bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bombyx moricell line as a model of immune‐system organs
Authors: Taniai K. , Lee J. H. , Lee I. H. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe tested 11Bombyx moricell lines for induction of cecropin B gene (CecB) expression. After the immune challenge,CecBexpression was induced in seven cell lines. A mixture of the cell‐free supernatant from the immune‐responsive cell lines and lipopolysaccharide activated a promoter ofCecBin the non‐immune‐responsive cell line, indicating that secreted factor(s) is involved inCecBactivation. The expressed sequence tags of one of the immune‐responsive cell lines, NISES‐BoMo‐Cam1, contained genes encoding proteins similar to Relish, Cactus, clip‐domain serine protease, serpin, lectin, peptidoglycan recognition protein, 6tox and gloverin, in addition to seven knownB. moriimmune‐inducible genes. These results show that NISES‐BoMo‐Cam1 cells can be used as anin vitromodel of the immune system organs ofB. mori.
A new Minos vector for eye‐specific expression of white+ marker in Ceratitis capitata and in distantly related dipteran species
Authors: Salvemini M. , Mauro U. , Velaeti S. , Polito C. , Saccone G. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe genetic transformation of insects by transposable elements is based on the use of selectable genetic markers required to identify transgenic individuals. Conserved regulatory sequences can be used to develop single constructs capable of adequate expression of a marker, across a range of different species. We present evidence that the Drosophila GBS regulatory element (Glass‐binding site), derived from the Rh1 rhodopsin gene, is able to drive in vivo eye‐specific expression of a Ccwhite+ transgene in the Mediterranean fruitfly Ceratitis capitata. The Ceratitis lineage diverged from that of Drosophila∼120 Myr ago. As the GBS regulatory sequence seems to be partially conserved in the more distantly related dipteran species Anopheles gambiae (250 Myr), we propose that the GBS may be widely useful for driving eye‐specific expression in a wide range of dipteran species.
Plasma Levels of Intact and Cleaved Urokinase Receptor Decrease in HIV‐1‐Infected Patients Initiating Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Ostrowski S. R. , Katzenstein T. L. , Pedersen M. , Høyer‐Hansen G. , Gerstoft J. , Pedersen B. K. , Ullum H. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractElevated blood levels of soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR) measured by ELISA decrease in human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1)‐infected patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). As the suPAR ELISA measures both three‐ and two‐domain suPAR [suPAR(I–III), suPAR(II–III)] and suPAR(I–III)–ligand complexes, the amount by which the individual suPAR forms (suPAR(I–III), suPAR(II–III) and one‐domain suPAR [suPAR(I)]) decrease in plasma in HIV‐1‐infected patients initiating HAART is unknown. Consequently, the objective of this study was to investigate HAART‐induced changes in the individual plasma suPAR forms in HIV‐1‐infected patients. Plasma suPAR was measured by three time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassays detecting suPAR(I–III), suPAR(I–III) + suPAR(II–III) and suPAR(I) in 29 treatment‐naïve HIV‐1‐infected patients followed annually for 5 years after initiation of HAART and in 20 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy individuals. In addition, plasma levels of the following inflammatory markers were also investigated: soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor (sTNFr)‐II, TNF‐α, interleukins (IL)‐10, IL‐6, IL‐4, IL‐2 and interferon (IFN)‐γ. In HIV‐1‐infected patients, plasma suPAR(I–III), suPAR(II–III) and suPAR(I) decreased within the first treatment year (all P < 0.05) and suPAR(I–III) and suPAR(II–III) remained above normal throughout follow‐up (both P < 0.05). Plasma sTNFrII, IL‐6, IFN‐γ and IL‐10 also decreased during HAART (all P < 0.05). In HIV‐1‐infected patients, sTNFrII correlated with all suPAR forms before (all P < 0.01) and after 5 years HAART (all P < 0.001), whereas sTNFrII and suPAR did not correlate in healthy individuals. Intact and cleaved plasma suPAR decreased in HIV‐1‐infected patients initiating HAART but remained above normal. The positive correlation with sTNFrII suggests that the individual plasma suPAR forms are linked to immune activation in HIV‐1 infection.
The role of Self‐Defined Race/Ethnicity in Population Structure Control
Authors: Liu X‐Q. , Paterson A. D. , John E. M. , Knight J. A. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryPopulation‐based association studies are powerful tools for the genetic mapping of complex diseases. However, this method is sensitive to potential confounding by population structure. While statistical methods that use genetic markers to detect and control for population structure have been the focus of current literature, the utility of self‐defined race/ethnicity in controlling for population structure has been controversial. In this study of 1334 individuals, who self‐identified as either African American, European American or Hispanic, we demonstrated that when the true underlying genetic structure and the self‐defined racial/ethnic groups were roughly in agreement with each other, the self‐defined race/ethnicity information was useful in the control of population structure.
The Economic Impact of Health Policy Interventions
Authors: Manton Kenneth G. , Stallard Eric , Tolley H. Dennis 
Published: May 2006

The rapid aging of the U.S. population, increases in the absolute prevalence of chronic diseases, and the associated rise in the proportion of the GNP expended on medical care all indicate the need for methods to accurately forecast future health care expenditures for specific chronic diseases. Additionally, if these methods are biomedically realistic, they can be used to evaluate the economic implications of specific prevention strategies designed to reduce chronic disease incidence, prevalence, and mortality. Projection strategies that are not biomedically realistic, such as models that assume that risks for demographic subgroups do not change over time (e.g., “static component” models), though possibly accurate over the short run, are not suitable for assessing the long term effects of specific proposed health policy interventions which are designed to alter risks.In this paper we present a strategy for forecasting health care costs which is based on a model that represents the natural history of a chronic disease in terms of a preclinical state, a clinical state, case fatality rates, cures, and the implications of exogenous medical factors. Using this model we project that the treatment costs associated with respiratory cancer in the white male population of the U.S. may undergo a two‐thirds increase in real dollars over the period 1977 to 2000. About one‐half of this increase is due to a demographic shift to an older population structure, with the remainder due to higher respiratory cancer incidence rates in younger cohorts. Alteration of certain parameters of the model to simulate various interventions suggests that about three‐quarters of the cost of this disease could be eliminated, though realization of any significant part of this savings would require a lengthy phase‐in period.
On Broadening Failure Rate Distributions in PRA Uncertainty Analyses
Authors: Martz Harry F. 
Published: May 2006

Several recent nuclear power plant probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs) have utilized broadened Reactor Safety Study (RSS) component failure rate population variability curves to compensate for such things as expert “overvaluation bias” in the estimates upon which the curves are based.A simple two‐components of variation empirical Bayes model is proposed for use in estimating the between‐expert variability curve in the presence of such biases. Under certain conditions this curve is a population variability curve. Comparisons are made with the existing method.The popular procedure appears to be generally much more conservative than the empirical Bayes method in removing such biases. In one case the broadened curve based on the popular method is more than two orders of magnitude broader than the empirical Bayes curve. In another case it is found that the maximum justifiable degree of broadening of the RSS curve is to increase α from 5% to 12%, which is significantly less than the 20% value recommended in the popular approach.
How rare is the bullet cluster?
Authors: Hayashi Eric , White Simon D. M. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The galaxy cluster 1E 0657-56 has a bullet-like subcluster that is moving away from the centre of the main cluster at high speed. Markevitch et al. (2004) recently estimated a relative velocity of Vbullet= 4500+1100-800 km s-1, based on observations of the bow shock in front of the subcluster. The weak lensing analysis of Clowe, Gonzalez & Markevitch (2004) indicates that a substantial secondary mass peak is associated with this subcluster. We estimate the likelihood of such a configuration by examining the distribution of subhalo velocities for clusters in the Millennium Run, a large Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmological simulation. We find that the most massive subhalo has a velocity as high as that of the bullet subcluster in only about one out of every 100 cluster-sized haloes. This estimate is strongly dependent on the precise velocity adopted for the bullet. One of the 10 most massive subhaloes has such a high velocity about 40 per cent of the time. We conclude that the velocity of the bullet subcluster is not exceptionally high for a cluster substructure, and can be accommodated within the currently favoured ΛCDM cosmogony.
Impact of fibronectin assembly on platelet thrombus formation in response to type I collagen and von Willebrand factor
Authors: Cho Jaehyung , Mosher Deane F. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPlasma fibronectin enhances platelet thrombus formation on surfaces coated with collagen. We investigated the role of fibronectin assembly in this process. Platelets adherent to fibrillar type I collagen, but not platelets adherent to von Willebrand factor (VWF), supported assembly of plasma fibronectin under static conditions. At a shear rate of 1250 s–1, platelets adherent to collagen assembled coperfused plasma fibronectin and formed larger thrombi in a fibronectin-concentration–dependent manner, with a maximum effect at 250 μg/mL. Enhanced thrombus formation on collagen was blocked by a peptide that binds to the N-terminal region of fibronectin and inhibits fibronectin assembly. Cross-linking of fibronectin to collagen prior to exposure to platelets had no effect on thrombus formation. Collagen-induced platelet thrombus formation at a shear rate of 5000 s–1 required coperfusion with VWF and did not result in assembly of coperfused fibronectin. VWF-mediated increase in platelet thrombi on collagen was not enhanced and indeed was somewhat attenuated by coperfused fibronectin at a shear rate of 5000 s–1. These results indicate that, at moderately high but not very high shear rates, fibronectin assembly in platelet aggregates that form in response to collagen enhances thrombus formation and serves as an alternative to VWF-mediated enhancement.
Mental health provision for young offenders: service use and cost
Authors: Barrett Barbara , Byford Sarah , Chitsabesan Prathiba , Kenning Cassandra 
Published: May 2006

BackgroundThe full costs of accommodating and supporting young people in the criminal justice system are unknown. There is also concern about the level of mental health needs among young offenders and the provision of appropriate mental health services.AimsTo estimate the full cost of supporting young people in the criminal justice system in England and Wales and to examine the relationship between needs, service use and cost.MethodCross-sectional survey of 301 young offenders, 151 in custody and 150 in the community, conducted in six geographically representative areas of England and Wales.ResultsMental health service use was low despite high levels of need, particularly in the community Monthly costs were significantly higher among young people interviewed in secure facilities than in the community ($4645 v. $ 1863; P < 0.001). Younger age and a depressed mood were associated with greater costs.ConclusionsYoung people in the criminal justice system are a significant financial burden not only on that system but also on social services, health and education. The relationship between cost and depressed mood indicates a role for mental health services in supporting young offenders, particularly those in the community.
NICE guidance in schizophrenia: how generalisable are drug trials?
Authors: Burns Tom 
Published: May 2006

Aims and MethodTo test the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) assertion that characteristics of participants in the majority of clinical drug trials in schizophrenia do not reflect clinical practice. In particular they were concerned about the relative exclusion of women, older adults and patients with comorbidity. The baseline characteristics of a sample of 600 patients with schizophrenia recruited to be as representative as possible of UK community practice were compared with those from one of the largest international drug trials of an atypical antipsychotic.ResultsAlthough comparisons could only be made on a limited range of characteristics the two samples were broadly comparable.Clinical ImplicationsCurrent drug trials from pharmaceutical companies may have more relevance to clinical practice than their stated exclusion criteria may indicate.
A Slight Decrease in Renal Function Further Impairs Bone Mineral Density in Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Gianotti Laura , Tassone Francesco , Cesario Flora , Pia Anna , Razzore Paola , Magro Giampaolo , Piovesan Alessandro , Borretta Giorgio 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Background: The impairment of renal function can affect the clinical presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), increasing cardiovascular morbidity, fracture rate, and the risk of mortality.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the differences in bone status in a series of consecutive patients affected by PHPT without overt renal failure at diagnosis grouped according to creatinine clearance (Ccr).
Methods: A total of 161 consecutive patients with PHPT were studied. They were divided into two groups based on Ccr. Group A had Ccr 70 ml/min or less (n = 49), and group B had Ccr greater than 70 ml/min (n = 112). PTH, total and ionized serum calcium; urinary calcium and phosphate; serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3; serum and urinary bone markers; lumbar, forearm, and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated.
Results: Patients in group A were older than those in group B (P &lt; 0.0001). PTH levels did not differ in the two groups, whereas both urinary calcium and phosphorus were lower in group A than group B (P &lt; 0.01). Lower BMD was evident in group A at lumbar spine (P &lt; 0.002), forearm (P &lt; 0.0001), and femur (P &lt; 0.01). In asymptomatic PHPT, those with Ccr 70 ml/min or less had lower forearm BMD than patients with higher Ccr (P &lt; 0.00001). When adjusting for age and body mass index in PHPT, BMD at each site persisted being lower (P &lt; 0.05) in group A than group B. In all PHPT subjects, Ccr (beta = 0.29, P &lt; 0.0005), age (beta = −0.27, P &lt; 0.00001), and PTH levels (beta = −0.27, P &lt; 0.0005) were all independently associated with forearm BMD.
Conclusions: In PHPT a slight decrease in renal function is associated with more severe BMD decrease, independent of age, body mass index, and PTH levels. This association is also present in asymptomatic PHPT and strengthens the National Institutes of Health recommendations for surgery in patients with mild PHPT.
Hospital Admission Rates for a Racially Diverse Low-Income Cohort of Patients With Diabetes: The Urban Diabetes Study
Authors: Robbins Jessica M. , Webb David A. 
Published: May 2006

Objective. We sought to determine the frequency and costs of hospitalization and to assess possible racial/ethnic disparities in a large cohort of low-income patients with diabetes who had received primary care at municipal health clinics. Methods. Administrative data from Philadelphia Health Care Centers were linked with discharge data from Pennsylvania hospitals for March 1993 through December 2001. We tested differences in hospitalization rates and mean hospital charges by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Results. A total of 18 800 patients with diabetes experienced 30 528 hospital admissions, for a hospitalization rate of 0.35 per person-year. Rates rose with age and with the interaction of male gender and age. Rates for non-Hispanic Whites were higher than those for African Americans, whereas those for Hispanics, Asian Americans, and “others” were lower. Patients who were hospitalized at least 5 times made up 10.5% of the study population and accounted for 64% of hospital admissions and hospital charges in this cohort. Conclusions. Hospitalization rates for this low-income cohort with access to primary care and pharmacy services were comparable to those of other diabetic patient populations, suggesting that reducing financial barriers to care may have benefited these patients. A subgroup of patients with multiple hospitalizations accounted for the majority of hospital admissions.
Results of the First Year of Active for Life: Translation of 2 Evidence-Based Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults Into Community Settings
Authors: Wilcox Sara , Dowda Marsha , Griffin Sarah F. , Rheaume Carol , Ory Marcia G. , Leviton Laura , King Abby C. , Dunn Andrea , Buchner David M. , Bazzarre Terry , Estabrooks Paul A. , Campbell-Voytal Kimberly , Bartlett-Prescott Jenny , Dowdy Diane , Castro Cynthia M. , Carpenter Ruth Ann , Dzewaltowski David A. , Mockenhaupt Robin 
Published: May 2006

Objectives. Translating efficacious interventions into practice within community settings is a major public health challenge. We evaluated the effects of 2 evidence-based physical activity interventions on self-reported physical activity and related outcomes in midlife and older adults. Methods. Four community-based organizations implemented Active Choices, a 6-month, telephone-based program, and 5 implemented Active Living Every Day, a 20-week, group-based program. Both programs emphasize behavioral skills necessary to become more physically active. Participants completed pretest and posttest surveys. Results. Participants (n=838) were aged an average of 68.4 ±9.4 years, 80.6% were women, and 64.1% were non-Hispanic White. Seventy-two percent returned posttest surveys. Intent-to-treat analyses found statistically significant increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and total physical activity, decreases in depressive symptoms and stress, increases in satisfaction with body appearance and function, and decreases in body mass index. Conclusions. The first year of Active for Life demonstrated that Active Choices and Active Living Every Day, 2 evidence-based physical activity programs, can be successfully translated into community settings with diverse populations. Further, the magnitudes of change in outcomes were similar to those reported in the efficacy trials.
Fault detection and isolation for on‐board sensors of a general aviation aircraft
Authors: Bonfè M. , Castaldi P. , Geri W. , Simani S. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis paper addresses the problem of the detection and isolation of the input and output sensor faults on a general aviation aircraft, which is characterized by a non‐linear model, in the presence of wind gusts, atmospheric turbulence and measurement errors. In particular, this work proposes a polynomial approach for the design of residual generators in order to realize complete diagnosis schemes when additive faults are present. In fact, the use of an input–output description for the linearized model of the aircraft allows to compute in a straightforward way the residual generators. This approach leads to dynamic filters that can achieve both good disturbance signal decoupling and robustness properties with respect to both linearization error and measurement noise. Mathematical descriptions of the aircraft measurement sensors are also taken into account. The results obtained in the simulation of the faulty behaviour of a PIPER PA30 aircraft and a comparison with other FDI approaches (both linear and non‐linear) are finally reported. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Basic relationships in the pre‐reforming of n‐hexane on Ni/Mgo catalyst
Authors: Arena Francesco 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe activity‐selectivity‐stability pattern of a 19 wt% Ni/MgO catalyst in the pre‐reforming of n‐hexane (T, 450°C; P, 10‐15 bar; S/C, 1.5‐3.5), in the absence and the presence of H2 (H2/C, 1), is thoroughly addressed. Coking and, to a much lesser extent, sintering phenomena affect the catalyst stability with a 1st‐order dependence of deactivation rate on activity. Regardless of reaction conditions, in the absence of hydrogen a general selectivity‐conversion pattern signals that CO is a primary reaction product from the steam reforming reaction, whereas the prevalence of a hydrogenolysis path enhances reaction rate, methane selectivity, and catalyst stability in the presence of hydrogen, markedly hindering the coking process. Driven by different ensembles of active sites, steam reforming, CO methanation, water‐gas‐shift, hydrogenolysis, and coking functionalities control the behavior pattern of the Ni/MgO catalyst in the pre‐reforming process. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Pulmonary function abnormalities and airway irritation symptoms of metal fumes exposure on automobile spot welders
Authors: Luo Jiin‐Chyuan John , Hsu Kuang‐Hung , Shen Wu‐Shiun 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackgroundSpot or resistance welding has been considered less hazardous than other types of welding. Automobile manufacturing is a major industry in Taiwan. Spot and arc welding are common processes in this industry. The respiratory effects on automobile spot welders exposed to metal fumes are investigated.MethodsThe cohort consisted of 41 male auto‐body spot welders, 76 male arc welders, 71 male office workers, and 59 assemblers without welding exposure. Inductivity Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP‐MS) was applied to detect metals' (zinc, copper, nickel) levels in the post‐shift urine samples. Demographic data, work history, smoking status, and respiratory tract irritation symptoms were gathered by a standard self‐administered questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests were also performed.ResultsThere were significantly higher values for average urine metals' (zinc, copper, nickel) levels in spot welders and arc welders than in the non‐welding controls. There were 4 out of 23 (17.4%) abnormal forced vital capacity (FVC) among the high‐exposed spot welders, 2 out of 18 (11.1%) among the low‐exposed spot welders, and 6 out of 130 (4.6%) non‐welding‐exposed workers. There was a significant linear trend between spot welding exposure and the prevalence of restrictive airway abnormalities (P = 0.036) after adjusting for other factors. There were 9 out of 23 (39.1%) abnormal peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among high‐exposed spot welders, 5 out of 18 (27.8%) among the low‐exposed spot welders, and 28 out of 130 (21.5%) non‐welding‐exposed workers. There was a borderline significant linear trend between spot welding exposure and the prevalence of obstructive lung function abnormalities (P = 0.084) after adjusting for other factors. There was also a significant dose‐response relationship of airway irritation symptoms (cough, phlegm, chronic bronchitis) among the spot welders. Arc welders with high exposure status also had a significant risk of obstructive lung abnormalities (PEFR reduction). There was also a significant dose‐response relationship of airway irritation symptoms (cough, phlegm, chest tightness, and chronic bronchitis) among the arc welders.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that restrictive and obstructive lung abnormalities, and airway irritation symptoms are associated with spot and arc welding exposures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:407–416, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.