bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Timing and origin of the South Atlantic pre-salt sag basins and their capping evaporites
Authors: Karner G. D. , Gambôa L. A. P. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Continental extension between West Africa and Brazil was responsible, directly or indirectly, for the development of the pre-salt sag basins and the evaporites of the South Atlantic salt basin. Subsidence mechanisms to explain these basins and their capping evaporites include: (1) deposition on Barremian-aged ocean crust; (2) rift propagation from east to west across the West African margin such that post-rift subsidence commenced in the east while rifting was still occurring to the west; and (3) depth-dependent lithospheric extension. Predicted thermal subsidence of oceanic crust or rifted lithosphere is inadequate to generate sufficient accommodation for the evaporites. Within the Santos Basin, extensional faulting within the pre-salt sag basin occurs up to the base of the evaporites; extension clearly continued to the late Aptian. Time-equivalent onshore and offshore pre-salt sections across the West African margin, and the inability to generate sufficient subsidence if the sections are considered to be post-rift, disqualifies east to west rift propagation as a mechanism for the observed pre-salt basins and evaporites. Barremian–Aptian depth-dependent extension best explains the general rift and post-rift development of the West African and Brazilian margins and the paucity of syn-rift faulting, the strain balance being achieved by the lateral emplacement of lower crust and continental mantle out from under the adjacent continental lithosphere. Regional exposure and truncation of the top pre-salt sag section attests to a climate-induced lake level drawdown during the mid Aptian, and offers a simple mechanism to generate the shallow water environments for evaporite precipitation across the West African–Brazilian rift system. In the subsequent marine transgression the Gabon and Angolan salts and the evaporites within the conjugate Camamu-Almada, Jequitinhonha and Cumuruxatiba basins were deposited. Santos and Campos basin evaporites are younger. The barrier to southern Atlantic marine incursions and the possible delay in Santos and Campos evaporite deposition relates to the magmatic constructions of a proto-Walvis Ridge and the long-lived anomalous topography of the southeastern Brazilian highlands; Campos and Santos basin extension was necessarily superimposed on a broad, high-relief plateau.
Basin analysis of the Burdigalian and Early Langhian successions, Kirkuk Basin, Iraq
Authors: Al-Juboury A. I. , Al-Tarif A. M. , Al-Eisa M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Two depositional basins were present in the Kirkuk Basin of northeastern Iraq during the Burdigalian and Early Langhian ages (Late Lower–Early Middle Miocene) and have been studied at several oilfields. Both basins display shallowing upward sequences composed of carbonate and evaporite sediments. Evaporites form part of the sedimentary sequences that begin with normal open marine and shelf deposits and pass upward into thickly bedded and massive- nodular anhydrite that alternates with thinly bedded limestone (dolomitized with anhydrite nodules), and that is unconformably overlaid by massive bedded lagoonal limestone. The first basin of (Burdigalian age) is represented by the Serikagni, Euphrates and Dhiban formations, whereas the second of Langhian age includes the Jeribi and Fat'ha formations. The early part of the Burdigalian age is characterized by a marine transgression that covered a large part of the region, resulting in a broad spectrum of marine environments ranging from the open marine in the uppermost part of the gentle slope environments, evidenced in the Serikagni Formation, to the shallower environments of fore- and back-shoals of the Euphrates Formation. Regression took place at the end of this period and resulted in the deposition of the Dhiban Anhydrite Formation. The basin of deposition of the Dhiban Formation is an inherited basin from the older Serikagni and Euphrates basins. This is reflected in an inhomogeneous distribution, both of type and thickness, of evaporites. The Early Langhian age of the Kirkuk Basin is also characterized by a shallowing-upward sequence begun by sediments rich in planktonic foraminifera for the lower part of the Jeribe Formation and then shallow water and lagoonal carbonates for the upper part of the Jeribe Formation. The environment passed upwards into the evaporitic sequence of the Fat'ha Formation.
Experimental evaporation of superficial brines from continental playa–lake systems located in Central Ebro Basin (northeast Spain)
Authors: Lopez P. L. , Mandado J. M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract

Solutions coming from two natural playa–lake saline systems located in Central Ebro Basin (NE Spain) have been evaporated in the laboratory, in order to obtain the precise path of chemical evolution followed until high concentration stages. The lakes belong to two chemically different neutral brines: La Playa (with Na–Cl solutions) and La Salada (Na–Mg–SO
4
type). Experimental evaporation has been carried out at 25 °C until total dryness, and samples collected along the experiment have been analysed for their major components. Application of geochemical modelling techniques allowed calculation of the saturation indexes for the main saline minerals using the PHRQPITZ program, which incorporates Pitzer's model. The mineral precipitation sequence for La Playa brines following the saturation data is: gypsum, halite, thenardite and epsomite. Brines reach saturation almost simultaneously with respect to both halite and thenardite, but halite precipitates more massively and hence the solid samples collected after total desiccation were composed mainly of halite. In the case of La Salada brines, the order of precipitation is somewhat different and is as follows: gypsum, mirabilite, thenardite and bloedite. Solid samples here consisted of bloedite and thenardite, this latter formed after subaquatic dehydration of mirabilite when brines attained a peritectic point. The evolution of saturation indexes is in good agreement with mineral determinations carried out on the solid experimental samples, and it allowed us to interpret the evaporative evolution of both La Playa and La Salada brines.
Retrieving the Past for the Future? Indonesia and the New Order Legacy
Authors: Hadiz Vedi R. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractDramatic changes occurring in Indonesia since the fall of Soeharto may suggest that a complete break has taken place with the system of power and social order that was nurtured under his rule. Indeed, Indonesia has entered a new phase in its history. However, the legacy of the New Order will continue to greatly influence Indonesia's post-Soeharto social and political trajectory. One of the major features of the New Order was a system of power which prohibited the emergence of effective lower-class based movements and organizations and one in which elites were insulated from lower-class pressure. This is very important to our understanding of the future course of democratic struggles in Indonesia.
Augustine's Doctrine of Witness and Attitudes toward the Jews in the Eleventh Century
Authors: Frassetto Michael 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThroughout the Middle Ages Augustine of Hippo's doctrine of witness shaped theological attitudes toward the Jews and moderated Christian behavior toward them. Despite the importance of this doctrine, Christian authors sometimes turned away from the doctrine to create a new theological image of the Jew that justified contemporary violence against them. The writings of Ademar of Chabannes (989-1034) demonstrate the temporary abandonment of Augustine's doctrine during a time of heightened apocalypticism and attacks on the Jews. Ademar's writings thus reveal an important moment in the history of relations between Christians and Jews in the Middle Ages.
Downregulation of COP9 signalosome subunits differentially affects the CSN complex and target protein stability
Authors: Peth Andreas , Berndt Christoph , Henke Wolfgang , Dubiel Wolfgang 
Published: December 2007

Abstract

Background
The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a conserved protein complex in eukaryotic cells consisting of eight subunits (CSN1 to CSN8). Recent data demonstrate that the CSN is a regulator of the ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome system (UPS). It controls substrate ubiquitination by cullin-RING Ub ligases (CRLs), a process that determines substrate specificity of the UPS. The intrinsic deneddylating activity localized to CSN5 as well as the associated kinases and deubiquitinating activity are involved in the regulatory function of CSN. The exact mechanisms are unclear. In this study we knocked down CSN1 (siCSN1), CSN3 (siCSN3) and CSN5 (siCSN5) by specific siRNA oligos permanently expressed in HeLa cells. The analysis and comparison of siRNA cells revealed differential impact of individual subunits on CSN structure and function.

Results
Permanent knockdowns of CSN1 and CSN3 led to a reduction of the subunits to approximately 40%, which is accompanied by a proportional decrease of the CSN holocomplex. In contrast, downregulation of CSN5 in HeLa cells reduced the CSN5 protein below 20% without significant effects on the remaining complex. The CRL component Rbx1 was characterized by accelerated proteolysis in siCSN1 and siCSN3 and also in siCSN5 cells, however, with lesser extent. Immunoprecipitated CSN complex from siCSN5 cells was less effective in phosphorylating c-Jun and p27. Accelerated degradation of c-Jun in siCSN5 cells was rescued by overexpression of CSN5 as well as of the deneddylation mutant CSN5D151N. Overexpression of CSN5 cannot rescue c-Jun destabilization in siCSN1.

Conclusion
There exists a coordinated downregulation of CSN subunits in the CSN1 and CSN3 knockdowns. The underlying regulatory mechanisms are obscure. CSN5 seems to possess a specific status in HeLa cells. Its reduction is not connected with coordinated downregulation of other subunits. CSN knockdowns confirm that the stabilization of the CRL component Rbx1 is a major CSN function. In addition, downregulation of CSN subunits influences the stability of important cellular regulators such as c-Jun and p27.
Identification of chromosomal alpha-proteobacterial small RNAs by comparative genome analysis and detection in Sinorhizobium meliloti strain 1021
Authors: Ulvé Vincent M , Sevin Emeric W , Chéron Angélique , Barloy-Hubler Frédérique 
Published: December 2007

Abstract

Background
Small untranslated RNAs (sRNAs) seem to be far more abundant than previously believed. The number of sRNAs confirmed in E. coli through various approaches is above 70, with several hundred more sRNA candidate genes under biological validation. Although the total number of sRNAs in any one species is still unclear, their importance in cellular processes has been established. However, unlike protein genes, no simple feature enables the prediction of the location of the corresponding sequences in genomes. Several approaches, of variable usefulness, to identify genomic sequences encoding sRNA have been described in recent years.

Results
We used a combination of in silico comparative genomics and microarray-based transcriptional profiling. This approach to screening identified ~60 intergenic regions conserved between Sinorhizobium meliloti and related members of the alpha-proteobacteria sub-group 2. Of these, 14 appear to correspond to novel non-coding sRNAs and three are putative peptide-coding or 5' UTR RNAs (ORF smaller than 100 aa). The expression of each of these new small RNA genes was confirmed by Northern blot hybridization.

Conclusion
Small non coding RNA (sra) genes can be found in the intergenic regions of alpha-proteobacteria genomes. Some of these sra genes are only present in S. meliloti, sometimes in genomic islands; homologues of others are present in related genomes including those of the pathogens Brucella and Agrobacterium.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase, Nos2, does not mediate optic neuropathy and retinopathy in the DBA/2J glaucoma model
Authors: Libby Richard T , Howell Gareth R , Pang Iok-Hou , Savinova Olga V , Mehalow Adrienne K , Barter Joseph W , Smith Richard S , Clark Abbot F , John Simon WM 
Published: December 2007

Abstract

Background
Nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) contributes to neural death in some settings, but its role in glaucoma remains controversial. NOS2 is implicated in retinal ganglion cell degeneration in a rat glaucoma model in which intraocular pressure (IOP) is experimentally elevated by blood vessel cauterization, but not in a rat glaucoma model where IOP was elevated by injection of hypertonic saline. To test the importance of NOS2 for an inherited glaucoma, in this study we both genetically and pharmacologically decreased NOS2 activity in the DBA/2J mouse glaucoma model.

Methods
The expression of Nos2 in the optic nerve head was analyzed at both the RNA and protein levels at different stages of disease pathogenesis. To test the involvement of Nos2 in glaucomatous neurodegeneration, a null allele of Nos2 was backcrossed into DBA/2J mice and the incidence and severity of glaucoma was assessed in mice of each Nos2 genotype. Additionally, DBA/2J mice were treated with the NOS2 inhibitor aminoguanidine and the disease compared to untreated mice.

Results
Optic nerve head Nos2 RNA levels varied and increased during moderate but decreased at early and severe stages of disease. Despite the presence of a few NOS2 positive cells in the optic nerve head, NOS2 protein was not substantially increased during the glaucoma. Genetic deficiency of Nos2 or aminoguanidine treatment did not alter the IOP profile of DBA/2J mice. Additionally, neither Nos2 deficiency nor aminoguanidine had any detectable affect on the glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

Conclusion
Glaucomatous neurodegeneration in DBA/2J mice does not require NOS2 activity. Further experiments involving various models are needed to assess the general importance of Nos2 in glaucoma.
Meat, vegetables and genetic polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal carcinomas and adenomas
Authors: Skjelbred Camilla F , Sæbø Mona , Hjartåker Anette , Grotmol Tom , Hansteen Inger-Lise , Tveit Kjell M , Hoff Geir , Kure Elin H 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe risk of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is mainly associated with lifestyle factors, particularly dietary factors. Diets high in red meat and fat and low in fruit and vegetables are associated with an increased risk of CRC. The dietary effects may be modulated by genetic polymorphisms in biotransformation genes. In this study we aimed to evaluate the role of dietary factors in combination with genetic factors in the different stages of colorectal carcinogenesis in a Norwegian population.MethodsWe used a case-control study design (234 carcinomas, 229 high-risk adenomas, 762 low-risk adenomas and 400 controls) to test the association between dietary factors (meat versus fruit, berries and vegetables) genetic polymorphisms in biotransformation genes (GSTM1,GSTT1,GSTP1Ile105Val,EPHX1Tyr113His andEPHX1His139Arg), and risk of colorectal carcinomas and adenomas. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated by binary logistic regression.ResultsA higher ratio of total meat to total fruit, berry and vegetable intake was positively associated with both high and low-risk adenomas, with approximately twice the higher risk in the 2ndquartile compared to the lowest quartile. For the high-risk adenomas this positive association was more obvious for the common allele (Tyr allele) of theEPHX1codon 113 polymorphism. An association was also observed for theEPHX1codon 113 polymorphism in the low-risk adenomas, although not as obvious.ConclusionAlthough, the majority of the comparison groups are not significant, our results suggest an increased risk of colorectal adenomas in individuals for some of the higher ratios of total meat to total fruit, berry and vegetable intake. In addition the study supports the notion that the biotransformation enzymes GSTM1, GSTP1 and EPHX1 may modify the effect of dietary factors on the risk of developing colorectal carcinoma and adenoma.
Human resources requirements for highly active antiretroviral therapy scale-up in Malawi
Authors: Muula Adamson S , Chipeta John , Siziya Seter , Rudatsikira Emmanuel , Mataya Ronald H , Kataika Edward 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Background
Twelve percent of the adult population in Malawi is estimated to be HIV infected. About 15% to 20% of these are in need of life saving antiretroviral therapy. The country has a public sector-led antiretroviral treatment program both in the private and public health sectors. Estimation of the clinical human resources needs is required to inform the planning and distribution of health professionals.

Methods
We obtained data on the total number of patients on highly active antiretroviral treatment program from the Malawi National AIDS Commission and Ministry of Health, HIV Unit, and the number of registered health professionals from the relevant regulatory bodies. We also estimated number of health professionals required to deliver highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) using estimates of human resources from the literature. We also obtained data from the Ministry of Health on the actual number of nurses, clinical officers and medical doctors providing services in HAART clinics. We then made comparisons between the human resources situation on the ground and the theoretical estimates based on explicit assumptions.

Results
There were 610 clinicians (396 clinical officers and 214 physicians), 44 pharmacists and 98 pharmacy technicians and 7264 nurses registered in Malawi. At the end of March 2007 there were 85 clinical officer and physician full-time equivalents (FTEs) and 91 nurse FTEs providing HAART to 95,674 patients. The human resources used for the delivery of HAART comprised 13.9% of all clinical officers and physicians and 1.1% of all nurses. Using the estimated numbers of health professionals from the literature required 15.7–31.4% of all physicians and clinical officers, 66.5–199.3% of all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and 2.6 to 9.2% of all the available nurses. To provide HAART to all the 170,000 HIV infected persons estimated as clinically eligible would require 4.7% to 16.4% of the total number of nurses, 118.1% to 354.2% of all the available pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and 27.9% to 55.7% of all clinical officers and physicians. The actual number of health professionals working in the delivery of HAART in the clinics represented 44% to 88.8% (for clinical officers and medical doctors) and 13.6% and 47.6% (for nurses), of what would have been needed based on the literature estimation.

Conclusion
HAART provision is a labour intensive exercise. Although these data are insufficient to determine whether HAART scale-up has resulted in the weakening or strengthening of the health systems in Malawi, the human resources requirements for HAART scale-up are significant. Malawi is using far less human resources than would be estimated based on the literature from other settings. The impact of HAART scale-up on the overall delivery of health services should be assessed.
Hypoxia transcriptionally induces macrophage-inflammatory protein-3α/CCL-20 in primary human mononuclear phagocytes through nuclear factor (NF)-κB
Authors: Battaglia Florinda , Delfino Silvana , Merello Elisa , Puppo Maura , Piva Roberto , Varesio Luigi , Bosco Maria Carla 
Published: December 2007

AbstractHypoxia, a condition of low oxygen tension, occurring in many pathological processes, modifies the mononuclear phagocyte transcriptional profile. Here, we demonstrate hypoxic up-regulation of the CCL20 chemokine in primary human monocytes (Mn) and macrophages. mRNA induction was paralleled by protein secretion and dependent on gene transcription activation. Functional studies of the CCL20 promoter using a series of 5′-deleted and mutated reporter constructs demonstrated the requirement for the NF-κB-binding site located at position –92/–82 for gene transactivation by hypoxia, as 1) transcription was abrogated by a 3-bp mutation of the NF-κB motif; 2) three copies of the wild-type NF-κB-binding site conferred hypoxia responsiveness to a minimal heterologous promoter; and 3) hypoxia increased specific NF-κB binding to this sequence. Furthermore, we provide evidence of the specific role of a single NF-κB family member, p50, in mediating CCL20 gene transcription in hypoxic Mn. p50 homodimers were the only detectable NF-κB complexes binding the cognate κB site on the CCL20 promoter upon hypoxia exposure, and NF-κBp50 knockdown by lentiviral-mediated short hairpin RNA interference resulted in complete binding inhibition. NF-κBp50 overexpression in transient cotransfection studies promoted CCL20 gene transactivation, which was abrogated by mutation of the –92/–82 κB site. Moreover, nuclear expression of the other NF-κB family members was inhibited in hypoxic Mn. In conclusion, this study characterizes a previously unrecognized role for hypoxia as a transcriptional inducer of CCL20 in human mononuclear phagocytes and highlights the importance of the NF-κB pathway in mediating this response, with potential implications for inflammatory disease and cancer pathogenesis.
Constitutive activation of SHP2 protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibits ICSBP-induced transcription of the gene encoding gp91PHOX during myeloid differentiation
Authors: Zhu Chunliu , Lindsey Stephan , Konieczna Iwonna , Eklund Elizabeth A 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe IFN consensus sequence-binding protein (ICSBP; also referred to as IFN regulatory factor 8) is a transcription factor which is expressed in myeloid and B cells. In previous studies, we found that ICSBP activated transcription of the gene encoding gp91PHOX (the CYBB gene), a rate-limiting component of the phagocyte respiratory burst oxidase expressed exclusively after the promyelocyte stage of myelopoiesis. Previously, we found that CYBB transcription was dependent on phosphorylation of specific ICSBP tyrosine residues. Since ICSBP is tyrosine-phosphorylated during myelopoiesis, this provided a mechanism of differentiation stage-specific CYBB transcription. In the current studies, we found that ICSBP was a substrate for Src homology-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2-PTP) in immature myeloid cells but not during myelopoiesis. Therefore, SHP2-PTP inhibited CYBB transcription and respiratory burst activity in myeloid progenitor cells by dephosphorylating ICSBP. In contrast, we found that ICSBP was a substrate for a leukemia-associated, constitutively active mutant form of SHP2, described previously, throughout differentiation. Consistent with this, constitutive SHP2 activation blocked ICSBP-induced CYBB transcription and respiratory burst activity in differentiating myeloid cells. ICSBP-deficiency and constitutive SHP2 activation have been described in human myelodysplastic syndromes. As these two abnormalities may coexist, our results identified a potential molecular mechanism for impaired phagocyte function in this malignant myeloid disease.