bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The pro-BNP Serum Level and Echocardiographic Tissue Doppler Abnormalities in Patients with Beta Thalassemia Major
Authors: Garadah Taysir S. , Mahdi Najat , Kassab Salah , Shoroqi Isa Al , Abu-Taleb Ahmed , Jamsheer Anwer 
Published: December 2010

Background Doppler echocardiographic studies of the left ventricle (LV) function in patients with β-Thalassemia Major (β-TM) had shown different patterns of systolic and diastolic dysfunctions associated with abnormal serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Aim This cross-sectional study was designed to study the LV systolic and diastolic functions and correlate that with serum level of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic hormone (NT- pro BNP) in patients with β-TM using Pulsed Doppler (PD) and Tissue Doppler (TD) echocardiography. Methods The study was conducted on patients with β-TM (n = 38, age 15.7 ± 8.9 years) and compared with an age-matched controls (n = 38, age 15.9 ± 8.9 years). In all participants, PD and TD echocardiography were performed and blood samples were withdrawn for measuring the serum level of NT-pro BNP, ferritin, and alanine transaminase. Results Patients with β-TM compared with controls, have thicker LV septal wall index (0.65 ± 0.26 vs. 0.44 ± 0.21 cm, P < 0.001), posterior wall index (0.65 ± 0.23 vs. 0.43 ± 0.21 cm, P < 0.01), and larger LVEDD index (4.35 ± 0.69 vs.3.88 ± 0.153 mm, P < 0.001). In addition, β-TM patients have higher transmitral E wave velocity (E) (70.818 ± 10.139 vs. 57.532 ± 10.139, p = 0.027) and E/A ratio (1.54 ± 0.17 vs. 1.23 ± 0.19, P < 0.01) and shorter deceleration time (DT) (160.13 ± 13.3 vs. 170.50 ± 19.20 m sec, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the ratio of transmitral E wave velocity to the tissue Doppler E wave at the basal septal mitral annulus (E/Em–) was significantly higher in β-TM group (19.6 ± 2.81 vs. 13.868 ± 1.41, P < 0.05). The tissue doppler systolic wave (Sm) velocity and the early diastolic wave (Em) were significantly lower in β-TM group compared to controls (Sm: 4.82 ± 1.2 vs. 6.22 ± 2.1 mm/sec, P < 0.05; Em: 3.51 ± 2.7 vs. 4.12 ± 2.5 mm/sec P < 0.05, respectively). The tricuspid valve velocity was significantly higher in β-TM patients compared with controls (2.993 ± 0.569 vs. 1.93 ± 0.471 m/sec, respectively, P < 0.01). The mean serum NT pro-BNP in β-TM was significantly higher compared with controls (37.6 ± 14.73 vs. 5.5 ± 5.4pg/ml, P < 0.05). The left ventricle ejection fraction (EF%) and fractional shortening (FS%) were not significantly different between both groups. Conclusion We conclude that patients with β-TM had a significantly higher serum level of NT-pro BNP that is positively correlated with the E/Em ratio on tissue Doppler. Furthermore, we confirm our previous findings that patients with β-TM exhibit LV diastolic pattern on echocardiogram suggestive of restrictive type with well preserved left ventricle systolic function.
Does insect folivory vary with latitude among temperate deciduous forests?
Authors: Zhang Yangjian , Adams Jonathan , Zhao Dehai 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThere is a widespread belief that warmer climate forests suffer more folivory, as a proportion of leaf area, than cooler climate forests. However, there is a need for closely standardized studies to test this assumption. In this study, we estimated total folivory as percentage area damaged in freshly fallen, undecayed autumn leaves from the forest floor during the lifetime of deciduous tree leaves, using scanner‐linked software. Over a period of 2 years, 154 samples were taken at 96 forested localities in eastern North America, spanning 17° of latitude. In terms of percentage area damage per leaf, the results in both years sampled suggest that there is significantly more damage in warmer, lower latitude areas of eastern North America. The decreasing folivory rate is higher in northern than in southern regions. The observations of a latitudinal trend may suggest that ‘biotic’ interaction is indeed more important in warmer temperate climates compared to cool temperate climates.
COX‐2 Inhibition and Inhibition of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Increase CD36 Expression and Foam Cell Formation in THP‐1 Cells
Authors: Anwar Kamran , Voloshyna Iryna , Littlefield Michael J. , Carsons Steven E. , Wirkowski Peter A. , Jaber Nadia L. , Sohn Andrew , Eapen Sajan , Reiss Allison B. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractCardiovascular safety of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2‐selective inhibitors and nonselective nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is of worldwide concern. COX‐2 inhibitors and NSAIDs act by inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism to prostaglandins. They confer a cardiovascular hazard manifested as an elevated risk of myocardial infarction. Mechanisms underlying these cardiovascular effects are uncertain. Here we determine whether interference with cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA‐2) or COX‐2 through pharmacologic blockade or silencing RNA impacts expression of scavenger receptor CD36 and scavenger receptor A, both involved in cholesterol uptake in monocytes and macrophages. THP‐1 human monocytes and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were exposed to celecoxib, a COX‐2 selective inhibitor currently in clinical use, and to arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3), an arachidonic acid analog that selectively inhibits cPLA‐2. Celecoxib and AACOCF3 each upregulated expression of CD36, but not scavenger receptor A, as determined by quantitative PCR and immunoblotting. Silencing of cPLA‐2 or COX‐2 had comparable effects to pharmacologic treatments. Oil red O staining revealed a profound increase in foam cell transformation of THP‐1 macrophages exposed to either celecoxib or AACOCF3 (both 25 μM), supporting a role for the COX pathway in maintaining macrophage cholesterol homeostasis. Demonstration of disrupted cholesterol balance by AACOCF3 and celecoxib provides further evidence of the possible mechanism by which COX inhibition may promote lipid overload leading to atheromatous lesion formation and increased cardiovascular events.
Aerobic Training in Rats Increases Skeletal Muscle Sphingomyelinase and Serine Palmitoyltransferase Activity, While Decreasing Ceramidase Activity
Authors: Błachnio‐Zabielska Agnieszka , Zabielski Piotr , Baranowski Marcin , Gorski Jan 
Published: December 2010

AbstractSphingolipids are important components of cell membranes that may also serve as cell signaling molecules; ceramide plays a central role in sphingolipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 5 weeks of aerobic training on key enzymes and intermediates of ceramide metabolism in skeletal muscles. The experiments were carried out on rats divided into two groups: (1) sedentary and (2) trained for 5 weeks (on a treadmill). The activity of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), neutral and acid sphingomyelinase (nSMase and aSMase), neutral and alkaline ceramidases (nCDase and alCDase) and the content of sphingolipids was determined in three types of skeletal muscle. We also measured the fasting plasma insulin and glucose concentration for calculating HOMA‐IR (homeostasis model assessment) for estimating insulin resistance. We found that the activities of aSMase and SPT increase in muscle in the trained group. These changes were followed by elevation in the content of sphinganine. The activities of both isoforms of ceramidase were reduced in muscle in the trained group. Although the activities of SPT and SMases increased and the activity of CDases decreased, the ceramide content did not change in any of the studied muscle. Although ceramide level did not change, we noticed increased insulin sensitivity in trained animals. It is concluded that training affects the activity of key enzymes of ceramide metabolism but also activates other metabolic pathways which affect ceramide metabolism in skeletal muscles.
Neural Plasticity After Acquired Brain Injury: Evidence from Functional Neuroimaging
Authors: Chen Haiwen , Epstein Jane , Stern Emily 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe reorganization of the adult central nervous system after damage is a relatively new area of investigation. Neuroimaging methods, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and positron emission tomography, have the ability to identify, in vivo, some of the processes involved in these neuroplastic changes and can help with diagnosis, prognosis, and potentially treatment approaches. In this article, traumatic brain injury and stroke are used as examples in which neural plasticity plays an important role in recovery. Basic concepts related to brain remodeling, including spontaneous reorganization and training‐induced recovery, as well as characteristics of reorganization in successful recovery, are reviewed. The microscopic and molecular mechanisms that underlie neural plasticity and neurogenesis are briefly described. Finally, exciting future directions for the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of severe brain injury are explored, with an emphasis on how neuroimaging can help to inform these new approaches.
Role of Low‐Level Laser Therapy in Neurorehabilitation
Authors: Hashmi Javad T. , Huang Ying‐Ying , Osmani Bushra Z. , Sharma Sulbha K. , Naeser Margaret A. , Hamblin Michael R. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThis year marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the laser. The development of lasers for medical use, which became known as low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, followed in 1967. In recent years, LLLT has become an increasingly mainstream modality, especially in the areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation. At first used mainly for wound healing and pain relief, the medical applications of LLLT have broadened to include diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and degenerative or traumatic brain disorders. This review will cover the mechanisms of LLLT that operate both on a cellular and a tissue level. Mitochondria are thought to be the principal photoreceptors, and increased adenosine triphosphate, reactive oxygen species, intracellular calcium, and release of nitric oxide are the initial events. Activation of transcription factors then leads to expression of many protective, anti‐apoptotic, anti‐oxidant, and pro‐proliferation gene products. Animal studies and human clinical trials of LLLT for indications with relevance to neurology, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, degenerative brain disease, spinal cord injury, and peripheral nerve regeneration, will be covered.
Assessment and Modulation of Neural Plasticity in Rehabilitation With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Bashir Shahid , Mizrahi Ilan , Weaver Kayleen , Fregni Felipe , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro 
Published: December 2010

AbstractDespite intensive efforts to improve outcomes after acquired brain injury, functional recovery is often limited. One reason for this limitation is the challenge in assessing and guiding plasticity after brain injury. In this context, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive tool of brain stimulation, could play a major role. TMS has been shown to be a reliable tool for measuring plastic changes in the motor cortex associated with interventions in the motor system, such as motor training and motor cortex stimulation. In addition, as illustrated by the experience in promoting recovery from stroke, TMS is a promising therapeutic tool to minimize motor, speech, cognitive, and mood deficits. In this review, we will focus on stroke to discuss how TMS can provide insights into the mechanisms of neurologic recovery and how it can be used for measurement and modulation of plasticity after an acquired brain insult.
Hypothesis: Klotho can decouple insulin resistance from the associated pathophysiology
Authors: Watve Milind , Baig Ulfat 
Published: December 2010

AbstractA very fundamental paradox of insulin resistance is that in a wide variety of animal models impairment of insulin signaling increases life span. But in humans it increases the risk of a range of fatal disorders. The Klotho protein appears to resolve this paradox. Overexpression of the Klotho gene increases longevity in mammals by inducing insulin resistance. But the Klotho protein is simultaneously anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pro-angiogenesis. A number of other studies have indicated that systemic inflammation, angiogenesis dysfunction and oxidative stress are the main causes of pathological complications of diabetes. The Klotho protein has demonstrated that insulin resistance can be decoupled from these pathogenic mechanisms and if decoupled it might contribute to longevity in humans as well. However, insulin resistance has always been treated as the therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. Our hypothesis suggests that therapy for type 2 diabetes should deviate from insulin resistance and focus on normalizing angiogenic, inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms.
Study Mechanism Of Action Of Krishnavajrabhraka Bhasma In Asthma
Authors: Sarda Kushal , Pandit Vijaya , Dawane Jayshree , Deshmane Gourav 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the mechanism of action of Krishnavajrabhraka Bhasma(KVB) in chronic asthma.

Methodology:
30 animals divided into 5 groups: 1)vehicle(water) 2)vehicle(honey) 3)Low dose KVB 4)High dose KVB 5)Standard drug.Expt I:- Mast cell stabilization-On day 1, animals were sensitized with egg albumin. Treatment started from day 22 in two ways: a)Single dose b)14days. Egg albumin challenge was given at the end of the treatment. Rats were sacrificed, mesentery collected & observed for mast cell degranulation.Expt II:- Anti-inflammatory action-Croton oil was injected in the back in all rats to make a pouch. After 7 days of drug treatment, animals were sacrificed, pouch removed & weighed. Exudate was measured.

Results:
Expt.I – KVB was found to have mast cell stabilizing action in both experiments. High dose of KVB was equally effective as sodium-cromoglycate.Expt.II – High dose of KVB showed significant reduction of inflammation comparable to diclofenac.

Conclusion:
KVB has mast cell stabilizing & anti-inflammatory activity.
Peer Interactions of Preschool Children With and Without Hearing Loss
Authors: DeLuzio Joanne , Girolametto Luigi 
Published: December 2010

PurposeLittle is known about the social interaction skills of children with severe to profound hearing loss (SPHL) in terms of how they manage conversational exchanges with peers. This study compared the initiation and response skills of children with SPHL with those of children with typical hearing during group play in integrated preschool programs.MethodTwo groups of 12 children were matched on a number of variables and assessed for intelligence, language, speech, and social development. All initiations, responses, and resulting interactions during 20 min of group play were transcribed and coded. Outcome measures included number and type of initiation strategies, number of responses, and length of interactions.ResultsDespite poorer speech, language, and social development, there were no significant differences in initiation and response skills measured between children with SPHL and their matched peers. The small sample size may have made differences difficult to detect; however, playmates initiated interactions less often with the children with SPHL and ignored their initiations more often than those of other children.ConclusionsPreschool children with SPHL were excluded from interactions by their playmates. Having age-appropriate language skills did not ensure successful peer interactions. Inclusive preschool programs may consider offering classroom-wide social skills training to enhance interaction opportunities.
Working Memory Training for Children With Cochlear Implants: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kronenberger William G. , Pisoni David B. , Henning Shirley C. , Colson Bethany G. , Hazzard Lindsey M. 
Published: December 2010

Purpose
This study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a working memory training program for improving memory and language skills in a sample of 9 children who are deaf (age 7–15 years) with cochlear implants (CIs).

Method
All children completed the Cogmed Working Memory Training program on a home computer over a 5-week period. Feasibility and acceptability of the program were evaluated using parent report and measures of children’s performance on the training exercises. Efficacy measures of working memory and sentence repetition were obtained prior to training, immediately after training, and 1 month and 6 months after training.

Results
Children’s performance improved on most training exercises, and parents reported no problems with children’s hearing or understanding of the exercises. After completion of working memory training, children demonstrated significant improvement on measures of verbal and nonverbal working memory, parent-reported working memory behavior, and sentence-repetition skills. The magnitude of improvement in working memory decreased slightly at the 1-month follow-up and more substantially at 6-month follow-up. However, sentence repetition continued to show marked improvement at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions
Working memory training may produce benefit for some memory and language skills for children with CIs, supporting the importance of conducting a large-scale, randomized clinical trial with this population.
Fast tomographic reconstruction on multicore computers
Authors: Agulleiro J. I. , Fernandez J. J. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Summary: Tomo3D implements a multithreaded vectorized approach to tomographic reconstruction that takes full advantage of the computer power in modern multicore computers. Full resolution tomograms are generated at high speed on standard computers with no special system requirements. Tomo3D has the most common reconstruction methods implemented, namely weighted Back-projection (WBP) and simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT). It proves to be competitive with current graphic processor unit solutions in terms of processing time, in the order of a few seconds with WBP or minutes with SIRT. The program is compatible with standard packages, which easily allows integration in the electron tomography workflow.
Availability: http://www.cnb.csic.es/%7ejjfernandez/tomo3d
Contact: JJ.Fernandez@cnb.csic.es
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Unique Thylakoid Membrane Architecture of a Unicellular N2-Fixing Cyanobacterium Revealed by Electron Tomography
Authors: Liberton Michelle , Austin Jotham R. , Berg R. Howard , Pakrasi Himadri B. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Cyanobacteria, descendants of the endosymbiont that gave rise to modern-day chloroplasts, are vital contributors to global biological energy conversion processes. A thorough understanding of the physiology of cyanobacteria requires detailed knowledge of these organisms at the level of cellular architecture and organization. In these prokaryotes, the large membrane protein complexes of the photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport chains function in the intracellular thylakoid membranes. Like plants, the architecture of the thylakoid membranes in cyanobacteria has direct impact on cellular bioenergetics, protein transport, and molecular trafficking. However, whole-cell thylakoid organization in cyanobacteria is not well understood. Here we present, by using electron tomography, an in-depth analysis of the architecture of the thylakoid membranes in a unicellular cyanobacterium, Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142. Based on the results of three-dimensional tomographic reconstructions of near-entire cells, we determined that the thylakoids in Cyanothece 51142 form a dense and complex network that extends throughout the entire cell. This thylakoid membrane network is formed from the branching and splitting of membranes and encloses a single lumenal space. The entire thylakoid network spirals as a peripheral ring of membranes around the cell, an organization that has not previously been described in a cyanobacterium. Within the thylakoid membrane network are areas of quasi-helical arrangement with similarities to the thylakoid membrane system in chloroplasts. This cyanobacterial thylakoid arrangement is an efficient means of packing a large volume of membranes in the cell while optimizing intracellular transport and trafficking.
Loss-of-Function and Gain-of-Function Mutations in FAB1A/B Impair Endomembrane Homeostasis, Conferring Pleiotropic Developmental Abnormalities in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hirano Tomoko , Matsuzawa Tomohiko , Takegawa Kaoru , Sato Masa H. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, PtdIns 3,5-kinase, Fab1/PIKfyve produces PtdIns (3,5) P2 from PtdIns 3-P, and functions in vacuole/lysosome homeostasis. Herein, we show that expression of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) FAB1A/B in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) fab1 knockout cells fully complements the vacuole morphology phenotype. Subcellular localizations of FAB1A and FAB1B fused with green fluorescent protein revealed that FAB1A/B-green fluorescent proteins localize to the endosomes in root epidermal cells of Arabidopsis. Furthermore, reduction in the expression levels of FAB1A/B by RNA interference impairs vacuolar acidification and endocytosis. These results indicate that Arabidopsis FAB1A/B functions as PtdIns 3,5-kinase in plants and in fission yeast. Conditional knockdown mutant shows various phenotypes including root growth inhibition, hyposensitivity to exogenous auxin, and disturbance of root gravitropism. These phenotypes are observed also in the overproducing mutants of FAB1A and FAB1B. The overproducing mutants reveal additional morphological phenotypes including dwarfism, male-gametophyte sterility, and abnormal floral organs. Taken together, this evidence indicates that imbalanced expression of FAB1A/B impairs endomembrane homeostasis including endocytosis, vacuole formation, and vacuolar acidification, which causes pleiotropic developmental phenotypes mostly related to the auxin signaling in Arabidopsis.
Three Homologous Genes Encodingsn-Glycerol-3-Phosphate Acyltransferase 4 Exhibit Different Expression Patterns and Functional Divergence inBrassica napus
Authors: Chen Xue , Truksa Martin , Snyder Crystal L. , El-Mezawy Aliaa , Shah Saleh , Weselake Randall J. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBrassica napus is an allotetraploid (AACC) formed from the fusion of two diploid progenitors, Brassica rapa (AA) and Brassica oleracea (CC). Polyploidy and genome-wide rearrangement during the evolution process have resulted in genes that are present as multiple homologs in the B. napus genome. In this study, three B. napus homologous genes encoding endoplasmic reticulum-bound sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 4 (GPAT4) were identified and characterized. Although the three GPAT4 homologs share a high sequence similarity, they exhibit different expression patterns and altered epigenetic features. Heterologous expression in yeast further revealed that the three BnGPAT4 homologs encoded functional GPAT enzymes but with different levels of polypeptide accumulation. Complementation of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) gpat4 gpat8 double mutant line with individual BnGPAT4 homologs suggested their physiological roles in cuticle formation. Analysis of gpat4 RNA interference lines of B. napus revealed that the BnGPAT4 deficiency resulted in reduced cutin content and altered stomatal structures in leaves. Our results revealed that the BnGPAT4 homologs have evolved into functionally divergent forms and play important roles in cutin synthesis and stomatal development.