bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farnesol: antinociceptive effect and histopathological analysis of the striatum and hippocampus of mice
Authors: de Oliveira Júnior Walter Mendes , Benedito Rubens Batista , Pereira Wendel Batista , de Arruda Torres Paula , Ramos Carlos Alberto Fernandes , Costa Jéssica Pereira , da Rocha Tomé Adriana , de Sousa Damião Pergentino , de Freitas Rivelilson Mendes , de Fatima Formiga Melo Diniz Margareth , de Almeida Reinaldo Nóbrega 
Published: February 2012

AbstractFarnesol, a sesquiterpene alcohol, has been shown to have antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. Recent studies have found that antioxidant compounds may exert a certain protective effect against neurotoxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of farnesol (FAR) and its neurotoxic effects on the brains of adult mice. In this study, two mouse models of analgesia were used to evaluate FAR at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, injected intraperitoneally (i.p.). In the acetic acid–induced writhing test, a significant decrease was found in the number of contortions in the FAR‐treated mice at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. FAR was also found to inhibit the licking response in the injected paw at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (i.p.) in the first (0–5 min) and second phases (15–30 min) of the formalin test. To evaluate neurotoxic effects, Swiss mice were treated with 0.9% saline (i.p., control group), 0.05 Tween 80 dissolved in 0.9% saline (i.p., vehicle group), and FAR 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg, i.p. Following treatment, all groups were observed for 72 h. In the FAR 200‐mg group, 16% of the animals suffered brain injury that affected 12% of the area of the hippocampus. No lesions were found in the hippocampal and striatal regions of the brain in any of the animals treated with the 50 and 100 mg/kg doses of FAR. In conclusion, FAR exerts an antinociceptive effect with no significant neurotoxicity in the brains of adult mice.
Reproducibility of assessing rib cage mobility from computed tomography images
Authors: Mueller Gabi , Perret Claudio , Michel Franz , Berger Markus , Hopman Maria T. E. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackgroundRib cage mobility decreases in various health conditions, for example neuromuscular diseases. A decrease in rib cage mobility reduces respiratory function and therefore increases the risk of respiratory complications. To evaluate the effects of interventions aiming at increasing rib cage mobility, changes should be calculated from measurements before and after such interventions. Therefore, an accurate and easy to perform method is needed.ObjectiveTo assess rib cage mobility using computed tomography (CT).MethodsWe analysed single‐image CT scans of the chest to assess its reproducibility at maximal inspiration and expiration in ten able‐bodied individuals and ten subjects with tetraplegia. CT scans were taken twice in the supine position, with a repositioning of subjects in‐between. At maximal inspiration and expiration, two images at the fourth and ninth vertebral body were recorded. Intra‐costal areas, anterior–posterior distances from the sternum to the vertebral body as well as transversal distances of the chest were measured manually by three independent testers, each of them analysing all data twice. Intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland and Altman plots were calculated for intra‐subject reproducibility at maximal inspiration and expiration as well as for intra‐ and inter‐tester reproducibility.ResultsMean differences between the two intra‐subject measurements expressed as percentage of their mean were 2·3 ± 1·3% in able‐bodied individuals and 2·1 ± 1·3% in subjects with tetraplegia. All ICCs were above 0·95 and thus showed very high reproducibility.ConclusionAssessing rib cage mobility by analysing CT scans of the chest is a simple and highly reproducible method.
Antitumoural hydroxyapatite nanoparticles‐mediated hepatoma‐targeted trans‐arterial embolization gene therapy: in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Li Gaopeng , Ye Lu , Pan Jingsheng , Long Miaoyun , Zhao Zizhuo , Yang Haiyun , Tian Jing , Wen Yanling , Dong Shengli , Guan Jian , Luo Baoming 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground/AimsAbsence of curative treatment creates urgent need for new strategies for unresectable hepatoma. Based on former discoveries of good liver cell compatibility, safety and tumour‐specific inhibition of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP), this work tries to make nHAP serve as gene vector in the hepatoma‐targeted trans‐arterial embolization (TAE) gene therapy to elevate and synergize the therapeutic efficacy of TAE and target gene therapy.MethodFollowing dosage and ratio optimization, polypolex formed by surface modified nHAP and p53 expressing plasmid was applied in vitro for human hepatoma HePG2 cell, and then in vivo for rabbit hepatic VX2 tumour by injection of polypolex/lipodoil emulsion to the hepatic artery in a tumour‐target manner.ResultsIn vitro, the polypolex transfected only about 5% HepG2 cells, but can elevate the inhibition of its growth and apoptosis in a much more degree while keeping safe to the normal hepatocyte line, L02. In vivo, the emulsion, with better dispersion than the polypolex and more specific tumour‐target than lipiodol, mediated specific 4% p53 expression and antitumoural nanoparticle retention in the target tumour site, also significantly reduced tumour growth and prolonged the animal survival times more than the lipiodol (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIn all, this new treatment based on nHAP can enhance therapeutic effect of HCC safely both in vitro and in vivo.
Introduction to General and Generalized Linear Models by MADSEN, H. and TYREGOD, P.
Authors: Demétrio Clarice G. B. 
Published: February 2012

Introduction to General and Generalized Linear Models(H. Madsen and P. Tyregod)               Clarice DemétrioSample Sizes for Clinical Trials(S. A. Julious)               Janet WittesLearning and Inference in Computational Systems Biology.(N. D. Lawrence, M. Girolami, M. Rattray and G. Sanguinetti)               Ernst WitBrief Reports by the EditorApplied Probability, 2nd edition.(K. Lange)Regression Estimators: A Comparative Study, 2nd edition.(M. H. J. Gruber)Common Statistical Methods for Clinical Research with SAS Examples, 3rd edition.(G. A. Walker and J. Shostak)
Influence of Flux on Morphology and Luminescence Properties of Phosphors: A Case Study on Y1.55Ti2O7:0.45Eu3+
Authors: Dai Pengpeng , Zhang Xintong , Sun Panpan , Yang Jikai , Wang Lingling , Yan Shili , Liu Yichun 
Published: February 2012

A series of Y1.55Ti2O7:0.45Eu3+ phosphors with orange‐red emission under near ultraviolet excitation were prepared in solid‐state reaction with NH4Cl, NH4F, H3BO3, LiF, and NaF as flux, respectively. Comparative studies showed that flux could not only modify the morphology and grain size, but have a significant influence on the spatial distribution of Eu3+ activator across the Y2Ti2O7 host. NaF flux, the best one among the five flux materials, helped the phosphor particles to have a sphere‐like morphology, micrometer‐level grain size as well as uniform spatial distribution of activator, and enhanced the photoluminescence of Y1.55Ti2O7:0.45Eu3+ phosphor by a factor of about 16 at an optimal amount. Other fluxes also exhibited positive effect on photoluminescence of the phosphor in a sequence of NH4Cl < NH4F < H3BO3 < LiF, and influenced the morphology, grain size, activator spatial distribution of the phosphor particles in varied extents. The influence of these flux materials on phosphor grain growth was discussed by the Ostwald ripening mechanism, with consideration of the melting point, boiling point (or decomposition temperature), as well as reactivity of the flux materials. In addition, the influence of flux on photoluminescence intensity and lifetime of Y1.55Ti2O7:0.45Eu3+ was also discussed.
Geographic pattern of host‐associated differentiation in the cotton fleahopper, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus
Authors: Barman Apurba K. , Parajulee Megha N. , Sansone Christopher G. , Suh Charles P. C. , Medina Raul F. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractHost‐associated differentiation (HAD) is the occurrence of genetically distinct, host‐associated lineages. Most of the cases of HAD in phytophagous insects have been documented in specialist insects inhabiting feral ecosystems or in generalist parthenogens in agroecosystems. Herein we report HAD in the cotton fleahopper, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae), a native, generalist, non‐parthenogenetic insect feeding on native wild hosts [horsemint, Monarda punctata L. (Lamiaceae) and woolly croton, Croton capitatus Michx. (Euphorbiaceae)] and on cotton [Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae)] in the USA. Examination of genome‐wide genetic variation with AFLP markers and Bayesian analyses of P. seriatus associated with three different host plant species at five locations in Texas revealed a geographic pattern of HAD. The geographic pattern of HAD corresponded with differences in precipitation among the locations studied. In three locations, two distinct lineages of P. seriatus were found in association with horsemint and cotton/woolly croton, whereas in two other locations, populations associated with the different host plants studied were panmictic. We suggest that precipitation differences among locations translate into heterogeneity in vegetation distribution, composition, and phenology, which altogether may contribute to the observed geographic pattern of HAD.
A Danish national cohort study on neonatal outcome in singleton pregnancies with placenta previa
Authors: NØRGAARD LONE N. , PINBORG ANJA , LIDEGAARD ØJVIND , BERGHOLT THOMAS 
Published: February 2012

Abstract Objective. To describe the incidence of placenta previa and to assess neonatal morbidity and mortality in pregnancies with placenta previa after adjustment for previous cesarean section, smoking, multiparity, maternal age and in vitro fertilization. Design. National cohort study. Setting. Danish national IVF‐, birth‐ and patient registers. Population. All pregnancies in Denmark from 1978–2006 and a subpopulation of all singleton pregnancies during the years 2001–2006 with placenta previa (n=1721) compared to pregnancies without this diagnosis. Methods. Incidence rates and multivariate analysis. Main outcome measures. Gestational age, birthweight, Apgar score after five minutes, stillbirth, neonatal mortality and admittance to neonatal intensive care unit. Results. The incidence of placenta previa in Denmark was 0.54% in 2006. Neonates born after pregnancies with placenta previa had a higher risk of being born at a gestational age below 37 weeks (OR 8.6; 95%CI 7.5–9.9), having an Apgar score of ≤7 at five minutes (OR 2.7; 95%CI 2.0–3.7), being transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit (OR 4.3; 95%CI 3.8–4.9) and for stillbirth and neonatal mortality combined (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.1–3.0), compared with neonates born in pregnancies without placenta previa. No increased risk of being small‐for‐gestational age was found (OR 1.0; 95%CI 1.0–1.2). Conclusion. When adjusting for confounders, neonates born after pregnancies with placenta previa had a significantly higher risk of being born preterm, having a low Apgar score, being transferred to neonatal intensive care, and death.
Adiponectin regulates functions of gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Iwayama T. , Yanagita M. , Mori K. , Sawada K. , Ozasa M. , Kubota M. , Miki K. , Kojima Y. , Takedachi M. , Kitamura M. , Shimabukuro Y. , Hashikawa T. , Murakami S. 
Published: February 2012

Iwayama T, Yanagita M, Mori K, Sawada K, Ozasa M, Kubota M, Miki K, Kojima Y, Takedachi M, Kitamura M, Shimabukuro Y, Hashikawa T, Murakami S. Adiponectin regulates functions of gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 563–571. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/SBackground and Objective:  Adiponectin is a cytokine constitutively produced by adipocytes and exhibits multiple biological functions by targeting various cell types. However, the effects of adiponectin on primary gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells are still unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effects of adiponectin on gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells.Material and Methods:  The expression of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), mouse gingival fibroblasts (MGFs) and human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells was examined using RT‐PCR and western blotting. HGFs and MGFs were stimulated with interleukin (IL)‐1β in the presence or absence of adiponectin, and the expression of IL‐6 and IL‐8 at both mRNA and protein levels was measured by real‐time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Furthermore, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in MGFs were used to knock down the expression of mouse AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. The effects of adiponectin on the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) genes were evaluated by real‐time PCR. Mineralized nodule formation of adiponectin‐treated HPDL cells was revealed by Alizarin Red staining.Results:  AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were expressed constitutively in HGFs, MGFs and HPDL cells. Adiponectin decreased the expression of IL‐6 and IL‐8 in IL‐1β‐stimulated HGFs and MGFs. AdipoR1 siRNA in MGFs revealed that the effect of adiponectin on reduction of IL‐6 expression was potentially mediated via AdipoR1. Adiponectin‐treated HPDL cells promoted the expression of ALP and Runx2 mRNAs and up‐regulated ALP activity. Furthermore, adiponectin enhanced mineralized nodule formation of HPDL cells.Conclusion:  Our observations demonstrate that adiponectin exerts anti‐inflammatory effects on HGFs and MGFs, and promotes the activities of osteoblastogenesis of HPDL cells. We conclude that adiponectin has potent beneficial functions to maintain the homeostasis of periodontal health, improve periodontal lesions, and contribute to wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Orientation of the amino‐terminal domain of ClpB affects the disaggregation of the protein
Authors: Mizuno Sayaka , Nakazaki Yosuke , Yoshida Masasuke , Watanabe Yo‐hei 
Published: February 2012

ClpB/Hsp104 efficiently reactivates protein aggregates in cooperation with the DnaK/Hsp70 system. As a member of the AAA+ protein family (i.e. an expanded superfamily of ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities), ClpB forms a ring‐shaped hexamer in an ATP‐dependent manner. A protomer of ClpB consists of an N‐terminal domain (NTD), an AAA+ module, a middle domain and another AAA+ module. In the crystal structures, the NTDs point to two different directions relative to other domains and are not visible in the single‐particle cryo‐electron microscopy reconstruction, suggesting that the NTD is highly mobile. In the present study, we generated mutants in which the NTD was anchored to other domain by disulfide cross‐linking and compared several aspects of ClpB function between the reduced and oxidized mutants, using the wild‐type and NTD‐truncated ClpB (ClpBΔN) as references. In their oxidized form, the mutants and wild‐type bind casein with a similar affinity, although the affinity of ClpBΔN for casein was significantly low. However, the extent of casein‐induced stimulation of ATPase, the rate of substrate threading and the efficiency of protein disaggregation of these mutants were all lower than those of the wild‐type but similar to those of ClpBΔN. These results indicate that the NTD supports the substrate binding of ClpB and that its conformational shift assists the threading and disaggregation of substrate proteins.Structured digital abstract
K‐casein and TClpB bind by fluorescencetechnology (View Interaction: 1, 2, 3)
TClpB and TClpB bind by molecular sieving (Viewinteraction)
Association between HLA and Stevens–Johnson Syndrome Induced by Carbamazepine in Southern Han Chinese: Genetic Markers besides B*1502?
Authors: Shi Yi‐Wu , Min Fu‐Li , Qin Bin , Zou Xin , Liu Xiao‐Rong , Gao Mei‐Mei , Wang Qian , Zhou Jue‐Qian , Liao Wei‐Ping 
Published: February 2012

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated a strong association between carbamazepine‐induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (CBZ‐induced SJS/TEN) and HLA‐B*1502 in Chinese, and HLA‐A*3101 but not HLA‐B*1502 in Caucasians and Japanese. Cases with CBZ‐induced SJS/TEN negative for HLA‐B*1502 were reported recently in Southeast Asia. Negative correlations between CBZ‐induced SJS/TEN and B*0702 or B*4001 have also been reported, suggesting a possible protective role. Here, we genotyped HLA‐B and HLA‐A in 18 cases with CBZ‐induced SJS/TEN, in comparison with CBZ‐tolerant and normal controls in Southern Han Chinese. A strong association between HLA‐B*1502 and CBZ‐induced SJS/TEN was found, with 72.2% sensitivity and 87.1% specificity. However, we also found five patients with SJS (5/18, 27.78%) who were negative for HLA‐B*1502. HLA‐A*2402 was present in nine of 16 cases with SJS (56.25%, including three of five cases negative for HLA‐B*1502), which was significantly more frequent than that of CBZ‐tolerant controls or the general southern population. Only one case with SJS carried HLA‐A*3101. No statistical difference in the mean age, sex ratio and CBZ usage was found between the CBZ‐induced SJS/TEN group and the CBZ‐tolerant group. In search for possible protective genetic markers in HLA‐B*1502‐positive but CBZ‐tolerant patients, we failed to find any significant factors in the HLA alleles observed. Given the association between HLA‐B*1502 and CBZ‐induced SJS/TEN, genetic testing before initiating CBZ therapy is suggested in Han Chinese population. However, physicians should also be vigilant about SJS/TEN in those negative for HLA‐B*1502. Other factors for the development of CBZ‐induced SJS/TEN in HLA‐B*1502‐negative patients and protective factors in CBZ‐tolerant patients should be investigated further.
Dose optimization of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to improve outcomes in GIST
Authors: ZALCBERG John R. , DESAI Jayesh 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib and sunitinib have greatly improved clinical outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Dose optimization of these agents is critical and involves multiple considerations, including ensuring a durable response, monitoring drug blood levels to confirm adequate dosing, deciding whether to use high‐dose imatinib or switch to second‐line sunitinib in the event of disease progression and appropriately managing treatment‐associated side effects. Imatinib is the standard first‐line therapy for unresectable or metastatic GIST and is also an option for the adjuvant treatment of resected disease. Despite the efficacy and safety of imatinib in patients with advanced GIST, some individuals develop primary or secondary resistance or intolerance to the drug. For patients with advanced disease, imatinib dose escalation to 800 mg/day is warranted in cases of disease progression on imatinib 400 mg/day. In addition, patients with documented KIT exon 9 mutations are likely to derive benefit from initial treatment with high‐dose imatinib to improve clinical outcomes. For patients who fail imatinib, sunitinib is an effective treatment option. However, the decision to use either high‐dose imatinib or sunitinib should be based on the underlying cause of failure on imatinib, KIT mutational status and on whether the patient is intolerant of or has developed a resistance to imatinib. In this article we review the existing literature supporting the use of imatinib and sunitinib in GIST to provide a current clinical perspective on how best to use these agents in the management of GIST to optimize patient outcomes.
ZmcrtRB3 Encodes a Carotenoid Hydroxylase that Affects the Accumulation of α‐carotene in Maize KernelF
Authors: Zhou Yi , Han Yingjia , Li Zhigang , Fu Yang , Fu Zhiyuan , Xu Shutu , Li Jiansheng , Yan Jianbing , Yang Xiaohong 
Published: February 2012

Abstractα‐carotene is one of the important components of pro‐vitamin A, which is able to be converted into vitamin A in the human body. One maize (Zea mays L.) ortholog of carotenoid hydroxylases in Arabidopsis thaliana, ZmcrtRB3, was cloned and its role in carotenoid hydrolyzations was addressed. ZmcrtRB3 was mapped in a quantitative trait locus (QTL) cluster for carotenoid‐related traits on chromosome 2 (bin 2.03) in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from By804 and B73. Candidate‐gene association analysis identified 18 polymorphic sites in ZmcrtRB3 significantly associated with one or more carotenoid‐related traits in 126 diverse yellow maize inbred lines. These results indicate that the enzyme ZmcrtRB3 plays a role in hydrolyzing both α‐ and β‐carotenes, while polymorphisms in ZmcrtRB3 contributed more variation in α‐carotene than that in β‐carotene. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), SNP1343 in 5′untranslated region and SNP2172 in the second intron, consistently had effects on α‐carotene content and composition with explained phenotypic variations ranging from 8.7% to 34.8%. There was 1.7‐ to 3.7‐fold change between the inferior and superior haplotype for α‐carotene content and composition. Thus, SNP1343 and SNP2172 are potential polymorphic sites to develop functional markers for applying marker‐assisted selection in the improvement of pro‐vitamin A carotenoids in maize kernels.
PROCESSING OF PERNA PERNA MUSSELS USING INTEGRATED PROCESS OF COOKING AND VACUUM COOLING
Authors: CAVALHEIRO D. , SCHMIDT F.C. , RODRIGUES L.G.G. , SIGA C. , LEITEMPERGHER F. , LAURINDO J.B. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe objective of this work was to evaluate integrated processes of cooking and vacuum cooling of mussels. Thus, the following alternatives were assessed: vapor cooking followed by vacuum cooling (VCk‐VC) and water immersion cooking followed by vacuum cooling with the samples immersed in the cooking water (ICk‐IVC). Such alternatives were compared with a conventional process of vapor cooking followed by water immersion cooling (VCk‐IC). The time to cool the samples until 10C was similar for the VCk‐VC and VCk‐IC processes, while for the ICk‐IVC process, the cooling time was much higher. However, the samples submitted to the VCk‐VC process presented a cooling weight loss in contrast to the weight gains observed for samples treated using the ICk‐IVC and VCk‐IC processes. On the other hand, the samples submitted to the VCk‐VC process presented lower counts of mesophiles and psychrotrophs during cold storage than samples treated using the conventional process.5, 2011.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSMussels are the most abundant cultivated shellfish in Brazil and are marketed as fresh or as processed product. At the initial steps of industrial processing, mussels are cooked and cooled to manual extraction of the meat from the shell. The cooling is classically accomplished by immersion of the cooked mussels in cold water, which is a critical step because cooling water and ice can cause recontamination of the cooked product. In this way, the present paper reported an alternative to process mussels using the vacuum cooling technique. The obtained results showed that the microbiological quality of vacuum‐cooled mussels was superior to that of conventional cooled ones.