bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heparin binding, internalization, and metabolism in vascular smooth muscle cells: II. Degradation and secretion in sensitive and resistant cells
Authors: Letourneur Didier , Caleb Benjamin L. , Castellot John J. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSmooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation plays a critical role in several pathological states, including atherosclerosis and hypertension. Heparin suppresses SMC proliferation in vivo and in culture, but the mechanism of action is still poorly understood. In an accompanying article in this issue (Letourneur et al. [1995] J. Cell Physiol., 165:676–686), we observed that heparin binding was up‐regulated in heparin‐sensitive SMC but was rapidly down‐regulated in heparin‐resistant SMC continuously exposed to heparin. In this communication, we examine the degradation and secretion of internalized heparin in sensitive and resistant SMC, using gel filtration chromatography to analyze heparin degradation products. Pulse‐chase experiments using radiolabeled heparin indicate that sensitive and resistant SMC secrete heparin during the first few hours after exposure. Experiments in which cells are continuously exposed to heparin indicate that degradation and secretion occur in both sensitive and resistant SMC for approximately 5–8 hr. After that time, however, binding and internalization in resistant SMC rapidly decrease and degradation and secretion stop. In contrast, heparin binding and uptake continue in sensitive SMC; degradation and secretion also continue. Chloroquine prevents degradation in both sensitive and resistant SMC, suggesting that catabolism occurs in the lysosomal compartment. The results presented in this and the accompanying article (Letourneur et al. [1995] J. Cell. Physiol., 165:676–686) suggest that heparin acts to upregulate its receptors, and that increased binding of heparin is required for the antiproliferative response. Degradation and secretion kinetics parallel the internalization kinetics and appear to be strongly linked to the binding process. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Factorisation of finite state machines under strong and observational equivalences
Authors: Qin Huajun , Lewis Philip 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe factorisation problem is to construct the specification of a submoduleXwhen the specifications of the system and all submodules butXare given. It is usually described by the equation where P and X are submodules of system Q, ¦ is a composition operator, and is the equivalence criterion. In this paper we use a finite state machine (FSM) model consistent with CCS and study two factorisation problems:P|||P∼QandP|||P≈Q, where ||| is a derived CCS composition operator, ∼ and ≈ represent strong and observational equivalences. Algorithms are presented and proved correct to find the most general specification of submoduleXforP|||P∼QwithQτ-deterministic and forP|||P≈QwithQdeterministic. Conditions on the submachines of the most general solutions that remain solutions toP|||P∼Q(P|||P≈Q) are given. This paper extends and is based on the work of M. W. Shields.
Differential Regulation of FLOWERING LOCUS C Expression by Vernalization in Cabbage and Arabidopsis
Authors: Lin Shu-I , Wang Jhy-Gong , Poon Suk-Yean , Su Chun-lin , Wang Shyh-Shyan , Chiou Tzyy-Jen 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Vernalization is required to induce flowering in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var Capitata L.). Since FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) was identified as a major repressor of flowering in the vernalization pathway in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), two homologs of AtFLC, BoFLC3-2 and BoFLC4-1, were isolated from cabbage to investigate the molecular mechanism of vernalization in cabbage flowering. In addition to the sequence homology, the genomic organization of cabbage FLC is similar to that of AtFLC, except that BoFLC has a relatively smaller intron 1 compared to that of AtFLC. A vernalization-mediated decrease in FLC transcript level was correlated with an increase in FT transcript level in the apex of cabbage. This observation is in agreement with the down-regulation of FT by FLC in Arabidopsis. Yet, unlike that in Arabidopsis, the accumulation of cabbage FLC transcript decreased after cold treatment of leafy plants but not imbibed seeds, which is consistent with the promotion of cabbage flowering by vernalizing adult plants rather than seeds. To further dissect the different regulation of FLC expression between seed-vernalization-responsive species (e.g. Arabidopsis) and plant-vernalization-responsive species (e.g. cabbage), the pBoFLC4-1∷BoFLC4-1∷GUS construct was introduced into Arabidopsis to examine its vernalization response. Down-regulation of the BoFLC4-1∷GUS construct by seed vernalization was unstable and incomplete; in addition, the expression of BoFLC4-1∷GUS was not suppressed by vernalization of transgenic rosette-stage Arabidopsis plants. We propose a hypothesis to illustrate the distinct mechanism by which vernalization regulates the expression of FLC in cabbage and Arabidopsis.
Changes in the ammonite taxonomical diversity gradient during the late Jurassic–early Cretaceous
Authors: Cecca Fabrizio , Vrielynck Bruno , Lavoyer Thibault , Gaget Hélène 
Published: February 2005

AbstractAim Changes in the latitudinal gradient of taxonomic diversity of ammonites have been studied in four time slices of the late Jurassic to early Cretaceous (1) to assess the correspondence of the distribution with the general idea of a simple gradient of diversity decreasing polewards, and (2) to offer tentative interpretations of these patterns with respect to palaeoclimatic conditions.Locations The localities selected lie within the Boreal palaeohemisphere and most are concentrated between 10° and 45° N.Methods The distributions of genus‐level palaeobiodiversity data have been plotted on palaeogeographical maps. Localities were selected on the basis of criteria that emphasize the accuracy of the rock dating. Palaeolatitudinal positions were obtained using software developed by one of us (BV). Data are largely derived from the literature and data sets have been built for each of the four time slices selected. Information on the palaeoenvironmental context has been included, with observations divided between four palaeoenvironmental systems: epicontinental platforms, intracratonic basins, transitional areas and distal epioceanic basins.Results The distribution plots demonstrate changes in the steepness of the latitudinal gradient of palaeobiodiversity through time. In general the lowest diversity values are recorded in mid‐ to high‐palaeolatitudes and in epicontinental platform settings of all latitudes, whereas the highest diversities typically correspond to low‐latitude basins. However, in most cases it is difficult to determine whether the poleward decrease of diversity values is a reflection of the palaeoenvironmental context or simply conforms to the diversity gradient model. All patterns are influenced by sampling, and no data were available for equatorial and high palaeolatitudes.Main conclusions Continental plate movements did not affect the shaping of latitudinal patterns of ammonite diversity and the palaeoenvironmental context is the most important controlling factor. For similar latitudes, the highest diversities occur in basin settings, suggesting that depth is an important influence on diversity distribution. Provincialism was enhanced by the sea‐level fall at the end of the Jurassic that fragmented and restricted ammonite biotas. The effects of climatic fluctuations on the steepness of diversity gradients are probably significant but are currently difficult to demonstrate.
Metabolic correlates of leg length in breeding arctic shorebirds: the cost of getting high
Authors: Cartar Ralph V. , Guy Morrison R. I. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractAim We test the hypothesis that tarsus length in all shorebirds breeding in the Canadian arctic shows an evolutionary response to average metabolic stress encountered across the breeding range, such that birds nesting in metabolically stressful environments have relatively shorter legs. Longer‐legged birds living in colder environments will experience greater metabolic costs because their torsos are elevated farther away from the ground's wind‐dampening boundary layer.Methods We use weather data (temperature, wind speed, global solar radiation) from 27 arctic weather stations measured over 37 years, and a previously published model of heat transfer, to characterize the metabolic harshness over the breeding season of the ranges of each of the 17 shorebirds of the family Charadriidae nesting in the Canadian arctic.Results After controlling for the lengths of two other body extremities (wing and bill), there was a significant negative relationship between tarsus length and mean metabolic harshness. This result was obtained whether species were treated as independent data points, or in a comparative analysis using standardized independent contrasts.Main conclusions We support a unique extension of Allen's rule: body‐supporting appendages of homeotherms may be shorter in colder environments so as to take advantage of a boundary layer effect, thereby reducing metabolic costs.
Effects of Three Anthelmintic Regimes on Milk Yield of Ewes and Growth of Lambs
Authors: Fthenakis G. C. , Papadopoulos E. , Himonas C. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryForty ewes were allocated into one of four groups (n = 10) and were treated with albendazole (ALB) (3.8 mg kg−1) before lambing (group A), with ALB before and after lambing (group B), with moxidectin (MXD) (0.2 mg kg−1) before lambing (group C) or were untreated controls (group D). Counts of nematode eggs in faeces and coprocultures were carried out during the study, as well as ewes’ milk yield measurements and lamb weighings. Pre‐treatment mean eggs per gram (epg) counts were 640, 715, 625 and 630 for groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P > 0.05); respective counts 21 days after treatment were 5, 0, 0 and 690 epg, whilst 70 days after treatment they were 380, 145, 40 and 1120 epg. Mean lactation milk yield was 3527.5, 3893.5, 3786.4 and 3285.9 ml for groups A, B, C and D, respectively; no significant difference was evident among the four groups in milk yield collected during the suckling period, although subsequently, group B or C ewes yielded significantly more milk than controls (P < 0.05). Mean birthweight of lambs were 3.56, 3.45, 3.59 and 3.26 kg for groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P = 0.045); subsequently, lambs from treated ewes were significantly heavier than lambs from control animals (P < 0.001). We conclude that anti‐parasitic treatment during the last month of pregnancy contributed to an increased birthweight of lambs of treated ewes, whilst the cumulative effect of two doses of ALB or the long persistent efficacy of MXD provided a longer protection of animals against new parasitic infections and contributed to a lactation persistence.
Smokers’ unrealistic optimism about their risk
Authors: Weinstein N D , Marcus S E , Moser R P 
Published: February 2005

Objective:Past studies have produced ambiguous or inconsistent results when testing whether smokers actually underestimate their own risks of experiencing tobacco related illness. Whereas smokers claim that they are less at risk than the average smoker on self administered questionnaires, this unrealistic optimism has not been found in telephone or face-to-face interviews. We avoided the measurement problems of past studies and examined responses to a number of new questions to assess different aspects of smokers’ perceptions.Methodology:A US national telephone survey (n  =  6369; 1245 current smokers) posed a variety of questions designed to examine beliefs about the risks of smoking. For key questions, separate samples of smokers were asked either about their own risk or about the risk of the average smoker.Results:Smokers underestimated their relative risk compared to non-smokers and, contrary to previous interview surveys, believed they have a lower risk of developing lung cancer than the average smoker. Furthermore, their perceived risk of lung cancer and of cancer in general barely increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and their estimates of their risk of cancer are actually slightly lower than their estimates of their risk of lung cancer. Substantial proportions of smokers and former smokers agree with several myths, more than half agreeing that exercise undoes most smoking effects.Conclusion:Smokers underestimate their risk of lung cancer both relative to other smokers and to non-smokers and demonstrate other misunderstandings of smoking risks. Smoking cannot be interpreted as a choice made in the presence of full information about the potential harm.
Comparing strategies for United States veterans' mortality ascertainment
Authors: Lorenz Karl A , Asch Steven M , Yano Elizabeth M , Wang Mingming , Rubenstein Lisa V 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Background
We aimed to determine optimal strategies for complete mortality ascertainment comparing death certificates and United States (US) Veterans Administration (VA) records.

Methods
We constructed a cohort of California veterans who died in fiscal year (FY) 2000 and used VA services the year before death. We determined decedent status using California death certificates linked to VA utilization data and the VA Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator System (BIRLS) death file. We compared the characteristics of decedents who would not have been identified by either single source (e.g., VA BIRLS alone or California death certificates alone) with the rest of the cohort.

Results
A total of 8,813 veteran decedents were identified from both VA decedent files and death certificates. Of all decedents, 5,698 / 8,813 (65%) veterans were identified in both source files, but 2,426 / 8,813 (28%) decedents were not identified in VA BIRLS, and 689 / 8,813 (8%) were not identified in death certificates. Compared to the rest of the cohort, decedents whose mortality status was ascertained through either single source differed by race / ethnicity, marital status, and California residence. Clinically, veterans identified from either single source had less comorbidity and were less likely to have been users of VA inpatient or long term care, but equally or more likely to have been users of VA outpatient services.

Conclusion
As single sources, VA decedent files and death certificates each provided an incomplete record, and death ascertainment was improved by using both source files. Potential bias may vary depending on analytic interest.
Advances in wearable technology and applications in physical medicine and rehabilitation
Authors: Bonato Paolo 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
The development of miniature sensors that can be unobtrusively attached to the body or can be part of clothing items, such as sensing elements embedded in the fabric of garments, have opened countless possibilities of monitoring patients in the field over extended periods of time. This is of particular relevance to the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Wearable technology addresses a major question in the management of patients undergoing rehabilitation, i.e. have clinical interventions a significant impact on the real life of patients? Wearable technology allows clinicians to gather data where it matters the most to answer this question, i.e. the home and community settings. Direct observations concerning the impact of clinical interventions on mobility, level of independence, and quality of life can be performed by means of wearable systems. Researchers have focused on three main areas of work to develop tools of clinical interest: 1)the design and implementation of sensors that are minimally obtrusive and reliably record movement or physiological signals, 2)the development of systems that unobtrusively gather data from multiple wearable sensors and deliver this information to clinicians in the way that is most appropriate for each application, and 3)the design and implementation of algorithms to extract clinically relevant information from data recorded using wearable technology. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation has devoted a series of articles to this topic with the objective of offering a description of the state of the art in this research field and pointing to emerging applications that are relevant to the clinical practice in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Development and Validation of a Risk Score Predicting Death Without Transplant in Adult Heart Transplant Candidates
Authors: Zhang Kevin C. , Narang Nikhil , Jasseron Carine , Dorent Richard , Lazenby Kevin A. , Belkin Mark N. , Grinstein Jonathan , Mayampurath Anoop , Churpek Matthew M. , Khush Kiran K. , Parker William F. 
Published: February 2024

ImportanceThe US heart allocation system prioritizes medically urgent candidates with a high risk of dying without transplant. The current therapy-based 6-status system is susceptible to manipulation and has limited rank ordering ability.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a candidate risk score that incorporates current clinical, laboratory, and hemodynamic data.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA registry-based observational study of adult heart transplant candidates (aged ≥18 years) from the US heart allocation system listed between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, split by center into training (70%) and test (30%) datasets. Adult candidates were listed between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022.Main Outcomes and MeasuresA US candidate risk score (US-CRS) model was developed by adding a predefined set of predictors to the current French Candidate Risk Score (French-CRS) model. Sensitivity analyses were performed, which included intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) and percutaneous ventricular assist devices (VAD) in the definition of short-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for the US-CRS. Performance of the US-CRS model, French-CRS model, and 6-status model in the test dataset was evaluated by time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for death without transplant within 6 weeks and overall survival concordance (c-index) with integrated AUC.ResultsA total of 16 905 adult heart transplant candidates were listed (mean [SD] age, 53 [13] years; 73% male; 58% White); 796 patients (4.7%) died without a transplant. The final US-CRS contained time-varying short-term MCS (ventricular assist–extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or temporary surgical VAD), the log of bilirubin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, the log of B-type natriuretic peptide, albumin, sodium, and durable left ventricular assist device. In the test dataset, the AUC for death within 6 weeks of listing for the US-CRS model was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.75-0.83), for the French-CRS model was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.67-0.76), and 6-status model was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.62-0.73). Overall c-index for the US-CRS model was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.73-0.80), for the French-CRS model was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.65-0.73), and 6-status model was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.63-0.71). Classifying IABP and percutaneous VAD as short-term MCS reduced the effect size by 65%.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this registry-based study of US heart transplant candidates, a continuous multivariable allocation score outperformed the 6-status system in rank ordering heart transplant candidates by medical urgency and may be useful for the medical urgency component of heart allocation.
Stroke Risk in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Yip Pui Lam , Zheng Huili , Cheo Timothy , Tan Teng Hwee , Lee Shing Fung , Leong Yiat Horng , Wong Lea Choung , Tey Jeremy , Ho Francis , Soon Yu Yang 
Published: February 2024

ImportanceSurvivors of head and neck cancers (HNC) have increased risk of stroke. A comprehensive report using standardized methods is warranted to characterize the risk and to inform on survivorship strategy.ObjectiveTo determine the stroke risk in subpopulations of survivors of HNC in Singapore.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis national, registry-based, cross-sectional study aimed to estimate stroke risk in subgroups of the HNC population between January 2005 and December 2020. Participants were identified from the Singapore Cancer Registry, the Singapore Stroke Registry, and the Registry of Birth and Deaths using relevant International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM) codes. HNC subgroups were defined based on patient demographic, disease, and treatment factors. Data were analyzed from September 2022 to September 2023.ExposureDiagnosis of HNC.Main Outcomes and MeasuresBoth ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were studied. The age-standardized incidence rate ratio (SIRR) and age-standardized incidence rate difference (SIRD) were reported. The Singapore general population (approximately 4 million) served as the reference group for these estimations.ResultsA total of 9803 survivors of HNC (median [IQR] age at diagnosis, 58 [49-68] years; 7166 [73.1%] male) were identified. The most common HNC subsites were nasopharynx (4680 individuals [47.7%]), larynx (1228 individuals [12.5%]), and tongue (1059 individuals [10.8%]). A total of 337 individuals (3.4%) developed stroke over a median (IQR) follow-up of 42.5 (15.0-94.5) months. The overall SIRR was 2.46 (95% CI, 2.21-2.74), and the overall SIRD was 4.11 (95% CI, 3.37-4.85) strokes per 1000 person-years (PY). The cumulative incidence of stroke was 3% at 5 years and 7% at 10 years after HNC diagnosis. The SIRR was highest among individuals diagnosed at younger than 40 years (SIRR, 30.55 [95% CI, 16.24-52.35]). All population subsets defined by age, sex, race and ethnicity, HNC subsites (except tongue), stage, histology, and treatment modalities had increased risk of stroke compared with the general population. The SIRR and SIRD were significantly higher among individuals who had a primary radiation treatment approach (SIRR, 3.01 [95% CI, 2.64-3.43]; SIRD, 5.12 [95% CI, 4.18-6.29] strokes per 1000 PY) compared with a primary surgery approach (SIRR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.31-2.05]; SIRD, 1.84 [95% CI, 0.923.67] strokes per 1000 PY).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cross-sectional study of survivors of HNC, elevated stroke risks were observed across different age, subsites, and treatment modalities, underscoring the importance of early screening and intervention.