bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The epigenome of synovial fibroblasts: an underestimated therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Frank-Bertoncelj Mojca , Gay Steffen 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPerturbed epigenetic landscape and deregulated microRNA networks are central to the permanent activation and aggressiveness of synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis. Current anti-cytokine therapies, although effectively halting synovitis, cannot reverse the stably activated destructive phenotype of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts, offering rather limited protection against ongoing joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Targeting the deregulated epigenome of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts is key to developing joint-protective strategies in rheumatoid arthritis. To date, different pathogenic mechanisms have been identified that can profoundly impact the epigenetic derangements in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts, including increased consumption of S-adenosylmethionine, a principal methyl donor in DNA methylation reactions, together with deregulation of crucial DNA- and histone-modifying enzymes. Re-establishing globally disturbed DNA methylation patterns in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts by supplementing S-adenosylmethionine while preventing its leakage into polyamine cycles may be a promising therapeutic strategy in rheumatoid arthritis and the first epigenetic treatment to target rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts at the scene of the crime. Given the dynamic nature and reversibility of epigenetic modifications, their involvement in human diseases and recent perspectives on epigenetic therapies in cancer, epigenetic targeting of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts should be within future reach.
Application of different fertilizers on morphological traits of dill (Anethum graveolens L.)
Authors: Nejatzadeh-Barandozi Fatemeh , Gholami-Borujeni Fathollah 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitroxin biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer on the growth, yield, and essential oil composition of dill. The experiment was conducted under field condition in randomized complete block design with three replications and two factors.

Results
The first factor was the concentrations of nitroxin biofertilizer (0%, 50%, and 100%) of the recommended amount (1 l of biological fertilizer for 30 kg of seed). The second factor was the following chemical fertilizer treatments: no fertilizer (control) and 50 and 100 kg ha−1 urea along with 300 kg ha−1 ammonium phosphate. Different characteristics such as plant height, number of umbel per plant, number of umbellet per umbel, number of grain per umbellet, 1,000 seed weight, grain yield, biological yield, and oil percentage were recorded. According to the results, the highest height, biological yield, and grain yield components (except harvest index) were obtained on biological fertilizer. The results showed the highest essential oil content detected in biological fertilizer and chemical fertilizer. Identification of essential oil composition showed that the content of carvone increased with the application of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers. The results indicated that the application of biofertilizers enhanced yield and other plant criteria in this plant.

Conclusions
Generally, it seems that the use of biofertilizers or combinations of biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer could improve dill performance in addition to reduction of environmental pollution.
On the Impact of Misclassification in an Ordinal Exposure Variable
Authors: Wang Dongxu , Gustafson Paul 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSay that interest focuses on the relationship between an exposure variable and an outcome variable; however, the exposure variable is subject to measurement error. While exceptions have been identified, in almost all circumstances nondifferential measurement error leads to attenuated regression coefficients and lost power to detect associations. In the case of an ordinal exposure variable subject to nondifferential misclassification, we confirm that power is always lost in a general test for association between the exposure and outcome variables. Surprisingly, however, we find that for a linear test of trend, a gain in power is possible.
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Using Evidence of Effectiveness in Terms of Progression Free Survival in Making Reimbursement Decisions on New Cancer Therapies
Authors: Stevens Warren , Philipson Tomas , Wu Yanyu , Chen Connie , Lakdawalla Darius 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Payers increasingly require evidence of a statistically significant difference in overall survival (OS) for reimbursement of new cancer therapies. At the same time, it becomes increasingly costly to design clinical trials that measure OS endpoints instead of progression-free survival (PFS) endpoints. While PFS is often an imperfect proxy for OS effects, it is also faster and cheaper to measure accurately. This study develops a general cost-benefit framework that quantifies the competing trade-offs of the use of PFS versus that of OS in oncology reimbursement. We then apply this general framework to the illustrative case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). In the particular case of mRCC, the framework demonstrates that the net benefit to society from basing reimbursement decisions on PFS endpoints could be between $271 and $1271 million in the United States, or between €171 and €1128 million in Europe. In longevity terms, waiting for OS data in this case would result in a net loss of 3549–14,557 life-years among US patients, or 6785–27,993 life-years for European patients. While more stringent standards for medical evidence improve accuracy, they also impose countervailing costs on patients in terms of foregone health gains. These costs must be weighed against the benefits of greater accuracy. The magnitudes of the costs and benefits may vary across tumor types and need to be quantified systematically.
Ordered vacancies in the commensurately modulated structure of SrPt1.833☐0.167Sn2
Authors: Schwickert Christian , Hoffmann Rolf-Dieter , Winter Florian , Pöttgen Rainer 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The stannide SrPt1.833☐0.167Sn2 was synthesized from the elements in a sealed niobium tube in a high-frequency furnace. Its structure was determined by and refined on the basis of single crystal X-ray diffraction data at 300 and 90 K. The refinement of 1177/1169 F
2 values with 34/37 variables leads to residuals [I≥3σ(I)] R
M=0.026 (375) and R
S=0.075 (53)/R
M=0.0211 (408) and R
S=0.0503 (128) for the 300/90 K data sets, respectively. SrPt1.833☐0.167Sn2 crystallizes with an orthorhombic (3+1)D structure with the supercentered superspace group C

c

mme(0β0)s00 [β=1/3 b
*, a=655.25(15), b=656.7(4), c=2062.3(5) pm]. It is related to the tetragonal CaBe2Ge2 type structure. The crystal chemistry is described and the structure solution is discussed based on (3+2)D–(3+1)D–3D group-subgroup relations in the Bärnighausen formalism. 119Sn Mössbauer spectra at ambient temperature and 78 K revealed a single signal with isomer shifts of δ=1.78(1) and δ=1.83(1) mm s–1 with quadropole splitting of ΔEQ=0.71(1) and 0.86(1) mm s–1, respectively reflecting the low-symmetric site symmetry of the tin atoms. SrPt1.833☐0.167Sn2 was classified as a Pauli-paramagnet by magnetic susceptibility measurements. Its specific heat capacity is C

pm
=121.4(1) J mol–1K–1 at 300 K.
Application of Elastic-Plastic Fracture Mechanics to Determine the Locational Variation in Fracture Properties of Cortical Bone
Authors: Sharma N. K. , Pal Ruchita , Sehgal D. K. , Pandey R. K. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The complex nature of bone material results in a locational variation of fracture and mechanical properties. The heterogeneity associated with bone material and complex hierarchical assembly results in several toughening mechanisms, such as plasticity, micro-cracking, viscoplasticity, etc. These toughening mechanisms and presence of water in bone material makes the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) inapplicable in such materials. The present work is focused on the elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) approach to estimate the locational variation in fracture properties of buffalo cortical bone for longitudinal, as well as transverse orientation of cracking. Samples from upper, middle, and lower locations of bone diaphysis were tested using compact tension and single-edge notch-bending testing methods for longitudinal and transverse orientation of cracking, respectively. The crack-tip opening displacement (CTOD) approach was applied to determine fracture properties, such as CTOD toughness (δc), J integral (Jcδ), and equivalent fracture toughness (Kδc) at different locations of bone diaphysis. The effect of orientation and location on mechanical properties of cortical bone, such as elastic modulus (E) and yield strength (σys), was also analyzed with the help of tensile testing. The equivalent fracture toughness values (Kδc) obtained in the present work were found to be three times higher than the corresponding values reported in the previous reports where the LEFM approach was applied favoring the application of EPFM for bone materials. The mechanical properties, as well as the fracture properties, were found to be maximum at middle location and minimum at lower location of bone diaphysis. The locational variation in fracture and mechanical properties observed in the present work are considered to be because of locational distribution of collagen fibrils, minerals, porosity, and density at different locations of bone diaphysis.
Novel Technique for Normalizing Load–Displacement Curves in Fracture Testing
Authors: Mourad A-H. I. , Abu-Assi Aladdin , Haggag Fahmy M. , Chao Yuh J. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Fracture experiments conducted as part of research on stable crack behavior in low alloy steel (EN 34NiCrMo6) are analyzed and presented. CT specimens of low constraint (section slenderness ratio, b0/B ∼ 6), with various crack depth and different loading angles, ϕ, were investigated. Analysis of the load displacement curves revealed that the initiation load is found to be the same when normalized to the maximum load, Pmax. The load-line displacement ΔLL at Pmax (ΔPmax) was also found to have a single value. Hence the load displacement curves were presented as a unique normalized P–ΔLL curve. These normalized curves demonstrate having a single “representative/trend” curve that characterises the stable crack growth behavior. The proposed normalization technique was also applied to additional literature data on different materials with various specimen configurations and loading modes with success. This technique could also be useful in studying the fracture of low constraint specimens and contributing to the transferability issue for structural application.
Batch Intensive Quenching Processes for Minimizing Steel Part Distortion and Improving Part Performance Characteristics
Authors: Kobasko N. I. , Aronov M. A. , Guseynov SH. E. , Rimshans J. S. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper discusses an intensive quenching method known as the IQ-2 process. The IQ-2 method is a two- or three-step quenching process for steel parts conducted in highly agitated water. The method is based on the use of a self-regulated thermal process that takes place during the quenching of steel parts in cold liquids such as water or water–salt solution. This quenching method eliminates the film boiling process and provides better control of the martensitic transformation during quenching, resulting in a significant reduction of part distortion after quenching. It also improves material mechanical properties and the performance characteristics of steel parts. It is underlined that proper software and equipment should be used when applying the IQ-2 quenching method for steel parts. Several practical examples of the application of the IQ-2 process are provided.
Vertebroplasty Using Calcium Triglyceride Bone Cement (Kryptonite™) for Vertebral Compression Fractures
Authors: Guarnieri Gianluigi , Tecame Mario , Izzo Roberto , Vassallo Pasquale , Sardaro Angela , Iasiello Francesca , Cavaliere Carlo , Muto Mario 
Published: June 2014

This study assessed the one-year clinical and radiographic outcomes, in terms of pain-relief, vertebral re-fracture and complications, after vertebroplasty (VP) using a new osteoconductive cement (calcium triglyceride bone cement - Kryptonite™ bone cement, Doctors Research Group Inc., Southbury, CT, USA) to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Sixteen consecutive osteoporotic patients (12 women and four men, mean age 68+/-10.5) were treated with VP using Kryptonite™ bone cement for a total of 20 vertebral fractures. All the patients complained of a pain syndrome resistant to medical therapy and all procedures were performed under fluoroscopy control with neuroleptoanalgesia using a monopedicular approach in 12 patients and bipedicular approach in four patients. All patients were studied by MR and MDCT and were evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) before treatment and at one and 12 months after the procedure. A successful outcome was observed in 80% of patients, with a complete resolution of pain. Differences in pre and post treatment VAS and ODI at one-year follow-up were significant (P<0.0001). We observed a disk and venous leakage in 66% of patients but only in one case did an asymptomatic pulmonary embolism occur during cement injection. Two cases of vertebral re-fractures at distant metamers were observed during follow-up. VP using Kryptonite bone cement is a helpful procedure that allows complete and long-lasting resolution of painful vertebral symptoms. The cost of the material is very high and the rate of disk and venous leakage is too high compared to standard cement.
Needle-in-Needle Technique for Percutaneous Retrieval of a Fractured Biopsy Needle during CT-Guided Biopsy of the Thoracic Spine
Authors: Shaikh Hamza , Thawani Jayesh , Pukenas Bryan 
Published: June 2014

Common complications related to CT-guided percutaneous thoracic bone biopsy procedures include pneumothorax and muscular hematoma. Serious, but rare complications include paralysis, nerve injury, CSF leak, and aortic injury. Device failure has not been well documented in the literature. We discuss our experience with biopsy needle breakage during retrieval of a core specimen and the technique used to help retrieve an embedded needle using a CT fluoroscopic-guided, needle-in-needle approach. A 43 year-old man with Stage IIIa NSCLC was found to have a T11 vertebral body lesion as seen on PET, CT, and MR imaging. The patient underwent a CT-guided biopsy in the prone position. The T11 vertebral body was localized and cannulated using the percutaneous Bonopty® (Apriomed, Upsala, Sweden) needle device. After fine needle aspiration samples were obtained, a core needle biopsy was attempted with a 16-gauge device. The needle fractured 4 cm deep to the skin during removal of a sclerotic lesion, leaving a retained portion within the pedicle and vertebral body. Using CT-guided fluoroscopy, a large diameter Murphy M2 needle was advanced over the distal portion of the fractured Bonopty needle. The Murphy M2 needle was advanced distal to the tip of the Bonopty needle and removed, capturing the broken Bonopty penetration needle along with a core specimen. Larger-bore biopsy needle systems and/or a coaxial system should be used to perform core biopsies in sclerotic lesions to prevent device fracture. If there is device fracture, a larger-bore needle may be used to help capture the fractured needle and prevent open surgery.
Dural Arteriovenous Shunt Development in Patients with Vein of Galen Malformation
Authors: Paramasivam Srinivasan , Niimi Yasunari , Meila Dan , Berenstein Alejandro 
Published: June 2014

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) associated with our series of patients with vein of Galen malformations (VOGM) are analyzed and discussed. We retrospectively analyzed 87 consecutive cases of VOGM treated between May 2002 and December 2011 and identified 26 patients with DAVF. We gathered information from the clinical case records, angiographic images, MRI on presentation and during follow-up. The findings were analyzed to aid discussion. Among 87 patients treated by multi-stage endovascular embolization, age range from newborn to 19 years, 26 (30%) had DAVF. In seven patients (8%), DAVF were found on initial angiogram and were all into the VOGM. Nineteen (21%) DAVF found on follow-up angiograms were all into the VOGM and distant locations. Sprouting and non-sprouting angiogenesis resulted in the formation of a network of vessels around partially thrombosed VOGM, recruiting blood from the surrounding dura mater resulting in a secondary network on the dura mater supplied by the blood vessels of dura mater in the region or from its natural collaterals. Embolization targeting DAVFs was done in 13 (52%) with complete cure in eight (32%) and recurrence in five (20%). Among 12 non-embolized patients (48%), eight (32%) had spontaneous regression with continued treatment of VOGM. In others, the DAVF either remained stable or progressed. DAVF associated with VOGM represent the dural response to angiogenic stimuli. They are observed to regress spontaneously or mature while continuing to treat the primary feeders of VOGM. It is important to include the external carotid system during angiograms. Persistent DAVF with residual VOGM that do not have access though the pial vessels are used as a conduit to treat the dural shunt and to achieve obliteration of residual VOGM at later stages of treatment.
Clinical evidence-based cutoff limits for GH stimulation tests in children with a backup of results with reference to mass spectrometry
Authors: Wagner I V , Paetzold C , Gausche R , Vogel M , Koerner A , Thiery J , Arsene C G , Henrion A , Guettler B , Keller E , Kiess W , Pfaeffle R , Kratzsch J 
Published: June 2014

ContextCutoff limits of GH stimulation tests to diagnose GH deficiency (GHD) in children and adolescents are not sufficiently validated by clinical studies due to discrepancies in the performance of GH immunoassays and lack of available study populations.ObjectiveWe aimed to establish new cutoff limits for GH stimulation tests based on clinical evidence and compared these immunoassay-based values with an antibody-independent mass spectrometric method.Design and settingIn a retrospective study, GH cutoff limits for eight different immunoassays and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID-MS) were calculated from hGH peak concentrations of short-statured children with and without GHD.PatientsWe compared the serum GH peak concentrations at GH stimulation test of 52 short-statured children and adolescents, who have normal GH secretion at initial workup and normal growth in the follow-up, with the serum GH peak concentrations of 44 GHD patients in the same age range, in order to optimize the cutoff limit calculation.ResultsDiscriminant analysis of re-measured GH led to a new cutoff limit of 7.09 μg/l using the iSYS assay (IDS) and the limits for the other seven hGH assays varied between 4.32 and 7.77 μg/l. For ID-MS, cutoffs of 5.48 μg/l (22k GH) and 7.43 μg/l (total GH) were ascertained.ConclusionThe establishment of method-specific clinical evidence-based GH cutoff limits is of importance to ensure adequate clinical diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with GHD. ID-MS may become an important tool for providing both reliable and sustainable SI traceability of GH measurements in the future.
Soil biochar amendment in a nature restoration area: effects on plant productivity and community composition
Authors: van de Voorde Tess F. J. , Bezemer T. Martijn , Van Groenigen Jan Willem , Jeffery Simon , Mommer Liesje 
Published: June 2014

Biochar (pyrolyzed biomass) amendment to soils has been shown to have a multitude of positive effects, e.g., on crop yield, soil quality, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. So far the majority of studies have focused on agricultural systems, typically with relatively low species diversity and annual cropping schemes. How biochar amendment affects plant communities in more complex and diverse ecosystems that can evolve over time is largely unknown. We investigated such effects in a field experiment at a Dutch nature restoration area.In April 2011, we set up an experiment using biochar produced from cuttings collected from a local natural grassland. The material was pyrolyzed at 400°C or at 600°C. After biochar or residue (non‐pyrolyzed cuttings) application (10 Mg/ha), all plots, including control (0 Mg/ha) plots, were sown with an 18‐species grassland mixture. In August 2011, we determined characteristics of the developed plant community, as well as soil nutrient status.Biochar amendment did not alter total plant productivity, but it had a strong and significant effect on plant community composition. Legumes were three times as abundant and individual legume plants increased four times in biomass in plots that received biochar as compared to the control treatment. Biomass of the most abundant forb (Plantago lanceolata) was not affected by biochar addition. Available phosphorous, potassium, and pH were significantly higher in soils that received biochar than in Control soils. The rate of biological nitrogen fixation and seed germination were not altered by biochar amendment, but the total amount of biological N fixed per Trifolium pratense (red clover) plant was more than four times greater in biochar‐amended soil.This study demonstrates that biochar amendment has a strong and rapid effect on plant communities and soil nutrients. Over time these changes may cascade up to other trophic groups, including above‐ and belowground organisms. Our results emphasize the need for long‐term studies that examine not only the short‐term effects of biochar amendment, but also follow how these effects evolve over time and affect ecosystem functioning.
Comparison of Two Differently Processed Acellular Dermal Matrix Products for Root Coverage Procedures: A Prospective, Randomized Multicenter Study
Authors: Wang Hom‐Lay , Romanos Georgios E. , Geurs Nicolaas C. , Sullivan Andrew , Suárez‐López del Amo Fernando , Eber Robert M. 
Published: June 2014

Background: The purpose of this multicenter randomly controlled clinical trial was to compare two acellular dermal matrix (ADM) materials produced by different processing techniques, freeze‐dried (FDADM) and solvent‐dehydrated (SDADM) ADM, in their ability to correct Miller Class I and II recession defects.Methods: Eighty individuals from four study centers, each with a single maxillary anterior Miller Class I or II recession defect were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned and treated with coronally advanced flap (CAF) + FDADM (n = 42) or CAF + SDADM (n = 38). Gingival thickness, recession depth, recession width, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level, gingival index, plaque index, patient discomfort, and wound healing index were recorded before surgery (day 0), immediately after surgery (day 1), and 2, 4, 12, 24, and 52 weeks postoperatively. The Student t test, paired t test, and Kruskal‐Wallis one‐way ANOVA were used to analyze the data.Results: When evaluating the clinical parameters after 1 year, both groups showed significant (P <0.05) improvement for most of the parameters evaluated when compared to baseline (day 0). For example, percentage of root coverage was 77.21% ± 29.10% for CAF + FDADM and 71.01% ± 32.87% for CAF + SDADM. Conversely, no significant differences were observed between the two materials for any clinical parameter tested or for patient satisfaction except PD on the mesial side of the defects (P = 0.03).Conclusions: Both FDADM and SDADM can be used successfully to correct Miller Class I or II recession defects. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for any of the clinical parameters tested.