bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-26b Represses Colon Cancer Cell Proliferation by Inhibiting Lymphoid Enhancer Factor 1 Expression
Authors: Zhang Zichao , Kim KyoungHyun , Li Xiao , Moreno Myriam , Sharp Thad , Goodheart Michael J. , Safe Stephen , Dupuy Adam J. , Amendt Brad A. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
microRNAs (miR) can act as oncogenes and tumor suppressors and several miRs are associated with cancer development and progression through the modulation of multiple cellular processes. miR26b is downregulated in several cancers and tumors and miR26b directly targets the lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (Lef1)3′UTR and inhibits endogenous Lef1 expression. We report that miR26b expression is associated with human colon cancer through the regulation of LEF1 expression in colon cancer cells. Analyses of multiple colon cancer cell lines revealed an inverse correlation between miR26b and LEF1 expression. Normal human colon cells express low levels of LEF1 and high levels of miR26b; however, human colon cancer cells have decreased miR26b expression and increased LEF1 expression. We demonstrate that miR26b expression is a potent inhibitor of colon cancer cell proliferation and significantly decreases LEF1 expression. The LEF1-regulated genes cyclin D1 and c-Myc were indirectly repressed by miR26b and this was consistent with decreased proliferation. miR26b overexpression in SW480 colon cancer cells also inhibited tumor growth in nude mice and this was due to decreased tumor growth and not apoptosis. Analyses of human colon cancer databases also demonstrated a link between miR26b and LEF1 expression. c-Myc expression is associated with multiple cancers and we propose that miR26b may act as a potential therapeutic agent in reducing cancer cell proliferation through repressing LEF1 activation of c-Myc and cyclin D1 expression. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(7); 1942–51. ©2014 AACR.
Targeted BikDD Expression Kills Androgen-Dependent and Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Xie Xiaoming , Kong Yanan , Tang Hailin , Yang Lu , Hsu Jennifer L. , Hung Mien-Chie 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Targeted gene therapy is a promising approach for treating prostate cancer after the discovery of prostate cancer–specific promoters such as prostate-specific antigen, rat probasin, and human glandular kallikrein. However, these promoters are androgen dependent, and after castration or androgen ablation therapy, they become much less active or sometimes inactive. Importantly, the disease will inevitably progress from androgen-dependent (ADPC) to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), at which treatments fail and high mortality ensues. Therefore, it is critical to develop a targeted gene therapy strategy that is effective in both ADPC and CRPC to eradicate recurrent prostate tumors. The human telomerase reverse transcriptase-VP16-Gal4-WPRE integrated systemic amplifier composite (T-VISA) vector we previously developed, which targets transgene expression in ovarian and breast cancer, is also active in prostate cancer. To further improve its effectiveness based on androgen response in ADPC progression, the ARR2 element (two copies of androgen response region from rat probasin promoter) was incorporated into T-VISA to produce AT-VISA. Under androgen analog (R1881) stimulation, the activity of AT-VISA was increased to a level greater than or comparable to the cytomegalovirus promoter in ADPC and CRPC cells, respectively. Importantly, AT-VISA demonstrated little or no expression in normal cells. Systemic administration of AT-VISA-BikDD encapsulated in liposomes repressed prostate tumor growth and prolonged mouse survival in orthotopic animal models as well as in the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate model, indicating that AT-VISA-BikDD has therapeutic potential to treat ADPC and CRPC safely and effectively in preclinical setting. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(7); 1813–25. ©2014 AACR.
Predictability and Forecast Skill in NMME
Authors: Becker Emily , den Dool Huug van , Zhang Qin 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Forecast skill and potential predictability of 2-m temperature, precipitation rate, and sea surface temperature are assessed using 29 yr of hindcast data from models included in phase 1 of the North American Multimodel Ensemble (NMME) project. Forecast skill is examined using the anomaly correlation (AC); skill of the bias-corrected ensemble means (EMs) of the individual models and of the NMME 7-model EM are verified against the observed value. Forecast skill is also assessed using the root-mean-square error. The models’ representation of the size of forecast anomalies is also studied. Predictability was considered from two angles: homogeneous, where one model is verified against a single member from its own ensemble, and heterogeneous, where a model’s EM is compared to a single member from another model. This study provides insight both into the physical predictability of the three fields and into the NMME and its contributing models.
Most of the models in the NMME have fairly realistic spread, as represented by the interannual variability. The NMME 7-model forecast skill, verified against observations, is equal to or higher than the individual models’ forecast ACs. Two-meter temperature (T2m) skill matches the highest single-model skill, while precipitation rate and sea surface temperature NMME EM skill is higher than for any single model. Homogeneous predictability is higher than reported skill in all fields, suggesting there may be room for some improvement in model prediction, although there are many regional and seasonal variations. The estimate of potential predictability is not overly sensitive to the choice of model. In general, models with higher homogeneous predictability show higher forecast skill.
The autonomy of government agencies in Germany and Norway: explaining variation in management autonomy across countries and agencies
Authors: Bach Tobias 
Published: May 2014

This article reports the results of a comparative analysis of the human resources management (HRM) autonomy of government agencies in Germany and Norway. Whereas the academic literature largely focuses on ministry–agency relations in countries where agencies have been only recently established, these two countries have a long tradition of delegation to agencies outside ministerial departments. However, although sharing a broadly similar administrative tradition, each country differs with regard to the management reform trajectory. This allows an empirical test to be carried out of the effects of management reforms on HRM autonomy, drawing on survey data. The article also discusses the literature on how task characteristics and formal agency structure supposedly affect agency autonomy and puts these claims to an empirical test. The empirical analysis reveals cross-country differences, a somewhat limited effect of task characteristics, and a clear effect of formal structure on de facto HRM autonomy, especially in the German context. Points for practitioners The article shows that administrative traditions do not determine trajectories and effects of administrative reforms. Although both countries have a public sector dominated by public law and the principle of legality, the article shows that agency managers in Norway report more extensive autonomy for managing their staff. Thus extensive delegation of management autonomy to agencies is possible even in a ‘Rechtsstaat’ context. Moreover, the article shows that granting agencies extended formal autonomy and the possibility to generate additional income will also contribute to extended management autonomy. Thus, decision-makers may deliberately influence de facto agency autonomy by using different elements of institutional design.
Serum free light chains, interferon-alpha, and interleukins in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jolly M , Francis S , Aggarwal R , Mikolaitis RA , Niewold TB , Chubinskaya S , Block JA , Scanzello C , Sequeira W 
Published: May 2014

Objective Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-alpha (IFN-α), and free light chains (FLCs: lambda, kappa) have all been noted to be of importance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we quantified and explored the relationship between these inflammatory mediators and disease activity in SLE; and stratified by their current anti-dsDNA antibody status. Methods Seventy-seven SLE patients underwent assessment of disease activity using the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Serum FLC (lambda, kappa, and total), IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-α were quantified. Demographics of disease characteristics were determined by chart reviews. Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney test, chi square, and linear regression analyses. Results Mean (SD) age of the patients was 44.9 ± 12.7 years; SLEDAI (mean ± SD) was 3.4 ± 4.0. Serum lambda FLC levels had a moderate correlation ( r = 0.46 with physician global assessment, 0.44 with SLEDAI) and the strongest correlation with disease activity as compared with other inflammatory mediators including current dsDNA antibody status. After adjusting for prednisone use, the correlation of lambda FLC with PGA ( r = 0.48) and SLEDAI ( r = 0.52) was better than of current dsDNA antibody status with PGA ( r = 0.33) and adjusted SLEDAI ( r = 0.24), respectively. IL-10 and IFN-α activity did not correlate with disease activity. Serum FLC and IL-6 levels could differentiate between active and inactive SLE patients. Serum lambda FLC and IL-6 levels differed significantly among patients with and without current dsDNA antibodies. Serum lambda FLC levels accounted for 31% of variance in SLEDAI scores. Conclusion Serum FLC and IL-6 are potentially useful biomarkers of disease activity in SLE. Further studies, with larger study sample and longitudinal design, are indicated.
Incidence of Recreational Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries: six years experience in the largest ski resort in Finland
Authors: Stenroos A. , Handolin L. 
Published: May 2014

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to provide information on incidences and severity of recreational alpine skiing and snowboarding injuries in Northern Finland and to discuss possible preventive measures to reduce the number and severity of injuries in the future. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study consists of all injured skiers and snowboarders in the Levi Ski Resort during the 2006–2012 winter seasons. The Levi Ski Resort has a SKIDATA® system which records automatically every ski-lift run taking place. The emergency system of the resort registers the data (conditions during the injury, patient characteristics, and observed and/or suspected injuries) of all injured persons they meet. The severity of injury is defined by the needed level of care: Grade 1 (treated by the emergency system with no need for further referral), Grade 2 (referral to the local primacy care clinic), Grade 3 (transfer to hospital by ambulance), and Grade 4 (transfer to tertiary care by helicopter). Results: During the 6-year study period, there were 29,576.132 lift runs and 2911 injuries were met by the emergency system, resulting in the average injury incidence of 0.98 injuries per 10,000 lift runs. Vice versa, the average number of the ski-lift rides needed to generate one injury was 10,160. The knee injuries of the skiers constituted almost one-third of all cases, whereas snowboarders sustained more injuries to the upper limb and axial areas. Conclusion: Skiing and snowboarding are related to a relatively high risk of injury. The most common injuries affect the knee in skiers and the upper extremity, especially the wrist, in snowboarders. A continuous and systematic review of injuries is needed to monitor the effects of changes made in terms of the safety.
A Clinical Evaluation of Routine Blood Sampling Practices in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Grady Mike , Pineau Mitchel , Pynes Mary Kate , Katz Laurence B. , Ginsberg Barry 
Published: May 2014

Background: There is a perception that patients with diabetes struggle to produce sufficient blood to fill glucose test strips, including strips with 1-µL fill requirements. The purpose of this study was to determine the volume of blood expressed when these patients perform routine fingersticks using their own lancing device and sampling technique and to evaluate the relationship between blood volume and pain. Methods: Sixty-four patients (type 1 or type 2 diabetes) performed 8 fingersticks using their own lancing device and preferred depth setting and lancing technique. Eight different commercially available lancing systems were used (8 patients/system). Blood volume and perceived pain were recorded after each fingerstick. Results: The mean blood volume across all patients was 3.1 µL (512 fingersticks), with 97% of patients expressing a mean of ≥1.0 µL of blood. There was no correlation between pain response and the volume of blood expressed. Nearly all patients agreed that they could easily and comfortably obtain a 1-µL blood sample, and most patients actually preferred a larger drop size to ease sampling and avoid wasting strips. Conclusion: These results provide evidence across 8 lancing systems that challenge the current perceptions that patients with diabetes struggle to produce sufficient blood samples to fill most test strips, including those with 1-µL fill requirements, and that obtaining larger volumes of blood is more painful. These results are consistent with the previous literature suggesting that patients derive no real benefits from very low strip volumes and generally prefer a blood drop size that enables them to confidently fill their test strip.
Acquired mutations in BCL2 family proteins conferring resistance to the BH3 mimetic ABT-199 in lymphoma
Authors: Fresquet Vicente , Rieger Melissa , Carolis Carlo , García-Barchino Maria J. , Martinez-Climent Jose A. 
Published: May 2014

Key Points
Acquired selective mutations in Bcl2 and BAX conferred resistance to ABT-199 in experimental models of lymphoma. Monitoring the potential development of such mutations in patients treated with ABT-199 is advised.
Deep mRNA sequencing reveals stage-specific transcriptome alterations during microsclerotia development in the smoke tree vascular wilt pathogen, Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Xiong Dianguang , Wang Yonglin , Ma Jie , Klosterman Steven J , Xiao Shuxiao , Tian Chengming 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background

Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne fungus that causes vascular wilt diseases in a wide range of plant hosts. V. dahliae produces multicelled, melanized resting bodies, also known as microsclerotia (MS) that can survive for years in the soil. The MS are the primary source of infection of the Verticillium disease cycle. Thus, MS formation marks an important event in the disease cycle of V. dahliae.

Results
In this study, next generation sequencing technology of RNA-Seq was employed to investigate the global transcriptomic dynamics of MS development to identify differential gene expression at several stages of MS formation in strain XS11 of V. dahliae, isolated from smoke tree. We observed large-scale changes in gene expression during MS formation, such as increased expression of genes involved in protein metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. Genes involved in glycolytic pathway and melanin biosynthesis were dramatically up-regulated in MS. Cluster analyses revealed increased expression of genes encoding products involved in primary metabolism and stress responses throughout MS development. Differential expression of ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolism and cell death-associated genes during MS development were revealed. Homologs of genes located in the lineage-specific (LS) regions of V. dahliae strain VdLs.17, were either not expressed or showed low expression. Furthermore, alternative splicing (AS) events were analyzed, revealing that over 95.0% AS events involve retention of introns (RI).

Conclusions
These data reveal the dynamics of transcriptional regulation during MS formation and were used to construct a comprehensive high-resolution gene expression map. This map provides a key resource for understanding the biology and molecular basis of MS development of V. dahliae.
Chemiluminescence behavior of CdTe-hydrogen peroxide enhanced by sodium hypochlorite and sensitized sensing of estrogens
Authors: Ling Bo , Bi Jianhong , Pi Zongxin , Dong Huaze , Dong Ling 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
It has been found that sodium hypochlorite enhanced the chemiluminescence (CL) of the CdTe nanocrystal (NC)-hydrogen peroxide system and that estrogens inhibited these CL signals in alkaline solution. CL spectra were used to investigate the mechanism of the CL enhancement. On the basis of the inhibition, a flow-injection CL method has been established for determination of three natural estrogens.
Energy-saving centric uplink scheduling scheme for broadband wireless access networks
Authors: Chen Yen-Wen , Chu Yen-Yin , Peng I-Hsuan 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
This study proposes an energy-saving centric uplink scheduling (ESC-US) scheme to support efficient energy usage and satisfy the quality of service (QoS) requirements of Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) networks. The uplink resource allocation is different from that of the downlink resource allocation scheme because the uplink traffic is queued at the mobile station (MS) and the base station (BS) has no information regarding it without using a polling procedure. The considered resource scheduling schemes maximize the sleep efficiency and consider the QoS requirements of individual MSs. The proposed scheduling scheme in this study considers the delay budget of MSs with real-time connections and the required minimum reserved traffic rate (MRTR) of MSs with non-real time connections when maximizing sleep efficiency. Both scheduling schemes for the traffic of real-time polling services (rtPS) and non-real-time polling services (nrtPS) apply the ‘just enough QoS’ and ‘sleep before transmission’ (SbT) concepts to achieve this energy-saving centric objective. Exhaustive simulations were conducted to examine the performance of the proposed schemes. The simulation results show that both schemes guarantee the desired QoS and achieve superior energy-savings efficiencies compared to the conventional scheme.
Uniformly closed replaced AKTT or ∗AKTT condition to get strong convergence theorems for a countable family of relatively quasi-nonexpansive mappings and systems of equilibrium problems
Authors: Zhang Jingling , Su Yongfu , Cheng Qingqing 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to construct a new iterative scheme and to get a strong convergence theorem for a countable family of relatively quasi-nonexpansive mappings and a system of equilibrium problems in a uniformly convex and uniformly smooth real Banach space using the properties of generalized f-projection operator. The notion of uniformly closed mappings is presented and an example will be given which is a countable family of uniformly closed relatively quasi-nonexpansive mappings but not a countable family of relatively nonexpansive mappings. Another example shall be given which is uniformly closed but does not satisfy condition AKTT and ∗AKTT. Our results can be applied to solve a convex minimization problem. In addition, this paper clarifies an ambiguity in a useful lemma. The results of this paper modify and improve many other important recent results.

MSC:47H05, 47H09, 47H10.
Intestinal permeability in children/adolescents with functional dyspepsia
Authors: Neilan Nancy A , Garg Uttam C , Schurman Jennifer Verrill , Friesen Craig A 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background
An altered intestinal mucosal barrier has been demonstrated in subsets of patients with IBS and FAP and may be an additional biological factor contributing to symptom generation in children with FD. The objective of this study was to determine if intestinal permeability is increased in children/adolescents with functional dyspepsia (FD) and whether intestinal permeability is correlated with mucosal inflammation and/or symptoms of anxiety or depression in this population.

Methods
A sugar absorption test was performed in 19 patients with FD and 19 controls. Anxiety and depression were assessed in both groups utilizing a standard questionnaire. In FD patients, duodenal mean and peak mast cell and eosinophil densities were determined.

Results
Intestinal permeability as measured by the sugar absorption test did not differ between children with FD and controls. In children with FD, there was no correlation between permeability and mast cell density, eosinophil density, anxiety scores, or depression scores, respectively.

Conclusions
Pediatric FD does not appear to be associated with increased small bowel intestinal permeability, however, there are some limitations to the current study.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov;NCT00363597.
Autism-associated gene Dlgap2 mutant mice demonstrate exacerbated aggressive behaviors and orbitofrontal cortex deficits
Authors: Jiang-Xie Li-Feng , Liao Hsiao-Mei , Chen Chia-Hsiang , Chen Yuh-Tarng , Ho Shih-Yin , Lu Dai-Hua , Lee Li-Jen , Liou Horng-Huei , Fu Wen-Mei , Gau Susan Shur-Fen 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background
As elegant structures designed for neural communication, synapses are the building bricks of our mental functions. Recently, many studies have pointed out that synaptic protein-associated mutations may lead to dysfunctions of social cognition. Dlgap2, which encodes one of the main components of scaffold proteins in postsynaptic density (PSD), has been addressed as a candidate gene in autism spectrum disorders. To elucidate the disturbance of synaptic balance arising from Dlgap2 loss-of-function in vivo, we thus generated Dlgap2

−/−
mice to investigate their phenotypes of synaptic function and social behaviors.

Methods
The creation of Dlgap2

−/−
mice was facilitated by the recombineering-based method, Cre-loxP system and serial backcross. Reversal learning in a water T-maze was used to determine repetitive behaviors. The three-chamber approach task, resident–intruder test and tube task were performed to characterize the social behaviors of mutant mice. Cortical synaptosomal fraction, Golgi-Cox staining, whole-cell patch electrophysiology and transmission electron microscopy were all applied to investigate the function and structure of synapses in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of Dlgap2

−/−
mice.

Results

Dlgap2

−/−
mice displayed exacerbated aggressive behaviors in the resident–intruder task, and elevated social dominance in the tube test. In addition, Dlgap2

−/−
mice exhibited a clear reduction of receptors and scaffold proteins in cortical synapses. Dlgap2

−/−
mice also demonstrated lower spine density, decreased peak amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current and ultra-structural deficits of PSD in the OFC.

Conclusions
Our findings clearly demonstrate that Dlgap2 plays a vital role in social behaviors and proper synaptic functions of the OFC. Moreover, these results may provide valuable insights into the neuropathology of autism.