bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
penalizedSVM: a R-package for feature selection SVM classification
Authors: Becker Natalia , Werft Wiebke , Toedt Grischa , Lichter Peter , Benner Axel 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSummary: Support vector machine (SVMs) classification is a widely used and one of the most powerful classification techniques. However, a major limitation is that SVM cannot perform automatic gene selection. To overcome this restriction, a number of penalized feature selection methods have been proposed. In the R package ‘penalizedSVM’ implemented penalization functions L1 norm and Smoothly Clipped Absolute Deviation (SCAD) provide automatic feature selection for SVM classification tasks.Availability: The R package ‘penalizedSVM’ is available from the Comprehensive R Archive Network (http://cran.r-project.org/) under GPL-2 or later.Contact: natalia.becker@dkfz.deSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Defective peroxisomal proliferators activated receptor gamma activity due to dominant‐negative mutation synergizes with hypertension to accelerate cardiac fibrosis in mice
Authors: Kis Adrienn , Murdoch Colin , Zhang Min , Siva Anjana , Rodriguez‐Cuenca Sergio , Carobbio Stefania , Lukasik Agnes , Blount Margaret , O'Rahilly Steve , Gray Sarah L. , Shah Ajay M. , Vidal‐Puig Antonio 
Published: April 2009

AimsHumans with inactivating mutations in peroxisomal proliferators activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) typically develop a complex metabolic syndrome characterized by insulin resistance, diabetes, lipodystrophy, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia which is likely to increase their cardiovascular risk. Despite evidence that the activation of PPARγ may prevent cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy, recent evidence has suggested that pharmacological activation of PPARγ causes increased cardiovascular mortality. In this study, we investigated the effects of defective PPARγ function on the development of cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy in a murine model carrying a human dominant‐negative mutation in PPARγ.Methods and resultsMice with a dominant‐negative point mutation in PPARγ (P465L) and their wild‐type (WT) littermates were treated with either subcutaneous angiotensin II (AngII) infusion or saline for 2 weeks. Heterozygous P465L and WT mice developed a similar increase in systolic blood pressure, but the mutant mice developed significantly more severe cardiac fibrosis to AngII that correlated with increased expression of profibrotic genes. Both groups similarly increased the heart weight to body weight ratio compared with saline‐treated controls. There were no differences in fibrosis between saline‐treated WT and P465L mice.ConclusionThese results show synergistic pathogenic effects between the presence of defective PPARγ and AngII‐induced hypertension and suggest that patients with PPARγ mutation and hypertension may need more aggressive therapeutic measures to reduce the risk of accelerated cardiac fibrosis.
Adherence to angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors and illness beliefs in older heart failure patients
Authors: Molloy Gerard J. , Gao Chuan , Johnston Derek W. , Johnston Marie , Witham Miles D. , Struthers Allan D. , McMurdo Marion E.T. 
Published: April 2009

AimsPatient beliefs about heart failure (HF) may be important determinants of adherence. This study assessed levels of adherence to angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and examined whether beliefs about HF were associated with adherence to ACEI.Methods and resultsFifty‐eight patients with chronic stable HF (mean age 80.2 years SD ± 4.6, 43% female) were recruited from two outpatient clinics in Dundee, UK. The Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised was used to assess beliefs about HF. Adherence to ACEI was assessed by measuring serum levels of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (sACE). Adherence to ACEI (defined as sACE <5 U/L) was 72%. Beliefs about the time‐line of HF and the consequences of HF accounted for 19% of the variability in adherence to ACEI in this sample. Heart failure patients who believed that their illness had a more chronic (longer term) time frame and had beliefs about the greater consequences of HF on their lives were less likely to adhere to ACEI.ConclusionAdherence to ACEI is sub‐optimal. Beliefs about HF appear to be associated with objectively measured adherence to ACEI. Future studies should attempt to identify beliefs that consistently predict adherence and examine whether modifying these beliefs can increase adherence to HF medications.
Temporal variability of 10-year global SeaWiFS time-series of phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration
Authors: Vantrepotte V. , Mélin F. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Vantrepotte, V., and Mélin, F. 2009. Temporal variability of 10-year global SeaWiFS time-series of phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1547–1556. The Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) global dataset now offers a 10-year time-series of a consistent, well-calibrated, ocean colour record suitable to analyse temporal variability. The relative importance of the seasonal term in the chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration signal is first assessed using statistical techniques of temporal decomposition. The emphasis is on the Census method II (X-11) approach, which allows year-to-year variations in the seasonal component. The seasonality detected in the SeaWiFS Chl a record is analysed through a generic province-based classification of marine ecosystems and at global scale and is found very variable spatially. Working with 5′-resolution gridded Chl a products, the contribution of the seasonal component derived from X-11 amounts to 64% of the total variance, compared with only 36% if a fixed annual cycle is assumed. The capacity of X-11 to capture interannual variations in seasonality is used to diagnose the stability of the Chl a seasonal cycle. Finally, linear changes in Chl a concentration observed after a decade of continuous ocean colour record agree globally with previous observations on shorter series. Significant changes of both signs are detected in various regions of the world’s oceans, but primarily a general decrease of Chl a in the mid-ocean gyres.
Fexofenadine hydrochloride enhances the efficacy of contact immunotherapy for extensive alopecia areata: Retrospective analysis of 121 cases
Authors: INUI Shigeki , NAKAJIMA Takeshi , TODA Naoyuki , ITAMI Satoshi 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTTo study the effect of fexofenadine on extensive alopecia areata (AA), we evaluated retrospectively 121 patients with AA having alopecia in more than 50% of the scalp and followed them for at least 6 months. Patients were treated by immunotherapy using diphenylcyclopropenone or squaric acid dibutylester with or without oral fexofenadine. The regrowth score was estimated as decrease of Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. In AA with atopic background (atopic AA), the mean regrowth score of the fexofenadine group was 1.333 (n = 33) and that of the control 0.471 (n = 34). The fexofenadine group showed significantly better regrowth than control by Mann–Whitney's U‐test (P = 0.00213). In non‐atopic AA, the mean regrowth score of the fexofenadine group was 1.303 (n = 33) and that of the control 1.048 (n = 21). There was no significant difference by Mann–Whitney's U‐test (P = 0.872). Together, fexofenadine is a helpful reagent in the treatment extensive atopic AA with contact immunotherapy.
Ultraviolet A irradiation of the eye activates a nitric oxide‐dependent hypothalamo–pituitary pro‐opiomelanocortin pathway and modulates the functions of Langerhans cells
Authors: HIRAMOTO Keiichi 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTUltraviolet A (UV‐A) radiation decreases Langerhans cells (LC) in the skin specifically at the site of exposure. Unexpectedly, UV‐A irradiation of the eye has been found systemically downregulating epidermal LC in mice. Male C57BL/6j mice and an inducible type of nitric oxide synthase knockout mice (iNOS−/–) were used in this study. The eye or ear was locally exposed to UV‐A after covering the remaining body surface with aluminum foil at a dose of 110 kJ/m2using a sunlamp. Localized UV‐A irradiation of the eye downregulated epidermal LC. The hypophysectomy strongly inhibited the UV‐A‐induced downregulation of LC. To elucidate the pathway by UV‐A irradiation of the eye, the effect of a bilateral ciliary ganglionectomy and denervation of the optic nerves was examined. Optic nerve denervation strongly inhibited LC downregulation in response to localized irradiation of the eye. Furthermore, no LC downregulation in response to localized UV‐A irradiation of the eye was observed in iNOS−/–mice. These results clearly indicate that a signal evoked by UV‐A irradiation of the eye is transmitted in a nitric oxide‐dependent manner through the optic nerves to the hypothalamo–pituitary pro‐opiomelanocortin system.
Increase of regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood of dogs with metastatic tumors
Authors: Horiuchi Yutaka , Tominaga Makiko , Ichikawa Mika , Yamashita Masao , Jikumaru Yuri , Nariai Yoko , Nakajima Yuko , Kuwabara Masato , Yukawa Masayoshi 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTIt is well known that lymphocytes from patients with advanced‐stage cancer have impaired immune responsiveness and that type1 T lymphocyte subsets in tumor bearing hosts are suppressed. Treg have been reported to comprise a subgroup which inhibits T cell mediated immune responses. In the present study, the percentage of Treg, Th1 and Tc1 in the peripheral blood of tumor bearing dogs with or without metastases was evaluated. The percentages of Th1 and Tc1 in dogs with metastatic tumor were significantly less, and that of Treg was significantly greater, than those of dogs without metastatic tumor. The percentage of Treg showed an inverse correlation with that of Th1 and Tc1 in tumor bearing dogs. It was concluded that an increase in Treg in the peripheral blood of dogs with metastatic tumor may induce suppression of tumor surveillance by the Type1 immune response and lead to metastasis of tumor[0][0].[0]
Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells express an atrial natriuretic peptide receptor, guanylyl cyclase‐A
Authors: Morita Rimpei , Fujita Tomoko , Uchiyama Takashi , Hori Toshiyuki 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTAtrial natriuretic peptide is a cardiovascular hormone secreted mainly by the cardiac atria and regulates the volume–pressure homeostasis. The action of ANP is mediated by GC‐A. We previously reported that human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells express GC‐A and respond to ANP with polarization toward a Th2‐inducing phenotype. In the present study, we explored the possibility that pDC are subjected to immunoregulation via the ANP/GC‐A system. We examined GC‐A expression on blood pDC and found that GC‐A was not expressed on fresh pDC but was induced after stimulation with CpG‐oligodeoxynucleotide AAC‐30, IL‐3, or interleukin‐3 plus CD40 ligand. Activated pDC responded to ANP with an increase in cGMP production, indicating that GC‐A expressed on pDC was functional. We investigated whether tonsillar pDC express GC‐A by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. We found that GC‐A+HLA‐DR+cells were present in the T‐cell areas and the perivascular areas. Flow cytometric analysis with tonsillar cells confirmed that lineage−CD123highpDC express GC‐A. These results indicate that the ANP/GC‐A system is involved in immune regulation through pDC in secondary lymphoid organs.
A review of the clinical pharmacology of methamphetamine
Authors: Cruickshank Christopher C. , Dyer Kyle R. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTAims To examine the literature regarding clinical pharmacokinetics, direct effects and adverse clinical outcomes associated with methamphetamine use.Methods Relevant literature was identified through a PubMed search. Additional literature was obtained from relevant books and monographs.Findings and conclusions The mean elimination half‐life for methamphetamine is approximately 10 hours, with considerable inter‐individual variability in pharmacokinetics. Direct effects at low‐to‐moderate methamphetamine doses (5–30 mg) include arousal, positive mood, cardiac stimulation and acute improvement in cognitive domains such as attention and psychomotor coordination. At higher doses used typically by illicit users (≥50 mg), methamphetamine can produce psychosis. Its hypertensive effect can produce a number of acute and chronic cardiovascular complications. Repeated use may induce neurotoxicity, associated with prolonged psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Abrupt cessation of repeated methamphetamine use leads to a withdrawal syndrome consisting of depressed mood, anxiety and sleep disturbance. Acute withdrawal lasts typically for 7–10 days, and residual symptoms associated with neurotoxicity may persist for several months.
Ethnic differences in use value and use patterns of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in northern Benin
Authors: De Caluwé E. , De Smedt S. , Assogbadjo A. E. , Samson R. , Sinsin B. , Van Damme P. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to combine qualitative and quantitative tools to evidence ethnic differences in use value and use patterns of baobab for the rural populations of northern Benin. The study was carried out in the municipalities of Boukoumbé and Karimama, focusing on Ottamari and Dendi ethnic groups, respectively, who have good knowledge on baobab uses. Ethnobotanical data were gathered through semi‐structured individual interviews and processed by quantitative (multiple use curve, use value and fidelity level) and qualitative (flow chart) analytical and ethnobotanical methods. Leaves, fruit pulp and seeds of baobab were shown to be well‐known for several food uses and were often the main ingredient in sauces, pastes, porridges and beverages. Medicinal uses were especially well‐known for the bark, which was also used for making ropes. In both communities, a total of 38 different uses were mentioned for baobab products. There were significantly more uses known by the Ottamari than by the Dendi, with use values of 8 and 5, respectively. There were no differences detected in knowledge between sexes and age classes. As a result of its nutritional and high potential market value, preservation of ethnobotanical knowledge on baobab and exchange between communities is critical.
Mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor is associated with amber colour in the Norwegian Forest Cat
Authors: Peterschmitt M. , Grain F. , Arnaud B. , Deléage G , Lambert V. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryAmber (previously called X‐Colour) is a yellow recessive coat colour observed in the Norwegian Forest Cat (NFC) population and apparently absent in other cat breeds. Until now, there has never been any scientific evidence of yellow recessive mutation (e) reported in the extension gene in Felidae. We sequenced the complete coding sequence region for the melanocortin 1 receptor in 12 amber, three carriers, two wild‐type NFCs, one wild‐type European Shorthair and two ‘golden’ Siberian cats and identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): a non‐synonymous (FM180571: c.250G>A) and a synonymous (FM180571: c.840T>C) mutation. The c.250G>A SNP, further genotyped on 56 cats using PCR‐RFLP, is associated with amber colour and only present in the amber cat lineages. It replaced an aspartic acid with a neutral polar asparagine in the second transmembrane helix (p.Asp84Asn), a position where e mutations have already been described. Three‐dimensional models were built and showed electrostatic potential modification in the mutant receptor. With these results and together with those in the scientific literature, we can conclude that amber colour in NFCs is caused by a single MC1R allele called e, which has never been documented.
Iberian origin of Brazilian local pig breeds based on Cytochrome b (MT‐CYB) sequence
Authors: Souza C. A. , Paiva S. R. , Pereira R. W. , Guimarães S. E. F. , Dutra Jr W. M. , Murata L. S. , Mariante A. S. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryThe aim of this work was to investigate the possible origin of local Brazilian pig breeds through Cytochrome b (MT‐CYB) mitochondrial analyses. The results indicated that the main local pig breeds descended from two different European maternal lineages, both Iberian varieties. The haplotype relationship analysis showed that Monteiro, Nilo, Piau and Tatu breeds share haplotypes only with Iberian varieties, while the Moura breed presented a different maternal lineage. The Moura appears to share a high frequency of haplotypes with the Black Hairy Iberian variety and Hungarian Mangalica breed.
Regulatory cells, cytokine pattern and clinical risk factors for asthma in infants and young children with recurrent wheeze
Authors: Borrego L. M. , Arroz M. J. , Videira P. , Martins C. , Guimarães H. , Nunes G. , Papoila A. L. , Trindade H. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryBackground
Several risk factors for asthma have been identified in infants and young children with recurrent wheeze. However, published literature has reported contradictory findings regarding the underlying immunological mechanisms.Objectives
This study was designed to assess and compare the immunological status during the first 2 years in steroid‐naïve young children with three episodes of physician‐confirmed wheeze (n=50), with and without clinical risk factors for developing subsequent asthma (i.e. parental asthma or a personal history of eczema and/or two of the following: wheezing without colds, a personal history of allergic rhinitis and peripheral blood eosinophilia >4%), with age‐matched healthy controls (n=30).Methods
Peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25high T cells and their cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4), GITR and Foxp3 expression were analysed by flow cytometry. Cytokine (IFN‐γ, TGF‐β and IL‐10), CTLA‐4 and Foxp3 mRNA expression were evaluated (real‐time PCR) after peripheral blood mononuclear cell stimulation with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) (24 h) and house dust mite (HDM) extracts (7th day).Results
Flow cytometry results showed a significant reduction in the absolute number of CD4+CD25high and the absolute and percentage numbers of CD4+CD25+CTLA‐4+ in wheezy children compared with healthy controls. Wheezy children at a high risk of developing asthma had a significantly lower absolute number of CD4+CD25+ (P=0.01) and CD4+CD25high (P=0.04), compared with those at a low risk. After PMA stimulation, CTLA‐4 (P=0.03) and Foxp3 (P=0.02) expression was diminished in wheezy children compared with the healthy children. After HDM stimulation, CTLA‐4 (P=0.03) and IFN‐γ (P=0.04) expression was diminished in wheezy children compared with healthy children. High‐risk children had lower expression of IFN‐γ (P=0.03) compared with low‐risk and healthy children and lower expression of CTLA‐4 (P=0.01) compared with healthy children.Conclusions
Although our findings suggest that some immunological parameters are impaired in children with recurrent wheeze, particularly with a high risk for asthma, further studies are needed in order to assess their potential as surrogate predictor factors for asthma in early life.
Increased levels of angiopoietin‐2 in induced sputum from smoking asthmatic patients
Authors: Kanazawa H. , Asai K. , Tochino Y. , Kyoh S. , Kodama T. , Hirata K. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryBackground
Active cigarette smoking has detrimental effects on asthma morbidity and severity. Angiopoietin‐1 has been shown to protect the microvessels against plasma leakage, whereas angiopoietin‐2 enhances vascular permeability and subsequently induces airway mucosal oedema. Therefore, it is recently thought that angiopoietin‐2 may contribute to the pathophysiology of asthma.Objective
To determine whether angiopoietin‐2 levels in the airways are associated with clinical profiles in smoking asthmatics.Methods
We measured angiopoietin‐1 and ‐2 levels in induced sputum in 35 normal controls (18 non‐smokers and 17 smokers) and 49 asthmatics (24 non‐smokers and 25 smokers) before and after inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP: 800 μg/day) therapy for 12 weeks.Results
Angiopoietin‐1 and ‐2 levels in induced sputum were significantly higher in asthmatics than in normal controls. Moreover, angiopoietin‐2 levels were significantly higher in smoking asthmatics than in non‐smoking asthmatics (P=0.0001). The airway vascular permeability index was also higher in smoking asthmatics than in non‐smoking asthmatics. Moreover, the angiopoietin‐2 level was positively correlated with the airway vascular permeability index (non‐smoking asthmatics: r=0.87, P<0.001, smoking asthmatics: r=0.64, P=0.002). After BDP therapy, angiopoietin‐1 levels were significantly decreased in non‐smoking asthmatics, smoking‐cessation asthmatics, and active‐smoking asthmatics. In contrast, angiopoietin‐2 levels did not differ from before to after BDP therapy in non‐smoking asthmatics and active‐smoking asthmatics. However, its levels were significantly decreased from before to after BDP therapy in smoking‐cessation asthmatics (P=0.002). Although forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) before BDP therapy was comparable in all subgroups, this parameter after BDP therapy was significantly lower in active‐smoking asthmatics than in non‐smoking and smoking‐cessation asthmatics. Moreover, the reduction in angiopoietin‐2 levels after BDP therapy in smoking‐cessation asthmatics was significantly correlated with an mprovement in FEV1/FVC.Conclusion
Angiopoietin‐2 levels were elevated in the airways of smoking asthmatics, and its levels were associated with impaired airway responses.
Cells with regulatory function of the innate and adaptive immune system in primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Szodoray P , Papp G , Horvath I F , Barath S , Sipka S , Nakken B , Zeher M 
Published: April 2009

Summary
The aim of the present study was to describe subsets of cells with regulatory properties in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), and to correlate these cell populations with clinical symptoms. Among the 32 investigated patients, 23 had extraglandular manifestations (EGMs), while nine had only glandular symptoms. Twenty healthy individuals served as controls. The percentages of natural killer (NK), natural killer T cells (NK T), interleukin (IL)-10 producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) cells were determined by flow cytometry and serum cytokine levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Functional tests were carried out to assess the suppressor properties of Treg cells in patients and controls. Peripheral NK, NK T and Tr1 cell percentages were elevated in pSS, while CD4+CD25+ Treg cells showed reduced frequencies in patients compared to controls. In pSS, elevated percentages of NK T, Tr1 and CD4+CD25+ Treg cells were observed in patients with EGMs, when compared to patients with sicca symptoms only. CD4+CD25+ Treg cell percentages showed a negative correlation with sialometry values. The in vitro functional assay demonstrated lower suppression activity of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in patients compared to controls. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were elevated, while IL-10 was decreased in patients compared to controls. Negative correlation was found between IL-10 levels and the percentages of Tr1 cells. Changes in the investigated subsets of regulatory cells in pSS may contribute to the development and progression of the disease.