bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomarkers for skin involvement and fibrotic activity in scleroderma
Authors: Moinzadeh P. , Denton C.P. , Abraham D. , Ong V. , Hunzelmann N. , Eckes B. , Krieg T. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is characterized as a severe and very heterogeneous disease with a bright variation of skin and organ manifestations in individual patients.The pathogenesis is still not fully elucidated; however, it is known that this disease starts with an initial vascular damage, which then leads to an inflammatory process and finally promotes the development of an accumulation of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) components.As a result of the heterogeneous characteristics of this multisystem, autoimmune disease, it is always a challenge to identify high‐risk patients and to monitor the fibrotic activity also in response to therapies. This can be achieved by several physical methods including the mRSS, the durometer and ultrasound determination of skin thickness. However, this also requires the use of laboratory biomarkers, which are easily detectable and that reflect the inflammatory and/or fibrotic activity. As skin correlates well with the extent of fibrosis also in other organs, we focused in this review on biomarkers which reflect skin involvement of scleroderma patients.These include growth factors, cytokines and proteases as well as their inhibitors. Moreover, several ECM proteins, especially the collagens have been determined in skin biopsies and in blood/serum samples. Determination of proteins has been supported by mRNA levels using PCR techniques and expression analysis of gene expression patterns.This review summarizes all non‐invasive physical and laboratory examinations, which permit a better understanding of the fibrotic activity of the disease, can be effectively used to assess potential therapeutic response and help to find better treatment options.
Longitudinal Study of Parents’ Impact on Quality of Life of Children and Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Cramm Jane M. , Nieboer Anna P. 
Published: August 2011

Background  Earlier research has distinguished five domains of Quality of life (QoL) for people with ID: material well‐being, development and activity, physical well‐being, social well‐being, and emotional well‐being. We investigated parents’ perspectives on these domains and QoL for children and young adults with ID and hypothesized that parents’ well‐being would be a predictive factor in QoL of their children with ID.Methods  Our longitudinal study administered questionnaires to parents at T0 (n = 147) and T1 (n = 108). The inclusion criteria were: (i) the child’s age 0–24 years and (ii) the child’s intellectual disability (IQ < 70 or IQ < 85 in combination with behavioural problems).Results  Social well‐being of parents (P ≤ 0.001), changes in parents’ social well‐being (P ≤ 0.01) and changes in children’s social well‐being (P ≤ 0.05) were strong predictors of QoL for children with ID. Emotional well‐being of children with ID (P ≤ 0.01), changes in children’s emotional well‐being (P ≤ 0.01) and changes in emotional well‐being of parents (P ≤0.05) also predicted QoL of children with ID. Material well‐being of parents, and health, development and activity of the children were not predictors.Conclusion  Our study revealed that predictors of QoL in children and young adults with ID occurred in the following domains: physical well‐being (children), social well‐being (parents and children) and emotional well‐being (parents and children).
Electrophysiological correlates of the maintenance of the representation of pitch objects in acoustic short‐term memory
Authors: Guimond Synthia , Vachon François , Nolden Sophie , Lefebvre Christine , Grimault Stephan , Jolicoeur Pierre 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe studied the neuronal mechanisms that implement acoustic short‐term memory (ASTM) for pitch using event‐related potentials (ERP). Experiment 1 isolated an ERP component, the sustained anterior negativity (SAN), that increased in amplitude with increasing memory load in ASTM using stimuli with equal duration at all memory loads. The SAN load effect found in Experiment 1, when pitch had to be remembered to perform the task, was absent in Experiment 2 using the same sounds when memory was not required. In Experiment 3, the memory task was performed without or with concurrent articulatory suppression during the retention interval to prevent rehearsal via an articulatory loop. Load‐related effects observed in Experiment 1 were found again, whether participants engaged in concurrent suppression or not. The results suggest that the SAN reflects activity required to maintain pitch objects in an ASTM system that is distinct from articulatory rehearsal.
Biphasic effects of copper on neurotransmission in rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Peters Christian , Muñoz Braulio , Sepúlveda Fernando J , Urrutia Juan , Quiroz Mauricio , Luza Sandra , De Ferrari Giancarlo V. , Aguayo Luis G. , Opazo Carlos 
Published: August 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 78–88.AbstractThe importance of copper in the CNS is well documented, but the mechanisms related to its brain functions are poorly understood. Copper is released at the synaptic cleft, where it may modulate neurotransmission. To understand the functional impact of copper on the neuronal network, we have analyzed the synaptic activity of primary rat hippocampal neurons by using different approaches including whole cell patch clamp, recording of calcium transients, immunofluorescence and western blot. Here, we show that copper produces biphasic changes in neurotransmission. When copper is acutely applied to the plate it blocks neurotransmission. Interestingly, when it is applied for 3 h to hippocampal neurons it mainly increases the frequency and amplitude of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)ergic currents (control: 0.21 ± 0.05 Hz/22.9 ± 1.3 pA; copper: 0.68 ± 0.16 Hz/30.5 ± 2.5 pA), intracellular calcium transients (control: 0.05 ± 0.013 Hz; copper: 0.11 ± 0.02 Hz) and evoked AMPA currents (control: EC50 8.3 ± 0.5 μM; copper: EC50 2.9 ± 0.2 μM). Moreover, our results suggest that copper increases GluA1 subunit levels of the AMPA receptor through the anchorage of AMPA receptors to the plasma membrane as a result of PSD‐95 accumulation. We also found that copper‐treated neurons displayed an undistinguishable neurotransmission to control neurons after 24 h of treatment, indicating that changes in neurotransmission induced by copper at 3 h of incubation are homeostatically regulated after long‐term exposure to the metal. Together, our data reveal an unexpected biphasic effect of copper on neurotransmission, which may be relevant to understand the effects of this ion in brain diseases that display copper dyshomeostasis such as that observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Identification and characterization of a neuronal enriched novel transcript encoding the previously described p60Fe65 isoform
Authors: Domingues Sara Catarina , Henriques Ana Gabriela , Fardilha Margarida , da Cruz e Silva Edgar F. , da Cruz e Silva Odete A.B. 
Published: August 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 1086–1098.AbstractFe65 is a multimodular adaptor protein that interacts with the cytosolic domain of the β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP), the major component of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) senile plaques. In the work here presented, we describe the existence of a new Fe65 transcript variant (GenBank Accession EF103274). A unique 5’ sequence of 69 nucleotides, spanning a region between exons 2 and 3 of the FE65 gene, was present in a yeast two‐hybrid (YTH) clone from a human brain cDNA library. In silico analysis and RT‐PCR revealed the presence of a novel exon of 133 bp, and we redefined the structure of the human FE65 gene. The novel exon 3a‐inclusive transcript generates a shorter isoform, p60Fe65. The migration pattern of the p60Fe65 isoform was observed previously and attributed to an alternative translation initiation site within the p97Fe65 transcript. Here, we provide evidence for the origin of the previously unexplained p60Fe65 isoform. Moreover, Fe65E3a is expressed preferentially in the brain and the p60Fe65 protein levels increased during PC12 cell differentiation. This novel Fe65 isoform and the regulation of the splicing events leading to its production, may contribute to elucidating neuronal specific roles of Fe65 and its contribution to AD pathology.
Predicting invasiveness of Australian acacias on the basis of their native climatic affinities, life history traits and human use
Authors: Castro‐Díez Pilar , Godoy Oscar , Saldaña Asunción , Richardson David M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim  Many Australian Acacia species have been widely planted around the world. Some taxa are among the most aggressive of invasive alien plants and cause severe ecosystem degradation. We aimed to predict invasiveness of taxa in a large set of Australian Acacia species on the basis of easy‐to‐assess predictors.Location  Global.Methods  We considered three groups of predictors: (1) climatic affinities of species in their native ranges; (2) life history traits; and (3) human usage factors. Logistic multiple regressions were applied to construct predictive models for 85 Australian acacias (species in Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae) that are known to have been transported outside of their native range (17 known to be invasive and 68 non‐invasive). The best model was then applied to predict the probability of an additional 34 Acacia species with unknown invasive status.Results  Water availability in the native range and human uses were significant predictors of invasiveness in all models. Life history index (proportional to plant height, leaf area and seed mass) and climatic amplitude were also positive predictors of invasiveness when human use was not considered. The best model, based on human uses and water availability, correctly classified 92% of the species. Results suggest that Acacia species that evolved under low climatic stress have a greater chance of becoming invasive.Main conclusions  Species that are useful to humans are more likely to be disseminated to and within new regions, thus increasing the risk of invasion. Combining ecological, evolutionary and human‐use criteria is useful for quantifying the risk of Australian acacias becoming invasive. Acacia species can attain invasive status by virtue of intrinsic traits and/or through increased use by humans. Therefore, we predict that the invasion risk of species coming from native areas with high water availability will rise sharply if the interest in exploiting these species increases.
Jack‐of‐all‐trades and master of many? How does associated rhizobial diversity influence the colonization success of Australian Acacia species?
Authors: Rodríguez‐Echeverría Susana , Le Roux Johannes J. , Crisóstomo João A. , Ndlovu Joice 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim  To evaluate the role of rhizobial diversity, and symbiotic promiscuity, on the invasive ability of Australian acacias (Acacia species in subgenus Phyllodineae native to Australia).Location  Global.Methods  A bibliographic review of the rhizobial diversity associated with Australian Acacia species was performed to assess symbiotic promiscuity for invasive and non‐invasive species. The rhizobial diversity associated with Acacia dealbata and A. saligna in Australia and Portugal and with A. pycnantha in Australia and South Africa was assessed by 16S rDNA and intergenic spacer sequencing of bacteria isolated from field‐collected nodules.Results  All studied Australian acacias are nodulated by strains in the genus Bradyrhizobium, which appears to be the dominant group of acacia symbionts in native and non‐native soils. Both literature and experimental data from this study suggest that Australian bradyrhizobia might have been co‐introduced with acacias to new geographical regions. The studied Acacia species can also harbour other root‐nodulating alpha and betaproteobacteria genera, although these are less abundant than Bradyrhizobium.Main conclusions  There is no clear difference in the diversity of rhizobial species associated with invasive and non‐invasive Australian acacias. All studied invasive acacias nodulate in both native and non‐native regions, harbouring predominantly Bradyrhizobium strains but showing some degree of symbiotic promiscuity. The co‐introduction of compatible root‐nodulating bacteria from Australia might explain the establishment of invasive populations, but novel associations with rhizobia from the invaded soils are also possible. Invasive legumes might use both strategies but species with low symbiotic promiscuity would become invasive only if compatible bacteria are co‐introduced in the new regions. The progress of invasion and the impacts on the invaded ecosystems might also differ depending on the nodulation strategy.
Cannabidiol, a non‐psychotropic component of cannabis, attenuates vomiting and nausea‐like behaviour via indirect agonism of 5‐HT1A somatodendritic autoreceptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus
Authors: Rock EM , Bolognini D , Limebeer CL , Cascio MG , Anavi‐Goffer S , Fletcher PJ , Mechoulam R , Pertwee RG , Parker LA 
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To evaluate the hypothesis that activation of somatodendritic 5‐HT1A autoreceptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) produces the anti‐emetic/anti‐nausea effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a primary non‐psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The potential of systemic and intra‐DRN administration of 5‐HT1A receptor antagonists, WAY100135 or WAY100635, to prevent the anti‐emetic effect of CBD in shrews (Suncus murinus) and the anti‐nausea‐like effects of CBD (conditioned gaping) in rats were evaluated. Also, the ability of intra‐DRN administration of CBD to produce anti‐nausea‐like effects (and reversal by systemic WAY100635) was assessed. In vitro studies evaluated the potential of CBD to directly target 5‐HT1A receptors and to modify the ability of the 5‐HT1A agonist, 8‐OH‐DPAT, to stimulate [35S]GTPγS binding in rat brainstem membranes.KEY RESULTS CBD suppressed nicotine‐, lithium chloride (LiCl)‐ and cisplatin (20 mg·kg−1, but not 40 mg·kg−1)‐induced vomiting in the S. murinus and LiCl‐induced conditioned gaping in rats. Anti‐emetic and anti‐nausea‐like effects of CBD were suppressed by WAY100135 and the latter by WAY100635. When administered to the DRN: (i) WAY100635 reversed anti‐nausea‐like effects of systemic CBD, and (ii) CBD suppressed nausea‐like effects, an effect that was reversed by systemic WAY100635. CBD also displayed significant potency (in a bell‐shaped dose–response curve) at enhancing the ability of 8‐OH‐DPAT to stimulate [35S]GTPγS binding to rat brainstem membranes in vitro. Systemically administered CBD and 8‐OH‐DPAT synergistically suppressed LiCl‐induced conditioned gaping.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that CBD produced its anti‐emetic/anti‐nausea effects by indirect activation of the somatodendritic 5‐HT1A autoreceptors in the DRN.LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue‐8. To view Part I of Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.163.issue‐7
Extracorporeal liver support with multipass albumin dialysis or plasmapheresis and filtering systems in acute liver failure
Authors: Bacher Andreas 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAcute liver failure is a very complex type of disease with a mortality of up to 90%, leading to numerous severe disturbances of the whole organism. Bleeding because of absent synthesis of various coagulation factors and disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute kidney failure, circulatory failure with vasopressor dependence, respiratory failure with adult respiratory distress syndrome, neurological failure up to coma because of hepatic encephalopathy, and a very high risk of infection and sepsis frequently result from the initial state of isolated liver failure. High urgency liver transplantation is a highly efficient therapy if performed in time. However, increasing the rate of spontaneous recovery of the patients' own liver, and reducing the need for liver transplantation is preferable and would further improve the outcome of acute liver failure. Extracorporeal liver support by multipass albumin dialysis or plasmapheresis and filtering systems may offer a possibility to fulfill these aims of therapy. A prospective study in 88 patients with acute liver failure has shown a nonsignificant trend in improvement of survival after acute liver failure by multipass albumin dialysis and filtering. Other retrospective studies have shown benefits in improving hepatic encephalopathy and brain oedema. Further, an increase in the rate of spontaneous recovery of liver function has been described. With regional citrate anticoagulation for multipass albumin dialysis and filtering, the need for systemic anticoagulation – a potentially very harmful measure in these patients – can be eliminated and the rate of filter clotting can extremely effectively be reduced.
Normalisation of insulin‐like growth factor‐I does not improve insulin action in cirrhosis
Authors: Nielsen Michael F. , Aagaard Niels K. , Grøfte Thorbjørn , Frystyk Jan , Greisen Jacob , Christiansen Jens S. , Holland‐Fischer Peter , Vilstrup Hendrik 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground & Aims:Cirrhosis of the liver is characterised by insulin resistance and low levels of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I). Lack of IGF‐I may contribute to this insulin resistance, as IGF‐I increases insulin sensitivity. This study aimed to determine the effects of normalisation of IGF‐I on insulin action in cirrhosis.Methods:This article is a randomised sequence‐crossover placebo controlled study. Eight patients with cirrhosis and eight controls were studied following treatment with IGF‐I (50 μg/kg twice daily) or saline. Insulin action, glucose utilisation and endogenous glucose production were measured during the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp.Results:The patients with cirrhosis had normal fasting glucose level, but increased levels of insulin (P < 0.05) and C‐peptide (P < 0.05). Insulin resistance resulted from a defect in glycogen synthesis, whereas insulin‐mediated suppression of glucose production was unaltered. In cirrhosis, IGF‐I treatment normalised free (from 0.07 ± 0.01 to 0.26 ± 0.05 μg/L) and total IGF‐I (from 73 ± 6 to 250 ± 39 μg/L), whereas in controls, the IGF‐I level increased into the upper physiological range (free IGF‐I from 0.23 ± 0.02 to 0.61 ± 0.06 μg/L; total IGF‐I from 200 ± 19 to 500 ± 50 μg/L) (all P‐values < 0.05). In cirrhosis, IGF‐I treatment did not change fasting glucose, insulin or C‐peptide levels (P > 0.05). In the controls, insulin and C‐peptide levels decreased (P < 0.05). IGF‐I treatment did not improve insulin sensitivity in cirrhosis.Conclusions:Because normalisation of IGF‐I levels did not affect insulin sensitivity lack of IGF‐I is unlikely to result in insulin resistance in cirrhosis. IGF‐I supplementation is therefore unlikely to improve insulin action in patients with cirrhosis.
Relationships between frontal‐gland formation and mandibular modification during JH III‐induced presoldier differentiation in the termite Reticulitermes speratus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Authors: WATANABE Dai , MAEKAWA Kiyoto 
Published: August 2011

AbstractTermite soldiers engage in colony defense and they possess weapons in order to attack enemies. Defensive strategies vary among species depending on the morphology of the soldier's weapons. Both the frontal gland and elongated mandibles are formed during soldier differentiation of Reticulitermes speratus workers, which is associated with an increase in juvenile hormone (JH) titer. It was shown that the amount of JH applied and coexistence with soldiers affected mandibular elongation of the induced presoldiers. To determine the relationship between applied JH concentration and frontal‐gland development of R. speratus, mandibular modification and frontal‐gland formation of presoldiers induced by 20, 40 and 80 µg JH III in the presence or absence of soldiers were observed. Both presoldier differentiation rates and their mandibular lengths were affected by the presence of soldiers in treatments with 20 and 40 µg JH III. Especially in the treatment with 20 µg JH III, frontal‐pore malformation was observed in some presoldiers. All presoldiers with a malformed frontal pore had almost the same sized mandibles, compared with those of stationarily molted workers. Interestingly, sections of these presoldiers showed that frontal‐gland invagination occurred incompletely in comparison with presoldiers with relatively elongated mandibles. Consequently, frontal‐gland formation might be affected by JH titer (applied and endogenous JH), and individuals with a malformed frontal pore were probably differentiated by JH titers only slightly above the threshold for presoldier differentiation.
Meat‐eating enhances larval development of Anthracophora rusticola Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), which breeds in bird nests
Authors: KOSHIYAMA Yozo , MIYATA Ryo , MIYATAKE Takahisa 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe scarab beetle Anthracophora rusticola Burmeister breeds in the nests of carnivorous birds including the honey buzzard Pernis apivorus (Linnaeus), Chinese goshawk Accipiter soloensis (Horsfield), oriental stork Ciconia boyciana Swinhoe and great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus). Although larvae of the beetle probably feed on animal matter (e.g. remnants of birds' food) in the nests of these birds, the effect of eating flesh on the growth of larvae has not been investigated. Laboratory experiments clearly showed that the development was faster, survival rate higher and body heavier just before pupation in larvae fed dried chicken meat with humus soil than in those fed only humus soil. We also investigated feeding behaviors of larvae of the beetle. A piece of chicken meat placed on the surface of humus soil was pulled under the soil by the larva, mostly at night. Video recordings made during the night showed that larvae came to the humus soil surface and ate the dried chicken meat or tried to take the meat under the soil. Our laboratory observations suggest that larvae in nature stay under the humus accumulated in bird nests during the daytime, and then come up to the surface mostly at night to actively seek and eat remnants of the birds' food.
Control of Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) by a flightless strain of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on green pepper plants in open fields
Authors: IGUCHI Masahiro , FUKUSHIMA Fusako , MIURA Kazuki 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover and the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) are economically important pests with a worldwide distribution. We evaluated the efficacy of releasing a flightless adult strain of the multicolored Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) as a control measure against these aphids on green pepper plants in open fields. Flightless H. axyridis adults were observed on the green pepper plants in the releasing plots throughout the experimental period and were found to be effective biocontrol agents, markedly decreasing the numbers of aphids. These results suggest that adults of this flightless strain of H. axyridis are effective in controlling aphids on green pepper plants in open fields.