bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validating an Efficient Method to Quantify Motion Sickness
Authors: Keshavarz Behrang , Hecht Heiko 
Published: April 2011

Objective: Motion sickness (MS) can be a debilitating side effect associated with motion in real or virtual environments. We analyzed the effect of expectancy on MS and propose and validate a fast and simple MS measure. Background: Several questionnaires measure MS before or after stimulus presentation, but no satisfactory tool has been established to quickly capture MS data during exposure. To fill this gap, we introduce the Fast MS Scale (FMS), a verbal rating scale ranging from zero (no sickness at all) to 20 (frank sickness). Also, little is known about the role of expectancy effects in MS studies. We conducted an experiment that addressed this issue. Method: For this study, 126 volunteers participated in two experiments. During stimulus presentation, participants had to verbally rate the severity of MS every minute before filling in the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). To measure expectancy effects, participants were separated into three groups with either positive, negative, or neutral expectations. Results: We compared the verbal ratings with the SSQ scores. Pearson correlations were high for both the SSQ total score (r = .785) and the nausea subscore (r = .828). No expectancy effects were found. Conclusion: The FMS is a fast and valid method to obtain MS data. It offers the possibility to record MS during stimulus presentation and to capture its time course. We found expectancy not to play a crucial role in MS. However, the FMS has some limitations. Application: The FMS offers improved MS measurement. It is fast and efficient and can be performed online in environments such as virtual reality.
Understanding the Histories of Peoples on the Margins: A Critique of “Northeast India's Durable Disorder”
Authors: Khongreiwot Rammathot 
Published: April 2011

This article examines the often misconceived problem of insurgency and various political, social, and law and order problems of northeast India, which Sanjib Baruah calls “Northeast India's Durable Disorder.” The region has been stereotyped by the postcolonial state of India as a “disturbed area” infested with insurgents and militants. In its attempts to resolve this “durable disorder,” India fails to engage with its underlying causes in the construction of new political boundaries in both the colonial and postcolonial eras.
The quality of the evidence for dietary advice given in UK national newspapers
Authors: Cooper Benjamin E. J. , Lee William E. , Goldacre Ben M. , Sanders Thomas A. B. 
Published: April 2011

Introduction: Newspaper reports advocating dietary intake changes may impact on dietary choice and food related health beliefs. The scientific basis and quality of evidence underpinning these reports is uncertain. Objective: To evaluate the scientific quality of newspaper reporting related to dietary advice. Design: Articles offering dietary advice from the top ten selling UK newspapers for a randomly selected week were assessed using two established evidence grading scales: developed by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). Results: Of 111 dietary health claims identified, 72% and 68% (assessed by WCRF and SIGN criteria respectively) had levels of evidence lower than the convincing or probable categories that are recommended for dietary health claims. Conclusions: Misreporting of dietary advice by UK newspapers is widespread and may contribute to public misconceptions about food and health.
The risk of malignancy is not increased in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a: analysis of data from clinical trial and post-marketing surveillance settings
Authors: Sandberg-Wollheim Magnhild , Kornmann Gabrielle , Bischof Dorina , Moraga Margaretha Stam , Hennessy Brian , Alteri Enrica 
Published: April 2011

Background: Risks that are potentially associated with long-term therapies should be assessed. Objective: The present analyses were performed to determine the risk of malignancy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving subcutaneous (sc) interferon (IFN) beta-1a, using pooled safety data from key clinical trials and data from the Merck Serono Global Drug Safety database. Methods: The standard Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities query “malignancies” was used to retrieve relevant cases from each data set. The incidence of malignancies per 1000 patient-years was calculated using the pooled safety data from clinical trials. The reporting rates of malignancy types were calculated for the post-marketing setting based on sales volume. Malignancies were grouped by organ localization and classified as medically confirmed or not medically confirmed according to the source of each report. The number of reported cases of each type was compared with the expected number in the general population. Results: Analysis of pooled safety data from 12 key clinical trials did not show an increased incidence of malignancy per 1000 patient-years with sc IFN beta-1a (4.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9–5.5) compared with placebo (6.4; 95% CI: 3.3–11.2). Analysis of the database shows that among the medically confirmed cases, reported to expected ratios ranged from 1 : 6 to 1 : 18 for solid tumours and from 1 : 2 to 1 : 9 for lymphohaematopoietic tumours. Conclusion: Safety data from both clinical trial and post-marketing settings suggest that treatment with sc IFN beta-1a does not increase the risk of malignancy in patients with MS.
CD8 positive T cells express IL-17 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Chang Ying , Nadigel Jessica , Boulais Nicholas , Bourbeau Jean , Maltais François , Eidelman David H , Hamid Qutayba 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and irreversible chronic inflammatory disease of the lung. The nature of the immune reaction in COPD raises the possibility that IL-17 and related cytokines may contribute to this disorder. This study analyzed the expression of IL-17A and IL-17F as well as the phenotype of cells producing them in bronchial biopsies from COPD patients.

Methods
Bronchoscopic biopsies of the airway were obtained from 16 COPD subjects (GOLD stage 1-4) and 15 control subjects. Paraffin sections were used for the investigation of IL-17A and IL-17F expression in the airways by immunohistochemistry, and frozen sections were used for the immunofluorescence double staining of IL-17A or IL-17F paired with CD4 or CD8. In order to confirm the expression of IL-17A and IL-17F at the mRNA level, a quantitative RT-PCR was performed on the total mRNA extracted from entire section or CD8 positive cells selected by laser capture microdissection.

Results
IL-17F immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the bronchial biopsies of COPD patients compared to control subjects (P < 0.0001). In the submucosa, the absolute number of both IL-17A and IL-17F positive cells was higher in COPD patients (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for the total number of cells in the submucosa, we still found that more cells were positive for both IL-17A (P < 0.0001) and IL-17F (P < 0.0001) in COPD patients compared to controls. The mRNA expression of IL-17A and IL-17F in airways of COPD patients was confirmed by RT-PCR. The expression of IL-17A and IL-17F was co-localized with not only CD4 but also CD8, which was further confirmed by RT-PCR on laser capture microdissection selected CD8 positive cells.

Conclusion
These findings support the notion that Th17 cytokines could play important roles in the pathogenesis of COPD, raising the possibility of using this mechanism as the basis for novel therapeutic approaches.
Differentiated transplant derived airway epithelial cell cytokine secretion is not regulated by cyclosporine
Authors: Floreth Timothy , Stern Eric , Tu Yingli , Stern Randi , Garrity Edward R , Bhorade Sangeeta M , White Steven R 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundWhile lung transplantation is an increasingly utilized therapy for advanced lung diseases, chronic rejection in the form of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS) continues to result in significant allograft dysfunction and patient mortality. Despite correlation of clinical events with eventual development of BOS, the causative pathophysiology remains unknown. Airway epithelial cells within the region of inflammation and fibrosis associated with BOS may have a participatory role.MethodsTransplant derived airway epithelial cells differentiated in air liquid interface culture were treated with IL-1β and/or cyclosporine, after which secretion of cytokines and growth factor and gene expression for markers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition were analyzed.ResultsSecretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, but not TGF-β1, was increased by IL-1β stimulation. In contrast to previous studies using epithelial cells grown in submersion culture, treatment of differentiated cells in ALI culture with cyclosporine did not elicit cytokine or growth factor secretion, and did not alter IL-6, IL-8, or TNF-α production in response to IL-1β treatment. Neither IL-1β nor cyclosporine elicited expression of markers of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition E-cadherin, EDN-fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin.ConclusionTransplant derived differentiated airway epithelial cell IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α secretion is not regulated by cyclosporinein vitro; these cells thus may participate in local inflammatory responses in the setting of immunosuppression. Further, treatment with IL-1β did not elicit gene expression of markers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. These data present a model of differentiated airway epithelial cells that may be useful in understanding epithelial participation in airway inflammation and allograft rejection in lung transplantation.
Detection of erbB2 copy number variations in plasma of patients with esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Andolfo Immacolata , Petrosino Giuseppe , Vecchione Loredana , De Antonellis Pasqualino , Capasso Mario , Montanaro Donatella , Gemei Marica , Troncone Giancarlo , Iolascon Achille , Orditura Michele , Ciardiello Fortunato , De Vita Fernando , Zollo Massimo 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Mortality is high in patients with esophageal carcinoma as tumors are rarely detected before the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Here, we sought to isolate cell-free DNA released into the plasma of patients with esophageal carcinoma, to analyze copy number variations of marker genes in the search for early detection of tumor progression.

Methods
Plasma of 41 patients with esophageal carcinoma was prospectively collected before tumor resection and chemotherapy. Our dataset resulted heterogeneous for clinical data, resembling the characteristics of the tumor. DNA from the plasma was extracted to analyze copy number variations of the erbB2 gene using real-time PCR assays.

Results
The real-time PCR assays for erbB2 gene showed significant (P = 0.001) copy number variations in the plasma of patients with esophageal carcinoma, as compared to healthy controls with high sensitivity (80%) and specificity (95%). These variations in erbB2 were negatively correlated to the progression free survival of these patients (P = 0.03), and revealed a further risk category stratification of patients with low VEGF expression levels.

Conclusion
The copy number variation of erbB2 gene from plasma can be used as prognostic marker for early detection of patients at risk of worse clinical outcome in esophageal cancer.
Lactobacillus fermentum (PCC®) supplementation and gastrointestinal and respiratory-tract illness symptoms: a randomised control trial in athletes
Authors: West Nicholas P , Pyne David B , Cripps Allan W , Hopkins William G , Eskesen Dorte C , Jairath Ashok , Christophersen Claus T , Conlon Michael A , Fricker Peter A 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Probiotics purportedly reduce symptoms of gastrointestinal and upper respiratory-tract illness by modulating commensal microflora. Preventing and reducing symptoms of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness are the primary reason that dietary supplementation with probiotics are becoming increasingly popular with healthy active individuals. There is a paucity of data regarding the effectiveness of probiotics in this cohort. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a probiotic on faecal microbiology, self-reported illness symptoms and immunity in healthy well trained individuals.

Methods
Competitive cyclists (64 males and 35 females; age 35 ± 9 and 36 ± 9 y, VO2max 56 ± 6 and 52 ± 6 ml.kg-1.min-1, mean ± SD) were randomised to either probiotic (minimum 1 × 109
Lactobacillus fermentum (PCC®) per day) or placebo treatment for 11 weeks in a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. The outcome measures were faecal L. fermentum counts, self-reported symptoms of illness and serum cytokines.

Results

Lactobacillus numbers increased 7.7-fold (90% confidence limits 2.1- to 28-fold) more in males on the probiotic, while there was an unclear 2.2-fold (0.2- to 18-fold) increase in females taking the probiotic. The number and duration of mild gastrointestinal symptoms were ~2-fold greater in the probiotic group. However, there was a substantial 0.7 (0.2 to 1.2) of a scale step reduction in the severity of gastrointestinal illness at the mean training load in males, which became more pronounced as training load increased. The load (duration×severity) of lower respiratory illness symptoms was less by a factor of 0.31 (99%CI; 0.07 to 0.96) in males taking the probiotic compared with placebo but increased by a factor of 2.2 (0.41 to 27) in females. Differences in use of cold and flu medication mirrored these symptoms. The observed effects on URTI had too much uncertainty for a decisive outcome. There were clear reductions in the magnitude of acute exercise-induced changes in some cytokines.

Conclusion

L. fermentum may be a useful nutritional adjunct for healthy exercising males. However, uncertainty in the effects of supplementation on URTI and on symptoms in females needs to be resolved.

Trial registration
The trial was registered in the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12611000006943).
Porous silicon nanoparticles for cancer photothermotherapy
Authors: Hong Chanseok , Lee Jungkeun , Zheng Hongmei , Hong Soon-Sun , Lee Chongmu 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe in vitro cell tests and in vivo animal tests were performed to investigate the feasibility of the photothermal therapy based on porous silicon (PSi) in combination with near-infrared (NIR) laser. According to the Annexin V- fluorescein isothiocyanate Apoptosis assay test results, the untreated cells and the cells exposed to NIR laser without PSi treatment had a cell viability of 95.6 and 91.3%, respectively. Likewise, the cells treated with PSi but not with NIR irradiation also had a cell viability of 74.4%. Combination of these two techniques, however, showed a cell viability of 6.7%. Also, the cell deaths were mostly due to necrosis but partly due to late apoptosis. The in vivo animal test results showed that the Murine colon carcinoma (CT-26) tumors were completely resorbed without nearly giving damage to surrounding healthy tissue within 5 days of PSi and NIR laser treatment. Tumors have not recurred at all in the PSi/NIR treatment groups thereafter. Both the in vitro cell test and in vivo animal test results suggest that thermotherapy based on PSi in combination with NIR laser irradiation is an efficient technique to selectively destroy cancer cells without damaging the surrounding healthy cells.
Synthesis and optical property of one-dimensional spinel ZnMn2O4 nanorods
Authors: Zhang Pan , Li Xinyong , Zhao Qidong , Liu Shaomin 
Published: April 2011

AbstractSpinel zinc manganese oxide (ZnMn2O4) nanorods were successfully prepared using the previously synthesized α-MnO2 nanorods by a hydrothermal method as template. The nanorods were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface photovoltage spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ZnMn2O4 nanorods in well-formed crystallinity and phase purity appeared with the width in 50-100 nm and the length in 1.5-2 μm. They exhibited strong absorption below 500 nm with the threshold edges around 700 nm. A significant photovoltage response in the region below 400 nm could be observed for the nanorods calcined at 650 and 800°C.
FTIR-ATR-based prediction and modelling of lignin and energy contents reveals independent intra-specific variation of these traits in bioenergy poplars
Authors: Zhou Guanwu , Taylor Gail , Polle Andrea 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundThere is an increasing demand for renewable resources to replace fossil fuels. However, different applications such as the production of secondary biofuels or combustion for energy production require different wood properties. Therefore, high-throughput methods are needed for rapid screening of wood in large scale samples, e.g., to evaluate the outcome of tree breeding or genetic engineering. In this study, we investigated the intra-specific variability of lignin and energy contents in extractive-free wood of hybrid poplar progenies (Populus trichocarpa × deltoides) and tested if the range was sufficient for the development of quantitative prediction models based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Since lignin is a major energy-bearing compound, we expected that the energy content of wood would be positively correlated with the lignin content.ResultsLignin contents of extractive-free poplar wood samples determined by the acetyl bromide method ranged from 23.4% to 32.1%, and the calorific values measured with a combustion calorimeter varied from 17260 to 19767 J g-1. For the development of calibration models partial least square regression and cross validation was applied to correlate FTIR spectra determined with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) unit to measured values of lignin or energy contents. The best models with high coefficients of determination (R2(calibration) = 0.91 and 0.90; R2(cross-validation) = 0.81 and 0.79) and low root mean square errors of cross validation (RMSECV = 0.77% and 62 J g-1) for lignin and energy determination, respectively, were obtained after data pre-processing and automatic wavenumber restriction. The calibration models were validated by analyses of independent sets of wood samples yielding R2= 0.88 and 0.86 for lignin and energy contents, respectively.ConclusionsThese results show that FTIR-ATR spectroscopy is suitable as a high-throughput method for lignin and energy estimations in large data sets. Our study revealed that the intra-specific variations in lignin and energy contents were unrelated to each other and that the lignin content, therefore, was no predictor of the energy content. Employing principle component analyses we showed that factor loadings for the energy content were mainly associated with carbohydrate ring vibrations, whereas those for lignin were mainly related to aromatic compounds. Therefore, our analysis suggests that it may be possible to optimize the energy content of trees without concomitant increase in lignin.
Mutational Status of the TP53 Gene As a Predictor of Response and Survival in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Results From the LRF CLL4 Trial
Authors: Gonzalez David , Martinez Pilar , Wade Rachel , Hockley Sarah , Oscier David , Matutes Estella , Dearden Claire E. , Richards Sue M. , Catovsky Daniel , Morgan Gareth J. 
Published: April 2011

Purpose TP53 mutations have been described in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and have been associated with poor prognosis in retrospective studies. We aimed to address the frequency and prognostic value of TP53 abnormalities in patients with CLL in the context of a prospective randomized trial. Patients and Methods We analyzed 529 CLL samples from the LRF CLL4 (Leukaemia Research Foundation Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 4) trial (chlorambucil v fludarabine with or without cyclophosphamide) at the time of random assignment for mutations in the TP53 gene. TP53 mutation status was correlated with response and survival data. Results Mutations of TP53 were found in 40 patients (7.6%), including 25 (76%) of 33 with 17p deletion and 13 (3%) of 487 without that deletion. There was no significant correlation between TP53 mutations and age, stage, IGHV gene mutations, CD38 and ZAP-70 expression, or any other chromosomal abnormality other than 17p deletion, in which concordance was high (96%). TP53 mutations were significantly associated with poorer overall response rates (27% v 83%; P < .001) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS; 5-year PFS: 5% v 17%; 5-year OS: 20% v 59%; P < .001 for both). Multivariate analysis that included baseline clinical variables, treatment, and known adverse genetic factors confirmed that TP53 mutations have added prognostic value. Conclusion TP53 mutations are associated with impaired response and shorter survival in patients with CLL. Analysis of TP53 mutations should be performed in patients with CLL who have progressive disease before starting first-line treatment, and those with mutations should be selected for novel experimental therapies.
Reaction of 2-(Aminomethyl)pyridine with Selenium Dioxide: Synthesis and Structure of Selenium-bridged Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine Derivatives
Authors: Niyomura Osamu , Yamaguchi Yoshimi , Tamura Souhei , Minoura Mao , Okamoto Yoshihisa 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Reaction of 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine with selenium dioxide leads to the formation of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine (2-azaindolizine) skeleton in a single step. The major products of the reactions are 3-(2-pyridyl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine, bis[3-(2-pyridyl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-1-yl] selenide, or the corresponding diselenide depending upon the reaction conditions. The structures of these selenium-bridged imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives are disclosed by X-ray crystal structural analyses. For the diselenide, the unusual dihedral angle C–Se–Se–C of 56.0° was observed indicating π–π intramolecular interaction between the fused six-membered rings.
Buying from the Babbling Retailer? The Impact of Availability Information on Customer Behavior
Authors: Allon Gad , Bassamboo Achal 
Published: April 2011

Provision of real-time information by a firm to its customers has become prevalent in recent years in both the service and retail sectors. In this paper, we study a retail operations model where customers are strategic in both their actions and in the way they interpret information, whereas the retailer is strategic in the way it provides information. This paper focuses on the ability (or the lack thereof) to communicate unverifiable information and influence customers' actions. We develop a game-theoretic framework to study this type of communication and discuss the equilibrium language emerging between the retailer and its customers. We show that for a single retailer and homogeneous customer population setting, the equilibrium language that emerges carries no information. In this sense, a single retailer providing information on its own cannot create any credibility with the customers. We study how the results are impacted due to the heterogeneity of the customers. We provide conditions under which the firm may be able to influence the customer behavior. In particular, we show that the customers' willingness to pay and willingness to wait cannot be ranked in an opposite manner. However, even when the firm can influence each customer class separately, the effective demand is not impacted. This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.