bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tried and tested: the psychometric properties of the multiple sclerosis impact scale (MSIS-29) in a population-based study
Authors: Gray OM , McDonnell GV , Hawkins SA 
Published: October 2008

Objective To investigate the psychometric properties of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) and to assess the relationship between the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale and the physical and psychological parts of this score. Methods A population-based study identified cases with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) in the north-east region of Ireland. They were examined and completed the MSIS-29. Cases were classified as mild (Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) 0–3.0), moderate (EDSS 3.5–5.5), or severe (6.0–9.5) MS. Results The 248 participants (82 male, 166 female) had a mean age of 49.1 years (SD 12.4). EDSS ranged from 0 to 9.5 (median 6.0). Data quality was excellent (0.02% missing data), physical and psychological scores spanned the entire range with low floor and ceiling effects. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha 0.97 – physical score, 0.93 – psychological score). The convergent validity of the physical impact score of the MSIS-29 with the Kurtzke EDSS was confirmed with a high Spearman’s rank coefficient correlation of 0.63 ( P = 0.01). Physical impact scores for mild, moderate, and severe disability as were statistically different at 25.9%, 48.0%, and 63.9%, respectively. Mean psychological score was non-significantly higher in the moderately disabled group at 47.4% compared with the severely disabled at 44.3% ( P = 0.58). Conclusions The MSIS-29 is an acceptable, reliable, and valid method of recording quality of life. A significant relationship between higher physical impact scores of the MSIS-29 and higher Kurtzke EDSS values suggests that is may be of use in clinical trials to monitor progression.
Developing Low-conductance Window Frames: Capabilities and Limitations of Current Window Heat Transfer Design Tools — State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Gustavsen Arild , Arasteh Dariush , Jelle Bjørn Petter , Curcija Charlie , Kohler Christian 
Published: October 2008

While window frames typically represent 20—30% of the overall window area, their impact on the total window heat transfer rates may be much larger. This effect is even greater in low-conductance (highly insulating) windows that incorporate very low-conductance glazing. Developing low-conductance window frames requires accurate simulation tools for product research and development. Based on a literature review and an evaluation of current methods of modeling heat transfer through window frames, we conclude that current procedures specified in ISO standards are not sufficiently adequate for accurately evaluating heat transfer through the low-conductance frames. We conclude that the near-term priorities for improving the modeling of heat transfer through low-conductance frames are: 1. Add 2D view-factor radiation to standard modeling and examine the current practice of averaging surface emissivity based on area weighting and the process of making an equivalent rectangular frame cavity. 2. Asses 3D radiation effects in frame cavities and develop recommendation for inclusion into the design fenestration tools. 3. Assess existing correlations for convection in vertical cavities using CFD. 4. Study 2D and 3D natural convection heat transfer in frame cavities for cavities that are proven to be deficient from item 3 above. Recommend improved correlations or full CFD modeling into ISO standards and design fenestration tools, if appropriate. 5. Study 3D hardware short-circuits and propose methods to ensure that these effects are incorporated into ratings. 6. Study the heat transfer effects of ventilated frame cavities and propose updated correlations.
Enhancement of DNA tumor vaccine efficacy by gene gun–mediated codelivery of threshold amounts of plasmid-encoded helper antigen
Authors: Leitner Wolfgang W. , Baker Matthew C. , Berenberg Thomas L. , Lu Michael C. , Yannie P. Josef , Udey Mark C. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractNucleic acid–based vaccines are effective in infectious disease models but have yielded disappointing results in tumor models when tumor-associated self-antigens are used. Incorporation of helper epitopes from foreign antigens into tumor vaccines might enhance the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines without increasing toxicity. However, generation of fusion constructs encoding both tumor and helper antigens may be difficult, and resulting proteins have unpredictable physical and immunologic properties. Furthermore, simultaneous production of equal amounts of highly immunogenic helper and weakly immunogenic tumor antigens in situ could favor development of responses against the helper antigen rather than the antigen of interest. We assessed the ability of 2 helper antigens (β-galactosidase or fragment C of tetanus toxin) encoded by one plasmid to augment responses to a self-antigen (lymphoma-associated T-cell receptor) encoded by a separate plasmid after codelivery into skin by gene gun. This approach allowed adjustment of the relative ratios of helper and tumor antigen plasmids to optimize helper effects. Incorporation of threshold (minimally immunogenic) amounts of helper antigen plasmid into a DNA vaccine regimen dramatically increased T cell–dependent protective immunity initiated by plasmid-encoded tumor-associated T-cell receptor antigen. This simple strategy can easily be incorporated into future vaccine trials in experimental animals and possibly in humans.
Human C/EBP-ϵ activator and repressor isoforms differentially reprogram myeloid lineage commitment and differentiation
Authors: Bedi Richa , Du Jian , Sharma Arun K. , Gomes Ignatius , Ackerman Steven J. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
CCAAT enhancer-binding protein-epsilon (C/EBP-ϵ) is required for the terminal differentiation of neutrophils and eosinophils. Human C/EBP-ϵ is expressed as 4 isoforms (32, 30, 27, and 14 kDa) through differential RNA splicing, and alternative promoters and translational start sites. The C/EBP-ϵ32/30 isoforms are transcriptional activators, whereas C/EBP-ϵ27 interacts with and represses GATA-1 transactivation of eosinophil promoters. C/EBP-ϵ14 contains only DNA-binding and -dimerization domains and may function as a dominant-negative regulator. To define functional activities for these C/EBP-ϵ isoforms in myelopoiesis, human CD34+ progenitors were transduced with internal ribosomal entry site–enhanced green fluorescent protein retroviral vectors encoding the 32/30, 27, and 14-kDa isoforms, purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorter, and analyzed in colony-forming assays and suspension cultures. Progenitors transduced with C/EBP-ϵ32/30 default exclusively to eosinophil differentiation and gene expression, independent of interleukin-5, and regardless of inclusion of cytokines to induce other lineages. In contrast, the putative repressor C/EBP-ϵ27 isoform strongly inhibits eosinophil differentiation and gene expression, including GATA-1, promoting granulocyte (neutrophil)-macrophage differen-tiation. The C/EBP-ϵ14 repressor isoform strongly inhibits eosinophil development and gene expression, promoting erythroid differentiation, an effect enhanced by erythropoietin. Thus, C/EBP-ϵ isoforms can reprogram myeloid lineage commitment and differentiation consistent with their predicted activities based on activator and repressor domains and in vitro functional activities.
Bone marrow–based homeostatic proliferation of mature T cells in nonhuman primates: implications for AIDS pathogenesis
Authors: Paiardini Mirko , Cervasi Barbara , Engram Jessica C. , Gordon Shari N. , Klatt Nichole R. , Muthukumar Alagarraju , Else James , Mittler Robert S. , Staprans Silvija I. , Sodora Donald L. , Silvestri Guido 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBone marrow (BM) is the key hematopoietic organ in mammals and is involved in the homeostatic proliferation of memory CD8+ T cells. Here we expanded on our previous observation that BM is a preferential site for T-cell proliferation in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)–infected sooty mangabeys (SMs) that do not progress to AIDS despite high viremia. We found high levels of mature T-cell proliferation, involving both naive and memory cells, in healthy SMs and rhesus macaques (RMs). In addition, we observed in both species that lineage-specific, BM-based T-cell proliferation follows antibody-mediated in vivo CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell depletion, thus indicating a role for the BM in maintaining T-cell homeostasis under depleting circumstances. We also observed that, in SIV-infected SMs, but not RMs, the level of proliferation of BM-based CD4+ T cells is higher than that of circulating CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, limited BM-based CD4+ T-cell proliferation was found in SIV-infected SMs with low CD4+ T-cell counts, suggesting a regenerative failure in these animals. Collectively, these results indicate that BM is involved in maintaining T-cell homeostasis in primates and suggest a role for BM-based CD4+ T-cell proliferation in determining the benign nature of natural SIV infection of SMs.
A biomarker panel for acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Paczesny Sophie , Krijanovski Oleg I. , Braun Thomas M. , Choi Sung W. , Clouthier Shawn G. , Kuick Rork , Misek David E. , Cooke Kenneth R. , Kitko Carrie L. , Weyand Angela , Bickley Daniel , Jones Dawn , Whitfield Joel , Reddy Pavan , Levine John E. , Hanash Samir M. , Ferrara James L. M. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
No validated biomarkers exist for acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We screened plasma with antibody microarrays for 120 proteins in a discovery set of 42 patients who underwent transplantation that revealed 8 potential biomarkers for diagnostic of GVHD. We then measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) the levels of these biomarkers in samples from 424 patients who underwent transplantation randomly divided into training (n = 282) and validation (n = 142) sets. Logistic regression analysis of these 8 proteins determined a composite biomarker panel of 4 proteins (interleukin-2-receptor-alpha, tumor-necrosis-factor-receptor-1, interleukin-8, and hepatocyte growth factor) that optimally discriminated patients with and without GVHD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve distinguishing these 2 groups in the training set was 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.87–0.94) and 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.92) in the validation set. In patients with GVHD, Cox regression analysis revealed that the biomarker panel predicted survival independently of GVHD severity. A panel of 4 biomarkers can confirm the diagnosis of GVHD in patients at onset of clinical symptoms of GVHD and provide prognostic information independent of GVHD severity.
Neural respiratory drive in healthy subjects and in COPD
Authors: Jolley C. J. , Luo Y-M. , Steier J. , Reilly C. , Seymour J. , Lunt A. , Ward K. , Rafferty G. F. , Polkey M. I. , Moxham J. 
Published: October 2008

The aim of the present study was to use the diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi) to compare levels of neural respiratory drive (NRD) in a cohort of healthy subjects and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, and to investigate the relationship between NRD and pulmonary function in COPD.EMGdiwas recorded at rest and normalised to peak EMGdirecorded during maximum inspiratory manoeuvres (EMGdi% max) in 100 healthy subjects and 30 patients with COPD, using a multipair oesophageal electrode. EMGdiwas normalised to the amplitude of the diaphragm compound muscle action potential (CMAPdi,MS) in 64 healthy subjects.The mean±sdEMGdi% max was 9.0±3.4% in healthy subjects and 27.9±9.9% in COPD patients, and correlated with percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in one second, vital capacity and inspiratory capacity in patients. EMGdi% max was higher in healthy subjects aged 51–80 yrs than in those aged 18–50 yrs (11.4±3.4versus8.2±2.9%, respectively). Observations in the healthy group were similar when peak EMGdior CMAPdi,MSwere used to normalise EMGdi.Levels of neural respiratory drive were higher in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients than healthy subjects, and related to disease severity. Diaphragm compound muscle action potential could be used to normalise diaphragm electromyogram if volitional inspiratory manoeuvres could not be performed, allowing translation of the technique to critically ill and ventilated patients.
Stimulation of acetylcholine receptors impairs host defence during pneumococcal pneumonia
Authors: Giebelen I. A. J. , Leendertse M. , Florquin S. , van der Poll T. 
Published: October 2008

The cholinergic nervous system can inhibit the systemic inflammation accompanying sepsis by virtue of a specific action of acetylcholine on α7 cholinergic receptors. The current authors sought to determine the effect of nicotine, an α7 cholinergic receptor agonist, on the host response to pneumonia caused byStreptococcus pneumoniae.Mice were intranasally infected withS. pneumoniaeand treated with nicotine or saline intraperitoneally using a treatment schedule shown to improve host defence against abdominal sepsis.Nicotine treatment was associated with a transiently enhanced growth ofS. pneumoniae, as indicated by higher bacterial loads in both lungs and blood at 24 h after infection. At 48 h after infection, bacterial burdens had increased in both treatment groups and differences were no longer present. Remarkably, mice treated with nicotine showed enhanced lung inflammation at 24 h after infection. Moreover, both lung and plasma concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ were higher in nicotine-treated animals at this time-point. Additional studies examining the effect of nicotine on the immediate (4-h) inflammatory response toS. pneumoniaedid not reveal an anti-inflammatory effect of nicotine either.The present data suggest that nicotine transiently impairs host defence in pneumococcal pneumonia.
Dietary patterns and asthma in the E3N study
Authors: Varraso R. , Kauffmann F. , Leynaert B. , Le Moual N. , Boutron-Ruault M. C. , Clavel-Chapelon F. , Romieu I. 
Published: October 2008

The aim of the present study was to determine dietary patterns and investigate their association with asthma incidence, current asthma and frequent asthma exacerbations.Dietary habits and asthma data were collected from the large E3N study (of French females, mostly teachers). Of the 54,672 females followed-up in 2003, 2,634 reported ever-adulthood asthma, 1,063 reported current asthma, 206 reported frequent asthma attacks (one or more a week), and 628 reported asthma onset between 1993 and 2003. Using principal component analysis, three dietary patterns were identified: the “prudent” pattern (fruits and vegetables); the “Western” pattern (pizza/salty pies, dessert and cured meats); and the “nuts and wine” pattern. Pattern scores were categorised into tertiles, and the incidence and prevalence of asthma was compared between tertiles.After adjustment for confounders, no association of dietary patterns was observed with asthma incidence, ever-asthma or current asthma. The Western pattern was associated with an increased risk of reporting frequent asthma attacks (highestversuslowest tertile odds ratio (OR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–3.73). Increasing scores of the nuts and wine pattern were associated with a decreased risk of reporting frequent asthma attacks (highestversuslowest tertile OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.31–0.96).The results of the present study suggest that overall diet could be involved in frequent asthma exacerbations, one aspect of asthma severity.
Clinical course and lung function change of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Park I. N. , Jegal Y. , Kim D. S. , Do K-H. , Yoo B. , Shim T. S. , Lim C-M. , Lee S. D. , Koh Y. , Kim W. S. , Kim W. D. , Jang S. J. , Kitaichi M. , Nicholson A. G. , Colby T. V. 
Published: October 2008

Most studies of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) have primarily studied mortality. In order to clarify the detailed outcome and prognostic markers in idiopathic NSIP, the clinical course with initial radiological and clinical features was analysed.The clinical course of 83 patients who were classified with idiopathic NSIP (72 fibrotic, 11 cellular; 27 males and 56 females; mean±sdage 54.4±10.1 yrs) was retrospectively analysed.In fibrotic NSIP, 16 (22%) patients died of NSIP-related causes with a median (range) follow-up of 53 (0.3–181) months. Despite the favourable survival (5-yr 74%), patients with fibrotic NSIP were frequently hospitalised with recurrence rate of 36%. Reduced forced vital capacity at 12 months was a predictor of mortality. On follow-up, lung function was improved or stable in ∼80% of the patients. The extent of consolidation and ground-glass opacity on initial high-resolution computed tomography correlated significantly with serial changes of lung function, and the presence of honeycombing was a predictor of poor prognosis. During follow-up, eight (10%) patients developed collagen vascular disease.In conclusion, the overall prognosis of fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia was good; however, there were significant recurrences despite initial improvement and a subset of the patients did not respond to therapy. Some patients developed collagen vascular diseases at a later date.
Evidence for Hox-specified positional identities in adult vasculature
Authors: Pruett Nathanael D , Visconti Richard P , Jacobs Donna F , Scholz Dimitri , McQuinn Tim , Sundberg John P , Awgulewitsch Alexander 
Published: October 2008

Abstract

Background
The concept of specifying positional information in the adult cardiovascular system is largely unexplored. While the Hox transcriptional regulators have to be viewed as excellent candidates for assuming such a role, little is known about their presumptive cardiovascular control functions and in vivo expression patterns.

Results
We demonstrate that conventional reporter gene analysis in transgenic mice is a useful approach for defining highly complex Hox expression patterns in the adult vascular network as exemplified by our lacZ reporter gene models for Hoxa3 and Hoxc11. These mice revealed expression in subsets of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) located in distinct regions of the vasculature that roughly correspond to the embryonic expression domains of the two genes. These reporter gene patterns were validated as authentic indicators of endogenous gene expression by immunolabeling and PCR analysis. Furthermore, we show that persistent reporter gene expression in cultured cells derived from vessel explants facilitates in vitro characterization of phenotypic properties as exemplified by the differential response of Hoxc11-lacZ-positive versus-negative cells in migration assays and to serum.

Conclusion
The data support a conceptual model of Hox-specified positional identities in adult blood vessels, which is of likely relevance for understanding the mechanisms underlying regional physiological diversities in the cardiovascular system. The data also demonstrate that conventional Hox reporter gene mice are useful tools for visualizing complex Hox expression patterns in the vascular network that might be unattainable otherwise. Finally, these mice are a resource for the isolation and phenotypic characterization of specific subpopulations of vascular cells marked by distinct Hox expression profiles.
Central cholinergic signal-mediated neuroendocrine regulation of vasopressin and oxytocin in ovine fetuses
Authors: Shi Lijun , Mao Caiping , Zeng Fanxing , Zhang Yuying , Xu Zhice 
Published: October 2008

Abstract

Background
The hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of body fluid homeostasis by secreting arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) in response to a variety of signals, including osmotic and nonosmotic stimuli. It is well established that central cholinergic mechanisms are critical in the regulation of cardiovascular responses and maintenance of body fluid homeostasis in adults. Our recent study demonstrated that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of carbachol elicited an increase of blood pressure in the near-term ovine fetuses. However, in utero development of brain cholinergic mechanisms in the regulation of the hypothalamic neuropeptides is largely unknown. This study investigated AVP and OT neural activation in the fetal hypothalamus induced by central carbachol.

Results
Chronically prepared near-term ovine fetuses (0.9 gestation) received an i.c.v. carbachol (3 μg/kg). Fetal blood samples were collected for AVP and OT assay, and brains were used for c-fos mapping studies. I.c.v. carbachol significantly increased fetal plasma AVP and OT concentrations. Intense FOS immunoreactivity (FOS-ir) was observed in the fetal supraoptic nuclei (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) in the hypothalamus. Double labeling demonstrated that a number of AVP- and OT-containing neurons in the fetal SON and PVN were expressing c-fos in response to central carbachol.

Conclusion
The results indicate that the central cholinergic mechanism is established and functional in the regulation of the hypothalamic neuropeptides during the final trimester of pregnancy. This provides evidence for a functional link between the development of central cholinergic mechanisms and hypothalamic neuropeptide systems in the fetus.
An unexpectedly high degree of specialization and a widespread involvement in sterol metabolism among the C. elegans putative aminophospholipid translocases
Authors: Lyssenko Nicholas N , Miteva Yana , Gilroy Simon , Hanna-Rose Wendy , Schlegel Robert A 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Background
P-type ATPases in subfamily IV are exclusively eukaryotic transmembrane proteins that have been proposed to directly translocate the aminophospholipids phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine from the exofacial to the cytofacial monolayer of the plasma membrane. Eukaryotic genomes contain many genes encoding members of this subfamily. At present it is unclear why there are so many genes of this kind per organism or what individual roles these genes perform in organism development.

Results
We have systematically investigated expression and developmental function of the six, tat-1 through 6, subfamily IV P-type ATPase genes encoded in the Caenorhabditis elegans genome. tat-5 is the only ubiquitously-expressed essential gene in the group. tat-6 is a poorly-transcribed recent duplicate of tat-5. tat-2 through 4 exhibit tissue-specific developmentally-regulated expression patterns. Strong expression of both tat-2 and tat-4 occurs in the intestine and certain other cells of the alimentary system. The two are also expressed in the uterus, during spermatogenesis and in the fully-formed spermatheca. tat-2 alone is expressed in the pharyngeal gland cells, the excretory system and a few cells of the developing vulva. The expression pattern of tat-3 is almost completely different from those of tat-2 and tat-4. tat-3 expression is detectable in the steroidogenic tissues: the hypodermis and the XXX cells, as well as in most cells of the pharynx (except gland), various tissues of the reproductive system (except uterus and spermatheca) and seam cells. Deletion of tat-1 through 4 individually interferes little or not at all with the regular progression of organism growth and development under normal conditions. However, tat-2 through 4 become essential for reproductive growth during sterol starvation.

Conclusion
tat-5 likely encodes a housekeeping protein that performs the proposed aminophospholipid translocase function routinely. Although individually dispensable, tat-1 through 4 seem to be at most only partly redundant. Expression patterns and the sterol deprivation hypersensitivity deletion phenotype of tat-2 through 4 suggest that these genes carry out subtle metabolic functions, such as fine-tuning sterol metabolism in digestive or steroidogenic tissues. These findings uncover an unexpectedly high degree of specialization and a widespread involvement in sterol metabolism among the genes encoding the putative aminophospholipid translocases.