bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Monetary Regimes on International Trade
Authors: Angkinand Apanard Penny , Wihlborg Clas 
Published: December 2010

We extend much research that has been devoted to the effects of the European Monetary Union (EMU) on international trade by introducing monetary regime variables in bilateral export equations with the objective of capturing the effects on trade of changes in monetary regimes relative to the pure EMU effects. To make the analysis relevant from an Asian perspective trade effects of the EU’s internal markets are also separated from EMU effects. To identify these different effects we include three groups of countries in our sample: EMU countries which are also members of the EU, EU countries outside the EMU and non-EU countries. The last control group consists of either non-EU industrial countries or non-EU industrial plus emerging market countries. Asian experiences with inflation targeting are discussed and compared to the empirical results we obtain for trade effects of monetary regimes. Even if deeper monetary integration leads to greater trade expansion, it involves political complexity. The choice of an appropriate monetary regime can be a relatively simple unilateral tool for expanding trade.
Natalizumab restores evoked potential abnormalities in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Meuth Sven G , Bittner Stefan , Seiler Carola , Göbel Kerstin , Wiendl Heinz 
Published: December 2010

Background and Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of natalizumab on functional parameters assessed by evoked potentials (visual [VEP], somatosensory [SEP] and motor evoked potentials [MEP]) in a cohort study in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Methods: EP data of 44 patients examined 12 months prior to natalizumab treatment, at the timepoint of treatment initiation and 1 year later were compared. Sum scores (VEP, MEP, SEP) were evaluated and correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Results: Improvement of the VEP sum score was found in 33% of natalizumab-treated patients but only in 9% of the same patients prior to treatment ( p = 0.041). A comparable situation was found for SEP (improvement: 32% versus 5%; worsening: 11% versus 37%; p = 0.027). For MEP no significant differences were seen (improvement: 10% versus 18%; worsening: 5% versus 29%; p = 0.60). EP recordings (VEP = SEP > MEP) have the capacity to demonstrate treatment effects of natalizumab on a functional level. Conclusions: Natalizumab therapy increases the percentage of patients showing stable or even ameliorated electrophysiological parameters in the investigated functional systems.
Gene profiling of Graffi murine leukemia virus-induced lymphoid leukemias: identification of leukemia markers and Fmn2 as a potential oncogene
Authors: Charfi Cyndia , Voisin Véronique , Levros Louis-Charles , Edouard Elsy , Rassart Eric 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe Graffi murine leukemia virus induces a large spectrum of leukemias in mice and thus provides a good model to compare the transcriptome of all types of leukemias. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of both T and B leukemias induced by the virus with DNA microarrays. Given that we considered that a 4-fold change in expression level was significant, 388 probe sets were associated to B, to T, or common to both leukemias. Several of them were not yet associated with lymphoid leukemia. We confirmed specific deregulation of Fmn2, Arntl2, Bfsp2, Gfra2, Gpm6a, and Gpm6b in B leukemia, of Nln, Fbln1, and Bmp7 in T leukemias, and of Etv5 in both leukemias. More importantly, we show that the mouse Fmn2 induced an anchorage-independent growth, a drastic modification in cell shape with a concomitant disruption of the actin cytoskeleton. Interestingly, we found that human FMN2 is overexpressed in approximately 95% of pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the highest expression levels in patients with a TEL/AML1 rearrangement. These results, surely related to the role of FMN2 in meiotic spindle maintenance, suggest its important role in leukemogenesis. Finally, we propose a new panel of genes potentially involved in T and/or B leukemias.
Evolution of plant phage-type RNA polymerases: the genome of the basal angiosperm Nuphar advena encodes two mitochondrial and one plastid phage-type RNA polymerases
Authors: Yin Chang , Richter Uwe , Börner Thomas , Weihe Andreas 
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Background
In mono- and eudicotyledonous plants, a small nuclear gene family (RpoT, RNA polymerase of the T3/T7 type) encodes mitochondrial as well as chloroplast RNA polymerases homologous to the T-odd bacteriophage enzymes. RpoT genes from angiosperms are well characterized, whereas data from deeper branching plant species are limited to the moss Physcomitrella and the spikemoss Selaginella. To further elucidate the molecular evolution of the RpoT polymerases in the plant kingdom and to get more insight into the potential importance of having more than one phage-type RNA polymerase (RNAP) available, we searched for the respective genes in the basal angiosperm Nuphar advena.

Results
By screening a set of BAC library filters, three RpoT genes were identified. Both genomic gene sequences and full-length cDNAs were determined. The NaRpoT mRNAs specify putative polypeptides of 996, 990 and 985 amino acids, respectively. All three genes comprise 19 exons and 18 introns, conserved in their positions with those known from RpoT genes of other land plants. The encoded proteins show a high degree of conservation at the amino acid sequence level, including all functional crucial regions and residues known from the phage T7 RNAP. The N-terminal transit peptides of two of the encoded polymerases, NaRpoTm1 and NaRpoTm2, conferred targeting of green fluorescent protein (GFP) exclusively to mitochondria, whereas the third polymerase, NaRpoTp, was targeted to chloroplasts. Remarkably, translation of NaRpoTp mRNA has to be initiated at a CUG codon to generate a functional plastid transit peptide. Thus, besides AGAMOUS in Arabidopsis and the Nicotiana RpoTp gene, N. advena RpoTp provides another example for a plant mRNA that is exclusively translated from a non-AUG codon. In contrast to the RpoT of the lycophyte Selaginella and those of the moss Physcomitrella, which are according to phylogenetic analyses in sister positions to all other phage-type polymerases of angiosperms, the Nuphar RpoTs clustered with the well separated clades of mitochondrial (NaRpoTm1 and NaRpoTm2) and plastid (NaRpoTp) polymerases.

Conclusions

Nuphar advena encodes two mitochondrial and one plastid phage-type RNAP. Identification of a plastid-localized phage-type RNAP in this basal angiosperm, orthologous to all other RpoTp enzymes of flowering plants, suggests that the duplication event giving rise to a nuclear gene-encoded plastid RNA polymerase, not present in lycopods, took place after the split of lycopods from all other tracheophytes. A dual-targeted mitochondrial and plastididal RNA polymerase (RpoTmp), as present in eudicots but not monocots, was not detected in Nuphar suggesting that its occurrence is an evolutionary novelty of eudicotyledonous plants like Arabidopsis.
The venom composition of the parasitic wasp Chelonus inanitus resolved by combined expressed sequence tags analysis and proteomic approach
Authors: Vincent Bruno , Kaeslin Martha , Roth Thomas , Heller Manfred , Poulain Julie , Cousserans François , Schaller Johann , Poirié Marylène , Lanzrein Beatrice , Drezen Jean-Michel , Moreau Sébastien JM 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackgroundParasitic wasps constitute one of the largest group of venomous animals. Although some physiological effects of their venoms are well documented, relatively little is known at the molecular level on the protein composition of these secretions. To identify the majority of the venom proteins of the endoparasitoid waspChelonus inanitus(Hymenoptera: Braconidae), we have randomly sequenced 2111 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a cDNA library of venom gland. In parallel, proteins from pure venom were separated by gel electrophoresis and individually submitted to a nano-LC-MS/MS analysis allowing comparison of peptides and ESTs sequences.ResultsAbout 60% of sequenced ESTs encoded proteins whose presence in venom was attested by mass spectrometry. Most of the remaining ESTs corresponded to gene products likely involved in the transcriptional and translational machinery of venom gland cells. In addition, a small number of transcripts were found to encode proteins that share sequence similarity with well-known venom constituents of social hymenopteran species, such as hyaluronidase-like proteins and an Allergen-5 protein.An overall number of 29 venom proteins could be identified through the combination of ESTs sequencing and proteomic analyses. The most highly redundant set of ESTs encoded a protein that shared sequence similarity with a venom protein of unknown function potentially specific of theChelonuslineage. Venom components specific toC. inanitusincluded a C-type lectin domain containing protein, a chemosensory protein-like protein, a protein related to yellow-e3 and ten new proteins which shared no significant sequence similarity with known sequences. In addition, several venom proteins potentially able to interact with chitin were also identified including a chitinase, an imaginal disc growth factor-like protein and two putative mucin-like peritrophins.ConclusionsThe use of the combined approaches has allowed to discriminate between cellular and truly venom proteins. The venom ofC. inanitusappears as a mixture of conserved venom components and of potentially lineage-specific proteins. These new molecular data enrich our knowledge on parasitoid venoms and more generally, might contribute to a better understanding of the evolution and functional diversity of venom proteins within Hymenoptera.
S. Typhimurium sseJ gene decreases the S. Typhi cytotoxicity toward cultured epithelial cells
Authors: Trombert A Nicole , Berrocal Liliana , Fuentes Juan A , Mora Guido C 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackgroundSalmonella entericaserovar Typhi and Typhimurium are closely related serovars as indicated by >96% DNA sequence identity between shared genes. Nevertheless,S. Typhi is a strictly human-specific pathogen causing a systemic disease, typhoid fever. In contrast,S. Typhimurium is a broad host range pathogen causing only a self-limited gastroenteritis in immunocompetent humans. We hypothesize that these differences have arisen because some genes are unique to each serovar either gained by horizontal gene transfer or by the loss of gene activity due to mutation, such as pseudogenes.S. Typhi has 5% of genes as pseudogenes, much more thanS. Typhimurium which contains 1%. As a consequence,S. Typhi lacks several protein effectors implicated in invasion, proliferation and/or translocation by the type III secretion system that are fully functional proteins inS. Typhimurium. SseJ, one of these effectors, corresponds to an acyltransferase/lipase that participates in SCV biogenesis in human epithelial cell lines and is needed for full virulence ofS. Typhimurium. InS. Typhi,sseJis a pseudogene. Therefore, we suggest thatsseJinactivation inS. Typhi has an important role in the development of the systemic infection.ResultsWe investigated whether theS. Typhitrans-complemented with the functionalsseJgene fromS. Typhimurium (STM) affects the cytotoxicity toward cultured cell lines. It was found thatS. Typhi harbouringsseJSTMpresents a similar cytotoxicity level and intracellular retention/proliferation of cultured epithelial cells (HT-29 or HEp-2) as wild typeS. Typhimurium. These phenotypes are significantly different from wild typeS. TyphiConclusionsBased on our results we conclude that the mutation that inactivate thesseJgene inS. Typhi resulted in evident changes in the behaviour of bacteria in contact with eukaryotic cells, plausibly contributing to theS. Typhi adaptation to the systemic infection in humans.
Design of the Physical exercise during Adjuvant Chemotherapy Effectiveness Study (PACES):A randomized controlled trial to evaluate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of physical exercise in improving physical fitness and reducing fatigue
Authors: van Waart Hanna , Stuiver Martijn M , van Harten Wim H , Sonke Gabe S , Aaronson Neil K 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackgroundCancer chemotherapy is frequently associated with a decline in general physical condition, exercise tolerance, and muscle strength and with an increase in fatigue. While accumulating evidence suggests that physical activity and exercise interventions during chemotherapy treatment may contribute to maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness and strength, the results of studies conducted to date have not been consistent. Additional research is needed to determine the optimal intensity of exercise training programs in general and in particular the relative effectiveness of supervised, outpatient (hospital- or physical therapy practice-based) versus home-based programs.MethodsThis multicenter, prospective, randomized trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a low to moderate intensity, home-based, self-management physical activity program, and a high intensity, structured, supervised exercise program, in maintaining or enhancing physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength), in minimizing fatigue and in enhancing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast or colon cancer (n = 360) are being recruited from twelve hospitals in the Netherlands, and randomly allocated to one of the two treatment groups or to a 'usual care' control group. Performance-based and self-reported outcomes are assessed at baseline, at the end of chemotherapy and at six month follow-up.DiscussionThis large, multicenter, randomized clinical trial will provide additional empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of physical exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy in enhancing physical fitness, minimizing fatigue, and maintaining or enhancing patients' quality of life. If demonstrated to be effective, exercise intervention programs will be a welcome addition to the standard program of care offered to patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.Trial registrationThis study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR 2159)
Knowledge of general practitioners about nasopharyngeal cancer at the Puskesmas in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Fles Renske , Wildeman Maarten A , Sulistiono Beni , Haryana Sofia Mubarika , Tan I Bing 
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Background
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death in Indonesia. At initial diagnosis, 80% of the patients present with advanced stage disease. In Indonesia, primary medical care is generally provided by the health care centres; named Puskesmas. The lack of knowledge of various aspects of NPC of the General practitioners (GPs) working in these centers might contribute to the diagnostic delay. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of these GPs on different aspects of NPC including symptoms, risk factors and incidence.

Methods
One hundred six GPs in the Puskesmas in the Yogyakarta province were subjected to a questionnaire on different aspects of NPC based on literature and interviews with Head and Neck Surgeons.

Results
All GPs approached participated and in total 106 questionnaires were filled in. All participants were aware of NPC as a disease and 89% confirmed that it is a serious problem in Indonesia. However, 50% of the participants believed NPC has a low incidence in their region. The question on early symptoms gave a mean 4.2 answers of which 50% were incorrect.
The GPs provided a total of 318 answers when asked for the risk factors of NPC, 75% of which were incorrect. Fifty seven GPs (54%) stated that they did not receive sufficient education on NPC at the university and insufficient knowledge was gained during daily practice. Ninety-two percent of the GPs were interested in additional education, preferably in form of lectures, meetings or folders.

Conclusion
This study revealed that GPs in the Puskesmas in Yogyakarta lack knowledge on all aspects of NPC. This is an important finding as NPC is endemic in Indonesia and the Puskesmas are the institutions which provide primary medical health care in the country. Further education of the GPs in these endemic areas could be a first step to increase the rate of early detection. Therefore, we suggest 1) to conduct a medical awareness campaign for GPs on the most important subjects concerning NPC, and 2) as soon as NPC awareness among GPs has risen, provide further education on the risk factors, the early symptoms and the incidence, education to the community. We propose to extend this study to other areas in Indonesia (i.e. Jakarta, Surabaya, Central Java), using models that have been developed in Yogyakarta.
What doctors think about the impact of managed care tools on quality of care, costs, autonomy, and relations with patients
Authors: Deom Marie , Agoritsas Thomas , Bovier Patrick A , Perneger Thomas V 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackgroundHow doctors perceive managed care tools and incentives is not well known. We assessed doctors' opinions about the expected impact of eight managed care tools on quality of care, control of health care costs, professional autonomy and relations with patients.MethodsMail survey of doctors (N = 1546) in Geneva, Switzerland. Respondents were asked to rate the impact of 8 managed care tools on 4 aspects of care on a 5-level scale (1 very negative, 2 rather negative, 3 neutral, 4 rather positive, 5 very positive). For each tool, we obtained a mean score from the 4 separate impacts.ResultsDoctors had predominantly negative opinions of the impact of managed care tools: use of guidelines (mean score 3.18), gate-keeping (2.76), managed care networks (2.77), second opinion requirement (2.65), pay for performance (1.90), pay by salary (2.24), selective contracting (1.56), and pre-approval of expensive treatments (1.77). Estimated impacts on cost control were positive or neutral for most tools, but impacts on professional autonomy were predominantly negative. Primary care doctors held more positive opinions than doctors in other specialties, and psychiatrists were in general the most critical. Older doctors had more negative opinions, as well as those in private practice.ConclusionsDoctors perceived most managed care tools to have a positive impact on the control of health care costs but a negative impact on medical practice. Tools that are controlled by the profession were better accepted than those that are imposed by payers.
Condensation Problems in Precast Concrete Cladding Systems in Cold Climates
Authors: Gorrell Todd A. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
The use of precast concrete panels as a cladding material can provide an economical and attractive method to enclose contemporary buildings. In cold climates, improper detailing or inappropriate construction of precast clad walls can result in widespread water problems due to condensation forming within the wall construction. Condensation may form at the interior of the wall assembly due to inadequate protection against air flow through the wall, such as exfiltration of warm, moist indoor air, or by infiltration of cold outdoor air reaching the interior wall components. The condensation within the wall assembly can also be caused by water vapor diffusion into the wall from the building interior. In addition, inadequate separation and/or insulation between precast panels and adjacent cladding components, such as windows, curtain wall, or metal framing components, can result in surface condensation on these wall elements. The moisture from condensation can cause extensive damage to finish materials, including insulation and gypsum wallboard; can result in corrosion and deterioration of metal components, such as structural connections and metal wall framing; and may result in mold and mildew. This paper will (1) present examples of precast clad building wall construction where significant condensation problems have occurred; (2) discuss typical causes of condensation in precast clad buildings in cold climates; (3) review design considerations to reduce the potential for condensation in new buildings; and (4) present repair methods to address condensation in existing buildings.
Criminal-Justice and School Sanctions Against Nonheterosexual Youth: A National Longitudinal Study
Authors: Himmelstein Kathryn E. W. , Brückner Hannah 
Published: December 2010

OBJECTIVE:Nonheterosexual adolescents are vulnerable to health risks including addiction, bullying, and familial abuse. We examined whether they also suffer disproportionate school and criminal-justice sanctions.METHODS:The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health followed a nationally representative sample of adolescents who were in grades 7 through 12 in 1994–1995. Data from the 1994–1995 survey and the 2001–2002 follow-up were analyzed. Three measures were used to assess nonheterosexuality: same-sex attraction, same-sex romantic relationships, and lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) self-identification. Six outcomes were assessed: school expulsion; police stops; juvenile arrest; juvenile conviction; adult arrest; and adult conviction. Multivariate analyses controlled for adolescents' sociodemographics and behaviors, including illegal conduct.RESULTS:Nonheterosexuality consistently predicted a higher risk for sanctions. For example, in multivariate analyses, nonheterosexual adolescents had greater odds of being stopped by the police (odds ratio: 1.38 [P &lt; .0001] for same-sex attraction and 1.53 [P &lt; .0001] for LGB self-identification). Similar trends were observed for school expulsion, juvenile arrest and conviction, and adult conviction. Nonheterosexual girls were at particularly high risk.CONCLUSIONS:Nonheterosexual youth suffer disproportionate educational and criminal-justice punishments that are not explained by greater engagement in illegal or transgressive behaviors. Understanding and addressing these disparities might reduce school expulsions, arrests, and incarceration and their dire social and health consequences.