bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Work of the International Law Commission on Shared Natural Resources: The Pursuit of Competence and Relevance
Authors: Rainne Juha 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA growing demand for rules that regulate the use of shared or transboundary natural resources is evident. The exploitation of water, oil or other transboundary natural resources in one state may often have consequences that delimit the possibilities of the neighbouring state to exploit the same resources. As natural resources in the boundary areas are expected to be a major source of controversy in the 21st century, it is reasonable to call for the development of norms that would set the minimum requirements for international co-operation and the maximum limits of state sovereignty in the utilisation of transboundary natural resources. The present article addresses the matter by analysing the work of the International Law Commission on the topic of shared natural resources. The Commission faces a difficult challenge as it undertakes to universally regulate a subject matter that is highly technical and politically sensitive and encompasses diverse regional situations. It is argued that the relevance of the work of the International Law Commission in this field and the competence of its legal experts can be questioned, as the Commission balances between too general and too technical an approach to the topic.
Identification of a novel chromosome region, 13q21.33-q22.2, for susceptibility genes in familial chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Ng David , Toure Ousmane , Wei Ming-Hui , Arthur Diane C. , Abbasi Fatima , Fontaine Laura , Marti Gerald E. , Fraumeni Joseph F. , Goldin Lynn R. , Caporaso Neil , Toro Jorge R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent form of leukemia in adults in western countries. A genome scan of CLL-prone families revealed a lod score of one in band 13q22.1. To investigate this finding, we selected 6 CLL families consisting of 63 individuals (CLL affected, n = 19; unaffected, n = 44) for fine mapping of a 23-megabase region in 13q14.2-q22.2. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed 13q14 deletion in 85% (11/13) of CLL patients. Four CLL families shared a 3.68-Mb minimal region in 13q21.33-q22.2. Two asymptomatic siblings who shared the 13q21.33-q22.2 at-risk haplotype exhibited CD5+ monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) on flow cytometry. One of these individuals also had a 13q14 deletion by FISH. These 2 individuals with MBL shared the at-risk haplotype with their CLL-affected relatives, providing further evidence of the relationship between CLL and MBL, as well as of the biologic significance of this novel region. Using direct DNA sequencing analysis, we screened 13 genes for mutations, but no frameshift or nonsense mutations were detected. Our studies revealed that 11 of the 13 genes in the candidate region were expressed in immune tissues, supporting their functional relevance in investigations of familial CLL. In conclusion, we identified a novel candidate region that may predispose to familial CLL.
A biphasic pattern of gene expression during mouse retina development
Authors: Zhang Samuel Shao-Min , Xu Xuming , Liu Mu-Gen , Zhao Hongyu , Soares Marcelo Bento , Barnstable Colin J , Fu Xin-Yuan 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Background
Between embryonic day 12 and postnatal day 21, six major neuronal and one glia cell type are generated from multipotential progenitors in a characteristic sequence during mouse retina development. We investigated expression patterns of retina transcripts during the major embryonic and postnatal developmental stages to provide a systematic view of normal mouse retina development,

Results
A tissue-specific cDNA microarray was generated using a set of sequence non-redundant EST clones collected from mouse retina. Eleven stages of mouse retina, from embryonic day 12.5 (El2.5) to postnatal day 21 (PN21), were collected for RNA isolation. Non-amplified RNAs were labeled for microarray experiments and three sets of data were analyzed for significance, hierarchical relationships, and functional clustering. Six individual gene expression clusters were identified based on expression patterns of transcripts through retina development. Two developmental phases were clearly divided with postnatal day 5 (PN5) as a separate cluster. Among 4,180 transcripts that changed significantly during development, approximately 2/3 of the genes were expressed at high levels up until PN5 and then declined whereas the other 1/3 of the genes increased expression from PN5 and remained at the higher levels until at least PN21. Less than 1% of the genes observed showed a peak of expression between the two phases. Among the later increased population, only about 40% genes are correlated with rod photoreceptors, indicating that multiple cell types contributed to gene expression in this phase. Within the same functional classes, however, different gene populations were expressed in distinct developmental phases. A correlation coefficient analysis of gene expression during retina development between previous SAGE studies and this study was also carried out.

Conclusion
This study provides a complementary genome-wide view of common gene dynamics and a broad molecular classification of mouse retina development. Different genes in the same functional clusters are expressed in the different developmental stages, suggesting that cells might change gene expression profiles from differentiation to maturation stages. We propose that large-scale changes in gene regulation during development are necessary for the final maturation and function of the retina.
Risk factors for oral mucositis in paediatric oncology patients receiving alkylant chemotherapy
Authors: Fadda Giulia , Campus Guglielmo , Lugliè PierFranca 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
We describe the risk indicators for oral mucositis (OM) in paediatric oncology patients hospitalised in the Institut Gustave Roussy (Villejuif-Paris) and treated with alkylant chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells.

Methods
The sample was selected using PIGAS software. Three groups of subjects received different chemotherapy regimens: A. Melphalan, B. Busulfan and C. other alkylant protocols. The degree of mucositis was recorded by CTC version 2.0 (Common Toxicity Criteria). Descriptive statistics were performed. The association between mucositis and risk indicator variables was tested using a χ2 test. The association between case status and covariates was tested using unconditional logistic regression analysis.

Results
Of the 337 children enrolled, 241 showed mucositis (group 1) and 96 did not show mucositis (group 2) during alkylant chemotherapy. There was a higher prevalence of male patients in both groups. The three different chemotherapy regimen groups are correlated with the appearance of oral mucositis (χ2 = 22.42, p < 0.01). Weight loss was higher in group 1 (χ2 = 6.31, p = 0.01). The duration of aplasia was lower in the Busulfan protocol (7.5 days) than in the Melphalan group (9.3 days) or the other regimens (8.6 days). The use of Bufulfan® was directly associated with case status (presence of oral mucositis): odds ratio [OR] = 2.1 and confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.3–3.0. Also, occurrences of germinal tumours and secondary bacterial infections were directly linked with case status: [OR] = 1.4 and 1.8, confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.2 – 1.7 and 1.1 – 2.5, respectively.

Conclusion
The presence of OM was associated with the three different chemotherapy regimens considered; in particularly patients treated with Busulfan had the highest prevalence.
Antimicrobial activity of some ethnomedicinal plants used by Paliyar tribe from Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Duraipandiyan Veeramuthu , Ayyanar Muniappan , Ignacimuthu Savarimuthu 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Antimicrobial activity of 18 ethnomedicinal plant extracts were evaluated against nine bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ervinia sp, Proteus vulgaris) and one fungal strain (Candida albicans). The collected ethnomedicinal plants were used in folk medicine in the treatment of skin diseases, venereal diseases, respiratory problems and nervous disorders.

Methods
Plants were collected from Palni hills of Southern Western Ghats and the ethnobotanical data were gathered from traditional healers who inhabit the study area. The hexane and methanol extracts were obtained by cold percolation method and the antimicrobial activity was found using paper disc diffusion method. All microorganisms were obtained from Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Results
The results indicated that out of 18 plants, 10 plants exhibited antimicrobial activity against one or more of the tested microorganisms at three different concentrations of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/disc. Among the plants tested, Acalypha fruticosa, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Toddalia asiatica,Cassia auriculata, Punica granatum and Syzygium lineare were most active. The highest antifungal activity was exhibited by methanol extract of Peltophorum pterocarpum and Punica granatum against Candida albicans.

Conclusion
This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the some ethnomedicinal plants used in folkloric medicine. Compared to hexane extract, methanol extract showed significant activity against tested organisms. This study also showed that Toddalia asiatica, Syzygium lineare, Acalypha fruticosa and Peltophorum pterocarpum could be potential sources of new antimicrobial agents.
Describing the impact of health research: a Research Impact Framework
Authors: Kuruvilla Shyama , Mays Nicholas , Pleasant Andrew , Walt Gill 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundResearchers are increasingly required to describe the impact of their work, e.g. in grant proposals, project reports, press releases and research assessment exercises. Specialised impact assessment studies can be difficult to replicate and may require resources and skills not available to individual researchers. Researchers are often hard-pressed to identify and describe research impacts and ad hoc accounts do not facilitate comparison across time or projects.MethodsTheResearch Impact Frameworkwas developed by identifying potential areas of health research impact from the research impact assessment literature and based on research assessment criteria, for example, as set out by the UK Research Assessment Exercise panels. A prototype of the framework was used to guide an analysis of the impact of selected research projects at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Additional areas of impact were identified in the process and researchers also provided feedback on which descriptive categories they thought were useful and valid vis-à-vis the nature and impact of their work.ResultsWe identified four broad areas of impact:I. Research-related impacts;II. Policy impacts;III. Service impacts: health and intersectoral andIV. Societal impacts.Within each of these areas, further descriptive categories were identified. For example, the nature of research impact on policy can be described using the following categorisation, put forward by Weiss:Instrumental usewhere research findings drive policy-making;Mobilisation of supportwhere research provides support for policy proposals;Conceptual usewhere research influences the concepts and language of policy deliberations andRedefining/wider influencewhere research leads to rethinking and changing established practices and beliefs.ConclusionResearchers, while initially sceptical, found that the Research Impact Framework provided prompts and descriptive categories that helped them systematically identify a range of specific and verifiable impacts related to their work (compared to ad hoc approaches they had previously used). The framework could also help researchers think through implementation strategies and identify unintended or harmful effects. The standardised structure of the framework facilitates comparison of research impacts across projects and time, which is useful from analytical, management and assessment perspectives.
Resveratrol interferes with AKT activity and triggers apoptosis in human uterine cancer cells
Authors: Sexton Émilie , Van Themsche Céline , Leblanc Kim , Parent Sophie , Lemoine Pascal , Asselin Eric 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Endometrial cancer is the fourth most prominent cancer among all feminine cancers in the Western world. Resveratrol, a natural anti-oxidant found in red wine emerging as a novel anticancer agent, exerts antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity in various cancer cell types, but its effect on uterine cancer cells is poorly understood. At the molecular level, resveratrol has been reported to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and/or activity; in endometrial cancer cells, COX-2 is overexpressed and confers cellular resistance to apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to determine if resveratrol could exert anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity over uterine cancer cells upon inhibition of COX-2 expression and/or activity. Six different human uterine cancer cell lines were used as a model (HeLa, Hec-1A, KLE, RL95-2, Ishikawa and EN-1078D).

Results and discussion
High-dose of resveratrol triggered apoptosis in five out of six uterine cancer cell lines, as judged from Hoechst nuclear staining and effector caspase cleavage. In accordance, uterine cancer cell proliferation was decreased. Resveratrol also reduced cellular levels of the phosphorylated/active form of anti-apoptotic kinase AKT. Endogenous COX-2 protein levels were decreased, concomitant with a decrease in production of COX metabolites PGE2 and PGF2α, in each uterine cancer cell line expressing detectable levels of COX-1 and/or COX-2 in presence of resveratrol. Although COX expression was identified as a target of resveratrol in uterine cancer cells, inhibition of COX activity or exogenously added PGE2 did not modulate the effect of resveratrol on cellular proliferation.

Conclusion
High-dose of resveratrol exerts tumoricidal activity over uterine cancer cells and regulates COX expression. In these cells, resveratrol would not directly target COX activity, but possibly other enzymes involved in prostaglandin synthesis that act downstream of the COXs.
The burden of disease and injury in the United States 1996
Authors: Michaud Catherine M , McKenna Matthew T , Begg Stephen , Tomijima Niels , Majmudar Meghna , Bulzacchelli Maria T , Ebrahim Shahul , Ezzati Majid , Salomon Joshua A , Gaber Kreiser Jessica , Hogan Mollie , Murray Christopher JL 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Burden of disease studies have been implemented in many countries using the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) to assess major health problems. Important objectives of the study were to quantify intra-country differentials in health outcomes and to place the United States situation in the international context.

Methods
We applied methods developed for the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) to data specific to the United States to compute Disability-Adjusted Life Years. Estimates are provided by age and gender for the general population of the United States and for each of the four official race groups: White; Black; American Indian or Alaskan Native; and Asian or Pacific Islander. Several adjustments of GBD methods were made: the inclusion of race; a revised list of causes; and a revised algorithm to allocate cardiovascular disease garbage codes to ischaemic heart disease. We compared the results of this analysis to international estimates published by the World Health Organization for developed and developing regions of the world.

Results
In the mid-1990s the leading sources of premature death and disability in the United States, as measured by DALYs, were: cardiovascular conditions, breast and lung cancers, depression, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, and alcohol use and abuse. In addition, motor vehicle-related injuries and the HIV epidemic exacted a substantial toll on the health status of the US population, particularly among racial minorities. The major sources of death and disability in these latter populations were more similar to patterns of burden in developing rather than developed countries.

Conclusion
Estimating DALYs specifically for the United States provides a comprehensive assessment of health problems for this country compared to what is available using mortality data alone.
Biomechanical spinal growth modulation and progressive adolescent scoliosis – a test of the 'vicious cycle' pathogenetic hypothesis: Summary of an electronic focus group debate of the IBSE
Authors: Stokes Ian AF , Burwell R Geoffrey , Dangerfield Peter H 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThere is no generally accepted scientific theory for the causes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). As part of its mission to widen understanding of scoliosis etiology, the International Federated Body on Scoliosis Etiology (IBSE) introduced the electronic focus group (EFG) as a means of increasing debate on knowledge of important topics. This has been designated as an on-line Delphi discussion. The text for this debate was written by Dr Ian A Stokes. It evaluates the hypothesis that in progressive scoliosis vertebral body wedging during adolescent growth results from asymmetric muscular loading in a "vicious cycle" (vicious cycle hypothesis of pathogenesis) by affecting vertebral body growth plates (endplate physes). A frontal plane mathematical simulation tested whether the calculated loading asymmetry created by muscles in a scoliotic spine could explain the observed rate of scoliosis increase by measuring the vertebral growth modulation by altered compression. The model deals only with vertebral (not disc) wedging. It assumes that a pre-existing scoliosis curve initiates the mechanically-modulated alteration of vertebral body growth that in turn causes worsening of the scoliosis, while everything else is anatomically and physiologically 'normal' The results provide quantitative data consistent with thevicious cycle hypothesis. Dr Stokes' biomechanical research engenders controversy. A new speculative concept is proposed of vertebral symphyseal dysplasia with implications for Dr Stokes' research and the etiology of AIS. What is not controversial is the need to test this hypothesis using additional factors in his current model and in three-dimensional quantitative models that incorporate intervertebral discs and simulate thoracic as well as lumbar scoliosis. The growth modulation process in the vertebral body can be viewed as one type of the biologic phenomenon ofmechanotransduction. In certain connective tissues this involves the effects of mechanical strain on chondrocytic metabolism a possible target for novel therapeutic intervention.
Pathway and gene-set activation measurement from mRNA expression data: the tissue distribution of human pathways
Authors: Levine David M , Haynor David R , Castle John C , Stepaniants Sergey B , Pellegrini Matteo , Mao Mao , Johnson Jason M 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Background
Interpretation of lists of genes or proteins with altered expression is a critical and time-consuming part of microarray and proteomics research, but relatively little attention has been paid to methods for extracting biological meaning from these output lists. One powerful approach is to examine the expression of predefined biological pathways and gene sets, such as metabolic and signaling pathways and macromolecular complexes. Although many methods for measuring pathway expression have been proposed, a systematic analysis of the performance of multiple methods over multiple independent data sets has not previously been reported.

Results
Five different measures of pathway expression were compared in an analysis of nine publicly available mRNA expression data sets. The relative sensitivity of the metrics varied greatly across data sets, and the biological pathways identified for each data set are also dependent on the choice of pathway activation metric. In addition, we show that removing incoherent pathways prior to analysis improves specificity. Finally, we create and analyze a public map of pathway expression in human tissues by gene-set analysis of a large compendium of human expression data.

Conclusion
We show that both the detection sensitivity and identity of pathways significantly perturbed in a microarray experiment are highly dependent on the analysis methods used and how incoherent pathways are treated. Analysts should thus consider using multiple approaches to test the robustness of their biological interpretations. We also provide a comprehensive picture of the tissue distribution of human gene pathways and a useful public archive of human pathway expression data.
Birth and life of tissue macrophages and their migration in embryogenesis and inflammation in medaka
Authors: Grabher Clemens , Cliffe Adam , Miura Kota , Hayflick Joel , Pepperkok Rainer , Rørth Pernille , Wittbrodt Joachim 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMacrophages detecting and migrating toward sites of injury and infection represent one of the first steps in an immune response. Here we directly image macrophage birth and migration in vivo in transgenic medaka fish. Macrophages are born as frequently dividing, immotile cells with spherical morphology that differentiate into flat, highly motile cells. They retain mitotic activity while spreading over the entire body. Cells follow restricted paths not only in directed migration, but also during patrolling. Along those paths the macrophages rapidly patrol the tissue and respond to wounding and bacterial infection from long distances. Upon injury they increase their speed and migratory persistence. Specifically targeting PI3-kinase isoforms efficiently blocks the wounding response and results in a distinct inhibition of cell motility and chemotaxis. Our study provides in situ insights into the properties of immature and migratory macrophages and presents a unique model to further test modulating compounds in vivo.
Effects of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Severely Fatigued Disease-Free Cancer Patients Compared With Patients Waiting for Cognitive Behavior Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gielissen Marieke F.M. , Verhagen Stans , Witjes Fred , Bleijenberg Gijs 
Published: October 2006

Purpose Persistent fatigue is a long-term adverse effect experienced by 30% to 40% of patients cured of cancer. The main objective of this randomized controlled trial was to show the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) especially designed for fatigue in cancer survivors. Patients and Methods A total of 112 cancer survivors with somatically unexplained fatigue were allocated randomly to immediate cognitive behavior therapy or to a waiting list condition for therapy. Both conditions were assessed two times, at baseline and 6 months later. The primary outcome variables were fatigue severity (Checklist Individual Strength) and functional impairment (Sickness Impact Profile). Data were analyzed by intention to treat. Results Analyses were based on 50 patients in the intervention condition and 48 patients in the waiting list condition. Patients in the intervention condition reported a significantly greater decrease than patients in the waiting list condition in fatigue severity (difference, 13.3; 95% CI, 8.6 to 18.1) and in functional impairment (difference, 383.2; 95% CI, 197.1 to 569.2). Clinically significant improvement for the CBT group compared with the waiting list group was seen in fatigue severity (54% v 4% of the patients, respectively) and in functional impairment (50% v 18% of the patients, respectively). Conclusion Cognitive behavior therapy has a clinically relevant effect in reducing fatigue and functional impairments in cancer survivors.