bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective evaluation of legal difficulties and quality of life in adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Olson Robert , Hung Gabe , Bobinski Mary Anne , Goddard Karen 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundAdult survivors of childhood cancer (ASCC), especially those of the central nervous system (CNS), have increased risks of educational and social difficulties. It is therefore hypothesized they are more likely to encounter legal difficulties (LDs), such as workplace discrimination and disability insurance denials, which may negatively affect their quality of life (QoL).ProcedureWe developed a survey to collect information on patients' legal needs. QoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT).ResultsWe prospectively approached 112 ASCC, 111 (99.1%) of whom completed the survey. The median age of respondents was 7 years at diagnosis and 31 years at survey completion. CNS tumors were the most common malignancy (32.4%). LDs were common overall (40.7%), though more prevalent in patients with CNS versus non‐CNS tumors (58.6% vs. 32.3%; P = 0.023). The most prevalent LD was workplace discrimination (58.3%). On multivariate analysis, CNS tumor was the only variable significantly associated with LDs (OR = 4.49, P = 0.041). Individuals with LDs had lower QoL scores compared to those without LDs (79.96 versus 91.83 on the FACT; P = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, individuals with LDs had lower QoL scores (14.95 points lower on the FACT), which is both clinically and statistically significant (P = 0.047).ConclusionsLegal difficulties are common in adult survivors of childhood cancer, especially those with brain tumors. Furthermore, individuals with legal difficulties have worse quality of life. Research is needed to develop effective and accessible legal resource programs. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:439–443. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Height impairment after lower dose cranial irradiation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Paulino Arnold C. , Jhaveri Pavan , Dreyer Zoann , Teh Bin S. , Okcu M. Fatih 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine whether height measurements are affected by cranial radiation doses of 12–18 Gy.Patients and MethodsFrom 1997 to 2007, 23 children received cranial RT for T‐cell or pre‐B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Dose fractionation schemes included 18 Gy in 9 fractions (n = 8), 18 Gy in 10 fractions (n = 5), 12.6 Gy in 7 fractions (n = 6), and 12 Gy in 8 fractions (n = 4). These patients were matched and compared to a control group of 23 patients who had ALL but no cranial RT. Height z‐scores at diagnosis and last follow‐up were compared using the paired Student's t‐test. Differences in z‐scores according to host and treatment parameters were compared using the unpaired Student's t‐test. Median follow‐up for irradiated patients was 63.5 months while for unirradiated patients was 91 months.ResultsThe mean z‐scores at initial diagnosis and last follow‐up were 0.14 and −0.48 for patients receiving 12–12.6 Gy (P = 0.016), −0.16 and −0.89 for 18 Gy (P = 0.003), and 0.34 and 0.22 for no RT (P = 0.62). For children receiving RT, the mean difference in z‐scores at initial diagnosis and last follow‐up was −0.67 while for those not receiving RT, it was −0.10 (P = 0.043).ConclusionChildren receiving 12–18 Gy cranial RT for ALL were found to have height impairment compared to those not receiving RT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:279–281. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Childhood cancer trends in a western Canadian province: A population‐based 22‐year retrospective study
Authors: Rosychuk Rhonda J. , Witol Adrienne , Stobart Kent 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of this study was to describe children and youth <20 years of age diagnosed with malignant cancer in Alberta, Canada over 22 years. We consider both temporal and geographical variations.ProcedureThe Alberta Cancer registry was used to extract information on cancer diagnoses during April 1, 1982, and March 31, 2004. Data extracted included gender, age at diagnosis, diagnosis, and geographic information. Population data were also obtained and analyses included descriptive summaries, rates, and cluster detection tests.ResultsDuring 22 fiscal years, 2,758 Alberta children and youth were diagnosed with malignant cancer. The average age of diagnosis was 9.6 years. The most common diagnoses were leukemia (24.8%), central nervous system (16.7%), lymphoma (15.8%), and other epithelial neoplasm and melanoma (11.2%). The number of malignant cases varied over year with crude rates of 13.4 per 100,000 in 1982/1983 to 17.3 per 100,000 in 2003/2004. Variation was also seen over diagnosis sub‐group and geographic region.ConclusionsAlthough a relatively rare number of children and youth in Alberta were diagnosed with cancer during the study period, there were suggestions that an increase incidence in childhood cancer occurred in later years and some geographic areas have more cases than expected by chance. Further study is required to see if emerging trends continue and explain higher rate areas. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:1348–1355. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regional PV power prediction for improved grid integration
Authors: Lorenz Elke , Scheidsteger Thomas , Hurka Johannes , Heinemann Detlev , Kurz Christian 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe contribution of power production from PV systems to the electricity supply is constantly increasing. An efficient use of the fluctuating solar power production will highly benefit from forecast information on the expected power production, as a basis for management of the electricity grids and trading on the energy market. We present and evaluate the regional PV power prediction system of University of Oldenburg and Meteocontrol GmbH providing forecasts of up to 2 days ahead with hourly resolution. The proposed approach is based on forecasts of the global model of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Forecasts (ECMWF). It includes a post‐processing procedure to derive optimised, site‐specific irradiance forecasts and explicit physical modelling steps to convert the predicted irradiances to PV power. Finally, regional power forecasts are derived by up‐scaling from a representative set of PV systems. The investigation of proper up‐scaling is a special focus of this paper. We introduce a modified up‐scaling approach, modelling the spatial distribution of the nominal power with a resolution of 1° × 1°. The operational PV power prediction system is evaluated in comparison to the modified up‐scaling approach for the control areas of the two German transmission system operators ‘transpower’ and ‘50 Hertz’ for the period 2.7.2009–30.4.2010. rmse values of the operational forecasts are in the range of 4–5% with respect to the nominal power for intra‐day and day‐ahead forecast horizons. Further improvement is achieved with the modified up‐scaling approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolic alteration of HepG2 in scaffold‐based 3‐D culture: Proteomic approach
Authors: Pruksakorn Dumnoensun , Lirdprapamongkol Kriengsak , Chokchaichamnankit Daranee , Subhasitanont Pantipa , Chiablaem Khajeelak , Svasti Jisnuson , Srisomsap Chantragan 
Published: September 2010

Abstract3‐D cell culture models are important in cancer biology since they provide improved understanding of tumor microenvironment. We have established a 3‐D culture model using HepG2 in natural collagen‐based scaffold to mimic the development of small avascular tumor in vivo. Morphological characterization showed that HepG2 colonies grew within the interior of the scaffold and showed enhanced extracellular matrix deposition. High levels of cell proliferation in the outermost regions of the scaffold created a hypoxic microenvironment in the 3‐D culture system, as indicated by hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α stabilization, detectable by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Proteomic studies showed decreased expression of several mitochondrial proteins and increased expression of proteins in anaerobic glycolysis under 3‐D culture compared to monolayer culture. Creatine kinase was also upregulated in 3‐D culture, indicating its possible role as an important energy buffer system under hypoxic microenvironment. Increased levels of proteins in nucleotide metabolism may relate to cellular energy. Thus, our results suggest that HepG2 cells under 3‐D culture adapt their energy metabolism in response to hypoxic conditions. Metabolic alterations in the 3‐D culture model may relate to physiological changes relevant to development of small avascular tumor in vivo and their study may improve future therapeutic strategies.
An improved method to unravel phosphoacceptors in Ser/Thr protein kinase‐phosphorylated substrates
Authors: Molle Virginie , Leiba Jade , Zanella‐Cléon Isabelle , Becchi Michel , Kremer Laurent 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIdentification of the phosphorylated residues of bacterial Ser/Thr protein kinase (STPK) substrates still represents a challenging task. Herein, we present a new strategy allowing the rapid determination of phosphoacceptors in kinase substrates, essentially based on the dual expression of the kinase with its substrate in the surrogate E. coli, followed by MS analysis in a single‐step procedure. The performance of this strategy is illustrated using two distinct proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis as model substrates, the GroEL2 and HspX chaperones. A comparative analysis with a standard method that includes mass spectrometry analysis of in vitro phosphorylated substrates is also addressed.
Proteome mining for novel IgE‐binding proteins from the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and allergen profiling of patients
Authors: Chuang Jiing‐Guang , Su Song‐Nan , Chiang Bor‐Luen , Lee How‐Jing , Chow Lu‐Ping 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAlthough cockroaches are known to produce allergens that can cause IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity reactions, including perennial rhinitis and asthma, the various cockroach allergens have not yet been fully studied. Many proteins from the German cockroach show high IgE reactivity, but have never been comprehensively characterized. To identify these potential allergens, proteins were separated by 2‐DE and IgE‐binding proteins were analyzed by nanoLC‐MS/MS or N‐terminal sequencing analysis. Using a combination of proteomic techniques and bioinformatic allergen database analysis, we identified a total of ten new B. germanica IgE‐binding proteins. Of these, aldolase, arginine kinase, enolase, Hsp70, triosephosphate isomerase, and vitellogenin have been reported as allergens in species other than B. germanica. Analysis of the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program allergen database indicated that arginine kinase, enolase, and triosephosphate isomerase showed significant potential cross‐reactivity with other related allergens. This study revealed that vitellogenin is an important novel B. germanica allergen. Personalized profiling and reactivity of IgE Abs against the panel of IgE‐binding proteins varied between cockroach‐allergic individuals. These findings make it possible to monitor the individual IgE reactivity profile of each patient and facilitate personalized immunotherapies for German cockroach allergy disorders.
The role of noncollinear magnetic order and magnetic anisotropy for the transport properties through nanowires
Authors: Czerner Michael , Yavorsky Bogdan , Mertig Ingrid 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe magnetic structure and the electronic transport properties of domain walls (DWs) in magnetic transition metal nanocontacts Ni, Co, and Fe are investigated from first principles. In particular, the shape of the DW pinned in a monatomic nanowire, which is suspended between two semi‐infinite leads, and the effect on the magnetotransport are discussed in detail. For the calculation, a modification of the Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker (KKR) method is used to treat noncollinear magnetic systems fully self‐consistently. It is shown that the DW profile differs from the known Bloch and Néel walls.
Comparison of the effect of oligonol, a new lychee fruit‐derived low molecular form of polyphenol, and epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate on lipolysis in rat primary adipocytes
Authors: Ogasawara Junetsu , Kitadate Kentaro , Nishioka Hiroshi , Fujii Hajime , Sakurai Takuya , Kizaki Takako , Izawa Tetsuya , Ishida Hitoshi , Ohno Hideki 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSeveral polyphenols have been shown to be beneficial in preventing the accumulation of body fat in mammals. This paper reports that adding oligonol, a lychee fruit‐derived low‐molecular form of polyphenol mixture, has a greater effect on lipolysis in primary adipocytes compared with tea (−)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) alone, accompanied by a significant increase in activation of extracellular signalling‐related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). However, neither phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), a molecule upstream of ERK1/2, nor the level of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), a molecule downstream of ERK1/2 was significantly changed between oligonol and EGCG, although the addition of oligonol and EGCG significantly increased the levels of phosphorylated MEK1/2 and HO‐1 compared with the non‐treated control cells. These results suggest that the coordinated direct effect of mixed polyphenol, which comprises oligonol, on ERK1/2 plays a key role in a greater lipolytic response to oligonol than EGCG alone. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving quality of prediction in highly dynamic environments using approximate dynamic programming
Authors: Ganesan, Rajesh , Balakrishna Poornima , Sherry Lance 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn many applications, decision making under uncertainty often involves two steps—prediction of a certain quality parameter or indicator of the system under study and the subsequent use of the prediction in choosing actions. The prediction process is severely challenged by highly dynamic environments that particularly involve sequential decision making, such as air traffic control at airports in which congestion prediction is critical for smooth departure operations. Taxi‐out time of a flight is an excellent indicator of surface congestion and is a quality parameter used in the assessment of airport delays. The regression, queueing, and moving average models have been shown to perform poorly in predicting taxi‐out times because they are slow in adapting to the changing airport dynamics. This paper presents an approximate dynamic programming approach (reinforcement learning, RL) to taxi‐out time prediction. The taxi‐out prediction performance was tested on flight data obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Aviation System Performance Metrics (ASPM) database on Detroit International (DTW), Washington Reagan National (DCA), Boston (BOS), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Tampa International (TPA) airports. For example, at the Boston airport (presented in detail) the prediction accuracy by RL model was 14running‐average model. In general, the RL model was 35–50% more accurate than the regression model for all of the above airports. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNA structure and dynamics: Potential of interactions between two complementary DNA bases
Authors: Yakushevich L. V. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSpecific interaction between two complementary nucleic acid bases, in which adenine forms two hydrogen bonds with thymine and guanine forms three hydrogen bonds with cytosine, is of great interest because it stabilizes the double helical DNA structure and because it determines the dynamics of the base pair opening that in turn is considered as one of important elements of the process of the DNA–protein recognition. To obtain the form of the potential of the interaction, investigators use many different methods including the most accurate ab initio quantum‐chemical calculations, approximate method of atom–atom potential functions, approximate mathematical formulas like the Morse potential, or empirical potentials. In this article, we derive a new mathematical formula of the potential. The formula is well grounded and advantageously differs from others because of its simplicity and convenience in practice. To derive the formula, we use a simple mechanical analog of two complementary DNA bases that consists of two coupled pendulums oscillating in the horizontal plane. We illustrate the applications of the formula to study small amplitude oscillations of the DNA complementary bases. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for anal cancer: feasibility and technical considerations
Authors: Patel Chirag B. , Ramos‐Valadez Diego I. , Haas Eric M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundRobotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery is an emerging technology that may prove advantageous for complex colorectal procedures involving the irradiated pelvis, such as abdominoperineal resection for recurrent anal cancer. The authors' initial experience is presented, with assessment of feasibility, safety, and oncologic principles.MethodsOver a 6 month period, five abdominoperineal resections were performed using the da Vinci® robot for recurrent anal cancer in patients initially treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy. Demographics, intraoperative parameters, pathology, and outcomes were assessed.ResultsFive patients underwent surgery with a mean age of 58.8 years and body mass index of 24.9 kg m−2. The interval between chemoradiation and salvage APR was 14.2 ± 10.0 months. Operative time was 204 ± 39.1 min with robotic docking time 12.2 ± 2.8 min and console time 93.0 ± 24.9 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 150 cc and there were no intraoperative complications. The mean hospital length of stay was 5.4 days. Pathology analysis revealed that all surgical margins were adequate. There was one postoperative complication consisting of a seroma.ConclusionRobotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery for anal cancer was found to be a safe and feasible procedure. It facilitated enhanced visualization and dissection through deep irradiated pelvic structures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current issues regarding treatment of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders
Authors: Spiekerkoetter Ute , Bastin Jean , Gillingham Melanie , Morris Andrew , Wijburg Frits , Wilcken Bridget 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTreatment recommendations in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) defects are diverse. With implementation of newborn screening and identification of asymptomatic patients, it is necessary to define whom to treat and how strictly. We here discuss critical questions that are currently under debate. For some asymptomatic long‐chain defects, long‐chain fat restriction plays a minor role, and a normal diet may be introduced. For patients presenting only with myopathic symptoms, e.g., during exercise, treatment may be adapted to energy demand. As a consequence, patients with exercise‐induced myopathy may be able to return to normal activity when provided with medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT) prior to exercise. There is no need to limit participation in sports. Progression of retinopathy in disorders of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein complex is closely associated with hydroxyacylcarnitine accumulation. A strict low‐fat diet with MCT supplementation is recommended to slow or prevent progression of chorioretinopathy. Additional docosahexanoic acid does not prevent the decline in retinal function but does promote nonspecific improvement in visual acuity and is recommended. There is no evidence that L‐carnitine supplementation is beneficial. Thus, supplementation with L‐carnitine in a newborn identified by screening with either a medium‐chain or long‐chain defect is not supported. With respect to the use of the odd‐chain medium‐chain triglyceride triheptanoin in myopathic phenotypes, randomized trials are needed to establish whether triheptanoin is more effective than even‐chain MCT. With increasing pathophysiological knowledge, new treatment options have been identified and are being clinically evaluated. These include the use of bezafibrates in myopathic long‐chain defects.
Fatty acid profile in patients with phenylketonuria and its relationship with bone mineral density
Authors: Lage Sergio , Bueno María , Andrade Fernando , Prieto José Ángel , Delgado Carmen , Legarda María , Sanjurjo Pablo , Aldámiz‐Echevarría Luis Jose 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundPatients with phenylketonuria (PKU) undergo a restrictive vegan‐like diet, with almost total absence of n‐3 fatty acids, which have been proposed as potential contributors to bone formation in the healthy population. The PKU diet might lead these patients to bone mass loss and, consequently, to the development of osteopenia/osteoporosis. Therefore, we proposed to analyze their plasma fatty acid profile status and its relationship with bone health.MethodsWe recruited 47 PKU patients for this cross‐sectional study and divided the cohort into three age groups (6–10 years, 11–18 years, 19–42 years). We measured their plasma fatty acid profile and bone mineral density (BMD) (both at the femoral neck and the lumbar spine). Seventy‐seven healthy controls also participated as reference values of plasma fatty acids.ResultsDocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and total n‐3 fatty acids were significantly diminished in PKU patients compared with healthy controls. DHA, EPA, and total n‐3 fatty acids were also positively associated with bone mineral density (r = 0.83, p = 0.010; r = 0.57, p = 0.006; r = 0.73, p = 0.040, respectively). There was no association between phenylalanine (Phe), Index of Dietary Control (IDC), calcium, 25‐hydroxivitamin D concentrations, daily calcium intake, and BMD.ConclusionOur results suggest a possible influence of essential fatty acids over BMD in PKU patients. The lack of essential n‐3 fatty acids intake in the PKU diet might affect bone mineralization. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the effect of the n‐3 essential fatty acids on bone accrual in a cohort of PKU patients.
Long‐term follow‐up results in enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe disease: a case report
Authors: Del Rizzo Monica , Fanin Marina , Cerutti Alessia , Cazzorla Chiara , Milanesi Ornella , Nascimbeni Anna Chiara , Angelini Corrado , Giordano Laura , Bordugo Andrea , Burlina Alberto B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPompe disease (PD) is a metabolic myopathy caused by a deficiency of acid‐alpha glucosidase (GAA), a lysosomal enzyme that cleaves glycogen. The classic infantile‐onset form is characterised by severe hypotonia and cardiomyopathy. Untreated patients usually die within the first year of life due to cardiorespiratory failure. Several studies involving patients with infantile‐onset PD have shown that enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with alglucosidase alfa, recombinant human GAA (rhGAA), significantly prolongs survival, decreases cardiomegaly, and improves cardiac function and conduction abnormalities. However, the efficacy on motor, cognitive and social milestones appears to be more related to the condition of the patient before the start of treatment. To date, the sample of early diagnosed and treated patients is small and the length of follow‐up is still limited. We report the results of a long‐term follow‐up of one patient presenting severe bradycardia and cardiomyopathy at birth, diagnosed in the third day of life and successfully treated by ERT. Serum muscle enzymes at diagnosis were AST 200 U/L, ALT 99 U/L and CPK 731 U/L (n.v. 0‐295); the molecular study identified the homozygous missense mutation c.1933 G> A p.Asp645Asn (GAA exon 14). Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI) at baseline was 171 g/m2 (Z‐score = 4.3) and decreased to normal values since the 3‐month follow‐up. A muscle biopsy performed at 18 months after the start of therapy, showed only a low degree of muscle involvement. To our knowledge, this is the longest ERT treatment follow‐up in a symptomatic neonatal patient with Pompe disease.