bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic dysregulation of the dopamine system in diet‐induced obesity
Authors: Vucetic Zivjena , Carlin Jesse Lea , Totoki Kathy , Reyes Teresa M. 
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 891–898.AbstractChronic intake of high‐fat (HF) diet is known to alter brain neurotransmitter systems that participate in the central regulation of food intake. Dopamine (DA) system changes in response to HF diet have been observed in the hypothalamus, important in the homeostatic control of food intake, as well as within the central reward circuitry [ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and pre‐frontal cortex (PFC)], critical for coding the rewarding properties of palatable food and important in hedonically driven feeding behavior. Using a mouse model of diet‐induced obesity (DIO), significant alterations in the expression of DA‐related genes were documented in adult animals, and the general pattern of gene expression changes was opposite within the hypothalamus versus the reward circuitry (increased vs. decreased, respectively). Differential DNA methylation was identified within the promoter regions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT), and the pattern of this response was consistent with the pattern of gene expression. Behaviors consistent with increased hypothalamic DA and decreased reward circuitry DA were observed. These data identify differential DNA methylation as an epigenetic mechanism linking the chronic intake of HF diet with altered DA‐related gene expression, and this response varies by brain region and DNA sequence.
Novel Serum and Urine Markers for Pediatric Appendicitis
Authors: Kharbanda Anupam B. , Rai Alex J. , Cosme Yohaimi , Liu Khin , Dayan Peter S. 
Published: January 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19: 56–62 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  The objective was to describe the association between two novel biomarkers, calprotectin and leucine‐rich alpha glycoprotein‐1 (LRG), and appendicitis in children.Methods:  This was a prospective, cross‐sectional study of children 3 to 18 years old presenting to a pediatric emergency department (ED) with possible appendicitis. Blood and urine samples were assayed for calprotectin and LRG via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Final diagnosis was determined by histopathology or telephone follow‐up. Biomarker levels were compared for subjects with and without appendicitis. Recursive partitioning was used to identify thresholds that predicted appendicitis.Results:  Of 176 subjects, mean (±SD) age was 11.6 (±4.0) years and 52% were male. Fifty‐eight patients (34%) were diagnosed with appendicitis. Median plasma calprotectin, serum LRG, and urine LRG levels were higher in appendicitis versus nonappendicitis (p < 0.008). When stratified by perforation status, median plasma calprotectin and serum LRG levels were higher in nonperforated appendicitis versus nonappendicitis (p < 0.01). Median serum LRG, urine LRG, and plasma calprotectin levels were higher in perforated appendicitis compared to nonperforated appendicitis (p < 0.05). Urine calprotectin did not differ among groups. A serum LRG < 40,150 ng/mL, a urine LRG < 42 ng/mL, and a plasma calprotectin < 159 ng/mL, each provided a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100% to identify children at low risk for appendicitis, but with specificities ranging from 23% to 35%. The standard white blood cell (WBC) count achieved 100% sensitivity at a higher specificity than both novel biomarkers.Conclusions:  Plasma calprotectin and serum/urine LRG are elevated in pediatric appendicitis. No individual marker performed as well as the WBC count.
Measuring passive myocardial stiffness in Drosophila melanogaster to investigate diastolic dysfunction
Authors: Kaushik Gaurav , Zambon Alexander C. , Fuhrmann Alexander , Bernstein Sanford I. , Bodmer Rolf , Engler Adam J. , Cammarato Anthony 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAging is marked by a decline in LV diastolic function, which encompasses abnormalities in diastolic relaxation, chamber filling and/or passive myocardial stiffness. Genetic tractability and short life span make Drosophila melanogaster an ideal organism to study the effects of aging on heart function, including senescent‐associated changes in gene expression and in passive myocardial stiffness. However, use of the Drosophila heart tube to probe deterioration of diastolic performance is subject to at least two challenges: the extent of genetic homology to mammals and the ability to resolve mechanical properties of the bilayered fly heart, which consists of a ventral muscle layer that covers the contractile cardiomyocytes. Here, we argue for widespread use of Drosophila as a novel myocardial aging model by (1) describing diastolic dysfunction in flies, (2) discussing how critical pathways involved in dysfunction are conserved across species and (3) demonstrating the advantage of an atomic force microscopy‐based analysis method to measure stiffness of the multilayered Drosophila heart tube versus isolated myocytes from other model systems. By using powerful Drosophila genetic tools, we aim to efficiently alter changes observed in factors that contribute to diastolic dysfunction to understand how one might improve diastolic performance at advanced ages in humans.
A fibronectin‐fibrinogen‐tropoelastin coating reduces smooth muscle cell growth but improves endothelial cell function
Authors: Tersteeg Claudia , Roest Mark , Mak‐Nienhuis Elske M. , Ligtenberg Erik , Hoefer Imo E. , de Groot Philip G. , Pasterkamp Gerard 
Published: January 2012

AbstractReendothelialization of the stent surface after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is known to be an important determinant of clinical outcome. We compared the effects of biological stent coatings, fibronectin, fibrinogen and tropoelastin, on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) characteristics. Umbilical cord arterial segments were cultured on coated surfaces and VSMC outgrowth (indicating proliferation and migration) was measured after 12 days. mRNA was isolated from HUVEC and VSMC cultured on these coatings and gene expression was profiled by QPCR. Procoagulant properties of HUVEC were determined by an indirect chromogenic assay which detects tissue factor activity. The varying stent coatings influence VSMC outgrowth: 31.2 ± 4.0 mm2 on fibronectin, 1.6 ± 0.3 mm2 on tropoelastin and 8.1 ± 1.5 mm2 on a mixture of fibronectin/fibrinogen/tropoelastin, although HUVEC migration remains unaffected. Culturing HUVEC on tropoelastin induces increased expression of VCAM‐1 (13.1 ± 4.4 pg/ml), ICAM‐1 (5.1 ± 1.3 pg/ml) and IL‐8 (11.6 ± 3.1 pg/ml) compared to fibronectin (0.7 ± 0.2, 0.8 ± 0.2, 2.3 ± 0.5 pg/ml, respectively), although expression levels on fibronectin/fibrinogen/tropoelastin remain unaltered. No significant differences in VCAM‐1, ICAM‐1 and IL‐8 mRNA expression are found in VSMC. Finally, HUVEC cultured on tropoelastin display a fivefold increased tissue factor activity (511.6 ± 26.7%), compared to cells cultured on fibronectin (100 ± 3.9%) or fibronectin/fibrinogen/tropoelastin (76.3 ± 25.0%). These results indicate that tropoelastin inhibits VSMC migration but leads to increased inflammatory and procoagulant markers on endothelial cells. Fibronectin/fibrinogen/tropoelastin inhibits VSMCs while compensating the inflammatory and procoagulant effects. These data suggest that coating a mixture of fibronectin/fibrinogen/tropoelastin on a stent may promote reendothelialization, while keeping unfavourable processes such as restenosis and procoagulant activity limited.
Position of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs and its relation to the horizontal course of the mandibular canal: a computed tomographic analysis
Authors: Pyun Jung‐Hoon , Lim Young‐Jun , Kim Myung‐Joo , Ahn Sug‐Joon , Kim Jin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimThe purposes of this study were (1) to investigate the bucco‐lingual course of the mandibular canal in the bony structure and (2) to figure out the relationship between the position of mental foramen on panoramic radiographs and the horizontal course of the mandibular canal.Materials and methodsA database of panoramic radiography and spiral computed tomography (CT) scans was searched and 100 subjects were selected based on the criteria. Mental foramina were classified into four groups according to its antero‐posterior position. Three measurements were made on each slice of coronal CT scans at three different points: (1) apex of second premolar; (2) median point of two root apexes of first molar; and (3) median point of two root apexes of second molar. The bucco‐lingual ratios were calculated to access the relative bucco‐lingual position of the mandibular canal.ResultsThe distribution of subjects according to the type of mental foramen was: (1) type 3, 67%; (2) type 2, 26%; (3) type 4, 5%; and (4) type 1, 2%. The overall horizontal course of the mandibular canal was relatively constant from the second molar to first molar, whereas much significant directional change was found on the remaining course. Between types 2 and 3, no statistically significant differences were found at the level of the second molar and first molar (P = 0.461 and 0.965, respectively). Only below the second premolar, significant differences were found (P = 0.001).ConclusionsBased on the findings of our computed tomographic image analysis, the position of mental foramen on panoramic radiographs was affected by its horizontal course of inferior alveolar nerve. The significant horizontal direction change of the course was found after the canal passing below the mandibular first molar regardless of the antero‐posterior position of mental foramen.
Abortion‐Prone Mating Influences Alteration of Systemic a2 Vacuolar ATPase Expression in Spleen and Blood Immune Cells
Authors: Jaiswal Mukesh K. , Mallers Timothy M. , Kwong Christina , Chaouat Gerard , Gilman‐Sachs Alice , Beaman Kenneth D. 
Published: January 2012

Problema2 isoform of vacuolar ATPase (Atp6v0a2) is important for maintaining the delicate immunological balance required for successful pregnancy. The objective of this investigation is to study the dynamic changes in spleen and blood that appear during spontaneous abortion in mice.Method of studyAtp6v0a2 was measured in multiple immune cell populations from spleen and blood recovered from non–abortion‐prone and abortion‐prone mating combinations.ResultsAtp6v0a2 expression was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01) in the spleen recovered from abortion‐prone ♀CBA × ♂DBA mating on days 12 and 16 of pregnancy when compared to non–abortion‐prone ♀BALB/c × ♂BALB/c and ♀CBA × ♂BALB/c matings. Flow cytometric studies showed that significantly decreased expression of Atp6v0a2 in splenic CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, and CD14+ cells directly correlated with the high percentages of fetal resorption observed in abortion‐prone mating on days 12 and 16 of pregnancy. In blood, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ cells had a significantly reduced expression of Atp6v0a2 in abortion‐prone mating compared to the non–abortion‐prone mating combinations only on day 12.ConclusionThis deceased expression of Atp6v0a2 in the various immune cell populations of the spleen and blood suggests that the maternal environment is not supportive to fetus and leads to poor pregnancy outcome in the abortion‐prone mating model.
The Commonplace Geopolitics of Conspiracy
Authors: Jones Laura 
Published: January 2012

AbstractConspiracy narratives and ways of knowing are a highly visible, accessible and increasingly commonplace part of contemporary global life, permeating across spheres of politics, science and popular culture. Catalyzed by rapid developments in networked media and a political climate of enhanced government secrecy following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, thinking conspiratorially about power forms part of a broader global public challenge to State control over access to information and knowledge. Rather than relegate the study of conspiracy to a marginalised and discredited form of dissent (‘conspiracy theory’), this article proposes how geographers can bring a critical attention to the multiple spatialities inherent in and produced through discourses of conspiracy; the ways of knowing and practising the world which conspiracy informs for differently placed subjects, both publics and politicians alike, across the political spectrum. This discursive understanding of conspiracy is developed in relation to the critical geopolitics scholarship and recent concerns within this literature towards producing more situated, embodied and emotional accounts of geopolitics stemming from engagements with non‐representational and feminist theory. Grounding the geopolitical analysis of conspiracy discourse in these concerns, the types of geographies that might emerge is explored through empirical research conducted on and with the 9/11 Truth Movement. Here the convergence of heterogeneous political actors around their conviction in a US government conspiracy exposes some of the possibilities and problematics which attending to the commonplace geopolitics of conspiracy opens up for ongoing research.
Effect of Cooking on Radiation‐Induced Chemical Markers in Beef and Pork during Storage
Authors: Kwon Joong‐Ho , Kwon Youngju , Kausar Tusneem , Nam Ki‐Chang , Rok Min Byong , Joo Lee Eun , Ahn Dong U. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Raw and cooked beef and pork loins were irradiated at 0 or 5 kGy. The radiation‐induced marker compounds, such as hydrocarbons, 2‐alkylcyclobutanones (2‐ACBs), and sulfur volatiles, were determined after 0 and 6 mo of frozen storage. Two hydrocarbons (8‐heptadecene [C17:1] and 6,9‐heptadecadiene [C17:2]) and two 2‐ACBs (2‐dodecylcyclobutanone [2‐DCB] and 2‐tetradecylcyclobutanone [2‐TCB]) were detected only in irradiated raw and cooked meats. Although precooked irradiated meats produced more hydrocarbons and 2‐ACBs than the irradiated cooked ones, the amounts of individual hydrocarbons and 2‐ACBs, such as 8‐heptadecene, 6,9‐heptadecadiene, 2‐DCB, and 2‐TCB, were sufficient enough to detect whether the meat was irradiated or not. Dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide were also determined only in irradiated meats but dimethyl trisulfide disappeared after 6 mo of frozen storage under oxygen‐permeable packaging conditions. The results indicated that 8‐heptadecene, 6,9‐heptadecadiene, 2‐DCB, 2‐TCB, and dimethyl disulfide, even though they were decreased with storage, could be used as marker compounds for the detection of irradiated beef and pork regardless of cooking under the frozen conditions for 6 mo.Practical Application:  Radiation‐induced chemical changes such as specific hydrocarbons, 2‐ACBs, and sulfur volatiles may be used as potential identification markers by regulatory authorities to confirm irradiation history of frozen stored raw or cooked beef and pork.
Changes in Shallow Groundwater Quality Beneath Recently Urbanized Areas in the Memphis, Tennessee Area1
Authors: Barlow Jeannie R.B. , Kingsbury James A. , Coupe Richard H. 
Published: January 2012

Barlow, Jeannie R.B., James A. Kingsbury, and Richard H. Coupe, 2012. Changes in Shallow Groundwater Quality Beneath Recently Urbanized Areas in the Memphis, Tennessee Area. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(2): 336‐354. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00616.xAbstract:  Memphis, the largest city in the state of Tennessee, and its surrounding suburbs depend on a confined aquifer, the Memphis aquifer, for drinking water. Concern over the potential for downward movement of water from an overlying shallow aquifer to the underlying Memphis aquifer provided impetus for monitoring groundwater quality within the shallow aquifer. The occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrate, and pesticides in samples from the shallow well network indicate a widespread affect on water quality from the overlying urban land use. Total pesticide concentration was generally higher in more recently recharged groundwater indicating that as the proportion of recent water increases, the occurrence of pesticides related to the current urban land use also increases. Groundwater samples with nitrate concentrations greater than 1.5 mg/l and detectable concentrations of the pesticides atrazine and simazine also had higher concentrations of chloroform, a VOC primarily associated with urban land use, than in other samples. The age of the water from these wells indicates that these concentrations are most likely not representative of past agricultural use, but of more recent urban use of these chemicals. Given that the median age of water represented by the shallow well network was 21 years, a lag time likely exists between changes in land use and the occurrence of constituents related to urbanization in shallow groundwater.
Vocational interests of intellectually gifted and highly achieving young adults
Authors: Vock Miriam , Köller Olaf , Nagy Gabriel 
Published: January 2012

Background. Vocational interests play a central role in the vocational decision‐making process and are decisive for the later job satisfaction and vocational success. Based on Ackerman's (1996) notion of trait complexes, specific interest profiles of gifted high‐school graduates can be expected.Aims. Vocational interests of gifted and highly achieving adolescents were compared to those of their less intelligent/achieving peers according to Holland's (1997) RIASEC model. Further, the impact of intelligence and achievement on interests were analysed while statistically controlling for potentially influencing variables. Changes in interests over time were investigated.Sample. N= 4,694 German students (age: M= 19.5, SD= .80; 54.6% females) participated in the study (TOSCA; Köller, Watermann, Trautwein, & Lüdtke, 2004).Method. Interests were assessed in participants’ final year at school and again 2 years later (N= 2,318).Results. Gifted participants reported stronger investigative and realistic interests, but lower social interests than less intelligent participants. Highly achieving participants reported higher investigative and (in wave 2) higher artistic interests. Considerable gender differences were found: gifted girls had a flat interest profile, while gifted boys had pronounced realistic and investigative and low social interests. Multilevel multiple regression analyses predicting interests by intelligence and school achievement revealed stable interest profiles. Beyond a strong gender effect, intelligence and school achievement each contributed substantially to the prediction of vocational interests.Conclusions. At the time around graduation from high school, gifted young adults show stable interest profiles, which strongly differ between gender and intelligence groups. These differences are relevant for programmes for the gifted and for vocational counselling.
Nitric oxide synthase inhibition prevents activity‐induced calcineurin–NFATc1 signalling and fast‐to‐slow skeletal muscle fibre type conversions
Authors: Martins Karen J. B. , St‐Louis Mathieu , Murdoch Gordon K. , MacLean Ian M. , McDonald Pamela , Dixon Walter T. , Putman Charles T. , Michel Robin N. 
Published: January 2012

Key points
Exercise is known to trigger skeletal muscle structural and functional adaptations.
Control of these adaptive alterations is a complex process involving multiple signalling pathways and levels of regulation.
The well‐characterized calcineurin–nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFATc1) signalling pathway is involved in the regulation of activity‐dependent alterations in skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain expression. Myosin heavy chain is a contractile protein that largely dictates a muscle's speed of contraction.
We show that a signalling molecule called nitric oxide may be regulating alterations in myosin heavy chain expression via activity‐modulated calcineurin–NFATc1 signalling.
These findings increase our understanding of how skeletal muscle adaptive alterations are regulated.
Acetazolamide improves loop gain but not the other physiological traits causing obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Edwards Bradley A. , Sands Scott A. , Eckert Danny J. , White David P. , Butler James P. , Owens Robert L. , Malhotra Atul , Wellman Andrew 
Published: January 2012

Key points
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) probably results from the interaction of key pathophysiological traits including compromised pharyngeal anatomy, inadequate upper‐airway muscle function, high ventilatory response to a change in ventilation (high loop gain), and a low arousal threshold.
Because the standard therapy with positive airway pressure is often poorly tolerated, alternative options have long been sought which have included various pharmacological interventions.
Acetazolamide may be a useful therapeutic tool, yet there have been few studies examining how it affects the traits causing OSA.
Our study demonstrates that acetazolamide reduces loop gain by approximately 40% in individuals with OSA, but has little impact on the remaining OSA traits.
The marked reduction in loop gain with acetazolamide suggests that acetazolamide may be of therapeutic benefit when used alone or in combination with other therapies to treat individuals whose loop gain is known to contribute to OSA.
Knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding genetic testing for smoking cessation. A cross-sectional survey among Dutch smokers
Authors: Quaak Marieke , Smerecnik Chris , van Schooten Frederik J , de Vries Hein , van Schayck Constant P 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesRecent research strongly suggests that genetic variation influences smokers' ability to stop. Therefore, the use of (pharmaco) genetic testing may increase cessation rates. This study aims to assess the intention of smokers concerning undergoing genetic testing for smoking cessation and their knowledge, attitudes and preferences about this subject.DesignOnline cross-sectional survey.SettingDatabase internet research company of which every inhabitant of the Netherlands of ≥12 years with an email address and capable of understanding Dutch can become a member.Participants587 of 711 Dutch smokers aged ≥18 years, daily smokers for ≥5 years and smoke on average ≥10 cigarettes/day (response rate=83%).Primary and secondary outcome measuresSmokers' knowledge, attitudes and preferences and their intention to undergo genetic testing for smoking cessation.ResultsKnowledge on the influence of genetic factors in smoking addiction and cessation was found to be low. Smokers underestimated their chances of having a genetic predisposition and the influence of this on smoking cessation. Participants perceived few disadvantages, some advantages and showed moderate self-efficacy towards undergoing a genetic test and dealing with the results. Smokers were mildly interested in receiving information and participating in genetic testing, especially when offered by their general practitioner (GP).ConclusionsFor successful implementation of genetic testing for smoking in general practice, several issues should be addressed, such as the knowledge on smoking cessation, genetics and genetic testing (including advantages and disadvantages) and the influence of genetics on smoking addiction and cessation. Furthermore, smokers allocate their GPs a crucial role in the provision of information and the delivery of a genetic test for smoking; however, it is unclear whether GPs will be able and willing to take on this role.