bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mapping a Region of Hepatitis C Virus E2 That Is Responsible for Escape from Neutralizing Antibodies and a Core CD81-Binding Region That Does Not Tolerate Neutralization Escape Mutations
Authors: Keck Zhen-Yong , Saha Anasuya , Xia Jinming , Wang Yong , Lau Patrick , Krey Thomas , Rey Felix A. , Foung Steven K. H. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
Understanding the interaction between broadly neutralizing antibodies and their epitopes provides a basis for the rational design of a preventive hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine. CBH-2, HC-11, and HC-1 are representatives of antibodies to overlapping epitopes on E2 that mediate neutralization by blocking virus binding to CD81. To obtain insights into escape mechanisms, infectious cell culture virus, 2a HCVcc, was propagated under increasing concentrations of a neutralizing antibody to isolate escape mutants. Three escape patterns were observed with these antibodies. First, CBH-2 escape mutants that contained mutations at D431G or A439E, which did not compromise viral fitness, were isolated. Second, under the selective pressure of HC-11, escape mutations progressed from a single L438F substitution at a low antibody concentration to double substitutions, L438F and N434D or L438F and T435A, at higher antibody concentrations. Escape from HC-11 was associated with a loss of viral fitness. An HCV pseudoparticle (HCVpp) containing the L438F mutation bound to CD81 half as efficiently as did wild-type (wt) HCVpp. Third, for HC-1, the antibody at a critical concentration completely suppressed viral replication and generated no escape mutants. Epitope mapping revealed contact residues for CBH-2 and HC-11 in two regions of the E2 glycoprotein, amino acids (aa) 425 to 443 and aa 529 to 535. Interestingly, contact residues for HC-1 were identified only in the region encompassing aa 529 to 535 and not in aa 425 to 443. Taken together, these findings point to a region of variability, aa 425 to 443, that is responsible primarily for viral escape from neutralization, with or without compromising viral fitness. Moreover, the region aa 529 to 535 is a core CD81 binding region that does not tolerate neutralization escape mutations.
Trends in home smoking bans in the USA, 1995–2007: prevalence, discrepancies and disparities
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Martinez-Donate Ana P , Kuo Daphne , Jones Nathan R , Palmersheim Karen A 
Published: August 2011

BackgroundHome smoking bans significantly reduce the likelihood of secondhand smoke exposure among children and non-smoking adults. The purpose of this study was to examine national trends in (1) the adoption of home smoking bans, (2) discrepancies in parental smoking ban reports and (3) household and parental correlates of home smoking bans among households with underage children from 1995 to 2007.MethodsThe authors used data from the 1995–1996, 1998–1999, 2001–2002, 2003 and 2006–2007 Tobacco Use Supplement of the US Current Population Survey to estimate prevalence rates and logistic regression models of parental smoking ban reports by survey period.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of a complete home smoking bans increased from 58.1% to 83.8% (p<0.01), while discrepancies in parental reports decreased from 12.5% to 4.6% (p<0.01) from 1995 to 2007. Households with single parent, low income, one or two current smokers, parents with less than a college education or without infants were consistently less likely to report a home smoking ban over this period (p<0.05).ConclusionsDespite general improvements in the adoption of home smoking bans and a reduction on parental discrepancies, disparities in the level of protection from secondhand smoke have persisted over time. Children living in households with single parents, low income, current smoker parents, less educated parents or without infants are less likely to be protected by a home smoking ban. These groups are in need of interventions promoting the adoption of home smoking bans to reduce disparities in tobacco-related diseases.
Thrombotic Microangiopathy with Targeted Cancer Agents
Authors: Blake-Haskins John A. , Lechleider Robert J. , Kreitman Robert J. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) are clinically similar disorders characterized by microvascular thrombosis, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and end-organ damage. Although they may present with overlapping symptoms, multiple etiologies have been proposed for these thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA). Chemotherapy-induced TMA, which has been described with the use of mitomycin, gemcitabine, and other drugs, has a poor prognosis. Recently, reports of TMA associated with targeted cancer agents have surfaced in the literature. We discuss the clinical presentation, outcome, and etiology of TMA reported with the use of immunotoxins, monoclonal antibodies, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. A search of PubMed and meeting abstracts was conducted for cases of TMA with the use of targeted cancer agents. The defining symptoms, laboratory values, time to onset, and patient outcomes were compiled. Consistent definitions of TMA and grading of severity in these cases are lacking. However, presentation of TMA in these cases revealed the importance of monitoring for renal toxicity, hemolysis, and thrombocytopenia. Patient outcomes seem to differ from those seen in cases of chemotherapy-induced TMA and may reflect a different underlying etiology. Little is known about the pathogenesis of TMA with targeted cancer agents. In contrast to chemotherapy-induced TMA, partial to full reversibility may be a common outcome. However, further research is warranted into optimal management of patients diagnosed with TMA following treatment with targeted agents. Clin Cancer Res; 17(18); 5858–66. ©2011 AACR.
C-reactive Protein and Risk of Colorectal Adenoma According to Celecoxib Treatment
Authors: Chan Andrew T. , Sima Camelia S. , Zauber Ann G. , Ridker Paul M. , Hawk Ernest T. , Bertagnolli Monica M. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Inflammation, as measured by the circulating inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), has been associated with cardiovascular disease. However, data about CRP and risk of colorectal cancer have been conflicting. The Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) trial showed that the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib prevents recurrence of colorectal adenoma but increases risk of cardiovascular events. We examined whether serum hsCRP modified these results. We measured hsCRP from serum specimens provided at study entry by patients enrolled in the APC trial. Patients were stratified according to use of low-dose aspirin, randomized to receive 3 years of treatment with placebo, 200-mg-bid celecoxib, or 400-mg-bid celecoxib, and underwent follow-up colonoscopies at years 1 and 3. Among 1,680 patients, the estimated 3-year cumulative incidence of adenoma was 42% for patients with hsCRP &lt;1 mg/L, compared with 43% [relative risk (RR) = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.85–1.22] for hsCRP 1–3 mg/L, and 41% (RR = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.90–1.34) for hsCRP &gt;3 mg/L. The effect of celecoxib on adenoma recurrence did not vary among patients with high (&gt;3 mg/L) compared with low (≤3 mg/L) hsCRP. However, among patients with high hsCRP, the RR of cardiovascular events compared with placebo was 2.27 (95% CI = 0.72–7.14) for those randomized to celecoxib 200-mg-bid and 3.28 (95% CI = 1.09–9.91) for 400-mg-bid. In contrast, among patients with low hsCRP, the corresponding RRs were 0.99 (95% CI = 0.53–1.83) and 1.11 (95% CI = 0.61–2.02). hsCRP may predict risk of celecoxib-associated cardiovascular toxicity but not adenoma recurrence or celecoxib treatment efficacy. Patients with low hsCRP may be a subgroup with a favorable risk-benefit profile for celecoxib chemoprevention. Cancer Prev Res; 4(8); 1172–80. ©2011 AACR.
Targeting the HER/EGFR/ErbB Family to Prevent Breast Cancer
Authors: Howe Louise R. , Brown Powel H. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Preventing breast cancer is possible with selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators and aromatase inhibitors, which reduce the risk of invasive disease by up to 65% (up to 73% for ER-positive and no effect for ER-negative cancer) and the risk of preinvasive disease [ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)] by up to 50%. Clearly, approaches for preventing ER-negative, and increased prevention of ER-positive breast cancers would benefit public health. A growing body of work (including recent preclinical and clinical data) support targeting the HER family [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), or human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 1 or ErbB1) and HER2, HER3, and HER4] for preventing ER-negative and possibly ER-positive breast cancer. Preclinical studies of HER family–targeting drugs in mammary neoplasia show suppression of (i) ER-negative tumors in HER2-overexpressing mouse strains, (ii) ER-negative tumors in mutant Brca1/p53+/− mice, and (iii) ER-positive tumors in the methylnitrosourea (MNU) rat model; tumors arising in both the MNU and mutant Brca1/p53+/− models lack HER2 overexpression. Clinical trials include a recent placebo-controlled phase IIb presurgical trial of the dual EGFR HER2 inhibitor lapatinib that suppressed growth of breast premalignancy [including atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and DCIS] and invasive cancer in patients with early-stage, HER2-overexpressing or -amplified breast cancer. These results suggest that lapatinib can clinically suppress the progression of ADH and DCIS to invasive breast cancer, an effect previously observed in a mouse model of HER2-overexpressing, ER-negative mammary cancer. The preclinical and clinical signals provide a compelling rationale for testing HER-targeting drugs for breast cancer prevention in women at moderate-to-high risk, leading perhaps to combinations that prevent ER-negative and ER-positive breast cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 4(8); 1149–57. ©2011 AACR.
Inflammatory neurological disease in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors
Authors: Solomon Andrew J , Spain Rebecca I , Kruer Michael C , Bourdette Dennis 
Published: August 2011

Background: TNF alpha inhibitor (TNFAI) therapy has been associated with inflammatory neurological syndromes. Objectives: To present 10 new cases of TNFAI associated neurological disease and a review of the literature. Methods: The design and methods were based on case series collected from Oregon Health & Sciences University and the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Portland, Oregon and PubMed review. Results: We describe eight demyelinating central nervous system syndromes and two peripheral nervous system syndromes associated with TNFAI therapy. Characteristics from these cases are analyzed with data from 141 additional cases from the literature. Onset was between the ages of 36 and 65 years in 84% of CNS cases, distinguishing TNFAI-associated disease from sporadic multiple sclerosis. Symptoms occurred within one year of TNFAI therapy in 71%. Etanercept therapy was reported in the majority of cases of CNS syndromes and infliximab therapy in the majority of neuromuscular syndromes. Significant disability remained in 67% of cases although 82% had been followed for less than one year. Conclusions: Our case series and literature review demonstrates an association between TNFAI therapy and inflammatory neurological disease. While a causal relationship is suggested, this remains uncertain. TNFAI-associated neurological syndromes are associated with significant disability and longer follow-up is needed to better determine natural history and evaluate appropriate treatment interventions.
Voice, power and discourse: Experiences of participants in family group conferences in the context of child protection
Authors: Ney Tara , Stoltz Jo-Anne , Maloney Maureen 
Published: August 2011

• Summary: The purpose of this article is to explore the tensions that emerge when two very different discourses – the ‘democratic’, participatory discourse of FGC and the legalistic, bureaucratized discourse of conventional child welfare practice – attempt to integrate. We present the findings of a qualitative study, where we conducted 74 interviews, involving 26 adult family members/caregivers (three youth); six child protection workers; and three FGC coordinators. By listening to the voices of participants, we explore the complexities and tensions that exist at the nexus of (at least) two competing discourses, when the FGC process takes place within the child protection bureaucratic structure. • Findings: Our findings show how participants’ voices were co-opted by the more forceful child protection discourse, itself shaped by legal, bureaucratized, and neoliberal discourses. This research shows how in each case participants’ experience of power was subjugated, even though, in each instance, the case was perceived to have had a successful outcome by the social worker and FGC coordinator. • Applications: If those involved in administering and delivering family group conferencing continue to at least be aware of how power operates in this context, then the possibility exists to realize FGC's broader social justice and transformative goals. Further, a reflective practice ( Schön, 1991 ) can mitigate the possibility of cooptation from particular bureaucratic, legal, and neoliberal discourses which dominate at different times, and which are incompatible with the inherent values and objectives of the FGC.
Altruism among participants in cancer clinical trials
Authors: Truong Tony H , Weeks Jane C , Cook E Francis , Joffe Steven 
Published: August 2011

Background Patients’ motivations for participation in cancer clinical trials are incompletely understood. Even less is known about the factors that influence participants’ motivations for enrolling in trials. Purpose We studied the reasons why adult patients and parents of pediatric patients agree to participate in cancer trials. We focused on the role of altruism across all phases of trial. Methods We surveyed adult patients and parents of pediatric patients participating in phase I, II, or III cancer clinical trials. We asked respondents why they agreed to enroll, and examined correlates of altruistic motivation using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Among 205 adults and 48 parents of children participating in cancer trials, 47% reported that altruistic motivations were ‘very important’ to their decisions to enroll. In multivariate analysis with phase III trial participants as the reference group, phase I trial participants least often identified altruism as a ‘very important’ motivation for enrolling (phase I OR 0.4, 95% CI (confidence interval) 0.2–0.8; phase II OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5–1.5, overall P = 0.017). Thirty-three respondents (13%) reported being motivated primarily by altruism. In multivariate analysis, participants with poor prognoses—defined as an expected 5-year disease-free survival of ≤10%—reported altruism as their primary motivation less often than those with better prognoses (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.5, P = 0.001). Altruistic motivations did not differ between adult patients and parents of pediatric participants. Limitations The data are derived from related academic medical centers in one city, and the study sample reflects limited sociodemographic diversity, thereby limiting generalizability to other settings. Conclusions Although cancer trial participants commonly report that altruism contributed to their decision to enroll, it is rarely their primary motivation for study participation. Participants in early phase trials and those with poor prognoses are least often motivated by altruism.
Matched-pair analysis of patients with female and male breast cancer: a comparative analysis
Authors: Foerster Robert , Foerster Frank G , Wulff Volkhard , Schubotz Birgit , Baaske Dieter , Wolfgarten Matthias , Kuhn Walther C , Rudlowski Christian 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundMale breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease accounting for approximately 1% of all breast carcinomas. Presently treatment recommendations are derived from the standards for female breast cancer. However, those approaches might be inadequate because of distinct gender specific differences in tumor biology of breast cancer. This study was planned in order to contrast potential differences between female and male breast cancer in both tumor biological behavior and clinical management.MethodsMBC diagnosed between 1995-2007 (region Chemnitz/Zwickau, Saxony, Germany) was retrospectively analyzed. Tumor characteristics, treatment and follow-up of the patients were documented. In order to highlight potential differences each MBC was matched with a female counterpart (FBC) that showed accordance in at least eight tumor characteristics (year of diagnosis, age, tumor stage, nodal status, grade, estrogen- and progesterone receptors, HER2 status).Results108 male/female matched-pairs were available for survival analyses. In our study men and women with breast cancer had similar disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival. The 5-years DFS was 53.4% (95% CI, range 54.1-66.3) in men respectively 62.6% (95% CI, 63.5-75.3) in women (p > 0.05). The 5-years OS was 71.4% (95% CI, 62.1-72.7%) and 70.3% (95% CI, 32.6-49.6) in women (p > 0.05). In males DFS analyses revealed progesterone receptor expression as the only prognostic relevant factor (p = 0.006). In multivariate analyses for OS both advanced tumor size (p = 0.01) and a lack of progesterone receptor expression were correlated (p = 0.01) with poor patients outcome in MBC.ConclusionOur comparative study revealed no survival differences between male and female breast cancer patients and gives evidence that gender is no predictor for survival in breast cancer. This was shown despite of significant gender specific differences in terms of frequency and intensity of systemic therapy in favor to female breast cancer.
Lower Risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Pituitary Growth Hormone Recipients Initiating Treatment after 1977
Authors: Abrams Joseph Y. , Schonberger Lawrence B. , Belay Ermias D. , Maddox Ryan A. , Leschek Ellen W. , Mills James L. , Wysowski Diane K. , Fradkin Judith E. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Context:
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) caused by contaminated cadaveric pituitary-derived human GH (hGH) has been responsible for hundreds of deaths worldwide. Studies of U.S. National Hormone and Pituitary Program (NHPP) hGH recipients have found CJD only in patients treated before 1977, when a new purification procedure with column chromatography was implemented for hGH extraction.

Objective:
Our objective was to provide updated information on transmission of CJD to NHPP hGH recipients and determine whether recipients of hGH produced after 1977 had a significantly lower CJD risk than pre-1977 recipients.

Patients:
A total of 5570 NHPP hGH recipients were included in the study: 2099 in the pre-1977 cohort and 3471 in the post-1977 cohort.

Main Outcome Measure:
We used probability distribution functions to determine whether the observed number of CJD cases in the post-1977 cohort was significantly fewer than expected if the CJD risk was equal to that of the pre-1977 cohort, controlling for treatment duration and follow-up time.

Results:
All 22 CJD cases (diagnosed from 1984–2009) occurred in the pre-1977 hGH recipients. Almost half (47.9%) of pre-1977 recipients had a treatment duration of at least 5 yr compared with only 13.8% for post-1977 recipients. Based on the rates present in the pre-1977 cohort, the probability of observing no cases in the post-1977 cohort by chance alone was low (P = 0.0019).

Conclusions:
Risk of acquiring CJD was significantly lower for post-1977 NHPP hGH recipients than for pre-1977 recipients, suggesting that the new purification procedure in 1977 may have greatly reduced or eliminated CJD agent in hGH.
Algebraic Proof for the Geometric Structure of Sumsets
Authors: Lee Jaewoo 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe consider a finite set of lattice points and their convex hull. The author previously gave a geometric proof that the sumsets of these lattice points take over the central regions of dilated convex hulls, thus revealing an interesting connection between additive number theory and geometry. In this paper, we will see an algebraic proof of this fact when the convex hull of points is a simplex, exploring the connection between additive number theory and geometry further.
Molecular and supramolecular structures of aromatic acetylacetonato disubstituted dihydrazones in the crystalline state
Authors: Marten Jan , Seichter Wilhelm , Weber Edwin 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Four new acetylacetonato disubstituted dihydrazones that feature different arylene and specifically spaced diaryl units between the hydrazone groups leading to different molecular geometries have been synthesized and comparatively studied with regard to their crystal structures. All structures show intramolecular N—H···O interactions to yield two six-membered hydrogen bonded chelate rings in the molecule. Dependent on the molecular geometry, intermolecular hydrogen bonding or offset π···π stacking contacts involving the aryl and chelate rings dominate the packing structure.
Integration of Porous Silicon with Sol-Gel Derived Ceramic Films
Authors: Stolyarova S. , Malic B. , Javoric S. , El-Bahar A. , Kosec M. , Nemirovsky Y. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDirect integration of sol-gel derived ceramic films with porous silicon, without buffer layers, has been demonstrated. The effects of ceramic type, solvent type, solution concentration, as well as, porous silicon layer thickness, porosity and preparation conditions, on the quality and microstructure of sol-gel films/porous silicon integrated systems have been studied. The following ceramic compositions have been applied to porous silicon as protective coatings: PZT (PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3), PLZT (Pb0.925La0.055Zr0.3Ti0.7O3), ZrO2, TiO2, with 2-methoxyethanol and 2-ethoxyethanol solvents, 0.5 and 0.1 M precursor solution concentrations. The LSCO (La0.5Sr0.5CO.3) water based sol-gels have been deposited for electroconductive purposes.The best compositions for integration, giving transparent, mirror-like, uniform ceramic films with fine morphology and strong adhesion, were found to be the TiO2 and ZrO2 as well as, the diluted (0.1 M) PZT (PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3) sol-gel precursors. Conductive LSCO sol-gel derived films showed improved wetting and stronger adhesive interaction with porous silicon, as compared to polished silicon wafers.
CeO2 Thin Films as Buffer Layers for Si/YBCO Integrated Microelectronics
Authors: Tresso Elena , Ballarini V. , Chiodoni A. , Gerbaldo R. , Ghigo G. , Gozzelino L. , Mezzetti E. , Minetti B. , Pirri C.F. , Tallarida G. , Ferrari S. , Camerlingo C. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe unique properties of superconductors such as radiation hardness and high microwave performances [1-3] make the integration with semiconductor conventional electronics a stimulating challenge. Many attempts have been tried to obtain good quality YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) films on Si substrates, with the aim of taking advantage from the properties of both materials, but interdiffusion reactions and a poor lattice and thermal expansion coefficient matching require the use of a buffer layer at the semiconductor/superconductor interface. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), Y2O3, MgO, SrTiO3, CeO2 and their combinations have been proposed and used as buffer layers in the case of Si/YBCO systems. In this paper we report on annealing treatments performed on Si/CeO2 bilayers. A set of optimized samples with deposition temperatures ranging from 100°C to 800°C has been radiatively heated at two different annealing temperatures, in N2 and O2 atmospheres. All the samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy. The preferential grain orientation, the lattice parameter, the crystals dimensions, the surface roughness have been studied. As a preliminary tentative, we report on YBCO film growth on the top of CeO2/Si optimized bi-layer before undergoing annealing treatment. This YBCO film resulted to be a-axis preferential oriented, with some contribution of c-axis oriented grains.