bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Religion in Contemporary Society: Eroded by Human Well-being, Supported by Cultural Diversity
Authors: Pettersson Thorleif 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMost versions of secularization theory expect advanced modernity to weaken religion. In contrast, this chapter argues that two different dimensions of contemporary society affect religion in opposite ways. Rising levels of human security and well-being are assumed to drive towards religious decline, while growing cultural diversity is assumed to push towards religious growth. These two hypotheses are simultaneously investigated, using world wide data for 50 000 respondents from 37 countries with a predominantly Christian heritage. As dependent variables, two dimensions of religious involvement which relate to two core aspects of secularization theory are analyzed: church-oriented religious involvement and preferences for a religious impact on politics. The findings from three different analytical strategies demonstrate that each of the two religious orientations is positively related to the cultural diversity, and also that each of them is negatively related to human security and well-being. Furthermore, the results also indicate that the religious changes which took place between 1981 and 1999/2000 are negatively related to human well-being and security, and positively to cultural diversity. Thus, a set of comprehensive analyses of one and the same set of world wide data indicate that human security and cultural diversity affect religious involvement in opposite ways. It seems too simplistic, therefore, to view modernization as a universal cause of religious decline.
A soluble form of the Mer receptor tyrosine kinase inhibits macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells and platelet aggregation
Authors: Sather Susan , Kenyon Karla D. , Lefkowitz Jerry B. , Liang Xiayuan , Varnum Brian C. , Henson Peter M. , Graham Douglas K. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMembrane-bound receptors generate soluble ligand-binding domains either by proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain or alternative mRNA splicing yielding a secreted protein. Mertk (Mer) is in a receptor tyrosine kinase family with Axl and Tyro-3, and all 3 receptors share the Gas6 ligand. Mer regulates macrophage activation, promotes apoptotic cell engulfment, and supports platelet aggregation and clot stability in vivo. We have found that the membrane-bound Mer protein is cleaved in the extracellular domain via a metalloproteinase. The cleavage results in the production of a soluble Mer protein released in a constitutive manner from cultured cells. Significant amounts of the soluble Mer protein were also detected in human plasma, suggesting its physiologic relevance. Cleavage of Mer was enhanced by treatment with LPS and PMA and was specifically inhibited by a tumor necrosis factor α-converting enzyme metalloproteinase inhibitor. As a decoy receptor for Gas6, soluble Mer prevented Gas6-mediated stimulation of membrane-bound Mer. The inhibition of Gas6 activity by soluble Mer led to defective macrophage-mediated engulfment of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, soluble Mer decreased platelet aggregation in vitro and prevented fatal collagen/epinephrine-induced thromboembolism in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic use for soluble Mer in the treatment of clotting disorders.
Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus–encoded vFLIP and vIRF1 regulate antigen presentation in lymphatic endothelial cells
Authors: Lagos Dimitrios , Trotter Matthew W. B. , Vart Richard J. , Wang Hsei-Wei , Matthews Nick C. , Hansen Amy , Flore Ornella , Gotch Frances , Boshoff Chris 
Published: October 2006

AbstractKaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is etiologically linked to Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a tumor genetically akin to lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). We obtained the immune transcriptional signature of KS and used KSHV-infected LECs (KLECs) as an in vitro model to determine the effects of KSHV on transcription and expression of genes involved in immunity. The antigen presentation, interferon (IFN) response, and cytokine transcriptomes of KLECs resemble those of KS. Transcription of genes involved in class I presentation is increased in KS and after infection of LECs, but MHC-I and ICAM-1 surface expression are down-regulated in KLECs. Inhibition of IFN induction of MHC-I transcription indicates that KSHV regulates MHC-I transcription. We show that MHC-I transcription is regulated by the KSHV-encoded viral FLICE inhibitory protein (vFLIP) and by viral IFN regulatory factor 1 (vIRF1). vFLIP up-regulates MHC-I and ICAM-1 through activation of NF-κB and stimulates T-cell proliferation, revealing a mechanism to prevent uncontrolled viral dissemination. In contrast, vIRF1 inhibits basal and IFN- and vFLIP-induced MHC-I transcription and surface expression through its interaction with the transcriptional coactivator p300, contributing to immune evasion. We propose that regulation of MHC-I by vFLIP and vIRF1 plays a crucial role in the host-pathogen equilibrium.
Expression analysis of primary mouse megakaryocyte differentiation and its application in identifying stage-specific molecular markers and a novel transcriptional target of NF-E2
Authors: Chen Zhao , Hu Michael , Shivdasani Ramesh A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMegakaryocyte (MK) differentiation is well described in morphologic terms but its molecular counterparts and the basis for platelet release are incompletely understood. We profiled mRNA expression in populations of primary mouse MKs representing successive differentiation stages. Genes associated with DNA replication are highly expressed in young MKs, in parallel with endomitosis. Intermediate stages are characterized by disproportionate expression of genes associated with the cytoskeleton, cell migration, and G-protein signaling, whereas terminally mature MKs accumulate hemostatic factors, including many membrane proteins. We used these expression profiles to extract a reliable panel of molecular markers for MKs of early, intermediate, or advanced differentiation and establish the value of this marker panel using mouse models of defective thrombopoiesis resulting from absence of GATA1, NF-E2, or tubulin β1. Computational analysis of the promoters of late-expressed MK genes identified new candidate targets for NF-E2, a critical transcriptional regulator of platelet release. One such gene encodes the kinase adaptor protein LIMS1/PINCH1, which is highly expressed in MKs and platelets and significantly reduced in NF-E2–deficient cells. Transactivation studies and chromatin immunoprecipitation implicate Lims1 as a direct target of NF-E2 regulation. Attribution of stage-specific genes, in combination with various applications, thus constitutes a powerful way to study MK differentiation and platelet biogenesis.
Allergens induce enhanced bronchoconstriction and leukotriene production in C5 deficient mice
Authors: McKinley Laura , Kim Jiyoun , Bolgos Gerald L , Siddiqui Javed , Remick Daniel G 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundPrevious genetic analysis has shown that a deletion in the complement component 5 gene-coding region renders mice more susceptible to allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) due to reduced IL-12 production. We investigated the role of complement in a murine model of asthma-like pulmonary inflammation.MethodsIn order to evaluate the role of complement B10 mice either sufficient or deficient in C5 were studied. Both groups of mice immunized and challenged with a house dust extract (HDE) containing high levels of cockroach allergens. Airways hyper-reactivity was determined with whole-body plesthysmography. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed to determine pulmonary cellular recruitment and measure inflammatory mediators. Lung homogenates were assayed for mediators and plasma levels of IgE determined. Pulmonary histology was also evaluated.ResultsC5-deficient mice showed enhanced AHR to methylcholine challenge, 474% and 91% increase above baseline Penh in C5-deficient and C5-sufficient mice respectively, p < 0.001. IL-12 levels in the lung homogenate (LH) were only slightly reduced and BAL IL-12 was comparable in C5-sufficient and C5-deficient mice. However, C5-deficient mice had significantly higher cysteinyl-leukotriene levels in the BAL fluid, 1913 +/- 246 pg/ml in C5d and 756 +/- 232 pg/ml in C5-sufficient, p = 0.003.ConclusionThese data demonstrate that C5-deficient mice show enhanced AHR due to increased production of cysteinyl-leukotrienes.
NBA-Palm: prediction of palmitoylation site implemented in Naïve Bayes algorithm
Authors: Xue Yu , Chen Hu , Jin Changjiang , Sun Zhirong , Yao Xuebiao 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Protein palmitoylation, an essential and reversible post-translational modification (PTM), has been implicated in cellular dynamics and plasticity. Although numerous experimental studies have been performed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying palmitoylation processes, the intrinsic feature of substrate specificity has remained elusive. Thus, computational approaches for palmitoylation prediction are much desirable for further experimental design.

Results
In this work, we present NBA-Palm, a novel computational method based on Naïve Bayes algorithm for prediction of palmitoylation site. The training data is curated from scientific literature (PubMed) and includes 245 palmitoylated sites from 105 distinct proteins after redundancy elimination. The proper window length for a potential palmitoylated peptide is optimized as six. To evaluate the prediction performance of NBA-Palm, 3-fold cross-validation, 8-fold cross-validation and Jack-Knife validation have been carried out. Prediction accuracies reach 85.79% for 3-fold cross-validation, 86.72% for 8-fold cross-validation and 86.74% for Jack-Knife validation. Two more algorithms, RBF network and support vector machine (SVM), also have been employed and compared with NBA-Palm.

Conclusion
Taken together, our analyses demonstrate that NBA-Palm is a useful computational program that provides insights for further experimentation. The accuracy of NBA-Palm is comparable with our previously described tool CSS-Palm. The NBA-Palm is freely accessible from: http://www.bioinfo.tsinghua.edu.cn/NBA-Palm.
Quality of Life for Women Diagnosed With Breast Carcinoma in Situ
Authors: Claus Elizabeth B. , Petruzella Stacey , Carter Darryl , Kasl Stanislav 
Published: October 2006

Purpose Limited data exist on long-term quality of life (QOL) for women diagnosed with breast carcinoma in situ (BCIS). Participants and Methods The data are on 795 BCIS participants diagnosed among female residents of Connecticut from September 15, 1994 to March 14, 1998, and 702 controls frequency-matched to the case participants by 5-year age intervals and geography. These women were participants in a large, population-based case/control study and subsequent follow-up study. Telephone interviews at follow-up were used to collect data on QOL at 5 years from initial diagnosis or contact, using the Medical Outcomes Study, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression, and CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) alcohol consumption scales. QOL outcomes were compared by case/control status and by case treatment group: lumpectomy, lumpectomy with adjuvant radiation therapy, and mastectomy. Results At 5 years after diagnosis, women diagnosed with BCIS report levels of physical, emotional, and mental health functioning similar with those reported in a general healthy female population. Case participants and controls did not differ in reported levels of limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, social functioning, or overall physical functioning. Case participants who underwent lumpectomy with radiation reported lower levels of emotional functioning, general health perceptions, vitality, sexual interest, and overall mental health, as well as more depressive symptoms than did control subjects; although, the clinical significance of these statistical differences appears to be limited. Conclusion At 5 years after treatment, women diagnosed with BCIS report good physical and emotional functioning relative to control populations.
Multicenter Phase II and Translational Study of Cetuximab in Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma Refractory to Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin, and Fluoropyrimidines
Authors: Lenz Heinz-Josef , Van Cutsem Eric , Khambata-Ford Shirin , Mayer Robert J. , Gold Philip , Stella Philip , Mirtsching Barry , Cohn Allen L. , Pippas Andrew W. , Azarnia Nozar , Tsuchihashi Zenta , Mauro David J. , Rowinsky Eric K. 
Published: October 2006

Purpose This multicenter study evaluated the antitumor activity of cetuximab, an immunoglobulin G1 antibody directed at the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), in metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC) refractory to irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and a fluoropyrimidine. It also evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, immunokinetics, and biologic determinants of activity. Patients and Methods Patients with metastatic CRC, whose tumors demonstrated EGFR immunostaining and were refractory to irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and fluoropyrimidines, were treated with cetuximab at a loading dose of 400 mg/m2 followed by 250 mg/m2 weekly. An independent review committee (IRC) reviewed responses. Blood was collected for cetuximab pharmacokinetics and to detect antibodies to cetuximab. EGFR gene sequencing of the tyrosine kinase domain and gene copy number assessments were performed. Results The response rates in 346 patients, as determined by the investigators and IRC, were 12.4% (95% CI, 9.1 to 16.4) and 11.6% (95% CI, 8.4 to 16.4). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and survival times were 1.4 months (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.1) and 6.6 months (95% CI, 5.6 to 7.6), respectively. An acneiform rash occurred in 82.9% of patients; grade 3 rash was observed in 4.9%. Response and survival related strongly to the severity of the rash. In contrast, clinical benefit did not relate to EGFR immunostaining. EGFR tyrosine kinase domain mutations were not identified, and EGFR gene copy number did not relate to response or PFS, but to survival (P = .03). Conclusion Cetuximab is active and well tolerated in metastatic CRC refractory to irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and fluoropyrimidines. The severity of rash was related to efficacy. Neither EGFR kinase domain mutations nor EGFR gene amplification appear to be essential for response to cetuximab in this setting.
Randomized Phase II Trial of Pemetrexed Combined With Either Cisplatin or Carboplatin in Untreated Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Socinski Mark A. , Weissman Charles , Hart Lowell L. , Beck J. Thaddeus , Choksi Janak K. , Hanson John P. , Prager Diane , Monberg Matthew J. , Ye Zhishen , Obasaju Coleman K. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeGiven the activity and tolerability of pemetrexed/platinum combinations in non–small-cell lung cancer, and the success of novel therapeutic strategies employed in recent extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) trials, a randomized phase II trial was initiated to evaluate the use of cisplatin or carboplatin plus pemetrexed in previously untreated ES-SCLC.Patients and MethodsPatients were randomly assigned to receive pemetrexed 500 mg/m2plus cisplatin 75 mg/m2or pemetrexed plus carboplatin area under the concentration curve 5. Treatment was administered once every 21 days for a maximum of six cycles. All patients received folic acid, vitamin B12, and steroid prophylaxis.ResultsBetween December 19, 2002, and May 17, 2004, 78 patients were enrolled onto this multicenter trial. Median age was 63 years (range, 46 to 82 years) for cisplatin/pemetrexed and 66 years (range, 47 to 75 years) for carboplatin/pemetrexed. Median survival time (MST) for cisplatin/pemetrexed was 7.6 months, with a 1-year survivorship of 33.4% and a response rate of 35% (95% CI, 20.6% to 51.7%). The MST for carboplatin/pemetrexed was 10.4 months, with a 1-year survivorship of 39.0% and a response rate of 39.5% (95% CI, 24.0 to 56.6). Median time to progression for cisplatin/pemetrexed was 4.9 months and for carboplatin/pemetrexed was 4.5 months. Median dose-intensity (actual/planned dose) was 98.94% for cisplatin and 99.95% for pemetrexed in the cisplatin/pemetrexed group and 93.21% for carboplatin and 98.50% for pemetrexed in the carboplatin/pemetrexed group. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia (15.8% v 20.0%) and thrombocytopenia (13.2% v 22.9%) in the cisplatin/pemetrexed and carboplatin/pemetrexed treatment groups, respectively.ConclusionPemetrexed/platinum doublets had activity and appeared to be well-tolerated in first-line ES-SCLC.
The Supratonsillar Approach to the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle: Anatomy, Surgical Technique, and Clinical Application to Cavernous Malformations
Authors: Lawton Michael T. , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Jun Peter 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To introduce the supratonsillar approach, an approach that traverses the tonsillobiventral fissure in a trajectory over the cerebellar tonsil to the inferior cere-bellar peduncle, and to demonstrate the utility of this approach for resecting peduncular cavernous malformations.

METHODS:
Anatomy of the cerebellar tonsil and surrounding fissures, arteries, and veins are reviewed using cadaveric brain specimens. The surgical approach uses the three-quarter prone position, a suboccipital craniotomy, and wide splitting of the tonsillobiventral fissure.

RESULTS:
Of our experience with 171 patients with cavernous malformations, six patients had lesions in the inferior cerebellar peduncle that were resected using the supratonsillar approach. All cavernous malformations were removed completely and no patients experienced surgical complications or new deficits. @@CONCLUSION:@@ The supratonsillar approach differs from the transvermian and telove-lar approaches to the fourth ventricle, with a more superolateral trajectory that leads instead to the inferior cerebellar peduncle. By splitting the tonsillobiventral fissure and mobilizing the tonsil inferomedially, the point of access to the lesion is deepened and transgression of normal cerebellar tissue is minimized. This elegant approach is ideally suited to the removal of cavernous malformations.
Frameless Stereotactic Cannulation Of The Foramen Ovale For Ablative Treatment Of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: Bale Reto J. , Laimer Ilse , Martin Arno , Schlager Andreas , Mayr Christoph , Rieger Michael , Czermak Benedikt V. , Kovacs Peter , Widmann Gerlig 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Ablative neurosurgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, including percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation, requires cannulation of the foramen ovale. To maximize patient security and cannulation success, a frameless stereotactic system was evaluated in a phantom study, a cadaveric study, and a preliminary clinical trial.

METHODS:
Frameless stereotaxy using an optical navigation system, an aiming device, and a noninvasive vacuum mouthpiece-based registration and patient fixation technique was used for the targeting of a test body based on 1-, 3-, and 5-mm axial computed tomographic slices and of the foramen ovale in three cadavers and 15 patients based on 3-mm axial computed tomographic slices.

RESULTS:
The mean normal (x/y) localization accuracy/standard deviation (n = 360) was 1.31/0.67 mm (1-mm slices), 1.38/0.65 mm (3-mm slices), and 1.84/0.96 mm (5-mm slices). Significantly better results were achieved with 1- and 3-mm slices when compared with 5-mm slices (P &lt; 0.001). The foramen ovale (3 × 6 mm) was successfully cannulated at the first attempt in all cadavers and patients, which indicates clinical localization accuracies better than 1.5 mm in the anteroposterior and 3 mm in the medial-lateral directions.

CONCLUSION:
Based on the noninvasive Vogele-Bale-Hohner vacuum mouthpiece, there is no need for invasive head clamp fixation. Imaging, real laboratory simulation, and the actual surgical intervention can be separated in time and location. The presented data suggest that frameless stereotaxy is a predictable and reproducible procedure, which may enhance patient security and cannulation success independent of the surgeon's experience.
Submandibular-Infratemporal Interpositional Carotid Artery Bypass for Cranial Base Tumors and Giant Aneurysms
Authors: Couldwell William T. , Liu James K. , Amini Amin , Kan Peter 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Cerebral revascularization is an important strategy in the surgical management of some complex cranial base tumors and unclippable aneurysms. A high-flow bypass may be necessary in planned carotid occlusion or sacrifice. The cervical-to-supraclinoid internal carotid artery bypass or cervical carotid-to-middle cerebral artery bypass are useful procedures to bypass lesions at the base of the cranium. We describe technical modifications of the submandibular-infratemporal interpositional saphenous vein (or radial artery) graft bypass technique specifically designed to avoid removal of the zygoma.

METHODS:
The saphenous vein or radial artery interpositional graft is tunneled through a burr hole created in the floor of the middle fossa via a submandibular-infratemporal route avoiding removal of zygoma and attachments of the masseter or temporalis muscles.

RESULTS:
The technique is demonstrated in one patient with removal of a malignant cavernous sinus tumor and in another patient with an unclippable giant carotid bifurcation aneurysm.

CONCLUSION:
The advantages of this approach include preservation of the facial anatomy and creation of a short and safe route for passage of the saphenous vein or radial artery graft.
Intratumoral Hydrogen Peroxide Injection During Meningioma Resection
Authors: Lichtenbaum Roger , de Souza Atos Alves , Jafar Jafar J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractOBJECTIVE:Meningiomas, although histologically benign, pose a particular challenge to the neurosurgeon because of their extensive and exuberant vascularity. They often bleed extensively during resection until separated from their blood supply. There are a wide variety of hemostatic agents available to the neurosur-geon. Most of these means of hemostasis involve some sort of chemical, electrical, or compressive action. Although anecdotally known to be useful, the use of hydrogen peroxide as an intracranial hemostatic agent in meningioma surgery has not been formally reported. We report a technique of meningioma resection that uses intratumoral hydrogen peroxide injection, reducing the potential for blood loss and shortening resection times.METHODS:Seventy-five patients underwent resection of a meningioma using the direct intratumoral H2O2 injection technique. The locations of these meningiomas included convexity and cranial-based lesions. None of the patients underwent preoperative endovascular embolization.RESULTS:The use of this technique greatly facilitated the removal of these tumors. No evidence of air embolism occurred during Doppler surveillance and no other significant side effects attributable to H2O2 application were observed. @@CONCLUSION:@@ We demonstrate a previously unreported technique of meningi-oma resection that uses direct intratumoral hydrogen peroxide injection, potentially reducing blood loss, shortening resection times, and obviating the need for preoperative embolization.