bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiation therapy target volume reduction in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Eaton Bree R. , McDonald Mark W. , Kim Sungjin , Marcus Robert B. , Sutter Anna L. , Chen Zhengjia , Esiashvili Natia 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:The use of radiation therapy (RT) “cone‐down” boost to reduce high‐dose treatment volumes according to tumor response to induction chemotherapy in patients with pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) may reduce treatment morbidity, yet the impact on tumor control is unknown.METHODS:Fifty‐five children, including 18 (33%) with parameningeal (PM) RMS and 37 (67%) with non‐PM RMS, who received definitive treatment with chemotherapy and RT from April 2000 through January 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.RESULTS:In total, 28 patients (51%) received a cone‐down boost. The high‐dose boost volume was reduced by a median of 56% of the initial target volume (range, 5%‐91%). The median time to initiating RT was 3 weeks for patients with PM RMS and 16 weeks for patients with non‐PM RMS (P < .001). After a median follow‐up of 41 months, local failure occurred in 5 patients (9%), including 2 patients who received a cone‐down boost, and there were no marginal failures. Twelve patients (67%) with PM RMS had intracranial tumor extension. In this subgroup, 4 patients (30%) who received a cone‐down boost and had ≥ 3 weeks between chemotherapy and RT initiation experienced leptomeningeal failure as their first site of disease progression, and a delayed time to RT initiation was associated with decreased survival (P = .055)CONCLUSIONS:A cone‐down boost allowed for significant reductions in high‐dose RT treatment volume while maintaining excellent tumor control in most patients. However, in the subset of patients with PM RMS and intracranial tumor extension, early RT initiation and wider margin RT to cover adjacent areas at high risk for meningeal extension may be more important for adequate disease control. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Density Functional Theory and Optimal Transportation with Coulomb Cost
Authors: Cotar Codina , Friesecke Gero , Klüppelberg Claudia 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWe present here novel insight into exchange‐correlation functionals in density functional theory, based on the viewpoint of optimal transport. We show that in the case of two electrons and in the semiclassical limit, the exact exchange‐correlation functional reduces to a very interesting functional that depends on an optimal transport map T associated with a given density ρ. The limit problem has been suggested, on grounds of formal arguments, in the physics literature, but it appears that it has not hitherto been interpreted as an optimal transport problem. Since the above limit is strongly correlated, the limit functional yields insight into electron correlations. We prove the existence and uniqueness of such an optimal map for any number of electrons and each ρ and determine the map explicitly in the case when ρ is radially symmetric. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Complement‐mediated chronic inflammation is associated with diabetic microvascular complication
Authors: Fujita Takayuki , Hemmi Seiichiro , Kajiwara Mamiko , Yabuki Minako , Fuke Yoshinobu , Satomura Atsushi , Soma Masayoshi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundChronic inflammation is characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Obesity‐activated adipocytes release adipocytokines, which induce the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in vascular endothelial dysfunction and organ injury. C3a is a candidate to induce tissue inflammation.MethodsWe investigated the association between diabetic microangiopathy and complement‐mediated inflammation in 32 obese T2DM patients and 32 normal donors. Plasma levels of complement components and their activation intermediates were examined and related to the level of complication. An incubation study of post‐prandial serum was carried out to measure the in vitro production of acylation stimulating protein (ASP/C3a desArg) by chylomicron.ResultsPlasma levels of C3, C4, factor B, iC3b, Bb, and ASP were significantly increased in T2DM patients. Levels of C4d and membrane attack complex (C5b‐9) were not significantly elevated. The activation rate of these factors indicated that only the early phase of alternative complement pathway was excessively activated. A statistical study revealed close correlation between ASP, body mass index, and highly sensitive C‐reactive protein. Plasma ASP was significantly increased in the macroalbuminuric and proliferative retinopathy patient groups. An incubation study revealed that ASP was produced after the in vitro incubation of post‐prandial serum from a T2DM patient with hyperchylomicronaemia.ConclusionsActivation of the alternative complement pathway occurs in obese T2DM patients and is enhanced in the post‐prandial hyperchylomicronic condition, which induces overproduction of ASP and C3a‐mediated tissue inflammation. Therefore, complement‐mediated inflammation may contribute to the acceleration of diabetic microangiopathy in addition to the development of macroangiopathy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Foliar δ13C response patterns along a moisture gradient arising from genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity in grassland species of Inner Mongolia
Authors: Liu Yanjie , Niu Haishan , Xu Xingliang 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPlants depend upon both genetic differences and phenotypic plasticity to cope with environmental variation over different timescales. The spatial variation in foliar δ13C levels along a moisture gradient represents an overlay of genetic and plastic responses. We hypothesized that such a spatial variation would be more obvious than the variation arising purely from a plastic response to moisture change. Leymus chinensis and Stipa spp. were sampled from Inner Mongolia along a dry‐wet transect, and some of these species were transplanted to an area with a moisture gradient. For Stipa spp., the slope of foliar δ13C and mean annual precipitation along the transect was significantly steeper than that of foliar δ13C and mean annual precipitation after the watering treatment. For L. chinensis, there was a general decreasing trend in foliar δ13C under the different (increasing) watering levels; however, its populations showed an irregular relationship between foliar δ13C and moisture origin. Therefore, support for our hypothesis was obtained from Stipa spp., but not from L. chinensis.
The effect of turbidity on recognition and generalization of predators and non‐predators in aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Chivers Douglas P. , Al‐Batati Fawaz , Brown Grant E. , Ferrari Maud C. O. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractRecent anthropogenic activities have caused a considerable change in the turbidity of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Concomitant with such perturbations are changes in community composition. Understanding the mechanisms through which species interactions are influenced by anthropogenic change has come to the forefront of many ecological disciplines. Here, we examine how a change in the availability of visual information influences the behavior of prey fish exposed to potential predators and non‐predators. When fathead minnows,Pimephales promelas, were conditioned to recognize predators and non‐predators in clear water, they showed a highly sophisticated ability to distinguish predators from non‐predators. However, when learning occurred under conditions of increased turbidity, the ability of the prey to learn and generalize recognition of predators and non‐predators was severely impaired. Our work highlights that changes at the community level associated with anthropogenic perturbations may be mediated through altered trophic interactions, and highlights the need to closely examine behavioral interactions to understand how species interactions change.
Prooxidant‐induced c‐Src/nuclear factor kappa B‐coupled signalling in sensory ganglia mediates cutaneous hyperalgesia
Authors: Igwe O.J. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundPersistent pain resulting from peripheral injury/inflammation is associated with altered sensitivity to cutaneous stimuli, which can manifest as hyperalgesia. The role of oxidant stress in the development, progression and maintenance of hyperalgesia is still not understood. Furthermore, there appears to be a relationship between c‐Src kinase in the pain pathway and oxidative stress.MethodsWe have used a novel prooxidant inflammatory pain model that involves potassium peroxychromate (PPC), a unique prooxidant that produces the same reactants as activated phagocytes. This model was used to investigate the role of oxidant‐activated c‐Src in mediating hyperalgesia. We compared the effects of PP2 (a Src family kinase inhibitor) and c‐Src siRNA on behavioural hyperalgesia with sodium stibogluconate (SSG) (a non‐receptor tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor) and AG 1478 (a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor).ResultsPP2 and c‐Src siRNA attenuated PPC‐induced thermal hyperalgesia, while SSG enhanced it. AG 1478 had no effect. PP2 decreased the levels of IL‐1β, c‐Src/inhibitory kappa B kinase complex formed and prostaglandin E2 produced in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) ipsilateral to the inflamed paw, while SSG increased the levels of these parameters. c‐Src siRNA decreased Src expression and activity in the DRG ipsilateral to the inflamed paw.ConclusionsThese results confirm that prooxidant‐activated c‐Src plays a role in initiating and maintaining hyperalgesia by regulating a stimulus‐response coupling between the inflamed tissue and the DRG in the pain pathway. Our data also suggest that oxidant‐induced dysregulation of c‐Src/nuclear factor kappa B coupling may contribute to our understanding of the transition from acute to chronic dysfunctional pain state seen in many human diseases.
Doppler study of the fetal vertebral and middle cerebral arteries in fetuses with normal and increased umbilical artery resistance indices
Authors: Morales Roselló José , Hervás Marín David , Perales Marín Alfredo , López Fraile Sara 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjective:To compare the brain sparing mechanism of the fetal vertebral artery (VA), with the one of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in fetuses with increased umbilical artery (UA) Doppler impedance.Method:We retrospectively studied 1084 Doppler examinations of the VA, MCA and UA performed in 1084 fetuses between 19 and 41 week of gestation. These were divided into 3 groups according to the UA resistance index (UA RI): group 1: UA RI < 95th percentile (N = 965), group 2: UA RI > 95th percentile (N = 111) and group 3: absent UA diastolic flow (N = 8). Afterwards, values were converted into multiples of the median (MoM), and means and standard deviations were calculated. Finally, Kruskal‐Wallis tests and box and whiskers charts were applied to evaluate differences.Results:For both, the VA RI and MCA RI, no differences were seen among the groups of fetuses who maintained diastolic flow in the UA. However, the VA RI and MCA RI were lower when the UA diastolic flow was absent.Conclusion:The VA and MCA work in unison, decreasing impedances only when UA flow is severely affected. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
Improving cellular uptake and in vivo tumor suppression efficacy of liposomal oligonucleotides by urea as a chemical penetration enhancer
Authors: Saffari Mostafa , Tamaddon Ali Mohammad , Shirazi Farshad Hoseini , Oghabian Mohammad Ali , Moghimi Hamid Reza 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundLiposomes are among the most widely used carriers for the delivery of antisense oligonucleotides (AsODNs) to intracellular targets. Although different strategies have been employed, the question of how to improve liposomal uptake and enhance the release of AsODN into cytoplasm still remains to be answered with respect to the use of a safe, easy and economic method. In the present study, the possibility of enhancing such processes at cellular and animal levels using urea as a penetration enhancer was investigated.MethodsTo perform this investigation, a cationic liposome containing an AsODN against protein kinase (PKC)‐α was prepared, and the effect of urea on its cellular internalization and the related sequence‐specific inhibition of gene expression in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were investigated by flow cytometry and the reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction, respectively. In in vivo studies, a xenograft lung tumor was established in nude mice by A549 cells and the enhancement effect of urea toward the effects of liposomal AsODN on tumor growth was investigated.ResultsCellular studies revealed that urea treatment increases liposomal uptake and the release of AsODN into the cytoplasm by approximately 40%. Sequence‐specific inhibition of target gene PKC‐α expression was also increased by approximately two‐fold by urea at 200–300 nM AsODN. In animal studies, urea significantly decreased the tumor volume (approximately 40%) and increased its doubling time from approximately 13 days to 17 days.ConclusionsUrea, and possibly other membrane fluidizers, could be regarded as penetration enhancers for liposomal AsODN delivery and may improve the therapeutic effect of these gene‐therapy vectors at both cellular and animal levels. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double approach operation for large extracompartmental proximal thigh tumors
Authors: Papanastassiou Ioannis D. , Karypidis Dimitrios , Kokkalis Zinon T. , Gerochristou Maria A. , Demertzis Nikolaos 
Published: December 2012

AbstractResection of large femoral triangle tumors that invade the bone (or vice versa) still remains a challenge. A lateral‐only approach would hinder dissection of the mass, away from the femoral vessels, while an iliofemoral‐only type of approach would make bone resection and megaprosthetic reconstruction very arduous. The authors describe a two‐stage, one‐position operation via a double surgical approach: the first stage is comprised by an iliofemoral approach and dissection of the femoral vessels, followed by proximal femoral resection and reconstruction stage. One illustrative case is presented along with the authors overall experience. We believe that this operation facilitates wide tumor resection in a safe and step‐wise manner, as not to add to the morbidity of the procedure. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:673–679. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Secondary cytoreductive surgery and peri‐operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal recurrence of colorectal and appendiceal peritoneal carcinomatosis following prior primary cytoreduction
Authors: Klaver Yvonne L.B. , Chua Terence C. , Verwaal Victor J. , de Hingh Ignace H.J.T. , Morris David L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPurposePrimary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and peri‐operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) is the only curative option for patients with colorectal cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). A significant proportion of patients develop peritoneal recurrence. Outcomes of patients undergoing secondary CRS and PIC for recurrent PC were examined.MethodsAll patients undergoing second procedures with curative intent for recurrent appendiceal or colorectal cancer PC in three centers were included. Patients with recurrent pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) were excluded. Morbidity and mortality, overall survival, and disease‐free survival were primary outcome parameters.ResultsThe study included 18 patients (13 colorectal and 5 appendiceal cancer). At primary CRS, mean Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) was 9.1. In 13 patients complete resection was achieved. Median time to recurrence was 14 months (range: 1–33). At secondary CRS, mean PCI was 6.3 and CRS was complete in 13 patients. There was no 30‐day mortality and 1‐ and 2‐year survival were 74% and 50%, respectively. In 14 patients a recurrence after the second procedure was diagnosed.ConclusionsA secondary CRS for recurrent colorectal or appendiceal cancer PC is safe and feasible, however, relapse is frequent. Further investigations are required to critically assess the efficacy of a secondary procedure and to define optimal patient selection criteria in the era of effective modern chemotherapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:585–590. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Malnutrition and pancreatic surgery: Prevalence and outcomes
Authors: La Torre Marco , Ziparo Vincenzo , Nigri Giuseppe , Cavallini Marco , Balducci Genoveffa , Ramacciato Giovanni 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic surgery is associated with severe postoperative morbidity. Identification of patients at high risk may provide a way to allocate resources objectively and focus care on those patients in greater need. The Authors evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition and its effect on the postoperative morbidity of patients undergoing pancreatic surgery for malignant tumors.MethodsData were collected from 143 patients who had undergone pancreatic resection for cancer. Prevalence of malnutrition was evaluated by several validated screening tools and correlated to the incidence of surgical site infection, overall morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay.ResultsOverall, 88% of patients were at medium‐high risk of malnutrition. Patients at high risk of malnutrition presented a fourfold longer postoperative hospitalization period and a higher morbidity rate (53.2%) than those patients at low risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition, evaluated by MUST and NRI, was an independent predictor of overall morbidity using multivariate analysis (P = 0.00145, HR = 2.6581, 95% CI = 1.3589–8.5698, and P = 0.07129, HR = 1.9953, 95% CI = 0.9723–13.548, respectively).ConclusionMalnutrition is a relevant predictor of post‐operative morbidity and mortality after pancreatic surgery. Patients underwent pancreatic resection for malignant tumors are usually malnourished. Preoperative malnutrition screening is mandatory in order to assess the risk and to treat the malnutrition. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:702–708. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Management of primary hepatopancreatobiliary small cell carcinoma
Authors: Groeschl Ryan T. , Christians Kathleen K. , Turaga Kiran K. , Gamblin T. Clark 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesPrimary small cell carcinomas (SCC) of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts have only been described in case reports. We hypothesized that surgical treatment was associated with improved overall survival (OS) for patients with localized hepatopancreatobiliary SCC.MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End‐Results (SEER) database was queried for patients with SCC from 1998 to 2008. Survival was analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsEighty‐five patients had nonmetastatic hepatopancreatobiliary SCC and operative treatment data. Hepatic SCC was associated with a 2 month median OS, and no patient underwent surgery. Stage‐adjusted median OS for pancreatobiliary SCC patients undergoing resection (19 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10–42 months) was greater than those who were not resected (8 months, 95% CI: 4–12 months, P = 0.0052). Both surgical resection (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.29–0.63, P < 0.001) and administration of radiation therapy (HR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.35–0.71, P < 0.001) independently predicted prolonged OS in adjusted models.ConclusionSurgical resection was associated with prolonged survival for patients with localized pancreatic, gallbladder, and biliary primaries. While we recognize several biases inherent in a population‐based study, these results provide insight into the survival that can be achieved with surgical resection of SCC in these specific locations. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:692–695. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intentions for bilateral mastectomy among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients
Authors: King Lesley , O'Neill Suzanne C. , Spellman Elizabeth , Peshkin Beth N. , Valdimarsdottir Heiddis , Willey Shawna , Leventhal Kara Grace , DeMarco Tiffani , Nusbaum Rachel , Feldman Elizabeth , Jandorf Lina , Schwartz Marc D. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundRecent trends suggest that bilateral mastectomy (BM) is on the rise among women diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer. Few studies have investigated the factors associated with the decision to have more aggressive surgery among young, high risk patients.MethodsAs part of a larger study, 284 women aged 50 and under completed an initial survey within 6 weeks of a breast cancer diagnosis. We assessed sociodemographics, medical and family history variables, treatment recommendations, preferences and concerns, distress, perceived risk, knowledge, and neuroticism. We used multiple regression with backward entry to assess the relationship between these variables and our outcomes of decisional conflict and intentions for BM.ResultsHigher decisional conflict was associated with being less educated, unmarried, more anxious and less likely to have received a surgical recommendation. Preference for BM was associated with higher neuroticism, perceived risk for contralateral breast cancer, pre‐testing risk of carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation, having received either a surgical recommendation (vs. no recommendation), and lower preference for lumpectomy.ConclusionsFor younger women, a surgical recommendation is associated with lower decisional conflict and stronger intention for BM. Results highlight the importance of effective risk communication and decision support between a woman and her surgeon. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:772–776. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reflections on Phonetic Convergence: Speech Perception does not Mirror Speech Production
Authors: Pardo Jennifer S. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractSince the beginnings of speech research, the issue of variability has been a central topic in the field. Until recently, solutions to this problem have focused mainly on resolving linguistic forms from variable acoustic realizations, with little systematic consideration of talker variability or social settings. However, acoustic‐phonetic variability within and between talkers does not arise by chance – such variation is attributable to a variety of causes including talker physiology, dialect, affect, and social/situational factors. Studies of conversational interaction demonstrate the influence of situational factors on many aspects of spoken communication. In particular, interacting talkers converge and diverge in acoustic‐phonetic form over the course of a single conversational setting. Although phonetic convergence likely reflects a close connection between speech perception and production, it is not an automatic consequence of priming mechanisms or a mirror neuron system. In studies of the neural activity associated with speech perception, it is increasingly clear that utterances are processed in separate dorsal and ventral cortical streams, one that is part of the self‐regulation of spoken utterances, and another that is part of conceptual understanding. Links between perception and production appear to be part of the self‐regulatory system that participates in speech production control monitoring, which makes this system a likely candidate for talker control of acoustic‐phonetic variability. Whether talkers converge or diverge depends on multiple aspects of the social setting, which have a much greater influence on the form of phonetic expression than automatic links or mirror mechanisms.