bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Precedent
Authors: Lamond Grant 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPrecedent is a central feature of legal practice, requiring courts to follow decisions reached in earlier cases, thereby transforming the decisions in individual cases into a source of law. This article examines two major questions associated with precedent: (a) how to characterise the way that precedent operates as a source of law; and (b) how to justify the requirement that courts follow earlier decisions regardless of the merits of those decisions. Precedents are often thought to create general legal rules, but it is controversial whether this is the best way to understand their role in legal reasoning. Equally, it is unclear that the most common justifications for precedent unequivocally vindicate the practice.
Trust and Health Care
Authors: Calnan Michael , Rowe Rosemary 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTrust is believed to be particularly salient to the provision of health care, and since the establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, trust has played an important role in the relationships between its three key actors: the state, healthcare practitioners, and patients and the public. Service users trusted the judgement, knowledge and expertise of health professionals to provide a competent service that met their needs, and they trusted the state to ensure equity in the allocation of public goods and services. These implicit or taken‐for‐granted trust relationships have, it is claimed, been challenged as a result of the introduction of changes in the organisation and funding for the health service, in the regulation and performance assessment of health professionals, and in public attitudes to health care and scientific medicine. This paper considers the influences of social changes and recent policy and professional initiatives in health care on the structure of trust relations in health care in the UK. It presents a theoretical framework for examining trust relations using the NHS as a case study and concludes with an agenda for future research.
Accuracy of Six Antimicrobial Susceptibility Methods for Testing Linezolid against Staphylococci and Enterococci
Authors: Tenover Fred C. , Williams Portia P. , Stocker Sheila , Thompson Angela , Clark Leigh Ann , Limbago Brandi , Carey Roberta B. , Poppe Susan M. , Shinabarger Dean , McGowan John E. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

A challenge panel of enterococci (
n
= 50) and staphylococci (
n
= 50), including 17 and 15 isolates that were nonsusceptible to linezolid, respectively, were tested with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution and disk diffusion reference methods. In addition, all 100 isolates were tested in parallel by Etest (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden), MicroScan WalkAway (Dade, West Sacramento, CA), BD Phoenix (BD Diagnostic Systems, Sparks, MD), VITEK (bioMérieux, Durham, NC), and VITEK 2 (bioMérieux) by using the manufacturers’ protocols. Compared to the results of the broth microdilution method for detecting linezolid-nonsusceptible staphylococci and enterococci, MicroScan results showed the highest category agreement (96.0%). The overall categorical agreement levels for VITEK 2, Etest, Phoenix, disk diffusion, and VITEK were 93.0%, 90.0%, 89.6%, 88.0%, and 85.9%, respectively. The essential agreement levels (results within ±1 doubling dilution of the MIC determined by the reference method) for MicroScan, Phoenix, VITEK 2, Etest, and VITEK were 99.0%, 95.8%, 92.0%, 92.0%, and 85.9%, respectively. The very major error rates for staphylococci were the highest for VITEK (35.7%), Etest (40.0%), and disk diffusion (53.3%), although the total number of resistant isolates tested was small. The very major error rate for enterococci with VITEK was 20.0%. Three systems (MicroScan, VITEK, and VITEK 2) provided no interpretations of nonsusceptible results for staphylococci. These data, from a challenge panel of isolates, illustrate that the recent emergence of linezolid-nonsusceptible staphylococci and enterococci is providing a challenge for many susceptibility testing systems.
Mutational Analysis of the C-Terminal Gag Cleavage Sites in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1
Authors: Coren Lori V. , Thomas James A. , Chertova Elena , Sowder Raymond C. , Gagliardi Tracy D. , Gorelick Robert J. , Ott David E. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag is expressed as a polyprotein that is cleaved into six proteins by the viral protease in a maturation process that begins during assembly and budding. While processing of the N terminus of Gag is strictly required for virion maturation and infectivity, the necessity for the C-terminal cleavages of Gag is less well defined. To examine the importance of this process, we introduced a series of mutations into the C terminus of Gag that interrupted the cleavage sites that normally produce in the nucleocapsid (NC), spacer 2 (SP2), or p6
Gag
proteins. Protein analysis showed that all of the mutant constructs produced virions efficiently upon transfection of cells and appropriately processed Gag polyprotein at the nonmutated sites. Mutants that produced a p9
NC/SP2
protein exhibited only minor effects on HIV-1 infectivity and replication. In contrast, mutants that produced only the p8
SP2/p6
or p15
NC/SP2/p6
protein had severe defects in infectivity and replication. To identify the key defective step, we quantified reverse transcription and integration products isolated from infected cells by PCR. All mutants tested produced levels of reverse transcription products either similar to or only somewhat lower than that of wild type. In contrast, mutants that failed to cleave the SP2-p6
Gag
site produced drastically less provirus than the wild type. Together, our results show that processing of the SP2-p6
Gag
and not the NC-SP2 cleavage site is important for efficient viral DNA integration during infection in vitro. In turn, this finding suggests an important role for the p9
NC/SP2
species in some aspect of integration.
High-level medium-chain triglyceride feeding and energy expenditure in normal-weight women
Authors: Alexandrou Elena , Herzberg Gene R. , White Matthew D. 
Published: July 2007

The objective of this study was to assess how short-term feeding of high levels of dietary medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) affect energy expenditure and postprandial substrate oxidation rates in normal-weight, premenopausal women. Eight healthy women were fed both a MCT-rich and an isocaloric long-chain triglyceride (LCT)-rich diet for two 1-week periods separated by a minimum of 21 days. The energy intake in each diet was 45% carbohydrates, 40% fat, and 15% protein. The 2 diets had either 60.81% or 1.11% of total fat energy from MCT with the remaining fat energy intake from LCT. On days 1 and 7 of each diet, resting metabolic rate and postprandial energy expenditure (EE) were measured by indirect calorimetry with a ventilated hood. Results indicated on days 1 and 7, there were no significant differences between diets for resting metabolic rate or mean postprandial EE. On both days 1 and 7, fat oxidation for the MCT-rich diet was significantly greater (0.0001 ≤ p ≤ 0.04) than that for the LCT-rich diet at different time points across the 5.5 h postprandial period. In conclusion, for premenopausal, normal-weight women consuming a diet with 25% of the energy content from MCT, there were no changes in resting metabolic rate, transient increases in postprandial energy expenditure, and significant increases in postprandial fat oxidation.
Seedless Copper Electrochemical Deposition on Air Exposed TaN Barrier Layers with Pd and Ru Adhesion Promoters
Authors: Lay Nicole , Duquette David J. 
Published: July 2007

A method is presented for the direct plating of copper on plasma enhanced atomic layer deposited (PE-ALD) palladium for ULSD applications. While the nucleation and growth of copper directly onto TaN is possible, difficulties arise with the growth of adherent, uniform, conformal layers.	This study examines the possibility of depositing a thin interlayer, (essentially a seed layer) that is sufficiently thin that it does not compromise the resistance of the copper, and provides a conformal seed layer for the subsequent electrodeposition step, without the problems associated with line-of-site techniques such as PVD for aggressive ULSD features. Cu deposition was performed on both patterned trench structures and on planar substrates of PE-ALD Pd on air-exposed tantalum nitride. Successful copper deposition was obtained from conventional bath formulations, and clear superfilling behavior was observed.
Atomic Layer Deposited Films for Micro- and Nano-Scale Electro-Mechanical Systems
Authors: Chang Yuan-Jen , Cobry Keith D. , Wilson Christopher A. , George Steven M. , Bright Victor M. 
Published: July 2007

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) can be effectively used to deposit custom-designed, multi-material layers with atomic resolution on any micro- or nano-scale device surface.	The nano-scale ALD coating can protect the devices from electrical short, charge accumulation, moisture-induced adhesion, wear, corrosion, creep, fatigue and anodic oxidation during short- term prototyping or long-term product life. Alternatively, ALD films can be lithographically defined in selected areas and micromachined to create ultra-thin nanoscale structures.
Transparent Conducting Oxides at High Aspect Ratios by ALD
Authors: Pellin Michael J. , Elam J. W. , Libera Joseph A. , Martinson Alex B. , Hupp Joseph T. 
Published: July 2007

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are important electronic materials which as their name implies possess the seemingly mutually exclusive properties of high optical transmittance in the visible region (>80%) and relatively high conductivity. These properties are achieved with high carrier mobilities in relatively wide band gap n-type semiconductor materials. TCOs are sensitive to composition and oxygen stoichiometry.	Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is an ideal deposition method, particularly when high aspect ratio materials must being coated. Here we use exposure times to control the deposition area. Very long exposure times are used to coat high aspect ratio pores uniformly while short exposure times are used to produce pore closing outer surface films.
Role of Growth Factor Receptor–Bound Protein 7 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Itoh Shinji , Taketomi Akinobu , Tanaka Shinji , Harimoto Norifumi , Yamashita Yo-ichi , Aishima Shin-ichi , Maeda Takashi , Shirabe Ken , Shimada Mitsuo , Maehara Yoshihiko 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
The human growth factor receptor–bound protein 7 (Grb7) is an adaptor molecule and is related to cell invasion. In this present study, we investigated the clinical and biological significance of Grb7 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We reviewed 64 consecutive patients who had undergone liver resection for HCC, and we investigated the correlation between Grb7 expression and clinical outcome. To analyze the biological behavior of Grb7 in vitro and in vivo, we established Grb7 stable knockdown HCC cells using RNA interference technology. The positive staining of Grb7 protein was correlated with portal venous invasion (P &lt; 0.01), hepatic venous invasion (P &lt; 0.01), and intrahepatic metastasis (P &lt; 0.05). Positive expression of Grb7 was significantly correlated with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein levels in HCC (P &lt; 0.01). The Grb7- and FAK-positive group showed a significantly poorer prognosis as compared with the Grb7- and FAK-negative group (P &lt; 0.05). Grb7 knockdown HCC cells exhibited significantly lower levels of invasion potential (P &lt; 0.05) and motility (P &lt; 0.05) than the control cells in vitro; moreover, Grb7 knockdown HCC cells showed delayed onset of the tumors compared with the control cells in vivo. Grb7 expression can modulate the invasive phenotype of HCC. Grb7 plays an important role in HCC progression and is strongly associated with expression of FAK. Grb7 could be a therapeutic target in HCC. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(7):667–73)
c-Jun Has Multiple Enhancing Activities in the Novel Cross Talk between the Androgen Receptor and Ets Variant Gene 1 in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Cai Changmeng , Hsieh Chen-Lin , Shemshedini Lirim 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
The multiple transcriptional roles of c-Jun are shown in a novel cross-talk between the androgen receptor (AR) and its new target gene, Ets variant gene 1 (ETV1). In this report, we show that c-Jun can mediate AR induction of ETV1 expression independent of c-Jun transactivation function. Interestingly, c-Jun can transactivate the cloned ETV1 promoter also in the absence of ligand-activated AR, suggesting two mechanisms by which c-Jun can induce ETV1 expression. In addition, both wild-type c-Jun and a transactivation-deficient mutant can enhance the transcriptional activity of ETV1, as measured by both reporter gene assay and endogenous expression of matrix metalloproteinase genes, well-known targets of Ets proteins. Overexpression of the c-Jun mutant protein also led to increased prostate cancer cell invasion. Immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry experiments showed copurification and colocalization of c-Jun with AR or ETV1, suggesting that c-Jun acts on AR or ETV1 via a physical association. Collectively, these results, together with a parallel overexpression of ETV1, c-Jun, and AR in prostate tumors, imply that c-Jun plays a pivotal role in the pathway that connects ligand-activated AR to elevated ETV1 expression, leading to enhanced expression of matrix metalloproteinases and prostate cancer cell invasion. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(7):725–35)
Demographic determinants of acute gastrointestinal illness in Canada: a population study
Authors: Majowicz Shannon E , Horrocks Julie , Bocking Kathryn 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Gastrointestinal illness is an important global public health issue, even in developed countries, where the morbidity and economic impact are significant. Our objective was to evaluate the demographic determinants of acute gastrointestinal illness in Canadians.

Methods
We used data from two population-based studies conducted in select communities between 2001 and 2003. Together, the studies comprised 8,108 randomly selected respondents; proxies were used for all respondents under 12 years and for respondents under 19 years at the discretion of the parent or guardian. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression, we evaluated the following demographic determinants: age, gender, cultural group, and urban/rural status of the respondent, highest education level of the respondent or proxy, number of people in the household, and total annual household income. Two-way interaction terms were included in the multivariate analyses. The final multivariate model included income, age, gender, and the interaction between income and gender.

Results
After adjusting for income, gender, and their interaction, children under 10 years had the highest risk of acute gastrointestinal illness, followed by young adults aged 20 to 24 years. For males, the risk of acute gastrointestinal illness was similar across all income levels, but for females the risk was much higher in the lowest income category. Specifically, in those with total annual household incomes of less than $20,000, the odds of acute gastrointestinal illness were 2.46 times higher in females than in males.

Conclusion
Understanding the demographic determinants of acute gastrointestinal illness is essential in order to identify vulnerable groups to which intervention and prevention efforts can be targeted.
Payer leverage and hospital compliance with a benchmark: a population-based observational study
Authors: Hollingsworth John M , Krein Sarah L , Miller David C , DeMonner Sonya , Hollenbeck Brent K 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackgroundSince 1976, Medicare has linked reimbursement for hospitals performing organ transplants to the attainment of certain benchmarks, including transplant volume. While Medicare is a stakeholder in all transplant services, its role in renal transplantation is likely greater, given its coverage of end-stage renal disease. Thus, Medicare's transplant experience allows us to examine the role of payer leverage in motivating hospital benchmark compliance.MethodsNationally representative discharge data for kidney (n= 29,272), liver (n= 7,988), heart (n= 3,530), and lung (n= 1,880) transplants from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1993 – 2003) were employed. Logistic regression techniques with robust variance estimators were used to examine the relationship between hospital volume compliance and Medicare market share; generalized estimating equations were used to explore the association between patient-level operative mortality and hospital volume compliance.ResultsMedicare's transplant market share varied by organ [57%, 28%, 27%, and 18% for kidney, lung, heart, and liver transplants, respectively (P< 0.001)]. Volume-based benchmark compliance varied by transplant type [85%, 75%, 44%, and 39% for kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplants, respectively (P< 0.001)], despite a lower odds of operative mortality at compliant hospitals. Adjusting for organ supply, high market leverage was independently associated with compliance at hospitals transplanting kidneys (OR, 143.00; 95% CI, 18.53 – 1103.49), hearts (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.51 – 5.34), and lungs (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.57 – 6.67).ConclusionThese data highlight the influence of payer leverage–an important contextual factor in value-based purchasing initiatives. For uncommon diagnoses, these data suggest that at least 30% of a provider's patients might need to be "at risk" for an incentive to motivate compliance.
Biosafety and Selectable Markers
Authors: TITBALL RICHARD W. , SJOSTEDT ANDERS , PAVELKA MARTIN S. , NANO FRANCIS E. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract:
Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) is one of the most infectious pathogens known. Although the disease caused by this bacterium is rarely fatal with appropriate antibiotic therapy, it is often severely debilitating. Laboratory work with F. tularensis poses a significant hazard, and it is essential that appropriate laboratory facilities, trained personnel, and suitable working practices are in place in any organization working with this pathogen. Work with human virulent strains should be carried out at containment level 3. Vaccines play an important potential role in the protection of individuals working with F. tularensis, but the live vaccine strain (LVS) vaccine is not currently licensed for use in humans. Because antibiotic therapy is central to the treatment of human tularemia, antibiotic resistance markers for use in genetic manipulation studies should be carefully selected.
Genetics and Genetic Manipulation in Francisella Tularensis
Authors: FRANK DARA W. , ZAHRT THOMAS C. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract:
Francisella tularensis is a gram‐negative coccobacillus and the etiological agent of tularemia. The limited knowledge regarding the interaction of F. tularensis with its host is due in part to the previous lack of tools for genetically manipulating the organism. During the past 10 years, the field of F. tularensis genetics has seen a rapid expansion. Plasmids capable of stable or conditional replication in Francisella have been constructed. Methods for the efficient introduction of DNA into Francisella have been developed or optimized. Genetic platforms and procedures for transposon mutagenesis and allelic exchange have been adapted for use in Francisella. Finally, selectable, counterselectable, and screenable genetic markers amenable for use in a variety of F. tularensis species, including highly virulent clinical isolates, have been described. Collectively, these advances have aided in the construction of defined Francisella mutants and helped investigators begin to define the mechanism(s) employed by these organisms to cause disease in the host. In this article, we describe the history of genetic manipulation in Francisella and summarize the current tools and techniques for conducting genetic studies in this organism.
Vaccines Against Francisella Tularensis
Authors: WAYNE CONLAN J. , OYSTON PETRA C.F. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract:
Francisella tularensis is one of the most pathogenic pathogens known, especially when disseminated as a small particle aerosol. Because of this, it was developed into a biological warfare agent by several states during the 20th century. Nowadays, concerns remain about the potential of this pathogen to cause widespread disease, tularemia, in the hands of terrorists. This has resurrected interest in methods to combat it. This article reviews the current status of vaccine development efforts against tularemia. To date most of our understanding of tularemia vaccine efficacy has been derived from the clinical and experimental use of a pragmatically attenuated live vaccine strain of F. tularensis subspecies holarctica. However, this vaccine which has been in existence for more than 50 years is still beset by regulatory issues that continue to hamper its licensure. These issues and possible solutions are highlighted, along with more modern molecular approaches to vaccine development against this highly virulent pathogen.
Type II Secretion and Type IV Pili of Francisella
Authors: FORSBERG ÅKE , GUINA TINA 
Published: July 2007

Abstract:
Francisella tularensis genomes encode homologues of type IV pili. Though several F. tularensis genes required for Tfp expression are homologous to genes required for type II secretion (T2S), these gene clusters mainly bear structural signatures that are typical of Tfp. There is preliminary evidence that different F. tularensis subspecies express Tfp‐like surface structures, but there are also some interesting differences between the subspecies. One difference between the nonpathogenic subspecies novicida (F. novicida) and the highly pathogenic type A strains is in sequence of one of the predicted pilin genes, pilA. In contrast, type B strains show several differences compared to type A strains, two predicted pilin genes and the pilT gene are pseudogenes, while pilA is identical to pilA that is encoded by the type A strains. This is likely significant as PilA contributes to virulence of type B strains while PilT is essential for Tfp retraction in other bacterial pathogens. Tfp‐mediated protein secretion is only evident in in vitro grown F. novicida. Surprisingly, secretion of several F. novicida proteins was dependent on pilA and other genes with postulated roles in Tfp expression. F. novicida secretion mutants were more virulent in the mouse infection model. Thus, in F. novicida, Tfp gene clusters serve both T2S and Tfp assembly and it is tempting to speculate that evolution of the pathogenic subspecies involved loss of functional T2S via structural changes of PilA and additional genes, including those that encode some of the Tfp‐secreted proteins.