bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinct Signal Transduction Abnormalities and Erythropoietin Response in Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Cell Subpopulations of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients
Authors: Spinelli Elena , Caporale Roberto , Buchi Francesca , Masala Erico , Gozzini Antonella , Sanna Alessandro , Sassolini Francesca , Valencia Ana , Bosi Alberto , Santini Valeria 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Purpose: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous clonal diseases characterized by cytopenias as a result of ineffective hematopoiesis. Little is known about alterations in signal transduction pathways in MDS.
Experimental Design: Multiparameter flow cytometry was used to evaluate the proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and STAT5 specifically in defined CD34+, CD45+, or CD71+CD45− bone marrow (BM) cells from 60 MDS cases and normal controls, both at baseline and following stimulation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and erythropoietin.
Results: In CD71+CD45− cells from a subpopulation of 36 MDS cases who were predicted to be responsive by clinical parameters (endogenous erythropoietin levels, transfusion dependency, percentage of blasts in the BM), erythropoietin failed to activate ERK1/2 or STAT5 in 23 of 36 cases, but it was effective in 13 of 36 cases, although to a significantly lower degree than in CD71+CD45− cells from healthy donor BM. The erythropoietin response in vivo correlated with in vitro erythropoietin-dependent STAT5 activation in 20 of 22 cases. STAT5 was significantly activated at baseline in MDS cells compared with normal controls, whereas caspase-3 was activated in CD34+ and CD45+ MDS cells, and was activated more often in the RA and RAEB-1 MDS subtypes. G-CSF stimulation activated ERK1/2 and STAT5 equally in MDS and normal CD34+ cells.
Conclusions: Abnormalities in the response to growth factors are restricted to erythropoietin stimulation in CD71+CD45− cells and correlate with the clinical response to erythropoietin. Activation of baseline signal transduction for proliferative and apoptotic signals is altered in MDS but with different patterns among the various BM subpopulations. Clin Cancer Res; 18(11); 3079–89. ©2012 AACR.
SAP155-Mediated Splicing of FUSE-Binding Protein-Interacting Repressor Serves as a Molecular Switch for c-myc Gene Expression
Authors: Matsushita Kazuyuki , Kajiwara Toshiko , Tamura Mai , Satoh Mamoru , Tanaka Nobuko , Tomonaga Takeshi , Matsubara Hisahiro , Shimada Hideaki , Yoshimoto Rei , Ito Akihiro , Kubo Shuji , Natsume Tohru , Levens David , Yoshida Minoru , Nomura Fumio 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The Far UpStream Element (FUSE)-binding protein-interacting repressor (FIR), a c-myc transcriptional suppressor, is alternatively spliced removing the transcriptional repression domain within exon 2 (FIRΔexon2) in colorectal cancers. SAP155 is a subunit of the essential splicing factor 3b (SF3b) subcomplex in the spliceosome. This study aims to study the significance of the FIR–SAP155 interaction for the coordination of c-myc transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, and c-Myc protein modification, as well as to interrogate FIRΔexon2 for other functions relating to altered FIR pre-mRNA splicing. Knockdown of SAP155 or FIR was used to investigate their reciprocal influence on each other and on c-myc transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, and protein expression. Pull down from HeLa cell nuclear extracts revealed the association of FIR, FIRΔexon2, and SF3b subunits. FIR and FIRΔexon2 were coimmunoprecipitated with SAP155. FIR and FIRΔexon2 adenovirus vector (Ad–FIR and Ad–FIRΔexon2, respectively) were prepared to test for their influence on c-myc expression. FIR, SAP155, SAP130, and c-myc were coordinately upregulated in human colorectal cancer. These results reveal that SAP155 and FIR/FIRΔexon2 form a complex and are mutually upregulating. Ad–FIRΔexon2 antagonized Ad–FIR transcriptional repression of c-myc in HeLa cells. Because FIRΔexon2 still carries RRM1 and RRM2 and binding activity to FUSE, it is able to displace repression competent FIR from FUSE in electrophoretic mobility shift assays, thus thwarting FIR-mediated transcriptional repression by FUSE. Thus aberrant FIRΔexon2 production in turn sustained c-Myc expression. In conclusion, altered FIR and c-myc pre-mRNA splicing, in addition to c-Myc expression by augmented FIR/FIRΔexon2–SAP155 complex, potentially contribute to colorectal cancer development. Mol Cancer Res; 10(6); 787–99. ©2012 AACR.
Carotid Magnetization-Prepared Rapid Acquisition With Gradient-Echo Signal Is Associated With Acute Territorial Cerebral Ischemic Events Detected by Diffusion-Weighted MRI
Authors: McNally J. Scott , Kim Seong-Eun , Yoon Hyo-Chun , Findeiss Laura K. , Roberts John A. , Nightingale Daniel R. , Narra Krishna K. , Parker Dennis L. , Treiman Gerald S. 
Published: April 2012

Background—
Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage has been associated with symptomatic stroke and can be accurately detected with magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient-echo (MPRAGE). Currently, there are no studies analyzing carotid MPRAGE signal and territorial ischemic events defined by diffusion restriction in the acute setting. Our aim was to determine the association of carotid MPRAGE signal with acute territorial ischemic events using carotid MPRAGE and brain diffusion tensor imaging.

Methods and Results—

After the addition of the MPRAGE sequence to the neck MR angiographic protocol, 159 patients with suspected acute stroke were evaluated with both brain diffusion tensor imaging and carotid MPRAGE sequences over 2 years, providing 318 carotid artery and paired brain images for analysis. Forty-eight arteries were excluded due to extracarotid sources of brain ischemia and 4 were excluded due to carotid occlusion. Two hundred sixty-six arteries were eligible for data analysis. Carotid MPRAGE-positive signal was associated with an acute cerebral territorial ischemic event with a relative risk of 6.4 (
P
<0.001). The relative risk of a diffusion tensor imaging-positive territorial ischemic event with carotid MPRAGE-positive signal was increased in mild, moderate, and severe stenosis categories (10.3,
P
<0.001; 2.9,
P
=0.01; and 2.2,
P
=0.01, respectively).

Conclusions—
In the workup of acute stroke, carotid MPRAGE-positive signal was associated with an increased risk of territorial cerebral ischemic events as detected objectively by brain diffusion tensor imaging. The relative risk of stroke was increased in all carotid stenosis categories but was most elevated in the mild stenosis category.
Energy Transfer from High-Shear, Low-Frequency Internal Waves to High-Frequency Waves near Kaena Ridge, Hawaii
Authors: Sun Oliver M. , Pinkel Robert 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Evidence is presented for the transfer of energy from low-frequency inertial–diurnal internal waves to high-frequency waves in the band between 6 cpd and the buoyancy frequency. This transfer links the most energetic waves in the spectrum, those receiving energy directly from the winds, barotropic tides, and parametric subharmonic instability, with those most directly involved in the breaking process. Transfer estimates are based on month-long records of ocean velocity and temperature obtained continuously over 80–800 m from the research platform (R/P) Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP) in the Hawaii Ocean Mixing Experiment (HOME) Nearfield (2002) and Farfield (2001) experiments, in Hawaiian waters. Triple correlations between low-frequency vertical shears and high-frequency Reynolds stresses, 〈uiw∂Ui/∂z〉, are used to estimate energy transfers. These are supported by bispectral analysis, which show significant energy transfers to pairs of waves with nearly identical frequency. Wavenumber bispectra indicate that the vertical scales of the high-frequency waves are unequal, with one wave of comparable scale to that of the low-frequency parent and the other of much longer scale. The scales of the high-frequency waves contrast with the classical pictures of induced diffusion and elastic scattering interactions and violates the scale-separation assumption of eikonal models of interaction. The possibility that the observed waves are Doppler shifted from intrinsic frequencies near f or N is explored. Peak transfer rates in the Nearfield, an energetic tidal conversion site, are on the order of 2 × 10−7 W kg−1 and are of similar magnitude to estimates of turbulent dissipation that were made near the ridge during HOME. Transfer rates in the Farfield are found to be about half the Nearfield values.
Sensible Heat Flux in Near-Neutral Conditions over the Sea
Authors: Mahrt L. , Vickers Dean , Andreas Edgar L , Khelif Djamal 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The variation of the sea surface sensible heat flux is investigated using data from the Gulf of Tehuantepec Experiment (GOTEX) and from eight additional aircraft datasets representing a variety of surface conditions. This analysis focuses on near-neutral conditions because these conditions are common over the sea and are normally neglected, partly because of uncertain reliability of measurements of the small air–sea temperature difference. For all of the datasets, upward heat flux is observed for slightly stable conditions. The frequency of this “countergradient” heat flux increases with increasing wind speed and is possibly related to sea spray or microscale variations of surface temperature on the wave scale. Upward area-averaged sensible heat flux for slightly stable conditions can also be generated by mesoscale heterogeneity of the sea surface temperature (SST). Significant measurement errors cannot be ruled out.
The countergradient heat flux for weakly stable conditions is least systematic for weaker winds, even though it occurs with weak winds in all of the datasets. In an effort to reduce offset errors and different SST processing and calibration procedures among field programs, the authors adjusted the SST in each field program to minimize the countergradient flux for weak winds. With or without this adjustment for the combined dataset, the extent of the upward heat flux for weakly stable conditions increases with increasing wind speed.
Optimization of the Assimilation of Radar Data at the Convective Scale Using Specific Background Error Covariances in Precipitation
Authors: Montmerle Thibaut 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
This study focuses on the impact of using specific background error covariances in precipitating areas in the Application of Research to Operations at Mesoscale (AROME-France) numerical weather prediction (NWP) system that considers reflectivities and radial velocities in its assimilation system. Such error covariances are deduced from the application of geographical masks on forecast differences generated from an ensemble assimilation of various precipitating cases. The retrieved forecast error covariances are then applied in an incremental three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3D-Var) specifically in rainy areas, in addition to the operational climatological background error covariances that are used elsewhere. Such heterogeneous formulation gives better balanced and more realistic analysis increments, as retrieved from the assimilation of radar data. For instance, midlevel humidification allows for the reinforcement of the low-level cooling and convergence, the warming in clouds, and high-level divergence. Smaller forecast error horizontal lengths explain the smaller-scale structures of the increments and render possible the increase of data densities in rainy areas. Larger error variances for the dynamical variables give more weight to wind observations such as radial winds. A reduction of the spinup is also shown and is positively correlated to the size of the area where rainy forecast error covariances are applied. Positive forecast scores on cumulated rain and on low-level temperature and humidity are finally displayed.
The Role of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Adenoid Hypertrophy in Children
Authors: Iqbal Farim Rizal Wong , Goh Bee See , Mazita Ami 
Published: April 2012

ObjectivesTo establish the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy in children.DesignRandomized controlled double‐blinded clinical trial.PopulationForty children, aged 2 to 12 years, with adenoid hypertrophy fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria.MethodsPatients were randomly allocated into 2 groups: one to be treated with oral Losec MUPS for a period of 2 months (treatment group) and the other to be given a low‐dose vitamin C tablet for the same period (control group). The patients were reviewed on 2 occasions during the 2‐month study period, during which endoscopy was performed to examine the adenoid glands to assess their size and the larynx to assess signs of reflux disease. Examination of tonsillar size was also performed.ResultsThere was a significant reduction in adenoid size in the treatment group, but the control group also demonstrated a significant reduction in adenoid size. Comparison between the 2 groups in terms of adenoid grade change between the first and second visits did not reveal any significant statistical difference.ConclusionThe results of this study do not demonstrate any efficacy of PPIs for adenoid hypertrophy in children, and these drugs should not be used for this purpose.
The expression of one ankyrin pk2 allele of the WO prophage is correlated with the Wolbachia feminizing effect in isopods
Authors: Pichon Samuel , Bouchon Didier , Liu Chao , Chen Lanming , Garrett Roger A , Grève Pierre 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
The maternally inherited α-Proteobacteria Wolbachia pipientis is an obligate endosymbiont of nematodes and arthropods, in which they induce a variety of reproductive alterations, including Cytoplasmic Incompatibility (CI) and feminization. The genome of the feminizing w VulC Wolbachia strain harboured by the isopod Armadillidium vulgare has been sequenced and is now at the final assembly step. It contains an unusually high number of ankyrin motif-containing genes, two of which are homologous to the phage-related pk1 and pk2 genes thought to contribute to the CI phenotype in Culex pipiens. These genes encode putative bacterial effectors mediating Wolbachia-host protein-protein interactions via their ankyrin motifs.

Results
To test whether these Wolbachia homologs are potentially involved in altering terrestrial isopod reproduction, we determined the distribution and expression of both pk1 and pk2 genes in the 3 Wolbachia strains that induce CI and in 5 inducing feminization of their isopod hosts. Aside from the genes being highly conserved, we found a substantial copy number variation among strains, and that is linked to prophage diversity. Transcriptional analyses revealed expression of one pk2 allele (pk2b2) only in the feminizing Wolbachia strains of isopods.

Conclusions
These results reveal the need to investigate the functions of Wolbachia ankyrin gene products, in particular those of Pk2, and their host targets with respect to host sex manipulation.
HOXA1 is overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinomas and its expression is correlated with poor prognosis
Authors: Bitu Carolina Cavalcante , Destro Maria Fernanda de Souza Setúbal , Carrera Manoela , da Silva Sabrina Daniela , Graner Edgard , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Soares Fernando Augusto , Coletta Ricardo D 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundHOX genes encode homeodomain-containing transcription factors involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation during embryogenesis. However, members of this family demonstrated oncogenic properties in some malignancies. The present study investigated whether genes of the HOXA cluster play a role in oral cancer.MethodsIn order to identify differentially expressed HOXA genes, duplex RT-PCR in oral samples from healthy mucosa and squamous cell carcinoma was used. The effects of HOXA1 on proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and anchorage-independent growth were assessed in cells with up- and down-regulation of HOXA1. Immunohistochemical analysis using a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 127 oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) was performed to determine the prognostic role of HOXA1 expression.ResultsWe showed that transcripts of HOXA genes are more abundant in OSCC than in healthy oral mucosa. In particular, HOXA1, which has been described as one of the HOX members that plays an important role in tumorigenesis, was significantly more expressed in OSCCs compared to healthy oral mucosas. Further analysis demonstrated that overexpression of HOXA1 in HaCAT human epithelial cells promotes proliferation, whereas downregulation of HOXA1 in human OSCC cells (SCC9 cells) decreases it. Enforced HOXA1 expression in HaCAT cells was not capable of modulating other events related to tumorigenesis, including apoptosis, adhesion, invasion, EMT and anchorage-independent growth. A high number of HOXA1-positive cells was significantly associated with T stage, N stage, tumor differentiation and proliferative potential of the tumors, and was predictive of poor survival. In multivariate analysis, HOXA1 was an independent prognostic factor for OSCC patients (HR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.59-2.97; p = 0.026).ConclusionOur findings indicate that HOXA1 may contribute to oral carcinogenesis by increasing tumor cell proliferation, and suggest that HOXA1 expression might be helpful as a prognostic marker for patients with OSCC.
Utilization of antenatal ultrasound scan and implications for caesarean section: a cross-sectional study in rural Eastern China
Authors: Huang Kun , Tao Fangbiao , Raven Joanna , Liu Liu , Wu Xiaoyan , Tang Shenglan 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Antenatal ultrasound scan is a widely accepted component of antenatal care. Studies have looked at the relationship between ultrasound scanning and caesarean section (CS) in certain groups of women in China. However, there are limited data on the utilization of antenatal ultrasound scanning in the general population, including its association with CS. The purpose of this study is to describe the utilization of antenatal ultrasound screening in rural Eastern China and to explore the association between antenatal ultrasound scan and uptake of CS.

Methods
Based on a cluster randomized sample, a total of 2326 women with childbirth participated in the study. A household survey was conducted to collect socio-economic information, obstetric history and utilization of maternal health services.

Results
Coverage of antenatal care was 96.8% (2251/2326). During antenatal care, 96.1% (2164/2251) women received ultrasound screening and the reported average number was 2.55. 46.8% women received at least 3 ultrasound scans and the maximum number reached 11. The CS rate was found to be 54.8% (1275/2326). After adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical variables, it showed a statistically significant association between antenatal ultrasound scans and uptake of CS by multivariate logistic regression model. High husband education level, high maternal age, having previous adverse pregnant outcome and pregnancy complications during the index pregnancy were also found to be risk factors of choosing a CS.

Conclusions
A high use of antenatal ultrasound scan in rural Eastern China is found and is influenced by socio-demographic and clinical factors. Evidence-based guidelines for antenatal ultrasound scans need to be developed and disseminated to clinicians including physicians, nurses and sonographers. Guidance about the appropriate use of ultrasound scans should also be shared with women in order to discourage unreasonable expectations and demands. It is important to monitor the use of antenatal ultrasound scan as well as the indications for caesarean section in rural China.
On base station cooperation using statistical CSI in jointly correlated MIMO downlink channels
Authors: Zhang Jun , Jiang Bin , Jin Shi , Gao Xiqi , Wong Kai-Kit 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
This article studies the transmission of a single cell-edge user's signal using statistical channel state information at cooperative base stations (BSs) with a general jointly correlated multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel model. We first present an optimal scheme to maximize the ergodic sum capacity with per-BS power constraints, revealing that the transmitted signals of all BSs are mutually independent and the optimum transmit directions for each BS align with the eigenvectors of the BS's own transmit correlation matrix of the channel. Then, we employ matrix permanents to derive a closed-form tight upper bound for the ergodic sum capacity. Based on these results, we develop a low-complexity power allocation solution using convex optimization techniques and a simple iterative water-filling algorithm (IWFA) for power allocation. Finally, we derive a necessary and sufficient condition for which a beamforming approach achieves capacity for all BSs. Simulation results demonstrate that the upper bound of ergodic sum capacity is tight and the proposed cooperative transmission scheme increases the downlink system sum capacity considerably.
Impaired multiple object tracking in children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Cabaral Margarita H , Beaton Elliott A , Stoddard Joel , Simon Tony J 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) occurs in approximately 1:4,000 live births with a complex and variable presentation that includes medical, socioemotional and psychological symptoms with intellectual impairment. Cognitive impairments in spatiotemporal and visuospatial attention have also been reported. However, maintenance of selective attention to dynamic and interacting objects has not been systematically investigated in children with 22q11.2DS.

Methods
We used a multiple object tracking task to assay capacity and resolution performance of children with 22q11.2DS aged 7 to 14 years versus age-matched typically developing (TD) peers.

Results
Children with 22q11.2DS but not TD children demonstrated impaired performance when task demands increased due to an increase in the number of targets presented, but not from an increase in object speed. Task performance in children with 22q11.2DS was also unrelated to intelligence or measures of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that children with 22q11.2DS may be particularly susceptible to dynamic crowding of objects with increasing cognitive demands related to monitoring multiple targets reflecting a reduced acuity in spatiotemporal cognitive representation.