bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intussusception of the small bowel secondary to malignant metastases in two 80-year-old people: a case series
Authors: Spiridis Charalambos , Kambaroudis Apostolos , Ntinas Achilleas , Papadopoulos Savvas , Papanicolaou Athanasios , Gerasimidis Thomas 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Small bowel intussusception is rare in adults and accounts for one percent of all bowel obstructions. Malignancy is the etiologic agent in approximately 50 percent of all cases.

Case presentation
Our first patient was an 80-year-old Caucasian woman with signs and symptoms of intermittent bowel obstruction for the last 12 months. Pre-operative investigation by abdominal computed tomography scanning revealed an obstruction at the ileocecal valve. Exploratory laparotomy revealed an ileocecal intussusception. She underwent an enterectomy. Histological examination showed metastatic breast cancer (lobular carcinoma). Our patient had previously undergone a mastectomy due to carcinoma three years earlier.
Our second patient was an 80-year-old Caucasian man with signs and symptoms of acute bowel obstruction. Pre-operative investigation by abdominal computed tomography scanning showed an intussusception in the proximal part of the small bowel. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a jejunojejunal intussusception. He underwent an enterectomy. Histological examination showed metastatic melanoma. Our patient had a prior history of a primary cutaneous melanoma which was excised two years ago.

Conclusion
Pre-operative determination of the etiologic agent of intussusception in the small bowel in adults is difficult. Although a computed tomography scan is very helpful, the diagnosis of intussusception is made by exploratory laparotomy and histological examination defines the etiologic agent. A prior malignancy in the patient's history must be taken under consideration as a possible cause of intussusception.
Magnitude of risks and benefits of the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer patients: Meta-regression analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Cuppone Federica , Bria Emilio , Vaccaro Vanja , Puglisi Fabio , Fabi Alessandra , Sperduti Isabella , Carlini Paolo , Milella Michele , Nisticò Cecilia , Russillo Michelangelo , Papaldo Paola , Ferretti Gianluigi , Aapro Matti , Giannarelli Diana , Cognetti Francesco 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background
Although the addition of bevacizumab significantly improves the efficacy of chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer, regulatory concerns still exist with regard to the magnitude of the benefits and the overall safety profile.

Methods
A literature-based meta-analysis to quantify the magnitude of benefit and safety of adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer patients was conducted. Meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were also performed to identify additional predictors of outcome and to assess the influence of trial design.

Results
Five trials (3,841 patients) were gathered. A significant interaction according to treatment line was found for progression-free survival (PFS, p = 0.027); PFS was significantly improved for 1st line (Hazard Ratio, HR 0.68, p < 0.0001), with a 1-yr absolute difference (AD) of 8.4% (number needed to treat, NNT 12). A non-significant trend was found in overall survival (OS), and in PFS for 2nd line. Responses were improved with the addition of bevacizumab, without interaction between 1st line (Relative Risk, RR 1.46, p < 0.0001) and 2nd line (RR 1.58, p = 0.05). The most important toxicity was hypertension, accounting for a significant AD of 4.5% against bevacizumab (number needed to harm, NNH 22). Other significant, although less clinically meaningful, adverse events were proteinuria, neurotoxicity, febrile neutropenia, and bleeding. At the meta-regression analysis for 1st-line, more than 3 metastatic sites (p = 0.032), no adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.00013), negative hormonal receptor status (p = 0.009), and prior anthracyclines-exposure (p = 0.019), did significantly affect PFS.

Conclusions
Although with heterogeneity, the addition of bevacizumab to 1st-line chemotherapy significantly improves PFS, and overall activity. Hypertension should be weighted with the overall benefit on the individual basis.
Frequent coexistence of anti-topoisomerase I and anti-U1RNP autoantibodies in African American patients associated with mild skin involvement: a retrospective clinical study
Authors: Satoh Minoru , Krzyszczak Malgorzata E , Li Yi , Ceribelli Angela , Ross Steven J , Chan Edward KL , Segal Mark S , Bubb Michael R , Sobel Eric S , Reeves Westley H 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Introduction
The presence of anti-topoisomerase I (topo I) antibodies is a classic scleroderma (SSc) marker presumably associated with a unique clinical subset. Here the clinical association of anti-topo I was reevaluated in unselected patients seen in a rheumatology clinic setting.

Methods
Sera from the initial visit in a cohort of unselected rheumatology clinic patients (n = 1,966, including 434 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 119 SSc, 85 polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM)) were screened by radioimmunoprecipitation. Anti-topo I-positive sera were also tested with immunofluorescence and RNA immunoprecipitation.

Results
Twenty-five (15 Caucasian, eight African American, two Latin) anti-topo I positive patients were identified, and all except one met the ACR SSc criteria. Coexistence of other SSc autoantibodies was not observed, except for anti-U1RNP in six cases. When anti-topo I alone versus anti-topo I + U1RNP groups were compared, African American (21% vs. 67%), overlap with SLE (0 vs. 50%; P = 0.009) or PM/DM (0 vs. 33%; P = 0.05) or elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) (P = 0.07) were more common in the latter group. In comparison of anti-topo I-positive Caucasians versus African Americans, the latter more frequently had anti-U1RNP (13% vs. 50%), mild/no skin changes (14% vs. 63%; P = 0.03) and overlap with SLE (0 vs. 38%; P = 0.03) and PM/DM (0 vs. 25%; P = 0.05).

Conclusions
Anti-topo I detected by immunoprecipitation in unselected rheumatology patients is highly specific for SSc. Anti-topo I coexisting with anti-U1RNP in African American patients is associated with a subset of SLE overlapping with SSc and PM/DM but without apparent sclerodermatous changes.
Treatment effects of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin in patients with severe sepsis: a historical control study
Authors: Yamakawa Kazuma , Fujimi Satoshi , Mohri Tomoyoshi , Matsuda Hiroki , Nakamori Yasushi , Hirose Tomoya , Tasaki Osamu , Ogura Hiroshi , Kuwagata Yasuyuki , Hamasaki Toshimitsu , Shimazu Takeshi 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Cross-talk between the coagulation system and inflammatory reactions during sepsis causes organ damage followed by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or even death. Therefore, anticoagulant therapies have been expected to be beneficial in the treatment of severe sepsis. Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhTM) binds to thrombin to inactivate coagulation, and the thrombin-rhTM complex activates protein C to produce activated protein C. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of rhTM for treating patients with sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Methods
This study comprised 65 patients with sepsis-induced DIC who required ventilatory management. All patients fulfilled the criteria of severe sepsis and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria for overt DIC. The initial 45 patients were treated without rhTM (control group), and the following 20 consecutive patients were treated with rhTM (0.06 mg/kg/day) for six days (rhTM group). The primary outcome measure was 28-day mortality. Stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess which independent variables were associated with mortality. Comparisons of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score on sequential days between the two groups were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results
Cox regression analysis showed 28-day mortality to be significantly lower in the rhTM group than in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.303; 95% confidence interval, 0.106 to 0.871; P = 0.027). SOFA score in the rhTM group decreased significantly in comparison with that in the control group (P = 0.028). In the post hoc test, SOFA score decreased rapidly in the rhTM group compared with that in the control group on day 1 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
We found that rhTM administration may improve organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis-induced DIC. Further clinical investigations are necessary to evaluate the effect of rhTM on the pathophysiology of sepsis-induced DIC.
TNF blockade abrogates the induction of T cell-dependent humoral responses in an allotransplantation model
Authors: FrancoSalinas Gabriela , Mai Hoa-Le , Jovanovic Voja , Moizant Frédérique , Vanhove Bernard , Boeffard Francoise , Usal Claire , Tak Paul P , Soulillou Jean-Paul , Baeten Dominique , Brouard Sophie 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTTNF blockade modulates many aspects of the immune response and is commonly used in a wide array of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. As anti-TNF induces anti-dsDNA IgM antibodies but not other antinuclear reactivities in human arthritis, we investigated here the effect of TNF blockade on the induction of TD humoral responses using cardiac allograft and xenograft models. A single injection of an anti-rat TNF antibody in LEW.1A recipients grafted with congenic LEW.1W hearts almost completely abrogated the induction of IgM and IgG alloantibodies. This was associated with decreased Ig deposition and leukocyte infiltration in the graft at Day 5. TNF blockade did not affect germinal-center formation in the spleen or expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines, costimulatory and regulatory molecules, and TLRs in spleen and graft of the recipient animals. Clinically, the abrogation of the induction of the alloantibodies was associated with a marked prolongation of graft survival. In contrast, anti-TNF did not alter acute xenograft rejection mediated by TI antibodies in a hamster-to-rat model. Taken together, these data indicate that TNF blockade abrogates the induction of TD humoral responses and accordingly, may have a beneficial effect in antibody-mediated inflammatory pathologies.
Pattern of chest injuries in road traffic incident victims: a six-year retrospective study
Authors: Kumar A G Vijay , Honnungar Ravindra S , Kumar T S Ajay , Hallikeri Vinay R 
Published: May 2011

Introduction The young are the most common victims of trauma and trauma is the leading cause of death in the first four decades of life. Injury accounts for more than 50% of deaths in children and is the third leading cause of death after cancer and atherosclerosis in all age groups. Thoracic trauma is one of the leading causes of death in all age groups and accounts for 25–50% of all traumatic injuries in the world. Material and methods In this retrospective study, fatal cases of thoracic trauma autopsied during the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2009 were analysed at the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, JN Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka. Results and discussion In the present study, 67.8% of victims were 40 years old or younger. Women were less involved than men, with a ratio of 1:2.2. Conclusion Further establishment of ‘hi-tech trauma centres’ at each district level is the present need.
Role of the greater sciatic notch of the hip bone in sexual dimorphism: a morphometric study of the North Indian population
Authors: Kalsey G , Singla R K , Sachdeva K 
Published: May 2011

The distinctive morphology and sexual dimorphism of the human hip bone makes it of interest from the anatomical, anthropological and forensic points of view. The shape of the greater sciatic notch has attracted great attention in the past. In the current investigation, an attempt has been made to find the baseline data of various parameters pertaining to the greater sciatic notch of 100 hip bones of known sex (male:female = 80:20) and side (right:left = 50:50), obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India, during the period 2007–2009. Seven parameters of the notch, viz. width, depth, posterior segment width, total angle, posterior segment angle, index I and index II of the greater sciatic notch were studied. The results thus obtained were compiled, tabulated, statistically analysed and were compared with the accessible literature. Out of all the parameters studied, width of the notch, posterior segment width, total angle, posterior segment angle and index II of notch were found to be significantly greater in women as compared with men. Thus the greater sciatic notch can serve as a reliable sex indicator even when the complete hip bone has not been well preserved.
What do newly appointed health staff know about the Mental Capacity Act (2005)?
Authors: Willner Paul , Bridle Jennifer , Dymond Simon , Lewis Glenda 
Published: May 2011

Objectives The study aimed to assess the extent of knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) (2005) among new recruits to a National Health Service (NHS) Trust. Design Respondents were assessed before and after a brief training experience. Setting Data were collected while respondents attended their mandatory Trust induction training. Main outcome measure Assessment was by means of a 16-item true–false questionnaire. Results While respondents' knowledge appeared reasonably good for some important features of the MCA, these results may have been exaggerated by a strong tendency to respond ‘true’, which persisted despite instructions intended to counteract it. Some significant areas of ignorance were also identified. Scores showed a small but significant improvement when participants were reassessed following a 10-minute talk on the MCA; the improvements were specific to certain items that were included in the training presentation. There were no significant differences in performance between non-clinical staff, naïve clinicians and clinicians who reported having previously received training on the MCA. Conclusions Knowledge of the MCA among newly appointed NHS staff is patchy, with some strengths but also significant weaknesses. The results demonstrate a benefit of the brief training experience, but also question how much information is retained by participants in MCA training.
Enhancing Social Interactions at Conferences
Authors: Atzmüller Martin , Benz Dominik , Doerfel Stephan , Hotho Andreas , Jäschke Robert , Macek Bjoern Elmar , Mitzlaff Folke , Scholz Christoph , Stumme Gerd 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Conferator is a novel social conference system that provides the management of social interactions and context information in ubiquitous and social environments. Using RFID and social networking technology, Conferator provides the means for effective management of personal contacts and according conference information before, during and after a conference. We describe the system in detail, before we analyze and discuss results of a typical application of the Conferator system.
Software Security in Virtualized Infrastructures — The Smart Meter Example
Authors: Beckert Bernhard , Hofheinz Dennis , Müller-Quade Jörn , Pretschner Alexander , Snelting Gregor 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Future infrastructures for energy, traffic, and computing will be virtualized: they will consist of decentralized, self-organizing, dynamically adaptive, and open collections of physical resources such as virtual power plants or computing clouds. Challenges to software dependability, in particular software security will be enormous. We use the example of smart power meters to discuss advanced technologies for the protection of integrity and confidentiality of software and data in virtualized infrastructures. We show that approaches based on homomorphic encryption, proof-carrying code, information flow control, deductive verification, and runtime verification are promising candidates for providing solutions to a plethora of representative challenges in the domain of virtualized infrastructures.
Self-Learning Network Intrusion Detection
Authors: Rieck Konrad 
Published: May 2011

Zusammenfassung
Services in the Internet are confronted with a growing amount and diversity of network attacks. Regular instruments of computer security increasingly fail to fend off this threat, as they rely on the manual generation of detection patterns and lack protection from unknown threats. In this article, we present a framework for self-learning intrusion detection, which allows for automatically identifying unknown attacks in the application layer of network communication. The framework links concepts from computer security and machine learning for deriving geometric models of normal network data and identifying attacks as deviations thereof. Empirically, this ability can be demonstrated on real network traffic, where a prototype of the framework identifies 80–97% of unknown attacks with less than 0.002% false positives and throughput rates between 26–60 Mbit/s.
Preliminary Results of the Use of Hydroxyapatite as a Consolidant for Carbonate Stones
Authors: Sassoni Enrico , Naidu Sonia , Scherer George W. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThe effectiveness of using hydroxyapatite (HAP) as a consolidant for carbonate stones was evaluated. HAP was chosen as a consolidating agent since it is notably less soluble than calcite and has a similar crystal structure and a close lattice match to it. Among possible methods for forming HAP, the reaction between the calcite of the stone and a solution of diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) in mild conditions was chosen. Indiana Limestone samples, artificially damaged by heating to 300°C for 1 hour, were treated with a 1 molar DAP solution by partial immersion and capillary absorption for 48 hours or by brushing until apparent refusal and wrapping with a plastic film for 48 hours. After washing in deionized water for 3 days and drying under a fan at room temperature until constant weight, the improvements in dynamic elastic modulus and tensile strength were evaluated. The formation of calcium phosphate phases was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the phase characterization performed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). The water absorption modification after the consolidating treatment was then assessed. Results show that treated samples experienced significant increases in dynamic elastic modulus and tensile strength, as a consequence of crack reduction and pore filling consequent to HAP deposition at grain boundaries. The sorptivity of the treated samples is reduced by 26-44% (based on treatment technique), so that water and water vapor exchanges with the environment are not blocked.
Non-destructive Raman study on the provenance and firing temperature of Guan Wares in the Song Dynasty
Authors: Zhao Lan , Miao Jianmin , Yang Bairui , Li He 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTNon-destructive Raman spectroscopy was applied to three kinds of porcelain glaze samples: (i) Guan wares of Song Dynasty; (ii) Imitated Guan wares; (Both (i) and (ii) are from the Palace Museum (Beijing, China) collections); (iii) Porcelain shards are collected from the Xiuneisi kiln site which is one of two excavated Guan ware imperial kilns in Hangzhou, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. Raman spectra of the glassy phase network were used to discuss the composition and firing temperature of the glaze. The index of polymerization (Ip) is strongly correlated with the firing temperature and the composition of the glaze. According to the Ip values of the glaze, those Guan wares (i) can be classified into three groups. The provenance of Guan wares (i) was discussed by comparing the Ip values to imitations (ii) and shards(iii). The study of classification and provenance are also supported by the X-ray fluorescence data. The Ip values of several recently prepared glazed samples of known firing temperature were measured to build empirical relationship between the Ip value and the firing temperature. Based on the relationship, the firing temperature of the Guan ware glazes was at 1170-1300°C.
The History and Scientific Analysis of Pre-1856 Eastern Woodlands Quillwork Dyes
Authors: Cole Christina L. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTNative American quillwork is well documented in art historical and anthropological literature. Methods for folding quills to create floral and abstract designs are addressed, but studies of the materials used to color the quills are conspicuously absent. This is particularly true for the pre-aniline dyes used by communities east of the Mississippi, as historical recipes tend to be more reflective of Plains and Pacific Northwest quillwork traditions. Research to derive quill dye baths from raw materials has and continues to be pursued, but no large-scale scientific analysis of existing quillwork has previously been undertaken. To address this literature gap, a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis project has been completed on early quillwork in the collections of the McCord Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology; reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence were also used as complementary techniques and to investigate the use of metal salts as quill stains. An extensive literature review provides a historical understanding of pre-1856 quillwork dyes; this representation will be compared with the usage patterns suggested by the collections’ analysis. A more complete understanding of Native dye technology, addressing assumptions currently made with regards to the use of mordants, mixing of multiple dyestuffs in a single bath, and incorporation of “Old World” dyes, will also be presented.
Matrix Metalloproteinase‐1 of Gingival Fibroblasts Influenced by Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and Their Association With Receptor for AGEs and Nuclear Factor‐κB in Gingival Connective Tissue
Authors: Yu Shaojie , Li Huajing , Ma Ying , Fu Yun 
Published: May 2011

Background: The effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on gingival inflammation has not been fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the hypothesis that AGEs may enhance the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and to explore whether the signal pathway receptor for AGE (RAGE)/nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) are involved in the expression of MMP‐1 in HGFs.Methods: Cultured HGFs from 12 healthy gingival human tissue samples were coincubated with AGEs for the detection of MMP‐1 protein and mRNA. Thirty‐six gingival samples were collected and treated for the determination of RAGE, NF‐κB, and MMP‐1 mRNA level in gingival connective tissues from the participants with chronic periodontitis, diabetes‐associated periodontitis, and healthy controls. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and real‐time fluorescence reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction were used for the measurement of protein and mRNA level, respectively. In addition, clinical periodontal parameters were also checked.Results: AGEs strongly induced MMP‐1 mRNA and protein expression in HGFs and in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner (P <0.05). In gingival connective tissue, the level of both RAGE mRNA and NF‐κB mRNA were higher in patients with periodontitis than in healthy controls (P <0.05). There was significant correlation between the level of RAGE mRNA and NF‐κB mRNA (R2 = 0.90, P <0.05).Conclusions: Accumulation of AGEs may upregulate the expression of MMP‐1 by HGFs, which may play a role in the development of diabetes‐associated periodontitis, and RAGE/NF‐κB pathway may be involved in metabolism of MMP‐1 in HGFs.