bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reversal of Endogenous Dopamine Receptor Silencing in Pituitary Cells Augments Receptor-Mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Al-Azzawi Haneen , Yacqub-Usman Kiren , Richardson Alan , Hofland Leo J. , Clayton Richard N. , Farrell William E. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Dopamine (DA)-agonist targeting of the DA D2 receptor (D2R) in prolactinomas is the first-line treatment choice for suppression of prolactin and induction of tumor shrinkage. Resistance to DA agonists seems to be related to receptor number. Using the MMQ and GH3 pituitary cell lines, that either do or do not express D2R, respectively, we explored the epigenetic profile associated with the presence or absence of D2R in these cells lines. These studies led us to explore pharmacological strategies designed to restore receptor expression and thereby potentially augment DA agonist-mediated apoptosis. We show in GH3 cells that the D2R harbors increased CpG island-associated methylation and enrichment for histone H3K27me3. Conversely, MMQ cells and normal pituitaries show enrichment for H3K9Ac and barely detectable H3K27me3. Coculture of GH3 cells with the demethylating agent zebularine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A was responsible for a decrease in CpG island methylation and enrichment for the histone H3K9Ac mark. In addition, challenge of GH3 cells with zebularine alone or coculture with both agents led to expression of endogenous D2R in these cells. Induced expression D2R in GH3 cells was associated with a significant increase in apoptosis indices to challenge with either DA or bromocriptine. Specificity of a receptor-mediated response was established in coincubations with specific D2R antagonist and siRNA approaches in GH3 cell and D2R expressing MMQ cell lines. These studies point to the potential efficacy of combined treatment with epigenetic drugs and DA agonists for the medical management of different pituitary tumor subtypes, resistant to conventional therapies.
Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer Reveals the Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-Induced Conformational Change of the Activated ACTH Receptor Complex in Living Cells
Authors: Cooray Sadani N. , Chung Teng-Teng , Mazhar Khansa , Szidonya Laszlo , Clark Adrian J. L. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
The melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) accessory protein (MRAP) is a small single-transmembrane domain protein that plays a pivotal role in the function of the MC2R. The pituitary hormone, ACTH, acts via this receptor complex to stimulate adrenal steroidogenesis. Using both coimmunoprecipitation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), we show that the MC2R is constitutively homodimerized in cells. Furthermore, consistent with previous data, we also show that MRAP exists as an antiparallel homodimer. ACTH enhanced the BRET signal between MC2R homodimers as well as MC2R-MRAP heterodimers. However, ACTH did not enhance the physical interaction between these dimers as determined by coimmunoprecipitation. Real-time BRET analysis of the MRAP-MC2R interaction revealed two distinct phases of the ACTH-dependent BRET increase, an initial complex series of changes occurring over the first 2 min and a later persistent increase in BRET signal. The slower ACTH-dependent phase was inhibited by the protein kinase A inhibitor KT5720, suggesting that signal transduction was a prerequisite for this later conformational change. The MRAP-MC2R BRET approach provides a unique tool with which to analyze the activation of this receptor.
Regulation of Sertoli-Germ Cell Adhesion and Sperm Release by FSH and Nonclassical Testosterone Signaling
Authors: Shupe John , Cheng Jing , Puri Pawan , Kostereva Nataliya , Walker William H. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractTestosterone and FSH act in synergy to produce the factors required to maximize the production of spermatozoa and male fertility. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these hormones support spermatogenesis are not well established. Recently, we identified a nonclassical mechanism of testosterone signaling in cultured rat Sertoli cells. We found that testosterone binding to the androgen receptor recruits and activates Src tyrosine kinase. Src then causes the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, which results in the phosphorylation and activation of the ERK MAPK and the cAMP response element-binding protein transcription factor. In this report, we find that FSH inhibits testosterone-mediated activation of ERK and the MAPK pathway in Sertoli cells via the protein kinase A-mediated inhibition of Raf kinase. In addition, FSH, as well as inhibitors of Src and ERK kinase activity, reduced germ cell attachment to Sertoli cells in culture. Using pathway-specific androgen receptor mutants we found that the nonclassical pathway is required for testosterone-mediated increases in germ cell attachment to Sertoli cells. Studies of seminiferous tubule explants determined that Src kinase, but not ERK kinase, activity is required for the release of sperm from seminiferous tubule explants. These findings suggest the nonclassical testosterone-signaling pathway acts via Src and ERK kinases to facilitate the adhesion of immature germ cells to Sertoli cells and through Src to permit the release of mature spermatozoa. In contrast, FSH acts to limit testosterone-mediated ERK kinase activity and germ cell attachment.
Portable Monuments: Architectural Photography and the “Forms” of Empire in Modern China
Authors: Jones Andrew F. 
Published: December 2010

The prominent architectural historian Liang Sicheng devoted much of his career to the photographic, graphic, and textual documentation of old Chinese buildings. This project was grounded in his efforts to (re)construct a Chinese architectural “Order,” and in so doing to posit a functional equivalence between Chinese civilization and that of the West.
This essay examines the genealogy of this claim by situating Liang's work in relation to nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century practices of architectural photography. It argues that colonial photographs of Chinese architectural monuments and surrounding urban spaces serve not only to “document” these buildings as signifiers of civilizational difference but also to transform them into a form of currency (both real and symbolic) in the unequal economy of colonial exchange. At the same time that these buildings begin to circulate as images in the global marketplace, in other words, they also serve to reify and fix in place the lived spaces and historical processes that they pictorially represent.
This reification takes place in collusion with the distinctive characteristics and constraints of nineteenth-century photographic technologies. This essay compares the work of two war photographers, Felix Beato and James Ricalton, who documented Beijing in conjunction with imperialist military campaigns against the Qing dynasty, first in 1860 and later in the wake of the Boxer uprising in 1900. An understanding of the divergent imaging technologies these two men employed (wet-collodion photography and stereography, respectively) is crucial to decoding not only how these images look to us now but also the way they suggested and perpetuated imperial ways of seeing, evaluating, and profiting from technologically reproduced visions of “China” and Chinese architecture, particularly the walls and monuments of Beijing.
Inflammatory and structural biomarkers in acute traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Kwon Brian K. , Casha Steve , Hurlbert R. John , Yong V. Wee 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
The paralysis of an acute spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a catastrophic condition for which there are currently no effective treatments. While the diagnosis of acute traumatic SCI is typically quite easy to make, distinguishing the exact degree of severity and prognosticating the extent of neurologic recovery are challenging. Functional neurologic measures are currently used to stratify injury severity and predict neurologic outcome. However, these measures are often impossible to determine in acutely injured patients. Additionally, for patients deemed to be of a specific injury severity, the variability in spontaneous neurologic recovery is high. Both of these issues severely impair the ability to perform clinical trials in novel therapies for SCI. Biomarkers that could more precisely define the severity of injury and better predict neurologic outcome would be extremely valu-able. Furthermore, biological surrogate outcomes measures would be very useful in small preliminary clinical trials of novel therapies if they could inform decisions around the therapeutic regimen for subsequent larger clinical trials. This review highlights our ongoing work in establishing biomark-ers for SCI using cerebrospinal fluid samples from acutely injured patients.
Platelet function testing in hirudin and BAPA anticoagulated blood
Authors: Mani Helen , Hellis Mirna , Lindhoff-Last Edelgard 
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Background: Sodium citrate is the most commonly used anticoagulant for platelet function testing. However, the use of citrated blood for platelet function analysis has been criticized due to creation of a non-physiological milieu. Moreover, platelet function measurements performed with citrated blood need to be completed within 4 h after blood collection. Alternatively, hirudin and recently, a dual thrombin/factor Xa inhibitor benzylsulfonyl-d-Arg-Pro-4-amidinobenzylamide (BAPA), can be used to improve the reactivity after prolonged storage of platelets. The present study investigated platelet function tests using hirudin and BAPA anticoagulated blood.

Methods: Blood was obtained from 30 healthy individuals and 20 patients on aspirin or clopidogrel therapy, and stored for 2, 12, 24 or 48 h. Light transmission aggregometry and impedance platelet aggregometry were performed using adenosine 5-diphosphate (ADP) and arachidonic acid as agonists. The vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation assay was evaluated.

Results: Platelet aggregation measurements of healthy individuals and patients showed stable platelet aggregation values induced by arachidonic acid, after 24 h, when hirudin or BAPA anticoagulated blood was used. However, citrated blood resulted in significantly reduced platelet response after 12 h. ADP-induced light transmission aggregation of healthy individuals and patients exhibited unchanged platelet aggregation after 12 h using hirudin or BAPA anticoagulated blood, while significantly reduced platelet response was observed after 12 h when using citrated blood. In contrast, measurement of ADP-induced aggregation by use of impedance aggregometry resulted in reduced stability over 12 h using hirudin or BAPA anticoagulated blood. The VASP assay exhibited no significant changes in results over a storage period of 48 h, independent of the anticoagulants used.

Conclusions: Use of hirudin or BAPA anticoagulated blood resulted in improvement of stability of platelet function measurements.
Serum cholesterol measured by isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhou Weiyan , Li Hongxia , Dong Jun , Wang Shu , Yang Ruiyue , Zhang Chuanbao , Chen Wenxiang 
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Background: Accurate cholesterol measurements are essential for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. Quality assurance of cholesterol measurements requires reference methods.

Methods: An isotope dilution liquid chromatography mass spectrometric (ID/LC/MS) method was developed. Serum samples were sampled volumetrically using automated dilutors, treated with potassium hydroxide and equilibrated with 3,4-13C2 cholesterol. The natural cholesterol and the internal standard were extracted with hexane and oxidized to cholest-4-en-3,6-diones with chromic acid. The oxidation products were separated on reversed phase LC and detected by tandem MS. The method was calibrated using aqueous cholesterol calibrators and the calibration function was established with a polynomial regression.

Results: The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were always >0.9999. The coefficients of variation (CV) of the volumetric sampling and the LC/MS analysis averaged 0.22% and 0.50%, respectively, and the total measurement CV was 0.60%. Other sources of measurement uncertainty were minor. Results on certified reference materials agreed within 1% of the certified values.

Conclusions: An ID/LC/MS method for serum cholesterol has been developed. The method is simple and accurate and may be used as a candidate reference method.
Performance Characteristics of a Dual Fuel Engine Operated with Mahua Biodiesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Authors: Kapilan N. , Babu T. P. Ashok , Reddy R. P. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Fuel crisis because of dramatic increase in vehicular population and environmental concerns have renewed the interest of the scientific community to look for alternative fuels of bio-origin such as vegetable oils and ethanol. India is looking at biodiesel derived from Mahua oil (MO), as one of the renewable alternative fuels for compression ignition (CI) engine. Although MO biodiesel (MOB) has several advantages over fossil diesel, in the present scenario, the use of biodiesel is restricted due to its high cost. In India, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is easily available and is one of the cheapest gaseous fuels. Hence, use of LPG to fuel a CI engine along with MOB seems to be an option for substitution of fossil diesel. In the present work, LPG, which was fumigated along with the air and biodiesel was admitted into the engine cylinder through conventional fueling device as an igniter. A single cylinder CI engine was modified to work in dual fuel mode and engine tests were carried out at rated speed under variable load conditions. The performance of the engine in dual fuel mode was compared with the diesel. The dual fuel operation results in thermal efficiency close to the diesel and also reduces the NOx and smoke emissions significantly. From the experimental results, we concluded that biodiesel in dual fuel mode with cheaper gaseous fuel induction is an option for reducing the operating cost of the biodiesel fuelled CI engine.
Measuring Diabetes Care in the National Interdisciplinary Primary Care Practice‐Based Research Network (NIPC‐PBRN)
Authors: Dickerson Lori M. , Ables Adrienne Z. , Everett Charles J. , Mainous Arch G. , McCutcheon Allison M. , Bazaldua Oralia V. , Weber Cynthia A. , Carter Barry L. ,   National Interdisciplinary Primary Care Practice‐Based Research Network
Published: December 2010

Study Objective. To assess diabetes care in a network of primary care practices that include pharmacist support by using a scoring system designed for the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Diabetes Recognition Program (DRP) measures.Design. Retrospective medical record review.Data Source. Subset of the National Interdisciplinary Primary Care Practice‐Based Research Network (NIPC‐PBRN).Patients. A total of 1309 adults who were seen at 17 practices for an outpatient diabetes mellitus visit between January 1 and June 30, 2008.Measurements and Main Results. Patient demographic data and NCQA DRP process and outcome measures (hemoglobin A1c [A1C], blood pressure, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL] level measurements; eye and foot examinations; nephropathy assessment; and smoking status and cessation advice or treatment) were recorded. Points for each measure were compiled, and practices achieving a sufficient score for NCQA recognition (≥ 75.0 points) were identified. Pharmacists were also surveyed regarding their services, participation in quality improvement initiatives, use of electronic medical records, and methods of data extraction. The relationships between DRP measures and quality improvement activities, pharmacist involvement in diabetes care, and use of electronic medical records were analyzed. The DRP outcome measures were satisfactory: mean ± SD A1C 7.6% ± 1.9%, LDL level 99.1 ± 35.1 mg/dl, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures 130.2 ± 18.1 and 74.4 ± 10.8 mm Hg, respectively. Five practices (29%) achieved a sufficient score for NCQA recognition. No significant relationships were noted between DRP measures and participation in quality improvement, type of clinical pharmacy services, or use of electronic medical records (p>0.05). In a regression analysis, only electronic medical record use was significantly related to DRP measures (p=0.02).Conclusion. Diabetes care in the NIPC‐PBRN appears satisfactory, but improvements are necessary if NCQA recognition is the goal. Use of electronic medical records was associated with better DRP measures.
Nebulizer Delivery of Micafungin Aerosols
Authors: Alexander Barbara D. , Winkler Thomas P. , Shi Shuai , Ashley Elizabeth S. Dodds , Dr. Anthony J. Hickey Ph.D.  
Published: December 2010

Study Objectives. To determine the optimal nebulization system for aerosolizing micafungin and to further assess the physiochemical properties of aerosolized micafungin.Design. In vitro experiment.Setting. University research center.Nebulizers. Pari LC Star, Hudson Updraft, Small Volume Nebulizer, and Aeroclipse II.Measurements and Main Results. Using a commercially available cascade impactor, the four nebulizers were tested for their ability to deliver micafungin to the lungs. Mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and fine particle fraction (FPF) percent less than 3.3 μm (FPF3.3) and less than 5.8 μm (FPF5.8) were determined during two sampling periods for each of three trials of all nebulizers. The mean ± standard error of the mean MMAD for the nebulizers ranged from 1.93 ± 0.09 to 2.49 ± 0.25 μm; FPF3.3 and FPF5.8 were approximately 50% and 90%, respectively, for all nebulizers.Conclusion. Although all nebulizers appeared acceptable to deliver micafungin to the lungs, the Pari LC Star had the smallest MMAD and highest FPF3.3 and FPF5.8. These properties of the Pari LC Star should result in greater delivery of the aerosol to the lungs. Additional research on pulmonary delivery and clinical tolerability is warranted.
Impact of Voting Advice Applications (VAAs) on Voter Turnout and Their Potential Use for Civic Education
Authors: Fivaz Jan , Nadig Giorgio 
Published: December 2010

AbstractA low level of voter turnout and a certain alienation of citizens from politics are well‐known challenges to many modern democracies. At the same time a special type of political website called Voting Advice Applications (VAAs) attracts millions of voters all over Europe. They offer voters a new approach for choosing candidates or political parties to vote for. VAAs seem to be particularly popular among young voters. In this article we try to assess whether these tools have the potential to increase voter turnout and whether they could be used to improve civic educational programs. We do this based on data from Switzerland and the Swiss VAA smartvote.
Anonymity in a World of Digital Books: Google Books, Privacy, and the Freedom to Read
Authors: Jones Elisabeth A. , Janes Joseph W. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractWith its Books project, Google has made an unprecedented effort to aggregate a comprehensive public‐access collection of the world's books. If successful, Google's collection would become the world's largest and most broadly accessible public book collection—indeed, project leaders have frequently spoken of their desire to create a “universal library” (Toobin 2007). Still, the Google “library” would differ from established contexts for the provision of free, public access to reading materials—like public libraries—along several policy‐related dimensions, of which perhaps the most glaring is its treatment of reader privacy. This paper teases out the specific differences in reader privacy protections between the American public library and Google Books, and what those differences might mean for the values and goals that such contexts have historically embodied. Our analysis is structured by Helen Nissenbaum's “contextual integrity decision heuristic” (2009), which focuses on revealing changes in informational norms and transmission principles between prevailing and novel settings and practices. Based on this analysis, we recommend a two‐pronged approach to alleviating the threats to reader privacy posed by Google Books: both data policy modifications within Google itself and inscription of privacy protections for online reading into federal or international law.
Of States and Borders on the Internet: The Role of Domain Name Extensions in Expressions of Nationalism Online in Kazakhstan
Authors: Shklovski Irina , Struthers David M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe space of the Internet is often described as easy to traverse with no regard for national borders. Yet few have considered what such easy border crossings on the Internet might mean to the ordinary people actually doing the traversing. Our qualitative study of regular Internet users in Kazakhstan shows that the naming of a state‐controlled space on the Internet, through the use of country code top‐level domain names (ccTLDs), does in fact matter to the average user. People are aware of national boundary traversals as they navigate the Internet. Respondents in our study identified their activity on the Internet as happening within or outside the space of the state to which they felt allegiance and belonging. National borders are demarcated on the Internet through naming via ccTLDs and can result in individual expressions of various types of nationalism online. We find that ccTLDs are not just symbolic markers but have real meaning and their importance increases in locations where notions of statehood are in flux.
Medical Refugees and the Future of Health Tourism
Authors: Amodeo Joseph 
Published: December 2010

AbstractHealth tourism presents American policymakers with a perplexing situation, which requires an examination of the implications of such tourism on trade and economics, especially when considering the role of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Currently, the issue of health tourism, or the means by which consumers seek health services abroad, and its policy implications has yet to gain the attention of policymakers in the United States and the international community. By reviewing existing literature and relevant international treaties, it becomes apparent that the expanding popularity of health tourism necessitates exploring the potential implications of health tourism. Further, in assessing its impact, policymakers must examine questions related to quality, performance, and accountability of those facilities hosting health tourists.
Do People Support Sin Taxes? A Population Survey of Attitudes
Authors: Brezis Mayer , Marans Rachel 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground: The rising costs of healthcare and the recognition that many chronic diseases are preventable by healthy lifestyles have led to inquiry about economic incentives for modifying behavior. The present work explored people's attitudes towards a differential health insurance premium based on lifestyle. Methods: A random dial telephone survey of the Israeli population assessed the degree of agreement with a policy of differential taxing on health insurance premium with a discount for individuals maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as non‐smoking or regular exercise. Results: A majority (66%) of respondents expressed support for a policy of differential taxing. Support was high across all sectors of society, including Arab Israelis (92%), Russians (71%), orthodox religious individuals (78%), persons with low education (72%) or low income (69%), smokers (51%), and sedentary people (65%). Conclusion: A large majority of the population supports differential health insurance premiums according to lifestyle.