bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The possible role of trehalose in the mycorrhiza helper bacterium effect
Authors: Duponnois Robin , Kisa Marija 
Published: August 2006

The main objective of the study was to explore the biological pathway that could explain the stimulating effect of mycorrhiza helper bacteria (MHB) on ectomycorrhizal symbiosis. It has been suggested that the ability of MHBs to stimulate mycelial growth is strongly correlated with their effect on ectomycorrhizal establishment; therefore, the role of organic substrates known to be involved in the hyphosphere and mycorrhizosphere effects of this fungal growth promotion were investigated. Therefore, the bacterial influence on fungal growth was tested using two-compartment dishes. One compartment was filled with a minimal medium (M9 medium) amended with different organic compounds (D-glucosamine, oxalic acid, trehalose, malonic acid, citric acid, carboxy-methyl cellulose, starch, or chitin) and inoculated with a MHB isolate ( Pseudomonas monteilii strain HR13). The other compartment contained fungal plugs of Pisolithus albus isolate IR100. Fungal radial growth was stimulated only when Pseudomonas monteilii was grown on M9 medium + trehalose. This result suggests that trehalose has a role in such bacteria–fungus interactions. However, further research, using other biological models, must be undertaken to identify the role of trehalose in the interactions between MHBs and the fungal symbionts at trophic and genetic levels.
Cigarette Yields and Human Exposure: A Comparison of Alternative Testing Regimens
Authors: Hammond David , Fong Geoffrey T. , Cummings K. Michael , O'Connor Richard J. , Giovino Gary A. , McNeill Ann 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Objective: There is general agreement that the testing protocol for measuring cigarette smoke constituents—the International Organization for Standardization regimen—is an inappropriate mechanism for evaluating human exposure. Alternative smoking regimens have been introduced in Canada and Massachusetts; however, these regimens have not been evaluated against human smoking behavior and biomeasures of exposure. The objective of this study was to compare measures of smoke volume and nicotine uptake among human smokers against the puffing variables and nicotine yields generated by five different machine smoking regimens: (a) International Organization for Standardization, (b) Massachusetts, (c) Canadian, (d) a Compensatory regimen, and (e) a Human Mimic regimen.
Methods: Measures of smoke volume and puffing behavior were recorded for 51 smokers who used a portable smoking topography device for three 1-week trials. Measures of salivary cotinine were taken at the completion of each week. The cigarette brands smoked by participants were then machine-smoked under five testing regimens, including a human mimic condition where brands were machine smoked using the puffing behavior recorded from human smokers. The total volume of smoke collected from each cigarette and the nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide yields were recorded.
Results: None of the four machine smoking regimens adequately reflected Human Mimic Yields of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. In addition, none of the four smoking regimens generated nicotine yields that were associated with actual nicotine uptake in humans.
Conclusions: None of the existing smoking regimens adequately represents human smoking behavior nor do they generate yields associated with human measures of nicotine uptake. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(8):1495–501)
15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 induces death receptor 5 expression through mRNA stabilization independently of PPARγ and potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis
Authors: Nakata Susumu , Yoshida Tatsushi , Shiraishi Takumi , Horinaka Mano , Kouhara Junji , Wakada Miki , Sakai Toshiyuki 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), the terminal derivative of the PGJ series, is emerging as a potent antineoplastic agent among cyclopentenone prostaglandins derivatives and also known as the endogenous ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). On the other hand, death receptor 5 (DR5) is a specific receptor for tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which is one of the most promising candidates for new cancer therapeutics. Here, we report that 15d-PGJ2 induces DR5 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, resulting in the synergistic sensitization of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human neoplastic cells, such as Jurkat human leukemia cells or PC3 human prostate cancer cells. 15d-PGJ2 significantly increased DR5 mRNA stability, whereas it did not activate DR5 promoter activity. Synthetic PPARγ agonists, such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, did not mimic the DR5-inducing effects of 15d-PGJ2, and a potent PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 failed to block DR5 induction by 15d-PGJ2, suggesting PPARγ-independent mechanisms. Cotreatment with 15d-PGJ2 and TRAIL enhanced the sequential activation of caspase-8, caspase-10, caspase-9, caspase-3, and Bid. DR5/Fc chimera protein, zVAD-fmk pancaspase inhibitor, and caspase-8 inhibitor efficiently blocked the activation of these apoptotic signal mediators and the induction of apoptotic cell death enhanced by cotreatment with 15d-PGJ2 and TRAIL. Moreover, a double-stranded small interfering RNA targeting DR5 gene, which suppressed DR5 up-regulation by 15d-PGJ2, significantly attenuated apoptosis induced by cotreatment with 15d-PGJ2 and TRAIL. These results suggest that 15d-PGJ2 is a potent sensitizer of TRAIL-mediated cancer therapeutics through DR5 up-regulation. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(7):1827–35]
The proteasome inhibitor NPI-0052 is a more effective inducer of apoptosis than bortezomib in lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Ruiz Stacey , Krupnik Yelena , Keating Michael , Chandra Joya , Palladino Michael , McConkey David 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Proteasome inhibitors are potent inducers of apoptosis in isolated lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the reversible proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (PS-341; Velcade) did not display substantial antitumor activity in CLL patients. Here, we compared the effects of bortezomib and a new irreversible proteasome inhibitor (NPI-0052) on 20S chymotryptic proteasome activity and apoptosis in isolated CLL cells in vitro. Although their steady-state (3 hours) IC50s as proteasome inhibitors were similar, NPI-0052 exerted its effects more rapidly than bortezomib, and drug washout experiments showed that short exposures to NPI-0052 resulted in sustained (≥24 hours) 20S proteasome inhibition, whereas 20S activity recovered in cells exposed to even 10-fold higher concentrations of bortezomib. Thus, brief (15 minutes) pulses of NPI-0052 were sufficient to induce substantial apoptosis in CLL cells, whereas longer exposure times (≥8 hours) were required for commitment to apoptosis in cells exposed to equivalent concentrations of bortezomib. Commitment to apoptosis seemed to be related to caspase-4 activation, in that cells exposed to bortezomib or NPI-0052 could be saved from death by addition of a selective caspase-4 inhibitor up to 8 hours after drug exposure. Our results show that NPI-0052 is a more effective proapoptotic agent than bortezomib in isolated CLL cells and suggest that the chemical properties of NPI-0052 might also make it an effective therapeutic agent in CLL patients. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(7):1836–43]
Pigment epithelium-derived factor: a multimodal tumor inhibitor
Authors: Ek Eugene T.H. , Dass Crispin R. , Choong Peter F.M. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a noninhibitory member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) family, is a well-known potent endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis. It has been known for years to be aberrantly expressed in ocular disorders, but in recent years, down-regulation has been shown to be prevalent in a range of cancers as well. This review describes the trimodal anticancer activities of this interesting protein: antiangiogenesis, apoptosis-mediated tumor suppression, and tumor cell differentiation. The key to successful antitumor therapy with this protein is the ability to synthesize the recombinant form of the protein (or its active shortened forms) and deliver at therapeutic doses or alternatively to use gene transfer technology to prolong the effect in vivo. Although there is a substantial amount of work carried out at the preclinical stage with this protein, more groundwork has to be done before PEDF is tested against cancer in clinical trials. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(7):1641–6]
Responses of American toad tadpoles to predation cues: behavioural response thresholds, threat-sensitivity and acquired predation recognition
Authors: Mirza Reehan S. , Ferrari Maud C.O. , Kiesecker Joseph M. , Chivers Douglas P. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPredation is one of the most important selective forces acting on prey animals. To respond adaptively to predation threats and increase their chances of survival, prey animals have to be able to recognize their potential predators. Even though a few studies demonstrated innate predator recognition, the vast majority of animals have to rely on learning to acquire this information. Often aquatic prey animals can learn to recognize predators when they detect conspecific alarm cues associated with cues from a novel predator. In this study, we exposed American toad (Bufo americanus) tadpoles to varying concentrations of chemical alarm cues (cues from injured conspecifics). We identified a concentration of cues which caused an overt antipredator response (supra-threshold concentration) and a lower concentration for which the prey failed to exhibit a response (sub-threshold concentration). In a second experiment, we attempted to condition the tadpoles to recognize the odour of larval dragonflies (Anax sp.) by pairing the dragonfly odour with either the sub-threshold concentration or the supra-threshold concentration of alarm cues. In both cases, the tadpoles learned to recognize the predator based on this single pairing of alarm cues and predator odour. Moreover, the intensity of the learned response was stronger for tadpoles conditioned with the supra-threshold concentration of alarm cues than the sub-threshold concentration. This is the first documented case of this mode of learning in anuran amphibians. Learned recognition of predators has important implications for survival.
Topographically Generated Cloud Plumes
Authors: Jiang Qingfang , Doyle James D. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Two topographically generated cirrus plume events have been examined through satellite observations and real-data simulations. On 30 October 2002, an approximately 70-km-wide cirrus plume, revealed by a high-resolution Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image and a series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) images, originated from the Sierra Nevada ridge and extended northeastward for more than 400 km. On 5 December 2000, an approximately 400-km-wide cloud plume originated from the Southern Rocky Mountain massif and extended eastward for more than 500 km, the development of which was captured by a series of GOES images. The real-data simulations of the two cirrus plume events successfully capture the presence of these plumes and show reasonable agreement with the MODIS and GOES images in terms of the timing, location, orientation, length, and altitude of these cloud plumes. The synoptic and mesoscale aspects of the plume events, and the dynamics and microphysics relevant to the plume formation, have been discussed. Two common ingredients relevant to the cirrus plume formation have been identified, namely, a relatively deep moist layer aloft with high relative humidity and low temperature (≤−40°C near the cloud top), and strong updrafts over high terrain and slow descent downstream in the upper troposphere associated with terrain-induced inertia–gravity waves. The rapid increase of the relative humidity associated with strong updrafts creates a high number concentration of small ice crystals through homogeneous nucleation. The overpopulated ice crystals decrease the relative humidity, which, in return, inhibits small crystals from growing into large crystals. The small crystals with slow terminal velocities (&lt;0.2 m s−1) can be advected hundreds of kilometers before falling out of the moist layer.
Microarray MAPH: accurate array-based detection of relative copy number in genomic DNA
Authors: Gibbons Brian , Datta Parikkhit , Wu Ying , Chan Alan , AL Armour John 
Published: August 2006

Abstract

Background
Current methods for measurement of copy number do not combine all the desirable qualities of convenience, throughput, economy, accuracy and resolution. In this study, to improve the throughput associated with Multiplex Amplifiable Probe Hybridisation (MAPH) we aimed to develop a modification based on the 3-Dimensional, Flow-Through Microarray Platform from PamGene International. In this new method, electrophoretic analysis of amplified products is replaced with photometric analysis of a probed oligonucleotide array. Copy number analysis of hybridised probes is based on a dual-label approach by comparing the intensity of Cy3-labelled MAPH probes amplified from test samples co-hybridised with similarly amplified Cy5-labelled reference MAPH probes. The key feature of using a hybridisation-based end point with MAPH is that discrimination of amplified probes is based on sequence and not fragment length.

Results
In this study we showed that microarray MAPH measurement of PMP22 gene dosage correlates well with PMP22 gene dosage determined by capillary MAPH and that copy number was accurately reported in analyses of DNA from 38 individuals, 12 of which were known to have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A).

Conclusion
Measurement of microarray-based endpoints for MAPH appears to be of comparable accuracy to electrophoretic methods, and holds the prospect of fully exploiting the potential multiplicity of MAPH. The technology has the potential to simplify copy number assays for genes with a large number of exons, or of expanded sets of probes from dispersed genomic locations.
Circumstances surrounding dying in the paediatric intensive care unit
Authors: ten Berge Jetske , de Gast-Bakker Dana-Anne H , Plötz Frans B 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackgroundDeath is inevitable in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). We aimed to describe the circumstances surrounding dying in a PICU.MethodThe chart records of all patients less than 18 years of age who died at the PICU between January first 2000 and July first 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Information regarding sex, age, length of stay, admission, diagnosis, and the way a patient died was registered. Post mortem information regarding natural versus unnatural death, autopsy and donation was obtained. Non-survivors were allocated in five groups: do-not-resuscitate (DNR), withholding and/or withdrawal of therapy (W/W), failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (failed CPR), brain death (BD), and terminal organ failure (TOF).ResultsDuring the study period 87 (4.4%) of the 1995 admitted patients died. Non-survivors were more often admitted during the day (54%) and the week (68%). W/W was found in 27.6%, TOF in 26.4%, BD in 23.0%, failed CPR in 18.4%, and DNR in 4.6%. Forty-three percent died in the first two days, of which BD (40.5%) and failed CPR (37.8%) were most common. Seventy-five children (86%) died due to a natural cause. Autopsy permission was obtained in 19 of 54 patients (35%). The autopsies confirmed the clinical diagnosis in 11 patients, revealed new information in 5 patients, and in 3 patients the autopsy did not provide additional information. Nine patients were medically suitable for organ donation and 24 patients for tissue donation, whereas consent was only obtained in 2 cases in both groups.ConclusionWe observed that 43% of the patients died within the first two days of admission due to BD and failed CPR, whereas after 4 days most patients died after W/W. Autopsy remains an useful tool to confirm clinical diagnoses or to provide new information. Only a small percentage of the deceased children is suitable for organ donation.
Long-term impact of four different strategies for delivering an on-line curriculum about herbs and other dietary supplements
Authors: Beal Tiffany , Kemper Kathi J , Gardiner Paula , Woods Charles 
Published: August 2006

Abstract

Background
Previous research has shown that internet education can lead to short-term improvements in clinicians' knowledge, confidence and communication practices. We wished to better understand the duration of these improvements and whether different curriculum delivery strategies differed in affecting these improvements.

Methods
As previously described, we conducted a randomized control trial comparing four different strategies for delivering an e-curriculum about herbs and other dietary supplements (HDS) to clinicians. The four strategies were delivering the curriculum by: a) email over 10 weeks; b) email within one week; c) web-site over 10 weeks; d) web-site within one week. Participants were surveyed at baseline, immediately after the course and 6–10 months after completing the course (long-term). Long-term outcomes focused on clinicians' knowledge, confidence and communication practices.

Results
Of the 780 clinicians who completed the course, 385 (49%) completed the long-term survey. Completers and non-completers of the long-term survey had similar demographics and professional characteristics at baseline. There were statistically significant improvements from baseline to long-term follow-up in knowledge, confidence and communication practices; these improvements did not differ by curriculum delivery strategy. Knowledge scores improved from 67.7 ± 10.3 at baseline to 78.8 ± 12.3 at long-term follow-up (P < 0.001). Confidence scores improved from 53.7 ± 17.8 at baseline to 66.9 ± 12.0 at long term follow-up (P < 0.001); communication scores improved from 2.6 ± 1.9 at baseline to 3.6 ± 2.1 (P < 0.001) at long-term follow-up.

Conclusion
This e- curriculum led to significant and sustained improvements in clinicians' expertise about HDS regardless of the delivery strategy. Future studies should compare the impact of required vs. elective courses and self-reported vs. objective measures of behavior change.
Activation of primary T lymphocytes results in lysosome development and polarized granule exocytosis in CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, whereas expression of lytic molecules confers cytotoxicity to CD8+ T cells
Authors: Shen David T , Ma Jennifer S Y , Mather Jacques , Vukmanovic Stanislav , Radoja Sasa 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Lytic granule exocytosis is the major cytotoxic mechanism used by CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes. CD8+ T cells acquire this effector function in the process characterized by lysosomal biogenesis, induction of expression of cytolytic molecules, and their selective sorting into the lysosomal vesicles. However, temporal relation of these differentiation stages during T cell activation has not been defined precisely. Also, although CD4+ T cells typically do not express lytic molecules as a consequence of activation, and therefore, do not acquire granule exocytosis-mediated lytic function, it is not clear whether CD4+ T cells are able to degranulate. By using in vitro TCR stimulation of primary mouse lymphocytes, we found that polyclonally activated CD4+ T cells degranulate upon TCR ligation and polarize enlarged lysosomal granules in response to target cell recognition, despite the lack of granule exocytosis-mediated cytotoxicity. Upon TCR stimulation, resting CD8+ T cells rapidly express lytic molecules and acquire potent lytic function early in activation. Maximal cytolytic potential, however, depends on enlargement of lysosomal granules during the subsequent activation stages. Thus, polyclonal TCR stimulation of resting T cells results in development of lysosomal granules and their release upon TCR engagement in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but only CD8+ T cells acquire lytic function as a result of induction of expression of lytic molecules.
Mean-risk optimization for index tracking
Authors: Nakano Yumiharu 
Published: August 2006

SUMMARY
This paper presents an analysis of the tracking problems of multiple indices with multidimensional performance criterion consisting of mean wealth and the tracking errors. We evaluate the performance of portfolios via the vector inequalities defined by convex cones, which enable us to describe various preference relations for investors. In Brownian market models with deterministic coefficients, we completely determine the set of efficient portfolios as well as the efficient frontier in our context. As a product of our analysis, we exhibit a version of Tobin's mutual fund theorem.
Dilatation monotone and comonotonic additive risk measures represented as Choquet integrals
Authors: Grigoriev Pavel G. , Leitner Johannes 
Published: August 2006

SUMMARY
The purpose of our paper is to link some results on the Choquet integrals with the theory of coherent risk measures. Using this link we establish some properties of dilatation monotone and comonotonic coherent measures of risk. In particular it is shown that on an atomless probability space dilatation monotone and comonotonic additive coherent risk measures have to be law invariant.
On distortion functionals
Authors: Pflug Georg Ch. 
Published: August 2006

SUMMARY
Distorted measures have been used in pricing of insurance contracts for a long time. This paper reviews properties of related acceptability functionals in risk management, called distortion functionals. These functionals may be characterized by being mixtures of average values-at-risk. We give a dual representation of these functionals and show how they may be used in portfolio optimization. An iterative numerical procedure for the solution of these portfolio problems is given which is based on duality.
Childhood Acute Renal Failure: 22-Year Experience in a University Hospital in Southern Thailand
Authors: Vachvanichsanong Prayong , Dissaneewate Pornsak , Lim Apiradee , McNeil Edward 
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to review the prevalence, cause, and morbidity and mortality rates of acute renal failure in a large tertiary care institution in southern Thailand, to examine any differences in acute renal failure cases diagnosed during a 22-year period, and to determine the risk factors indicating death.
METHODS. The case records for children 1 month to 17 years of age who were diagnosed as having acute renal failure between February 1982 and December 2004, in the Department of Pediatrics, Songklanagarind Hospital, in southern Thailand, were reviewed.
RESULTS. A total of 311 children with 318 episodes of acute renal failure were included, that is, 177 boys (55.7%) and 141 girls (44.3%), 1 month to 16.7 years of age (mean age: 7.6 ± 5.1 years; median age: 7.8 years). The causes of acute renal failure in each age group were significantly different. Overall, sepsis was the major cause of acute renal failure, accounting for 68 episodes (21.4%), followed by hypovolemia, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and infectious diseases. Renal replacement therapy was performed in 55 cases (17.3%). The overall mortality rate was 41.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that disease groups and creatinine levels were significant independent predictors of outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS. The incidence of acute renal failure in Songklanagarind Hospital was 0.5 to 9.9 cases per 1000 pediatric patients, with a mortality rate of 41.5%. Sepsis was a major cause of acute renal failure and death. Causes of acute renal failure and serum creatinine levels were significant independent predictors of death.