bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significant variability in 10‐year cumulative radiation exposure incurred on different surveillance regimens after surgery for pT1 renal cancers: yet another reason to standardize protocols?
Authors: Lin Yu‐Kuan , Gettle Lori , Raman Jay D. 
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
The topic of radiation safety has been hotly debated not only in the mainstream media, but also in the urological literature. Radiation exposure has been examined in urological diseases such as testicular cancer and urinary stone disease, with resultant recommendations for modifying surveillance imaging.
Radiation risk with respect to surveillance regimens after RCC surgery has yet to be examined. We consider this largely to be a result of RCC typically affecting older patients in whom cumulative radiation exposure may be less of a consideration. However, current population data emphasize that RCC diagnosis and therapy have an increasing impact upon younger patients with a longer life expectancy after treatment. Therefore, radiation considerations in this cohort of patients may be significant.
Objective
To determine the 10‐year cumulative radiation exposure incurred on different surveillance imaging protocols after surgery for pT1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Materials and Methods
The PubMed database was queried for surveillance protocols after surgery for RCC.
There were two index lesions that were selected: (i) pT1a 3 cm, Fuhrman 2, clear cell and (ii) pT1b 5 cm, Fuhrman 3, clear cell.
Exposure for single‐phase chest computed tomography (CT), abdominal CT and chest X‐ray were 7, 8 and 0.1 mSV, respectively.
Calculations assumed biphasic CT scans, negative surgical margins and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status of ≤1.
Results
In total, 12 published surveillance regimens were identified.
For the first lesion (pT1a, clear cell, Fuhrman 2), we observed significant variability in the proposed regimens, ranging from no imaging to several CT scans of both chest and abdomen.
Cumulative incurred radiation exposure for this index patient was in the range 0–102 mSv (mean, 34 mSv).
When considering the second tumour (pT1b, clear cell, Fuhrman 3), all studies recommended some form of follow‐up imaging, although regimens once again varied from annual chest X‐ray to multiple CT scans of chest and abdomen.
Cumulative incurred radiation exposure in this scenario was in the range 0.5–450 mSv (mean, 89 mSV).
Conclusions
Surveillance protocols after surgery for early‐stage RCC result in widely divergent levels of radiation exposure.
Such considerations are increasingly paramount given concerns of radiation‐induced secondary malignancies and present another reason to standardize follow‐up protocols.
Removal of Protein‐Bound, Hydrophobic Uremic Toxins by a Combined Fractionated Plasma Separation and Adsorption Technique
Authors: Brettschneider Falko , Tölle Markus , von der Giet Markus , Passlick‐Deetjen Jutta , Steppan Sonja , Peter Mirjam , Jankowski Vera , Krause Alfred , Kühne Sophie , Zidek Walter , Jankowski Joachim 
Published: January 2013

AbstractProtein‐bound uremic toxins, such as phenylacetic acid, indoxyl sulfate, and p‐cresyl sulfate, contribute substantially to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, based on their protein binding, these hydrophobic uremic toxins are poorly cleared during conventional dialysis and thus accumulate in CKD‐5D patients. Therefore, we investigated whether hydrophobic and cationic adsorbers are more effective for removal of protein‐bound, hydrophobic uremic toxins than conventional high‐flux hemodialyzer. Five CKD‐5D patients were treated using the fractionated plasma separation, adsorption, and dialysis (FPAD) system for 5 h. A control group of five CKD patients was treated with conventional high‐flux hemodialysis. Plasma concentrations of phenylacetic acid, indoxyl sulfate, and p‐cresyl sulfate were measured. Removal rates of FPAD treatment in comparison to conventional high‐flux hemodialysis were increased by 130% for phenylacetic acid, 187% for indoxyl sulfate, and 127% for p‐cresol. FPAD treatment was tolerated well in terms of clinically relevant biochemical parameters. However, patients suffered from mild nausea 2 h after the start of the treatment, which persisted until the end of treatment. Due to the high impact of protein‐bound, hydrophobic uremic toxins on progression of CKD and CVD in CKD‐5D patients, the use of an adsorber in combination with dialysis membranes may be a new therapeutic option to increase the removal rate of these uremic toxins. However, larger, long‐term prospective clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the impact on clinical outcome.
Testing the Stress‐Gradient Hypothesis During the Restoration of Tropical Degraded Land Using the Shrub Rhodomyrtus tomentosa as a Nurse Plant
Authors: Liu Nan , Ren Hai , Yuan Sufen , Guo Qinfeng , Yang Long 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe relative importance of facilitation and competition between pairwise plants across abiotic stress gradients as predicted by the stress‐gradient hypothesis has been confirmed in arid and temperate ecosystems, but the hypothesis has rarely been tested in tropical systems, particularly across nutrient gradients. The current research examines the interactions between a pioneer shrub Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (the nurse plant) and seedlings of a transplanted native woody Schima superba (the target species) in a tropical system in which position on a slope corresponds with a nutrient gradient; high soil nutrients at the slope bottom and relatively low soil nutrients at the slope top. In contrast, soil physical traits were more favorable for seedling growth under the shrub than in open spaces. The effect of R. tomentosa on S. superba survival was positive (facilitation) at the top of the slope, as indicated by the relative interaction index (RII), but negative in the bottom (competition). RII indicated a positive effect on seedling height at the top of the slope but was not at the bottom. Seedling survival was positively related to soil nutrient level and negatively related to soil acidity, but seedling growth of S. superba seemed to be enhanced by the shrub canopy. Thus, the results seem to support stress‐gradient hypothesis in terms of target species survival but not growth. We suggest using the shrub as a nurse plant in forest restoration in tropical degraded land with caution because not all of its effects on target species are positive.
Do Rural Students Really Perform Worse than Urban Students Do? Empirical Evidence from a University Entrance Program in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Pei‐An , Chang Hung‐Hao , Wang Jiun‐Hao , Horng Tai‐Hsiung 
Published: January 2013

AbstractDespite a major expansion in the number of students in higher education, students from rural areas continue to be underrepresented at selective universities. To reduce the urban‐rural imbalance of entry to selective universities, institutions in many countries of the world have implemented admission policies favoring rural students. Previous evidence has shown that rural students have lower academic performance than their urban peers, which leads to concern that rural students will reduce the academic excellence of selective universities. Using the introduction of a university admission policy favoring rural students in Taiwan and a unique administrative data set of students' academic records, we compare the academic performance of students from rural areas with that of their urban counterparts during their college years. The results show that rural students have consistently outperformed urban students in semester grade point averages and class rank percentile across time; however, the differences in academic performance are mainly attributed to the rural students' initial outperformance in the first semester of the freshman year.
An Hegelian in Strange Costume? On Peirce’s Relation to Hegel II
Authors: Stern Robert 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn this paper, which is the second in a series, I continue to consider the relation between the American pragmatist Charles Sanders Peirce and the German idealist G. W. F. Hegel. This article focuses on their views of epistemology and inquiry, and their accounts of the relation between language and thought. As with the earlier paper, it is argued that fruitful similarities between their positions on these issues can be found.
Network Epistemology: Communication in Epistemic Communities
Authors: Zollman Kevin J.S. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractMuch of contemporary knowledge is generated by groups not single individuals. A natural question to ask is, what features make groups better or worse at generating knowledge? This paper surveys research that spans several disciplines which focuses on one aspect of epistemic communities: the way they communicate internally. This research has revealed that a wide number of different communication structures are best, but what is best in a given situation depends on particular details of the problem being confronted by the group.
Effect of Thermal Treatment on Microstructure and Fracture Strength of SiC Coatings
Authors: Zhang Huixing , Xiao Ping 
Published: January 2013

SiC coatings in tri‐structural isotropic‐coated (TRISO) particles were thermally treated at 2000°C for 1 h in argon atmosphere. The fracture strength of the SiC decreased while change in the Weibull modulus of the failure strength is more complex after the thermal treatment. The variation in both fracture strength and Weibull modulus can be explained by the formation of the pores in SiC due to thermal treatments, as annihilation of the stacking faults and diffusion of intrinsic defects lead to the pore formation.
Extremely Enhanced Nonlinear Current–Voltage Properties of Tb‐Doped CaCu3Ti4O12 Ceramics
Authors: Thongbai Prasit , Boonlakhorn Jakkree , Putasaeng Bundit , Yamwong Teerapon , Maensiri Santi 
Published: January 2013

Nonlinear current–voltage properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics were extremely enhanced by doping with Tb. Substitution of Tb to CaCu3Ti4O12 resulted in a decrease in grain size due to the ability of Tb ions to inhibit grain boundary mobility. The dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics were degraded after doping with Tb. Surprisingly, the nonlinear electrical properties were strongly enhanced. The best properties with a nonlinear coefficient of ~29.67 and breakdown electric field strength of ~1.52 × 104 V/cm were obtained in the Ca0.775Tb0.15Cu3Ti4O12 ceramic. These extremely enhanced properties were attributed to modification of grain boundary electrical response due to the effect Tb substitution.
A New Flood Index for Use in Evaluation of Local Flood Severity: A Case Study of Small Ungauged Catchments in Korea1
Authors: Ahn Jae Hyun , Choi Hyun Il 
Published: January 2013

Ahn, Jae Hyun and Hyun Il Choi, 2013. A New Flood Index for Use in Evaluation of Local Flood Severity: A Case Study of Small Ungauged Catchments in Korea. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 49(1): 1‐14. DOI: 10.1111/jawr.12025Abstract:  The aim of this article is to develop a new index measuring the severity of floods in small ungauged catchments for initial local flood information by the regression analysis between the new flooding index and rainfall patterns. Although a rapid local flood caused by heavy storm in a short period of time is now one of common natural disasters worldwide, such a sudden and violent hydrologic event is difficult to forecast. As local flooding rises rapidly with little or no advance warning, the key to local flood forecasting is to quickly identify when and where local flooding above a threshold is likely to occur. The new flooding index to characterize local floods is measured by the three normalized relative severity factors for the flood magnitude ratio, the rising curve gradient, and the flooding duration time, quantifying characteristics of flood runoff hydrographs. The new flooding index implemented for the two selected small ungauged catchments in the Korean Peninsula shows a very high correlation with logarithm of the 2‐h maximum rainfall depth. This study proposes 30 mm of rainfall in a 2‐h period as a basin‐specific guidance of precaution for the incipient local flooding in the two study catchments. It is expected that the best‐fit regression equation between the new flooding index and a certain rainfall rate can provide preliminary observations, the flood threshold, and severity information, for use in a local flood alert system in small ungauged catchments. Editor's note: This paper is part of a featured series on Korean Hydrology. The series addresses the need for a new paradigm of river and watershed management for Korea due to climate and land use changes.
Optimal outcome in individuals with a history of autism
Authors: Fein Deborah , Barton Marianne , Eigsti Inge‐Marie , Kelley Elizabeth , Naigles Letitia , Schultz Robert T. , Stevens Michael , Helt Molly , Orinstein Alyssa , Rosenthal Michael , Troyb Eva , Tyson Katherine 
Published: January 2013

Background:  Although autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are generally considered lifelong disabilities, literature suggests that a minority of individuals with an ASD will lose the diagnosis. However, the existence of this phenomenon, as well as its frequency and interpretation, is still controversial: were they misdiagnosed initially, is this a rare event, did they lose the full diagnosis, but still suffer significant social and communication impairments or did they lose all symptoms of ASD and function socially within the normal range?Methods:  The present study documents a group of these optimal outcome individuals (OO group, n = 34) by comparing their functioning on standardized measures to age, sex, and nonverbal IQ matched individuals with high‐functioning autism (HFA group, n = 44) or typical development (TD group, n = 34). For this study, ‘optimal outcome’ requires losing all symptoms of ASD in addition to the diagnosis, and functioning within the nonautistic range of social interaction and communication. Domains explored include language, face recognition, socialization, communication, and autism symptoms.Results:  Optimal outcome and TD groups’ mean scores did not differ on socialization, communication, face recognition, or most language subscales, although three OO individuals showed below‐average scores on face recognition. Early in their development, the OO group displayed milder symptoms than the HFA group in the social domain, but had equally severe difficulties with communication and repetitive behaviors.Conclusions:  Although possible deficits in more subtle aspects of social interaction or cognition are not ruled out, the results substantiate the possibility of OO from autism spectrum disorders and demonstrate an overall level of functioning within normal limits for this group.
Whole‐body MRI with diffusion‐weighted sequences compared with 18 FDG PET‐CT, CT and superficial lymph node ultrasonography in the staging of advanced cutaneous melanoma: a prospective study
Authors: Jouvet J.C. , Thomas L. , Thomson V. , Yanes M. , Journe C. , Morelec I. , Bracoud L. , Durupt F. , Giammarile F. , Berthezene Y. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic performances of non‐radiating whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (wbMRI), either volumetric, with Volumetric interpolated breath‐hold examination (VIBE) or metabolic, with diffusion‐weighted sequences (wbMRI), with classical irradiating techniques such as PET‐CT, CT and with lymph node ultrasonography (US) for the staging of advanced melanoma.Patients and methodsThirty‐seven melanoma AJCC stage IV patients were prospectively included. All images were independently interpreted without prior knowledge of the results of studies performed with concurrent techniques, and all imaging techniques were scheduled within a mean interval of 7 days. The overall and site‐specific diagnosis performances of each imaging modality were studied, as well as the interest of combined MRI VIBE and diffusion sequences.ResultsThe number of visceral or lymph node metastases spotted was, respectively, 218, with 125 metastases for wbMRI, 191/103 for PET‐CT, 209/115 for CT and 33/13 for lymph node US. No statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) of overall diagnostic performances between wbMRI (Se 84%, Sp 87.1%, PPV 89.8%, NPV 80.2%) and PET‐CT (Se 79.8%, Sp 93.1%, PPV 93.2%, NPV 79.4%) was observed. No statistically significant difference was found between wbMRI and PET‐CT with two channels for CT with respect to different metastatic sites. Compared with the CT, wbMRI had significantly better overall specificity (P = 0.0011) and PPV (P = 0.02). For lung exploration, sensitivity of wbMRI (51.6%) was inferior to CT (71.4%). To detect superficial metastatic lymph nodes, wbMRI and US both showed high diagnostic accuracy with no statistically significant difference. Intra‐observer agreement was almost perfect for all imaging modalities considering the overall staging. Inter‐observer agreement for wbMRI and diffusion alone was almost perfect except for bone and lymphatic sites. Overall diagnostic performance of diffusion alone was significantly inferior to those of combined VIBE and diffusion sequences.ConclusionsWhole‐body MRI, using diffusion weighted sequences, was a reliable non‐radiating imaging for staging of melanoma and offers the same diagnostic performances than combined CT, PET‐CT and lymph node US.
Regulatory T cells in skin lesions and blood of patients with bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Antiga E. , Quaglino P. , Volpi W. , Pierini I. , Del Bianco E. , Bianchi B. , Novelli M. , Savoia P. , Bernengo M.G. , Fabbri P. , Caproni M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough regulatory T cells (Tregs) are affected in several autoimmune skin diseases, only two studies have been performed in patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) with contrasting results.ObjectiveTo characterize Tregs and to determine the serum levels of regulatory cytokines in patients with BP.MethodsIn BP lesional skin, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were performed for CD4+, CD25+, forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (FOXP3)+, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β+ and interleukin (IL)‐10+ cells. In addition, the number of CD4+CD25++FOXP3+ Tregs in peripheral blood was assessed by flow cytometry, and the levels of TGF‐β and IL‐10 were determined in serum samples by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay before and after steroid therapy. Controls included patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy donors.ResultsThe frequency of FOXP3+ cells was significantly reduced in skin lesions from patients with BP (P < 0.001) compared with psoriasis and AD. Moreover, the number of IL‐10+ cells was lower in BP than in psoriasis (P < 0.001) and AD (P = 0.002), while no differences were observed in the number of TGF‐β+ cells. CD4+CD25++FOXP3+ Treg in the peripheral blood of patients with BP was significantly reduced compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001), and augmented significantly after steroid therapy (P = 0.001). Finally, TGF‐β and IL‐10 serum levels were similar in patients with BP compared with healthy controls. However, after therapy, BP patients showed significantly higher IL‐10 serum levels than before therapy (P = 0.01).ConclusionsThese data suggest that the depletion of Tregs and of IL‐10 in patients with BP may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Nisin‐Loaded Chitosan/Alginate Nanoparticles: A Hopeful Hybrid Biopreservative
Authors: Zohri Maryam , Shafiee Alavidjeh Mohammad , Mirdamadi Seyed Saeed , Behmadi Homa , Hossaini Nasr Seyed Mehdi , Eshghi Gonbaki Sima , Shafiee Ardestani Mehdi , Jabbari Arabzadeh Ali 
Published: January 2013

AbstractTo improve the deficiencies concerning the physicochemical instability of nisin, a hybrid of nisin at concentration of 450 IU/mL with chitosan/alginate nanoparticles was prepared. Antibacterial strength of the hybrid was compared with free nisin against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 19117 in ultra filtered (UF) Feta cheese. The effects of nisin and the nisin‐loaded nanoparticles on the chemical composition, rheological parameters, color indices and sensory attributes of UF Feta cheese were studied. Antibacterial experiments indicated that the nisin‐loaded nanoparticles were able to decrease the populations of S. aureus and L. monocytogenes up to five‐ and sevenfold on a logarithmic scale in comparison with free nisin, respectively. Sensory acceptance and physicochemical features of UF Feta cheese were also significantly improved using the nisin‐loaded nanoparticles as compared with those of free nisin. Overall, greater antibacterial strengths and less undesirable influences of this hybrid than those of free nisin on the original quality of UF Feta cheese would make this hybrid a promising biopreservative in dairy products.Practical ApplicationsThis study investigates the use of chitosan/alginate nanoparticles as an auxiliary adjuvant in food preservation process. Considering our former promising antibacterial strength observed for this hybrid against S. aureus in the milk samples and also our new findings, it can be concluded that this hybrid would actually be an effectual potential biopreservative against common foodborne pathogens without any harmful side effects on the original qualities of the assessed dairy products. These outstanding features would be an incentive for further future investigation and probable industrialization of this hybrid as a highly productive biopreservative in food preservation technology.
H2O2‐induced Leaf Cell Death and the Crosstalk of Reactive Nitric/Oxygen SpeciesF
Authors: Wang Yiqin , Lin Aihong , Loake Gary J. , Chu Chengcai 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn plants, the chloroplast is the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) producing site under high light stress. Catalase (CAT), which decomposes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), is one of the controlling enzymes that maintains leaf redox homeostasis. The catalase mutants with reduced leaf catalase activity from different plant species exhibit an H2O2‐induced leaf cell death phenotype. This phenotype was differently affected by light intensity or photoperiod, which may be caused by plant species, leaf redox status or growth conditions. In the rice CAT mutant nitric oxide excess 1 (noe1), higher H2O2 levels induced the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and higher S‐nitrosothiol (SNO) levels, suggesting that NO acts as an important endogenous mediator in H2O2‐induced leaf cell death. As a free radical, NO could also react with other intracellular and extracellular targets and form a series of related molecules, collectively called reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Recent studies have revealed that both RNS and ROS are important partners in plant leaf cell death. Here, we summarize the recent progress on H2O2‐induced leaf cell death and the crosstalk of RNS and ROS signals in the plant hypersensitive response (HR), leaf senescence, and other forms of leaf cell death triggered by diverse environmental conditions.
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[ Chengcai Chu (Corresponding author)]