bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colorectal Cancer Is a Paracrine Deficiency Syndrome Amenable to Oral Hormone Replacement Therapy
Authors: Li Peng , Lin Jieru E. , Snook Adam E. , Gibbons Ahmara V. , Zuzga David S. , Schulz Stephanie , Pitari Giovanni M. , Waldman Scott A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe most commonly lost gene products in colorectal carcinogenesis include the paracrine hormones guanylin and uroguanylin, the endogenous ligands for guanylyl cyclase C (GCC), the intestinal receptor for diarrheagenic bacterial enterotoxins. Recently, GCC‐cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP) signaling has emerged as a principal regulator of proliferation, genetic integrity, and metabolic programming in normal human enterocytes and colon cancer cells. Elimination of GCC in mice produced hyperplasia of the proliferating compartment associated with increases in the rapidly cycling progenitor cells and reprogrammed enterocyte metabolism, with a shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. In addition, in the colons of mice carrying mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli geneApc(ApcMin/+) or exposed to the carcinogen azoxymethane, elimination of GCC increased tumor initiation and promotion by disrupting genomic integrity and releasing cell cycle restriction. These previously unrecognized roles for GCC as a fundamental regulator of intestinal homeostasis and as an intestinal tumor suppressor suggest that receptor dysregulation reflecting paracrine hormone insuffciency is a key event during the initial stages of colorectal tumorigenesis. Together with the uniform overexpression of GCC in human tumors, these novel roles for GCC underscore the potential of oral replacement with GCC ligands for a targeted prevention and therapy of colorectal cancer.
Use of refractometry for determination of psittacine plasma protein concentration
Authors: Cray Carolyn , Rodriguez Marilyn , Arheart Kristopher L. 
Published: September 2008

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated both poor and good correlation of total protein concentrations in various avian species using refractometry and biuret methodologies.Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to compare these 2 techniques of total protein determination using plasma samples from several psittacine species and to determine the effect of cholesterol and other solutes on refractometry results.Methods: Total protein concentration in heparinized plasma samples without visible lipemia was analyzed by refractometry and an automated biuret method on a dry reagent analyzer (Ortho 250). Cholesterol, glucose, and uric acid concentrations were measured using the same analyzer. Results were compared using Deming regression analysis, Bland–Altman bias plots, and Spearman's rank correlation.Results: Correlation coefficients (r) for total protein results by refractometry and biuret methods were 0.49 in African grey parrots (n=28), 0.77 in Amazon parrots (20), 0.57 in cockatiels (20), 0.73 in cockatoos (36), 0.86 in conures (20), and 0.93 in macaws (38) (P≤.01). Cholesterol concentration, but not glucose or uric acid concentrations, was significantly correlated with total protein concentration obtained by refractometry in Amazon parrots, conures, and macaws (n=25 each, P<.05), and trended towards significance in African grey parrots and cockatoos (P=.06).Conclusions: Refractometry can be used to accurately measure total protein concentration in nonlipemic plasma samples from some psittacine species. Method and species‐specific reference intervals should be used in the interpretation of total protein values.
THE ANT, THE GRASSHOPPER OR SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT: AN EXPLORATION OF CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Authors: GRINDE JOHN , KHARE ANSHUMAN 
Published: September 2008

Living within the limits imposed by a finite earth may be the predominant challenge of the 21st century; however there is no agreement on what this means economically or politically. Continually increasing population and per capita consumption within a finite environment is a biologic impossibility. Today many of nature's resources are being harvested at rates where growth is uneconomic and damaging to future production. This paper explores linkages between economics, society and nature as complex adaptive systems in a world of uncertainty. To understand that these self organising systems exist in equilibrium, dependent on feedback loops, is to understand that as humanity destroys system equilibrium we push the entire system to the edge of criticality and perhaps chaos. Consequences of criticality and chaos theory are now thought to follow power laws; wherein the size of any single system disruption is impossible to predict, especially when inter-relationships with other systems are not understood. Understanding the biosphere from a holistic perspective is critical when considering priorities and making wise choices. Thoughts of some environmental thinkers are reviewed for a perspective on the meaning of true sustainability, where it may lead and how we must redesign human systems to adapt to a sustainable world. The authors believe holism exists; that similarities with other fields of study exist in the environmental issues of today; and, that ideas and solutions may be also found in unexpected places. Although no recommendations are made it is hoped that interest is stimulated in answering the question when are we going to act collectively to address some of the present day myriad issues.
The International Criminal Court
Authors: Arajärvi Noora , Jacobs Dov 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article covers the past two years of the activity of the International Criminal Court. Ten years after the signature of the Rome Statute, the Court has continued investigating situations in four countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, the Sudan and the Central African Republic). The activity of the Court has accelerated, with four indictees in custody in the DRC situation, one public arrest warrant in the CAR situation and two in the Sudan situation. The Court has developed its case law on victim participation and refined its procedural framework, through constant debate between the Prosecutor and the pre-trial chambers. It has also pursued its goal of increasing cooperation with State parties, and raising awareness of the Court through outreach programs. The Court faces difficult challenges in establishing itself as a credible court, balancing the necessary requirements of fairness in a criminal trial and the high expectations of victims and the international community. The recent stay of proceedings and granting of release in the Lubanga case, which is supposed to be the first trial of the Court, is an illustration of this challenge and the difficulty in finding this balance.
The Second Death of Euripide Mavrommatis? Notes on the International Law Commission's Draft Articles on Diplomatic Protection
Authors: Pellet Alain 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn 2006 the International Law Commission adopted a set of Draft Articles on Diplomatic Protection that represent a departure from the traditional “Mavrommatis Fiction” which had patterned the institution ever since the Permanent Court of International Justice rendered its judgment in the Mavrommatis Palestine Concessions case. These “Notes” on the ILC's Draft Articles on Diplomatic Protection describe in detail how that “fiction” functioned and how the ILC's efforts have been instrumental in bringing about its slow, but sure, abandonment.
No Right to Liberty: The Detention of Asylum Seekers for Administrative Convenience
Authors: O'Nions Helen 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article critically examines the recent decision of the Grand Chamber of the EctHR in Saadi v UK 2008. The decision endorses short-term detention of asylum seekers on the basis of administrative convenience, specifically ruling out a requirement of necessity. The decision is examined in the light of international law on the detention of asylum seekers and the requirements of proportionality and lack of arbitrariness. It is anticipated that the use of routine detention will increase across Europe and that asylum seekers will be lumped together with other migrants in policies aimed at further restricting access to the European club. This presents a serious threat to the international right to seek and enjoy asylum provided in Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Constitutionalisation of the Implementing Act of the Procedures Directive: The Slovenian Perspective
Authors: Zalar Boštjan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe author identifies the initial challenging questions that will be posed to judges in relation to the application of implementing act and the Procedures Directive. The arguments put forth are directed towards the need for interpreting the transposition act and the minimum standards from the Procedures Directive in a way that would be consistent with the international and constitutional human rights law standards. The actual situation and prospects of this challenge for the case of Slovenia are examined from the period before and after the adoption of the Procedures Directive through the analysis of administrative practice and jurisprudence in relation to the grounds for abuse of the asylum procedure within the accelerated procedure, the procedural requirements for the use of country of origin information and the right to free legal assistance. In the section on the main challenges for the protection of fundamental rights in relation to the Procedures Directive, the author focuses on methods of interpreting Community law, the question of the scope of Community law, the concept of judicial cooperation for the protection of human rights, conditions for annulling Community provisions due to violation of fundamental rights, and the effects of international law standards on the protection of fundamental rights under Community law.
Oxidative DNA damage and total antioxidant status in rats during experimental gram-negative sepsis
Authors: Kaymak C , Kadioglu E , Ozcagli E , Osmanoglu G , Izdes S , Agalar C , Basar H , Sardas S 
Published: September 2008

Sepsis and septic shock remains as leading cause of death in adult intensive care units. It is widely accepted that gram-negative bacteria and their endotoxins cause sepsis and septic shock, predominantly. Enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species may be responsible for tissue injury in septic shock and endotoxemia. The aim of this study was to assess oxidative DNA damage and the total antioxidant status (TAS) in peripheral lymphocytes of rats during different intraperitoneal gram-negative sepsis stages. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups. Control group was intraperitoneally inoculated with 2 mL of pyrogene-free saline (Group I, n = 6), and the other rats received an intraperitoneal inoculum with 2 mL of saline containing 2 × 108 CFU of Escherichia coli. The animals were killed at time zero (Group I, n = 6), at 6th (Group II, n = 7), 12th (Group III, n = 7), and 24th (Group IV, n = 7) hour after the E. coli inoculation. Oxidative DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes of rats was evaluated by modified comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis). Formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and Endonuclease III (Endo III) were used to detect oxidized purines and pyrimidines, respectively. Total antioxidant quantification was carried out using ABTS+ (2,2′-Azino-di-[3 ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate]) radical formation kinetics (Randox kit) in serum samples. Significant elevations of basal levels of strand breaks (SB) in Group IV were observed as compared with Group I, II, and III. There was a significant increase in Fpg sites in Group III as compared with Group I and II. However, there was no significant difference in terms of Endo III sites in any of the groups. Although the TAS was decreased with the stages of sepsis, this moderate decrease was significant in only Group IV as compared with Group I. There was no statistically significant correlation between DNA damage and TAS for any of the groups.
Effects of sub-chronic exposure to palladium (as potassium hexachloro-palladate) on cytokines in male Wistar rats
Authors: Iavicoli I , Carelli G , Marinaccio A , Fontana L , Calabrese EJ 
Published: September 2008

Palladium (Pd) is a heavy metal belonging to the platinum group elements. It has been shown that Pd and its compounds can cause sensitization, asthma and dermatologic disorders. In this study, Wistar rats were exposed for 3 months to 0, 1, 10, 100, and 250 ng/ml of Pd (as potassium hexachloro-palladate) in drinking water. At the end of exposure, possible changes in two type-1 cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (INF)-γ] and one type-2 cytokine (IL-4) in the serum were measured. After the sub-chronic exposure, analysis of variance of IL-2 and INF-γ response shows that the difference between mean values in the groups of animals exposed reaches statistical significance for IL-2 ( P = 0.001), showing a J-shaped dose–response relationship. At the higher dose of 250 ng/ml Pd, it was observed a significant increase in IL-2 production when compared with the controls. Furthermore at 1 and 10 ng/ml of Pd we observed an increase of INF-γ production that was significant at 100 ng/ml of Pd, while at the higher dose of 250 ng/ml of Pd the response was indistinguishable from the control. At the doses investigated, Pd has been shown not to determine a modification of IL-4 response ( P = 0.10). These preliminary findings indicate the need to carry out further investigations regarding the effect of other Pd compounds and the measurement of other types of cytokines both in the animal model used in our study and other models.
Lack of chemoprevention of dietary Agaricus blazei against rat colonic aberrant crypt foci
Authors: Ziliotto L , Barbisan LF , Rodrigues MAM 
Published: September 2008

The mushroom Agaricus blazei ( Ab) has been widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases including cancer. No information is available on its possible protective effects on the development of colon cancer. The potential blocking effect of Ab intake on the initiation stage of colon carcinogenesis was investigated in a short-term (4-week) bioassay using aberrant crypt foci (ACF) as biomarker. Male Wistar rats were given four subcutaneous injections of the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 40 mg/kg bw, twice a week), during 2 weeks to induce ACF. The diet containing Ab at 5% was given 2 weeks before and during carcinogen treatment to investigate the potential beneficial effects of this edible mushroom on DMH-induced ACF. All groups were killed at the end of the fourth week. The colons were analyzed for ACF formation in 1% methylene blue whole-mount preparations and for cell proliferation in histological sections immunohistochemically stained for the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). All DMH-treated rats developed ACF mainly in the middle and distal colon. Agaricus blazei intake at 5% did not alter the number of ACF induced by DMH or the PCNA indices in the colonic mucosa. Thus, the results of the present study did not confirm a chemopreventive activity of Ab on the initiation stage of rat colon carcinogenesis.
Volatile solvent abuse caused glomerulopathy and tubulopathy in street children
Authors: Olgar S , Oktem F , Dindar A , Kilbas A , Turkoglu UD , Cetin H , Altuntas I , Yilmaz R , Uz E , Ertugrul T , Omeroglu R , Aydogan U 
Published: September 2008

Substance misuse among street children is a significant problem in developing countries. Volatile substances are the most abused agents. According to case reports, chronic renal diseases are common among substance-abusing street children. In this study, we examined the renal findings of 42 volatile substance–abusing street children and compared them with results from 49 healthy children (control). The street children’s weight, height, and blood pressure were lower than the controls’ ( P < 0.05). However, their blood alkaline phosphatase and creatinine phosphokinase levels were higher ( P < 0.05), and total blood protein, creatinine, and phosphorus levels were lower than the controls’ ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, the street children’s glomerular filtration rates were within normal limits ( P < 0.05), their urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG), β2-microglobulin, microalbumin, protein, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and chloride excretions were higher, and tubular phosphate reabsorption were lower than the controls’ ( P < 0.05). Volatile substances have been charged with causing distal tubular disease, but increased urinary protein, NAG, β2-microglobulin, microalbumin, and electrolyte excretions also result from glomerular, proximal, and distal tubular influences. We believe that increased volatile substance products in the renal parenchyma are responsible for glomerular and tubular damage. Volatile substance–abusing street children should be examined for glomerular and proximal tubular function and distal tubular acidosis.
hem6: an ENU-induced recessive hypochromic microcytic anemia mutation in the mouse
Authors: Tian Meng , Campagna Dean R. , Woodward Lanette S. , Justice Monica J. , Fleming Mark D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMouse models have proven invaluable for understanding erythropoiesis. Here, we describe an autosomal recessive, inherited anemia in the mouse mutant hem6. Hematologic and transplantation analyses reveal a mild, congenital, hypochromic, microcytic anemia intrinsic to the hematopoietic system that is associated with a decreased red blood cell zinc protoporphyrin to heme ratio, indicative of porphyrin insufficiency. Intercross matings show that hem6 can suppress the porphyric phenotype of mice with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Furthermore, iron uptake studies in hem6 reticulocytes demonstrate defective incorporation of iron into heme that can be partially corrected by the addition of porphyrin precursors. Gene expression and enzymatic assays indicate that erythroid 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase (Alas2) is decreased in hem6 animals, suggesting a mechanism that could account for the anemia. Overall, these data lead to the hypothesis that hem6 encodes a protein that directly or indirectly regulates the expression of Alas2.
Cross-talk of GATA-1 and P-TEFb in megakaryocyte differentiation
Authors: Elagib Kamaleldin E. , Mihaylov Ivailo S. , Delehanty Lorrie L. , Bullock Grant C. , Ouma Kevin D. , Caronia Jill F. , Gonias Sara L. , Goldfarb Adam N. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
The transcription factor GATA-1 participates in programming the differentiation of multiple hematopoietic lineages. In megakaryopoiesis, loss of GATA-1 function produces complex developmental abnormalities and underlies the pathogenesis of megakaryocytic leukemia in Down syndrome. Its distinct functions in megakaryocyte and erythroid maturation remain incompletely understood. In this study, we identified functional and physical interaction of GATA-1 with components of the positive transcriptional elongation factor P-TEFb, a complex containing cyclin T1 and the cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9). Megakaryocytic induction was associated with dynamic changes in endogenous P-TEFb composition, including recruitment of GATA-1 and dissociation of HEXIM1, a Cdk9 inhibitor. shRNA knockdowns and pharmacologic inhibition both confirmed contribution of Cdk9 activity to megakaryocytic differentiation. In mice with megakaryocytic GATA-1 deficiency, Cdk9 inhibition produced a fulminant but reversible megakaryoblastic disorder reminiscent of the transient myeloproliferative disorder of Down syndrome. P-TEFb has previously been implicated in promoting elongation of paused RNA polymerase II and in programming hypertrophic differentiation of cardiomyocytes. Our results offer evidence for P-TEFb cross-talk with GATA-1 in megakaryocytic differentiation, a program with parallels to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
CD20 up-regulation in pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia during induction treatment: setting the stage for anti-CD20 directed immunotherapy
Authors: Dworzak Michael N. , Schumich Angela , Printz Dieter , Pötschger Ulrike , Husak Zvenyslava , Attarbaschi Andishe , Basso Giuseppe , Gaipa Giuseppe , Ratei Richard , Mann Georg , Gadner Helmut 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
CD20 is expressed in approximately one- half of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases with B-cell precursor (BCP) origin. We observed that it is occasionally up-regulated during treatment. To understand the impact of this on the potential effectiveness of anti-CD20 immunotherapy, we studied 237 CD10+ pediatric BCP-ALL patients with Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (BFM)–type therapy. We analyzed CD20 expression changes from diagnosis to end-induction, focusing on sample pairs with more than or equal to 0.1% residual leukemic blasts, and assessed complement-induced cytotoxicity by CD20-targeting with rituximab in vitro. CD20-positivity significantly increased from 45% in initial samples to 81% at end-induction (day 15, 71%). The levels of expression also increased; 52% of cases at end-induction had at least 90% CD20pos leukemic cells, as opposed to 5% at diagnosis (day 15, 20%). CD20 up-regulation was frequent in high-risk patients, patients with high minimal residual disease at end-induction, and patients who suffered later from relapse, but not in TEL/AML1 cases. Notably, up-regulation occurred in viable cells sustaining chemotherapy. In vitro, CD20 up-regulation significantly enhanced rituximab cytotoxicity and could be elicited on prednisolone incubation. In conclusion, CD20 up-regulation is frequently induced in BCP-ALL during induction, and this translates into an acquired state of higher sensitivity to rituximab. This study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00430118.
LOMA: A fast method to generate efficient tagged-random primers despite amplification bias of random PCR on pathogens
Authors: Lee Wah Heng , Wong Christopher W , Leong Wan Yee , Miller Lance D , Sung Wing Kin 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Background
Pathogen detection using DNA microarrays has the potential to become a fast and comprehensive diagnostics tool. However, since pathogen detection chips currently utilize random primers rather than specific primers for the RT-PCR step, bias inherent in random PCR amplification becomes a serious problem that causes large inaccuracies in hybridization signals.

Results
In this paper, we study how the efficiency of random PCR amplification affects hybridization signals. We describe a model that predicts the amplification efficiency of a given random primer on a target viral genome. The prediction allows us to filter false-negative probes of the genome that lie in regions of poor random PCR amplification and improves the accuracy of pathogen detection. Subsequently, we propose LOMA, an algorithm to generate random primers that have good amplification efficiency. Wet-lab validation showed that the generated random primers improve the amplification efficiency significantly.

Conclusion
The blind use of a random primer with attached universal tag (random-tagged primer) in a PCR reaction on a pathogen sample may not lead to a successful amplification. Thus, the design of random-tagged primers is an important consideration when performing PCR.