bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental sleep fragmentation impairs spatial reference but not working memory in Fischer/Brown Norway rats
Authors: WARD CHRISTOPHER P. , McCARLEY ROBERT W. , STRECKER ROBERT E. 
Published: March 2009

SummarySleep fragmentation is a common symptom in sleep disorders and other medical complaints resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness. The present study seeks to explore the effects of sleep fragmentation on learning and memory in a spatial reference memory task and a spatial working memory (WM) task. Fischer/Brown Norway rats lived in custom treadmills designed to induce locomotor activity every 2 min throughout a 24‐h period. Separate rats were either on a treadmill schedule that allowed for consolidated sleep or experienced no locomotor activation. Rats were tested in one of two water maze‐based tests of learning and memory immediately following 24 h of sleep interruption. Rats tested in a spatial reference memory task (eight massed acquisition trials) with a 24‐h follow‐up probe trial to assess memory retention showed no differences in acquisition performance but were impaired on the 24 h retention of the platform location. In contrast, the performance of rats tested in a spatial WM task (delayed matching to position task) was not impaired. Therefore, sleep fragmentation prior to testing impairs the ability to retain spatial reference memories but does not impair spatial reference memory acquisition or spatial WM in Fischer‐Norway rats.
Nasal endothelial interleukin‐10 expression is negatively correlated with nasal symptoms after allergen provocation
Authors: Muller B. , De Groot E. J. J. , Kortekaas I. J. M. , Fokkens W. J. , Van Drunen C. M. 
Published: April 2009

Background:  Despite major efforts, factors that predict or correspond to the level of allergic symptoms remain elusive. Given our previous observations of mucosal interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) expression by local tissue cells and its described role as immune modulator, we hypothesized that, in allergic rhinitis, nasal mucosal IL‐10 expression could influence the severity of symptoms.Methods:  In this study, we investigated endothelial IL‐10 expression in nasal mucosa of healthy‐ and house dust mite allergic patients, both before and after provocation, and under nasal steroid therapy. Nasal turbinate biopsies were taken from healthy individuals as well as from house dust mite allergic patients, both before and after provocation. Allergic patients received fluticasone proprionate aqueous nasal spray or control treatment. In the allergic patients, endothelial IL‐10 scores based on immunohistochemical stainings were correlated with allergic symptoms, measured by visual analog scores.Results:  At baseline, variable levels of endothelial IL‐10 were detected in nasal biopsies. After nasal provocation, but not at baseline, endothelial IL‐10 expression corresponded very closely to the allergic symptoms after allergen provocation. Low symptom scores were correlated with high endothelial IL‐10 scores. This correlation disappeared after fluticason propionate treatment.Conclusions:  There is a large variation in the level of endothelial IL‐10 expression both in healthy individuals and in house dust mite allergic patients. Endothelial IL‐10 expression may affect local immune reactions resulting in reduced levels of allergic symptoms.
An explicit test for the contribution of environmental maternal effects to rapid clinal differentiation in an invasive plant
Authors: MONTY A. , LEBEAU J. , MEERTS P. , MAHY G. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPopulation differentiation of alien invasive plants within their non‐native range has received increasingly more attention. Common gardens are typically used to assess the levels of genotypic differentiation among populations. However, in such experiments, environmental maternal effects can influence phenotypic variation among individuals if seed sources are collected from field populations under variable environmental regimes. In the present study, we investigated the causes of an altitudinal cline in an invasive plant. Seeds were collected from Senecio inaequidens (Asteraceae) populations along an altitudinal gradient in southern France. In addition, seeds from the same populations were generated by intra‐population crossings in a climatic chamber. The two seed lots were grown in a common garden in Central Belgium to identify any evidence of environmentally induced maternal effects and/or an altitudinal cline in a suite of life‐history traits. Results failed to detect any environmental maternal effects. However, an altitudinal cline in plant height and above‐ground biomass was found to be independent of the maternal environment.
Obliterative bronchiolitis in lung allografts removed at retransplant for intractable airway problems
Authors: AKINDIPE Olufemi , FERNANDEZ‐BUSSY Sebastian , JANTZ Michael , LU Li , DEEM Amy , SWAFFORD Wendy , STAPLES Edward , BAZ Maher 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The role of large airway ischaemia, with resultant airway narrowing, in the development of post‐lung transplant bronchiolitis obliterans has not been defined. A determination of clinical bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), which is defined as a decline in FEV1 from a stable post‐transplant baseline, is difficult in the setting of airway complications. The aim of this study was to assess the evidence for histological bronchiolitis obliterans in lung allografts removed during retransplantation for severe recurrent airway narrowing.Methods:  Case records and histological findings in allograft lungs removed at retransplantation were retrospectively reviewed.Results:  Five lung transplant recipients, who had undergone retransplantation because of severe recalcitrant airway stenosis, were identified. In each case, explant allograft lung pathology revealed evidence of bronchiolitis obliterans.Conclusions:  There is a possible link between airway ischaemia, large airway stenosis and the development of bronchiolitis obliterans, which is the most common cause of death in lung transplant recipients after the first year. These findings may provide an impetus for evaluation of the role of bronchial artery revascularization techniques in the prevention of bronchiolitis obliterans.
Asthma Control Test correlates well with the treatment decisions made by asthma specialists
Authors: KO Fanny W.S. , LEUNG Ting‐Fan , HUI David S.C. , CHU Hong‐yin , WONG Gary W.K. , WONG Eric , TUNG Alvin H.M. , LAI Christopher K.W. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Poor assessment of asthma control results in suboptimal treatment. Identifying parameters that accurately assess control will benefit treatment decisions. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a five‐item questionnaire for the assessment of asthma control. This study evaluated its correlation with the treatment decisions made by asthma specialists in an outpatient clinic setting, and compared its performance with other conventional parameters including spirometry, PEF rate (PEFR), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and BHR.Methods:  The 383 (122 men) study subjects completed a 1‐month diary on symptoms and PEFR before the assessment. All subjects then completed the ACT together with same‐day spirometry and FeNO measurement. BHR to methacholine was performed in 73 subjects in the week before assessment. Asthma specialists, blinded to the results of the ACT, FeNO and BHR (but not spirometry and PEFR), assessed the patients' level of control according to the 2006 version of the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines and made appropriate treatment decision.Results:  The group mean (SD) age was 46.1 (13.4) years with pre‐bronchodilator FEV1 84.72 (20.81) % predicted. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis found that an ACT score of ≤20 best correlated with uncontrolled asthma (area under curve (AUC) = 0.76) with a sensitivity of 70.5%, specificity 76.0%, positive predictive value 76.2% and negative predictive value 70.2% for predicting step‐up of asthma therapy. On ROC analysis, the ACT score had the highest AUC (0.81 (P < 0.001)) for changing asthma therapy when compared with FeNO, spirometry, PEFR and BHR parametersConclusions:  The ACT correlated better with treatment decisions made by asthma specialists than spirometry, PEFR and FeNO.
Clinical use and research applications of Heidelberg retinal angiography and spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography – a review
Authors: Hassenstein Andrea , Meyer Carsten H. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractFluorescein angiography (FA) was discovered by Nowotny and Alvis in the 1960s of the 20th century and has evolved to become the ‘Gold standard’ for macular diagnostics. Scanning laser imaging technology achieved enhancement of contrast and resolution. The combined Heidelberg retina angiograph (HRA2) adds novel innovative features to established fundus cameras. The principle of confocal scanning laser imaging provides a high resolution of retinal and choroidal vasculature with low light exposure providing comfort and safety for the patient. Enhanced contrast, details and image sharpness image are generated using confocality. For the visualization of the choroid an indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) is the most suitable application. The main indications for ICGA are age‐related macular degeneration, choroidal polypoidal vasculopathy and choroidal haemangiomas. Simultaneous digital FA and ICGA images with three‐dimensional resolution offer improved diagnosis of retinal and choroidal pathologies. High‐speed ICGA dynamic imaging can identify feeder vessels and retinal choroidal anastomoses, ensuring safer treatment of choroidal neovascularization. Autofluorescence imaging and fundus reflectance imaging with blue and infrared light offer new follow‐up parameters for retinal diseases. Finally, the real‐time optical coherence tomography provides a new level of accuracy for assessment of the angiographic and morphological correlation. The combination of various macular diagnostic tools, such as infrared, blue reflectance, fundus autofluorescence, FA, ICGA and also spectral domain optical coherence tomography, lead to a better understanding and improved knowledge of macular diseases.
Prevalence, symptom impact and predictors of chronic prostatitis‐like symptoms in Canadian males aged 16–19 years
Authors: Tripp Dean A. , Nickel J. Curtis , Ross Stephanie , Mullins Chris , Stechyson Natalie 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo estimate the prevalence and examine the extent that pain, urinary symptoms, depression and pain catastrophizing predict the quality of life (QoL) in Canadian male adolescents, as the prevalence and impact of chronic prostatitis (CP)‐like symptoms in adolescents is unknown.SUBJECTS AND METHODSParticipants completed the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH‐CPSI), the Patient Health Questionnaire‐depression screen (PHQ‐D), and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). CP‐like case identification was based on NIH‐CPSI report of pain/discomfort in perineum and/or with ejaculation and NIH‐CPSI total pain score (0–20) of ≥4 (mild) and ≥8 (moderate‐severe). The point prevalence was estimated and regressions used to examine predictors of diminished QoL gathered from the NIH‐CPSI.RESULTSThe prevalence of at least mild CP‐like symptoms in 264 Canadian adolescents aged 16–19 years (mean age 17.5, sd 1.1) was 8.3%, with 3% reporting moderate‐severe CP‐like symptoms. Pain, urinary symptoms, depression and catastrophizing were correlated with diminished QoL. Additionally, catastrophizing predicted diminished QoL when the variance of pain, urinary symptoms and depression were simultaneously considered in the analysis.CONCLUSIONSSimilar to that reported by older cohorts, these data provide the first point‐prevalence estimate of CP‐like symptoms in adolescents. These findings suggest increased vigilance to a potential diagnosis of adolescent CP syndrome and indicate that psychological features (i.e. catastrophizing) are significant in diminished QoL. Adolescent male chronic pelvic pain is an important and understudied area for future investigations.
Abnormal glycosylation of Tamm‐Horsfall protein in patients with interstitial cystitis
Authors: Argade Sulabha P. , Vanichsarn Christopher , Chenoweth Marianne , Parsons C. Lowell 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo confirm abnormal glycosylation of Tamm‐Horsfall protein (THP) in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC).PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe sialic acid content of THP, a critical component of its biological activity, is reduced in patients with IC. N‐glycan shows reduced levels of high molecular weight tri‐ and tetra‐antennary sialylated oligosaccharides. These results are supported by quantitative monosaccharide analysis of neutral and amino sugars in patients vs control subjects. THP was isolated from urine samples of 23 patients with IC and 24 control subjects by salt precipitation. The sialic acid contents were measured using 1,2‐diamino‐4,5‐methylene dioxybenzene‐high performance liquid chromatography analysis. For N‐glycan profiling, purified THP was treated with peptide:N‐glycosidase F to release N‐glycans. The purified N‐glycans were labelled with 2‐aminobenzamide and were profiled by high‐pH anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with fluorescence detection. The neutral and amino sugars were determined by HPAEC with pulsed amperometric detection.RESULTSThe total sialic acid in patients was half of that in controls. There was a pattern of reduced level of high molecular weight sialylated oligosaccharide in 17 of 23 patients vs four of 24 controls. The total neutral and amino sugars showed a ≈30% reduction in patients. The mean (sem) for the controls was 133.79 (6.51) vs 94.76 (6.67) nmol/200 µg of THP for patients (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSTHP in patients with IC has reduced sialylation and overall glycosylation, and by inference, THP has a role in the pathophysiology of IC.
Fine‐scale structure and cross‐taxon congruence of bird and beetle assemblages in an old‐growth boreal forest mosaic
Authors: Azeria Ermias T. , Fortin Daniel , Lemaître Jérôme , Janssen Philippe , Hébert Christian , Darveau Marcel , Cumming Steven G. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTAim  Nestedness occurs when species present in depauperate sites are subsets of those found in species‐rich sites. The degree of congruence of site nestedness among different assemblages can inform commonalities of mechanisms structuring the assemblages. Well‐nested assemblages may still contain idiosyncratic species and sites that notably depart from the typical assemblage pattern. Idiosyncrasy can arise from multiple processes, including interspecific interactions and habitat preferences, which entail different consequences for species co‐occurrences. We investigate the influence of fine‐scale habitat variation on nestedness and idiosyncrasy patterns of beetle and bird assemblages. We examine community‐level and pairwise species co‐occurrence patterns, and highlight the potential influence of interspecific interactions for assemblage structure.Location  Côte‐Nord region of Québec, Canada.Methods  We sampled occurrences of ground‐dwelling beetles, flying beetles and birds at sites within old‐growth boreal forest. We examined the nestedness and idiosyncrasy of sites and sought relationships to habitat attributes. We analysed non‐random species co‐occurrence patterns at pairwise and community levels, using null model analysis and five ‘association’ indices.Results  All three assemblages were significantly nested. There was limited congruence only between birds and flying beetles whose nestedness was related to canopy openness. For ground‐dwelling beetles, nestedness was related to high stand heterogeneity and sapling density, whereas site idiosyncrasy was inversely related to structural heterogeneity. For birds, site idiosyncrasy increased with canopy cover, and most idiosyncratic species were closed‐canopy specialists. In all assemblages, species idiosyncrasy was positively correlated with the frequency of negative pairwise associations. Species co‐occurrence patterns were non‐random, and for flying beetles and birds positive species pairwise associations dominated. Community‐level co‐occurrence summaries may not, however, always reflect these patterns.Main conclusions  Nestedness patterns of different assemblages may not correlate, even when sampled at common locations, because of different responses to local habitat attributes. We found idiosyncrasy patterns indicating opposing habitat preferences, consistent with antagonistic interactions among species within assemblages. Analysis of such patterns can thus suggest the mechanisms generating assemblage structures, with implications for biodiversity conservation.
THE IRRELEVANCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN EXPLAINING DEPRIVATION: A CASE STUDY OF TURKISH GECEKONDU HOUSEHOLDS
Authors: EROĞLU ŞEBNEM 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper seeks to understand what difference social capital makes to deprivation and what factors affect its capacity to deliver benefits. The study develops a clear‐cut and empirically workable definition of social capital, and uses social exchange theories to distinguish between its reciprocal and power‐based forms. The data is drawn from separate interviews with both partners of 17 households randomly sampled from a gecekondu settlement, participant observation and respondent diaries. Contrary to the dominant view, the research shows that the volume of social capital makes little difference to deprivation largely due to economic constraints. It also demonstrates the limited nature of its contributions to income generation, consumption and investment.
Comorbidity between CIDP and diabetes mellitus: only a matter of chance?
Authors: Chiò A. , Plano F. , Calvo A. , Leone M. , Mutani R. , Cocito D. ,   the Piemonte and Valle D’Aosta Registry for CIDP (PARCIDP)
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose:  It is well known that chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are often associated, but it is not clear if these two disorders are patogenetically correlated.Methods:  An epidemiological study on CIDP in two Italian regions (population 4 334 225) was performed, using multiple concurrent sources of cases. The presence of DM was assessed on basis of the data reported in the clinical records of each patient. Standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) was calculated, using as reference the prevalence of DM in northern Italy.Results:  At the prevalence day 155 patients with CIDP resident in Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta were found. Of these, 14 were also affected by either type 1 or type 2 DM. The number of expected individuals with associated DM was 13.03, corresponding to a SMR of 1.07 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.58–1.80]. Patients with CIDP associated with DM had a higher level of CSF proteins and a longer delay from onset to diagnosis than patients without DM, but did not differ for age of onset, gender distribution, and type of clinical course.Conclusions:  Our epidemiological findings do not support a pathogenetic correlation between DM and CIDP.
‘Urban Ecological Security’: A New Urban Paradigm?
Authors: HODSON MIKE , MARVIN SIMON 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe term ‘ecological security’ is usually used in relation to attempts to safeguard flows of ecological resources, infrastructure and services at the national scale. But increasing concerns over ‘urban ecological security’ (UES) are now giving rise to strategies to reconfigure cities and their infrastructures in ways that help to secure their ecological and material reproduction. Yet cities have differing capacities and capabilities for developing strategic responses to the opportunities and constraints of key UES concerns. These include resource constraints and climate change, and consequently these newly emerging strategies may selectively privilege particular urban areas and particular social interests over others. In this article, we focus on world cities and outline the challenges posed by the growing concern for UES. We review the emerging responses that may increasingly form a new dominant ‘logic’ of infrastructure provision, which we characterize as Secure Urbanism and Resilient Infrastructure (SURI). We conclude by addressing the extent to which this new dominant ‘logic’ underpins a new strategy of accumulation or more ‘progressive’ politics by outlining alternatives to SURI, possibilities for shaping SURI more ‘progressively’ and developing an agenda for future research.Résumé L'expression ‘sécuritéécologique’ s'applique généralement à des efforts visant à préserver les flux de ressources écologiques, infrastructures et services à l'échelon national. Toutefois, la multiplication des préoccupations en matière de ‘sécuritéécologique urbaine’ (SEU) donne lieu désormais à des stratégies de reconfiguration des villes et de leurs infrastructures dans le but d'assurer leur reproduction écologique et matérielle. Cependant, les villes ont des capacités et des moyens différents d'élaborer des réponses stratégiques aux opportunités et contraintes liées aux grandes questions de SEU. Celles‐ci englobant les pénuries de ressources et le changement climatique, les stratégies émergentes peuvent choisir de privilégier telles ou telles zones urbaines et tels ou tels intérêts sociaux. En s'intéressant aux villes mondiales, l'article présente les enjeux que suscite l'attention croissante pour la SEU. Sont étudiées les premières réponses apportées, susceptibles de constituer progressivement une nouvelle ‘logique’ dominante dans la fourniture d'infrastructures : ce que nous appelons la SURI (sécurité de l'urbanisme et résistance des infrastructures). La conclusion s'interroge sur la mesure dans laquelle cette nouvelle ‘logique’ dominante sous‐tend une nouvelle stratégie d'accumulation ou bien des politiques plus ‘progressistes’ en exposant des alternatives à la SURI, des possibilités de conformer la SURI de manière plus ‘progressiste’ et de concevoir un programme de recherches.
Synthesis of hyaluronan in oesophageal cancer cells is uncoupled from the prostaglandin–cAMP pathway
Authors: Twarock S , Röck K , Sarbia M , Weber AA , Jänicke RU , Fischer JW 
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose:  Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX2) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are common in tumours and both independently promote tumour progression. Furthermore, COX2‐dependent synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) stimulates HA synthase‐1 (HAS1) and HAS2 mRNA expression, together with HA synthesis via the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to elucidate whether COX2‐mediated PGs induce transcription of HAS isoforms in cancer cells as well.Experimental approach:  Human oesophageal squamous cell (OSC) carcinoma specimens were characterized with respect to HA, COX2 and CD44 expression by immunohistochemistry. OSC cell lines (OSC1, OSC2) and HeLa cell lines (D98, H21) were exposed to exogenous PG analoques (100 nmol·L−1), etoricoxib (10 µmol·L−1) and forskolin (10 µmol·L−1). Subsequently, cAMP levels, HA secretion and HAS isoform expression were determined by elisa and real‐time RT‐PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) respectively.Key results:  COX2, HA and CD44 were detected immunohistochemically in >90% of human oesophageal tumour samples. Under basal conditions, OSC1 and OSC2 cells express HAS2 and HAS3, COX2 and Gαs‐coupled EP2 and EP4 PG receptors. Neither stimulation with the PGI2 analogue, iloprost, addition of exogenous PGE2 nor forskolin induced HAS1 or HAS2 mRNA expression in OSC1 and OSC2 cells. Furthermore, in HeLa cells after induction of COX2 by tumour necrosis factor α and subsequent PGE2 release, inhibition of COX2 by etoricoxib did not affect HAS expression or HA secretion.Conclusions and implications:  We conclude that in oesophageal and HeLa cancer cells, HAS1/2 expression was not responsive to the PG/cAMP pathway.