bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cancer Site-Specific Isoforms of ENOX2 (tNOX), A Cancer-Specific Cell Surface Oxidase
Authors: Hostetler Brandon , Weston Nicole , Kim Chinpal , Morré Dorothy M. , Morré D. James 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Introduction
All neoplastic cells express one or more members of a unique family of tumor-associated cell surface ubiquinone (NADH) oxidase proteins with protein disulfide-thiol interchange activity (ENOX2 or tNOX proteins) that are characteristically blocked by quinone site inhibitors with anti-cancer activity.

Methods
Analyses using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with detection on western blots using a pan ENOX2 recombinant antibody revealed unique ENOX2 isoforms or unique combinations of isoforms of differing molecular weights and/or isoelectric points in sera of patients with cancers of different cellular or tissue origins.

Results and Discussion
Isoform presence provides for broad-range cancer detection. The specific patterns and molecular weights of the isoforms present allows for identification of the cell type and/or tissue of origin of the neoplasm. ENOX2 isoform presence and relative amounts are largely independent of stage but may be proportional to tumor burden to provide indications of response to therapy and disease progression.
The Potentials of Glycomics in Biomarker Discovery
Authors: Kam Richard K. T. , Poon Terence C. W. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Introduction
Glycans have unique characteristics that are significantly different from nucleic acids and proteins in terms of biosynthesis, structures, and functions. Moreover, their isomeric nature and the complex linkages between residues have made glycan analysis a challenging task. Disease development and progression are usually associated with alternations in glycosylation on tissue proteins and/or blood proteins. Glycans released from tissue/blood proteins hence provide a valuable source of biomarkers. In this postgenome era, glycomics is an emerging research field. Glycome refers to a repertoire of glycans in a tissue/cell type, while glycomics is the study of glycome. In the past few years, attempts have been made to develop novel methodologies for quantitative glycomic profiling and to identify potential glycobiomarkers. It can be foreseen that glycomics holds the promise for biomarker discovery. This review provides an overview of the unique features of glycans and the historical applications of such features to biomarker discovery.

Future Prospective
The concept of glycomics and its recent advancement and future prospective in biomarker research are reviewed. Above all, there is no doubt that glycomics is gaining momentum in biomarker research.
Myocardial collagen metabolism in failing hearts before and during cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Umar Soban , Bax Jeroen J. , Klok Margreet , van Bommel Rutger J. , Hessel Marleen H.M. , den Adel Brigit , Bleeker Gabe B. , Henneman Maureen M. , Atsma Douwe E. , van der Wall Ernst E. , Schalij Martin J. , van der Laarse Arnoud 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:In patients with heart failure cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) leads to reverse ventricular remodelling.Aim:To evaluate whether myocardial collagen metabolism in patients with heart failure is implicated in adverse ventricular remodelling and response to CRT.Methods:Collagen synthesis and degradation were assessed from the concentrations of aminoterminal propeptides of type I and type III collagen (PINP and PIIINP) and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), respectively, in serum of 64 patients with heart failure before and after 6 months of CRT. Forty‐six patients (72%) showed a > 10% reduction in LV end‐systolic volume at follow‐up and were classified as responders to CRT, the other 18 patients (28%) were classified as non‐responders.Results:Responders demonstrated a mean (±SEM) increase of serum PINP and PIIINP during follow‐up, from 32.9±2.2 to 46.7±4.0 μg/L (p<0.001) and from 4.59±0.24 to 5.13±0.36 μg/L (p<0.05), respectively. In non‐responders, serum PINP and PIIINP remained unchanged during follow‐up. At baseline, responders had significantly lower serum PINP than non‐responders (32.9±2.2 vs. 41.8±4.3 μg/L; p<0.05).ICTP levels of responders at baseline tended to be higher than in non‐responders (3.54±0.56 vs. 2.08±0.37 μg/L, p=ns), and in both groups ICTP levels did not change upon CRT.Conclusion:Reverse LV remodelling following CRT is associated with increased collagen synthesis rate in the first 6 months of follow‐up.
Design of the Heart failure Endpoint evaluation of AII‐Antagonist Losartan (HEAAL) study in patients intolerant to ACE‐inhibitor
Authors: Konstam Marvin A. , Poole‐Wilson Philip A. , Dickstein Kenneth , Drexler Helmut , Justice Steven J. , Komajda Michel , Malbecq William , Martinez Felipe A. , Neaton James D. , Riegger Gunter A.J. , Guptha Soneil 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:In patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, angiotensin receptor blockers have been found to reduce mortality and morbidity and to prevent or reverse left ventricular remodelling, compared to optimized background treatment. In light of these data, The Heart failure Endpoint evaluation of Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (HEAAL) study was developed to determine whether losartan 150 mg is superior to losartan 50 mg (antihypertensive dose) in reducing morbidity and mortality among patients with symptomatic heart failure who are intolerant of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE)‐inhibitors.Aims/methods:To compare the effect of high and moderate doses of losartan on the primary endpoint of all‐cause mortality and hospitalisation due to heart failure in patients (n=3834) with symptomatic heart failure and an ejection fraction ≤40% who are intolerant of ACE‐inhibitor treatment.Results:This paper presents the rationale, trial design, and baseline characteristics of the study population. The study, which completed recruitment on 31 March 2005, is event‐driven and is estimated to accrue the target of 1710 adjudicated primary events during the latter half of 2008.Conclusions:The results of HEAAL should facilitate selection of an optimal dosing regimen for losartan in patients with symptomatic heart failure who are intolerant of ACE‐inhibitors.
How many response levels do children distinguish on faces scales for pain assessment?
Authors: Decruynaere Céline , Thonnard Jean‐Louis , Plaghki Léon 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTFaces scales are one of the most commonly used instruments to assess pain intensity in children. Most available faces scales present five to seven faces. The present research was conducted to investigate the ability of 4‐ to 7‐year‐old children to distinguish the response categories of different faces scales. In the first study, 121 children were asked to rate painful situations on a 3‐ and a 6‐level faces scale commencing with a smiling ‘no pain’ face. Children were divided into two age groups (4–5 and 6–7 years). Investigations of the category functioning were performed with a rating scale Rasch model for each age group. Results revealed the low performances of the 6‐level faces scale as compared to the 3‐level faces scale and also the difficulty children experienced in scoring the imaginary painfulness of items. Consequently, a second study was conducted. In this second study, 76 children were asked to rate pictures depicting painful situations on a 3‐level faces scale beginning with a neutral ‘no pain’ face. Results of this second study confirmed an improvement in the ability to distinguish the three response categories with age. The 4–5 year‐old children could only distinguish two response categories and the 6–7 year‐old children were able to discern the three levels of the 3‐level faces scale. In conclusion, young children do not distinguish as many faces as proposed by the majority of available faces scales. These results strongly recommend a reduction in the number of response levels of faces scales for pain assessment in children.
Young multiethnic women's attitudes toward the HPV vaccine and HPV vaccination
Authors: Wong Li Ping 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the acceptability of the HPV vaccine among a multiethnic sample of young women in Malaysia.MethodsA qualitative study of 40 young women aged between 13 and 27 years recruited into 7 focus groups to discuss their knowledge of HPV infection, and their attitudes toward and acceptance of the HPV vaccine. The women were divided into Malay, Chinese, and Indian groups to allow for comparison among ethnicities.ResultsPoor knowledge about HPV did not influence the HPV vaccine's acceptability. Although participants were in favor of the vaccine, the majority preferred to delay vaccination because it is newly introduced, they did not perceive themselves to be at risk of HPV infection, or because of cost factors. Concerns were raised regarding the vaccine's safety, the potential to be perceived as promiscuous and sexually active, and whether the vaccine was halal.ConclusionPromotion of the HPV vaccine should take account of social and cultural acceptability. The findings will help develop strategies for effective vaccination initiatives in a multiethnic and multireligious Asian society.
Climatic implications of latest Pleistocene and earliest Holocene mammalian sympatries in eastern Washington state, USA
Authors: Lyman R. Lee 
Published: September 2008

AbstractFor more than fifty years it has been known that mammalian faunas of late-Pleistocene age are taxonomically unique and lack modern analogs. It has long been thought that nonanalog mammalian faunas are limited in North America to areas east of the Rocky Mountains and that late-Pleistocene mammalian faunas in the west were modern in taxonomic composition. A late-Pleistocene fauna from Marmes Rockshelter in southeastern Washington State has no modern analog and defines an area of maximum sympatry that indicates significantly cooler summers than are found in the area today. An earliest Holocene fauna from Marmes Rockshelter defines an area of maximum sympatry, including the site area, but contains a single tentatively identified taxon that may indicate slightly cooler than modern summers.
Paleoenvironment of Jawa basalt plateau, Jordan, inferred from calcite speleothems from a lava tube
Authors: Frumkin Amos , Bar-Matthews Miryam , Vaks Anton 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper explores the environmental conditions that faced the people of ancient Jawa during the Holocene, as well as previous prehistoric periods of the mid-late Pleistocene. Calcite speleothems in a lava tube are dated using the U-Th method, to marine oxygen isotope stage 7 from ∼ 250 to 240 ka and from ∼ 230 to ∼ 220 ka; and the stage 5/4 transition between ∼ 80 and 70 ka. The available evidence indicates general aridity of the Black Desert during most of the mid-late Quaternary, punctuated by short wetter periods, when the Mediterranean cyclonic systems intensified and penetrated the north Arabian Desert. These Mediterranean systems had a longer and more intense effect on the desert fringe closer to the Mediterranean and only rarely penetrated the Black Desert of Jawa. The results do not exclude some increase of rainfall which did not change water availability dramatically during the warm Holocene. The ancient Jawa city appears to have depended on technological ability to build elaborate runoff-collection systems, which became the prime condition for success.
A late Quaternary pollen sequence from Mfabeni Peatland, South Africa: Reconstructing forest history in Maputaland
Authors: Finch Jemma M. , Hill Trevor R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper documents a continuous ∼ 44,000-yr pollen record derived from the Mfabeni Peatland on the Maputaland Coastal Plain. A detailed fossil pollen analysis indicates the existence of extensive Podocarpus-abundant coastal forests before ∼ 33,000 cal yr BP. The onset of wetter local conditions after this time is inferred from forest retreat and the development of swampy conditions. Conditions during the last glacial maximum (∼ 21,000 cal yr BP) are inferred to have been colder and drier than the present, as evidenced by forest retreat and replacement of swampy reed/sedge communities by dry grassland. Forest growth and expansion during the Holocene Altithermal (∼ 8000–6000 cal yr BP) indicates warm, relatively moist conditions. Previous records from Maputaland have suggested a northward migration of Podocarpus forest during the late Holocene. However, we interpret a mid-Holocene decline in Podocarpus at Mfabeni as evidence of deforestation. Forest clearance during the mid-Holocene is supported by the appearance of Morella serrata, suggesting a shift towards more open grassland/savanna, possibly due to burning. These signals of human impact are coupled with an increase in Acacia, indicative of the development of secondary forest and hence disturbance.
A review of current defeasible reasoning implementations
Authors: BRYANT DANIEL , KRAUSE PAUL 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article surveys existing practical implementations of both defeasible and argumentation-based reasoning engines and associated literature. We aim to summarize the current state of the art in the research area, show that there are many similiarities and connections between the various implementations and also highlight the differences regarding evaluation goals and strategies. An important goal of this paper is to argue for the need for well-designed empirical evaluations, as well as formal complexity analysis, in order to justify the practical applicability of a reasoning engine. There are indeed many challenges to be faced in developing implementations of argumentation. Not least of these is the inherent computational complexity of the formal models. We cover some of the ways these challenges have been addressed, and provide pointers for future directions in realizing the goal of practical argumentation.
Comparing two context-driven approaches for representation of human tactical behavior
Authors: GONZALEZ AVELINO J. , BRÉZILLON PATRICK 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper describes an investigation that compared Context-based Reasoning (CxBR) and Contextual Graphs (CxG), two well-known context-driven approaches used to represent human intelligence and decision-making. The specific objective of this investigation was to compare and contrast both approaches to increase the readers’ understanding of each approach. We also identify which, if any, excels in a particular area, and to look for potential synergism between them. This comparison is presented according to 10 different criteria, with some indication of which one excels at each particular facet of performance. We focus the comparison on how each would represent human tactical behavior, either in a simulation or in the real world. Conceptually, these two context-driven approaches are not at the same representational level. This could provide an opportunity in the future to combine them synergistically.
User-centered evaluation of adaptive and adaptable systems: a literature review
Authors: VAN VELSEN LEX , VAN DER GEEST THEA , KLAASSEN ROB , STEEHOUDER MICHAËL 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis literature review focuses on user-centered evaluation (UCE) studies of adaptive and adaptable systems. Usability, perceived usefulness and appropriateness of adaptation are the three most commonly assessed variables. Questionnaires appeared to be the most popular method, followed by interviews and data log analysis. The quality of most questionnaires was questionable, and the reporting of interviews and think-aloud protocols was found to be shallow. Furthermore, data logs need triangulation in order to be useful. The reports encountered lack empirical value. The article models the iterative design process for adaptive and adaptable systems, linked to the goals of UCE: supporting decisions, detecting problems and verifying quality. This model summarizes the variables to be assessed at each stage of the process and the relevant methods to assess them.
Value creation: the future of knowledge management
Authors: VORAKULPIPAT CHALEE , REZGUI YACINE 
Published: September 2008

AbsractThe paper provides a review of knowledge management (KM) literature with a focus on recent value creation trends of the KM discipline. The review spans a large spectrum of KM research ranging from the ‘soft’ (socio-organizational) to technical dimensions of KM, published in the academic and trade literature. An interpretive stance is adopted so as to provide a holistic understanding and interpretation of organizational KM research and models. Value creation is grounded in the appropriate combination of human network, social capital, intellectual capital, and technology assets, facilitated by a culture of change. It is argued that to be effective organizations need not only to negotiate their migration from a knowledge sharing to a knowledge creation culture, but also to create sustained organizational and societal values. The latter form the foundation of the proposed ‘knowledge value creation’ concept and represent key organizational and societal challenges faced by modern organizations.
The developmental components of the ventricles: their significance in congenital cardiac malformations
Authors: de la Cruz Maria V. , Gómez Concepción Sánchez , Cayre Raul 
Published: August 2008

SummaryOur experiments using in vivo labeling techniques in the chick embryo heart have demonstrated that the straight tube heart is constituted exclusively by the primordium of the trabeculated portion of the right and left ventricles. There are, therefore, no primitive cardiac cavities. Furthermore, in the stage of looping, two new ventricular components appear, namely, the inlet and the outlet. This new information on the normal development of the heart is important in order to understand both the anatomy of the normal heart and the development of congenital malformations. Due to the fact that the straight tube heart is constituted exclusively by the primordiums of the ventricular trabeculated portions the anatomic identification of the ventricles should be made on the basis of their apical trabeculated regions. The appearance of the components of the inlet and the outlet during the process of looping is the reason for the similarity in the congenital pathology of both regions, namely, a common arterial trunk and atrioventricular septal defect with common orifice. Because the trabeculated portions of the ventricles are the oldest developmental components, they form the basis on which malformations of the inlet or the outlet, or both, are superimposed.
Imperforate Ebstein's malformation in atrioventricular septal defect
Authors: Seo Jeong-Wook , Jung Woo Hee , Park Yong Won 
Published: August 2008

SummaryAnatomic data are presented of a female abortus with the unusual combination of Ebstein's malformation and atrioventricular septal defect with right isomerism of the atrial appendages, left-hand ventricular topology and discordant ventriculoarterial connection. The common atrioventricular orifice was guarded by an effectively common valve, the right half being guarded by a well-formed three-leaflet valve, but the posterior and left lateral wall of the orifice being deficient of valvar leaflet tissue. The right ventricular inlet was a blind chamber, an imperforate dimple being seen which was surrounded by valvar remnants. The apical trabecular and outlet components of the right ventricle communicated with the left ventricle through an outlet ventricular septal defect in front of the anterosuperior leaflet of the atrioventricular valve, giving the potential clinically for the lesion to be misdiagnosed as double inlet left ventricle.
The morphologic substrates for pediatric arrhythmias
Authors: Anderson Robert H. , Ho Siew Yen 
Published: August 2008

SummaryRecent studies on the development of the heart6have increased markedly our appreciation of the disposition of the specialized conduction tissues, showing how some rests of tissues in unexpected locations are remnants of a well organized system found throughout avian and mammalian species. These studies also help us to account more logically for the distribution of the conduction tissues in congenitally malformed hearts. On the basis of our overall studies, therefore, combined with these recent advances, we are able to understand the normal and abnormal disposition of the conduction tissues. These understandings then permit us to offer explanations for those arrhythmias which have a “natural” basis, such as the grossly abnormal patterns found in hearts with isomerism of the atrial appendages or univentricular atrioventricular connection, and the accessory pathways found in the setting of ventricular preexcitation. We are also able to understand the changes affecting these tissues as part of acquired disease, such as the fibrosis of the long atrioventricular bundles found in atrioventricular septal defect and corrected transposition and the immunologic damage underscoring congenitally complete heart block in infants of mothers with collagen disease. We are only beginning to explore the possibility that abnormalities of the myocardiutn itself, or the fibrous tissue matrix, can also underscore the existence of abnormal rhythms. With all this knowledge, it is to be hoped that, in the future, we will see far fewer of those arrhythmias which have an “unnatural” basis, such as those related to direct surgical damage to the conduction tissues and their arterial supply, or those produced by abnormal loading conditions which are themselves the consequence of congenital malformations. Although we have learned, and applied, a great deal, there is still much to be done before we unravel all the secrets of the causes of arrhythmias in childhood.
M-mode, cross-sectional and color flow Doppler echocardiographic findings in acute rheumatic fever
Authors: Ty Edison T , Ortiz Edgardo E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractM-mode, cross-sectional and color flow Doppler echocardiography were performed in 28 patients with acute rheumatic fever. The patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of carditis and congestive heart failure. Abnormal echocardiographic findings were found in 25 patients (89%), including five with no carditis. M mode echocardiography showed significant cardiac enlargement in all patients with carditis, and in two patients with no carditis. The myocardial contractility, as based on ejection fraction and fractional shortening, was normal in all patients except one. Prolapse of the leaflets of the mitral valve (57%) and increased echogenicity of the leaflets of the mitral valve (36%) were the most common findings seen on cross-sectional echocardiography. Pericardial effusion was seen in six patients (21%), all with heart failure. Color flow and Doppler echocardiography showed that mitral regurgitation, which was seen in 24 patients (86%), was the most common finding. Aortic regurgitation was found in 17 patients (60%). The presence of congestive heart failure in patients with carditis was related to the severity of the valvar regurgitation and the number of valves involved. Echocardiographic evidence of rheumatic involvement of the heart may be observed even in the absence of clinical signs of carditis.