bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The course and prognosis of pemphigus in 47 Tunisian patients
Authors: Khaled A. , Taazayet S. Ben , Ben Alaya N. , Souissi A. , Zeglaoui F. , Kaffel N. , Kharfi M. , Zermani R. , Fazaa B. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Pemphigus is a severe and life‐threatening autoimmune bullous dermatosis.Objective  We have analysed parameters that may influence prognosis of pemphigus (P).Methods  It was a retrospective study (2002–2010), with pemphigus considered as severe if body surface involvement ≥30%. Disease control and relapse‐free survival (Kaplan–Meier) were analysed and compared according to several parameters (P < 0.05).Results  47 cases of pemphigus were collected, mean age 51 years ± 16.8 (F/H = 3.27). There were 30 pemphigus profundus and 17 superficial pemphigus. The median remission period was of 9 months (1.2 months–5 years). The mean healing time was of 40 days (6 days–4 months), which did not depend on type of P, its severity or infectious complications, whereas it was shorter in aged patient (≥65 years) compared to non aged ones (P = 0.018). 36.2% of patients had relapsed. Relapses were significantly more frequently observed only in the presence of mucosal involvement at presentation (P = 0.015). The median overall 1st relapse‐free survival was of 2.33 years. Only mucosal involvement at presentation was associated with a shorter median 1st relapse‐free survival time (1.28 years vs. 3 years) (P = 0.0017). Mortality rate was of 10.6% (n = 5); in four patients the death was directly related to pemphigus and occurred rapidly after the onset of lesions.Conclusion  Our study illustrates the poor prognosis of pemphigus by a long duration to disease control, a high initial dose of oral steroid, a high rate of relapse and a short remission period. Only mucosal involvement at presentation was identified as a poor prognostic factor.
Lateral root initiation: one step at a time
Authors: De Smet Ive 
Published: December 2011

SummaryPlant growth relies heavily on a root system that is hidden belowground, which develops post‐embryonically through the formation of lateral roots. The de novo formation of lateral root organs requires tightly coordinated asymmetric cell division of a limited number of pericycle cells located at the xylem pole. This typically involves the formation of founder cells, followed by a number of cellular changes until the cells divide and give rise to two unequally sized daughter cells. Over the past few years, our knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms behind lateral root initiation has increased dramatically. Here, I will summarize these recent advances, focusing on the prominent role of auxin and cell cycle activity, and elaborating on the three key steps of pericycle cell priming, founder cell establishment and asymmetric cell division. Taken together, recent findings suggest a tentative model in which successive auxin response modules are crucial for lateral root initiation, and additional factors provide more layers of control.
A novel anti‐inflammatory role for spleen‐derived interleukin‐10 in obesity‐induced hypothalamic inflammation
Authors: Gotoh Koro , Inoue Megumi , Masaki Takayuki , Chiba Seiichi , Shimasaki Takanobu , Ando Hisae , Fujiwara Kansuke , Katsuragi Isao , Kakuma Tetsuya , Seike Masataka , Sakata Toshiie , Yoshimatsu Hironobu 
Published: December 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 752–764.AbstractObesity can be associated with systemic low‐grade inflammation that contributes to obesity‐related metabolic disorders. Recent studies raise the possibility that hypothalamic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of diet‐induced obesity (DIO), while another study reported that obesity decreases the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in spleen. The following study examines the hypothesis that obesity suppresses the splenic synthesis of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)‐10, thereby resulting in chronic hypothalamic inflammation. The results showed that due to oxidative stress or apoptosis, the synthesis of splenic IL‐10 was decreased in DIO when compared with non‐obesity rats. Splenectomy (SPX) accelerated DIO‐induced inflammatory responses in the hypothalamus. Interestingly, SPX suppressed the DIO‐induced increases in food intake and body weight and led to a hypothalamic pro‐inflammatory state that was similar to that produced by DIO, indicating that hypothalamic inflammation exerts a dual effect on energy metabolism. These SPX‐induced changes were inhibited by the systemic administration of IL‐10. Moreover, SPX had no effect on hypothalamic inflammatory responses in IL‐10‐deficient mice. These data suggest that spleen‐derived IL‐10 plays an important role in the prevention of hypothalamic inflammation and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and hypothalamic inflammation.
Pre‐synaptic dopamine D3 receptor mediates cocaine‐induced structural plasticity in mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons via ERK and Akt pathways
Authors: Collo Ginetta , Bono Federica , Cavalleri Laura , Plebani Laura , Merlo Pich Emilio , Millan Mark J. , Spano Pier Franco , Missale Cristina 
Published: December 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 765–778.AbstractExposure to psychostimulants results in neuroadaptive changes of the mesencephalic dopaminergic system including morphological reorganization of dopaminergic neurons. Increased dendrite arborization and soma area were previously observed in primary cultures of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons after 3‐day exposure to dopamine agonists via activation of D3 autoreceptors (D3R). In this work, we showed that cocaine significantly increased dendritic arborization and soma area of dopaminergic neurons from E12.5 mouse embryos by activating phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and thymoma viral proto‐oncogene (Akt). These effects were dependent on functional D3R expression because cocaine did not produce morphological changes or ERK/Akt phosphorylation neither in primary cultures of D3R mutant mice nor following pharmacologic blockade with D3R antagonists SB‐277011‐A and S‐33084. Cocaine effects on morphology and ERK/Akt phosphorylation were inhibited by pre‐incubation with the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase inhibitor LY294002. These observations were corroborated in vivo by morphometrical assessment of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons of P1 newborns exposed to cocaine from E12.5 to E16.5. Cocaine increased the soma area of wild‐type but not of D3R mutant mice, supporting the translational value of primary culture. These findings indicate a direct involvement of D3R and ERK/Akt pathways as critical mediators of cocaine‐induced structural plasticity, suggesting their involvement in psychostimulant addiction.
The target‐specific transporter and current status of diuretics as antihypertensive
Authors: Ali Syed Salman , Sharma Pramod Kumar , Garg Vipin Kumar , Singh Avnesh Kumar , Mondal Sambhu Charan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe currently available diuretics increase the urinary excretion of sodium chloride by selective inhibition of specific sodium transporters in the loop of Henle and distal nephron. In recent years, the molecular cloning of the diuretic‐sensitive sodium transporters at distal convoluted tubule has improved our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of action of each class of diuretics. Diuretics are tools of considerable therapeutic importance. First, they effectively reduce blood pressure. Loop and thiazide diuretics are secreted from the proximal tubule via the organic anion transporter‐1 and exert their diuretic action by binding to the Na+‐K+‐2Cl− co‐transporter type 2 in the thick ascending limb and the Na+‐ Cl− co‐transporter in the distal convoluted tubule, respectively. Recent studies in animal models suggest that abundance of these ion transporters is affected by long‐term diuretic administration. The WHO/ISH guidelines point out that diuretics enhance the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs and will most often be a component of combination therapy.
Impact of exercise on retinal microvascular regulation measured by dynamic vessel analysis in healthy individuals
Authors: Rueddel Torben , Kneser Matthias , Tost Frank 
Published: December 2011

SummaryWe assessed the acute impact of physical exercise on the retinal vessel diameter and the regulation of vasoconstriction and vasodilatation owing to flicker that has never been examined before. Forty young (mean age 24 years) healthy subjects (26 women and 14 men) had retinal examinations with dynamic vessel analysis prior and after (0·5, 1·5 and 2·5 h) intense exercise of 20 min. The measurements were always taken on continuous same eye, each with a 350‐s permanent dynamic vascular analysis including three cycles of 20 s with 12·5‐Hz flicker provocation of the retinal vessel analyser system (RVA) device. Blood pressure values were measured before and after the dynamic vessel analysis with a portable, automatic blood pressure monitor. Dynamic vessel analysis revealed that exercise had a substantial quickly and long‐lasting effect on arterial and venous diameter (F = 30·38 and 35·85, P<0·001) and arterial dilatation owing to flicker (F = 10·67, P<0·005). The effect of flicker on arterial constriction was not significant for all time periods (F = 0·26). Friedman test revealed that arterial constriction to flicker was significantly increased at 30 and 90 min (χ2 = 43·3 and 49·2, P<0·001). Exercise had a significant effect on venous constriction and dilatation owing to flicker (F = 11·14, P<0·001, F = 3·77, P<0·05). Our results demonstrate that the expected impact of exercise can be accurately assessed with the RVA. We therefore suggest that the RVA is a valid instrument to assess early structural and functional alterations in the retinal vascular system.
DCE‐MRI: a review and applications in veterinary oncology
Authors: Boss M. Keara , Muradyan N. , Thrall D. E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractDynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) is a functional imaging technique that assesses the physiology of tumour tissue by exploiting abnormal tumour microvasculature. Advances made through DCE‐MRI include improvement in the diagnosis of cancer, optimization of treatment choices, assessment of treatment efficacy and non‐invasive identification of prognostic information. DCE‐MRI enables quantitative assessment of tissue vessel density, integrity, and permeability, and this information can be applied to study of angiogenesis, hypoxia and the evaluation of various biomarkers. Reproducibility of DCE‐MRI results is important in determining the significance of observed changes in the parameters. As improvements are made towards the utility of DCE‐MRI and interpreting biologic associations, the technique will be applied more frequently in the study of cancer in animals. Given the importance of tumour perfusion with respect to tumour oxygenation and drug delivery, the use of DCE‐MRI is a convenient and powerful way to gain basic information about a tumour.
Computational Model‐Based Design of a Wearable Artificial Pump‐Lung for Cardiopulmonary/Respiratory Support
Authors: Wu Zhongjun J. , Taskin M. Ertan , Zhang Tao , Fraser Katharine H. , Griffith Bartley P. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are the only immediate options available for patients with respiratory failure. However, these options present significant shortcomings. To address this unmet need for respiratory support, innovative respiratory assist devices are being developed. In this study, we present the computational model‐based design, and analysis of functional characteristics and hemocompatibility performance, of an innovative wearable artificial pump‐lung (APL) for ambulatory respiratory support. Computer‐aided design and computational fluid dynamics (CFD)‐based modeling were utilized to generate the geometrical model and to acquire the fluid flow field, gas transfer, and blood damage potential. With the knowledge of flow field, gas transfer, and blood damage potential through the whole device, design parameters were adjusted to achieve the desired specifications based on the concept of virtual prototyping using the computational modeling in conjunction with consideration of the constraints on fabrication processes and materials. Based on the results of the CFD design and analysis, the physical model of the wearable APL was fabricated. Computationally predicted hydrodynamic pumping function, gas transfer, and blood damage potential were compared with experimental data from in vitro evaluation of the wearable APL. The hydrodynamic performance, oxygen transfer, and blood damage potential predicted with computational modeling, along with the in vitro experimental data, indicated that this APL meets the design specifications for respiratory support with excellent biocompatibility at the targeted operating condition.
The Type of Dietary Fat Modulates Intestinal Tight Junction Integrity, Gut Permeability, and Hepatic Toll‐Like Receptor Expression in a Mouse Model of Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Kirpich Irina A. , Feng Wenke , Wang Yuhua , Liu Yanlong , Barker David F. , Barve Shirish S. , McClain Craig J. 
Published: December 2011

Background:  Interactions between the gut, immune system, and the liver, as well as the type of fat in the diet, are critical components of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of saturated fat (SF) and unsaturated fat (USF) on ethanol (EtOH)‐induced gut‐liver interactions in a mouse model of ALD.Methods:  C57BL/6N mice were fed Lieber–DeCarli liquid diets containing EtOH and enriched in USF (corn oil) or SF (medium chain triglycerides:beef tallow). Control mice were pair‐fed on an isocaloric basis. Liver injury and steatosis, blood endotoxin levels, intestinal permeability, and tight junction (TJ) integrity, as well as hepatic Toll‐like receptor (TLR) gene expression, were evaluated.Results:  After 8 weeks of EtOH feeding, liver injury and steatosis were observed in USF + EtOH group compared with control and SF + EtOH. Significantly increased intestinal permeability in conjunction with elevated blood endotoxin levels were observed in the ileal segments of the mice fed USF + EtOH. USF diet alone resulted in down‐regulation of intestinal TJ protein mRNA expression compared with SF. Importantly, alcohol further suppressed TJ proteins in USF + EtOH, but did not affect intestinal TJ in SF + EtOH group. The type of fat in the diet alone did not affect hepatic TLR expression. Compared with control animals, hepatic TLR (TLR 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9) mRNA expression was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in USF + EtOH, but not in SF + EtOH group. Notably, TLR5 was the only up‐regulated TLR in both SF + EtOH and USF + EtOH groups.Conclusions:  Dietary fat is an important cofactor in alcohol‐associated liver injury. We demonstrate that USF (corn oil/linoleic acid) by itself results in dysregulation of intestinal TJ integrity leading to increased gut permeability, and alcohol further exacerbates these alterations. We postulate that elevated blood endotoxin levels in response to USF and alcohol in conjunction with up‐regulation of hepatic TLRs combine to cause hepatic injury in ALD.
ADH1B Polymorphism, Alcohol Consumption, and Binge Drinking in Slavic Caucasians: Results from the Czech HAPIEE Study
Authors: Hubacek Jaroslav A. , Pikhart Hynek , Peasey Anne , Kubinova Ruzena , Bobak Martin 
Published: December 2011

Background:  Several genetic polymorphisms influence the risk of heavy alcohol consumption but it is not well understood whether the genetic effects are similar in different populations and drinking cultures, nor whether the genetic influences on binge drinking are similar to those seen for alcoholism.Methods:  We have analyzed the effect of the Arg47His (rs1229984) variant within the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1B) gene on a range of drinking related variables in a large Eastern European Slavic population (Czech HAPIEE study), which recruited random samples of men and women aged 45–69 years in 7 Czech towns (3,016 males and 3,481 females with complete data). Drinking frequency, annual alcohol intake, prevalence of binge drinking (≥100 g in men and ≥60 g in women at least once a month) and the mean dose of alcohol per occasion were measured by the graduated frequency questionnaire. Alcohol intake in a typical week was used to define heavy drinking (≥350 g/wk in men and ≥210 g in women). Problem drinking (≥2 positive answers on CAGE) and negative consequences of drinking on different aspects of life were also measured.Results:  The frequency of the His47 allele carriers was 11%. Homozygotes in the common allele (Arg47Arg), among both males and females, had significantly higher drinking frequency, and annual and weekly intake of alcohol than His47 carriers. The odds ratio of heavy drinking in Arg47Arg homozygotes versus His47 carriers was 2.1 (95% confidence intervals 1.1–3.2) in men and 2.2 (1.0–4.7) in women. In females, but not in males, Arg47Arg homozygotes had marginally significantly higher prevalence of binge drinking and mean alcohol dose per drinking session. There was no consistent association with problem drinking and negative consequences of drinking.Conclusions:  The ADH1B genotype was associated with the frequency and volume of drinking but its associations with binge drinking and problem drinking were less consistent.
Microstructure and Photoluminescence Characterizations of Y3Al5O12:Ce Phosphor Ceramics Sintered with Silica
Authors: Nien Yung‐Tang , Lu Tzung‐Heng , Rao Bandi Vengala , Chen In‐Gann 
Published: December 2011

The effects of silica additions (0.5–5 wt%) and sintering temperatures (980°C–1400°C) on the microstructure and photoluminescence (PL) of Ce‐doped Y3Al5O12 (YAG:Ce) phosphor ceramics were investigated in this study. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements showed the disappearance of silica (1 wt%) at 1200°C, indicating the incorporation of Si into YAG host and agreeing with the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results. Microstructures of YAG:Ce ceramics with various silica additions observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed an obvious increasing densification and grain growth for the samples of >2.5 wt% silica at 1400°C. PL analysis demonstrated a higher intensity with increasing the sintering temperatures and the amount of silica addition. Two reasons were supposed to induce this PL enhancement of silica‐treated YAG:Ce ceramics. First, Si will replace tetrahedral Al sites and induce a homogeneous diffusion as well as distribution of Ce dopant in the YAG host due to a smaller ionic radius of Si (0.026 nm) than that of Al (0.039 nm). Secondly, a liquid phase sintering will occur with the presence of silica in YAG:Ce, resulting in the densification of ceramics and an easier migration of Ce activators to inhibit the concentration quenching effect.
Erythropoietin attenuates the sequels of ischaemic spinal cord injury with enhanced recruitment of CD34+ cells in mice
Authors: Hirano Koji , Wagner Klaus , Mark Peter , Pittermann Erik , Gäbel Ralf , Furlani Dario , Li Wenzhong , Vollmar Brigitte , Yamada Tomomi , Steinhoff Gustav , Ma Nan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractErythropoietin has been shown to promote tissue regeneration after ischaemic injury in various organs. Here, we investigated whether Erythropoietin could ameliorate ischaemic spinal cord injury in the mouse and sought an underlying mechanism. Spinal cord ischaemia was developed by cross‐clamping the descending thoracic aorta for 7 or 9 min. in mice. Erythropoietin (5000 IU/kg) or saline was administrated 30 min. before aortic cross‐clamping. Neurological function was assessed using the paralysis score for 7 days after the operation. Spinal cords were histologically evaluated 2 and 7 days after the operation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD34+ cells and the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. Each mouse exhibited either mildly impaired function or complete paralysis at day 2. Erythropoietin‐treated mice with complete paralysis demonstrated significant improvement of neurological function between day 2 and 7, compared to saline‐treated mice with complete paralysis. Motor neurons in erythropoietin‐treated mice were more preserved at day 7 than those in saline‐treated mice with complete paralysis. CD34+ cells in the lumbar spinal cord of erythropoietin‐treated mice were more abundant at day 2 than those of saline‐treated mice. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor were markedly expressed in lumbar spinal cords in erythropoietin‐treated mice at day 7. Erythropoietin demonstrated neuroprotective effects in the ischaemic spinal cord, improving neurological function and attenuating motor neuron loss. These effects may have been mediated by recruited CD34+ cells, and enhanced expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor.
Biocompatibility and bone formation with porous modified PMMA in normal and irradiated mandibular tissue
Authors: Lye Kok Weng , Tideman Henk , Wolke Joop C. G. , Merkx Matthias A. W. , Chin Francis K. C. , Jansen John A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA cemented mandibular endoprosthesis is a potentially viable option for mandibular reconstruction after ablative surgery. The commonly used PMMA cement has the inherent weakness of a lack of bioactivity. Improvement by the addition of porosities and bioactive compounds like calcium phosphates may resolve this issue.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the bone and tissue response to two modified PMMA cements with post‐operative radiation as an additional influencing factor.Materials & methodsAn in vivo animal study was performed using a mandibular rabbit model. A porous PMMA cement (A) and a porous cement incorporated with Beta‐tricalcium phosphate particles (b‐TCP) (B) were placed in bilateral mandibular defects with exposed roots and mandibular nerve of 20 animals. Half of the animals underwent additional post‐operative radiation.ResultsThe animals were healthy with only a minor complication in one rabbit. Temperature analysis showed no significant risk of thermal necrosis with the maximal in vivo cement temperature at 37.8°C. Histology demonstrated: (1) good bone ingrowth around the defect as well as within the pores of the cement and defect bridging was achieved in 70% of the specimens after 12–15 weeks of implantation, (2) no pulpal injury with minor secondary cementum response, (3) an intact mandibular nerve with no inflammation, (4) extensive degradation and resorption of the b‐TCP particles by 12–15 weeks, and (5) presence of an intervening thin fibrous tissue at the bone‐to‐cement interface. Histomorphometrical analysis revealed that there was no difference between the different cements and the presence or absence of post‐operative radiation. The 12–15 weeks specimens showed significantly more bone ingrowth and bone maturity than the 4–7 weeks specimens.ConclusionBoth modified PMMA cements have good biocompatibility, bioactivity and support bone ingrowth and additional post‐operative radiation did not show any negative effects.