bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The development of the Reference, Abstract and Annotations Journal (RAAJ) on the BLEND system
Authors: Pullinger David J , Howey Kate 
Published: March 2008

On 1 May 1983, the BLEND experimental programme on 'electronic journals' started the on-line Reference, Abstract and Annotations Journal. This contains a database of bibliographic references in the subject area of Computer Human Factors up to 1981 and more recent references and authors' abstracts from selected journals. It is hoped that evalua tive (or critical) annotations will be appended to these by members of LINC using the BLEND system. This article describes the design and some details of the Reference, Abstract and Annotations Journal, together with the background considerations that led to the particular structure and format chosen.
Public expenditure policies and the public library: changing the rules of the revenue game
Authors: Broady Judy , Usherwood Bob 
Published: March 2008

The period since 1972 has seen major changes in the administration of local government. During the same time central government has become increasingly concerned about the financing and control of local authority expenditure. The authors argue that while central governments have always sought to control local government expenditure a major shift in the balance of power between central and local government has occurred with the election of an administration ideologically committed to reducing public expenditure and willing to replace exhortation with enforcement. The article reviews some of the major fiscal and administrative changes that have taken place since the early 1970s and discusses the practical, professional and managerial implications of the controversial rate capping legislation.
Successful treatment of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia with anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab) in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Fukushima T , Dong L , Sakai T , Sawaki T , Miki M , Tanaka M , Masaki Y , Hirose Y , Kuwana M , Umehara H 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia is an extremely rare disorder in systemic lupus erythematosus, and its mechanism and treatment are still largely unknown. We describe a 42-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented various clinical manifestations of life-threatening amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (10,000 platelets/mm3 with a marked decrease of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow), proteinuria, psychosis, refractory chylothorax, ascites, and type II diabetes caused by the anti-insulin receptor autoantibody. She was initially treated with prednisolone (25–50 mg/day) and cyclosporine A (200 mg/day) without any improvement in severe thrombocytopenia. However, her clinical symptoms, including platelet counts, dramatically improved, with a concurrent decrease in the anti-c-Mpl antibody, an autoantibody against the thrombopoietin receptor, after a subsequent treatment with rituximab (375 mg/m2 intravenously, weekly, for two consecutive weeks). Our case suggested that amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus might be mediated by the anti-c-Mpl antibody and could be treated with rituximab through elimination of pathogenic B cells producing autoimmune antibodies.
Systemic lupus erythematosus in the Fars Province of Iran
Authors: Nazarinia MA , Ghaffarpasand F , Shamsdin A , Karimi AA , Abbasi N , Amiri A 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been described from different geographical regions in the world. However, data from many Middle East countries, including Iran, are scarce. This study aims to demonstrate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics in Iranian patients with SLE. In this prospective study, all the patients referring to Shiraz educational hospitals (Nemazi–Hafez) with SLE (American College of Rheumatology criteria) during a 5-year period (2001 to 2006) were included. A complete history was taken; physical examination and routine hematological, serological, and immunological tests were done for each patient. There were 356 women and 54 men with an average age of 30.27 years at the onset of disease. Of the patients, 78% had hematological abnormalities, 65.5% had articular involvement, 54.5% had photosensitivity, and 60.5% had malar rash. Serositis occurred in 38% of patients of whom 12% had pericarditis and 26% had pleuritis. Nephritis was diagnosed in 48% of the cases and consisted always of glomerular nephritis. Biopsy-proven lupus nephritis was in most cases class IV(49.7% of all the biopsies). Oral ulcers were observed in 28% of patients. Neuropsychiatric manifestations, gastrointestinal involvement, and lymphadenopathy were observed in 31.5%, 8.3%, and 14.2% of patients, respectively. In all, 93% of patients were positive for antinuclear antibodies, whereas antidouble-stranded DNA was positive in 83% of patients. Coomb’s positive hemolytic anemia appeared in 12.4% of the cases. Rheumatoid factor was detected in 9.7% of patients, and lupus erythematosus cell was seen in 32.5% of them. In all, 196 (47.8%) patients represented hypocomplementemia. Regarding hematological manifestations, 74.5% had microcytic hypochromic anemia, 64.6% had leukopenia, and 44.6% had thrombocytopenia; 18 (4.4%) patients died during the study period of which eight (2%) died because of cardiopulmonary involvement. Generally, there was more cutaneous, serositis, and neuropsychiatric involvement in our population than other Middle East countries. Serositis was associated with poorer prognosis, and the pattern of disease in these patients was much more sever than patients without serositis ( P = 0.001). This is the first study of its kind in Iran. More multicenter studies should be undertaken in Iran to describe the pattern of SLE.
Time to seizure occurrence and damage in PROFILE, a multi-ethnic systemic lupus erythematosus cohort
Authors: Ramsey-Goldman R , Alarcón GS , McGwin G , Petri M , Vilá LM , Edberg JC , Reveille JD , Kimberly RP 
Published: March 2008

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine risk factors predicting seizures and damage caused by seizures in a multi-ethnic systemic lupus erythematosus cohort (PROFILE) that includes systemic lupus erythematosus patients ( n = 1295) from five different US institutions. Only patients with seizures after systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis (incident) were included in the analyses of clinical seizures (80/1295, 6.2%), but all patients (prevalent and incident) were included in the analyses of damage caused by seizures (51/1295, 3.9%). We examined socioeconomic–demographic, clinical, and genetic variables predictive of clinical seizures and damage from seizures by Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Independent predictors of a shorter time to the occurrence of clinical seizures were younger age (HR = 1.0; 95% CI 0.9–1.0), having Hispanic-Texan ethnicity (HR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.3–5.7) or African-American ethnicity (HR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.0–3.1), and the previous occurrence of a cerebrovascular accident (HR = 3.3; 95% CI 1.6–7.1) or an episode of psychosis (HR = 2.4; 95% CI 1.1–5.0), whereas the previous occurrence of photosensitivity (HR = 0.5; 95% CI 0.3–0.9) was the only independent predictor of a longer time to the occurrence of clinical seizures. Independent predictors of a shorter time to the occurrence of damage caused by seizures were younger age (HR = 1.0; 95% CI 0.9–1.0), male gender (HR = 2.4; 95% CI 1.1–5.4), and the occurrence of a previous cerebrovascular accident (HR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.0–7.0) or an episode of psychosis (HR = 4.7; 95% CI 2.3–9.9). No allele from the candidate genes examined ( HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1, FCGR2A, FCGR3A, or FCG3B) predicted clinical seizures or damage caused by seizures.
Lupus: improving long-term prognosis
Authors: Doria A , Briani C 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Over recent decades short- and medium-term survival has greatly improved in patients affected with systemic lupus erythematosus, but long-term prognosis still remains poor mainly due to complications of the disease and/or its treatment. To improve long-term prognosis in systemic lupus erythematosus, we should try to adopt, early in the disease course, strategies that can contribute to reducing long-term complications, including screening for and prophylaxis against infections, control of risk factors for atherosclerosis, and cancer surveillance. However, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus all these preventive strategies are often not sufficient. Indeed, two important systemic lupus erythematosus–related factors play a relevant role in all these complications: severe disease manifestations, such as glomerulonephritis and central nervous system involvement, and corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide use. Therefore, to prevent long-term complications, we should try to control disease activity and severity using the lowest effective dosage of these drugs. Moreover, strategies directed at preventing clinical manifestations in asymptomatic antinuclear antibody–positive individuals or in antiphospholipid antibody–positive systemic lupus erythematosus patients, as well as at preventing severe manifestations in patients with mild systemic lupus erythematosus at the time of the diagnosis should be considered.
Atypical ischemic lower extremity ulcerations: a differential diagnosis
Authors: Dean Steven M 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the predominant cause of ischemic ulcerations involving the lower extremities. PAD-associated ulcerations are typically distally located involving the feet, toes, and sometimes the calves. In contradistinction, atypical ischemic ulcerations of the lower extremity are often non-atherosclerotic in etiology, involve the proximal leg (thigh/buttocks), can evolve despite palpable distal pulses, and may coexist with other cutaneous aberrations (e.g. macules, purpura, nodules, and livedo reticularis). A differential diagnosis of atypical ischemic ulcerations involving the legs is presented.
C-reactive protein, anti-C-reactive protein antibodies and clinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Rosenau Barbara J , Costenbader Karen H , Schur Peter H 
Published: March 2008

Abstract There has been considerable interest in the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and atherosclerosis. We have previously demonstrated that individuals, especially those with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, may produce antibodies to CRP. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the possible association between anti-CRP antibodies and atherosclerosis. A total of 103 individuals were identified with or without atherosclerosis, and without clinical rheumatic diseases. They were evaluated with respect to cholesterol, HDL, LDL, high-sensitivity (hs)CRP, and anti-CRP antibody levels, as well as use of statin medications. Individuals with atherosclerosis were much more likely to be taking a statin, and thus have lower lipid levels. However, there was no association between hsCRP or anti-CRP antibody levels with atherosclerosis, statin use, or each other. These observations suggest that anti-CRP antibody is not involved in atherosclerosis, and may represent an epiphenomenon.
Fibromuscular dysplasia of the internal carotid circulation: an unusual presentation
Authors: Bhuriya Rohitkumar , Arora Rohit , Khosla Sandeep 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an arterial disease of unknown etiology. Most often it affects the renal and internal carotid arteries (ICA), although any artery can be involved. Internal carotid arteries are affected in 25–30% of patients. When carotid arteries are involved, cervical segments C1-C2 are most often affected. FMD of intracranial arteries is rare. FMD has been associated with intracranial aneurysms in 7–50% cases, but FMD associated with a giant (> 2.5 cm) intracranial aneurysm is rare. Extracranial internal carotid aneurysms are uncommon, with only 3% caused by FMD. We report a case of intra and extracranial FMD associated with a giant intracranial aneurysm and an aneurysm of the right extracranial ICA.
Over-expression of GTP-cyclohydrolase 1 feedback regulatory protein attenuates LPS and cytokine-stimulated nitric oxide production
Authors: Nandi Manasi , Kelly Peter , Vallance Patrick , Leiper James 
Published: March 2008

Abstract GTP-cyclohydrolase 1 (GTP-CH1) catalyses the first and rate-limiting step for the de novo production of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The GTP-CH1-BH4 pathway is emerging as an important regulator in a number of pathologies associated with over-production of nitric oxide (NO) and hence a more detailed understanding of this pathway may lead to novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of certain vascular diseases. GTP-CH1 activity can be inhibited by BH4 through its protein–protein interactions with GTP-CH1 regulatory protein (GFRP), and transcriptional and post-translational modification of both GTP-CH1 and GFRP have been reported in response to proinflammatory stimuli. However, the functional significance of GFRP/GTP-CH1 interactions on NO pathways has not yet been demonstrated. We aimed to investigate whether over-expression of GFRP could affect NO production in living cells. Over-expression of N-terminally Myc-tagged recombinant human GFRP in the murine endothelial cell line sEnd 1 resulted in no significant effect on basal BH4 nor NO levels but significantly attenuated the rise in BH4 and NO observed following lipopolysaccharide and cytokine stimulation of cells. This study demonstrates that GFRP can play a direct regulatory role in iNOS-mediated NO synthesis and suggests that the allosteric regulation of GTP-CH1 activity by GFRP may be an important mechanism regulating BH4 and NO levels in vivo.
The phylogeny of the mammalian heme peroxidases and the evolution of their diverse functions
Authors: Loughran Noeleen B , O'Connor Brendan , Ó'Fágáin Ciarán , O'Connell Mary J 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Background
The mammalian heme peroxidases (MHPs) are a medically important group of enzymes. Included in this group are myeloperoxidase, eosinophil peroxidase, lactoperoxidase, and thyroid peroxidase. These enzymes are associated with such diverse diseases as asthma, Alzheimer's disease and inflammatory vascular disease. Despite much effort to elucidate a clearer understanding of the function of the 4 major groups of this multigene family, we still do not have a clear understanding of their relationships to each other.

Results
Sufficient signal exists for the resolution of the evolutionary relationships of this family of enzymes. We demonstrate, using a root mean squared deviation statistic, how the removal of the fastest evolving sites aids in the minimisation of the effect of long branch attraction and the generation of a highly supported phylogeny. Based on this phylogeny we have pinpointed the amino acid positions that have most likely contributed to the diverse functions of these enzymes. Many of these residues are in close proximity to sites implicated in protein misfolding, loss of function or disease.

Conclusion
Our analysis of all available genomic sequence data for the MHPs from all available completed mammalian genomes, involved sophisticated methods of phylogeny reconstruction and data treatment. Our study has (i) fully resolved the phylogeny of the MHPs and the subsequent pattern of gene duplication, and (ii), we have detected amino acids under positive selection that have most likely contributed to the observed functional shifts in each type of MHP.
Improved detection of global copy number variation using high density, non-polymorphic oligonucleotide probes
Authors: Shen Fan , Huang Jing , Fitch Karen R , Truong Vivi B , Kirby Andrew , Chen Wenwei , Zhang Jane , Liu Guoying , McCarroll Steven A , Jones Keith W , Shapero Michael H 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Background
DNA sequence diversity within the human genome may be more greatly affected by copy number variations (CNVs) than single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Although the importance of CNVs in genome wide association studies (GWAS) is becoming widely accepted, the optimal methods for identifying these variants are still under evaluation. We have previously reported a comprehensive view of CNVs in the HapMap DNA collection using high density 500 K EA (Early Access) SNP genotyping arrays which revealed greater than 1,000 CNVs ranging in size from 1 kb to over 3 Mb. Although the arrays used most commonly for GWAS predominantly interrogate SNPs, CNV identification and detection does not necessarily require the use of DNA probes centered on polymorphic nucleotides and may even be hindered by the dependence on a successful SNP genotyping assay.

Results
In this study, we have designed and evaluated a high density array predicated on the use of non-polymorphic oligonucleotide probes for CNV detection. This approach effectively uncouples copy number detection from SNP genotyping and thus has the potential to significantly improve probe coverage for genome-wide CNV identification. This array, in conjunction with PCR-based, complexity-reduced DNA target, queries over 1.3 M independent NspI restriction enzyme fragments in the 200 bp to 1100 bp size range, which is a several fold increase in marker density as compared to the 500 K EA array. In addition, a novel algorithm was developed and validated to extract CNV regions and boundaries.

Conclusion
Using a well-characterized pair of DNA samples, close to 200 CNVs were identified, of which nearly 50% appear novel yet were independently validated using quantitative PCR. The results indicate that non-polymorphic probes provide a robust approach for CNV identification, and the increasing precision of CNV boundary delineation should allow a more complete analysis of their genomic organization.
Evolution of DC-SIGN use revealed by fitness studies of R5 HIV-1 variants emerging during AIDS progression
Authors: Borggren Marie , Repits Johanna , Kuylenstierna Carlotta , Sterjovski Jasminka , Churchill Melissa J , Purcell Damian FJ , Karlsson Anders , Albert Jan , Gorry Paul R , Jansson Marianne 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Background
At early stages of infection CCR5 is the predominant HIV-1 coreceptor, but in approximately 50% of those infected CXCR4-using viruses emerge with disease progression. This coreceptor switch is correlated with an accelerated progression. However, those that maintain virus exclusively restricted to CCR5 (R5) also develop AIDS. We have previously reported that R5 variants in these "non-switch virus" patients evolve during disease progression towards a more replicative phenotype exhibiting altered CCR5 coreceptor interactions. DC-SIGN is a C-type lectin expressed by dendritic cells that HIV-1 may bind and utilize for enhanced infection of T cells in trans. To further explore the evolution of the R5 phenotype we analyzed sequential R5 isolates obtained before and after AIDS onset, i.e. at the chronic stage and during end-stage disease, with regard to efficiency of DC-SIGN use in trans-infections.

Results
Results from binding and trans-infection assays showed that R5 viruses emerging during end-stage AIDS disease displayed reduced ability to use DC-SIGN. To better understand viral determinants underlying altered DC-SIGN usage by R5 viruses, we cloned and sequenced the HIV-1 env gene. We found that end-stage R5 viruses lacked potential N-linked glycosylation sites (PNGS) in the gp120 V2 and V4 regions, which were present in the majority of the chronic stage R5 variants. One of these sites, amino acid position 160 (aa160) in the V2 region, also correlated with efficient use of DC-SIGN for binding and trans-infections. In fitness assays, where head-to-head competitions between chronic stage and AIDS R5 viruses were setup in parallel direct and DC-SIGN-mediated infections, results were further supported. Competitions revealed that R5 viruses obtained before AIDS onset, containing the V2 PNGS at aa160, were selected for in the trans-infection. Whereas, in agreement with our previous studies, the opposite was seen in direct target cell infections where end-stage viruses out-competed the chronic stage viruses.

Conclusion
Results of our study suggest R5 virus variants with diverse fitness for direct and DC-SIGN-mediated trans-infections evolve within infected individuals at end-stage disease. In addition, our results point to the importance of a glycosylation site within the gp120 V2 region for efficient DC-SIGN use of HIV-1 R5 viruses.
CD14 and TLR4 are expressed early in tammar (Macropus eugenii)neonate development
Authors: Daly Kerry A. , Lefévre Christophe , Nicholas Kevin , Deane Elizabeth , Williamson Peter 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYMarsupials are born in a relatively underdeveloped state and develop during a period of intensive maturation in the postnatal period. During this period,the young marsupial lacks a competent immune system, but manages to survive despite the potential of exposure to environmental pathogens. Passive immune transfer via the milk is one well-recognised strategy to compensate the neonate, but there also may be innate immune mechanisms in place. In this study, CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), integral molecular components of pathogen recognition, were identified and characterised for the first time in a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Functional motifs of tammar CD14 and the toll/interleukin receptor (TIR) domain of TLR4 were highly conserved. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding residues and the TLR4 interaction site of CD14 were conserved in all marsupials. The TIR signalling domain had 84% identity within marsupials and 77% with eutherians. Stimulation of adult tammar leukocytes resulted in the induction of a biphasic pattern of CD14 and TLR4 expression, and coincided with increased production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Differential patterns of expression of CD14 and TLR4 were observed in tammar pouch young early in development,suggesting that early maturation of the innate immune system in these animals may have developed as an immune survival strategy to protect the marsupial neonate from exposure to microbial pathogens.
Social comparison activity in coping with HIV
Authors: Derlega Valerian J , Greene Kathryn , Henson James M , Winstead Barbara A 
Published: March 2008

Summary Taylor and Lobel's (1989) model of social comparison processes under threat predicts that upward affiliation (a social activity) may be useful to improve the skills and to find inspiration in coping with HIV, whereas downward evaluation (a cognitive activity) may assist someone to feel better by comparing oneself to a less fortunate person. Participants with HIV were randomly assigned, using a 3 × 3 factorial design, to read one of nine vignettes about someone whose HIV medical prognosis and psychological adjustment were described as good, poor or unspecified. Participants desired upward affiliation with a target doing well physically, but they wanted to avoid a target doing poorly psychologically. Participants also evaluated their own physical condition as better than a target coping poorly physically with HIV. The results may be useful in understanding the impact of various role models in coping with HIV.