bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and cardiovascular behavior during pulmonary function in patients with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Cipriano GFB , Peres PAT , Cipriano G , Arena R , Carvalho AC 
Published: March 2010

Cipriano GFB, Peres PAT, Cipriano G Jr, Arena R, Carvalho AC. Safety and cardiovascular behavior during pulmonary function in patients with Marfan syndrome.Marfan syndrome (MS) is a dominant autosomal connective tissue disease that impacts multiple systems, such as the cardiovascular system, tissue viscoelastic properties, bone calcification matrix and, most specific to the present investigation, pulmonary parenchyma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate pulmonary function (PF) in patients with MS and relate it to thoracic cage abnormalities (TCA) and the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias during the spirometric exam (SE). A sample of 75 subjects (46 with MS) underwent clinical, anthropometric, echocardiographic, radiographic and PF evaluation; 51 subjects (33 with MS) had their electrocardiogram (ECG) information evaluated during PF. These individuals were matched and compared with a healthy control group (CG). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV) in the first second (FEV1) in the patients with MS were significantly lower in comparison with the CG (p = 0.012 and 0.0006) and predicted values (p = 0.04 and 0.003). Subgroup analysis based on TCA revealed differences between patients with MS with two combined abnormalities (scoliosis + pectus) in comparison with both the CG (p = 0.012 and 0.002) and patients without abnormalities (p = 0.05 and 0.006). There were no differences regarding the occurrence of arrhythmia during exertion on the SE. There was a correlation between clinical history, cardiovascular behavior and PF. PF is reduced in patients with MS, and deformities in the thoracic cage appear to contribute to this reduction. Despite the apparent structural alterations in the cardiovascular system in this population, exertion during the SE appears to be safe.
Cryptic speciation in Hymenoscyphus albidus
Authors: Queloz V. , Grünig C. R. , Berndt R. , Kowalski T. , Sieber T. N. , Holdenrieder O. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryAsh dieback caused by the mitosporic ascomycete Chalara fraxinea is a novel disease of major concern affecting Fraxinus excelsior and Fraxinus angustifolia in large parts of Europe. Recently, its teleomorph was detected and assigned to Hymenoscyphus albidus, which has been known from Europe since 1851. In this study, we present molecular evidence for the existence of two morphologically very similar taxa, H. albidus, which is lectotypified and Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus sp. nov. Differences were found between the species in the loci calmodulin, translation elongation factor 1‐α and the internal transcribed spacers of the rDNA genes, and strong differentiation was obtained with ISSR markers. It is likely that H. albidus is a non‐pathogenic species, whereas H. pseudoalbidus is a virulent species causing ash dieback. Genotyping herbarium specimens showed that H. pseudoalbidus has been present in Switzerland for at least 30 years prior to the outbreak of the epidemic.
Different pharmacological properties of the optical isomers of MN9202, a novel 1,4‐dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel modulator, in rat ventricular myocytes
Authors: Li Xiao‐Qiang , Cao Wei , Zeng Ai‐Guo , Yang Zhi‐Fu , Xing Bin , Dong Ling , Zhang Hai‐Feng , Mei Qi‐Bing 
Published: March 2010

Summary1. We have shown previously that 1,4‐dihydro‐2,6‐dimethyl‐4‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐3,5‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid pentyl methyl ester (MN9202), a new 1,4‐dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel modulator, has significant hypotensive effects and favourable pharmacokinetic characteristics. As a chiral molecule, MN9202 has two optical isomers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacological properties of the two enantiomers.2. The two enantiomers, S‐(−)‐ and R‐(+)‐MN9202, were obtained by HPLC. At 1 μmol/L, both racemic MN9202 and S‐(−)‐MN9202 decreased the contractility of rat ventricular myocytes by 54.0 and 64.4%, respectively, compared with control, whereas R‐(+)‐MN9202 enhanced cell shortening by 10.1%. At 1 μmol/L, racemic MN9202 markedly reduced calcium transient (CaT) and L‐type Ca2+ channel current (ICa,L) by 60.0 and 50.7%, respectively, whereas the reductions in CaT and ICa,L produced by 1 μmol/L S‐(−)‐MN9202 were greater still (62.2 and 65.7%, respectively). In contrast, 1 μmol/L R‐(+)‐MN9202 increased CaT and ICa,L by 11.4 and 10.6%, respectively. Furthermore, findings from kinetics studies of ICa,L revealed that the steady state inactivation curve of ICa,L was shifted towards a hyperpolarizing potential by S‐(−)‐MN9202, but towards a depolarizing potential by R‐(+)‐MN9202. These results demonstrate different effects of R‐(+)‐MN9202 and S‐(−)‐MN9202.3. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that the chirality of MN9202 results in opposing pharmacological properties of its two enantiomers: S‐(−)‐MN9202 may be responsible for the therapeutic effects of racemic MN9202, whereas R‐(+)‐MN9202 contributes to it unwanted effects. The findings of the present study also indicate that MN9202 may be used as a new probe with which to investigate the structure–function relationships of Ca2+ channels.
GSTA1, GSTO1 and GSTO2 gene polymorphisms in Italian asthma patients
Authors: Polimanti Renato , Piacentini Sara , Moscatelli Barbara , Pellicciotti Luisa , Manfellotto Dario , Fuciarelli Maria 
Published: March 2010

Summary1. Previous studies have established that genetic alterations in glutathione S‐transferase enzymes may change the ability of the airway to deal with toxic substances and increase the risk of asthma. The present study analysed the association between asthma and GSTA1, GSTO1 and GSTO2 gene polymorphisms.2. The GSTA1*‐69C/T, GSTO1*A140D and GSTO2*N142D polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism, whereas the GSTO1*E155del polymorphism was detected using the confronting two‐pair primer method.3. Distribution of the GSTA1*‐69C/T genotype differed significantly between asthmatics and controls. Subjects with at least one allele ‐69T in the GSTA1 genotype have an increased risk of asthma (odds ratio (OR) 3.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.80–6.62). The distribution of the GSTO1 genotype was nearly equal between the control group and asthmatics, however, the distribution of the GSTO2 gene differed significantly between asthmatics and controls (Chi‐squared test). Subjects who had the GSTO2 homozygous D142 genotype were found to have an increased risk of asthma (OR 5.91; 95% CI 1.80–19.42).4. The results show a potential association between the GST genes and asthma. This is particularly significant given that, in the literature, there are no epidemiological studies on alpha and omega classes of glutathione transferases in asthma.
Rate‐limiting factors of cholesterol efflux in reverse cholesterol transport: Acceptors and donors
Authors: Fu Ying 
Published: March 2010

Summary1. Plasma levels of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) are believed to be inversely related to coronary artery disease. High‐density lipoprotein plays a key role in the process of reverse cholesterol transport, by which HDL is able to extract excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues and transfer it to the liver for biliary excretion.2. Efflux of lipids (cholesterol and phospholipids) is the first step in reverse cholesterol transport. Several cellular membrane transporters, including ABCA1 and ABCG1, as well as scavenger receptor (SR)‐BI receptor, are believed to facilitate the active efflux of cholesterol to lipid‐poor apolipoprotein A‐I and mature HDL, respectively. Furthermore, overexpression or deletion of one or more specific genes supports the view that HDL is involved in cholesterol efflux.3. In conclusion, current evidence supports a critical role for HDL in atheroprotection via an active efflux pathway through reverse cholesterol transport, with the substantial support of appropriate functions of cell donors.
Anti‐atherogenic effects of high‐density lipoprotein on nitric oxide synthesis in the endothelium
Authors: Andrews Karen L , Moore Xiao L , Chin‐Dusting Jaye PF 
Published: March 2010

Summary1. The endothelium is critical in the control of vascular haemodynamics and haemostasis. Endothelial dysfunction, typically characterized by decreased nitric oxide bioavailability and response to endothelium‐dependent agonists, is well accepted as a defining characteristic of early atherosclerosis.2. Numerous epidemiological studies have reported that increased levels of circulating HDL are vasculoprotective and reduce the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. Traditionally, these effects have been attributed to the ability of HDL to remove cholesterol from cells via reverse cholesterol transport. However, there is increasing evidence that the beneficial effects on the endothelium by HDL encompass its anti‐inflammatory, antithrombotic and anti‐oxidative properties, which include the release of nitric oxide (NO).3. This review highlights recent findings on the importance of HDL in reducing atherosclerotic risk. We focus on the beneficial effects of HDL‐induced NO release and how this relates to endothelial dysfunction and on the effect of HDL on vascular repair via endothelial progenitor cells.
The epidemiological association of altitude with chronic kidney disease: Evidence of protective effect
Authors: GHAHRAMANI NASROLLAH , AHMED FARIS , AL‐LAHAM AMMAR , LENGERICH EUGENE J. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTAims:  We sought to determine the association between living at high altitudes and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and also to determine the prevalence of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) at various altitudes.Methods:  In the first part of the study, we used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III to examine the association between altitude of residence and eGFR. In the second part, we used the United States Renal Data System to study the association between altitude and prevalence of ESRD. The query revealed an ESRD prevalence of 485 012 for the year 2005. The prevalence rates were merged with the zip codes dataset.Results:  The mean eGFR was significantly increased at higher altitudes (78.4 ± 21.6 vs 85.4 ± 26.8 mL/min for categories 1 and 5, respectively; P < 0.05). In the analysis of the United States Renal Data System data for prevalence of ESRD, we found a significantly lower prevalence at the altitude of 523 feet and higher.Conclusion:  Using a population‐based approach, our study demonstrates an association between altitude and renal function. This association is independent of all factors studied and is reached at approximately 250 feet. There is also a negative association between the prevalence of ESRD and altitude of residence. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiological basis of these epidemiological findings.
Serum prostate‐specific antigen is better correlated to body surface area than body mass index in a population of healthy Korean men
Authors: Song Miho , Doo Seung Whan , Yang Won Jae , Song Yun Seob , Kim Yongbae 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIt has been suggested that the larger vascular volume among obese men causes a dilution effect, decreasing the concentration of serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA). However, plasma volume is proportional to body surface area (BSA) rather than to body mass index (BMI). We determined whether serum PSA level is better correlated to BSA than BMI in a population of ostensibly healthy Korean men. Data from 2604 men who visited our health promotion center were evaluated. All men underwent anthropometric measurements, digital rectal examination, serum PSA determination, and transrectal ultrasound examination. The correlation between serum PSA and other parameters was statistically analyzed. The mean age was 49.9 years and the mean serum PSA level was 1.14ng/mL. The multivariate analysis revealed that the serum PSA was positively correlated with age, prostate volume, and negatively correlated with BSA only and not with BMI. In addition, BSA, rather than BMI, was the significant factor in predicting the prostate volume. Our results suggest that men with larger BSA (rather than BMI), have larger prostate volumes, and lower serum PSA.
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: Transfer validity
Authors: Erdogru Tibet , Yucel Selcuk , Frede Thomas , Baykara Mehmet , Rassweiler Jens , Teber Dogu 
Published: March 2010

Objectives:  The impact of a formal fellowship training program on the independent practice of the trainees (i.e. transfer validity) has not been evaluated. We analyzed the transfer validity of a structured curriculum in an in‐door as well as an out‐door setting.Methods:  After completing their training, two fourth generation laparoscopic surgeons who started at the same time compared operative parameters and oncological outcomes in their independent practice, prospectively analyzing the next 100 patients in each. One surgeon continued laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in the same center of excellence (Group‐In), whereas the other implemented the procedure in a separate academic center (Group‐Out).Results:  The demographics for both groups (Group‐In vs Group‐Out) were similar regarding age, prostate volume and preoperative prostate‐specific antigen levels. Mean operation times (214.8 vs 224.2 min; P = 0.494) and estimated blood loss (472.4 vs 402.6 mL; P = 0.109) did not differ significantly in both groups as well as complication rate (20 vs 24%), median catheter time (8 vs 8.5 days) and continence rates at 12 months (95 vs 95.5%). According to the pathological stages, the rates of positive surgical margins were similar for pT2 (3.2 vs 4.3%) and pT3 (42.8 vs 45.2%), respectively.Conclusions:  With a well designed, long‐term preclinical and clinical fellowship training program, LRP techniques can be efficiently transferred from the center of excellence to other centers with no significant impact on surgical, functional and oncological outcomes.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces an extracellular deoxyribonuclease that is required for utilization of DNA as a nutrient source
Authors: Mulcahy Heidi , Charron‐Mazenod Laetitia , Lewenza Shawn 
Published: March 2010

Summary Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that occupies a wide variety of environmental niches. Extracellular DNA is ubiquitous in various environments and is a rich source of carbon, nitrogen and phosphate. Here we show that P. aeruginosa is capable of using DNA as a nutrient source. Under phosphate‐limiting conditions, or when DNA is supplied as a source of phosphate, expression of PA3909 is induced. PA3909 encodes an extracellular deoxyribonuclease (DNase), which is required for degradation of DNA and utilization of DNA as a source of carbon, nitrogen and phosphate. Stabilization of PA3909 by the addition of excess Mg2+ and Ca2+ was required for DNase activity in culture supernatants. Extracellular DNase activity was seen in multiple P. aeruginosa strains and isolates from cystic fibrosis patients. The primary Xcp type II secretion system but not the Hxc type II secretion system is required for DNase activity and the ability to use DNA as a source of nutrients. This study identifies an extracellular DNase produced by P. aeruginosa that enables degradation of extracellular DNA into an accessible source of carbon, nitrogen and phosphate. DNase production by P. aeruginosa also has important implications for virulence and biofilm formation.
Vibrio infections triggering mass mortality events in a warming Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Vezzulli Luigi , Previati Monica , Pruzzo Carla , Marchese Anna , Bourne David G , Cerrano Carlo ,   the VibrioSea Consortium
Published: March 2010

SummaryMass mortality events of benthic invertebrates in the temperate north‐western (NW) Mediterranean Sea have been observed in recent seasons. A 16 month in situ study in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean Sea) demonstrated that the occurrence of Paramuricea clavata mortality episodes were concomitant to a condition of prolonged high sea surface temperatures, low chlorophyll concentrations and the presence of culturable Vibrio spp. in seawater. The occurrence of Vibrio spp. at the seasonal scale was correlated with temperature; with few vibrios retrieved on specific media when the temperature dropped below 18°C and a sharp increase of vibrios abundance (up to 3.4 × 104 MPN l−1) when the temperature was greater than or equal to 22°C. Phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis of Vibrio isolates associated with healthy and diseased P. clavata colonies collected during a mortality episode showed that these bacteria were significantly more abundant in diseased than in healthy corals and were related to the V. harveyi, V. splendidus and V. coralliilyticus groups, the latter only identified in diseased organisms. Inoculation of bacterial isolates from these groups onto healthy P. clavata in aquaria caused disease signs and death in a range of Vibrio concentrations, temperature values and trophic conditions consistent with those recorded in the field. It is concluded that Vibrio infections may act as an additional triggering mechanism of mass mortality events in the coastal Mediterranean Sea and that their occurrence is climate‐linked. Predicted global warming leading to long‐lasting hot summer periods together with stratification resulting in energetic constraints represent a major threat to the survival of benthic invertebrates in the temperate NW Mediterranean Sea due to potential disease outbreak associated with Vibrio pathogens.
Association of TCF7L2 gene variants with low GAD autoantibody titre in LADA subjects (NIRAD Study 5)
Authors: Zampetti S. , Spoletini M. , Petrone A. , Capizzi M. , Arpi M. L. , Tiberti C. , Di Pietro S. , Bosi E. , Pozzilli P. , Giorgino F. , Buzzetti for the NIRAD Study Group R. 
Published: March 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 701–704 (2010)AbstractAims  We previously demonstrated the presence of two different populations among adult‐onset autoimmune diabetes (latent autoimmume diabetes of adults; LADA) having high or low titre of antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA). The transcription factor 7‐like 2 (TCF7L2) gene has been recognized as the major gene associated with Type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the phenotypic heterogeneity of LADA based on GADA titre is associated with TCF7L2 polymorphisms.Methods  Two hundred and fifty patients identified as LADA, divided into two subgroups with low (≤ 32 arbitrary units) or high (> 32 units) GADA titre, 620 subjects with Type 2 diabetes [from the Non‐Insulin Requiring Autoimmune Diabetes (NIRAD) study cohort of 5330 subjects] in addition to 551 consecutive cases of Type 1 diabetes and 545 normoglycaemic subjects were analysed for the rs12255372 and rs7903146 polymorphisms of the TCF7L2 gene using Taqman.Results  The genotype and allele distributions of the two polymorphisms revealed similar frequencies in subjects with low GADA titre and Type 2 diabetes. High GADA titre, Type 1 diabetes and controls also showed comparable frequencies. A significant increase of GT/TT genotypes of the rs12255372 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and CT/TT genotypes of the rs7903146 SNP was observed in low GADA titre and Type 2 diabetes compared with high GADA titre, Type 1 diabetes and controls (P ≤ 0.04 for both comparisons). The risk alleles of both variants were increased in low GADA titre and Type 2 diabetes compared with high GADA titre, Type 1 diabetes and control subjects (P < 0.02 for all comparisons).Conclusions  TCF7L2 common genetic variants of susceptibility are associated only with low GADA antibody titre in LADA patients.
Middle Managers, Strategic Sensemaking, and Discursive Competence
Authors: Rouleau Linda , Balogun Julia 
Published: March 2010

abstractThis paper seeks to better understand the way middle managers contribute strategically to the development of an organization by examining how they enact the strategic roles allocated to them, with particular reference to strategic change. Through vignettes drawn from the authors' current research, a framework is developed that shows two situated, but interlinked, discursive activities, ‘performing the conversation’ and ‘setting the scene’, to be critical to the accomplishment of middle manager sensemaking. Language use is key, but needs to be combined with an ability to devise a setting in which to perform the language. The paper shows how middle managers knowledgeably enact these two sets of discursive activities by drawing on contextually relevant verbal, symbolic, and sociocultural systems, to allow them to draw people from different organizational levels into the change as they go about their day‐to‐day work.
What you learn is what you see: using eye movements to study infant cross‐situational word learning
Authors: Yu Chen , Smith Linda B. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractRecent studies show that both adults and young children possess powerful statistical learning capabilities to solve the word‐to‐world mapping problem. However, the underlying mechanisms that make statistical learning possible and powerful are not yet known. With the goal of providing new insights into this issue, the research reported in this paper used an eye tracker to record the moment‐by‐moment eye movement data of 14‐month‐old babies in statistical learning tasks. Various measures are applied to such fine‐grained temporal data, such as looking duration and shift rate (the number of shifts in gaze from one visual object to the other) trial by trial, showing different eye movement patterns between strong and weak statistical learners. Moreover, an information‐theoretic measure is developed and applied to gaze data to quantify the degree of learning uncertainty trial by trial. Next, a simple associative statistical learning model is applied to eye movement data and these simulation results are compared with empirical results from young children, showing strong correlations between these two. This suggests that an associative learning mechanism with selective attention can provide a cognitively plausible model of cross‐situational statistical learning. The work represents the first steps in using eye movement data to infer underlying real‐time processes in statistical word learning.