bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemoimmunotherapy With Fludarabine and Rituximab Produces Extended Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Long-Term Follow-Up of CALGB Study 9712
Authors: Woyach Jennifer A. , Ruppert Amy S. , Heerema Nyla A. , Peterson Bercedis L. , Gribben John G. , Morrison Vicki A. , Rai Kanti R. , Larson Richard A. , Byrd John C. 
Published: February 2011

Purpose The addition of rituximab to fludarabine-based regimens in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been shown to produce high response rates with extended remissions. The long-term follow-up of these regimens with respect to progression, survival, risk of secondary leukemia, and impact of genomic risk factors has been limited. Methods We report the long-term follow-up of the chemoimmunotherapy trial CALGB 9712 from the Cancer and Leukemia Group B, for which treatment regimen was previously reported, to examine end points of progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), impact of genomic features, and risk of therapy-related myeloid neoplasm (t-MN). Results A total of 104 patients were enrolled on this study and now have a median follow-up of 117 months (range, 66 to 131 months). The median OS was 85 months, and 71% of patients were alive at 5 years. The median PFS was 42 months, and 27% were progression free at 5 years. An estimated 13% remained free of progression at almost 10 years of follow-up. Multivariable models of PFS and OS showed that immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region mutational status was significant for both, whereas cytogenetic abnormalities were significant only for OS. No patient developed t-MN before relapse. Conclusion Long-term follow-up of CALGB 9712 demonstrates extended OS and PFS with fludarabine plus rituximab. Patients treated with fludarabine plus rituximab administered concurrently or sequentially have a low risk of t-MN. These long-term data support fludarabine plus rituximab as one acceptable first-line treatment for symptomatic patients with CLL.
Proposed Serum Cholesterol Reference Measurement Procedure by Gas Chromatography–Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Edwards Selvin H , Kimberly Mary M , Pyatt Susan D , Stribling Shelton L , Dobbin Kara D , Myers Gary L 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUNDOur purpose was to establish a mass spectrometry reference measurement procedure (RMP) for cholesterol to use in the CDC's standardization programs. We explored a gas chromatography–isotope dilution mass spectrometry (GC-IDMS) procedure using a multilevel standard calibration curve to quantify samples with varying cholesterol concentrations.METHODSWe calibrated the mass spectrometry instrument by isotope dilution with a pure primary standard reference material and an isotopically enriched cholesterol analog as the internal standard (IS). We diluted the serum samples with Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4, 0.05 mol/L, 0.25% Triton X-100) before analysis. We used 17 serum pools, 10 native samples, and 2 standard reference materials (SRMs). We compared the GC-IDMS measurements with the CDC's modified Abell–Levy–Brodie–Kendall (AK) RMP measurements and assessed method accuracy by analyzing 2 SRMs. We evaluated the procedure for lack of interference by analyzing serum spiked with a mixture of 7 sterols.RESULTSThe mean percent bias between the AK and the GC-IDMS RMP was 1.6% for all samples examined. The mean percent bias from NIST's RMP was 0.5% for the SRMs. The total %CVs for SRM 1951b levels I and II were 0.61 and 0.73%, respectively. We found that none of the sterols investigated interfered with the cholesterol measurement.CONCLUSIONSThe low imprecision, linear response, lack of interferences, and acceptable bias vs the NIST primary RMP qualifies this procedure as an RMP for determining serum cholesterol. The CDC will adopt and implement this GC-IDMS procedure for cholesterol standardization.
A beaded collar for dual micro GPS/VHF transmitter attachment to nutria
Authors: Haramis G. Michael , White Timothy S. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
We report on the development of an approximately 85-g beaded collar for dual micro GPS/VHF transmitter attachment to semi-aquatic nutria (Myocastor coypus). Prototype collars were tested on captive nutria and refined during field trials. Central to the design was novel use of the VHF transmitter antenna as a collar. A circular collar was formed by passing the 44-cm antenna cable through a pre-made hole in the transmitter, leaving an approximately 16-cm upright antenna. GPS units were mounted separately via a hole in the base of each unit. For good satellite contact, GPS units (∼28 g) were maintained at the nape of the neck by counterbalance of the heavier VHF transmitters (∼50 g) positioned under the neck. To reduce friction, we lined the collar with alternate-sized plastic and, later, more durable nylon beads. The final collar configuration was worn for approximately 1 month deployments with only minor neck abrasion; one collar was worn successfully for 5 months. Foot entanglement remained the greatest risk of injury from the collar. By fitting collars tightly, we reduced the incidence of foot entanglement to 2 of 33 deployments (6%). Successful GPS tracks were acquired on 29 of 33 deployments (88%).
ISOCORRAG International Atmospheric Exposure Program: Summary of Results
Authors: Knotkova Dagmar , Kreislova Katerina , Dean Sheldon W. 
Published: February 2011

Description
The largest collection of atmospheric corrosion and environmental data ever published in a single source!
Access the data collected over a 12-year exposure period carried out in Europe, North America, and Asia. Thirteen countries participated in the exposure program with a total of 53 exposure sites, including industrial, urban, rural, marine, and costal locations in temperate, tropical, and arctic zones. Included are tables showing the location of each site and the type of exposure.
This new ASTM publication provides the results from the ISO CORRAG Program and includes:
A meta-analysis of the associations between common variation in the PDE8B gene and thyroid hormone parameters, including assessment of longitudinal stability of associations over time and effect of thyroid hormone replacement
Authors: Taylor Peter N , Panicker Vijay , Sayers Adrian , Shields Beverley , Iqbal Ahmed , Bremner Alexandra P , Beilby John P , Leedman Peter J , Hattersley Andrew T , Vaidya Bijay , Frayling Timothy , Evans Jonathan , Tobias Jonathan H , Timpson Nicholas J , Walsh John P , Dayan Colin M 
Published: February 2011

ObjectiveCommon variants in PDE8B are associated with TSH but apparently without any effect on thyroid hormone levels that is difficult to explain. Furthermore, the stability of the association has not been examined in longitudinal studies or in patients on levothyroxine (l-T4).DesignTotally, four cohorts were used (n=2557): the Busselton Health Study (thyroid function measured on two occasions), DEPTH, EFSOCH (selective cohorts), and WATTS (individuals on l-T4).MethodsMeta-analysis to clarify associations between the rs4704397 single nucleotide polymorphism in PDE8B on TSH, tri-iodothyronine (T3), and T4 levels.ResultsMeta-analysis confirmed that genetic variation in PDE8B was associated with TSH (P=1.64×10−10 0.20 s.d./allele, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.142, 0.267) and identified a possible new association with free T4 (P=0.023, −0.07 s.d./allele, 95% CI −0.137, −0.01), no association was seen with free T3 (P=0.218). The association between PDE8B and TSH was similar in 1981 (0.14 s.d./allele, 95% CI 0.04, 0.238) and 1994 (0.20 s.d./allele, 95% CI 0.102, 0.300) and even more consistent between PDE8B and free T4 in 1981 (−0.068 s.d./allele, 95% CI −0.167, 0.031) and 1994 (−0.07 s.d./allele, 95% CI −0.170, 0.030). No associations were seen between PDE8B and thyroid hormone parameters in individuals on l-T4.ConclusionCommon genetic variation in PDE8B is associated with reciprocal changes in TSH and free T4 levels that are consistent over time and lost in individuals on l-T4. These findings identify a possible genetic marker reflecting variation in thyroid hormone output that will be of value in epidemiological studies and provides additional evidence that PDE8B is involved in TSH signaling in the thyroid.
Efficacy and safety of oral tolvaptan therapy in patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
Authors: Verbalis Joseph G , Adler Suzanne , Schrier Robert W , Berl Tomas , Zhao Qiong , Czerwiec Frank S , _ _ 
Published: February 2011

ObjectiveTolvaptan, an oral antagonist of the vasopressin V2receptor, has been found to improve hyponatremia in patients with mixed etiologies. This study analyzed a subgroup of patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tolvaptan in this group.Design and patientsHyponatremic patients in the SALT-1 and SALT-2 studies with a diagnosis of SIADH were identified based on clinical diagnosis by individual study investigators. Subjects were randomized to receive oral placebo (n=52) or tolvaptan 15 mg daily, with further titration to 30 and 60 mg daily, if necessary, based on the response of serum [Na+] (n=58).ResultsIn patients with SIADH, improvement in serum [Na+] was significantly greater (P<0.0001) with tolvaptan than placebo over the first 4 days of therapy as well as the entire 30-day study, with minimal side effects of increased thirst, dry mouth, and urination. Only 5.9% of tolvaptan-treated patients had overly rapid correction of hyponatremia as defined by current guidelines. After discontinuation of tolvaptan, serum [Na+] declined to values similar to placebo. A significant positive treatment effect favoring tolvaptan on the physical component, and a near-significant trend on the mental component, was found using the SF-12 Health Survey. Tolvaptan was associated with a significantly reduced incidence of fluid restriction.ConclusionsResults for the SIADH subgroup were analogous to those of the combined SALT population regarding efficacy and safety but demonstrated a greater improvement in the physical component of the SF-12 Health Survey than in the full mixed etiology SALT patient group.
Outcomes of a Universal Shared Reading Intervention by 2 Years of Age: The Let's Read Trial
Authors: Goldfeld Sharon , Napiza Natasha , Quach Jon , Reilly Sheena , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Wake Melissa 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:
Early shared reading and literacy promotion benefits have stimulated international interest in the development of early-years literacy-promotion programs despite limited evidence of effectiveness at a broader population level.

OBJECTIVE:
To determine whether a population-based primary care literacy promotion intervention during the first 2 years of life improves early markers of subsequent literacy by 2 years of age.

DESIGN AND METHODS:
This cluster randomized controlled trial took place in 5 relatively disadvantaged areas in Melbourne, Australia. Infants attending their maternal and child health centers were recruited at age 1–2 months. The intervention (4–8, 12, and 18 months) comprised maternal and child health nurses modelling shared reading activities to parents, supported by parent information and free books. Outcomes (at 2 years) included expressive vocabulary (MacArthur Bates Communicative Development Inventory), communication (Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales), and home literacy environment (StimQ-Toddler). We analyzed the outcomes using random-effects (linear regression) models allowing for clustering.

RESULTS:
A total of 552 families (87.6%; 324 intervention and 228 control families) of 630 recruited families (66.5% response) were retained to outcome. A total of 97.3% of intervention parents received some (93.7% to all) of the intervention. At 2 years, the trial arms had similar vocabulary (adjusted mean difference: −2.0 [95% confidence interval: −6.2 to 2.2]; P = .36), communication (adjusted mean difference: 0.2 [95% confidence interval: −2.3 to 2.7]; P = .87), and home literacy (adjusted mean difference: −0.4 [95% confidence interval: −1.0 to 0.2]; P = .21).

CONCLUSIONS:
This universal literacy-promotion program was not beneficial in relatively disadvantaged communities by the age of 2 years and may be ineffective. Alternative interpretations may relate to program intensity, reach and/or sleeper effects. Definitive outcomes at 4 years are awaited.
Literacy Promotion for Families Participating in the Women, Infants and Children Program
Authors: Whaley Shannon E. , Jiang Lu , Gomez Judy , Jenks Eloise 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE:
This article describes the impact of a bilingual literacy intervention conducted with nearly 118 000 children in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) sites in Los Angeles County, California.

METHODS:
All WIC participants at 6 WIC sites in Los Angeles County participated in the literacy intervention. Three cohorts of participants were selected to participate in the evaluation of the intervention. A control group of 200 families received no intervention, 103 families received 2 years of intervention, and 102 families received 4 years of intervention. Participants were predominantly Hispanic (92%), 3- to 4-year-old children and their parents. All families had low income levels, and more than one-half were Spanish-speaking. School readiness assessments were conducted with the children; parent literacy resources and activities at home were observed. Structural equation modeling was used to allow for simultaneous testing of relationships between variables.

RESULTS:
The Spanish-speaking subset showed a strong intervention effect. Among Spanish speakers, the 4-year intervention group (P &lt; .001) and the 2-year intervention group (P &lt; .05) had significantly higher school readiness scores, compared with the control group. The structural equation model revealed that exposure to the intervention significantly enhanced literacy resources and activities at home, which in turn led to greater school readiness.

CONCLUSION:
WIC-based literacy intervention significantly increased low-income, Spanish-speaking children's school readiness.
Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Authors: Seifert Sara M. , Schaechter Judith L. , Hershorin Eugene R. , Lipshultz Steven E. 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE:To review the effects, adverse consequences, and extent of energy drink consumption among children, adolescents, and young adults.METHODS:We searched PubMed and Google using “energy drink,” “sports drink,” “guarana,” “caffeine,” “taurine,” “ADHD,” “diabetes,” “children,” “adolescents,” “insulin,” “eating disorders,” and “poison control center” to identify articles related to energy drinks. Manufacturer Web sites were reviewed for product information.RESULTS:According to self-report surveys, energy drinks are consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults. Frequently containing high and unregulated amounts of caffeine, these drinks have been reported in association with serious adverse effects, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults with seizures, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, or mood and behavioral disorders or those who take certain medications. Of the 5448 US caffeine overdoses reported in 2007, 46% occurred in those younger than 19 years. Several countries and states have debated or restricted energy drink sales and advertising.CONCLUSIONS:Energy drinks have no therapeutic benefit, and many ingredients are understudied and not regulated. The known and unknown pharmacology of agents included in such drinks, combined with reports of toxicity, raises concern for potentially serious adverse effects in association with energy drink use. In the short-term, pediatricians need to be aware of the possible effects of energy drinks in vulnerable populations and screen for consumption to educate families. Long-term research should aim to understand the effects in at-risk populations. Toxicity surveillance should be improved, and regulations of energy drink sales and consumption should be based on appropriate research.
Assessment of the 4Ts Pretest Clinical Scoring System as a Predictor of Heparin‐Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Strutt Jaclyn K. , Mackey Jennifer E. , Johnson Stephen M. , Sylvia Lynne M. 
Published: February 2011

Study Objective. To evaluate the utility of the 4Ts clinical scoring system as a pretest probability method for the detection of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).Design. Prospective observational study.Setting. Medical and surgical inpatients at a tertiary care medical center.Patients. Eighty consecutive patients with suspicion of HIT who had a polyspecific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) performed between December 1, 2008, and April 1, 2009, for detection of platelet factor 4 (PF4)‐heparin antibodies.Measurements and Main Results. The predictive value of the 4Ts scoring system as determined by using a standard laboratory marker of HIT—the ELISA—and the interrater reliability of the scoring system were assessed. Sixty‐seven (84%) of the 80 patients had low clinical probability of HIT based on the calculated 4Ts score. The ELISA result was negative for PF4–heparin antibodies in 74 patients (93%). Based on the results of the ELISA, the negative predictive value of the 4Ts score was 91%. Each 4Ts score was calculated by two independent investigators and adjudicated by a third investigator when necessary. The interrater reliability of the scoring system was fair (Cohen K coefficient 0.362, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.222–0.502; weighted K coefficient 0.554 (95% CI 0.441–0.667). Determination of the timing of HIT was associated with the largest number of discrepancies (16) between evaluators, followed by other causes of thrombocytopenia (15), degree of decline in platelet count (14), and the presence of thrombosis or other sequelae (2).Conclusion. A low 4Ts score supports a low probability of HIT based on the results of the polyspecific ELISA. Overall, the interrater reliability of the scoring system was fair. Components of the 4Ts scoring system need to be further clarified or modified in order to improve interrater reliability and thereby increase the clinical utility of this pretest probability model.
The importance of quantifying propagule pressure to understand invasion: an examination of riparian forest invasibility
Authors: Eschtruth Anne K. , Battles John J. 
Published: February 2011

The widely held belief that riparian communities are highly invasible to exotic plants is based primarily on comparisons of the extent of invasion in riparian and upland communities. However, because differences in the extent of invasion may simply result from variation in propagule supply among recipient environments, true comparisons of invasibility require that both invasion success and propagule pressure are quantified. In this study, we quantified propagule pressure in order to compare the invasibility of riparian and upland forests and assess the accuracy of using a community's level of invasion as a surrogate for its invasibility.We found the extent of invasion to be a poor proxy for invasibility. The higher level of invasion in the studied riparian forests resulted from greater propagule availability rather than higher invasibility. Furthermore, failure to account for propagule pressure may confound our understanding of general invasion theories. Ecological theory suggests that species‐rich communities should be less invasible. However, we found significant relationships between species diversity and invasion extent, but no diversity–invasibility relationship was detected for any species. Our results demonstrate that using a community's level of invasion as a surrogate for its invasibility can confound our understanding of invasibility and its determinants.
Retinal Microglial Activation and Inflammation Induced by Amadori-Glycated Albumin in a Rat Model of Diabetes
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed S. , El-Remessy Azza B. , Matragoon Suraporn , Zhang Wenbo , Patel Yogin , Khan Sohail , Al-Gayyar Mohammed M. , El-Shishtawy Mamdouh M. , Liou Gregory I. 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE
During diabetes, retinal microglial cells are activated to release inflammatory cytokines that initiate neuronal loss and blood–retinal barrier breakdown seen in diabetic retinopathy (DR). The mechanism by which diabetes activates microglia to release those inflammatory mediators is unclear and was therefore elucidated.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Microglia activation was characterized in streptozocin-injected rats and in isolated microglial cells using immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot analyses.

RESULTS
In 8-week diabetic retina, phospho-extracellular signal–related kinase (ERK) and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases were localized in microglia, but not in Mueller cells or astrocytes. At the same time, Amadori-glycated albumin (AGA)-like epitopes were featured in the regions of microglia distribution, implicating a pathogenic effect on microglial activation. To test this, diabetic rats were treated intravitreally with A717, a specific AGA-neutralizing antibody, or murine IgG. Relative to nondiabetic rats, diabetic rats (IgG-treated) manifested 3.9- and 7.9-fold increases in Iba-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNAs, respectively. Treatment of diabetic rats with A717 significantly attenuated overexpression of these mRNAs. Intravitreal injection of AGA per se in normal rats resulted in increases of Iba-1 expression and TNF-α release. Guided by these results, a cultured retinal microglia model was developed to study microglial response after AGA treatment and the mechanistic basis behind this response. The results showed that formation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent activation of ERK and P38, but not Jun NH2-terminal kinase, are molecular events underpinning retinal microglial TNF-α release during AGA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS
These results provide new insights in understanding the pathogenesis of early DR, showing that the accumulated AGA within the diabetic retina elicits the microglial activation and secretion of TNF-α. Thus, intervention trials with agents that neutralize AGA effects may emerge as a new therapeutic approach to modulate early pathologic pathways long before the occurrence of vision loss among patients with diabetes.