bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Duration of European Wet and Dry Spells during the Last 60 Years
Authors: Zolina Olga , Simmer Clemens , Belyaev Konstantin , Gulev Sergey K. , Koltermann Peter 
Published: May 2012

AbstractDaily rain gauge data over Europe for the period from 1950 to 2009 were used to analyze changes in the duration of wet and dry spells. The duration of wet spells exhibits a statistically significant growth over northern Europe and central European Russia, which is especially pronounced in winter when the mean duration of wet periods increased by 15%–20%. In summer wet spells become shorter over Scandinavia and northern Russia. The duration of dry spells decreases over Scandinavia and southern Europe in both winter and summer. For the discrimination between the roles of a changing number of wet days and of a regrouping of wet and dry days for the duration of the period, the authors suggest a fractional truncated geometric distribution. The changing numbers of wet days cannot explain the long-term variability in the duration of wet and dry periods. The observed changes are mainly due to the regrouping of wet and dry days. The tendencies in duration of wet and dry spells have been analyzed for a number of European areas. Over the Netherlands both wet and dry periods are extended in length during the cold and the warm season. A simultaneous shortening of wet and dry periods is found in southern Scandinavia in summer. Over France and central southern Europe during both winter and summer and over the Scandinavian Atlantic coast in summer, opposite tendencies in the duration of wet and dry spells were identified. Potential mechanisms that might be responsible for the changing durations of wet and dry periods and further perspectives are discussed.
The relationship between health literacy, knowledge of health status, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS transmission among Ryan White clients in Miami
Authors: Mooss Angela , Brock-Getz Petra , Ladner Robert , Fiaño Theresa 
Published: May 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between health literacy, knowledge of health status, and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) transmission beliefs among recipients of Ryan White care. Design: Quota and convenience sampled, quantitative analysis captured with closed and open-ended interviews. Setting: Miami-Dade County health organizations in which Ryan White-funded medical case management services were offered. Method: A total of 694 clients were interviewed about their satisfaction with services they were receiving at the case management sites, and whether they received or read any educational materials about the HIV/AIDS virus and their health. Interviews also asked clients to complete the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, Short Form (REALM-SF), to give their viral load and cluster difference (CD) 4 counts, and about their beliefs regarding how HIV/AIDS is transmitted. Results: Most clients reported receiving and/or reading educational materials about HIV/AIDS; however, 42% of clients had a health literacy level below high school. More than one-third of clients were unable to give their CD4 count or viral load figure, and one-third also held incorrect beliefs about how the virus is transmitted. Additionally, health literacy was the only predictor of whether or not clients held incorrect transmission beliefs. Conclusion: These results highlight the need for case managers and other health service providers to screen clients for health literacy and communicate with their clients accordingly. Providers should be proactive with clients and utilize multiple approaches when presenting client health indicators and educational information to ensure the client not only can repeat the information, but that they also comprehend it.
Antihypertensive treatment in patients with class 3 obesity
Authors: Jordan Jens , Boye Sam W. , Breton Stephanie Le , Keefe Deborah L. , Engeli Stefan , Prescott Margaret Forney 
Published: May 2012

Background: Even though patients with class 3 obesity (body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m2) are prone to arterial hypertension and respond less to antihypertensive drugs, they are not considered in hypertension treatment guidelines and data from prospective clinical trials are lacking. Methods: In a post hoc analysis of a clinical trial, we compared patients with class 3 obesity with patients with class 1/2 obesity. Results and Conclusions: Blood pressure control in class 3 obesity was less likely to be achieved with hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy. While addition of amlodipine, irbesartan, or aliskiren to hydrochlorothiazide improved the blood pressure response, amlodipine was less effective and induced peripheral edema in 19% of patients with class 3 obesity.
Conservative mutations in the C2 domains of factor VIII and factor V alter phospholipid binding and cofactor activity
Authors: Gilbert Gary E. , Novakovic Valerie A. , Kaufman Randal J. , Miao Hongzhi , Pipe Steven W. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractFactor VIII and factor V share structural homology and bind to phospholipid membranes via tandem, lectin-like C domains. Their respective C2 domains bind via 2 pairs of hydrophobic amino acids and an amphipathic cluster. In contrast, the factor V-like, homologous subunit (Pt-FV) of a prothrombin activator from Pseudonaja textilis venom is reported to function without membrane binding. We hypothesized that the distinct membrane-interactive amino acids of these proteins contribute to the differing membrane-dependent properties. We prepared mutants in which the C2 domain hydrophobic amino acid pairs were changed to the homologous residues of the other protein and a factor V mutant with 5 amino acids changed to those from Pt-FV (FVMTTS/Y). Factor VIII mutants were active on additional membrane sites and had altered apparent affinities for factor X. Some factor V mutants, including FVMTTS/Y, had increased membrane interaction and apparent membrane-independent activity that was the result of phospholipid retained during purification. Phospholipid-free FVMTTS/Y showed increased activity, particularly a 10-fold increase in activity on membranes lacking phosphatidylserine. The reduced phosphatidylserine requirement correlated to increased activity on resting and stimulated platelets. We hypothesize that altered membrane binding contributes to toxicity of Pt-FV.
ERCC1 as a biomarker for bladder cancer patients likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Sun Jong-Mu , Sung Ji-Youn , Park Se Hoon , Kwon Ghee Young , Jeong Byong Chang , Seo Seong Il , Jeon Seong Soo , Lee Hyun Moo , Jo Jisuk , Choi Han Yong , Lim Ho Yeong 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
The role of adjuvant chemotherapy and the value of molecular biomarkers in bladder cancer have not been determined. We aimed to assess the predictive and prognostic values of excision repair cross-complementation 1 (ERCC1) in identifying appropriate patients who may potentially benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed on 93 patients with completely resected transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. ERCC1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ERCC1 expression was analyzed in 57 patients treated with adjuvant gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy and 36 who were not treated.

Results
Among 93 patients, ERCC1 expression was positive in 54 (58.1%) and negative in 39 (41.9%). ERCC1 positivity was significantly associated with longer survival (adjusted hazard ratio for death, 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.014-0.99; P = 0.049) in the group without adjuvant chemotherapy while ERCC1 positivity was associated with shorter survival among patients who have received adjuvant chemotherapy (adjusted hazard ratio for death, 2.64; 95% CI 1.01-6.85; P = 0.047). Therefore, clinical benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with ERCC1 negativity as measured by overall survival (test for interaction, P = 0.034) and by disease-free survival (test for interaction, P = 0.20).

Conclusions
Among patients with completely resected transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, those with ERCC1-negative tumors seemed to benefit more from adjuvant gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy than those with ERCC1-positive tumors. Future prospective, randomized studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
Effects of mechanical properties of polymer on ceramic-polymer composite thick films fabricated by aerosol deposition
Authors: Kwon Oh-Yun , Na Hyun-Jun , Kim Hyung-Jun , Lee Dong-Won , Nam Song-Min 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Two types of ceramic-polymer composite thick films were deposited on Cu substrates by an aerosol deposition process, and their properties were investigated to fabricate optimized ceramic-based polymer composite thick films for application onto integrated substrates with the advantage of plasticity. When polymers with different mechanical properties, such as polyimide (PI) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), are used as starting powders together with α-Al2O3 powder, two types of composite films are formed with different characteristics - surface morphologies, deposition rates, and crystallite size of α-Al2O3. Through the results of micro-Vickers hardness testing, it was confirmed that the mechanical properties of the polymer itself are associated with the performances of the ceramic-polymer composite films. To support and explain these results, the microstructures of the two types of polymer powders were observed after planetary milling and an additional modeling test was carried out. As a result, we could conclude that the PMMA powder is distorted by the impact of the Al2O3 powder, so that the resulting Al2O3-PMMA composite film had a very small amount of PMMA and a low deposition rate. In contrast, when using PI powder, the Al2O3-PI composite film had a high deposition rate due to the cracking of PI particles. Consequently, it was revealed that the mechanical properties of polymers have a considerable effect on the properties of the resulting ceramic-polymer composite thick films.
Simultaneous determination of five active compounds in chimonanthus nitens by double-development HPTLC and scanning densitometry
Authors: Zhou Bin , Tan Miao , Lu Jing-feng , Zhao Jing , Xie Ai-feng , Li Shao-ping 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background

Chimonanthus nitens (family Calycanthaceae), Shanlamei in Chinese, is an unique species in China. The extract of dried leaves of Chimonanthus nitens has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antitussive effects. Terpenes, coumarins, and flavonoids are usually regarded as the main active components. Therefore, simultaneous determination of these compounds is very important to control the quality of Chimonanthus nitens.

Results
A double-development TLC method was developed for simultaneous analysis of five compounds in Chimonanthus nitens. The chromatography was performed on silica gel 60 plate with chloroform-methanol (9∶1, v/v) and petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (10∶1, v/v) as mobile phase for twice development. Their characteristic TLC profiles were observed under UV light at 365 nm and the bands were then revealed by reaction with 1% vanillin-H2SO4 solution. Quantification of three monoterpenes was achieved by densitometry at 545 nm (β-caryophyllene) or 606 nm (cineole and linalool). Two coumarins (scopoletin and scoparone) were determined by densitometry at 340 nm with filter wavelength of 370 nm. The investigated compounds had good linearity (R
2 >0.99) within test ranges.

Conclusions
The developed double-development TLC method is helpful to control the quality of Chimonanthus nitens, which is simple and accurate.
C. elegans PAT-9 is a nuclear zinc finger protein critical for the assembly of muscle attachments
Authors: Liu Qian , Jones Takako I , Bachmann Rebecca A , Meghpara Mitchell , Rogowski Lauren , Williams Benjamin D , Jones Peter L 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background

Caenorhabditis elegans sarcomeres have been studied extensively utilizing both forward and reverse genetic techniques to provide insight into muscle development and the mechanisms behind muscle contraction. A previous genetic screen investigating early muscle development produced 13 independent mutant genes exhibiting a Pat (p aralyzed and a rrested elongation at the t wo-fold length of embryonic development) muscle phenotype. This study reports the identification and characterization of one of those genes, pat-9.

Results
Positional cloning, reverse genetics, and plasmid rescue experiments were used to identify the predicted C. elegans gene T27B1.2 (recently named ztf-19) as the pat-9 gene. Analysis of pat-9 showed it is expressed early in development and within body wall muscle lineages, consistent with a role in muscle development and producing a Pat phenotype. However, unlike most of the other known Pat gene family members, which encode structural components of muscle attachment sites, PAT-9 is an exclusively nuclear protein. Analysis of the predicted PAT-9 amino acid sequence identified one putative nuclear localization domain and three C2H2 zinc finger domains. Both immunocytochemistry and PAT-9::GFP fusion expression confirm that PAT-9 is primarily a nuclear protein and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments showed that PAT-9 is present on certain gene promoters.

Conclusions
We have shown that the T27B1.2 gene is pat-9. Considering the Pat-9 mutant phenotype shows severely disrupted muscle attachment sites despite PAT-9 being a nuclear zinc finger protein and not a structural component of muscle attachment sites, we propose that PAT-9 likely functions in the regulation of gene expression for some necessary structural or regulatory component(s) of the muscle attachment sites.
Impact of Cancer on Work and Education Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Parsons Helen M. , Harlan Linda C. , Lynch Charles F. , Hamilton Ann S. , Wu Xiao-Cheng , Kato Ikuko , Schwartz Stephen M. , Smith Ashley W. , Keel Gretchen , Keegan Theresa H.M. 
Published: May 2012

Purpose To examine the impact of cancer on work and education in a sample of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer. Patients and Methods By using the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Outcomes and Patient Experience Study (AYA HOPE)—a cohort of 463 recently diagnosed patients age 15 to 39 years with germ cell cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, sarcoma, and acute lymphocytic leukemia from participating Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registries—we evaluated factors associated with return to work/school after cancer diagnosis, a belief that cancer had a negative impact on plans for work/school, and reported problems with work/school after diagnosis by using descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and multivariate logistic regression. Results More than 72% (282 of 388) of patients working or in school full-time before diagnosis had returned to full-time work or school 15 to 35 months postdiagnosis compared with 34% (14 of 41) of previously part-time workers/students, 7% (one of 14) of homemakers, and 25% (five of 20) of unemployed/disabled patients (P < .001). Among full-time workers/students before diagnosis, patients who were uninsured (odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.67; no insurance v employer-/school-sponsored insurance) or quit working directly after diagnosis (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.37; quit v no change) were least likely to return. Very intensive cancer treatment and quitting work/school were associated with a belief that cancer negatively influenced plans for work/school. Finally, more than 50% of full-time workers/students reported problems with work/studies after diagnosis. Conclusion Although most AYA patients with cancer return to work after cancer, treatment intensity, not having insurance, and quitting work/school directly after diagnosis can influence work/educational outcomes. Future research should investigate underlying causes for these differences and best practices for effective transition of these cancer survivors to the workplace/school after treatment.
Decline in the Use of Anthracyclines for Breast Cancer
Authors: Giordano Sharon H. , Lin Yu-Li , Kuo Yong Fang , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Goodwin James S. 
Published: May 2012

Purpose To determine the patterns of use of anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment. Methods Claims from a 5% national Medicare sample and from a nationally representative claims database (Marketscan) from 1998 to 2009 were used. Patients with International Classification of Diseases (ICD), ninth revision, codes indicating breast cancer, ICD and Common Procedural Terminology codes indicating breast surgery, and claims for chemotherapy between 3 months before and 12 months after surgery comprised the study cohort. Chemotherapy was classified as anthracycline-based or taxane-based, and the percentages of use were calculated. Piecewise regression models were used to identify the inflection points in the rates of chemotherapy use. The effect of patient characteristics on receiving different types of chemotherapy was estimated by multivariable logistic regression models. Results A total of 4,458 patients were included in the Medicare cohort and 30,422 in the private insurance cohort. After 2005, a sharp increase in the use of taxane-based chemotherapy and a decline in anthracycline-based chemotherapy was seen. By 2008 in the Medicare cohort, 51% of patients received taxane-based and 32% received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. By the end of 2008, the majority of patients younger than 65 years were also receiving taxane-based chemotherapy. Patients younger than 35 years were less likely to be treated with a taxane-based regimen, whereas patients who underwent 21-gene recurrence score testing and those treated with trastuzumab were more likely to receive taxane-based chemotherapy. Conclusion The use of anthracycline-based chemotherapy has declined, and the majority of patients with breast cancer are instead receiving taxane-based chemotherapy. The potential impact on patient outcomes is unknown.
Addressing Spirituality Within the Care of Patients at the End of Life: Perspectives of Patients With Advanced Cancer, Oncologists, and Oncology Nurses
Authors: Phelps Andrea C. , Lauderdale Katharine E. , Alcorn Sara , Dillinger Jennifer , Balboni Michael T. , Van Wert Michael , VanderWeele Tyler J. , Balboni Tracy A. 
Published: May 2012

Purpose Attention to patients' religious and spiritual needs is included in national guidelines for quality end-of-life care, but little data exist to guide spiritual care. Patients and Methods The Religion and Spirituality in Cancer Care Study is a multi-institution, quantitative-qualitative study of 75 patients with advanced cancer and 339 cancer physicians and nurses. Patients underwent semistructured interviews, and care providers completed a Web-based survey exploring their perspectives on the routine provision of spiritual care by physicians and nurses. Theme extraction was performed following triangulated procedures of interdisciplinary analysis. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models assessed relationships between participants' characteristics and attitudes toward spiritual care. Results The majority of patients (77.9%), physicians (71.6%), and nurses (85.1%) believed that routine spiritual care would have a positive impact on patients. Only 25% of patients had previously received spiritual care. Among patients, prior spiritual care (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 14.65; 95% CI, 1.51 to 142.23), increasing education (AOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.49), and religious coping (AOR, 4.79; 95% CI, 1.40 to 16.42) were associated with favorable perceptions of spiritual care. Physicians held more negative perceptions of spiritual care than patients (P < .001) and nurses (P = .008). Qualitative analysis identified benefits of spiritual care, including supporting patients' emotional well-being and strengthening patient-provider relationships. Objections to spiritual care frequently related to professional role conflicts. Participants described ideal spiritual care to be individualized, voluntary, inclusive of chaplains/clergy, and based on assessing and supporting patient spirituality. Conclusion Most patients with advanced cancer, oncologists, and oncology nurses value spiritual care. Themes described provide an empirical basis for engaging spiritual issues within clinical care.
Atypical Melanocytic Proliferations and New Primary Melanomas in Patients With Advanced Melanoma Undergoing Selective BRAF Inhibition
Authors: Zimmer Lisa , Hillen Uwe , Livingstone Elisabeth , Lacouture Mario E. , Busam Klaus , Carvajal Richard D. , Egberts Friederike , Hauschild Axel , Kashani-Sabet Mohammed , Goldinger Simone M. , Dummer Reinhard , Long Georgina V. , McArthur Grant , Scherag André , Sucker Antje , Schadendorf Dirk 
Published: May 2012

Purpose Selective inhibition of mutant BRAF by using class I RAF inhibitors in patients with metastatic melanoma has resulted in impressive clinical activity. However, there is also evidence that RAF inhibitors might induce carcinogenesis or promote tumor progression via stimulation of MAPK signaling in RAF wild-type cells. We analyzed melanocytic lesions arising under class I RAF inhibitor treatment for dignity, specific genetic mutations, or expression of signal transduction molecules. Patients and Methods In all, 22 cutaneous melanocytic lesions that had either developed or considerably changed in morphology in 19 patients undergoing treatment with selective BRAF inhibitors for BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma at seven international melanoma centers within clinical trials in 2010 and 2011 were analyzed for mutations in BRAF and NRAS genes and immunohistologically assessed for expression of various signal transduction molecules in comparison with 22 common nevi of 21 patients with no history of BRAF inhibitor treatment. Results Twelve newly detected primary melanomas were confirmed in 11 patients within 27 weeks of selective BRAF blockade. In addition, 10 nevi developed of which nine were dysplastic. All melanocytic lesions were BRAF wild type. Explorations revealed that expression of cyclin D1 and pAKT was increased in newly developed primary melanomas compared with nevi (P = .01 and P = .03, respectively). There was no NRAS mutation in common nevi, but BRAF mutations were frequent. Conclusion Malignant melanocytic tumors might develop with increased frequency in patients treated with selective BRAF inhibitors supporting a mechanism of BRAF therapy–induced growth and tumorigenesis. Careful surveillance of melanocytic lesions in patients receiving class I RAF inhibitors seems warranted.