bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of two novel HLA‐DRB1 alleles, HLA‐DRB1*1214 and HLA‐DRB1*1215, in two Taiwanese individuals
Authors: Lee H. L. , Chu C. C. , Trejaut J. A. , Yang K. L. , Lin M. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryTwo novel HLA‐DRB1 alleles, HLA‐DRB1*1214 and HLA‐DRB1*1215, were found in Taiwan using sequence‐based typing method. DRB1*1214 differs from DRB1*120101 by two nucleotide substitutions on exon 2, causing amino acid changes at codon 37 (L→F) and codon 38 (L→V). We suggest that DRB1*1214 is the product of a gene conversion between DRB1*120101 and DRB1*140101 or DRB1*1405 and that HLA‐DRB1*1215 differs from DRB1*120201 by one single nucleotide transition at exon 2, thereby causing amino acid change at codon 37 (L→F).
An introduction of a multi‐soil‐layering system: a novel green technology for wastewater treatment in rural areas
Authors: Chen Xin , Luo An Cheng , Sato Kuniaki , Wakatsuki Toshiyuki , Masunaga Ttsugiyuki 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMulti‐soil‐layering (MSL) systems are designed for municipal wastewater, livestock wastewater and polluted river water treatments. They are mainly composed of soil mixture block layers and water‐permeable layers (PL). The MSL system overcomes many of the shortcomings of conventional soil treatment systems such as easy clogging, large land requirement and low hydraulic loading rate. This paper summarizes the structure, purification mechanism and practical application of the systems for different kinds of wastewater treatment. The paper also compares MSL systems with other decentralized systems such as wetland and compact filter systems in their respective structures and treatment efficiencies. Finally, the paper gives a rough evaluation of the lifespan and cost of an MSL system based on its material composition.
Older people actively reconstruct their life in a care home
Authors: Cook Glenda Anne 
Published: November 2008

The research reported here aimed to present the stories of care home residents through an interpretative study that was informed by a biographical approach and narrative method. Eight older people who lived in four different care homes in England participated in a sequence of up to eight narrative interviews over a six month period. The findings revealed how the older people tried to live as active biographical agents who were instrumental in shaping their own life in a care home. They were able to do this to a greater or lesser extent through the implementation of a range of resident‐led strategies.The understanding of care home life that was developed through this study offers an alternative biography for living in care homes that is not only possible but achievable. This is a biography of frail older people who are active in reconstructing their life following the move to a care home, and living lives that are meaningful, purposeful and enjoyable. This sits in contrast to the standard biography that dominates current understanding of care home life that of older people merely ‘existing’ for the most part of their days. This image provides a vision for long‐term care for older people, which is grounded in the views and aspirations of older people.
Living bereavement: an exploration of healthcare workers’ responses to loss and grief in an NHS continuing care ward for older people
Authors: Holman Cheryl 
Published: November 2008

This article reports on research rooted in a work based education project and the theme of loss was chosen by the participating care staff who felt it was central to their work with dependent older people. They coined the phrase ‘living bereavement’ meaning the complex responses and grief reactions of those experiencing and bearing witness to the multiple losses endured in continuing care environments.Aim.  The research was to identify the emotional demand of living bereavement and to explore and develop care staff’s capacity to work with it.Methods.  Qualitative methods including participant observation and Reflective Work Groups were used to generate and analyse data over a three year period. A psychoanalytic dimension was added to the research through participation in a supervision group facilitated by a psychotherapist.Findings.  In the article the key message from the findings, that there is an intense emotional demand in care work related to loss and grief in continuing care environments, is explained. The trajectory of living bereavement is discussed and illustrated with examples.Implications for practice.  Some emotional aspects of the care work were glossed over or ignored which affected the way care was delivered. This may have been because the feelings were disturbing or painful to deal with. It is important to support staff working with difficult feelings so that emotional aspects of their work can be acknowledged and thought about.
Current situation of German care homes
Authors: Klein Barbara 
Published: November 2008

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to explore the situation of and current developments in the German care home sector.Background.  Germany, like other Western countries, faces demographic change and subsequently tries to develop structures and processes to achieve a care system which can tackle the increasing number of people in need of care with a variety of quality services. Policy strives to set up structures and instruments to enhance the quality of service provision.Discussion.  Figures show that the structures in the care sector are changing in favour to increased privatization of homes, a slight increase in size and improved building structures. In order to tackle the expected changes, a mix of low and high skilled qualification and new job profiles arise in the care sector. Other changes to be observed are the development of new living arrangements and the utilization of new technologies to support the care process.Conclusion.  This contribution looks at the socio‐demographic changes in care, the statutory developments and the structures of care homes as well as current discussions on future developments.
Development and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the raccoon tick (Ixodes texanus)
Authors: DHARMARAJAN GUHA , FIKE JENNIFER A. , BEASLEY JAMES C. , RHODES JR OLIN E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractFourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the raccoon tick (Ixodes texanus). Three multiplexed panels comprising the loci were developed and 50 ticks collected from two infected raccoons (Procyon lotor) were genotyped. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 22, and single locus heterozygosities ranged from 0.46 to 0.94. Future research will further our understanding of I. texanus biology and help in elucidating the effects of life‐history variation on parasite population genetic structure, using I. texanus as a model organism.
Osteoporosis in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: BHARGAVA Pavan , DANDA Debashish 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, characterized by an inflammatory enthesopathy progressing to ossification and ankylosis. Osteoporosis is a well‐reported complication of AS. Bone loss begins early in the disease at the spine, and later progresses to the hip. This reduction in bone density leads to an increased risk of fractures. However, there is a lack of awareness regarding this common complication, thus adding to the morbidity associated with AS. Early recognition, appropriate assessment and timely treatment of this complication will help reduce the attendant fracture risk due to decreased bone mass.
Treatment of osteoporosis: facing the challenges in the Asia‐Pacific
Authors: HAQ Syed Atiqul 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures is projected to increase rapidly in the Asia‐Pacific region in coming decades. At the societal level, healthcare providers will face the challenges of paucity of information, lack of awareness among physicians, resource constraints, lack of organization, absence of policies of cost reimbursement, insufficient representation of the problem in curricula and lack of effective, inexpensive and convenient therapy. Poverty, illiteracy, lack of awareness and interest in future quality of life, and co‐morbidities with seemingly greater importance, will all act as challenges at the level of individual patients. Lack of compliance is a function of lack of awareness and motivation, cost, complexity of administration, side‐effects and absence of immediately perceivable benefit. The challenges may be overcome through systematic collection of data, formation or activation of national osteoporosis planning and coordinating groups, development of national guidelines, programs of education of healthcare providers, patients and the general public, adoption of a population‐based prevention strategy, cost‐effective opportunistic screening using clinical decision rules like the osteoporosis self‐assessment tool for Asians, use of the fracture risk assessment tool for therapeutic decision‐making, giving due emphasis to the problem in curricula and development of mechanisms for cost reimbursement. The Asia‐Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology may take a lead in stimulating, organizing and coordinating these activities.
Detection of low bone mass using quantitative ultrasound measurements at calcaneus: comparative study of an Indian rheumatoid arthritis cohort
Authors: JAIN Sandeep , RAVINDRAN Vinod , MATHUR Dinesh Swarup 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  Low bone mass in an Indian population combined with bone loss secondary to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would predict high prevalence of osteoporosis in Indian patients with RA. We used quantitative ultrasound (QUS) to assess bone mass in RA patients and compared it with healthy controls.Methods:  One hundred patients with RA and 284 randomly selected healthy controls underwent QUS measurement at the heel. Achilles ultrasonometer was used to measure stiffness index (SI) values and T‐scores.Results:  Both groups did not differ significantly in proportion of female gender and postmenopausal females. Prevalence of low bone mass in both the healthy population and RA patients was high. Both SI and T‐scores were lower in RA patients and they were significantly reduced in postmenopausal patients; 31% of patients with RA had osteoporosis as compared to 14% of controls. There was no statistically significant correlation between disease duration and T‐scores (r = 0.11, P = 0.26) and disease duration and SI (r = 0.12, P = 0.20).Conclusion:  Our study has found that both the healthy population and RA patients had lower bone mass compared to Western studies. Prospective studies are required to establish whether this is associated with fractures and to establish factors responsible for these findings.
We are all different: insights from osteoporosis research in Asia
Authors: YEAP Swan Sim 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOsteoporosis only became a ‘disease’ entity in the 20th century. After the initial observations and definitions of osteoporosis based on Caucasian populations, systematic research in Asian populations started in the 1980s. Significant variations between different ethnic groups with respect to the rate of osteoporotic fractures, bone mineral density and disease risk factors emerged from the data; this article highlights some of the earlier important findings and the dissimilarities. Osteoporosis is therefore not a homogeneous disease across the world.
Preparation and Stability of Voriconazole Eye Drop Solution
Authors: Dupuis Antoine , Tournier Nicolas , Le Moal Gwenaël , Venisse Nicolas 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT
The combined systemic and topical administration of voriconazole has successfully been used to treat keratomycosis. Because no voriconazole eye drop product is commercially available, we prepared a sterile eye drop solution (10 mg/ml). Voriconazole remains stable over 30 days, providing an eye drop solution suitable for use for the topical treatment of fungal keratitis.
Secreted Antibody Is Required for Immunity toPlasmodium berghei
Authors: Nunes Julia K. , Starnbach Michael N. , Wirth Dyann F. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTInfection withPlasmodium bergheiis lethal to mice, causing high levels of parasitemia, severe anemia, and death. However, when mice are treated with antimalarial drugs during acute infection, they have enhanced immunity to subsequent infections. With this infection and cure model of immunity, we systematically examined the basis of adaptive immunity to infection using immunodeficient mice. In order to induce adaptive immunity, mice were infected with blood-stage parasites. When the mice developed 2 to 3% parasitemia, they were treated with chloroquine to cure the infection. These convalescent mice were then challenged with homologous blood-stage parasites. Immunized wild-type mice were able to control the level of infection. In contrast, mice lacking mature B cells and T cells were unable to control a challenge infection, indicating the critical role of lymphocytes in immunity toP. berghei. Furthermore, mice lacking secreted antibody were unable to control the level of parasitemia following a challenge infection. Our results indicate that secreted antibody is a requirement for immunity toP. berghei.
Chlamydia trachomatisPolymorphic Membrane Protein D Is an Oligomeric Autotransporter with a Higher-Order Structure
Authors: Swanson Kena A. , Taylor Lacey D. , Frank Shaun D. , Sturdevant Gail L. , Fischer Elizabeth R. , Carlson John H. , Whitmire William M. , Caldwell Harlan D. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTChlamydia trachomatisis a globally important obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that is a leading cause of sexually transmitted disease and blinding trachoma. Effective control of these diseases will likely require a preventative vaccine.C. trachomatispolymorphic membrane protein D (PmpD) is an attractive vaccine candidate as it is conserved amongC. trachomatisstrains and is a target of broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies. We show here that immunoaffinity-purified native PmpD exists as an oligomer with a distinct 23-nm flower-like structure. Two-dimensional blue native-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses showed that the oligomers were composed of full-length PmpD (p155) and two proteolytically processed fragments, the p73 passenger domain (PD) and the p82 translocator domain. We also show that PmpD undergoes an infection-dependent proteolytic processing step late in the growth cycle that yields a soluble extended PD (p111) that was processed into a p73 PD and a novel p30 fragment. Interestingly, soluble PmpD peptides possess putative eukaryote-interacting functional motifs, implying potential secondary functions within or distal to infected cells. Collectively, our findings show that PmpD exists as two distinct forms, a surface-associated oligomer exhibiting a higher-order flower-like structure and a soluble form restricted to infected cells. We hypothesize that PmpD is a multifunctional virulence factor important in chlamydial pathogenesis and could represent novel vaccine or drug targets for the control of human chlamydial infections.
Domain-specific languages and program generation with meta-AspectJ
Authors: Huang Shan Shan , Zook David , Smaragdakis Yannis 
Published: November 2008

Meta-AspectJ (MAJ) is a language for generating AspectJ programs using code templates. MAJ itself is an extension of Java, so users can interleave arbitrary Java code with AspectJ code templates. MAJ is a structured metaprogramming tool: a well-typed generator implies a syntactically correct generated program. MAJ promotes a methodology that combines aspect-oriented and generative programming. A valuable application is in implementing small domain-specific language extensions as generators using unobtrusive annotations for syntax extension and AspectJ as a back-end. The advantages of this approach are twofold. First, the generator integrates into an existing software application much as a regular API or library, instead of as a language extension. Second, a mature language implementation is easy to achieve with little effort since AspectJ takes care of the low-level issues of interfacing with the base Java language.
In addition to its practical value, MAJ offers valuable insights to metaprogramming tool designers. It is a mature metaprogramming tool for AspectJ (and, by extension, Java): a lot of emphasis has been placed on context-sensitive parsing and error reporting. As a result, MAJ minimizes the number of metaprogramming (quote/unquote) operators and uses type inference to reduce the need to remember type names for syntactic entities.
Anticancer effects of tanshinone I in human non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lee Chen-Yu , Sher Hui-Fang , Chen Huei-Wen , Liu Chun-Chi , Chen Ching-Hsien , Lin Choun-Sea , Yang Pan-Chyr , Tsay Hsin-Sheng , Chen Jeremy J.W. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Tanshinones are the major bioactive compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) roots, which are used in many therapeutic remedies in Chinese traditional medicine. We investigated the anticancer effects of tanshinones on the highly invasive human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, CL1-5. Tanshinone I significantly inhibited migration, invasion, and gelatinase activity in macrophage-conditioned medium-stimulated CL1-5 cells in vitro and also reduced the tumorigenesis and metastasis in CL1-5-bearing severe combined immunodeficient mice. Unlike tanshinone IIA, which induces cell apoptosis, tanshinone I did not have direct cytotoxicity. Real-time quantitative PCR, luciferase reporter assay, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that tanshinone I reduces the transcriptional activity of interleukin-8, the angiogenic factor involved in cancer metastasis, by attenuating the DNA-binding activity of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-κB in conditioned medium-stimulated CL1-5 cells. Microarray and pathway analysis of tumor-related genes identified the differentially expressed genes responding to tanshinone I, which may be associated with the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase and Rac1 signaling pathways. These results suggest that tanshinone I exhibits anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo and that these effects are mediated at least partly through the interleukin-8, Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Rac1 signaling pathways. Although tanshinone I has a remarkable anticancer action, its potential anticoagulant effect should be noted and evaluated. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3527–38]
Psorospermin structural requirements for P-glycoprotein resistance reversal
Authors: Carey Steven S. , Gleason-Guzman Mary , Gokhale Vijay , Hurley Laurence H. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapy reduces its effectiveness, resulting in increased mortality. Psorospermin, a natural product, is a topoisomerase II–directed DNA alkylating agent active against multidrug-resistant (MDR) cell lines, including multiple myeloma. In this study, the mechanism of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) modulation activity of psorospermin and that of its associated pharmacophore were examined. Flow cytometry shows that doxorubicin-resistant multiple myeloma cells (8226/D40) pretreated with psorospermin enhance intracellular retention of doxorubicin compared with control (75% versus 38%). Because the overexpression of P-gp is the primary cause of drug resistance in the 8226/D40 cells, psorospermin-induced sensitization was likely due to mdr1/P-gp expressional or functional inhibition. As shown by PCR and Western blot, neither transcription of mdr1 nor translation of P-gp was down-regulated by psorospermin treatment. Therefore, the mechanism of psorospermin-induced resistance reversal is most likely through a direct interaction between psorospermin and P-gp. Furthermore, because only the (2′R,3′R) isomer of psorospermin showed any resistance reversal activity, the side chain of psorospermin is apparently a crucial moiety for resistance reversal. By understanding the mechanism of psorospermin-induced MDR modulation, psorospermin and similar compounds can be combined with other chemotherapies to treat resistant cancers. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3617–23]
Novel therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma targeting osteoclast differentiation, bone-resorbing activity, and apoptosis pathway
Authors: Akiyama Toru , Dass Crispin R. , Choong Peter F.M. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common bone sarcoma, which mainly affects adolescents and young adults. Although the combination of modern surgery and systemic chemotherapy has improved osteosarcoma treatment dramatically, no substantial change in survival has been seen over the past 20 years. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma are required if the 35% of patients with fatal metastases are to be successfully treated. Recently, osteoclasts have drawn attention as a therapeutic target in various bone disorders including osteosarcoma. The osteoclast is the sole cell that resorbs bone and is central in pathologic situations, where bone destruction is intricately involved. Osteosarcoma cells are of the osteoblastic lineage, the latter of which is characterized by cells secreting the osteoclast-inducing factor, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand. Hence, osteosarcoma is a better candidate for osteoclast-targeted therapy than other primary and metastatic bone tumors. The rapid progress on the molecular mechanism regulating osteoclast has propelled a development of new therapeutic approaches. In this review article, we present the prospects of osteoclast-targeted therapy as a novel treatment strategy for osteosarcoma. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB-Fc, osteoprotegerin, bisphosphonates, and Src inhibitor are shown as positive candidates and can control various aspects of osteoclast function. This review article will attempt to discuss these issues in term. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3461–9]
Role of repair protein Rad51 in regulating the response to gefitinib in human non-small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Ko Jen-Chung , Hong Jhao-Hao , Wang Lyu-Han , Cheng Chau-Ming , Ciou Shih-Ci , Lin Szu-Ting , Jheng Ming-Yan , Lin Yun-Wei 
Published: November 2008

AbstractGefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839) is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that can block growth factor-mediated cell proliferation and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation. High-level Rad51 expression has been reported in chemoresistant or radioresistant carcinomas. In this study, we examined the role of Rad51 in regulating the response to gefitinib among different human lung cancer cell lines. The H520 line (human squamous cell carcinoma) was less sensitive to gefitinib compared with the H1650 (human adenocarcinoma) or A549 (human bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) lines. In H1650 and A549 cells but not in H520 cells, gefitinib decreased cellular levels of phospho-ERK1/2 and Rad51 protein and message levels. Moreover, gefitinib decreased Rad51 protein levels by enhancing Rad51 protein instability through 26S proteasome-mediated degradation. Inhibition of endogenous Rad51 levels by si-Rad51 RNA transfection significantly enhanced gefitinib-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, transfection with constitutively active MKK1 vector could restore both Rad51 protein levels and cell survival inhibited by gefitinib. The MKK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway constitutes the upstream signaling for maintaining Rad51 message and protein levels. Rad51 protein can protect lung cancer cells from cytotoxic effects induced by gefitinib. Suppression of Rad51 may be a novel lung cancer therapeutic modality to overcome drug resistance to gefitinib. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3632–41]