bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucose metabolism in sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease: a statistical parametric mapping analysis of 18F‐FDG PET
Authors: Kim E.‐J. , Cho S.‐S. , Jeong B.‐H. , Kim Y.‐S. , Seo S. W. , Na D. L. , Geschwind M. D. , Jeong Y. 
Published: November 2011

Background and purpose:  Reports describing functional neuroimaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), in sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) have consistently suggested that these tools are sensitive for the identification of areas of hypoperfusion or hypometabolism, even in the early stages of sCJD. However, there are few reports on the use of [18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG) PET in sCJD, and most of them are single case reports. Only two small cohort studies based on visual inspection or a region of interest method have been published to date. Using a statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis of 18F‐FDG PET, we investigated whether there are brain regions preferentially affected in sCJD.Methods:  After controlling for age and gender, using SPM 2, we compared the glucose metabolism between (i) 11 patients with sCJD and 35 controls and (ii) the subset of five patients with the Heidenhain variant of sCJD and 35 controls.Results:  The patients with sCJD showed decreased glucose metabolism in bilateral parietal, frontal and occipital cortices. The Heidenhain variant of sCJD showed glucose hypometabolism mainly in bilateral occipital areas.Conclusions:  Glucose hypometabolism in sCJD was detected in extensive cortical regions; however, it was not found in the basal ganglia or thalamus, which are frequently reported to be affected on diffusion‐weighted images. The medial temporal area, which is possibly resistant to the prion deposits, was also less involved in sCJD.
Public Attitudes towards People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Comparison of White British & South Asian People
Authors: Coles Sarah , Scior Katrina 
Published: November 2011

Background  National and international polices promote the acceptance, integration and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities into mainstream society. However, there is little systematic research into general population attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities, and even less research, which considers the impact of culture on attitudes. The aim of this study was to explore how young people from White British and South Asian backgrounds differ in their attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities and above all, how they arrive at their beliefs.Materials and Method  A qualitative design utilizing focus groups and individual interviews with White British and South Asian adolescents aged 16–19 years (N = 61) was employed. Questionnaire data were collected to compare this sample to findings from a larger study run concurrently (Attitudes to people with intellectual disabilities: a cross cultural study. Thesis, University College London). Interview and focus group data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results  Thematic analysis yielded five themes and pointed to widespread confusion about the concept of ‘intellectual disability’, not helped by the continuing invisibility of people with intellectual disabilities in the media. Participants expressed many positive beliefs, yet closer analysis revealed that underlying these may be more ambivalent or even hostile attitudes. Key differences between the two cultural groups are discussed.Conclusions  The findings highlight the need for raising public awareness and the importance of culturally sensitive support.
Can low Behavioral Activation System predict depressive mood?: An application of non‐normal structural equation modeling
Authors: TAKAHASHI YUSUKE , OZAKI KOKEN , ROBERTS BRENT W. , ANDO JUKO 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPrevious studies have reported a negative correlation between the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and the depressive mood. However, which is the cause and which is the effect cannot be determined simply by evaluating the correlation coefficients. In a series of this study, we used non‐normal structural equation modeling, which could provide a statistically plausible answer to the question on the path direction. We tested for the path direction between the variables of interest by statistically comparing all possible models. The models assuming a unidirectional path from the BAS to the depressive mood were consistently supported. This suggested that low BAS could be a predisposition to developing the depressive mood. These findings could enhance our understanding of the mechanism underlying the development of the depressive mood.
Healing the wounds of our fathers: intergenerational trauma, memory, symbolization and narrative
Authors: Connolly Angela 
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  This paper explores the history of psychoanalytical approaches to intergenerational trauma, both from the Freudian and from the Jungian schools, and addresses the need when we speak of intergenerational or transmitted trauma to better define the nature and the different categories of trauma with particular reference to extreme and cumulative traumas such as those experienced by the survivors of the Nazi death camps and the Russian gulags.Therapy with survivors and with their children requires a particular adaptation of analytical technique as what is at stake is not so much the analysis of the here and now of the transference and countertransference dynamics which indeed can in the early stages be counterproductive, but the capacity of the analyst to accept the reality of the trauma with all its devastating and mind‐shattering emotions without losing the capacity to imagine and to play metaphorically with images, essential if the patient is to be able to create a space for representation.
Photosynthetic pathway and ecological adaptation explain stomatal trait diversity amongst grasses
Authors: Taylor S. H. , Franks P. J. , Hulme S. P. , Spriggs E. , Christin P. A. , Edwards E. J. , Woodward F. I. , Osborne C. P. 
Published: November 2011

Summary
The evolution of C4 photosynthesis in plants has allowed the maintenance of high CO2 assimilation rates despite lower stomatal conductances. This underpins the greater water‐use efficiency in C4 species and their tendency to occupy drier, more seasonal environments than their C3 relatives.
The basis of interspecific variation in maximum stomatal conductance to water (gmax), as defined by stomatal density and size, was investigated in a common‐environment screening experiment. Stomatal traits were measured in 28 species from seven grass lineages, and comparative methods were used to test for predicted effects of C3 and C4 photosynthesis, annual precipitation and habitat wetness on gmax.
Novel results were as follows: significant phylogenetic patterns exist in gmax and its determinants, stomatal size and stomatal density; C4 species consistently have lower gmax than their C3 relatives, associated with a shift towards smaller stomata at a given density. A direct relationship between gmax and precipitation was not supported. However, we confirmed associations between C4 photosynthesis and lower precipitation, and showed steeper stomatal size–density relationships and higher gmax in wetter habitats.
The observed relationships between stomatal patterning, photosynthetic pathway and habitat provide a clear example of the interplay between anatomical traits, physiological innovation and ecological adaptation in plants.
Pre‐B‐cell colony‐enhancing factor exerts a neuronal protection through its enzymatic activity and the reduction of mitochondrial dysfunction in in vitro ischemic models
Authors: Bi Jing , Li Hailong , Ye Shui Qing , Ding Shinghua 
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 334–346.AbstractPre‐B‐cell colony‐enhancing factor (PBEF) is known as a rate‐limiting enzyme that converts nicotinamide (NAM) to NMN in the salvage pathway of mammalian NAD+ biosynthesis. Previously we found PBEF is exclusively expressed in neurons in the mouse brain; heterozygous PBEF knockout (Pbef+/−) mice have larger ischemic lesion than wild type mice in photothrombosis‐induced ischemia. For the mechanistic study of neuronal protective role of PBEF, we used in vitro oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) and glutamate excitotoxicity models of primary cultured neurons in current study. Our results showed that the treatments of neurons with NAM and NAD+, the substrate and downstream product of PBEF, respectively, significantly reduced neuronal death after OGD and glutamate excitotoxicity, while treatment of neurons treated with FK866, a PBEF inhibitor, increased neuronal death after OGD. Furthermore, over‐expression of human PBEF reduced glutamate excitotoxicity, while over‐expression of human PBEF mutants (i.e. H247A and H247E) without enzymatic activity had no effect on neuronal death. We further tested the effect of PBEF on mitochondrial function and biogenesis. Our results show that addition of NAD+ and NAM increased mitochondrial biogenesis in neurons after OGD. Over‐expression of PBEF in neurons reduced mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization following glutamate stimulation, while over‐expression of H247A and H247E did not affect mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization. We conclude that PBEF has a neuroprotective effect in ischemia through its enzymatic activity for NAD+ production that can ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction.
Not just ‘friends and neighbours’: Canvassing, geographic proximity and voter choice
Authors: GÓRECKI MACIEJ A. , MARSH MICHAEL 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe impact of local campaigning on voter choice has been studied within the theme of mobilisation. Grassroots effort can attract votes efficiently, but campaign contact is (potentially) endogenous, so results showing positive effects could be flawed. Experimental solutions to this problem are possible, but could also have low external validity. Drawing on the electoral geography literature, this article suggests that endogeneity concerns can be addressed through so‐called ‘friends and neighbours voting’. One source of endogeneity is that that candidates may tend to canvass those living close to their own homes, and those canvassed would be expected in any case to be prone to support local candidates. The problem of endogeneity is reframed and treated as an omitted variable bias. Using unique Irish data on the geographic location of the homes of candidates, as well as data on the location of the voters, the analysis confirms that canvassing has a positive impact on candidate choice independent of the effect of geographic distance. More importantly, these two variables interact. The results point to the relevance of the geographic dimension of electoral politics in driving the endogeneity bias in local campaigning studies.
Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of nuclear urotensin‐II binding sites in rat heart
Authors: Doan ND , Nguyen TTM , Létourneau M , Turcotte K , Fournier A , Chatenet D 
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE During the past decade, a few GPCRs have been characterized at the nuclear membrane where they exert complementary physiological functions. In this study, we investigated (1) the presence of a functional urotensin‐II (U‐II) receptor (UT) in rat heart nuclear extracts and (2) the propensity of U‐II and U‐II‐related peptide (URP) to cross the plasma membrane in a receptor‐independent manner.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Biochemical and pharmacological methods including competitive binding assays, photoaffinity labelling, immunoblotting as well as de novo RNA synthesis were used to characterize the presence of functional UT receptors in rat heart nuclei. In addition, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis were used to investigate the cellular uptake of fluorescent U‐II and URP derivatives.KEY RESULTS The presence of specific U‐II binding sites was demonstrated in rat heart nuclear extracts. Moreover, such subcellular localization was also observed in monkey heart extracts. In vitro transcription initiation assays on rat, freshly isolated, heart nuclei suggested that nuclear UT receptors are functional, and that U‐II, but not URP, participates in nuclear UT‐associated gene expression. Surprisingly, hU‐II and URP efficiently crossed the plasma membrane in a receptor‐independent mechanism involving endocytosis through caveolin‐coated pits; this uptake of hU‐II, but not that of URP, was dependent on extracellular pH.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that (1) U‐II and URP can differentially modulate nuclear UT functions such as gene expression, and (2) both ligands can reach the internal cellular space through a receptor‐independent mechanism.
Accuracy of b‐GGT fraction for the diagnosis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Franzini Maria , Fornaciari Irene , Fierabracci Vanna , Elawadi Hassan Aziz , Bolognesi Valeria , Maltinti Simona , Ricchiuti Angelo , De Bortoli Nicola , Marchi Santino , Pompella Alfonso , Passino Claudio , Emdin Michele , Paolicchi Aldo 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundSerum gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity is a sensitive but non‐specific marker of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recently, four GGT fractions (big‐, medium‐, small‐, free‐GGT) were described in humans.AimWe aimed to investigate whether a specific GGT fraction pattern is associated with NAFLD.MethodsGamma‐glutamyltransferase fractions were determined in patients with NAFLD (n = 90), and compared with those in control subjects (n = 70), and chronic hepatitis C (CHC, n = 45) age and gender matched.ResultsTotal GGT was elevated in NAFLD as compared to controls (median, 25°–75°percentile: 39.4, 20.0–82.0 U/L vs. 18.4, 13.2–24.9 U/L respectively, P < 0.001). All fractions were higher in NAFLD than in controls (P < 0.001). The b‐GGT showed the highest diagnostic accuracy for NAFLD diagnosis [area under ROC curve (ROC‐AUC): 0.85; cut‐off 2.6 U/L, sensitivity 74%, specificity 81%].Also subjects with CHC showed increased GGT (41.5, 21.9–84.5 U/L, P < 0.001 vs. controls, P = n.s. vs. NAFLD), as well as m‐, s‐, and f‐GGT, while b‐GGT did not show any significant increase (P = n.s. vs. HS, P < 0.001 vs. NAFLD). In subjects with CHC, s‐GGT showed the best diagnostic value (ROC‐AUC: 0.853; cut‐off 14.1 U/L, sensitivity 73%, specificity 90%). Serum GGT did not show any value in the differential diagnosis between NAFLD and CHC (ROC‐AUC 0.507, P = n.s.), while b‐GGT/s‐GGT ratio showed the highest diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing NAFLD and CHC (ROC‐AUC: 0.93; cut‐off value 0.16, sensitivity 82%, specificity 90%).Conclusionsb‐GGT increases in NAFLD, but not in CHC. GGT fraction analysis might help in improving the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of NAFLD and other liver dysfunctions.
CEACAM1 deficiency delays important wound healing processes
Authors: LeBlanc Sarah , Arabzadeh Azadeh , Benlolo Samantha , Breton Valérie , Turbide Claire , Beauchemin Nicole , Nouvion Anne‐Laure 
Published: November 2011

AbstractCutaneous wound healing is a complex process that requires the coordination of many cell types to achieve proper tissue repair. Four major overlapping processes have been identified in wound healing: hemostasis, inflammation, reepithelialization and granulation tissue formation, and tissue remodeling. Carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) is a glycoprotein expressed in epithelial, endothelial, lymphoid, and myeloid cells. Given its known roles in angiogenesis, cell migration, and immune functions, we hypothesized that CEACAM1 might also be involved in cutaneous wound healing and that a number of relevant CEACAM1‐positive cell types might contribute to wound healing. To evaluate the role of CEACAM1 in these processes, 6‐mm‐diameter skin wounds were inflicted on Ceacam1–/– and wild‐type mice. Herein, we demonstrate that CEACAM1 deletion indeed affects wound healing in three key ways. Infiltration of F4/80+ macrophages was decreased in Ceacam1–/– wounds, altering inflammatory processes. Reepithelialization in Ceacam1–/– wounds was delayed. Furthermore, the vascular density of the granulation tissue in Ceacam1–/– wounds was significantly diminished. These results confirm CEACAM1's role as an important regulator of key processes in cutaneous wound healing, although whether this works via a specific cell type or alterations in the functioning of multiple processes remains to be determined.
Assessment of a Tissue‐Engineered Gastric Wall Patch in a Rat Model
Authors: Maemura Tomoyuki , Kinoshita Manabu , Shin Michael , Miyazaki Hiromi , Tsujimoto Hironori , Ono Satoshi , Hase Kazuo , Saitoh Daizoh 
Published: November 2011

AbstractStenosis or deformity of the remaining stomach can occur after gastrectomy and result in stomach malfunction. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of transplanting a tissue‐engineered gastric wall patch in a rat model to alleviate the complications after resection of a large area of the gastric wall. Tissue‐engineered gastric wall patches were created from gastric epithelial organoid units and biodegradable polymer scaffolds. In the first treatment group, gastric wall defects were created in recipient rats and covered with fresh tissue‐engineered gastric wall patches (simultaneous transplantation). In the second treatment group, the tissue‐engineered gastric wall patches were frozen for 12 weeks, and then transplanted in recipient rats (metachronous transplantation). Tissue‐engineered gastric wall patches were successfully used as a substitute of the resected native gastric wall in both simultaneous and metachronous transplantation groups. The defrosted wall patches showed almost the same cell viability as the fresh ones. Twenty‐four weeks after transplantation, the defect in the gastric wall was well‐covered with tissue‐engineered gastric wall patch, and the repaired stomach showed no deformity macroscopically in both groups. Histology showed continuous mucosa and smooth muscle layers at the tissue‐engineered stomach wall margin. The feasibility of transplanting a tissue‐engineered patch to repair a defect in the native gastric wall has been successfully shown in a rat model, thereby taking one step closer toward the transplantation of an entire tissue‐engineered stomach in the future.
Percutaneous Balloon Atrioseptostomy for Left Heart Discharge in Extracorporeal Life Support Patients with Persistent Pulmonary Edema
Authors: BIGNON MATHIEU , ROULE VINCENT , DAHDOUH ZIAD , SABATIER RÉMI , LOGNONÉ THÉRÈSE , MALCOR GUILLAUME , IDALI MOUSSA , IVASCAU CALIN , MASSETTI MASSIMO , GROLLIER GILLES 
Published: November 2011

Aims:
In severe myocardial dysfunction, extracorporeal life support (ECLS) can preserve organ perfusion. Occasionally, the high resulting afterload can lead to refractory pulmonary edema. We report our experience with percutaneous balloon atrioseptostomy used in this circumstance to discharge the left heart and prevent worsening pulmonary congestion.
Methods and results:
Between October 2002 and December 2009, 5 patients, with a mean age of 39 years, who were under peripheral ECLS underwent percutaneous balloon atrioseptostomy for refractory worsening pulmonary edema as determined by clinical, radiological, and echocardiographic criteria. Myocardial dysfunction was related to drug poisoning in 2 cases and to myocarditis in the 3 others. Atrioseptostomy successfully improved pulmonary edema and echocardiographic indices of left ventricular function in all cases. Four patients were eventually discharged. The fifth patient died in hospital due to multiorgan failure.
Conclusions:
In our experience, percutaneous balloon atrioseptostomy appeared to be a rapid, effective, and minimally invasive technique for offloading the left heart of patients with a reversible cardiac dysfunction under ECLS and suffering from refractory pulmonary edema. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:62–67)
Thickness‐Dependent Dielectric, Ferroelectric, and Magnetodielectric Properties of BiFeO3 Thin Films Derived by Chemical Solution Deposition
Authors: Tang Xianwu , Dai Jianming , Zhu Xuebin , Lin Jianchao , Chang Qing , Wu Dajun , Song Wenhai , Sun Yuping 
Published: November 2011

Thickness is a very important parameter to control the microstructures, as well as physical properties in the multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films. In this article, BiFeO3 thin films with different thickness (from 210 to 830 nm) are fabricated by chemical solution deposition on the Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si (100) substrates to investigate the thickness effects systematically. The results show that the crystallization is improved, the dielectric constant is enhanced, and the leakage current is reduced with increasing thickness. On the other hand, the magnetization and magnetodielectric are decreased with thickness. The results show that the optimized thickness should be within the range of 400–600 nm to obtain optimized properties using chemical solution deposition processing, which will provide a useful guidance to prepare the multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films.
Activation of neurokinin‐1 receptors up‐regulates substance P and neurokinin‐1 receptor expression in murine pancreatic acinar cells
Authors: Koh Yung‐Hua , Moochhala Shabbir , Bhatia Madhav 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAcute pancreatitis (AP) has been associated with an up‐regulation of substance P (SP) and neurokinin‐1 receptor (NK1R) in the pancreas. Increased SP‐NK1R interaction was suggested to be pro‐inflammatory during AP. Previously, we showed that caerulein treatment increased SP/NK1R expression in mouse pancreatic acinar cells, but the effect of SP treatment was not evaluated. Pancreatic acinar cells were obtained from pancreas of male swiss mice (25–30 g). We measured mRNA expression of preprotachykinin‐A (PPTA) and NK1R following treatment of SP (10−6M). SP treatment increased PPTA and NK1R expression in isolated pancreatic acinar cells, which was abolished by pretreatment of a selective NK1R antagonist, CP96,345. SP also time dependently increased protein expression of NK1R. Treatment of cells with a specific NK1R agonist, GR73,632, up‐regulated SP protein levels in the cells. Using previously established concentrations, pre‐treatment of pancreatic acinar cells with Gö6976 (10 nM), rottlerin (5 μM), PD98059 (30 μM), SP600125 (30 μM) or Bay11‐7082 (30 μM) significantly inhibited up‐regulation of SP and NK1R. These observations suggested that the PKC‐ERK/JNK‐NF‐κB pathway is necessary for the modulation of expression levels. In comparison, pre‐treatment of CP96,345 reversed gene expression in SP‐induced cells, but not in caerulein‐treated cells. Overall, the findings in this study suggested a possible auto‐regulatory mechanism of SP/NK1R expression in mouse pancreatic acinar cells, via activation of NK1R. Elevated SP levels during AP might increase the occurrence of a positive feedback loop that contributes to abnormally high expression of SP and NK1R.