bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Cotinine Level as Predictor of Lung Cancer Risk
Authors: Boffetta Paolo , Clark Sarah , Shen Min , Gislefoss Randi , Peto Richard , Andersen Aage 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground: No prospective studies are available on serum cotinine level as a marker of lung cancer risk.Methods: We analyzed serum cotinine level among 1,741 individuals enrolled since the 1970s in a prospective study of Norwegian volunteers who developed lung cancer during the follow-up and 1,741 matched controls free from lung cancer. Serum cotinine was measured with a competitive immunoassay. Regression dilution was corrected for based on repeated measures on samples from 747 subjects.Results: Mean serum cotinine level was higher in cases than in controls. Compared with subjects with a cotinine level of ≤5 ng/mL, the odds ratio of lung cancer was increasing linearly, reaching 55.1 (95% confidence interval, 35.7-85.0) among individuals with a serum cotinine level of &gt;378 ng/mL. There was no clear suggestion of a plateau in risk at high exposure levels. Odds ratios were very similar in men and women. We found no association between serum cotinine level (range, 0.1-9.9 ng/mL) and lung cancer risk among self-reported nonsmokers and long-term quitters (79 cases and 350 controls).Discussion: The association between tobacco smoking and lung cancer risk might be stronger than is estimated from questionnaire-based studies. Serum cotinine level is a predictor of risk of lung cancer among smokers. The reported plateau in risk at high doses is likely due mainly to artifacts. There is no difference between men and women in the carcinogenicity of tobacco smoking. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(6):1184–8)
Inflammation-Related Gene Polymorphisms and Colorectal Adenoma
Authors: Gunter Marc J. , Canzian Federico , Landi Stefano , Chanock Stephen J. , Sinha Rashmi , Rothman Nathaniel 
Published: June 2006

AbstractChronic inflammation has been reported to be a risk factor for colorectal neoplasia. The propensity to mount an inflammatory response is modified by germ line variation in cytokine and other inflammation-related genes. We hypothesized that a proinflammatory genotype would be positively associated with colorectal adenoma, a precursor of colorectal cancer. We investigated the association of colorectal adenoma with 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms in a range of important proinflammatory (IL1B, IL6, IL8, TNF, and LTA) and anti-inflammatory (IL4, IL10, and IL13) cytokines and other inflammation-related genes (PTGS2 and PPARG) in a case-control study of risk factors for colorectal polyps in which all participants (ages 18-74 years) had undergone colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. The study sample comprised 244 cases of colorectal adenoma and 231 polyp-free controls. Compared with being homozygous for the common allele, heterozygosity at the IL1B −31 (C&gt;T) locus was associated with an odds ratio (OR) for colorectal adenoma of 1.8 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.2-2.9]. Homozygous carriers of the IL8 −251-A allele were at 2.7-fold increased risk of adenoma (95% CI, 1.5-4.9) compared with homozygosity for the common T allele, whereas carriage of at least one IL8 −251-A allele conferred a 1.5 increased odds of disease (95% CI, 1.0-2.4). Among non–nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users, there was a statistically significant association between the IL10 −819-T/T genotype and adenoma compared with the common IL10 −819-C/C genotype (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.1-13.6), which was not evident among nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3-1.5; Pinteraction = 0.01). These exploratory data provide evidence that polymorphic variation in genes that regulate inflammation could alter risk for colorectal adenoma. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(6):1126–31)
Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 H6D Polymorphism, Prostate Cancer Risk, and Survival
Authors: Hayes Vanessa M. , Severi Gianluca , Southey Melissa C. , Padilla Emma J.D. , English Dallas R. , Hopper John L. , Giles Graham G. , Sutherland Robert L. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is important in regulating inflammation. Inflammation of the prostate has been suggested to favor tumor development. A recent study (JNCI 2004, 96:1248-1254) found marginal evidence of an association between the presence of the mature MIC-1 protein nonsynonymous polymorphism H6D C-to-G (rs1058587) with reduced prostate cancer risk [odds ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.69-0.99]. We tested this in a population-based study of 819 cases and 731 controls from Australia and found a similar, yet not significant, odds ratio of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.7-1.04; P = 0.11). We also tested the potential association between the H6D variant and disease-specific survival in 640 cases followed-up for an average of 8.2 years. We found that cases carrying the H6D G allele had an increased risk of death from prostate cancer than cases carrying two copies of the C allele (hazard ratio, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.06-2.78; P = 0.03). Our data suggest that the H6D variant in MIC-1 might play a role in prostate cancer, but it is difficult to explain how a variant can be associated with lower risk of developing prostate cancer but more aggressive growth if cancer develops. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(6):1223–5)
Progenitors homozygous for the V617F mutation occur in most patients with polycythemia vera, but not essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Scott Linda M. , Scott Mike A. , Campbell Peter J. , Green Anthony R. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
An acquired V617F JAK2 mutation occurs in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET). In a proportion of V617F-positive patients, mitotic recombination produces mutation-homozygous cells that come to predominate with time. However, the prevalence of homozygosity is unclear, as previous reports studied mixed populations of wild-type, V617F-heterozygous, and V617F-homozygous mutant cells. We therefore analyzed 1766 individual hematopoietic colonies from 34 patients with PV or ET in whom granulocyte sequencing demonstrated that the mutant peak did not predominate. V617F-positive erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-Es) were more frequent in patients with PV compared with patients with ET (P = .022) and, strikingly, V617F-homozygous BFU-Es were detected in all 17 patients with PV, but in none of the patients with ET (P < .001). Moreover, mutation-homozygous cells were present in 2 patients with ET after polycythemic transformation. These results demonstrate that V617F-homozygous erythroid progenitors are present in most patients with PV but occur rarely in those with ET.
High BCL6 expression predicts better prognosis, independent of BCL6 translocation status, translocation partner, or BCL6-deregulating mutations, in gastric lymphoma
Authors: Chen Yun-Wen , Hu Xiao-Tong , Liang Anthony C. , Au Wing-Yan , So Chi-Chiu , Wong Michelle L. , Shen Lijun , Tao Qian , Chu Kent-Man , Kwong Yok-Lam , Liang Raymond H. , Srivastava Gopesh 
Published: June 2006

AbstractTo investigate the role of BCL6 in the pathogenesis of gastric lymphoma, we analyzed the BCL6 promoter region for BCL6 translocations, somatic hypermutations, and deregulating mutations in 43 gastric lymphomas, including 4 extranodal marginal-zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT lymphomas), 33 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs), and 6 composite DLBCLs with residual MALT lymphoma (DLCLMLs). BCL6 promoter substitutions by immunoglobulin (Ig) and non-Ig translocation partners, resulting in its deregulation, were frequently involved in DLBCL (36.4%) and DLCLML (50%). Two novel BCL6 translocation partner genes, 28S rRNA and DMRT1, and a new BCL6 translocation breakpoint in intron 2 were also identified. Deregulating mutations were found only in DLBCL (24.2%), which correlated significantly with high BCL6 protein expression. Significantly, high BCL6 expression correlated strongly with longer overall survival (OS), independent of mechanism in gastric DLBCL and DLCLML. Gastric DLBCLs were further subclassified into germinal center B-cell–like (GCB) and non-GCB subgroups immunohistochemically. High BCL6 expression was detected in all GCB cases, irrespective of BCL6 genetic alterations. In the non-GCB subgroup, BCL6-deregulating mutations correlated significantly with high BCL6 expression level. No significant correlation was found between the BCL6 expression level and OS in the non-GCB subgroup, which had significantly poorer prognosis than the GCB subgroup.
Src family kinases are important negative regulators of G-CSF-dependent granulopoiesis
Authors: Mermel Craig H. , McLemore Morgan L. , Liu Fulu , Pereira Shalini , Woloszynek Jill , Lowell Clifford A. , Link Daniel C. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractGranulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the principal cytokine regulating granulopoiesis. Truncation mutations of the G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) are associated with the development of acute myeloid leukemia in patients with severe congenital neutropenia. Although increased proliferative signaling by a representative G-CSFR truncation mutation (termed d715) has been documented, the molecular basis for this hyperproliferative phenotype has not been fully characterized. Given the accumulating evidence implicating Src family kinases in the transduction of cytokine receptor signals, the role of these kinases in the regulation of G-CSF signaling was examined. We show that Hck and Lyn, Src family kinases expressed in myeloid cells, are negative regulators of granulopoiesis that act at distinct stages of granulocytic differentiation. Whereas Hck regulates the G-CSF-induced proliferation of granulocytic precursors, Lyn regulates the production of myeloid progenitors. Interestingly, d715 G-CSFR myeloid progenitors were resistant to the growth-stimulating effect of treatment with a Src kinase inhibitor. Together, these data establish Lyn and Hck as key negative regulators of granulopoiesis and raise the possibility that loss of Src family kinase activation by the d715 G-CSFR may contribute to its hyperproliferative phenotype.
Genome Annotation Transfer Utility (GATU): rapid annotation of viral genomes using a closely related reference genome
Authors: Tcherepanov Vasily , Ehlers Angelika , Upton Chris 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Since DNA sequencing has become easier and cheaper, an increasing number of closely related viral genomes have been sequenced. However, many of these have been deposited in GenBank without annotations, severely limiting their value to researchers. While maintaining comprehensive genomic databases for a set of virus families at the Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center http://www.biovirus.org and Viral Bioinformatics – Canada http://www.virology.ca, we found that researchers were unnecessarily spending time annotating viral genomes that were close relatives of already annotated viruses. We have therefore designed and implemented a novel tool, Genome Annotation Transfer Utility (GATU), to transfer annotations from a previously annotated reference genome to a new target genome, thereby greatly reducing this laborious task.

Results
GATU transfers annotations from a reference genome to a closely related target genome, while still giving the user final control over which annotations should be included. GATU also detects open reading frames present in the target but not the reference genome and provides the user with a variety of bioinformatics tools to quickly determine if these ORFs should also be included in the annotation. After this process is complete, GATU saves the newly annotated genome as a GenBank, EMBL or XML-format file. The software is coded in Java and runs on a variety of computer platforms. Its user-friendly Graphical User Interface is specifically designed for users trained in the biological sciences.

Conclusion
GATU greatly simplifies the initial stages of genome annotation by using a closely related genome as a reference. It is not intended to be a gene prediction tool or a "complete" annotation system, but we have found that it significantly reduces the time required for annotation of genes and mature peptides as well as helping to standardize gene names between related organisms by transferring reference genome annotations to the target genome.
The program is freely available under the General Public License and can be accessed along with documentation and tutorial from http://www.virology.ca/gatu.
Painful rib hump: a new clinical sign for detecting intraspinal rib displacement in scoliosis due to neurofibromatosis
Authors: Gkiokas Andreas , Hadzimichalis Socratis , Vasiliadis Elias , Katsalouli Marina , Kannas Georgios 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
Spinal cord compression and associate neurological impairment is rare in patients with scoliosis and neurofibromatosis. Common reasons are vertebral subluxation, dislocation, angulation and tumorous lesions around the spinal canal. Only twelve cases of intraspinal rib dislocation have been reported in the literature. The aim of this report is to present a case of rib penetration through neural foramen at the apex of a scoliotic curve in neurofibromatosis and to introduce a new clinical sign for its detection.

Methods
A 13-year-old girl was evaluated for progressive left thoracic kyphoscoliotic curve due to a type I neurofibromatosis. Clinical examination revealed multiple large thoracic and abdominal "cafe-au-lait" spots, neurological impairment of the lower limbs and the presence of a thoracic gibbous that was painful to pressure at the level of the left eighth rib (Painful Rib Hump). CT-scan showed detachment and translocation of the cephalic end of the left eighth rib into the adjacent enlarged neural foramen. The M.R.I. examination of the spine showed neither cord abnormality nor neurogenic tumor.

Results
The patient underwent resection of the intraspinal mobile eighth rib head and posterior spinal instrumentation and was neurologically fully recovered six months postoperatively.

Conclusion
Spine surgeons should be aware of intraspinal rib displacement in scoliotic curves in neurofibromatosis. Painful rib hump is a valuable diagnostic tool for this rare clinical entity.
Dynamics of Tire, Wheel, and Suspension Assembly
Authors: Yu H. J. , Aboutorabi H. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
A combined tire, wheel, and suspension FE model is described. The system simulates the tire mounted on the vehicle. The natural frequencies are calculated successfully for this highly non-linear system where the tire is in the inflated and loaded condition. The random vibration response of the model to the road roughness is calculated.
Application of the Lateral Stress Theory for Groove Wander Prediction Using Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Peters J. M. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Ride is a critical component for driver and passenger satisfaction. Groove wander is a ride disturbance experienced on grooved highways. Screening new tire designs for groove wander requires accurate measurement or accurate prediction tools. This paper presents a review of published theories for groove wander. A new theory for groove wander is presented and validated using an indoor test developed at Smithers. In addition, the development and validation of a finite element analysis (FEA)-based groove wander model by application of the lateral stress theory will be reviewed.
Deformation and Fracture of Rubber under Tensile Impact Loading
Authors: Bekar I. , Fatt M. S. H. , Padovan J. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
An impact experiment is designed to obtain the deformation and fracture characteristics of SBR specimens under tensile impact loading. The experimental apparatus is capable of achieving very large strains (about 300%) and high strain rates (between 10 and 1000 s−1) in the specimen. Dynamic stress-strain curves reveal that SBR goes through several phases of deformation and fracture as the strain rate increases in the specimen. In the first phase, the initial modulus, yield stress, tensile strength, and fracture strain increase, while the final modulus remains fairly constant with increasing strain rate. Increases in the initial modulus, tensile strength, and strain at fracture with increasing strain rate are due to a lack of stress relaxation in constituents that have longer relaxation times than the load duration. Local scale relaxation times are shorter than the load duration in this phase so that the final modulus is almost insensitive to strain rate. In the second phase, the initial modulus and the yield stress remain roughly constant while the final modulus increases with increasing strain rate. The tensile strength also increases, but the fracture strain decreases as the strain rate increases. Increases in the final modulus and tensile strength are due to a lack of relaxation on a local scale. The tensile fracture strain decreases because convolutions do not have sufficient time to slip completely. In the third phase, all stress-strain curves follow a master curve, but both the tensile strength and fracture strain decrease with increasing strain rate. The decrease in tensile strength as the strain rate increases could be due to stress concentration at the tip of microcracks within the SBR.
Analysis of Tire Models for Rolling on a Deformable Substrate
Authors: Shoop S. , Darnell I. , Kestler K. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The objective of this research is to produce a finite element model of tire-terrain interaction that can be used to explore the effects of tire and terrain variables on vehicle mobility and terrain deformation. Such a model would need to account for the deformable nature of both the tire and the terrain and be fully three-dimensional. Thus, it is important that the tire model be very efficient at rolling yet retain realistic surface contact and deformation related to contact. A promising methodology was developed by Darnell for efficiently modeling a tire for vehicle dynamics simulations. The performance of the Darnell model was examined with respect to measured tire deformation as well as to conventional models of the same tire. The Darnell tire model was then rolled across a soil simulating the sand used in off-road vehicle experiments. The combined tire-terrain model presented is fully operational, but optimization and validation are in progress.
The Compression Properties of Tire Reinforcements
Authors: Orjela G. , Riva G. , Fiorentini F. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The need for precise measurement of tire cord compression properties is essential for FEA models of tires. In this paper, the details of the Pirelli Pure Moment Dynamometer (PPMD) used for these measurements are given as well as a study on the impact of process variables on the compression properties of various reinforcement materials used in tires.
Thermal Engineering Analysis of Rubber Vulcanization and Tread Temperatures During Severe Sliding of a Tire
Authors: Sakai H. , Araki K. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Tire skid marks at the scene of an accident are often used as evidence and are a very important phenomenon. However, the mechanism of this complex phenomenon has not yet been fully examined.
Tires are manufactured by a chemical reaction in which rubber molecules are combined into a network structure during a process called vulcanization, in which the tire is heated in a mold. The transient temperature distribution is important in determining the state of vulcanization, but the analysis is very difficult.
We treat the tire tread as a rubber slab to estimate the temperature history during heating and cooling. Then we calculate the vulcanization index using Arrhenius's equation, assuming that the rate of chemical reaction approximately doubles as the temperature increases by 10° C.
Finally, we calculate the transient temperature distribution of the tread due to the heat generated by internal friction (rolling resistance of the tire), and the heat generated by sliding friction under conditions of severe cornering and braking. We investigate a criterion for modeling the occurrence of tire skid marks, assuming that skid marks are caused by exceeding the softening temperatures of the rubber and asphalt.
Tire Model To Predict Treadwear
Authors: Fujikawa T. , Uchiyama Y. , Yamaguchi I. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
This study examines treadwear on tires caused by low severity cornering during free roll. The authors previously proposed a method to predict treadwear using rubber pad wear tests. This method required measurements from actual tires to obtain the tread frictional parameters, i.e., the sliding distance, sliding velocity, and contact pressure. The present study proposes an analytical tire model for predicting treadwear that does not require measurements from actual tires. This enables treadwear prediction during the tire design stage, prior to test tire construction. A continuous tread model for lateral tread deformation is described to evaluate the frictional parameters. The treadwear is then predicted from the parameters and the rubber pad wear rate. The predicted treadwear rates are compared with actual treadwear rates and are found to be valid in the tread center area.
Effect of Fatigue Step Loading Sequence on Residual Strength
Authors: Sun C. , Gent A. , Marteny P. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Miner's rule is often assumed to hold in accelerated fatigue tests. This rule implies that the order in which loads are applied is not significant. Whether particular loads are applied early in the test or later is unimportant; they are expected to cause the same amount of damage if they are imposed for the same number of cycles. In order to test this hypothesis, we have investigated the effect of loading sequence on residual strength using two levels of tensile strain and several representative rubber compounds. In all cases, a series of increasing strains was found to reduce the strength to a greater degree than the same strains applied in decreasing order. Thus, Miner's rule does not hold for the fatigue failure of these compounds. However, the relative rankings of the compounds remained the same in both step-up and step-down strain sequences.
Influence of Tire Characteristic Properties on the Vehicle Lateral Transient Response
Authors: Schröder C. , Chung S. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
This paper summarizes results from a recent program of tire-vehicle system research, using simulation techniques to identify the influence of tire characteristics on the vehicle response functions of yaw rate and lateral acceleration. Tire characteristics such as cornering stiffness, cornering stiffness-wheel load dependency, self-aligning torque, and dynamic tire behavior were varied with respect to a control tire. Computer simulations of vehicles undergoing a steering wheel pulse input were carried out using ADAMS full vehicle models and the Magic Formula tire model. Frequency responses were obtained from these vehicle handling simulations. The Four Parameter Evaluation Method of Lateral Transient Response was used to judge the vehicle handling performance. The influences of tire characteristic properties on the vehicle lateral transient response are explained by this method.
Tire Contribution in the Context of Automobile Noise Reduction
Authors: Rimondi G. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Requirements to reduce the external noise emitted by automobiles are continuously evolving because of the increasing number of vehicles circulating in urban areas and the growing demand for a better quality of life.
In this paper, an updated review will be presented of different approaches to noise reduction in the two main world car markets, Europe and the United States, showing today's legal requirements and future trends. In this context, the role of the tire will be analyzed by describing the mechanisms through which it generates external noise, its importance with respect to other vehicle noise sources, and the possibilities that exist to reduce its contribution.