bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexual dimorphism in diaphyseal cross‐sectional shape in the medieval Muslim population of Écija, Spain, and Anglo‐Saxon Great Chesterford, UK
Authors: Pomeroy E. , Zakrzewski S. R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDifferences in adult male and female activity patterns may influence levels of sexual dimorphism in physical dimensions, including the cross‐sectional shape of long bone diaphyses. Previous studies of archaeological populations have demonstrated significant differences in diaphyseal shape between males and females. In this study, dimorphism in external diaphyseal shape of upper and lower limb bones (reflected in indices of external diaphyseal diameters), and bilateral asymmetry in these indices, were examined in two medieval populations: Muslim Écija (Spain) and Anglo‐Saxon Great Chesterford (UK). Attempts were made to relate observed patterns to documentary and other osteological evidence for differences in male and female activity patterns. While few significant differences in upper limb bone cross‐sectional shape were observed in either population, significant differences in shape were found in the lower limb diaphyses at Écija at the femoral midshaft and tibial foramen and midshaft levels, and at the tibial midshaft for Great Chesterford. Comparison with published data suggests that these differences are marked for Écija, and perhaps fairly high for Great Chesterford compared with other populations with an agriculture‐based economy. This is consistent with documentary and osteological evidence suggesting marked gender differences in behaviour in medieval Muslim Spain. No significant differences in bilateral asymmetry were found, but the effects of small sample size cannot be ruled out. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Privatisation in Botswana: the demise of a developmental state?
Authors: Mothusi Bashi , Dipholo Kenneth B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis article argues that efforts by the Government of Botswana to embark on privatisation of some parastatals as well as contracting out the provision of certain services with the main intention of enhancing productivity and strengthening the private sector will not have a negative effect on the strength and nature of the existing strong developmental state. It is argued that the cautious and pragmatic approach adopted by the government, coupled with the fact that privatisation in Botswana is embraced voluntarily (that is not imposed on the country by either the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a condition for financial assistance), hiving off parastatals to the private sector will not result in the weakening and ultimate demise of the state as it has happened in some countries within Sub Saharan Africa. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microdissection molecular copy‐number counting (µMCC)—unlocking cancer archives with digital PCR
Authors: McCaughan F , Darai‐Ramqvist E , Bankier AT , Konfortov BA , Foster N , George PJ , Rabbitts TH , Kost‐Alimova M , Rabbitts PH , Dear PH 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMost cancer genomes are characterized by the gain or loss of copies of some sequences through deletion, amplification or unbalanced translocations. Delineating and quantifying these changes is important in understanding the initiation and progression of cancer, in identifying novel therapeutic targets, and in the diagnosis and prognosis of individual patients. Conventional methods for measuring copy‐number are limited in their ability to analyse large numbers of loci, in their dynamic range and accuracy, or in their ability to analyse small or degraded samples. This latter limitation makes it difficult to access the wealth of fixed, archived material present in clinical collections, and also impairs our ability to analyse small numbers of selected cells from biopsies. Molecular copy‐number counting (MCC), a digital PCR technique, has been used to delineate a non‐reciprocal translocation using good quality DNA from a renal carcinoma cell line. We now demonstrate µMCC, an adaptation of MCC which allows the precise assessment of copy number variation over a significant dynamic range, in template DNA extracted from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded clinical biopsies. Further, µMCC can accurately measure copy number variation at multiple loci, even when applied to picogram quantities of grossly degraded DNA extracted after laser capture microdissection of fixed specimens. Finally, we demonstrate the power of µMCC to precisely interrogate cancer genomes, in a way not currently feasible with other methodologies, by defining the position of a junction between an amplified and non‐amplified genomic segment in a bronchial carcinoma. This has tremendous potential for the exploitation of archived resources for high‐resolution targeted cancer genomics and in the future for interrogating multiple loci in cancer diagnostics or prognostics. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distinctly different expression of cytokines and chemokines in the lungs of two H5N1 avian influenza patients
Authors: Deng R , Lu M , Korteweg C , Gao Z , McNutt MA , Ye J , Zhang T , Gu J 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe pathogenesis of human H5N1 influenza remains poorly understood and controversial. ‘Cytokine storm’ has been hypothesized to be the main cause of the severity of this disease. However, the significance of this hypothesis has been called into question by a recent report, which demonstrates that inhibition of the cytokine response did not protect against lethal H5N1 influenza infection in mice. Here we showed discrepant findings in two adult H5N1 autopsies and a fetus obtained at autopsy which also raise doubt about this hypothesis. Antigens of 10 cytokines/chemokines which were found to be significantly elevated in previous H5N1‐infected patients and in vitro experiments, and mRNA of eight of these, were absent from the lungs of a pregnant woman and her fetus. In contrast, antigens of seven cytokines/chemokines and mRNA of six of these were found to be increased in the lungs of a male autopsy. The cells expressing these cytokines and chemokines were identified as type II pneumocytes, bronchial epithelial cells, macrophages and vascular endothelial cells. Levels of cytokines and chemokines in the serum of the male case were also significantly higher than those of infectious (infection other than by H5N1) and non‐infectious controls. In comparison with results from our previous study, it appeared that the male case had increased cytokine/chemokine expression but reduced viral load, while the pregnant female had diminished cytokine/chemokine expression but a significantly increased viral load in the lungs. These disparate findings in these two cases suggest that ‘cytokine storm’ alone could not be a sufficient explanation for the severe lung injury of this newly emerging disease. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The genomic profile of HER2‐amplified breast cancers: the influence of ER status
Authors: Marchiò C , Natrajan R , Shiu KK , Lambros MBK , Rodriguez‐Pinilla SM , Tan DSP , Lord CJ , Hungermann D , Fenwick K , Tamber N , Mackay A , Palacios J , Sapino A , Buerger H , Ashworth A , Reis‐Filho JS 
Published: July 2008

AbstractExpression profiling studies have suggested that HER2‐amplified breast cancers constitute a heterogeneous group that may be subdivided according to their ER status: HER2‐amplified ER‐positive breast carcinomas that fall into the luminal B cluster; and HER2‐amplified ER‐negative cancers which form a distinct molecular subgroup, known as the erbB2 or HER2 subgroup. ER‐negative breast cancer differs significantly from ER‐positive disease in the pattern, type, and complexity of genetic aberrations. Here we have compared the genomic profiles of ER‐positive and ER‐negative HER2‐amplified cancers using tiling path microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). Validation of the differentially amplified regions was performed in an independent series of 70 HER2‐amplified breast cancers. Although HER2‐amplified cancers had remarkably complex patterns of molecular genetic aberrations, ER‐positive and ER‐negative HER2‐amplified breast carcinomas shared most molecular genetic features as defined by aCGH. Genome‐wide Fisher's exact test analysis revealed that less than 1.5% of the genome was significantly differentially gained or lost in ER‐positive versus ER‐negative HER2‐amplified cancers. However, two regions of amplification were significantly associated with ER‐positive carcinomas, one of which mapped to 17q21.2 and encompassed GJC1, IGFBP4, TNS4, and TOP2A. Chromogenic in situ hybridization analysis of an independent validation series confirmed the association between ER status and TOP2A amplification. In conclusion, although hormone receptor status does not determine the overall genetic profile of HER2‐amplified breast cancers, specific genetic aberrations may be characteristic of subgroups of HER2 breast cancers. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of multi‐SH3 domain‐containing protein interactome in pancreatic cancer: A yeast two‐hybrid approach
Authors: Thalappilly Subhash , Suliman Muhtadi , Gayet Odile , Soubeyran Philippe , Hermant Aurélie , Lecine Patrick , Iovanna Juan L. , Dusetti Nelson J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a fatal disease that shows minimal response to chemotherapy. Genetic changes involved in the progression of PDAC concern genes that encode proteins related to signal transduction networks. This fact reveals the importance in identifying the role and the relations between multiple signaling cascades in PDAC. One of the major factors that modulate signaling events is multidomain scaffold proteins that function by binding several proteins simultaneously, inducing their proximity and influencing the outcome of signaling. A particular group among them, containing multiple Src homology 3 (SH3) domains that can bind proteins containing proline‐rich motifs, was associated to different aspects of cancer cell homeostasis. In this work, using a microarray‐based analysis, we have shown that 13 multiple SH3 domain containing scaffold proteins are expressed in PDAC cells. Using a yeast two‐hybrid approach, we have identified proteins that interact with these adaptor proteins. Among them we have found several molecules that modulate cell proliferation and survival (CIZ1, BIRC6, RBBP6), signaling (LTBP4, Notch2, TOM1L1, STK24) and membrane dynamics (PLSCR1, DDEF2, VCP). Our results indicate that interactions mediated by multi‐SH3 domain‐containing proteins could lead to the formation of dynamic protein complexes that function in pancreatic cancer cell signaling. The identification of such protein complexes is of paramount importance in deciphering pancreatic cancer biology and designing novel therapeutic approaches.
Quantitative membrane proteomics applying narrow range peptide isoelectric focusing for studies of small cell lung cancer resistance mechanisms
Authors: Eriksson Hanna , Lengqvist Johan , Hedlund Joel , Uhlén Kristina , Orre Lukas M. , Bjellqvist Bengt , Persson Bengt , Lehtiö Janne , Jakobsson Per‐Johan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDrug resistance is often associated with upregulation of membrane‐associated drug‐efflux systems, and thus global membrane proteomics methods are valuable tools in the search for novel components of drug resistance phenotypes. Herein we have compared the microsomal proteome from the lung cancer cell line H69 and its isogenic Doxorubicin‐resistant subcell line H69AR. The method used includes microsome preparation, iTRAQ labeling followed by narrow range peptide IEF in an immobilized pH‐gradient (IPG‐IEF) and LC‐MS/MS analysis. We demonstrate that the microsomal preparation and iTRAQ labeling is reproducible regarding protein content and composition. The rationale using narrow range peptide IPG‐IEF separation is demonstrated by its ability to: (i) lowering the complexity of the sample by two‐thirds while keeping high proteome coverage (96%), (ii) providing high separation efficiency, and (iii) allowing for peptide validation and possibly identifications of post‐transcriptional modifications. After analyzing one‐fifth of the IEF fractions (effective pH range of 4.0–4.5), a total of 3704 proteins were identified, among which 527 were predicted to be membrane proteins. One of the proteins found to be differentially expressed was Serca 2, a calcium pump located in the ER membrane that potentially could result in changes of apoptotic response toward Doxorubicin.
Fixation of carbon dioxide into aliphatic polycarbonate, cobalt porphyrin catalyzed regio‐specific poly(propylene carbonate) with high molecular weight
Authors: Qin Yusheng , Wang Xianhong , Zhang Suobo , Zhao Xiaojiang , Wang Fosong 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCobalt porphyrin complex (TPPCoIIIX) (TPP = 5, 10, 15, 20‐Tetraphenyl‐ porphyrin; X = halide) in combination with ionic organic ammonium salt was used for the regio‐specific copolymerization of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. A turnover frequency of 188 h−1 was achieved after 5 h, and the byproduct propylene carbonate was successfully controlled to below 1%, where the obtained poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) showed number average molecular weight (Mn) of 48 kg/mol, head‐to‐tail content of 93%, and carbonate linkage of over 99%. When the polymerization time was prolonged to 24 h, PPC with Mn over 115 kg/mol and head‐to‐tail linkage maintaining 90% was prepared, whose glass transition temperature reached 44.5 °C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5959–5967, 2008
Fabrication of monodisperse luminescent nanoparticles with core/shell poly(styrene/thiophene) structure
Authors: Jung Yeon Jae , Lee Sun Jong , Choi Sung Wook , Kim Jung Hyun 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLuminescent poly(styrene/thiophene) (PSt/PT) core/shell nanoparticles were prepared by oxidative polymerization in the presence of PSt seed particles. PSt seed particles with uniform size distribution were prepared with an anionic surfactant by an emulsion polymerization process, and were used as a template to prepare monodispersive PT‐coated nanoparticles. A luminescent Polythiophene (PT) layer was formed on the surface of PSt nanoparticles by oxidation polymerization with iron chloride (FeCl3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The mechanism of core/shell formation was found to be the interface‐dominant polymerization induced by the electrostatic attraction between the sulfonate group of anionic surfactant and Fe3+ ions after the diffusion of thiophene monomer to the PSt nanoparticles. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) proved the core/shell structure, which provided key evidence that PT was incorporated onto the surface of PSt nanoparticles. In addition, the effect of the PT shell thickness on photoluminescent (PL) intensity was investigated by changing the shell thickness of PSt/PT nanoparticles. We observed that the PL intensity increased up to about 30 nm of PT shell thickness, and then decreased due to self‐absorption. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5968–5975, 2008
Barriers to adherence to cystic fibrosis infection control guidelines
Authors: Garber Elizabeth , Desai Manisha , Zhou Juyan , Alba Luis , Angst Denise , Cabana Michael , Saiman Lisa 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:In 2003, the American Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation published revised, evidence‐based guidelines for infection control. We sought to assess potential barriers to adherence to these guidelines experienced by health care professionals (HCPs) caring for CF patients.Methods:From April 2004 to December 2005, a knowledge, attitude, and practice survey was administered to HCPs at randomly selected CF centers in the United States to explore potential barriers to adherence to selected guidelines: (1) obtaining quarterly cultures from CF patients, (2) discouraging socialization among CF patients during hospitalization, (3) educating patients and families about hand hygiene, (4) educating patients and families to clean and disinfect home nebulizers, and (5) cleaning the clinic exam rooms between CF patients.Results:The survey was completed by 528 HCPs from 25 sites (5–50 respondents per site). Only 60% of respondents were aware of the guidelines, but despite awareness, 31–47% were unfamiliar with the specific guidelines. Self‐reported adherence was low; only 23–63% of respondents reported practicing the selected guidelines >75% of the time/opportunities. Lack of self‐efficacy, that is, confidence in adequately performing the guidelines, was commonly experienced by respondents. Access to a copy of the guidelines was associated with increased agreement with the recommendations and increased self‐efficacy.Conclusions:Strategies to reduce barriers to adherence to CF infection control guidelines are needed. Strategies could include quality improvement initiatives with enhanced education and skills workshops, sharing successful interventions among CF centers, and linking adherence to improved patient outcomes. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:900–907. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pharmacological and therapeutic effects ofBerberis vulgarisand its active constituent, berberine
Authors: Imanshahidi Mohsen , Hosseinzadeh Hossein 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBarberry (Berberis vulgarisL. family Berberidaceae) is well known in Iran and various parts of this plant including its root, bark, leaf and fruit have been used as folk medicine. The two decades of research has demonstrated different pharmacological and therapeutic effects ofB. vulgarisand its isoquinoline alkaloids (particularly berberine). Studies carried out on the chemical composition of the plant show that the most important constituents of this plant are isoquinoline alkaloids such as berberine, berbamine and palmatine. Berberine represents one of the most studied among the naturally occurring protoberberine alkaloids. In addition toB. vulgaris(barberry), berberine is present in many other plants and is used for the treatment of different diseases. This article reviews the traditional uses and pharmacological effects of total extract and the most active ingredient ofB. vulgaris(berberine). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antihyperalgesic effect of aCannabis sativaextract in a rat model of neuropathic pain: mechanisms involved
Authors: Comelli Francesca , Giagnoni Gabriella , Bettoni Isabella , Colleoni Mariapia , Costa Barbara 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study aimed to give a rationale for the employment of phytocannabinoid formulations to treat neuropathic pain. It was found that a controlled cannabis extract, containing multiple cannabinoids, in a defined ratio, and other non‐cannabinoid fractions (terpenes and flavonoids) provided better antinociceptive efficacy than the single cannabinoid given alone, when tested in a rat model of neuropathic pain. The results also demonstrated that such an antihyperalgesic effect did not involve the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, whereas it was mediated by vanilloid receptors TRPV1. The non‐psychoactive compound, cannabidiol, is the only component present at a high level in the extract able to bind to this receptor: thus cannabidiol was the drug responsible for the antinociceptive behaviour observed. In addition, the results showed that after chronic oral treatment with cannabis extract the hepatic total content of cytochrome P450 was strongly inhibited as well as the intestinal P‐glycoprotein activity. It is suggested that the inhibition of hepatic metabolism determined an increased bioavailability of cannabidiol resulting in a greater effect. However, in the light of the well known antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of terpenes and flavonoids which could significantly contribute to the therapeutic effects, it cannot be excluded that the synergism observed might be achieved also in the absence of the cytochrome P450 inhibition. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classical electron ionization mass spectra in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with supersonic molecular beams
Authors: Gordin Alexander , Fialkov Alexander B. , Amirav Aviv 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA major benefit of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with a supersonic molecular beam (SMB) interface and its fly‐through ion source is the ability to obtain electron ionization of vibrationally cold molecules (cold EI), which show enhanced molecular ions. However, GC/MS with an SMB also has the flexibility to perform ‘classical EI’ mode of operation which provides mass spectra to mimic those in commercial 70 eV electron ionization MS libraries. Classical EI in SMB is obtained through simple reduction of the helium make‐up gas flow rate, which reduces the SMB cooling efficiency; hence the vibrational temperatures of the molecules are similar to those in traditional EI ion sources. In classical EI‐SMB mode, the relative abundance of the molecular ion can be tuned and, as a result, excellent identification probabilities and very good matching factors to the NIST MS library are obtained. Classical EI‐SMB with the fly‐through dual cage ion source has analyte sensitivity similar to that of the standard EI ion source of a basic GC/MS system. The fly‐through EI ion source in combination with the SMB interface can serve for cold EI, classical EI‐SMB, and cluster chemical ionization (CCI) modes of operation, all easily exchangeable through a simple and quick change (not involving hardware). Furthermore, the fly‐through ion source eliminates sample scattering from the walls of the ion source, and thus it offers full sample inertness, tailing‐free operation, and no ion‐molecule reaction interferences. It is also robust and enables increased column flow rate capability without affecting the sensitivity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A real‐time algorithm for nonlinear receding horizon control using multiple shooting and continuation/Krylov method
Authors: Shimizu Yuichi , Ohtsuka Toshiyuki , Diehl Moritz 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a real‐time algorithm for nonlinear receding horizon control using multiple shooting and the continuation/GMRES method. Multiple shooting is expected to improve numerical accuracy in calculations for solving boundary value problems. The continuation method is combined with a Krylov subspace method, GMRES, to update unknown quantities by solving a linear equation. At the same time, we apply condensing, which reduces the size of the linear equation, to speed up numerical calculations. A numerical example shows that both numerical accuracy and computational speed improve using the proposed algorithm by combining multiple shooting with condensing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.