bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Failure patterns and survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity modulated radiation in Northwest China: A pilot study
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Shi Mei , Hsia Yuesheng , Luo Shanquan , Zhao Lina , Xu Man , Xiao Feng , Fu Xuehai , Li Jianping , Zhou Bin , Long Xiaoli 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate the clinical outcomes and patterns of failure in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in Northwest China.

Methods and materials
From January 2006 to December 2009, 138 NPC patients were treated at Xijing Hospital. Of them, 25 cases with stage I-II received IMRT only, 113 cases with stage III-IVb received IMRT plus accomplished platinum-based chemotherapy. The IMRT prescribed dose was PTV 68-74 Gy to gross disease in nasopharynx and 66-72 Gy to positive lymph nodes in 30-33 fractions, and high risk and low risk region PTV was 60-63 Gy and 50.4~56 Gy in 30~33 and 28 fractions respectively. Plasma Epstein Barr virus (EBV) DNA load was measured before treatment. The clinical toxicities, outcomes and patterns of failure were observed.

Results
The median follow up time was 23 months (range 2 to 53 months). EBV infection positive was only 15.9%. Overall disease failure developed in 36 patients, 99% belonged to stage III/IV disease. Among these, there were 26 distant metastases, 6 local recurrence, and 4 regional recurrence. The 3-year local control rate(LCR), distant metastasis-free survival (MFS), disease-free survival (DFS) and the overall survival (OS) was 93.9%, 79.5%, 70% and 83.1% respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that age and anemia pre-radiotherapy were independent predictors for OS.

Conclusion
IMRT with or without chemotherapy can improve the long term survival of NPC patients in Northwest China. Distant metastasis becomes the main cause of treatment failure. Age and anemia before radiotherapy were the main prognosis factors of NPC patients.
Cloning and expression of an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei
Authors: Padilla-Hurtado Beatriz , Flórez-Ramos Claudia , Aguilera-Gálvez Carolina , Medina-Olaya Jefferson , Ramírez-Sanjuan Andrés , Rubio-Gómez José , Acuña-Zornosa Ricardo 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei, reproduces and feeds exclusively on the mature endosperm of the coffee seed, which has a cell wall composed mainly of a heterogeneous mixture of hemicellulose polysaccharides, including arabinoxylans. Xylanases are digestive enzymes responsible for the degradation of xylan based polymers, hydrolyzing them into smaller molecules that are easier to assimilate by insects. We report the cloning, expression and enzymatic characterization of a xylanase gene that was identified in the digestive tract of the coffee berry borer.

Methods
The complete DNA sequence encoding a H. hampei xylanase (HhXyl) was obtained using a genome walking technique in a cDNA library derived from the borer digestive tract. The XIP-I gene was amplified from wheat (Triticum aestivum variety Soisson). A Pichia pastoris expression system was used to express the recombinant form of these enzymes. The xylanase activity and XIP-I inhibitory activity was quantified by the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic (DNS). The biological effects of XIP-I on borer individuals were evaluated by providing an artificial diet enriched with the recombinant XIP-I protein to the insects.

Results
The borer xylanase sequence contains a 951 bp open reading frame that is predicted to encode a 317-amino acid protein, with an estimated molecular weight of 34.92 kDa and a pI of 4.84. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that HhXyl exhibits high sequence homology with endo-β-D-xylanases of Streptomyces bingchenggensis from glycosyl hydrolase 10 (GH10). The recombinant xylanase showed maximal activity at pH 5.5 and 37°C. XIP-I expressed as a recombinant protein inhibited HhXyl activity in vitro and caused individual H. hampei mortality in bioassays when included as a supplement in artificial diets.

Conclusion
A xylanase from the digestive tract of the coffee berry borer was identified and functionally characterized. A xylanase inhibitor protein, XIP-I, from wheat was shown to be a potent inhibitor of this xylanase, suggesting that its deployment has potential as a strategy to control coffee berry borer colonization of coffee plants.
Evaluation of Plasma Transferred Arc Fe-Al Alloyed Coatings
Authors: Sippel J. F. , D’Oliveira A. S. C. M. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Industrial equipment operates under aggressive service conditions aiming at higher efficiencies. In order to attend these demanding operating conditions materials have been developed among which are the FeAl alloys. This work studied Fe-Al coatings developed in situ by the deposition of mixtures of powders by plasma transferred arc on AISI304 plates. The aim was to characterize the effect on the features of coatings of (a) 15 and 30 %wt Al in the deposited mixtures and (b) 18 % Cr and 8 % Ni both individually and together. Characterization included dilution and hardness measurements, microstructure analysis, and exposure at 650°C for 2 h in an air furnace. Abrasive sliding wear tests were used to classify the processed coatings. Coating hardness varied between 400 and 500 Hv0.3 and a columnar solidification structure developed in all coatings but on those processed with the Fe 30 wt% Al powder blend, which presented a dendritic structure. This microstructure evolved to a columnar structure following exposure to temperature. The complex powder mixtures containing FeAlCrNi resulted in a coating with a more stable response when exposed to 650°C and superior wear behavior, whereas coatings developed from the deposition of FeAl blends showed poorer stability and the highest normalized wear.
Isotope dilution gamma spectrometry for Pu using low energy photons
Authors: Paul Sumana , Sarkar Arnab , Alamelu D. , Shah Raju V. , Aggarwal Suresh K. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Isotope dilution gamma spectrometry (IDGS) for determination of the Pu concentration, using high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry (HRGS) in the 40–150 keV energy range, is developed and described. The methodology involves purification of Pu by an anion exchange procedure, followed by the determination of Pu isotopic composition using HRGS. For isotope dilution, a pre-calibrated power reactor grade Pu (∼ 70 at. % 239Pu) solution from an Indian PHWR was used as a spike for research reactor grade Pu (∼ 95 at. % 239Pu) samples and vice versa. Changes in 240Pu/239Pu (45.24 keV/51.62 keV) and 241Pu/239Pu (148.57 keV/129.29 keV) activity ratios in the spiked samples were determined by gamma spectrometry. Using the atom ratios calculated from the measured activity ratios, the concentration of Pu in the sample was calculated using two different efficiency calibration methods. The isotopic composition and concentration of Pu samples both from power reactor and research reactor grade agreed well with the values obtained by isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The present method also shows the superiority of using the 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio against the 241Pu/239Pu atom ratio in IDGS with respect to the accuracy and precision.
On-line gas chromatographic studies of Nb, Ta, and Db bromides
Authors: Lin Mao-Sheng , Fan Fang-Li , Huang W. X. , Yan X. L. , Bai J. , Wu X. L. , Lei F. A. , Ding H. J. , Ma F. , Li G. S. , Zhou H. B. , Guo Jun-Sheng 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The isothermal gas chromatographic behaviour of the group 5 elements Nb, Ta and Db was investigated in a brominating atmosphere using the OLGA technique. It was found that Db forms a very volatile compound, most likely the pentabromide, being more volatile than similar compounds formed under identical conditions with Nb and Ta, respectively. This observation is in disagreement with previous experimental investigations of the same compound but in agreement with theoretical prediction.
Uranyl complexes formed with a para-t-butylcalix[4]arene bearing phosphinoyl pendant arms on the lower rim. Solid and solution studies
Authors: Ramírez F. de M. , Varbanov S. , Bünzli J.-C. G. , Rivas-Silva J. F. , Ocaña-Bribiesca M. A. , Cortés-Jácome M. A. , Toledo-Antonio J. A. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The current interest in functionalized calixarenes with phosphorylated pendant arms resides in their coordination ability towards f elements and capability towards actinide/rare earth separation. Uranyl cation forms 1:1 and 1:2 (M:L) complexes with a tetra-phosphinoylated p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, B4bL4: UO2(NO3)2(B4bL4)
n
· xH2O (n = 1, x = 2, 1; n = 2, x = 6, 2). Spectroscopic data point to the inner coordination sphere of 1 containing one monodentate nitrate anion, one water molecule and the four phosphinoylated arms bound to UO2
2+ while in 2, uranyl is only coordinated to calixarene ligands. In both cases the U(VI) ion is 8-coordinate. Uranyl complexes display enhanced metal-centred luminescence due to energy transfer from the calixarene ligands; the luminescence decays are bi-exponential with associated lifetimes in the ranges 220 μs <τ
s <250 μs and 630 μs <τ
L < 640 μs, pointing to the presence of two species with differently coordinated calixarene, as substantiated by a XPS study of U(4f
5/2,7/2), O(1s) and P(2p) levels on solid state samples. The extraction study of UO2
2+ cation and trivalent rare-earth (Y, La, Eu) ions from acidic nitrate media by B4bL4 in chloroform shows the uranyl cation being much more extracted than rare earths.
Ratio primary reference measurement procedure (RPRMP) for the determination of iron in biological materials by RNAA
Authors: Dybczynski R. S. , Danko B. , Pyszynska M. , Polkowska-Motrenko H. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
A new ratio primary reference measurement procedure (RPRMP), i.e. a definitive method for the determination of iron in biological materials, was devised. It is based on a combination of neutron activation with selective and quantitative post-irradiation separation of 59Fe from all accompanying radionuclides followed by γ-ray spectrometric measurement. The novel separation scheme, involving the use of column chromatography on two (anion and cation) exchange columns, was extensively checked using radioactive tracers and was shown to be very selective and truly quantitative. High selectivity of the separation scheme was achieved by exploiting the “anomalous” sorption of Fe(III) on medium cross-linked sulfonic cation exchanger from concentrated hydrobromic acid solution. The accuracy of the RPRMP was demonstrated by the analysis of several certified reference materials. The method was used for the analysis of the three INCT CRMs based on tobacco leaves in which Fe was originally not certified, because widely discordant results by different analytical techniques were obtained in world-wide intercomparisons. The results by RPRMP in those materials were in a very good agreement with our own results by INAA. Tentative certified values (TCV) for Fe were proposed as a combination of RPRMP and INAA results. Some possible sources of systematic errors in other analytical methods were discussed.
The Self Assembly of Superhydrophobic Copper Thiolate Films on Copper in Thiol Solutions
Authors: Whitley Martyn , Newton Michael , McHale Glen , Shirtcliffe Neil James 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
It is common to think of thiols as molecules that form self-assembled monolayers on gold or similar metals, they have also been used as corrosion inhibitors on copper and steel, but we show here that if the copper remains in thiol solution corrosion is accelerated and a thick layer of corrosion products with a very rough surface forms. The layer is superhydrophobic; repelling water so effectively that it rolls off leaving the surface completely dry. It is composed of a copper (I) thiolate complex and growth occurs quite rapidly under normal conditions. The film morphology depends upon the solvent and thiol used. The presence of organic amines in the solution alters the reaction leading to the formation of thinner layers by removing corrosion products into solution, allowing the removal of native oxide layers.
The C57BL/6J Mouse Strain Background Modifies the Effect of a Mutation in Bcl2l2
Authors: Navarro Stefanie J , Trinh Tuyen , Lucas Charlotte A , Ross Andrea J , Waymire Katrina G , MacGregor Grant R 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Bcl2l2 encodes BCL-W, an antiapoptotic member of the BCL-2 family of proteins. Intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− mice on a mixed C57BL/6J, 129S5 background produces Bcl2l2 −/− animals with the expected frequency. In contrast, intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− mice on a congenic C57BL/6J background produces relatively few live-born Bcl2l2 −/− animals. Genetic modifiers alter the effect of a mutation. C57BL/6J mice (Mus musculus) have a mutant allele of nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (Nnt) that can act as a modifier. Loss of NNT decreases the concentration of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate within the mitochondrial matrix. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate is a cofactor for glutathione reductase, which regenerates reduced glutathione, an important antioxidant. Thus, loss of NNT activity is associated with increased mitochondrial oxidative damage and cellular stress. To determine whether loss of Bcl2l2 −/− mice on the C57BL/6J background was mediated by the Nnt mutation, we outcrossed Bcl2l2 congenic C57BL/6J (Nnt −/−) mice with the closely related C57BL/6JEiJ (Nnt +/+) strain to produce Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt +/+ and Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt −/− animals. Intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt +/+ mice produced Bcl2l2 −/− with the expected frequency, whereas intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt −/− animals did not. This finding indicates the C57BL/6J strain background, and possibly the Nnt mutation, modifies the Bcl2l2 mutant phenotype. This and previous reports highlight the importance of knowing the genetic composition of mouse strains used in research studies as well as the accurate reporting of mouse strains in the scientific literature.
Whole-Genome Sequencing to Identify Mutants and Polymorphisms inChlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Dutcher Susan K , Li Linya , Lin Huawen , Meyer Leslie , Giddings Thomas H , Kwan Alan L , Lewis Brian L 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWhole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides a new platform for the identification of mutations that produce a mutant phenotype. We used Illumina sequencing to identify the mutational profile of three Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant strains. The three strains have more than 38,000 changes from the reference genome. NG6 is aflagellate and maps to 269 kb with only one nonsynonymous change; the V12E mutation falls in the FLA8 gene. Evidence that NG6 is a fla8 allele comes from swimming revertants that are either true or pseudorevertants. NG30 is aflagellate and maps to 458 kb that has six nonsynonomous changes. Evidence that NG30 has a causative nonsense allele in IFT80 comes from rescue of the nonswimming phenotype with a fragment bearing only this gene. This gene has been implicated in Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy. Electron microscopy of ift80-1 (NG30) shows a novel basal body phenotype. A bar or cap is observed over the distal end of the transition zone, which may be an intermediate in preparing the basal body for flagellar assembly. In the acetate-requiring mutant ac17, we failed to find a nonsynonymous change in the 676 kb mapped region, which is incompletely assembled. In these strains, 43% of the changes occur on two of the 17 chromosomes. The excess on chromosome 6 surrounds the mating-type locus, which has numerous rearrangements and suppressed recombination, and the changes extend beyond the mating-type locus. Unexpectedly, chromosome 16 shows an unexplained excess of single nucleotide polymorphisms and indels. Overall, WGS in combination with limited mapping allows fast and accurate identification of point mutations in Chlamydomonas.
ManySaccharomyces cerevisiaeCell Wall Protein Encoding Genes Are Coregulated by Mss11, but Cellular Adhesion Phenotypes Appear Only Flo Protein Dependent
Authors: Bester Michael C , Jacobson Dan , Bauer Florian F 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe outer cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae serves as the interface with the surrounding environment and directly affects cell−cell and cell−surface interactions. Many of these interactions are facilitated by specific adhesins that belong to the Flo protein family. Flo mannoproteins have been implicated in phenotypes such as flocculation, substrate adhesion, biofilm formation, and pseudohyphal growth. Genetic data strongly suggest that individual Flo proteins are responsible for many specific cellular adhesion phenotypes. However, it remains unclear whether such phenotypes are determined solely by the nature of the expressed FLO genes or rather as the result of a combination of FLO gene expression and other cell wall properties and cell wall proteins. Mss11 has been shown to be a central element of FLO1 and FLO11 gene regulation and acts together with the cAMP-PKA-dependent transcription factor Flo8. Here we use genome-wide transcription analysis to identify genes that are directly or indirectly regulated by Mss11. Interestingly, many of these genes encode cell wall mannoproteins, in particular, members of the TIR and DAN families. To examine whether these genes play a role in the adhesion properties associated with Mss11 expression, we assessed deletion mutants of these genes in wild-type and flo11Δ genetic backgrounds. This analysis shows that only FLO genes, in particular FLO1/10/11, appear to significantly impact on such phenotypes. Thus adhesion-related phenotypes are primarily dependent on the balance of FLO gene expression.
Multiplex Chromosomal Exome Sequencing Accelerates Identification of ENU-Induced Mutations in the Mouse
Authors: Sun Miao , Mondal Kajari , Patel Viren , Horner Vanessa L , Long Alyssa B , Cutler David J , Caspary Tamara , Zwick Michael E 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Forward genetic screens in Mus musculus have proved powerfully informative by revealing unsuspected mechanisms governing basic biological processes. This approach uses potent chemical mutagens, such as N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), to randomly induce mutations in mice, which are then bred and phenotypically screened to identify lines that disrupt a specific biological process of interest. Although identifying a mutation using the rich resources of mouse genetics is straightforward, it is unfortunately neither fast nor cheap. Here we show that detecting newly induced causal variants in a forward genetic screen can be accelerated dramatically using a methodology that combines multiplex chromosome-specific exome capture, next-generation sequencing, rapid mapping, sequence annotation, and variation filtering. The key innovation of our method is multiplex capture and sequence that allows the simultaneous survey of both mutant, parental, and background strains in a single experiment. By comparing variants identified in mutant offspring with those found in dbSNP, the unmutagenized background strains, and parental lines, induced causative mutations can be distinguished immediately from preexisting variation or experimental artifact. Here we demonstrate this approach to find the causative mutations induced in four novel ENU lines identified from a recent ENU screen. In all four cases, after applying our method, we found six or fewer putative mutations (and sometimes only a single one). Determining the causative variant was then easily achieved through standard segregation approaches. We have developed this process into a community resource that will speed up individual labs’ ability to identify the genetic lesion in mutant mouse lines; all of our reagents and software tools are open source and available to the broader scientific community.
Bronchoscopic Findings in Children With Chronic Wet Cough
Authors: Zgherea Daniela , Pagala Sobhan , Mendiratta Monita , Marcus Michael G. , Shelov Steven P. , Kazachkov Mikhail 
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVES:
Protracted bacterial bronchitis is defined as the presence of more than 4 weeks of chronic wet cough that resolves with appropriate antibiotic therapy, in the absence of alternative diagnoses. The diagnosis of protracted bacterial bronchitis is not readily accepted within the pediatric community, however, and data on the incidence of bacterial bronchitis in children are deficient. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of bacterial bronchitis in children with chronic wet cough and to analyze their bronchoscopic findings.

METHODS:
We performed a retrospective review of charts of children who presented with chronic wet cough, unresponsive to therapy, before referral to the pediatric pulmonary clinic.

RESULTS:
A total of 197 charts and bronchoscopy reports were analyzed. Of 109 children who were 0 to 3 years of age, 33 (30.3%) had laryngomalacia and/or tracheomalacia. The bronchoscopy showed purulent bronchitis in 56% (110) cases and nonpurulent bronchitis in 44% (87). The bronchoalveolar lavage bacterial cultures were positive in 46% (91) of the children and showed nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (49%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (20%), Moraxella catarrhalis (17%), Staphylococcus aureus (12%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 1 patient. The χ2 analysis demonstrated that positive bacterial cultures occurred more frequently in children with purulent bronchitis (74, 69.8%) than in children with nonpurulent bronchitis (19, 19.8%) (P &lt; .001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Children who present with chronic wet cough are often found to have evidence of purulent bronchitis on bronchoscopy. This finding is often indicative of a bacterial lower airway infection in these children.
Association of Center Volume With Mortality and Complications in Pediatric Heart Surgery
Authors: Pasquali Sara K. , Li Jennifer S. , Burstein Danielle S. , Sheng Shubin , O’Brien Sean M. , Jacobs Marshall L. , Jaquiss Robert D.B. , Peterson Eric D. , Gaynor J. William , Jacobs Jeffrey P. 
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE:Previous analyses have suggested center volume is associated with outcome in children undergoing heart surgery. However, data are limited regarding potential mediating factors, including the relationship of center volume with postoperative complications and mortality in those who suffer a complication. We examined this association in a large multicenter cohort.METHODS:Children 0 to 18 years undergoing heart surgery at centers participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (2006–2009) were included. In multivariable analysis, we evaluated outcomes associated with annual center volume, adjusting for patient factors and surgical risk category.RESULTS:A total of 35 776 patients (68 centers) were included. Overall, 40.6% of patients had ≥1 complication, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 3.9%. The mortality rate in those patients with a complication was 9.0%. In multivariable analysis, lower center volume was significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality. There was no association of center volume with the rate of postoperative complications, but lower center volume was significantly associated with higher mortality in those with a complication (P = .03 when volume examined as a continuous variable; odds ratio in centers with &lt;150 vs &gt;350 cases per year = 1.59 [95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.18]). This association was most prominent in the higher surgical risk categories.CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest that the higher mortality observed at lower volume centers in children undergoing heart surgery may be related to a higher rate of mortality in those with postoperative complications, rather than a higher rate of complications alone.