bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition and interneuron distribution in the dentate gyrus of p35 knockout mice
Authors: Knight Leena S. , Wenzel H. Jürgen , Schwartzkroin Philip A. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryThe p35 knockout (p35−/−) mouse is an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy that recapitulates key neuroanatomic abnormalities—granule cell dispersion and mossy fiber sprouting—observed in the hippocampal formation of humans, as well as spontaneous seizure activity. It is a useful model in which to study the relationship between the abnormal neuronal structure and seizure activity to further our understanding of cortical dysplasia in epileptogenesis. Our previous work using this mouse model characterized the anatomic features of the dentate granule cells and the functional implications of these abnormalities on increased recurrent excitation. These data also suggested that there might be compromised inhibition in this animal model. We pursued this possibility, focusing our investigation on inhibitory circuitry. In preliminary investigations using neuroanatomic tools (immunocytochemistry, camera lucida reconstructions of individually labeled interneurons, and electron microscopy) combined with intracellular electrophysiology, we observed no significant reduction in the number of symmetric versus asymmetric synaptic contacts on dentate granule cell somata, and no statistically significant changes in evoked early or late inhibition. Although there were some abnormalities in the morphology/distribution of inhibitory interneurons (as well as a larger population of dentate granule cells) of the dentate gyrus, overall inhibition in the p35 knockout mouse appeared to be largely intact.
Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin reduces epileptogenesis and blood–brain barrier leakage but not microglia activation
Authors: van Vliet Erwin A. , Forte Grazia , Holtman Linda , den Burger Jeroen C. G. , Sinjewel Arno , de Vries Helga E. , Aronica Eleonora , Gorter Jan A. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Previous studies have shown that inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway with rapamycin prevents epileptogenesis after pharmacologically induced status epilepticus (SE) in rat models of temporal lobe epilepsy. Because rapamycin is also known for its immunosuppressant properties we hypothesized that one of the mechanisms by which it exerts this effect could be via suppression of brain inflammation, a process that has been suggested to play a major role in the development and progression of epilepsy.Methods:  Rats were treated with rapamycin or vehicle once daily for 7 days (6 mg/kg/day, i.p.) starting 4 h after the induction of SE, which was evoked by electrical stimulation of the angular bundle. Hereafter rapamycin was administered every other day until rats were sacrificed, 6 weeks after SE. Video‐electroencephalography was used to monitor the occurrence of seizures. Neuronal death, synaptic reorganization, and microglia and astrocyte activation were assessed by immunohistologic staining. Fluorescein was administered to quantify blood–brain barrier leakage.Key Findings:  Rapamycin treatment did not alter SE severity and duration compared to vehicle treatment rats. Rapamycin‐treated rats developed hardly (n = 9) or no (n = 3) seizures during the 6‐week treatment, whereas vehicle‐treated rats showed a progressive increase of seizures starting 1 week after SE (mean 8 ± 2 seizures per day during the sixth week). Cell loss and sprouting that normally occur after SE were prominent but on average significantly less in rapamycin‐treated rats versus vehicle‐treated rats. Nevertheless, various inflammation markers (CD11b/c and CD68) were dramatically upregulated and not significantly different between post‐SE groups. Of interest, blood–brain barrier leakage was barely detected in the rapamycin‐treated group, whereas it was prominent in the vehicle‐treated group.Significance:  mTOR inhibition led to strong reduction of seizure development despite the presence of microglia activation, suggesting that effects of rapamycin on seizure development are not due to a control of inflammation. Whether the effects on blood–brain barrier leakage in rapamycin‐treated rats are a consequence of seizure suppressing properties of the drug, or contribute to a real antiepileptogenic effect still needs to be determined.
Targeted next generation sequencing as a diagnostic tool in epileptic disorders
Authors: Lemke Johannes R. , Riesch Erik , Scheurenbrand Tim , Schubach Max , Wilhelm Christian , Steiner Isabelle , Hansen Jörg , Courage Carolina , Gallati Sabina , Bürki Sarah , Strozzi Susi , Simonetti Barbara Goeggel , Grunt Sebastian , Steinlin Maja , Alber Michael , Wolff Markus , Klopstock Thomas , Prott Eva C. , Lorenz Rüdiger , Spaich Christiane , Rona Sabine , Lakshminarasimhan Maya , Kröll Judith , Dorn Thomas , Krämer Günter , Synofzik Matthis , Becker Felicitas , Weber Yvonne G. , Lerche Holger , Böhm Detlef , Biskup Saskia 
Published: May 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Epilepsies have a highly heterogeneous background with a strong genetic contribution. The variety of unspecific and overlapping syndromic and nonsyndromic phenotypes often hampers a clear clinical diagnosis and prevents straightforward genetic testing. Knowing the genetic basis of a patient’s epilepsy can be valuable not only for diagnosis but also for guiding treatment and estimating recurrence risks.Methods:  To overcome these diagnostic restrictions, we composed a panel of genes for Next Generation Sequencing containing the most relevant epilepsy genes and covering the most relevant epilepsy phenotypes known so far. With this method, 265 genes were analyzed per patient in a single step. We evaluated this panel on a pilot cohort of 33 index patients with concise epilepsy phenotypes or with a severe but unspecific seizure disorder covering both sporadic and familial cases.Key Findings:  We identified presumed disease‐causing mutations in 16 of 33 patients comprising sequence alterations in frequently as well as in less commonly affected genes. The detected aberrations encompassed known and unknown point mutations (SCN1A p.R222X, p. E289V, p.379R, p.R393H; SCN2A p.V208E; STXBP1 p.R122X; KCNJ10 p.L68P, p.I129V; KCTD7 p.L108M; KCNQ3 p.P574S; ARHGEF9 p.R290H; SMS p.F58L; TPP1 p.Q278R, p.Q422H; MFSD8 p.T294K), a putative splice site mutation (SCN1A c.693A> p.T/P231P) and small deletions (SCN1A p.F1330Lfs3X [1 bp]; MFSD8 p.A138Dfs10X [7 bp]). All mutations have been confirmed by conventional Sanger sequencing and, where possible, validated by parental testing and segregation analysis. In three patients with either Dravet syndrome or myoclonic epilepsy, we detected SCN1A mutations (p.R222X, p.P231P, p.R393H), even though other laboratories had previously excluded aberrations of this gene by Sanger sequencing or high‐resolution melting analysis.Significance:  We have developed a fast and cost‐efficient diagnostic screening method to analyze the genetic basis of epilepsies. We were able to detect mutations in patients with clear and with unspecific epilepsy phenotypes, to uncover the genetic basis of many so far unresolved cases with epilepsy including mutation detection in cases in which previous conventional methods yielded falsely negative results. Our approach thus proved to be a powerful diagnostic tool that may contribute to collecting information on both common and unknown epileptic disorders and in delineating associated phenotypes of less frequently mutated genes.
The Case for Intervening in Bankers’ Pay
Authors: THANASSOULIS JOHN 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTThis paper studies the default risk of banks generated by investment and remuneration pressures. Competing banks prefer to pay their banking staff in bonuses and not in fixed wages as risk sharing on the remuneration bill is valuable. Competition for bankers generates a negative externality, driving up market levels of banker remuneration and hence rival banks’ default risk. Optimal financial regulation involves an appropriately structured limit on the proportion of the balance sheet used for bonuses. However, stringent bonus caps are value destroying, default risk enhancing, and suboptimal for regulators who control only a small number of banks.
Which CEO Characteristics and Abilities Matter?
Authors: KAPLAN STEVEN N. , KLEBANOV MARK M. , SORENSEN MORTEN 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTWe exploit a unique data set to study individual characteristics of CEO candidates for companies involved in buyout and venture capital transactions and relate these characteristics to subsequent corporate performance. CEO candidates vary along two primary dimensions: one that captures general ability and another that contrasts communication and interpersonal skills with execution skills. We find that subsequent performance is positively related to general ability and execution skills. The findings expand our view of CEO characteristics and types relative to previous studies.
Association between obesity and periodontal disease in young adults: a population‐based birth cohort
Authors: Dickie de Castilhos Eduardo , Horta Bernardo Lessa , Gigante Denise Petrucci , Demarco Flávio Fernando , Peres Karen Glazer , Peres Marco Aurélio 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAimTo evaluate the association between obesity and periodontal disease and the mediating effect of oral hygiene, systemic inflammation and carbohydrate intake.Material and methodsSubjects born in 1982 in Pelotas, Brazil (n = 5,914), have been followed for several times. Oral health was assessed in a representative sample of 720 individuals at 24 years. Obesity, waist circumference and number of episodes with obesity between 15 and 23 years of age were the main exposures. Mediating effect of oral hygiene, C‐reactive protein level and carbohydrate consumption was also assessed.ResultsObese individuals were more likely to have ≥2 teeth with gingival bleeding. However, after adjusting for confounders, the association was not statistically significant [OR (obese × 2 or more teeth) 1.72 (95% CI: 0.95, 3.11)] and adjustment for potential mediators decreased the OR (OR = 1.38). The risk of presenting calculus in obese subjects was 10% higher [PR 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.18)]. The number of episodes of obesity between 15 and 23 years was associated with dental calculus. Periodontal pockets were not associated with obesity.ConclusionSystemic inflammation and oral hygiene may be mediating the association between obesity and gingivitis. Obesity was not associated with periodontal pockets in young adults in this cohort.
Expression of neuroserpin, a selective inhibitor of tissue‐type plasminogen activator in the human skin
Authors: Chéret Jérémy , Lebonvallet Nicolas , Misery Laurent , Le Gall‐Ianotto Christelle 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSerine protease of the fibrinolytic system and their specific inhibitors, the serine protease inhibitors (SERPINs) are implicated in a number of physiological and pathological processes in skin. The main SERPIN is the plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (or PAI‐1), which is involved in wound healing and in pathogenesis of several diseases including skin fibrosis. Another member of SERPIN superfamily, the neuroserpin (NSP), is widely expressed in the central nervous system. It has been recently detected in different organs such as pancreas, heart, kidney and testis. In this study, we provided evidences for the presence of NSP in the skin, in 10 human skin samples (HSS) at mRNA level (RT‐PCR) and protein level (Western blot and immunohistochemistry). The immunohistochemistry analysis showed that this expression was located in dermis around blood vessels.
Chewing number is related to incremental increases in body weight from 20 years of age in Japanese middle‐aged adults
Authors: Fukuda Hideki , Saito Toshiyuki , Mizuta Masato , Moromugi Shunji , Ishimatsu Takakazu , Nishikado Shinobu , Takagi Hiroshi , Konomi Yoshihiko 
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00666.x

Chewing number is related to incremental increases in body weight from 20 years of age in Japanese middle‐aged adults
Background:  Eating habits are associated with both current obesity and incremental increases in body weight from young adulthood, but no study has focused on chewing number during meals among community residents.Objective:  This study focused on the relationship between chewing number and incremental increases in body weight from 20 years of age.Methods:  A total of 93 persons aged 35–61 years participated. The subjects were asked to set the device and record their chewing number during each meal on a particular day. They were also asked whether their body weight had increased by 10 kg or more since they were 20 years old.Results:  The body weight of 28 subjects (30%) had increased more than 10 kg since the age of 20 years. Total chewing number showed a relationship with such body weight increases. The odds ratio of weight increments of more than 10 kg for the lowest tertile group was 4.6 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3–16.2] relative to the highest tertile group (Model 1). The odds ratio of weight increments for the lowest tertile group increased to 6.3 (95% CI, 1.6–25.4) in Model 2 and to 9.1 (95% CI, 1.7–49.8) in Model 3.Conclusion:  Although this study was limited because it did not consider all risk factors, categorical chewing number was related independently to body weight increments of more than 10 kg from 20 years of age.
Functional tooth units and nutritional status of older people in care homes in Indonesia
Authors: Adiatman Melissa , Ueno Masayuki , Ohnuki Mari , Hakuta Chiyoko , Shinada Kayoko , Kawaguchi Yoko 
Published: May 2012

Gerodontology 2012; doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00673.x

Functional tooth units and nutritional status of older people in care homes in Indonesia
Objectives:  To investigate the relationship between functional tooth units (FTUs) and nutritional status.Methods:  One hundred females (mean age: 72.4 ± 8.2 years) at four private care homes in Jakarta, Indonesia were interviewed and clinically examined. The oral examination included the assessment of teeth, prosthetic status, and number of FTUs. The total number of FTUs was further divided by tooth composition: natural tooth against natural tooth (NN‐FTUs), natural tooth against denture (ND‐FTUs), and denture against denture (DD‐FTUs). Nutritional status was evaluated using the body mass index (BMI) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).Results:  The mean numbers of teeth present, NN‐FTUs, ND‐FTUs, DD‐FTUs, and total FTUs were 13.1 ± 10.4, 1.7 ± 3.0, 1.2 ± 3.3, 0.4 ± 1.2 and 3.3 ± 4.4, respectively. The mean BMI and MNA scores were 24.8 ± 5.0 and 22.6 ± 2.8, respectively. Subjects with a normal BMI had a significantly higher total number of FTUs (3.6 ± 4.6) compared with underweight subjects (0.1 ± 0.3). Subjects with a normal MNA had a significantly higher number of NN‐FTU (2.6 ± 3.7) compared to those who were at risk or in a state of under‐nutrition (1.2 ± 2.4).Conclusion:  This study revealed significant relationships between the number of FTUs and nutritional status. Keeping the posterior occlusion should be emphasized in order to maintain good nutritional status in older subjects.
Magnetic Spheres as Foreign Body into the Bladder
Authors: Graziottin Tulio M. , Soares Daniel de Freitas G. , Da Ros Carlos T. , Sogari Paulo R. , Telöken Cláudio , Laste Paulo Roberto 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
A great variety of foreign bodies in the lower urinary tract have been described; many of them are self-inflicted by the patient with masturbatory purposes. Depending on the nature of the foreign body the diagnostic and management might be challenging.

Aims
We report a case of an unusual magnetic self-inserted foreign body into the bladder for autoerotism and briefly discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications in this challenging situation.

Methods
We describe all the steps we have used to adequately diagnose the problem, describe the foreign body and treatments for the patient. Related articles were found by utilizing the PubMed database and are summarized in this study.

Results
The management approach must be planned according to the nature of the foreign body and should minimize bladder and urethral trauma. However, most of cases can be managed endoscopically.

Conclusion
Removal of magnetic foreign body may be quite challenging, requiring high-level surgical skills and minimally invasive techniques resulting in fast recovery and low complication rate.
Tadalafil 5 mg Daily Treatment for Type 1 Diabetic Premenopausal Women Affected by Sexual Genital Arousal Disorder
Authors: Caruso Salvatore , Cicero Carla , Romano Mattea , Lo Presti Lucia , Ventura Betty , Malandrino Chiara 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Type 1 diabetic women may be affected by sexual dysfunction, mainly due to peripheral vascular disease.

Aim
To determine whether daily tadalafil 5 mg is effective in type 1 premenopausal women affected by sexual genital arousal disorder.

Method
Thirty-three volunteers were enrolled in a 12-week daily tadalafil 5 mg prospective study.

Main Outcome Measures
The efficacy of daily tadalafil 5 mg on sexual genital arousal (primary end point), and desire, orgasm, enjoyment and frequency of sexual activity, and genital pain (secondary end points) were assessed (i) subjectively by the Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire; and (ii) objectively by translabial color Doppler sonography of clitoral blood flow. Moreover, the Short Form-36 questionnaire was used to assess Quality of Life (QoL).

Results
Thirty-two women completed the study. Women reported a QoL improvement at the 12th week follow-up (P &lt; 0.05). Tadalafil improved the experience of sexual genital arousal, and orgasm, sexual enjoyment, satisfaction by frequency of sexual activity, and frequency of sexual thoughts or fantasies (P &lt; 0.05). Finally, dyspareunia decreased with respect to baseline (P &lt; 0.001). After tadalafil administration, the mean peak systolic velocity increased and the mean diastolic velocity decreased from baseline (P &lt; 0.001). Moreover, the mean resistance index and the mean pulsatility index were significantly higher compared with baseline values (P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
Daily tadalafil 5 mg treatment seems to improve subjective sexual aspects and could be used to treat genital arousal disorder of premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes. The limits of the study were the small sample and the lack of a placebo control group.
Lung cancer stem cells: Tumor biology and clinical implications
Authors: NURWIDYA Fariz , MURAKAMI Akiko , TAKAHASHI Fumiyuki , TAKAHASHI Kazuhisa 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe concept of cancer stem cells (CSC) has drawn great attention from researchers in both molecular and clinical fields as has brought a new perspective to the way we manage cancer. CSC have several characteristics that are shared by the properties of normal stem cells, such as differentiation, self‐renewal and homeostatic control. However, CSC have the capacity to both divide and expand the CSC pool and to differentiate into heterogeneous non‐tumorigenic cancer cells. Even more, CSC have an inherent high resistance to chemotherapeutic agents that leads to recurrence and poor long‐term survival, especially in lung cancer patients. CSC‐targeting agents are now undergoing in vitro and in vivo studies, some of which have provided promising results for further clinical studies setting. In this article we review the concept of CSC from the perspective of tumor biology, including the origin of CSC and its biomarkers. As lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide, we focus on the properties and clinical implications of lung CSC.
Novel Cruzain Inhibitors for the Treatment of Chagas’ Disease
Authors: Rogers Kathleen E , Keränen Henrik , Durrant Jacob D. , Ratnam Joseline , Doak Allison , Arkin Michelle R. , McCammon J. Andrew 
Published: May 2012

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas’ disease, affects millions of individuals and continues to be an important global health concern. The poor efficacy and unfavorable side effects of current treatments necessitate novel therapeutics. Cruzain, the major cysteine protease of T. cruzi, is one potential novel target. Recent advances in a class of vinyl sulfone inhibitors are encouraging; however, as most potential therapeutics fail in clinical trials and both disease progression and resistance call for combination therapy with several drugs, the identification of additional classes of inhibitory molecules is essential. Using an exhaustive virtual‐screening and experimental validation approach, we identify several additional small‐molecule cruzain inhibitors. Further optimization of these chemical scaffolds could lead to the development of novel drugs useful in the treatment of Chagas’ disease.
Influence of Various Cooking Methods on the Concentrations of Volatile N‐Nitrosamines and Biogenic Amines in Dry‐Cured Sausages
Authors: Li Ling , Wang Peng , Xu Xinglian , Zhou Guanghong 
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  N‐nitrosamines, biogenic amines, and residual nitrites are harmful substances and are often present in cured meats. The effects of different cooking methods (boiling, pan‐frying, deep‐frying, and microwave) were investigated on their contents in dry‐cured sausage. The various N‐nitrosamines were isolated by a steam distillation method and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The biogenic amines were determined after extraction with perchloric acid as dansyl derivatives by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The results showed that initial dry‐cured raw sausage contained 5.31 μg/kg of total N‐nitrosamines. Cooking by deep‐frying or pan‐frying resulted in products having the highest (P < 0.05) contents, compared with boiling or microwave treatments, which were not different from the raw. Although frying increased the content of N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N‐nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), and N‐nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR), it decreased the contents of histamine and cadaverine. Boiling and microwave treatments decreased the total biogenic amines significantly (P < 0.05). Residual nitrite was significantly reduced by cooking treatments. The results suggest that boiling and microwave treatments were more suitable methods for cured meat.Practical Application:  N‐nitrosamines and biogenic amines are considered potentially harmful substances to humans and often present in dry‐cured sausage. Different cooking methods may effect the content of these harmful substances. However, little information exists on the different cooking methods on dry‐cured meats.
Update on the Pharmacologic Treatment of Hypertension in Pediatrics
Authors: Blowey Douglas L. 
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:383–387. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.The past decade of investigation into the pharmacologic treatment of hypertension in children has been rewarding. The studies have shown that blood pressure medications effectively reduce blood pressure in children with hypertension and that these agents are generally well tolerated with few treatment‐related adverse effects. While we have advanced our capacity to make rational therapeutic decisions, future efforts must be directed towards comparing the effectiveness of the different classes of antihypertensive agents and studies evaluating the impact of antihypertensive agents on outcome.