bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CdTe quantum dots with daunorubicin induce apoptosis of multidrug-resistant human hepatoma HepG2/ADM cells: in vitro and in vivo evaluation
Authors: Zhang Gen , Shi Lixin , Selke Matthias , Wang Xuemei 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCadmium telluride quantum dots (Cdte QDs) have received significant attention in biomedical research because of their potential in disease diagnosis and drug delivery. In this study, we have investigated the interaction mechanism and synergistic effect of 3-mercaptopropionic acid-capped Cdte QDs with the anti-cancer drug daunorubicin (DNR) on the induction of apoptosis using drug-resistant human hepatoma HepG2/ADM cells. Electrochemical assay revealed that Cdte QDs readily facilitated the uptake of the DNR into HepG2/ADM cells. Apoptotic staining, DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometry analysis further demonstrated that compared with Cdte QDs or DNR treatment alone, the apoptosis rate increased after the treatment of Cdte QDs together with DNR in HepG2/ADM cells. We observed that Cdte QDs treatment could reduce the effect of P-glycoprotein while the treatment of Cdte QDs together with DNR can clearly activate apoptosis-related caspases protein expression in HepG2/ADM cells. Moreover, ourin vivostudy indicated that the treatment of Cdte QDs together with DNR effectively inhibited the human hepatoma HepG2/ADM nude mice tumor growth. The increased cell apoptosis rate was closely correlated with the enhanced inhibition of tumor growth in the studied animals. Thus, Cdte QDs combined with DNR may serve as a possible alternative for targeted therapeutic approaches for some cancer treatments.
Positive solutions for a coupled system of nonlinear differential equations of mixed fractional orders
Authors: Zhao Yige , Sun Shurong , Han Zhenlai , Feng Wenquan 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
In this article, we study the existence of positive solutions for a coupled system of nonlinear differential equations of mixed fractional orders
"Equation missing"
where 2 < α ≤ 3, 3 < β ≤ 4, "Equation missing", "Equation missing" are the standard Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative, and f, g : [0, 1] × [0, +∞) → [0, +∞) are given continuous functions, f(t, 0) ≡ 0, g(t, 0) ≡ 0. Our analysis relies on fixed point theorems on cones. Some sufficient conditions for the existence of at least one or two positive solutions for the boundary value problem are established. As an application, examples are presented to illustrate the main results.
Dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer signaling pathway in the brain: emerging physiological relevance
Authors: Hasbi Ahmed , O'Dowd Brian F , George Susan R 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Dopamine is an important catecholamine neurotransmitter modulating many physiological functions, and is linked to psychopathology of many diseases such as schizophrenia and drug addiction. Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors are the most abundant dopaminergic receptors in the striatum, and although a clear segregation between the pathways expressing these two receptors has been reported in certain subregions, the presence of D1-D2 receptor heteromers within a unique subset of neurons, forming a novel signaling transducing functional entity has been shown. Recently, significant progress has been made in elucidating the signaling pathways activated by the D1-D2 receptor heteromer and their potential physiological relevance.
Effect of a structurally modified human granulocyte colony stimulating factor, G-CSFa, on leukopenia in mice and monkeys
Authors: Jiang Yongping , Jiang Wenhong , Qiu Yuchang , Dai Wei 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) regulates survival, proliferation, and differentiation of neutrophilic granulocyte precursors, Recombinant G-CSF has been used for the treatment of congenital and therapy-induced neutropenia and stem cell mobilization. Due to its intrinsic instability, recombinant G-CSF needs to be excessively and/or frequently administered to patients in order to maintain a plasma concentration high enough to achieve therapeutic effects. Therefore, there is a need for the development of G-CSF derivatives that are more stable and active in vivo.

Methods
Using site-direct mutagenesis and recombinant DNA technology, a structurally modified derivative of human G-CSF termed G-CSFa was obtained. G-CSFa contains alanine 17 (instead of cysteine 17 as in wild-type G-CSF) as well as four additional amino acids including methionine, arginine, glycine, and serine at the amino-terminus. Purified recombinant G-CSFa was tested for its in vitro activity using cell-based assays and in vivo activity using both murine and primate animal models.

Results
In vitro studies demonstrated that G-CSFa, expressed in and purified from E. coli, induced a much higher proliferation rate than that of wild-type G-CSF at the same concentrations. In vivo studies showed that G-CSFa significantly increased the number of peripheral blood leukocytes in cesium-137 irradiated mice or monkeys with neutropenia after administration of clyclophosphamide. In addition, G-CSFa increased neutrophil counts to a higher level in monkeys with a concomitant slower declining rate than that of G-CSF, indicating a longer half-life of G-CSFa. Bone marrow smear analysis also confirmed that G-CSFa was more potent than G-CSF in the induction of granulopoiesis in bone marrows of myelo-suppressed monkeys.

Conclusion
G-CSFa, a structurally modified form of G-CSF, is more potent in stimulating proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells of the granulocytic lineage than the wild-type counterpart both in vitro and in vivo. G-CSFa can be explored for the development of a new generation of recombinant therapeutic drug for leukopenia.
Base-By-Base version 2: single nucleotide-level analysis of whole viral genome alignments
Authors: Hillary William , Lin Song-Han , Upton Chris 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Base-By-Base is a Java-based multiple sequence alignment editor. It is capable of working with protein and DNA molecules, but many of its unique features relate to the manipulation of the genomes of large DNA viruses such as poxviruses, herpesviruses, baculoviruses and asfarviruses (1-400 kb). The tool was built to serve as a platform for comparative genomics at the level of individual nucleotides.

Results
In version 2, BBB-v2, of Base-By-Base we have added a series of new features aimed at providing the bench virologist with a better platform to view, annotate and analyze these complex genomes. Although a poxvirus genome, for example, may be less than 200 kb, it probably encodes close to 200 proteins using multiple classes of promoters with frequent overlapping of promoters and coding sequences and even some overlapping of genes. The new features allow users to 1) add primer annotations or other data sets in batch mode, 2) export differences between sequences to other genome browsers, 3) compare multiple genomes at a single nucleotide level of detail, 4) create new alignments from subsets/subsequences of a very large master alignment and 5) allow display of summaries of deep RNA sequencing data sets on a genome sequence.

Conclusion
BBB-v2 significantly improves the ability of virologists to work with genome sequences and provides a platform with which they can use a multiple sequence alignment as the basis for their own editable documents. Also, a .bbb document, with a variety of annotations in addition to the basic coding regions, can be shared among collaborators or made available to an entire research community. The program is available via Virology.ca using Java Web Start and is platform independent; the Java 1.5 virtual machine is required.
Interpretation in Consultations With Immigrant Patients With Cancer: How Accurate Is It?
Authors: Butow Phyllis N. , Goldstein David , Bell Melaine L. , Sze Ming , Aldridge Lynley J. , Abdo Sarah , Tanious Michelle , Dong Skye , Iedema Rick , Vardy Janette , Ashgari Ray , Hui Rina , Eisenbruch Maurice 
Published: June 2011

Purpose Immigrants with cancer often have professional and/or family interpreters to overcome challenges communicating with their health team. This study explored the rate and consequences of nonequivalent interpretation in medical oncology consultations. Patients and Methods Consecutive immigrant patients with newly diagnosed with incurable cancer, who spoke Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Greek, were recruited from the practices of 10 medical oncologists in nine hospitals. Their first two consultations were audio taped, transcribed, translated into English and coded. Results Thirty-two of 78 participants had an interpreter at 49 consultations; 43% of interpreters were family, 35% professional, 18% both a professional and family, and 4% a health professional. Sixty-five percent of professional interpretations were equivalent to the original speech versus 50% for family interpreters (P= .02). Seventy percent of nonequivalent interpretations were inconsequential or positive; however, 10% could result in misunderstanding, in 5% the tone was more authoritarian than originally intended, and in 3% more certainty was conveyed. There were no significant differences in interpreter type for equivalency of interpretations. Conclusion Nonequivalent interpretation is common, and not always innocuous. Our study suggests that there may remain a role for family or telephone versus face-to-face professional interpreters. Practice implications: careful communication between oncologists and interpreters is required to ensure optimal communication with the patient.
pH Responsive [2]Rotaxanes with 6-Modified-α-Cyclodextrins
Authors: Omori Koji , Takashima Yoshinori , Yamaguchi Hiroyasu , Harada Akira 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Rotaxanes are considered to be prototype molecular machines bearing a rotor and an axis within a molecule. In our study on complex formation of modified α-CDs as host molecules for guest molecules consisting of an alkyl chain with pyridyl end caps, we observed control of complex formation and dissociation by pH responses of functional groups on modified α-CDs.
Quantitating nocturia: a study into the recording of solute and water excretion to determine causation
Authors: Waters Philip , Hack Melissa A , Richards Jeanette , Penney Michael D 
Published: June 2011

Background Nocturia is common but the clinical assessment of its severity and cause rarely involves any biochemical analysis. Investigating the cause of nocturia needs to be informed by the overall 24 h fluid and solute excretion patterns. The aim of this study was to establish a practical method of monitoring the renal excretion of water and solutes over a complete 24 h cycle. Methods The excretion patterns of sodium, volume and osmoles were assessed in 89 healthy control subjects over a 24 h period by sampling each voiding from the 24 h collection and then using the total urine creatinine as the denominator. A group of 21 patients under investigation for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB: a group of disorders known to increase the risk of nocturia) were also studied to determine comparative excretion patterns. Results Reference excretion patterns of sodium, volume and osmoles were described. Patients under investigation for SDB had overall a significant ( P < 0.001) increase in urine sodium excretion at night (nocturnal natriuresis) matched by an increased osmotic excretion and accompanied by a significantly increased nocturnal urine volume ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Breaking down a 24 h urine collection into voided aliquots provides practical information on the pattern of water and solute excretion. Such patterns may assist in identifying the underlying mechanism of significant nocturia in individual patients presenting with this symptom, and could be used as a method of monitoring treatment.
Behavior and Properties of Zircaloys in Power Reactors: A Short Review of Pertinent Aspects in LWR Fuel
Authors: Garzarolli F. , Stehle H. , Steinberg E. 
Published: June 2011

Zircaloy-2 and -4, developed mainly in the United States, have been used in Germany for fuel rod claddings and in-core structural components from the beginning of reactor technology. Extensive studies of the material properties of the Zircaloys have been performed in Siemens laboratories 1957. Irradiation testing was done in several test reactors. However, the combined effects of irradiation and real environmental conditions were determined through many experimental irradiations in existing power reactors. Elaborate examinations in the reactor pools of such experimental materials and of many standard fuel rods and assemblies after intermediate, full, and intentionally extended exposures were the main source of information and hard data. These programs were supported by several ulilities and in certain areas carried out in cooperation with others.Zircaloy-2 and 4 turned out to be very reliable materials that fulfilled all requirements for normal operation and likewise the requirements for postulated accidental conditions and for intermediate storage for many years. Optimization of Zircaloy-2 und -4 during, recent years includes both optimization of microstructure and of chemical composition. BWRs and PWRs need differently optimized materials. Today's more demanding operation conditions and discharge burnups required a further optimization of the Zircaloys and for “hot” PWRs even the development of more corrosion-resistant Zr alloys. A significant improvement of PWR corrosion behavior can be achieved with Zr alloys using the alloying elements of Zircaloy with somewhat modified concentration. Sn should be below or at least in the lower range of the ASTM specification range far Zircaloy-4, Fe and Cr should be somewhat higher, and Si should be specified as an alloying element rather than as an impurity. The original paper was published by ASTM International in STP 1295, Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry: Eleventh International Symposium, 1996, pp. 12–32.
Early Autism Detection: Are We Ready for Routine Screening?
Authors: Al-Qabandi Mona , Gorter Jan Willem , Rosenbaum Peter 
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND.
Autism is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that has a reportedly rising prevalence rate. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that screening for autism be incorporated into routine practice. It is important to consider the pros and cons of conducting autism screening as part of routine practice and its implications on the community. We have explored this question in the context of screening from a scientific point of view.

METHOD:
A literature search was conducted to assess the effectiveness of community screening programs for autism.

RESULTS:
Judged against critical questions about autism, screening programs failed to fulfill most criteria. Good screening tools and efficacious treatment are lacking, and there is no evidence yet that such a program would do more good than harm.

CONCLUSIONS:
On the basis of the available research, we believe that we do not have enough sound evidence to support the implementation of a routine population-based screening program for autism. Ongoing research in this field is certainly needed, including the development of excellent screening instruments and demonstrating with clinical trials that such programs work and do more good than harm.
Prenatal Exposure to Organochlorine Compounds and Birth Size
Authors: Lopez-Espinosa Maria-Jose , Murcia Mario , Iñiguez Carmen , Vizcaino Esther , Llop Sabrina , Vioque Jesus , Grimalt Joan O. , Rebagliato Marisa , Ballester Ferran 
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the possible association between birth size and cord concentrations of some organochlorine compounds (OCs), including 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 4,4′-1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-dichlorodiphenyl)ethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), 4 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (118, 138, 153, and 180), and their sum (ΣPCBs) in a birth cohort in Valencia, Spain.

STUDY DESIGN:
A total of 494 mothers and their newborns (born 2003–2006) participated in the study. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed between birth weight, length, or head circumference and OC concentrations.

RESULTS:
Median concentrations of 4,4′-DDT, 4,4′-DDE, HCB, β-HCH, and ΣPCBs were 0.02, 0.46, 0.22, 0.09, and 0.35 ng/mL, respectively. For birth weight there was a significant decrease of 63 and 107 g for each 10-fold increase in cord serum 4,4′-DDT and 4,4′-DDE concentrations, and a marginally significant decrease of 79 and 53 g for each 10-fold increase in HCB and β-HCH concentrations. A significant decrease of 0.39 cm in birth length was found for each 10-fold increase in HCB concentrations. For newborns with cord 4,4′-DDT concentrations above the median there was a significant decrease of 0.26 cm in birth head circumference.

CONCLUSIONS:
These results reveal that prenatal exposure to some OCs could impair the anthropometric development of the fetus, reducing the birth weight, length, and head circumference.
Predictive Value of an Early Amplitude Integrated Electroencephalogram and Neurologic Examination
Authors: Shankaran Seetha , Pappas Athina , McDonald Scott A. , Laptook Abbot R. , Bara Rebecca , Ehrenkranz Richard A. , Tyson Jon E. , Goldberg Ronald , Donovan Edward F. , Fanaroff Avroy A. , Das Abhik , Poole W. Kenneth , Walsh Michele , Higgins Rosemary D. , Welsh Cherie , Salhab Walid , Carlo Waldemar A. , Poindexter Brenda , Stoll Barbara J. , Guillet Ronnie , Finer Neil N. , Stevenson David K. , Bauer Charles R. ,   for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE:
To examine the predictive validity of the amplitude integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) and stage of encephalopathy among infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) eligible for therapeutic whole-body hypothermia.

DESIGN:
Neonates were eligible for this prospective study if moderate or severe HIE occurred at &lt;6 hours and an aEEG was obtained at &lt;9 hours of age. The primary outcome was death or moderate/severe disability at 18 months.

RESULTS:
There were 108 infants (71 with moderate HIE and 37 with severe HIE) enrolled in the study. aEEG findings were categorized as normal, with continuous normal voltage (n = 12) or discontinuous normal voltage (n = 12), or abnormal, with burst suppression (n = 22), continuous low voltage (n = 26), or flat tracing (n = 36). At 18 months, 53 infants (49%) experienced death or disability. Severe HIE and an abnormal aEEG were related to the primary outcome with univariate analysis, whereas severe HIE alone was predictive of outcome with multivariate analysis. Addition of aEEG pattern to HIE stage did not add to the predictive value of the model; the area under the curve changed from 0.72 to 0.75 (P = .19).

CONCLUSIONS:
The aEEG background pattern did not significantly enhance the value of the stage of encephalopathy at study entry in predicting death and disability among infants with HIE.
Predictability of Crude Oil In-Situ Combustion by the Isoconversional Kinetic Approach
Authors: Cinar Murat , Hasçakir Berna , Castanier Louis M. , Kovscek Anthony R. 
Published: June 2011

Summary
One method to access unconventional heavy-crude-oil resources as well as residual oil after conventional recovery operations is to apply in-situ combustion (ISC) enhanced oil recovery. ISC oxidizes in place a small fraction of the hydrocarbon, thereby providing heat to reduce oil viscosity and increase reservoir pressure. Both effects serve to enhance recovery. The complex nature of petroleum as a multicomponent mixture and the multistep character of combustion reactions substantially complicate analysis of crude-oil oxidation and the identification of settings where ISC could be successful. In this study, isoconversional analysis of ramped temperature-oxidation (RTO) kinetic data was applied to eight different crude-oil samples. In addition, combustion-tube runs that explore ignition and combustion-front propagation were carried out. By using experimentally determined combustion kinetics of eight crude-oil samples along with combustion-tube results, we show that isoconversional analysis of RTO data is useful to predict combustion-front propagation. Isoconversional analysis also provides new insight into the nature of the reactions occurring during ISC. Additionally, five of the 10 crude-oil/rock systems studied employed a carbonate rock. No system displayed excessive oxygen consumption resulting from carbonate decomposition at combustion temperatures. This result is encouraging as it contributes to widening of the applicability of ISC.
A Deadly Disparity: A Unified Assessment of the Black-White Infant Mortality Gap
Authors: Elder Todd E , Goddeeris John H , Haider Steven J 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
We provide a unified assessment of a striking disparity in the United States: the differential rate at which white and black infants die. We separate the overall mortality gap into three temporal components—fitness at birth, conditional neonatal mortality, and conditional post-neonatal mortality—and quantify the extent to which each of the components can be predicted using a flexible reweighting method. Almost 90 percent of the overall mortality gap is due to differential fitness at birth, little of which can be predicted by racial differences in background characteristics. The remaining mortality gap stems from conditional post-neonatal mortality differences, nearly all of which can be predicted by background characteristics. The predictability of the mortality gap has declined substantially over the past two decades, largely because the mortality gap among extremely low-fitness infants is increasingly unrelated to background characteristics.
Income Conservatism in the U.S. Technology Sector
Authors: Chandra Uday 
Published: June 2011

SYNOPSIS
I investigate the extent and nature of income conservatism in the financial statement numbers of firms in the U.S. technology sector. Technology firms are predicted to have greater income conservatism than other U.S. firms because they are subject to both higher shareholder litigation risk and conservative accounting standards such as SFAS 2. In the absence of a generally accepted measure of conservatism, I examine several proxies, including loss incidence and accounting rates of return, operating cash flow and nonoperating accrual levels, and regression coefficients from the earnings-return model in Basu (1997). Relative to other companies, technology firms' earnings are characterized by higher (and intertemporally increasing) levels of both conditional and unconditional conservatism. These differences are both statistically and economically significant. Further analysis suggests that technology firms' higher conservatism results primarily from lower operating cash flows due to R&D expensing and more income-decreasing accounting accruals linked to litigation risk. The results of this study are potentially useful to financial analysts, researchers, regulators, managers, and other users of financial statements.
Data Availability: Data are available from public sources.
Financial Reporting and Financial Crises: The Case for Measuring Financial Instruments at Fair Value in the Financial Statements
Authors: Linsmeier Thomas J 
Published: June 2011

SYNOPSIS
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) (2010) proposes that all financial instruments be measured at fair value in the financial statements. This commentary provides one Board member's reasoning for supporting this proposal, which is based on (1) evidence that the amortized cost model failed to provide timely information about the deteriorating financial condition of failed banks in the current financial crisis, (2) lessons learned from prior financial crises affecting financial institutions in the United States and Japan, and (3) research evidence indicating that fair value measures are most highly correlated with banks' exposures to interest rate and credit risk—two key risk exposures that have led to bank failures in the three most recent financial crises.