bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prokaryotic expression and immunogenicity of 56‐kDa protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi strain Karp
Authors: Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Chen Qiang , Yu Qiang , Zhang Li‐Juan 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTTo express the 56‐kDa protein of O. tsutsugamushi strain Karp, this protein gene was cloned into pET30a(+) before transforming into host bacteria, E. coli Rossetta. Specificity of the recombinant protein was assessed by ELISA using rabbit sera against common members of the order Rickettsiae and 10 other pathogenic bacteria. After IPTG induction, SDS‐PAGE analysis of isolated protein demonstrated a band at approximately 46‐kDa. Western blot and mass spectrometry analysis proved that the recombinant protein was expressed successfully. Specificity analysis demonstrated that all sera were negative, except sera against O. tsutsugamushi strains TA763, TH1817 and Kato, B. quintana, A. phagocytophilum, E. chaffeensis and B. bacilliformis. The purified protein was used to immunize BALB/c mice and polyclonal antisera were harvested. By examination of IFA and ELISA, the highest titer of the polyclonal antibodies reaches 1:1600. The recombinant 56‐kDa protein in the study is valuable for developing a simple and rapid diagnostic test and vaccine for O. tsutsugamushi.
CTHRC1 is upregulated by promoter demethylation and transforming growth factor‐β1 and may be associated with metastasis in human gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Ping , Wang Ying‐Chao , Chen Xiao‐Yu , Shen Zhi‐Yong , Cao Hui , Zhang Yan‐Jie , Yu Jian , Zhu Jing‐De , Lu You‐Yong , Fang Jing‐Yuan 
Published: April 2012

The gene, collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1), has been reported to increase in several kinds of human solid cancers and is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. To date, the expression and function of CTHRC1 in gastric cancer (GC) have not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels and regulatory transcription mechanisms of CTHRC1 in GC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CTHRC1 expression was markedly increased in carcinoma compared with normal gastric mucosa, chronic atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia (P < 0.05 for all), and this overexpression in tumor was related to depth of tumor invasion. Moreover, RNA interference‐mediated knockdown and ectopic expression of CTHRC1 showed that CTHRC1 promoted tumor cell invasion in vitro. We then investigated the mechanisms underlying the aberrant expression of CTHRC1 in GC and found that CTHRC1 expression was restored after GC cell lines were treated with the demethylating agent, 5‐aza‐2'‐deoxycytidine. Transforming growth factor‐β1 led to an increase in levels of CTHRC1 mRNA and protein. Overall, our data revealed that the upregulated expression of CTHRC1 in gastric carcinogenesis contributes to tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and promoter demethylation and transforming growth factor‐β1 may co‐regulate the expression of CTHRC1. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 1327–1333)
Modelling the potential distribution of endangered Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkm. in East Africa
Authors: Mbatudde Maria , Mwanjololo Majaliwa , Kakudidi Esezah Kyomugisha , Dalitz Helmut 
Published: April 2012

AbstractContinued harvesting and climate change are affecting the distributions of many plant species and may lead to numerous extinctions over the next century. Endangered species are likely to be a special concern, but the extent to which they are sensitive to climate is currently unclear. Species distribution modelling, if carefully implemented, can be used to assess climate sensitivity and potential climate change impacts, of tree species. We used MaxEnt algorithm for species distribution modelling to assess the potential distribution and climate change risks for a threatened Prunus africana, in East Africa. Data from different herbaria on its distribution were linked to data on climate to test hypotheses on the factors determining its distribution. Predictive models were developed and projected onto a climate scenario for 2050 to assess climate change risks. Precipitation of driest quarter and annual precipitation appeared to be the main factors influencing its distribution. Climate change was predicted to result in reductions of the species' habitats (e.g. Erasmus et al., Glob. Change Biol. 2002; 8: 679). Prunus africana distribution is thus highly vulnerable to a warming climate and highlights the fact that both in‐situ and ex‐situ conservation will be a solution to global warming.
Intrasite variation in the ability to detect tropical forest mammals
Authors: Breuer Thomas , Breuer‐Ndoundou Hockemba Mireille 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMonitoring programs are essential for an adequate management of large mammal populations. Within Central Africa data on abundance of important bushmeat species, such as duikers and primates are often lacking. Relative densities [(encounter rates (ERs)] are often the only available data, but there is little knowledge on the factors affectingERs and detection of these animals. Here we investigate how different environmental factors and observers influence large mammalERs in a pristine rainforest in theNouabalé‐NdokiNationalPark,Republic ofCongo. Our results show large daily and monthly variation inERs of duikers and primates.ERs varied between habitat types, seasons and observers′ ability to detect animals. Season and rainfall had a strong effect on understory visibility and duiker detection, respectively. Detection of duikers often happened by sound instead of visual observations. Our study shows that the use ofERis a poor monitoring approach and more robust methods need to be used to evaluate rates of population change reliably.
The effects of a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 antagonist (AZD2066) on transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations and reflux episodes in healthy volunteers
Authors: Rohof W. O. , Lei A. , Hirsch D. P. , Ny L. , Astrand M. , Hansen M. B. , Boeckxstaens G. E. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryBackgroundSelective metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonists inhibit transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) in animals and acid reflux in humans.AimTo assess the effect of single doses of the mGluR5 antagonist AZD2066 on TLESRs and reflux in humans.MethodsHealthy male volunteers received AZD2066 13 mg and placebo (part A), or AZD2066 2 mg and AZD2066 6 mg and placebo (part B), in a randomised crossover study. Postprandial manometry/pH‐impedance measurements were taken after each dose.ResultsA total of 13 individuals completed part A of the study and 19 individuals completed part B. There was a significant reduction in the geometric mean number of TLESRs (27%; P = 0.02) and the geometric mean number of reflux episodes (51%; P = 0.01) in subjects receiving AZD2066 13 mg compared with placebo. Adverse events in participants receiving AZD2066 13 mg were mostly related to the nervous system [dizziness (3/13); disturbance in attention (3/13)]. Adverse events were reversible and of mild intensity. There were no serious adverse events. The effects of AZD2066 appeared dose‐dependent, with smaller reductions in TLESRs and reflux episodes (relative to placebo) and fewer adverse events observed for AZD2066 2 mg and AZD2066 6 mg compared with AZD2066 13 mg.ConclusionThe mGluR5‐mediated inhibition of TLESRs may be a useful approach for inhibiting gastro‐oesophageal reflux.
Trends in oral drug bioavailability following bariatric surgery: examining the variable extent of impact on exposure of different drug classes
Authors: Darwich Adam S. , Henderson Kathryn , Burgin Angela , Ward Nicola , Whittam Janet , Ammori Basil J. , Ashcroft Darren M. , Rostami‐Hodjegan Amin 
Published: April 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Changes to oral drug bioavailability have been observed post bariatric surgery. However, the magnitude and the direction of changes have not been assessed systematically to provide insights into the parameters governing the observed trends. Understanding these can help with dose adjustments.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• Analysis of drug characteristics based on a biopharmaceutical classification system is not adequate to explain observed trends in altered oral drug bioavailability following bariatric surgery, although the findings suggest solubility to play an important role.AIMSTo identify the most commonly prescribed drugs in a bariatric surgery population and to assess existing evidence regarding trends in oral drug bioavailability post bariatric surgery.METHODSA retrospective audit was undertaken to document commonly prescribed drugs amongst patients undergoing bariatric surgery in an NHS hospital in the UK and to assess practice for drug administration following bariatric surgery. The available literature was examined for trends relating to drug permeability and solubility with regards to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) and main route of elimination.RESULTSNo significant difference in the ‘post/pre surgery oral drug exposure ratio’ (ppR) was apparent between BCS class I to IV drugs, with regards to dose number (Do) or main route of elimination. Drugs classified as ‘solubility limited’ displayed an overall reduction as compared with ‘freely soluble’ compounds, as well as an unaltered and increased ppR.CONCLUSIONClinical studies establishing guidelines for commonly prescribed drugs, and the monitoring of drugs exhibiting a narrow therapeutic window or without a readily assessed clinical endpoint, are warranted. Using mechanistically based pharmacokinetic modelling for simulating the multivariate nature of changes in drug exposure may serve as a useful tool in the further understanding of postoperative trends in oral drug exposure and in developing practical clinical guidance.
Evaluation of phototoxic potential of aerial components of the fig tree against human melanoma
Authors: Conforti F. , Menichini G. , Zanfini L. , Tundis R. , Statti G. A. , Provenzano E. , Menichini F. , Somma F. , Alfano C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo date, Ficus carica L. cultivar Dottato (F. carica) has not been studied from a phototoxic point of view. In the present work, aerial components of F. carica from Italy, were examined to assess their antioxidant and phototoxic activity on human melanoma cells. A relationship between antioxidant, phototoxic activities and chemical composition has also been investigated.Materials and methodsCoumarin and fatty acid content in F. carica leaves, bark and woody parts were examined and compared by capillary GC and GC/MS. Polyphenolic content was also determined. Linoleic acid peroxidation and DPPH test were used to assess antioxidant activities, and MTT assay was used to evaluate anti‐proliferative activity, on C32 human melanoma cells, after irradiation with a UVA dose of 1.08 J/cm2.ResultsLeaves demonstrated the best antioxidant and anti‐proliferative activity in comparison to bark and wood. In particular, leaves were shown to possess the highest anti‐radical activity and inhibition of peroxidation, with IC50 values of 64 and 1.48 μg/ml respectively. The leaves had highest anti‐proliferative activity with IC50 value of 3.92 μg/ml. The phytochemical investigation revealed different composition between the coumarins, psoralen and bergapten, fatty acids, polyphenols and flavonoid content among plant parts.ConclusionsData obtained indicate that this type of fig tree may constitute an excellent source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, coumarins and fatty acids. This study offers a new perspective in developing others formulations potentially useful in photodynamic therapy for treatment of non‐melanoma skin cancers.
Fathers' experiences with child welfare services
Authors: Coady Nick , Hoy Sandra L. , Cameron Gary 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThe lack of engagement of fathers by child welfare services is well‐documented in the literature as a serious problem. Towards addressing this problem, this paper reports the findings of interviews with 18 fathers about their involvement with child welfare services in Ontario, Canada. Qualitative analysis of the interviews yielded themes about what men saw as the positive and negative aspects of their involvement with child welfare. Positive aspects of service involvement for fathers included understanding and supportive workers, useful assistance from workers, being connected to useful resources and being given a ‘wake‐up call’. Negative aspects of service involvement included uncaring, unhelpful and unprofessional workers; prejudice against fathers; and experiencing the child welfare system as unresponsive, uncaring and rigid. Implications for practice are discussed with a view to improving the engagement of men in, and their experiences with, child welfare services.
Lung effects of inhaled corticosteroids in a rhesus monkey model of childhood asthma
Authors: Plopper C. G. , Joad J. P. , Miller L. A. , Schelegle E. S. , Fanucchi M. V. , Van Winkle L. S. , Tyler N. K. , Avdalovic M. V. , Evans M. J. , Lasley W. L. , Buckpitt A. R. , Pinkerton K. E. , Tarkington B. K. , Davis S. , Nishio S. J. , Gershwin L. J. , Wu R. , Hyde D. M. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryBackgroundThe risks for infants and young children receiving inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy are largely unknown. Recent clinical studies indicate that ICS therapy in pre‐school children with symptoms of asthma result in decreased symptoms without influencing the clinical disease course, but potentially affect postnatal growth and development. The current study employs a primate experimental model to identify the risks posed by ICS therapy.ObjectiveTo (1) establish whether ICS therapy in developing primate lungs reverses pulmonary pathobiology associated with allergic airway disease (AAD) and (2) define the impact of ICS on postnatal lung growth and development in primates.MethodsInfant rhesus monkeys were exposed, from 1 through 6 months, to filtered air (FA) with house dust mite allergen and ozone using a protocol that produces AAD (AAD monkeys), or to FA alone (Control monkeys). From three through 6 months, the monkeys were treated daily with ICS (budesonide) or saline.ResultsSeveral AAD manifestations (airflow restrictions, lavage eosinophilia, basement membrane zone thickening, epithelial mucin composition) were reduced with ICS treatment, without adverse effects on body growth or adrenal function; however, airway branching abnormalities and intraepithelial innervation were not reduced. In addition, several indicators of postnatal lung growth and differentiation: vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, compliance, non‐parenchymal lung volume and alveolarization, were increased in both AAD and Control monkeys that received ICS treatment.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceIncomplete prevention of pathobiological changes in the airways and disruption of postnatal growth and differentiation of airways and lung parenchyma in response to ICS pose risks for developing primate lungs. These responses also represent two mechanisms that could compromise ICS therapy's ability to alter clinical disease course in young children.
Experimental estimation of velocities and anisotropy of a series of Swedish crystalline rocks and ores
Authors: Malehmir Alireza , Andersson Magnus , Lebedev Maxim , Urosevic Milovan , Mikhaltsevitch Vassili 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTTo provide a guide for future deep (<1.5 km) seismic mineral exploration and to better understand the nature of reflections imaged by surface reflection seismic data in two mining camps and a carbonatite complex of Sweden, more than 50 rock and ore samples were collected and measured for their seismic velocities. The samples are geographically from the northern and central parts of Sweden, ranging from metallic ore deposits, meta‐volcanic and meta‐intrusive rocks to deformed and metamorphosed rocks. First, ultrasonic measurements of P‐ and S‐wave velocities at both atmospheric and elevated pressures, using 0.5 MHz P‐ and S‐wave transducers were conducted. The ultrasonic measurements suggest that most of the measured velocities show positive correlation with the density of the samples with an exception of a massive sulphide ore sample that shows significant low P‐ and S‐wave velocities. The low P‐ and S‐wave velocities are attributed to the mineral texture of the sample and partly lower pyrite content in comparison with a similar type sample obtained from Norway, which shows significantly higher P‐ and S‐wave velocities. Later, an iron ore sample from the central part of Sweden was measured using a low‐frequency (0.1–50 Hz) apparatus to provide comparison with the ultrasonic velocity measurements. The low‐frequency measurements indicate that the iron ore sample has minimal dispersion and attenuation. The iron ore sample shows the highest acoustic impedance among our samples suggesting that these deposits are favourable targets for seismic methods. This is further demonstrated by a real seismic section acquired over an iron ore mine in the central part of Sweden. Finally, a laser‐interferometer device was used to analyse elastic anisotropy of five rock samples taken from a major deformation zone in order to provide insights into the nature of reflections observed from the deformation zone. Up to 10% velocity‐anisotropy is estimated and demonstrated to be present for the samples taken from the deformation zone using the laser‐interferometery measurements. However, the origin of the reflections from the major deformation zone is attributed to a combination of anisotropy and amphibolite lenses within the deformation zone.
Influence of climate oscillations on dentinal deposition in teeth of Commerson's dolphin
Authors: Dellabianca Natalia A. , Hohn Aleta A. , Goodall R. Natalie P. , Pousa Jorge L. , MacLeod Colin D. , Lima Mauricio 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEffects of climatic oscillations on populations in marine environments are produced mainly through the lower trophic levels. Marine mammals, as top predators, are affected indirectly by these fluctuations, showing variations in their survival, growth and reproduction. The main objective of this study was to determine whether we could detect the effect of climatic oscillations on Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus c. commersonii) off Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, by examining the presence and proportion of anomalous dentinal growth layer groups (GLGs). The relative deposition of anomalous GLGs was determined using calendar years from 1960 to 2005, and related to the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, and to mean annual sea surface temperatures (SST). Then, growth parameters between animals that did and did not show anomalous dentinal growth layer patterns in one or more of their GLGs were compared. The presence of anomalous GLGs was related to the SAM, increasing in frequency with negative values of the SAM. No relationship was found among anomalous GLGs, ENSO, and SST. There were no significant differences in growth parameters between animals with and without anomalous GLGs. Using recording structures such as teeth provided a unique way of reconstructing time series to evaluate the effects of these climatic patterns on a top predator species in an area where no similar studies have been conducted, primarily due to a lack of suitable long‐term data sets.
Angiotropism is an independent predictor of microscopic satellites in primary cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Wilmott James , Haydu Lauren , Bagot Martine , Zhang Yuxiao , Jakrot Valerie , McCarthy Stanley , Lugassy Claire , Thompson John , Scolyer Richard , Barnhill Raymond 
Published: April 2012

Wilmott J, Haydu L, Bagot M, Zhang Y, Jakrot V, McCarthy S, Lugassy C, Thompson J, Scolyer R & Barnhill R  (2012) Histopathology 61, 889–898Angiotropism is an independent predictor of microscopic satellites in primary cutaneous melanomaAims:  To establish whether microscopic angiotropism of melanoma cells correlates with microscopic satellite (MS) formation in cutaneous melanomas and thus is likely to explain the development of MS.Materials and results:  Patients with MS and controls without MS from 1996 to 2009 were evaluated for the presence or absence of angiotropism. MS was defined as a dermal/subcutaneous tumour nodule >0.05 mm, separated from the primary tumour by at least 0.3 mm. Forty four cases and controls were matched for tumour thickness, mitotic rate, ulceration, age, gender and primary site. Angiotropism (23 of 44, 52%) and absent regression (19 of 44, 43%) were significantly more frequent in melanomas with MS than in those without MS (controls) (12 of 44, 27%) (P = 0.017) and (32 of 44, 73%) (P = 0.005), respectively. Factors correlating with angiotropism included increased Clark level (P = 0.046), regression absence (P = 0.02) and MS (P = 0.017). On multivariable analysis, MS formation was predicted by angiotropism (P = 0.026), Clark level V (P = 0.01), absent regression (P = 0.009) and acral site (P = 0.02).Conclusions:  Angiotropism predicts MS development. These data provide additional evidence for the importance of angiotropism as a means of melanoma metastasis.
Microdensitometry of osteopontin as an immunohistochemical prognostic biomarker in colorectal carcinoma tissue microarrays: potential and limitations of the method in ‘biomarker pathology’
Authors: Prall Friedrich , Maletzki Claudia , Linnebacher Michael 
Published: April 2012

Prall F, Maletzki C & Linnebacher M  (2012) Histopathology 61, 823–832Microdensitometry of osteopontin as an immunohistochemical prognostic biomarker in colorectal carcinoma tissue microarrays: potential and limitations of the method in ‘biomarker pathology’Aims:  To explore the potential and limitations of ‘biomarker pathology’ with quantitative immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays, taking osteopontin and colorectal carcinoma as a model system.Methods and results:  Microdensitometry for quantitative evaluation of osteopontin immunohistochemistry (clone OP3N) on digital microphotographs using the public domain software ImageJ was observed to be straightforward to perform and reliable. However, using colorectal carcinoma cell lines (n = 11) the correlation between densitometric evaluations of Western blots and microdensitometry of immunocytochemistry of slide cultures was only moderate. A virtual resampling method to simulate tissue microarrays showed that, due to heterogeneity of immunostaining, tumours were misclassified in nearly 20% of the arrays, even if four punches were used. With regard to prognosis, microdensitometric evaluation of a tissue microarray made of a clinicopathologically well‐characterized series of colorectal carcinomas with long‐term follow‐up (222 cases evaluable in the tissue microarray, UICC Stages I–III/R0) showed a moderate survival advantage of patients with high osteopontin expression by microdensitometry.Conclusions:  These results challenge the basic assumption that microdensitometry is a precise technique for the quantification of proteins detected by immunohistochemistry and delineate drawbacks encountered when working with tissue microarrays in clinicopathological studies.