bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health and safety education for workers with low‐literacy or limited‐english skills
Authors: Wallerstein Nina 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLow literacy and limited English proficiency have become a growing concern for health and safety educators. With one‐fifth of the workforce reading below an eighth‐grade level and possibly another tenth having limited English skills, health and safety educators and unions have increasingly become aware that current training programs often surpass the language and literacy abilities of workers being trained.This article describes the dilemmas facing health and safety professionals in incorporating knowledge about language and literacy skill levels. It documents creative strategies and new programs, largely based on participatory and popular education approaches, to provide training that simultaneously matches worker needs and leads to worker empowerment.
Mortality studies of machining fluid exposure in the automobile industry I: A standardized mortality ratio analysis
Authors: Eisen Ellen A. , Tolbert Paige E. , Monson Richard R. , Smith Thomas J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMachining fluids are widely used in a variety of common industrial metalworking operations to lubricate and cool both the tool and the working surfaces. Previous studies have suggested elevated respiratory, digestive, and skin cancers in exposed populations. This cohort study was initiated to assess whether long‐term exposure to machining fluids in the course of machining, grinding, and other cutting operations is associated with excess cancer mortality. The cohort includes more than 45,000 automobile production workers from 3 plants, almost 1 million years of follow‐up, over 10,000 deaths, and an extensive exposure assessment component. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) have been estimated for each of the 3 plants, using both U.S. as well as local populations as reference. Relative risks of 1.2–3. 1 have been observed for several specific respiratory and digestive cancers of a priori interest, including cancer of the stomach, large intestine, pancreas, lung, and larynx. In addition, elevated risks for leukemia and asthma were noted. Future exposure‐response analyses will provide the opportunity to identify relatively modest excesses in cause‐specific mortality risk associated with exposure to specific types (straight, soluble, or synthetic), additives, or components of machining fluids.
A case‐control study of lung cancer at a dye and resin manufacturing plant
Authors: Barbone Fabio , Delzell Elizabeth , Austin Harland , Cole Philip 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis case‐control study evaluated the relationship between lung cancer and occupational factors among employees at a dye and resin manufacturing plant. The study included 51 lung cancer cases and 102 controls who were members of a cohort of workers investigated in a previous retrospective follow‐up study. Information on area of employment and on potential exposure to certain chemicals was obtained from plant personnel and medical records and from interviews with long‐term employees. Information on potential confounders, including cigarette smoking, was obtained by interviewing study subjects or their next‐of‐kin. The odds ratio (OR) for heavy smokers compared with light or nonsmokers was 5.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.4–15). An elevated OR for lung cancer was observed for subjects who worked in the anthraquinone dye and epichlorohydrin manufacturing area of the plant (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.1–5.2) and for employees who were seen at the plant infirmary for acute exposure to chlorine (OR, adjusted for smoking = 27; 95% CI = 3.5–205). Pipefitters employed at the plant for five or more years also had an elevated OR (3.3; 95% CI = 0.8–14).
New natural history of interferon‐β–treated relapsing multiple sclerosis
Authors: Trojano Maria , Pellegrini Fabio , Fuiani Aurora , Paolicelli Damiano , Zipoli Valentina , Zimatore Giovanni B. , Di Monte Elisabetta , Portaccio Emilio , Lepore Vito , Livrea Paolo , Amato Maria Pia 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the impact of interferon‐beta (IFNβ) on disease progression in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis patients.MethodsA cohort of 1,504 relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (1,103 IFNβ–treated and 401 untreated) patients was followed for up to 7 years. Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for propensity score inverse weighting was used to assess the differences between the two groups for three different clinical end points: secondary progression (SP) and irreversible Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores 4 and 6. Times from first visit and from date of birth were used as survival time variables.ResultsThe IFNβ–treated group showed a highly significant reduction in the incidence of SP (hazard ratio [HR], 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24–0.58 for time from 1st visit; HR, 0.36, 95% CI, 0.23–0.56 for time from date of birth; p < 0.0001), EDSS score of 4 (HR, 0.70, 95% CI, 0.53–0.94 for time from first visit; HR, 0.69, 95% CI, 0.52–0.93 for time from date of birth; p < 0.02), and EDSS score of 6 (HR, 0.60, 95% CI, 0.38–0.95 for time from first visit; HR, 0.54, 95% CI, 0.34–0.86 for time from date of birth; p ≤ 0.03) when compared with untreated patients. SP and EDSS scores of 4 and 6 were reached with significant delays estimated by times from first visit (3.8, 1.7, and 2.2 years) and from date of birth (8.7, 4.6, and 11.7 years) in favor of treated patients. Sensitivity analysis confirmed findings.InterpretationIFN‐β slows progression in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Ann Neurol 2007;61:300–306
Caenorhabditis elegans mitochondrial mutants as an investigative tool to study human neurodegenerative diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Ventura Natascia , Rea Shane L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn humans, well over one hundred diseases have been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and many of these are associated with neurodegeneration. At the root of most of these diseases lay ineffectual energy production, caused either by direct or indirect disruption to components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It is surprising then to learn that, in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a collection of mutants which share disruptions in some of the same genes that cause mitochondrial pathogenesis in humans are in fact long‐lived. Recently, we resolved this paradox by showing that the C. elegans “Mit mutants” only exhibit life extension in a defined window of mitochondrial dysfunction. Similar to humans, when mitochondrial dysfunction becomes too severe these mutants also exhibit pathogenic life reduction. We have proposed that life extension in the Mit mutants occurs as a by‐product of compensatory processes specifically activated to maintain mitochondrial function. We have also proposed that similar kinds of processes may act to delay the symptomatic appearance in many human mitochondrial‐associated disorders. In the present report, we describe our progress in using the Mit mutants as an investigative tool to study some of the processes potentially employed by human cells to offset pathological mitochondrial dysfunction.
Biosensor development in Russia
Authors: Reshetilov Anatoly N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe review summarizes the current Russian research in the field of biological sensors for detection of carbohydrates, alcohols, medicines, enzyme inhibitors, toxicants, heavy metal ions, as well as viruses and microbial cells. Some of the presented works describe the analytical parameters of biosensors; other publications provide a basis for their development. The review covers mainly publications that have appeared over the past 10 years. As a whole, the collected material gives an idea of the main tendencies of biosensor development in Russia. The review is not meant to be comprehensive but highlights the major trends in this field in the last decade.
Randomized clinical trial of effect of synbiotics, neomycin and mechanical bowel preparation on intestinal barrier function in patients undergoing colectomy
Authors: Reddy B S , MacFie J , Gatt M , Larsen C N , Jensen S S , Leser T D 
Published: April 2007

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to modulate gut microflora and preserve intestinal barrier function during elective colorectal surgery by using combinations of oral antibiotics, synbiotics and mechanical bowel preparation (MBP).

Methods
Ninety-two patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 had MBP only, group 2 had neomycin + MBP, group 3 had synbiotics + neomycin + MBP, and group 4 had synbiotics + neomycin but no MBP. Changes in gut microflora were assessed by culturing nasogastric aspirates and polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of faecal samples. Intestinal barrier function was determined by microbiological confirmation of bacterial translocation and measurement of intestinal permeability. The inflammatory response was monitored by measurement of serum C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, and septic morbidity was recorded prospectively.

Results
Four patients were excluded owing to protocol violation, leaving 24 patients in group 1, 22 in group 2, 20 in group 3 and 22 in group 4 for analysis. There was a significant decrease in Enterobacteriaceae in group 3 compared with the other groups. Group 3 had a significantly lower incidence of translocation after bowel mobilization (P &lt; 0·001). There was no significant difference between the groups in intestinal permeability, inflammatory response or septic morbidity.

Conclusion
The combination of MBP, neomycin and synbiotics reduces the prevalence of faecal Enterobacteriaceae and bacterial translocation; however, this was not associated with a reduction in inflammatory response or septic morbidity in this study. Larger trials are needed before a change in practice can be recommended.
Surgical strategies for gastric cancer with synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis (Br J Surg 2006; 93: 1530–1535)
Authors: Yan T D , Yonemura Y , Morris D L 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and publishe in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.
Chemical Aspects of Synthetic Biology
Authors: Luisi Pier Luigi 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSynthetic biology as a broad and novel field has also a chemical branch: whereas synthetic biology generally has to do with bioengineering of new forms of life (generally bacteria) which do not exist in nature, ‘chemical synthetic biology’ is concerned with the synthesis of chemical structures such as proteins, nucleic acids, vesicular forms, and other which do not exist in nature.Three examples of this ‘chemical synthetic biology’ approach are given in this article. The first example deals with the synthesis of proteins that do not exist in nature, and dubbed as ‘the never born proteins’ (NBPs). This research is related to the question why and how the protein structures existing in our world have been selected out, with the underlying question whether they have something very particular from the structural or thermodynamic point of view (for example, the folding). The NBPs are produced in the laboratory by the modern molecular biology technique, the phage display, so as to produce a very large library of proteins having no homology with known proteins.The second example of chemical synthetic biology has also to do with the laboratory synthesis of proteins, but, this time, adopting a prebiotic synthetic procedure, the fragment condensation of short peptides, where short means that they have a length that can be obtained by prebiotic methods; for example, from the condensation of N‐carboxy anhydrides. The scheme is illustrated and discussed, being based on the fragment condensation catalyzed by peptides endowed with proteolitic activity. Selection during chain growth is determined by solubility under the contingent environmental conditions, i.e., the peptides which result insoluble are eliminated from further growth. The scheme is tested preliminarily with a synthetic chemical fragment‐condensation method and brings to the synthesis of a 44‐residues‐long protein, which has no homology with known proteins, and which has a stable tertiary folding.Finally, the third example, dubbed as ‘the minimal cell project’. Here, the aim is to synthesize a cell model having the minimal and sufficient number of components to be defined as living. For this purpose, liposomes are used as shell membranes, and attempts are made to introduce in the interior a minimal genome. Several groups all around the world are active in this field, and significant results have been obtained, which are reviewed in this article. For example, protein expression has been obtained inside liposomes, generally with the green fluorescent protein, GFP. Our last attempts are with a minimal genome consisting of 37 enzymes, a set which is able to express proteins using the ribosomal machinery. These minimal cells are not yet capable of self‐reproduction, and this and other shortcomings within the project are critically reviewed.
Ribozyme Catalysis of Metabolism in the RNA World
Authors: Chen Xi , Li Na , Ellington Andrew D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn vitro selection has proven to be a useful means of explore the molecules and catalysts that may have existed in a primoridal ‘RNA world’. By selecting binding species (aptamers) and catalysts (ribozymes) from random sequence pools, the relationship between biopolymer complexity and function can be better understood, and potential evolutionary transitions between functional molecules can be charted. In this review, we have focused on several critical events or transitions in the putative RNA world: RNA self‐replication; the synthesis and utilization of nucleotide‐based cofactors; acyl‐transfer reactions leading to peptide and protein synthesis; and the basic metabolic pathways that are found in modern living systems.
From Interstellar Amino Acids to Prebiotic Catalytic Peptides: A Review
Authors: Brack André 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAmino acids were most likely available on the primitive Earth, produced in the primitive atmosphere or in hydrothermal vents. Import of extraterrestrial amino acids may have represented the major supply, as suggested by micrometeorite collections and simulation experiments in space and in the laboratory. Selective condensation of amino acids in water has been achieved via N‐carboxy anydrides. Homochiral peptides with an alternating sequence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids adopt stereoselective and thermostable β‐pleated sheet structures. Some of the homochiral β‐sheets strongly accelerate the hydrolysis of oligoribonucleotides. The β‐sheet‐forming peptides have also been shown to protect their amino acids from racemization. Even if peptides are not able to self‐replicate, i.e., to replicate a complete sequence from the mixture of amino acids, the accumulation of chemically active peptides on the primitive Earth appears plausible via thermostable and stereoselective β‐sheets made of alternating sequences.
The Chemistry That Preceded Life's Origin: A Study Guide from Meteorites
Authors: Pizzarello Sandra 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCarbonaceous meteorites are rare fragments of asteroids that contain organic carbon of diverse composition, various complexity, and whose lineage can in several instances be traced back to pre‐solar environments. Their analyses offer a unique glimpse into the chemistry of the solar system that preceded life and may have been available to its emergence on the early Earth. While the heterogeneity of the organic materials of meteorites is indicative of random synthetic processes for their formation, some of their components have identical counterparts in the biosphere, and a group of meteoritic amino acids were found to display chiral asymmetry, a property known since the time of Pasteur to be inextricably linked to life's processes. The ability of these amino acids to act as asymmetric catalysts, as well as indications that molecular asymmetry in meteorites may not be limited to these compounds, encourage the suggestion of possible involvement of meteoritic material in the induction of selective traits in molecular evolution.
Formamide Chemistry and the Origin of Informational Polymers
Authors: Saladino Raffaele , Crestini Claudia , Ciciriello Fabiana , Costanzo Giovanna , Di Mauro Ernesto 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFormamide (HCONH2) provides a chemical frame potentially affording all the monomeric components necessary for the formation of nucleic polymers. In the presence of the appropriate catalysts, and by moderate heating, formamide yields a complete set of nucleic bases, acyclonucleosides, and favors both phosphorylations and transphosphorylations. Physico‐chemical conditions exist in which formamide favors the stability of the phosphoester bonds in nucleic polymers more than that of the same bonds in monomers. This property establishes ‘thermodynamic niches’ in which the polymeric forms are favored. The hypothesis that these specific attributes of formamide allowed the onset of prebiotic chemical equilibria capable of Darwinian evolution is discussed.
RNA: Prebiotic Product, or Biotic Invention?
Authors: Anastasi Carole , Buchet Fabien F. , Crowe Michael A. , Parkes Alastair L. , Powner Matthew W. , Smith James M. , Sutherland John D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSpectacular advances in structural and molecular biology have added support to the ‘RNA world’ hypothesis, and provide a mandate for chemistry to explain how RNA might have been generated prebiotically on the early earth. Difficulties in achieving a prebiotically plausible synthesis of RNA, however, have led many to ponder the question posed in the title of this paper. Herein, we review recent experimental work on the assembly of potential RNA precursors, focusing on methods for stereoselective CC bond construction by aldolisation and related processes. This chemistry is presented in the context of a broader picture of the potential constitutional self‐assembly of RNA. Finally, the relative accessibility of RNA and alternative nucleic acids is considered.
Continuous Tuning of Cadmium Sulfide and Zinc Sulfide Nanoparticle Size in a Water‐in‐Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Microemulsion
Authors: Fernandez Carlos A. , Wai Chien M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe size and size dispersion of cadmium sulfide and zinc sulfide semiconductor nanoparticles can be continuously tuned over a wide range of values by adjusting the density of the fluid phase in water‐in‐supercritical CO2 microemulsions. The average size of the ZnS nanoparticles decreases linearly from approximately 9.1 to 1.9 nm with increasing fluid density from 0.86 to 0.99 g cm−3 at a water‐to‐surfactant ratio (W value) of 10. At a W value of 6, the particle size can be tuned from 7.0 to 1.5 nm in the same density range. In the case of CdS nanocrystals, the size varied from 7.1 to 2.0 nm when the W value was 10 and from 4.0 to 1.3 nm when the W value employed was 6, in the same density range. Monodispersive CdS and ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reaction of cadmium or zinc nitrate with sodium sulfide, using two water‐in‐supercritical CO2 microemulsions as nanoreactors followed by protection with a fluorinated‐thiol stabilizer. The stabilizer is introduced at 6 and 16 minutes after the mixing of the two microemulsions where the intensity of the characteristic absorption peak due to the quantum confinement properties of the CdS and ZnS nanoparticles (280 and 360 nm) reaches a maximum, respectively. The supercritical CO2 microemulsion method represents a simple approach to use a density‐tunable solvent for synthesizing size‐controlled semiconductor nanoparticles over a broad range of values.
α‐Substituted Phosphonate Analogues of Lysophosphatidic Acid (LPA) Selectively Inhibit Production and Action of LPA
Authors: Jiang Guowei , Xu Yong , Fujiwara Yuko , Tsukahara Tamotsu , Tsukahara Ryoko , Gajewiak Joanna , Tigyi Gabor , Prestwich Glenn D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIsoform‐selective agonists and antagonists of the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) have important potential applications in cell biology and therapy. LPA GPCRs regulate cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and biochemical resistance to chemotherapy‐ and radiotherapy‐induced apoptosis. LPA and its analogues are also feedback inhibitors of the enzyme lysophospholipase D (lysoPLD, also known as autotaxin), a central regulator of invasion and metastasis. For cancer therapy, the ideal therapeutic profile would be a metabolically stabilized pan‐LPA receptor antagonist that also inhibits lysoPLD. Herein we describe the synthesis of a series of novel α‐substituted methylene phosphonate analogues of LPA. Each of these analogues contains a hydrolysis‐resistant phosphonate mimic of the labile monophosphate of natural LPA. The pharmacological properties of these phosphono‐LPA analogues were characterized in terms of LPA receptor subtype‐specific agonist and antagonist activity using Ca2+mobilization assays in RH7777 and CHO cells expressing the individual LPA GPCRs. In particular, the methylene phosphonate LPA analogue is a selective LPA2agonist, whereas the corresponding α‐hydroxymethylene phosphonate is a selective LPA3agonist. Most importantly, the α‐bromomethylene and α‐chloromethylene phosphonates show pan‐LPA receptor subtype antagonist activity. The α‐bromomethylene phosphonates are the first reported antagonists for the LPA4GPCR. Each of the α‐substituted methylene phosphonates inhibits lysoPLD, with the unsubstituted methylene phosphonate showing the most potent inhibition. Finally, unlike many LPA analogues, none of these compounds activate the intracellular LPA receptor PPARγ.
Corticotropin‐releasing factor, urocortin 1, and their receptors in the mouse spinal cord
Authors: Korosi Aniko , Kozicz Tamás , Richter Jakub , Veening Jan G. , Olivier Berend , Roubos Eric W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCorticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin 1 (Ucn1) are involved in stress adaptation. CRF receptor 1 (CRF1) binds CRF and Ucn1 with similar high affinity, but CRF receptor 2 (CRF2) binds Ucn1 with higher affinity than CRF. We tested the hypothesis that in the spinal cord CRF and Ucn1 control peripheral components of the stress response, by assessing the distribution of CRF‐ and Ucn1‐containing fibers, CRF1 and CRF2 mRNAs, and CRF receptor protein (CRFR) in the mouse spinal cord, by using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization. CRF, Ucn1, and CRFR occurred throughout the spinal cord. CRF fibers predominated in laminae I, V–VII, and X of Rexed. Ucn1 fibers occurred mainly in laminae VII and X and occasionally in lamina IX. Both CRFR mRNAs occurred in all laminae except the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn, but they exhibited different distributions, CRF2 mRNA having a wider occurrence (laminae III–X) than CRF1 mRNA (laminae III–VIII). Double immunofluorescence indicated that CRF and Ucn1 fibers contacted CRFR‐containing neurons, mainly in laminae VII and X. The strongest co‐distribution of CRF1 and CRF2 mRNAs with CRF and Ucn1 fibers appeared in lamina VII. CRF2 mRNA predominated in lamina IX together with Ucn1, whereas CRF2 mRNA predominated in lamina X, where it had similar distributions with each ligand. In view of the lamina‐specific and similar distributions of the two CRF receptor mRNAs with their ligands, we suggest that CRF1 and CRF2 are involved in peripheral stress adaptation processes, such as modulation of stress‐induced analgesia and the mediation of visceral nociceptive information by CRF2. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:973–989, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.