bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computer Simulations of Developmental Change: The Contributions of Working Memory Capacity and Long‐Term Knowledge
Authors: Jones Gary , Gobet Fernand , Pine Julian M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIncreasing working memory (WM) capacity is often cited as a major influence on children's development and yet WM capacity is difficult to examine independently of long‐term knowledge. A computational model of children's nonword repetition (NWR) performance is presented that independently manipulates long‐term knowledge and WM capacity to determine the relative contributions of each in explaining the developmental data. The simulations show that (a) both mechanisms independently cause the same overall developmental changes in NWR performance, (b) increase in long‐term knowledge provides the better fit to the child data, and (c) varying both long‐term knowledge and WM capacity adds no significant gains over varying long‐term knowledge alone. Given that increases in long‐term knowledge must occur during development, the results indicate that increases in WM capacity may not be required to explain developmental differences. An increase in WM capacity should only be cited as a mechanism of developmental change when there are clear empirical reasons for doing so.
Interpreting Pitch Accents in Online Comprehension: H* vs. L+H*
Authors: Watson Duane G. , Tanenhaus Michael K. , Gunlogson Christine A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAlthough the presence or absence of a pitch accent clearly can play an important role in signaling the discourse and information structure of an utterance, whether the form of an accent determines the type of information it conveys is more controversial. We used an eye‐tracking paradigm to investigate whether H*, which has been argued to signal new information, evokes different eye fixations than L+H*, which has been argued to signal the presence of contrast. Our results demonstrate that although listeners interpret these accents differently, their interpretive domains overlap. L+H* creates a strong bias toward contrast referents whereas H* is compatible with both new and contrast referents.
Space Between Languages
Authors: Feist Michele I. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWhat aspects of spatial relations influence speakers’ choice of locative? This article presents a study of static spatial descriptions from 24 languages. The study reveals two kinds of spatial terms evident cross‐linguistically: specific spatial terms and general spatial terms (GSTs). Whereas specific spatial terms—including English prepositions—occur in a limited range of situations, with concomitant specificity in their meaning, GSTs occur in all spatial descriptions (in languages that employ them). Because of the extreme differences in range of application, the two are considered separately. A multidimensional scaling analysis is used with specific spatial terms to extract statistically valid similarities across the languages sampled. For GSTs, which have not been previously analyzed in the literature, a semantic analysis is proposed and experimentally validated. The results suggest the importance of geometry, function, and qualitative physics to the meanings of both kinds of spatial terms, although the details differ.
Optimal Predictions in Everyday Cognition: The Wisdom of Individuals or Crowds?
Authors: Mozer Michael C. , Pashler Harold , Homaei Hadjar 
Published: November 2008

Abstract asked individuals to make predictions about the duration or extent of everyday events (e.g., cake baking times), and reported that predictions were optimal, employing Bayesian inference based on veridical prior distributions. Although the predictions conformed strikingly to statistics of the world, they reflect averages over many individuals. On the conjecture that the accuracy of the group response is chiefly a consequence of aggregating across individuals, we constructed simple, heuristic approximations to the Bayesian model premised on the hypothesis that individuals have access merely to a sample of k instances drawn from the relevant distribution. The accuracy of the group response reported by Griffiths and Tenenbaum could be accounted for by supposing that individuals each utilize only two instances. Moreover, the variability of the group data is more consistent with this small‐sample hypothesis than with the hypothesis that people utilize veridical or nearly veridical representations of the underlying prior distributions. Our analyses lead to a qualitatively different view of how individuals reason from past experience than the view espoused by Griffiths and Tenenbaum.
Preparing for Disaster: An Examination of Public Health Emergency Information on Local TV Web Sites
Authors: Tanner Andrea , Friedman Daniela B. , Barr Daphney , Koskan Alexis 
Published: November 2008

This study provides a nationwide examination of public health emergency information on local television Web sites, analyzing 293 news stories that focused on all aspects of a potential emergency, including preparedness, response, and recovery. Data revealed that public health emergency information was present on nearly all (96%) of the sites examined. These stories most frequently contained general disaster information, or information about weather-related disasters and health pandemics. Few stories linked consumers to additional information on other Web pages (24%) or included a video component (27%). There were significant differences between large and small media markets regarding specific public health emergency content.
Respirator-Fit Testing: Does It Ensure the Protection of Healthcare Workers Against Respirable Particles Carrying Pathogens?
Authors: Lee M. C. , Takaya S. , Long R. , Joffe A. M. 
Published: November 2008

Objective.Respiratory protection programs, including fit testing of respirators, have been inconsistently implemented; evidence of their long-term efficacy is lacking. We undertook a study to determine the short- and long-term efficacy of training for fit testing of N95 respirators in both untrained and trained healthcare workers (HCWs).Design.Prospective observational cohort study.Methods.A group of at-risk, consenting HCWs not previously fit-tested for a respirator were provided with a standard fit-test protocol. Participants were evaluated after each of 3 phases, and 3 and 14 months afterward. A second group of previously fit-tested nurses was studied to assess the impact of regular respirator use on performance.Results.Of 43 untrained fit-tested HCWs followed for 14 months, 19 (44.2%) passed the initial fit test without having any specific instruction on respirator donning technique. After the initial test, subsequent instruction led to a pass for another 13 (30.2%) of the 43 HCWs, using their original respirators. The remainder required trying other types of respirators to acheive a proper fit. At 3 and 14 months' follow-up, failure rates of 53.5% (23 of 43 HCWs) and 34.9% (15 of 43 HCWs), respectively, were observed. Pass rates of 87.5%-100.0% were observed among regular users.Conclusions.Without any instruction, nearly 50% of the HCWs achieved an adequate facial seal with the most commonly used N95 respirator. Formal fit testing does not predict future adequacy of fit, unless frequent, routine use is made of the respirator. The utility of fit testing among infrequent users of N95 respirators is questionable.
Construction of Nucleic Acid Programmable Protein Arrays (NAPPA) 7: Detecting DNA on NAPPA Slides: Figure 1.
Authors: Link Andrew J. , LaBaer Joshua 
Published: November 2008

INTRODUCTIONFunctional proteomics enables protein activities to be studied in vitro using high-throughput (HT) methods. Protein microarrays are the method of choice because they display many proteins simultaneously and require only small reaction volumes to assess function. Protein microarrays are typically used to (1) measure the abundance of many different analytes in a sample or (2) study the functions or properties of many proteins spotted on the array. Target protein microarrays are usually generated by expressing, purifying, and spotting the proteins onto a solid surface at very close spatial density. An alternative approach is to translate the proteins in situ on the array surface. This method uses cell-free extracts that transcribe and translate DNA into proteins which are then captured in situ, thus converting cDNA copies of genes into the desired target proteins. Instead of printing proteins at each feature of the array, the cDNA molecules for the corresponding genes that produce desired proteins are affixed to the array. Chemical treatment of glass slides and DNA isolation can be performed in advance and stored. The plasmid DNA can then be printed to make NAPPA slides, which can be stored dry for use. For experiments, NAPPA slides are expressed followed by detection of proteins and DNA using antibodies and stains. This protocol describes detection of DNA on arrayed slides to assess the amount of DNA captured.
Sex Chromatin Staining in Amnion Cells
Authors: Capel Blanche , Batchvarov Jordan 
Published: November 2008

INTRODUCTIONThe procedure described here provides a quick and reliable method for determining the sex of mouse embryos that are <12.5 days post-coitum (dpc). Cells from amniotic membranes are stained with toluidine blue. The presence of a heavily stained condensed chromatin body (i.e., a Barr body) indicates the XX samples. With experience, we find a >95% concordance with genotyping data based on PCR for Y-chromosome sequences in extracted tail DNA. This protocol has the advantage of speed and efficiency: When assembling cultures with live tissue, samples can be sexed in 30 min.
Grafting Tomato Plants
Authors: Kimura Seisuke , Sinha Neelima 
Published: November 2008

INTRODUCTIONGrafting is agronomically important because one can combine desirable aboveground characteristics (such as fruit size) and underground characteristics (such as resistance to soil-borne diseases). This protocol describes the simplest way of grafting tomato plants using “top wedge grafting” or “cleft grafting.” Potatoes, eggplants, and tobacco plants are closely related to tomatoes, and they can be grafted onto each other as well. Although the grafting of vegetable crops is still rare, this technique has been useful in reducing infections caused by pathogens, increasing resistance to drought, and enhancing nutrient uptake.
Tomato Transformation: Figure 1.
Authors: Kimura Seisuke , Sinha Neelima 
Published: November 2008

INTRODUCTIONTransformation is an essential technique to analyze the function of genes. Tomato can be stably transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transfer of T-DNA. This protocol describes an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method for tomato.
In Vitro Fertilization of Astyanax mexicanus
Authors: Borowsky Richard 
Published: November 2008

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes an alternative method for breeding Astyanax mexicanus, using in vitro fertilization. Sperm collected from the male and eggs collected from the female are placed in a Petri dish, and sperm are activated by the addition of fresh system water. The eggs are observed under low magnification for signs of fertilization, usually marked by the onset of cleavage.
Met gene copy number predicts the prognosis for completely resected non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Okuda Katsuhiro , Sasaki Hidefumi , Yukiue Haruhiro , Yano Motoki , Fujii Yoshitaka 
Published: November 2008

The Met oncogene encodes the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Uncontrolled activation of Met is oncogenic and has been implicated in the growth, invasion and metastasis in a variety of tumors. Several distinct mechanisms including amplification, translocation or mutation of Met may underlie uncontrolled Met activation. In several solid tumors, amplification and mutation of Met were reported to be associated with tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis. The present study evaluated the amplification and mutation of Met in a large number of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among 213 NSCLC patients, increased Met copy number was identified in 12 patients (5.6%) and associated with a worse prognosis (P = 0.0414). The mutation of Met in 534 NSCLC patients was also evaluated. In these patients there were no previously reported mutations within the juxtamembrane (JM) domain (R988C, T1010I, S1058P and G1085X). However, a somatic exon 14 deleting splice variant in 3 (1.7%) of 178 NSCLC samples was identified for which sequencing was performed. Met amplification and mutation were rare in Japanese NSCLC. However, the results support a critical role of Met gene dose in NSCLC, suggesting that Met may be a specific molecular therapeutic target in selected NSCLC patients with increased Met copy number. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2280–2285)
Binding of monosodium urate crystals with idiotype protein efficiently promote dendritic cells to induce cytotoxic T cells
Authors: Sakamaki Ippei , Inai Kunihiro , Tsutani Yoko , Ueda Takanori , Tsutani Hiroshi 
Published: November 2008

Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals have been reported to evoke specific cell immunity and to work as an adjuvant in a mouse model. The crystals also have another unique characteristic to bind with positively charged proteins, which could help to deliver some antigens into human dendritic cells (DC). We focused on the application of MSU crystals as not only an adjuvant but also as a carrier of positively charged antigenic protein to induce human cytotoxic T cells (CTL) efficiently in vitro. We selected human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A2 expressing the multiple myeloma IM‐9 cell line and its product idiotype (Id) protein as one of the best pairs of target cells and positively charged tumor‐specific antigen, respectively. Following the sensitization of DC derived from HLA‐A2‐positive volunteers pulsed with tumor‐specific monoclonal immunoglobulin G‐Fab fragments (IM‐9 Fab) attached to MSU crystals, the DC‐stimulated CD8+ T cells killed significantly more target cells (40.1 ± 1.7%) than those stimulated by DC pulsed with MSU crystals alone (6.2 ± 8.6%, P < 0.01) or IM‐9 Fab alone (4.7 ± 8.1%, P < 0.01). These cytotoxic effects of the DC‐stimulated CD8+ cells were reduced when MSU crystals were precoated with fetal bovine serum. In addition, we confirmed that MSU crystals facilitated human DC to express the maturation marker, CD83 and deliver (Fab′)2, attaching to the crystals by flow cytometer analysis. MSU crystals have distinct advantages of a protein carrier binding with positively charged proteins and delivering antigenic protein into DC, as well as an adjuvant promoting DC maturation and inducing CTL. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2268–2273)
Genetics of C-reactive protein and complement factor H have an epistatic effect on carotid artery compliance: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study
Authors: Jylhävä J , Eklund C , Pessi T , Raitakari O T , Juonala M , Kähönen M , Viikari J S A , Lehtimäki T , Hurme M 
Published: November 2008

SummaryAtherosclerosis is characterized by a prominent inflammatory component and C-reactive protein (CRP) has been implicated to modulate the complement activity in atherosclerotic arteries via complement factor H (CFH) binding. In this study, we examined whether the gene-gene interactions between CRP haplotypes and CFH Tyr402His functional polymorphism exerted an effect on early atherosclerosis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CFH (Tyr402His) and CRP (−717A &gt; G, −286C &gt; T &gt; A, +1059G &gt; C, +1444C &gt; T and +1846G &gt; A) were genotyped in the participants of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (n = 1698, aged 24–39 years). The CRP SNPs were further constructed into haplotypes and their interactive effects with the CFH Tyr402His polymorphism on the early atherogenic vascular changes [i.e. carotid artery compliance (CAC) and intima-media thickness (IMT)] were examined. After risk factor adjustment, a significant gene-gene interaction (P = 0·007) on CAC was observed between CRP haplotype ATGTG and CFH Tyr402His polymorphism in males. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis verified the risk-modifying interactive effect on CAC between these loci (OR 3·70, 95% CI 1·37–10·02, P = 0·010). No effects on CAC were observed in females and no effects on IMT were detected in either sex. We conclude that the combined presence of CRP haplotype ATGTG and CFH 402His allele may be disadvantageous to carotid artery elasticity in males.
Level, phenotype and activation status of CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in patients chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus and/or hepatitis C virus
Authors: Rallón N I , López M , Soriano V , García-Samaniego J , Romero M , Labarga P , García-Gasco P , González-Lahoz J , Benito J M 
Published: November 2008

SummaryCD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells have been involved in impaired immunity and persistence of viral infections. Herein, we report the level, phenotype and activation status of Treg cells in patients chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Expression of CD25, CD45RA, CD27, CD127 and CD38 was assessed on these cells using polychromatic flow cytometry in 20 healthy controls, 20 HIV-monoinfected, 20 HCV-monoinfected and 31 HIV/HCV-co-infected patients. Treg cells were defined as CD4+forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+. The percentage of Treg cells was increased significantly in HIV patients compared with controls. Moreover, there was a significant inverse correlation between CD4 counts and Treg cell levels. Fewer than 50% of Treg cells expressed CD25, with differences in terms of CD127 expression between CD25+ and CD25(–) Treg cells. CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells displayed predominantly a central memory phenotype (CD45RA–CD27+), without differences between patients and healthy controls. Activated Treg cells were increased in HIV patients, particularly considering the central memory subset. In summary, HIV infection, but not HCV, induces an up-regulation of highly activated Treg cells, which increases in parallel with CD4 depletion. Hypothetically, this might contribute to the accelerated course of HCV-related liver disease in HIV-immunosuppressed patients.
Long‐term experience of pegvisomant therapy as a treatment for acromegaly
Authors: Higham C. E. , Chung T. T. , Lawrance J. , Drake W. M. , Trainer P. J. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryAims  To evaluate the long‐term efficacy and safety of pegvisomant as a treatment for acromegaly.Design  Retrospective analysis of clinical and trial data from all patients treated with pegvisomant since 1997 at two centres with common protocols.Results  Fifty‐seven patients (age range 27–78 years) have been treated with pegvisomant since 1997 for up to 91 months (median 18 months). Before commencing pegvisomant, patients had an IGF‐I above the upper limit of normal (ULN) of the age‐related reference range (median 1·8 × ULN, range 1·2–4·1). Ninety‐five per cent normalized IGF‐I using a median dose of 15 mg daily (range 10 mg alternate day to 60 mg daily) with no influence of gender on dose requirement. Five patients had combination therapy with either somatostatin analogues (SSA) or cabergoline. Two patients initially controlled on 10 mg and 20 mg required dose increases (to 20 mg + 40 mg) over 24 months to reduce IGF‐I. Twenty‐seven patients stopped pegvisomant. Reasons included side‐effects [abnormal liver function tests (LFTs)] and patient choice. Two patients developed elevated liver transaminases, which normalized on stopping pegvisomant. Patients had 6–12‐monthly pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. One patient had significant tumour size increase.Conclusion  This long‐term experience in 57 patients indicates pegvisomant to be effective, safe and well‐tolerated. Raised transaminases occurred within the first month of therapy in two patients, and tumour growth was seen in one patient (tumour was growing prior to pegvisomant). In two patients increasing doses of pegvisomant were required to keep IGF‐I within the target range.
Familial vasopressin‐sensitive ACTH‐independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (VPs‐AIMAH): clinical studies of three kindreds
Authors: Gagliardi Lucia , Hotu Cheri , Casey Graeme , Braund Wilton J. , Ling King‐Hwa , Dodd Thomas , Manavis James , Devitt Peter G. , Cutfield Richard , Rudzki Zbigniew , Scott Hamish S. , Torpy David J. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryObjective  Cushing's syndrome due to familial ACTH‐independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) has been reported in small kindreds. In vasopressin‐sensitive AIMAH (VPs‐AIMAH), VP stimulates an aberrant, ACTH‐independent increase in cortisol. The aims of this study were to (i) delineate the preclinical phenotype of VPs‐AIMAH in a three‐generation kindred (AIMAH‐01) and two smaller kindreds (AIMAH‐02 and AIMAH‐03) and (ii) investigate the aetiology of VP sensitivity in AIMAH‐01.Design  Clinical studies of three kindreds for adrenal tumours or early Cushing's and molecular studies of adrenal tumours (AIMAH‐01).Patients  Thirty‐three individuals, from three kindreds, were screened for perturbations of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis or adrenal tumours.Measurements  Patients underwent clinical, biochemical and adrenal imaging investigations. Evaluation included low‐dose (1 IU/70 kg) VP stimulation. Adrenal VP receptor (AVPR1A, AVPR1B, AVPR2) expression (AIMAH‐01) was assessed using RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC for VP was also performed.Results  AIMAH‐01 had three siblings with Cushing's, and four individuals with suppressed ACTH/aberrant VP responses and/or adrenal nodules. In AIMAH‐02, a father and son were affected. AIMAH‐03 had three siblings with Cushing's.RT‐PCR showed adrenal overexpression of AVPR1A and AVPR1B. IHC detected AVPR1A. The adrenal tumour from one patient also stained weakly for VP and AVPR2.Conclusion  Adrenal nodules, suppressed ACTH and increased VP sensitivity may represent preclinical disease, allowing early detection, and treatment, of affected individuals. In AIMAH‐01, increased VP sensitivity may be due to adrenal VP receptor overexpression. In these kindreds, VPs‐AIMAH is familial, and autosomal dominant inheritance is most likely.