bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Key elements of the BMP/SMAD pathway co‐localize with CDX2 in intestinal metaplasia and regulate CDX2 expression in human gastric cell lines
Authors: Barros R , Pereira B , Duluc I , Azevedo M , Mendes N , Camilo V , Jacobs RJ , Paulo P , Santos‐Silva F , van Seuningen I , van den Brink GR , David L , Freund J‐N , Almeida R 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHelicobacter pylori infection induces intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, a preneoplastic lesion associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer development. Intestinal metaplasia is induced by the intestine‐specific transcription factor CDX2 but the mechanisms responsible for this ectopic expression have never been described. We hypothesized that the BMP/SMAD pathway has a role in CDX2 regulation, in this context, for the following reasons: (1) the BMP pathway is crucial for normal intestinal differentiation and (2) there is an influx of BMP2 and BMP4‐producing cells to the stomach upon Helicobacter pylori infection. We evaluated the expression of key elements of the BMP pathway in human stomach specimens with IM. Growth factor treatments, with BMP2 and BMP4, were performed in cultured cells and a knock‐down experiment of SMAD4 was done using RNAi. We showed overexpression in IM of BMP2/4, BMPR1A, and SMAD4 in 56% of IM foci, and pSMAD1/5/8 in 100% of IM foci as compared to adjacent mucosa. In vitro, treatment of AGS cells with BMP2 and BMP4 increased endogenous CDX2 expression as well as the intestinal differentiation markers MUC2 and LI‐cadherin. On the other hand, SMAD4 knock‐down led to decreased endogenous CDX2, MUC2, and LI‐cadherin in AGS. Treatment of the SMAD4 knock‐down cells had no influence on CDX2 expression as opposed to wild‐type cells. A 9.3 kb CDX2 promoter could be transactivated by SMAD4 and SMAD1 in a cell‐dependent manner. In conclusion, we identified for the first time that the BMP pathway is active in intestinal metaplasia and that BMP2 and BMP4 regulate CDX2 expression and promote intestinal differentiation through the canonical signal transducers. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distinct signatures of B‐cell homeostatic and activation‐dependent chemokine receptors in the development and progression of extragastric MALT lymphomas
Authors: Deutsch AJA , Aigelsreiter A , Steinbauer E , Frühwirth M , Kerl H , Beham‐Schmid C , Schaider H , Neumeister P 
Published: April 2008

AbstractChemokine receptors mediate migration and activation of lymphocytes through binding of their ligands. Recent studies have revealed important contributions of chemokine receptors to the development, progression, and dissemination of haematopoietic neoplasms. Because the chemokine receptor expression profile in extragastric MALT lymphoma is unknown, we performed a comprehensive study on tissue samples of parotid glands, parotid glands affected by Sjögren syndrome, extragastric MALT lymphoma, and extranodal diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (eDLBCL) originating from MALT lymphoma (transformed MALT lymphoma). By investigating the expression of 19 chemokine receptors by real‐time PCR using a semi‐quantitative approach and of four chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR5, CXCR6, and XCR1) by immunohistochemistry, we show that the chemokine receptor expression profiles of extragastric MALT lymphomas differ substantially from those of extranodal DBLCL, with lower expression of CCR1, CCR8, and CXCR3, and the absence of expression of CX3CR1 and XCR1 in eDLBCL. Expression of CCR6, CCR7, CXCR3, CXCR4, and CXCR5, responsible for B‐cell homing to secondary lymphoid tissue, was detected in both B‐cell malignancies. Expression of CCR4 was just detected in trisomy 3‐positive MALT lymphoma cases. Comparing gastric with extragastric MALT lymphomas, up‐regulation of CXCR1 and CXCR2 accompanied by down‐regulation of CCR8 and CX3CR1 and loss of XCR1 expression in extragastric MALT lymphomas appear to be key determinants for the site of origin of MALT lymphomagenesis. Our results support a model of stepwise progression of extragastric MALT lymphoma from a non‐neoplastic event to Sjögren syndrome, to MALT lymphoma, and finally to overt eDLBCL, guided by differentially expressed B‐cell homeostatic and activation‐dependent chemokine receptors and their ligands. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recurrent idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood
Authors: Vranou Maria , Platokouki Helen , Pergantou Helen , Aronis Sophie 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundIdiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a common haematological disease during childhood, that usually has a benign course; however, literature on the recurrent form of the disease (rITP) is limited.ProcedurerITP was characterized by intermittent episodes of thrombocytopenia (TP) followed by periods of recovery, unrelated to therapeutic intervention. We retrospectively reviewed features of patients with rITP, diagnosed and systematically followed up at our center, during the period 1975–2004.ResultsForty‐eight of 795 children with ITP (6.0 %) presented with rITP. The majority of patients (68.8%) had only one recurrence, whereas only one patient had four. A time interval between two episodes longer than 3 months (up to 96) was identified in 2/3 of episodes and <3 months in 1/3. The initial episode and the first recurrence mostly shared features of acute ITP; however, 22.9% of the episodes appeared with a chronic self‐limited course. Bleeding manifestations were rare (18.6% of episodes) and mild, and they tended to occur in severely thrombocytopenic patients, mainly at the onset of the initial episode; intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) occurred in a toddler with short duration thrombocytopenia. Intravenous γ globulin (IVIG) or corticosteroids were administered in 24.5% of episodes. None of the patients needed splenectomy. Conclusion: rITP is a rare, mild, self‐limited type of ITP, although ICH may occur in a profoundly TP child. Recurrence may occur close or far apart to a previous isolated TP episode. The duration of episodes varies considerably from patient to patient and from episode to episode in the same patient. The pathogenesis of rITP still remains unclear. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:261–264. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation and characterization of 3,3′‐bis (maleimidophenyl)phenylphosphine oxide (BMI)/polysulfone modified epoxy intercrosslinked matrices
Authors: Rajasekaran R. , Karikalchozhan C. , Alagar M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAn intercrosslinked network of polysulfone (PSF)—bismaleimide (BMI) modified epoxy matrix system was made by using diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin, hydroxyl terminated polysulfone and bismaleimide (3,3′‐bis(maleimidophenyl) phenylphosphine oxide) with diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) as curing agent. BMI–PSF–epoxy matrices were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and heat deflection temperature (HDT) analysis. The matrices, in the form of castings, were characterized for their mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, and unnotched Izod impact test as per ASTM methods. Mechanical studies indicated that the introduction of polysulfone into epoxy resin improves the toughness to an appreciable extent with insignificant increase in stress–strain properties. DSC studies indicated that the introduction of polysulfone decreases the glass transition temperature, whereas the incorporation of bismaleimide into epoxy resin influences the mechanical and thermal properties according to its percentage content. DSC thermograms of polysulfone as well as BMI modified epoxy resin show a unimodal reaction exotherm. The thermal stability and flame retardant properties of cured epoxy resins were improved with the introduction of bismaleimide and polysulfone. Water absorption characteristics were studied as per ASTM method and the morphology of the BMI modified epoxy and PSF‐epoxy systems were studied by scanning electron microscope. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Evaluating competing adverse and beneficial outcomes using a mixture model
Authors: Lau Bryan , Cole Stephen R. , Moore Richard D. , Gange Stephen J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA competing risk framework occurs when individuals have the potential to experience only one of the several mutually exclusive outcomes. Standard survival methods often overestimate the cumulative incidence of events when competing events are censored. Mixture distributions have been previously applied to the competing risk framework to obtain inferences regarding the subdistribution of an event of interest. Often the competing event is treated as a nuisance, but it may be of interest to compare adverse events against the beneficial outcome when dealing with an intervention. In this paper, methods for using a mixture model to estimate an adverse–benefit ratio curve (ratio of the cumulative incidence curves for the two competing events) and the ratio of the subhazards for the two competing events are presented. A parametric approach is described with some remarks for extending the model to include uncertainty in the event type that occurred, left truncation in order to allow for time‐dependent analyses, and uncertainty in the timing of the event resulting in interval censoring. The methods are illustrated with data from an HIV clinical cohort examining whether individuals initiating effective antiretroviral therapy have a greater risk of antiretroviral discontinuation or switching compared with HIV RNA suppression. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”: Anthony Braxton's Speculative Musics
Authors: HEFFLEY MIKE 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAnthony Braxton's opera Trillium R (1991): Shala Fears for the Poor is examined macroscopically, microscopically, and theoretically for its resonances with both spoken and written language. The latter is posited as an ur-technology spawning six more specialized technologies tropes, through which the macroscopic survey unfolds. Braxton's music is conflated with the academic discourse of “speculative musicology” and the genre of “speculative fiction,” the literary arena of most fertile explorations of technological potential. The microscopic study examines the relationship between Braxton's libretto and music in the score, and that between the determinate and indeterminate in both, as the techne (tool) of its effectiveness. Finally, the article explains Braxton's work through its European, African, Asian, and Native American influences.
Determinants of Insulin‐resistant Phenotypes in Normal‐weight and Obese Black African Women
Authors: Jennings Courtney L. , Lambert Estelle V. , Collins Malcolm , Joffe Yael , Levitt Naomi S. , Goedecke Julia H. 
Published: April 2008

Objective: Subsets of metabolically “healthy obese” and “at‐risk” normal‐weight individuals have been previously identified. The aim of this study was to explore the determinants of these phenotypes in black South African (SA) women.Methods and Procedures: From a total of 103 normal‐weight (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2) and 122 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) black SA women, body composition, fat distribution, blood pressure, fasting glucose levels, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles were measured. Questionnaires relating to family history, physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), and socio‐demographic variables were administered. The subjects were classified as insulin sensitive or insulin resistant according to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (≥1.95 insulin resistant).Results: Our study showed that 22% of the normal‐weight women were insulin resistant and 38% of the obese women were insulin sensitive. Increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (P = 0.001) and decreased VAT/leg fat mass (P ≤ 0.001), independent of total body fatness, distinguished between the phenotypes. Moreover, the insulin‐sensitive women were of higher socioeconomic status, did more leisure and vigorous PAEE and were less likely to use injectable contraceptives. Using a regression model, body fat distribution, percent body fat, age, log leisure PAEE, and use of injected contraception accounted for 35% of the variance in HOMA‐IR in the normal‐weight women. In the obese women, 34% of the variance in HOMA‐IR was explained by the same variables, excluding PAEE. No differences in smoking status or family history of metabolic disease were found between the phenotypes.Discussion: Central fat distribution, total adiposity, socioeconomic status, leisure PAEE, and use of injectable contraceptives distinguished between insulin‐sensitive and insulin‐resistant black SA women.
Does High BMI Influence Hospital Charges in Children Undergoing Adenotonsillectomy?
Authors: Nafiu Olubukola O. , Chimbira Wilson T. , Woolford Susan J. , Tremper Kevin K. , Reynolds Paul I. , Green Glenn E. 
Published: April 2008

Background: Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic problem with health and fiscal consequences. Data from adults and nonsurgical pediatric patients suggest that obesity has serious implications for the US economy.Objective: Our goal was to describe the impact of BMI on hospital charges in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (AT).Methods and Procedures: We carried out a retrospective comparative analysis of the electronic anesthesia record and the charges from billing data from a large tertiary institution on children aged 3–18 years who had AT during the year 2005–2007. The main outcome measures were mean total hospital charges, likelihood of admission, and length of hospital stay (LOS).Results: Of 1,643 children, 68.9% were aged <10 years, 76% were whites, and 74.1% had private commercial insurance. Most (75.3%) children were discharged on the day of surgery. Obese and overweight children were more likely to be admitted than their normal‐weight peers (X2 = 26.3, P < 0.001). Among those admitted, BMI showed a positive correlation with LOS (r = 0.20, P < 0.001). Obese and overweight patients had significantly higher total hospital charges than their healthy‐weight counterparts (P = 0.001). Anesthesia, postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and pharmacy and laboratory charges were also higher for obese than normal‐weight children (P < 0.05).Discussion: Overweight and obese children undergoing AT accrued higher hospital charges and had longer postoperative LOS than their healthy‐weight peers. If these findings are extendable to other surgical procedures, they could have far‐reaching implications for the US economy.
Considerations on charisma and the cult of charismatic leadership
Authors: Cavalli Luciano 
Published: April 2008

Summary
This article seeks to clarify some issues in the study of charisma. Personal charisma is seen mainly as deriving from a relationship of trust born in a situation of crisis in which particularly forceful individuals can shape myths and values. It is not necessarily the case that such leaders are psychologically abnormal, although the masses supporting them may have regressed to a primitive psychic state. Cults may be structured or spontaneous or both; in any event, in the Italian case, the experience of Catholic domination and cultural influence has been an important factor in conditioning perceptions of extraordinary leaders. Mussolini was the only national charismatic leader; others including De Gasperi and Togliatti, were mere factional leaders. Although Craxi, Pannella, Berlusconi and Bossi stood out in a time of crisis, they only offered slightly stronger forms of leadership. Finally, Di Pietro is considered as a possible national charismatic leader of the future.
Forward-time simulations of non-random mating populations using simuPOP
Authors: Peng Bo , Amos Christopher I. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Summary: Computer simulations play an important role in studies of non-random mating populations. Because of implementation difficulties, only very limited types of non-random mating schemes are provided in the currently available simulation programs. Starting with version 0.8.5, simuPOP provides a few mating schemes that can be used to simulate arbitrary non-random mating models. This article describes the concepts and methods behind these mating schemes and demonstrates their uses in a few examples, including partial self-mating, positive assortative mating, non-random outbreeding, and simulation of overlapping generations in age-structured populations.
Availability: simuPOP is freely available at http://simupop.sourceforge.net, distributed under a GPL license. Cited examples are in the doc/cookbook directory of a simuPOP distribution.
Contact: bpeng@mdanderson.org
Expression of estrogen receptor β in normal skin, melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas
Authors: OHATA Chika , TADOKORO Taketsugu , ITAMI Satoshi 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTSex hormones are known to be associated with increases of melanocytes and melanin production in human skin. However, the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα) in melanocytic lesions has been controversial. In 1996, a new subset of estrogen receptor was cloned, and named estrogen receptor β (ERβ). We used immunohistochemical staining to characterize the expression of ERα and ERβ in normal skin and in melanocytic lesions. Normal sebaceous glands and hair follicles were positive for ERα and ERβ. Other adnexal structures and constituents in the skin were positive for ERβ, but not for ERα. Melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas were negative for ERα, but both were positive for ERβ. The ubiquitous expression of ERβ may play a fundamental role in various normal skin cells and melanocytic tumors.
Childhood and adolescent predictors of alcohol use and problems in adolescence and adulthood in the National Child Development Study
Authors: Maggs Jennifer L. , Patrick Megan E. , Feinstein Leon 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTAims  To identify childhood and adolescent predictors of alcohol use and harmful drinking in adolescence and adulthood.Design  Longitudinal data from childhood to mid‐life from the National Child Development Study (NCDS) were used, including predictors collected at ages 7, 11, 16 years and alcohol outcomes collected at ages 16, 23, 33 and 42 years.Setting  The NCDS is an ongoing longitudinal study of a cohort of 1 week's births in Britain in 1958.Participants  Childhood and adolescent predictors and alcohol use data from at least one adolescent or adult wave were available from 7883 females and 8126 males.Measurements  Social background, family, academic and behavioural predictors measured at ages 7, 11 and 16 years were entered into hierarchical multiple and logistic regressions to predict quantity of alcohol use at ages 16, 23, and 33 years and harmful drinking [i.e. Cut‐down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye‐opener (CAGE) questionnaire score] by age 42 years.Findings  Previous drinking was controlled in final models to predict change. Drinking was heavier among those with greater childhood and adolescent social advantage (especially females), less harmonious family relationships, more social maladjustment, greater academic performance, less internalizing problems, more truancy and earlier school‐leaving plans.Conclusions  Alcohol use and problems in adulthood can be predicted by indicators of social background, adjustment and behaviour in childhood and adolescence. Results demonstrate that the early roots of adolescent and adult alcohol use behaviours begin in childhood.
Clinical decision‐making: predictors of patient participation in nursing care
Authors: Florin Jan , Ehrenberg Anna , Ehnfors Margareta 
Published: April 2008

Aim.  To investigate predictors of patients’ preferences for participation in clinical decision‐making in inpatient nursing care.Background.  Patient participation in decision‐making in nursing care is regarded as a prerequisite for good clinical practice regarding the person’s autonomy and integrity.Design.  A cross‐sectional survey of 428 persons, newly discharged from inpatient care.Methods.  The survey was conducted using the Control Preference Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used for testing the association of patient characteristics with preferences for participation.Results.  Patients, in general, preferred adopting a passive role. However, predictors for adopting an active participatory role were the patient’s gender (odds ratio = 1·8), education (odds ratio = 2·2), living condition (odds ratio = 1·8) and occupational status (odds ratio = 2·0). A probability of 53% was estimated, which female senior citizens with at least a high school degree and who lived alone would prefer an active role in clinical decision‐making. At the same time, a working cohabiting male with less than a high school degree had a probability of 8% for active participation in clinical decision‐making in nursing care.Conclusions.  Patient preferences for participation differed considerably and are best elicited by assessment of the individual patient.Relevance to clinical practice.  The nurses have a professional responsibility to act in such a way that patients can participate and make decisions according to their own values from an informed position. Access to knowledge of patients’ basic assumptions and preferences for participation is of great value for nurses in the care process. There is a need for nurses to use structured methods and tools for eliciting individual patient preferences regarding participation in clinical decision‐making.
A pharmacokinetic basis for the administration of digoxin to puppies
Authors: BUTTON C. , GROSS D. R. 
Published: April 2008

The pharmacokinetics of digoxin were investigated in five 15‐day‐old puppies. Following administration of 30 μg/kg digoxin intravenously, multiple serum samples were collected and assayed by radioimmunoassay. Data was analysed by non‐linear least squares regression analysis.The mean biological half‐life of digoxin in puppies was 22.7 h and the mean volume of distribution by extrapolation was 14.4 litres/kg. The data collected along with data from the literature was applied to standard pharmacokinetic equations to formulate tentative doses of digoxin. The maintenance doses calculated for puppies were, in μg/kg/24 h, 15 for the intravenous injection, 18 for the pediatric elixir and 22 for the tablet.When the above doses of digoxin were administered to six 31‐day‐old Beagle pups, resultant plasma digoxin concentrations measured over 12 days were mostly lower than expected but were nevertheless within the proposed therapeutic, non‐toxic range of 0.5 to 2.5 ng/ml.
Xylazine‐induced mydriasis: possible involvement of a central postsynaptic regulation of parasympathetic tone
Authors: HSU W. H. , BETTS D. M. , LEE P. 
Published: April 2008

Intravenous injection of xylazine (0.01 – 1 mg/kg) produced a dose‐dependent mydriasis associated with a depression of tonic ciliary nerve activity in anesthetized cats. Xylazine‐induced mydriasis was apparent in the sympathectomized iris but was absent in the parasympathectomized, physostigmine‐treated iris. Epinephrine (30 μg/kg, i.v.) produced a slighdy greater mydriasis in the sympathectomized iris than in the parasympathectomized, physostigmine‐treated iris. The α2‐adrenergic blocking agent, yohimbine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) antagonized the pupillary dilation and reversed the depression of ciliary nerve activity induced by xylazine administration.In rats pretreated with reserpine (7.5 mg/kg, s.c., 20 h) and α‐methyl‐p‐tyrosine (250 mg/kg, i.p., 5 h), intravenous injection of xylazine (0.01 – 1 mg/kg) resulted in mydriasis of similar magnitude as control animals. However, xylazine induced bradycardia in the control group but not in die pretreated animals.The results suggest that pupillary dilation produced by i.v. xylazine is primarily die result of a central inhibition of parasympathetic tone to the iris. It also appears that xylazine produces this effect via postsynaptic α2‐adrenergic mechanisms, while it produces bradycardia through a presynaptic α2‐adrenergic mechanism.