bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric dimethylarginine damages connexin43-mediated endothelial gap junction intercellular communication
Authors: Jia Su-Jie , Zhou Zhi , Zhang Bi-Kui , Hu Zhuo-Wei , Deng Han-Wu , Li Yuan-Jian 
Published: November 2009

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a major endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, is recently defined as a novel atherogenic factor. Communication via gap junction (GJIC) is involved in the regulation of a variety of endothelial activities, such as cell differentiation and senescence. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of ADMA on connexin43 (Cx43) mediated endothelial GJIC. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) caused the downregulation of Cx43 expression and GJIC dysfunction in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which were significantly ameliorated by decreasing ADMA accumulation. Furthermore, we found that ADMA (10 µmol·L–1, 24 h) markedly downregulated Cx43 expression and damaged GJIC function in HUVECs. ADMA also increased production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of ADMA on Cx43-mediated GJIC could be attenuated by NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium and apocynin as well as p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, respectively. In conclusion, our present results suggest that ADMA inhibits endothelial GJIC function via downregulating Cx43 expression, which suggesting a novel mechanism linking between elevated ADMA level and progression of atherosclerosis.
Wogonin induces G1 phase arrest through inhibiting Cdk4 and cyclin D1 concomitant with an elevation in p21Cip1 in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells
Authors: Yang Li , Zhang Hai-wei , Hu Rong , Yang Yong , Qi Qi , Lu Na , Liu Wei , Chu Yi-yi , You Qi-dong , Guo Qing-long 
Published: November 2009

Wogonin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been shown to have tumor therapeutic potential both in vitro and in vivo. To better understand its anticancer mechanism, we examined the effect of wogonin on human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. In this study, we observed that G1 phase arrest was involved in wogonin-induced growth inhibition in HeLa cells. Over a 24 h exposure of HeLa cells to 90 µmol·L–1 wogonin, the promoters of G1–S transition, including cyclin D1/Cdk4 and pRb, decreased within 12 h and E2F-1 depleted in the nucleus at the same time. As the G1 phase arrest developed, p53 and the Cdk inhibitor p21Cip1 elevated both at protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, the up-regulation of p21Cip1 induced by wogonin was dramatically inhibited by siRNA-mediated p53 gene silencing. Collectively, our data suggested that wogonin induced G1 phase arrest in HeLa cells by modulating several key G1 regulatory proteins, such as Cdk4 and cyclin D1, as well as up-regulation of a p53-midiated p21Cip1 expression. This mechanism of wogonin may play an important role in the killing of cancerous cells and offer a potential mechanism for its anticancer action in vivo.
Size and spacing of grouse leks: comparing capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) in two contrasting Eurasian boreal forest landscapes
Authors: Rolstad Jørund , Wegge Per , Sivkov Andrey V. , Hjeljord Olav , Storaunet Ken Olaf 
Published: November 2009

Capercaillie ( Tetrao urogallus L., 1758) and black grouse ( Tetrao tetrix L., 1758 (= Lyrurus tetrix (L., 1758))) are two sympatric Eurasian lekking grouse species that differ markedly in habitat affinities and social organization. We examined how size and spacing of leks in pristine (Russia) and managed (Norway) forests were related to habitat and social behavior. Leks of both species were larger and spaced farther apart in the pristine landscape. Capercaillie leks were regularly spaced at 2–3 km distance, increasing with lek size, which in turn was positively related to the amount of middle-aged and older forests in the surrounding area. Black grouse leks were irregularly distributed at shorter distances of 1–2 km, with lek size explained by the size of the open bog arena and the amount of open habitat in the surroundings. At the landscape scale, spatial distribution of open bogs and social attraction among male black grouse caused leks to be more aggregated, whereas mutual avoidance in male capercaillie caused leks to be spaced out. In the pristine landscape, large-scale and long-term changes in forest dynamics owing to wildfires, combined with an aggregated pattern of huge bog complexes, presumably provide both grouse species with enough time and space to build up bigger lek populations than in the managed landscape.
Spring migration routes and chronology of surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata): a synthesis of Pacific coast studies
Authors: De La Cruz S.E.W. , Takekawa J. Y. , Wilson M. T. , Nysewander D. R. , Evenson J. R. , Esler D. , Boyd W. S. , Ward D. H. 
Published: November 2009

Understanding interconnectivity among wintering, stopover, and breeding areas of migratory birds is pivotal to discerning how events occurring in each might have a cross-seasonal effect on another. Such information can guide the location and timing of conservation efforts. Thus, we examined spring migration routes, chronology, and stopover use of 85 surf scoters ( Melanitta perspicillata (L., 1758)) marked with satellite transmitters at four Pacific Flyway wintering sites: San Quintin Bay, Baja California; San Francisco Bay, California; Puget Sound, Washington; and Strait of Georgia, British Columbia. Eighty-three percent of marked scoters followed two main routes to the breeding area: a Southern Inland route involving staging in Puget Sound and Strait of Georgia and protracted inland migration, or a Northern Coastal route characterized by short movements along the Pacific coast of British Columbia and southeast Alaska with inland migration initiating from Lynn Canal and surrounding areas. Route choice was related to nesting site latitude in the Canadian Northern Boreal Forest. Data from birds tracked over 2 years indicated strong migration route fidelity, but altered chronology and stopover locations between years. Departure date varied by wintering site, but arrival and apparent settling dates were synchronous, suggesting individuals adjusted migration timing to meet an optimized reproductive schedule.
ON REGULAR EXPRESSION HASHING TO REDUCE FA SIZE
Authors: COETSER WIKUS , KOURIE DERRICK G. , WATSON BRUCE W. 
Published: November 2009

The consequences of regular expression hashing as a means of finite state automaton reduction is explored, based on variations of Brzozowski's algorithm. In this approach, each hash collision results in the merging of the automaton's states, and it is subsequently shown that a super-automaton will always be constructed, regardless of the hash function used. Since direct adaptation of the classical Brzozowski algorithm leads to a non-deterministic super-automaton, a new algorithm is put forward for constructing a deterministic FA. Approaches are proposed for measuring the quality of a hash function. These ideas are empirically tested on a large sample of relatively small regular expressions and their associated automata, as well as on a small sample of relatively large regular expressions. Differences in the quality of tested hash functions are observed. Possible reasons for this are mentioned, but future empirical work is required to investigate the matter.
Fixed Points and Stability for Functional Equations in Probabilistic Metric and Random Normed Spaces
Authors: Cădariu Liviu , Radu Viorel 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWe prove a general Ulam-Hyers stability theorem for a nonlinear equation in probabilistic metric spaces, which is then used to obtain stability properties for different kinds of functional equations (linear functional equations, generalized equation of the square root, spiral generalized gamma equations) in random normed spaces. As direct and natural consequences of our results, we obtain general stability properties for the corresponding functional equations in (deterministic) metric and normed spaces.
Developmental Specialization in the Right Intraparietal Sulcus for the Abstract Representation of Numerical Magnitude
Authors: Holloway Ian D. , Ansari Daniel 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Because number is an abstract quality of a set, the way in which a number is externally represented does not change its quantitative meaning. In this study, we examined the development of the brain regions that support format-independent representation of numerical magnitude. We asked children and adults to perform both symbolic (Hindu-Arabic numerals) and nonsymbolic (arrays of squares) numerical comparison tasks as well as two control tasks while their brains were scanned using fMRI. In a preliminary analysis, we calculated the conjunction between symbolic and nonsymbolic numerical comparison. We then examined in which brain regions this conjunction differed between children and adults. This analysis revealed a large network of visual and parietal regions that showed greater activation in adults relative to children. In our primary analysis, we examined age-related differences in the conjunction of symbolic and nonsymbolic comparison after subtracting the control tasks. This analysis revealed a much more limited set of regions including the right inferior parietal lobe near the intraparietal sulcus. In addition to showing increased activation to both symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitudes over and above activation related to response selection, this region showed age-related differences in the distance effect. Our findings demonstrate that the format-independent representation of numerical magnitude in the right inferior parietal lobe is the product of developmental processes of cortical specialization and highlight the importance of using appropriate control tasks when conducting developmental neuroimaging studies.
Modulation of Face Processing by Emotional Expression and Gaze Direction during Intracranial Recordings in Right Fusiform Cortex
Authors: Pourtois Gilles , Spinelli Laurent , Seeck Margitta , Vuilleumier Patrik 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
We recorded intracranial local field potentials from structurally intact human visual cortex during several face processing tasks in a patient before brain surgery. Intracranial local field potentials were measured from subdural electrodes implanted in a right fusiform region with face-sensitive activity and a more medial location in posterior parahippocampal gyrus with house-selective activity. This electrode implantation allowed us to compare neural responses with different facial properties within two adjacent but functionally distinct cortical regions. Five experiments were conducted to determine the temporal dynamics of perceptual (Experiments 1 and 5), emotional (Experiments 2 and 3), and social (Experiment 4) effects on face-specific responses in the right fusiform. Our findings showed an early negative deflection (N200) that primarily reflected category-selective perceptual encoding of facial information, whereas higher order effects of face individuation, emotional expression, and gaze direction produced selective modulations in the same face-specific region during a later time period (from 200 to 1000 msec after onset). These results shed new lights on the time course of face recognition mechanisms in human visual cortex and reveal for the first time anatomically overlapping but temporally distinct influences of identity or emotional/social factors on face processing in right fusiform gyrus, which presumably reflect top–down feedback effects from distant brain areas.
Objective and Subjective Measures of Change Blindness: Where Are the Real Pitfalls?
Authors: Busch Niko A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWhat is the observer's conscious experience in a change blindness task? Overgaard, Jensen, and Sandberg argue that subjective measures are required for any conclusions about conscious experience. We will lay out how the choice of subjective or objective measures depends on the given research question and that objective measures allow inferences on experience given plausible assumptions regarding the relation between task performance and experience.
Effects of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation on dengue epidemics in Thailand, 1996-2005
Authors: Tipayamongkholgul Mathuros , Fang Chi-Tai , Klinchan Suratsawadee , Liu Chung-Ming , King Chwan-Chuen 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Despite intensive vector control efforts, dengue epidemics continue to occur throughout Southeast Asia in multi-annual cycles. Weather is considered an important factor in these cycles, but the extent to which the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a driving force behind dengue epidemics remains unclear.

Methods
We examined the temporal relationship between El Niño and the occurrence of dengue epidemics, and constructed Poisson autoregressive models for incidences of dengue cases. Global ENSO records, dengue surveillance data, and local meteorological data in two geographically diverse regions in Thailand (the tropical southern coastal region and the northern inland mountainous region) were analyzed.

Results
The strength of El Niño was consistently a predictor for the occurrence of dengue epidemics throughout time lags from 1 to 11 months in the two selected regions of Thailand. Up to 22% (in 8 northern inland mountainous provinces) and 15% (in 5 southern tropical coastal provinces) of the variation in the monthly incidence of dengue cases were attributable to global ENSO cycles. Province-level predictive models were fitted using 1996-2004 data and validated with out-of-fit data from 2005. The multivariate ENSO index was an independent predictor in 10 of the 13 studied provinces.

Conclusion
El Niño is one of the important driving forces for dengue epidemics across the geographically diverse regions of Thailand; however, spatial heterogeneity in the effect exists. The effects of El Niño should be taken into account in future epidemic forecasting for public health preparedness.
Mantle cell lymphoma-like solitary polypoid tumor of the esophagus: a case report
Authors: Mori Takahiro , Komeno Takuya , Ohtani Haruo 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Primary mantle cell lymphoma of the esophagus is quite rare, and we report here a case of a submucosal polypoid tumor of the esophagus that was pathologically similar, but not identical, to mantle cell lymphoma.

Case presentation
A 66-year-old man underwent surgery in our hospital for a submucosal tumor of the esophagus. Histopathologically, the submucosal tumor uniformly showed a vague, nodular pattern composed of a regular proliferation of CD3-CD10-CD20+CD79a+bcl2+ small lymphoid cells with islands of abortive CD10+Ki67+ germinal centers, without evidence of marginal zone formation or lymphoepithelial lesions. These features were consistent with mantle cell lymphoma. However, the proliferating cells weakly expressed the D-type cyclins, IgD and IgM. The tumor was diagnosed as a "mantle cell lymphoma-like tumor". Postoperative examination confirmed no tumour involvement in other organs. The patient was treated with rituximab postoperatively and has been disease free for more than 28 months after surgery.

Conclusion
The present case might be regarded as a "hyperplastic change of the mantle zone" without the molecular features of mantle cell lymphoma, a case that adds to the limited clinicopathological data on B-lymphoproliferative diseases of the esophagus.
Liver hydatid cyst perforated into the large bowel: a case report
Authors: Bougioukas Ioannis G , Courcoutsakis Nikolaos , Korakianitis Odysseas S , Tentes Antonios-Apostolos K , Prasopoulos Panagiotis 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Perforation of the liver hydatid cyst into hollow abdominal organs is an extremely rare complication. A case of two synchronous hydatid cysts in an old lady is presented. The patient had one multilobular cyst perforated into the right colon and another one uncomplicated located at the right ovary. She underwent partial cystectomy, omentoplasty, right hemicolectomy, and total hysterectomy, and had an uneventful recovery.
Rupture of urinary bladder: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Ahmed Jamil , Mallick Ismail H , Ahmad Syed Muzaffar 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder is a rare event. Patients usually present with features of peritonitis and diagnosis is usually made at operation. The morbidity and mortality rate is very high in these groups of patients.

Case presentation
We present a case of a 47-year-old caucasian woman who was known to have transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder who presented with features of peritonitis. An exploratory laparotomy revealed free perforation of the urinary bladder. The perforation was closed. However, on the second post-operative day she started draining urine from the abdominal drain and was taken back to the operating theatre. The stitches in the urinary bladder had given off and she underwent radical cystectomy along with double barrel cutaneous ureterostomies. Peritoneal biopsies revealed disseminated transitional cell carcinoma in the peritoneum. She made a slow postoperative recovery.

Conclusion
Perforation of the urinary bladder should be considered in patients presenting with peritonitis particularly with a previous history of urinary bladder cancer.
"Growing" meconium cyst in one of a discordant twin: a case report
Authors: Abdulkadir Adekunle Y , Abdur-Rahman Lukman O 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Giant meconium cyst resulting from antenatal bowel perforation is rare and hardly reported in multiple gestations. We found only four documented cases in the electronic literature.

Case presentation
We report a giant meconium cyst in an 11-hour-old Nigerian boy of a discordant twin having ultrasonographic and plain radiographic diagnosis and surgical confirmation. Increasing abdominal girth from 35 cm to 41 cm within four hours of admission without ascites, pneumoperitneum and significant bowel distension make us assumed the meconium cyst to be "growing" in size. We reviewed the literature and proposed that where the fibrinous wall of meconium cyst allows for distensibility and the communication between the perforated bowel and meconium cyst persists, the meconium cyst acting as reservoir may continue to "grow" in size without remarkable intestinal distension probably, until the elastic limit is lost.

Conclusion
Meconium cyst can occur in twin pregnancy, grow to occupy the abdomen almost completely and may cause neonatal apnoea. The outcome is good post surgery.
Gangrene due to axial torsion of a Giant Meckel's Diverticulum containing multiple stones in the lumen: a case report
Authors: Nunes Quentin M , Hotouras Alex , Tiwari Sandeep , Sheth Anuradha 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the small intestine. Common complications related to a Meckel's diverticulum include haemorrhage, intestinal obstruction and inflammation. Gangrene due to axial torsion and enteroliths of a Meckel's diverticulum are the rarest complications that have been reported in the literature. We report a case of gangrene due to axial torsion of giant Meckel's diverticulum with multiple stones in its lumen.
West nile virus myocarditis causing a fatal arrhythmia: a case report
Authors: Kushawaha Anurag , Jadonath Sunil , Mobarakai Neville 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
West Nile Virus is one of the most frequently reported etiologies of viral encephalitis in the USA. West Nile Virus infections among hospitalized patients manifests most commonly as neuro-invasive disease. West Nile Virus has also been reported to cause myocarditis. Arrhythmia is not an uncommon occurrence in viral myocarditis. As cases of West Nile Virus increase, it is important that the index of suspicion also increase for this uncommon complication. Physicians who are caring for West Nile Virus-infected patients need to be aware of the possibility of West Nile Virus -related myocarditis. The question arises whether a patient with an established diagnosis of West Nile Virus -meningoencephalitis should be under continuous cardiac monitoring, bearing in mind the rare, but fatal, complication of cardiac arrhythmia secondary to viral myocarditis. We present a case report of a 65-year-old man who initially presented with fever, blurry vision, and decreased oral intake who subsequently suffered a fatal arrhythmia; further laboratory tests and autopsy findings revealed the patient likely had developed encephalitis and myocarditis secondary to West Nile Virus infection.
Multiple extradural spinal arachnoid cysts: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Bitaraf Mohammad Ali , Zeinalizadeh Mehdi , Meybodi Ali Tayebi , Meybodi Keyvan Tayebi , Habibi Zohreh 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Extradural spinal arachnoid cysts are rare lesions, which may become symptomatic due to mass effect. Multiple cysts are even rarer of which few are reported to date. A 17-year-old male with acute onset urinary retention and progressive paraparesis is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging of spine revealed multiple spinal extradural arachnoid cysts located dorsal to the spinal cord, causing mass effect. The patient underwent surgery for excision of the cyst and closure of dural defects. He gained urinary continence and near normal muscle strength of lower extremities over a period of two weeks following operation. Up to date, there have been only sixteen reported cases of multiple spinal extradural arachnoid cysts in the literature and the present case appears to be the second most extensive one reported so far. Appreciation of the rarity of such lesions as well as the importance of surgical planning (especially pre-operative localization of the dural defects) is highlighted.
High cardiovascular risks in a North Indian Agarwal community: a case series
Authors: Gupta Rajeev , Agrawal Mukta 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Community specific cardiovascular disease risk factor studies may be useful to evaluate genetic versus environmental causes. Agarwal is a high profile business community in India. A family based narrative from this community reveals a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases- stroke and coronary heart disease. This is associated with high prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors such as central obesity, hypertension, lipid abnormalities and diabetes. Another study in the same community in Jaipur reveals high prevalence of obesity associated with low physical activity and high dietary calorie and fat intake. Lifestyle factors appear to be mediator of the cardiovascular epidemic in this community.