bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimising surgical training: use of feedback to reduce errors during a simulated surgical procedure
Authors: Boyle Emily , Al-Akash Musallam , Gallagher Anthony G , Traynor Oscar , Hill Arnold D K , Neary Paul C 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Objective
To assess the effect of proximate or immediate feedback during an intensive training session. The authors hypothesised that provision of feedback during a training session would improve performance and learning curves.

Methods
Twenty-eight trainee surgeons participated in the study between September and December 2008. They were consecutively assigned to group 1 (n=16, no feedback) or group 2 (n=12, feedback) All the participants performed five hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy procedures on the ProMIS surgical simulator. Efficiency of instrument use (instrument path length and smoothness) and predefined intraoperative error scores were assessed. Facilitators assisted their performance and answered questions when asked. Group 1 participants were given no extra assistance, but group 2 participants received standardised feedback and the chance to review errors after every procedure. Data were analysed using SPSS V.15. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to compare mean performance results, and analysis of variance was used to calculate within-subject improvement.

Results
Group 1 achieved better results for instrument path length (23 874 mm vs 39 086 mm, p=0.001) and instrument smoothness (2015 vs 2567, p=0.045) However, group 2 (feedback) performed significantly better with regard to error scores (14 vs 4.42, p=0.000). In addition, they demonstrated a smoother learning curve. Inter-rater reliability for the error scores was 0.97.

Conclusion
The provision of standardised proximate feedback was associated with significantly fewer errors and an improved learning curve. Reducing errors in the skills lab environment should lead to safer clinical performance. This may help to make training more efficient and improve patient safety.
Assessment of potential toxicity of a smokeless tobacco product (naswar) available on the Pakistani market
Authors: Zakiullah  , Saeed Muhammad , Muhammad Naveed , Khan Saeed Ahmad , Gul Farah , Khuda Fazli , Humayun Muhammad , Khan Hamayun 
Published: June 2011

Background‘Naswar’ is a smokeless tobacco product (STP) widely used in Pakistan. It has been correlated with oral and oesophageal cancer in recent clinical studies. The toxic effects associated with STPs have been associated with trace level contaminants present in these products. The toxin levels of Pakistani naswar are reported for the first time in this study.MethodsA total of 30 Pakistani brands of naswar were tested for a variety of toxic constituents and carcinogens such as cadmium, arsenic, lead and other carcinogenic metals, nitrite and nitrate, and nicotine and pH.ResultsThe average values of all the toxins studied were well above their allowable limits, making the product a health risk for consumers. Calculated lifetime cancer risk from cadmium and lead was 1 lac (100000) to 10 lac (1000000) times higher than the minimum 10E_4 (0.00001) to 10E_6 (0.000001), which is the ‘target range’ for potentially hazardous substances, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Similarly, the level of arsenic was in the range of 0.15 to 14.04 μg/g, the average being 1.25 μg/g. The estimated average bioavailable concentration of arsenic is 0.125–0.25 μg/g, which is higher than the allowable standard of 0.01 μg/g. Similarly, the average minimum daily intake of chromium and nickel was 126.97 μg and 122.01 μg, as compared to allowable 30–35 μg and 35 μg, respectively; a 4–5 times higher exposure. However, beryllium was not detected in any of the brands studied. The pH was highly basic, averaging 8.56, which favours the formation of tobacco specific amines thus making the product potentially toxic. This study validates clinical studies correlating incidence of cancer with naswar use in Pakistan.ConclusionsThis study shows that the production, packaging, sale and consumption of naswar should be regulated so as to protect the public from the health hazards associated with its consumption.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of firocoxib in the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis
Authors: Autefage A. , Palissier F. M. , Asimus E. , Pepin‐Richard C. 
Published: June 2011

Thirty‐nine client‐owned dogs with osteoarthritis were treated with 5 mg/kg firocoxib administered orally, once a day for 52 weeks. Veterinary examinations were performed on approximately days 0, 15, 90, 180, 270 and 360. Twenty‐five dogs completed the study. The withdrawal rate associated with gastrointestinal side effects was low (5.1 per cent of dogs). Based on the owners' assessment, 82 per cent of the dogs had improved at day 15, 84 per cent of the 32 remaining dogs had improved at day 90, and 96 per cent of the 25 dogs that completed the trial had improved at day 360. During this trial, 12 (48 per cent) of the 25 remaining dogs showed an improvement in their lameness from day 90 to day 360 (P<0.05).
Haplotype combination of SREBP-1c gene sequence variants is associated with growth traits in cattle
Authors: Huang Yong-Zhen , He Hua , Sun Jia-Jie , Wang Jing , Li Zhuan-Jian , Lan Xian-Yong , Lei Chu-Zhao , Zhang Chun-Lei , Zhang En-Ping , Wang Ju-Qiang , Chen Hong 
Published: June 2011

The aim of this study was to examine the association of the SREBP-1c polymorphism with growth traits in cattle breeds. Five sequence variants (SVs) were identified within the bovine sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c gene (SREBP-1c), using DNA sequencing, PCR, PCR–RFLP, and forced PCR–RFLP methods. These polymorphisms include three missense mutations (SV1, SV4, and SV5) in exons 7, 9, and 12, a silent mutation (SV3) in exon 9, and a large deletion (SV2) in intron 7. Overall, we report the validation of polymorphisms within the bovine SREBP-1c gene, and the haplotype variability and extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in 1061 individuals representing the five main cattle breeds from China. We also investigated haplotype frequencies and LD coefficients for five SVs in all study populations. LD and haplotype structure of SREBP-1c were different between breeds. The result of haplotype analysis of five SVs showed that 27 different haplotypes were identified by all breeds. Two haplotypes (Hap1 and Hap2) shared by all five populations accounted for 42.75%, 35.68%, 36.44%, 25.43%, and 96.26% of all haplotypes observed in the cattle breeds Nanyang, Qinchuan, Jiaxian, Jinnan, and Chinese Holstein, respectively. The statistical analyses indicated that one single SV and 38 combined haplotypes were significantly associated with growth traits in the Nanyang cattle population (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results of this study suggest that the SREBP-1c gene possibly is a strong candidate gene that affects growth traits in the Chinese beef cattle breeding program.
Variation in wood density components within and between Quercus faginea trees
Authors: Knapic Sofia , Louzada José L. , Pereira Helena 
Published: June 2011

The wood of Quercus faginea Lam. was studied regarding its density variation within and between trees using microdensitometry techniques in 10 trees growing in northern Portugal. The observations were made in mature trees at several height levels (stem base and 1.3, 3.4, 5.5, 7.6, and 9.7 m). Variance analysis was done considering the core cylinder (first 15 rings) and the sheath (last 10 rings) in relation to tree, height level, and ring effects and their interactions. The wood revealed a high mean density of 0.848 g·cm–3 with small differences between earlywood and latewood (0.717 and 0.908 g·cm–3, respectively). Latewood corresponded on average to 66% of the total ring width, which averaged 2.4 mm. Wood density decreased with height and radially from pith to cambium. However, within-tree variation was of very moderate magnitude although higher for juvenile wood. Variation between trees was also small (6% coefficient of variation of the mean) and higher for the mature wood. Quercus faginea wood compares favourably with other oak species with regard to density characteristics and may be considered for production of quality solid wood products.
Orchid abundance in hemiboreal forests: stand-scale effects of clear-cutting, green-tree retention, and artificial drainage
Authors: Lõhmus Asko , Kull Tiiu 
Published: June 2011

The current knowledge on the impact of forest management on plant species of conservation concern is poor. We asked how three basic silvicultural techniques (clear-cutting, green-tree retention, and artificial drainage) affect the abundance of terrestrial orchid species and their communities in Estonia, hemiboreal Europe. Fixed-area, fixed-effort surveys (4 h per 2 ha plot) were used in 29 plot clusters representing five site types, with each cluster including plots of four treatments (old growth, mature managed forest, and cutover with and without live retention trees). Altogether 11 species of orchids were recorded in those 116 plots, with the most complete sets of species in artificially drained plots and mature stands. Five species were widely distributed among treatments and site types, but most site types also hosted shade-tolerant orchids (six species) that characteristically disappeared after timber harvesting. Cutover areas (3–7 years after harvest) hosted no species absent from uncut forest stands, and retention of solitary trees had no effect on orchid abundance over clear-cuts. Modern Estonian forest landscapes appear to support viable populations of many orchids, with rotation ages sufficient for population development of the majority of shade-tolerant species.
Long-term impact of liming on growth and vigor of northern hardwoods
Authors: Long Robert P. , Horsley Stephen B. , Hall Thomas J. 
Published: June 2011

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) is a keystone species in the northern hardwood forest, and decline episodes have negatively affected the growth and health of sugar maple in portions of its range over the past 50+ years. Crown health, growth, survival, and flower and seed production of sugar maple were negatively affected by a widespread decline event in the mid-1980s on the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau in northern Pennsylvania. A long-term liming study was initiated in 1985 to evaluate responses to a one-time application of 22.4 Mg·ha–1 of dolomitic limestone in four northern hardwood stands. Over the 23-year period ending in 2008, sugar maple basal area increment (BAINC) increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in limed plots from 1995 through 2008, whereas American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) BAINC was unaffected. For black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), the third principal overstory species, BAINC and survival were reduced in limed plots compared with unlimed plots. Foliar Ca and Mg remained significantly higher in sugar maple foliage sampled 21 years after lime application, showing persistence of the lime effect. These results show long-term species-specific responses to lime application.
TILT ANGLE AND THE TEMPERATURE SHIFTS CALCULATED AS A FUNCTION OF CONCENTRATION FOR THE AC* PHASE TRANSITION IN A BINARY MIXTURE OF LIQUID CRYSTALS
Authors: YURTSEVEN H. , KURT M. 
Published: June 2011

We study here the tilt angle and the temperature shifts as a function of concentration for the AC* phase transition in a binary mixture, using our mean field model with the biquadratic P2θ2 coupling — and also with the bilinear Pθ and P2θ2 couplings. By expanding the free energy in terms of the tilt angle and polarization, the tilt angle and the temperature shift are evaluated by using the coefficients given in the free energy expansion. By employing a concentration-dependent coefficient, the tilt angle and the temperature shift are calculated as a function of concentration of 10.O.4 for the SmAC* transition in a binary mixture of C7 and 10.O.4. Our calculated values of the tilt angle and the temperature shifts decrease as the concentration of 10.O.4 increases, as confirmed experimentally for the AC* transition in this binary mixture. This indicates that our mean field models studied here are satisfactory to explain the observed behavior of the AC* transition of the binary mixture of C7 and 10.O.4.
Multitasking, cognitive coordination and cognitive shifts during web searching
Authors: Du Jia Tina 
Published: June 2011

Enlightened by the cognitive psychology literature demonstrating that multitasking behavior is correlated closely to humans' cognitive processing and coordinationcapabilities, this doctoral thesis explores the nature and relationship of multitasking, cognitive coordination, and cognitive shifts during Web searching. A combination of data collection techniques including pre- and post-questionnaires, think-aloud protocols, search logs, observations and semi-structured interviews were employed to observe how 42 postgraduate students cognitively coordinated Web searches when multitasking across 126 real-life information problems.
Results show that Web searching is a dynamic interaction between users and Web search systems during which multiple information problems ordering, evolving information problems generating, searching task switching, task and mental coordinating occur, and at a deeper level, cognitive shifts take place. The explicit task level coordination is closely linked to multitasking behavior. The implicit cognitive level coordination is related to the task coordination process; this includes the evolution of information problem development and search task switching. Coordination mechanisms directly result in the shifts of cognitive states including strategy, evaluation, and view states which further affect users' holistic shifts in information problem understanding and knowledge contribution.
Based on the findings, a Web search model integrating multitasking, cognitive coordination and cognitive shifts (MCC model) is presented. Cognitive coordination as humans' vital capability under conscious control plays a nexus role in supporting multitasking Web searches and invoking the occurrence of shifts in cognition. The results extend multitasking research and Web search models in the field by examining and integrating underlying cognitive and coordination support mechanisms. Design recommendations for adaptive search systems are also put forward based on the characteristics and relationship of users' behaviors in multitasking, cognitive coordination and shifting.
Combined Gene Expression Profiling and RNAi Screening in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Identify PLK1 and Other Therapeutic Kinase Targets
Authors: Ding Yan , Huang Dan , Zhang Zhongfa , Smith Josh , Petillo David , Looyenga Brendan D. , Feenstra Kristin , MacKeigan Jeffrey P. , Furge Kyle A. , Teh Bin T. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
In recent years, several molecularly targeted therapies have been approved for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a highly aggressive cancer. Although these therapies significantly extend overall survival, nearly all patients with advanced ccRCC eventually succumb to the disease. To identify other molecular targets, we profiled gene expression in 90 ccRCC patient specimens for which tumor grade information was available. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that cell-cycle–related genes, in particular, Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), were associated with disease aggressiveness. We also carried out RNAi screening to identify kinases and phosphatases that when inhibited could prevent cell proliferation. As expected, RNAi-mediated knockdown of PLK1 and other cell-cycle kinases was sufficient to suppress ccRCC cell proliferation. The association of PLK1 in both disease aggression and in vitro growth prompted us to examine the effects of a small-molecule inhibitor of PLK1, BI 2536, in ccRCC cell lines. BI 2536 inhibited the proliferation of ccRCC cell lines at concentrations required to inhibit PLK1 kinase activity, and sustained inhibition of PLK1 by BI 2536 led to dramatic regression of ccRCC xenograft tumors in vivo. Taken together, these findings highlight PLK1 as a rational therapeutic target for ccRCC. Cancer Res; 71(15); 5225–34. ©2011 AACR.
Two Novel Determinants of Etoposide Resistance in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Lawson Malcolm H. , Cummings Natalie M. , Rassl Doris M. , Russell Roslin , Brenton James D. , Rintoul Robert C. , Murphy Gillian 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Patient survival in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is limited by acquired chemoresistance. Here we report the use of a biologically relevant model to identify novel candidate genes mediating in vivo acquired resistance to etoposide. Candidate genes derived from a cDNA microarray analysis were cloned and transiently overexpressed to evaluate their potential functional roles. We identified two promising genes in the DNA repair enzyme DNA polymerase β and in the neuroendocrine transcription factor NKX2.2. Specific inhibition of DNA polymerase β reduced the numbers of cells surviving treatment with etoposide and increased the amount of DNA damage in cells. Conversely, stable overexpression of NKX2.2 increased cell survival in response to etoposide in SCLC cell lines. Consistent with these findings, we found that an absence of nuclear staining for NKX2.2 in SCLC primary tumors was an independent predictor of improved outcomes in chemotherapy-treated patients. Taken together, our findings justify future prospective studies to confirm the roles of these molecules in mediating chemotherapy resistance in SCLC. Cancer Res; 71(14); 4877–87. ©2011 AACR.
Mechanical Stiffness Grades Metastatic Potential in Patient Tumor Cells and in Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Swaminathan Vinay , Mythreye Karthikeyan , O'Brien E. Tim , Berchuck Andrew , Blobe Gerard C. , Superfine Richard 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Cancer cells are defined by their ability to invade through the basement membrane, a critical step during metastasis. While increased secretion of proteases, which facilitates degradation of the basement membrane, and alterations in the cytoskeletal architecture of cancer cells have been previously studied, the contribution of the mechanical properties of cells in invasion is unclear. Here, we applied a magnetic tweezer system to establish that stiffness of patient tumor cells and cancer cell lines inversely correlates with migration and invasion through three-dimensional basement membranes, a correlation known as a power law. We found that cancer cells with the highest migratory and invasive potential are five times less stiff than cells with the lowest migration and invasion potential. Moreover, decreasing cell stiffness by pharmacologic inhibition of myosin II increases invasiveness, whereas increasing cell stiffness by restoring expression of the metastasis suppressor TβRIII/betaglycan decreases invasiveness. These findings are the first demonstration of the power-law relation between the stiffness and the invasiveness of cancer cells and show that mechanical phenotypes can be used to grade the metastatic potential of cell populations with the potential for single cell grading. The measurement of a mechanical phenotype, taking minutes rather than hours needed for invasion assays, is promising as a quantitative diagnostic method and as a discovery tool for therapeutics. By showing that altering stiffness predictably alters invasiveness, our results indicate that pathways regulating these mechanical phenotypes are novel targets for molecular therapy of cancer. Cancer Res; 71(15); 5075–80. ©2011 AACR.
The Efficacy of IGF-I Receptor Monoclonal Antibody against Human Gastrointestinal Carcinomas is Independent of k-ras Mutation Status
Authors: Ii Masanori , Li Hua , Adachi Yasushi , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Ohashi Hirokazu , Taniguchi Hiroaki , Arimura Yoshiaki , Carbone David P. , Imai Kohzoh , Shinomura Yasuhisa 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I receptor (IGF-IR) signaling is required for carcinogenicity and proliferation of gastrointestinal cancers. We have previously shown successful targeting therapy for colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, and esophageal carcinomas using recombinant adenoviruses expressing dominant negative IGF-IR. Mutation in k-ras is one of key factors in gastrointestinal cancers. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of a new monoclonal antibody for IGF-IR, figitumumab (CP-751,871), on the progression of human gastrointestinal carcinomas with/without k-ras mutation.
Experimental Design: We assessed the effect of figitumumab on signal transduction, proliferation, and survival in six gastrointestinal cancer cell lines with/without k-ras mutation, including colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and hepatoma. Combination effects of figitumumab and chemotherapy were also studied. Then figitumumab was evaluated in the treatment of xenografts in nude mice.
Results: Figitumumab blocked autophosphorylation of IGF-IR and its downstream signals. The antibody suppressed proliferation and tumorigenicity in all cell lines. Figitumumab inhibited survival by itself and up-regulated chemotherapy (5-FU and gemcitabine) induced apoptosis. Moreover, the combination of this agent and chemotherapy was effective against tumors in mice. The effect of figitumumab was not influenced by the mutation status of k-ras. Figitumumab reduced expression of IGF-IR but not insulin receptor in these xenografted tumors. The drug did not affect murine body weight or blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, IGF binding protein 3, and growth hormone.
Conclusions: IGF-IR might be a good molecular therapeutic target and figitumumab may thus have therapeutic value in human gastrointestinal malignancies even in the presence of k-ras mutations. Clin Cancer Res; 17(15); 5048–59. ©2011 AACR.
Role of CXCL13-CXCR5 Crosstalk Between Malignant Neuroblastoma Cells and Schwannian Stromal Cells in Neuroblastic Tumors
Authors: Del Grosso Federica , Coco Simona , Scaruffi Paola , Stigliani Sara , Valdora Francesca , Benelli Roberto , Salvi Sandra , Boccardo Simona , Truini Mauro , Croce Michela , Ferrini Silvano , Longo Luca , Tonini Gian Paolo 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a stroma-poor (SP) aggressive pediatric cancer belonging to neuroblastic tumors, also including ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma, two stroma-rich (SR) less aggressive tumors. Our previous gene-expression profiling analysis showed a different CXCL13 mRNA expression between SP and SR tumors. Therefore, we studied 13 SP and 13 SR tumors by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and we found that CXCR5b was more expressed in SP than in SR and CXCL13 was predominantly expressed in SR tumors. Then, we isolated neuroblastic and Schwannian stromal cells by laser capture microdissection and we found that malignant neuroblasts express CXCR5b mRNA, whereas Schwannian stromal cells express CXCL13. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that stroma expresses CXCL13 but not CXCR5. To better understand the role of CXCL13 and CXCR5 in neuroblastic tumors we studied 11 neuroblastoma cell lines and we detected a heterogeneous expression of CXCL13 and CXCR5b. Interestingly, we found that only CXCR5b splice variant was expressed in both tumors and neuroblastoma lines, whereas CXCR5a was never detected. Moreover, we found that neuroblastoma cells expressing CXCR5 receptor migrate toward a source of recombinant CXCL13. Lastly, neuroblastoma cells induced to glial cell differentiation expressed CXCL13 mRNA and protein. The chemokine released in the culture medium was able to stimulate chemotaxis of LA1–5S neuroblastoma cells. Collectively, our data suggest that CXCL13 produced by stromal cells may contribute to the generation of an environment in which the malignant neuroblasts are retained, thus limiting the possible development of metastases in patients with SR tumor. Mol Cancer Res; 9(7); 815–23. ©2011 AACR.