bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing professional equipoise and views about a future clinical trial of invasive urodynamics prior to surgery for stress urinary incontinence in women: A survey within a mixed methods feasibility study
Authors: Hilton Paul , Bryant Andy , Howel Denise , McColl Elaine , Buckley Brian S. , Lucas Malcolm , Tincello Douglas G. , Armstrong Natalie 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimsTo determine surgeons' views on invasive urodynamic testing (IUT) prior to surgery for stress (SUI) or stress predominant mixed urinary incontinence (MUI).MethodsMembers of British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) and British Association of Urological Surgeons Section of Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology (BAUS‐SFNUU) were sent an email invitation to complete an online “SurveyMonkey®” questionnaire regarding their current use of IUT prior to surgical treatment of SUI, their view about the necessity for IUT in various clinical scenarios, and their willingness to randomize patients into a future trial of IUT. A purposive sample of respondents was invited for telephone interview to explore further how they use IUT to inform clinical decisions, and to contextualize questionnaire responses.ResultsThere were 176/517 (34%) responses, 106/332 (32%) from gynecologists/urogynecologists and 67/185 (36%) from urologists; all respondents had access to IUT, and 89% currently arrange IUT for most women with SUI or stress predominant MUI. For a variety of scenarios with increasingly complex symptoms the level of individual equipoise (“undecided” about IUT) was very low (1–6%) and community equipoise was, at best, 66:34 (IUT “essential” vs. “unnecessary”) even for the simplest scenario. Nevertheless, 70% rated the research question underlying the proposed studies “very important” or “extremely important;” 60% recorded a “willingness to randomize” score ≥8/10.ConclusionsMost urogynecologists and urologists consider IUT essential before surgery in SUI with or without other symptoms. Most however recognize the need for further research, and indicated a willingness to recruit into multicenter trials addressing this question. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:?–?, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Celtic Ritual Activity at Gordion, Turkey: Evidence from Mortuary Contexts and Skeletal Analysis
Authors: Selinsky P. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractPrimary support for a Celtic presence in Turkey during ancient times comes from textual sources. However, the analysis of human skeletal remains and mortuary practices at the site of Gordion, combined with archaeological findings, provide persuasive evidence of a Celtic settlement including ritual activity. Data are drawn from 47 individuals excavated from the Lower Town area of the site: 21 Later Hellenistic (late 3rdto 2ndcenturies BCE) and 26 Roman (1stto 2ndcenturies CE). The two sub‐samples have markedly different paleodemographic profiles. Composition of the Later Hellenistic group is unusual, with very few infants (5%) and primarily young or middle aged adults (52%), whereas the Roman sample has many infant burials (27%) and less than half young or middle aged adults (35%). Burial contexts for the two groups are also distinct, with only one formal interment associated with the Later Hellenistic, the remaining individuals being in mixed groupings of human and animal bones or disarticulated and commingled human skeletal deposits. By comparison, the Roman sample comprises exclusively primary burials, two cremations, and 24 inhumations. Evidence of inter‐personal violence, such as perimortem cranial trauma and decapitation, is totally absent in the Roman group but present in 25% of the Later Hellenistic specimens. The nature of the Later Hellenistic skeletal assemblages and the ritual space in which they were found show similarities to European Celtic remains identified as resulting from ritual sacrifice. The data presented here represent the first comprehensive bioarchaeological approach to these population groups from central Turkey. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N‐glycosylation approach to glucose‐functionalized diamine and its use for protection‐free synthesis of polyurea bearing glucoside pendant
Authors: Sudo Atsushi , Sugita Shou 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA glucose‐functionalized diamine was prepared and used as a new monomer for polyurea synthesis. The diamine was prepared byN‐glycosylation of 1,6‐hexamethylenediamine withD‐glucose. Upon adding diisocyanates to the diamine, isocyanate reacted selectively with the amino groups, not with the hydroxyl groups of the glucose‐derived structure, to give the corresponding polyureas. The polyureas exhibited highly hydrophilic nature due to the presence of the glucose‐derived side chain. A ternary system consisting of the glucose‐functionalized diamine, piperazine, and diisocyanate gave the corresponding polyureas, where content of the glucose‐derived moiety was tunable by feed ratio between the diamine and piperazine. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
The spotlight of attention: shifting, resizing and splitting receptive fields when processing visual motion
Authors: Treue S. , Martinez-Trujillo J.C. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In the visual system receptive fields repre­sent the spatial selectivity of neurons for a given set of visual inputs. Their invariance is thought to be caused by a hardwired in­put configuration, which ensures a stable ‘la­beled line’ code for the spatial position of vi­sual stimuli. On the other hand, changeable receptive fields can provide the visual system with flexibility for allocating processing re­sources in space. The allocation of spatial at­tention, often referred to as the spotlight of attention, is a behavioral equivalent of visu­al receptive fields. It dynamically modulates the spatial sensitivity to visual information as a function of the current attentional focus of the organism. Here we focus on the brain sys­tem for encoding visual motion information and review recent findings documenting in­teractions between spatial attention and re­ceptive fields in the visual cortex of primates. Such interactions create a careful balance be­tween the benefits of invariance with those derived from the attentional modulation of information processing according to the cur­rent behavioral goals.
Biogenesis of Mammalian MicroRNAs: A Global View
Authors: Graves Paul , Zeng Yan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 22-nucleotide-long non-coding RNAs that are important regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes. miRNAs are first transcribed as long primary transcripts, which then undergo a series of processing steps to produce the single-stranded mature miRNAs. This article reviews our current knowledge of the mechanism and regulation of mammalian miRNA expression and points out areas of research that may enhance our understanding of how the specificity and efficiency of miRNA production is controlled in vivo.
MicroRNAs in Common Human Diseases
Authors: Li Yu , Kowdley Kris V. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNA molecules that have attracted tremendous attention from the biological and biomedical research communities over the past decade. With over 1900 miRNAs discovered in humans to date, many of them have already been implicated in common human disorders. Facilitated by high-throughput genomics and bioinformatics in conjunction with traditional molecular biology techniques and animal models, miRNA research is now positioned to make the transition from laboratories to clinics to deliver profound benefits to public health. Herein, we overview the progress of miRNA research related to human diseases, as well as the potential for miRNA to becoming the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics.
miRT: A Database of Validated Transcription Start Sites of Human MicroRNAs
Authors: Bhattacharyya Malay , Das Manali , Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNAs of about 22 nt in length that take crucial roles in many biological processes. These short RNAs regulate the expression of mRNAs by binding to their 3′-UTRs or by translational repression. Many of the current studies focus on how mature miRNAs regulate mRNAs, however, very limited knowledge is available regarding their transcriptional loci. It is known that primary miRNAs (pri-miRs) are first transcribed from the DNA, followed by the formation of precursor miRNAs (pre-miRs) by endonuclease activity, which finally produces the mature miRNAs. Till date, many of the pre-miRs and mature miRNAs have been experimentally verified. But unfortunately, identification of the loci of pri-miRs, promoters and associated transcription start sites (TSSs) are still in progress. TSSs of only about 40% of the known mature miRNAs in human have been reported. This information, albeit limited, may be useful for further study of the regulation of miRNAs. In this paper, we provide a novel database of validated miRNA TSSs, miRT, by collecting data from several experimental studies that validate miRNA TSSs and are available for full download. We present miRT as a web server and it is also possible to convert the TSS loci between different genome built. miRT might be a valuable resource for advanced research on miRNA regulation, which is freely accessible at: http://www.isical.ac.in/~bioinfo_miu/miRT/miRT.php.
Differential Expression of Mature MicroRNAs Involved in Muscle Maintenance of Hibernating Little Brown Bats, Myotis Lucifugus: A Model of Muscle Atrophy Resistance
Authors: Kornfeld Samantha F. , Biggar Kyle K. , Storey Kenneth B. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Muscle wasting is common in mammals during extended periods of immobility. However, many small hibernating mammals manage to avoid muscle atrophy despite remaining stationary for long periods during hibernation. Recent research has highlighted roles for short non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of stress tolerance. We proposed that they could also play an important role in muscle maintenance during hibernation. To explore this possibility, a group of 10 miRNAs known to be normally expressed in skeletal muscle of non-hibernating mammals were analyzed by RT-PCR in hibernating little brown bats, Myotis lucifugus. We then compared the expression of these miRNAs in euthermic control bats and bats in torpor. Our results showed that compared to euthermic controls, significant, albeit modest (1.2–1.6 fold), increases in transcript expression were observed for eight mature miRNAs, including miR-1a-1, miR-29b, miR-181b, miR-15a, miR-20a, miR-206 and miR-128-1, in the pectoral muscle of torpid bats. Conversely, expression of miR-21 decreased by 80% during torpor, while expression of miR-107 remained unaffected. Interestingly, these miRNAs have been either validated or predicted to affect multiple muscle-specific factors, including myostatin, FoxO3a, HDAC4 and SMAD7, and are likely involved in the preservation of pectoral muscle mass and functionality during bat hibernation.
Caveolin‐1 regulates neural differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells into neurons by modulating Notch signaling
Authors: Wang Shuyang , Kan Quancheng , Sun Yingpu , Han Rui , Zhang Guangyu , Peng Tao , Jia Yanjie 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to differentiate into neurons in vitro. However, the mechanism underlying MSC differentiation remains controversial. A recent analysis has shown that Notch signaling is involved in regulating the differentiation of MSCs. This study examines the potential mechanism of the differentiation of MSCs into neurons, and it considers the role of caveolin‐1 in this process. We investigated neuron differentiation and Notch signaling by detecting the expression levels of microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP‐2), Neuron‐specific Enolase (NSE), Notch‐1, Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and hairy enhancer of split 5 (Hes5). We found that by down‐regulating caveolin‐1 during induction, MSCs were prone to neural differentiation and expressed high levels of neuronal markers. Meanwhile, the expression levels of Notch‐1, NICD and Hes5 decreased. Our results indicate that down‐regulation of caveolin‐1 promotes the neuronal differentiation of MSCs by modulating the Notch signaling pathway.
The decline of the early Neolithic population center of 'Ain Ghazal and corresponding earth-surface processes, Jordan Rift Valley
Authors: Zielhofer Christoph , Clare Lee , Rollefson Gary , Wächter Stephan , Hoffmeister Dirk , Bareth Georg , Roettig Christopher , Bullmann Heike , Schneider Birgit , Berke Hubert , Weninger Bernhard 
Published: September 2012

Abstract'Ain Ghazal is among the earliest large population centers known in the Middle East. A total of four major stratigraphic cultural units have been identified: 1) The oldest Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (MPPNB) unit (10.2 to 9.5 cal ka BP) clearly corresponds with the early Holocene maximum Dead Sea levels. 2) The second unit consists of Late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (LPPNB) in situ walls and hearths. 3) In the subsequent PPNC (8.9 to 8.6 cal ka BP) the population density at the settlement drops dramatically, which corresponds with a significant drop in the Dead Sea level. 4) The 4th stratigraphic unit is characterized by the “Yarmoukian rubble layer”. Additionally, there is evidence for a previously unrecognized use of the site by Chalcolithic pastoralists. Sedimentological analyses reveal a constant increase in dust from a remote source during the entire human occupation period, which correlates well with the detectable drops in climatic humidity from the Dead Sea. As the major focus of this study, we can now rule out previous notions that the “Yarmoukian” rubble layer could have been produced by (catastrophic) slope-scale gravitational movements. To this point, it appears that the Neolithic mega-site was abandoned due to a climatic aridification.
Multiple equilibria in a simple elastocapillary system
Authors: Taroni Michele , Vella Dominic 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe consider the elastocapillary interaction of a liquid drop placed between two elastic beams, which are both clamped at one end to a rigid substrate. This is a simple model system relevant to the problem of surface-tension-induced collapse of flexible micro-channels that has been observed in the manufacture of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). We determine the conditions under which the beams remain separated, touch at a point, or stick along a portion of their length. Surprisingly, we show that in many circumstances multiple equilibrium states are possible. We develop a lubrication-type model for the flow of liquid out of equilibrium and thereby investigate the stability of the multiple equilibria. We demonstrate that for given material properties two stable equilibria may exist, and show via numerical solutions of the dynamic model that it is the initial state of the system that determines which stable equilibrium is ultimately reached.
Berkeley and Proof in Geometry
Authors: BROOK RICHARD J. 
Published: September 2012

Berkeley in his Introduction to the Principles of Human knowledge uses geometrical examples to illustrate a way of generating “universal ideas,” which allegedly account for the existence of general terms. In doing proofs we might, for example, selectively attend to the triangular shape of a diagram. Presumably what we prove using just that property applies to all triangles.I contend, rather, that given Berkeley’s view of extension, no Euclidean triangles exist to attend to. Rather proof, as Berkeley would normally assume, requires idealizing diagrams; treating them as if they obeyed Euclidean constraints. This convention solves the problem of representative generalization.
Immunological detection of enzymes for sulfate reduction in anaerobic methane‐oxidizing consortia
Authors: Milucka Jana , Widdel Friedrich , Shima Seigo 
Published: September 2012

SummaryAnaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to sulfate reduction (SR) at marine gas seeps is performed by archaeal‐bacterial consortia that have so far not been cultivated in axenic binary or pure cultures. Knowledge about possible biochemical reactions in AOM consortia is based on metagenomic retrieval of genes related to those in archaeal methanogenesis and bacterial sulfate reduction, and identification of a few catabolic enzymes in protein extracts. Whereas the possible enzyme for methane activation (a variant of methyl‐coenzyme M reductase, Mcr) was shown to be harboured by the archaea, enzymes for sulfate activation and reduction have not been localized so far. We adopted a novel approach of fluorescent immunolabelling on semi‐thin (0.3–0.5 μm) cryosections to localize two enzymes of the SR pathway, adenylyl : sulfate transferase (Sat; ATP sulfurylase) and dissimilatory sulfite reductase (Dsr) in microbial consortia from Black Sea methane seeps. Both Sat and Dsr were exclusively found in an abundant microbial morphotype (c. 50% of all cells), which was tentatively identified as Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus‐related bacteria. These results show that ANME‐2 archaea in the Black Sea AOM consortia did not express bacterial enzymes of the canonical sulfate reduction pathway and thus, in contrast to previous suggestions, most likely cannot perform canonical sulfate reduction. Moreover, our results show that fluorescent immunolabelling on semi‐thin cryosections which to our knowledge has been so far only applied on cell tissues, is a powerful tool for intracellular protein detection in natural microbial associations.
Airway metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma: A rare presentation
Authors: Liebling Maryjane , Boyd Michael , Rubio Edmundo , Foroozesh Mahtab 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAirway metastasis from primary lung carcinoma is rare and typically associated with non‐small cell histology. While small cell lung cancer is a particularly aggressive form of cancer, few cases of endotracheal or endobronchial metastasis have been reported. Airway involvement can go undetected because of the spread along the perilymphatic drainage system with mostly submucosal involvement causing significant airway compromise before onset of symptoms. We present a patient with recurrent small cell lung cancer, presenting with wheezing, cough, and dyspnea as a result of metastasis to the trachea and bilateral bronchi without significant mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. We discuss the related literature, as well as the suspected pathophysiology causing this unique presentation.
Metformin vs. insulin in gestational diabetes. A randomized study characterizing metformin patients needing additional insulin
Authors: Tertti K. , Ekblad U. , Koskinen P. , Vahlberg T. , Rönnemaa T. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimsWe compared metformin with insulin as treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Furthermore, we aimed to characterize metformin‐treated patients needing additional insulin to achieve prespecified glucose targets.MethodsWe conducted a single centre randomized controlled study with non‐inferiority design comparing metformin and insulin in the treatment of 217 GDM patients having birth weight as primary outcome variable.ResultsThere were no significant differences in mean birth weight expressed in grams [+15 (90% confidence interval (CI): −121 to 89)] or SD units [+0.04 (90% CI: −0.27 to 0.18)] between the metformin and insulin groups. There were no significant differences in neonatal or maternal data between the groups. Only 23 (20.9%) of the 110 patients in the metformin group needed additional insulin. Compared with the patients on metformin only, those needing additional insulin were older (p = 0.04), their oral glucose tolerance test had been performed earlier and diabetes therapy started earlier in gestation (p = 0.01 and p = 0.004, respectively). The risk for additional insulin was 4.6‐fold in women with baseline serum fructosamine concentration above median compared with those below median.ConclusionsMetformin is an effective alternative to insulin in the treatment of GDM patients. Serum fructosamine may help in predicting the adequacy of metformin treatment alone.
Sigmoidal crack growth rate curve: statistical modelling and applications
Authors: PAOLINO D. S. , CAVATORTA M. P. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTThe present paper proposes a statistical model for describing sigmoidal crack growth rate curves. Major novelties are: a) exploitation of the maximum likelihood principle for obtaining material estimates by pooling together experimental data belonging to the different crack propagation regions; b) a general formulation which allows to adopt different sigmoidal models and any kind of statistical distribution for the model variables; c) fatigue life predictions through numerical integration of analytical functions with no need of Monte Carlo simulations. Experimental data taken from NASGRO database are used to check the validity of the statistical model in estimating material parameters included in the crack growth NASGRO algorithm. Illustrative plots of number of cycles to failure and crack length after a given number of cycles are presented, showing good agreement between the proposed statistical model and NASGRO results.
Potent effects of, and mechanisms for, modification of crosstalk between macrophages and adipocytes by lactobacilli
Authors: Miyazawa Kenji , He Fang , Yoda Kazutoyo , Hiramatsu Masaru 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTThe murine macrophage‐like cell line J774.1 was treated with heat‐killed cells of Lactobacillus GG (LGG) and L. gasseri TMC0356 (TMC 0356). Interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐12, and tumor necrosis factor‐α were profiled from the J774.1 cells using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay methods. The conditioned medium from cultured J774.1 cells was transferred to the preadipocyte cell line 3T3‐L1 (which is a mouse embryonic fibroblast‐adipose‐like cell line). Growth and differentiation of 3T3‐L1 cells were monitored by analyzing lipid accumulation and expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ mRNA. The medium conditioned by 3T3‐L1 cells was added to J774.1 cells and the cytokines in the supernatant analyzed. Compared with that of cells exposed to a PBS‐conditioned medium, lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 cells was significantly suppressed in a dose‐dependent manner by each medium that had been conditioned with LGG and TMC0356. PPAR‐γ mRNA expression in 3T3‐L1 cells was also significantly downregulated (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). The conditioned medium of 3T3‐L1 adipose phenotype significantly stimulated production of IL‐6 and IL‐12 in J774.1 cells treated with LGG and TMC0356. These results suggest that lactobacilli may suppress differentiation of preadipocytes through macrophage activation and alter the immune responses of macrophages to adipose cells.