bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of nuclear factor κB and chemokine receptor CXCR4 co‐expression in patients with prostate cancer in the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 8610
Authors: Okera Meena , Bae Kyoungwha , Bernstein Eric , Cheng Liang , Lawton Colleen , Wolkov Harvey , Pollack Alan , Dicker Adam , Sandler Howard , Sweeney Christopher J. 
Published: December 2010

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Nuclear factor κB and CXCR4 are found in prostate cancer.The activation of NFκB may be able to be assessed for correlation of staining of NFκB subunits with staining of proteins products downstream of Nuclear Factor κB.OBJECTIVE

• To determine the frequency of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and the chemokine receptor CXCR4 co‐expression in prostate cancer specimens from men with locally advanced disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• Paraffin‐embedded samples from patients enrolled on the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 8610 trial underwent immunohistochemical staining for NFκB and CXCR4.

• The amount of NFκB and CXCR4 was scored by a ‘blinded’ pathologist for the percentage of cells stained (0–100%) and staining intensity (0–3 +).

• Cox proportional hazard models were used for overall survival and disease‐free survival to examine if NFκB and/or CXCR4 expression were associated with patient outcomes with and without adjustment for covariates.

RESULTS

• Available material and successful staining allowed NFκB and CXCR4 status to be determined for 55 and 63 patients, respectively.

• Both NFκB and CXCR4 status were available for 51 patients. Of these, 53% were 2/3 + for cytoplasmic NFκB staining and 56% were 2/3 + for CXCR4.

• In all, 18 of the 51 patients were 2/3 + for both NFκB and CXCR4 (P= 0.129). Ten of 11 patients with 3 + NFκB had 2/3 + CXCR4 (P= 0.004).

• In this small study, neither NFκB nor CXCR4 were associated with prostate cancer outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

• High NFκB expression is associated with CXCR4 expression and they are co‐expressed in about one third of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.

• Larger studies to accurately determine the frequency of co‐expression and prognostic utility of NFκB and CXCR4 alone and in combination are warranted.
The impact of surgical experience on total hospital charges for minimally invasive prostatectomy: a population‐based study
Authors: Budäus Lars , Abdollah Firas , Sun Maxine , Johal Rupinder , Morgan Monica , Thuret Rodolphe , Zorn Kevin C. , Lughezzani Giovanni , Isbarn Hendrik , Haese Alexander , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Montorsi Francesco , Perrotte Paul , Graefen Markus , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?Minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) for the treatment of localized prostate cancer has rapidly gained increasing popularity over time. The current report highlights the importance of high surgical experience in regards to lowering MIRP hospital charges.OBJECTIVE• To evaluate the relationship between surgical volume (SV) and total hospital charges in patients undergoing minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) for treatment of localized prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODS• Within the Florida Hospital Inpatient Datafile, 2666 men who were treated with MIRP for prostate cancer between 2002–2008 were identified.• The SV was defined in two ways: annual caseload (AC) and each surgeons experience (SE) defined as the total number of procedures performed since entering the study until the time of each MIRP.RESULTS• The mean and median charges were respectively 38 852 and 31 511 US Dollars. AC ranged from 1–171 and SE varied from 1–500. Overall, 75.7 to 94% of surgeons were in the lowest AC tertile and 27 to 66% of patients were operated by low AC tertile surgeons.• After stratification according to AC tertiles, median charges were 41 564; 33 395 and 26 608 US Dollar for respectively low intermediate and high AC tertile categories.• Multivariable logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations revealed that the probability of charges above the median was reduced by respectively 38 and 68% in patients operated by intermediate SE (17–76 MIRPs) or high SE tertile (≥77 MIRPs) surgeons vs. low SE tertile (≤16 MIRPs) surgeons.CONCLUSIONS• High surgical experience reduces MIRP total hospital charges.• Despite this observation, even in 2008, 82% of MIRP surgeons were in the lowest AC tertile and contributed to 32% of all MIRPs.
Ureterocalicostomy in children: 12 years experience in a single centre
Authors: Radford Anna R. , Thomas David F. M. , Subramaniam Ramnath 
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Since 1947 ureterocalicostomy has been a recognised option in the treatment of obstructive systems either as a primary or salvage procedure, however few series specific to the paediatric patient exist. This 12 year review of 13 cases at one tertiary centre demonstrates ureterocalicostomy to be a versatile, reliable means of relieving obstruction for a variety of indications; horseshoe kidney, recurrent PUJ obstruction and gross PUJ obstruction with unfavourable anatomy.OBJECTIVE

To document the outcome of ureterocalicostomy in children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The outcomes of 13 children who had undergone ureterocalicostomy consecutively under the care of two paediatric urologists between 1997 and 2009 were evaluated retrospectively.
Ureterocalicostomy was performed as the primary procedure in four children with horseshoe kidney and four children presenting with gross pelvi‐ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction.
In the remaining five children, it was performed as a secondary procedure for recurrent PUJ obstruction after previous pyeloplasty.
An open approach was employed in 12 patients, whereas, in one patient, it was performed by a laparoscopically‐assisted technique.

RESULTS

Mean age at operation was 9.3 years and the mean (range) duration of follow‐up was 2.6 (0.3–7.0) years. Twelve children (92%) experienced a good functional outcome following ureterocalicostomy, as defined by reduced dilatation and improved drainage on postoperative ultrasonography and/or isotope imaging.
However one child (8%) developed symptomatic anastomotic obstruction 5 months after primary ureterocalicostomy for obstruction in a horseshoe kidney. Surgical revision was successful, with good drainage, preservation of differential function and relief of symptoms on further follow‐up to 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Ureterocalicostomy provides a versatile and reliable means of relieving obstruction for a variety of indications, including horseshoe kidney, recurrent PUJ obstruction and gross PUJ obstruction with unfavourable anatomy.
Approximation of ureteric and caliceal urothelium and excision of renal parenchyma in the proximity to the anastomosis are the key steps for securing a satisfactory outcome.
A phase II study of the efficacy and safety of AMG 102 in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Schöffski Patrick , Garcia Jorge A. , Stadler Walter M. , Gil Thierry , Jonasch Eric , Tagawa Scott T. , Smitt Melanie , Yang Xinqun , Oliner Kelly S. , Anderson Abraham , Zhu Min , Kabbinavar Fairooz 
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?It is now recognized that all patients with mRCC will eventually become resistant to VEGF inhibition. Although existing level 1 evidence supports the use of second‐line therapy, the oral mTOR inhibitor Everolimus, recent data also indicates that sequential VEGF inhibition is an appropriate therapeutic manoeuver in this cohort of patients. Targeting the alternative signaling pathway of Hepatocyte growth factor/c‐met can lead to anti‐tumour activity in RCC. AMG‐102 is a fully human monoclonal antibody to HGF/SF that prevents HGF/SF from binding to c‐Met and blocks signaling pathways that drive tumour‐cell proliferation, migration, invasion and survival.It emphasizes the need to continue exploring new therapeutic targets in RCC.OBJECTIVE• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of single‐agent AMG 102, an investigational, fully human monoclonal antibody to hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).PATIENTS AND METHODS• This open‐label phase II study included patients ≥18 years old with histologically confirmed, advanced or metastatic RCC (mRCC) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 2. AMG 102 was administered i.v. at 10 or 20 mg/kg once every 2 weeks.• A two‐stage design was used at each dose level and the primary endpoint was objective best confirmed response (by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours) at any time.RESULTS• Sixty‐one patients with mRCC enrolled and received AMG 102 (40 at 10 mg/kg; 21 at 20 mg/kg). Overall, 70.5% were men, median age was 59 years (range, 39 to 84 years), and 92% had received previous anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. RCC histologies were: clear cell (75.4%), papillary (11.5%), chromophobe (4.9%) and unclassified (8.2%).• One confirmed partial response occurred at 10 mg/kg, maintained for over 2.5 years; 26 patients (43%) had stable disease, 10 (16%) for ≥32 weeks. The median profression‐free survival was 3.7 months at 10 mg/kg and 2.0 months at 20 mg/kg. The commonest adverse events were oedema (45.9%), fatigue (37.7%) and nausea (27.9%). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 33% of patients, the most common being oedema (9.8%).• Baseline levels of plasma HGF/SF and soluble c‐Met as well as archival‐tumour c‐Met did not correlate with measures of efficacy.CONCLUSION• Single‐agent AMG 102 was tolerable, but it is unclear if AMG 102 was growth inhibitory in this population of patients with mRCC.
An improved protein fold recognition with support vector machines
Authors: Chmielnicki Wiesław , Roterman‐Konieczna Irena , Stąpor Katarzyna 
Published: December 2010

AbstractPredicting the three‐dimensional structure (fold) of a protein is a key problem in molecular biology. It is also interesting issue for statistical methods recognition. In this paper a multi‐class support vector machine (SVM) classifier is used on a real world data set. The SVM is a binary classifier, but protein fold recognition is a multi‐class problem. So several new approaches to deal with this issue are presented including a modification of the well‐known one‐versus‐one strategy. However, in this strategy the number of different binary classifiers that must be trained is quickly increasing with the number of classes. The methods proposed in this paper show how this problem can be overcome.
Use of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy during pregnancy in patients with pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Ahmed A.R. , Gürcan H.M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground  Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of in vivo deposition of antibodies against cell surface antigens desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 2 in the epidermis.Objectives  To report the treatment outcomes in pregnant PV patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy.Methods  Eight patients with active disease during pregnancy were treated. Patients were treated with a dose of 2 g/kg/cycle. Seven patients were treated for 2 months on post‐partum basis. Main Outcome Measures were as follows: (i) pregnancy outcome; (ii) presence of neonatal pemphigus; (iii) post‐partum flare; (iv) effect of IVIg on present and future pregnancies; (v) immediate and long‐term side‐effects in the mother and child.Results  Patients ages ranged from 20 to 43 years (mean 29.6). All patients had severe and widespread disease involving the skin and multiple mucous membranes. Patients one to seven responded to IVIg therapy and did not have a post‐partum flare. Patient eight could not tolerate IVIg because of intense headaches and significant post‐partum flare. None of the neonates had pemphigus. Three patients who completed the IVIg protocol had normal second pregnancies. One patient who did not complete the protocol had a miscarriage during the second pregnancy. Since last observation, none of the patients have had a recurrence of the disease or another pregnancy.Conclusions  The data suggests that IVIg can be useful and safe in treating pregnant patients with PV. No long‐term adverse effects of IVIg in the mother or in the child were observed based on a long‐term follow‐up.
Why Institutional Overlap Matters: CSDP in the European Security Architecture
Authors: HOFMANN STÉPHANIE C. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe creation and continued existence of CSDP cannot be understood without reference to the institutional environment within which it is located. To explain its emergence and design, one needs to study the institutional architecture into which this additional institution emerged. Once institutional overlap exists, it becomes a crucial independent variable explaining not only the strategies that member states have at their disposal, but also the development of international institutions occupying the same policy domain as well as the impact on the policy field at large.
A comparison of symptoms after viewing text on a computer screen and hardcopy
Authors: Chu Christina , Rosenfield Mark , Portello Joan K , Benzoni Jaclyn A , Collier Juanita D 
Published: December 2010

Citation information: Chu C, Rosenfield M, Portello JK, Benzoni JA & Collier JD. A comparison of symptoms after viewing text on a computer screen and hardcopy. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 29–32.AbstractPurpose:  Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a complex of eye and vision problems experienced during or related to computer use. Ocular symptoms may include asthenopia, accommodative and vergence difficulties and dry eye. CVS occurs in up to 90% of computer workers, and given the almost universal use of these devices, it is important to identify whether these symptoms are specific to computer operation, or are simply a manifestation of performing a sustained near‐vision task.Method:  This study compared ocular symptoms immediately following a sustained near task. 30 young, visually‐normal subjects read text aloud either from a desktop computer screen or a printed hardcopy page at a viewing distance of 50 cm for a continuous 20 min period. Identical text was used in the two sessions, which was matched for size and contrast. Target viewing angle and luminance were similar for the two conditions. Immediately following completion of the reading task, subjects completed a written questionnaire asking about their level of ocular discomfort during the task.Results:  When comparing the computer and hardcopy conditions, significant differences in median symptom scores were reported with regard to blurred vision during the task (t = 147.0; p = 0.03) and the mean symptom score (t = 102.5; p = 0.04). In both cases, symptoms were higher during computer use.Conclusions:  Symptoms following sustained computer use were significantly worse than those reported after hard copy fixation under similar viewing conditions. A better understanding of the physiology underlying CVS is critical to allow more accurate diagnosis and treatment. This will allow practitioners to optimize visual comfort and efficiency during computer operation.
Single vision during ocular deviation in intermittent exotropia
Authors: Serrano‐Pedraza Ignacio , Clarke Michael P , Read Jenny CA 
Published: December 2010

Citation information: Serrano‐Pedraza I, Clarke MP & Read JCA. Single vision during ocular deviation in intermittent exotropia. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 45–55.AbstractIntermittent exotropia is a common oculomotor anomaly where one eye intermittently deviates outwards. Patients with this type of strabismus are often not aware of the exodeviation and do not usually experience diplopia. In this review, we discuss what is known about the cortical mechanisms which achieve single vision during exodeviation in this condition, and highlight some outstanding questions.
Who Believes the Hype? An Experimental Examination of How Language Affects Investor Judgments
Authors: HALES JEFFREY , KUANG XI (JASON) , VENKATARAMAN SHANKAR 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the effect of vivid language on investor judgments. Recent research finds that investor judgments are significantly influenced by disclosure tone (positive versus negative). Holding tone constant, we investigate investors’ reactions to vivid versus pallid information. Drawing on theories from psychology, we predict that investors will be sensitive to the differences between vivid and pallid language when the underlying information is preference inconsistent, but not when the information is preference consistent. Results of two experiments support our prediction. Vivid language significantly influences the judgment of investors who hold contrarian positions (i.e., short investors in a bull market and long investors in a bear market). Interestingly, vivid language has limited influence on the judgment of investors who hold positions consistent with the general tenor of the market. Our results provide evidence regarding when vividness matters and when it does not in financial contexts, thereby contributing to both psychology and a growing literature on disclosure tone in financial reporting. In addition, our results also speak to concerns raised by regulators and academics asserting that vivid language can inflate bubbles and incite panics.
Real Effects of Accounting Rules: Evidence from Multinational Firms’ Investment Location and Profit Repatriation Decisions
Authors: GRAHAM JOHN R. , HANLON MICHELLE , SHEVLIN TERRY 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTWe analyze survey responses from nearly 600 tax executives to better understand corporate decisions about real investment location and profit repatriation. Our evidence indicates that avoiding financial accounting income tax expense is as important as avoiding cash income taxes when corporations decide where to locate operations and whether to repatriate foreign earnings. This result is important in light of the recent research about whether financial accounting affects investment and in light of the decades of research on foreign investment that examines the role of cash income taxes but heretofore has not investigated the importance of financial reporting effects. Our analysis suggests that financial reporting is an important factor to be considered in the policy debates focused on bringing investment to the United States.
Motivation to Quit Smoking among Relatives of Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Butler Karen M. , Rayens Mary Kay , Zhang Mei , Hahn Ellen J. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors related to motivation to quit among smoking family members of lung cancer patients.Design and Sample: Relatives of multidisciplinary lung cancer clinic patients were recruited during family members' treatment. Participants (N=29) were primarily female and Caucasian.Measures: The items assessed included the effect of their relative's disease on motivation to quit, intent to quit in the next 6 months, stage of change, perceived risk from smoking, and attitudes about being approached about cessation.Results: Most indicated that their relative's disease had increased motivation to quit smoking (71%); 72% planned to quit within 6 months. One fourth (28%) were in precontemplation stage of change; 65% in contemplation; and 7% in preparation. The average perceived risk of developing lung cancer was 6.3. Two thirds were glad or very glad that someone had talked with them about quitting; 91% thought it was somewhat or very appropriate to talk about cessation with family members of lung cancer patients. Motivation to quit smoking was positively correlated with stage of change and perceived lung cancer risk.Conclusions: Public health nurses who interact with families of lung cancer patients may be able to promote cessation in an at‐risk group that is motivated to quit smoking.
Generation of neutrophil priming activity by cell‐containing blood components treated with pathogen reduction technology and stored in platelet additive solutions
Authors: Ambruso Daniel R. , Thurman Gail , Tran Khoa , Marschner Susanne , Gathof Birgit , Janetzko Karin , Goodrich Raymond P. 
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: Storage of cell‐containing blood components such as platelet concentrates (PCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) results in generation of biologically active compounds, many of which may be associated with adverse transfusion events. Priming of the neutrophil oxidase activity is a common characteristic of many of the biologically active compounds found in stored blood. We evaluated the priming activity of pathogen reduction technology (PRT)‐treated PCs stored in plasma or platelet additive solution (PAS) and PRT‐treated RBCs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PCs were collected with Trima or Amicus equipment and were PRT treated with the Mirasol PRT system or the Intercept Blood System. Some units were gamma irradiated. Products were stored in 100% plasma or 35% plasma plus PAS. RBCs were washed and PRT treated before storage. Samples were removed throughout storage and priming of the oxidase activity was measured.RESULTS: Platelets collected on Trima or Amicus equipment and stored in plasma or PAS demonstrated increasing priming activity during 5 to 7 days of storage. Gamma irradiation, but not PRT treatment with either technology, further enhanced this priming activity. Supernatants of RBCs stored for 42 days induced priming in untreated controls, but not in washed or Mirasol PRT–treated test products.CONCLUSION: Production of oxidase priming activity increased during storage in all blood products. No significant differences were associated with the collection method, storage in PAS, or PRT treatment. The generation of biologically active compounds, which may serve as an etiology for adverse events, appears to be independent of these processes for collection, storage, and pathogen reduction.
Inactivation of human white blood cells in platelet products after pathogen reduction technology treatment in comparison to gamma irradiation
Authors: Fast Loren D. , DiLeone Gilbert , Marschner Susanne 
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: During the transfusion of blood products, the transfer of allogeneic donor white blood cells (WBCs) can mediate adverse reactions in recipients. To minimize reactions, blood components are leukoreduced and/or exposed to gamma irradiation. Nucleic acid–targeted pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) processes are well suited for WBC inactivation. The Mirasol PRT system (CaridianBCT Biotechnologies) uses riboflavin and ultraviolet light to reduce the active pathogen load and inactivate residual WBCs in blood products used for transfusion. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of PRT treatment to gamma irradiation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: WBCs were resuspended in 100% plasma or in plasma containing 65% platelet additive solution (SSP+). A single product was split into three aliquots: control, PRT treatment, or gamma irradiation. After treatment, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from products, and cell viability and functionality were assessed in limiting dilution assays (LDAs), by CD69 expression, by proliferation, and by cytokine accumulation after lipopolysaccharide addition.RESULTS: PRT treatment and gamma irradiation reduced the ability of the T cells to proliferate by similar degrees as evidenced by a 6 log or greater reduction in the LDA and a lack of response to several stimuli. However, gamma‐irradiated T cells were still capable of up regulating surface CD69, inducing a proliferative response in allogeneic responder cells, and producing levels of proinflammatory cytokines similar to those of untreated control cells, responses that PRT‐treated T cells were incapable of mediating.CONCLUSIONS: These in vitro results demonstrate that PRT treatment is more effective than gamma irradiation at abrogating selected WBC immune functions.