bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy Insecurity and Military Misadventures in the Persian Gulf Region
Authors: Singh K.R. 
Published: August 2008

The article seeks to analyze the policy of USA as a self-proclaimed leader of a coalition representing the interest of the North as also its allies and supporters in the South, specially in the context of increasing sense of energy insecurity. This insecurity is caused by a combination of factors like the declining reserves in the North, continued reliance upon oil and gas for commercial energy, and the feeling that not only ‘rogue’ regimes but also non-state actors pose a threat to free flow of energy at affordable price. That sense of increasing insecurity has prompted the US-led coalition to seek to militarily dominate a substantial part of the oil and gas reserves of the Gulf region, especially after 2003. Of late, steps have also been contemplated to force these states to open their oil and gas sector to oil majors of the North. These policies are likely to be resented, especially at the popular level, in this sensitive region. It remains to be seen whether the policy of dominating the Gulf and its energy resources by stationing large military force will succeed or further add to the sense of insecurity.
Role of advance directives in palliative care units: a prospective study
Authors: Pautex S , Herrmann FR , Zulian GB 
Published: August 2008

Advance directives (ADs) might be useful in achieving improved communication and satisfaction with decision making at the end-of-life. Our aims were to better characterise patients with advanced oncological disease who decided to complete ADs and to measure the effect of ADs completion on the satisfaction level with end-of-life care from both patients and their relatives. A prospective study was conducted in three palliative care units. Patients with advanced cancer were included if they met the following criteria: an estimated life expectancy of <6 months, fluency in French, Mini Mental State Examination >20 and not yet completed ADs. All the patients received information about ADs and decided whether to complete ADs or not. The level of satisfaction with involvement in the decision process concerning end-of-life care was assessed by means of a written questionnaire. In all, 53 of 228 patients were included, and 12 decided to complete ADs. Patients who completed ADs had statistically less depression one week after inclusion ( P = 0.030), had a lower anxiety score on the second week and had a lower depression score on the third week. There was a trend towards a higher satisfaction level with the involvement of the patients in end-of-life care for those completing ADs ( P = 0.878). In conclusion, each patient with an advanced progressive disease should be informed about ADs and be encouraged to complete the ADs with the aim to ease many fears as well as to improve communication.
Catalogue of epidermal genes: Genes expressed in the epidermis during larval molt of the silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Okamoto Shun , Futahashi Ryo , Kojima Tetsuya , Mita Kazuei , Fujiwara Haruhiko 
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Background
The insect cuticle is composed of various proteins and formed during the molt under hormonal regulation, although its precise composition and formation mechanism are largely unknown. The exhaustive catalogue of genes expressed in epidermis at the molt constitutes a massive amount of information from which to draw a complete picture of the molt and cuticle formation in insects. Therefore, we have catalogued a library of full-length cDNAs (designated epM) from epidermal cells during the last larval molt of Bombyx mori.

Results
Of the 10,368 sequences in the library, we isolated 6,653 usable expressed sequence tags (ESTs), which were categorized into 1,451 nonredundant gene clusters. Seventy-one clusters were considered to be isoforms or premature forms of other clusters. Therefore, we have identified 1,380 putative genes. Of the 6,653 expressed sequences, 48% were derived from 92 cuticular protein genes (RR-1, 24; RR-2, 17; glycine-rich, 29; other classes, 22). A comparison of epM with another epidermal EST data set, epV3 (feeding stage: fifth instar, day 3), showed marked differences in cuticular protein gene. Various types of cuticular proteins are expressed in epM but virtually only RR-1 proteins were expressed in epV3. Cuticular protein genes expressed specifically in epidermis, with several types of expression patterns during the molt, suggest different types of responses to the ecdysteroid pulse. Compared with other Bombyx EST libraries, 13 genes were preferentially included in epM data set. We isolated 290 genes for proteins other than cuticular proteins, whose amino acid sequences retain putative signal peptides, suggesting that they play some role in cuticle formation or in other molting events. Several gene groups were also included in this data set: hormone metabolism, P450, modifier of cuticular protein structure, small-ligand-binding protein, transcription factor, and pigmentation genes.

Conclusion
We have identified 1,380 genes in epM data set and 13 preferentially expressed genes in epidermis at the molt. The comparison of the epM and other EST libraries clarified the totally different gene expression patterns in epidermis between the molting and feeding stages and many novel tissue- and stage-specifically expressed epidermal genes. These data should further our understanding of cuticle formation and the insect molt.
HIV/AIDS awareness and risk behaviour among pregnant women in Semey, Kazakhstan, 2007
Authors: Sandgren Emma , Sandgren Sofia , Urazalin Marat , Andersson Rune 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackgroundCentral Asia has one of the most rapidly increasing HIV prevalence in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate current knowledge, risk behaviour and attitudes to voluntary counselling and testing concerning HIV/AIDS among pregnant women in Semey, Kazakhstan.MethodsWe collected 226 questionnaires in a consecutive sample from a population on 520 pregnant women. The results were related to ethnicity, age and education level.ResultsNinety-six percent had heard about HIV.Positive findings were that 89% and 86% of the women were aware of the two main routes of transmission: sexual intercourses without a condom and sharing needles while injecting drugs. The women had first heard about HIV/AIDS through the media with, 52%, and at school with 40%. Only 46% and 68% of the women pointed out breastfeeding and mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or delivery as routes of transmission. Eighty-three percent were prepared not to breastfeed their baby if they were found to be HIV positive. Slightly more, 86%, accepted the need to take medicine, but fewer women, 68%, were positive to Caesarean section. Negative findings were that only 28% answered that there are ways to protect oneself against sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS and specified that this was condom use.ConclusionThe pregnant women in Semey have poor knowledge about specific mother-to-child HIV transmission and do not know about the means of reducing mother-to-child HIV infection. The information in the public health program needs to be improved. However, most of the women in Semey were positive to prevention strategies for mother-to-child transmission after hearing about it.
Impact of BRAF, MLH1 on the incidence of microsatellite instability high colorectal cancer in populations based study
Authors: Brim Hassan , Mokarram Pooneh , Naghibalhossaini Fakhraddin , Saberi-Firoozi Mehdi , Al-Mandhari Mansour , Al-Mawaly Kamla , Al-Mjeni Rayhaneh , Al-Sayegh Abeer , Raeburn Sandy , Lee Edward , Giardiello Francis , Smoot Duane T , Vilkin Alexander , Boland C Richard , Goel Ajay , Hafezi Mitra , Nouraie Mehdi , Ashktorab Hassan 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
We have identified an alternative pathway of tumorigenesis in sporadic colon cancer, involving microsatellite instability due to mismatched repair methylation, which may be driven by mutations in the BRAF gene (V600E). Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer in the world, and African Americans show a higher incidence than other populations in the United States. We analyzed sporadic CRCs in Omani (of African origin, N = 61), Iranian (of Caucasian origin, N = 53) and African American (N = 95) patients for microsatellite instability, expression status of mismatched repair genes (hMLH1, hMSH2) and presence of the BRAF (V600E) mutation. In the Omani group, all tumors with BRAF mutations were located in the left side of the colon, and for African Americans, 88% [7] of tumors with BRAF mutations were found in the right side of the colon. In African Americans, 31% of tumors displayed microsatellite instability at two or more markers (MSI-H), while this rate was 26% and 13% for tumors in the Iranian and Omani groups, respectively. A majority of these MSI-H tumors were located in the proximal colon (right side) in African American and Iranian subjects, whereas most were located in the distal colon (left side) in Omani subjects. Defects in hMLH1 gene expression were found in 77% of MSI-H tumors in both African Americans and Iranians and in 38% of tumors in Omanis. BRAF mutations were observed in all subjects: 10% of tumors in African Americans (8/82), 2% of tumors in Iranians (1/53), and 19% of tumors in Omanis (11/59). Our findings suggest that CRC occurs at a younger age in Omani and Iranian patients, and these groups showed a lower occurrence of MSI-H than did African American patients. Our multivariate model suggests an important and significant role of hMLH1 expression and BRAF mutation in MSI-H CRC in these populations. The high occurrence of MSI-H tumors in African Americans may have significant implications for treatment, since patients with MSI-H lesions display a different response to chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil.
The costs of traumatic brain injury due to motorcycle accidents in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Hanh TM , Pham Tran L , Vo Thuy TN , Nguyen Phuong K , Doran Christopher M , Hill Peter S 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackgroundRoad traffic accidents are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in Vietnam. The purpose of this study is to estimate the costs, in the first year post-injury, of non-fatal traumatic brain injury (TBI) in motorcycle users not wearing helmets in Hanoi, Vietnam. The costs are calculated from the perspective of the injured patients and their families, and include quantification of direct, indirect and intangible costs, using years lost due to disability as a proxy.MethodsThe study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data on treatment and rehabilitation costs, employment and support were obtained from patients and their families using a structured questionnaire and The European Quality of Life instrument (EQ6D).ResultsThirty-five patients and their families were interviewed. On average, patients with severe, moderate and minor TBI incurred direct costs at USD 2,365, USD 1,390 and USD 849, with time lost for normal activities averaging 54 weeks, 26 weeks and 17 weeks and years lived with disability (YLD) of 0.46, 0.25 and 0.15 year, respectively.ConclusionAll three component costs of TBI were high; the direct cost accounted for the largest proportion, with costs rising with the severity of TBI. The results suggest that the burden of TBI can be catastrophic for families because of high direct costs, significant time off work for patients and caregivers, and impact on health-related quality of life. Further research is warranted to explore the actual social and economic benefits of mandatory helmet use.
Identification of intra-group, inter-individual, and gene-specific variances in mRNA expression profiles in the rheumatoid arthritis synovial membrane
Authors: Huber René , Hummert Christian , Gausmann Ulrike , Pohlers Dirk , Koczan Dirk , Guthke Reinhard , Kinne Raimund W 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIntroductionRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and destructive joint disease characterized by overexpression of pro-inflammatory/pro-destructive genes and other activating genes (for example, proto-oncogenes) in the synovial membrane (SM). The gene expression in disease is often characterized by significant inter-individual variances via specific synchronization/desynchronization of gene expression. To elucidate the contribution of the variance to the pathogenesis of disease, expression variances were tested in SM samples of RA patients, osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and normal controls (NCs).MethodAnalysis of gene expression in RA, OA, and NC samples was carried out using Affymetrix U133A/B oligonucleotide arrays, and the results were validated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. For the comparison between RA and NC, 568 genes with significantly different variances in the two groups (P≤ 0.05; Bonferroni/Holm corrected Brown-Forsythe version of the Levene test) were selected. For the comparison between RA and OA, 333 genes were selected. By means of theKyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, the pathways/complexes significantly affected by higher gene expression variances were identified in each group.ResultsTen pathways/complexes significantly affected by higher gene expression variances were identified in RA compared with NC, including cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, the transforming growth factor-beta pathway, and anti-apoptosis. Compared with OA, three pathways with significantly higher variances were identified in RA (for example, B-cell receptor signaling and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling). Functionally, the majority of the identified pathways are involved in the regulation of inflammation, proliferation, cell survival, and angiogenesis.ConclusionIn RA, a number of disease-relevant or even disease-specific pathways/complexes are characterized by broad intra-group inter-individual expression variances. Thus, RA pathogenesis in different individuals may depend to a lesser extent on common alterations of the expression of specific key genes, and rather on individual-specific alterations of different genes resulting in common disturbances of key pathways.
Inflammatory and transcriptional roles of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in ventilator-induced lung injury
Authors: Kim Je Hyeong , Suk Min Hyun , Yoon Dae Wui , Kim Hye Young , Jung Ki Hwan , Kang Eun Hae , Lee Sung Yong , Lee Sang Yeub , Suh In Bum , Shin Chol , Shim Jae Jeong , In Kwang Ho , Yoo Se Hwa , Kang Kyung Ho 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) participates in inflammation by cellular necrosis and the nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB)-dependent transcription. The purpose of this study was to examine the roles of PARP in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in normal mice lung.

Methods
Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: sham tracheostomized (sham), lung-protective ventilation (LPV), VILI, and VILI with PARP inhibitor PJ34 pretreatment (PJ34+VILI) groups. Mechanical ventilation (MV) settings were peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) 15 cm H2O + positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 3 cm H2O + 90 breaths per minute for the LPV group and PIP 40 cm H2O + PEEP 0 cm H2O + 90 breaths per minute for the VILI and PJ34+VILI groups. After 2 hours of MV, acute lung injury (ALI) score, wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio, PARP activity, and dynamic compliance (CD) were recorded. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and nitrite/nitrate (NOX) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and NF-κB DNA-binding activity in tissue homogenates were measured.

Results
The VILI group showed higher ALI score, W/D weight ratio, MPO activity, NOX, and concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 along with lower CD than the sham and LPV groups (P < 0.05). In the PJ34+VILI group, PJ34 pretreatment improved all histopathologic ALI, inflammatory profiles, and pulmonary dynamics (P < 0.05). NF-κB activity was increased in the VILI group as compared with the sham and LPV groups (P < 0.05) and was decreased in the PJ34+VILI group as compared with the VILI group (P = 0.009). Changes in all parameters were closely correlated with the PARP activity (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
Overactivation of PARP plays an important role in the inflammatory and transcriptional pathogenesis of VILI, and PARP inhibition has potentially beneficial effects on the prevention and treatment of VILI.
Prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide in acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Coutance Guillaume , Le Page Olivier , Lo Ted , Hamon Martial 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Introduction
The relationship between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) increase in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and the increase in mortality and morbidity has frequently been suggested in small studies but its global prognostic performance remains largely undefined. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of data to examine the prognostic value of elevated BNP for short-term all-cause mortality and serious adverse events.

Methods
The authors reviewed PubMed, BioMed Central, and the Cochrane database and conducted a manual review of article bibliographies. Using a prespecified search strategy, we included a study if it used BNP or N-terminal pro-BNP biomarkers as a diagnostic test in patients with documented PE and if it reported death, the primary endpoint of the meta-analysis, in relation to BNP testing. Studies were excluded if they were performed in patients without certitude of PE or in a subset of patients with cardiogenic shock. Twelve relevant studies involving a total of 868 patients with acute PE at baseline were included in the meta-analysis using a random-effects model.

Results
Elevated BNP levels were significantly associated with short-term all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] 6.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.11 to 13.91), with death resulting from PE (OR 6.10, 95% CI 2.58 to 14.25), and with serious adverse events (OR 7.47, 95% CI 4.20 to 13.15). The corresponding positive and negative predictive values for death were 14% (95% CI 11% to 18%) and 99% (95% CI 97% to 100%), respectively.

Conclusion
This meta-analysis indicates that, while elevated BNP levels can help to identify patients with acute PE at high risk of death and adverse outcome events, the high negative predictive value of normal BNP levels is certainly more useful for clinicians to select patients with a likely uneventful follow-up.
Dynamics of lung macrophage activation in response to helminth infection
Authors: Siracusa Mark C , Reece Joshua J , Urban Joseph F , Scott Alan L 
Published: August 2008

AbstractMost of our understanding of the development and phenotype of alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) has been obtained from studies investigating the response of bone marrow- and peritoneal-derived cells to IL-4 or IL-13 stimulation. Comparatively little is known about the development of AAMs in the lungs, and how the complex signals associated with pulmonary inflammation influence the AAM phenotype. Here, we use Nippostrongylus brasiliensis to initiate AAM development and define the dynamics of surface molecules, gene expression, and cell function of macrophages isolated from lung tissue at different times postinfection (PI). Initially, lung macrophages take on a foamy phenotype, up-regulate MHC and costimulatory molecules, express reduced levels of TNF and IL-12, and undergo proliferation. Cells isolated between days 8 and 15 PI adopt a dense, granular phenotype and exhibit reduced levels of costimulatory molecules and elevated levels of programmed death ligand-1 (PDL-1) and PDL-2 and an increase in IL-10 expression. Functionally, AAMs isolated on days 13–15 PI demonstrate an enhanced capacity to take up and sequester antigen. However, these same cells did not mediate antigen-specific T cell proliferation and dampened the proliferation of CD3/CD28-activated CD4+ T cells. These data indicate that the alternative activation of macrophages in the lungs, although initiated by IL-4/IL-13, is a dynamic process that is likely to be influenced by other immune and nonimmune factors in the pulmonary environment.
A novel subset of NK cells expressing high levels of inhibitory FcγRIIB modulating antibody-dependent function
Authors: Dutertre Charles-Antoine , Bonnin-Gélizé Emmanuelle , Pulford Karen , Bourel Dominique , Fridman Wolf-Herman , Teillaud Jean-Luc 
Published: August 2008

AbstractNK cells can kill antibody-coated target cells following engagement of FcγRIIIA, the major activating FcγR expressed by these cells. The presence of FcγRIIC (CD32C) has also been reported, but its contribution to the FcγR-dependent effector functions of NK cells remains debated. We demonstrate here that inhibitory FcγRIIB is also expressed by a small subset of CD56+/NKp46+ NK cells and can efficiently down-modulate their FcγR-dependent effector function. Immunofluorescence analyses of NK cells from 52 healthy donors showed the presence of CD56bright/FcγRII− (5.2%±3.4), CD56dim/FcγRIIlo/- (94.1%±3.4), and CD56dim/FcγRIIbright (0.64%±0.72) cells. QRT-PCR and protein analyses performed on isolated FcγRIIbright NK cells indicated that FcγRIIB is strongly expressed by these cells but not by FcγRIIlo/- cells. In addition, FcγRIIbright cells showed a weaker antibody-dependent degranulation when incubated with IgG-coated target cells compared with FcγRIIlo/- NK cells, although a strong FcγRIIIA expression was detected in both cells. Furthermore, the addition of anti-FcγRII Fab paralleled a higher degranulation of FcγRIIbright NK cells, indicating a direct role for FcγRIIB in this down-modulating effect. Thus, it is proposed that FcγRIIBbright NK cells represent a new NK cell compartment able to down-modulate NK cell functions triggered by the engagement of activating FcγR.
Characterization of Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody-Induced Signaling Cascades
Authors: Morshed Syed A. , Latif Rauf , Davies Terry F. 
Published: August 2008

The TSH receptor (TSHR) is constitutively active and is further enhanced by TSH ligand binding or by stimulating TSHR antibodies (TSHR-Abs) as seen in Graves’ disease. TSH is known to activate the thyroid epithelial cell via both Gαs-cAMP/protein kinase A/ERK and Gαq-Akt/protein kinase C coupled signaling networks. The recent development of monoclonal antibodies to the TSHR has enabled us to investigate the hypothesis that different TSHR-Abs may have unique signaling imprints that differ from TSH ligand itself. We have, therefore, performed sequential studies, using rat thyrocytes (FRTL-5, passages 5–20) as targets, to examine the signaling pathways activated by a series of monoclonal TSHR-Abs in comparison with TSH itself. Activation of key signaling molecules was estimated by specific immunoblots and/or enzyme immunoassays. Continuing constitutive TSHR activity in thyroid cells, deprived of TSH and serum for 48 h, was demonstrated by pathway-specific chemical inhibition. Under our experimental conditions, TSH ligand and TSHR-stimulating antibodies activated both Gαs and Gαq effectors. Importantly, some TSHR-blocking and TSHR-neutral antibodies were also able to generate signals, influencing primarily the Gαq effectors and induced cell proliferation. Most strikingly, antibodies that used the Gαq cascades used c-Raf-ERK-p90RSK as a unique signaling cascade not activated by TSH. Our study demonstrated that individual TSHR-Abs had unique molecular signatures which resulted in sequential preferences. Because downstream thyroid cell signaling by the TSHR is both ligand dependent and independent, this may explain why TSHR-Abs are able to have variable influences on thyroid cell biology.Antibodies to the TSH receptor produce unique signaling imprints which differ from its ligand, indicating that these antibodies have variable effects on thyroid cell biology.