bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical study of nail changes in leprosy and comparison with nail changes in diabetic patients
Authors: El Darouti MA , Hussein S , Al Tahlawy SR , Al Fangary M , Mashaly HM , El Nabarawy E , Al Tawdy A , Fawzi M , Abdel Hay RM 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground  Nail changes in leprotic patients are not specific to leprosy, and may be observed in other peripheral neuropathies. Diabetes is one of the diseases that present with nail dystrophy secondary to peripheral neuropathy, vasculopathy, trauma and infections. Therefore, nail changes in diabetic neuropathy are expected to be very similar to that of leprosy.Objectives  To evaluate the frequency and pattern of nail changes in Egyptian leprotic patients with the different spectrums of the disease, and to compare nail changes in leprosy with those seen in patients with diabetic neuropathy.Methods  The study included 115 leprosy patients and 60 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Nail examination was thoroughly carried out and various nail changes were recorded including the location of the involved nails (fingers, toes).Results  Our study detected similar incidence of nail changes in both multibacillary (MB) (86%) and paucibacillary (PB) patients (86%). Flag sign (alternating horizontal bands of whitish and pinkish discoloration of the nail) observed in our study was not reported before. It was more commonly seen in MB patients (21%) than in PB patients (14%). Our results also revealed that the nail changes were more commonly seen in leprosy patients (86%) than in diabetic patients (68%).Conclusion  Nail changes in leprosy are multifactorial, and could be related to one or more of the following: neuropathy, endarteritis, trauma, drugs or superimposed infections. Nail changes in leprosy may be used as an additional clue that helps in the diagnosis.
Lateral diffusion of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 1 in Purkinje cells is regulated by calcium and actin filaments
Authors: Fukatsu Kazumi , Bannai Hiroko , Inoue Takafumi , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko 
Published: July 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1720–1733.AbstractInositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1) is an intracellular Ca2+ release channel that plays crucial roles in the functions of Purkinje cells. The dynamics of IP3R1 on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and the distribution of IP3R1 in neurons are thought to be important for the spatial regulation of Ca2+ release. In this study, we analyzed the lateral diffusion of IP3R1 in Purkinje cells in cerebellar slice cultures using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. In the dendrites of Purkinje cells, IP3R1 showed lateral diffusion with an effective diffusion constant of approximately 0.30 μm2/s, and the diffusion of IP3R1 was negatively regulated by actin filaments. We found that actin filaments were also involved in the regulation of IP3R1 diffusion in the spine of Purkinje cells. Glutamate or quisqualic acid stimulation, which activates glutamate receptors and leads to a Ca2+ transient in Purkinje cells, decreased the diffusion of IP3R1 and increased the density of actin in spines. These findings indicate that the neuronal activity‐dependent augmentation of actin contributes to the stabilization of IP3R1 in spines.
Ethanol‐induced methylation of cell cycle genes in neural stem cells
Authors: Hicks Steven D. , Middleton Frank A. , Miller Michael W. 
Published: July 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1767–1780.AbstractEthanol inhibits the proliferation of neural precursors by altering mitogenic and anti‐mitogenic growth factor signaling and can affect global methylation activity in the fetus. We tested the hypothesis that epigenetic modification of specific cell cycle genes underlies the ethanol‐induced inhibition of growth factor‐regulated cell cycle progression. Monolayer cultures of neural stem cells (NSCs) were treated with fibroblast growth factor 2 or transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 in the absence or presence of ethanol. Ethanol increased the total length of the cell cycle by elongating the amount of time spent in the gap 1 (G1) and synthesis (S) phases of the cell cycle. Ethanol induced the hypermethylation of multiple cell cycle genes associated with the G1/S and gap 2/mitotic phase (G2/M) checkpoints and increased the expression and activity of DNA methyltransferases. These changes were most pronounced in the presence of TGFβ1. Epigenetic alterations paralleled the down‐regulation of associated transcripts and other checkpoint‐related mRNAs both in vitro (NS‐5 cell culture) and in vivo (fetal mouse cortex). Ethanol‐induced hypermethylation was accompanied by decreases in the proportion of NSCs expressing associated cell cycle proteins. Thus, ethanol disrupts growth factor‐related cell cycle progression by inducing checkpoint restriction at the G1/S transition through a feed‐forward system involving the methylation of G2/M regulators.
Quantitative role of COMT in dopamine clearance in the prefrontal cortex of freely moving mice
Authors: Käenmäki Mikko , Tammimäki Anne , Myöhänen Timo , Pakarinen Kaisa , Amberg Carolina , Karayiorgou Maria , Gogos Joseph A. , Männistö Pekka T. 
Published: July 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 1745–1755.AbstractCatechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) plays an active role in the metabolism of dopamine (DA) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Because of low levels of dopamine transporter (DAT), it is proposed that the majority of released DA is taken up by either norepinephrine transporter (NET) and subsequently metabolized by monoamine oxidize (MAO) or by uptake2(to glial cells and post‐synaptic neurons) and metabolized by COMT. However, a comprehensivein vivostudy of rating the mechanisms involved in DA clearance in the PFC has not been done. Here, we employ two types of microdialysis to study these pathways using DAT, NET and MAO blockers in conscious mice, with or withoutComtgene disruption. In quantitative no‐net‐flux microdialysis, DA levels were increased by 60% in the PFC of COMT‐knockout (ko) mice, but not in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. In conventional microdialysis studies, we showed that selective NET and MAO inhibition increased DA levels in the PFC of wild‐type mice by two‐ to fourfold, an effect that was still doubled in COMT‐ko mice. Inhibition of DAT had no effect on DA levels in either genotype. Therefore, we conclude that in the mouse, PFC COMT contributes about one half of the total DA clearance.
Anticipating maximal or submaximal exercise: no differences in cardiopulmonary responses
Authors: Kjelkenes Ida , Thorsen Einar 
Published: July 2010

SummaryBackground: Anticipation before the start of exercise may influence the cardiopulmonary responses during exercise. If anticipation influences the responses differently with maximal and submaximal exercises, normative values for submaximal responses will not be comparable unless exercise has been continued to the same end point.Methods: Twelve healthy subjects (five men) aged 18–27 years had a maximal exercise test and a submaximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer on different days and in random order. They were not aware of the specific purpose of the study and were informed 15 min before the tests whether it should be maximal or submaximal. Workload increased with 15 W min−1until exhaustion or to 80% of predicted maximal heart rate (HR). HR, oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), minute ventilation (VE) and tidal volume (VT) were averaged over 20 s intervals. Linear regression of the HR–VO2relationship and quadratic regression of theVT–VErelationship were performed for each individual, and the regression coefficients for maximal and submaximal tests were compared.Results: The regression models described theVT–VEresponses with aR2 > 0·85 in 23 of 24 tests, and the HR‐VO2responses with aR2 > 0·90 in all tests. The regression coefficients of the relationships were not significantly different with maximal and submaximal exercises.Conclusion: Anticipation appears not to influence the responses to progressive maximal and submaximal exercise tests with the same rate of increase in load. Normative values at submaximal exercise levels are not influenced by the targeted end point of exercise.
Effects of low‐intensity bench press training with restricted arm muscle blood flow on chest muscle hypertrophy: a pilot study
Authors: Yasuda Tomohiro , Fujita Satoshi , Ogasawara Riki , Sato Yoshiaki , Abe Takashi 
Published: July 2010

SummarySingle‐joint resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) results in significant increases in arm or leg muscle size and single‐joint strength. However, the effect of multijoint BFR training on both blood flow restricted limb and non‐restricted trunk muscles remain poorly understood. To examine the impact of BFR bench press training on hypertrophic response to non‐restricted (chest) and restricted (upper‐arm) muscles and multi‐joint strength, 10 young men were randomly divided into either BFR training (BFR‐T) or non‐BFR training (CON‐T) groups. They performed 30% of one repetition maximal (1‐RM) bench press exercise (four sets, total 75 reps) twice daily, 6 days week−1 for 2 weeks. During the exercise session, subjects in the BFR‐T group placed elastic cuffs proximally on both arms, with incremental increases in external compression starting at 100 mmHg and ending at 160 mmHg. Before and after the training, triceps brachii and pectoralis major muscle thickness (MTH), bench press 1‐RM and serum anabolic hormones were measured. Two weeks of training led to a significant increase (P<0.05) in 1‐RM bench press strength in BFR‐T (6%) but not in CON‐T (−2%). Triceps and pectoralis major MTH increased 8% and 16% (P<0.01), respectively, in BFR‐T, but not in CON‐T (−1% and 2%, respectively). There were no changes in baseline concentrations of anabolic hormones in either group. These results suggest that BFR bench press training leads to significant increases in muscle size for upper arm and chest muscles and 1‐RM strength.
Biceps brachii muscle oxygenation in electrical muscle stimulation
Authors: Muthalib Makii , Jubeau Marc , Millet Guillaume Y. , Maffiuletti Nicola A. , Ferrari Marco , Nosaka Kazunori 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to compare between electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and maximal voluntary (VOL) isometric contractions of the elbow flexors for changes in biceps brachii muscle oxygenation (tissue oxygenation index, TOI) and haemodynamics (total haemoglobin volume, tHb = oxygenated‐Hb + deoxygenated‐Hb) determined by near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The biceps brachii muscle of 10 healthy men (23–39 years) was electrically stimulated at high frequency (75 Hz) via surface electrodes to evoke 50 intermittent (4‐s contraction, 15‐s relaxation) isometric contractions at maximum tolerated current level (EMS session). The contralateral arm performed 50 intermittent (4‐s contraction, 15‐s relaxation) maximal voluntary isometric contractions (VOL session) in a counterbalanced order separated by 2–3 weeks. Results indicated that although the torque produced during EMS was approximately 50% of VOL (P<0·05), there was no significant difference in the changes in TOI amplitude or TOI slope between EMS and VOL over the 50 contractions. However, the TOI amplitude divided by peak torque was approximately 50% lower for EMS than VOL (P<0·05), which indicates EMS was less efficient than VOL. This seems likely because of the difference in the muscles involved in the force production between conditions. Mean decrease in tHb amplitude during the contraction phases was significantly (P<0·05) greater for EMS than VOL from the 10th contraction onwards, suggesting that the muscle blood volume was lower in EMS than VOL. It is concluded that local oxygen demand of the biceps brachii sampled by NIRS is similar between VOL and EMS.
Case Series: Continuous electroencephalographic monitoring of status epilepticus in dogs and cats: 10 patients (2004–2005)
Authors: Raith Karina , Steinberg Tanja , Fischer Andrea 
Published: July 2010

AbstractObjective
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To describe the use of continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring for management of status epilepticus (SE) in dogs and cats.Design
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Retrospective study.Setting
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University teaching hospital.Animals
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Ten patients (7 dogs, 3 cats) with SE of differing etiology (idiopathic epilepsy, n=3; toxicity, n=4; meningoencephalitis, n=2; undefined, n=1).Interventions
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The EEG was recorded continuously from 5 stainless‐steel needle electrodes inserted SC. Animals were treated with diazepam and phenobarbital followed by either propofol (n=3) or pentobarbital (n=7) as a continuous rate of infusion.Measurements and Main Results
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Clinical seizures stopped after induction of anesthesia in each animal. The EEG, however, still showed distinct epileptiform patterns (spikes, polyspikes) in all animals. Paroxysms were suppressed by increasing the infusion rate of either pentobarbital or propofol. A burst‐suppression pattern was achieved in 5 animals. EEG epileptiform activity reappeared in 4 animals when attempting to taper the dose after >6 hours of anesthesia. This was interpreted as ongoing EEG seizure activity and an increased risk for clinical seizures, and the anesthetic dosage was adjusted accordingly.Conclusion
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Continuous EEG monitoring appears to be a useful tool for therapeutic monitoring of SE in dogs and cats. It allows the detection of EEG seizures without the appearance of clinical seizures. Further investigations with blinded investigators and homogeneous animal groups to define therapeutic endpoints are warranted.
New Histories of British Imperial Communication and the ‘Networked World’ of the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
Authors: O’Hara Glen 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA number of recent histories of Britain’s late‐19th century telegraph network have taken inspiration from many sources, not least historians’ concern to test and delineate the contemporary and modern world of transnational policymaking, the return of maritime history to the forefront of historical studies, and the desire to understand the late 19th century empire that seemed to be drawing strength from technological progress. But another key reason for this new interest in the electric telegraph is clearly the communications revolution of the last 20 years, and the internet’s development as the main means of dealing with information in the modern world. This article demonstrates just how important this present‐mindedness has been, but it also shows just how unlike the internet was the Victorian telegraph system, for it was expensive, patchy and often unreliable, encouraging letter‐writing and ship‐borne commerce just as much as electronic communication. The telegraph’s inauguration reinforced local and imperial nationalisms and rivalries, and arms races, whatever the liberal hopes invested in it; its arrival often led to the concentration of press ownership and a sense of intra‐imperial, rather than global or trans‐continental, links. The example of the telegraph, it is contended, should form a cautionary example of how problematical it is to take present‐day developments and apply them – even as organising concepts – to the past.
Interlaboratory variability in assessment of the model of end‐stage liver disease score
Authors: Lisman Ton , Van Leeuwen Yvonne , Adelmeijer Jelle , Pereboom Ilona T. A. , Haagsma Elizabeth B. , Van Den Berg Arie P. , Porte Robert J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground: The model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score is nowadays widely used to prioritize patients for liver transplantation.Aims: To assess the contribution of the individual components of the MELD score in interlaboratory variability.Methods: We sent 15 samples from patients listed for liver transplantation to seven different European laboratories who were asked to measure all three variables. In addition, 10 samples from patients on oral anticoagulant treatment were sent to the same labs for the international normalised ratio (INR) measurement.Results and Conclusions: In all 15 samples, a substantial and clinically relevant variation in the calculated MELD score was observed between laboratories. The mean difference in the MELD score between the highest‐ and the lowest‐scoring laboratory was 4.8. The variation in creatinine measurements resulted in differences of up to three MELD points in a single patient when comparing the highest and the lowest scoring lab. The variation in bilirubin measurements only accounted for a difference of one point between the highest‐ and the lowest‐scoring laboratory, but the variation in INRs resulted in differences of 2 to 12 MELD points. MELD scores or INR values were not substantially different in laboratories that used the Owren instead of the more widely used Quick methodology for INR measurements. The variability in the INR in patients on oral anticoagulants was substantially less as compared with the variability in patients with liver disease. In conclusion, we observed a large interlaboratory variation in the MELD score. This variation in the MELD score is primarily caused by the INR.
The effect of liposome‐delivered prednisolone on collagen density, myofibroblasts, and fibrous capsule thickness around silicone breast implants in rats
Authors: Moreira Marcio , Fagundes Djalma José , Simões Manuel de Jesus , Taha Murched Omar , Perez Luciene Meri Neves , Bazotte Roberto Barbosa 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTCapsular contracture is a potential adverse effect of breast implants. An inflammatory reaction is most likely the origin of fibrosis around the implant. It is possible that some substances may act to prevent this inflammatory reaction. Thus, our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of local depot prednisolone phosphate‐liposomes (PPL) on fibrous capsule formation around textured silicone breast implants. Shell prostheses (2 mL) were implanted in the right (plus PPL group) and left (plus saline solution, saline group) subcutaneous dorsum of 18 rats. In another 18 rats, the implants were positioned in the left of the back without any drug instillation (control group). In the PPL group, the capsule thickness (μm) and density (%) of collagen were significantly (p<0.0001) lower compared with the control group on days 35 and 90 postsurgery. Furthermore, in the PPL group, a significant reduction in myofibroblast count was observed on day 90 postsurgery (p<0.0001). In conclusion, a single dose of depot liposome‐delivered prednisolone was effective at impairing capsule formation around the silicone implant. The results suggest a strong local and weak systemic effect of PPL on the fibrous tissue around silicone implants. To our knowledge, no study has yet assessed the effect of PPL on silicone breast implants.
Beetle horns are regulated by the Hox gene, Sex combs reduced, in a species‐ and sex‐specific manner
Authors: Wasik Bethany R. , Rose Debra J. , Moczek Armin P. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYDiscovering the mechanisms that underlie the origin of novel features represents a major frontier in developmental and evolutionary biology. Here we begin to characterize the role of the Hox gene Sex combs reduced (Scr) during the development and evolution of a morphologically novel trait: beetle horns. Beetle horns develop as epidermal outgrowths from the prothorax and/or head, and size and location vary dramatically across species and between sexes. Using both comparative gene expression and larval RNA interference in two species of the horned beetle genus Onthophagus, we show that Scr functions in patterning adult labial mouthpart identity and suppressing wing development in the prothorax. At the same time, however, our results illustrate that Scr has acquired, within its ancestral domain of expression, additional new functions including the regulation of prepupal growth and pupal remodeling of pronotal horn primordia. Furthermore, comparative analyses of our results across both Onthophagus species, which differ in location of horn development (thoracic horns vs. thoracic and head horns) as well as patterns of sexual dimorphism (traditional vs. reversed sexual dimorphism), reveal surprising differences in exactly when, where, and to what degree Scr regulates horn formation in different sexes. These observations suggest that the interactions between Scr and its targets in the regulation of horn development can diversify quickly over remarkably short phylogenetic distances. More generally, our results suggest that the Hox complex can play an integral role in the development and evolution of novel complex traits while maintaining traditional patterning responsibilities.
Technical Standards of a Foldable Capsular Vitreous Body in Terms of Mechanical, Optical, and Biocompatible Properties
Authors: Liu Yaqin , Jiang Zhaoxin , Gao Qianying , Ge Jian , Chen Jiajia , Cao Xianwu , Shen Qingxiang , Ma Ping 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe previously proposed a new strategy to fabricate a novel foldable capsular vitreous body (FCVB) as a vitreous substitute and found that the FCVB was a very good replacement for closely mimicking the morphology and restoring the physiologic function of the rabbit vitreous body. The aim of this article was to assess the mechanical, optical, and biocompatible properties of a FCVB made from liquid silicone rubber. The mechanical properties show that the shore hardness is 37.80 degrees, the tear strength is 47.14 N/mm, the tensile strength is more than 7.28 MPa, and the elongation ratio is more than 1200%; in addition, the FCVB has 300 nm mili apertures in the capsule. The optical properties reveal that transmittances are 92%, hazes are 5.74%, and spectral transmittance is 97%. The transmittance mission is 2.3% and can sustain a 1500 mW, 0.2 s, 532 nm green laser. The biocompatible properties are shown in the stable extracts experiment, no significant fever, good genetic safety, and no structural abnormality or apoptosis in the cornea, ciliary body, and retina over a 6‐month observation period. These results indicate that the FCVB has good mechanical, optical, and biocompatible properties, and the assessment results can be recommended as the FCVB technical standards for industrial manufacturing and inspection.
New therapeutic targets to develop molecules active in drug‐resistant epilepsies
Authors: SidAhmed‐Mezi Mounia , Pumain René , Louvel Jacques , Sokoloff Pierre , Laschet Jacques 
Published: July 2010

SummaryWe have shown that the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is the kinase involved in the endogenous phosphorylation of the α1 subunit of the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor (GABAAR), maintaining GABAA‐R function. GABAAR endogenous phosphorylation is opposed by one or several atypical phosphatases. We have shown in addition, using cerebral tissue obtained during epilepsy surgery and control tissue from patients undergoing brain tumor surgery, that both endogenous phosphorylation and GABAAR function are significantly reduced in the “epileptogenic” cerebral cortex when compared to control. This dysfunction likely contributes to seizure generation and/or transition from the interictal to the ictal state. The therapeutic challenge is to alleviate the endogenous phosphorylation deficiency of GABAAR in the epileptogenic cortical tissue, either through activating the endogenous kinase activity, or inhibiting dephosphorylation of the α1 subunit. Following the first trail, we have shown that spermine (the most effective polyamine) increases the GAPDH kinase activity on GABAAR and that subsequently such modulation potentiates its function as assessed by rundown studies on isolated neurons. Following the second trail, we have developed methods to identify these atypical membrane‐bound phosphatases. Their activities were detected using two synthetic phosphopeptides corresponding to the α1 regions of phosphorylation by GAPDH. After purification, the active fractions are submitted to proteomic analysis by nanoLC‐Maldi‐TOF/TOF for protein identification. Two candidate proteins have been identified, which will be used as targets for high‐throughput screening in order to develop original antiepileptic molecules.