bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential impacts of a green revolution in Africa—the case of Ghana
Authors: Breisinger Clemens , Diao Xinshen , Thurlow James , Hassan Ramatu M. Al 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAgricultural growth in Africa has accelerated, yet most of this growth has been driven by land expansion. Land expansion potential is reaching its limits, urging governments to shift towards a green revolution type of productivity‐led growth. Given the huge public investments required, this paper aims to assess the potential impacts of a green revolution. Results from a CGE model for Ghana show that green revolution type growth is strongly pro‐poor and provides substantial transfers to the rest of the economy, thus providing a powerful argument to raise public expenditure on agriculture to make a green revolution happen in Africa. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis at Chinese PLA General Hospital
Authors: Zou Zhitong , Ma Lin , Li Hengjin 
Published: November 2009

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dermatology, and dermatopathology records were searched to determine the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) at a large military hospital in China. Over the past 3.7 years, gadolinium‐based contrast agent (GBCA)‐enhanced MRI was performed with Gd‐DTPA (n = 28,680) or MultiHance (n = 635) typically at slightly more than a standard dose, as most patients received a unit dose, 15 mL or 20 mL instead of a weight‐based dose. This included 118 renal failure patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 30 mL/min and 33 patients on chronic hemodialysis. Despite a diligent search involving rereview of histopathological sections in similarly diagnosed cases, there was no evidence that any patient developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. For the renal failure and hemodialysis patients, there were no clinical notes of unexplained rashes within 3 months following GBCA. The incidence of NSF in Chinese People Liberation Army General Hospital using gadolinium (Gd) in 29,315 patients, 151 with severe renal failure or hemodialysis, is thus far undetectable. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1309–1312. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gadolinium‐containing magnetic resonance image contrast agent promotes fibrocyte differentiation
Authors: Vakil Varsha , Sung Joanna J. , Piecychna Marta , Crawford Jeffrey R. , Kuo Phillip , Abu‐Alfa Ali K. , Cowper Shawn E. , Bucala Richard , Gomer Richard H. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractGadolinium‐containing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents such as Omniscan are associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). To determine if Omniscan can affect the differentiation of monocytes into fibroblast‐like cells called fibrocytes that are found in the fibrotic lesions of NSF, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from NSF patients, hemodialysis patients without NSF, and healthy, renally sufficient controls were exposed to Omniscan in a standardized in vitro fibrocyte differentiation protocol. When added to PBMCs, the gadolinium‐containing MRI contrast agent Omniscan generally had little effect on fibrocyte differentiation. However, 10−8 to 10−3 mg/mL Omniscan reduced the ability of the fibrocyte differentiation inhibitor serum amyloid P (SAP) to decrease fibrocyte differentiation in PBMCs from 15 of 17 healthy controls and one of three NSF patients. Omniscan reduced the ability of SAP to decrease fibrocyte differentiation from purified monocytes, indicating that the Omniscan effect does not require the presence of other cells (such as T cells) in the PBMCs. Omniscan also reduced the ability of a different fibrocyte differentiation inhibitor, interleukin‐12, to decrease fibrocyte differentiation. These data suggest that Omniscan interferes with the regulatory action of signals that inhibit the differentiation of monocytes to fibrocytes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1284–1288. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kooman Jeroen P. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis after gadolinium exposure is inversely related to renal function. Various methods are available to assess the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Prediction formulas based on serum creatinine, such as the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula, are most commonly used and appear acceptable for clinical purposes in the majority of patients with chronic renal failure. However, especially in patients at the extremes of body composition, the results from creatinine‐based equations should be interpreted with caution. In those patients, additional methods, such as timed urine collections, predictions based on cystatin, single‐shot radiotracer methods, or, optimally, inulin clearance could be considered. In this review, the strengths and limitations of different methods to assess GFR are discussed. Apart from inulin clearance, no method can be considered the gold standard in the assessment of GFR. In cases of doubt, the decision to use gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging should always be based on clinical risk–benefit judgment. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1341–1346. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gadolinium‐based contrast agents and NSF: Evidence from animal experience
Authors: Sieber Martin A. , Steger‐Hartmann Thomas , Lengsfeld Philipp , Pietsch Hubertus 
Published: November 2009

AbstractNephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a potentially severe systemic disease typically characterized by fibrosis of the skin and connective tissues. The etiology of NSF is still unknown but is likely to be multifactorial. Specific triggers under scientific evaluation have included surgery and/or the occurrence of thrombosis or other vascular injury, proinflammatory state, the administration of high doses of erythropoietin, and more recently the use of gadolinium‐based contrast agents (GBCAs). The aim of this review is to summarize knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of NSF and the potential role of GBCAs in its pathology, with a focus on animal experiments. The potential role of complex stability of GCBAs will be highlighted by results from several in vitro and in vivo experiments in rodent models of NSF. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1268–1276. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: Clinical spectrum of disease
Authors: Mayr Michael , Burkhalter Felix , Bongartz Georg 
Published: November 2009

AbstractNephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a rare systemic fibrosing disorder that primarily affects the skin and the subcutaneous structures. Also, there are reports of involvement of deeper structures and organs in the human body, but the confirmation of systemic involvement is complicated by overlap of other disease processes that occur in patients with severe renal impairment. The disorder leads to significant disability and is an important contributing factor of death. Virtually all patients who developed NSF suffered from endstage renal disease (ESRD) or severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) or from an acute acquired kidney injury (AKI). There is an increase in evidence that a causal relation between gadolinium‐based contrast agents (Gd‐CA) and NSF is probable. Therefore, advanced kidney injury and the exposure to Gd‐CA are regarded as prerequisites to develop NSF. Overall, the prognosis is poor and there is no established therapy that shows a consistent benefit. The purpose of this review is to discuss the clinical spectrum of the disease. The clinical presentation, role of co‐morbidity in disease development and manifestation, time course, prognosis, outcome, and epidemiological aspects are especially reviewed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1289–1297. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Renovascular imaging in the NSF Era
Authors: Roditi Giles , Maki Jeffrey H. , Oliveira George , Michaely Henrik J. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe detection of the association between nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a rare but potentially life‐threatening disease only encountered in patients with severely impaired renal function, and the previous administration of some Gd‐chelates has cast a shadow on the administration of Gd‐chelates in patients with chronic renal failure. So far, contrast‐enhanced MR‐angiography (MRA) was considered the best diagnostic modality in patients with suspected renal disease. This review explores the most appropriate use of renal MRA with a focus on newly developed nonenhanced MRA techniques. Nonenhanced MRA techniques mainly based on SSFP with ECG‐gating allow for acceptable spatial resolution to visualize at least the proximal parts of the renal arteries. In addition functional renal imaging techniques and their current clinical role are critically appreciated. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1323–1334. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanism of NSF: New evidence challenging the prevailing theory
Authors: Newton Ben B. , Jimenez Sergio A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractNephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) has been associated with the administration of gadolinium‐based contrast agents in patients with severely impaired renal function (SIRF), endstage renal disease (ESRD), or acute renal failure (ARF). Since the vast majority of these patients do not get NSF, it is highly likely that patient factors play a role in its development. Although “free” or dechelated gadolinium is thought by some to be the only trigger of NSF, recent evidence suggests that chelated gadolinium may be important. Chelated gadolinium such as Omniscan (gadodiamide) and Magnevist (gadopentetate) can directly stimulate macrophages and monocytes in vitro to release profibrotic cytokines and growth factors capable of initiating and supporting the tissue fibrosis that is characteristic of NSF. In addition, an effect of chelated gadolinium on fibroblasts has also been demonstrated. Chelated gadolinium in the form of Omniscan, Magnevist, MultiHance, and ProHance increased proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts. Indeed, increased numbers of macrophages, together with activated fibroblasts and fibrocytes, are essential cells in the fibrotic process and are present in NSF skin. Accordingly, it is important that chelated gadolinium, in combination with patient cofactors, is considered in the etiology of NSF associated with enhanced scans. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1277–1283. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in liver disease: A systematic review
Authors: Mazhar Sameer M. , Shiehmorteza Masoud , Kohl Chad A. , Middleton Michael S. , Sirlin Claude B. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractNephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) may develop in patients with liver disease, a fact highlighted by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcements cautioning against the use of gadolinium‐based contrast agents (GBCAs) in select liver disease patients. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to characterize the risk of NSF in patients with liver disease. All published articles on NSF from September 2000 through August 2008, were identified via PubMed searches and examination of articles' reference lists. Two reviewers independently read each article and identified unique patients with biopsy‐proven or suspected NSF. Data on demographics, liver status, renal status, and GBCA exposure were collected. A total of 324 articles were reviewed, with 108 articles containing case descriptions of 335 unique NSF patients. After excluding the 95/335 (28%) patients in whom the presence or absence of liver disease was uncertain, liver disease was confirmed present in 41/239 (17%) patients. Renal insufficiency could be assessed in 35 of the liver disease patients; severe renal insufficiency, defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or estimated GFR (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or dialysis requirement, was present in 34/35 (97%) patients. The lone patient who developed NSF with mild/moderate renal insufficiency was atypical and received a total gadodiamide load of 0.76 mmol/kg over a 10‐week period periliver transplantation. The published medical literature demonstrates that patients with liver disease who develop NSF also have severe renal insufficiency, suggesting that liver disease does not confer a risk for NSF beyond that of the underlying renal insufficiency. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1313–1322. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Magnetic resonance imaging in real time: Advances using radial FLASH
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Block Kai Tobias , Frahm Jens 
Published: November 2009

AbstractPurposeTo develop technical advances for real‐time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that allow for improved image quality and high frame rates.Materials and MethodsThe approach is based on a combination of fast low‐angle shot (FLASH) MRI sequences with radial data sampling and view sharing of successive acquisitions. Gridding reconstructions provide images free from streaking or motion artifacts and with a flexible trade‐off between spatial and temporal resolution. Immediate image reconstruction and online display is accomplished with the use of an unmodified 3 T MRI system. For receive coils with a large number of elements this process is supported by a user‐selectable channel compression that is based on a principal component analysis and performed during initial preparation scans.ResultsIn preliminary applications to healthy volunteers, real‐time radial FLASH MRI visualized continuous movements of the temporomandibular joint during voluntary opening and closing of the mouth at high spatial resolution (0.75 mm in‐plane) and monitored cardiac functions at high temporal resolution (20 images per second) during free breathing and without synchronization to the electrocardiogram.ConclusionReal‐time radial FLASH MRI emerges as a simple and versatile tool for a large range of clinical applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
NSF prevention in clinical practice: Summary of recommendations and guidelines in the United States, Canada, and Europe
Authors: Leiner Tim , Kucharczyk Walter 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIn this article we summarize recommendations and guidelines for the prevention of NSF from the United States, Canada, and Europe. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1357–1363. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genome wide profiling of altered gene expression in the neocortex of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Tan Michelle G. , Chua Wei‐Ting , Esiri Margaret M. , Smith A. David , Vinters Harry V. , Lai Mitchell K. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a complex neurodegenerative process affecting multiple genes and proteins in the neocortex, many of which have not been well‐studied. In this study, we investigated genome‐wide gene alterations in the temporal cortex of a well‐characterized cohort of AD patients using a recently developed microarray platform, and compared some of the transcript changes with immunoblotting. Of the 5485 genes found to be significantly altered in AD, there were consistent patterns of changes which show that the AD transcriptome in neocortex is characterized by changes indicative of synaptic dysfunction, perturbed neurotransmission and activation of neuroinflammation. We also highlighted several genes of potential pathogenic significance which have not been well studied in AD. The current study aims to add to the growing body of knowledge relating to gene changes in AD and provide further insights into pathogenic mechanisms and potential targets of pharmacotherapy. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nitric oxide regulates BDNF release from nodose ganglion neurons in a pattern‐dependent and cGMP‐independent manner
Authors: Hsieh Hui‐ya , Robertson Carolyn L. , Vermehren‐Schmaedick Anke , Balkowiec Agnieszka 
Published: November 2009

AbstractActivity of arterial baroreceptors is modulated by neurohumoral factors, including nitric oxide (NO), released from endothelial cells. Baroreceptor reflex responses can also be modulated by NO signaling in the brainstem nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the primary central target of cardiovascular afferents. Our recent studies indicate that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is abundantly expressed by developing and adult baroreceptor afferents in vivo, and released from cultured nodose ganglion (NG) neurons by patterns of baroreceptor activity. Using electrical field stimulation and ELISA in situ, we show that exogenous NO nearly abolishes BDNF release from newborn rat NG neurons in vitro stimulated with single pulses delivered at 6 Hz, but not 2‐pulse bursts delivered at the same 6‐Hz frequency, that corresponds to a rat heart rate. Application of L‐NAME, a specific inhibitor of endogenous NO synthases, does not have any significant effect on activity‐dependent BDNF release, but leads to upregulation of BDNF expression in an activity‐dependent manner. The latter effect suggests a novel mechanism of homeostatic regulation of activity‐dependent BDNF expression with endogenous NO as a key player. The exogenous NO‐mediated effect does not involve the cGMP‐protein kinase G (PKG) pathway, but is largely inhibited by N‐ethylmaleimide and TEMPOL that are known to prevent S‐nitrosylation. Together, our current data identify previously unknown mechanisms regulating BDNF availability, and point to NO as a likely regulator of BDNF at baroafferent synapses in the NTS. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The embryonic blood‐CSF barrier has molecular elements to control E‐CSF osmolarity during early CNS development
Authors: Parvas Maryam , Bueno David 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIn vertebrates, brain development takes place at the expanded anterior end of the neural tube. After closure of the anterior neuropore, the brain wall forms a physiologically sealed cavity that encloses embryonic cerebrospinal fluid (E‐CSF), a complex and protein‐rich fluid. E‐CSF has several crucial roles in brain anlagen development. In this respect, during the initiation of neurogenesis, increases in the volume of brain cavities account for 70% of the total growth of the brain primordium, and are accompanied by a parallel increase in E‐CSF volume. Recently, we reported the presence of several blood vessels located in the brain stem lateral to the ventral midline, at the mesencephalon and prosencephalon level, which have a transient blood‐CSF barrier function in chick embryos by transporting proteins in a selective manner via transcellular routes. These blood vessels control E‐CSF protein composition and homeostasis during this early stage of CNS development, just after closure of the neuropores. Here we report that in chick and rat embryos these same blood vessels, which lie close to the neuroectoderm, express several molecules related to water and ion transport, namely AQP1, AQP4 and Kir4.1. Our results confirm that a blood‐CSF barrier controls E‐CSF composition and homeostasis from early stages of brain development in chick embryos, including water and ion influx, thus regulating E‐CSF osmolarity. On the basis of our findings, we also propose that a similar blood‐CSF barrier is present in mammals at equivalent developmental stages of the brain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuronal expression of two isoforms of mouse Septin 5
Authors: Asada Akiko , Takahashi Junya , Taniguchi Makoto , Yamamoto Hiromi , Kimura Taeko , Saito Taro , Hisanaga Shin‐ichi 
Published: November 2009

AbstractSeptin 5 (Sept5) is a member of the Septin GTPase family and is thought to be involved in exocytosis through interactions with syntaxin 1 in postmitotic neurons. In rats, Sept5 is alternatively spliced to produce a short (Sept5_v2) and long (Sept5_v1) isoform. We recently identified Sept5 in rat brain as a substrate for Cdk5/p35, which phosphorylates Ser17 of Sept5_v1. To date, however, only the short Sept5_v2 isoform has been reported in the mouse. To determine the general expression of the Sept5_v1 isoform in mammals, we isolated Sept5_v1 cDNA by PCR using mouse brain total RNA. Mouse Sept5_v1 cDNA showed a high degree of nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology to the corresponding isoform of rat and human Sept5. Both isoforms were expressed mainly in brain and testis at the mRNA level, but expression was restricted to brain at the protein level. Whereas Sept5_v1 mRNA was highly expressed in the cortex and hippocampus, Sept5_v2 mRNA was expressed at the similar extent across in various brain regions. The protein ratio of Sept5_v1 to Sept5_v2 was high in the hippocampus, roughly equivalent in the cortex and low in the cerebellum and medulla. Sept5_v2 expression increased gradually from E17 to P30, but expression of Sept5_v1 was delayed until P10. The two isoforms were distinguished by their pattern of N‐terminal phosphorylation. Thus, these different expression and phosphorylation patterns suggest isoform‐specific functions for Sept5 and that a phosphorylation‐specific antibody will be useful to study this idea. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ENSO and Indian Ocean sea surface temperatures and their relationships with tropical temperate troughs over Mozambique and the Southwest Indian Ocean
Authors: Manhique A. J. , Reason C. J. C. , Rydberg L. , Fauchereau N. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAn analysis of the inter‐annual frequency of the main summer rainfall producing synoptic system [tropical temperate troughs (TTTs)] over Mozambique and the Southwest Indian Ocean and their relationships with regional sea surface temperatures and circulation patterns is presented for the January–March season. Correlations and composite anomalies based on annual frequency of occurrence of TTTs over Mozambique suggest that TTT occurrence is related to La Niña and Southern Hemisphere planetary waves (wavenumber‐3 or ‐4) that modulate the subtropical high pressure cells in the three oceanic basins. These modulations lead to enhanced easterly winds over the South Indian Ocean and onshore moisture fluxes towards southeastern Africa. A stronger than average Angola low, particularly linked to La Niña, also plays an important role in the frequency and intensity of the TTT, by enhancing the wind and moisture convergence over southeastern Africa. Moisture fluxes over the warm Agulhas current and tropical southeast Atlantic also affect the rainfall variability over southern Africa to some extent during summers with a high frequency of TTT. Positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the tropical and subtropical South Indian Ocean that are linked to El Niño‐Southern Oscillation appear to play a significant role in causing dry conditions over Mozambique. These positive SST anomalies help promote convective activity offshore, and also weaken the northern half of the South Indian Ocean high pressure cell. As a result, the easterly winds are weakened leading to less onshore moisture fluxes than in the wet seasons. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society