bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased annexin A3 expression correlates with tumor progression in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Jung Eun‐Jung , Moon Hyeong‐Gon , Park Soon‐Tae , Cho Bok‐Im , Lee Sun‐Min , Jeong Chi‐Young , Ju Young‐Tae , Jeong Sang‐Ho , Lee Young‐Joon , Choi Sang‐Kyung , Ha Woo‐Song , Lee Jong Sil , Kang Kee Ryeon , Hong Soon‐Chan 
Published: February 2010

AbstractPurpose: The aim of this study is to identify the potential tumor markers that function in carcinogenesis and tumor progression, thus providing important diagnostic and prognostic information.Experimental design: We performed 2‐D gel electrophoresis and MALDI‐TOF MS to investigate the differentially expressed proteins in 25 papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues. For validation of candidate proteins and investigation of clinical significance, we performed Western, Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining.Results: Our proteomic analyses revealed significantly decreased annexin A3 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma at both the protein and mRNA levels, compared with normal thyroid tissue. ANXA3 immunoreactivity was not significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, multifocality, capsular invasion or perithyroidal extension in thyroid cancer. However, the tumor subgroup with a lymph node metastasis score of >3 displayed significantly lower ANXA3 expression than did subgroups with negative and ≤3 scores (p=0.001). Moreover, ANXA3 expression was markedly lower in large tumors (>1 cm in diameter) than in microcarcinomas (p=0.001).Conclusion and clinical relevance: Decreased expression of ANXA3 in papillary thyroid cancer supports the idea that ANXA3 may be an effective marker of microcarcinoma, and a negative predictor of papillary thyroid cancer progression.
The feasibility of MS and advanced data processing for monitoring Schistosoma mansoni infection
Authors: Balog Crina I. A. , Alexandrov Theodore , Derks Rico J. , Hensbergen Paul J. , van Dam Govert J. , Tukahebwa Edridah M. , Kabatereine Narcis B. , Thiele Herbert , Vennervald Birgitte J. , Mayboroda Oleg A. , Deelder André M. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractPurpose: Sensitive diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression and the evaluation of chemotherapeutic interventions are of prime importance for the improvement of control and prevention strategies for Schistosomiasis. The aim of the present study was to identify novel markers of Schistosoma mansoni infection and disease using urine samples from a large cohort from an area endemic for S. mansoni. Experimental design: Urine samples were collected and processed on an automated sample clean‐up and fractionation system combining strong cation exchange and reversed phase, and analyzed by MS (MALDI ToF MS). The ClinPro Tools™ (CPT) software and the Discrete Wavelet Transformation–Support Vector Machine (DWT‐SVM) procedure were used for classification and statistical analysis. Results: We observed a large difference in urinary peptide profiles between children and adults but classification based on infection was possible only for children. Here, in the external validation data set, 93% of the infected children were classified correctly with DWT‐SVM (versus 76% for CPT). In addition 91% of low‐infected children were classified correctly using DWT‐SVM (versus 85% for CPT). The discriminating peptides were identified as fragments of collagen 1A1 and 1A3, and uromodulin. Conclusions and clinical relevance: In conclusion, we provide the usefulness of a peptidomics profiling approach combined with DWT‐SVM in the monitoring of S. mansoni infection.
Peroxiredoxin 2 as a chemotherapy responsiveness biomarker candidate in osteosarcoma revealed by proteomics
Authors: Kikuta Kazutaka , Tochigi Naobumi , Saito Shigeru , Shimoda Tadakazu , Morioka Hideo , Toyama Yoshiaki , Hosono Ako , Suehara Yoshiyuki , Beppu Yasuo , Kawai Akira , Hirohashi Setsuo , Kondo Tadashi 
Published: February 2010

AbstractPurpose: We aimed to identify novel chemotherapy responsiveness biomarkers for osteosarcoma (OS) by investigating the global protein expression profile of 12 biopsy samples from OS patients. Experimental design: Six patients were classified as good responders and six as poor responders, according to the Huvos grading system. The protein expression profiles obtained by 2‐D DIGE consisted of 2250 protein spots. Results: Among them, we identified 55 protein spots whose intensity was significantly different (Bonferroni adjusted p‐value<0.01) between the two patient groups. Mass spectrometric protein identification demonstrated that the 55 spots corresponded to 38 distinct gene products including peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX 2). Use of a specific antibody against PRDX 2 confirmed the differential expression of PRDX 2 between good and poor responders, while PRDX 2 levels as measured by Western blotting correlated highly with their corresponding 2‐D DIGE values. The predictive value of PRDX 2 expression was further confirmed by examining an additional four OS cases using Western blotting. Conclusions and clinical relevance: These results establish PRDX 2 as a candidate for chemotherapy responsiveness marker in OS. Measuring PRDX 2 in biopsy samples before treatment may contribute to more effective management of OS.
An optimized chemical synthesis of human relaxin‐2
Authors: Barlos Kostas K. , Gatos Dimitrios , Vasileiou Zoe , Barlos Kleomenis 
Published: February 2010

AbstractHuman gene 2 relaxin (RLX) is a member of the insulin superfamily and is a multi‐functional factor playing a vital role in pregnancy, aging, fibrosis, cardioprotection, vasodilation, inflammation, and angiogenesis. RLX is currently applied in clinical trials to cure among others acute heart failure, fibrosis, and preeclampsia. The synthesis of RLX by chemical methods is difficult because of the insolubility of its B‐chain and the required laborious and low yielding site‐directed combination of its A (RLXA) and B (RLXB) chains. We report here that oxidation of the Met25residue of RLXB improves its solubility, allowing its effective solid‐phase synthesis and application in random interchain combination reactions with RLXA. Linear Met(O)25‐RLX B‐chain (RLXBO) reacts with a mixture of isomers of bicyclic A‐chain (bcRLXA) giving exclusively the native interchain combination. Applying this method Met(O)25‐RLX (RLXO) was obtained in 62% yield and was easily converted to RLX in 78% yield, by reduction with ammonium iodide. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noninferiority trial designs for odds ratios and risk differences
Authors: Hilton Joan F. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis study presents constrained maximum likelihood derivations of the design parameters of noninferiority trials for binary outcomes with the margin defined on the odds ratio (ψ) or risk‐difference (δ) scale. The derivations show that, for trials in which the group‐specific response rates are equal under the point‐alternative hypothesis, the common response rate, πN, is a fixed design parameter whose value lies between the control and experimental rates hypothesized at the point‐null, {πC, πE}. We show that setting πN equal to the value of πC that holds under H0 underestimates the overall sample size requirement. Given {πC, ψ} or {πC, δ} and the type I and II error rates, or algorithm finds clinically meaningful design values of πN, and the corresponding minimum asymptotic sample size, N=nE+nC, and optimal allocation ratio, γ=nE/nC. We find that optimal allocations are increasingly imbalanced as ψ increases, with γψ<1 and γδ≈1/γψ, and that ranges of allocation ratios map to the minimum sample size. The latter characteristic allows trialists to consider trade‐offs between optimal allocation at a smaller N and a preferred allocation at a larger N. For designs with relatively large margins (e.g. ψ>2.5), trial results that are presented on both scales will differ in power, with more power lost if the study is designed on the risk‐difference scale and reported on the odds ratio scale than vice versa. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A confirmatory seamless phase II/III clinical trial design incorporating short‐term endpoint information
Authors: Stallard Nigel 
Published: February 2010

AbstractSeamless phase II/III designs allow strong control of the familywise type I error rate when the most promising of a number of experimental treatments is selected at an interim analysis to continue along with the control treatment. If the primary endpoint is observed only after long‐term follow‐up it may be desirable to use correlated short‐term endpoint data available at the interim analysis to inform the treatment selection. If short‐term data are available for some patients for whom the primary endpoint is not available, basing treatment selection on these data may, however, lead to inflation of the type I error rate. This paper proposes a method for the adjustment of the usual group‐sequential boundaries to maintain strong control of the familywise error rate even when short‐term endpoint data are used for the treatment selection at the first interim analysis. This method allows the use of the short‐term data, leading to an increase in power when these data are correlated with the primary endpoint data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling continuous exposures with a ‘spike’ at zero: A new procedure based on fractional polynomials
Authors: Royston Patrick , Sauerbrei Willi , Becher Heiko 
Published: February 2010

AbstractA common task in epidemiology is to estimate the dose–response function for a continuous exposure. Often a proportion of subjects is unexposed. Typical examples are cigarette consumption, alcohol intake, or occupational exposures. The question arises as to how to model such variables statistically. The fractional polynomial method of modelling continuous exposure variables is extended to allow for a proportion unexposed. A binary variable for the unexposed fraction is added to the model. In a two‐stage procedure, we assess whether the binary variable and/or the continuous function for the exposed individuals is required for a good fit to the data. Extension to the multivariable situation is described. Three data sets with different characteristics are used as illustrations. The analyses of the three studies using the proposed procedure give differing results. In one example, only the binary variable seems to be required. In the other two examples, the binary variable and fractional polynomial functions of the exposure variable are needed. One function is monotonic and the other has a minimum. In the third example, adjusting for confounders has almost no effect on the function selected. In conclusion, the new procedure offers a worthwhile extension of dose–response modelling with an unexposed fraction. It is simple to carry out with standard software. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global alteration of freshwaters: influences on human and environmental well‐being
Authors: Naiman Robert J. , Dudgeon David 
Published: February 2010

AbstractHuman and environmental well‐being—including disease resistance or avoidance, good nutrition, and species‐appropriate population dynamics—are congruent with sustained healthy conditions. Unfortunately, hydrological alterations designed to benefit human societies often have unintended—and sometimes severe—consequences for the environment and the biodiversity it supports, and hence affecting billions of people. Improving this situation necessitates new water‐resource developments, better water‐use efficiency, and a reduction of contamination. Overall, the influences of existing and future freshwater (FW) regimes on human and environmental well‐being are varied and wide‐ranging. Furthermore, the scale is daunting: >1 billion people currently live in basins likely to require river management interventions for climate change alone. Global declines in FW biodiversity, in the nutritional value, and abundance of harvestable FW and riparian products, as well as deterioration in habitat quality for many species, require solutions; as do ongoing increases in the spread of FW‐related diseases and non‐native species. Modifications to FWs are now manifested in population declines and non‐sustainable demographics for many aquatic species, as well as in deterioration of human health. In response, scientists, policy‐makers, and water users are beginning to conceptualize FWs in terms of a global water system (GWS) to better understand and manage anthropogenic impacts. This involves identifying the ecological and policy implications of changes to the GWS, establishing international programs to understand and resolve major social and environmental issues arising from those changes, and developing broad‐based mitigation or restoration techniques (e.g., environmental flow methodologies). Achieving these goals is paramount for maintaining human health as well as for the FW ecosystems upon which we depend.
Self‐Assembled Structures of Catanionic Associations: How to Optimize Vesicle Formation?
Authors: Bize Cécile , Blanzat Muriel , Rico-Lattes Isabelle 
Published: February 2010

AbstractLike other amphiphilic compounds, bolaforms do not always possess surfactant properties; it depends on the spacer chain length and the nature of the polar head group (both sufficiently hydrophobic or hydrophilic, respectively, to intensify the amphiphilic properties). In this regard, unsymmetrical bolaamphiphiles bearing a sugar polar head group and a carboxylic acid function at the opposite ends of a hydrophobic binding spacer were synthesized. These biocompatible sugar‐derived bolaforms were associated with basic fatty amines, by an acid–base reaction, to obtain catanionic mixtures. Associations with 1,7‐lactobionamidoheptanoic acid and decylamine or octylamine spontaneously form stable 200–600 nm vesicles. This new type of association may find an application in drug delivery since catanionic vesicles can transport active substances inside the hydrophilic core, as well as hydrophobic drugs within the bilayer.
Optimization of the Conditions for Removing Cholesterol from Cod Liver Oil by β‐Cyclodextrin Crosslinked with Adipic Acid
Authors: Chang Yoon Hyuk , Lee Jung Eun , Kwak Hae‐Soo 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThis study was conducted to find the optimum conditions for β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) crosslinked by adipic acid to remove cholesterol from cod liver oil. The cholesterol content of the non‐treated cod liver oil was 554.51 mg/100 g oil. The different factors considered were concentrations of crosslinked β‐CD, mixing temperature, ratio of cod liver oil to distilled water, mixing time, and mixing speed. The optimum conditions for cholesterol removal from cod liver oil using crosslinked β‐CD were a 1:2 ratio of cod liver oil to distilled water, 25% (crosslinked β‐CD/distilled water, w/v) crosslinked β‐CD concentration, 20 min mixing time, 400 rpm mixing speed and 60 °C mixing temperature with about 87% cholesterol removal. In a recycling study, cholesterol removal from the cod liver oil with recycled crosslinked β‐CD in the first recycling trial was 85.09%, which was slightly lower than that with new crosslinked β‐CD (87.27%). Up to three time trials, more than 82% cholesterol removal was observed.
Welche Nationalparke braucht Deutschland?
Authors: Job Hubert 
Published: February 2010

Zusammenfassung
Nationalparke stellen die weltweit älteste und bekannteste Flächenschutzkategorie dar. Sie haben eine bipolare Aufgabenstellung. Im Vordergrund steht der für die Fachplanung Naturschutz relativ junge Prozessschutz. Für das eine lange Kulturlandschaftsgeschichte und vergleichsweise hohe Besiedlungsdichte aufweisende Mitteleuropa ist er wegen der Landnutzungskonkurrenzen und raumfunktionalen Konflikte schwierig umzusetzen. Daneben dienen Nationalparke dem Naturtourismus. Wie sonst soll die „Wildnis“-Idee den Menschen nahegebracht werden? Nationalparke stellen für periphere, strukturschwache ländliche Räume potenzielle Motoren einer endogenen Regionalentwicklung dar. Diese basiert vor allem auf dem wirtschaftlich komplex vernetzten Naherholungs- und Fremdenverkehr – in Zukunft mehr noch als heute. Denn der demographische Wandel wird dort zu erheblichen Bevölkerungsverlusten führen. Chancen eröffnen sich gerade in dünn besiedelten Regionen. Dort sollten Raumplanungsinstitutionen proaktiv mit dieser Thematik umgehen und somit helfen, langfristig regionale Identitäten neu zu schaffen. Um die derzeit bestehenden Lücken bei Moorlandschaften, Fließgewässern und Auen, Buchen- und Mischwaldgesellschaften sowie auf offener See hin zu einer repräsentativen Abdeckung der mitteleuropäischen Naturräume zu schließen, wird die Zahl von maximal 20 Nationalparke in Deutschland als Richtwert erachtet. Insbesondere größere zusammenhängende Waldgebiete und ehemalige Truppenübungsplätze stellen Potenzialräume für künftige Nationalparke dar. Sowohl aus naturschutzfachlicher Sicht als auch aus Perspektive des Besuchermanagements sollten bestehende und künftige Nationalparke unbedingt größer als 10.000 ha sein.
Early‐life treatment of antiserotonin antibodies alters sensitivity to serotonin receptors, nociceptive stimulus and serotonin metabolism in adult rats
Authors: Bhanja Shravani , Mohanakumar Kochupurackal P. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractA single systemic administration of serotonin (5‐HT) antibodies on day‐1 of the life of rat has been investigated for neurotransmitter contents in nucleus raphe, and several discrete brain regions, as well as for serotoninergic syndromes and nociceptive responses in adult animals. 5‐HT antiserum raised in rabbits were purified and characterized prior to subcutaneous administration in neonatal rats. Control animals received normal rabbit serum. Antibodies tagged with radioactive iodine were traced in the brains of rat pups treated subcutaneously. These animals at adulthood, exhibited an increase in body weight, increased sensitivity to serotonin agonist 5‐methoxy‐N‐N‐dimethyl tryptamine, and to nociceptive stimulus to subcutaneously administered formalin. Animals neonatally treated with 5‐HT antiserum once on day 1 of life, exhibited significant decrease in the contents of serotonin and its metabolite as compared to normal serum treated animals specifically in nucleus raphe dorsalis, but not in substantia gresia centralis, nucleus accumbens, nucleus caudatus putamen, substantia nigra or tuberculum olfactorium during the study period of seven days to four months. The contents of dopamine or norepinephrine were not consistently altered in any of the nuclei studied. Since 5‐HT is known to act as a trophic factor for its own development and its target areas, exposure to 5‐HT antibodies during birth might have adversely affected the development of the serotoninergic system and resulted in long‐lasting changes in behavior and 5‐HT levels in the brain. These results have strong implications for the treatment of childhood developmental disorders such as autism where hyperserotoninemia is associated with the disease syndromes.
Health Care and Social Service Providers' Descriptions of Pacific Islander Mothers' Breastfeeding Patterns
Authors: Flood Jeanie L. , Dodgson Joan E. 
Published: February 2010

Introduction: Despite recommendations and numerous health benefits attributed to breastfeeding, rates in the United States are below desired levels, particularly within vulnerable populations. In Hawaí, breastfeeding rates are higher than national averages except in Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander populations. Health care and social service providers are integral to successful breastfeeding promotion efforts. They are in an ideal position to reflect on the context in which their clients live and on its relationship to breastfeeding activities. The aim of this study was to describe health care and social service providers' perceptions of the influences on the breastfeeding patterns of Pacific Islander women.Methods: Focus ethnographic methods were used to collect interview data from health care and social service providers (N = 20) serving Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women in one rural community. An iterative analysis process of coding and categorizing, followed by conceptual abstraction into patterns, was completed.Results: Four patterns emerged: shaped by connections, lived unfamiliarity, stressed by circumstance, and missed opportunities. Participants' insights concerning the needs of this population yielded population‐specific issues and health care system issues affecting breastfeeding promotion. A number of gaps in breastfeeding services were identified.Discussion: Sociocultural, maternal knowledge, and workload barriers to successful breastfeeding predominated providers' perspectives. Broader system and community level issues were implied, but not directly addressed. The nature of successful breastfeeding support and promotion requires inclusion of this broader level perspective.J Midwifery Womens Health 2010;55:162–170 c&#x030a; 2010 by the American College of Nurse‐Midwives.
Factors Associated With Non‐Normal Birth Outcomes for Low‐Risk Women in an Inner‐City Hospital
Authors: McDermott Anne M. 
Published: February 2010

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with normal versus non‐normal birth outcomes for low‐risk women who were admitted for care in spontaneous labor.Methods: The birth records of 93 women were reviewed.Results: At the completion of the fourth stage of labor, 61% of births (n = 57) met the criteria for normal, while 39% of births (n = 36) had non‐normal outcomes. On bivariate analysis, variables associated with non‐normal outcomes included nulliparity (odds ratio [OR], 9.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3–28; P <.0001), lower average centimeters of dilation at admission (t‐score 4.422; P <.001), use of pharmacologic pain relief, including narcotics and epidural anesthesia (OR, 5.03; 95% CI, 2–16; P = .005), and birth attended by a physician versus a certified nurse‐midwife (OR, 3.60; 95% CI, 2–9; P = .004). In a multivariate analysis, nulliparity (OR, 6.07; 95% CI, 2–19; P = .002) and lower average centimeters of dilation at admission (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.5–0.9; P = .005) were independently associated with non‐normal outcome.Discussion: The development of clinical guidelines aimed at reducing admissions of women in early labor may reduce non‐normal outcomes, particularly for nulliparous women.
Return on Investment for Essential Obstetric Care Training in Ghana: Do Trained Public Sector Midwives Deliver Postabortion Care?
Authors: Clark Kathryn Andersen , Mitchell Ellen H. M. , Aboagye Patrick Kuma 
Published: February 2010

Introduction: In Ghana, the provision of postabortion care (PAC) by trained midwives is critical to the efficient and cost‐effective reduction of unsafe abortion morbidity and mortality.Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of provider data from a representative sample of Ghanaian health facilities in order to consider the determinants of PAC provision among both physicians and midwives.Results: In the previous 5 years, more than 58% of providers had participated in at least one type of essential obstetric training. Overall, 28% of clinicians were offering PAC services (80% of physicians as compared to 20% of midwives). Bivariately, the provision of PAC services was associated with in‐service training. After adjusting for select provider and facility characteristics, PAC/MVA training, working in a facility with the National Reproductive Health Standards and Policy available, and not working in a publicly run facility were associated with midwives offering PAC services.Discussion: Although the provision of PAC by midwives is an efficient and cost‐effective strategy for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, clinical training of midwives leads to a lower yield of PAC providers when compared to physicians. Policy and practice should continue to support PAC expansion by trained midwives in the public sector and by understanding the barriers to provision of services by midwives working in public facilities.J Midwifery Womens Health 2010;55:153–161 c&#x030a; 2010 by the American College of Nurse‐Midwives. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.