bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No association of KIR3DL1 or KIR3DS1 or their alleles with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: McCappin J. , Harvey D. , Wordsworth B. P. , Middleton D. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract We determined the alleles of KIR3DL1 and KIR3DS1 in a cohort of British Caucasian ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and HLA‐B27‐positive controls. We found no association in frequencies of the alleles of these genes in AS. In addition, no differences were found when the patients and controls were differentiated by gender.
Remifentanil post‐conditioning attenuates cardiac ischemia–reperfusion injury via κ or δ opioid receptor activation
Authors: WONG G. T. C. , LI R. , JIANG L. L. , IRWIN M. G. 
Published: October 2009

Background:Ischemic pre‐ or post‐conditioning of the heart has been shown to involve opioid receptors. Remifentanil, an ultra‐short‐acting selective μ opioid receptor agonist in clinical use, pre‐conditions the rat heart against ischemia–reperfusion injury. This study investigates whether remifentanil post‐conditioning is also cardioprotective.Methods:Remifentanil post‐conditioning (5‐min infusion at 1, 5, 10 or 20 μg/kg/min) or ischemic post‐conditioning (three cycles of a 10 s reperfusion interspersed with a 10 s ischemia) was induced in an open‐chest rat heart model of ischemia and reperfusion injury, in the presence or absence of nor‐binaltorphimine, naltrindole or CTOP, specific κ, δ and μ opioid receptor antagonists, respectively. The same sequence of experiments was repeated in the isolated heart model using the maximal protective dose of remifentanil from the dose–response studies.Results:Both ischemic and remifentanil post‐conditioning reduced the myocardial infarct size relative to the control group in both models. This cardioprotective effect for both post‐conditioning regimes was prevented by the prior administration of nor‐binaltorphimine and naltrindole but not CTOP. The sole administration of the antagonists had no effect on the size of myocardial infarction.Conclusions:These results indicate that remifentanil post‐conditioning protects the heart from ischemia–reperfusion injury to a similar extent as of ischemic post‐conditioning. This protection involves κ and δ but not μ opioid receptor activation. This drug has great potential as a clinical post‐conditioning modality as it can be given in large doses without prolonged opioid‐related side effects.
A clarification of Pouydebat et al., 2008, evolution of grasping among anthropoids
Authors: MARZKE M. W. , POUYDEBAT E. , LAURIN M. , GORCE P. , BELS V. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSeveral statements by Pouydebat et al. (2008) do not adequately represent views of authors cited, in part because they reflect confusion in the literature about terminology regarding precision gripping. We address these problems, by tracing definitions of precision grips through the literature on manipulative behaviour and identifying the grip that is central to the Pouydebat et al. (2008) study. This allows us to offer a clarification of the statements by Pouydebat et al. (2008) regarding the sequence of appearance of human grip capabilities and possible morphological correlates to these capabilities in extant species.
Selective abortion and the evolution of genomic imprinting
Authors: WOLF J. B. , HAGER R. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMothers can determine which genotypes of offspring they will produce through selective abortion or selective implantation. This process can, at some loci, favour matching between maternal and offspring genotype whereas at other loci mismatching may be favoured (e.g. MHC, HLA). Genomic imprinting generally renders gene expression monoallelic and could thus be adaptive at loci where matching or mismatching is beneficial. This hypothesis, however, remains unexplored despite evidence that loci known to play a role in genetic compatibility may be imprinted. We develop a simple model demonstrating that, when matching is beneficial, imprinting with maternal expression is adaptive because the incompatible paternal allele is not detected, protecting offspring from selective abortion. Conversely, when mismatching is beneficial, imprinting with paternal expression is adaptive because the maternal genotype is more able to identify the presence of a foreign allele in offspring. Thus, imprinting may act as a genomic ‘cloaking device’ during critical periods in development when selective abortion is possible.
Cisplatin compromises myocardial contractile function and mitochondrial ultrastructure: Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Ma Heng , Jones Kyla R , Guo Rui , Xu Peisheng , Shen Youqing , Ren Jun 
Published: October 2009

Summary1. Cisplatin is a potent chemotherapeutic agent with broad‐spectrum antineoplastic activity against various types of tumours. However, a major factor limiting treatment with cisplatin is its acute and cumulative cardiotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of cisplatin on myocardial contractile function and the possible underlying cellular mechanisms.2. C57 mice were treated with cisplatin (10 mg/kg per day, i.v.) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl) for 1 week and myocardial function was assessed using the Langendorff and cardiomyocyte edge‐detection systems. Transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial membrane potential, indices of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and caspase 3 activity were evaluated.3. Cisplatin‐treated mice developed myocardial contractile dysfunction, as evidenced by a reduction in left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the first derivative of LVDP (+/−dP/dt). Cisplatin treatment significantly prolonged time to 90% relengthening, depressed peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (+/−dL/dt) and augmented the frequency‐elicited depression in peak shortening. The JC‐1 fluorescent assay demonstrated that cispatin‐induced cardiac dysfunction was associated with mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that cisplatin induces ultrastructural abnormalities of the mitochondria. Following cisplatin treatment, cardiomyocytes show activation of the ER stress response, increased caspase 3 activity and increased terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP–digoxigenin nick end‐labelling (TUNEL) staining.4. The data indicate that cisplatin is cardiotoxic and may lead to left ventricular dysfunction and depressed cardiomyocyte contraction associated with mitochondrial abnormalities, enhanced ER stress and apoptosis. This work should shed some light on the management of cisplatin‐induced cardiac injury.
Inhibitory effects of amiloride on the current mediated by native GABAA receptors in cultured neurons of rat inferior colliculus
Authors: Liu Feng , Zhang Min , Tang Zhen‐Quan , Lu Yun‐Gang , Chen Lin 
Published: October 2009

Summary1. The diuretic amiloride is known to modulate the activity of several types of ion channels and membrane receptors in addition to its inhibitory effects on many ion transport systems. However, the effects of amiloride on some important ion channels and receptors, such as GABAA receptors, in the central nervous system have not been characterized.2. In the present study, we investigated the functional action of amiloride on native GABAA receptors in cultured neurons of rat inferior colliculus using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings.3. Amiloride reversibly inhibited the amplitude of the GABA‐induced current (IGABA) in a concentration‐dependent manner (IC50 454 ± 24 μmol/L) under conditions of voltage‐clamp with a holding potential at −60 mV. The inhibition depended on drug application mode and was independent of membrane potential. Amiloride did not change the reversal potential of IGABA. Moreover, amiloride induced a parallel right‐ward shift in the concentration–response curve for IGABA without altering the maximal value and Hill coefficient.4. The present study shows that amiloride competitively inhibits the current mediated by native GABAA receptors in the brain region, probably via a direct action on GABA‐binding sites on the receptor. The findings suggest that the functional actions of amiloride on GABAA receptors may result in possible side‐effects on the central nervous system in the case of direct application of this drug into the cerebrospinal fluid for treatment of diseases such as brain tumours.
Autonomic impairment after myocardial infarction: Role in cardiac remodelling and mortality
Authors: Mostarda Cristiano , Rodrigues Bruno , Vane Matheus , Moreira Edson D , Rosa Kaleizu , Moraes‐Silva Ivana C , Lacchini Silvia , Casarini Dulce E , De Angelis Kátia , Irigoyen Maria Claudia 
Published: October 2009

Summary1. Impairmant of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has been implicated in the reduction of heart rate variability (HRV) and in the increased risk of death after myocardial infarction (MI). In the present study, we investigated whether the additional impairment in BRS induced by sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation (SAD) in MI rats is associated with changes in the low‐frequency (LF) component of HRV and increased mortality rate.2. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, MI, denervated (SAD) and SAD + MI rats. Left ventricular (LV) function was evaluated by echocardiography. Autonomic components were assessed by power spectral analysis and BRS.3. Myocardial infarction (90 days) reduced ejection fraction (by ∼42%) in both the MI and SAD + MI groups; however, an increase in LV mass and diastolic dysfunction were observed only in the SAD + MI group. Furthermore, BRS, HRV and the LF power of HRV were reduced after MI, with an exacerbated reduction seen in SAD + MI rats. The LF component of blood pressure variability (BPV) was increased in the MI, SAD and SAD + MI groups compared with the control group. Mortality was higher in the MI groups compared with the non‐infarcted groups, with an additional increase in mortality in the SAD + MI group compared with the MI group. Correlations were obtained between BRS and the LF component of HRV and between LV mass and the LF component of BPV.4. Together, the results indicate that the abolishment of BRS induced by SAD in MI rats further reduces the LF band of HRV, resulting in a worse cardiac remodelling and increased mortality in these rats. These data highlight the importance of this mechanism in the prognosis of patients after an ischaemic event.
Circulating Th17 cells frequency is associated with the disease progression in HBV infected patients
Authors: Wu Wei , Li Jie , Chen Feng , Zhu Haihong , Peng Guoping , Chen Zhi 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Th17 cells have been shown to mediate host defensive mechanisms in various infections, but their role in HBV infection in humans has not been well characterized. In this study, we analyzed the frequency and cytokines secretion of circulating Th17 cells in HBV infected patients with different statuses, and also evaluated the potential association of Th17 frequency with the levels of liver injury.Methods:  The study population consisted of 133 subjects, including 40 mild chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, 37 severe CHB patients, 20 acute hepatitis B (AHB) patients and 36 healthy controls. The frequency of circulating Th17 cells were carried out by intracellular cytokine staining analysis and serum IL‐10 levels were measured by ELISA.Results:  Our data shown that AHB and severe CHB patients had a significant increase of Th17 cells frequency in peripheral blood compared with mild CHB patients and healthy control (both P < 0.05). The elevated prevalence of Th17 cells is positively associated with the increased serum ALT levels in severe CHB patients (r= 0.457, P= 0.004) but had no correlation with serum HBV DNA load. In addition, the serum IL‐10 were negatively correlated with the frequency of Th17 cells in PBMC from patients with chronic HBV infection (r=−0.452, P < 0.01).Conclusion:  Th17 cells may contribute to the disease progression and pathogenesis of liver injury in HBV infected patients, and the induction of IL‐10 may be one mechanism of constraining pro‐inflammatory Th17 responses.
Comparison of procedural sequences in same‐day bidirectional endoscopy without benzodiazepine and propofol sedation: starting at the bottom or the top
Authors: Cho Jae Hee , Kim Jie Hyun , Lee Yong Chan , Song Si Young , Lee Sang Kil 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and Study Aims:  Same‐day bidirectional endoscopy including esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy is routinely performed to evaluate anemia and gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as to conduct cancer surveillance. Numerous questions have been raised regarding the most appropriate procedural sequence and the resulting potential procedure interactions. We compared the quality and feasibility of performing EGD and colonoscopy without sedation in patients subjected to EGD‐colonoscopy (Group I) or colonoscopy‐EGD (Group II) sequences.Patients and Methods:  A total of 80 patients were prospectively randomized into two groups (40:40). All EGD examinations were recorded on videotape, and the quality of 18 EGD steps was assessed by three endoscopists. In addition, we analyzed the colonoscopic parameters and subjective discomfort scores of patients.Results:  Group I displayed significantly superior quality for retroflexion‐related steps (P11–13; all median of Group I vs Group II = 2:3; P < 0.01), visualization of the angular fold (P10; Group I vs Group II = 2:3; P = 0.048), and general assessment of the stomach (P17; Group I vs Group II = 2:3; P = 0.008) and upper GI tract (P15; Group I vs Group II = 2:3; P = 0.047). Colonoscopic insertion time, total time, and prolonged insertion ratio did not differ between the two groups. Questionnaire responses indicated that EGD was perceived to be more stressful in Group II sequence.Conclusions:  The quality of EGD steps is influenced by the sequence of bidirectional endoscopy. EGD is perceived to be more stressful to patients when preceded by colonoscopy. Therefore, EGD followed by colonoscopy may be the preferable procedural sequence for same‐day bidirectional endoscopy.
Simvastatin effects on portal‐systemic collaterals of portal hypertensive rats
Authors: Huang Hui‐Chun , Wang Sun‐Sang , Lee Jing‐Yi , Chen Yi‐Chou , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Lin Han‐Chieh , Chang Ching‐Chih , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Portal‐systemic collateral vascular resistance and vasoconstrictor responsiveness are crucial in portal hypertension and variceal bleeding control. Statins enhance vasodilators production, but their influence on collaterals is unknown. This study aimed to survey the effect of simvastatin on collaterals.Methods:  Partially portal vein‐ligated rats received oral simvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) or distilled water from −2 to +7 day of ligation. After hemodynamic measurements on the eighth postoperative day, baseline perfusion pressure (i.e. an index of collateral vascular resistance) and arginine vasopressin (AVP, 0.1 nM–0.1 µM) responsiveness were evaluated with an in situ perfusion model for collateral vascular beds. RT‐PCR of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1), COX‐2, thromboxane A2 synthase (TXA2‐S) and prostacyclin synthase genes was performed in parallel groups for splenorenal shunt (SRS), the most prominent intra‐abdominal collateral vessel. To determine the acute effects of simvastatin, collateral AVP response was assessed with vehicle or simvastatin. SRS RT‐PCR of eNOS, iNOS, COX‐1, COX‐2 and TXA2‐S, and measurements of perfusate nitrite/nitrate, 6‐keto‐PGF1α and TXB2 levels were performed in parallel groups without AVP.Results:  Acute simvastatin administration enhanced SRS eNOS expression and elevated perfusate nitrite/nitrate and 6‐keto‐PGF1α concentrations. Chronic simvastatin treatment reduced baseline collateral vascular resistance and portal pressure and enhanced SRS eNOS, COX‐2 and TXA2‐S mRNA expression. Neither acute nor chronic simvastatin administration influenced collateral AVP responsiveness.Conclusion:  Simvastatin reduces portal‐systemic collateral vascular resistance and portal pressure in portal hypertensive rats. This may be related to the enhanced portal‐systemic collateral vascular NO and prostacyclin activities.
Clinical study on the correlation between metabolic syndrome and colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Shen Zhanlong , Wang Shan , Ye Yingjiang , Yin Mujun , Yang Xiaodong , Jiang Kewei , Liu Yan 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  Although metabolic syndrome (MS) has received a lot of attention in recent years, the correlation between MS and colorectal carcinoma is still not very clear. This study aims at exploring the relationship between MS and colorectal carcinoma.Methods:  Data was collected from 507 cases of colorectal carcinoma and 507 cases of healthy patients between January 2002 and March 2007 to establish the database. The patients with colorectal cancer were divided into two groups based on the presence of MS. Multivariate analysis of these data for the overall survival and recurrence was performed with the Cox proportional hazard model. Variables examined by multivariate analysis were sex , age, location, histotype, differentiation, tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, the number of lymph nodes detected, etc.Results:  The existence of MS in the colorectal carcinoma group was clearly more than that in the control group. The existence of two to four types of abnormal metabolic diseases was significantly more in the colorectal cancer group than in the control group. MS is one of the important elements that can independently influence the survival (odds ratio (OR) = 1.501, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.057–2.131) and have the highest risk with worse survival compared with other parameters.Conclusion:  There is a close relationship between MS and colorectal carcinoma, and MS is a significantly independent element that influences the survival of the colorectal carcinoma. Decreasing the incidence of MS maybe play a role in improving therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of the cancer.
Differential bacterial dynamics promote emergent community robustness to lake mixing: an epilimnion to hypolimnion transplant experiment
Authors: Shade A. , Chiu C.‐Y. , McMahon K. D. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryLake mixing disrupts chemical and physical gradients that structure bacterial communities. A transplant experiment was designed to investigate the influence of post‐mixing environmental conditions and biotic interactions on bacterial community composition. The experimental design was 3 × 2 factorial, where water was incubated from three different sources (epilimnion, hypolimnion, and mixed epilimnion and hypolimnion) at two different locations in the water column (epilimnion or hypolimnion). Three replicate mesocosms of each treatment were removed every day for 5 days for bacterial community profiling, assessed by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. There were significant treatment effects observed, and temperature was the strongest measured driver of community change (r = −0.66). Epilimnion‐incubated communities changed more than hypolimnion‐incubated. Across all treatments, we classified generalist, layer‐preferential and layer‐specialist populations based on occurrence patterns. Most classified populations were generalists that occurred in both strata, suggesting that communities were robust to mixing. In a network analysis of the mixed‐inocula treatments, there was correlative evidence of inter‐population biotic interactions, where many of these interactions involved generalists. These results reveal differential responses of bacterial populations to lake mixing and highlight the role of generalist taxa in structuring an emergent community‐level response.
Biomass production and energy source of thermophiles in a Japanese alkaline geothermal pool
Authors: Kimura Hiroyuki , Mori Kousuke , Nashimoto Hiroaki , Hattori Shohei , Yamada Keita , Koba Keisuke , Yoshida Naohiro , Kato Kenji 
Published: October 2009

SummaryMicrobial biomass production has been measured to investigate the contribution of planktonic bacteria to fluxations in dissolved organic matter in marine and freshwater environments, but little is known about biomass production of thermophiles inhabiting geothermal and hydrothermal regions. The biomass production of thermophiles inhabiting an 85°C geothermal pool was measured by in situ cultivation using diffusion chambers. The thermophiles' growth rates ranged from 0.43 to 0.82 day−1, similar to those of planktonic bacteria in marine and freshwater habitats. Biomass production was estimated based on cellular carbon content measured directly from the thermophiles inhabiting the geothermal pool, which ranged from 5.0 to 6.1 μg C l−1 h−1. This production was 2–75 times higher than that of planktonic bacteria in other habitats, because the cellular carbon content of the thermophiles was much higher. Quantitative PCR and phylogenetic analysis targeting 16S rRNA genes revealed that thermophilic H2‐oxidizing bacteria closely related to Calderobacterium and Geothermobacterium were dominant in the geothermal pool. Chemical analysis showed the presence of H2 in gases bubbling from the bottom of the geothermal pool. These results strongly suggested that H2 plays an important role as a primary energy source of thermophiles in the geothermal pool.
Diversity analyses of Aeschynomene symbionts in Tropical Africa and Central America reveal that nod‐independent stem nodulation is not restricted to photosynthetic bradyrhizobia
Authors: Miché Lucie , Moulin Lionel , Chaintreuil Clémence , Contreras‐Jimenez José Luis , Munive‐Hernández José‐Antonio , Del Carmen Villegas‐Hernandez María , Crozier Françoise , Béna Gilles 
Published: October 2009

SummaryTropical aquatic legumes of the genus Aeschynomene are unique in that they can be stem‐nodulated by photosynthetic bradyrhizobia. Moreover, a recent study demonstrated that two Aeschynomene indica symbionts lack canonical nod genes, thereby raising questions about the distribution of such atypical symbioses among rhizobial–legume interactions. Population structure and genomic diversity were compared among stem‐nodulating bradyrhizobia isolated from various Aeschynomene species of Central America and Tropical Africa. Phylogenetic analyses based on the recA gene and whole‐genome amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprints on 110 bacterial strains highlighted that all the photosynthetic strains form a separate cluster among bradyrhizobia, with no obvious structuring according to their geographical or plant origins. Nod‐independent symbiosis was present in all sampling areas and seemed to be linked to Aeschynomene host species. However, it was not strictly dependent on photosynthetic ability, as exemplified by a newly identified cluster of strains that lacked canonical nod genes and efficiently stem‐nodulated A. indica, but were not photosynthetic. Interestingly, the phenotypic properties of this new cluster of bacteria were reflected by their phylogenetical position, as being intermediate in distance between classical root‐nodulatingBradyrhizobium spp. and photosynthetic ones. This result opens new prospects about stem‐nodulating bradyrhizobial evolution.
DATA‐DRIVEN SMOOTH TESTS AND A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR LACK‐OF‐FIT FOR CIRCULAR DATA
Authors: Wouters Heidi , Thas Olivier , Ottoy Jean‐Pierre 
Published: October 2009

SummaryTwo contributions to the statistical analysis of circular data are given. First we construct data‐driven smooth goodness‐of‐fit tests for the circular von Mises assumption. As a second method, we propose a new graphical diagnostic tool for the detection of lack‐of‐fit for circular distributions. We illustrate our methods on two real datasets.