bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of Spinal NR2B-Containing NMDA Receptors in Oxaliplatin-Induced Mechanical Allodynia in Rats
Authors: Mihara Yuki , Egashira Nobuaki , Sada Hikaru , Kawashiri Takehiro , Ushio Soichiro , Yano Takahisa , Ikesue Hiroaki , Oishi Ryozo 
Published: January 2011

Background:Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug characterized by the development of acute and chronic peripheral neuropathies. The chronic neuropathy is a dose-limiting toxicity. We previously reported that repeated administration of oxaliplatin induced cold hyperalgesia in the early phase and mechanical allodynia in the late phase in rats. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of NR2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia in rats.Results:Repeated administration of oxaliplatin (4 mg/kg, i.p., twice a week) caused mechanical allodynia in the fourth week, which was reversed by intrathecal injection of MK-801 (10 nmol) and memantine (1 μmol), NMDA receptor antagonists. Similarly, selective NR2B antagonists Ro25-6981 (300 nmol, i.t.) and ifenprodil (50 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated the oxaliplatin-induced pain behavior. In addition, the expression of NR2B protein and mRNA in the rat spinal cord was increased by oxaliplatin on Day 25 (late phase) but not on Day 5 (early phase). Moreover, we examined the involvement of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) as a downstream target of NMDA receptor. L-NAME, a non-selective NOS inhibitor, and 7-nitroindazole, a neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor, significantly suppressed the oxaliplatin-induced pain behavior. The intensity of NADPH diaphorase staining, a histochemical marker for NOS, in the superficial layer of spinal dorsal horn was obviously increased by oxaliplatin, and this increased intensity was reversed by intrathecal injection of Ro25-6981.Conclusion:These results indicated that spinal NR2B-containing NMDA receptors are involved in the oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia.
Osteoid osteoma near the intervertebral foramen may induce radiculopathy through tumorous inflammation
Authors: Zenmyo Michihisa , Yamamoto Takuya , Ishidou Yasuhiro , Komiya Setsuro , Ijiri Kosei 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Osteoid osteoma of the spine is a relatively rare bone-forming tumor. Pain that is worse at night and relieved by aspirin and muscle contracture are the most characteristic symptoms of spinal osteoid osteoma. Although radicular pain occasionally occurs in spinal osteoid osteoma, spinal cord and nerve root compression is absent in most cases. Although radicular pain appears to be associated with tumorous inflammation, there have been no presentations of histological findings of inflammation around the nerve root. We present here two rare cases of spinal osteoid osteoma causing radiculopathy and the first histological evidence of tumorous inflammation as a cause of radiculopathy in osteoid osteoma near the intervertebral foramen.
Progressive multifocal cerebral infarction from intravascular large B cell lymphoma presenting in a man: a case report
Authors: Jitpratoom Pornpong , Yuckpan Patcharawan , Sitthinamsuwan Panitta , Chotinaiwattarakul Wattanachai , Chinthammitr Yingyong 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Intravascular lymphoma is rare, and may present as ischemic stroke. Diagnosis is difficult due to the non-specific presentation and lack of lymphadenopathy, thus leading to frequent instances of autopsy-proven diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of progressive stroke from intravascular lymphoma diagnosed antemortem by random skin biopsy.

Case presentation
A 42-year-old Thai man presented to our hospital with progressive multifocal cerebral infarction. Despite taking aspirin (300 mg/day), his neurological symptoms worsened. During admission, he developed an unexplained fever and hypoxemia. Magnetic resonance angiography clearly showed patency of all cerebral arteries including the internal carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries. Echocardiography, an antiphospholipid antibody test, cerebrospinal fluid cytology and a bone marrow study were normal. Other laboratory test results showed an elevated lactate dehydrogenase level, nephrotic range proteinuria (3.91 g/day), hypoalbuminemia (1.9 g/dL), a very low high-density lipoprotein level (7 mg/dL) and hypertriglyceridemia (353 mg/dL). Because of suspected vasculitis, pulse methylprednisolone was given with transiently minimal improvement. A random skin biopsy from both thighs revealed intravascular large B cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy was not given due to our patient having ventilator associated pneumonia. He died 10 days after the definite diagnosis was established.

Conclusion
One etiology of stroke is intravascular lymphoma, in which random skin biopsy can be helpful for antemortem diagnosis.
Reverse transcription of the pFOXC mitochondrial retroplasmids of Fusarium oxysporum is protein primed
Authors: Galligan Jeffrey T , Marchetti Sarah E , Kennell John C 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
The pFOXC retroplasmids are small, autonomously replicating DNA molecules found in mitochondria of certain strains of the filamentous fungus Fusarium oxysporum and are among the first linear genetic elements shown to replicate via reverse transcription. The plasmids have a unique clothespin structure that includes a 5'-linked protein and telomere-like terminal repeats, with pFOXC2 and pFOXC3 having iterative copies of a 5 bp sequence. The plasmids contain a single large open reading frame (ORF) encoding an active reverse transcriptase (RT). The pFOXC-RT is associated with the plasmid transcript in a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex and can synthesize full-length (-) strand cDNA products. In reactions containing partially purified RT preparations with exogenous RNAs, the pFOXC3-RT has been shown to initiate cDNA synthesis by use of snapped-back RNAs, as well as loosely associated DNA primers.

Results
The complete sequence of the distantly related pFOXC1 plasmid was determined and found to terminate in 3-5 copies of a 3 bp sequence. Unexpectedly, the majority of (-) strand cDNA molecules produced from endogenous pFOXC1 transcripts were attached to protein. In vitro experiments using partially purified pFOXC3-RT preparations having a single radiolabeled deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) generated a nucleotide-labeled protein that migrated at the size of the pFOXC-RT. The nucleotide preference of deoxynucleotidylation differed between pFOXC3 and pFOXC1 and showed complementarity to the respective 3' terminal repeats. In reactions that include exogenous RNA templates corresponding to the 3' end of pFOXC1, a protein-linked cDNA product was generated following deoxynucleotidylation, suggesting that reverse transcription initiates with a protein primer.

Conclusions
The finding that reverse transcription is protein primed suggests the pFOXC retroplasmids may have an evolutionary relationship with hepadnaviruses, the only other retroelement family known to initiate reverse transcription via a protein primer. Moreover, the similarity to protein-primed linear DNA elements supports models in which the terminal repeats are generated and maintained by a DNA slideback mechanism. The ability of the pFOXC-RT to utilize RNA, DNA and protein primers is unique among polymerases and suggests that the pFOXC plasmids may be evolutionary precursors of a broad range of retroelements, including hepadnaviruses, non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons and telomerase.
Ancestral and derived attributes of the dlx gene repertoire, cluster structure and expression patterns in an African cichlid fish
Authors: Renz Adina J , Gunter Helen M , Fischer Jan MF , Qiu Huan , Meyer Axel , Kuraku Shigehiro 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Cichlid fishes have undergone rapid, expansive evolutionary radiations that are manifested in the diversification of their trophic morphologies, tooth patterning and coloration. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the cichlids' unique patterns of evolution requires a thorough examination of genes that pattern the neural crest, from which these diverse phenotypes are derived. Among those genes, the homeobox-containing Dlx gene family is of particular interest since it is involved in the patterning of the brain, jaws and teeth.

Results
In this study, we characterized the dlx genes of an African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, to provide a baseline to later allow cross-species comparison within Cichlidae. We identified seven dlx paralogs (dlx1a, -2a, -4a, -3b, -4b, -5a and -6a), whose orthologies were validated with molecular phylogenetic trees. The intergenic regions of three dlx gene clusters (dlx1a-2a, dlx3b-4b, and dlx5a-6a) were amplified with long PCR. Intensive cross-species comparison revealed a number of conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) that are shared with other percomorph fishes. This analysis highlighted additional lineage-specific gains/losses of CNEs in different teleost fish lineages and a novel CNE that had previously not been identified. Our gene expression analyses revealed overlapping but distinct expression of dlx orthologs in the developing brain and pharyngeal arches. Notably, four of the seven A. burtoni dlx genes, dlx2a, dlx3b, dlx4a and dlx5a, were expressed in the developing pharyngeal teeth.

Conclusion
This comparative study of the dlx genes of A. burtoni has deepened our knowledge of the diversity of the Dlx gene family, in terms of gene repertoire, expression patterns and non-coding elements. We have identified possible cichlid lineage-specific changes, including losses of a subset of dlx expression domains in the pharyngeal teeth, which will be the targets of future functional studies.
p53 mutant breast cancer patients expressing p53γ have as good a prognosis as wild-type p53 breast cancer patients
Authors: Bourdon Jean-Christophe , Khoury Marie P , Diot Alexandra , Baker Lee , Fernandes Kenneth , Aoubala Mustapha , Quinlan Philip , Purdie Colin A , Jordan Lee B , Prats Anne-Catherine , Lane David P , Thompson Alastair M 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Normal function of the p53 network is lost in most cancers, often through p53 mutation. The clinical impact of p53 mutations in breast cancer remains uncertain, especially where p53 isoforms may modify the effects of these p53 mutations.

Methods
Expression of p53β and p53γ isoforms, the isoforms identified in normal breast tissue, was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction from a cohort of 127 primary breast tumours. Expression of p53β and p53γ isoforms was analysed in relation to clinical markers and clinical outcomes (5 years) by binary logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses.

Results
p53β and p53γ were not randomly expressed in breast cancer. p53β was associated with tumour oestrogen receptor (ER) expression, and p53γ was associated with mutation of the p53 gene. The patient group with the mutant p53 breast tumour-expressing p53γ isoform had low cancer recurrence and an overall survival as good as that of patients with wild-type p53 breast cancer. Conversely, patients expressing only mutant p53, without p53γ isoform expression, had a particularly poor prognosis.

Conclusions
The determination of p53γ expression may allow the identification, independently of the ER status, of two subpopulations of mutant p53 breast cancer patients, one expressing p53γ with a prognosis as good as the wild-type p53 breast cancer patients and a second one not expressing p53γ with a particularly poor prognosis. The p53γ isoform may provide an explanation of the hitherto inconsistent relationship between p53 mutation, treatment response and outcome in breast cancer.
Effect of Animal Facility Construction on Basal Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Renin-Aldosterone Activity in the Rat
Authors: Raff Hershel , Bruder Eric D. , Cullinan William E. , Ziegler Dana R. , Cohen Eric P. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAlthough loud noise and intense vibration are known to alter the behavior and phenotype of laboratory animals, little is known about the effects of nearby construction. We studied the effect of a nearby construction project on the classic stress hormones ACTH, corticosterone, renin, and aldosterone in rats residing in a barrier animal facility before, for the first 3 months of a construction project, and at 1 month after all construction was completed. During some of the construction, noise and vibrations were not obvious to investigators inside the animal rooms. Body weight matched for age was not altered by nearby construction. During nearby construction, plasma ACTH, corticosterone, and aldosterone were approximately doubled compared with those of pre- and postconstruction levels. Expression of CRH mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, CRH receptor and POMC mRNA in the anterior pituitary, and most mRNAs for steroidogenic genes in the adrenal gland were not significantly changed during construction. We conclude that nearby construction can cause a stress response without long-term effects on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis gene expression and body weight.
The Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Work Integration Following Stroke
Authors: Schönberger Michael , Hansen Niels R. , Pedersen Daniel T. , Zeeman Peter , Jørgensen Jørgen Roed 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjective:To investigate the relationship between physical fitness and work integration following stroke.Design:Single-group study, measurement of physical fitness pre and post physical training, measurement of employment status in a follow-up assessment 2 to 36 months after rehabilitation.Setting:Interdisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation program.Participants:58 stroke survivors (62% male, mean age at program start 46.7 years, mean time since stroke 1.1 years) who were consecutively referred to the program.Intervention:1½ hours of intensive training of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength 1–3 times weekly as part of the 3-month program.Measures:Physical fitness was measured with a modified Harvard Step Test, the Åstrand Cycling Test, and walking/running speed. The type of participants' employment as well as the amount of working hours was registered.Results:Good physical fitness as measured by the Harvard Step test, but not the Åstrand Cycling Test and walking/running speed, was related to return to competitive, full-time employment. Test results from training tended to predict work reintegration better than test results from training start. Improvement of physical fitness as measured by the Harvard Step Test was also related to follow-up employment.Conclusions:The results imply a relationship between physical fitness and work integration following stroke and should be confirmed with a randomised controlled study design.
Autobiographical Event Memory in Patients With Mesial Temporal Lobe Lesions: Impact of Test Methodology and Aetiology of Lesion
Authors: Gray Kathryn , Lah Suncica , Batchelor Samantha , Thompson Elizabeth , Miller Laurie 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThere is some evidence that in patients with temporal lobe lesions, the presence and temporal pattern of deficits in autobiographical event memory depends on aetiology and the methodology used. In this study, 19 patients with mesial temporal lesions that involved the hippocampus (14 temporal lobectomy [TL] and 5 cerebral vascular accident [CVA]) were compared to 20 normal control [NC] subjects on the Autobiographical Memory Interview, Autobiographical Fluency Test for Events (AFT-Events) and a modified Crovitz Cue Technique. All three measures revealed impairments in autobiographical event recall for the TL patients, but only the Crovitz Cue Technique detected a deficit for the CVA group. No temporal gradients in retrograde recall were found. The findings indicate that test methodology and aetiology of lesion influence the likelihood of finding deficits in recall of autobiographical events but not the temporal pattern of deficits.
Is the public interest under threat? Public service broadcasting, market failure and new technologies: the view from the European Union
Authors: Michalis Maria 
Published: January 2011

This article examines the status of public service broadcasting in the European Union, focusing on the extent to which State aid rules prescribe its scope in particular in the new media environment. Although its substantive policy output is centred on economic and competition priorities, the European Union has been increasingly sensitive to public interest considerations. Moreover, it is argued that the European Commission has generally supported public service broadcasters in its decisions and, even if critical at times, has overall respected the balance between economic and sociocultural aims struck at the national level.The revised Broadcasting Communication (2009) endorses market arguments, but at the same time it rejects some potentially restrictive approaches implied in earlier investigations and strengthens subsidiarity in the field of public service broadcasting. The Communication reaffirms that the member states are primarily responsible for promoting democratic and public interest objectives, but, and here lies the tension, the European Union has effectively a vetting power in ensuring that these objectives do not unduly distort competition. The precise impact of the Communication on the public interest now hangs on how member states will implement it.
On the Design of Instrumented Double-Wall Model Piles Used to Investigate Plugging of Open-Ended Pipe Piles
Authors: Iskander Magued 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Plugging of open-ended pipe piles during installation and loading is an important phenomenon with substantial effects on pile capacity. This paper offers a number of comments related to the design of instrumented double-wall pipe piles that are becoming increasingly popular in research. A double-wall pile consists of two concentric thin-wall cylinders that are rigidly fixed at the top and are free to strain independently of one another elsewhere, with the pile shoe attached to one of the cylinders. Instrumentation that permits defining the state of the stress around the pile is installed between the two cylinders. Pile geometry, location of pile shoe, protection of sensors, radial stress measurements, and pore water pressure measurements are discussed. Measurements indicate that when a pile plugs, load is transferred by arching to the inner pile surface within the first two pile diameters. The data also indicates that a surge in pore water pressure occurs with each hammer blow, which results in a reduction of effective stress and subsequent pile setup.
The Single Z-Plasty for Cleft Palate Repair: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Tan Wei-Qiang , Xu Jing-Hong , Yao Jian-Min 
Published: January 2011

Objective To introduce a surgical technique for the repair of cleft palate with the single and full-thickness Z-plasty method. Patients and Methods The procedure was performed from 1999 to 2006 in 34 patients with cleft palate with a median age of 6.0 years (range, 2.0 to 21 years). In these patients, in order to push the soft palate back farther, a single and full-thickness Z-plasty, designed on the soft palate across the defect, was applied to the von Langenbeck procedure. The full thickness of the soft palate was incised after the hard palate was closed by suturing the two mucoperiosteal flaps, and two Z-plasty flaps were formed. The two flaps were then transposed and closed by interrupted suturing of three layers of the palate in proper order, from nasal mucosa, levator muscle to oral mucosa. The patients were followed for 6 months to 3 years, velopharyngeal closure was examined by nasopharyngeal fiberscope and/or x-ray radiography, and a clinical speech evaluation was performed. Results In all patients, no problem of flap viability was encountered and all healed well. The postoperative results were satisfactory without any complications such as dehiscence, perforation, or palatal fistula. The clinical speech evaluation was satisfactory, and the effects of the operation were stable. Conclusions The technique presented has been effective, having the advantages of palatal closure without tension and with sufficient lengthening of the soft palate.
The uptake of persistent organic pollutants by plants
Authors: Kacálková Lada , Tlustoš Pavel 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
In a field experiment, the transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated soil to maize (Zea mays L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), poplar (Populus nigra × P. maximowiczii) and willow (Salix × smithiana) and the distribution of PCB congeners in maize and sunflower was investigated. The former waste incinerator in Hradec Králové (Czech Republic) was chosen for the experiment. Results of plot screening showed heterogenous contamination by PCBs and PAHs. PCB soil contamination was evidently caused by Delor 106 or Aroclor 1260 stocking and PAH contamination by chemicals containing fluoranthene, benzo/b/fluoranthene, phenanthrene and pyrene. Tested plants were planted on a contaminated field site, in soil contaminated with 1530 µg/kg of total PCBs and 0.138 and 3.42 mg/kg of total PAHs. The results show that maize and sunflower roots accumulated the most PCBs from soil. These plants accumulated hexa- and heptachlorobiphenyl congeners more than tri-, tetra-, and pentachlorobiphenyl congeners. Total concentrations of PAHs in tested plants ranged from 0.096 to 1.34 mg/kg. The highest phenanthrene concentration was found in aboveground biomass of sunflower and the highest concentration of pyrene, in maize roots.
The effect of cyanobacterial blooms in the Siemianówka Dam Reservoir on the phytoplankton structure in the Narew River
Authors: Grabowska Magdalena , Mazur-Marzec Hanna 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
The effect of cyanobacterial blooms on the phytoplankton structure in the lowland Narew River (north-eastern Poland) was examined. The studies were carried out at stations situated at different distances from the eutrophic Siemianówka Dam Reservoir. In 2008, the investigated lowland reservoir and the outflowing river were characterized by the dominance of toxic cyanobacteria (from July to October). At a station situated 130 km below the dam, species composition in the river was very similar to that in the shallow reservoir. Planktothrix agardhii was the main and permanent dominant, both in limnoplankton and potamoplankton. The current study indicates that the eutrophic Siemianówka Dam Reservoir is the main and rich source of phytoplankton for the outflowing Narew River. Cyanobacteria were dominant in the river phytoplankton at all sampling stations, but their share in phytoplankton biomass gradually decreased with the distance from the dam. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of microcystins (MCs) in water samples collected from June to October. The toxins, mainly demethylated MC analogues, were detected at a long distance down the river, even 100 km from the dam. Maximum concentration of MCs (14.3 μg l−1) was measured on 13 October, 9.1 km below the dam.