bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective effects of argatroban and C5a receptor antagonist (PMX53) following intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Li G , Fan R-M , Chen J-L , Wang C-M , Zeng Y-C , Han C , Jiao S , Xia X-P , Chen W , Yao S-T 
Published: October 2013

Summary
Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a subtype of stroke that associated with neurological dysfunction and inflammation, which may be ameliorated by a neuroprotective strategy targeting the complement cascade. The protective effect of C5a-receptor antagonist (PMX53) solely and in combination with thrombin antagonist (argatroban) was investigated in the ICH mouse model, respectively. Adult male C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice and C3–/– mice were randomized to receive PMX53/argatroban 1, 3 and 5 days after ICH. A double injection technique was used to infuse 25 μl of autologous whole blood into the right striatum. Mice in the sham group received only needle insertion. Brain water content and mRNA of inflammatory factors were measured on the first, third and fifth days after ICH, respectively. Neurological dysfunction was assessed using a 28-point neurological scoring system in the three cohorts, namely, on days 1, 3 and 5 following ICH. Animals treated with PMX53/argatroban demonstrated significant improvements in neurological function and fewer neurological apoptosis detected by TUNEL [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling] and βIII-tubulin dual-staining compared with vehicle-treated animals. Compared with sham-treated mice, the brain water content in argatroban/PMX53-treated mice was decreased significantly in both the ipsilateral cortex and ipsilateral striatum. Administration of PMX53/argatroban provided a synergistic neuroprotective effect via reducing inflammatory factors and brain oedema, leading to improvements in neurofunctional outcome. The results of this study indicated that simultaneous blockade of the thrombin and C5a receptors represent a promising neuroprotective strategy in haemorrhagic stroke.
Effects of Intravenous and Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine in Spinal Anesthesia: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Niu Xiao‐Yin , Ding Xi‐Bing , Guo Ting , Chen Ming‐Hui , Fu Shu‐Kun , Li Quan 
Published: October 2013

SummaryPurposeTo assess the effects of dexmedetomidine on the duration of sensory and motor block, postoperative analgesia, hypotension, bradycardia, and side effects in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.MethodsTwo researchers searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane controlled trial register independently for randomized controlled trials comparing dexmedetomidine with a placebo without any language restrictions.ResultsA total of 412 patients from eight trials were included in this study. The results revealed that dexmedetomidine was statistically significant in prolonging the duration of sensory block (mean difference, MD = 73.55; 95% CI, [55.69, 91.40] P < 0.00001, I2 = 89%) and motor block (MD = 59.11; 95% CI, [29.58, 88.65] P < 0.00001, I2 = 91%) and the time to first request for postoperative analgesia (MD = 245.77, 95% CI, [143.53, 348.00] P < 0.00001, I2 = 98%). The occurrence of hypotension (OR = 0.60, 95% CI, [0.3–1.23], P = 0.40, I2 = 3%) and side effects (OR = 0.9, 95% CI, [0.36–2.22], P = 0.88, I2 = 0%) was not significantly different between dexmedetomidine and placebo. However, dexmedetomidine was associated with more frequent bradycardia requiring atropine (OR = 7.55; 95% CI, [2.76–20.63], P = 0.63, I2 = 0%).ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis has shown that dexmedetomidine prolonged the duration of spinal anesthesia and improved postoperative analgesia and did not increase the incidence of hypotension and adverse events, but needs more atropine to reverse bradycardia.
Tumour budding is a reproducible index for risk stratification of patients with Stage II colon cancer
Authors: Lai Y.‐H. , Wu L.‐C. , Li P.‐S. , Wu W.‐H. , Yang S.‐B. , Xia P. , He X.‐X. , Xiao L.‐B. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimHigh‐risk patients with Stage II colon cancer may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, but it is difficult to identify such a patient group. A robust and reproducible index would be helpful to select the subset of Stage II colon cancer patients at high risk. This study investigated the potential prognostic significance of tumour budding in Stage II colon cancer.MethodIn all, 135 Stage II colon cancer patients with known outcome were identified. The degree of tumour budding was assessed by two individual observers and was classified, according to the number of tumour buds in the area with the greatest budding intensity on haematoxylin and eosin slides, as high‐grade budding (10 or more tumour buds) and low‐grade budding (0–9 buds). Inter‐observer agreement for two observers was assessed by using the kappa test. Progression‐free and cancer‐specific survivals were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression.ResultsThe 5‐year progression‐free survival rates for patients with high‐grade tumour budding (n = 36) and those with low‐grade budding (n = 99) were 57.6% and 89.0% (P < 0.001). The 5‐year cancer‐specific survival rates were 66.7% vs 92.0% (P < 0.001). Cox regression analyses demonstrated tumour budding as an independent predictor of disease progression (hazard ratio 4.982, P < 0.001) and cancer‐related death (hazard ratio 4.142, P = 0.003). The two observers agreed on the classification of tumour budding in 118 cases (87.4%) and the inter‐observer agreement was good (κ = 0.692).ConclusionTumour budding is a strong and reproducible prognostic factor for adverse outcome in Stage II colon cancer, which may serve as a prognostic marker to identify patients with a high risk of recurrence who may benefit from adjuvant therapy.
Incidence and long‐term outcomes of squamous cell bladder cancer after deceased donor renal transplantation
Authors: Davis N. F. , McLoughlin L. C. , Dowling C. , Power R. , Mohan P. , Hickey D. , Smyth G. , Eng M. , Little D. M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo review the incidence and long‐term outcomes of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder in patients after kidney transplantation.MethodsBetween January 1976 and March 2013, five patients from one center (0.0013%) developed SCC of the bladder after undergoing a deceased donor kidney transplant. Their relevant risk factors included long‐term self‐intermittent catheterization/indwelling catheter (n = 2), smoking history (n = 2), and a prior history of cyclophosphamide treatment for vasculitis (n = 1). Primary outcome variables were overall patient survival and latency period between transplantation and SCC diagnosis.ResultsThe duration of long‐term follow‐up was 94 ± 89 (range: 4–239) months. The latency period between transplantation and bladder SCC was 87 ± 87 (range: 2–228) months, and all five patients were immunosuppressed with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. Four patients had suspected metastases upon presentation, and one patient presented with organ‐confined disease. This patient underwent a radical cystectomy and remains disease free eight months post‐operatively. Despite radical treatment, the remaining four patients died from metastatic disease 7 ± 4.4 (range: 2–11) months after their initial diagnosis.ConclusionSCC of the bladder has a poor prognosis particularly in renal transplant patients. Early detection with flexible cystourethroscopy in patients with risk factors for SCC may improve long‐term outcomes in this patient cohort.
A randomized, crossover pharmacokinetic study comparing generic tacrolimus vs. the reference formulation in subpopulations of kidney transplant patients
Authors: Bloom R. D. , Trofe‐Clark J. , Wiland A. , Alloway R. R. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAn exploratory, post hoc analysis was performed using data from a prospective, multicenter, open‐label, randomized, two‐period (14 d per period), two‐sequence, crossover, steady‐state pharmacokinetic study comparing generic tacrolimus (Sandoz) vs. reference tacrolimus in stable renal transplant patients receiving their pre‐study twice‐daily dose. Pharmacokinetic parameters were compared in 68 patients according to gender, African American ethnicity, the presence or absence of diabetes, and use of steroids. The ratios of tacrolimus AUC0–12 h, Cmax, and C12 with generic vs. reference tacrolimus were calculated using the geometric mean (GM) of dose‐normalized values at days 14 and 28. Mean (SD) tacrolimus dose at baseline was 5.7 (4.2) mg/d. There were no consistent differences in dose‐normalized AUC0–12 h, C12, Cmax, or tmax between the generic and reference preparations within subpopulations. The 90% confidence intervals (CI) for the ratios of dose‐normalized AUC0–12 h and C12 with generic vs. reference tacrolimus were within 80–125% for all subpopulations, as were 90% CIs for Cmax other than for females, African Americans, and non‐diabetics, which is not unexpected given the wide variability of tacrolimus Cmax and the small subpopulation sizes. These exploratory results suggest that this generic tacrolimus preparation would be expected to offer comparable bioavailability to the reference drug in these patient subpopulations.
Decision Support System of Truck Routing and Refueling: A Dual‐Objective Approach
Authors: Suzuki Yoshinori , Dai Jing 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe variable‐route vehicle‐refueling problem (VRVRP) is a variant of the network‐flow problem which seeks, for a vehicle traveling from origin s to destination d, both the route and the refueling policy (sequence of fuel stations to use between s and d) that jointly minimize the fuel cost of operating the vehicle. Commercial‐grade decision support systems that solve the VRVRP are widely used by motor carriers, but they provide heuristic solutions only. Exact methods are available from the academic side, but because they focus on minimizing costs, they tend to cut fuel costs in exchange for increased vehicle miles (which can increase fuel consumptions and pollutants emission). We propose a new approach to the VRVRP that allows carriers to jointly seek the two possibly conflicting goals; minimizing fuel cost and vehicle miles. Computational testing shows that our approach (i) outperforms the commercial software products in both goals, and (ii) finds solutions that require significantly less vehicle miles than those given by the exact method proposed in the academic literature, without incurring unacceptable increases in fuel cost.
Efficiency Evaluation in Search Advertising
Authors: Ayanso Anteneh , Mokaya Brian 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIn this article, we use data envelopment analysis combined with principal component analysis to evaluate the efficiency of online retailers in search advertising. We examine various efficiency model specifications involving several resource and performance‐related variables in search advertising. Our analysis based on 200 retailers suggests different efficiency patterns for multichannel and Web‐only retailers. The results of our efficiency pattern analysis indicate that the performance metrics, impressions, online sales, click‐through rate, and conversion rate together reveal differences in efficiency mainly for multichannel retailers. On the other hand, ad positions in sponsored and organic links reveal differences in efficiency for Web‐only retailers. In terms of overall efficiency, we find that multichannel retailers occupy relatively most of the top positions. These results contribute to organizational level understanding of search advertising practices in online retailing and offer insights into keyword management, resource utilization, and performance metrics in search advertising campaigns.
Supply Chain Knowledge and Performance: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wowak Kaitlin D. , Craighead Christopher W. , Ketchen David J. , Hult G. Tomas M. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTMany firms make significant investments into developing and managing knowledge within their supply chains. Such investments are often prudent because studies indicate that supply chain knowledge (SCK) has a positive influence on performance. Key questions still surround the SCK–performance relationship, however. First, what is the overall relationship between SCK and performance? Second, under what conditions is the relationship stronger or weaker? To address these questions, we applied meta‐analysis to 35 studies of the SCK–performance relationship that collectively include more than 8,400 firms. Our conservative estimate is that the effect size of the overall relationship is = .39. We also find that the SCK–performance relationship is stronger when (i) examining operational performance, (ii) gathering data from more than one supply chain node, (iii) gathering data from multiple countries, (iv) examining service industries, and (v) among more recently published studies. We also found that studies that embraced a single theory base (as opposed to using multiple ones) had a stronger SCK–performance relationship. Looking to the future, our meta‐analysis highlights the need for studies to (i) include lags between the measurement of SCK and performance, (ii) gather upstream data when examining innovation, (iii) examine SCK within emerging countries, and (iv) provide much more information relative to the nuances of the SCK examined.
Distribution Channel Network and Relational Performance: The Intervening Mechanism of Adaptive Distribution Flexibility
Authors: Yu Kangkang , Cadeaux Jack , Song Hua 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTNetwork theories argue that organizations can enjoy information and control benefits from the network in which they are embedded. Focusing on distribution channel networks with strong, prominent, and central ties, this article argues that distribution flexibility, composed of logistics and relationship flexibility, is a response to environmental uncertainty that mediates the effect of channel network embeddedness on relationship performance. Results show that logistics flexibility and relationship flexibility fully mediate the effect of channel network embeddedness on relationship satisfaction, but that only relationship flexibility mediates the effect of channel network embeddedness on long‐term relationship orientation. Furthermore, not only is the effect of tie strength on logistics flexibility stronger in an uncertain environment, but relationship flexibility also decreases as the congruence between uncertainty and tie strength increases, suggesting a complex higher‐order contingency model.
Randomized, 1‐year comparison of three ways to initiate and advance insulin for type 2 diabetes: twice‐daily premixed insulin versus basal insulin with either basal‐plus one prandial insulin or basal‐bolus up to three prandial injections
Authors: Riddle M. C. , Rosenstock J. , Vlajnic A. , Gao L. 
Published: October 2013

AimMany patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) initiate insulin therapy when other treatments fail; how best to do this is poorly defined.MethodsPeople with T2DM [n = 588; glycated haemoglobin A1C (A1C) >7.0%, mean baseline 9.4%] were randomized to twice‐daily premixed protamine‐aspart/aspart insulin (PM − 2), once‐daily insulin glargine plus zero to one prandial insulin glulisine injection (G + 1), or insulin glargine plus zero to three prandial injections (G + 3). Insulin was titrated for 60 weeks. Efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed.ResultsDiscontinuation rates were 53 of the 194 (27%), 44 of the 194 (23%) and 38 of the 194 (20%), for PM − 2, G + 1 and G + 3. Glycaemic control improved in all groups (A1C 7.2 ± 1.37, 7.1 ± 1.68 and 7.0 ± 1.21% at 60 weeks; 7.5 ± 1.29, 7.2 ± 1.62 and 7.2 ± 1.63% at endpoint). G + 1 was statistically non‐inferior to PM − 2 in reducing A1C. G + 3 was slightly superior to PM − 2 in attaining <7.0% at 60 weeks, but only when the analysis included Good Clinical Practice non‐adherent sites. Hypoglycaemia with plasma glucose <2.8 mmol/l was more frequent with PM − 2 versus G + 1 and G + 3; [adjusted incidence: 46 (p = 0.0087) vs. 33 (p = 0.0045) and 31.5%; events per patient‐year: 1.9 vs. 0.8 and 0.9, p ≤ 0.0001]. Insulin dosage and weight‐gain were similar.ConclusionBasal insulin plus a single prandial injection is as effective in improving glycaemic control as premixed insulin. Full basal‐prandial therapy is only slightly more effective than premixed insulin. Stepwise basal‐prandial regimens improve glycaemic control with less hypoglycaemia than twice‐daily premixed insulin.
Value of the Mitral Valve Resistance in Evaluation of Symptomatic Patients with Mild and Moderate Mitral Stenosis – A Dobutamine Stress Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Roshdy Hisham S. , Meshrif Amir M. , El‐Dosouky Ibtesam I. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundConventional stenosis indexes poorly reflect the major hemodynamic consequence of mitral stenosis (MS). Valve resistance (VR) is a physiologic expression of stenosis.ObjectivesThis study aimed to demonstrate whether the mitral valve resistance (MVR) and its changes, relate to restricted exercise capacity in patients with mild and moderate mitral stenosis.MethodsTwenty‐four patients with rheumatic mild‐to‐moderateMSunderwent transthoracic echocardiographic study (resting and dobutamine stress echocardiography [DSE]), divided into two groups; group I: symptomatic (12 patients) and groupII: asymptomatic (12 patients). Mitral valve area (MVA), mean transmitral diastolic pressure gradient (TMPG), cardiac output (CO), andMVRwere measured in all patients at rest and at peakDSE. Changes (∆) inMVA,TMPG,CO, andMVRwere calculated. Data underwent statistical analysis.ResultsFrom resting to peak dobutamine infusion, theMVRsignificantly decreased from 111.4 ± 28.2 to 83.6 ± 27.0 dynes sec/cm5in groupII(P < 0.001). The increase inMVRin group I (13.8 ± 10.3 dynes sec/cm5) compared with its reduction (−27.8 ± 15.6 dynes sec/cm5) in groupIIwere highly significant different (P < 0.001). A reduction inMVRby less than 21.5 dynes sec/cm5at peak dobutamine infusion reflect a cutoff value considered to detect the hemodynamic significance of mild‐to‐moderateMSwith a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 73%.ConclusionThe changes in theMVRcan be used as aDSEparameter for expression of stenosis severity and to describe discrepancy in symptom status in patients with mild‐to‐moderate mitral stenosis.
Addition of thalidomide to melphalan and prednisone treatment prolongs survival in multiple myeloma – a retrospective population based study of 1162 patients
Authors: Lund Johan , Uttervall Katarina , Liwing Johan , Gahrton Gösta , Alici Evren , Aschan Johan , Holmberg Erik , Nahi Hareth 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe combination of melphalan and prednisone (MP) has been the standard treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Since the introduction of novel agents, the clinical outcome in MM has improved. Six randomized prospective studies with thalidomide combined with melphalan and prednisone (MPT) compared to MP have been performed, most of them showing that MPT gives a better response rate and median overall survival (OS). Amongst 1843 MM patients admitted to 15 Swedish centres, we selected all patients treated with MP and MPT in first, second, third or fourth line of therapy, in total 888 patients treated with MP and 274 with MPT. Patients were evaluated for response rate, OS and Time to Next Treatment. Multivariate Cox model analysis was made to adjust for different criteria at time for MM‐diagnosis. The median OS from beginning of first line of treatment was 2.2/4.2 yrs after MP/MPT respectively, and in second, third and fourth line of treatment 1.8/2.9, 1.4/1.6 and 1.1/1.9 yrs (P < 0.0001, 0.003, 0.74 and 0.235). The relative risk for death in the MPT group vs. the MP group was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.45–0.84) in first and 0.55 (0.38–0.83), P < 0.01) in second line. Treatment with MPT gave a significantly better OS rate after both first and second line of therapy when compared with treatment with MP only.
Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on risky decision making are mediated by ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ decisions, personality, and hemisphere
Authors: Pripfl Jürgen , Neumann Renate , Köhler Ulla , Lamm Claus 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPrevious results point towards a lateralization of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) function in risky decision making. While the right hemisphere seems involved in inhibitory cognitive control of affective impulses, the left DLPFC is crucial in the deliberative processing of information relevant for the decision. However, a lack of empirical evidence precludes definitive conclusions. The aim of our study was to determine whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right DLPFC with cathodal tDCS over the lDLPFC (anodal right/cathodal left) or vice versa (anodal left/cathodal right) differentially modulates risk‐taking in a task [the Columbia Card Task (CCT)] specifically engaging affect‐charged (Hot CCT) vs. deliberative (Cold CCT) decision making. The facilitating effect of the anodal stimulation on neuronal activity was emphasized by the use of a small anode and a big cathode. To investigate the role of individual differences in risk‐taking, participants were either smokers or non‐smokers. Anodal left/cathodal right stimulation decreased risk‐taking in the ‘cold’ cognition version of the task, in both groups, probably by modulating deliberative processing. In the ‘hot’ version, anodal right/cathodal left stimulation led to opposite effects in smokers and non‐smokers, which might be explained by the engagement of the same inhibitory control mechanism: in smokers, improved controllability of risk‐seeking impulsivity led to more conservative decisions, while inhibition of risk‐aversion in non‐smokers resulted in riskier choices. These results provide evidence for a hemispheric asymmetry and personality‐dependent tDCS effects in risky decision making, and may be important for clinical research on addiction and depression.
Gap junction networks can generate both ripple‐like and fast ripple‐like oscillations
Authors: Simon Anna , Traub Roger D. , Vladimirov Nikita , Jenkins Alistair , Nicholson Claire , Whittaker Roger G. , Schofield Ian , Clowry Gavin J. , Cunningham Mark O. , Whittington Miles A. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractFast ripples (FRs) are network oscillations, defined variously as having frequencies of > 150 to > 250 Hz, with a controversial mechanism. FRs appear to indicate a propensity of cortical tissue to originate seizures. Here, we demonstrate field oscillations, at up to 400 Hz, in spontaneously epileptic human cortical tissue in vitro, and present a network model that could explain FRs themselves, and their relation to ‘ordinary’ (slower) ripples. We performed network simulations with model pyramidal neurons, having axons electrically coupled. Ripples (< 250 Hz) were favored when conduction of action potentials, axon to axon, was reliable. Whereas ripple population activity was periodic, firing of individual axons varied in relative phase. A switch from ripples to FRs took place when an ectopic spike occurred in a cell coupled to another cell, itself multiply coupled to others. Propagation could then start in one direction only, a condition suitable for re‐entry. The resulting oscillations were > 250 Hz, were sustained or interrupted, and had little jitter in the firing of individual axons. The form of model FR was similar to spontaneously occurring FRs in excised human epileptic tissue. In vitro, FRs were suppressed by a gap junction blocker. Our data suggest that a given network can produce ripples, FRs, or both, via gap junctions, and that FRs are favored by clusters of axonal gap junctions. If axonal gap junctions indeed occur in epileptic tissue, and are mediated by connexin 26 (recently shown to mediate coupling between immature neocortical pyramidal cells), then this prediction is testable.