bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urothelial carcinomas arising in arsenic‐contaminated areas are associated with hypermethylation of the gene promoter of the death‐associated protein kinase
Authors: Chen W‐T , Hung W‐C , Kang W‐Y , Huang Y‐C , Chai C‐Y 
Published: October 2007

Aims:  The mechanisms of urothelial carcinogenesis in areas highly contaminated with arsenic remain unclear. The aim was to determine whether hypermethylation of death‐associated protein kinase (DAPK) gene is associated with chronic arsenic exposure.Methods and results:  The frequency of aberrant promoter methylation of DAPK in 17 urothelial carcinomas from an arsenic‐contaminated area and 21 urothelial carcinomas from a non‐arsenic‐contaminated area was determined by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. DAPK hypermethylation status was significantly higher in urothelial cancers arising in arsenic‐contaminated areas when compared with tumours from patients from non‐contaminated areas (P = 0.018). In the subset of patients from living environments which were contaminated with arsenic, there was a statistically significant association between DAPK hypermethylation and patient’s age, tumour invasiveness, histological grade and recurrence. This was not seen for urothelial carcinoma from patients from non‐contaminated areas. A close correlation was also found between DAPK promoter methylation and low‐intensity DAPK expression, as detected by immunohistochemistry (P = 0.037).Conclusion:  Exposure to arsenic may induce DAPK promoter hypermethylation and inactivate the function of DAPK in urothelial carcinoma. This could prove to be a key molecular event contributing to the malignant phenotype of tumour arising in patients from arsenic‐contaminated environments.
Partial susceptibility of the SSN‐1 fish cell line to a crustacean virus: a defective replication study
Authors: Hernandez‐Herrera R I , Chappe‐Bonnichon V , Roch P , Sri Widada J , Bonami J‐R 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis study evaluated the possible use of the fish SSN‐1 cell line to investigate the development of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV). Cells were incubated with viral particles and cytopathic effects were observed. De novo synthesis of viral capsid proteins was shown by immuno‐fluorescence labelling and a sandwich ELISA test. Viral genomic replication was demonstrated by RT‐PCR using primers specific to RNA‐1 as well as by quantitative RT‐PCR (RT‐qPCR). Using electron microscopy, only a few empty particles were observed and attempts to isolate complete infectious particles or to re‐infect healthy cells (second passage) were unsuccessful. As complete viral particles were rarely observed, it appeared that defaults in MrNV virogenesis might arise resulting in the formation of scarce and non‐infectious particles. SSN‐1 cells were found to be partially permissive to MrNV infection that induced cell lysis, but key elements for viral infection were lacking such as regulatory factors for gene replication or post‐translational modifications.
Expression and serological application of a capsid protein of an iridovirus isolated from rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus (Temminck & Schlegel)
Authors: Kim T J , Jung T S , Lee J I 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIridoviruses infect a wide variety of wild and cultured fish. Those iridoviruses belonging to the genus Ranavirus, in the Iridoviridae family, cause systemic disease in infected animals with a high morbidity and mortality. This paper reports the cloning, sequencing, and expression of the rock bream iridovirus (RBIV) major capsid protein (MCP) in an Escherichia coli expression system for subsequent immunological studies. The completeness of the expressed protein was confirmed by peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) analysis using MALDI‐TOF MS. The recombinant MCP (rMCP)‐specific mouse polyclonal antibody reacted with the viral 52 kDa protein, indicating that this rMCP induces an immunological response. Fish antibodies induced against iridovirus infection were also detected using ELISA when rMCP was used as an antigen. As a result, it was found that many cultured rock bream (92.5%) were naturally infected with iridovirus and that the rMCP might be useful for serological tests.
Transcription factor AtTCP14 regulates embryonic growth potential during seed germination in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Tatematsu Kiyoshi , Nakabayashi Kazumi , Kamiya Yuji , Nambara Eiji 
Published: October 2007

SummaryTo understand the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of seed germination, we searched enriched cis elements in the upstream regions of Arabidopsis genes whose transcript levels increased during seed germination. Using available published microarray data, we found that two cis elements, Up1 or Up2, which regulate outgrowth of Arabidopsis axillary shoots, were significantly over‐represented. Classification of Up1‐ and Up2‐containing genes by gene ontology revealed that protein synthesis‐related genes, especially ribosomal protein genes, were highly over‐represented. Expression analysis using a reporter gene driven by a synthetic promoter regulated by these elements showed that the Up1 is necessary and sufficient for germination‐associated gene induction, whereas Up2 acts as an enhancer of Up1. Up1‐mediated gene expression was suppressed by treatments that blocked germination. Up1 is almost identical to the site II motif, which is the predicted target of TCP transcription factors. Of 24 AtTCP genes, AtTCP14, which showed the highest transcript level just prior to germination, was functionally characterized to test its involvement in the regulation of seed germination. Transposon‐tagged lines for AtTCP14 showed delayed germination. In addition, germination of attcp14 mutants exhibited hypersensitivity to exogenously applied abscisic acid and paclobutrazol, an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis. AtTCP14 was predominantly expressed in the vascular tissues of the embryo, and affected gene expression in radicles in a non‐cell‐autonomous manner. Taken together, these results indicate that AtTCP14 regulates the activation of embryonic growth potential in Arabidopsis seeds.
Improving the precision of cotton performance trials conducted on highly variable soils of the southeastern USA coastal plain
Authors: Campbell B. T. , Bauer P. J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractReliable agronomic and fibre quality data generated in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) cultivar performance trials are highly valuable. The most common strategy used to generate reliable performance trial data uses experimental design to minimize experimental error resulting from spatial variability. However, an alternative strategy usesa posterioristatistical procedures to account for spatial variability. In this study, the efficiency of the randomized complete block (RCB) design and nearest neighbour adjustment (NNA) were compared in a series of cotton performance trials conducted in the southeastern USA to identify the efficiency of each in minimizing experimental error for yield, yield components and fibre quality. In comparison to the RCB, relative efficiency of the NNA procedure varied amongst traits and trials. Results show that experimental analyses, depending on the trait and selection intensity employed, can affect cultivar or experimental line selections. Based on this study, we recommend researchers conducting cotton performance trials on variable soils consider using NNA or other spatial methods to improve trial precision.
Imaging of painful solitary lesions of the sacrum
Authors: Peh WCG , Koh WL , Kwek JW , Htoo MM , Tan PH 
Published: October 2007

SummaryIn patients with sacral pain, the painful symptoms may be caused by a variety of bony and soft tissue lesions. Benign lesions include giant cell tumour, neurogenic tumour, insufficiency fracture, infection and giant bone island. Malignant lesions include primary bone tumours, Ewing sarcoma, plasmacytoma, lymphoma and chordoma. Soft tissue tumours adjacent to or involving the sacrum may cause painful symptoms. A multimodality approach to imaging is required for full assessment of these lesions. This pictorial essay describes a range of common solitary sacral lesions that may cause pain, with emphasis on imaging features.
Do kidney sizes in ultrasonography correlate to glomerular filtration rate in healthy children?
Authors: Adibi A , Adibi I , Khosravi P 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the correlation between ultrasonographic kidney sizes and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in healthy children. This was a cross‐section study on 116 healthy children. Renal diseases were ruled out by a paediatric nephrologist. Ultra sonography of both kidneys was carried out by an experienced radiologist. The volume was calculated by ellipsoid formula. We defined net volume as kidney volume − sinus fat volume’. The sum of right and left kidney sizes was defined as total sizes. We calculated GFR by means of the Schwartz formula. Correlations between kidney sizes and GFR were studied with Pearson correlation coefficient. The mean age of the children was 8.4 ± 3.4. The GFR mean was 108 ± 30 (mL/min per 1.73 m2). GFR correlated to total renal volume (r = 0.52, P < 0.001), total net volume (r = 0.53, P < 0.001) and total kidney length (r = 0.59, P < 0.001). Ultrasonographic kidney sizes, especially the kidney length, correlate to GFR in healthy children. Kidney sizes assessment by ultrasonography may play a role in renal function evaluation in children.
Isolated limb infusion for local control of lower limb melanoma: Radiologic aspects
Authors: Cassumbhoy R , Pitman AG 
Published: October 2007

SummaryTo describe the technical radiological aspects of isolated limb infusion (ILI) to assist those procedural radiologists who carry out ILI on an occasional only basis and to inform the Australian radiologist community about this deserving but relatively little known radiological procedure. Retrospective audit of radiological catheter placement for 23 lower limb ILI procedures carried out for 16 patients with locally recurrent melanoma over 2 years (January 2002 to December 2003). Arterial and venous catheter placement, although sometimes difficult, was successful in all but four occasions. Unfavourable vascular anatomy was the main reason for failure. If approached systematically and with the knowledge of the patient’s vascular anatomy, the outcome will be satisfactory in the hands of the generalist. Knowing the common technical pitfalls will certainly assist. Isolated limb infusion deserves to be more widely known in the radiological and surgical communities.
Pollen proteolytic enzymes degrade tight junctions
Authors: RUNSWICK Sarah , MITCHELL Thomas , DAVIES Paul , ROBINSON Clive , GARROD David R. 
Published: October 2007

Background and objective:  Asthma and allergic rhinitis are significant, increasing causes of morbidity worldwide. Pollen, a major cause of seasonal rhinitis/conjunctivitis, carries proteolytic enzymes on its surface. We showed previously that peptidase allergens from house dust mites compromise epithelial barrier function by degrading the extracellular domains of the tight junction proteins, occludin and claudin, thus facilitating allergen delivery across epithelial layers. In this study, we aimed to determine whether peptidases from allergenic pollens should similarly be considered to have a role in disrupting tight junctions.Methods:  Diffusates from stored pollen of Giant Ragweed, White Birch and Kentucky Blue Grass, and fresh pollen from Easter Lily were applied to confluent monolayers of Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and Calu‐3 cells in serum‐free medium. Immunofluorescence was performed for the tight junction proteins, occludin, claudin‐1 and ZO‐1. The effect of pollen diffusate on occludin was studied by Western blotting, and enzymatic activity in the diffusates was demonstrated by zymography. The ability of protease inhibitors to block the action of the diffusate on tight junctions was investigated.Results:  Diffusates from all four allergenic pollens caused loss of immunofluorescence labelling for tight junction proteins on MDCK and Calu‐3 cells. The effect was blocked by inhibitors of serine and cysteine proteases. Degradation of occludin was demonstrated by Western blotting and zymography indicated that diffusates contain proteolytic activity.Conclusions:  Pollen peptidases directly or indirectly disrupt epithelial tight junctions, and this activity should be considered as a possible mechanism for facilitating allergen delivery across epithelia.
Competing Processes of Sibling Influence: Observational Learning and Sibling Deidentification
Authors: Whiteman Shawn D. , McHale Susan M. , Crouter Ann C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAlthough commonly cited as explanations for patterns of sibling similarity and difference, observational learning and sibling deidentification processes have rarely been examined directly. Using a person‐oriented approach, we identified patterns in adolescents' perceptions of sibling influences and connected these patterns to sibling similarities and differences and sibling relationship qualities. Participants included two adolescent‐age siblings (firstborn age M = 16.39, second‐born age M = 13.78) from 171 maritally intact families. Two‐stage cluster analyses revealed three sibling influence profiles: modeling, deidentification, and non‐reference. Analyses revealed differences in the correlations between firstborn and second‐born siblings' personal qualities across the three groups and differences in the sibling relationship qualities of younger siblings who reported modeling vs. those who reported deidentifying from their older siblings. Discussion focuses on refining the study of sibling influence processes.
Enhancing a GIS Cellular Automata Model of Land Use Change: Bayesian Networks, Influence Diagrams and Causality
Authors: Kocabas Verda , Dragicevic Suzana 
Published: October 2007

AbstractCellular Automata (CA) models at present do not adequately take into account the relationship and interactions between variables. However, land use change is influenced by multiple variables and their relationships. The objective of this study is to develop a novel CA model within a geographic information system (GIS) that consists of Bayesian Network (BN) and Influence Diagram (ID) sub‐models. Further, the proposed model is intended to simplify the definition of parameter values, transition rules and model structure. Multiple GIS layers provide inputs and the CA defines the transition rules by running the two sub‐models. In the BN sub‐model, land use drivers are encoded with conditional probabilities extracted from historical data to represent inter‐dependencies between the drivers. Using the ID sub‐model, the decision of changing from one land use state to another is made based on utility theory. The model was applied to simulate future land use changes in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), Canada from 2001 to 2031. The results indicate that the model is able to detect spatio‐temporal drivers and generate various scenarios of land use change making it a useful tool for exploring complex planning scenarios.
Very late antigen‐1 in psoriasis: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Baum S , Barzilai A , Huszar M , Greenberger S , Trau H , Bank I 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  Currently, psoriasis is thought to be an inflammatory response to an antigenic stimulation, in which angiogenesis plays a fundamental role. Very late antigen‐1 (VLA‐1) is a β1 integrin collagen receptor that is up‐regulated in many angiogenic processes. Data on its role in psoriasis are sparse.Objective  In a prospective study, we evaluated the staining of VLA‐1 in lesional skin from patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.Material and methods  Frozen sections from skin biopsies of patients with chronic plaque‐type psoriasis (n = 18) and chronic atopic dermatitis (n = 7) were stained with a monoclonal antibody to VLA‐1. The number of blood vessels stained with VLA‐1 and the staining intensity were evaluated. These were correlated with the histologic features.Results  The absolute number of blood vessels was found to be similar in the atopic and psoriatic samples. However, the number of vessels stained with anti‐VLA‐1, as well as the staining intensity, was shown to be significantly higher in the psoriasis group (P < 0.05). Differences between psoriatic lesions showing typical histological features of psoriasis and those showing features that overlap with dermatitis were found as well.Conclusions  Expression of VLA‐1 was found significantly higher in lesional dermal blood vessels of psoriatic patients compared with atopic patients. These findings suggest a possible role for VLA‐1 in the pathological angiogenesis of psoriasis. It may be an additional tool for establishing the diagnosis of psoriasis and provide a basis for new strategies in the treatment of psoriasis.
Infant temperament, parenting, and externalizing behavior in first grade: a test of the differential susceptibility hypothesis
Authors: Bradley Robert H. , Corwyn Robert F. 
Published: October 2007

Background:  This study examines the differential susceptibility hypothesis as it pertains to relations between infant temperament, parenting, and behavior problems in first grade.Method:  Data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care were used in a series of hierarchical regression analyses focused on interactions between three aspects of parenting (harshness, sensitivity, productive activity) and temperament as they affect teacher‐reported externalizing behavior in first grade. Step #1 included family income‐to‐needs, maternal education, gender, life events, and amount of child care as control variables, plus infant temperament and the three parenting variables. Step #2 included a single interaction term, the interaction between one of the key parenting variables and child temperament.Results:  Results showed stronger relations between maternal sensitivity and behavior problems for children with difficult temperaments. Likewise, relations between opportunities for productivity and behavior problems were stronger for children with difficult temperaments. Trends were in the same direction for harsh parenting but did not quite reach statistical significance.Conclusions:  Having access to experiences that promote coping and build self‐regulatory capacities seems particularly valuable for children with difficult temperaments.
Researching periodontitis: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Merchant Anwar T. , Pitiphat Waranuch 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim and Methods: The evidence‐based approach, voted in January 2007 as one of the 15 most important medical advances in the last 166 years, has increasingly shaped medical practice and education. In this paper, we apply the evidence‐based approach to evaluate the aetiology of periodontitis; for comparison, we provide a brief description of the evidence‐based method applied to the study of cardiovascular disease aetiology. We then discuss the challenges and opportunities to enhance the evidence base for periodontitis aetiology.Results and Conclusion: While evidence for medical treatments has mostly come from clinical trials, evidence for primary prevention in medicine has largely emerged from cohort studies evaluating disease risk factors. The high cost of conducting large cohort studies makes it challenging to fund these investigations, particularly for primary dental outcomes such as periodontitis. Studies of periodontitis outcomes integrated into larger ongoing cohorts provide one way to overcome this problem. Other potential barriers to the conduct of these studies include outcome definition, prevention of bias, data analysis, and the focus on teeth at risk (rather than people at risk) of the outcome. We analyse these questions and provide possible solutions. As many of these issues are generic to dentistry, possible solutions can improve the quality of future studies and the evidence base for primary prevention in dentistry.
Influence of platform switching on crestal bone changes at non‐submerged titanium implants: a histomorphometrical study in dogs
Authors: Becker Jürgen , Ferrari Daniel , Herten Monika , Kirsch Axel , Schaer Alex , Schwarz Frank 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate histomorphometrically the influence of platform switching on crestal bone changes at non‐submerged wide‐body titanium implants in a dog model.Material and Methods: One‐stage insertion of sand‐blasted and acid‐etched screw‐type implants with either matching (CAM) or smaller‐diameter healing abutments (CPS) were randomly assigned to the lower jaws of nine beagle dogs. The animals were killed after 7, 14, and 28 days of non‐submerged healing. Dissected blocks were processed for histomorphometrical analysis. Measurements were made between the implant shoulder (IS) and: – the apical extension of the long junctional epithelium (aJE), – the most coronal level of bone in contact with the implant (CLB), and – the level of the alveolar bone crest (BC).Results: At 7, 14, and 28 days, the mean IS–aJE values were significantly the lowest at CPS implants. However, after 28 days of healing, both groups revealed significantly increased mean IS–BC values at the buccal aspect of the alveolar bone. The difference in IS–CLB and IS–BC between groups was not significant.Conclusions: Within the limits of the present study, it was concluded that both CAM and CPS implants revealed crestal bone‐level changes after 28 days of healing.
Cosmetics and herbal remedies with Compositae plant extracts – are they tolerated by Compositae‐allergic patients?
Authors: Paulsen Evy , Chistensen Lars P. , Andersen Klaus E. 
Published: October 2007

Background: Compositae‐sensitive patients are routinely warned against topical use of Compositae‐containing cosmetics and herbal remedies. However, the risk of elicitation of dermatitis in presensitized persons is unknown.Objectives: The main aim of this study was to assess the significance of direct plant allergen contact via Compositae‐derived cosmetics and herbal remedies in Compositae‐allergic patients with special reference to arnica (Arnica montana) and German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita).Methods: 8 of 12 chamomile‐sensitive patients tested positive to chamomile‐containing preparations, including tea, creams, ointments, and oil. 5 of 6 arnica‐sensitive persons tested positive to arnica‐based products.Results: When the group was patch tested with cosmetic and/or herbal product ingredients, plant allergens elicited positive reactions most frequently, but fragrances, emulsifiers, and preservatives tested positive as well. Plant allergens were mainly derived from Compositae, but avocado oil, and Hamamelis virginiana tincture were unexpectedly detected as sensitizers too. Chemical analyses indicated that the Compositae allergens were both sesquiterpene lactones and other naturally occurring compounds.Conclusion: In conclusion, Compositae‐allergic persons should be warned against topical use of Compositae‐containing products, not only because of the plant allergens, but also because of allergenic cream constituents that may cause reactions in the group of patients who have multiple contact allergies beside the Compositae allergy.