bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Clinical Benefits of Erythropoietic Agents Using Area Under the Hemoglobin Change Curve
Authors: Duh Mei Sheng , Lefebvre Patrick , Fastenau John , Piech Catherine Tak , Waltzman Roger J. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Introduction. In assessing erythropoietic agents for chemotherapy-induced anemia, traditional single time–point end points (e.g., hematopoietic response [HR]) fail to reflect clinical benefits over the entire therapy course. Area under the hemoglobin change curve (Hb AUC) is introduced as an alternative measure, and its reliability, clinical significance, and superiority are assessed.
Methods. Using data from a phase IV open-label epoetin alfa (EPO) trial, we tested Hb AUC reliability by comparing its values derived from primary patient data with those derived from aggregated data. Clinical significance of the Hb AUC was investigated in three phase IV EPO trials by examining the linear relationship between Hb AUC quartiles and established clinical end points. The superiority of the Hb AUC over HR in its association with blood transfusion was tested through logistic regressions and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Results. The Hb AUC values derived from patient and aggregated data were similar. Strong and statistically significant linear trends of decreasing transfusion requirements, increasing quality-of-life improvements, and decreasing time to HR were found across Hb AUC quartiles. The Hb AUC rendered the HR variable insignificant when both were present in the same model. Area under the ROC curve analysis supported the superior performance of the Hb AUC.
Conclusions. We found that the Hb AUC is an objective, reliable, clinically meaningful, and comprehensive summary statistic that may be used to quantify clinical benefits for patients receiving erythropoietic agents. Further prospective validation of the Hb AUC metric is recommended.
The Discovery and Synthesis of Novel Adenosine Receptor (A2A) Antagonists.
Authors: Matasi Julius J. , Caldwell John P. , Hao Jinsong , Neustadt Bernard , Arik Leyla , Foster Carolyn J. , Lachowicz Jean , Tulshian Deen B. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
Not necessarily closed convex polyhedra and the double description method
Authors: Bagnara Roberto , Hill Patricia M. , Zaffanella Enea 
Published: June 2005

Abstract

Since the seminal work of Cousot and Halbwachs, the domain of convex polyhedra has been employed in several systems for the analysis and verification of hardware and software components. Although most implementations of the polyhedral operations assume that the polyhedra are topologically closed (i.e., all the constraints defining them are non-strict), several analyzers and verifiers need to compute on a domain of convex polyhedra that are not necessarily closed (NNC). The usual approach to implementing NNC polyhedra is to embed them into closed polyhedra in a higher dimensional vector space and reuse the tools and techniques already available for closed polyhedra. In this work we highlight and discuss the issues underlying such an embedding for those implementations that are based on the
double description
method, where a polyhedron may be described by a system of linear constraints or by a system of generating rays and points. Two major achievements are the definition of a theoretically clean, high-level user interface and the specification of an efficient procedure for removing redundancies from the descriptions of NNC polyhedra.
Leupeptin‐sensitive proteases involved in cell survival after X‐ray irradiation in human RSa cells
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Chang , Karata Kiyonobu , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Takahashi Shunji , Tong Xiao‐Bo , Lu Jun , Zhu Chang‐Lin , Sugaya Shigeru , Suzuki Toshikazu , Suzuki Nobuo 
Published: June 2005

AbstractProteases have received attention as important cellular components responsible for stress response in human cells. However, little is known about the role of proteases in the early steps of cell response after X‐ray irradiation. In the present study, we first searched for proteases whose activity levels are changed soon after X‐ray irradiation in human RSa cells with a high sensitivity to X‐ray cell‐killing. RSa cells showed an increased level of fibrinolytic protease activity within 10 min after irradiation with X‐ray (up to 3 Gy). The induced protease activity was proved to be inhibited by leupeptin. We next examined whether this protease inducibility is related to the X‐ray susceptibility of cells. Treatment of RSa cells with leupeptin prior to X‐ray irradiation resulted in lowered colony survival and an increased ratio of G2/M‐arrested cells and apoptotic cells. These results suggest that leupeptin‐sensitive proteases are involved in the resistance of human RSa cells to X‐ray cell‐killing.
Research on mental disorders and their care in immigrant populations: a review of publications from Germany, Italy and the UK
Authors: Claassen Dirk , Ascoli Micol , Berhe Tzeggai , Priebe Stefan 
Published: June 2005

AbstractObjectiveThe review aims to identify the extent and nature of research on mental disorders and their care in immigrant populations in three major European countries with high levels of immigration, i.e. Germany, Italy, United Kingdom (UK).MethodsPeer-reviewed publications on the subject from the three countries between 1996 and 2004 were analyzed. The research questions addressed, the methods used, and the results obtained were assessed.ResultsThirteen papers reporting empirical studies were found from Germany, four from Italy and 95 from the UK. Studies addressed a range of research questions and most frequently assessed rates of service utilization in different immigrant groups. The most consistent finding is a higher rate of hospital admissions for Afro-Caribbean patients in the UK. Many studies had serious methodological shortcomings with low sample sizes and unspecified inclusion criteria.DiscussionDespite large scale immigration in each of the three studied countries, the numbers of relevant research publications vary greatly with a relatively high level of empirical research in the UK. Possible reasons for this are a generally stronger culture of mental health service research and a higher number of researchers who are themselves from immigrant backgrounds in the UK.ConclusionOverall the evidence base to guide the development of mental health services for immigrant populations appears limited. Future research requires appropriate funding, should be of sufficient methodological quality and may benefit from collaboration across Europe.
Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder after psilocybin consumption: a case study
Authors: Espiard Marie-Laure , Lecardeur Laurent , Abadie Pascale , Halbecq Isabelle , Dollfus Sonia 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe recurrence of flashbacks without acute or chronic hallucinogen consumption has been recognized in the DSM IV criteria as the hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Perceptual disturbances may last for 5 years or more and represent a real psychosocial distress. We reported here a case of a 18-year-old young man presenting HPPD after a mixed intoxication with psylocibin and cannabis. This report shows symptomatic recurrences persisting more than 8 months. Various differential diagnoses were evoked and our therapeutic strategies were described.
The Maize Root Transcriptome by Serial Analysis of Gene Expression
Authors: Poroyko V. , Hejlek L.G. , Spollen W.G. , Springer G.K. , Nguyen H.T. , Sharp R.E. , Bohnert H.J. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Serial Analysis of Gene Expression was used to define number and relative abundance of transcripts in the root tip of well-watered maize seedlings (Zea mays cv FR697). In total, 161,320 tags represented a minimum of 14,850 genes, based on at least two tags detected per transcript. The root transcriptome has been sampled to an estimated copy number of approximately five transcripts per cell. An extrapolation from the data and testing of single-tag identifiers by reverse transcription-PCR indicated that the maize root transcriptome should amount to at least 22,000 expressed genes. Frequency ranged from low copy number (2–5, 68.8%) to highly abundant transcripts (100→1,200; 1%). Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR for selected transcripts indicated high correlation with tag frequency. Computational analysis compared this set with known maize transcripts and other root transcriptome models. Among the 14,850 tags, 7,010 (47%) were found for which no maize cDNA or gene model existed. Comparing the maize root transcriptome with that in other plants indicated that highly expressed transcripts differed substantially; less than 5% of the most abundant transcripts were shared between maize and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Transcript categories highlight functions of the maize root tip. Significant variation in abundance characterizes transcripts derived from isoforms of individual enzymes in biochemical pathways.
Localized Hormone Fluxes and Early Haustorium Development in the Hemiparasitic PlantTriphysaria versicolor
Authors: Tomilov Alexey A. , Tomilova Natalia B. , Abdallah Ibrahim , Yoder John I. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractPerhaps the most obvious phenotypes associated with chemical signaling between plants are manifested by parasitic species of Orobanchaceae. The development of haustoria, invasive root structures that allow hemiparasitic plants to transition from autotrophic to heterotrophic growth, is rapid, highly synchronous, and readily observed in vitro. Haustorium development is initiated in aseptic roots of the facultative parasite Triphysaria versicolor when exposed to phenolic molecules associated with host root exudates and rhizosphere bioactivity. Morphological features of early haustorium ontogeny include rapid cessation of root elongation, expansion, and differentiation of epidermal cells into haustorial hairs, and cortical cell expansion. These developmental processes were stimulated in aseptic T. versicolor seedlings by the application of exogenous phytohormones and inhibited by the application of hormone antagonists. Surgically dissected root tips formed haustoria if the root was exposed to haustorial-inducing factors prior to dissection. In contrast, root tips that were dissected prior to inducing-factor treatment were unable to form haustoria unless supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid. A transient transformation assay demonstrated that auxin and ethylene-responsive promoters were up-regulated when T. versicolor was exposed to either exogenous hormones or purified haustoria-inducing factors. These experiments demonstrate that localized auxin and ethylene accumulation are early events in haustorium development and that parasitic plants recruit established plant developmental mechanisms to realize parasite-specific functions.
Auxin Dynamics after Decapitation Are Not Correlated with the Initial Growth of Axillary Buds
Authors: Morris Suzanne E. , Cox Marjolein C.H. , Ross John J. , Krisantini Santi , Beveridge Christine A. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
One of the first and most enduring roles identified for the plant hormone auxin is the mediation of apical dominance. Many reports have claimed that reduced stem indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels and/or reduced basipetal IAA transport directly or indirectly initiate bud growth in decapitated plants. We have tested whether auxin inhibits the initial stage of bud release, or subsequent stages, in garden pea (Pisum sativum) by providing a rigorous examination of the dynamics of auxin level, auxin transport, and axillary bud growth. We demonstrate that after decapitation, initial bud growth occurs prior to changes in IAA level or transport in surrounding stem tissue and is not prevented by an acropetal supply of exogenous auxin. We also show that auxin transport inhibitors cause a similar auxin depletion as decapitation, but do not stimulate bud growth within our experimental time-frame. These results indicate that decapitation may trigger initial bud growth via an auxin-independent mechanism. We propose that auxin operates after this initial stage, mediating apical dominance via autoregulation of buds that are already in transition toward sustained growth.
The Histidine Kinase Hik34 Is Involved in Thermotolerance by Regulating the Expression of Heat Shock Genes in Synechocystis
Authors: Suzuki Iwane , Kanesaki Yu , Hayashi Hidenori , Hall John J. , Simon William J. , Slabas Antoni R. , Murata Norio 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Histidine kinases (Hiks) in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 are involved in the transduction of signals associated with various kinds of environmental stress. To examine the potential role in thermotolerance of Hiks, we used genome microarray analysis to screen a Hik knockout library for mutations that affected the expression of genes for heat shock proteins. Mutation of the hik34 gene enhanced the levels of transcripts of a number of heat shock genes, including htpG and groESL1. Overexpression of the hik34 gene repressed the expression of these heat shock genes. In addition, the cells with a mutant gene for Hik34 (ΔHik34 cells) survived incubation at 48°C for 3 h, while wild-type cells and cells with mutations in other Hiks were killed. However, mutation of the hik34 gene had only an insignificant effect on the global expression of genes upon incubation of the mutant cells at 44°C for 20 min. Quantitative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that levels of GroES and HspA were elevated in ΔHik34 cells after incubation of cells at 42°C for 60 min. We overexpressed recombinant Hik34 protein in Escherichia coli and purified it. We found that the protein was autophosphorylated in vitro at physiological temperatures, but not at elevated temperatures, such as 44°C. These results suggest that Hik34 might negatively regulate the expression of certain heat shock genes that might be related to thermotolerance in Synechocystis.
Surrogate Splicing for Functional Analysis of Sesquiterpene Synthase Genes
Authors: Wu Shuiqin , Schoenbeck Mark A. , Greenhagen Bryan T. , Takahashi Shunji , Lee Sungbeom , Coates Robert M. , Chappell Joseph 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
A method for the recovery of full-length cDNAs from predicted terpene synthase genes containing introns is described. The approach utilizes Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression coupled with a reverse transcription-polydeoxyribonucleotide chain reaction assay to facilitate expression cloning of processed transcripts. Subsequent expression of intronless cDNAs in a suitable prokaryotic host provides for direct functional testing of the encoded gene product. The method was optimized by examining the expression of an intron-containing β-glucuronidase gene agroinfiltrated into petunia (Petunia hybrida) leaves, and its utility was demonstrated by defining the function of two previously uncharacterized terpene synthases. A tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) terpene synthase-like gene containing six predicted introns was characterized as having 5-epi-aristolochene synthase activity, while an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) gene previously annotated as a terpene synthase was shown to possess a novel sesquiterpene synthase activity for α-barbatene, thujopsene, and β-chamigrene biosynthesis.
Atypical Regulation of a Green Lineage-Specific B-Type Cyclin-Dependent Kinase
Authors: Corellou Florence , Camasses Alain , Ligat Laetitia , Peaucellier Gérard , Bouget François-Yves 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are the main regulators of cell cycle progression in eukaryotes. The role and regulation of canonical CDKs, such as the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Cdc2 or plant CDKA, have been extensively characterized. However, the function of the plant-specific CDKB is not as well understood. Besides being involved in cell cycle control, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) CDKB would integrate developmental processes to cell cycle progression. We investigated the role of CDKB in Ostreococcus (Ostreococcus tauri), a unicellular green algae with a minimal set of cell cycle genes. In this primitive alga, at the basis of the green lineage, CDKB has integrated two levels of regulations: It is regulated by Tyr phosphorylation like cdc2/CDKA and at the level of synthesis-like B-type CDKs. Furthermore, Ostreococcus CDKB/cyclin B accounts for the main peak of mitotic activity, and CDKB is able to rescue a yeast cdc28ts mutant. By contrast, Ostreococcus CDKA is not regulated by Tyr phosphorylation, and it exhibits a low and steady-state activity from DNA replication to exit of mitosis. This suggests that from a major role in the control of mitosis in green algae, CDKB has evolved in higher plants to assume other functions outside the cell cycle.
Phytic Acid Synthesis and Vacuolar Accumulation in Suspension-Cultured Cells of Catharanthus roseus Induced by High Concentration of Inorganic Phosphate and Cations
Authors: Mitsuhashi Naoto , Ohnishi Miwa , Sekiguchi Yoko , Kwon Yong-Uk , Chang Young-Tae , Chung Sung-Kee , Inoue Yoshinori , Reid Robert J. , Yagisawa Hitoshi , Mimura Tetsuro 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
We have established a new system for studying phytic acid, myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) synthesis in suspension-cultured cells of Catharanthus. InsP6 and other intermediates of myo-inositol (Ins) phosphate metabolism were measured using an ion chromatography method. The detection limit for InsP6 was less than 50 nm, which was sufficient to analyze Ins phosphates in living cells. Synthesis of Ins phosphates was induced by incubation in high inorganic phosphate medium. InsP6 was mainly accumulated in vacuoles and was enhanced when cells were grown in high concentration of inorganic phosphates with the cations K+, Ca2+, or Zn2+. However, there was a strong tendency for InsP6 to accumulate in the vacuole in the presence of Ca2+ and in nonvacuolar compartments when supplied with Zn2+, possibly due to precipitation of InsP6 with Zn2+ in the cytosol. A vesicle transport inhibitor, brefeldin A, stimulated InsP6 accumulation. The amounts of both Ins(3)P1myo-inositol monophosphate synthase, a key enzyme for InsP6 synthesis, and Ins(1,4,5)P3 kinase were unrelated to the level of accumulation of InsP6. The mechanisms for InsP6 synthesis and localization into vacuoles in plant cells are discussed.
Tocopherols Protect Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 from Lipid Peroxidation
Authors: Maeda Hiroshi , Sakuragi Yumiko , Bryant Donald A. , DellaPenna Dean 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Tocopherols (vitamin E) are lipid-soluble antioxidants synthesized only by photosynthetic eukaryotes and some cyanobacteria, and have been assumed to play important roles in protecting photosynthetic membranes from oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, tocopherol-deficient mutants of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 (slr1736 and slr1737 mutants) were challenged with a series of reactive oxygen species-generating and lipid peroxidation-inducing chemicals in combination with high-light (HL) intensity stress. The tocopherol-deficient mutants and wild type were indistinguishable in their growth responses to HL in the presence and absence of superoxide and singlet oxygen-generating chemicals. However, the mutants showed enhanced sensitivity to linoleic or linolenic acid treatments in combination with HL, consistent with tocopherols playing a crucial role in protecting Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 cells from lipid peroxidation. The tocopherol-deficient mutants were also more susceptible to HL treatment in the presence of sublethal levels of norflurazon, an inhibitor of carotenoid synthesis, suggesting carotenoids and tocopherols functionally interact or have complementary or overlapping roles in protecting Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 from lipid peroxidation and HL stress.
Profile and Analysis of Gene Expression Changes during Early Development in Germinating Spores ofCeratopteris richardii
Authors: Salmi Mari L. , Bushart Thomas J. , Stout Stephen C. , Roux Stanley J. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAnalysis of an expressed sequence tag library with more than 5,000 sequences from spores of the fern Ceratopteris richardii reveals that more than 3,900 of them represent distinct genes, and almost 70% of these have significant similarity to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genes. Eight genes are common between three very different dormant plant systems, Ceratopteris spores, Arabidopsis seeds, and Arabidopsis pollen. We evaluated the pattern of mRNA abundance over the first 48 h of spore development using a microarray of cDNAs representing 3,207 distinct genes of C. richardii and determined the relative levels of RNA abundance for 3,143 of these genes using a Bayesian method of statistical analysis. More than 900 of them (29%) show a significant change between any of the five time points analyzed, and these have been annotated based on their sequence similarity with the Arabidopsis proteome. Novel data arising from these analyses identify genes likely to be critical for the germination and subsequent early development of diverse cells and tissues emerging from dormancy.
Raising awareness of the benefits of diversity at ING
Authors: Dawson Michael 
Published: June 2005

PurposeExplains how ING, the global financial‐services group, called in drama‐based training specialist Steps Drama to help it to raise awareness of the business benefits of diversity – and the possible legal implications of non‐inclusive behaviour – for all 1,000 staff in its UK wholesale‐banking operation.Design/methodology/approachPresents information on the training garnered from an interview with the human‐resource manager at ING UK.FindingsDemonstrates that Steps designed a three‐hour workshop combining professional role‐plays with ING company information and employment law input. The result was an entertaining and memorable experience, which provided a foundation in diversity.Practical implicationsDemonstrates that while for many organizations, diversity is simply a means of complying with employment law and anti‐discriminatory practices, ING Group believes that diversity management and an inclusive culture can contribute to long‐term profitability as well.Originality/valueHighlights the benefits of combining role‐plays with company information and lawyer input, to get employees of all grades interested in, and discussing, diversity issues.
Why HR outsourcing continues to expand
Authors: Davidson Glenn 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo highlight that human‐resource outsourcing (HRO) arrangements have proved to be strategic partnerships that help to put people matters at the top of corporate strategic decision‐making.Design/methodology/approachOn the basis of a survey by The Conference Board, produced in partnership with Accenture HR Services, the article demonstrates the key motivating factors in the decision to outsource. The article presents a case study of a mid‐size American chemical producer that, because of human resource outsourcing (HRO), can now more effectively perform financial analyses because of better HR reporting. Additionally, the company now pays 99 percent of employee claims within two weeks and manages every service request within 48 hours.FindingsThe article demonstrates that HRO is about the best use of company resources, not a means for cost savings or job cutting. By fully understanding the economics and opportunities of HRO, executives can help their companies to achieve new heights of performance.Practical implicationsThe article demonstrates that the key advantages of HRO include lower costs, better insights, greater control over the HR function and improved customer services.Originality/valueThe article contains plenty to interest top managers who are considering outsourcing their HR functions.