bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Piloting Princes: Hugh Clifford and the Malay Rulers
Authors: Smith Simon C. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractHugh Clifford has been described as “one of the most unusual colonial governors in British history”. Widely regarded as the “doyen of the colonial service”, Clifford held successive governorships in the Gold Coast, Nigeria, Ceylon, and the Straits Settlements. As a writer of novels, short stories, and reminiscences, moreover, he enjoyed a successful literary career; he moved in literary circles and counted Joseph Conrad among his particular friends. Clifford's inspiration was drawn almost exclusively from his experiences in Malaya, the territory where he not only started his career in the early 1880s, but also ended it in tragic circumstances nearly fifty years later. Throughout his Malayan career Clifford came into frequent contact with Malaya's ruling families. “To act the part of officer in attendance upon Malayan royalties is a task with which circumstances have familiarised me”, he declared in “Piloting Princes”, a 1902 contribution to Blackwood's Magazine. His attitude towards them ranged from disgust and condemnation, to admiration and a paternalistic concern for their dignity and survival. Unravelling Clifford's complex, and apparently contradictory, relationship with Malay royalty will be the subject of this article.
Association Analysis Techniques for Discovering Functional Modules from Microarray Data
Authors: Pandey Gaurav , Atluri Gowtham , Steinbach Michael , Kumar Vipin 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAn application of great interest in microarray data analysis is the identification of a group of genes that show very similar patterns of expression in a data set, and are expected to represent groups of genes that perform common/similar functions, also known as functional modules. Although clustering offers a natural solution to this problem, it suffers from the limitation that it uses all the conditions to compare two genes, whereas only a subset of them may be relevant. Association analysis offers an alternative route for finding such groups of genes that may be co-expressed only over a subset of the experimental conditions used to prepare the data set. The techniques in this field attempt to find groups of data objects that contain coherent values across a set of attributes, in an exhaustive and efficient manner. In this paper, we illustrate how a generalization of the techniques in association analysis for real-valued data can be utilized to extract coherent functional modules from large microarray data sets.
Functional diversity among p24 subfamily members
Authors: Strating Jeroen R.P.M. , Hafmans Theo G.M. , Martens Gerard J.M. 
Published: August 2008

Background information. The p24 protein family plays an important but unclear role at the ER (endoplasmic reticulum)–Golgi interface. A p24 member from each subfamily (p24α3, β1, γ3 and δ2) is upregulated with the prohormone POMC (pro‐opiomelanocortin) when Xenopus laevis intermediate pituitary melanotrope cells are physiologically activated. Here we explored the role of p24 by generating and analysing Xenopus with melanotrope cell‐specific transgene expression of p24β1 or p24γ3, two of the p24 proteins coexpressed with POMC, and compared the results with those previously reported for the two other coexpressed p24s (p24α3 and p24δ2).Results. The transgene expression of p24β1 or p24γ3 did not affect the endogenous p24 proteins or affected only endogenous p24γ3 respectively, whereas in transgenics expressing p24α3 and p24δ2, the levels of all endogenous p24 proteins were strongly decreased. Nevertheless, as for p24α3 but albeit to a lesser extent, in the p24β1‐transgenic melanotrope cells the rate of cargo cleavage was reduced, probably reflecting reduced cargo transport from the ER, and POMC glycosylation and sulfation in the Golgi were not affected. The p24γ3‐transgenic cells displayed features of both the p24α3‐transgenics (reduced cargo cleavage, normal POMC sulfation) and the p24δ2‐transgenics (affected POMC glycosylation).Conclusions. Our results show that the four upregulated proteins p24α3, β1, γ3 and δ2 have non‐redundant roles in the early secretory pathway, and suggest that each p24 subfamily member provides a proper ER/Golgi subcompartmental microenvironment, together allowing correct secretory protein transport and processing.
A 12‐week randomised study comparing intravenous iron sucrose versus oral ferrous sulphate for treatment of postpartum anemia
Authors: WESTAD STIAN , BACKE BJØRN , SALVESEN KJELL ÅSMUND , NAKLING JAKOB , ØKLAND INGER , BORTHEN INGRID , ROGNERUD JENSEN ODD HARALD , KOLÅS TORIL , LØKVIK BJARNE , SMEDVIG ELI 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective. To analyze the effect of intravenous ferrous sucrose compared with oral ferrous sulphate on hematological parameters and quality of life in women with postpartum anemia. Design. Open randomised controlled trial. Setting. Multicentre study comprising five obstetrical departments in Norway. Population. Hundred and twenty‐eight postpartum women with hemorrhagic anemia (Hb between 6.5 g/100 ml and 8.5 g/100 ml). The intervention group (59 women) received 600 mg iron sucrose intravenously followed by 200 mg iron sulphate daily from week 5. The control group (70 women) were given 200 mg iron sulphate daily. Methods. Randomisation and start of treatment occurred within 48 hours of the delivery. Participants were followed up at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Main outcome measures. Hemoglobin, ferritin and quality of life assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF‐36) and the Fatigue Scale. Results. After 4 weeks the mean hemoglobin values in both groups were similar (11.9g/100ml vs. 12.3g/100ml, p = 0.89). The mean serum ferritin value after 4 weeks was significantly higher in the intervention group with 13.7μg/L vs. 4.2μg/L in the control group (p<0.001). At 8 and 12 weeks the hematological parameters were similar. The total fatigue score was significantly improved in the intervention group at week 4, 8 and 12, whereas SF‐36 scores did not differ. Conclusion. Women who received 600mg intravenous iron sucrose followed by standard oral iron after four weeks, replenished their iron stores more rapidly and had a more favorable development of the fatigue score indicating improved quality of life.
Vulvodynia. Definition, diagnosis and treatment
Authors: PETERSEN CHRISTINA DAMSTED , LUNDVALL LENE , KRISTENSEN ELLIDS , GIRALDI ANNAMARIA 
Published: August 2008

AbstractVulvodynia is a chronic painful disorder with an estimated prevalence of 9–12%. A rising incidence of the condition constitutes a growing problem. This has lead to an increased focus on etiology and treatment, while the definition also requires attention. Previous assumptions stating that the problem is solely a psychological disorder have been abandoned, because inflammatory mechanisms and genetic factors have been found to be involved in the pathogenesis as well as psychosexual contributors.This article describes the terminology and definition of the condition, theories on patho‐physiological mechanisms underlying the disorder, methods of diagnosis and evidence and recommendations on clinical management. A critical examination of the literature regarding vulvodynia reveals numerous strategies and recommendations for treatment, many of which are not evidence‐based, and a lack of effective treatment for all patients. Research is being undertaken internationally to find more specific and unequivocal causes of the disorder, as well as to develop evidence‐based methods of treatment.
Glassy cell carcinoma arising in the vagina
Authors: NASU KAEI , HAMASAKI CHIEKO , TAKAI NORIYUKI , NARAHARA HISASHI 
Published: August 2008

AbstractGlassy cell carcinoma is a rare neoplasm that occurs most frequently in the uterine cervix. We describe the first reported case of glassy cell carcinoma arising in the vagina. A 77‐year‐old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital for atypical genital bleeding. Gynecological examination revealed a macroscopic vaginal cancer of 1.5 cm in diameter located in the upper 1/3 of the vagina. The pathological diagnosis of the biopsied specimen was glassy cell carcinoma. She was successfully treated by conventional radiation therapy and chemotherapy under the diagnosis of stage I vaginal cancer (International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians classification, 1986). The patient is alive, without evidence of recurrence, 21 months following the radiation therapy. Glassy cell carcinoma is classified as the most poorly differentiated form of adenosquamous carcinoma. The present case illustrates the potential for glassy cell carcinoma to arise in the Müllerian epithelium throughout the female genital tract.
Maternal eating disorders influence sex ratio at birth
Authors: BULIK CYNTHIA M. , VON HOLLE ANN , GENDALL KELLY , LIE KARI KVEIM , HOFFMAN ELIZABETH , MO XIAOFEI , TORGERSEN LEILA , REICHBORN‐KJENNERUD TED 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe explored sex ratio at birth, defined as the proportion of male live births, in women with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and eating disorders not otherwise specified‐purging type (EDNOS‐P) relative to a referent group in a large population‐based sample of 38,340 pregnant women in Norway. Poisson regressions were adjusted for mother's age, pre‐pregnancy BMI, lifetime smoking status, maternal education, income, marital status, gestational age, and parity. Lower proportions of male live births were observed in the anorexia and bulimia groups, while binge eating disorder and EDNOS‐P were associated with a higher proportion of male births. These data suggest that maternal eating disorders may influence offspring sex and that the direction of effect may vary by eating disorder subtype. If confirmed, this finding could provide evidence in formulating hypotheses regarding the consequences of eating disorders and determinants of sex ratio at birth.
Complications and patient satisfaction after transobturator anterior and/or posterior tension‐free vaginal polypropylene mesh for pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: PACQUÉE STEFAAN , PALIT GÜLSEREN , JACQUEMYN YVES 
Published: August 2008

AbstractComplications and satisfaction with anterior and/or posterior prolapse repair using a transobturator polypropylene mesh (Prolift®) in a single center prospective cohort was assessed. Among 30 women six mesh erosions were noted, five (17%) after anterior and one (3%) with combined anterior and posterior procedures. The patients’ impression after six months was ‘better’ to ‘much better’ in 25 (84%), no change in four (13%) and one was worse (3%). At six months one patient had suffered re‐appearance of an anterior prolapse and one had relapse of both an anterior and posterior prolapse. Concomitant procedures were not significantly related to risk of erosion, but the erosion group was younger (mean age 58 vs. 67 years, p<0.0001). After polypropylene transobturator mesh for pelvic organ prolapse relapses do occur. Safety may be hampered by a high rate of mesh erosions.
Computational and Mathematical Modeling of Angiogenesis
Authors: PEIRCE SHAYN M. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTOver the past two decades, a number of mathematical and computational models have been developed to study different aspects of angiogenesis that span the spatial and temporal scales encompassed by this complex process. For example, models have been built to investigate how growth factors and receptors signal endothelial cell proliferation, how groups of endothelial cells assemble into individual vessels, and how tumors recruit the ingrowth of whole microvascular networks. A prudent question to pose is: “what have we learned from these models?” This review aims to answer this question as it pertains to angiogenesis in the context of normal physiological growth, tumorigenesis, wound healing, tissue engineering, and the design of therapeutic strategies. We also provide a framework for parsing angiogenesis models into categories, according to the type of modeling approach used, the spatial and temporal scales simulated, and the overarching question being posed to the model. Finally, this review introduces some of the simplification strategies and assumptions used in model building, discusses model validation, and makes recommendations for application of modeling approaches to unresolved questions in the field.
MotifVoter: a novel ensemble method for fine-grained integration of generic motif finders
Authors: Wijaya Edward , Yiu Siu-Ming , Son Ngo Thanh , Kanagasabai Rajaraman , Sung Wing-Kin 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Locating transcription factor binding sites (motifs) is a key step in understanding gene regulation. Based on Tompa's benchmark study, the performance of current de novo motif finders is far from satisfactory (with sensitivity ≤0.222 and precision ≤0.307). The same study also shows that no motif finder performs consistently well over all datasets. Hence, it is not clear which finder one should use for a given dataset. To address this issue, a class of algorithms called ensemble methods have been proposed. Though the existing ensemble methods overall perform better than stand-alone motif finders, the improvement gained is not substantial. Our study reveals that these methods do not fully exploit the information obtained from the results of individual finders, resulting in minor improvement in sensitivity and poor precision.
Results: In this article, we identify several key observations on how to utilize the results from individual finders and design a novel ensemble method, MotifVoter, to predict the motifs and binding sites. Evaluations on 186 datasets show that MotifVoter can locate more than 95% of the binding sites found by its component motif finders. In terms of sensitivity and precision, MotifVoter outperforms stand-alone motif finders and ensemble methods significantly on Tompa's benchmark, Escherichia coli, and ChIP-Chip datasets. MotifVoter is available online via a web server with several biologist-friendly features.
Availability: http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~bioinfo/MotifVoter
Contact: ksung@comp.nus.edu.sg
supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Synergizer service for translating gene, protein and other biological identifiers
Authors: Berriz Gabriel F. , Roth Frederick P. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Summary: The Synergizer is a database and web service that provides translations of biological database identifiers. It is accessible both programmatically and interactively.
Availability: The Synergizer is freely available to all users inter-actively via a web application (http://llama.med.harvard.edu/synergizer/translate) and programmatically via a web service. Clients implementing the Synergizer application programming interface (API) are also freely available. Please visit http://llama.med.harvard.edu/synergizer/doc for details.
Contact: fritz_roth@hms.harvard.edu
MPSQ: a web tool for protein-state searching
Authors: Zheng Siyuan , Sheng Jia , Wang Chuan , Wang Xiaojing , Yu Yao , Li Yun , Michie Alex , Dai Jianliang , Zhong Yang , Hao Pei , Liu Lei , Li Yixue 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Summary: MPSQ (multi-protein-states query) is a web-based tool for the discovery of protein states (e.g. biological interactions, covalent modifications, cellular localizations). In particular, large sets of genes can be used to search for enriched state transition network maps (NMs) and features facilitating the interpretation of genomic-scale experiments such as microarrays. One NM collects all the catalogued states of a protein as well as the mutual transitions between the states. For the returned NM, graph visualization is provided for easy understanding and to guide further analysis.
Availability: MPSQ is freely available via the web at http://mpsq.biosino.org/.
Contact: phao@sibs.ac.cn; liulei@scbit.org; yxli@sibs.ac.cn
Dissecting the role of p53 phosphorylation in homologous recombination provides new clues for gain-of-function mutants
Authors: Restle Anja , Färber Martin , Baumann Cindy , Böhringer Michael , Scheidtmann Karl Heinz , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Wiesmüller Lisa 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Regulation of homologous recombination (HR) represents the best-characterized DNA repair function of p53. The role of p53 phosphorylation in DNA repair is largely unknown. Here, we show that wild-type p53 repressed repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by HR in a manner partially requiring the ATM/ATR phosphorylation site, serine 15. Cdk-mediated phosphorylation of serine 315 was dispensable for this anti-recombinogenic effect. However, without targeted cleavage of the HR substrate, serine 315 phosphorylation was necessary for the activation of topoisomerase I-dependent HR by p53. Moreover, overexpression of cyclin A1, which mimics the situation in tumors, inappropriately stimulated DSB-induced HR in the presence of oncogenic p53 mutants (not Wtp53). This effect required cyclin A1/cdk-mediated phosphorylation for stable complex formation with topoisomerase I. We conclude that p53 mutants have lost the balance between activation and repression of HR, which results in a net increase of potentially mutagenic DNA rearrangements. Our data provide new insight into the mechanism underlying gain-of-function of mutant p53 in genomic instability.
The orphan receptor ERRα interferes with steroid signaling
Authors: Teyssier Catherine , Bianco Stéphanie , Lanvin Olivia , Vanacker Jean-Marc 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
The estrogen receptor-related receptor α (ERRα) is an orphan member of the nuclear receptor super-family that has been shown to interfere with the estrogen-signaling pathway. In this report, we demonstrate that ERRα also cross-talks with signaling driven by other steroid hormones. Treatment of human prostatic cells with a specific ERRα inverse agonist reduces the expression of several androgen-responsive genes, in a manner that does not involve perturbation of androgen receptor expression or activity. Furthermore, ERRα activates the expression of androgen response elements (ARE)-containing promoters, such as that of the prostate cancer marker PSA, in an ARE-dependent manner. In addition, promoters containing a steroid response element can be activated by all members of the ERR orphan receptor subfamily, and this, even in the presence of antisteroid compounds.
Fatty acid intake and asthma symptoms in Japanese children: The Ryukyus Child Health Study
Authors: Miyake Y. , Sasaki S. , Arakawa M. , Tanaka K. , Murakami K. , Ohya Y. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryBackground
It has been hypothesized that increased consumption of n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreased consumption of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have contributed to the recent increased prevalence of asthma.Objectives
The present cross‐sectional study examined the association of intake of specific types of fatty acids with the prevalence of asthma symptoms using data from the Ryukyus Child Health Study.Methods
Study subjects were 25 033 schoolchildren aged 6–15 years in Okinawa, Japan. Symptoms of wheeze and asthma were defined according to diagnostic criteria from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Information on dietary factors was collected using a self‐administered brief diet history questionnaire for children. Adjustment was made for age, sex, number of siblings, smoking in the household, body mass index, paternal and maternal history of allergic diseases, and paternal and maternal educational level.Results
Intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, n‐3 and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid (18 : 2 n‐6) was independently associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze – the multivariate odds ratios for the highest quintile were 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.35), 1.17 (95% CI, 1.03–1.34), 1.19 (95% CI, 1.04–1.35), and 1.20 (95% CI, 1.06–1.37), respectively. There was no measurable relationship of consumption of α‐linolenic (18 : 3 n‐3), eicosapentaenoic (20 : 5 n‐3), docosahexaenoic (22 : 6 n‐3) or arachidonic acid (20 : 4 n‐6) or the ratio of n‐3 to n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids with the prevalence of wheeze. Consumption of total fat, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol were not evidently related to wheeze. No material dose–response association was found between the intake of any of the types of fatty acids considered and the prevalence of asthma.Conclusions
The findings suggest that consumption of both n‐3 and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid, may be associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze.
A clinical profile of memory impairment in humans due to endogenous glucocorticoid excess
Authors: León‐Carrión José , Atutxa Ainara Madrazo , Mangas Miguel Angel , Soto‐Moreno Alfonso , Pumar Alfonso , Leon‐Justel Antonio , Martín‐Rodriguez Juan Francisco , Venegas Eva , Domínguez‐Morales Mª Rosario , Leal‐Cerro Alfonso 
Published: August 2008

Summary
Objective  Glucocorticoid excess is commonly related to neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, with memory impairment typically found among these disorders. The objective of this study is to offer a clinical profile of memory deficits resulting from exposure to chronic stress‐level elevations of endogenous glucocorticoids in patients with Cushing's Syndrome (CS).
Study subjects  Thirty female participants of matching age and education level were studied: 15 had untreated CS (mean age 38 ± 14) and 15 were healthy. In all patients, CS was confirmed by histology of the lesion after surgery.
Design  Different learning and memory processes were assessed using an adapted version of Luria's Memory Words‐Revised task (LMW‐R). Participants’ performances were measured in an immediate condition and, 30 min later, in a delayed condition. Attentional and executive functions were also evaluated.
Results  Our data show that chronic exposure to elevated levels of cortisol is clinically associated with significant working memory deficits, which included less shot‐term memory volume, slow learning rate, memory contamination and no accurate perception of own performance. Patients also show impairment in the delayed recall task. No relation was detected between learning and delayed conditions. CS group did not differ significantly from control group in basic attentional and executive functioning.
Conclusions  Our clinical profile of memory deficits related to CS relates chronic exposure to hypercortisolemia to impaired attentional‐dependent working memory and delayed recall process, suggesting that cortisol levels play a critical role in the modulation of learning and memory. Possible damage to hippocampus and extrahippocampal areas is discussed.
Variations in the promoter of CYP21A2 gene identified in a Chinese patient with simple virilizing form of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency
Authors: Zhang Hui‐Jie , Yang Jun , Zhang Man‐na , Zhang Wei , Liu Jian‐min , Wang Wei‐qing , Ning Guang , Li Xiao‐Ying 
Published: August 2008

Summary
Objective  The variations in the transcriptional regulatory regions of CYP21A2 were rarely investigated in patients with 21‐hydroxylase deficiency (21‐OHD). The present study aims to verify that the variations in the promoter of CYP21A2 relate to the classical form of 21OHD.
Patients and methods
CYP21A2 was screened for mutations in 20 patients with the simple virilizing form of 21OHD, including the promoter region. The transcriptional activities of the variants in the promoter were investigated using a dual‐reporter luciferase assay system and electromobility gel shift assays.
Results  The heterozygous variants –447 A > G, –443InsA, –306G > C, –295T > C, –294 A > C, –283 A > G, –281T > G, –210T > C, –199C > T, –196 A > T, –126C > T, –113G > A, –110T > C, –103 A > G and –4C > T in the promoter of CYP21A2 gene were identified in a patient with simple virilizing form of 21OHD. The transcriptional activities of the promoter with the variants were reduced to 50% of the wild type.
Conclusion  We speculated that the 15 variants in the promoter of CYP21A2 combined with a compound heterozygous mutation Q318X lead to a simple virilizing form of 21OHD.