bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bronchial brushings for investigating airway inflammation and remodelling
Authors: LOOI KEVIN , SUTANTO ERIKA N. , BANERJEE BALARKA , GARRATT LUKE , LING KAK‐MING , FOO CLARA J. , STICK STEPHEN M. , KICIC ANTHONY 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTAsthma is the commonest medical cause for hospital admission for children in Australia, affects more than 300 million people worldwide, and is incurable, severe in large number and refractory to treatment in many. However, there have been no new significant treatments despite intense research and billions of dollars. The advancement in our understanding in this disease has been limited due to its heterogeneity, genetic complexity and has severely been hampered particularly in children by the difficulty in obtaining relevant target organ tissue. This review attempts to provide an overview of the currently used and recently developed/adapted techniques used to obtain lung tissue with specific reference to the airway epithelium.
Spirometry values in a Greek population: Is there an appropriate reference equation?
Authors: KONTAKIOTIS THEODORE , BOUTOU AFRODITI K. , IOANNIDIS DIMITRIS , PAPAKOSTA DESPINA , ARGYROPOULOU PARASKEVI 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Most published reference values for lung function test (LFT) parameters introduce systematic bias. The aim of this study was to compare measured values of FEV1 and FVC with the corresponding normal predicted values in a Greek population, and to produce reference equations for LFT parameters in this population.Methods:  In a cross‐sectional study conducted in Macedonia, Greece, 1080 adult healthy, non‐smokers (432 men, 648 women, aged 18–80 years), underwent spirometry. Measured values of FVC and FEV1 were compared with predicted values determined using three existing sets of reference equations: one recently derived from a European population and two others widely used in Europe (European Coal and Steel Community; ECSC) and the USA (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; NHANES III). Height and age were entered into the multivariate regression analysis to produce reference equations for LFT parameters.Results:  All three published sets of equations underpredicted FEV1 in men. FVC was accurately predicted by all equations except NHANES III. The discrepancy was even greater among women; the ECSC equation underpredicted both FEV1 and FVC, the NHANES III equation overpredicted both FEV1 and FVC, while the third set of equations accurately predicted FEV1 but overpredicted FVC. The derived reference equation for FEV1 in men was −0.28 × age + 0.057 × height − 4.91, and in women −0.021 × age + 0.039 × height − 2.58. The derived reference equation for FVC in men was −0.28 × age + 0.071 × height − 6.763, and in women −0.019 × age + 0.056 × height − 5.018.Conclusions:  Measured FEV1 and FVC values in a Greek population differed significantly from those predicted using previously published reference equations. The new locally derived spirometry reference equations may be more suitable for evaluation of lung function in everyday practice.
Clonal growth of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) (Asteraceae) and its relationship to volatile communication
Authors: ISHIZAKI SATOMI , SHIOJIRI KAORI , KARBAN RICHARD , OHARA MASASHI 
Published: May 2011

AbstractTo increase systemic resistance to herbivory, some clonal plants transmit internal cues among clonal ramets to prevent widespread damage to genets. Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) (Asteraceae) is known to use volatile cues to induce resistance within and between plants (so‐called volatile communication). In the present study, we observed the extent and frequency of clonal growth in a natural sagebrush population in western North America to understand the influence of clonal growth on volatile communication. We used genetic analysis involving microsatellite markers and excavation of the root systems. In addition, we characterized the volatile profiles from the headspace of sagebrush ramets. Excavation of the root system of sagebrush plants revealed that sagebrush propagates clonally below ground and that daughter ramets grow near the mother stem. Volatiles were variable among genetically different ramets, although clonal ramets (genetically identical ramets) released similar volatiles, suggesting a genetic basis for volatile similarity. Sagebrush has been shown to be most responsive to volatiles released from artificially produced clones and suffers less herbivore damage as a result. Therefore, these results, taken into consideration together, imply that volatile communication may occur among genetically identical ramets under natural conditions, and that volatile similarity between the releaser and receiver may be recognized by the receiver and increase resistance against herbivory.
Studies of locomotor network neuroprotection by the selective poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 inhibitor PJ‐34 against excitotoxic injury to the rat spinal cord in vitro
Authors: Nasrabady Sara E. , Kuzhandaivel Anujaianthi , Nistri Andrea 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDelayed neuronal destruction after acute spinal injury is attributed to excitotoxicity mediated by hyperactivation of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) that induces ‘parthanatos’, namely a non‐apoptotic cell death mechanism. With an in vitro model of excitotoxicity, we have previously observed parthanatos of rat spinal cord locomotor networks to be decreased by a broad spectrum PARP‐1 inhibitor. The present study investigated whether the selective PARP‐1 inhibitor N‐(6‐oxo‐5,6‐dihydrophenanthridin‐2‐yl)‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)acetamide.HCl (PJ‐34) not only protected networks from kainate‐evoked excitotoxicity, but also prevented loss of locomotor patterns recorded as fictive locomotion from lumbar (L) ventral roots (VRs) 24 h later. PJ‐34 (60 μm) blocked PARP‐1 activation and preserved dorsal, central and ventral gray matter with maintained reflex activity even after a large dose of kainate. Fictive locomotion could not, however, be restored by either electrical stimulation or bath‐applied neurochemicals (N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate plus 5‐hydroxytryptamine). A low kainate concentration induced less histological damage that was widely prevented by PJ‐34. Nonetheless, fictive locomotion was observed in just over 50% of preparations whose histological profile did not differ (except for the dorsal horn) from those lacking such a rhythm. Our data show that inhibition of PARP‐1 could amply preserve spinal network histology after excitotoxicity, with return of locomotor patterns only when the excitotoxic stimulus was moderate. These results demonstrated divergence between histological and functional outcome, implying a narrow borderline between loss of fictive locomotion and neuronal preservation. Our data suggest that either damage of a few unidentified neurons or functional network inhibition was critical for ensuring locomotor cycles.
Neurotrophin‐4/5 is implicated in the enhancement of axon regeneration produced by treadmill training following peripheral nerve injury
Authors: English Arthur W. , Cucoranu Delia , Mulligan Amanda , Rodriguez José A. , Sabatier Manning J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe role of neurotrophin‐4/5 (NT‐4/5) in the enhancement of axon regeneration in peripheral nerves produced by treadmill training was studied in mice. Common fibular nerves of animals of the H strain of thy‐1‐YFP mice, in which a subset of axons in peripheral nerves is marked by the presence of yellow fluorescent protein, were cut and surgically repaired using nerve grafts from non‐fluorescent mice. Lengths of profiles of fluorescent regenerating axons were measured using optical sections made through whole mounts of harvested nerves. Measurements from mice that had undergone 1 h of daily treadmill training at modest speed (10 m/min) were compared with those of untrained (control) mice. Modest treadmill training resulted in fluorescent axon profiles that were nearly twice as long as controls at 1, 2 and 4 week survival times. Similar enhanced regeneration was found when cut nerves of wild type mice were repaired with grafts from NT‐4/5 knockout mice or grafts made acellular by repeated freezing/thawing. No enhancement was produced by treadmill training in NT‐4/5 knockout mice, irrespective of the nature of the graft used to repair the cut nerve. Much as had been observed previously for the effects of brief electrical stimulation, the effects of treadmill training on axon regeneration in cut peripheral nerves are independent of changes produced in the distal segment of the cut nerve and depend on the promotion of axon regeneration by changes in NT‐4/5 expression by cells in the proximal nerve segment.
Ontogeny of the jaw apparatus and suspensorium of the Tetraodontiformes
Authors: Konstantinidis Peter , Johnson G. David 
Published: May 2011

AbstractKonstantinidis, P. and Johnson, G. David 2012. Ontogeny of the jaw apparatus and suspensorium of the Tetraodontiformes. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93: 351–366.The jaw apparatus and suspensorium of adult Tetraodontiformes are well adapted to a durophagous feeding habit. Anatomical indicators are the short, stout jaws and a suspensorium in which the quadrate lies in the same vertical plane as the autopalatine. In contrast, the palatoquadrate of larval Tetraodontiformes generally resembles that of larval percomorphs – a more posteriorly positioned quadrate and a slender and long Meckelian cartilage. Among Tetraodontiformes, the Triacanthodidae retain a protrusible upper jaw and a versatile suspensorium. The jaws of the Balistoidei have greater mobility achieved by a reduced autopalatine that has lost its bony contact with the suspensorium. In contrast to the Balistoidei, the beak‐like jaws of the Tetraodontoidei lack individual teeth in the biting part of the jaws. The autopalatine is enlarged, which results in immobilization of the ethmopalatine articulation. The Ostraciidae are exceptional in having the distal part of the autopalatine reduced, while the proximal part remains attached to the suspensorium.
Morphology, innervation and its phylogenetic step in the heart of the longnose gar Lepisosteus Osseus
Authors: Zaccone Daniele , Grimes Adrian C. , Farrell Anthony P. , Dabrowski Konrad , Marino Fabio 
Published: May 2011

Zaccone, D., Grimes, A.C., Farrell, A.P., Dabrowski, K. and Marino, F. 2011. Morphology, innervation and its phylogenetic step in the heart of the longnose gar Lepisosteus Osseus. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93: 381–389.AbstractAnatomical and physiological studies of cardiovascular control in garfish are scarce. The combination of muscle labelling and neurochemical identification of extrinsic and intrinsic nerves in the heart of Lepisosteus osseus reveals a well‐developed system of adrenergic, cholinergic, substance P (SP)‐ and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)‐containing nerve terminals in the walls of the conus arteriosus, the sinus venosus and the atrium. Double labelling showed that nNOS‐immunoreactive terminals do not co‐label for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and choline acetyl transferase (ChAt). Coronary blood vessels running in the epicardium of the conus arteriosus and ventricle receive a rich supply of nNOS‐positive nerve fibres. The main intracardial localization of nervous tissue is in a sinoatrial plexus corresponding to the pacemaker region of the heart. This plexus is a network of SP‐, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)‐ and pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP)‐positive nerve fibres and nerve cell bodies, but its function in fish cardiac regulation remains to be elucidated. This study provides morphological data on distinct nitrergic, peptidergic, ChAT and TH nerve terminals thus pertaining to the neurochemical content of the vagal motor and adrenergic, and intrinsic innervation revealing a complexity of the neuronal control of the garfish heart. The neurochemical features of the innervation patterns of the heart put Lepisosteus with teleosts and among the more apical actinopterygians.
Raising a child with foetal alcohol syndrome: hearing the parent voice
Authors: Whitehurst Teresa 
Published: May 2011

Accessible summary
Parents have told us what it is like to have a child with a diagnosis of foetal alcohol syndrome.
Listening to parent views is very important because parents want professionals to understand the support they need.
People do not know very much about foetal alcohol syndrome.
It is important to help parents of children with a disability to make sure that the children and families get the help they need.
Parents told us how they first knew their child had foetal alcohol syndrome, the problems they faced and how difficult they found it to get support.
SummaryLearning of a child’s disability can be a difficult time for any parent. Sensitive support is critical to ensuring parents understand the nature of the disability, the prognosis and services available to them. However, where the disability is not well understood, where professionals are not well informed and where pathways of care are not available, parents may be left feeling lonely, isolated and unable to cope. Foetal alcohol syndrome is a completely preventable cause of intellectual disability and is prevalent in all developing countries. Whilst research has focused on identification, diagnosis and epidemiology, understanding the psychosocial aspects of the impact of this disorder has been neglected resulting in a paucity of strategies to support parents. Understanding the needs of parents raising a child with foetal alcohol syndrome is central to providing well‐informed support for families. In this study, families shared their experiences of raising a child with foetal alcohol syndrome. These were then analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis enabling themes to be identified which were core to understanding their journey.
The impact of staff training on the knowledge of support staff in relation to bereavement and people with an intellectual disability
Authors: Watters Laura , McKenzie Karen , Wright Rachel 
Published: May 2011

Accessible summary
It can be hard for everyone if someone they care for dies.
People with a learning disability may need extra support when someone they know dies.
Care staff may not always know what to do to help.
This study found that 1 day of training helped care staff to know more about how people might feel and how to support them.
We do not know how long this training was helpful to staff for.
SummaryThis study aimed to investigate whether a 1‐day training course improved support staff knowledge about bereavement and grief in people with a learning disability. A questionnaire based, mixed design was used. Forty‐eight participants were randomly assigned to one of two equal groups. A staggered design allowed for group 2 to act both as a control group and to receive training. Within‐ and between‐group comparisons were made. Training significantly improved staff knowledge in all the areas measured. An analysis of staff knowledge at 1 month after training was not possible due to a low response rate. A short training course was successful in significantly increasing the knowledge of paid carers about issues relating to bereavement for people with a learning disability. The clinical and ethical implications of the study are discussed along with limitations and suggestions for further research.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of Lactobacilli isolated from camel cheese produced in India
Authors: NANDA DHIRAJ K , TOMAR SUDHIR K , SINGH RAMESHWAR , MAL GORAKH , SINGH PRASHANT , ARORA DILIP K , JOSHI B K , CHAUDHARY REETI , KUMAR DINESH 
Published: May 2011

Thirty‐two Lactobacilli strains were isolated from four samples of camel cheese collected from Bikaner, India. These isolates were identified based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Sequencing of 16S rDNA was performed for species identification and diversity analysis. Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lb. fermentum were found to be dominant species followed by Lb. plantarum and Lb. casei. On evaluation of technological properties of these isolates, 20 isolates were observed to be good acid producers, eight were found positive for citrate utilisation and 11 showed presence of Prtp gene. Isolates obtained can be potential for development of defined strain starter for camel cheese.
AMP‐activated protein kinase: a potential player in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Salminen Antero , Kaarniranta Kai , Haapasalo Annakaisa , Soininen Hilkka , Hiltunen Mikko 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 460–474.AbstractAMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) stimulates energy production via glucose and lipid metabolism, whereas it inhibits energy consuming functions, such as protein and cholesterol synthesis. Increased cytoplasmic AMP and Ca2+ levels are the major activators of neuronal AMPK signaling. Interestingly, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with several abnormalities in neuronal energy metabolism, for example, decline in glucose uptake, mitochondrial dysfunctions and defects in cholesterol metabolism, and in addition, with problems in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis. Epidemiological studies have also revealed that many metabolic and cardiovascular diseases are risk factors for cognitive impairment and sporadic AD. Emerging studies indicate that AMPK signaling can regulate tau protein phosphorylation and amyloidogenesis, the major hallmarks of AD. AMPK is also a potent activator of autophagic degradation which seems to be suppressed in AD. All these observations imply that AMPK is involved in the pathogenesis of AD. However, the responses of AMPK activation are dependent on stimulation and the extent of activating stress. Evidently, AMPK signaling can repress and delay the appearance of AD pathology but later on, with increasing neuronal stress, it can trigger detrimental effects that augment AD pathogenesis. We will outline the potential role of AMPK function in respect to various aspects affecting AD pathogenesis.
Ascl1‐induced neuronal differentiation of P19 cells requires expression of a specific inhibitor protein of cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase
Authors: Huang Holly S. , Turner David L. , Thompson Robert C. , Uhler Michael D. 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem (2012) 120, 667–683.AbstractcAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) plays a critical role in nervous system development by modulating sonic hedgehog and bone morphogenetic protein signaling. In the current studies, P19 embryonic carcinoma cells were neuronally differentiated by expression of the proneural basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor Ascl1. After expression of Ascl1, but prior to expression of neuronal markers such as microtubule associated protein 2 and neuronal β‐tubulin, P19 cells demonstrated a large, transient increase in both mRNA and protein for the endogenous protein kinase inhibitor (PKI)β. PKIβ‐targeted shRNA constructs both reduced the levels of PKIβ expression and blocked the neuronal differentiation of P19 cells. This inhibition of differentiation was rescued by transfection of a shRNA‐resistant expression vector for the PKIβ protein, and this rescue required the PKA‐specific inhibitory sequence of the PKIβ protein. PKIβ played a very specific role in the Ascl1‐mediated differentiation process as other PKI isoforms were unable to rescue the deficit conferred by shRNA‐mediated knockdown of PKIβ. Our results define a novel requirement for PKIβ and its inhibition of PKA during neuronal differentiation of P19 cells.
Up‐regulation of the mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase by oxidative stress is mediated by miR‐743a
Authors: Shi Qingli , Gibson Gary E. 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 440–448.AbstractThese experiments reveal for the first time that microRNAs (miRNAs) mediate oxidant regulated expression of a mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle gene (mdh2). mdh2 encoded malate dehydrogenase (MDH) is elevated by an unknown mechanism in brains of patients that died with Alzheimer’s disease. Oxidative stress, an early and pervasive event in Alzheimer’s disease, increased MDH activity and mRNA level of mdh2 by 19% and 22%, respectively, in a mouse hippocampal cell line (HT22). Post‐transcriptional events underlie the change in mRNA because actinomycin D did not block the elevated mdh2 mRNA. Since miRNAs regulate gene expression post‐transcriptionally, the expression of miR‐743a, a miRNA predicted to target mdh2, was determined and showed a 52% reduction after oxidant treatment. Direct interaction of miR‐743a with mdh2 was demonstrated with a luciferase based assay. Over‐expression or inhibition of miR‐743a led to a respective reduction or increase in endogenous mRNA and MDH activity. The results demonstrate that miR‐743a negatively regulates mdh2 at post‐transcriptional level by directly targeting the mdh2 3′UTR. The findings are consistent with the suggestion that oxidative stress can elevate the activity of MDH through miR‐743a, and provide new insights into possible roles of miRNA in oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.
Fear of falling from a daily life perspective; narratives from later life
Authors: Mahler Marianne , Sarvimäki Anneli 
Published: May 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2012; 26; 38–44

Fear of falling from a daily life perspective; narratives from later lifeFear of falling is a well‐known condition in later life. The aim of this study was to illuminate the experiences and the meaning of fear of falling in a daily‐life context. The method used was a qualitative study inspired by interpretive phenomenology. In narrative interviews, five community‐dwelling women over 80 years of age told about their fear of falling from a daily‐life perspective. The overall thematic analysis resulted in three main themes: the meaning of managing daily life necessities; keeping in contact with the outside; living with fear. The findings showed that to live with fear of falling was to discipline daily life, and to learn to live with the challenge of a vulnerable bodily condition and of losing control at different levels: from falling, from incontinence, from dirt and from the stigma of being in a humiliating situation. The women created a perception of independence while they were dependent on help and community care and on news from the outside. At an existential level, they coped with their fear by strengthening their will. The conclusion was that the older women studied accepted the condition of fear of falling. They shared the ability to cope in various ways with the limitations of their bodily capacity and their imbalance.
An assessment of pulmonary function testing and ventilatory kinematics by optoelectronic plethysmography
Authors: Layton A. M. , Garber C. E. , Basner R. C. , Bartels M. N. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryNew advances in computer processing and imaging have allowed the development of innovative techniques to assess lung function. A promising methodology is optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP). OEP evaluates ventilatory kinematics through the use of infrared imaging. Markers are placed, and images read on the chest, back and abdomen of subjects. Currently, this system is used mainly in research settings, but in the future may have broad applicability to patient populations such as very young children, patients with neuromuscular disease and patients who cannot be tested with classical spirometry testing. This paper presents the history and development of OEP, along with a summary of the OEP methodology, a discussion of research findings and results to date, as well as application and limitations.