bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solitary solid renal mass: can we predict malignancy?
Authors: Violette Philippe , Abourbih Samuel , Szymanski Konrad M. , Tanguay Simon , Aprikian Armen , Matthews Keith , Brimo Fadi , Kassouf Wassim 
Published: May 2012

Study Type – Therapy (retrospective cohort)Level of Evidence 3aWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?It is known that the majority (80%) of solid renal masses are malignant. Most of the literature suggests that smaller tumour size is associated with a higher incidence of benign disease.We have confirmed that decreased tumour size is associated with benign disease, particularly for lesions <2 cm. Once radiologically apparent angiomyolipomas are excluded, the incidence of benign disease with small renal masses is lower than reported in the literature (11%). Furthermore, we have shown that small renal masses in females have a higher association with benign disease. Patient age and tumour location were not predictive of benign histology. We have also stratified our risks not only for benign disease but also for clinically indolent renal cancers to help physicians counsel patients with regard to managing these solid renal masses.OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical predictors of benign disease in patients with solitary solid renal masses.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Pathology reports of patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy at two hospitals from 1998 to 2008 were reviewed.
Only patients with solitary solid unilateral renal masses were included.
Predictors of malignancy risk were assessed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 592 patients with a mean (sd) age of 60 (13) years were included, 38% of whom were women. Radical and partial nephrectomy was performed in 66% and 34% of patients, respectively.
Renal masses were equally distributed on the right and left sides (49% vs 51%, P= 0.84). Masses were more commonly located in the upper and lower poles than in the mid pole (40.8% vs 38.7% vs 20.5%, respectively).
The mean tumour size was larger in patients who underwent radical compared with partial nephrectomy (6.8 cm vs 2.9 cm, P < 0.001). The rate of benign disease in our overall population was 9.5%.
On univariate and multivariate analysis, only a renal mass size <2 cm and female gender were predictive of benign disease. On further analysis the magnitude of this effect was found to be additive.
CONCLUSIONS
Renal masses <2 cm and female gender were associated with a higher probability of benign disease.
Patient age and tumour location were not predictive of benign disease.
Incomplete thermal ablation stimulates proliferation of residual renal carcinoma cells in a translational murine model
Authors: Kroeze Stephanie G.C. , van Melick Harm H.E. , Nijkamp Maarten W. , Kruse Fabian K. , Kruijssen Laura W.J. , van Diest Paul J. , Bosch J.L.H. Ruud , Jans Judith J.M. 
Published: May 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Thermal ablation influences the local tissue microenvironment. Several studies have reported that residual tumour cells may exhibit a more aggressive phenotype.This study shows that incomplete CA and RFA cause an increased proliferation and decreased apptosis of residual renal tumour cells. This may be caused by stimulatory factors such as hypoxia, HSPs and inflammatory cells.OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of incomplete thermal ablation vs partial nephrectomy (PN) on growth stimulation and cellular survival in renal tumours.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Renca renal tumours were transplanted under the renal capsule of mice (four to six mice/group) after which incomplete radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation (CA) or PN was performed.
At several time points after treatment, presence of cell proliferation, apoptosis, hypoxic areas, inflammatory factors and the heat‐shock proteins (HSPs) 70 and 90 were evaluated using immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS
At 2 h after thermal ablation residual tumour cells showed increased proliferation. This hyperproliferation was significantly stronger after RFA than CA (P < 0.05) and not present after PN.
Residual cells showed increased apoptosis after 2 h and decreased apoptosis from 2 days after thermal ablation. Apoptotic cells were significantly less evident at 3 days after RFA (P < 0.001).
Hypoxic areas and HSPs were increasingly present from 2 h up to 7 days after thermal ablation (P < 0.001).
Inflammatory cells infiltrated mainly the necrotic areas after thermal ablation, and their abundance peaked at 1 week after ablation (P < 0.05).
The increased cell growth was preceded by hypoxia and presence of HSPs.
CONCLUSIONS
CA and RFA result in an increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis of residual renal tumour cells.
This hyperproliferation may be caused by stimulatory factors, e.g. hypoxia, HSPs and inflammatory cells, and could facilitate recurrences of renal tumours after thermal ablation.
This study highlights the importance of achieving complete tumour destruction.
The Master of the Royal Mint: How Much Money did Isaac Newton Save Britain?
Authors: Belenkiy Ari 
Published: May 2012

SummaryFrom the extant statistical data, the paper reconstructs several episodes in the history of the Royal Mint during Isaac Newton’s tenure. We discuss four types of uncertainty that are embedded in the production of coins, extending Stephen Stigler’s work in several directions. The jury verdicts in trials of the pyx for 1696–1727 allow judgement on the impartiality of the jury at the trials. The verdicts, together with several remarks by Newton in his correspondence with the Treasury, allow us to estimate the standard deviation σ in weights of individual guineas coined before and during Newton’s Mastership. This parameter, in turn, permits us to estimate the amount of money that Newton saved Britain after he put a stop to the illegal practice by goldsmiths and bankers of culling heavy guineas from circulation and recoining them to their advantage; a conservative estimate of savings to the Crown is £41510, and possibly three times as much. The procedure by which Newton probably improved coinage gives historical insight on how important statistical notions—standard deviation and sampling—came to the forefront in practical matters: the former as a measure of variation of weights of coins, and the latter as a test of several coins to evaluate the quality of the entire population. Newton can be credited with the formal introduction of testing a small sample of coins, a pound in weight, in the trials of the pyx from 1707 onwards, effectively reducing the size of admissible error. Even Newton’s ‘cooling law’ could have been contrived for the purpose of reducing variation in the weight of coins during initial stages of the minting process. Three open questions are posed in the conclusion.
The impact of the various chemical and physical factors on the degradation rate of bronopol
Authors: Matczuk M. , Obarski N. , Mojski M. 
Published: May 2012

SynopsisBronopol (2‐bromo‐2‐nitropropane‐1,3‐diol) is used as preservative in cosmetic industry. Its main role in commercial products consists in protection of the cosmetic composition stability by inhibiting the development of micro‐organisms. Unfortunately, preservatives can also undergo the degradation processes. The aim of examinations was to prove that bronopol decomposes in aqueous solutions and storage conditions have a significance influence on its degradation rate. High‐performance liquid chromatography method (methanol/water with hydrochloric acid 5:95 v/v) with spectrophotometric detection (210 nm) was used for examining the decomposition rate of bronopol. The impact of chemical (addition of cosmetics components: citric acid and/or sodium dodecylsulfate) and physical (elevated and ambient temperature, sunlight or ultraviolet radiation and air access) factors has been elaborated. Bronopol decomposes most rapidly (independently on the sample surrounding conditions) when it is in solution with sodium dodecylsulfate, the inverse dependence is observed in the presence of two compounds – citric acid and sodium dodecylsulfate. Additionally, the elevated temperature causes the acceleration of decomposition. Bronopol degradation by‐products were also identified as methanol, formic acid, tris(hydroxymethyl)methane and 2‐bromo‐2‐nitroethanol.
The oligopeptide DT‐2 is a specific PKG I inhibitor only in vitro, not in living cells
Authors: Gambaryan Stepan , Butt Elke , Kobsar Anna , Geiger Joerg , Rukoyatkina Natalia , Parnova Rimma , Nikolaev Viacheslav O , Walter Ulrich 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE cGMP is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes including cardiac and smooth muscle contractility, aldosterone synthesis and inhibition of platelet activation. Intracellular effects cGMP are mediated by cGMP‐dependent PKs, cGMP‐regulated PDEs and cGMP‐gated ion channels. PKG inhibitors are widely used to discriminate PKG‐specific effects. They can be divided into cyclic nucleotide‐binding site inhibitors such as Rp‐phosphorothioate analogues (Rp‐cGMPS), ATP‐binding site inhibitors such as KT5823, and substrate binding site inhibitors represented by the recently described DT‐oligopeptides. As it has been shown that Rp‐cGMPS and KT5823 have numerous non‐specific effects, we analysed the pharmacological properties of the oligopeptide (D)‐DT‐2 described as a highly specific, membrane–permeable, PKG inhibitor.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Specificity and potency of (D)‐DT‐2 to inhibit PKG activity was evaluated using biochemical assays in vitro and by substrate phosphorylation analysis in various cell types including human platelets, rat mesangial cells and rat neonatal cardiomyocytes.KEY RESULTS Despite potent inhibition of PKGI in vitro, (D)‐DT‐2 lost specificity for PKG in cell homogenates and particularly in living cells, as demonstrated by phosphorylation of different substrates. Instead, (D)‐DT‐2 modulated activity of other kinases including ERK, p38, PKB and PKC, thereby inducing unpredicted and often opposing functional effects.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We conclude that DT‐oligopeptides, as other inhibitors, cannot be used to specifically inhibit PKG in intact cells. Therefore, no specific pharmacological PKG inhibitors are available, and reliable studies of PKG signalling can only be made by using RNA knockdown or genetic deletion methods.
Activation of PAC1 and VPAC receptor subtypes elicits differential physiological responses from sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the anaesthetized rat
Authors: Inglott Melissa A , Lerner Ethan A , Pilowsky Paul M , Farnham Melissa MJ 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) is an excitatory neuropeptide with central and peripheral cardiovascular actions. Intrathecal PACAP increases splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate, but not mean arterial pressure (MAP). We hypothesize that the three PACAP receptors (PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2) have different actions in central cardiovascular control, and that their summed effect results in the lack of MAP response observed following intrathecal PACAP injection.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of the PACAP receptors on baseline cardiovascular parameters were investigated using selective agonists and antagonists administered into the intrathecal space of urethane‐anaesthetized, vagotomized and artificially ventilated male Sprague‐Dawley rats.KEY RESULTS Selective activation of the PACAP receptors had different effects on MAP. When activated by maxadilan, PAC1 receptors increased MAP. The VPAC receptors decreased MAP when both were activated with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or when only VPAC1 receptors were activated. The PAC1 and VPAC2 receptor antagonist PACAP(6–38) had no cardiovascular effects, suggesting that PACAP is not tonically released.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS PACAP neurotransmission was not responsible for the moment‐to‐moment tonic regulation of central cardiovascular control mechanisms. Nevertheless, PACAP release within the spinal cord may have pleiotropic effects on sympathetic outflow depending on the postsynaptic receptor type. PAC1 and VPAC receptor subtypes produced opposing changes in blood pressure when activated by intrathecal PACAP‐38 in the anaesthetized Sprague‐Dawley rat, resulting in no net change in MAP.
Transfusion of cryopreserved human red blood cells into healthy humans is associated with rapid extravascular hemolysis without a proinflammatory cytokine response
Authors: Hult Andreas , Malm Christer , Oldenborg Per‐Arne 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of stored red blood cells (RBCs) can be associated with adverse side effects. Recent studies in mice transfused with stored RBCs showed that a strong proinflammatory cytokine storm was induced due to extravascular hemolysis already at 2 hours after transfusion. Therefore, we here investigated if transfusion of 2 units of cryopreserved autologous RBCs induced a proinflammatory response in healthy human volunteers.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two units of autologous RBCs, cryopreserved for 16 weeks, were transfused into 10 healthy human volunteers. Serum and blood samples taken at 2 hours before and at 2 and 48 hours after transfusion were analyzed for signs of extravascular hemolysis and the presence of proinflammatory cytokines.RESULTS: At 2 hours after transfusion, transferin‐bound serum iron, as well as transferin saturation and total bilirubin, were already significantly increased. These measures all returned back toward that in pretransfusion samples at 48 hours after transfusion. No increases in the production of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β, or tumor necrosis factor‐α were detected at any time point after transfusion.CONCLUSION: Although a significant level of extravascular hemolysis already occurred at 2 hours after transfusion of cryopreserved RBCs, there were no signs of proinflammatory cytokine production up to 48 hours after transfusion.
Optimizing megakaryocyte polyploidization by targeting multiple pathways of cytokinesis
Authors: Avanzi Mauro P. , Chen Amanda , He Wu , Mitchell W. Beau 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Large‐scale in vitro production of platelets (PLTs) from cord blood stem cells is one goal of stem cell research. One step toward this goal will be to produce polyploid megakaryocytes capable of releasing high numbers of PLTs. Megakaryocyte polyploidization requires distinct cytoskeletal and cellular mechanisms, including actin polymerization, myosin activation, microtubule formation, and increased DNA production. In this study we variably combined inhibition of these principal mechanisms of cytokinesis with the goal of driving polyploidization in megakaryocytes.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Megakaryocytes were derived from umbilical cord blood and cultured with reagents that inhibit distinct mechanisms of cytokinesis: Rho‐Rock inhibitor (RRI), Src inhibitor (SI), nicotinamide (NIC), aurora B inhibitor (ABI), and myosin light chain kinase inhibitor (MLCKI). Combinations of reagents were used to determine their interactions and to maximize megakaryocyte ploidy.RESULTS: Treatment with RRI, NIC, SI, and ABI, but not with MLCKI, increased the final ploidy and RRI was the most effective single reagent. RRI and MLCKI, both inhibitors of MLC activation, resulted in opposite ploidy outcomes. Combinations of reagents also increased ploidy and the use of NIC, SI, and ABI was as effective as RRI alone. Addition of MLCKI to NIC, SI, and ABI reached the highest level of polyploidization.CONCLUSION: Megakaryocyte polyploidization results from modulation of a combination of distinct cytokinesis pathways. Reagents targeting distinct cytoskeletal pathways produced additive effects in final megakaryocyte ploidy. The RRI, however, showed no additive effect but produced a high final ploidy due to overlapping inhibition of multiple cytokinesis pathways.
Small deletions within the RHD coding sequence: a report of two novel mutational events and a survey of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms
Authors: Chen Jian‐Min , Fichou Yann , Jamet Déborah , Dupont Isabelle , Cooper David N. , Le Maréchal Cédric , Férec Claude 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Some 270 variants in the RHD gene have so far been identified. Of these, approximately 6% (n = 17) are small (≤20 bp) deletions occurring within the gene's coding sequence. Fourteen of these small deletions disrupted the reading frame of the RHD gene, resulting almost invariably in a D– phenotype.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two subjects who displayed D phenotype ambiguity or a genotype‐phenotype discrepancy were referred to our laboratory for RHD genetic analysis. Hemizygosity for the most common 70‐kb RHD deletion was first determined in both subjects by long‐range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by PCR amplification and sequencing of all 10 exons of the RHD gene in the nondeleted allele individually.RESULTS: Two novel lesions in the RHD gene were identified on the nondeleted alleles, a 14‐bp frameshifting deletion within Exon 1 (i.e., c.29_42delGGCGCTGCCTGCCC) and an 11‐bp frameshifting deletion within Exon 3 (i.e., c.361_371delTTGTCGGTGCT), in Subjects 1 and 2, respectively.CONCLUSION: By reference to previously reported small deletions in the RHD gene, the 11‐bp deletion in Exon 3 may be safely regarded as a bona fide D– variant. Although the association of the 14‐bp deletion in Exon 1 with a weak D phenotype appears to be genuine, the underlying molecular mechanism still remains to be clarified. Evaluation of all known small RHD deletions points to slippage mutagenesis as the major underlying mutational mechanism. [Correction statement added after online publication 21‐May2012: The spelling of bona has been updated.]
Direct Coagulation Casting of Alumina Suspension by High Valence Counter Ions Using Ca(IO3)2 as Coagulating Agent
Authors: Xu Jie , Wen Ning , Li Hexin , Qi Fei , Xi Xiaoqing , Yang Jinlong 
Published: May 2012

A new direct coagulation casting of aqueous alumina suspension was developed via controlled release of high valence counter ions from calcium iodate with increase in the temperature from 55°C to 70°C. The influence of calcium iodate on the rheology of alumina suspension was investigated. A small amount of calcium iodate increased the viscosity of the concentrated alumina suspension at high temperature and finally transformed it into a wet‐coagulated body. The mechanism of coagulation is proposed such as that the solubility of calcium iodate increases with increase in temperature. The high valence Ca2+ ions diffuse into the double electrical layer of alumina particles surface through electrostatic attraction, reduces the zeta potential, hence decreases repulsive force between particles. Also reaction between Ca2+ and citrate leads to insufficient dispersant coverage on the particle surface. Both factors contribute to the coagulation of the suspension. The coagulation time was from 1 to 4 h by maintaining the temperature in the range of 55°C–70°C. The wet‐coagulated bodies prepared from 50 vol% alumina suspension showed a high compressive strength of 2.6–3.2 MPa with uniform microstructure. The relative density of sintered sample is 99.4% at 1550 °C for 2 h with perfect microstructure.
Vitamin D receptor, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 genes polymorphisms association with oral cancer risk and survival
Authors: Zeljic Katarina , Supic Gordana , Stamenkovic Radak Marina , Jovic Nebojsa , Kozomara Ruzica , Magic Zvonko 
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 779–787Background:  Genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) and genes involved in vitamin D metabolism pathway, CYP27B1 and CYP24B1, may affect individual susceptibility to oral squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between VDR, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 gene polymorphisms with oral cancer risk and survival.Methods:  Study cohort consisted of 110 patients with oral cancer and 122 healthy controls. The genotypes of the analysed genes were determined by PCR–RFLP or real‐time PCR method.Results:  The significant decrease of oral cancer risk was observed in individuals with heterozygote genotype of CYP24A1 gene (rs2296241) (odds ratio 0.281, P = 0.000) in comparison with wild type. Patients with VDR FokI ff wild type genotype had significantly worse overall survival (P = 0.012, log rank) compared with heterozygous and mutated genotype combined. A stratified analysis by the lymph node involvement and tumour stage showed that ff is associated with poor survival in groups with and without lymph node involvement (P = 0.025, P = 0.040, respectively) and in stage III tumours (P = 0.026). Multivariate Cox’s regression analysis revealed that VDR FokI could be considered an independent prognostic factor.Conclusion:  Our findings indicate that CYP24A1 gene polymorphism might have an influence on the susceptibility to oral cancer. VDR FokI polymorphism was associated with worse survival and could be considered as an independent prognostic marker.
No evidence of a trade‐off between drought and shade tolerance in seedlings of six coastal desert shrub species in north‐central Chile
Authors: Martínez‐Tillería Karina , Loayza Andrea P. , Sandquist Darren R. , Squeo Francisco A. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractQuestionIs there evidence of a trade‐off between drought and shade tolerance in coastal desert shrubs?LocationArid scrubland, Atacama desert, north‐central Chile.MethodsOne‐week‐old seedlings of six coastal desert shrub species (Centaurea chilensis,Encelia canescens,Flourensia thurifera,Pleocarphus revolutus,Senna cumingiiandHaplopappus parvifolius) were planted in the field under six treatment combinations: three light environments (low, intermediate and high radiation) and two water levels (natural rainfall (55.4 mm) and natural rainfall plus 100 mm irrigation). We quantified seedling survival for each species during 22 weeks, estimated relative growth rate, and examined how light and water affect whole‐plant responses, particularly specific leaf area, leaf mass ratio and root–shoot ratio.ResultsWe found species‐specific differences in the temporal pattern of mortality. Water and/or light levels affected seedling survival of all species, excludingC. chilensis. Relative growth rate (RGR) increased in low‐light conditions inC. chilensisandP. revolutus, but otherwise did not vary in response to differences in either light or water, independently or to their interaction. Across species, the effect of water on specific leaf area (SLA) was inconsistent, increasing both in drought conditions (C. chilensis) and in treatments with supplemental water (S. cumingii). Additionally,SLAtended to increase with decreasing light levels for most species (F. thurifera,H. parvifolius,C. chilensis). In our study, onlyF. thruriferaandC. chilensisshowed changes in leaf mass ratio (LMR) and only with respect to light levels; specifically,LMRtended to increase with decreasing light level. Biomass allocation was independent of light and water for all species exceptF. thurifera, which showed an increase in root biomass in drought conditions.ConclusionsOverall, we did not find evidence to support a trade‐off between drought and shade tolerance during early plant establishment. Our results suggest that water is the most important resource that limits recruitment in the coastal desert. Therefore, increased aridity in this system is likely to severely hinder seedling recruitment of the native coastal desert shrubs.