bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cancer stem cells and human malignant melanoma
Authors: Schatton Tobias , Frank Markus H 
Published: July 2008

SummaryCancer stem cells (CSC) have been identified in hematological malignancies and several solid cancers. Similar to physiological stem cells, CSC are capable of self‐renewal and differentiation and have the potential for indefinite proliferation, a function through which they may cause tumor growth. Although conventional anti‐cancer treatments might eradicate most malignant cells in a tumor, they are potentially ineffective against chemoresistant CSC, which may ultimately be responsible for recurrence and progression. Human malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive and drug‐resistant cancer. Detection of tumor heterogeneity, undifferentiated molecular signatures, and increased tumorigenicity of melanoma subsets with embryonic‐like differentiation plasticity strongly suggest the presence and involvement of malignant melanoma stem cells (MMSC) in the initiation and propagation of this malignancy. Here, we review these findings in the context of functional properties ascribed to melanocyte stem cells and CSC in other cancers. We discuss the association of deregulated signaling pathways, genomic instability, and vasculogenic mimicry phenomena observed in melanoma subpopulations in light of the CSC concept. We propose that a subset of MMSC may be responsible for melanoma therapy‐resistance, tumor invasiveness, and neoplastic progression and that targeted abrogation of a MMSC compartment could therefore ultimately lead to stable remissions and perhaps cures of metastatic melanoma.
How to make a melanoma: what do we know of the primary clonal events?
Authors: Bennett Dorothy C. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryRapid advances have been made in our knowledge of the commonest genetic and epigenetic alterations found in human sporadic melanomas. Valuable recent contributions came from analyses of gene copy number by comparative genome hybridization, and from large‐scale gene expression profiling. All of the commonest affected genes encode regulatory components. Loci with established importance in melanoma, like CDKN2A, BRAF and PTEN, have been joined by some less familiar genes including transcription factor sequences TBX2 and STK11 (LKB). This knowledge is reviewed in relation to the cellular signaling pathways affected by these molecules, their biological outcomes, and the implications as to what changes are required overall to generate a melanoma. The data support a model in which genesis of melanoma requires changes that (1) initiate clonal expansion, (2) overcome cell senescence, and (3) reduce apoptosis.
Meeting Report: Fourth International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research
Authors: Fisher David E. , Medrano Estela E. , McMahon Martin , Soengas Marisol S. , Schuchter Lynn , Wolchok Jedd D. , Merlino Glenn 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe 4th international melanoma congress of the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR), organized by Marianne Berwick (University of New Mexico), Paul Chapman (Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center), Rene Gonzalez (University of Colorado) and Ze’ev Ronai (Burnham Institute), was held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown New York on November 2007. The congress was attended by a record high number of attendees (over 500 delegates) who joined to discuss recent advances in melanoma biology and therapy. About 40% of the participants arrived from 39 countries, a testament to the high impact of this annual gathering on the international melanoma community. Over 120 of the participants were students or postdoctoral fellows, representing a most impressive fraction of young scientists engaged in melanoma research. The meeting consisted of more than 50 plenary and minisymposia presentations, stimulating the exchange of unpublished data and novel ideas, and helping to forge new collaborations that are anticipated to facilitate significant advances in basic, translational and clinical melanoma research. Another major focus of this meeting was over 160 posters, which were heavily attended and provided an effective forum for extensive informal discussions. This report will highlight the major scientific themes and advances of this most successful meeting, and provide a useful perspective on the current state of melanoma research, as well as where the field should be heading.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in galectin‐3 knockout mice
Authors: Nakanishi Yuko , Tsuneyama Koichi , Nomoto Kazuhiro , Fujimoto Makoto , Salunga Thucydides L. , Nakajima Takahiko , Miwa Shigeharu , Murai Yoshihiro , Hayashi Shinichi , Kato Ichiro , Hiraga Koichi , Hsu Daniel K. , Liu Fu‐Tong , Takano Yasuo 
Published: July 2008

Aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a growing health concern due to its rapidly increasing prevalence worldwide. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressing form of NAFLD, and recently many studies have reported that it could eventually develop into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported that 6‐month‐old male galectin‐3 knockout (gal3−/−) mice developed clinicopathological features similar to those of NAFLD in humans. Our aim was to investigate the changes in liver histology in gal3−/−mice by long‐term observation.Methods: We initially investigated three 15‐month‐old gal3−/−mice, of which two developed multiple liver nodules with dysplastic changes. Then, we histopathologically examined the liver specimens of the 15‐, 20‐ and 25‐month‐old gal3−/−mice and attempted to evaluate the liver morphology by contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) before sacrifice.Results: At the age of 15 months or later, gal3−/−mice developed liver nodules with varying degrees of architectural and nuclear atypia based on mild to moderate delicate zone 3 fibrosis. In addition, we successfully confirmed the presence of some of the liver nodules by CT. We report herein that gal3−/−mice develop dysplastic liver nodules and HCC.Conclusions: We believe that it would be interesting to use this murine model to investigate liver carcinogenesis based on a natural history of NAFLD. Furthermore, CT scanning might be a useful tool for longitudinal evaluation of morphological changesin vivo.
Gene expression profiling of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis using gene set enrichment analysis
Authors: Yoneda Masato , Endo Hiroki , Mawatari Hironori , Nozaki Yuichi , Fujita Koji , Akiyama Tomoyuki , Higurashi Takuma , Uchiyama Takashi , Yoneda Kyoko , Takahashi Hirokazu , Kirikoshi Hiroyuki , Inamori Masahiko , Abe Yasunobu , Kubota Kensuke , Saito Satoru , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Yamaguchi Naotaka , Maeyama Shiro , Yamamoto Shogo , Tsutsumi Shuichi , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Wada Koichiro , Hotta Kikuko , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: July 2008

Aim:  Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a subset of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and sometimes progresses to cirrhosis and liver failure. In this study we analyzed the expression profile of genes and biological pathways involved in NASH in comparison with non‐NASH by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) employing a DNA microarray technique.Methods:  mRNA from liver biopsy specimens was collected from a group of NASH patients and a group of non‐NASH patients. We analyzed the relative abundance of mRNA using high‐density oligonucleotide microarrays containing probes for 54 675 known genes, and investigated the pathogenetic mechanisms of NASH by means of a powerful technique for analyzing molecular profiling data, GSEA.Results:  The results showed that the level of expression of 27 gene sets was significantly higher and the level of expression of 25 gene sets was significantly lower in the NASH samples than in the non‐NASH samples. Based on these results we created an online, publicly available, searchable database containing the data for the gene expression profiles of the NASH patients (http://www2.genome.rcast.u‐tokyo.ac.jp/___/NASH/NASH_GSEA2/).Conclusion:  Our data revealed differences in expression of many gene sets that are involved in the pathogenesis of NASH.
Bacterial, Fungal, Parasitic, and Viral Myositis
Authors: Crum-Cianflone Nancy F. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARY
Infectious myositis may be caused by a broad range of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral agents. Infectious myositis is overall uncommon given the relative resistance of the musculature to infection. For example, inciting events, including trauma, surgery, or the presence of foreign bodies or devitalized tissue, are often present in cases of bacterial myositis. Bacterial causes are categorized by clinical presentation, anatomic location, and causative organisms into the categories of pyomyositis, psoas abscess, Staphylococcus aureus myositis, group A streptococcal necrotizing myositis, group B streptococcal myositis, clostridial gas gangrene, and nonclostridial myositis. Fungal myositis is rare and usually occurs among immunocompromised hosts. Parasitic myositis is most commonly a result of trichinosis or cystericercosis, but other protozoa or helminths may be involved. A parasitic cause of myositis is suggested by the travel history and presence of eosinophilia. Viruses may cause diffuse muscle involvement with clinical manifestations, such as benign acute myositis (most commonly due to influenza virus), pleurodynia (coxsackievirus B), acute rhabdomyolysis, or an immune-mediated polymyositis. The diagnosis of myositis is suggested by the clinical picture and radiologic imaging, and the etiologic agent is confirmed by microbiologic or serologic testing. Therapy is based on the clinical presentation and the underlying pathogen.
Pertussis Vaccination for Health Care Workers
Authors: Sandora Thomas J. , Gidengil Courtney A. , Lee Grace M. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARY
Pertussis, an acute respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, classically manifests as a protracted cough illness. The incidence of pertussis in the United States has been increasing in recent years. Immunity wanes after childhood vaccination, leaving adolescents and adults susceptible to infection. The transmission of pertussis in health care settings has important medical and economic consequences. Acellular pertussis booster vaccines are now available for use and have been recommended for all adolescents and adults. These vaccines are safe, immunogenic, and effective. Health care workers are a priority group for vaccination because of their increased risk of acquiring infection and the potential to transmit pertussis to high-risk patients. Health care worker vaccination programs are likely to be cost-effective, but further research is needed to determine the acceptability of pertussis vaccines among health care workers, the duration of immunity after booster doses, and the impact of vaccination on the management of pertussis exposures in health care settings.
Polymyxins Revisited
Authors: Landman David , Georgescu Claudiu , Martin Don Antonio , Quale John 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARY
The global emergence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli has spurred a renewed interest in polymyxins. Once discarded due to concerns regarding nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity, polymyxins now hold an important role in the antibiotic armamentarium. However, more reliable information is needed to determine the optimal dosing of these agents. Also, unanswered questions regarding in vitro testing remain, including questions regarding the reliability of automated systems and the establishment of appropriate breakpoints for defining susceptibility. Most contemporary clinical studies examining the use of these agents have involved patients with infections due to multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii strains. It has been reassuring that polymyxin therapy for resistant bacteria has resulted in clinical responses and toxicity rates similar to those for carbapenem therapy for susceptible isolates. While most surveillance studies demonstrated high rates of susceptibility, several reports noted the emergence of polymyxin-resistant nosocomial pathogens. Polymyxins have assumed an important antibiotic niche for therapy for hospital-acquired infections; further studies defining the optimal use of these agents will likely extend the duration of their clinical usefulness.
Increasing Importance of
Balamuthia mandrillaris
Authors: Matin Abdul , Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah , Jayasekera Samantha , Khan Naveed Ahmed 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARY

Balamuthia mandrillaris
is an emerging protozoan parasite, an agent of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis involving the central nervous system, with a case fatality rate of >98%. This review presents our current understanding of
Balamuthia
infections, their pathogenesis and pathophysiology, and molecular mechanisms associated with the disease, as well as virulence traits of
Balamuthia
that may be potential targets for therapeutic interventions and/or for the development of preventative measures.
Acinetobacter baumannii
: Emergence of a Successful Pathogen
Authors: Peleg Anton Y. , Seifert Harald , Paterson David L. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARY

Acinetobacter baumannii
has emerged as a highly troublesome pathogen for many institutions globally. As a consequence of its immense ability to acquire or upregulate antibiotic drug resistance determinants, it has justifiably been propelled to the forefront of scientific attention. Apart from its predilection for the seriously ill within intensive care units,
A. baumannii
has more recently caused a range of infectious syndromes in military personnel injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. This review details the significant advances that have been made in our understanding of this remarkable organism over the last 10 years, including current taxonomy and species identification, issues with susceptibility testing, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, global epidemiology, clinical impact of infection, host-pathogen interactions, and infection control and therapeutic considerations.
VISUAL SPEECH RECOGNITION USING DYNAMIC FEATURES AND SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES
Authors: YAU WAI CHEE , KUMAR DINESH KANT , ARJUNAN SRIDHAR POOSAPADI 
Published: July 2008

This paper presents a vision based technique to identify the unspoken phones using a small camera that is located on the headset of the speaker. The system is based on temporal integration of the video data to generate motion history image (MHI). The paper proposes the use of global features to classify the MHI and compares the use of image moments with Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT). A comparison between Zernike moments (ZM) with DCT indicates that while the accuracy of classification for both techniques is very comparable (96% for ZM and 94% for DCT) when there is no relative motion between the camera and the mouth, ZM is resilient to rotation of the camera and continues to gives good results despite rotation but DCT is sensitive to rotation. Based on the accuracy of the system and its resilience to movement artefacts such as rotation, the authors propose the use of such a system for human computer interface. Such a system could be invaluable when it is important to communicate without making a sound, such as giving passwords when in an open office or in public spaces.
Deletion of Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Attenuates Protective Effects of Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Treatment on Ischemia–Reperfusion Brain Injury in Mice
Authors: Iwanami Jun , Mogi Masaki , Li Jian-Mei , Tsukuda Kana , Min Li-Juan , Sakata Akiko , Fujita Teppei , Iwai Masaru , Horiuchi Masatsugu 
Published: July 2008

Background and Purpose—Protective effects of bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) on ischemic brain damage have been highlighted. We examined the possibility that deletion of AT2receptor could attenuate the cerebroprotective effects of MSC using AT2receptor-deficient mice (Agtr2−) and the effect of selective AT1receptor blocker.Methods—Wild-type mice (Agtr2+) were subjected to 3 hours of focal brain ischemia followed by reperfusion (ischemia–reperfusion injury). Simultaneously,Agtr2+-MSC,Agtr2−-MSC, or saline was injected through the tail vein.Results—Survival rates at 6 days after ischemia–reperfusion injury were as follows: approximately 50% in saline-injected mice, 80% inAgtr2+-MSC-injected mice, and 20% inAgtr2−-MSC-injected mice. Neurological deficit after ischemia–reperfusion injury was improved inAgtr2+-MSC-injected mice, but not inAgtr2−-MSC-injected mice. After 48 hours of ischemia–reperfusion injury, brain infarct size was reduced inAgtr2+-MSC-injected mice, but not inAgtr2−-MSC-injected mice. Moreover, brain edema was significantly ameliorated inAgtr2+-MSC-treated mice but not inAgtr2−-MSC-treated mice. Furthermore, the increase in mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the ischemic brain was less inAgtr2+-MSC-treated mice in the ipsilateral site, but was similar in the contralateral hemisphere. Tumor necrosis factor-α level was increased in both the contralateral hemisphere and ipsilateral hemisphere ofAgtr2−-MSC-treated mice. In contrast, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels tended to increaseAgtr2−-MSC-treated mice without a significant difference. Treatment of MSC with an AT1receptor blocker, valsartan, significantly improved survival rates inAgtr2−-MSC-injected mice.Conclusions—These results suggest that AT2receptor signaling in MSC attenuated brain damage and neurological deficit (deleted).
Longitudinal Analysis of Quality of Life for Stroke Survivors Using Latent Curve Models
Authors: Pan Jun Hao , Song Xin Yuan , Lee Sik Yum , Kwok Timothy 
Published: July 2008

Background and Purpose—For the survivors, activities of daily living, handicap, and depression have a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). How the dynamic changes of these variables relate to HRQOL over time in the subacute phase of stroke recovery has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to study longitudinal behaviors of HRQOL of the stroke survivors in relation to the changes in activities of daily living, handicap, and depression after stroke.Methods—This was a prospective cohort study of first disabling patients with stroke. Subjects were interviewed at 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke for modified Barthel Index, London Handicap Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (abbreviated Hong Kong version). A latent curve model was developed to analyze how the dynamic changes in activities of daily living, handicap, and depressive mood related to the changes in HRQOL.Results—Two hundred forty-seven of 303 patients (82%) followed up at 3 months after stroke could complete the quality-of-life questionnaire. Their mean age was 68.8 years. The latent curve model analysis revealed that initial physical health HRQOL was independently associated with activities of daily living, handicap, and depression. The other 3 HRQOL domain scores were primarily associated with depression only. The rates of change in all 4 domains of HRQOL were significantly and inversely associated with rate of change in the Geriatric Depression Scale only.Conclusion—Change in mood in the postacute phase of stroke recovery is the most significant determinant of change in HRQOL. More attention should be paid to the detection and management of poststroke depression.
Sensitivity Study of Cloud-Resolving Convective Simulations with WRF Using Two Bulk Microphysical Parameterizations: Ice-Phase Microphysics versus Sedimentation Effects
Authors: Hong Song-You , Sunny Lim Kyo-Sun , Kim Ju-Hye , Jade Lim Jeong-Ock , Dudhia Jimy 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
This study examines the relative importance of ice-phase microphysics and sedimentation velocity for hydrometeors in bulk microphysics schemes. The two bulk microphysics schemes having the same number of prognostic water substances, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Single-Moment 6-Class Microphysics Scheme (WSM6) and the Purdue–Lin scheme (PLIN), are evaluated for a 2D idealized storm case and for a 3D heavy rainfall event over Korea. The relative importance of microphysics and sedimentation velocity for ice particles is illuminated by the additional experiments that exchange the sedimentation velocity formula for graupel in the two schemes. In a 2D idealized storm simulation test bed, it is found that, relative to the PLIN scheme, the WSM6 scheme develops the storm late with weakened intensity because of a slower sedimentation velocity for graupel. Such a weakened intensity of precipitation also appears in a 3D model framework when the WSM6 scheme is used, in conjunction with the overall distribution of the precipitation band southward toward what was observed. The major reason is found to be the ice-phase microphysics of the WSM6 and related ice-cloud–radiation feedback, rather than the smaller terminal velocity for graupel in the WSM6 than in the PLIN scheme.
Shepard and Hardy Multiquadric Interpolation Methods for Multicomponent Aerosol–Cloud Parameterization
Authors: Rap Alexandru , Ghosh Satyajit , Smith Michael H. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
This paper presents a novel method based on the application of interpolation techniques to the multicomponent aerosol–cloud parameterization for global climate modeling. Quantifying the aerosol indirect effect still remains a difficult task, and thus developing parameterizations for general circulation models (GCMs) of the microphysics of clouds and their interactions with aerosols is a major challenge for climate modelers. Three aerosol species are considered in this paper—namely sulfate, sea salt, and biomass smoke—and a detailed microphysical chemical parcel model is used to obtain a dataset of points relating the cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) to the three aerosol input masses. The resulting variation of CDNC with the aerosol mass has some nonlinear features that require a complex but efficient parameterization to be easily incorporated into GCMs. In bicomponent systems, simple interpolation techniques may be sufficient to relate the CDNC to the aerosol mass, but with increasing components, simple methods fail. The parameterization technique proposed in this study employs either the modified Shepard interpolation method or the Hardy multiquadrics interpolation method, and the numerical results obtained show that both methods provide realistic results for a wide range of aerosol mass loadings. This is the first application of these two interpolation techniques to aerosol–cloud interaction studies.