bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Respiratory sound energy and its distribution patterns following clinical improvement of congestive heart failure: a pilot study
Authors: Wang Zhen , Baumann Brigitte M , Slutsky Karen , Gruber Karen N , Jean Smith 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackgroundAlthough congestive heart failure (CHF) patients typically present with abnormal auscultatory findings on lung examination, respiratory sounds are not normally subjected to additional analysis. The aim of this pilot study was to examine respiratory sound patterns of CHF patients using acoustic-based imaging technology. Lung vibration energy was examined during acute exacerbation and after clinical improvement.MethodsRespiratory sounds throughout the respiratory cycle were captured using an acoustic-based imaging technique. Twenty-three consecutive CHF patients were imaged at the time of presentation to the emergency department and after clinical improvement. Digital images were created (a larger image represents more homogeneously distributed vibration energy of respiratory sound). Geographical area of the images and respiratory sound patterns were quantitatively analyzed. Data from the CHF patients were also compared to healthy volunteers.ResultsThe median (interquartile range) geographical areas of the vibration energy image of acute CHF patients without and with radiographically evident pulmonary edema were 66.9 (9.0) and 64.1(9.0) kilo-pixels, respectively (p< 0.05). After clinical improvement, the geographical area of the vibration energy image of CHF patients without and with radiographically evident pulmonary edema were increased by 18 ± 15% (p< 0.05) and 25 ± 16% (p< 0.05), respectively.ConclusionsWith clinical improvement of acute CHF exacerbations, there was more homogenous distribution of lung vibration energy, as demonstrated by the increased geographical area of the vibration energy image.
Stable alterations of CD44 isoform expression in prostate cancer cells decrease invasion and growth and alter ligand binding and chemosensitivity
Authors: Yang Kui , Tang Yaqiong , Habermehl Gabriel K , Iczkowski Kenneth A 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
Dysregulated CD44 expression characterizes most human cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa). PCa loses expression of CD44 standard (CD44s) that is present in benign epithelium, and overexpresses the novel splice variant isoform, CD44v7-10.

Methods
Using retroviral gene delivery to PC-3M PCa cells, we expressed luciferase-only, enforced CD44s re-expression as a fusion protein with luciferase at its C-terminus or as a protein separate from luciferase, or knocked down CD44v7-10 by RNAi. Invasion, migration, proliferation, soft agar colony formation, adhesion, Docetaxel sensitivity, and xenograft growth assays were carried out. Expression responses of merlin, a CD44 binding partner, and growth-permissive phospho-merlin, were assessed by western blot.

Results
Compared to luciferase-only PC-3M cells, all three treatments reduced invasion and migration. Growth and soft agar colony formation were reduced only by re-expression of CD44s as a separate or fusion protein but not CD44v7-10 RNAi. Hyaluronan and osteopontin binding were greatly strengthened by CD44s expression as a separate protein, but not a fusion protein. CD44v7-10 RNAi in PC-3M cells caused marked sensitization to Docetaxel; the two CD44s re-expression approaches caused minimal sensitization. In limited numbers of mouse subcutaneous xenografts, all three alterations produced only nonsignificant trends toward slower growth compared with luciferase-only controls. The expression of CD44s as a separate protein, but not a fusion protein, caused emergence of a strongly-expressed, hypophosphorylated species of phospho-merlin.

Conclusion
Stable re-expression of CD44s reduces PCa growth and invasion in vitro, and possibly in vivo, suggesting CD44 alterations have potential as gene therapy. When the C-terminus of CD44s is fused to another protein, most phenotypic effects are lessened, particularly hyaluronan adhesion. Finally, CD44v7-10, although it was not functionally significant for growth, may be a target for chemosensitization.
Role of IAPs in prostate cancer progression: immunohistochemical study in normal and pathological (benign hyperplastic, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer) human prostate
Authors: Rodríguez-Berriguete Gonzalo , Fraile Benito , de Bethencourt Fermín R , Prieto-Folgado Angela , Bartolome Nahikari , Nuñez Claudia , Prati Bruna , Martínez-Onsurbe Pilar , Olmedilla Gabriel , Paniagua Ricardo , Royuela Mar 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackgroundIn this study was investigate IAPs in normal human prostate (NP), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostatic carcinoma (PC), and their involvement in apoptosis/proliferation via NF-kB (TNF-α, IL-1) stimulation.MethodsImmunohistochemical and Western blot analyses were performed in 10 samples of normal prostates, 35 samples of BPH, 27 samples diagnosis of PIN (with low-grade PIN or high-grade PIN) and 95 samples of PC (with low, medium or high Gleason grades).ResultsIn NP, cytoplasm of epithelial cells were positive to c-IAP1/2 (80% of samples), c-IAP-2 (60%), ILP (20%), XIAP (20%); negative to NAIP and survivin. In BPH, epithelial cells were immunostained to c-IAP1/2 (57.57%), c-IAP-2 (57.57%), ILP (66.6%), NAIP (60.6%), XIAP (27.27%), survivin (9.1%). Whereas low-grade PIN showed intermediate results between NP and BPH; results in high-grade PIN were similar to those found in PC. In PC, epithelial cells were immunostained to c-IAP1/2, c-IAP-2, ILP, NAIP, XIAP (no Gleason variation) and survivin (increasing with Gleason).ConclusionsIAPs could be involved in prostate disorder (BPH, PIN and PC) development since might be provoke inhibition of apoptosis and subsequently cell proliferation. At the same time, different transduction pathway such as IL-1/NIK/NF-kB or TNF/NF-kB (NIK or p38) also promotes proliferation. Inhibitions of IAPs, IL-1α and TNFα might be a possible target for PC treatment since IAPs are the proteins that inhibited apoptosis (favour proliferation) and IL-1α and TNFα would affect all the transduction pathway involucrate in the activation of transcription factors related to survival or proliferation (NF-kB, Elk-1 or ATF-2).
A method to predict breast cancer stage using Medicare claims
Authors: Smith Grace L , Shih Ya-Chen T , Giordano Sharon H , Smith Benjamin D , Buchholz Thomas A 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
Background
In epidemiologic studies, cancer stage is an important predictor of outcomes. However, cancer stage is typically unavailable in medical insurance claims datasets, thus limiting the usefulness of such data for epidemiologic studies. Therefore, we sought to develop an algorithm to predict cancer stage based on covariates available from claims-based data.

Methods
We identified a cohort of 77,306 women age ≥ 66 years with stage I-IV breast cancer, using the Surveillence Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. We formulated an algorithm to predict cancer stage using covariates (demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics) obtained from claims. Logistic regression models derived prediction equations in a training set, and equations' test characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value [NPV]) were calculated in a validation set.

Results
Of the entire sample of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, 51% had stage I; 26% stage II; 11% stage III; and 4% stage IV disease. The equation predicting stage IV disease achieved sensitivity of 81%, specificity 89%, positive predictive value (PPV) 24%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 99%, while the equation distinguishing stage I/II from stage III disease achieved sensitivity 83%, specificity 78%, PPV 98%, and NPV 31%. Combined, the equations most accurately identified early stage disease and ascertained a sample in which 98% of patients were stage I or II.

Conclusions
A claims-based algorithm was utilized to predict breast cancer stage, and was particularly successful when used to identify early stage disease. These prediction equations may be applied in future studies of breast cancer patients, substantially improving the utility of claims-based studies in this group. This method may similarly be employed to develop algorithms permitting claims-based epidemiologic studies of patients with other cancers.
Including RNA secondary structures improves accuracy and robustness in reconstruction of phylogenetic trees
Authors: Keller Alexander , Förster Frank , Müller Tobias , Dandekar Thomas , Schultz Jörg , Wolf Matthias 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
In several studies, secondary structures of ribosomal genes have been used to improve the quality of phylogenetic reconstructions. An extensive evaluation of the benefits of secondary structure, however, is lacking.

Results
This is the first study to counter this deficiency. We inspected the accuracy and robustness of phylogenetics with individual secondary structures by simulation experiments for artificial tree topologies with up to 18 taxa and for divergency levels in the range of typical phylogenetic studies. We chose the internal transcribed spacer 2 of the ribosomal cistron as an exemplary marker region. Simulation integrated the coevolution process of sequences with secondary structures. Additionally, the phylogenetic power of marker size duplication was investigated and compared with sequence and sequence-structure reconstruction methods. The results clearly show that accuracy and robustness of Neighbor Joining trees are largely improved by structural information in contrast to sequence only data, whereas a doubled marker size only accounts for robustness.

Conclusions
Individual secondary structures of ribosomal RNA sequences provide a valuable gain of information content that is useful for phylogenetics. Thus, the usage of ITS2 sequence together with secondary structure for taxonomic inferences is recommended. Other reconstruction methods as maximum likelihood, bayesian inference or maximum parsimony may equally profit from secondary structure inclusion.

Reviewers
This article was reviewed by Shamil Sunyaev, Andrea Tanzer (nominated by Frank Eisenhaber) and Eugene V. Koonin.

Open peer review
Reviewed by Shamil Sunyaev, Andrea Tanzer (nominated by Frank Eisenhaber) and Eugene V. Koonin. For the full reviews, please go to the Reviewers' comments section.
Distinct cerebrospinal fluid amyloid β peptide signatures in sporadic and PSEN1A431E-associated familial Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Portelius Erik , Andreasson Ulf , Ringman John M , Buerger Katharina , Daborg Jonny , Buchhave Peder , Hansson Oskar , Harmsen Andreas , Gustavsson Mikael K , Hanse Eric , Galasko Douglas , Hampel Harald , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain, which is reflected by low concentration of the Aβ1-42 peptide in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). There are at least 15 additional Aβ peptides in human CSF and their relative abundance pattern is thought to reflect the production and degradation of Aβ. Here, we test the hypothesis that AD is characterized by a specific CSF Aβ isoform pattern that is distinct when comparing sporadic AD (SAD) and familial AD (FAD) due to different mechanisms underlying brain amyloid pathology in the two disease groups.ResultsWe measured Aβ isoform concentrations in CSF from 18 patients with SAD, 7 carriers of the FAD-associated presenilin 1 (PSEN1) A431E mutation, 17 healthy controls and 6 patients with depression using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry. Low CSF levels of Aβ1-42 and high levels of Aβ1-16 distinguished SAD patients and FAD mutation carriers from healthy controls and depressed patients. SAD and FAD were characterized by similar changes in Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-16, but FAD mutation carriers exhibited very low levels of Aβ1-37, Aβ1-38 and Aβ1-39.ConclusionSAD patients andPSEN1A431E mutation carriers are characterized by aberrant CSF Aβ isoform patterns that hold clinically relevant diagnostic information.PSEN1A431E mutation carriers exhibit low levels of Aβ1-37, Aβ1-38 and Aβ1-39; fragments that are normally produced by γ-secretase, suggesting that thePSEN1A431E mutation modulates γ-secretase cleavage site preference in a disease-promoting manner.
Effect of Steam on the Steam-Assisted Crystallization of *BEA-Type Zeolite
Authors: Inagaki Satoshi , Nakatsuyama Kei , Kikuchi Eiichi , Matsukata Masahiko 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
We have studied the effect of steam in the steam-assisted crystallization (SAC) of *BEA-type zeolite. It was found that after an aluminosilicate dry gel with SiO2/Al2O3 = 100 was treated with steam in an autoclave at 130 °C and autogenous pressure, the thermal treatment of a resulting product at 130 °C in an autoclave without the addition of water gave *BEA nanoparticles with a high crystallinity. It was presumed that pseudo-*BEA structures as intermediates were formed during the SAC treatment, and the dehydration of silanols in the pseudo-*BEA solids during the thermal treatment in the presence of a minimum amount of water possibly promoted the transformation of the pseudo-*BEA phase into *BEA crystalline phase with a periodicity in long-range order.
Amino(porphyrinato)antimony(V) Complexes as a Fluorosensor for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Trivalent Metal Cations
Authors: Tsunami Shin-ichiro , Fujiwara Hirotaka , Matsumoto Jin , Shiragami Tsutomu , Yasuda Masahide 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
The additive effects of metal cations on the fluorescence quantum yield (Φf) were investigated for weak-emissive amino(tetraphenylporphyrinato)antimony(V) bromide (1). When the µmol dm−3 of trivalent metal cations such as Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, and Lu3+ were added to MeCN solution of 1, the Φf was remarkably enhanced. The dependences of Soret band shift and Φf upon the addition of trivalent metal cations revealed that a transition from S2 state to the partially charge-shifted state was prevented by coordinating trivalent metal cations to the axial nitrogen atom of 1. 1 worked as a selective fluorosensor for detecting µmol dm−3 trivalent metal cations.
Surface Functionalization of Fluoroalkyl End-Capped Oligomer/Silica Nancomposites via Graft Polymerization: Application to the Dispersion of Fullerene and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Water with These Nanocomposites
Authors: Sawada Hideo , Goto Yuki , Narumi Tamikazu 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
Fluoroalkyl end-capped acrylic acid oligomer/silica nanocomposites [RF–(ACA)n–RF/SiO2] containing vinyl (VinylSi) or methacryloyloxypropyl (MAcrylSi) groups were prepared by the sol–gel reactions of the corresponding fluorinated oligomer with tetraethoxysilane and silica nanoparticles in the presence of trimethoxyvinylsilane or 3-methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane under alkaline conditions, respectively. These fluorinated nanocomposites were applied to surface initiated radical copolymerization, and polystyrene (PSt) and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAA) grafted RF–(ACA)n–RF/SiO2 nanocomposites were prepared by the surface copolymerizations of RF–(ACA)n–RF/SiO2 containing VinylSi (or MAcrylSi) groups with styrene or N,N-dimethylacrylamide. In these nanocomposites, PSt–VinylSi grafted RF–(ACA)n–RF/SiO2 nanocomposite, which was prepared by the surface copolymerization of RF–(ACA)n–RF/SiO2 containing VinylSi groups with styrene, are useful for a new fluorinated polysoap, and this nanocomposite was the most effective for the dispersion of fullerene and single-walled carbon nanotubes into water.
Catalytic Enantioselective Alkylation and Arylation of Aldehydes by Using Grignard Reagents
Authors: Muramatsu Yusuke , Kanehira Shinichi , Tanigawa Masato , Miyawaki Yuta , Harada Toshiro 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
We have developed an efficient and practical method for the catalytic enantioselective alkylation and arylation of aldehydes by using Grignard reagents in combination with titanium tetraisopropoxide. Grignard reagents and titanium tetraisopropoxide are mixed in a molar ratio of ca. 1:2. In the presence of catalyst (2–4 mol %), which is formed in situ from a BINOL ligand 4a and 4b and titanium tetraisopropoxide, the resulting mixed titanium reagents undergo addition to aldehydes with high enantioselectivities (typically &gt;90% ee) and high yields. The method is applicable to various combination of aldehydes (R1CHO; R1 = aryl, heteroaryl, 1-alkenyl, and alkyl) and Grignard reagents (R2MgX; R2 = primary alkyl and aryl). Thus, a variety of enantiomerically enriched secondary alcohols (R1CH*(OH)R2) can be prepared. It has also been demonstrated that functionalized aryl Grignard reagents can be employed to generate highly functionalized diarylmethanols. The preparative utility of the method has been shown by the fact that the reaction is operationally simple, can be carried out on a 10-mmol scale without any difficulty, and the ligands can be readily recovered.
C-Reactive Protein Uptake by Macrophage Cell Line via Class-A Scavenger Receptor
Authors: Fujita Yoshiko , Kakino Akemi , Harada-Shiba Mariko , Sato Yuko , Otsui Kazunori , Yoshimoto Ryo , Sawamura Tatsuya 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground: C-reactive protein (CRP) increases in response to inflammation and is purported to be a risk factor for atherogenesis. We recently demonstrated that a scavenger receptor, lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1), is a receptor for CRP. In light of the overlapping ligand spectrum of scavenger receptors such as modified LDL, bacteria, and advanced glycation end products, we examined whether other scavenger receptors recognize CRP.Methods: We analyzed the uptake of fluorescently labeled CRP in COS-7 cells expressing a series of scavenger receptors and in a monocytic cell line, THP-1, differentiated into macrophage with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). We applied small interfering RNA (siRNA) against class-A scavenger receptor (SR-A) to THP-1 cells to suppress the expression of SR-A. We also analyzed the binding of nonlabeled CRP to immobilized recombinant LOX-1 and SR-A in vitro using anti-CRP antibody.Results: COS-7 cells expressing LOX-1 and SR-A internalized fluorescently labeled CRP in a dose-dependent manner, but cells expressing CD36, SR-BI, or CD68 did not. The recombinant LOX-1 and SR-A proteins recognized nonlabeled purified CRP and native CRP in serum in vitro. THP-1 cells differentiated into macrophage-like cells by treatment with PMA-internalized fluorescently labeled CRP. siRNA against SR-A significantly and concomitantly inhibited the expression of SR-A (P &lt; 0.01) and CRP uptake (P &lt; 0.01), whereas control siRNA did not.Conclusions: CRP is recognized by SR-A as well as LOX-1 and taken up via SR-A in a macrophage-like cell line. This process might be of significance in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease.
Alteration of the unsteady sorption behaviour of maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) due to thermal modification
Authors: Pfriem Alexander , Zauer Mario , Wagenführ André 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the influence of a thermal modification on the kinetics of the water vapour sorption of maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] based on the assumption that the Fickian equation can be applied in this regard in the first approximation. The unsteady-state sorption process between two equilibria of humidity was modelled as a diffusion process. The rate of sorption was recorded by the gravimetric method, and then the diffusion coefficient was determined through inverse parameter identification. The thermal modification leads to an alteration of the unsteady sorption behaviour of both wood species. Transport of water vapour decreases with increasing degree of modification. Depending on wood moisture, the trends of diffusion coefficients include all three levels of modification. Furthermore, the diffusion coefficients decrease when the thickness of specimens decreases. The calculated diffusion coefficients showed a length dependency both for unmodified and thermally modified spruce and maple. Accordingly, the results clearly show that these woods have a non-Fickian moisture transport behaviour. The results are nevertheless useful for comparative purposes.
Breaking Faith: Religion, Americanism, and Civil Rights in Postwar Milwaukee
Authors: Smith Kevin D. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis article employs an in-depth examination of 1950s confessional Lutherans and Congregationalists in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to argue that the roots of the late-twentieth-century “culture wars” can be found at the local level in Americans’ response to the international and domestic challenges that arose during and after World War II rather than in the 1970s rise of a politically active Religious Right. The fight against Nazi and Soviet totalitarianism, along with the postwar struggle for racial equality, forced Americans to redefine the moral principles for which their nation stood. The result was the development of broad-based, intradenominational divisions between those who argued that individuals should accommodate themselves to prevailing religious, political, and socioeconomic structures and those who urged the accommodation of these structures to the needs of diverse individuals. This new religious alignment turned less on denominationally specific tribal, liturgical, and theological differences than on polarized understandings of the sacred and the secular.This realignment operated on two planes. On the right, the Missouri Synod joined other denominations, such as the founders of the National Association of Evangelicals, in attempting to overcome sectarian strife among orthodox believers and to inject their religious faith into the public discourse. On the left, as Congregational proponents of faith-based social action and ecumenism helped to lay a foundation for liberal religion's leading role in the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s and 1970s, they alienated more traditionalist members who viewed these activities as inappropriate for a religious institution.
Mourning Becomes Hers: Women, Tradition, and Memory Albums
Authors: Wills Anne Blue 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn 1987, two women hatched a business plan that became Creative Memories, a direct-marketing company that sells scrapbook materials and techniques to a mostly female clientele through a worldwide network of sales consultants. By the beginning of the new millennium, millions of people had participated in Creative Memories workshops. Many successful imitators also flooded the crafting market with specialized publications, Web sites, tools, and materials, creating an industry worth $2.55 billion by 2004.As significant as the economic impact of scrapbooking is, however, the claims of importance made by its practitioners rate closer examination. Promising to keep photos safe from deterioration, Creative Memories also sold a worldview, reflected across the industry, that such preservation is essential to human flourishing. Such a claim invites considerations both of how the promoters of memory-keeping envision its working and how memory-keepers themselves distinctively shape their practice. This article takes the view that album-making constitutes a kind of innovative female meaning-making (that is, religion) shaped, in part, by American-style Common Sense epistemology while also reflecting what we might call a sidelong feminism, in which a woman expresses agency, claims her voice, and declares the complexity of her full humanity, all by using modes that, on the surface, appear compliant with patriarchy. This article also uses certain notions of religious testimony to gauge the space between the Common Sense project of the album-making industry and the results produced by album-makers themselves.