bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-Dose Sirolimus and Immune-Selective Pentostatin plus Cyclophosphamide Conditioning Yields Stable Mixed Chimerism and Insufficient Graft-versus-Tumor Responses
Authors: Mossoba Miriam E. , Halverson David C. , Kurlander Roger , Schuver Bazetta Blacklock , Carpenter Ashley , Hansen Brenna , Steinberg Seth M. , Ali Syed Abbas , Tageja Nishant , Hakim Frances T. , Gea-Banacloche Juan , Sportes Claude , Hardy Nancy M. , Hickstein Dennis D. , Pavletic Steven Z. , Khuu Hanh , Sabatini Marianna , Stroncek David , Levine Bruce L. , June Carl H. , Mariotti Jacopo , Rixe Olivier , Fojo Antonio Tito , Bishop Michael R. , Gress Ronald E. , Fowler Daniel H. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPurpose: We hypothesized that lymphoid-selective host conditioning and subsequent adoptive transfer of sirolimus-resistant allogeneic T cells (T-Rapa), when combined with high-dose sirolimus drug therapy in vivo, would safely achieve antitumor effects while avoiding GVHD.Experimental Design: Patients (n = 10) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were accrued because this disease is relatively refractory to high-dose conditioning yet may respond to high-dose sirolimus. A 21-day outpatient regimen of weekly pentostatin (P; 4 mg/m2/dose) combined with daily, dose-adjusted cyclophosphamide (C; ≤200 mg/d) was designed to deplete and suppress host T cells. After PC conditioning, patients received matched sibling, T-cell–replete peripheral blood stem cell allografts, and high-dose sirolimus (serum trough target, 20–30 ng/mL). To augment graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects, multiple T-Rapa donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) were administered (days 0, 14, and 45 posttransplant), and sirolimus was discontinued early (day 60 posttransplant).Results: PC conditioning depleted host T cells without neutropenia or infection and facilitated donor engraftment (10 of 10 cases). High-dose sirolimus therapy inhibited multiple T-Rapa DLI, as evidenced by stable mixed donor/host chimerism. No antitumor responses were detected by RECIST criteria and no significant classical acute GVHD was observed.Conclusions: Immune-selective PC conditioning represents a new approach to safely achieve alloengraftment without neutropenia. However, allogeneic T cells generated ex vivo in sirolimus are not resistant to the tolerance-inducing effects of in vivo sirolimus drug therapy, thereby cautioning against use of this intervention in patients with refractory cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 21(19); 4312–20. ©2015 AACR.
Loss of Cardiomyocyte Integrin-Linked Kinase Produces an Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy in Mice
Authors: Quang Khai Le , Maguy Ange , Qi Xiao-Yan , Naud Patrice , Xiong Feng , Tadevosyan Artavazd , Shi Yan-Fen , Chartier Denis , Tardif Jean-Claude , Dobrev Dobromir , Nattel Stanley 
Published: June 2015

Background—
Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a serine/threonine protein kinase, has roles in cell signaling and molecular scaffolding. ILK mutation/deletion causes cardiomyopathic phenotypes, but the functional and electrophysiological features have not been characterized. This study investigated the structural, functional, ion channel, and electrophysiological changes associated with cardiomyocyte-directed ILK deletion in mice.

Methods and Results—

Adult mice with cardiomyocyte-directed ILK knockout were compared with littermate controls. Knockout mice showed markedly increased mortality, with sudden death beginning after 5 weeks and 100% mortality at 18 weeks. In 10-week-old knockout mice, spontaneous and inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias were common, occurring in 60% and 86%, respectively, and absent in controls (
P
<0.001,
P
<0.05 versus knockout mice). Ventricular refractoriness was prolonged, along with both QRS and QT interval. Action potentials were prolonged and displayed triggered activity. A wide range of ion currents were downregulated, including total, fast and slow components of transient outward K
+
current and inward rectifier K
+
current, along with corresponding ion channel subunit genes, providing a plausible explanation of action potential prolongation. At 5 weeks, only voltage-dependent K
+
currents were reduced, possibly related to direct ILK-Kv4.2 subunit interactions. Action potentials were prolonged, but no arrhythmias or cardiac dysfunction were noted. Structural remodeling was prominent at 10 weeks: connexin-43 was downregulated and redistributed to lateral cell margins, and left ventricular fibrosis occurred, with a strong regional distribution (predominating in the basal left ventricle). Conduction was slowed. High-throughput quantitative polymerase reaction gene-expression studies in 10-week-old ILK knockout showed upregulation of structural, remodeling and fibrosis-related genes, and downregulation of a wide range of ion channel and transporter subunits.

Conclusions—
Cardiomyocyte ILK deletion produces a lethal arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy associated with important ion channel and structural remodeling.
Pneumatic tube transport of blood-stained cerebrospinal fluid specimens has no clinically relevant effect on rates of haemolysis compared to manual transport
Authors: Jones Liz , Isbister Geoff , Chesher Douglas , Gillett Mark 
Published: June 2015

Background Pneumatic tube transport of pathology specimens from the emergency department to the laboratory for analysis is a widely used practice. When compared to manual specimen transport, it results in savings in both time and labour. Sampling of cerebrospinal fluid still forms part of the workup of patients with suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage. There are claims in the literature that transport of cerebrospinal fluid samples by pneumatic tube results in excess haemolysis, which interferes with cerebrospinal fluid analysis for the presence of bilirubin. The aim of our study was to ascertain whether pneumatic tube transport of blood-stained cerebrospinal fluid to the laboratory, results in clinically significantly higher levels of haemolysis compared with manual transport of the same specimens. Methods Stored cerebrospinal fluid was spiked with varying amounts of red blood cells creating 72 specimens of varying red cell concentration. Half of these specimens were transported to the laboratory manually while the other half were sent by pneumatic tube transport. The rates of haemolysis were compared between the pneumatic tube and manual transport samples. Results There was no clinically significant difference in the rates of haemolysis between the samples transported to the laboratory by pneumatic tube compared with those moved manually. Conclusions Pneumatic tube transport of cerebrospinal fluid to the laboratory is not associated with clinically significantly higher rates of haemolysis when compared to manual transport.
Increased Resident Research over an 18‐Year Period
Authors: Chen Jenny X. , Kozin Elliott D. , Sethi Rosh K. V. , Remenschneider Aaron K. , Emerick Kevin S. , Gray Stacey T. 
Published: June 2015

Objectives(1) To evaluate changes in the resident publications over time, including before and after duty hour restrictions, and (2) to identify factors statistically associated with publications during residency.Study DesignRetrospective review of bibliometric data.Subjects and MethodsResidents who graduated from an otolaryngology residency program from 1996 to 2013 were evaluated. Thomson Reuters Web of Science was searched to determine the number of indexed peer‐reviewed publications before and after implementation of resident duty hour restrictions in 2003. Resident demographics, PhD degrees, training tracks, and postgraduation plans were collected to determine factors associated with publication rate using multivariable regression analysis.ResultsDuring the studied period, 75 residents completed otolaryngology residency training and published a total of 294 papers, averaging 3.92 publications per resident during training. After work hour restrictions were implemented, the mean number of publications increased from 1.21 to 5.10 (P <. 0001). First author publications, clinical publications, and basic science publications all increased (P <. 001). In regression analysis, T32 grants (β = 6.98, standard error [SE] = 1.87, P =. 0004) and the time period after duty hour restrictions were introduced (β = 4.72, SE = 1.73, P =. 0083) were positively associated with resident publications. Gender, PhD degree, and pursuit of fellowship training were not associated with increased publications (P >. 05).ConclusionThere has been a significant increase in resident publications over time, coinciding with the implementation of work hour restrictions. T32 grants were most predictive of increased resident publications, while PhD degrees were not significantly associated.
In Vitro Treatment with 2‐APB Inhibits the Inflammation in Nasal Polyps
Authors: Lin Lin , Dai Fei , Chen Zhongchun , Cai Lihui 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveGlucocorticoids are considered the main treatment option for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), but their effect rate ranges from 60.9% to 80%. Novel therapeutic means should be studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of Orai1 in nasal polyps (NPs) and the influence of intervention of Orai1 on NPs after in vitro treatment of 2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2‐APB).Study DesignProspective cross‐sectional study.SettingUniversity hospital.Subjects and MethodsNasal biopsy samples were obtained from normal subjects or subjects with CRSwNP. We studied the localization of Orai1 protein in NPs by using immunohistochemistry. Then these tissues in cultures were maintained in the absence or presence of dexamethasone (DEX) or 2‐APB. Orai1 was examined by Western blot, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Inflammatory mediators including interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐5, eosinophil cation protein (ECP), leukotriene (LT)C4, interferon (IFN)‐γ, and dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP)‐specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) as well as mucins (MUCs) including MUC5B and MUC7 in cultures were analyzed with ELISA and real‐time RT‐PCR.ResultsThe expression of Orai1 was localized to cytoplasmic membrane of inflammatory cells and submucosal glandular cells and was upregulated in NPs compared with normal nasal mucosa. Orai1 was decreased in NPs after in vitro treatment of 2‐APB but not after DEX intervention. The levels of inflammatory mediators and mucins were reduced more after 2‐APB treatment when compared with those after DEX treatment.ConclusionOrai1 may play crucial roles in NP formation, and the intervention of Orai1 may inhibit NP development.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Provides Prognostic Value in Thick Head and Neck Melanoma
Authors: Monroe Marcus M. , Pattisapu Prasanth , Myers Jeffrey N. , Kupferman Michael E. 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesSentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is standard practice for intermediate‐thickness head and neck melanoma (HNM) but remains controversial for melanomas more than 4 mm in thickness. The objectives of this study were to evaluate (1) the diagnostic accuracy and (2) the prognostic value of SLNB in patients with thick HNM.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingLarge cancer center between June 2000 and December 2012.Subjects77 patients undergoing SLNB for T4 HNM without in‐transit, regional, or distant metastatic disease at presentation.MethodsUnivariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors were performed.Results77 patients underwent attempted SLNB for T4 HNM without in‐transit, regional, or distant metastatic disease at presentation. The mean patient age was 62 years (range, 4‐87 years) and there was a male predominance (80%). Mean Breslow thickness was 6.1 mm (range, 4‐21 mm). Of the 77 patients undergoing attempted SLNB, 7 had no identifiable sentinel lymph node (9%). For the remaining 91% with 1 or more identifiable sentinel lymph nodes, the mean number of nodes identified was 3.3 (range, 1‐13). The sentinel lymph node positivity rate was 24%. A false‐negative SLNB occurred in 2 patients (3.8%). With a median follow‐up of 36 months, the estimated 5‐year disease‐free, disease‐specific, and overall survival rates were 47%, 74%, and 69%, respectively. A positive sentinel lymph node was significantly linked to shortened disease‐free survival (74 vs 36 months, P =. 026) and disease‐specific survival (121 vs 59 months, P =. 035).ConclusionSLNB provides accurate staging of the regional node basin and important prognostic information for patients with thick HNM.
Discharge of thoracic patients on portable digital suction: Is it cost-effective?
Authors: Southey Dawn , Pullinger Diane , Loggos Spiros , Kumari Nelam , Lengyel Emma , Morgan Ian , Yiu Patrick , Nandi Jayanta , Luckraz Heyman 
Published: June 2015

Objectives A portable suction drainage device for patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures was introduced into our service in January 2010. Patients who met strict discharge criteria were allowed to continue their treatment at home with the device. They were monitored in a designated follow-up clinic. Data were collected to identify the impact of this service in relation to the duration of follow-up required, bed-days saved, and potential cost/benefits. Methods All patients who underwent a thoracic procedure from March 2012 to April 2014 and required suction postoperatively for air leak were included in the study. Patients were identified as suitable according to the discharge criteria. Data regarding patient demographics were collected prospectively on the thoracic database, and data on the drainage device were logged in a specific data sheet. Visits to the follow-up clinic were also recorded. Results During the study period, 50 patients stayed a total 1125 days on the portable suction system. Twenty were discharged home, equating to 772 bed-days saved (GBP 270,000 cost-saving). Clinic attendance totalled 162 visits (GBP 24,300 cost reimbursement for attendance). Six (30%) patients were readmitted on 9 occasions due to device malfunction or inability to cope at home. Conclusion Careful identification of patients suitable for discharge with a portable suction device achieved a significant cost-saving and freed hospital beds, thus allowing increased surgical activity. Patients were also able to be cared for within their home environment and maintain their quality of life.
Effects of gadolinium-based contrast agent concentrations (0.5 M or 1.0 M) on the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging examinations: systematic review of the literature
Authors: Lancelot Eric , Froehlich John , Heine Oliver , Desché Pierre 
Published: June 2015

Background To date there is no agreement as to what is the optimal concentration for gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). Purpose To assess whether diagnostic performance differences exist between 0.5 M and 1.0 M GBCAs used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods A PubMed literature search identified 21 clinical studies published between 2005 and 2013 which evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of both types of GBCAs. Study design, type of procedure, GBCA administration mode, imaging performances, impact on patient management, study limitations, and biases were analyzed. No statistical test was performed on pooled data. Results Sixteen comparative and five non-comparative studies were analyzed, involving 2183 patients who underwent MRI procedures for various indications. In 67% of the studies, 0.5 M and 1.0 M GBCAs were injected at equimolar gadolinium amounts per kg body weight. Only 33% applied the same molar flow rate for delivery of the GBCAs. No significant differences between GBCAs were reported for 23 out of 27 qualitative endpoints (mainly image quality, lesion, and vessel visualization) and 29 out of 40 quantitative endpoints. Three out of four studies with non-equimolar delivery rates showed better contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios for 1.0 M gadobutrol, without showing an impact on diagnostic performance. Methodological biases were identified in several studies impairing the interpretation of comparisons. Conclusion Imaging differences between 0.5 M and 1.0 M GBCAs were essentially observed under non-equimolar delivery rates. However, they did not result into greater diagnostic efficacy when performed under equimolar conditions.
Insulin Pump and CGM Usage in the United States and Germany
Authors: Walsh John , Roberts Ruth , Weber Dietmar , Faber-Heinemann Gabriele , Heinemann Lutz 
Published: June 2015

Background: This survey collected and evaluated user responses about routine tasks and preferences regarding insulin pumps and infusion sets (IIS) with comparison of intercountry differences between the United States (US) and Germany (GER), chosen for their large insulin pump populations. Methods: A total of 985 subjects (534 US, 451 GER; 60% female) with type 1 diabetes on pump therapy anonymously answered 20 pump-related questions. US subjects also answered 11 questions about continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) usage. Results: Length of use of insulin cartridges is shorter in US than in GER, mean (SD) 4.3 (5.0) versus 5.3 (3.2) days ( P < .001), while the IIS is used longer: 3.3 (1.0) versus 2.7 (1.1) days ( P < .001). Lower self-reported HbA1c levels were associated with longer use of insulin cartridges (7.3% for >3 days vs 7.7% for <3 days; P < .01), and with use of an auto-insertion device (vs manual IIS insertion) in the US (7.2% vs 6.9%), but not in GER (7.7% vs 7.9%). Only 47% of pump wearers stated that they were “very satisfied” with their pump (49% US vs 45% GER, ns). However, 98% would recommend the pump to others (95% vs 93%, ns). Analysis of CGM questions showed that 297 (60%) of 496 US responders currently wore one. Of these, 84% said they would recommend CGM to others. CGM wearers who stated they were “very satisfied” with their CGM had lower HbA1c than those who said they were “partly satisfied” (6.9% vs 7.2%). Conclusions: This survey shows interesting differences in real-world use of insulin pumps in 2 large markets, and suggests areas where insulin pumps and CGMs might be improved.
Fibrosarcoma of the urinary bladder in a cat
Authors: Capasso Angelo , Raiano Vera , Sontuoso Antonio , Olivero Daniela , Greci Valentina 
Published: June 2015

Case summary A 5-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat was presented with haematuria, pollakiuria and stranguria of 2 months’ duration, and a firm non-painful mass in the urinary bladder was palpated. Abdominal radiographs showed thickening and irregular cranial margins of the urinary bladder wall. Abdominal ultrasound showed a vascularised mass of mixed echogenicity almost entirely occupying the urinary bladder lumen. During explorative laparotomy, the mass appeared pedunculated and was totally excised. Histopathology was characterised by infiltration of the mucosal, submucosal and muscular layers by proliferated atypical mesenchymal cells; immunochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of fibrosarcoma. The cat was discharged with normal urination 5 days after surgery. The owner declined any imaging follow-up but reported the cat to be free of any clinical signs at 16 months after surgery. Relevance and novel information To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of primary fibrosarcoma of the urinary bladder in the cat. Fibrosarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of urinary bladder neoplasia.
Traumatic spinal cord injury caused by suspected hyperflexion of the atlantoaxial joint in a 10-year-old cat
Authors: Wessmann Annette , McLaughlin Angela , Hammond Gawain 
Published: June 2015

Case summary A 10-year-old cat presented 5 days after a traumatic event with acute recumbency followed by some clinical improvement. The neuroanatomical localisation was the C1–C5 spinal cord segments. Initial survey radiographs, including lateral flexed views, showed no convincing abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a marked focal intramedullary lesion at the level of the dens and suspected oedema extending over C2–C3 vertebrae, suggesting early syrinx formation. The cat made an initial excellent recovery on restricted exercise without medical treatment. The MRI changes largely resolved on follow-up MRI 4 weeks later yet recurred following a relapse 4 months later. At this stage, a post-traumatic syrinx had developed. Moreover, the suspected atlantoaxial instability was finally diagnosed on radiography with fully flexed lateral views. A hyperflexion injury causing tearing of the atlantoaxial ligaments was considered most likely given the lack of malformations or fractures. The cat made a full recovery on conservative management. Relevance and novel information This is the first report of sequential MRI findings in a cat with atlantoaxial instability. Moreover, post-traumatic syringomyelia formation following atlantoaxial injury has not been reported. Sequential MRI aids in the diagnosis of hyperflexion injury if survey radiographs fail to identify atlantoaxial instability.
Passivation ability of graphene oxide demonstrated by two-different-metal solar cells
Authors: Hsu Wen-Tzu , Tsai Zong-Sian , Chen Liang-Chun , Chen Guan-Yu , Lin Chun-Chieh , Chen Mei-Hsin , Song Jenn-Ming , Lin Chu-Hsuan 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
The study on graphene oxide (GO) grows rapidly in recent years. We find that graphene oxide could act as the passivation material in photovoltaic applications. Graphene oxide has been applied on Si two-different-metal solar cells. The suitable introduction of graphene oxide could result in obvious enhancement on the efficiency. The simple chemical process to deposit graphene oxide makes low thermal budget, large-area deposition, and fast production of surface passivation possible. The different procedures to incorporate graphene oxide in Si two-different-metal solar cells are compared, and 21% enhancement on the efficiency is possible with a suitable deposition method.
On the convergence of iteration processes for semigroups of nonlinear mappings inmodular function spaces
Authors: Bin Dehaish Buthinah A , Khamsi Mohamed A , Kozlowski Wojciech M 
Published: June 2015

AbstractLet C be a ρ-bounded, ρ-closed, convexsubset of a modular function space "Equation missing". We investigate the problem of constructingcommon fixed points for asymptotic pointwise nonexpansive semigroups of mappings"Equation missing", i.e. a family such that"Equation missing", "Equation missing", and "Equation missing", where "Equation missing", for every "Equation missing".MSC: 47H09, 46B20, 47H10, 47E10.
EEG seizure detection and prediction algorithms: a survey
Authors: Alotaiby Turkey N , Alshebeili Saleh A , Alshawi Tariq , Ahmad Ishtiaq , Abd El-Samie Fathi E 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEpilepsy patients experience challenges in daily life due to precautions they have to take in order to cope with this condition. When a seizure occurs, it might cause injuries or endanger the life of the patients or others, especially when they are using heavy machinery, e.g., deriving cars. Studies of epilepsy often rely on electroencephalogram (EEG) signals in order to analyze the behavior of the brain during seizures. Locating the seizure period in EEG recordings manually is difficult and time consuming; one often needs to skim through tens or even hundreds of hours of EEG recordings. Therefore, automatic detection of such an activity is of great importance. Another potential usage of EEG signal analysis is in the prediction of epileptic activities before they occur, as this will enable the patients (and caregivers) to take appropriate precautions. In this paper, we first present an overview of seizure detection and prediction problem and provide insights on the challenges in this area. Second, we cover some of the state-of-the-art seizure detection and prediction algorithms and provide comparison between these algorithms. Finally, we conclude with future research directions and open problems in this topic.