bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The ΔC splice‐variant of TRPM2 is the hypertonicity‐induced cation channel in HeLa cells, and the ecto‐enzyme CD38 mediates its activation
Authors: Numata Tomohiro , Sato Kaori , Christmann Jens , Marx Romy , Mori Yasuo , Okada Yasunobu , Wehner Frank 
Published: January 2012

Key points
Hypertonicity‐induced cation channels (HICCs) are key players in proliferation and apoptosis but their molecular identity has remained elusive.
We report that in HeLa cells, intracellular adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPr) and cyclic ADPr (cADPr), as activators of TRPM2 cation channels, elicited currents that are identical to the osmotic activation of HICCs.
siRNA‐mediated silencing of the expression of TRPM2 and CD38 (as the supposed source of ADPr and cADPr) inhibited HICC and nucleotide‐induced currents and the osmotic volume response of cells.
Quantification of intracellular cADPr and extracellular application of nucleotides revealed that the outwardly directed gradient rather than the intracellular activity of ADPr and cADPr is the triggering factor for TRPM2.
Cloning of TRPM2 identified the ΔC‐splice variant as the molecular correlate of the HICC, which was supported by quantification of Ca2+ selectivity.
Immunoprecipation and FRET/FLIM assays revealed the interaction of TRPM2 and CD38 and we propose a transport‐related nucleotide export via CD38 as a novel mechanism of TRPM2 activation.
A Reduced-Dose Seasonal Trivalent Influenza Vaccine Is Safe and Immunogenic in Adult and Elderly Patients in a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Vajo Zoltan , Tamas Ferenc , Jankovics Istvan 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTWith the recent pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) and vaccine shortages, there has been considerable interest in developing influenza vaccines with reduced doses, allowing for increased production capacity. Here we report a prospective, randomized, double-blind, single-center clinical trial of a reduced-dose whole-virion inactivated, adjuvanted influenza vaccine in adult and elderly volunteers. A total of 234 subjects, including 120 adults (18 to 60 years of age) and 114 elderly subjects (>60 years of age) were enrolled to receive either 6 μg or the conventional 15-μg dose of seasonal trivalent influenza vaccines. The subjects were followed for safety analysis, and serum samples were obtained to assess immunogenicity by hemagglutination inhibition testing. The subjects developed antibody responses against the seasonal influenza A virus H1N1 and H3N2 strains, as well as the seasonal influenza B virus included in the vaccines. Single doses of 6 μg fulfilled licensing criteria for seasonal influenza vaccines. No significant differences in rates of seroconversion or seroprotection or in geometric mean titers were found between the two dosage levels. All adverse events were rare, mild, and transient. We found that the present reduced-dose vaccine is safe and immunogenic in healthy adult and elderly subjects and triggers immune responses that comply with licensing criteria.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of an in-hospital clinical pharmacist service
Authors: Wallerstedt Susanna M , Bladh Lina , Ramsberg Joakim 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveA randomised controlled study performed from 2007 to 2008 showed beneficial effects of a composite clinical pharmacist service as regards a simple health status instrument. The present study aimed to evaluate if the intervention was cost-effective when evaluated in a decision-theoretic model.DesignA piggyback cost-effectiveness analysis from the healthcare perspective.SettingTwo internal medicine wards at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.ParticipantsOf 345 patients (61% women; median age: 82 years; 181 control and 164 intervention patients), 240 patients (62% women, 82 years; 124 control and 116 intervention patients) had EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) utility scores at baseline and at 6-month follow-up.Outcome measuresCosts during a 6-month follow-up period in all patients and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) in patients with EQ-5D utility scores. Inpatient and outpatient care was extracted from the VEGA database. Drug costs were extracted from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. A probabilistic analysis was performed to characterise uncertainty in the cost-effectiveness model.ResultsNo significant difference in costs between the randomisation groups was found; the mean total costs per individual±SD, intervention costs included, were €10 748±13 799 (intervention patients) and €10 344±14 728 (control patients) (p=0.79). For patients in the cost-effectiveness analysis, the corresponding costs were €10 912±13 999 and €9290±12 885. Intervention patients gained an additional 0.0051 QALYs (unadjusted) and 0.0035 QALYs (adjusted for baseline EQ-5D utility score). These figures result in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €316 243 per unadjusted QALY and €463 371 per adjusted QALY. The probabilistic uncertainty analysis revealed that, at a willingness-to-pay of €50 000/QALY, the probability that the intervention was cost-effective was approximately 0.2.ConclusionsThe present study reveals that an intervention designed like this one is probably not cost-effective. The study thus illustrates that the complexity of healthcare requires thorough health economics evaluations rather than simplistic interpretation of data.
Randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of wrap therapy for wound healing acceleration in patients with NPUAP stage II and III pressure ulcer
Authors: Bito Seiji , Mizuhara Akihiro , Oonishi Sandai , Takeuchi Kensuke , Suzuki Masatsune , Akiyama Kazuhiro , Kobayashi Kazuyo , Matsunaga Kayoko 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesTo evaluate if ‘wrap therapy’ using food wraps, which is widely used in Japanese clinical sites, is not inferior when compared to guideline adhesion treatments.DesignMulticentre, prospective, randomised, open, blinded endpoint clinical trial.Setting15 hospitals in Japan.Patients66 older patients with new National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel stage II or III pressure ulcers.InterventionsOf these 66 patients, 31 were divided into the conventional treatment guidelines group and 35 into the wrap therapy group.Main outcome measuresThe primary end point was the period until the pressure ulcers were cured. The secondary end point was a comparison of the speed of change in the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing score.Results64 of the 66 patients were analysed. The estimated mean period until healing was 57.5 days (95% CI 45.2 to 69.8) in the control group as opposed to 59.8 days (95% CI 49.7 to 69.9) in the wrap therapy group. By the extent of pressure ulcer infiltration, the mean period until healing was 16.0 days (95% CI 8.1 to 23.9) in the control group as opposed to 18.8 days (95% CI 10.3 to 27.2) in the wrap therapy group with National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel stage II ulcers, and 71.8 days (95% CI 61.4 to 82.3) as opposed to 63.2 days (95% CI 53.0 to 73.4), respectively, with stage III ulcers. There is no statistical significance in difference in Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing scores.ConclusionsIt might be possible to consider wrap therapy as an alternative choice in primary care settings as a simple and inexpensive dressing care.Clinical Trial registrationUMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000002658. Summary protocol is available onhttps://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&type=detail&recptno=R000003235&admin=0&language=J
Associative learning in male rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus): conditioned behavioural response to an egg cue from walleye (Sander vitreus)
Authors: Weisbord C.D. , Callaghan D.T. , Pyle G.G. 
Published: January 2012

Chemical communication governs a diversity of life processes in aquatic organisms. Crayfish use chemoreception during reproduction, social hierarchy formation, predation avoidance, and resource localization. Fish eggs release recognizable chemoattractants for vertebrate predators of eggs that can motivate crayfish to engage in egg predation as well. We hypothesized that male rusty crayfish ( Orconectes rusticus (Girard, 1852)) from a lake free of walleye ( Sander vitreus (Mitchill, 1818)) would not possess an innate recognition of a walleye egg cue. However, if conditioned by employing a single 2 h paired stimulus exposure (known food cue + egg cue), then male rusty crayfish would be attracted to the same egg cue upon subsequent exposure. Using a Y-maze behavioural arena we discovered that once conditioned, crayfish took significantly less time to choose the arm containing the egg cue alone relative to a control. Our study suggests that male rusty crayfish exhibit second-order conditioning through associative learning, allowing them to quickly and easily learn to identify novel odour stimuli from fish eggs under laboratory conditions.
STOCHASTIC RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN MULTIAGENT ENVIRONMENTS: AN APPROACH BASED ON DISTRIBUTED Q-VALUES AND BOUNDED REAL-TIME DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING
Authors: PLAMONDON PIERRICK , CHAIB-DRAA BRAHIM 
Published: January 2012

This paper contributes to solve effectively stochastic resource allocation problems in multiagent environments. To address it, a distributed Q-values approach is proposed when the resources are distributed among agents a priori, but the actions made by an agent may influence the reward obtained by at least another agent. This distributed Q-values approach allows to coordinate agents' reward and thus permits to reduce the set of states and actions to consider. On the other hand, when the resources are available to all agents, no distributed Q-values is possible and tight lower and upper bounds are proposed for existing heuristic search algorithms. Our experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of our distributed Q-values in terms of planning time as well as our tight bounds in terms of fast convergence and reduction of backups.
Genetic Polymorphisms in Pre-microRNA Genes as Prognostic Markers of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Xing Jinliang , Wan Shaogui , Zhou Feng , Qu Falin , Li Bingshan , Myers Ronald E. , Fu Xiaoying , Palazzo Juan P. , He Xianli , Chen Zhinan , Yang Hushan 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Background: Cumulative data have shown that microRNAs (miRNA) are involved in the etiology and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Genetic polymorphisms in pre-miRNA genes may influence the biogenesis and functions of their host miRNAs. However, whether these polymorphisms are associated with CRC prognosis remains unknown.
Methods: We analyzed the effects of seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in pre-miRNA genes on the prognosis of a Chinese population with 408 CRC patients with surgically-resected adenocarcinoma.
Results: Two SNPs were identified to be significantly associated with recurrence-free survival and overall survival of the patients. The most significant SNP was rs6505162 in pre-miR-423. Compared with the homozygous wild-type genotype, the variant-containing genotypes of this SNP were significantly associated with both the overall survival (HR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.34–3.34, P = 0.001) and the recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.08–2.36, P = 0.019). Another SNP, rs4919510 in pre-miR-608, was also associated with altered recurrence-free survival (HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.41–0.92, P = 0.017). These effects were evident only in patients receiving chemotherapy but not in those without chemotherapy. In addition, the combined analysis of the two SNPs conferred a 2.84-fold (95% CI = 1.50–5.37, P = 0.001) increased risk of recurrence and/or death. Similarly, this effect was only prominent in those receiving chemotherapy (P &lt; 0.001) but not in those without chemotherapy (P = 0.999).
Conclusions: Our data suggest that genetic polymorphisms in pre-miRNA genes may impact CRC prognosis especially in patients receiving chemotherapy, a finding that warrants further independent validation.
Impact: This is one of the first studies showing a prognostic role of pre-miRNA gene SNPs in CRC. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(1); 217–27. ©2011 AACR.
An Integrated Genomic Approach to Identify Predictive Biomarkers of Response to the Aurora Kinase Inhibitor PF-03814735
Authors: Hook Kenneth E. , Garza Scott J. , Lira Maruja E. , Ching Keith A. , Lee Nathan V. , Cao Joan , Yuan Jing , Ye Jingjing , Ozeck Mark , Shi Stephanie T. , Zheng Xianxian , Rejto Paul A. , Kan Julie L.C. , Christensen James G. , Pavlicek Adam 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
PF-03814735 is a novel, reversible inhibitor of Aurora kinases A and B that finished a phase I clinical trial for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. To find predictive biomarkers of drug sensitivity, we screened a diverse panel of 87 cancer cell lines for growth inhibition upon PF-03814735 treatment. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and, to a lesser extent, colon cancer lines were very sensitive to PF-03814735. The status of the Myc gene family and retinoblastoma pathway members significantly correlated with the efficacy of PF-03814735. Whereas RB1 inactivation, intact CDKN2A/p16, and normal CCND1/Cyclin D1 status are hallmarks of SCLC, activation or amplification of any of the three Myc genes (MYC, MYCL1, and MYCN) clearly differentiated cell line sensitivity within the SCLC panel. By contrast, we found that expression of Aurora A and B were weak predictors of response. We observed a decrease in histone H3 phosphorylation and polyploidization of sensitive lines, consistent with the phenotype of Aurora B inhibition. In vivo experiments with two SCLC xenograft models confirmed the sensitivity of Myc gene-driven models to PF-03814735 and a possible schedule dependence of MYC/c-Myc–driven tumors. Altogether our results suggest that SCLC and other malignancies driven by the Myc family genes may be suitable indications for treatment by Aurora B kinase inhibitors. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(3); 710–9. ©2012 AACR.
Air Pollution and Incidence of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in Black Women Living in Los Angeles
Authors: Coogan Patricia F. , White Laura F. , Jerrett Michael , Brook Robert D. , Su Jason G. , Seto Edmund , Burnett Richard , Palmer Julie R. , Rosenberg Lynn 
Published: January 2012

Background—
Evidence suggests that longer-term exposure to air pollutants over years confers higher risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than shorter-term exposure. One explanation is that the cumulative adverse effects that develop over longer durations lead to the genesis of chronic disease. Preliminary epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests that air pollution may contribute to the development of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results—

We used Cox proportional hazards models to assess incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident hypertension and diabetes mellitus associated with exposure to fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) and nitrogen oxides in a cohort of black women living in Los Angeles. Pollutant levels were estimated at participants' residential addresses with land use regression models (nitrogen oxides) and interpolation from monitoring station measurements (PM
2.5
). Over follow-up from 1995 to 2005, 531 incident cases of hypertension and 183 incident cases of diabetes mellitus occurred. When pollutants were analyzed separately, the IRR for hypertension for a 10-μg/m
3
increase in PM
2.5
was 1.48 (95% CI, 0.95–2.31), and the IRR for the interquartile range (12.4 parts per billion) of nitrogen oxides was 1.14 (95% CI, 1.03–1.25). The corresponding IRRs for diabetes mellitus were 1.63 (95% CI, 0.78–3.44) and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.07–1.46). When both pollutants were included in the same model, the IRRs for PM
2.5
were attenuated and the IRRs for nitrogen oxides were essentially unchanged for both outcomes.

Conclusion—
Our results suggest that exposure to air pollutants, especially traffic-related pollutants, may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and possibly of hypertension.
What Makes Different People's Representations Alike: Neural Similarity Space Solves the Problem of Across-subject fMRI Decoding
Authors: Raizada Rajeev D. S. , Connolly Andrew C. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA central goal in neuroscience is to interpret neural activation and, moreover, to do so in a way that captures universal principles by generalizing across individuals. Recent research in multivoxel pattern-based fMRI analysis has led to considerable success at decoding within individual subjects. However, the goal of being able to decode across subjects is still challenging: It has remained unclear what population-level regularities of neural representation there might be. Here, we present a novel and highly accurate solution to this problem, which decodes across subjects between eight different stimulus conditions. The key to finding this solution was questioning the seemingly obvious idea that neural decoding should work directly on neural activation patterns. On the contrary, to decode across subjects, it is beneficial to abstract away from subject-specific patterns of neural activity and, instead, to operate on the similarity relations between those patterns: Our new approach performs decoding purely within similarity space. These results demonstrate a hitherto unknown population-level regularity in neural representation and also reveal a striking convergence between our empirical findings in fMRI and discussions in the philosophy of mind addressing the problem of conceptual similarity across neural diversity.
Kleisthenes the Stoner: Herodotus 5.67.2
Authors: Hollmann Alexander 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper explores the term λευστήρ applied to Kleisthenes of Sikyon by the Pythia in Hdt. 5.67.2, first by exploring the poetics of stoning and pollution in Ancient Greece, then by arguing for the validity of both the more predictable meaning, ‘stoner’, and the Suda’s sometimes contested gloss on the word, ‘worthy of being stoned’. While the argument has been suggested before, sufficient linguistic evidence for understanding λευστήρ in this sense has not been presented in the past. The paper provides more conclusive evidence and also suggests that recent applications of the φαρµακός paradigm are inaccurate.
Audacis plebeia toreumata vitri: A Glassblower’s Look at Martial 14.94
Authors: Stern E. Marianne 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
This contribution offers a new interpretation of Martial 14.94, based on the properties of glass and silver. The glass toreumata are identified as mold-blown vessels shaped like Hercules’ wooden club. Linguistic results include the discovery of an as yet unrecorded use of ardere and the conclusion that Martial does not use audax in a special sense to describe cheap glass that does not need to be handled with care. A discussion of the poem’s relationship to Martial 12.74 is appended.
Modes of Being at Sophist 255c-e
Authors: Leigh Fiona 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
I argue for a new interpretation of the argument for the non-identity of Being and Difference at Sophist 255c-e, which turns on a distinction between modes of being a property. Though indebted to Frede (1967), the distinction differs from his in an important respect: What distinguishes the modes is not the subject’s relation to itself or to something numerically distinct, but whether it constitutes or conforms to the specification of some property. Thus my view, but not his, allows self-participation for Forms. Against Frede and the more traditional interpretation, I maintain that the distinction is not introduced by way of the pros alla/kath’ hauta distinction, or by way of uses or senses of the verb ‘to be’, but is established prior to the argument and is deployed in its frame. Moreover, since I read the argument’s scope as restricted to properties in what I shall call the attribute mode, my interpretation can explain, as its rivals cannot, why the criterion of difference at 255d6-7 does not apply to the Form, Difference, itself.
Effect of bait on sea turtles bycatch rates in pelagic longlines: An overview
Authors: Jribi Imed , Bouain Abderrahmen , Echwikhi Khaled , Nejmeddine Bradai Mohamed 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPelagic longline fishing has been identified as a significant threat to endangered sea turtle populations. Reducing sea turtle bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries, in concert with activities to reduce other anthropogenic mortality sources, may halt and reverse population declines. Here, we examine the effect of bait manipulation as a simple mitigation method that could reduce sea turtle interactions with longline fishing gear. We analyzed laboratory experiments and field trials conducted in the Mediterranean, the northeast Distant Area in the Atlantic and the Western North Pacific. Studies showed that turtles are more likely to feed on squid than on mackerel when both are used simultaneously as bait. The stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca, used as bait, was more effective than mackerel; this ray was vulnerable and stimulated much thought about other species to use as alternative bait. Effective in laboratory conditions with captive turtles, dyed and artificial bait did not seemed to be effective in reducing turtle bycatch in field conditions. Optimal mitigation measure must reduce incidence of hooking of threatened sea turtles to acceptable levels and also offer an economic advantage to fisheries. Studies concerning the effect of bait modification to reduce turtle bycatch highlight the importance of an integrated approach towards sensory deterrents, as both visual and chemical cues are likely to attract sea turtles to longline gear. Further research on the development of sensory-based deterrents can contribute to reduced sea turtle bait interactions and maintain catch rates of target species.
Preference for the other sex: Olfactory sex recognition in terrestrial fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra)
Authors: Steinfartz Sebastian , Caspers Barbara A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractFinding a potential mate, that is an individual of the opposite sex, is a fundamental step for sexual reproduction in animal species. Signals involved in the context of mate attraction are mediated by acoustic, visual, and/or chemical signals. For amphibians in general, and especially for many newt and salamander species, chemical cues are known to play important roles in inter- and intraspecific communication. We therefore investigated the use of olfactory cues for sex recognition in terrestrial fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) that belong to the group of true salamanders within the Salamandridae. Specifically, we performed odor preference tests with adult salamanders of both sexes and tested whether substrate-borne chemical cues provide sex-specific signals. We found an overall preference for chemical cues of the opposite sex, i.e. males and females differed significantly in their preference for a specific sex. Females spent significantly more time in the compartment with the chemical cues of a male, whereas males did not show a significant preference, but in general more males preferred the compartment with the chemical cues of a female. Our results suggest that fire salamanders are capable to discriminate the sex of conspecific individuals based on pure chemical cues. We discuss our results in the light of the presence of dorsal glands in the males' cloaca of true salamander species, from which pheromones can be directly released onto the substrate.