bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of total fraction of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables on the structural changes in experimental dog osteoarthritis: inhibition of nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase-13
Authors: Boileau Christelle , Martel-Pelletier Johanne , Caron Judith , Msika Philippe , Guillou Georges B , Baudouin Caroline , Pelletier Jean-Pierre 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Introduction
The aims of this study were, first, to investigate the in vivo effects of treatment with avocado/soybean unsaponifiables on the development of osteoarthritic structural changes in the anterior cruciate ligament dog model and, second, to explore their mode of action.

Methods
Osteoarthritis was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection of the right knee in crossbred dogs. There were two treatment groups (n = 8 dogs/group), in which the animals received either placebo or avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (10 mg/kg per day), which were given orally for the entire duration of the study (8 weeks). We conducted macroscopic and histomorphological analyses of cartilage and subchondral bone of the femoral condyles and/or tibial plateaus. We also conducted immunohistochemical analyses in cartilage for the following antigens: inducible nitric oxide synthase, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)4 and ADAMTS5.

Results
The size of macroscopic lesions on the tibial plateaus was decreased (P = 0.04) in dogs treated with the avocado/soybean unsaponifiables. Histologically, in these animals the severity of cartilage lesions on both tibial plateaus and femoral condyles, and the cellular infiltration in synovium were significantly decreased (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.04, respectively). Treatment with avocado/soybean unsaponifiables also reduced loss of subchondral bone volume (P < 0.05) and calcified cartilage thickness (P = 0.01) compared with placebo. Immunohistochemical analysis of cartilage revealed that avocado/soybean unsaponifiables significantly reduced the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (P < 0.05) and MMP-13 (P = 0.01) in cartilage.

Conclusions
This study demonstrates that treatment with avocado/soybean unsaponifiables can reduce the development of early osteoarthritic cartilage and subchondral bone lesions in the anterior cruciate ligament dog model of osteoarthritis. This effect appears to be mediated through the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and MMP-13, which are key mediators of the structural changes that take place in osteoarthritis.
A clinical evaluation committee assessment of recombinant human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (tifacogin) in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Laterre Pierre-François , Opal Steven M , Abraham Edward , LaRosa Steven P , Creasey Abla A , Xie Fang , Poole Lona , Wunderink Richard G 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Introduction
The purpose of this analysis was to determine the potential efficacy of recombinant human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (tifacogin) in a subpopulation of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) from a phase III study of severe sepsis.

Methods
A retrospective review of patients with suspected pneumonia was conducted by an independent clinical evaluation committee (CEC) blinded to treatment assignment. The CEC reanalyzed data from patients enrolled in an international multicenter clinical trial of sepsis who had a diagnosis of pneumonia as the probable source of sepsis. The primary efficacy measure was all-cause 28-day mortality.

Results
Of 847 patients identified on case report forms with a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, 780 (92%) were confirmed by the CEC to have pneumonia. Of confirmed pneumonia cases, 496 (63.6%) met the definition for CAP. In the CEC CAP population, the mortality rates of the tifacogin and placebo groups were 70/251 (27.9%) and 80/245 (32.7%), respectively. The strongest signals were seen in patients with CAP not receiving concomitant heparin, having microbiologically confirmed infection, or having the combination of documented infection and no heparin. The reduction in mortality in this narrowly defined subgroup when treated with tifacogin compared with placebo was statistically significant (17/58 [29.3%] with tifacogin and 28/54 [51.9%] with placebo; unadjusted P value of less than 0.02).

Conclusions
Tifacogin administration did not significantly reduce mortality in any severe CAP patient. Exploratory analyses showed an improved survival in patients who did not receive concomitant heparin with microbiologically confirmed infections. These data support the rationale of an ongoing phase III study exploring the potential benefit of tifacogin in severe CAP.

Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00084071.
Socioeconomic Differences in Patient Survival Are Increasing for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma in Sweden
Authors: Kristinsson Sigurdur Yngvi , Derolf Åsa Rangert , Edgren Gustaf , Dickman Paul W. , Björkholm Magnus 
Published: March 2009

Purpose An association between socioeconomic status (SES) and survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and multiple myeloma (MM) has not been established in developed countries. We assessed the impact of SES on survival in two large population-based cohorts of AML and MM patients diagnosed in Sweden 1973 to 2005. Patients and Methods The relative risk of death (all cause and cause specific) in relation to SES was estimated using Cox's proportional hazards regression. We also conducted analyses stratified by calendar periods (1973 to 1979, 1980 to 1989, 1990 to 1999, and 2000 to 2005). Results We identified a total of 9,165 and 14,744 patients with AML and MM, respectively. Overall, higher white-collar workers had a lower mortality than other SES groups for both AML (P = .005) and MM (P < .005). In AML patients, a consistently higher overall mortality was observed in blue-collar workers compared with higher white-collar workers in the last three periods (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.51; HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.45; HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.57, respectively). In MM, no difference was observed in the first two calendar periods. However, in 1990 to 1999, self-employed (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.37), blue-collar workers (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.32), and retired (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.80) had a higher mortality compared to higher white-collar workers. In 2000 to 2005, blue-collar workers had a higher mortality (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.60) compared with higher white-collar workers. Conclusion SES was significantly associated with survival in both AML and MM. Most conspicuously, a lower mortality was observed among the highest SES group during more recent calendar periods. Differences in management, comorbidity, and lifestyle, are likely factors to explain these findings.
Pretreatment Health Behaviors Predict Survival Among Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Duffy Sonia A. , Ronis David L. , McLean Scott , Fowler Karen E. , Gruber Stephen B. , Wolf Gregory T. , Terrell Jeffrey E. 
Published: March 2009

Purpose Our prior work has shown that the health behaviors of head and neck cancer patients are interrelated and are associated with quality of life; however, other than smoking, the relationship between health behaviors and survival is unclear. Patients and Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to determine the relationship between five pretreatment health behaviors (smoking, alcohol, diet, physical activity, and sleep) and all-cause survival among 504 head and neck cancer patients. Results Smoking status was the strongest predictor of survival, with both current smokers (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.4) and former smokers (HR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.5) showing significant associations with poor survival. Problem drinking was associated with survival in the univariate analysis (HR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.0) but lost significance when controlling for other factors. Low fruit intake was negatively associated with survival in the univariate analysis only (HR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.1), whereas vegetable intake was not significant in either univariate or multivariate analyses. Although physical activity was associated with survival in the univariate analysis (HR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93 to 0.97), it was not significant in the multivariate model. Sleep was not significantly associated with survival in either univariate or multivariate analysis. Control variables that were also independently associated with survival in the multivariate analysis were age, education, tumor site, cancer stage, and surgical treatment. Conclusion Variation in selected pretreatment health behaviors (eg, smoking, fruit intake, and physical activity) in this population is associated with variation in survival.
Prognostic Factors for Survival After Salvage Reirradiation of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Tanvetyanon Tawee , Padhya Tapan , McCaffrey Judith , Zhu Weiwei , Boulware David , DeConti Ronald , Trotti Andrea 
Published: March 2009

Purpose Patients who develop recurrent or new primary head and neck cancer in a previously irradiated site have poor prognosis. Reirradiation is a treatment option, although it is associated with substantial toxicities. We investigated potential prognostic factors, including comorbidity and pre-existing organ dysfunction, for survival after reirradiation. Methods Institutional electronic records of patients treated with reirradiation between January 1998 and 2008 were reviewed. Comorbidity was assessed by Charlson index and Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27) grading. Organ dysfunction was defined as feeding tube dependency, functioning tracheostomy, or soft tissue defect. Results There were 103 patients, including 46 patients who underwent salvage surgery before reirradiation. Median progression-free and overall survivals were 12.1 months (95% CI, 9.7 to 16.6) and 19.3 months (95% CI, 13.9 to 29.9), respectively. Significant comorbidity was present in 36% of patients by Charlson index and 24% by ACE-27. Baseline organ dysfunction was present in 37% of patients. Median overall survivals were 5.5 months among those with both organ dysfunction and comorbidity per Charlson index, and 4.9 months per ACE-27, compared with 59.6 and 44.2 months, respectively, among the patients with neither organ dysfunction nor comorbidity (P < .001 and < .001). Other independent prognostic factors were interval from previous radiation, recurrent tumor stage, tumor bulk at reirradiation, and reirradiation dose. A nomogram to predict the probability of death within 24 months after reirradiation was developed (concordance index = 0.75). Conclusion Comorbidity and pre-existing organ dysfunction are among several important prognostic factors for patients undergoing reirradiation. For those with both comorbidity and organ dysfunction, reirradiation largely serves as a palliative therapy.
Diphenylhydantoin Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation and Function Through Suppression of NFATc1 Signaling
Authors: Koide Masanori , Kinugawa Saya , Ninomiya Tadashi , Mizoguchi Toshihide , Yamashita Teruhito , Maeda Kazuhiro , Yasuda Hisataka , Kobayashi Yasuhiro , Nakamura Hiroaki , Takahashi Naoyuki , Udagawa Nobuyuki 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Diphenylhydantoin (DPH) is widely used as an anticonvulsant drug. We examined the effects of DPH on osteoclast differentiation and function using in vivo and in vitro assay systems. Transgenic mice overexpressing a soluble form of RANKL (RANKL Tg) exhibited increased osteoclastic bone resorption. Injection of DPH into the subcutaneous tissue overlying calvaria of RANKL Tg mice suppressed the enhanced resorption in the calvaria. In co-cultures of mouse osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, DPH inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoclast formation. DPH affected neither the mRNA expression of RANKL and osteoprotegerin nor the growth of mouse osteoblasts in culture. On the other hand, DPH inhibited the RANKL-induced formation of osteoclasts in cultures of mouse bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMMϕs) and of human peripheral blood-derived CD14+ cells. DPH concealed LPS-induced bone resorption in mouse calvarial organ cultures and inhibited the pit-forming activity of mouse osteoclasts cultured on dentine slices. DPH suppressed the RANKL-induced calcium oscillation and expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) and c-fos in BMMϕs. Moreover, DPH inhibited the RANKL-induced nuclear localization and auto-amplification of NFATc1 in mature osteoclasts. Both BMMϕs and osteoclasts expressed mRNA of a T-type calcium channel, Cav3.2, a target of DPH. Blocking the expression of Cav3.2 by short hairpin RNAs significantly suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. These results suggest that DPH inhibits osteoclast differentiation and function through suppression of NFATc1 signaling. The topical application of DPH may be a therapeutic treatment to prevent bone loss induced by local inflammation such as periodontitis.
1α,25(OH)2 Vitamin D3 Induction of ATP Secretion in Osteoblasts
Authors: Biswas Payal , Zanello Laura P 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
In the absence of mechanical stimulation, brief exposure of osteoblasts to 1α,25(OH)2vitamin D3 (1,25D) triggers plasma membrane electrical responses that couple to exocytosis. Here we describe for the first time 1,25D induction of exocytotic ATP release in static ROS 17/2.8 and SAOS-2 cells and primary calvarial osteoblasts expressing a vitamin D receptor (VDR). We found that 10 nM 1,25D optimally induced 45 ± 1% and 40 ± 1% of partial and complete exocytotic events, respectively, from a 1,25D-sensitive pool of ATP-containing secretory vesicles within 60 s. We measured a dose-dependent 1,25D induction of ATP secretion, with maximal response of ∼6.2-fold (16.93 ± 1.82 nM for SAOS-2) and 3.1-fold (18.89 ± 1.39 nM for ROS 17/2.8) obtained with 10 nM 1,25D compared with basal ATP levels (2.75 ± 0.39 nM, SAOS-2; 6.09 ± 0.58 nM, ROS 17/2.8 cells). The natural metabolite 25(OH)vitamin D3 (25D, 10 nM) induced a significant 3.6-fold increase of ATP release in ROS 17/2.8 cells, but there was no induction with the antagonist 1β,25(OH)2vitamin D3 (1β,25D, 10 nM) or the steroid 17β-estradiol (10 nM). 1,25D-induced ATP secretion was abolished when cells were preincubated with inhibitors of vesicular exocytosis. siRNA VDR silencing prevented 1,25D stimulation of ATP exocytosis in ROS 17/2.8 and SAOS-2 cells. Similarly, 1,25D failed to stimulate ATP exocytosis in primary osteoblasts from a VDR knockout mouse. ATP secretion coupled to 1,25D induction of cytosolic calcium and chloride channel potentiation. Rapid 1,25D stimulation of ATP secretion involving nontranscriptional VDR functions in osteoblasts may help explain 1,25D bone anabolic properties.
Proposed Changes in Lease Accounting and Private Business Bankers' Credit Decisions*
Authors: Durocher Sylvain , Fortin Anne 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThis study contributes to the debate on lease accounting currently ongoing at the international level and to future discussions at the Canadian level for private enterprise standards following a potential revision of lease accounting in international financial reporting standards (IFRS). A user perspective is adopted to examine private business bankers' preferences on the issue of capitalizing all noncancelable lease contracts, including operating leases, as suggested by the G4+1. While bankers use both capital and operating lease information, they give significantly more consideration to the former when analyzing private business loan requests. Accordingly, operating lease information receives less attention than capital lease information in the credit‐granting decision process. In addition, private business bankers consider a number of aspects of the current lease accounting standard to be inadequate and are in favor of the principles governing the approach suggested by the G4+1. They feel that the capitalization of operating leases would improve their ability to evaluate lessees' long‐term financial commitments and increase their estimates of the risks involved in providing financing to lessees. This study also demonstrates that the capitalization of operating leases would have a significant impact on key financial indicators of a sample of Canadian private companies. Bankers perceive that these realistic changes in financial indicators would affect their assessment of borrowers' capital structure/solvency, liquidity, ability to repay, and risk rating. From a cost‐benefit perspective, the findings provide standard‐setters with an indication of the benefits of the G4+1 proposals to users.
Determination of fetal heart rate reactivity from a single 20-min window of non-stress testing in compromised fetuses
Authors: Park Young-Sun , Hoh Jeong-Kyu , Koh Seung-Kwon , Kim Nam-Su , Park Moon-II 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Aims: To shorten the analysis time needed for non-stress testing (NST) without decreasing efficacy in compromised fetuses.

Methods: We selected 80 cases with a 5-min Apgar score <7 as a study group and 259 cases with a 5-min Apgar score ≥9 as a control group. We applied four different criteria (A, B, C, and D) to each study and control group for the first 20-min window of NST data to evaluate reactivity. Criteria A, B, and C consisted of conventional reactivity criteria according to amplitude (15 or 10 beats per minute), duration (15 or 10 s) and weeks of gestation (≤31, ≥32), and criteria D combined criteria C with approximate entropy (ApEn).

Results: The sensitivity of criteria D (91.25%) was greater than the other three criteria (P<0.0001). The specificities of criteria C (96.14%) and D (99.23%) were also higher than criteria A and B (P<0.0001). The positive and negative predictive value of criteria D were better than that of criteria C (97.33 vs. 83.87, P=0.0066) and (97.35 vs. 89.89, P=0.0004), respectively.

Conclusion: Adding ApEn to the conventional criteria for reactivity shortened NST analysis time without decreasing efficacy, facilitating a decision of reactivity within a single 20-min NST window.
Du bist ein 286
Authors: Fang Weigui 
Published: March 2009

»Welch ein Mangel von Erfindungskraft im Großen und welche unselige Feinheit in Kleinigkeiten gehörte dazu, dieser Sprache aus einigen rohen Hieroglyphen die unendliche Menge von achtzigtausend zusammengesetzten Charakteren zu erfinden, in welchen sich nach sechs und mehr Schriftarten die Sinesische Nation unter allen Völkern der Erde auszeichnet«, so heißt es bei J. G. Herder (1744–1803) in seinen Ideen zur Philosophie der Geschichte der Menschheit.»Die Chinesen sind gar kein Volk, sie sind eine bloße Menschheit«, behauptet F. W. J. Schelling (1775–1854). Selbst die monosyllabische chinesische Sprache, in der die »siderische Kraft« der Ursprache wohne, sei »wie eine Sprache aus einer andern Welt«. (Philosophie der Mythologie)
High-Rate Time-Dependent Displacement Gage for HE Field Tests
Authors: Michaelis Ron , Anteby Ido , Gal Erez , Sadot Oren , Ben-Dor Gabi 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
A dynamic gage, capable of continuously measuring high-rate displacements of structures, has been developed and tested by the research team of the Protective Technologies Research & Development Center (PTR&DC) of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The gage, which was originally developed in order to monitor the time-dependent displacements of concrete slabs subjected to explosion-generated blast wave impacts, can be used to monitor the displacement of any structure that is exposed to high-rate dynamic loads. The displacement gage is based on a torsion tube, twisted by a long flexure element that is connected to the measured point or structure. The twist of the torsion tube is monitored by strain gages. The displacement gage was tested in the impact pendulum laboratory of the PTR&DC, and will be used in high explosive (HE) field tests.
Secondary Conductivity Standards Stability
Authors: Jones AR 
Published: March 2009

Calibration values of secondary conductivity standards obtained on a periodic basis, both for the Boeing Company and for commercial customers, have shown various drift patterns. Presently, a 100-kHz bridge used with an H-P 9825 computer compares unknown secondary standards against carefully built, National Bureau of Standards (NBS) traceable, primary bars in an oil-bath environment. Factors affecting the stability of secondary standard values of conductivity include primary conductivity bar value changes, uneven surface wear, environmental contamination, lift-off due to the presence of foreign material on the surface, and aging of the metal crystalline structure. Some secondary standards, which were large physically, exhibited significant conductivity changes across their surface due to the nonhomogeneity of the metal.
Original calibration of secondary standards was accomplished by assigning the same value to a section cut from the primary bar that was given to the primary bar itself. When new alloy metals were obtained, as older metal primary bar material was exhausted for secondary use, an H-P 65 program was developed to utilize a curve-fitting method for replacement secondary-standard material calibration. Some changes in older secondary values resulted from this method. An H-P 9825 computer program was later developed, which resulted in other secondary-value changes. During the last twelve years some significant changes occurred in the primary bars, which further altered the program and the calibration results. New primary bars have been also added from time to time to smooth out the curve-fitting program, which has some effect on the calibration values of the secondary standards.
Compression Fatigue Behavior of Graphite/Epoxy in the Presence of Stress Raisers
Authors: Rosenfeld MS , Gause LW 
Published: March 2009

Graphite/epoxy composites are being applied to aircraft structures because of their demonstrated capability to reduce weight and increase life. Although composites have better fatigue properties than metals, their behavior differs significantly. Unlike metals, composites exhibit excellent tensile fatigue behavior—the constant amplitude fatigue strength at 107 cycles being close to static ultimate. Compression and reversed loading fatigue behavior in the presence of stress raisers, however, has not been well characterized. This program was therefore undertaken to determine the characteristics of composites under these conditions. Two stress raisers were considered; the first was an open hole and the second was damage resulting from low velocity, hard object impact.
For the open hole specimen, constant and variable amplitude tests were performed to determine the significance of compression fatigue and to investigate the failure mechanism. These tests indicated that the fatigue life under compression and reversed loading is less than for tension-tension loading and will be an important design consideration in future composite applications. The failure mechanism appeared to be local progressive failure of the matrix near the stress raiser resulting in delamination, and final failure by fiber buckling. The variable-amplitude loading results also demonstrated the unconservativeness of Miner's rule for making analytical predictions.
In order to determine the nature and significance of impact damage to generic composite structural elements, low velocity impact and residual properties tests were conducted on solid laminate specimens of 42 and 48 plies thick and on honeycomb sandwich specimens with 12-ply composite face sheets. Results of post impact properties tests indicate subvisual damage can degrade compression static and fatigue strength, although subvisual damage will not propagate under moderate (0.003) cyclic strain.