bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival analysis of Hispanics in a cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Aparo Santiago , Goel Sanjay , Lin Daniel , Ohri Nitin , Schwartz Jonathan M. , Lo Yungtai , Kaubisch Andreas 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) appears to have worse prognosis among Hispanics and other ethnic minorities in the United States. We investigated the overall survival (OS) of Hispanics with HCC and compared it with non‐Hispanic (NH) whites and NH blacks.MethodsPatients diagnosed and treated for HCC at an urban medical center between 2000 and 2011 were identified from the institutional cancer registry. A Cox proportional‐hazard model was used to assess survival differences between Hispanics, NH whites, and NH blacks after adjusting for clinically and statistically significant variables.ResultsA total of 681 patients were identified, 24 of whom were excluded due to inability to confirm the diagnosis of HCC based on radiologic criteria and 24 due to unavailable ethnicity data. The remaining 633 patients were used for analysis. Of this final cohort, 49% (n = 309) were Hispanic, 23% (n = 144) were NH white, and 28% (n = 180) were NH black. The median OS among Hispanics was 16.3 months and was similar to that of NH whites (14.0 months) and NH blacks (17.3 months) (P = 0.76). Multivariate analysis revealed a hazard ratio for death for Hispanics of 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.58‐1.07, P = .12) when compared with NH whites and a hazard ratio for death of 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.68‐1.19, P = 0.46) when compared with NH blacks.ConclusionsIn contrast to previous reports, Hispanics with HCC from this cohort experienced similar OS when compared with NH whites and NH blacks. Cancer 2014;120:3683–3690. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Cascade Reactions Catalyzed by Metal Organic Frameworks
Authors: Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi , Garcia Hermenegildo 
Published: July 2014

AbstractCascade or tandem reactions where two or more individual reactions are carried out in one pot constitute a clear example of process intensification, targeting the maximization of spatial and temporal productivity with mobilization of minimum resources. In the case of catalytic reactions, cascade processes require bi‐/multifunctional catalysts that contain different classes of active sites. Herein, we show that the features and properties of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) make these solids very appropriate materials for the development of catalysts for cascade reactions. Due to composition and structure, MOFs can incorporate different types of sites at the metal nodes, organic linkers, or at the empty internal pores, allowing the flexible design and synthesis of multifunctional catalysts. After some introductory sections on the relevance of cascade reactions from the point of view of competitiveness, sustainability, and environmental friendliness, the main part of the text provides a comprehensive review of the literature reporting the use of MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts for cascade reactions including those that combine in different ways acid/base, oxidation/reduction, and metal–organic centers. The final section summarizes the current state of the art, indicating that the development of a first commercial synthesis of a high‐added‐value fine chemical will be a crucial milestone in this area.
Above‐ and belowground herbivory jointly impact defense and seed dispersal traits in Taraxacum officinale
Authors: de la Peña Eduardo , Bonte Dries 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPlants are able to cope with herbivores by inducing defensive traits or growth responses that allow them to reduce or avoid the impact of herbivores. Since above‐ and belowground herbivores differ substantially in life‐history traits, for example feeding types, and their spatial distribution, it is likely that they induce different responses in plants. Moreover, strong interactive effects on defense and plant growth are expected when above‐ and belowground herbivores are jointly present. The strengths and directions of these responses have been scarcely addressed in the literature. Using Taraxacum officinale, the root‐feeding nematode Meloidogyne hapla and the locust Schistocerca gregaria as a model species, we examined to what degree above‐ and belowground herbivory affect (1) plant growth responses, (2) the induction of plant defensive traits, that is, leaf trichomes, and (3) changes in dispersal‐related seed traits and seed germination. We compared the performance of plants originating from different populations to address whether plant responses are conserved across putative different genotypes. Overall, aboveground herbivory resulted in increased plant biomass. Root herbivory had no effect on plant growth. Plants exposed to the two herbivores showed fewer leaf trichomes than plants challenged only by one herbivore and consequently experienced greater aboveground herbivory. In addition, herbivory had effects that reached beyond the individual plant by modifying seed morphology, producing seeds with longer pappus, and germination success.
Sources and transport of nitrate constrained by the isotopic technique in a karst catchment: an example from Southwest China
Authors: Yue Fu‐Jun , Li Si‐Liang , Liu Cong‐Qiang , Lang Yun‐Chao , Ding Hu 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe concentration and isotopic composition of nitrate were analyzed to improve an understanding of nitrate sources and transformation processes in a typical karstic agricultural field in the Houzhai catchment, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. The results revealed that no distinct spatial pattern of content and isotopic composition of nitrate exists in this karst catchment. Nitrate in surface stream (SFS) had slightly lighter isotopic composition and lower concentration compared with nitrate in subterranean stream (STS) during the dry season. Concentrations of SFS nitrate increased to concentrations similar to those of STS during the wet season. The isotopic values indicated that nitrate were mainly impacted by manure sources during the dry season and influenced by a mix of chemical fertilizer and manure during the wet season. The denitrification rates were roughly estimated based on the isotopic compositions of nitrate after considering volatilization and ignoring assimilation. The calculated result showed that approximately one fifth of nitrate load was removed by denitrification in the catchment. Annual nitrate flux from the outlets accounted for 14.2% of applied total fertilizers used in the catchment, approximately 85% of total transported flux from the catchment in the wet season. Furthermore, chemical weathering processes were enhanced by using nitrogen fertilizer because liberated protons and enhanced HCO3− flux were produced through by nitrification. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics with Neutrons: The View from Simulation
Authors: Hong Liang , Petridis Loukas , Smith Jeremy C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe characterization of the structure and internal dynamics of biomolecules is essential to understanding their biological function. Neutron scattering probes similar time‐ and length‐scales to molecular dynamics simulation. Hence, simulation models of biomolecules have become invaluable in the interpretation of experimental neutron data. Here, we report on advances in the application of simulation in developing neutron scattering to investigate internal protein motions and, as an example of industrial relevance, in the derivation of physical models of use in biofuel renewable energy research.
SEQUENTIAL MONTE CARLO SAMPLING FOR DSGE MODELS
Authors: Herbst Edward , Schorfheide Frank 
Published: July 2014

SUMMARYWe develop a sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) algorithm for estimating Bayesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models; wherein a particle approximation to the posterior is built iteratively through tempering the likelihood. Using two empirical illustrations consisting of the Smets and Wouters model and a larger news shock model we show that the SMC algorithm is better suited for multimodal and irregular posterior distributions than the widely used random walk Metropolis–Hastings algorithm. We find that a more diffuse prior for the Smets and Wouters model improves its marginal data density and that a slight modification of the prior for the news shock model leads to drastic changes in the posterior inference about the importance of news shocks for fluctuations in hours worked. Unlike standard Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques; the SMC algorithm is well suited for parallel computing. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SDF-1/CXCR4 Axis in Tie2-Lineage Cells Including Endothelial Progenitor Cells Contributes to Bone Fracture Healing
Authors: Kawakami Yohei , Ii Masaaki , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Kuroda Ryosuke , Kuroda Tomoya , Kwon Sang-Mo , Kawamoto Atsuhiko , Akimaru Hiroshi , Mifune Yutaka , Shoji Taro , Fukui Tomoaki , Kurosaka Masahiro , Asahara Takayuki 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a specific receptor for stromal-derived-factor 1 (SDF-1). SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction is reported to play an important role in vascular development. On the other hand, the therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in fracture healing has been demonstrated with mechanistic insight of vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and osteogenesis enhancement at sites of fracture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway in Tie2-lineage cells (including EPCs) in bone formation. We created CXCR4 gene conditional knockout mice using the Cre/loxP system and set two groups of mice: Tie2-CreER CXCR4 knockout mice (CXCR4−/−) and wild-type mice (WT). We report here that in vitro, EPCs derived from of CXCR4−/− mouse bone marrow demonstrated severe reduction of migration activity and EPC colony-forming activity when compared with those derived from WT mouse bone marrow. In vivo, radiological and morphological examinations showed fracture healing delayed in the CXCR4−/− group and the relative callus area at weeks 2 and 3 was significantly smaller in CXCR4−/− group mice. Quantitative analysis of capillary density at perifracture sites also showed a significant decrease in the CXCR4−/− group. Especially, CXCR4−/−group mice demonstrated significant early reduction of blood flow recovery at fracture sites compared with the WT group in laser Doppler perfusion imaging analysis. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the gene expressions of angiogenic markers (CD31, VE-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) and osteogenic markers (osteocalcin, collagen 1A1, bone morphogenetic protein 2 [BMP2]) were lower in the CXCR4−/− group. In the gain-of-function study, the fracture in the SDF-1 intraperitoneally injected WT group healed significantly faster with enough callus formation compared with the SDF-1 injected CXCR4−/− group. We demonstrated that an EPC SDF-1/CXCR4 axis plays an important role in bone fracture healing using Tie2-CreER CXCR4 conditional knockout mice. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Gas chromatographic determination of some phenolic compounds in fuels and engine oil after simultaneous derivatization and microextraction
Authors: Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Yadeghari Adeleh , Khoshmaram Leila , Ghorbanpour Houshang 
Published: July 2014

In this study, a simultaneous derivatization/air‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction method has been developed for sample preparation of some phenolic compounds in fuels and engine oil. Analytes are transferred by back liquid–liquid extraction into NaOH solution and then are derivatized with butyl chloroformate and extracted simultaneously into carbon tetrachloride. The extracted derivatized analytes are analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The effect of extracting solvent type, derivatization agent and extraction solvent volumes, ionic strength of the aqueous solution, number of extraction cycles, etc., on the extraction efficiency is investigated. The calibration graphs are linear in the range of 3–10 000 μg/L. Enhancement factors, enrichment factors, and extraction recoveries are in the ranges of 497 to 1471, 571 to 991, and 60 to 109%, respectively. Detection limits are obtained in the range of 0.8 to 2.0 μg/L. Relative standard deviations for the extraction of each selected phenols are in the ranges of 2–4% for intraday (n = 6) and 3–6% (n = 5) for interday precisions for 200 μg/L. This technique is successfully applied for the extraction, preconcentration, and determination of the selected phenols in gasoline, kerosene, gas oil, and engine oil.
Photoluminescent Nematic Liquid Crystalline Elastomer with a Thermomechanical Emission Variation Function
Authors: Wei Renbo , He Yaning , Wang Xiaogong , Keller Patrick 
Published: July 2014

Nematic liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) microactuators are developed, showing simultaneous thermomechanical deformation and photoluminescence (PL) emission variation functions. The microactuators are prepared by a method combining soft‐lithography and photo‐polymerization/crosslinking. 1,4‐Bis(α‐cyano‐4‐methoxystyryl)benzene as the PL dye is synthesized, characterized, and introduced into LCEs as a dopant in the preparation process. During the heating process, PL emission of the LCE micropillars under blue light excitation becomes significantly weak when the micropillars contract. When cooling down, the emission completely recovers as the micropillars stretches back to their original shape. The PL intensity variation at the transition is proved to be related to the thermomechanical deformation.image
Do Parkinson's Disease Patients Have Deficits in Sequential Sampling Tasks?
Authors: Djamshidian Atbin , Mulhall Jennifer , Tomassini Alessandro , Crotty Grace , Warner Thomas T. , Lees Andrew , O'Sullivan Sean S. , Averbeck Bruno B. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the neuropsychological behavior of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with addictive behaviors. Characteristically, these patients have younger onset of PD, higher novelty‐seeking personality traits, jump to conclusions, and often make irrational choices. We assessed whether PD patients with and without addictive behaviors have deficits in a sequential sampling task, often called the secretary problem. In this task, participants needed to pick the best out of multiple offers. Critically, once participants rejected a deal, this option became unavailable. Thus, decisions needed to be balanced not to stop too soon or sample for too long and miss the best deal. We tested 13 PD patients with and 13 patients without addictive behaviors. Results were compared to healthy volunteers. We found that all patients declined fewer options before committing to a deal. There was, however, no difference between the two patient groups. Furthermore, there was no difference in overall choice rank between patients and controls. These results suggest that, compared to controls, PD patients gather less evidence before committing to an offer, but have no deficits in recognizing the best deal out of many options, regardless of whether or not they have addictive behaviors.
Characteristics and temporal trends in patient registries: focus on the life sciences industry, 1981–2012
Authors: Travers Karin , Sallum Rachel H. , Burns Meghan D. , Barr Charles E. , Beattie Mary S. , Pashos Chris L. , Luce Bryan R. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPurposePatient registries are used to monitor safety, examine real‐world effectiveness, and may potentially contribute to comparative effectiveness research. To our knowledge, life sciences industry (LSI)‐sponsored registries have not been systematically categorized. This study represents a first step toward understanding such registries over time.MethodsStudies described as registries were identified in the ClinicalTrials.gov database. Characteristics from these registry records were abstracted and analyzed.ResultsOf 1202 registries identified, approximately 47% reported LSI sponsorship. These 562 LSI registries varied in focus: medical devices (n = 193, 34%), specific drugs (n = 173, 31%), procedures (n = 29, 5%), or particular diseases (n = 139, 25%). Thirty‐three registries (<6%) evaluated pregnancy outcomes. The most common therapeutic area was cardiovascular (n = 234, 42%); others included endocrinology, immunology, oncology, musculoskeletal disorders, and neurology. The two most often measured outcomes were clinical effectiveness and safety, each of which appeared in 363/562 (65%) of LSI registries. Other outcomes included real‐world clinical practice patterns (n = 122, 22%), patient‐reported outcomes (n = 106, 19%), disease epidemiology/natural history (n = 69, 12%), and economic outcomes (n = 30, 5%). The number of LSI registries and their geographic diversity has increased over time.ConclusionsThe LSI registries represent a substantial proportion of all patient registries documented in ClinicalTrials.gov. These prospective studies are growing in number and encompass diverse therapeutic areas and geographic regions. Most registries measure multiple outcomes and capture real‐world data that may be unavailable through other study designs. This classification of LSI registries documents their use for studying heterogeneity of diseases, examining treatment patterns, measuring patient‐reported outcomes, examining economic outcomes, and performing comparative effectiveness research. © 2014 The Authors. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The prevalence and implications of elderly inpatients' desire for a formal psychological help at the start of cancer treatment
Authors: Dubruille Stéphanie , Libert Yves , Merckaert Isabelle , Reynaert Christine , Vandenbossche Sandrine , Roos Myriam , Bron Dominique , Razavi Darius 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIntroductionLittle is known about elderly cancer inpatients' desire for psychological help.PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate whether elderly cancer inpatients well informed about their diagnosis expressed a desire to receive formal psychological help at the start of their cancer treatment. The characteristics of the patients that sought help were examined.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study assessed 650 consecutive cancer inpatients that were 65 years of age and older when they started treatment for breast, colorectal, ovarian, lung, prostate or haematological cancers. Disease‐related, medical and psychological characteristics of these patients were assessed using validated tools.ResultsDistress and cognitive impairment were experienced by 37% and 46% of elderly cancer inpatients, respectively. However, only 12% of patients reported a desire for formal psychological help (14% of women vs 9% of men). The patient characteristics examined were found to be weakly associated with this desire (this explained 16% of the variance for women and 14% for men). For the female subgroup, this desire was associated with age [<75 years vs ≥75 years; odds ratio (OR) = 2.57], marital status (without a partner vs with a partner; OR = 2.26) and distress (OR = 1.13). For the male subgroup, loss of functional autonomy (OR = 1.41) and pain (OR = 1.22) were relevant characteristics.ConclusionsAlthough more than about four out of 10 elderly cancer inpatients in this study experience distress or cognitive impairment, only about one out of 10 expresses a desire for formal psychological help. Therefore, an appropriate sequence of interventions should be scheduled in order to offer them an optimal formal psychological help. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The characteristics and effectiveness of Question Prompt List interventions in oncology: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Brandes Kim , Linn Annemiek J. , Butow Phyllis N. , van Weert Julia C. M. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractObjectiveQuestion Prompt Lists (QPLs) have been used extensively in the oncology setting to improve communication, psychological and/or cognitive outcomes. In this systematic review, the objectives were to (a) examine the methodological quality of QPL interventions, (b) review the effectiveness of QPL interventions on communication, psychological and/or cognitive outcomes of cancer patients, (c) gain more insight into the characteristics of QPL interventions (e.g., the number and content of questions, and the mode of delivery) and (d) explore whether the effectiveness of QPL interventions might be explained by their characteristics.MethodA systematic literature search was conducted in PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL and CENTRAL. Empirical studies that investigated the use and effectiveness of QPL interventions in an oncology setting were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane method.ResultsSixteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated evidence for the effectiveness of QPL interventions in enhancing patient participation (i.e., question asking). Furthermore, there was evidence that QPL interventions can influence psychological outcomes (i.e., anxiety at follow‐up) and cognitive outcomes (i.e., recall of information). The majority of QPL interventions were given to patients before their consultation in hardcopy. In most studies, QPLs were combined with other intervention components. It is suggested that characteristics of a QPL intervention (i.e., the number of questions on a QPL and provider training) can influence its effectiveness.ConclusionQuestion Prompt List interventions are effective in improving communication, psychological and cognitive outcomes of cancer patients. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolism of agrochemicals and related environmental chemicals based on cytochrome P450s in mammals and plants
Authors: Ohkawa Hideo , Inui Hideyuki 
Published: July 2014

AbstractA yeast gene expression system originally established for mammalian cytochrome P450 monooxygenase cDNAs was applied to functional analysis of a number of mammalian and plant P450 species, including 11 human P450 species (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C18, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4). The human P450 species CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C18 and CYP2C19 were identified as P450 species metabolising various agrochemicals and environmental chemicals. CYP2C9 and CYP2E1 specifically metabolised sulfonylurea herbicides and halogenated hydrocarbons respectively. Plant P450 species metabolising phenylurea and sulfonylurea herbicides were also identified mainly as the CYP71 family, although CYP76B1, CYP81B1 and CYP81B2 metabolised phenylurea herbicides. The transgenic plants expressing these mammalian and plant P450 species were applied to herbicide tolerance as well as phytoremediation of agrochemical and environmental chemical residues. The combined use of CYP1A1, CYP2B6 and CYP2C19 belonging to two families and three subfamilies covered a wide variety of herbicide tolerance and phytoremediation of these residues. The use of 2,4‐D‐and bromoxynil‐induced CYP71AH11 in tobacco seemed to enhance herbicide tolerance and selectivity. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry