bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased GABA receptor in the cerebral cortex of epileptic rats: effect of Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A
Authors: Mathew Jobin , Balakrishnan Savitha , Antony Sherin , Abraham Pretty Mary , Paulose CS 
Published: March 2012

Abstact

Background
Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex, maintains the inhibitory tones that counter balances neuronal excitation. When this balance is perturbed, seizures may ensue.

Methods
In the present study, alterations of the general GABA, GABAA and GABAB receptors in the cerebral cortex of the epileptic rat and the therapeutic application of Bacopa monnieri were investigated.

Results
Scatchard analysis of [3H]GABA, [3H]bicuculline and [3H]baclofen in the cerebral cortex of the epileptic rat showed significant decrease in Bmax (P < 0.001) compared to control. Real Time PCR amplification of GABA receptor subunits such as GABAAά1, GABAAγ, GABAAδ, GABAB and GAD where down regulated (P < 0.001) in epileptic rats. GABAAά5 subunit and Cyclic AMP responsible element binding protein were up regulated. Confocal imaging study confirmed the decreased GABA receptors in epileptic rats. Epileptic rats have deficit in radial arm and Y maze performance.

Conclusions

Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment reverses epilepsy associated changes to near control suggesting that decreased GABA receptors in the cerebral cortex have an important role in epileptic occurrence; Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A have therapeutic application in epilepsy management.
Niacinamide mitigated the acute lung injury induced by phorbol myristate acetate in isolated rat's lungs
Authors: Lin Chia-Chih , Hsieh Nan-Kuang , Liou Huey Ling , Chen Hsing I 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundPhorbol myristate acetate (PMA) is a strong neutrophil activator and has been used to induce acute lung injury (ALI). Niacinamide (NAC) is a compound of B complex. It exerts protective effects on the ALI caused by various challenges. The purpose was to evaluate the protective effects of niacinamide (NAC) on the PMA-induced ALI and associated changes.MethodsThe rat's lungs were isolatedin situand perfused with constant flow. A total of 60 isolated lungs were randomized into 6 groups to received Vehicle (DMSO 100 μg/g), PMA 4 μg/g (lung weight), cotreated with NAC 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/g (lung weight). There were 10 isolated lungs in each group. We measured the lung weight and parameters related to ALI. The pulmonary arterial pressure and capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc) were determined in isolated lungs. ATP (adenotriphosphate) and PARP [poly(adenosine diphophate-ribose) polymerase] contents in lung tissues were detected. Real-time PCR was employed to display the expression of inducible and endothelial NO synthases (iNOS and eNOS). The neutrophil-derived mediators in lung perfusate were determined.ResultsPMA caused increases in lung weight parameters. This agent produced pulmonary hypertension and increased microvascular permeability. It resulted in decrease in ATP and increase in PARP. The expression of iNOS and eNOS was upregulated following PMA. PMA increased the neutrophil-derived mediators. Pathological examination revealed lung edema and hemorrhage with inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical stain disclosed the presence of iNOS-positive cells in macrophages and endothelial cells. These pathophysiological and biochemical changes were diminished by NAC treatment. The NAC effects were dose-dependent.ConclusionsOur results suggest that neutrophil activation and release of neutrophil-derived mediators by PMA cause ALI and associated changes. NO production through the iNOS-producing cells plays a detrimental role in the PMA-induced lung injury. ATP is beneficial, while PARP plays a deteriorative effect on the PMA-induced ALI. NAC exerts protective effects on the inflammatory cascade leading to pulmonary injury. This B complex compound may be applied for clinical usage and therapeutic regimen.
Novel polysome messages and changes in translational activity appear after induction of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells
Authors: Fromm-Dornieden Carolin , von der Heyde Silvia , Lytovchenko Oleksandr , Salinas-Riester Gabriela , Brenig Bertram , Beissbarth Tim , Baumgartner Bernhard G 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundControl of translation allows for rapid adaptation of the cell to stimuli, rather than the slower transcriptional control. We presume that translational control is an essential process in the control of adipogenesis, especially in the first hours after hormonal stimulation. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured to confluency and adipogenesis was induced by standard protocols using a hormonal cocktail. Cells were harvested before and 6 hours after hormonal induction. mRNAs attached to ribosomes (polysomal mRNAs) were separated from unbound mRNAs by velocity sedimentation. Pools of polysomal and unbound mRNA fractions were analyzed by microarray analysis. Changes in relative abundance in unbound and polysomal mRNA pools were calculated to detect putative changes in translational activity. Changes of expression levels of selected genes were verified by qPCR and Western blotting.ResultsWe identified 43 genes that shifted towards the polysomal fraction (up-regulated) and 2 genes that shifted towards free mRNA fraction (down-regulated). Interestingly, we found Ghrelin to be down-regulated. Up-regulated genes comprise factors that are nucleic acid binding (eIF4B, HSF1, IRF6, MYC, POLR2a, RPL18, RPL27a, RPL6, RPL7a, RPS18, RPSa, TSC22d3), form part of ribosomes (RPL18, RPL27a, RPL6, RPL7a, RPS18, RPSa), act on the regulation of translation (eIF4B) or transcription (HSF1, IRF6, MYC, TSC22d3). Others act as chaperones (BAG3, HSPA8, HSP90ab1) or in other metabolic or signals transducing processes.ConclusionsWe conclude that a moderate reorganisation of the functionality of the ribosomal machinery and translational activity are very important steps for growth and gene expression control in the initial phase of adipogenesis.
PRAF3 induces apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shi Guo-Zhen , Yuan Yang , Jiang Guo-Jun , Ge Zhi-Jun , Zhou Jian , Gong De-Jun , Tao Jing , Tan Yong-Fei , Huang Sheng-Dong 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Prenylated Rab acceptor 1 domain family member 3 (PRAF3) is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes including apoptosis, migration and invasion. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of PRAF3 on apoptosis, migration and invasion in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods
The expression of PRAF3 mRNA and protein in primary ESCC and the matched normal tissues (57cases) was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Immunohistochemical analysis of PRAF3 expression was carried out in paraffin-embedded sections of ESCC and correlated with clinical features. The role of PRAF3 in apoptosis, migration and invasion was studied in ESCC cell lines of Eca109 and TE-1 through the adenovirus mediated PRAF3 gene transfer. The effect of PRAF3 on apoptosis was analyzed by annexin V-FITC assay. The regulation of PRAF3 on migration was determined by transwell and wounding healing assay, while the cellular invasion was analyzed by matrigel-coated transwell assay.

Results
We found that the expression of PRAF3 was significantly down-regulated in ESCC tissue compared with the matched normal tissue and was correlated with the clinical features of pathological grade, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of PRAF3 induced cell apoptosis through both caspase-8 and caspase-9 dependent pathways, and inhibited cell migration and invasion by suppressing the activity of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human ESCC cell lines.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that PRAF3 plays an important role in the regulation of tumor progression and metastasis and serves as a tumor suppressor in human ESCC. We propose that PRAF3 might be used as a potential therapeutic agent for human ESCC.
Do ants need to be old and experienced to teach?
Authors: Franklin Elizabeth L. , Robinson Elva J. H. , Marshall James A. R. , Sendova-Franks Ana B. , Franks Nigel R. 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYLearning is widespread in invertebrates. However, whether social insects improve their recruitment skills with experience is only beginning to be investigated. Tandem running is a one-to-one form of recruitment used by certain species of ant. It is a remarkable communication system that meets widely accepted criteria for teaching in non-human animals. Here, we determined experimentally to what extent participation in, and efficient execution of, tandem running depends on either the age or the experience of worker ants. To investigate these issues, we constructed colonies of the ant Temnothorax albipennis with different compositions of inexperienced and experienced workers from different age cohorts and then examined which ants participated in tandem runs when they emigrated. Our results show that the ability to participate actively in recruitment by tandem running is present in all worker age groups but the propensity to participate varies with experience rather than age per se. Experienced individuals were more likely to engage in tandem runs, either as leaders or as followers, than young inexperienced individuals, and older experienced ants were more likely to lead tandems than older inexperienced ants. Young inexperienced ants led faster, more rapidly dispersing and less accurately orientated tandem runs than the older experienced ants. Our study suggests that experience (rather than age per se) coupled to stimulus threshold responses might interact to promote a division of labour so that a suitable number of workers actively participate in tandem runs.
Injection molding of optics for high volume consumer products
Authors: de Schipper Rien 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
For high volume consumer products using optical technology, plastics injection molding is a very suitable technology. In optical component fabrication, astonishing results are be booked. However, to achieve success, excellent performance is needed in mastering different technologies such as polymer processing, evaporated coatings, tool making, ultra-precision turning of metals and optical metrology.
Considerations for early acute myocardial infarction rule-out for emergency department chest pain patients: the case of copeptin
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Plebani Mario , Di Somma Salvatore , Monzani Valter , Tubaro Marco , Volpe Massimo , Moscatelli Paolo , Vernocchi Arialdo , Cavazza Mario , Galvani Marcello , Cappelletti Piero , Marenzi Giancarlo , Ferraro Simona , Lombardi Alberto , Peracino Andrea 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe evaluation of patients admitted at the emergency department (ED) for chest pain is challenging and involves many different clinical specialists including emergency physicians, laboratory professionals and cardiologists. The preferable approach to deal with this issue is to develop joint protocols that will assist the clinical decision-making to quickly and accurately rule-out patients with non life-threatening conditions that can be considered for early and safe discharge or further outpatient follow-up, rule-in patients with acute coronary syndrome and raise the degree of alert of the emergency physicians on non-cardiac life-threatening emergencies. The introduction of novel biomarkers alongside the well-established troponins might support this process and also provide prognostic information about acute short-term or chronic long-term risk and severity. Among the various biomarkers, copeptin measurement holds appealing perspectives. The utility of combining troponin with copeptin might be cost-effective due to the high negative predictive value of the latter biomarker in the rule-out of an acute coronary syndrome. Moreover, in the presence of a remarkably increased concentration (e.g., more than 10 times the upper limit of the reference range), to reveal the presence of acute life-threatening conditions that may not necessarily be identified with the use of troponin alone. The aim of this article is to review current evidence about the clinical significance of copeptin testing in the ED as well as its appropriate placing within diagnostic protocols.
Exaggerating difference: Representations of the Third World Other in PI aid
Authors: Juffermans, Kasper 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
This article is concerned with how private/personal initiatives (PIs) in development cooperation (PI aid) discursively represent their projects and aid beneficiaries. To this end it, examines Dutch and Flemish PIs active in The Gambia, West Africa, on the basis of a critical analysis of self-promotional material published on their websites. It is argued that PIs construct an image that exaggerates cultural and socio-economic differences between the European Self and the African Other, and that this needs to be understood in the context of the PIs' roots in tourism and other discourses of representing the Third World Other.
Questions in academic ELF interaction
Authors: Björkman, Beyza 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
This article investigates questions in a higher education setting where English is used as a lingua franca. The study originates from a larger piece of work which investigated the communicative effectiveness of spoken English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) among the teachers and students at a technical university in authentic situations (Björkman, 2010a). The focus in the present article is placed on student-student interaction from group-work sessions, but references to lectures have been included for comparison where appropriate.
The questions in the study were first categorized syntactically. Syntactic analyses were followed by phonological analyses of question intonation. The results of the pilot study point to three cues the listener can rely on to be able to register an utterance as a question: syntax with specific reference to word order, utterance-final rising question intonation and the interrogative adverb/pronoun (in Wh-questions only).
The results of the analyses in the present study, drawing on qualitative and quantitative data, demonstrate that a question is more likely to be registered as such when all available cues are provided for the listener. It seems reasonable to suggest, then, that the speakers in lingua franca settings, with the added complexities at the syntactic level, make use of all available cues to ensure communicative effectiveness. Most importantly, the speakers in this setting appeared to achieve communicative effectiveness by using utterance-final rising question intonation in the absence of the other cues, and not by following unmarked native speaker intonation. The fact that utterance-final question intonation is the most reliable cue among the three shows, yet from another angle in ELF usage, that we cannot assume native speaker usage as the ideal in similar settings.
Photodynamic skin rejuvenation
Authors: Kohl Elisabeth A. , Karrer Sigrid 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe aesthetic effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for photoaged skin are well documented in clinical studies. An improvement of lentigines, skin roughness, sallow complexion, and fine wrinkles was demonstrated. Reduction of histological signs of photoaging as a decrease of elastotic material and expression of p53 was shown together with the induction of neocollagenesis. PDT represents a promising technique for skin rejuvenation because this therapy effectively improves photoaged skin, allows repeated treatment sessions, has only limited and calculable side effects, and offers the possibility of contemporaneously treating non-melanoma skin cancer.
Treating rhinophyma: A case report illustrating decortication/vaporization with an 808-nm diode laser
Authors: Gubitosi Adelmo , Ruggiero Roberto , Docimo Giovanni , Esposito Alessandro , Esposito Emanuela , Villaccio Giuseppe , Foroni Fabrizio , Agresti Massimo 
Published: March 2012

AbstractRhinophyma is a skin disease that is not only disfiguring but can also have a negative impact on respiratory function by causing nasal obstruction. There is a wide range of techniques used in the surgical management of rhinophyma, including laser treatment, all of which involve tissue ablation. With regard to the laser therapy, there is no consensus as to which laser is most effective. The authors present a case report to illustrate their method of treating rhinophyma with an 808-nm diode laser, which included the use of exogenous pigment to define the target area and the application of human fibrin glue to obtain good hemostasis and wound healing and prevent infection.
Triple-pass technique of pulsed dye laser in the treatment of port-wine stains
Authors: Aboelatta Yasser Abdallah 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPulsed dye laser (PDL) is considered the treatment of choice for port-wine stains (PWS). However, multiple laser sessions are required over a long period.The aim of the study is to evaluate the ability of multiple passes of PDL to bring about faster PWS fading and reduce the treatment period.Twenty patients with PWS were treated by triple passes of PDL with variable pulse durations (3, 6, and 10 ms). Each patient received three to six laser treatment sessions (spot size: 7 mm, fluencies: 8–12 J/cmMinimal improvement occurred in only two patients.Multiple passes of PDL did not result in faster fading of PWS lesions. The triple-pass technique may be of value if used in a different way or with different parameters.
Copolymerization of norbornene with styrene catalyzed by Ni{CF3C(O)CHC[N(naphthyl)]CH3}2/B(C6F5)3 and transparent films
Authors: Xing Yuepeng , Chen Yiwang , He Xiaohui 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Copolymerization of norbornene (NB) with styrene (St) was carried out with the catalytic system of Ni{CF3C(O)CHC[N(naphthyl)]CH3}2 and B(C6F5)3 in toluene. The catalytic system exhibited higher activity 1.37×105(gpolymer/molNi·h) for copolymerization of NB and St. The influence of the comonomer feed content on the polymerization activity, as well as on the incorporation rates, was investigated. The St content in copolymers can be controlled to be 1.1–5.6 mol% at a content of 10–50 mol% of the St in the monomer feeds ratios. The reactivity ratios were determined to be rSt=0.453 and rNB=19.810 by the Kelen-TÜdÕs method catalyzed by the Ni{CF3C(O)CHC[N(naphthyl)]CH3}2/B(C6F5)3 system. The prepared copolymers had very high glass transition temperatures (Tg>320°C). Copolymers were processed by the solution casting method and the copolymer films showed good transparency in the visible region with 75–80% transmittance.
Ultraviolet Action Spectrum for Cell Killing of Primary Porcine Lens Epithelial Cells
Authors: Okuno Tsutomu , Nakanishi‐Ueda Takako , Ueda Toshihiko , Yasuhara Hajime , Koide Ryohei 
Published: March 2012

Ultraviolet Action Spectrum for Cell Killing of Primary Porcine Lens Epithelial Cells: Tsutomu OKUNO, et al. Human Engineering and Risk Management Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan—ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine ultraviolet (UV) action spectra for cell killing of primary porcine lens epithelial cells (LECs) that can be used to establish guidelines for evaluation of the hazard of cataract due to UV exposure in the workplace.MethodsPrimary porcine LECs were exposed to different doses (radiant exposure) of UV at 17 different wavelengths from 235 nm to 311 nm. At 2 days after exposure, cell viability was assessed by measuring crystal violet staining of the cells and lactate dehydrogenase release into the culture medium. The exposure dose required to kill 50% of cells (LD50) was determined from the dose‐effect relationship obtained at each wavelength and was used to construct action spectra.ResultsThe action spectra had a broad minimum in the approximate range of 250–280 nm, indicating that UV is most hazardous to porcine LECs within this wavelength range. The spectra rose steeply at both longer and shorter wavelengths. These action spectra are consistent with the in vivo action spectra for opacities in the rabbit lens and for light scattering in the rat lens, taking the transmittance of the ocular media into account.ConclusionsThese results will help to determine a UV hazard function for cataract formation, which can be used to draft guidelines for evaluation of the hazard of cataract due to UV exposure in the workplace.
Sintering and Dielectric Properties of SrTiO3-based Ceramics
Authors: Li Juan , Jin Dengren , Zhou Lixin , Cheng Jinrong 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTHigh dielectric tunability, low dielectric loss tangent and appropriate level of dielectric constant are the basic requirements for applications as electrically tunable dielectric microwave devices. In our experiments, the SrTiO3 green compacts made of the powder mixtures with various particle sizes were infiltrated with a BaTiO3 precursor solution and sintered at different temperatures between 1280 and 1350 ºC for 2 hours and 1350 ºC for 6 hours. The sintering, microstructural and dielectric properties were investigated. Results showed that the relative density of SrTiO3 ceramics could reached 93% when sintered at 1280 ºC for 2 hours. When sintered for 6 hours at 1350 °C, the room temperature dielectric constant of SrTiO3 reaches 900 at a frequency of 1MHz. It has only weak temperature dependence between 100 and 500K. The reason of the low sintering temperature for the dense SrTiO3 ceramics and the effects of sintering scheme on the dielectric properties from 100 K to 500 K are discussed in this paper.
Measuring the Effects of Invasive Plants on Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Eviner Valerie T. , Garbach Kelly , Baty Jill H. , Hoskinson Sarah A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPlant invasions can have large effects on ecosystem services. Some plant invaders were introduced specifically to restore key services to ecosystems, and other invaders are having unintended, detrimental effects on services, such as the quantity and quality of water delivered, flood control, erosion control, and food production. Many ecosystem services are difficult to measure directly, and although there are extensive studies on plant invaders and ecosystem processes, a number of challenges prevent us from confidently extrapolating those processes as proxies for services. To extrapolate local, short-term measures of processes to ecosystem services, we must: (1) determine which processes are the key contributors to a service, (2) assess how multiple processes interact to provide a given service, (3) determine how vegetation types and species affect those processes, and (4) explicitly assess how ecosystem services and their controls vary over space and time, including reliance of ecosystem services on “hot spots” and “hot moments” and a minimum size of a vegetation type in the landscape. A given invader can have positive effects on some services and negative effects on others. It is important to consider that, in some systems, shifting environmental conditions may no longer support native species and that invasive species may be critical contributors to the resilience of ecosystem services.