bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Universal Strategy for Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer through Use of a Novel T-cell Antigen Receptor
Authors: Urbanska Katarzyna , Lanitis Evripidis , Poussin Mathilde , Lynn Rachel C. , Gavin Brian P. , Kelderman Sander , Yu Jason , Scholler Nathalie , Powell Daniel J. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapies composed of T cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) offer an attractive strategy for treatment of human cancer. However, CARs have a fixed antigen specificity such that only one tumor-associated antigen (TAA) can be targeted, limiting the efficacy that can be achieved because of heterogeneous TAA expression. For this reason, a more generalized and effective application of CAR therapy would benefit from the capability to produce large panels of CARs against many known TAAs. In this study, we show a novel strategy to extend the recognition specificity potential of a bioengineered lymphocyte population, allowing flexible approaches to redirect T cells against various TAAs. Our strategy employs a biotin-binding immune receptor (BBIR) composed of an extracellular-modified avidin linked to an intracellular T-cell signaling domain. BBIR T cells recognized and bound exclusively to cancer cells pretargeted with specific biotinylated molecules. The versatility afforded by BBIRs permitted sequential or simultaneous targeting of a combination of distinct antigens. Together, our findings show that a platform of universal T-cell specificity can significantly extend conventional CAR approaches, permitting the tailored generation of T cells of unlimited antigen specificity for improving the effectiveness of adoptive T-cell immunotherapies for cancer. Cancer Res; 72(7); 1844–52. ©2012 AACR.
Prehospital Abciximab in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ohlmann Patrick , Reydel Philippe , Jacquemin Laurent , Adnet Frédéric , Wolf Olivier , Bartier Jean-Claude , Weiss Anne , Lapostolle Frédéric , Gaultier Cédric , Salengro Emmanuel , Benamer Hakim , Guyon Philippe , Chevalier Bernard , Catan Simon , Ecollan Patrick , Chouihed Tahar , Angioi Michael , Zupan Michel , Bronner François , Bareiss Pierre , Steg Gabriel , Montalescot Gilles , Monassier Jean-Pierre , Morel Olivier 
Published: February 2012

Background—
The value of prehospital initiation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors remains a controversial issue. We sought to investigate whether in-ambulance initiation of abciximab in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) improves ST-segment elevation resolution (STR) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and Results—

MISTRAL (Myocardial Infarction with ST-elevation Treated by Primary Percutaneous Intervention Facilitated by Early Reopro Administration in Alsace) is a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Two hundred and fifty-six patients with acute STEMI were allocated to receive abciximab either in the ambulance (ambulance group, n=127) or in the catheterization laboratory (hospital group, n=129). The primary end point was complete (>70%) STR after PCI. Complete STR was not significantly different between the 2 groups (before PCI, 21.6% versus 15.5%,
P
=0.28; after PCI, 70.3% versus 65.8%,
P
=0.49). Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 2 to 3 flow rates before PCI tended to be higher in the ambulance group (46.8% versus 35%,
P
=0.08) but not after PCI (70.3% versus 65.8%,
P
=0.49). Slow flow tended to be lower (5.6% versus 13.4%,
P
=0.07), and distal embolization occurred significantly less often in the ambulance group (8.1% versus 21.1%,
P
=0.008). One- and 6-month major adverse cardiac event rates were low and similar in both groups.

Conclusions—
Early ambulance administration of abciximab in STEMI did not improve either STR or TIMI flow rate after PCI. However, it tended to improve TIMI flow pre-PCI and decreased distal embolization during procedure. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00638638.
An Idealized Semi-Empirical Framework for Modeling the Madden–Julian Oscillation
Authors: Sobel Adam , Maloney Eric 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The authors present a simple semi-empirical model to explore the hypothesis that the Madden–Julian oscillation can be represented as a moisture mode destabilized by surface flux and cloud–radiative feedbacks. The model is one-dimensional in longitude; the vertical and meridional structure is entirely implicit. The only prognostic variable is column water vapor W. The zonal wind field is an instantaneous diagnostic function of the precipitation field.
The linearized version of the model has only westward-propagating (relative to the mean flow) unstable modes because wind-induced surface latent heat flux anomalies occur to the west of precipitation anomalies. The maximum growth rate occurs at the wavelength at which the correlation between precipitation and surface latent heat flux is maximized. This wavelength lies in the synoptic- to planetary-scale range and is proportional to the horizontal scale associated with the assumed diagnostic wind response to precipitation anomalies.
The nonlinear version of the model has behavior that can be qualitatively different from the linear modes and is strongly influenced by horizontal advection of moisture. The nonlinear solutions are very sensitive to small shifts in the phasing of wind and precipitation. Under some circumstances nonlinear eastward-propagating disturbances emerge on a state of mean background westerlies. These disturbances have a shocklike discontinuous jump in humidity and rainfall at the leading edge; humidity decreases linearly and precipitation decreases exponentially to the west.
Future Changes in the South Asian Summer Monsoon: An Analysis of the CMIP3 Multimodel Projections
Authors: Fan Fangxing , Mann Michael E. , Lee Sukyoung , Evans Jenni L. 
Published: February 2012

The projected future behavior of the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) is analyzed for the 720-ppm stabilization experiments [Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A1B] of phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) simulations. The multimodel ensemble collectively exhibits a clear tendency for weakening SASM circulation and strengthening SASM precipitation during the twenty-first century. These tendencies are consistent, moreover, among multiple realizations for the same model where available. An annual correlation analysis and thermodynamic energy budget analysis are used to investigate the changes in the monsoon circulation, precipitation (latent heating), and dry static stability across time scales of variation. The strength of the SASM circulation is interpreted in terms of two competing factors: convective latent heating and dry static stability. It is found that on interannual time scales the latent heating wins out over the dry static stability to dominate the interannual fluctuations of the monsoonal circulation. However, the long-term trends in the SASM circulation are governed by the competing effects of the convective latent heating term and the adiabatic term to modify dry static stability in the thermodynamic energy budget.
Twentieth-Century Surface Temperature Trends in the Western Ross Sea, Antarctica: Evidence from a High-Resolution Ice Core
Authors: Sinclair Kate E. , Bertler Nancy A. N. , van Ommen Tas D. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
A 125-yr ice core record of climate from the Whitehall Glacier ice divide provides exceptionally high-resolution stable isotope data from the northwest margin of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. This is the only proxy data available to extend the instrumental record of temperature in this region, where little is known about climate variability over the past two centuries. Using ECMWF Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) data, this study develops a precipitation-weighted δ18O-temperature transfer function of 0.62‰ °C−1, which is comparable to other proximal ice cores, such as Taylor, Talos, and Law Domes. Reconstructed mean annual temperatures show no significant change between 1882 and 2006. However, a decrease in cold season [April–September (AMJJAS)] temperatures of −1.59° ± 0.84°C decade−1 (at 90% confidence) is observed since 1979. This cooling trend is in contrast to a surface temperature record from Ross Island (Scott Base) where significant spring warming is observed. It is also coincident with a positive trend in the southern annular mode, which is linked to stronger southerly winds and increased sea ice extent and duration in the western Ross Sea.
Effect of Perceived Control on Quality of Life in Indigent Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Hernandez-Tejada Melba A. , Lynch Cheryl P. , Strom Joni L. , Egede Leonard E. 
Published: February 2012

Purpose To examine the relationship between perceived control of diabetes and physical and mental health components of quality of life in indigent adults with diabetes. Methods The primary variables, perceived control of diabetes and quality of life, were evaluated among188 patients from a low-income clinic located at an academic medical center. Over a 12-month period, consenting subjects completed the surveys to assess perceived control of diabetes and health-related quality of life. Sociodemographic factors (age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, employment, marital status, and insurance status) were collected as well as clinical factors like comorbid conditions and use of insulin therapy. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the independent association of perceived control on quality of life. Results The sample largely comprised middle-aged women with diabetes, a majority being black; nearly two-thirds had at least a high school education and almost three-quarters were unemployed. Mean quality of life scores were generally below national population means. Correlation results indicated a positive relationship between perceived control and both physical and mental quality of life. Regression results supported the positive association between perceived control and quality of life, even when controlling for sociodemographics and comorbidity in the final model. Conclusion Increasing perceived control, perhaps by a combination of education and skills building (ie, self-efficacy), will result in higher perceived quality of life (QOL) among disadvantaged populations with diabetes.
Innovative Farmer Institutions and Market Imperfections
Authors: Torri Maria Costanza 
Published: February 2012

The herbal sector, as it is currently structured, is unable to improve the living standards of the underprivileged communities, who are the gatherers of the medicinal plants, The role of grass-roots organisations and rural networks to reduce transaction costs and enhance market coordination, has been object of study in different sectors but there is a gap in the literature in the herbal sector. The article portraits the supply relations in the medicinal plant market and suggests to promote medicinal plant enterprises such as Gram Mooligai Company Limited (GMCL), the first community based enterprise active in the herbal sector. Lessons to promote a more equitable sharing of benefits in the sector, to reform the supply chain and to promote new forms of partnership between ayurvedic firms and communities are discussed.
Coping with the imbalance between job demands and resources: A study of different coping patterns and implications for health and quality in human service work
Authors: Astvik Wanja , Melin Marika 
Published: February 2012

• Summary: In recent decades the public welfare sector has been subjected to major structural changes, and studies of various occupational groups within human service work have reported increased workload and a high prevalence of work-related stress. Using questionnaire data from a sample of human service workers within social work, child care and elderly care, the aim of this study was to identify different patterns of coping strategies to manage the imbalance between work demands and resources, and then to investigate their impact on outcomes in employee health and service quality. • Findings: Cluster analysis identified three strategy profiles: compensatory and quality reducing, voice and support seeking and self-supporting, and the comparative analysis indicated that the compensatory and quality reducing cluster may be regarded as a risk group. Results of hierarchical regression analyses disclosed that the identified strategies affected health outcomes as well as perceived service quality. The use of compensatory and quality reducing strategies was negatively related to health and quality, although work demands, resources and background characteristics were controlled for. • Applications: The results add to the research field through the identification of compensatory and quality reducing strategies not previously described in the coping literature, as well as the risks associated with them. Applied in practice, the identified strategy clusters might help distinguish ‘risk behaviors’ from more beneficial strategies. The results also point toward the importance of providing organizational structures that allow the employees to voice their opinions and critique, as well as to give and receive social support.
Professional values and attitude of psychiatric social workers toward involuntary hospitalization of psychiatric patients
Authors: Wu Hui-Ching , Tang I-Chang , Lin Wan-I , Chang Li-Hsing 
Published: February 2012

• Summary: In Taiwan, a 2007 Mental Health Act amendment stipulated to better protect patient autonomy and human rights based on a psychiatric disease assessment and a review committee consisting of several specialists, including psychiatric social workers. In 2009, involuntary hospitalization rates had not decreased but had increased to more than 90 percent. Social workers are obligated to advocate the rights of the individual in their ward. This study investigated the attitude of 235 psychiatric social workers toward coercion and the human rights of psychiatric patients in the process. • Findings: Most considered involuntary hospitalization as a means providing care and security, and supported its use. Most favored patient rights to a good environment and daily life over their right to refuse treatment and the right to make legal decisions. Gender, educational level, and working experience at psychiatric facilities were found to be associated with attitudes toward coercion and the rights of involuntarily hospitalized patients. Multivariate regression revealed a social worker’s holding a view that coercive hospitalization as offensive or therapeutic could predict a higher regard for the human rights of psychiatric patients. • Applications: Conflicts between the role of a psychiatric social worker as patient advocate and his or her participation in a committee dedicated to protecting the patient and society from harm can be source of distress for some social workers. Future studies might want to focus how to best prepare future social workers for this role or focus on legal changes that could be instigated to better ensure patient autonomy.
Factors Associated with Antiretroviral Medication Adherence among HIV-Positive Adults Accessing Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: O’Neil Conar R. , Palmer Alexis K. , Coulter Suzy , O’Brien Nadia , Shen Anya , Zhang Wendy , Montaner Julio S. G. , Hogg Robert S. 
Published: February 2012

Background: Among those accessing treatment, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed HIV into a chronic and manageable condition. However, high levels of adherence are required to derive a sustained, long-term clinical benefit. The aim of this study was to examine the predictors of adherence based on prescription refill among persons on HAART in British Columbia, Canada. Methods: This study utilizes data collected between July 2007 and January 2010, as part of the Longitudinal Investigations into Supportive and Ancillary health services (LISA) cohort, which is a study of HIV-positive persons who have accessed antiretroviral therapy (ART) in British Columbia. Participants were considered optimally adherent if they were dispensed ≥95% of their prescribed antiretrovirals. Results: Of a total of 566 participants, only 316 (55.8%) were optimally adherent to HAART. Independent predictors of optimal adherence were increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-2.33), male gender (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.07-2.64), and being enrolled in a comprehensive adherence assistance program (AOR = 4.26, 95% CI: 2.12-8.54). Having an annual income <$15 000 (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31-0.72) and both former and current injection drug use (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.29-0.73 and AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20-0.58, respectively) were independently associated with suboptimal (<95%) adherence. Conclusions: We found that women and people who inject drugs are at increased risk of being suboptimally adherent to HAART. Optimal adherence remains a significant public health and clinical goal in the context of rapidly expanding access to HAART.
Model-based peak alignment of metabolomic profiling from comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry
Authors: Jeong Jaesik , Shi Xue , Zhang Xiang , Kim Seongho , Shen Changyu 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundComprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC/TOF-MS) has been used for metabolite profiling in metabolomics. However, there is still much experimental variation to be controlled including both within-experiment and between-experiment variation. For efficient analysis, an ideal peak alignment method to deal with such variations is in great need.ResultsUsing experimental data of a mixture of metabolite standards, we demonstrated that our method has better performance than other existing method which is not model-based. We then applied our method to the data generated from the plasma of a rat, which also demonstrates good performance of our model.ConclusionsWe developed a model-based peak alignment method to process both homogeneous and heterogeneous experimental data. The unique feature of our method is the only model-based peak alignment method coupled with metabolite identification in an unified framework. Through the comparison with other existing method, we demonstrated that our method has better performance. Data are available athttp://stage.louisville.edu/faculty/x0zhan17/software/software-development/mspa. The R source codes are available athttp://www.biostat.iupui.edu/~ChangyuShen/CodesPeakAlignment.zip.Trial Registration2136949528613691
Evolutionary and functional insights into Leishmania META1: evidence for lateral gene transfer and a role for META1 in secretion
Authors: Puri Vidhi , Goyal Aneesh , Sankaranarayanan Rajan , Enright Anton J , Vaidya Tushar 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundLeishmaniaMETA1 has for long been a candidate molecule for involvement in virulence: META1 transcript and protein are up-regulated in metacyclicLeishmania. Yet, how META1 contributes to virulence remains unclear. We sought insights into the possible functions of META1 by studying its evolutionary origins.ResultsUsing multiple criteria including sequence similarity, nucleotide composition, phylogenetic analysis and selection pressure on gene sequence, we present evidence that META1 originated in trypanosomatids as a result of a lateral gene transfer of a bacterial heat-inducible protein, HslJ. Furthermore, within theLeishmaniagenome,META1sequence is under negative selection pressure against change/substitution. Using homology modeling ofLeishmaniaMETA1 based on solved NMR structure of HslJ, we show that META1 and HslJ share a similar structural fold. The best hit for other proteins with similar fold is MxiM, a protein involved in the type III secretion system inShigella. The striking structural similarity shared by META1, HslJ and MxiM suggests a possibility of shared functions. Upon structural superposition with MxiM, we have observed a putative hydrophobic cavity in META1. Mutagenesis of select hydrophobic residues in this cavity affects the secretion of the secreted acid phosphatase (SAP), indicating META1's involvement in secretory processes inLeishmania.ConclusionsOverall, this work uses an evolutionary biology approach, 3D-modeling and site-directed mutagenesis to arrive at new insights into functions ofLeishmaniaMETA1.
Primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas: rare type of pancreatic cancer and review of the literatures
Authors: Wang Dansong , Rong Yefei , Wu Wenchuan , Jin Dayong 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Back ground
Primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas (SCCP) is a rare malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis which accounts for 1 to 1.4 percent of all pancreatic malignancies.

Case presentation
We present the case of a 62-year-old man with a half-month history of upper abdominal discomfort who was diagnosed with SCC of the pancreatic tail. A Chest X-ray showed no evidence of primary lung tumor. The diagnosis of a SCCP was confirmed by post-surgery pathology and immunohistology. In our review of the published reports of SCCP, we only found a few cases reported in the literatures. The diagnosis of SCCP needs the post-surgery pathology and immunohistology and the prognosis of SCCP is extremely poor. There was a significant increase in median survival, from 1 to 6 months, in treated patients compared to patients treated only by symptomatic management. Chemotherapy was the most common treatment and the combination of cisplatin/etoposide was most frequently prescribed.

Conclusion
The accurate diagnosis of (SCCP) is necessary for determining prognosis and deciding appropriate therapy.
Human attitudes towards herpetofauna: The influence of folklore and negative values on the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Portugal
Authors: Ceríaco Luis MP 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Background
Human values and folklore of wildlife strongly influence the effectiveness of conservation efforts. These values and folklore may also vary with certain demographic characteristics such as gender, age, or education. Reptiles and amphibians are among the least appreciated of vertebrates and are victims of many negative values and wrong ideas resulting from the direct interpretation of folklore. We try to demonstrate how these values and folklore can affect the way people relate to them and also the possible conservation impacts on these animals.

Methods
A questionnaire survey distributed to 514 people in the district of Évora, Portugal, was used to obtain data regarding the hypothesis that the existence of wrong ideas and negative values contributes to the phenomenon of human-associated persecution of these animals. A structural equation model was specified in order to confirm the hypothesis about the possible relationships between the presence of perceptions and negative values about amphibians and reptiles and persecution and anti-conservation attitudes. Sociodemographic variables were also added.

Results
The results of the model suggest that the presence of folklore and negative values clearly predicts persecution and anti-conservation attitudes towards amphibians and reptiles. Also, the existence of folklore varies sociodemographically, but negative values concerning these animals are widespread in the population.

Conclusions
With the use of structural equation models, this work is a contribution to the study of how certain ideas and values can directly influence human attitudes towards herpetofauna and how they can be a serious conservation issue.