bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current small cell lung cancer treatment in China
Authors: Shi Yuankai , Xing Puyuan , Fan Yun , Zhang Xin , Hu Chengping , Wang Caixia , Liu Xiaoqing , Chen Xiaoxia , Zhou Jianying , Wang Mengzhao , Wu Meina , Han Baohui , Fan Min 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe treatment status of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in Mainland China has never been reported; therefore, this study is the first multicenter survey investigating the status of epidemiology and treatment options of SCLC in Mainland China.MethodsTwo questionnaires were designed to obtain information in 12 medical centers in five major Chinese cities. The hospital information questionnaire was designed to outline SCLC patients' characteristics and treatment preferences in each medical institution, and the patient information questionnaire collected detailed treatment information of 298 SCLC cases in these hospitals.ResultsSCLC represented 13.7% and 18.3% of all lung cancer patients in 2005 and 2010, respectively. Clinical management of SCLC follows mainstream clinical guidelines in general. The most widely applied first‐line treatment mode for limited‐stage patients was combined chemoradiotherapy (66.2%), while 77.0% of the extensive‐stage patients received chemotherapy alone as initial treatment. Etoposide with cisplatin or carboplatin were the most accepted first‐line chemotherapy regimens. The objective response rate was 58.3% after first‐line chemotherapy and 23% of the patients who responded well to first‐line treatment received prophylactic cranial irradiation. As for second‐line chemotherapy, single regimen topotecan or a combined regimen containing topotecan were preferred (53.0%).ConclusionsThe treatment options indicated in our study are in accordance with the international clinical guidelines, which is valuable for the improvement of future guidelines, health care standard, and even the better distribution of health care resources in China.
Weed species differ in their ability to emerge in no‐till systems that include cover crops
Authors: Cordeau S. , Guillemin J.‐P. , Reibel C. , Chauvel B. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractNo‐till cropping systems that include cover crops could lead to important changes in weed communities by decreasing some annual weed populations. In this study, we predicted that seed burial depth and the presence of cover crop would affect the emergence and initial growth success of annual weed species. We tested two factors on 14 weed species in a greenhouse: the seed burial depth of weeds (buried versus soil surface) and the presence/absence of a cover crop (ryegrass). We counted the emerged seedlings and measured the height of weeds and cover crops (Hweed, Hcover), the dry matter content of weeds and cover crops (DMCweed, DMCcover) and the number of leaves of weeds (NLweed) on 1433 weed and 390 ryegrass individuals. Emergence of five weed species (AMBEL, ANGAR, BROST, CENCY and EPHHE) was affected by the seed location (−10.3% on average for unburied seeds), five other weed species (ALOMY, CAPBP, SONAS, VERPE and VLPMY) were affected by cover (on average −9.5% for seeds emerged in the presence of cover crop), and four weed species (GERDI, LAMPU, POAAN and VIOAR) were not affected by either. Weed growth of all weed species also decreased with the presence of a cover crop (on average Hweed: −49.9%, DMCweed: −87.2% and NLweed: −55.4%) and for unburied seeds (on average Hweed: −33.7%, DMCweed: −70.6% and NLweed: −43.3%), with various responses according to species. This study indicates that annual weeds could be disadvantaged by no‐till systems using cover crops.
Alcohol consumption in adolescent homicide victims in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Swart Lu‐Anne , Seedat Mohamed , Nel Juan 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAimsTo describe the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of adolescent homicide victims in Johannesburg, South Africa and to identify the victim and event characteristics associated with a positive BAC at the time of death.DesignLogistic regression of mortality data collected by the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (NIMSS).SettingJohannesburg, South Africa.ParticipantsA total of 323 adolescent (15–19 years) homicide victims for the period 2001–9 who had been tested for the presence of alcohol.MeasurementsData on the victims’ BAC level, demographics, weapon or method used, scene, day and time of death were drawn from NIMSS.FindingsAlcohol was present in 39.3% of the homicide victims. Of these, 88.2% had a BAC level equivalent to or in excess of the South African limit of 0.05 g/100 ml for intoxication. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that a positive BAC in homicide victims was associated significantly with the victim's sex [male: odds ratio (OR) = 2.127; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.012–4.471], victim's age (18–19 years: OR = 2.364; CI = 1.343–4.163); weapon used (sharp instruments: OR = 2.972; CI = 1.708–5.171); and time of death (weekend: OR = 3.149; CI = 1.842–5.383; night‐time: OR = 2.175; CI = 1.243–3.804).ConclusionsExcessive alcohol consumption is associated with a substantial proportion of adolescent homicides in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is more prevalent among male and older adolescent victims and in victims killed with sharp instruments over the weekends and during the evenings.
Species–area relationship within benthic habitat patches of a tropical floodplain river: An experimental test
Authors: Montaña Carmen G. , Layman Craig A. , Winemiller Kirk O. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe curvilinear relationship between species richness and habitat area (species–area relationship (SAR)) is a fundamental ecological pattern. The relationship is often viewed from a long‐term perspective across relatively large spatial scales, reflecting a balance between immigration and extinction dynamics. We explored whether predictions of SAR also manifest over short time periods (days) in benthic habitat patches of a dynamic floodplain river where littoral faunal assemblages are continuously assembled and disassembled with changing water levels. We examined the relationship of patch size with faunal abundance (i.e. fish and aquatic invertebrates), taxonomic richness, trophic group richness and overall assemblage composition. Strong taxa–area relationships emerged despite the relatively short experimental time period (21 days); larger patches had more taxa and trophic groups. For the smallest patches, taxonomic richness was especially sensitive to abundance of individuals; abundance of individuals was a less important predictor of taxonomic and trophic group richness for the largest patches. Despite the relatively short time frame for study within this temporally dynamic ecosystem, our findings indicate a strong SAR for fishes and macroinvertebrates inhabiting patchy habitats in the littoral zone of this tropical river.
Economic impacts of integrated pest management (IPM) farmer field schools (FFS): evidence from onion farmers in the Philippines
Authors: Sanglestsawai Santi , Rejesus Roderick M. , Yorobe Jose M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis article comprehensively examines the impact of integrated pest management‐farmer field school (IPM‐FFS) on yield, insecticide expenditures, labor expenditures, herbicide expenditures, fertilizer expenditures, and profit, based on data from onion producers in the Philippines. Propensity score matching (PSM) and regression‐based approaches that account for potential bias due to selection problems from observable variables are used to achieve the objective of the study. Sensitivity of our IPM‐FFS impact results to potential bias due to “selection on unobservables” was also assessed. We find that farmers who participate in the IPM‐FFS training program have statistically lower insecticide expenditures than the non‐IPM‐FFS farmers. But we do not find any evidence that the IPM‐FFS training program significantly affects yield and the other inputs. There is some evidence indicating that IPM‐FFS farmers may have statistically higher profit levels than non‐IPM‐FFS producers, but these results are sensitive to and may still be invalidated by bias due to unobservable variables. Since IPM‐FFS seem to only significantly reduce insecticide use, policymakers and extension educators may need to adjust the IPM‐FFS curriculum to further emphasize (or include) other agronomic practices that also optimize the use of other inputs like labor, fertilizer, and herbicides. The more efficient use of all inputs would likely reduce total expenditures and eventually translate to higher incomes.
Admixed Origin of the Kayah (Red Karen) in Northern Thailand Revealed by Biparental and Paternal Markers
Authors: Kutanan Wibhu , Srikummool Metawee , Pittayaporn Pittayawat , Seielstad Mark , Kangwanpong Daoroong , Kumar Vikrant , Prombanchachai Thanawut , Chantawannakul Panuwan 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThis study analyzes the autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) variation and the presence of Y chromosomal haplogroups from 44 individuals of the Kayah or Red Karen (KA) in Northern Thailand. The results based on autosomal STRs indicated that the KA exhibited closer genetic relatedness to populations from adjacent regions in Southeast Asia (SEA) than populations from Northeast Asia (NEA) and Tibet. Moreover, an admixed origin of the KA forming three population groups was observed: NEA, Southern China, and Northern Thailand. The NEA populations made a minor genetic contribution to the KA, while the rest came from populations speaking Sino‐Tibetan (ST) languages from Southern China and Tai–Kadai (TK) speaking groups from Northern Thailand. The presence of six paternal haplogroups, composed of dual haplogroups prevalent in NEA (NO, N, and D1) and SEA (O2 and O3) as well as the intermediate genetic position of the KA between the SEA and NEA also indicated an admixed origin of male KA lineages. Our genetic results thus agree with findings in linguistics that Karenic languages are ST languages that became heavily influenced by TK during their southward spread. A result of the Mongol invasions during the 13th century A.D. is one possible explanation for genetic contribution of NEA to the KA.
Heart Rate Turbulence and T‐Wave Alternans in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: The Influence of Diabetes
Authors: Perkiömäki Juha , Exner Derek V. , Piira Olli‐Pekka , Kavanagh Katherine , Lepojärvi Samuli , Talajic Mario , Karvonen Jarkko , Philippon Francois , Junttila Juhani , Coutu Benoit , Huikuri Heikki 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundPatients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. Factors associated with the risk profiles of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with DM are not well established. Heart rate turbulence (HRT) and T‐wave alternans (TWA) are often used to predict arrhythmia events.Methods and ResultsHRT and TWA were measured in two independent groups: the ARTEMIS cohort study and the REFINE‐ICD randomized trial. ARTEMIS assesses risk 3–12 months after coronary angiography in patients with CAD. The initial 1001 patients in ARTEMIS, 526 with and 475 without DM, are included in this analysis. REFINE‐ICD compares usual care versus usual care plus ICD therapy in patients with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) values of 36–50% assessed 2–15 months after myocardial infarction. The initial 275 patients screened in REFINE ICD are included in this analysis. Abnormal HRT plus TWA was more common in patients with versus without DM in ARTEMIS (125/526, 24% vs 63/475, 13%; P < 0.001) and REFINE‐ICD (43/55, 78% vs 55/220, 25%; P < 0.001), respectively. Abnormal HRT plus TWA was also more common in patients with LVEF values < 50% (28%) vs ≥ 50% (18%; P < 0.001) in ARTEMIS and LVEF values below the population median of 42% (60/138, 43%) versus above the median (38/137, 28%; P < 0.01) in REFINE‐ICD.ConclusionsAbnormal HRT plus TWA is more common in CAD patients with DM compared with the patients without DM and is related to the severity of LV dysfunction.Clinical Trial Registration Informationhttp://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01426685; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00673842.
Induction of clinical and colonoscopic remission of mild–to–moderate ulcerative colitis with budesonide MMX 9 mg: pooled analysis of two phase 3 studies
Authors: Sandborn W. J. , Danese S. , D'Haens G. , Moro L. , Jones R. , Bagin R. , Huang M. , David Ballard E. , Masure J. , Travis S. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryBackgroundConventional oral corticosteroids are effective at reducing inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis (UC); however, systemic adverse effects limit their use. Budesonide MMX is an extended‐release, second‐generation corticosteroid that targets delivery of budesonide to the entire colon.AimTo analyse efficacy and safety outcomes from two phase 3 studies of budesonide MMX in patients with mild‐to‐moderate active UC.MethodsPatients were assigned to budesonide MMX 9 mg, budesonide MMX 6 mg, or placebo once daily in two randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 8‐week studies (CORE I and II). Pooled data were analysed for pre‐defined primary (combined clinical and colonoscopic remission), secondary and exploratory endpoints. Primary endpoint data were analysed to evaluate the potential influence of demographical and baseline disease characteristics on remission.ResultsModified intent‐to‐treat population (histological evidence of baseline inflammation) had 232, 230 and 210 patients in budesonide MMX 9 mg, budesonide MMX 6 mg and placebo groups respectively. Combined clinical and colonoscopic remission rates were significantly greater than placebo (6.2%) for the budesonide MMX 9 mg group (17.7%; P = 0.0002), but not the budesonide MMX 6 mg group (10.9%). The primary endpoint of remission with budesonide MMX 9 mg was significantly greater than placebo in most subgroups analysed. Symptom resolution and colonoscopic improvement rates were significantly greater with budesonide MMX 9 mg vs. placebo. Budesonide MMX was safe and well tolerated.ConclusionThis pooled analysis showed that budesonide MMX 9 mg is efficacious, safe and well tolerated for inducing remission of mild‐to‐moderate UC.
Japanese clinical guidelines for myasthenia gravis: Putting into practice
Authors: Murai Hiroyuki 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTreatment of myasthenia gravis has depended largely on high‐dose corticosteroids for decades. Although this procedure remarkably reduced the mortality rate of myasthenia gravis, it highlighted issues such as the adverse‐effects of steroids and reduction in quality of life. With the recent discovery of novel autoantibodies, a numbers of alternative therapeutic options have become available. The new Japanese clinical guidelines for myasthenia gravis were published in 2014, and they proposed a novel treatment strategy utilizing these therapeutic options, which might replace high‐dose steroids. They also proposed a draft of new diagnostic criteria. The present review introduces the essence of these guidelines and shares the fundamental philosophy of the treatments that value the patients' quality of life.
Oligomeric amyloid β facilitates microglial excitotoxicity by upregulating tumor necrosis factor‐α and downregulating excitatory amino acid transporter 2 in astrocytes
Authors: Horiuchi Hiroshi , Parajuli Bijay , Kawanokuchi Jun , Jin Shijie , Mizuno Tetsuya , Takeuchi Hideyuki , Suzumura Akio 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectivesSoluble oligomeric amyloid β (oAβ) directly causes synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death, which are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, several lines of evidence have shown that glia‐mediated excitotoxicity is also involved in the disease progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, it is still unclear how oAβ induces glia‐mediated excitotoxicity. Therefore, we tried to clarify the mechanism of oAβ‐induced glia‐mediated excitotoxicity using mouse primary cultures.MethodsGlial glutamate production was assessed using a colorimetric assay kit. Glial production of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) was evaluated using a specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit. Microglial survival was examined using the MTS assay. mRNA and protein expression levels of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.ResultsWe showed that oAβ‐stimulation induces glutamate release from astrocyte/microglia co‐cultures, but not from single culture of astrocytes or microglia. oAβ increased TNF‐α release from astrocytes, but not from microglia, and the astrocyte‐derived TNF‐α enhanced glutamate release from microglia. TNF‐α elongated microglial survival and triggered sustained microglial glutamate release in a positive feedback mechanism through TNF‐α receptor 1. Furthermore, treatment of oAβ decreased astrocytic expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 2, which plays a pivotal role in homeostasis of the extracellular glutamate level.ConclusionsThe present findings suggest that oAβ contributes to glia‐mediated excitotoxicity through the two‐hit mechanism by suppressing astrocytic glutamate uptake through excitatory amino acid transporter 2 and enhancing microglial glutamate release, and triggers chronic glial neuroinflammation through the TNF‐α/TNF‐α receptor 1 positive feedback loop in Alzheimer's disease.
Prospective study comparing enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and glycoarray assay to detect antiglycolipid antibodies in a routine diagnostic neuroimmunology laboratory setting
Authors: Delmont Emilien , Robb Henry , Davidson Amy , Halstead Susan , Yao Denggao , Meehan Gavin R. , Willison Hugh 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveEnzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the conventional technique for antiglycolipid antibody testing in inflammatory neuropathy sera. Miniaturized array‐based assays (glycoarrays) have also been used to detect these antibodies. As previous studies have focused on specific disease categories, such as Guillain–Barré syndrome, the array has never been tested on an unselected population in a routine diagnostic laboratory setting.MethodsIn the present prospective study, we compared the results of the glycoarray with data obtained with a standardized inflammatory neuropathy cause and treatment‐ELISA. A total of 300 sera sent to the Glasgow Neuroimmunology Laboratory for routine antiglycolipid antibody testing during a 6‐month period were tested both with ELISA and glycoarray.ResultsThe two techniques were significantly correlated and showed good agreement. By ELISA, six sera were positive for immunoglobulin G antibodies against GM1 or GD1a, 11 for immunoglobulin G anti‐GQ1b antibodies, five for immunoglobulin M anti‐GM1 antibodies and three for immunoglobulin M antibodies against disialosyl gangliosides. The glycoarray had a sensitivity of 92% to detect ELISA‐positive sera with a specificity above 92% for all the different ELISA patterns.ConclusionsThe glycoarray allows testing of large panels of antibodies against single glycolipids and complexes of glycolipids on a very small scale. Its technical characteristics make it suitable as a diagnostic screening test. As data provided by the glycoarray and ELISA were reliably correlated in the present study, the glycoarray can be used in a routine setting to detect antiglycolipid antibodies. Further studies, including more positive samples, are required to clarify the future position of the array in the biological investigation of inflammatory neuropathies.
Specular Lobe‐Aware Filtering and Upsampling for Interactive Indirect Illumination
Authors: Tokuyoshi Y. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAlthough geometry‐aware filtering and upsampling have often been used for interactive or real‐time rendering, they are unsuitable for glossy surfaces because shading results strongly depend on the bidirectional reflectance distribution functions. This paper proposes a novel weighting function of cross bilateral filtering and upsampling to measure the similarity of specular lobes. The difficulty is that a specular lobe is represented with a distribution function in directional space, whereas conventional cross bilateral filtering evaluates similarities using the distance between two points in a Euclidean space. Therefore, this paper first generalizes cross bilateral filtering for the similarity of distribution functions in a non‐Euclidean space. Then, the weighting function is specialized for specular lobes. Our key insight is that the weighting function of bilateral filtering can be represented with the product integral of two distribution functions corresponding to two pixels. In addition, we propose spherical Gaussian‐based approximations to calculate this weighting function analytically. Our weighting function detects the edges of glossiness, and adapts to all‐frequency materials using only a camera position and G‐buffer. These features are not only suitable for path tracing, but also deferred shading and non‐ray tracing–based methods such as voxel cone tracing.
A highly selective and sensitive benzothiazole‐based ‘turn‐on’ fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ ion
Authors: Erdemir Serkan , Malkondu Sait , Alici Onder 
Published: January 2015

A simple benzothiazole‐based fluorescent probe (TDA) for the determination of Hg2+ ion in aqueous solutions was synthesised in one step and characterised by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, APT, COSY, FTIR, and elemental analysis. TDA shows a significant fluorescence change upon the interaction of Hg2+ ion in DMF–water (v/v = 1/1), while only minor changes in fluorescence intensity are observed with 18 other metal ions. Fluorescence enhancement by a factor of 15 is achieved upon selective interaction with Hg2+ ion. The Hg2+ ion detection process is found to be pH dependent; therefore, TDA could be feasible within a pH range of 4.0–7.0.
A Comparative Study of Patients’ Attitudes Toward Clinical Research in the United States and Urban and Rural China
Authors: Wu Elizabeth , Wang Tianyi , Lin Tammy , Chen Xisui , Guan Zhe , Cao Claudia , Rao Huiying , Yang Ming , Feng Bo , Pui Sandra , Chan Melvin , Fu Sherry , Lin Andy , Wei Lai , Lok Anna S. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAs the number of clinical trials conducted in China increases, understanding Chinese attitudes toward clinical research is critical for designing effective and ethical studies. Two survey studies were conducted in 2012 and 2013 to compare patient attitudes toward clinical research and factors affecting research participation in the United States and urban and rural China. We surveyed 525 patients in 2012 (186 US, 186 urban, 153 rural China) and 690 patients in 2013 (412 US, 206 urban, 72 rural China). US patients were more likely to have no concerns regarding research participation than Chinese patients. Most common concerns of US patients were safety, privacy and confidentiality, and time required. Safety was a top concern for many Chinese. Chinese patients, particularly rural Chinese, were more concerned about the likelihood of self‐benefit, and receiving free medical care and financial incentive had greater influence on their participation. Being informed of the freedom to choose whether to participate or to leave a study was less important to Chinese patients. Our study provides important insights into Chinese patients' attitudes toward clinical research and the need to educate them about their rights. These findings help in designing cross‐cultural clinical studies that maximize enrollment while upholding Western ethical standards.