bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of extractable elements in artificial substratum made from sewage sludge: Approach to remediation of degraded land in the Arctic
Authors: Gorbacheva T. T. , Kikuchi R. , Gorbachev P. A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe Arctic (or subarctic) is characterized by a harsh climate and nutrient‐poor soil; what makes it even harsher in Monchegorsk (67°51′N and 32°48′E) is that metal pollution originating from the Ni–Cu smelting industry has severely damaged the soil and ground vegetation, resulting in formation of an industrial desert (barren ground). A pilot‐scale (4 ha) field test was carried out under such conditions to study how to apply municipal sewage sludge for rehabilitation of degraded land. After sewage sludge had been composted, an artificial substratum made from the compost was introduced to the remediation test field, and then willow, birch and grasses were planted on the substratum. The transformation of the artificial substratum was observed in the test field during 3 years. The portion of Cu in residual form was greater than that in other forms, it is hence considered that Cu has low bioavailability in the artificial substratum. Furthermore, the metal distributions statistically increased in fractions of humic acid (insoluble in water under acidic conditions), so the mobile amounts of Ni and Cu became small.The conclusion drawn from the field survey and analysis of extractable metals indicates that the lost vegetation is being restored even while pollution continues to be discharged from the smelter operation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On modified Hilbert boundary‐value problems of polyanalytic functions
Authors: Wang Yufeng 
Published: November 2008

AbstractUnder the decomposition of polyanalytic functions, two classes of Hilbert‐type boundary‐value problems of polyanalytic functions with different factors have been discussed, and the explicit expression of solution and the condition of solvability have been obtained. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeting mitochondrial permeability in cancer drug development
Authors: Berridge Michael V. , Herst Patries M. , Lawen Alfons 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe past decade has seen the emergence of a new mechanistic paradigm of cancer therapeutics. Not only have mitochondria taken centre stage as key cellular organelles mediating intrinsic pathways of cell death by apoptosis, but nonapoptotic pathways have also been shown to involve mitochondrial mechanisms. Both pathways of cell death involve permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes, but the exact nature of the molecular complexes involved at the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) and outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) remains uncertain in the light of recent gene knockout studies. Consequently, the boundary between mitochondrially‐mediated apoptotic and nonapoptotic cell death is controversial. Here, we discuss the nature of the pore complexes involved in permeabilization of the IMM and OMM. Several compounds that interact directly with components of these pore complexes and have been shown to exhibit anticancer activity are discussed while other compounds appear to act indirectly through stress‐related pathways.
The citrus fruit flavonoid naringenin suppresses hepatic glucose production from Fao hepatoma cells
Authors: Purushotham Aparna , Tian Min , Belury Martha. A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHepatic gluconeogenesis is the major source of fasting hyperglycemia. Here, we investigated the role of the citrus fruit flavonoid naringenin, in the attenuation of hepatic glucose production from hepatoma (Fao) cells. We show that naringenin, but not its glucoside naringin, suppresses hepatic glucose production. Furthermore, unlike insulin‐mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production, incubation of hepatocytes with the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐kinase) inhibitor Ly294002 had no effect on the ability of naringenin to suppress hepatic glucose production. Further, naringenin did not increase phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 or, Thr308, indicating this down‐stream target of PI3‐kinase is also not a player in naringenin‐mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production. Importantly, like the dimethylbiguanide, metformin, naringenin significantly decreased cellular ATP levels without increasing cell cytotoxicity. Together, these results suggest that the aglycone, naringenin, has a role in the attenuation of hyperglycemia and may exert this effect in a manner similar to the drug, metformin.
Intervention research in highly unstable environments
Authors: Buckwalter Kathleen C. , Grey Margaret , Bowers Barbara , McCarthy Ann Marie , Gross Deborah , Funk Marjorie , Beck Cornelia 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis article highlights issues and presents strategies for conducting intervention research in highly unstable environments such as schools, critical care units, and long‐term care facilities. The authors draw on their own experiences to discuss the challenges that may be encountered in highly unstable settings. The concept of validity provides a framework for understanding the value of addressing the many methodological issues that can emerge in settings characterized by instability. We explain unstable environments by elaborating on knowable elements that contribute to instability. Strategies are provided for improving success of intervention research in unstable settings by carrying out an environmental assessment prior to beginning a study. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 32:110–121, 2009
Genetic and epigenetic inactivation of TNFRSF10C in human prostate cancer
Authors: Cheng Yu , Kim Jin Woo , Liu Wennuan , Dunn Thomas A. , Luo Jun , Loza Matthew J. , Kim Seong‐Tae , Zheng Siqun Lilly , Xu Jianfeng , Isaacs William B. , Chang Bao‐Li 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDTNFRSF10C, is located on 8p21.3, one of the most frequently deleted loci in the genome of prostate cancer (PCa). Hypermethylation of TNFRSF10C promoter CpG island (CGI) had been reported in many tumors including PCa. However, the interplay between somatic deletion and promoter hypermethylation of TNFRSF10C on PCa development has not been investigated.METHODSMethylation status of promoter CGI and deletion status of the TNFRSF10C locus was investigated by bisulfite sequencing and Affymetrix SNP array, respectively, in 59 pairs of PCa tumor and matched normal samples with three PCa cell lines. TNFRSF10C gene expression changes in relation to cancer‐associated genetic/epigenetic changes in clinical specimens, and change of TNFRSF10C expression before and after 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine treatment in the PC3 PCa cell line was assessed by real‐time RT‐PCR.RESULTSWe found that TNFRSF10C promoter CGI was differentially methylated in 46 of 59 primary cancers (78.0%). Hemizygous deletion at TNFRSF10C was found in 44 of the 59 prostate tumors (74.5%). Interestingly, in 94.9% of the tumors (56 out of 59), TNFRSF10C was either hemizygously deleted or its promoter CGI hypermethylated. Deletion and/or methylation of the TNFRSF10C gene were correlated with decreased mRNA expression of the gene in clinical specimens. Demethylation of the TNFRSF10C promoter CGI was accompanied by transcriptional re‐activation of TNFRSF10C in the PCa cell line PC3.CONCLUSIONWe found a notably high frequency of promoter CGI methylation and deletion of TNFRSF10C in PCa tissues. Our results indicated that inactivation of TNFRSF10C by chromosomal deletion and promoter methylation may play an important role in PCa development. Prostate 69:327–335, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural insights into the interaction between the Cripto CFC domain and the ALK4 receptor
Authors: Calvanese Luisa , Saporito Angela , Oliva Romina , D' Auria Gabriella , Pedone Carlo , Paolillo Livio , Ruvo Menotti , Marasco Daniela , Falcigno Lucia 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe protein Cripto is the founding member of the extra‐cellular EGF–CFC growth factors, which are composed of two adjacent cysteine‐rich domains: the EGF‐like and the CFC. Members of the EGF–CFC family play key roles in embryonic development and are also implicated in tumourigenesis. Cripto is highly over‐expressed in many tumours, while it is poorly detectable in normal tissues.Although both Cripto domains are involved in its tumourigenic activity, the CFC domain appears to play a crucial role. Indeed, through this domain, Cripto interferes with the onco‐suppressive activity of Activins, either by blocking the Activin receptor ALK4 or by antagonising proteins of the TGF‐β family. We have undertaken the chemical synthesis and the structural characterisation of human CFC Cripto domain. Using a combined NMR and computational approach, supported by binding studies by SPR, we have investigated the molecular basis of the interaction between h‐CFC and ALK4. Binding studies indicate that the synthetic h‐CFC interacts with the ALK4 receptor with a KD in µ M range, whereas it does not recognise the ActRIIB receptor. The NMR study shows that the h‐CFC overall topology is determined by the presence of three disulfide bridges and that residues H120 and W124 are located between the first strand and the first loop with the side chains externally exposed. A model of the CFC–ALK4 complex has also been obtained by molecular docking and shows that all residues indicated by prior mutagenesis studies can contribute to the ALK4–CFC interaction at the protein–protein interface. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrafast coherent dynamics in optically driven BCS systems
Authors: Papenkort T. , Kuhn T. , Axt V. M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe present simulations of the nonlinear ultrafast dynamics of a BCS superconductor. Pump–probe measurements and a coherent control technique are employed to gain insight into the excitation dynamics of the superconductor. In pump–probe spectra the energy gap of the superconductor is visible as an area of low absorption followed by a sharp peak. Excitation with a short laser pulse lowers the gap and thereby shifts the peak. However, the numerical calculations reveal the emergence of a nonadiabatic regime on short time scales: A sufficiently short pump pulse causes a fast oscillation of the modulus of the BCS order parameter. Although this parameter can usually be identified with the energy gap, its oscillation remains hidden in pump‐probe spectra, i.e., the gap observed in the spectra is independent of the delay time. Instead the gap in the spectra corresponds to the mean value of the oscillation. By making use of a coherent control technique involving a second pump pulse, this oscillation may be made visible in probe spectra. This is because the reaction of the BCS system to the second pump pulse depends strongly on its instantaneous state at the time of the impact of this pulse. In particular the gap observed in the spectra after the second pump pulse for varying pump–pump delay times mimics the oscillation of the order parameter after the first pump pulse. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Using enthalpy as a prognostic variable in atmospheric modelling with variable composition
Authors: Akmaev R. A. , Juang H.‐M. H. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractSpecific enthalpy emerges from a general form of the internal energy equation as a convenient prognostic thermodynamic variable for atmospheric modelling with variable composition, including models of moist air. This choice presents a general and flexible alternative to the common formalism of virtual temperature employed in most numerical weather prediction and climate models to account for the presence of water vapour and other constituents. The new approach eliminates the need for additional terms in the energy equation, resulting from composition variations along the air‐parcel trajectories and routinely neglected in models. This note presents a derivation of relevant equations from first principles and outlines the changes to existing model codes necessary to accommodate the new formulation. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytomegalovirus and human immunosenescence
Authors: Pawelec Graham , Derhovanessian Evelyna , Larbi Anis , Strindhall Jan , Wikby Anders 
Published: November 2008

Abstract‘Immunosenescence’ is an imprecise term used to describe deleterious age‐associated changes to immune parameters observed in all mammals studied so far. Primarily anecdotal evidence implies that failing immunity is responsible for the increased incidence and severity of infectious disease in old people. However, there is a serious dearth of accurate hard data concerning the actual cause of death in the elderly and the contribution thereto of the multitude of age‐associated alterations measured in the immune system. Cross‐sectional studies comparing those currently young with those currently old reveal a large number of differences in the distribution of immune cell types in the blood, and to some extent the functional integrity of those cells. Many of these parameters differ markedly between individuals infected with CMV and uninfected people, regardless of infection with other persistent herpesviruses. The adaptive arm of immunity appears to be more seriously affected than the innate arm, particularly the T lymphocytes. However, cross‐sectional studies suffer the disadvantage that like is not being compared with like, because the conditions applied during the entire life course of the currently elderly were different from those applied now to the young. These differences in environment, nutrition, pathology and possibly genetics, rather than merely age, may be expected to influence the parameters studied. Moreover, pathogen exposure of the currently elderly was also different from contemporary exposure, probably including CMV. Some of the problems associated with cross‐sectional studies can be overcome by performing longitudinal studies, as pointed out in an earlier analysis of the Baltimore Longitudinal Ageing study looking at lymphocyte numbers. However, longitudinal studies are challenging in humans. Nonetheless, the pioneering Swedish OCTO/NONA studies of the very elderly which for the first time included a range of immune parameters, have identified a set of immune parameters predicting mortality at 2, 4 and 6 year follow‐up; CMV infection makes a material contribution to this so‐called ‘immune risk profile (IRP)’. Whether the IRP is informative in younger individuals and the mechanism of the CMV effect is discussed in this review. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of censored discrete longitudinal data: Estimation of mean response
Authors: Gunnes Nina , Farewell Daniel M. , Seierstad Taral G. , Aalen Odd O. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe study of longitudinal data is usually concerned with one or several response variables measured, possibly along with some covariates, at different points in time. In real‐life situations this is often complicated by missing observations due to what we usually refer to as ‘censoring’. In this paper we consider missingness of a monotone kind; subjects that dropout, i.e. are censored, fail to participate in the study at any of the subsequent observation times. Our scientific objective is to make inference about the mean response in a hypothetical population without any dropouts. There are several methods and approaches that address this problem, and we will present two existing methods (the linear‐increments method and the inverse‐probability‐weighting method), as well as propose a new method, based on a discrete Markov process. We examine the performance of the corresponding estimators and compare these with respect to bias and variability. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the approaches in estimating the mean of a response variable, we analyse simulated data of different multistate models with a Markovian structure. Analyses of substantive data from (1) a study of symptoms experienced after a traumatic brain injury, and (2) a study of cognitive function among the elderly, are used as illustrations of the methods presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bounds on natural direct effects in the presence of confounded intermediate variables
Authors: Sjölander Arvid 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn epidemiological studies we often want to learn about the direct effect of an exposure on an outcome, i.e. the effect that is not relayed by a specific intermediate variable. In the literature, there are two common definitions of direct effects;controlledandnatural. When the intermediate variable and the outcome have common causes, neither the controlled nor the natural direct effect is identified. Caiet al. (Biometrics2007;64(3):695–701) derived bounds for the controlled direct effect under a set of hierarchical assumptions. In this paper we derive bounds on the natural direct effect under the same assumptions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endometrial thickness predicts intrauterine pregnancy in patients with pregnancy of unknown location
Authors: Moschos E. , Twickler D. M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether endometrial thickness and other parameters are useful predictors of normal intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) in the setting of vaginal bleeding and sonographic diagnosis of pregnancy of unknown location (PUL).MethodsWe reviewed the clinical and sonographic records of all 591 patients with vaginal bleeding and a sonographic diagnosis of PUL between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2006. Data on maternal age, gravidity, parity, estimated gestational age by last menstrual period (EGA by LMP), endometrial thickness and serum β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) were collected. Complete data were available for 517 patients, 40 (7.7%) of whom ultimately had normal IUPs. A logistic regression model was constructed using a stepwise procedure to identify variables significantly associated with the outcome of normal IUP. The validity of the model was assessed by receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curve and Hosmer–Lemeshow Chi‐square analysis.ResultsFour variables (maternal age, EGA by LMP, endometrial thickness and serum β‐hCG) were significant in the prediction of normal IUP (area under the ROC curve = 0.86). As maternal age, EGA by LMP and β‐hCG increased, the likelihood of a normal IUP decreased, while as the endometrial thickness increased, the likelihood of a normal IUP increased. For each millimeter increase in endometrial thickness, the odds increased by 27% that the patient would have a normal IUP. No normal IUP had an endometrial thickness < 8 mm.ConclusionIncreased endometrial thickness predicts normal IUP in patients who present with vaginal bleeding and PUL. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiac screening by STIC: can sonologists performing the 20‐week anomaly scan pick up outflow tract abnormalities by scrolling the A‐plane of STIC volumes?
Authors: Paladini D. , Sglavo G. , Greco E. , Nappi C. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether medically qualified sonologists with low‐to‐intermediate scanning experience are able to detect major abnormalities of the outflow tracts by reviewing the A‐plane of cardiac volume datasets acquired with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC).MethodsFourteen sonologists of low‐to‐intermediate scanning experience were recruited among residents and colleagues involved in the screening ultrasound clinic at our referral center. Basic criteria for selection were: ability to perform the 20‐week anomaly scan and to assess the four‐chamber view, inability to perform extended cardiac screening (outflows); willingness to participate in the study. These sonologists attended a 2‐hour lesson on: a) how the outflow tract views can be abnormal, and b) how to use a laptop and the dedicated software to review cardiac volumes in the A‐plane only. After this briefing, each of them, independently, reviewed 26 preselected volumes at a workstation (from 16 normal fetuses and 10 with outflow tract abnormalities), without knowing how many of them were normal. After reviewing each volume, the sonologist was asked to define the outflow tract views as normal or abnormal and, if willing, to hypothesize the anomaly. The sequence of cases was changed for each participant. The time allotted for review of the volumes was 1 hour (about 2 min per case).ResultsOf the 364 diagnoses from review of the volumes, 116 (31.9%) were true positives, 195 (53.6%) were true negatives, 29 (8.0%) were false positives and 24 (6.6%) were false negatives. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were 83%, 87%, 80% and 89%, respectively. Individual diagnostic accuracy ranged from 66 to 100% (median, 85.5%) and individual detection rate from 50 to 100% (median, 85%). The detection rate per single congenital heart disease ranged from 50% (for TGA with intact ventricular septum) to 100% (for DORV, DORV with pulmonary atresia and TGA with ventricular septal defect). There was no correlation between detection rate and alignment of the four‐chamber view with the ultrasound beam (apical vs. transverse).ConclusionsIn this preliminary study, we have demonstrated that sonologists with low‐to‐intermediate experience of anomaly ultrasound screening in the second trimester and no experience of insonating the outflow tracts were able to identify outflow tract abnormalities by reviewing the A‐plane of cardiac volume datasets, after detailed briefing. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thyroid Resection Improves Perception of Swallowing Function in Patients with Thyroid Disease
Authors: Greenblatt David Yü , Sippel Rebecca , Leverson Glen , Frydman James , Schaefer Sarah , Chen Herbert 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundPatients with thyroid disease frequently complain of dysphagia. To date, there have been no prospective studies evaluating swallowing function before and after thyroid surgery. We used the swallowing quality of life (SWAL‐QOL) validated outcomes assessment tool to measure changes in swallowing‐related QOL in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.MethodsPatients undergoing thyroid surgery from May 2002 to December 2004 completed the SWAL‐QOL questionnaire before and one year after surgery. Data were collected on demographic and clinicopathologic variables, and comparisons were made to determine the effect of surgery on patients’ perceptions of swallowing function.ResultsOf 146 eligible patients, 116 (79%) completed the study. The mean patient age was 49 years, and 81% were female. Sixty‐four patients (55%) underwent total thyroidectomy and the remainder received thyroid lobectomy. Thirty patients (26%) had thyroid cancer. The most frequent benign thyroid conditions were multinodular goiter (28%) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (27%). Mean preoperative SWAL‐QOL scores were below 90 for nine of the eleven domains, indicating the perception of impaired swallowing and imperfect QOL. After surgery, significant improvements were seen in eight SWAL‐QOL domains. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was associated with dramatic score decreases in multiple domains.ConclusionsIn patients with thyroid disease, uncomplicated thyroidectomy leads to significant improvements in many aspects of patient‐reported swallowing‐related QOL measured by the SWAL‐QOL instrument.