bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chitinase effects on immune cell response in neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Correale Jorge , Fiol Marcela 
Published: December 2010

Background: Recent studies conducted in arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease suggest that chitinases are important in inflammatory processes and tissue remodeling. Objective: To investigate the role of chitinases in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Methods: Levels of chitotriosidase, acid mammalian chitinase (AMCase), and chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1) were measured using ELISA, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in serum from 24 patients with relapsing remitting (RR) MS, 24 patients with secondary progressive (SP) MS, 12 patients with NMO, 24 patients with other inflammatory neurological diseases (OIND), and 24 healthy controls (HCs). The number of anti-MOG cytokine-secreting cells was studied using ELISPOT. Eotaxins, MCP-1, RANTES, and IL-8 were assessed using ELISA. Cell transmigration was determined using an in vitro blood–brain barrier (BBB) model, in the presence and absence of chitinases. Results: CSF chitinase levels were significantly increased in patients with RRMS and NMO compared with HCs and patients with SPMS and OIND. In contrast, no significant differences were detected in serum chitinase levels between groups. Chitinase CSF levels showed correlation with anti-MOG IL-13-producing cells, and eotaxin levels. In vitro experiments showed macrophage chitinase secretion was significantly increased by IL-13, but not by IL-5, IL-6, IL-12, or IFN-γ. Moreover, chitinases enhanced IL-8, RANTES, MCP-1, and eotaxin production, increasing migratory capacity in eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages across an in vitro BBB model. Conclusions: Chitinases increased in the CSF from patients with NMO in response to IL-13. These enhanced levels could contribute to central nervous system inflammation by increasing immune cell migration across the BBB.
Effect of B-cell depletion using anti-CD20 therapy on inhibitory antibody formation to human FVIII in hemophilia A mice
Authors: Zhang Ai-Hong , Skupsky Jonathan , Scott David W. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractWe herein tested the effect of B-cell depletion on tolerance induction to factor VIII (FVIII) in a mouse model of hemophilia A. Two subclasses of anti–mouse CD20 monoclonal antibodies with differential depletion effects were used. Thus, IgG1 anti-CD20 selectively depleted follicular B cells and spared marginal zone B cells, whereas IgG2a anti-CD20 efficiently depleted both. In FVIII primed mice, a single dose of either IgG1 or IgG2a anti-CD20 pretreatment prevented the increase in inhibitor formation in the majority of treated mice by subsequent daily, high-dose FVIII intravenous injection as a model for immune tolerance induction. However, the IgG1, but not the IgG2a, anti-CD20 pretreatment led to a significant increase of regulatory T cells in the spleen. Importantly, 3 months after the partial B-cell depletion with IgG1 anti-CD20, the FVIII-specific hyporesponsive state remained. We suggest a tolerogenic role of the remaining marginal zone B cells as a potential mechanism for anti-CD20 therapy.
Policy initiative to improve access to psychological services for people with affective and anxiety disorders: population-level analysis
Authors: Harris Meredith G. , Burgess Philip M. , Pirkis Jane E. , Slade Tim N. , Whiteford Harvey A. 
Published: December 2010

BackgroundIn 2006, Australia introduced new publicly funded psychological services for people with affective and anxiety disorders (the Better Access programme). Despite massive uptake, it has been suggested that Better Access is selectively treating socioeconomically advantaged people, including some who do not warrant treatment, and people already receiving equivalent services.AimsTo explore potential disparities in Better Access treatment using epidemiological data from the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.MethodLogistic regression analyses examined patterns and correlates of service use in two populations: people who used the new psychological services in the previous 12 months; and people with any ICD–10 12-month affective and anxiety disorder, regardless of service use.ResultsMost (93.2%) Better Access psychological services users had a 12-month ICD–10 mental disorder or another indicator of treatment need. Better Access users without affective or anxiety disorders were not more socioeconomically advantaged, and received less treatment than those with these disorders. Among the population with affective or anxiety disorders, non-service users were less likely to have a severe disorder and more likely to have anxiety disorder, without a comorbid affective disorder, than Better Access users. Better Access users comprised more new allied healthcare recipients than other service users. A substantial minority of non-service users (13.5%) had severe disorders, but most did not perceive a need for treatment.ConclusionsBetter Access does not appear to be overservicing individuals without potential need or contributing to social inequalities in mental healthcare. It appears to be reaching people who have not previously received psychological care. Treatment rates could be improved for some people with anxiety disorders.
Mechanism of Action of Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 to Increase IGF-I mRNA in Intestinal Subepithelial Fibroblasts
Authors: Leen Jason L. S. , Izzo Angelo , Upadhyay Chandani , Rowland Katherine J. , Dubé Philip E. , Gu Steven , Heximer Scott P. , Rhodes Christopher J. , Storm Daniel R. , Lund P. Kay , Brubaker Patricia L. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIGF-I, a known secretory product of intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMFs), is essential for the intestinotropic effects of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2). Furthermore, GLP-2 increases IGF-I mRNA transcript levels in vitro in heterogeneous fetal rat intestinal cultures, as well as in vivo in the rodent small intestine. To determine the mechanism underlying the stimulatory effect of GLP-2 on intestinal IGF-I mRNA, murine ISEMF cells were placed into primary culture. Immunocytochemistry showed that the ISEMF cells appropriately expressed α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin but not desmin. The cells also expressed GLP-2 receptor and IGF-I mRNA transcripts. Treatment of ISEMF cells with (Gly2)GLP-2 induced IGF-I mRNA transcripts by up to 5-fold of basal levels after treatment with 10−8m GLP-2 for 2 h (P &lt; 0.05) but did not increase transcript levels for other intestinal growth factors, such as ErbB family members. Immunoblot revealed a 1.6-fold increase in phospho (p)-Akt/total-(t)Akt with 10−8m GLP-2 treatment (P &lt; 0.05) but no changes in cAMP, cAMP-dependent β-galactosidase expression, pcAMP response element-binding protein/tcAMP response element-binding protein, pErk1/2/tErk1/2, or intracellular calcium. Furthermore, pretreatment of ISEMF cells with the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin, abrogated the IGF-I mRNA response to GLP-2, as did overexpression of kinase-dead Akt. The role of PI3K/Akt in GLP-2-induced IGF-I mRNA levels in the murine jejunum was also confirmed in vivo. These findings implicate the PI3K/Akt pathway in the stimulatory effects of GLP-2 to enhance intestinal IGF-I mRNA transcript levels and provide further evidence in support of a role for IGF-I produced by the ISEMF cells in the intestinotropic effects of GLP-2.
NADPH Oxidase-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Decidualization of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells in Response to Cyclic AMP Signaling
Authors: Al-Sabbagh Marwa , Fusi Luca , Higham Jenny , Lee Yun , Lei Kaiyu , Hanyaloglu Aylin C. , Lam Eric W.-F. , Christian Mark , Brosens Jan J. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractDifferentiation of human endometrial stromal cells into specialized decidual cells is critical for embryo implantation and survival of the conceptus. Initiation of this differentiation process is strictly dependent on elevated cAMP levels, but the signal intermediates that control the expression of decidual marker genes, such as prolactin (PRL) and IGFBP1, remain poorly characterized. Here we show that cAMP-dependent decidualization can be attenuated or enhanced upon treatment of primary cultures with a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor (diphenylen iodonium) or activator (apocynin), respectively. Time-course analysis demonstrated that cAMP enhances endogenous reactive oxygen species production, apparent after 12 h of stimulation, which coincides with a dramatic increase in decidual PRL and IGFBP1 expression. Knockdown of the Rho GTPase RAC1, which disables activation of the NADPH oxidase homologs NADPH oxidase (NOX)-1, NOX-2, and NOX-3, had no effect on PRL or IGFBP1 expression. In contrast, silencing of NOX-4, or its cofactor p22PHOX, inhibited the expression of both decidual markers. Finally, we show that the NOX-4/p22PHOX complex regulates the DNA-binding activity of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β, a key regulator of human endometrial stromal cell differentiation. Thus, NOX-4 activation and reactive oxygen species signaling play an integral role in initiating the endometrial decidual response in preparation of pregnancy.
The Role of the Medial and Central Amygdala in Stress-Induced Suppression of Pulsatile LH Secretion in Female Rats
Authors: Lin Yuanshao , Li Xiaofeng , Lupi Micol , Kinsey-Jones James S. , Shao Bei , Lightman Strafford L. , O'Byrne Kevin T. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Stress exerts profound inhibitory effects on reproductive function by suppressing the pulsatile release of GnRH and therefore LH. Although the mechanisms by which stressors disrupt the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator remain to be fully elucidated, numerous studies have implicated the amygdala, especially its medial (MeA) and central nuclei (CeA), as key modulators of the neuroendocrine response to stress. In the present study, we investigated the roles of the MeA and CeA in stress-induced suppression of LH pulses. Ovariectomized rats received bilateral ibotenic acid or sham lesions targeting the MeA or CeA; blood samples (25 μl) were taken via chronically implanted cardiac catheters every 5 min for 6 h for the measurement of LH pulses. After 2 h of baseline sampling, the rats were exposed to either: restraint (1 h), insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH) (0.3 U/kg, iv), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (25 μg/kg, iv) stress. The restraint but not IIH or LPS stress–induced suppression of LH pulses was markedly attenuated by the MeA lesions. In contrast, CeA lesioning attenuated LPS, but not restraint or IIH stress–induced suppression of LH pulses. Moreover, after restraint stress, the number of Fos-positive neurons and the percentage of glutamic acid decarboxylase67 neurons expressing Fos was significantly greater in the GnRH-rich medial preoptic area (mPOA) of rats with intact, rather than lesioned, MeA. These data indicate that the MeA and CeA play key roles in psychogenic and immunological stress-induced suppression of the GnRH pulse generator, respectively, and the MeA-mediated effect may involve γ-aminobutyric acid ergic signaling within the mPOA.
Change in Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Estradiol Across the Menopausal Transition: Effect of Age at the Final Menstrual Period
Authors: Randolph John F. , Zheng Huiyong , Sowers MaryFran R. , Crandall Carolyn , Crawford Sybil , Gold Ellen B. , Vuga Marike 
Published: December 2010

Background and Objective:
To determine whether patterns of change in serum estradiol (E2) and FSH across the menopausal transition were associated with age at the final menstrual period (FMP).

Design and Setting:
The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) is a seven-site, multiethnic, longitudinal study of the menopausal transition being conducted in 3302 menstruating women who were aged 42–52 yr at the 1996 study baseline.

Measurements:
Annually collected serum was assayed for E2 and FSH levels. Patterns of hormone change were evaluated in the 1215 women with a documented natural FMP by follow-up visit 9 (2006) using semiparametric stochastic and piecewise linear mixed modeling.

Results:
The FSH pattern across the menopausal transition began with an increase 6.10 yr before the FMP, an acceleration 2.05 yr before the FMP, deceleration beginning 0.20 yr before the FMP, and attainment of stable levels 2.00 yr after the FMP, independent of age at the FMP, race/ethnicity, or smoking status. Obesity attenuated the FSH rise and delayed the initial increase to 5.45 yr before the FMP. The mean E2 concentration did not change until 2.03 yr before the FMP when it began decreasing, achieving maximal rate of change at the FMP, then decelerating to achieve stability 2.17 yr after the FMP. Obesity, smoking behavior, and being Chinese or Japanese were associated with some variation in E2 levels but not the pattern of E2 change.

Conclusions:
Time spans and overall patterns of change in serum FSH and E2 across the menopausal transition were not related to age at FMP or smoking, whereas time spans but not overall patterns were related to obesity and race/ethnicity.
Fabrication of Acid-tolerant Magnetic Co@SiO2 Core–Shell Particles with Dense Silica Shell
Authors: Okada Tomohiko , Watanabe Nodoka , Sakai Toshio , Haeiwa Tetsuji , Mishima Shozi 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Cobalt particles occluded in hollow silica with dense shell were fabricated. Hollow polyalkylsiloxane microspheres containing cobalt oxide were prepared from W/O emulsion of aqueous cobalt nitrate and alkylsilyl trichloride isooctane solution. The particles were then reduced and finally heated in nitrogen. The resulting particles were magnetic and acid-tolerant.
Can we predict mathematical learning disabilities from symbolic and non‐symbolic comparison tasks in kindergarten? Findings from a longitudinal study
Authors: Desoete Annemie , Ceulemans Annelies , De Weerdt Frauke , Pieters Stefanie 
Published: December 2010

Background.  The ability to compare numbers, as the most basic form of number sense, has been related to arithmetical achievement.Aims.  The current study addressed the predictive value of non‐symbolic and symbolic (number word (NW) and Arabic number (AN)) comparison for arithmetics by means of a longitudinal design.Sample.  Sixteen children with mathematical disabilities (MD), 64 low achievers (LA), and 315 typical achieving (TA) children were followed from kindergarten till grade 2.Method.  The association of comparison skills with arithmetical skills in grades l and 2 was studied. The performances of MD, LA and TA children were compared.Results.  Regression analyses showed that non‐symbolic skills in kindergarten were predictively related to arithmetical achievement 1 year later and fact retrieval 2 years later. AN comparison was predictively related to procedural calculation 2 years later. In grade 2, there was an association between both symbolic tasks and arithmetical achievement. Children with MD already had deficits in non‐symbolic and symbolic AN comparison in kindergarten, whereas in grade 2 the deficits in processing symbolic information remained.Conclusions.  The combination of non‐symbolic and symbolic deficits represents a risk of developing MD.
Prevention of school bullying: The important role of autonomy‐supportive teaching and internalization of pro‐social values
Authors: Roth Guy , Kanat‐Maymon Yaniv , Bibi Uri 
Published: December 2010

Background.  This study examined students’ perceptions of autonomy‐supportive teaching (AST) and its relations to internalization of pro‐social values and bullying in class.Aims.  We hypothesized that: (1) teachers’ AST, which involves provision of rationale and taking the student's perspective, would relate positively to students’ identified internalization of considerateness towards classmates, and would relate negatively to external regulation (considerateness to obtain rewards or avoid punishments); (2) students’ identified regulation would relate negatively to self‐reported bullying in class, whereas external regulation would relate positively to bullying; and (3) the relation between teachers’ AST and student bullying would be mediated by students’ identification with the value of considerateness towards others.Sample.  The sample consisted of 725 junior high school students (50% females) in Grades 7 and 8 from 27 classes in four schools serving students from lower‐middle to middle‐class socioeconomic backgrounds.Method.  The participants completed questionnaires assessing the variables of interest.Results.  Correlational analysis supported the hypotheses. Moreover, mediational analyses using hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) demonstrated that identified regulation mediates the negative relation between AST and self‐reported bullying in class. The mediational hypothesis was supported at the between‐class level and at the within‐class level.Conclusions.  The findings suggest that school policy aimed at bullying reduction should go beyond external control that involves external rewards and sanctions and should help teachers acquire autonomy‐supportive practices focusing on students’ meaningful internalization.
Teachers’ use of fear appeals in the Mathematics classroom: Worrying or motivating students?
Authors: Putwain David W. , Symes Wendy 
Published: December 2010

Aim. This study examined whether teachers’ use of fear appeals in the classroom, attempts to motivate students to perform well in high‐stakes examinations by highlighting the educational, and/or occupational consequences of failure did indeed motivate students or whether it contributed to an increase in worry, anxiety, and fear of failure. Sample. A total of 132 secondary school students. Method. Self‐report data were collected for teachers’ use of fear appeals, test anxiety, and achievement goals in the context of Mathematics at the end of Years 10 and 11, the final 2 years of compulsory schooling. Results.  The frequency with which teachers were reported to make fear appeals was unrelated to future test anxiety and achievement goals. When fear appeals were perceived to be threatening, however, they were related to an increase in the worry and tension components of test anxiety and increases in performance‐avoidance and mastery‐approach goals. Conclusion. Fear appeals appear to have competing positive and negative outcomes, resulting in both anxiety and a fear of failure, and a mastery‐approach goal.
Destruction of soluble organics generated during the dissolution of sintered uranium carbide by mediated electrochemical oxidation process
Authors: Sini K. , Mishra Satyabrata , Lawrence Falix , Mallika C. , Koganti S. B. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe destruction of soluble carbonaceous compounds formed during the dissolution of sintered uranium mono carbide pellets in 11.5 M nitric acid at 65 °C has been investigated by employing mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) method, in which process 0.05 and 0.01 M Ag(II) and 0.1 and 0.06 M Ce(IV) were used as the regenerable catalysts. The current density and temperature of the process for maximum destruction efficiency were optimized to be 25 mA/cm2and 75 °C respectively. The electro-oxidation behaviour of the mediator ions Ag(II) and Ce(IV) with respect to their concentration in the removal of organics and the dependence of temperature on the stabilities of the two electrochemical catalysts were compared. The effect of fission product elements in a synthetic dissolver solution on the performance of Ag(II) mediator in oxidizing the carbon content was discussed. The destruction efficiency of MEO process in eliminating the soluble organics was ascertained to be better than that of direct electrochemical oxidation method as well as prolonged oxidation of the organics with concentrated nitric acid.
Sorption of radiocesium from liquid radioactive waste on clay and immobilization by baking the clay at elevated temperature
Authors: Rashid Farooq , Ghaffar Abdul 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe cesium-137 is the most problematic radionuclide in the radioactive wastes. It belongs to the IA group of the periodic table, highly reactive towards water and has very high mobility. Due to beta and gamma radiation hazards of radiocesium its decontamination and disposal requires some special tools and techniques. In this study globules of clay material was used for the removal of cesium from low level liquid radioactive wastes and further processed for immobilization. The aim of this study was to assess the solidification and immobilization of secondary waste. The secondary waste, after sorption of cesium from the liquid radioactive waste generated at this institute, was found compatible to the cement matrix used for the cementation process. The procedure for immobilization of low level radioactive waste with cementation using vitreous clay material as an additive was developed.
The Rake's Progress and Stravinsky's Return: The Composer's Evolving Approach to Setting Text
Authors: Carter Chandler 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Stravinsky has a deserved reputation for manipulating the sound of words, which, among other factors, has given rise to accusations of “antihumanism” against the composer and his music. However, close analysis of the opera The Rake's Progress (1948–51) shows that Stravinsky actually takes care to set the text intelligibly, and at certain moments, even expressively. By analyzing metric displacement and motivic development as it evolved from the composer's earlier neoclassical settings—including Oedipus Rex (1927), the Symphony of Psalms (1930), and Perséphone (1934)—through his first efforts at serial composition in the Cantata (1952), this article contextualizes the seemingly anomalous expressiveness in The Rake's Progress. Discovery of this evolution in his approach to setting text also entails a reassessment of the composer's aesthetic concerns.
Estimated egg production of Fasciola gigantica (Japanese strain) in goats experimentally infected with 50 metacercariae
Authors: Taira K. , Saitoh Y. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Egg production capacity in Fasciola gigantica (Japanese strain) was estimated from egg count data obtained by the experimental infection of two goats. The goats were inoculated with a single dose of 50 metacercariae. The first goat was necropsied 132 days after infection (DAI) and the second goat 732 DAI. After patency, daily faecal production was collected and weighed and number of eggs per gram was counted. At necropsy, 23 flukes were recovered from the liver of the first goat, and five from the second goat. The mean number of eggs produced per day per worm (± 95 % confidence limits) was 9 477.9 (± 764.92) for the first goat at 106 to 132 DAI, and 8,064.1 (± 416.49) at 195 to 561 DAI for the second goat. The number of eggs produced per day per worm in F. gigantica (Japanese strain) has thus reached values ranged from approximately 8 000 to 10 000 eggs.
Helminths of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) (Berkenhout, 1769) in the city of Palermo, Italy
Authors: Milazzo C. , Ribas A. , Casanova J. , Cagnin M. , Geraci F. , Bella C. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
A helminthological survey was performed on 143 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the city of Palermo (Italy). The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 98.60 %. The following parasites were found: Brachylaima sp. (prevalence 8.39 %) (Trematoda); Taenia taeniaeformis larvae (11.89 %), Rodentolepis nana (13.29 %), Hymenolepis diminuta (24.48 %) (Cestoda); Gongylonema sp., (4.90 %), Syphacia muris (8.39 %), Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (18.88 %), Eucoleus gastricus (30.07 %), Mastophorus muris (30.77 %), Capillaria hepatica (54.55 %), Heterakis spumosa (82.52 %) (Nematoda) and one acanthocephalan (0.70 %). The species found in males were also present in females, with the exception of the acanthocephalan. No significant differences were found between males and females in prevalence (P%) or mean infection intensity (MI). However, a significant correlation between both P% and MI, as well as host age, was observed in some helminth species. Hosts were infected by one to six helminth species (median = 3). This is the first report from Sicily of helminths in R. norvegicus.