bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neighborhood Social Conditions Mediate the Association Between Physical Deterioration and Mental Health
Authors: Kruger Daniel J. , Reischl Thomas M. , Gee Gilbert C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis study investigates how neighborhood deterioration is associated with stress and depressive symptoms and the mediating effects of perceived neighborhood social conditions. Data come from a community survey of 801 respondents geocoded and linked to a systematic on‐site assessment of the physical characteristics of nearly all residential and commercial structures around respondents' homes. Structural equation models controlling for demographic effects indicate that the association between neighborhood deterioration and well‐being appear to be mediated through social contact, social capital, and perceptions of crime, but not through neighborhood satisfaction. Specifically, residential deterioration was mediated by social contact, then, social capital and fear of crime. Commercial deterioration, on the other hand, was mediated only through fear of crime. Additionally, data indicate that the functional definition of a “neighborhood” depends on the characteristics measured. These findings suggest that upstream interventions designed to improve neighborhood conditions as well as proximal interventions focused on social relationships, may promote well‐being.
Strategies for Controlled Placement of Nanoscale Building Blocks
Authors: Koh SeongJin 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
The capability of placing individual nanoscale building blocks on exact substrate locations in a controlled manner is one of the key requirements to realize future electronic, optical, and magnetic devices and sensors that are composed of such blocks. This article reviews some important advances in the strategies for controlled placement of nanoscale building blocks. In particular, we will overview template assisted placement that utilizes physical, molecular, or electrostatic templates, DNA-programmed assembly, placement using dielectrophoresis, approaches for non-close-packed assembly of spherical particles, and recent development of focused placement schemes including electrostatic funneling, focused placement via molecular gradient patterns, electrodynamic focusing of charged aerosols, and others.
A Comparison of the Levels of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Corn Germ Oil, Corn Fiber Oil and Corn Kernel Oil
Authors: Moreau Robert A. , Johnston David B. , Hicks Kevin B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAll commercial corn oil is obtained by pressing corn germ and/or extracting the germ with hexane. In the current study, six types of corn oil were prepared by extracting corn germ, corn fiber and ground corn, each with hexane or with ethanol. The levels of lutein, zeaxanthin and other carotenoids were quantitatively analyzed in the six corn oils. The levels of lutein + zeaxanthin in the oil ranged from 2.3 μg/g for hexane‐extracted corn germ oil to 220.9 μg/g for ethanol‐extracted ground corn oil. These results indicate that a diet that includes 30 g (~2 tbsp) per day of the unrefined corn oil obtained by extracting ground corn with ethanol would provide ~6 mg of lutein + zeaxanthin, the daily dosage that is currently considered to be necessary to slow the progression of age‐related macular degeneration.
Evaluating stock returns with time‐varying risk aversion driven by trend deviations from the consumption‐to‐wealth ratio: An analysis conditional on income levels
Authors: Smoluk H.J. , Bennett James 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBased on the cointegrating relationship between consumption and wealth, we estimate the long run consumption‐to‐wealth ratio for each of five consumer income quintiles as well as national data for benchmarking purposes. Short run deviations from the consumption‐to‐wealth ratio for each quintile are examined for their ability to forecast changes in future consumption, income, housing values, and especially stock returns. We demonstrate that these trend deviations when combined with consumption growth in a multifactor model, significantly improve the ability of the dividend‐to‐price ratio to forecast future market returns over short and intermediate horizons for consumers in the highest‐income quintile. This paper contributes to the financial economic literature by showing that the highest‐income consumers are forecasting future stock returns with the help of the persistence in the dividend‐to‐price ratio and are modifying their consumption accordingly.
Wholegrain foods made from a novel high-amylose barley variety (Himalaya 292) improve indices of bowel health in human subjects
Authors: Bird Anthony R. , Vuaran Michelle S. , King Roger A. , Noakes Manny , Keogh Jennifer , Morell Matthew K. , Topping David L. 
Published: October 2007

Himalaya 292(Hordeum vulgarevar.Himalaya 292) is a novel hull-less barley variety lacking activity of a key enzyme of starch synthesis giving a grain containing less total starch, more amylose and higher total dietary fibre. Animal trials have shown thatHimalaya 292contains more resistant starch and has greater positive impact on biomarkers of large-bowel health than comparable wholegrain cereal products. The present study compared the effects of foods made from wholegrainHimalaya 292with those made from wholegrain wheat on faecal biomarkers of bowel health in human subjects. Seventeen male and female volunteers aged 31–66 years consumed similar quantities ofHimalaya 292, whole-wheat or refined cereal foods daily for 4 weeks in a randomised cross-over design. Total dietary fibre intakes from weighed food records were 45, 32 and 21 g/d for theHimalaya 292, whole-wheat and refined cereal periods, respectively. Compared with the refined cereal foods, consumption ofHimalaya 292foods resulted in 33 % higher faecal weight, a lowering of faecal pH from 7·24 to 6·98, a 42 % higher faecal concentration and a 91 % higher excretion of butyrate, a 57 % higher faecal total SCFA excretion and a 33 % lower faecalp-cresol concentration. pH and butyrate concentration and excretion were also significantly different compared with wholemeal wheat. It is concluded that consumption of a diet that included foods made fromHimalaya 292supplied more fibre and improved indices of bowel health compared with refined cereal foods and, for some indices, similar wholemeal wheat foods at equivalent levels of intake.
Angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists exert anti‐inflammatory effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Dai Q , Xu M , Yao M , Sun B 
Published: October 2007

Background and purpose:Although the main therapeutic effect of angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists is to decrease blood pressure, they also exert anti‐inflammatory effects in the cardiovascular system. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the inhibitory effect of AT1 antagonists on the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) and its receptor C‐C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) in rat monocytes and aortas.Experimental approach:Spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were treated with the AT1 antagonists losartan or telmisartan for 4 weeks, and Wistar‐Kyoto rats (WKYs) were used as normotensive controls. Systolic arterial pressure was measured, and the number of macrophages in the aortic vessel wall was assessed by anti‐ED‐1 antibody immunolabelling.Key results:Compared with WKYs, SHRs showed significantly increased ED‐1 positive macrophages in the aortic wall, which were decreased after high doses of losartan or telmisartan. Low doses of losartan did not improve blood pressure significantly as did the high doses, but markedly decreased macrophage infiltration in the vessel wall. AT1 antagonists, particularly at high doses, improved aortic remodeling in SHR. At the molecular level, AT1 antagonists attenuated the expression of MCP‐1 and CCR2 in the aorta and peripheral blood monocytes and lowered the serum level of MCP‐1. In addition, Western blotting showed that AT1 antagonists inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt in mouse monocytes.Conclusions and implications:AT1 antagonism inhibited vessel wall inflammation and inhibition of PI3K/Akt may be involved in the modulation of the MCP‐1/CCR2 system by AT1 antagonists in SHRs.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 152, 1042–1048; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707454; published online 8 October 2007
Direct suppression of autoreactive lymphocytes in the central nervous system via the CB2 receptor
Authors: Dittel B N 
Published: October 2007

The cannabinoid system is now recognized as a regulator of both the nervous and immune systems. Although marijuana has been used for centuries for the treatment of a variety of disorders, its therapeutic mechanisms are only now being understood. The best‐studied plant cannabinoid, Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), produced by Cannabis sativa and found in marijuana, has shown evidence of being immunosuppressive in both in vivo and in vitro. Since THC binds to at least two receptors that are differentially expressed by the immune and nervous systems, it has not been possible to clearly discriminate the biological effects it exerts in the two systems. In addition, endogenous cannabinoids have also been described that bind to both receptors and exert both neuronal and immune modulatory activity. The generation of mice deficient in specific cannabinoid receptors has facilitated studies to discriminate cannabinoid‐specific functions. This review focuses on the function of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), primarily expressed in the immune system, in regulating T cell effector functions associated with autoimmune inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS).British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 271–276; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707493; published online 8 October 2007
PTEN: a promising pharmacological target to enhance epithelial wound healing
Authors: Zhao M 
Published: October 2007

PI3Ks (phosphoinositide‐3 kinases) produce PIP3 (phosphatidylinositol(3,4,5)‐trisphosphate) which mediates signals for cell survival and proliferation. The tumour suppressor PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue) dephosphorylates PIP3 and is a key negative regulator of PI3K signalling. Recent research highlighted important roles for PI3K/PTEN in cell polarization and directional cell migration, pointing to a significant role for PTEN in wound healing where spatially organized tissue growth is essential. Lai et al. (in this issue of British Journal of Pharmacology) have moved a step closer in utilizing PTEN for wound healing through pharmacological inhibition. Two vanadium derivative inhibitors targeting PTEN significantly elevated the level of phosphorylated Akt (protein kinase B) and nearly doubled the wound healing rate in monolayer cultures of lung and airway epithelial cells. Damage to airway and lung epithelia underlies a wide spectrum of significant clinical conditions. With further experiments, this promising approach may find potential clinical use in situations where enhanced wound healing of pulmonary and other epithelia is important.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 152, 1141–1144; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707503; published online 8 October 2007
Psychological Morbidity in Australian Doctors who have and have not Experienced a Medico-Legal Matter: Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Nash Louise , Daly Michele , Johnson Maree , Walter Garry , Walton Merrilyn , Willcock Simon , Coulston Carissa , van Ekert Elizabeth , Tennant Chris 
Published: October 2007

Objective: To describe the differences in psychological morbidity between Australian general practitioners (GPs) who have experienced a medico-legal matter and those who have not. Methods: A total of 1499 GPs were initially invited to participate in the study. Two hundred and sixty requested not to participate, with 1239 subsequently being sent a survey. There were 566 respondents (45.7% response rate to survey). There were two sources of data. First, a cross-sectional survey sought demographic information, personality traits via the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), history of a medico-legal matter with any medical defence organization, and measures of psychological morbidity, including the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Second, information was extracted from the United Medical Protection database on medico-legal matters. Results: Fifty-nine per cent of respondents to the survey reported ever having a medico-legal matter, with 13% having a current medico-legal matter. Those with a current matter reported increased levels of disability (in work, social or family life) and higher prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (45% vs 27% GHQ ‘case identification’ rates), compared to those with no current matter. Those respondents with a history of past medico-legal matters reported increased levels of disability (SDS) and depression subscores (GHQ). Male respondents drank significantly more alcohol than female respondents, and male respondents with current or past medico-legal matters had significantly higher levels of alcohol use than male respondents with no experience of medico-legal matters. Conclusions: Doctors who have current and past medico-legal matters have a higher level of psychological morbidity. The study design was unable to distinguish cause or effect. A longitudinal study is planned to investigate this. The findings have significant implications for medical training, doctor support systems and medical insurance groups.
Annotation of selection strengths in viral genomes
Authors: McCauley Stephen , de Groot Saskia , Mailund Thomas , Hein Jotun 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMotivation: Viral genomes tend to code in overlapping reading frames to maximize informational content. This may result in atypical codon bias and particular evolutionary constraints. Due to the fast mutation rate of viruses, there is additional strong evidence for varying selection between intra- and intergenomic regions. The presence of multiple coding regions complicates the concept of Ka/Ks ratio, and thus begs for an alternative approach when investigating selection strengths. Building on the paper by McCauley and Hein, we develop a method for annotating a viral genome coding in overlapping reading frames. We introduce an evolutionary model capable of accounting for varying levels of selection along the genome, and incorporate it into our prior single sequence HMM methodology, extending it now to a phylogenetic HMM. Given an alignment of several homologous viruses to a reference sequence, we may thus achieve an annotation both of coding regions as well as selection strengths, allowing us to investigate different selection patterns and hypotheses.Results: We illustrate our method by applying it to a multiple alignment of four HIV2 sequences, as well as of three Hepatitis B sequences. We obtain an annotation of the coding regions, as well as a posterior probability for each site of the strength of selection acting on it. From this we may deduce the average posterior selection acting on the different genes. Whilst we are encouraged to see in HIV2, that the known to be conserved genes gag and pol are indeed annotated as such, we also discover several sites of less stringent negative selection within the env gene. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to subsequently provide a full selection annotation of the Hepatitis B genome by explicitly modelling the evolution within overlapping reading frames, and not relying on simple Ka/Ks ratios.Availability: The Matlab code can be downloaded from http://www.stats.ox.ac.uk/mccauley/Contact: degroot@stats.ox.ac.uk
OSCAR: One-class SVM for accurate recognition ofcis-elements
Authors: Jiang Bo , Zhang Michael Q. , Zhang Xuegong 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMotivation: Traditional methods to identify potential binding sites of known transcription factors still suffer from large number of false predictions. They mostly use sequence information in a position-specific manner and neglect other types of information hidden in the proximal promoter regions. Recent biological and computational researches, however, suggest that there exist not only locational preferences of binding, but also correlations between transcription factors.Results: In this article, we propose a novel approach, OSCAR, which utilizes one-class SVM algorithms, and incorporates multiple factors to aid the recognition of transcription factor binding sites. Using both synthetic and real data, we find that our method outperforms existing algorithms, especially in the high sensitivity region. The performance of our method can be further improved by taking into account locational preference of binding events. By testing on experimentally-verified binding sites of GATA and HNF transcription factor families, we show that our algorithm can infer the true co-occurring motif pairs accurately, and by considering the co-occurrences of correlated motifs, we not only filter out false predictions, but also increase the sensitivity.Availability: An online server based on OSCAR is available at http://bioinfo.au.tsinghua.edu.cn/oscar.Contact: zhangxg@tsinghua.edu.cn
Identification and visualization of cage-shaped proteins
Authors: Hu Min , Wang Junhui , Peng Qunsheng 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSummary: Cage-shaped protein, with its special structure, may have potential applications in biomedicine and nanotechnology. We developed a program CSPro (Cage-Shaped Protein) for efficient identification of cage-shaped proteins based on quaternary structure. CSPro is capable of revealing the corresponding cage-shaped feature more clearly and quickly than traditional visualization tools. Using CSPro, we have searched the full set of PDB (protein data bank) and three types of proteins are retrieved with notably large central cavities inside. CSPro can be used to validate if the quaternary structure of a protein is cage shaped in molecular simulation.Availability: http://www.cad.zju.edu.cn/home/huminContact: humin@cad.zju.edu.cnSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
XtalPred: a web server for prediction of protein crystallizability
Authors: Slabinski Lukasz , Jaroszewski Lukasz , Rychlewski Leszek , Wilson Ian A. , Lesley Scott A. , Godzik Adam 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSummary: XtalPred is a web server for prediction of protein crystallizability. The prediction is made by comparing several features of the protein with distributions of these features in TargetDB and combining the results into an overall probability of crystallization. XtalPred provides: (1) a detailed comparison of the protein's features to the corresponding distribution from TargetDB; (2) a summary of protein features and predictions that indicate problems that are likely to be encountered during protein crystallization; (3) prediction of ligands; and (4) (optional) lists of close homologs from complete microbial genomes that are more likely to crystallize.Availability: The XtalPred web server is freely available for academic users on http://ffas.burnham.org/XtalPredContact: adam@burnham.org
A Trafficking Pathway for Anthocyanins Overlaps with the Endoplasmic Reticulum-to-Vacuole Protein-Sorting Route in Arabidopsis and Contributes to the Formation of Vacuolar Inclusions
Authors: Poustka Frantisek , Irani Niloufer G. , Feller Antje , Lu Yuhua , Pourcel Lucille , Frame Kenneth , Grotewold Erich 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPlants produce a very large number of specialized compounds that must be transported from their site of synthesis to the sites of storage or disposal. Anthocyanin accumulation has provided a powerful system to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the intracellular trafficking of phytochemicals. Benefiting from the unique fluorescent properties of anthocyanins, we show here that in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), one route for anthocyanin transport to the vacuole involves vesicle-like structures shared with components of the secretory pathway. By colocalizing the red fluorescence of the anthocyanins with green fluorescent protein markers of the endomembrane system in Arabidopsis seedlings, we show that anthocyanins are also sequestered to the endoplasmic reticulum and to endoplasmic reticulum-derived vesicle-like structures targeted directly to the protein storage vacuole in a Golgi-independent manner. Moreover, our results indicate that vacuolar accumulation of anthocyanins does not depend solely on glutathione S-transferase activity or ATP-dependent transport mechanisms. Indeed, we observed a dramatic increase of anthocyanin-filled subvacuolar structures, without a significant effect on total anthocyanin levels, when we inhibited glutathione S-transferase activity, or the ATP-dependent transporters with vanadate, a general ATPase inhibitor. Taken together, these results provide evidence for an alternative novel mechanism of vesicular transport and vacuolar sequestration of anthocyanins in Arabidopsis.
Development and Application of Novel Constructs to Score C:G-to-T:A Transitions and Homologous Recombination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Van der Auwera Gert , Baute Joke , Bauwens Melanie , Peck Ingrid , Piette Denis , Pycke Michael , Asselman Pieter , Depicker Anna 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe report on the development of five missense mutants and one recombination substrate of the β-glucuronidase (GUS)-encoding gene of Escherichia coli and their use for detecting mutation and recombination events in transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants by reactivation of GUS activity in clonal sectors. The missense mutants were designed to find C:G-to-T:A transitions in a symmetrical sequence context and are in that respect complementary to previously published GUS point mutants. Small peptide tags (hemagglutinin tag and Strep tag II) and green fluorescent protein were translationally fused to GUS, which offers possibilities to check for mutant GUS production levels. We show that spontaneous mutation and recombination events took place. Mutagenic treatment of the plants with ethyl methanesulfonate and ultraviolet-C increased the number of mutations, validating the use of these constructs to measure mutation and recombination frequencies in plants exposed to biotic or abiotic stress conditions, or in response to different genetic backgrounds. Plants were also subjected to heavy metals, methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, and heat stress, for which no effect could be seen. Together with an ethyl methanesulfonate mutation induction level much higher than previously described, the need is illustrated for many available scoring systems in parallel. Because all GUS missense mutants were cloned in a bacterial expression vector, they can also be used to score mutation events in E. coli.