bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The distribution and impact of health resource availability in China
Authors: Prescott Nicholas , Jamison Dean T. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSince 1949, China's progress in mortality reduction has far exceeded that experienced by other developing countries with comparable levels of national income. This achievement has taken place in the context of a development strategy oriented, in part, to the elimination of the worst aspects of poverty. Using recent cross‐section data, this paper provides a statistical assessment of the extent to which health resources are evenly distributed in contemporary China, and the degree to which improvements in health resource availability may account for the observed variation in mortality levels. Contrary to expectation, the analysis finds that substantial inequalities do remain in the distribution of health resources, and that these differentials are principally associated with levels of urban income and urbanization. However, these differences in health resource availability do not appear to explain the significant variation which also persists in mortality levels, a finding consistent with the results of similar analyses for developed countries.
A delicate balance: TGF‐β and the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Stover Daniel G. , Bierie Brian , Moses Harold L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe activated form of TGF‐β is a known regulator of epithelial cell autonomous tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Recent studies have also indicated that TGF‐β mediates interactions between cancer cells and their local tumor microenvironment. Specifically, the loss of TGF‐β signaling in stromal components including fibroblasts and T‐cells can result in an “activated” microenvironment that supports and even initiates transformation of adjacent epithelial cells. TGF‐β signaling in cancer can be regulated through mechanisms involving ligand activation and expression of essential components within the pathway including the receptors and downstream effectors. TGF‐β signaling in the tumor microenvironment significantly impacts carcinoma initiation, progression, and metastasis via epithelial cell autonomous and interdependent stromal–epithelial interactions in vivo. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 851–861, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anti‐Thy‐1 antibody‐induced neurite outgrowth in cultured dorsal root ganglionic neurons is mediated by the c‐Src‐MEK signaling pathway
Authors: Yang Shih‐Hung , Chen Yi‐Jen , Tung Po‐Yuan , Lai Wei‐Ling , Chen Ying , Jeng Chung‐Jiuan , Wang Seu‐Mei 
Published: May 2007

AbstractOur previous study has shown that anti‐Thy‐1 antibody promotes neurite outgrowth of cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a protein kinase A (PKA)‐dependent manner. The present study provided another intracellular signaling pathway for the neurotrophic effect of anti‐Thy‐1 antibody. In DMSO‐treated control cells, Thy‐1 was enriched in microdomain‐like structures on cell membranes by immunofluorescence observation. Treatment of DRG neurons with anti‐Thy‐1 antibody not only stimulated neurite outgrowth, but also increased the branching complexity of the neurites in both small and large neurons. We have previously shown that anti‐Thy‐1 antibody causes a time‐dependent activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MEK) and of cyclic AMP response‐element binding protein (CREB). Here, anti‐Thy‐1 antibody elicited a transient activation of c‐Src kinase, and the activation of c‐Src kinase appeared occurring upstream of the activation of MEK and CREB, since pretreatment with the Src kinase inhibitor, PP2, effectively abolished the anti‐Thy‐1 antibody‐induced neurite outgrowth and the phosphorylation of MEK and CREB. CREB phosphorylation might result in upregulation of certain neurite outgrowth‐related proteins. We therefore conclude that anti‐Thy‐1 antibody activates the c‐Src kinase‐MEK‐CREB cascade and overcomes the inhibitory effect of Thy‐1 on neurite outgrowth in DRG neurons. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 67–77, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endothelin‐1 inhibits human osteoblastic cell differentiation: Influence of connexin‐43 expression level
Authors: Niger Corinne , Geneau Graziello , Fiorini Céline , Defamie Norah , Pointis Georges , Mesnil Marc , Cronier Laurent 
Published: May 2007

AbstractGap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) permits coordinated cellular activities during developmental and differentiation processes. In bone, the involvement of the gap junctional protein, connexin‐43 (Cx43), and of GJIC in osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of the extracellular matrix has been previously demonstrated. Former studies have shown that endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) was also implicated in the control of osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation. However, depending on the cellular models, ET‐1 has been shown to decrease or increase osteoblastic differentiation markers. As no data were available on the ET‐1 effect on GJIC and Cx43 expression in osteoblastic cells, we analyzed here the possible crosstalk between Cx43 and ET‐1 in a human cell line (hFOB 1.19) which displays different Cx43 expression levels and phenotypes when cultured at 33.5 or 39°C. The presence of ET‐1 (10−8 M) for 2–12 days of culture did not significantly alter the proliferation rate of hFOB cells whatever their phenotype. In contrast, ET‐1 induced a differential inhibitory effect on the biochemical differentiation markers (alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin expression) with a significant reduction in the differentiated phenotype at 39°C, whereas no effects were measured at 33.5°C. The inhibitory effect was linked to a decrease of GJIC and of Cx43 both at transcriptional and protein levels. Altogether, our results suggest that Cx43 expression level could influence the action of ET‐1 on human osteoblastic cell differentiation. Our data also indicate that the gap junctional protein could play a pivotal role in the response of osteoblasts to mitogenic factors implicated in bone pathologies. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 110–122, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Colocalization of ferroportin‐1 with hephaestin on the basolateral membrane of human intestinal absorptive cells
Authors: Han Okhee , Kim Eun‐Young 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAn iron exporter ferroportin‐1 (FPN‐1) and a multi‐copper oxidase hephaestin (Heph) are predicted to be expressed on the basolateral membrane of the enterocyte and involved in the processes of iron export across the basolateral membrane of the enterocyte. However, it is not clear where these proteins are exactly located in the intestinal absorptive cell. We examined cellular localization of FPN‐1 and Heph in the intestinal absorptive cells using the fully differentiated Caco‐2 cells. Confocal microscope study showed that FPN‐1 and Heph are located on the basolateral membrane and they are associated with the transferrin receptor (TfR) in fully differentiated Caco‐2 cells grown on microporous membrane inserts. However, Heph protein was not detected in the crypt cell‐like proliferating Caco‐2 cell. In stably transfected human intestinal absorptive cells expressing human FPN‐1 modified by the addition of GFP at the C‐terminus, we show that FPN‐1‐GFP is located on the basolateral membrane and it is associated with Heph suggesting the possibility that FPN‐1 might associate and interact with Heph in the process of iron exit across the basolateral membrane of intestinal absorptive cell. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 1000–1010, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The contribution of a spinal mechanism in developing peripheral myoclonus: A case report
Authors: Shin Hae‐Won , Ye Byung S. , Kim Jinkwon , Kim Seung M. , Sohn Young H. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractFocal myoclonus of peripheral origin, i.e., peripheral myoclonus (PM), is a rare disorder. Although PM always accompanies a lesion in the peripheral nerve, supplying the affected muscles, its mechanism remains unclear. Here we present a patient with focal myoclonus of the thigh muscles following a traumatic lesion in the femoral nerve. Lumbar spinal anesthesia, as well as local anesthetic block of the femoral nerve, completely abolished the patient's myoclonus temporarily. This movement was remarkably diminished after a surgical exploration of the wound with the removal of fibrous tissue beneath the scar and liberation of the femoral nerve. This case suggests the contribution of a spinal relay mechanism in the development of PM, in addition to the contribution of a nerve lesion. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Labial dystonia after facial and trigeminal neuropathy controlled with a maxillary splint
Authors: de Entrambasaguas Manuel , Plaza‐Costa Andrés , Casal Joaquín , Parra Silvia 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA 27‐year‐old woman with bruxism suffered a spider bite (Loxosceles rufescens) on the left cheek that caused severe local cellulitis, facial palsy, and painful hyperesthesia over the two lower trigeminal nerve divisions. Facial but not trigeminal neuropathy improved, and she developed a labial dystonia that only corrected while pressing the right medial incisor. A specially designed maxillary splint that continuously pressed it suppressed both dystonia and related spontaneous firing of motor unit potentials in electromyography. Overstimulation of the contralateral trigeminal territory possibly compensated for the altered left trigeminal nerve input, balanced proprioceptive influences at the central inhibitory–excitatory circuitry, and controlled dystonia. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Axonal excitability properties in hemifacial spasm
Authors: Krishnan Arun V. , Hayes Michael , Kiernan Matthew C. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractHemifacial spasm (HFS) is characterized by involuntary, irregular contractions of muscles innervated by the facial nerve. Whether the facial nerve has a relative predisposition for ectopic activity has not been clarified. Nerve excitability techniques, which provide information about membrane potential and axonal ion channel function, were initially measured in 12 control subjects looking for biophysical differences that may predispose the facial nerve to generate ectopic activity. In a second series of studies, facial nerve excitability was assessed in nine HFS patients. In both series, stimulus–response behavior, threshold electrotonus, a current threshold relationship, and the recovery of excitability following supramaximal stimulation were recorded following stimulation of the facial nerve. When compared to normative data from nerves in the upper and lower limbs, there was a relative “fanning‐in” of threshold electrotonus, reduced superexcitability, and increased subexcitability in facial nerve studies from control subjects (P < 0.05), consistent with relative axonal depolarization. These findings may underlie the propensity for the facial nerve to develop ectopic impulse activity in motor axons. In the HFS patient study, there were no significant differences in distal facial nerve excitability properties from the affected side in HFS patients when compared either to the unaffected side or to normative facial nerve data. It is concluded that the impulse generator underlying HFS must consequently be sited more proximally and does not cause a generalized disturbance of motor axon excitability. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Abnormal low frequency drive in myoclonus‐dystonia patients correlates with presence of dystonia
Authors: Foncke Elisabeth M. J. , Bour Lo J. , van der Meer Johan N. , Koelman Johannes H. T. M. , Tijssen Marina A. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe pathophysiology of Myoclonus‐Dystonia (M‐D), an autosomal dominantly inherited movement disorder is largely unknown. In different forms of dystonia abnormal intermuscular coherence is present. The objective of this stufy was to investigate whether the myoclonic and dystonic features are the result of an abnormal common drive to the muscles in M‐D. Coherence analysis was performed in 20 DYT11 mutation carriers (MC) and 13 healthy controls during resting condition and during weak isometric contraction of the arm and neck. The EMG‐EMG coherence analysis showed significantly increased intermuscular 3 to 10 Hz coherence in 4 DYT11 MC with clinical pronounced (mobile and static) dystonia. This coherence was not present in DYT11 MC with mild (static) dystonia and/or predominating myoclonus. The EEG‐EMG analysis showed significant 15 to 30 Hz coherence during weak isometric contraction of the arm in five healthy controls, but in none of the DYT11 MC. The intermuscular coherence in the low frequency band in DYT11 MC with predominant dystonia is concordant with the previously described coherence in dystonia and suggests that the pathophysiology of M‐D shares common pathophysiological features with dystonia. The absence of 15 to 30 Hz EEG‐EMG coherence in DYT11 MC may reflect abnormal motor activation caused by an altered cortical drive because of the basal ganglia dysfunction. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Effect of cranberry juice on eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients treated with antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor
Authors: Shmuely Haim , Yahav Jacob , Samra Zmira , Chodick Gabriel , Koren Rivka , Niv Yaron , Ofek Itzhak 
Published: May 2007

AbstractCranberry constituents are known to exert anti‐adhesion activity on H. pylori in vitro. To determine their possible additive effect to triple therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (OAC), a double‐blind randomized clinical study was carried out. One‐hundred‐seventy‐seven patients with H. pylori infection treated with OAC for 1 week were randomly allocated to receive 250 mL of either cranberry juice (cranberry‐OAC, n = 89) or placebo beverage (placebo‐OAC, n = 88) twice daily and only cranberry juice or placebo beverage for the next 2 weeks. Treatment outcome was determined with the 13C urea breath test (13C‐UBT). An additional control group consisted of patients referred to the same center during the same period who were treated with OAC alone for 1 week (non‐placebo‐OAC, n = 712). Overall, the rate of H. pylori eradication (13C‐UBT < 3.5) was 82.5%, with no statistically significant difference among the three arms. Analysis by gender revealed that for female subjects, the eradication rate was higher in the cranberry‐OAC arm (n = 42, 95.2%) than in the placebo‐OAC arm (n = 53, 86.8%) and significantly higher than in the non‐placebo‐OAC group (n = 425, 80%; p = 0.03). For males, the rate was nonsignificantly lower in the cranberry‐OAC arm (n = 35, 73.9%) than in the placebo‐OAC arm (n = 45, 80.0%) and non‐placebo‐OAC group (n = 287, 85.0%). These results suggest that the addition of cranberry to triple therapy improves the rate of H. pylori eradication in females.
The costs of alternative air base stocking and requisitioning policies
Authors: Petersen J. W. , Geisler M. A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis is a mathematical and statistical study of the supply operations at a typical Air Force base. The objective of the study is to determine the effect upon support cost of different logistics policies, involving changes in safety level and requisitioning frequency. This effect is found to vary according to the price and demand rate of the item being considered, and the study indicates that large monetary savings can be realized by adopting different stocking and requiritioning policies dependent upon item demand and price. Thus, the study indicates that it is more economical to have items costing under $10 requisitioned from the depot every three or six months, rather than every month, even if obsolescence charges on base stocks are as high as 50 per cent per year. The study has also indicated that standby stockage of cheap (under $10), low demand items is desirable because the cost of such stockage tends to be less than the costs incurred by premium supply action when a demand for such an item ariees.
The Hungarian method for the assignment problem
Authors: Kuhn H. W. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAssuming that numerical scores are available for the performance of each of n persons on each of n jobs, the “assignment problem” is the quest for an assignment of persons to jobs so that the sum of the n scores so obtained is as large as possible. It is shown that ideas latent in the work of two Hungarian mathematicians may be exploited to yield a new method of solving this problem.
A formula for decisions on retention or disposal of excess stock
Authors: Simpson J. R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe author proposes a formula for use in deciding whether to retain or sell to the highest bidder large stocks of items of material that appear to exceed demands in the immediate future. Estimates of expected demand, storage cost, percentage return from disposal sales, probability of obsolescence and interest charges are the basic factors employed in the formula. Given these data for an item, and that certain assumptions used in the derivation of the formula are satisfied, one may determine the optimum level of stock to retain.
A method for calculating optimal inventory levels and delivery time
Authors: Whitin T. M. , Youngs J. W. T. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe following note is concerned with establishing an inventory control policy for items with extremely low demand. In the event that the expected savings in ordering cost that would result from buying in lots is less than the concomitant increase in carrying charges, it is uneconomical to use a lot size formula. In this event, it is appropriate to use a system consisting of placing orders as units are demanded.
Computation of maximal flows in networks
Authors: Fulkerson D. R. , Dantzig G. B. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA simple computational method, based on the simplex algorithm of linear programming, is proposed for the following problem:“Consider a network (e.g., rail, road, communication network) connecting two given points by way of a number of intermediate points, where each link of the network has a number assigned to it representing its capacity. Assuming a steady state condition, find a maximal flow from one given point to the other.”
Some studies on shuttle and assembly‐line processes
Authors: Pollack M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTwo types of flow processes are described and formulated, a shuttle and an assembly‐line process. Variations ofeachare studied for the general N‐stage condition. The shuttle process is considered for multiple shuttles per stage and the combination of multiple shuttles per stage with storage capacity at the nodes. The assembly‐line process is considered for multiple machines per stage, both with and without setup times included. The mathematical method of recurrence relations is used to formulate these relations for the various delay and arrival times of the items in each process. It is demonstrated that certain types of shuttle and assembly‐line processes are completely analogous. All known solutions of one process may then be applied to the other.
An algorithm for solving the transportation problem when the shipping cost over each route is convex
Authors: Beale E. M. L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAn algorithm is presented for solving the transportation problem when the shipping cost over each route is a convex function of the number of units shipped by this route.The algorithm can also be used when the shipping costs are linear, whether or not there are capacity restrictions on the number of units that may be shipped over each route. But it does not skem to be any better than other standard methods for these problems, such as those given by Ford and Fulkerson [6], [7].
A note on a paper by houston and huffman
Authors: Biles W. E. , Schmidt J. W. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper calls attention to an experimental design which enhances the efficiency of the technique described by B. F. Houston and R. A. Huffman [3]. This alternative design is a modification of the simplex lattice design developed by Scheffé [6] for the mixture problem. While not possessing the optimal statistical properties of the central composite design proposed in [3], such as minimum bias and minimum variance, this modified design is optimum with respect to the number of design points employed; hence, it is the minimum cost design. Further, the design proposed in this note is excellent for use in multiple‐block experimentation, which is very often required with constrained systems.
A Bayesian approach to demand estimation and inventory provisioning
Authors: Brown George F. , Rogers Warren F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis article addresses the problem of explicitly taking into account uncertainty about the demand for spare parts in making inventory procurement and stockage decisions. The model described provides for a unified treatment of the closely related problems of statistical estimation of demand and resource allocation within the inventory system, and leads to an easily implemented, efficient method of determining requirements for spare parts both in the early provisioning phase and in later periods of operations when demand data have accumulatedAnalyses of the model's theoretical foundations and of sample outcomes of the model based upon data on parts intended for use in the F‐14 lead to conclusions of great importance to both support planners and operations plannersFinally, of particular significance is the ability afforded the planner by this model to quantify the impact on inventory system costs of varying levels of system reliability or management uncertainty as to projected system performance. This will provide an economic basis for analysis of such alternatives as early deployment, operational testing, and equipment redesign.
Some simple scheduling algorithms
Authors: Horn W. A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper considers situations in which jobs require only one operation on a single machine, or on one of a set of identical machines. Penalty‐free interruption is allowed. Some simple algorithms are given for finding optimum schedules to minimize maximum lateness and total delay, for the single‐machine case, and maximum lateness for a restricted multi‐machine case. A simple flow problem formulation permits minimizing maximum lateness for the more general multimachine case.
Intersection cuts from outer polars of truncated cubes
Authors: Balas Egon , Zoltners Andris 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA truncated cube, by which we mean the convex hull of a subset of the vertices of the unit cube, has an outer polar whose facets are a subset of the facets of the octahedron (the outer polar of the cube). We discuss procedures for generating valid truncations of the cube from the problem constraints, in the case of 0‐1 integer programs, and for intersecting the halflines defined by the constraints that are tight for a basic solution to the linear program, with successive facets of the outer polars of these truncated cubes. The cutting planes obtained in this way are compared to other cuts.
Developing an optimal repair‐replacement strategy for pallets
Authors: Von Lanzenauer Christoph Haehling , Wright Don D. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA Markovian model is presented for the development of an optimal repair‐replacement policy for the situation requiring a decision only at failure. The problem is characterized by the presence of growth which is integrated into the formulation. The model is applied to an actual problem, with data analysis and results given. Substantial savings are indicated.
Approximating partial inverse moments for certain normal variates with an application to decaying inventories
Authors: Nahmias Steven , Wang Shan Shan 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper considers the problem of computing E(X−n; X > t) when X is a normal variate having the property that the mean is substantially larger than the standard deviation. An approximation is developed which is determined from the mean, standard deviation, and the cumulative standard normal distribution. Computations comparing the approximate moments with the actual are reported for various values of the relevant parameters. These results are applied to the problem of computing the expected number of shortages in a lead‐time for a single product which exhibits continuous exponential decay.