bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computational analysis of microRNA profiles and their target genes suggests significant involvement in breast cancer antiestrogen resistance
Authors: Xin Fuxiao , Li Meng , Balch Curt , Thomson Michael , Fan Meiyun , Liu Yunlong , Hammond Scott M. , Kim Sun , Nephew Kenneth P. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Recent evidence shows significant involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the initiation and progression of numerous cancers; however, the role of these in tumor drug resistance remains unknown.
Results: By comparing global miRNA and mRNA expression patterns, we examined the role of miRNAs in resistance to the ‘pure antiestrogen’ fulvestrant, using fulvestrant-resistant MCF7-FR cells and their drug-sensitive parental estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF7 cells. We identified 14 miRNAs downregulated in MCF7-FR cells and then used both TargetScan and PITA to predict potential target genes. We found a negative correlation between expression of these miRNAs and their predicted target mRNA transcripts. In genes regulated by multiple miRNAs or having multiple miRNA-targeting sites, an even stronger negative correlation was found. Pathway analyses predicted these miRNAs to regulate specific cancer-associated signal cascades. These results suggest a significant role for miRNA-regulated gene expression in the onset of breast cancer antiestrogen resistance, and an improved understanding of this phenomenon could lead to better therapies for this often fatal condition.
Contact: knephew@indiana.edu; sunkim2@indiana.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a cDNA for Pterocarpan 4-Dimethylallyltransferase Catalyzing the Key Prenylation Step in the Biosynthesis of Glyceollin, a Soybean Phytoalexin
Authors: Akashi Tomoyoshi , Sasaki Kanako , Aoki Toshio , Ayabe Shin-ichi , Yazaki Kazufumi 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Glyceollins are soybean (Glycine max) phytoalexins possessing pterocarpanoid skeletons with cyclic ether decoration originating from a C5 prenyl moiety. Enzymes involved in glyceollin biosynthesis have been thoroughly characterized during the early era of modern plant biochemistry, and many genes encoding enzymes of isoflavonoid biosynthesis have been cloned, but some genes for later biosynthetic steps are still unidentified. In particular, the prenyltransferase responsible for the addition of the dimethylallyl chain to pterocarpan has drawn a large amount of attention from many researchers due to the crucial coupling process of the polyphenol core and isoprenoid moiety. This study narrowed down the candidate genes to three soybean expressed sequence tag sequences homologous to genes encoding homogentisate phytyltransferase of the tocopherol biosynthetic pathway and identified among them a cDNA encoding dimethylallyl diphosphate: (6aS, 11aS)-3,9,6a-trihydroxypterocarpan [(−)-glycinol] 4-dimethylallyltransferase (G4DT) yielding the direct precursor of glyceollin I. The full-length cDNA encoding a protein led by a plastid targeting signal sequence was isolated from young soybean seedlings, and the catalytic function of the gene product was verified using recombinant yeast microsomes. Expression of the G4DT gene was strongly up-regulated in 5 to 24 h after elicitation of phytoalexin biosynthesis in cultured soybean cells similarly to genes associated with isoflavonoid pathway. The prenyl part of glyceollin I was demonstrated to originate from the methylerythritol pathway by a tracer experiment using [1-13C]Glc and nuclear magnetic resonance measurement, which coincided with the presumed plastid localization of G4DT. The first identification of a pterocarpan-specific prenyltransferase provides new insights into plant secondary metabolism and in particular those reactions involved in the disease resistance mechanism of soybean as the penultimate gene of glyceollin biosynthesis.
Drug abuse and responsible fathering: a comparative study of men enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment
Authors: McMahon Thomas J. , Winkel Justin D. , Rounsaville Bruce J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAim  Because very little is known about the parenting of drug‐abusing men, this study was designed to document ways that drug abuse contributes to compromise of responsible fathering.Design, setting, participants  Generalized linear models and data representing different dimensions of responsible fathering were used to clarify ways that the fathering of 106 men receiving methadone maintenance treatment differed from that of 118 men living in the same community with no history of alcohol or drug abuse.Measurement  Men who enrolled in the study completed two structured interviews and a battery of five self‐report measures selected to document current and historical dimensions of responsible fathering.Findings  When the opioid‐dependent fathers were compared to the other fathers, there were significant differences in: (i) economic resources to support family formation; (ii) patterns of pair‐bonding; (iii) patterns of procreation; and (iv) parenting behavior. When fathering of the youngest biological child was examined, the opioid‐dependent fathers confirmed few differences in historical dimensions of fathering, but they reported significant differences in current dimensions reflecting: (i) constricted personal definitions of the fathering role; (ii) poorer relationships with biological mothers; (iii) less frequent residence with the child; (iv) less frequent provision of financial support; (v) less involvement in positive parenting; (vi) poorer appraisal of self as a father; and (vii) less satisfaction as a father.Conclusions  The findings highlight ways that drug abuse contributes to compromise of responsible fathering, and they raise questions about ways that the drug abuse treatment system might better address parenting as a treatment issue for men.
A lateral model parameter correlation procedure for one‐dimensional inverse modelling
Authors: Christensen Niels B. , Tølbøll Rasmus J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTWe present a new, fast and versatile method, the lateral parameter correlation method, of invoking lateral smoothness in model sections of one‐dimensional (1D) models. Modern, continuous electrical and electromagnetic methods are capable of recording very large data sets and except for a few cases, standard inversion methodology still relies on 1D models. In environments where the lateral rate of change of resistivity is small, 1D inversion can be justified but model sections of concatenated 1D models do not necessarily display the expected lateral smoothness.The lateral parameter correlation method has three steps. First, all sounding data are inverted individually. Next, a laterally smooth version of each model parameter, one at a time, is found by solving a simple constrained inversion problem. Identity is postulated between the uncorrelated and correlated parameters and the equations are solved including a model covariance matrix. As a last step, all sounding data are inverted again to produce models that better fit the data, now subject to constraints by including the correlated parameter values as a priori values. Because the method separates the inversion from the correlation it is much faster than methods where the inversion and correlation are solved simultaneously, typically with a factor of 200–500.Theoretical examples show that the method produces laterally smooth model sections where the main influence comes from the well‐determined parameters in such a way that problems with equivalence and poor resolution are alleviated. A field example is presented, demonstrating the improved resolution obtained with the lateral parameter correlation method. The method is very flexible and is capable of coupling models from inversion of different data types and information from boreholes.
Estimating the magnetization direction of sources from southeast Bulgaria through correlation between reduced‐to‐the‐pole and total magnitude anomalies
Authors: Gerovska Daniela , Araúzo‐Bravo Marcos J. , Stavrev Petar 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTWe present a new method to estimate the direction of the magnetization vector of geological bodies based upon the correlation between the reduced‐to‐the‐pole field for tentative values of the magnetization direction and the total magnitude anomaly, obtained by a transform of the measured magnetic field. The reduced‐to‐the‐pole and the total magnitude anomaly are centred over the sources in the case of 2D anomalies or well‐centred in the case of compact 3D sources and have similar patterns for the same source. The method has several important advantages over similar transform‐correlation methods for estimation of the magnetization direction. It calculates only one transform for many tentative values of the magnetization direction. The method does not use derivatives of any order and relies on confident isolation of the target anomalies based on one of the compared transforms, the total magnitude anomaly. We studied the performance of the method on five 2.5D and compact 3D sources. We analysed possible inherent to the method errors, as well as errors due to interference from neighbouring sources. Finally, we estimated the magnetization‐vector direction of the main sources causing the magnetic field in the Burgas region and the adjoining southeast Bulgarian Black Sea shelf. The sources in the Black Sea shelf show prevalently reverse magnetization, while the sources on land have normal or reverse magnetization.
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II but not MHC class I molecules are required for efficient control of Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in mice
Authors: Rodrigues Rosângela M. , Silva Neide M. , Gonçalves Ana Lúcia R. , Cardoso Cristina R. , Alves Ronaldo , Gonçalves Flávia A. , Beletti Marcelo E. , Ueta Marlene T. , Silva João S. , Costa‐Cruz Julia M. 
Published: December 2008

Summary Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode capable of chronic, persistent infection and hyperinfection of the host; this can lead to dissemination, mainly in immunosuppressive states, in which the infection can become severe and result in the death of the host. In this study, we investigated the immune response against Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or class II deficient mice. We found that MHC II−/− animals were more susceptible to S. venezuelensis infection as a result of the presence of an elevated number of eggs in the faeces and a delay in the elimination of adult worms compared with wild‐type (WT) and MHC I−/− mice. Histopathological analysis revealed that MHC II−/− mice had a mild inflammatory infiltration in the small intestine with a reduction in tissue eosinophilia. These mice also presented a significantly lower frequency of eosinophils and mononuclear cells in the blood, together with reduced T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines in small intestine homogenates and sera compared with WT and MHC I−/− animals. Additionally, levels of parasite‐specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, IgE, total IgG and IgG1 were also significantly reduced in the sera of MHC II−/− infected mice, while a non‐significant increase in the level of IgG2a was found in comparison to WT or MHC I−/− infected mice. Together, these data demonstrate that expression of MHC class II but not class I molecules is required to induce a predominantly Th2 response and to achieve efficient control of S. venezuelensis infection in mice.
Dislocation resistance of ProRoot Endo Sealer, a calcium silicate‐based root canal sealer, from radicular dentine
Authors: Huffman B. P. , Mai S. , Pinna L. , Weller R. N. , Primus C. M. , Gutmann J. L. , Pashley D. H. , Tay F. R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim  To examine the dislocation resistance of three root canal sealers from radicular dentine with and without immersion in a simulated body fluid (SBF), using a modified push‐out test design that produced simulated canal spaces of uniform dimensions under identical cleaning and shaping conditions.Methodology  Sixty single‐rooted caries‐free human canine teeth were used. Standardized simulated canal spaces were created using 0.04 taper ProFile instruments along the coronal, middle and apical thirds of longitudinal tooth slabs. Following NaOCl/ethylenediamine tetra‐acetic acid cleaning, the cavities were filled with ProRoot Endo Sealer, AH Plus Jet or Pulp Canal Sealer. After setting, half of the cavities were tested with a fibre‐optic light‐illuminated push‐out testing device. The rest were immersed in SBF for 4 weeks before push‐out evaluation. Failure modes were examined with stereomicroscopy and field emission (FE)‐scanning electron microscopy.Results  Location of the sealer‐filled cavities did not affect push‐out strengths. ProRoot Endo Sealer exhibited higher push‐out strengths than the other two sealers particularly after SBF storage (P < 0.001). Failure modes were predominantly adhesive and mixed for Pulp Canal Sealer and AH Plus Jet, and predominantly cohesive for ProRoot Endo Sealer. Spherical amorphous calcium phosphate‐like phases that spontaneously transformed into apatite‐like phases were seen in the fractured specimens of ProRoot Endo Sealer after SBF storage.Conclusions  When tested in bulk without a main core, both ‘sealer type’ and ‘SBF storage’ were significant in affecting push‐out results. The ProRoot Endo Sealer demonstrated the presence of spherical amorphous calcium phosphate‐like phases and apatite‐like phases (i.e. ex vivo bioactivity) after SBF storage.
Clinical utility of a T cell‐based assay in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: KOBASHI Yoshihiro , MOURI Keiji , YAGI Shinichi , OBASE Yasushi , MIYASHITA Naoyuki , OKA Mikio 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the QuantiFERON TB‐2G (QFT‐2G) results in patients with active extrapulmonary tuberculosis (E‐TB) to determine whether QFT‐2G test might be a reliable diagnostic method for detecting active E‐TB infection compared with the tuberculin skin test (TST).Methods:  TST and QFT‐2G tests were performed for 35 patients with confirmed E‐TB, 30 with probable E‐TB and 45 who did not have E‐TB.Results:  For patients with confirmed E‐TB, the positive rate of the TST was 57% and that of the QFT‐2G test was 86%. For patients with probable E‐TB, the positive rate of the TST was 60%, whereas that of the QFT‐2G test was 80%. However, the positive rate of the TST was 51% and that of QFT‐2G test was 9% for patients that did not have E‐TB. The QFT‐2G test showed a significantly lower percentage of false‐negative results compared with the TST. The sensitivity and specificity of the TST for the diagnosis of active E‐TB were 57% and 49%, respectively. By comparison, the sensitivity and specificity of the QFT‐2G test were 86% and 84%, respectively. When the results of the TST and QFT‐2G tests were separated by the site of E‐TB, the positive rates for both tests in patients with miliary tuberculosis were lower than those in patients with other E‐TB disease, although the difference was not significant.Conclusions:  The QFT‐2G appears to be a reliable diagnostic test and in the appropriate clinical context QFT‐2G may be more useful than the TST to support a diagnosis of E‐TB. Studies are needed to evaluate its value also in situations of low clinical probability.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration when combined with positron emission tomography improves specificity and overall diagnostic accuracy in unexplained mediastinal lymphadenopathy and staging of non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Kalade A. V. , Eddie Lau W. F. , Conron M. , Wright G. M. , Desmond P. V. , Hicks R. J. , Chen R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground:  The aim of this study was to assess the incremental value of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) to positron emission tomography (PET) in the diagnosis of unexplained mediastinal lymphadenopathy and staging of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:  Patients who had both EUS‐guided FNA and PET were retrospectively identified from an EUS database at a tertiary hospital. All EUS‐guided FNA were carried out by one endoscopist between August 2002 and April 2005, either for the diagnosis of unexplained mediastinal lymphadenopathy or for the staging of NSCLC. Results of PET and EUS were compared with histology. A true histological positive result was defined as histological involvement in either surgery (mediastinoscopy or resection) or EUS‐guided FNA. A true histological negative result was defined as negative involvement at surgery (mediastinoscopy or resection).Results:  Forty‐nine patients who had both PET scanning and EUS‐guided FNA for diagnosis of unexplained mediastinal lymphadenopathy or staging of NSCLC were identified. Of these, 33 (73% males, n = 24, age range = 44–78 years, mean = 62 years) had surgical confirmation of mediastinal lymph node pathology. In these patients, PET alone showed sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 90%; positive predictive value, 87%; negative predictive value, 90% and accuracy, 88%; whereas the addition of EUS‐guided FNA increased the overall specificity and positive predictive value to 100%, with an overall accuracy of 97%.Conclusions:  This study suggests that EUS‐guided FNA complements PET by improving the overall specificity and thereby the accuracy for diagnosis of unexplained mediastinal lymphadenopathy. It provides a minimally invasive technique to assess the mediastinum in patients with NSCLC and is particularly valuable in cases in which PET findings are equivocal.
Parental mental health, education, age at childbirth and child development from six to 18 months
Authors: Lung For‐Wey , Shu Bih‐Ching , Chiang Tung‐Liang , Lin Shio‐Jean 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim: To investigate the effect six‐month parental mental health has on children's six and 18‐month development. Parental covariates of age and education were also analysed.Methods: Through a national random selection, 21 648 babies were selected. Parental self perceived overall mental health was measured using 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) and children's development using the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study (TBCS) instrument which measures gross motor, fine motor, language and social dimensions of children's development.Results: Both multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling showed that when the covariates of parental education and age at childbirth were added, the effect parental mental health has on children's development decreases. Additionally, maternal mental health had a more persistent and pervasive effect than paternal mental health. Father's mental health at six months had a delayed effect, in that its influence was seen only with children's development at 18 months. Of the three factors of parental mental health, education and age at childbirth, parental education had the most pervasive and persistent effect on children's development.Conclusion: Although parental mental health has an effect on children's development, parental education and age at childbirth are vital confounding factors, which should be considered in future studies. Clinical health care providers should provide childcare resources and instructions to younger, less educated and parents with mental symptoms.
Macular appearance after diabetic vitrectomy for fibrovascular proliferation: an optical coherence tomography study
Authors: Yang Chung‐May , Yeh Po‐Ting , Cheng Shuo‐Fang , Yang Chang‐Hao , Chen Muh‐Shy 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate morphological variations in the macular area with optical coherence tomography (OCT) after vitrectomy for diabetic fibrovascular proliferation.Methods:  We reviewed 108 cases using OCT 7–15 months after vitrectomy. Of these, 32 received OCT within 3 months postoperatively. Morphological variations were categorized and correlated with visual outcome.Results:  Only 24 cases (21.4%) had no obvious abnormalities. The most frequent findings were epiretinal membrane (52.8%), macular thickening (37.0%) and macular cysts (28.7%). Multivariate regression showed that diffuse macular thickening, loss of foveal depression and diffuse retinal thinning were significantly associated with poor visual acuity. Sequential OCT (< 3 and ≥ 7 months) revealed that epiretinal membrane and oedema outside of fovea changed significantly between two examinations.Conclusion:  OCT may identify diverse morphological changes in the macular area after diabetic vitrectomy for fibrovascular proliferation. Macular appearance may change over time, and certain types of morphological changes may be associated with poor visual function.
Baerveldt glaucoma implants in the management of refractory glaucoma after vitreous surgery
Authors: Van Aken Elisabeth , Lemij Hans , Vander Haeghen Yves , De Waard Peter 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To examine the effectiveness and safety of Baerveldt glaucoma implants in eyes with refractory glaucoma following vitrectomy.Methods:  We performed a retrospective study of a non‐comparative case series of 30 eyes of 30 patients who had undergone the implantation of a Baerveldt glaucoma device. All eyes (30/30) had a minimum follow‐up of 6 months, and 16/30 (53%) had a follow‐up of 24 months. Surgical success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) < 22 mmHg on the last two follow‐up visits with or without glaucoma medication and a decrease in IOP of at least 20% compared to preoperative values with or without glaucoma medication.Results:  The mean IOP before implantation of a Baerveldt glaucoma device was 30 mmHg [± 11.4 mmHg standard deviation (SD)] with maximally tolerated medical therapy. Six months after implantation of the Baerveldt glaucoma device, the mean IOP was 17.3 mmHg (± 6.7 mmHg SD) and the mean number of glaucoma medications had gone down from 3.0 (± 0.4 SD) to 0.3 (± 0.3 SD). Successful outcomes were found in 24 eyes (80%). Small complications occurred in six eyes (20%): transient postoperative hypotony (17%) and tube retraction (3%). Larger complications occurred in another six eyes (20%): corneal decompensation requiring keratoplasty (7%), suprachoroidal haemorrhage (3%) and persistently high IOP (10%).Conclusion:  Baerveldt glaucoma devices are a valid treatment option in eyes with refractory glaucoma after vitreous surgery, although failure occurred in 20% of our patients. Transient complications occurred in 20% and severe complications in another 20%.
B:2a:P1.5 Meningococcal Strains Likely Arisen from Capsular Switching Event Still Spreading in Spain
Authors: Castilla Jesús , Vázquez Julio A. , Salcedo Celia , García Cenoz Manuel , García Irure José Javier , Torroba Luis , Beristain Xabier , Abad Raquel , Barricarte Aurelio 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Eighteen clustered cases of meningococcal disease associated with B:2a:P1.5 strains doubled the annual incidence up to 4.3 × 10
5
in Navarra, Spain, in 2007. Eleven percent of cases were fatalities, and 74% of cases were individuals 10 to 24 years old. This is the third cluster associated with this strain in northern Spain since 2001.