bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary hypertension after pneumonectomy for lung cancer
Authors: Potaris Konstantinos , Athanasiou Athanasios , Konstantinou Marios , Zaglavira Paraskevi , Theodoridis Dimitrios , Syrigos Konstantinos N 
Published: March 2014

Background We aimed to consolidate our clinical observations regarding the development of pulmonary hypertension following pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Methods Sixty-nine of 82 initially selected patients without pulmonary or cardiac comorbidities, who underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer between October 2009 and October 2011, accomplished our protocol. Mean patient age was 60.6 years (range 44–78 years) and 10.1% were women. Results Postoperative complications occurred in 16 (23.2%) patients. Mortality at 1, 12, and 18 months postoperatively was 4.3%, 15.9%, and 29%, respectively. One year postoperatively, 37.9% of patients developed mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension and 3.4% had severe pulmonary hypertension. The calculated mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively was 21.9 ± 6.6, 27.3 ± 9.3, and 34.1 ± 14 mm Hg, respectively ( p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a cutoff point at 35.5 mm Hg for late postoperative (at 12 months) pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sensitivity 80%, specificity 82%; p < 0.001) related to suboptimal clinical outcomes (decreased performance status or death), with a detected 18-fold risk for these patients ( p < 0.001). Conclusions Pulmonary hypertension may occur after pneumonectomy with its known adverse effects. Patients with late postoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure > 35.5 mm Hg are at higher risk of a suboptimal clinical outcome.
Serum soluble ST2 is associated with ER-positive breast cancer
Authors: Lu Da-peng , Zhou Xiang-yu , Yao Lu-tian , Liu Cai-gang , Ma Wei , Jin Feng , Wu Yun-fei 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
ST2, a member of the interleukin (IL)-1receptor family, regulates Th1/Th2 immune responses in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. However, the role of ST2 signaling in tumor growth and metastasis of breast cancers has not been investigated. This study investigated the possible role of soluble ST2 (sST2) in breast cancer.

Methods
The serum levels of IL-33, sST2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 150 breast cancer patients and 90 healthy women were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Estrogen receptor(ER), progesterone receptor, human epithelial receptor (HER)-2, and cell cycle regulated protein Ki-67 were measured. Clinical stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and histological type were also recorded.

Results
The serum levels of sST2, IL-33, and VEGF were significantly higher in breast cancer patients than in the control group (P < 0.05, each). Serum sST2 levels in ER-positive breast cancer patients were significantly associated with age, histological type, clinical stage, tumor size, and Ki-67 status (P < 0.05, each). Moreover, the serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 in breast cancers significantly correlated with VEGF levels (IL-33: r = 0.375, P < 0.0001; sST2: r = 0.164, P = 0.045). Serum levels of sST2, IL-33, and VEGF decreased after modified radical mastectomy in ER-positive breast cancers. Serum levels of IL-33, sST2, and VEGF and clinicopathological factors were not significantly correlated with disease-free survival and overall survival of ER-positive breast cancer women during follow-up.

Conclusion
Serum sST2 levels in ER-positive breast cancer patients are significantly associated with factors that indicate poor prognosis.
Vapour-liquid-solid growth of ternary Bi2Se2Te nanowires
Authors: Schönherr Piet , Collins-McIntyre Liam J , Zhang ShiLei , Kusch Patryk , Reich Stephanie , Giles Terence , Daisenberger Dominik , Prabhakaran Dharmalingam , Hesjedal Thorsten 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
High-density growth of single-crystalline Bi2Se2Te nanowires was achieved via the vapour-liquid-solid process. The stoichiometry of samples grown at various substrate temperatures is precisely determined based on energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy on individual nanowires. We discuss the growth mechanism and present insights into the catalyst-precursor interaction.
Directed conjunctival biopsy and impact of histologic sectioning methodology on the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis
Authors: Bui Kelly M , Garcia-Gonzalez Jose M , Patel Sarju S , Lin Amy Y , Edward Deepak P , Goldstein Debra A 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic, multi-system, granulomatous disease with well-described ocular manifestations. However, other uveitic etiologies can manifest in a similar fashion, and ocular disease may precede systemic manifestations. Definitive diagnosis requires histologic confirmation of non-caseating granulomatous inflammation. This study reports the diagnostic yield of directed biopsy of conjunctival follicles in patients with uveitis suspected to be secondary to sarcoidosis, and compares an institutional standard tissue sectioning method to a multi-plane technique.

Results
A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients who underwent directed conjunctival biopsy for suspected ocular sarcoidosis. A total of eight patients were identified; all were females. Directed conjunctival biopsy was positive in three of seven patients using standard histologic processing method, a yield of 43%. Using the multi-plane technique increased the cumulative yield to 63%.

Conclusions
Directed conjunctival biopsy is a minimally invasive, cost-effective, and moderately high yield method of diagnosing ocular sarcoidosis. Using a multi-plane sectioning method may increase biopsy yield when standard sectioning techniques are negative.
Underestimation of Risk of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation in Women With High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer by BRCAPRO: A Multi-Institution Study
Authors: Daniels Molly S. , Babb Sheri A. , King Robin H. , Urbauer Diana L. , Batte Brittany A.L. , Brandt Amanda C. , Amos Christopher I. , Buchanan Adam H. , Mutch David G. , Lu Karen H. 
Published: March 2014

Purpose Identification of the 10% to 15% of patients with ovarian cancer who have germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations is important for management of both patients and relatives. The BRCAPRO model, which estimates mutation likelihood based on personal and family cancer history, can inform genetic testing decisions. This study's purpose was to assess the accuracy of BRCAPRO in women with ovarian cancer. Methods BRCAPRO scores were calculated for 589 patients with ovarian cancer referred for genetic counseling at three institutions. Observed mutations were compared with those predicted by BRCAPRO. Analysis of variance was used to assess factors impacting BRCAPRO accuracy. Results One hundred eighty (31%) of 589 patients with ovarian cancer tested positive. At BRCAPRO scores less than 40%, more mutations were observed than expected (93 mutations observed v 34.1 mutations expected; P < .001). If patients with BRCAPRO scores less than 10% had not been tested, 51 (28%) of 180 mutations would have been missed. BRCAPRO underestimated the risk for high-grade serous ovarian cancers but overestimated the risk for other histologies (P < .001), underestimation increased as age at diagnosis decreased (P = .02), and model performance varied by institution (P = .02). Conclusion Patients with ovarian cancer classified as low risk by BRCAPRO are more likely to test positive than predicted. The risk of a mutation in patients with low BRCAPRO scores is high enough to warrant genetic testing. This study demonstrates that assessment of family history by a validated model cannot effectively target testing to a high-risk ovarian cancer patient population, which strongly supports the recommendation to offer BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing to all patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer regardless of family history.
Risk Factors for GI Adverse Events in a Phase III Randomized Trial of Bevacizumab in First-Line Therapy of Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study
Authors: Burger Robert A. , Brady Mark F. , Bookman Michael A. , Monk Bradley J. , Walker Joan L. , Homesley Howard D. , Fowler Jeffrey , Greer Benjamin E. , Boente Matthew , Fleming Gini F. , Lim Peter C. , Rubin Stephen C. , Katsumata Noriyuki , Liang Sharon X. 
Published: March 2014

Purpose To evaluate risk factors for GI adverse events (AEs) within a phase III trial of bevacizumab in first-line ovarian cancer therapy. Patients and Methods Women with previously untreated advanced disease after surgery were randomly allocated to six cycles of platinum-taxane chemotherapy plus placebo cycles (C)2 to C22 (R1); chemotherapy plus bevacizumab C2 to C6 plus placebo C7 to C22 (R2); or chemotherapy plus bevacizumab C2 to C22 (R3). Patients were evaluated for history or on-study development of potential risk factors for GI AEs defined as grade ≥ 2 perforation, fistula, necrosis, or hemorrhage. Results Of 1,873 patients enrolled, 1,759 (94%) were evaluable, and 2.8% (50 of 1,759) experienced a GI AE: 10 of 587 (1.7%, R1), 20 of 587 (3.4%, R2), and 20 of 585 (3.4%, R3). Univariable analyses indicated that previous treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; P = .005) and small bowel resection (SBR; P = .032) or large bowel resection (LBR; P = .012) at primary surgery were significantly associated with a GI AE. The multivariable estimated relative odds of a GI AE were 13.4 (95% CI, 3.44 to 52.3; P < .001) for IBD; 2.05 (95% CI, 1.09 to 3.88; P = .026) for LBR; 1.95 (95% CI, 0.894 to 4.25; P = .093) for SBR; and 2.15 for bevacizumab exposure (aggregated 95% CI, 1.05 to 4.40; P = .036). Conclusion History of treatment for IBD, and bowel resection at primary surgery, increase the odds of GI AEs in patients receiving first-line platinum-taxane chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer. After accounting for these risk factors, concurrent bevacizumab doubles the odds of a GI AE, but is not appreciably increased by continuation beyond chemotherapy.
Utility of a rescue endovascular therapy for the treatment of major strokes refractory to full-dose intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Vanicek J , Bulik M , Brichta J , Jancalek R 
Published: March 2014

Objective: Large artery occlusion (LAO) in patients with major stroke predicts poor revascularization by intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and more likely results in a poor outcome. We focused on the effects of intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) and endovascular mechanical recanalization (EMR) as rescue therapies in major strokes refractory to IVT. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 87 patients (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale >20), who did not respond to full-dose IVT due to LAO, was performed based on their endovascular therapy status. IAT was performed as an intraclot infusion of alteplase, and EMR was provided by the Solitaire device™ (Covidien, Dubin, Ireland). The recanalization and 3-month outcome rates after IAT/EMR were correlated with a group of patients who were scheduled to receive endovascular treatment but who underwent only IVT. Results: We achieved successful recanalization by IAT and EMR in 68.7% and 76.1% of patients, respectively. Despite no significant differences in mortality between IAT and EMR, a trend towards better outcomes after IAT and a statistically significant increase for outcome-modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0–3 (45.7%) and mRS 0–2 (34.9%) after EMR was noted when compared with IVT. The degree of recanalization did not correlate with the functional results except for the good–moderate outcome after successful recanalization by EMR. Conclusion: EMR by the Solitaire device is a safe and beneficial method for the rescue treatment of patients with major stroke whose neurological status does not improve and who fail to recanalize the LAO after a 1-h full dose of IVT. Advances in knowledge: The article verifies efficiency of the Solitaire device in major strokes.
Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles: A Biodistribution Study Using Xenopus laevis Embryos
Authors: Giannaccini Martina , Cuschieri Alfred , Dente Luciana , Raffa Vittoria 
Published: March 2014

Various in-vivo biological models have been proposed for studying the interactions of nanomaterials with biological systems. Recently, there has been a significant increase in interest in the use of non-mammalian embryos, such as the frog Xenopus laevis as valid models for research in nanomedicine. In the present work, we demonstrate that X. laevis is a powerful model for the study of the biodistribution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPION), extensively used in biomedical field for cell separation, MRI diagnostics and magnetic drug-targeting.
10 nl of 25 mg/ml of SPIONs (nano-screen MAG/ARA 200 nm, Chemicell) were microinjected. The biodistribution of SPIONs, following cardiac or pronephros injection of anesthetized frog larvae at stage 37, was studied by both in-vivo florescence and by Prussian blue staining of paraffin sections of the larvae after 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours (at 14 °C). The study confirmed that SPIONs diffused from either injection site by blood stream to all larval organs, being still present after 96 hours of injection.
Reseña del libro Impactos socioculturales en el turismo comunitario: Una visión desde los pueblos implicados (Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, México)
Authors: Almarcha Martínez Francisco 
Published: March 2014

Reseña del libro "Impactos socioculturales en el turismo comunitario: Una visión desde los pueblos implicados (Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, México)" de Mª José Pastor y Domingo Gómez López, Alicante: Aguaclara, 2011.
Las fuentes de información empleadas por los turistas vacacionales en los destinos turísticos
Authors: Luna Cortés Gonzalo 
Published: March 2014

En esta investigación se analiza el uso de las fuentes de información y su incidencia en distintas etapas del proceso de decisión, incidiendo en la búsqueda de información realizada por los turistas en destino. Los resultados muestran que tanto el número y tipo de fuentes de información utilizadas, así como la intensidad de la búsqueda y las decisiones tomadas en destino, es muy diferente del que realizan los turistas antes de llegar a su destino vacacional. Basados en los resultados, como parte de las conclusiones, se exponen ciertas directrices de interés para la gestión empresarial, en relación a la utilización de fuentes de información en los destinos turísticos.
Lanthanides as substitutes for calcium ions in the activation of plant α-type phospholipase D
Authors: Dressler Lars , Golbik Ralph , Ulbrich-Hofmann Renate 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Most types of phospholipase D (PLD) from plants contain a C2 domain and are activated by Ca2+ ions. In this study, other metal ions such as Mg2+, La3+, Ce3+, Tb3+ and Y3+ were examined as effectors of recombinantly produced α-type PLD from white cabbage. All the rare earth ions were able to substitute for Ca2+. The activation curves and displacement experiments reflect a 10- to 50-fold higher affinity of PLD for these ions than for Ca2+; however, the maximum activity attained only 36% of that in the presence of Ca2+. Mg2+ displaced Ca2+ without being able to activate PLD. All ions were bound to the substrate micelles consisting of phosphatidyl-p-nitrophenol, Triton X-100 and SDS (1:8:1, by mole). The affinity of rare earth ions to the micelles was 100-fold higher than that of Ca2+ and Mg2+. A conformational change of the enzyme induced by the low affinity but specific binding of Ca2+ ions is concluded to be essential for maximal PLD activity. As demonstrated by the measurement of Tb3+ fluorescence, the substitution of Ca2+ by rare earth ions provides a new avenue for studying the enigmatic role of Ca2+ ions in the modulation of PLD activity in plants.
Self-assembled polysaccharide nanostructures for controlled-release applications
Authors: Myrick James M. , Vendra Venkat Kalyan , Krishnan Sitaraman 
Published: March 2014

AbstractSelf-assembling polysaccharide nanostructures have moved to the forefront of many fields due to their wide range of functional properties and unique advantages, including biocompatability and stimulus responsiveness. In particular, the field of controlled release, which involves influencing the location, concentration, and efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), diagnostics, nutrients, or other bioactive compounds, has benefited from polysaccharide biomaterials. Nanostructure formation, stimulus responsiveness, and controlled-release performance can be engineered through facile chemical functionalization and noncovalent intermolecular interactions. This review discusses polysaccharide nanoparticles, designed for targeted and time-controlled delivery of emerging APIs, with improved
The Shadow Economy in Colombia: Size and Effects on Economic Growth
Authors: Schneider Friedrich , Hametner Bettina 
Published: March 2014

AbstractUsing the currency demand approach, size and development of Colombia’s shadow economy are estimated over the period from 1980 to 2012. The results show a great extent of shadow economic activity varying over time between 27 and 56% of GDP. The most important factors driving the shadow economy are indirect taxation and unemployment. Analyzing the interaction between shadow and official economy, the shadow economy has a negative effect on the official one. Average growth of real per capita GDP is 1.86% between 1980 and 2012, without shadow economy it would have been higher around 0.12 percentage points on average.
Sorption of metal cations on suspended bentonite: effects of pH, ionic strength and complexing anions
Authors: Verma Parveen Kumar , Pathak Priyanath , Mohapatra Prasanta Kumar 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Batch sorption experiments have been carried out to understand the
interaction of different metal cations such as Am(III), Eu(III),
Sr(II), and Cs(I) with bentonite clay at varying pH (1–9). The
effects of other experimental parameters such as ionic strength
(0.01–1 M (NaClO4)), clay to metal ion
concentration ratio, and the presence of complexing anions such as
oxalic acid (ox), carbonate (CO3
2−),
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and humic acid (HA) on Eu(III)
sorption have also been investigated. The sorption of Eu(III) has been
found to be invariant with the change in ionic strength suggesting
inner-sphere complexation on the bentonite surface. Near quantitative
sorption of Eu(III) and Am(III) has been observed in the entire pH
range and there is marginal influence of the presence of
1 · 10
–4 M of ox and CO3
2− on the sorption
profile. However, the presence of 1 · 10
–4 M EDTA suppresses
the sorption of Eu(III) ion onto bentonite. Desorption studies of
Eu(III) loaded onto bentonite using varying concentrations of
HClO4 (0.01–1.0 M) solutions reveal that higher
acidity favors the process. The sorption of Eu(III) on bentonite
followed the Langmuir isotherm suggesting monolayer sorption
process. The data fitting to D-R isotherm suggested that the Eu(III)
sorption on bentonite follows ion exchange mechanism. The sorption
capacity of bentonite clay was determined to be
3.8(± 0.1) × 10−4 moles/g using Langmuir and D-R isotherms.
Effects of Sample Selection Bias on the Accuracy of Population Structure and Ancestry Inference
Authors: Shringarpure Suyash , Xing Eric P 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Population stratification is an important task in genetic analyses. It provides information about the ancestry of individuals and can be an important confounder in genome-wide association studies. Public genotyping projects have made a large number of datasets available for study. However, practical constraints dictate that of a geographical/ethnic population, only a small number of individuals are genotyped. The resulting data are a sample from the entire population. If the distribution of sample sizes is not representative of the populations being sampled, the accuracy of population stratification analyses of the data could be affected. We attempt to understand the effect of biased sampling on the accuracy of population structure analysis and individual ancestry recovery. We examined two commonly used methods for analyses of such datasets, ADMIXTURE and EIGENSOFT, and found that the accuracy of recovery of population structure is affected to a large extent by the sample used for analysis and how representative it is of the underlying populations. Using simulated data and real genotype data from cattle, we show that sample selection bias can affect the results of population structure analyses. We develop a mathematical framework for sample selection bias in models for population structure and also proposed a correction for sample selection bias using auxiliary information about the sample. We demonstrate that such a correction is effective in practice using simulated and real data.
Predicting Discovery Rates of Genomic Features
Authors: Gravel Simon ,   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) GO Exome Sequencing Project
Published: March 2014

AbstractSuccessful sequencing experiments require judicious sample selection. However, this selection must often be performed on the basis of limited preliminary data. Predicting the statistical properties of the final sample based on preliminary data can be challenging, because numerous uncertain model assumptions may be involved. Here, we ask whether we can predict “omics” variation across many samples by sequencing only a fraction of them. In the infinite-genome limit, we find that a pilot study sequencing 5% of a population is sufficient to predict the number of genetic variants in the entire population within 6% of the correct value, using an estimator agnostic to demography, selection, or population structure. To reach similar accuracy in a finite genome with millions of polymorphisms, the pilot study would require ∼15% of the population. We present computationally efficient jackknife and linear programming methods that exhibit substantially less bias than the state of the art when applied to simulated data and subsampled 1000 Genomes Project data. Extrapolating based on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Exome Sequencing Project data, we predict that 7.2% of sites in the capture region would be variable in a sample of 50,000 African Americans and 8.8% in a European sample of equal size. Finally, we show how the linear programming method can also predict discovery rates of various genomic features, such as the number of transcription factor binding sites across different cell types.
Diarrhea in Preschool Children and Lactobacillus reuteri: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gutierrez-Castrellon Pedro , Lopez-Velazquez Gabriel , Diaz-Garcia Luisa , Jimenez-Gutierrez Carlos , Mancilla-Ramirez Javier , Estevez-Jimenez Juliana , Parra Minerva 
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate whether daily administration of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 reduces the frequency and duration of diarrheal episodes and other health outcomes in day school children in Mexico.

METHODS:
Healthy children (born at term, aged 6–36 months) attending day care centers were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. They received L reuteri DSM 17938 (dose 108 colony-forming unit; n = 168) or identical placebo (n = 168) by mouth, daily for 3 months, after which they were followed-up after a further 3 months without supplementation.

RESULTS:
Data from all children were included in the final analysis. L reuteri DSM 17938 significantly reduced the frequency and duration of episodes of diarrhea and respiratory tract infection at both 3 and 6 months (P &lt; .05). Additionally, the number of doctor visits, antibiotic use, absenteeism from day school and parental absenteeism from work were significantly reduced in the L reuteri group (P &lt; .05). A cost-benefit analysis revealed significant reductions in costs in the L reuteri-treated children. No adverse events related to the study product were reported.

CONCLUSIONS:
In healthy children attending day care centers, daily administration of L reuteri DSM 17938 had a significant effect in reducing episodes and duration of diarrhea and respiratory tract infection, with consequent cost savings for the community.