bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Cytokine Interplay on Macrophage Polarization during Chronic Pulmonary Infection with Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Arora Shikha , Olszewski Michal A. , Tsang Tiffany M. , McDonald Roderick A. , Toews Galen B. , Huffnagle Gary B. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe immune response toCryptococcus neoformansfollowing pulmonary infection of C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice results in the development of persistent infection with characteristics of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM). To further clarify the role of Th1/Th2 polarizing cytokines in this model, we performed kinetic analysis of cytokine responses and compared cytokine profiles, pathologies, and macrophage (Mac) polarization status inC. neoformans-infected WT, interleukin-4-deficient (IL-4−/−), and gamma interferon-deficient (IFN-γ−/−) C57BL/6 mice. Results show that cytokine expression in the infected WT mice is not permanently Th2 biased but changes dynamically over time. Using multiple Mac activation markers, we further demonstrate that IL-4 and IFN-γ regulate the polarization state of Macs in this model. A higher IL-4/IFN-γ ratio leads to the development of alternatively activated Macs (aaMacs), whereas a higher IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio leads to the generation of classically activated Macs (caMacs). WT mice that coexpress IL-4 and IFN-γ during fungal infection concurrently display both types of Mac polarization markers. Concurrent stimulation of Macs with IFN-γ and IL-4 results in an upregulation of both sets of markers within the same cells, i.e., formation of an intermediate aaMac/caMac phenotype. These cells express both inducible nitric oxide synthase (important for clearance) and arginase (associated with chronic/progressive infection). Together, our data demonstrate that the interplay between Th1 and Th2 cytokines supports chronic infection, chronic inflammation, and the development of ABPM pathology inC. neoformans-infected lungs. This cytokine interplay modulates Mac differentiation, including generation of an intermediate caMac/aaMac phenotype, which in turn may support chronic “steady-state” fungal infection and the resultant ABPM pathology.
Malaria Immunoepidemiology in Low Transmission: Correlation of Infecting Genotype and Immune Response to Domains of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 3
Authors: Jordan Stephen J. , Oliveira Ana L. , Hernandez Jean N. , Oster Robert A. , Chattopadhyay Debasish , Branch OraLee H. , Rayner Julian C. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Malaria caused by
Plasmodium falciparum
is a major cause of global infant mortality, and no effective vaccine currently exists. Multiple potential vaccine targets have been identified, and immunoepidemiology studies have played a major part in assessing those candidates. When such studies are carried out in high-transmission settings, individuals are often superinfected with complex mixtures of genetically distinct
P. falciparum
types, making it impossible to directly correlate the genotype of the infecting antigen with the antibody response. In contrast, in regions of low transmission
P. falciparum
infections are often genetically simple, and direct comparison of infecting genotype and antigen-specific immune responses is possible. As a test of the utility of this approach, responses against several domains and allelic variants of the vaccine candidate
P. falciparum
merozoite surface protein 3 (PfMSP3) were tested in serum samples collected near Iquitos, Peru. Antibodies recognizing both the conserved C-terminal and the more variable N-terminal domain were identified, but anti-N-terminal responses were more prevalent, of higher titers, and primarily of cytophilic subclasses. Comparing antibody responses to different PfMSP3 variants with the
PfMSP3
genotype present at the time of infection showed that anti-N-terminal responses were largely allele class specific, but there was some evidence for responses that cross-reacted across allele classes. Evidence for cross-reactive responses was much stronger when variants within one allele class were tested, which has implications for the rational development of genotype-transcending PfMSP3-based vaccines.
Improvement of Menopausal Symptoms with Acupuncture Not Reflected in Changes to Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Wright Cheryl L , Aickin Mikel 
Published: March 2011

Hypothesis Studies indicate that menopausal symptoms are relieved by acupuncture. Additional studies have suggested that acupuncture may affect heart rate variability (HRV). This paper reports a pilot study that investigated whether menopausal symptoms responded to acupuncture, and if changes in the spectral analysis of HRV, either suppression of low frequency or augmentation of high frequency bands, corresponded with symptom report. Methods/interventions 12 healthy menopausal subjects were enrolled in this feasibility study. At baseline, subjects were experiencing moderately distressing menopausal symptoms, scoring at least 22 of a possible 44 points on the Menopausal Rating Scale. 10 traditional Chinese medicine-based, protocol acupuncture treatments were administered over a 4 week period, three times a week for 2 weeks, followed by twice a week for 2 weeks. Outcome measures Menopausal Rating Scale questionnaire, 11 menopausal symptoms were evaluated on a zero to four severity scale via self-administered daily checklist for 4 weeks. Dynamic measures of HRV (autoregressive model) were captured before, during and after acupuncture at each session. Spectral analysis of the heart rate was used to compute power in the low frequency and high frequency bands, and their ratio. Results All subjects complied fully with the protocol without any reported adverse events. While all 11 symptoms showed significant improvement, and one HRV measure changed, on average over the study period, there was essentially no support for a relationship between HRV, menopausal symptom report and acupuncture intervention.
The Effect of Acupuncture on Postmenopausal Symptoms and Reproductive Hormones: A Sham Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Sunay Didem , Ozdiken Muruvvet , Arslan Huseyin , Seven Ali , Aral Yalcin 
Published: March 2011

Background Acupuncture is commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms and other gynaecological conditions. In this study, the authors aimed to investigate whether acupuncture has an effect on menopausal symptoms and to explore whether this effect is related to changes in hormone levels. Materials and methods A total of 53 postmenopausal women were alternately assigned into two treatment groups: acupuncture (n=27) and sham acupuncture (n=26). Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). The serum oestradiol, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) levels were measured at baseline and again after the first and last sessions. The Student t test was used for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon signed rank test for not normally distributed data. The group differences in MRS scores were assessed using non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. Results After treatment, total MRS, and the somatic and psychological subscale scores were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than the sham group (all p=0.001). The severity of hot flushes was found to be significantly decreased after treatment in acupuncture group (p=0.001). In the acupuncture group LH levels were lower and oestradiol levels were significantly higher than sham group (p=0.046 and p=0.045, respectively) after treatment, but there was no difference in FSH levels. Conclusion Acupuncture was effective in reducing menopausal complaints when compared to sham acupuncture and can be considered as an alternative therapy in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
3D oceanographic data compression using 3D-ODETLAP
Authors: Li You , Lau Tsz-Yam , Stuetzle Christopher S. , Fox Peter , Franklin W. Randolph 
Published: March 2011

This paper describes a 3D environmental data compression technique for oceanographic datasets. With proper point selection, our method approximates uncompressed marine data using an over-determined system of linear equations based on, but essentially different from, the Laplacian partial differential equation. Then this approximation is refined via an error metric. These two steps work alternatively until a predefined satisfying approximation is found.
Using several different datasets and metrics, we demonstrate that our method has an excellent compression ratio. To further evaluate our method, we compare it with 3D-SPIHT. 3D-ODETLAP averages 20% better compression than 3D-SPIHT on our eight test datasets, from World Ocean Atlas 2005. Our method provides up to approximately six times better compression on datasets with relatively small variance. Meanwhile, with the same approximate mean error, we demonstrate a significantly smaller maximum error compared to 3D-SPIHT and provide a feature to keep the maximum error under a user-defined limit.
Survival following Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer among Asian/Pacific Islander, Latina, and Non-Hispanic White Women Who Have Never Smoked
Authors: Gomez Scarlett L. , Chang Ellen T. , Shema Sarah J. , Fish Kari , Sison Jennette D. , Reynolds Peggy , Clément-Duchêne Christelle , Wrensch Margaret R. , Wiencke John L. , Wakelee Heather A. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among U.S. Asian/Pacific Islander (API) and Latina women despite low smoking prevalence. This study examined survival patterns following non–small cell lung cancer in a population-based sample of lung cancer cases from the San Francisco Bay Area Lung Cancer Study (SFBALCS).
Methods: Women diagnosed with lung cancer from 1998 to 2003 and 2005 to 2008 and identified through the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry were telephone-screened for eligibility for the SFBALCS. The screener data were linked to the cancer registry data to determine follow-up. This analysis included 187 non-Hispanic (NH) white, 23 U.S.-born Latina, 32 foreign-born Latina, 30 U.S.-born API, and 190 foreign-born API never-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer and followed through 2008.
Results: All-cause survival was poorer among APIs [HR = 1.7 (95% CI: 1.0–2.8) among U.S.-born APIs and HR = 1.2 (95% CI: 0.9–1.5) among foreign-born APIs] and Latinas [HR = 2.1 (95% CI: 1.2–3.6) among U.S.-born Latinas; HR = 1.4 (95% CI: 0.9–2.3) among foreign-born Latinas] relative to NH whites. These survival differences were not explained by differences in selected sociodemographic or clinical factors.
Conclusions: Further research should focus on factors such as cultural behaviors, access to or attitudes toward health care, and genetic variations as possible explanations for these striking racial/ethnic differences.
Impact: Latina and API female never-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer were up to two times more likely to die than NH whites, highlighting the need for additional research to identify the underlying reasons for the disparities and heightened clinical awareness. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(3); 545–54. ©2011 AACR.
The Effects of Body Mass Index on Changes in Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels and Prostate Volume Over 15 Years of Follow-up: Implications for Prostate Cancer Detection
Authors: Wallner Lauren P. , Morgenstern Hal , McGree Michaela E. , Jacobson Debra J. , St. Sauver Jennifer L. , Jacobsen Steven J. , Sarma Aruna V. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) and BMI change with change in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and to assess the possible roles of PSA hemodilution and prostate volume in explaining the obesity and PSA association.
Methods: In 1990, a randomly selected cohort of Caucasian men, aged 40 to 79 years, from Olmsted County, Minnesota, completed questionnaires ascertaining demographic characteristics, current medical conditions, and medications biennially, with a subset undergoing blood draws and clinical examinations. Linear mixed models were used to predict annual changes and intercepts of individual changes in BMI, PSA, prostate volume, plasma volume, and PSA mass, adjusting for age in 545 men with at least 2 serial PSA, BMI, and prostate volume measurements.
Results: Baseline BMI was inversely associated with the annual percent change in PSA, adjusting for age, baseline PSA, and prostate volume and for the rates of change in BMI and prostate volume (β = −0.003, 95% CI: −0.006 to −0.0003). Baseline obesity was positively associated with mean baseline levels and the rate of change in prostate volume (P = 0.002) and plasma volume (both P &lt; 0.001) but was not associated with either the mean baseline values or the rate of change in PSA mass.
Conclusions: Baseline obesity was associated with baseline PSA and prostate volume and with the rate of change in PSA over 15 years of follow-up.
Impact: The inverse association of obesity with prostate cancer diagnosis may be at least partly due to detection bias, which is due to larger prostate volumes and PSA hemodilution in obese men. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(3); 501–8. ©2011 AACR.
Scientific Bias Arising from Sampling, Selective Recruitment, and Attrition: The Case for Improved Reporting
Authors: Demark-Wahnefried Wendy , Bowen Deborah J. , Jabson Jennifer M. , Paskett Electra D. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
In human research, the ability to generalize study findings is incumbent not only on an accurate understanding of the study protocol and measures but also on a clear understanding of the study population. Differential recruitment and attrition has the potential of introducing bias and threatening the generalizability of study findings; yet, relatively few scientific publications report data on sampling, subject exclusion, and dropout. A 4-month census sampling (September–December 2009) of research articles and short communications in this journal (n = 116) was no exception. Among articles in which such data were appropriate to report, only 44% documented response rates, 53% described subjects who were excluded, and 10% performed analyses on enrollee versus nonenrollee differences; moreover, of the 17 longitudinal or intervention studies evaluated, only 3 of 17 reported dropout rates, and of those, only 2 of 3 reported reasons for dropout or an analysis that compared the characteristics of dropouts with those of completers. Given Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention's mission to enhance the dissemination of unbiased scientific findings, we propose that guidelines regarding sample description, as defined by CONSORT, STROBE, or STREGA, be adopted by our journal for both observational and interventional studies that accurately describe the study population from the point of contact. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(3); 415–8. ©2011 AACR.
EZH2-Dependent Suppression of a Cellular Senescence Phenotype in Melanoma Cells by Inhibition of p21/CDKN1A Expression
Authors: Fan Tao , Jiang Shunlin , Chung Nancy , Alikhan Ali , Ni Christina , Lee Chyi-Chia Richard , Hornyak Thomas J. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins such as Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) are epigenetic transcriptional repressors that function through recognition and modification of histone methylation and chromatin structure. Targets of PcG include cell cycle regulatory proteins which govern cell cycle progression and cellular senescence. Senescence is a characteristic of melanocytic nevi, benign melanocytic proliferations that can be precursors of malignant melanoma. In this study, we report that EZH2, which we find absent in melanocytic nevi but expressed in many or most metastatic melanoma cells, functionally suppresses the senescent state in human melanoma cells. EZH2 depletion in melanoma cells inhibits cell proliferation, restores features of a cellular senescence phenotype, and inhibits growth of melanoma xenografts in vivo. p21/CDKN1A is activated upon EZH2 knockdown in a p53-independent manner and contributes substantially to cell cycle arrest and induction of a senescence phenotype. EZH2 depletion removes histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) from the CDKN1A transcriptional start site and downstream region, enhancing histone 3 acetylation globally and at CDKN1A. This results in recruitment of RNA polymerase II, leading to p21/CDKN1A activation. Depletion of EZH2 synergistically activates p21/CDKN1A expression in combination with the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A. Since melanomas often retain wild-type p53 function activating p21, our findings describe a novel mechanism whereby EZH2 activation during tumor progression represses p21, leading to suppression of cellular senescence and enhanced tumorigenicity. Mol Cancer Res; 9(4); 418–29. ©2011 AACR.
Rare homozygous status of P43 β1-tubulin polymorphism causes alterations in platelet ultrastructure
Authors: Navarro-Núñez Leyre , Teruel Raúl , Antón Ana Isabel , Nurden Paquita , Martínez-Martínez Irene , Lozano María Luisa , Rivera José , Corral Javier , Mezzano Diego , Vicente Vicente , Martínez Constantino 
Published: March 2011

Summaryβ1-tubulin is the main constituent of the platelet marginal band and studies with deficient mice showed that it maintains discoid shape and it is required for normal platelet formation. TUBB1 Q43P polymorphism is associated with decreased β1-tubulin expression, diminished platelet reactivity, and partial loss of discoid shape in heterozygous carriers. However, to date no studies have been carried out on homozygous PP individuals. Our study included 19 subjects genotyped for TUBB1 Q43P polymorphism (4 QQ, 4 QP, and 2 PP). The two PP individuals were recruited after genotyping of 2073 individuals. Biochemical, microscopy, and molecular studies were performed. Real-time PCR showed ∼40% decrease in TUBB1 mRNA in the two PP individuals compared to four QQ subjects. Western blot analysis confirmed this reduction. Electron microscopy revealed a majority of normal discoid platelets in PP individuals, although platelets with loose, re-orientated or invaginated protofilaments, and an over-developed open canalicular system were observed. Such abnormalities were not observed in QQ subjects. Morphometric analyses showed no differences between PP and QQ individuals. Immunofluorescence confirmed the presence of a normal marginal band in a majority of platelets from PP subjects. Interestingly, both PP subjects had a 40% lower platelet count than QP and QQ. TUBB1 Q43P polymorphism in homozygosity mildly affects platelet ultrastructure and our data further suggest that high levels of β1-tubulin might not be critical to sustain platelet discoid shape.
Ovid as a Hesiodic Poet: Atalanta in the Catalogue of Women (fr. 72-6 M-W) and the Metamorphoses (10.560-707)1)
Authors: Ziogas Ioannis 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis article discusses the Hesiodic character of the Metamorphoses vis-à-vis the Homeric character of the Aeneid, taking as a case study the tale of Atalanta. On the one hand I focus on the intertextual dialogue between Homeric and Hesiodic epic, on the other I argue that the interplay between the Iliad and the Catalogue of Women (also known as theEhoiai) is reflected in Ovid’s Atalanta as a juxtaposition between the Aeneid and the Metamorphoses. Ovid’s references to the Catalogue, which have not been noticed by critics, evoke an intergeneric discourse between martial epic and ehoie-poetry.
The Pentecostalization of Religion and Society in Latin America
Authors: Gooren Henri 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPentecostalization is the combination of Pentecostal growth, Pentecostal influence on other religions, and Pentecostal impact on the rest of society. Increased competition with other religions (the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and mainstream Protestantism) forces these to adopt Pentecostal elements. Pentecostal elements (like conversion discourses, speaking in tongues, and faith healing) gradually spread in the mass media, affect non-religious groups in civil society and even the religiously unaffiliated, show up in political campaigns, affect economic behavior and entrepreneurship, and impact gender relations. Main research questions: To what extent is there a Pentecostalization of religion and society happening in Latin American countries, what forms is this taking, how are Pentecostal churches affected by the Pentecostalization process, and how could this lead to a new theoretical framework? The new theoretical framework of Pentecostalization links various previous approaches, theories, and unconnected country studies. Using ethnographic research, semi-structured interviews, and surveys, Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal churches and organizations will be analyzed in Chile and Paraguay. Chile has the oldest and strongest Pentecostal churches of Latin America, whereas Pentecostal growth only recently started in Paraguay, providing a clear contrast in the level of Pentecostalization.
The Global Christian Forum: Reconfiguration of the Ecumenical Scene
Authors: Witte-Rang Greetje , Vogelaar Huub 
Published: March 2011

AbstractEarly 2008, the Committee of the Global Christian Forum approached the Centre for Intercultural Theology, Interreligious Dialogue, Missiology and Ecumenics (Centrum iimo) of the Utrecht University with a proposal to evaluate the activities of the Global Christian Forum (gcf). The idea to organize an evaluation was prompted by the Global Forum meeting in Limuru (6-9 November 2007). The Centrum iimo asked the authors of this article, Huub Vogelaar ma and Dr. Greetje Witte-Rang, both Reformed theologians, to conduct this evaluation. In this article they give an overview of the history, purpose and aim of the gcf, and share the results of their evaluation. The article concludes with some remarks concerning the future of the gcf.
The genus Eriosoma Leach in Sweden, with descriptions of two new species: Studies on Eriosomatidae I (Homoptera, Aphidoidea)
Authors: Danielsson Roy 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe species of the genus Eriosoma Leach found in Sweden are described and figured, including two new species. Eriosoma (Schizoneura) anncharlotteae n.sp. causes curling of the leaves of Ulmus carpinifolia and U. procera and the secondary host is Ribes alpinum. E.(S.) sorbiradicis n.sp. has only been found on the roots of the secondary host, Sorbus aucuparia. Keys are given to emigrants, apterous exules and sexuparae.
Taxonomic status of Dryocoetes autographus Ratz. and D. hectographus Reitt. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)
Authors: Nilssen Arne 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe species status of D. autographus and D. hectographus is investigated by means of morphological and biosystematic methods. A hybridization experiment resulted in progeny, but the F1 generation appeared to be infertile. The size of the punctures on the elytral declivity and two dimensions of the endophallic portion of the penis were measured on specimens from the two forms and the hybrids. The declivital punctures show great variation with overlap. The shape of the penis in the two forms is distinctive and is therefore an excellent diagnostic character. The hybrids occupy intermediate positions to a great extent. D. hectographus is significantly longer than D. autographus. Olfactometer experiments showed that male Dryocoetes produce aggregation pheromones, and there was some cross-attraction between the two forms. Measurements of the supercooling points showed that significantly more D. hectographus were cold adapted. Electrophoretic analysis of both forms taken from the same breeding stock revealed a conspicuous and constant difference in the protein pattern, indicating that they are genetically distinct. It is concluded that the two species should still be considered as distinct.
Descriptions of seven new Dorylomorpha Aczél species from Europe (Diptera: Pipunculidae)
Authors: Albrecht Anders 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe following new European species are described: Dorylomorpha anderssoni n.sp. (England, Sweden), D. clavata n.sp. (Finland), D. hackmani n.sp. (Finland, Sweden), D. karelica n.sp. (Karelian USSR), D. platystylis n.sp. (Finland, Sweden), D. praetermissa n.sp. (Finland, Germany, Hungary, Sweden) and D. spinosa n.sp. (Finland). The lectotype of D. infirmata (Collin) is designated. Drawings of the genitalia of all species are presented.