bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Array-Based Resequencing Assay for Mutations Causing Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Waldmüller Stephan , Müller Melanie , Rackebrandt Kirsten , Binner Priska , Poths Sven , Bonin Michael , Scheffold Thomas 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Background: Dissecting the complex genetic basis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may be key to both better understanding and optimally managing this most prevalent genetic cardiovascular disease. An array-based resequencing (ABR) assay was developed to facilitate genetic testing in HCM.
Methods: An Affymetrix resequencing array and a single long-range PCR protocol were developed to cover the 3 most commonly affected genes in HCM, MYH7 (myosin, heavy chain 7, cardiac muscle, beta), MYBPC3 (myosin binding protein C, cardiac), and TNNT2 [troponin T type 2 (cardiac)].
Results: The assay detected the underlying point mutation in 23 of 24 reference samples and provided pointers toward identifying a G insertion and a 3-bp deletion. The comparability of array-based assay results to conventional capillary sequencing was ≥99.9%. Both techniques detected 1 heterozygous variant that was missed by the other method.
Conclusions: The data provide evidence that ABR can substantially reduce the high workload previously associated with a genetic test for HCM. Therefore, the HCM array could facilitate large-scale studies aimed at broadening the understanding of the genetic and phenotypic diversity of HCM and related cardiomyopathies.
Use of Serum FSH to Identify Perimenopausal Women with Pituitary hCG
Authors: Gronowski Ann M , Fantz Corinne R , Parvin Curtis A , Sokoll Lori J , Wiley Carmen L , Wener Mark H , Grenache David G 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Background: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) tests are performed on many female patients before performing medical procedures or administering medications that may harm a fetus. hCG of pituitary origin has been shown to increase with age. Therefore, mild increases in serum hCG in an older patient can be of pituitary origin and does not necessarily indicate pregnancy. The inability to rule out pregnancy in perimenopausal women can create clinical confusion and may delay needed therapies. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic utility of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations to rule out hCG of placental origin in perimenopausal women with a low concentration of serum hCG (5.0–14.0 IU/L).
Methods: Seven testing centers performed 39 742 physician-ordered serum quantitative hCG tests over a 15-month period. From these, 100 samples from women 41–55 years of age with serum hCG concentrations 5–14 IU/L were identified. We performed FSH testing and patient chart review for each sample.
Results: Twenty-three patients were found to have hCG of placental origin (pregnancy, resolving abortion, or gestational trophoblastic disease), and in those cases serum FSH was 0.4–43.8 IU/L. An FSH cutoff of 45.0 IU/L identified hCG of placental origin with 100% sensitivity and 75% specificity. FSH &gt;45 IU/L was never observed when hCG was of placental origin (negative predictive value).
Conclusions: These data indicate that quantitative serum FSH can be used to rule out pregnancy and hCG of placental origin in women 41–55 years of age with mild increase in serum hCG concentrations.
The Religious and Racial Meanings ofThe Green Pastures
Authors: Evans Curtis J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMarc Connelly'sThe Green Pasturesplay was one of the longest running dramas in Broadway history. Responses to the play by blacks and whites demonstrate its contested nature. Whites generally lauded the drama for its simplicity and its childlike depiction of black religion in the rural South. African Americans, though hopeful that its allblack cast would lead to more opportunities for blacks on stage, were divided between a general appreciation of the extraordinary display of talent by its actors and worries about the implications of a play that seemed to idealize the rural South as the natural environment of carefree overly religious blacks. Connelly's widely popular drama became a site of cultural debates about the significance of black migration to the urban North, the nature and importance of religion in black communities, and the place of blacks in the nation. Precisely when black social scientists were urging rural black Christians to abandon an otherworldly and emotional religion, white dramatists and literary artists were making more widely available what they saw as a picturesque and deeply rooted aspect of black folk culture.
Vaccinia Virus Infection Modulates the Hematopoietic Cell Compartments in the Bone Marrow
Authors: Singh Pratibha , Yao Yongxue , Weliver Abigail , Broxmeyer Hal E. , Hong Soon-Cheol , Chang Cheong-Hee 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Successful proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells in bone marrow (BM) is essential to generate all mature blood cell types, including those involved in the immune response. Although vaccinia virus (VV) is known to induce a strong immune response, the effect of VV infection on hematopoiesis remains largely unknown. Here, we showed that in vivo VV infection results in the expansion of c-KithiSca-1+Lin− (KSL) hematopoietic stem cells. The in vivo expansion of the KSL population requires MyD88 that is a critical adaptor for Toll-like receptor-mediated signaling. Moreover, in BM of VV-infected mice, common myeloid progenitors (CMP) was decreased because of the rapid differentiation of CMP to more mature cells. However, the CMP compartment was not affected by VV infection in the absence of MyD88. The common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) cell population was increased regardless of MyD88 status, suggesting the independent regulation of CMP and CLP compartments by VV infection. VV infection also enhanced the potential of progenitors that preferentially induce the programming of dendritic cell (DC) development toward plasmacytoid DC. Therefore, the host immune response is gearing toward antiviral responses as early as at the precursor level upon VV infection.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Considerations for Second-Line Therapy of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Stinchcombe Thomas E. , Socinski Mark A. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
For patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and a good functional status, platinum-based first-line chemotherapy improves quality of life, reduces disease-related symptoms, and improves survival. The addition of bevacizumab to carboplatin and paclitaxel in the first-line setting has been shown to produce a higher response rate and longer progression-free survival and overall survival times than with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Despite these therapies, all patients inevitably experience disease progression. There are currently three agents approved for treating patients who progress after one prior regimen: docetaxel, pemetrexed, and erlotinib. Erlotinib is also indicated for patients who progress after two prior regimens. These agents appear to have similar efficacies in terms of response and overall survival, but have significantly different toxicity profiles. Currently, the choice of agent depends on a number of factors, including the patient's comorbidities, toxicity from previous treatments, the risk for neutropenia, smoking history, and patient preference. A better understanding of prognostic factors in the second-line setting may allow clinicians to better select patients for second-line therapy, and lead to better-designed second-line trials. Patients with a good performance status in second-line trials have a median survival duration of approximately 9 months, and may receive two second-line therapies during the course of their treatment. Several new agents have shown activity in phase II trials, and may be integrated into second-line therapy as single agents or in combination with current agents in the future.
Systemic Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Recent Advances and Future Directions
Authors: Ramalingam Suresh , Belani Chandra 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Systemic therapy improves the survival and quality of life of patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several new therapeutic options have emerged for advanced NSCLC, incorporating novel cytotoxic agents (taxanes, gemcitabine, pemetrexed) and molecular-targeted agents (erlotinib, bevacizumab). Efforts to improve the outcome of first-line therapy for advanced and metastatic NSCLC have primarily focused on the addition of targeted agents to platinum-based two-drug regimens. Bevacizumab, an antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, is the first drug to demonstrate superior outcomes when added to systemic chemotherapy in advanced disease. Evaluation of the role of maintenance therapy following four to six cycles of first-line combination chemotherapy is ongoing. Both cytotoxic agents and targeted agents are suitable for evaluation in the maintenance setting. Promising results have been noted with single-agent paclitaxel as maintenance therapy following four cycles of combination therapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Phase III studies are now under way to evaluate the roles of gemcitabine, pemetrexed, and erlotinib as maintenance therapies for patients who experience a response or disease stabilization after four cycles of combination chemotherapy. Whether this approach will be successful in extending the survival of a select group of patients remains to be seen.
The Potential Impact of More Frequent Financial Reporting and Assurance: User, Preparer, and Auditor Assessments (Retracted)
Authors: Hunton James E. , Wright Arnold M. , Wright Sally 
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this study is to examine some of the potential impacts of more frequent financial reporting and concurrent assurance, as assessed by members of the assurer, preparer, and investor communities. Two hundred and fifteen participants (84 auditors, 30 controllers, 80 investors, as surrogated by MBA students, and 21 sell-side analysts) took part in an experiment where they received a case situation involving a company that was planning to voluntarily change from quarterly to monthly (daily) external financial statement reporting, without (with) assurance. After reading the case materials, the participants assessed the likely effects of such changes on the decision usefulness of financial statements, quality of earnings, financial reporting behavior, stock market price volatility, analysts' consensus forecasts, and cost of capital.
The results indicate that monthly reporting without assurance would significantly enhance the decision usefulness of financial statements, improve the quality of earnings, and reduce managements' aggressiveness with respect to discretionary accounting accruals, estimates, and principles; further, the findings suggest stock price volatility would be lower, analyst consensus of future earnings estimates would increase, and cost of capital would decrease. Assessments of daily reporting were consistent with monthly reporting, yet significantly stronger. The inclusion of concurrent auditor assurance resulted in directionally consistent yet significantly pronounced results in both monthly and daily reporting conditions on all measures. Additionally, participants agreed that providing monthly reports would be technically and economically feasible at this time, while daily reporting would not be feasible.
Altman's 1968 Bankruptcy Prediction Model Revisited via Genetic Programming: New Wine from an Old Bottle or a Better Fermentation Process?
Authors: McKee Thomas E. 
Published: February 2008

Prior research raised questions about the information value of some of the variables included in Altman's 1968 seminal bankruptcy prediction model. Answering these questions is of great importance since the original Altman model and variations on it are still used to provide bankruptcy risk signals in accounting and audit practice.
This study applied genetic programming to Altman's original data set in order to examine the issue of variable significance. Two parsimonious models employing either one or two variables were developed that equaled the accuracy rate of Altman's five variable model when tested on Altman's original data set. The two variable model also equaled or exceeded the Altman model both when error rates were compared based on prior probabilities of bankruptcy and when relative misclassification costs were considered. The accuracy levels and parsimony of the two genetic programming models supports prior research and confirms that some of the variables in the original model were an artifact of discriminant analysis.
Group-based Aerobic Interval Training in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Norwegian Ullevaal Model
Authors: Nilsson Birgitta Blakstad , Hellesnes Brit , Westheim Arne , Risberg May Arna 
Published: February 2008

Background and PurposeThe purpose of this case report is to describe the responses of 4 patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) to a novel rehabilitation program: a group-based, high-intensity, interval-training program that includes aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance activities.Case DescriptionsFour patients (55–71 years of age) with CHF (New York Heart Association class III) participated in the rehabilitation program twice per week for 16 weeks. Outcome measures included a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), a cycle ergometer test (aerobic capacity), and a quality-of-life questionnaire.OutcomesPatients 1, 2, and 3 increased their aerobic capacity (17%, 25%, and 52%, respectively). Patient 4 did not complete the cycle ergometer test because of limitations associated with his pacemaker. All patients increased their 6MWT distance (117, 66, 135, and 143 m for patients 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). No adverse events were reported.DiscussionThe Norwegian Ullevaal Model of cardiac rehabilitation is a novel high-intensity, interval-training program. The 4 patients with CHF in this case series who participated in this program experienced improvements in physical capacity and quality of life and had no adverse events. These results are consistent with recent evidence supporting the efficacy of high-intensity interval training in people with CHF. Randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this group-based, high-intensity, aerobic interval-training program for patients with CHF.
Identifying Chromosomal Targets of DNA‐Binding Proteins by Sequence Tag Analysis of Genomic Enrichment (STAGE)
Authors: Kim Jonghwan , Iyer Vishwanath R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSequence Tag Analysis of Genomic Enrichment (STAGE) is a method for experimentally identifying the in vivo chromosomal targets of DNA‐binding proteins in any sequenced genome. STAGE generates 21‐bp tags derived from DNA isolated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP; UNIT 21.3). Concatamers of tags are cloned and sequenced to yield a STAGE library. Tags in the library represent DNA fragments that were occupied by the DNA‐binding protein, and mapping these tag sequences to the genome identifies the binding loci of the DNA‐binding protein in vivo. STAGE can be applied to any sequenced genome to identify targets of DNA‐binding proteins without requiring extensive microarray resources.
Childhood antecedents of serious violence in adult male offenders
Authors: Hill Jonathan , Nathan Rajan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractProspective longitudinal studies have shown strong predictions from conduct disorders (CDs) in childhood to antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and violence in adults. However, little is known of the childhood antecedents of serious violence nor whether these may vary depending on the context in which the violence occurs.In this study, 54 men aged 21–40 years serving prison sentences for violent crime were assessed. Standardized interviews of ASPD and violence were conducted independently of interviews covering retrospective recall of childhood psychiatric disorders and adverse experiences. Analyses of the predictors of overall violence suggested a pathway involving childhood CD and adult ASPD associated with interparental discord, and an additional pathway associated with experiencing interparental violence in childhood. Different results were however obtained when account was taken of the context of the violence. The CD–ASPD pathway was associated with social violence, but not with partner violence. Partner violence was predicted by retrospective reports of having been exposed to interparental violence during childhood but not by reports of childhood CD or adult ASPD. Thus developmental pathways to serious violence may be different depending on the social domain in which the violence occurs. Aggr. Behav. 34:329–338, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New Enantioselective Synthesis of Monofluorinated Pyridines Designed for the Preparation of Chemical Libraries
Authors: Blayo Anne‐Laure , Le Meur Stéphanie , Grée Danielle , Grée René 
Published: February 2008

AbstractChiral pyridines with a fluorine atom in the benzylic position are easily accessible from optically active propargylic fluorides by using the Bohlmann–Rahtz reaction. Such pyridines, possessing four points of molecular diversity, are useful scaffolds for the preparation of chemical libraries.
Linear QSPRs for predicting pure compound properties in homologous series
Authors: Brauner Neima , St. Cholakov Georgi , Kahrs Olaf , Stateva Roumiana P. , Shacham Mordechai 
Published: February 2008

AbstractLinear QSPRs, containing 1 through 4 descriptors, are developed for predicting the normal boiling temperature, melting point temperature, and critical properties for the n‐alkane, 1‐alkene, n‐alkylbenzene, 1‐alcohol, and alkanoic monocarboxylic acid homologous series. It has been shown that property values for which experimental data are available can be predicted within experimental error level (with very few and very small exceptions), irrespective of whether interpolation or extrapolation is involved. Property values for which predicted literature data are available can be matched within the reported “reliability” level, even when extrapolation is carried out from very small training sets containing experimental data. Thus, the linear QSPRs developed represent well the nonlinear variation of the particular property with the carbon number, and increase the confidence in the values predicted when extrapolation is involved. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 54: 978–990, 2008
Absence of cutaneous neurofibromas in an NF1 patient with an atypical deletion partially overlapping the common 1.4 Mb microdeleted region
Authors: Kehrer‐Sawatzki Hildegard , Schmid Eva , Fünsterer Carsten , Kluwe Lan , Mautner Victor‐Felix 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe majority of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) microdeletions in 17q11.2 span ∼1.4 Mb and have breakpoints that lie within the proximal and distal NF1‐low copy repeats, termed NF1‐REPs. Less frequent are patients with atypical deletions and non‐recurring breakpoints. NF1 patients with gross deletions have been reported to manifest a more severe clinical phenotype than NF1 patients with intragenic mutations, and display early onset and extensive growth of neurofibromas. It has been suggested that the deletion of a neighboring gene or genes in addition to the NF1 gene may modify the expression of the disease, particularly with regard to the high burden of cutaneous neurofibromas. Thus, atypical deletions partially overlapping with the common 1.4 Mb microdeletion interval could prove useful in identifying possible genetic modifiers in the NF1 gene region whose haploinsufficiency might promote neurofibroma growth. Here we report a 20‐year‐old female who has an atypical deletion with a proximal breakpoint in NF1 intron 21 and a distal deletion breakpoint in the ACCN1 gene. The deletion spans 2.7 Mb and was mediated by an intrachromosomal non‐homology‐driven mechanism, for example, non‐homologous end‐joining (NHEJ). Remarkably, this patient did not exhibit cutaneous neurofibromas. However, genotype–phenotype comparisons in this and other previously reported patients with atypical deletions partially overlapping the commonly deleted 1.4 Mb interval do not identify a specific deleted region that is associated with increased neurofibroma growth. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Test Equality and Sample Size Calculation Based on Risk Difference in a Randomized Clinical Trial with Noncompliance and Missing Outcomes
Authors: Lui Kung‐Jong , Chang Kuang‐Chao 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn a randomized clinical trial (RCT), noncompliance with an assigned treatment can occur due to serious side effects, while missing outcomes on patients may happen due to patients' withdrawal or loss to follow up. To avoid the possible loss of power to detect a given risk difference (RD) of interest between two treatments, it is essentially important to incorporate the information on noncompliance and missing outcomes into sample size calculation. Under the compound exclusion restriction model proposed elsewhere, we first derive the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of the RD among compliers between two treatments for a RCT with noncompliance and missing outcomes and its asymptotic variance in closed form. Based on the MLE with tanh–1(x) transformation, we develop an asymptotic test procedure for testing equality of two treatment effects among compliers. We further derive a sample size calculation formula accounting for both noncompliance and missing outcomes for a desired power 1 – β at a nominal α‐level. To evaluate the performance of the test procedure and the accuracy of the sample size calculation formula, we employ Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the estimated Type I error and power of the proposed test procedure corresponding to the resulting sample size in a variety of situations. We find that both the test procedure and the sample size formula developed here can perform well. Finally, we include a discussion on the effects of various parameters, including the proportion of compliers, the probability of non‐missing outcomes, and the ratio of sample size allocation, on the minimum required sample size. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Targeted protein accumulation promoted by autoassembly and its recovery from plant cells
Authors: Noizet Mildred , Harrabi Faouzi , Vijayalakshmi Mookambeswaran , Galbraith David , Thomas Daniel , Thomasset Brigitte 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe expression of a fusion protein formed between the avian infectious bronchitis virus M protein and the bacterial enzyme β‐glucuronidase (GUS) in plants promotes the formation of new organization of the endoplasmic reticulum in tobacco plants. This unusual organization of the membranes, never present in nontransformed plants, has been explained by the oligomerization of the GUS domains of the IBVM‐GUS fusion proteins. These specific organized membranes could have broad implications for biotechnology since their formation could be used as a mechanism for retaining and accumulating resident proteins in specific and discrete membrane compartments. In this study, we have shown that the unusual organization of native membranes due to overexpression of the IBVM‐GUS fusion gene in tobacco transgenic plants and calli is present at higher levels in plant cell suspensions than in plant tissues. In these cell suspensions, IBVM‐GUS protein was continuously synthesized and accumulated throughout the cell culture. An enrichment of the chimeric IBVM‐GUS protein corresponding to a five‐fold increase in the microsomal fractions was achieved and the GUS enzyme did not show any modification on enzyme kinetics. However, the GUS activity could be differentially distributed in the fractions eluted at different pH suggesting differences in the surface topography of histidine residues for this recombinant GUS.