue modelling, and enables quantitative evaluation of skills using surgical instruments and a realistic representation of human tissue. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteins in the gas phase
Authors: Meyer Tim , Gabelica Valérie , Grubmüller Helmut , Orozco Modesto 
Published: November 2012

AbstractProteins are complex macromolecules that evolved over billions of years to be active in aqueous solution. Water is a key element that stabilizes their structure, and most structural studies on proteins have thus been carried out in aqueous environment. However, recent experimental approaches have opened the possibility to gain structural information on proteins from gas‐phase measurements. The obtained results revealed significant structural memory in proteins when transferred from water to the gas phase. However, after several years of experimental and theoretical research, the nature of the structural changes induced by vaporization, the exact characteristics of proteins in the gas phase, and the physicochemical forces stabilizing dehydrated proteins are still unclear. We will review here these issues using both experimental and theoretical sources of information. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.This article is categorized under:

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Interactions
Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization of Two Zn/Cd Coordination Polymers with Flexible Disulfide Carboxylate Derivatives
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Li , Qiao Ya‐Li , Gao Lou‐Jun , Cui Hua‐Li , Zhang Mei‐Li , Lv Jun‐Fang , Hou Xiang‐Yang 
Published: November 2012

AbstractTwo novel d10 metal coordination polymers [Cd2(Hmna)4]n (1), [Zn2(ddca)2 (dpe)]n·nH2O (2) (H2mna = 6‐mercaptonicotinic acid, H2ddca = 6, 6'‐dithiodinicotinic acid, dpe = 1, 2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene), were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a cyclic double chain structure containing 16‐number and 32‐number circles with (Hmna)– ligands as bridges, in which the starting H2ddca reagent was unprecedentedly converted into H2mna ligands via in situ cleavage of S–S bonds during the course of hydrothermal treatment. In compound 2, two five‐coordinate zinc centers are connected with carboxylate groups of H2ddca ligands to give a binuclear [Zn2(CO2)4] unit, which are linked by dpe ligands to form a 2D network structure. It is worth noting that compound 2 displays a twofold 2D+2D parallel interpenetration framework containing a polyrotaxane‐like motif. In addition, the thermal stablities and photoluminescence properties of compounds 1 and 2 were also studied.
Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Stage I Rectal Cancer: Long‐term Oncologic Outcomes
Authors: Lee Seung Duk , Park Sung Chan , Park Ji Won , Kim Dae Yong , Choi Hyo Seong , Oh Jae Hwan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic resection is increasingly being performed for rectal cancer. However, few data are available to compare long‐term outcomes after open versus laparoscopic surgery for early‐stage rectal cancer.MethodsIncluded in this retrospective study were 160 patients who underwent surgery for stage I rectal cancer between 2001 and 2008. Perioperative outcomes, overall survival (OS), and disease‐free survival (DFS) were compared for open versus laparoscopic surgery.ResultsAltogether, 85 patients were treated using open surgery and 80 with laparoscopic surgery. Postoperative mortality (0 vs. 1.3 %; p = 1.00), morbidity (31.3 vs. 25.0 %; p = 0.38), and harvested lymph nodes (22.5 vs. 20.0; p = 0.84) were similar for the two groups. However, operating time was longer (183.8 vs. 221.0 min; p = 0.008), volume of intraoperative bleeding was less (200.0 vs. 150.0 ml; p = 0.03), time to first bowel movement was shorter (3.54 vs. 2.44 days; p < 0.001), rate of superficial surgical‐site infection was lower (7.5 vs. 0 %; p = 0.03), and postoperative hospital stay was shorter (11.0 vs. 8.0 days; p < 0.001) in the laparoscopy group than in the open surgery group. At 5 years, there was no difference in OS (98.6 vs. 97.1 %; p = 0.41) or DFS (98.2 vs. 96.4 %; p = 0.30) between the open and laparoscopy groups.ConclusionsLong‐term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for stage I rectal cancer were comparable to those of open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery, however, produced more favourable short‐term outcomes than open surgery.
The Prehospital Burden of Disease due to Trauma in KwaZulu‐Natal: The Need for Afrocentric Trauma Systems
Authors: Hardcastle Timothy Craig , Finlayson Melissa , van Heerden Marc , Johnson Ben , Samuel Candice , Muckart David J. J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundTrauma is one of the leading prehospital disease profiles in South Africa in general and in KwaZulu‐Natal (KZN) in particular. The present study was designed to review the prehospital burden of injury in KZN, identify trauma burden to ambulance ratios, analyze system deficiencies, and propose a prehospital trauma system that is Afrocentric in nature.MethodsApproval from the relevant ethics authorities was obtained. Using a convenience data set all Emergency Medical Service (EMS) call data for the months of March and September 2010 were reviewed for the three main EMS providers in KZN. Data were extrapolated to annual data and placed in the context of population, ambulance service, and facility. The data were then mapped for area distribution and prehospital workload relative to the entire province. Questionnaire‐based assessments of knowledge and deficiencies of the current system were completed by senior officers of the provincial system as part of the analysis of the current system.ResultsThe total annual call burden for trauma ranges between 94,840 and 101,420, or around 11.6 trauma calls per thousand of the population per year. Almost 70 % of calls were either for interpersonal intentional violence or vehicular collisions. Only 0.25 % of calls involved aeromedical resources. Some 80 % of patients were considered to be moderately to seriously injured, yet only 41 % of the patients were transported to a suitable level of care immediately, with many going to inappropriate lower level care facilities. Many rural calls are not attended within the time norms accepted nationally. Deficiencies noted by the questionnaire survey are the general lack of a bypass mechanism and the feeling among staff that most EMS bases do not have a bypass option or feel part of a system of care, despite large numbers of staff having been recently trained in triage and major trauma care.ConclusionsThe prehospital trauma burden in KZN is significant and consumes vital resources and gridlocks facilities. A prehospital trauma system that is financially sustainable and meets the needs of the trauma burden is proposed to enable Afrocentric emergency care planning for low and middle income regions.
Anaesthesia and airway management in mucopolysaccharidosis
Authors: Walker Robert , Belani Kumar G. , Braunlin Elizabeth A. , Bruce Iain A. , Hack Henrik , Harmatz Paul R. , Jones Simon , Rowe Richard , Solanki Guirish A. , Valdemarsson Barbara 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper provides a detailed overview and discussion of anaesthesia in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), the evaluation of risk factors in these patients and their anaesthetic management, including emergency airway issues. MPS represents a group of rare lysosomal storage disorders associated with an array of clinical manifestations. The high prevalence of airway obstruction and restrictive pulmonary disease in combination with cardiovascular manifestations poses a high anaesthetic risk to these patients. Typical anaesthetic problems include airway obstruction after induction or extubation, intubation difficulties or failure [can't intubate, can't ventilate (CICV)], possible emergency tracheostomy and cardiovascular and cervical spine issues. Because of the high anaesthetic risk, the benefits of a procedure in patients with MPS should always be balanced against the associated risks. Therefore, careful evaluation of anaesthetic risk factors should be made before the procedure, involving evaluation of airways and cardiorespiratory and cervical spine problems. In addition, information on the specific type of MPS, prior history of anaesthesia, presence of cervical instability and range of motion of the temporomandibular joint are important and may be pivotal to prevent complications during anaesthesia. Knowledge of these risk factors allows the anaesthetist to anticipate potential problems that may arise during or after the procedure. Anaesthesia in MPS patients should be preferably done by an experienced (paediatric) anaesthetist, supported by a multidisciplinary team (ear, nose, throat surgeon and intensive care team), with access to all necessary equipment and support.
A Radiological Sign in Chronic Collateral Ligament Injuries of the Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint
Authors: Hunter Alistair R. , Tansey Rosamond J. , Muir Lindsay T. 
Published: November 2012

Background Differentiating chronic from acute injuries of the collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) of the thumb can be difficult in the absence of a conclusive history and examination. We aimed to establish the presence of a radiological sign in patients with a chronic injury and the reliability of the sign in differentiating chronic from acute ligament injury. Method Consecutive patients undergoing surgical treatment for chronic ( n=14) or acute ( n=8) ligament injury of the MCPJ of the thumb were identified retrospectively. Six upper limb orthopedic surgeons and four musculoskeletal radiologists were recruited from three regional centers. Observers judged the presence or absence of the sign, an exostosis at the level of the neck of the thumb metacarpal, on radiographs presented on a computer program. The radiographs were then observed in a different random order. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) of the radiological sign were evaluated for each observer and the intra- and interobserver error was calculated. Results The mean observer specificity and sensitivity for the sign were 84 and 54 %, respectively. The PPV and NPV were 89 and 52 %, respectively. The kappa statistic for intraobserver error was 0.69 and interobserver error 0.34. Conclusions A radiological sign associated with chronic collateral ligament injuries of the MCPJ of the thumb is established. The presence of the sign can increase the confidence of the clinician in differentiating chronic from acute collateral ligament injuries, when history and examination are inconclusive in this respect.
Factors Associated With Temporal and Spatial Patterns in Suicide Rates Across U.S. States, 1976–2000
Authors: Phillips Julie A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractUsing pooled cross-sectional time-series data for the 50 U.S. states over a 25-year period, this article examines how well four conceptual groups of social correlates—demographic, economic, social, and cultural factors—are associated with the 1976–2000 patterns in overall suicide rates and suicide by firearms and other means. Unlike past research that typically considers only one dimension, this analysis differentiates between spatial and temporal variation in suicide rates to determine whether and how social correlates operate differently in these two contexts. Results indicate that suicide rates correspond closely to social correlates. Within U.S. states, lower overall suicide rates between 1976 and 2000 were associated with demographic change (e.g., larger numbers of foreign-born) as well as with fewer numbers of Episcopalians. Across U.S. states, variation in overall suicide rates over the period was related to demographic (percentage male), economic (per capita income), social (percentage divorced), and cultural (alcohol consumption and gun ownership) factors. However, findings differ importantly by type of suicide, and across time and space. Reasons for these distinct patterns are discussed.
A case–control study of placental lesions associated with pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Devisme Louise , Merlot Benjamin , Ego Anne , Houfflin‐Debarge Veronique , Deruelle Philippe , Subtil Damien 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate gross and microscopic placental lesions associated with pre‐eclampsia and to determine which lesions are most strongly linked to serious pregnancy complications.MethodsA retrospective case–control study of 173 placentas from women with pre‐eclampsia and 173 placentas from healthy normotensive women was conducted.ResultsThe mean placental weight in the pre‐eclampsia group was lower than that recorded for the control group (280 g vs 360 g; P < 0.001). Infarcts (65.9% vs 13.2%; P < 0.001) and placental abruption (P < 0.001) were most frequent among women with pre‐eclampsia. Microscopic findings showed the following lesions to be associated with pre‐eclampsia: hypermature villi, defined by absence of intermediate villi (72% vs 16%; P < 0.001), excessive syncytial knots (90% vs 9%; P < 0.001), decidual vasculopathy (51% vs 8%; P < 0.001), villous fibrosis (6% vs 0%; P < 0.001), erythroblastosis (11% vs 4%; P < 0.01), and avascular terminal villi (9% vs 3%; P < 0.05). Increased syncytial knots, infarcts, basal decidual vasculopathy, hypermature villi, and placental erythroblastosis were still associated with pre‐eclampsia after logistic regression modeling.ConclusionPlacental lesions most strongly associated with pre‐eclampsia were all causes or expressions of placental hypoxia or ischemia, which appears as the primary mechanism of pre‐eclampsia.
Bone metastasis versus bone marrow metastasis? Integration of diagnosis by 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission/computed tomography in advanced malignancy with super bone scan: Two case reports and literature review
Authors: Lin Chia‐Yang , Chen Yu‐Wen , Chang Chin‐Chuan , Yang Wen‐Chi , Huang Chih‐Jen , Hou Ming‐Feng 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSuper scan pattern on technetium‐99m methyldiphosphonate (Tc‐99m MDP) bone scintigraphy is a special condition of extremely high bone uptake relative to soft tissue with absent or faint renal radioactivity visualization, which is usually seen in diffuse bone metastases or discrete endocrine entities. Here, two cases with super bone scan are presented. One was a young man diagnosed with gastric cancer. The other was a middle‐aged woman with a history of breast cancer with recent recurrence. Both cases had 18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) diagnosis simultaneously. Based on imaging of 18F‐FDG PET/CT, diffusely incremental 18F‐FDG avidity in spine/pelvis on PET and subtle erosion of cortical bone on CT were seen. The cytological results of bone marrow biopsy showed evidence of malignant metastasis. However, there were several focal discrepant findings between the 18F‐FDG PET/CT and Tc‐99m MDP bone scan. According to integration of both imaging findings and the result of bone marrow biopsy, we believe that the disseminated malignant spread in bone marrow is a primitive alternation in the super bone scan and that it is also as a result of neoplasm‐related endocrine factors.
STIT tessellations are Bernoulli and standard
Authors: MARTÍNEZ SERVET 
Published: November 2012

AbstractLet (Yt:t>0) be a STIT tessellation process and a>1. We prove that the random sequence (anYan:n∈ℤ) is a non-anticipating factor of a Bernoulli shift. We deduce that the continuous time process (atYat:t∈ℝ) is a Bernoulli flow. We use the techniques and results in Martínez and Nagel [Ergodic description of STIT tessellations. Stochastics 84(1) (2012), 113–134]. We also show that the filtration associated to the non-anticipating factor is standard in Vershik’s sense.