bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurship: Environmental Forces Which Are Creating Opportunities in China
Authors: Dandridge Thomas C. , Flynn David M. 
Published: October 2007

Thomas C.Dandridge is with the department of mangment at the state university of New york at Albany, USA, and David M.Flynn is with the Department of Managment, Hofstra Univerisity, New York State, USA. Recongnising that much of the focus of writing has been on the individual and his or her characteristics which contribute to enterpreneurship, this paper draws attention to the forces which are in the enviornment, and are espcially prevalent in china ad the emergence of private enterprise there. sponsorship, social infrasture, and foreign investment are described as threee major influences. Changes in decision control have permitted new perspectives within sponspership schools and science technology are parts of the social infrastructure which have changed; types of foreign investment are described and the potentials change they foster are noted. Furthermore, these forces for change in the enviornemnt are discussed relative tothe basic conflict between cultural values and enviornemental remains.
Significance of Biogas Production in Waste Tips
Authors: Hoeks J. 
Published: October 2007

In a waste tip methane fermentation should be promoted as much as possible in order to minimize contamination of leachate and groundwater. In this paper the production of biogas is mathematically described as a first-order process. The degradable organic fraction of municipal refuse is subdivided into three fractions with different half-lifes (1,5 and 15 years). If other categories of waste are present (e.g. industrial refuse or demolition waste) one should know the organic matter content per category and if possible some information on the degradability of the organic fractions. Field tests can also give information, e.g. the pressure lowering in and around an extraction well may be used to calculate the gas production rate and the radius of influence. Without recovery the gas escapes into the atmosphere and is (partly) oxidized by microbes in the soil cover. This may create anaerobic conditions in the soil cover causing injury to vegetation.
Stiffness Identification and Tearing Analysis for Coated Membranes under Biaxial Loads
Authors: Szostkiewicz C. , Hamelin P. 
Published: October 2007

In the first part of this paper, we have developed a mixed numerical and experimental method for the evaluation of the in-plane stiffness matrix of coated fabrics used in tensile architecture and submitted to biaxial loading. The evaluation of the stress distribution on cross-shaped samples is conducted with a finite element analysis soft ware. In the second part, we have observed and analysed failure mechanisms of previously ripped samples, particularly by the evaluation of the influence of the crack length and direction on its propagation with uniaxial and biaxial tests.
Dasatinib, a small-molecule protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits T-cell activation and proliferation
Authors: Schade Andrew E. , Schieven Gary L. , Townsend Robert , Jankowska Anna M. , Susulic Vojkan , Zhang Rosemary , Szpurka Hadrian , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractDasatinib is an oral small molecule inhibitor of Abl and Src family tyrosine kinases (SFK), including p56Lck (Lck). Given the central importance of Lck in transmitting signals from the T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling complex and the potent ability of dasatinib to inhibit Lck activity, we hypothesized this agent could provide a novel route of immunomodulation via targeted inhibition of antigen-induced signaling. Herein, we show that dasatinib inhibits TCR-mediated signal transduction, cellular proliferation, cytokine production, and in vivo T-cell responses. However, dasatinib-mediated inhibition does not induce apoptosis because the effect is reversible or may be overcome by signals bypassing the TCR, such as phorbol ester. Signal transduction and proliferative responses via IL-2 remain essentially unperturbed, suggesting that dasatinib displays specificity for TCR signaling. In addition, dasatinib combined with cyclosporine A or rapamycin led to a much more potent inhibition of T-cell activation, suggesting that targeted inhibition of Lck could be a useful adjunct for enhanced immunomodulation. In combination with currently available immunomodulatory agents, SFK inhibition could potentially increase immunomodulatory efficacy while minimizing toxicity of individual agents.
Fine specificity of drug-dependent antibodies reactive with a restricted domain of platelet GPIIIA
Authors: Peterson Julie A. , Nelson Tamara N. , Kanack Adam J. , Aster Richard H. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractDrug-induced immune thrombocytopenia is caused by drug-dependent antibodies (DDAbs) that bind tightly to platelet glycoproteins only when drug is present. How drugs mediate this interaction is not yet resolved. Several studies indicate that sites recognized by DDAbs tend to cluster in specific structural domains, suggesting they may recognize a limited number of distinct epitopes. To address this issue, we characterized the binding sites for 16 quinine-dependent antibodies thought on the basis of preliminary studies to be possibly specific for a single epitope on glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa). Fourteen of the antibodies reacted with a 29-kDa GPIIIa fragment comprising only the GPIIIa hybrid and plextrin-semaphorin-integrin homology domains. However, studies with mutant GPIIIa and the blocking monoclonal antibody AP3 showed that the 14 DDAbs recognize at least 6 and possibly more distinct, but overlapping, structures involving GPIIIa residues 50 to 66. The findings suggest that even antibodies specific for restricted domains on a target glycoprotein may each have a slightly different fine specificity; ie, “unique” epitopes recognized by DDAbs may be rare or nonexistent. The observations are consistent with a recently proposed model in which drug reacts noncovalently with both target protein and antibody to promote binding of an otherwise nonreactive immunoglobulin.
Global expression analysis of nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat-encoding and related genes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tan Xiaoping , Meyers Blake C , Kozik Alexander , West Marilyn AL , Morgante Michele , St Clair Dina A , Bent Andrew F , Michelmore Richard W 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
Nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR)-encoding genes comprise the largest class of plant disease resistance genes. The 149 NBS-LRR-encoding genes and the 58 related genes that do not encode LRRs represent approximately 0.8% of all ORFs so far annotated in Arabidopsis ecotype Col-0. Despite their prevalence in the genome and functional importance, there was little information regarding expression of these genes.

Results
We analyzed the expression patterns of ~170 NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes in Arabidopsis Col-0 using multiple analytical approaches: expressed sequenced tag (EST) representation, massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS), microarray analysis, rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR, and gene trap lines. Most of these genes were expressed at low levels with a variety of tissue specificities. Expression was detected by at least one approach for all but 10 of these genes. The expression of some but not the majority of NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes was affected by salicylic acid (SA) treatment; the response to SA varied among different accessions. An analysis of previously published microarray data indicated that ten NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes exhibited increased expression in wild-type Landsberg erecta (Ler) after flagellin treatment. Several of these ten genes also showed altered expression after SA treatment, consistent with the regulation of R gene expression during defense responses and overlap between the basal defense response and salicylic acid signaling pathways. Enhancer trap analysis indicated that neither jasmonic acid nor benzothiadiazole (BTH), a salicylic acid analog, induced detectable expression of the five NBS-LRR-encoding genes and one TIR-NBS-encoding gene tested; however, BTH did induce detectable expression of the other TIR-NBS-encoding gene analyzed. Evidence for alternative mRNA polyadenylation sites was observed for many of the tested genes. Evidence for alternative splicing was found for at least 12 genes, 11 of which encode TIR-NBS-LRR proteins. There was no obvious correlation between expression pattern, phylogenetic relationship or genomic location of the NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes studied.

Conclusion
Transcripts of many NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes were defined. Most were present at low levels and exhibited tissue-specific expression patterns. Expression data are consistent with most Arabidopsis NBS-LRR-encoding and related genes functioning in plant defense responses but do not preclude other biological roles.
Functional polymorphisms in the promoter regions of MMP2 and MMP3 are not associated with melanoma progression
Authors: Cotignola Javier , Roy Pampa , Patel Ami , Ishill Nicole , Shah Shivang , Houghton Alan , Coit Daniel , Halpern Allan , Busam Klaus , Berwick Marianne , Orlow Irene 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that cleave various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membranes. MMPs are expressed in melanocytes and their overexpression has been linked to tumor development, progression and metastasis. At the genetic level, the following functional promoter polymorphisms are known to modify the gene transcription: -1306 C/T and -735 C/T in the MMP2 gene, and -1171 5A/6A in the MMP3 gene. Functional polymorphisms in MMP genes' promoter regions may modulate the risk for melanoma progression.MethodsWe evaluated MMP2 and MMP3 germline polymorphisms in a group of 1002 melanoma patients using PCR-based methods, including fragment size analysis and melting temperature profiles. Two-sided Chi-Square, Cochran-Armitage tests for trend, Fisher's exact tests, and Kendall's Tau tests were performed to evaluate the associations between genotype and various clinical and epidemiologic factors. Multivariate analyses were conducted using logistic regression, adjusting for known melanoma confounders such as age, sex, phenotypic index, moles, freckles, and race. Survival estimates were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in survival were assessed using the log rank test.ResultsAll genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. After adjustment for age, sex and phenotypic characteristics of melanoma risk, no significant associations were identified with the clinical, pathological, and epidemiological variables studied. The melting profile for MMP2 -735 C/T identified a new change in one sample. A new PCR-amplification followed by direct sequencing confirmed a heterozygote G to A substitution at position -729.ConclusionThis study does not provide strong evidence for further investigation into the role of the MMP2 and MMP3 variants in melanoma progression.
Genetic incorporation of the protein transduction domain of Tat into Ad5 fiber enhances gene transfer efficacy
Authors: Han Tie , Tang Yizhe , Ugai Hideyo , Perry Leslie E , Siegal Gene P , Contreras Juan L , Wu Hongju 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
Human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) has been widely explored as a gene delivery vector for a variety of diseases. Many target cells, however, express low levels of Ad5 native receptor, the Coxsackie-Adenovirus Receptor (CAR), and thus are resistant to Ad5 infection. The Protein Transduction Domain of the HIV Tat protein, namely PTDtat, has been shown to mediate protein transduction in a wide range of cells. We hypothesize that re-targeting Ad5 vector via the PTDtat motif would improve the efficacy of Ad5-mediated gene delivery.

Results
In this study, we genetically incorporated the PTDtat motif into the knob domain of Ad5 fiber, and rescued the resultant viral vector, Ad5.PTDtat. Our data showed the modification did not interfere with Ad5 binding to its native receptor CAR, suggesting Ad5 infection via the CAR pathway is retained. In addition, we found that Ad5.PTDtat exhibited enhanced gene transfer efficacy in all of the cell lines that we have tested, which included both low-CAR and high-CAR decorated cells. Competitive inhibition assays suggested the enhanced infectivity of Ad5.PTDtat was mediated by binding of the positively charged PTDtat peptide to the negatively charged epitopes on the cells' surface. Furthermore, we investigated in vivo gene delivery efficacy of Ad5.PTDtat using subcutaneous tumor models established with U118MG glioma cells, and found that Ad5.PTDtat exhibited enhanced gene transfer efficacy compared to unmodified Ad5 vector as analyzed by a non-invasive fluorescence imaging technique.

Conclusion
Genetic incorporation of the PTDtat motif into Ad5 fiber allowed Ad5 vectors to infect cells via an alternative PTDtat targeting motif while retaining the native CAR-mediated infection pathway. The enhanced infectivity was demonstrated in both cultured cells and in in vivo tumor models. Taken together, our study identifies a novel tropism expanded Ad5 vector that may be useful for clinical gene therapy applications.
American ginseng modulates pancreatic beta cell activities
Authors: Wu Zonggui , Luo John Zeqi , Luo Luguang 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
The mechanism of the beneficial effects of Panax quinquefolius (Xiyangshen, American ginseng) on diabetes is yet to be elucidated. Recent studies show that Panax quinquefolius increases insulin production and reduces the death of pancreatic beta cells. Mechanism studies indicate that Panax quinquefolius improves cell's immuno-reactivity and mitochondrial function through various factors. Clinical studies show that Panax quinquefolius improves postprandial glycemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Further studies to identify the component(s) of Panax quinquefolius linked with pancreatic islets/beta cells in vitro and in vivo are warranted for better understanding of the full effects of Panax quinquefolius.
Prostate-specific antigen, sexual behavior, and sexually transmitted infections in US men 40–59 years old, 2001–2004: a cross – sectional study
Authors: Werny David M , Saraiya Mona , Chen Xiao , Platz Elizabeth A 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are hypothesized to play a role in the development of prostate cancer, perhaps due to inflammation-induced oncogenesis. We assessed in a nationally representative population of middle-aged men whether sexual behavior indicators for an increased risk of genital infection were associated with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration, a marker of prostatic disease and inflammation.

Results
The percentage of men between the ages of 40 and 59 with a PSA ≥ 4.0 ng/ml was 2.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8% – 3.8%). The percentage of men between the ages of 40 and 59 self-reporting a past diagnosis of genital warts or genital herpes, or a recent diagnosis of gonorrhea or chlamydia is estimated to be 7.3% (95% CI, 6.2% – 8.6%). Men self-reporting that they had had sex without using a condom in the past month had a lower PSA concentration and higher %fPSA than those who did not. There were no associations between any of the other sexual activity or laboratory measures and PSA or %fPSA.

Conclusion
In this nationally representative sample of middle-aged American men, we did not find consistent evidence for an association between sexual behavior or a history of STIs and PSA levels. Therefore, sexual factors are unlikely to lead to falsely elevated PSA tests in this population. We cannot rule out the role of these factors in causing false positive PSA tests in subgroups of the population that have a higher prevalence of high-risk sexual behavior, and more protracted or recent exposures to these agents.
Serum Levels of the Adipokine Vaspin in Relation to Metabolic and Renal Parameters
Authors: Seeger Jeannette , Ziegelmeier Michaela , Bachmann Anette , Lössner Ulrike , Kratzsch Jürgen , Blüher Matthias , Stumvoll Michael , Fasshauer Mathias 
Published: October 2007

AbstractContext: Recently, vaspin was identified as an insulin-sensitizing adipokine. However, regulation of this adipocyte-secreted factor in human disease has not been determined.Objective: We investigated vaspin serum concentrations in diabetic and nondiabetic patients on chronic hemodialysis (CD) as compared with controls with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) above 50 ml/min.Design: Vaspin was quantified by ELISA in control (n = 60) and CD (n = 60) patients and correlated to clinical and biochemical measures of renal function, glucose, and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation, in both groups.Results: Mean serum vaspin concentrations were not significantly different between CD patients and controls. Circulating vaspin was significantly lower in males (0.6 ± 0.9 μg/liter) as compared with females (1.3 ± 1.5 μg/liter) and was decreased in insulin-treated subjects. In univariate analyses, vaspin levels positively correlated with age and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and negatively with waist-to-hip ratio and GFR in control patients, whereas the adipokine was negatively associated with GFR and C-reactive protein (CRP) in CD patients. In multivariate analyses, age and gender were independently associated with vaspin in controls, whereas gender, GFR, and CRP independently predicted circulating vaspin in CD patients.Conclusions: Vaspin levels are significantly higher in women, and gender is an independent predictor of circulating vaspin in both control and CD patients. In addition, age independently predicts vaspin in control patients, whereas GFR and CRP are independently associated with this adipokine in CD patients. In contrast, circulating vaspin is not independently associated with markers of glucose and lipid metabolism.
Topologically Different Two Pseudo-decahedral Hydrogen-bond Networks Composed of Triphenylmethylammonium Phosphonates
Authors: Yuge Tetsuharu , Kai Nobuyasu , Hisaki Ichiro , Miyata Mikiji , Norimitsu Tohnai 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Novel two pseudo-decahedral hydrogen-bond networks with different topology are constructed with triphenylmethylammonium phosphonates. Phosphonate anions show four different hydrogen-bond manners, which lead to the topological diversity.
Activation of Growth Factor Receptors in Esophageal Cancer—Implications for Therapy
Authors: Ekman Simon , Bergqvist Michael , Heldin Carl-Henrik , Lennartsson Johan 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive disease and is the seventh most common cause of cancer-related death in the western world. Worldwide, it ranks as the sixth most frequent cause of cancer death. Despite advances in surgical techniques and treatment, the prognosis of esophageal cancer remains poor, with very few long-term survivors. The need for novel strategies to detect esophageal cancer earlier and to improve current therapy is urgent.
It is well established that growth factors and growth factor receptor–mediated signaling pathways are important components of the transformation process in many forms of cancer, including esophageal cancer. With the recent advances in drug development, there are emerging possibilities to use growth factor signal transduction pathways in targeted therapy. This review provides a summary of the role of growth factors and their receptors in esophageal cancer and discusses their potential roles as biomarkers and as targets in therapy.
Patient Gender Is Associated with Distinct Patterns of Chromosomal Abnormalities and Sex Chromosome–Linked Gene-Expression Profiles in Meningiomas
Authors: Tabernero María Dolores , Espinosa Ana Belén , Maillo Angel , Rebelo Olinda , Vera Jaime Fernandez , Sayagues José María , Merino Marta , Diaz Pedro , Sousa Pablo , Orfao Alberto 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
The female predominance of meningiomas has been established, but how this is affected by hormones is still under discussion. We analyzed the characteristics of meningiomas from male (n = 53) and female (n = 111) patients by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH). In addition, in a subgroup of 45 (12 male and 33 female) patients, tumors were hybridized with the Affymetrix U133A chip. We show a higher frequency of larger tumors (p = .01) and intracranial meningiomas (p = .04) together with a higher relapse rate (p = .03) in male than in female patients. Male patients had a higher percentage of del(1p36) (p &lt; .001), while loss of an X chromosome was restricted to tumors from female patients (p = .008). In turn, iFISH studies showed a higher frequency of chromosome losses, other than monosomy 22 alone, in meningiomas from male patients (p = .002), while female patients displayed a higher frequency of chromosome gains (p = .04) or monosomy 22 alone (p = .03) in the ancestral tumor clone. Interestingly, individual chromosomal abnormalities had a distinct impact on the recurrence-free survival rate of male versus female patients. In turn, gene expression showed that eight genes (RPS4Y1, DDX3Y, JARID1D, DDX3X, EIF1AY, XIST, USP9Y, and CYorf15B) had significantly different expression patterns (R2 &gt; 0.80; p &lt; .05) in tumors from male and female patients. In summary, we show the existence of different patterns of chromosome abnormalities and gene-expression profiles associated with patient gender, which could help to explain the slightly different clinical behavior of these two patient groups.
Electronegative LDL Impairs Vascular Endothelial Cell Integrity in Diabetes by Disrupting Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) Autoregulation
Authors: Lu Jonathan , Jiang Wei , Yang Jun-Hai , Chang Po-Yuan , Walterscheid Jeffrey P. , Chen Hsin-Hung , Marcelli Marco , Tang Daming , Lee Yuan-Teh , Liao Warren S.L. , Yang Chao-Yuh , Chen Chu-Huang 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE—L5, a circulating electronegative LDL identified in patients with hypercholesterolemia or type 2 diabetes, induces endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis by suppressing fibroblast growth factor (FGF)2 expression. FGF2 plays a pivotal role in endothelial regeneration and compensatory arteriogenesis. It is likely that vasculopathy and poor collateralization in diabetes is a result of FGF2 dysregulation.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—To investigate this mechanism, we isolated L5 from type 2 diabetic patients. In cultured bovine aortic ECs (BAECs), L5 inhibited FGF2 transcription and induced apoptosis. Because FGF2 stimulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway, we examined whether FGF2 transcription is regulated by Akt through a feedback mechanism.
RESULTS—Diabetic L5 reduced FGF2 release to the medium but enhanced caspase-3 activity, with resultant apoptosis. Inhibition of PI3K with wortmannin or suppression of Akt activation with dominant-negative Akt inhibited FGF2 expression. Transfection of BAECs with FGF2 antisense cDNA depleted endogenous FGF2 protein. In these cells, not only was Akt phosphorylation inhibited, but FGF2 transcription was also critically impaired. In contrast, transfecting BAECs with FGF2 sense cDNA augmented Akt phosphorylation. Treatment with constitutively active Akt enhanced FGF2 expression. Augmentation of either FGF2 transcription or Akt phosphorylation rendered BAECs resistant to L5.
CONCLUSIONS—These findings suggest that FGF2 is the primary initiator of its own expression, which is autoregulated through a novel FGF2-PI3K-Akt loop. Thus, by disrupting FGF2 autoregulation in vascular ECs, L5 may impair reendothelialization and collateralization in diabetes.
Influenza Vaccination: An Unmet Need in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Schaffner William , Rehm Susan J. , Elasy Tom A. 
Published: October 2007

IN BRIEFInfluenza vaccinations remain low in people with diabetes. Influenza vaccinations should be offered to all individuals with diabetes ≥ 6 months of age. This simple, effective, and safe treatment can prevent an uncomfortable and potentially severe viral infection across the age span.