bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization Analysis of PTCL-U Reveals a Distinct Subgroup with Genetic Alterations Similar to Lymphoma-Type Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Authors: Nakagawa Masao , Nakagawa-Oshiro Aya , Karnan Sivasundaram , Tagawa Hiroyuki , Utsunomiya Atae , Nakamura Shigeo , Takeuchi Ichiro , Ohshima Koichi , Seto Masao 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Purpose: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTCL-U) comprises histopathologically and clinically heterogeneous groups. The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups with distinct genetic, histopathologic, and prognostic features.
Experimental Design: We used array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) for high-resolution analysis of 51 PTCL-U patients and the array data for examining possible correlations of histopathologic and clinical features. Moreover, we compared the genetic, histopathologic, and prognostic features of the PTCL-U cases with those of 59 cases of lymphoma-type adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL).
Results: We identified 32 regions with frequent genomic imbalance, 1 region with high copy number gain at 14q32.2, and 1 region with homozygous loss at 9p21.3. Gains of 7p and 7q and loss of 9p21.3 showed a significant association with poor prognosis. PTCL-U cases with genomic imbalance showed distinct histopathologic and prognostic features compared with such cases without alteration and a marked genetic, histopathologic, and prognostic resemblance to lymphoma-type ATLL.
Conclusions: The array CGH enabled us to identify the frequently altered genomic regions with strong prognostic power among PTCL-U cases. A correlative analysis using the array CGH data disclosed a subgroup in PTCL-U with genomic alterations and with histopathologic and clinical relevance. In addition to histopathologic similarity, the strong genetic and prognostic resemblance between PTCL-U cases with genomic imbalance detected by array CGH and lymphoma-type ATLL seems to support the notion that the former may constitute a distinct PTCL-U subgroup.
Interactions of IL-12A and IL-12B Polymorphisms on the Risk of Cervical Cancer in Chinese Women
Authors: Chen Xiaojun , Han Suping , Wang Sumin , Zhou Xiaoyi , Zhang Mingfeng , Dong Jing , Shi Xiaoyan , Qian Nianfeng , Wang Xinru , Wei Qingyi , Shen Hongbing , Hu Zhibin 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Purpose: Accumulative evidence suggests that interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays a central role in the Th1 responses and thus participates in the carcinogenesis of human papillomavirus–related cervical cancer. We hypothesized that potentially functional polymorphisms in IL12A and IL12B may individually and jointly contribute to cervical cancer risk.
Experimental Design: We genotyped IL12A rs568408 [3′ untranslated region (UTR) G&gt;A] and rs2243115 (5′UTR T&gt;G) and IL12B rs3212227 (3′UTR A&gt;C) in a hospital-based study of 404 cervical cancer cases and 404 cancer-free controls.
Results: The IL12A rs568408 GA/AA and IL12B rs3212227 AC/CC variant genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of cervical cancer [adjusted odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.93; and adjusted odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.97-1.75, respectively], compared with their corresponding wild-type homozygotes. Moreover, a significant gene-gene interaction of these 2 loci were evident in the risk of cervical cancer, and subjects carrying variant genotypes of both loci had a 1.82-fold (95% CI, 1.28-2.57) increased risk of cervical cancer. In the stratified analyses, the combined genetic effect was more pronounced in patients who had early-stage tumors or more parities. Subjects carrying rs568408 AG/AA and rs3212227 AC/CC genotypes and having &gt;2 parities showed a 6.00-fold (95% CI, 2.86-12.56) elevated cervical cancer risk (P for multiplicative interaction = 0.046).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that IL12A rs568408 and IL12B rs3212227 may individually and jointly contribute to the risk of cervical cancer and may modify cervical cancer risk associated with parity, but these data need further validation.
Role of the N-Acetyltransferase 2 Detoxification System in Thyroid Cancer Susceptibility
Authors: Guilhen Ana C.T. , Bufalo Natassia E. , Morari Elaine C. , Leite Janaina L. , Assumpcao Ligia V.M. , Tincani Alfio J.A. , Ward Laura S. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Purpose: Genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding for enzymes involved in the biotransformation of carcinogens have been shown to be relevant as risk for cancer and may be of considerable importance from a public health point of view. Considering that N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) polymorphisms modulate the response to ionizing radiation, the strongest risk factor recognized to cause differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) thus far, we sought to determine the influence of NAT2 detoxification system on thyroid cancer susceptibility.
Experimental Design: We conducted a prospective case-control study, comparing 195 patients presenting with DTC that were previously genotyped for GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1, and CYP1A1, comprising 164 papillary carcinomas and 31 follicular carcinomas, with 196 control individuals paired for gender, age, ethnicity, diet routine, lifetime occupational history, smoking history, general health conditions, and previous diseases. We used PCR-RFLP assays and the combination of 6 variant alleles to define 18 NAT2 haplotypes that characterized slow, intermediate, or rapid phenotypes.
Results: A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the presence of *12A and the absence of *12B, *13, *14B, *14D, *6A, and *7A NAT2 haplotypes as risk factors for DTC. The inheritance of a rapid acetylation phenotype doubled the risk for a papillary carcinoma (odds ratio, 2.024; 95% confidence interval, 1.252-3.272). We found no relationship between genotypes and clinical, pathologic, or laboratory features of patients or between genotypes and outcome.
Conclusions: We showed that NAT2 genotypes and the NAT2 rapid acetylation phenotype are important susceptibility factors for DTC, suggesting that NAT2 detoxification system is involved in this tumor pathogenesis.
Von einem Subjekt ausgesagt werden und an einem Subjekt vorliegen: zur Semantik genereller Terme in der aristotelischen Kategorienschrift
Authors: Strobel Benedikt 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAccording to the Greek Commentators in late antiquity, Aristotle's Categories is primarily concerned with simple expressions in so far as they signify things. But what is it for a simple expression to signify a thing? As for (non-empty) singular terms, it is safe to say that they denote things. But what about general terms? How do they signify things? The question is crucial to the theory of the Categories, since, as is argued in the first section of this paper, there is some truth in the Commentators' thesis that (part of) the Categories aims to elucidate the signification of simple expressions, including general terms. Of course, various prima facie plausible accounts of how general terms signify things are available; the second section discusses the basic assumptions which underlie them. A detailed analysis of Cat. 2a19-34 in the third section shows that the Categories' account is two-fold: On the one hand some general terms denote things (among the latter, the most prominent are τα κα' υπoκειμενoυ λεγoμενα). What is denoted by a given general term does not stand in any relation to the objects falling under the term but is something that they are. Some general terms, on the other hand, connote things. What is connoted by a general term is a property which the objects falling under the term are related to by virtue of having it (τα εν υπoκειμενω oντα are such properties).
Perceived efficacy and citizens' attitudes toward welfare state reform
Authors: Calzada Inés , del Pino Eloísa 
Published: December 2008

Perceived efficacy of welfare services has never been studied among the variables that determine attitudes toward welfare state reform. Are citizens more prone to accept social expenditure cuts, tax cuts or privatization reforms in welfare programmes when they perceive those programmes as ineffective? With the aim of answering this question, the Spanish case is explored using a 2005 survey carried out by the Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The article analyses citizen attitudes toward four welfare policy areas: health, education, pensions and unemployment protection, and toward the reforms that could be made in them. The results question the usual contention of politicians and practitioners who often suggest that citizens who perceive public services as ineffective would prefer lower public expenditure and taxes to purchase some welfare services in a more effective private sector. Points for practitioners The findings of the article have implications for decision-makers committed to public service reforms. Our results contradict the contention that in recent years western citizens' attitudes in support of a powerful welfare state are less enthusiastic than they were in the past. At least in some countries, it can be said that the poor performance of welfare programmes perceived by citizens does not necessarily lead them to espouse privatization. Most citizens think that the inefficacy of welfare services is due to their lack of resources and they seem to be inclined to support the improvement and increase of investment in the public services instead of other existing alternatives. Public managers may utilize these findings as a basis for demanding additional resources, but this strategy should not lead them to neglect their striving for more efficient provision of services, since citizens' attitudes may change if inefficacy is prolonged.
Citizen perceptions of road smoothness: evidence from New York with implications for comparative performance measurement
Authors: Van Ryzin Gregg G. 
Published: December 2008

Citizen surveys have many advantages for comparative performance measurement, particularly across cities, regions or countries that often employ quite different performance indicators and reporting systems. But much debate and skepticism exists about the validity and therefore meaning of subjective ratings of government performance. A recent study of street cleanliness in New York, however, found that citizen perceptions do strongly correlate with objective ratings by trained observers. The present study uses the same New York survey data and analytical approach to test the validity of citizen perceptions of another basic city service, the condition of road surfaces, in comparison to a sophisticated, objective measure of road smoothness conducted by the Fund for the City of New York. In contrast to the street cleanliness findings, the present study finds almost no correlation at all between objective and subjective measures of road smoothness. These results suggest that the validity of citizen surveys depends a great deal on the service or condition being measured. More empirical research on the specific aspects of government performance that citizens can, or cannot, judge well is needed. Points for practitioners Practitioners often rely on citizen surveys to measure service quality, but they remain uncertain if survey results tell them much about actual government performance. Do citizens perceive government performance as it really is? Or do they view it through a largely subjective lens? Interestingly, it may be a bit of both. This article builds on a prior study that showed how citizens of New York can be quite good judges of the cleanliness of city streets. But using the same data and method, this new study finds that citizens do a decidedly worse job at judging the smoothness of road surfaces. Some guidance is offered about which kinds of services citizens can judge best and how to interpret various service quality ratings captured in a citizen survey.
The training of civil servants in the Slovene state administration: issues in introducing training evaluation
Authors: Vukovic Goran , Zavrsnik Bruno , Rodic Blaz , Miglic Gozdana 
Published: December 2008

The state administration in Slovenia is undergoing its biggest reform since the country's secession from Yugoslavia in 1991. The civil servants need to adjust to a large number of changes in a very short time. They face a continually changing regulatory framework that they need to implement and enforce, as well as new demands from the growing private sector and citizens at large. These challenges can only be met by highly qualified civil servants who are constantly updating their qualifications. Therefore systematic in-service training is crucial to keep the civil servants competent in a rapidly changing environment. This article examines the practices of training evaluation in a branch of Slovene state administration. The article compares the attitudes of employees towards evaluation with the assumption that significant differences may exist among the attitudes of employees of different demographic characteristics. After having identified a conceptual framework that examines the notion of training evaluation among civil servants, the research questions related to determinants and consequences of evaluation were explored. Research assessing the influence of respondents' demographic characteristics was conducted among a population of civil servants, and 414 responses were gathered. The results obtained indicate that the influence of hierarchical position prevailed, although the managers (leading civil servants) are less involved in evaluation than expected. Empirical data also demonstrate that the majority of employees are willing to participate in permanent and transparent training evaluation. Points for practitioners This article may be of interest to researchers and managers involved in the planning and evaluation of civil servant training. Evaluation of the results of training presents feedback information to the training managers and is a key component in the systematic approach to training. The article sheds light on the relationship between demographic characteristics of training participants and their attitude towards training evaluation, and may help managers develop a systematic training model that will be better tailored to the demographic characteristics of their target group.
Gene methylation profiles of normal mucosa, and benign and malignant colorectal tumors identify early onset markers
Authors: Ahlquist Terje , Lind Guro E , Costa Vera L , Meling Gunn I , Vatn Morten , Hoff Geir S , Rognum Torleiv O , Skotheim Rolf I , Thiis-Evensen Espen , Lothe Ragnhild A 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundMultiple epigenetic and genetic changes have been reported in colorectal tumors, but few of these have clinical impact. This study aims to pinpoint epigenetic markers that can discriminate between non-malignant and malignant tissue from the large bowel, i.e. markers with diagnostic potential.The methylation status of eleven genes (ADAMTS1,CDKN2A,CRABP1,HOXA9,MAL,MGMT,MLH1,NR3C1,PTEN,RUNX3, andSCGB3A1) was determined in 154 tissue samples including normal mucosa, adenomas, and carcinomas of the colorectum. The gene-specific and widespread methylation status among the carcinomas was related to patient gender and age, and microsatellite instability status. Possible CIMP tumors were identified by comparing the methylation profile with microsatellite instability (MSI),BRAF-,KRAS-, andTP53mutation status.ResultsThe mean number of methylated genes per sample was 0.4 in normal colon mucosa from tumor-free individuals, 1.2 in mucosa from cancerous bowels, 2.2 in adenomas, and 3.9 in carcinomas. Widespread methylation was found in both adenomas and carcinomas. The promoters ofADAMTS1,MAL, andMGMTwere frequently methylated in benign samples as well as in malignant tumors, independent of microsatellite instability. In contrast, normal mucosa samples taken from bowels without tumor were rarely methylated for the same genes. HypermethylatedCRABP1, MLH1,NR3C1,RUNX3, andSCGB3A1were shown to be identifiers of carcinomas with microsatellite instability. In agreement with the CIMP concept, MSI and mutatedBRAFwere associated with samples harboring hypermethylation of several target genes.ConclusionMethylatedADAMTS1,MGMT, andMALare suitable as markers for early tumor detection.
Neural correlates of executive function and working memory in the ‘at-risk mental state’
Authors: Broome Matthew R. , Matthiasson Pall , Fusar-Poli Paolo , Woolley James B. , Johns Louise C. , Tabraham Paul , Bramon Elvira , Valmaggia Lucia , Williams Steven C. R. , Brammer Michael J. , Chitnis Xavier , McGuire Philip K. 
Published: December 2008

BackgroundPeople with prodromal symptoms have a very high risk of developing psychosis.AimsTo use functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the neurocognitive basis of this vulnerability.MethodCross-sectional comparison of regional activation in individuals with an ‘at-risk mental state’ (at-risk group:n=17), patients with first-episode schizophreniform psychosis (psychosis group:n=10) and healthy volunteers (controls:n=15) during an overt verbal fluency task and anN-back working memory task.ResultsA similar pattern of between-group differences in activation was evident across both tasks. Activation in the at-risk group was intermediate relative to that in controls and the psychosis group in the inferior frontal and anterior cingulate cortex during the verbal fluency task and in the inferior frontal, dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal cortex during theN-back task.ConclusionsThe at-risk mental state is associated with abnormalities of regional brain function that are qualitatively similar to, but less severe than, those in patients who have recently presented with psychosis.
Psychopathy traits in adolescents with childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Fowler Tom , Langley Kate , Rice Frances , Whittinger Naureen , Ross Kenny , Goozen Stephanie van , Owen Michael J. , O'Donovan Michael C. , van den Bree Marianne B. M. , Thapar Anita 
Published: December 2008

BackgroundChildren with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are thought to be at higher risk of psychopathy. Early biological and social adversity may contribute to this risk.AimsTo examine psychopathy traits in ADHD.MethodIn a sample of children with ADHD who had reached adolescence, total psychopathy and ‘emotional-dysfunction’ scores (e.g. callousness, lack of affect) were assessed using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version.ResultsA total of 156 (79%) eligible families participated. Total psychopathy and emotional-dysfunction scores were elevated in comparison to published UK norms but none scored in the clinical range for psychopathy. Adjusting for associated conduct problems, total psychopathy scores were associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy, emotional-dysfunction scores were associated with birth complications, and neither was associated with family adversity.ConclusionsChildren with ADHD show psychopathy traits but are not ‘psychopaths’. Early adversity, indexed by pre- or perinatal adversity but not family factors, appears to be associated.
Lamotrigine for treatment of bipolar depression: independent meta-analysis and meta-regression of individual patient data from five randomised trials
Authors: Geddes John R. , Calabrese Joseph R. , Goodwin Guy M. 
Published: December 2008

BackgroundThere is uncertainty about the efficacy of lamotrigine in bipolar depressive episodes.AimsTo synthesise the evidence for the efficacy of lamotrigine in bipolar depressive episodes.MethodSystematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomised controlled trials comparing lamotrigine with placebo.ResultsIndividual data from 1072 participants from five randomised controlled trials were obtained. More individuals treated with lamotrigine than placebo responded to treatment on both the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) (relative risk (RR)=1.27, 95% CI 1.09–1.47, P=0.002) and Montgomery– åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (RR=1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.41, P=0.005). There was an interaction (P=0.04) by baseline severity of depression: lamotrigine was superior to placebo in people with HRSD score >24 (RR=1.47, 95% CI 1.16–1.87, P=0.001) but not in people with HRSD score 24 (RR=1.07, 95% CI 0.90–1.27, P=0.445).ConclusionsThere is consistent evidence that lamotrigine has a beneficial effect on depressive symptoms in the depressed phase of bipolar disorder. The overall pool effect was modest, although the advantage over placebo was larger in more severely depressed participants.
Developing a care pathway for advance decisions and powers of attorney: qualitative study
Authors: Bisson Jonathan I. , Hampton Victoria , Rosser Anne , Holm Søren 
Published: December 2008

BackgroundThe Mental Capacity Act for England and Wales empowers individuals to plan ahead for when they may lack capacity.AimsTo develop a care pathway for advance decisions and powers of attorney using Huntington's disease as an exemplar.MethodQualitative study using in-depth individual interviews with service users and carers, and focus groups with professionals. Inductive qualitative analysis was used to develop themes to construct a care pathway that was then piloted and further evaluated to achieve a final pathway.ResultsA care pathway was developed that incorporated an early introduction through a formal education session and a minimum of two sessions separated by at least 2 weeks before advance decision completion. Optimal delivery of this intervention requires significant clinical and administrative commitment.ConclusionsWe have developed a simple, easy-to-follow care pathway that was acceptable to users and providers.
Effect of 7 July 2005 terrorist attacks in London on suicide in England and Wales
Authors: Salib Emad , Cortina-Borja Mario 
Published: December 2008

BackgroundA reduction in suicide in England and Wales has been reported after the attacks of 11 September 2001 in the USA. It may be plausible therefore to expect a much greater impact on suicide in the UK in response to the events of 7 July 2005, caused by the first suicide terrorist attack by Islamic extremists on British soil.AimsTo examine the effect of the 7 July 2005 terrorist attacks in London on suicide rates in England and Wales.MethodAnalysis of number of suicide (ICD–10 codes X60–X84) and undetermined injury deaths (ICD–10 codes Y10–Y34) reported in England and Wales in the 12 weeks before and after 7 July 2005. We used Shewhart Control Charts based on Poisson rates to explore adjusted daily and weekly suicide rates and rate differences with respect to 7 July 2005.ResultsA brief but significant reduction in daily suicide rate was observed a few days after the terrorist attack in London on 7 July 2005. Further reduction was also observed on the 21 July 2005, coinciding with the second wave of attacks. No similar reduction in suicide was seen during the same period in the previous 4 years. Poisson regression models with indicator variables for each day in July 2005 revealed a reduction of 40% of the expected daily rate for these 2 days only. We found no evidence of any longer-term effect on suicide.ConclusionsThe study findings are contrary to our expectation and only weakly support Durkheim's theory that periods of national threat lower the suicide rate through the impact on social cohesion. It is possible that previous experience of IRA terrorism in the UK may have limited the effect of the 7 July 2005 attacks on suicide in England and Wales. The shock value of suicide terrorism and its psychological potency appear to diminish over time as the tactic becomes overused.