bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
External Counterpulsation of a Systemic-to-Pulmonary Artery Shunt Increases Coronary Blood Flow in Neonatal Piglets
Authors: DeCampli William M. , Secasanu Virgil , Argueta-Morales I. Ricardo , Cox Kelly , Ionan Constantine , Kassab Alain J. 
Published: December 2014

Background: Systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt (SPS) palliation reduces coronary blood flow (CBF), which may precipitate myocardial ischemia postoperatively. Hypothesis: Counterpulsation (CP) of SPS augments CBF. Methods: Seven neonatal piglets (4.3 ± 0.23 kg) underwent sternotomy and ductus ligation. With a 5-mm polytetrafluoroethylene graft, SPS was created from innominate to pulmonary artery. A rigid shell holding a 9.5-mm diameter balloon was placed around the graft for CP. Using electrocardiographic signal, CP was initiated to trigger balloon inflation/deflation during the diastolic/systolic intervals, respectively. Instantaneous proximal and distal pulmonary artery and mid-anterior descending coronary artery flow rates were measured using transit time flow probes. Blood pressure and flow rates were recorded during three states: shunt closed, shunt open, and shunt open with CP. Statistical Comparison: Friedman’s test and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Diastolic pressure decreased significantly with the shunt open (39 ± 8.4 to 28 ± 4.5 mm Hg, P = .05), then increased with CP (33 ± 2.3 mm Hg, P = .03). Median ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow (Qp/Qs) was 1.19, 1.9, and 1.53 with shunt closed, open, and open with CP, respectively. With CP, both diastolic coronary flow per minute ( P = .018) and average diastolic flow rate per diastolic interval ( P = .03) increased as well as total coronary flow per minute ( P = .066; 19.6% ± 11.7%, 25.2% ± 17.0%, and 15.4% ± 13.9% change from shunt open, respectively). The percentage increase in average diastolic flow rate per diastolic interval correlated strongly with Qp/Qs ( R2 = .838). Conclusions: In this model of SPS, CP increased diastolic blood pressure and CBF while maintaining significant augmentation of pulmonary blood flow (Qp/Qs). Shunt CP may aid in early postoperative management of palliative congenital heart disease.
Fluorescein Dye-Guided Intraoperative Identification and Closure of Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect
Authors: Bishnoi Arvind Kumar , Garg Pankaj , Desai Manan , Sharma Pranav , Patel Jigar , Prajapati Mrugesh , Malhotra Amber 
Published: December 2014

Objective: Various techniques for intraoperative identification of muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are cumbersome, difficult to use in infants, and inefficient in confirming the completeness of closure. We used simple technique of intraoperative fluorescein saline injection into the left ventricle to locate the muscular VSDs and to confirm their closure. Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted between April 2013 to December 2013, involving 22 patients with multiple VSDs either in isolated form or in association with other congenital cardiac anomalies. Following the closure of all visible VSDs, an 8F infant feeding tube was introduced into the left ventricle through the fossa ovalis and fluorescein saline was injected. Right ventricle was observed for saline leakage and VSD site tracking. Saline injection was repeated till appearance of no significant leak. Results: A total of 63 defects were closed in 22 patients. Only two patients required re-endocardialization or septal exclusion technique for Swiss cheese septum. None of them required division of moderator band or major trabeculae. Eleven patients had insignificant residual shunting found on postoperative echocardiography. There were two deaths. In the remaining 20 patients, the mean of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay was 5.4 ± 3.72 and 10.2 ± 4.64 days, respectively. Comparative study between patients with and without residual VSD showed no significant difference in mean inotropic score, ICU, and hospital stay, confirming the absence of significant residual shunting. Conclusions: Intraoperative fluorescein saline injection into the left ventricle is safe, effective in precisely localizing muscular VSDs and confirming the completeness of their closure.
MicroRNA-34a functions as an anti-metastatic microRNA and suppresses angiogenesis in bladder cancer by directly targeting CD44
Authors: Yu Gan , Yao Weimin , Xiao Wei , Li Heng , Xu Hua , Lang Bin 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Background
Metastasis have considered as an important clinical obstacle in the treatment of human cancer including bladder cancer. Post-transcriptional regulation has emerged as robust effectors of metastasis. MiRNAs are involved in cancer development and progression, acting as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. In this study, we focus on it that microRNA-34a functions as an anti-metastatic microRNA and suppress angiogenesis in bladder cancer by directly targeting CD44.

Methods
The expression of mir-34a was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Oligonucleotide and lentivirus were used to overexpress miR-34a. Tube formation assay and transwell assay were used to examine the effect on bladder cancer tube formation, migration and invasion in vitro. Animal models were used to examine the effect on metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo. Luciferase assay was carried out to verify the precise target of miR-34a.

Results
We not only proved that mir-34a was significantly downregulated in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines but also that circulating miR-34a levels are reduced in bladder cancer, and their levels were positively relevance. Gain-of-function experiments investigated that increased mir-34a expression suppressed tube formation and reduced cell migration and invasion. In vivo metastasis, assays also demonstrated that overexpression of mir34a markedly inhibited bladder cancer metastasis. CD31, an endothelial cell–specific marker which stained in T24 tumors to evaluate for blood vessel density, the immunohistochemistry results showed that blood vessel quantification reduced dramatically in the T24 tumors over-expressing mir-34a. Combining with our previous studies and bioinformatics analysis, we expected that CD44 gene was a direct target of mir-34a, siRNA-mediated knockdown of CD44 partially phenocopied mir-34a overexpression suggesting that the pro-apoptotic role of mir-34a may be mediated primarily through CD44 regulation, whereas restoring the expression of CD44 attenuated the function of mir-34a in bladder cancer cells. Additionally, we identified that EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) related proteins could be regulated by mir-34a which indicated that mir-34a could partially reserve EMT.

Conclusion
Our study defines a major metastasis and angiogenesis suppressive role for mir-34a, a microRNA functions as a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer by directly targeting CD44, which would be helpful as a therapeutic approach to block bladder cancer metastasis.
Standardized uptake value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for prediction of tumor recurrence in breast cancer beyond tumor burden
Authors: Ahn Sung Gwe , Park Jong Tae , Lee Hak Min , Lee Hak Woo , Jeon Tae Joo , Han Kyunghwa , Lee Seung Ah , Dong Seung Myung , Ryu Young Hoon , Son Eun Ju , Jeong Joon 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Introduction
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) can reveal the metabolic activity of malignant tumors. Recent advances gained from molecular studies suggest that tumor biology can be a good predictor of prognosis in breast cancer. We compared the ability of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) derived by FDG-PET with tumor burden in predicting tumor recurrence for patients with breast cancer.

Methods
496 patients with breast cancer who underwent preoperative FDG-PET between April 2004 and May 2009 were retrospectively identified. SUVmax was obtained by FDG-PET, and the cutoff point was defined using a time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve for recurrence-free survival (RFS). The primary endpoint was RFS.

Results
In multivariate analysis for RFS, SUVmax carried independent prognostic significance (hazard ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 4.76; P = 0.012). When the patients were classified into four groups according to the combined factors of tumor size (≤2 cm versus >2 cm) and SUVmax (<4 versus ≥4), RFS differed significantly (P < 0.001). Similarly, SUVmax had prognostic value in combination with nodal status (negative versus positive) or stage (I versus II and III) (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). In hormone receptor–positive disease, SUVmax remained a significant prognostic factor for RFS based on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions
Our results highlight the prognostic value of FDG-PET in prediction of tumor relapse for patients with breast cancer. Particularly in patients with hormone receptor–positive disease, the tumor metabolic information provided by FDG-PET is more significantly correlated with prognosis than tumor burden.
Interleukin-17A promotes functional activation of systemic sclerosis patient-derived dermal vascular smooth muscle cells by extracellular-regulated protein kinases signalling pathway
Authors: Liu Mengguo , Yang Ji , Xing Xiaojing , Cui Xiangxiang , Li Ming 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Dermal vascular smooth muscle cells (DVSMCs) are important for vascular wall fibrosis in microangiopathy of systemic sclerosis (SSc). T helper 17 cell-associated cytokines, particularly interleukin-17A (IL-17A), have been demonstrated to play a role in the pathogenesis of SSc. However, the effect of IL-17A on the DVSMCs in microangiopathy of SSc has not been established. In the present study, we investigated the effect of IL-17A on the SSc patient-derived DVSMCs.

Methods
DVSMCs from patients with SSc and healthy subjects were incubated using IL-17A or serum derived from patients with SSc. Subsequently, the proliferation, collagen synthesis and secretion, and migration of DVSMCs were analysed using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), dual-luciferase reporter assay, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and transwell assay. The protein phosphorylation of signalling pathways in the process of IL-17A-mediated DVSMC activation was investigated and validated by specific signalling pathway inhibitor.

Results
IL-17A and serum from patients with SSc could promote the proliferation, collagen synthesis and secretion, and migration of DVSMCs. IL-17A neutralising antibody could inhibit the IL-17A-induced activation of DVSMCs. Additionally, IL-17A induced the activation of extracellular-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in DVSMCs, and ERK1/2 inhibitor could block the IL-17A-elicited activation of DVSMCs.

Conclusions
Our results suggested that IL-17A derived from patients with SSc might induce the proliferation, collagen synthesis and secretion, and migration of DVSMCs via ERK1/2 signalling pathway, raising the likelihood that IL-17A and ERK1/2 might be promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of SSc-related vasculopathy.
Earned income tax credits, unemployment benefits and wages: empirical evidence from Sweden
Authors: Bennmarker Helge , Calmfors Lars , Seim Anna 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Although there is a large literature on employment effects of earned income tax credits (EITCs) and unemployment benefits, less is known about wage effects. In our model, the impact is via the net (after-tax) replacement rate. Using a panel of individuals from Sweden, we find a positive relationship between the net replacement rate and wages with semi-elasticities in the range 0.2-0.4. This implies that a one per cent reduction in the unemployment benefit level or a one per cent increase in the net-of-tax rate is associated with a fall in the before-tax wage of 0.1-0.2 per cent. EITCs and unemployment benefit reductions are thus likely to induce wage moderation.

Keywords: Earned income tax credit, Unemployment benefits, Wage formation.
Analysing pedagogic discourse: an approach from genre and register
Authors: Rose David 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper presents a novel analysis of pedagogic discourse using genre and register theory. Curriculum genres are analysed as configurations of pedagogic activities, relations, modalities, knowledge and values. Each of these register variables is realised as discourse semantic patterns, including exchange structures, learning cycles, multimodal sources of meanings, and experiential and interpersonal elements. Each of these discourse patterns can be presented side-by-side, in each unit in a pedagogic exchange, using tables or spreadsheets. The presentation enables the analyst to identify local and global patterns in pedagogic discourse of many kinds, particularly the intricate patterns of classroom exchanges. Analyses are illustrated for each register variable, followed by systems of options for their realisation in discourse. The paper concludes by illustrating a combined analysis of a stretch of classroom discourse.
SEARCH: A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Sorafenib Plus Erlotinib in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Andrew X. , Rosmorduc Olivier , Evans T.R. Jeffry , Ross Paul J. , Santoro Armando , Carrilho Flair Jose , Bruix Jordi , Qin Shukui , Thuluvath Paul J. , Llovet Josep M. , Leberre Marie-Aude , Jensen Markus , Meinhardt Gerold , Kang Yoon-Koo 
Published: December 2014

Purpose To compare the clinical outcomes of sorafenib plus either erlotinib or placebo in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a multicenter, multinational, randomized, phase III trial. Patients and Methods Patients with advanced HCC and underlying Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis, who were naive to systemic treatment (N = 720), were randomly assigned to sorafenib plus either erlotinib (n = 362) or placebo (n = 358). The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Results Median OS was similar in the sorafenib plus erlotinib and sorafenib plus placebo groups (9.5 v 8.5 months, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 0.929; P = .408), as was median time to progression (3.2 v 4.0 months, respectively; HR, 1.135; P = .18). In the sorafenib/erlotinib arm versus the sorafenib/placebo arm, the overall response rate trended higher (6.6% v 3.9%, respectively; P = .102), whereas the disease control rate was significantly lower (43.9% v 52.5%, respectively; P = .021). The median durations of treatment with sorafenib were 86 days in the sorafenib/erlotinib arm and 123 days in the sorafenib/placebo arm. In the sorafenib/erlotinib and sorafenib/placebo arms, the rates of treatment-emergent serious AEs (58.0% v 54.6%, respectively) and drug-related serious AEs (21.0% v 22.8%, respectively) were similar. AEs matched the known safety profiles of both agents, but rates of rash/desquamation, anorexia, and diarrhea were higher in the sorafenib/erlotinib arm, whereas rates of alopecia and hand-foot skin reaction were higher in the sorafenib/placebo arm. Withdrawal rates for AEs during cycles 1 to 3 were higher in the sorafenib/erlotinib arm. Conclusion Adding erlotinib to sorafenib did not improve survival in patients with advanced HCC.
Effects of Single-Agent and Combination Chemotherapy for Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors on Risks of Second Malignancy and Early Menopause
Authors: Savage Philip , Cooke Rosie , O'Nions Jenny , Krell Jon , Kwan Amy , Camarata Michelle , Dancy Gairin , Short Dee , Seckl Michael J. , Swerdlow Anthony 
Published: December 2014

Purpose To assess the risks of second malignancy and early menopause in a large cohort of patients with gestational trophoblastic tumor who were treated with chemotherapy. Patients and Methods A survey of patients treated at Charing Cross Hospital between 1958 and 2000 was performed in 2006 to assemble incidence data for subsequent malignancies and the age at menopause. Treatment records were reviewed for the regimens and durations, and the incidence of subsequent malignancies was compared with that in the national age-matched population. Results Data were obtained for 1,903 patients, with a mean follow-up of 16.9 years. Eighty-six patients developed a subsequent malignancy compared with an expected number of 79 (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 1.1; 95% CI, 0.9 to 1.3). The overall risk was low for patients treated with single-agent methotrexate and folinic acid (MTX-FA; SIR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.1) and also for patients treated with etoposide, methotrexate, and dactinomycin followed by cyclophosphamide and vincristine on alternating weeks (EMA-CO) with an SIR of 0.9 (95% CI, 0.4 to 2.2), but there were significantly increased risks of oral cancer, melanoma, meningioma, and leukemia. The cumulative risk of early menopause was low after MTX-FA but was substantial after EMA-CO, reaching 13% by age 40 years and 36% by age 45 years. Conclusion Subsequent cancer risks for patients cured of gestational trophoblastic tumors with modern chemotherapy appear similar to those of the normal population with no overall increased risk of malignancy after MTX-FA or EMA-CO. However, there was evidence of an increased risk of leukemia after EMA-CO and some evidence of other site-specific increased risks based on small patient numbers. All major treatments except MTX-FA increased the risk of early menopause.
Limited Mitochondrial Capacity of Visceral Versus Subcutaneous White Adipocytes in Male C57BL/6N Mice
Authors: Schöttl Theresa , Kappler Lisa , Braun Katharina , Fromme Tobias , Klingenspor Martin 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Accumulation of visceral fat is associated with metabolic risk whereas excessive amounts of peripheral fat are considered less problematic. At the same time, altered white adipocyte mitochondrial bioenergetics has been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We therefore investigated whether the metabolic risk of visceral vs peripheral fat coincides with a difference in mitochondrial capacity of white adipocytes. We assessed bioenergetic parameters of subcutaneous inguinal and visceral epididymal white adipocytes from male C57BL/6N mice employing a comprehensive respirometry setup of intact and permeabilized adipocytes as well as isolated mitochondria. Inguinal adipocytes clearly featured a higher respiratory capacity attributable to increased mitochondrial respiratory chain content compared with epididymal adipocytes. The lower capacity of mitochondria from epididymal adipocytes was accompanied by an increased generation of reactive oxygen species per oxygen consumed. Feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 1 week reduced white adipocyte mitochondrial capacity, with stronger effects in epididymal when compared with inguinal adipocytes. This was accompanied by impaired body glucose homeostasis. Therefore, the limited bioenergetic performance combined with the proportionally higher generation of reactive oxygen species of visceral adipocytes could be seen as a candidate mechanism mediating the elevated metabolic risk associated with this fat depot.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Contemporary Methods for Evaluation of Efficiency of Investment in Intellectual Property Items
Authors: Левкина  , Levkina Nataliya 
Published: December 2014

Contemporary methods of investment projects’ efficiency evaluation are based
on such fundamental finance theories as J. Williams’ theory of discounted cash
flows, investment portfolio management, pricing model for financial assets and
the theory of options. All these theories were originally intended for analysis of
investment in securities.
This paper provides an overview of contemporary methods for evaluation of
efficiency of investment projects connected with acquisition, development and
use of intellectual property items in the frames of traditional classification,
according to which they are commonly divided into three groups: financial,
probabilistic and qualitative.
As all financial, probabilistic and qualitative methods for evaluation of efficiency
of investment in intellectual property items have their advantages and
disadvantages it is recommended to use these methods’ rational combination in
order to choose the optimal investment variant.
Soberana del Hades. Perséfone en la epigrafía funeraria y en las láminas áureas
Authors: González González Marta 
Published: December 2014

En este trabajo se plantea el estudio de la diosa Perséfone en la documentación epigráfica funeraria y en las famosas lamellae aureae. Cronológicamente, el análisis se limita al s. IV a.C., momento en el que la diosa aparece por primera vez en los epitafios y momento también al que pertenecen las primeras lamellae documentadas. En estos textos la figura de la Soberana del Más Allá es fundamental y supera los límites de sus papeles míticos habituales, tanto el de doncella raptada, hija de Deméter, como el de esposa de Hades. También se propone una comparación con la documentación iconográfica, un poco anterior, constituida por los pínakes de Locris.http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/2183-1718_66_17
Effect of Gender on Language Performance of American Speakers, Russian Native Speakers, and American L2 Learners of Russian in a Complaint Situation
Authors: Gallaher Beata 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe present study investigates linguistic choices and strategy selection of American speakers of English, Russian native speakers, and American L2 learners of Russian in their complaints by exploring the interaction of social factors and gender. The data was elicited through an open-ended discourse completion questionnaire and an assessment questionnaire. The qualitative analysis shows significant differences between genders in the group of Russian speakers. The major finding was that Russian males were more judgmental and direct in their complaints, but they were also more humorous and ironic than Russian females. Fewer differences were observed in the group of American speakers and American L2 learners of Russian. The findings indicate similar gender differences within each group and across groups in terms of strategy selection and the number of words. Some of the differences were statistically significant.The findings of the interlanguage analysis open areas for pedagogical intervention so that L2 learners better understand how to address males and females, as well as which linguistic strategies to use to minimize offense while negotiating a problem in Russian culture.
Language of Cyber-Politics: "Imaging/Imagining" Communities
Authors: Baider Fabienne H. , Constantinou Maria 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAssuming that “YouTube provides a deindividuated interactional context where social identity, including ethnic identity, is salient” (Garcés-Conejos Blitvich et al. 2013, our emphasis), we focus our analysis on the online discussants’ identity narratives (i.e. avatars, pseudonyms and comments) in order to investigate what makes each identity narrative into a cohesive specific ethos and how this ethos is coherent with the positioning of the party and their leaders. Our methodology includes qualitative analysis (avatars and pseudonyms) as well as a quantitative approach (comments vs leadership speeches). Our findings confirm that the emotions and ideologies salient in the leadership speeches and keywords are perpetuated, reinvented and re-enacted in avatars, pseudonyms and comments, constructing therefore a coherent virtual community. We also conclude that the ethos of this virtual community was built on the concept of resisting the loss of sovereignty (among other things to resist), symbolically co-constructed with myths, memories and a glorious past, instilling pride and unity, while cultivating anger, resentment and contempt against the “enemy”.