bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved effects of a double suicide gene system on prostate cancer cells by targeted regulation of prostate‐specific membrane antigen promoter and enhancer
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zeng Hao , Wei Qiang , Lu Yiping , Li Xiang , Wang Jia , Zhao Fujun , Li Hong 
Published: March 2008

Objective:  To explore the specific killing effect on prostate cancer cells of a dual cytosine deaminase (CD) and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT) expression plasmid system controlled by the prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) promoter and enhancer.Methods:  The CD gene was used to construct the recombinant plasmid prostate‐specific membrane antigenpromoter/enhancer‐CD (pPSMAE/P‐CD). The specific regulatory function of the pPSMAE/P promoter was demonstrated by detection of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression in the LNCaP cell line. Survival of cells transfected with different plasmids and treated with 5‐fluorocytosine (5‐FC) was measured by microculture tetrazolium assay. Cell cycle changes were measured by flow cytometry.Results:  Target‐specific expression of PSMAE/P was observed in the prostate cancer cell line. Cytotoxicity of 5‐FC was greater against LNCaP cells transfected with pPSMAE/P‐CD and UPRT and pPSMAE/P‐CD than control groups. Percentages of cells in S phase were 37.5% (LNCaP) and 30.6% (5‐FC treatment) in the un‐transfected groups, whereas they were 23.9% and 12.4% in the double and single suicide gene groups, respectively.Conclusions:  Our findings confirm the cytotoxic efficacy of the pPSMAE/P‐CD + 5‐FC and pPSMAE/P‐CD and UPRT + 5‐FC suicide gene systems. The CD and UPRT gene system quickly and directly converted 5‐FC into 5‐FU, and then into toxic metabolites. The CD and UPRT double suicide gene system was more effective in inducing tumor cell apoptosis with 5‐FC than the single suicide gene system. Thus, this construct can specifically target prostate cancer cells and might have a role in gene therapy against prostate cancer.
Anthropology and the fossil fuel era
Authors: Love Thomas 
Published: March 2008

Abstract:Oil is so vital to the growth economy today that we find it almost impossible to imagine a world without it. Given that world oil production is constrained and that our fossil fuel consumption per capita is no longer sustainable, what are the consequences for humanity, especially the world's poor majority? This editorial urges anthropologists to confront this question with the full range and force of our discipline's insights, data and methods.
GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION AND THE COMPOSITION OF PRIVATE EXPENDITURE: A CONDITIONAL ERROR CORRECTION MODEL
Authors: Aristei David , Pieroni Luca 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIn this paper we provide empirical evidence of the relationship between government purchases and private expenditure by adopting a microeconomic approach. Using UK quarterly data, a long‐run demand system conditioned to the public sector is obtained by specifying a vector error correction model in which government consumption is assumed as an exogenous I(1) forcing variable. Our findings reject the hypothesis of separability of individual preferences between public and private expenditures, with simultaneous crowding‐out/in effects. Moreover, crowding‐out effects of government consumption on private spending are found to be larger for those goods and services that produce similar utility.
OVERTIME WORK AS A SIGNALING DEVICE†
Authors: Anger Silke 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper provides an explanation for the empirically proven relationship between overtime and future benefits. We suggest an internal signaling model, in which a worker signals his value to the employer by supplying unpaid overtime. In our empirical analysis, we examine whether overtime has in fact a signaling component. Variations in collectively bargained hours between industries are exploited, as they imply different overtime thresholds for workers with the same number of actual hours. Using data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel Study for the years 1993–2004, a positive signaling value of unpaid overtime is found for West German workers.
EXPORTING AND PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM THE TAIWAN ELECTRONICS PLANTS
Authors: Tsou Meng‐Wen , Liu Jin‐Tan , Hammitt James K. , Wang Kuang‐Hsien 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper uses propensity score matching techniques and ordinary least square regressions to examine the relationship between exporting and productivity growth in the Taiwan electronics industry. Using data from three census years, we find that plants with higher productivity growth tend to enter the export market, supporting the self‐selection mechanism. The evidence of learning‐by‐exporting is mixed, however. While the plants exporting throughout the sample period show small differences in productivity growth from non‐exporters in the downturn period, continuing exporters outperform non‐exporters in the upturn period. Thus, our results suggest that the direction of causality mainly runs from productivity to exporting rather than vice versa.
OPTIMAL GROWTH, GENUINE SAVINGS AND LONG‐RUN DYNAMICS
Authors: Valente Simone 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTGreen accounting theories have shown that negative genuine savings at some point in time imply unsustainability. Consequently, recent studies advocate the use of the genuine savings measure for empirical testing: a negative index implies that sustainability be rejected. However, this criterion cannot ascertain sustainability, because positive current genuine savings do not rule out genuine dissaving in the future. This paper derives a one‐to‐one relationship between the sign of long‐run genuine savings and the limiting condition for sustained utility in the capital‐resource growth model, assuming technical progress and resource renewability. This result suggests to extend the genuine saving method to include a test of the limiting condition: if this condition is empirically rejected, positive current genuine savings are delivering a false message.
Design-Based Analysis of Embedded Experiments with Applications in the Dutch Labour Force Survey
Authors: Van Den Brakel Jan A. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryPrevious research has proposed a design-based analysis procedure for experiments that are embedded in complex sampling designs in which the ultimate sampling units of an on-going sample survey are randomized over different treatments according to completely randomized designs or randomized block designs. Design-based Wald and t-statistics are applied to test whether sample means that are observed under various survey implementations are significantly different. This approach is generalized to experimental designs in which clusters of sampling units are randomized over the different treatments. Furthermore, test statistics are derived to test differences between ratios of two sample estimates that are observed under alternative survey implementations. The methods are illustrated with a simulation study and real life applications of experiments that are embedded in the Dutch Labour Force Survey. The functionality of a software package that was developed to conduct these analyses is described.
Quantification of the Genetic Component of Basal C‐Reactive Protein Expression in SLE Nuclear Families
Authors: Rhodes B. , Meek J. , Whittaker J. C. , Vyse T. J. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryC‐reactive protein (CRP) is a heritable acute‐phase plasma protein also expressed at low, basal, levels in healthy individuals. Elevated basal CRP has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, while CRP dysregulation may be a feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this cohort of 496 Caucasian SLE families we estimated basal CRP heritability, h2= 27.7%. We typed a dense map of CRP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and found that seven were associated with basal CRP using both a regression approach and an orthogonal family‐based test (P = 0.001–0.011), as were haplotypes carrying the minor allele of these SNPs. SNPs in the interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐6 genes were associated with basal CRP. No association was seen between CRP genotype and SLE. Using a variance components approach we estimated that the CRP genotype accounted for only 15% of the total genetic component of basal CRP variation, perhaps explaining the limited evidence of association between CRP and disease. Most of the genetic determinants of basal CRP variation therefore remain unknown. Multiple genes may be involved and identifying them will provide an insight into pathways regulating CRP expression, highlight potential cardiovascular disease and SLE candidates and improve the ability of basal CRP to predict cardiovascular risk.
Sustainable liquid biofuels from biomass: the writing's on the walls
Authors: Gomez Leonardo D. , Steele‐King Clare G. , McQueen‐Mason Simon J. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryDomination of the global biosphere by human beings is unprecedented in the history of the planet, and our impact is such that substantive changes in ecosystems, and the global environment as a whole, are now becoming apparent. Our activity drives the steady increase in global temperature observed in recent decades. The realization of the adverse effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment, together with declining petroleum reserves, has ensured that the quest for sustainable and environmentally benign sources of energy for our industrial economies and consumer societies has become urgent in recent years. Consequently, there is renewed interest in the production and use of fuels from plants. The ‘first‐generation’ biofuels made from starch and sugar appear unsustainable because of the potential stress that their production places on food commodities. Second‐generation biofuels, produced from cheap and abundant plant biomass, are seen as the most attractive solution to this problem, but a number of technical hurdles must be overcome before their potential is realized. This review will focus on the underpinning research necessary to enable the cost‐effective production of liquid fuels from plant biomass, with a particular focus on aspects related to plant cell walls and their bioconversion.

Contents

Summary
473

I.
Historical context
474

II.
The case for liquid biofuels in the context of human energy consumption
474

III.
Liquid biofuels
474

IV.
Converting plant biomass into liquid fuels
475

V.
General composition of plant biomass
478

VI.
Overcoming the saccharification barrier
482

VII.
Tools for cell wall disassembly
483

VIII.
Prospects for biofuels
483

References
484
Survey of academic veterinarians' attitudes toward provision of cardiopulmonary–cerebral resuscitation and discussion of resuscitation with clientele
Authors: Hofmeister Erik H. , Thompson Brian F. , Brainard Benjamin M. , Kegge Samantha , Kube Stephanie , Egger Christine M. , Kimura Yoshio M. , Jehn Carl , Green Brad 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjective: To examine the impact of stress on veterinarians resulting from both the provision of cardiopulmonary–cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) and the discussion of CPCR and do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) with affected clients.Design: Descriptive cross‐sectional with survey methodology.Setting: Eight colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States.Subjects: Two hundred and one academic veterinarians.Interventions: The survey was distributed by the authors to small animal faculty, residents, and interns. Demographic variables and Likert‐style questions about comfort discussing and performing CPCR and affective impact of CPCR events were included. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to determine the effect of the questions on different target variables of interest.Measurements and Main Results: Ninety‐six percent of veterinarians experienced stress when performing CPCR and reported that positive emotions after a successful CPCR were statistically greater than the negative emotions of an unsuccessful CPCR. Veterinarians trained in CPCR reported lower scores for stress and negative emotional impact from a failed CPCR.Conclusions: Veterinarians experience stress during CPCR and when discussing CPCR and DNAR choices with owners. Steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of having a negative affect from CPCR efforts, such as improved training of CPCR supervisors and increased competence of CPCR supervisors.
Survey of academic veterinarians' clinical practice in cardiopulmonary–cerebral resuscitation
Authors: Hofmeister Erik H. , Thompson Brian F. , Brainard Benjamin M. , Kegge Samantha , Kube Stephanie , Egger Christine M. , Jehn Carl , Green Brad 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjective:To document the clinical practice of cardiopulmonary–cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) among academic veterinarians.Design:Survey.Setting:Eight colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States.Subjects:Two hundred and one academic veterinarians.Interventions:The survey was distributed by hand by the authors into the mailboxes of small animal faculty, residents, and interns. Demographic variables, questions regarding number of cardiopulmonary arrests (CPA) supervised and number successful, do not attempt resuscitation discussions, and Likert‐style questions about client presence during CPCR, appropriateness of CPCR, and CPCR decision‐making were included. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to determine the effect of multiple questions on different target variables of interest.Measurements and main results:Numerous differences were noted based on institution, gender, specialty, and position. Most institutions did not have a standard resuscitation consent form. Most respondents believed the client, house officer, and senior clinician should determine whether to perform resuscitation or not. Quality of life was the most significant determinant of whether to resuscitate or not, followed by long‐term prognosis, then short‐term prognosis.Conclusions:Veterinarians differ in many aspects of their approach to CPA and resuscitation. Creating consensus within the veterinary profession would benefit client service and patient care.
Successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of short‐term mechanical ventilation following inadvertent ketamine overdose in a cat
Authors: Cortés Yonaira E. , Holm Jennifer L. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjective: To describe the clinical manifestations and successful outcome following an inadvertent overdose of ketamine to a cat.Case summary: A 4‐year‐old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for a urethral obstruction. Because of an inadvertent miscalculation of ketamine, 20 times the intended dose was administered intravenously, which resulted in cardiopulmonary arrest. Cardiopulmonary‐cerebral resuscitation was successful, and short‐term mechanical ventilation, fluids and intensive monitoring were utilized to achieve full recovery and subsequent discharge of the animal.New or unique information provided: Ketamine is a common anesthetic agent used in cats that is considered to have a wide therapeutic index and minimal cardiopulmonary depressant effects at recommended doses. Successful management of inadvertent ketamine overdose has been reported in children, but not in cats. Prompt CPCR and short‐term mechanical ventilation may be necessary to treat a significant ketamine overdose. In cats, yohimbine may act as a partial antagonist of ketamine.
Myocardial perforation by a stick foreign body in a dog
Authors: Pelosi Augusta , Hauptman Joseph G. , Eyster George E. , Beal Matthew W. , Anderson Lorel K. , Olivier N. Bari 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjective: To report a case of myocardial perforation by a stick foreign body in a dog.Case Summary: A 3‐year‐old castrated male Labrador Retriever was examined because of a puncture wound seen after an unsupervised run in the woods. The wound was suspected to penetrate into the thoracic cavity on the basis of physical exam and radiographs. Uniform ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) and junctional beats were noted on electrocardiogram (ECG). Thoracotomy was performed and a 6‐cm wooden stick was seen protruding from the right ventricle through the pericardium toward the sternum. The stick was removed while purse string sutures were tied around the resultant myocardial defect. Follow‐up echocardiography revealed intact intracardiac structures. VPCs were treated with lidocaine and resolved completely within 24 hours of presentation.New or Unique Information Provided: Thoracic trauma can result in myocardial injury; penetration into the myocardium represents a life‐threatening situation for the emergency clinician. Cardiac injury should be included in the differential diagnoses of penetrating thoracic foreign bodies.
Direct Cost Burden Among Insured US Employees With Migraine
Authors: Hawkins Kevin , Wang Sara , Rupnow Marcia 
Published: March 2008

Objective.— To provide a current estimate of the national direct health‐care cost burden of illness associated with migraine among a US insured population.Background.— Individuals with migraine use health‐care resources more than those without migraine, incurring substantial costs to US employers.Methods.— The Thomson Medstat's Commercial Claims and Encounters 2004 database was utilized for this study. Only paid claims were analyzed. The migraine cohort had a primary migraine diagnosis and/or a migraine‐specific abortive drug prescription during 2004. A matched control cohort with no evidence of migraine was generated using propensity score techniques. Demographic characteristics and overall comorbidities were similar between cohorts. A second‐stage regression controlled for any remaining significant intergroup differences. The burden of illness of migraine was defined as the difference in average total health‐care expenditures per person between cohorts. The national burden of illness was defined as the average expenditure for migraine of national population estimates of privately insured individuals, and was estimated by projecting the migraine prevalence rate and average expenditure using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey population estimates.Results.— Patients with migraine (n = 215,209) had significantly higher average health‐care expenditures compared with matched controls ($7007 vs $4436 per person per year; difference of $2571; P < .001). Migraine‐associated national expenditure estimates: outpatient care, $5.21 billion; prescriptions, $4.61 billion; inpatient care, $0.73 billion; and emergency department care, $0.52 billion.Conclusions.— The direct costs associated with patients with migraine were found to be $2571 per person per year higher than in matched nonmigraine controls. The projected national burden of migraine of $11.07 billion is substantially higher than previous estimates.
Associations Between Frequent Headaches, Persistent Smoking, and Attempts to Quit
Authors: Waldie Karen E. , McGee Rob , Reeder Anthony I. , Poulton Richie 
Published: March 2008

Background.— Recent studies have found a strong relationship between tobacco smoking and headache pain. It remains unclear whether smoking behavior leads to headache or visa versa, mainly due to the cross‐sectional nature of the majority of this research.Objective.— To help clarify the direction of the relation between smoking and frequent headaches in a representative cohort study.Design and Methods.— Members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (N = 980) were asked about their cigarette smoking and headache history at ages 11 and 13 (childhood), age 15 (mid‐adolescence), and age 26 (adulthood). Both cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between smoking and headache status were examined using logistic regression.Results.— During mid‐adolescence, the likelihood of frequent headaches doubled for smokers relative to nonsmokers (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.39‐3.35). Smoking did not increase the risk of developing headaches in adulthood, however. In contrast, individuals who suffered from frequent headaches during mid‐adolescence were 2 times more likely to smoke in adulthood than those without headache (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.3‐3.7), after controlling for sex and family socioeconomic status. Attempts to quit smoking were significantly more difficult for migraine sufferers with a history of headache than for those with tension‐type headache.Conclusions.— Frequent headaches during mid‐adolescence appear to increase the risk of daily smoking in adolescence and adulthood. These individuals also have a more difficult time quitting than their headache‐free peers.
Patients With Chronic Tension‐Type Headache Demonstrate Increased Mechano‐Sensitivity of the Supra‐Orbital Nerve
Authors: Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas César , Coppieters Michel W. , Cuadrado María Luz , Pareja Juan A. 
Published: March 2008

Objective.— This study aimed to establish whether increased sensitivity to mechanical stimuli is present in neural tissues in chronic tension‐type headache (CTTH).Background.— Muscle hyperalgesia is a common finding in CTTH. No previous studies have investigated the sensitivity of peripheral nerves in patients with CTTH.Design.— A blinded controlled study.Methods.— Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and pain intensity following palpation of the supra‐orbital nerve (V1) were compared between 20 patients with CTTH and 20 healthy matched subjects. A pressure algometer and numerical pain rate scale were used to quantify PPT and pain to palpation. A headache diary was kept for 4 weeks to substantiate the diagnosis and record the pain history.Results.— The analysis of variance demonstrated significantly lower PPT for patients (0.86 ± 0.13 kg/cm2) than controls (1.50 ± 0.19 kg/cm2) (P < .001). Pain to palpation was also higher for patients (2.73 ± 1.58) than controls (0.15 ± 0.28) (P < .001).Within the CTTH group, intensity, frequency, and duration of the headaches were negatively correlated with PPT (rs ≤ −0.75; P < .001), and positively correlated with pain to palpation (rs ≥ 0.72; P < .001).Conclusions.— These findings reveal that mechanical hypersensitivity is not limited to muscles but also occurs in cranial nerves, and that the level of sensitization, either due to peripheral or central processes, is related to the severity of the primary headache.
Triptans vs Other Drugs for Acute Migraine. Are There Differences in Efficacy? A Comment
Authors: Tfelt‐Hansen Peer 
Published: March 2008

The introduction of triptans in migraine treatment was apparently a revolution. Comparative randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with triptan and other drugs do not give a clear‐cut picture.Oral triptans are superior to oral ergotamine most likely because the bioavailability oral of ergotamine is extremely low (<1%).Compared with NSAIDs, in most cases aspirin, triptans were not superior and in several RCTs triptans caused more adverse events than aspirin plus metoclopramide.Guidelines for treatment of migraine should be evidence‐based. It is suggested that based on current evidence, effervescent aspirin should be the first‐line drug for the treatment of migraine. Aspirin is also much cheaper than the triptans.