bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological and behavioral changes induced by transgenic overexpression of interleukin‐1ra in the brain
Authors: Spulber Stefan , Bartfai Tamas , Winblad Bengt , Schultzberg Marianne 
Published: December 2010

AbstractInterleukin‐1 (IL‐1) has a peak of expression in the brain in a period of maximal network reorganization and then virtually disappears from the normal adult brain. The aim of our study was to identify phenotypical alterations induced by chronically blocking IL‐1 signalling. We used homozygous transgenic mice overexpressing human soluble IL‐1ra and age‐matched wild‐type mice. We used littermates from litters obtained by mating heterozygous transgenic progenitors, and animals with predetermined genotype (nonlittermates). In littermates, the genotype was identified after the experiments had been completed. The mice were tested at the ages of 6 and 12 months with a battery of tests, including dark‐light preference, footprint/gait analysis, and analysis of motor performance during swimming. MR imaging was performed on formalin‐fixed brains; total and relative volumes of cortical and subcortical structures were estimated stereologically on the acquired images. Multivariate data analysis (PLS‐DA) of the behavioral data showed separation between nonlittermate wild‐type and transgenic mice at both 6 and 12 months, whereas the littermates displayed a more homogenous behavioral profile. The PLS‐DA model for brain morphology showed a clear separation between wild‐type and transgenic mice as well as between transgenic littermates and nonlittermates. Regression analysis by means of partial least squares (PLS) showed that the brain morphology accounts for the behavioral profile in a significant proportion (16.9%). In conclusion, we show that IL‐1 signalling is important for normal development of the brain, and the initial alteration resulting from prenatal exposure to IL‐1ra can be recovered provided that the IL‐1 signalling pathway is intact. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of nerve growth factor and Noggin‐modified bone marrow stromal cells on stroke in rats
Authors: Ding Jie , Cheng Yan , Gao Shan , Chen Jieli 
Published: December 2010

AbstractTreatment with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) ameliorates neurological functional deficits after stroke. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor that supports the survival and growth of neural cells. Noggin, an antagonist of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), promotes the differentiation of stem cells into neurons. In this study, we hypothesize that transfection of NGF and Noggin in BMSC treatment of stroke promotes BMSC neuronal differentiation and improves functional outcome after stroke. Adenovirus was used to trasfect NGF and Noggin and the transfection efficiency was measured by Western blot and immunostaining in vitro. The transfected BMSCs with NGF and/or Noggin were administered intravenously at 5 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rats. The neurological functional outcome and BMSC migration and differentiation in the ischemic brain were measured. The transplantation of BMSCs with NGF or Noggin elicited neurological functional improvement, promoted BMSCs present in the ischemic brain, and also up‐regulated neuro‐like cell differentiation as well as increased synaptophysin expression in the ischemic brain compared with nontreatment control animals (P< 0.05). Treatment of stroke with a combination of transfection of NGF and Noggin in BMSCs induced a synergistic effect on improved neurological functional outcome, BMSCs present in the ischemic brain, and synaptophysin expression in the ischemic brain compared with BMSCs transfected with an NGF‐ or Noggin‐alone group (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that increasing NGF or Noggin expression in BMSCs contributes to brain plasticity after stroke and that a synergistic effect is induced on the coexistence of NGF and Noggin in BMSCs treatment of stroke. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐I–forkhead box O transcription factor 3a counteracts high glucose/tumor necrosis factor‐α‐mediated neuronal damage: Implications for human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis
Authors: Wilk Anna , Urbanska Katarzyna , Yang Shuo , Ying Wang Jin , Amini Shohreh , Del Valle Luis , Peruzzi Francesca , Meggs Leonard , Reiss Krzysztof 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIn HIV patients, antiretroviral medications trigger metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance. In addition, the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα), which is elevated in human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis (HIVE), also induces insulin resistance and inflicts neuronal damage in vitro. In differentiated PC12 cells and rat cortical neurons, high glucose (HG; 25 mM) triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, contributing to the retraction of neuronal processes, with only a minimal involvement of neuronal apoptosis. In the presence of TNFα, HG‐treated neurons undergo massive apoptosis. Because mammalian homolog of the Forkhead family of transcription factors, Forkhead box O transcription factor 3a (FOXO3a), controls ROS metabolism, we asked whether FOXO3a could affect the fate of differentiated neurons in the paradigm of HIVE. We observed FOXO3a nuclear translocation in HG‐treated neuronal cultures, accompanied by partial loss of mitochondrial potential and gradual retraction of neuronal processes. Addition of TNFα to HG‐treated neurons increased expression of the FOXO‐dependent proapoptotic gene Bim, which resulted in extensive apoptotic death. Insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) significantly lowered intracellular ROS, which was accompanied by IGF‐I‐mediated FOXO3a nuclear export and decrease in its transcriptional activity. The clinical relevance of these findings is supported by detection of nuclear FOXO3a in TUNEL‐positive cortical neurons from HIVE, especially in brain areas characterized by elevated TNFα. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Map3k1, Il6st, Gzmk, and Hspb3 gene coexpression network in the mechanism of freezing reaction in mice
Authors: Kondaurova Elena M. , Naumenko Vladimir S. , Sinyakova Nadezda A. , Kulikov Alexander V. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractFreezing reaction (catalepsy) is a natural passive defensive strategy in animals. An exaggerated form of catalepsy is a symptom of grave brain dysfunction. Catalepsy in mice was shown to be linked to the Map3k1, Il6st, Gzmk, and Hspb3 genes as potential candidates for a high predisposition to catalepsy. The study sought to test the hypothesis of an association between catalepsy and expression of these genes in the brain. Thegenes' mRNA levels were measured in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, frontal cortex, striatum, and midbrain of catalepsy‐resistant AKR/J strain and catalepsy‐prone strains CBA/Lac, ASC (antidepressant‐sensitive cataleptic) and the congenic line AKR.CBA‐D13M76C. No association between expression of any investigated genes and predisposition to catalepsy was found. At the same time, multivariate analysis revealed interactions among the expressions of Map3k1, Il6st, Gzmk, and Hspb3 genes in the brain structures. A factor analysis of all variables produced two independent factors explaining 76.2% of the total variance. The catalepsy‐resistant AKR strain was distinguished from the catalepsy‐prone strains CBA, ASC, and AKR.CBA‐D13M76C by factor 1. It was suggested that a high predisposition to catalepsy in mice can be defined by the Map3k1, Il6st, Gzmk, and Hspb3 genes' coexpression network. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aberrant expression of USP22 is associated with liver metastasis and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Liu Yan‐Long , Yang Yan‐Mei , Xu Hui , Dong Xin‐Shu 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe present study was aimed at clarifying the expression of ubiquitin carboxyl‐terminal hydrolase 22 (USP22), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme gene, in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its clinical significance.MethodsUSP22 expression was detected with quantitative RT‐PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 43 CRCs and non‐cancerous matched tissues. Furthermore, USP22 protein expression was analyzed in 192 CRC tumors by IHC to evaluate the association with survival.ResultsIn 43 paired fresh tissues, the expression level of USP22 was significantly higher in primary CRCs than that in the paired non‐cancerous tissues at both mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.0001). Nuclear USP22 expression significantly increased from normal mucosa through adenoma to primary carcinoma (P < 0.0001) and from primary carcinoma to liver metastasis (P = 0.021). The incidence of positive USP22 expression was 54.16% in 192 conventional CRC tissues. Notably, high USP22 expression was significantly associated with shorter disease‐specific survival (P < 0.0001) and shorter disease‐free survival (P < 0.0001). Cox regression analysis showed USP22 was an independent prognostic parameter for CRC patients.ConclusionUSP22 might be an independent predictive factor for CRC prognosis and aberrant expression of USP22 may play an essential role in colorectal carcinogenesis and liver metastasis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 103:283–289. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seedling recruitment and survival of two desert grasses in the monte of Argentina
Authors: Busso C. A. , Bonvissuto G. L. , Torres Y. A. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIn the Monte Austral Neuquino, Argentina, vegetation is arranged in patches. Understanding the mechanisms involved in their distribution is critical for preventing desertification. The working hypothesis was that vegetation patches reduce environmental stress on the plants. Plant patches were classified into four microenvironments: windward; below the dominant shrubs (subcanopy); vegetation at the patch periphery (canopy edge) and bare patch interspaces (open). We determined seedling survival of the dominant species in each microenvironment, using a marking method of seedlings established from sown seeds. In addition, we measured the environmental characteristics in the four microenvironments, and associated them with seedling survival. Study species were the perennial grassesLeymus erianthus(Phil.) Dubcovsky,Stipa neaeiNees ex Steudel andPoa ligularisNees ex Steudel, and the shrubsLarrea divaricataCav. andAtriplex lampaGill ex Moquin. Results supported the hyphothesis only forL. erianthusandS. neaei(but not for the other three species that showed higher seedling survival in the subcanopy than in the patch interspaces after 1 year from sowing). This study determined that (1) reduced environmental stress does not guarantee seed germination and seedling survival of a given species in the plant community and (2) seedling establishment will not be possible for any species of the plant community in the patch interspaces under the study conditions in the region. This is mostly because soil temperatures can reach up to 50°C in the patch interspaces in years of scanty precipitation during late spring and summer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Land degradation: socioeconomic and environmental causes and consequences in the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Abu Hammad A. , Tumeizi A. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTLand degradation is a natural and socioeconomic cause–effect phenomenon that is widespread all over the world. This study investigated the socioeconomic factors and causes of land degradation (e.g. population growth and urbanization, poverty, overgrazing, pollution, biodiversity, erosion) in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region. The study revealed a significant land use change from agricultural and natural vegetation to urbanized areas due to the high population increase during the last ca. 80 years (51‐times the magnitude of the total built‐up area). The high poverty rate that exists in the area (57 per cent of the population can be classed as ‘poor’) has resulted in damaging environmental practices (overgrazing and intensive usage of natural plants); we found 83 per cent of the farmers admitted to the adoption of these practices. Poverty has also resulted in an inverse and significant correlation (at the 95 per cent confidence level) between holding size and the sale of land for urban uses. We also noted that 75 per cent of the smallholder farmers surveyed had sold their lands for immediate benefits to cope with poverty. This relation was affected by the education level of the farmers; we found a direct and significant (95 per cent confidence level) correlation existed between these factors. Overgrazing was practised by 70 per cent of the farmers and was found to be one of the most important environmental consequences of land use change (1600 ha have been transformed from natural grazing to built‐up (urban) in the study area).Socio‐economic induced land degradation demands efforts to improve farmer environmental awareness as well as environmental standards, laws and bylaws and the reduction of mismanagement of land. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No‐tillage farming: co‐creation of innovation through network building
Authors: Schneider F. , Steiger D. , Ledermann T. , Fry P. , Rist S. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper studied the development of no‐tillage by combining concepts of co‐creation of knowledge and actor‐network theory. Reconstructing the process of no‐tillage development in Switzerland has made it possible to show that no‐tillage development may be regarded as a dynamic process of co‐creation of innovation, where human and non‐human actors are building networks by reciprocally transforming and translating each other and the relations between them. This conceptualisation reveals that spread of no‐tillage requires fundamental transformations within the network of conventional plough‐tillage agriculture, including institutional arrangements, farm equipment, work organisation, concepts of agriculture and personal and professional identities. Against this background, the limited spread of no‐tillage—despite its economic and ecological advantages—can be explained by the fact that the required transformations are too radical for many agricultural actors. This conceptualisation also implies that policy interventions are not understood as top down measures that intend to induce one‐to‐one direct causal chains between knowledge and action of farmers, but as mediators in a complex process of reciprocal translations between farmers, experts and scientists, as well as many non‐human actors. We conclude that investigating processes of co‐creation of knowledge from the perspective of actor‐network theory is a promising complement to hermeneutic approaches to co‐creation of knowledge such as social learning. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Second order total generalized variation (TGV) for MRI
Authors: Knoll Florian , Bredies Kristian , Pock Thomas , Stollberger Rudolf 
Published: December 2010

AbstractTotal variation was recently introduced in many different magnetic resonance imaging applications. The assumption of total variation is that images consist of areas, which are piecewise constant. However, in many practical magnetic resonance imaging situations, this assumption is not valid due to the inhomogeneities of the exciting B1 field and the receive coils. This work introduces the new concept of total generalized variation for magnetic resonance imaging, a new mathematical framework, which is a generalization of the total variation theory and which eliminates these restrictions. Two important applications are considered in this article, image denoising and image reconstruction from undersampled radial data sets with multiple coils. Apart from simulations, experimental results from in vivo measurements are presented where total generalized variation yielded improved image quality over conventional total variation in all cases. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correction of main and transmit magnetic field (B0 and B1) inhomogeneity effects in multicomponent‐driven equilibrium single‐pulse observation of T1 and T2
Authors: Deoni Sean C. L. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractMulticomponent‐driven equilibrium single‐component observation of T1 and T2 offers a new approach to multiple component relaxation time and myelin water analysis. The method derives two‐component relaxation information from spoiled and fully balanced steady‐state (SPGR and bSSFP) imaging data acquired over multiple flip angles. Although these steady‐state imaging techniques afford rapid acquisition times and high signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency, they are also sensitive to main (B0) and transmit (B1) magnetic field inhomogeneities. These effects alter the measured signal from their theoretical values and lead to substantive errors in the derived myelin volume fraction estimates. Here, we incorporate correction techniques to mitigate these effects. DESPOT1‐HIFI is used to first calibrate the transmitted flip angles; and B0 affects are removed through the inclusion of an additional parameter in the multicomponent‐driven equilibrium single‐component observation of T1 and T2 fitting, coupled with the acquisition of multiple phase‐cycled bSSFP data. The performance of these correction techniques was evaluated using numerical simulations, demonstrating effective removal of B0 and B1‐induced errors in the derived myelin fraction relaxation parameters. The approach was also successfully demonstrated in vivo, with near artifact‐free whole‐brain, high spatial resolution (1.7 mm × 1.7 mm × 1.7 mm isotropic voxels) myelin water fraction maps acquired in a clinically feasible 16 min. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brain metabolite composition in relation to cognitive function and dystrophin mutations in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Kreis Roland , Wingeier Kevin , Vermathen Peter , Giger Elisabeth , Joncourt Franziska , Zwygart Karin , Kaufmann Franz , Boesch Chris , Steinlin Maja 
Published: December 2010

AbstractDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a hereditary X‐linked recessive disorder affecting the synthesis of dystrophin, a protein essential for structural stability in muscle. Dystrophin also occurs in the central nervous system, particularly in the neocortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Quantitative metabolic analysis by localized 1H MRS was performed in the cerebellum (12 patients and 15 controls) and a temporo‐parietal location (eight patients and 15 controls) in patients with DMD and healthy controls to investigate possible metabolic differences. In addition, the site of individual mutations on the dystrophin gene was analyzed and neuropsychological cognitive functions were examined. Cognitive deficits in the patient group were found in line with earlier investigations, mainly concerning verbal short‐term memory, visuo‐spatial long‐term memory and verbal fluency, but also the full‐scale IQ. Causal mutations were identified in all patients with DMD. Quantitative MRS showed consistent choline deficits, in both cerebellar white matter and temporo‐parietal cortex, as well as small, but significant, metabolic abnormalities for glutamate and total N‐acetyl compounds in the temporo‐parietal region. Compartment water analysis did not reveal any abnormalities. In healthy subjects, choline levels were age related in the cerebellum. The choline deficit contrasts with earlier findings in DMD, where a surplus of choline was postulated for the cerebellum. In patients, total N‐acetyl compounds in the temporo‐parietal region were related to verbal IQ and verbal short‐term memory. However, choline, the putative main metabolic abnormality, was not found to be associated with cognitive deficits. Furthermore, in contrast with the cognitive performance, the metabolic brain composition did not depend significantly on whether or not gene mutations concerned the expression of the dystrophin isoform Dp140, leading to the conclusion that the effect of the missing Dp140 isoform on cognitive performance is not mediated through the observed metabolite composition, or is caused by local effects beyond the resolution accessible to MRS investigations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of multiparametric MRI in a human glioma model to monitor cytotoxic and anti‐angiogenic drug effects
Authors: Lemasson Benjamin , Christen Thomas , Tizon Xavier , Farion Régine , Fondraz Nadège , Provent Peggy , Segebarth Christoph , Barbier Emmanuel L. , Genne Philippe , Duchamp Olivier , Remy Chantal 
Published: December 2010

AbstractEarly imaging or blood biomarkers of tumor response is needed to customize anti‐tumor therapy on an individual basis. This study evaluates the sensitivity and relevance of five potential MRI biomarkers. Sixty nude rats were implanted with human glioma cells (U‐87 MG) and randomized into three groups: one group received an anti‐angiogenic treatment (Sorafenib), a second a cytotoxic drug [1,3‐bis(2‐chloroethyl)‐1‐nitrosourea, BCNU (Carmustine)] and a third no treatment. The tumor volume, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water, blood volume fraction (BVf), microvessel diameter (vessel size index, VSI) and vessel wall integrity (contrast enhancement, CE) were monitored before and during treatment. Sorafenib reduced tumor CE as early as 1 day after treatment onset. By 4 days after treatment onset, tumor BVf was reduced and tumor VSI was increased. By 14 days after treatment onset, ADC was increased and the tumor growth rate was reduced. With BCNU, ADC was increased and the tumor growth rate was reduced 14 days after treatment onset. Thus, the estimated MRI parameters were sensitive to treatment at different times after treatment onset and in a treatment‐dependent manner. This study suggests that multiparametric MR monitoring could allow the assessment of new anti‐tumor drugs and the optimization of combined therapies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
13C MR reporter probe system using dynamic nuclear polarization
Authors: Chen Albert P. , Hurd Ralph E. , Gu Yi‐ping , Wilson David M. , Cunningham Charles H. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractReporter‐based cell detection and localization in vivo may become an important imaging tool with the emergence of cellular therapy. With the strong signal enhancement provided by dynamic nuclear polarization, an NMR‐based reporter probe system utilizing specific enzyme expression and activity can potentially provide stable, high‐resolution visualization of the cells of interest noninvasively. In this work, a proof‐of‐concept 13C MR reporter system, using the aminoacylase‐1 reporter gene (Acy‐1) and prepolarized [1‐13C]N‐acetyl‐L‐methionine as the paired substrate, was developed. Using a 3‐T MR scanner, the feasibility of detecting and imaging de‐acetylation of the prepolarized 13C‐labeled substrate by the aminoacylase‐1 enzyme was demonstrated with purified protein in solution by dynamic 13C MRS and two‐dimensional MRSI experiments. The potential to perform targeted MRI of cells using this system was also demonstrated by 13C MR measurement of aminoacylase‐1 activity in HEK 293 cells transfected with the Acy‐1 gene. The de‐acetylation of the substrate was not observed in control cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.