bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The prognostic value of lymph node metastases and tumour regression grade in rectal cancer patients treated with long‐course preoperative chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Lindebjerg J. , Spindler K.‐L. G. , Ploen J. , Jakobsen A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjective  The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of tumour regression and the post‐treatment lymph node status on the prognosis of rectal cancer treated by preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.Method  One hundred and thirty‐five patients with locally advanced T3 and T4 rectal tumours received preoperative long‐course chemoradiation, to a dose of 60 Gy external radiation and oral 5‐fluorouracil 300 mg/m2 daily and Leukovorin 22.5 mg/day 5 days a week. Surgery was performed 8 weeks after the end of treatment. The tumour response was evaluated according to the tumour regression grade system and lymph node status in the surgical specimen was assessed. The prognostic value of clinico‐pathological parameters was analysed using univariate analysis and Kaplan–Meier methods for comparison of groups.Results  All patients responded to treatment and 47% had a major response, including 25 (19%) complete responders. The median follow‐up was 26 months (range 12–94 months). The cancer specific survival was 82% and there was a significant lower survival rate in the group of patients with post‐treatment lymph node metastases compared to lymph‐node negative patients [63% and 87% respectively (P = 0.007)]. Furthermore patients with a major tumour response and no lymph node metastases in the surgical specimen after treatment had a survival rate of 100% compared with 60% in the group of patients with major response but lymph node metastases after surgery (P < 0.01).Conclusion  The combined assessment of lymph‐node status and tumour response has strong prognostic value in locally advanced rectal cancer patient treated with preoperative long‐course chemoradiation.
SPATIAL SPILLOVERS AND THE GROWTH OF KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE SERVICES
Authors: BISHOP PAUL 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTKnowledge intensive services (KIS) have grown rapidly across Europe in recent years and are often regarded as critical to economic growth and knowledge diffusion. This paper focuses on the factors determining spatial variations in the growth of these services. Combining insights from the regional innovation systems approach and modern growth theory, it is argued that local economic diversity may be beneficial to the growth of KIS. An empirical study of Great Britain over the period 1991–2002 reveals significant regional variations, with rapid growth occurring in a central cluster and major urban areas. The results of an empirical model provide support for the positive impact of diversity on employment growth but no evidence of a positive effect of sector specialisation. From a policy perspective, the analysis suggests that greater attention needs to be devoted to enhancing economic diversity and understanding sector specific effects.
RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT AND SPATIAL VARIATION IN HOUSE PRICES IN THE NETHERLANDS
Authors: VISSER PETRA , VAN DAM FRANK , HOOIMEIJER PIETER 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTEven in a small country such as the Netherlands, spatial variations in house prices are considerable. This paper addresses the question about the extent to which these variations in house prices can be explained by differences in physical, social and functional characteristics of the residential environment. Data on the prices and characteristics of houses were linked with a variety of attributes of the residential environment. We used hedonic price modelling to derive different models of property prices from which the contribution of the characteristics of the residential environment were estimated. It is demonstrated that regional house price variations can indeed largely be explained by characteristics of the residential environment. An important factor in these regional price differences is the accessibility to employment opportunities.
Inevitable evolution: back toThe Originand beyond the 20th Century paradigm of contingent evolution by historical natural selection
Authors: Witting Lars 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSince neo‐Darwinism arose from the work of Darwin and Mendel evolution by natural selection has been seen as contingent and historical being defined by ana posterioriselection process with noa priorilaws that explain why evolution on Earth has taken the direction of the major evolutionary trends and transitions instead of any other direction. Recently, however, major life‐history trends and transitions have been explained as inevitable because of a deterministic selection that unfolds from the energetic state of the organism and the density‐dependent competitive interactions that arise from self‐replication in limited environments. I describe differences and similarities between the historical and deterministic selection processes, illustrate concepts using life‐history models on large body masses and limited reproductive rates, review life‐history evolution with a wider focus on major evolutionary transitions, and propose that biotic evolution is driven by a universal natural selection where the long‐term evolution of fitness‐related traits is determined mainly by deterministic selection, while contingency is important predominately for neutral traits. Given suitable environmental conditions, it is shown that selection by energetic state and density‐dependent competitive interactions unfolds to higher level selection for life‐history transitions from simple asexually reproducing self‐replicators to large bodied organisms with senescence and sexual reproduction between males and females, and in some cases, to the fully evolved eusocial colony with thousands of offspring workers. This defines an evolutionary arrow of time for open thermodynamic systems with a constant inflow of energy, predicting similar routes for long‐term evolution on similar planets.
Change in psychopathology in referred children: the role of life events and perceived stress
Authors: Willemen Agnes M. , Koot Hans M. , Ferdinand Robert F. , Goossens Frits A. , Schuengel Carlo 
Published: June 2008

Background:  This study examined the relation between stress and change in emotional and behavioural problems in children and adolescents referred for mental health services.Method:  At three waves across four years, children and their parents (N = 310, mean age at the first wave = 11.26 years, SD = 3.18) reported emotional and behavioural problems, as well as stressful life events (parent report) and perceived stress (child report).Results:  Major life events before referral were associated with higher levels of parent‐reported internalising and externalising problems at referral. Life events after referral were associated with a slower recovery from internalising problems. The associations between stressful life events and the course of parent‐ and self‐reported problems were mediated by children’s subjective feelings of stress.Conclusion:  Stressful life events appear to interfere with recovery from internalising problems in the years after referral through increasing the experience of stress in daily life.
A Comparative Evaluation of Arterial Blood Flow and the Healing Response after Femoral Artery Closure Using Angio‐Seal STS Plus and StarClose in a Porcine Model
Authors: SANGHI PRAMOD , VIRMANI RENU , DO DAT , ERIKSON JOHN , ELLIOTT JAMES , CILINGIROGLU MEHMET , MATTHEWS HOLLY , KAZI MASOOD , RICKER ROBERT , BAILEY STEVEN R. 
Published: June 2008

Objectives: This study prospectively evaluated the acute and chronic arterial blood flow and vascular pathology after vessel closure using two commonly used closure devices controlled by deploying both devices in each animal.
Background: Several vessel closure systems are approved for clinical use; however, few direct comparisons have ever been performed and no randomized case controlled study has been published using FDA‐approved devices.
Methods: Ninteen Sous Scroufulae pigs underwent bilateral percutaneous arteriotomies using ultrasound‐guided 6 Fr sheath insertion in both common femoral arteries. The femoral access site was then closed using either an Angio‐Seal STS Plus™, an absorbable collagen sponge, or StarClose™, a self‐closing nitinol clip. Angiograms and ultrasound of the site were performed prior to closure and immediately afterwards. At follow‐up, ultrasound was performed at the site and the specimens were sent for histopathology.
Results: Baseline femoral artery diameters (centimeters) were similar in both groups by U/S (5.2 ± 0.3, 5.3 ± 0.3) and quantitative angiography (4.6 ± 0.7, 4.6 ± 0.8). Postdeployment angiograms showed a vessel diameter stenosis of 65%± 24% with Angio‐Seal (n = 18) and 50%± 22% with StarClose (n = 18), P = 0.04. 2D U/S performed immediately postdeployment showed vessel diameter stenosis of 59%± 33.0 with Angio‐Seal (n = 19), and 35%± 20 with StarClose (n = 19), P = 0.01. At 7‐, 30‐, and 60‐day follow‐up, no appreciable differences in the vessel diameter were observed by U/S. At early follow‐up (7 and 30 days), Angio‐Seal arteriotomy closure sites were associated with higher inflammatory and hemorrhage scores, but no difference was seen at late (60‐day) follow‐up.
Conclusions: The StarClose closure device is associated with less short‐term vessel injury compared to Angio‐Seal STS Plus; however, this difference was not statistically significant after 60 days.
Characterization of 21 microsatellites developed from Propithecus deckeni deckeni
Authors: LEI RUNHUA , DAY SABINE , RAMAROKOTO ROGER , SHORE GARY D. , LOUIS, JR EDWARD E. , BRENNEMAN RICK A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDecken's sifaka (Propithecus deckeni deckeni) is found between the Mahavavy and Manambolo Rivers, in western Madagascar. Twenty‐one polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci were isolated from genomic DNA derived from a P. d. deckeni, from Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Population genetic parameters were estimated on 10 individuals each, sampled from Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and Tsiombikibo Classified Forests. Significant null alleles were detected in seven loci which were dropped before population genetic parameters were re‐estimated and compared to the full marker suite.
Microsatellites from kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa)
Authors: WADL PHILLIP A. , WANG XINWANG , SCHEFFLER BRIAN E. , RINEHART TIMOTHY A. , TRIGIANO ROBERT N. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractMicrosatellite loci were identified from Cornus kousa‘National’. Primer pairs for 86 loci were developed and of these, eight were optimized and screened using genomic DNA from 22 kousa cultivars. All optimized loci were polymorphic and the number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 17. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.3 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.38 to 0.91. These microsatellites will be useful in population studies, and a breeding programme for cultivar development of Cornus species.
Development of novel microsatellites from Moniliophthora perniciosa, causal agent of the witches’ broom disease of Theobroma cacao
Authors: SILVA JUREMA R. Q. , FIGUEIRA ANTONIO , PEREIRA GONÇALO A. G. , ALBUQUERQUE PAULO 
Published: June 2008

Abstract Moniliophthora perniciosa is the causal agent of the witches’ broom disease of cacao. Based on available genomic sequences, we identified 30 new microsatellite loci, which were analysed using 50 isolates from four populations sampled over a wide geographical area in Brazil, including three populations from the Amazon, the fungal putative centre of diversity, plus one from Bahia. Nine loci were polymorphic, with an average of 2.9 alleles per locus. The level of polymorphism observed was low, but these markers may allow the evaluation of pathogen diversity and the establishment of molecular standards for isolate fingerprinting to support cacao breeding.
Eleven polymorphic microsatellites isolated from red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii
Authors: ZHU ZE YUAN , YUE GEN HUA 
Published: June 2008

AbstractEleven microsatellites were isolated from a genomic DNA library enriched for CA‐ and GA‐repeats, and were characterized in 48 individuals of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. All 11 microsatellites were polymorphic with an average of allele number of 6.6 per locus. Genotypic distributions of these 11 markers were found to be in conformance with the expectations of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. All 11 markers were unlinked. These markers are being used to study the invasion routine, genetic diversity and population structure of the species P. clarkii.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae), a neotropical medicinal tree
Authors: CAVALLARI M. M. , BILLOT C. , BOUVET J.‐M. , FAVREAU B. , ZUCCHI M. I. , PALMIERI D. A. , GIMENES M. A. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract Casearia sylvestris Sw. is a widespread neotropical tree utilized in popular medicine. Recent research ranked Casearia as one of the most promising genus in the search of drugs against cancer. Despite its wide distribution and pharmacological importance, no microsatellite markers have yet been developed for this genus. In this study, we provide 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci specifically designed for C. sylvestris, used to analyse 90 individuals distributed in two populations from São Paulo state, Brazil. On average, 12.3 alleles per locus were identified, showing the ability of the markers to detect microsatellite polymorphism in this species.
A high‐throughput protocol for extracting high‐purity genomic DNA from plants and animals
Authors: WHITLOCK R. , HIPPERSON H. , MANNARELLI M. , BURKE T. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDNA extraction techniques that employ the reversible binding of DNA to silica via chaotropic salts can deliver high‐quality genomic DNA from plant and animal tissues, while avoiding the use of toxic organic solvents. Existing techniques that use this method are either prohibitively expensive, or are applicable to only a restricted set of taxa. Here we describe a cost‐effective DNA extraction technique suitable for a wide range of plant and animal taxa that yields microgram quantities of high‐molecular‐weight genomic DNA at a throughput of 192 samples per day. Our technique is particularly robust for tissue samples that are insoluble or are rapidly discoloured or oxidized in standard DNA extraction buffers. We demonstrate the quality of DNA extracted using this method by applying the amplified fragment length polymorphism technique to plant species.
Development of new microsatellite loci and multiplex reactions for muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)
Authors: SLOSS BRIAN L. , FRANCKOWIAK RYAN P. , MURPHY EDWARD L. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) is a valued fisheries species throughout its native range. Numerous studies have documented performance and phenotypic differences among muskellunge populations, but genetic markers for assessment have been lacking. We characterized 14 microsatellite loci and developed five multiplex polymerase chain reactions. Successful amplification of northern pike (Esox lucius) was observed for seven loci. These microsatellites will be useful for analysing population structure, performance characteristics of propagated strains, and helping to develop and monitor hatchery management guidelines for muskellunge.
Cross‐species amplification and optimization of microsatellite markers for use in six Neotropical parrots
Authors: GEBHARDT KARA J. , WAITS LISETTE P. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractShort amplicon primers were redesigned for 17 microsatellite loci developed in St. Vincent's Amazon and six loci developed in blue‐and‐yellow macaw and tested using six species of Neotropical parrot. Polymorphism was observed at 12 loci in blue‐and‐yellow macaw, 10 in red‐and‐green macaw, 11 in scarlet macaw, 10 in chestnut‐fronted macaw, 11 in red‐bellied macaw and 16 in mealy parrot. Number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 23 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.05 to 0.95. The resulting multiplexed loci will be useful in evaluating genetic diversity, genetic structure and mating system in Neotropical parrots.
Fifteen new microsatellite markers for the reef coral Favia fragum and a new Symbiodinium microsatellite
Authors: CARLON DAVID B. , LIPPÉ CATHERINE 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSixteen new microsatellite loci were isolated from the Tropical Atlantic coral Favia fragum. One locus amplified with pure zooxanthellae DNA template, revealing a symbiont (Symbiodinium) origin. We genotyped 48 short and 45 tall ecomorphs of F. fragum from the Bocas del Toro region of Panama. For 15 host loci, allelic diversity ranged from three to 23 with an average of 5.75 alleles per locus. Analysis of genotypic data revealed significant heterozygote deficits at all loci and linkage disequilibrium between loci, as did a previous study of the two ecomorphs with allozymes. We found evidence for null alleles at four of the host loci in the form of locus‐specific polymerase chain reaction failure; however, extreme inbreeding via self‐fertilization is likely to explain the large departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.
Temperature dependence of dielectric properties of moist soils
Authors: Jaganathan Arun P. , Allouche Erez N. 
Published: June 2008

Heating of soil using microwaves has several applications in geosciences, including soil remediation, neutralization of land mines, and microwave-enhanced thermography. Numerical simulation of microwave-induced soil heating processes requires knowledge of the electrical properties of the soil as a function of temperature, moisture content, and frequency of the electromagnetic wave. This paper describes a semi-empirical model for calculating the dielectric properties of moist soils at various moisture contents, temperatures, and frequencies (within the band of 1–10 GHz). The proposed model is an extension of the generalized refractive mixing dielectric model (GRMDM) for moist soils. Predictions of the proposed model were found to be in good agreement with experimental data reported in the literature. Results of a parametric study suggest that the temperature dependency of the dielectric properties of moist sand is more pronounced for higher volumetric moisture contents.
Bone Marrow Subsets Differentiate into Endothelial Cells and Pericytes Contributing to Ewing's Tumor Vessels
Authors: Reddy Krishna , Zhou Zhichao , Schadler Keri , Jia Shu-Fang , Kleinerman Eugenie S. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Hematopoietic progenitor cells arising from bone marrow (BM) are known to contribute to the formation and expansion of tumor vasculature. However, whether different subsets of these cells have different roles in this process is unclear. To investigate the roles of BM-derived progenitor cell subpopulations in the formation of tumor vasculature in a Ewing's sarcoma model, we used a functional assay based on endothelial cell and pericyte differentiation in vivo. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting of human cord blood/BM or mouse BM from green fluorescent protein transgenic mice was used to isolate human CD34+/CD38−, CD34+/CD45+, and CD34−/CD45+ cells and mouse Sca1+/Gr1+, Sca1−/Gr1+, VEGFR1+, and VEGFR2+ cells. Each of these progenitor subpopulations was separately injected intravenously into nude mice bearing Ewing's sarcoma tumors. Tumors were resected 1 week later and analyzed using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy for the presence of migrated progenitor cells expressing endothelial, pericyte, or inflammatory cell surface markers. We showed two distinct patterns of stem cell infiltration. Human CD34+/CD45+ and CD34+/CD38− and murine VEGFR2+ and Sca1+/Gr1+ cells migrated to Ewing's tumors, colocalized with the tumor vascular network, and differentiated into cells expressing either endothelial markers (mouse CD31 or human vascular endothelial cadherin) or the pericyte markers desmin and α-smooth muscle actin. By contrast, human CD34−/CD45+ and mouse Sca1−/Gr1+ cells migrated predominantly to sites outside of the tumor vasculature and differentiated into monocytes/macrophages expressing F4/80 or CD14. Our data indicate that only specific BM stem/progenitor subpopulations participate in Ewing's sarcoma tumor vasculogenesis. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(6):929–36)
Zinc α2-Glycoprotein: A Multidisciplinary Protein
Authors: Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz , Waheed Abdul , Yadav Savita , Singh Tej P. , Ahmad Faizan 
Published: June 2008

AbstractZinc α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a protein of interest because of its ability to play many important functions in the human body, including fertilization and lipid mobilization. After the discovery of this molecule, during the last 5 decades, various studies have been documented on its structure and functions, but still, it is considered as a protein with an unknown function. Its expression is regulated by glucocorticoids. Due to its high sequence homology with lipid-mobilizing factor and high expression in cancer cachexia, it is considered as a novel adipokine. On the other hand, structural organization and fold is similar to MHC class I antigen-presenting molecule; hence, ZAG may have a role in the expression of the immune response. The function of ZAG under physiologic and cancerous conditions remains mysterious but is considered as a tumor biomarker for various carcinomas. There are several unrelated functions that are attributed to ZAG, such as RNase activity, regulation of melanin production, hindering tumor proliferation, and transport of nephritic by-products. This article deals with the discussion of the major aspects of ZAG from its gene structure to function and metabolism. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(6):892–906)
The Atmospheric Water Balance over the Semiarid Murray–Darling River Basin
Authors: Draper Clara , Mills Graham 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
The atmospheric water balance over the semiarid Murray–Darling River basin in southeast Australia is analyzed based on a consecutive series of 3- to 24-h NWP forecasts from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s Limited Area Prediction System (LAPS). Investigation of the LAPS atmospheric water balance, including comparison of the forecast precipitation to analyzed rain gauge observations, indicates that the LAPS forecasts capture the general qualitative features of the water balance. The key features of the atmospheric water balance over the Murray–Darling Basin are small atmospheric moisture flux divergence (at daily to annual time scales) and extended periods during which the atmospheric water balance terms are largely inactive, with the exception of evaporation, which is consistent and very large in summer. These features present unique challenges for NWP modeling. For example, the small moisture fluxes in the basin can easily be obscured by the systematic errors inherent in all NWP models. For the LAPS model forecasts, there is an unrealistically large evaporation excess over precipitation (associated with a positive bias in evaporation) and unexpected behavior in the moisture flux divergence. Two global reanalysis products (the NCEP Reanalysis I and the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis) also both describe (physically unrealistic) long-term negative surface water budgets over the Murray–Darling Basin, suggesting that the surface water budget cannot be sensibly diagnosed based on output from current NWP models. Despite this shortcoming, numerical models are in general the most appropriate tool for examining the atmospheric water balance over the Murray–Darling Basin, as the atmospheric sounding network in Australia has extremely low coverage.