bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From randomized controlled trials to evidence grading schemes: current state of evidence‐based practice in social sciences
Authors: Boruch Robert , Rui Ning 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWith the advance of web search and navigation technology, enormous amount of information, non‐information, and misinformation may be obtained in milliseconds in response to questions about ‘what works’ in social sciences. Today, policy makers in non‐medical public service arenas are under increasing pressure to make sound decisions based on scientific evidence. Some of these decisions are a matter of legal requirement. This paper shows how such movements are closely aligned with the evolution of organizations that develop and apply evidence standards and evidence grading schemes within the social science communities. The current state of evidence‐based practice in social sciences is examined by reviewing the latest development of randomized trials and evidence grading schemes in the fields of education, criminal justice, and social welfare. Studies conducted under the auspices of the Campbell Collaboration and What Works Clearinghouse are used to illustrate ingredients of evidence grading schemes, graphic display of results of systematic reviews, and discrepancies of evidence derived from randomized trials and non‐experimental trials. Furthermore, it is argued that the use of evidence on ‘what works’ depends on the potential users' awareness, understanding of the evidence, as well as their capacity and willingness to use it. Awareness and understanding depends on the world wide web and its augmentations, while capacity and willingness depends more on incentives to use good evidence and on political and ethical values. Implications for the future development of evidence grading organizations are discussed.
The protective role of Hepatopoietin Cn on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats*
Authors: Cui Chun‐Ping , Wei Ping , Liu Yang , Zhang Da‐Jin , Wang Li‐Sheng , Wu Chu‐Tse 
Published: November 2008

Background:  Hepatopoietin Cn (HPPCn) is a member of the leucine‐rich acidic nuclear protein family (LANP), and studies of partially hepatectomized (PH) mice show that levels of HPPCn mRNA increase following liver injury. Furthermore, the recombinant human protein (rhHPPCn) was shown to stimulate hepatic DNA synthesis and activate signaling pathways involved in hepatocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo.Aim:  The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of rhHPPCn on liver injury and fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection.Methods:  Wistar rats weighing 200 g were given a single and repeated intraperitoneal injections of CCl4. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in rat serum were measured using biochemical assay. Hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp) level was determined in the hydrolysates of liver samples. Immunostaining and Masson's trichrome staining were conducted to evaluate hepatocyte proliferation and fibrosis.Results:  The results showed that exogenous rhHPPCn could alleviate hepatocyte necrosis and protect the liver from the development of fibrotic lesions by proliferation stimulation. Additionally, HPPCn could reduce ALT/AST levels in rat serum following single and repeated CCl4 injection.Conclusion:  It was suggested that HPPCn could protect hepatocytes from injury induced by CCl4 as a proliferation stimulator.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality in railroad workers
Authors: Hart J E , Laden F , Eisen E A , Smith T J , Garshick E 
Published: November 2008

Background:There is little information describing the risk of non-malignant respiratory disease and occupational exposure to diesel exhaust.Methods:US railroad workers have been exposed to diesel exhaust since diesel locomotives were introduced after World War II. In a retrospective cohort study we examined the association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality with years of work in diesel-exposed jobs. To examine the possible confounding effects of smoking, multiple imputation was used to model smoking history. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate an incidence rate ratio, adjusted for age, calendar year, and length of follow-up after leaving work (to reduce bias due to a healthy worker survivor effect).Results:Workers in jobs with diesel exhaust exposure had an increased risk of COPD mortality relative to those in unexposed jobs. Workers hired after the introduction of diesel locomotives had a 2.5% increase in COPD mortality risk for each additional year of work in a diesel-exposed job. This risk was only slightly attenuated after adjustment for imputed smoking history.Conclusions:These results support an association between occupational exposure to diesel exhaust and COPD mortality.
Marin Cureau de la Chambre on the Natural Cognition of the Vegetative Soul: An Early Modern Theory of Instinct
Authors: Wild Markus 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAccording to Marin Cureau de La Chambre—steering a middleway between the Aristotelian and the Cartesian conception of the soul—everything that lives cognizes and everything that cognizes is alive. Cureau sticks with the general tripart distinction of vegetative, sensitive, and intellectual soul. Each part of the soul has its own cognition. Cognition is the way in which living beings regulate bodily equilibirum and environmental navigation. This regulative activity is gouverned by acquired or by innate images. Natural cognition (or instinct) is cognition by innate images only. Cureau develops a highly originel theory of natural (or 'specialized') instinct. His theory attempts to explain five features of instinct (innateness, specialization, species-specifitiy, coerciveness, teleological nature). According to my interpretation, Cureau proposes a species of what is called a 'teleosemantic theory' of innate cognition.
The Temple of Ištar at Old Babylonian Alalakh
Authors: Lauinger Jacob 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe temple of Ištar is well attested in the Old Babylonian (level VII) texts from Alalakh. However, it is not evident from these attestations whether the temple was an autonomous institution or part of the palace administration. This article demonstrates first that an excavated temple dating to the level VII occupation is the same temple of Ištar known from the texts; and second that the excavated temple contained an archive documenting a store of the palace's silver. These conclusions affirm that the temple of Ištar lay within the purview of the palace administration. The article ends by suggesting that the palace may have encompassed the temple not just administratively but also architecturally.
Regulation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: basic mechanisms
Authors: Sommer N. , Dietrich A. , Schermuly R. T. , Ghofrani H. A. , Gudermann T. , Schulz R. , Seeger W. , Grimminger F. , Weissmann N. 
Published: November 2008

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), also known as the von Euler–Liljestrand mechanism, is a physiological response to alveolar hypoxia which distributes pulmonary capillary blood flow to alveolar areas of high oxygen partial pressure.Impairment of this mechanism may result in hypoxaemia. Under conditions of chronic hypoxia generalised vasoconstriction of the pulmonary vasculature in concert with hypoxia-induced vascular remodelling leads to pulmonary hypertension. Although the principle of HPV was recognised decades ago, its exact pathway still remains elusive. Neither the oxygen sensing process nor the exact pathway underlying HPV is fully deciphered yet. The effector pathway is suggested to include L-type calcium channels, nonspecific cation channels and voltage-dependent potassium channels, whereas mitochondria and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases are discussed as oxygen sensors. Reactive oxygen species, redox couples and adenosine monophosphate-activated kinases are under investigation as mediators of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Moreover, the role of calcium sensitisation, intracellular calcium stores and direction of change of reactive oxygen species is still under debate.In this context the present article focuses on the basic mechanisms of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and also outlines differences in current concepts that have been suggested for the regulation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.
Periodic leg movements in Cheyne–Stokes respiration
Authors: Manconi M. , Vitale G. , Ferri R. , Zucconi M. , Ferini-Strambi L. 
Published: November 2008

Periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) are repetitive jerks of the lower limbs. Their occurrence can be isolated or part of various sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome (RLS), narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnoea. Dopamine agonists are very effective in suppressing PLMS in RLS from the first night of administration. PLMS are often associated with cortical and autonomic arousals and may contribute to sleep disruption.Herein, a case of association between PLMS, Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) and severe insomnia is described.Repeated polysomnographic studies demonstrated a clear synchronisation between PLMS and hyperventilation episodes, and the complete recovery of CSR, sleep quality and PLMS during nocturnal ventilation. In the same patient, pharmacological treatment with a dopamine agonist was ineffective on both PLMS and CSR.These results suggest that periodic leg movements during sleep coupled with central breathing events, similar to those observed in conjunction with obstructive events, may have a different origin in terms of neurotransmitter and pathway implicated, compared with periodic leg movements during sleep in restless legs syndrome, and are resolved by treatment of the respiratory abnormalities.
Epithelial fibroblast triggering and interactions in pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Noble P. W. 
Published: November 2008

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterised by repeated injury to the alveolar epithelium with loss of lung epithelial cells and abnormal tissue repair, resulting in excessive accumulation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, deposition of extracellular matrix components and distortion of lung architecture, eventually leading to respiratory failure.There is growing circumstantial evidence to suggest that in IPF the alveolar epithelium is prone to undergoing programmed cell death following repeated injury, although the mechanism for inducing epithelial apoptosis is, as yet, unknown. Potentially, one explanation may be the formation of misfolded proteins and an unfolded protein response-mediated apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), in response to abnormal protein production and aggregation.Epithelial apoptosis is accompanied by damage to the basement membrane leading to the release of growth factors and chemokines, which recruit fibroblasts to the site of injury (fibroblastic foci). Instead of AECs healing by repair, myofibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition continues unabated in IPF.The transformation of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells, a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which allows direct communication between cells, is a possible explanation for the activation of alveolar epithelial cells in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The present article discusses this process and other potential mechanisms by which epithelial cell injury can lead to fibroblast recruitment and accumulation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Gene expression profiling: can we identify the right target genes?
Authors: Loyd J. E. 
Published: November 2008

Gene expression profiling allows the simultaneous monitoring of the transcriptional behaviour of thousands of genes, which may potentially be involved in disease development. Several studies have been performed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which aim to define genetic links to the disease in an attempt to improve the current understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of the disease and target pathways for intervention.Expression profiling has shown a clear difference in gene expression between IPF and normal lung tissue, and has identified a wide range of candidate genes, including those known to encode for proteins involved in extracellular matrix formation and degradation, growth factors and chemokines.Recently, familial pulmonary fibrosis cohorts have been examined in an attempt to detect specific genetic mutations associated with IPF. To date, these studies have identified families in which IPF is associated with mutations in the gene encoding surfactant protein C, or with mutations in genes encoding components of telomerase.Although rare and clearly not responsible for the disease in all individuals, the nature of these mutations highlight the importance of the alveolar epithelium in disease pathogenesis and demonstrate the potential for gene expression profiling in helping to advance the current understanding of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Gap junctions in the ovary of Drosophila melanogaster: localization of innexins 1, 2, 3 and 4 and evidence for intercellular communication via innexin-2 containing channels
Authors: Bohrmann Johannes , Zimmermann Jennifer 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Background
In the Drosophila ovary, germ-line and soma cells are interconnected via gap junctions. The main gap-junction proteins in invertebrates are members of the innexin family. In order to reveal the role that innexins play in cell-cell communication during oogenesis, we investigated the localization of innexins 1, 2, 3 and 4 using immunohistochemistry, and analyzed follicle development following channel blockade.

Results
We found innexin 1 predominantly localized to the baso-lateral domain of follicle cells, whereas innexin 2 is positioned apico-laterally as well as apically between follicle cells and germ-line cells. Innexin 3 was observed laterally in follicle cells and also in nurse cells, and innexin 4 was detected in the oolemma up to stage 8 and in nurse-cell membranes up to stage 12. In order to test whether innexins form channels suitable for intercellular communication, we microinjected innexin antibodies in combination with a fluorescent tracer into the oocyte of stage-10 follicles. We found that dye-coupling between oocyte and follicle cells was largely reduced by innexin-2 antibodies directed against the intracellular C-terminus as well as against the intracellular loop. Analyzing in vitro, between stages 10 and 14, the developmental capacities of follicles following microinjections of innexin-2 antibodies revealed defects in follicle-cell differentiation, nurse-cell regression, oocyte growth and choriogenesis.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that all analyzed innexins are involved in the formation of gap junctions in the ovary. While innexins 2 and 3 are colocalized between soma cells, innexins 2 and 4 are colocalized between soma and germ-line cells. Innexin 2 is participating in cell-cell communication via hemichannels residing in the oolemma. It is obvious that gap-junctional communication between germ-line and soma cells is essential for several processes during oogenesis.
Evolution of the mitochondrial genome in snakes: Gene rearrangements and phylogenetic relationships
Authors: Yan Jie , Li Hongdan , Zhou Kaiya 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundSnakes as a major reptile group display a variety of morphological characteristics pertaining to their diverse behaviours. Despite abundant analyses of morphological characters, molecular studies using mitochondrial and nuclear genes are limited. As a result, the phylogeny of snakes remains controversial. Previous studies on mitochondrial genomes of snakes have demonstrated duplication of the control region and translocation oftrnLto be two notable features of the alethinophidian (all serpents except blindsnakes and threadsnakes) mtDNAs. Our purpose is to further investigate the gene organizations, evolution of the snake mitochondrial genome, and phylogenetic relationships among several major snake families.ResultsThe mitochondrial genomes were sequenced for four taxa representing four different families, and each had a different gene arrangement. Comparative analyses with other snake mitochondrial genomes allowed us to summarize six types of mitochondrial gene arrangement in snakes. Phylogenetic reconstruction with commonly used methods of phylogenetic inference (BI, ML, MP, NJ) arrived at a similar topology, which was used to reconstruct the evolution of mitochondrial gene arrangements in snakes.ConclusionThe phylogenetic relationships among the major families of snakes are in accordance with the mitochondrial genomes in terms of gene arrangements. The gene arrangement inRamphotyphlops braminusmtDNA is inferred to be ancestral for snakes. After the divergence of the earlyRamphotyphlopslineage, three types of rearrangements occurred. These changes involve translocations within theIQMtRNA gene cluster and the duplication of the CR. All phylogenetic methods support the placement ofEnhydris plumbeaoutside of the (Colubridae + Elapidae) cluster, providing mitochondrial genomic evidence for the familial rank of Homalopsidae.
ProSeeK: A web server for MLPA probe design
Authors: Pantano Lorena , Armengol Lluís , Villatoro Sergi , Estivill Xavier 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
The technological evolution of platforms for detecting genome-wide copy number imbalances has allowed the discovery of an unexpected amount of human sequence that is variable in copy number among individuals. This type of human variation can make an important contribution to human diversity and disease susceptibility. Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) is a targeted method to assess copy number differences for up to 40 genomic loci in one single experiment. Although specific MLPA assays can be ordered from MRC-Holland (the proprietary company of the MLPA technology), custom designs are also developed in many laboratories worldwide. After our own experience, an important drawback of custom MLPA assays is the time spent during the design of the specific oligonucleotides that are used as probes. Due to the large number of probes included in a single assay, a number of restrictions need to be met in order to maximize specificity and to increase success likelihood.

Results
We have developed a web tool for facilitating and optimising custom probe design for MLPA experiments. The algorithm only requires the target sequence in FASTA format and a set of parameters, that are provided by the user according to each specific MLPA assay, to identify the best probes inside the given region.

Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first available tool for optimizing custom probe design of MLPA assays. The ease-of-use and speed of the algorithm dramatically reduces the turn around time of probe design. ProSeeK will become a useful tool for all laboratories that are currently using MLPA in their research projects for CNV studies.
Expression of the RON receptor tyrosine kinase and its association with gastric carcinoma versus normal gastric tissues
Authors: Zhou Donghui , Pan Gang , Zheng Chen , Zheng Jingjing , Yian Liping , Teng Xiaodong 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
Recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is activated by a serum-derived, macrophage stimulating protein (MSP) growth factor and is expressed in many malignant tumors. The aim of the present study was to reveal the protein expression profile of RON and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of gastric carcinoma and prognosis.

Methods
Gastric carcinoma tissue from 98 patients, along with 29 specimens of paraneoplastic tissue and 10 specimens of normal gastric mucosa, were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Western blot analysis of 19 samples of gastric carcinoma tissue and corresponding paraneoplastic tissue, 8 specimens of normal gastric mucosa, and 2 specimens of normal lymph node samples also detected expression of a splice variant of RON, RONΔ165. All samples obtained were accompanied by patient follow-up data that ranged from 3 to 89 months (median time: 22 months).

Results
The rate of positive RON expression differed significantly between gastric carcinoma tissues [56.1%, (55/98)] and paraneoplastic tissues [25.6%, (8/29)] (p = 0.007). In contrast, RON expression was absent in normal gastric mucosa samples. RON expression positively correlated with the invasive depth of the tumor (p = 0.019), perigastric lymph nodes metastasis (p = 0.019), and TNM stage (p = 0.001). However, RON expression was independent of tumor growth pattern according to Bormann criteria (p = 0.209), histopathological grade (p = 0.196), and incidence of distant metastasis (p = 0.400). RON expression was not related to a patient's survival rate (p = 0.195). RONΔ165 was strongly expressed in fresh gastric carcinoma tissue, corresponding paraneoplastic tissue, and perigastric lymph nodes with metastatic carcinoma. In contrast, expression of RONΔ165 was not observed in normal gastric mucosa and normal lymph node tissue samples.

Conclusion
RON expression is significant in gastric carcinoma tissue and corresponding paraneoplastic tissue, but is not expressed in normal gastric mucosa. Expression of RONΔ165 was similarly observed in gastric carcinoma tissue and in metastases present in lymph node tissues. We hypothesize that RON and its splice variant play an important role in the occurrence, progression, and metastasis of gastric carcinoma, and therefore may represent a useful marker to evaluate the biological activity of gastric carcinoma.
Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure Revised II (PRISM-RII) – a novel method to assess perceived burden of illness in diabetes patients
Authors: Klis Sandor , Vingerhoets Ad JJM , de Wit Maartje , Zandbelt Noortje , Snoek Frank J 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM) has been introduced as a visual measure of suffering. We explored the validity of a revised version, the PRISM-RII, in diabetes patients as part of the annual review.MethodsParticipants were 308 adult outpatients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Measures: (1) the PRISM-RII, yielding Self-Illness Separation (SIS) and Illness Perception Measure (IPM); (2) the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale, a measure of diabetes-related distress; (3) the WHO-5 Well-Being Index; (4) and a validation question on suffering (SQ). In addition, patients' complication status, comorbidity and glycemic control values(HbA1c) were recorded.ResultsPatients with complications did have marginally significant higher scores on IPM, compared to patients without complications. Type 2 patients had higher IPM scores than Type 1 patients. SIS and IPM showed low intercorrelation (r= -.25;p< .01). Convergent validity of PRISM-RII was demonstrated by significant correlations between IPM and PAID (r= 0.50;p< 0.01), WHO-5 (r= -.26;p< 0.01) and SQ (r= 0.36;p< 0.01). SIS showed only significant correlations with PAID (r= -0.28;p< 0.01) and SQ (r= -0.22;p< 0.01). Neither IPM nor SIS was significantly associated with HbA1c. The PRISM-RII appeared easy to use and facilitated discussion with care providers on coping with the burden of diabetes.ConclusionPRISM-RII appears a promising additional tool to assess the psychological burden of diabetes.