bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactive inhibitory effects of formoterol and montelukast on activated human neutrophils
Authors: Gravett C.M. , Theron A.J. , Steel H.C. , Tintinger G.R. , Cockeran R. , Feldman C. , Anderson R. 
Published: April 2010

The research question addressed in the current study was: do formoterol (1 and 10 nM) and montelukast (2 μM) possess interactive inhibitory effects on activated human neutrophils, particularly in relation to alterations in cyclic AMP and cytosolic Ca2+fluxes?Isolated human blood neutrophils were activated with the chemoattractantN-formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine (fMLP) (1 μM) in combination with cytochalasin B (CB; 3 μM). Fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester-based spectrofluorimetry, lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, colorimetric and flow cytometric procedures were used to measure cytosolic Ca2+fluxes, production of superoxide, elastase release and beta-2 integrin (CR3) expression, respectively, while cyclic AMP and leukotriene (LT)B4were assayed using competitive binding ELISA procedures.Activation of the cells with fMLP/CB resulted in abrupt and sustained increases in cytosolic Ca2+, as well as release of elastase and production of superoxide and LTB4, and expression of CR3, all of which were attenuated by formoterol and montelukast individually, and especially by the combination of these agents. These anti-inflammatory effects of each agent, as well as the combination, were associated with significant increases in cyclic AMP.The findings of the current study may explain the efficacy of montelukast and formoterol when used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of severe asthma, possibly by controlling neutrophil-driven inflammation of the airways.
Efficacy of standard rehabilitation in COPD outpatients with comorbidities
Authors: Crisafulli E. , Gorgone P. , Vagaggini B. , Pagani M. , Rossi G. , Costa F. , Guarriello V. , Paggiaro P. , Chetta A. , de Blasio F. , Olivieri D. , Fabbri L.M. , Clini E.M. 
Published: April 2010

A prospective study was performed to confirm the prevalence pattern of the most frequent co-morbidities and to evaluate whether characteristics of patients, specific comorbidities and increasing number of comorbidities are independently associated with poorer outcomes in a population with complex chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) submitted for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).316 outpatients (mean±sdage 68±7 yrs) were studied. The outcomes recorded were comorbidities and proportion of patients with a pre-defined minimally significant change in exercise tolerance (6-min walk distance (6MWD) +54 m), breathlessness (Medical Research Council (MRC) score -1 point) and quality of life (St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire -4 points).62% of patients reported comorbidities; systemic hypertension (35%), dyslipidaemia (13%), diabetes (12%) and coronary disease (11%) were the most frequent. Of these patients, >45% improved over the minimum clinically important difference in all the outcomes. In a logistic regression model, baseline 6MWD (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–0.99; p = 0.001), MRC score (OR 12.88, 95% CI 6.89–24.00; p = 0.001) and arterial carbon dioxide tension (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.00–1.15; p = 0.034) correlated with the proportion of patients who improved 6MWD and MRC, respectively. Presence of osteoporosis reduced the success rate in 6MWD (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11–0.70; p = 0.006).A substantial prevalence of comorbidities in COPD outpatients referred for PR was confirmed. Only the individual's disability and the presence of osteoporosis were independently associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes.
Conditional random pattern model for copy number aberration detection
Authors: Li Fuhai , Zhou Xiaobo , Huang Wanting , Chang Chung-Che , Wong Stephen TC 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
DNA copy number aberration (CNA) is very important in the pathogenesis of tumors and other diseases. For example, CNAs may result in suppression of anti-oncogenes and activation of oncogenes, which would cause certain types of cancers. High density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array data is widely used for the CNA detection. However, it is nontrivial to detect the CNA automatically because the signals obtained from high density SNP arrays often have low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which might be caused by whole genome amplification, mixtures of normal and tumor cells, experimental noise or other technical limitations. With the reduction in SNR, many false CNA regions are often detected and the true CNA regions are missed. Thus, more sophisticated statistical models are needed to make the CNAs detection, using the low SNR signals, more robust and reliable.

Results
This paper presents a conditional random pattern (CRP) model for CNA detection where much contextual cues are explored to suppress the noise and improve CNA detection accuracy. Both simulated and the real data are used to evaluate the proposed model, and the validation results show that the CRP model is more robust and reliable in the presence of noise for CNA detection using high density SNP array data, compared to a number of widely used software packages.

Conclusions
The proposed conditional random pattern (CRP) model could effectively detect the CNA regions in the presence of noise.
Developmental iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism impair neural development in rat hippocampus: involvement of doublecortin and NCAM-180
Authors: Gong Jian , Liu Wanyang , Dong Jing , Wang Yi , Xu Hongde , Wei Wei , Zhong Jiapeng , Xi Qi , Chen Jie 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
Developmental iodine deficiency results in inadequate thyroid hormone (TH), which damages the hippocampus. Here, we explored the roles of hippocampal doublecortin and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-180 in developmental iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism.

Methods
Two developmental rat models were established with either an iodine-deficient diet, or propylthiouracil (PTU)-adulterated water (5 ppm or 15 ppm) to impair thyroid function, in pregnant rats from gestational day 6 until postnatal day (PN) 28. Silver-stained neurons and protein levels of doublecortin and NCAM-180 in several hippocampal subregions were assessed on PN14, PN21, PN28, and PN42.

Results
The results show that nerve fibers in iodine-deficient and 15 ppm PTU-treated rats were injured on PN28 and PN42. Downregulation of doublecortin and upregulation of NCAM-180 were observed in iodine-deficient and 15 ppm PTU-treated rats from PN14 on. These alterations were irreversible by the restoration of serum TH concentrations on PN42.

Conclusion
Developmental iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism impair the expression of doublecortin and NCAM-180, leading to nerve fiber malfunction and thus impairments in hippocampal development.
Enhancement of L-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase activity and circulating ketone body levels by pantethine. Relevance to dopaminergic injury
Authors: Cornille Emilie , Abou-Hamdan Mhamad , Khrestchatisky Michel , Nieoullon André , de Reggi Max , Gharib Bouchra 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe administration of the ketone bodies hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate is known to exert a protective effect against metabolic disorders associated with cerebral pathologies. This suggests that the enhancement of their endogenous production might be a rational therapeutic approach. Ketone bodies are generated by fatty acid beta-oxidation, a process involving a mitochondrial oxido-reductase superfamily, with fatty acid-CoA thioesters as substrates. In this report, emphasis is on the penultimate step of the process, i.e. L-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase activity. We determined changes in enzyme activity and in circulating ketone body levels in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Since the active moiety of CoA is pantetheine, mice were treated with pantethine, its naturally-occurring form. Pantethine has the advantage of being known as an anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic agent with very few side effects.ResultsWe found that dehydrogenase activity and circulating ketone body levels were drastically reduced by the neurotoxin MPTP, whereas treatment with pantethine overcame these adverse effects. Pantethine prevented dopaminergic neuron loss and motility disorders. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the protection was associated with enhancement of glutathione (GSH) production as well as restoration of respiratory chain complex I activity and mitochondrial ATP levels. Remarkably, pantethine treatment boosted the circulating ketone body levels in MPTP-intoxicated mice, but not in normal animals.ConclusionsThese finding demonstrate the feasibility of the enhancement of endogenous ketone body production and provide a promising therapeutic approach to Parkinson's disease as well as, conceivably, to other neurodegenerative disorders.
The Total Deviation Index estimated by Tolerance Intervals to evaluate the concordance of measurement devices
Authors: Escaramís Geòrgia , Ascaso Carlos , Carrasco Josep L 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
In an agreement assay, it is of interest to evaluate the degree of agreement between the different methods (devices, instruments or observers) used to measure the same characteristic. We propose in this study a technical simplification for inference about the total deviation index (TDI) estimate to assess agreement between two devices of normally-distributed measurements and describe its utility to evaluate inter- and intra-rater agreement if more than one reading per subject is available for each device.

Methods
We propose to estimate the TDI by constructing a probability interval of the difference in paired measurements between devices, and thereafter, we derive a tolerance interval (TI) procedure as a natural way to make inferences about probability limit estimates. We also describe how the proposed method can be used to compute bounds of the coverage probability.

Results
The approach is illustrated in a real case example where the agreement between two instruments, a handle mercury sphygmomanometer device and an OMRON 711 automatic device, is assessed in a sample of 384 subjects where measures of systolic blood pressure were taken twice by each device. A simulation study procedure is implemented to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the approach to two already established methods, showing that the TI approximation produces accurate empirical confidence levels which are reasonably close to the nominal confidence level.

Conclusions
The method proposed is straightforward since the TDI estimate is derived directly from a probability interval of a normally-distributed variable in its original scale, without further transformations. Thereafter, a natural way of making inferences about this estimate is to derive the appropriate TI. Constructions of TI based on normal populations are implemented in most standard statistical packages, thus making it simpler for any practitioner to implement our proposal to assess agreement.
Randomised controlled trial of the effects of physical activity feedback on awareness and behaviourin UK adults: the FAB study protocol [ISRCTN92551397]
Authors: Watkinson Clare , van Sluijs Esther MF , Sutton Stephen , Marteau Theresa , Griffin Simon J 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
While there are increasing data implicating poor recognition of physical inactivity as a potential barrier to healthy behaviour change, the efficacy of feedback to promote physical activity is uncertain. Using a randomised controlled trial nested within a population-based cohort study, we plan to test three variations of physical activity feedback against a control group. Our primary objective is to assess the efficacy of physical activity feedback in promoting physical activity behaviour change. Secondary objectives are to determine the influence of feedback on physical activity awareness and cognitions, and to compare behavioural effects by type of feedback.

Methods/Design
We aim to recruit 500 healthy participants aged 30 to 55 years from the ongoing Fenland Study (Cambridge, UK). Following careful phenotyping during baseline measurement (anthropometric, clinical, body composition and fitness measurements, as well as questionnaires assessing self-reported and self-rated physical activity, psychosocial correlates of physical activity behaviour, diet, lifestyle and general health), participants wear a combined heart rate and movement sensor (Actiheart®) for six continuous days and nights. After receipt of the physical activity data (around 2 weeks later), participants are randomly allocated to either a control group (no feedback) or one of three types of personalised physical activity feedback ('simple', 'visualised' or 'contextualised'), and complete repeat measures of self-rated physical activity and psychosocial correlates. Approximately five weeks after receiving feedback, all participants wear the Actiheart® for another six-day follow-up period and complete repeat questionnaires. Values at outcome, adjusted for baseline, will be compared between randomised groups.

Discussion
Given the randomised trial design and use of objective measure of physical activity, this study is likely to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of a feedback intervention in changing physical activity behaviour, as well as the psychological mechanisms involved.

Trial Registration
Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN92551397
Dietary intakes and food sources of fat and fatty acids in Guatemalan schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Bermudez Odilia I , Toher Claire , Montenegro-Bethancourt Gabriela , Vossenaar Marieke , Mathias Paul , Doak Colleen , Solomons Noel W 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
Consumption of healthy diets that contribute with adequate amounts of fat and fatty acids is needed for children. Among Guatemalan children, there is little information about fat intakes. Therefore, the present study sought to assess intakes of dietary fats and examine food sources of those fats in Guatemalan children.

Methods
The study subjects consisted of a convenience sample of 449 third- and fourth-grade schoolchildren (8-10 y), attending public or private schools in Quetzaltenango City, Guatemala. Dietary data was obtained by means of a single pictorial 24-h record.

Results
The percentages of total energy (%E) from total fat, saturated fat (SFA) and monounsaturated fat (MUFA) reached 29%E for total fat and 10%E for each SFA and MUFA, without gender differences. %E from fats in high vs. low-socio economic status (SES) children were significantly higher for boys, but not for girls, for total fat (p = 0.002) and SFA (p < 0.001). Large proportions of the children had low levels of intakes of some fatty acids (FA), particularly for n-3 FA, with >97% of all groups consuming less than 1%E from this fats. Fried eggs, sweet rolls, whole milk and cheese were main sources of total fat and, SFA. Whole milk and sweet bread were important sources of n-3 FA for high- and low-SES boys and girls, respectively. Fried plantain was the main source of n-3 FA for girls in the high-SES group. Fried fish, seafood soup, and shrimp, consumed only by boys in low amounts, were sources of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, which may explain the low intakes of these nutrients.

Conclusions
α-linolenic acid, EPA and DHA were the most limiting fatty acids in diets of Guatemalan schoolchildren, which could be partially explained by the low consumption of sources of these nutrients, particularly fish and seafood (for EPA and DHA). This population will benefit from a higher consumption of culturally acceptable foods that are rich in these limiting nutrients.
A Thymidine Kinase recombinant protein-based ELISA for detecting antibodies to Duck Plague Virus
Authors: Wen Yongping , Cheng Anchun , Wang Mingshu , Ge Han , Shen Chanjuan , Liu Sitong , Xiang Jun , Jia Renyong , Zhu Dekang , Chen Xiaoyue , Lian Bei , Chang Hua , Zhou Yi 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackgroundDuck plague virus (DPV) is the causative agent of Duck Plague (DP) that causes significant morbidity and mortality throughout duck-producing areas of the world. The diagnosis of DP currently relies on the use of live or inactivated whole DPV virion as antigens in ELISA, but it is too laborious and expensive for routine application, and it is still difficult to get purified DPV virion with current technology.ResultsIn this study, we describe the expression and purification of a recombinant Thymidine Kinase (TK) protein which makes antigen in an in-house developed, optimized and standardized ELISA. The specificity of the optimized TK-ELISA was evaluated by antisera against Duck Plague Virus (DPV), Duck Hepatitis B Virus (DHBV), Duck Hepatitis Virus (DHV),Riemerella Anatipestifer(R. A),Escherichia coli(E. coli) andSalmonella anatum(S. anatum). Only antisera against DPV yielded a specific and strong signal. In order to determine the sensitivity of the TK-ELISA, a panel of diluted sera was tested, and the minimum detection limit of 1:2560 (OD450 nm = 0.401) was obtained according to the endpoint cut-off (0.2438). The repeatability and reproducibility under the experimental conditions demonstrates a low variability (P > 0.05). The suspected sera samples (n = 30) were determined by TK-ELISA and the positive rate is 90% (27/30), and the TK-ELISA showed 83.33% (22+3/30) coincidence rate with the Serum Neutralization Test (SNT) and 90% (24+3/30) coincidence rate with the whole DPV virion based-ELISA (DPV-ELISA). When defining the dynamics of antibody response to attenuated live DPV vaccine, the maximum antibodies is reached after 4 weeks.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the TK-ELISA provides high specificity, sensitivity, repeatability and reproducibility for detection of anti-DPV antibodies in duck sera, and has the potential to be much simpler than DPV-ELISA and SNT for the sera epidemiological investigation.
The effect of transforming growth factor-β1 on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells: insensitive to cell growth but functional to TGF-β/Smad pathway
Authors: Xiao Jian , Xiang Qi , Xiao Ye-Chen , Su Zhi-Jian , Huang Zhi-Feng , Zhang Qi-Hao , Tan Yi , Li Xiao-Kun , Huang Ya-Dong 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjectivesThis study explored the response of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to TGF-β1-induced growth suppression and investigated the roles of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.MethodsThe cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2 were treated with TGF-β1. The growth responses of CNE2 cells were analyzed by MTT assay. The mRNA expression and protein subcellular localization of the TGF-β/Smad signaling components in the CNE2 were determined by real time RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analysis.ResultsWe found that the growth of CNE2 cells was not suppressed by TGF-β1. The signaling proteins TβRII, Smad 7 were expressed normally, while Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 increased significantly at the mRNA level. TGF-β type II receptor and Smad7 had no change compared to the normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. In addition, Smad2 was phosphorylated to pSmad2, and the activated pSmad2 translocated into the nucleus from the cytoplasm, while the inhibitory Smad-Smad7 translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm after TGF-β1 stimulation.ConclusionThe results suggested that CNE2 cells are not sensitive to growth suppression by TGF-β1, but the TGF-β/Smad signaling transduction is functional. Further work is needed to address a more detailed spectrum of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in CNE2 cells.
A simplified protocol for evaluating and monitoring urethral stricture patients minimizes cost without compromising patient outcome
Authors: Okorie Chukwudi O , Pisters Louis L , Ndasi Henry T , Fekadu Arega 
Published: April 2010

Summary Uroflowmetry, urethrocystoscopy and urethrography are either not readily available or the cost is prohibitive for many patients in low-resource countries. This paper examines the use of clinical history in post-urethroplasty follow-up. We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 54 post-urethroplasty patients. Preoperative diagnostic work-up included simple blood tests and a retrograde urethrography, and postoperatively we did not perform any immediate diagnostic work-up. Follow-up of these patients was done through mobile phone calls and personal contacts. Eighty-nine per cent of our patients reported acceptable voiding over a mean follow-up period of 48.4 months – 79.6% were followed using mobile phone contact. In the majority of the urethral strictures cases, diagnostic work up can be kept to a minimum, thereby reducing cost. Follow-up can be done via phone calls and personal contact in many African countries where compliance is frequently less than encouraging. The spread of mobile phone networks across the continent has been remarkable.
Romantic Relationships and Interpersonal Violence Among Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Ward Karen M. , Bosek Rebecca L. , Trimble Erin L. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Romantic relationships are important in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore dating and romantic relationships among these adults and to identify the nature and extent of interpersonal violence in their relationships. A random sample of 47 women and men participated in semistructured interviews. The authors found that relationships sounded very typical of people without disabilities, but their time together was more limited than they wanted. A high percentage of participants had experienced interpersonal violence, primarily in the form of name calling, yelling, screaming, and physical assault. Although the police and family or friends were the first sources of assistance following an abusive incident, more than one third of the participants said they did not seek any help.
Narrating Disability, Narrating Religious Practice: Reconciliation and Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Michie Marsha , Skinner Debra 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
This article examines the place of religion in the narratives of mothers of children with fragile X syndrome. In semistructured interviews, a majority of women combined narratives of religious practice with illness narratives, interpreting their children's disabilities within a religious framework. Informed by Arthur Frank's (1995) concept of “wounded storytellers,” the authors articulate a reconciliation narrative that mothers commonly used to describe their transition from viewing disability as a burden or challenge to seeing it as a blessing, or as a part of God's purpose or plan for their lives. The authors discuss the significance of narrative for better understanding religious perspectives on disability and conclude with the implications of these findings for practitioners and future research.