bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The γ‐Secretase Blocker DAPT Reduces the Permeability of the Blood–Brain Barrier by Decreasing the Ubiquitination and Degradation of Occludin During Permanent Brain Ischemia
Authors: Zhang Gen‐Sheng , Tian Yun , Huang Ji‐Yun , Tao Rong‐Rong , Liao Mei‐Hua , Lu Ying‐Mei , Ye Wei‐Feng , Wang Rui , Fukunaga Kohji , Lou Yi‐Jia , Han Feng 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundTight junction protein degradation is a principal characteristic of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) damage that occurs during brain ischemia.AimsWe investigated the mechanisms of occludin degradation that underlie permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in rats.Methods and ResultsWestern blot and Co‐immunoprecipitation data indicated ubiquitination and degradation of occludin in brain after pMCAO, which was consistent with ZO‐1 degradation in penumbra regions as observed at 24 h after pMCAO. We further investigated candidate protease(s) responsible for the degradation of occludin during pMCAO. The intraventricular administration of γ‐secretase blocker DAPT significantly inhibited the pMCAO‐induced neurovascular damage, whereas ALLM and Batimastat, which are inhibitors of calpain and metalloproteinase proteases, respectively, were less effective. Notably, we found that DAPT significantly inhibited BBB disruption in comparison with vehicle treatment, as assessed by Evans blue excretion. Interestingly, the confocal immunostaining revealed that activation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch is associated with degradation of occludin in brain microvessels following ischemia. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that the inhibition of γ‐secretase signaling and the itch‐mediated ubiquitination of occludin likely underlie the vasoprotective effect of DAPT after pMCAO.ConclusionThe γ‐secretase blocker DAPT reduces the permeability of the BBB by decreasing the ubiquitination and degradation of occludin during permanent brain ischemia, suggesting that γ‐secretase may represent a novel therapeutic target for preventing neurovascular damage.
The Causal Structure of Utility Conditionals
Authors: Bonnefon Jean‐François , Sloman Steven A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe psychology of reasoning is increasingly considering agents' values and preferences, achieving greater integration with judgment and decision making, social cognition, and moral reasoning. Some of this research investigates utility conditionals, ‘‘if p then q’’ statements where the realization of p or q or both is valued by some agents. Various approaches to utility conditionals share the assumption that reasoners make inferences from utility conditionals based on the comparison between the utility of p and the expected utility of q. This article introduces a new parameter in this analysis, the underlying causal structure of the conditional. Four experiments showed that causal structure moderated utility‐informed conditional reasoning. These inferences were strongly invited when the underlying structure of the conditional was causal, and significantly less so when the underlying structure of the conditional was diagnostic. This asymmetry was only observed for conditionals in which the utility of q was clear, and disappeared when the utility of q was unclear. Thus, an adequate account of utility‐informed inferences conditional reasoning requires three components: utility, probability, and causal structure.
The tower of Babel: Survey on concepts and terminology in electrical status epilepticus in sleep and continuous spikes and waves during sleep in North America
Authors: Fernández Iván Sánchez , Chapman Kevin E. , Peters Jurriaan M. , Kothare Sanjeev V. , Nordli Douglas R. , Jensen Frances E. , Berg Anne T. , Loddenkemper Tobias 
Published: November 2012

SummaryPurpose:  The terms “electrical status epilepticus during sleep (ESES)” and “continuous spikes and waves during sleep (CSWS)” have been used interchangeably when referring to related but different concepts. In addition, the quantification of epileptiform activity has not been standardized, and different approaches to quantification have been used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which pediatric neurologists and epileptologists use a homogeneous terminology and conceptualization in CSWS and ESES and to characterize the current understanding of these conditions.Methods:  A survey addressing the use of terminology in “ESES” and “CSWS” and the understanding of related concepts was distributed online to all members of the Child Neurology Society and the American Epilepsy Society mailing lists. Surveys were self‐administered and collected using an online survey website (http://www.surveymonkey.com).Key Findings:  Two hundred nineteen surveys were completed, 137 from the Child Neurology Society mailing list and 82 from the American Epilepsy Society mailing list. ESES and CSWS were considered synonymous by 117 respondents, not synonymous by 61, 21 respondents did not know, and 20 did not respond. Most respondents (63.1%) considered CSWS as a devastating epileptic encephalopathy with severe sequelae even if treated correctly, but 25.1% of respondents indicated that it does not leave sequelae if epilepsy was treated early and another 11.8% noted that cognitive difficulties resolved with age. Cognitive and/or language regression were considered mandatory for the diagnosis of CSWS by only 27% of the respondents. The diagnosis of CSWS was based on electroencephalography (EEG) assessment alone by 31% of respondents. Respondents used different methods for calculation of the epileptiform activity, different EEG samples for calculation, and considered differently the lateralized epileptiform activity. The cut‐off values for percentage of the sleep record occupied by spike‐waves were variable depending on the respondent. There was no agreement on whether these cutoff values were mandatory for the diagnosis of ESES and CSWS.Significance:  Our data show that the professionals caring for children with ESES and CSWS in North America use the terms, concepts, and defining features heterogeneously. The lack of a common language may complicate communication among clinicians and jeopardize research in this field. We anticipate that our data will fuel the development of much needed common terminology and conceptualization of ESES and CSWS.
Applying ecological and evolutionary theory to cancer: a long and winding road
Authors: Thomas Frédéric , Fisher Daniel , Fort Philippe , Marie Jean‐Pierre , Daoust Simon , Roche Benjamin , Grunau Christoph , Cosseau Céline , Mitta Guillaume , Baghdiguian Stephen , Rousset François , Lassus Patrice , Assenat Eric , Grégoire Damien , Missé Dorothée , Lorz Alexander , Billy Frédérique , Vainchenker William , Delhommeau François , Koscielny Serge , Itzykson Raphael , Tang Ruoping , Fava Fanny , Ballesta Annabelle , Lepoutre Thomas , Krasinska Liliana , Dulic Vjekoslav , Raynaud Peggy , Blache Philippe , Quittau‐Prevostel Corinne , Vignal Emmanuel , Trauchessec Hélène , Perthame Benoit , Clairambault Jean , Volpert Vitali , Solary Eric , Hibner Urszula , Hochberg Michael E. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSince the mid 1970s, cancer has been described as a process of Darwinian evolution, with somatic cellular selection and evolution being the fundamental processes leading to malignancy and its many manifestations (neoangiogenesis, evasion of the immune system, metastasis, and resistance to therapies). Historically, little attention has been placed on applications of evolutionary biology to understanding and controlling neoplastic progression and to prevent therapeutic failures. This is now beginning to change, and there is a growing international interest in the interface between cancer and evolutionary biology. The objective of this introduction is first to describe the basic ideas and concepts linking evolutionary biology to cancer. We then present four major fronts where the evolutionary perspective is most developed, namely laboratory and clinical models, mathematical models, databases, and techniques and assays. Finally, we discuss several of the most promising challenges and future prospects in this interdisciplinary research direction in the war against cancer.
Reduced fitness of Atlantic salmon released in the wild after one generation of captive breeding
Authors: Milot Emmanuel , Perrier Charles , Papillon Lucie , Dodson Julian J. , Bernatchez Louis 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSalmonids rank among the most socioeconomically valuable fishes and the most targeted species by stocking with hatchery‐reared individuals. Here, we used molecular parentage analysis to assess the reproductive success of wild‐ and hatchery‐born Atlantic salmon over three consecutive years in a small river in Québec. Yearly restocking in this river follows a single generation of captive breeding. Among the adults returning to the river to spawn, between 11% and 41% each year were born in hatchery. Their relative reproductive success (RRS) was nearly half that of wild‐born fish (0.55). RRS varied with life stage, being 0.71 for fish released at the fry stage and 0.42 for fish released as smolt. The lower reproductive success of salmon released as smolt was partly mediated by the modification of the proportion of single‐sea‐winter/multi‐sea‐winter fish. Overall, our results suggest that modifications in survival and growth rates alter the life‐history strategies of these fish at the cost of their reproductive success. Our results underline the potential fitness decrease, warn on long‐term evolutionary consequences for the population of repeated stocking and support the adoption of more natural rearing conditions for captive juveniles and their release at a younger stage, such as unfed fry.
The accuracy of the National Equine Database in relation to vector‐borne disease risk modelling of horses in Great Britain
Authors: Robin C. A. , Lo Iacono G. , Gubbins S. , Wood J. L. N. , Newton J. R. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryReasons for performing the studyThe National Equine Database (NED) contains information on the size and distribution of the horse population, but the data quality remains unknown. These data could assist with surveillance, research and contingency planning for equine infectious disease outbreaks.Objectives1) To assess the extent of obsolete and missing data from NED, 2) evaluate the extent of spatial separation between horse and owner location and 3) identify relationships between spatial separation and land use.MethodsTwo questionnaires were used to assess data accuracy in NED utilising local authority passport inspections and distribution of questionnaires to 11,000 horse owners. A subset of 1010 questionnaires was used to assess horse–owner geographic separation.ResultsDuring 2005–2010, 17,048 passports were checked through local authority inspections. Of these, 1558 passports (9.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.7–9.5%) were noncompliant, with 963 (5.6%; 95% CI 5.3–6.0%) containing inaccurate information and 595 (3.5%; 95% CI 3.2–3.8%) classified as missing. Of 1382 questionnaires completed by horse owners, 380 passports were obsolete (27.5%; 95% CI 25.2–29.9%), with 162 (11.7%; 95% CI 10.0–13.4%) being retained for deceased horses and 218 (15.8%; 95% CI 13.9–17.7%) having incorrect ownership details. Fifty‐three per cent (95% CI 49.9–56.1%) of owners kept their horse(s) at home and 92% (95% CI 90.3–93.7%) of horses resided within 10 km of their owners.Conclusions and potential relevanceData from a small sample survey suggest the majority of data on NED are accurate but a proportion of inaccuracies exist that may cause delay in locating horses and contacting owners during a disease outbreak. The probability that horses are located in the same postcode sector as the owner's home address is larger in rural areas. Appropriate adjustment for population size, horse–owner spatial separation and land usage would facilitate meaningful use of the national horse population derived from NED for risk modelling of incursions of equine diseases into Great Britain.
The effect of airflow on thermographically determined temperature of the distal forelimb of the horse
Authors: Westermann S. , Stanek C. , Schramel J. P. , Ion A. , Buchner H. H. F. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryReasons for performing studyCurrent literature suggests that thermographic imaging of horses should be performed in a draught‐free room. However, studies on the effect of airflow on determined temperature have not been published.ObjectivesTo investigate effects of airflow on thermographically determined temperature of horses’ forelimbs; to assess the relationship of wind velocity, rectal temperature, ambient temperature and humidity.MethodsThermographic images were obtained for the forelimbs of 6 horses in a draught‐free room. Three replicates (R) with defined wind velocities (R1, 0.5–1.0 m/s; R2, 1.3–2.6 m/s; and R3, 3.0–4.0 m/s) were conducted. Each replicate consisted of a baseline image, a 15 min phase with the wind on and a 15 min phase with the wind off. We exposed only the right leg to airflow and determined the temperature by thermography with the wind on and wind off. Temperature differences between baseline and wind on, between wind on and wind off and between different wind velocities were analysed by a general linear model, Student's paired t test and ANOVA.ResultsAfter the onset of wind, the temperature on the right forelimb decreased within 1–3 min (by approximately 0.6°C at R1, 1.5°C at R2 and 2.1°C at R3). With the wind off, the temperature increased within 3 min (by approximately 1.2°C at R1, 1.7°C at R2 and 2.1°C at R3). With increasing wind velocity, the temperature differences between baseline and wind on and between wind on and wind off increased significantly.ConclusionsBarely noticeable wind velocities caused a decrease in thermographically determined temperatures of the forelimbs of the horse. Further research is required to assess the influence of airflow on other parts of the body and at different ambient temperatures, as well as the effect on horses with inflammatory lesions, especially of the distal limbs.Potential relevanceIt is essential for practitioners to perform thermography on horses in a draught‐free environment in order to avoid false‐positive or ‐negative diagnoses.
Association of interleukin‐18 promoter polymorphisms with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in male smokers
Authors: Wang J. , Liu X. , Xie J. , Xu Y. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered a complex genetic disorder and it is expected that many genes play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Previous studies have reported that several variations within the interleukin (IL)‐18 gene promoter region have been associated with different inflammatory diseases such as asthma. However, the association of IL‐18 promoter polymorphisms with COPD has not been studied yet. We then performed a prospective case–control study to explore this association in male smokers of Chinese Han people. Our study recruited 112 COPD cases and 105 healthy controls matched for age. The genotyping of IL‐18 promoter polymorphisms (‐607 C/A and ‐137 G/C) was performed using TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays. The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes in patients and controls were compared. We found that the frequency of IL‐18 ‐607 C allele was significantly increased in patients with COPD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–2.15, P = 0.04). The frequency of IL‐18 ‐607 C allele was significantly higher in the GOLD (Global initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease) 3–4 group compared with the GOLD 1–2 group (OR=2.06, 95% CI = 1.21–3.51, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the frequencies of the alleles and genotypes of IL‐18 ‐137 G/C polymorphism between the patients and healthy smokers or between GOLD 3–4 group and GOLD 1–2 group. Our study revealed that the IL‐18 ‐607 C/A polymorphism was associated with COPD susceptibility and severity of airflow limitation in male smokers of Chinese Han people.
Performance of a point‐of‐care device in determining prothrombin time in supra‐therapeutic INRs
Authors: Hashimoto V. A. M. , De Paula E. V. , Colella M. P. , Luz Fiusa M. M. , Montalvao S. A. L. , Machado T. F. G. S. , Orsi F. A. , Annichino‐Bizzacchi J. M. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryIntroductionPoint‐of‐care (POC) devices have been widely adopted for monitoring prothrombin time (PT) (INR) following the demonstration of their accuracy compared to standard INR determination. However, guidelines suggest confirmation of POC results when INRs increase above therapeutic range, due to concerns regarding possible inferior performance of POC devices in high INR levels. Unfortunately, patients with supra‐therapeutic INRs are underrepresented in studies that validated these devices.MethodsWe performed a prospective evaluation of the performance of a POC device in monitoring oral anticoagulation in patients with INR values above 3.5 in a University outpatient anticoagulation clinic. During a 6‐month period, 2322 INR determinations were performed with a POC device, and results above 3.5 were immediately repeated on an automated coagulometer.ResultsDual INR determinations by two methods were obtained in 160 visits, with a mean INR from the POC device of 4.52 ± 0.96. Both classical statistics and clinical concordance analysis yielded satisfactory results when the two methods were compared.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that POC devices present good correlation with standard laboratory methods for PT determination in supra‐therapeutic INRs and that differences in clinical management do not support the need for systematic confirmation of these results in nonbleeding patients.
HLA‐DRB1 ALLELES IN GREEK RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Stavropoulos C. , Spyropoulou M. , Koumantaki Y. , Kappou I. , Kaklamani V. , Linos A. , Giziaki E. , Kaklamani E. 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYThe association of certain HLA‐DRB1 alleles in Greek rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with several features of the disease, the gender of the patient and the age at onset was investigated. This case control study includes 86 Greek RA patients and 130 healthy controls unrelated to the patients. HLA typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization with sequence‐specific oligonucleotide (SSO) probes. HLA‐DR4 was significantly increased in RA patients. The alleles *0101, *0401, *0405 and *1001 were associated with a higher risk of RA. The *0408 allele was absent from our patients. Sixty‐five per cent of RA patients carried the ‘shared epitope’ (SE) compared with 31.5% of controls. The risk for RA in individuals carrying a single allele positive for SE was 2.85 times higher, and for those carrying two alleles positive for SE 8.57 times higher, than in SE‐negative individuals. The risk was higher in those carrying the *0401 allele, followed by *0405 and *0101, while the genotype *0401/*0404 was absent. Alleles positive for SE comprise a predisposing factor for RA at an early age, particularly in men, and are associated with positive rheumatoid factor, nodules and erosions.
Models, phases and cases of patient participation in decision‐making in surgical treatment in Norway: A qualitative study
Authors: Heggland Liv‐Helen , Mikkelsen Aslaug , Hausken Kjell 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis study improves our understanding of patients' participation in hospital treatment‐decision processes. We explored the degree of patient participation perceived by both patients and healthcare professionals in four phases of the decision process: information dissemination, formulation of options, integration of information, and control within four models of interactions between healthcare professionals and patients: the paternalistic model, the shared model, the informed model, and the non‐paternalistic model. The analysis was based on 18 in‐depth, exploratory interviews with patients and healthcare professionals in six surgical units in Norway. Knowledge about how patients and healthcare professionals interact in the surgical‐decision process is important for developing systems and arenas for patient participation in practice, and for a climate and culture to further support the implementation.
Long‐term non‐flooded mulching cultivation influences rice productivity and soil organic carbon
Authors: Fan M. S. , Lu S. H. , Jiang R. F. , Six J. , Zhang F. S. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA field experiment was conducted for 10 years to examine the long‐term effects of non‐flooded mulching cultivation on rice yield and soil organic carbon on Chengdu Plain, south‐west China. Compared with traditional flooded cultivation (TF), non‐flooded plastic film mulching (PM) resulted in a 14% higher average rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield. However, non‐flooded straw mulching (SM) decreased the average rice yield by 11% compared with TF. After 10 years, PM led to similar or higher (SM) soil organic carbon (SOC) and total soil N (TN) in the top 5 cm of the soil profile compared with TF. No differences were found among the three cultivation systems in SOC or total N at 5–12  and 12–24 cm soil depths. Small macroaggregates (0.25–2 mm) were predominant in the top 5 cm of the soil (58–63% of whole soil) across the three cultivation systems. However, the proportion of large macroaggregates (>2 mm) from SM and PM was significantly larger than from TF in the top 5 cm of the soil. Non‐flooded mulching cultivation led to increased C and N contents in large macroaggregates and mean weight diameter of aggregates in the 0–5 cm soil depth. This suggests that non‐flooded mulching cultivation increased soil aggregation concomitant with soil C stabilization within the improved soil structure.
Helium Solubility in SON68 Nuclear Waste Glass
Authors: Fares Toby , Peuget Sylvain , Chamssedine Fadel , Sauvage Thierry , Bouty Olivier , Broudic Véronique , Deschanels Xavier , Maugeri Emilio , Bes René , Jégou Christophe 
Published: November 2012

Helium behavior in a sodium borosilicate glass (SON68) dedicated to the immobilization of high‐level nuclear waste is examined. Two experimental approaches on nonradioactive glass specimens are implemented: pressurized helium infusion experiments and 3He ion implantation experiments. The temperature variation of helium solubility in SON68 glass was determined and analyzed with the harmonic oscillator model to determine values of the energy of interaction E(0) at the host sites (about −4000 J/mol), the vibration frequency (about 1.7 × 1011 s−1), and the density of solubility sites (2.2 × 1021 sites cm−3). The implantation experiments show that a nondiffusive transport phenomenon (i.e., athermal diffusion) is involved in the material when the helium concentration exceeds 2.3 × 1021 He cm−3, and thus probably as soon as it exceeds the density of solubility sites accessible to helium in the glass. We propose that this transport mechanism could be associated with the relaxation of the stress gradient induced by the implanted helium profile, which is favored by the glass damage. Microstructural characterization by TEM and ESEM of glass specimens implanted with high helium concentrations showed a homogeneous microstructure free of bubbles, pores, or cracking at a scale of 10 nm.