bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metallothionein Induction by Hypoxia Involves Cooperative Interactions between Metal-Responsive Transcription Factor-1 and Hypoxia-Inducible Transcription Factor-1α
Authors: Murphy Brian J. , Kimura Tomoki , Sato Barbara G. , Shi Yihui , Andrews Glen K. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Mammalian metallothionein (MT) genes are transcriptionally activated by the essential metal zinc as well as by environmental stresses, including toxic metal overload and redox fluctuations. In addition to playing a key role in zinc homeostasis, MT proteins can protect against metal- and oxidant-induced cellular damage, and may participate in other fundamental physiologic and pathologic processes such as cell survival, proliferation, and neoplasia. Previously, our group reported a requirement for metal-responsive transcription factor-1 (MTF-1) in hypoxia-induced transcription of mouse MT-I and human MT-IIA genes. Here, we provide evidence that the protumorigenic hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1α (HIF-1α) is essential for induction of MT-1 by hypoxia, but not zinc. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that MTF-1 and HIF-1α are both recruited to the mouse MT-I promoter in response to hypoxia, but not zinc. In the absence of HIF-1α, MTF-1 is recruited to the MT-I promoter but fails to activate MT-I gene expression in response to hypoxia. Thus, HIF-1α seems to function as a coactivator of MT-I gene transcription by interacting with MTF-1 during hypoxia. Coimmunoprecipitation studies suggest interaction between MTF-1 and HIF-1α, either directly or as mediated by other factors. It is proposed that association of these important transcription factors in a multiprotein complex represents a common strategy to control unique sets of hypoxia-inducible genes in both normal and diseased tissue. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(3):483–90)
Distinct Functionality of Tumor Cell–Derived Gelatinases during Formation of Liver Metastases
Authors: Gerg Michael , Kopitz Charlotte , Schaten Susanne , Tschukes Alexander , Kahlert Christoph , Stangl Manfred , Hann von Weyhern Claus W. , Brücher Björn L.D.M. , Edwards Dylan R. , Brand Karsten , Krüger Achim 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The specific spatiotemporal role of the matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 (gelatinase) during metastasis is still under debate. Host cells have been described as major contributors to these MMPs during metastasis. Here, we show strong overexpression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by tumor cells of clinical liver specimen of recurrent metachronous metastases, leading us to address the importance of tumor cell–derived MMP-2 or MMP-9 during liver metastasis. Thus far, distinction of their roles was impossible due to lack of inhibitors which can act exclusively on tumor cells or distinguish MMP-2 from MMP-9. We therefore used short hairpin RNA interference technology in the well-established syngeneic L-CI.5s lymphoma model, in which we could analyze the time course of experimental liver colonization (arrest/invasion of single tumor cells, outgrowth, and invasion within the parenchyma) in immunocompetent mice and correlate these steps with MMP-2 or MMP-9 expression levels. In parental tumor cells, MMP-9 expression closely correlated with the invasive phases of liver colonization, whereas MMP-2 expression remained unaltered. Specific knockdown of MMP-9 revealed a close correlation between invasion-dependent events and tumor cell–derived MMP-9 expression. In contrast, knockdown of MMP-2 did not significantly alter the metastatic potential of the cells but led to a marked inhibition of metastatic foci growth. These findings explain the efficacy of gelatinase-specific synthetic inhibitors on invasion and growth of tumor cells and attribute distinct functions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 to aspects of liver metastasis. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(3):341–51)
The Way of the Yellow and the Red: Re-examining the Sexual Initiation Rite of Celestial Master Daoism
Authors: Raz Gil 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThat Daoists engaged in sexual practices is well known. But what precisely were these practices, and what was their significance? This paper examines the initiation ritual of Celestial Master Daoism as found in the text entitled Shangqing Huangshu guodu yi. I argue that this practice has been misunderstood by earlier scholars who focused on the sexual aspect of the rite and interpreted it through the cosmological model of yin and yang. I suggest that the ritual procedure described in this text should not be read as a sexual manual but must be placed in the context of Celestial Master ritual and mythology as found in contemporaneous texts. Such a reading reveals that this ritual is based on a cosmogony in which the procreative function of yin and yang is a secondary, and not a primary, stage of cosmogony. Rather than a hierogamy, the real significance of this ritual is, in fact, to transcend the mundane realm, symbolized by the sexual act, and to attain the primordial undifferentiated oneness, beyond sexual division.
Parades and Processions: Protestant and Catholic Ritual Performances in a Nuevo New South Town
Authors: Seales Chad 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSince the early 1990s, the American South has changed drastically and Siler City, North Carolina reflects those changes. Like larger southern cities, Siler City has received a significant number of migrants from Latin America in a short amount of time. New migrants, many but not all of them Roman Catholic, bring diverse sets of ethnic, cultural, and religious practices to a town traditionally dominated by Baptists and Methodists. One of the most visible examples of local religious disruption in Siler City has been the public display of Good Friday processions by Latino Catholics. That performance signified the presence of new migrants in downtown space. White Protestants, in turn, drew on the long standing ritual tradition of downtown Fourth of July parades to reassert their presence in that same space. Annually performed since 1901, the parades revealed a moral order based on the logic of southern Christian sacrifice. And the vitality of downtown parades indicated the political strength of white Protestants to maintain established order. That strength diminished with the local economic decline of downtown businesses in the 1980s and was challenged by the arrival of Latino migrants in the 1990s. The parades ended in 1988 but were renewed in 1997, the year following the first Good Friday procession in city streets. In the revitalized parade, white Protestants expressed nostalgia for a southern way of life and publicly remembered a time and place — downtown Siler City — before economic decline and Latino arrival.
The Storm-Gods of the Ancient Near East: Summary, Synthesis, Recent Studies Part I
Authors: Schwemer Daniel 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn many regions of the ancient Near East, not least in Upper Mesopotamia, Syria and Anatolia where agriculture relied mainly on rainfall, storm-gods ranked among the most prominent gods in the local panthea or were even regarded as divine kings, ruling over the gods and bestowing kingship on the human ruler. While the Babylonian and Assyrian storm-god never held the highest position among the gods, he too belongs to the group of 'great gods' through most periods of Mesopotamian history. Given the many cultural contacts and the longevity of traditions in the ancient Near East only a study that takes into account all relevant periods, regions and text-groups can further our understanding of the different ancient Near Eastern storm-gods. The study Wettergottgestalten Mesopotamiens und Nordsyriens by the present author (2001) tried to tackle the problems involved, basing itself primarily on the textual record and excluding the genuinely Anatolian storm-gods from the study. Given the lack of handbooks, concordances and thesauri in our field, the book is necessarily heavily burdened with materials collected for the first time. Despite comprehensive indices, the long lists and footnotes as well as the lack of an overall synthesis make the study not easily accessible, especially outside the German-speaking community. In 2003 Alberto Green published a comprehensive monograph entitled The Storm-God in the Ancient Near East whose aims are more ambitious than those of Wettergottgestalten: All regions of the ancient Near East—including a chapter on Yahwe as a storm-god—are taken into account, and both textual and iconographic sources are given equal space. Unfortunately this book, which was apparently finished and submitted to the publisher before Wettergottgestalten came to its author's attention, suffers from some serious flaws with regard to methodology, philology and the interpretation of texts and images. In presenting the following succinct overview I take the opportunity to make up for the missing synthesis in Wettergottgestalten and to provide some additions and corrections where necessary. It is hoped that this synthesis can also serve as a response to the history of ancient Near Eastern storm-gods as outlined by A. Green.
Heparanase regulates retention and proliferation of primitive Sca-1+/c-Kit+/Lin− cells via modulation of the bone marrow microenvironment
Authors: Spiegel Asaf , Zcharia Eyal , Vagima Yaron , Itkin Tomer , Kalinkovich Alexander , Dar Ayelet , Kollet Orit , Netzer Neta , Golan Karin , Shafat Itay , Ilan Neta , Nagler Arnon , Vlodavsky Israel , Lapidot Tsvee 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Heparanase is involved in tumor growth and metastasis. Because of its unique cleavage of heparan sulfate, which binds cytokines, chemokines and proteases, we hypothesized that heparanase is also involved in regulation of early stages of hematopoiesis. We report reduced numbers of maturing leukocytes but elevated levels of undifferentiated Sca-1+/c-Kit+/Lin− cells in the bone marrow (BM) of mice overexpressing heparanase (hpa-Tg). This resulted from increased proliferation and retention of the primitive cells in the BM microenvironment, manifested in increased SDF-1 turnover. Furthermore, heparanase overexpression in mice was accompanied by reduced protease activity of MMP-9, elastase, and cathepsin K, which regulate stem and progenitor cell mobilization. Moreover, increased retention of the progenitor cells also resulted from up-regulated levels of stem cell factor (SCF) in the BM, in particular in the stem cell–rich endosteum and endothelial regions. Increased SCF-induced adhesion of primitive Sca-1+/c-Kit+/Lin− cells to osteoblasts was also the result of elevation of the receptor c-Kit. Regulation of these phenomena is mediated by hyperphosphorylation of c-Myc in hematopoietic progenitors of hpa-Tg mice or after exogenous heparanase addition to wildtype BM cells in vitro. Altogether, our data suggest that heparanase modification of the BM microenvironment regulates the retention and proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells.
Lenalidomide induces complete and partial remissions in patients with relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Ferrajoli Alessandra , Lee Bang-Ning , Schlette Ellen J. , O'Brien Susan M. , Gao Hui , Wen Sijin , Wierda William G. , Estrov Zeev , Faderl Stefan , Cohen Evan N. , Li Changping , Reuben James M. , Keating Michael J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis study investigated the activity of lenalidomide in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Lenalidomide was given at 10 mg daily with dose escalation up to 25 mg daily. Three patients (7%) achieved a complete response (CR), one a nodular partial remission, and 10 patients a partial remission (PR), for an overall response (OR) rate of 32%. Treatment with lenalidomide was associated with an OR rate of 31% in patients with 11q or 17p deletion, of 24% in patients with unmutated VH, and of 25% in patients with fludarabine-refractory disease. The most common toxicity was myelosuppression, and the median daily dose of lenalidomide tolerated was 10 mg. Plasma levels of angiogenic factors, inflammatory cytokines, and cytokine receptors were measured at baseline, day 7, and day 28. There was a dramatic increase in median interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-2, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 levels on day 7, whereas no changes were observed in median vascular endothelial growth factor levels (20 patients studied). According to our experience, lenalidomide given as a continuous treatment has antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with CLL. This trial is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as no. NCT00267059.
Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (matrilysin) controls neutrophil egress by generating chemokine gradients
Authors: Swee Mei , Wilson Carole L , Wang Ying , McGuire John K , Parks William C 
Published: March 2008

AbstractMatrilysin [matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7)] is induced by mucosal injury of many tissues. To assess function of this proteinase, we subjected wild-type and Mmp7−/− mice to acute colon injury. When matrilysin expression was increasing, 73% of wild-type mice died, whereas only 32% of Mmp7−/− mice succumbed. Although re-epithelialization was delayed in Mmp7−/− mice, overall injury did not differ markedly between genotypes. We hypothesized that differences in acute inflammation caused increased mortality in wild-type mice. Indeed, whereas overall neutrophil influx into tissue was similar in wild-type and Mmp7−/− mice, their location and extent of migration differed between genotypes. Neutrophils were dispersed throughout the mucosa and within the lumen of wild-type mice, but these leukocytes were largely confined to the submucosa in Mmp7−/− mice. The levels of neutrophil chemokines, keratinocyte-derived chemokine and MIP-2, increased in the colon tissue of both genotypes, but these factors were detected only in lumenal lavages of wild-type mice. Our findings indicate that matrilysin mediates beneficial and deleterious effects in response to injury. On one hand, it promotes re-epithelialization, but it also controls the transepithelial influx of neutrophils, which if excessive, can lead to tissue damage.
Relationship of Serum Antimüllerian Hormone Concentration to Age at Menopause
Authors: van Disseldorp J. , Faddy M. J. , Themmen A. P. N. , de Jong F. H. , Peeters P. H. M. , van der Schouw Y. T. , Broekmans F. J. M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Background: Serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels are highly correlated with antral follicle counts, while being menstrual cycle independent and easily measurable. However, AMH, unlike antral follicle counts, has not been tested as yet as a predictor of reproductive status. By relating AMH levels to the age distribution of reproductive events like onset of menopause, we tested this hypothesis.
Methods: AMH levels were measured in 144 fertile normal volunteers and used to determine an estimate of mean AMH as a function of age. Data on the onset of menopause were obtained from the population-based Prospect-European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition [Prospect-EPIC] cohort. Estimation of an AMH threshold to predict menopause was done by maximum likelihood using the observed (Prospect-EPIC) distribution of age at menopause and the predictive distribution from this AMH threshold. Predictions of age at menopause follow from an individual woman’s AMH relative to percentiles of the distribution of AMH for a given age, and the corresponding percentiles of the predictive distribution of age at menopause.
Results: There was good conformity between the observed distribution of age at menopause and that predicted from declining AMH levels.
Conclusions: The similarity between observed and predictive distributions of age at menopause supports the hypothesis that AMH levels are related to onset of menopause. Results of this study suggest that AMH is able to specify a woman’s reproductive age more realistically than chronological age alone.
Associations of Serum Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Sex Hormone Concentrations with Hip Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Lee Jennifer S. , LaCroix Andrea Z. , Wu LieLing , Cauley Jane A. , Jackson Rebecca D. , Kooperberg Charles , Leboff Meryl S. , Robbins John , Lewis Cora E. , Bauer Douglas C. , Cummings Steven R. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Context: Endogenous estradiol, testosterone, and SHBG may influence the risk of hip fracture.
Design and Methods: From the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, 39,793 eligible postmenopausal women did not have a previous hip fracture and were not using estrogen or other bone-active therapies. Of these, 400 who had a first-time nonpathological hip fracture (median follow-up, 7 yr) were matched to 400 controls by age, ethnicity, and baseline blood draw date. Estradiol, testosterone, and SHBG were measured in banked baseline serum.
Results: Compared with women in the lowest tertiles, those with bioavailable testosterone in the highest tertile had a lower risk [odds ratio (OR) = 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.44–0.88]; those with bioavailable estradiol in the highest tertile had a lower risk (OR = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.29–0.66), and those with SHBG in the highest tertile had a higher risk (OR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.31–2.74) of hip fracture. In models with all three hormones and potential confounders, high SHBG remained a strong independent risk factor (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.12–2.78), high bioavailable testosterone remained protective (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.40–1.00), but estradiol no longer was associated (OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.42–1.23).
Conclusions: High serum SHBG is associated with an increased risk of subsequent hip fracture and high endogenous testosterone with a decreased risk, independent of each other, serum estradiol concentration, and other putative risk factors. But endogenous estradiol has no independent association with hip fracture.
The minipig model for experimental chondral and osteochondral defect repair in tissue engineering: Retrospective analysis of 180 defects
Authors: Gotterbarm T , Breusch S J , Schneider U , Jung M 
Published: March 2008

Summary Articular cartilage repair is still a challenge in orthopaedic surgery. Although many treatment options have been developed in the last decade, true regeneration of hyaline articular cartilage is yet to be accomplished. In vitro experiments are useful for evaluating cell–matrix interactions under controlled parameters. When introducing new treatment options into clinical routine, adequate animal models are capable of closing the gap between in vitro experiments and the clinical use in human beings. We developed an animal model in the Göttingen minipig (GMP) to evaluate the healing of osteochondral or full-thickness cartilage defects. The defects were located in the middle third of the medial portion of the patellofemoral joint at both distal femurs. Chondral defects were 6.3 mm, osteochondral defects either 5.4 or 6.3 mm in diameter and 8 or 10 mm deep. In both defects the endogenous repair response showed incomplete repair tissue formation up to 12 months postoperatively. Based on its limited capability for endogenous repair of chondral and osteochondral defects, the GMP is a useful model for critical assessment of new treatment strategies in articular cartilage tissue engineering.
Practical Methods to Sustain Production after Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment in Marginal Wells—Case History from Western Desert Egypt
Authors: Yassine R. , Amr M. , Salem M. , Ibrahim H. , Shehata M. M. , Abdel Aziz W. , Nagia K. F. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The Bahariya formation of the Western Desert is characterized as dirty sandstone with high clay content. It is highly laminated (streaks of 20 to 50 ft spread over a 200-to 300-ft column), has poor permeability in most cases, and has low to normal reservoir pressure variance. Many of the wells are shutin because of very poor productivity, and those that do produce with artificial lift do so with very little recovery. In general terms, these are considered to be marginal wells and not worthy of particular attention.
A careful review of the field suggested a possible benefit from implementing hydraulic fracturing treatments. It was, however, not a simple case of just applying hydraulic fracturing treatment to every well, but required proper well screening, thorough log analysis, calculating and validating mechanical rock properties, and enhanced 3D fracture modeling for a successful campaign. Maintaining sustained production was equally essential to the project because damage to fracture conductivity and proppant flowback after a fracturing treatment can easily erode the financial benefits. One of the enhancements implemented was a proprietary liquid resin coating (LRC) of the proppants to control proppant flowback and to act as a fracture conductivity endurance agent.
This paper discusses such treatments and the methodology applied on a recent 14-well fracturing campaign. The production results have been impressive and will serve as good guidelines for other operators who may be facing similar challenges in the North Africa region and elsewhere.
Innovative Solution for Selective Testing of Horizontal Well Saves Seven Days Rig Time
Authors: Scherwitzel Klaus , Whittaker Alun 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The Ufuq field, operated by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), is located in Oman in close proximity to the Lekhwair field, the discovery well being drilled in early 2006. An appraisal well was subsequently drilled with the objective of further evaluating the discovery and delineating its’ extent so that early commercial development decisions could be made. This second well was drilled with an extended horizontal section which identified a second zone of reservoir quality rock above the main zone of interest.
As a consequence a second horizontal section was drilled to optimize the intersection of the two reservoir units and plans were made for evaluation testing. The first part of the test was planned to evaluate commingled flow while the second was to plug off the additional zone and flow test the main zone. To achieve these objectives, a unique combination of a 92° well inclination and an open hole scab liner were used with the scab liner providing a seat for an inflatable bridge plug to be set to isolate the upper zone once commingled testing was complete. Following testing of the main or lower zone the plug was retrieved thru-tubing and the well returned to commingled flow.
In this paper the authors will review in detail the planning and execution of this procedure which avoided a workover, thereby saving 7 days of rig time, and was a "first" for both Operator and supplier.
Basin Evolution from Integrated Seismic, Gravity, and Magnetic Data Interpretation in North Africa
Authors: Witte Susanne 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
This paper shows the approach and first results of integrating land and airborne high-resolution potential field data (gravity and magnetics) with new, deep penetrating seismic data to understand the deep basin evolution in Libya and Algeria. Although long offset seismic data acquisition has enabled a better seismic image at depth, due to the complex structuration of old rift systems, the interpretation in the Libya Sirte basin and Shell's Algeria blocks remains a challenge. Gravity data helps to understand crustal thickness variation, magnetic data enables mapping of basement depth and composition and presence of intra-sedimentary volcanics. The remaining gravity anomalies enable a better understanding of the lateral lithology variation in the shallow overburden.