bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tropical Cyclone Formation in Environments with Cool SST and High Wind Shear over the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean*
Authors: Mauk Rachel G. , Hobgood Jay S. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Tropical cyclones with nontropical characteristics are being identified more frequently over the North Atlantic Ocean in recent years. These systems present forecasting challenges because of their hybrid structure. The authors analyze environmental conditions preceding the formation of 20 late-season northeastern Atlantic tropical cyclones identified during the 1975–2005 seasons. A recent tropical storm, Grace (2009), is discussed as a case study. Seventeen of the 20 systems originated from nontropical systems (surface low, frontal weak, and frontal strong). Three tropical cyclones experienced nontropical influences during development despite originating from tropical waves. Ambient sea surface temperatures, relative vorticity, vertical temperature profiles, and wind shear are investigated to identify conditions conducive to tropical cyclone formation. Tropical cyclones developing from nontropical precursors form in environments distinct from the classical tropical cyclone environment. For 17 systems, sea surface temperatures are cooler than 26°C. Stability analysis suggests that convection is shallow. Wind shear decreases for the 850–300-hPa layer in comparison to the 850–200-hPa layer. Most systems still experience shear in excess of 8 m s−1 for the 850–300-hPa layer. It is suggested that late-season tropical cyclones in this region are shallower in vertical extent than typical tropical cyclones, which reduces the impact of strong wind shear in the 850–200-hPa layer.
Biomechanical Analysis of the Pectoralis Major Tendon and Comparison of Techniques for Tendo-osseous Repair
Authors: Sherman Seth L. , Lin Emery C. , Verma Nikhil N. , Mather Richard C. , Gregory James M. , Dishkin Justin , Harwood Daniel P. , Wang Vincent M. , Shewman Elizabeth F. , Cole Brian J. , Romeo Anthony A. 
Published: July 2012

Background: Various described surgical techniques exist for the repair of pectoralis major ruptures at the tendo-osseous junction. It is unclear how these techniques restore the native properties of the pectoralis major tendon because its biomechanical properties have not been described. Hypothesis: All repairs will have lower initial biomechanical profiles than the native attachment, and transosseous sutures will demonstrate improved initial biomechanical performance compared with anchors or buttons. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twenty-four fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were randomized to 4 equal groups, including 3 experimental repair groups and 1 control group of intact pectoralis major tendons. The characteristics of the native anatomic footprint were recorded, and the experimental groups underwent pectoralis detachment, followed by subsequent repair. The restoration of the anatomic footprint was recorded. All specimens were tested with cyclic loading and load-to-failure protocols with load, displacement, and optical marker data simultaneously collected. Results: Under cyclic loading, the intact specimens demonstrated a significantly higher secant stiffness (74.8 ± 1.6 N/mm) than the repair groups (endosteal Pec Button [PB], 46.2 ± 6.4 N/mm; suture anchor [SA], 45.9 ± 8.7 N/mm; transosseous [TO], 44.2 ± 5.5 N/mm). Measured as a percentage change, the PB and SA groups showed a significantly higher initial excursion than the intact group (PB, 24.0% ± 11.7%; SA, 17.5% ± 6.9%; intact, 2.2% ± 1.0%), and the PB group demonstrated a significantly higher cyclic elongation than the intact group (PB, 7.5% ± 2.9%; intact, 1.5% ± 1.5%). Under load-to-failure testing, the intact group showed a significantly greater maximum load (1454.8 ± 795.7 N) and linear stiffness (221.0 ± 111.7 N/mm) than the 3 repair groups (PB, 353.5 ± 88.3 N and 63.5 ± 6.9 N/mm; SA, 292.0 ± 73.3 N and 77.0 ± 7.8 N/mm; TO, 359.2 ± 110.4 N and 64.5 ± 14.1 N/mm, respectively). All repair constructs failed via suture pulling through the tendon. Conclusion: The biomechanical characteristics of the transosseous repair, suture anchors, or Pec Button repair were inferior to those of the native pectoralis tendon. There was no significant difference in any of the biomechanical outcomes among the repair groups. Further refinement and evaluation of suture technique and configuration in pectoralis major repair should be considered. Clinical Relevance: Transosseous repair, suture anchors, and endosteal Pec Buttons appear to confer similar biomechanical integrity for pectoralis major repair. Restricting early activities to thresholds below the identified failure loads seems prudent until soft tissue healing to bone is reliably achieved.
Protective effects of aqueous extract of Hammada scoparia against hepatotoxicity induced by ethanol in the rat
Authors: Bourogaa Ezzeddine , Jarraya Raoudha Mezghani , Nciri Riadh , Damak Mohamed , Elfeki Abdelfattah 
Published: July 2012

Aqueous extract (AE) of Hammada scoparia leaves was chemically characterized and its hepatoprotective activities were investigated in vivo in rat model. Wistar rats were treated daily with 35% ethanol solution (3 g/kg/day) during 4 weeks and fed with basal diet or basal diet containing AE (200 mg/kg/day). Control rats were treated with saline solution and fed with basal diet. The bioactivity of AE against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rat liver was studied in order to explore its hepatoprotective effects. H. scoparia extract used at 200 mg/kg body weight significantly prevented the effects of ethanol, which induced a hepatic pathological damage and increased the levels of the serum markers of the enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Concomitantly, with these changes, this extract also prevented ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the rat liver as evidenced by the decreased lipid peroxidation level, a considerable decrease in the activities of AST, ALT and ALP and restoring the activities of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. These biochemical changes were consistent with histopathological observations suggesting marked hepatoprotective effect of the AE of H. scoparia.
Clustered metallothionein genes are co-regulated in rice and ectopic expression of OsMT1e-Pconfers multiple abiotic stress tolerance in tobacco via ROS scavenging
Authors: Kumar Gautam , Kushwaha Hemant Ritturaj , Panjabi-Sabharwal Vaishali , Kumari Sumita , Joshi Rohit , Karan Ratna , Mittal Shweta , Pareek Sneh L Singla , Pareek Ashwani 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Metallothioneins (MT) are low molecular weight, cysteine rich metal binding proteins, found across genera and species, but their function(s) in abiotic stress tolerance are not well documented.

Results
We have characterized a rice MT gene, OsMT1e-P, isolated from a subtractive library generated from a stressed salinity tolerant rice genotype, Pokkali. Bioinformatics analysis of the rice genome sequence revealed that this gene belongs to a multigenic family, which consists of 13 genes with 15 protein products. OsMT1e-P is located on chromosome XI, away from the majority of other type I genes that are clustered on chromosome XII. Various members of this MT gene cluster showed a tight co-regulation pattern under several abiotic stresses. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of conserved cysteine residues in OsMT1e-P protein. Salinity stress was found to regulate the transcript abundance of OsMT1e-P in a developmental and organ specific manner. Using transgenic approach, we found a positive correlation between ectopic expression of OsMT1e-P and stress tolerance. Our experiments further suggest ROS scavenging to be the possible mechanism for multiple stress tolerance conferred by OsMT1e-P.

Conclusion
We present an overview of MTs, describing their gene structure, genome localization and expression patterns under salinity and development in rice. We have found that ectopic expression of OsMT1e-P enhances tolerance towards multiple abiotic stresses in transgenic tobacco and the resultant plants could survive and set viable seeds under saline conditions. Taken together, the experiments presented here have indicated that ectopic expression of OsMT1e-P protects against oxidative stress primarily through efficient scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
Association of an NFKB1 intron SNP (rs4648068) with gastric cancer patients in the Han Chinese population
Authors: Lu Renquan , Gao Xiang , Chen Yin , Ni Jian , Yu Yongfu , Li Sheng , Guo Lin 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Hyperactivation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is associated with various types of tumors. This study investigated the susceptibility of the rs4648068 A/G genotype in the intron region of NFKB1 to gastric cancer and the association of this polymorphism with clinicopathologic variables in gastric cancer patients.

Methods
A hospital-based case–control study of 248 gastric cancer patients and 192 control individuals was conducted in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (Shanghai, China). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4648068 genotype in NFKB1 from blood samples of a total of 440 people was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping.

Results
The frequencies of the AA, AG, and GG genotypes of the rs4648068 polymorphism were 31.5%, 47.2%, and 21.3% in the gastric cancer patients and 29.7%, 59.9%, and 10.4% in the control individuals, respectively. We found that the GG genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer (P = 0.042). Furthermore, among the gastric cancer cases, the rs4648068 GG genotype was associated with high clinical stage (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.11- 4.66), lymph node involvement (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.40- 6.03) and serosa invasion (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.34- 5.75). However, rs4648068 genotypes were not associated with tumor differentiation in gastric cancer patients.

Conclusions
Homozygous rs4648068 GG was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer, especially for the lymph node status and serosa invasion in Han Chinese population.
Rapid genetic targeting of pial surface neural progenitors and immature neurons by neonatal electroporation
Authors: Breunig Joshua J , Gate David , Levy Rachelle , Rodriguez Javier , Kim Gi Bum , Danielpour Moise , Svendsen Clive N , Town Terrence 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Recent findings have indicated the presence of a progenitor domain at the marginal zone/layer 1 of the cerebral cortex, and it has been suggested that these progenitors have neurogenic and gliogenic potential. However, their contribution to the histogenesis of the cortex remains poorly understood due to difficulties associated with genetically manipulating these unique cells in a population-specific manner.

Results
We have adapted the electroporation technique to target pial surface cells for rapid genetic manipulation at postnatal day 2. In vivo data show that most of these cells proliferate and progressively differentiate into both neuronal and glial subtypes. Furthermore, these cells localize to the superficial layers of the optic tectum and cerebral cortex prior to migration away from the surface.

Conclusions
We provide a foundation upon which future studies can begin to elucidate the molecular controls governing neural progenitor fate, migration, differentiation, and contribution to cortical and tectal histogenesis. Furthermore, specific genetic targeting of such neural progenitor populations will likely be of future clinical interest.
ngLOC: software and web server for predicting protein subcellular localization in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Authors: King Brian R , Vural Suleyman , Pandey Sanjit , Barteau Alex , Guda Chittibabu 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Understanding protein subcellular localization is a necessary component toward understanding the overall function of a protein. Numerous computational methods have been published over the past decade, with varying degrees of success. Despite the large number of published methods in this area, only a small fraction of them are available for researchers to use in their own studies. Of those that are available, many are limited by predicting only a small number of organelles in the cell. Additionally, the majority of methods predict only a single location for a sequence, even though it is known that a large fraction of the proteins in eukaryotic species shuttle between locations to carry out their function.

Findings
We present a software package and a web server for predicting the subcellular localization of protein sequences based on the ngLOC method. ngLOC is an n-gram-based Bayesian classifier that predicts subcellular localization of proteins both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The overall prediction accuracy varies from 89.8% to 91.4% across species. This program can predict 11 distinct locations each in plant and animal species. ngLOC also predicts 4 and 5 distinct locations on gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial datasets, respectively.

Conclusions
ngLOC is a generic method that can be trained by data from a variety of species or classes for predicting protein subcellular localization. The standalone software is freely available for academic use under GNU GPL, and the ngLOC web server is also accessible at http://ngloc.unmc.edu.
Prospective Study of Bevacizumab Plus Temozolomide in Patients With Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Chan Jennifer A. , Stuart Keith , Earle Craig C. , Clark Jeffrey W. , Bhargava Pankaj , Miksad Rebecca , Blaszkowsky Lawrence , Enzinger Peter C. , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Zheng Hui , Fuchs Charles S. , Kulke Matthew H. 
Published: July 2012

Purpose Both tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor and bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF, have antitumor activity in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Temozolomide, an oral analog of dacarbazine, also has activity against NETs when administered alone or in combination with other agents. We performed a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of temozolomide in combination with bevacizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NETs. Patients and Methods Thirty-four patients (56% with carcinoid, 44% with pancreatic NETs) were treated with temozolomide 150 mg/m2 orally per day on days 1 through 7 and days 15 through 21, together with bevacizumab at a dose of 5 mg/kg per day intravenously on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle. All patients received prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii and varicella zoster. Patients were followed for toxicity, biochemical and radiologic response, and survival. Results The combination of temozolomide and bevacizumab was associated with anticipated grade 3 to 4 toxicities, including lymphopenia (53%) and thrombocytopenia (18%). Although the overall radiographic response rate was 15% (five of 34), response rates differed between patients with pancreatic NETs (33%; five of 15) and those with carcinoid tumors (zero of 19). The median progression-free survival was 11.0 months (14.3 months for pancreatic NETs v 7.3 months for carcinoid tumors). The median overall survival was 33.3 months (41.7 months for pancreatic NETs v 18.8 months for carcinoid tumors). Conclusion Temozolomide and bevacizumab can be safely administered together in patients with advanced NETs, and the combination regimen appears promising for patients with pancreatic NETs. Studies evaluating the relative contributions of these two agents to the observed antitumor activity are warranted.
Change in Working Time in a Population-Based Cohort of Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Høyer Marie , Nordin Karin , Ahlgren Johan , Bergkvist Leif , Lambe Mats , Johansson Birgitta , Lampic Claudia 
Published: July 2012

Purpose We examined changes in working time 16 months after a breast cancer diagnosis and identified factors associated with job discontinuation and/or decreased working time. Patients and Methods This was a population-based cohort study with 735 patients identified in the Regional Breast Cancer Quality Register of Central Sweden. The study sample consisted of 505 women (age < 63 years at diagnosis) who completed questionnaires at baseline and at follow-up (on average 4 and 16 months after diagnosis, respectively). Clinical register data and questionnaire data on sociodemographic factors were obtained at baseline. Self-reported work-related data were obtained at follow-up. Odds ratios were estimated by using logistic regression models. Results Compared with prediagnosis working time, 72% reported no change in working time, 2% reported an increase, 15% reported a decrease, and 11% did not work at follow-up. Chemotherapy increased the likelihood (odds ratio [OR], 2.45; 95% CI, 1.38 to 4.34) of job discontinuation/decreased working time. Among chemotherapy recipients, associated factors included full-time work prediagnosis (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.51 to 7.01), cancer-related work limitations (OR, 5.26; 95% CI, 2.30 to 12.03), and less value attached to work (OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.80 to 7.54). In the nonchemotherapy group, older age (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17) and less value attached to work (OR, 5.00; 95% CI, 2.01 to 12.45) were associated with the outcome. Conclusion The majority of women treated for breast cancer returned to their prediagnosis working time. Chemotherapy and cancer-related work limitations are important factors to take into account in identifying women in need of support. Moreover, it is important to consider the woman's own valuation of labor market participation.
Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: surveillance of endoleak using maximum transverse diameter of aorta on non-enhanced CT
Authors: Nagayama Hiroki , Sueyoshi Eijun , Sakamoto Ichiro , Uetani Masataka 
Published: July 2012

Background Repeat volumetric analysis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) after endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) is time-consuming and requires advanced processing, dedicated equipment, and skilled operators. Purpose To clarify the validity of measuring the maximal short-axis diameter (Dmax) of AAA in follow-up non-enhanced axial CT as a means of detecting substantial endoleaks after EVAR. Material and Methods CT images were retrospectively reviewed in 47 patients (7 women, 40 men; mean age, 76.2 years) who had no endoleak on initial contrast-enhanced CT after EVAR. Regular follow-up CT studies were performed every 6 months. At each CT study, the Dmax on the CT axial image was measured and compared with that on the last CT (115 data-sets). Contrast-enhanced CT was regarded as the standard of reference to decide the presence or absence of endoleaks. The appearance of endoleak was defined as the end point of this study. Results Endoleaks were detected in 17 patients during the follow-up period. Mean Dmax changes for 6 months were significant between positive and negative endoleak cases (1.8 ± 1.9 vs. −1.1 ± 3.0 mm, P < 0.0001). When the Dmax change ≤ 0 mm for 6 months was used as the threshold for negative endoleak, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 74.5, 82.4, 96.1, and 35.9%, respectively. When Dmax change ≤−1 mm was used as the threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 38.8, 100, 100, and 22.1%, respectively. Conclusion Contrast-enhanced CT is not required for the evaluation of endoleaks when the Dmax decreases by at least 1 mm over 6 months after EVAR.
Family Experiences and Pediatric Health Services Use Associated With Family-Centered Rounds
Authors: Kuo Dennis Z. , Sisterhen Laura L. , Sigrest Ted E. , Biazo James M. , Aitken Mary E. , Smith Christopher E. 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND:
Family-centered rounds (FCR) are defined as interdisciplinary bedside teaching rounds with active family participation. The objective of this study was to examine the association of FCR with family experiences and health services use.

METHODS:
Prospective study comparing families with a child admitted to general pediatric inpatient services with and without FCR. The presence of FCR elements was assessed before study enrollment. Study data were obtained by an in-person interview, a follow-up phone interview &lt;1 week after discharge, and medical record review. Family outcomes were informed by Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems measures. Health service use outcomes included hour of discharge, number of medications, and overall charges. Primary analyses included χ2 and multivariate regression. Secondary analyses by using propensity score matching were performed to account for differences on observed variables.

RESULTS:
A total of 140 of 203 eligible families were enrolled; 97 completed follow-up surveys (49 on FCR team). Compared with non-FCR, FCR families were more likely to report consistent medical information (P &lt; .001), the option of discussing care plan (P &lt; .001), doctors listening carefully (P &lt; .01), and doctors showing respect (P &lt; .001). No differences were found in number of medications (mean 2.4 vs 2.9, P = .26) or discharge time (mean 3:06 pm versus 2:43 pm, P = .39). No difference was found for hospital charges after adjusting for length of stay outliers.

CONCLUSIONS:
FCR are associated with higher parent satisfaction, consistent medical information, and care plan discussion, with no additional burden to health service use. Additional studies should assess FCR under different settings of care.
Vaccine-Type Human Papillomavirus and Evidence of Herd Protection After Vaccine Introduction
Authors: Kahn Jessica A. , Brown Darron R. , Ding Lili , Widdice Lea E. , Shew Marcia L. , Glynn Susan , Bernstein David I. 
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVES:
The aims of this study were to compare prevalence rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) in young women before and after HPV vaccine introduction to determine the following: (1) whether vaccine-type HPV infection decreased, (2) whether there was evidence of herd protection, and (3) whether there was evidence for type-replacement (increased prevalence of nonvaccine-type HPV).

METHODS:
Young women 13 to 26 years of age who had had sexual contact were recruited from 2 primary care clinics in 2006–2007 for a prevaccination surveillance study (N = 368, none were vaccinated) and 2009–2010 for a postvaccination surveillance study (N = 409, 59% were vaccinated). Participants completed a questionnaire and were tested for cervicovaginal HPV DNA. HPV prevalence rates were compared in the pre- versus postsurveillance studies by using χ2 tests. Propensity score weighting was used to balance differences in covariates between the 2 surveillance studies.

RESULTS:
The mean age was ∼19 years for both groups of participants and most were African American and non-Hispanic. After propensity score weighting, the prevalence rate for vaccine-type HPV decreased substantially (31.7%–13.4%, P &lt; .0001). The decrease in vaccine-type HPV not only occurred among vaccinated (31.8%–9.9%, P &lt; .0001) but also among unvaccinated (30.2%–15.4%, P &lt; .0001) postsurveillance study participants. Nonvaccine-type HPV increased (60.7%–75.9%, P &lt; .0001) for vaccinated postsurveillance study participants.

CONCLUSIONS:
Four years after licensing of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, there was a substantial decrease in vaccine-type HPV prevalence and evidence of herd protection in this community. The increase in nonvaccine-type HPV in vaccinated participants should be interpreted with caution but warrants further study.