bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effects of Leptin on Pancreatic α-Cell Function
Authors: Tudurí Eva , Marroquí Laura , Soriano Sergi , Ropero Ana B. , Batista Thiago M. , Piquer Sandra , López-Boado Miguel A. , Carneiro Everardo M. , Gomis Ramón , Nadal Angel , Quesada Ivan 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVE
Leptin released from adipocytes plays a key role in the control of food intake, energy balance, and glucose homeostasis. In addition to its central action, leptin directly affects pancreatic β-cells, inhibiting insulin secretion, and, thus, modulating glucose homeostasis. However, despite the importance of glucagon secretion in glucose homeostasis, the role of leptin in α-cell function has not been studied in detail. In the present study, we have investigated this functional interaction.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The presence of leptin receptors (ObR) was demonstrated by RT-PCR analysis, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. Electrical activity was analyzed by patch-clamp and Ca2+ signals by confocal microscopy. Exocytosis and glucagon secretion were assessed using fluorescence methods and radioimmunoassay, respectively.

RESULTS
The expression of several ObR isoforms (a–e) was detected in glucagon-secreting αTC1-9 cells. ObRb, the main isoform involved in leptin signaling, was identified at the protein level in αTC1-9 cells as well as in mouse and human α-cells. The application of leptin (6.25 nmol/l) hyperpolarized the α-cell membrane potential, suppressing the electrical activity induced by 0.5 mmol/l glucose. Additionally, leptin inhibited Ca2+ signaling in αTC1-9 cells and in mouse and human α-cells within intact islets. A similar result occurred with 0.625 nmol/l leptin. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in glucagon secretion from mouse islets and were counteracted by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, suggesting the involvement of this pathway in leptin action.

CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that leptin inhibits α-cell function, and, thus, these cells are involved in the adipoinsular communication.
Pig Embryonic Pancreatic Tissue as a Source for Transplantation in Diabetes
Authors: Tchorsh-Yutsis Dalit , Hecht Gil , Aronovich Anna , Shezen Elias , Klionsky Yael , Rosen Chava , Bitcover Rivka , Eventov-Friedman Smadar , Katchman Helena , Cohen Sivan , Tal Orna , Milstein Oren , Yagita Hideo , Blazar Bruce R. , Reisner Yair 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVEDefining an optimal costimulatory blockade–based immune suppression protocol enabling engraftment and functional development of E42 pig embryonic pancreatic tissue in mice.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSConsidering that anti-CD40L was found to be thrombotic in humans, we sought to test alternative costimulatory blockade agents already in clinical use, including CTLA4-Ig, anti-LFA1, and anti-CD48. These agents were tested in conjunction with T-cell debulking by anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies or with conventional immunosuppressive drugs. Engraftment and functional development of E42 pig pancreatic tissue was monitored by immunohistology and by measuring pig insulin blood levels.RESULTSFetal pig pancreatic tissue harvested at E42, or even as early as at E28, was fiercely rejected in C57BL/6 mice and in Lewis rats. A novel immune suppression comprising anti-LFA1, anti-CD48, and FTY720 afforded optimal growth and functional development. Cessation of treatment with anti-LFA1 and anti-CD48 at 3 months posttransplant did not lead to graft rejection, and graft maintenance could be achieved for &gt;8 months with twice-weekly low-dose FTY720 treatment. These grafts exhibited normal morphology and were functional, as revealed by the high pig insulin blood levels in the transplanted mice and by the ability of the recipients to resist alloxan induced diabetes.CONCLUSIONSThis novel protocol, comprising agents that simulate those approved for clinical use, offer an attractive approach for embryonic xenogeneic transplantation. Further studies in nonhuman primates are warranted.
GHb Level and Subsequent Mortality Among Adults in the U.S.
Authors: Saydah Sharon , Tao Min , Imperatore Giuseppina , Gregg Edward 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVETo examine the association of hyperglycemia, as measured by GHb, with subsequent mortality in a nationally representative sample of adults.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe included adults aged ≥20 years who participated in Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994) and had complete information, including baseline diabetes status by self-report and measured GHb (n = 19,025) and follow-up through the end of 2000 for mortality.RESULTSIn the overall population, higher levels of GHb were associated with increased risk of mortality from all causes, heart disease, and cancer. After adjustment for potential risk factors, the relative hazard (RH) for adults with GHb ≥8% compared with adults with GHb &lt;6% was 2.59 (95% CI 1.88–3.56) for all-cause mortality, 3.38 (1.98–5.77) for heart disease mortality, and 2.64 (1.17–5.97) for cancer mortality. Among adults with diagnosed diabetes, having GHb ≥8% compared with GHb &lt;6% was associated with higher all-cause mortality (RH 1.68, 95% CI 1.03–2.74) and heart disease mortality (2.48, 1.09–5.64), but there was no increased risk of cancer mortality by GHb category. Among adults without diagnosed diabetes, there was no significant association of all-cause, heart disease, or cancer mortality and GHb category.CONCLUSIONSThese results highlight the importance of GHb levels in mortality risk among a nationally representative sample of adults with and without diagnosed diabetes and indicate that higher levels are associated with increased mortality in adults with diabetes.
Physical Inactivity and Obesity Underlie the Insulin Resistance of Aging
Authors: Amati Francesca , Dubé John J. , Coen Paul M. , Stefanovic-Racic Maja , Toledo Frederico G.S. , Goodpaster Bret H. 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVE
Age-associated insulin resistance may underlie the higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in older adults. We examined a corollary hypothesis that obesity and level of chronic physical inactivity are the true causes for this ostensible effect of aging on insulin resistance.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We compared insulin sensitivity in 7 younger endurance-trained athletes, 12 older athletes, 11 younger normal-weight subjects, 10 older normal-weight subjects, 15 younger obese subjects, and 15 older obese subjects using a glucose clamp. The nonathletes were sedentary.

RESULTS
Insulin sensitivity was not different in younger endurance-trained athletes versus older athletes, in younger normal-weight subjects versus older normal-weight subjects, or in younger obese subjects versus older obese subjects. Regardless of age, athletes were more insulin sensitive than normal-weight sedentary subjects, who in turn were more insulin sensitive than obese subjects.

CONCLUSIONS
Insulin resistance may not be characteristic of aging but rather associated with obesity and physical inactivity.
Muscle-Invasive Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder is Associated with Down-Regulated CPP32 Expression and BCL-2 Positivity
Authors: Plješa-Ercegovac Marija , Mimić-Oka Jasmina , Dragičević Dejan , Savić-Radojević Ana , Matić Marija , Đukić Tatjana , Simić Tatjana 
Published: April 2009

Muscle-Invasive Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder is Associated with Down-Regulated CPP32 Expression and BCL-2 Positivity
The objective was to get insight into the role of executive apoptotic enzyme caspase 3 (CPP32) and regulatory antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in the malignant phenotype of TCC. Samples were obtained from 84 TCC patients, who underwent transurethral resection, partial or radical cystectomy. Staging showed a superficial growth pattern in 41 patient, while other 43 showed invasive characteristics. Expression of CPP32 and Bcl-2 was determined by immunocytochemistry. Levels of expression were correlated with tumor stage and grade. Expression of CPP32 was positive in 80% of TCC patients. Low-, medium- and high positive status were observed in 18%, 24% and 38% of patients, respectively. There was a signifficant difference in the CPP32 expression between groups with superficial and invasive TCC tumors (p = 0.032), with frequency of CPP32 negative samples being higher and CPP32 high-positive samples being lower in patients with muscle-invasive tumors. Significant association was also found between CPP32 expression and tumor stage (p = 0.043). The positive rate of Bcl-2 protein expression was 48%. There was a statisticaly signifficant difference in the rate of Bcl-2 positivity between superficial and invasive TCC (p = 0.005), with frequency of Bcl-2 positive patients being higher in muscle-invasive TCC. Significant association was also found between Bcl-2 expression and both tumor grade (p=0.032) and stage (p=0.007). Muscle invasive TCC of the urinary bladder is associated with down-regulated expression of CPP32 and Bcl-2 positivity. Down-regulation of CPP32 and up-regulated Bcl-2 might, at least partially, play a role in the development of invasive characteristics of TCC.
The range and prevalence of pathological abnormalities associated with lameness in working horses from developing countries
Authors: BROSTER C. E. , BURN C. C. , BARR A. R. S. , WHAY H. R. 
Published: April 2009

Summary Reasons for performing study: Lameness is highly prevalent in working horses, but published reports on the associated pathological abnormalities are lacking. With over 42 million horses in developing countries and the majority used for work, lameness has major welfare implications. Objectives: To describe the range and prevalence of pathological abnormalities associated with lameness in working horses. Methods: A standard lameness assessment was adapted for field use in working equids. Data on pathological abnormalities and pain responses in the feet, limbs and spine were collected through observation, palpation, manipulations and gait assessment in working horses from India (n = 110) and Pakistan (n = 117). Lameness at the walk was scored on a scale of 0–4 (sound‐nonweightbearing). Results: All horses examined were lame. Overall, 98% showed a gait abnormality in all 4 limbs and 87% had at least one limb scoring 3 or 4 on the lameness scale. Multiple pathological abnormalities within each limb were associated with lameness, with similar results in both countries. Chronic foot pathology was seen in every horse; 94% horses showed signs of chronic joint disease; 83% had digital flexor tendonitis in at least one limb. Lameness and pathological abnormalities were associated with specific pain responses in the feet, limbs and spine. Conclusions: The extremely high prevalence of multilimb lameness and its association with pain is of great concern. The multiple pathological abnormalities present in working horses makes lameness complex to address. Potential relevance: The results of this detailed study of lameness should facilitate the identification of risk factors and the implementation of interventions to reduce the prevalence of lameness in working equids.
Surgical management of complete diaphyseal third metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures: Clinical outcome in 10 mature horses and 11 foals
Authors: BISCHOFBERGER A. S. , FÜRST A. , AUER J. , LISCHER C. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryReasons for performing study: Osteosynthesis of third metacarpal (McIII) and third metatarsal (MtIII) bone fractures in horses is a surgical challenge and complications surrounding the repair are common. Retrospective studies evaluating surgical repair, complications and outcome are necessary to increase knowledge and improve success of long bone fracture repair in the horse.Objectives: To evaluate clinical findings, surgical repair, post operative complications and outcome of 10 mature horses and 11 foals with McIII or MtIII fractures that were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).Methods: Medical records were reviewed and follow‐up information obtained by means of radiographs and/or telephone questionnaire.Results: Survival was achieved in 62% of the horses (3 mature/10 foals). On long‐term evaluation (>6 months) 11 horses (2 mature/9 foals) were fit for their intended activity, one mature horse had a chronic low grade lameness, and one foal was lost to follow‐up because it was sold. The main fracture types were simple transverse (33.3%) or simple oblique (28.6%) and 71.4% of the fractures were open, 3Type I(one mature/2 foals) and 12type II(7 mature/5 foals). The preoperative assessment revealed inadequate emergency treatment in 10 horses (5 mature/5 foals; 47.6%). Survival rate of horses with open fractures was 12.5% (1/8) in mature and 85.7% (6/7) in foals. Post operative incisional infection (4 mature, 3 foals) was only managed successfully in 2 foals. Fracture instability related to inadequate fracture fixation technique occurred in 4 horses (all mature) and was always associated with unsuccessful outcome.Conclusions: Age, bodyweight and infection are strongly associated with outcome in treatment of complete McIII/MtIII fractures.Clinical relevance: Rigid fixation using plates and screws can be successful in treatment of closed or open, complete diaphyseal McIII/MtIII fractures in mature horses and foals. Instable fixation, infection and a bodyweight >320 kg are major risk factors for unsuccessful outcome.
Two‐ and three‐dimensional computed tomographic anatomy of the enamel, infundibulae and pulp of 126 equine cheek teeth. Part 1: Findings in teeth without macroscopic occlusal or computed tomographic lesions
Authors: WINDLEY Z. , WELLER R. , TREMAINE W. H. , PERKINS J. D. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryReasons for performing study: Dental disorders are of major clinical importance in equine practice; however, the knowledge of normal dental anatomy, especially that of the pulp remains incomplete. Computed tomography (CT) is being used increasingly in the diagnosis of dental disease, although the normal 2‐ (2D) and 3‐dimensional (3D) CT anatomy has not yet been fully described.Objective: To describe the 2D and 3D CT appearance of the enamel, infundibulae and pulp of normal equine cheek teeth.Methods: One‐hundred‐and‐twenty‐six cadaveric cheek teeth with eruption ages of 0.5–19 years were evaluated; CT scans of each tooth were performed after occlusal surface examination with a dental probe. Three‐dimensional reconstructions of the enamel, infundibulae and pulp were created from the CT scans using greyscale thresholding and subsequent polynomial meshing. Each tooth was sectioned coronally or axially into serial slices using a band saw and the sections compared to the corresponding CT images.Results: The CT reconstructions enabled the systematic description of the pulpar anatomy of the mandibular and maxillary cheek teeth in 3D, which has not been described in detail previously. The number of interpulpar communications between pulp horns and the pulpar volume of each tooth was shown to decrease with increasing age. The interpulpar communications of the maxillary cheek teeth were found to be of greater complexity and variety in comparison to their mandibular counterparts. Mandibular and maxillary cheek teeth showed different, but consistent patterns in their pulpar and enamel morphology.Conclusions and potential relevance: The detailed description of the normal 2D and 3D CT appearance of equine cheek teeth provides a reference basis for the diagnosis of dental disease with CT. Additionally, in depth knowledge of the pulpar anatomy of the equine cheek teeth is an essential prerequisite if endodontic therapy is to develop further in the future.
Clinical findings and progression of 10 cases of equine ulcerative keratomycosis (2004–2007)
Authors: Galán A. , Martín‐Suárez E. M. , Gallardo J. M. , Molleda J. M. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryUlcerative keratomycosis is a serious sight‐threatening disease of horses and the veterinary literature is replete with cases of poor visual outcome following this condition. During a 3 year period, 10 horses were treated for confirmed keratomycosis at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Cordoba (Spain). Ulcerative keratomycosis accounted for an average of 8.62% of the total equine ophthalmic admissions during this time and an average of 33.3% of horses were diagnosed with infectious keratitis. Fungi were diagnosed using cytology (n = 4) and/or culture (n = 8) and histopathology (n = 1).Aspergillussp. was the most commonly isolated fungus. Medical therapy alone or combined medical and surgical treatment was utilised for therapy depending on the clinical condition. Miconazole 1% was the most common topical antifungal therapy employed. Median duration of treatment was 73.12 days. Records were evaluated to determine visual outcome and globe survival.
Severe lameness associated with an impact fracture of the proximal phalanx in a filly
Authors: Cullimore A. M. , Finnie J. W. , Marmion W. J. , Booth T. M. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryA 3‐year‐old filly was presented for severe lameness referable to the left front fetlock joint. Radiographs confirmed an osseous cyst‐like lesion and synovial fluid cytology ruled out sepsis. The filly responded poorly to medical management and was subsequently subjected to euthanasia.Post mortemexamination confirmed an impact fracture of the proximal phalanx, previously undiagnosed in the horse.
Queering Puerto Rican Women's Narratives
Authors: Torres Lourdes 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
While in the last decades there has been a proliferation of writings by Latina lesbians who theorize issues of intersectionality, missing still are the voices and analyses of Puerto Rican lesbians who articulate the specificity of Puerto Rican sexual, racial, national, and class dynamics. It is within this context that I examine Memoir of a Visionary (2002) by Antonia Pantoja and The Noise of Infinite Longing (2004) Luisita López Torregrosa; I consider how these recent memoirs engage with intersecting issues in the lives of Puerto Rican women and suggest how shame implicitly conditions the articulation of Puerto Rican identity.
Unifying redox kinetics for standard and fast NH3‐SCR over a V2O5‐WO3/TiO2 catalyst
Authors: Nova Isabella , Ciardelli Cristian , Tronconi Enrico , Chatterjee Daniel , Weibel Michel 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA dynamic Mars–van Krevelen kinetic model that unifies Standard and Fast SCR reactions into a single redox approach is herein proposed for V‐based catalysts for NOx removal from Diesel exhausts. Such a mechanistic model is consistent with the detailed catalytic chemistry proposed for the NH3‐NO/NO2 reacting system in which NO2 disproportionates to form nitrites and nitrates, nitrates are reduced by NO to nitrites in a key redox step, and nitrites react with NH3 to form N2 via decomposition of unstable ammonium nitrite. Intrinsic kinetic parameters were estimated by global multiresponse nonlinear regression of 42 transient runs. The model accounts for stoichiometry, selectivity, and kinetics of the global SCR process, reproducing successfully both the steady‐state and transient behaviors of the SCR reacting system over the full range (0–1) of NO2/NOx feed ratios in the 175–425°C temperature range. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Rewetting effects and droplet motion on partially wetted powder surfaces
Authors: Hapgood Karen P. , Nguyen Thanh H. , Hauw Sunarko , Iveson Simon M. , Shen Wei 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn high shear mixer granulation, the powder is agitated in a vessel while liquid is sprayed onto the powder. Formation of “nuclei” can be predicted using a nucleation regime map. However, this approach assumes that only dry powder enters the spray zone. Industrial granulation processes commonly add 20–50 wt % fluid, and the partially wetted powder recirculates many times through the spray zone. The effect of partially wetted powder re‐entering the spray zone is not currently known. To investigate, droplets were added to a powder bed at controlled separation distances and time intervals. A strong correlation between drop penetration time and droplet motion on the powder bed surface was observed. For fast penetrating systems, nucleation was only slightly affected by the presence of the previous droplet. However, systems with long penetration times showed lateral droplet motion due to Laplace pressure differences. Implications for the nucleation regime map are discussed. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Seasonal modulation of reproductive effort during early pregnancy in humans
Authors: Vitzthum Virginia J. , Thornburg Jonathan , Spielvogel Hilde 
Published: April 2009

AbstractLife history theory predicts that early pregnancy presents a relatively low cost, uncontested opportunity for a woman to terminate investment in a current reproductive opportunity if a conceptus is of poor quality and/or maternal status or environmental conditions are not propitious for a successful birth. We tested this hypothesis in rural Bolivian women experiencing substantial seasonal variation in workload and food resources. Significant risk factors for early pregnancy loss (EPL) included agropastoralism versus other economic strategies, conception during the most arduous seasons versus other seasons, and increasing maternal age. Anovulation rate (AR) was higher during the most arduous seasons and in older women. Breastfeeding and indicators of social status and living conditions did not significantly influence either risk of EPL or AR. Averaged over the year, anovulation occurred in about 1/4 of the cycles and EPL occurred in about 1/3 of the conceptions. This is the first evidence of seasonality of EPL in a non‐industrialized population, and the first to demonstrate a relationship between economic activities and EPL. These findings suggest that both anovulation and EPL are potential mechanisms for modulating reproductive effort; such “failures” may also be nonadaptive consequences of conditions hostile to a successful pregnancy. In either case, variation in EPL risk associated with different subsistence activities can be expected to influence fertility levels and birth seasonality in both contemporary and past human populations. These consequences of variability in the risk of EPL can impact efforts to understand the sources of variation in reproductive success. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fertility, body size, and shape: An empirical test of the covert maternal depletion hypothesis
Authors: Nenko Ilona , Jasienska Grazyna 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn populations with limited resources, high‐reproductive effort may lead to poor nutritional status of the mother (the maternal depletion syndrome), whereas in well‐nourished populations woman's body weight tends to increase after each pregnancy. However, in affluent populations, women's body shape may change due to mobilization of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from the lower parts of their bodies to meet the needs of the developing child (the “covert maternal depletion”). We studied relationships between reproductive history traits and body size and shape for 296 rural, parous women in good nutritional status (mean body mass index, BMI = 27.9, SD = 5.94), aged 22–85 (mean 47.8, SD = 16.34) from southern Poland. Body mass adjusted for age, age of menarche, body height, and similarly adjusted BMI were each positively related to the number of children born by a woman (R = 0.13, P = 0.02 and R = 0.13, P = 0.02, respectively). Waist and hip circumferences, adjusted for confounders, did not show statistically significant relationships with the number of children. Moreover, groups with low and high parity did not significantly differ in hip/BMI and waist/BMI ratios, which were proposed to be indicators of covert form of maternal depletion (after controlling for overall body fatness and age). In conclusion, parity caused a slightly higher body mass and BMI later in life. However, parity did not lead to covert maternal depletion, perhaps because women in this population have relatively high‐dietary intake of PUFAs. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.