bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Downregulation of miR‐138 is associated with overexpression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase protein in human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Mitomo Shingo , Maesawa Chihaya , Ogasawara Satoshi , Iwaya Takeshi , Shibazaki Masahiko , Yashima‐Abo Akiko , Kotani Koji , Oikawa Hiroki , Sakurai Eiich , Izutsu Naoko , Kato Kuniyuki , Komatsu Hideaki , Ikeda Kenichro , Wakabayashi Go , Masuda Tomoyuki 
Published: February 2008

Alterations of several microRNA (miRNA) have been linked to cancer development and its biology. To search for unique miRNA that might play a role in the development of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), we examined the expression of multiple miRNA and their functional effects on target genes in human thyroid carcinoma cell lines. We quantitatively evaluated the expression of multiple miRNA in 10 ATC and five papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cell lines, as well as primary tumors from 11 thyroid carcinoma patients (three ATC and eight PTC), using the stem‐loop‐mediated reverse transcription real‐time polymerase chain reaction method. We also examined the target gene specificity of unique miRNA that showed differences in expression between ATC and PTC cell lines. One miRNA, miR‐138, was significantly downregulated in ATC cell lines in comparison with PTC (P < 0.01). Eleven miRNA (including miR‐138) potentially targeting the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene were totally downregulated in both ATC and PTC cell lines in comparison with normal thyroid tissues. A tendency for an inverse correlation between miR‐138 and hTERT protein expression was observed in the thyroid cancer cell lines, although this failed to reach significance (r = –0.392, P = 0.148). We demonstrated that overexpression of miR‐138 induced a reduction in hTERT protein expression, and confirmed target specificity between miR‐138 and the hTERT 3′‐untranslated region by luciferase reporter assay. These results suggest that loss of miR‐138 expression may partially contribute to the gain of hTERT protein expression in ATC, and that further multiple miRNA targeting hTERT mRNA might be involved in the development of thyroid carcinoma. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 280–286)
UGT1A7haplotype is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B carriers
Authors: Kong Sun‐Young , Ki Chang‐Seok , Yoo Byung Chul , Kim Jong‐Won 
Published: February 2008

TheUGT1A7gene encodes UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase, a key enzyme catalyzing the glucuronidation of various carcinogens. In this study, we investigated the association between haplotypes of the wholeUGT1A7gene and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Sequence analysis of exon1 and the promoter region of theUGT1A7gene was carried out to determine haplotype profiles for 244 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 223 hepatitis B carriers, and 314 healthy control subjects. Hepatitis B carriers with haplotypes other than haplotype 1 (Ht1; CTCTCGTG at –341, –57, 33, 387, 391, 392, 622, and 756) had a significantly greater risk of developing HCC with odds ratios (OR) of 1.67 (95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.11–2.52) for Ht1/others and 1.85 (95% CI; 1.09–3.14) for others/others. In multivariate logistic regression analysis including age and haplotypes from Ht1 to Ht4, the presence of Ht2 (CGAGAACG) or Ht4 (CTCGAATG) was associated with HCC risk (OR = 1.45 [95% CI; 1.03–2.03] and 4.95 [95% CI; 1.75–13.98], respectively). The results of this study show that theUGT1A7haplotype is a suitable susceptibility marker for the development of HCC in hepatitis B carriers. (Cancer Sci2008; 99: 340–344)
Intranasal vaccination with poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) microparticles containing a peptide T of Ole e 1 prevents mice against sensitization
Authors: Marazuela E. G. , Prado N. , Moro E. , Fernández‐García H. , Villalba M. , Rodríguez R. , Batanero E. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryBackground
Biodegradable microparticles, in particular poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA), have been shown as potential delivery vehicles for intranasal (i.n.) vaccines in animal models.Objectives
To evaluate whether i.n. administration of PLGA microparticles containing a peptide with the major T cell epitope of Ole e 1, the main allergen of olive pollen, prevented mice from allergic sensitization to the whole protein.Methods
Peptide‐PLGA microparticles were prepared by a solvent evaporation double emulsion method. Microparticles in a size range of 0.8 μm were evaluated for peptide loading and in vitro antigen release. Stability and immunogenicity of the entrapped peptide were retained, as determined by dot blot and ELISA inhibition. BALB/c mice were intranasally treated with peptide‐PLGA microparticles for 3 consecutive days, 1 week before sensitization/challenge to Ole e 1. Blood, lungs and spleen were collected and analysed for immune response. Biodistribution of microparticles was investigated using confocal microscopy.Results
I.n. pretreatment of BALB/c mice with peptide‐PLGA microparticles before sensitization to Ole e 1 led to a significant inhibition of serum allergen‐specific IgE and IgG1 antibody levels, but a marked increase of specific IgG2a antibodies as compared with sham‐pretreated mice. Moreover, IL‐5 and IL‐10 levels in spleen cell cultures were suppressed in peptide‐PLGA pretreated mice. The airway histopathologic parameters associated with inflammation were significantly suppressed by the pretreatment.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that i.n. immunization with peptide T‐PLGA microparticles is effective in preventing subsequent allergic sensitization to Ole e 1. Our data indicate that peptide‐PLGA microparticles may be promising candidates for the design of nasal vaccines against allergic diseases in humans.
Rapid transcriptome characterization for a nonmodel organism using 454 pyrosequencing
Authors: VERA J. CRISTOBAL , WHEAT CHRISTOPHER W. , FESCEMYER HOWARD W. , FRILANDER MIKKO J. , CRAWFORD DOUGLAS L. , HANSKI ILKKA , MARDEN JAMES H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe present ade novoassembly of a eukaryote transcriptome using 454 pyrosequencing data. The Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia; Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a prominent species in population biology but had no previous genomic data. Sequencing runs using two normalized complementary DNA collections from a genetically diverse pool of larvae, pupae, and adults yielded 608 053 expressed sequence tags (mean length = 110 nucleotides), which assembled into 48 354 contigs (sets of overlapping DNA segments) and 59 943 singletons.blastcomparisons confirmed the accuracy of the sequencing and assembly, and indicated the presence ofc. 9000 unique genes, along with > 6000 additional microarray‐confirmed unannotated contigs. Average depth of coverage was 6.5‐fold for the longest 4800 contigs (348–2849 bp in length), sufficient for detecting large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms. Oligonucleotide microarray probes designed from the assembled sequences showed highly repeatable hybridization intensity and revealed biological differences among individuals. We conclude that 454 sequencing, when performed to provide sufficient coverage depth, allowsde novotranscriptome assembly and a fast, cost‐effective, and reliable method for development of functional genomic tools for nonmodel species. This development narrows the gap between approaches based on model organisms with rich genetic resources vs. species that are most tractable for ecological and evolutionary studies.
What is the optimal serum lithium level in the long‐term treatment of bipolar disorder – a review?
Authors: Severus WE , Kleindienst N , Seemüller F , Frangou S , Möller HJ , Greil W 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  There is substantial uncertainty about the most efficacious serum lithium level for the long‐term treatment of bipolar disorder (BD). This review focuses on the available evidence taking into consideration the effects of previous lithium history, changes in lithium level and polarity of relapse or recurrence.Methods:  We conducted a MEDLINE search, using the MeSH Terms ‘bipolar disorder’ and ‘lithium’ together with ‘randomized controlled trial’ or ‘controlled clinical trial’ covering the time span from 1966 to March 2006. We only included studies reporting on the long‐term treatment of mood disorders where patients with BD were examined as a separate group and were assigned to precisely specified target ranges of lithium level.Results:  The minimum efficacious serum lithium level in the long‐term treatment of bipolar disorder was 0.4 mmol/L with optimal response achieved at serum levels between 0.6–0.75 mmol/L. Lithium levels >0.75 mmol/L may not confer additional protection against overall morbidity but may further improve control of inter‐episode manic symptoms. Abrupt reduction of serum levels of more than 0.2 mmol/L was associated with increased risk of relapse.Conclusions:  In the long‐term treatment of bipolar disorder clinicians should initially aim for serum lithium levels of 0.6–0.75 mmol/L, while higher levels may benefit patients with predominantly manic symptoms.
Behavioral Approach System and Behavioral Inhibition System sensitivities and bipolar spectrum disorders: prospective prediction of bipolar mood episodes
Authors: Alloy Lauren B , Abramson Lyn Y , Walshaw Patricia D , Cogswell Alex , Grandin Louisa D , Hughes Megan E , Iacoviello Brian M , Whitehouse Wayne G , Urosevic Snezana , Nusslock Robin , Hogan Michael E 
Published: February 2008

Objectives: Research has found that bipolar spectrum disorders are associated with Behavioral Approach System (BAS) hypersensitivity and both unipolar and bipolar depression are associated with high Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) sensitivity, but prospective studies of these relationships are lacking. We tested whether BAS and BIS sensitivities prospectively predicted the time to new onsets of major depressive and hypomanic and manic episodes in bipolar spectrum individuals.Methods: We followed 136 bipolar II or cyclothymic and 157 demographically matched normal control individuals prospectively for an average of 33 months. Participants completed the BIS/BAS scales and symptom measures at Time 1 and semi‐structured diagnostic interviews every four months of follow‐up.Results: The bipolar spectrum group exhibited higher Time 1 BAS, but not BIS, scores than the normal controls, controlling for Time 1 symptoms. Among bipolar spectrum participants, high BAS sensitivity prospectively predicted a shorter time to onset of hypomanic and manic episodes, whereas high BIS sensitivity predicted less survival time to major depressive episodes, controlling for initial symptoms.Conclusions: Consistent with the BAS hypersensitivity model of bipolar disorder, a highly responsive BAS provides vulnerability to onsets of (hypo)manic episodes. In addition, a highly sensitive BIS increases risk for major depressive episodes.
Corticosterone manipulation reveals differences in hierarchical organization of multidimensional reproductive trade‐offs in r‐strategist and K‐strategist females
Authors: LANCASTER L. T. , HAZARD L. C. , CLOBERT J. , SINERVO B. R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractLife history trade‐offs are often hierarchical with decisions at one level affecting lower level trade‐offs. We investigated trade‐off structure in female side‐blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana), which exhibit two evolved strategies: yellow‐throated females are K‐strategists and orange‐throated are r‐strategists. Corticosterone treatment was predicted to differentially organize these females’ reproductive decisions. Corticosterone‐treated yellow females suppressed reproduction but survived well, and augmented egg mass without decreasing clutch size. Conversely, corticosterone enhanced mortality and reproductive rates in orange females, and increased egg mass only after lengthy exposure. Corticosterone did not affect post‐laying condition, suggesting that corticosterone increased egg mass through enhanced energy acquisition (income breeding). Corticosterone enhanced survival of lightweight females, but decreased survival of heavy females, introducing a foraging vs. predation trade‐off. We conclude that rather than being a direct, functional relationship, observed trade‐offs between offspring size and number represent evolved differences in hierarchical organization of multidimensional trade‐offs, particularly in response to stress.
A SINGULAR INTEGRAL EQUATION SOLUTION FOR THE LINEAR ELASTIC CRACK OPENING DISPLACEMENT OF AN ARBITRARILY SHAPED PLANE CRACK: PART II REGULAR INTEGRAL SOLUTIONS
Authors: Mayrhofer K. , Fischer F. D. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract— The boundary value problem for an arbitrarily shaped plane crack embedded in a 3D linear elastic solid can be reduced to a governing hyper‐singular integral equation. A discretizing procedure based on a triangulation of the crack area has been offered in Part I of this work. The main goal of Part I is to introduce the analytical results for the 18 resulting finite‐part integrals defined over a triangular mesh area. The finite‐part integrals occur in those triangles where the source point coincides with one of the element nodes. Mostly the source point lies outside of the considered triangle. In these cases the occurring area integrals are regular.The aim of Part II is, therefore, the derivation of the closed form expressions for the relevant 18 regular area integrals. The resulting relations are of algebraic form which can easily be coded in compact form. Their numerical proof by two different methods shows the highest accuracy and, therefore, the correctness of the final solutions. The relevant numerical results are offered in Appendix I.With the formulae provided in Part I and Part II of the paper the determination of the coefficient matrix, necessary for the calculation of COD values from a linear equation system, is precise and needs only minimum computer time.
HIGH TEMPERATURE SHORT FATIGUE CRACK BEHAVIOUR IN A STAINLESS STEEL
Authors: Raman S. Ganesh Sundara , Argence D. , Pineau A. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract— Continuous low cycle fatigue (LCF) tests with‐and without‐hold time in push‐pull and torsion loading modes and sequential LCF tests in push‐pull mode were carried out at 650°C in air on thin tubular specimens of 316 stainless steel; the sequential tests involving pure fatigue (PF) and creep‐fatigue (CF) loadings. The growth of short fatigue cracks was studied by taking several replicas from the specimen surface which were subsequently observed under a scanning electron microscope. An analysis was done with respect to both crack density and the orientation of microcracks and macrocrack(s) which led to failure.Crack density was higher on the surface of a CF tested specimen than that of a PF tested specimen. Mainly short cracks oriented at 45° to the specimen axis were observed on a torsion fatigue tested specimen surface. For push‐pull specimens the microcracks propagated perpendicular to the specimen axis to form macrocracks that propagated in the same direction. On the other hand, for torsion specimens the microcracks which initially propagated at 45° to the specimen axis linked to form macrocracks oriented parallel and perpendicular to the specimen axis. However, the macrocrack responsible for the final fracture was always oriented parallel to the specimen axis.Cumulative damage was dependent on the type of loading (PF or CF) in the first part of sequential tests. In particular microcracks initiated during an initial damage phase observed under sequential LCF tests in PF were found to be healed by oxide formation during the hold times applied in the subsequent CF loading and this produced a total damage summation significantly larger than one.
ICT teacher training: Evidence for multilevel evaluation from a national initiative
Authors: Davis Niki , Preston Christina , Sahin Ismail 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis paper is one of a pair that re‐examines the evidence from a national initiative to train all teachers in England to bring them up to the level of newly qualified teachers, who are required to know when to use and when not to use information and communication technologies (ICT) in their professional practice. Reanalysis of data gathered for the 2004 evaluation uncovers the complexity of such professional development. The effectiveness of contrasting approaches to ICT‐related teacher training was analysed using the national survey of 496 trainees and experts’ reports on 11 of the 47 training providers. multilevel evaluation of professional development was shown to be robust for ICT teacher training, including a significant correlation between the views of experts and those of teachers. The presence of the middle level of ‘organisational support and change’ emerged as a particularly discriminating factor, indicating that higher‐quality teacher training supports change in the classroom and in the school. Therefore, we recommend that all five of Guskey's levels be consistently adopted for the evaluation of ICT teacher training, and that research should also adopt a multilevel model. A second paper delves deeper to describe and contrast the highest and lowest‐rated approaches to ICT teacher training.
Leeway for the Loyal: A Model of Employee Discretion
Authors: Green Francis 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis article examines the factors underlying task discretion from an economist's perspective. It argues that the key axis for understanding discretion is the trade‐off between the positive effects of discretion on potential output per employee and the negative effects of greater leeway on work effort. In empirical analysis using matched employer–employee data, it is shown that discretion is strongly affected by the level of employee commitment. In addition, discretion is generally greater in high‐skilled jobs, although not without exceptions, and lower where employees are under‐skilled. Homeworking and flexitime policies raise employee discretion. The impact of teamworking is mixed. In about half of cases team members do not jointly decide about work matters, and the net effect of teams on task discretion in these cases is negative. In other cases, where team members do decide matters jointly, the impact is found to be neutral according to employees' perceptions, or positive according to managers' perceptions. There are also significant and substantial unobserved establishment‐level factors which affect task discretion.
On the Determinants of Shift Work and Overtime Work: Evidence from German Establishment Data
Authors: Jirjahn Uwe 
Published: February 2008

AbstractUsing data from German manufacturing establishments, this article examines the empirical determinants of shift work and overtime. Technology and the organization of work, the managerial environment, the structure of the workforce and industrial relations are important determinants. Despite the similarities in the role of some determinants, a series of important differences exists between the estimations for overtime and shift work. Moreover, using an instrumental variables probit model, the estimates indicate a negative relationship between shift work and overtime.
Who are the Kuchi? Nomad self‐identities in Afghanistan
Authors: Tapper Richard 
Published: February 2008

‘Kuchi’, an Afghan Persian word meaning ‘those who go on migrations’, is the common generic term, used by both Afghans and foreigners, for the nomads of Afghanistan, as it has been for many decades. Most if not all the nomads, and indeed many long‐settled former nomads, now acknowledge this name, yet in the 1960s and 1970s few of those so labelled used the term for themselves. This article examines the usage of both ‘Kuchi’ and ‘nomad’, and locates them in the wider contexts of ethnic labelling practices in Afghanistan, anthropological debates about pastoral nomadism, and government‐nomad relations in both Afghanistan and neighbouring Iran.Résumé« Kuchi », un mot farsi d’Afghanistan désignant « ceux qui migrent », est le nom générique donné depuis des dizaines d’années par les Afghans, aussi bien que par les étrangers, aux nomades d’Afghanistan. Alors qu’aujourd’hui, la plupart de ces nomades, sinon tous, ainsi d’ailleurs que beaucoup d’anciens nomades sédentarisés depuis longtemps, se réclament de ce nom, ils étaient peu nombreux à se désigner ainsi dans les années 1960 et 1970. L’auteur examine ici l’usage des mots « Kuchi » et « nomades » et les resitue dans le contexte plus large des pratiques de dénomination ethniques en Afghanistan, des débats anthropologiques sur le nomadisme pastoral et des relations entre gouvernement et nomades en Afghanistan et dans l’Iran voisin.
Every Missingness not at Random Model Has a Missingness at Random Counterpart with Equal Fit
Authors: Molenberghs Geert , Beunckens Caroline , Sotto Cristina , Kenward Michael G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryOver the last decade a variety of models to analyse incomplete multivariate and longitudinal data have been proposed, many of which allowing for the missingness to be not at random, in the sense that the unobserved measurements influence the process governing missingness, in addition to influences coming from observed measurements and/or covariates. The fundamental problems that are implied by such models, to which we refer as sensitivity to unverifiable modelling assumptions, has, in turn, sparked off various strands of research in what is now termed sensitivity analysis. The nature of sensitivity originates from the fact that a missingness not at random (MNAR) model is not fully verifiable from the data, rendering the empirical distinction between MNAR and missingness at random (MAR), where only covariates and observed outcomes influence missingness, difficult or even impossible, unless we are willing to accept the posited MNAR model in an unquestioning way. We show that the empirical distinction between MAR and MNAR is not possible, in the sense that each MNAR model fit to a set of observed data can be reproduced exactly by an MAR counterpart. Of course, such a pair of models will produce different predictions of the unobserved outcomes, given the observed outcomes. Theoretical considerations are supplemented with an illustration that is based on the Slovenian public opinion survey, which has been analysed before in the context of sensitivity analysis.
Practical Filtering with Sequential Parameter Learning
Authors: Polson Nicholas G. , Stroud Jonathan R. , Müller Peter 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe paper develops a simulation-based approach to sequential parameter learning and filtering in general state space models. Our approach is based on approximating the target posterior by a mixture of fixed lag smoothing distributions. Parameter inference exploits a sufficient statistic structure and the methodology can be easily implemented by modifying state space smoothing algorithms. We avoid reweighting particles and hence sample degeneracy problems that plague particle filters that use sequential importance sampling. The method is illustrated by using two examples: a benchmark auto-regressive model with observation error and a high dimensional dynamic spatiotemporal model. We show that the method provides accurate inference in the presence of outliers, model misspecification and high dimensionality.