bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective Correlation Between Serum Relaxin Concentration and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears Among Elite Collegiate Female Athletes
Authors: Dragoo Jason L. , Castillo Tiffany N. , Braun Hillary J. , Ridley Bethany A. , Kennedy Ashleigh C. , Golish S. Raymond 
Published: July 2011

Background: The female anterior cruciate ligament may be more susceptible to injury than the male anterior cruciate ligament because of the gender-specific expression of receptors for relaxin, a collagenolytic hormone that promotes remodeling of the anterior cruciate ligament. Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate whether collegiate female athletes with elevated serum relaxin concentrations (SRC) sustain anterior cruciate ligament tears at an increased rate compared with those with lower SRC. Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: From 2005 to 2010, 143 Division I female athletes from 2 universities participating in sports at high risk for anterior cruciate ligament tears (basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, gymnastics, and volleyball) were recruited to participate. Questionnaires and urine luteinizing hormone (LH) tests were used to determine participants’ anterior cruciate ligament injury and menstrual history and to identify their mid-luteal phase or projected cycle days 21 to 24. Serum samples were obtained for progesterone and relaxin ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) analysis. Participants were monitored for anterior cruciate ligament injury over their 4-year National Collegiate Athletic Association athletic career. Results: A total of 128 participants completed the study and were eligible for data analysis. The cumulative incidence of complete anterior cruciate ligament tear over the 4-year study period was 21.9%, and varied significantly by sport ( P < .001). The mean SRC for athletes with anterior cruciate ligament tears (6.0 ± 8.1 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that for those without anterior cruciate ligament tears (1.8 ± 3.4 pg/mL; P = .013). In subgroup analysis of the 46 athletes who had detectable SRC, the cumulative incidence of anterior cruciate ligament tear was 14 of 46 (30.4%); the mean SRC among athletes with anterior cruciate ligament tears (14 of 46) was 12.1 ± 7.7 pg/mL and without anterior cruciate ligament tears (32 of 46), 5.7 ± 3.6 pg/mL ( P = .002). When 6.0 pg/mL was set as the SRC cutoff for screening athletes for risk of anterior cruciate ligament tear in the subgroup with detectable relaxin levels, the test had 71% sensitivity, 69% specificity, 52% positive predictive value, 88% negative predictive value, and a relative risk of 4.4. These values were significant by χ2 test ( P = .003) and receiver operating characteristic analysis ( P = .002). Conclusion: Elite female athletes with anterior cruciate ligament tears have higher SRC than those without tears. Those with an SRC greater than 6.0 pg/mL had over 4 times increased risk for a tear. Clinical Relevance: Females with higher serum relaxin levels may be at increased risk for anterior cruciate ligament tears. Further investigation of the clinical utility of SRC testing is warranted.
Pilot assessment of the antineoplastic drug contamination levels in British Columbian hospitals pre- and post-cleaning
Authors: Chu Winnie C , Hon Chun-Yip , Danyluk Quinn , Chua Prescillia PS , Astrakianakis George 
Published: July 2011

Objective. We undertook a pilot study involving six British Columbian hospital pharmacies to determine if antineoplastic drug contamination of surfaces exists and whether residual drugs remain on these surfaces despite being cleaned. Methods. At each site, the pharmacy technician responsible for preparing the antineoplastic drugs was observed to determine which surfaces were contacted and to ascertain the frequency of contact. Surfaces observed to be most frequently contacted were subsequently wiped after drug preparation pre- and post-clean. The wipe samples were then analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to determine the amount of contamination. Cyclophosphamide (CP) and methotrexate (MTX) were used as representative markers to reflect overall antineoplastic drug contamination levels. Results. Fourteen of the 23 surfaces sampled pre-clean (61%) were contaminated with either MTX or CP. The pre-clean wipe samples had a geometric mean concentration of 0.0135 ng/cm2 for MTX (range <Limit of Detection {LOD} to 12.45 ng/cm2) and 0.114 ng/cm2 for CP (range <LOD to 8.53 ng/cm2). Post-clean contamination levels were generally lower than its pre-clean equivalent; the concentration difference post- vs. pre-clean was statistically significant for CP only. However, some samples appeared to have higher post-clean contamination levels. Conclusions. The results suggest that drug contamination is common in hospital pharmacies we sampled and that current cleaning practices in British Columbia may not be effective in removing residual drug from the surfaces. A more extensive study is recommended to confirm these results as well as a review of cleaning protocols to ensure their effectiveness in reducing contamination levels.
The human cytokine TSLP triggers a cell-autonomous dendritic cell migration in confined environments
Authors: Fernandez Maria-Isabel , Heuzé Mélina L. , Martinez-Cingolani Carolina , Volpe Elisabetta , Donnadieu Marie-Helene , Piel Matthieu , Homey Bernhard , Lennon-Duménil Ana-Maria , Soumelis Vassili 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) need to migrate in the interstitial environment of peripheral tissues to reach secondary lymphoid organs and initiate a suitable immune response. Whether and how inflamed tissues instruct DCs to emigrate is not fully understood. In this study, we report the unexpected finding that the epithelial-derived cytokine TSLP triggers chemokinesis of resting primary human DCs in a cell-autonomous manner. TSLP induced the polarization of both microtubule and actin cytoskeletons and promoted DC 3-dimensional migration in transwell as well as in microfabricated channels that mimic the confined environment of peripheral tissues. TSLP-induced migration relied on the actin-based motor myosin II and was inhibited by blebbistatin. Accordingly, TSLP triggered the redistribution of phosphorylated myosin II regulatory light chain to the actin cortex, indicating that TSLP induces DC migration by promoting actomyosin contractility. Thus, TSLP produced by epithelial cells in inflamed tissue has a critical function in licensing DCs for cell-autonomous migration. This indicates that cytokines can directly trigger cell migration, which has important implications in immune physiopathology and vaccine design.
An antiapoptotic BCL-2 family expression index predicts the response of chronic lymphocytic leukemia to ABT-737
Authors: Al-harbi Sayer , Hill Brian T. , Mazumder Suparna , Singh Kamini , DeVecchio Jennifer , Choudhary Gaurav , Rybicki Lisa A. , Kalaycio Matt , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Houghton Janet A. , Almasan Alexandru 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins regulate lymphocyte survival and are over-expressed in lymphoid malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The small molecule inhibitor ABT-737 binds with high affinity to BCL-2, BCL-XL, and BCL-W but with low affinity to MCL-1, BFL-1, and BCL-B. The active analog of ABT-737, navitoclax, has shown a high therapeutic index in lymphoid malignancies; developing a predictive marker for it would be clinically valuable for patient selection or choice of drug combinations. Here we used RT-PCR as a highly sensitive and quantitative assay to compare expression of antiapoptotic BCL-2 genes that are known to be targeted by ABT-737. Our findings reveal that the relative ratio of MCL-1 and BFL-1 to BCL-2 expression provides a highly significant linear correlation with ABT-737 sensitivity (r = 0.6, P < .001). In contrast, antiapoptotic transcript levels, used individually or in combination for high or low affinity ABT-737-binding proteins, could not predict ABT-737 sensitivity. The (MCL-1 + BFL-1)/BCL-2 ratio was validated in a panel of leukemic cell lines subjected to genetic and pharmacologic manipulations. Changes after ABT-737 treatment included increased expression of BFL-1 and BCL-B that may contribute to treatment resistance. This study defines a highly significant BCL-2 expression index for predicting the response of CLL to ABT-737.
Seasonality and determinants of moderate and severe COPD exacerbations in the TORCH study
Authors: Jenkins C.R. , Celli B. , Anderson J.A. , Ferguson G.T. , Jones P.W. , Vestbo J. , Yates J.C. , Calverley P.M.A. 
Published: July 2011

We investigated the impact of season relative to other determinants of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation frequency in a long-term international study of patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) <60% predicted.COPD exacerbations were defined by worsening symptoms requiring systemic corticosteroids and/or antibiotics (moderate) or hospital admission (severe). Seasonality effect was calculated as the proportion of patients experiencing an exacerbation each month.Exacerbations in the northern and southern regions showed an almost two-fold increase in the winter months. No seasonal pattern occurred in the tropics. Overall, 38% of exacerbations were treated with antibiotics only, 19% with systemic corticosteroids only and 43% with both, while 20% required hospital admission irrespective of the season. Exacerbation frequency was associated with older age, lower body mass index, lower FEV1% pred and history of prior exacerbations. Females and patients with worse baseline breathlessness, assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea scale, exacerbated more often (rate ratio (RR) for maleversusfemale 0.7, 95% CI 0.7–0.8 (p<0.001); RR for MRC dyspnoea score 3versus1 and 2 combined 1.1, 95% CI 1.1–1.2 (p<0.001)). The effect of season was independent of these risk factors.COPD exacerbations and hospitalisations were more frequent in winter.
The differential disease regulome
Authors: Sandve Geir K , Gundersen Sveinung , Rydbeck Halfdan , Glad Ingrid K , Holden Lars , Holden Marit , Liestøl Knut , Clancy Trevor , Drabløs Finn , Ferkingstad Egil , Johansen Morten , Nygaard Vegard , Tøstesen Eivind , Frigessi Arnoldo , Hovig Eivind 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Transcription factors in disease-relevant pathways represent potential drug targets, by impacting a distinct set of pathways that may be modulated through gene regulation. The influence of transcription factors is typically studied on a per disease basis, and no current resources provide a global overview of the relations between transcription factors and disease. Furthermore, existing pipelines for related large-scale analysis are tailored for particular sources of input data, and there is a need for generic methodology for integrating complementary sources of genomic information.

Results
We here present a large-scale analysis of multiple diseases versus multiple transcription factors, with a global map of over-and under-representation of 446 transcription factors in 1010 diseases. This map, referred to as the differential disease regulome, provides a first global statistical overview of the complex interrelationships between diseases, genes and controlling elements. The map is visualized using the Google map engine, due to its very large size, and provides a range of detailed information in a dynamic presentation format.
The analysis is achieved through a novel methodology that performs a pairwise, genome-wide comparison on the cartesian product of two distinct sets of annotation tracks, e.g. all combinations of one disease and one TF.
The methodology was also used to extend with maps using alternative data sets related to transcription and disease, as well as data sets related to Gene Ontology classification and histone modifications. We provide a web-based interface that allows users to generate other custom maps, which could be based on precisely specified subsets of transcription factors and diseases, or, in general, on any categorical genome annotation tracks as they are improved or become available.

Conclusion
We have created a first resource that provides a global overview of the complex relations between transcription factors and disease. As the accuracy of the disease regulome depends mainly on the quality of the input data, forthcoming ChIP-seq based binding data for many TFs will provide improved maps. We further believe our approach to genome analysis could allow an advance from the current typical situation of one-time integrative efforts to reproducible and upgradable integrative analysis. The differential disease regulome and its associated methodology is available at http://hyperbrowser.uio.no.
Characterization of the small RNA component of the transcriptome from grain and sweet sorghum stems
Authors: Calviño Martín , Bruggmann Rémy , Messing Joachim 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Sorghum belongs to the tribe of the Andropogoneae that includes potential biofuel crops like switchgrass, Miscanthus and successful biofuel crops like corn and sugarcane. However, from a genomics point of view sorghum has compared to these other species a simpler genome because it lacks the additional rounds of whole genome duplication events. Therefore, it has become possible to generate a high-quality genome sequence. Furthermore, cultivars exists that rival sugarcane in levels of stem sugar so that a genetic approach can be used to investigate which genes are differentially expressed to achieve high levels of stem sugar.

Results
Here, we characterized the small RNA component of the transcriptome from grain and sweet sorghum stems, and from F2 plants derived from their cross that segregated for sugar content and flowering time. We found that variation in miR172 and miR395 expression correlated with flowering time whereas variation in miR169 expression correlated with sugar content in stems. Interestingly, genotypic differences in the ratio of miR395 to miR395* were identified, with miR395* species expressed as abundantly as miR395 in sweet sorghum but not in grain sorghum. Finally, we provided experimental evidence for previously annotated miRNAs detecting the expression of 25 miRNA families from the 27 known and discovered 9 new miRNAs candidates in the sorghum genome.

Conclusions
Sequencing the small RNA component of sorghum stem tissue provides us with experimental evidence for previously predicted microRNAs in the sorghum genome and microRNAs with a potential role in stem sugar accumulation and flowering time.
Neighborhood fast food restaurants and fast food consumption: A national study
Authors: Richardson Andrea S , Boone-Heinonen Janne , Popkin Barry M , Gordon-Larsen Penny 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Recent studies suggest that neighborhood fast food restaurant availability is related to greater obesity, yet few studies have investigated whether neighborhood fast food restaurant availability promotes fast food consumption. Our aim was to estimate the effect of neighborhood fast food availability on frequency of fast food consumption in a national sample of young adults, a population at high risk for obesity.

Methods
We used national data from U.S. young adults enrolled in wave III (2001-02; ages 18-28) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 13,150). Urbanicity-stratified multivariate negative binomial regression models were used to examine cross-sectional associations between neighborhood fast food availability and individual-level self-reported fast food consumption frequency, controlling for individual and neighborhood characteristics.

Results
In adjusted analysis, fast food availability was not associated with weekly frequency of fast food consumption in non-urban or low- or high-density urban areas.

Conclusions
Policies aiming to reduce neighborhood availability as a means to reduce fast food consumption among young adults may be unsuccessful. Consideration of fast food outlets near school or workplace locations, factors specific to more or less urban settings, and the role of individual lifestyle attitudes and preferences are needed in future research.
Evolving hard problems: Generating human genetics datasets with a complex etiology
Authors: Himmelstein Daniel S , Greene Casey S , Moore Jason H 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
A goal of human genetics is to discover genetic factors that influence individuals' susceptibility to common diseases. Most common diseases are thought to result from the joint failure of two or more interacting components instead of single component failures. This greatly complicates both the task of selecting informative genetic variants and the task of modeling interactions between them. We and others have previously developed algorithms to detect and model the relationships between these genetic factors and disease. Previously these methods have been evaluated with datasets simulated according to pre-defined genetic models.

Results
Here we develop and evaluate a model free evolution strategy to generate datasets which display a complex relationship between individual genotype and disease susceptibility. We show that this model free approach is capable of generating a diverse array of datasets with distinct gene-disease relationships for an arbitrary interaction order and sample size. We specifically generate eight-hundred Pareto fronts; one for each independent run of our algorithm. In each run the predictiveness of single genetic variation and pairs of genetic variants have been minimized, while the predictiveness of third, fourth, or fifth-order combinations is maximized. Two hundred runs of the algorithm are further dedicated to creating datasets with predictive four or five order interactions and minimized lower-level effects.

Conclusions
This method and the resulting datasets will allow the capabilities of novel methods to be tested without pre-specified genetic models. This allows researchers to evaluate which methods will succeed on human genetics problems where the model is not known in advance. We further make freely available to the community the entire Pareto-optimal front of datasets from each run so that novel methods may be rigorously evaluated. These 76,600 datasets are available from http://discovery.dartmouth.edu/model_free_data/.
Caregiver Report of Executive Functioning in a Population-Based Sample of Young Children With Down Syndrome
Authors: Lee Nancy Raitano , Fidler Deborah J. , Blakeley-Smith Audrey , Daunhauer Lisa , Robinson Cordelia , Hepburn Susan L. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The current study describes everyday executive function (EF) profiles in young children with Down syndrome. Caregivers of children with Down syndrome (n  =  26; chronological ages  =  4–10 years; mental ages  =  2–4 years) completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function—Preschool (BRIEF-P; G. A. Gioia, K. A. Espy, & P. K. Isquith, 2003), a caregiver report measure of everyday/functional EF skills in multiple domains. On the BRIEF-P, elevations were noted on a global EF composite as well as the Working Memory and Plan/Organize scales in particular (relative to norms developed for typically developing children of a similar mental age). These results suggest a specific pattern of EF weaknesses in young children with Down syndrome, consistent with the extant literature that has focused primarily on older individuals who have been tested using laboratory EF tasks.
Equilibrium moisture content (EMC) in Norway spruce during the first and second desorptions
Authors: Hoffmeyer Preben , Engelund Emil Tang , Thygesen Lisbeth G. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
It is a commonly accepted notion that the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of wood at a given relative humidity (RH) is highest during initial desorption of green wood due to an irreversible loss of hygroscopicity during the 1st desorption. The basis for this notion is investigated by assessing how drying and saturation procedures influence the differences between the 1st and the 2nd desorption curves for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) sapwood. The study establishes 1st and 2nd desorption isotherms for a variety of initial conditions and it covers the RH range from 60.1% to 99.9%. The state of the water is not affected by oven-drying and rewetting as demonstrated by time domain low field NMR relaxometry. The results challenge the conclusions of earlier studies and indicate that in these studies the 2nd desorption was initiated at much too low EMC and therefore fails to describe a boundary desorption isotherm. Instead, it becomes an intermediate desorption isotherm starting at the adsorption boundary curve and crossing over to eventually meet the desorption boundary curve. The results also show that vacuum drying at room temperature only gives a modest loss of hygroscopicity compared to the green state. Conversely, oven-drying at 103°C results in a more significant loss of hygroscopicity, except for RH above 96% where an increase in EMC surprisingly is seen.
A rheological description of the water vapour sorption kinetics behaviour of wood invoking a model using a canonical assembly of Kelvin-Voigt elements and a possible link with sorption hysteresis
Authors: Hill Callum A.S. , Keating Barbara A. , Jalaludin Zaihan , Mahrdt Eike 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe dynamic vapour sorption behaviour of two Malaysian hardwoods, acacia (Acacia mangiumWild) and sesendok (Endospermum malaccenseBentexMüll. Arg.) was studied over a narrow temperature range (20–40°C). The rate of sorption or desorption of water into or out of the wood cell wall was considered to be limited by the viscoelastic behaviour of the material and the sorption kinetics was accordingly analysed in terms of a canonical series of Kelvin-Voigt elements. A two series and three series model have been applied to the kinetic data and the results are compared. Characteristic times and moisture contents were obtained from the models. The Arrhenius equation was used in conjunction with the reciprocals of the characteristic times to calculate the activation energy and activation entropy of sorption, and the Gibbs free energy of activation for the sorption process was also determined. This is the first time that entropy of activation and Gibbs free energy of activation for sorption processes with wood have been reported. Interpretation of these data invokes a model describing the polymeric relaxation processes occurring within the cell wall during adsorption or desorption. A possible link between sorption kinetics, polymeric relaxation processes, and sorption hysteresis is discussed.
12 Jahre Euro. Aus ruhigen Gewässern in stürmische See
Authors: Becker Werner 
Published: July 2011

Zusammenfassung
Währungen sind Sorgenkinder. Ganz besonders gilt das für den jungen Euro, und ganz besonders gilt das für die Deutschen, die im 20. Jahrhundert zwei schwere Geldkrisen erlebten und vor zwölf Jahren ihre harte DM für die neue Währung opferten. Hat es sich gelohnt oder hatten die Skeptiker recht, die dem Euro ein Debakel prophezeiten? Diese Fragen stellt sich Werner Becker, als Mitglied der Deutschen Bank ein prominenter Insider, der weiß, wovon er spricht.