bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emergence of complex societies after sea level stabilized
Authors: Day John W. , Gunn Joel D. , Folan William J. , Yáñez‐Arancibia Alejandro , Horton Benjamin P. 
Published: April 2007

Sea level rose rapidly from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ∼18,000 years ago) until it stabilized about 7000 years ago. A millennium later, the rudiments of early civilizations appeared. However, the factors that might have spurred the first civilizations are a subject of debate, with proposals ranging across many possibilities from drought to the influence of individual rulers.We hypothesize that sea level stabilization contributed significantly to the rapid advent of civilizations. Evidence from regions around the world shows that societies with class distinctions first emerged near coastal margins [e.g., Day et al., 2004; Kennett and Kennett, 2006], but there is little understanding of this process on a global scale. We show that the stabilization of sea level and the consequent dramatic increase in coastal margin productivity (CMP)—which resulted in increased availability of the high‐quality food necessary for the development of urban lifestyles—provide an explanation for the timing and location of emerging civilizations, and their varying regional characters. The coastal margin includes the continental shelf, nearshore upwelling zones, estuaries, and lower river floodplains affected by coastal water levels.
Medroxyprogesterone and conjugated oestrogen are equivalent for hot flushes: a 1-year randomized double-blind trial following premenopausal ovariectomy
Authors: Prior Jerilynn C. , Nielsen Jason D. , Hitchcock Christine L. , Williams Lucy A. , Vigna Yvette M. , Dean Charmaine B. 
Published: April 2007

Oestrogen therapy is the gold standard treatment for hot flushes/night sweats, but it and oestrogen/progestin are not suitable for all women. MPA (medroxyprogesterone acetate) reduces hot flushes, but its effectiveness compared with oestrogen is unknown. In the present study, oral oestrogen [CEE (conjugated equine oestrogen)] and MPA were compared for their effects on hot flushes in a planned analysis of a secondary outcome for a 1-year randomized double-blind parallel group controlled trial in an urban academic medical centre. Participants were healthy menstruating women prior to hysterectomy/ovariectomy for benign disease. A total of 41 women {age, 45 (5) years [value is mean (S.D.)]} were enrolled; 38 women were included in this analysis of daily identical capsules containing CEE (0.6 mg/day) or MPA (10 mg/day). Demographic variables did not differ at baseline. Daily data provided the number of night and day flushes compared by group. The vasomotor symptom day-to-day intensity change was assessed by therapy assignment. Hot flushes/night sweats were well controlled in both groups, one occurred on average every third day and every fourth night. Mean/day daytime occurrences were 0.363 and 0.187 with CEE and MPA respectively, but were not significantly different (P=0.156). Night sweats also did not differ significantly (P=0.766). Therapies were statistically equivalent (within one event/24 h) in the control of vasomotor symptoms. Day-to-day hot flush intensity decreased with MPA and tended to remain stable with CEE (P&lt;0.001). In conclusion, this analysis demonstrates that MPA and CEE are equivalent and effective in the control of the number of hot flushes/night sweats immediately following premenopausal ovariectomy.
The development of self-assembled liquid crystal display alignment layers
Authors: Hoogboom Johan , Elemans Johannes A.A.W , Rowan Alan E , Rasing Theo H.M , Nolte Roeland J.M 
Published: April 2007

From simple pocket calculators to mobile telephones and liquid crystal display (LCD)-TV, over the past few decades, devices based on LCD technology have proliferated and can now be found in all conceivable aspects of everyday life. Although used in cutting-edge technology, it is surprising that a vital part in the construction of such displays, namely the alignment layer, relies essentially on a mechanical rubbing process, invented almost 100 years ago.In this paper efforts to develop alignment layers (also called command layers) by processes other than rubbing, namely self-assembly of molecular and macromolecular components will be discussed. Two topics will be presented: (i) tuneable command layers formed by stepwise assembling of siloxane oligomers and phthalocyanine dyes on indium tin oxide surfaces and (ii) command layers formed by self-assembly of porphyrin trimers. The potential use of these layers in sensor devices will also be mentioned.
Expression and DNA methylation patterns of Tslc1 and Dal‐1 genes in hepatocellular carcinomas induced by N‐nitrosodiethylamine in rats
Authors: Tsujiuchi Toshifumi , Sugata Eriko , Masaoka Tomomi , Onishi Mariko , Fujii Hiromasa , Shimizu Kyoko , Honoki Kanya 
Published: April 2007

To assess the involvement of the TSLC cascade in hepatocarcinogenesis, we investigated the expression and DNA methylation patterns of the genes Tslc1 and Dal‐1 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) induced using N‐nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) in rats. Six‐week‐old male F344 rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of DEN at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, followed by combined treatment with partial hepatectomy and colchicine to induce cell‐cycle disturbance and a selection procedure consisting of 2‐acetylaminofluorene and carbon tetrachloride. Total RNA was extracted from 10 HCC, and the expression levels of Tslc1 and Dal‐1 were measured using semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. Three of 10 HCC showed reduced expression of Tslc1, compared with normal liver tissues, but no changes in the expression level of Dal‐1 were found. For DNA methylation analysis, bisulfite sequencing was performed. The 5′ upstream region of Tslc1 was methylated in the three HCC in which its expression was reduced, but was unmethylated in normal liver tissue. Western blot analysis also revealed reduced expression of Tslc1 protein in the three HCC. These results suggest that alterations to the TSLC cascade might have a role in hepatocarcinogenesis using DEN in rats. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 943–948)
Immunological research using RNA interference technology
Authors: Mao Chih‐Ping , Lin Yen‐Yu , Hung Chien‐Fu , Wu T‐C. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryRNA interference (RNAi) is a potent method of gene silencing that has developed rapidly over the past few years as a result of its extensive importance in the study of genetics, molecular biology and physiology. RNAi technology has also recently yielded significant insight into the innate and adaptive immune systems by helping to elucidate numerous mechanisms that regulate the development, activation and function of cells that mediate immunity. In addition, because of its ability to suppress gene expression effectively, this technique may be used to regulate the immune response for clinical purposes. Nonetheless, before RNAi can be successfully administered into human patients as a medical treatment, it is necessary to overcome several major limitations of this technology, such as inefficient in vivo delivery, incomplete silencing of target genes, non‐specific immune responses, and off‐target effects. As novel developments and discoveries in molecular biology swiftly continue to unfold, it is likely that RNAi may soon translate into a potent form of in vivo gene silencing with profound applications to vaccination and immunotherapy. In the present review, we examine the current progress of immunological studies employing RNAi and discuss the prospects for the implementation of this technique in the clinical arena.
Tolerogenic dendritic cells pulsed with enterobacterial extract suppress development of colitis in the severe combined immunodeficiency transfer model
Authors: Pedersen A. E. , Gad M. , Kristensen N. N. , Haase C. , Nielsen C. H. , Claesson M. H. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryImmunomodulatory dendritic cells (DCs) that induce antigen‐specific T‐cell tolerance upon in vivo adoptive transfer are promising candidates for immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases. The feasibility of such a strategy has recently proved its efficacy in animal models of allotransplantation and experimental allergic encephalitis, but the effect in inflammatory bowel disease has not yet been demonstrated. In severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, adoptively transferred CD4+ CD25– T cells repopulate the lymphoid tissues and lead to development of chronic colitis characterized by CD4+ T‐cell proliferation against enterobacterial extract in vitro. In this model, we adoptively transferred in‐vitro‐generated bone‐marrow‐derived DCs exposed to interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and an enterobacterial extract. We show that these cells are CD11c positive with intermediate expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 and have a diminished secretion of IL‐6, IL‐12 p40/70, tumour necrosis factor‐α and keratinocyte‐derived chemokine (KC) compared to DCs treated with enterobacterial extract alone. In vivo, these cells prevented weight loss in SCID mice adoptively transferred with CD4+ CD25– T cells, resulted in a lower histopathology colitis score and tended to result in higher serum levels of IL‐1α, IL‐10, IL‐12, IL‐13, IL‐17, KC and monokine induced by interferon‐gamma (MIG). These data underscore the potential of using immunomodulatory DCs to control inflammatory bowel disease and demonstrate its potential use in future human therapeutic settings.
CD45‐associated protein promotes the response of primary CD4 T cells to low‐potency T‐cell receptor (TCR) stimulation and facilitates CD45 association with CD3/TCR and Lck
Authors: Leitenberg David , Falahati Rustom , Lu Dan Dan , Takeda Akiko 
Published: April 2007

SummaryAlthough it is clear that the CD45 tyrosine phosphatase is required for efficient T‐cell activation and T‐cell development, the factors that regulate CD45 function remain uncertain. Previous data have indicated that there is an association of CD45 with CD4 and the T‐cell receptor (TCR) complex controlled by the variable ectodomain of CD45 and, following activation, by high‐ and low‐potency peptides. This suggests that controlling substrate access to CD45 may be an important regulatory mechanism during T‐cell activation. In the present study we have examined the role of the transmembrane adapter‐like molecule CD45‐associated protein (CD45‐AP) in regulating the association of CD45 with CD3/TCR and lck, and in regulating primary CD4+ T‐lymphocyte activation. In CD4+ T cells from CD45‐AP‐deficient mice, coimmunoprecipitation of CD45 with the CD3/TCR complex, in addition to lck, is significantly reduced compared with wild‐type T cells. Functionally, this correlates with a decreased proliferative response, a decrease in interleukin (IL)‐2 production, and a decrease in calcium flux upon stimulation with a low‐potency altered peptide ligand. However, the response of CD45‐AP‐deficient T cells to stimulation with a high‐avidity agonist peptide was largely intact, except for a modest decrease in IL‐2 production. These data suggest that CD45‐AP promotes or stabilizes the association of CD45 with substrates and regulates the threshold of T‐cell activation.
An automated feedback system with the hybrid model of scoring and classification for solving over‐segmentation problems in RNAi high content screening
Authors: LI F. , ZHOU X. , MA J. , WONG STEPHEN T. C. 
Published: April 2007

Summary Background: High content screening (HCS) via automated fluorescence microscopy is a powerful technology for generating cellular images that are rich in phenotypic information. RNA interference is a revolutionary approach for silencing gene expression and has become an important method for studying genes through RNA interference‐induced cellular phenotype analysis. The convergence of the two technologies has led to large‐scale, image‐based studies of cellular phenotypes under systematic perturbations of RNA interference. However, existing high content screening image analysis tools are inadequate to extract content regarding cell morphology from the complex images, thus they limit the potential of genome‐wide RNA interference high content screening screening for simple marker readouts. In particular, over‐segmentation is one of the persistent problems of cell segmentation; this paper describes a new method to alleviate this problem. Methods: To solve the issue of over‐segmentation, we propose a novel feedback system with a hybrid model for automated cell segmentation of images from high content screening. A Hybrid learning model is developed based on three scoring models to capture specific characteristics of over‐segmented cells. Dead nuclei are also removed through a statistical model. Results: Experimental validation showed that the proposed method had 93.7% sensitivity and 94.23% specificity. When applied to a set of images of F‐actin‐stained Drosophila cells, 91.3% of over‐segmented cells were detected and only 2.8% were under‐segmented. Conclusions: The proposed feedback system significantly reduces over‐segmentation of cell bodies caused by over‐segmented nuclei, dead nuclei, and dividing cells. This system can be used in the automated analysis system of high content screening images.
Rapid freeze‐substitution preserves membranes in high‐pressure frozen tissue culture cells
Authors: HAWES P. , NETHERTON C. L. , MUELLER M. , WILEMAN T. , MONAGHAN P. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryWe describe a method for high‐pressure freezing and rapid freeze‐substitution of cells in tissue culture which provides excellent preservation of membrane detail with negligible ice segregation artefacts. Cells grown on sapphire discs were placed ‘face to face’ without removal of tissue culture medium and frozen without the protection of aluminium planchettes. This reduction in thermal load of the sample/holder combination resulted in freezing of cells without visible ice‐crystal artefact. Freeze‐substitution at −90°C for 60 min in acetone containing 2% uranyl acetate, followed by warming to −50°C and embedding in Lowicryl HM20 gave consistent and clear membrane detail even when imaged without section contrasting. Preliminary data indicates that the high intrinsic contrast of samples prepared in this way will be valuable for tomographic studies. Immunolabelling sensitivity of sections of samples prepared by this rapid substitution technique was poor; however, reducing the uranyl acetate concentration in the substitution medium to 0.2% resulted in improved labelling. Samples substituted in this lower concentration of uranyl acetate also gave good membrane detail when imaged after section contrasting.
Psychosocial factors and incident asthma hospital admissions in the EPIC‐Norfolk cohort study
Authors: Wainwright N. W. J. , Surtees P. G. , Wareham N. J. , Harrison B. D. W. 
Published: April 2007

Background:  Case series and case‐control studies have shown high rates of psychosocial and behavioural risk factors amongst patients admitted to hospital with severe asthma. General population studies have shown associations between psychosocial factors and prevalent asthma but few have investigated incident asthma outcomes.Methods:  Data on psychosocial factors and asthma hospital admissions were available for 20 854 participants, aged 41–80 years, in the Norfolk cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer study. Postal assessments included details of physical functioning, mood disorder history, social adversity and social support.Results:  A total of 686 asthma hospital admissions were recorded. Psychosocial factors present at baseline, including current mood disorders, adverse circumstances in childhood, the impact of life events experienced during adulthood and negative perceived support from a close confidant, were associated with increased rates of hospital admission independent of age, sex, indicators of socio‐economic status, physical functional health, and obesity. Restricted to those participants who reported lifetime doctor‐diagnosed asthma at baseline, the reported impact of adverse life events experienced in adulthood, and both confiding and negative aspects of support quality, were associated with asthma hospital admission. The magnitude of these associations was comparable to those involving indicators of socio‐economic status and physical health.Conclusions:  These results show that psychosocial factors are associated with incident asthma hospital admissions and highlight the potential importance of taking account of psychosocial factors, including availability and quality of support networks, in guiding long‐term asthma management.
A nonsynonymous substitution of cystatin A, a cysteine protease inhibitor of house dust mite protease, leads to decreased mRNA stability and shows a significant association with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Vasilopoulos Y. , Cork M. J. , Teare D. , Marinou I. , Ward S. J. , Duff G. W. , Tazi‐Ahnini R. 
Published: April 2007

Background:  Cystatin A (CSTA) is a strong candidate for atopic dermatitis (AD) because it maps to AD susceptibility locus on chromosome 3q21 and it does inhibit Der p 1 and Der f 1, major house dust mite cysteine proteases and environmental triggers for AD and asthma.Objective:  To examine any association between polymorphisms in CSTA and AD and study the effect on the CSTA mRNA expression level.Methods:  We identified three polymorphisms and characterized the linkage disequilibrium mapping of the CSTA gene. All three CSTA polymorphisms were genotyped in 100 AD patients and 203 matched controls. Subsequently, we performed transfection‐based RNA stability assays.Results:  We found a significant association between the CSTA +344C variant and AD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.91; P = 0.024]. When further 61 control samples were genotyped. The association with CSTA +344C allele was enhanced OR = 2.13; P = 0.006. To test whether the CSTA +344 affected the CSTA transcriptional activity, the decay rates of RNAs transcribed from the CSTA +344C and CSTA +344T variants were investigated. COS‐7 cells were transfected with a pcDNA3.1−CSTA+344C or a pcDNA3.1−CSTA+344T construct and cultured in the presence or absence of actinomycin D. Real‐time RT‐PCR revealed that CSTA +344C mRNA is more than two times less stable than the CSTA +344T mRNA (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  These results suggest that the CSTA +344C allele associated with unstable mRNA could result in failing to protect the skin barrier in AD patients from both exogenous and endogenous proteases
Internet‐based mental health programs: A powerful tool in the rural medical kit
Authors: Griffiths Kathleen M. , Christensen Helen 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjective:  To discuss, using two case examples, the potential utility of Internet‐based depression information and automated therapy programs in rural regions. Design:  Systematic review of evaluations of two Australian web‐based mental health programs: MoodGYM and BluePages Depression Information. Setting:  Community, school, university. Participants:  A total of 12 papers and reports derived from nine separate studies of MoodGYM and BluePages involving sample sizes ranging from 78 to 19 607 people. Outcome measures:  Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, dysfunctional thoughts, depression literacy, stigma, help seeking and cost‐effectiveness. Results:  Internet‐based applications were effective in reducing depressive symptoms and stigmatising attitudes to depression and in improving depression literacy. School‐based programs also showed promise in decreasing depressive symptoms. Conclusions:  Depression self‐help and information programs can be delivered effectively by means of the Internet. As accessibility of face‐to‐face mental health services in rural areas is poor and as there is a strong culture of self‐reliance and preference for self‐managing health problems among rural residents, the Internet might offer an important platform for the delivery of help for depression in rural regions. Consideration should be given to developing programs tailored to rural settings and future research should evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of such programs in rural settings.
Disadvantage and discontent: A review of issues relevant to the mental health of rural and remote Indigenous Australians
Authors: Hunter Ernest 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjective: To provide an overview of the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of rural and remote Australia and to identify associated factors.Findings: Indigenous Australians have higher rates of serious mental disorders and of mental health problems associated with social disadvantage. This disadvantage is greater for Indigenous Australians living outside metropolitan centres. Contrary to romanticised constructions of remote Aboriginal Australia, those living in such settings are not immune to such hardship – which is often unrelenting. The psychological and behavioural problems that emerge as a result are compounded by narrowly focused and inadequate mental health services, with children being particularly vulnerable.Conclusion: Indigenous residents of rural and remote Australia experience high levels of mental disorder. Although addressing the predisposing social disadvantage will demand significant whole‐of‐government investment, ensuring equitable access to effective mental health services is an immediate priority.
TOTAL ANTI‐OXIDANT CAPACITY OF CELL CULTURE MEDIA
Authors: Lewinska Anna , Wnuk Maciej , Slota Ewa , Bartosz Grzegorz 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARY

The composition of synthetic cell culture media is important for the behaviour of cultured cells in vitro and may affect the results of many in vitro experiments. The total anti‐oxidant capacity (TAC) of an extracellular medium may be an important factor in cell redox homeostasis.
In the present study, the TAC of cell culture media used for the cultivation of mammalian, yeast and bacterial cells (RPMI1640, Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, minimum essential medium Eagle's 1959 with Earle's salts, Parker medium 199 with Hanks salts, bacterial Luria‐Bertani medium, yeast extract‐peptone‐glucose and yeast nitrogen base media) was estimated using the 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS·+) decolourization assay and the ferric ion reducing anti‐oxidant power assay.
We found that components of the media such as cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan and Phenol Red are important contributors to the TAC of cell culture media.
Bayes nets and babies: infants’ developing statistical reasoning abilities and their representation of causal knowledge
Authors: Sobel David M. , Kirkham Natasha Z. 
Published: April 2007

Abstract A fundamental assumption of the causal graphical model framework is the Markov assumption, which posits that learners can discriminate between two events that are dependent because of a direct causal relation between them and two events that are independent conditional on the value of another event(s). Sobel and Kirkham (2006) demonstrated that 8‐month‐old infants registered conditional independence information among a sequence of events; infants responded according to the Markov assumption in such a way that was inconsistent with models that rely on simple calculations of associative strength. The present experiment extends these findings to younger infants, and demonstrates that such responses potentially develop during the second half of the first year of life. These data are discussed in terms of a developmental trajectory between associative mechanisms and causal graphical models as representations of infants’ causal and statistical learning.