bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Signal intensity of myocardial scars at delayed-enhanced mri
Authors: Themudo Raquel Espregueira , Johansson Lars , Ebeling-Barbier Charlotte , Lind Lars , Ahlström Håkan , Bjerner Tomas 
Published: May 2009

Background: Traditionally, unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) is defined as the appearance, in a non-acute setting, of a new diagnostic Q wave. In the recent past, delayed-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) has provided a new imaging method for evaluating myocardial viability and to detect myocardial scars. Purpose: To investigate differences in tissue characteristics between UMI and recognized myocardial infarction (RMI) scars, by assessing the signal intensity (SI) detected by DE-MRI. Material and Methods: A randomized subgroup of 259 subjects from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature of Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study was submitted to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DE-MRI-detected myocardial scars were divided in two groups, UMI and RMI, according to the hospital medical records. The scars detected by DE-MRI were analyzed by measuring SI ratio of scar tissue to normal myocardium. Results: The mean SI ratio in the UMI group (4.5±3.0, mean±SD) was lower than in the RMI group 8.9±5.1 ( P-value = 0.001). This difference was still significant ( P<0.0001) after adjustment for gender, body mass index, time of image acquisition after gadolinium administration, scar transmurality, or total myocardial infarction mass. Conclusion: The difference in the SI ratio of the scars between the two groups most likely reflects a different contrast distribution volume of the tissues, which might indicate that UMI and RMI tissues diverge in tissue composition.
Anterior dynamic ultrasound of the infant hip: evaluation of investigator dependence
Authors: Kaijser Magnus , Larsson Jonas , Rosenberg Lena , Josephson Thomas 
Published: May 2009

Background: Anterior dynamic ultrasound of the infant hip has been shown to be a valuable tool for detection of developmental dysplasia of the infant hip, but to what extent the results from this method depends on the investigator is unknown. Purpose: To study to what extent the proportion of positive findings at anterior dynamic ultrasound investigation of infant hips varies with the observer. Material and Methods: Information on all ultrasound investigations of infant hips at a county hospital between January 2004 and August 2007 was evaluated. Proportion of findings for different investigators were calculated and in a multivariable logistic regression analysis, risk of treatment by investigating orthopedic surgeon and radiologist were adjusted for each other as well as for calendar period and infant sex. Results: There was a striking variation in proportion of positive findings depending on the investigator. The proportion of infants treated varied with orthopedic surgeon from 4.2 to 53.9% (95% CI: 2.27 to 7.13 and 43.0 to 64.6, respectively) and the corresponding variation for radiologists ranged from 7.4 (95% CI: 4.29 to 11.8) to 23.9% (95% CI: 17.2 to 31.8). In the adjusted analysis, variation between different investigators remained essentially unaltered. Conclusion: Although the true proportions of positive findings in our study are unknown, our findings are unlikely to be explained by selection bias or chance. Thus, our study suggests that anterior dynamic ultrasound of the infant hip is highly dependent on the investigator and further studies of the implications of our results are warranted.
Cytochrome b sequences of ancient cattle and wild ox support phylogenetic complexity in the ancient and modern bovine populations
Authors: Stock F. , Edwards C. J. , Bollongino R. , Finlay E. K. , Burger J. , Bradley D. G. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryMitochondrial DNA has been the traditional marker for the study of animal domestication, as its high mutation rate allows for the accumulation of molecular diversity within the time frame of domestic history. Additionally, it is exclusively maternally inherited and haplotypes become part of the domestic gene pool via actual capture of a female animal rather than by interbreeding with wild populations. Initial studies of British aurochs identified a haplogroup, designated P, which was found to be highly divergent from all known domestic haplotypes over the most variable portion of the D‐loop. Additional analysis of a large and geographically representative sample of aurochs from northern and central Europe found an additional, separate aurochs haplotype, E. Until recently, the European aurochs appeared to have no matrilinear descendants among the publicly available modern cattle control regions sequenced; if aurochs mtDNA was incorporated into the domestic population, aurochs either formed a very small proportion of modern diversity or had been subsequently lost. However, a haplogroup P sequence has recently been found in a modern sample, along with a new divergent haplogroup called Q. Here we confirm the outlying status of the novel Q and E haplogroups and the modern P haplogroup sequence as a descendent of European aurochs, by retrieval and analysis of cytochrome b sequence data from twenty ancient wild and domesticated cattle archaeological samples.
Assessing analgesic actions of opioids by experimental pain models in healthy volunteers – an updated review
Authors: Staahl Camilla , Olesen Anne Estrup , Andresen Trine , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr 
Published: May 2009

AIMExperimental pain models may help to evaluate the mechanisms of action of analgesics and target the clinical indications for their use. This review addresses how the efficacy of opioids can be assessed in human volunteers using experimental pain models. The drawback with the different study designs is also discussed.METHODA literature search was completed for randomized controlled studies which included human experimental pain models, healthy volunteers and opioids.RESULTSOpioids with a strong affinity for the µ‐opioid receptor decreased the sensation in a variety of experimental pain modalities, but strong tonic pain was attenuated more than short lasting pain and non‐painful sensations. The effects of opioids with weaker affinity for the µ‐opioid receptor were detected by a more narrow range of pain models, and the assessment methods needed to be more sensitive.CONCLUSIONThe way the pain is induced, assessed and summarized is very important for the sensitivity of the pain models. This review gives an overview of how different opioids perform in experimental pain models. Generally experimental pain models need to be designed with careful consideration of pharmacological mechanisms and pharmacokinetics of analgesics. This knowledge can aid the decisions needed to be taken when designing experimental pain studies for compounds entering phase 1 clinical trials.
Assessment of QTc‐prolonging potential of BX471 in healthy volunteers. A ‘thorough QTc study’ following ICH E14 using various QT correction methods
Authors: Vandemeulebroecke Marc , Lembcke Jürgen , Wiesinger Herbert , Sittner Wolfgang , Lindemann Stefanie 
Published: May 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • A prolongation of the QT interval in the ECG is a sign of delayed cardiac repolarization, a condition that increases the risk of potentially fatal arrhythmias.• Since the QT interval depends on heart rate, some correction is indicated to obtain a less heart rate dependent ‘QTc interval’.• Building on the recently issued ICH E14 guideline, the most appropriate methods to evaluate the QT/QTc prolonging potential of novel drugs are yet to be found. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This study gives a detailed account of different analysis strategies and QT correction methods consistent with ICH E14.• Regression‐based QT correction methods, applied to average intervals of each ECG recording, yielded results comparable with those obtained by Fridericia's formula; using one representative of such methods may be sufficient in practice.• BX471 does not cause meaningful QTc prolongation.AIMSWithin the framework of the clinical development of BX471, this study was intended to provide experience in conducting ‘thorough QTc studies’ according to ICH E14. A broad range of QT correction methods and analysis strategies was employed.METHODSA double‐blind, placebo‐ and positive‐controlled, single‐centre, three‐way cross‐over study was conducted in 74 healthy volunteers. Electrocardiograms were read by blinded experts. QT correction methods included Bazett's (QTcB), Fridericia's (QTcF) and several regression‐based corrections.RESULTSThere was a significant QTcF prolongation of 10.26 ms by the positive control compared with placebo [95% confidence interval (7.83, 12.70)]. BX471 at therapeutic doses did not cause substantial QTc prolongation [QTcF estimate 2.93 ms, 95% confidence interval (1.00, 4.86); QTcB estimate 3.30 ms, 95% confidence interval (0.85, 5.74)]. Regression‐based QT correction methods yielded similar results to Fridericia's correction [e.g. using a linear regression across the study population, QTc estimate 2.39 ms, 95% confidence interval (0.55, 4.23)]. Differences between the various regression‐based correction methods were small. Results were not affected by whether the QT corrections were performed per ECG or per beat.CONCLUSIONSBX471 does not cause meaningful QTc prolongation. Three QT correction methods may be sufficient in future studies: Bazett's (required by regulatory authorities), Fridericia's (as the most reliable fixed formula) and a regression‐based correction (individually or population‐based), each performed per ECG (i.e. applied to the means of several beats of one ECG recording).
Ex vivo expanded cord blood CD4 T lymphocytes exhibit a distinct expression profile of cytokine‐related genes from those of peripheral blood origin
Authors: Miyagawa Yoshitaka , Kiyokawa Nobutaka , Ochiai Nakaba , Imadome Ken‐Ichi , Horiuchi Yasuomi , Onda Keiko , Yajima Misako , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Katagiri Yohko U. , Okita Hajime , Morio Tomohiro , Shimizu Norio , Fujimoto Junichiro , Fujiwara Shigeyoshi 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWith an increase in the importance of umbilical cord blood (CB) as an alternative source of haematopoietic progenitors for allogenic transplantation, donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) with donor CB‐derived activated CD4+ T cells in the unrelated CB transplantation setting is expected to be of increased usefulness as a direct approach for improving post‐transplant immune function. To clarify the characteristics of activated CD4+ T cells derived from CB, we investigated their mRNA expression profiles and compared them with those of peripheral blood (PB)‐derived activated CD4+ T cells. Based on the results of a DNA microarray analysis and quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), a relatively high level of forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) gene expression and a relatively low level of interleukin (IL)‐17 gene expression were revealed to be significant features of the gene expression profile of CB‐derived activated CD4+ T cells. Flow cytometric analysis further revealed protein expression of Foxp3 in a portion of CB‐derived activated CD4+ T cells. The low level of retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor γ isoform t (RORγt) gene expression in CB‐derived activated CD4+ T cells was speculated to be responsible for the low level of IL‐17 gene expression. Our data indicate a difference in gene expression between CD4+ T cells from CB and those from PB. The findings of Foxp3 expression, a characteristic of regulatory T cells, and a low level of IL‐17 gene expression suggest that CB‐derived CD4+ T cells may be a more appropriate source for DLI.
Comparing senior executive and project manager perceptions of IT project risk: a Chinese Delphi study
Authors: Liu Shan , Zhang Jinlong , Keil Mark , Chen Tao 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe success rate for information technology (IT) projects continues to be low. With an increasing number of IT projects in developing countries such as China, it is important to understand the risks they are experiencing on IT projects. To date, there has been little research documenting Asian perceptions of IT project risk. In this research, we examine the risks identified by Chinese senior executives (SEs) and project managers (PMs), and compare these two groups. The importance of top management support in IT projects is well documented. Prior research has shown that from the perspective of IT PMs, lack of support from SEs is the number one risk in IT projects. Surprisingly, senior executives' perceptions towards IT project risk have never been systematically examined. One reason why lack of support from senior executives continues to represent a major risk may be that senior executives themselves do not realize the critical role that they can play in helping to deliver successful projects. In this study, we use the Delphi method to compare the risk perceptions of senior executives and project managers. By comparing risk factors selected by each group, zones of concordance and discordance are identified. In terms of perceived importance ascribed to risk factors, PMs tend to focus on lower‐level risks with particular emphasis on risks associated with requirements and user involvement, whereas SEs tend to focus on higher‐level risks such as those risks involving politics, organization structure, process, and culture. Finally, approaches for dealing with risk factors that are seen as important by both SEs and PMs are provided.
A lepidopteran orthologue of reaper reveals functional conservation and evolution of IAP antagonists
Authors: Bryant B. , Zhang Y. , Zhang C. , Santos C. P. , Clem R. J. , Zhou L. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractGenetic studies in Drosophila melanogaster have revealed that inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins and IAP antagonists such as reaper play a pivotal role in controlling cell death in insects. Interestingly, although the sequences and structures of IAPs are highly conserved, the sequence of IAP antagonists diverged very rapidly during evolution, making their identification difficult. Using a customized bioinformatics approach, we identified an IAP antagonist, IAP‐binding motif 1 (Ibm1), from the genome of the silkworm Bombyx mori. This is the first reaper/grim orthologue identified in a nondipteran insect. Previous analysis indicated that both Reaper and Grim induce cell death through their N‐terminal IBM as well as the Grim_helix3 (GH3) domain. Functional studies indicated that Ibm1 binds to an IAP protein from B. mori, BmIAP1, and induces apoptosis in insect cells via the IAP‐binding motif, a seven amino acid sequence that is highly conserved in all IAP antagonists. Interestingly, Ibm1 also contains a region that is a statistically significant match to the GH3 domain. Mutational analysis indicated that the GH3‐like motif in Ibm1 has an important supportive role in IAP‐antagonist function and can trigger cell death under certain conditions.
Cloning and characterization of a pyridoxine 5′‐phosphate oxidase from silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Huang S‐H. , Shi R‐J. , Zhang J‐Y. , Wang Z. , Huang L‐Q. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA cDNA encoding Pyridoxine 5′‐phosphate oxidase (PNPO) from Bombyx mori was cloned and characterized (GenBank accession number: DQ452398). The cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 257 amino acid residues. The recombinant enzyme purified from Escherichia coli exhibited maximal activity at pH 9.0, and the Km values for the substrates of pyridoxine 5′‐phosphate and pyridoxamine 5′‐phosphate were determined as 0.65 and 1.15 µmol/l. It was found that B. mori PNPO shares 51.44% homology with humans, but several function‐related, key amino acid residues in B. mori PNPO are different from the human and E. Coli gene. B. mori has a single copy of the PNPO gene, which spans a 3.5 kb region and contains five exons and four introns. B. mori PNPO is a homodimer, with each monomer containing nine antiparallel β‐strands and five α‐helical segments. The secondary structure was deduced from computational study.
Electrophysiological characterization of electrolyte and nutrient transport across the small intestine in horses
Authors: Cehak A. , Burmester M. , Geburek F. , Feige K. , Breves G. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe aim of this study was to characterize the transport mechanisms of electrolytes and nutrients across the jejunum of nine healthy horses electrophysiologically. The stripped mucosa was mounted in Ussing chambers and tissue conductances (Gt) and short circuit currents (Isc) were continuously monitored. After blocking the sodium and potassium channels with amiloride, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and barium, chloride secretion was stimulated by carbachol and forskolin. Subsequently, chloride channels were inhibited by 4,4′‐diisothiocyanato‐stilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonic acid, 5‐nitro‐2‐(3‐phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid, CFTRinh‐172, N‐(2‐naphtalenyl)‐(3.5‐dibromo‐2.4‐dihydroxyphenyl)methylene glycine hydrazide (GlyH‐101) and glibenclamide and their dose–response effect was investigated. The response to glucose, l‐alanine and glycyl‐l‐glutamine was determined at two different mucosal pH values (pH 7.4 and 5.4 respectively). Mean basal Isc was −0.47 ± 0.31 μEq/cm2h and mean Gt was 22.17 ± 1.78 mS/cm2. Amiloride and TEA did not alter the baseline Isc. Barium, carbachol and forskolin significantly increased Isc. Irrespective of the dose, none of the chloride inhibitors changed Isc. All nutrients induced a significant increase in Isc with the increase being significantly higher at pH 7.4 than at pH 5.4. In conclusion, there is evidence that chloride secretion in horses may be different from respective transport mechanisms in other species. The glucose absorption is suggestive of a sodium‐dependent glucose cotransporter 1. However, a decrease in luminal pH did not stimulate current response to peptides as shown for other mammals.
BEAUTY IN THE LIVING WORLD
Authors: Garcia‐Rivera Alejandro , Graves Mark , Neumann Carl 
Published: May 2009

Abstract.Almost all admit that there is beauty in the natural world. Many suspect that such beauty is more than an adornment of nature. Few in our contemporary world suggest that this beauty is an empirical principle of the natural world itself and instead relegate beauty to the eye and mind of the beholder. Guided by theological and scientific insight, the authors propose that such exclusion is no longer tenable, at least in the data of modern biology and in our view of the natural world in general. More important, we believe an empirical aesthetics exists that can help guide experimental design and development of computational models in biology. Moreover, because theology and science can both contribute toward and equally profit from such an aesthetics, we propose that this empirical aesthetics provides the foundation for a living synergy between theology and science.
THE MAGICIAN IN THE WORLD: BECOMING, CREATIVITY, AND TRANSVERSAL COMMUNICATION
Authors: Semetsky Inna 
Published: May 2009

Abstract.This essay interprets the meaning of one of the cards in aTarot deck, “The Magician,” in the context of process philosophy in the tradition of Alfred North Whitehead. It brings into the conversation the philosophical legacy of American semiotician Charles Sanders Peirce as well as French poststructuralist Gilles Deleuze. Some of their conceptualizations are explored herein for the purpose of explaining the symbolic function of the Magician in the world. From the perspective of the logic of explanation, the sign of the Magician is an index of nonmechanistic, mutualist or circular, causality that enables self‐organization embedded in coordination dynamics. Its action is such as to establish an unorthodox connection crossing over the dualistic gap between mind and matter, science and magic, process and structure, the world without and the world within, subject and object, and human experience and the natural world, thereby overcoming what Whitehead called the paradox of the connectedness of things. The Magician represents a certain quality that acts as a catalytic agent capable of eliciting transmutations, that is, the emergence of novelty. I present a model for process∼structure that uses mathematics on the complex plane and the rules of projective geometry. The corollary is such that the presence of the Magician in the world enables a particular organization of thought that makes pre‐cognition possible.
ABUNDANT NATURE'S LONG‐TERM OPENNESS TO HUMANE BIOCULTURAL DESIGNS
Authors: Glassman Robert B. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract. Not by Genes Alone excellently explains Peter J. Richerson and Robert Boyd's important ideas about human gene‐culture co‐evolution to a broader audience but remains short of a larger vision of civilization. Several decades ago Ralph Burhoe had seen that fertile possibility in Richerson and Boyd's work. I suggest getting past present reductionistic customs to a scientific perspective having an integral place for virtue. Subsystem agency is part of this view, as is the driving role of abundance, whose ultimate origins are in the mysterious, quintessentially energetic Big Bang. The free‐rider problem may not impede higher social organization as inexorably as Richerson and Boyd believe; “the tragedy” of enervating leakage from “the commons” may often be less influential than an invigorating flow of externalities to the commons. Eukaryotic origins mark the origin of inevitable wider sharing as higher living systems evolve. I use a metaphor of flesh and spirit in drawing a parallel between that turning point and the wide sharing that occurs in civilization. This helps solve the enigma of the demographic transition. Why do so many productive participants in first‐world societies severely restrict their selfish‐gene reproduction to below replacement birth rate? It is not because culture is maladaptive but because civilization's brain and womb have become partially differentiated in distinct populations. Considerations of social boundaries, myths of sacrifice, and human creativity help in understanding how human social evolution taps potentials present in reality. Human beings' diverse vigorous activities—the organized ones and the inadvertent ones, the wise and the foolish, the good and the bad, the carefully thoughtful and the merely playful—provide the ground of being, or primordial soup, for cultural entities that transcend our intentions. If we have it right for the most part and are fortunate, we will continue to emerge at higher levels.
Toward Farsightedly Stable International Environmental Agreements
Authors: OSMANI DRITAN , TOL RICHARD 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe stability of International Environmental Agreements (IEA) is analyzed by using game theory. The integrated assessment model FUND provides the cost‐benefit payoff functions of pollution abatement for sixteen different world regions. The farsighted stability concept of Chwe (1994) is used and solved by combinatorial algorithms. Farsighted stability assumes perfect foresight of the players and predicts which coalitions can be formed when players are farsighted. All farsightedly stable coalitions are found, and their improvement to environment and welfare is considerable. The farsightedly stable coalitions are refined further to preferred farsightedly stable coalitions, which are coalitions where the majority of coalition members reach higher profits in comparison with any other farsightedly stable coalitions. Farsightedly stable coalitions contribute more to the improvement of environment and welfare in comparison to D'Aspremont et al.'s (1983) stable ones. Considering multiple farsighted stable coalitions, participation in coalitions for environmental protection is significantly increased, which is an optimistic result of our game theoretical model.