bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Preliminary Toxicity Assay of Nano‐Titanium Dioxide Additive in Sugar‐Coated Chewing Gum
Authors: Chen Xin‐Xin , Cheng Bin , Yang Yi‐Xin , Cao Aoneng , Liu Jia‐Hui , Du Li‐Jing , Liu Yuanfang , Zhao Yuliang , Wang Haifang 
Published: October 2012

AbstractNanotechnology shows great potential for producing food with higher quality and better taste through including new additives, improving nutrient delivery, and using better packaging. However, lack of investigations on safety issues of nanofood has resulted in public fears. How to characterize engineered nanomaterials in food and assess the toxicity and health impact of nanofood remains a big challenge. Herein, a facile and highly reliable separation method of TiO2 particles from food products (focusing on sugar‐coated chewing gum) is reported, and the first comprehensive characterization study on food nanoparticles by multiple qualitative and quantitative methods is provided. The detailed information on nanoparticles in gum includes chemical composition, morphology, size distribution, crystalline phase, particle and mass concentration, surface charge, and aggregation state. Surprisingly, the results show that the number of food products containing nano‐TiO2 (<200 nm) is much larger than known, and consumers have already often been exposed to engineered nanoparticles in daily life. Over 93% of TiO2 in gum is nano‐TiO2, and it is unexpectedly easy to come out and be swallowed by a person who chews gum. Preliminary cytotoxicity assays show that the gum nano‐TiO2 particles are relatively safe for gastrointestinal cells within 24 h even at a concentration of 200 μg mL−1. This comprehensive study demonstrates accurate physicochemical property, exposure, and cytotoxicity information on engineered nanoparticles in food, which is a prerequisite for the successful safety assessment of nanofood products.
Distinct effects of enriched environment on dopamine clearance in nucleus accumbens shell and core following systemic nicotine administration
Authors: Zhu Jun , Bardo Michael T. , Dwoskin Linda P. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractEnvironmental enrichment during development may reduce drug abuse liability by modulating dopamine transporter (DAT) function. Nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell and core respond differentially to regulate the rewarding properties and locomotor stimulant effects of psychostimulants. The current study evaluated dopamine (DA) clearance (CLDA) in the NAc shell and core using in vivo voltammetry in rats raised in an enriched condition (EC) or an impoverished condition (IC) and determined the effect of nicotine (0.4 mg/kg) on CLDA. Baseline CLDA in NAc shell and core was not different between EC and IC rats. In the saline control group, CLDA in NAc shell was greater across time in IC when compared with EC rats, whereas CLDA in NAc core was greater in EC rats when compared with IC rats. Consistent with these findings, opposite effects of enrichment on DA clearance in shell and core were obtained following acute nicotine administration. In NAc shell, nicotine increased CLDA in EC rats, but not in IC rats. Conversely, in NAc core, nicotine increased CLDA in IC rats, but not in EC rats. The current results demonstrate that environmental enrichment differentially regulates the response to nicotine in NAc shell and core via alterations in DAT function, which may explain how environmental enrichment reduces the behavioral response to nicotine. Synapse, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hematologic profile of neonates with growth restriction is associated with rate and degree of prenatal Doppler deterioration
Authors: Baschat A. A. , Kush M. , Berg C. , Gembruch U. , Nicolaides K. H. , Harman C. R. , Turan O. M. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine the relationship between hematologic parameters at birth and prenatal progression of Doppler abnormalities in fetal growth restriction (FGR).MethodsThe study was a secondary analysis of FGR patients (abdominal circumference < 5th percentile and umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA‐PI) elevation) with at least three examinations prior to delivery. Prenatal progression was classified as rapid, moderate or slow based on the interval between diagnosis and delivery and the extent of UA, middle cerebral artery and ductus venosus Doppler abnormalities. Associations between diagnosis‐to‐delivery interval, Doppler Z‐scores, progression and hematologic parameters at birth were examined.ResultsOf 130 patients, 54 (41.5%) had rapid, 51 (39.2%) moderate and 25 (19.2%) slow deterioration, delivering within 4, 6 and 9 weeks of diagnosis, respectively. The strongest association of moderate and rapid deterioration was with a low platelet count (r2 = 0.37 and 0.70, respectively; P < 0.0001). In patients with moderate deterioration, platelet count correlated inversely with UA‐PI (ρ = −0.44, P = 0.001) and was lowest when end‐diastolic velocity was absent. With rapid progression, platelet count correlated inversely with nucleated red blood cell count (ρ = −0.51, P < 0.001) but no longer with UA‐PI.ConclusionOur observations suggest a relationship between prenatal clinical progression of FGR and hematologic abnormalities at birth. Accelerating cardiovascular deterioration is associated with decreased platelet count, which can be explained by placental consumption or dysfunctional erythropoiesis and thrombopoiesis. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Norms governing urban African American adolescents' sexual and substance‐using behavior
Authors: Dolcini M. Margaret , Catania Joseph A. , Harper Gary W. , Watson Susan E. , Ellen Jonathan M. , Towner Senna L. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTUsing a probability‐based neighborhood sample of urban African American youth and a sample of their close friends (N = 202), we conducted a one‐year longitudinal study to examine key questions regarding sexual and drug using norms. The results provide validation of social norms governing sexual behavior, condom use, and substance use among friendship groups. These norms had strong to moderate homogeneity; and both normative strength and homogeneity were relatively stable over a one‐year period independent of changes in group membership. The data further suggest that sex and substance using norms may operate as a normative set. Similar to studies of adults, we identified three distinct “norm‐based” social strata in our sample. Together, our findings suggest that the norms investigated are valid targets for health promotion efforts, and such efforts may benefit from tailoring programs to the normative sets that make up the different social strata in a given adolescent community.
The structure of the corpus callosum in obsessive compulsive disorder
Authors: Di Paola M. , Luders E. , Rubino I.A. , Siracusano A. , Manfredi G. , Girardi P. , Martinotti G. , Thompson P.M. , Chou Y.-Y. , Toga A.W. , Caltagirone C. , Spalletta G. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAbnormal brain connectivity has recently been reported in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). However, structural differences in the corpus callosum (CC), the primary structure connecting the two hemispheres, have not been extensively studied. In this case-control study, we recruited 30 patients with OCD and 30 healthy control subjects carefully matched for age, sex and handedness. Combining surface-based mesh-modeling and voxel-based morphometry (VBM), we compared callosal thickness and white matter (WM) density in patients and controls. We investigated associations between callosal structure and cortical gray matter (GM) density, and we related CC measures to neuropsychological performance in OCD. OCD patients showed small anterior and posterior callosal regions compared to healthy control subjects. In the OCD group, anterior callosal thickness was positively correlated with GM density of the right mid-dorso-lateral prefrontal (BA 9/46) area, while posterior callosal thickness was positively correlated with GM density in the left supramarginal gyrus (BA 40). Moreover, posterior callosal WM density was positively correlated with verbal memory, visuo-spatial memory, verbal fluency, and visuo-spatial reasoning performances. Callosal attributes were related to GM density in cortical areas innervated by the CC, and were also related to performance in cognitive domains impaired in the disorder. The CC may therefore be integrally involved in OCD.
Munc13 genotype regulates secretory amyloid precursor protein processing via postsynaptic glutamate receptors
Authors: Hartlage‐Rübsamen Maike , Waniek Alexander , Roßner Steffen 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe amyloid precursor protein (APP) can be proteolytically degraded via non‐amyloidogenic α‐secretase and amyloidogenic β‐secretase pathways. Previously, we have identified the presynaptic protein Munc13‐1 as a diacylglycerol/phorbolester (DAG/PE) receptor that contributes to secretory, non‐amyloidogenic APP processing after PE stimulation. Here, we used organotypic brain slice cultures from wild‐type mice and from Munc13‐1 knock‐out (KO), Munc13‐2 KO and Munc13‐1/2 double KO (DKO) mice for pharmacological stimulation experiments. First, we demonstrate that neuronal populations and synaptic components important for secretory APP processing develop normally in organotypic brain slice cultures of all genotypes analyzed. Blockade of voltage‐gated Na+ channels by tetrodotoxin reduced the PE‐stimulated secretory APP processing, whereas depolarization by high extracellular K+ concentration evoked APP secretion. Additionally, the PE‐stimulated APP secretion from Munc13‐1 KO brain slices was significantly lower than that from wild‐type brain slices. This effect was not observed in brain slices from Munc13‐2 KO mice, which is consistent with the lower abundance and subpopulation‐specific distribution of Munc13‐2 in presynaptic elements. In Munc13‐1/2 DKO brain slices, the deficiency of Munc13‐1 dominated the effect of APP processing. The Munc13‐1 KO effect on APP processing could be rescued by the stimulation of postsynaptic glutamatergic receptors. This indicates that lack of postsynaptic glutamate receptor stimulation in Munc13‐1 KO brain slice cultures but not presynaptic mechanisms account for compromised APP processing. We conclude that organotypic brain slices cultures are a valuable tool for studying APP processing pathways in intact neuronal circuits and that neuronal activity is important for maintenance of the non‐amyloidogenic APP processing.
Hepatocellular carcinoma cells cause different responses in expressions of cancer‐promoting genes in different cancer‐associated fibroblasts
Authors: Lin Zu‐Yau , Chuang Wan‐Long 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCancer‐associated fibroblast (CAF) is one of the most crucial components of the tumor microenvironment to promote the invasiveness of cancer cells. The interactions between cancer cells and CAFs are bidirectional. Our recent study showed that up‐regulations of chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 26 (CCL26), interleukin 6 (IL6), and lysyl oxidase‐like 2 (LOXL2) genes in cancer cells were parts of the common effects of CAFs on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells to promote proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. However, the subject of how HCC cells to influence the gene expressions of CAFs still needs to be clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate this issue. Two human HCC (HCC24/KMUH, HCC38/KMUH) and two human CAF cell lines (F26/KMUH, F28/KMUH) were studied. Influence of HCC38/KMUH cancer cells on differential expressions of genes in F28/KMUH CAFs was detected by microarray to select target genes for further analysis. Both HCC cell lines increased proliferation (all p < 0.005) and migration (all p < 0.0001) of two CAF cell lines. HCC24/KMUH cancer cells had stronger ability to promote migration of F26/KMUH CAFs than HCC38/KMUH cancer cells did (p < 0.0001). Eleven up‐regulated cancer‐promoting genes, including apelin (APLN), CCL2, CCL26, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), IL6, mucin 1 (MUC1), LOXL2, platelet‐derived growth factor alpha polypeptide (PDGFA), phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) detected by microarray showed good correlation with results of quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction study. Among these genes, HCC24/KMUH cancer cells had same tendency of effects on differential expressions of genes in F28/KMUH CAFs as HCC38/KMUH cancer cells did. However, the responses of F26/KMUH CAFs to different HCC cell lines were variable. Only PGK1 gene was consistently up‐regulated and PDGFA gene was consistently down‐regulated caused by both HCC cell lines in F26/KMUH CAFs. Besides PGK1 gene, HCC38/KMUH cancer cells only up‐regulated APLN, LOXL2, and VEGFA genes and HCC24/KMUH cancer cells only up‐regulated FGF2 gene in F26/KMUH CAFs. In conclusion, HCC cells can promote proliferation and migration of CAFs. However, the impact of HCC cells on differential expressions of cancer‐promoting genes in CAFs is influenced by the characteristics of CAFs. This implies that blocking single or several particular cancer‐promoting genes in CAFs is unable to become a common stratagem for the treatment of HCC.
Dexmedetomidine did not reduce the effects of tourniquet‐induced ischemia‐reperfusion injury during general anesthesia
Authors: Bostankolu Evrim , Ayoglu Hilal , Yurtlu Serhan , Okyay Rahsan Dilek , Erdogan Gülay , Deniz Yeliz , Hanci Volkan , Can Murat , Turan Isil Ozkocak 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIschemia reperfusion injury causes the release of free oxygen radicals. Free oxygen radicals initiate the production of toxic metabolites, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), through the lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. Following lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant enzyme system is activated against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and attempts to protect cells from oxidative damage. There is a balance between the scavenging capacity of antioxidant enzymes and ROS. Because of this balance, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measurement is a sensitive indicator of the overall protective effects of the antioxidants. Alpha2 receptor agonists are effective in preventing hemodynamic reactions during extremity surgeries by preventing the release of catecholamines secondary to tourniquet application. They have also been shown to possess preventive effects in various ischemia‐reperfusion injury models. In our study, we examined the effects of dexmedetomidine on tourniquet‐induced ischemia‐reperfusion injury in lower extremity surgeries performed under general anesthesia. The effects of dexmedetomidine were measured with serum MDA and TAC levels. We studied 60 adult American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II patients undergoing one‐sided lower extremity surgery with tourniquet. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group D was administered a dexmedetomidine infusion at a rate of 0.1 μg/kg/minute−1 for 10 minutes prior to induction and then at 0.7 μg/kg/hour−1 until 10 minutes before the end of the operation. The control group (Group C) received a saline infusion of the same amount and for the same period of time. General anesthesia was induced with thiopental, fentanyl, and rocuronium and maintained with nitrous oxide and sevoflurane in both groups. Venous blood samples were obtained before the administration of the study drugs (basal) at 1 minute before tourniquet release and at 5 and 20 minutes after tourniquet release (ATR). In both groups, MDA levels decreased at 5 and 20 minutes ATR when compared with the basal values (p < 0.05). TAC levels decreased at 1 and 5 minutes ATR and then returned to basal values at 20 minutes ATR (p < 0.05). In reference to the prevention of lipid peroxidation in tourniquet‐induced ischemia‐reperfusion injury, the results from the two groups in our study showed that dexmedetomidine did not have an additional protective role during routine general anesthesia.
A case of cutaneous malignant fibrous histiocytoma with multiple organ metastases
Authors: Suzuki Shuji , Watanabe Shoichi , Kato Hiroshi , Inagaki Hiroshi , Hattori Hideo , Morita Akimichi 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMalignant fibrous histiocytoma is a soft tissue sarcoma that most commonly occurs in the extremities and rarely metastasizes cutaneously. A 79‐year‐old male patient consulted a dermatologist 11 months after recognizing an intractable ulcer on the right mandible. Punch biopsy revealed eosinophilic tumor cells in the dermal area and proliferation of rich spindle cells. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma or atypical fibroxanthoma was suspected and he was referred to our hospital. Red plaque tumors on the right mandible and right temple were 30 mm and 15 mm in size, respectively. The right mandible lesion was ulcerated. Immunohistochemically, the lesions were positive for CD10, CD74 and alpha‐smooth muscle actin. Radiological analysis revealed multiple organ metastases, including bone, liver, lung and skin on the right temple. The patient was diagnosed with malignant fibrous histiocytoma, stage IV and died 8 weeks after the first visit due to respiratory failure. Cutaneous malignant fibrous histiocytoma has a poor prognosis resulting in death.
MEK inhibitors reverse resistance in epidermal growth factor receptor mutation lung cancer cells with acquired resistance to gefitinib
Authors: Huang Ming-Hung , Lee Jih-Hsiang , Chang Ya-Ju , Tsai Hsin-Hui , Lin Yu-Lin , Lin Anya Maan-Yuh , Yang James Chih-Hsin 
Published: October 2012

Lung adenocarcinoma cells harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are sensitive to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including gefitinib. Acquired resistance to EGFR‐TKIs develops after prolonged treatments. The study was prompt to explore effective strategies against resistance to EGFR‐TKIs. We established gefitinib resistant PC‐9 cells which harbor EGFR exon 19 deletion. Known mechanisms for intrinsic or acquired EGFR‐TKI resistance, including KRAS mutation, HER2 mutation, EGFR T790M mutation and MET gene amplification, were studied, and we did not observe any known mechanisms for intrinsic or acquired resistance to EGFR‐TKIs in the resistant cells. In the parental PC‐9 cells, labeled as PC‐9/wt, gefitinib completely inhibited EGF‐induced phosphorylation of EGFR, AKT and ERK. Gefitinib inhibited EGFR phosphorylation, but was unable to block EGF‐induced phosphorylation of ERK in resistant cells, labeled as PC‐9/gef cells, including PC‐9/gefB4, PC‐9/gefE3, and PC‐9/gefE7 subclones. We detected NRAS Q61K mutation in the PC‐9/gef cells but not the PC‐9/wt cells. MEK inhibitors, either AZD6244 or CI1040, inhibited ERK phosphorylation and sensitized gefitinib‐induced cytotoxicity in PC‐9/gef cells. Whereas MEK inhibitors or gefitinib alone did not activate caspases in PC‐9/gef cells, combination of gefitinib and AZD6244 or CI1040 induced apoptosis. Our in vivo studies showed that gefitinib inhibited growth of PC‐9/wt xenografts but not PC‐9/gef xenografts. Furthermore, combination of a MEK inhibitor and gefitinib inhibited growth of both PC‐9/wt xenografts and PC‐9/gefB4 xenografts. To conclude, persistent activation of ERK pathway contributes to the acquired gefitinib‐resistance. Combined treatment of gefitinib and MEK inhibitors may be therapeutically useful for acquired gefitinib‐resistance lung adenocarcinoma cells harboring EGFR mutations.
Late gestation undernutrition can predispose for visceral adiposity by altering fat distribution patterns and increasing the preference for a high-fat diet in early postnatal life
Authors: Nielsen M. O. , Kongsted A. H. , Thygesen M. P. , Strathe A. B. , Caddy S. , Quistorff B. , Jørgensen W. , Christensen V. G. , Husted S. , Chwalibog A. , Sejrsen K. , Purup S. , Svalastoga E. , McEvoy F. J. , Johnsen L. 
Published: October 2012

We have developed a sheep model to facilitate studies of the fetal programming effects of mismatched perinatal and postnatal nutrition. During the last trimester of gestation, twenty-one twin-bearing ewes were fed a normal diet fulfilling norms for energy and protein (NORM) or 50 % of a normal diet (LOW). From day 3 postpartum to 6 months (around puberty) of age, one twin lamb was fed a conventional (CONV) diet and the other a high-carbohydrate–high-fat (HCHF) diet, resulting in four groups of offspring: NORM-CONV; NORM-HCHF; LOW-CONV; LOW-HCHF. At 6 months of age, half of the lambs (all males and three females) were slaughtered for further examination and the other half (females only) were transferred to a moderate sheep diet until slaughtered at 24 months of age (adulthood). Maternal undernutrition during late gestation reduced the birth weight of LOW offspring (P< 0·05), and its long-term effects were increased adrenal size in male lambs and adult females (P< 0·05), increased neonatal appetite for fat-(P= 0·004) rather than carbohydrate-rich feeds (P< 0·001) and reduced deposition of subcutaneous fat in both sexes (P< 0·05). Furthermore, LOW-HCHF female lambs had markedly higher visceral:subcutaneous fat ratios compared with the other groups (P< 0·001). Postnatal overfeeding (HCHF) resulted in obesity (>30 % fat in soft tissue) and widespread ectopic lipid deposition. In conclusion, our sheep model revealed strong pre- and postnatal impacts on growth, food preferences and fat deposition patterns. The present findings support a role for subcutaneous adipose tissue in the development of visceral adiposity, which in humans is known to precede the development of the metabolic syndrome in human adults.
MARITAL FERTILITY AND INCOME: MODERATING EFFECTS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS RELIGION IN UTAH
Authors: STANFORD JOSEPH B. , SMITH KEN R. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryUtah has the highest total fertility of any state in the United States and also the highest proportion of population affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS or Mormon Church). Data were used from the 1996 Utah Health Status Survey to investigate how annual household income, education and affiliation with the LDS Church affect fertility (children ever born) for married women in Utah. Younger age and higher education were negatively correlated with fertility in the sample as a whole and among non-LDS respondents. Income was negatively associated with fertility among non-LDS respondents. However, income was positively correlated with fertility among LDS respondents. This association persisted when instrumental variables were used to address the potential simultaneous equations bias arising from the potential endogeneity of income and fertility. The LDS religion's pronatalist stance probably encourages childbearing among those with higher income.