bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous biopsy for risk stratification of renal masses
Authors: Blute Michael L. , Drewry Anna , Abel Edwin Jason 
Published: May 2015

The increased use of abdominal imaging has led to identification of more patients with incidental renal masses, and renal mass biopsy (RMB) has become a popular method to evaluate unknown renal masses prior to definitive treatment. Pathologic data obtained from biopsy may be used to guide decisions for treatment and may include the presence or absence of malignant tumor, renal cell cancer subtype, tumor grade and the presence of other aggressive pathologic features. However, prior to using RMB for risk stratification, it is important to understand whether RMB findings are equivalent to pathologic analysis of surgical specimens and to identify any potential limitations of this approach. This review outlines the advantages and limitations of the current studies that evaluate RMB as a guide for treatment decision in patients with unknown renal masses. In multiple series, RMB has demonstrated low morbidity and a theoretical reduction in cost, if patients with benign tumors are identified from biopsy and can avoid subsequent treatment. However, when considering the routine use of RMB for risk stratification, it is important to note that biopsy may underestimate risk in some patients by undergrading, understaging or failing to identify aggressive tumor features. Future studies should focus on developing treatment algorithms that integrate RMB to identify the optimal use in risk stratification of patients with unknown renal masses.
Characterization of Biochemical Cartilage Change After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Using T1ρ Mapping Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Osaki Kanji , Okazaki Ken , Takayama Yukihisa , Matsubara Hirokazu , Kuwashima Umito , Murakami Koji , Doi Toshio , Matsuo Yoshio , Honda Hiroshi , Iwamoto Yukihide 
Published: May 2015

Background: Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–injured knees are at an increased risk of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA). OA changes secondary to ACL injuries have many variations, and when and where early cartilage degenerative change begins has not yet been established. Purpose: To characterize the location of cartilage degeneration after ACL injury associated with time since injury using T1rho (T1ρ) mapping. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: In this study, 49 knees with ACL injuries and 14 normal knees from uninjured volunteers were imaged with a 3.0-T magnetic resonance scanner. Three regions of interest (ROIs) were defined in the cartilage at the weightbearing area of the femoral condyles (anterior, middle, and posterior zones). Two ROIs were defined in the tibial plateau (anterior and posterior zones). The T1ρ values within the ROIs were measured. Patients were allocated into 3 groups based on time since injury: <12 weeks (group A; 28 patients), 12 weeks to 2 years (group B; 14 patients), and >2 years to 5 years (group C; 7 patients). Results: Mean T1ρ values were significantly greater in the anterior and middle ROIs of the medial femoral condyle in group C compared with those in other groups ( P < .05). Patients with medial meniscus injury, for whom the time since injury was ≥12 weeks, exhibited significantly greater T1ρ values in the middle areas of the medial femoral condyle versus normal knees and ACL-injured knees without medial meniscus injury. Conclusion: The risk of cartilage degeneration in the area of the femoral condyle that contacts the tibia during small degrees of flexion increased when the time since injury was longer than 2 years. In addition, medial meniscus injury was associated with cartilage degeneration at the medial femoral condyle in the chronic phase. Clinical Relevance: Cartilage degeneration occurs more than 2 years after ACL injury and increases with medial meniscus injury. Early intervention may be desirable for meniscus injury.
Inducible caspase-9 suicide gene controls adverse effects from alloreplete T cells after haploidentical stem cell transplantation
Authors: Zhou Xiaoou , Dotti Gianpietro , Krance Robert A. , Martinez Caridad A. , Naik Swati , Kamble Rammurti T. , Durett April G. , Dakhova Olga , Savoldo Barbara , Di Stasi Antonio , Spencer David M. , Lin Yu-Feng , Liu Hao , Grilley Bambi J. , Gee Adrian P. , Rooney Cliona M. , Heslop Helen E. , Brenner Malcolm K. 
Published: May 2015

Key PointsAlloreplete iC9-T cells can promote immune recovery posttransplant and protect patients against viral infections. iC9-T cells can be eliminated from both peripheral blood and CNS by administration of AP1903 leading to a rapid resolution of GVHD.
A quality-of-life measure for adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia: QOL–PCD
Authors: Lucas Jane S. , Behan Laura , Dunn Galvin Audrey , Alpern Adrianne , Morris Anjana M. , Carroll Mary P. , Knowles Michael R. , Leigh Margaret W. , Quittner Alexandra L. 
Published: May 2015

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is characterised by chronic suppurative lung disease, rhino-sinusitis, hearing impairment and sub-fertility. We have developed the first multidimensional measure to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with PCD (QOL–PCD).Following a literature review and expert panel meeting, open-ended interviews with patients investigated the impact of PCD on HRQoL in the UK and North America (n=21). Transcripts were content analysed to derive saturation matrices. Items were rated for relevance by patients (n=49). Saturation matrices, relevance scores, literature review, evaluation of existing measures, and expert opinion contributed to development of a preliminary questionnaire. The questionnaire was refined following cognitive interviews (n=18).Open-ended interviews identified a spectrum of issues unique to adults with PCD. Saturation matrices confirmed comprehensive coverage of content. QOL–PCD includes 48 items covering the following seven domains: Physical Functioning, Emotional Functioning, Treatment Burden, Respiratory and Sinus Symptoms, Ears and Hearing, Social Functioning, and Vitality and Health Perceptions. Cognitive testing confirmed that content was comprehensive and the items were well-understood by respondents.Content validity and cognitive testing supported the items and structure. QOL–PCD has been translated into other languages and is awaiting psychometric testing.
Quantitative modeling of dose–response and drug combination based on pathway network
Authors: Gu Jiangyong , Zhang Xinzhuang , Ma Yimin , Li Na , Luo Fang , Cao Liang , Wang Zhenzhong , Yuan Gu , Chen Lirong , Xiao Wei , Xu Xiaojie 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Background
Quantitative description of dose–response of a drug for complex systems is essential for treatment of diseases and drug discovery. Given the growth of large-scale biological data obtained by multi-level assays, computational modeling has become an important approach to understand the mechanism of drug action. However, due to complicated interactions between drugs and cellular targets, the prediction of drug efficacy is a challenge, especially for complex systems. And the biological systems can be regarded as networks, where nodes represent molecular entities (DNA, RNA, protein and small compound) and processes, edges represent the relationships between nodes. Thus we combine biological pathway-based network modeling and molecular docking to evaluate drug efficacy.

Results
Network efficiency (NE) and network flux (NF) are both global measures of the network connectivity. In this work, we used NE and NF to quantitatively evaluate the inhibitory effects of compounds against the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of prostaglandin E2. The edge values of the pathway network of this biological process were reset according to the Michaelis-Menten equation, which used the binding constant and drug concentration to determine the degree of inhibition of the target protein in the pathway. The combination of NE and NF was adopted to evaluate the inhibitory effects. The dose–response curve was sigmoid and the EC50 values of 5 compounds were in good agreement with experimental results (R2 = 0.93). Moreover, we found that 2 drugs produced maximal synergism when they were combined according to the ratio between each EC50.

Conclusions
This quantitative model has the ability to predict the dose–response relationships of single drug and drug combination in the context of the pathway network of biological process. These findings are valuable for the evaluation of drug efficacy and thus provide an effective approach for pathway network-based drug discovery.
Usefulness of open mixed nut challenges to exclude tree nut allergy in children
Authors: Van Erp Francine C. , Knulst André C. , Kok Irene L. , van Velzen Maartje F. , van der Ent Cornelis K. , Meijer Yolanda 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundTo minimize the risk of accidental reactions, atopic children with multiple sensitizations to tree nuts are advised to avoid all nuts. Multiple food challenges would be needed to confirm the clinical relevance, but are too burdensome to be practical.The usefulness of open mixed nut challenges in terms of safety, reactions during challenge, tolerance of the challenge material, effect on the elimination diet and satisfaction of the parents was evaluated.FindingsOpen mixed nut challenges were performed in 19 children with a previous negative hazelnut challenge and long term elimination diet for tree nuts. Challenges were negative in 13 (68 %) children, in four (21 %) children (non‐severe) allergic symptoms were observed. The challenges were well accepted, safe and efficient. We were able to avoid multiple nut challenges in 15 (79 %) children.ConclusionsOpen mixed nut challenge can efficiently exclude multiple tree nut allergies in children with a lifelong nut free diet and low suspicion of clinical allergy.
Ash fall impact on vegetation: a remote sensing approach of the Oldoinyo Lengai 2007–08 eruption
Authors: De Schutter Ann , Kervyn Matthieu , Canters Frank , Bosshard-Stadlin Sonja A , Songo Majura A M , Mattsson Hannes B 
Published: May 2015

AbstractImpacts from ash fallout on the environment can be widespread and long lasting, even from moderate-size eruptions. Assessing ash impact on vegetation and the indirect impacts for people is often difficult in the field. Here it is assessed how satellite data can help to map vegetation affected by ash and how temporal analysis enables characterization of vegetation recovery rate. The 2007–08 eruption of Oldoinyo Lengai, north Tanzania, is here used as a case study. An 8 year-long (2005–2012) time series of half-monthly average of the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) is constructed at 250 m spatial resolution from the Moderate Resolution Image Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) sensor. Interpolated rainfall data is used to isolate NDVI values departing from the normal seasonal cycles. Month-to-month NDVI comparison, linear temporal trend analysis and Principal Component Analysis enable to identify a 11 × 4 km area over which ash fallout significantly affected the state of the vegetation. After the eruption’s end, time series of various recovery indices highlight a circumferential pattern in vegetation recovery. The estimated recovery time varies from more than 5 years to less than 6 months with increasing distance from the volcano. A non-linear moderate, but statistically significant, relationship is found between the recovery indices and the spatial variation of ash thicknesses measured in the field. Combining field and remote sensing constraints enable to re-assess the volume of the eruption to ~2 × 107 m3. The spatial pattern of the ash-affected area matches with the spatial contrast in the impact experienced by the local communities. The method applied here opens the scope to document impact and intensity of ash fallout in areas where systematic field work is not possible and to support recovery plans for populations affected by ash fallout.
Reich’s iterated function systems and well-posedness via fixed point theory
Authors: Xu Shaoyuan , Cheng Suyu , Zhou Zuoling 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we prove the existence of the attractors for Reich’s iterated function systems by virtue of a Banach-like fixed point theorem. As a result, under the condition that the Reich contractions discussed are continuous, we give an affirmative answer to an open question posed by Singh et al. in 2009. In addition, we formulate a collage theorem for Reich’s iterated function systems.
An enduring lens for a continuing problem: Close analysis of conceptually scored cloze items
Authors: O’Toole John M , Cheng Junyu , O’Toole Gjyn 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
This paper provides an example of close analysis of student attempts to fill the gaps that comprise a cloze test. Such analysis may assist diagnosis of the difficulties that groups of students experience with specific text in particular contexts and illustrate the impact of those difficulties.
The paper briefly touches on the international, academic role of English, outlines its contemporary role in universities in the People’s Republic of China and then describes a small quantitative study of student difficulty with specialist English that illustrates the impact of those difficulties on text accessibility.
One hundred and fourteen Chinese undergraduate students completed a 50 item cloze test which was conceptually scored before close analysis of patterns in clear student error.
The impact of the pattern of difficulty that emerged from the Chinese results is illustrated in a number of ways. The rank and proportional difficulty of the identified language features is presented in numerical form and compared with that emerging from previous use of the test in secondary school contexts. The proportional difficulty is then used to guide insertion of words from an unfamiliar language into the base text to provide an indication of the difficulty being experienced by the ‘average’ Chinese undergraduate in reading this passage prepared for a mid-level secondary school audience.
The present case provides the opportunity of ‘proof of concept’ for extension of cloze techniques from holistic estimation of readability to identification of specific features of specialist writing styles that may cause difficulty for particular groups of readers.
The results of this study suggest that such close analysis of error patterns may provide an illuminative lens on student difficulty with specific language styles within English and that, in this particular case, focus on general academic English may not be sufficient preparation for upper level discipline courses that make use of more specific styles.
Ficus (Moraceae) and fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) in Taiwan
Authors: Bain Anthony , Tzeng Hsy-Yu , Wu Wen-Jer , Chou Lien-Siang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAlthoughFicus-associated wasp fauna have been extensively researched in Australasia, information on these fauna in Taiwan is not well accessible to scientists worldwide. In this study, we compiled records on theFicusflora of Taiwan and its associated wasp fauna. Initial agronomic research reports onFicuswere published in Japanese in 1917, followed by reports on applied biochemistry, taxonomy, and phenology in Chinese. On the basis of the phenological knowledge of 15 species of theFicusflora of Taiwan, recent research has examined the pollinating and nonpollinating agaonid and chalcid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Updating records according to the current nomenclature revealed that there are 30 taxa (27 species) of native or naturalizedFicuswith an unusually high proportion of dioecious species (78%). Four species were observed to exhibit mutualism with more than one pollinating wasp species, and 18 of the 27Ficusspecies were reported with nonpollinating wasp species. The number of nonpollinating wasp species associated with specificFicusspecies ranges from zero (F. pumila) to 24 (F. microcarpa). Approximately half of the Taiwanese fig tree species have been studied with basic information on phenology and biology described in peer-reviewed journals or theses. This review provides a solid basis for future in-depth comparative studies. This summary of knowledge will encourage and facilitate continuing research on the pollination dynamics ofFicusand the associated insect fauna in Taiwan.
An increased expression of PI-PLCβ1 is associated with myeloid differentiation and a longer response to azacitidine in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Cocco Lucio , Finelli Carlo , Mongiorgi Sara , Clissa Cristina , Russo Domenico , Bosi Costanza , Quaranta Marilisa , Malagola Michele , Parisi Sarah , Stanzani Marta , Ramazzotti Giulia , Mariani Giulia A , Billi Anna Maria , Manzoli Lucia , Follo Matilde Y 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis study tested the hypothesis that PI-PLCβ1 is associated with myeloid differentiation and that its expression could be useful for predicting the response of MDS patients to azacitidine, as the clinical effect of epigenetic treatments is often detectable only after several cycles of therapy. To this end, PI-PLCβ1 was quantified on 70 MDS patients (IPSS risk: 13 Low, 20 Int-1, 31 Int-2, 6 High) at baseline and during the first 3 cycles of azacitidine. Results were then compared with the hematologic response, as assessed after the sixth cycle of azacitidine therapy. Overall, 60 patients completed 6 cycles of azacitidine, and for them, a clinical and molecular evaluation was possible: 37 of these patients (62%) showed a specific increase of PI-PLCβ1 mRNA within the first 3 cycles, which was associated with a longer duration of response and with an increased myeloid differentiation, as evidenced by PI-PLCγ2 induction and the recruitment of specific myeloid-associated transcription factors to the PI-PLCβ1 promoter during azacitidine response. Moreover, the increase of cyclin D3 gene expression throughout all of the therapy showed that PI-PLCβ1-dependent signaling is indeed activated in azacitidine responder patients. Taken together, our results show that PI-PLCβ1 quantification in MDS predicts the response to azacitidine and is associated with an increased myeloid differentiation.
The role of EMMPRIN in T cell biology and immunological diseases
Authors: Hahn Jennifer Nancy , Kaushik Deepak Kumar , Yong V Wee 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
EMMPRIN (CD147), originally described as an inducer of the expression of MMPs, has gained attention in its involvement in various immunologic diseases, such that anti-EMMPRIN antibodies are considered as potential therapeutic medications. Given that MMPs are involved in the pathogenesis of various disease states, it is relevant that targeting an upstream inducer would make for an effective therapeutic strategy. Additionally, EMMPRIN is now appreciated to have multiple roles apart from MMP induction, including in cellular functions, such as migration, adhesion, invasion, energy metabolism, as well as T cell activation and proliferation. Here, we review what is known about EMMPRIN in numerous immunologic/inflammatory disease conditions with a particular focus on its complex roles in T cell biology.
Harmonic morphisms applied to classical potential theory
Authors: Fuglede Bent 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIt is shown that ifϕdenotes a harmonic morphism of type Bl between suitable Brelot harmonic spacesXandY, then a functionf, defined on an open setV ⊂ Y, is superharmonic if and only iff ∘ ϕis superharmonic onϕ–1(V) ⊂ X. The “only if” part is due to Constantinescu and Cornea, withϕdenoting any harmonic morphism between two Brelot spaces. A similar result is obtained for finely superharmonic functions defined on finely open sets. These results apply, for example, to the case whereϕis the projection from ℝNto ℝn(N > n ≥1) or whereϕis the radial projection from ℝN\ {0} to the unit sphere in ℝN(N≥ 2).
Geometry of G2 orbits and isoparametric hypersurfaces
Authors: Miyaoka Reiko 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe characterize the adjoint G2 orbits in the Lie algebra g of G2 as fibered spaces over S6 with fibers given by the complex Cartan hypersurfaces. This combines the isoparametric hypersurfaces of case (g,m) = (6,2) with case (3,2). The fibrations on two singular orbits turn out to be diffeomorphic to the twistor fibrations of S6 and G2/SO(4). From the symplectic point of view, we show that there exists a 2-parameter family of Lagrangian submanifolds on every orbit.
Isoparametric hypersurfaces with four principal curvatures, II
Authors: Chi Quo-Shin 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn this sequel to an earlier article, employing more commutative algebra than previously, we show that an isoparametric hypersurface with four principal curvatures and multiplicities (3,4) in S15 is one constructed by Ozeki and Takeuchi and Ferus, Karcher, and Münzner, referred to collectively as of OT-FKM type. In fact, this new approach also gives a considerably simpler proof, both structurally and technically, that an isoparametric hypersurface with four principal curvatures in spheres with the multiplicity constraint m2≥ 2m1 -1 is of OT-FKM type, which left unsettled exactly the four anomalous multiplicity pairs (4,5),(3,4),(7,8), and (6, 9), where the last three are closely tied, respectively, with the quaternion algebra, the octonion algebra, and the complexified octonion algebra, whereas the first stands alone in that it cannot be of OT-FKM type. A by-product of this new approach is that we see that Condition B, introduced by Ozeki and Takeuchi in their construction of inhomogeneous isoparametric hypersurfaces, naturally arises. The cases for the multiplicity pairs (4,5), (6, 9), and (7,8) remain open now.
Quantum (sln, ∧V n) link invariant and matrix factorizations
Authors: Yonezawa Yasuyoshi 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we give a generalization of Khovanov-Rozansky homology. We define a homology associated to the quantum (sln, ∧Vn) link invariant, where ∧Vn is the set of fundamental representations of Uq(sln). In the case of an oriented link diagram composed of [k, 1]-crossings, we define a homology and prove that the homology is invariant under Reidemeister II and III moves. In the case of an oriented link diagram composed of general [i,j]-crossings, we define a normalized Poincaré polynomial of homology and prove that the normalized Poincaré polynomial is a link invariant.
Schatten p-class property of pseudodifferential operators with symbols in modulation spaces
Authors: Kobayashi Masaharu , Miyachi Akihiko 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIt is proved that the pseudodifferential operators σt(X, D) belong to the Schatten p-class Cp, 0 < p ≤ 2, if the symbol σ(x,ω) is in certain modulation spaces on
Bounds on the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity
Authors: Celikbas Olgur , Dao Hailong , Huneke Craig , Zhang Yi 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn this paper we give new lower bounds on the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity of unmixed nonregular local rings, bounding them uniformly away from 1. Our results improve previous work of Aberbach and Enescu.
Vanishing theorems on complete manifolds with weighted Poincaré inequality and applications
Authors: Fu Hai-Ping , Yang Deng-Yun 
Published: May 2015

AbstractTwo vanishing theorems for harmonic map and L2 harmonic 1-form on complete noncompact manifolds are proved under certain geometric assumptions, which generalize results of [13], [15], [18], [19], and [20]. As applications, we improve some main results in [2], [4], [6], [9], [12], [20], [22], [24], and [25].