bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Functional Assessment of the Role of the rs13431652-A and rs573225-A Alleles in the G6PC2 Promoter That Are Strongly Associated With Elevated Fasting Glucose Levels
Authors: Bouatia-Naji Nabila , Bonnefond Amélie , Baerenwald Devin A. , Marchand Marion , Bugliani Marco , Marchetti Piero , Pattou François , Printz Richard L. , Flemming Brian P. , Umunakwe Obi C. , Conley Nicholas L. , Vaxillaire Martine , Lantieri Olivier , Balkau Beverley , Marre Michel , Lévy-Marchal Claire , Elliott Paul , Jarvelin Marjo-Riitta , Meyre David , Dina Christian , Oeser James K. , Froguel Philippe , O'Brien Richard M. 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
Genome-wide association studies have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs560887, located in a G6PC2 intron that is highly correlated with variations in fasting plasma glucose (FPG). G6PC2 encodes an islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit. This study examines the contribution of two G6PC2 promoter SNPs, rs13431652 and rs573225, to the association signal.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We genotyped 9,532 normal FPG participants (FPG &lt;6.1 mmol/l) for three G6PC2 SNPs, rs13431652 (distal promoter), rs573225 (proximal promoter), rs560887 (3rd intron). We used regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and BMI to assess the association with FPG and haplotype analyses to assess comparative SNP contributions. Fusion gene and gel retardation analyses characterized the effect of rs13431652 and rs573225 on G6PC2 promoter activity and transcription factor binding.

RESULTS
Genetic analyses provide evidence for a strong contribution of the promoter SNPs to FPG variability at the G6PC2 locus (rs13431652: β = 0.075, P = 3.6 × 10−35; rs573225 β = 0.073 P = 3.6 × 10−34), in addition to rs560887 (β = 0.071, P = 1.2 × 10−31). The rs13431652-A and rs573225-A alleles promote increased NF-Y and Foxa2 binding, respectively. The rs13431652-A allele is associated with increased FPG and elevated promoter activity, consistent with the function of G6PC2 in pancreatic islets. In contrast, the rs573225-A allele is associated with elevated FPG but reduced promoter activity.

CONCLUSIONS
Genetic and in situ functional data support a potential role for rs13431652, but not rs573225, as a causative SNP linking G6PC2 to variations in FPG, though a causative role for rs573225 in vivo cannot be ruled out.
Roles of Bcl-3 in the Pathogenesis of Murine Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Ruan Qingguo , Zheng Shi-Jun , Palmer Scott , Carmody Ruaidhri J. , Chen Youhai H. 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVEIt has long been recognized that autoimmunity is often associated with immunodeficiency. The mechanism underlying this paradox is not well understood. Bcl-3 (B-cell lymphoma 3) is an atypical member of the IκB (inhibitor of the nuclear factor-κB) family that is required for lymphoid organogenesis and germinal center responses. Mice deficient in Bcl-3 are immunodeficient because of the microarchitectural defects of their lymphoid organs. The goal of this study is to define the potential roles of Bcl-3 in type 1 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSBcl-3–deficient NOD mice were generated by backcrossing Bcl-3–deficient C57BL/6 mice to NOD mice. Spontaneous and induced type 1 diabetes were studied in these mice by both pathologic and immunologic means. The effect of Bcl-3 on inflammatory gene transcription was evaluated in a promoter reporter assay.RESULTSWe found that Bcl-3–deficient NOD and C57BL/6 mice were, paradoxically, more susceptible to autoimmune diabetes than wild-type mice. The increase in diabetes susceptibility was caused by Bcl-3 deficiency in hematopoietic cells but not nonhematopoietic cells. Bcl-3 deficiency did not significantly affect anti-islet Th1 or Th2 autoimmune responses, but markedly increased inflammatory chemokine and T helper 17 (Th17)-type cytokine expression. Upon transfection, Bcl-3 significantly inhibited the promoter activities of inflammatory chemokine and cytokine genes.CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that in addition to mediating lymphoid organogenesis, Bcl-3 prevents autoimmune diabetes by inhibiting inflammatory chemokine and cytokine gene transcription. Thus, a single Bcl3 gene mutation leads to both autoimmunity and immunodeficiency.
Hidden Complexities in Assessment of Glycemic Outcomes
Authors: Pogach Leonard M. , Rajan Mangala , Maney Miriam , Tseng Chin-Lin , Aron David C. 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate facility rankings in achieving &lt;7% A1C levels based on the complexity of glycemic treatment regimens using threshold and continuous measures.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We conducted a retrospective administrative data analysis of Veterans Health Administration Medical Centers in 2003–2004. Eligible patients were identified using National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) measure specifications. A complex glycemic regimen (CGR) was defined as receipt of insulin or three oral agents. Facilities were ranked using five ordinal categories based up both z score distribution and statistical significance (P &lt; 0.05). Rankings using the NCQA definition were compared with a subset receiving CGRs using both a &lt;7% threshold and a continuous measure awarding proportional credit for values between 7.9 and &lt;7.0%. Ranking correlation was assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient.

RESULTS
A total of 203,302 patients (mean age 55.2 years) were identified from 127 facilities (range 480–5,411, mean 1,601); 26.7% (17.9–35.2%) were receiving CGRs, including 22.0% receiving insulin. Mean A1C and percent achieving A1C &lt;7% were 7.48 and 48% overall and 8.32 and 24.8% for those receiving CGRs using the threshold measure; proportion achieved was 60.1 and 37.2%, respectively, using the continuous measure. Rank correlation between the overall and CGR subset was 0.61; 8 of 24 of the highest or lowest ranked facilities changed to nonsignificance status; an additional five sites changed rankings.

CONCLUSIONS
Facility rankings in achieving the NCQA &lt;7% measure as specified differ markedly from rankings using the CGR subset. Measurement for public reporting or payment should stratify rankings by CGR. A continuous measure may better align incentives with treatment intensity.
Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Using Proposed HbA1c Diagnostic Criteria in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer–Norfolk Cohort
Authors: Chamnan Parinya , Simmons Rebecca K. , Forouhi Nita G. , Luben Robert N. , Khaw Kay-Tee , Wareham Nicholas J. , Griffin Simon J. 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence and relative risk of type 2 diabetes defined by the newly proposed HbA1c diagnostic criteria in groups categorized by different baseline HbA1c levels.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using data from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort with repeat HbA1c measurements, we estimated the prevalence of known and previously undiagnosed diabetes at baseline (baseline HbA1c ≥6.5%) and the incidence of diabetes over 3 years. We also examined the incidence and corresponding odds ratios (ORs) by different levels of baseline HbA1c. Incident diabetes was defined clinically (self-report at follow-up, prescribed diabetes medication, or inclusion on a diabetes register) or biochemically (HbA1c ≥6.5% at the second health assessment), or both.

RESULTS
The overall prevalence of diabetes was 4.7%; 41% of prevalent cases were previously undiagnosed. Among 5,735 participants without diabetes at baseline (identified clinically or using HbA1c criteria, or both), 72 developed diabetes over 3 years (1.3% [95% CI 1.0–1.5]), of which 49% were identified using the HbA1c criteria. In 6% of the total population, the baseline HbA1c was 6.0–6.4%; 36% of incident cases arose in this group. The incidence of diabetes in this group was 15 times higher than in those with a baseline HbA1c of &lt;5.0% (OR 15.5 [95% CI 7.2–33.3]).

CONCLUSIONS
The cumulative incidence of diabetes defined using a newly proposed HbA1c threshold in this middle-aged British cohort was 1.3% over 3 years. Targeting interventions to individuals with an HbA1c of 6.0–6.4% might represent a feasible preventive strategy, although complementary population-based preventive strategies are also needed to reduce the growing burden of diabetes.
On Peres approach to Fradkin-Bacry-Ruegg-Souriau’s perihelion vector
Authors: Grandati Yves , Bérard Alain , Mohrbach Hervé 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
We solve explicitly the differential system obtained by Peres for the construction of a conserved vector associated to any central potential. We then obtain a very direct access to the discontinuous behavior of the Fradkin-Bacry-Ruegg-Souriau perihelion vector.
Accuracy of Cotton-Mouton polarimetry in sheared toroidal plasma of circular cross-section
Authors: Kravtsov Yury , Chrzanowski Janusz 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
The Cotton-Mouton effect in sheared plasma with helical magnetic lines is studied on the basis of the equation for complex amplitude ratio (CAR). A simple model for helical magnetic lines in sheared plasma of toroidal configuration is suggested. The equation for CAR in the sheared plasma is solved by perturbation method, using the small shear angle deviations as is characteristic for tokamak plasma. It is shown that the inaccuracy in polarization measurements caused by deviations of the sheared angle amounts to some percentage of the shearless Cotton-Mouton phase shift. One suggested method is to subtract the “sheared” term, which may improve the accuracy of the Cotton-Mouton measurements in the sheared plasma.
Experimental Stark broadening studies of the CI transition 3s
1
P
1o − 3p
1
S
0 at 833.5 nm
Authors: Bartecka Agnieszka , Bacławski Adam , Musielok Józef 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Experimental Stark broadening studies of the infrared CI transition 3s
1
P
1o − 3p
1
S
0 at 833.5 nm are reported for the first time. A high-current wall-stabilized arc, operated in a mixture of helium, argon, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, was applied as the plasma source. Radiation emitted from homogeneous and optically thin plasma layers was analyzed. Stark broadening studies of the selected CI transition and the hydrogen Balmer β line were performed. As expected from theoretical considerations, the CI line width depends linearly on the electron density of the plasma. Applying theoretical Stark broadening data for the Hgb line, the measured Stark widths of the CI line were calibrated for the purpose of electron density determination in low temperature plasmas.
2DG enhances the susceptibility of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin
Authors: Ahmad Iman , Mustafa Ebtihal , Mustafa Noor , Tahtamouni Lubna , Abdalla Maher 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
2DG causes cytotoxicity in cancer cells by disrupting thiol metabolism while Doxorubicin (DOX) induces cytotoxicity in tumor cells by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we examined the combined cytotoxic action of 2DG and DOX in rapidly dividing T47D breast cancer cells vs. slowly growing MCF-7 breast cancer cells. T47D cells exposed to the combination of 2DG/DOX significantly decreased cell survival compared to controls, while 2DG/DOX had no effect on MCF-7 cells. 2DG/DOX also disrupted the oxidant status of T47D treated cells, decreased intracellular total glutathione and increased glutathione disulfide (%GSSG) compared to MCF-7 cells. Lipid peroxidation increased in T47D cells treated with 2DG and/or DOX, but not in MCF-7 cells. T47D cells were significantly protected by NAC, indicating that the combined treatment exerts its action by increasing ROS production and disrupting antioxidant stores. When we inhibited glutathione synthesis with BSO, T47D cells became more sensitive to 2DG/DOX-induced cytotoxicity, but NAC significantly reversed this cytotoxic effect. Finally, 2DG/DOX, and BSO significantly increased the %GSSG in T47D cells, an effect which was also reversed by NAC. Our results suggest that exposure of rapidly dividing breast cancer cells to 2DG/DOX enhances cytotoxicity via oxidative stress and via disruptions to thiol metabolism.
Ultrastructural studies on egg envelopes surrounding the miracidia of Mediogonimus jourdanei Mas-Coma et Rocamora, 1978 (Digenea, Microphalloidea, Prosthogonimidae)
Authors: Świderski Zdzisław , Bakhoum Abdoulaye , Młocicki Daniel , Miquel Jordi 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe intrauterine, mature and fully embryonated eggs of the prosthogonimid trematode Mediogonimus jourdanei Mas-Coma et Rocamora, 1978 were examined by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), using high pressure freezing, freeze substitution and infiltration with resin techniques. Each embryonated egg is composed of a miracidium surrounded by three envelopes: (1) the egg shell, (2) the outer and (3) inner envelopes. Egg envelopes play an important role in the protection, metabolism, storage of nutritive reserves and the general biology of the M. jourdanei egg. The inner envelope is characterised by large, flattened nuclei, and its syncytial cytoplasm contains a heavy accumulation of glycogen, lipid droplets, mitochondria and large vesicles. These traits indicate that this layer has the features of a metabolically-active syncytial layer with an energy storage capability. In the infective eggs observed before the hatching of the miracidium, areas of so-called “focal cytoplasmic degradation” were frequently observed, which may be involved in the autolytic process of all components of this envelopes.
A new species of Petasiger (Digenea, Echinostomatidae) parasitizing Podiceps major and Rollandia rolland (Aves, Podicipedidae) from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Authors: Lunaschi Lía , Drago Fabiana 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPetasiger argentinensis sp. nov. is described from material found in the intestine of the Great Grebe, Podiceps major (Boddaert) and the White-tufted Grebe, Rollandia rolland Quoy et Gaimard (Podicipediformes, Podicipedidae), from Argentina. The new species is characterized by the head collar armed with 19 spines and by the testes arranged in tandem. These characters are shared with only two Neotropical species of the genus, P. novemdecim Lutz, 1928 and P. combesi Zamparo, Overstreet et Brooks, 2005. Petasiger novemdecim differs from the new species in having a larger body, longer collar spines, larger eggs, a cirrus-sac of similar size to the ventral sucker and almost entirely anterior to it, and vitelline fields confluent ventrally posterior to the ventral sucker. P. combesi differs from the new species in most metrical characters, the shape of the body (antero-posteriorly elongate) and the location of the genital pore (dextral) and the excretory pore (dorsal). This is the first record of a member of the genus Petasiger parasitizing birds from Argentina.
A new opecoelid trematode, Pseudopecoelus brayi sp. nov. from the shoulderbar soldierfish, Myripristis kuntee off Visakhapatnam coast, Bay of Bengal
Authors: Madhavi Rokkam , Triveni Lakshmi T. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA new species of opecoelid trematode, Pseudopecoelus brayi sp. nov. is reported from the holocentrid fish, Myripristis kuntee collected from off Visakhapatnam coast, Bay of Bengal. The new species differs from related species by a combination of characters such as elongate body, deeply lobed gonads, tubular sinuous seminal vesicle extending up to the posterior border of ventral sucker, presence of a short cylindrical cirrus sac enclosing the cirrus and the vitelline zone extending anterior to ventral sucker. This is the 7th species of the genus to be reported from Indian marine fishes and the fifth species from holocentrid fishes. A key for separation of the species of Pseudopecoelus is given.
The occurrence of epibionts of Gordiida (Nematomorpha) in Catamarca, Argentina
Authors: Villalobos Cristina , Salas Liliana , Zanca Fernanda , Atencio Adrián 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe presence of larvae and pupae of the genus Metrichia (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae), larvae of the genus Macrelmis and Phanocerus (Coleoptera, Elmidae), three diatom genera Achnanthes, Cocconeis, Gomphonema, and some specimens of very small diatoms that could not be determined to species or genus level, were recorded for the first time as epibionts for Chordodes brasiliensis (Gordiida, Nematomorpha). Such epibionts were found on the body surface of this species of hairworms, captured from El Tala stream, Catamarca, Argentina.
Ultrastructure of the intrauterine eggs of Didymobothrium rudolphii (Monticelli, 1890) (Cestoda, Spathebothriidea, Acrobothriidae) and its phylogenetic implications
Authors: Świderski Zdzisław , Gibson David , Santos Maria , Poddubnaya Larisa 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe intrauterine polylecithal eggs of the spathebothriidean cestode Didymobothrium rudolphii (Monticelli, 1890) were examined by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Each unembryonated egg is composed of a fertilised oocyte or ovum and several vitelline cells, all surrounded by a newly formed shell. The lumen of the proximal uterus is packed with unutilised vitelline material and eggs at different stages of shell formation. In the proximal region of the uterus, the fertilised oocytes, initially surrounded by dense, discontinuous islands of eggshell material and containing long axonemes of spermatozoa in their cytoplasm, were frequently observed. Sperm axonemes also remain in the oocyte cytoplasm of eggs surrounded by a thick electron-dense shell until the sperm nucleus is transformed into a male pronucleus. Despite the fact that the two-pronuclei stage and cell divisions within the eggs of D. rudolphii were never observed, individual eggs containing several blastomeres of different sizes were seen in the middle and distal regions of the uterus. This provides indirect evidence that at least a few initial cleavage divisions must take place in the intrauterine eggs and direct evidence that the early embryonic development of D. rudolphii starts in utero. The several vitellocytes present in each egg contain nutritive reserves for the developing embryos; these are composed mainly of numerous lipid droplets and a moderate amount of glycogen. In the eggs containing early embryos composed of several blastomeres, the cytoplasm of the degenerating vitellocytes exhibits the presence of so-called ‘foci of cytoplasmic degradation’, which appear to be involved in the autolytic process of the vitellocyte cell components and inclusions, such as a high accumulation of lipids and glycogen. This progressive degeneration of the vitellocytes, considered as an example of programmed cell death or apoptosis, likely contributes towards the resorption of nutritive reserves by the developing embryo. Some of the results of this study are commented upon in relation to the affiliation of the spathebothriideans with other lower cestode groups.
Proctocaecum blairi sp. nov. (Digenea, Cryptogonimidae) from the freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus johnstoni, in Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: Tkach Vasyl , Snyder Scott 
Published: July 2010

AbstractProctocaecum blairi sp. nov. is described from specimens found in the intestine of an Australian freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus johnstoni, from Northern Territory, Australia. The most important diagnostic features of the new species are the body proportions and size, the position of the pharynx (relative length of the prepharynx and oesophagus), the relative length and position of the vitelline fields, and the number, shape and size of the circumoral spines. The new species is morphologically most similar to Proctocaecum atae, P. elongatum, P. crocodili, P. gairhei and Acanthostomum slusarskii. It differs from all of these species in having a much longer prepharynx, and differs from both P. atae and P. crocodili in having a much longer body and posteriorly situated vitelline fields. Proctocaecum blairi sp. nov. differs from P. elongatum in having a shorter body, a greater forebody to hindbody ratio, a much smaller ventral sucker, and a higher number of circumoral spines (23 vs 21 in P. elongatum). The new species differs from P. gairhei in possessing a much larger body length:width ratio and an ovary separated from the anterior testis by a seminal receptacle. Acanthostomum slusarskii lacks a gonotyl and has fewer circumoral spines than the new species. Proctocaecum blairi sp. nov. is the third species of Proctocaecum and the fourth cryptogonimid species known from crocodiles in Australia.
Monitoring and Production of a Heavy-Oil Extraction Process at Peace River, Canada
Authors: Mollinger A.M. , de Rouffignac E. , Oates S. , Maron K. , Bourne S. , Brissenden S. , McGillivray P. 
Published: July 2010

This reference is for an abstract only. A full paper was not submitted for this conference.

Abstract
Peace River is a 100% Shell-owned heavy oil property located in Northern Alberta, Canada. A total of 7 billion barrels of 7 API oil is trapped in a 30 m thick semi-consolidated sand layer buried at a depth of about 600 m. At present, a "huff-and-puff" approach is employed to extract the oil, using closely spaced multi-lateral horizontal wells drilled from a central pad.
As part of a strategy to gain a better understanding of the extraction process at Peace River, Shell Canada designed and implemented a monitoring program over the most recently drilled production pads. This program included microseismic monitoring, surface time-lapse (2D and sparse 3D), a timelapse 3DVSP, and continuous tiltmeter monitoring. Shell Canada's Peace River asset team and EP Research and Development have been engaged in a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort to understand this data in terms of the implications for heat distribution, fluid flow, well and cap rock integrity, and other operational issues.
We have learned that our initial model of the extraction process at Peace River was incorrect, and that drilling and operational strategies based on this incorrect model are suboptimal. Our strategy for developing the field has now fundamentally changed based on the information gleaned from this monitoring project. Best practices include the integrated use of microseismic and other monitoring techniques for optimizing the drilling and operational strategy for a heavy oil field.
Consistency and Construct Validity of the Activity Card Sort (Modified) in Measuring Activity Resumption After Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Lyons Kathleen Doyle , Li Zhongze , Tosteson Tor D. , Meehan Kenneth , Ahles Tim A. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
OBJECTIVE. We assessed the psychometrics of a self-administered survey modification of the Activity Card Sort (modified; ACSm) when used to track activity resumption after stem cell transplantation (SCT).
METHOD. Thirty-six participants completed the ACSm for a descriptive pilot study of recovery after SCT. Reliability was assessed by determining the longitudinal consistency of participants’ designation of an activity as never done versus done previously and by calculating internal consistency. Construct validity was assessed by correlating the ACSm scores with measures of quality of life, performance status, and perceived cognitive impairment.
RESULTS. Participants gave consistent designations for 72% of items. Internal consistency of the total score was α &gt; 0.86 at all assessments. The ACSm scores were correlated with quality of life (r = 0.51, p = .0019), functional well-being (r = 0.59, p = .0002), and performance status (r = 0.42, p = 0.011) and not associated with cognitive impairment (r = .22, p = .19).
CONCLUSION. The ACSm demonstrated provisional evidence of reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity.