bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post‐transcriptional regulation of fukutin in an astrocytoma cell line
Authors: Yamamoto Tomoko , Kato Yoichiro , Hiroi Atsuko , Shibata Noriyuki , Osawa Makiko , Kobayashi Makio 
Published: January 2012

SummaryFukutin is the gene responsible for Fukuyama‐type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), an autosomal recessive disease associated with central nervous system (CNS) and eye anomalies. Fukutin is involved in basement membrane formation via the glycosylation of α‐dystroglycan (α‐DG), and hypoglycosylation of α‐DG provokes the muscular, CNS and eye lesions of FCMD. Astrocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of the CNS lesions, but the post‐transcriptional regulation of fukutin mRNA has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of fukutin mRNA using an astrocytoma cell line that expresses fukutin and glycosylated α‐DG. The glycosylation of α‐DG was considered to be increased by over‐expression of fukutin and decreased by knockdown of fukutin. Knockdown of Musashi‐1, one of the RNA‐binding proteins involved in the regulation of neuronal differentiation, induced a decrease in fukutin mRNA. Immunoprecipitation and ELISA‐based RNA‐binding assay demonstrated possible binding between fukutin mRNA and Musashi‐1 protein. A relationship between fukutin mRNA and vimentin protein was also proposed. In situ hybridization for fukutin mRNA showed a positive cytoplasmic reaction including cytoplasmic processes. From these results, fukutin mRNA is suggested to be a localized mRNA up‐regulated by Musashi‐1 and to be a component of a mRNA‐protein complex which includes Musashi‐1 and (presumably) vimentin proteins.
Anti‐angiogenic properties of ADAMTS‐4 in vitro
Authors: Hsu Yi‐Ping , Staton Carolyn A. , Cross Neil , Buttle David J. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryAngiogenesis is an indispensable mechanism in development and in many pathologies, including cancer, synovitis and aberrant wound healing. Many angiogenic stimulators and inhibitors have been investigated, and some have progressed to the clinic. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) is a group of multifunctional proteinases. ADAMTS‐1 and ADAMTS‐8 have been reported to be anti‐angiogenic. Here, we provide evidence that ADAMTS‐4, like ADAMTS‐1, is expressed by endothelial cells and binds to vascular endothelial groth factor (VEGF). Moreover, ADAMTS‐4 inhibited human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HuDMEC) VEGF‐stimulated VEGF receptor (R) R2 phosphorylation, differentiation and migration, suggesting that ADAMTS‐4 may be a novel anti‐angiogenic molecule.
The relationship between naloxone‐induced cortisol and delta opioid receptor availability in mesolimbic structures is disrupted in alcohol‐dependent subjects
Authors: Wand Gary S. , Weerts Elise M. , Kuwabara Hiroto , Wong Dean F. , Xu Xiaoqiang , McCaul Mary E. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTHypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis responses following naloxone administration have been assumed to provide a measure of opioid receptor activity. Employing positron emission tomography (PET) using the mu opioid receptor (MOR) selective ligand [11C] carfentanil (CFN), we demonstrated that cortisol responses to naloxone administration were negatively correlated with MOR availability. In this study, we examined whether naloxone‐induced cortisol and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) responses in 15 healthy control and 20 recently detoxified alcohol‐dependent subjects correlated with delta opioid receptor (DOR) availability in 15 brain regions using the DOR‐selective ligand [11C] methyl‐naltrindole (MeNTL) and PET imaging. The day after the scan, cortisol responses to cumulative doses of naloxone were determined. Peak cortisol and ACTH levels and area under the cortisol and ACTH curve did not differ by group. There were negative relationships between cortisol area under curve to naloxone and [11C] MeNTL‐binding potential (BPND) in the ventral striatum, anterior cingulate, fusiform cortices, temporal cortex, putamen and a trend in the hypothalamus of healthy control subjects. However, in alcohol‐dependent subjects, cortisol responses did not correlate with [11C]MeNTL BPND in any brain region. Plasma ACTH levels did not correlate with [11C]MeNTL BPND in either group. The study demonstrates that naloxone provides information about individual differences in DOR availability in several mesolimbic structures. The data also show that the HPA axis is intimately connected with mesolimbic stress pathways through opioidergic neurotransmission in healthy subjects but this relationship is disrupted during early abstinence in alcohol‐dependent subjects.
Prosthetic joint infection in solid organ transplant recipients: a retrospective case‐control study
Authors: Vergidis P. , Lesnick T.G. , Kremers W.K. , Razonable R.R. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract:BackgroundThe clinical features and outcome of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients have not been characterized. We performed a retrospective, matched case‐control study to examine potential risk factors.MethodsWe reviewed cases of PJI among transplant recipients who were evaluated at the Mayo Clinic between 1989 and 2009. Cases were matched to non‐infected controls based on transplant type, prosthetic joint type, and order of organ transplantation/joint implantation.ResultsAmong 367 patients with both a joint prosthesis and an SOT, there were 12 cases of infection in those receiving immunosuppression. These occurred in 8 renal recipients, 3 liver recipients, and 1 heart transplant recipient. Six subjects had hip and 6 had knee arthroplasty infections. The observed time to prosthesis failure ranged from 0.5 to 148 months after implantation. Gram‐positive bacteria (staphylococci and streptococci) caused the infection in 8 subjects. Two cases were caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria, whereas the remaining 2 cases were culture‐negative in the setting of antimicrobial use. We did not find a statistically significant association between obesity, diabetes mellitus, or antimicrobial prophylaxis (given in the setting of immunosuppression) and development of PJI. A marginal association was seen between surgical site infection and the risk of PJI; however, this did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionIn our series, infection was mainly caused by gram‐positive bacterial pathogens, similar to the commonly encountered organisms in the immunocompetent host, although opportunistic pathogens were also isolated.
Fermentation of six different forages in the semi‐continuous fermentation technique Caesitec
Authors: Vosmer J. , Liesegang A. , Wanner M. , Zeyner A. , Suter D. , Hoelzle L. , Wichert B. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to compare carbohydrate degradation of forages which store carbohydrates either predominantly as fructan or starch, in horses’ hindgut. The effects of an abrupt change from hay‐based feeding to green fodder‐based feeding on the caecal flora were tested with the in vitro hindgut simulation technique ‘Caesitec’.Six trials with different forages (English ryegrass, tall fescue, grass mixture‐horses, grass mixture‐cows, lucerne, white clover) were conducted. During a 4‐day stabilisation period, samples were taken once a day before loading the fermenters with hay. After diet‐change to forage‐based feeding, samples were taken four times a day. Ammonia and pH‐value were measured before and 1, 2 and 6 h after loading the ‘Caesitec’. Gas formation was measured daily. Bacterial numbers, lactate and short chain fatty acids were detected at four time‐points of each trial.The grass mixtures contained the highest amounts of fructan. The pH‐values were in the physiological range from pH 6 up to 7 (6.58–6.83) by feeding all forages. Gas formation, anaerobic and aerobic bacterial numbers increased after diet change from hay to any forage.The maximum amount of fructan (3.75 g/kg) in swiss pasture did not cause a permanent pathological change in the hindgut‐flora.
Comparative analysis of recombinant Human Papillomavirus 8 L1 production in plants by a variety of expression systems and purification methods
Authors: Matić Slavica , Masenga Vera , Poli Alice , Rinaldi Riccardo , Milne Robert G. , Vecchiati Manuela , Noris Emanuela 
Published: January 2012

SummaryHuman papillomavirus 8 (HPV‐8), one of the high‐risk cutaneous papillomaviruses (cHPVs), is associated with epidermodysplasia verruciformis and nonmelanoma skin cancer in immuno‐compromised individuals. Currently, no vaccines against cHPVs have been reported; however, recent studies on cross‐neutralizing properties of their capsid proteins (CP) have fostered an interest in vaccine production against these viruses. We examined the potential of producing HPV‐8 major CP L1 in Nicotiana benthamiana by agroinfiltration of different transient expression vectors: (i) the binary vector pBIN19 with or without silencing suppressor constructs, (ii) the nonreplicating Cowpea mosaic virus‐derived expression vector pEAQ‐HT and (iii) a replicating Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)‐based vector alone or with signal peptides. Although HPV‐8 L1 was successfully expressed using pEAQ‐HT and TMV, a 15‐fold increase was obtained with pEAQ‐HT. In contrast, no L1 protein could be immune detected using pBIN19 irrespective of whether silencing suppressors were coexpressed, although such constructs were required for identifying L1‐specific transcripts. A fourfold yield increase in L1 expression was obtained when 22 C‐terminal amino acids were deleted (L1ΔC22), possibly eliminating a nuclear localization signal. Electron microscopy showed that plant‐made HPV‐8 L1 proteins assembled in appropriate virus‐like particles (VLPs) of T = 1 or T = 7 symmetry. Ultrathin sections of L1ΔC22‐expressing cells revealed their accumulation in the cytoplasm in the form of VLPs or paracrystalline arrays. These results show for the first time the production and localization of HPV‐8 L1 protein in planta and its assembly into VLPs representing promising candidate for potential vaccine production.
Which decision‐making arrangements generate the strongest legitimacy beliefs? Evidence from a randomised field experiment
Authors: ESAIASSON PETER , GILLJAM MIKAEL , PERSSON MIKAEL 
Published: January 2012

AbstractHow can democracies satisfy citizens' demands for legitimate decision making? This article reports findings from a randomised field experiment designed to mimic decision making in large‐scale democracies. Natural collectives of individuals with a shared history and future (high school classes) were studied. They were asked to make a decision about how to spend a sum of money under arrangements imposed by the researchers and distributed randomly across classes. Within this setting, empirical support for three ideas about legitimacy enhancing decision‐making arrangements is tested: participatory constitution‐making; personal involvement in the decision‐making process; and fairness in the implementation of arrangements. Throughout the analyses it was found that personal involvement is the main factor generating legitimacy beliefs.
Distribution of 5‐ht1E receptors in the mammalian brain and cerebral vasculature: an immunohistochemical and pharmacological study
Authors: Klein MT , Teitler M 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe 5‐ht1E receptor is highly expressed in the human brain and its structure is conserved in humans, suggesting an important physiological role for 5‐ht1E receptors. However, neither the function nor the distribution of this receptor has been characterized in the mammalian brain.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHRats and mice lack the 5‐ht1E receptor gene; thus, we used guinea pig brain tissue and immunofluorescent staining techniques to provide the first specific localization of 5‐ht1E receptors in the mammalian brain.KEY RESULTSHigh levels of 5‐ht1E receptors are detected in olfactory bulb glomeruli as well as the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus (DG). In DG membranes, BRL54443, a 5‐ht1E/5‐HT1F agonist, selectively stimulated 5‐ht1E receptors and potently inhibited forskolin‐dependent cAMP production (IC50= 14 nM). The staining pattern of 5‐ht1E receptors in brain tissue suggests that this receptor is expressed predominantly in neurons rather than in glia. Additionally, 5‐ht1E receptors were detected in the adventitial layer of cerebral arteries but not in the microvasculature, venous tissue or other brain arteries.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThese observations should help to predict clinical effects of 5‐ht1E‐selective drugs. For example, the stimulation of 5‐ht1E receptors and subsequent inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in the DG suggests that 5‐ht1E receptors may mediate regulation of hippocampal activity by 5‐HT, making it a possible drug target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by memory deficits (such as Alzheimer's disease) or as a target for the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy.
From Identity Verification to Behavior Prediction: Ethical Implications of Second Generation Biometrics
Authors: Sutrop Margit , Laas‐Mikko Katrin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn this article, we will compare ethical issues raised by first and second generation biometrics. First generation biometrics use characteristics readily visible to the naked eye to ensure that the person identified is the person he claims to be, whereas second generation biometrics focus on behavioral patterns with the aim of predicting suspicious behavior or hostile intentions. While the collection of biometric features for identification is visible to the person involved, capturing biometric features from a distance may go unnoticed. Our study of a range of U.S. and European projects of second generation biometrics, particularly of Future Attribute Screening Technology and Automatic Detection of Abnormal Behaviour and Threats in crowded Spaces, shows that if data subjects are not aware of the processing of their data, and if behavioral patterns are interpreted without any knowledge of the subject's will and motives, there are risks of discrimination and stigmatization. Thus, second generation biometrics raise some new ethical concerns besides issues of integrity, privacy, and data protection and further underscore the importance of the principle of informed consent in order to maintain public trust.
Biometric Security and Privacy Using Smart Identity Management and Interoperability: Validation and Vulnerabilities of Various Techniques
Authors: Wechsler Harry 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe central position of this article is that validation and interoperability are paramount for the effective and ethical use of biometrics. Illuminating the relevance for policymakers of the science underlying the security and privacy aspects of biometrics, this article calls for adequate and enforceable performance metrics that can be independently corroborated. Accordingly, the article considers biometrics and forensics for the dual challenges of addressing security and privacy using smart identity management. The discussion revolves around the concepts of “personally identifiable information” (PII) and interoperability with emphasis on quantitative performance analysis and validation for uncontrolled operational settings, variable demographics, and distributed and federated operations. Validation metrics includes expected rates of identification/misidentification, precision, and recall. The complementary concepts of identity and anonymity are addressed in terms of expected performance, functionality, law and ethics, forensics, and statistical learning. Biometrics encompasses appearance, behavior, and cognitive state or intent. Modes of deployment and performance evaluation for biometrics are detailed, with operational and adversarial challenges for both security and privacy described in terms of trustworthiness, vulnerabilities, functional creep, and feasibility of safeguards. The article underscores how lack of interoperability is mostly due to overfitting and tuning to well‐controlled settings, so that validation merely confirms “teaching to the test” rather than preparation for real‐world deployment. Most important for validation is reproducibility of results including full information on the experimental design used, that forensic exclusion is allowed, and that scientific methods for performance evaluation are followed. The article concludes with expected developments regarding technology use and advancements that bear on security and privacy, including data streams and video, de‐anonymization and reidentification, social media analytics and cyber security, and smart camera networks and surveillance.
Health‐Care Data Protection and Biometric Authentication Policies: Comparative Culture and Technology Acceptance in China and in the United States
Authors: Brown Cheryl L. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA proliferation of health information technology (HIT) policies to implement dimensions of e‐health, including electronic medical records, electronic health records, personal health records, and e‐prescribing—along with expanding initiatives on mobile health in developed countries and emerging technologies—has sparked academic inquiry into the protection of privacy and data and the technology to protect privacy and data. This article examines HIT policies in the United States and in China and the use of authentication technologies to assess biometrics as privacy's friend or foe in different political frameworks with varying conceptions of privacy. An analysis of privacy in the context of health data protection, challenging relations of trust between patients and providers, the increasing perspective of health data integrity as a cyber‐security issue, and the growing rate of medical fraud and medical identity theft may yield findings of a convergence of views of privacy and biometrics unexpected of contrasting political cultures.
Remodelling of the palatal dome following rapid maxillary expansion (RME): laser scan‐quantifications during a low growth period
Authors: Muchitsch A. P. , Winsauer H. , Wendl B. , Pichelmayer M. , Kuljuh E. , Szalay A. , Muchitsch M. 
Published: January 2012

Muchitsch A. P., Winsauer H., Wendl B., Pichelmayer M., Kuljuh E., Szalay A., Muchitsch M. Remodelling of the palatal dome following rapid maxillary expansion (RME): laser scan‐quantifications during a low growth period.  Orthod Craniofac Res 2012;15:30–38 © John Wiley & Sons A/SStructured AbstractObjectives –  To evaluate changes in the palatal vault after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with bonded splint appliances.Setting and Sample Population –  The sample comprised 24 children (12 boys and 12 girls) with mixed dentition (mean age 8.3 years; range 6.4–10.4 years).Materials and Methods –  Following expansion, the splint appliance was used as a retainer for 6 months and then removed. Study casts were taken before RME (T0) and when the appliance was removed (T1). Then, 3D laser scans were taken to build complete 3D jaw models. Frontal cross sections were constructed at 53–63, 55–65 and 16–26, exported as coordinates, and finite element calculated to quantify their area, width and height. Maxillary length was also determined.Results –  Paired t‐tests indicated statistically significant increases in the average palatal width (T1–T0 = 6.53–6.79 mm) and cross‐sectional area (T1–T0 = 20.39–21.39 mm2) after RME (p < 0.001). However, small but statistically significant reductions were observed in palatal height (T1–T0 = −0.49 mm, only at 55–65; p < 0.001) and length (T1–T0 = −0.54 mm; p < 0.01). Linear regression analysis showed statistically significant (p < 0.001) direct correlations between the widths and respective cross‐sectional areas. Age did not influence any measurement. The reliability of the measurements was examined with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We found an ICC > 0.99 (p < 0.001) for all tested parameters.Conclusions –  Rapid maxillary expansion distinctly increased mean palatal widths and cross‐sectional areas. However, palatal height (55–65) and maxillary length decreased to a small extent.
Evaluation of the efficacy of two mouthrinses formulated for the relief of xerostomia of diverse origin in adult subjects
Authors: Morales‐Bozo Irene , Rojas Gonzalo , Ortega‐Pinto Ana , Espinoza Iris , Soto Lilian , Plaza Anita , Lozano Carla , Urzúa Blanca 
Published: January 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00626.xEvaluation of the efficacy of two mouthrinses formulated for the relief of xerostomia of diverse origin in adult subjectsObjective:  To evaluate the efficacy of two new mouthrinses in the reduction of xerostomía‐associated symptomatology.Background:  Xerostomia is a common chronic health condition that affects a great number of adults and significantly deteriorates quality of life, such that treatment is necessary.Materials and methods:  Sixty‐seven adult subjects of both sexes presenting xerostomia of diverse origin were selected. Mouthrinses were tested using a double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over clinical trial with an intervining wash out period.Results:  The 100% of subjects presented sensation of dry mouth, and 86% stated sensation of thick saliva. Burning tongue sensation, need to drink liquids to swallow and the sensation of swallowing difficulty were recorded in more than 50% of the patients. The most frequent pathologies in the sample were depression, arthritis, and arterial hypertension. Results of the clinical tests showed that mouthrinse 1 relieves sensation of dry mouth, need to drink liquids, and swallowing difficulty. In contrast, mouthrinse 2 relieves only latter two symptoms. Both rinses were more effective in relieving xerostomía‐associated symptomatology in patients taking 3 or more medicines simultaneously.Conclusion:  Both mouthrinses were effective in relieving various xerostomia symptoms, could be distributed at a low cost, thereby improving the quality of life of population affected.
Safety and Feasibility of NeuroFlo Use in Eight- to 24–Hour Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Hammer M. D. , Schwamm L. , Starkman S. , Schellinger P. D. , Jovin T. , Nogueira R. , Burgin W. S. , Sen S. , Diener H. C. , Watson T. , Michel P. , Shuaib A. , Dillon W. , Liebeskind D. S. 
Published: January 2012

Background Acute treatment of ischemic stroke patients presenting more than eight-hours after symptom onset remains limited and largely unproven. Partial aortic occlusion using the NeuroFlo catheter can augment cerebral perfusion in animals. We investigated the safety and feasibility of employing this novel catheter to treat ischemic stroke patients eight-hours to 24 h following symptom onset. Methods A multicenter, single-arm trial enrolled ischemic stroke patients at nine international academic medical centers. Eligibility included age 18–85 years old, National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score between four and 20, within eight-hours to 24 h after symptom onset, and perfusion–diffusion mismatch confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The primary outcome was all adverse events occurring from baseline to 30 days posttreatment. Secondary outcomes included stroke severity on neurological indices through 90 days. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00436592. Results A total of 26 patients were enrolled. Of these, 25 received treatment (one excluded due to aortic morphology); five (20%) died. Favorable neurological outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin score 0–2 vs. 3–6) was associated with lower baseline NIHSS ( P < 0·001) and with longer duration from symptom discovery to treatment. There were no symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages or parenchymal hematomas. Asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was visible on computed tomography in 32% and only on microbleed in another 20%. Conclusions Partial aortic occlusion using the NeuroFlo catheter, a novel collateral therapeutic strategy, appears safe and feasible in stroke patients eight-hours to 24 h after symptom onset.