bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adenoviral CCN3/NOV gene transfer fails to mitigate liver fibrosis in an experimental bile duct ligation model because of hepatocyte apoptosis
Authors: Borkham‐Kamphorst Erawan , Huss Sebastian , Van de Leur Eddy , Haas Ute , Weiskirchen Ralf 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground and Aims
CCN3/NOV, a matricellular protein of the CYR61‐CTGF‐NOV (CCN) family, comprises six secreted proteins that associate specifically with the extracellular matrix. CCN proteins lack specific high‐affinity receptors; instead, they regulate crucial biological processes, such as fibrosis, by signalling via integrins and proteoglycans. Recent studies have linked overexpression of CCN3/NOV to mitigate kidney fibrosis. This study aims to investigate CCN3/NOV overexpression in liver fibrogenesis in vivo.MethodsThe biological efficacy of adenoviral expressed CCN3/NOV directed under transcriptional control of the constitutively active Cytomegalovirus promoter (Ad‐NOV) was analysed in a bile duct ligation model and in cultured primary hepatocytes.Results and ConclusionsEven though Ad‐NOV gene transfer in a 3‐week bile duct ligation mouse model showed the expected high levels of CCN3/NOV in both mRNA and protein, it failed to reduce liver fibrogenesis, but instead enhanced hepatocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, overexpressed CCN3/NOV in cultured primary hepatocytes resulted in decreased levels of CCN2/CTGF, the profibrotic marker protein in liver fibrosis. Both Ad‐NOV and Ad‐CTGF induced reactive oxygen species production, enhanced p38 and JNK activation. Therefore, we conclude that CCN3/NOV overexpression in vivo is insufficient to mitigate liver fibrogenesis because of the induction of hepatocyte injury and apoptosis.
Distribution and Diversity of a Protist PredatorCryothecomonas(Cercozoa) in Arctic Marine Waters
Authors: Thaler Mary , Lovejoy Connie 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTHeterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNFs) are key components in microbial food webs, potentially influencing community composition via top‐down control of their favored prey or host. Marine cercozoanCryothecomonasspecies are parasitoid and predatory HNFs that have been reported from ice, sediments, and the water column. AlthoughCryothecomonasis frequently reported from Arctic and subarctic seas, factors determining its occurrence are not known. We investigated the temporal and geographic distribution ofCryothecomonasin Canadian Arctic seas during the summer and autumn periods from 2006 to 2010. We developed aCryothecomonas‐specific fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) probe targeting ribosomal 18SrRNAto estimate cell concentrations in natural and manipulated samples. Comparison of simple and partial correlation coefficients showed that salinity, depth, and overall community biomass are important factors determiningCryothecomonasabundance. We found no evidence of parasitism in our samples. Hybridized cells included individuals smaller than any formally describedCryothecomonas, suggesting the presence of novel taxa or unknown life stages in this genus. A positive relationship betweenCryothecomonasabundance and ice and meltwater suggests that it is a sensitive indicator of ice melt in Arctic water columns.
Microstructural Evolution of a Nickel Ferrite–Copper Alloy Cermet During Sintering and High‐Temperature Oxidation
Authors: Tao Yuqiang , Li Zhiyou , Zhang Dou , Xiong Huiwen , Zhou Kechao 
Published: June 2012

The microstructural evolution during sintering and high‐temperature oxidation of a cermet comprised of (wt%) a 40/60 ratio of an alloy of composition 80% Cu/20% Ni and a ceramic of composition 90% NiFe2O4/10% NiO has been studied as a function of processing temperature. The porosity of the cermet reduced significantly without undue coarsening of the microstructure during sintering up to the melting temperature of the alloy phase (Tm ≈ 1160°C), whereas at sintering temperatures higher than Tm, the ferrite rapidly coarsened with little additional reduction in porosity, and the alloy phase formed a continuous interconnected network while partially extruding from the composite. Upon oxidation in air at temperatures between 850°C and 1000°C, the cermet developed a multilayered oxidized scale, comprising a thin copper‐rich outer oxide layer formed via external oxidation and a thicker zone of internal oxidation. The external oxide scale transformed from CuO to Cu2O with increasing oxidation temperature. Out‐diffusion of the copper to the externally oxidized layer led to significant porosity at the internal interface between oxide and unoxidized cermet.
Bone response to physical‐vapour‐deposited titanium dioxide coatings on titanium implants
Authors: Ballo Ahmed M. , Bjöörn Dorota , Åstrand Maria , Palmquist Anders , Lausmaa Jukka , Thomsen Peter 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between coating thickness and the crystal structure of physical‐vapour‐deposited (PVD) titanium dioxide coatings, and to evaluate theirin vivobiocompatibility.Materials and methodsThePVDTiO2coatings of different thickness were deposited on machined titanium grade 2 screw‐shaped implants. Non‐coated titanium implants were used as controls. Coating properties such as thickness, crystal structure, coating morphology and roughness were characterized.Forty‐eight implants were placed randomly into both tibias of 16 rats. The animals were euthanized 7 and 28 days postsurgery and block biopsies were prepared for histology, histomorphometry andSEManalysis.ResultsThe thicknesses of thePVDTiO2coatings were 120 and 1430 nm respectively. Histologically, new bone formed on all implant surfaces. The mean percentage of newly formed bone in contact with the implant (BIC) was significantly higher at early healing time (7 days) for the 120 nm thickPVDcoating (39 ± 14%) than for both the 1430 nm thickPVDcoating (22 ± 10%) (P = 0.043) and the machined surface (22 ± 9%) (P = 0.028). This difference was no longer evident after 28 days (P = 0.867).ConclusionBone formation and bone‐to‐implant contact are achieved to the same degree forTiO2surface modifications prepared by aPVDprocess as clinically used, machined titanium. Furthermore, a relatively thinnerPVDcoating promotes a higher degree of bone apposition shortly after implantation, thereby providing rationales for exploring the potential clinical use of these modifications.
Behaviour and physiology of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) relative to short‐term changes in river flow
Authors: Taylor Mark K. , Cook Katrina V. , Hasler Caleb T. , Schmidt Dana C. , Cooke Steven J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractDespite the growing recognition that river flow can have an effect on the growth, distribution and survival of fishes, little is known about the underlying mechanisms to explain this effect. Furthermore, there are few examples of integrated measures of behaviour and physiology to study the responses of fish to river hydrology. Here, axial swimming muscle electromyograms were logged as a sensitive indicator of activity from 19 mountain whitefish (
Prosopium williamsoni) across a large range of hourly discharge magnitudes (mean = 621 m3·s−1, range = 0–1770 m3·s−1) in a hydropeaking reach of the Columbia River, Canada. Hourly mean discharge had a significant positive effect on swimming muscle activity. However, a large amount of the variance was unexplained, possibly due to social interactions, feeding and/or flow‐refuging behaviours. Fluctuating flows were no more energetically costly than stable flows. Discharge magnitude had a significant positive effect on blood cortisol concentrations. Yet, cortisol concentrations were low overall (mean ± SD = 1.60 ± 0.09 ng·ml−1), suggesting that the small observed response could be the result of routine physiological processes rather than a stress response per se. Based on low blood lactate concentrations, mountain whitefish were not swimming exhaustively (i.e., anaerobic burst‐type swimming) at high flows.
Hyperspectroscopic screening of melanoma on acral volar skin
Authors: Nagaoka Takashi , Nakamura Atsushi , Okutani Haruka , Kiyohara Yoshio , Koga Hiroshi , Saida Toshiaki , Sota Takayuki 
Published: June 2012

Background/purposeEarly detection and proper excision of the primary lesions of melanoma are crucial for reducing melanoma‐related deaths. To support the early detection of melanoma, automated melanoma‐screening systems have been extensively studied and developed. In this article, a previously reported hyperspectral imager and melanoma discrimination index are applied to the discrimination of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) from acral nevus (AN), and their diagnostic performance is reported.MethodsThe index expresses the disordered nature of each lesion including variegation in color based on variation in spectral information obtained from each lesion. Performance of the index has been studied in thirteen cases of ALM and seven cases of AN, obtained from patients and volunteers, all of whom were Japanese.ResultsThe index discriminated ALM from AN with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 86%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.97.ConclusionThe performance of the proposed objective melanoma discrimination index at a molecular pigmentary level approached that of clinical experts, using the three‐step algorithm as the gold standard.
Prevalence of postpartum depression among Hispanic immigrant women
Authors: Lucero Nissa B. , Beckstrand Renea L. , Callister Lynn Clark , Sanchez Birkhead Ana C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPurpose: To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) among Hispanic immigrant women seeking healthcare services at a community health clinic.Data sources: Of the 116 Hispanic immigrant women recruited, 96 comprised the final sample. Using the Beck PDSS‐Spanish version, participants were screened for symptoms of PPD.Conclusions: The prevalence of significant symptoms of PPD was 54.2% for the entire sample. Nearly 66% of women who screened positive for symptoms of PPD scored above the listed cutoff score for suicidal thoughts. Women were divided into four postpartum age groups from 2 to 48 weeks; rates of symptoms of PPD ranged from 50% to 60.9% among the groups. There were no statistically significant demographic predictors for PPD.Implications for practice: Given that a large number of Hispanic women do not return for postpartum appointments, along with the high rates of PPD symptoms, it is strongly recommended that healthcare providers implement universal screening for all Hispanic women in pregnancy and across the first postpartum year to ensure prompt diagnosis and culturally appropriate treatment. Further research is needed to assess the cultural components of PPD and to determine if the prevalence is consistent in other community settings.
Clinicopathological Correlations in Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Mete Ozgur , Asa Sylvia L. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPituitary adenomas are common neuroendocrine neoplasms arising from adenohypophysial cells. Recent progress in our understanding of pituitary tumorigenesis as well as pathways involved in molecular cytodifferentiation of the adenohypophysis has impacted on the classification of pituitary adenomas. The detailed comprehensive classification of pituitary adenomas is now well recognized to reflect specific clinical features and genetic changes that predict targeted treatments, as well as prognostic information for patients with pituitary adenomas. Therefore, the clinical responsibility of pathologists is not only limited to the distinction of pituitary adenomas from other sellar lesions, but also to provide a comprehensive subtype classification using appropriate ancillary tools. In this article, we highlight an approach to clinical diagnosis and pitfalls in the classification of these common neoplasms.
Etiologies of Parkinsonism in a Century‐Long Autopsy‐Based Cohort
Authors: Horvath Judit , Burkhard Pierre R. , Bouras Constantin , Kövari Enikö 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWe investigated the distribution of different etiologies underlying Parkinsonism in a hospital‐based autopsy collection, studied the demographic data and evaluated diagnostic accuracy using histopathological examination as the gold standard. Out of a total of 9359 consecutive autopsy cases collected between 1914 and 2010, we identified 261 individuals who carried a clinical diagnosis of a Parkinsonian syndrome at death. A detailed neuropathological examination revealed idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) in 62.2%, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in 4.2%, multiple system atrophy (MSA) in 2.3%, corticobasal degeneration (CBD) in 1.2%, postencephalitic Parkinsonism (PEP) in 2.7%, vascular Parkinsonism (VaP) in 8.8% and Alzheimer‐type pathology (ATP) of the substantia nigra in 8%. The diagnostic accuracy of PD in our cohort was lower (71.2%) than those reported in previous studies, although it tended to increase during the last decades up to 85.7%. Of particular interest, we found that PD, while being the most frequent cause of Parkinsonism, was greatly overdiagnosed, with VaP and ATP being the most frequent confounding conditions.
Effect of diet on serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration in the short‐beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Authors: Scheelings TF , Haynes L 
Published: June 2012

Background  Elevated concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)‐D) were diagnosed in captive short‐beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) from three different zoological facilities within Australia.Results  The mean serum 25(OH)‐D concentration in the wild echidnas was 24.7 nmol/L and was significantly higher in captive echidnas from all three facilities: Facility 1, mean 335.5 nmol/L (P < 0.001); Facility 2, mean 187.2 nmol/L (P = 0.003); Facility 3, mean 194 nmol/L (P = 0.005). Animals did not appear to have clinical manifestations of vitamin D toxicosis. The increased serum 25(OH)‐D concentration was attributed to excessive dietary intake and a reduction in the amount of vitamin D3 in the diet of echidnas from Facility 1 resulted in a marked decrease in the serum 25(OH)‐D concentrations (mean 33 nmol/L). The reduction in serum 25(OH)‐D concentration was statistically significant (P = 0.002) and the resulting concentrations were similar to those of wild echidnas (P = 0.212).Conclusion  It is not known what effect an elevated serum 25(OH)‐D concentration has on echidnas.
Serum Heat Shock Protein 60 in Acute Heart Failure: A New Biomarker?
Authors: Bonanad Clara , Núñez Julio , Sanchis Juan , Bodi Vicente , Chaustre Fabian , Chillet Marifina , Miñana Gema , Forteza Maria José , Palau Patricia , Núñez Eduardo , Navarro David , Llàcer Angel , Chorro Francisco J. 
Published: June 2012

©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is a mitochondrial protein constitutively expressed in the majority of cells, and its expression is up‐regulated by a variety of stressors. In heart failure, HSP60 is released from cardiomyocytes. The authors speculate that increased serum HSP60 (sHSP60) may be related to the severity of heart failure. This investigation sought to assess the association between sHSP60 and the composite end point of death/readmission in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). A total of 132 consecutive patients were admitted for AHF. The independent association between sHSP60 and the end point was assessed with Cox regression. During a median follow‐up of 7 months (interquartile range, 3–14), 35 (26.5%) deaths, 40 (30.3%) readmissions, and 65 (49.2%) deaths/readmission were identified. Patients who exhibited the outcome showed higher median sHSP60 values (6.15 ng/mL [8.49] vs 4.71 ng/mL [7.55] P=.010). A monotonic increase in the incidence of the composite end point was observed when moving from lower to higher tertile (4.74, 4.76, and 6.98 per 10 patients‐years of follow‐up, P for trend <.001). After adjusting for established risk factors, only patients in the upper tertile showed an increased risk of death/readmission (hazard ratio, 2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–5.37; P=.008). In patients with AHF, high sHSP60 was related to a higher risk for subsequent death/readmission for AHF.
Pirfenidone: significant treatment effects in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Hilberg Ole , Simonsen Ulf , du Bois Roland , Bendstrup Elisabeth 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPirfenidone has been shown in three recently published trials to slow down the progression of the devastating interstitial lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The precise mechanisms that initiate and perpetuate the histopathological process leading to lung fibrosis in IPF are still uncertain, but increased concentrations of reactive oxidative species and fibrogenetic factors have been observed in the pulmonary tissue of patients. Although the exact mechanisms of its action are unknown, pirfenidone is a small molecule with antifibrotic and some hydroxyl scavenger properties that has recently been approved in Europe and elsewhere for the treatment of IPF. Along with the new ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT 2011 statement for ‘Evidence Based Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management’, there is now a more profound basis for offering IPF patients an evidence‐based evaluation and treatment. This review summarizes the background to the recommended use of pirfenidone for the treatment of IPF.Please cite this paper as: Hilberg O, Simonsen U, du Bois R and Bendstrup E. Pirfenidone: significant treatment effects in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 131–143.
Floods in future climates: a review
Authors: Whitfield P.H. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAt the global scale, the warming of the atmosphere will increase the capacity of the atmosphere to hold and accelerate the redistribution of water in the atmosphere. This suggests that flood‐generating processes linked to the atmosphere are likely to increase. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projections of future floods involve extremely complex issues that defy simple generalisations. Warming will alter other aspects of the water cycle increasing evaporation, changing precipitation patterns and intensity, and also affecting the processes involved in surface storage of water, including snowpack generation, snowmelt, river ice break‐up, and glacial melt. Many of these are active in flood generation, and changes may cause floods to decrease as well as increase. However, these processes take place not at the global scale but at relatively local scale, making generalisations about flooding in future climates difficult and uncertain. At the global scale, the role of land use is generally unresolved, but at a watershed scale, land‐use effects can be as important as changes in the meteorological processes. This review shows that while meteorologically driven flooding is expected to increase in a changed climate, making a precise pronouncement regarding all floods is unwise, as many types of floods will respond differently to changing climate and that because floods are watershed scale events, these local effects will remain important.
Are extra‐labral MR findings useful in the diagnosis of a labral tear?
Authors: Saddik Daniel , Tran Phillip , Troupis John , Tirman Phillip , O'donnell John , Howells Robert , Farish Stephen , Tartaglia Con 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjective: To determine diagnostic performance statistics of extra‐labral magnetic resonance (MR) findings for detection of labral tears in a population of patients with clinical suspicion of this diagnosis.Materials and Methods: Seventy‐nine patients clinically suspected of having a labral tear (who underwent arthroscopy) had their MR studies retrospectively reviewed to determine the presence of lateral acetabular oedema‐like marrow signal, ganglia, dysplastic femoral bumps, synovial herniation pits and geodes. These findings were then correlated with the arthroscopic presence (or absence) of a labral tear.Results: All findings (lateral acetabular oedema‐like marrow signal, ganglia, dysplastic femoral bumps, synovial herniation pits and geodes) had a specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%. Lateral acetabular oedema‐like marrow signal had a sensitivity of 35% and 20% negative predictive value (NPV). This was the only statistically significant finding (P < 0.05).The sensitivity and NPV of ganglia were 12% and 16%, dysplastic femoral bumps (12%, 16%), synovial herniation pits (4%, 14%) and geodes (6%, 15%) respectively, (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Lateral acetabular oedema‐like marrow signal is a useful sign (100% PPV) in the MR diagnosis of a labral tear, if one is clinically suspected. The other findings (ganglia, dysplastic femoral bumps, synovial herniation pits and geodes) were not statistically significant. Further studies are required to evaluate these.
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Sung Won‐kyung , Au Virginia , Rose Anand 
Published: June 2012

SummaryAnomalous pulmonary venous return is an uncommon congenital malformation, and may be partial or total. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is more common than total anomalous pulmonary venous return, and is often associated with other congenital cardiac anomalies. Whilst many patients with PAPVR remain asymptomatic, some may present in later age with symptoms related to left‐to‐right shunt, right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. We report two cases of PAPVR detected on Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiogram (CTPA) for the work up of pulmonary hypertension. The cases demonstrate that, although uncommon, partial anomalous pulmonary venous return can be a contributing factor to pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary veins should be carefully examined when reading a CTPA study.
Development and evaluation of 200 novel SNP assays for population genetic studies of westslope cutthroat trout and genetic identification of related taxa
Authors: CAMPBELL N. R. , AMISH S. J. , PRITCHARD V. L. , McKELVEY K. S. , YOUNG M. K. , SCHWARTZ M. K. , GARZA J. C. , LUIKART G. , NARUM S. R. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractDNA sequence data were collected and screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) and also for substitutions that could be used to genetically discriminate rainbow trout (O. mykiss) and cutthroat trout, as well as several cutthroat trout subspecies. In total, 260 expressed sequence tag‐derived loci were sequenced and allelic discrimination genotyping assays developed from 217 of the variable sites. Another 50 putative SNPs in westslope cutthroat trout were identified by restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing, and seven of these were developed into assays. Twelve O. mykiss SNP assays that were variable within westslope cutthroat trout and 12 previously published SNP assays were also included in downstream testing. A total of 241 assays were tested on six westslope cutthroat trout populations (N = 32 per population), as well as collections of four other cutthroat trout subspecies and a population of rainbow trout. All assays were evaluated for reliability and deviation from Hardy–Weinberg and linkage equilibria. Poorly performing and duplicate assays were removed from the data set, and the remaining 200 assays were used in tests of population differentiation. The remaining markers easily distinguished the various subspecies tested, as evidenced by mean GST of 0.74. A smaller subset of the markers (N = 86; average GST = 0.40) was useful for distinguishing the six populations of westslope cutthroat trout. This study increases by an order of magnitude the number of genetic markers available for the study of westslope cutthroat trout and closely related taxa and includes many markers in genes (developed from ESTs).