bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene–environment interplay in internalizing disorders: consistent findings across six environmental risk factors
Authors: Hicks Brian M. , DiRago Ana C. , Iacono William G. , McGue Matt 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Behavior genetic methods can help to elucidate gene‐environment (G‐E) interplay in the development of internalizing (INT) disorders (i.e., major depression and anxiety disorders). To date, however, no study has conducted a comprehensive analysis examining multiple environmental risk factors with the purpose of delineating general mechanisms of G‐E influence in the development of INT disorders.Methods:  The sample consisted of 1315 male and female twin pairs participating in the age 17 assessment of the Minnesota Twin Family Study. Quantitative G‐E interplay models were used to examine how genetic and environmental risk for INT disorders changes as a function of environmental context. Multiple measures and informants were employed to construct composite measures of INT disorders and six environmental risk factors including: stressful life events, mother–child and father–child relationship problems, antisocial and prosocial peer affiliation, and academic achievement and engagement.Results:  Significant moderation effects were detected between each environmental risk factor and INT such that in the context of greater environmental adversity, nonshared environmental factors became more important in the etiology of INT symptoms.Conclusion:  Our results are consistent with the interpretation that environmental stressors have a causative effect on the emergence of INT disorders. The consistency of our results suggests a general mechanism of environmental influence on INT disorders regardless of the specific form of environmental risk
A prospective study of toddlers with ASD: short‐term diagnostic and cognitive outcomes
Authors: Chawarska Katarzyna , Klin Ami , Paul Rhea , Macari Suzanne , Volkmar Fred 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Despite recent increases in the number of toddlers referred for a differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), knowledge of short‐term stability of the early diagnosis as well as cognitive outcomes in this cohort is still limited.Method:  Cognitive, social, and communication skills of 89 clinic‐referred toddlers were assessed at the average age of 21.5 (SD = 4.9) months, and reassessed at 46.9 (SD = 7.7) months. Groups with stable and unstable diagnostic presentation were identified and compared on their profile of cognitive and social‐communicative skills obtained at the time of initial diagnosis.Results:  Stability of the ASD diagnosis was 100%; diagnosis of autism was stable in 74% of cases as compared to 83% and 81% in PDD‐NOS and Non‐ASD groups, respectively. Worsening of social disability symptoms resulting in autism diagnosis was noted in 17% of toddlers initially diagnosed with PDD‐NOS and in 19% of toddlers with initial diagnosis of non‐ASD disorder. However, marked improvement was noted in approximately 1/4 of children initially presenting with autism, warranting diagnostic reassignment to PDD‐NOS at follow‐up. An analysis of developmental skills profiles suggests particular relevance of the assessment of verbal and nonverbal communication skills to diagnostic differentiation between subtypes within ASD in the second year of life.Conclusions:  Stability of ASD diagnosis in toddlers is high, though marked changes in severity of symptoms is to be expected in a minority of cases. Simultaneous consideration of cognitive, social, and communication skills profiles enhances accuracy of diagnostic classification and prediction of outcome.
Impaired spatial navigation in pediatric anxiety
Authors: Mueller Sven C. , Temple Veronica , Cornwell Brian , Grillon Christian , Pine Daniel S. , Ernst Monique 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Previous theories implicate hippocampal dysfunction in anxiety disorders. Most of the data supporting these theories stem from animal research, particularly lesion studies. The generalization of findings from rodent models to human function is hampered by fundamental inter‐species differences. The present work uses a task of spatial orientation, which is known to rely on hippocampal function. Deficits in spatial navigation in anxious children suggest that the hippocampal network involved in spatial orientation is also implicated in anxiety disorders.Methods:  Thirty‐four treatment‐naive children with an anxiety disorder (mean 11.00 years ± 2.54) are compared to 35 healthy age‐ and IQ‐matched healthy children (mean 11.95 years ± 2.36) on a virtual, computer‐based equivalent of the Morris Water Maze task.Results:  Results indicate that children with anxiety disorder exhibit overall impaired performance relative to the comparison group. Anxious children made more heading direction errors and had worse accuracy in completing trials relative to controls.Conclusions:  The results present novel evidence that spatial orientation deficits occur in pediatric anxiety.
Weight, volume and unbalancing: loading constraints of mud dauber wasps carrying mud balls
Authors: Polidori C. , Federici M. , Trombino L. , Barberini V. , Barbieri V. , Andrietti F. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLoad‐carrying capacities of flying animals have important effects on their reproductive success, because it is expected that better performing individuals will benefit during activities such as foraging and nest building. Individually marking Sceliphron mud dauber wasp females and collecting their mud balls at three field sites, we investigated whether wasps maximize mud ball lifting and we evaluated whether the characteristics of soil affect wasp–mud ball size relationships. Sceliphron destillatorium, larger than Sceliphron spirifex, collected on average heavier and larger mud balls, and individual female body mass was positively correlated with the mass and volume of carried mud balls. Rarely mud balls reached a weight close to the theoretical maximum. On the other hand, the volume of mud balls roughly coincided on average with the theoretical maximum. A simple theoretical model showed that loss of balance during loaded flights is in part responsible for the failure to maximize the mass lifted, reducing the load‐carrying capacity with a per cent value that is independent of the wasp's size. Soil characteristics also seem to affect the lifting dynamics of wasps: similar‐size females carried significantly lighter mud balls in denser‐soil sites. Our results showed that the volume is the strongest factor limiting mud ball carrying. The effect of such limitations, moreover, may change depending on the physical properties of the material used for nest construction.
Understanding the main factors in the extent and distribution of wild boar rooting on alpine grasslands
Authors: Bueno C. G. , Alados C. L. , Gómez‐García D. , Barrio I. C. , García‐González R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWild boarSus scrofaL. rooting is a large and frequent disturbance, very extended all over the world. However, its impact in some sensitive habitats, such as alpine and subalpine grasslands remains unknown. These grasslands are considered important sites for biological conservation and traditional grazing activities, and are frequently affected by wild boar rootings. In this study, we selected three study sites representing a range of scenarios in Pyrenean alpine and subalpine grasslands, with differing protection status and grazing management. We assessed the extent of wild boar rooting, and determined the main variables that influence their distribution, taking into account the interactions among them. Our results showed that wild boar rooting significantly affected alpine and subalpine grasslands in the Pyrenees especially in protected non‐hunting areas (up to 12% of the surface). The distribution of disturbed areas was influenced by a hierarchical suite of variables, among which vegetation, that is certain plant communities, was the most important. The apparent preference for dense grasslands might be associated with its soil depth, soil hardness and diversity of feeding resources. The importance of other variables, such as topography, distance to primary resources or grazing management, was site dependent. A broad understanding of the effects of variables and their relationships provide insights into the actual factors affecting the rooting selection. We hypothesize that the selection of feeding habitat, followed by the conditions of the soil to be uprooted and human management, are the main underlying factors that shape the distribution of wild boar rooting in alpine and subalpine grasslands.
Gender differences in circulating bubble production after SCUBA diving
Authors: Boussuges Alain , Retali Gerald , Bodéré‐Melin Mathilde , Gardette Bernard , Carturan Daniel 
Published: July 2009

SummaryObjective:  Differences in circulating bubble production have been described after exposures in altitude chambers between men and women. The present study was designed to examine gender differences in circulating bubble production after a dive.Methods:  Fifty‐two men and 52 women performed the same dive profile (25 min to 35 m). Circulating bubbles were detected by continuous wave Doppler. Tests were conducted at sea in a boat, at 10‐min intervals for 1 h after surfacing. Signals were graded according to the Spencer scale. The categorical data were then converted to a single number reflecting total bubble activity using the KISS index.Results:  Considering each measurement period, bubble grade was higher in men than women 30, 40 and 50 min postdive. On the contrary, bubble grade was comparable between men and women 10, 20 and 60 min after the dive. KISS index was significantly higher in men than women (6·77 [0·65–32·3] versus 0·91 [0–22·9], P<0·02). KISS index was significantly correlated with age, weight and body fat mass in the whole population and in the men and women separately. Postmenopausal women had a higher KISS index (42 [15–47]) when compared with premenopausal women and men older than 50 years. No difference in bubble production was found according to the use of oral contraceptive pills or the phase of the menstrual cycle.Conclusion:  Overall, we observed fewer circulating bubbles in women than in men after an open sea SCUBA dive. This difference disappeared in the postmenopausal women.
Cholangiocytes as immune modulators in rotavirus‐induced murine biliary atresia
Authors: Barnes Barrett H. , Tucker Rebecca M. , Wehrmann Fabian , Mack Doug G. , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Mack Cara L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground/Aims: Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive disease characterized by bile duct inflammation and fibrosis. The aetiology is unknown and may be due to a virus‐induced, autoimmune‐mediated injury of cholangiocytes. Cholangiocytes are not only targets of injury but may also modulate hepatic inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine the immune profile of murine cholangiocytes and the ability to function as antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in culture with Rhesus rotavirus (RRV), poly I:C (viral mimic) or interferon‐γ/tumour necrosis factor‐α.Methods/Results: Both the cholangiocyte cell line (long‐term culture) and fresh, ex vivo cholangiocytes expressed APC surface markers major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐class I and II and CD40, while only the cultured cell line expressed costimulatory molecules B7‐1 and B7‐2. Despite APC expression, cultured cholangiocytes were unable to function as competent APCs in T‐cell proliferation assays. Furthermore, both cultured and ex vivo cholangiocytes expressed RNA transcripts for many pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.Conclusions: Although cholangiocytes contain APC molecules, they are incompetent at antigen presentation and cannot elicit effective T‐cell activation. Upregulation of MHC‐class I and II found in BA mice may serve to prime the cholangiocyte as a target for immune‐mediated injury. Cholangiocytes produced many pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the setting of RRV infection and T‐helper type 1 cytokine milieu, suggesting a role of cholangiocytes as immune modulators promoting the ongoing inflammation that exists in RRV‐induced BA.
Predictors of nonresponse to lactulose for minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Sharma Praveen , Sharma Barjesh Chander , Sarin Shiv Kumar 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground/Aims: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) impairs health‐related quality of life and predicts overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in cirrhotic patients. Lactulose is effective in the treatment of MHE. However, not all patients respond to lactulose. We evaluated predictors of nonresponse to lactulose.Patients and methods: Consecutive 110 cirrhotic patients without HE were evaluated for MHE by psychometry, P300 auditory event‐related potential (P300ERP), venous ammonia and critical flicker frequency (CFF). MHE was diagnosed by abnormal psychometry and P300ERP (>2 SD). MHE patients were treated with lactulose for 1 month. Response was defined by normalization of the abnormal test parameters (both psychometric tests and P300ERP).Results: Sixty patients (54.5%) were diagnosed as having MHE: 17/39 (44%) in Child's A, 21/42 (50%) Child's B and 22/29 (76%) in Child's C. There was a significant difference between Child's C's vs Child's A's and B's (P<0.05). Abnormal psychometric tests and abnormal P300ERP were seen in 74 (67%) and 74 (67%) patients respectively. Of 60 patients with MHE, after treatment, psychometry remained abnormal in 22 (36.6%) and P300ERP in 21 (35%) patients. CFF was<38 Hz in 34 (57%) and 11 (18%) patients, respectively, before and after treatment in MHE patients. There was a significant difference between the baseline serum sodium level (134.7±2.6 vs 131.1±2.2 mmol/L, P=0.001) and the venous ammonia level (76.6±20.7 vs 113.4±22.8 μmol/L, P=0.001) between responders vs nonresponders. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to identify the cutoff for venous ammonia [cutoff 93.5 mmol/L, area under the curve (AUC) 0.892 (0.814–0.970)] and for the serum sodium level [cutoff 132.5 mmol/L, AUC 0.874 (0.779–0.998)]. Taking a cutoff of 93.5 mmol/L for ammonia patient had a sensitivity of 88.5% and a specificity of 79.4%, respectively, and a cutoff of 132.5 mmol/L for serum sodium patient had a sensitivity of 76.5% and a specificity of 88.5% for nonresponse to lactulose. On univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, serum sodium and venous ammonia were the only two parameters associated with nonresponse to lactulose.Conclusion: The prevalence of MHE was 55% and MHE improved in 57% patients with lactulose. Baseline low serum sodium and high venous ammonia were highly predictive of nonresponse to lactulose therapy.
Interleukin‐10 promoter polymorphisms in hepatitis C patients with and without Schistosoma mansoni co‐infection
Authors: Abbas Omaima M. , Abdel‐Rahman Mohamed H. , Omar Nabil A. , Badran Hanaa M. , Amir Elamir M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground/Aim: Interleukin (IL‐10) plays a major role in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease pathogenesis, in particular in Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) co‐infected patients. Given that interindividual variations in IL‐10 production are influenced by functional polymorphisms in the IL‐10 gene promoter, we determined the frequencies of common (−1082, −819 and −592) IL‐10 promoter polymorphisms in chronic HCV patients with and without S. mansoni co‐infection and healthy controls, and investigated their association with the degree of histological activity index (HAI) and response to interferon–ribavirin therapy.Methods: Genomic DNA from 99 patients and 62 healthy controls, born in the same geographical hyperendemic area, was studied by the polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Sera were assessed for S. mansoni antibodies.Results: The frequencies of IL‐10 polymorphisms at positions −1082, −819 and −592 from the transcription start site were comparable between HCV patients and controls, as well as between HCV mono‐infected and either S. mansoni co‐infected patients or controls. The grade of inflammation and the stage of fibrosis showed no association with IL‐10 polymorphisms. The frequencies of S. mansoni co‐infection and IL‐10 genotypes/haplotypes were insignificantly different between non‐responders and responders to combination therapy. No effect of other factors like age, gender, HAI group scores and serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels was observed on response to therapy in our patients.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that common IL‐10 (−1082, −819 and −592) genotypes/haplotypes do not influence the degree of HAI and response to combination therapy or susceptibility to HCV infection with and without S. mansoni co‐infection.
The stable isotope ketoisocaproic acid breath test as a measure of hepatic decarboxylation capacity: a quantitative analysis in normal subjects after oral and intravenous administration
Authors: Berthold Heiner K. , Giesen Thomas A. H. , Gouni‐Berthold Ioanna 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground and aims: There is no generally accepted kinetic evaluation method for the stable isotope [13C]ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) breath test. Differences found in the results between women and men are contradictory.Methods: Oral and intravenous breath tests using 1 mg/kg stable isotope‐labelled KIC were performed in healthy male and female volunteers. A power exponential function was fitted to the mass spectrometric data of breath 13CO2 enrichment, allowing mathematical analysis of time‐to‐peak‐excretion, half‐excretion time, percent label recovery and parameters describing the shape of the curve. Body composition was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis.Results: After oral administration, total label recovery after 3 h was about 22% and was not different between men (n=7) and women (n=8). The time to maximal label excretion was 0.67 ± 0.12 h in men and 0.9 ± 0.32 h in women (P=0.028) and the excretion curve showed an initially slower rise in women compared with men. Adjusting for lean body mass or body water abrogated the sex differences. Total label recovery after intravenous administration was about 9%, suggesting that the substrate was rapidly catabolized in the muscle compartment after intravenous administration.Conclusions: The modified power exponential function described allows standardized estimates of the KIC breath test results. When corrected for body composition, there are no differences in breath test results between men and women. The comparison between oral and intravenous results provides robust evidence that the KIC breath test measures predominantly hepatic and not muscle decarboxylation and is thus a highly specific liver function test.
Psychosocial Considerations for Children and Young Adolescents with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: An Update
Authors: SEARS SAMUEL F. , AMANT JAY B. ST. , ZEIGLER VICKI 
Published: July 2009

Background: The extension of the life‐saving benefits of the implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults represents a key clinical development. The psychosocial adjustment in young ICD patients has not been as well‐studied as in adults and remains an area of needed research.
Methods: The current paper reviews the quantitative research regarding ICD patient psychosocial outcomes in the adult and pediatric literature, and highlights existing intervention research on adult ICD patients and its implications for young ICD patients.
Results: Literature review indicates that anxiety may be the most problematic psychosocial reaction for young ICD patients, similar to adult patients. Since young ICD patients appear to be more likely to experience shocks than adults; shock‐related anxiety is suspected to be particularly common. Interventions in adults have shown a reduction in anxiety but no pediatric intervention studies are currently available in the literature.
Conclusion: Additional research and clinical attention is warranted to further assist young ICD patients to achieve desirable quality of life outcomes.
Ginkgo biloba extract EGb® 761 exerts anti‐angiogenic effects via activation of tyrosine phosphatases
Authors: Koltermann Anja , Liebl Johanna , Fürst Robert , Ammer Hermann , Vollmar Angelika M. , Zahler Stefan 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe standardised Ginkgo biloba extract EGb® 761 (Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, Karlsruhe, Germany) is one of the most widely used herbal remedies. Indications for this extract range from dementia to peripheral vascular disease, based on well‐documented vascular effects. Surprisingly, the actions of EGb® 761 on angiogenesis as a function of vascular cells have not been investigated to date. The anti‐cancer activity of EGb® 761 in vitro and epidemiological data showing reduced risk for ovarian cancer in regular users have prompted us to investigate this issue. We show an anti‐angiogenic profile of EGb® 761 in vitro (inhibited proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells) and in vivo in the chicken chorio‐allantoic membrane (CAM) assay. An analysis of the underlying mechanisms indicates inhibition of growth factor‐induced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation by EGb® 761. Inhibitory effects of EGb® 761 on ERK as well as of the upstream kinases map‐erk‐kinase (MEK) and rapidly growing fibrosarcoma (Raf)‐1 could be completely reversed by pre‐treatment with sodium vanadate (inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatases). Sodium vanadate also reversed the EGb® 761‐induced inhibition of endothelial cell migration. Focusing on tyrosine phosphatases upstream of the Raf‐MEK‐ERK cascade, we identified the tyrosine phosphatase Src homology‐2 domain‐containing phosphatase 1 (SHP‐1) as one target of EGb® 761. SHP‐1 was rapidly activated by EGb® 761, and silencing SHP‐1 (siRNA) abrogated reduction of endothelial proliferation by EGb® 761. In summary, we identify EGb® 761 as a potent anti‐angiogenic drug. The underlying mechanism is the activation of protein tyrosine phosphatases, leading to inhibition of the Raf‐MEK‐ERK pathway. These findings provide a rational basis for using EGb® 761 for an additional therapeutic indication: anti‐angiogenesis‐based tumour prevention and adjuvant therapy.
Oncolytic virotherapy for advanced liver tumours
Authors: Chang Ju‐Fang , Chen Pei‐Jer , Sze Daniel Y. , Reid Tony , Bartlett David , Kirn David H. , Liu Ta‐Chiang 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Pre‐clinical studies
Clinical studies
Challenges for the use of virotherapy agents in liver tumour treatment
Future directions

Primary and metastatic neoplasms of the liver account for more than a million deaths per year worldwide. Despite decades of research, effective novel therapies for these cancers are urgently needed. Oncolytic virotherapeutics represent a novel class of pharmacophore that holds promise for the treatment of hepatic neoplasms. Cancer‐specific replication is followed by oncolysis, virus spreading and infection of adjacent cancer cells. This process is then repeated. Virotherapeutics target multiple genetic pathways involved in carcino‐genesis, and demonstrate activity against apoptosis‐resistant tumour cells. This platform can also exploit the advantage of multiple intrinsic anti‐cancer therapeutic mechanisms, combining direct viral oncolysis with therapeutic transgene expression. Recent advances in pre‐clinical and clinical studies are revealing the potential of this unique therapeutic class, in particular for liver cancers. This review summarizes the available data on applying oncolytic virotherapeutics to hepatic neoplasms to date, and discusses the challenges and future directions for virotherapy.