bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast autophagy in fibrotic disorders
Authors: Principe Domenico Del , Lista Pasquale , Malorni Walter , Giammarioli Anna Maria 
Published: September 2012

AbstractFibrotic disorders are multistage progressive processes that often arise from different causes and are commonly associated with chronic inflammation. Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix is the hallmark of many fibrotic diseases. This may be due to an excess of fibroblast recruitment and activation, as well as to their differentiation in myofibroblasts. These events may be triggered by cytokines, chemokines and growth factors released by lymphocytes or macrophages. The excessive production of extracellular matrix is apparently due to alterations of metabolic pathways in activated fibroblasts. It has been suggested that a defective autophagy, an important subcellular pathway with multiple homeostatic roles, also recognized as a key component of both innate and acquired immunity, could play a role. In this review we illustrate recent insights in the field, suggesting the possible implication of the immune system in orchestrating the fibrotic response via the modulation of autophagic pathways.
A multi‐center phase Ib study of oxaliplatin (NSC#266046) in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin in pediatric patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Macy Margaret E. , Duncan Tracey , Whitlock James , Hunger Stephen P. , Boklan Jessica , Narendran Aru , Herzog Cynthia , Arceci Robert J. , Bagatell Rochelle , Trippett Tanya , Christians Uwe , Rolla Katherine , Ivy S. Percy , Gore Lia ,   on behalf of the Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators' Consortium (POETIC)
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundPlatinum agents have been used for a variety of cancers, including pivotal use in pediatric tumors for many years. Oxaliplatin, a third generation platinum, has a different side effect profile and may provide improved activity in pediatric cancers.ProcedurePatients 21 years or younger with progressive or refractory malignant solid tumors, including tumors of the central nervous system were enrolled on this multi‐center open label, non‐randomized Phase 1 dose escalation study. The study used a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation design with 2 dose levels (85 and 100 mg/m2) with an expansion cohort of 15 additional patients at the recommended dose. Patients received oxaliplatin at the assigned dose level and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) bolus 400 mg/m2 followed by a 46‐hour 5‐FU infusion of 2,400 mg/m2 every 14 days. The leucovorin dose was fixed at 400 mg/m2 for all cohorts.ResultsThirty‐one evaluable patients were enrolled, 8 at 85 mg/m2 and 23 at 100 mg/m2 for a total of 121 courses. The median age was 12 years (range 2–19 years). The main toxicities were hematologic, primarily neutrophils and platelets. The most common non‐hematologic toxicities were gastrointestinal. Stable disease was noted in 11 patients (54% of evaluable patients) and 1 confirmed partial response in a patient with osteosarcoma.ConclusionsThe maximum planned dose of oxaliplatin at 100 mg/m2 per dose in combination with 5‐FU and leucovorin was safe and well tolerated and in this patient population. This combination demonstrated modest activity in patients with refractory or relapsed solid tumor and warrants further study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:230–236. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of potential bias from non‐participation in a dynamic clinical cohort of long‐term childhood cancer survivors: Results from the St. Jude lifetime cohort study
Authors: Ojha Rohit P. , Oancea S. Cristina , Ness Kirsten K. , Lanctot Jennifer Q. , Srivastava D. Kumar , Robison Leslie L. , Hudson Melissa M. , Gurney James G. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate long‐term health outcomes among childhood cancer survivors, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH) has established the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE), comprised of adult survivors who undergo risk‐directed clinical assessments. As in any human research study, SJLIFE participants are volunteers who may not represent the source population from which they were recruited. A lack of proportional representation could result in biased estimates of exposure‐outcome associations. We compared available demographic, disease, and neighborhood level characteristics between participants and the source population to assess the potential for selection bias.ProceduresPotentially eligible patients for SJLIFE were enumerated as of October 31, 2011. Data from electronic medical records were combined with geocoded census data to develop an analytic data set of 3,108 patients (the evaluable source population) of whom 1,766 (57%) underwent clinical assessment (participants). The ratio of relative frequencies (RRFs) for characteristics was compared between participants and the source population, where RRF = 1.0 indicates equal frequency of the characteristic.ResultsParticipants and the source population had similar frequencies for most characteristics. Characteristics with modest relative differences (RRFs between 0.86 and 1.11) included sex, distance from SJCRH, primary diagnosis, median household income, median home value, and urbanicity.ConclusionsOur results indicate a lack of substantive differences in the relative frequencies of demographic, disease, or neighborhood characteristics between participants and the source population in SJLIFE, thus alleviating serious concerns about selective non‐participation in this cohort. Bias in specific exposure‐outcome relations is still possible and will be considered in individual analyses. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 856–864. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vitamin D levels differ by cancer diagnosis and decline over time in survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Rosen Galit P. , Beebe Kristen L. , Shaibi Gabriel Q. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations in survivors of childhood cancer and compare levels by underlying diagnosis and as a function of time.ProcedureA retrospective review of 201 pediatric cancer survivors enrolled in a hospital‐based cancer survivor registry. Demographic characteristics and 25OHD levels were extracted from the registry. Vitamin D status was determined during routine clinical care and was categorized as normal, insufficient, or deficient.Results25OHD levels differed significantly across diagnoses (P = 0.017), with the lowest levels found in patients treated for osteosarcoma, retinoblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and myeloid leukemias. Age was inversely correlated with 25OHD levels (P = 0.03). Average 25OHD level at study entry was 29.8 ng/ml (range: 5–79.7), with 14.4% vitamin D deficient, 39.3% insufficient, and 46.3% normal. 25OHD concentrations decreased 11.4% over time (P < 0.00001).ConclusionFewer than half of childhood cancer survivors have normal 25OHD concentrations, which further declined over time. Patients with solid tumors were the most affected, despite their lack of routine exposure to glucocorticoids. Future investigations should focus on why vitamin D level varies by diagnosis and how best to replete in this population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 949–952. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
131I‐MIBG followed by consolidation with busulfan, melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation for refractory neuroblastoma
Authors: French Sarah , DuBois Steven G. , Horn Biljana , Granger Meaghan , Hawkins Randall , Pass Amy , Plummer Ellen , Matthay Katherine 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground131I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) produces a 37% response rate in relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma, and could be used to improve remission status prior to myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). The purpose of our report was to evaluate safety and response with MIBG therapy followed by myeloablative busulfan and melphalan (BuMel) with ASCT in patients with refractory neuroblastoma.MethodsRetrospective chart review was done on patients treated with MIBG (18 mCi/kg) on Day 1 and ASCT on Day 14. Six to eight weeks after MIBG, patients without progressive disease received IV busulfan on Days −6 to −2 (target Css 700–900), melphalan (140 mg/m2 IV) on Day −1, and ASCT on Day 0. Response and toxicity were evaluated after MIBG and again after myeloablative therapy.ResultsEight patients completed MIBG/ASCT followed by BuMel/ASCT. MIBG was well tolerated, with Grade 3 or 4 non‐hematologic toxicity limited to one patient with sepsis. Grade 3 mucositis occurred in six patients after BuMel/ASCT. One patient developed sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) and died 50 days post‐ASCT following myeloablative conditioning. All patients engrafted neutrophils (median 16.5 days) and platelets (median 32 days) after BuMel, excluding the patient with SOS. After all therapy, there were three complete, two partial, and one minor response in seven evaluable patients.ConclusionsMIBG at doses up to 18 mCi/kg can be safely administered 6 weeks prior to a BuMel consolidative regimen for refractory neuroblastoma. Preceding MIBG did not impair engraftment following BuMel. This regimen is being further evaluated in a Children's Oncology Group (COG) trial. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 879–884. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of genetic and environmental factors on homocysteine levels in preterm neonates
Authors: Maayan‐Metzger Ayala , Lubetsky Aaron , Kuint Jacob , Rosenberg Nurit , Simchen Michal J. , Kuperman Amir , Strauss Tzipora , Sela Ben‐Ami , Kenet Gili 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundHyperhomocysteinemia may be associated with vascular complications in adults. Whereas pediatric thrombosis risk peaks in neonates, data on homocysteine (Hcy) levels assessed in term and preterm infants during the perinatal period are scarce. In the present study, we aimed to establish Hcy reference values for preterm infants and study their potential associations with the early post‐natal health status. Plasma Hcy and hematocrit levels and MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C substitution) were studied in a large cohort of preterm infants in a tertiary referral medical center during an 18‐month period. Data were collected on maternal history and delivery as well as on post‐natal complications.ResultsThe study cohort included 167 infants whose mean gestational age was 30.98 ± 2.34 weeks (range: 26–36 weeks), mean birth weight 1327.6 ± 327 g, and mean Hcy level 7.99 ± 3.27 (range: 2.2–21.2) µmol/L. Maternal intake of folic acid was inversely associated with the babies' Hcy levels (P = 0.0001). Increased Hcy levels positively correlated with birth weight, gestational age (P < 0.005), total number of pregnancies (P = 0.012), and presence of MTHFR polymorphism. Higher Hcy levels were associated with feeding (P = 0.008), especially total parenteral nutrition (P = 0.0001). There was no correlation between Hcy levels and any vascular post‐natal complications.ConclusionsDuring their post‐natal hospitalization, preterm infants may have relatively high, that is, within the adult normal range, Hcy levels which are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Despite the fact that no correlation was found between Hcy levels and post‐natal complications, these associations should be further studied. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 659–662. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome presenting with a clinical picture mimicking juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia
Authors: Yoshimi Ayami , Kamachi Yoshiro , Imai Kosuke , Watanabe Nobuhiro , Nakadate Hisaya , Kanazawa Takashi , Ozono Shuichi , Kobayashi Ryoji , Yoshida Misa , Kobayashi Chie , Hama Asahito , Muramatsu Hideki , Sasahara Yoji , Jakob Marcus , Morio Tomohiro , Ehl Stephan , Manabe Atsushi , Niemeyer Charlotte , Kojima Seiji 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundWiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X‐linked immunodeficiency caused by defects of the WAS protein (WASP) gene. Patients with WAS typically demonstrate micro‐thrombocytopenia.ProceduresThe report describes seven male infants with WAS that initially presented with leukocytosis, monocytosis, and myeloid and erythroid precursors in the peripheral blood (PB) and dysplasia in the bone marrow (BM), which was initially indistinguishable from juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML).ResultsThe median age of affected patients was 1 month (range, 1–4 months). Splenomegaly was absent in four of these patients, which was unusual for JMML. A mutation analysis of genes in the RAS‐signalling pathway did not support a diagnosis of JMML. Non‐haematological features, such as eczema (n = 7) and bloody stools (n = 6), ultimately led to the diagnosis of WAS at a median age of 4 months (range, 3–8 months), which was confirmed by absent (n = 6) or reduced (n = 1) WASP expression in lymphocytes by flow cytometry (FCM) and a WASP gene mutation. Interestingly, mean platelet volume (MPV) was normal in three of five patients and six of seven patients demonstrated occasional giant platelets, which was not compatible with WAS.ConclusionsThese data suggest that WAS should be considered in male infants presenting with JMML‐like features if no molecular markers of JMML can be detected. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 836–841. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation and characterization of polypyrrole/clinoptilolite nanocomposite with enhanced electrical conductivity by surface polymerization method
Authors: Rashidzadeh Azam , Olad Ali , Ahmadi Shirin 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn this work, polypyrrole/clinoptilolite nanocomposite was synthesized by in situ surface polymerization of pyrrole using Fe3+ as oxidant, incorporated on the inner and outer surface of clinoptilolite nanoparticles. Formation of nanocomposite and deposition of polypyrrole on the clinoptilolite surface was confirmed and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Elemental analysis showed the loading/incorporation of 9.18 wt% polypyrrole in the clinoptilolite structure. However the electrical conductivity of polypyrrole/clinoptilolite nanocomposite pellets was higher than that of similar pure polypyrrole pellets, synthesized through the chemical oxidation polymerization method using Fe3+ as oxidant without the presence of clinoptilolite nanoparticles. Improved structural order or crystalinity of polypyrrole chains in nanocomposite structure which was confirmed by XRD and SEM results, may be the responsible of higher electrical conductivity of nanocomposite compared to pure polypyrrole although the low content (9.18 wt%) of polypyrrole in nanocomposite. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that polypyrrole/clinoptilolite nanocomposite is electroactive similar to pure polypyrrole. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Electrical conductivity of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/expanded graphite nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization
Authors: Paszkiewicz S. , Szymczyk A. , Špitalský Z. , Soccio M. , Mosnáček J. , Ezquerra T. A. , Rosłaniec Z. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractNanocomposites based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and expanded graphite (EG) have been prepared by in situ polymerization. Morphology of the nanocomposites has been examined by electronic microscopy. The relationship between the preparation method, morphology, and electrical conductivity was studied. Electronic microscopy images reveal that the nanocomposites exhibit well dispersed graphene platelets. The incorporation of EG to the PET results in a sharp insulator‐to‐conductor transition with a percolation threshold (ϕc) as low as 0.05 wt %. An electrical conductivity of 10−3 S/cm was achieved for 0.4 wt % of EG. The low percolation threshold and relatively high electrical conductivity are attributed to the high aspect ratio, large surface area, and uniform dispersion of the EG sheets in PET matrix. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Do prostate cancer patients suffer more from depressed mood or anhedonia?
Authors: Sharpley Christopher F. , Bitsika Vicki , Christie David H. R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the prevalence of depressed mood and anhedonia in a sample of men with prostate cancer (PCa) and to determine which of these key symptoms contributed most to the overall depressive status of that sample.MethodFrom Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale (SDS) responses collected on 526 PCa patients, direct comparisons were made between the prevalence of the first two DSM‐IV‐TR symptoms of Major Depressive Episode. These symptoms were then tested for their predictive power on depression total score and Zung's criteria for ‘clinically significant’ depression.ResultsMean scores for anhedonia were significantly higher than for depressed mood, and nearly 25 times as many patients had a high score for anhedonia as for depressed mood. The same pattern of results was apparent for those patients who had clinically significant levels of depression. Anhedonia was a more powerful predictor of total SDS depression score for the entire sample as well as for those patients with more severe depression.ConclusionBecause the biological basis for anhedonia is different to that for depressed mood, treatment options also differ for patients who show a preponderance of anhedonia in their depressive symptomatology. Suggestions are made for treatment choices for these PCa patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The analysis of amphetamine‐like cathinone derivatives using positive electrospray ionization with in‐source collision‐induced dissociation
Authors: Power John D. , McDermott Seán D. , Talbot Brian , O'Brien John E. , Kavanagh Pierce 
Published: September 2012

RATIONALEAmphetamine‐like cathinone derivatives have become popular as recreational drugs over the past several years but their identification for forensic purposes is made difficult as they undergo extensive fragmentation under commonly used electron ionization (EI) conditions to afford ambiguous mass spectra. To overcome this, the feasibility of using positive electrospray ionization (ESI) with in‐source collision‐induced dissociation (CID) to produce distinguishable product ion mass spectra was examined.METHODSA set of six homologous cathinone derivatives was analyzed using an LTQ/Orbitrap™ high‐resolution mass spectrometer to establish if there are any commonalities or uniqueness in their mass spectra. These compounds and a number of other cathinone derivatives were also analyzed on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer to establish the feasibility of using in‐source CID for their identification in forensic drug samples.RESULTSThe ESI product ion mass spectra of the [M + H]+ ions of six model compounds were found to be readily interpretable and product ion formation pathways are presented. The use of such mass spectral data in the analysis of forensic drug samples facilitated the discrimination of closely related cathinone derivatives that were difficult to distinguish using conventional gas chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry. A product ion mass spectral library of 22 commonly encountered cathinone derivatives was also developed.CONCLUSIONSIt has been shown that the product ion ESI mass spectra of cathinone derivatives are readily interpretable and are useful for the identification of this drug group in forensic samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applications and Potential Toxicity of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Gang , Gao Jinhao , Ai Hua , Chen Xiaoyuan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractOwing to their unique physical and chemical properties, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have become a powerful platform in many diverse aspects of biomedicine, including magnetic resonance imaging, drug and gene delivery, biological sensing, and hyperthermia. However, the biomedical applications of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles arouse serious concerns about their pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and toxicity. In this review, the updated research on the biomedical applications and potential toxicity of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles is summarized. Much more effort is required to develop magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with improved biocompatible surface engineering to achieve minimal toxicity, for various applications in biomedicine.
Evaluation of Distracting Pain and Clinical Judgment in Cervical Spine Clearance of Trauma Patients
Authors: Kamenetsky Eric , Esposito Thomas J. , Schermer Carol R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe concept of distracting pain (DP) is a controversial subjective confounder that often impedes the efficient and timely clearance of the cervical spine (C‐spine). This study attempted to define DP more objectively and assess its true potential to mask the presence of C‐spine injury. It also evaluated reliability and safety of clinical judgment in discounting the significance of pain peripheral to the neck (PP).MethodsThis prospective study included patients with a Glasgow Coma Score ≥14 at a level I trauma center presenting in a C‐spine collar. Demographics, mechanism of injury, severity and location of all pain, and C‐spine imaging data were obtained. Patient and examiner perception of DP were ascertained using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) along with the examiner’s clinical opinion as to the presence of a fracture.ResultsA total of 160 patients were studied: 65 % male, mean age 39 years, and 44 % presenting after a motor vehicle crash. In all, 16 % complained of neck pain (NP) and 82 % of PP. There were 134 patients without NP, 110 of whom (82 %) had PP. The mean VNRS in patients with no NP was 4.2; in patients with NP it was 4.8. When examined, 14 patients without NP exhibited posterior cervical tenderness, one of whom had a fracture (7 %). Of the patients with PP, 10 % stated it was DP. The mean VNRS described as DP by all patients was 7.5 but by clinician 6.5. VNRS described as not DP was 4.8 for both patients and clinicians. Overall, 8 of the 160 patients (5 %) had confirmed C‐spine injuries. Regardless of NP or PP and its potentially distracting nature, clinicians believed no fracture was present in 95 % of all cases. Clinical impression was 98 % accurate. For patients with NP, clinical impression had a 91 % negative predictive value (NPV) and a 100 % a positive predictive value (PPV). In those without NP, the NPV was 99 % and the PPV 25 %.ConclusionsThe concept of DP is subjective and unreliable as a method to mitigate missed C‐spine injuries. If it is to be considered for use, DP should be defined as VNRS ≥5. Reliance on clinical impressions regardless of the presence or absence of NP or PP, distracting or otherwise, is accurate and safe.