bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, TUPS, protects against isoprenaline‐induced cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Althurwi Hassan N , Tse Mandy MY , Abdelhamid Ghada , Zordoky Beshay NM , Hammock Bruce D , El‐Kadi Ayman OS 
Published: November 2012

Background and PurposeWe have previously shown that isoprenaline‐induced cardiac hypertrophy causes significant changes in the expression of cytochromes P450 (CYP) and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) genes. Therefore, it is important to examine whether the inhibition of sEH by 1‐(1‐methanesulfonyl‐piperidin‐4‐yl)‐3‐(4‐trifluoromethoxy‐phenyl)‐urea (TUPS) will protect against isoprenaline‐induced cardiac hypertrophy.Experimental ApproachMale Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with TUPS (0.65 mg kg−1 day−1, p.o.), isoprenaline (5 mg kg−1 day−1, i.p.) or the combination of both. In vitro H9c2 cells were treated with isoprenaline (100 μM) in the presence and absence of either TUPS (1 μM) or 11,12 EET (1 μM). The expression of hypertrophic, fibrotic markers and different CYP genes were determined by real‐time PCR.Key ResultsIsoprenaline significantly induced the hypertrophic, fibrotic markers as well as the heart to body weight ratio, which was significantly reversed by TUPS. Isoprenaline also caused an induction of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP2B1, CYP2B2, CYP4A3 and CYP4F4 gene expression and TUPS significantly inhibited this isoprenaline‐mediated effect. Moreover, isoprenaline significantly reduced 5,6‐, 8,9‐, 11,12‐ and 14,15‐EET and increased their corresponding 8,9‐, 11,12‐ and 14,15‐dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DHET) and the 20‐HETE metabolites. TUPS abolished these isoprenaline‐mediated changes in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites. In H9c2 cells, isoprenaline caused a significant induction of ANP, BNP and EPHX2 mRNA levels. Both TUPS and 11,12‐EET significantly decreased this isoprenaline‐mediated induction of ANP, BNP and EPHX2.Conclusions and ImplicationsTUPS partially protects against isoprenaline‐induced cardiac hypertrophy, which confirms the role of sEH and CYP enzymes in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.
T cell activation status determines the cytokine pattern induced by zymosan and bacterial DNA both in thymocytes and splenocytes
Authors: Zimmermann C , Weber A , Mausberg A K , Kieseier B C , Hartung H P , Hofstetter H H 
Published: November 2012

SummaryProinflammatory cytokines are essential mediators of the immunopathology associated with microbial sepsis. The fungal cell wall component zymosan and bacterial DNA are well-studied experimental tools for investigating these processes, simulating the presence of fungal or bacterial infection. Cells of the immune periphery, but also immune cells in the thymus, are affected essentially by the presence of microbes or their immune stimuli in sepsis. For this reason, we investigated the cytokine pattern present in the spleen (containing mature immune cells) and the thymus (containing immature immune cells) upon exposure to zymosan and Escherichia coli DNA. To study the role of T cell activation status, we investigated ex-vivo cultures with and without αCD3 stimulation for changes in their cytokine secretion pattern as measured by cytokine enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and flow cytometry analysis. We found that both substances strongly co-stimulate αCD3-induced interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in the thymus and in the spleen, but stimulate IL-17 production only moderately. Moreover, zymosan increases PLP peptide (PLPp)-specific IFN-γ and IL-6 production in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced in Swiss Jim Lambert (SJL)/J mice, confirming that T cell activation status is crucial for the cytokines secreted by an immune cell population encountering a microbial pathogen or immunostimulating parts of it.
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin G is a potent adjuvant for experimental allergen immunotherapy
Authors: Maazi H , Shirinbak S , den Boef L E , Fallarino F , Volpi C , Nawijn M C , van Oosterhout A J M 
Published: November 2012

Summary
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only treatment for allergic diseases that targets allergen-specific T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, which are the cause of the disease. There is an unmet requirement for adjuvants that increase the clinical efficacy of SIT allowing application of lower doses of the allergen, thereby reducing the risk of anaphylactic reactions. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4–immunoglobulin (CTLA-4–Ig) has been shown to induce immunological tolerance in autoimmunity and allograft transplantation by blocking T cell co-stimulation and induction of the immunoregulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO). Previously, we showed that CTLA-4–Ig treatment at the time of allergen inhalation induced tolerance to subsequent allergen exposure in a mouse model of asthma. In this study, we test the hypothesis that CTLA-4–Ig acts as an adjuvant for experimental SIT. We evaluated the adjuvant effects of CTLA-4–Ig on SIT in a mouse model of ovalbumin-driven asthma. We used both wild-type and IDO-deficient mice to assess the role of IDO in the adjuvant effects of CTLA-4–Ig. Co-administration of CTLA-4–Ig strongly increased SIT-induced suppression of airway hyperreactivity (AHR), specific IgE in serum, airway eosinophilia and Th2 cytokine levels. Moreover, we found that CTLA-4–Ig, as an adjuvant for SIT, is equally effective in IDO-deficient and wild-type mice, demonstrating that the effect of CTLA-4–Ig is independent of IDO expression. We show that CTLA-4–Ig acts as a potent adjuvant to augment the therapeutic effects of SIT. As the adjuvant activity of CTLA-4–Ig is independent of IDO, we conclude that it acts by blocking CD28-mediated T cell co-stimulation.
Assessment of anodized titanium implants bioactivity
Authors: El‐wassefy Noha A. , Hammouda Ibrahim M. , Habib Ahmed Nour El‐deen A. , El‐awady Ghada Y. , Marzook Hamdy A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectivesThis study was conducted to create nanostructured surface titanium implants by anodic oxidation process aiming to bring out bioactivity and to assess the resultant bioactivity both in vitro and in vivo.Materials and MethodsAn economic protocol was used to apply anodic spark discharge and create surface nanoporosities on grade II commercially pure titanium (cpTi). The in vitro investigation included morphology, surface chemical analysis, roughness and crystalline structure of titanium oxide (TiO2) film prepared. Assessment of the bioactivity was carried out by immersing the specimens in simulate body fluid (SBF) and investigating the surface‐deposited layer. The in vivo investigation was conducted by surgically placing the anodized implants into rabbits tibia for different healing periods. Then biomechanical evaluation was performed to verify the effect of treatments on the interface resistance to shear force. Routine histological analysis was performed to evaluate the bone tissue reactions to anodized implants.ResultsAnodization of titanium implants produced morphological changes, raised the percentage of oxygen in the TiO2 layer, increased surface area and roughness of implants remarkably, and modified the crystallinity of the film. The in vitro assessments of bioactivity showed that a layer of calcium phosphate was precipitated on the titanium surfaces 7 days after soaking into SBF. The implant–bone interface resistance to shear force was enhanced at 2‐week healing period. This was confirmed by histological findings.ConclusionNanostructured surface titanium implants could be prepared by anodic oxidation with resultant accelerated bioactivity that may be recommended for early loading.
Boards of Directors and Financial Risk during the Credit Crisis
Authors: McNulty Terry , Florackis Chris , Ormrod Phillip 
Published: November 2012

AbstractResearch Question/IssueThis research examines the relationship between board processes and corporate financial risk. Using a unique questionnaire survey about board behavior, several measures related to board processes are developed and used to explain certain aspects of financial risk during the recent crisis.Research Findings/InsightsIn a sample of 141 companies with complete data collected from company chairs on both board structure and process, board process is found to be an important determinant of financial risk during the crisis of 2008–2009. In particular, financial risk is lower where non‐executive directors have high effort norms and where board decision processes are characterized by a degree of cognitive conflict. The impact of cognitive conflict is, however, found to be less pronounced in boards with high levels of cohesiveness.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThe study provides theoretical and empirical advancement of the governance literature towards an understanding of group process‐oriented views of boards' work and effectiveness. This study identifies the significance of board processes and their impact on financial risk supported by quantitative empirics. Findings of a strong relationship between board process and financial risk augment existing theories to suggest that the effects of boards work through group processes that bring executives and non‐executives together in relations laced with control and collaboration.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsRegulators, acting post the financial crisis have produced governance codes that emphasize risk management as a key responsibility of boards. The link between board process and financial risk established in this paper provides evidence for company chairs and other directors on the possibilities and potential effectiveness of boards in discharging this responsibility.
Glycaemic responses to glucose and rice in people of Chinese and European ethnicity
Authors: Kataoka M. , Venn B. J. , Williams S. M. , Te Morenga L. A. , Heemels I. M. , Mann J. I. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimsDiabetes rates are especially high in China. Risk of Type 2 diabetes increases with high intakes of white rice, a staple food of Chinese people. Ethnic differences in postprandial glycaemia have been reported. We compared glycaemic responses to glucose and five rice varieties in people of European and Chinese ethnicity and examined possible determinants of ethnic differences in postprandial glycaemia.MethodsSelf‐identified Chinese (n = 32) and European (n = 31) healthy volunteers attended on eight occasions for studies following ingestion of glucose and jasmine, basmati, brown, Doongara® and parboiled rice. In addition to measuring glycaemic response, we investigated physical activity levels, extent of chewing of rice and salivary α‐amylase activity to determine whether these measures explained any differences in postprandial glycaemia.ResultsGlycaemic response, measured by incremental area under the glucose curve, was over 60% greater for the five rice varieties (P < 0.001) and 39% greater for glucose (P < 0.004) amongst Chinese compared with Europeans. The calculated glycaemic index was approximately 20% greater for rice varieties other than basmati (P = 0.01 to 0.05). Ethnicity [adjusted risk ratio 1.4 (1.2–1.8) P < 0.001] and rice variety were the only important determinants of incremental area under the glucose curve.ConclusionsGlycaemic responses following ingestion of glucose and several rice varieties are appreciably greater in Chinese compared with Europeans, suggesting the need to review recommendations regarding dietary carbohydrate amongst rice‐eating populations at high risk of diabetes.
Iron homeostasis in the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Datz Christian , Felder Thomas K. , Niederseer David , Aigner Elmar 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects iron homeostasis in a many‐faceted fashion. On the one side, hyperferritinaemia with normal or mildly elevated transferrin saturation is observed in approximately one‐third of patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or the MetS. This constellation has been named the ‘dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome (DIOS)’. Current evidence suggests that elevated body iron stores exert a detrimental effect on the clinical course of obesity‐related conditions and that iron removal improves insulin sensitivity and delays the onset of T2DM. On the other side, iron deficiency is a frequent finding in more progressed stages of obesity. The mechanisms underlying the DIOS and obesity‐related iron deficiency appear strikingly similar as elevated hepcidin concentrations, low expression of duodenal ferroportin (FPN) and impaired iron absorption are found in both conditions. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the dysregulation of iron homeostasis in the MetS and particularly in its hepatic manifestation NAFLD.
The relationship between body composition, training and race performance in a group ofThoroughbred flat racehorses
Authors: Fonseca R. G. , Kenny D. A. , Hill E. W. , Katz L. M. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryReasons for performing studyFew noninvasive measures associated with performance assessment are available for racehorse trainers. Evaluation of body composition of superior human sprinters has revealed a lower fat mass (FM), percentage (%) fat and greater fat‐free mass (FFM), but to date there have been few studies evaluating this in racehorses.ObjectivesTo determine the effects of age, gender and training on body composition and the relationship between body composition, physiological measurements and performance in Thoroughbred racehorses.MethodsAt 2, 5 and 8 months of training, rump fat thickness (RFT) was ultrasonographically measured in 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year‐old Thoroughbreds (n = 148), with FM, % fat and FFM calculated. Speed, heart rate, plasma lactate and serum creatine kinase concentrations were recorded during each fast work session. Training duration (number of training days) and intensity (number of fast work sessions) were collated for each training period. Retrospective racing performance was used to categorise horses as elite or nonelite.ResultsFFMwas greater in males (P = 0.006) at all training stages. There were no interactions between training duration, intensity, gender and age (P>0.05); all effects were linear. Training duration had a negative effect onRFT(P = 0.0002),FM(P<0.0001) and % fat (P<0.0001) and a positive effect onFFM(P = 0.01). Training intensity had a negative effect onRFT(P = 0.009),FM(P<0.0001), % fat (P<0.0001) andFFM(P<0.0001).FFMwas greater for elite vs. nonelite horses at all training stages (P = 0.003), for males (P = 0.05) and females (P = 0.04) and for 2‐ (P = 0.002) and 3‐year‐olds (P = 0.02).ConclusionsWhile age and training affect body composition,FFMis associated with performance.Potential relevanceBody composition assessment may assist fitness and performance evaluation.
Discontinuous thoracic venous cardiomyocytes and heart exhibit synchronized developmental switch of troponin isoforms
Authors: Kracklauer Martin P. , Feng Han‐Zhong , Jiang Wenrui , Lin Jenny L.‐C. , Lin Jim J.‐C. , Jin Jian‐Ping 
Published: November 2012

Cardiomyocyte‐like cells have been reported in thoracic veins of rodents and other mammals, but their differentiation state and relationship to the muscle mass in the heart remain to be characterized. Here we investigated the distribution, ultrastructure, expression and developmental regulation of myofilament proteins of mouse and rat pulmonary and azygos venous cardiomyocytes. Tracing cardiomyocytes in transgenic mouse tissues using a lacZ reporter gene driven by a cloned rat cardiac troponin T promoter demonstrated scattered distribution of cardiomyocytes discontinuous from the atrial sleeves. The longitudinal axis of venous cardiomyocytes is perpendicular to that of the vessel. These cells contain typical sarcomere structures and intercalated discs as shown in electron microscopic images, and express cardiac isoforms of troponin T, troponin I and myosin. The expression of troponin I isoform genes and the alternative splicing of cardiac troponin T in thoracic venous cardiomyocytes are regulated during postnatal development in precise synchrony with that in the heart. However, the patterns of cardiac troponin T splicing in adult rat thoracic venous cardiomyocytes are slightly but clearly distinct from those in the atrial and ventricular muscles. The data indicate that mouse and rat thoracic venous cardiomyocytes residing in extra‐cardiac tissue possess a physiologically differentiated state and an intrinsically pre‐set developmental clock, which are apparently independent of the very different hemodynamic environments and functional features of the vessels and heart.
Synergistic impacts of sediment contamination and dam presence on river functioning
Authors: COLAS FANNY , BAUDOIN JEAN‐MARC , DANGER MICHAEL , USSEGLIO‐POLATERA PHILIPPE , WAGNER PHILIPPE , DEVIN SIMON 
Published: November 2012

Summary1. Dam presence is commonly associated with strong accumulation of polluted sediments. In spite of this context of multiple stressors, physical effects are often solely considered in the ecological assessment of the dam impacts.2. We studied four ‘reservoir/downstream reach’ systems differing in levels of sediment contamination in reservoirs. Using assemblages and biotrait (i.e. ecological or biological attribute) responses of macroinvertebrate communities and leaf litter breakdown, we examined the individual effects and potential interactions between sediment contamination and dam presence along the gradient of ecotoxic pressure.3. Leaf breakdown rates ranged from 0.0044° per day in the most contaminated reservoir to 0.0120° per day in the reference reservoir. Comparisons of community trait profiles among reservoirs highlighted a gradient of trait responses to sediment contamination.4. In the absence of toxic contamination, the dam‐induced modifications in biotraits of invertebrate assemblages were not related to a reduction of leaf litter breakdown. Conversely, contaminated sediment in reservoir induced strong functional disturbances (i.e. bioecological shifts and reduction of leaf litter breakdown) downstream of dams.5. Key biotrait categories positively related to leaf litter breakdown rate have been identified. They corresponded mainly to shredders and/or small‐sized (<0.5 cm) insects, using aquatic (e.g. crawlers) or aerial (e.g. fliers) active dispersal strategies. In addition, trait categories positively correlated to contamination level have been considered as ‘response’ traits. They corresponded to large‐sized (>4 cm) species, having several generations per year (polyvoltin), using asexual reproduction and/or disseminating by drift (aquatic, passive).6. In the current context of ecological continuity restoration, this study has identified the risks associated with the presence of historical contamination in the run‐of‐river reservoirs for downstream ecosystem health.
Factor VIII Bypassing Activity (FEIBA) assays: standardization and development of the 1st NIBSC Working Standard for FEIBA – results from a collaborative study
Authors: Raut S. , Daniels S. , Gärtner P. , Hunfeld A. , Leitner M. , Hockley J. , Heath A. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryFactor‐Eight‐Inhibitor‐Bypassing‐Activity (FEIBA) is a bypassing‐agent used to control spontaneous bleeding or cover surgical interventions in Haemophiliacs who develop neutralizing antibodies against FVIII/FIX. The market lot‐release of FEIBA is dependent on specific clot‐based assays, carried out by both the manufacturer and regulatory authorities, relative to manufacturer's in‐house standards, which are produced on a small‐scale and are replaced frequently. We sought to standardize the FEIBA assay by developing a FEIBA primary standard which would be internationally available in sufficiently large quantities, with a predicted lifetime of many years. A collaborative study involving the manufacturer and three regulatory authorities, was carried out in which a candidate material, sample B (06/172), was calibrated by assays relative to the manufacturer's in‐house FEIBA standards (C and D). All laboratories used their routine validated methods (16 APTT‐assays, 8 ACTIN‐FS‐assays and 27 DAPTTIN‐assays). Intra‐laboratory geometric coefficients of variation (GCVs) for candidate B ranged from 3% to 29% (GCVs <9% from majority of labs). Assessment of inter‐laboratory variability gave overall GCV values of 6.9% and 4.4% relative to standards C and D, respectively, for all methods. There was good agreement in potency estimation between laboratories using each of the three methods, with the overall potencies by the three methods differing by less than 10% of the overall mean, giving an overall combined potency of 28.0 units per ampoule. All participants agreed that candidate B (06/172) be established as the 1st NIBSC Working Standard for FEIBA with an assigned potency of 28.0 units per ampoule, based on combined results for both methods, relative to either standard C or D.
Increasing trend of HIV/AIDS among Arab and Jewish male persons in Israel, 1986–2010
Authors: Mor Z , Grayeb E , Beany A , Grotto I 
Published: November 2012

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to compare the HIV/AIDS burdens in Jewish and Arab Israeli males, as HIV/AIDS affects different population groups disproportionally.MethodsThe National HIV/AIDS Registry (NHAR) was used as the source of HIV/AIDS infection records, while the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics was used to determine group‐specific disease rates.ResultsBetween 1986 and 2010, 3499 HIV/AIDS‐infected male Israelis were reported to the NHAR: 3369 (96.3%) Jews and 130 (3.7%) Arabs, with an average annual incidence of 5.5 and 0.8 per 100 000 of the population, respectively (P = 0.05). Of the Jews, 1018 (29.9%) were born in Ethiopia, while 2389 were Jews who were not Ethiopian‐born (JNE). Most of the Arabs (n = 99; 74.8%) were Muslims, followed by Christians (21; 16.2%) and Druze (13; 10%). AIDS rather than HIV infection at the time of reporting was diagnosed in 568 (23.8%) of the JNE and 31 (23.8%) of the Arabs (p = 1). The most affected age group was those aged 25–34 years among the JNE and those aged 20–24 years among the Arabs, and the respective cumulative death rates were 24.9% (n = 594) and 32.5% (n = 40) (P = 0.1). The point prevalences in 2010 were 58.4 and 11.4 per 100 000 for JNE and Arabs, and in adults aged 15–59 years they were 71.5 and 26.3 per 100 000, respectively. In Muslims, Christians and Druze, the point prevalences were 4.2, 11.2 and 7.1 per 100 000, and in adults aged 15–59 years they were 22.6, 42.9 and 29.4, respectively. The most common risk group among JNE was men who have sex with men (MSM; n = 1223; 51.2%), followed by injecting drug users (n = 661; 27.7%), while among Arabs it was MSM (n = 63; 48.1%), followed by heterosexuals (n = 36; 27.3%).ConclusionsThe HIV/AIDS burden in Israeli Arab males was significantly lower than that in Jews, and in both populations the most common risk group was MSM, with the proportion of MSM increasing with time.