bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nancy Kirk: turning the world of graptolites upside down
Authors: Wyatt A. R. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Nancy Kirk was a protégée of O. T. Jones. Her early, unpublished, field studies in the Welsh Borders were an important foundation for some of the work on faunal distributions by Oxford workers in the 1960s and for regional studies by a group at Cambridge in the 1980s and 1990s. From the start, her graptolite work proved controversial but, for many people, enlivening. Interpretations (produced in conjunction with Denis Bates) based on detailed SEM examination, gave her an international reputation. As a teacher, she was noted for the care and effort that she put into stretching the minds of the brightest, while ensuring that even the weakest students had a chance. She was memorable for her dress sense (usually looking as if she had just come in from the field) and her sometimes colourful language.
The role of women in British Quaternary science
Authors: Hart J. K. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
This study represents the first attempt to record the lives of women who have contributed to the field of Quaternary science. A list of women who lived or studied in the United Kingdom and Ireland was drawn up from suggestions provided by members of the British Quaternary Research Association (QRA). These were divided into three categories: pre-20th century, 20th century and retired. The lives of some of these women are described. It was particularly interesting that in the pre-20th-century and 20th-century categories, the number of geomorphologists was equal to the number of archaeologists/palaeoecologists. In addition, a study was undertaken of women physical geographers in British geography departments, which was compared with the results from a similar survey in 1996. In this way, recent changes (the last 10 years) in women in Quaternary science could also be evaluated. It was shown that although there was an increase in the number of women physical geography academics since 1996, the actual percentage of women had gone down, and although the percentage of women professors had risen, men's chance of reaching this position was still much higher. However, it is argued that the key element of women in Quaternary science, both today and in the past, is their enthusiasm for fieldwork, and it is this passion that enabled them to continue their studies whatever the current social conventions.
Great expectations: Florence Bascom (1842–1945) and the education of early US women geologists
Authors: Clary R. M. , Wandersee J. H. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Florence Bascom, the first woman to be awarded a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and the first professional US woman geologist, gained access through male connections into what was perceived to be a man's discipline. Her entrance into geology was not straightforward, but instead proceeded fairly erratically through an interwoven network of male acquaintances. Although Bascom's participation in professional circles garnered her acceptance by her male associates, it was her long academic career at Bryn Mawr College that made an impact on education and secured a supply of women in the discipline. Basing her instruction upon high expectations for herself and her students, innovative teaching techniques, and the pure joy she derived from geological investigation and geological thought, Bascom served as mentor to many in the succeeding generation of US women geologists. It was largely through Bascom's efforts that more women were able to pursue higher education in geology and excel at it in the first half of the 20th century.
The role of women in the history of geological studies in Ireland
Authors: Higgs Bettie , Jackson Patrick N. Wyse 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
During current research being carried out into the role of women in the history of geological study in Ireland, interesting social and cultural factors are emerging. A list of people who contributed to data gathering, and the unravelling of the complexity of Ireland's geology would characteristically contain only male names. Yet when one begins to look more closely, important roles were played by women. The story is one of women carrying out many and varied supporting roles, including stone-workers, illustrators, tutors, assistants, collaborators, wives, mothers, and later, curators, cartographers and technicians. From 1950 onwards, women begin to occupy professional roles as geologists, particularly in the Geological Survey of Ireland, but more slowly in academic circles. This paper concentrates on women now deceased, who paved the way for others, and only briefly indicates their legacy with selected examples leading to the present day.
Prediction potential of candidate biomarker sets identified and validated on gene expression data from multiple datasets
Authors: Gormley Michael , Dampier William , Ertel Adam , Karacali Bilge , Tozeren Aydin 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
Independently derived expression profiles of the same biological condition often have few genes in common. In this study, we created populations of expression profiles from publicly available microarray datasets of cancer (breast, lymphoma and renal) samples linked to clinical information with an iterative machine learning algorithm. ROC curves were used to assess the prediction error of each profile for classification. We compared the prediction error of profiles correlated with molecular phenotype against profiles correlated with relapse-free status. Prediction error of profiles identified with supervised univariate feature selection algorithms were compared to profiles selected randomly from a) all genes on the microarray platform and b) a list of known disease-related genes (a priori selection). We also determined the relevance of expression profiles on test arrays from independent datasets, measured on either the same or different microarray platforms.

Results
Highly discriminative expression profiles were produced on both simulated gene expression data and expression data from breast cancer and lymphoma datasets on the basis of ER and BCL-6 expression, respectively. Use of relapse-free status to identify profiles for prognosis prediction resulted in poorly discriminative decision rules. Supervised feature selection resulted in more accurate classifications than random or a priori selection, however, the difference in prediction error decreased as the number of features increased. These results held when decision rules were applied across-datasets to samples profiled on the same microarray platform.

Conclusion
Our results show that many gene sets predict molecular phenotypes accurately. Given this, expression profiles identified using different training datasets should be expected to show little agreement. In addition, we demonstrate the difficulty in predicting relapse directly from microarray data using supervised machine learning approaches. These findings are relevant to the use of molecular profiling for the identification of candidate biomarker panels.
Computational selection and prioritization of candidate genes for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Authors: Lombard Zané , Tiffin Nicki , Hofmann Oliver , Bajic Vladimir B , Hide Winston , Ramsay Michèle 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundFetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a serious global health problem and is observed at high frequencies in certain South African communities. Althoughin uteroalcohol exposure is the primary trigger, there is evidence for genetic- and other susceptibility factors in FAS development. No genome-wide association or linkage studies have been performed for FAS, making computational selection and -prioritization of candidate disease genes an attractive approach.Results10174 Candidate genes were initially selected from the whole genome using a previously described method, which selects candidate genes according to their expression in disease-affected tissues. Hereafter candidates were prioritized for experimental investigation by investigating criteria pertinent to FAS and binary filtering. 29 Criteria were assessed by mining various database sources to populate criteria-specific gene lists. Candidate genes were then prioritized for experimental investigation using a binary system that assessed the criteria gene lists against the candidate list, and candidate genes were scored accordingly. A group of 87 genes was prioritized as candidates and for future experimental validation. The validity of the binary prioritization method was assessed by investigating the protein-protein interactions, functional enrichment and common promoter element binding sites of the top-ranked genes.ConclusionThis analysis highlighted a list of strong candidate genes from the TGF-β, MAPK and Hedgehog signalling pathways, which are all integral to fetal development and potential targets for alcohol's teratogenic effect. We conclude that this novel bioinformatics approach effectively prioritizes credible candidate genes for further experimental analysis.
Impact of prescription size on statin adherence and cholesterol levels
Authors: Batal Holly A , Krantz Mori J , Dale Rita A , Mehler Phillip S , Steiner John F 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background
Therapy with 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Co-enzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) improve outcomes in a broad spectrum of patients with hyperlipidemia. However, effective therapy requires ongoing medication adherence; restrictive pharmacy policies may represent a barrier to successful adherence, particularly among vulnerable patients. In this study we sought to assess the relationship between the quantity of statin dispensed by the pharmacy with patient adherence and total cholesterol.

Methods
We analyzed a cohort of 3,386 patients receiving more than one fill of statin medications through an integrated, inner-city health care system between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2002. Our measure of adherence was days of drug acquisition divided by days in the study for each patient, with adequate adherence defined as ≥ 80%. Log-binomial regression was used to determine the relative risk of various factors, including prescription size, on adherence. We also assessed the relationship between adherence and total cholesterol using multiple linear regression.

Results
After controlling for age, gender, race, co-payment, comorbidities, and insurance status, patients who obtained a majority of fills as 60-day supply compared with 30-day supply were more likely to be adherent to their statin medications (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.28–1.55, P < 0.01). We found that statin non-adherence less than 80% was predictive of higher total serum cholesterol by 17.23 ± 1.64 mg/dL (0.45 ± 0.04 mmol/L).

Conclusion
In a healthcare system serving predominantly indigent patients, the provision of a greater quantity of statin medication at each prescription fill contributes to improved adherence and greater drug effectiveness.
Impact of salinomycin on the intestinal microflora of broiler chickens
Authors: Johansen Charlotte H , Bjerrum Lotte , Pedersen Karl 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
The ionophoric coccidiostat salinomycin is widely used in chicken feed. In the near future the use of ionophore coccidiostats may be banned as has been the case for other antimicrobial growth promoters. This study was conducted to examine the effect of salinomycin on Campylobacter jejuni infection and on the composition of the caecal microflora in broiler chickens.

Methods
An experimental infection study was carried out in isolators and the intestinal microflora was analyzed using quantitative cultivation, denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), cloning and sequencing.

Results
We found no effect of salinomycin on C. jejuni but salinomycin significantly affected the composition of the microflora. In addition, salinomycin significantly reduced the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens and we observed a significant increase (62%) in the mean body weight of salinomycin treated chickens compared to un-treated controls.

Conclusion
Termination of the use of ionophore coccidiostats will not affect food safety related to campylobacter, but will increase the risk of necrotic enteritis in the broilers.
Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene haplotypes in Mexican and Spanish patients with fibromyalgia
Authors: Vargas-Alarcón Gilberto , Fragoso José-Manuel , Cruz-Robles David , Vargas Angélica , Vargas Alfonso , Lao-Villadóniga José-Ignacio , García-Fructuoso Ferrán , Ramos-Kuri Manuel , Hernández Fernando , Springall Rashidi , Bojalil Rafael , Vallejo Maite , Martínez-Lavín Manuel 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAutonomic dysfunction is frequent in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Heart rate variability analyses have demonstrated signs of ongoing sympathetic hyperactivity. Catecholamines are sympathetic neurotransmitters. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme, is the major catecholamine-clearing pathway. There are several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COMT gene associated with the different catecholamine-clearing abilities of the COMT enzyme. These SNPs are in linkage disequilibrium and segregate as 'haplotypes'. Healthy females with a particular COMT gene haplotype (ACCG) producing a defective enzyme are more sensitive to painful stimuli. The objective of our study was to define whether women with FM, from two different countries (Mexico and Spain), have the COMT gene haplotypes that have been previously associated with greater sensitivity to pain. All the individuals in the study were female. Fifty-seven Mexican patients and 78 Spanish patients were compared with their respective healthy control groups. All participants filled out the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Six COMT SNPs (rs2097903, rs6269, rs4633, rs4818, rs4680, and rs165599) were genotyped from peripheral blood DNA. In Spanish patients, there was a significant association between three SNPs (rs6269, rs4818, and rs4680) and the presence of FM when compared with healthy controls. Moreover, in Spanish patients with the 'high pain sensitivity' haplotype (ACCG), the disease, as assessed by the FIQ, was more severe. By contrast, Mexican patients displayed only a weak association between rs6269 and rs165599, and some FIQ subscales. In our group of Spanish patients, there was an association between FM and the COMT haplotype previously associated with high pain sensitivity. This association was not observed in Mexican patients. Studies with a larger sample size are needed in order to verify or amend these preliminary results.
Terminally differentiated neutrophils predominantly express Survivin-2α, a dominant-negative isoform of Survivin
Authors: Hu Huiyuan , Shikama Yayoi , Matsuoka Isao , Kimura Junko 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSurvivin, which is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, was found originally in immature cells and cancer cells but not in non-neoplastic adult tissues. The subsequent identification of four other alternative splice variants that possess distinct functions and localizations suggested the diverse roles of survivin isoforms. An unspecified isoform of survivin was found recently to be induced in terminally differentiated neutrophils by cytokines that prolong the neutrophil lifespan, such as GM-CSF and G-CSF, suggesting the importance of survivin in blocking apoptosis in neutrophils. To examine the mechanism by which survivin inhibits neutrophil apoptosis, we attempted to induce survivin by GM-CSF/G-CSF in an HL60 cell line that was differentiated into neutrophils by all-trans retinoic acid and DMSO and freshly isolated human neutrophils. The antiapoptotic isoform “Survivin,” which was decreased during differentiation, was re-induced by GM-CSF in neutrophil-like, differentiated HL60. In contrast, in normal neutrophils, survivin mRNA was observed to increase spontaneously after 24 h incubation, and no additional elevation was induced by GM-CSF/G-CSF, which exerted their antiapoptotic effects on the neutrophils in 6 h, despite the lack of survivin induction. PCR and Western blotting detected Survivin-2α, a dominant-negative of antiapoptotic Survivin, with no other isoforms in the freshly isolated or incubated neutrophils. Our study revealed that the expressed isoforms and the response to GM-CSF were different between the HL60-derived and normal neutrophils, which predominantly expressed Survivin-2α, not likely involved in apoptosis inhibition by GM-CSF/G-CSF.
Streptococcus pyogenesactivates human plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cells
Authors: Veckman Ville , Julkunen Ilkka 
Published: October 2007

AbstractHuman peripheral blood contains two major dendritic cell (DC) populations, namely CD11c–CD123+ plasmacytoid DCs (PDCs) and CD11c+CD123– myeloid DCs (MDCs). Although the activation of these DC types by various TLR ligands has been relatively well-characterized, less is known about the ability of whole live bacteria to induce PDC and MDC activation. In the present report, we have compared the activation of human PDCs and MDCs in response to major human bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci) and influenza A virus. S. pyogenes stimulation resulted in the maturation of both DC types, as evidenced by enhanced expression of costimulatory molecules and production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, S. pyogenes-stimulated PDCs and MDCs activated naïve CD4+ T cells and enhanced their Th1 cytokine production. Influenza A virus infection induced rapid PDC activation, whereas MDCs were extremely sensitive to influenza A virus-induced cell death. The most significant differences between DC types were seen in the production of IL-10 and IL-12, which were only produced by S. pyogenes-stimulated MDCs. Although S. pyogenes was able to induce PDC activation, only influenza A virus infection resulted in detectable IFN-α production. Our results show that depending on the infecting microbe, the functions of PDCs and MDCs may be partially overlapping, suggesting a considerable flexibility of the human DC system.
Humoral Immune Responses to Influenza Vaccination in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Dopp John M. , Wiegert Nicholas A. , Moran John J. , Muller Daniel , Weber Steven , Hayney Mary S. 
Published: October 2007

Study Objective. To compare humoral immune responses to influenza vaccination in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and in healthy volunteers (control subjects).Design. Prospective, controlled, parallel‐design study.Setting. Sleep disorders center at a university hospital.Subjects. Fourteen untreated subjects with moderate‐to‐severe OSA (apnea hypopnea index > 15 events/hr) and 17 healthy volunteers (control subjects).Intervention. All subjects were given the influenza vaccine for the years 2004–2005 or 2005–2006.Measurements and Main Results. Blood samples were obtained before and 2–4 weeks after vaccination to measure serum antibody titers for the A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)‐like and B/Shanghai/361/2002‐like viral strains by using the hemagglutination inhibition assay. Seroconversion was defined as an increase in the antibody titer by more than 4‐fold, whereas seroprotection was defined as an antibody titer greater than 40 hemagglutination units. The mean ± standard error of the mean apnea hypopnea index, calculated as the number of abnormal respiratory events divided by the number of hours of total sleep time, was 56 ± 12 events/hour in the OSA group and 1.0 ± 0.4 oxygen desaturations/hour in the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in changes in antibody concentration, frequencies of seroconversion, or rates of seroprotection between subjects with OSA and control subjects. Polysomnographic measures of OSA were not correlated with immune responses.Conclusion. Although pathophysiologic characteristics of OSA may influence immune responses, moderate‐to‐severe OSA did not impair humoral responses to the influenza vaccine in these subjects.
Effects of Gatifloxacin and Levofloxacin on Rates of Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia Among Elderly Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Lodise Thomas , Graves Jeffrey , Miller Chris , Mohr John F , Lomaestro Ben , Smith Raymond P. 
Published: October 2007

Study Objectives. To compare rates of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia among elderly hospitalized patients with normal blood glucose concentrations at baseline who were receiving either gatifloxacin or levofloxacin, and to determine if appropriateness of their doses, according to their package inserts, was associated with hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.Design. Retrospective cohort study.Setting. Integrated Veterans Administration (VA) health care system.Patients. Nine hundred thirty‐seven elderly (≥ 65 yrs) patients with documented blood glucose levels of 65–140 mg/dl before receiving a fluoroquinolone.Measurements and Main Results. Between January 2003 and April 2004, 405 patients receiving levofloxacin met study criteria. In April 2004, gatifloxacin was substituted for levofloxacin on the formulary of this VA system. Thus, between April 2004 and December 2004, 532 patients received gatifloxacin. All blood glucose concentrations during hospitalization that were measured during fluoroquinolone therapy or within 72 hours of completion of therapy were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, insulin and oral hypoglycemic therapies, disease severity, blood glucose levels, and outcomes were recorded and compared between groups. The two groups were similar at baseline for all characteristics examined except previous hospitalization. In the logistic regression, gatifloxacin was independently associated with both hypoglycemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–5.7, p=0.04) and hyperglycemia (AOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5‐3.6, p<0.001). Improper dosage adjustment based on renal function was not associated with higher rates of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia for either drug. Of the 532 patients receiving gatifloxacin, 465 (87.4%) received appropriate doses, yet gatifloxacin was associated with higher rates of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia compared with patients receiving levofloxacin.Conclusions. Higher rates of both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia were noted among elderly hospitalized patients who received gatifloxacin compared with those receiving levofloxacin, irrespective of dosing.
Immunosuppression by Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Koch Cody A. , Geraldes Pedro , Platt Jeffrey L. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractEmbryonic stem cells or their progeny inevitably differ genetically from those who might receive the cells as transplants. We tested the barriers to engraftment of embryonic stem cells and the mechanisms that determine those barriers. Using formation of teratomas as a measure of engraftment, we found that semiallogeneic and fully allogeneic embryonic stem cells engraft successfully in mice, provided a sufficient number of cells are delivered. Successfully engrafted cells did not generate immunological memory; unsuccessfully engrafted cells did. Embryonic stem cells reversibly, and in a dose-dependent manner, inhibited T-cell proliferation to various stimuli and the maturation of antigen-presenting cells induced by lipopolysaccharide. Inhibition of both was owed at least in part to production of transforming growth factor-β by the embryonic stem cells. Thus, murine embryonic stem cells exert “immunosuppression” locally, enabling engraftment across allogeneic barriers.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.