bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Predicts Prognosis of Patients after Curative Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hu Bo , Yang Xin-Rong , Xu Yang , Sun Yun-Fan , Sun Chao , Guo Wei , Zhang Xin , Wang Wei-Min , Qiu Shuang-Jian , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Purpose: We developed a novel systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) based on lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts and explored its prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Experimental Design: The SII was developed based on a retrospective study of 133 patients with HCC undergoing resection between 2005 and 2006, and validated in a prospective study of 123 patients enrolled from 2010 to 2011. The circulating tumor cell (CTC) level in the validation cohort was measured using the CellSearch system. Prediction accuracy was evaluated with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results: An optimal cutoff point for the SII of 330 × 109 stratified the patients with HCC into high (≥330) and low SII (&lt;330) groups in the training cohort. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the SII was an independent predictor for overall survival and relapse-free survival, and prognostic for patients with negative α-fetoprotein and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0+A. The AUCs of the SII for survival and recurrence were higher than other conventional clinical indices. An SII ≥ 330 was significantly associated with vascular invasion, large tumors, and early recurrence. CTC levels were significantly higher in the SII ≥ 330 group (1.71 ± 0.34 vs. 4.37 ± 1.04, P = 0.029). In patients with detectable CTCs, those with SII ≥ 330 had higher recurrence rates and shorter survival time than patients with SII &lt; 330.
Conclusion: The SII was a powerful prognostic indicator of poor outcome in patients with HCC and is a promising tool for HCC treatment strategy decisions. The dismal outcome in patients with high SII scores might be related to higher CTC levels. Clin Cancer Res; 20(23); 6212–22. ©2014 AACR.
The Prostate Cancer Susceptibility Variant rs2735839 Near KLK3 Gene Is Associated with Aggressive Prostate Cancer and Can Stratify Gleason Score 7 Patients
Authors: He Yonggang , Gu Jian , Strom Sara , Logothetis Christopher J. , Kim Jeri , Wu Xifeng 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Purpose: Gleason score (GS) 7 prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different clinical behavior. We sought to identify genetic biomarkers that may predict the aggressiveness of GS 7 diseases.
Experimental Design: We genotyped 72 prostate cancer susceptibility SNPs identified in genome-wide association studies in 1,827 white men with histologically confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma. SNPs associated with disease aggressiveness were identified by comparing high-aggressive (GS ≥8) and low-aggressive (GS ≤6) cases. The significant SNPs were then tested to see whether they could further stratify GS 7 prostate cancer.
Results: Three SNPs—rs2735839, rs10486567, and rs103294—were associated with biopsy-proven high-aggressive (GS ≥8) prostate cancer (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the frequency of the variant allele (A) at rs2735839 was significantly higher in patients with biopsy-proven GS 4+3 disease than in those with GS 3 + 4 disease (P = 0.003). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients carrying the A allele at rs2735839 exhibited a 1.85-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.31–2.61) increased risk of being GS 4 + 3 compared with those with GS 3 + 4. The rs2735839 is located 600 base pair downstream of the KLK3 gene (encoding PSA) on 19q13.33 and has been shown to modulate PSA level, providing strong biologic plausibility for its association with prostate cancer aggressiveness.
Conclusions: We confirmed the association of the rs2735839 with high-aggressive prostate cancer (GS ≥8). Moreover, we reported for the first time that rs2735839 can stratify GS 7 patients, which would be clinically important for more accurately assessing the clinical behavior of the intermediate-grade prostate cancer and for tailoring personalized treatment and posttreatment management. Clin Cancer Res; 20(19); 5133–9. ©2014 AACR.
Global Increase of p16INK4a in APC-Deficient Mouse Liver Drives Clonal Growth of p16INK4a-Negative Tumors
Authors: Ueberham Elke , Glöckner Pia , Göhler Claudia , Straub Beate K. , Teupser Daniel , Schönig Kai , Braeuning Albert , Höhn Anne Kathrin , Jerchow Boris , Birchmeier Walter , Gaunitz Frank , Arendt Thomas , Sansom Owen , Gebhardt Rolf , Ueberham Uwe 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Reduction of β-catenin (CTNNB1) destroying complex components, for example, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), induces β-catenin signaling and subsequently triggers activation of genes involved in proliferation and tumorigenesis. Though diminished expression of APC has organ-specific and threshold-dependent influence on the development of liver tumors in mice, the molecular basis is poorly understood. Therefore, a detailed investigation was conducted to determine the underlying mechanism in the development of liver tumors under reduced APC levels. Mouse liver at different developmental stages was analyzed in terms of β-catenin target genes including Cyp2e1, Glul, and Ihh using real-time RT-PCR, reporter gene assays, and immunohistologic methods with consideration of liver zonation. Data from human livers with mutations in APC derived from patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) were also included. Hepatocyte senescence was investigated by determining p16INK4a expression level, presence of senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, and assessing ploidy. A β-catenin activation of hepatocytes does not always result in β-catenin positive but unexpectedly also in mixed and β-catenin–negative tumors. In summary, a senescence-inducing program was found in hepatocytes with increased β-catenin levels and a positive selection of hepatocytes lacking p16INK4a, by epigenetic silencing, drives the development of liver tumors in mice with reduced APC expression (Apc580S mice). The lack of p16INK4a was also detected in liver tumors of mice with triggers other than APC reduction.
Implications: Epigenetic silencing of p16Ink4a in selected liver cells bypassing senescence is a general principle for development of liver tumors with β-catenin involvement in mice independent of the initial stimulus. Mol Cancer Res; 13(2); 239–49. ©2014 AACR.
Physical Properties of High-Level Cloud over Land and Ocean from CloudSat–CALIPSO Data
Authors: Huo Juan , Lu Daren 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Unlike other cloud types, high-level clouds play an important role, often imposing a warming effect, in the earth–atmosphere radiative energy budget. In this paper, macro- and microphysical characteristics of cirrus clouds, such as their occurrence frequency, geometric scale, water content, and particle size, over northern China (land area, herein called the L area) and the Pacific Ocean (ocean area, herein the O area) are analyzed and compared based on CloudSat and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) products from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2010. Over both areas, statistical analysis shows that cirrus occurrence approached 33% in summer whereas it was only ~10% in winter, &gt;50% of cirrus cloud thicknesses were in the range of ~(0.25–1.5) km, there were &gt;98% ice particles in high-level clouds, and temperature had a closer linear relationship with ice effective radius (IER) than height. Also, the seasonal difference of this linear relationship is minor over both land and ocean. Comparisons reveal that the mean occurrence frequency, mean cloud thickness, range of cloud-base and cloud-top height, IER, and ice water content of cirrus in summer were generally greater in winter, and greater over the O area than over the L area. However, the relationship between IER and temperature over land is close to that over ocean.
Supercell Low-Level Mesocyclones in Simulations with a Sheared Convective Boundary Layer
Authors: Nowotarski Christopher J. , Markowski Paul M. , Richardson Yvette P. , Bryan George H. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Simulations of supercell thunderstorms in a sheared convective boundary layer (CBL), characterized by quasi-two-dimensional rolls, are compared with simulations having horizontally homogeneous environments. The effects of boundary layer convection on the general characteristics and the low-level mesocyclones of the simulated supercells are investigated for rolls oriented either perpendicular or parallel to storm motion, as well as with and without the effects of cloud shading.
Bulk measures of storm strength are not greatly affected by the presence of rolls in the near-storm environment. Though boundary layer convection diminishes with time under the anvil shadow of the supercells when cloud shading is allowed, simulations without cloud shading suggest that rolls affect the morphology and evolution of supercell low-level mesocyclones. Initially, CBL vertical vorticity perturbations are enhanced along the supercell outflow boundary, resulting in nonnegligible near-ground vertical vorticity regardless of roll orientation. At later times, supercells that move perpendicular to the axes of rolls in their environment have low-level mesocyclones with weaker, less persistent circulation compared to those in a similar horizontally homogeneous environment. For storms moving parallel to rolls, the opposite result is found: that is, low-level mesocyclone circulation is often enhanced relative to that in the corresponding horizontally homogeneous environment.
Snow Growth and Transport Patterns in Orographic Storms as Estimated from Airborne Vertical-Plane Dual-Doppler Radar Data
Authors: Geerts Bart , Yang Yang , Rasmussen Roy , Haimov Samuel , Pokharel Binod 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Airborne vertical-plane dual-Doppler cloud radar data, collected on wind-parallel flight legs over a mountain in Wyoming during 16 winter storms, are used to analyze the growth, transport, and sedimentation of snow. In all storms the wind is rather strong, such that the flow is unblocked. The sampled clouds are mixed phase, shallow, and generally produce snowfall over the mountain only. The 2D scatterers’ mean motion in the vertical along-track plane below flight level is synthesized using one radar antenna pointing to nadir, and one 30° forward of nadir. This yields instantaneous cross-mountain hydrometeor streamlines.
The dynamics of the orographic flow dominate the precipitation patterns across the mountain. Three patterns are distinguished: the first two contain small convective cells, either boundary layer (BL) convection or elevated convection, the latter likely due to the release of potential instability in orographically lifted air. In these patterns the cross-mountain flow is relatively undisturbed. Precipitation from BL convection falls mostly on the windward side but precipitation from elevated convection may fall mostly in the lee. The third pattern is marked by more stratified flow, often with vertically propagating mountain waves, and with strong, plunging flow in the lee, resulting in rapid clearing of the storm across the crest and occasionally a hydraulic jump. In this case, most snow tends to fall upwind of the crest, although a shallow, sublimating snow “foot” is often seen over the leeward slopes.
Locally advanced rectal cancer: post-chemoradiotherapy ADC histogram analysis for predicting a complete response
Authors: Cho Seung Hyun , Kim Gab Chul , Jang Yun-Jin , Ryeom Hunkyu , Kim Hye Jung , Shin Kyung-Min , Park Jun Seok , Choi Gyu-Seog , Kim See Hyung 
Published: October 2014

Background The value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for reliable differentiation between pathologic complete response (pCR) and residual tumor is still unclear. Recently, a few studies reported that histogram analysis can be helpful to monitor the therapeutic response in various cancer research. Purpose To investigate whether post-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis can be helpful to predict a pCR in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Material and Methods Fifty patients who underwent preoperative CRT followed by surgery were enrolled in this retrospective study, non-pCR ( n = 41) and pCR ( n = 9), respectively. ADC histogram analysis encompassing the whole tumor was performed on two post-CRT ADC600 and ADC1000 (b factors 0, 600 vs. 0, 1000 s/mm2) maps. Mean, minimum, maximum, SD, mode, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th percentile ADCs, skewness, and kurtosis were derived. Diagnostic performance for predicting pCR was evaluated and compared. Results On both maps, 10th and 25th ADCs showed better diagnostic performance than that using mean ADC. Tenth percentile ADCs revealed the best diagnostic performance on both ADC600 (AZ 0.841, sensitivity 100%, specificity 70.7%) and ADC1000 (AZ 0.821, sensitivity 77.8%, specificity 87.8%) maps. In comparison between 10th percentile and mean ADC, the specificity was significantly improved on both ADC600 (70.7% vs. 53.7%; P = 0.031) and ADC1000 (87.8% vs. 73.2%; P = 0.039) maps. Conclusion Post-CRT ADC histogram analysis is helpful for predicting pCR in LARC, especially, in improving the specificity, compared with mean ADC.
High resolution in vivo 31P-MRS of the liver: potential advantages in the assessment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Jeon Min Jeong , Lee Yunjung , Ahn Sangdoo , Lee Chulhyun , Kim Ok-Hee , Oh Byung-Chul , Yu Ungsik , Kim Hyeonjin 
Published: October 2014

Background Biopsy remains the current gold-standard for assessing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To develop a non-invasive means of assessing the disease, 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) has been explored, but the severe spectral overlaps and low signal-to-noise-ratio in 31P-MRS spectra at clinical field strength are clearly limiting factors. Purpose To investigate potential advantages of high resolution in vivo 31P-MRS in assessing NAFLD. Material and Methods The study was conducted at 9.4T in control and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats. Rats were divided according to histopathologic findings into a control group ( n = 15), a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis group ( n = 17), and a cirrhosis group ( n = 12). Data were presented with different reference peaks that are commonly used for peak normalization such as total phosphorous signal, phosphomonoester + phosphodiester (PME + PDE), and nucleotide triphosphate (NTP). Then, multivariate analyses were performed. Results In all spectra PME and PDE were well resolved into phosphoethanolamine (PE) and phosphocholine (PC), and into glycerophosphorylethanolamine (GPE) and glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), respectively. Those MRS measures quantifiable only in highly resolved spectra had higher correlations with histology than those conventional MRS measures such as PME, PDE, and NTP. The optimized partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model correctly classified 79% (22/28) of the rats in the training set and correctly predicted 69% (11/16) of the rats in the test set. Conclusion PE, PC, GPE, GPC, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) that can be separately quantifiable in highly resolved spectra may further improve the potential efficacy of 31P-MRS in the diagnosis of NAFLD.
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre Endowment Fund
Authors: Bhatti Ayesha , Ashraf Junaid , Akhtar M. Farhan 
Published: October 2014

The case looks at issues pertaining to the financial management of the Endowment Fund of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC). The Chairman of SKMCH&RC, Mr Imran Khan, is also the head of the political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), the key contender in the general elections of May 2013. One of the key figures of a rival political party PML-N, Mr Khawaja Asif has accused Mr Imran Khan of ‘gambling’ with donated funds leading to significant financial losses of money which should have been used for the treatment and care of the poor cancer patients of the hospital. The case is intended to be used for Executive Teaching and should be assigned and read together with the Technical Note ‘Understanding Endowment Funds.’ Together the technical note and the case aim to offer a number of learning objectives for managers of nonprofit organizations. The technical note lists the main types of endowment funds and, by considering the endowment funds of Harvard University and Yale University (considered to be two well managed funds), discusses matters related to their financial management and accounting and reporting requirements. After reading this note, students will have acquired some technical understanding of how to address the key questions in the case.
Changing Trends in Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Lo Menzo E. , Szomstein S. , Rosenthal R. J. 
Published: October 2014

Background and Aims: Bariatric surgery is considered the only long-lasting treatment for morbid obesity. Techniques and procedures have changed dramatically. We report on some of the major changes in the field. Materials and Methods: We reviewed some of the major changes in trends in bariatric surgery based on some landmark paper published in the literature. Results: We identified three major phases in the evolution of bariatric surgery. The pioneer phase was mostly characterized by discovery of weight loss procedures serendipitously from procedures done for other purposes. The second phase can be identified with the advent of laparoscopic techniques. This is considered the phase of greatest expansion of bariatric surgery. The metabolic phase derives from the improved understanding of the mechanisms of actions of the bariatric operations at the hormonal and molecular level. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery has changed significantly over the years. The safety of the laparoscopic approach, along with the better understanding of the metabolic changes obtained postoperatively, has led to a more individualized approach and also an attempt to expand the indications for these procedures.
The Chinese Verbal Learning Test Specifically Assesses Hippocampal State
Authors: Tsai Richard M. , Leong Josiah K. , Dutt Shubir , Chang Chiung Chih , Lee Allen K. , Chao Steven Z. , Yokoyama Jennifer S. , Tse Marian , Kramer Joel H. , Miller Bruce L. , Rosen Howard J. 
Published: October 2014

Background: Recently, the Chinese Verbal Learning Test (ChVLT) was developed to assess episodic memory in Chinese speakers. The goal of this analysis was to determine whether memory consolidation as measured by the ChVLT was specifically associated with hippocampal volume in patients with cognitive impairment. Methods: We administered the ChVLT to 22 Chinese-speaking patients with mild cognitive impairment and 9 patients with dementia and obtained hippocampal and cortical volumes from T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Linear regression revealed that hippocampal volume explained 9.9% of the variance in delayed memory ( P = .018) after controlling for the effects of age, education, immediate recall after the last learning trial, overall level of cognitive impairment, and volumes of other cortical regions. conclusion: These results indicate that the ChVLT is specifically correlated with hippocampal volume, supporting its utility for detecting hippocampal disease and monitoring hippocampal state over time.
TNF-mediated inflammation represses GATA1 and activates p38 MAP kinase in RPS19-deficient hematopoietic progenitors
Authors: Bibikova Elena , Youn Min-Young , Danilova Nadia , Ono-Uruga Yukako , Konto-Ghiorghi Yoan , Ochoa Rachel , Narla Anupama , Glader Bertil , Lin Shuo , Sakamoto Kathleen M. 
Published: October 2014

Key Points
GATA1 is downregulated in RPS19-deficient cells and zebrafish through upregulation of p53, TNF-α, and p38 MAPK. Treatment of rps19-deficient zebrafish with the TNF-α inhibitor etanercept rescues their erythroid and developmental defects.
Whole genome association study identifies regions of the bovine genome and biological pathways involved in carcass trait performance in Holstein-Friesian cattle
Authors: Doran Anthony G , Berry Donagh P , Creevey Christopher J 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Background
Four traits related to carcass performance have been identified as economically important in beef production: carcass weight, carcass fat, carcass conformation of progeny and cull cow carcass weight. Although Holstein-Friesian cattle are primarily utilized for milk production, they are also an important source of meat for beef production and export. Because of this, there is great interest in understanding the underlying genomic structure influencing these traits. Several genome-wide association studies have identified regions of the bovine genome associated with growth or carcass traits, however, little is known about the mechanisms or underlying biological pathways involved. This study aims to detect regions of the bovine genome associated with carcass performance traits (employing a panel of 54,001 SNPs) using measures of genetic merit (as predicted transmitting abilities) for 5,705 Irish Holstein-Friesian animals. Candidate genes and biological pathways were then identified for each trait under investigation.

Results
Following adjustment for false discovery (q-value < 0.05), 479 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were associated with at least one of the four carcass traits using a single SNP regression approach. Using a Bayesian approach, 46 QTL were associated (posterior probability > 0.5) with at least one of the four traits. In total, 557 unique bovine genes, which mapped to 426 human orthologs, were within 500kbs of QTL found associated with a trait using the Bayesian approach. Using this information, 24 significantly over-represented pathways were identified across all traits. The most significantly over-represented biological pathway was the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway.

Conclusions
A large number of genomic regions putatively associated with bovine carcass traits were detected using two different statistical approaches. Notably, several significant associations were detected in close proximity to genes with a known role in animal growth such as glucagon and leptin. Several biological pathways, including PPAR signaling, were shown to be involved in various aspects of bovine carcass performance. These core genes and biological processes may form the foundation for further investigation to identify causative mutations involved in each trait. Results reported here support previous findings suggesting conservation of key biological processes involved in growth and metabolism.