bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Prolonged 1954 Midwestern U.S. Heat Wave: Impacts and Responses
Authors: Westcott Nancy E. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The highest recorded temperature in Illinois, 117°F (47.2°C) occurred on 14 July 1954 in East St. Louis. This occurred in the midst of a widespread, long-lasting heat wave covering significant parts of 11 states: from eastern Colorado through Kansas, Oklahoma, part of Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas, southern Illinois, and extending to western Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and parts of the Carolinas. According to historical climate data, this event ranked as one of the top five extended periods of heat in these states since 1895. No such prolonged heat wave has occurred in the Midwest since 1954. It stands to reason that since prolonged widespread heat waves have occurred in the last 100 years, there is a distinct possibility that they will occur again, and reviewing past impacts could help us plan for future events.
This research examines the impacts of the heat felt in the Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas region, as well as the responses to the extreme temperatures. Impacts on human health and well-being, water resources, utilities, agriculture, and commerce are described, as well as responses by individuals, communities, and governmental bodies. The extreme heat resulted in many deaths and much discomfort. Sizeable infrastructure repair costs from buckled streets and warped railroad ties were accrued in 1954. Energy and water resources were significantly strained. However, the most costly governmental interventions were those related to the agricultural community. Recent activities in heat wave and drought preparedness that may help alleviate impacts of future heat waves are discussed.
A combined functional and structural genomics approach identified an EST-SSR marker with complete linkage to the Ligon lintless-2 genetic locus in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Hinchliffe Doug J , Turley Rickie B , Naoumkina Marina , Kim Hee Jin , Tang Yuhong , Yeater Kathleen M , Li Ping , Fang David D 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Cotton fiber length is an important quality attribute to the textile industry and longer fibers can be more efficiently spun into yarns to produce superior fabrics. There is typically a negative correlation between yield and fiber quality traits such as length. An understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling fiber length can potentially provide a valuable tool for cotton breeders to improve fiber length while maintaining high yields. The cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber mutation Ligon lintless-2 is controlled by a single dominant gene (Li

2
) that results in significantly shorter fibers than a wild-type. In a near-isogenic state with a wild-type cotton line, Li

2
is a model system with which to study fiber elongation.

Results
Two near-isogenic lines of Ligon lintless-2 (Li

2
) cotton, one mutant and one wild-type, were developed through five generations of backcrosses (BC5). An F2 population was developed from a cross between the two Li

2
near-isogenic lines and used to develop a linkage map of the Li

2
locus on chromosome 18. Five simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were closely mapped around the Li

2
locus region with two of the markers flanking the Li

2
locus at 0.87 and 0.52 centimorgan. No apparent differences in fiber initiation and early fiber elongation were observed between the mutant ovules and the wild-type ones. Gene expression profiling using microarrays suggested roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and cytokinin regulation in the Li

2
mutant phenotype. Microarray gene expression data led to successful identification of an EST-SSR marker (NAU3991) that displayed complete linkage to the Li

2
locus.

Conclusions
In the field of cotton genomics, we report the first successful conversion of gene expression data into an SSR marker that is associated with a genomic region harboring a gene responsible for a fiber trait. The EST-derived SSR marker NAU3991 displayed complete linkage to the Li

2
locus on chromosome 18 and resided in a gene with similarity to a putative plectin-related protein. The complete linkage suggests that this expressed sequence may be the Li

2
gene.
Effect of heme oxygenase-1 polymorphisms on lung function and gene expression
Authors: Tanaka Goh , Aminuddin Farzian , Akhabir Loubna , He Jian-Qing , Shumansky Karey , Connett John E , Anthonisen Nicholas R , Abboud Raja T , Paré Peter D , Sandford Andrew J 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Oxidative stress induced by smoking is considered to be important in the pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) is an essential enzyme in heme catabolism that is induced by oxidative stress and may play a protective role as an antioxidant in the lung. We determined whether HMOX1 polymorphisms were associated with lung function in COPD patients and whether the variants had functional effects.

Methods
We genotyped five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HMOX1 gene in Caucasians who had the fastest (n = 278) and the slowest (n = 304) decline of FEV1 % predicted, selected from smokers in the NHLBI Lung Health Study. These SNPs were also studied in Caucasians with the lowest (n = 535) or the highest (n = 533) baseline lung function. Reporter genes were constructed containing three HMOX1 promoter polymorphisms and the effect of these polymorphisms on H2O2 and hemin-stimulated gene expression was determined. The effect of the HMOX1 rs2071749 SNP on gene expression in alveolar macrophages was investigated.

Results
We found a nominal association (p = 0.015) between one intronic HMOX1 SNP (rs2071749) and lung function decline but this did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. This SNP was in perfect linkage disequilibrium with rs3761439, located in the promoter of HMOX1. We tested rs3761439 and two other putatively functional polymorphisms (rs2071746 and the (GT)n polymorphism) in reporter gene assays but no significant effects on gene expression were found. There was also no effect of rs2071749 on HMOX1 gene expression in alveolar macrophages.

Conclusions
We found no association of the five HMOX1 tag SNPs with lung function decline and no evidence that the three promoter polymorphisms affected the regulation of the HMOX1 gene.
Epidemiological characteristics of Candida species colonizing oral and rectal sites of Jordanian infants
Authors: Issa Shireen Y , Badran Eman F , Akl Kamal F , Shehabi Asem A 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
There is evidence that Candida colonization contributes to increasing invasion of candidiasis in hospitalized neonates. Few studies investigated the epidemiology and risk factors of Candida colonization among hospitalized and non-hospitalized infants. This prospective study investigated the major epidemiological characteristics of Candida species colonizing oral and rectal sites of Jordanian infants.

Methods
Infants aged one year or less who were examined at the pediatrics outpatient clinic or hospitalized at the Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan, were included in this study. Culture swabs were collected from oral and rectal sites and inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar. All Candida isolates were confirmed by the Remel RapID yeast plus system, and further investigated for specific virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility MIC using E-test. Genotyping of C. albicans isolates was determined using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis method.

Results
A total of 61/492 (12.4%) infants were colonized with Candida species by either their oral/rectal sites or both. Rectal colonization was significantly more detected than oral colonization (64.6% verses 35.4%), particularly among hospitalized infants aged more than one month. The pattern and rates of colonization were as follows: C. albicans was the commonest species isolated from both sites and accounted for 67.1% of all isolates, followed by C.kefyr (11.4%), each C. tropicalis and C. glabrata (8.9%) and C. parapsilosis (3.8%).
A various rates of Candida isolates proved to secrete putative virulence factors in vitro; asparatyl proteinase, phospholipase and hemolysin. C. albicans were associated significantly (P < 0.05) with these enzymes than other Candida species. All Candida isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B and caspofungin, whereas 97% of Candida species isolates were susceptible to fluconazole using E-test.
The genetic similarity of 53 C. albicans isolates as demonstrated by dendrogram revealed the presence of 29 genotypes, and of these one genotype accounted for 22% of the isolates.

Conclusion
This study presents important epidemiological features of Candida colonization of Jordanian infants.
Supplier-induced demand for psychiatric admissions in Northern New England
Authors: Watts Bradley V , Shiner Brian , Klauss Gunnar , Weeks William B 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
The development of hospital service areas (HSAs) using small area analysis has been useful in examining variation in medical and surgical care; however, the techniques of small area analysis are underdeveloped in understanding psychiatric admission rates. We sought to develop these techniques in order to understand the relationship between psychiatric bed supply and admission rates in Northern New England. Our primary hypotheses were that there would be substantial variation in psychiatric admission across geographic settings and that bed availability would be positively correlated with admission rates, reflecting a supplier-induced demand phenomenon. Our secondary hypothesis was that the construction of psychiatric HSAs (PHSAs) would yield more meaningful results than the use of existing general medical hospital service areas.

Methods
To address our hypotheses, we followed a four-step analytic process: 1) we used small area analytic techniques to define our PHSAs, 2) we calculated the localization index for PHSAs and compared that to the localization index for general medical HSAs, 3) we used the number of psychiatric hospital beds, the number of psychiatric admissions, and census data to calculate population-based bed-supply and psychiatric admission rates for each PHSA, and 4) we correlated population-based admission rates to population-based psychiatric bed supply.

Results
The admission rate for psychiatric diagnosis varied considerably among the PHSAs, with rates varying from 2.4 per 100,000 in Portsmouth, NH to 13.4 per 100,000 in Augusta, ME. There was a positive correlation of 0.71 between a PHSA's supply of beds and admission rate. Using our PSHAs produced a substantially higher localization index than using general medical hospital services areas (0.69 vs. 0.23), meaning that our model correctly predicted geographic utilization at three times the rate of the existing model.

Conclusions
The positive correlation between admission and bed supply suggests that psychiatric bed availability may partially explain the variation in admission rates. Development of PHSAs, rather than relying on the use of established general medical HSAs, improves the relevance and accuracy of small area analysis in understanding mental health services utilization.
Technology assessment of automated atlas based segmentation in prostate bed contouring
Authors: Hwee Jeremiah , Louie Alexander V , Gaede Stewart , Bauman Glenn , D'Souza David , Sexton Tracy , Lock Michael , Ahmad Belal , Rodrigues George 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Prostate bed (PB) contouring is time consuming and associated with inter-observer variability. We evaluated an automated atlas-based segmentation (AABS) engine in its potential to reduce contouring time and inter-observer variability.

Methods
An atlas builder (AB) manually contoured the prostate bed, rectum, left femoral head (LFH), right femoral head (RFH), bladder, and penile bulb of 75 post-prostatectomy cases to create an atlas according to the recent RTOG guidelines. 5 other Radiation Oncologists (RO) and the AABS contoured 5 new cases. A STAPLE contour for each of the 5 patients was generated. All contours were anonymized and sent back to the 5 RO to be edited as clinically necessary. All contouring times were recorded. The dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to evaluate the unedited- and edited- AABS and inter-observer variability among the RO. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests and a Pearson correlation were performed. ANOVA analysis using logit transformations of DSC values was calculated to assess inter-observer variability.

Results
The mean time for manual contours and AABS was 17.5- and 14.1 minutes respectively (p = 0.003). The DSC results (mean, SD) for the comparison of the unedited-AABS versus STAPLE contours for the PB (0.48, 0.17), bladder (0.67, 0.19), LFH (0.92, 0.01), RFH (0.92, 0.01), penile bulb (0.33, 0.25) and rectum (0.59, 0.11). The DSC results (mean, SD) for the comparison of the edited-AABS versus STAPLE contours for the PB (0.67, 0.19), bladder (0.88, 0.13), LFH (0.93, 0.01), RFH (0.92, 0.01), penile bulb (0.54, 0.21) and rectum (0.78, 0.12). The DSC results (mean, SD) for the comparison of the edited-AABS versus the expert panel for the PB (0.47, 0.16), bladder (0.67, 0.18), LFH (0.83, 0.18), RFH (0.83, 0.17), penile bulb (0.31, 0.23) and rectum (0.58, 0.09). The DSC results (mean, SD) for the comparison of the STAPLE contours and the 5 RO are PB (0.78, 0.15), bladder (0.96, 0.02), left femoral head (0.87, 0.19), right femoral head (0.87, 0.19), penile bulb (0.70, 0.17) and the rectum (0.89, 0.06). The ANOVA analysis suggests inter-observer variability among at least one of the 5 RO (p value = 0.002).

Conclusion
The AABS tool results in a time savings, and when used to generate auto-contours for the femoral heads, bladder and rectum had superior to good spatial overlap. However, the generated auto-contours for the prostate bed and penile bulb need improvement.
HOX genes in ovarian cancer
Authors: Kelly Zoë L , Michael Agnieszka , Butler-Manuel Simon , Pandha Hardev S , Morgan Richard GL 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The HOX genes are a family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors that determine cellular identity during development. Here we review a number of recent studies showing that HOX genes are strongly expressed in ovarian cancer, and that in some cases the expression of specific HOX genes is sufficient to confer a particular identity and phenotype upon cancer cells. We also review the recent advances in elucidating the different functions of HOX genes in ovarian cancer. A literature search was performed using the search terms HOX genes (including specific HOX genes), ovarian cancer and oncogenesis. Articles were accessed through searches performed in ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed and ScienceDirect. Taken together, these studies have shown that HOX genes play a role in the oncogenesis of ovarian cancer and function in the inhibition of apoptosis, DNA repair and enhanced cell motility. The function of HOX genes in ovarian cancer oncogenesis supports their potential role as prognostic and diagnostic markers, and as therapeutic targets in this disease.
Impact of cannabis use on thalamic volume in people at familial high risk of schizophrenia
Authors: Welch Killian A. , Stanfield Andrew C. , McIntosh Andrew M. , Whalley Heather C. , Job Dominic E. , Moorhead Thomas W. , Owens David G. C. , Lawrie Stephen M. , Johnstone Eve C. 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundNo longitudinal study has yet examined the association between substance use and brain volume changes in a population at high risk of schizophrenia.AimsTo examine the effects of cannabis on longitudinal thalamus and amygdala-hippocampal complex volumes within a population at high risk of schizophrenia.MethodMagnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained from individuals at high genetic risk of schizophrenia at the point of entry to the Edinburgh High-Risk Study (EHRS) and approximately 2 years later. Differential thalamic and amygdala-hippocampal complex volume change in high-risk individuals exposed (n= 25) and not exposed (n= 32) to cannabis in the intervening period was investigated using repeated-measures analysis of variance.ResultsCannabis exposure was associated with bilateral thalamic volume loss. This effect was significant on the left (F= 4.47,P= 0.04) and highly significant on the right (F=7.66,P=0.008). These results remained significant when individuals using other illicit drugs were removed from the analysis.ConclusionsThese are the first longitudinal data to demonstrate an association between thalamic volume loss and exposure to cannabis in currently unaffected people at familial high risk of developing schizophrenia. This observation may be important in understanding the link between cannabis exposure and the subsequent development of schizophrenia.
An inducible kras
V12 transgenic zebrafish model for liver tumorigenesis and chemical drug screening
Authors: Nguyen Anh Tuan , Emelyanov Alexander , Koh Chor Hui Vivien , Spitsbergen Jan M. , Parinov Serguei , Gong Zhiyuan 
Published: September 2011

SUMMARY
Because Ras signaling is frequently activated by major hepatocellular carcinoma etiological factors, a transgenic zebrafish constitutively expressing the krasV12 oncogene in the liver was previously generated by our laboratory. Although this model depicted and uncovered the conservation between zebrafish and human liver tumorigenesis, the low tumor incidence and early mortality limit its use for further studies of tumor progression and inhibition. Here, we employed a mifepristone-inducible transgenic system to achieve inducible krasV12 expression in the liver. The system consisted of two transgenic lines: the liver-driver line had a liver-specific fabp10 promoter to produce the LexPR chimeric transactivator, and the Ras-effector line contained a LexA-binding site to control EGFP-krasV12 expression. In double-transgenic zebrafish (driver-effector) embryos and adults, we demonstrated mifepristone-inducible EGFP-krasV12 expression in the liver. Robust and homogeneous liver tumors developed in 100% of double-transgenic fish after 1 month of induction and the tumors progressed from hyperplasia by 1 week post-treatment (wpt) to carcinoma by 4 wpt. Strikingly, liver tumorigenesis was found to be ‘addicted’ to Ras signaling for tumor maintenance, because mifepristone withdrawal led to tumor regression via cell death in transgenic fish. We further demonstrated the potential use of the transparent EGFP-krasV12 larvae in inhibitor treatments to suppress Ras-driven liver tumorigenesis by targeting its downstream effectors, including the Raf-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways. Collectively, this mifepristone-inducible and reversible krasV12 transgenic system offers a novel model for understanding hepatocarcinogenesis and a high-throughput screening platform for anti-cancer drugs.
Disability Identity of Leaders in the Self-Advocacy Movement
Authors: Caldwell Joe 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Life stories and perspectives of leaders in the self-advocacy movement were explored to enhance knowledge about disability identity formation. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 leaders in the self-advocacy movement. Five major themes emerged: (a) resistance—claiming personhood and voice; (b) connection with disability community; (c) reclaiming disability and personal transformation; (d) interconnection with broader disability rights movement; and (e) bond with social justice and interdependency.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cognitive Processing in Young Adults With Down Syndrome
Authors: Jacola Lisa M , Byars Anna W , Chalfonte-Evans Melinda , Schmithorst Vincent J , Hickey Fran , Patterson Bonnie , Hotze Stephanie , Vannest Jennifer , Chiu Chung-Yiu , Holland Scott K , Schapiro Mark B 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The authors used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate neural activation during a semantic-classification/object-recognition task in 13 persons with Down syndrome and 12 typically developing control participants (age range  =  12–26 years). A comparison between groups suggested atypical patterns of brain activation for the individuals with Down syndrome. Correlation analyses between an index of visual spatial ability and brain activation depicted a positive relationship between (a) this index and brain activation in regions of the occipital and parietal lobes for the typically developing individuals and (b) the middle and dorsal frontal gyri in the individuals with Down syndrome. These findings supported the authors' hypothesis that persons with Down syndrome demonstrate atypical neural activation compared with typically developing individuals matched for chronological age.
Properties of wood chips for thermomechanical pulp (TMP) production as a function of spout angle
Authors: Hellström Lisbeth M. , Gradin Per A. , Engstrand Per , Gregersen Øyvind 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Spruce wood chips were produced under well-controlled conditions in a laboratory wood chipper at spout angles of 30°, 40°, and 50° at a cutting rate of 20 m s-1 and with a nominal chip length of 25 mm. The chips were then refined under thermomechanical pulp (TMP) conditions in a pilot refiner plant. The pulp properties such as freeness, average fiber length, and shives content were determined and evaluated as a function of specific energy consumption. For a first stage refining and for a freeness value of 350 ml, a decrease in specific electrical energy consumption could be achieved by performing the wood chipping at a spout angle of 50° as compared to 30° which is the spout angle commonly used. A patent application regarding this method has been filed and is pending. It is realized that a freeness value is not directly indicative of any quality measure, such as, for example tensile index and light scattering coefficient but the obtained results can be interpreted to be promising. Further studies are needed regarding the impact of the modified chipping process.
Diabetes reduces left ventricular ejection fraction-irrespective of presence and extent of coronary artery disease
Authors: Ehl Niklas F , Kühne Michael , Brinkert Miriam , Müller-Brand Jan , Zellweger Michael J 
Published: September 2011

BackgroundIt is not clear whether diabetes reduces systolic left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF) irrespective of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to compare the LVEF between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with respect to the extent of CAD.Methods and resultsConsecutive patients undergoing stress myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) were evaluated. MPS was interpreted using a 20-segment model with a five-point scale to define summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score, and summed difference score. LVEF was measured by gated SPECT and then compared with respect to diabetic status and SSS categories. Of 2635 patients, data of 2400 was available. Of these, 24% were diabetic, mean age was 64±11y, and 31% were female. Diabetics had a significantly lower LVEF compared with non-diabetics regardless of the extent of CAD: 53±13 and 55±13% respectively (P=0.001). Diabetics and non-diabetics did not differ significantly in the distribution of SSS categories. Diabetes was an independent predictor of decreased LVEF (odds ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.2–2.0; P<0.001).ConclusionDiabetics had a lower LVEF than non-diabetics. This difference could be demonstrated regardless of CAD extent and might in part explain their generally worse cardiac survival compared with non-diabetics on an epidemiological level. In addition, this finding points to discussed mechanisms other than CAD lowering LVEF in diabetics.