bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Tropical, Gregariously Semelparous Bamboo Shows No Seed Dormancy
Authors: Bellairs Sean M. , Franklin Donald C. , Hogarth Nicholas J. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTSeed dormancy may be disadvantageous for gregariously semelparous plants because it disrupts the high levels of reproductive synchrony necessary for success. Alternately, it may provide a bet‐hedging option for an otherwise ‘all eggs in the one basket’ reproductive strategy. Rapid germination of seeds upon hydration has been demonstrated for a range of tropical, semelparous bamboos, but the fate of seeds that failed to germinate promptly has been inadequately investigated. We demonstrate prompt germination of seeds upon hydration and the absence of a dormant seedbank in a long‐lived, gregariously semelparous bamboo, Bambusa arnhemica, from monsoonal northern Australia. However, we refute the suggestion that seed dormancy is necessarily maladaptive in a gregariously semelparous plant. Rather, caryopsis dormancy may not be possible in a seasonally moist tropical climate. Given an inability to adjust or bet‐hedge their germination, bamboo germinants must cope with the vagaries of the monsoonal climate, a factor that may contribute to the general restriction of bamboos to regions with higher rainfall.
Successful Adoption of a School‐Based Telemedicine System
Authors: Mackert Michael , Whitten Pamela 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTBackground:  Telemedicine, the provision of healthcare at a distance via telecommunication technology, has been used to address a wide range of health concerns in a variety of settings. Given the challenges schools face in keeping students healthy, telemedicine could be viewed as a mechanism to provide healthcare services directly to students in schools. This research focuses on a school‐based telemedicine project in Kansas, a project of the Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC) called TeleKidcare. TeleKidcare makes use of interactive television systems located in the school health office to let school nurses interact with KUMC physicians to provide consultations for sick children.Methods:  A case study of the TeleKidcare system was conducted to investigate critical factors of success in the project; data was collected primarily through personal interviews (N = 23), with project documentation serving to corroborate the interview data.Results:  Results point to factors to success both in the planning and operational phases of TeleKidcare. Examples of such factors include: (a) recognizing, and accounting for, the fact that different sites in a multisite telemedicine system might adopt the system in different ways; (b) the importance of involving actual users in the planning of the system, to ensure it could be built into the everyday work of school nurses; and (c) the importance of unintended appropriation of the technology by school nurses, using the system in ways that were completely unplanned.Conclusion:  The lessons learned from TeleKidcare’s success can help researchers and practitioners considering similar systems in other schools.
Ultrafast Energy Delocalization and Electron Transfer Dynamics in 2‐Aminopurine‐Containing Trinucleotides†
Authors: Wang Qiang , Raytchev Milen , Fiebig Torsten 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe fate of electronically excited states in DNA base stacks is of tremendous importance for subsequent photochemical damage reactions in the genome. In this study we present a femtosecond broadband pump‐probe study on the adenine isomer 2‐aminopurine (Ap) incorporated into trinucleotides. After selective excitation of Ap we can monitor energy delocalization between neighboring Ap moieties as well as excited state electron transfer, depending on the sequence of the trinucleotide. Our results establish the time scale for intrastand excimer formation and reveal the lifetime of the excimer state.
Loss of MSH2 protein expression is a risk factor in early stage cervical cancer
Authors: Nijhuis E R , Nijman H W , Oien K A , Bell A , ten Hoor K A , Reesink-Peters N , Boezen H M , Hollema H , van der Zee A G J 
Published: June 2007

Background:Loss of mismatch repair (MMR) gene expression has been associated with fewer metastases and improved prognosis in various tumour types.Aims:To evaluate the predictive and prognostic significance of loss of MMR protein MSH2 in early stage cervical cancer.Methods:Specimens from 218 consecutive patients with early stage, surgically treated cervical cancer were analysed. Median age was 42 years (interquartile range 35–53). International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages were IB1 (57%), IB2 (25%) and IIA (18%). Histology was 70% squamous cell, 6% adenosquamous and 24% adenocarcinoma. Pelvic lymph node metastasis was present in 66 (30%) patients. Median follow-up was 5.2 years (interquartile range 2.5–7.9). Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed containing three cores of paraffin-embedded tumour per case. MSH2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry on TMAs and full sections.Results:In TMAs MSH2 expression could be analysed in 184/218 (84%) tumours. Loss of MSH2 was observed in 58/184 (32%) tumours, with a moderately strong concordance between TMAs and full sections (κ = 0.47). In tumours with loss of MSH2, pelvic lymph node metastasis and cancer invasion beyond 10 mm were more frequent (48% vs 25%, and 59% vs 37%, respectively). However, loss of MSH2 expression was not related to recurrence or survival.Conclusion:TMAs are powerful tools for high throughput screening of biological markers for prognostic value in cervical cancer. Absence of MSH2 expression is associated with a high-risk profile in early stage cervical cancer, but does not predict lymph node status with sufficient accuracy to be used in the clinic.
ON THE RELATION BETWEEN MASS AND CHARGE: A PURE GEOMETRIC APPROACH
Authors: WANAS M. I. 
Published: June 2007

A new solution to the field equations of the generalized field theory, constructed by Mikhail and Wanas in 1977, has been obtained. The geometric structure used, in the present application, is an absolute parallelism (AP)-space with spherical symmetry (type FIGI). The solution obtained represents a generalized field outside a charged massive central body. Two schemes have been used to get the physical meaning of the solution: The first is related to the metric of the Riemannian space associated with the AP-structure. The second is connected to a covariant scheme known as Type Analysis. It is shown that the dependence on both schemes for interpreting the results obtained, is better than the dependence on the metric of the Riemannian space associated with the AP-structure. In general, if we consider the solution obtained as representing a geometric model for an elementary charged particle, then the results of the present work can be summarized in the following points. (i) It is shown that the mass of the particle is made up of two contributions: the first is the gravitational contribution, and the second is the contribution due to the existence of charge. (ii) The model allows for the existence of a charged particle whose mass is completely electromagnetic in origin. (iii) The model prevents the existence of a charged massless particle. (iv) The electromagnetic contribution, to the mass, is independent of the sign of the electric charge. (v) It is shown that the mass of the electron (or a positron) is purely made of its charge.
Toward a Robust Canopy Hydrology Scheme with Precipitation Subgrid Variability
Authors: Wang Dagang , Wang Guiling 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Representation of the canopy hydrological processes has been challenging in land surface modeling due to the subgrid heterogeneity in both precipitation and surface characteristics. The Shuttleworth dynamic–statistical method is widely used to represent the impact of the precipitation subgrid variability on canopy hydrological processes but shows unwanted sensitivity to temporal resolution when implemented into land surface models. This paper presents a canopy hydrology scheme that is robust at different temporal resolutions. This scheme is devised by applying two physically based treatments to the Shuttleworth scheme: 1) the canopy hydrological processes within the rain-covered area are treated separately from those within the nonrain area, and the scheme tracks the relative rain location between adjacent time steps; and 2) within the rain-covered area, the canopy interception is so determined as to sustain the potential evaporation from the wetted canopy or is equal to precipitation, whichever is less, to maintain somewhat wet canopy during any rainy time step. When applied to the Amazon region, the new scheme establishes interception loss ratios of 0.3 at a 10-min time step and 0.23 at a 2-h time step. Compared to interception loss ratios of 0.45 and 0.09 at the corresponding time steps established by the original Shuttleworth scheme, the new scheme is much more stable under different temporal resolutions.
A critical role for TNFα in the selective attachment of mononuclear leukocytes to angiotensin-II-stimulated arterioles
Authors: Mateo Teresa , Naim Abu Nabah Yafa , Losada Mercedes , Estellés Rossana , Company Chantal , Bedrina Begoña , Cerdá-Nicolás Jose Miguel , Poole Stephen , Jose Peter J. , Cortijo Julio , Morcillo Esteban J. , Sanz Maria-Jesus 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAngiotensin II (Ang-II) exerts inflammatory activity and is involved in different cardiovascular disorders. This study has evaluated the involvement of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the leukocyte accumulation elicited by Ang-II. Ang-II (1 nM intraperitoneally in rats) induced TNFα release at 1 hour followed by neutrophil and mononuclear cell recruitment. The administration of an antirat TNFα antiserum had no effect on Ang-IIinduced neutrophil accumulation but inhibited the infiltration of mononuclear cells and reduced CC chemokine content in the peritoneal exudate. Pretreatment with either an anti-TNFα or an anti-IL-4 antiserum decreased Ang-II-induced arteriolar mononuclear leukocyte adhesion by 68% and 60%, respectively, in the rat mesenteric microcirculation. While no expression of TNFα was found in the postcapillary venules of Ang-II-injected animals, this cytokine was clearly up-regulated in the arterioles. Stimulation of human umbilical arterial endothelial cells (HUAECs) or isolated human mononuclear cells with 1 μM Ang-II caused increased TNFα mRNA expression and protein. Neutralization of TNFα activity reduced Ang-II-induced MCP-1, MCP-3, and RANTES release from HUAECs and MIP-1α from blood cells. In conclusion, the selective mononuclear leukocyte adhesion to Ang-II-stimulated arterioles is largely mediated by TNFα in cooperation with constitutive IL-4. Therefore, neutralization of TNFα activity may help to prevent mononuclear cell infiltration and the progression of the atherogenic process.
High-throughput identification of interacting protein-protein binding sites
Authors: Chung Jo-Lan , Wang Wei , Bourne Philip E 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
With the advent of increasing sequence and structural data, a number of methods have been proposed to locate putative protein binding sites from protein surfaces. Therefore, methods that are able to identify whether these binding sites interact are needed.

Results
We have developed a new method using a machine learning approach to detect if protein binding sites, once identified, interact with each other. The method exploits information relating to sequence and structural complementary across protein interfaces and has been tested on a non-redundant data set consisting of 584 homo-dimers and 198 hetero-dimers extracted from the PDB. Results indicate 87.4% of the interacting binding sites and 68.6% non-interacting binding sites were correctly identified. Furthermore, we built a pipeline that links this method to a modified version of our previously developed method that predicts the location of binding sites.

Conclusion
We have demonstrated that this high-throughput pipeline is capable of identifying binding sites for proteins, their interacting binding sites and, ultimately, their binding partners on a large scale.
Characterization of protein-interaction networks in tumors
Authors: Platzer Alexander , Perco Paul , Lukas Arno , Mayer Bernd 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
Analyzing differential-gene-expression data in the context of protein-interaction networks (PINs) yields information on the functional cellular status. PINs can be formally represented as graphs, and approximating PINs as undirected graphs allows the network properties to be characterized using well-established graph measures.
This paper outlines features of PINs derived from 29 studies on differential gene expression in cancer. For each study the number of differentially regulated genes was determined and used as a basis for PIN construction utilizing the Online Predicted Human Interaction Database.

Results
Graph measures calculated for the largest subgraph of a PIN for a given differential-gene-expression data set comprised properties reflecting the size, distribution, biological relevance, density, modularity, and cycles. The values of a distinct set of graph measures, namely Closeness Centrality, Graph Diameter, Index of Aggregation, Assortative Mixing Coefficient, Connectivity, Sum of the Wiener Number, modified Vertex Distance Number, and Eigenvalues differed clearly between PINs derived on the basis of differential gene expression data sets characterizing malignant tissue and PINs derived on the basis of randomly selected protein lists.

Conclusion
Cancer PINs representing differentially regulated genes are larger than those of randomly selected protein lists, indicating functional dependencies among protein lists that can be identified on the basis of transcriptomics experiments. However, the prevalence of hub proteins was not increased in the presence of cancer. Interpretation of such graphs in the context of robustness may yield novel therapies based on synthetic lethality that are more effective than focusing on single-action drugs for cancer treatment.
The Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS): Design, procedures & participants
Authors: Martin Sean A , Haren Matthew T , Middleton Sue M , Wittert Gary A ,   Members of the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS)
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
The Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study (FAMAS) examines the reproductive, physical and psychological health, and health service utilisation of the ageing male in Australia. We describe the rationale for the study, the methods used participant response rates, representativeness and attrition to date.

Methods
FAMAS is a longitudinal study involving approximately 1200 randomly selected men, aged 35–80 years and living in the north – west regions of Adelaide. Respondents were excluded at screening if they were considered incapable of participating because of immobility, language, or an inability to undertake the study procedures. Following a telephone call to randomly selected households, eligible participants were invited to attend a baseline clinic measuring a variety of biomedical and socio-demographic factors. Beginning in 2002, these clinics are scheduled to reoccur every five years. Follow-up questionnaires are completed annually. Participants are also invited to participate in sub-studies with selected collaborators.

Results
Of those eligible to participate, 45.1% ultimately attended a clinic. Non-responders were more likely to live alone, be current smokers, have a higheevalence of self-reported diabetes and stroke, and lower levels of hypercholesterolemia. Comparisons with the Census 2001 data showed that participants matched the population for most key demographics, although younger groups and never married men were under-represented and elderly participants were over-represented. To date, there has been an annual loss to follow-up of just over 1%.

Conclusion
FAMAS allows a detailed investigation into the effects of bio-psychosocial and behavioural factors on the health and ageing of a largely representative group of Australian men.
Cloning and characterization of an adenoviral vector for highly efficient and doxycycline – suppressible expression of bioactive human single – chain interleukin 12 in colon cancer
Authors: Wulff Holger , Krieger Thorsten , Krüger Karen , Stahmer Ingrid , Thaiss Friedrich , Schäfer Hansjörg , Block Andreas 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackgroundInterleukin-12 (IL-12) is well characterized to induce cellular antitumoral immunity by activation of NK-cells and T-lymphocytes. However, systemic administration of recombinant human IL-12 resulted in severe toxicity without perceptible therapeutic benefit. Even though intratumoral expression of IL-12 leads to tumor regression and long-term survival in a variety of animal models, clinical trials have not yet shown a significant therapeutic benefit. One major obstacle in the treatment with IL-12 is to overcome the relatively low expression of the therapeutic gene without compromising the safety of such an approach. Our objective was to generate an adenoviral vector system enabling the regulated expression of very high levels of bioactive, human IL-12.ResultsHigh gene expression was obtained utilizing the VP16 herpes simplex transactivator. Strong regulation of gene expression was realized by fusion of the VP16 to a tetracycline repressor with binding of the fusion protein to a flanking tetracycline operator and further enhanced by auto-regulated expression of its fusion gene within a bicistronic promoter construct. Infection of human colon cancer cells (HT29) at a multiplicity of infection (m.o.i.) of 10 resulted in the production of up to 8000 ng/106cells in 48 h, thus exceeding any published vector system so far. Doxycycline concentrations as low as 30 ng/ml resulted in up to 5000-fold suppression, enabling significant reduction of gene expression in a possible clinical setting. Bioactivity of the human single-chain IL-12 was similar to purified human heterodimeric IL-12. Frozen sections of human colon cancer showed high expression of the coxsackie adenovirus receptor with significant production of human single chain IL-12 in colon cancer biopsies after infection with 3*107p.f.u. Ad.3r-scIL12. Doxycycline mediated suppression of gene expression was up to 9000-fold in the infected colon cancer tissue.ConclusionVP16 transactivator-mediated and doxycycline-regulated expression of the human interleukin-12 gene enables highly efficient and tightly controlled cytokine expression in human cancer. These data illustrate the potential of the described adenoviral vector system for the safe and superior expression of therapeutic genes in the treatment of colorectal cancer and other malignancies.
Comparison of marker gene expression in chondrocytes from patients receiving autologous chondrocyte transplantation versus osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Stoop Reinout , Albrecht Dirk , Gaissmaier Christoph , Fritz Jürgen , Felka Tino , Rudert Maximilian , Aicher Wilhelm K 
Published: June 2007

AbstractCurrently, autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) is used to treat traumatic cartilage damage or osteochondrosis dissecans, but not degenerative arthritis. Since substantial refinements in the isolation, expansion and transplantation of chondrocytes have been made in recent years, the treatment of early stage osteoarthritic lesions using ACT might now be feasible. In this study, we determined the gene expression patterns of osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes ex vivo after primary culture and subculture and compared these with healthy chondrocytes ex vivo and with articular chondrocytes expanded for treatment of patients by ACT. Gene expression profiles were determined using quantitative RT-PCR for type I, II and X collagen, aggrecan, IL-1β and activin-like kinase-1. Furthermore, we tested the capability of osteoarthritic chondrocytes to generate hyaline-like cartilage by implanting chondrocyte-seeded collagen scaffolds into immunodeficient (SCID) mice. OA chondrocytes ex vivo showed highly elevated levels of IL-1β mRNA, but type I and II collagen levels were comparable to those of healthy chondrocytes. After primary culture, IL-1β levels decreased to baseline levels, while the type II and type I collagen mRNA levels matched those found in chondrocytes used for ACT. OA chondrocytes generated type II collagen and proteoglycan-rich cartilage transplants in SCID mice. We conclude that after expansion under suitable conditions, the cartilage of OA patients contains cells that are not significantly different from those from healthy donors prepared for ACT. OA chondrocytes are also capable of producing a cartilage-like tissue in the in vivo SCID mouse model. Thus, such chondrocytes seem to fulfil the prerequisites for use in ACT treatment.
A 1-year case-control study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis indicates prevention of loss of bone mineral density in both responders and nonresponders to infliximab
Authors: Marotte Hubert , Pallot-Prades Beatrice , Grange Laurent , Gaudin Philippe , Alexandre Christian , Miossec Pierre 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe goal of the present study was to record changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone turnover in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with methotrexate combined (or not combined) with infliximab. Included were 90 patients with RA who required anti-TNF-α therapy with infliximab because of persistent active disease despite treatment with methotrexate. The historical control group included 99 patients with RA who were treated with methotrexate at a time when anti-TNF-α treatment was not yet available. Lumbar and femoral neck BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 1 year later. Osteocalcin, C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen, parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol were measured in plasma at baseline and 1 year later. At 1 year BMD had decreased in the control group at spine (P < 0.01) and femoral neck (P < 0.001). In contrast, BMD at spine and femoral neck did not change after 1 year of infliximab treatment. At the same time point, no change in bone remodelling markers was observed. No association was observed between clinical response and changes in BMD, indicating that even those who did not respond clinically did not lose bone over a 1-year period. These data confirm the BMD decrease observed in RA patients treated with methotrexate alone. This bone loss was prevented by infliximab therapy. Importantly, this beneficial effect was also observed in apparent nonresponders.