bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeting of cancer stem cell marker EpCAM by bispecific antibody EpCAMxCD3 inhibits pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: Salnikov Alexei V. , Groth Ariane , Apel Anja , Kallifatidis Georgios , Beckermann Benjamin M. , Khamidjanov Akmal , Ryschich Eduard , Büchler Markus W. , Herr Ingrid , Moldenhauer Gerhard 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPatients with pancreatic cancer have a poor survival rate, and new therapeutic strategies are needed. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), suggested as a marker for cancer stem cells, is over‐expressed on most pancreatic tumour cells but not on normal cells and may be an ideal therapeutic target. We evaluated the anti‐tumour efficiency of bispecific EpCAMxCD3 antibody linking tumour cells and T lymphocytes. In NOD SCID mice, EpCAMxCD3 had a long serum half‐life (t1/2∼ 7 days). EpCAMxCD3 significantly retarded growth of BxPC‐3 pancreatic carcinoma xenografts. For mimicking a pancreatic cancer microenvironment in vitro, we used a three‐dimensional tumour reconstruct system, in which lymphocytes were co‐cultured with tumour cells and fibroblasts in a collagen matrix. In this in vivo–like system, EpCAMxCD3 potently stimulated production of the effector cytokines IFN‐γ and TNF‐α by extracorporally pre‐activated lymphocytes. Moreover, compared with a bivalent anti‐CD3 antibody, EpCAMxCD3 more efficiently activated the production of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ by non‐stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Most excitingly, we demonstrate for the first time that EpCAMxCD3 induces prolonged contacts between lymphocytes and tumour cells, which may be the main reason for the observed anti‐tumour effects. As an important prerequisite for future use in patients, EpCAMxCD3 did not alter lymphocyte migration as measured by time‐lapse video microscopy. Our data may open a way to improve the immune response and treatment outcome in patients with pancreatic cancer.
SHELF‐LIFE SIMULATION OF PACKAGED RICE CRACKERS
Authors: SIRPATRAWAN UBONRAT 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT Two varieties of rice crackers (RC‐1 and RC‐2) were packaged in two types of packaging materials, polyethylene and polypropylene pouches, and stored at 30C/75% RH and 30C/85% RH to simulate actual storage conditions and determine shelf‐life. The main composition differences in the samples were in their fat content (1.87% for RC‐1 and 21.09% for RC‐2) and initial moisture content (4.12% for RC‐1 and 2.28% for RC‐2). The shelf‐life of this product is mainly affected by moisture adsorption as evidenced by sensory evaluation. Guggenheim‐Anderson‐de Boer (GAB) model was used to fit the moisture sorption isotherm. Good precision of fit was found as measured by a determination coefficient (R2) close to 1. The shelf‐life was then predicted based on the relationship between permeability coefficient of the packaging materials and moisture adsorbed by the rice crackers determined by the GAB equation. The validation of the simulations against the experimental shelf‐life gave R2 of 0.90 and 0.51, and root mean square error of 2.93 and 5.20 for RC‐1 and RC‐2, respectively. The simulation model was found to be applicable for a rapid and accurate shelf‐life prediction of RC‐1. However, a large difference between experimental and simulated shelf‐life of RC‐2 was probably because the moisture content may not be the only parameter influencing the shelf‐life of the RC‐2 samples. Other factors may also significantly affect the shelf‐life characteristics of the packaged rice crackers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSFor a low‐moisture food product, actual storage testing by a long‐term stability study involves storing a packaged product under typical storage conditions and examining the product at regular time intervals. The testing is costly and time consuming, since most low‐moisture food products have a shelf‐life of several weeks or even months. This paper describes the shelf‐life prediction of two varieties of rice crackers having different compositions using a simulation model based on the relationship between barrier property of the packaging materials and moisture adsorbed by the rice crackers determined by the Guggenheim‐Anderson‐de Boer (GAB) model. The shelf‐life simulation provides a powerful support tool for shelf‐life estimation and packaging development.
Aristotelian Homonymy
Authors: Ward Julie 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe notion of homonymy has been of perennial philosophical interest to scholars of Aristotle from ancient Greek commentators to modern thinkers. Across historical periods, certain issues have remained central, such as the nature of Aristotelian homonymy, its relation to synonymy and analogy, and whether the concept undergoes change throughout the corpus. In addition, fundamental questions concerning the use of homonymy in regard to dialectical practice and scientific inquiry are raised and discussed. It is argued that there are two aspects to Aristotelian homonymy, negative and positive in function, which provide complementary roles in regard to dialectic and science.
Dynamic Biculturalism: Socially Connected and Individuated Unique Selves in a Globalized World
Authors: Bender Michael , Ng Sik Hung 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn an increasingly connected world brought about by globalization, opportunities abound for countries and individuals to become bicultural or multicultural. This paper reviewed experimental studies that were designed to test bicultural Chinese individuals’ responsiveness to Chinese and Western culture primes with regard to autobiographical memory, the inclusion of significant others in the self‐concept, and how such self‐inclusiveness can be revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging of the bicultural brain. Results showed that across all three areas, bicultural individuals resonated to the specific cultural context by displaying their socially connected or individuated unique self in support the ‘alternation’ model of biculturalism (LaFromboise, Coleman, & Gerton, 1993) and its underlying dynamism.
Male spike strobiles withGnetumaffinity from the Early Cretaceous in western Liaoning, Northeast China
Authors: GUO Shuang‐Xing , SHA Jin‐Geng , BIAN Li‐Zeng , QIU Yin‐Long 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA fossil withGnetumaffinity was found in the Jianshangou Member (Barremian Age) of the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous Epoch) of the Jehol Group in western Liaoning, northeastern China. The single fossil specimen is represented by both elongate‐cylindrical male spike strobiles which borne within a nodal bract of cauliflorous branch. The spike strobiles have apparent nodes, invisible internodes, and numerous verticillate involucral collars. The microsporangiate units within involucral collars are not seen. The male spike strobiles with verticillate involucral collars occur exclusively inGnetum; hence, the fossil strobiles are attributed to a new taxon,Khitania columnispicatagen. & sp. nov., being closely related toGnetum.The general isotopic dating suggests an age of Barremian, ca. 125–122 million years (Myr) ago for the Jianshangou Member. The palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic inference based on the compositions of flora and fauna, and lithological characters of the fossil locality suggests that the fossil plants grew in a subtropical mesophytic forest and under a warmer climate. The remains of male spike strobiles are the first record of gnetalean macrofossil. It documents the evolution of the distinct gnetoid morphology and indicates a wider range of distribution of Gnetaceae in the Early Cretaceous than present day.
Comparison of Recombinant
Trypanosoma cruzi
Peptide Mixtures versus Multiepitope Chimeric Proteins as Sensitizing Antigens for Immunodiagnosis
Authors: Camussone Cecilia , Gonzalez Verónica , Belluzo María S. , Pujato Nazarena , Ribone María E. , Lagier Claudia M. , Marcipar Iván S. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to determine the best strategy to display antigens (Ags) on immunochemical devices to improve test selectivity and sensitivity. We comparatively evaluated five
Trypanosoma cruzi
antigenic recombinant peptides, chose the three more sensitive ones, built up chimeras bearing these selected Ags, and systematically compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the performance of the assortments of those peptides with that of the multiepitope constructions bearing all those peptides lineally fused. The better-performing Ags that were compared included peptides homologous to the previously described
T. cruzi
flagellar repetitive Ag (here named RP1), shed acute-phase Ag (RP2), B13 (RP5), and the chimeric recombinant proteins CP1 and CP2, bearing repetitions of RP1-RP2 and RP1-RP2-RP5, respectively. The diagnostic performances of these Ags were assessed for discrimination efficiency by the formula +OD/cutoff value (where +OD is the mean optical density value of the positive serum samples tested), in comparison with each other either alone, in mixtures, or as peptide-fused chimeras and with total parasite homogenate (TPH). The discrimination efficiency values obtained for CP1 and CP2 were 25% and 52% higher, respectively, than those of their individual-Ag mixtures. CP2 was the only Ag that showed enhanced discrimination efficiency between Chagas' disease-positive and -negative samples, compared with TPH. This study highlights the convenience of performing immunochemical assays using hybrid, single-molecule, chimeric Ags instead of peptide mixtures. CP2 preliminary tests rendered 98.6% sensitivity when evaluated with a 141-Chagas' disease-positive serum sample panel and 99.4% specificity when assessed with a 164-Chagas' disease-negative serum sample panel containing 15 samples from individuals infected with
Leishmania
spp.
Three-Decade Epidemiological Analysis of
Escherichia coli
O15:K52:H1
Authors: Olesen Bente , Scheutz Flemming , Menard Megan , Skov Marianne N. , Kolmos Hans Jørn , Kuskowski Michael A. , Johnson James R. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

The successful
Escherichia coli
O15:K52:H1 clonal group provides a case study for the emergence of multiresistant clonal groups of
Enterobacteriaceae
generally. Accordingly, we tested the hypotheses that, over time, the O15:K52:H1 clonal group has become increasingly (i) virulent and (ii) resistant to antibiotics. One hundred archived international
E. coli
O15:K52:[H1] clinical isolates from 100 unique patients (1975 to 2006) were characterized for diverse phenotypic and molecular traits. All 100 isolates derived from phylogenetic group D and, presumptively, sequence type ST393. They uniformly carried the F16
papA
allele and
papG
allele II (P fimbria structural subunit and adhesin variants),
iha
(adhesin-siderophore),
fimH
(type 1 fimbriae),
fyuA
(yersiniabactin receptor),
iutA
(aerobactin receptor), and
kpsM
II (group 2 capsule); 85% to 89% of them contained a complete copy of the
pap
operon and
ompT
(outer membrane protease). Slight additional virulence profile variation was evident, particularly within a minor diarrhea-associated subset (biotype C). However, in contrast to the clonal group's fairly stable virulence profiles over the past 30+ years, during the same interval the clonal group members' antimicrobial resistance profiles increased by a mean of 2.8 units per decade (
P
< 0.001). Moreover, the numbers of virulence genes and resistance markers were positively associated (
P
= 0.046), providing evidence against antimicrobial resistance and virulence being mutually exclusive in these strains. Thus, the O15:K52:H1 clonal group has become increasingly resistant to antimicrobials while maintaining (or expanding) its virulence potential, a particularly concerning trend if other emerging multiresistant enterobacterial clonal groups follow a similar pattern.
Quality assurance of research protocols conducted in the community: The National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network Experience
Authors: Rosa Carmen , Campbell Aimee , Kleppinger Cynthia , Sampson Royce , Tyson Clare , Mamay-Gentilin Stephanie 
Published: April 2009

Background: Quality assurance (QA) of clinical trials is essential to protect the welfare of trial participants and the integrity of the data collected. However, there is little detailed information available on specific procedures and outcomes of QA monitoring for clinical trials. Purpose: This article describes the experience of the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) in devising and implementing a three-tiered QA model for rigorous multi-site randomized clinical trials implemented in community-based substance abuse treatment programs. The CTN QA model combined local and national resources and was developed to address the unique needs of clinical trial sites with limited research experience. Methods: The authors reviewed internal records maintained by the sponsor, a coordinating site (Lead Nodes), and a local site detailing procedural development, training sessions, protocol violation monitoring, and site visit reporting. Results: Between January 2001 and September 2005, the CTN implemented 21 protocols, of which 18 were randomized clinical trials, one was a quality improvement study and two were surveys. Approximately 160 community-based treatment programs participated in the 19 studies that were monitored, with a total of 6560 participants randomized across the sites. During this time 1937 QA site visits were reported across the three tiers of monitoring and the cost depended on the location of the sites and the salaries of the staff involved. One study reported 109 protocol violations (M = 15.6). Examples are presented to highlight training, protocol violation monitoring, site visit frequency and intensity and cost considerations. Limitations: QA data from the entire network were not easily available for review as much of the data were not electronically accessible. The authors reviewed and discussed a representative sample of internal data from the studies and participating sites. Conclusions: The lessons learned from the CTN's experience include the need for balancing thoroughness with efficiency, monitoring early, assessing research staff abilities in order to judge the need for proactive, focused attention, providing targeted training sessions, and developing flexible tools. The CTN model can work for sponsors overseeing studies at sites with limited research experience that require more frequent, in-depth monitoring. We recommend that sponsors not develop a rigid monitoring approach, but work with the study principal investigators to determine the intensity of monitoring needed depending on trial complexity, the risks of the intervention(s), and the experience of the staff with clinical research. After careful evaluation, sponsors should then determine the best approach to site monitoring and what resources will be needed. Clinical Trials 2009; 6: 151—161. http://ctj.sagepub.com
The net effect of alternative allocation ratios on recruitment time and trial cost
Authors: Vozdolska Ralitza , Sano Mary , Aisen Paul , Edland Steven D 
Published: April 2009

Background Increasing the proportion of subjects allocated to the experimental treatment in controlled clinical trials is often advocated as a method of increasing recruitment rates and improving the performance of trials. The presumption is that the higher likelihood of randomization to the experimental treatment will be perceived by potential study enrollees as an added benefit of participation and will increase recruitment rates and speed the completion of trials. However, studies with alternative allocation ratios require a larger sample size to maintain statistical power, which may result in a net increase in time required to complete recruitment and a net increase in total trial cost. Purpose To describe the potential net effect of alternative allocation ratios on recruitment time and trial cost. Methods Models of recruitment time and trial cost were developed and used to compare trials with 1:1 allocation to trials with alternative allocation ratios under a range of per subject costs, per day costs, and enrollment rates. Results In regard to time required to complete recruitment, alternative allocation ratios are net beneficial if the recruitment rate improves by more than about 4% for trials with a 1.5:1 allocation ratio and 12% for trials with a 2:1 allocation ratio. More substantial improvements in recruitment rate, 13 and 47% respectively for scenarios we considered, are required for alternative allocation to be net beneficial in terms of tangible monetary cost. Limitations The cost models were developed expressly for trials comparing proportions or means across treatment groups. Conclusions Using alternative allocation ratio designs to improve recruitment may or may not be time and cost-effective. Using alternative allocation for this purpose should only be considered for trial contexts where there is both clear evidence that the alternative design does improve recruitment rates and the attained time or cost efficiency justifies the added study subject burden implied by a larger sample size. Clinical Trials 2009; 6: 126—132. http://ctj.sagepub.com
PD-1 on dendritic cells impedes innate immunity against bacterial infection
Authors: Yao Sheng , Wang Shengdian , Zhu Yuwen , Luo Liqun , Zhu Gefeng , Flies Sarah , Xu Haiying , Ruff William , Broadwater Megan , Choi In-Hak , Tamada Koji , Chen Lieping 
Published: April 2009

AbstractProgrammed death one (PD-1) is an inducible molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is expressed on activated T and B lymphocytes and plays pivotal roles in the negative regulation of adaptive immune responses. We report here an unexpected finding: that PD-1 could also be induced on splenic dendritic cells (DCs) by various inflammatory stimuli. Adoptive transfer of PD-1–deficient DCs demonstrates their superior capacity to wild-type DCs in innate protection of mice against lethal infection by Listeria monocytogenes. Furthermore, PD-1–deficient mice are also more resistant to the infection than wild-type controls, even in the absence of T and B cells, accompanied by elevated production of DC-derived interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Our results reveal a novel role of PD-1 in the negative regulation of DC function during innate immune response.
Rodent phylogeny revised: analysis of six nuclear genes from all major rodent clades
Authors: Blanga-Kanfi Shani , Miranda Hector , Penn Osnat , Pupko Tal , DeBry Ronald W , Huchon Dorothée 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackgroundRodentia is the most diverse order of placental mammals, with extant rodent species representing about half of all placental diversity. In spite of many morphological and molecular studies, the family-level relationships among rodents and the location of the rodent root are still debated. Although various datasets have already been analyzed to solve rodent phylogeny at the family level, these are difficult to combine because they involve different taxa and genes.ResultsWe present here the largest protein-coding dataset used to study rodent relationships. It comprises six nuclear genes, 41 rodent species, and eight outgroups. Our phylogenetic reconstructions strongly support the division of Rodentia into three clades: (1) a "squirrel-related clade", (2) a "mouse-related clade", and (3) Ctenohystrica. Almost all evolutionary relationships within these clades are also highly supported. The primary remaining uncertainty is the position of the root. The application of various models and techniques aimed to remove non-phylogenetic signal was unable to solve the basal rodent trifurcation.ConclusionSequencing and analyzing a large sequence dataset enabled us to resolve most of the evolutionary relationships among Rodentia. Our findings suggest that the uncertainty regarding the position of the rodent root reflects the rapid rodent radiation that occurred in the Paleocene rather than the presence of conflicting phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic signals in the dataset.
Care-seeking behavior and out-of-pocket expenditure for sick newborns among urban poor in Lucknow, northern India: a prospective follow-up study
Authors: Srivastava Neeraj M , Awasthi Shally , Agarwal Girdhar G 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Background
The state of Uttar Pradesh, India accounts for one-quarter of India's neonatal deaths and 8 percent of those worldwide. More than half (52%) of these deaths occur due to infections. In order to achieve Millennium Development Goal-4 of reducing child mortality by two-thirds by the year 2015, it is important to study factors which affect neonatal health. In Uttar Pradesh there is meager data for spending on health care in general and neonates in particular.

Methods
The study was conducted at an urban Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) center and a District hospital. Neonates were enrolled within 48 hours of birth and were followed-up once at 6 weeks ± 15 days at the OPD of the respective hospitals or at home. This study assessed (1) distribution of neonatal illnesses and different health providers sought (2) distribution of out-of-pocket expenditures by type of illness and type of health provider sought (3) socio-economic distribution of neonatal illnesses, care-seeking behavior and out-of-pocket expenditures. Per-protocol analysis was performed.

Results
Five hundred and ten neonates were enrolled and 481(94.4%) were followed-up. Parents of 50.3% (242/481) neonates reported at least one symptom of illness. Of these 22.3% (107/481) neonates had illnesses with at least one reported Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) danger sign. Among IMNCI illnesses, point prevalence of septicemia was 6.2% and pneumonia was 5.2% while among non-IMNCI illnesses point prevalence of upper respiratory infection was 9.5%, and diarrhea was 7%. Community based non-government dispensers (NGDs) were leading health providers (37.6%). Mean monthly income of families was 2804 Indian Rupees (INR) (range: 800 to 14000; n = 510), where US$ 1 = 42 INR. Mean out-of-pocket expenditure on neonatal illness was 547.5 INR (range: 1 to 15000; n = 202) and mean out-of-pocket expenditure for hospitalization was 4993 INR (range: 41 to 15000; n = 17). All hospitalizations were for IMNCI illnesses. Neonates from lower income strata were less likely to receive any medical care (p < 0.0001) and were also less likely to be seen by a Government provider (p = 0.03).

Conclusion
Since more than half of the neonates have morbidity and out-of-pocket expenditure on neonatal illnesses often exceeds the family income of the lower strata of the low income group in the community, there is a need to either introduce health insurance scheme or subsidize health care for them. Also, since NGDs, half of which could be unqualified are leading health providers, qualified medical care-seeking for sick newborns should be promoted in urban Lucknow.