bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Hypertension in Diabetes Study (HDS): a catalyst for change
Authors: Williams B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHypertension is now established as a major risk factor for premature cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in people with Type 2 diabetes and all modern treatment guidelines recommend the routine treatment of hypertension in these patients. However, these developments have been relatively recent. Only a decade ago, outside of small studies in patients with nephropathy, there was little evidence with regard to the efficacy and safety of treating elevated blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. Consequently, for many patients, elevated blood pressure remained undetected and untreated. This changed with the publication of the Hypertension in Diabetes Study (HDS) in 1998. This study revealed that hypertension was very common in people with Type 2 diabetes and demonstrated the dramatic benefits of blood pressure lowering in reducing their risk of major macrovascular and microvascular complications. The unequivocal evidence from this study provided a much‐needed catalyst for change, propelling blood pressure measurement and its treatment to the forefront of risk management in these patients. Many studies have followed and many questions remain with regard to the preferred anti‐hypertensive treatment strategy and optimal treatment targets for blood pressure. In the meantime, many millions of patients with Type 2 diabetes worldwide have benefited and will continue to benefit from the therapeutic insights gained from the treatment of blood pressure in the 1148 patients enrolled in the Hypertension in Diabetes Study in the UK Prospective Diabetes Study.
Global patterns in fruiting seasons
Authors: Ting Steven , Hartley Stephen , Burns K. C. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTAim  To identify geographical and climatic correlates of the timing of fruit production in fleshy fruited plant communities.Location  Global.Methods  We searched the literature for studies documenting monthly variation in the number of fleshy fruited species bearing ripe fruits in plant communities (i.e. fruit phenologies). From these data, we used circular vector algebra to characterize seasonal peaks in fruit production (mean date, as an angle) and the length of fruiting seasons (as a circular standard deviation). Generalized linear models and circular correlations were used to assess whether latitudinal patterns in fruit phenologies could be explained by variation in temperature, precipitation and actual evapotranspiration (AET).Results  Dates of peak fruit production and the length of fruiting seasons showed consistent differences with latitude. Annual peaks in fruit production occurred 1 to 3 months after the summer solstice at high‐latitude sites in both hemispheres. Fruiting seasonality increased with latitude, indicating that fruiting seasons were longer in the tropics and shorter toward the poles. AET was the best climatic predictor of fruit phenologies. Annual peaks in fruit production were positively associated with annual peaks in AET and temperature, while fruiting seasons were shorter in areas with pronounced annual variation in AET.Main conclusions  Global patterns in fruiting seasons are associated with global variation in climate. Across the globe, fleshy fruits are produced after annual periods of elevated water–energy availability. Fruiting seasonality is also more pronounced in areas with strongly seasonal water–energy inputs. Therefore, the timing of reproduction in fleshy fruited plant communities appears to be determined, at least in part, by spatial and temporal variation in energy supplies needed to subsidise plant reproduction.
Effect of Artemisinins and Amino Alcohol Partner Antimalarials on Mammalian Sarcoendoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Adenosine Triphosphatase Activity
Authors: Toovey Stephen , Bustamante Leyla Y. , Uhlemann Anne‐Catrin , East J. Malcolm , Krishna Sanjeev 
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to assess the ability of currently deployed antimalarials to inhibit mammalian sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA). Artemisinins exert their antiplasmodial action by inhibiting parasite PfATP6, a SERCA enzyme, and possess neurotoxic potential; mefloquine is neurotoxic and inhibits mammalian SERCA, an orthologue of PfATP6. SERCA in rabbit muscle was tested in vitro for inhibition by artemisinin and amino alcohol antimalarials. Significant inhibition of mammalian SERCA, as mean difference from uninhibited, control values was seen with both enantiomers of mefloquine: (+)‐mefloquine (10 µM: –35.83, 95% CI –59.63 to –12.03; 50 µM: –54.06, 95% CI –77.86 to –30.26); (–)‐mefloquine (10 µM: –24.35, 95% CI –41.56 to –7.15; 50 µM: –58.42, 95% CI –75.62 to –41.22); lumefantrine (1 µM: –25.46, 95% CI –45.82 to –5.10; 5 µM –34.83, 95% CI –60.08 to –9.58; 10 µM: –25.80, 95% CI –51.05 to –0.55); desbutyl‐lumefantrine (5 µM: –50.16, 95% CI –84.24 to –16.08); dihydroartemisinin (1 µM: –39.25, 95% CI –63.74 to –14.76; 5 µM: –39.30, 95% CI –64.88 to –13.72). Dihydroartemisinin in higher concentrations (10 µM) stimulated SERCA activity: (+40.90, 95% CI 11.37 to 70.44). No statistically significant inhibition was seen with artemether at 1, 5 and 10 µM. Equimolar combinations of artemether and lumefantrine or of dihydroartemisinin and lumefantrine, when studied at concentrations that inhibit SERCA individually, failed to show any inhibition. Dihydroartemisinin, mefloquine, lumefantrine and desbutyl lumefantrine inhibit mammalian SERCA at periphysiological concentrations, although the neurotoxicity of mefloquine is not wholly attributable to this property. Candidate antimalarials should be screened pre‐clinically for SERCA inhibition.
Characterization of eight microsatellite loci in the Galápagos endemic land snail Bulimulus reibischi, and their cross‐species amplification
Authors: PARENT C. E. , WU S. S‐T. , KEAYS C. A. , CRESPI B. J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractVariation in and amplification conditions for eight polymorphic microsatellite loci initially identified from Bulimulus akamatus, a pulmonate land snail from Galápagos, are described. Intraspecific polymorphism and heterozygosity of the eight markers were studied in 19 populations of Bulimulus reibischi, a closely related species of B. akamatus. Furthermore, the eight loci were also cross‐amplified in six other closely related bulimulid species. The number of alleles across populations of B. reibischi at six loci is moderate (three to 10), but considerable for two other loci (19 and 20). There is no strong evidence for linkage among any of the loci examined.
Transient left ventricular apical ballooning and exercise induced hypertension during treadmill exercise testing: is there a common hypersympathetic mechanism?
Authors: Dhoble Abhijeet , Abdelmoneim Sahar S , Bernier Mathieu , Oh Jae K , Mulvagh Sharon L 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Objective
To describe two cases of Takotsubo like myocardial contractile pattern during exercise stress test secondary to hypertensive response.

Background
Treadmill exercise testing is known to cause sympathetic stimulation, leading to increased levels of catecholamine, resulting in alteration in vascular tone. Hypertensive response during exercise testing can cause abnormal consequences, resulting in false positive results.

Cases
We present the cases of two patients experiencing apical and basal akinesis during exercise stress echocardiography, in whom normal wall motion response was observed on subsequent pharmacologic stress testing. The first patient developed transient left ventricular (LV) apical akinesis during exercise stress echocardiography. Due to high suspicion that this abnormality might be secondary to hypertensive response, pharmacologic stress testing was performed after three days, which was completely normal and showed no such wall motion abnormality. Qualitative assessment of myocardial perfusion using contrast was also performed, which showed good myocardial blood flow, indicating low probability for significant obstructive coronary artery disease. The second patient developed LV basal akinesis as a result of hypertensive response during exercise testing. Coronary angiogram was not performed in either patient due to low suspicion for coronary artery disease, and subsequently negative stress studies.

Results
Transient stress induced cardiomyopathy can develop secondary to hypertensive response during exercise stress testing.

Conclusion
These cases provide supporting evidence to the hyper-sympathetic theory of left ventricular ballooning syndrome.
Modulation of gene expression in drug resistant Leishmania is associated with gene amplification, gene deletion and chromosome aneuploidy
Authors: Ubeda Jean-Michel , Légaré Danielle , Raymond Frédéric , Ouameur Amin Ahmed , Boisvert Sébastien , Rigault Philippe , Corbeil Jacques , Tremblay Michel J , Olivier Martin , Papadopoulou Barbara , Ouellette Marc 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Background
Drug resistance can be complex, and several mutations responsible for it can co-exist in a resistant cell. Transcriptional profiling is ideally suited for studying complex resistance genotypes and has the potential to lead to novel discoveries. We generated full genome 70-mer oligonucleotide microarrays for all protein coding genes of the human protozoan parasites Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum. These arrays were used to monitor gene expression in methotrexate resistant parasites.

Results
Leishmania is a eukaryotic organism with minimal control at the level of transcription initiation and few genes were differentially expressed without concomitant changes in DNA copy number. One exception was found in Leishmania major, where the expression of whole chromosomes was down-regulated. The microarrays highlighted several mechanisms by which the copy number of genes involved in resistance was altered; these include gene deletion, formation of extrachromosomal circular or linear amplicons, and the presence of supernumerary chromosomes. In the case of gene deletion or gene amplification, the rearrangements have occurred at the sites of repeated (direct or inverted) sequences. These repeats appear highly conserved in both species to facilitate the amplification of key genes during environmental changes. When direct or inverted repeats are absent in the vicinity of a gene conferring a selective advantage, Leishmania will resort to supernumerary chromosomes to increase the levels of a gene product.

Conclusion
Aneuploidy has been suggested as an important cause of drug resistance in several organisms and additional studies should reveal the potential importance of this phenomenon in drug resistance in Leishmania.
Reverse Transcription with Random Pentadecamer Primers Improves the Detection Limit of a Quantitative PCR Assay for BCR-ABL Transcripts in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Implications for Defining Sensitivity in Minimal Residual Disease
Authors: Ross David M , Watkins Dale B , Hughes Timothy P , Branford Susan 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Background: Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RQ-PCR) assay for BCR-ABL is used to monitor treatment response in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). BCR-ABL transcript levels decline over several years of imatinib treatment, and increasing numbers of patients have BCR-ABL transcripts at or below the limit of detection. More sensitive PCR methods are required to assess whether these patients have a long-term continuing decline in residual disease.
Methods: We used random pentadecamer (R15) primers for reverse transcription in RQ-PCR and compared the results with our established method that uses random hexamers. An increase in assay sensitivity would be detected as an increase in the number of BCR-ABL transcripts.
Results: BCR-ABL transcripts increased by 86% with R15 primers. We used R15 primers to retest 19 samples from selected CML patients who had no BCR-ABL transcripts recently detectable with hexamer primers and detected BCR-ABL transcripts in 68% of the samples. Use of R15 primers showed variable increases in the transcripts for control genes BCR (breakpoint cluster region), ABL1 (c-abl oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase), and GUSB (glucuronidase, beta), depending on the gene examined. The reported BCR-ABL/control gene ratio was affected, and the estimated detection limit of the assay, which was based on increased control gene copy number, was different for each control gene.
Conclusions: This simple modification to the reverse transcription methodology improved the detection limit of the RQ-PCR assay for BCR-ABL transcripts. In the field of CML, these results have important implications for defining the detection limit of an assay when the BCR-ABL transcript is undetectable. Random pentadecamer primers may also be useful in other reverse transcription PCR assays for which the abundance of the target RNA is low.
Co-Twin Controls: Facioplasty / Twin Research Reviews: Congenital Anomalies; Personality and Coital Orgasmic Infrequency; Physical Activity Participation / Newsworthy: Twins, Triplets and Quads; School Legislation Update; Premature Twins in Court
Authors: Segal Nancy L. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe usefulness of monozygotic (MZ) twins for studying the efficacy of different face lift techniques is described. The data suggest that no particular procedure out of four under consideration is superior to any other. Next, reviews of recent twin studies of congenital anomalies, personality traits and coital orgasmic infrequency, and physical activity participation are presented. Finally, timely topics of public interest are also described. They include a rare birth consequence of artificial reproductive technology, an update on state legislation regarding parents' rights to decide the classroom placement of their young twins, and medical malpractice lawsuits involving premature twins.
Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and ReunitedElyse Schein and Paula Bernstein (2007). New York: Random House, 288 pp., $US25.95. ISBN 978 1 4000 6496 0
Authors: Boomsma Dorret I. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPaula Bernstein and Elyse Schein are identical twins who were separated at 6 months of age. After spending the first few months of their lives together with a foster mother they were adopted by different families and finally reunited in 2004, when they were 35 years old. The book, Identical Strangers, written by both twins in alternating paragraphs, describes how they found each other after Elyse contacted their adoption agency with a request about information about her biological mother.
Meningiomas of the ventral foramen magnum
Authors: Arnautovic Kenan I. , Al-Mefty Ossama , Husain Muhamed 
Published: July 2008

Meningiomas of the ventral foramen magnum are rare lesions that account for less than 3% of all meningiomas. Their treatment remains one of the most challenging among all meningiomas. The authors comprehensively analyzed multiple features in the series of patients who harbored these lesions.
The authors conducted a retrospective study of 18 patients who harbored lesions in the ventral foramen magnum (mean follow up 40 months) in whom surgery was performed via a transcondylar approach. Sixteen patients underwent surgery for the first time: in 12 patients (75%) gross total, in two (12.5%) near total, and in two (12.5%) subtotal tumor removal was achieved. The remaining two patients were treated for a recurrent tumor. Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores obtained at follow-up review demonstrated statistically significant improvement compared with those obtained preoperatively. The extent of surgical resection and preoperative KPS score were variables that demonstrated statistically significant favorable influence on outcomes. Ninth and 10th cranial nerve palsies were the most common complication that contributed to the prolonged hospital stay; six patients who experienced nerve palsy preoperatively worsened postoperatively, and four other patients developed nerve palsy after surgery. There were no perioperative deaths. Four patients died during the follow-up period. One patient died of multiple myeloma; another, who underwent surgery for a recurrent tumor, died 3 years after this second surgery from new tumor recurrence at 80 years of age; and the remaining two patients died 1.5 and 5 months postsurgery of pulmonary embolus and endocarditis, respectively.
Meningioma of the ventral foramen magnum can be radically removed in a majority of patients in whom complications will be frequent but transient, resulting from lower cranial nerve palsies. The radical removal of a recurrent tumor provides for the patient a relatively long, stable follow-up period. Patients presenting with a low KPS score have a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are recommended.
Arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal joints in a cat with a two hole advanced locking plate system
Authors: Koch D. , Bass M. , Inauen R. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThis report describes the successful use of the novel fixed-angle locking plating system ALPS (advanced locking plate system) in the case of dorsal tarsometatarsal instability in a cat. Partial arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal joint was performed with a two hole ALPS 5 and two 2.4 mm selftapping locking screws through a small dorsal approach. Five days after the surgery the cat was walking without lameness. Radiographs made after six weeks showed uneventful healing. ALPS offers an alternative to existing plating systems when selecting an implant for the stabilisation of dorsal tarsometatarsal instabilities in cats.
Multifunctional Microporous MOFs Exhibiting Gas/Hydrocarbon Adsorption Selectivity, Separation Capability and Three‐Dimensional Magnetic Ordering
Authors: Li Kunhao , Olson David H. , Lee Jeong Yong , Bi Wenhua , Wu Ke , Yuen Tan , Xu Qiang , Li Jing 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMicroporous materials [M3(HCOO)6] · DMF (M = Mn, Co, Ni) were synthesized solvothermally and structurally characterized by single crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction methods. The metal network exhibits diamondoid connectivity and the overall framework gives rise to zigzag channels along the b axis where guest dimethylformamide molecules reside. The effective pore size of these channels is ∼5–6 Å. The materials feature high thermal stability and permanent porosity with relatively small pore diameters which are attributed to the extensive strong dative bonding between the metal centers and formate molecules. The title compounds exhibit interesting multi‐fold gas adsorption and magnetic properties. The adsorption study of a series of alcohols, aromatics, and linear hydrocarbons revealed strong control of the adsorbent channel structures on their adsorption capacity and selectivity. The study also indicated possibility of using these materials for separation of close boiling chemicals (e.g., ethylbenzene and p‐xylene) via pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process and molecules with different diffusion parameters via kinetic‐based process. Three‐dimensional spontaneous magnetic ordering was found in all three network structures investigated and at ground states they behave somewhat like soft magnets.
Synthesis, Structure, Electronic State, and Luminescent Properties of Novel Blue‐Light‐Emitting Aryl‐Substituted 9,9‐Di(4‐(di‐p‐tolyl)aminophenyl)fluorenes
Authors: Jiao Shibo , Liao Yi , Xu Xinjun , Wang Liping , Yu Gui , Wang Limin , Su Zhongmin , Ye Shanghui , Liu Yunqi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractNovel blue‐light‐emitting fluorene derivatives 5a–c and 7a–c containing bulky and highly emissive groups, namely pyrene, 10‐phenylanthracene‐9‐yl and 10‐(4′‐diphenylaminophenyl)anthracene‐9‐yl groups, as well as hole‐injecting/transporting triarylamines were synthesized. Single crystals of compounds 5a, 5c, 7a, and 7c were grown and their crystal structures were determined by X‐ray diffraction. The four fluorene derivatives have nonplanar molecular structures, which reduce the intermolecular interaction and the likelihood of molecular aggregation or excimer formation. No unwanted long‐wavelength emission was observed in the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the 5a–c and 7a–c thin films. Their PL spectra reveal excellent thermal stability after annealing treatment under air and ambient light. All of the six compounds show high fluorescence quantum yields and outstanding thermal stabilities. The 2‐aryl and 2,7‐diaryl substituents at the fluorene molecule have a significant effect on the photophysical properties and the thermal characteristics. The six compounds show almost the same energy levels for the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) of about −5.20 eV, which allows effective hole injection. The C2‐ and C7‐aryl substituents play a relatively less‐important role in the HOMO energy levels, which depend mainly on the triphenylamino groups at the C9 position. The molecular orbitals, excitation energy, and emission energy were calculated to explain the real origin of their photophysical characteristics. The HOMOs are mainly localized on the triphenylamino groups at the C9 position, while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) have a significant orbital density at the C2‐ and/or C7‐aryl substituents. Pure‐blue‐light‐emitting diodes based on 2,7‐diaryl‐9,9‐di(triarylamino)fluorenes were fabricated.
Molecular Glass Resists as High‐Resolution Patterning Materials
Authors: De Silva Anuja , Felix Nelson M. , Ober Christopher K. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe success of the semiconductor industry is based on the ability to fabricate hundreds of millions of devices on a single chip. In order to fulfill the ever‐shrinking feature sizes, the industry requires new patternable materials in order to operate in the sub‐50 nm regime. Molecular glass (MG) resists are a new type of patterning material that has gained considerable attention over the past few years. This Research News article describes the chemical and structural aspects of MGs as well as important concepts of MG resist design. We also highlight some of the recent advances in high‐resolution patterning capabilities with next‐generation imaging tools.
Agenesis of the corpus callosum in California 1983–2003: A population‐based study
Authors: Glass Hannah C. , Shaw Gary M. , Ma Chen , Sherr Elliott H. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence, demographic risk factors, and malformations associated with agenesis and hypoplasia of the corpus callosum diagnosed in infancy. Using a large population‐based registry of birth defects, we ascertained 630 cases of agenesis (ACC) and hypoplasia (HCC) of the corpus callosum diagnosed in the first year of life among 3.4 million live births from 1983 to 2003. Infants with destructive lesions or specific complex central nervous system (CNS) malformations (neural tube defects, lissencephaly, and holoprosencephaly) were excluded. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis was used to examine demographic risk factors. The combined prevalence of ACC and HCC was 1.8 per 10,000 live births. Fifty‐two percent of cases were male. Infants with ACC had an almost fourfold higher prevalence among infants born prematurely when compared with children born ≥37 weeks gestation (RR 3.7, 95% CI 2.5–5.3). After adjusting for paternal age, advanced maternal age ≥40 years was associated with ACC in infants with a chromosomal disorder (ACC RR 5.9; 95% CI 1.8–19.3, HCC RR 3.5; 95% CI 0.9–14.1). Paternal age was not significantly associated with ACC after adjusting for maternal age. Callosal anomalies were often seen in the context of a chromosomal abnormality (17.3%) and with accompanying somatic (musculoskeletal 33.5% and cardiac 27.6%) and CNS malformations (49.5%). Callosal anomalies form a clinically significant and relatively frequent group of malformations of the CNS that are associated with increased risk of premature birth, are more common with advanced maternal age and are frequently part of a complex, multisystem disorder. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.