bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in the ADRB2 gene and Graves disease: a case-control study and a meta-analysis of available evidence
Authors: Chu Xun , Dong Yan , Shen Min , Sun Lingling , Dong Changzheng , Wang Yi , Wang Beilan , Zhang Kaiyue , Hua Qi , Xu Shijie , Huang Wei 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe beta-2-Adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene on chromosome 5q33.1 is an important immunoregulatory factor. We and others have previously implicated chromosomal region 5q31-33 for contribution to the genetic susceptibility to Graves disease (GD) in East-Asian populations. Two recent studies showed associations between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1042714 in theADRB2gene and GD. In this study, we aimed to fully investigate whether theADRB2gene conferred susceptibility to GD in Chinese population, and to perform a meta-analysis of association betweenADRB2and GD.MethodsApproximately 1 kb upstream the transcription start site and the entire coding regions of theADRB2gene were resequenced in 48 Han Chinese individuals to determine the linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns. Tag SNPs were selected and genotyped in a case-control collection of 1,118 South Han Chinese subjects, which included 428 GD patients and 690 control subjects. A meta-analysis was performed with the data obtained in the present samples and those available from prior studies.ResultsFifteen SNPs in theADRB2gene were identified by resequencing and one SNP was novel. Ten tag SNPs were investigated further to assess association ofADRB2in the case-control collection. Neither individual tag SNP nor haplotypes showed association with GD in Han Chinese population (P > 0.05). Our meta-analysis of theADRB2SNP rs1042714 measured heterogeneity between the ethnic groups (I2= 53.1%) and no association to GD was observed in the overall three studies with a random effects model (OR = 1.13, 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.36; P = 0.18). However, significant association was found from the combined data of Caucasian population with a fixed effects model (OR = 1.18, 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.32; P = 0.002; I2= 5.9%).ConclusionOur study indicated that theADRB2gene did not exert a substantial influence on GD susceptibility in Han Chinese population, but contributed to a detectable GD risk in Caucasian population. This inconsistency resulted largely from between-ethnicity heterogeneity.
TFCat: the curated catalog of mouse and human transcription factors
Authors: Fulton Debra L , Sundararajan Saravanan , Badis Gwenael , Hughes Timothy R , Wasserman Wyeth W , Roach Jared C , Sladek Rob 
Published: March 2009

AbstractUnravelling regulatory programs governed by transcription factors (TFs) is fundamental to understanding biological systems. TFCat is a catalog of mouse and human TFs based on a reliable core collection of annotations obtained by expert review of the scientific literature. The collection, including proven and homology-based candidate TFs, is annotated within a function-based taxonomy and DNA-binding proteins are organized within a classification system. All data and user-feedback mechanisms are available at the TFCat portal http://www.tfcat.ca.
Acidification of Blood Is Superior to Sodium Fluoride Alone as an Inhibitor of Glycolysis
Authors: Gambino Raymond , Piscitelli Janet , Ackattupathil Tomy A , Theriault Judy L , Andrin Reynaldo D , Sanfilippo Michael L , Etienne Monina 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground: Sodium fluoride is the preferred agent to inhibit glycolysis. Its action is not immediate, however, and complete inhibition is delayed for up to 4 hours. A more effective method is needed. Acidification of blood combined with the addition of NaF and EDTA appears to be such a method. We studied whether acidification was indeed more effective than NaF.Methods: We conducted 6 independent studies over a 10-month period at 3 Quest Diagnostics laboratory sites. In each study, we drew venous blood from 6–24 nonfasting employee volunteers into 3 or 4 different serum- or plasma-collection tubes, which were stored under different conditions and aliquoted at different times. We analyzed the aliquots in duplicate by means of a hexokinase-based enzymatic method.Results: The mean glucose concentration decreased by 0.3% at 2 h and by 1.2% at 24 h when blood was drawn into tubes containing citrate buffer, NaF, and EDTA. In contrast, the mean glucose concentration decreased by 4.6% at 2 h and by 7.0% at 24 h when blood was drawn into tubes containing NaF and sodium oxalate.Conclusions: Acidification should replace NaF alone as the recommended method for obtaining an accurate glucose concentration. Diagnostic cut points based on blood samples collected into tubes containing NaF as the only inhibitor of glycolysis are likely to be too low.
The Analysis and Control of Distortion in Carbonitrided and Nitrocarburized Thin-Shelled Plain Carbon Steel Automotive Powertrain Components
Authors: Campagna Victoria , Northwood Derek O. , Bowers Randy , Sun Xichen , Bauerle Peter 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Gaseous ferritic nitrocarburizing was investigated as a replacement for the carbonitriding process currently used to improve the surface properties of thin-shelled, plain carbon steel automotive powertrain components. Nitrocarburizing can impart a hard, wear-resistant case suitable for light load applications at lower processing temperatures than carbonitriding, thereby potentially reducing size and shape distortions and the associated need for finish grinding. Carbonitriding and gaseous ferritic nitrocarburizing were compared with respect to size and shape distortion, retained austenite, and residual stress values. Testing was performed on a torque converter piston, an automotive powertrain component stamped from a sheet of 3-mm cold-worked SAE 1010 steel. A total of 53 pistons were used. While the heat treatment conditions for the carbonitrided pistons were similar to the current production schedule, conditions for the nitrocarburized pistons incorporated a range of processing times from 2–14 hours and temperatures from 510–605°C (950–1125°F). The results of this work were generally consistent with those from an earlier study involving the use of Navy C-ring specimens. For both the Navy C-rings and torque converter pistons, the nitrocarburizing process gave rise to lower part distortion, but resulted in overall lower compressive residual stress values than in the carbonitrided steel.
The Shaft Tomb of Menekhibnekau at Abusir – Season of 2007
Authors: Bares Ladislav , Janak Jiri , Landgrafova Renata , Smolarikova Kveta 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDuring the spring season of 2007, the burial chamber (built of large white limestone ashlars and vaulted inside) has been unearthed at the bottom of the main shaft in the Late Period tomb of Menekhibnekau. The inner sides of the chamber, as well as the sides of the outer and inner sarcophagi (made of white limestone and greywacke respectively) are largely decorated with texts and representations in sunk relief, among them personifications of the day and night hours, excerpts from the Book of the Dead, Pyramid Texts, etc. Although the burial chamber has been robbed already in Antiquity, a few items of the original burial equipment have been preserved. In a separate shaft, serving as an embalmers’ cache, a number of large storage vessels have been examined. On nineteen of them, late hieratic and early demotic inscriptions have been found that mention materials used during mummification.
Gender and Oracular Practice in Deir el-Medîna
Authors: Sweeney Deborah 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBoth men and women consulted the oracle of Amenhotep I in Deir el-Medîna, but women seldom appear in texts and images generated by oracular consultations. Most texts mentioning women refer to property matters; the same is true for men, but issues relating to the men′s professional lives, such as wages and appointments, are not mentioned in connection with women. O Berlin P 10629, where a woman consults the oracle in a property dispute with her family, is a particularly intriguing text. If the goods the plaintiff′s mother took away from her are family property, the petitioner is asking the oracle to confirm her future inheritance rights and establish the value of the objects. However, the family quarrel may be about whether the mother is making a false claim to the daughter′s personal property, in which case the oracle is asked to establish the truth.
Glucocorticoid replacement therapy and pharmacogenetics in Addison's disease: effects on bone
Authors: Løvås Kristian , Gjesdal Clara G , Christensen Monika , Wolff Anette B , Almås Bjørg , Svartberg Johan , Fougner Kristian J , Syversen Unni , Bollerslev Jens , Falch Jan A , Hunt Penelope J , Chatterjee V Krishna K , Husebye Eystein S 
Published: March 2009

ContextPatients with primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) receive more glucococorticoids than the normal endogenous production, raising concern about adverse effects on bone.ObjectiveTo determine i) the effects of glucocorticoid replacement therapy on bone, and ii) the impact of glucocorticoid pharmacogenetics.Design, setting and participantsA cross-sectional study of two large Addison's cohorts from Norway (n=187) and from UK and New Zealand (n=105).Main outcome measuresBone mineral density (BMD) was measured; theZ-scores represent comparison with a reference population. Blood samples from 187 Norwegian patients were analysed for bone markers and common polymorphisms in genes that have been associated with glucocorticoid sensitivity.ResultsFemoral neck BMDZ-scores were significantly reduced in the patients (Norway: mean −0.28 (95% confidence intervals (CI) −0.42, −0.16); UK and New Zealand: −0.21 (95% CI −0.36, −0.06)). Lumbar spineZ-scores were reduced (Norway: −0.17 (−0.36, +0.01); UK and New Zealand: −0.57 (−0.78, −0.37)), and significantly lower in males compared with females (P=0.02). The commonP-glycoprotein (ABCB1) polymorphism C3435T was significantly associated with total BMD (CC and CT>TTP=0.015), with a similar trend at the hip and spine.ConclusionsBMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine is reduced in Addison's disease, indicating undesirable effects of the replacement therapy. The findings lend support to the recommendations that 15–25 mg hydrocortisone daily is more appropriate than the higher conventional doses. A common polymorphism in the efflux transporterP-glycoprotein is associated with reduced bone mass and might confer susceptibility to glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis.
Hematopoietic and Endothelial Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Choi Kyung-Dal , Yu Junying , Smuga-Otto Kim , Salvagiotto Giorgia , Rehrauer William , Vodyanik Maxim , Thomson James , Slukvin Igor 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide an unprecedented opportunity for modeling of human diseases in vitro, as well as for developing novel approaches for regenerative therapy based on immunologically compatible cells. In this study, we employed an OP9 differentiation system to characterize the hematopoietic and endothelial differentiation potential of seven human iPSC lines obtained from human fetal, neonatal, and adult fibroblasts through reprogramming with POU5F1, SOX2, NANOG, and LIN28 and compared it with the differentiation potential of five human embryonic stem cell lines (hESC, H1, H7, H9, H13, and H14). Similar to hESCs, all iPSCs generated CD34+CD43+ hematopoietic progenitors and CD31+CD43− endothelial cells in coculture with OP9. When cultured in semisolid media in the presence of hematopoietic growth factors, iPSC-derived primitive blood cells formed all types of hematopoietic colonies, including GEMM colony-forming cells. Human induced pluripotent cells (hiPSCs)-derived CD43+ cells could be separated into the following phenotypically defined subsets of primitive hematopoietic cells: CD43+CD235a+CD41a± (erythro-megakaryopoietic), lin−CD34+CD43+CD45− (multipotent), and lin−CD34+CD43+CD45+ (myeloid-skewed) cells. Although we observed some variations in the efficiency of hematopoietic differentiation between different hiPSCs, the pattern of differentiation was very similar in all seven tested lines obtained through reprogramming of human fetal, neonatal, or adult fibroblasts with three or four genes. Although several issues remain to be resolved before iPSC-derived blood cells can be administered to humans for therapeutic purposes, patient-specific iPSCs can already be used for characterization of mechanisms of blood diseases and for identification of molecules that can correct affected genetic networks.
Spherically Symmetric Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Bodies Inherent with Endogenous Extracellular Matrices for Cellular Cardiomyoplasty
Authors: Wang Chung-Chi , Chen Chun-Hung , Hwang Shiaw-Min , Lin Wei-Wen , Huang Chih-Hao , Lee Wen-Yu , Chang Yen , Sung Hsing-Wen 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Cell transplantation via direct intramyocardial injection is a promising therapy for patients with myocardial infarction; however, retention of the transplanted cells at the injection sites remains a central issue following injection of dissociated cells. Using a thermoresponsive hydrogel system with a multiwell structure, we successfully developed an efficient technique to generate spherically symmetric bodies of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) inherent with endogenous extracellular matrices (ECMs) for direct intramyocardial injection. After injection through a needle and upon transferring to another growth surface, the time required to attach, migrate, and proliferate was significantly shorter for the MSC bodies than the dissociated MSCs. Employing a syngeneic rat model with experimental myocardial infarction, an intramyocardial injection was conducted with a needle directly into the peri-infarct areas. There were four treatment groups (n = 10): sham, phosphate-buffered saline, dissociated MSCs, and MSC bodies. The results obtained in the echocardiography and catheterization measurements demonstrated that the MSC body group had a superior heart function to the dissociated MSC group. Histologically, it was found that MSC bodies could provide an adequate physical size to entrap into the interstices of muscular tissues and offer a favorable ECM environment to retain the transplanted cells intramuscularly. Additionally, transplantation of MSC bodies stimulated a significant increase in vascular density, thus improving the cardiac function. These results indicated that the spherically symmetric bodies of MSCs developed in the study may serve as a cell-delivery vehicle and improve the efficacy of therapeutic cell transplantation.
Enhance Reservoir Performance through Effective Horizontal Wells Placement in Complex Sandstone Reservoir: Case Studies
Authors: SayedAkram Nawaf I. , AbuHassoun Amer H. , Qahtani Hassan B. , Al-Rabba Ali 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Challenges associated with sandstone heterogeneous reservoirs require effective collaboration of reservoir engineers, geoscientists with application of latest technologies and best practices. This will help enhance reservoir sweep through optimal horizontal well placement.
Due to the challenges associated with fluid identification in fresh water environment, flood front movement and extreme vertical and lateral heterogeneity, an effort was made to maximize the contact across the reservoir through optimizing horizontal well placement. Another challenging aspect is the interpretation of productive sand versus none productive sands between correlatable offset wells.
This paper presents case studies to demonstrate the team’s successful practices to overcome field’s challenges and achieve significant improvements in horizontal well placements in one of SAUDI ARAMCO’s most complex sandstone reservoirs. Strategies and combined applications of LWD, MDT, NMR and borehole image logs run in the pilot hole that helped in geo-steering the horizontal wells in thin oil column will be highlighted in this paper.
Technology Diffusion, Product Differentiation and Environmental Subsidies
Authors: McGinty Matthew , de Vries Frans P 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between environmental subsidies, the diffusion of a clean technology, and the degree of product differentiation in an imperfectly competitive market. Like others, we show that the subsidy succeeds in reducing environmental damage only when the substitution effect (the reduction in pollution associated with the clean technology) exceeds the output effect (the extent that the subsidy increases output). Here, we add product differentiation and diffusion dynamics. When the substitution effect dominates, environmental damage decreases monotonically during the diffusion process. The extent of technology diffusion (the degree to which clean technology replaces dirty) is decreasing in the degree of product differentiation. Further, as products become closer substitutes, it is more likely that the subsidy will reduce environmental damage. Finally, the subsidy for clean technology will spill over to the remaining dirty producers, increasing their profit as well. In a free-entry equilibrium, the subsidy decreases pollution when product differentiation is low compared to the relative pollution intensity of the clean technology.
The role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in adult patients with hydrocephalus
Authors: Jenkinson Michael D. , Hayhurst Caroline , Al-Jumaily Mohammed , Kandasamy Jothy , Clark Simon , Mallucci Conor L. 
Published: March 2009

Object
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is the treatment of choice for hydrocephalus, but the outcome is dependent on the cause of this disorder, and the procedure remains principally the preserve of pediatric neurosurgeons. The role of ETV in adult patients with hydrocephalus was therefore investigated.

Methods
One hundred ninety adult patients underwent ETV for hydrocephalus. Cases were defined as primary ETV (newly diagnosed, without a previously placed shunt) and secondary ETV (performed for shunt malfunctions due to infection or mechanical blockage). Causes of hydrocephalus included tumor, long-standing overt ventriculomegaly (LOVA), Chiari malformation Types I and II (CM-I and -II), aqueduct stenosis, spina bifida, and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Successful ETV was defined as resolution of symptoms with shunt independence. Operative complications and ETV failure rate were investigated according to the causes of hydrocephalus and between the primary and secondary ETV groups.

Results
In the primary group, ETV was successful in 107 (83%) of 129 patients, including those with tumors (52 of 66), LOVA (21 of 24), CM-I (11 of 11 cases), CM-II (8 of 9), aqueduct stenosis (8 of 9), and IVH (2 of 2). In the secondary group, ETV was successful in 41 (67%) of 61 patients and was equally successful in cases of mechanical shunt malfunction (35 of 52 patients) and infected shunt malfunction (6 of 9 patients). The median time to ETV failure was 1.7 months in the primary group and 0.5 months in the secondary group. The majority of ETV failures occurred within the first 3 months, and thereafter, the Kaplan-Meier survival curves plateaued. There were no procedure-related deaths, and complications were seen in only 5.8% of cases.

Conclusions
The success rate of ETVs in adults is comparable, if not better, than in children. In addition to the well-defined role of ETV in the treatment of hydrocephalus caused by tumors and aqueduct stenosis, ETV may also have a role in the management of CM-I, LOVA, persistent shunt infection, and IVH resistant to other CSF diversion procedures.
Low-grade oligodendroglioma: an indolent but incurable disease?
Authors: El-Hateer Hamdy , Souhami Luis , Roberge David , Maestro Rolando del , Leblanc Richard , Eldebawy Eman , Muanza Thierry , Melançon Denis , Kavan Petr , Guiot Marie-Christine 
Published: March 2009

Object
The authors reviewed their institutional experience with pure low-grade oligodendroglioma (LGO), correlating outcomes with several variables of possible prognostic values.

Methods
Sixty-nine patients with WHO-classified LGOs were treated between 1992 and 2006 at the McGill University Health Center. Clinical, pathological, and radiological records were carefully reviewed. Demographic characteristics; the nature and duration of presenting symptoms; baseline neurological function; extent of resection; Karnofsky Performance Scale score; preoperative radiological findings including tumor size, location, and absence/presence of enhancement; and pathological data including chromosome arms 1p/19q codeletion and O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter gene methylation status were all compiled. The timing and dose of radio- and/or chemotherapy, date of tumor progression, pathological finding at disease progression, treatment at time of disease progression, and status at the last follow-up were also recorded.

Results
The median follow-up period was 6.1 years (range 1.3–16.3 years). The majority (78%) of patients presented with seizures; contrast enhancement was initially seen in 16 patients (25%). All patients had undergone an initial surgical procedure: gross-total resection in 27%, partial resection in 59%, and biopsy only in the remaining 13%. Fifteen patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Data on O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter gene methylation status was available in 47 patients (68%) and in all but 1 patient for 1p/19q status. Survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was 83, 63, and 29%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that seizures at presentation and the absence of contrast enhancement were the only independent favorable prognostic factors for survival. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year progression-free survival rates were 46, 7.7, and 0%, respectively.

Conclusions
This retrospective review confirms the indolent but progressively fatal nature of LGOs. Contrast enhancement was the most evident single prognostic factor. New treatment strategies are clearly needed in the management of this disease.