bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic factors for lung function in systemic sclerosis: prospective study of 105 cases
Authors: Gilson M. , Zerkak D. , Wipff J. , Dusser D. , Dinh-Xuan A. T. , Abitbol V. , Chaussade S. , Legmann P. , Kahan A. , Allanore Y. 
Published: June 2009

The aims of the present study were to identify prognostic factors for systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease and to clarify the possible causative role of manometric oesophageal involvement.Consecutive SSc patients underwent pulmonary function tests and oesophageal manometry. They were included in the study if pulmonary function tests were repeated >12 months after baseline. The primary end-point was a decrease of ≥10% of the predicted value in forced vital capacity (FVC). The secondary end-points were a decrease of ≥15% pred in lung carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL,CO) and a decrease of ≥20% pred in FVC.Of the 105 patients (45 diffuse SSc; median disease duration 2.0 yrs), 23 (23%) had a FVC of <80% pred, 60 (59%) had aDL,COof <80% pred and 57 (54%) showed severe oesophageal hypomotility at baseline. Over 72±46 months, 29 (28%) patients displayed a decrease of ≥10% pred in FVC, 39 (40%) of 98 patients displayedDL,COdecline and 19 (18%) patients displayed a decrease of ≥20% pred in FVC. On multivariate analysis, diffuse SSc was a significant predictor for a decrease of ≥10% pred in FVC (p = 0.01). No other predictor of a decrease in pulmonary function was identified.Only diffuse SSc was predictive of a decrease in pulmonary function in this early-SSc cohort. This does not support preliminary data suggestive of a causative role of oesophageal involvement.
Does educational level influence lung function decline (Doetinchem Cohort Study)?
Authors: Tabak C. , Spijkerman A. M. W. , Verschuren W. M. M. , Smit H. A. 
Published: June 2009

Low socioeconomic status is associated with reduced lung function in adults. In addition, there are indications that lung function decline with age is accelerated in low socioeconomic groups, but, to date, findings have been inconclusive.In order to investigate the relation between educational level, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and decline in FEV1over time, linear mixed-effects models were fitted to baseline and 10-yr-follow-up data from the Doetinchem Cohort Study. The study population (26–66 yrs at baseline) consisted of 2,679 males and 3,026 females with an FEV1measurement in at least one of the three rounds of follow-up and information on relevant covariables. High educational level was used as the reference class.Low educational level was associated with a higher prevalence of smoking and with a lower smoking-adjusted FEV1at baseline (-148 mL in males and -47 mL in females). In females, low educational level was associated with a faster FEV1decline (3.4 mL·yr−1, age- and height-adjusted), which was not explained by smoking. In males, no differences in rates of decline between educational levels were observed.FEV1decline was faster in less-educated females, independent of smoking. In males, FEV1decline did not differ between educational levels.
Hyperpolarised3He MRIversusHRCT in COPD and normal volunteers: PHIL trial
Authors: van Beek E. J. R. , Dahmen A. M. , Stavngaard T. , Gast K. K. , Heussel C. P. , Krummenauer F. , Schmiedeskamp J. , Wild J. M. , Søgaard L. V. , Morbach A. E. , Schreiber L. M. , Kauczor H-U. 
Published: June 2009

The aim of the present study was to apply hyperpolarised (HP)3He magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and α1-antitrypsin deficiency (α1-ATD) from healthy volunteers and compare HP3He MRI findings with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in a multicentre study. Quantitative measurements of HP3He MRI (apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)) and HRCT (mean lung density (MLD)) were correlated with pulmonary function tests.A prospective three centre study enrolled 122 subjects with COPD (either acquired or genetic) and age-matched never-smokers. All diagnostic studies were completed in 94 subjects (52 with COPD; 13 with α1-ATD; 29 healthy subjects; 63 males; and 31 females; median age 62 yrs). The consensus assessment of radiologists, blinded for other test results, estimated nonventilated lung volume (HP3He MRI) and percentage diseased lung (HRCT). Quantitative evaluation of all data for each centre consisted of ADC (HP3He MRI) and MLD measurements (HRCT), and correlation with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) indicating airway obstruction, and the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL,CO) indicating alveolar destruction.Using lung function tests as a reference, regional analysis of HP3He MRI and HRCT correctly categorised normal volunteers in 100% and 97%, COPD in 42% and 69% and α1-ATD in 69% and 85% of cases, respectively. Direct comparison of HP3He MRI and CT revealed 23% of subjects with moderate/severe structural abnormalities had only mild ventilation defects. In comparison with lung function tests, ADC was more effective in separating COPD patients from healthy subjects than MLD (p<0.001versus0.038). ADC measurements showed better correlation withDL,COthan MLD (r = 0.59versus0.29).Hyperpolarised3He MRI correctly categorised patients with COPD and normal volunteers. It offers additional functional information, without the use of ionising radiation whereas HRCT gives better morphological information. We showed the feasibility of a multicentre study using different magnetic resonance systems.
Hydrophobic profiles of the tail anchors in SLMAP dictate subcellular targeting
Authors: Byers Joseph T , Guzzo Rosa M , Salih Maysoon , Tuana Balwant S 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Tail anchored (TA) membrane proteins target subcellular structures via a C-terminal transmembrane domain and serve prominent roles in membrane fusion and vesicle transport. Sarcolemmal Membrane Associated Protein (SLMAP) possesses two alternatively spliced tail anchors (TA1 or TA2) but their specificity of subcellular targeting remains unknown.

Results
TA1 or TA2 can direct SLMAP to reticular structures including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whilst TA2 directs SLMAP additionally to the mitochondria. Despite the general structural similarity of SLMAP to other vesicle trafficking proteins, we found no evidence for its localization with the vesicle transport machinery or a role in vesicle transport. The predicted transmembrane region of TA2 is flanked on either side by a positively charged amino acid and is itself less hydrophobic than the transmembrane helix present in TA1. Substitution of the positively charged amino acids, in the regions flanking the transmembrane helix of TA2, with leucine did not alter its subcellular targeting. The targeting of SLMAP to the mitochondria was dependent on the hydrophobic nature of TA2 since targeting of SLMAP-TA2 was prevented by the substitution of leucine (L) for moderately hydrophobic amino acid residues within the transmembrane region. The SLMAP-TA2-4L mutant had a hydrophobic profile that was comparable to that of SLMAP-TA1 and had identical targeting properties to SLMAP-TA1.

Conclusion
Thus the overall hydrophobicity of the two alternatively spliced TAs in SLMAP determines its subcellular targeting and TA2 predominantly directs SLMAP to the mitochondira where it may serve roles in the function of this organelle.
7TMRmine: a Web server for hierarchical mining of 7TMR proteins
Authors: Lu Guoqing , Wang Zhifang , Jones Alan M , Moriyama Etsuko N 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Seven-transmembrane region-containing receptors (7TMRs) play central roles in eukaryotic signal transduction. Due to their biomedical importance, thorough mining of 7TMRs from diverse genomes has been an active target of bioinformatics and pharmacogenomics research. The need for new and accurate 7TMR/GPCR prediction tools is paramount with the accelerated rate of acquisition of diverse sequence information. Currently available and often used protein classification methods (e.g., profile hidden Markov Models) are highly accurate for identifying their membership information among already known 7TMR subfamilies. However, these alignment-based methods are less effective for identifying remote similarities, e.g., identifying proteins from highly divergent or possibly new 7TMR families. In this regard, more sensitive (e.g., alignment-free) methods are needed to complement the existing protein classification methods. A better strategy would be to combine different classifiers, from more specific to more sensitive methods, to identify a broader spectrum of 7TMR protein candidates.

Description
We developed a Web server, 7TMRmine, by integrating alignment-free and alignment-based classifiers specifically trained to identify candidate 7TMR proteins as well as transmembrane (TM) prediction methods. This new tool enables researchers to easily assess the distribution of GPCR functionality in diverse genomes or individual newly-discovered proteins. 7TMRmine is easily customized and facilitates exploratory analysis of diverse genomes. Users can integrate various alignment-based, alignment-free, and TM-prediction methods in any combination and in any hierarchical order. Sixteen classifiers (including two TM-prediction methods) are available on the 7TMRmine Web server. Not only can the 7TMRmine tool be used for 7TMR mining, but also for general TM-protein analysis. Users can submit protein sequences for analysis, or explore pre-analyzed results for multiple genomes. The server currently includes prediction results and the summary statistics for 68 genomes.

Conclusion

7TMRmine facilitates the discovery of 7TMR proteins. By combining prediction results from different classifiers in a multi-level filtering process, prioritized sets of 7TMR candidates can be obtained for further investigation. 7TMRmine can be also used as a general TM-protein classifier. Comparisons of TM and 7TMR protein distributions among 68 genomes revealed interesting differences in evolution of these protein families among major eukaryotic phyla.
Population structure of Helicobacter pylori among ethnic groups in Malaysia: recent acquisition of the bacterium by the Malay population
Authors: Tay Chin Yen , Mitchell Hazel , Dong Quanjiang , Goh Khean-Lee , Dawes Ian W , Lan Ruiting 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pyloriis a major gastric bacterial pathogen. This pathogen has been shown to follow the routes of human migration by their geographical origin and currently the globalH. pyloripopulation has been divided into six ancestral populations, three from Africa, two from Asia and one from Europe. Malaysia is made up of three major ethnic populations, Malay, Chinese and Indian, providing a good population for studying recentH. pylorimigration and admixture.ResultsSeventy eightH. pyloriisolates, including 27 Chinese, 35 Indian and 16 Malay isolates from Malaysia were analysed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of seven housekeeping genes and compared with the global MLST data. STRUCTURE analysis assigned the isolates to previously identifiedH. pyloriancestral populations, hpEastAsia, hpAsia2 and hpEurope, and revealed a new subpopulation, hspIndia, within hpAsia2. Statistical analysis allowed us to identify population segregation sites that divide theH. pyloripopulations and the subpopulations. The majority of Malay isolates were found to be grouped together with Indian isolates.ConclusionThe majority of the Malay and IndianH. pyloriisolates share the same origin while the Malaysian ChineseH. pyloriis distinctive. The Malay population, known to have a low infection rate ofH. pylori, was likely to be initiallyH. pylorifree and gained the pathogen only recently from cross infection from other populations.
Characteristics and determinants of sexual behavior among adolescents of migrant workers in Shangai (China)
Authors: Li Shenghui , Huang Hong , Cai Yong , Xu Gang , Huang Fengrong , Shen Xiaoming 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
China is facing a critical challenge of rapid and widespread human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) increase. Rural-to-urban migration plays a crucial role in shifting the HIV/sexual transmitted infection (STI) epidemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual behaviors and the correlates among the early adolescents of migrant workers in China.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 junior high schools from April to June of 2008. A total of 2821 adolescents aged 14.06 ± 0.93 years (8.9% of migrant workers vs. 91.1% of general residents) participated in the survey. A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect information on knowledge, attitude, and behaviors associated with increased risk for HIV/STI.

Results
The percentage of adolescents who ever had sexual intercourse or had sexual intercourse in last three months was 7.2% and 4.3% in adolescents of migrant workers, respectively; in contrast, 4.5% and 1.8% in their peers of general residents, respectively. 47.3% adolescents of migrant workers and 34.3% of those adolescents of general residents reported no condom use in sexual intercourse during last three months. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that migration was a independent risk factor for sexual intercourse in last three months in our sampled adolescents (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.72). In adolescents of migrant workers, factors such as lower family income (OR: 2.22, CI: 1.09–3.05 for low level; OR:1.25, CI: 1.04–1.59 for medium level), younger age at first sexual intercourse (OR: 1.24, CI: 1.09–1.57), lower knowledge on HIV/AIDS (OR: 0.93, CI: 0.90–0.97), and fewer communication on HIV/AIDS related issues (OR: 0.79, CI: 0.90–0.97) were related to sexual intercourse in last three months.

Conclusion
Based on these results, we advocated that heightened concerns targeting the adolescents of migrant workers be particularly necessary, given their higher level of sexual experience, lower socioeconomic status, restricted reproductive health information, and vulnerability to HIV/STI.
On minimizing derailment risks and consequences for passenger trains at higher speeds
Authors: Brabie D , Andersson E 
Published: June 2009

The first part of this article deals with the possibility of preventing wheel climbing derailments after an axle journal failure by implementing mechanical restrictions between the wheelsets and the bogie. A multi-body system (MBS) computer model is developed to account for such an axle failure condition, which is successfully validated by comparing the pre-derailment sequence of events with two authentic cases. An extensive parameter analysis on the maximum vertical and longitudinal play between the wheelset and the bogie, required to prevent a high-speed power or trailer car to derail, is performed for various combinations of running conditions in curves. Once an actual derailment has occurred on conventional passenger trains at 200 km/h, extensive MBS simulations are performed on the feasibility of utilizing alternative substitute guidance mechanisms, such as low-reaching parts of bogie frame, axle box, or brake disc, as means of minimizing the lateral deviation. Results are presented in terms of geometrical parameters that lead to a successful engagement with the rail for a total of 12 different derailment scenarios. These are caused by an axle journal failure, an impact with a small object on the track, or a high rail failure. Minimizing the lateral deviation is also investigated by means of restraining the maximum coupler yaw angle and altering the bogie yaw stiffness. Time-domain simulations are also performed in terms of lateral track forces and derailment ratio when negotiating a tight horizontal ‘ S-curve’. Further, the articulated train concept is investigated in terms of the post-derailment vehicle behaviour after derailments on tangent and curved track at a speed of 200 km/h. In this respect, a trainset consisting of one power car and four articulated passenger trailer cars is modelled in the MBS software. Results in terms of lateral deviation and maximum carbody roll angle are presented as a function of different inter-carbody damper characteristics and running gear features. The feasibility of these damper characteristics is also tested in terms of lateral track forces and derailment ratio when negotiating a tight horizontal S-curve.
The application of a systematic approach to material selection for the lightweighting of metro vehicles
Authors: Carruthers J J , Calomfirescu M , Ghys P , Prockat J 
Published: June 2009

With reduced operational energy consumption as the primary driver, a cross-industry consortium of vehicle manufacturers has explored some of the issues surrounding the introduction of lightweight materials into metro vehicles. Taking today's vehicles as the starting point, the aim of the study was to examine the current barriers that need to be removed or overcome in order to realize the economic and environmental benefits of lightweight materials. From a technical perspective, the use of a systematic approach to material selection is described that matches the design requirements and constraints of a given application to potentially suitable candidate materials within a large database. The approach is illustrated by a case study in which a 57 per cent mass saving is achieved for a metro vehicle interior grab rail. Estimates are also provided for the magnitude of the operational energy and cost savings that can be achieved through metro vehicle lightweighting. For the particular scenario considered in this article, a 10 per cent reduction in vehicle mass was estimated to equate to a 7 per cent saving in energy consumption and a corresponding 100 000 € annual operational cost saving per vehicle. Such data can now be used to support decision making with respect to the benefits of lightweighting.
Fully coupled seakeeping, slamming, and whipping calculations
Authors: Tuitman J T , Malenica Š 
Published: June 2009

This paper presents a methodology to solve the seakeeping, slamming, and whipping problems coupled within a single calculation. The coupled problem is solved within a partly non-linear time domain seakeeping program. The elastic modes used in this hydroelastic problem can be calculated using a beam model or full three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of the ship structure. The slamming loading is calculated by a two-dimensional (2D) method. The main focus of this paper is the creation of an accurate and consistent coupling between the 3D seakeeping program and the 2D slamming calculation. Differences in timescale and integration methods make this coupling complex. A large container ship is used to illustrate the application of the presented methodology. The contribution of the non-linearities and the whipping response to the expected maximum bending moment and fatigue damage of this ship for a full-wave scatter diagram is calculated. The results show that the slamming-induced whipping response has a significant contribution to both the ultimate bending moment and the fatigue loading of the ship.
Direct and indirect effects of parents' education on reading achievement among third graders in Sweden
Authors: Myrberg Eva , Rosén Monica 
Published: June 2009

Background Cultural capital in families and especially, the educational level of parents, has during the last decades been found to be the most important dimension of socio‐economic influence on school performance. How the transmission of cultural capital over generations is concretized is however not yet fully investigated.Aims The aim is to unfold the influence of home background and more specifically, to reveal some important mediating factors between the educational levels of parents and the reading achievement levels of children.Sample Data comes from the Swedish participation in Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2001 conducted by the The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement and comprises some 10,000 students in grade 3.Methods The effects of parents' education on reading achievement are estimated with structural equation modelling.Results The results reveal that the total effect of parents' education is substantial and that almost half of this effect is mediated through other variables, i.e. the number of books at home, early literacy activities, and emergent literacy abilities at the time for school start. The article thus identifies some of the mechanisms through which parents' education exert an influence on children's literacy development.Conclusions Cultural reproduction starts in the very early childhood, in informal settings where reading aloud is an important activity. The knowledge of written language that children have at the time for school‐start influences further reading acquisition.
Performance of First-Trimester Screening between Gestational Weeks 7 and 13
Authors: Tørring Niels 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Background: Screening for fetal chromosome abnormalities in the first trimester includes analysis of the serological markers pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free β human choriogonadotropin (free β hCG). The blood sample is traditionally taken around week 12 of gestation, but the performance of earlier blood sampling is not well documented.
Methods: We studied 44 537 singleton pregnancies. Complete first-trimester screening took place between November 2003 and March 2009, and blood samples were taken between 7 weeks + 5 days and 13 weeks + 6 days.
Results: Of 120 cases of trisomy 21, 108 were diagnosed in the first-trimester screening (detection rate 90%). When the blood sample was taken before gestational week 10, the detection rate of trisomy 21 was 97% (70 of 72), whereas 80% were detected (38 of 48) after week 10 (χ2 = 0.0035). For trisomy 18, trisomy 13, and triploidy, 65% (13 of 20) were detected before gestational week 10, and 73% (11 of 15) after (not significant). All 6 cases of triploidy before and after gestational week 10 were detected. The screen positive rate and the maternal age were similar before and after week 10 of gestation.
Conclusions: Screening for fetal aneuploidy can be performed with good results with the blood sample taken as early as week 7 of gestation. Blood samples taken before gestational week 10 showed a high detection rate of fetal trisomy 21, with no difference in the detection of fetal trisomy 18, trisomy 13, or triploidy.
Thirst perception and arginine vasopressin production in a kindred with an activating mutation of the type 2 vasopressin receptor: the pathophysiology of nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis
Authors: Gupta S , Cheetham T D , Lambert H J , Roberts C , Bourn D , Coulthard M G , Ball S G 
Published: June 2009

BackgroundActivating mutations of the vasopressin receptor gene on the X chromosome cause the nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD). We describe a male child who presented with persistent hyponatraemia and whose mother was also found to be hyponatraemic. She had learnt to avoid excess fluid consumption because of associated malaise. Both individuals had a subnormal ability to excrete a water load with mother also demonstrating a heightened sense of thirst at low serum osmolalities.ResultsMother and child were found to have the previously characterised activating mutation (p.Arg137Cys) of the arginine vasopressin receptor type 2 gene (AVPR2), but had measurable levels of AVP when hyponatraemic.ConclusionsWe conclude that female carriers of activating mutations of the vasopressin receptor are susceptible to hyponatraemia and therefore need to be provided with advice regarding fluid intake. An altered thirst perception may increase susceptibility to hyponatraemia. We confirm that the presence of measurable amounts of AVP in patients with hyponatraemia does not exclude the diagnosis of  NSIAD.