bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative seroepidemiology of diphtheria in six European countries and Israel
Authors: DI GIOVINE P. , KAFATOS G. , NARDONE A. , ANDREWS N. , ÖLANDER R.M. , ALFARONE G. , BROUGHTON K. , COHEN D. , KRIZ B. , MIKOVA I. , O'FLANAGAN D. , SCHNEIDER F. , SELGA I. , VALINSKY L. , VELICKO I. , KARACS I. , PEBODY R. , VON HUNOLSTEIN C. 
Published: February 2012

SUMMARYSerological surveys for diphtheria were conducted in six European countries including Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Slovakia and one country outside Europe, Israel. For each country, a nationally representative population sample was collected across the entire age range and was tested for antibodies to diphtheria toxin. Although each national laboratory used its preferred assay, the results were all standardized to those of thein vitroneutralization test and expressed in international units (IU) which allowed comparative analyses to be performed. The results showed that increasing age is related to a gradual increase in seronegative subjects (<0·01 IU/ml of diphtheria antitoxin antibodies). This may reflect waning immunity following childhood vaccination without repeated booster vaccinations in adults. Differences in seronegativity were also found according to gender. In subjects aged 1–19 years, geometric mean titres of antitoxin are clearly related to the different vaccination schedules used in the participating countries. Although clinical disease remains rare, the susceptibility to diphtheria observed in these serosurveys highlights the importance of strengthened surveillance.
“Our best hope is a cure.” Hope in the context of advance care planning
Authors: Robinson Carole A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective:Advance care planning (ACP) has the potential to enhance end-of-life care, yet often fails to live up to that potential. This qualitative interpretive study was designed to explore the process and outcomes of ACP using the patient-centered Advance Care Planning Interview (PC-ACP) developed by the Respecting Choices®program in Wisconsin.Method:Patients diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and close family members were recruited. Nine family dyads participated in the PC-ACP interview, which was audio-recorded. Follow-up interviews took place 3 and 6 months after the PC-ACP interview and were also recorded. Thematic analysis was conducted on transcribed interviews using constant comparison.Results:Analysis showed that hope was a significant theme in the ACP process and this article reports on that theme. Hope for a cure was one of many hopes that supported quality of life for the participant dyads. Three themes were identified: hope is multifaceted, hope for a cure is well considered, and hope is resilient and persistent. The seeming paradox of hoping for a cure of an incurable cancer did not interfere with the process of ACP. The dyads engaged in explicit discussions of end-of-life scenarios and preferences for care. ACP did not interfere with hope and hope for a cure did not interfere with ACP.Significance of results:Concerns about false hope are called into question. The principle of honoring hope is not necessarily in conflict with the principle of truthful communication. This is clinically significant, as the findings suggest we need not disrupt hope that we think of as “unrealistic” as long as it supports the family to live well. Further, ACP can be successful even in the context of hoping for a cure.
Experiences from having breast cancer and being part of a support group. Notes written in diaries by women during radiotherapy
Authors: Emilsson Sofia , Svensk Ann-Christine , Olsson Karolina , Lindh Jack , Öster Inger 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective:The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of breast cancer patients participating in a support group.Method:This study explores 28 stories of women with breast cancer as expressed through written diaries. Diaries were written during a 5-week period in parallel with radiotherapy and participation in a support group in a hospital. Answers to six open-ended evaluative questions concerning the support group were included in the majority of the written diaries. A qualitative content analysis was used to identify themes.Results:Three themes were constructed during the analysis: “positive group development.” “Inhibited group development.” and “the individual living with the disease.” Hopes and fears for the future in regards to illness and getting better, the value of family and friends, and feelings related to daily life with breast cancer such as fatigue and changes in body image were also expressed in the diaries.Significance of results:The findings suggest that the women with breast cancer found it valuable to be able to share experiences with other women in a similar situation in the context of a support group. Being part of such a group provided a space and an opportunity for reflection.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients: Patients’ expectations and physicians’ attitudes
Authors: Barak Frida , Ostrowsky Lev A. , Kreitler Shulamith 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective:Findings show that there is a certain degree of refusal on the part of breast cancer patients to undergo adjuvant therapy. Accordingly, the major goals of the study were, first, to learn more about the beliefs of breast cancer patients in regard to adjuvant therapy; second, to find out about the sources of the patients’ beliefs; and third, to learn about the attitudes of oncologists concerning the same aspects of adjuvant therapy to which the patients’ beliefs referred.Method:The participants were 92 breast cancer patients (mean age 61.2) and 57 doctors of both genders specialized in oncology or affiliated domains. Both groups were administered questionnaires referring to goals of adjuvant treatment, the chances of attaining these goals, side effects, and difficulty of the treatment. Doctors were specifically asked about the views they thought proper to communicate to patients in regard to the mentioned issues. Patients were also asked about whether they had doubts about the treatment and sources of information.Results:The findings showed disparities between the views of patients and doctors in regard to goals, chances of attainment, side effects, and difficulty of treatment. Patients endorsed more goals than doctors and tended to assign to them lower chances of attainment. Doctors were divided in their views about whether to communicate the side effects and difficulties.Significance of results:The results reveal the importance of outlining goals for patients undergoing adjuvant treatment and the disagreements between doctors about what should be communicated to patients, and highlight the complexity of providing to patients information that is both scientifically correct and emotionally helpful.
Cotard's syndrome with glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Reich Michel , Comet Benedicte , Le Rhun Emilie , Ramirez Carole 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective:Brain tumors are classically associated with neurological and/or psychiatric symptomatology. Behavioral or cognitive disorders can underlie delirium, personality changes, psychotic reactions, and mood disorders.Method:To illustrate this, we report the case of a 60-year-old male patient confronted with an inoperable glioblastoma multiforme on the splenium of the corpus callosum, of poor prognosis, treated by concomitant radiochemotherapy with temozolomide, who developed psychotic depression with Cotard's syndrome. Clinical manifestations of this syndrome with untoward consequences in terms of prognosis are classically characterized by intense moral suffering, indignity and pessimistic fixations, suicidal ideations, and a nihilistic delusion relating to one's own body.Results:Nevertheless, this association between Cotard's syndrome and glioblastoma has been seldom described. To our knowledge, this is the first time that this has been described as a complication of this particular tumor location. Some neuropsychopathological hypotheses are proposed, which involve medical, iatrogenic, and psychogenesis issues.Significance of results:This case report points to the necessary collaboration between psychiatrists, neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists in improving the patient's management and quality of life.
Financing a new nation: a comparative study of the financial roots of the USA and Gran Colombia
Authors: Muse-Fisher John 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe structure of the USA and the countries that emerged from the remains of Gran Colombia ultimately took different shapes from those suggested in the era immediately after independence, particularly in regard to the extent of each state's fiscal and monetary capacities. This article applies Oszlak's model of ‘stateness’ to the early financial and monetary histories of the USA (roughly 1776–93) and Gran Colombia (roughly 1819–35) to assess and compare the role of financial and monetary capacities in long-run state consolidation and economic development. The US was ultimately more successful than Gran Colombia at adapting its financial and monetary capacities and institutions, creating better conditions for the attainment of ‘stateness’, stronger economic growth, and greater endurance as a national entity. The comparison ultimately suggests a reciprocal relationship between the legitimization of a state's authority (that is, state consolidation) and the development and solidification of fiscal and monetary capacities.
An unlevel playing field: national income estimates and reciprocal comparison in global economic history
Authors: Jerven Morten 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIf we take recent income per capita estimates at face value, they imply that the average medieval European was at least five times ‘better off’ than the average Congolese today. This raises important questions regarding the meaning and applicability of national income estimates throughout time and space, and their use in the analysis of global economic history over the long term. This article asks whether national income estimates have a historical and geographical specificity that renders the ‘data’ increasingly unsuitable and misleading when assessed outside a specific time and place. Taking the concept of ‘reciprocal comparison’ as a starting point, it further questions whether national income estimates make sense in pre-and post-industrial societies, in decentralized societies, and in polities outside the temperate zone. One of the major challenges in global history is Eurocentrism. Resisting the temptation to compare the world according to the most conventional development measure might be a recommended step in overcoming this bias.
Where is the ideal location for a US East Coast offshore grid?
Authors: Dvorak Michael J. , Stoutenburg Eric D. , Archer Cristina L. , Kempton Willett , Jacobson Mark Z. 
Published: February 2012

This paper identifies the location of an “ideal” offshore wind energy (OWE) grid on the U.S. East Coast that would (1) provide the highest overall and peak‐time summer capacity factor, (2) use bottom‐mounted turbine foundations (depth ≤50 m), (3) connect regional transmissions grids from New England to the Mid‐Atlantic, and (4) have a smoothed power output, reduced hourly ramp rates and hours of zero power. Hourly, high‐resolution mesoscale weather model data from 2006–2010 were used to approximate wind farm output. The offshore grid was located in the waters from Long Island, New York to the Georges Bank, ≈450 km east. Twelve candidate 500 MW wind farms were located randomly throughout that region. Four wind farms (2000 MW total capacity) were selected for their synergistic meteorological characteristics that reduced offshore grid variability. Sites likely to have sea breezes helped increase the grid capacity factor during peak time in the spring and summer months. Sites far offshore, dominated by powerful synoptic‐scale storms, were included for their generally higher but more variable power output. By interconnecting all 4 farms via an offshore grid versus 4 individual interconnections, power was smoothed, the no‐power events were reduced from 9% to 4%, and the combined capacity factor was 48% (gross). By interconnecting offshore wind energy farms ≈450 km apart, in regions with offshore wind energy resources driven by both synoptic‐scale storms and mesoscale sea breezes, substantial reductions in low/no‐power hours and hourly ramp rates can be made.
The Wrangel Island Polynya in early summer: Trends and relationships to other polynyas and the Beaufort Sea High
Authors: Moore G. W. K. , Pickart R. S. 
Published: February 2012

Polynyas, regions of reduced sea ice concentration relative to their surroundings, are important features of the polar climate system in which enhanced fluxes of heat, moisture, and momentum can occur between the atmosphere and ocean. As such, they play a significant role in many atmospheric, oceanographic and biological processes. There are concerns that in a warming climate, in which there is a trend towards a reduction in sea ice cover, that the location, size and duration of many polynyas may change resulting in climatological and ecological impacts. In this paper, we identify an early summer manifestation of the Wrangel Island polynya that forms in the western Chuckchi Sea. We show that over the past 30 years there has been an increased frequency of occurrence as well as a doubling in the size of the polynya. The polynya is shown to form when there is an enhanced easterly flow over the Chukchi Sea that is associated with an anomalously intense Beaufort Sea High (BSH), a closed anti‐cyclonic atmospheric circulation that forms over the Beaufort Sea. We also show that there has been a concomitant trend towards a more intense BSH over the same time period and we propose that this trend is responsible for the observed changes in the Wrangel Island polynya. Given its large and increasing size, the early summer polynya may also play an important and unaccounted role in the physical and biological oceanography of the western Chukchi Sea.
Sea‐surface temperature records of Termination 1 in the Gulf of California: Challenges for seasonal and interannual analogues of tropical Pacific climate change
Authors: McClymont Erin L. , Ganeshram Raja S. , Pichevin Laetitia E. , Talbot Helen M. , van Dongen Bart E. , Thunell Robert C. , Haywood Alan M. , Singarayer Joy S. , Valdes Paul J. 
Published: February 2012

Centennial‐scale records of sea‐surface temperature and opal composition spanning the Last Glacial Maximum and Termination 1 (circa 25–6 ka) are presented here from Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California. Through the application of two organic geochemistry proxies, the U37K′index and the TEX86Hindex, we present evidence for rapid, stepped changes in temperatures during deglaciation. These occur in both temperature proxies at 13 ka (∼3°C increase in 270 years), 10.0 ka (∼2°C decrease over ∼250 years) and at 8.2 ka (3°C increase in <200 years). An additional rapid warming step is also observed in TEX86Hat 11.5 ka. In comparing the two temperature proxies and opal content, we consider the potential for upwelling intensity to be recorded and link this millennial‐scale variability to shifting Intertropical Convergence Zone position and variations in the strength of the Subtropical High. The onset of the deglacial warming from 17 to 18 ka is comparable to a “southern hemisphere” signal, although the opal record mimics the ice‐rafting events of the north Atlantic (Heinrich events). Neither the modern seasonal cycle nor El Niño/Southern Oscillation patterns provide valid analogues for the trends we observe in comparison with other regional records. Fully coupled climate model simulations confirm this result, and in combination we question whether the seasonal or interannual climate variations of the modern climate are valid analogues for the glacial and deglacial tropical Pacific.
Deletion of the trpc4 gene and its role in simple and complex strategic learning
Authors: Collins Marissa , Drish Abby , Swenson Laura , Ostertag Eric , Klipec William , Nguyen Phuong , Deeney Bridget , Williamson Claire , Wenzel Kami , Cooper Donald , Stumme Jessica 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe TRPC4 ion channel is expressed extensively in corticolimbic and a subpopulation of midbrain dopamine neurons. While TRPC4 knockout (KO) rats exhibit reduced sociability and social exploration, little is known about the role of TRPC4 in motivation and learning. To identify a function for TRPC4 channels in learning processes we tested TRPC4 KO and normal wild type (WT) rats. TRPC4 KO and WT rats exhibited no differences in Y--maze learning or simple discrimination learning. Furthermore, on a more complex serial reversal shift task designed to assess strategic learning where the reward and non--reward cues were repeatedly reversed between training sessions both TRPC4 KO and WT rats performed equally well. Finally, we found no performance differences when using a conditional reversal shift task where a tone signals the reversal of reward and non-reward cues within sessions. These data suggest that although TRPC4 channels may play a role in social interaction/anxiety they exert a minimal role in simple and complex strategic learning.
Grid Potential Analysis and Docking Studies on a Dataset of N-Arylsulfonyl-3-AcetylIndoles as Anti-HIV Agent
Authors: Kumar Surendra , Tiwari Meena 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA grid potential analysis employing the AutoGPA module in MOE2009.10 was performed on a dataset of 42 molecules of N-arylsulfonyl-3-acetylindoles as anti-HIV agent. The molecular docking simulations were also employed to position the inhibitors to their binding site to determine the most appropriate binding mode for different conformations of molecule. The uniqueness of AutoGPA module is that it automatically builds the 3D-QSAR model on the pharmacophore based molecular alignment. The best AutoGPA 3D-QSAR model obtained in the present study gives the cross-validated q2 value of 0.588 and r2pred value of 0.701 among the fifty six 3D-QSAR model developed. Furthermore, the steric and electrostatic contour maps for AutoGPA model along with the 3D structure of protein (binding residue of active site) inlaid were obtained to better understand the structural requirements against HIV and interaction between binding residues of protein and inhibitors. The study shows that hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding potential groups are favorable for optimization of parent nucleus for better activity.
Longer-acting and highly potent chimaeric inhibitors of excessive exocytosis created with domains from botulinum neurotoxin A and B
Authors: Wang Jiafu , Zurawski Tomas H. , Bodeker MacDara O. , Meng Jianghui , Boddul Sanjay , Aoki K. Roger , Dolly J. Oliver 
Published: February 2012

Various human neurogenic hyper-excitability disorders are successfully treated with type A or B BoNT (botulinum neurotoxin). The BoNT/A complex is widely used because of its longer-lasting benefits; also, autonomic side-effects are more often reported for BoNT/B. To establish if this distinct effect of BoNT/B could be exploited therapeutically, BoNT/A was modified so that it would bind the more abundant BoNT/B acceptor in rodents while retaining its desirable persistent action. The advantageous protease and translocation domain of BoNT/A were recombinantly combined with the acceptor-binding moiety of type B [HC/B (C-terminal half of BoNT/B heavy chain)], creating the chimaera AB. This purified protein bound the BoNT/B acceptor, displayed enhanced capability relative to type A for intraneuronally delivering its protease, cleaved SNAP-25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa) and induced a more prolonged neuromuscular paralysis than BoNT/A in mice. The BA chimaera, generated by substituting HC/A (C-terminal half of BoNT/A heavy chain) into BoNT/B, exhibited an extremely high specific activity, delivered the BoNT/B protease via the BoNT/A acceptor into neurons, or fibroblast-like synoviocytes that lack SNAP-25, cleaving the requisite isoforms of VAMP (vesicle-associated membrane protein). Both chimaeras inhibited neurotransmission in murine bladder smooth muscle. BA has the unique ability to reduce exocytosis from non-neuronal cells expressing the BoNT/A-acceptor and utilising VAMP, but not SNAP-25, in exocytosis.
Relationship between TWIST expression and epithelial—mesenchymal transition of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gao Yuan , Xuan Xiao‐Yan , Zhang Hong‐Yan , Wang Feng , Zeng Qing‐Ru , Wang Zhi‐Qiang , Li Shan‐Shan 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe have investigated mRNA and protein expression of TWIST, Vimentin and E‐cadherin in ESCC (oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma) and explored their relationship with tumour's infiltration and metastasis. RT—PCR (reverse transcriptase—PCR) was used to evaluate mRNA expression of TWIST, E‐cadherin and Vimentin in 40 cases of ESCC. The protein expression of the genes was examined by immunohistochemical staining in each specimen. Expression of TWIST, E‐cadherin and Vimentin mRNA and protein with clinicopathologic parameters were analysed. mRNAs of TWIST, Vimentin and E‐cadherin were expressed in 75, 55 and 35% respectively of ESCC, i.e. significantly different from that in normal oesophageal mucosa (15, 0 and 85% respectively; P<0.01). In ESCC with LN (lymph node) metastasis, expression of TWIST and Vimentin mRNA, but not E‐cadherin mRNA was significantly higher (100 and 83%) than in ESCC without LN metastasis (64 and 43%, P=0.018) respectively. Levels of mRNA expression of the 3 genes followed similar patterns to their above‐mentioned frequencies. Protein expression of TWIST, E‐cadherin and Vimentin were observed in 70, 35 and 50% respectively of ESCC, which were significantly different from normal mucosa (15, 80 and 0%; P<0.001). In ESCC with LN metastasis, protein expression of TWIST and Vimentin, but not E‐cadherin, were significantly higher (100 and 75%) than in ESCC without LN metastasis (61 and 39%). Protein expression of TWIST was positively correlated with Vimentin (r=0.327, P=0.039), but negatively correlated with E‐cadherin (r= −0.633, P=0.000). Thus, both mRNAs and proteins of TWIST and Vimentin were significantly overexpressed in ESCC, especially ESCC with LN metastasis. The mRNA and protein of E‐cadherin were down‐regulated in ESCC. These results suggest potential roles of TWIST as the promoter of tumour invasion and metastasis associated with down‐regulation of E‐cadherin.