bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term outcomes of second treatment after initial transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kim Young‐Il , Park Joong‐Won , Kwak Hee‐Won , Kim Bo Hyun , Lee Ju Hee , Lee In Joon , Kim Tae Hyun , Kim Seong Hoon , Koh Young Hwan , Kim Hyun Beom , Kim Chang‐Min 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsAll outcome studies concerning the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are based on the initial treatment. However, remaining, progressing or recurring tumours (RPRTs) after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are common; therefore, various second treatments are administered to HCC patients. Here, we investigated the long‐term outcomes of second treatments for RPRT after initial TACE.MethodsWe enrolled 855 consecutive HCC patients who underwent TACE as the initial treatment at the National Cancer Center, Korea, from January 2004 to December 2010.ResultsThe median follow‐up was 43.4 months, and the median progression‐free survival following initial TACE was 4.0 months, being 18.1 and 1.0 months for complete remission and progressive disease respectively. Second treatments were administered to 790 RPRT patients (92.4%); the most common was TACE (56.4%), followed by best supportive care (22.8%), systemic chemotherapy (9.4%), external radiotherapy (4.4%), radiation ablation (RFA; 2.9%), resection (2.0%) and liver transplantation (1.4%). Median overall survival (mOS) for initial TACE was 18.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 16.6–21.0 months]; after second treatments, it was 12.4 (95% CI, 10.6–14.2) months, differing significantly by mRECIST assessment, BCLC stage and RPRT type (28.0, 5.0 and 3.9 months for intrahepatic, vascular and extrahepatic RPRT, respectively; P < 0.001). Intrahepatic RPRT with a curative treatment as a second treatment showed the best OS.ConclusionThese novel insights into the patterns and long‐term outcomes of second treatments for RPRT in HCC patients who underwent initial TACE are expected to aid in formulating treatment strategies for HCC patients.
Context‐Sensitive Natural Language Generation: From Knowledge‐Driven to Data‐Driven Techniques
Authors: Dethlefs Nina 
Published: March 2014

AbstractContext‐sensitive Natural Language Generation is concerned with the automatic generation of system output that is in several ways adaptive to its target audience or the situational circumstances of its production. In this article, I will provide an overview of the most popular methods that have been applied to context‐sensitive generation. A particular focus will be on the shift from knowledge‐driven to data‐driven approaches that has been witnessed in the last decade. While this shift has offered powerful new methods for large‐scale adaptivity and flexible output generation, purely data‐driven approaches still struggle to reach the linguistic depth of their knowledge‐driven predecessors. Bridging the gap between both types of approaches is therefore an important future research direction.
BarR, an Lrp‐type transcription factor in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, regulates an aminotransferase gene in a β‐alanine responsive manner
Authors: Liu Han , Orell Alvaro , Maes Dominique , van Wolferen Marleen , Ann‐Christin Lindås , Bernander Rolf , Albers Sonja‐Verena , Charlier Daniel , Peeters Eveline 
Published: March 2014

SummaryIn archaea, nothing is known about the β‐alanine degradation pathway or its regulation. In this work, we identify and characterize BarR, a novel Lrp‐like transcription factor and the first one that has a non‐proteinogenic amino acid ligand. BarR is conserved in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and Sulfolobus tokodaii and is located in a divergent operon with a gene predicted to encode β‐alanine aminotransferase. Deletion of barR resulted in a reduced exponential growth rate in the presence of β‐alanine. Furthermore, qRT‐PCR and promoter activity assays demonstrated that BarR activates the expression of the adjacent aminotransferase gene, but only upon β‐alanine supplementation. In contrast, auto‐activation proved to be β‐alanine independent. Heterologously produced BarR is an octamer in solution and forms a single complex by interacting with multiple sites in the 170 bp long intergenic region separating the divergently transcribed genes. In vitro, DNA binding is specifically responsive to β‐alanine and site‐mutant analyses indicated that β‐alanine directly interacts with the ligand‐binding pocket. Altogether, this work contributes to the growing body of evidence that in archaea, Lrp‐like transcription factors have physiological roles that go beyond the regulation of α‐amino acid metabolism.
Cell‐wall invertases, key enzymes in the modulation of plant metabolism during defence responses
Authors: Proels Reinhard Korbinian , Hückelhoven Ralph 
Published: March 2014

SummaryMost plant–pathogen interactions do not result in pathogenesis because of pre‐formed defensive plant barriers or pathogen‐triggered activation of effective plant immune responses. The mounting of defence reactions is accompanied by a profound modulation of plant metabolism. Common metabolic changes are the repression of photosynthesis, the increase in heterotrophic metabolism and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. This enhanced metabolic activity is accompanied by the reduced export of sucrose or enhanced import of hexoses at the site of infection, which is mediated by an induced activity of cell‐wall invertase (Cw‐Inv). Cw‐Inv cleaves sucrose, the major transport sugar in plants, irreversibly yielding glucose and fructose, which can be taken up by plant cells via hexose transporters. These hexose sugars not only function in metabolism, but also act as signalling molecules. The picture of Cw‐Inv regulation in plant–pathogen interactions has recently been broadened and is discussed in this review. An interesting emerging feature is the link between Cw‐Inv and the circadian clock and new modes of Cw‐Inv regulation at the post‐translational level.
The buck in the milkweed: evidence of male–male interference among pollinaria on pollinators
Authors: Cocucci Andrea A. , Marino Salvador , Baranzelli Matías , Wiemer Ana P. , Sérsic Alicia 
Published: March 2014

Summary

Direct physical confrontation among conspecifics for access to mates is a form of sexual selection well known among animals, but not thought to take place in plants. Consequently, no structures are known that can be considered as weapons that evolved under such confrontation. Pollinaria of milkweeds may physically compete for access to attachment points on the pollinators' body, and occasionally pollinaria may link onto pre‐existing pollinaria on a pollinator resulting in concatenation.

We hypothesized that concatenation may result in interference between proximal and distal pollinaria, and that features of nonconcatenating pollinaria might be attributed to prevention of concatenation. We tested this by analyzing pollen donation efficiency, experimental manipulation of the phenotype and the phylogenetic patterns of co‐occurrence of traits.

It is shown that concatenation was able to diminish the reproductive performance of proximal pollinaria, that horns on pollinaria prevented concatenation, and that horn acquisition was correlated with a loss of concatenation. The experimental removal of horns in species that did not concatenate caused reversion to concatenation.

The present work could be the first evidence of male physical struggles and of the acquisition of weapons related to these struggles, that are analogous to those known in animals.
Oil prices and stock market price in Nigeria
Authors: Nwosa Philip Ifeakachukwu 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper examined the relationship between oil prices (international oil price and domestic oil price) and stock market price in Nigeria for the period spanning 1985:1 to 2010:4. The study utilised the Johansen's multivariate cointegration test and the vector error correction model (VECM). The Johansen's test showed that the variables are cointegrated, and the cointegration equation revealed that oil prices have significant relationship with stock market price in the long run. The VECM estimate only revealed a unidirectional causality from stock market price to international oil price in the long run. A unidirectional causality was also observed from domestic oil price to stock market price in the long run. The study recommended that policymakers, financial analyst and shareholders should into cognizance changes in international oil price and domestic oil price in their financial decisions given the significant impact of oil prices on stock market price in Nigeria.
Use of a Lateral Infraclavicular Puncture to Obtain Proximal Venous Access with Occluded Subclavian/Axillary Venous Systems for Cardiac Rhythm Devices
Authors: BERNSTEIN NEIL E. , AIZER ANTHONY , CHINITZ LARRY A. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundVenous occlusion is not uncommon and total venous obstruction with more proximal patency may occur in as many as 10% of previous implants. Many techniques are available to obtain ipsilateral access; however, most require special equipment or skills. We describe a technique of infraclavicular cannulation of the brachiocephalic vein ipsilateral to the occlusion that is safe and feasible for most implanters.MethodsFourteen patients with subclavian/axillary occlusions ipsilateral to the implanted device and requiring revision or upgrade of their system or venous occlusion with contraindication to implant on the contralateral side underwent lead addition/placement via a brachiocephalic approach. Following venography, an 18‐gauge needle was used to gain brachiocephalic access. The needle was initially positioned in a lateral infraclavicular location. The needle was then advanced under the clavicle in a horizontal plane and advanced toward the sternal notch under fluoroscopic guidance.ResultsFourteen patients underwent an attempt at brachiocephalic access. Cannulation of the brachiocephalic was possible in all 14 and lead(s) were successfully implanted in all. There were no complications with the procedure, specifically no pneumothoraces. In follow‐up (mean 36 months, range 1–86 months), all implanted leads function well, with no evidence of lead failure or impedance changes.ConclusionA lateral infraclavicular approach is a safe and effective technique for obtaining brachiocephalic access when the subclavian/axillary vein is occluded. This technique is easy to learn and may be useful for implanters without the equipment or skills needed for lead extraction or microdissection or in cases where patients refuse these procedures.
Contrasting Effects of HMR1098 on Arrhythmogenicity in a Langendorff‐Perfused Phase‐2 Myocardial Infarction Rabbit Model
Authors: LEE HUI‐LING , LU CHENG‐HUI , CHANG PO‐CHENG , CHOU CHUNG‐CHUAN , WO HUNG‐TA , WEN MING‐SHIEN 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundThe stability of dynamic factors has been reported to play a role in the antiarrhythmic actions of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐sensitive potassium channel (KATP) opener in phase‐2 myocardial infarction (MI) hearts. In the situation of the downregulation of KATP, the effects of KATP blocker (HMR1098) on the dynamic factors and electrophysiological changes during phase‐2 MI remain unclear.MethodsDual voltage and intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) optical mapping was performed in nine Langendorff‐perfused hearts 4–5 hours after coronary artery ligation and five control hearts. Electrophysiology studies, including action potential duration (APD) restitution, conduction velocity (CV), inducibility of ventricular fibrillation (VF), VF dominant frequency, APD and Cai alternans, and Cai decay, were performed. The same protocol was repeated in the presence of HMR1098 (10 μm) after the baseline studies.ResultsHMR1098 significantly prolonged APD and effective refractory period to prevent sustained VF in five of nine MI hearts and two of five control hearts compared to none at baseline in both groups. On the other hand, HMR1098 steepened APD restitution slope to enhance spatially concordant alternans in both groups. In the phase‐2 MI group, HMR1098 steepened CV restitution slope and enhanced spatially discordant alternans (SDA), which might account for a decreased pacing threshold of VF induction during HMR1098 infusion in phase‐2 MI hearts.ConclusionsIn phase‐2 MI hearts, HMR1098 has contrasting effects on arrhythmogenesis, suppressing reentry and VF persistence but facilitating VF inducibility. The mechanism is the intensified induction of SDA because of the steepened APD and CV restitution slopes.
Universal Algorithm for Diagnosis of Biventricular Capture in Patients with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: JASTRZEBSKI MAREK , KUKLA PIOTR , FIJOREK KAMIL , CZARNECKA DANUTA 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundAn accurate and universal method for diagnosis of biventricular (BiV) capture using a standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) would be useful for assessment of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) patients. Our objective was to develop and validate such an ECG method for BiV capture diagnosis that would be independent of pacing lead positions—a major confounder that significantly influences the morphologies of paced QRS complexes.MethodsOn the basis of an evaluation of 789 ECGs of 443 patients with heart failure and various right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) lead positions, the following algorithm was constructed and validated. BiV capture was diagnosed if the QRS in lead I was predominantly negative and either V1 QRS was predominantly positive or V6 QRS was of negative onset and predominantly negative (step 1), or if QRS complex duration was <160 ms (step 2). All other ECGs were classified as loss of LV capture.ResultsThe algorithm showed good accuracy (93%), sensitivity (97%), and specificity (90%) for detection of loss of LV capture. The performance of the algorithm did not differ among apical, midseptal, and outflow tract RV lead positions and various LV lead positions.ConclusionLV capture leaves diagnostic hallmarks in the fused BiV QRS related to different vectors of depolarization and more rapid depolarization of the ventricles. An accurate two‐step ECG algorithm for BiV capture diagnosis was developed and validated. This algorithm is universally applicable to all CRT patients, regardless of the positions of the pacing leads.
Molecular characterization and functional analysis of four β‐1,4‐endoglucanases from the root‐lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus
Authors: Fanelli E. , Troccoli A. , Picardi E. , Pousis C. , De Luca F. 
Published: March 2014

This study reports on the isolation and characterization of four different endoglucanases in the root‐lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus. The gene structures of two of these, Pv‐eng‐1 and Pv‐eng‐2, were fully determined, and Pv‐eng‐3 and Pv‐eng‐5 were partially sequenced. Spatial expression of Pv‐eng‐1, Pv‐eng‐2 and Pv‐eng‐5 was examined by in situ hybridization. Pv‐eng‐1 and Pv‐eng‐2 transcripts were localized in the subventral oesophageal glands, whilst the Pv‐eng‐5 transcript was localized in the intestine. Real‐time RT‐PCR showed that three of the four endoglucanases had the highest transcriptional level in adult males and females, thus demonstrating that adults are also parasitic in P. vulnus. Mixed stages of P. vulnus were treated with double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) of Pv‐eng‐1 in order to study the effect of gene silencing (RNAi). Silencing Pv‐eng‐1 by dsRNA targeting of the carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM) resulted in a significant reduction (88–98%) of the transcript level, suggesting that P. vulnus is susceptible to RNAi. Furthermore, silencing P. vulnus showed a reduction (54%) in nematode reproduction on carrot minidiscs over a 5 week period. These results suggest that silencing of Pv‐eng‐1 may result in reduction of the ability of the nematode to locate and invade roots and, therefore, to establish and reproduce.
In vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and the antioxidant properties of Aegle marmelos leaf extract: implications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Asaduzzaman Md. , Uddin Md. Josim , Kader M.A. , Alam A.H.M.K. , Rahman Aziz Abdur , Rashid Mamunur , Kato Kiyoko , Tanaka Toshihisa , Takeda Masatoshi , Sadik Golam 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by loss of memory and cognition. The effective therapeutic options for AD are limited and thus there is a demand for new drugs. Aegle marmelos (Linn.) (A. marmelos) leaves have been used in traditional medicine to promote intellect and enhance memory. In this study, we evaluated A. marmelos for its acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and antioxidant property in vitro in the treatment of AD.MethodsA crude methanol extract and four fractions (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous) were prepared from the leaves of A. marmelos. The preparations were assessed for AChE inhibitory activity by the Ellman method, and their antioxidant properties were assessed by several assays: reducing power, scavenging of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl free radical and hydroxyl radical, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of endogenous substances in A. marmelos were performed by the standard phytochemical methods.ResultsAmong the different extracts tested, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest inhibition of AChE activity. In the same way, ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest reducing activity and radical scavenging ability towards the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (half maximal inhibitory concentration = 3.84 μg/mL) and hydroxyl free radicals (half maximal inhibitory concentration = 5.68 μg/mL). The antiradical activity of the ethyl acetate fraction appeared to be similar to that of the reference standard butylated hydroxytoluene and catechin used in this study. In addition, the ethyl acetate fraction displayed higher inhibition of brain lipid peroxidation. Phytochemical screening of different extractives of A. marmelos showed the presence of phenols and flavonoids, alkaloid, saponin, glycoside, tannin and steroids. Quantitative analysis revealed higher contents of phenolics (58.79‐mg gallic acid equivalent/g dried extract) and flavonoids (375.73‐mg gallic acid equivalent/g dried extract) in the ethyl acetate fraction.ConclusionThe results suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of A. marmelos is a significant source of polyphenolic compounds with potential AChE inhibitory property and antioxidant activity and, thus, may be useful in the treatment of AD.
Episodic temporal structure modulates associative recognition processes: An MEG study
Authors: Tibon Roni , Vakil Eli , Levy Daniel A. , Goldstein Abraham 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe formation of mnemonic associations can occur between items processed in temporal proximity. It has been proposed that such intertemporal associations are not unitizable, and may therefore be retrieved only via recollective processes. To examine this claim, we conducted a magnetoencephalograph study of recognition memory for items encoded and retrieved sequentially. Participants studied successively presented pairs of object pictures, and subsequently made old‐new item judgments under several retrieval conditions, differing in degree of reinstatement of associative information. Correct recognition was accompanied by an early event‐related field (ERF) component, seemingly corresponding to the FN400 event‐related potential component asserted to reflect familiarity; this retrieval success effect was not modulated by degree of associative binding. A later ERF component, corresponding to the late positive component asserted to reflect recollection, was modulated by degree of associative reinstatement. These results suggest that memory of intertemporal associations, which are not amenable to unitization, is accessed via recollection.
Psychometric properties of the error‐related negativity in children and adolescents
Authors: Meyer Alexandria , Bress Jennifer N. , Proudfit Greg Hajcak 
Published: March 2014

AbstractError processing is frequently examined using the error‐related negativity (ERN), a negative‐going event‐related potential occurring after the commission of an error at frontal‐central sites, and has been suggested as a neural biomarker that may be useful in characterizing trajectories of risk for anxiety. While theERNhas been shown to have excellent psychometric properties in adults, few studies have examined psychometric properties of theERNin children and adolescents. The current study examined the 2‐year test‐retest reliability of theERNin a sample of children and adolescents, and the convergent validity of theERNusing a flanker and go/no‐go task. Results suggest that theERNis both reliable and stable across 2 years and across tasks. However, results also indicate that the internal consistency obtained using the flanker task is greater than the internal consistency obtained using the go/no‐go task.
Early Warning for Currency Crises: What Is the Role of Financial Openness?
Authors: Frost Jon , Saiki Ayako 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe paper explores whether financial openness—capital account openness and gross capital inflows—makes countries vulnerable to currency crises. A quarterly dataset on 46 advanced and emerging market economies (AEs and EMEs) during 1975Q1–2011Q4 is used, with the period after Q2 2007 used for out‐of‐sample testing. The key findings are: (1) capital account openness is associated with lower probability of currency crises, but less so for EMEs; (2) surges in gross capital flows are associated with increased risk of currency crises; and (3) the model performs well out‐of‐sample, confirming that early warning models are helpful in judging relative vulnerability.
Changes in 10‐year‐old children's body esteem: A time‐lag study between 2000 and 2010
Authors: Frisén Ann , Anneheden Linda 
Published: March 2014

This time‐lag study examined if there has been any changes in body esteem over a 10‐year period for 10‐year old children in Gothenburg, Sweden. Two cohorts of children, one in year 2000 and one in 2010, answered the same questionnaire about body esteem. A total of 960 children, 515 girls and 445 boys, participated in the first wave in 2000 and a total of 342 children, 171 girls and 171 boys participated in the second wave in 2010. The results showed a general stability in levels of body esteem for both girls and boys over the past 10 years. The gender differences, with boys being more satisfied with their appearance and weight compared to girls also seems to be stable over the years. In addition, the results also showed a somewhat positive development among the overweight girls with enhanced body esteem for the overweight girls compared to the non‐overweight girls during the ten years studied. Unfortunately, the same pattern was not found for overweight boys. For them the discrepancy in body esteem compared to non‐overweight boys, with the overweight boys being more dissatisfied, found in 2000 remained in 2010.
SSX2‐4 expression in early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Greve K. B. V. , Pøhl M. , Olsen K. E. , Nielsen O. , Ditzel H. J. , Gjerstorff M. F. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe expression of cancer/testis antigens SSX2, SSX3, and SSX4 in non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) was examined, since they are considered promising targets for cancer immunotherapy due to their immunogenicity and testis‐restricted normal tissue expression. We characterized three SSX antibodies and performed immunohistochemical staining of 25 different normal tissues and 143 NSCLCs. The antibodies differed in binding to two distinctive splice variants of SSX2 that exhibited different subcellular staining patterns, suggesting that the two splice variants display different functions. SSX2‐4 expression was only detected in 5 of 143 early‐stage NSCLCs, which is rare compared to other cancer/testis antigens (e.g. MAGE‐A and GAGE). However, further studies are needed to determine whether SSX can be used as a prognostic or predictive biomarker in NSCLC.