bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lead, Genetic Susceptibility, and Risk of Adult Brain Tumors
Authors: Rajaraman Preetha , Stewart Patricia A. , Samet Jonathan M. , Schwartz Brian S. , Linet Martha S. , Zahm Shelia Hoar , Rothman Nathaniel , Yeager Meredith , Fine Howard A. , Black Peter M. , Loeffler Jay , Shapiro William R. , Selker Robert G. , Inskip Peter D. 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
Background: Although few etiologic factors for brain tumors have been identified, limited data suggest that lead may increase the risk of brain tumors, particularly meningioma. The ALAD G177C polymorphism affects the toxicokinetics of lead and may confer genetic susceptibility to adverse effects of lead exposure.
Methods: We examined occupational exposure to lead and risk of brain tumors in a multisite, hospital-based, case-control study of 489 patients with glioma, 197 with meningioma, and 799 non-cancer controls frequency matched on hospital, age, sex, race/ethnicity, and residential proximity to hospital. ALAD genotype was assessed by a Taqman assay for 355 glioma patients, 151 meningioma patients, and 505 controls. Exposure to lead was estimated using a rigorous questionnaire-based exposure assessment strategy incorporating lead measurement and other occupational data abstracted from published articles and reports.
Results: Increased risk of meningioma with occupational lead exposure (estimated by odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals) was most apparent in individuals with the ALAD2 variant allele, for whom risk increased from 1.1 (0.3-4.5) to 5.6 (0.7-45.5) and 12.8 (1.4-120.8) for estimated cumulative lead exposures of 1 to 49 μg/m3-y, 50 to 99 μg/m3-y, and ≥100 μg/m3-y, respectively, compared with unexposed individuals (two-sided P trend = 0.06). This relationship became stronger after excluding occupational lead exposures characterized by a low confidence level or occurring in the 10 years before meningioma diagnosis. Occupational lead exposure was not associated with glioma risk.
Conclusions: Although our results indicate that lead may be implicated in meningioma risk in genetically susceptible individuals, these results need to be interpreted with caution given the small numbers of exposed cases with a variant genotype. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(12):2514–20)
Risk Factors for Hormone Receptor-Defined Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Rosenberg Lena U. , Einarsdóttir Kristjana , Friman Erika Isaksson , Wedrén Sara , Dickman Paul W. , Hall Per , Magnusson Cecilia 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
The effect of classic breast cancer risk factors on hormone receptor-defined breast cancer is not fully clarified. We explored these associations in a Swedish population-based study. Postmenopausal women ages 50 to 74 years, diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 1993 to 1995, were compared with 3,065 age frequency-matched controls. We identified 332 estrogen receptor (ER−) and progesterone receptor (PR−) negative, 286 ER+PR−, 71 ER−PR+, 1,165 ER+PR+, and 789 tumors with unknown receptor status. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Women ages ≥30 years, compared with those ages 20 to 24 years at first birth, were at an increased risk of ER+PR+ tumors (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8) but not ER−PR− tumors (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8-1.6). Women who gained ≥30 kg in weight during adulthood had an ∼3-fold increased relative risk of ER+PR+ tumors (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.9-3.8), but no risk increase of ER−PR− tumors (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.5-2.1), compared with women who gained &lt;10 kg. Compared with never users, women who used menopausal estrogen-progestin therapy for at least 5 years were at increased risk of ER+PR+ tumors (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.1-4.1) but not ER−PR− tumors (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.7-2.5). In conclusion, other risk factors were similarly related to breast cancer regardless of receptor status, but high age at first birth, substantial weight gain in adult age, and use of menopausal estrogen-progestin therapy were more strongly related to receptor-positive breast cancer than receptor-negative breast cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(12):2482–8)
Nonsynonymous Polymorphisms in Genes in the One-Carbon Metabolism Pathway and Associations with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Koushik Anita , Kraft Peter , Fuchs Charles S. , Hankinson Susan E. , Willett Walter C. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Hunter David J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe Ala222Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the gene for 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a critical enzyme in one-carbon metabolism, has been associated with colorectal cancer risk. Many enzymes are involved in one-carbon metabolism, and SNPs in the corresponding genes may play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined 24 nonsynonymous SNPs in 13 genes involved in the one-carbon metabolism pathway in relation to the risk of colorectal cancer in a case-control study nested in the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study cohorts. Among 376 men and women with colorectal cancer and 849 controls, a reduced risk of colorectal cancer was observed for Val/Val versus Ala carriers of MTHFR Ala222Val [odds ratio (OR), 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43-1.00]. An increased risk was suggested for the variant carrier genotypes versus homozygous wild-type for betaine hydroxymethyltransferase Arg239Gln (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.07-1.83) and two linked SNPs in methionine synthase reductase, Ser284Thr (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.05-3.27) and Arg415Cys (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.15-3.56). The other SNPs were not associated with colorectal cancer risk. Also, none of the SNPs were associated with risk in subgroups of dietary methyl status or were jointly associated with colorectal cancer risk in combination with another SNP, except possibly SNPs in methionine synthase and transcobalamin II. However, these analyses of gene-diet interactions were limited in statistical power. Our results corroborate previous findings for MTHFR Ala222Val and suggest that other genes involved in one-carbon metabolism, particularly those that affect DNA methylation, may be associated with colorectal cancer risk. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(12):2408–17)
Inquisitorial Ideology at Work in an Auto De Fe, 1680: Religion in the Context of Proto-Racism
Authors: Graizbord David 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe article explores inquisitorial ideology as functionaries of the Spanish Inquisition represented and understood it in the late seventeenth century. My analysis focuses on the official account of and sermon delivered at a monumental auto de fe celebrated in Madrid in 1680. I contend that in the process of demonizing Jews and Judaism, the auto articulated a religious worldview with deep roots in a society not yet "disenchanted" by modernity. My attempt, here, however, is also to anchor an interpretation of the auto in its unique historical context—a context of anti-Portuguese persecution in late seventeenth-century Spain—and thus to historicize more sweeping, anthropological readings of auto ceremonies as forms of religious representation (for instance, in recent work by Maureen Flynn), while deepening interpretations of inquisitorial Judeophobia (such as that of Marvin Lunenfeld) that emphasize the socio-political dynamics of "scapegoating" rather than anti-Judaism's preponderant religious dimension.
Proportionality in Sweden: The Influence of European Law
Authors: Groussot Xavier 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe principle of proportionality constitutes a complex principle that could be seen as the keystone of the general principles of Community law and ECHR. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the influence of European Community (EC) law and the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) on the definition and application of the principle of proportionality in Swedish public law from 1996 to 2006. The Supreme Administrative Court has given some indications as to the application of the principle of proportionality, notably as to the importance of the balancing of interests. Interestingly, this Court has also been proactive as to the application of the principle of proportionality in internal law, e.g. concerning environmental law, tax law, administrative licenses. Moreover, the principle has influenced national legislation in many fields. It is argued, finally, that these jurisprudential and legislative developments increase the judicial protection of the individual and also modifies the structure of traditional judicial review by attributing a new role to Swedish national courts.
Creating Pseudo–Forecast Ensembles Statistically Using a Characterization of Displacements: A Pilot Study
Authors: Nehrkorn Thomas , Hoffman Ross N. 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
A feature-based statistical method is investigated as a method of generating pseudoensembles of numerical weather prediction forecasts. The goal is to enhance or dress a single dynamical forecast or an ensemble of dynamical forecasts with many realistic perturbations so as to represent better the forecast uncertainty. The feature calibration and alignment method (FCA) is used to characterize forecast differences and to generate the additional ensemble members. FCA is unique in decomposing forecast errors or differences into phase, bias, and residual error or difference components. In a pilot study using 500-hPa geopotential height data, pseudoensembles of weather forecasts are generated from one deterministic forecast and perturbations obtained by randomly sampling FCA displacements based on a priori statistics and applying these displacements to the original deterministic forecast. Comparison with actual dynamical ensembles of 500-hPa geopotential height generated by ECMWF show that important features of the dynamical ensemble, such as the spatial patterns of the ensemble mean and variance, can be approximated by the FCA pseudoensemble. Ensemble verification statistics are presented for the dynamic and FCA ensemble and compared with those of simpler statistically based pseudoensembles. Some limitations of the FCA ensembles are noted, and mitigation approaches are discussed, with a view toward applying the method to mesoscale forecasts for dispersion modeling.
The Temporal Variability of Soil Moisture and Surface Hydrological Quantities in a Climate Model
Authors: Arora Vivek K. , Boer George J. 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
The variance budget of land surface hydrological quantities is analyzed in the second Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP2) simulation made with the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) third-generation general circulation model (AGCM3). The land surface parameterization in this model is the comparatively sophisticated Canadian Land Surface Scheme (CLASS). Second-order statistics, namely variances and covariances, are evaluated, and simulated variances are compared with observationally based estimates. The soil moisture variance is related to second-order statistics of surface hydrological quantities. The persistence time scale of soil moisture anomalies is also evaluated.
Model values of precipitation and evapotranspiration variability compare reasonably well with observationally based and reanalysis estimates. Soil moisture variability is compared with that simulated by the Variable Infiltration Capacity-2 Layer (VIC-2L) hydrological model driven with observed meteorological data. An equation is developed linking the variances and covariances of precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff to soil moisture variance via a transfer function. The transfer function is connected to soil moisture persistence in terms of lagged autocorrelation. Soil moisture persistence time scales are shorter in the Tropics and longer at high latitudes as is consistent with the relationship between soil moisture persistence and the latitudinal structure of potential evaporation found in earlier studies. In the Tropics, although the persistence of soil moisture anomalies is short and values of the transfer function small, high values of soil moisture variance are obtained because of high precipitation variability. At high latitudes, by contrast, high soil moisture variability is obtained despite modest precipitation variability since the persistence time scale of soil moisture anomalies is long. Model evapotranspiration estimates show little variability and soil moisture variability is dominated by precipitation and runoff, which account for about 90% of the soil moisture variance over land surface areas.
Studies of El Niño and Interdecadal Variability in Tropical Sea Surface Temperatures Using a Nonnormal Filter
Authors: Penland Cécile , Matrosova Ludmila 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
A dynamically based filter is used to separate tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs) into three components: the evolving El Niño signal, the global tropical trend, and the background. The components thus isolated are not independent. On the contrary, this procedure allows us to see the importance of the interdecadal signal to the predictability of El Niño.
The data filtered in this way reveal El Niño signals in the equatorial Indian Ocean and in the north tropical Atlantic Ocean that are remarkably similar. A signature of El Niño in the south tropical Atlantic leads Niño-3.4 SST anomalies by about 9 months. The time series of a global tropical trend is found to have a very smooth parabolic structure. In unfiltered data, this trend conspires with El Niño to obscure a meridional tropical Atlantic dipole, which is significant in the filtered background SST data.
Catalysts based on pillared interlayered clays for the selective catalytic reduction of NO
Authors: Perathoner S. , Vaccari A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe reactivity of an Al-pillared interlayered clay (PILC) (AZA) and a mixed Fe/Al-PILC (FAZA), used as references by the Concerted European Action-Pillared Layered Structure (CEA-PLS), was investigated in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by NH3 or propane, as either catalysts or as supports of Cu ions. Both AZA and FAZA, either with or without Cu were found to be inactive in the reduction of NO with propane and oxygen. This is different from the behaviour with alumina with or without Cu, because of the different surface acidity properties. Good NO conversions were observed for both PILCs using NH3. The best catalytic performances were shown by FAZA, but the activity of AZA was also remarkable. The addition of Cu ions to both AZA and FAZA leads to an improvment in the activity in NO conversion and a reduction in the side formation of N2O. The catalytic behaviour was found to depend on the method of Cu addition, the Cu loading and the nature of the PILC. With AZA the best results were obtained for a Cu content up to 2 wt%, while further increases in the amount of Cu resulted in a considerable decrease in the conversion of NO. With FAZA, on the other hand, a high activity was observed at up to 3% of Cu introduced by ion exchange. By comparison with other Cu containing catalysts, Cu-FAZA allows operation in a wider range of reaction temperatures due to the reduced rate of side ammonia combustion. The surface acidity properties of AZA and FAZA were also characterized to interpret the above effects.
Selective liquid sorption and wetting of pillared montmorillonites
Authors: Berger F. , Dekany I. , Beneke K. , Lagaly G. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractPillared montmorillonite was used as an adsorbent for binary mixtures of hydrocarbons and alcohols (benzene/n-heptane; ethanol/cyclohexane; ethanol/toluene; propanol/ toluene). The adsorbent was prepared from the Na-form of a bentonite from Milos by reaction with polyhydroxoaluminium solutions. The adsorption behaviour of the pillared montmorillonite was characterized by the adsorption excess isotherms and the heats of immersion. Sorption capacities and wetting properties differed significantly from those of the Na-montmorillonite. Benzene was adsorbed preferentially from mixtures with n-heptane. Ethanol and propanol were also preferentially adsorbed from mixtures with cyclohexane and toluene but the curves showed azeotropic points at molar fractions of alcohols of 0.7-0.9. The calorimetric data revealed the partially hydrophobic character of the pillared montmorillonite. The heat of wetting of benzene or toluene on the pillared samples was distinctly higher than that of ethanol whereas ethanol gave the highest wetting enthalpies on Na-montmorillonite.
Twisted gastrulation (Tsg) is regulated by Tob and enhances TGF-β signaling in activated T lymphocytes
Authors: Tzachanis Dimitrios , Li Lequn , Lafuente Esther M. , Berezovskaya Alla , Freeman Gordon J. , Boussiotis Vassiliki A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractQuiescent T cells express Tob, an APRO gene family member, which functions as a transcriptional regulator. Subtractive hybridization identified Twisted gastrulation (Tsg) as one of the genes suppressed by Tob. Tsg is a secreted protein that interacts with Drosophila decapentaplegic (Dpp) and its vertebrate orthologs BMP2/4 and regulates morphogenetic effects in embryos. Here, we report the expression and function of Tsg in human T cells. Tsg mRNA was almost undetectable in unstimulated T cells and was up-regulated after activation by TCR/CD3 and either CD28, IL-2, or PMA. Tsg protein had no effect on responses of primary T cells to TCR/CD3 stimulation but had a potent inhibitory effect on proliferation and cytokine production of primed alloreactive CD4+ cells. Surprisingly, Tsg did not affect phosphorylation of the BMP-specific Smad1 but induced phosphorylation of the TGF-β–specific Smad2 and mediated DNA binding on Smad3/4 consensus-binding sites, suggesting that it acted downstream of TGF-β. In vitro association assays revealed a direct interaction of Tsg and TGF-β proteins. Thus, Tsg functions as an agonist synergizing with TGF-β to inhibit T-cell activation. Modulation of Tsg signaling may represent a novel target for molecular intervention toward control of aberrant T-cell responses during ongoing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and autoimmune diseases.
Diamond-Blackfan anemia: erythropoiesis lost in translation
Authors: Flygare Johan , Karlsson Stefan 
Published: December 2006

AbstractDiamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a congenital erythroid aplasia that usually presents as macrocytic anemia during infancy. Linkage analysis suggests that at least 4 genes are associated with DBA of which 2 have been identified so far. The known DBA genes encode the ribosomal proteins S19 and S24 accounting for 25% and 2% of the patients, respectively. Herein, we review possible links between ribosomal proteins and erythropoiesis that might explain DBA pathogenesis. Recent studies and emerging findings suggest that a malfunctioning translational machinery may be a cause of anemia in patients with DBA.
Comprehensive characterization of IGHV3-21–expressing B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: an Italian multicenter study
Authors: Bomben Riccardo , Dal Bo Michele , Capello Daniela , Benedetti Dania , Marconi Daniela , Zucchetto Antonella , Forconi Francesco , Maffei Rossana , Ghia Emanuela M. , Laurenti Luca , Bulian Pietro , Del Principe Maria Ilaria , Palermo Giuseppe , Thorsélius Mia , Degan Massimo , Campanini Renato , Guarini Anna , Del Poeta Giovanni , Rosenquist Richard , Efremov Dimitar G. , Marasca Roberto , Foà Robin , Gaidano Gianluca , Gattei Valter 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIGHV3-21–using chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a distinct entity with restricted immunoglobulin gene features and poor prognosis and is more frequently encountered in Northern than Southern Europe. To further investigate this subset and its geographic distribution in the context of a country (Italy) with both continental and Mediterranean areas, 37 IGHV3-21 CLLs were collected out of 1076 cases enrolled by different institutions from Northern or Central Southern Italy. Of the 37 cases, 18 were identified as homologous (hom)HCDR3–IGHV3-21 CLLs and were found almost exclusively (16 of 18) in Northern Italy; in contrast, 19 nonhomHCDR3–IGHV3-21 cases were evenly distributed throughout Italy. Clinically, poor survivals were documented for IGHV3-21 CLLs as well as for subgroups of mutated and homHCDR3–IGHV3-21 CLLs. Negative prognosticators CD38, ZAP-70, CD49d, and CD79b were expressed at higher levels in homHCDR3 than nonhomHCDR3–IGHV3-21 cases. Differential gene expression profiling (GEP) of 13 IGHV3-21 versus 52 non–IGHV3-21 CLLs identified, among 122 best-correlated genes, TGFB2 and VIPR1 as down- and up-regulated in IGHV3-21 CLL cases, respectively. Moreover, GEP of 7 homHCDR3 versus 6 nonhomHCDR3–IGHV3-21 CLLs yielded 20 differentially expressed genes, with WNT-16 being that expressed at the highest levels in homHCDR3–IGHV3-21 CLLs. Altogether, IGHV3-21 CLLs, including those with homHCDR3, had a peculiar global phenotype in part explaining their worse clinical outcome.
Analysis of IFT74as a candidate gene for chromosome 9p-linked ALS-FTD
Authors: Momeni Parastoo , Schymick Jennifer , Jain Shushant , Cookson Mark R , Cairns Nigel J , Greggio Elisa , Greenway Matthew J , Berger Stephen , Pickering-Brown Stuart , Chiò Adriano , Fung Hon Chung , Holtzman David M , Huey Edward D , Wassermann Eric M , Adamson Jennifer , Hutton Michael L , Rogaeva Ekaterina , St George-Hyslop Peter , Rothstein Jeffrey D , Hardiman Orla , Grafman Jordan , Singleton Andrew , Hardy John , Traynor Bryan J 
Published: December 2006

Abstract

Background
A new locus for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – frontotemporal dementia (ALS-FTD) has recently been ascribed to chromosome 9p.

Methods
We identified chromosome 9p segregating haplotypes within two families with ALS-FTD (F476 and F2) and undertook mutational screening of candidate genes within this locus.

Results
Candidate gene sequencing at this locus revealed the presence of a disease segregating stop mutation (Q342X) in the intraflagellar transport 74 (IFT74) gene in family 476 (F476), but no mutation was detected within IFT74 in family 2 (F2). While neither family was sufficiently informative to definitively implicate or exclude IFT74 mutations as a cause of chromosome 9-linked ALS-FTD, the nature of the mutation observed within F476 (predicted to truncate the protein by 258 amino acids) led us to sequence the open reading frame of this gene in a large number of ALS and FTD cases (n = 420). An additional sequence variant (G58D) was found in a case of sporadic semantic dementia. I55L sequence variants were found in three other unrelated affected individuals, but this was also found in a single individual among 800 Human Diversity Gene Panel samples.

Conclusion
Confirmation of the pathogenicity of IFT74 sequence variants will require screening of other chromosome 9p-linked families.