bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence and selection processes in friendships and adolescent smoking behaviour: the role of parental smoking
Authors: Engels Rutger C.M.E. , Vitaro Frank , Blokland Endy Den Exter , de Kemp Raymond , Scholte Ron H.J. 
Published: July 2004

ABSTRACTConcerning the role of parental smoking on development of adolescent smoking, most studies have exclusively focused on the direct effects of parents’ smoking on youths’ smoking. However, parental smoking may also play an indirect role by affecting youths’ susceptibility to peer influences and by affecting friendship selection. Data were from a three‐wave short‐term longitudinal study of 1595 adolescents. Findings showed high similarities in smoking between reciprocal friends. Additionally, friend's smoking and parents’ smoking were moderately related to adolescent smoking onset, but parents’ smoking did not moderate the prospective association between best friend's smoking and adolescent smoking. Finally, parental smoking seemed to affect the selection of new friends: In particular, adolescents with smoking parents were most likely to become affiliated with smoking friends. There was no evidence that parental smoking affected termination of friendships.
Prooxidative effects of TEMPO on human erythrocytes
Authors: Balcerczyk Aneta , Łuczak Katarzyna , Soszyński Mirosław , Bartosz Grzegorz 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe prooxidative effects of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) were observed in human erythrocytes. Incubation of red blood cells with the membrane‐permeable TEMPO leads to a decrease in the concentration of intracellular reduced glutathione, accompanied by the reduction of TEMPO. Extracellular ferricyanide inhibited the loss of glutathione and reduction of TEMPO. TEMPO induced glutathione release from the cells and oxidation of hemoglobin to methemoglobin; ferricyanide prevented these effects. These results indicate that TEMPO may act as an oxidant to erythrocytes, whilst extracellular ferricyanide protects against its effects.
Impact of hypotonic solutions on the stromal swelling, lactate dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity of the keratocytes of the bovine cornea
Authors: Doughty Michael J. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe present studies were designed to explore the relationship between the swelling‐related changes of the collagen—cell (keratocyte) matrix of the corneal stroma, and the integrity of the cells. From recent postmortem eyes of adult cattle, complete stroma preparations were dissected out and allowed to swell in solution (free swelling) or enclosed within a 12 kDa cut‐off dialysis membrane with or without spacers. The swelling was at 4 °C with either water, a hypotonic phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.0), a hypotonic mixed salt (MS) solution (pH 7.5), or an isotonic mixed salt solution with glucose (pH 7.5). Measures of tissue wet mass and thickness and analyses of the soluble protein, LDH and ALDH activity in the solutions were made. The relative swelling of the stroma preparations was greatest in water (to 624% of the original wet mass) > dilute PBS (to 404%) > dilute MS (to 381%) > MS with glucose (to 356%). The relative swelling was in the same order, but slightly less if the stroma preparations were enclosed in a dialysis tube with spacers, and substantially reduced when enclosed in a dialysis bag without spacers. With the use of hypotonic solutions, substantial quantities of proteinaceous material and enzyme activity were lost from the preparations, with the loss being proportional to the extent of swelling (p<0.001). Swelling of an isolated corneal stroma, especially in hypotonic solutions, is associated with substantial loss of soluble protein and cytoplasmic enzyme activities, and so these solutions must be considered as cytotoxic to the keratocytes.
B‐type natriuretic peptide and its precursor in cardiac venous blood from failing hearts
Authors: Goetze Jens Peter , Rehfeld Jens F. , Videbaek Regitze , Friis‐Hansen Lennart , Kastrup Jens 
Published: July 2004

AbstractBackground:Plasma concentrations of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP‐32) and its precursor (proBNP) are increased in chronic heart failure. Accordingly, BNP‐32 and proBNP are both being implemented as clinical markers.Aim:To determine the molar relation of BNP‐32 and proBNP in different cardiovascular regions.Methods and results:Blood samples were obtained from different cardiovascular regions during right heart catheterization in heart failure patients, and from normal subjects. Plasma BNP‐32 and proBNP concentrations were measured using sequence‐specific radioimmunoassays. Patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (n=21) displayed increased peripheral plasma concentrations of both BNP‐32 (four‐fold, P=0.0008) and proBNP (seven‐fold, P=0.0002) compared with normal subjects. Moreover, the peripheral concentrations were highly correlated with the corresponding concentrations in the coronary sinus (BNP‐32: r=0.97, P<0.0001; proBNP: r=0.94, P<0.0001). Despite comparable peripheral concentrations of BNP‐32 and proBNP, the BNP‐32 concentration was higher than the proBNP concentration in the coronary sinus (median 126 pmol/l (21–993) vs. 103 pmol/l (16–691), P=0.035).Conclusions:The BNP‐32 and proBNP concentrations are closely related in venous cardiac blood. The findings suggest an overall constitutive secretion of processed proBNP, i.e. an N‐terminal precursor fragment and BNP‐32, in chronic heart failure.
An exploratory study of the nature of cumulative capabilities
Authors: Flynn Barbara B. , Flynn E.James 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThis research sets out to test some yet unanswered questions from the literature on cumulative capabilities, as well as addressing some of the shortcomings in prior research on cumulative capabilities. Multiple regression analysis is used to test hypotheses using an existing data set of 165 plants in five countries and three industries. The findings indicate substantial differences in patterns of cumulative capabilities between countries and limited evidence of industry differences. Cumulative capabilities were found to be related to plant performance, with no difference in this relationship by industry. Support for sequential progression of cumulative capabilities was not evident, leading to the notion that development of cumulative capabilities is a complex endeavor, affected by many interrelated contingencies, not limited to sequence of development. A sequence of strategic initiative development was proposed and tested, finding support for a common foundation of practices related to cumulative capabilities, with limited support for the relationship between specific strategic initiatives and higher‐level cumulative capabilities.
Malnutrition is an independent factor associated with nosocomial infections
Authors: Schneider Stéphane M. , Veyres Patricia , Pivot Xavier , Soummer Anne-Marie , Jambou Patrick , Filippi Jérôme , van Obberghen Emmanuel , Hébuterne Xavier 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe aim of the present prospective study was to determine if malnutrition, measured using a simple validated score, is an independent risk factor for nosocomial infections (NI) in non-selected hospital in-patients. Between 29 and 31 May 2001, a survey on the prevalence of NI was conducted on all 1637 in-patients (61 (sd 25) years old) in a French university hospital as part of a national survey. Actual and usual body weights were recorded in all in-patients, and serum albumin levels were measured on all blood samples taken during the week before the study. Nutritional status was evaluated by using the nutritional risk index (NRI). Albumin values were obtained in 1084 patients, and complete weight information was obtained in 911. Therefore, NRI was calculated in 630 patients (61 (sd 20) years old): 427 (67·8%) were malnourished. NI prevalence was 8·7%: 4·4% in non-malnourished patients, 7·6% in moderately malnourished patients and 14·6% in severely malnourished patients. In univariate analysis, the odds ratios for NI were 1·46 (95% CI 1·2, 2·1) in moderately malnourished patients and 4·8 (95% CI 4·6, 6·4) in severely malnourished patients. In multivariate analysis, age, immunodeficiency and NRI class influenced NI risk. Vascular and urinary catheters, and surgical intervention, were the extrinsic factors associated with NI, with odds ratios ranging from 2·0 (95% CI 1·8, 2·6) for vascular catheters to 10·8 (95% CI 8·8, 12·6) for association of the three factors. In conclusion, in non-selected hospitalized patients, malnutrition assessed with a simple and objective marker is an independent risk factor for NI. An early screening for malnutrition may therefore be helpful to reduce the high prevalence of NI.
Olive oil and its main phenolic micronutrient (oleuropein) prevent inflammation-induced bone loss in the ovariectomised rat
Authors: Puel C. , Quintin A. , Agalias A. , Mathey J. , Obled C. , Mazur A. , Davicco M. J. , Lebecque P. , Skaltsounis A. L. , Coxam V. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe present study was designed to evaluate the effect of olive oil and its main polyphenol (oleuropein) in ovariectomised rats with or without inflammation. Rats (6 months old) were ovariectomised or sham-operated as control. Ovariectomised rats were separated into three groups receiving different diets for 3 months: a control diet with 25 g peanut oil and 25 g rapeseed oil/kg (OVX), the control diet with 50 g olive oil/kg or the control diet with 0·15 g oleuropein/kg. The sham-operated group was given the same control diet as OVX. Inflammation was induced 3 weeks before the end of the experiment by subcutaneous injections of talc (magnesium silicate) in one-half of each group. The sucess of ovariectomy was verified at necropsy by the atrophy of uterine horns. Inflammation, oleuropein or olive oil intakes did not have any uterotrophic activity, as they had had no effect on uterus weight. The plasma concentration of α-1-acid glycoprotein (an indicator of inflammation) was increased in OVX rats with inflammation. With regard to bone variables, osteopenia in OVX was exacerbated by inflammation, as shown by a decrease in metaphyseal and total femoral mineral density. Both oleuropein and olive oil prevented this bone loss in OVX rats with inflammation. At necropsy, oleuropein and olive oil consumption had had no effect on plasma osteocalcin concentrations (marker of bone formation) or on urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion (marker of bone resorption). In conclusion, oleuropein and olive-oil feeding can prevent inflammation-induced osteopenia in OVX rats.
MedlineR: an open source library in R for Medline literature data mining
Authors: Lin Simon M. , McConnell Patrick , Johnson Kimberly F. , Shoemaker Jennifer 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Summary: We describe an open source library written in the R programming language for Medline literature data mining. This MedlineR library includes programs to query Medline through the NCBI PubMed database; to construct the co-occurrence matrix; and to visualize the network topology of query terms. The open source nature of this library allows users to extend it freely in the statistical programming language of R. To demonstrate its utility, we have built an application to analyze term-association by using only 10 lines of code. We provide MedlineR as a library foundation for bioinformaticians and statisticians to build more sophisticated literature data mining applications.
Availability: The library is available from http://dbsr.duke.edu/pub/MedlineR.
DIVAA: analysis of amino acid diversity in multiple aligned protein sequences
Authors: Rodi Diane J. , Mandava Suneeta , Makowski Lee 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Motivation: Multiple alignments of proteins are an effective way of identifying conserved amino acids that provide clues to functional relationships among proteins. Quantitation of the abundances of amino acids found at each position in a sequence motif can provide a basis for understanding the structural and functional constraints at each point. Distribution of information across a motif has been used previously, but the non-intuitive nature of the analysis has limited its impact.
Results: Here, we introduce a quantitative measure of amino acid sequence diversity (DIVAA) that has a simple, intuitive meaning. Diversity, as a measure of sequence conservation or variation, is inextricably linked to the probability of selecting identical pairs from a distribution. We demonstrate its utility through the analysis of four populations: ATP-binding P-loops, hypervariable domains of kappa light chains, signal sequences, and the N- and C- termini of proteins. DIVAA provides a simple means to generate hypotheses concerning the contribution of individual residues to the functional and evolutionary relationships among proteins.
Availability: Access to DIVAA software is available at RELIC (http://relic.bio.anl.gov)
Exploring protein fold space by secondary structure prediction using data distribution method on Grid platform
Authors: Lee Soojin , Cho Min-Kyu , Jung Jin-Won , Kim Jai-Hoon , Lee Weontae 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Motivation: Since the newly developed Grid platform has been considered as a powerful tool to share resources in the Internet environment, it is of interest to demonstrate an efficient methodology to process massive biological data on the Grid environments at a low cost. This paper presents an efficient and economical method based on a Grid platform to predict secondary structures of all proteins in a given organism, which normally requires a long computation time through sequential execution, by means of processing a large amount of protein sequence data simultaneously. From the prediction results, a genome scale protein fold space can be pursued.
Results: Using the improved Grid platform, the secondary structure prediction on genomic scale and protein topology derived from the new scoring scheme for four different model proteomes was presented. This protein fold space was compared with structures from the Protein Data Bank, database and it showed similarly aligned distribution. Therefore, the fold space approach based on this new scoring scheme could be a guideline for predicting a folding family in a given organism.
Primer Design and Marker Clustering for Multiplex SNP-IT Primer Extension Genotyping Assay using Statistical Modeling
Authors: Yuryev Anton , Huang Jianping , Scott Kathryn E. , Kuebler Jennifer , Donaldson Miriam , Phillips Michael S. , Pohl Mark , Boyce-Jacino Michael T. 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Motivation: The optimization of the primer design is critical for the development of high-throughput SNP genotyping methods. Recently developed statistical models of the SNP-IT primer extension genotyping reaction allow further improvement of primer quality for the assay.
Results: Here we describe how the statistical models can be used to improve primer design for the assay. We also show how to optimize clustering of the SNP markers into multiplex panels using statistical model for multiplex SNP-IT. The primer set failure probability calculated by a model is used as a minimization function for both primer selection and primers clustering. Three clustering algorithms for the multiplex genotyping SNP-IT assay are described and their relative performance is evaluated. We also describe the approaches to improve the speed of primer design and clustering calculations when using the statistical models. Our clustering decreases the average failure probability of the marker set by 7–25%. The experimental marker failure rate in the multiplex reaction was reduced dramatically and success rate can be achieved as high as 96%.
Availability: The primer design using statistical models is freely available from www.autoprimer.com
The ‘subsequent artificial neural network’ (SANN) approach might bring more classificatory power to ANN-based DNA microarray analyses
Authors: Linder Roland , Dew Dawn , Sudhoff Holger , Theegarten Dirk , Remberger Klaus , Pöppl Siegfried J. , Wagner Mathias 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Motivation: Human decisions often proceed in two steps. Initially those most preferred are chosen followed by a subsequent choice of these preferences. Applying one artificial neural network (ANN), a classification is limited to the preselection process. The final categorization is only possible by a subsequent ANN that distinguishes the pre-chosen classes. Existing strategies using coupled ANNs are discussed and a new approach particularly suited for multiclass classification problems is introduced (‘Subsequent ANN’, SANN).
Results: Evaluating a simulated data base comprising 3 classes, classification results of SANN were obviously superior to those achieved by ANN. To evaluate a real-world data base the microarray benchmark GCM (14 classes) was chosen. The ANN results reached 72%, comparable to previous results. Using SANN, up to 81% of the tumors were correctly classified.
Availability: Programs used in this work and numerical results are available upon request.
NMRb: a web-site repository for raw NMR datasets
Authors: Pons J. L. , Malliavin T. E. , Tramesel D. , Delsuc M. A. 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Summary: The development of NMR in structural proteomics requires the availability of automatic structure determination methods. Many researchers are commonly confronted with the lack of raw datasets during the validation step of such methods. In order to increase test possibilities, the NMRb web-site offers a database of NMR raw datasets, ordered by spectral characteristics.
Availability: NMRb is available from: http://nmrb.cbs.cnrs.fr
Supplementary information: General organization of NMRb figure, relational model organization, and XML structure files are available from http://nmrb.cbs.cnrs.fr/nmrb-doc.html
Discovering patterns to extract protein–protein interactions from full texts
Authors: Huang Minlie , Zhu Xiaoyan , Hao Yu , Payan Donald G. , Qu Kunbin , Li Ming 
Published: July 2004

Abstract
Motivation: Although there are several databases storing protein–protein interactions, most such data still exist only in the scientific literature. They are scattered in scientific literature written in natural languages, defying data mining efforts. Much time and labor have to be spent on extracting protein pathways from literature. Our aim is to develop a robust and powerful methodology to mine protein–protein interactions from biomedical texts.
Results: We present a novel and robust approach for extracting protein–protein interactions from literature. Our method uses a dynamic programming algorithm to compute distinguishing patterns by aligning relevant sentences and key verbs that describe protein interactions. A matching algorithm is designed to extract the interactions between proteins. Equipped only with a dictionary of protein names, our system achieves a recall rate of 80.0% and precision rate of 80.5%.
Availability: The program is available on request from the authors.
Occipital Condyle Fractures
Authors: Tuli Sagun , Tator Charles H. , Fehlings Michael G. , Mackay Margot 
Published: July 2004

AbstractOBJECTIVE:Occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) are infrequently recognized. Three recent cases of OCF in our center prompted a review of the incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this entity.METHODS:A retrospective review of medical records and radiographic results was performed for 93 of 316 consecutive patients who were victims of trauma, who presented at the Toronto Hospital during a 13-month period, and who had undergone computed tomography of the occiput.RESULTS:A review of the literature regarding OCF revealed that cranial nerve deficits occurred in 31% of the patients with OCFs; of those, the deficits were delayed in 38%. Three new cases of OCF, with neck pain but without cranial nerve deficits, have been reported. The cervical spine x-rays revealed nothing abnormal in 96% of the reported cases. In our retrospective review, asymptomatic OCF was revealed by computed tomography for 1 of the 93 patients.CONCLUSION:OCF is a diagnostic challenge. We suggest that computed tomographic scans of 0-C2 be obtained in the following circumstances: presence of lower cranial nerve deficits, associated head injury or basal cranial fracture, or persistent severe neck pain despite normal radiographic results. We propose a new classification system for the management and treatment of OCF based on the stability of the 0-C1-C2 joint complex reflected by the presence of displacement of the condyle, computed tomographic or radiographic evidence of 0-C1-C2 instability, and magnetic resonance evidence of ligamentous injury. OCFs are divided into the following types: Type 1 (stable), undisplaced fracture; Type 2A (stable), displaced fracture with no ligamentous instability; and Type 2B (unstable), displaced fracture with ligamentous instability.
Long-term Tumor Control and Functional Outcome in Patients with Cavernous Sinus Meningiomas Treated by Radiotherapy with or without Previous Surgery: Is There an Alternative to Aggressive Tumor Removal?
Authors: Dufour Henry , Muracciole Xavier , Métellus Philippe , Régis Jean , Chinot Olivier , Grisoli François 
Published: July 2004

AbstractOBJECTIVEWe report the long-term follow-up of 31 patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas who were treated either with surgery and radiotherapy (RT) or with RT alone. This retrospective review was undertaken to compare long-term efficacy and morbidity of RT with or without previous surgery versus complete, aggressive surgical removal.METHODSBetween 1980 and 1997, we performed a retrospective study of 31 patients harboring cavernous sinus meningiomas. The patient group comprised 25 women and 6 men. Patients were divided into two therapeutic categories: patients treated with surgery and RT (Group I, 17 patients) and patients treated with RT alone (Group II, 14 patients). Twenty-five patients (14 in Group I and 11 in Group II) were treated for primary tumors, and 6 patients (3 in Group I and 3 in Group II) were treated for recurrent disease. All three patients who were treated by RT alone at the time of recurrent disease had had previous surgery as initial treatment. Tumor control, treatment morbidity, and functional outcomes were evaluated for all patients. Twenty-eight patients were alive at the time of analysis, with a median follow-up period of 6.1 years.RESULTSThe progression-free survival rate was 92.8% at 10-year follow-up. Only two patients exhibited tumor progression after initial treatment. One of the patients who experienced tumor regrowth 4 years after surgery and RT benefited from additional conventional external beam radiation, and this patient exhibited no evidence of tumor progression at the last follow-up examination 6 years later. Two patients experienced cranial nerve impairment after surgery, and no patients developed late radiation toxicity. Follow-up status as measured by the Karnofsky Performance Scale deteriorated in 7% of patients and was the same or improved in 93% of patients.CONCLUSIONThe results of combined surgery and RT or RT alone indicated a high rate of tumor control and a low risk of complications. Complete aggressive surgical removal of cavernous sinus meningiomas is associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality and does not demonstrate a better rate of tumor control. Conventional external beam radiation seems to be an efficient and safe initial or adjuvant treatment of these lesions, and these findings should serve as a basis for evaluating new alternatives such as radiosurgery or stereotactic RT.