bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a prototype of the tele‐localisation system in radiotherapy using personal digital assistant via wireless communication
Authors: Wu Vincent Wing‐cheung , Tang Fuk‐hay , Cheung Wai‐kwan , Chan Kit‐chi 
Published: December 2012

SummaryIn localisation of radiotherapy treatment field, the oncologist is present at the simulator to approve treatment details produced by the therapist. Problems may arise if the oncologist is not available and the patient requires urgent treatment. The development of a tele‐localisation system is a potential solution, where the oncologist uses a personal digital assistant (PDA) to localise the treatment field on the image sent from the simulator through wireless communication and returns the information to the therapist after his or her approval. Our team developed the first tele‐localisation prototype, which consisted of a server workstation (simulator) for the administration of digital imaging and communication in medicine localisation images including viewing and communication with the PDA via a Wi‐Fi network; a PDA (oncologist's site) installed with the custom‐built programme that synchronises with the server workstation and performs treatment field editing. Trial tests on accuracy and speed of the prototype system were conducted on 30 subjects with the treatment regions covering the neck, skull, chest and pelvis. The average time required in performing the localisation using the PDA was less than 1.5 min, with the blocked field longer than the open field. The transmission speed of the four treatment regions was similar. The average physical distortion of the images was within 4.4% and the accuracy of field size indication was within 5.3%. Compared with the manual method, the tele‐localisation system presented with an average deviation of 5.5%. The prototype system fulfilled the planned objectives of tele‐localisation procedure with reasonable speed and accuracy.
Cold Code: the global initiative toDNAbarcode amphibians and nonavian reptiles
Authors: Murphy Robert W. , Crawford Andrew J. , Bauer Aaron M. , Che Jing , Donnellan Stephen C. , Fritz Uwe , Haddad Célio F.B. , Nagy Zoltán T. , Poyarkov Nikolay A. , Vences Miguel , Wang Wen‐zhi , Zhang Ya‐ping 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDNA barcoding facilitates the identification of species and the estimation of biodiversity by using nucleotide sequences, usually from the mitochondrial genome. Most studies accomplish this task by using the gene encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI; EntrezCOX1). Within this barcoding framework, many taxonomic initiatives exist, such as those specializing in fishes, birds, mammals, and fungi. Other efforts center on regions, such as the Arctic, or on other topics, such as health.DNAbarcoding initiatives exist for all groups of vertebrates except for amphibians and nonavian reptiles. We announce the formation of Cold Code, the international initiative toDNAbarcode all species of these ‘cold‐blooded’ vertebrates. The project has a Steering Committee, Coordinators, and a home page. To facilitate Cold Code, the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences will sequenceCOIfor the first 10 specimens of a species at no cost to the steward of the tissues.
Characterization of transcriptomes from sexual and asexual lineages of a New Zealand snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
Authors: Wilton Peter R. , Sloan Daniel B. , Logsdon Jr John M. , Doddapaneni Harshavardhan , Neiman Maurine 
Published: December 2012

AbstractUnderstanding the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction is one of the central challenges of evolutionary biology, yet we know very little about how sex influences molecular evolution. The New Zealand freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum is ideally suited to address this knowledge gap because obligately sexual individuals often coexist with multiple independently derived obligately asexual lineages. This unusual situation allows direct comparisons both between sexual and asexual P. antipodarum and across populations that differ in the relative frequency of sexual individuals. As such, P. antipodarum has received a great deal of attention as a model system for the maintenance of sex in nature and is also used as a model for environmental toxicology and biological invasions. Molecular genetic resources for P. antipodarum will thus be useful to investigators in a variety of biological fields. We used 454 sequencing of cDNA libraries to generate transcriptomes from two sexual and two asexual P. antipodarum lineages. A de novo assembly of 116.7 Mb of sequence reads produced 41 396 contigs, and sequence similarity‐based Gene Ontology annotations were obtained for 3740 contigs. We detected 408 315 SNP loci and 7315 microsatellite loci, which together represent the first genome‐scale resource available for P. antipodarum. Raw 454 read sequences, contig sequences, annotation data and polymorphism data are publicly available in a searchable online database and for download at http://www.biology.uiowa.edu/neiman/transcriptome.php.
Genomic resource development for shellfish of conservation concern
Authors: Timmins‐Schiffman Emma B. , Friedman Carolyn S. , Metzger Dave C. , White Samuel J. , Roberts Steven B. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractEffective conservation of threatened species depends on the ability to assess organism physiology and population demography. To develop genomic resources to better understand the dynamics of two ecologically vulnerable species in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, larval transcriptomes were sequenced for the pinto abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana kamtschatkana, and the Olympia oyster, Ostrea lurida. Based on comparative species analysis the Ostrea lurida transcriptome (41 136 contigs) is relatively complete. These transcriptomes represent the first significant contribution to genomic resources for both species. Genes are described based on biological function with particular attention to those associated with temperature change, oxidative stress and immune function. In addition, transcriptome‐derived genetic markers are provided. Together, these resources provide valuable tools for future studies aimed at conservation of Haliotis kamtschatkana kamtschatkana, Ostrea lurida and related species.
Lung cancer incidence and mortality in China, 2009
Authors: Chen Wanqing , Zheng Rongshou , Zhang Siwei , Zou Xiaonong , Zhao Ping , He Jie 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe National Central Cancer Registry (NCCR) is a governmental organization for cancer surveillance affiliated to the Bureau of Disease Control, Ministry of Health, in China. It annually collects cancer registration data from local registries and then analyzes and publishes the results to provide useful information for making anti‐cancer policy, program evaluation, and etiology research. At the end of 2012, the NCCR reported cancer statistics for 2009.MethodsBy mid 2012, 104 population‐based cancer registries reported cancer incidence and mortality data, including demographic information, for 2009, to the NCCR. After an evaluation procedure, a total of 72 registries’ data met the criteria, which was then compiled for analysis. Individual lung cancer cases were retrieved from the national database based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐10 topography code as “C33, C34,“ including cancers of the trachea and bronchus. The crude incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer were calculated by gender, age, and location (urban/rural). China's population in 1982 and Segi's population structures were used for age‐standardized rates.ResultsIn cancer registration areas in 2009, lung cancer was the most common cancer in China and in urban areas, the second most common cancer in rural areas. It was the leading cause of cancer death both in males and females, urban and rural areas. The incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer were higher in males than those in females, and in urban areas than in rural areas. The age‐specific incidence and mortality rates showed that both rates were relatively low for those aged under 50 years, but dramatically increased and reached a peak in the age group of 80–84 years.ConclusionLung cancer is the most common cancer in China and leading cause of cancer death. Primary and secondary prevention should be carried out in each group, such as tobacco control and early detection.
Localized biphasic type malignant mesothelioma arising in the peritoneum: Report of a case
Authors: Kohno Mikihiro , Maruyama Riichiroh , Kitagawa Dai , Sugimachi Keishi , Kinjo Mitsuru , Higashi Hidefumi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis report describes a rare case of localized malignant biphasic (mixed epithelioid and sarcomatoid) mesothelioma arising in the peritoneum. A 69‐year‐old male with a history of asbestos exposure, complaining of a painful mass in the left chest wall, was found via computed tomography (CT) to have a tumor in the left peritoneum. The resected tumor was histologically and immunohistochemically consistent with a malignant mesothelioma with mixed epithelioid and sarcomatoid type and no distant metastasis. The diagnosis of localized malignant biphasic mesothelioma arising in the peritoneum was appropriate because there was no evidence of any other primary tumor.
The gastrointestinal manifestations of telomere‐mediated disease
Authors: Jonassaint Naudia L. , Guo Nini , Califano Joseph A. , Montgomery Elizabeth A. , Armanios Mary 
Published: December 2012

SummaryDefects in telomere maintenance genes cause pathological telomere shortening, and manifest in syndromes which have prominent phenotypes in tissues of high turnover: the skin and bone marrow. Because the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium is highly proliferative, we sought to determine whether telomere syndromes cause GI disease, and to define its prevalence, spectrum, and natural history. We queried subjects in the Johns Hopkins Telomere Syndrome Registry for evidence of luminal GI disease. In sixteen percent of Registry subjects (6 of 38), there was a history of significant GI pathology, and 43 additional cases were identified in the literature. Esophageal stenosis, enteropathy, and enterocolitis were the recurrent findings. In the intestinal mucosa, there was striking villous atrophy, extensive apoptosis, and anaphase bridging pointing to regenerative defects in the epithelial compartment. GI disease was often the first and most severe manifestation of telomere disease in young children. These findings indicate that telomere dysfunction disrupts the epithelial integrity in the human GI tract manifesting in recognizable disease processes. A high index of suspicion should facilitate diagnosis and management.
Derivative (5;19)(p10;q10): A rare but recurrent whole‐arm translocation in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Manabe Masahiro , Takakuwa Teruhito , Nakano Hirofumi , Harada Naonori , Okamoto Shuichiro , Aoyama Yasutaka , Kumura Takeo , Ohta Tadanobu , Furukawa Yoshio , Matsuda Mitsuhiro , Mugitani Atsuko 
Published: December 2012

AbstractA previous study of cases of myelodysplastic syndrome harboring der(5;19)(p10;q10) found that they displayed common characteristics including predominance in elderly men, dysplasia involving three hematopoietic lineages and CD7 expression in blasts. However, the whole‐arm translocation der(5;19)(p10;q10) has not been fully analyzed because of its rarity. In this study we used flow cytometry to evaluate the immunophenotype of two patients' bone marrow mononuclear cells. Both patients had involved der(5;19)(p10;q10) in their karyotype analyzed by standard G‐banding technique. Both patients had the CD7+ and CD41+ phenotype, and the CD41 positivity suggested that the myeloid neoplasms involving der(5;19)(p10;q10) were of megakaryoblastic origin. The der(5;19)(p10;q10) abnormality is associated with unique characteristics of the immunophenotype. We address the clinical, immunophenotypic and morphological aspects of hematological malignancy involving der(5;19)(p10;q10), along with a review of the literature.
Cutting‐Edge Report: TLR10 Plays a Role in Mediating Bacterial Peptidoglycan‐Induced Trophoblast Apoptosis
Authors: Mulla Melissa J. , Myrtolli Kledia , Tadesse Serkalem , Stanwood Nancy L. , Gariepy Aileen , Guller Seth , Norwitz Errol R. , Abrahams Vikki M. 
Published: December 2012

ProblemThere is a strong correlation between intrauterine bacterial infection and preterm labor. While inflammation is a common mechanism, certain pathogens may trigger placental apoptosis. TLR2 activation by gram‐positive bacterial peptidoglycan (PDG) induces first‐trimester trophoblast apoptosis and decreased IL‐6 secretion. This is dependent upon the presence of TLR1 and the absence of TLR6 and both TLR2 coreceptors. As TLR10 is also a TLR2 coreceptor, the objective of this study was to determine its expression and function in the trophoblast.Method of studyFirst‐and third‐trimester human placental tissue and isolated trophoblast were evaluated for TLR10 expression. A first‐trimester human trophoblast cell line stably transfected with a TLR10 dominant negative (TLR10‐DN) or vector control was treated with or without PDG and analyzed for apoptosis and IL‐6.ResultsTLR10 was expressed by trophoblasts during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. PDG‐induced trophoblast caspase‐3 activity was inhibited by the presence of the TLR10‐DN. The presence of the TLR10‐DN had no effect on PDG reduction in trophoblast IL‐6 secretion.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that trophoblast TLR10 plays a role in promoting apoptosis triggered by gram‐positive bacterial components and suggests that TLR10 may regulate the balance between trophoblast survival and cell death.
Correlations between commonly used objective signs and symptoms for the diagnosis of dry eye disease: clinical implications
Authors: Sullivan Benjamin D. , Crews Leslie A. , Messmer Elisabeth M. , Foulks Gary N. , Nichols Kelly K. , Baenninger Philipp , Geerling Gerd , Figueiredo Francisco , Lemp Michael A. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the relationship between signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) in a clinic‐based population.Methods:  In a retrospective analysis, clinical signs and symptoms were evaluated for 344 subjects (n = 82, normal; n = 263, dry eye), across 11 sites from the EU and United States. Pearson correlations between signs and symptoms (r2) and an independent components analysis (ICA) mixing matrix were derived from the data set. Similar analysis was performed on an independent data set from 200 subjects in a previous study in Munich, Germany.Results:  No correlations above r2 = 0.17 were found between any signs and symptoms, except for corneal and conjunctival staining, which reported an r2 = 0.36. In the multisite study, the average r2 for osmolarity (0.07), tear breakup time (0.12), Schirmer test (0.09), corneal (0.16) and conjunctival staining (0.17), meibomian grading (0.11) and Ocular Surface Disease Index® (0.11) were consistently low. Among patients who showed evidence of DED by consensus of clinical signs, only 57% reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of DED. Similar results were observed in the Munich‐based study data set. Each component of the ICA mixing matrix exhibited minimal residual information.Conclusions:  No consistent relationship was found between common signs and symptoms of DED. Each type of measurement provides distinct information about the condition of the ocular surface. These results also demonstrate that symptoms alone are insufficient for the diagnosis and management of DED and argue for a consensus of clinical signs that better reflect all aspects of the disease.
Unravelling the mechanism of action of NS9283, a positive allosteric modulator of (α4)3(β2)2 nicotinic ACh receptors
Authors: Grupe M , Jensen AA , Ahring PK , Christensen JK , Grunnet M 
Published: December 2012

Background and PurposeStrong implications in major neurological diseases make the neuronal α4β2 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) a highly interesting drug target. In this study, we present a detailed electrophysiological characterization of NS9283, a potent positive allosteric modulator acting selectively at 3α:2β stoichiometry of α2* and α4* nAChRs.Experimental ApproachThe whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique equipped with an ultra‐fast drug application system was used to perform electrophysiological characterization of NS9283 modulatory actions on human α4β2 nAChRs stably expressed in HEK293 cells (HEK293‐hα4β2).Key ResultsNS9283 was demonstrated to increase the potency of ACh‐evoked currents in HEK293‐hα4β2 cells by left‐shifting the concentration–response curve ∼60‐fold. Interestingly, this modulation did not significantly alter maximal efficacy levels of ACh. Further, NS9283 did not affect the rate of desensitization of ACh‐evoked currents, was incapable of reactivating desensitized receptors and only moderately slowed recovery from desensitization. However, NS9283 strongly decreased the rate of deactivation kinetics and also modestly decreased the rate of activation. This resulted in a left‐shift of the ACh window current of (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs in the presence of NS9283.Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study demonstrates that NS9283 increases responsiveness of human (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR to ACh with no change in maximum efficacy. We propose that this potentiation is due to a significant slowing of deactivation kinetics. In summary, the mechanism of action of NS9283 bears high resemblance to that of benzodiazepines at the GABAA receptor and to our knowledge, NS9283 constitutes the first nAChR compound of this class.
Polycystic ovary syndrome has no independent effect on vascular, inflammatory or thrombotic markers when matched for obesity
Authors: Kahal H. , Aburima A. , Ungvari T. , Rigby A. S. , Dawson A. J. , Coady A. M. , Vince R. V. , Ajjan R. A. , Kilpatrick E. S. , Naseem K. M. , Atkin S. L. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryIntroductionPrevious studies investigating cardiovascular (CV) risk in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been potentially confounded by not adequately accounting for body weight.ObjectiveTo assess if PCOS increases CV risk independently in young obese women by examining carotid intima‐media wall thickness (cIMT) and platelet function.DesignA case–control study comparing women with PCOS (n = 21) to age (32·8 ± 7·2 vs 33·5 ± 6·7 years), and weight (100·9 ± 16·7 vs 99·3 ± 14·7 kg)‐matched controls (n = 19). Platelet function was examined by flow cytometry, clot structure and fibrinolysis by turbidimetric assays and endothelial function by ELISA and post ischaemic reactive hyperaemia.ResultsThe PCOS group had higher testosterone 1·2 ± 0·3 vs 0·9 ± 0·3 nmol/l (P = 0·01), HOMA‐IR 2·5 ± 1·7 vs 1·7 ± 1·0 (P = 0·08), impaired glucose regulation 33·3% vs 5·3% (P = 0·02), and urinary isoprostane 16·0 ± 4·4 vs 11·8 ± 7·1 ng/ml (P = 0·04) compared to controls. Mean cIMT 0·5 ± 0·05 vs 0·48 ± 0·06 mm (P = 0·36), and basal platelet surface expression (percentage of positive cells) of P‐selectin 0·52 ± 0·3 vs 0·43 ± 0·23 (P = 0·40) and fibrinogen binding 0·97 ± 0·4 vs 0·83 ± 0·3 (P = 0·48) did not significantly differ between the PCOS and control groups respectively. Furthermore, platelets sensitivity to stimulation with adenosine‐5′‐diphosphate or inhibition with prostacyclin, clot structure and fibrinolytic efficiency ex vivo, endothelial reactive hyperaemic index (RHI), inflammation (hsCRP) and adhesion markers (sE‐selectin, sP‐selectin, sVCAM‐1 and sICAM‐1) were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionsPCOS appeared not to independently increase atherothrombotic risk when matched for obesity. It is likely that any excess CV risk in young obese women with PCOS can either be attributed to obesity or is not yet apparent at this early stage of the condition.
What Is Causing Extremely Elevated Amino Terminal Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Cancer Patients?
Authors: Popat Jesal , Rivero Abel , Pratap Pravin , Guglin Maya 
Published: December 2012

High levels of B‐type natriuretic peptide in cancer patients are poorly studied. Previously published data suggest that they are not related to fluid overload and are encountered mostly in solid cancers. The authors investigated the distribution of amino terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) between hematologic and solid organ malignancies and the relationship of NT‐proBNP with volume status in oncologic patients. A total of 145 consecutive patients with at least one occurrence of NT‐proBNP exceeding the upper normal range 10‐fold were identified. The authors retrospectively reviewed their records including clinical, laboratory, and radiological data and echocardiograms. More than 70% of patients had hematologic malignancies. Patients with NT‐proBNP >50,000 pg/mL had only hematologic malignancies, primarily multiple myeloma. There was no association between M‐spike proteins and NT‐proBNP. About 80% of patients had signs of fluid overload. The magnitude of NT‐proBNP elevation was similar between those with and without heart failure or volume overload, as well as with solid cancers vs hematologic malignancies. Contrary to prior reports, it was found that very high NT‐proBNP in cancer patients is usually encountered in the context of fluid overload and most often in hematologic malignancies.
De novo malignancies in renal transplant recipients: experience at a single center with 1882 transplant patients over 39 yr
Authors: Apel Hendrik , Walschburger‐Zorn Karin , Häberle Lothar , Wach Sven , Engehausen Dirk G. , Wullich Bernd 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPurposeCancers complicating organ allografts are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after renal transplantation. Different registries have described an overall three to eightfold increase in cancer risk compared with the general population. This retrospective study investigated the incidence and outcome of de novo malignancies following kidney transplantation in a single German kidney transplantation center.Materials and MethodsBetween 1966 and 2005, 1882 patients underwent kidney transplantation at the Erlangen–Nuremberg kidney transplantation center. The incidence and types of post‐transplant malignancies were retrospectively analyzed according to the patients' records and the database of the local cancer registry.ResultsWe identified 257 malignancies in 231 patients, an overall incidence of 13.7%. The mean follow‐up time was 9.9 yr (range, 0.4–25.5 yr). The observed incidence data corresponded to a 12.1‐fold increase in the overall risk of developing a malignant nonskin tumor compared with the nontransplanted population. Urinary tract malignancies represented the most frequent malignancies among the nonskin tumors (32.1%), followed by gastrointestinal tract (30.7%) and gynecological (14%) cancers. When we considered the duration from renal transplantation to tumor detection and tumor‐specific survival, there was no difference between patients treated with or without a cyclosporine A‐based regimen.ConclusionsIn our study, the overall risk of developing a post‐transplant nonskin malignancy was 12.1‐fold higher compared with the age‐matched general population. Development of solid organ malignancies is one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients; thus, close tumor screening in patients after kidney transplantations is warranted.