bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Pregnancy and Maternal Risk of Breast Cancer
Authors: Toniolo Paolo , Grankvist Kjell , Wulff Marianne , Chen Tianhui , Johansson Robert , Schock Helena , Lenner Per , Hallmans Göran , Lehtinen Matti , Kaaks Rudolf , Wadell Göran , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte Anne , Lundin Eva , Lukanova Annekatrin 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Full-term pregnancies are associated with long-term reductions in maternal risk of breast cancer, but the biological determinants of the protection are unknown. Experimental observations suggest that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a major hormone of pregnancy, could play a role in this association. A case-control study (242 cases and 450 controls) nested within the Northern Sweden Maternity Cohort included women who had donated a blood sample during the first trimester of a first full-term pregnancy. Total hCG was determined on Immulite 2000 analyzer. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated through conditional logistic regression. Maternal breast cancer risk decreased with increasing hCG (upper tertile OR, 0.67; CI, 0.46–0.99), especially for pregnancies before age 25 (upper tertile OR, 0.41; CI, 0.21–0.80). The association diverged according to age at diagnosis: risk was reduced after age 40 (upper tertile OR, 0.60; CI, 0.39–0.91) and seemed to increase before age 40 (upper tertile OR, 1.78; CI, 0.72–4.38). Risk was reduced among those diagnosed 10 years or longer after blood draw (upper tertile OR, 0.60; CI, 0.40–0.90), but not so among those diagnosed within 10 years (upper tertile OR, 4.33; CI, 0.86–21.7). These observations suggest that the association between pregnancy hCG and subsequent maternal risk of breast cancer is modified by age at diagnosis. Although the hormone seems to be a determinant of the reduced risk around or after age 50, it might not confer protection against, or it could even increase the risk of, cancers diagnosed in the years immediately following pregnancy. Cancer Res; 70(17); 6779–86. ©2010 AACR.
HO-3867, a Synthetic Compound, Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of Ovarian Carcinoma Cells through Downregulation of Fatty Acid Synthase and Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Selvendiran Karuppaiyah , Ahmed Shabnam , Dayton Alex , Ravi Yazhini , Kuppusamy M. Lakshmi , Bratasz Anna , Rivera Brian K. , Kálai Tamás , Hideg Kálmán , Kuppusamy Periannan 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Fatty acid synthase (FAS) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which are overexpressed in a variety of human epithelial tumors, play a key role in the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Hence, strategies targeted at inhibiting the FAS/FAK proteins may have therapeutic potential for cancer treatment. The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of HO-3867, a synthetic compound, on the migratory ability of ovarian cancer cells and to understand the mechanistic pathways including the involvement of FAS, FAK, and associated signaling proteins. The study was done using two established human ovarian cancer cell lines, A2780 and SKOV3. Incubation with 10 μmol/L HO-3867 for 24 hours significantly inhibited the native as well as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–mediated migration and invasion of the cells. HO-3867 significantly attenuated FAS and FAK protein levels apparently through accelerated ubiquitin-dependent degradation, as shown by a clear downregulation of isopeptidase USP2a. Exposure of cells to HO-3867 also significantly inhibited FAS activity and mRNA levels and a number of downstream proteins, including phospho-extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2, phospho-human epidermal growth factor receptor 1, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1, VEGF, and matrix metalloproteinase 2. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of A2780 xenograft tumors in mice treated with HO-3867 showed significant reduction in FAS, FAK, VEGF, and downstream protein levels when compared with the untreated control. Collectively, the results showed that HO-3867 suppressed the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting the expression or activity of FAS and FAK proteins. The study suggests that molecular targeting of FAS and FAK by HO-3867 may be a potential strategy for ovarian cancer therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 8(9); 1188–97. ©2010 AACR.
Prevalence of Desmosomal Protein Gene Mutations in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Elliott Perry , O'Mahony Constantinos , Syrris Petros , Evans Alison , Rivera Sorensen Christina , Sheppard Mary N. , Carr-White Gerald , Pantazis Antonios , McKenna William J. 
Published: August 2010

Background—
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a familial disorder in 25% to 50% of patients, but the genetic basis in the majority of cases remains unknown. Genes encoding desmosomal proteins, currently regarded as synonymous with another disorder, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, are known to cause left ventricular dysfunction, but their importance in unselected patients with unequivocal dilated cardiomyopathy is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of mutations in 5 desmosomal protein genes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods and Results—

We studied 100 unrelated patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy consecutively referred to a dedicated cardiomyopathy unit. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, ECG, echocardiography, exercise testing, 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring, and mutation screening of 5 genes implicated in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: plakoglobin, desmoplakin, plakophilin-2, desmoglein-2, and desmocollin-2. Of the 100 patients (mean age at evaluation, 46.8±13.8 years; range, 17.0 to 72.8 years; male sex, 63%), 5 were found to carry pathogenic desmosomal protein gene mutations. An additional 13 patients had sequence variants of uncertain pathogenic significance and were excluded from further comparative analysis. Patients harboring desmosomal gene mutations had a phenotype indistinguishable from the 82 noncarriers, with the exception of exercise-induced ventricular ectopy, which was more frequent in the desmosomal mutation carriers (
P
=0.033). None of the 5 carriers of desmosomal mutations fulfilled current diagnostic criteria for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, but 1 had fibrofatty change in the left ventricle at autopsy.

Conclusions—
Heart failure caused by a dilated, poorly contracting left ventricle and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy have been considered distinct clinicopathologic entities. This study suggests that both clinical presentations can be caused by mutations in desmosomal protein genes.
Top–Down Modulation of Human Early Visual Cortex after Stimulus Offset Supports Successful Postcued Report
Authors: Sergent Claire , Ruff Christian C. , Barbot Antoine , Driver Jon , Rees Geraint 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Modulations of sensory processing in early visual areas are thought to play an important role in conscious perception. To date, most empirical studies focused on effects occurring before or during visual presentation. By contrast, several emerging theories postulate that sensory processing and conscious visual perception may also crucially depend on late top–down influences, potentially arising after a visual display. To provide a direct test of this, we performed an fMRI study using a postcued report procedure. The ability to report a target at a specific spatial location in a visual display can be enhanced behaviorally by symbolic auditory postcues presented shortly after that display. Here we showed that such auditory postcues can enhance target-specific signals in early human visual cortex (V1 and V2). For postcues presented 200 msec after stimulus termination, this target-specific enhancement in visual cortex was specifically associated with correct conscious report. The strength of this modulation predicted individual levels of performance in behavior. By contrast, although later postcues presented 1000 msec after stimulus termination had some impact on activity in early visual cortex, this modulation no longer related to conscious report. These results demonstrate that within a critical time window of a few hundred milliseconds after a visual stimulus has disappeared, successful conscious report of that stimulus still relates to the strength of top–down modulation in early visual cortex. We suggest that, within this critical time window, sensory representation of a visual stimulus is still under construction and so can still be flexibly influenced by top–down modulatory processes.
‘Getting back to real living’: a qualitative study of the process of community reintegration after stroke
Authors: Wood Jennifer P , Connelly Denise M , Maly Monica R 
Published: August 2010

Objectives: To examine the process of community reintegration over the first year following stroke, from the patient’s perspective. Design: Qualitative, longitudinal, grounded theory study involving ten participants. During the first year post discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, 46 one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants. Interviews were completed with participants before discharge from inpatient stroke rehabilitation and in their homes at two weeks, three months, six months and one year post discharge. Analysis was guided by grounded theory methods described by Corbin and Strauss. Subjects: Four women and six men (mean age 59.6 ± 18.0, all with left hemiparesis and without aphasia) who had sustained their first hemispheric stroke and were returning to the community following inpatient rehabilitation. Results: The process of community reintegration after stroke involved transitioning through a series of goals: gaining physical function, establishing independence, adjusting expectations and getting back to real living. The ultimate challenge for stroke survivors during this process of community reintegration was to create a balance between their expectations of themselves and their physical capacity to engage in meaningful roles. Conclusions: Over the first year after stroke, participants reported that the process of community reintegration was marked by ongoing changes in their goals. Formal and informal caregivers need to work with stroke survivors living in the community to facilitate realistic and achievable goal setting. Tools which identify meaningful activities should also be incorporated to provide stroke survivors with the opportunity to contribute and engage with others in the community.
Comparing endurance- and resistance-exercise training in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized pilot study
Authors: Sabapathy Nicole M , Minahan Clare L , Turner Grant T , Broadley Simon A 
Published: August 2010

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare adaptations in functional and quality of life measures following endurance- and resistance-exercise training in people with multiple sclerosis. Design: Cross-over design with an eight-week washout period. Setting: Community health centre. Subjects: Sixteen individuals with multiple sclerosis. Intervention: Subjects completed both an eight-week endurance- and an eight-week resistance-exercise training programme in a randomized order. The exercise training comprised individualized progressive programmes that were completed twice weekly in a supervised group setting. Main measures: Grip strength, functional reach, four step square, timed up and go and six-minute walk tests, Multiple Sclerosis Impact and Modified Fatigue Impact Scales, Becks Depression Inventory and the Health Status Questionnaire Short Form-36. Results: Sixteen of 21 (76%) subjects completed the study. Subjects attended 13.2 ± 1.6 endurance- and 15.8 ± 1.9 resistance-exercise training sessions. No adverse events were reported. No significant differences ( P < 0.05) in any outcome measures were observed between the two exercise training programmes either at baseline or following the completion of both training programmes. Conclusion: Both endurance- and resistance-exercise training were well tolerated and appear to provide similar effects for people with multiple sclerosis, but larger studies are required to confirm these findings.
Cognitive stimulation therapy in the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Niu Yi-Xuan , Tan Ji-Ping , Guan Jin-Qun , Zhang Zeng-Qiang , Wang Lu-Ning 
Published: August 2010

Objective: To determine the efficacy of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) in the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Design: A randomized, controlled, rater-blind clinical trial. Setting: The military sanatorium. Subjects: Thirty-two patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease exhibiting marked neuropsychiatric symptoms were included in the study. Intervention: All 32 patients were randomly assigned to a cognitive stimulation therapy group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16) for 10 weeks. Main measure: The efficacy measures included the Mini Mental State Examination and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Results: Patients receiving cognitive stimulation therapy showed a greater improvement in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory total score (mean change — 2.06 points versus 0.00 points, t = -4.766, P<0.001) and in the Mini Mental State Examination total score (mean change 0.81 points versus —0.19 points, t =3.106, P =0.004) compared to control at week 10. Analysis of the individual Neuropsychiatric Inventory domains revealed a statistically significant benefit for cognitive stimulation therapy-treated patients in the areas of apathy (mean change —1.06 points versus —0.31 points, P =0.017) and depression/dysphoria (mean change —0.50 points versus 0.06 points, P =0.047). There were no statistically significant benefits for cognitive stimulation therapy-treated patients in the other individual Neuropsychiatric Inventory domains or in the caregiver distress score. Conclusions: Cognitive stimulation therapy has significant efficacy in lowering apathy and depression symptomatology and in the Mini Mental State Examination in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Evaluation of an exercise concept focusing on eccentric strength training of the rotator cuff for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome
Authors: Bernhardsson Susanne , Klintberg Ingrid Hultenheim , Wendt Gunilla Kjellby 
Published: August 2010

Objective: To evaluate the effect on pain intensity and function of an exercise concept focusing on specific eccentric strength training of the rotator cuff in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Design: Single-subject research design with baseline and treatment phases (AB design). Setting: Home-based training programme supervised and supported by visits to physiotherapy clinic. Subjects: Ten patients, mean (SD) age 54 (8.6) years, symptom duration 12 (9.1) months. Intervention: Daily eccentric strengthening exercises of the rotator cuff during 12 weeks. Main measures: Primary outcome measures: Pain intensity, assessed with a visual analogue scale, and function, using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale. Secondary outcome measures: Shoulder function evaluated with the Constant score, and shoulder-related quality of life evaluated with the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index. Results: Pain intensity decreased significantly in eight of the ten subjects. Function improved significantly in all ten subjects. Constant score increased in nine subjects and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index increased in seven subjects. Mean Constant score for the whole group increased significantly from 44 to 69 points ( P = 0.008). Mean Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index increased from 51 to 71% ( P = 0.021). Conclusion: A 12-week eccentric strengthening programme targeting the rotator cuff and incorporating scapular control and correct movement pattern can be effective in decreasing pain and increasing function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. A randomized controlled trial is necessary to provide stronger evidence of the method.
Knee Function and Prevalence of Knee Osteoarthritis after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Øiestad Britt Elin , Holm Inger , Aune Arne Kristian , Gunderson Ragnhild , Myklebust Grethe , Engebretsen Lars , Aarsland Fosdahl Merete , Risberg May Arna 
Published: August 2010

Background Few prospective long-term studies of more than 10 years have reported changes in knee function and radiologic outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Purpose To examine changes in knee function from 6 months to 10 to 15 years after ACL reconstruction and to compare knee function outcomes over time for subjects with isolated ACL injury with those with combined ACL and meniscal injury and/or chondral lesion. Furthermore, the aim was to compare the prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic radiographic knee osteoarthritis between subjects with isolated ACL injuries and those with combined ACL and meniscal and/or chondral lesions 10 to 15 years after ACL reconstruction. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods Follow-up evaluations were performed on 221 subjects at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 10 to 15 years after ACL reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Outcome measurements were KT-1000 arthrometer, Lachman and pivot shift tests, Cincinnati knee score, isokinetic muscle strength tests, hop tests, visual analog scale for pain, Tegner activity scale, and the Kellgren and Lawrence classification. Results One hundred eighty-one subjects (82%) were evaluated at the 10- to 15-year follow-up. A significant improvement over time was revealed for all prospective outcomes of knee function. No significant differences in knee function over time were detected between the isolated and combined injury groups. Subjects with combined injury had significantly higher prevalence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis compared with those with isolated injury (80% and 62%, P = .008), but no significant group differences were shown for symptomatic radiographic knee osteoarthritis (46% and 32%, P = .053). Conclusion An overall improvement in knee function outcomes was detected from 6 months to 10 to 15 years after ACL reconstruction for both those with isolated and combined ACL injury, but significantly higher prevalence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis was found for those with combined injuries.
Eosinophils in the zebrafish: prospective isolation, characterization, and eosinophilia induction by helminth determinants
Authors: Balla Keir M. , Lugo-Villarino Geanncarlo , Spitsbergen Jan M. , Stachura David L. , Hu Yan , Bañuelos Karina , Romo-Fewell Octavio , Aroian Raffi V. , Traver David 
Published: August 2010

AbstractEosinophils are granulocytic leukocytes implicated in numerous aspects of immunity and disease. The precise functions of eosinophils, however, remain enigmatic. Alternative models to study eosinophil biology may thus yield novel insights into their function. Eosinophilic cells have been observed in zebrafish but have not been thoroughly characterized. We used a gata2:eGFP transgenic animal to enable prospective isolation and characterization of zebrafish eosinophils, and demonstrate that all gata2hi cells in adult hematopoietic tissues are eosinophils. Although eosinophils are rare in most organs, they are readily isolated from whole kidney marrow and abundant within the peritoneal cavity. Molecular analyses demonstrate that zebrafish eosinophils express genes important for the activities of mammalian eosinophils. In addition, gata2hi cells degranulate in response to helminth extract. Chronic exposure to helminth- related allergens resulted in profound eosinophilia, demonstrating that eosinophil responses to allergens have been conserved over evolution. Importantly, infection of adult zebrafish with Pseudocapillaria tomentosa, a natural nematode pathogen of teleosts, caused marked increases in eosinophil number within the intestine. Together, these observations support a conserved role for eosinophils in the response to helminth antigens or infection and provide a new model to better understand how parasitic worms activate, co-opt, or evade the vertebrate immune response.
Repeated reunions and splits feature the highly dynamic evolution of 5S and 35S ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) in the Asteraceae family
Authors: Garcia Sònia , Panero José L , Siroky Jiri , Kovarik Ales 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
In flowering plants and animals the most common ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) organisation is that in which 35S (encoding 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA) and 5S genes are physically separated occupying different chromosomal loci. However, recent observations established that both genes have been unified to a single 35S-5S unit in the genus Artemisia (Asteraceae), a genomic arrangement typical of primitive eukaryotes such as yeast, among others. Here we aim to reveal the origin, distribution and mechanisms leading to the linked organisation of rDNA in the Asteraceae by analysing unit structure (PCR, Southern blot, sequencing), gene copy number (quantitative PCR) and chromosomal position (FISH) of 5S and 35S rRNA genes in ~200 species representing the family diversity and other closely related groups.

Results
Dominant linked rDNA genotype was found within three large groups in subfamily Asteroideae: tribe Anthemideae (93% of the studied cases), tribe Gnaphalieae (100%) and in the "Heliantheae alliance" (23%). The remaining five tribes of the Asteroideae displayed canonical non linked arrangement of rDNA, as did the other groups in the Asteraceae. Nevertheless, low copy linked genes were identified among several species that amplified unlinked units. The conserved position of functional 5S insertions downstream from the 26S gene suggests a unique, perhaps retrotransposon-mediated integration event at the base of subfamily Asteroideae. Further evolution likely involved divergence of 26S-5S intergenic spacers, amplification and homogenisation of units across the chromosomes and concomitant elimination of unlinked arrays. However, the opposite trend, from linked towards unlinked arrangement was also surmised in few species indicating possible reversibility of these processes.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that nearly 25% of Asteraceae species may have evolved unusual linked arrangement of rRNA genes. Thus, in plants, fundamental changes in intrinsic structure of rDNA units, their copy number and chromosomal organisation may occur within relatively short evolutionary time. We hypothesize that the 5S gene integration within the 35S unit might have repeatedly occurred during plant evolution, and probably once in Asteraceae.