bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Residential proximity to main roads during pregnancy and the risk of allergic disorders in Japanese infants: The Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study
Authors: Miyake Yoshihiro , Tanaka Keiko , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Mitani Yasuhiro , Ikemi Hiroaki , Sasaki Satoshi , Ohya Yukihiro , Hirota Yoshio 
Published: September 2009

Miyake Y, Tanaka K, Fujiwara H, Mitani Y, Ikemi H, Sasaki S, Ohya Y, Hirota Y. Residential proximity to main roads during pregnancy and the risk of allergic disorders in Japanese infants: The Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 22–28. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/SThe role of traffic‐related air pollution in the initiation of allergic disorders in children is still not clearly understood. The present prospective study examined the relation between proximity of the home during pregnancy to the nearest main road, which was used as a surrogate for traffic‐related air pollutants, and the risk of allergic disorders in Japanese infants in an urban area. Subjects were 756 mother–child pairs. Distance of each subject’s home during pregnancy from the center line of all of the 235 main roads in Osaka Prefecture was computed using geographical information system software. The first survey during pregnancy and the second survey between 2 and 9 months post‐partum collected information on potential confounding factors. In the third survey, which was from 16 to 24 months post‐partum, a self‐administered questionnaire included questions on allergic disorders. In the third survey, 22.1% and 18.7% of infants became positive for wheeze and atopic eczema based on criteria of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), respectively. The risk of doctor‐diagnosed asthma and doctor‐diagnosed atopic eczema was 4.4% and 8.9%, respectively. A shorter distance of the residence during pregnancy from the nearest main road was associated with an increased risk of doctor‐diagnosed asthma and atopic eczema (adjusted odds ratios for comparison of <50 m with 200 m or more = 4.01 and 2.26, 95% confidence intervals: 1.44–11.24 and 1.08–4.59, p for trend = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). No evident relationships were observed between the distance of the residence during pregnancy from the nearest main road and the risk of wheeze or atopic eczema based on the ISAAC criteria. It was difficult to distinguish the effect of the pre‐natal from the post‐natal exposure because most subjects lived at the same home address both before and after childbirth. Our results are likely to support the hypothesis that intrauterine exposure to traffic‐related air pollutants and/or such exposure after birth may increase the risk of more extreme manifestations of allergic disorders in infants.
Chapter 6: Patient selection for pilot clinical trials of islet xenotransplantation
Authors: O’Connell Philip J. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract:  Several clinical scenarios would justify trials of islet xenotransplantation, including islet after kidney (IAK) transplantation and islet xenotransplantation for hypoglycemia unawareness. In selecting a patient cohort, several factors unique to xenotransplant trials must be considered, including the potential for unique infective complications, the risks of immunosuppression, and the requirement for life‐long monitoring. These factors need to be balanced against the benefits of improved glycemic control and ability to deliver large numbers of high‐quality islets, something more difficult to achieve in islet allotransplantation. The importance of these risks varies depending on the patient cohort selected and proposed therapy to be undertaken. In islet xenotransplantation for hypoglycemia unawareness, immunosuppressive risks, and problems with life‐long monitoring need special attention in trial design. Whereas in IAK xenotransplantation, consideration must be given to ensure that the procedure does not impact on renal allograft outcomes and patient co‐morbidity, which is already significant in renal transplant recipients. This review outlines the rationale for undertaking islet xenotransplantation in highly select patients with type 1diabetes and addresses some of the unique challenges. At present, no clear consensus exists as to the most appropriate patient group for the first trials of islet xenotransplantation. Rather, this will depend on the type of treatment being proposed, the potential infective risks and the overall burden of immunosuppression.Table of Contents

Introduction
Selecting a patient cohort with hypoglycemia unawareness for a trial of clinical islet xenotransplantation
Selecting a patient cohort for a trial of xeno‐islet/renal allotransplantation
Conclusion
Strategic Localization of Toll‐like Receptor 4 in the Digestive Tract of Blunt Snout Bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)
Authors: Zhang G. Y. , Wang Y. , Peng K. M. , Wang C. , Tian G. , Liu H. Z. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThis study was performed to determine the localization strategies of Toll‐like Receptor 4 (TLR4) in digestive tract (oesophagus, bulbodium, foregut, midgut and hindgut) of Blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) using immunohistochemical staining method. TLR4 positive cells were observed throughout the digestive tract. In the oesophagus, some positive reactions in lamina propria were found around small blood vessels and there were also some positive cells within the stratified squamous epithelium. Lots of positive cells were observed in the muscular layer of the oesophagus. In bulbodium, foregut and hindgut, the expression of TLR4 was mainly restricted to the apical surface of epithelial cells located at the bottom of the mucosal folds and the mesenchymal cells in lamina propria. It was very interesting that epithelial cells in the midgut, but none in other parts, had many TLR4 positive cytoplasmic granular structures which were also periodic acid Schiff positive. These findings suggested that TLR4 was expressed in a compartmentalized manner in the Blunt snout bream (M. amblycephala) digestive tract and provided novel information about the in vivo localization of pattern recognition receptors.
Histological Structure and Distribution of Carbonic Anhydrase Isozymes (CA‐I, II, III and VI) in Major Salivary Glands in Koalas
Authors: Mizuno T. , McKinnon A. , Ichihara N. , Amasaki T. , Asari M. , Nishita T. , Oishi M. , Soeta S. , Amasaki H. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryWhile the mandibular glands usually consist of only mucous acinar cells or a combination of mucous and serous cells in other species of mammals, those of koalas were serous glands. Rabbit mono‐specific polyclonal anti‐canine CA‐I, II, III or VI antiserum showed cross‐reactivity against corresponding koala carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes. Although immunohistochemical reactions to CA‐I, II and VI in ductal cells were moderate to strong in the tested salivary glands, no reaction or only slight reactions were observed against CA‐III. In the sublingual glands, moderate immunohistochemical reactions to CA‐I, II and VI were also evident in serous acinar cells and serous demilunes. However, no reactions to the tested isozymes were observed in mucous acinar cells in these glands. With the exception of the histological structure of the mandibular glands, histological features and the distributional profile of CA isozymes of the salivary glands in koalas are relatively close to results obtained from horses.
Effects of hydrogen peroxide and apolipoprotein E isoforms on apolipoprotein E trafficking in HepG2 cells
Authors: Sabaretnam Tharani , Harris Matthew J , Kockx Maaike , Witting Paul K , Le Couteur David G , Kritharides Leonard 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. The major source of apolipoprotein E (apoE) is the liver. In the present study, the effects of oxidative stress and apoE isoforms on apoE distribution and trafficking were established using the HepG2 liver tumour cell line.2. Hydrogen peroxide (0, 25, 250 and 1000 μmol/L) was associated with rapid and concentration‐dependent redistribution of apoE into the early endosomal compartment. This redistribution was achieved with a much lower concentration (25 μmol/L) than that needed to induce changes in intracellular apoE mRNA expression, apoE protein levels and markers of oxidative stress (250–1000 μmol/L).3. Live cell imaging of apoE3–green fluorescent protein revealed a significant decrease in traffic velocity in response to oxidative stress.4. The E4 isoform was associated with reduced trafficking velocity compared with the E3 isoform under basal conditions.5. The results indicate that oxidative stress and apoE isoforms influence apoE trafficking and distribution within HepG2 cells. Altered apoE hepatocyte trafficking may provide a mechanistic link between oxidative stress, ageing and some diseases in older people.
Role of the median preoptic nucleus in the chronic hypotensive effect of losartan in sodium‐replete normal rats
Authors: Ployngam Trasida , Katz Stephen S , Collister John P 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. We have shown previously that the chronic hypotensive effect of the angiotensin II AT1receptor antagonist losartan is mediated, in part, by the subfornical organ (SFO). However, the neural pathway(s) mediating this central effect of losartan downstream from the SFO has not been completely elucidated.2. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) is a crucial part of the neural pathway necessary for the chronic hypotensive effect of losartan. To test this hypothesis, male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to either Sham or electrolytic lesion of the MnPO (MnPOx). Rats were instrumented with radiotelemetric transducers and aortic flow probes for the continuous measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate and cardiac output (CO), respectively. Total peripheral resistance (TPR) was calculated as MAP/CO. After 3 days of baseline measurements, rats were infused intraperitoneally with losartan (10 mg/kg per day) via an osmotic minipump at a rate of 5 μL/min.3. The data revealed that, by Day 9 of losartan treatment, MAP had decreased 34 ± 2 mmHg in MnPOx rats (n = 9), whereas the MAP of Sham‐lesioned rats (n = 8) had only decreased 24 ± 3 mmHg. These findings were accompanied by a greater decrease in TPR in MnPOx compared with Sham rats (−0.464vs−0.237 mmHg/mL per min, respectively), whereas CO remained unchanged throughout the study protocol.4. These results do not support the hypothesis that an intact MnPO is necessary to mediate the full chronic hypotensive effect of losartan in normal rats. Instead, they appear to suggest that the MnPO may play an important role in buffering the profound hypotension induced by losartan.
Calpains, skeletal muscle function and exercise
Authors: Murphy Robyn M 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. Skeletal muscle fibres contain ubiquitous (μ‐calpain and m‐calpain) and muscle‐specific (calpain‐3) Ca2+‐dependent proteases. The physiological roles of the calpains are not well understood, although ubiquitous calpains have been associated with apoptosis and myogenesis and calpain‐3 is likely involved in sarcomeric remodelling. A defect in the expression of calpain‐3 results in limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy Type 2A.2. At resting [Ca2+]i, calpains are present predominantly in their full‐length, unautolysed/unactivated forms. Once activated, μ‐calpain and calpain‐3 appear in their autolysed forms and this measurement can be used to determine when in vivo activation occurs. Endogenously expressed μ‐calpain and calpain‐3 are activated within a physiological [Ca2+] range in a Ca2+‐ and time‐dependent manner.3. In skeletal muscle, μ‐calpain is a freely diffusible protein that binds rapidly when [Ca2+]i is increased. Calpain‐3 is tightly bound in skeletal muscle fibres at the N2A line of the large elastic protein titin.4. Overall, neither μ‐calpain nor calpain‐3 are activated immediately following sprint, endurance or eccentric exercise, despite the frequent episodes of high cytoplasmic [Ca2+] that would occur during these types of muscle contractions. Importantly, however, a substantial proportion of calpain‐3, but not μ‐calpain, is activated 24 h after a single bout of eccentric exercise.5. In vitro studies have shown that calpain‐3 becomes activated if exposed for a prolonged period of time (> 1 h) to resting cytoplasmic [Ca2+] that are approximately two‐ to fourfold higher than normal. This suggests that the small but sustained increase in [Ca2+]i that likely occurs after eccentric contractions is both high and long enough to result in calpain‐3 activation and supports the role for calpain‐3 in sarcomeric remodelling.
Histone modifications and skeletal muscle metabolic gene expression
Authors: McGee Sean L , Hargreaves Mark 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. Skeletal muscle oxidative function and metabolic gene expression are co‐ordinately downregulated in metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Altering skeletal muscle metabolic gene expression to favour enhanced energy expenditure is considered a potential therapy to combat these diseases.2. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are chromatin‐remodelling enzymes that repress gene expression. It has been shown that HDAC4 and 5 co‐operatively regulate a number of genes involved in various aspects of metabolism. Understanding how HDACs are regulated provides insights into the mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle metabolic gene expression.3. Multiple kinases control phosphorylation‐dependent nuclear export of HDACs, rendering them unable to repress transcription. We have found a major role for the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) in response to energetic stress, yet metabolic gene expression is maintained in the absence of AMPK activity. Preliminary evidence suggests a potential role for protein kinase D, also a Class IIa HDAC kinase, in this response.4. The HDACs are also regulated by ubiquitin‐mediated proteasomal degradation, although the exact mediators of this process have not been identified.5. Because HDACs appear to be critical regulators of skeletal muscle metabolic gene expression, HDAC inhibition could be an effective therapy to treat metabolic diseases.6. Together, these data show that HDAC4 and 5 are critical regulators of metabolic gene expression and that understanding their regulation could provide a number of points of intervention for therapies designed to treat metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Novel role for β‐adrenergic signalling in skeletal muscle growth, development and regeneration
Authors: Ryall James G , Church Jarrod E , Lynch Gordon S 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. In adult mammals, skeletal muscle mass is maintained through a precise balance of protein synthesis and protein degradation, whereas during development cellular (not protein) turnover predominates. When protein balance is shifted towards synthesis, skeletal muscle hypertrophy ensues. In contrast, increased protein degradation leads to skeletal muscle atrophy. Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I is among the best documented of the growth factors and regulates skeletal muscle mass by increasing protein synthesis and decreasing protein degradation. However, an IGF‐I‐independent growth pathway has been identified that involves the activation of β‐adrenoceptors and subsequent skeletal muscle growth, development and hypertrophy.2. Although the importance of β‐adrenergic signalling in the heart has been well documented and continues to receive significant attention, it is only more recently that we have started to appreciate the importance of this signalling pathway in skeletal muscle structure and function. Studies have identified an important role for β‐adrenoceptors in myogenesis and work from our laboratory has identified a novel role for β‐adrenoceptors in regulating skeletal muscle regeneration after myotoxic injury. In addition, new data suggest that β‐adrenoceptors are markedly upregulated during differentiation of C2C12 cells.3. It is now clear that β‐adrenoceptors play an important role in regulating skeletal muscle structure and function. Importantly, a clearer understanding of the pathways regulating skeletal muscle mass may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of muscle wasting disorders, including sarcopenia, cancer cachexia and the muscular dystrophies.
Serum ornithine carbamyltransferase reflects hepatic damage in diabetic obese mice
Authors: Murayama Hiroshi , Ikemoto Masaki , Hamaoki Masaru 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  As ornithine carbamyltransferase (OCT) has proved to be a sensitive serum marker in the detection of hepatotoxicity in several models, it is important to confirm its application to the diagnosis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.Methods:  C57BL/6, KK‐Ta and KK‐Ay mice were fed a high‐fat diet for 8 weeks and serum enzyme markers were examined. Serum OCT and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also measured in diabetic obese ob/ob and db/db mice fed a normal diet. Liver damage in these mice was evaluated by the hepatic content of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha.Results:  Serum levels of OCT increased in KK‐Ay fed a high‐fat diet compared with the normal diet‐fed group, whereas C57BL/6 and KK‐Ta mice were not affected. In ob/ob mice, the relative increase was always greater in OCT than in ALT. In contrast, in db/db mice, the relative increase was always greater in ALT. Hepatic tumor necrosis factor‐alpha was significantly elevated in ob/ob mice, but not in db/db mice.Conclusions:  Serum OCT seemed to reflect tumor necrosis factor‐alpha‐mediated hepatic damage when compared with ALT in diabetic obese mice and could be useful in the application for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease with features of metabolic syndrome, such as obesity and diabetes.
Self‐perception levels of mothers dealing with infant care problems for babies 0–12 months old
Authors: Bayhan Pınar , Yükselen Arzu I. , Cetin Zeynep 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground:  Babies need the presence of an adult, especially their mothers, from the moment they are born in order to have their needs fulfilled. The significance of the care, particularly during the newborn and the babyhood period, increases gradually as the children grow older. The adequate and efficient fulfillment of needs during the newborn and babyhood period are fundamental in terms of child development. On the other hand, many mothers don't know what to do about problematic situations related to infant care that they might encounter when they have a newborn baby.Methods:  The self‐perception of 864 mothers, in various educational level groups, with 432 male and 432 female babies, was analyzed in regards to dealing with problems that arise related to infant care. A questionnaire, developed by Pridham and Chang (1991), was filled out during interviews with the mothers. The analyses of the data obtained as the result of the study were evaluated with the Kruskal–Wallis test while the statistically significant findings were dually compared using the Mann–Whitney test.Results:  At the conclusion of the study it was determined that the gender of the baby did not effect the mother's self‐perception during problem solving, whereas their educational levels created remarkable differences amongst their responses.
Posterior scleral reinforcement in the treatment of macular retinoschisis in highly myopic patients
Authors: Zhu Zicheng , Ji Xueying , Zhang Jinsong , Ke Genjie 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical curative effect of posterior scleral reinforcement for macular retinoschisis in highly myopic patients. Twenty‐four highly myopic eyes with macular retinoschisis were treated with posterior scleral reinforcement surgery from September 2005 to March 2007 in our hospital. Visual field, best corrected vision acuity (BCVA), refractive error, optical coherence tomography and A/B Scan ultrasound graphy results were retrospectively analysed. The central visual field in 18 eyes was improved after surgery; optical coherence tomography showed complete resolution of the myopic foveoschisis in 20 (83.33%) of the 24 eyes after surgery. The postoperative BCVA was improved by 0.1 or more in 18 eyes (75%), and remained within 0.1 of the preoperative BCVA in five eyes (20.83%) at the end of follow‐up. Compared with the preoperative data of 23 eyes, the final magnitude of myopia after surgery was significantly decreased (t = 3.527, P = 0.002). In conclusion, this procedure can effectively treat highly myopic patients with macular retinoschisis without macular hole or retinal detachment, and might be better for maintaining central vision and preventing the occurrence of complications.
Management of exudative retinal detachment in choroidal melanoma
Authors: Gibran Syed K , Kapoor Kapil G 
Published: September 2009

AbstractExudative retinal detachment is the most common source of visual loss associated with malignant melanoma of the uveal tract. Management has historically been conservative, leading to irreversible visual loss from photoreceptor damage during the several months needed for post‐radiation resolution. The purpose of this paper is to describe timely vitreoretinal surgical intervention for exudative retinal detachments associated with choroidal melanomas. This was an interventional case series including six consecutive patients with malignant melanoma who experienced VA reduction secondary to associated exudative retinal detachment. Patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation and B‐scan ultrasound. Treatment included proton‐beam radiation or brachytherapy, prognostic transretinal tumour biopsy with 25‐gauge vitrector and surgical treatment of exudative retinal detachment, including vitrectomy and drainage of subretinal fluid at the time of irradiation. Successful management of exudative retinal detachments associated with choroidal melanomas was observed in all cases, with significant restoration of vision. Steady regression of tumour thickness was noted clinically and ultrasonographically, without extrascleral extension or metastasis, and with no recurrence of exudative retinal detachment found over follow up. In the present study, the investigators have showed effective surgical treatment of exudative retinal detachment associated with malignant melanoma. These patients had significant restoration of vision, confirming that timely intervention of exudative retinal detachment associated with malignant melanoma can reverse visual loss in these patients. These findings are in contrast to previous reports of irreversible visual loss after exudative retinal detachments, and suggest that photoreceptor atrophy might play a role in visual loss associated with chronic exudative retinal detachments.
Widespread known and novel phosphonate utilization pathways in marine bacteria revealed by functional screening and metagenomic analyses
Authors: Martinez Asuncion , Tyson Gene W. , DeLong Edward F. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryPhosphonates (Pn), compounds with a direct C–P bond instead of the more common C–O–P ester bond, constitute a significant fraction of marine dissolved organic phosphorus and recent evidence suggests that they may be an alternative source of P for marine microorganisms. To further characterize the microorganisms and pathways involved in Pn utilization, we screened bacterioplankton genomic libraries for their ability to complement an Escherichia coli strain unable to use Pns as a P source. Using this approach we identified a phosphonatase pathway as well as a novel pair of genes that allowed utilization of 2‐aminoethylphosphonate (2‐AEPn) as the sole P source. These pathways are present in diverse bacteria common in marine plankton including representatives of Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes and Cyanobacteria. Analysis of metagenomic databases for Pn utilization genes revealed that they are widespread and abundant among marine bacteria, suggesting that Pn metabolism is likely to play an important role in P‐depleted surface waters, as well as in the more P‐rich deep‐water column.