bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multicentre survey to explore current survival of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia who failed induction chemotherapy
Authors: Lazzarotto Davide , Candoni Anna , Nadali Gianpaolo , Pavan Laura , Lessi Federica , Mosna Federico , Simeone Erica , Ventura Giovanna , Gherlinzoni Filippo , Semenzato Gianpietro , Pizzolo Giovanni , Fanin Renato 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundAcute myeloid leukaemia not responsive to first induction chemotherapy (PIF‐AML) still remains a challenge, and there are only few recent epidemiological data regarding the outcome of these patients. In this multicentre survey, we evaluate the prognosis and outcome of patients with PIF‐AML, who were diagnosed and treated in the last 5 yrs in four Italian institutions.ResultsOne hundred PIF‐AML were recorded, 57 males and 43 females, with a median age of 63 yrs (19–79), 42% were younger than 60 yrs; 42% had a secondary AML and 40% had an adverse karyotype. According to cytogenetic/molecular risk stratification at diagnosis, 33% of patients were classified as favourable/intermediate‐1 risk and 56% as intermediate‐2/adverse risk. After a median follow‐up of 11 months (1–49), 77% of patients died, while 23% were alive (with 12/23 in cCR). Thirty‐six patients underwent allogeneic SCT, and of these, 11 of 36 (31%) were alive at last follow‐up. The 12‐ and 24‐month OS probability of the whole population was 45% and 21%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the probability of OS of the whole population was significantly improved by Allo‐SCT procedure (12‐month OS probability 60% vs. 35%; P < 0.0001) and was better in patients with favourable/intermediate‐1 risk at diagnosis (12‐month OS probability 58% vs. 40%; P = 0.028). In transplanted cases, a pretransplant responsive disease was the only significant factor to predict a favourable outcome after Allo‐SCT (P = 0.006).ConclusionTreatment options of PIF‐AML still are limited and the prognosis, even recently, remains extremely poor. This survey shows that PIF‐AML is still rarely cured without Allo‐SCT and confirms the importance of initiating an urgent unrelated donor search in cases without a matched sibling donor. Moreover, the outcome of Allo‐SCT is better in patients who achieve a good AML debulking before transplant. To reach this goal, new predictive scores and new protocols of salvage therapy (with target drugs or combinations) need to be explored urgently in PIF‐AML.
Broad Selectivity for Courtship Song in the Cricket Gryllus bimaculatus
Authors: Shestakov Lev S. , Vedenina Varvara Yu. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractVarious characteristics of a long‐distance acoustic signal have been shown to vary to different degrees. It has been suggested that female preferences based on stable song parameters are stabilising or weakly directional, and preferences based on variable parameters are strongly directional. We tested this hypothesis based on a short‐distance signal (courtship song) produced by the field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus. We studied the degree of variability of different courtship song parameters and the behavioural importance of several parameters using synthesised song models in playback experiments. We found that most of the courtship song elements of G. bimaculatus were quite variable (coefficient of variation, CV, in the range of 20–53%). The most variable parameter of the courtship song was the relative amplitude of two elements: high‐amplitude ticks and low‐amplitude pulses. Because songs containing only ticks (of rare occurrence) appeared to be more effective than songs with both ticks and pulses (of frequent occurrence), we consider female preferences to be directional. Alteration of less variable traits, such as the carrier frequency and duration of ticks (CV = 20–25%), had a different effect on female responsiveness. The synthesised songs with different carrier frequencies of ticks were as attractive to females as the positive control (courtship of muted males accompanied by playback of the recorded song). Altering the duration of ticks had a crucial effect on the female response rate, decreasing female responsiveness to the level observed in the negative control (courtship of muted males). Thus, we did not find a strong relationship between the variability of individual song parameters and their potential importance in song recognition and the evaluation of male quality. The partial inconsistency of our results with the data of other authors may be due to different patterns of past and current selection on long‐distance and short‐distance acoustic signals.
miR‐137 inhibits proliferation of melanoma cells by targeting PAK2
Authors: Hao Shuai , Luo Chonglin , Abukiwan Alia , Wang Guangxia , He Jinjun , Huang Lingyun , Weber Claudia E. M. , Lv Na , Xiao Xueyuan , Eichmüller Stefan B. , He Dacheng 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNA) are key players in a variety of cancers including malignant melanoma. miR‐137 has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in melanoma and several targets have been identified for this miRNA. We previously developed a novel proteomics technology, 35S in vivo/vitro labelling analysis for dynamic proteomics (SiLAD). Because of its high sensitivity in analysing protein expression rates, SiLAD has the potential to unravel miRNA effects on mRNAs coding for proteins with long half‐lives or high abundance. Using SiLAD, we discovered that miR‐137 significantly downregulated the expression rate of p21‐activated kinase 2 (PAK2) in melanoma cells. Bioinformatics analysis predicted PAK2 as a direct target of miR‐137, which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and Western blot analysis. We found that overexpression of miR‐137 inhibited the proliferation of melanoma cells, which could be phenocopied by knockdown of PAK2 using siRNAs. Furthermore, overexpression of PAK2 restored miR‐137‐mediated suppression of cell proliferation. These findings indicate that miR‐137 could inhibit proliferation through targeting PAK2 in melanoma cells.
Reference Point Theory and Pursuit of Deals
Authors: Chira Inga , Madura Jeff 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTarget and bidder reference points have separate and joint effects on merger deals. A firm whose stock price is more distant from its 52‐week high reference point is less likely to attract bids but has a greater likelihood of being acquired by its own managers (vs unaffiliated bidders). Firm propensity to submit a bid increases if its prevailing stock price is closer to its 52‐week high. When both parties’ reference points are close to their current stock prices, they are more willing to complete a deal. Hostile deals result when the bidder's stock price is closer to its reference point.
New Evidence on Sources of Leverage Effects in Individual Stocks
Authors: Smith Geoffrey Peter 
Published: July 2015

AbstractI test Black's leverage effect hypothesis on a panel of U.S. stocks from 1997 to 2012. I find that negative stock return innovations increase the future volatility of equity returns by about 36% more than positive ones. There is a strong and positive relation between variation in the size of these leverage effects and variation in the firm's use of debt. I uncover this relation by applying the Fama/French/Carhart 4‐factor asset pricing model in the exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity mean equation and by using panel data to control for firm‐ and time‐invariant unobservables via first differences and two‐way fixed effects.
Investor Protection and the Role of Firm‐Level Financial Transparency in Attracting Foreign Investment
Authors: Hansen Bowe , Miletkov Mihail K. , Wintoki M. Babajide 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe ask if companies can attract foreign equity capital by improving the transparency of their financial statements. Using a large panel of firms across 51 countries outside the United States, we show that the answer is yes, but only in countries with relatively high levels of investor protection. In countries with poor investor protection, unilaterally increasing firm‐level transparency has no effect on foreign ownership. Furthermore, our results indicate that in countries with higher levels of investor protection, the positive association between transparency and foreign ownership is stronger following a country's adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards.
Effect of environmental variability on body condition and recruitment success of Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus L.) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Authors: Plourde Stéphane , Grégoire François , Lehoux Caroline , Galbraith Peter S. , Castonguay Martin , Ringuette Marc 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to assess the effect of environmental variability on the dynamics of the Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus L.) stock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (GSL). We first described the dominant modes of physical and biological (zooplankton) variability using Principal Components Analyses of 40 variables. Two principal modes of variability were identified, a long‐term mode (15–20 yr) associated with a warming of the GSL and a second mode describing alternating cold and warm periods at a higher frequency (5–10 yr). A strong link between physical forcing and the dynamics of zooplankton species known to be important for mackerel was shown. Second, a set of Generalized Additive Models (GAM) was developed to explore how these environmental variations could influence mackerel condition (Fulton's K) and recruitment success (Rs). Optimal GAMs including variations in abundance, species composition and phenology of key copepods improved model performance by 40–50% relative to those considering only physical environmental conditions. The results are consistent with the match–mismatch hypothesis and illustrate the key role of zooplankton dynamics in modulating variations in mackerel K and Rs. Finally, this study showed that large variations in Rs could be caused by varying environmental conditions independently of the influence of stock biomass. Our results strongly indicate that the effect of environmental variability should be considered in the implementation of an ecosystem‐based approach to Atlantic mackerel stock management.
Connectivity of the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Authors: Liu Chang , Cowles Geoffrey W. , Churchill James H. , Stokesbury Kevin D. E. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe harvest of bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, U.S.A. undergoes large interannual fluctuations, varying by more than an order of magnitude in successive years. To investigate the extent to which these fluctuations may be due to yearly variations in the transport of scallop larvae from spawning areas to suitable juvenile habitat (settlement zones), a high‐resolution hydrodynamic model was used to drive an individual‐based model of scallop larval transport. Model results revealed that scallop spawning in Buzzards Bay occurs during a time when nearshore bay currents were principally directed up‐bay in response to a persistent southwesterly sea breeze. This nearshore flow results in the substantial transport of larvae from lower‐bay spawning areas to settlement zones further up‐bay. Averaged over the entire bay, the spawning‐to‐settlement zone connectivity exhibits little interannual variation. However, connectivities between individual spawning and settlement zones vary by up to an order of magnitude. The model results identified spawning areas that have the greatest probability of transporting larvae to juvenile habitat. Because managers may aim to increase scallop populations either locally or broadly, the high‐connectivity spawning areas were divided into: (i) high larval retention and relatively little larval transport to adjoining settlement areas, (ii) both significant larval retention and transport to more distant settlement areas, and (iii) little larval retention but significant transport to distant settlement areas.
Indigenous arsenic(V)‐reducing microbial communities in redox‐fluctuating near‐surface sediments of the Mekong Delta
Authors: Ying S. C. , Damashek J. , Fendorf S. , Francis C. A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractArsenic (As) cycling within soils and sediments of the Mekong Delta of Cambodia is affected by drastic redox fluctuations caused by seasonal monsoons. Extensive flooding during monsoon seasons creates anoxic soil conditions that favor anaerobic microbial processes, including arsenate [As(V)] respiration—a process contributing to the mobilization of As. Repeated oxidation and reduction in near‐surface sediments, which contain 10–40 mg kg−1 As, lead to the eventual downward movement of As to the underlying aquifer. Amplification of a highly conserved functional gene encoding dissimilatory As(V) reductase, arrA, can be used as a molecular marker to detect the genetic potential for As(V) respiration in environmental samples. However, few studies have successfully amplified arrA from sediments without prior enrichment, which can drastically shift community structure. In the present study, we examine the distribution and diversity of arrA genes amplified from multiple sites within the Cambodian Mekong Delta as a function of near‐surface depth (10, 50, 100, 200, and 400 cm), where sediments undergo seasonal redox fluctuations. We report successful amplification of 302 arrA gene sequences (72 OTUs) from near‐surface Cambodian soils (without prior enrichment or stimulation with carbon amendments), where a large majority (>70%) formed a well‐supported clade that is phylogenetically distinct from previously reported sequences from Cambodia and other South and Southeast Asian sediments, with highest sequence similarity to known Geobacter species capable of As(V) respiration, further supporting the potentially important role of Geobacter sp. in arsenic mobilization in these regions.
Knowledge and attitudes survey in bleeding disorders providers regarding pain
Authors: Witkop M. , Lambing A. 
Published: July 2015

IntroductionThe National Pain Study identified respondents (39%) were not satisfied with their pain management yet over 50% seek out their Haemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) providers for pain management. This study's purpose was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of HTC providers regarding pain assessment and treatment.MethodsOne hundred and fifty‐two HTC providers responded to a Survey Monkey™ Questionnaire.ResultsKnowledge deficits noted in pharmacology included (i) potentiators of opioids, (ii) time to peak effect of oral morphine, (iii) benzodiazepines usage as effective pain relievers and (iv) dose escalation/respiratory depression in an opioid tolerant patient. Areas of deficit in the substance abuse category involved (i) likelihood of a previous alcohol/drug abuse problem and (ii) signs and symptoms of discontinuation syndrome. Despite 100% confirmation from all providers that the patient is the best source of pain reporting, when presented with two identical case scenarios except for the patient's visual pain presentation; pain ratings were reported differently for patients who rated their pain similarly (8/10), yet displayed their pain symptoms differently resulting in different pain medication regimens. Responses were consistent between the provider groups but varied between case studies suggesting disparity between personal attitudes of providers when prescribing pain medication in the haemophilia population.ConclusionsContinued research in the area of haemophilia pain as well as treatment is needed. In addition, continuing pain education is recommended for HTC provider's at the local, regional and national levels so providers could remain up to date in the changes and progress of pain management theory.
Health‐related quality of life assessment in haemophilia patients on prophylaxis therapy: a systematic review of results from prospective clinical trials
Authors: Oladapo A. O. , Epstein J. D. , Williams E. , Ito D. , Gringeri A. , Valentino L. A. 
Published: July 2015

IntroductionProphylaxis is effective in reducing the number of bleeding episodes in patients with severe or moderately severe haemophilia A and B, including those with inhibitors. However, data, predominantly from observational studies, suggest more equivocal effects on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).AimTo examine the impact of prophylaxis on HRQoL from prospective clinical trials.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature review of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of prophylaxis with factor VIII, FIX or bypassing agents. Trials assessing HRQoL via validated instruments were selected and summarized.ResultsThirteen trials (haemophilia A [n = 8]; haemophilia B [n = 2]; inhibitors [n = 3]) met all inclusion criteria. HRQoL instruments included the EQ‐5D, SF‐36, Haem‐QoL‐A, Haem‐A‐QoL, Haemo‐QoL and CHO‐KLAT. Improvements in HRQoL following prophylaxis were observed with the EQ‐VAS, SF‐36 and haemophilia‐specific instruments in adult patients and were associated with reduced pain, fewer restrictions in physical activities and better general health. Prophylaxis led to statistically significant or clinically meaningful HRQoL improvement in six trials and non‐significant improvement in four trials; two trials found no improvement and one reported no data. Despite study differences, consistent trends suggested that patients previously treated solely on‐demand and those who experienced marked reductions in the frequency of bleeding with prophylaxis had a greater improvement in HRQoL.ConclusionContrary to findings of observational studies, the results from the majority of prospective trials using validated instruments showed positive trends for improved HRQoL with prophylaxis in adults.
An insight into the functional role of thioredoxin reductase, a selenoprotein, in maintaining normal native microbiota in the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
Authors: Budachetri K. , Karim S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTick selenoproteins have been associated with antioxidant activity in ticks. Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), also a selenoprotein, belongs to the pyridine nucleotide‐disulphide oxidoreductase family of proteins and is an important antioxidant. Molecular interactions between native microbiota and tick hosts have barely been investigated to date. In this study, we determined the functional role of TrxR in tick feeding and in maintenance of the native microbial community. TrxR transcript levels remained high and microbial load was reduced throughout tick attachment to the vertebrate host. RNA interference (RNAi) showed that depletion of TrxR activity did not interfere with tick haematophagy or phenotype but did reduce the viability of the microbiome within the tick tissues, presumably by perturbing redox homeostasis. The transcriptional activity of various antioxidant genes remained unaffected whereas the antioxidant genes Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and selenoprotein M (SelM) were significantly down‐regulated in salivary glands of the ticks subjected to RNAi. The perturbed TrxR enzymatic activity in the knocked‐down tick tissues negatively affected the bacterial load as well. Furthermore, we observed the altered bacterial profiles in TrxR‐silenced tick tissues. Taken together, these results indicate an essential functional role for TrxR in maintaining the bacterial community associated with ticks.
An inter‐ocean comparison of coral endemism on seamounts: the case of Chrysogorgia
Authors: Pante Eric , France Scott C. , Gey Delphine , Cruaud Corinne , Samadi Sarah 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimThe biogeography of seamount fauna remains poorly known, with less than 1% of the world's seamounts having been investigated. Here, we report data on the geographical isolation of species in the octocoral genus Chrysogorgia from south‐west Pacific seamounts and slopes, and contrast the results with patterns observed in the north‐western Atlantic.LocationSeamounts of the Norfolk Ridge (NR) and Loyalty Ridge (LR), the slope of New Caledonia, and the Matthew and Hunter Islands, south‐west Pacific Ocean, with comparative material from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.MethodsThe mitochondrial gene mtMutS was used to measure diversity within Chrysogorgia. Community structure was analysed using rarefaction, multivariate analyses, parsimony analysis of endemicity and analysis of molecular variance. The impact of underestimating species richness when using mitochondrial haplotypes was tested using simulations.ResultsSix hundred and thirty‐four colonies and 31 haplotypes were sampled from New Caledonia. Contrary to what was observed in the north‐western Atlantic, seamount‐scale endemism of south‐west Pacific Chrysogorgia was substantial (23% and 39% for haplotypes with n ≥ 20 and n ≥ 2, respectively). LR sheltered 64% of the New Caledonian haplotype diversity. Assemblages were structured less by habitat type (slope versus seamounts) than by depth. Rarefaction analyses suggested that LR and NR seamounts hold more species than the New Caledonian slope, but additional sampling in the south‐western Pacific (133 colonies) revealed that some seemingly geographically restricted haplotypes from New Caledonia have wide geographical distributions, reaching as far as Taiwan.Main conclusionsThe distribution of Pacific Chrysogorgia is characterized by high levels of rarity, patchiness and diversity, with the levels of seamount‐scale and seamount‐chain‐scale endemism higher than in the Atlantic. We hypothesize that the contrast between the wide geographical distribution of Atlantic Chrysogorgia haplotypes and the higher proportion of endemics in the Pacific is largely explained by differences in depth between the seamounts of these two regions.
Development of intelligence 4 to 11 years after paediatric epilepsy surgery
Authors: Puka Klajdi , Tavares Tamara P. , Smith Mary Lou 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveLittle is known about the long‐term intellectual outcomes following paediatric epilepsy surgery. Change is not likely within the first 2 years following surgery, and the few studies of longer term outcomes have yielded inconsistent results. This study addressed this issue by examining a large group of surgical and non‐surgical patients at baseline and after 4–11 years.MethodsParticipants were 97 patients (mean age 20.08 [SD: 4.44] years) with childhood‐onset intractable epilepsy; 61 had undergone resective epilepsy surgery. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing with the age‐appropriate Wechsler Intelligence Scale, generating Full Scale, Performance and Verbal IQs, and Working Memory and Processing Speed indices.ResultsIn total 54% of the surgical and 39% of the non‐surgical patients were seizure free in the preceding 12 months (p > .05); however, surgical patients did achieve seizure freedom sooner and used fewer medications at follow‐up. Surgical status was not associated with any cognitive domain. However, with the exception of processing speed, significant seizure status × time interaction effects were evident and seizure‐free patients had higher scores at follow‐up. Regression analyses additionally showed that low pre‐operative scores were predictive of improvement overtime, whereas high pre‐operative scores were predictive of high scores at follow‐up.InterpretationThe results show similar intellectual outcomes for surgical and non‐surgical paediatric patients. Four to 11 years after paediatric epilepsy surgery, seizure freedom, whether attained through epilepsy surgery or other means, was found to be associated with intellectual improvements. Seizure status and baseline scores were the most consistent predictors.