bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The genetic control of cell proliferation in Drosophila imaginal discs
Authors: Bryant Peter J. , Schmidt Otto 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
The imaginal discs of Drosophila provide a favorable system for the analysis of the mechanisms controlling developmental cell proliferation, because of the separation in time between cell proliferation and differentiation, and the facility with which controlling genes can be identified and characterized. Imaginal discs are established in the embryo, and grow by cell proliferation throughout the larval period. Proliferation terminates in a regular spatial pattern during the final stages of larval development and the first day of pupal development. Cell proliferation can be locally reactivated in growth-terminated imaginal discs by removing part of the disc and culturing the remaining fragment in an adult host. The pattern of proliferation in these fragments suggests that cell proliferation in imaginal discs is controlled by direct interactions between cells and their neighbors. Proliferation appears to be stimulated by positional information differences, and these differences are reduced by the addition of new cells during tissue growth. Genes involved in cell proliferation control have been identified by collecting and analyzing recessive lethal mutations which cause overgrowth of imaginal discs. In some of these mutants (fat, Igd, c43, dco) the overgrowing tissue is hyperplastic; it retains its single-layered epithelial structure and is capable of differentiating. In two of the hyperplastic mutants (dco and c43), the imaginal discs show a failure of gap-junctional cell communication, suggesting that this form of cell communication may be involved in termination of proliferation. In other mutants the overgrowing disc tissue is neoplastic: it loses its structure and ability to differentiate, becoming a tumorous growth. The two genes that give a neoplastic phenotype (dig and lgl) have been cloned and cDNAs of one of them (1gl) sequenced. The lgl gene encodes a cell surface molecule with significant homology to calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecules (cadherins). The expression of lgl at the time of termination of cell proliferation suggests that there are changes in the way that cells interact with one another at these times, and that these changes may be implemented by cell adhesion molecules. Direct cell contact within the epithelium, as well as signalling through gap junctions, appears to be involved in the cell interactions needed for the termination of cell proliferation. Mutations in genes encoding the Drosophila homologs of growth factors, growth factor receptors and oncogenes usually show an effect on cell-fate decisions rather than cell proliferation control, but this may be because oncogenic mutations in these genes would be dominant lethals and would therefore not be identified by conventional genetic analysis.
An approach to reconstituting motility of single myosin molecules
Authors: Kron Stephen J. , Uyeda Taro Q. P. , Warrick Hans M. , Spudich James A. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Over the last five years, the value of in vitro motility assays as probes of the mechanical properties of the actin-myosin interaction has been amply demonstrated. Motility assays in which single fluorescent actin filaments are observed moving over surfaces coated with myosin or its soluble fragments are now used in many laboratories. They have been applied to a wide range of problems including the study of structure-function relationships in the myosin molecule and measurement of fundamental properties of the myosin head. However, one limitation of these assays has been uncertainty over the number of myosin heads interacting with each sliding filament, that frustrates attempts to determine properties of individual heads. In order to address this limitation, we have modified the conditions of the actin sliding filament assay to reduce the number of heads interacting with each filament. Our goal is to establish an assay in which the motor function of a single myosin head can be characterized from the movement of a single actin filament.
Epidermal differentiation and keratin gene expression
Authors: Fuchs Elaine 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
The epidermis of the skin is a stratified squamous epithelium, which plays an important protective role. It manifests this role by building an extensive cytoskeletal architecture, the unique feature of which is the presence of keratin filaments. There are two major pairs of keratins in the epidermis: one pair is expressed in dividing cells and the other expressed in terminally differentiating cells. As such, keratins provide useful biochemical markers to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the balance between growth and differentiation in the epidermis. Here, I review what is currently known about epidermal growth and differentiation, and how an understanding of keratin gene expression has been useful in elucidating regulatory pathways in the skin.
Estimation of Pentraxin‐3 Levels in the Gingival Tissues of Chronic and Aggressive Periodontitis Participants: An In Vivo Study
Authors: Lakshmanan Reema , Jayakumar N. D. , Sankari Malaiappan , Padmalatha Ogoti , Varghese Sheeja 
Published: May 2013

Background: Pentraxins are acute‐phase proteins that belong to a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins, and they are considered markers of inflammation. Pentraxin‐3 (PTX3) is a prototype of the long pentraxin group. It is suggested to play an important role in innate resistance against pathogens, regulation of inflammation, and clearance of apoptotic cells. The aim of this study is to estimate the level of PTX3 in gingival tissues of individuals with chronic (CP) and aggressive (AgP) periodontitis and control participants and further correlate the level of PTX3 with clinical parameters.Methods: The study population consisted of 50 participants ranging in age from 20 to 55 years and attending the outpatient section of Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India. The study groups included the following: 1) group A, patients with generalized CP (n = 20); 2) group B (n = 20), patients with generalized AgP (GAgP); and 3) group C (n = 10), healthy controls. Tissue samples from participants were assayed for PTX3 levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Gingival tissues from patients with GAgP (8.349 ± 5.076 ng/mL) had a higher mean concentration of PTX3 than tissues from patients with generalized CP (5.068 ± 3.274 ng/mL) and controls (0.251 ± 0.277). The PTX3 levels in the gingival tissues correlated positively with clinical parameters in all the groups. Among the parameters, probing depth was the most significant predictor variable associated with PTX3 in cases with periodontitis.Conclusions: PTX3 concentration in gingival tissues of patients with GAgP was higher than in tissues from patients with CP, and the levels correlated positively with clinical parameters. Hence, tissue PTX3 level can be considered a marker of inflammation in periodontal disease.
Modeling the spatial distribution of snow water equivalent, taking into account changes in snow-covered area
Authors: Skaugen T. , Randen F. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA good estimate of the spatial probability density function (PDF) of snow water equivalent (SWE) provides the mean of the snow reservoir, but also enables modelling of the changes in snow-covered area (SCA), which is crucial for the runoff dynamics in spring. The spatial PDF of accumulated SWE is here modelled as a sum of correlated gamma-distributed variables, called units. The spatial variance of accumulated SWE is evaluated by the covariance matrix of the units. For accumulation events, there are only positive elements in the covariance matrix, whereas for melting events there are both positive and negative elements. The negative elements dictate that the correlation between melt and SWE is negative. After accumulation and melting events, the changes in the spatial moments are weighted by changes in SCA. Results from the model are in good agreement with observed spatial moments of SWE and SCA and found to provide better estimates of the spatial variability than the current model for snow distribution used in the Norwegian version of the Swedish rainfall–runoff model HBV. The parameters in the distribution model are estimated from observed historical precipitation, so no calibration parameters are introduced.
MicroRNA-146a Feedback Suppresses T Cell Immune Function by Targeting Stat1 in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Wang Saifeng , Zhang Xiaojun , Ju Ying , Zhao Bao , Yan Xiaoli , Hu Jun , Shi Lei , Yang Lebing , Ma Zhibo , Chen Lizhao , Liu Yali , Duan Zhongping , Chen Xinyue , Meng Songdong 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
More than 350 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus, and dysfunctional T cell responses contribute to persistent viral infection and immunopathogenesis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the underlying mechanisms of T cell hyporesponsiveness remain largely undefined. Given the important role of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) in diverse aspects of lymphocyte function, we investigated the potential role and mechanism of miR-146a in regulating T cell immune responses in CHB. We found that miR-146a expression in T cells is significantly upregulated in CHB compared with healthy controls, and miR-146a levels were correlated with serum alanine aminotransaminase levels. Both inflammatory cytokines and viral factors led to miR-146a upregulation in T cells. Stat1 was identified as a miR-146a target that is involved in antiviral cytokine production and the cytotoxicity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In vitro blockage of miR-146a in T cells in CHB greatly enhanced virus-specific T cell activity. Therefore, our work demonstrates that miR-146a upregulation in CHB causes impaired T cell function, which may contribute to immune defects and immunopathogenesis during chronic viral infection.
Religion and Rebellion: Moravian Mission and (Post)–Emancipation Revolts in the British and Danish Caribbean
Authors: Hüsgen Jan 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Missionary activities were regarded with suspicion by colonial authorities and planters. When slave rebellions occurred, missionaries were often blamed for having supported rebellious attempts of slaves. In case of the Moravian mission, mission historiography and contemporary historians have pointed out that missionary teaching successfully disciplined the slaves and made them obedient. This article reevaluates this assumption by analyzing and comparing two insurrections in the British and Danish Caribbean, the labor revolt in St. Kitts in 1834 and the slave rebellion in St. Croix in 1848.
Laparoscopic Management of Diverticular Colovesical Fistula: Experience in 15 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Marney Lucy A. , Ho Yik-Hong 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Colovesical fistulas secondary to diverticular disease may be considered a contraindication to the laparoscopic approach. The feasibility of laparoscopic management of complicated diverticulitis and mixed diverticular fistulas has been demonstrated. However, few studies on the laparoscopic management of diverticular colovesical fistulas exist. A retrospective analysis was performed of 15 patients with diverticular colovesical fistula, who underwent laparoscopic-assisted anterior resection and bladder repair. Median operating time was 135 minutes and median blood loss, 75 mL. Five patients were converted to an open procedure (33.3%) with an associated increase in hospital stay (P = 0.035). Median time to return of bowel function was 2 days and median length of stay, 6 days. Overall morbidity was 20% with no major complications. There was no mortality. There was no recurrence during median follow-up of 12.4 months. These results suggest that laparoscopic management of diverticular colovesical fistulas is both feasible and safe in the setting of appropriate surgical expertise.
Transdisciplinarity in Corporate Sustainability: Mapping the Field
Authors: Schaltegger Stefan , Beckmann Markus , Hansen Erik G. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTSustainability challenges are complex. So are the challenges that business firms encounter in their corresponding quest for corporate sustainability. Given this complexity, there is a need for new approaches to corporate sustainability management research. We discuss transdisciplinarity as such a novel approach in three steps. After showing that specialization is the primary conventional response to increasing complexity, we first briefly compare how inter‐, multi‐ and transdisciplinarity reintegrate decentralized, specialized knowledge. The second step describes how the emerging sustainability science has recently advanced the transdisciplinary methodology. Based on the two dimensions of interdisciplinarity and academia–practice collaboration, we third generate a framework for mapping existing research approaches in terms of their transdisciplinary qualities. We use this framework to identify room for novel methodologies in sustainability management research. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Serum visfatin levels and metabolic syndrome criteria in obese female subjects
Authors: de Luis D. A. , Aller R. , Gonzalez Sagrado M. , Conde R. , Izaola O. , de la Fuente B. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundSerum visfatin concentrations are associated with cardiovascular risk factors and obesity. Relation of this adipokine with metabolic syndrome is unclear. We decide to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and visfatin levels in female obese subjects.SubjectsA sample of 826 female obese subjects was analyzed. A complete nutritional and biochemical evaluation was performed. Serum visfatin levels were measured and to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, the definitions of the Adult Treatment Panel III was consideredResultsMean age was 48.1 + 12.6 years. Patients were divided in three groups by tertiles of visfatin value, group I (<7.94 ng/ml), group II (7.95–11.78 ng/ml) and group 3 (>11.79 ng/ml). A total of 350 women had metabolic syndrome (42.4%). Values of body mass index, weight, fat mass and waist circumference were lower in patients in the highest tertile group of visfatin than the lowest and middle tertiles of visfatin. Values of C reactive protein were higher in patients in the highest tertile group of visfatin than the lowest and middle tertiles of visfatin. Correlation analysis showed a significant correlation among serum visfatin levels and the independent variables; total cholesterol (r = 0.14;p < 0.05) and C reactive protein (r = 0.12;p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, only visfatin concentration increase 0.123 ng/ml (CI95%:0.033–0.445) for each mg/dl of C reactive protein.ConclusionOnly C reactive protein remained associated in an independent way. Serum visfatin was not associated with the accumulation of metabolic syndrome factors or the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in obese female subjects. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternative forms for genomic clines
Authors: Fitzpatrick Benjamin M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractUnderstanding factors regulating hybrid fitness and gene exchange is a major research challenge for evolutionary biology. Genomic cline analysis has been used to evaluate alternative patterns of introgression, but only two models have been used widely and the approach has generally lacked a hypothesis testing framework for distinguishing effects of selection and drift. I propose two alternative cline models, implement multivariate outlier detection to identify markers associated with hybrid fitness, and simulate hybrid zone dynamics to evaluate the signatures of different modes of selection. Analysis of simulated data shows that previous approaches are prone to false positives (multinomial regression) or relatively insensitive to outlier loci affected by selection (Barton's concordance). The new, theory‐based logit‐logistic cline model is generally best at detecting loci affecting hybrid fitness. Although some generalizations can be made about different modes of selection, there is no one‐to‐one correspondence between pattern and process. These new methods will enhance our ability to extract important information about the genetics of reproductive isolation and hybrid fitness. However, much remains to be done to relate statistical patterns to particular evolutionary processes. The methods described here are implemented in a freely available package “HIest” for the R statistical software (CRAN;http://cran.r-project.org/).
Health‐care providers' perspectives on childhood cancer treatment in Manado, Indonesia
Authors: Mostert S. , Gunawan S. , van Dongen J. A. P. , van de Ven P. M. , Sitaresmi M. N. , Wolters E. E. , Veerman A. J. P. , Mantik M. , Kaspers G. J. L. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundChildhood cancer survival in low‐income countries is low.ObjectiveOur study investigated health‐care providers' perspectives on childhood cancer treatment in Indonesia. Their health beliefs and attitudes toward parental financial difficulties, protocol adherence, parental education, and communication were explored.MethodsA self‐administered questionnaire was filled in by 222 health‐care providers (156 doctors, 51 nurses, 6 social workers, 9 administrators)ResultsHealth of children with cancer is beyond doctor's control and determined by luck, fate or God according to 35% of health‐care providers, 30% were uncertain about this statement, and 35% disagreed. Combination of chemotherapy and alternative treatment is best to achieve cure according to 15% of health‐care providers, 50% were uncertain, and 35% disagreed. Prosperous parents adhere better with treatment (67%). Doctors adhere better with cancer treatment for prosperous patients (55%). When dealing with poor families, less elaborate explanation is given (62%), more difficult vocabulary is used (49%), and less cooperation is offered (46%). Reasons for non‐adherence with treatment protocol were as follows: financial difficulties parents (82%), side‐effects (77%), lack of motivation parents (75%), and inadequate drugs supply at pharmacy (70%). Information about cancer and treatment makes parents more afraid or depressed about future, and parents prefer not to know according to 27% of health‐care providers, 20% were uncertain, and 53% disagreed. Communication with parents is hindered by differences in status and social hierarchical structures (83%).ConclusionsHealth‐care providers' beliefs about childhood cancer treatment are characterized by much uncertainty and contradiction. This likely affects adherence of health‐care providers, parents, and childhood cancer treatment outcome. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of hopelessness and depression among Chinese hospitalized esophageal cancer patients and their family caregivers
Authors: Han Yanhong , Yuan Jie , Luo Zhiguo , Zhao Jing , Wu Junbo , Liu Rongying , Lopez Violeta 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundIt has been well documented that the diagnosis of cancer is psychologically devastating to both the patients and caregivers. The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer were 20.85 and 16.24 per 100,000 persons and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth main cause of cancer death in China. We surveyed patients–caregivers dyad and examined the determinants of their depression and hopelessness.ResultsThe prevalence of depression among patients and caregivers was 52.8% and 47.2%, and the prevalence for hopelessness was 64.4% and 53.9%, respectively Regression models indicate that the variables measured could explain 58.9% and 51.7% of the variance in depression and 66.8% and 45.7% of the variance in hopelessness among patients and caregivers, respectively. Overall, hopelessness was a determinant of depression and vice versa to both patients and caregivers.ConclusionEsophageal patients' depression and hopelessness could also affect caregivers' depression and hopelessness despite the social support that family caregivers have. Psychosocial interventions should be planned to both Chinese patients and caregivers considering the predictors found in this study. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mining Compressing Sequential Patterns
Authors: Lam Hoang Thanh , Mörchen Fabian , Fradkin Dmitriy , Calders Toon 
Published: May 2013

AbstractPattern mining based on data compression has been successfully applied in many data mining tasks. For itemset data, the Krimp algorithm based on the minimum description length (MDL) principle was shown to be very effective in solving the redundancy issue in descriptive pattern mining. However, for sequence data, the redundancy issue of the set of frequent sequential patterns is not fully addressed in the literature. In this article, we study MDL‐based algorithms for mining non‐redundant sets of sequential patterns from a sequence database. First, we propose an encoding scheme for compressing sequence data with sequential patterns. Second, we formulate the problem of mining the most compressing sequential patterns from a sequence database. We show that this problem is intractable and belongs to the class of inapproximable problems. Therefore, we propose two heuristic algorithms. The first of these uses a two‐phase approach similar to Krimp for itemset data. To overcome performance issues in candidate generation, we also propose GoKrimp, an algorithm that directly mines compressing patterns by greedily extending a pattern until no additional compression benefit of adding the extension into the dictionary. Since checks for additional compression benefit of an extension are computationally expensive we propose a dependency test which only chooses related events for extending a given pattern. This technique improves the efficiency of the GoKrimp algorithm significantly while it still preserves the quality of the set of patterns. We conduct an empirical study on eight datasets to show the effectiveness of our approach in comparison to the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms in terms of interpretability of the extracted patterns, run time, compression ratio, and classification accuracy using the discovered patterns as features for different classifiers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining, 2013