bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MAKING UP OR BREAKING UP: THE TORTUOUS ROLE OF PLATELET‐DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR IN VASCULAR AGEING
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Ping , Pei Zhao‐Hui , Ren Jun 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARY

Ageing has long been recognized as an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, contributing to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Age‐associated remodelling of the vascular wall includes luminal enlargement, intimal and medial thickening and vascular stiffness.
A growing body of evidence has indicated that the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play a pivotal role in the pathophysiological vascular ageing process. Both experimental and clinical evidence implicates platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) as having an essential role in the proliferation of VSMC, an early pathological feature of arteriosclerosis and vascular ageing.
In the present review, we summarize some of the recent progress made with regard to defining the role of PDGF in the proliferation of VSMC and vascular ageing, with an emphasis on the cell signalling mechanisms involved.
CENTRIFUGAL CONTROL IN MAMMALIAN HEARING
Authors: Robertson Donald 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARY

Centrifugal control of many sensory systems is well established, notably in the γ motorneuron of skeletal muscle stretch receptors.
Efferent (olivocochlear) innervation of the mammalian cochlea was first established through anatomical studies. Histological studies confirmed synaptic terminals in contact with hair cells and afferent dendrites.
Electrophysiology has elucidated the cellular mechanisms of efferent modulation in the cochlea.
The system has potential roles in noise protection, homeostatic feedback control of cochlear function and signal processing. There is some evidence in support of each, but also contraindications.
It is concluded that the role of the olivocochlear innervation is still contentious but, on balance, the evidence appears to favour a role in enhancing signal detection in noise.
Minimally invasive surgery is safe and effective for urgent and emergent colectomy
Authors: Nash G. M. , Bleier J. , Milsom J. W. , Trencheva K. , Sonoda T. , Lee S. W. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective  There are a limited number of studies describing the role of minimally invasive colectomy for urgent or emergent conditions of the large bowel. We hypothesize that laparoscopic colectomy in urgent and emergent setting can be performed safely in select settings.Method  A cohort of patients treated at a single institution from 2001 to 2006 was identified from a prospective database. Patients who underwent open or minimally invasive surgery (MIS), including laparoscopic (LAP) or hand‐assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) colectomy for urgent and emergent conditions were included.Results  A total of 68 [open 32, MIS 36 [HALS 22, LAP 14)] patients underwent urgent or emergent colectomy on our colorectal service during the 5‐year time period. Patients with toxic colitis were more often selected for MIS. Patients with colon perforation or large bowel obstruction were more often selected for open surgery. The MIS group had a lower body mass index (BMI), lower American Society of Anesthesiologists fitness grade and was more likely to have been immunosuppressed. There was no difference in patient morbidity between the open and MIS groups. The MIS group had a longer median operative time and fewer cases of prolonged hospitalization.Conclusion  We conclude that minimally invasive colectomy by experienced surgeons appears to be safe and effective for appropriately selected patients with emergent and urgent conditions of the large bowel.
TWO CONCEPTS OF EMPIRICAL ETHICS
Authors: PARKER MALCOLM 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThe turn to empirical ethics answers two calls. The first is for a richer account of morality than that afforded by bioethical principlism, which is cast as excessively abstract and thin on the facts. The second is for the facts in question to be those of human experience and not some other, unworldly realm. Empirical ethics therefore promises a richer naturalistic ethics, but in fulfilling the second call it often fails to heed the metaethical requirements related to the first. Empirical ethics risks losing the normative edge which necessarily characterizes the ethical, by failing to account for the nature and the logic of moral norms. I sketch a naturalistic theory, teleological expressivism (TE), which negotiates the naturalistic fallacy by providing a more satisfactory means of taking into account facts and research data with ethical implications. The examples of informed consent and the euthanasia debate are used to illustrate the superiority of this approach, and the problems consequent on including the facts in the wrong kind of way.
EMPIRICAL ETHICS AND ITS ALLEGED META‐ETHICAL FALLACIES
Authors: DE VRIES ROB , GORDIJN BERT 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses the concept of empirical ethics as well as three meta‐ethical fallacies that empirical ethics is said to face: the is‐ought problem, the naturalistic fallacy and violation of the fact‐value distinction. Moreover, it answers the question of whether empirical ethics (necessarily) commits these three basic meta‐ethical fallacies.
Effect of a companion dog on depression and anxiety levels of elderly residents in a long‐term care facility
Authors: LE ROUX Marieanna C. , KEMP Rene 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of a companion dog on the depression and anxiety levels of residents in a long‐term care facility.Methods:  A total of 16 residents (eight men and eight women) were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 8) and an Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) group (n = 8) that met once a week for 6 weeks. All residents in the AAA group were either in wheelchairs or walking with crutches. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used pre‐ and post‐intervention.Results:  For both the total group and control group no significant differences were found on depression and anxiety pre and post mean scores. However, for the AAA group, significant differences were found between pre and post BDI mean scores while the BAI mean score differences were non‐significant.Conclusion:  The results of this small study confirm the results of other studies that AAA visits can make a difference to the depression levels of residents in long‐term care facilities.
Is bipolar II depression phenotypically distinctive?
Authors: Parker G. B. , Fletcher K. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:  We examine the depressive symptom profile of bipolar II disorder patients compared with a comparator (composite) group of those with unipolar depression, with stratification by melancholic and non‐melancholic subtypes.Method:  Out‐patients (n = 394) attending a specialist depression clinic comprised the sample. Data on severity and prototypic status of depressive symptoms were analysed.Results:  Age‐matched analyses revealed minimal differentiation between bipolar II and composite unipolar groups. Stratified analyses suggested that ‘bipolar II depression’ more closely approximated melancholic depression in terms of psychomotor and cognitive slowing. Severity‐based analyses and prototypic symptom patterns yielded differing results, suggesting that definition of bipolar II depression is influenced by rating strategies, and age.Conclusion:  We found limited differentiation of bipolar II depression from unipolar, melancholic and non‐melancholic depression. Differences suggested previously may reflect age, gender and severity differences, highlighting the need for appropriately matched groups in defining bipolar II depression.
A randomized‐controlled clinical trial evaluating clinical and radiological outcomes after 3 and 5 years of dental implants placed in bone regenerated by means of GBR techniques with or without the addition of BMP‐2
Authors: Jung Ronald E. , Windisch Simone I. , Eggenschwiler Ariane M. , Thoma Daniel S. , Weber Franz E. , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective: The aim of this randomized‐controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the long‐term outcome of implants placed in bone augmented with a xenogenic bone substitute material and a collagen membrane with or without the addition of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2).Material and methods: Eleven patients received a total of 34 implants placed into sites exhibiting lateral bone defects. In a split mouth design, the defects were randomly treated with the graft material and the collagen membrane either with (test) or without (control) rhBMP‐2. The patients were examined 3 and 5 years after insertion of the prosthetic restoration. Student's paired t‐test was performed to detect differences between the two groups.Results: The survival rate at 3 and 5 years was 100% for both groups. The peri‐implant soft tissues were stable and healthy without any difference between the two groups. The prosthetic reevaluation demonstrated four loose prosthetic screws during the first 3 years and seven ceramic chippings after 3 and 5 years. The mean distance between the first bone to implant contact to implant abutment junction at 3 years was 1.37 mm (test), 1.22 mm (control), and 1.38 mm (test), and 1.23 mm (control) at 5 years. The difference of <0.2 mm between test and control implants was not statistically significant. The mean change of the marginal bone level between baseline and 5 years ranged from −0.07 mm (mesial, test), −0.11 mm (distal, test), −0.03 mm (mesial, control), to +0.13 mm (distal, control). No statistically significant differences were observed between test and control sites.Conclusion: Implants placed in bone augmented with and without rhBMP‐2 revealed excellent clinical and radiological outcomes after 3 and 5 years.
Effect of cantilever length and framework alloy on the stress distribution of mandibular‐cantilevered implant‐supported prostheses
Authors: Jacques Letícia Borges , Moura Márcio Silva , Suedam Valdey , Souza Edson Antonio Capello , Rubo José Henrique 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectives: The purpose of this in vitro study was to analyze the stress distribution on components of a mandibular‐cantilevered implant‐supported prosthesis with frameworks cast in cobalt–chromium (Co–Cr) or palladium–silver (Pd–Ag) alloys, according to the cantilever length.Material and methods: Frameworks were fabricated on (Co–Cr) and (Pd–Ag) alloys and screwed into standard abutments positioned on a master‐cast containing five implant replicas. Two linear strain gauges were fixed on the mesial and distal aspects of each abutment to capture deformation. A vertical static load of 100 N was applied to the cantilever arm at the distances of 10, 15, and 20 mm from the center of the distal abutment and the absolute values of specific deformation were recorded.Results: Different patterns of abutment deformation were observed according to the framework alloy. The Co–Cr alloy framework resulted in higher levels of abutment deformation than the silver–palladium alloy framework. Abutment deformation was higher with longer cantilever extensions.Conclusion: Physical properties of the alloys used for framework interfere with abutment deformations patterns. Excessively long cantilever extensions must be avoided.
Adiponectin prevents progression of steatohepatitis in mice by regulating oxidative stress and Kupffer cell phenotype polarization
Authors: Fukushima Juichi , Kamada Yoshihiro , Matsumoto Hitoshi , Yoshida Yuichi , Ezaki Hisao , Takemura Takayo , Saji Yukiko , Igura Takumi , Tsutsui Shusaku , Kihara Shinji , Funahashi Tohru , Shimomura Iichiro , Tamura Shinji , Kiso Shinichi , Hayashi Norio 
Published: March 2009

Aim:  We reported previously that hypoadiponectinemia enhances hepatic oxidative stress and accelerates progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice. However, the precise mechanism and preventive effects of adiponectin on NASH remain unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of adiponectin on steatohepatitis using adiponectin‐knockout (KO) mice and adenovirus‐mediated adiponectin expression system.Methods:  We used male KO mice and C57BL6/J (WT) mice fed methionine choline‐deficient (MCD)‐diet as a steatohepatitis model. Liver histology, hepatic oxidative stress markers, and hepatic gene expression levels were investigated. In addition, Hepa 1–6 cells, a mouse liver cell line, were cultured with or without recombinant adiponectin, and gene expressions were investigated by real‐time RT‐PCR.Results:  After 2‐week feeding of MCD diet, hepatic steatosis was enhanced and plasma alanine aminotransferase elevated in KO mice than in WT mice. In KO mice liver, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances increased, glutathione levels decreased, and mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase‐1) downregulated. Adenovirus‐mediated adiponectin expression prevented these changes in KO mice. Moreover, Kupffer cell infiltration was enhanced and mRNA levels of anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophage markers (interleukin‐10, arginase‐1) were decreased in KO mice liver. In the in vitro study, adiponectin significantly increased catalase gene expression in Hepa 1–6 cells.Conclusions:  Lack of adiponectin enhanced, and adiponectin administration prevented steatohepatitis progression in mice. These changes were due to the anti‐oxidative effects of adiponectin, and its effects on Kupffer cells recruitment and phenotype polarization. Augmentation of adiponectin effects could be a useful preventive approach for NASH progression.
Reduction of T cell–derived ghrelin enhances proinflammatory cytokine expression: implications for age-associated increases in inflammation
Authors: Dixit Vishwa D. , Yang Hyunwon , Cooper-Jenkins Anthony , Giri Banabihari B. , Patel Kalpesh , Taub Dennis D. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Ghrelin (Grln) is a peptide hormone that is predominantly produced in the stomach and stimulates appetite and induces growth hormone (GH) release. We have previously reported that ghrelin is also expressed in T cells and exerts prothymic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the biologic relevance of T cell–derived ghrelin remains to be determined. Here, we report that acylated-bioactive ghrelin is expressed in human T cells and preferentially segregates within the lipid raft domains upon TCR ligation. The RNA interference (RNAi)–mediated down-regulation of ghrelin in primary human T cells activates IkB, and increases Th1 cytokines and IL-17 secretion. Ghrelin expression declines with increasing age in spleen and T cells and exogenous ghrelin administration in old mice reduces proinflammatory cytokines. These findings demonstrate that ghrelin functions in an autocrine and paracrine capacity to regulate proinflammatory cytokine expression in human and murine T cells and may contribute in regulating “inflamm-aging.”
Folding machineries displayed on a cation-exchanger for the concerted refolding of cysteine- or proline-rich proteins
Authors: Lee Dae-Hee , Kim Sung-Gun , Kweon Dae-Hyuk , Seo Jin-Ho 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Background

Escherichia coli has been most widely used for the production of valuable recombinant proteins. However, over-production of heterologous proteins in E. coli frequently leads to their misfolding and aggregation yielding inclusion bodies. Previous attempts to refold the inclusion bodies into bioactive forms usually result in poor recovery and account for the major cost in industrial production of desired proteins from recombinant E. coli. Here, we describe the successful use of the immobilized folding machineries for in vitro refolding with the examples of high yield refolding of a ribonuclease A (RNase A) and cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO).

Results
We have generated refolding-facilitating media immobilized with three folding machineries, mini-chaperone (a monomeric apical domain consisting of residues 191–345 of GroEL) and two foldases (DsbA and human peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase) by mimicking oxidative refolding chromatography. For efficient and simple purification and immobilization simultaneously, folding machineries were fused with the positively-charged consecutive 10-arginine tag at their C-terminal. The immobilized folding machineries were fully functional when assayed in a batch mode. When the refolding-facilitating matrices were applied to the refolding of denatured and reduced RNase A and CHMO, both of which contain many cysteine and proline residues, RNase A and CHMO were recovered in 73% and 53% yield of soluble protein with full enzyme activity, respectively.

Conclusion
The refolding-facilitating media presented here could be a cost-efficient platform and should be applicable to refold a wide range of E. coli inclusion bodies in high yield with biological function.
Previously Associated Type 2 Diabetes Variants May Interact With Physical Activity to Modify the Risk of Impaired Glucose Regulation and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Brito Ema C. , Lyssenko Valeriya , Renström Frida , Berglund Göran , Nilsson Peter M. , Groop Leif , Franks Paul W. 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE
Recent advances in type 2 diabetes genetics have culminated in the discovery and confirmation of multiple risk variants. Two important and largely unanswered questions are whether this information can be used to identify individuals most susceptible to the adverse consequences of sedentary behavior and to predict their response to lifestyle intervention; such evidence would be mechanistically informative and provide a rationale for targeting genetically susceptible subgroups of the population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Gene × physical activity interactions were assessed for 17 polymorphisms in a prospective population-based cohort of initially nondiabetic middle-aged adults. Outcomes were 1) impaired glucose regulation (IGR) versus normal glucose regulation determined with either fasting or 2-h plasma glucose concentrations (n = 16,003), 2) glucose intolerance (in mmol/l, n = 8,860), or 3) incident type 2 diabetes (n = 2,063 events).

RESULTS
Tests of gene × physical activity interactions on IGR risk for 3 of the 17 polymorphisms were nominally statistically significant:CDKN2A/B rs10811661 (Pinteraction = 0.015), HNF1B rs4430796 (Pinteraction = 0.026), and PPARG rs1801282 (Pinteraction = 0.04). Consistent interactions were observed for the CDKN2A/B (Pinteraction = 0.013) and HNF1B (Pinteraction = 0.0009) variants on 2-h glucose concentrations. Where type 2 diabetes was the outcome, only one statistically significant interaction effect was observed, and this was for the HNF1B rs4430796 variant (Pinteraction = 0.0004). The interaction effects for HNF1B on IGR risk and incident diabetes remained significant after correction for multiple testing (Pinteraction = 0.015 and 0.0068, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
Our observations suggest that the genetic predisposition to hyperglycemia is partially dependent on a person's lifestyle.
Association of 20-Year Changes in Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Incident Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Carnethon Mercedes R. , Sternfeld Barbara , Schreiner Pamela J. , Jacobs David R. , Lewis Cora E. , Liu Kiang , Sidney Stephen 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE
To test the association of fitness changes over 7 and 20 years on the development of diabetes in middle age.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Fitness was determined based on the duration of a maximal graded exercise treadmill test (Balke protocol) at up to three examinations over 20 years from 3,989 black and white men and women from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. Relative fitness change (percent) was calculated as the difference between baseline and follow-up treadmill duration/baseline treadmill duration. Diabetes was identified as fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dl, postload glucose ≥200 mg/dl, or use of diabetes medications.

RESULTS
Diabetes developed at a rate of 4 per 1,000 person-years in women (n = 149) and men (n = 122), and lower baseline fitness was associated with a higher incidence of diabetes in all race-sex groups (hazard ratios [HRs] from 1.8 to 2.3). On average, fitness declined 7.6% in women and 9.2% in men over 7 years. The likelihood of developing diabetes increased per SD decrease (19%) from the 7-year population mean change (−8.3%) in women (HR 1.22 [95% CI 1.09–1.39]) and men (1.45 [1.20–1.75]) after adjustment for age, race, smoking, family history of diabetes, baseline fitness, BMI, and fasting glucose. Participants who developed diabetes over 20 years experienced significantly larger declines in relative fitness over 20 years versus those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS
Low fitness is significantly associated with diabetes incidence and explained in large part by the relationship between fitness and BMI.
Collection of the BD SurePath Pap Test with a broom device plus endocervical brush improves disease detection when compared to the broom device alone or the spatula plus endocervical brush combination
Authors: Davis-Devine Sharon , Day Sarah J. , Anderson Amy , French Ashley , Madison-Henness Darcy , Mohar Naomi , Tansy Danielle , Hiremath Adarsh , Douglas Jeffrey A. , Freund Gregory G. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:
Here we examine the diagnostic utility of the US Food And Drug Administration (FDA) approved Spatula + endocervical brush combination for the BD SurePath Pap Test (SPPT) and compare it to SPPT collection with the broom alone or to an off-label combination of broom + EC brush. This question is important due to lingering concerns over the value of EC detection to a satisfactory Pap test.

Methods:
20,125 SPPT vials were examined for the collection devices contained. The SPPT collection device combinations allowed were: Rovers Cervex-Brush (broom, FDA approved), Medscand Pap Perfect Spatula + Medscand CytoBrush Plus GT (spatula + GT brush, FDA approved) or Rovers Cervex-Brush + Surgipath C-E Brush (broom + CE brush, off label).

Results:
Examination of SPPT vials revealed 11,130 collected with the broom, 4,687 collected with the spatula + GT brush and 2,921 collected with the broom + CE brush. Absence of an endocervical/transformation zone was seen in 22.86% of broom cases, 13.10% of spatula + GT brush cases (p= 0.00005 vs broom) and 10.17% of broom + CE brush cases (p= 0.00005 vs broom, p= 0.00005 vs spatula + GT brush). Importantly, LSIL detection was: broom 2.99%; spatula + GT brush 2.45% (p= 0.053 vs broom); broom + CE brush 4.18% (p= 0.034 vs broom, p= 0.0001 vs spatula + GT brush).

Conclusion:
When broom + brush combination is compared to broom alone or to spatula + GT brush, the broom + CE brush combination better sampled the endocervical/transformation zone and increased LSIL detection.
Optimierung einer Vergärungsanlage für organische Abfälle durch Zugabe von Kobalt
Authors: Kübler H. , Scherer P. A. , Nimmrichter R. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAus der Literatur ist bekannt, dass anaerobe, Essigsäure umsetzende und methanbildende Bakterien ein verstärktes Kobaltbedürfnis haben. Deshalb kann die Leistungsfähigkeit einer Vergärungsanlage durch einen Mangel an Kobalt limitiert sein. Die Untersuchungen bestätigen, dass im vorliegenden Fall die Vergärung einer Mischung aus kommunalen und gewerblichen Bioabfällen einer Limitierung durch Mangel an Kobalt unterlag und erbrachten somit erstmalig den Nachweis, dass auch bei einer Bioabfallvergärung ein Kobaltmangel auftreten kann. Ferner zeigten sie, dass Batch‐Gärtests, die gemäß der VDI‐Richtlinie 4630 mit ungewaschenem Klärschlamm durchgeführt wurden, auf einen Spurenelementmangel keinen sicheren Hinweis lieferten. Eine Kobaltdosierung erhöhte die Durchsatzleistung der Faulung und steigerte gleichzeitig die Biogasrate um fast 17  %. Trotz Verkürzen der hydraulischen Verweilzeit von 17 auf 12 Tage konnte die Biogasausbeute gesteigert werden (+3 %). Dabei können die zusätzlichen Chemikalienkosten durch die höheren Erlöse aus der Einspeisung des aus dem Biogas erzeugten elektrischen Stroms kompensiert werden.