bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of transepidermal water loss from clipped and unclipped anatomical sites on the dog
Authors: Oh W‐S , Oh T‐H 
Published: September 2009

Objectives  To establish a standardised clipping method for the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) with a VapoMeter® in Beagle dogs and to identify the optimal anatomical site for TEWL measurement.Procedure  TEWL values obtained from skin sites on five healthy Beagles clipped using two different blade angles (standard vs non‐standard) were compared. TEWL values for 48 h were also obtained from seven different anatomical sites that had differing hair density. The hair was clipped in the intensively haired anatomical sites (head, lower and upper back and tail), but not clipped in the sparsely haired sites (ear, inguinal region, footpad).Results  The TEWL values for the standard and non‐standard clipping sites were 6.3 ± 1.31 and 27.2 ± 1.11 g/h/m2, respectively. We found the upper back among the clipped sites was the most appropriate site for TEWL measurement over 48 h after clipping, whereas among the unclipped sites the ear was the most appropriate, because the TEWL values from those anatomical sites had the least fluctuation and were less affected by movement.Conclusion  The clipping method and anatomical site should be standardised in order to minimise the experimental variation in TEWL measurement in dogs.
Inhibition of hepatic stellate cells proliferation by mesenchymal stem cells and the possible mechanisms
Authors: Wang Jing , Bian Chunjing , Liao Lianming , Zhu Yashu , Li Jing , Zeng Lifen , Zhao Robert Chunhua 
Published: September 2009

Aim: During fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) undergo a complex activation process characterized by increased proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition. Previous studies have suggested that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may ameliorate fibrogenesis and represent a promising strategy for cell therapy. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.Methods: Hepatic stellate cells were treated with or without MSCs. Then cell proliferation and cell cycle were analyzed. Production of soluble factors by MSCs and its relation with cell proliferation suppression was evaluated by transwell co‐culture and RNA interference. Effects of MSCs on the gene expression of collagen were also evaluated.Results: MSCs induced G0/G1arrest of HSCs growth partly through secreting soluble factors TGF‐β3 and HGF, which resulted in up‐regulation of p21Cip1and p27Kip1expression and down‐regulation of cyclinD1. MSCs inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and reduced gene expression of collagen type I and III. MSCs did not reverse the proliferation and collagen type I gene expression of HSCs provoked by PDGF.Conclusions: The growth inhibition of HSCs induced by MSCs through an arrest in the G0/G1phase of the cell cycle is partially mediated by secretion of TGF‐β3 and HGF. MSCs inhibit HSCs activation through decreasing phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. These results further support MSCs may be used as a novel therapy for treating fibrotic diseases in human.
Correlation of YMDD mutation and breakthrough hepatitis with hepatitis B virus DNA and serum ALT during lamivudine treatment
Authors: Kobayashi Mariko , Suzuki Fumitaka , Akuta Norio , Yatsuji Hiromi , Hosaka Tetsuya , Sezaki Hitomi , Kobayashi Masahiro , Kawamura Yusuke , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Mineta Rie , Iwasaki Satomi , Watahiki Sachiyo , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: September 2009

Aim:  Continuous lamivudine treatment is associated with high frequency of drug resistance. We analyzed the incidence of tyrosine‐methionine‐aspartate‐aspartate (YMDD) motif mutant and breakthrough hepatitis (BTH) in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA positive patients receiving lamivudine for > 1 year and correlated it with HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels to evaluate if these measurements can provide a practical option for monitoring patients in clinical practice and define early switch from lamivudine therapy.Methods:  Of the 929 patients receiving lamivudine for > 1 year, 359 patients who maintained an ALT level of ≤ 40 IU/L during the course of lamivudine treatment were stratified into two groups based on the duration of lamivudine treatment – one receiving lamivudine for < 3 years and the other for ≥ 3 years.Results:  The incidence of YMDD motif in patients receiving lamivudine for < 3 years was 27% in patients with ALT ≤ 20 IU/L, 58% with ALT ≤ 30 IU/L, and 63% with ALT ≤ 40 IU/L, (P = 0.002). The corresponding incidence of BTH was 2%, 7%, and 48% (P < 0.001). The incidence of YMDD motif and BTH in these patients was 7% and 2% with HBV DNA < 2.6 (log copies/mL) and ALT ≤ 20 IU/L, while with ALT at 21–30, the YMDD motif mutant was 16% and BTH was 0%.Conclusion:  Correlation of ALT and HBV DNA levels with YMDD motif mutant and BTH indicates that these measurements can be used in clinical practice for deciding early switch from lamivudine to other suitable antiviral therapies.
Development of HCC in patients receiving adefovir dipivoxil for lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B virus mutants
Authors: Hosaka Tetsuya , Suzuki Fumitaka , Kobayashi Masahiro , Hirakawa Miharu , Kawamura Yusuke , Yastuji Hiromi , Sezaki Hitomi , Akuta Norio , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Miyakawa Yuzo , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: September 2009

Aim:  To identify factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the patients who receive adefovir add‐on lamivudine for treatment of lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants.Methods:  A total of 247 patients who developed lamivudine‐resistant HBV mutants, with an increase of HBV DNA ≥ 1 log copies/mL, received adefovir dipivoxil 10 mg add‐on lamivudine 100 mg daily during a median of 115 weeks (range: 25–282 weeks). They were followed for the development of HCC by imaging modalities every 3−6 months.Results:  HCC developed in 18 of the 247 (7.3%) patients. Eight factors were in significant association with the development of HCC by the univariate analysis. They included age, cirrhosis, platelet counts, levels of bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase and α‐fetoprotein, as well as YMDD mutants at the start of adefovir dipivoxil. By the multivariate analysis, AST levels, YIDD mutants, cirrhosis and age were independent factors for the development of HCC. By the Kaplan‐Meier analysis, AST levels ≥ 70 IU/L, YIDD mutants, cirrhosis and age ≥ 50 years increased the risk of HCC (P = 0.018, P = 0.035, P = 0.002 and P = 0.014, respectively). HCC developed more frequently in the patients with than without cirrhosis at the start of adefovir (10/59 [16.9%] vs. 8/188 [4.3%], P = 0.002).Conclusion:  HCC can develop in cirrhotic patients receiving adefovir add‐on lamivudine. Hence, the patients with baseline AST ≥ 70 IU/L and YIDD mutants would need to be monitored closely for HCC.
Detection ofKRASmutations in colorectal cancer by high-resolution melting analysis
Authors: Ma E S K , Wong C L P , Law F B F , Chan W-K , Siu D 
Published: September 2009

Aims:Mutation of theKRASgene predicts the clinical response to the monoclonal antibody cetuximab in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to performKRASmutation detection on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumour tissue by two different methods for comparison.Methods:The FFPE sample was microdissected to enrich for tumour cells.KRASexon 2 mutations were performed on 100 Chinese patients with CRC by direct nucleotide sequencing and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis.Results:KRASexon 2 mutations were detected in a total of 62 patients with the two methods combined, comprising 11 different mutant alleles. Three common mutations p.Gly12Asp, p.Gly12Val and p.Gly13Asp accounted for approximately 70% of all cases. The concordant rate between the two methods was 95%. Four mutations not initially detected by direct sequencing were identified by HRM and confirmed by sequencing of the HRM amplicons. One mutation detected by direct sequencing was inadvertently grouped as a wild-type allele by HRM software, but this was readily rectified through manual review.Conclusion:HRM analysis is a sensitive method of detectingKRASmutation on FFPE tumour tissue to guide cetuximab treatment and is applicable to routine molecular diagnostic service. Utilisation of HRM to screen for mutations upfront economises the resource used in the sequencing reaction.
Multi-method chronometry of the Teletskoye graben and its basement, Siberian Altai Mountains: new insights on its thermo-tectonic evolution
Authors: De Grave Johan , Buslov Mikhail M. , Van Den Haute Peter , Metcalf James , Dehandschutter Boris , McWilliams Michael O. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

The Altai Mountains form an intracontinental, transpressive deformation belt in the NW Central Asian orogenic system. Using a multi-method chronometric approach, the thermo-tectonic history of the basement underlying the Teletskoye graben area is constrained in more detail. The results provide new insights into the Siberian Altai basement evolution from the Early Palaeozoic to the present. Zircon SHRIMP (sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe) U–Pb ages (Late Ordovician–Early Silurian, 460–420 Ma) indicate an earlier crystallization age for the basement granitoids than previously thought (Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous, 370–350 Ma), while new multi-mineral
40
Ar/
39
Ar age spectra suggest continuous basement cooling throughout the Devonian–Carboniferous. Reactivation of long-lived Palaeozoic structures controls the Teletskoye graben formation since the Plio-Pleistocene as a distant effect of India–Eurasian convergence. Deformation is propagated through Central Asia and Siberia along an inherited structural network closely associated with its basement fabric. A similar reactivation affected the Altai during the Mesozoic. Modelled apatite fission-track data suggest Late Jurassic–Cretaceous (150–80 Ma) cooling, interpreted to be related to denudation and the tectonic reactivation that we link to the coeval Mongol–Okhotsk orogeny. From the Late Cretaceous until the Pliocene, the thermal history models indicate a period of stability. Roughly around 5 Ma ago renewed cooling is observed that possibly represents the denudation and growth of the present-day Altai, and provides the context for the Teletskoye graben formation. A modelled Late Cenozoic cooling can be a result of, or overemphasized by, a modelling artefact. Some caution should be taken not to overinterpret this cooling phase.
The effect of chemical etching on LA–ICP-MS analysis in determining uranium concentration for fission-track chronometry
Authors: Hasebe Noriko , Carter Andrew , Hurford Anthony J. , Arai Shoji 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

LA–ICP-MS (laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) has the potential to measure uranium concentration for fission-track (FT) chronometry as an alternative to thermal neutron-induced fission of
235
U. This study examines the effect that chemical etching, required to reveal spontaneous fission tracks of
238
U, has upon LA–ICP-MS analyses. Uranium concentrations were measured before and after etching for six large gem-quality apatite crystals and six zircon samples – three large crystals and three FT age standards. Comparison of the results shows no significant difference in
238
U concentrations measured on the etched and unetched mineral surfaces. The
238
U concentrations determined by the LA–ICP-MS provide reasonable FT ages for the zircon age standards, which, with the previously reported LA–ICP-MS apatite FT results, promotes the use of the LA–ICP-MS for FT chronometry.
Reconstruction of palaeotopography from low-temperature thermochronological data
Authors: Wei Wang , Zuyi Zhou 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Thermochronology can provide information on palaeotopography and its evolution. We present a new method to reconstruct the shape of the palaeotopography from the palaeoisotherm derived from low-temperature thermochronological data. While deriving palaeoisotherm and reconstructing palaeotopography, the exhumation rate may also be constrained. The proposed method is independent of the relationship between the ancient and modern topography; however, it requires that the palaeotopography maintains its shape and the subsurface thermal field is invariant with time during the period when a set of samples passed through the closure temperature. It is shown that the inherent uncertainties in sample age and the limited sampling density will inevitably induce errors in the reconstructed topography, and these errors can be reduced by eliminating the noise in the derived isotherm. Increasing the number of samples helps to reduce the noise, and if, before sampling, we can make rough estimates about the geothermal gradient, the exhumation rate, the uncertainties in sample age, and the wave components and the relief of the palaeotopography to be reconstructed, the number of samples can be tentatively decided. It is also shown that the reconstructed topography is sensitive to exhumation rate and geothermal gradient, and a concrete sensitivity analysis is needed for a given dataset. By reinterpreting the (U–Th)/He data from the Sierra Nevada, California, we show that our method can reveal palaeorelief as well as other valuable information on the palaeotopography of the studied area.
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome: Its Presentation in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Short Story ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ and Its Oral Manifestations
Authors: Maloney W.J. 
Published: September 2009

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) was first documented in the medical literature in 1886. A HGPS patient has the physical characteristics and appearances of an elderly individual. In 1921, F. Scott Fitzgerald published a short story entitled ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’. The main character of Fitzgerald’s fictional work is born with a very rare condition in which he looks like an elderly person. The main difference between the fictional individual and individuals with HGPS is that Fitzgerald’s character becomes younger as the years go by. This paper serves three purposes. The first purpose is to scientifically present the possibility that Fitzgerald consciously based his character, Benjamin Button, upon individuals with HGPS. The second purpose is to describe the rare condition of HGPS, along with its many manifestations in the head and neck region. The third purpose is to postulate that HGPS individuals might not only have the appearance of an aged person, but also might actually undergo true physical aging, which would enable researchers to gain valuable information into the treatment of ailments commonly associated with the natural process of aging.
Abuse of Growth Hormone Increases the Risk of Persistent de Quervain Tenosynovitis
Authors: Pagonis Thomas , Ditsios Konstantinos , Givissis Panagiotis , Pagonis Athanasios , Christodoulou Anastasios 
Published: September 2009

Background de Quervain tenosynovitis usually responds well to nonsurgical treatment. Hypothesis Growth hormone abuse is associated with increased de Quervain tenosynovitis incidence in weight-training persons. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods We treated 19 weight-training male patients with de Quervain tenosynovitis. Nine were abusing growth hormone (group A), and 10 were not (group B). Four group A patients elected to cease growth hormone abuse. Treatment was stratified into 3 grades: (1) splinting and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (2) same as first grade but with the addition of cortisone injections, and (3) surgical decompression (after failure of treatment of first and second grades). Follow-up was at 3, 9, and 24 months. Results First follow-up: Only 33.3% of those using growth hormone in group A responded to splinting and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, compared with 90% in group B. Six patients (66.6%) in group A experienced persistent symptoms and received second-grade treatment, compared with 1 patient in group B (10%). Second follow-up: Four patients (44.4%) in group A moved from second- to third-grade treatment, 1 symptom-free patient (11.1%) relapsed and received second-grade treatment while 2 (22.2%) requested conservative treatment, declining surgery. Group B patients were 100% symptom-free. Final follow-up: Six patients (66.6%) in group A were operated on and 1 (11.1%) suffered from persistent de Quervain tenosynovitis, declining surgery. In group B, 1 patient relapsed and was started on second-grade treatment. No patients in group B had surgery. Conclusion Our results suggest that growth hormone abuse is associated with a more recalcitrant form of de Quervain tenosynovitis that does not respond well to nonsurgical treatment, thus leading to increased likelihood of surgical decompression.
Evaluating the forced oscillation technique in the detection of early smoking-induced respiratory changes
Authors: Faria Alvaro CD , Lopes Agnaldo J , Jansen José M , Melo Pedro L 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackgroundEarly detection of the effects of smoking is of the utmost importance in the prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is easy to perform since it requires only tidal breathing and offers a detailed approach to investigate the mechanical properties of the respiratory system. The FOT was recently suggested as an attractive alternative for diagnosing initial obstruction in COPD, which may be helpful in detecting COPD in its initial phases. Thus, the purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to evaluate the ability of FOT to detect early smoking-induced respiratory alterations; and (2) to compare the sensitivity of FOT with spirometry in a sample of low tobacco-dose subjects.MethodsResults from a group of 28 smokers with a tobacco consumption of 11.2 ± 7.3 pack-years were compared with a control group formed by 28 healthy subjects using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and a questionnaire as a gold standard. The early adverse effects of smoking were adequately detected by the absolute value of the respiratory impedance (Z4Hz), the intercept resistance (R0), and the respiratory system dynamic compliance (Crs, dyn).Z4Hzwas the most accurate parameter (Se = 75%, Sp = 75%), followed byR0andCrs, dyn. The performances of the FOT parameters in the detection of the early effects of smoking were higher than that of spirometry (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study shows that FOT can be used to detect early smoking-induced respiratory changes while these pathologic changes are still potentially reversible. These findings support the use of FOT as a versatile clinical diagnostic tool in aiding COPD prevention and treatment.
Selective activation of tumor growth-promoting Ca2+ channel MS4A12 in colon cancer by caudal type homeobox transcription factor CDX2
Authors: Koslowski Michael , Türeci Özlem , Huber Christoph , Sahin Ugur 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Colon cancer-associated MS4A12 is a novel colon-specific component of store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) entry sensitizing cells for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated effects on proliferation and chemotaxis. In the present study, we investigated regulation of the MS4A12 promoter to understand the mechanisms responsible for strict transcriptional restriction of this gene to the colonic epithelial cell lineage. DNA-binding assays and luciferase reporter assays showed that MS4A12 promoter activity is governed by a single CDX homeobox transcription factor binding element. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of intestine-specific transcription factors CDX1 and CDX2 and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) in LoVo and SW48 colon cancer cells revealed that MS4A12 transcript and protein expression is essentially dependent on the presence of endogenous CDX2. In summary, our findings provide a rationale for colon-specific expression of MS4A12. Moreover, this is the first report establishing CDX2 as transactivator of tumor growth-promoting gene expression in colon cancer, adding to untangle the complex and conflicting biological functions of CDX2 in colon cancer and supporting MS4A12 as important factor for normal colonic development as well as for the biology and treatment of colon cancer.
Cellular transport of anti-inflammatory pro-drugs originated from a herbal formulation of Zingiber cassumunar and Nigella sativa
Authors: Tangyuenyongwatana Prasan , Kowapradit Jariya , Opanasopit Praneet , Gritsanapan Wandee 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Background
The rhizome of Zingiber cassumunar and the seed of Nigella sativa are two ingredients in Thai traditional medicine to relieve dysmenorrhea and adjust the menstrual cycle. Mixture of these two herbs produces three esters, namely (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl linoleate (1), (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl oleate (2) and (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl palmitate (3). The aim of this study is to examine in vitro absorption of these esters and evaluate their transport across the membrane.

Methods

In vitro transport of these three esters was observed in Caco-2 cell monolayers. The ester compounds 1, 2 and 3 at a concentration of 10 μM were hydrolyzed by porcine liver esterase.

Results
All esters transported across the Caco-2 cell without enzymatic hydrolysis. The apparent permeability coefficients P
app of compound 1 at 53 μM and 106 μM were 13.94 (0.60) × 10-6 and 14.33 (0.17) × 10-6cm/s respectively, while those of compound 2 were 9.45 (0.29) × 10-6 and 10.08 (0.32) × 10-6cm/s, respectively. P
app values of compound 3 were 7.48 (0.31) × 10-6cm/s at 53 μM and 8.60 (0.55) × 10-6cm/s at 106 μM. P
app values of the parent compound (compound D), i.e. (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-ol were 8.53 (0.83) × 10-6cm/s at 53 μM and 16.38 (0.61) × 10-6cm/s at 106 μM. The ester hydrolysis of compounds 1, 2 and 3 by porcine liver esterase was monitored by HPLC and the hydrolysis reactions were completed within 10 minutes.

Conclusion
Using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model, the present study finds that compounds (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl linoleate (1), (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl oleate (2) and (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl palmitate (3) originated from Prasaplai preparation (a Thai herbal formula) may be transported through a facilitated mechanism and serve as pro-drugs to increase the compound D level in the blood.