bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrated Methodology for Evaluation of Energy Performance of Building Enclosures: Part II — Examples of Application to Residential Walls
Authors: Thorsell Thomas , Bomberg Mark 
Published: July 2008

It is often forgotten that the building sector consumes more energy than the transportation sector. To meet expectations and needs of our society, one must seek significant improvements in the efficient use of energy for this purpose. In many instances our normal approach based on conventional testing methods is not comprehensive enough. For instance, the thermal performance of a wall is defined by tests performed on dry materials, without considering the air and moisture movements. The energy performance of materials and building assemblies is affected by moisture and air flows. The authors believe that a more precise means of evaluation of the thermal performance of assemblies must be used to guide us in developing construction practices that lead to better performance. This should include consideration of air and moisture transfer under field conditions. The previous part of this study describes the limitations of conventional thermal resistance testing using calibrated hot boxes and explains that the effect of climate on thermal performance must also involve use of computer models that are capable of simultaneous calculations of heat, air, and moisture (HAM) transfer. In this study, the integrated testing and modeling methodology proposed is applied to a few selected residential walls to highlight the magnitude of air flow effects compared with steady-state thermal resistance without air flows. Effectively, to characterize energy performance of the building enclosure, one must use an integrated methodology that uses both testing and modeling. The study represents a first step in this direction.
Expansion of donor-derived hematopoietic stem cells with PIGA mutation associated with late graft failure after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mochizuki Kanako , Sugimori Chiharu , Qi Zhirong , Lu Xuzhang , Takami Akiyoshi , Ishiyama Ken , Kondo Yukio , Yamazaki Hirohito , Okumura Hirokazu , Nakao Shinji 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
A small population of CD55−CD59− blood cells was detected in a patient who developed donor-type late graft failure after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for treatment of aplastic anemia (AA). Chimerism and PIGA gene analyses showed the paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)–type granulocytes to be of a donor-derived stem cell with a thymine insertion in PIGA exon 2. A sensitive mutation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based analysis detected the mutation exclusively in DNA derived from the donor bone marrow (BM) cells. The patient responded to immunosuppressive therapy and achieved transfusion independence. The small population of PNH-type cells was undetectable in any of the 50 SCT recipients showing stable engraftment. The de novo development of donor cell–derived AA with a small population of PNH-type cells in this patient supports the concept that glycosyl phosphatidylinositol–anchored protein–deficient stem cells have a survival advantage in the setting of immune-mediated BM injury.
Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is associated with polymorphisms of the cytochrome P450 CYP2C8 in multiple myeloma: a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism analysis
Authors: Sarasquete Maria E. , García-Sanz Ramon , Marín Luis , Alcoceba Miguel , Chillón Maria C. , Balanzategui Ana , Santamaria Carlos , Rosiñol Laura , de la Rubia Javier , Hernandez Miguel T. , Garcia-Navarro Inmaculada , Lahuerta Juan J. , González Marcos , San Miguel Jesus F. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe have explored the potential role of genetics in the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients under bisphosphonate therapy. A genome-wide association study was performed using 500 568 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 2 series of homogeneously treated MM patients, one with ONJ (22 MM cases) and another without ONJ (65 matched MM controls). Four SNPs (rs1934951, rs1934980, rs1341162, and rs17110453) mapped within the cytochrome P450-2C gene (CYP2C8) showed a different distribution between cases and controls with statistically significant differences (P = 1.07 × 10−6, P = 4.231 × 10−6, P = 6.22 × 10−6, and P = 2.15 × 10−6, respectively). SNP rs1934951 was significantly associated with a higher risk of ONJ development even after Bonferroni correction (P corrected value = .02). Genotyping results displayed an overrepresentation of the T allele in cases compared with controls (48% vs 12%). Thus, individuals homozygous for the T allele had an increased likelihood of developing ONJ (odds ratio 12.75, 95% confidence interval 3.7-43.5).
spib is required for primitive myeloid development in Xenopus
Authors: Costa Ricardo M. B. , Soto Ximena , Chen Yaoyao , Zorn Aaron M. , Amaya Enrique 
Published: July 2008

AbstractVertebrate blood formation occurs in 2 spatially and temporally distinct waves, so-called primitive and definitive hematopoiesis. Although definitive hematopoiesis has been extensively studied, the development of primitive myeloid blood has received far less attention. In Xenopus, primitive myeloid cells originate in the anterior ventral blood islands, the equivalent of the mammalian yolk sac, and migrate out to colonize the embryo. Using fluorescence time-lapse video microscopy, we recorded the migratory behavior of primitive myeloid cells from their birth. We show that these cells are the first blood cells to differentiate in the embryo and that they are efficiently recruited to embryonic wounds, well before the establishment of a functional vasculature. Furthermore, we isolated spib, an ETS transcription factor, specifically expressed in primitive myeloid precursors. Using spib antisense morpholino knockdown experiments, we show that spib is required for myeloid specification, and, in its absence, primitive myeloid cells retain hemangioblast-like characteristics and fail to migrate. Thus, we conclude that spib sits at the top of the known genetic hierarchy that leads to the specification of primitive myeloid cells in amphibians.
High accuracy mass spectrometry analysis as a tool to verify and improve gene annotation using Mycobacterium tuberculosis as an example
Authors: de Souza Gustavo A , Målen Hiwa , Søfteland Tina , Sælensminde Gisle , Prasad Swati , Jonassen Inge , Wiker Harald G 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
While the genomic annotations of diverse lineages of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are available, divergences between gene prediction methods are still a challenge for unbiased protein dataset generation. M. tuberculosis gene annotation is an example, where the most used datasets from two independent institutions (Sanger Institute and Institute of Genomic Research-TIGR) differ up to 12% in the number of annotated open reading frames, and 46% of the genes contained in both annotations have different start codons. Such differences emphasize the importance of the identification of the sequence of protein products to validate each gene annotation including its sequence coding area.

Results
With this objective, we submitted a culture filtrate sample from M. tuberculosis to a high-accuracy LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer analysis and applied refined N-terminal prediction to perform comparison of two gene annotations. From a total of 449 proteins identified from the MS data, we validated 35 tryptic peptides that were specific to one of the two datasets, representing 24 different proteins. From those, 5 proteins were only annotated in the Sanger database. In the remaining proteins, the observed differences were due to differences in annotation of transcriptional start sites.

Conclusion
Our results indicate that, even in a less complex sample likely to represent only 10% of the bacterial proteome, we were still able to detect major differences between different gene annotation approaches. This gives hope that high-throughput proteomics techniques can be used to improve and validate gene annotations, and in particular for verification of high-throughput, automatic gene annotations.
TDAG51 is an ERK signaling target that opposes ERK-mediated HME16C mammary epithelial cell transformation
Authors: Oberst Michael D , Beberman Stacey J , Zhao Liu , Yin Juan Juan , Ward Yvona , Kelly Kathleen 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Introduction
Signaling downstream of Ras is mediated by three major pathways, Raf/ERK, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), and Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RalGEF). Ras signal transduction pathways play an important role in breast cancer progression, as evidenced by the frequent over-expression of the Ras-activating epidermal growth factor receptors EGFR and ErbB2. Here we investigated which signal transduction pathways downstream of Ras contribute to EGFR-dependent transformation of telomerase-immortalized mammary epithelial cells HME16C. Furthermore, we examined whether a highly transcriptionally regulated ERK pathway target, PHLDA1 (TDAG51), suggested to be a tumor suppressor in breast cancer and melanoma, might modulate the transformation process.

Methods
Cellular transformation of human mammary epithelial cells by downstream Ras signal transduction pathways was examined using anchorage-independent growth assays in the presence and absence of EGFR inhibition. TDAG51 protein expression was down-regulated by interfering small hairpin RNA (shRNA), and the effects on cell proliferation and death were examined in Ras pathway-transformed breast epithelial cells.

Results
Activation of both the ERK and PI3K signaling pathways was sufficient to induce cellular transformation, which was accompanied by up-regulation of EGFR ligands, suggesting autocrine EGFR stimulation during the transformation process. Only activation of the ERK pathway was sufficient to transform cells in the presence of EGFR inhibition and was sufficient for tumorigenesis in xenografts. Up-regulation of the PHLDA1 gene product, TDAG51, was found to correlate with persistent ERK activation and anchorage-independent growth in the absence or presence of EGFR inhibition. Knockdown of this putative breast cancer tumor-suppressor gene resulted in increased ERK pathway activation and enhanced matrix-detached cellular proliferation of Ras/Raf transformed cells.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that multiple Ras signal transduction pathways contribute to mammary epithelial cell transformation, but that the ERK signaling pathway may be a crucial component downstream of EGFR activation during tumorigenesis. Furthermore, persistent activation of ERK signaling up-regulates TDAG51. This event serves as a negative regulator of both Erk activation as well as matrix-detached cellular proliferation and suggests that TDAG51 opposes ERK-mediated transformation in breast epithelial cells.
Relationships between climate and year-to-year variability in meningitis outbreaks: A case study in Burkina Faso and Niger
Authors: Yaka Pascal , Sultan Benjamin , Broutin Hélène , Janicot Serge , Philippon Solenne , Fourquet Nicole 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Every year, West Africa is afflicted with Meningococcal Meningitis (MCM) disease outbreaks. Although the seasonal and spatial patterns of disease cases have been shown to be linked to climate, the mechanisms responsible for these patterns are still not well identified.

Results
A statistical analysis of annual incidence of MCM and climatic variables has been performed to highlight the relationships between climate and MCM for two highly afflicted countries: Niger and Burkina Faso. We found that disease resurgence in Niger and in Burkina Faso is likely to be partly controlled by the winter climate through enhanced Harmattan winds. Statistical models based only on climate indexes work well in Niger showing that 25% of the disease variance from year-to-year in this country can be explained by the winter climate but fail to represent accurately the disease dynamics in Burkina Faso.

Conclusion
This study is an exploratory attempt to predict meningitis incidence by using only climate information. Although it points out significant statistical results it also stresses the difficulty of relating climate to interannual variability in meningitis outbreaks.
Efficacy of antidepressants in juvenile depression: meta-analysis
Authors: Tsapakis Evangelia M. , Soldani Federico , Tondo Leonardo , Baldessarini Ross J. 
Published: July 2008

BackgroundThe safety of antidepressants in children and adolescents is being questioned and the efficacy of these drugs in juvenile depression remains uncertainAimsTo assess antidepressant efficacy in juvenile depressionMethodSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing responses to antidepressants, overall and by type, v. placebo in young people with depressionResultsThirty drug-placebo contrasts in RCTs lasting 8 weeks (median) involved 3069 participants (512 person-years) of average age 13.5 years. Meta-analysis yielded a modest pooled drug/placebo response rate ratio (RR=1.22, 95% CI 1.15–1.31), with little separation between antidepressant types. Findings were similar for response rate differences and corresponding number needed to treat (NNT): overall NNT=9; tricyclic antidepressants NNT=14 > serotonin reuptake inhibitors NNT=9 > other antidepressants NNT=8. Numbers needed to treat decreased with increasing age: children (NNT=21) > mixed ages (NNT=10) > adolescents (NNT=8)ConclusionsAntidepressants of all types showed limited efficacy in juvenile depression, but fluoxetine might be more effective, especially in adolescents. Studies in children and in severely depressed, hospitalised or suicidal juvenile patients are needed, and effective, safe and readily accessible treatments for juvenile depression are urgently required
Assessing competence in cognitive-behavioural therapy
Authors: Keen Andrew J. A. , Freeston Mark H. 
Published: July 2008

BackgroundPostgraduate courses on cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) assess various competencies using essays, case studies and audiotapes or videotapes of clinical workAimsTo evaluate how reliably a well-established postgraduate course assesses CBT competenciesMethodData were collected on two cohorts of trainees (n=52). Two examiners marked trainees on: (a) two videotapes of clinical practice; (b) two case studies; and (c) three essaysResultsEssay examinations were more reliable than case studies, which in turn were more reliable than videotaped assessments. The reliability of the latter two assessments was considerably lower than that commonly expected of high-stakes examinations. To assess reliably standard CBT competencies, postgraduate courses would need to examine about 5 essays, 12 case studies and 19 videotapesConclusionsReliable assessment of standard competencies is complex and resource intensive. There would need to be a marked increase in the number of samples of clinical work assessed to be able to make reliable judgements about proficiency
Principal components analysis of a large cohort with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Robertson Mary M. , Althoff Robert R. , Hafez Adam , Pauls David L. 
Published: July 2008

BackgroundTourette syndrome is a heterogeneous familial disorder for which the genetic mechanisms are unknown. A better characterisation of the phenotype may help identify susceptibility genesAimsTo extend previous factor-analytic studies of the syndromeMethodSymptom data from 410 people with Tourette syndrome were included in agglomerative hierarchical cluster and principal components analysesResultsFive factors were observed, characterised by: (1) socially inappropriate behaviours and other complex vocal tics; (2) complex motor tics; (3) simple tics; (4) compulsive behaviours; and (5) touching self. Individuals with co-occurring attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder had significantly higher factor scores on Factors 1 and 3, whereas individuals with co-occurring obsessive-compulsive disorder and behaviours had significantly higher factor scores for Factors 1–4ConclusionsThese findings add to the growing body of evidence that Tourette syndrome is not a unitary condition and can be disaggregated into more homogeneous symptom components
Brain dopamine response in human opioid addiction
Authors: Daglish Mark R.C. , Williams Tim M. , Wilson Sue J. , Taylor Lindsay G. , Eap Chin B. , Augsburger Marc , Giroud Christian , Brooks David J. , Myles Judy S. , Grasby Paul , Lingford-Hughes Anne R. , Nutt David J. 
Published: July 2008

BackgroundDrugs of dependence cause dopamine release in the rat striatum. Human neuroimaging studies have shown an increase in dopamine in the equivalent region in response to stimulants and other drugsAimsWe tested whether opioids provoke dopamine release and its relationship to the subjective experienceMethodIn two combined studies 14 heroin addicts on methadone maintenance treatment underwent two positron emission tomography brain scans of the dopamine system using [11C]-raclopride following an injection of placebo and either 50 mg intravenous diamorphine or 10 mg subcutaneous hydromorphone in a double-blind, random order designResultsBoth opioids produced marked subjective and physiological effects, but no measurable change in [11C]-raclopride bindingConclusionsThe absence of a dopamine response to opioid agonists contrasts with that found with stimulant drugs and suggests dopamine may not play the same role in addiction to opioids. This questions the role of dopamine in the subjective experience of heroin in opioid addicts
Comparison of antipsychotic medication effects on reducing violence in people with schizophrenia
Authors: Swanson Jeffrey W. , Swartz Marvin S. , Van Dorn Richard A. , Volavka Jan , Monahan John , Stroup T. Scott , McEvoy Joseph P. , Wagner H. Ryan , Elbogen Eric B. , Lieberman Jeffrey A. 
Published: July 2008

BackgroundViolence is an uncommon but significant problem associated with schizophreniaAimsTo compare antipsychotic medications in reducing violence among patients with schizophrenia over 6 months, identify prospective predictors of violence and examine the impact of medication adherence on reduced violenceMethodParticipants (n=1445) were randomly assigned to double-blinded treatment with one of five antipsychotic medications. Analyses are presented for the intention-to-treat sample and for patients completing 6 months on assigned medicationResultsViolence declined from 16% to 9% in the retained sample and from 19% to 14% in the intention-to-treat sample. No difference by medication group was found, except that perphenazine showed greater violence reduction than quetiapine in the retained sample. Medication adherence reduced violence, but not in patients with a history of childhood antisocial conduct. Prospective predictors of violence included childhood conduct problems, substance use, victimisation, economic deprivation and living situation. Negative psychotic symptoms predicted lower violenceConclusionsNewer antipsychotics did not reduce violence more than perphenazine. Effective antipsychotics are needed, but may not reduce violence unrelated to acute psychopathology
Cognitive-behavioural therapyv.structured care for medically unexplained symptoms: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sumathipala A. , Siribaddana S. , Abeysingha M. R. N. , De Silva P. , Dewey M. , Prince M. , Mann A. H. 
Published: July 2008

BackgroundA pilot trial in Sri Lanka among patients with medically unexplained symptoms revealed that cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) administered by a psychiatrist was efficaciousAimsTo evaluate CBT provided by primary care physicians in a comparison with structured careMethodA randomised control trial (n=75 in each arm) offered six 30 min sessions of structured care or therapy. The outcomes of the two interventions were compared at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 monthsResultsIn each arm, 64 patients (85%) completed the three mandatory sessions. No difference was observed between groups in mean scores on the General Health Questionnaire or the Bradford Somatic Inventory, or in number of complaints or patient-initiated consultations at 3 months. For both groups, all outcome measures improved at 3 months, and remained constant in the follow-up assessmentsConclusionsCognitive–behavioural therapy given by primary care physicians after a short course of training is no more efficacious than structured care. Natural remission is an unlikely explanation for improvements in people with chronic medically unexplained symptoms, but lack of a ‘treatment as usual’ arm limits further conclusions. Further research on enhanced structured care, medical assessment and structured care incorporating simple elements of CBT principles is worthy of consideration
Structured risk assessment and violence in acute psychiatric wards: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Abderhalden Christoph , Needham Ian , Dassen Theo , Halfens Ruud , Haug Hans-Joachim , Fischer Joachim E. 
Published: July 2008

BackgroundThere is a lack of research on the possible contribution of a structured risk assessment to the reduction of aggression in psychiatric in-patient careAimsTo assess whether such risk assessments decrease the incidence of violence and coercionMethodA cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted with 14 acute psychiatric admission wards as the units of randomisation, including a preference arm. The intervention comprised a standardised risk assessment following admission with mandatory evaluation of prevention in high-risk patientsResultsIncidence rates decreased substantially in the intervention wards, whereas little change occurred in the control wards. The adjusted risk ratios suggest a 41% reduction in severe aggressive incidents and a 27% decline in the use of coercive measures. The severity of aggressive incidents did not decreaseConclusionsStructured risk assessment during the first days of treatment may contribute to reduced violence and coercion in acute psychiatric wards
Perspectives for Improved and More Accurate Classification of Thyroid Epithelial Tumors
Authors: Eszlinger Markus , Krohn Knut , Hauptmann Steffen , Dralle Henning , Giordano Thomas J. , Paschke Ralf 
Published: July 2008

Context: Histologic examination of thyroid nodules is the current standard to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid epithelial tumors and to classify histologic subtypes. This review analyzes the problems in histological differential diagnosis as well as contradictions between histology and molecular data and describes possibilities to combine histology with molecular data in an effort to more accurately classify thyroid epithelial tumors.Evidence Acquisition: Published literature, addressing the current recommendations for thyroid tumor classification, as well as literature on the application of histology and molecular studies on the etiology of thyroid tumors is analyzed.Evidence Synthesis: The current histologic criteria to classify thyroid tumors, especially follicular-patterned tumors, are hampered by considerable interobserver variability. The detection of somatic mutations via genotyping and the definition of potentially informative gene expression signatures by microarray analyses, which can distinguish cancer subtypes as well as low- and high-risk cohorts, have recently demonstrated significant diagnostic potential. Moreover, in a routine diagnostic setting, micro-RNA profiling appears most promising due to their relative stability and the high accuracy of their expression profiles.Conclusions: It is very likely that molecular definitions of thyroid tumors mentioned in the current World Health Organization classification will be further developed, leading to future progress in defining thyroid tumor types by an integrated histologic and molecular approach. These integrated classifications need to be evaluated for their specific impact on thyroid tumor diagnosis and prognosis.