bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction of secondhand tobacco smoke in public places following national smoke-free legislation in Uruguay
Authors: Blanco-Marquizo Adriana , Goja Beatriz , Peruga Armando , Jones Miranda R , Yuan Jie , Samet Jonathan M , Breysse Patrick N , Navas-Acien Ana 
Published: May 2010

BackgroundSmoke-free legislation eliminating tobacco smoke in all indoor public places and workplaces is the international standard to protect all people from exposure to secondhand smoke. Uruguay was the first country in the Americas and the first middle-income country in the world to enact a comprehensive smoke-free national legislation in March 2006.ObjectiveTo compare air nicotine concentrations measured in indoor public places and workplaces in Montevideo, Uruguay before (November 2002) and after (July 2007) the implementation of the national legislation.MethodsAir nicotine concentrations were measured for 7–14 days using the same protocol in schools, a hospital, a local government building, an airport and restaurants and bars. A total of 100 and 103 nicotine samples were available in 2002 and 2007, respectively.ResultsMedian (IQR) air nicotine concentrations in the study samples were 0.75 (0.2–1.54) μg/m3in 2002 compared to 0.07 (0.0–0.20) μg/m3in 2007. The overall nicotine reduction comparing locations sampled in 2007 to those sampled in 2002 was 91% (95% CI 85% to 94%) after adjustment for differences in room volume and ventilation. The greatest nicotine reduction was observed in schools (97% reduction), followed by the airport (94% reduction), the hospital (89% reduction), the local government building (86% reduction) and restaurants/bars (81% reduction).ConclusionExposure to secondhand smoke has decreased greatly in indoor public places and workplaces in Montevideo, Uruguay, after the implementation of a comprehensive national smoke-free legislation. These findings suggest that it is possible to successfully implement smoke-free legislations in low and middle-income countries.
Augmentation of Radiation Response by Motesanib, a Multikinase Inhibitor that Targets Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors
Authors: Kruser Tim J. , Wheeler Deric L. , Armstrong Eric A. , Iida Mari , Kozak Kevin R. , van der Kogel Albert J. , Bussink Johan , Coxon Angela , Polverino Anthony , Harari Paul M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground: Motesanib is a potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) 1, 2, and 3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and Kit receptors. In this report we examine the interaction between motesanib and radiation in vitro and in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) xenograft models.Experimental Design: In vitro assays were done to assess the impact of motesanib on VEGFR2 signaling pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HNSCC lines grown as tumor xenografts in athymic nude mice were utilized to assess the in vivo activity of motesanib alone and in combination with radiation.Results: Motesanib inhibited VEGF-stimulated HUVEC proliferation in vitro, as well as VEGFR2 kinase activity. Additionally, motesanib and fractionated radiation showed additive inhibitory effects on HUVEC proliferation. In vivo combination therapy with motesanib and radiation showed increased response compared with drug or radiation alone in UM-SCC1 (P &lt; 0.002) and SCC-1483 xenografts (P = 0.001); however, the combination was not significantly more efficacious than radiation alone in UM-SCC6 xenografts. Xenografts treated with motesanib showed a reduction of vessel penetration into tumor parenchyma, compared with control tumors. Furthermore, triple immunohistochemical staining for vasculature, proliferation, and hypoxia showed well-defined spatial relationships among these parameters in HNSCC xenografts. Motesanib significantly enhanced intratumoral hypoxia in the presence and absence of fractionated radiation.Conclusions: These studies identify a favorable interaction when combining radiation and motesanib in HNSCC models. The data presented suggest that motesanib reduces blood vessel penetration into tumors and thereby increases intratumoral hypoxia. These findings suggest that clinical investigations examining combinations of radiation and motesanib are warranted in HNSCC. Clin Cancer Res; 16(14); 3639–47. ©2010 AACR.
Effects of Aerosol Solubility and Regeneration on Warm-Phase Orographic Clouds and Precipitation Simulated by a Detailed Bin Microphysical Scheme
Authors: Xue Lulin , Teller Amit , Rasmussen Roy , Geresdi Istvan , Pan Zaitao 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
This study evaluates the possible impact of aerosol solubility and regeneration on warm-phase orographic clouds and precipitation. The sensitivity evaluation is performed by simulating cloud formation over two identical 2D idealized mountains using a detailed bin microphysical scheme implemented into the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) version 3. The dynamics, thermodynamics, topography, and microphysical pathways were designed to produce precipitating clouds in a linear hydrostatic mountain wave regime. The cloud over the second mountain is affected by regenerated aerosols advected from the cloud over the first mountain. Effects of aerosol solubility and regeneration were investigated with surface relative humidity of 95% and 85% for both clean and polluted background aerosol concentrations.
Among the findings are the following: 1) The total number of cloud drops decreases as the aerosol solubility decreases, and the impacts of aerosol solubility on cloud drops and precipitation are more significant in polluted clouds than in clean clouds. 2) Aerosol regeneration increases cloud drops and reduces the precipitation by 2%–80% in clouds over the second mountain. Regenerated aerosol particles replenish one-third to two-thirds of the missing particles when regeneration is not considered. 3) Different size distributions of regenerated aerosol particles have negligible effect on clouds and precipitation except for polluted clouds with high aerosol solubility. 4) When the solubility of initial aerosol particles decreases with an increasing size of aerosol particles, the modified solubility of regenerated aerosol particles increases precipitation over the second mountain.
Evaluation of the NASA GISS Single-Column Model Simulated Clouds Using Combined Surface and Satellite Observations
Authors: Kennedy Aaron D. , Dong Xiquan , Xi Baike , Minnis Patrick , Del Genio Anthony D. , Wolf Audrey B. , Khaiyer Mandana M. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Three years of surface and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) data from the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site are used to evaluate the NASA GISS Single Column Model (SCM) simulated clouds from January 1999 to December 2001. The GOES-derived total cloud fractions for both 0.5° and 2.5° grid boxes are in excellent agreement with surface observations, suggesting that ARM point observations can represent large areal observations. Low (&lt;2 km), middle (2–6 km), and high (&gt;6 km) levels of cloud fractions, however, have negative biases as compared to the ARM results due to multilayer cloud scenes that can either mask lower cloud layers or cause misidentifications of cloud tops. Compared to the ARM observations, the SCM simulated most midlevel clouds, overestimated low clouds (4%), and underestimated total and high clouds by 7% and 15%, respectively. To examine the dependence of the modeled high and low clouds on the large-scale synoptic patterns, variables such as relative humidity (RH) and vertical pressure velocity (omega) from North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) data are included. The successfully modeled and missed high clouds are primarily associated with a trough and ridge upstream of the ARM SGP, respectively. The PDFs of observed high and low occurrence as a function of RH reveal that high clouds have a Gaussian-like distribution with mode RH values of ∼40%–50%, whereas low clouds have a gammalike distribution with the highest cloud probability occurring at RH ∼75%–85%. The PDFs of modeled low clouds are similar to those observed; however, for high clouds the PDFs are shifted toward higher values of RH. This results in a negative bias for the modeled high clouds because many of the observed clouds occur at RH values below the SCM-specified stratiform parameterization threshold RH of 60%. Despite many similarities between PDFs derived from the NARR and ARM forcing datasets for RH and omega, differences do exist. This warrants further investigation of the forcing and reanalysis datasets.
A Demonstration of Long-Term Memory and Climate Predictability
Authors: Zhu Xiuhua , Fraedrich Klaus , Liu Zhengyu , Blender Richard 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Climate forecast skills are evaluated for surface temperature time series at grid points of a millennium control simulation from a state-of-the-art global circulation model [ECHAM5–Max Planck Institute Ocean Model (MPI-OM)]. First, climate predictability is diagnosed in terms of potentially predictable variance fractions and the fluctuation power-law exponent (using detrended fluctuation analysis). Long-term memory (LTM) with a fluctuation exponent (or Hurst exponent) close to 0.9 occurs mainly in high-latitude oceans, which are also characterized by high potential predictability. Next, explicit prediction experiments for various time steps are conducted on a gridpoint basis using an autocorrelation predictor. In regions with LTM, prediction skills are beyond that expected from red noise persistence—exceptions occur in some areas in the southern oceans and over the Northern Hemisphere continents. Extending the predictability analysis to the fully forced simulation shows a large improvement in prediction skills.
Mechanisms of Meridional Teleconnection Observed between a Summer Monsoon System and a Subtropical Anticyclone. Part I: The Pacific–Japan Pattern
Authors: Kosaka Yu , Nakamura Hisashi 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Summertime atmospheric circulation over the midlatitude western North Pacific (WNP) is influenced by anomalous convective activity near the Philippines. This meridional teleconnection, observed in monthly anomalies and known as the Pacific–Japan (PJ) pattern, is characterized by zonally elongated cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies around the enhanced convection center and to its northeast, respectively, in the lower troposphere, with an apparent poleward phase tilt with height. The authors’ idealized two-layer linear model, whose basic state consists of a zonal subtropical jet and a pair of a monsoon system and a subtropical anticyclone, can simulate a PJ-like response against diabatic heating located between the pair. Each of the observed and simulated patterns can gain energy through barotropic and baroclinic conversions from the zonally varying baroclinic mean flow, in an efficiency comparable with that of energy generation due to the anomalous diabatic heating, indicating a characteristic of the pattern as a dry dynamical mode. In fact, the conversion efficiency is sensitive to the location of the anomaly pattern relative to the climatological-mean flow. Furthermore, the second-least damped mode identified in the idealized model bears certain resemblance with the observed PJ pattern, indicating its modal characteristics as well as a critical importance of these features in the mean field for the pattern. In addition to the PJ pattern, another meridional teleconnection pattern with high efficiency for its energy conversion is identified observationally in association with anomalous convection near the Bonin Islands.
The anomalous circulation of the PJ pattern, in turn, can intensify the anomalous convective activity near the Philippines through enhancing evaporation and moisture convergence and dynamically inducing anomalous ascent. It is thus hypothesized that the PJ pattern can be regarded as a moist dynamical mode that sustains itself both via dry energy conversion and interaction with moist processes.
Implementation of a Nonlinear Subfilter Turbulence Stress Model for Large-Eddy Simulation in the Advanced Research WRF Model
Authors: Mirocha J. D. , Lundquist J. K. , Kosović B. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Two formulations of a nonlinear turbulence subfilter-scale (SFS) stress model were implemented into the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting model (ARW-WRF) version 3.0 for improved large-eddy simulation performance. The new models were evaluated against the WRF model’s standard Smagorinsky and 1.5-order turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) linear eddy-viscosity SFS stress models in simulations of geostrophically forced, neutral boundary layer flow over both flat terrain and a shallow, symmetric transverse ridge. Comparisons of simulation results with similarity profiles indicate that the nonlinear models significantly improve agreement with the expected profiles near the surface, reducing the overprediction of near-surface stress characteristic of linear eddy-viscosity models with no near-wall damping. Comparisons of simulations conducted using different mesh sizes indicate that the nonlinear model simulations at coarser resolutions agree more closely with the higher-resolution results than corresponding lower-resolution simulations using the standard WRF SFS stress models. The nonlinear models produced flows featuring a broader range of eddy sizes, with less spectral power at lower frequencies and more spectral power at higher frequencies. In simulated flow over the transverse ridge, distributions of flow separation and reversal near the surface simulated at higher resolution were likewise better depicted in coarser-resolution simulations using the nonlinear models.
A New Look at Established Therapies
Authors: Gavin James R. , Peragallo-Dittko Virginia , Rodgers Philip T. 
Published: May 2010

Purpose Current evidence shows early initiation of insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) improves glycemic control, responsiveness to subsequent oral antidiabetic therapies, β-cell function, and possible cardiovascular outcomes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA)/ European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2008 algorithm introduces insulin therapy earlier in the treatment of T2DM with prompt intensification to achieve therapeutic goals. Agent selection and insulin regimens are based on patient A1C levels and willingness to monitor blood glucose, use of previous medications, blood glucose patterns, diet, and lifestyle. Practical considerations offered for diabetes educators and clinicians include creating strategies for early initiation of insulin, addressing patients’ psychosocial barriers and quality of life concerns, understanding pharmacokinetic properties of insulin formulations, selecting appropriate therapy and patient-based regimens, and intensifying therapy to achieve glycemic control. Conclusions Diabetes education, including intentional curriculum design, for patients with T2DM who are initiating or intensifying insulin therapy, addresses patient barriers to care, reduces the burden of treatment, improves adherence to treatment protocols, and helps optimize clinical outcomes.
Mechanical Properties of the Achilles Tendon Aponeurosis Are Altered in Athletes With Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Child Sally , Bryant Adam L. , Clark Ross A. , Crossley Kay M. 
Published: May 2010

Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a considerable problem for active people. The degenerative processes associated with tendinopathy may be associated with changes in the inherent mechanical properties of the musculotendinous unit. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare Achilles tendon–aponeurosis strain between male athletes with and without Achilles tendinopathy. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Fifteen healthy men (age, 35 ± 9 years; height, 1.78 ± 0.05 m; mass, 79 ± 11 kg) and 14 men with midportion Achilles tendinopathy (age, 40 ± 8 years; height, 1.77 ± 0.06 m; mass, 80 ± 9 kg) who were all running over 20 km per week participated in the study. Each participant was tested in a single session that involved maximal isometric plantar flexion efforts being performed on a calf-raise apparatus while synchronous real-time ultrasonography of the triceps surae aponeurosis was recorded. Achilles tendon–aponeurosis strain (%) was calculated by dividing tendon displacement during plantar flexion by resting tendon length (intrarater reliability: intraclass correlation coefficient = .92). Results: Participants in the Achilles tendinopathy group (5.2% ± 2.6%) had significantly ( P = .039) higher Achilles tendon–aponeurosis strain compared with the control group (3.4% ± 1.8%). In contrast, there were no significant between-group differences for maximal isometric plantar flexion force. Conclusion: Achilles tendon–aponeurosis strain is higher in male athletes with tendinopathy than those without. The results of this study provide a rationale for current clinical approaches to management of Achilles tendinopathy, whereby repetitive mechanical loading may impart a positive benefit through reduced compliance of the musculotendinous unit.
Combinatorial gene therapy renders increased survival in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Gálvez-Gastélum Francisco J , Segura-Flores Aida A , Senties-Gomez María D , Muñoz-Valle Jose F , Armendáriz-Borunda Juan S 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
Liver fibrosis ranks as the second cause of death in México's productive-age population. This pathology is characterized by acummulation of fibrillar proteins in hepatic parenchyma causing synthetic and metabolic disfunction. Remotion of excessive fibrous proteins might result in benefit for subjects increasing survival index. The goal of this work was to find whether the already known therapeutical effect of human urokinase Plasminogen Activator and human Matrix Metalloprotease 8 extends survival index in cirrhotic animals.

Methods
Wistar rats (80 g) underwent chronic intoxication with CCl4: mineral oil for 8 weeks. Cirrhotic animals were injected with a combined dose of Ad-delta-huPA plus Ad-MMP8 (3 × 1011 and 1.5 × 1011 vp/Kg, respectively) or with Ad-beta-Gal (4.5 × 1011) and were killed after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days. Then, liver and serum were collected. An additional set of cirrhotic animals injected with combined gene therapy was also monitored for their probability of survival.

Results
Only the cirrhotic animals treated with therapeutical genes (Ad-delta-huPA+Ad-MMP-8) showed improvement in liver fibrosis. These results correlated with hydroxyproline determinations. A significant decrement in alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 gene expression was also observed. Cirrhotic rats treated with Ad-delta-huPA plus Ad-MMP8 had a higher probability of survival at 60 days with respect to Ad-beta-Gal-injected animals.

Conclusion
A single administration of Ad-delta-huPA plus Ad-MMP-8 is efficient to induce fibrosis regression and increase survival in experimental liver fibrosis.
Gene expression changes in mononuclear cells in patients with metabolic syndrome after acute intake of phenol-rich virgin olive oil
Authors: Camargo Antonio , Ruano Juan , Fernandez Juan M , Parnell Laurence D , Jimenez Anabel , Santos-Gonzalez Monica , Marin Carmen , Perez-Martinez Pablo , Uceda Marino , Lopez-Miranda Jose , Perez-Jimenez Francisco 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have shown that acute intake of high-phenol virgin olive oil reduces pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant and pro-thrombotic markers compared with low phenols virgin olive oil, but it still remains unclear whether effects attributed to its phenolic fraction are exerted at transcriptional level in vivo. To achieve this goal, we aimed at identifying expression changes in genes which could be mediated by virgin olive oil phenol compounds in the human.

Results
Postprandial gene expression microarray analysis was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells during postprandial period. Two virgin olive oil-based breakfasts with high (398 ppm) and low (70 ppm) content of phenolic compounds were administered to 20 patients suffering from metabolic syndrome following a double-blinded, randomized, crossover design. To eliminate the potential effect that might exist in their usual dietary habits, all subjects followed a similar low-fat, carbohydrate rich diet during the study period. Microarray analysis identified 98 differentially expressed genes (79 underexpressed and 19 overexpressed) when comparing the intake of phenol-rich olive oil with low-phenol olive oil. Many of these genes seem linked to obesity, dyslipemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Among these, several genes seem involved in inflammatory processes mediated by transcription factor NF-κB, activator protein-1 transcription factor complex AP-1, cytokines, mitogen-activated protein kinases MAPKs or arachidonic acid pathways.

Conclusion
This study shows that intake of virgin olive oil based breakfast, which is rich in phenol compounds is able to repress in vivo expression of several pro-inflammatory genes, thereby switching activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to a less deleterious inflammatory profile. These results provide at least a partial molecular basis for reduced risk of cardiovascular disease observed in Mediterranean countries, where virgin olive oil represents a main source of dietary fat. Admittedly, other lifestyle factors are also likely to contribute to lowered risk of cardiovascular disease in this region.
In silico identification of the sea squirt selenoproteome
Authors: Jiang Liang , Liu Qiong , Ni Jiazuan 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
Computational methods for identifying selenoproteins have been developed rapidly in recent years. However, it is still difficult to identify the open reading frame (ORF) of eukaryotic selenoprotein gene, because the TGA codon for a selenocysteine (Sec) residue in the active centre of selenoprotein is traditionally a terminal signal of protein translation. Although the identification of selenoproteins from genomes through bioinformatics methods has been conducted in bacteria, unicellular eukaryotes, insects and several vertebrates, only a few results have been reported on the ancient chordate selenoproteins.

Results
A gene assembly algorithm SelGenAmic has been constructed and presented in this study for identifying selenoprotein genes from eukaryotic genomes. A method based on this algorithm was developed to build an optimal TGA-containing-ORF for each TGA in a genome, followed by protein similarity analysis through conserved sequence alignments to screen out selenoprotein genes form these ORFs. This method improved the sensitivity of detecting selenoproteins from a genome due to the design that all TGAs in the genome were investigated for its possibility of decoding as a Sec residue. Using this method, eighteen selenoprotein genes were identified from the genome of Ciona intestinalis, leading to its member of selenoproteome up to 19. Among them a selenoprotein W gene was found to have two SECIS elements in the 3'-untranslated region. Additionally, the disulfide bond formation protein A (DsbA) was firstly identified as a selenoprotein in the ancient chordates of Ciona intestinalis, Ciona savignyi and Branchiostoma floridae, while selenoprotein DsbAs had only been found in bacteria and green algae before.

Conclusion
The method based on SelGenAmic algorithm is capable of identifying eukaryotic selenoprotein genes from their genomes. Application of this method to Ciona intestinalis proves its successes in finding Sec-decoding TGA from large-scale eukaryotic genome sequences, which fills the gap in our knowledge on the ancient chordate selenoproteins.