bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective Effects of Dexmedetomidine against Glutamate Agonist-induced Neuronal Cell Death Are Related to Increased Astrocyte Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression
Authors: Degos Vincent , charpentier Tifenn Le , Chhor Vibol , Brissaud Olivier , Lebon Sophie , Schwendimann Leslie , Bednareck Nathalie , Passemard Sandrine , Mantz Jean , Gressens Pierre 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background:
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a prominent role in neuroprotection against perinatal brain injury. Dexmedetomidine, a selective agonist of α2-adrenergic receptors, also provides neuroprotection against glutamate-induced damage. Because adrenergic receptor agonists can modulate BDNF expression, our goal was to examine whether dexmedetomidine’s neuroprotective effects are mediated by BDNF modulation in mouse perinatal brain injury.

Methods:
The protective effects against glutamate-induced injury of BDNF and dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with either a neutralizing BDNF antibody or an inhibitor of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway (PD098059) were compared in perinatal ibotenate-induced cortical lesions (n = 10–20 pups/groups) and in mouse neuronal cultures (300 μm of ibotenate for 6 h). The effect of dexmedetomidine on BDNF expression was examined in vivo and in vitro with cortical neuronal and astrocyte isolated cultures.

Results:
Both BDNF and dexmedetomidine produced a significant neuroprotective effect in vivo and in vitro. Dexmedetomidine enhanced Bdnf4 and Bdnf5 transcription and BDNF protein cortical expression in vivo. Dexmedetomidine also enhanced Bdnf4 and Bdnf5 transcription and increased BDNF media concentration in isolated astrocyte cultures but not in neuronal cultures. Dexmedetomidine’s protective effect was inhibited with BDNF antibody (mean lesion size ± SD: 577 ± 148 μm vs. 1028 ± 213 μm, n = 14–20, P < 0.001) and PD098059 in vivo but not in isolated neuron cultures. Finally, PD098059 inhibited the increased release of BDNF induced by dexmedetomidine in astrocyte cultures.

Conclusion:
These results suggest that dexmedetomidine increased astrocyte expression of BDNF through an extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent pathway, inducing subsequent neuroprotective effects.
Involvement of the Tyr Kinase/JNK Pathway in Carbachol-induced Bronchial Smooth Muscle Contraction in the Rat
Authors: Sakai Hiroyasu , Watanabe Yu , Honda Mai , Tsuiki Rika , Ueda Yusuke , Nagai Yuki , Narita Minoru , Misawa Miwa , Chiba Yoshihiko 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background:
Tyrosine (Tyr) kinases and mitogen-activated protein kinases have been thought to participate in the contractile response in various smooth muscles. The aim of the current study was to investigate the involvement of the Tyr kinase pathway in the contraction of bronchial smooth muscle.

Methods:
Ring preparations of bronchi isolated from rats were suspended in an organ bath. Isometric contraction of circular smooth muscle was measured. Immunoblotting was used to examine the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinasess (JNKs) in bronchial smooth muscle.

Results:
To examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase(s) in bronchial smooth muscle contraction, the effects of MPAK inhibitors were investigated in this study. The contraction induced by carbachol (CCh) was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with selective Tyr kinase inhibitors (genistein and ST638, n = 6, respectively), and a JNK inhibitor (SP600125, n = 6). The contractions induced by high K+ depolarization (n = 4), orthovanadate (a potent Tyr phosphatase inhibitor) and sodium fluoride (a G protein activator; NaF) were also significantly inhibited by selective Tyr kinase inhibitors and a JNK inhibitor (n = 4, respectively). However, the contraction induced by calyculin-A was not affected by SP600125. On the other hand, JNKs were phosphorylated by CCh (2.2 ± 0,4 [mean±SEM] fold increase). The JNK phosphorylation induced by CCh was significantly inhibited by SP600125 (n = 4).

Conclusion:
These findings suggest that the Tyr kinase/JNK pathway may play a role in bronchial smooth muscle contraction. Strategies to inhibit JNK activation may represent a novel therapeutic approach for diseases involving airway obstruction, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Permanent Genetic Resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 October 2012–30 November 2012
Authors:   Molecular Ecology Resources Primer Development Consortium, Aksoy Serap , Almeida‐Val Vera Maria F. , Azevedo V. C. R. , Baucom Regina , Bazaga Pilar , Beheregaray L. B. , Bennetzen Jeffrey L. , Brassaloti Ricardo A. , Burgess Treena I. , Caccone Adagisa , Chang Shu‐Mei , Ciampi A. Y. , Ciancaleoni S. , Clímaco Gisele T. , clouet Cécil , Coimbra Maria R. M. , Coutinho Luiz L. , Dantas Hozana L. , De Vega Clara , Echodu Richard , Enyaru John , Figueira Antonio , Filho Manoel A. G. , Foltz Britnie , Fressigné L. , Gadomski Mateusz , Gauthier Nathalie , Herrera Carlos M. , Hyseni Chaz , Jorge Erika C. , Kaczmarczyk Dariusz , Knott Emily , Kuester Adam , Lima Ana P. S. , Lima Maíra A. , Lima Marcos P. , Longo Ana Luiza B. , Lor Grant , Maggioni Rodrigo , Marques Thiago S. , Martins Aline R. , Matoso Daniele A. , Medrano Mónica , Mendonça M. A. C. , Mettler Raeann , Nascimento Priscila Roberta M. , Negri V. , Oliveira Karine K. C. , Oliveira L. O. , Ovcarenko Irina , Paula‐Silva Maria N. , Raggi L. , Sandoval‐Castillo J. , Santos Carlos Henrique Dos Anjos , Martin Schaefer H. , Segelbacher Gernot , Seino Miyuki M. , Sistrom Mark , Taole Matsepo M. , Teske P. R. , Tsagkarakou Anastasia , Verdade Luciano M. , Villela Priscilla M. S. , Vinson C. C. , Wingfield Brenda D. , Wingfield Michael J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article documents the addition of 153 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Brassica oleracea, Brycon amazonicus, Dimorphandra wilsonii, Eupallasella percnurus, Helleborus foetidus, Ipomoea purpurea, Phrynops geoffroanus, Prochilodus argenteus, Pyura sp., Sylvia atricapilla, Teratosphaeria suttonii, Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Trypanosoma brucei. These loci were cross‐tested on the following species: Dimorphandra coccicinea, Dimorphandra cuprea, Dimorphandra gardneriana, Dimorphandra jorgei, Dimorphandra macrostachya, Dimorphandra mollis, Dimorphandra parviflora and Dimorphandra pennigera.
An improved high yield method to obtain microsatellite genotypes from red deer antlers up to 200 years old
Authors: Hoffmann G. S. , Griebeler E. M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAnalysis of DNA from older samples, such as museum specimen, is a promising approach to studying genetics of populations and ecological processes across several generations. Here, we present a method for extracting high quality nuclear DNA for microsatellite analysis from antlers of red deer (Cervus elaphus). The genotyping of individuals was based on nine microsatellite loci. Because the amount of DNA found in antlers was high, we could reduce the amount of sample and chemicals used and shorten the decalcification time in comparison to other methods. Using these methods, we obtained genotypes from antlers up to 200 years old.
Undersampling and the measurement of beta diversity
Authors: Beck Jan , Holloway Jeremy D. , Schwanghart Wolfgang 
Published: January 2013

Summary

Beta diversity is a conceptual link between diversity at local and regional scales. Various additional methodologies of quantifying this and related phenomena have been applied. Among them, measures of pairwise (dis)similarity of sites are particularly popular. Undersampling, i.e. not recording all taxa present at a site, is a common situation in ecological data. Bias in many metrics related to beta diversity must be expected, but only few studies have explicitly investigated the properties of various measures under undersampling conditions.

On the basis of an empirical data set, representing near‐complete local inventories of the Lepidoptera from an isolated Pacific island, as well as simulated communities with varying properties, we mimicked different levels of undersampling. We used 14 different approaches to quantify beta diversity, among them dataset‐wide multiplicative partitioning (i.e. ‘true beta diversity’) and pairwise site x site dissimilarities. We compared their values from incomplete samples to true results from the full data. We used these comparisons to quantify undersampling bias and we calculated correlations of the dissimilarity measures of undersampled data with complete data of sites.

Almost all tested metrics showed bias and low correlations under moderate to severe undersampling conditions (as well as deteriorating precision, i.e. large chance effects on results). Measures that used only species incidence were very sensitive to undersampling, while abundance‐based metrics with high dependency on the distribution of the most common taxa were particularly robust. Simulated data showed sensitivity of results to the abundance distribution, confirming that data sets of high evenness and/or the application of metrics that are strongly affected by rare species are particularly sensitive to undersampling.

The class of beta measure to be used should depend on the research question being asked as different metrics can lead to quite different conclusions even without undersampling effects. For each class of metric, there is a trade‐off between robustness to undersampling and sensitivity to rare species. In consequence, using incidence‐based metrics carries a particular risk of false conclusions when undersampled data are involved. Developing bias corrections for such metrics would be desirable.
Farm exposure and time trends in early childhood may influence DNA methylation in genes related to asthma and allergy
Authors: Michel S. , Busato F. , Genuneit J. , Pekkanen J. , Dalphin J.‐C. , Riedler J. , Mazaleyrat N. , Weber J. , Karvonen A. M. , Hirvonen M.‐R. , Braun‐Fahrländer C. , Lauener R. , von Mutius E. , Kabesch M. , Tost J. ,   the PASTURE study group
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundGenetic susceptibility and environmental influences are important contributors to the development of asthma and atopic diseases. Epigenetic mechanisms may facilitate gene by environment interactions in these diseases.MethodsWe studied the rural birth cohort PASTURE (Protection against allergy: study in rural environments) to investigate (a) whether epigenetic patterns in asthma candidate genes are influenced by farm exposure in general, (b) change over the first years of life, and (c) whether these changes may contribute to the development of asthma. DNA was extracted from cord blood and whole blood collected at the age of 4.5 years in 46 samples per time point. DNA methylation in 23 regions in ten candidate genes (ORMDL1, ORMDL2, ORMDL3, CHI3L1, RAD50, IL13, IL4, STAT6, FOXP3, and RUNX3) was assessed by pyrosequencing, and differences between strata were analyzed by nonparametric Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney tests.ResultsIn cord blood, regions in ORMDL1 and STAT6 were hypomethylated in DNA from farmers' as compared to nonfarmers' children, while regions in RAD50 and IL13 were hypermethylated (lowest P‐value (STAT6) = 0.001). Changes in methylation over time occurred in 15 gene regions (lowest P‐value (IL13) = 1.57*10−8). Interestingly, these differences clustered in the genes highly associated with asthma (ORMDL family) and IgE regulation (RAD50, IL13, and IL4), but not in the T‐regulatory genes (FOXP3, RUNX3).ConclusionsIn this first pilot study, DNA methylation patterns change significantly in early childhood in specific asthma‐ and allergy‐related genes in peripheral blood cells, and early exposure to farm environment seems to influence methylation patterns in distinct genes.
The adjuvant‐like activity of staphylococcal enterotoxin B in a murine asthma model is independent of IL‐1R signaling
Authors: Krysko O. , Maes T. , Plantinga M. , Holtappels G. , Imiru R. , Vandenabeele P. , Joos G. , Krysko D. V. , Bachert C. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundStaphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a superantigen known to be a modulator of chronic airway inflammation in mice and humans, yet little is known about the mechanisms that regulate its interaction with the innate immune system. We investigated this mechanism in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation induced by OVA (ovalbumin) in the presence of SEB.MethodsSuperantigen‐induced allergic inflammation was studied in IL‐1R knockout (KO) mice exposed to OVA+SEB. Multicolor flow cytometry was used to analyze the inflammatory cell profile in airways and lymph nodes. Production of IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, and IL‐13 in lymph nodes was assessed by Luminex technology.ResultsIn wild‐type mice, endonasal instillation of OVA+SEB induced a pulmonary inflammation, characterized by an increase in the number of eosinophils, T cells, and dendritic cells and in the production of Th2 cytokines and OVA‐specific IgE. In IL‐1R KO mice exposed to OVA+SEB, attraction of CD4+ cells and production of Th2 cytokines were reduced. However, knocking out IL‐1R did not affect any of the features of allergic airway inflammation, such as bronchial eosinophilia, OVA‐specific IgE production and goblet cell metaplasia.ConclusionWe provide new insights into the mechanisms of airways allergy development in the presence of bacterial superantigen. The asthma features induced by OVA+SEB, such as bronchial eosinophilia, goblet cell proliferation, production of OVA‐specific IgE and increase in inflammatory dendritic cells, are IL‐1R independent. Yet, IL‐1R signaling is crucial for CD4 cell accumulation and Th2 cytokine production.
Air pollution interacts with past episodes of bronchiolitis in the development of asthma
Authors: Kim B. J. , Seo J. H. , Jung Y. H. , Kim H. Y. , Kwon J. W. , Kim H. B. , Lee S. Y. , Park K. S. , Yu J. , Kim H. C. , Leem J. H. , Lee J. Y. , Sakong J. , Kim S. Y. , Lee C. G. , Kang D. M. , Ha M. , Hong Y. C. , Kwon H. J. , Hong S. J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundExposure to ambient air pollution and bronchiolitis are risk factors for asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of air pollution on the development of asthma in children with past episodes of bronchiolitis.MethodsA prospective 2‐year follow‐up survey consisting of parental responses to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, and allergy evaluations were conducted in 1743 children with a mean age of 6.8 years. Recent 5‐year exposure to air pollution was estimated using a geographic information system.ResultsHigher exposure to ozone was associated with airway hyper‐responsiveness (PC20 ≤ 16 mg/ml) at enrollment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.60, 95% CI [confidence interval] = 1.13–2.27) and with new episodes of wheezing during the 2‐year period (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 0.96–3.83). Past episodes of bronchiolitis were associated with both current wheezing and physician‐diagnosed asthma. When the two factors were combined, the prevalence of bronchial hyper‐reactivity (OR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.41–6.24) and new wheezing (OR = 4.17, 95% CI = 0.89–19.66) as well as current wheezing and physician‐diagnosed asthma was even greater (P for trend <0.05 for all). In children with both risk factors, lung function was significantly decreased, with atopic children being particularly vulnerable.ConclusionIn children, the interaction between air pollution and past episodes of bronchiolitis resulted in a greater prevalence of asthma and pointed to an association with bronchial hyper‐reactivity and decreased lung function. These results suggest mechanisms underlying the development of asthma.
Identifying the translational gap in the evaluation of drug‐induced QTc interval prolongation
Authors: Chain Anne S.Y. , Dubois Vincent F.S. , Danhof Meindert , Sturkenboom Miriam C.J.M. , Della Pasqua Oscar ,   Cardiovascular Safety Project Team, TI Pharma PKPD Platform
Published: January 2013

AimsGiven the similarities in QTc response between dogs and humans, dogs are used in pre‐clinical cardiovascular safety studies. The objective of our investigation was to characterize the PKPD relationships and identify translational gaps across species following the administration of three compounds known to cause QTc interval prolongation, namely cisapride, d, l‐sotalol and moxifloxacin.MethodsPharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from experiments in conscious dogs and clinical trials were included in this analysis. First, pharmacokinetic modelling and deconvolution methods were applied to derive drug concentrations at the time of each QT measurement. A Bayesian PKPD model was then used to describe QT prolongation, allowing discrimination of drug‐specific effects from other physiological factors known to alter QT interval duration. A threshold of ≥10 ms was used to explore the probability of prolongation after drug administration.ResultsA linear relationship was found to best describe the pro‐arrhythmic effects of cisapride, d,l‐sotalol and moxifloxacin both in dogs and in humans. The drug‐specific parameter (slope) in dogs was statistically significantly different from humans. Despite such differences, our results show that the probability of QTc prolongation ≥10 ms in dogs nears 100% for all three compounds at the therapeutic exposure range in humans.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the slope of PKPD relationship in conscious dogs may be used as the basis for the prediction of drug‐induced QTc prolongation in humans. Furthermore, the risk of QTc prolongation can be expressed in terms of the probability associated with an increase ≥10 ms, allowing direct inferences about the clinical relevance of the pro‐arrhythmic potential of a molecule.
International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and its International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) – methods for staging of the caries process and enabling dentists to manage caries
Authors: Pitts NB , Ekstrand KR ,   The ICDAS Foundation
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this article is to provide an overview of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and its associated International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS™), explain the evolution of these systems over the past decade and outline how they are being used for staging of the caries process in order to enable dentists to manage caries appropriately.Methodsthe article outlines and references the key steps in development of these systems.ResultsICDAS employs an evidence‐based and preventively oriented approach, is a detection and assessment system classifying stages of the caries process on the basis of histological extent and activity, is designed for use in the four domains of clinical practice, education, research and public health and provides all stakeholders with a common language for staging caries. Over a decade ICDAS has evolved to comprise a number of approved, compatible ‘formats’, supports decision making at both individual and public health levels and has generated the ICCMS™ to enable improved long‐term caries outcomes. A range of further developments are in train, to assist with information capture and making clinical systems simpler and more practice friendly.ConclusionICDAS provides flexible and increasingly internationally adopted methods for classifying stages of the caries process and the activity status of lesions which can be incorporated into the ICCMS™. The ICCMS™ provides options to enable dentists to integrate and synthesize tooth and patient information, including caries risk status, in order to plan, manage and review caries in clinical and public health practice.
Retracted: Crestal bone reactions to immediate implants placed at different levels in relation to crestal bone. A pilot study in Foxhound dogs
Authors: Calvo‐Guirado José L. , Boquete‐Castro Ana , Negri Bruno , Delgado Ruiz Rafael , Gómez‐Moreno Gerardo , Iezzi Giovanna 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to evaluate bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and bone remodeling dynamics after immediate implant placement at different levels in relation to the crestal bone.Materials and methodsThe mandibular second, third, and fourth premolars of six Foxhound dogs were extracted bilaterally. Randomly, three implants were immediately placed in the hemi‐arches of each dog, crestally or 2 mm subcrestally. Three dogs were allowed an 8‐week submerged healing period, and the other three at 12‐week submerged healing period. The animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks and samples were obtained. Biopsies were processed for ground sectioning. Histomorphometric analysis was carried out to compare BIC, bone neoformation, and bone remodeling.ResultsAll implants osseointegrated clinically and histologically. Healing patterns examined microscopically at eight and twelve weeks for both groups (crestal and subcrestal) yielded similar qualitative bone findings. The Total BIC mean value for the crestal group 44.52% at 8 weeks and 39.50% at 12 weeks, and for the subcrestal group was 47.33% at 8 weeks and 53.85% at 12 weeks%. There was less bone resorption in the subcrestal group (test) than in crestal group (control).ConclusionsWithin the limitations of this study, our findings suggest that apical positioning of the top of the implant does not jeopardize bone crest and peri‐implant tissue remodeling. However, less resorption of the lingual crest may be expected when implants are placed 2 mm subcrestally. Moreover, higher BIC values were found in implants placed subcrestally.
Coronary Artery Wall Thickness of the Left Anterior Descending Artery Using High Resolution Transthoracic Echocardiography – Normal Range of Values
Authors: Perry Rebecca , Joseph Majo X. , Chew Derek P. , Aylward Philip E. , De Pasquale Carmine G. 
Published: January 2013

Recently it has been demonstrated that high resolution transthoracic echocardiography (HRTTE) is able to detect differences in the wall thickness of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) between patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal volunteers. We sought to validate this technique, develop a normal range of values and demonstrate the test–retest variability of each measurement. Two hundred forty‐two volunteer participants had a HRTTE study to measure their LAD wall thickness, luminal, and external diameters. Thirty of these subjects had these measurements taken on 3 separate occasions by 2 different echosonographers. All subjects were free of clinical CAD, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. The average anterior wall thickness was 1.1 ± 0.2 mm; posterior wall thickness was 1.1 ± 0.2 mm, luminal diameter 2.2 ± 0.6 mm, and external elastic membrane (EEM) diameter 4.5 ± 0.9 mm. The bias of the measurements within the same operator for LAD wall thickness, luminal diameter, and EEM was 0.042, −0.06, and −0.077 mm, respectively. The bias of the measurements between 2 different operators for LAD wall thickness, luminal diameter, and EEM was 0.082, −0.077, and −0.027 mm, respectively. In conclusion, HRTTE measurement of the LAD vessel is reproducible within and between operators in normal volunteers. This technique therefore warrants further study as a potential screening modality for subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.