bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic susceptibility of intervertebral disc degeneration among young Finnish adults
Authors: Kelempisioti Anthi , Eskola Pasi J , Okuloff Annaleena , Karjalainen Ulla , Takatalo Jani , Daavittila Iita , Niinimäki Jaakko , Sequeiros Roberto B , Tervonen Osmo , Solovieva Svetlana , Kao Patrick YP , Song You-Qiang , Cheung Kenneth MC , Chan Danny , Ala-Kokko Leena , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Karppinen Jaro , Männikkö Minna 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Disc degeneration (DD) is a common condition that progresses with aging. Although the events leading to DD are not well understood, a significant genetic influence has been found. This study was undertaken to assess the association between relevant candidate gene polymorphisms and moderate DD in a well-defined and characterized cohort of young adults. Focusing on young age can be valuable in determining genetic predisposition to DD.

Methods
We investigated the associations of existing candidate genes for DD among 538 young adults with a mean age of 19 belonging to the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort. Nineteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 16 genes were genotyped. We evaluated lumbar DD using the modified Pfirrmann classification and a 1.5-T magnetic resonance scanner for imaging.

Results
Of the 538 individuals studied, 46% had no degeneration, while 54% had DD and 51% of these had moderate DD. The risk of DD was significantly higher in subjects with an allele G of IL6 SNPs rs1800795 (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07-1.96) and rs1800797 (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.85) in the additive inheritance model. The role of IL6 was further supported by the haplotype analysis, which resulted in an association between the GGG haplotype (SNPs rs1800797, rs1800796 and rs1800795) and DD with an OR of 1.51 (95% CI 1.11-2.04). In addition, we observed an association between DD and two other polymorphisms, SKT rs16924573 (OR 0.27 95% CI 0.07-0.96) and CILP rs2073711 in women (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.07-3.89).

Conclusion
Our results indicate that IL6, SKT and CILP are involved in the etiology of DD among young adults.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal study of association between circulating thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance levels and clinicobiochemical parameters in 1,178 middle-aged Japanese men - the Amagasaki Visceral Fat Study
Authors: Okauchi Yukiyoshi , Kishida Ken , Funahashi Tohru , Noguchi Midori , Ogawa Tomoko , Okita Kohei , Iwahashi Hiromi , Ohira Tetsuya , Imagawa Akihisa , Nakamura Tadashi , Shimomura Iichiro 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Circulating thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance (TBARS) levels, a marker of systemic oxidative stress, are predictive of cardiovascular events. However, they has not been evaluated in Japanese, especially with regard to the factors that contribute to the changes in circulating TBARS levels. We investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between circulating TBARS levels and various clinicobiochemical parameters in middle-aged men.

Methods
In this population-based study (The Amagasaki Visceral Fat Study), 1,178 Japanese male urban workers who had undergone health check-ups in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and were not on medications for metabolic disorders during the follow-up period, were enrolled. Serum TBARS levels were measured by the method of Yagi. The estimated visceral fat area (eVFA) by bioelectrical impedance was measured annually. After health check-ups, subjects received health education with lifestyle modification by medical personnel.

Results
The number of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hyperglycemia, low HDL-C, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, hyper-LDL-C and impaired renal function) augmented with the increases in log-eVFA (p < 0.0001) and log-TBARS (p < 0.0001). The combination of TBARS and eVFA had a multiplicative effect on risk factor accumulation (F value = 79.1, p = 0.0065). Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified log-eVFA, as well as age, log-body mass index (BMI), LDL-C, log-adiponectin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) and uric acid as significant determinants of log-TBARS. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified one-year changes in eVFA as well as BMI, γ-GTP and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as significant determinants of one-year change in TBARS, and biennial changes in eVFA as well as BMI and γ-GTP, eGFR as significant determinants of biennial change in TBARS.

Conclusions
The present study showed a significant cross-sectional and longitudinal correlation between TBARS and eVFA, as well as BMI and γ- GTP, eGFR. Visceral fat reduction may independently associate with the improvement in systemic ROS in middle-aged Japanese men.

Trial Registration
The Amagasaki Visceral Fat Study UMIN000002391.
miRNA signature associated with outcome of gastric cancer patients following chemotherapy
Authors: Kim Chang Hee , Kim Hark K , Rettig R Luke , Kim Joseph , Lee Eunbyul T , Aprelikova Olga , Choi Il J , Munroe David J , Green Jeffrey E 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Identification of patients who likely will or will not benefit from cytotoxic chemotherapy through the use of biomarkers could greatly improve clinical management by better defining appropriate treatment options for patients. microRNAs may be potentially useful biomarkers that help guide individualized therapy for cancer because microRNA expression is dysregulated in cancer. In order to identify miRNA signatures for gastric cancer and for predicting clinical resistance to cisplatin/fluorouracil (CF) chemotherapy, a comprehensive miRNA microarray analysis was performed using endoscopic biopsy samples.

Methods
Biopsy samples were collected prior to chemotherapy from 90 gastric cancer patients treated with CF and from 34 healthy volunteers. At the time of disease progression, post-treatment samples were additionally collected from 8 clinical responders. miRNA expression was determined using a custom-designed Agilent microarray. In order to identify a miRNA signature for chemotherapy resistance, we correlated miRNA expression levels with the time to progression (TTP) of disease after CF therapy.

Results
A miRNA signature distinguishing gastric cancer from normal stomach epithelium was identified. 30 miRNAs were significantly inversely correlated with TTP whereas 28 miRNAs were significantly positively correlated with TTP of 82 cancer patients (P<0.05). Prominent among the upregulated miRNAs associated with chemosensitivity were miRNAs known to regulate apoptosis, including let-7g, miR-342, miR-16, miR-181, miR-1, and miR-34. When this 58-miRNA predictor was applied to a separate set of pre- and post-treatment tumor samples from the 8 clinical responders, all of the 8 pre-treatment samples were correctly predicted as low-risk, whereas samples from the post-treatment tumors that developed chemoresistance were predicted to be in the high-risk category by the 58 miRNA signature, suggesting that selection for the expression of these miRNAs occurred as chemoresistance arose.

Conclusions
We have identified 1) a miRNA expression signature that distinguishes gastric cancer from normal stomach epithelium from healthy volunteers, and 2) a chemoreresistance miRNA expression signature that is correlated with TTP after CF therapy. The chemoresistance miRNA expression signature includes several miRNAs previously shown to regulate apoptosis in vitro, and warrants further validation.
VDR/RXR and TCF4/β-Catenin Cistromes in Colonic Cells of Colorectal Tumor Origin: Impact on c-FOS and c-MYC Gene Expression
Authors: Meyer Mark B. , Goetsch Paul D. , Pike J. Wesley 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Many of the transcriptional and growth regulating activities of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] in the intestine and colon are recapitulated in the human colorectal cancer cell LS180. We therefore used this line together with chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq and gene expression analyses to identify the vitamin D receptor (VDR)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) and transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2/TCF4)/β-catenin cistromes and the genes that they regulate. VDR and RXR colocalized to predominantly promoter distal, vitamin D response element-containing sites in a largely ligand-dependent manner. These regulatory sites control the expression of both known as well as novel 1,25-(OH)2D3 target genes. TCF4 and β-catenin cistromes partially overlapped, contained TCF/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor consensus elements, and were only modestly influenced by 1,25-(OH)2D3. However, the two heterodimer complexes colocalized at sites near a limited set of genes that included c-FOS and c-MYC; the expression of both genes was modulated by 1,25-(OH)2D3. At the c-FOS gene, both VDR/RXR and TCF4/β-catenin bound to a single distal enhancer located 24 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site. At the c-MYC locus, however, binding was noted at a cluster of sites between −139 and −165 kb and at a site located −335 kb upstream. Examined as isolated enhancer fragments, these regions exhibited basal and 1,25-(OH)2D3-inducible activities that were interlinked to both VDR and β-catenin activation. These data reveal additional complexity in the regulation of target genes by 1,25-(OH)2D3 and support a direct action of both VDR and the TCF4/β-catenin regulatory complex at c-FOS and c-MYC.
Regulation of insulin-producing cells in the adult Drosophila brain via the tachykinin peptide receptor DTKR
Authors: Birse Ryan T. , Söderberg Jeannette A. E. , Luo Jiangnan , Winther Åsa M. E. , Nässel Dick R. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARY
Drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILPs) play important hormonal roles in the regulation of metabolic carbohydrates and lipids, but also in reproduction, growth, stress resistance and aging. In spite of intense studies of insulin signaling in Drosophilag the regulation of DILP production and release in adult fruit flies is poorly understood. Here we investigated the role of Drosophila tachykinin-related peptides (DTKs) and their receptors, DTKR and NKD, in the regulation of brain insulin-producing cells (IPCs) and aspects of DILP signaling. First, we show DTK-immunoreactive axon terminations close to the presumed dendrites of the IPCs, and DTKR immunolabeling in these cells. Second, we utilized targeted RNA interference to knock down expression of the DTK receptor, DTKR, in IPCs and monitored the effects on Dilp transcript levels in the brains of fed and starved flies. Dilp2 and Dilp3, but not Dilp5, transcripts were significantly affected by DTKR knockdown in IPCs, both in fed and starved flies. Both Dilp2 and Dilp3 transcripts increased in fed flies with DTKR diminished in IPCs whereas at starvation the Dilp3 transcript plummeted and Dilp2 increased. We also measured trehalose and lipid levels as well as survival in transgene flies at starvation. Knockdown of DTKR in IPCs leads to increased lifespan and a faster decrease of trehalose at starvation but has no significant effect on lipid levels. Finally, we targeted the IPCs with RNAi or ectopic expression of the other DTK receptor, NKD, but found no effect on survival at starvation. Our results suggest that DTK signaling, via DTKR, regulates the brain IPCs.
Induced and constitutive responses of digestive enzymes to plant toxins in an herbivorous mammal
Authors: Kohl Kevin D. , Dearing M. Denise 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYMany plants produce plant secondary compounds (PSCs) that bind and inhibit the digestive enzymes of herbivores, thus limiting digestibility for the herbivore. Herbivorous insects employ several physiological responses to overcome the anti-nutritive effects of PSCs. However, studies in vertebrates have not shown such responses, perhaps stemming from the fact that previously studied vertebrates were not herbivorous. The responses of the digestive system to dietary PSCs in populations of Bryant's woodrat (Neotoma bryanti) that vary in their ecological and evolutionary experience with the PSCs in creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) were compared. Individuals from naïve and experienced populations were fed diets with and without added creosote resin. Animals fed diets with creosote resin had higher activities of pancreatic amylase, as well as luminal amylase and chymotrypsin, regardless of prior experience with creosote. The experienced population showed constitutively higher activities of intestinal maltase and sucrase. Additionally, the naïve population produced an aminopeptidase-N enzyme that was less inhibited by creosote resin when feeding on the creosote resin diet, whereas the experienced population constitutively expressed this form of aminopeptidase-N. Thus, the digestive system of an herbivorous vertebrate responds significantly to dietary PSCs, which may be important for allowing herbivorous vertebrates to feed on PSC-rich diets.
The mechanics and control of pitching manoeuvres in a freely flying hawkmoth (Manduca sexta)
Authors: Cheng Bo , Deng Xinyan , Hedrick Tyson L. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYInsects produce a variety of exquisitely controlled manoeuvres during natural flight behaviour. Here we show how hawkmoths produce and control one such manoeuvre, an avoidance response consisting of rapid pitching up, rearward flight, pitching down (often past the original pitch angle), and then pitching up slowly to equilibrium. We triggered these manoeuvres via a sudden visual stimulus in front of free-flying hawkmoths (Manduca sexta) while recording the animals' body and wing movements via high-speed stereo videography. We then recreated the wing motions in a dynamically scaled model to: (1) associate wing kinematic changes with pitch torque production and (2) extract the open-loop dynamics of an uncontrolled moth. Next, we characterized the closed-loop manoeuvring dynamics from the observed flight behaviour assuming that hawkmoths use feedback control based on translational velocity, pitch angle and angular velocity, and then compared these with the open-loop dynamics to identify the control strategy used by the moth. Our analysis revealed that hawkmoths produce active pitch torque via changes in mean wing spanwise rotation angle. Additionally, body translations produce passive translational damping and pitch torque, both of which are linearly dependent on the translational velocity. Body rotations produce similar passive forces and torques, but of substantially smaller magnitudes. Our comparison of closed-loop and open-loop dynamics showed that hawkmoths rely largely on passive damping to reduce the body translation but use feedback control based on pitch angle and angular velocity to control their orientation. The resulting feedback control system remains stable with sensory delays of more than two wingbeats.
Dynorphin regulates the phagocytic activity of splenic phagocytes in wall lizards: involvement of a κ-opioid receptor-coupled adenylate-cyclase–cAMP–PKA pathway
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Rai Umesh 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARY
This in vitro study of the wall lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis demonstrates the role of the opioid peptide dynorphin A(1–17) [dyn A(1–17)] in the regulation of the phagocytic activity of splenic phagocytes. Dyn A(1–17) in a concentration-dependent manner inhibited the phagocytic activity, and the maximum inhibition was recorded at a concentration of 10–9 mol l–1. To explore the receptor-mediated effect of dyn A(1–17), cells were treated simultaneously with the non-selective opioid receptor blocker naltrexone and dyn A(1–17). Naltrexone completely blocked the inhibitory effect of dyn A(1–17) on phagocytosis. Moreover, the involvement of selective opioid receptors was investigated using selective opioid receptor antagonists. CTAP and naltrindole, selective μ- and δ-opioid receptor blockers, respectively, failed to block the inhibitory effect of dyn A(1–17) on phagocytosis. However, the selective κ-opioid receptor blocker NorBNI completely antagonized the inhibitory effect of dyn A(1–17). Regarding the κ-opioid receptor-coupled downstream signaling cascade, the adenylate cyclase (AC) inhibitor SQ 22536 and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 decreased the inhibitory effect of dyn A(1–17) on phagocytosis. Furthermore, treatment with dyn A(1–17) caused an increase in intracellular cAMP content in splenic phagocytes. Thus, it can be concluded that, in H. flaviviridis, dyn A(1–17) negatively regulates the phagocytic activity of splenic phagocytes by acting through κ-opioid receptors that are coupled with the AC–cAMP–PKA signal transduction mechanism.
A novel approach to hyperemesis gravidarum: evaluation by a visual analogue scale score and treatment with transdermal clonidine
Authors: Maina Aldo , Todros Tullia 
Published: November 2011

Objective A preliminary report on the symptomatic effect of clonidine in severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Design Observational. Settting Hospital based: Ospedale Sant'Anna, Torino, Italy. Population Twelve pregnant women, 8–16 weeks, affected by severe, refractory HG. Methods Assessment by two clinical score indexes: Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) score and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 5-item questionnaire, filled out daily, to detect subjective improvement or worsening of symptoms. Main outcome measures PUQE score and VAS score before and after transdermal clonidine treatment. Results We found substantial improvement of symptoms and severity score indexes after four and 14 days. The comparison of pretreatment and post-treatment scores shows a significant statistical difference P < 0.0001. Conclusion Transdermal clonidine may be considered as a treatment for resistant severe HG.
The Flavor of Danger
Authors: Redfern Jerry , Coates Karen J. 
Published: November 2011

The article describes the effects of unexploded ordnance, known as UXO, on food production and farming culture in Laos. Between 1964 and 1973 the United States flew more than 580,000 bombing missions over Laos, and an estimated 30 percent of all munitions dropped did not explode as designed. Millions of those unexploded bombs remain in the ground today. UXO poses daily risks to life and limb for the Laotian population, particularly Laotian farmers and rural residents.
The story is told through photos, individual interviews and first-hand reporting along The Ho Chi Minh Trail, in Phonsavanh (also known as Phonsavan) town, in Xiengkhouang (also known as Xiangkhoang and Xiangkhouang) Province and in Phongsali Province.
Special emphasis is placed on the continuing danger of decades-old cluster munitions, also known as “bombies.” Traditional Laotian foods laap, or lam, and sticky rice are also noted.
A computational investigation of carbon-doped beryllium monoxide nanotubes
Authors: Seif Ahmad , Zahedi Ehsan , Rozbahani Goodarz 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
To investigate the influence of C-doping on the electrostatic structure properties in the frame work of density functional theory (DFT), we considered beryllium monoxide nanotubes (BeONTs), consisting of 60 Be and 60 O atoms. Full geometry optimizations are performed for all structures, i.e., all atoms are allowed to relax. Afterwards, the chemical shielding (CS) tensors are calculated for Be-9, O-17 and C-13 nuclei in the C-doped forms and also pristine models of the (10, 0) zigzag and (5, 5) armchair BeONTs. Formation energies indicate that C-doping of Be atom (CBe form) could be more favorable than C-doping of O atom (CO form) in both zigzag and armchair BeONTs. Gap energies and dipole moments detected the effects of dopant in the (5, 5) armchair models; however, those parameters did not indicate any significant changes in the C-doped (10, 0) zigzag BeONT models. The results show that the CS values for the Be and O atoms-contributed to the Be-C bonds or those atoms close to the C-doped region-in the CO form of BeONTs (zigzag and armchair) are changed. The same values only for the O atoms-contributed to the O-C bonds- in the CBe form of BeONTs (zigzag and armchair) are changed.
A convenient method for the preparation of cyclohepta[b]indole derivatives
Authors: Kupai Katalin , Banoczi Gergely , Hornyanszky Gabor , Kolonits Pal , Novak Lajos 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Cyclohepta[b]indole derivatives 7 were prepared by subsequent aza-Claisen rearrangement and intramolecular ring-closure of (cycloheptenylmethyl)benzenamine (3). The mechanisms of the reactions are also discussed.
Syntheses and characterisation of chloro(h3-allyl) dicarbonylmolybdenum(II) complexes of chiral and achiral ditertiaryphosphines
Authors: Jesu Raj Joe , Pathak Devendra , Kapoor Pramesh 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
A series of the complexes of the general formula [ClMo(CO)2(η
3-C3H5)(P-P)], [where (P-P) = (m-CH3C6H4)2P(CH2)2PPh2 (m-t-dppe); cis-Ph2PCH=CHPPh2 (cis-diphos); Ph2PCH2CH2AsPh2 (arsaphos); Ph2P(CH2)4PPh2 (dppb); (±)-1,2-C6H4(PMePh)2 (rac-diphos); (2R,3R)Ph2PC*H(Me)C*H(Me)PPh2 (+)-chiraphos; (R,R)-Me2C(O)2{C*HCH2PPh2}2 (-)-diop] were synthesised by the reaction of the precursor complex [ClMo(CO)2(η
3-C3H5)(CH3CN)2] with the corresponding ditertiary phosphine in acetone. The complexes were isolated as yellow to orange air-stable solids and characterised by elemental analyses, FTIR and multinuclear NMR [1H, 31P{1H}] spectroscopic techniques. The carbonyl force constant values were calculated by Cotton and Kraihanzel approximate secular equations using ν
C≡O stretching frequencies observed in the FTIR and these were found to be 14.30–14.59 mdyne 0-A−1 and 0.23–0.70 mdyne Å−1 for K1 and Ki respectively. Spectroscopic evidences have confirmed cis-octahedral structures for the synthesized complexes.
Synthesis of aluminosilicates under high pressure and using sulfur as directing agent
Authors: Loera Sandra , Lima Enrique , Pfeiffer Heriberto , Lara Victor 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Two aluminosilicates were prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Silica, sodium aluminate, sodium sulfide and sulfur were used as raw materials. Starting with similar reacting mixtures, analcime (zeolite, Na(Si2Al)O6·H2O) and beidellite (clay, Na0.3Al2(Si, Al)4O10(OH)2·2H2O) were synthesized by varying pressures, 2 kbar and 1 kbar, respectively. Sulfur was present in both aluminosilicate surfaces, which confer to them particular adsorption properties. Additionally, water adsorption isotherms, under dynamical conditions, were obtained. Fractal dimension values and SEM micrographs reveal very different textural and morphological properties of the two prepared aluminosilicates
1,4-bis-(3-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl)-benzene (bis-flavonol): synthesis, spectral properties and principle possibility of the excited state double proton transfer reaction
Authors: Svechkarev Denis , Doroshenko Andrey , Kolodezny Dmitry 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Synthesis and systematic investigation of the spectral-luminescent properties of “bis-flavonol” {1,4-bis-(3-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl)-benzene} were performed. Hypothetical possibility for the double excited-state proton transfer reaction in bis-flavonol is discussed based on both quantum-chemical modeling and experimental data. Consecutive S1*-state transfer of the two protons of the title molecule is shown to be energetically unfavorable, however, still preserving a possibility for the concerted double proton transfer in the excited dienol form.