bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid hormone-regulated gene expression in juvenile mouse liver: identification of thyroid response elements using microarray profiling and in silico analyses
Authors: Paquette Martin A , Dong Hongyan , Gagné Rémi , Williams Andrew , Malowany Morie , Wade Mike G , Yauk Carole L 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundDisruption of thyroid hormone signalling can alter growth, development and energy metabolism. Thyroid hormones exert their effects through interactions with thyroid receptors that directly bind thyroid response elements and can alter transcriptional activity of target genes. The effects of short-term thyroid hormone perturbation on hepatic mRNA transcription in juvenile mice were evaluated, with the goal of identifying genes containing active thyroid response elements. Thyroid hormone disruption was induced from postnatal day 12 to 15 by adding goitrogens to dams' drinking water (hypothyroid). A subgroup of thyroid hormone-disrupted pups received intraperitoneal injections of replacement thyroid hormones four hours prior to sacrifice (replacement). An additional group received only thyroid hormones four hours prior to sacrifice (hyperthyroid). Hepatic mRNA was extracted and hybridized to Agilent mouse microarrays.ResultsTranscriptional profiling enabled the identification of 28 genes that appeared to be under direct thyroid hormone-regulation. The regulatory regions of the genome adjacent to these genes were examined for half-site sequences that resemble known thyroid response elements. A bioinformatics search identified 33 thyroid response elements in the promoter regions of 13 different genes thought to be directly regulated by thyroid hormones. Thyroid response elements found in the promoter regions of Tor1a, 2310003H01Rik, Hect3d and Slc25a45 were further validated by confirming that the thyroid receptor is associated with these sequencesin vivoand that it can bind directly to these sequencesin vitro. Three different arrangements of thyroid response elements were identified. Some of these thyroid response elements were located far up-stream (> 7 kb) of the transcription start site of the regulated gene.ConclusionsTranscriptional profiling of thyroid hormone disrupted animals coupled with a novel bioinformatics search revealed new thyroid response elements associated with genes previously unknown to be responsive to thyroid hormone. The work provides insight into thyroid response element sequence motif characteristics.
Evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms in different patient groups using the visual analogue scale for irritable bowel syndrome (VAS-IBS)
Authors: Bengtsson Mariette , Hammar Oskar , Mandl Thomas , Ohlsson Bodil 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility disorders have a similar clinical picture, although dysmotility disorders require the attention of a specialist. Patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) have also been described to suffer from IBS-like symptoms. No objective marker is available to distinguish between the patients. A visual analogue scale has been developed for IBS patients (VAS-IBS) to measure treatment response of GI symptoms and well-being in patients with IBS. The aim of the present study was to examine if VAS-IBS could be used to compare the degree of GI complaints in different patient populations, to get an objective marker to differentiate between the patients.

Methods
The VAS-IBS consists of 7 VAS scales, namely, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and flatulence, vomiting and nausea, psychological well-being and the intestinal symptoms' influence on daily life. Consecutive female patients suffering from IBS, dysmotility disorders and pSS were asked to complete the VAS-IBS questionnaire when visiting the out-patient clinics. In addition, a control population consisting of healthy female volunteers was included.

Results
Healthy volunteers had almost no GI symptoms, whereas all 3 patient groups expressed symptoms. There was no statistical significant difference between IBS and dysmotility in any of the scales besides vomiting and nausea (p = 0.044). Except for constipation, patients with pSS had less severe symptoms than the others.

Conclusion
The VAS-IBS questionnaire could be used to assess the level of GI symptoms. However, VAS scores do not help the clinicians to differentiate between IBS and other dysmotility disturbances.
Relationship between reported prior condom use and current self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV among mobile female sex workers in southern India
Authors: Jain Anrudh K , Saggurti Niranjan , Mahapatra Bidhubhusan , Sebastian Mary Philip , Modugu Hanimi Reddy , Halli Shiva S , Verma Ravi K 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
With the evolution of Health Belief Model, risk perception has been identified as one of several core components of public health interventions. While female sex workers (FSWs) in India continue to be at most risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV, little is known about their perception towards risk of acquiring HIV and how this perception depends upon their history of consistent condom use behavior with different type of partners. The objective of this study is to fill this gap in the literature by examining this relationship among mobile FSWs in southern India.

Methods
We analyzed data for 5,413 mobile FSWs from a cross-sectional behavioral survey conducted in 22 districts from four states in southern India. This survey assessed participants’ demographics, condom use in sex with different types of partners, continuation of sex while experiencing STI symptoms, alcohol use before having sex, and self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV. Descriptive analyses and multilevel logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between risky sexual behaviors and self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV; and to understand the geographical differences in HIV risk perception.

Results
Of the total mobile FSWs, only two-fifths (40%) perceived themselves to be at high risk of acquiring HIV; more so in the state of Andhra Pradesh (56%) and less in Maharashtra (17%). FSWs seem to assess their current risk of acquiring HIV primarily on the basis of their past condom use behavior with occasional clients and less on the basis of their past condom use behaviors with regular clients and non-paying partners. Prior inconsistent condom use with occasional clients was independently associated with current perception of high HIV risk (adjusted odds ratio [aOR)] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-2.6). In contrast, prior inconsistent condom use with non-paying partners was associated with current perception of low HIV risk (aOR= 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9). The congruence between HIV risk perception and condom use with occasional clients was high: only 12% of FSWs reported inconsistent condom use with occasional clients but perceived themselves to be at low risk of acquiring HIV.

Conclusion
The association between high risk perception of acquiring HIV and inconsistent condom use, especially with regular clients and non-paying partners, has not been completely internalized by this high risk group of mobile FSWs in India. Motivational efforts to prevent HIV should emphasize the importance of accurately assessing an individual’s risk of acquiring HIV based on condom use behavior with all types of partners: occasional and regular clients as well as non-paying partners; and encourage behavior change based on an accurate self-assessment of HIV risk.
The Alvarado score for predicting acute appendicitis: a systematic review
Authors: Ohle Robert , O'Reilly Fran , O'Brien Kirsty K , Fahey Tom , Dimitrov Borislav D 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe Alvarado score can be used to stratify patients with symptoms of suspected appendicitis; the validity of the score in certain patient groups and at different cut points is still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the discrimination (diagnostic accuracy) and calibration performance of the Alvarado score.MethodsA systematic search of validation studies in Medline, Embase, DARE and The Cochrane library was performed up to April 2011. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of the score at the two cut-off points: score of 5 (1 to 4 vs. 5 to 10) and score of 7 (1 to 6 vs. 7 to 10). Calibration was analysed across low (1 to 4), intermediate (5 to 6) and high (7 to 10) risk strata. The analysis focused on three sub-groups: men, women and children.ResultsForty-two studies were included in the review. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, the cut-point of 5 was good at 'ruling out' admission for appendicitis (sensitivity 99% overall, 96% men, 99% woman, 99% children). At the cut-point of 7, recommended for 'ruling in' appendicitis and progression to surgery, the score performed poorly in each subgroup (specificity overall 81%, men 57%, woman 73%, children 76%). The Alvarado score is well calibrated in men across all risk strata (low RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.28; intermediate 1.09, 0.86 to 1.37 and high 1.02, 0.97 to 1.08). The score over-predicts the probability of appendicitis in children in the intermediate and high risk groups and in women across all risk strata.ConclusionsThe Alvarado score is a useful diagnostic 'rule out' score at a cut point of 5 for all patient groups. The score is well calibrated in men, inconsistent in children and over-predicts the probability of appendicitis in women across all strata of risk.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for resected non-small-cell lung cancer: future perspectives for clinical research
Authors: Bonomi Maria , Pilotto Sara , Milella Michele , Massari Francesco , Cingarlini Sara , Brunelli Matteo , Chilosi Marco , Tortora Giampaolo , Bria Emilio 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a debated issue in clinical oncology. Although it is considered a standard for resected stage II-IIIA patients according to the available guidelines, many questions are still open. Among them, it should be acknowledged that the treatment for stage IB disease has shown so far a limited (if sizable) efficacy, the role of modern radiotherapies requires to be evaluated in large prospective randomized trials and the relative impact of age and comorbidities should be weighted to assess the reliability of the trials' evidences in the context of the everyday-practice. In addition, a conclusive evidence of the best partner for cisplatin is currently awaited as well as a deeper investigation of the fading effect of chemotherapy over time. The limited survival benefit since first studies were published and the lack of reliable prognostic and predictive factors beyond pathological stage, strongly call for the identification of bio-molecular markers and classifiers to identify which patients should be treated and which drugs should be used. Given the disappointing results of targeted therapy in this setting have obscured the initial promising perspectives, a biomarker-selection approach may represent the basis of future trials exploring adjuvant treatment for resected NSCLC.
Folic Acid supplementary reduce the incidence of adenocarcinoma in a mouse model of colorectal cancer: microarray gene expression profile
Authors: Lin Yan-Wei , Wang Ji-Lin , Chen Hui-Min , Zhang Yan-Jie , Rong-Lu  , Ren Lin-Lin , Hong Jie , Fang Jing-Yuan 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Whether Folic acid is a potential drug that may prevent the progression of colorectal carcinoma and when to use are important healthy issues we focus on. Our study is to examine the effect of folic acid on the development of the CRC and the optimal time folic acid should be provided in a mouse-ICR model induced by 1, 2-Dimethylhydrazine. Also, we investigated the gene expression profile of this model related to folic acid.

Method
Female ICR mouse (n = 130) were divided into 7 groups either with the treatment of 1, 2-Dimethylhydrazine (20 mg/kg bodyweight) weekly or folic acid (8 mg/kg bodyweight) twice a week for 12 or 24 weeks. Using a 4 × 44 K Agilent whole genome oligo microarray assay, different gene expression among groups (NS, DMH, FA2, FA3) were identified and selected genes were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results
Animals with a supplementary of folic acid showed a significant decrease in the incidence, the maximum diameter and multiplicity of adenocarcinomas (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there were fewer adenomas or adenocarcinomas developed in the group of folic acid supplementation in pre-adenoma stage compared to group of post-adenoma stage. Meanwhile, about 1070 genes that were changed by 1, 2-Dimethylhydrazine can be reversed by folic acid and 172 differentially genes were identified between the groups of pre- and post- adenoma stage using microarray gene expression analysis.

Conclusion
Our study demonstrated that folic acid supplementary was significantly associated with the decrease risk of CRC. And the subgroup of providing folic acid without precancerous lesions was more effective than that with precancerous lesions.
Zinc, ferritin, magnesium and copper in a group of Egyptian children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Mahmoud Magdy M , El-Mazary Abdel-Azeem M , Maher Reham M , Saber Manal M 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavioral syndrome of childhood characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. There were many etiological theories showed dysfunction of some brain areas that are implicated in inhibition of responses and functions of the brain. Minerals like zinc, ferritin, magnesium and copper may play a role in the pathogenesis and therefore the treatment of this disorder.

Objective
This study aimed to measure levels of zinc, ferritin, magnesium and copper in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and comparing them to normal.

Methods
This study included 58 children aged 5-15 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder attending Minia University Hospital from June 2008 to January 2010. They were classified into three sub-groups: sub-group I included 32 children with in-attentive type, sub-group II included 10 children with hyperactive type and sub-group III included 16 children with combined type according to the DSM-IV criteria of American Psychiatric Association, 2000. The control group included 25 apparently normal healthy children.

Results
Zinc, ferritin and magnesium levels were significantly lower in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than controls (p value 0.04, 0.03 and 0.02 respectively), while copper levels were not significantly different (p value 0.9). Children with inattentive type had significant lower levels of zinc and ferritin than controls (p value 0.001 and 0.01 respectively) with no significant difference between them as regards magnesium and copper levels (p value 0.4 and 0.6 respectively). Children with hyperactive type had significant lower levels of zinc, ferritin and magnesium than controls (p value 0.01, 0.02 and 0.02 respectively) with no significant difference between them as regards copper levels (p value 0.9). Children with combined type had significant lower levels of zinc and magnesium than controls (p value 0.001 and 0.004 respectively) with no significant difference between them as regards ferritin and copper levels (p value 0.7 and 0.6 respectively).

Conclusions
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had lower levels of zinc, ferritin and magnesium than healthy children but had normal copper levels.
Notochordal cells protect nucleus pulposus cells from degradation and apoptosis: implications for the mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Erwin W Mark , Islam Diana , Inman Robert D , Fehlings Michael G , Tsui Florence WL 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Introduction

The relative resistance of non-chondrodystrophic (NCD) canines to degenerative disc disease (DDD) may be due to a combination of anabolic and anti-catabolic factors secreted by notochordal cells within the intervertebral disc (IVD) nucleus pulposus (NP). Factors known to induce DDD include interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) and/or Fas-Ligand (Fas-L). Therefore we evaluated the ability of notochordal cell conditioned medium (NCCM) to protect NP cells from IL-1ß and IL-1ß +FasL-mediated cell death and degeneration.

Methods

We cultured bovine NP cells with IL-1ß or IL-1ß+FasL under hypoxic serum-free conditions (3.5% O2) and treated the cells with either serum-free NCCM or basal medium (Advanced DMEM/F-12). We used flow cytometry to evaluate cell death and real-time (RT-)PCR to determine the gene expression of aggrecan, collagen 2, and link protein, mediators of matrix degradation ADAMTS-4 and MMP3, the matrix protection molecule TIMP1, the cluster of differentiation (CD)44 receptor, the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and Ank. We then determined the expression of specific apoptotic pathways in bovine NP cells by characterizing the expression of activated caspases-3, -8 and -9 in the presence of IL-1ß+FasL when cultured with NCCM, conditioned medium obtained using bovine NP cells (BCCM), and basal medium all supplemented with 2% FBS.

Results

NCCM inhibits bovine NP cell death and apoptosis via suppression of activated caspase-9 and caspase-3/7. Furthermore, NCCM protects NP cells from the degradative effects of IL-1ß and IL-1ß+Fas-L by up-regulating the expression of anabolic/matrix protective genes (aggrecan, collagen type 2, CD44, link protein and TIMP-1) and down-regulating matrix degrading genes such as MMP-3. Expression of ADAMTS-4, which encodes a protein for aggrecan remodeling, is increased. NCCM also protects against IL-1+FasL-mediated down-regulation of Ank expression. Furthermore, NP cells treated with NCCM in the presence of IL-1ß+Fas-L down-regulate the expression of IL-6 by almost 50%. BCCM does not mediate cell death/apoptosis in target bovine NP cells.

Conclusions

Notochordal cell-secreted factors suppress NP cell death by inhibition of activated caspase-9 and -3/7 activity and by up-regulating genes contributing anabolic activity and matrix protection of the IVD NP. Harnessing the restorative powers of the notochordal cell could lead to novel cellular and molecular strategies in the treatment of DDD.
Effectiveness of Optimizing Geometry for CaMn4O5 Cluster at 1.9 Å Resolved OEC and Proposal for Oxidation Mechanism from S0 to S3 States
Authors: Ichino Tomoya , Yamaguchi Kizashi , Yoshioka Yasunori 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Based on the structure at 1.9 Å resolved OEC, which was published as PDBid=3ARC this year, the electronic structures of the CaMn4O5 cluster at S0, S1, and S2 states are examined under the geometry optimization of the mixed-valence CaMn4O5 cluster and water molecules. It is shown that optimizing geometry purifies the spin structures of four manganese atoms, easily determining their oxidation states. It is also shown that one of two water molecules is a substrate for the oxidation to yield the oxygen molecule.
Thioamides and Thioformamides for Sequential Reactions with Organolithium and Grignard Reagents
Authors: Murai Toshiaki , Mutoh Yuichiro 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Sequential reactions of thioamides and thioformamides with organolithium and Grignard reagents are described. Thioiminium salts derived from these sulfur isologues of amides readily react with lithium acetylides to lead to several types of products, including α,β-unsaturated ketones, whereas sequential additions of lithium acetylides and Grignard reagents afford propargylamines. The direct addition of organolithium and Grignard reagents to thioformamides proceeds with high efficiency to give a range of tertiary amines.
A Dimer-of-dimers Composed of Paddlewheel Diruthenium(II, III) Complexes and a Bridge of Tetrachlorohydroquinonate(2−) Derived by Intramolecular Charge Transfers
Authors: Itoh Masahisa , Asai Yuichiro , Kamo Hiromichi , Miura Akira , Miyasaka Hitoshi 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The reaction of a paddlewheel-type diruthenium(II, II) complex, [Ru2II,II(o-MeOPhCO2)4(THF)2] ([Ru2II,II]; o-MeOPhCO2−: o-anisate), and chloranil (QCl4) leads to a charge transfer from [Ru2II,II] to QCl4, forming a dimer-of-dimers of [Ru2II,III]+ units bridged by tetrachlorohydroquinonate dianion (QCl42−): [{Ru2II,III(o-MeOPhCO2)4(THF)}2(QCl4)].
Enzymatic Polymerization to Cellulose by Crosslinked Enzyme Immobilized on Gold Solid Surface
Authors: Nakamura Itsuko , Makino Akira , Ohmae Masashi , Kimura Shunsaku 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Mutant endoglucanase II was locally immobilized on a gold substrate by crosslinking, and enzymatic polymerization to cellulose was analyzed. The crosslinked enzyme showed an enhanced polymerization activity to produce cellulose with high crystallinity, which is due to the high local concentration of the enzyme on the substrate surface.
5-Methylcytosine Selective Photoligation Using Photoresponsive Oligonucleotides Containing Various 5-Vinyl-2′-deoxyuridines Having an Aromatic Group
Authors: Sakamoto Takashi , Ami Takehiro , Fujimoto Kenzo 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Photoresponsibility of oligonucleotides containing 5-vinyl-2′-deoxyuridine derivatives having an aromatic group and its selectivity for 5-methylcytosine (mC) were evaluated. Their high extinction coefficient and hydrophobicity caused mC selective photoligation with a 10- to 20-fold higher reaction rate than 5-cyanovinyl-2′-deoxyuridine, previously reported.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Micro Amounts of Albumin Using Zirconium(IV) and Xylenol Orange
Authors: Miyachi Kanako , Kurokawa Hisashi , Moriyama Kenzo , Morimoto Shigefumi , Tabuse Katsuyoshi , Asano Mamiko , Yamaguchi Takako , Fujita Yoshikazu 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
A highly sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method is developed to measure micro amounts of albumin. The proposed method is based on the fact that zirconium(IV)–Xylenol Orange complex fades in the presence of albumin. In the concentration range of 0.1–0.9 µg cm−3, human serum albumin obeys Beer’s law and shows an effective molar absorptivity of 8.4 × 107 dm3 mol−1 cm−1 at 605 nm.
Preservice Teachers' Views of Inclusive Education: A Content Analysis
Authors: Hemmings Brian , Woodcock Stuart 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSurvey-based research was conducted with preservice teachers, from a large regional Australian university, to explore their views about inclusion and their readiness to teach in inclusive classrooms. Open-ended questions were included in the survey to glean information on the respondents' feelings and concerns about inclusion and inclusive practices. In addition, questions were framed to allow the respondents to discuss ways that the university could better prepare them as practising teachers. The responses to each of these questions were content analysed to delineate categories, and frequencies were calculated on the most salient categories. The results of this analysis are reported and comparisons are made of the views expressed by the respondents before they experienced an inclusive education subject and a related practicum with those expressed after. The implications of the results for teacher education programs are considered.