bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term medical outcomes in survivors of extra‐ocular retinoblastoma: The Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) experience
Authors: Friedman Danielle Novetsky , Sklar Charles A. , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Kernan Nancy A. , Khakoo Yasmin , Marr Brian P. , Wolden Suzanne L. , Abramson David H. , Dunkel Ira J. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundData on long‐term outcomes of survivors of extra‐ocular retinoblastoma are lacking. The authors sought to provide the first report characterizing long‐term outcomes among survivors of extra‐ocular retinoblastoma.ProcedureRetrospective analysis of long‐term medical outcomes in 19 survivors of extra‐ocular retinoblastoma treated between 1992 and 2009. Severity of outcomes was graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. All patients received intensive multimodality therapy for their extra‐ocular disease after management of their primary intra‐ocular disease, including conventional chemotherapy (n = 19, 100%), radiotherapy (n = 15, 69%), and/or high‐dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (n = 17, 89%).ResultsThe median follow‐up was 7.8 years from diagnosis of extra‐ocular retinoblastoma (range 2–17.8 years). The most common long‐term non‐visual outcomes were hearing loss (n = 15, 79%), short stature (n = 7, 37%), and secondary malignancies [SMN] (n = 6, 31%). Sixty‐eight percent of survivors exhibited ≥2 non‐visual long‐term outcomes of any grade. Except short stature, which was not graded for severity, Grade 3–4 outcomes were limited to: ototoxicity (n = 8; n = 4 require hearing aids), SMNs (n = 6), and unequal limb length (n = 1). Five patients who developed SMNs carried a known RB1 mutation. SMNs developed at a median of 11.1 years after initial diagnosis; two patients died of their SMN. Long‐term cardiac, pulmonary, hepatobiliary, or renal conditions were not identified in any survivors.ConclusionLong‐term outcomes are commonly seen in extra‐ocular retinoblastoma survivors but the majority are mild‐moderate in their severity. Longer comprehensive follow‐up is needed to fully assess treatment‐related outcomes but the information collected to date may affect management decisions for children with extra‐ocular disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 694–699. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Upper thoracic shape in children with pectus excavatum: Impact on lung function
Authors: Redding Gregory J. , Kuo Wieying , Swanson Jonathan O. , Phillips Grace S. , Emerson Julia , Yung Delphine , Swanson Jordan W. , Sawin Robert S. , Avansino Jeffrey R. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectivePectus excavatum (PE) can present with respiratory complaints in childhood. However severity of the PE, measured by the Pectus Severity Index (PSI), correlates only modestly with reduced vital capacity (VC). We hypothesized that another upper thoracic feature, a pectus gracilis (PG) or slender chest, co‐exists with PE, and impacts lung function.Patients and MethodsWe developed the Pectus Gracilis Index (PGI) based on the chest width to depth ratio at the gladiolar‐manubrial sternal junction on computerized tomographic (CT) scans, and measured PGI among 316 control children 10–20 years old. PG was defined by PGI values >2 z‐scores above the mean normal value. We determined the prevalence of PG in 97 children with PE and correlated PGI and PSI with VC among the 86 that performed spirometry.ResultsThe mean and upper limit of normal for PGI averaged 2.73 and 3.55, respectively for control children. The prevalences of a PG among controls and children with PEs were 3.2% and 59%, respectively (OR = 45, P < 0.00001). Among the children with PEs, the PGI, and PSI correlated with one another (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). Both PSI and PGI significantly correlated inversely with VC. (r = −0.34, P < 0.001 and r = −0.38, P < 0.001, respectively). Importantly, PGI correlated with VC after adjusting for PSI among children with PE. (r = 0.20, P < 0.03).ConclusionThe upper thoracic feature of a PG is common among children with PE and contributes to reductions in VC. Assessment of the thorax, using the PGI, may improve the structure‐function correlations previously described for children with PE. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:817–823. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2): Blood‐based biomarker elevated in metastatic prostate cancer associated with the neuroendocrine phenotype
Authors: Kani Kian , Malihi Paymaneh D. , Jiang Yuqiu , Wang Haiying , Wang Yixin , Ruderman Daniel L. , Agus David B. , Mallick Parag , Gross Mitchell E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is associated with metastatic progression in prostate cancer cells as well as other normal and malignant tissues. We investigated AGR2 expression in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.METHODSBlood was collected from 44 patients with metastatic prostate cancer separated as: castration sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC, n = 5); castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC, n = 36); and neuroendocrine‐predominate CRPC defined by PSA ≤ 1 ng/ml in the presence of wide‐spread metastatic disease (NE‐CRPC, n = 3). AGR2 mRNA levels were measured with RT‐PCR in circulating tumor cell (CTC)‐enriched peripheral blood. Plasma AGR2 levels were determined via ELISA assay. AGR2 expression was modulated in prostate cancer cell lines using plasmid and viral vectors.RESULTSAGR2 mRNA levels are elevated in CTCs and strongly correlated with CTC enumeration. Plasma AGR2 levels are elevated in all sub‐groups. AGR2 levels vary independently to PSA and change in some patients in response to androgen‐directed and other therapies. Plasma AGR2 levels are highest in the NE‐CRPC sub‐group. A correlation between AGR2, chromagranin A (CGA), and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) expression is demonstrated in prostate cancer cell lines.CONCLUSIONSWe conclude that AGR2 expression is elevated at the mRNA and protein level in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. In particular, we find that AGR2 expression is associated features consistent with neuroendocrine, or anaplastic, prostate cancer, exemplified by an aggressive clinical phenotype without elevation in circulating PSA levels. Further studies are warranted to explore the mechanistic and prognostic implications of AGR2 expression in this patient population. Prostate 73: 306–315, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PSMA‐targeted SPECT agents: Mode of binding effect on in vitro performance
Authors: Nedrow‐Byers Jessie R. , Moore Adam L. , Ganguly Tanushree , Hopkins Mark R. , Fulton Melody D. , Benny Paul D. , Berkman Clifford E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe enzyme‐biomarker prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an active target for imaging and therapeutic applications for prostate cancer. The internalization of PSMA has been shown to vary with inhibitors' mode of binding: irreversible, slowly reversible, and reversible.METHODSIn the present study, PSMA‐targeted clickable derivatives of an irreversible phosphoramidate inhibitor DBCO‐PEG4‐CTT‐54 (IC50 = 1.0 nM) and a slowly reversible phosphate inhibitor, DBCO‐PEG4‐CTT‐54.2 (IC50 = 6.6 nM) were clicked to 99mTc(CO)3‐DPA‐azide to assemble a PSMA‐targeted SPECT agent. The selectivity, percent uptake, and internalization of these PSMA‐targeted SPECT agents were evaluated in PSMA‐positive and PSMA‐negative cells.RESULTSIn vitro studies demonstrated that PSMA‐targeted SPECT agents exhibited selective cellular uptake in the PSMA‐positive LNCaP cells compared to PSMA‐negative PC3 cells. More importantly, it was found that 99mTc(CO)3‐DPA‐DBCO‐PEG4‐CTT‐54 based on an irreversible PSMA inhibitor core, exhibited greater uptake and internalization than 99mTc(CO)3‐DPA‐DBCO‐PEG4‐CTT‐54.2 constructed from a slowly reversible PSMA inhibitor core.CONCLUSIONSWe have demonstrated that a PSMA‐targeted SPECT agent can be assembled efficiently using copper‐less click chemistry. In addition, we demonstrated that mode of binding has an effect on internalization and percent uptake of PSMA‐targeted SPECT agents; with the irreversible targeting agent demonstrating superior uptake and internalization in PSMA+ cells. The approach demonstrated in this work now supports a modular approach for the assembly of PSMA‐targeted imaging and therapeutic agents. Prostate 73: 355–362, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abdominal color of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is associated with susceptibility to various insecticides
Authors: Tiwari Siddharth , Killiny Nabil , Mann Rajinder S , Wenninger Erik J , Stelinski Lukasz L 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundColor morphs of an insect species are known to vary in activities of detoxifying enzymes and associated susceptibility to insecticides. In Diaphorina citri, three color morphs are known to occur. In the present study, susceptibility to four insecticides was compared among gray/brown, blue/green and orange/yellow color morphs of field‐collected D. citri.ResultsThe orange/yellow morph was significantly more susceptible to fenpropathrin than the blue/green morph, and imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos caused higher mortality in the orange/yellow morph than in the blue/green and gray/brown morphs. To confirm the genetic basis of variable levels of susceptibility, the relative expression of five CYP4 genes was compared among the color morphs. CYP4C67 was expressed at significantly higher levels in the blue/green than in the orange/yellow and gray/brown morphs. CYP4DA1, CYP4C68, CYP4G70 and CYP4DB1 were expressed at significantly higher levels in the blue/green and gray/brown morphs than in the orange/yellow morph. Lower expression of CYP4 genes in the orange/yellow morph as compared with the others was correlated with reduced signal of 45 kD cytochrome P450 proteins, as determined by the western blot.ConclusionsThe results indicate differential susceptibility of D. citri color morphs to insecticides, which will need to be accounted for in future insecticide monitoring programs and may affect management programs.
Amorphous structures of Ge/Sb/Te alloys: Density functional simulations
Authors: Akola J. , Jones R. O. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSince their first development in the 1960s, phase change (PC) memory materials have become essential components of optical memories (DVD‐RW, Blu‐ray Disc, …) used in countless households worldwide. They are now poised to play a decisive role in future non‐volatile computer memories. PC memory materials are restricted to those with an extremely rapid and reversible transition between the amorphous and crystalline phases of an appropriate recording medium, and their development and optimization has been hindered by the inherent difficulties in determining amorphous structures. Alloys of germanium, antimony, and tellurium (“GST” alloys) are among the most widely used in the above contexts, and there has been much speculation concerning their amorphous structures. Theoreticians were slow to appreciate the rich array of problems awaiting their attention, but the past few years have seen a dramatic change in this situation. Density functional (DF) calculations, which are generally free of adjustable parameters, have now been reported on numerous systems. We review here the information that has resulted about the amorphous structures of GST‐alloys.
Practical work: Its effectiveness in primary and secondary schools in England
Authors: Abrahams Ian , Reiss Michael J. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe report here on the first of two evaluations of a national project (Getting Practical: Improving Practical Work in Science—IPWiS) designed to improve the effectiveness of practical work in both primary and secondary schools in England. This first baseline evaluation of the effectiveness of practical work is based on a study of a diverse range of 30 practical lessons undertaken in non‐selective primary (n = 10) and secondary (n = 20) schools prior to the teachers undertaking a training intervention designed to improve their effective use of practical work. A multi‐site case study approach employing a condensed fieldwork strategy was used in which data were collected, using audiotape‐recorded discussions, interviews, and observational field notes. The analysis, based on work by Millar et al. and Tiberghien, considers what students do and think relative to what their teacher intended them to do and think. In both primary and secondary schools, the widespread use of highly structured “recipe” style tasks meant that practical work was highly effective in enabling students (n = 857) to do what the teacher intended. Whilst tasks in primary schools tended to be shorter than in secondary schools, with more time devoted to helping students understand the meaning of new scientific words, neither primary nor secondary teachers' lesson plans incorporated explicit strategies to assist students in making links between their observations and scientific ideas. As such, tasks were less effective in enabling students to use the intended scientific ideas to understand their actions and reflect upon the data they collected. These findings suggest that practical work might be made more effective, in terms of developing students' conceptual understanding—an aim of the IPWiS project—if teachers adopted a more “hands‐on” and “minds‐on” approach and explicitly planned how students were to link these two essential components of practical work. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 49: 1035–1055, 2012
Higgs mass and vacuum stability in the Standard Model at NNLO
Authors: Degrassi Giuseppe , Di Vita Stefano , Elias-Miró Joan , Espinosa José R. , Giudice Gian F. , Isidori Gino , Strumia Alessandro 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

We present the first complete next-to-next-to-leading order analysis of the Standard Model Higgs potential. We computed the two-loop QCD and Yukawa corrections to the relation between the Higgs quartic coupling (λ) and the Higgs mass (M

h
), reducing the theoretical uncertainty in the determination of the critical value of M

h
for vacuum stability to 1 GeV. While λ at the Planck scale is remarkably close to zero, absolute stability of the Higgs potential is excluded at 98 % C.L. for M

h

< 126 GeV. Possible consequences of the near vanishing of λ at the Planck scale, including speculations about the role of the Higgs field during inflation, are discussed.
Periampullary Diverticulum May Be an Important Factor for the Occurrence and Recurrence of Bile Duct Stones
Authors: Li Xun , Zhu Kexiang , Zhang Lei , Meng Wenbo , Zhou Wence , Zhu Xiangliang , Li Bo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the relation between periampullary diverticula (PAD) and biliary tract stones.MethodsA total of 732 cases of patients with PAD identified from among 6,221 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were compared to 750 controls (without PAD) in terms of biliary stone formation, incidence of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), and choledocholithiasis. The biliary tract diseases were diagnosed based on medical history, clinical symptoms and signs, and imaging findings using ultrasonography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.ResultsThe PAD group contained a significantly larger number of patients with biliary stones including stones in the primary common bile duct, SOD with bile duct stones (p < 0.05), and choledocholithiasis after cholecystectomy (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThere is a close correlation between PAD and the formation of biliary tract stones. A particularly close correlation was found between PAD and choledocholithiasis after cholecystectomy. PAD may be an important risk factor for the occurrence or recurrence of biliary tract stones.
Biotic factor does not limit operational pH in packed-bed bioreactor for ferrous iron biooxidation
Authors: Mazuelos Alfonso , Moreno José María , Carranza Francisco , Palomino Carmen , Torres Antonio , Villalobo Eduardo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractFerrous ion biooxidation is a process with many promising industrial applications: mainly regeneration of ferric ion as an oxidizing reagent in bioleaching processes and depuration of acid mine drainage. The flooded packed-bed bioreactor (FPB) is the design that leads to the highest biooxidation rate. In this bioreactor, biomass is immobilized in a biofilm that consists of an inorganic matrix, formed by precipitated ferric compounds, in the pores of which cells are attached. This biofilm covers the surface of particles (siliceous stone) that form the bed. The chemical stability of this inorganic matrix defines the widest possible pH range in FPBs. At pH below 1, ferric matrix is dissolved and cells are washed out. At pH higher than 2, ferric ion precipitates massively, greatly hindering mass transfer to cells. Thus, among other parameters, pH is recognised as a key factor for operational control in FPBs. This paper aims to explain the effect of pH on FPB operation, with an emphasis on microbial population behaviour. FPBs seeded with mixed inocula were assayed in the pH range from 2.3 to 0.8 and the microbial population was characterised. The microbial consortium in the bioreactor is modified by pH; at pH above 1.3 Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is the dominant microorganism, whereas at pH below 1.3 Leptospirillum ferrooxidans dominates. Inoculum can be adapted to acidity during continuous operation by progressively decreasing the pH of the inlet solution. Thus, in the pH range from 2.3 to 1, the biotic factor does not compromise the bioreactor performance.
Turbulent boundary layers at moderate Reynolds numbers: inflow length and tripping effects
Authors: Schlatter Philipp , Örlü Ramis 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA recent assessment of available direct numerical simulation (DNS) data from turbulent boundary layer flows (Schlatter & Örlü,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 659, 2010, pp. 116–126) showed surprisingly large differences not only in the skin friction coefficient or shape factor, but also in their predictions of mean and fluctuation profiles far into the sublayer. While such differences are expected at very low Reynolds numbers and/or the immediate vicinity of the inflow or tripping region, it remains unclear whether inflow and tripping effects explain the differences observed even at moderate Reynolds numbers. This question is systematically addressed by re-simulating the DNS of a zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer flow by Schlatteret al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 21, 2009, art. 051702). The previous DNS serves as the baseline simulation, and the new DNS with a range of physically different inflow conditions and tripping effects are carefully compared. The downstream evolution of integral quantities as well as mean and fluctuation profiles is analysed, and the results show that different inflow conditions and tripping effects do indeed explain most of the differences observed when comparing available DNS at low Reynolds number. It is further found that, if transition is initiated inside the boundary layer at a low enough Reynolds number (based on the momentum-loss thickness)${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } \lt 300$, all quantities agree well for both inner and outer layer for${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } \gt 2000$. This result gives a lower limit for meaningful comparisons between numerical and/or wind tunnel experiments, assuming that the flow was not severely over- or understimulated. It is further shown that even profiles of the wall-normal velocity fluctuations and Reynolds shear stress collapse for higher${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } $irrespective of the upstream conditions. In addition, the overshoot in the total shear stress within the sublayer observed in the DNS of Wu & Moin (Phys. Fluids, vol. 22, 2010, art. 085105) has been identified as a feature of transitional boundary layers.
Dietary protein, blood pressure and renal function in renal transplant recipients
Authors: van den Berg Else , Engberink Mariëlle F. , Brink Elizabeth J. , van Baak Marleen A. , Gans Rijk O. B. , Navis Gerjan , Bakker Stephan J. L. 
Published: August 2012

Hypertension is highly prevalent among renal transplant recipients (RTR) and a risk factor for graft failure and cardiovascular events. Protein intake has been claimed to affect blood pressure (BP) in the general population and may affect renal function. We examined the association of dietary protein with BP and renal function in RTR. We included 625 RTR (age 53 (sd13) years; 57 % male). Protein intake was assessed with a FFQ, differentiating between animal and plant protein. BP was measured according to a strict protocol. Creatinine clearance and albuminuria were measured as renal parameters. Protein intake was 83 (sd12) g/d, of which 63 % derived from animal sources. BP was 136 (sd17) mmHg systolic (SBP) and 83 (sd11) mmHg diastolic (DBP). Creatinine clearance was 66 (sd26) ml/min; albuminuria 41 (10–178) mg/24 h. An inverse, though statistically insignificant, association was found between the total protein intake and both SBP (β = − 2·22 mmHg persd,P= 0·07) and DBP (β = − 0·48 mmHg persd,P= 0·5). Protein intake was not associated with creatinine clearance. Although albuminuria was slightly higher in the highest tertile of animal protein intake compared with the lowest tertile (66v. 33 mg/d, respectively,P= 0·03), linear regression analyses did not reveal significant associations between dietary protein and albuminuria. Protein intake exceeded the current recommendations. Nevertheless, within the range of protein intake in our RTR population, we found no evidence for an association of dietary protein with BP and renal function. Intervention studies focusing on different protein types are warranted to clarify their effect on BP and renal function in RTR.
Genetic diversity assessment of extra-early maturing yellow maize inbreds and hybrid performance inStriga-infested andStriga-free environments
Authors: AKAOGU I. C. , BADU-APRAKU B. , ADETIMIRIN V. O. , VROH-BI I. , OYEKUNLE M. , AKINWALE R. O. 
Published: August 2012

SUMMARYMaize (Zea maysL.), a major staple food crop in West and Central Africa (WCA), is adapted to all agro-ecologies in the sub-region. Its production in the sub-region is greatly constrained by infestation ofStriga hermonthica(Del.) Benth. The performance and stability of the extra-early maturing hybrids, which are particularly adapted to areas with short growing seasons, were assessed underStriga-infested andStriga-free conditions. A total of 120 extra-early hybrids and an open-pollinated variety (OPV) 2008 Syn EE-Y DT STR used as a control were evaluated at two locations each underStriga-infested (Mokwa and Abuja) andStriga-free (Ikenne and Mokwa) conditions in 2010/11. TheStriga-resistant hybrids were characterized by higher grain yield, shorter anthesis–silking interval (ASI), better ear aspect, higher numbers of ears per plant (EPP), lowerStrigadamage rating, and lower number of emergedStrigaplants at 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) compared with the susceptible inbreds. UnderStrigainfestation, mean grain yield ranged from 0·71 to 3·18 t/ha and 1·19 to 3·94 t/ha underStriga-free conditions. The highest yielding hybrid, TZEEI 83×TZEEI 79, out-yielded the OPV control by 157% underStrigainfestation. The hybrids TZEEI 83×TZEEI 79 and TZEEI 67×TZEEI 63 were the highest yielding under bothStriga-infested andStriga-free conditions. The genotype main effect plus genotype×environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis identified TZEEI 88×TZEEI 79 and TZEEI 81×TZEEI 95 as the ideal hybrids across research environments. Twenty-three pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity among the inbred lines. The correlations between the SSR-based genetic distance (GD) estimates of parental lines and the means observed in F1hybrid underStrigainfestation and optimum growing conditions were not significant for grain yield and other traits except ASI under optimum conditions. Grain yield of inbreds was not significantly correlated with that of F1hybrids. However, a significant correlation existed between F1hybrid grain yield and heterosis underStrigainfestation (r=0·72,P<0·01). These hybrids have the potential for increasing maize production inStrigaendemic areas in WCA.