bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coupled coincidence points for monotone operators in partially ordered metric spaces
Authors: Alotaibi Abdullah , Alsulami Saud M 
Published: August 2011

AbstractUsing the notion of compatible mappings in the setting of a partially ordered metric space, we prove the existence and uniqueness of coupled coincidence points involving a (ϕ, ψ)-contractive condition for a mappings having the mixed g-monotone property. We illustrate our results with the help of an example.
Impact of aprotinin and renal function on mortality: a retrospective single center analysis
Authors: Schloss Brian , Gulati Parul , Yu Lianbo , Abdel-Rasoul Mahmoud , O'Brien William , Von Visger Jon , Awad Hamdy 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
An estimated up to 7% of high-risk cardiac surgery patients return to the operating room for bleeding. Aprotinin was used extensively as an antifibrinolytic agent in cardiac surgery patients for over 15 years and it showed efficacy in reducing bleeding. Aprotinin was removed from the market by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after a large prospective, randomized clinical trial documented an increased mortality risk associated with the drug. Further debate arose when a meta-analysis of 211 randomized controlled trials showed no risk of renal failure or death associated with aprotinin. However, only patients with normal kidney function have been studied.

Methods
In this study, we look at a single center clinical trial using patients with varying degrees of baseline kidney function to answer the question: Does aprotinin increase odds of death given varying levels of preoperative kidney dysfunction?

Results
Based on our model, aprotinin use was associated with a 3.8-fold increase in odds of death one year later compared to no aprotinin use with p-value = 0.0018, regardless of level of preoperative kidney dysfunction after adjusting for other perioperative variables.

Conclusions
Lessons learned from our experience using aprotinin in the perioperative setting as an antifibrinolytic during open cardiac surgery should guide us in testing future antifibrinolytic drugs for not only efficacy of preventing bleeding, but for overall safety to the whole organism using long-term clinical outcome studies, including those with varying degree of baseline kidney function.
Angiofibroma of the spermatic cord: a case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Dikaiakos Panagiotis , Zizi-Sermpetzoglou Adamantia , Rizos Spyros , Marinis Athanasios 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Cellular angiofibroma is a benign vascular neoplasm that typically arises in the paratesticular region in men and is easily confused with inguinal or scrotal hernia.

Case presentation
We present a case of a cellular angiofibroma arising from the spermatic cord of a 74-year-old Caucasian man. Initially, the lesion was confused with a scrotal hernia, but imaging revealed a subcutaneous, inhomogeneous, but well-circumscribed lesion to the surrounding tissues with rich vasculature. Surgical resection of the lesion was performed. Histology revealed a benign tumor of vascular origin rich in fibroblasts.

Conclusions
Angiofibroma can easily be confused with an inguinal hernia and should be differentiated from Schwann cell tumors, perineuromas, spindle-cell lipomas, aggressive angiomyxomas, angiomyofibroblastomas, solitary fibrous tumors, spindle-cell liposarcomas, and leiomyomas. A safe initial diagnosis is difficult because of its location, nature, and correlation with other structures of the area.
Identification of transcriptional regulatory networks specific to pilocytic astrocytoma
Authors: Deshmukh Hrishikesh , Yu Jinsheng , Shaik Jahangheer , MacDonald Tobey J , Perry Arie , Payton Jacqueline E , Gutmann David H , Watson Mark A , Nagarajan Rakesh 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Pilocytic Astrocytomas (PAs) are common low-grade central nervous system malignancies for which few recurrent and specific genetic alterations have been identified. In an effort to better understand the molecular biology underlying the pathogenesis of these pediatric brain tumors, we performed higher-order transcriptional network analysis of a large gene expression dataset to identify gene regulatory pathways that are specific to this tumor type, relative to other, more aggressive glial or histologically distinct brain tumours.

Methods
RNA derived from frozen human PA tumours was subjected to microarray-based gene expression profiling, using Affymetrix U133Plus2 GeneChip microarrays. This data set was compared to similar data sets previously generated from non-malignant human brain tissue and other brain tumour types, after appropriate normalization.

Results
In this study, we examined gene expression in 66 PA tumors compared to 15 non-malignant cortical brain tissues, and identified 792 genes that demonstrated consistent differential expression between independent sets of PA and non-malignant specimens. From this entire 792 gene set, we used the previously described PAP tool to assemble a core transcriptional regulatory network composed of 6 transcription factor genes (TFs) and 24 target genes, for a total of 55 interactions. A similar analysis of oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) gene expression data sets identified distinct, but overlapping, networks. Most importantly, comparison of each of the brain tumor type-specific networks revealed a network unique to PA that included repressed expression of ONECUT2, a gene frequently methylated in other tumor types, and 13 other uniquely predicted TF-gene interactions.

Conclusions
These results suggest specific transcriptional pathways that may operate to create the unique molecular phenotype of PA and thus opportunities for corresponding targeted therapeutic intervention. Moreover, this study also demonstrates how integration of gene expression data with TF-gene and TF-TF interaction data is a powerful approach to generating testable hypotheses to better understand cell-type specific genetic programs relevant to cancer.
Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii as a live vaccine vector in susceptible and resistant hosts
Authors: Zou Jun , Huang Xiao-Xi , Yin Guang-Wen , Ding Ye , Liu Xian-Yong , Wang Heng , Chen Qi-Jun , Suo Xun 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background

Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to trigger strong cellular immune responses to heterologous antigens expressed by the parasite in the inbred mouse model [1]. We studied the immune response induced by T. gondii as an effective vaccine vector in chickens and rabbits.

Results

T. gondii RH strain was engineered to express the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) in the cytoplasm. A subcutaneous injection of the transgenic T. gondii YFP in chickens afforded partial protection against the infection of transgenic E. tenella YFP. T. gondii YFP induced low levels of antibodies to YFP in chickens, suggesting that YFP specific cellular immune response was probably responsible for the protective immunity against E. tenella YFP infection. The measurement of T-cell response and IFN-γ production further confirmed that YFP specific Th1 mediated immune response was induced by T. gondii YFP in immunized chickens. The transgenic T. gondii stimulated significantly higher YFP specific IgG titers in rabbits than in chickens, suggesting greater immunogenicity in a T. gondii susceptible species than in a resistant species. Priming with T. gondii YFP and boosting with the recombinant YFP can induce a strong anti-YFP antibody response in both animal species.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that T. gondii can be used as an effective vaccine vector and future research should focus on exploring avirulent no cyst-forming strains of T. gondii as a live vaccine vector in animals.
Risk of Breast Cancer in Women With a CHEK2 Mutation With and Without a Family History of Breast Cancer
Authors: Cybulski Cezary , Wokołorczyk Dominika , Jakubowska Anna , Huzarski Tomasz , Byrski Tomasz , Gronwald Jacek , Masojć Bartłomiej , Dębniak Tadeusz , Górski Bohdan , Blecharz Paweł , Narod Steven A. , Lubiński Jan 
Published: August 2011

Purpose To estimate the risk of breast cancer in a woman who has a CHEK2 mutation depending on her family history of breast cancer. Patients and Methods Seven thousand four hundred ninety-four BRCA1 mutation–negative patients with breast cancer and 4,346 control women were genotyped for four founder mutations in CHEK2 (del5395, IVS2+1G>A, 1100delC, and I157T). Results A truncating mutation (IVS2+1G>A, 1100delC, or del5395) was present in 227 patients (3.0%) and in 37 female controls (0.8%; odds ratio [OR], 3.6; 95% CI, 2.6 to 5.1). The OR was higher for women with a first- or second-degree relative with breast cancer (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 3.3 to 7.6) than for women with no family history (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.3 to 4.7). If both a first- and second-degree relative were affected with breast cancer, the OR was 7.3 (95% CI, 3.2 to 16.8). Assuming a baseline risk of 6%, we estimate the lifetime risks for carriers of CHEK2 truncating mutations to be 20% for a woman with no affected relative, 28% for a woman with one second-degree relative affected, 34% for a woman with one first-degree relative affected, and 44% for a woman with both a first- and second-degree relative affected. Conclusion CHEK2 mutation screening detects a clinically meaningful risk of breast cancer and should be considered in all women with a family history of breast cancer. Women with a truncating mutation in CHEK2 and a positive family history of breast cancer have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of greater than 25% and are candidates for magnetic resonance imaging screening and for tamoxifen chemoprevention.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Detected Tumor Response for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Predicts Survival Outcomes: MERCURY Experience
Authors: Patel Uday B. , Taylor Fiona , Blomqvist Lennart , George Christopher , Evans Hywel , Tekkis Paris , Quirke Philip , Sebag-Montefiore David , Moran Brendan , Heald Richard , Guthrie Ashley , Bees Nicola , Swift Ian , Pennert Kjell , Brown Gina 
Published: August 2011

Purpose To assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathologic staging after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer in a prospectively enrolled, multicenter study. Methods In a prospective cohort study, 111 patients who had rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant therapy were assessed for response by MRI and pathology staging by T, N and circumferential resection margin (CRM) status. Tumor regression grade (TRG) was also assessed by MRI. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine associations between staging of good and poor responders on MRI or pathology and survival outcomes after controlling for patient characteristics. Results On multivariate analysis, the MRI-assessed TRG (mrTRG) hazard ratios (HRs) were independently significant for survival (HR, 4.40; 95% CI, 1.65 to 11.7) and disease-free survival (DFS; HR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.22 to 8.80). Five-year survival for poor mrTRG was 27% versus 72% (P = .001), and DFS for poor mrTRG was 31% versus 64% (P = .007). Preoperative MRI-predicted CRM independently predicted local recurrence (LR; HR, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.45 to 12.51). Five-year survival for poor post-treatment pathologic T stage (ypT) was 39% versus 76% (P = .001); DFS for the same was 38% versus 84% (P = .001); and LR for the same was 27% versus 6% (P = .018). The 5-year survival for involved pCRM was 30% versus 59% (P = .001); DFS, 28 versus 62% (P = .02); and LR, 56% versus 10% (P = .001). Pathology node status did not predict outcomes. Conclusion MRI assessment of TRG and CRM are imaging markers that predict survival outcomes for good and poor responders and provide an opportunity for the multidisciplinary team to offer additional treatment options before planning definitive surgery. Postoperative histopathology assessment of ypT and CRM but not post-treatment N status were important postsurgical predictors of outcome.
The Greek way to the Register: the establishment and operation of the Register for Clinical Chemists-Clinical Biochemists in Greece
Authors: Rizos Demetrios , Karababa Photini , Nikolou Chara , Sarandakou Angeliki , Panagiotakis Othon , Ferderigou Angeliki , Haliassos Alexander , Makris Konstantinos , Psarra Katerina , Bairaktari Eleni , Spyropoulou Panagiota , Galiatsatos Nikolaos , Trakas Nikolaos , Seferiadis Konstantin 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn Greece, there is no officially organized training in clinical chemistry for scientists. The Greek Society of Clinical Chemistry-Clinical Biochemistry (GSCC-CB), following the encouragement of the EC4/RC decided to organize a voluntary Register for specialists in clinical chemistry. The following criteria for registration were defined: 1) University degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Medicine, Pharmacy or other relevant subject. 2) A total of 9 years of university studies and postgraduate specialization in clinical chemistry-clinical biochemistry. 3) A minimum of 4 years of postgraduate specialization in clinical chemistry-clinical biochemistry on the job. 4) The candidate must be practicing clinical chemistry-clinical biochemistry in a laboratory in a medical environment in Greece. The postgraduate specialization in clinical chemistry-clinical biochemistry includes the laboratory training and the theoretical education. The laboratory training is organized by the GSCC-CB according to the Professional Training Dossier. The theoretical education was organized in a series of 18 “Seminars” which was the content of the “Educational program” of the GSCC-CB. Successful completion of the Educational program leads to a Certificate of Competence. The Greek Register has gained equivalence with the EC4 Register and it has 218 members, more than 80 of whom are European clinical chemists.
Rapid and simple IgG specific test for the exclusion of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
Authors: Kolde Hans-Jürgen , Dostatni Ralf , Mauracher Susanne 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe exclusion of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is required for selecting the most appropriate anticoagulation therapy in affected patients. It requires the combination of clinical data with the detection of antibodies directed against platelet factor 4 (PF4) in complex with polyanions (PA) such as heparin.We developed a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for PF4/PA complex specific IgG antibodies based on gold nanoparticles. Unlike most other assays, the initial immune reaction takes place in the liquid phase. The sensitivity of the assay has been adjusted with clinical samples aiming in the reliable detection of sera which are positive in a functional platelet activation assay.Sera from 60 patients with suspected HIT were investigated. LFIA identified correctly all samples (n=20) which were positive in a functional assay (HIPA) and an IgG specific ELISA. It correlated with ELISA, but false positive results were less frequent (7 samples were negative with LFIA and HIPA but positive with ELISA).The LFIA may be a suitable tool for the rapid exclusion of HIT within 10 min.
On the involution module of SL2(2ƒ)
Authors: Pforte Lars 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
For any group G the involutions ℐ in G form a G-set under conjugation. The corresponding kG-permutation module kℐ is known as the involution module of G, with k an algebraically closed field of characteristic two. In this paper we discuss the involution module of the special linear group SL2(2ƒ). We describe the vertices and the Loewy and Socle Series of all its components.
Booms, Busts, and Divorce
Authors: Hellerstein Judith K , Morrill Melinda Sandler 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
For almost a century, anecdotes have suggested that divorce rates decline during recessions. However, until very recently there has been surprisingly little formal empirical evidence on whether such a link exists, let alone its magnitude if it does. Moreover, the anticipated direction of the effect is ambiguous theoretically. Although previous studies have concluded that individual job loss destabilizes marriages, macroeconomic conditions may affect divorce probabilities even for those not directly experiencing a job shock. We add to the few existing contemporaneous studies of the effects of macroeconomic shocks on divorce by conducting an empirical analysis of the relationship between state-level unemployment rates and state-level divorce rates using vital statistics data on divorces in the United States from 1976-2009. We find a significant and robust negative relationship between the unemployment and divorce rates, whereby a one percentage point rise in the unemployment rate is associated with a decrease of 0.043 divorces per one thousand people, or about a one percent fall in the divorce rate. The result that divorce is pro-cyclical is robust to a host of alternative empirical specifications, to disaggregating by state characteristics and time period, to expanding the unemployment series back to 1970, and to using alternative measures of local economic conditions.
Prévision du taux de change dollar canadien contre dollar américain : une approche en termes de "fondamentaux"
Authors: Taylor Mark P. 
Published: August 2011

Forecasting the Canadian-US Dollar Exchange Rate: An Approach in Terms of "Fundamentals"
by Mark P. Taylor
We develop and estimate a forecasting equation for the Canadian-US dollar exchange rate by conditioning on short-run and determinants of the exchange rate. The equation performs well compared with an equation developed by the Bank of is statistically well-determined. The model does, however, have certain Keynesian features which, at the long-run intriguing.
Crédibilité et fondamentaux macro-économiques au sein du SME : un examen empirique
Authors: Cœuré Benoît , Magnier Antoine 
Published: August 2011

Crédibilité et fondamentaux macro-économiques au sein du SME : un examen empirique
par Benoît Cœuré et Antoine Magnier
Le lien entre la crédibilité des parités au sein du SME et l'évolution des fondamentaux macro-économiques est au centre du débat économique né au lendemain des crises de change de 1992 et 1993. Cette étude propose une évaluation empirique de ce lien durant la période 1983-1 993 . Dans un premier temps, nous construisons une mesure des anticipations de dévaluation des parités franc/mark et lire/mark à partir de la méthode dite de "correction de la dérive" du taux de change dans un régime de zone-cible. Dans un second temps, à partir d'une modélisation War non-stationnaire, des tests de causalité au sens de Granger et le calcul de fonctions de réponse à des chocs macro-économiques permettent d'évaluer le rôle des fondamentaux dans la formation des anticipations de dévaluation. Certaines variables macro-économiques semblent bien affecter la crédibilité des parités considérées sur la période 1983-1993 mais ces liens apparaissent généralement peu intuitifs et peu significatifs d'un point de vue économique. On constate toutefois que l'effet de chocs exogènes sur la crédibilité de la parité franc/mark tend à s'estomper assez rapidement tandis que cet effet semble très persistant dans le cas de la parité lire/mark. Les résultats ne permettent pas de conclure véritablement quant à la nature des crises de change de 1992 et 1993 mais suggèrent que l'explication théorique des crises en terme d'équilibres multiples puisse être en partie justifiée. Ils soulignent surtout la nécessité d'une approche économétrique plus structurelle.
Les modèles de crise de change : un essai de synthèse en relation avec la crise du franc de 1992-1993
Authors: Jeanne Olivier 
Published: August 2011

Les modèles de crise de change : un essai de synthèse en relation avec la crise du franc de 1992-1993
par Olivier Jeanne
Cet article tente de présenter et comparer dans un cadre synthétique les mécanismes de crise de change proposés par la théorie économique; dégager les hypothèses qu'ils suggèrent sur l'origine de la crise du franc de 1992-1993, avant de les confronter aux "faits stylisés". On distingue deux approches théoriques, celle des modèles d'attaque spéculative et l'approche avec "clause de sortie". Les modèles d'attaque spéculative concentrent l'analyse sur le phénomène de fuite des réserves de change qui se produit au moment de la crise. Dans l'approche avec clause de sortie, on s'interroge plutôt sur les raisons pour lesquelles les autorités monétaires choisissent de défendre ou non la monnaie quand elle est attaquée. L'approche avec clause de sortie permet de faire le lien entre la crise du franc et certains fondamentaux comme le chômage français ou la politique monétaire allemande. Par ailleurs, les deux approches sont compatibles avec l'hypothèse selon laquelle la crise du franc n'était pas causée par les fondamentaux, mais autoréalisatrice.
Incertitude, arbitrage et taux de change
Authors: Viviani Jean-Laurent 
Published: August 2011

Incertitude, arbitrage et taux de change par Jean-Laurent Viviani
Sans nier la pertinence des explications proposées de l'existence de fourchettes de prix sur les marchés financiers, nous montrons qu'elles pourraient également être la conséquence du comportement rationnel des agents dans un environnement non probabilisable. Dans ce cadre, l'aversion des agents à l'incertitude est à l'origine d'un écart entre le prix offert et demandé qui est compatible avec l'absence d'opportunités d'arbitrage.
Structure de coût généralisée et horaire optimal
Authors: Contensou François , Vranceanu Radu 
Published: August 2011

General Cost Structure and Optimal Working Hours François Contensou and Radu Vranceanu
This study endeavours to show the role that indirect labour costs can play in explaining the working week formed spontaneously in a decentralised economy. The first part of the paper considers production to be predetermined by a market outlet constraint. The model is then generalised by considering the activity level of firms to be endogenous. The analysis reveals the systematic formation of a working hours conflict and shows the determining factors behind this conflict. It is also possible to use this framework to represent the effects of legal reductions in working hours, advocated as a tool for curbing unemployment. The findings here are inconclusive. The study specifies the conditions needed for these government-imposed working- week reductions to really encourage firms to hire more employees.
Incidences du mode de prélèvement des cotisations sociales
Authors: Van Haeperen Béatrice 
Published: August 2011

Incidences du mode de prélèvement des cotisations sociales. Un modèle d'équilibre général
avec revenu minimum
Béatrice Van Haeperen
La hausse des cotisations de sécurité sociale observée dans les années quatre-vingts et rendue nécessaire pour assurer la couverture d'un chômage croissant a pu constituer un frein à l'embauche. Dans un modèle d'équilibre général avec revenu réel minimum et cotisations sociales prélevées sur les salaires, sur le profit ou sur la valeur ajoutée, nous articulons la relation entre revenu minimum, assiette de prélèvement des cotisations sociales, salaire minimum et emploi et montrons que dissocier les prélèvements de cotisations sociales des salaires permettrait d'atteindre un niveau d'emploi plus élevé sans baisse du revenu disponible des travailleurs. Le passage d'un prélèvement sur les salaires à un prélèvement sur les profits ou sur la valeur ajoutée pourrait être utilisé comme instrument de résorption du chômage. Dans chaque cas, nous examinons l'impact sur le déficit budgétaire.