bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative predictive model of recovery of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Matsushita Kazuhito , Kent Matthew T. , Vickers Andrew J. , von Bodman Christian , Bernstein Melanie , Touijer Karim A. , Coleman Jonathan A. , Laudone Vincent T. , Scardino Peter T. , Eastham James A. , Akin Oguz , Sandhu Jaspreet S. 
Published: February 2015

ObjectiveTo build a predictive model of urinary continence recovery after radical prostatectomy (RP) that incorporates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters and clinical data.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of data from 2 849 patients who underwent pelvic staging MRI before RP from November 2001 to June 2010. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between each MRI variable and continence at 6 or 12 months, adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and then used multivariable logistic regression to create our model. A nomogram was constructed using the multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsIn all, 68% (1 742/2 559) and 82% (2 205/2 689) regained function at 6 and 12 months, respectively. In the base model, age, BMI and ASA score were significant predictors of continence at 6 or 12 months on univariate analysis (P < 0.005). Among the preoperative MRI measurements, membranous urethral length, which showed great significance, was incorporated into the base model to create the full model. For continence recovery at 6 months, the addition of membranous urethral length increased the area under the curve (AUC) to 0.664 for the validation set, an increase of 0.064 over the base model. For continence recovery at 12 months, the AUC was 0.674, an increase of 0.085 over the base model.ConclusionUsing our model, the likelihood of continence recovery increases with membranous urethral length and decreases with age, BMI and ASA score. This model could be used for patient counselling and for the identification of patients at high risk for urinary incontinence in whom to study changes in operative technique that improve urinary function after RP.
Intravesical gemcitabine in combination with mitomycin C as salvage treatment in recurrent non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Cockerill Patrick A. , Knoedler John J. , Frank Igor , Tarrell Robert , Karnes Robert J. 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesTo evaluate oncological outcomes after combination intravesical therapy with gemcitabine (GC) and mitomycin C (MMC) in the setting of recurrent non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) after failure of previous intravesical therapy.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients with recurrent NMIBC after previous intravesical therapy, who refused or were not candidates for cystectomy, between 2005 and 2011. GC and MMC were sequentially instilled weekly for 6–8 weeks. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, bladder cancer history, and number and type of intravesical therapies before GC/MMC. Outcomes evaluated included time to recurrence and/or progression after GC/MMC. Recurrence‐free outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to test the association of clinicopathological features with outcomes.ResultsIn all, 27 patients were identified, 23 with high‐risk disease (high‐grade or carcinoma in situ) and four with intermediate‐risk disease (multifocal or recurrent low‐grade). All patients received prior intravesical therapy, and 17 patients (63%) received multiple courses. Twenty‐four patients were treated with BCG. The median (range) disease‐free survival of all patients was 15.2 (1.7–39.3) months. Seventeen patients (63%) developed recurrent bladder cancer, a median of 15.2 months after therapy. One patient progressed to muscle‐invasive disease 5 months after treatment, and one developed metastatic disease 22 months after treatment. Three patients went on to cystectomy. Ten patients (37%) had no evidence of disease at last follow‐up, with a median follow‐up of 22.1 months.ConclusionThe combination of intravesical GC and MMC could offer durable recurrence‐free survival to some patients with recurrent NMIBC who are not candidates for, or refuse, cystectomy.
FORECASTING US INFLATION USING DYNAMIC GENERAL‐TO‐SPECIFIC MODEL SELECTION
Authors: Bagdatoglou George , Kontonikas Alexandros , Wohar Mark E. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTWe forecast US inflation using a standard set of macroeconomic predictors and a dynamic model selection and averaging methodology that allows the forecasting model to change over time. Pseudo out‐of‐sample forecasts are generated from models identified from a multipath general‐to‐specific algorithm that is applied dynamically using rolling regressions. Our results indicate that the inflation forecasts that we obtain employing a short rolling window substantially outperform those from a well‐established univariate benchmark, and contrary to previous evidence, are considerably robust to alternative forecast periods.
Effects of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors on VEGF165a‐ and VEGF165b‐stimulated gene transcription in HEK‐293 cells expressing human VEGFR2
Authors: Carter Joanne J , Wheal Amanda J , Hill Stephen J , Woolard Jeanette 
Published: February 2015

Background and PurposeReceptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) targeted at VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) have proved to be attractive approaches to cancer therapy based on their ability to reduce angiogenesis. Here we have undertaken a quantitative analysis of the interaction of RTKIs and two VEGF splice variants, VEGF165a and VEGF165b, with VEGFR2 by studying nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT) reporter gene activity in live HEK‐293 cells.Experimental ApproachHEK‐293 cells expressing the human VEGFR2 and a firefly luciferase reporter gene regulated by an NFAT response element were used for quantitative analysis of the effect of RTKIs on VEGF165a‐ and VEGF165b‐stimulated luciferase gene expression.Key ResultsVEGF165a produced a concentration‐dependent activation of the NFAT‐luciferase reporter gene in living cells that was inhibited in a non‐competitive fashion by four different RTKIs (cediranib, pazopanib, sorafenib and vandetanib). The potency obtained for each RTKI from this analysis was similar to those obtained in binding studies using purified VEGFR2 kinase domains. VEGF165b was a lower‐efficacy agonist of the NFAT‐luciferase response when compared with VEGF165a. Analysis of the concentration–response data using the operational model of agonism indicated that both VEGF165 isoforms had similar affinity for VEGFR2.Conclusions and ImplicationsQuantitative pharmacological analysis of the interaction of VEGF165 isoforms and RTKIs with VEGFR2 in intact living cells has provided important insights into the relative affinity and efficacy of VEGF165a and VEGF165b for activation of the calcineurin‐ NFAT signalling pathway by this tyrosine kinase receptor.
From Flexibility to Constraint: The Contrastive Use of Lexical Tone in Early Word Learning
Authors: Hay Jessica F. , Graf Estes Katharine , Wang Tianlin , Saffran Jenny R. 
Published: February 2015

Infants must develop both flexibility and constraint in their interpretation of acceptable word forms. The current experiments examined the development of infants' lexical interpretation of non‐native variations in pitch contour. Fourteen‐, 17‐, and 19‐month‐olds (Experiments 1 and 2, N = 72) heard labels for two novel objects; labels contained the same syllable produced with distinct pitch contours (Mandarin lexical tones). The youngest infants learned the label–object mappings, but the older groups did not, despite being able to discriminate pitch differences in an object‐free task (Experiment 3, N = 14). Results indicate that 14‐month‐olds remain flexible regarding what sounds make meaningful distinctions between words. By 17–19 months, experience with a nontonal native language constrains infants' interpretation of lexical tone.
Novel therapies for memory cells in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Bhargava P , Calabresi P A 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAutoimmune diseases are a major cause of morbidity, and their incidence and prevalence continue to rise. Treatments for these diseases are non-specific and result in significant adverse effects. Targeted therapies may help in improving the risk : benefit ratio associated with treatment. Immunological memory is an important feature of the vertebrate immune system that results in the production of cells that are long-lived and able to respond to antigens in a more robust manner. In the setting of autoimmunity this characteristic becomes detrimental due to the ongoing response to a self-antigen(s). These memory cells have been shown to play key roles in various autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. Memory T cells and B cells can be identified based on various molecules expressed on their surface. Memory T cells can be divided into three main categories – central memory, effector memory and resident memory cells. These subsets have different proliferative potential and cytokine-producing abilities. Utilizing differentially expressed surface molecules or downstream signalling pathway proteins in these cells it is now possible to target memory cells while sparing naive cells. We will discuss the various available options for such a strategy and several potential strategies that may yield successful therapies in the future.
Common genetic variants associated with thyroid function may be risk alleles for Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease
Authors: Campbell Purdey , Brix Thomas H. , Wilson Scott G. , Ward Lynley C. , Hui Jennie , Beilby John P. , Hegedüs Laszlo , Walsh John P. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryBackgroundRecent studies have identified common genetic variants associated with TSH, free T4 and thyroid peroxidase antibodies, but it is unclear whether these differ between patients with Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease.ObjectiveTo examine whether 11 common genetic variants differ between Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease.Patients and measurementsWe genotyped 11 common variants in a discovery cohort of 203 Australian patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Two variants with significant or suggestive associations were analysed in a replication cohort of 384 Danish patients.ResultsFor rs753760 (PDE10A), the minor allele frequency in Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease was 0·38 vs. 0·23, respectively, (P = 6·42 × 10−4) in the discovery cohort, 0·29 vs. 0·24 (P = 0·147) in the replication cohort and 0·32 vs. 0·24 in combined analysis (P = 0·0021; all analyses adjusted for sex). In healthy controls from Busselton, the frequency was 0·29, significantly different from Hashimoto's disease but not Graves' disease. For rs4889009 (MAF gene region), the frequency of the minor G‐allele in Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease was 0·48 vs. 0·36 (P = 0·0156) in the discovery cohort, 0·48 vs. 0·34 (P = 1·83 × 10−4) in the replication cohort and 0·48 vs. 0·35 in the combined analysis (P = 7·53 × 10−6); in controls, the frequency was 0·38, significantly different from Graves' disease but not Hashimoto's disease. After further adjustment for smoking, associations with rs4889009 remained significant, whereas those with rs753760 were not.ConclusionCommon variants in PDE10A and MAF gene regions may influence whether patients with AITD develop Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease.
Metabolic and hormonal effects of ‘catch‐up’ sleep in men with chronic, repetitive, lifestyle‐driven sleep restriction
Authors: Killick Roo , Hoyos Camilla M. , Melehan Kerri L. , Dungan George C. , Poh Jonathon , Liu Peter Y. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryObjectiveAcutely restricting sleep worsens insulin sensitivity in healthy individuals whose usual sleep is normal in duration and pattern. The effect of recovery or weekend ‘catch‐up’ sleep on insulin sensitivity and metabolically active hormones in individuals with chronic sleep restriction who regularly ‘catch‐up’ on sleep at weekends is as yet unstudied.Design19 men (mean ± SEM age 28·6 ± 2·0 years, BMI 26·0 ± 0·8 kg/m2) with at least 6 months’ history (5·1 ± 0·9 years) of lifestyle‐driven, restricted sleep during the working week (373 ± 6·6 min/night) with regular weekend ‘catch‐up’ sleep (weekend sleep extension 37·4 ± 2·3%) completed an in‐laboratory, randomized, crossover study comprising two of three conditions, stratified by age. Conditions were 3 weekend nights of 10 hours, 6 hours or 10 hours time‐in‐bed with slow wave sleep (SWS) suppression using targeted acoustic stimuli.MeasurementsInsulin sensitivity was measured in the morning following the 3rd intervention night by minimal modelling of 19 samples collected during a 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test. Glucose, insulin, c‐peptide, leptin, peptide YY (PYY), ghrelin, cortisol, testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured from daily fasting blood samples; HOMA‐IR, HOMA‐β and QUICKI were calculated.ResultsInsulin sensitivity was higher following three nights of sleep extension compared to sustained sleep restriction. Fasting insulin, c‐peptide, HOMA‐IR, HOMA‐β, leptin and PYY decreased with ‘catch‐up’ sleep, QUICKI and testosterone increased, while morning cortisol and LH did not change. Targeted acoustic stimuli reduced SWS by 23%, but did not alter insulin sensitivity.ConclusionsThree nights of ‘catch‐up’ sleep improved insulin sensitivity in men with chronic, repetitive sleep restriction. Methods to improve metabolic health by optimizing sleep are plausible.
Does concomitant autonomous adrenal cortisol overproduction have the potential to confound the interpretation of adrenal venous sampling in primary aldosteronism?
Authors: Goupil Rémi , Wolley Martin , Ahmed Ashraf H. , Gordon Richard D. , Stowasser Michael 
Published: February 2015

SummaryObjectiveDemonstration of unilateral aldosterone production by adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is required to select appropriate candidates for adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). During AVS, aldosterone and cortisol levels are measured to assess successful cannulation and lateralization. In patients with aldosterone‐producing adenoma (APA), concurrent autonomous cortisol secretion might confound AVS results.Design and patientsWe retrospectively examined results in eight patients with cortisol‐producing adenoma (CPA), but without PA, who underwent AVS.ResultsIn all eight, cortisol was higher on the CPA side than contralateral (CL) (median 6·7‐fold [range 2·4–27·2]; P = 0·012]). By cortisol criteria, CL catheter placement would have been labelled inadequate in six despite adrenal venous aldosterone levels markedly higher than peripheral (41·6‐fold [7·2–510·5]; P < 0·001), suggesting successful cannulation. In all eight, adrenal venous aldosterone/cortisol (A/C) ratios on the CL side were indicative of increased aldosterone production (≥2 times peripheral), but in only three patients on the CPA side (difference CL side 44·5‐fold [6·0–109·0] vs CPA side 1·65‐fold [1·0–23·0]; P = 0·017). A/C ratios were higher on the CL vs the CPA side in seven (20·0‐fold [4·7–76·0]).ConclusionThese results in patients with CPA suggest that in patients with APA, concurrent autonomous unilateral cortisol hypersecretion could confound AVS accuracy by increasing cortisol levels (reducing A/C ratio) on the CPA side, while reducing levels (increasing A/C ratio and suggesting failed cannulation) on the CL side. Misclassification of PA subtype or repeat AVS could result, underscoring the importance of adequately assessing cortisol production prior to AVS and the need to consider alternatives.
Supplementation of vitamin D in pregnancy and its correlation with feto‐maternal outcome
Authors: Sablok Aanchal , Batra Aruna , Thariani Karishma , Batra Achla , Bharti Rekha , Aggarwal Abha Rani , Kabi B.C. , Chellani Harish 
Published: February 2015

SummaryContextVitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent throughout the world. Pregnant women, neonates and infants form most vulnerable groups for vitamin D deficiency.Objective(1) To find prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women. (2) To evaluate the effect of supplementation with cholecalciferol in improving vitamin D levels in pregnant women and evaluate its correlation with feto‐maternal outcome.DesignRandomized control trial from years 2010 to 2012.SettingTertiary care centre, Delhi, India.ParticipantsOne‐hundred and eighty pregnant women. Study population divided randomly into two groups: group A: nonintervention (60 women) and group B: intervention (120 women).InterventionThe intervention group received supplementation of vitamin D in dosages depending upon 25(OH)‐D levels.Main outcome measuresRisk of maternal complications such as preterm labour, pre‐eclampsia and gestational diabetes associated with vitamin D deficiency and risk of low birthweight and poor Apgar score in infants of mothers with vitamin D deficiency.ResultsAdjusted serum 25(OH)‐D concentration was lower in group A as compared to group B (mean 46·11 ± 74·21 nmol/l vs 80 ± 51·53 nmol/l). Forty‐four percent patients in group A and 20·3% patients in group B developed preterm labour/pre‐eclampsia/gestational diabetes. Newborns of mothers in group A had lower cord blood levels of 25(OH)‐D levels as compared to group B (mean 43·11 ± 81·32 nmol/l vs 56·8 ± 47·52 nmol/l). They also had lower birthweight of mean 2·4 ± 0·38 kg as compared to group B 2·6 ± 0·33 kg.ConclusionsVitamin D supplementation reduces risk of maternal comorbidities and helps improve neonatal outcomes.
Clinicopathologic Implications of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 3f and Her‐2/neu Expression in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Cheng Yu , Zhou Jin , Li Honglun 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground:To detect the expression of eIF3f and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her‐2)/neu in gastric cancer (GC), correlation with their clinicopathological parameters and the relationship of eIF3f and Her‐2/neu in the occurrence and development of GC.Methods:A total of 195 gastrectomy specimens with stage I to III were examined for eIF3f expression by immunohistochemistry and for Her‐2/neu expression by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with the median follow‐up period of 38 months.Results:The positive expression rate of eIF3f in GC and adjacent noncancerous tissue were 33.8% and 59.5%, respectively. eIF3f levels were linked to more advanced tumor stages and likelihood of recurrence (all p < 0.05). The Kaplan–Meier survival curves indicated that decreased expression of eIF3f could serve as a prognosis marker for poor outcome of GC patients (p = 0.04). 15.9% of GC specimens were positive for Her‐2/neu, but whose expression was of no correlation with patients’ survival. Patients who were positive for Her‐2/neu also had high eIF3f expression levels (p = 0.0295).Conclusion:Results suggest that eIF3f may play an important role in recurrence, thus representing a promising predictive marker for the prognosis of GC. But Her‐2/neu has no relationship with the prognosis of GC. The clinical significance of eIF3f and Her‐2/neu remains to be further investigated.
WT1 immunoenzyme staining using SurePath™ processed urine cytology helps to detect kidney disease
Authors: Ohsaki H. , Sofue T. , Kawakami K. , Nishijima Y. , Hara T. , Matsunaga T. , Kushida Y. , Haba R. , Shigematsu Y. , Irino S. , Norimatsu Y. 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesDamage and detachment of podocytes and loss into the urine have been implicated in the progression of kidney diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of urine cytology based on SurePath™ combined with immunoenzyme staining using Wilms’ tumour 1 (WT1) antibody as a podocyte marker in the discrimination of normality and non‐renal urinary tract disease from kidney disease.MethodsSixty‐six patients with kidney disease, 45 patients with lower urinary tract disease and 30 healthy volunteers were examined. Urine cytology slides were prepared using the SurePath method and immunoenzyme stained with WT1 antibody, and the number of WT1‐positive cells was counted.ResultsIn kidney disease, WT1‐positive cells were found in 33 (50%) of 66 samples. No WT1‐positive cells were found in 45 patients with lower urinary tract disease or in 30 healthy volunteers. The positive rates for WT1 varied with disease type, but not significantly: immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, (14/23); membranous glomerulonephritis, (4/10); Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis, (3/5); diabetic glomerulopathy, (5/5); minor glomerular abnormality/minimal change nephrotic syndrome (0/4).ConclusionsThe results suggest that WT1 immunoenzyme staining of urine cytology can be used to detect some types of kidney disease.
Feasibility and Diagnostic Potential of Pulmonary Transit Time Measurement by Contrast Echocardiography: A Pilot Study
Authors: Brittain Evan L. , Doss Laura N. , Saliba Linda , Irani Waleed , Byrd Benjamin F. , Monahan Ken 
Published: February 2015

AimsPulmonary transit time (PTT; the time for ultrasound contrast to travel from the right ventricle [RV] to the left atrium) may provide a single metric that reports on cardiopulmonary function while overcoming some of the challenges of standard echocardiographic measures. We conducted a pilot study to test the feasibility and reproducibility of echocardiographically derived PTT and to determine its association with established measures of cardiopulmonary function.Methods and ResultsA total of 39 patients receiving clinically indicated ultrasound contrast were prospectively enrolled. PTT was measured in the apical four‐chamber view using commercially available software. Reproducibility and inter‐observer agreement were assessed in 9 patients. PTT was correlated with established measures of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, RV function, and pulmonary vascular status. PTT could be measured in 89% (33/37) of patients without a contraindication to ultrasound contrast; all measurements from the last 20 patients were interpretable and obtained independently by a sonographer. Reproducibility and inter‐observer agreement were excellent. PTT correlated well with standard echocardiographic indicators of cardiac status. A PTT >4.5 seconds accurately identified all but 1 patient with cardiopulmonary dysfunction.ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrates that measurement of PTT using ultrasound contrast is highly reproducible, accurately reflects global cardiopulmonary function across a range of cardiopulmonary disease, and can be readily obtained by an independent sonographer. Further studies are needed to determine whether PTT has incremental value in diagnosis and prognosis compared to conventional echocardiographic parameters.