bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The response of human ectomesenchymal dental pulp stem cells to cisplatin treatment
Authors: Seifrtová M. , Havelek R. , Ćmielová J. , Jiroutová A. , Soukup T. , Brůčková L. , Mokrý J. , English D. , Řezáčová M. 
Published: December 2011

Seifrtová M, Havelek R, Ćmielová J, Jiroutová A, Soukup T, Brůčková L, Mokrý J, English D, Řezáčová M. The response of human ectomesenchymal dental pulp stem cells to cisplatin treatment. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 401–412, 2012.AbstractAim  To determine the response of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to DNA‐damaging cytostatic cisplatin and compare it with the response of normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs).Methodology  Dental pulp stem cells were exposed to 5, 10, 20 or 40 μmol L−1 of cisplatin. The proliferation of affected cells was assessed by a Z2 Counter and viability was assessed by means of a Vi‐Cell XR using Trypan blue exclusion staining. Cell cycle analysis and induction of apoptosis were performed by flow cytometry. Induction of apoptosis was determined by monitoring the activities of caspases. The expression of proteins was detected by electrophoresis and Western blotting. The descriptive statistics of the results was analyzed by Student’s t‐test.Results  Dental pulp stem cells had a greater genotoxic stress response to cisplatin compared to HDFs. All three main Mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) families – extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK), c‐Jun‐N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 were activated after treatment of DPSCs with cisplatin. The activation of MAPK pathways was not observed in HDFs exposed to cisplatin. The exposure of DPSCs and HDFs to cisplatin provoked an increase in p53 and p21 expression and p53 phosphorylation of serine 15. Higher concentrations of cisplatin reduced the viability of DPSCs and HDFs and induced the activation of caspases 3/7 and 9.Conclusion  Dental pulp stem cells had a greater genotoxic stress response to cisplatin compared to HDFs. Cisplatin in higher concentrations triggered activation of MAPK and apoptosis in DPSCs but not in HDFs.
Genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity of nutrient re‐allocation and increased fine root production as putative tolerance mechanisms inducible by methyl jasmonate in pine trees
Authors: Moreira Xoaquín , Zas Rafael , Sampedro Luis 
Published: December 2011

Summary1. Plant plastic responses to herbivore damage may include rapid, active reallocation of plant resources to reduce the impact of herbivory on future plant fitness. However, whether these inducible tolerance responses can be extended to pine trees and how these responses could be modulated by genetic and environmental factors remains unclear.2. Biomass allocation and phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in above‐ and below‐ground tissues were measured in Pinus pinaster juveniles belonging to 33 open‐pollinated families grown under two P availabilities (P‐deficient and complete fertilization). Measurements were taken 15 days after half of the plants received a foliar spray treatment of 22 mmol L−1 methyl jasmonate (MJ) to simulate above‐ground herbivore attack.3. Simulated above‐ground herbivory promoted a strong preferential allocation of biomass below ground in the form of fine roots, leading to an almost two‐fold increase in fine root biomass in MJ‐treated plants and a significant reduction in above‐ground tissues and coarse roots. In addition, MJ signalling increased P and N concentrations in the shoots while reducing (P) or maintaining (N) concentrations in the roots. These results suggest that induced resource sequestration is not a generalized strategy in this pine species. Fine root biomass and concentration of N and P in plant tissues showed additive genetic variation, but responses to MJ signalling did not vary among families. Allocation of biomass to fine roots was not affected by P availability, whereas allocation of P to the shoot was more intense under complete fertilization.4. Synthesis: Two new putative tolerance mechanisms inducible by MJ signalling may help to minimize the impact of above‐ground herbivore damage on the future fitness of young pine trees by (i) allocation of carbon to fine roots, this appeared to be a generalized strategy with weak environmental modulation and (ii) reallocation of P and N from roots to shoots, which was largely affected by P availability, and thus susceptible to greater phenotypic variation in heterogeneous environments. We provide evidence that changes in tolerance‐related traits are rapidly inducible by herbivory cues in this pine species. These results should be integrated with induced resistance responses to fully understand the costs and benefits associated with induced responses to herbivory.
Being reliable: issues in determining the reliability and making sense of observations of adults with congenital deafblindness?
Authors: Prain M. I. , McVilly K. R. , Ramcharan P. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Most research into interactions with people who are congenitally deafblind involves observational data. In order for practitioners and researchers to have confidence in the findings of observational studies, researchers need to demonstrate that the processes employed are replicable and trustworthy. This paper draws on data from an observational study of adults with congenital deafblindness to illustrate issues in determining inter‐rater reliability, and interpreting observational data.Method  Data from 34 10‐min observations of adults with congenital deafblindness and their interactions with support staff were assessed for inter‐rater reliability using percentage agreement calculated in three different ways and Cohen's κ.Results  Large variation resulted from the different ways in which inter‐rater reliability was calculated, largely due to high levels of non‐occurrence of many behaviours in the coding tool used.Conclusion  This study highlights the need to exercise caution when ascertaining the reliability of observational studies and demonstrates the value in using multiple methods for calculating inter‐rater reliability. The paper concludes with an examination of the potential merits of using consensus coding in observational studies of interactions with people with congenital deafblindness or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.
Caregiver and adult patient perspectives on the importance of a diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Costain G. , Chow E. W. C. , Ray P. N. , Bassett A. S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Recent advances in genetics are particularly relevant in the field of intellectual disability (ID), where sub‐microscopic deletions or duplications of genetic material are increasingly implicated as known or suspected causal factors. Data‐driven reports on the impact of providing an aetiological explanation in ID are needed to help justify widespread use of new and expensive genetic technologies.Methods  We conducted a survey of caregivers on the value of a genetic/aetiologic diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS), the most common microdeletion syndrome in ID. We also surveyed the opinion of a high‐functioning subset of adults with 22q11.2DS themselves. We used standard quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse the responses.Results  In total, 73 of 118 surveys were returned (61.9%). There was convergence of quantitative and qualitative results, and consistency between adult patient and caregiver responses. A definitive molecular diagnosis of 22q11.2DS was a critical event with diverse positive repercussions, even if occurring later in life. Frequently cited benefits included greater understanding and certainty, newfound sense of purpose and a platform for advocacy, and increased opportunities to optimise medical, social and educational needs.Conclusions  This is the first study to characterise the impact of a diagnosis of this representative microdeletion syndrome on adult patients and their families. The results both validate and expand on the theoretical benefits proposed by clinicians and researchers. The use of genome‐wide microarray technologies will provide an increasing number of molecular diagnoses. The importance of a diagnosis of 22q11.2DS demonstrated here therefore has implications for changing attitudes about molecular genetic diagnosis that could benefit individuals with ID of currently unknown cause and their families.
Relationship between Late Pleistocene sea‐level variations, carbonate platform morphology and aragonite production (Maldives, Indian Ocean)
Authors: PAUL ANDREAS , REIJMER JOHN J. G. , FÜRSTENAU JÖRN , KINKEL HANNO , BETZLER CHRISTIAN 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA piston core from the Maldives carbonate platform was investigated for carbonate mineralogy, grain‐size distributions, calcium carbonate content and organic carbon. The sedimentary record was linked to Late Pleistocene sea‐level variations, using an age model based on oxygen isotopes obtained from planktonic foramanifera, nannofossil biostratigraphy and 14C age determinations. The correlation between the sedimentary record and Late Pleistocene sea‐level showed that variations in aragonite and mud during the past 150 000 years were clearly related to flooding and sea floor exposure of the main lagoons of the atolls of the Maldives carbonate platform. Platform flooding events were characterized by strongly increased deposition of aragonite and mud within the Inner Sea of the Maldives. Exposure events, in contrast, can be recognized by rapid decreases in the values of both proxy records. The results show that sediments on the Maldives carbonate platform contain a continuous record of Pleistocene sea‐level variations. These sediments may, therefore, contribute to a better understanding of regional and even global sea‐level changes, and yield new insights into the interplay between ocean currents and carbonate platform morphology.
Evolutionary size changes in plants of the south‐west Pacific
Authors: Burns Kevin C. , Herold Nadine , Wallace Ben 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTAim  To investigate evolutionary changes in the size of leaves, stems and seeds of plants inhabiting isolated islands surrounding New Zealand.Location  Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Chatham, Kermadec, Three Kings and Poor Knights Islands.Methods  First, we compared the size of leaves and stems produced by 14 pairs of plant taxa between offshore islands and the New Zealand mainland, which were grown in a common garden to control for environmental effects. Similar comparisons of seed sizes were made between eight additional pairs of taxa. Second, we used herbarium specimens from 13 species pairs to investigate scaling relationships between leaf and stem sizes in an attempt to pinpoint which trait might be under selection. Third, we used herbarium specimens from 20 species to test whether changes in leaf size vary among islands located at different latitudes. Lastly, we compiled published records of plant heights to test whether insular species in the genus Hebe differed in size from their respective subgenera on the mainland.Results  Although some evidence of dwarfism was observed, most insular taxa were larger than their mainland relatives. Leaf sizes scaled positively with stem diameters, with island taxa consistently producing larger leaves for any given stem size than mainland species. Leaf sizes also increased similarly among islands located at different latitudes. Size changes in insular Hebe species were unrelated to the average size of the respective subgenera on the mainland.Main conclusions  Consistent evidence of gigantism was observed, suggesting that plants do not obey the island rule. Because our analyses were restricted to woody plants, results are also inconsistent with the ‘weeds‐to‐trees’ hypothesis. Disproportionate increases in leaf size relative to other plant traits suggest that selection may favour the evolution of larger leaves on islands, perhaps due to release from predation or increased intra‐specific competition.
Prospective study of the Perigee™ system for treatment of cystocele – our five‐year experience
Authors: RANE Ajay , IYER Jay , KANNAN Kurinji , CORSTIAANS Audrey 
Published: December 2011

Objectives:  The Perigee™ transobturator cystocoele repair system (AMS) was designed and first used in Townsville, Australia. In this study, we are reporting our five‐year experience with the Perigee™ system in the management of cystocoele stage III and above.
Methods:  Women who underwent surgery with the Perigee™ system between March 2004 and June 2008 were reviewed. Women who consecutively presented to our clinic with a stage III cystocoele or above were given information regarding the Perigee™ mesh surgery. Those who consented were included in our study. The study involved a POPQ assessment pre‐ and post‐operatively at six weeks, three months, six months, 12 months and subsequently biannually.
Results:  A total of 376 women underwent surgery with the Perigee™ system between March 2004 and June 2008, of which 26 were lost to follow‐up. The anatomical success rate for the device was 94.3%, and there were no life‐threatening complications with the procedure. 39 (11.1%) of women were found to have small mesh extrusion through the vagina, and 20 (5.7%) had recurrence of stage II cystocoele. Of the subset of women analysed, 45.1% reported no sexual dysfunction, 40.9% reported improvement in sexual function, while 4.1% reported worsening of dyspareunia.
Conclusion:  In this five‐year experience, the Perigee™ system is deemed safe with an acceptable recurrence risk rate and complication rate. Further randomised controlled trials comparing Perigee™ system with traditional anterior colporrhaphy should be performed to evaluate mesh‐based surgery safety and efficacy for level one evidence.
Risk Profiles of Subtypes of Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Sydney Memory and Ageing Study
Authors: Sachdev Perminder S. , Lipnicki Darren M. , Crawford John , Reppermund Simone , Kochan Nicole A. , Trollor Julian N. , Draper Brian , Slavin Melissa J. , Kang Kristan , Lux Ora , Mather Karen A. , Brodaty Henry ,   the Memory and Ageing Study Team
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesTo compare the risk profiles of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes in a population‐based elderly sample.DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingThe population‐based Sydney Memory and Ageing Study.ParticipantsSeven hundred fifty‐seven English‐speaking, community‐dwelling individuals without dementia aged 70 to 90.MeasurementsComprehensive neuropsychological assessments were used to diagnose MCI and its subtypes, categorized as amnestic (aMCI) or nonamnestic (naMCI) and as single‐ (sdMCI) or multiple‐ (mdMCI) domain. Risk profiles were derived from sociodemographic; lifestyle; and cardiac, physical, mental, and general health data. Whole‐sample and sex‐specific comparisons between aMCI and naMCI and between mdMCI and sdMCI were made using age‐ (and sex‐) adjusted multiple regressions comprising initially significant univariate factors.ResultsRisk factors for MCI were presence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele, heart disease, high homocysteine, poor odor identification ability, low visual acuity, and lower mental activity. The odds of having naMCI rather than aMCI were lower with greater levels of social activity and greater if taking antihypertensives, the latter particularly in men. The odds of naMCI were greater in men taking antidepressants or with a longer 6‐meter walk time and in women with hypertension. The odds of having mdMCI rather than sdMCI were greater in participants with a history of depression or having the APOE ε4 allele. Greater odds of mdMCI were also associated with lower mental activity, particularly for women. For men, the odds of mdMCI were greater with the APOE ε4 allele and lower if diagnosed with high cholesterol.ConclusionMCI subtypes exhibit distinctive, sex‐dependent risk profiles. This is consistent with MCI subtypes having different etiologies and outcomes and supports the idea that subtyping MCI may offer predictive validity and clinical application.
Improving Elementary School Quality Through the Use of a Social‐Emotional and Character Development Program: A Matched‐Pair, Cluster‐Randomized, Controlled Trial in Hawai'i
Authors: Snyder Frank J. , Vuchinich Samuel , Acock Alan , Washburn Isaac J. , Flay Brian R. 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND: School safety and quality affect student learning and success. This study examined the effects of a comprehensive elementary school‐wide social‐emotional and character education program, Positive Action, on teacher, parent, and student perceptions of school safety and quality utilizing a matched‐pair, cluster‐randomized, controlled design. The Positive Action Hawai'i trial included 20 racially/ethnically diverse schools and was conducted from 2002‐2003 through 2005‐2006.METHODS: School‐level archival data, collected by the Hawai'i Department of Education, were used to examine program effects at 1‐year post‐trial. Teacher, parent, and student data were analyzed to examine indicators of school quality such as student safety and well‐being, involvement, and satisfaction, as well as overall school quality. Matched‐paired t‐tests were used for the primary analysis, and sensitivity analyses included permutation tests and random‐intercept growth curve models.RESULTS: Analyses comparing change from baseline to 1‐year post‐trial revealed that intervention schools demonstrated significantly improved school quality compared to control schools, with 21%, 13%, and 16% better overall school quality scores as reported by teachers, parents, and students, respectively. Teacher, parent, and student reports on individual school‐quality indicators showed improvement in student safety and well‐being, involvement, satisfaction, quality student support, focused and sustained action, standards‐based learning, professionalism and system capacity, and coordinated team work. Teacher reports also showed an improvement in the responsiveness of the system.CONCLUSIONS: School quality was substantially improved, providing evidence that a school‐wide social‐emotional and character education program can enhance school quality and facilitate whole‐school change.
Miscanthus × giganteus productivity: the effects of management in different environments
Authors: Maughan Matt , Bollero Germán , Lee D. K. , Darmody Robert , Bonos Stacy , Cortese Laura , Murphy James , Gaussoin Roch , Sousek Matthew , Williams David , Williams Linda , Miguez Fernando , Voigt Thomas 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMiscanthus × giganteus is a C4 perennial grass that shows great potential as a high‐yielding biomass crop. Scant research has been published that reports M. × giganteus growth and biomass yields in different environments in the United States. This study investigated the establishment success, plant growth, and dry biomass yield of M. × giganteus during its first three seasons at four locations (Urbana, IL; Lexington, KY; Mead, NE; Adelphia, NJ) in the United States. Three nitrogen rates (0, 60, and 120 kg ha−1) were applied at each location each year. Good survival of M. × giganteus during its first winter was observed at KY, NE, and NJ (79–100%), and poor survival at IL (25%), due to late planting and cold winter temperatures. Site soil conditions, and growing‐season precipitation and temperature had the greatest impact on dry biomass yield between season 2 (2009) and season 3 (2010). Ideal 2010 weather conditions at NE resulted in significant yield increases (P < 0.0001) of 15.6–27.4 Mg ha−1 from 2009 to 2010. Small yield increases in KY of 17.1 Mg ha−1 in 2009 to 19.0 Mg ha−1 in 2010 could be attributed to excessive spring rain and hot dry conditions late in the growing season. Average M. ×giganteus biomass yields in NJ decreased from 16.9 to 9.7 Mg ha−1 between 2009 and 2010 and were related to hot dry weather, and poor soil conditions. Season 3 yields were positively correlated with end‐of‐season plant height () and tiller density (). Nitrogen fertilization had no significant effect on plant height, tiller density, or dry biomass yield at any of the sites during 2009 or 2010.
Nosema spp. parasitization decreases the effectiveness of acaricide strips (Apivar®) in treating varroosis of honey bee (Apis mellifera iberiensis) colonies
Authors: Botías Cristina , Martín‐Hernández Raquel , Barrios Laura , Garrido‐Bailón Encarna , Nanetti Antonio , Meana Aranzazu , Higes Mariano 
Published: December 2011

SummaryGiven the key role played by honey bees in almost all terrestrial ecosystems, maintaining bee populations in adequate sanitary conditions is crucial for these essential pollinators to continue their work. From the beginning of the 21st century, beekeepers have reported a progressive increase in the overwintering mortality of honey bee colonies worldwide. Despite the failure to reach a consensus regarding the cause of this phenomenon, pathogens are thought to be strongly implicated. In the present work, we provide evidence of the negative effects of colony parasitization by Nosema spp. – primarily by N. ceranae– on the effectiveness of acaricide strips to treat Varroa destructor. The effectiveness of the Varroa mite strip treatment (Apivar®) was greater in colonies in which Nosema spp. parasitization had been controlled. Several studies report that infection by Nosema spp. may affect the behaviour of worker bees. As the effectiveness of Varroa strip treatment depends on bees contacting the strips and their subsequent interaction within the colony, such behavioural and social alterations could interfere with the treatment and allow more severe effects to develop in the colonies infected by Nosema. These results should be considered when assessing acaricide treatments in field conditions due to the high prevalence of both pathogens worldwide.
Caveolin-1 Upregulation Contributes to c-Myc–Induced High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yang Guang , Goltsov Alexei A. , Ren Chengzhen , Kurosaka Shinji , Edamura Kohei , Logothetis Richard , DeMayo Francesco J. , Troncoso Patricia , Blando Jorge , DiGiovanni John , Thompson Timothy C. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Previously we reported caveolin-1 (Cav-1) overexpression in prostate cancer cells and showed that it promotes prostate cancer progression. Here, we report that Cav-1 was overexpressed in 41.7% (15 of 36) of human high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) specimens obtained during radical prostatectomies. Positive correlations exist between Cav-1–positive (Cav-1+) HGPIN and Cav-1+ primary prostate cancer (rho = 0.655, P &lt; 0.0001) and between Cav-1 and c-Myc expression in HGPIN (rho = 0.41, P = 0.032). To determine whether Cav-1 cooperates with c-Myc in development of premalignant lesions and prostate cancer in vivo, we generated transgenic mice with c-Myc overexpression driven by the ARR2PB promoter. In this ARR2PB–c-myc model, Cav-1 overexpression was found in mouse PIN (mPIN) lesions and prostate cancer cells and was associated with a significantly higher ratio of proliferative to apoptotic labeling in mPIN lesions than in the Cav-1–negative epithelia adjacent to those lesions (10.02 vs. 4.34; P = 0.007). Cav-1 overexpression was also associated with increased levels of P-Akt and VEGF-A, which were previously associated with Cav-1–induced prostate cancer cell survival and positive feedback regulation of cellular Cav-1 levels, respectively. In multiple prostate cancer cell lines, Cav-1 protein (but not mRNA) was induced by c-Myc transfection, whereas VEGF siRNA transfection abrogated c-Myc–induced Cav-1 overexpression, suggesting a c-Myc–VEGF–Cav-1 signaling axis. Overall, our results suggest that Cav-1 is associated with c-Myc in the development of HGPIN and prostate cancer. Furthermore, Cav-1 overexpression in HGPIN is potentially a biomarker for early identification of patients who tend to develop Cav-1+ primary prostate cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 10(2); 218–29. ©2011 AACR.