bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Greening vacant lots to reduce violent crime: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Garvin Eugenia C , Cannuscio Carolyn C , Branas Charles C 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundVacant lots are often overgrown with unwanted vegetation and filled with trash, making them attractive places to hide illegal guns, conduct illegal activities such as drug sales and prostitution, and engage in violent crime. There is some evidence that greening vacant lots is associated with reductions in violent crime.MethodsWe performed a randomised controlled trial of vacant lot greening to test the impact of this intervention on police reported crime and residents' perceptions of safety and disorder. Greening consisted of cleaning the lots, planting grass and trees, and building a wooden fence around the perimeter. We randomly allocated two vacant lot clusters to the greening intervention or to the control status (no intervention). Administrative data were used to determine crime rates, and local resident interviews at baseline (n=29) and at follow-up (n=21) were used to assess perceptions of safety and disorder.ResultsUnadjusted difference-in-differences estimates showed a non-significant decrease in the number of total crimes and gun assaults around greened vacant lots compared with control. People around the intervention vacant lots reported feeling significantly safer after greening compared with those living around control vacant lots (p<0.01).ConclusionsIn this study, greening was associated with reductions in certain gun crimes and improvements in residents' perceptions of safety. A larger randomised controlled trial is needed to further investigate the link between vacant lot greening and violence reduction.
A BIO-MECHANICAL DESIGNED PROSTHETIC HAND WITH MULTI-CONTROL STRATEGIES
Authors: HUANG HAI , PANG YONG-JIE , YANG DA-PENG , SUN CHAO-YU , JIANG LI , LI NAN , LIU HONG 
Published: August 2012

In order to mimic the natural appearance, motion, and perception of the human hand, a bio-mechatronic approach to design an anthropomorphic prosthetic hand — HIT/DLR Prosthetic Hand has been presented. It reproduces human hand in its fundamental structure such as appearance, weight, and dimensions. Its thumb can move along a cone surface in 3D space. Similar with that of human's, it combines with abduction and adduction from palmar position to lateral position. Actuated by only one motor, the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger can envelop complex-shaped objects. In addition, the bio-mechatronic integration and cosmetic designation make it much more like a genuine human hand. HIT/DLR Prosthetic Hand can be controlled through voice control strategy, Electromyography (EMG) control strategy, EMG, and electrocutaneous sensory feedback (ESF) close loop control strategy. In EMG control system, 10 types of hand posture are recognized through six electrodes on the basis of support vector machine (SVM). The last control strategy can help an amputee recover the grasp perception, further improve the efficiency of EMG control, and reduce the hand mis-manipulation and force delivery mistakes.
TRPM7 Is Required for Breast Tumor Cell Metastasis
Authors: Middelbeek Jeroen , Kuipers Arthur J. , Henneman Linda , Visser Daan , Eidhof Ilse , van Horssen Remco , Wieringa Bé , Canisius Sander V. , Zwart Wilbert , Wessels Lodewyk F. , Sweep Fred C.G.J. , Bult Peter , Span Paul N. , van Leeuwen Frank N. , Jalink Kees 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
TRPM7 encodes a Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channel with kinase activity. TRPM7 has been implicated in control of cell adhesion and migration, but whether TRPM7 activity contributes to cancer progression has not been established. Here we report that high levels of TRPM7 expression independently predict poor outcome in breast cancer patients and that it is functionally required for metastasis formation in a mouse xenograft model of human breast cancer. Mechanistic investigation revealed that TRPM7 regulated myosin II–based cellular tension, thereby modifying focal adhesion number, cell–cell adhesion and polarized cell movement. Our findings therefore suggest that TRPM7 is part of a mechanosensory complex adopted by cancer cells to drive metastasis formation. Cancer Res; 72(16); 4250–61. ©2012 AACR.
Socioeconomic Status and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the United States
Authors: Shebl Fatma M. , Capo-Ramos David E. , Graubard Barry I. , McGlynn Katherine A. , Altekruse Sean F. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis and, unlike most cancers, HCC incidence and mortality rates are increasing in the United States. While risk is known to vary among different racial and ethnic groups, less is known about the variability of risk within these groups by neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES).
Methods: HCC cases diagnosed in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 11 cancer registries between 1996 and 2007, and the population of the SEER 11 catchment areas was studied. Analyses were conducted to compare census tract area family poverty, educational attainment, and unemployment by race and ethnicity. A multiple linear regression model, weighted by the number of cases and the number of individuals in each census tract, with adjustment for registry, was used to calculate mean differences in area-level attributes between HCC cases and the population.
Results: HCC cases in most racial/ethnic groups had lower mean neighborhood-level measures of SES than their referent population. An exception was seen among Hispanics. Comparing white cases with cases of other racial groups and to Hispanics, white cases lived in neighborhoods with less family poverty, fewer high-school dropouts, and lower unemployment. Compared with white cases, Asian and Pacific Islander and Hispanic cases lived in neighborhoods with a higher percentage of foreign-born population.
Conclusions: Low neighborhood-level SES and immigrant status may be associated with greater risk of HCC within specific racial and ethnic groups.
Impact: These findings could help to focus control resources for HCC toward the most affected communities.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(8); 1330–5. ©2012 AACR.
Lipid Profiles and Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancer in the Swedish AMORIS Study
Authors: Melvin Jennifer C. , Seth Divya , Holmberg Lars , Garmo Hans , Hammar Niklas , Jungner Ingmar , Walldius Göran , Lambe Mats , Wigertz Annette , Van Hemelrijck Mieke 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground: Obesity is a risk factor for breast and ovarian cancer; the mechanisms of action are not completely understood. Perturbed lipid metabolism often accompanies obesity; we therefore ascertained the associations between lipid components and breast and ovarian cancer risk in a prospective cohort study.Methods: A total of 234,494 women with baseline measurements of triglycerides and total cholesterol and glucose were selected from the AMORIS database.A total of 27,394 had measurements of high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein (Apo) B, and A-I. Associations between quartiles and dichotomized values of lipid components and breast and ovarian cancer risk were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models.Results: We identified 6,105 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 808 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A weak trend was observed between triglycerides and breast cancer (HR, 1.01, 95% Confidence Interval, 0.94–1.09; 0.93 (0.86–1.00) 0.91 (0.84–0.99), second, third, and fourth quartiles; P = 0.01). No other associations between lipid components and risk of breast cancer or ovarian cancer showed statistical significance.Conclusions: A weak protective association was found between levels of triglycerides and risk of breast cancer.Impact: An analysis including information on tumour characteristics of ovarian cancer and breast cancer may provide more insight in possible links between lipid metabolism and the risk of these cancers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(8); 1381–4. ©2012 AACR.
Overexpression of Protein Phosphatase 4 Correlates with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Stage II Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Weng Shaofan , Wang Hua , Chen Weihong , Katz Matthew H. , Chatterjee Deyali , Lee Jeffrey E. , Pisters Peter W. , Gomez Henry F. , Abbruzzese James L. , Fleming Jason B. , Wang Huamin 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Purpose: Protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) has been reported to be overexpressed in breast and lung cancers. PP4 plays an important role in the regulation of centrosome maturation, DNA repair, NF-κB, and c-jun-NH2-kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. However, the expression and functions of PP4 in pancreatic cancer have not been studied.
Experimental Design: We examined the expression of PP4 catalytic subunit (PP4C) protein in 133 patients with stage II pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and their paired benign pancreatic samples (N = 113) by immunohistochemistry. To confirm the immunohistochemical results, we measured PP4C protein and mRNA levels by Western blotting and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we correlated PP4C expression with survival and other clinicopathologic features.
Results: PP4C was overexpressed in 75 of 133 (56.4%) stage II PDAC samples, which was significantly higher than the paired benign pancreatic tissue (15%, 17 of 113). PP4C mRNA expression levels were also higher in PDAC samples than the paired benign pancreatic tissue. Overexpression of PP4C in PDAC samples was associated with higher frequencies of distant metastasis (P = 0.02) and poor disease-free and overall survivals in patients with stage II PDAC (P = 0.006 and 0.02) independent of tumor size, margin status, and lymph node status (stage).
Conclusions: Our study showed that PP4C is overexpressed in PDAC. Overexpression of PP4C in PDAC samples is associated with poor prognosis in patients with stage II PDAC. Therefore, targeting PP4 signaling pathway may represent a new approach for the treatment of PDAC.
Impact: Our study showed that PP4C is an independent prognostic factor in patients with stage II PDAC. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(8); 1336–43. ©2012 AACR.
From Testing to Estimation: The Problem of False Positives in the Context of Carcinogen Evaluation in the IARC Monographs
Authors: Demetriou Christiana A. , Straif Kurt , Vineis Paolo 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Background: Cancer epidemiology has been criticized for producing false-positive associations. The present analysis investigates the frequency of and factors contributing to false-positive findings in cancer epidemiology.
Methods: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs Group 3 agents were examined to identify potential false-positive findings. Frequency estimates for their occurrence were calculated. Comments of the Working Groups on study quality were recorded for studies with potential false-positives. These were used to determine how many of such studies were criticized for each of the study quality factors that are suspected to contribute to false-positive results.
Results: Of 509 agents in group 3, 37 agents were found to have potential false-positive associations in the studies reviewed in their respective IARC monograph(s). The overall frequency of potential false-positives among these agents was between 0.03 and 0.10. The individual frequencies ranged from 0.01 to 0.40. The potential false-positive findings were produced by 162 studies. The most common factors contributing to potential false-positive findings were confounding and exposure misclassification.
Conclusions: The frequency estimates we have obtained do not suggest that epidemiology is grossly flooded by false-positive findings. The factors for which studies with potential false-positives were most often criticized were factors that are sometimes difficult to address in cancer epidemiologic research and can bias an effect estimate toward or away from the null.
Impact: The low frequency of false-positives in cancer epidemiology restores faith in epidemiologic procedures, making epidemiologic findings a useful guide for public health care measures. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(8); 1272–81. ©2012 AACR.
Use of Fertility Drugs and Risk of Ovarian Cancer: Results from a U.S.-Based Case–Control Study
Authors: Kurta Michelle L. , Moysich Kirsten B. , Weissfeld Joel L. , Youk Ada O. , Bunker Clareann H. , Edwards Robert P. , Modugno Francesmary , Ness Roberta B. , Diergaarde Brenda 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Background: Previous studies examining associations between use of fertility drugs and ovarian cancer risk have provided conflicting results. We used data from a large case–control study to determine whether fertility drug use significantly impacts ovarian cancer risk when taking into account parity, gravidity, and cause of infertility.
Methods: Data from the Hormones and Ovarian Cancer Prediction (HOPE) study were used (902 cases, 1,802 controls). Medical and reproductive histories were collected via in-person interviews. Logistic regression was used to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Models were adjusted for age, race, education, age at menarche, parity, oral contraceptive use, breastfeeding, talc use, tubal ligation, and family history of breast/ovarian cancer.
Results: Ever use of fertility drugs was not significantly associated with ovarian cancer within the total HOPE population (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.65–1.35) or among women who reported seeking medical attention for infertility (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.54–1.40). We did observe a statistically significant increased risk of ovarian cancer for ever use of fertility drugs among women who, despite seeking medical attention for problems getting pregnant, remained nulligravid (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.01–9.67).
Conclusions: These results provide further evidence that fertility drug use does not significantly contribute to ovarian cancer risk among the majority of women; however, women who despite infertility evaluation and fertility drug use remain nulligravid, may have an elevated risk for ovarian cancer.
Impact: Our results suggest that fertility drug use does not significantly contribute to overall risk of ovarian cancer when adjusting for known confounding factors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(8); 1282–92. ©2012 AACR.
KRASG12D- and BRAFV600E-Induced Transformation of Murine Pancreatic Epithelial Cells Requires MEK/ERK-Stimulated IGF1R Signaling
Authors: Appleman Victoria A. , Ahronian Leanne G. , Cai JiuFeng , Klimstra David S. , Lewis Brian C. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Mutation of KRAS is a common initiating event in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Yet, the specific roles of KRAS-stimulated signaling pathways in the transformation of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDEC), putative cells of origin for PDAC, remain unclear. Here, we show that KRASG12D and BRAFV600E enhance PDEC proliferation and increase survival after exposure to apoptotic stimuli in a manner dependent on MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling. Interestingly, we find that activation of PI3K/AKT signaling occurs downstream of MAP–ERK kinase (MEK), and is dependent on the autocrine activation of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor (IGF1R) by IGF2. Importantly, IGF1R inhibition impairs KRASG12D- and BRAFV600E-induced survival, whereas ectopic IGF2 expression rescues KRASG12D- and BRAFV600E-mediated survival downstream of MEK inhibition. Moreover, we show that KRASG12D- and BRAFV600E-induced tumor formation in an orthotopic model requires IGF1R. Interestingly, we show that while individual inhibition of MEK or IGF1R does not sensitize PDAC cells to apoptosis, their concomitant inhibition reduces survival. Our findings identify a novel mechanism of PI3K/AKT activation downstream of activated KRAS, illustrate the importance of MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, and IGF1R signaling in pancreatic tumor initiation, and suggest potential therapeutic strategies for this malignancy. Mol Cancer Res; 10(9); 1228–39. ©2012 AACR.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Optimal Medical Therapy in Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Pursnani Seema , Korley Frederick , Gopaul Ravindra , Kanade Pushkar , Chandra Newry , Shaw Richard E. , Bangalore Sripal 
Published: August 2012

Background—
The role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the management of stable coronary artery disease remains controversial. Given advancements in medical therapies and stent technology over the last decade, we sought to evaluate whether PCI, when added to medical therapy, improves outcomes when compared with medical therapy alone.

Methods and Results—
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases, until January 2012, for randomized clinical trials comparing revascularization with PCI to optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with stable coronary artery disease. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes included cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, subsequent revascularization, and freedom from angina. Primary analyses were based on longest available follow-up with secondary analyses stratified by trial duration, with short-term (≤1 year), intermediate (1–5 years), and long-term (≥5 years) time points. We identified 12 randomized clinical trials enrolling 7182 participants who fulfilled our inclusion criteria. For the primary analyses, when compared with OMT, PCI was associated with no significant improvement in mortality (risk ratio [RR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.71–1.01), cardiac death (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.47–1.06), nonfatal myocardial infarction (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.70–1.24), or repeat revascularization (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.76–1.14), with consistent results over all follow-up time points. Sensitivity analysis restricted to studies in which there was >50% stent use showed attenuation in the effect size for all-cause mortality (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.78–1.11) with PCI. However, for freedom from angina, there was a significant improved outcome with PCI, as compared with the OMT group (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.06–1.37), evident at all of the follow-up time points.

Conclusions—
In this most rigorous and comprehensive analysis in patients with stable coronary artery disease, PCI, as compared with OMT, did not reduce the risk of mortality, cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or revascularization. PCI, however, provided a greater angina relief compared with OMT alone, larger studies with sufficient power are required to prove this conclusively.
The Combined Impact of Virtual Reality Neurorehabilitation and Its Interfaces on Upper Extremity Functional Recovery in Patients With Chronic Stroke
Authors: Cameirão Mónica S. , Badia Sergi Bermúdez i , Duarte Esther , Frisoli Antonio , Verschure Paul F.M.J. 
Published: August 2012

Background and Purpose—
Although there is strong evidence on the beneficial effects of virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation, it is not yet well understood how the different aspects of these systems affect recovery. Consequently, we do not exactly know what features of VR neurorehabilitation systems are decisive in conveying their beneficial effects.

Methods—
To specifically address this issue, we developed 3 different configurations of the same VR-based rehabilitation system, the Rehabilitation Gaming System, using 3 different interface technologies: vision-based tracking, haptics, and a passive exoskeleton. Forty-four patients with chronic stroke were randomly allocated to one of the configurations and used the system for 35 minutes a day for 5 days a week during 4 weeks.

Results—
Our results revealed significant within-subject improvements at most of the standard clinical evaluation scales for all groups. Specifically we observe that the beneficial effects of VR-based training are modulated by the use/nonuse of compensatory movement strategies and the specific sensorimotor contingencies presented to the user, that is, visual feedback versus combined visual haptic feedback.

Conclusions—
Our findings suggest that the beneficial effects of VR-based neurorehabilitation systems such as the Rehabilitation Gaming System for the treatment of chronic stroke depend on the specific interface systems used. These results have strong implications for the design of future VR rehabilitation strategies that aim at maximizing functional outcomes and their retention.

Clinical Trial Registration—
This trial was not registered because it is a small clinical study that evaluates the feasibility of prototype devices.
Predictors and Clinical Features of Postoperative Hyperperfusion after Surgical Revascularization for Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Uchino Haruto , Kuroda Satoshi , Hirata Kenji , Shiga Tohru , Houkin Kiyohiro , Tamaki Nagara 
Published: August 2012

Background and Purpose—
Clinical features and pathophysiology of postoperative hyperperfusion in moyamoya disease are still unclear. This study was aimed to clarify the incidence and time course of postoperative hyperperfusion and to determine the independent predictors of postoperative hyperperfusion in moyamoya disease.

Methods—

This prospective study included 41 patients who underwent surgical revascularization for moyamoya disease. Using
15
O-gas positron emission tomography, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were quantified before surgery. Using single photon emission computed tomography, cerebral blood flow was serially measured just after surgery and on 2 and 7 days postsurgery. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to test the effect of multiple variables on postoperative hyperperfusion.

Results—

Postoperative hyperperfusion was observed in 29 (50.0%) of 58 operated hemispheres. The incidence of both radiological and symptomatic hyperperfusion was significantly higher in adult patients than in pediatric ones (
P
=0.026 and
P
=0.0037, respectively). Hyperperfusion just after surgery more often led to subsequent neurological deficits (
P
=0.033). A multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative cerebral blood volume increase was an independent predictor of both radiological and symptomatic hyperperfusion after surgery in adult moyamoya disease (OR, 6.6 and 12.3, respectively).

Conclusions—
Postoperative hyperperfusion after surgical revascularization is not rare in moyamoya disease. Adult patients with a cerebral blood volume increase may be at high risk for radiological and symptomatic hyperperfusion after surgery. Careful perioperative management would reduce surgical complications and improve long-term outcome in moyamoya disease.