bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sterilisation of hybrid Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone nigra) for island restoration. Part 1: endoscopic oophorectomy of females under ketamine‐medetomidine anaesthesia
Authors: Knafo S. E. , Divers S. J. , Rivera S. , Cayot L. J. , Tapia‐Aguilera W. , Flanagan J. 
Published: January 2011

An endoscopic sterilisation technique for use in Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone nigra) was developed as part of a conservation and ecosystem restoration project. Fifteen female giant Galapagos tortoises were anaesthetised, intubated and positioned in dorsal recumbency. A bilateral prefemoral approach was made and the ovaries were identified using a 5 mm × 33 cm rigid telescope. In the case of endoscope‐assisted oophorectomy, the ovaries were exteriorised through the same incision, the vasculature was ligated and the mesovarium was transected. Two tortoises had immature ovaries that could not be exteriorised. In these animals, endoscopic oophorectomy was performed using radiosurgery. Closure of the incisions was routine. All tortoises except one recovered well from surgery. There were no reported complications six weeks and six months postoperatively, and all were successfully released on to Pinta Island in May 2010.
Genomic and Clinical Analysis of Amplification of the 13q31 Chromosomal Region in Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Reichek Jennifer L. , Duan Fenghai , Smith Lynette M. , Gustafson Donna M. , O'Connor Roddy S. , Zhang Chune , Dunlevy Mandy J. , Gastier-Foster Julie M. , Barr Frederic G. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Purpose: This study determined the molecular characteristics and clinical significance of amplification of the 13q31 chromosomal region in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), an aggressive pediatric cancer with frequent PAX3-FOXO1 and PAX7-FOXO1 gene fusions.
Experimental Design: The 13q31 amplicon was localized in an initial panel of ARMS cases using oligonucleotide arrays. A fluorescence in situ hybridization assay for this localized region was designed, and applied to more ARMS cases to determine the frequency and distribution of amplification. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assays were applied to measure gene expression. The clinical significance of copy number and expression was determined with Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard models.
Results: We localized the 13q31 amplicon to a 0.15 Mb region containing the MIR17HG gene encoding the polycistronic microRNA cluster, miR-17–92. This amplicon is present in 23% of ARMS cases with a marked preference for PAX7-FOXO1-positive cases. In tumors with 13q31 amplification, there is significantly increased expression of 5 of 6 microRNA's within the miR-17–92 cluster (miR-17, miR-19a, miR-19b, miR-20a, and miR-92a). In addition, a subset of nonamplified tumors with copy number-independent overexpression of all 6 microRNA's was identified. In clinical analyses, there was a significantly worse outcome associated with increased expression of the 5 microRNA's described above in 13q31-amplified cases when compared to nonamplified cases. There was also an improved outcome in 13q31-amplified cases with lower expression of these microRNA's.
Conclusions: 13q31 amplification and expression of the miR-17–92 cluster provide novel markers for identifying good and poor prognostic subsets of PAX7-FOXO1-positive ARMS. Clin Cancer Res; 17(6); 1463–73. ©2011 AACR.
MicroRNA-125a-5p Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Gastric Cancer and Inhibits the Proliferation of Human Gastric Cancer Cells in Combination with Trastuzumab
Authors: Nishida Naohiro , Mimori Koshi , Fabbri Muller , Yokobori Takehiko , Sudo Tomoya , Tanaka Fumiaki , Shibata Kohei , Ishii Hideshi , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Purpose: MicroRNA 125a-5p (miR-125a-5p) has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in malignancies of the breast, ovary, lung, and central nervous system. However, the clinical significance of miR-125a-5p in human gastrointestinal cancer has not been explored. We investigated a tumor inhibitory effect of miR-125a-5p in gastric cancer, focusing in particular on the miR-125a-ERBB2 (HER2, HER-2/neu) pathway.
Experimental Design: Quantitative RT-PCR was used to evaluate miR-125a-5p expression in 87 gastric cancer cases to determine the clinicopathologic significance of miR-125a-5p expression. The regulation of ERBB2 by miR-125a-5p was examined with precursor miR-125a–transfected cells. Furthermore, we investigated whether miR-125a-5p suppresses proliferation of gastric cancer cells in combination with trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against ERBB2.
Results: Low expression levels of miR-125a-5p were associated with enhanced malignant potential such as tumor size (P = 0.0068), tumor invasion (P = 0.031), liver metastasis (P = 0.029), and poor prognosis (P = 0.0069). Multivariate analysis indicated that low miR-125a-5p expression was an independent prognostic factor for survival. In vitro assays showed that ERBB2 is a direct target of miR-125a-5p, which potently suppressed the proliferation of gastric cancer cells, and, interestingly, the growth inhibitory effect was enhanced in combination with trastuzumab.
Conclusions: miR-125a-5p is a meaningful prognostic marker. Furthermore, miR-125a-5p mimic alone or in combination with trastuzumab could be a novel therapeutic approach against gastric cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 17(9); 2725–33. ©2011 AACR.
Determinants of Blood Pressure in Preschool Children
Authors: Simonetti Giacomo D. , Schwertz Rainer , Klett Martin , Hoffmann Georg F. , Schaefer Franz , Wühl Elke 
Published: January 2011

Background—
Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although accumulating evidence suggests tracking of blood pressure from childhood into adult life, there is little information regarding the relative contributions of genetic, prenatal, biological, behavioral, environmental, and social determinants to childhood blood pressure.

Methods and Results—

Blood pressure and an array of potential anthropometric, prenatal, environmental, and familial risk factors for high blood pressure, including parental smoking habits, were determined as part of a screening project in 4236 preschool children (age 5.7±0.4 years). Smoking was reported by 28.5% of fathers and 20.7% of mothers, and by both parents 11.9%. In addition to classic risk factors such as body mass index, prematurity, low birth weight, and parental hypertension, both systolic (+1.0 [95% confidence interval, +0.5 to +1.5] mm Hg;
P
=0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (+0.5 [+0.03 to +0.9] mm Hg;
P
=0.03) were higher in children of smoking parents. Parental smoking independently affected systolic blood pressure (
P
=0.001) even after correction for other risk factors, such as body mass index, parental hypertension, or birth weight, increasing the likelihood of having a systolic blood pressure in the top 15% of the population by 21% (2% to 44%;
P
=0.02).

Conclusions—
In healthy preschool children, parental smoking is an independent risk factor for higher blood pressure, adding to other familial and environmental risk factors. Implementing smoke-free environments at home and in public places may provide a long-term cardiovascular benefit even to young children.
Association of Maternal Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy With Offspring Adiposity Into Early Adulthood
Authors: Lawlor Debbie A. , Lichtenstein Paul , Långström Niklas 
Published: January 2011

Background—
Maternal diabetes mellitus in pregnancy results in greater offspring adiposity at birth. It is unclear whether it is associated with greater adiposity into adulthood, and if so, whether this is via intrauterine mechanisms or shared familial characteristics.

Methods and Results—

A record-linkage prospective cohort study of 280 866 singleton-born Swedish men from 248 293 families was used to explore the intrauterine effect of maternal diabetes mellitus on offspring body mass index (BMI) in early adulthood. Maternal diabetes mellitus during pregnancy was associated with greater mean BMI at age 18 in their sons. The difference in BMI was similar within brothers and between nonsiblings. BMI of men whose mothers had diabetes mellitus during their pregnancy was on average 0.94 kg/m
2
greater (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35 to 1.52) than in their brothers born before their mother was diagnosed with diabetes, after adjustment for birth year, maternal age, parity and education, birth weight, gestational age, and age at assessment of BMI. Early-pregnancy BMI was positively associated with son's BMI between nonsiblings, but there was no association within brothers. Adjustment of the maternal diabetes–offspring BMI association for maternal BMI did not alter the association either within brothers or between nonsiblings. Results were also robust to sensitivity analyses restricting the within-sibling analyses to siblings born within 3 years of each other.

Conclusion—
Maternal diabetes mellitus has long-term consequences for greater BMI in offspring; this association is likely to be via intrauterine mechanisms, and is independent of maternal BMI in early pregnancy.
Nirschl Surgical Technique for Concomitant Lateral and Medial Elbow Tendinosis
Authors: Schipper Oliver N. , Dunn Jonathan H. , Ochiai Derek H. , Donovan J. Skye , Nirschl Robert P. 
Published: January 2011

Background: Combined lateral elbow tendinosis (tennis elbow) and medial elbow tendinosis (golfer’s elbow) can be a disabling condition that, if unresponsive to nonoperative treatments, may be effectively treated surgically. The authors are not aware of any study that reports the outcome of a combined operation for lateral and medial elbow tendinosis (country club elbow) performed in the same operative setting. Hypothesis: Combined surgical treatment of country club elbow in the same operative setting has similar outcomes to those seen in the literature for single operative procedures. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence 4. Methods: Outcome measurements included the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale, the Nirschl tennis elbow scoring system, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow form. Forty-eight patients (53 clinical elbows) were available by telephone, with a minimum time to follow-up of 5 years (range, 5-19 years; mean, 11.7 years). Results: The average Nirschl tennis elbow score improved from 16.7 preoperatively to 70.8 postoperatively ( P < .01). The average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow score improved from 45.2 to 90.4 ( P < .01). The Numeric Pain Intensity Scale score improved from 8.8 to 1.7 ( P < .01). By the criteria of the Nirschl tennis elbow score, results were rated excellent in 38 elbows, good in 7 elbows, fair in 5 elbows, and poor in 3 elbows, with 85% (45 of 53) good to excellent results. Patient satisfaction with the surgery averaged 8.7 out of 10. Of the 46 patients who played sports, 44 (96%) reported returning to their sports. Conclusion: When nonoperative treatment of lateral and medial elbow tendinosis fails, combined surgical intervention via the Nirschl operative techniques for country club elbow is highly effective, with results similar to those of single-sided intervention.
c-Abl regulates Mcl-1 gene expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells
Authors: Allen John C. , Talab Fatima , Zuzel Mirko , Lin Ke , Slupsky Joseph R. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignancy characterized by clonal expansion of mature B cells that are resistant to apoptosis. This resistance to apoptosis partly results from Mcl-1 expression because high levels of this protein in CLL cells correlate with poor disease prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. Thus, understanding the mechanism(s) regulating Mcl-1 expression in CLL cells may be useful in the development of new therapies for this incurable disease. In the present study, we show a strong relationship between c-Abl and Mcl-1 expression in CLL cells. We show that treatment of CLL cells with Abl-specific siRNA or with imatinib, to inhibit c-Abl activity, results in the down-regulation of Mcl-1 protein and mRNA. A major regulator of Mcl-1 gene expression is STAT3. Our data show that CLL cells expressing high levels of c-Abl also show elevated levels of phospho-STAT3, and that STAT3 phosphorylation in CLL cells is dependent on c-Abl activity. However, STAT3 phosphorylation by c-Abl requires activation of nuclear factor-κB, secretion of autocrine interleukin-6, and active protein kinase C. Taken together, our data demonstrate the mechanism involved in c-Abl regulation of Mcl-1 expression in CLL cells, and suggest that c-Abl inhibition has therapeutic application in the treatment of this disease.
Hyperphosphorylated paratarg-7: a new molecularly defined risk factor for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance of the IgM type and Waldenström macroglobulinemia
Authors: Grass Sandra , Preuss Klaus-Dieter , Wikowicz Alexandra , Terpos Evangelos , Ziepert Marita , Nikolaus Diana , Yang Yin , Fadle Natalie , Regitz Evi , Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Treon Steven P. , Hunter Zachary R. , Pfreundschuh Michael 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
We recently described paratarg-7 (P-7), a protein of unknown function, as the target of 15% of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG paraproteins in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma. To determine the frequency of P-7 as a paraprotein target in IgM-MGUS and Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), sera from patients with IgM-MGUS/WM were tested for reactivity with recombinant P-7 by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. The specificity of the paraprotein-mediated reaction was shown by absorption studies and cloning of the respective B-cell receptor. The paraproteins of 18 (9 WM and 9 IgM-MGUS) of 161 patients (11%) reacted with P-7. Isoelectric focusing and phosphatase treatment showed that P-7 was hyperphosphorylated (pP-7) in all patients with an anti–P-7-specific IgM paraprotein tested. Because only 4 of 200 healthy controls (2%) were carriers of pP-7, pP-7 carrier state is associated with a significantly increased risk (odds ratio = 6.2; P = .001) for developing IgM-MGUS/MW. Family analyses showed that the pP-7 carrier state is inherited as a dominant trait. After IgA/IgG-MGUS and multiple myeloma, IgM-MGUS/WM is the second neoplasia associated with pP-7 carrier state. The dominant inheritance of pP-7 explains cases of familial IgM-MGUS/WM and enables the identification of family members at increased risk.
Phase III Comparison of Standard Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide Versus Weekly Doxorubicin and Daily Oral Cyclophosphamide Plus Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor As Neoadjuvant Therapy for Inflammatory and Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: SWOG 0012
Authors: Ellis Georgiana K. , Barlow William E. , Gralow Julie R. , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Russell Christy A. , Royce Melanie E. , Perez Edith A. , Lew Danika , Livingston Robert B. 
Published: January 2011

Purpose Patients with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) or locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) were randomly assigned to 21-day doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide administered for five cycles (standard arm) versus weekly doxorubicin and daily oral cyclophosphamide administered with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support for 15 weeks (continuous arm). All patients had subsequent weekly paclitaxel for 12 weeks before surgery. Patients and Methods Patients (n = 372) were randomly assigned to the standard arm (n = 186) or the continuous arm (n = 186) stratified by disease type (LABC, n = 256; IBC, n = 116). The primary outcome was microscopic pathologic complete response (pCR) at surgery. Secondary outcomes included disease-free survival, overall survival, and toxicity. Results More patients in the standard arm had grade 3 to 4 leukopenia and neutropenia, but there were more instances of stomatitis/pharyngitis and hand-foot skin reaction in the continuous arm. Assessed among 356 eligible patients, pCR was not different between the treatment groups stratified by disease type (P = .42). In subset analysis, higher pCR rates were observed in the continuous arm versus the standard arm only for stage IIIB disease (P = .0057) and in IBC (P = .06). Comparison of overall survival and disease-free survival showed no difference between treatment groups (P = .37 and P = .87, respectively). Conclusion No significant clinical benefit was seen for the investigational arm in this trial overall.
Safety and Efficacy of TG101348, a Selective JAK2 Inhibitor, in Myelofibrosis
Authors: Pardanani Animesh , Gotlib Jason R. , Jamieson Catriona , Cortes Jorge E. , Talpaz Moshe , Stone Richard M. , Silverman Michael H. , Gilliland D. Gary , Shorr Jolene , Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: January 2011

Purpose Myelofibrosis is a myeloid malignancy associated with anemia, splenomegaly, and constitutional symptoms. Patients frequently harbor JAK-STAT activating mutations that are sensitive to TG101348, a selective small-molecule Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor. Patients and Methods In a multicenter phase I trial, oral TG101348 was administered once a day to patients with high- or intermediate-risk primary or post–polycythemia vera/essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis. Results Fifty-nine patients were treated, including 28 in the dose-escalation phase. The maximum-tolerated dose was 680 mg/d, and dose-limiting toxicity was a reversible and asymptomatic increase in the serum amylase level. Forty-three patients (73%) continued treatment beyond six cycles; the median cumulative exposure to TG101348 was 380 days. Adverse events included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, and thrombocytopenia; corresponding grades 3 to 4 incidence rates were 3%, 3%, 10%, 35%, and 24%. TG101348 treatment had modest effect on serum cytokine levels, but greater than half of the patients with early satiety, night sweats, fatigue, pruritus, and cough achieved rapid and durable improvement in these symptoms. By six and 12 cycles of treatment, 39% and 47% of patients, respectively, had achieved a spleen response per International Working Group criteria. The majority of patients with leukocytosis or thrombocytosis at baseline (n = 28 and n = 10, respectively) achieved normalization of blood counts after six (57% and 90%, respectively) and 12 (56% and 88%, respectively) cycles. A significant decrease in JAK2 V617F allele burden was observed at 6 months in mutation-positive patients (n = 51; P = .04), particularly in the subgroup with allele burden greater than 20% (n = 23; P < .01); the decrease was durable at 12 months. Conclusion TG101348 is well tolerated and produces significant reduction in disease burden and durable clinical benefit in patients with myelofibrosis.
A New Pressurized Vane Shear Apparatus
Authors: Messerklinger S. , Zumsteg R. , Puzrin A. M. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
The new vane shear test apparatus enables shear strength investigations of fine-grained soils at different pressures and shear velocities, such as those acting in a working chamber of an Earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine. The main conceptual innovation is the application of a confining pressure onto the test specimen while the vane shear test is performed. This allows for the exploration of pressure dependency on the shear strength of fine-grained soils, e.g., conditioned with foams and polymers. The technical innovation is that the torque sensor is located inside the pressure chamber. This permits for accurate torque measurement by excluding friction at contact areas and sealed insertions. The new vane shear test apparatus is a fast and reliable device to measure the shear strength of any fine-grained soils with soft consistency. In this paper pressure and rate-dependent shear strength data of kaolinite and illite clays and of “conditioned soils” made of kaolinite and illite clays mixed with foam and polymer additives are presented and the applicability of the apparatus is validated.
Effects of Secondary Phase Particle Dissolution on the In-Reactor Performance of BWR Cladding
Authors: Valizadeh S. , Ledergerber G. , Abolhassan S. , Jädernäs D. , Dahlbäck M. , Mader E. V. , Zhou G. , Wright J. , Hallstadius L. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Although the complete mechanisms are not yet fully understood, it is well established that the secondary phase particle (SPP) size distribution and chemical composition have a crucial affects in the reactor corrosion rate and hydrogen uptake in boiling water reactor (BWR) cladding. To further study these effects, different selected fuel rod assemblies with standard LK3 cladding materials that have been irradiated in KernKraftwerk Leibstadt (KKL) for three, five, six, seven, and nine annual cycles were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis of the samples showed that the average size of SPPs increases as the small SPPs are dissolved during irradiation. After three cycles the Fe–Cr bearing SPPs have been identified as completely amorphous over the whole range of examined samples and the Fe–Ni bearing SPPs remained crystalline. The EDX analyses of several Fe–Ni bearing precipitates show that the Fe/Ni ratio stays more or less constant for the irradiated material at 1.5 to 1.6 and drops to about 1 after fast fluence of 17.9×1021 n/cm2 (&gt;1 MeV) for nine cycles sample. Results from this study confirms that the increased oxide thickness, the higher hydrogen content, and the accelerated growth of the rods at rod average burnup of 78 MWd/kgU goes along with a change in the appearance of SPPs by TEM.
Volksgemeinschaft. Potenzial und Grenzen eines neuen Forschungskonzepts
Authors: Kershaw Ian 
Published: January 2011

Vorspann
Ian Kershaw, einer der bedeutendsten NS-Forscher unserer Zeit, bezieht Stellung. Er äußert sich zur Debatte über das Konzept „Volksgemeinschaft“, das seit längerem die Gemüter bewegt. Kershaw verkennt nicht, dass sich hier neue Chancen eröffnen, die Dynamik und das verbrecherische Potenzial des Dritten Reiches zu erfassen. Zugleich warnt er aber auch davor, die Reichweite des Konzepts zu überschätzen; es sei nicht präzise genug und verleite dazu, die Vielfalt des NS-Staates zu verfehlen.
Dutch National Registry of GH Treatment in Adults: patient characteristics and diagnostic test procedures
Authors: van Nieuwpoort I C , van Bunderen C C , Arwert L I , Franken A A M , Koppeschaar H P F , van der Lelij A J , Twisk J W R , Boers M , Drent M L 
Published: January 2011

ObjectiveThe Dutch National Registry of GH Treatment in Adults was established in 1998 as an initiative of the Ministry of Health. The main goals were to gain more insight into long-term efficacy, safety, and costs of GH therapy (GHT) in adult GH-deficient (GHD) patients in The Netherlands.MethodsBaseline patient characteristics and diagnostic test procedures were evaluated.ResultsUntil January 2009 in roughly 10 years, 2891 patients (1475 men and 1416 women, mean age 43.5±16.5 years) were registered. GHD was of childhood-onset (CO) in over 20% of the patients and of isolated in 11%. The most common causes of GHD were pituitary tumors and/or their treatment, craniopharyngiomas, and idiopathic GHD. In 85% of the patients, a GH stimulation test was performed, in the majority an insulin tolerance test (ITT) (49%) or a combined GHRH–arginine test (25%). In 12% of the patients, IGF1 levels were ≤−2 s.d. combined with two or more additional pituitary hormone deficits, and in 2%, it concerned patients with CO-GHD continuing GHT in adulthood. Over the years, the test of first choice shifted from ITT toward GHRH–arginine test.ConclusionNearly, 2900 patients were included in the nationwide surveillance database of the Dutch National Registry of GH Treatment in Adults until January 2009. Baseline patient characteristics are comparable to that reported previously. In 85% of these patients, the diagnosis of GHD was established by provocative testing, particularly an ITT or a combined GHRH–arginine test, with an evident increase in the percentage of GHRH–arginine tests being performed in the last years.