bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Redox stress proteins are involved in adaptation response of the hyperthermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus to nickel challenge
Authors: Salzano Anna M , Febbraio Ferdinando , Farias Tiziana , Cetrangolo Giovanni P , Nucci Roberto , Scaloni Andrea , Manco Giuseppe 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
Exposure to nickel (Ni) and its chemical derivatives has been associated with severe health effects in human. On the contrary, poor knowledge has been acquired on target physiological processes or molecular mechanisms of this metal in model organisms, including Bacteria and Archaea. In this study, we describe an analysis focused at identifying proteins involved in the recovery of the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus strain MT4 from Ni-induced stress.

Results
To this purpose, Sulfolobus solfataricus was grown in the presence of the highest nickel sulphate concentration still allowing cells to survive; crude extracts from treated and untreated cells were compared at the proteome level by using a bi-dimensional chromatography approach. We identified several proteins specifically repressed or induced as result of Ni treatment. Observed up-regulated proteins were largely endowed with the ability to trigger recovery from oxidative and osmotic stress in other biological systems. It is noteworthy that most of the proteins induced following Ni treatment perform similar functions and a few have eukaryal homologue counterparts.

Conclusion
These findings suggest a series of preferential gene expression pathways activated in adaptation response to metal challenge.
Adrenal involvement in the biostimulatory effect of bulls
Authors: Tauck Shaun A , Olsen Jesse R , Berardinelli James G 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
The objective was to evaluate if cortisol concentrations are associated with the resumption of luteal activity in postpartum, primiparous cows exposed to bulls. The hypotheses were that 1) interval from start of exposure to resumption of luteal activity; 2) proportions of cows that resumed luteal function during the exposure period; and 3) cortisol concentrations do not differ among cows exposed or not exposed to bulls (Exp. 1), and cows continuously exposed to bull or steer urine (Exp. 2).

Methods
In Exp. 1, 28 anovular cows were exposed (BE; n = 13) or not exposed (NE; n = 15) to bulls for 30 d at 58 d after calving. In Exp. 2, 38 anovular cows were fitted with a controlled urine delivery device at 45 d after calving and exposed continuously (24 h/d) to bull (BUE; n = 19) or steer (SUE; n = 19) urine. Length of exposure was ~64 d. Blood samples were collected from each cow on D 0 and every 3 d throughout exposure periods in both experiments and assayed for progesterone. Cortisol was assayed in samples collected on D 0, 8, 16, and 24 in Exp. 1; and, D 0, 19, 38, and 57 in Exp. 2.

Results
In Exp. 1, interval from the start of exposure to resumption of luteal activity was shorter (P < 0.05) for BE cows than NE cows, similarly, more (P < 0.05) BE cows than NE cows resumed luteal function during the exposure period. In Exp. 2, there was no difference in intervals from the start of exposure to resumption of luteal activity and proportions of cows that resumed luteal function during the exposure period between BUE and SUE cows. In Exp. 1, there was no difference in cortisol concentrations between BE and NE cows at the start of the experiment (D 0), however, cortisol concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in BE cows than NE cows on D 9, 18, and 27. In Exp. 2, cortisol concentrations were higher for BUE than SUE cows on D 0 (P < 0.05), thereafter cortisol decreased (P < 0.05) but did not differ between BUE and SUE cows.

Conclusion
We conclude that the physical presence of bulls stimulates resumption of luteal activity and is coincident with increased cortisol concentrations, and hypothesize a possible association between adrenal activation and the biostimulatory effect of bulls.
Perigraft air is not always pathological: a case report
Authors: Ball Elizabeth , Morris-Stiff Gareth , Coxon Mari , Lewis Michael H 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
The presence of perigraft air is a common finding in the immediate post-operative phase following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair whilst the later appearance of air, in association with elevated inflammatory markers, is regarded as being indicative of the serious complication of graft infection. What is not known is at what timepoint following surgery does the perigraft air become a significant finding.

Case Presentation
We report the case of a 71 year old man who underwent a computed tomography scan 15 days following repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm because of the presence of unexplained pyrexia. The scan showed the presence of perigraft air and a small haematoma. The patient was managed conservatively and after 6 weeks the air and haematoma had resolved completely.

Conclusion
The presence of perigraft air in the early postoperative phase is probably a normal finding, is not associated with graft infection and can be managed non-operatively.
No relationship between circulating levels of sex steroids and mammographic breast density: the Prospect-EPIC cohort
Authors: Verheus Martijn , Peeters Petra HM , van Noord Paulus AH , van der Schouw Yvonne T , Grobbee Diederick E , van Gils Carla H 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Background
High breast density is associated with increased breast cancer risk. Epidemiologic studies have shown an increase in breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women with high levels of sex steroids. Hence, sex steroids may increase postmenopausal breast cancer risk via an increase of breast density. The objective of the present study was to study the relation between circulating oestrogens and androgens as well as sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in relation to breast density.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study among 775 postmenopausal women, using baseline data of a random sample of the Prospect-EPIC study. Prospect-EPIC is one of two Dutch cohorts participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, and women were recruited via a breast cancer screening programme. At enrolment a nonfasting blood sample was taken and a mammogram was made. Oestrone, oestradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, testosterone and SHBG levels were measured, using double-antibody radioimmunoassays. Concentrations of free oestradiol and free testosterone were calculated from the measured oestradiol, testosterone and SHBG levels Mammographic dense and nondense areas were measured using a semiquantitative computerized method and the percentage breast density was calculated. Mean breast measures for quintiles of hormone or SHBG levels were estimated using linear regression analyses.

Results
Both oestrogens and testosterone were inversely related with percent breast density, but these relationships disappeared after adjustment for BMI. None of the sex steroids or SHBG was associated with the absolute measure of breast density, the dense area.

Conclusion
The results of our study do not support the hypothesis that sex steroids increase postmenopausal breast cancer risk via an increase in breast density.
Influence of dextran-70 on systemic inflammatory response and myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion following cardiac operations
Authors: Gombocz Károly , Beledi Ágnes , Alotti Nasri , Kecskés Gábor , Gábor Valéria , Bogár Lajos , Kőszegi Tamás , Garai János 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Introduction
Experimental studies have demonstrated that dextran-70 reduces the leukocyte–endothelium interaction, but clinical evidence is still lacking. Our objective was to justify the anti-inflammatory effect of dextran-70 following cardiac operations.

Methods
Forty patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery (n = 32) or aortic valve replacement (n = 8) were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Two groups were formed. In group A (n = 20), dextran-70 infusion was administered at a dose of 7.5 ml/kg before the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and at a dose of 12.5 ml/kg after the cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Group B served as a control with identical amounts of gelatin infusion (n = 20). The plasma concentration of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, IL 6, IL 6r, IL 8, IL 10, soluble endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, cardiac troponin-I and various haemodynamic parameters were measured in the perioperative period. Multivariate methods were used for statistical analysis.

Results
In group A, lower peak (median) plasma levels of procalcitonin (0.2 versus 1.4, p < 0.001), IL 8 (5.6 versus 94.8, p < 0.001), IL 10 (47.2 versus 209.7, p = 0.001), endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (88.5 versus 130.6, p = 0.033), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (806.7 versus 1,375.7, P = 0.001) and troponin-I (0.22 versus 0.66, p = 0.018) were found. There was no significant difference in IL 6, IL-6r and C-reactive protein values between groups. Higher figures of the cardiac index (p = 0.010) along with reduced systemic vascular resistance (p = 0.005) were noted in group A.

Conclusion
Our investigation demonstrated that the use of dextran-70 reduces the systemic inflammatory response and cardiac troponin-I release following cardiac operation.

Trial registration number
ISRCTN38289094.
Inclusion of CA-125 Does Not Improve Mathematical Models Developed to Distinguish Between Benign and Malignant Adnexal Tumors
Authors: Timmerman Dirk , Van Calster Ben , Jurkovic Davor , Valentin Lil , Testa Antonia C. , Bernard Jean-Pierre , Van Holsbeke Caroline , Van Huffel Sabine , Vergote Ignace , Bourne Tom 
Published: August 2007

Purpose To test the value of serum CA-125 measurements alone or as part of a multimodal strategy to distinguish between malignant and benign ovarian tumors before surgery based on a large prospective multicenter study (International Ovarian Tumor Analysis). Patients and Methods Patients with at least one persistent ovarian mass preoperatively underwent transvaginal ultrasonography using gray scale imaging to assess tumor morphology and color Doppler imaging to obtain indices of blood flow. Results Data from 809 patients recruited from nine centers were included in the analysis; 567 patients (70%) had benign tumors and 242 (30%) had malignant tumors—of these 152 were primary invasive (62.8%), 52 were borderline malignant (21.5%), and 38 were metastatic (15.7%). A logistic regression model including CA-125 (M2) resulted in an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.934 and did not outperform a published (M1) without serum CA-125 information (AUC, 0.936). Specifically designed new models including CA-125 for premenopausal women (M3) and for postmenopausal women (M4) did not perform significantly better than the model without CA-125 (M1; AUC, 0.891 v AUC, 0.911 and AUC, 0.975 v AUC, 0.949, respectively). In postmenopausal patients, serum CA-125 alone (AUC, 0.920) and the risk of malignancy index (AUC, 0.924) performed very well. Results were very similar when the models were prospectively tested on a group of 345 new patients with adnexal masses of whom 126 had malignant tumors (37%). Conclusion Adding information on CA-125 to clinical information and ultrasound information does not improve discrimination of mathematical models between benign and malignant adnexal masses.
Phase III Trial of High-Dose Sequential Chemotherapy With Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Support Compared With Standard Dose Chemotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Advanced Ovarian Cancer: Intergroup Trial of the AGO-Ovar/AIO and EBMT
Authors: Möbus Volker , Wandt Hannes , Frickhofen Norbert , Bengala Carmelo , Champion Kim , Kimmig Rainer , Ostermann Helmut , Hinke Axel , Ledermann Jonathan A. 
Published: August 2007

Purpose Although ovarian cancer is one of the most chemotherapy-sensitive solid tumors, cure after radical surgery and chemotherapy is uncommon. A randomized trial comparing high-dose sequential chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) support with platinum-based combination chemotherapy was conducted to investigate whether dose-intensification improves outcome. Patients and Methods One hundred forty-nine patients with untreated ovarian cancer were randomly assigned after debulking surgery to receive standard combination chemotherapy or sequential high-dose (HD) treatment with two cycles of cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel followed by three cycles of HD carboplatin and paclitaxel with PBSC support. HD melphalan was added to the final cycle. The median age was 50 years (range, 20 to 65 years) and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was IIb/IIc in 4%, III in 78%, and IV in 17%. Results Seventy-six percent of patients received all five cycles in the HD arm and the main toxicities were neuro-/ototoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and infection and one death from hemorrhagic shock. After a median follow-up of 38 months, the progression-free survival was 20.5 months in the standard arm and 29.6 months in the HD arm (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.26; P, .40). Median overall survival (OS) was 62.8 months in the standard arm and 54.4 months in the HD arm (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.94; P, .54). Conclusion This is the first randomized trial comparing sequential HD versus standard dose chemotherapy in first-line treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. We observed no statistically significant difference in progression-free survival or OS and conclude that HD chemotherapy does not appear to be superior to conventional dose chemotherapy.
Optimizing the sensitivity of the small-disc creep test to damage and test conditions
Authors: Evans M , Wang D 
Published: August 2007

The small-creep disc test is seen as a promising solution to the problem of sampling from in-service components for remanent life estimation. However, experimental studies have revealed substantial scatter in failure times resulting from variations in test and apparatus geometries. These studies therefore suggest that there exists a set of conditions that both minimizes the scatter and also maximizes the sensitivity of the disc test to the determination of remanent life, so enabling reliable estimates of the remaining life to be made. The objective of this paper is to identify such an optimum. The large scatter present in small-disc test data would make the identification of this optimum problematic and inconclusive using an experimental approach. Instead this paper uses a numerical model of the disc test to predict failure times over a wide range of test conditions. The resulting response surface is then approximated using a polynomial and from this model the optimum set of test conditions is identified. Full verification of the model (and the optimum) can then be more successfully accomplished by carrying out experiments close to the optimum conditions where scatter is the smallest. The model was shown to be capable of predicting actual experimental creep test results. Using this approach, failure times were found to be most sensitive to disc thickness and hole diameter but least sensitive to disc diameter. Under clamping, the optimum test geometry was insensitive to the applied load but sensitive to the level of damage. Without clamping, the optimum geometry was insensitive to both of these. The paper gives optimum conditions for various levels of damage under both conditions.
Near‐real‐time approach to assimilation of satellite‐retrieved 3D ozone fields in a global model using a simplified Kalman filter
Authors: El Serafy G. Y. , Kelder H. M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn this paper, a near‐real‐time approach to data assimilation for the estimation of the three‐dimensional global ozone distribution based on the transport model TM3 is presented. TM3 uses the meteorological data from European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts to transport the ozone field. The ozone profiles used in the assimilation are retrieved from measurements of the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment instrument (GOME) on the European Space Agency's European Remote Sensing‐2 satellite. A simplified Kalman filter technique is chosen as a data assimilation technique since it not only estimates the ozone distribution globally but also quantifies the uncertainty in its estimate. The NRT data assimilation technique is demonstrated for the period of March–June 2000. The results presented in this paper show that the estimated profiles deviate from the measurements by, on a global average, 15% of the ozone values in pressure layer 163–119 hPa and ranging from 6% to 2% of the ozone values between 119 hPa and 40 hPa. The deviation of the estimate from the measurements decreases with altitude and reaches 0.05% of the ozone value in the layer 2–0 hPa. Comparison with ozone‐sonde observations shows that the model driven by observed meteorological fields is capable of describing the main spatial and temporal variations. Comparison with data from the Halogen Occultation Experiment instrument on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite shows that assimilating the retrieved profiles from GOME improves the vertical description of ozone profiles mainly in the stratosphere and the upper troposphere. Moreover, the integrated ozone‐profile estimate is compared with the total‐column ozone measurements made by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer. This shows that assimilating the ozone profiles results in a better description of the total column than the ten‐day forecast. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society
Experiments on 4D‐Var assimilation of rainfall data using an incremental formulation
Authors: Marécal Virginie , Mahfouf Jean‐François 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAssimilations of isolated surface rainfall observations are performed using two methodologies compatible with the incremental formulation of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts operational 4D‐Var system. In a first method (defined as ‘1D−Var+4D−Var’) 1D‐Var retrievals of total column water vapour in rainy areas are assimilated in 4D‐Var, while a second approach assimilates rainfall rates in 4D‐Var directly. In addition, the behaviour of two contrasted convection schemes (mass‐flux and adjustment) is examined. The minimization performs generally better for the adjustment scheme and for the ‘1D−Var+4D−Var’ method (i.e. larger decrease of the cost function). The usefulness of the direct 4D‐Var is limited by various inconsistencies present in the current incremental formulation and by the extreme sensitivity of the convection schemes to small changes in humidity. The two methods produce similar and small modifications to the dynamical fields, that are partly explained by the fact that the observation is assimilated early in the time window of 4D‐Var (3 hours). This study demonstrates the need for convection schemes with smooth Jacobians in the variational context. It also confirms the robustness of the ‘1D−Var+4D−Var’ approach than can be used for operational rainfall‐rate assimilation as long as identified problems with the incremental 4D‐Var are not solved. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society
Early detection of abnormal weather conditions using a probabilistic extreme forecast index
Authors: Lalaurette F. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA new method to extract information related to unusual forecast distributions from probabilistic (e.g. ensemble) prediction systems is presented. It consists of an extreme forecast index (EFI) that ranks the departure between the forecast and the model climate between −1 (forecast given 100% probability that record‐breaking low values will be reached) and +1 (record‐breaking high values). First the new index is derived, it is related to other measures of statistical significance, and a few properties are given. It is then demonstrated how the accumulation of ensemble forecasts every day allows the quick build‐up of a model pseudo‐climate that is representative enough to detect large departures from normal conditions while being representative of the latest developments in terms of resolution or physical parametrizations. The EFI is then subjected to several severe weather events that have happened in Europe over the last few years, and it is shown to be potentially useful in alerting forecasters to the risk of severe weather up to three or four days in advance. Finally, objective verification over five months in 2001–02 is presented. Although the results confirm that the model pseudo‐climate is good enough to set up thresholds for severe weather evenly throughout Europe, the false‐alarm rates are much larger than usually expected by forecasters or users. It is argued, however, that operating characteristics in the early medium range for severe weather have largely been ignored in the past. Although the signal is weak in the 3 to five‐day range, it is undoubtedly associated with a forecast skill that might be used for setting up pre‐alerts to be used either internally by meteorological services, or externally by advanced users aware of its error characteristics. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society
Bimodality in tropical water vapour
Authors: Zhang Chidong , Mapes Brian E. , Soden Brian J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractProbability distribution functions of tropospheric water vapour in the tropics are shown to be commonly bimodal. This bimodality implies sharp gradients between dry and moist regimes in space and time. A method of testing for and quantifying bimodality is introduced. Using this method, the bimodality of water vapour is surveyed in satellite and in situ observations, as well as in global model re‐analysis data and simulations. The bimodality suggests that the radiative drying time after an injection of moisture by convection is short (1–2 days) compared to a homogenizing time, whether physical (mixing) or mathematical (averaging). It is shown that the local bimodality found in cloud‐model simulations and in situ point measurements disappears with modest time averaging (18 h and 200 km), but then reappears on the global‐scale, where dry and moist regions are separated so widely that synoptic‐ and large‐scale mixing times exceed the drying time‐scale. Large discrepancies exist in the ability to reproduce the global‐scale bimodality by global model re‐analysis and simulations. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society