bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A 4D IMRT planning method using deformable image registration to improve normal tissue sparing with contemporary delivery techniques
Authors: Li Xiaoqiang , Wang Xiaochun , Li Yupeng , Zhang Xiaodong 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
We propose a planning method to design true 4-dimensional (4D) intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans, called the t4Dplan method, in which the planning target volume (PTV) of the individual phases of the 4D computed tomography (CT) and the conventional PTV receive non-uniform doses but the cumulative dose to the PTV of each phase, computed using deformable image registration (DIR), are uniform. The non-uniform dose prescription for the conventional PTV was obtained by solving linear equations that required motion-convolved 4D dose to be uniform to the PTV for the end-exhalation phase (PTV50) and by constraining maximum inhomogeneity to 20%. A plug-in code to the treatment planning system was developed to perform the IMRT optimization based on this non-uniform PTV dose prescription. The 4D dose was obtained by summing the mapped doses from individual phases of the 4D CT using DIR. This 4D dose distribution was compared with that of the internal target volume (ITV) method. The robustness of the 4D plans over the course of radiotherapy was evaluated by computing the 4D dose distributions on repeat 4D CT datasets. Three patients with lung tumors were selected to demonstrate the advantages of the t4Dplan method compared with the commonly used ITV method. The 4D dose distribution using the t4Dplan method resulted in greater normal tissue sparing (such as lung, stomach, liver and heart) than did plans designed using the ITV method. The dose volume histograms of cumulative 4D doses to the PTV50, clinical target volume, lung, spinal cord, liver, and heart on the 4D repeat CTs for the two patients were similar to those for the 4D dose at the time of original planning.
Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) improves motor performance and survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Zhao Wei , Varghese Merina , Yemul Shrishailam , Pan Yong , Cheng Alice , Marano Paul , Hassan Sadiq , Vempati Prashant , Chen Fei , Qian Xianjuan , Pasinetti Giulio M 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects spinal cord and cortical motor neurons. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to motor neuron death in ALS. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1α (PGC-1α) is a principal regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism.ResultsIn this study, we examined whether PGC-1α plays a protective role in ALS by using a double transgenic mouse model where PGC-1α is over-expressed in an SOD1 transgenic mouse (TgSOD1-G93A/PGC-1α). Our results indicate that PGC-1α significantly improves motor function and survival of SOD1-G93A mice. The behavioral improvements were accompanied by reduced blood glucose level and by protection of motor neuron loss, restoration of mitochondrial electron transport chain activities and inhibition of stress signaling in the spinal cord.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that PGC-1α plays a beneficial role in a mouse model of ALS, suggesting that PGC-1α may be a potential therapeutic target for ALS therapy.
Rectal endometriosis causing colonic obstruction and concurrent endometriosis of the appendix: a case report
Authors: Katsikogiannis N , Tsaroucha AK , Dimakis K , Sivridis E , Simopoulos CE 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Endometriosis is a clinical entity which presents with functioning endometrial tissue at sites outside the uterus. Bowel endometriosis is usually asymptomatic, but it may show non-specific symptoms. The presence and/or association of appendiceal endometriosis, concomitant with rectal endometriosis, is possible.

Case presentation
A 36-year-old Greek woman was admitted to the emergency room of our hospital with signs of acute abdomen. On physical examination, our patient had a painful distended abdomen. Digital examination revealed an empty rectum and bowel obstruction was diagnosed. Our patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and rectum stenosis (almost complete obstruction) was observed. The bowel stenosis was resected, and temporary colostomy and appendectomy were performed. The pathology report showed endometriosis of the colon and the appendix, and our patient received medical treatment for endometriosis. Six months after this operation our patient had another surgery for restoration of large bowel continuity. No endometriosis was found. Our patient was doing well at the one-year follow up.

Conclusion
Endometriosis of the bowel is a disease that may cause large bowel obstruction. In women of reproductive age, the surgeon should consider endometriosis as a differential diagnosis in case of various gastrointestinal symptoms.
Modelling age-heterogeneous Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni survey data via alignment factors
Authors: Schur Nadine , Utzinger Jürg , Vounatsou Penelope 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Reliable maps of the geographical distribution, number of infected individuals and burden estimates of schistosomiasis are essential tools to plan, monitor and evaluate control programmes. Large-scale disease mapping and prediction efforts rely on compiled historical survey data obtained from the peer-reviewed literature and unpublished reports. Schistosomiasis surveys usually focus on school-aged children, whereas some surveys include entire communities. However, data are often reported for non-standard age groups or entire study populations. Existing geostatistical models ignore either the age-dependence of the disease risk or omit surveys considered too heterogeneous.

Methods
We developed Bayesian geostatistical models and analysed existing schistosomiasis prevalence data by estimating alignment factors to relate surveys on individuals aged ≤ 20 years with surveys on individuals aged > 20 years and entire communities. Schistosomiasis prevalence data for 11 countries in the eastern African region were extracted from an open-access global database pertaining to neglected tropical diseases. We assumed that alignment factors were constant for the whole region or a specific country.

Results
Regional alignment factors indicated that the risk of a Schistosoma haematobium infection in individuals aged > 20 years and in entire communities is smaller than in individuals ≤ 20 years, 0.83 and 0.91, respectively. Country-specific alignment factors varied from 0.79 (Ethiopia) to 1.06 (Zambia) for community-based surveys. For S. mansoni, the regional alignment factor for entire communities was 0.96 with country-specific factors ranging from 0.84 (Burundi) to 1.13 (Uganda).

Conclusions
The proposed approach could be used to align inherent age-heterogeneity between school-based and community-based schistosomiasis surveys to render compiled data for risk mapping and prediction more accurate.
Methylation of H2AR29 is a novel repressive PRMT6 target
Authors: Waldmann Tanja , Izzo Annalisa , Kamieniarz Kinga , Richter Florian , Vogler Christine , Sarg Bettina , Lindner Herbert , Young Nicolas L , Mittler Gerhard , Garcia Benjamin A , Schneider Robert 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Covalent histone modifications are central to all DNA-dependent processes. Modifications of histones H3 and H4 are becoming well characterised, but knowledge of how H2A modifications regulate chromatin dynamics and gene expression is still very limited.

Results
To understand the function of H2A modifications, we performed a systematic analysis of the histone H2A methylation status. We identified and functionally characterised two new methylation sites in H2A: R11 (H2AR11) and R29 (H2AR29). Using an unbiased biochemical approach in combination with candidate assays we showed that protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 1 and PRMT6 are unique in their ability to catalyse these modifications. Importantly we found that H2AR29me2 is specifically enriched at genes repressed by PRMT6, implicating H2AR29me2 in transcriptional repression.

Conclusions
Our data establishes R11 and R29 as new arginine methylation sites in H2A. We identified the specific modifying enzymes involved, and uncovered a novel functional role of H2AR29me2 in gene silencing in vivo. Thus this work reveals novel insights into the function of H2A methylation and in the mechanisms of PRMT6-mediated transcriptional repression.
Utilization capability of sucrose, raffinose and inulin and its less-sensitiveness to glucose repression in thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus DMKU 3-1042
Authors: Lertwattanasakul Noppon , Rodrussamee Nadchanok , Suprayogi  , Limtong Savitree , Thanonkeo Pornthap , Kosaka Tomoyuki , Yamada Mamoru 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Kluyveromyces marxianus possesses a useful potential to assimilate a wide variety of substrates at a high temperature, but the negative effect by coexisting glucose is critical for utilization of biomass containing various sugars. Such a negative effect on the activity of inulinase, which is the sole enzyme to hydrolyze sucrose, raffinose and inulin, has been demonstrated in K. marxianus without analysis at the gene level. To clarify the utilization capability of sucrose, raffinose and inulin and the glucose effect on inulinase in K. marxianus DMKU 3-1042, its growth and metabolite profiles on these sugars were examined with or without glucose under a static condition, in which glucose repression evidently occurs. Consumption of sucrose was not influenced by glucose or 2-deoxyglucose. On the other hand, raffinose and inulin consumption was hampered by glucose at 30°C but hardly hampered at 45°C. Unlike Saccharomyces cerevisiae, increase in glucose concentration had no effect on sucrose utilization. These sugar-specific glucose effects were consistent with the level of inulinase activity but not with that of the KmINU1 transcript, which was repressed in the presence of glucose via KmMig1p. This inconsistency may be due to sufficient activity of inulinase even when glucose is present. Our results encourage us to apply K. marxianus DMKU 3-1042 to high-temperature ethanol fermentation with biomass containing these sugars with glucose.
A simple method to evaluate the number of bradyrhizobia on soybean seeds and its implication on inoculant quality control
Authors: Penna Claudio , Massa Rosana , Olivieri Florencia , Gutkind Gabriel , Cassán Fabricio 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Soybean seeds are non-sterile and their bacterial population interferes with the enumeration of beneficial bacteria, making it difficult to assess survival under different conditions. Within this context, the principal aims of this work were: (1) to improve a selective media for the enumeration of B. japonicum recovered from inoculated soybean seeds; (2) to establish the most representative mathematical function for B. japonicum mortality on soybean seeds after inoculation; (3) to evaluate if environmental or physiological conditions modify B. japonicum mortality on soybean seeds; and (4) to create a new protocol for quality control of soybean inoculants. We successfully evaluated the combination of pentachloronitrobenzene and vancomycin added to the yeast-mannitol medium to inhibit most fungi and Gram-positive soybean microbiota, thus producing reliable counts of B. japonicum from inoculated soybean seeds. Percentages of recovery and survival factors were obtained and used to construct a two-phase exponential decay non-linear regression function. High temperature and desiccation decreased these parameters, while the optimization of temperature and the use of osmoprotective compounds with inoculants increased them. The use of this protocol minimized heterogeneity between experiments and may be considered more reliable than the simple expression of direct colony count of bacteria recovered from seeds.
Metabolism, LXR/LXR ligands, and tumor immune escape
Authors: Russo Vincenzo 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTThe mechanisms of tumor immune evasion have gained increasing interest among the tumor immunologists, because of their ability to suppress spontaneous and immunotherapy-elicited antitumor responses. Recent studies clearly show that the deletion of cells/molecules involved in tumor evasion is capable of restoring antitumor immune responses, ultimately leading to tumor rejection in mouse tumor models. These studies further support and strengthen the idea to target not only the cancer cell-intrinsic defects but also those affecting cells of the microenvironment, such as immune cells. The alterations of cancer cell metabolism are also emerging as important regulators of immune cell function, with particular emphasis on immune-escape mechanisms. Indeed, intermediate or final products of cancer cell metabolism may interfere with the function of immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. This review will focus on the role of cholesterol metabolism, with particular emphasis on the axis LXR/LXR ligands. This axis has been shown to affect DC migration to lymphoid organs, thus dampening the induction of successful antitumor responses. Finally, we will discuss whether this pathway may interfere with other immune cells infiltrating tumors and how to improve spontaneous and immunotherapy-based antitumor responses by counteracting this immune-escape mechanism.
Bone mineral density
Authors: Marquezan Mariana , Lau Thiago Chon Leon , Mattos Claudia Trindade , da Cunha Amanda Carneiro , Nojima Lincoln Issamu , Sant'Anna Eduardo Franzotti , de Souza Margareth Maria Gomes , de Souza Araújo Mônica Tirre 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Objective:
To verify whether bone mineral density (BMD) of cortical bone, trabecular bone, and total bone influence the primary stability of orthodontic miniscrews and to verify whether there is a correlation between the measurement of BMD by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Materials and Methods:
Twenty bovine bone sections were extracted from the pubic and iliac bones from regions with cortical thicknesses of approximately 1 mm. The BMD of the total bone block was evaluated using two methods: CBCT and DEXA. The BMD of cortical, trabecular, and total bone in the region of interest (ROI) were also evaluated by CBCT. After scanning the bone blocks, 20 self-drilling miniscrews (INP®) 1.4 mm in diameter and 6 mm long were inserted into them. The peak implant insertion torque (IT) was registered. After this, the pull-out test (PS) was performed and the maximum force registered. The Pearson correlation test was applied to verify the correlations between variables.

Results:
The BMD of the total bone block verified by CBCT and DEXA showed a positive and strong correlation (r  =  0.866, P  =  .000). The BMD of the ROI for cortical bone influenced the IT (r  =  0.518, P  =  .40) and the PS of miniscrews (r  =  0.713, P  =  .001, Table 2). However, the total bone BMD (verified by CBCT and DEXA) and trabecular bone BMD presented weak and not statistically significant correlations with primary stability.

Conclusions:
There was a positive correlation between total bone block BMD measured by DEXA and CBCT. The cortical BMD influenced the IT and PS.
A Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals a Quantitative Trait Locus of Adiponectin on CDH13 That Predicts Cardiometabolic Outcomes
Authors: Chung Chia-Min , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Chen Jaw-Wen , Leu Hsin-Bang , Yang Hsin-Chou , Ho Hung-Yun , Ting Chih-Tai , Sheu Sheng-Hsiung , Tsai Wei-Chuan , Chen Jyh-Hong , Lin Shing-Jong , Chen Yuan-Tsong , Pan Wen-Harn 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE
The plasma adiponectin level, a potential upstream and internal facet of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, has a reasonably high heritability. Whether other novel genes influence the variation in adiponectin level and the roles of these genetic variants on subsequent clinical outcomes has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we aimed not only to identify genetic variants modulating plasma adiponectin levels but also to investigate whether these variants are associated with adiponectin-related metabolic traits and cardiovascular diseases.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with high molecular weight forms of adiponectin levels by genotyping 382 young-onset hypertensive (YOH) subjects with Illumina HumanHap550 SNP chips. The culpable single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants responsible for lowered adiponectin were then confirmed in another 559 YOH subjects, and the association of these SNP variants with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and ischemic stroke was examined in an independent community–based prospective cohort, the CardioVascular Disease risk FACtors Two-township Study (CVDFACTS, n = 3,350).

RESULTS
The SNP (rs4783244) most significantly associated with adiponectin levels was located in intron 1 of the T-cadherin (CDH13) gene in the first stage (P = 7.57 × 10−9). We replicated and confirmed the association between rs4783244 and plasma adiponectin levels in an additional 559 YOH subjects (P = 5.70 × 10−17). This SNP was further associated with the risk of MS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, P = 0.027), T2DM in men (OR = 3.25, P = 0.026), and ischemic stroke (OR = 2.13, P = 0.002) in the CVDFACTS.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicated the role of T-cadherin in modulating adiponectin levels and the involvement of CDH13 or adiponectin in the development of cardiometabolic diseases.
Une épigramme funéraire grecque de Cherchel
Authors: Vatin Claude 
Published: July 2011

Lecture nouvelle d'un poème funéraire grec consacré à un enfant, Proclos, mort à l'âge de dix ans, placé sous la protection de la nymphe Nysa qui assurera son immortalité.
Proclos est représenté sur la stèle, tenant une grappe de raisin, signe de son appartenance au monde dionysiaque. La nymphe nourricière Nysa, évoquée dans le poème mais absente du bas-relief de Cherchel, figure, en compagnie d'un enfant au raisin, sur trois monuments funéraires de Rhénée.
Recherches à Lambèse III : Essais sur le temple d'Esculape
Authors: Janon Michel 
Published: July 2011

Traditionnellement, on désigne par le nom de « Ville haute » de Lámbese un ensemble de temples et d'édifices de prestige groupés autour du camp de Titus, premier établissement militaire de la ville.
L' Asclepieium, installé à proximité immédiate du camp, a été jadis largement dégagé. C'est un vaste sanctuaire où se juxtaposent lieux de culte et constructions thermales. Il s'organise de part et d'autre d'une longue esplanade bornée à l'ouest par le temple édifié en 161-162 par la Legio III Augusta, à l'est par des « Propylées » construits probablement entre 202 et 211. Le temple, dédié à Jupiter Valens, Esculape, Salus et Silvain Pegasianus, s'articule autour d'un corps central tétrastyle, d'ordonnance dorique. Deux ailes incurvées concaves le flanquent et conduisent à deux chapelles latérales avec des façades en contre-courbe. Cette forme architecturale exceptionnelle peut s'expliquer comme une réponse à un besoin de la liturgie, pour une incubation « ad deos ». Il semble surtout qu'elle pétrifie l'idéologie médico-religieuse contemporaine, dont témoignent en particulier les textes d'Aelius Aristide. De ce point de vue, l'utilisation de l'ordre dorique pour le bâtiment central affirme une tradition grecque, plus précisément épidaurienne de la médecine. Le plan général concave s'inspire de l'architecture des nymphées et souligne le caractère sacré de l'eau comme le rôle joué par l'hydrothérapie dans les sanctuaires d'Esculape. Adouci par les contre-courbes des chapelles, il révèle le caractère accueillant du « plus bienveillant de tous les dieux ».
La part d'une tradition africaine, ou punico-africaine, fondée sur l'identité Esculape-Eschmun, semble bien mince, voire négligeable, dans la conception d'un temple qui reflète plutôt la religiosité erudite de la classe dirigeante au IIe et IIIe siècles de notre ère.
Nouvelles inscriptions de Timgad sur des légats de la troisième Légion Auguste
Authors: Le Glay Marcel , Tourrenc Serge 
Published: July 2011

Sont présentés des textes épigraphiques qui concernent neuf légats impériaux de la legio III Augusta : P. Metilius Secundus (121-123), T. Caesernius Statius (140-141), C. Prastina Pacatus Messalinus (143-146), M. Valerius Etruscus (151-152), L. Matuccius Fuscinus (158-159), C. Maesius Picatianus (163-165), C. Modius Iustus (169-171), M. Aemilius Macer Saturninus (172-174), Q. Anicius Faustus (196-201).
Ces documents inédits renseignent sur les légats eux-mêmes et leur activité, sur l'activité de la légion, sur l'urbanisme de Timgad au IIe siècle. Ils proviennent de divers endroits de la ville, mais surtout du Fort byzantin, construit au Sud de Thamugadi sur un temple dit de l' Aqua Septimiana.
Memorabile factum. Une célébration de l'évergétisme des rois vandales dans l'Anthologie latine
Authors: Chalon Michel , Devallet Georges , Force Paul , Griffe Michel , Lassère Jean-Marie , Michaud Jean-Noël 
Published: July 2011

The Anthologia latina retains a small corpus of poems composed in Africa in praise of the Vandal Kings, especially the last three, Huniric, Thrasamund and Hildiric. Though they have often been severely assessed by scholars, these poems, with their sophisticated style, alliterations, antitheses, symbolic use of the four elements, etc., are nevertheless, in our opinion, a very interesting testimony of the Kings' policy of building monuments which were not all intended for mere prestige : so, the poet Cato celebrates a helicoidal contraption used for pumping out water, and Felix writes five poems in tribute to the thermae of Alianas, a monument which unfortunately remains an archeological riddle as to its design and situation.
All those poems have it in common that they are a praise of the evergetic behaviour of the sovereigns, a tradition which went back nearly a thousand years at that time. They give evidence of the faithfulness to the Roman cultural heritage (especially in the field of poetry) and of the continuity of the classical civilization that resisted the upheaval of the end of the antique world, as well in Africa as in other western countries.
L'Histoire Auguste et le Maghreb
Authors: Février Paul-Albert 
Published: July 2011

L'hypothèse qui justifie cet article est que l'Histoire Auguste est l'œuvre d'un auteur de la fin du IVe siècle qui prend en compte les choix politiques de son temps. Le choix des mots comme celui des épisodes, empruntés à des sources anciennes, déformés ou inventés, n'est donc pas neutre. Or, en recherchant à travers les sources anciennes dont avait pu avoir connaissance Corippe pour donner une image négative du Maurus, on était tombé sur ce polémiste, souvent pris pour un historien. En faisant donc la série des occurrences du mot Maurus et du contexte dans lequel il était intégré, il est apparu qu'il était toujours chargé de négativité. Le Maure est l'ennemi, ce qui a conduit à reprendre une suggestion d'André Chastagnol visant à situer la date de composition de l'Histoire Auguste immédiatement après la révolte de Gildon. Ce qui conduit donc à remettre en cause la validité des informations fournies tant pour le IIIe que pour le IIe siècle, et relatives à l'Afrique.
Peut-on, en effet, accorder quelque crédit à un homme qui utilise, certes, des sources anciennes — encore que le plus souvent disparues pour nous — et qui fait fi de la vérité ! D'où des interrogations sur les « révoltes » maures du IIe siècle ? Peut-on s'appuyer sur une source aussi fallacieuse ? D'où des interrogations sur la crise de 238 comme sur l'image de Septime Sévère, pour ne pas parler de ce qui est reconnu depuis longtemps, pure invention ?
Cette vision critique a un autre but : inviter à réfléchir sur la crédibilité des sources écrites qui nous informent sur le Maghreb. Particulièrement pour le Ve siècle (l'épisode de Boniface), ainsi que sur d'autres périodes.