bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of manual stretching in the treatment of plantar heel pain: a systematic review
Authors: Sweeting David , Parish Ben , Hooper Lee , Chester Rachel 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundPlantar heel pain is a commonly occurring foot complaint. Stretching is frequently utilised as a treatment, yet a systematic review focusing only on its effectiveness has not been published. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of stretching on pain and function in people with plantar heel pain.MethodsMedline, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, and The Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 2010. Studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were independently assessed, and their quality evaluated using the modified PEDro scale.ResultsSix studies including 365 symptomatic participants were included. Two compared stretching with a control, one study compared stretching to an alternative intervention, one study compared stretching to both alternative and control interventions, and two compared different stretching techniques and durations. Quality rating on the modified Pedro scale varied from two to eight out of a maximum of ten points. The methodologies and interventions varied significantly between studies, making meta‐analysis inappropriate. Most participants improved over the course of the studies, but when stretching was compared to alternative or control interventions, the changes only reached statistical significance in one study that used a combination of calf muscle stretches and plantar fascia stretches in their stretching programme. Another study comparing different stretching techniques, showed a statistically significant reduction in some aspects of pain in favour of plantar fascia stretching over calf stretches in the short term.ConclusionsThere were too few studies to assess whether stretching is effective compared to control or other interventions, for either pain or function. However, there is some evidence that plantar fascia stretching may be more effective than Achilles tendon stretching alone in the short‐term. Appropriately powered randomised controlled trials, utilizing validated outcome measures, blinded assessors and long‐term follow up are needed to assess the efficacy of stretching.
Large-scale experimental studies show unexpected amino acid effects on protein expression and solubility in vivo in E. coli
Authors: Price W Nicholson , Handelman Samuel K , Everett John K , Tong Saichiu N , Bracic Ana , Luff Jon D , Naumov Victor , Acton Thomas , Manor Philip , Xiao Rong , Rost Burkhard , Montelione Gaetano T , Hunt John F 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The biochemical and physical factors controlling protein expression level and solubility in vivo remain incompletely characterized. To gain insight into the primary sequence features influencing these outcomes, we performed statistical analyses of results from the high-throughput protein-production pipeline of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium. Proteins expressed in E. coli and consistently purified were scored independently for expression and solubility levels. These parameters nonetheless show a very strong positive correlation. We used logistic regressions to determine whether they are systematically influenced by fractional amino acid composition or several bulk sequence parameters including hydrophobicity, sidechain entropy, electrostatic charge, and predicted backbone disorder. Decreasing hydrophobicity correlates with higher expression and solubility levels, but this correlation apparently derives solely from the beneficial effect of three charged amino acids, at least for bacterial proteins. In fact, the three most hydrophobic residues showed very different correlations with solubility level. Leu showed the strongest negative correlation among amino acids, while Ile showed a slightly positive correlation in most data segments. Several other amino acids also had unexpected effects. Notably, Arg correlated with decreased expression and, most surprisingly, solubility of bacterial proteins, an effect only partially attributable to rare codons. However, rare codons did significantly reduce expression despite use of a codon-enhanced strain. Additional analyses suggest that positively but not negatively charged amino acids may reduce translation efficiency in E. coli irrespective of codon usage. While some observed effects may reflect indirect evolutionary correlations, others may reflect basic physicochemical phenomena. We used these results to construct and validate predictors of expression and solubility levels and overall protein usability, and we propose new strategies to be explored for engineering improved protein expression and solubility.
Standardization of Estrogen Receptor Measurement in Breast Cancer Suggests False-Negative Results Are a Function of Threshold Intensity Rather Than Percentage of Positive Cells
Authors: Welsh Allison W. , Moeder Christopher B. , Kumar Sudha , Gershkovich Peter , Alarid Elaine T. , Harigopal Malini , Haffty Bruce G. , Rimm David L. 
Published: June 2011

Purpose Recent misclassification (false negative) incidents have raised awareness concerning limitations of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in assessment of estrogen receptor (ER) in breast cancer. Here we define a new method for standardization of ER measurement and then examine both change in percentage and threshold of intensity (immunoreactivity) to assess sources for test discordance. Methods An assay was developed to quantify ER by using a control tissue microarray (TMA) and a series of cell lines in which ER immunoreactivity was analyzed by quantitative immunoblotting in parallel with the automated quantitative analysis (AQUA) method of quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF). The assay was used to assess the ER protein expression threshold in two independent retrospective cohorts from Yale and was compared with traditional methods. Results Two methods of analysis showed that change in percentage of positive cells from 10% to 1% did not significantly affect the overall number of ER-positive patients. The standardized assay for ER on two Yale TMA cohorts showed that 67.9% and 82.5% of the patients were above the 2-pg/μg immunoreactivity threshold. We found 9.1% and 19.7% of the patients to be QIF-positive/IHC-negative, and 4.0% and 0.4% to be QIF-negative/IHC-positive for a total of 13.1% and 20.1% discrepant cases when compared with pathologists' judgment of threshold. Assessment of survival for both cohorts showed that patients who were QIF-positive/pathologist-negative had outcomes similar to those of patients who had positive results for both assays. Conclusion Assessment of intensity threshold by using a quantitative, standardized assay on two independent cohorts suggests discordance in the 10% to 20% range with current IHC methods, in which patients with discrepant results have prognostic outcomes similar to ER-positive patients with concordant results.
Prognostic Implications of Altered Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (HERs) in Gastric Carcinomas: HER2 and HER3 Are Predictors of Poor Outcome
Authors: Begnami Maria D. , Fukuda Emy , Fregnani José H.T.G. , Nonogaki Suely , Montagnini André L. , da Costa Wilson L. , Soares Fernando A. 
Published: June 2011

Purpose The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family consists of four members: ErbB-1 (HER1), ErbB-2 (HER2), ErbB-3 (HER3), and ErbB-4 (HER4). These receptors activate numerous downstream pathways in response to extracellular ligands, regulating diverse processes that include differentiation, migration, proliferation, and survival. Alterations in these genes play a role in the development and progression of many human cancers. In gastric carcinomas (GCs), expression of HER1 and HER2 is thought to be a prognostic factor and target of novel biologic agents. The effect of HER3 or HER4 expression in GC has not been sufficiently studied. In this study, we explored the gene and protein expression of the HER family in GC to establish new potential prognostic factors. Patients and Methods Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed in 221 patients with GC using tissue microarray. Correlation between the expression or amplification of HER genes and the clinicopathologic parameters was statistically analyzed. Results Alterations of members of the HER family were significantly associated with the parameters involved in tumor progression, including depth of tumor invasion, involved lymph nodes, and tumor stage. In addition, HER2 amplification and HER3 expression were significantly related to worse survival. Conclusion These results reveal that all members of the HER family are expressed in GC. Furthermore, expression of HER2 and HER3 is a significant predictor of poor survival in GC. Therefore, the development of HER-targeted agents and agents targeting downstream signaling pathways provides new possibilities in the treatment of GC.
Temozolomide in Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma and Poor Performance Status: An ANOCEF Phase II Trial
Authors: Pérez-Larraya Jaime Gállego , Ducray François , Chinot Olivier , Catry-Thomas Isabelle , Taillandier Luc , Guillamo Jean-Sébastien , Campello Chantal , Monjour Annick , Cartalat-Carel Stéphanie , Barrie Maryline , Huchet Aymeri , Beauchesne Patrick , Matta Mona , Mokhtari Karima , Tanguy Marie-Laure , Honnorat Jérôme , Delattre Jean-Yves 
Published: June 2011

Purpose The management of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in elderly patients with poor performance status is not well established. A trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of temozolomide alone in this population was undertaken. Patients and Methods Patients age 70 years or older with newly diagnosed GBM and postoperative Karnofsky performance score (KPS) less than 70 were eligible for this nonrandomized phase II trial. Treatment consisted of 150 to 200 mg/m2/d temozolomide for 5 days every 4 weeks until disease progression. Radiotherapy was not administered. The primary end point was overall survival (OS); secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), safety, quality of life, and cognition. Results Seventy patients (median age, 77 years; median KPS, 60) were enrolled between July 2007 and February 2009. Grade 3 to 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 13% and 14% of patients, respectively. Median PFS was 16 weeks (95% CI, 10 to 20 weeks), and median OS was 25 weeks (95% CI, 19 to 28 weeks), comparing favorably with a 12- to 16-week OS expected from a purely supportive approach. Twenty-three patients (33%) improved their KPS by 10 or more points, and 18 (26%) became capable of self-care (KPS ≥ 70). Overall quality of life and cognition improved over time before disease progression. In the 31 tumors evaluated for O6-methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, a methylated status indicated longer PFS (26 v 11 weeks; P = .03) and OS (31 v 19 weeks; P = .03). Conclusion Temozolomide has an acceptable tolerance in elderly patients with GBM and KPS less than 70. It is associated with improvement of functional status in 33% of patients and appears to increase survival compared with supportive care alone, especially in patients with methylated MGMT promoter.
Randomized Phase III Placebo-Controlled Trial of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel With or Without the Vascular Disrupting Agent Vadimezan (ASA404) in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Lara Primo N. , Douillard Jean-Yves , Nakagawa Kazuhiko , von Pawel Joachim , McKeage Mark J. , Albert Istvan , Losonczy György , Reck Martin , Heo Dae-Seog , Fan Xiaolin , Fandi Abderrahim , Scagliotti Giorgio 
Published: June 2011

Purpose This phase III trial was conducted to test whether the novel vascular disrupting agent ASA404 (vadimezan), when combined with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, improves survival in patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) versus chemotherapy alone. Patients and Methods Patients with advanced stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, stratified by sex and tumor histology, were randomly assigned 1:1 to paclitaxel (200 mg/m2) and carboplatin (area under the curve, 6.0) with or without ASA404 (1,800 mg m2), given intravenously once every 3 weeks for six cycles followed by maintenance ASA404 or placebo. Primary end point was overall survival (OS); secondary end points included overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results One thousand two hundred ninety-nine patients were randomly assigned. The trial was stopped for futility at interim analysis. At final analysis, there was no difference in OS seen between ASA404 (n = 649) and placebo (n = 650) arms: median OS was 13.4 and 12.7 months respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.19; P = .535). Similarly, no OS difference was seen in the histologic (squamous or nonsquamous) and sex (male or female) strata. Median PFS was 5.5 months in both arms (HR, 1.04; P = .727), while ORR was 25% in both arms (P = 1.0). Overall rate of adverse events (AEs) was comparable between the ASA404 and placebo arms. Grade 4 neutropenia (27% v 19%) and infusion site pain (10% v 0.5%) were reported more frequently in the ASA404 arm. Conclusion The addition of ASA404 to carboplatin and paclitaxel, although generally well tolerated, failed to improve frontline efficacy in advanced NSCLC.
Prognostic Validity of a Novel American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Classification for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Strosberg Jonathan R. , Cheema Asima , Weber Jill , Han Gang , Coppola Domenico , Kvols Larry K. 
Published: June 2011

Purpose The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual (seventh edition) has introduced its first TNM staging classification for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) derived from the staging algorithm for exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinomas. This classification has not yet been validated. Methods Patients with pancreatic NETs treated at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center between 1999 and 2010 were assigned a stage (I to IV) based on the new AJCC classification. Kaplan-Meier analyses for overall survival (OS) were performed based on age, race, histologic grade, incidental diagnosis, and TNM staging (European Neuroendocrine Tumors Society [ENETS] v AJCC) using log-rank tests. Survival time was measured from time of initial diagnosis to date of last contact or date of death. Multivariate modeling was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Weighted Cohen's κ coefficient was computed to evaluate the agreement of ENETS and AJCC classifications. Results We identified 425 patients with pancreatic NETs. On the basis of histopathologic grade, 5-year survival rates for low-, intermediate-, and high-grade tumors were 75%, 62%, and 7%, respectively (P < .001). When using the ENETS classification, 5-year OS rates for stages I, II, III, and IV were 100%, 88%, 85%, and 57%, respectively (P < .001). Subsequently, using the AJCC classification, 5-year OS rates for stages I, II, III, and IV were 92%, 84%, 81%, and 57%, respectively (P < .001). Both the novel AJCC classification and the ENETS classification were highly prognostic for survival. Conclusion The AJCC TNM classification for pancreatic NETs is prognostic for OS and can be adopted in clinical practice.
The Self in Arabic and the Relativism-Universalism Controversy
Authors: Domaradzki Mikołaj 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The purpose of the present paper is to discuss the metaphor system for conceptualizing the Self in Arabic. A comparison of structural means for conceptualizing inner life in Arabic and English leads to the conclusion that although on the structural (‘grammatical’) level the differences between the two languages are indeed considerable, they become far less radical on the conceptual (‘semantic’) level. More specifically, it is argued here that in Arabic, as in English, inner experiences are for the most part conceptualized metaphorically and that Arabs seem to conceptualize their inner lives in a way similar, or at least comparable, to the speakers of English. While the article shows that on the conceptual level there are several important correspondences between Arabic and English, it hypothesizes that they reflect some fundamental and presumably universal human experiences and cognitive abilities. Finally, the linguistic material analyzed here provides a point of departure for touching upon the relativism-universalism debate. The paper argues that the controversy depends, at least to some extent, on whether one chooses to focus on potentially universal conceptualizations (and their underlying cognitive mechanisms) or more culture-specific structural relations (the contingent and historical conventions). Thus, while it seems to be a matter of one's personal decision whether to place the potentially universal in the foreground and the more idiosyncratic in the background, or the other way round, the article emphasizes the usefulness of explaining certain striking conceptual similarities in terms of their bodily basis.
Beijing Olympics and Beijing opera: A multimodal metaphor in a CCTV Olympics commercial
Authors: Yu Ning 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
This paper is a cognitive semantic analysis of a CCTV educational commercial, which is one of a series designed and produced in preparation for, and in celebration of, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Called the “Beijing Opera Episode”, this TV commercial converges on the theme: “To mount the stage of the world, and to put on a show of China”. That is, China sees her hosting of the 2008 Olympics by Beijing as a great opportunity for her to step onto the international stage to perform a show of China. This theme, which alludes to China's globalization and retention of cultural identity, is conceptualized and expressed in terms of a central metaphor of theatrical performance: hosting the beijing olympics is performing beijing opera on an international stage. This study first analyzes in detail how this central metaphor is manifested multimodally through visual and aural as well as verbal discourse, thus examining it as a multimodal metaphor. The study then applies a decompositional approach, based on the distinction between primary and complex metaphors, to analyzing the central metaphor as a metaphorical compound with its internal structures and components, which is nevertheless built on a more general cognitive foundation. The study also offers a linguistic perspective on a cultural model underlying the central metaphor, which is arguably a Chinese cultural model for understanding various aspects and events of life in general. At the core of this cultural model is the widespread life is a stage metaphor, which however has a specific manifestation within the Chinese cultural context.
From speech as “situated” to speech as “situating”: insights from John Gumperz on the practical conduct of talk as social action
Authors: Erickson Frederick 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe article begins by reviewing the early research interests of John Gumperz and their further development across the course of his career. His doctoral research documented spoken language in an immigrant community. He then focused on bilingual speech communities and “code switching.” Later he became concerned with various aspects of style shifting within a language. Whether he was considering language switching, or dialect switching, or shifts in register, Gumperz showed that speakers were creative in their language use — active agents rather than passive rule followers — alternating among disparate styles to communicate metaphoric and usually implicit social meaning. Through changes in speech style, interlocutors could be seen to be reframing their social relations, modifying the social situation they were in. ( NB This lability in situational framing is a major point of emphasis in Gumperz's notions of “contextualization” and “conversational inference.”) The article continues by presenting and discussing two of Gumperz's “telling cases” of contextualizing frame shifts by speakers. In concluding, a few examples from the author's own research are presented, with emphasis on the use of contextualization in establishing local alignments of solidarity-in-the-moment among interlocutors — indexical shifts to a footing for interaction that the author has termed “situational co-membership.”
Characterization of Carbon Black Particles Dispersion in Polymeric Matrix by Indirect Methods
Authors: Jiang Zhao-Hui , Jin Jian , Xiao Chang-Fa , Li Xin , Kong Ling-Xi 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Polypropylene (PP)/carbon black (CB) films were prepared via a two-step masterbatch (MB) dilution technique, by the aid of dynamic mixer following two single-screw extruders. The films were quantitatively characterized by color difference (CD), blackness and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods. In the paper, the CD was numerically expressed by CD values. Furthermore, the CD values of films follow quasi-normal distribution as tested by the skewness-kurtosis method. The test of significance confirms the CD values of films are ≤1 NBS (U.S. National Bureau of Standards), which demonstrates CB particles were mixed uniformly in their polymeric matrix. The CD values (quantification) and grey card series (GS, qualification) conform to certain mathematical equation: when CD≤3.4,GS=5-CD/1.7; when CD&gt;3.4, GS=5-lg(CD/0.85)/lg2. In addition, in order to evaluate comprehensively the mixing effect, blackness and TGA method were also employed. With the increment of CB content, the blackness of films increases, which infers that the color difference due to mixing effect of CB particles should be indirectly expressed by blackness. TGA method characterizes mixing uniformity by comparing discrepancy of ash content between films. The results indicate that the films with low CB content have a good mixing effect, while high CB content is unfavorable to decreasing the error of the TGA method.
Trends in the Use of Standardized Tools for Developmental Screening in Early Childhood: 2002–2009
Authors: Radecki Linda , Sand-Loud Nina , O'Connor Karen G. , Sharp Sanford , Olson Lynn M. 
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:
Early identification of developmental delays is essential for optimal early intervention. An American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2002 Periodic Survey of Fellows found &lt;25% of respondents consistently used appropriate screening tools. Over the past 5 years, new research and education programs promoted screening implementation. In 2006, the AAP issued a revised policy statement with a detailed algorithm. Since the 2002 Periodic Survey, no national surveys have examined the effectiveness of policy, programmatic, and educational enhancements.

OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this study was to compare pediatricians' use of standardized screening tools from 2002 to 2009.

METHODS:
A national, random sample of nonretired US AAP members were mailed Periodic Surveys (2002: N = 1617, response rate: 55%; 2009: N = 1620, response rate: 57%). χ2 analyses were used to examine responses across survey years; a multivariate logistic regression model was developed to compare differences in using ≥1 formal screening tools across survey years while controlling for various individual and practice characteristics.

RESULTS:
Pediatricians' use of standardized screening tools increased significantly between 2002 and 2009. The percentage of those who self-reported always/almost always using ≥1 screening tools increased over time (23.0%–47.7%), as did use of specific instruments (eg, Ages & Stages Questionnaire, Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status). No differences were noted on the basis of physician or practice characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS:
The percentage of pediatricians who reported using ≥1 formal screening tools more than doubled between 2002 and 2009. Despite greater attention to consistent use of appropriate tools, the percentage remains less than half of respondents providing care to patients younger than 36 months. Given the critical importance of developmental screening in early identification, evaluation, and intervention, additional research is needed to identify barriers to greater use of standardized tools in practice.