bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant Therapy in the Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Horgan Anne M. , Amir Eitan , Walter Thomas , Knox Jennifer J. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe benefit of adjuvant therapy (AT) for biliary tract cancer (BTC) is unclear, with conflicting results from nonrandomized studies. We report a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the impact of AT on survival.MethodsStudies published between 1960 and November 2010, which evaluated adjuvant chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), or both (CRT) compared with curative-intent surgery alone for resected BTC were included. Only tumors of the gallbladder and bile ducts were assessed. Published data were extracted and computed into odds ratios (ORs) for death at 5 years. Subgroup analyses of benefit based on lymph node (LN) or resection margin positivity (R1) were prespecified. Data were weighted by generic inverse variance and pooled using random-effect modeling.ResultsTwenty studies involving 6,712 patients were analyzed. There was a nonsignificant improvement in overall survival with any AT compared with surgery alone (pooled OR, 0.74; P = .06). There was no difference between gallbladder and bile duct tumors (P = .68). The association was significant when the two registry analyses were excluded. Those receiving CT or CRT derived statistically greater benefit than RT alone (OR, 0.39, 0.61, and 0.98, respectively; P = .02). The greatest benefit for AT was in those with LN-positive disease (OR, 0.49; P = .004) and R1 disease (OR, 0.36; P = .002).ConclusionThis analysis supports AT for BTC. Prospective randomized trials are needed to provide better rationale for this commonly used strategy. On the basis of our data, such trials could involve two active comparators rather than a no-treatment arm among patients with LN-positive or R1 disease.
OCEANS: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Trial of Chemotherapy With or Without Bevacizumab in Patients With Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal, or Fallopian Tube Cancer
Authors: Aghajanian Carol , Blank Stephanie V. , Goff Barbara A. , Judson Patricia L. , Teneriello Michael G. , Husain Amreen , Sovak Mika A. , Yi Jing , Nycum Lawrence R. 
Published: April 2012

Purpose This randomized, multicenter, blinded, placebo-controlled phase III trial tested the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab (BV) with gemcitabine and carboplatin (GC) compared with GC in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer (ROC). Patients and Methods Patients with platinum-sensitive ROC (recurrence ≥ 6 months after front-line platinum-based therapy) and measurable disease were randomly assigned to GC plus either BV or placebo (PL) for six to 10 cycles. BV or PL, respectively, was then continued until disease progression. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) by RECIST; secondary end points were objective response rate, duration of response (DOR), overall survival, and safety. Results Overall, 484 patients were randomly assigned. PFS for the BV arm was superior to that for the PL arm (hazard ratio [HR], 0.484; 95% CI, 0.388 to 0.605; log-rank P < .0001); median PFS was 12.4 v 8.4 months, respectively. The objective response rate (78.5% v 57.4%; P < .0001) and DOR (10.4 v 7.4 months; HR, 0.534; 95% CI, 0.408 to 0.698) were significantly improved with the addition of BV. No new safety concerns were noted. Grade 3 or higher hypertension (17.4% v < 1%) and proteinuria (8.5% v < 1%) occurred more frequently in the BV arm. The rates of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were similar in both arms. Two patients in the BV arm experienced GI perforation after study treatment discontinuation. Conclusion GC plus BV followed by BV until progression resulted in a statistically significant improvement in PFS compared with GC plus PL in platinum-sensitive ROC.
A Qualitative Study of Rural Black Adolescents’ Perspectives on Primary STD Prevention Strategies
Authors: Akers Aletha Y. , Gold Melanie A. , Coyne‐Beasley Tamera , Corbie‐Smith Giselle 
Published: April 2012

CONTEXT:

Primary STD prevention relies on five key strategies: practicing abstinence, choosing low‐risk partners, discussing partners’ sexual history, using condoms consistently and not having multiple partners. Few studies have examined all of these strategies simultaneously, and few have focused on rural black adolescents, whose rates of early sexual initiation and STDs are among the highest in the nation.
METHODS:

In 2006, a sample of 37 black adolescents (20 female, 17 male) from two rural North Carolina counties participated in focus groups that explored their understanding of how primary prevention strategies reduce STD transmission, the common barriers they encounter in trying to adopt these strategies and the risk reduction strategies that they employ. Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.
RESULTS:

Adolescents understood how primary prevention strategies reduce STD transmission. However, they perceived sex as normal and abstinence as unlikely during adolescence. Furthermore, they considered the remaining primary prevention strategies difficult to implement because these strategies depend on partner cooperation and incorrectly assume that STD prevention is paramount when adolescents make sexual decisions. Adolescents reported using alternative strategies to reduce their STD risk; the most commonly used approaches were indirect assessments of partner characteristics (e.g., evaluating partners’ physical appearance and sexual history) and STD testing (to identify and treat infections).
CONCLUSION:

Adolescents try to reduce their STD risk, but do so by using ineffective practices. Promoting primary prevention strategies requires helping adolescents to identify opportunities to successfully employ these strategies.
Postabortion Contraception: Qualitative Interviews On Counseling and Provision of Long‐Acting Reversible Contraceptive Methods
Authors: Morse Jessica , Freedman Lori , Speidel J. Joseph , Thompson Kirsten M.J. , Stratton Laura , Harper Cynthia C. 
Published: April 2012

CONTEXT:

Long‐acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods (IUDs and implants) are the most effective and cost‐effective methods for women. Although they are safe to place immediately following an abortion, most clinics do not offer this service, in part because of the increased cost.
METHODS:

In 2009, telephone interviews were conducted with 20 clinicians and 24 health educators at 25 abortion care practices across the country. A structured topic guide was used to explore general practice characteristics; training, knowledge and attitudes about LARC; and postabortion LARC counseling and provision. Transcripts of the digitally recorded interviews were coded and analyzed using inductive and deductive processes.
RESULTS:

Respondents were generally positive about the safety and effectiveness of LARC methods; those working in clinics that offered LARC methods immediately postabortion tended to have greater knowledge about LARC than others, and to perceive fewer risks and employ more evidence‐based practices. LARC methods often were not included in contraceptive counseling for women at high risk of repeat unintended pregnancy, including young and nulliparous women. Barriers to provision were usually expressed in terms of financial cost—to patients and clinics—and concerns about impact on the smooth flow of clinic procedures. Education and encouragement from professional colleagues regarding LARC, as well as training and adequate reimbursement for devices, were considered critical to changing clinical practice to include immediate postabortion LARC provision.
CONCLUSION:

Despite evidence about the safety and cost‐effectiveness of postabortion LARC provision, many clinics are not offering it because of financial and logistical concerns, resulting in missed opportunities for preventing repeat unintended pregnancies.
Collusion in a One-Period Insurance Market with Adverse Selection
Authors: Willington Manuel , Alegría Alexander 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
We show that collusive-seeming outcomes may occur in equilibrium in a one-period competitive insurance market characterized by adverse selection. We build on the Inderst and Wambach (2001) model and assume that insurance is compulsory and involves a minimum premium and minimum coverage; these are common features in many health systems. In this setup we show that there is a range of equilibria, from the zero profit one where low-risks implicitly subsidize high risks, to one where firms obtain profits with both types of consumers. Moreover, we show that rents only partially dissipate if we assume free entry. Along these equilibria, high risks always obtain full insurance, while the low risks' coverage decreases as the firms' profits increase.
Child and Adult Outcomes of Chronic Child Maltreatment
Authors: Jonson-Reid Melissa , Kohl Patricia L. , Drake Brett 
Published: April 2012

OBJECTIVE:
To describe how child maltreatment chronicity is related to negative outcomes in later childhood and early adulthood.

METHODS:
The study included 5994 low-income children from St Louis, including 3521 with child maltreatment reports, who were followed from 1993–1994 through 2009. Children were 1.5 to 11 years of age at sampling. Data include administrative and treatment records indicating substance abuse, mental health treatment, brain injury, sexually transmitted disease, suicide attempts, and violent delinquency before age 18 and child maltreatment perpetration, mental health treatment, or substance abuse in adulthood. Multivariate analysis controlled for potential confounders.

RESULTS:
Child maltreatment chronicity predicted negative childhood outcomes in a linear fashion (eg, percentage with at least 1 negative outcome: no maltreatment = 29.7%, 1 report = 39.5%, 4 reports = 67.1%). Suicide attempts before age 18 showed the largest proportionate increase with repeated maltreatment (no report versus 4+ reports = +625%, P &lt; .0001). The dose-response relationship was reduced once controls for other adverse child outcomes were added in multivariate models of child maltreatment perpetration and mental health issues. The relationship between adult substance abuse and maltreatment report history disappeared after controlling for adverse child outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:
Child maltreatment chronicity as measured by official reports is a robust indicator of future negative outcomes across a range of systems, but this relationship may desist for certain adult outcomes once childhood adverse events are controlled. Although primary and secondary prevention remain important approaches, this study suggests that enhanced tertiary prevention may pay high dividends across a range of medical and behavioral domains.
Hydrogen Donors in ZnO
Authors: McCluskey M.D. , Jokela S.J. , Oo W.M. Hlaing 
Published: April 2012

AbstractZinc oxide (ZnO) has shown great promise as a wide-bandgap semiconductor with a range of optical, electronic, and mechanical applications. The presence of compensating donors, however, is a major roadblock to achieving p-type conductivity. Recent first-principles calculations and experimental studies have shown that hydrogen acts as a shallow donor in ZnO, in contrast to hydrogen's usual role as a passivating impurity. Given the omnipresence of hydrogen during growth and processing, it is important to determine the structure and stability of hydrogen donors in ZnO.To address these issues, we performed vibrational spectroscopy on bulk, single-crystal ZnO samples annealed in hydrogen (H2) or deuterium (D2) gas. Using infrared (IR) spectroscopy, we observed O-H and O-D stretch modes at 3326.3 cm-1 and 2470.3 cm-1 respectively, at a sample temperature of 10 K. These frequencies indicate that hydrogen forms a bond with a host oxygen atom, consistent with either an antibonding or bond-centered model. In the antibonding configuration, hydrogen attaches to a host oxygen and points away from the Zn-O bond. In the bond-centered configuration, hydrogen sits between the Zn and O. To discriminate between these two models, we measured the shift of the stretch-mode frequency as a function of hydrostatic pressure. By comparing with first-principles calculations, we conclude that the antibonding model is the correct one.Surprisingly, we found that the O-H complex is unstable at room temperature. After a few weeks, the peak intensity decreases substantially. It is possible that the hydrogen forms H2 molecules, which have essentially no IR signature. Electrical measurements show a corresponding decrease in electron concentration, which is consistent with the formation of neutral H2 molecules. The correlation between the electrical and spectroscopic measurements, however, is not perfect. We therefore speculate that there may be a second “hidden” hydrogen donor. One candidate for such a donor is a hydrogen-decorated oxygen vacancy.
Clinical development of novel therapeutics for castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Galsky Matthew D. , Small Alexander C. , Tsao Che‐kai , Oh William K. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThere have been more drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of castration‐resistant prostate cancer in the past 3 years than in the prior 3 decades, with additional drugs on the verge of approval based on the results of recently reported randomized trials. While an improvement in the understanding of the pathogenesis of castration‐resistant prostate cancer has undeniably accelerated the transition of novel approaches from “bench to bedside,” the recent successes in the treatment of prostate cancer are also a result of the efforts of clinical investigators to redefine the framework in which drugs for castration‐resistant disease are evaluated. This review will explore the shifting paradigm in drug development for castration‐resistant prostate cancer over the past several decades, and highlight how new definitions, trial designs, and endpoints have facilitated the emergence of new therapies for this challenging disease. CA Cancer J Clin 2012;. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Preincubation with Sn-complexes causes intensive intracellular retention of 99mTc in thyroid cells in vitro
Authors: Wendisch M. , Aurich D. , Runge R. , Freudenberg R. , Kotzerke J. , Wunderlich G. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryTechnetium radiopharmaceuticals are well established in nuclear medicine. Besides its well-known gamma radiation, 99mTc emits an average of five Auger and internal conversion electrons per decay. The biological toxicity of these low-energy, high-LET (linear energy transfer) emissions is a controversial subject. One aim of this study was to estimate in a cell model how much 99mTc can be present in exposed cells and which radiobiological effects could be estimated in 99mTc-overloaded cells. Methods: Sodium iodine symporter (NIS)- positive thyroid cells were used. 99mTc-uptake studies were performed after preincubation with a non-radioactive (cold) stannous pyro - phosphate kit solution or as a standard 99mTc pyrophosphate kit preparation or with pure pertechnetate solution. Survival curves were analyzed from colony-forming assays. Results: Preincubation with stannous complexes causes irreversible intracellular radioactivity retention of 99mTc and is followed by further pertechnetate influx to an unexpectedly high 99mTc level. The uptake of 99mTc pertechnetate in NIS-positive cells can be modified using stannous pyrophosphate from 3–5% to >80%. The maximum possible cellular uptake of 99mTc was 90 Bq/cell. Compared with nearly pure extracellular irradiation from routine 99mTc complexes, cell survival was reduced by 3–4 orders of magnitude after preincubation with stannous pyrophosphate. Conclusions: Intra cellular 99mTc retention is related to reduced survival, which is most likely mediated by the emission of low-energy electrons. Our findings show that the described experiments constitute a simple and useful in vitro model for radiobiological investigations in a cell model.
Long-Lived Bone Marrow Plasma Cells Are Induced Early in Response to T Cell-Independent or T Cell-Dependent Antigens
Authors: Bortnick Alexandra , Chernova Irene , Quinn William J. , Mugnier Monica , Cancro Michael P. , Allman David 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The signals required to generate long-lived plasma cells remain unresolved. One widely cited model posits that long-lived plasma cells derive from germinal centers (GCs) in response to T cell-dependent (TD) Ags. Thus, T cell-independent (TI) Ags, which fail to sustain GCs, are considered ineffective at generating long-lived plasma cells. However, we show that long-lived hapten-specific plasma cells are readily induced without formation of GCs. Long-lived plasma cells developed in T cell-deficient mice after a single immunization with haptenated LPS, a widely used TI Ag. Long-lived plasma cells also formed in response to TD Ag when the GC response was experimentally prevented. These observations establish that long-lived plasma cells are induced in both TI and TD responses, and can arise independently of B cell maturation in GCs.
Stathmin Regulates Microtubule Dynamics and Microtubule Organizing Center Polarization in Activated T Cells
Authors: Filbert Erin L. , Le Borgne Marie , Lin Joseph , Heuser John E. , Shaw Andrey S. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Polarization of T cells involves reorientation of the microtubule organizing center (MTOC). Because activated ERK is localized at the immunological synapse, we investigated its role by showing that ERK activation is important for MTOC polarization. Suspecting that ERK phosphorylates a regulator of microtubules, we next focused on stathmin, a known ERK substrate. Our work indicates that during T cell activation, ERK is recruited to the synapse, allowing it to phosphorylate stathmin molecules near the immunological synapse. Supporting an important role of stathmin phosphorylation in T cell activation, we showed that T cell activation results in increased microtubule growth rate dependent on the presence of stathmin. The significance of this finding was demonstrated by results showing that CTLs from stathmin−/− mice displayed defective MTOC polarization and defective target cell cytolysis. These data implicate stathmin as a regulator of the microtubule network during T cell activation.
Abdominal Fat Distribution, Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Risk Profiles in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Sultana Reshma , Marakani Lakshmi Rathna , Gundabattula Sirisha Rao 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTAimTo determine potential associations of abdominal fat distribution with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsCross-sectional study that included detailed clinical examination, body mass indices (BMI), waist-hip ratio, insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk scores for 350 women registered between August 2008 and December 2009. Biochemical analysis included fasting blood glucose level, serum insulin level, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Primary outcomes of interest included insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk score.ResultsThe mean age of the subjects was 25.77 years. Oligoovulation was present in 99% of the women. Eighty-two (23.43%, 95% CI: 19.21%, 28.08%) women were obese and 100 (28.57%, 95% CI: 24.02%, 33.47%) women had android obesity. Insulin resistance was present in 136 (38.86%, 95% CI: 33.85%, 44.05%) women and 107 (30.57%, 95% CI: 25.91%, 35.55%) women had a cardiovascular risk >1. Women with a waist-hip ratio >0.85 were more likely to have insulin resistance (OR 2.70, 95% CI: 1.68, 4.35, p < 0.001) and at increased risk for cardiovascular events (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.97, p = 0.02). Obese women were more likely to have insulin resistance (OR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.53, 4.19, p < 0.001) and at increased risk for cardiovascular events (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.30, 3.63, p = 0.003).ConclusionLong-term health hazards of PCOS have to be considered as these may be prevented to some extent by early identification and interventions, such as changing the lifestyle of the individual.
Fertility Preservation: A Case Series
Authors: George Korula , Londhe Vaibhav , Muthukumar K 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
Improvement in survival rates of cancer patients has lead to a shift in focus toward fertility issues, especially in young survivors. Male fertility preservation is well established. Embryo cryopreservation remains most successful female fertility preservation option. Other female fertility preservation procedures like oocyte/ovarian tissue cryopreservation either have limited efficacy or in experimental stages. We have highlighted not uncommon clinical scenarios where the fertility preservation option was exercised. There is an urgent need to spread awareness among clinicians and patients regarding the various available fertility preservation measures. Timely referral will help in improving the quality of life of cancer survivors.
Money-Bag Politics, Rent-Seeking And Flawed Elections In Nigeria: A Theoretical Statement
Authors: Ologbenla Derin , Adisa Waziri Babatunde 
Published: April 2012

The history of Nigerian politics is replete with money-bag politics. Although, there is hardly any country in the world where instances of bribery or political corruption are not present in their national politics, researches on Africa’s postcolonial history, have however shown that, in Africa, corruption is an institutionalized and a systemic practice affecting not only the postcolonial state itself, but also the majority of the citizenry. Using Nigeria, as a case study, this paper argues that since the 1964/1965 Western Region elections to the 2007 general elections, there has hardly been any election conducted in Nigeria without associated cases of corrupt practices such as vote buying, ballot snatching, election rigging, election violence, political and legislative lobbying etc. The aftermath of this or its cumulative effective, is better seen when the number of years spent by Nigeria under the military is weighed against the number of years it spent under civilian administration. Using the peripheral political economy approach, this paper opines that the problem of flawed elections in Nigeria should be traced more to the nature and character of the Nigerian colonial state, prebendal politics among Nigerian politicians, imperial capitalism, primitive accumulation of capital as well as the nature and character of class contestations among various interest groups in contemporary Nigeria . The paper adds that the fierce struggle for state powers and the accompanying prosecution of elections with illicit money, is an indication of the peripheral nature of Nigerian politics.