bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a syngeneic mouse model of epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Quinn Bridget A , Xiao Fang , Bickel Laura , Martin Lainie , Hua Xiang , Klein-Szanto Andres , Connolly Denise C 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackgroundMost cases of ovarian cancer are epithelial in origin and diagnosed at advanced stage when the cancer is widely disseminated in the peritoneal cavity. The objective of this study was to establish an immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model of disseminated epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) to facilitate laboratory-based studies of ovarian tumor biology and preclinical therapeutic strategies.MethodsIndividual lines of TgMISIIR-TAgtransgenic mice were phenotypically characterized and backcrossed to inbred C57BL/6 mice. In addition to a previously described line of EOC-prone mice, two lines (TgMISIIR-TAg-Low) were isolated that express the oncogenic transgene, but have little or no susceptibility to tumor development. Independent murine ovarian carcinoma (MOVCAR) cell lines were established from the ascites of tumor-bearing C57BL/6 TgMISIIR-TAgtransgenic mice, characterized and tested for engraftment in the following recipient mice: 1) severe immunocompromised immunodeficient (SCID), 2) wild type C57BL/6, 3) oophorectomized tumor-prone C57BL/6 TgMISIIR-TAgtransgenic and 4) non-tumor prone C57BL/6 TgMISIIR-TAg-Lowtransgenic. Lastly, MOVCAR cells transduced with a luciferase reporter were implanted in TgMISIIR-TAg-Lowmice andin vivotumor growth monitored by non-invasive optical imaging.ResultsEngraftment of MOVCAR cells by i.p. injection resulted in the development of disseminated peritoneal carcinomatosis in SCID, but not wild type C57BL/6 mice. Oophorectomized tumor-prone TgMISIIR-TAgmice developed peritoneal carcinomas with high frequency, rendering them unsuitable as allograft recipients. Orthotopic or pseudo-orthotopic implantation of MOVCAR cells in TgMISIIR-TAg-Lowmice resulted in the development of disseminated peritoneal tumors, frequently accompanied by the production of malignant ascites. Tumors arising in the engrafted mice bore histopathological resemblance to human high-grade serous EOC and exhibited a similar pattern of peritoneal disease spread.ConclusionsA syngeneic mouse model of human EOC was created by pseudo-orthotopic and orthotopic implantation of MOVCAR cells in a susceptible inbred transgenic host. This immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model presents a flexible system that can be used to study the consequences of altered gene expression (e.g., by ectopic expression or RNA interference strategies) in an established MOVCAR tumor cell line within the ovarian tumor microenvironment and for the development and analysis of preclinical therapeutic agents including EOC vaccines and immunotherapeutic agents.
Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation in Patients With Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: Report From the Lymphoma Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Kyriakou Charalampia , Canals Carmen , Cornelissen Jan J. , Socié Gerard , Willemze Roel , Ifrah Norbert , Greinix Hildegard T. , Blaise Didier , Deconinck Eric , Ferrant Augustin , Schattenberg Anton , Harousseau Jean-Luc , Sureda Anna , Schmitz Norbert 
Published: October 2010

Purpose Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (alloSCT) is a curative therapeutic option for patients with low-grade lymphoid malignancies. Information regarding alloSCT in Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is limited. This study presents the long-term outcome of a large series of patients with WM treated with alloSCT. Patients and Methods A total of 86 patients received allograft by using either myeloablative (MAC; n = 37) or reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC; n = 49) regimens and were retrospectively studied. The median age was 49 years (range, 23 to 64 years); 47 patients had received three or more previous lines of therapy, and eight patients had experienced failure on a prior autologous stem-cell transplantation. A total of 59 patients (68.6%) had chemotherapy-sensitive disease at the time of alloSCT. Median follow-up of the surviving patients was 50 months (7 to 142 months). Results Nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 3 years was 33% for MAC and 23% for RIC. The overall response rate was 75.6%. The relapse rates (RRs) at 3 years were 11% for MAC and 25% for RIC. Fourteen patients received donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) for disease relapse. PFS and OS at 5 years were 56% and 62% for MAC and 49% and 64% for RIC, respectively. The occurrence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) was associated with a higher NRM and a lower RR, leading to an improvement in PFS. Conclusion alloSCT can induce durable remissions in a selected population of young and heavily pretreated patients with WM. The low RR, the achievement of additional disease responses after DLIs, and the lower RR in patients developing cGVHD suggest the existence of a clinically relevant graft-versus-WM effect.
Demographic parameters of Akodon montensis (Mammalia: Rodentia) in an Atlantic Forest remnant of Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Jordão Juliana Costa , Ramos Flavio Nunes , da Silva Vinícius Xavier 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Small mammals seem to be affected by edge effects, hence understanding the local dynamics of these populations is important to assess the risks to which they are exposed. The objective of this study was to compare population size, sex ratio and home range size of the rodent Akodon montensis (Cricetidae) between the edge and interior of an Atlantic Forest fragment in the dry (June-August) and rainy (December-February) seasons. The population was sampled using capture-mark-recapture methods and a spool-and-line device was used to map the movements. The population size was significantly higher in the rainy season relative to the dry season, and this pattern can be related to the higher food availability in this period, as observed in other studies. However, there was no difference in the number of individuals captured in the edge and interior. The home range size showed no significant differences between edge and interior and between males and females, although, in a general way, the females showed a greater home range size related to the males. The absence of differences between edge and interior could result from the small size of the remnants and extrapolation of edge conditions to the interior.
An Evaluation of Containership Registrations in Taiwan: Application of the Grey Relation Analysis Model
Authors: Lin Cheng-Wei , Chung Cheng-Chi , Yang Shih-Hao 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
To strengthen competitiveness, many shipowners have shifted their vessels’ registrations to open registers as flag of convenience (FOC) vessels. The tendency of flagging out in Taiwan is more serious. This paper adopts the analytic hierarchy process and grey relation analysis model to evaluate the relative attractiveness of different types of registers to containership corporations in Taiwan. The preferences of registry locations are also compared and analyzed. The study finds that the FOC locations of Panama and Liberia are the most preferred locations of vessel registrations for containership corporations in Taiwan, followed by the quasi-FOC locations of Singapore and Hong Kong. Other traditional maritime countries and Taiwan are the final options. Based on the findings of this study, some suggestions are proposed to the government as a reference in revising relevant shipping policies.
Surprising Fitness Consequences of GC-Biased Gene Conversion. II. Heterosis
Authors: Glémin Sylvain 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Heterosis is a widespread phenomenon corresponding to the increase in fitness following crosses between individuals from different populations or lines relative to their parents. Its genetic basis has been a topic of controversy since the early 20th century. The masking of recessive deleterious mutations in hybrids likely explains a substantial part of heterosis. The dynamics and consequences of these mutations have thus been studied in depth. Recently, it was suggested that GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC) might strongly affect the fate of deleterious mutations and may have significant fitness consequences. gBGC is a recombination-associated process mimicking selection in favor of G and C alleles, which can interfere with selection, for instance by increasing the frequency of GC deleterious mutations. I investigated how gBGC could affect the amount and genetic structure of heterosis through an analysis of the interaction between gBGC and selection in subdivided populations. To do so, I analyzed the infinite island model both by numerical computations and by analytical approximations. I showed that gBGC might have little impact on the total amount of heterosis but could greatly affect its genetic basis.
Neurocognitive and Endothelial Dysfunction in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Gozal David , Kheirandish-Gozal Leila , Bhattacharjee Rakesh , Spruyt Karen 
Published: October 2010

OBJECTIVE:
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with neurocognitive and endothelial dysfunction. However, it is unclear whether these 2 frequent morbidities of OSAS in children represent similar or different underlying pathophysiological processes, because they have never been concurrently assessed in children.

METHODS:
Consecutive children (ages 5–8 years) with polysomnographically based OSAS underwent cognitive battery evaluation (Differential Ability Scales and the NeuroPsychological Assessment Battery) and cuff-occlusion hyperemic tests for assessment of endothelial function. The presence of neurocognitive deficits (NC+) was defined on the basis of the presence of ≥2 abnormal cognitive test results. Endothelial dysfunction (ED+) was defined as a time to maximal postocclusive hyperemic response of ≥45 seconds (Tmax).

RESULTS:
Twenty-one control children and 87 children with OSAS completed both cognitive and endothelial tests. Of these children, 48 were NC+ and 50 had a Tmax of ≥45 seconds, and at least 80% of these children were in both groups. Conversely, among children in whom there was no presence of neurocognitive deficits (NC−), only 25.6% were ED+, whereas among those without endothelial dysfunction (ED−) only 21.6% were NC+. Furthermore, approximately one-third of the children with OSAS was NC− and ED−. Thus, findings on hyperemic vascular responses were highly predictive of neurocognitive status.

CONCLUSIONS:
Endothelial dysfunction and neurocognitive deficits are more likely to coexist than otherwise predicted from the frequency of each of these morbidities alone in pediatric OSAS. Thus, both of these morbid consequences may share similar pathogenetic mechanisms. Furthermore, a simple test such as the postocclusive hyperemic vascular response may help detect at-risk patients for neuropsychological deficits.
Relationship Between Bed Sharing and Breastfeeding: Longitudinal, Population-Based Analysis
Authors: Blair Peter S. , Heron Jon , Fleming Peter J. 
Published: October 2010

OBJECTIVES:
This is an investigation into the longitudinal patterns of bed sharing, the characteristics associated with those patterns, and the relationship with breastfeeding.

METHODS:
The study used prospective, population-based data from the United Kingdom to investigate nocturnal bed sharing at 5 time points from birth to 4 years of age. Of 14 062 live births, 7447 (53%) had data available for all time points.

RESULTS:
Latent class analysis identified 4 mutually exclusive groups, broadly described as nonsharers (66%), early bed sharers (only in infancy) (13%), late bed sharers (after the first year) (15%), and constant bed sharers (throughout the 4 years) (6%). The boy/girl ratio and the proportion of families of nonwhite ethnicity were slightly higher in all 3 bed-sharing groups, compared with the non–bed-sharing group. Higher maternal educational achievement and higher social class were positively associated with early bed sharing, negatively associated with late bed sharing, and not associated with constant bed sharing. The 3 bed-sharing patterns were related significantly to breastfeeding at 12 months (P &lt; .001), whether the families shared beds late (odds ratio: 1.72 [95% confidence interval: 1.36–2.18]), early (odds ratio: 2.36 [95% confidence interval: 1.87–2.97]), or for the whole period (odds ratio: 5.29 [95% confidence interval: 4.05–6.91]). The prevalence of breastfeeding was significantly higher among the groups that shared beds constantly or early for each of the first 15 months after birth.

CONCLUSIONS:
Advice on whether bed sharing should be discouraged needs to take into account the important relationship with breastfeeding.
Lifelong Learning: Fostering a Culture of Curiosity
Authors: Eason Toni 
Published: October 2010

Lifelong learning contributes to the development of knowledge and skill in nursing. A focus on continuous learning is necessary to remain current on trends, practices, and the newest treatments in the field of nursing. Creation of a culture where educational growth is supported and promoted is vital to advancement of the nursing profession. Nurses ‘satisfaction with their professional role can be further enhanced by demonstrated expertise through lifelong learning. Expertise in nursing is solidly founded on evidence-based practice. Research, education, and experience in nursing practice are linked to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning; both are essential to remaining well versed in health care service delivery. Facilitation and sharing of knowledge is considered to be a vital factor in security of the prosperity of modern societies. (Jensen, 2007)
Anthropometry and cardiovascular risk factors in women and offspring after pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kvehaugen Anne Stine , Andersen Lene Frost , Staff Anne Cathrine 
Published: October 2010

AbstractObjective. To explore whether there are any differences in cardiovascular risk factors, including anthropometrics, blood pressure and serum glucose between women and offspring after pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or diabetes mellitus, compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. Design. Longitudinal follow‐up of mother and child previously recruited to a pregnancy biobank in Norway. Setting. University hospital. Population. Women with a history of preeclampsia (n = 23), gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 12), diabetes mellitus type 1 (n = 11), or controls (n = 17), and their respective child were recruited 5–8 years after the index pregnancy. Methods. Anthropometrics and blood pressures were measured in mother and child. All non‐diabetic women underwent an oral glucose challenge test. Main outcome measures. Body mass index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, serum glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results. Women in the preeclampsia and diabetes mellitus groups had a slightly higher median systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), and were more often abdominally obese (waist circumference ≥88 cm) compared with controls (p < 0.05). A waist to hip ratio ≥0.85 was more common in the diabetes group compared to the controls (p < 0.01). Fasting serum glucose was higher in the gestational diabetes mellitus group (p < 0.05) compared to controls. A higher proportion of children of mothers with diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia were overweight or obese compared to controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions. This clinical study has identified several modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women and children 5–8 years after pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or diabetes mellitus. Potential intervention strategies could focus on life style alterations after delivery, with emphasis on weight management.
Short‐ and long‐term results of secondary anterior sphincteroplasty in 33 patients with obstetric injury
Authors: Johnson Egil , Carlsen Erik , Steen Thorbjørn B. , Backer Hjorthaug Jon O. , Eriksen Morten Tandberg , Johannessen Hans‐Olaf 
Published: October 2010

AbstractObjective. To study short‐ and long‐term improvement in obstetric anal incontinence after secondary overlapping sphincteroplasty and repeat repairs. Design. A prospective analysis based on incontinence scores and patient satisfaction. Setting. Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, a tertiary unit also dealing with sphincter repair. Population. Of 40 obstetric patients operated consecutively from February 1996 to April 2004, 33 (83%) patients with median age of 36 years were eligible for evaluation. Methods. Wexner's and St. Mark's incontinence score, clinical examination, anal ultrasonography and manometry, and neurophysiological examination when indicated. Patient satisfaction to treatment was recorded. The patients had anterior overlapping sphincteroplasty. Five had repeat operations, four sphincteroplasty and two post‐anal repair. Main outcome measures. Anal incontinence, patient satisfaction. Results. The 33 patients were examined after median 7 (range 2–62) months and 103 (62–162) months. Median incontinence scores preoperatively and after short‐ and long‐term follow‐up were 12 (5–20), 7 (5–20) (p < 0.01) and 9 (0–18) (p < 0.05), respectively. Three patients (9%) had normalized anal incontinence (score ≤1) after short‐ and long‐term follow‐up. Corresponding numbers for improved anal incontinence were 22 (67%) and 16 (49%), respectively. Improvement in incontinence scores and patients' satisfaction were concordant. Symptom duration (n = 7), pudendal neuropathy (n = 6), repeat repair (n = 5) and instrument delivery (n = 3) were associated with adverse outcome. Conclusions. Improvement in anal incontinence at short‐term follow‐up is attenuated at long‐term follow‐up. Stoma formation, sacral nerve stimulation and neo‐sphincter formation must be considered in compliant patients.
Dietary intake and physical activity in women and offspring after pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kvehaugen Anne Stine , Andersen Lene Frost , Staff Anne Cathrine 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWomen with a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) or preeclampsia (PE) in pregnancy run an increased risk of future cardiovascular associated diseases. Offspring of such pregnancies may possibly also have an altered risk in health status. Descriptive studies of dietary intake and physical activity in mother and children several years after pregnancies complicated by PE or DM are lacking. By the use of a simple questionnaire survey, we aimed at exploring whether there are any differences in these lifestyle factors between women and between offspring 5–8 years after PE (23 women–child pairs) or DM (23 women–child pairs) in pregnancy, compared to uncomplicated pregnancies (controls, 17 women–child pairs). Our data showed that women in the DM‐ and PE‐group were less physically active compared to controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), and more children in the control‐group followed the Norwegian fruit recommendations compared to children in the DM‐group (p < 0.01).
Characterization of oil and starch accumulation in tubers of Cyperus esculentus var. sativus (Cyperaceae): A novel model system to study oil reserves in nonseed tissues
Authors: Turesson Helle , Marttila Salla , Gustavsson Karl‐Erik , Hofvander Per , Olsson Marie E. , Bülow Leif , Stymne Sten , Carlsson Anders S. 
Published: October 2010

• Premise of the study: Storage oil (triacylglycerol) accumulates in tissues such as the embryo and endosperm of seeds and the fruit mesocarp, but seldom in underground organs. As a rare exception, cultivated variants of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) contain high amounts of both oil and starch in the mature tubers.• Methods: Biochemical analyses and light and electron microscopy were used to study the accumulation patterns of storage nutrients in developing nutsedge tubers.• Key results: During the initial phase of tuber development, the conducting rhizome tissue is transformed into a storage compartment, then massive storage reserves accumulate in the tuber. At the beginning of tuber development, a large sugar load coincided with the onset of starch accumulation. Oil accumulation started later, concomitant with a substantial drop in the sugar content. Initially, oil accumulated at a lower rate compared to starch, but the rate later increased; after 6 wk, oil made up 24% of tuber dry mass, while starch made up 32%. Protein concentration changed only a small amount throughout this development. Oil and starch accumulated in the same cells throughout the tubers in a sequential fashion during tuber development.• Conclusions: The developmental pattern in the build up of storage nutrients in the tubers highlights nutsedge as a novel model plant, having potential to significantly widen our understanding on how synthesis of storage reserves, and in particular oils, is regulated and directed in nonseed tissues such as tubers and roots.
IL-31 Receptor (IL-31RA) Knockout Mice Exhibit Elevated Responsiveness to Oncostatin M
Authors: Bilsborough Janine , Mudri Sherri , Chadwick Eric , Harder Brandon , Dillon Stacey R. 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
IL-31 signals through the heterodimeric receptor IL-31RA and oncostatin M receptor (OSMR), and has been linked with the development of atopic dermatitis, a Th2 cytokine-associated disease in humans. However, recent studies of IL-31RA knockout (KO) mice have suggested that IL-31 signaling may be required to negatively regulate Th2 type responses rather than exacerbate them. Because those studies were performed on genetically modified mice, we examined whether neutralizing IL-31 with a specific mAb would give similar results to IL-31RA KO mice in two Th2 cytokine-associated immune models. We report no difference in lymphocyte Th2-type cytokine production after Ag immunization between IL-31RA KO mice, mice treated with the IL-31 mAb, or control animals. Second, we tested whether the absence of the IL-31RA subunit in IL-31RA KO mice may allow for increased pairing of the OSMR subunit with another cytokine receptor, gp130, resulting in overrepresentation of the heterodimeric receptor for OSM and increased responsiveness to OSM protein. We found that intranasal OSM challenge of IL-31RA KO mice resulted in increased IL-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor production in the lung compared with wild-type littermate control animals. Moreover, PBS-challenged IL-31RA KO mice already had increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, which were further increased by OSM challenge. These data imply that IL-31RA–deficient mice produce increased levels of OSM-inducible cytokines during airway sensitization and challenge, which may be the driving force behind the apparent exacerbation of Th2-type inflammatory responses previously observed in these mice.