bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dissecting the Wnt secretion pathway: key questions on the modification and intracellular trafficking of Wnt proteins
Authors: Harterink M. , Korswagen H. C. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe Wnt family of signalling proteins has essential functions in development and adult tissue homoeostasis throughout the animal kingdom. Although signalling cascades triggered by Wnt proteins have been extensively studied, much remains to be learned about how Wnts are produced and secreted. Over the past few years, it has become clear that the secretion of Wnt proteins requires a specialized trafficking pathway. As this pathway has been discussed in two recent reviews (Lorenowicz & Korswagen 2009, Port & Basler 2010), we will focus our discussion on the key questions that need to be addressed to gain a more complete understanding of the mechanism and regulation of this essential secretion pathway.
Lipogenic regulators are elevated with age and chronic overload in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Rivas D. A. , Morris E. P. , Fielding R. A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim:  Both muscle mass and strength decline with ageing, but the loss of strength far surpasses what is projected based on the decline in mass. Interestingly, the accumulation of fat mass has been shown to be a strong predictor of functional loss and disability. Furthermore, there is a known attenuated hypertrophic response to skeletal muscle overload with ageing. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 28 days of overload on the storage of intramuscular triglycerides (IMTG) and metabolic regulators of lipid synthesis in young and old skeletal muscle.Methods:  The phosphorylation and expression of essential lipogenic regulators were determined in the plantaris of young (YNG; 6‐month‐old) and aged (OLD; 30‐month‐old) rats subjected to bilateral synergist ablation (SA) of two‐thirds of the gastrocnemius muscle or sham surgery.Results:  We demonstrate that age‐induced increases in IMTG are associated with enhancements in the expression of lipogenic regulators in muscle. We also show that the phosphorylation and concentration of the 5′AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) isoforms are altered in OLD. We observed increases in the expression of lipogenic regulators and AMPK signalling after SA in YNG, despite no increase in IMTG. Markers of oxidative capacity were increased in YNG after SA. These overload‐induced effects were blunted in OLD.Conclusion:  These data suggest that lipid metabolism may be altered in ageing skeletal muscle and is unaffected by mechanical overload via SA. By determining the role of increased lipid storage on skeletal muscle mass during ageing, possible gene targets for the treatment of sarcopenia may be identified.
Taking enforcement on its own terms: EPA's heavy‐duty diesel engine litigation
Authors: Cannon Jonathan 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe authors of Regulation by Litigation characterize the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s enforcement action against diesel engine manufacturers as an effort to achieve by litigation what the Agency was unable to achieve by regulation: immediate reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides. By substituting litigation for rulemaking, the authors of the book argue, the Agency avoided political and judicial accountability and put itself on a suboptimal policy track. This comment argues that the diesel engine litigation may be better understood as what it purported to be, an enforcement action, not rulemaking in disguise. The authors' characterization of the litigation is questionable on at least two grounds. First, it fails to fully appreciate the distinct functions of enforcement and policymaking in a regulatory setting. The goal of enforcement is not primarily to make policy, but to enforce it – to punish violators, deter future violations, and mitigate harms caused by violations. That goal supplies the proper measure of the litigation's success. Second, in applying public choice analysis to create a story of agency circumvention of appropriate rulemaking procedures, the authors' account misses key features of how agency enforcement decisions are made – and were made in this litigation. This latter shortcoming raises broader questions about the difficulties of applying public choice analysis in complex institutional settings.
Regulation by litigation: Not so bad?
Authors: Funk William 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis is a review essay concerning the book Regulation by Litigation. Utilizing public choice theory as the basis of its analysis, the book presents three case studies designed to demonstrate that regulation by litigation does not serve the public interest. This review essay attempts to show that public choice theory does not explain the decision to use litigation in these cases, that the alleged failure of litigation in these cases might not be failures at all, and that regulation by litigation is not the unmitigated evil the authors of the book suggest.
Enhancement of Palladium‐Porphyrin Room Temperature Phosphorescence by Alkaline Earth Metal in Deoxycholate Aggregates Solution
Authors: Wang Ying‐Te , Wang Xiang‐Wei , Zhang Yong 
Published: March 2011

AbstractRoom temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of three palladium (Pd)‐phorphyrins in air‐saturated solution of sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) aggregates was measured. RTP of Pd‐meso‐tetrakis (4‐carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (Pd‐TCPP) was obviously enhanced in NaDC‐aggregates mediated by alkaline earth metal (AEM). Under the same experimental conditions, Ca2+, Ba2+ and Mg2+ induced 200, 90 and 24 times greater enhancement in RTP of Pd‐TCPP, respectively. It is ascribed to form the complex of NaDC‐aggregate/AEM/Pd‐TCPP in the system. The positively charged AEM has a strong capability of co‐ordination with negatively charged carboxyl groups of NaDC and Pd‐TCPP. The phosphor Pd‐TCPP is confined in rigid NaDC‐aggregates/AEM system by the coordination which decreases the probability of collision of phosphor with quenchers such as dissolved oxygen molecules and prolongs the lifetime of the phosphor on the triplet state. Long excited‐state lifetimes resulted in great enhancement of Pd‐TCPP phosphorescence. Observations by optical microscope showed that specific fan‐like structures of NaDC were formed under the influence of AEM. Surface tension measurements supported a close interaction between Ca2+ ions and anion aggregates of NaDC with 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. Due to its outstanding RTP behavior in NaDC‐aggregates induced by Ca2+, Pd‐TCPP was used as a RTP probe to detect bovine serum albumin (BSA). A broad linear range from 1.0 × 10−9 to 9.0 × 10−7 g mL−1 was obtained. Detection limit is 2.6 × 10−11 g mL−1, the relative standard deviation (n = 6) is 2.3% for 2.0 × 10−9 g mL−1 BSA.
A Data Filter for Identifying Steady-State Operating Points in Engine Flight Data for Condition Monitoring Applications
Authors: Simon Donald L. , Litt Jonathan S. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
This paper presents an algorithm that automatically identifies and extracts steady-state engine operating points from engine flight data. It calculates the mean and standard deviation of select parameters contained in the incoming flight data stream. If the standard deviation of the data falls below defined constraints, the engine is assumed to be at a steady-state operating point and the mean measurement data at that point are archived for subsequent condition monitoring purposes. The fundamental design of the steady-state data filter is completely generic and applicable for any dynamic system. Additional domain-specific logic constraints are applied to reduce data outliers and variance within the collected steady-state data. The filter is designed for on-line real-time processing of streaming data as opposed to post-processing of the data in batch mode. Results of applying the steady-state data filter to recorded helicopter engine flight data are shown, demonstrating its utility for engine condition monitoring applications.
A method for robust segmentation of arbitrarily shaped radiopaque structures in cone‐beam CT projections
Authors: Poulsen Per Rugaard , Fledelius Walther , Keall Paul J. , Weiss Elisabeth , Lu Jun , Brackbill Emily , Hugo Geoffrey D. 
Published: March 2011

Purpose:Implanted markers are commonly used in radiotherapy for x‐ray based target localization. The projected marker position in a series of cone‐beam CT (CBCT) projections can be used to estimate the three dimensional (3D) target trajectory during the CBCT acquisition. This has important applications in tumor motion management such as motion inclusive, gating, and tumor tracking strategies. However, for irregularly shaped markers, reliable segmentation is challenged by large variations in the marker shape with projection angle. The purpose of this study was to develop a semiautomated method for robust and reliable segmentation of arbitrarily shaped radiopaque markers in CBCT projections.Methods:The segmentation method involved the following three steps: (1) Threshold based segmentation of the marker in three to six selected projections with large angular separation, good marker contrast, and uniform background; (2) construction of a 3D marker model by coalignment and backprojection of the threshold‐based segmentations; and (3) construction of marker templates at all imaging angles by projection of the 3D model and use of these templates for template‐based segmentation. The versatility of the segmentation method was demonstrated by segmentation of the following structures in the projections from two clinical CBCT scans: (1) Three linear fiducial markers (Visicoil) implanted in or near a lung tumor and (2) an artificial cardiac valve in a lung cancer patient.Results:Automatic marker segmentation was obtained in more than 99.9% of the cases. The segmentation failed in a few cases where the marker was either close to a structure of similar appearance or hidden behind a dense structure (data cable).Conclusions:A robust template‐based method for segmentation of arbitrarily shaped radiopaque markers in CBCT projections was developed.
Developing and validating a risk scoring tool for chlamydia infection among sexual health clinic attendees in Australia: a simple algorithm to identify those at high risk of chlamydia infection
Authors: Wand Handan , Guy Rebecca , Donovan Basil , McNulty Anna 
Published: March 2011

ObjectiveTo develop and validate a risk scoring tool to identify those who are at increased risk of chlamydia infection.MethodsWe used demographic data, sexual behaviour information and chlamydia positivity results from more than 45 000 individuals who attended Sydney Sexual Health Centre between 1998 and 2009. Participants were randomly allocated to either the development or internal validation data set. Using logistic regression, we created a prediction model and weighted scoring system using the development data set and calculated the odds ratio of chlamydia positivity for participants in successively higher quintiles of score. The internal validation data set was used to evaluate the performance characteristics of the model for five quintiles of risk scores including population attributable risk, sensitivity and specificity.ResultsIn the prediction model, inconsistent condom use, increased number of sexual partners in last 3 months, genital or anal symptoms and presenting to the clinic for sexually transmitted infections screening or being a contact of a sexually transmitted infection case were consistently associated with increased risk of chlamydia positivity in all groups. High scores (upper quintiles) were significantly associated with increased risk of chlamydia infection. A cut-point score of 20 or higher distinguished a increased risk group with a sensitivity of 95%, 67% and 79% among heterosexual men, women and men who have sex with men (MSM), respectively.ConclusionThe scoring tool may be included as part of a health promotion and/or clinic website to prompt those who are at increased risk of chlamydia infection, which may potentially lead to increased uptake and frequency of testing.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the prediction of early conversion from amnestic mild cognitive impairment to dementia: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Modrego Pedro J , Fayed Nicolas , Sarasa Manuel 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundMild cognitive impairment (MCI) of an amnestic type is a common condition in older people and highly predictive of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, there is no clear consensus regarding the best antecedent biomarker to predict early conversion to AD.ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to demonstrate that1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain in MCI patients may predict early conversion to dementia within the 2-year period after baseline assessment.MethodsA cohort of patients fulfilling the criteria of amnestic MCI were enrolled consecutively. At baseline the patients underwent neuropsychological examination, standard blood tests and APOE genotype.1H-MRS (1.5 T) of the brain was carried out by exploring two areas: the posteromedial bilateral parietal lobe and left medial occipital lobe. The patients were followed up to detect conversion to probable AD according to the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association group criteria.ResultsAfter a 2-year follow-up, 27 (38%) patients converted to AD. The mean N-acetyl-aspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) ratio in the posteromedial bilateral parietal cortex was 1.38 in converters versus 1.49 in non-converters (p<0.0001). An NAA/Cr ratio equal to or lower than 1.43 in this area predicted conversion to probable AD at 74.1% sensitivity and 83.7% specificity (area under the curve: 0.84; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.92). The cross-validated accuracy of classification was 82%, which reaches 85% when the APOE4 genotype and memory test are included in the analysis. In the left medial occipital lobe, the predictive value was somewhat lower with 85.2% sensitivity and 61.4% specificity (area under the curve: 0.8; 95% CI 0.69 to 0.89). Neither the APOE4 genotype nor leuco-araiosis was predictive of conversion to dementia.ConclusionMRS is a valuable biomarker to predict early conversion to dementia in patients with amnestic MCI.
Doctors accessing mental-health services: an exploratory study
Authors: Stanton Josephine , Randal Patte 
Published: March 2011

ObjectiveTo develop a more in-depth understanding of how doctors do and do not access mental healthcare from the perspectives of doctors themselves and people they have contact with through the process.DesignQualitative methodology was used with semistructured interviews transcribed and analysed using Grounded Theory. Participants were 11 doctors with experience as patients of psychiatrists, four doctor and four non-doctor personal contacts (friends, family and colleagues) and eight treating psychiatrists.ResultsParticipants described experiencing unrealistic expectations and a harsh work environment with poor self care and denial and minimisation of signs of mental health difficulties. Doctor contacts described particular difficulty in responding effectively to doctor friends, family and colleagues in need of mental healthcare. In contrast, non-doctor personal contacts were more able to identify and speak about concerns but not necessarily to enable accessing adequate mental-health services.ConclusionsThree areas with potential to address in supporting doctors' accessing of appropriate healthcare have been identified: (1) processes to enable doctors to maintain high standards of functioning with less use of minimisation and denial; (2) improving the quality and effectiveness of informal doctor-to-doctor conversations about mental-health issues among themselves; (3) role of non-doctor support people in identifying doctors' mental-health needs and enabling their access to mental healthcare. Further research in all these areas has the potential to contribute to improving doctors' access to appropriate mental healthcare and may be of value for the general population.
Feasibility of self-sampling and human papillomavirus testing for cervical cancer screening in First Nation women from Northwest Ontario, Canada: a pilot study
Authors: Zehbe Ingeborg , Moeller Helle , Severini Alberto , Weaver Bruce , Escott Nicholas , Bell Crystal , Crawford Sandra , Bannon Diane , Paavola Natalie 
Published: March 2011

BackgroundThe incidence of cervical cancer is up to sixfold higher among First Nation women in Canada than in the general population. This is probably due to lower participation rates in cervical cancer prevention programmes.ObjectiveTo raise screening participation in this underserved population by launching an alternative approach to (Pap)anicolaou testing in a clinic—namely, vaginal self-sampling followed by human papillomavirus (HPV) diagnostics.MethodsGood relationships were established with a First Nation community of the Northern Superior region in Northwest Ontario, and then 49 community women, aged 25–59, were recruited, who provided a vaginal self-sample and answered a questionnaire. Frequency distributions and cross-tabulations were used to summarise the data. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using the χ2test of association, or the Goodman–Kruskal γ if both variables had ordered categories. Self-collected samples were tested for integrity and HPV using optimised molecular biological methods.ResultsThe majority of participants (87.2%) were amenable to future HPV screening by self-sampling. This finding was independent of age, educational level and a previous history of abnormal Pap tests. Interestingly, the preferred way to learn about sexual health remained through interaction with healthcare professionals. As defined by the presence of a housekeeping gene, self-sample integrity was high (96%). Using polymerase chain reaction-based Luminex typing, the overall HPV positivity was 28.6% (ie, with either a low- or high-risk type) and 16.3% were infected with a high-risk type such as HPV16.ConclusionIn this pilot study of First Nation women, self-sampling and HPV testing was well received and self-sample quality was excellent. A larger survey to be conducted in other Northern Superior communities in Northwest Ontario will determine whether this approach could become a viable screening strategy for First Nation women.
A survey on self-assessed well-being in a cohort of chronic locked-in syndrome patients: happy majority, miserable minority
Authors: Bruno Marie-Aurélie , Bernheim Jan L , Ledoux Didier , Pellas Frédéric , Demertzi Athena , Laureys Steven 
Published: March 2011

ObjectivesLocked-in syndrome (LIS) consists of anarthria and quadriplegia while consciousness is preserved. Classically, vertical eye movements or blinking allow coded communication. Given appropriate medical care, patients can survive for decades. We studied the self-reported quality of life in chronic LIS patients.Design168 LIS members of the French Association for LIS were invited to answer a questionnaire on medical history, current status and end-of-life issues. They self-assessed their global subjective well-being with the Anamnestic Comparative Self-Assessment (ACSA) scale, whose +5 and −5 anchors were their memories of the best period in their life before LIS and their worst period ever, respectively.Results91 patients (54%) responded and 26 were excluded because of missing data on quality of life. 47 patients professed happiness (median ACSA +3) and 18 unhappiness (median ACSA −4). Variables associated with unhappiness included anxiety and dissatisfaction with mobility in the community, recreational activities and recovery of speech production. A longer time in LIS was correlated with happiness. 58% declared they did not wish to be resuscitated in case of cardiac arrest and 7% expressed a wish for euthanasia.ConclusionsOur data stress the need for extra palliative efforts directed at mobility and recreational activities in LIS and the importance of anxiolytic therapy. Recently affected LIS patients who wish to die should be assured that there is a high chance they will regain a happy meaningful life. End-of-life decisions, including euthanasia, should not be avoided, but a moratorium to allow a steady state to be reached should be proposed.
A randomised controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural therapy for women with problematic menopausal hot flushes: MENOS 2 trial protocol
Authors: Ayers Beverley , Mann Eleanor , Hunter Myra S 
Published: March 2011

ObjectivesHot flushes and night sweats (HF/NS) are experienced by 60–70% of menopausal women and are problematic for approximately 20–25%. Potential health risks associated with hormone-replacement therapy (HT) have led to a significant decline in HT use. There is therefore a need for safe, effective and evidence-based alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms. Previous exploratory work suggests that cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is acceptable and effective for women with HF/NS during natural menopause and following breast-cancer treatment. This randomised controlled trial compares the effectiveness of Group CBT and Guided Self-Help CBT with no treatment control in reducing HF/NS Problem Rating and Frequency at post-treatment (main outcome) and at 6 months postrandomisation.Methods and analysis120 women, with 10 or more HF/NS a week for a month, are recruited from GP surgeries and the local community of South London. They are randomised to either 4 weeks of Group CBT, 4 weeks guided Self-Help CBT or no treatment control. Participants attend a clinical interview, and complete baseline questionnaire measures of HF/NS Problem Rating and Frequency (primary outcomes), mood, quality of life, self-esteem, hot-flush beliefs and behaviours, optimism and somatic amplification, and undergo 24 h sternal skin conductance monitoring (SCC—physiological measure of HF/NS) (secondary outcomes). Post-treatment measures (SSC, questionnaires and use of medical services) are collected 6–8 weeks later and follow-up measures (questionnaires and a use of medical services measure) at 6 months postrandomisation.Ethics and disseminationEthical registration was granted by King's College London Research Ethics Committee (ref: PNM/08/09-42). All participants provide written informed consent. If treatment is successful, a Group CBT training manual and training sessions for health professionals, and a Self-Help CBT book will be published. Other CBT delivery options will also be examined (including Computerised Self-Help CBT and Group CBT workshops).Clinical Trial Registration NumberISRCTN57302613.
Far-red absorbing azodipyrrin dyes — Synthesis, X-ray crystallographic, and spectral characterization of 1,9-diazodipyrrins and their metal complexes
Authors: Li Yan , Dolphin David 
Published: March 2011

A series of novel 1,9-diazodipyrrins (4) were readily synthesized by reacting aryldiazonium salts with 5-aryldipyrromethanes under both acidic and basic conditions. The zinc complex of 1,9-diphenylazodipyrrin (5aZn) was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and 1,9-diazodipyrrins and their zinc and nickel complexes (5M) were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, IR, UV–vis, and MS. All of the metal complexes absorb almost all colours of the rainbow; the absorption maximums are >650 nm and the half-band widths are over 100 nm. The fluorescence of the zinc complexes of 1,9-diphenylazodipyrrin (5aZn) and 1,9-di(2-iodophenylazo)dipyrrin (5cZn) were also explored.