bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond the increasing complexity of the immunomodulatory HLA-G molecule
Authors: Carosella Edgardo D. , Favier Benoit , Rouas-Freiss Nathalie , Moreau Philippe , LeMaoult Joel 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a nonclassic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule that functions as an immunomodulatory molecule capable of protecting fetal tissues from the maternal immune system. The relevance of HLA-G in other contexts was investigated soon afterward. Numerous studies have sought (and some have shown) the relevance of HLA-G in pathologic conditions, such as transplantation, autoimmunity, and cancer and hematologic malignancies. One of the main goals of the current research on HLA-G is now to use it in the clinic, either for diagnosis or as a therapeutic tool/target. For this, precise knowledge on the nature and functions of HLA-G is critical. We highlight here what we consider are recent key basic findings on the immunomodulatory function of HLA-G. These strengthen the case for considering HLA-G as clinically relevant.
A quantitative method to assess extrasynaptic NMDA receptor function in the protective effect of synaptic activity against neurotoxicity
Authors: Bengtson C Peter , Dick Oliver , Bading Hilmar 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Background
Extrasynaptic NMDA receptors couple to a CREB shut-off pathway and cause cell death, whereas synaptic NMDA receptors and nuclear calcium signaling promote CREB-mediated transcription and neuronal survival. The distribution of NMDA receptors (synaptic versus extrasynaptic) may be an important parameter that determines the susceptibility of neurons to toxic insults. Changes in receptor surface expression towards more extrasynaptic NMDA receptors may lead to neurodegeneration, whereas a reduction of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors may render neurons more resistant to death. A quantitative assessment of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors in individual neurons is needed in order to investigate the role of NMDA receptor distribution in neuronal survival and death.

Results
Here we refined and verified a protocol previously used to isolate the effects of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors using the NMDA receptor open channel blocker, MK-801. Using this method we investigated the possibility that the known neuroprotective shield built up in hippocampal neurons after a period of action potential bursting and stimulation of synaptic NMDA receptors is due to signal-induced trafficking of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors or a reduction in extrasynaptic NMDA receptor function. We found that extrasynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated calcium responses and whole cell currents recorded under voltage clamp were surprisingly invariable and did not change even after prolonged (16 to 24 hours) periods of bursting and synaptic NMDA receptor activation. Averaging a large number of calcium imaging traces yielded a small (6%) reduction of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated responses in hippocampal neurons that were pretreated with prolonged bursting.

Conclusion
The slight reduction in extrasynaptic NMDA receptor function following action potential bursting and synaptic NMDA receptor stimulation could contribute to but is unlikely to fully account for activity-dependent neuroprotection. Other factors, in particular calcium signaling to the nucleus and the induction of survival promoting genes are more likely to mediate acquired neuroprotection.
The Rho-activating CNF1 toxin from pathogenic E. coli: A risk factor for human cancer development?
Authors: Travaglione Sara , Fabbri Alessia , Fiorentini Carla 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Nowadays, there is increasing evidence that some pathogenic bacteria can contribute to specific stages of cancer development. The concept that bacterial infection could be involved in carcinogenesis acquired a widespread interest with the discovery that H. pylori is able to establish chronic infections in the stomach and that this infection is associated with an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Chronic infections triggered by bacteria can facilitate tumor initiation or progression since, during the course of infection, normal cell functions can come under the control of pathogen factors that directly manipulate the host regulatory pathways and the inflammatory reactions.
Renowned publications have recently corroborated the molecular mechanisms that link bacterial infections, inflammation and cancer, indicating certain strains of Escherichia coli as a risk factor for patients with colon cancer. E. coli is a normal inhabitant of the human intestine that becomes highly pathogenic following the acquisition of virulence factors, including a protein toxin named cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1). This toxin permanently activates the small GTP-binding proteins belonging to the Rho family, thus promoting a prominent polymerization of the actin cytoskeleton as well as a number of cellular responses, including changes in protein expression and functional modification of the cell physiology. CNF1 is receiving an increasing attention as a putative factor involved in transformation because of its ability to: (i) induce COX2 expression, an immediate-early gene over-expressed in some type of cancers; (ii) induce a long-lasting activation of the transcription factor NF-kB, a largely accepted marker of tumor cells; (iii) protect epithelial cells from apoptosis; (iv) ensue the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in epithelial and endothelial cells; and (v) promote cellular motility. As cancer may arise through dysfunction of the same regulatory systems, it seems likely that CNF1-producing E. coli infections can contribute to tumor development.
This review focuses on the aspects of CNF1 activity linked to cell transformation with the aim of contributing to the identification of a possible carcinogenic agent from the microbial world.
Functional diversification of duplicate genes through subcellular adaptation of encoded proteins
Authors: Marques Ana C , Vinckenbosch Nicolas , Brawand David , Kaessmann Henrik 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Background
Gene duplication is the primary source of new genes with novel or altered functions. It is known that duplicates may obtain these new functional roles by evolving divergent expression patterns and/or protein functions after the duplication event. Here, using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a model organism, we investigate a previously little considered mode for the functional diversification of duplicate genes: subcellular adaptation of encoded proteins.

Results
We show that for 24-37% of duplicate gene pairs derived from the S. cerevisiae whole-genome duplication event, the two members of the pair encode proteins that localize to distinct subcellular compartments. The propensity of yeast duplicate genes to evolve new localization patterns depends to a large extent on the biological function of their progenitor genes. Proteins involved in processes with a wider subcellular distribution (for example, catabolism) frequently evolved new protein localization patterns after duplication, whereas duplicate proteins limited to a smaller number of organelles (for example, highly expressed biosynthesis/housekeeping proteins with a slow rate of evolution) rarely relocate within the cell. Paralogous proteins evolved divergent localization patterns by partitioning of ancestral localizations ('sublocalization'), but probably more frequently by relocalization to new compartments ('neolocalization'). We show that such subcellular reprogramming may occur through selectively driven substitutions in protein targeting sequences. Notably, our data also reveal that relocated proteins functionally adapted to their new subcellular environments and evolved new functional roles through changes of their physico-chemical properties, expression levels, and interaction partners.

Conclusion
We conclude that protein subcellular adaptation represents a common mechanism for the functional diversification of duplicate genes.
Accuracy of Diagnostic Tests for Cushing’s Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Metaanalyses
Authors: Elamin Mohamed B. , Murad M. Hassan , Mullan Rebecca , Erickson Dana , Harris Katherine , Nadeem Sarah , Ennis Robert , Erwin Patricia J. , Montori Victor M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Context: The diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) requires the use of tests of unregulated hypercortisolism that have unclear accuracy.
Objective: Our objective was to summarize evidence on the accuracy of common tests for diagnosing CS.
Data Sources: We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and citation search for key articles) from 1975 through September 2007 and sought additional references from experts.
Study Selection: Eligible studies reported on the accuracy of urinary free cortisol (UFC), dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and midnight cortisol assays vs. reference standard in patients suspected of CS.
Data Extraction: Reviewers working in duplicate and independently extracted study characteristics and quality and data to estimate the likelihood ratio (LR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for each result.
Data Synthesis: We found 27 eligible studies, with a high prevalence [794 (9.2%) of 8631 patients had CS] and severity of CS. The tests had similar accuracy: UFC (n = 14 studies; LR+ 10.6, CI 5.5–20.5; LR− 0.16, CI 0.08–0.33), salivary midnight cortisol (n = 4; LR+ 8.8, CI 3.5–21.8; LR− 0.07, CI 0–1.2), and the 1-mg overnight DST (n = 14; LR+ 16.4, CI 9.3–28.8; LR− 0.06, CI 0.03–0.14). Combined testing strategies (e.g. a positive result in both UFC and 1-mg overnight DST) had similar diagnostic accuracy (n = 3; LR+ 15.4, CI 0.7–358; LR− 0.11, CI 0.007–1.57).
Conclusions: Commonly used tests to diagnose CS appear highly accurate in referral practices with samples enriched with patients with CS. Their performance in usual clinical practice remains unclear.
Serum concentration of procoagulant, endothelial and oxidative stress markers in early primary varicose veins
Authors: Yasim A , Kilinç M , Aral M , Oksuz H , Kabalci M , Eroglu E , Imrek S 
Published: March 2008

Objective Endothelial disorders of the veins are considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of primary varicose veins and oxidative stress is implicated in these disorders. With this aim, we investigated vascular endothelial marker levels and the effect of endothelial damage on coagulation parameters and vasodilator substances to determine metabolic markers of oxidative stress in patients with varicose veins and vascular endothelial damage caused by oxidative stress. Methods We investigated the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein C, protein S, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (vWf), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12) and nitric oxide (NO) in the blood taken from the brachial vein of 25 patients with primary varicose veins (study group) and compared the results with 25 healthy volunteers (control group). We also investigated the urinary levels of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) in the study group and compared the results with the control group. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the study group and the control group with respect to the plasma levels of MDA, protein C, fibrinogen, tPA, IL-6, NO and urinary levels of PGI2. But plasma levels of protein S, vWf, VEGF and IL-12 were found to be statistically significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. Conclusions Although the systemically measured levels of protein S, vWf, VEGF and IL-12 were found to be higher in patients of primary varicose veins, levels of protein C, fibrinogen, homocysteine and PGI2 were not found to be statistically significant. No systemic increased oxidative stress seems to be related to the early stages of chronic venous insufficiency. Further studies are warranted for understanding the role of molecules such as NO, oxidative stress parameters and cytokines.
Compression stockings for treating venous leg ulcers: measurement of interface pressure under a new ulcer kit
Authors: Partsch B , Partsch H 
Published: March 2008

Objectives The aim of this study was to measure the interface pressure of a newly designed two-layer compression stocking (Mediven ulcer kit® Medi QMBH, Bayreuth, Germany) in different body positions and to compare the values with those obtained with another two-layer product. Methods Interface pressure was measured on the distal medial leg in 16 legs of volunteers, with the basic layer alone and with the whole stocking kit in the supine, sitting and standing position for both stocking systems. The literature concerning ulcer-healing rates is reviewed. Results Mediven ulcerkit® produced statistically significant higher pressure values than the ulcer stocking with a median resting value of 35.5 mmHg in the supine and 42.5 mmHg in the standing position. The pressure while standing comes close to values exerted by bandages. The basic layer alone applies a pressure of 20.5 mmHg. Conclusions Especially designed compression stockings exerting sufficient interface pressure may be indicated in patients with small ulcers of short duration.
Editorial—Introduction to the Special Classics Issue
Authors: Shugan Steven M. 
Published: March 2008

This special classics edition of Marketing Science presents seven of our early, most highly rated articles according to the Social Sciences Citation Index® (developed by the Institute of Scientific Information), published before widespread library subscriptions to Marketing Science and before formal and systematic inclusion in the SSCI index. This issue includes Thaler (1985), Guadagni and Little (1983), Jeuland and Shugan (1983), Anderson (1985), Hauser and Shugan (1983), McGuire and Staelin (1983), and Pasternack (1985). Among other benefits, these articles should now enjoy widespread library access, inclusion in numerous databases, availability in electronically searchable format, and formal inclusion in citation services. This introduction to the special issue also summarizes some findings from our all-time most highly cited articles in Google Scholar: Thaler (1985), Anderson and Sullivan (1993), Anderson and Weitz (1989), Guadagni and Little (1983), Griffin and Hauser (1993), Jeuland and Shugan (1983), Novak et al. (2000), Bolton (1998), Anderson (1985), and Pasternack (1985). Finally, it summarizes articles excelling on citations per year: Acquisti and Varian (2005) and Lynch and Ariely (2000). The best is yet to come.
Construing stigmatized identities: A golden section study
Authors: Raskin Jonathan D. , Harasym Melanie T. , Mercuri Matthew A. , Widrick Rebekah M. 
Published: March 2008

Objectives. In order to examine whether persons belonging to stigmatized groups are evaluated more negatively than others, this study employed the golden section hypothesis, which predicts that people organize their evaluations in a ratio of roughly 62% positive to 38% negative.Method. Surveys were administered to 154 participants, with 143 surveys analysed. Participants rated nine different identities (business person, politician, lawyer, police officer, college professor, criminal, mental patient, homeless person, and self) along 12 different bipolar dimensions (generous–stingy, pleasant–unpleasant, true–false, fair–unfair, active–passive, energetic–lethargic, sharp–dull, excitable–calm, strong–weak, bold–timid, hard–soft, and rugged–delicate). These dimensions had well‐established positive and negative poles.Results. Non‐stigmatized identities were evaluated slightly more positively than the golden section hypothesis predicts, while stigmatized identities were rated in a ‘reverse’ golden section pattern. A criminal identity was rated more negatively than the golden section hypothesis predicts and the self more positively. Follow‐up analyses suggested that the percentages of positive adjectives assigned to the self and non‐stigmatized others were consistent with a model that expands upon the golden section hypothesis.Conclusion. Stigmatized identities are rated using a reverse golden section ratio. This has implications for understanding how people construe stigmatized people. While the golden section hypothesis did not hold for non‐stigmatized identities, this may be because the data are better explained by a more refined model that is slightly different from the golden section.
Management of immunohaematological testing and workflow using automated technologies in routine blood banks / Management immunhämatologischer Untersuchungen und Workflow mit automatisierten Technologien in Routine-Blutbanken
Authors: Dada Ashraf , Beck Daniela , Al Amiri Amin H. , Huber Karl 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The increase of productivity and safety of diagnostic testing as well as the reduction of costs and fulfilling the strict legal recommendations and guidelines are major tasks in blood bank services. To achieve all these aims without allocating enormous capacities of personnel, the introduction of automated technologies and data processing systems may be the only alternative. In the present assessment, we describe the most widely distributed automatic systems for blood bank services. This review describes the currently available automated immunohaematological systems and illustrates the evaluation of the fully automated system – Ortho AutoVue® Innova – as compared to standard manual methods. Work processes of our blood bank were reviewed to establish where improvements could be achieved before installing the automated testing instrument. The suitability of automation and data processing in order to support the bulk of routine and emergency work was explored. The improvement of the arrangement of the workspace led to a reduction of the specimen receipt operator working process time by 6%, whereas the review of the activity of the operator's time led to a reduction of 53%. Consistent results were achieved for blood group (100%), rhesus typing (100%), antibody screening (100%) and for auto control (87%) using the manual Diamed system and the automatic AutoVue® system. A consistent result of 82% was achieved for antibody screening with frozen samples with known antibodies. The turnaround time, as calculated from the receipt at the blood bank to the completion of standard cross-match, blood typing and antibody screening, was decreased up to 17% using the automatic system due to the standardisation and automation of testing. The Ortho AutoVue® Innova system automates routine blood bank testing encompassing blood typing, cross-matching and antibody screening with high reliability, sensitivity and specificity compared to standard manual methods.
A Simulation Study of Performance Miscible Diplacement in El Gassi Field, Algeria
Authors: Merdaci C. , Tiab D. , Zhu T. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEl Gassi is a volatile oil field located in the Algerian desert. The field has produced about 62 MMSTB oil since 1959, through primary depletion. Due to the heterogenity of producing formation, the total recovery during 45 years is only about 11%. The implementation of water-flood project was avoided due to low achievable water injection rate. A miscible gas injection project is examined in this study. The purpose of gas injection is to maintain reservoir pressure and improve the microscopic efficiency to increase the overall recovery in the field. A laboratory study revealed that the miscibility could be achieved with a pressure of about 241.4 bars (i.e. 3500 psia), which is below the reservoir average pressure in El Gassi field. Typical reservoir heterogeneities encountered in El Gassi field were incorporated into the simulation model. The study includes history matching of past reservoir performance, investigation of different injection scenarios, optimization of injection well number, optimization of gas injection and oil production rates, and the benefit of drilling infill wells. Edge line gas injection appeared to be promising.
Sustaining Fracture Conductivity Increases Cumulative Production in Tight–Gas Reservoir—A Case History
Authors: Luna Jose Balbino , Soriano D. Eduardo , Garcia Raul , R. Juan Galvan , C. Alejandro Barrera 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe rapid post-fracture production rate decline observed in both oil and gas wells is normally associated with loss of fracture conductivity, often attributed to invasion of formation fines into the proppant pack, loss of fracture width caused by proppant flowback, and fines derived from proppant crushing. However, recent studies have indicated that solid material generated from a geochemical process in the fracture face known as proppant diagenesis has considerable impact on proppant conductivity.Although diagenesis is a slow geological process, lab tests show that proppant diagenesis can occur in fractions of a year. Post-fracture rapid production decline in high-temperature/high-stress wells seems to be the main symptom of proppant diagenesis. Recent lab tests have shown that the process can be prevented by isolating the direct contact proppant/formation through the use of hydrophobic materials.The liquid resin systems (LRS), a specific type of hydrophobic material, have been used in the industry to prevent proppant flowback. The proppant is coated on-the-fly on location with a LRS. This technology has also proved to increase and sustain fracture conductivity over time. The production data presented in this paper comes from some tight-gas fields located at the Burgos Basin in north Mexico. The formation fractured is an intermediate/high-temperature and high-stress sandstone. The wells previously fractured in these fields historically had a rapid post-fracture production decline rate.The wells successfully treated with LRS material show a significant production increase compared to untreated offset wells because of a substantial change of the conductivity of the fracture. Based on laboratory experiments on proppant diagenesis and field results, it has been observed that the proppant diagenesis protection treatment provided by the LRS significantly contributed to the production increase of the treated wells.
Accomplishments and Challenges of Horizontal Well Technology in Hassi Messaoud Oilfield
Authors: Achi B. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
At present, about half of Hassi Messaoud field output is being produced from hundreds of non-conventional wells. Two horizontal well (HW) applications are being used; new infill medium-radius horizontal wells in between productive zones and re-entry of dry-to-poor vertical producers all over the field using short-radius equipment.
The purpose of both projects is to recover incremental oil from poor-quality reservoir parts in order to boost overall production and improve oil recovery. Horizontal well technology has proven to be a good alternative to overcome reservoir areal heterogeneity and intercept natural fractures when present in the reservoir.
Although the two techniques have significantly improved production from marginal areas, several limitations and problems still have to be addressed. Challenges include weaker-than-expected productivities, rapid production decline rates in most wells, difficulties in data acquisition and inadequate completions for both remedial stimulation and zonal isolation. This study attempts to bridge production profiles with well and reservoir parameters such as; well length, permeability, vertical communication, lateral heterogeneity and anisotropy, near wellbore damage, pressure support, …etc.
The article presents a comprehensive analysis of horizontal wells in the field and investigates many aspects of the observed success and failure cases. It also discusses the benefits of underbalanced drilling and pre-perforated liner completions. By benchmarking current well performances, the paper draws some suggestions for well design and completion strategies for prospective wells.