bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impaired in vivo vasculogenic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in comparison to human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a spheroid‐based implantation model
Authors: Finkenzeller G. , Graner S. , Kirkpatrick C. J. , Fuchs S. , Stark G. B. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Neovascularization represents a major challenge in tissue engineering applications since implantation of voluminous grafts without sufficient vascularity results in hypoxic cell death of implanted cells. An attractive therapeutic approach to overcome this is based on co‐implantation of endothelial cells to create vascular networks. We have investigated the potential of human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) to form functional blood vessels in vivo in direct comparison to vascular‐derived endothelial cells, represented by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).Materials and methods:  EPCs were isolated from human peripheral blood, expanded in vitro and analysed in vitro for phenotypical and functional parameters. In vivo vasculogenic potential of EPCs and HUVECs was evaluated in a xenograft model where spheroidal endothelial aggregates were implanted subcutaneously into immunodeficient mice.Results:  EPCs were indistinguishable from HUVECs in terms of expression of classical endothelial markers CD31, von Willebrand factor, VE‐cadherin and vascular endothelial growth factor‐R2, and in their ability to endocytose acetylated low‐density lipoprotein. Moreover, EPCs and HUVECs displayed almost identical angiogenic potential in vitro, as assessed by in vitro Matrigel sprouting assay. However in vivo, a striking and unexpected difference between EPCs and HUVECs was detected. Whereas implanted HUVEC spheroids gave rise to formation of a stable network of perfused microvessels, implanted EPC spheroids showed significantly impaired ability to form vascular structures under identical experimental conditions.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that vascular‐derived endothelial cells, such as HUVECs are superior to EPCs in terms of promoting in vivo vascularization of engineered tissues.
Quality of life in young people with cystic fibrosis: effects of hospitalization, age and gender, and differences in parent/child perceptions
Authors: Hegarty M. , MacDonald J. , Watter P. , Wilson C. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground  The Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire‐Revised version (CFQ‐R) was used to evaluate age/gender effects on quality of life (QOL) in Australian young people with cystic fibrosis (CF) who were inpatients/outpatients aged 6–18 years. Parent/child agreement was also examined.Method  The CFQ‐R was completed by 18 outpatients, and 15 inpatients at admission for an acute pulmonary exacerbation to a tertiary hospital, Brisbane, Australia, as well as by parents of those aged 6–13 years.Results  Inpatients scored significantly lower than outpatients for the CFQ‐R domains ‘emotional state’, ‘social’, ‘body image’ and ‘respiratory symptoms’. Young people aged 6–13 years scored significantly better than those aged 14–18 years for ‘emotional state’, ‘body image’ and ‘treatment burden’. Women perceived less ‘treatment burden’ than did men. Young people aged 6–13 years perceived less ‘treatment burden’ than did their parents. A significant interaction occurred between child/parent report and gender for ‘emotional state’ and ‘eating disturbances’.Conclusion  The CFQ‐R found differences between inpatients and outpatients and between younger and older paediatric patients with CF, and between parent and child perceptions of QOL.
Skeletal linear extension rates of the foliose scleractinian coral Merulina ampliata (Ellis & Solander, 1786) in a turbid environment
Authors: Dikou Angela 
Published: May 2009

AbstractSkeletal linear extension rates of a foliaceous, IndoPacific, skiophilous, heterotrophic, scleractinian Merulina ampliata (Ellis & Solander 1786) were obtained along a sediment/nutrient load gradient at the southern islands of Singapore. Measurements were made during November 1999– November 2000 using the alizarin red‐S staining technique. Suspended particulate matter concentration (r2adj = 0.76), turbidity (r2adj = 0.59), the organic content of suspended sediments (r2 = 0.50), and nitrite‐nitrate concentration (r2adj = 0.50) were significant predictors of the skeletal linear extension rate of M. ampliata. Maximum linear extension growth rates of M. ampliata (mean ± SD: 1.43 ± 0.67–3.26 ± 0.59 cm·year−1) were comparable to 15‐year‐old accounts at the same research sites, indicating adaptation to low‐light, high‐sediment waters.
Changes in abscisic acid, salicylic acid and phenylpropanoid concentrations during cold acclimation of androgenic forms of Festulolium (Festuca pratensis × Lolium multiflorum) in relation to resistance to pink snow mould (Microdochium nivale)
Authors: Pociecha E. , Płażek A. , Janowiak F. , Waligórski P. , Zwierzykowski Z. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe investigated changes in concentrations of abscisic (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA), phenolic compounds and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity in relation to cold‐induced tolerance of four androgenic genotypes of Festulolium (Festuca × Lolium hybrids) to frost and to the snow mould fungus Microdochium nivale. Cold acclimation increased frost tolerance and resistance to snow mould. Resistant genotypes were characterized by higher ABA concentrations during the first 54 h of cold acclimation and lower concentrations of SA than susceptible genotypes. After cold acclimation, the content of phenolics was significantly lower in genotypes tolerant to frost and M. nivale infection than in susceptible genotypes, while PAL activity was significantly higher. Signalling networks controlling cold acclimation to frost (abiotic) and mould infection (biotic) appears to involve increases in foliar concentrations of ABA and decreases in the SA level during successful cold acclimation. Higher PAL activity and lower concentrations of phenolic compounds also appear to be associated with enhanced tolerance to frost and fungal attack.
Decreased mass specific respiration under experimental warming is robust to the microbial biomass method employed
Authors: Bradford Mark A. , Wallenstein Matthew D. , Allison Steven D. , Treseder Kathleen K. , Frey Serita D. , Watts Brian W. , Davies Christian A. , Maddox Thomas R. , Melillo Jerry M. , Mohan Jacqueline E. , Reynolds James F. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHartley et al. question whether reduction in Rmass, under experimental warming, arises because of the biomass method. We show the method they treat as independent yields the same result. We describe why the substrate‐depletion hypothesis may not solely explain observed responses, and urge caution in interpretation of the seasonal data.
Long‐term exendin‐4 treatment delays natural deterioration of glycaemic control in diabetic Goto–Kakizaki rats
Authors: Simonsen L. , Pilgaard S. , Orskov C. , Hartmann B. , Holst J. J. , Deacon C. F. 
Published: June 2009

Aim: The glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist, exendin‐4, has previously been shown to delay the onset of diabetes when administered to Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rats in the prediabetic period. The present study aimed to evaluate whether long‐term administration of exendin‐4 to GK rats in the diabetic period would improve their diabetes and how glycaemic control was affected following drug wash‐out.Methods: Glycaemic control was assessed in diabetic GK rats during 12 weeks of exendin‐4 or vehicle treatment. Moreover, some animals were followed for an additional 9 weeks without treatment.Results: Glycaemic control was seen to deteriorate in vehicle‐treated animals, as assessed by increased glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), whereas HbA1c improved in exendin‐4‐treated animals. Following an additional 9 weeks without treatment, glycaemic control in exendin‐4‐treated animals remained below baseline value and thus remained significantly lower than that of vehicle‐treated animals. Following exendin‐4 administration, oral glucose tolerance tests revealed greatly reduced glucose and insulin excursions compared with vehicle‐treated animals, whereas following overnight drug wash‐out, only little difference was seen, suggesting that the improvement in glycaemic control may have been obtained primarily by increased postprandial control. No significant differences were observed in pancreatic islet morphology or islet hormone content.Conclusions: Exendin‐4 treatment improved glycaemic control in diabetic GK rats, independent of changes in β‐cell mass. Additionally, progression of the disease seemed to be delayed because the improvement in HbA1c was still apparent 9 weeks after cessation of treatment.
Material Space Texturing
Authors: Ray N. , Lévy B. , Wang H. , Turk G. , Vallet B. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract Many objects have patterns that vary in appearance at different surface locations. We say that these are differences in materials, and we present a material‐space approach for interactively designing such textures. At the heart of our approach is a new method to pre‐calculate and use a 3D texture tile that is periodic in the spatial dimensions (s, t) and that also has a material axis along which the materials change smoothly. Given two textures and their feature masks, our algorithm produces such a tile in two steps. The first step resolves the features morphing by a level set advection approach, improved to ensure convergence. The second step performs the texture synthesis at each slice in material‐space, constrained by the morphed feature masks. With such tiles, our system lets a user interactively place and edit textures on a surface, and in particular, allows the user to specify which material appears at given positions on the object. Additional operations include changing the scale and orientation of the texture. We support these operations by using a global surface parameterization that is closely related to quad re‐meshing. Re‐parameterization is performed on‐the‐fly whenever the user's constraints are modified.
Relationship between alpha synuclein phosphorylation, proteasomal inhibition and cell death: relevance to Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis
Authors: Chau Kai‐Yin , Ching Hey Long , Schapira Anthony H. V. , Cooper J. Mark 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAlpha synuclein can be phosphorylated at serine129 (P‐S129), and the presence of highly phosphorylated α‐synuclein in Lewy bodies suggests changes to its phosphorylation status has an important pathological role. We demonstrate that the kinase(s) responsible for α‐synuclein S129 phosphorylation is constitutively active in SH‐SY5Y cells and involves casein kinase 2 activity. Increased oxidative stress or proteasomal inhibition caused significant elevation of P‐S129 α‐synuclein levels. Under these conditions, similar increases in P‐S129 α‐synuclein were found in both sodium dodecyl sulphate lysates and Triton extracts indicating the phosphorylated protein was soluble and did not lead to aggregation. The rate of S129 phosphorylation was increased in response to proteasomal inhibition indicating a higher activity of the relevant kinase. Cells expressing the phosphorylation mimic, S129D α‐synuclein increased cell death and enhanced sensitivity to epoxomycin exposure. Proteasomal inhibition markedly decreased S129D α‐synuclein turnover suggesting proteasomal inhibition leads to the accumulation of P‐S129 α‐synuclein through an increase in the kinase activity and a decrease in protein turnover resulting in increased cell death. We conclude that S129 phosphorylation is toxic to dopaminergic cells and both the levels of S129 phosphorylated protein and its toxicity are increased with proteasomal inhibition emphasising the interdependence of these pathways in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis.
Functional characterization of muscarinic autoreceptors in rat and human neocortex
Authors: Stoll Christoph , Eltze Manfrid , Lambrecht Günter , Zentner Josef , Feuerstein Thomas J. , Jackisch Rolf 
Published: May 2009

AbstractElectrically evoked overflow of [3H]acetylcholine in slices of rat neocortex and of human neocortex (freshly obtained during neurosurgical treatment of epilepsy or deep‐seated tumors) was used tofunctionallycharacterize the muscarinic receptor subtype, which mediates autoinhibition of acetylcholine release in these tissues. In the rat neocortex, the following pKBvalues [CI95] were calculated from the shifts to the right of the concentration–response curves of the full agonist oxotremorine in presence of subtype preferring muscarinic receptor antagonists: tripitramine: 9.1 [8.8, 9.4], tripinamide: 8.6 [8.5, 8.7], AQ‐RA 741 (11‐[[4‐[4‐(diethylamino)butyl]‐1‐piperidinyl]acetyl]‐5,11‐dihydro‐6H‐pyrido(2,3‐b)[1,4]benzodiazepine‐6‐one): 8.2 [8.0, 8.4], himbacine: 8.0 [7.9, 8.1], 4‐diphenylacetoxy‐N‐methylpiperidine methobromide: 8.0 [7.8, 8.1], methoctramine: 7.5 [7.4, 7.6], AF‐DX 116 (11[[2‐[(diethyl‐amino)methyl]‐1‐piperidinyl] acetyl] 5,11‐dihydro‐6H‐pyrido(2,3‐b)[1,4]benzodiazepine‐6‐one): 7.1 [7.0, 7.3], hexahydro‐sila‐difenidol: 6.8 [6.7, 6.9], pirenzepine: 6.6 [6.4, 6.7], and 3,6a,11,14‐tetrahydro‐9‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐12H‐isoquino[1,2‐b]pyrrolo[3,2‐f] [1,3]benzoxazine‐1‐carboxylic acid ethyl ester (PD 102807): 6.0 [5.8, 6.2]. In the human neocortex the following values were found: tripitramine: 9.4 [9.3, 9.6], tripinamide: 9.0 [8.9, 9.2], AF‐DX 116: 6.7 [6.4, 6.9], hexahydro‐sila‐difenidol: 6.6 [6.2, 6.9], and PD 102807: 6.5 [6.3, 6.6]. In correlation plots, these pKBvalues correspond best to published binding data on native or recombinant M2receptors but not to those on M1, M3, M4, and M5receptors, suggesting that muscarinic autoreceptors of both the rat and human neocortex belong to the M2subtype. This observation lends further support to the development of M2receptor selective brain penetrating antagonists for application in Alzheimer’s disease.
Homocysteine–NMDA receptor‐mediated activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase leads to neuronal cell death
Authors: Poddar Ranjana , Paul Surojit 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for stroke and neurological abnormalities. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms by which elevated homocysteine can promote neuronal death is not clear. In the present study we have examined the role of NMDA receptor‐mediated activation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐mitogen‐activated protein (ERK‐MAP) kinase pathway in homocysteine‐dependent neurotoxicity. The study demonstrates that in neurons l‐homocysteine‐induced cell death was mediated through activation of NMDA receptors. The study also shows that homocysteine‐dependent NMDA receptor stimulation and resultant Ca2+ influx leads to rapid and sustained phosphorylation of ERK‐MAP kinase. Inhibition of ERK phosphorylation attenuates homocysteine‐mediated neuronal cell death thereby demonstrating that activation of ERK‐MAP kinase signaling pathway is an intermediate step that couples homocysteine‐mediated NMDA receptor stimulation to neuronal death. The findings also show that cAMP response‐element binding protein (CREB), a pro‐survival transcription factor and a downstream target of ERK, is only transiently activated following homocysteine exposure. The sustained activation of ERK but a transient activation of CREB together suggest that exposure to homocysteine initiates a feedback loop that shuts off CREB signaling without affecting ERK phosphorylation and thereby facilitates homocysteine‐mediated neurotoxicity.
Phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis A virus in sera from patients with hepatitis A of various severities
Authors: Fujiwara Keiichi , Kojima Hiroshige , Yonemitsu Yutaka , Yasui Shin , Imazeki Fumio , Miki Makoto , Suzuki Kazuyuki , Sakaida Isao , Okita Kiwamu , Tanaka Eiji , Omata Masao , Yokosuka Osamu 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground: We analysed the association of the 5′ nontranslated region (5′NTR), nonstructural proteins 2B and 2C of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) genome, whose mutations have previously been shown to be important for enhanced replication in cell culture systems, in order to align all our data and examine whether genomic differences in HAV are responsible for the range of clinical severities.Methods: Our accumulated HAV strains of 5′NTR [nucleotide(nt) 200 and 500], entire 2B and 2C from 25 Japanese patients with sporadic hepatitis A, consisting of seven patients with fulminant hepatitis (FH), five with severe acute hepatitis (AHs) and 13 with self‐limited acute hepatitis (AH), in whom the sequences of all three regions were available, were subjected to phylogenetic analysis.Results: Fulminant hepatitis patients had fewer nucleotide substitutions in 5′NTR, had a tendency to have more amino acid (aa) substitutions in 2B and had fewer aa substitutions in 2C than AH patients. Four FH and two AHs with a higher viral replication were located in the near parts of the phylogenetic trees, indicating the association between the severity of hepatitis A and genomic variations in 5′NTR, 2B and 2C of HAV.Conclusions: Our study suggests that genetic variations in HAV not in one specific region but in 5′NTR, 2B and 2C might cooperatively influence replication of the virus, and thereby affect virulence. Viral factors should be considered and examined when discussing the mechanisms responsible for the severity of hepatitis A.
Mycoplasma antigens as a possible trigger for the induction of antimitochondrial antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Berg Christoph P. , Kannan Thirumalai R. , Klein Reinhild , Gregor Michael , Baseman Joel B. , Wesselborg Sebastian , Lauber Kirsten , Stein Gerburg M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground: In primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), autoreactivity mainly targets members of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). Because PDC subunits are expressed on the surface of mycoplasma and molecular mimicry may be one aetiological factor, we analysed the presence of mammalian and mycoplasma PDC‐specific antibodies in PBC patients.Methods: Antibodies to porcine PDC and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (mp) antigens mpPDH‐C (to be designated mpPDC‐E2 chain), mpPDH‐B (to be designated mpPDC‐E1β chain), mpCARDS TX and mpP1 were investigated in sera from 43 PBC patients, 19 patients with autoimmune hepatitis and 11 healthy controls by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. To study the rate of acute mycoplasma infection, an adhesin P1‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed.Results: Immune reactivity to the mpPDC‐E2 antigen was significantly enhanced in PBC patients (83.7%) as compared with controls (overall frequency of 36.7%), while antibodies to the porcine PDC‐E2 chain were found only in PBC patients (88%) excluding a simple cross‐reactivity of PDC‐related antibodies. This observation was confirmed by inhibition studies demonstrating that porcine PDC did not inhibit mycoplasma PDC‐specific antibodies and vice versa. The occurrence of antibodies to mpPDC seems to precede the occurrence of antibodies to porcine PDC. Infection with mycoplasma was equally distributed in the groups as evidenced by an antibody frequency comparable to CARDS TX and P1 and PCR reactivity.Conclusion: Because PBC patients show a significantly enhanced frequency of mpPDC‐E2‐related antibodies, besides other factors, molecular mimicry between surface molecules of mycoplasma and epitopes of the autoantigen may play a central role in the aetiopathology of PBC.
Albumin‐Coated Amberlite XAD‐7 Resin for Hemoperfusion in Acute Liver Failure: Part II: In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Hughes Robin , Ton Hsueh Yen , Langley Peter , Davies Michael , Hanid M. Anwar , Mellon Peter , Silk David B. A. , Williams Roger 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTAlbumin‐coated Amberlite XAD‐7 has been previously shown to be blood compatible in in vitro hemoperfusion experiments with human blood. In this study, the preliminary results are Reported on single hemoperfusions with albumin‐coated XAD‐7 resin in four patients with acute liver failure. The mean platelet count was 116 ± SE 16.3% of the initial arterial value and the mean white cell count was 96 ± SE 6.5% of initial at the end of four hours of hemoperfusion. Removal of bilirubin, phenols and substances in the middle molecular weight range by the resin was demonstrated.These preliminary results suggest albumin‐coated Amberlite XAD‐7 resin to be blood compatible and capable of removing protein‐bound and middle molecular weight substances from patients with acute liver failure. Further clinical evaluation of repeated resin hemoperfusion is required to determine whether this treatment will be beneficial to patient survival.
The role of class I and class II HLA antigens in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)
Authors: Ferreri G. , D'Andrea A. , Castagna I. , Rechichi C. , Pettinato G. , D'Andrea D. 
Published: May 2009

SummarySeveral clinical and epidemiological studies have shown the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). In this study, 30 patients affected by this disease were tissue‐typed for HLA Class I and Class II antigens. The results pointed up an increased incidence of some antigens and, particularly, a statistically significant association with DQ1 and DR11 alleles.
SIMULTANEOUS DIRECT DETECTION OF SALMONELLA SPP., LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES AND ESCHERICHIA COLI O157 IN MILK SAMPLES BY MAGNETIC EXTRACTION AND MULTIPLEX PCR
Authors: OMICCIOLI ENRICA , AMAGLIANI GIULIA , BRANDI GIORGIO , BRUCE IAN J. , MAGNANI MAURO 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT The aim of our work was to develop a new molecular method for the simultaneous detection of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157 directly in milk samples. Three specific target sequences were chosen for a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay: a 155‐bp region of the Salmonella spp. tetrathionate reductase (ttr) locus; a 173‐bp region of the L. monocytogenes listeriolysin O gene (hlyA); a 217‐bp region of the E. coli O157 lipopolysaccharide gene (rfbE). An internal amplification control was also included to detect PCR inhibition. In addition, a magnetic‐based extraction method was also developed to isolate PCR‐ready DNA from milk. The assay was able to detect, whether alone or mixed, also with a difference of 2 log units, as few as 102 cells of each pathogen per 10 mL of spiked milk.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes are among the most dangerous foodborne bacterial pathogens in terms of human health and disease, and their detection through current microbiological culture methods involves considerable spending of time and effort. Therefore, the development of rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods is needed. The magnetic DNA extraction proposed in this study concentrates the target organism DNA, removes the inhibitors and presents the additional advantages of being safe and suitable for automation systems. Moreover, the developed multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) enables the simultaneous detection of more than one target sequence in the same reaction, producing considerable cost and reagent savings. The assay, combining magnetic extraction and mPCR, has proven to be a valuable and cost‐effective tool for monitoring the presence of these pathogens directly in milk samples. Therefore, it could provide a major contribution to efficiency and logistics of molecular diagnostics.