bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bruges, 15th-century centre of the notarial profession in the Low Countries
Authors: Callewier Hendrik 
Published: May 2009

AbstractOn the strength of previous research it has often been assumed that in Flanders the notarial profession had barely developed before 1531. That position can no longer be upheld, in particular with regard to fifteenth-century Bruges, since a prosopographical study into the notaries public who were active at the time in Bruges shows that nowhere else in the Low Countries was the notariate so successful. Moreover, because of their numbers, of their intensive activity in pursuing their trade and of the nature of the deeds they drafted, the Bruges notaries appear to have set the standards for their colleagues in the other parts of the Low Countries. Even so, it remains true that in Bruges as in the rest of North-Western Europe, the notarial profession remained far less important than in the cities of Northern Italy.
Arbitration in early-modern France (16th-18th cent.): A difficult position between the King-legislator's 'voluntarist' policy and a reactionary Judiciary
Authors: Ferrand Jérôme 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe early-modern French monarchy incorporated arbitration within its system of judicial rationalisation. Faced with the constraints of the Ordinance on the Reform of Justice Administration, the sovereign regional courts (Parlements) multiplied the formal requirements imposed on arbitration proceedings so as to better control it. As a result, its field of application was reduced. In spite of the monarchy's efforts to rehabilitate arbitration, it was largely abandoned by litigants, who preferred to resort to settlement by agreement, which they perceived as a both less restricting and more effective substitute for ending their disputes.
About an unpublished “recueil d'arrêts”: the Jurisprudence du parlement de Flandre of Georges de Ghewiet
Authors: Dauchy Serge , Demars-Sion Véronique 
Published: May 2009

AbstractGeorges de Ghewiet's reports on cases decided by the Sovereign Court (Parlement) of Flanders in the Kingdom of France was primarily based on the reports written by Jacques Pollet, a judge in the same court, which were published in 1716. In his own work, de Ghewiet, an advocate, added new decisions, both of the Parlement of Flanders and of other courts in France and in the Low Countries, and included commentaries referring extensively to European legal literature. Like many other reports of the French Parlement of Flanders (all, however, written by judges), de Ghewiet's reports were never printed, although the author had intended to have the work published. A modern critical edition has been prepared by the authors of the present article. In this contribution, they discuss de Ghewiet's Jurisprudence du parlement de Flandre in comparison with other reports of the French Parlements, the author's purpose and the structure of the work, and also his use of a wide range of legal authorities.
Protective role of vitamins A, C, and E against the genotoxic damage induced by aflatoxin B1 in cultured human lymphocytes
Authors: Alpsoy L , Agar G , Ikbal M 
Published: May 2009

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamins A, C, and E against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on blood cultures in relation to induction of sister chromatid exchange (SCE). The results indicated genotoxic and mutagenic damage in cultured human lymphocytes exposed to AFB1. The results showed that 5 μM concentration of AFB1 increased SCE. When vitamins A, C, and E were added to AFB1, the frequency of SCE decreased. These results suggest that vitamins A, C, and E could effectively inhibit AFB1-induced SCE, which may partially responsible for its mutagenic effect of AFB1. Besides, the protective effect of vitamins A, C, and E against AFB1 was increased in a dose-dependent manner (i.e., as the doses increased, their protective effects also increased). There was a significant decrease in the SCE frequency in AFB1-treated group compared with the groups receiving AFB1 and also vitamins A, C, and E. The most effective concentration was 100 microM vitamin C, and the lowest effective concentration was 0.5 microM vitamin A. Vitamin C has the most effective concentration of 100 μM, and vitamin A has the lowest effective concentration of 0.5 μM. The order of the decreasing effect of the SCE frequency of vitamins was as follows: vitamin C > vitamin E > vitamin A.
Determination of DNA damage by alkaline halo and comet assay in patients under sevoflurane anesthesia
Authors: Kadioglu E , Sardas S , Erturk S , Ozatamer O , Karakaya AE 
Published: May 2009

In this study, we report data on the possible genotoxic effect of inhalation anesthetic sevoflurane (SVF) by comparing two techniques, comet and alkaline halo assay, in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of patients before, during, and after anesthesia and in controls. DNA single strand breaks were detected in PBL of malignant breast cancer diagnosed patients (stage II–III), who were undergoing mastectomy. Blood samples were taken before the induction of anesthesia, at 120 min of SVF anesthesia, and on the postoperative fifth day. The nuclear spreading factor (NSF) for each cell was assessed by alkaline halo assay, and the total comet score (TCS) was evaluated by comet assay. A statistically significant increase ( P < 0.0001) was observed in the mean NSF at 120 min of anesthesia (38.24 ± 14.14) as compared with samples before anesthesia (12.33 ± 6.14), and the mean NSF was significantly decreased after the postoperative fifth day (17.89 ± 9.44). Similar results were obtained by the comet assay with significant increase ( P < 0.0001) in DNA damage at 120 min of anesthesia (79.66 ± 15.28) as compared with samples before anesthesia (36.30 ± 11.39). The DNA damage was almost with the preoperative damage rates after the fifth day of anesthesia (43.40 ± 12.19). In conclusion, the study points out a reversible genotoxic effect of SVF and the similar DNA damage levels obtained by comet and alkaline halo assay indicate that although halo assay has a completely different principle, it can conveniently be utilized for the assessment of DNA single strand breakage in individual mammalian cells with its experimental advantages.
T2 hypointensity in the deep gray matter of patients with benign multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ceccarelli A , Filippi M , Neema M , Arora A , Valsasina P , Rocca MA , Healy BC , Bakshi R 
Published: May 2009

Background Gray matter (GM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 hypointensity, a putative marker of iron deposition, commonly occurs in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, GM T2 hypointensity in benign MS (BMS) has not yet been characterized. Objective To determine the presence of deep GM T2 hypointensity in BMS, compare it to secondary progressive (SP) MS and assess its association with clinical and diffusion tensor (DT) MRI measures. Methods Thirty-five cognitively unimpaired BMS, 26 SPMS patients, and 25 healthy controls were analyzed for normalized T2-intensity in the basal ganglia and thalamus, global T2 hyperintense lesion volume, global atrophy, and white matter and GM DT metrics. Results BMS and SPMS patients showed deep GM T2 hypointensity compared with controls. T2 hypointensity was similar in both MS subgroups and moderately correlated ( r = −0.45 to 0.42) with DT MRI metrics. GM T2 hypointensity in BMS showed a weak to moderate correlation ( r = −0.44 to −0.35) with disability. Conclusions GM in BMS is not spared from structural change including iron deposition. However, while T2 hypointensity is related to global tissue disruption reflected in DT MRI, the expression of benign versus non-benign MS is likely related to other factors.
AID constrains germinal center size by rendering B cells susceptible to apoptosis
Authors: Zaheen Ahmad , Boulianne Bryant , Parsa Jahan-Yar , Ramachandran Shaliny , Gommerman Jennifer L. , Martin Alberto 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe germinal center (GC) is a transient lymphoid tissue microenvironment that fosters T cell–dependent humoral immunity. Within the GC, the B cell–specific enzyme, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), mutates the immunoglobulin locus, thereby altering binding affinity for antigen. In the absence of AID, larger GC structures are observed in both humans and mice, but the reason for this phenomenon is unclear. Because significant apoptosis occurs within the GC niche to cull cells that have acquired nonproductive mutations, we have examined whether a defect in apoptosis could account for the larger GC structures in the absence of AID. In this report, we reveal significantly reduced death of B cells in AID−/− mice as well as in B cells derived from AID−/− bone marrow in mixed bone marrow chimeric mice. Furthermore, AID-expressing B cells show decreased proliferation and survival compared with AID−/− B cells, indicating an AID-mediated effect on cellular viability. The GC is an etiologic site for B-cell autoimmunity and lymphomagenesis, both of which have been linked to aberrant AID activity. We report a link between AID-induced DNA damage and B-cell apoptosis that has implications for the development of B-cell disorders.
Pathogenesis of lung cancer signalling pathways: roadmap for therapies
Authors: Brambilla E. , Gazdar A. 
Published: May 2009

Lung cancer is the major cancer killer worldwide, and 5-yr survival is extremely poor (≤15%), accentuating the need for more effective therapeutic strategies.Significant advances in lung cancer biology may lead to customised therapy based on targeting specific genes and pathways. The main signalling pathways that could provide roadmaps for therapy include the following: growth promoting pathways (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor/Ras/PhosphatidylInositol 3-Kinase), growth inhibitory pathways (p53/Rb/P14ARF, STK11), apoptotic pathways (Bcl-2/Bax/Fas/FasL), DNA repair and immortalisation genes.Epigenetic changes in lung cancer contribute strongly to cell transformation by modifying chromatin structures and the specific expression of genes; these include DNA methylation, histone and chromatin protein modification, and micro-RNA, all of which are responsible for the silencing of tumour suppressor genes while enhancing expression of oncogenes.The genetic and epigenetic pathways involved in lung tumorigenesis differ between smokers and nonsmokers, and are tools for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, clinical follow-up and targeted therapies.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by occupational exposure to phytase
Authors: van Heemst R. C. , Sander I. , Rooyackers J. , de Jong L. , Djamin R. S. , Aerts J. G. , Belderbos H. N. A. 
Published: May 2009

A 43-yr-old male presented with a 6-month history of episodes of coughing, shortness of breath and fever. He suffered from dyspnoea on minor exertion. The patient worked in a cattle feed factory and noticed that he had more complaints after his working hours. His symptoms could be ascribed to hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to contact with phytase, an enzyme added to cattle feed to strengthen bone and diminish phosphorus excretion.The diagnosis was supported by bibasal lung crackles on physical examination, restrictive ventilatory defect (with decreased diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide), typical radiographical findings, lymphocytosis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and a positive exposure test performed at the workplace. Blood examination showed high immunoglobulin G levels to phytase.After treatment and cessation of phytase contact the patient became symptom free and lung function normalised. Phytase should be considered as a cause of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis in the animal feed industry.
Increased incidence of respiratory symptoms among female woodworkers exposed to dry wood
Authors: Jacobsen G. , Schlünssen V. , Schaumburg I. , Sigsgaard T. 
Published: May 2009

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of new respiratory symptoms in relation to wood dust exposure in a 6-yr follow-up study.A total of 1,377 woodworkers (1,137 males; 240 females) and 297 reference workers (137 males; 160 females) participated. Data on respiratory symptoms, employment and smoking habits were collected. Wood dust exposure was assessed from baseline dust measurements, and cumulative wood dust exposure was assessed by study-specific job exposure matrices and exposure time.The geometric mean (geometricsd) dust level decreased during the study period from 0.94 (2.1) to 0.60 (1.6) mg·m−3. Adjusted analysis revealed positive associations for cumulative incidence proportion of chronic bronchitis and daily coughing for female woodworkersversusfemale reference workers. The cumulative incidence proportion of daily coughing and chronic bronchitis were found to be associated with baseline wood dust exposure in a dose-dependent manner. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for daily coughing (with reference to the lowest exposure quartile) was 1.6 (0.6–4.3), 3.2 (0.9–6.8) and 3.8 (1.5–9.7), respectively, in the second and third lowest and the highest quartile. The figures for chronic bronchitis were, accordingly, 2.3 (0.4–14.5), 3.0 (0.5–18.7) and 6.0 (1.2–28.8).In conclusion, female woodworkers in this low exposure cohort showed an increased incidence of coughing and bronchitis, whereas no relations to wood dust exposure were seen for male woodworkers.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of the heart and pulmonary circulation in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: McLure L. E. R. , Peacock A. J. 
Published: May 2009

Pulmonary hypertension is a disease of the pulmonary arteries resulting in a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, ultimately leading to right ventricular failure and death. The functional capacity of the right ventricle is a major prognostic determinant. Our understanding of right ventricle performance in pulmonary hypertension has been hindered by the lack of techniques that give a reliable picture of right ventricle morphology and function. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging enables a unique combination of morphological and functional assessment of the right ventricle and pulmonary circulation. In this review article, we introduce the technique of CMR imaging, review its use in imaging of the heart and pulmonary circulation and discuss its current and future application to the management of patients with pulmonary hypertension.There have been recent major advances in our understanding of the mechanism of disease development, in the diagnostic process, and in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Therapeutic advances in the management have reinforced the requirement for noninvasive, accurate and reproducible methods of assessment to act as “end-points” to measure the effects of treatment. We anticipate CMR imaging will increasingly be utilised as the primary modality for combined anatomic and functional assessments that enable more complete and efficient evaluation of pulmonary hypertension patients.
Metabolic aspects of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Bonsignore M. R. , Eckel J. 
Published: May 2009

Insulin resistance is often associated with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and could contribute to cardiovascular risk in OSAS. Sleep loss and intermittent hypoxia could contribute to the pathogenesis of the metabolic alterations associated with obesity, a common feature of OSAS. The biology of the adipocyte is being increasingly studied, and it has been found that hypoxia negatively affects adipocyte function.In November 2007, the European Respiratory Society and two EU COST Actions (Cardiovascular risk in OSAS (B26) and Adipose tissue and the metabolic syndrome (BM0602)), held a Research Seminar in Düsseldorf, Germany, to discuss the following: 1) the effects of hypoxia on glucose metabolism and adipocyte function; 2) the role of inflammatory activation in OSAS and obesity; 3) the alarming rates of obesity and OSAS in children; 4) the harmful effects of the metabolic syndrome in OSAS; 5) the effects of OSAS treatment on metabolic variables; and 6) the relationship between daytime sleepiness and hormonal and inflammatory responses. Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, the role of the endocannabinoid system and novel pharmacological approaches to treat insulin resistance were also discussed.As obesity and hypoxia could be the basic links between OSAS and adipocyte dysfunction, further research is needed to translate these new data into clinical practice.
Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as the initial presentation of the disease
Authors: Sakamoto K. , Taniguchi H. , Kondoh Y. , Ono K. , Hasegawa Y. , Kitaichi M. 
Published: May 2009

The clinical course of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is generally marked by a decline in pulmonary function over time, although recently there is increasing recognition that fatal deterioration from acute exacerbation can occur at any stage.The patient described in the present case study was a 65-yr-old male who presented with exertional dyspnoea and fever of 2 weeks' duration. He had no history of chronic lung disease or physiological or radiological hallmarks of pre-existing disease. He underwent surgical lung biopsy and the histological examination showed a background pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) with a pattern of focal acute diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) in the area where normal lung architecture was preserved.It is notable that the pathological diagnosis of this rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia was DAD on UIP, which is typically seen in acute exacerbations of IPF. Unusual findings on high-resolution computed tomography scan were also noted.We presume that in this case acute exacerbation developed in the very early course of IPF. Given the possibility that similar cases may have arisen among patients diagnosed with acute interstitial pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome, the histopathology of rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia may need to be revisited.
Detection and validation of single feature polymorphisms using RNA expression data from a rice genome array
Authors: Kim Sung-Hyun , Bhat Prasanna R , Cui Xinping , Walia Harkamal , Xu Jin , Wanamaker Steve , Ismail Abdelbagi M , Wilson Clyde , Close Timothy J 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
A large number of genetic variations have been identified in rice. Such variations must in many cases control phenotypic differences in abiotic stress tolerance and other traits. A single feature polymorphism (SFP) is an oligonucleotide array-based polymorphism which can be used for identification of SNPs or insertion/deletions (INDELs) for high throughput genotyping and high density mapping. Here we applied SFP markers to a lingering question about the source of salt tolerance in a particular rice recombinant inbred line (RIL) derived from a salt tolerant and salt sensitive parent.

Results
Expression data obtained by hybridizing RNA to an oligonucleotide array were analyzed using a statistical method called robustified projection pursuit (RPP). By applying the RPP method, a total of 1208 SFP probes were detected between two presumed parental genotypes (Pokkali and IR29) of a RIL population segregating for salt tolerance. We focused on the Saltol region, a major salt tolerance QTL. Analysis of FL478, a salt tolerant RIL, revealed a small (< 1 Mb) region carrying alleles from the presumed salt tolerant parent, flanked by alleles matching the salt sensitive parent IR29. Sequencing of putative SFP-containing amplicons from this region and other positions in the genome yielded a validation rate more than 95%.

Conclusion
Recombinant inbred line FL478 contains a small (< 1 Mb) segment from the salt tolerant parent in the Saltol region. The Affymetrix rice genome array provides a satisfactory platform for high resolution mapping in rice using RNA hybridization and the RPP method of SFP analysis.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of topiramate in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Mello Marcelo Feijó , Yeh Mary Sau Ling , Neto Jair Barbosa , Braga Luciana Lorens , Fiks Jose Paulo , Mendes Daniela Deise , Moriyama Tais S , Valente Nina Leão Marques , Costa Mariana Caddrobi Pupo , Mattos Patricia , Bressan Rodrigo Affonseca , Andreoli Sergio Baxter , Mari Jair Jesus 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
Topiramate might be effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of its antikindling effect and its action in both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters. Open-label studies and few controlled trials have suggested that this anticonvulsant may have therapeutic potential in PTSD. This 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial will compare the efficacy of topiramate with placebo and study the tolerability of topiramate in the treatment of PTSD.

Methods and design
Seventy-two adult outpatients with DSM-IV-diagnosed PTSD will be recruited from the violence program of Federal University of São Paulo Hospital (UNIFESP). After informed consent, screening, and a one week period of wash out, subjects will be randomized to either placebo or topiramate for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint will be the change in the Clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) total score from baseline to the final visit at 12 weeks.

Discussion
The development of treatments for PTSD is challenging due to the complexity of the symptoms and psychiatric comorbidities. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the mainstream treatment for PTSD, but many patients do not have a satisfactory response to antidepressants. Although there are limited clinical studies available to assess the efficacy of topiramate for PTSD, the findings of prior trials suggest this anticonvulsant may be promising in the management of these patients.

Trial Registration
NCT 00725920
Evolution of the M gene of the influenza A virus in different host species: large-scale sequence analysis
Authors: Furuse Yuki , Suzuki Akira , Kamigaki Taro , Oshitani Hitoshi 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
Influenza A virus infects not only humans, but also other species including avian and swine. If a novel influenza A subtype acquires the ability to spread between humans efficiently, it could cause the next pandemic. Therefore it is necessary to understand the evolutionary processes of influenza A viruses in various hosts in order to gain better knowledge about the emergence of pandemic virus. The virus has segmented RNA genome and 7th segment, M gene, encodes 2 proteins. M1 is a matrix protein and M2 is a membrane protein. The M gene may be involved in determining host tropism. Besides, novel vaccines targeting M1 or M2 protein to confer cross subtype protection have been under development. We conducted the present study to investigate the evolution of the M gene by analyzing its sequence in different species.

Results
Phylogenetic tree revealed host-specific lineages and evolution rates were different among species. Selective pressure on M2 was stronger than that on M1. Selective pressure on M1 for human influenza was stronger than that for avian influenza, as well as M2. Site-by-site analyses identified one site (amino acid position 219) in M1 as positively selected in human. Positions 115 and 121 in M1, at which consensus amino acids were different between human and avian, were under negative selection in both hosts. As to M2, 10 sites were under positive selection in human. Seven sites locate in extracellular domain. That might be due to host's immune pressure. One site (position 27) positively selected in transmembrane domain is known to be associated with drug resistance. And, two sites (positions 57 and 89) locate in cytoplasmic domain. The sites are involved in several functions.

Conclusion
The M gene of influenza A virus has evolved independently, under different selective pressure on M1 and M2 among different hosts. We found potentially important sites that may be related to host tropism and immune responses. These sites may be important for evolutional process in different hosts and host adaptation.