bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deleterious Effects of Beta-Blockers on Survival in Patients With Cirrhosis and Refractory Ascites†,‡
Authors: Sersté Thomas , Melot Christian , Francoz Claire , Durand François , Rautou Pierre-Emmanuel , Valla Dominique , Moreau Richard , Lebrec Didier 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Beta-blockers may have a negative impact on survival in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of beta-blockers on long-term survival in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. We performed a single-center, observational, case-only, prospective study of patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites who did or did not receive beta-blockers for the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding; 151 patients were included. The mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 18.8 ± 4.1. All patients regularly underwent large-volume paracentesis and intravenous albumin administration. Seventy-seven patients (51%) were treated with propranolol (113 ± 46 mg/day). The median follow-up for the whole group was 8 months. The median survival time was 10 months [95% confidence interval (CI) = 8-12 months]. The probability of survival at 1 year was 41% (95% CI = 33%-49%). The clinical characteristics and laboratory values at enrolment were not significantly different between patients who were receiving propranolol and those who were not. The median survival time was 20.0 months (95% CI = 4.8-35.2 months) in patients not treated with propranolol and 5.0 months (95% CI = 3.5-6.5 months) in those treated with propranolol (

P

= 0.0001). The 1-year probability of survival was significantly lower in patients who received propranolol [19% (95% CI = 9%-29%)] versus those who did not [64% (95% CI = 52%-76%),

P

< 0.0001]. The independent variables of mortality were Child-Pugh class C, hyponatremia and renal failure as causes of refractory ascites, and beta-blocker therapy.

Conclusion:

The use of beta-blockers is associated with poor survival in patients with refractory ascites. These results suggest that beta-blockers should be contraindicated in these patients.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of isolated extracerebral relapses of primary central nervous system lymphoma: a case series
Authors: Provencher Sawyna , Ferlay Céline , Alaoui‐Slimani Khaoula , Devidas Alain , Lepretre Stephane , de Prijck Bernard , Sebban Catherine , de la Fouchardiere Arnaud , Chassagne‐Clement Catherine , Ketterer Nicolas , Thyss Antoine , Delannoy André , Tilly Hervé , Biron Pierre , Blay Jean‐Yves , Ghesquières Hervé 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThere is very limited data on isolated systemic relapses of primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and outcome of 10 patients with isolated systemic disease among 209 patients with PCNSL mainly treated with methotrexate‐based chemotherapy (CT) with or without radiation therapy (RT). Isolated systemic relapse remained rare (4.8%, 10/209 patients). Median time from initial diagnosis to relapse was 33 months (range, 3–94). Sites of relapse were mostly extranodal. Three patients presented with early extra‐cerebral (EC) relapse 3, 5 and 8 months from the beginning of initial treatment, respectively, and 7 patients had later relapses (range, 17–94 months). Treatment at relapse included surgery alone, RT alone, CT with or without radiotherapy, or CT with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Median overall survival (OS) after relapse was 15.5 months (range, 5.8–24.5) compared to 4.6 months (range, 3.6–6.5) for patients with central nervous system (CNS) relapse (p = 0.35). In conclusion, isolated systemic relapses exist but are infrequent. Early EC relapse suggests the presence of systemic disease undetectable by conventional evaluation at initial diagnosis. Patient follow‐up must be prolonged because systemic relapse can occur as late as 10 years after initial diagnosis. Whether EC relapses of PCNSL have a better prognosis than CNS relapses needs to be assessed in a larger cohort. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time spent by health managers in two cultures on work pursuits: real time, ideal time and activities' importance
Authors: Braithwaite Jeffrey , Westbrook Mary T 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectivesWe compared health managers' judgements of: (1) the time they spent on nine major work activities, (2) the time they thought they should allocate and (3) the importance they attributed to each pursuit. These and managers' reasons for devoting time to activities were examined in an Anglo and a Confucian‐Asian country.MethodA questionnaire survey of Australian (n = 251) and Singaporean health managers (n = 340).ResultsIn both countries, the correlation between judgements of time spent on activities/activities' importance (1 and 3) was significantly less than the correlation between time spent/time that should be spent (1 and 2), which was less than the correlation between time that should be spent/activities' importance (2 and 3). Singaporeans said they devoted more time to some activities but the importance attached to work pursuits and the reasons given for actual time allocation were similar cross‐culturally.ConclusionsThere was evidence of considerable disparity between managers' actual and preferred time allocation and of the globalization of health managers' work values. Evidence regarding time use might contribute to a rethink of how managers' efficiency and effectiveness are construed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of evapotranspiration partitioning, plant water stress response and topsoil removal on the soil moisture regime of a floodplain wetland: implications for restoration
Authors: Booth Eric G. , Loheide Steven P. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractUnderstanding how the soil moisture regime changes following hydrological restoration activities in wetlands is essential for managers interested in establishing targeted wetland vegetation species. Based on observations from two floodplain sites in southwestern Wisconsin, a variably saturated hydrological model was developed and used to illustrate the importance of changing evapotranspiration (ET) partitioning [through changes in leaf‐area index (LAI)], the plant water stress function, and the thickness of a surficial silt‐loam alluvial deposit on the soil moisture regime. Floodplain restoration activities at these sites consisted of removing a layer of post‐settlement alluvium, which is a part of this deposit. Field observations following restoration of the pre‐settlement floodplain surface at one of the sites show a drier soil moisture regime at 10 and 25 cm depths at the restored (RES) site than at the unrestored site even though the potentiometric surface in a shallow monitoring piezometer was closer to the surface at the RES site. Simulations show that four factors may have contributed to this observation of relatively drier soils at the RES site: (1) lower LAI increases soil evaporation, (2) anaerobiosis limits transpiration near saturation, (3) a confining unit inhibits upward flow of water, and (4) removal of a 0·5‐m silt‐loam layer decreases the reservoir of soil moisture available to plant roots. Our work suggests the importance of effectively characterizing parameters that affect ET partitioning (i.e. LAI), determining the appropriate plant water stress function, and considering the effect of floodplain deposits that act as confining units when simulating the hydrology of floodplain wetland ecosystems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of self‐produced locomotion in the first year: changes in parent perceptions and infant behaviour
Authors: Hendrix Rebecca R. , Thompson Ross A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSelf‐produced locomotion is regarded as a setting event for other developmental transitions in infancy with important implications for socioemotional development and parent–child interaction. Using an age‐held‐constant design, this study examined changes in reported infant behaviour and maternal proactive/reactive control and compared them with direct observations of infant and maternal behaviour associated with the development of self‐produced locomotion. Maternal reports were obtained prior to the locomotor transition and, for half the sample, after infants had transitioned to effective mobility. Observations of all infants were conducted shortly after the second interview. Prelocomotor and transitioning infants showed none of the expected behavioural differences (e.g. emotionality and compliance) associated with the locomotor transition. There was modest confirmation of expected differences in maternal behaviour, particularly in the use of reactive control techniques, and mothers of transitioning infants showed higher proactive controls before their infants began to crawl. These findings suggest that the changes in parent–child interaction associated with the locomotor transition may have as much to do with parental expectations than with changes in infant socioemotional behaviour. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PSA‐detected prostate cancer and the potential for dedifferentiation—estimating the proportion capable of progression
Authors: Pashayan Nora , Pharoah Paul , Neal David E. , Hamdy Freddie , Donovan Jenny , Martin Richard M. , Greenberg David , Duffy Stephen W. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe aims were to determine whether prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐detected prostate cancers progress to higher Gleason score during the preclinical screen‐detectable phase, and, if so, to estimate the proportion of tumours with progressive potential. We developed two multi‐state Markov chain models to represent the natural history of two tumour populations, one with (Model I) and the other without (Model II) the potential for progression. For each, we derived the transition rates between the states and used these estimates to calculate the expected prevalence of preclinical low and intermediate‐to‐high Gleason score prostate cancers, using data from the Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment (ProtecT) study on 2,310 prostate cancers detected by PSA testing in 71,511 men 50–69 years. We compared the expected prevalence for each tumour population to that of the observed based on ProtecT and the European Randomised Study on Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC)‐Rotterdam Centre's first round screening data, the latter allowing independent assessment of the two models. The overall expected proportion of low Gleason score tumours was 0.56 under Model I and 0.81 under Model II, whereas the observed proportion based on either ProtecT or ERSPC‐Rotterdam was 0.69. Using the observed prevalence from ERSPC‐Rotterdam, we estimated that 22, 33 and 66% of the tumours in men aged 55–59, 60–64 and 65–69 years, respectively, had the potential for progression in the preclinical phase. PSA‐detected prostate cancers are a mixture of progressive and non‐progressive tumours with respect to Gleason score. The former may potentially benefit from screening. Identifying cancers with the potential for progression is important to target screening.
Omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation delays the progression of neuroblastoma in vivo
Authors: Gleissman Helena , Segerström Lova , Hamberg Mats , Ponthan Frida , Lindskog Magnus , Johnsen John Inge , Kogner Per 
Published: May 2010

AbstractEpidemiological and preclinical studies have revealed that omega‐3 fatty acids have anticancer properties. We have previously shown that the omega‐3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) induces apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells in vitro by mechanisms involving intracellular peroxidation of DHA by means of 15‐lipoxygenase or autoxidation. In our study, the effects of DHA supplementation on neuroblastoma tumor growth in vivo were investigated using two complementary approaches. For the purpose of prevention, DHA as a dietary supplement was fed to athymic rats before the rats were xenografted with human neuroblastoma cells. For therapeutic purposes, athymic rats with established neuroblastoma xenografts were given DHA daily by gavage and tumor growth was monitored. DHA levels in plasma and tumor tissue were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. DHA delayed neuroblastoma xenograft development and inhibited the growth of established neuroblastoma xenografts in athymic rats. A revised version of the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program evaluation scheme used as a measurement of treatment response showed that untreated control animals developed progressive disease, whereas treatment with DHA resulted in stable disease or partial response, depending on the DHA concentration. In conclusion, prophylactic treatment with DHA delayed neuroblastoma development, suggesting that DHA could be a potential agent in the treatment of minimal residual disease and should be considered for prevention in selected cases. Treatment results on established aggressive neuroblastoma tumors suggest further studies aiming at a clinical application in children with high‐risk neuroblastoma.
Incidence and risk factors for the development of chronic atrophic gastritis: Five year follow‐up of a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Adamu Mariam Abdullahi , Weck Melanie Nicole , Rothenbacher Dietrich , Brenner Hermann 
Published: May 2010

AbstractChronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a well‐established precursor of intestinal gastric cancer. However, data on incidence of CAG are rare, especially from population‐based studies. The aim of this analysis was to estimate the incidence of CAG in a large population‐based study among older adults from Germany and to identify major risk factors associated with its development. In the baseline and 5‐year follow‐up examinations of the ESTHER study, serological measurements of pepsinogen (PG) I and II and Helicobacter pylori antibodies were performed in 5,229 women and men, aged 50–74 years at baseline. Information on additional potential risk factors was obtained by questionnaire. CAG was defined by PGI < 70 ng/mL and PGI/PGII < 3. In total, there were 58 (1.1%) incident CAG cases. CAG incidence increased with increasing age from 0.5% in age group 50–54 years to 2.1% in age group 70–74 years. Seropositivity with H. pylori was strongly associated with CAG incidence, with adjusted odds ratios of 5.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6–15.8] and 11.3 (95% CI: 4.2–30.0) for participants with cytotoxin associated gene A (cagA) negative and cagA positive H. pylori infection at both baseline and follow‐up compared to those without H. pylori infection, respectively. Gender, education, smoking, alcohol consumption and family history of gastric cancer were not significantly associated with CAG incidence. Incidence of CAG is rather low in the German population. Older age and infection with H. pylori are key risk factors for the development of CAG.
Prevalence of multiple malignancies in the Netherlands in 2007
Authors: Liu Lifang , de Vries Esther , Louwman Marieke , Aben Katja , Janssen‐Heijnen Maryska , Brink Mirian , Coebergh Jan Willem , Soerjomataram Isabelle 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAs the number of cancer survivors increases in the Netherlands, there is a concomitant increase in patients with multiple malignancies (MMs), the prevalence of which needs to be assessed to estimate care needs. This study analyzed incidence data on all malignant cancers diagnosed between 1989 and 2006 retrieved from the population‐based Netherlands Cancer Registry. The point prevalence of MMs was determined on January 1, 2007. Of all cancer survivors in 2007, 30,064 (7% of the total) were patients with MMs. Their median age was 74 (interquartile range 71–76) years. Ninety two percent (i.e., 27,660) of these patients had two cancer diagnoses. The most common subsequent cancers being squamous cell skin cancer (5,468), colorectal cancer (4,634), and breast cancer (3,959). High frequency of combinations included: (i) female breast and genital cancers (any order), (ii) urinary tract and prostate cancers (any order), (iii) Hodgkin's lymphoma and subsequent female breast cancer and (iv) non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and subsequent squamous cell skin cancer. As the number of cancer survivors continues to increase and their survival improves, MMs are becoming more important in the field of cancer surveillance.
Sex disparities in colorectal cancer incidence by anatomic subsite, race and age
Authors: Murphy Gwen , Devesa Susan S. , Cross Amanda J. , Inskip Peter D. , McGlynn Katherine A. , Cook Michael B. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAlthough incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United States has declined in recent years, rates remain higher in men than in women and the male‐to‐female incidence rate ratio (MF IRR) increases progressively across the colon from the cecum to the rectum. Rates among races/ethnicities other than Whites or Blacks have not been frequently reported. To examine CRC rates by sex across anatomic subsite, age and racial/ethnic groups, we used the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program for cases diagnosed among residents of 13 registries during 1992–2006. Incidence rates were expressed per 100,000 person‐years and age‐adjusted to the 2000 US Standard Population; MF IRR and 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. Among each racial/ethnic group, the MF IRR increased fairly monotonically from close to unity for cecal cancers to 1.81 (Hispanics) for rectal cancers. MF IRRs increased with age most rapidly for distal colon cancers from <1.0 at ages <50 years to 1.4–1.9 at older ages. The MF IRR for rectal cancers also rose with age from about 1.0 to 2.0. For proximal cancer, the MF IRR was consistently <1.5; among American Indian/Alaska Natives, it was <1.0 across all ages. The MF IRRs for CRC vary markedly according to subsite and age but less by racial/ethnic group. These findings may partially reflect differences in screening experiences and access to medical care but also suggest that etiologic factors may be playing a role.
Survivin and escaping in therapy‐induced cellular senescence
Authors: Wang Qin , Wu Peter C. , Roberson Rachel S. , Luk Belinda V. , Ivanova Iana , Chu Elizabeth , Wu Daniel Y. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTherapy‐induced accelerated cellular senescence (ACS) is a reversible tumor response to chemotherapy that is likely detrimental to the overall therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatment. To further understand the mechanism by which cancer cells can escape the sustained cell cycle arrest in ACS, we established a tissue culture model, in which the p53‐null NCI‐H1299 cells can be induced into senescence by an abbreviated exposure to a chemotherapeutic agent. Previously, we have reported that senescent cells overexpress Cdc2/Cdk1 when they bypassed the prolonged arrest and their viability is dependent on Cdc2/Cdk1 kinase activity. In our study, we show that human survivin is the immediate downstream effector of the Cdc2/Cdk1 mediated survival signal. Survivin cooperates with Cdc2/Cdk1 to inhibit apoptosis following chemotherapy and promote senescence escape. Using HIV‐1 TAT peptides to disrupt survivin phosphorylation by Cdc2/Cdk1, we also found that phosphorylated survivin is necessary both for the escape of senescent cells and for maintenance of subsequent viability after bypassing senescence. These results further propose survivin as an important determinant of senescence reversibility and as a putative molecular target to enforce cell death in ACS.
Characterization of viability and proliferation of alginate‐poly‐L‐lysine–alginate encapsulated myoblasts using flow cytometry
Authors: Thakur Ajit , Sengupta Ruchira , Matsui Hideto , Lillicrap David , Jones Kim , Hortelano Gonzalo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractGenetically modified cells encapsulated in alginate‐poly‐L‐lysine‐alginate (APA) are being developed to deliver therapeutic products to treat a variety of diseases. The characterization of the encapsulated cells thus becomes paramount. This study reports a novel method to assess the viability, granularity and proliferation of encapsulated cells based on flow cytometry. The in vitro viability of encapsulated G8 murine myoblasts secreting canine FVIII (cFVIII) measured by flow cytometry was comparable to the traditional trypan blue exclusion method and both correlated with cFVIII secretion levels. In contrast, after implantation into mice, only viability measured by flow cytometry correlated with cFVIII secretion. Further, flow cytometry analysis of encapsulated cells maintained in vitro and in vivo revealed a greater fraction of granular cells compared to free cells, suggesting that encapsulation influences the morphology (cytoplasmic composition) of cells within APA microcapsules. Interestingly, the proliferation study showed that encapsulated cells proliferate faster, on average, and were more heterogeneous in vivo compared to in vitro culture conditions, suggesting that encapsulated cell proliferation is complex and environment‐dependent. In conclusion, we show that flow cytometry analysis allows for a more consistent and comprehensive examination of encapsulated cells to aid in the development of cell therapy protocols. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.
Anti‐Proliferative Effects of Evodiamine on Human Thyroid Cancer Cell Line ARO
Authors: Chen Meng‐Ching , Yu Ching‐Han , Wang Shyi‐Wu , Pu Hsiao‐Fung , Kan Shu‐Fen , Lin Lie‐Chwen , Chi Chin‐Wen , Ho Lary Low‐Tone , Lee Chen‐Hsen , Wang Paulus S. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe incidence of thyroid cancer increases with age, and it is twice in women as common as in men. The undifferentiated thyroid cancer (UTC) is the most aggressive of all thyroid cancers. Unfortunately, there are almost no efficacious therapeutic modalities. It is important to develop some new effective therapies. Evodiamine is a chemical extracted from a kind of Chinese herb named Wu‐Chu‐Yu and has been demonstrated to be effective in preventing the growth of a variety of cancer cells. In the present study, the mechanism by which evodiamine inhibited the undifferentiated thyroid cancer cell line ARO was examined. Based on 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol ‐2‐yle)2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell proliferation rate was reduced dose‐dependently by evodiamine, but not by rutaecarpine. According to the flow cytometric analysis, evodiamine treatment resulted in G2/M arrest and DNA fragmentation in ARO cells. The G2/M arrest was accompanied with an increase of the expression of cdc25C, cyclin B1, and cdc2‐p161 protein, and it was also with a decrease of the expression of cdc2‐p15. Furthermore, by using the TUNEL assay, evodiamine‐induced apoptosis was observed at 48 h and extended to 72 h. Western blotting demonstrated that evodiamine treatment induced the activation of caspase‐8, caspase‐9, caspase‐3, and the cleavage of poly ADP‐ribose polymerase (PARP). These results suggested that evodiamine inhibited the growth of the ARO cells, arrested them at M phase, and induced apoptosis through caspases signaling. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 1495–1503, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.