bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lia Won't: Agency in the Retrospective Pregnancy Narratives of Low‐Income Brazilian Women
Authors: O'Dougherty Maureen 
Published: November 2008

RESUMENO rápido declínio das taxas de fecundidade no Brasil, de uma média de 6 bebês nascidos vivos por mulher em 1965 a 2,5 em 1996, occorreu num contexto no qual o aborto induzido é ilegal e a esterilização não foi autorizada pelo Código de Ética Médica antes de 1997. No entanto, mais de um quarto de brasileiras, unidas e solteiras, escolhem a esterilização até os 30 anos de idade. Esta pesquisa analisa narrativas de gravidez de 30 brasileiras de baixa renda, com 25 a 50 anos de idade, com a finalidade de entender como elas representam sua própria atuação (agency) e a atuação de outros, em relação a decisões sobre a gravidez. O protocolo de análise de agência (agency), tal como ela é representada nas narrativas, comprende três categorias analíticas: a agência do outro, em gravidezes não planejadas; a agência recuperadora–quando a mulher reassume o controle por meio do aborto induzido ou da aceitação da maternidade; e a agência antecipada, no qual a sua decisão incide sobre o futuro, por meio da esterilização.Brazil's rapid fertility decline, from six births per woman in 1965 to 2.5 in 1996, occurred in a context where abortion is illegal and sterilization sanctioned (until 1997) by the medical code of ethics. Still, more than one‐quarter of Brazilian women, both single and in stable union, choose sterilization by age 30. This research analyzed 30 pregnancy narratives of low‐income Brazilian women aged 25–50 to understand how they represent their agency, and the agency of others, in relation to pregnancy decisions. Three analytical categories comprise my method for examination of agency as represented in narrative: proximal (the agency of others) in unintended pregnancy; recuperative agency—reassuming control with abortion or embracing motherhood; and pre‐emptive or forward‐acting agency, through sterilization.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 Are Associated With High Stresses Predicted Using a Nonlinear Heterogeneous Model of Arteries
Authors: Kim Yu Shin , Galis Zorina S. , Rachev Alexander , Han Hai-Chao , Vito Raymond P. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractArteries adapt to their mechanical environment by undergoing remodeling of the structural scaffold via the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Cell culture studies have shown that stretching vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) positively correlates to the production of MMP-2 and -9. In tissue level studies, the expressions and activations of MMP-2 and -9 are generally higher in the outer media. However, homogeneous mechanical models of arteries predict lower stress and strain in the outer media, which appear inconsistent with experimental findings. The effects of heterogeneity may be important to our understanding of VSMC function since arteries exhibit structural heterogeneity across the wall. We hypothesized that local stresses, computed using a heterogeneous mechanical model of arteries, positively correlate to the levels of MMP-2 and -9 in situ. We developed a model of the arterial wall accounting for nonlinearity, residual strain, anisotropy, and structural heterogeneity. The distributions of elastin and collagen fibers in situ, measured in the media of porcine carotid arteries, showed significant nonuniformities. Anisotropy was represented by the direction of collagen fibers measured by the helical angle of VSMC nuclei. The points at which the collagen fibers became load bearing were computed, assuming a uniform fiber strain and orientation under physiological loading conditions, an assumption motivated by morphological measurements. The distributions of circumferential stresses, computed using both heterogeneous and homogeneous models, were correlated to the distributions of expressions and activations of MMP-2 and -9 in porcine common carotid arteries incubated in an ex vivo perfusion organ culture system under physiological conditions for 48h. While strains computed using incompressibility were identical in both models, the heterogeneous model, unlike the homogeneous model, predicted higher circumferential stresses in the outer layer correlated to the expressions and activations of MMP-2 and -9. This implies that localized remodeling occurs in the areas of high stress and agrees with results from cell culture studies. The results support the role of mechanical stress in vascular remodeling and the importance of structural heterogeneity in understanding mechanobiological responses.
ALGEBRAIC STRUCTURE OF A MASTER EQUATION WITH GENERALIZED LINDBLAD FORM
Authors: FUJII KAZUYUKI 
Published: November 2008

The quantum damped harmonic oscillator is described by the master equation with usual Lindblad form. The equation has been solved completely by us in arXiv: 0710.2724 [quant-ph]. To construct the general solution a few facts of representation theory based on the Lie algebra su(1,1) were used. In this paper we treat a general model described by a master equation with generalized Lindblad form. Then we examine the algebraic structure related to some Lie algebras and construct the interesting approximate solution.
EXTENDED ABSOLUTE PARALLELISM GEOMETRY
Authors: YOUSSEF NABIL. L. , SID-AHMED A. M. 
Published: November 2008

In this paper, we study Absolute Parallelism (AP-) geometry on the tangent bundle TM of a manifold M. Accordingly, all geometric objects defined in this geometry are not only functions of the positional argument x, but also depend on the directional argument y. Moreover, many new geometric objects, which have no counterpart in the classical AP-geometry, emerge in this different framework. We refer to such a geometry as an Extended Absolute Parallelism (EAP-) geometry. The building blocks of the EAP-geometry are a nonlinear connection (assumed given a priori) and 2n linearly independent vector fields (of special form) defined globally on TM defining the parallelization. Four different d-connections are used to explore the properties of this geometry. Simple and compact formulae for the curvature tensors and the W-tensors of the four defined d-connections are obtained, expressed in terms of the torsion and the contortion tensors of the EAP-space. Further conditions are imposed on the canonical d-connection assuming that it is of Cartan type (resp. Berwald type). Important consequences of these assumptions are investigated. Finally, a special form of the canonical d-connection is studied under which the classical AP-geometry is recovered naturally from the EAP-geometry. Physical aspects of some of the geometric objects investigated are pointed out and possible physical implications of the EAP-space are discussed, including an outline of a generalized field theory on the tangent bundle TM of M.
Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Assessment of Patellar Tendon Dimensions for Graft Selection in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Chang Chong Bum , Seong Sang Cheol , Kim Tae Kyun 
Published: November 2008

Background A bone patellar tendon bone autograft is one of the standard graft choices for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, its use can be limited when the patellar tendon is too narrow or too long. Hypothesis A preoperative assessment of patellar tendon dimensions using magnetic resonance imaging would be accurate and reliable. Patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction would have wide ranges of patellar tendon dimensions, and a significant proportion of patients would have a too narrow and/or too long patellar tendon as the graft choice. There would be a demographic predictor to identify the patients with inappropriate patellar tendon dimensions. Study Design Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods The accuracy and reliability of magnetic resonance assessments of patellar tendon dimensions were assessed by comparing the intraoperative measurements using a ruler in 55 knees and 10 knees, respectively. Data from the magnetic resonance assessments in 147 knees undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were used for the normative documentation of the patellar tendon dimensions (width, thickness, and length) and identification of demographic predictors for the dimensions. Results Preoperative magnetic resonance assessments of the patellar tendon dimensions were accurate and reliable. Korean patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction had wide variations in patellar dimensions, and a significant portion of the patients had an inappropriate patellar tendon (longer than 5 cm in 4.1% and narrower than 27 mm at middle portion in 15.6%) for the graft source. Patient height was the predictor used for patellar tendon width. The mathematical equation used to estimate the width based on patient height was: tendon width at middle portion (mm) = 0.202 × patient height (cm) — 5.07. Conclusion Preoperative magnetic resonance assessment of patellar tendon dimensions can be a valuable tool with satisfactory accuracy and reliability when the autologous patellar tendon is considered as the graft source for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Cooperation between integrin α5 and tetraspan TM4SF5 regulates VEGF-mediated angiogenic activity
Authors: Choi Suyong , Lee Sin-Ae , Kwak Tae Kyoung , Kim Hyeon Jung , Lee Mi Ji , Ye Sang-Kyu , Kim Sung-Hoon , Kim Semi , Lee Jung Weon 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTetraspan TM4SF5 is highly expressed in a diverse number of tumor types. Here we explore the mechanistic roles of TM4SF5 in angiogenesis. We found that TM4SF5 overexpression correlates with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in SNU449 hepatocytes and with vessel formation in clinical hepatocarcinoma samples. Conditioned media from TM4SF5-expressing cells enhanced viability and tube formation of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and outgrowth of endothelial cells from aorta ring segments, which was abolished by treatment with an anti-VEGF antibody. TM4SF5 retained integrin α5 on the cell surface for VEGF induction, and preincubation with anti–integrin α5 antibody abolished TM4SF5-mediated VEGF expression and secretion. TM4SF5-mediated effects required integrin α5, c-Src, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). In addition, tumors from nude mice injected with TM4SF5-expressing cells and from clinical human hepatocarcinoma tissues showed enhanced integrin α5 expression, vessel formation, and signaling activity, which were inhibited by administration of anti–integrin α5 or -VEGF antibody. This study suggests that TM4SF5 facilitates angiogenesis of neighboring endothelial cells through VEGF induction, mediated by cooperation between TM4SF5 and integrin α5 of epithelial cells.
Malaria treatment-seeking behaviour and recovery from malaria in a highland area of Kenya
Authors: Sumba Peter O , Wong S Lindsey , Kanzaria Hemal K , Johnson Kelsey A , John Chandy C 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
Malaria epidemics in highland areas of Kenya cause significant morbidity and mortality.

Methods
To assess treatment-seeking behaviour for malaria in these areas, a questionnaire was administered to 117 randomly selected households in the highland area of Kipsamoite, Kenya. Self-reported episodes of malaria occurred in 100 adults and 66 children.

Results
The most frequent initial sources of treatment for malaria in adults and children were medical facilities (66.0% and 66.7%) and local shops (19.0% and 30.3%). Adults and children who initially visited a medical facility for treatment were significantly more likely to recover and require no further treatment than those who initially went to a local shop (adults, 84.9% v. 36.8%, P < 0.0001, and children, 79.6% v. 40.0%, P = 0.002, respectively). Individuals who attended medical facilities recalled receiving anti-malarial medication significantly more frequently than those who visited shops (adults, 100% vs. 29.4%, and children, 100% v. 5.0%, respectively, both P < 0.0001).

Conclusion
A significant proportion of this highland population chooses local shops for initial malaria treatment and receives inappropriate medication at these localshops, reslting in delay of effective treatment. Shopkeeper education has the potential to be a component of prevention or containment strategies for malaria epidemics in highland areas.
A rapid 3% polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis method for high through put screening of LDL phenotype
Authors: Singh Yogendra , Lakshmy Ramakrishnan , Gupta Ruby , Kranthi Vemparala 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
Small dense LDL is reported to be associated with increased coronary artery disease risk by various epidemiological studies. The gold standard for separation and identification of LDL subtypes in plasma is ultracentrifugation which is a lengthy procedure and difficult to perform. Various other methods like NMR, HPLC, gradient gel electrophoresis (GGE) have been reported for LDL sub fractionation all of which require specialized equipments and expertise. We report here a high throughput 3% polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis method (PASGE) for sub fractionation of LDL which was compared with GGE, a commonly used method for LDL sub fractionation.

Results
The 3% PASGE method compared well with the GGE method There was a good correlation between LDL particle diameter identified by the PASGE and GGE (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.950). A 100% concordance was found when samples were classified as per LDL phenotypes in subjects with A and B phenotype by the two methods with the concordance being 66% in subjects with intermediate (I) phenotype. The electrophoresis apparatus was optimized and designed for running twenty eight samples at a time compared to twelve to fourteen by the conventional PASGE and eight to twelve by disc electrophoresis.

Conclusion
The rapid 3% polyacrylamide slab gel electrphoresis method developed is simple to perform, cost-effective and can be used for the identification LDL sub fractionation and phenotyping in large epidemiological studies.
Genetic variation in stromal proteins decorin and lumican with breast cancer: investigations in two case-control studies
Authors: Kelemen Linda E , Couch Fergus J , Ahmed Shahana , Dunning Alison M , Pharoah Paul DP , Easton Douglas F , Fredericksen Zachary S , Vierkant Robert A , Pankratz V Shane , Goode Ellen L , Scott Christopher G , Rider David N , Wang Xianshu , Cerhan James R , Vachon Celine M 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Introduction
The stroma is the supportive framework of biologic tissue in the breast, consisting of various proteins such as the proteoglycans, decorin and lumican. Altered expression of decorin and lumican is associated with breast tumors. We hypothesized that genetic variation in the decorin (DCN) and lumican (LUM) genes may contribute to breast cancer.

Methods
We investigated associations of 14 common polymorphisms in the DCN and LUM genes with 798 breast cancer cases and 843 controls from Mayo Clinic, MN, USA. One polymorphism per gene with the strongest risk association in the Mayo Clinic sample was genotyped in 4,470 breast cancer cases and 4,560 controls from East Anglia, England (Studies of Epidemiology and Risk Factors in Cancer Heredity (SEARCH)).

Results
In the Mayo Clinic sample, six polymorphisms were associated with breast cancer risk (Ptrend ≤ 0.05). The association with LUM rs2268578, evaluated further in SEARCH, was positive, although the odds ratios (OR) were weaker and not statistically significant. ORs were 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 1.8) for heterozygotes and 2.2 (95% CI, 1.1 to 4.3; P2 df = 0.002) for homozygotes in the Mayo Clinic sample, and were 1.1 (95% CI, 0.9 to 1.2) for heterozygotes and 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0 to 2.1; P2 df = 0.13) for homozygotes in the SEARCH sample. In combined analyses, the ORs were 1.1 (95% CI, 1.0 to 1.2) for heterozygotes and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.2 to 2.3; P2 df = 0.005) for homozygotes. Positive associations for this polymorphism were observed for estrogen receptor-positive tumors in both the Mayo Clinic sample (OR for heterozygotes = 1.5, 1.1 to 1.9 and OR for homozygotes = 2.5, 1.2 to 5.3;P2 df = 0.001) and the SEARCH sample (OR for heterozygotes = 1.0, 0.9 to 1.1 and OR for homozygotes = 1.6, 1.0 to 2.5; P2 df = 0.10). In combined analyses, the ORs were 1.1 (95% CI, 0.9 to 1.2) for heterozygotes and 1.9 (95% CI, 1.3 to 2.8; P2 df = 0.001) for homozygotes.

Conclusions
Although LUM rs2268578 was associated with breast cancer in the Mayo Clinic study, particularly estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, weaker and modest associations were observed in the SEARCH sample. These modest associations will require larger samples to adequately assess the importance of this polymorphism in breast cancer.
Impact of Body Mass Index and Weight Change After Treatment on Cancer Recurrence and Survival in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: Findings From Cancer and Leukemia Group B 89803
Authors: Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Niedzwiecki Donna , Hollis Donna , Saltz Leonard B. , Mayer Robert J. , Nelson Heidi , Whittom Renaud , Hantel Alexander , Thomas James , Fuchs Charles S. 
Published: November 2008

Purpose Obesity is a risk factor for the development of colon cancer. However, the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the outcome of patients with established colon cancer remains uncertain. Moreover, the impact of change in body habitus after diagnosis has not been studied. Patients and Methods We conducted a prospective, observational study of 1,053 patients who had stage III colon cancer and who were enrolled on a randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients reported on height and weight during and 6 months after adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were observed for cancer recurrence or death. Results In this cohort of patients with stage III cancer, 35% of patients were overweight (BMI, 25 to 29.9 kg/m2), and 34% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Increased BMI was not significantly associated with a higher risk of colon cancer recurrence or death (P trend = .54). Compared with normal-weight patients (BMI, 21 to 24.9 kg/m2), the multivariate hazard ratio for disease-free survival was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.72 to 1.40) for patients with class I obesity (BMI, 30 to 34.9 kg/m2) and 1.24 (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.83) for those with class II to III obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) after analysis was adjusted for tumor-related prognostic factors, physical activity, tobacco history, performance status, age, and sex. Similarly, after analysis was controlled for BMI, weight change (either loss or gain) during the time period between ongoing adjuvant therapy and 6 months after completion of therapy did not significantly impact on cancer recurrence and/or mortality. Conclusion Neither BMI nor weight change was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence and death in patients with colon cancer.
Phase I Study of Adenovirus p53 Administered by Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Patients With Bronchioloalveolar Cell Lung Carcinoma: ECOG 6597
Authors: Keedy Vicki , Wang Wei , Schiller Joan , Chada Sunil , Slovis Bonnie , Coffee Keith , Worrell John , Thet Lyn A. , Johnson David H. , Carbone David P. 
Published: November 2008

Purpose This pilot phase I trial evaluated the safety and maximum-tolerated dose of p53 gene transfer using an adenovirus vector (Ad-p53) delivered via bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to patients with bronchioloalveolar lung carcinoma (BAC). Patients and Methods Patients were initially administered two treatments of Ad-p53 to a single involved lobe, beginning at 2 × 109 viral particles (vp) per dose and escalated to a maximum of 2 × 1012 vp. If a clinical benefit was seen and the treatment was well tolerated, additional doses could be administered to additional lobes. Results Twenty-five patients were treated at doses between 2 × 109 and 2 × 1012 vp. At 2 × 1012 vp, one patient experienced grade 4 pulmonary toxicity, and one patient died 25 days after his second cycle; therefore, a cohort of 10 patients was treated at the recommended phase II dose of 5 × 1011 vp, with no grade 4 toxicity observed. The most frequent toxicities included low-grade fever, hypoxia, and dyspnea. Of the 23 assessable patients, 16 had stable disease as their best response. Subjective improvement in breathing was noted in eight patients. Limited distribution of vector was observed, with transient detection in patient sputum for 1 to 2 days after administration. Conclusion Ad-p53 can be administered safely by BAL at 5 × 1011 vp with repeated dosing. Stabilization of disease and symptomatic improvement may warrant further studies of Ad-p53 or other adenoviruses administered by BAL in patients with BAC.
The Utility of Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing for Diagnosis and Assessment of Treatment Outcomes in 166 Patients with Acromegaly
Authors: Carmichael John D. , Bonert Vivien S. , Mirocha James M. , Melmed Shlomo 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Context: GH suppression after oral glucose load [oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)] and normal age- and gender-matched IGF-I levels reflect biochemical control of acromegaly. The OGTT is the gold standard for determining control of GH secretion at diagnosis and after surgical treatment, but the usefulness of performing an OGTT in patients treated with medical therapy has not been determined.
Objective: Our objective was to assess relationships between basal GH levels (basal GH), GH responses to OGTT [GH nadir (GHn)], and IGF-I levels.
Design: This was a retrospective electronic database review.
Setting: This study was performed at a tertiary outpatient pituitary center.
Patients: A total of 166 patients with acromegaly (79 females, 87 males) were included in the study. Four categories of testing were performed: diagnosis, postoperative assessment without medication, testing during somatostatin analog (SA) therapy, and testing during dopamine agonist (DA) therapy.
Main Outcome Measures: Basal serum GH and IGF-I levels and GH levels 2 h after 75 g OGTT were measured.
Results: A total of 482 simultaneous OGTT and IGF-I measurements were observed from 1985–2008. Discordant results of oral glucose tolerance testing (GHn and IGF-I) were observed 33, 48, and 18% in postoperative assessment without medication, SA, and DA categories, respectively. In the SA category, 42% of tests were discordant with normal IGF-I and nonsuppressed GHn. In contrast, 4% of tests were discordant with normal IGF-I and nonsuppressed GH in those treated with DA. No significant differences in discordance were observed when basal GH was used.
Conclusions: Both basal and GHn levels are highly discordant with IGF-I levels during medical therapy with SAs. The OGTT is not useful in assessing biochemical control in these subjects.