bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of the introduction of smoke‐free legislation on prescribing of stop‐smoking medications in England
Authors: Szatkowski Lisa , Coleman Tim , McNeill Ann , Lewis Sarah 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate whether there were changes in the rate of prescribing of smoking cessation medications in the months leading up to, and after, the introduction of smoke‐free legislation in England.Design  Interrupted time–series analysis of prescribing rates using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models.Setting  A total of 350 general practices in England who contribute data to The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database.Participants  Patients in THIN aged 16+ identified from their medical records as smokers.Measurements  Monthly rates of prescribing of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and varenicline were calculated from THIN from 2000 to 2009 for all smokers and for subgroups defined by patient sex, age group, history of chronic disease and quintile of the Townsend Index of Deprivation. ARIMA models were built to assess whether there were changes in prescribing before or after the introduction of smoke‐free legislation over and above any long‐term and seasonal trends.Findings  There was a 6.4% (0.7–12.1) increase in prescribing of all smoking cessation medications in the 9 months before the introduction of smoke‐free legislation and a 6.4% (1.1–11.7) reduction in the 9‐month period afterwards. A 6.2% (1.4–11.0) increase in NRT prescribing and a 13.2% (4.3–22.2) increase in bupropion prescribing occurred in the 6‐ and 3‐month periods, respectively, before smoke‐free legislation was introduced, and a 5.5% (2.3–8.7) decline in NRT prescribing and a 13.7% (4.6–22.8) decline in bupropion prescribing in the 9 months post‐legislation. The patterns of change in prescribing did not vary with patient demographics.Conclusions  Numbers of primary care prescriptions for smoking cessation medications increased prior to the introduction of smoke‐free legislation but decreased afterwards, suggesting a temporal displacement in prescribing activity rather than a change in the overall volume of prescribing. Effects observed were consistent across all population subgroups, suggesting that the changes in prescribing will neither widen nor reduce smoking‐related health inequalities.
Does the Single Currency Affect Foreign Direct Investment?*
Authors: de Sousa José , Lochard Julie 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDoes the creation of the euro partly explain the sharp increase in European investments? To address this question, we derive a simple gravity‐like model for bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI). Using this model, we find that the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has increased intra‐EMU FDI stocks on average by around 30 percent. This effect varies over time and across EMU members. It is found to be larger for the outward investments of the less‐developed EMU members. Moreover, contrary to early expectations of FDI diversion effects, EMU countries have invested more in non‐EMU countries since the launch of the euro.
Long‐term effects of poor health on employment: the significance of life stage and educational level
Authors: van der Wel Kjetil A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPrevious research has found the employment consequences of poor health to be of increased magnitude in low qualified groups. The purpose of this study is to investigate if this relationship varies within different stages of the life course when focusing on long term associations with non‐employment. An expectation of the article is that stronger effects of poor health may be found in young adults compared to middle aged people. The article considers two possible explanations: normative change and life stage resources. Using three‐wave panel data from the Norwegian county of Nord‐Trøndelag, the HUNT study allows the study of respondents over two decades. Two narrow cohorts have been selected for comparison, and health was measured by self‐reported longstanding limiting illness. For the analyses, cross tabulations, logistic regression, and fixed effects logistic regression techniques are used. The article concludes in favour of the resource explanation; young adulthood is a critical period in relation to long term employment consequences of poor health, and especially so among people with fewer educational resources. Cohort differences in the employment consequences of poor health are not likely to be caused by poorer work ethics among younger cohorts.
The aesthetics of nations: anthropological and historical approaches
Authors: MOOKHERJEE NAYANIKA 
Published: May 2011

The nation, it is increasingly recognized, needs to be performed and materialized. The representation of national conflicts and contested pasts by governments and communities through various aesthetic artefacts and practices seeks to evoke and regulate multiple senses and feelings. But is a straightforwardly productive affect –feeling– always manifested? In this introduction, I reflect critically on some of the anthropological scholarship on nation, aesthetics, and senses and seek to offer new terms of analysis and styles of interpretation. Overall, I seek to problematize the often too easily invoked relationship between performative material embodiment and the nation. It is at the (often fractured) intersection of these multiple levels and through an ethnographic engagement with the acts of production, consumption, and social participation in the aesthetic representation of these national pasts that I locate the analytical focus of the anthropology of nation, aesthetics, and feelings in this special issue of theJournal of the Royal Anthropological Institute.RésuméIl est à présent généralement admis que la nation a besoin de se manifester et de se matérialiser. La représentation des conflits nationaux et des passés litigieux par les gouvernements et les populations, par le biais de différents artefacts et pratiques esthétiques, a pour but d’évoquer et de réguler des sens et des sentiments multiples. Mais y a‐t‐il toujours une manifestation d’un affect simplement productif, d’unsentiment ? Dans cette introduction, l’auteure examine d’un œil critique une partie de la littérature anthropologique sur la nation, l’esthétique et les sens et tente de proposer de nouveaux termes d’analyse et modes d’interprétation. Globalement, elle cherche à formuler le problème de la relation, souvent trop facilement invoquée, entre incarnation matérielle performative et nation. C’est à l’intersection (souvent disloquée) de ces multiples niveaux, par une approche ethnographique des actes de production, de consommation et de participation sociale à la représentation esthétique de ces passés nationaux, qu’elle place le point focal de l’analyse anthropologique de la nation, de l’esthétique et des sentiments, dans ce numéro spécial duJournal of the Royal Anthropological Institute.
Women, Work and Public Spaces: Conflict and Coexistence in Karachi's Poor Neighborhoods
Authors: ALI KAMRAN ASDAR 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article focuses on how working‐class women encounter and negotiate economic uncertainty, social vulnerability and sexually threatening public spaces in contemporary Karachi, showcasing women's everyday experiences of social and physical violence as a microcosm of the city's life in order to explore the possibilities of a future politics for cities like Karachi that are haunted by the possibility of violent eruptions. By concentrating on people's everyday practices, it proposes a different register by which to understand cities and their politics, a register constituted by an emergent politics that is not always dependent on an analysis of conflict and friction, but which instead focuses on living with disagreements. Hence the article uses the ethnographic depiction of women's lives to understand the mechanisms through which people continue to coexist, share resources and work together, despite the endemic personal, social and political violence in Karachi's working‐class neighborhoods.RésuméCet article s'intéresse à la façon dont les femmes de la classe ouvrière affrontent et gèrent l'incertitude économique, la vulnérabilité sociale, ainsi que les espaces publics et leurs risques sexuels, dans le cadre contemporain de Karachi. Il présente les expériences de violence sociale et physique que connaissent les femmes au quotidien comme un microcosme de la vie urbaine afin d'examiner les possibilités d'une politique future pour des villes comme Karachi, hantées par le risque de violentes explosions. En s'attachant aux pratiques quotidiennes de la population, il propose un registre différent qui permet de comprendre les villes et leurs politiques, ce registre étant constitué par une politique nouvelle qui ne se définit pas forcément en fonction d'une analyse du conflit et des frictions, mais qui se consacre à la façon de vivre dans le désaccord. Cette étude utilise donc la représentation ethnographique de la vie des femmes pour appréhender les mécanismes grâce auxquels la population continue à coexister, partager des ressources et travailler ensemble, malgré la violence, à la fois individuelle, sociale et politique, endémique dans les quartiers ouvriers de Karachi.
Prognostic role of sentinel node biopsy in patients with thick melanoma: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Rondelli F. , Vedovati M.C. , Becattini C. , Tomassini G.M. , Messina S. , Noya G. , Simonetti S. , Covarelli P. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectives  Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a prognostic tool for patients with intermediate‐thickness melanomas. However, controversies exist regarding its role in patients with thick melanomas (tumour thickness greater than 4.0 mm). We performed a meta‐analysis to assess the prognostic role of SLN in thick melanoma in terms of disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).Methods  An electronic search in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases using the terms ‘melanoma’ and ‘sentinel lymph node’ was performed. Studies were considered if they reported data on thick melanoma and SLN biopsy results (positive and negative) and outcomes (DFS or OS). A proportion meta‐analysis was used to calculate weighted means and an incidence rate ratio meta‐analysis was used to compare outcomes according to SLN biopsy results.Results  Nine studies were included. The weighted mean thickness of melanoma was 4.4 mm, 42% of patients had ulcerated melanoma. SLN was positive in 36% of the patients. Overall, DFS was 71% in patients with a negative SLN and 39% in patients with a positive SLN after a median follow‐up of 33 months (IRR 1.83, 95% CI = 1.56–2.14). OS was 71% in patients with a negative SLN and 49% in patients with a positive SLN (IRR 1.44, 95% CI = 1.25–1.65).Conclusions  The results of this analysis showed that thick melanoma patients with a positive SLN had a significantly worse survival compared with SLN negative patients, thus supporting the routine adoption of SLN biopsy as a prognostic tool also for this subgroup of patients.
X-ray analysis of disodium cromoglycate
Authors: Hamodrakas S , Geddes A J , Sheldrick B 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
X-ray crystallographic studies have been made on the anti-asthmatic drug disodium cromoglycate. Interesting features of the structure are the non-coplanarity of the chromone (benzopyrone) rings, an apparent disorder in the position of one of the sodium atoms, and the occurrence of water-filled ‘channels’ in the crystal lattice.
Prion Disease Blood Test Using Immunoprecipitation and Improved Quaking-Induced Conversion
Authors: Orrú Christina D. , Wilham Jason M. , Raymond Lynne D. , Kuhn Franziska , Schroeder Björn , Raeber Alex J. , Caughey Byron 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

A key challenge in managing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases in medicine, agriculture, and wildlife biology is the development of practical tests for prions that are at or below infectious levels. Of particular interest are tests capable of detecting prions in blood components such as plasma, but blood typically has extremely low prion concentrations and contains inhibitors of the most sensitive prion tests. One of the latter tests is quaking-induced conversion (QuIC), which can be as sensitive as
in vivo
bioassays, but much more rapid, higher throughput, and less expensive. Now we have integrated antibody 15B3-based immunoprecipitation with QuIC reactions to increase sensitivity and isolate prions from inhibitors such as those in plasma samples. Coupling of immunoprecipitation and an improved real-time QuIC reaction dramatically enhanced detection of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) brain tissue diluted into human plasma. Dilutions of 10
14
-fold, containing ~2 attogram (ag) per ml of proteinase K-resistant prion protein, were readily detected, indicating ~10,000-fold greater sensitivity for vCJD brain than has previously been reported. We also discriminated between plasma and serum samples from scrapie-infected and uninfected hamsters, even in early preclinical stages. This combined assay, which we call “enhanced QuIC” (eQuIC), markedly improves prospects for routine detection of low levels of prions in tissues, fluids, or environmental samples.

IMPORTANCE
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are largely untreatable and are difficult to diagnose definitively prior to irreversible clinical decline or death. The transmissibility of TSEs within and between species highlights the need for practical tests for even the smallest amounts of infectivity. A few sufficiently sensitive
in vitro
methods have been reported, but most have major limitations that would preclude their use in routine diagnostic or screening applications. Our new assay improves the outlook for such critical applications. We focused initially on blood plasma because a practical blood test for prions would be especially valuable for TSE diagnostics and risk reduction. Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in particular has been transmitted between humans via blood transfusions. Enhanced real-time quaking-induced conversion (eRTQ) provides by far the most sensitive detection of vCJD to date. The 15B3 antibody binds prions of multiple species, suggesting that our assay may be useful for clinical and fundamental studies of a variety of TSEs of humans and animals.
Clinicopathologic significances of nuclear expression of nuclear factor-κB transcription factors in retinoblastoma
Authors: Qu Yi , Zhou Fang , Dai Xin , Wang Hongxia , Shi Jing , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Yan , Wei Wenbin 
Published: May 2011

AimsThe nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors family is thought to play an important role in the development of certain cancers. In this study, the clinical significance of NF-κB transcription factor expression and the MIB-1 labelling index (MIB-1 LI) were studied in retinoblastoma.MethodsImmunohistochemical analysis of normal retina (n=6) and retinoblastoma tumour (n=62) specimens obtained from multiple centres was performed in order to evaluate the pathological associations of NF-κB subunits and retinoblastoma.ResultsExpression of NF-κB proteins was frequently detected in retinoblastoma but not in normal retina samples with c-Rel being the most commonly detected (61%). This protein was more frequently detected in poorly-differentiated and invasive tumours than in well-differentiated and non-invasive tumours. RelA expression in invasive tumours was also significantly higher. Furthermore, expression of c-Rel correlated positively with the MIB-1 LI in retinoblastoma, and RelA/c-Rel revealed positive correlation with RelA/RelB.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that expression of RelA and c-Rel proteins represents a reliable prognostic marker of retinoblastoma and that NF-κB is related to retinoblastoma tumorigenesis and progression through a non-conventional pathway. This data suggests that therapeutic strategies targeting NF-κB combined with other therapies may represent a novel approach to retinoblastoma therapy.
The Melanoma-Upregulated Long Noncoding RNA SPRY4-IT1 Modulates Apoptosis and Invasion
Authors: Khaitan Divya , Dinger Marcel E. , Mazar Joseph , Crawford Joanna , Smith Martin A. , Mattick John S. , Perera Ranjan J. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The identification of cancer-associated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the investigation of their molecular and biological functions are important to understand the molecular biology of cancer and its progression. Although the functions of lncRNAs and the mechanisms regulating their expression are largely unknown, recent studies are beginning to unravel their importance in human health and disease. Here, we report that a number of lncRNAs are differentially expressed in melanoma cell lines in comparison to melanocytes and keratinocyte controls. One of these lncRNAs, SPRY4-IT1 (GenBank accession ID AK024556), is derived from an intron of the SPRY4 gene and is predicted to contain several long hairpins in its secondary structure. RNA-FISH analysis showed that SPRY4-IT1 is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of melanoma cells, and SPRY4-IT1 RNAi knockdown results in defects in cell growth, differentiation, and higher rates of apoptosis in melanoma cell lines. Differential expression of both SPRY4 and SPRY4-IT1 was also detected in vivo, in 30 distinct patient samples, classified as primary in situ, regional metastatic, distant metastatic, and nodal metastatic melanoma. The elevated expression of SPRY4-IT1 in melanoma cells compared to melanocytes, its accumulation in cell cytoplasm, and effects on cell dynamics, including increased rate of wound closure on SPRY4-IT1 overexpression, suggest that the higher expression of SPRY4-IT1 may have an important role in the molecular etiology of human melanoma. Cancer Res; 71(11); 3852–62. ©2011 AACR.
Systemic DNA Damage Related to Cancer
Authors: Martin Olga A. , Redon Christophe E. , Nakamura Asako J. , Dickey Jennifer S. , Georgakilas Alexandros G. , Bonner William M. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The importance of bystander effects is becoming more appreciated, as studies show they may affect the course of cancer and other chronic diseases. The term “bystander effects” refers to changes in naïve cells sharing the same milieu with cells that have been damaged. Bystander cells may be in contact with, or distant from, damaged cells. In addition, it has been shown in culture that not only physically damaged cells, but also cells that have become abnormal (i.e., cancerous or senescent) may induce bystander effects. Recently, we have shown a similar effect in animals. Mice harboring subcutaneous tumors exhibited elevated levels of DNA damage in distant organs. In contrast to cell culture, immune cells seemed to be involved in tumor-induced bystander effects in animals because CCL2-null tumor-bearing mice did not exhibit increased distant DNA damage. Here, we discuss some of the implications of these observations. Cancer Res; 71(10); 3437–41. ©2011 AACR.
Blood-Based Gene Expression Signatures in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zander Thomas , Hofmann Andrea , Staratschek-Jox Andrea , Classen Sabine , Debey-Pascher Svenja , Maisel Daniela , Ansén Sascha , Hahn Moritz , Beyer Marc , Thomas Roman K. , Gathof Birgit , Mauch Cornelia , Delank Karl-Stefan , Engel-Riedel Walburga , Wichmann H.-Erich , Stoelben Erich , Schultze Joachim L. , Wolf Jürgen 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurpose: Blood-based surrogate markers would be attractive biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of therapeutic outcome in cancer. Disease-associated gene expression signatures in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) have been described for several cancer types. However, RNA-stabilized whole blood–based technologies would be clinically more applicable and robust. We evaluated the applicability of whole blood–based gene expression profiling for the detection of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Experimental Design: Expression profiles were generated from PAXgene-stabilized blood samples from three independent groups consisting of NSCLC cases and controls (n = 77, 54, and 102), using the Illumina WG6-VS2 system.Results: Several genes are consistently differentially expressed in whole blood of NSCLC patients and controls. These expression profiles were used to build a diagnostic classifier for NSCLC, which was validated in an independent validation set of NSCLC patients (stages I–IV) and hospital-based controls. The area under the receiver operator curve was calculated to be 0.824 (P &lt; 0.001). In a further independent dataset of stage I NSCLC patients and healthy controls the AUC was 0.977 (P &lt; 0.001). Specificity of the classifier was validated by permutation analysis in both validation cohorts. Genes within the classifier are enriched in immune-associated genes and show specificity for NSCLC.Conclusions: Our results show that gene expression profiles of whole blood allow for detection of manifest NSCLC. These results prompt further development of gene expression–based biomarker tests in peripheral blood for the diagnosis and early detection of NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 17(10); 3360–7. ©2011 AACR.
Biomarkers for Cetuximab-Based Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Grimminger Peter P. , Danenberg Peter , Dellas Kathrin , Arnold Dirk , Rödel Claus , Machiels Jean-Pascal , Haustermans Karin , Debucquoy Annelies , Velenik Vaneja , Sempoux Christine , Bracko Matej , Hölscher Arnulf H. , Semrau Robert , Yang Dongyun , Danenberg Kathleen , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Vallböhmer Daniel 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Phase II trials in locally advanced rectal cancer have shown that cetuximab-based neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy is feasible but without an improvement in complete pathologic response rates. Our goal was to identify patients who would benefit from cetuximab-based neoadjuvant chemoradiation measuring gene expression levels of proteins involved in tumor growth [endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)], angiogenesis [VEGF, VEGF receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR1, VEGFR2)], DNA repair [excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1)], and drug metabolism [thymidylate synthetase (TS)]. We also determined mutation status of KRAS and BRAF.
Experimental Design: This study was carried out on 130 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were enrolled in 4 different phase II clinical trials, using cetuximab-based chemoradiation. Tumor tissues were obtained before neoadjuvant and at surgical therapy. After microdissection, intratumoral gene expression levels and KRAS/BRAF mutation status were analyzed.
Results: A significant decrease of TS, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 gene expression was seen following neoadjuvant therapy (P &lt; 0.03). High pretreatment VEGF gene expression levels were associated with nonresponse (P = 0.070). KRAS mutations were found in 42% and mutant KRAS (KRAS mt) was significantly associated with pathologic nonresponse (P = 0.037). In patients with wild-type KRAS (KRAS wt), low EGFR was significantly associated with higher nonresponse and VEGF mRNA expressions were associated with complete pathologic response (P = 0.012; P = 0.06). KRAS transversion (KRAS tv) was associated with tumor regression: nonresponse was more common in patients with KRAS tv than with KRAS wt (P = 0.007). BRAF V600E mutations were not detected in any of the patients.
Conclusion: This study suggests that pretreatment intratumoral EGFR and VEGF mRNA expression levels as well as KRAS mutation status are predictive markers of pathologic response to neoadjuvant cetuximab-based chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 17(10); 3469–77. ©2011 AACR.