bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Berberine‐induced growth inhibition of epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Park Kyoung Sik , Kim Jong Bin , Lee Sun Joo , Bae Jaeman 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of berberine on the two human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell lines OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3 in relation to the potential usefulness of berberine in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer.Methods:  Under adherent culture conditions, the cell lines were treated with berberine and analyzed for changes in cell growth. The cell cycle duration and degree of apoptosis were evaluated by means of propidium iodide staining and Annexin V staining.Results:  After the berberine treatment, the two cell lines showed a dose‐dependent reduction in the growth rate. In the cell cycle analysis, the OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3 cells showed an increased DNA content of 5% in the G2/M phase and 7% in the S phase, respectively. Additionally, the results confirm the cell cycle arrest by immunoblotting and the up‐regulation of p27; however, in the apoptosis analysis, neither cell line showed an increase in apoptosis after the berberine treatment.Conclusion:  Berberine treatment can inhibit proliferation through a cell cycle arrest in OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3 cells. Thus, berberine may be a novel anticancer drug for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Long‐term potency preservation following brachytherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Snyder Kurt M. , Stock Richard G. , Buckstein Michael , Stone Nelson N. 
Published: February 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Previously, rates of potency preservation with or without external beam radiation and/ or hormone therapy have been published with smaller series and limited follow‐up. The study provides greater numbers and longer follow‐up giving patients and clinicians a better appreciation of the true potency preservation rates in this population and how various factors such as age, hormone use and external beam affect those rates.OBJECTIVESTo assess potency preservation in men following brachytherapy for prostate cancer with or without external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and/or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).To evaluate the factors that significantly impact this rate.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 1063 potent men with T1–T3 prostate cancer were treated from 1990 to 2007 with seed implantation alone (103Pd or125I) (69.6%) or combined modality treatment consisting of a partial dose103Pd implant followed 6–8 weeks later by EBRT (45 Gy, prostate/seminal vesicles only) (30.4%). ADT was used in 49.1% of cases (range 1–27 months).Patients were required to have a minimum of 2 years follow‐up and to be off ADT for a minimum of 1 year.Erectile function was assessed prior to seed implantation and at each follow‐up visit using the physician‐assigned Mount Sinai Erectile Function Score (MSEFS): 0, unable to have erections; 1, erections insufficient for intercourse; 2, suboptimal erections but sufficient for intercourse; 3, normal erectile function. Potent was defined as a score of greater than or equal to 2 with or without use of a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor.The potency rate was calculated using actuarial methods with comparisons tested by log‐rank and Cox regression analysis.RESULTSThe 5‐year and 10‐year actuarial rate of potency preservation was 68.0% and 57.9%, respectively, at last follow‐up.On multivariate analysis, 5‐ and 10‐year potency was 87.6% (79.5%) for men younger than 60, 68.0% (57.5%) for age 60–70, and 42.2% (31.0%) for men older than 70 (P< 0.001).Pretreatment MSEFS of 2 had a potency rate of 51.7% (37.2%) vs 74.2% (65.2%) for an MSEFS of 3 (P< 0.001).There was a 75.8% (62.6%) potency rate without ADT vs 60.0% (53.0%) with ADT (P< 0.001).Five‐year potency was 76.4% for implant alone, 71.0% for implant with EBRT, 62.2% for implant with ADT, and 57.9% for implant with EBRT and ADT (P< 0.001).CONCLUSIONIncreasing initial age at implant, diminished pretreatment erectile function and the use of combination therapy with EBRT and/or ADT significantly increases erectile dysfunction following brachytherapy.
Patterns and processes of global riverine fish endemism
Authors: Tedesco Pablo A. , Leprieur Fabien , Hugueny Bernard , Brosse Sébastien , Dürr Hans H. , Beauchard Olivier , Busson Frédéric , Oberdorff Thierry 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTAim  To explore global patterns of riverine fish endemism by applying an island biogeography framework to river drainage basins and highlight evolutionary mechanisms producing two kinds of endemism: neo‐endemism, arising from within‐drainage cladogenetic speciation, and palaeo‐endemism, arising from species range contraction or anagenetic speciation.Location  World‐wide.Methods  We use a uniquely comprehensive data set of riverine fish species distributions to map global fish endemism patterns. We then use the relationships between (1) total species richness and proportions of endemic species and (2) total species richness and a measure of in situ (i.e. within‐drainage basin) probability of speciation by cladogenesis, to identify the two distinct forms of endemism. After separating drainage basins into two different sets according to dominance of one of these two forms, we apply a model averaging procedure to highlight, for both datasets, the environmental and historical variables that better explain endemism patterns. We finally analyse the effect of biotic components related to dispersal ability on the percentages of both kinds of endemism among lineages.Results  Our results indicate that the two types of endemism are distributed differently across space and taxonomic lineages: (1) neo‐endemism, positively related to the overall richness of the drainage basin, is essentially linked to in situ cladogenetic speciation and is positively related to drainage basin area, negatively related to climate variability since glacial periods and negatively related to all proxies of dispersal ability; and (2) palaeo‐endemism, not directly contributing to drainage basin richness, is a pure process of extinction through range contraction and/or isolation through time and is mostly related to geographic isolation, glacial history and positively related to marine‐derived origin of families.Main conclusions  The non‐random spatial and taxonomic distribution of neo‐endemism and palaeo‐endemism sharply reflects the role of evolutionary processes and provides a way to identify areas of high conservation interest based on their high present and future diversification potential.
Spatially extensive reconstructions show variable‐severity fire and heterogeneous structure in historical western United States dry forests
Authors: Williams Mark A. , Baker William L. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTAim Wildfire is often considered more severe now than historically in dry forests of the western United States. Tree‐ring reconstructions, which suggest that historical dry forests were park‐like with large, old trees maintained by low‐severity fires, are from small, scattered studies. To overcome this limitation, we developed spatially comprehensive reconstructions across 927,000 ha in four landscapes, using a new method based on land surveys fromc. 1880.Location Dry forests of the western United States.Methods We reconstructed forest structure for four large dry‐forest landscapes using forest descriptions and tree data from historical land surveys. Using multiple elements of historical forest structure from this study along with corroborating information from tree‐ring studies, we were able to interpret past forest dynamics. Hypotheses concerning historical structure and dynamics were then tested.Results These reconstructions show that dry forests were structurally variable, containing from 20 to over 1000 trees ha−1and some dense understoreys of shrubs and small trees. Park‐like stands of large trees maintained by low‐severity fire predominated only in parts of the study landscapes. Only 3, 12, 40 and 62% of the four landscapes fit a low‐severity fire model; 38–97% had evidence ofhigher‐severity (mixed‐ and high‐severity) fire. Some large modern wildfires (e.g. Rodeo‐Chediski), perceived as catastrophic, had fire severity congruent with historical variability.Main conclusions Spatially extensive reconstructions from the late 1800s show that these forests were structurally variable, including areas of dense forests and understorey trees and shrubs, and fires varied in severity, including 15–65% high‐severity fire. A set of laws, policies and initiatives that aim to uniformly reduce fuels and fire severity is likely to move many of these forests outside their historical range of variability with adverse effects on biological diversity. Macroscale survey‐based reconstructions and palaeoecological studies reveal thathigher‐severity fires were and are a part of the normal dynamics of dry forests.
Quality of life after radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformation patients who present with seizure
Authors: Yang S.‐Y. , Paek S. H. , Kim D. G. , Chung H.‐T. 
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose:  This study assessed the quality of life (QOL) and employment status after radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformation (AVM) patients who presented with seizure.Methods:  Between 1997 and 2006, 78 AVM patients who presented with seizure and received radiosurgery were assessed using serial imaging tests, clinical evaluations that included employment status, and a QOL survey. The QOL questionnaire was developed as a retrospective screening tool to estimate the present QOL and the patient’s self‐rated relative changes (trend values) in QOL after radiosurgery. These results were correlated to one another using the Engel seizure frequency scoring system.Results:  The follow‐up periods ranged from 48.0 to 151.0 months (mean, 92.5). The mean trend values and mean QOL scores in patients with seizure freedom or AVM obliteration were significantly greater than in patients without these outcomes (all P values < 0.05). Good radiosurgical outcomes were associated with attaining employment (all P values < 0.05). However, differences in employment status were not significant (P = 0.186) despite a higher proportion of patients who described their workplace activity as improved compared with their pre‐radiosurgical activity at the last follow‐up evaluation.Conclusions:  Radiosurgery may improve QOL and employment status in AVM patients, especially patients who experience seizure freedom or AVM obliteration.
The tyranny of transnational discourse: ‘authenticity’ and Irish diasporic identity in Ireland and England
Authors: Scully Marc 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThrough the prism of current state discourses in Ireland on engagement with the Irish diaspora, this article examines the empirical merit of the related concepts of ‘diaspora’ and ‘transnationalism’. Drawing on recent research on how Irish identity is articulated and negotiated by Irish people in England, this study suggests a worked distinction between the concepts of ‘diaspora’ and ‘transnationalism’. Two separate discourses of authenticity are compared and contrasted: they rest on a conceptualisation of Irish identity as transnational and diasporic, respectively. I argue that knowledge of contemporary Ireland is constructed as sufficiently important that claims on diasporic Irishness are constrained by the discourse of authentic Irishness as transnational. I discuss how this affects the identity claims of second‐generation Irish people, the relationship between conceptualisations of Irishness as diasporic within Ireland and ‘lived’ diasporic Irish identities, and implications for state discourses of diaspora engagement.
Glial glutamate transporter and glutamine synthetase regulate GABAergic synaptic strength in the spinal dorsal horn
Authors: Jiang Enshe , Yan Xisheng , Weng Han‐Rong 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 526–536.AbstractDecreased GABAergic synaptic strength (‘disinhibition’) in the spinal dorsal horn is a crucial mechanism contributing to the development and maintenance of pathological pain. However, mechanisms leading to disinhibition in the spinal dorsal horn remain elusive. We investigated the role of glial glutamate transporters (GLT‐1 and GLAST) and glutamine synthetase in maintaining GABAergic synaptic activity in the spinal dorsal horn. Electrically evoked GABAergic inhibitory post‐synaptic currents (eIPSCs), spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) and miniature IPSCs were recorded in superficial spinal dorsal horn neurons of spinal slices from young adult rats. We used (2S,3S)‐3‐[3‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)benzoylamino]benzyloxy]aspartate (TFB‐TBOA), to block both GLT‐1 and GLAST and dihydrokainic acid to block only GLT‐1. We found that blockade of both GLAST and GLT‐1 and blockade of only GLT‐1 in the spinal dorsal horn decreased the amplitude of GABAergic eIPSCs, as well as both the amplitude and frequency of GABAergic sIPSCs or miniature IPSCs. Pharmacological inhibition of glial glutamine synthetase had similar effects on both GABAergic eIPSCs and sIPSCs. We provided evidence demonstrating that the reduction in GABAergic strength induced by the inhibition of glial glutamate transporters is due to insufficient GABA synthesis through the glutamate–glutamine cycle between astrocytes and neurons. Thus, our results indicate that deficient glial glutamate transporters and glutamine synthetase significantly attenuate GABAergic synaptic strength in the spinal dorsal horn, which may be a crucial synaptic mechanism underlying glial–neuronal interactions caused by dysfunctional astrocytes in pathological pain conditions.
Cytosolic acidification and intracellular zinc release in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Kiedrowski Lech 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 438–450.AbstractIn neurons exposed to glutamate, Ca2+ influx triggers intracellular Zn2+ release via an as yet unclear mechanism. As glutamate induces a Ca2+‐dependent cytosolic acidification, the present work tested the relationships among intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), intracellular pH (pHi), and [Zn2+]i. Cultured hippocampal neurons were exposed to glutamate and glycine (Glu/Gly), while [Zn2+]i, [Ca2+]i and pHi were monitored using FluoZin‐3, Fura2‐FF, and 2′,7′‐bis‐(2‐carboxyethyl)‐5(6)‐carboxyfluorescein, respectively. Glu/Gly applications decreased pHi to 6.1 and induced intracellular Zn2+ release in a Ca2+‐dependent manner, as expected. The pHi drop reduced the affinity of FluoZin‐3 and Fura‐2‐FF for Zn2+. The rate of Glu/Gly‐induced [Zn2+]i increase was not correlated with the rate of [Ca2+]i increase. Instead, the extent of [Zn2+]i elevations corresponded well to the rate of pHi drop. Namely, [Zn2+]i increased more in more highly acidified neurons. Inhibiting the mechanisms responsible for the Ca2+‐dependent pHi drop (plasmalemmal Ca2+ pump and mitochondria) counteracted the Glu/Gly‐induced intracellular Zn2+ release. Alkaline pH (8.5) suppressed Glu/Gly‐induced intracellular Zn2+ release whereas acidic pH (6.0) enhanced it. A pHi drop to 6.0 (without any Ca2+ influx or glutamate receptor activation) led to intracellular Zn2+ release; the released Zn2+ (free Zn2+ plus Zn2+ bound to Fura‐2FF and FluoZin‐3) reached 1 μM.
Unplanned pregnancy and contraceptive use in women attending drug treatment services
Authors: Black Kirsten I. , Stephens Christine , Haber Paul S. , Lintzeris Nicholas 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundAt an international level, there are calls for a greater focus on women and harm reduction in recognition that female drug users have a unique set of issues that are not routinely assessed in drug treatment programs.AimsTo assess the pregnancy history, current pregnancy risk and contraceptive use of nonpregnant women attending opioid treatment programs (OTPs).MethodsThis study involved a structured questionnaire survey of 204 women attending outpatient OTP services within the Sydney South West Area Health Service.ResultsTwo hundred and four women of 302 (67.5%) enroled in OTPs at the time completed surveys. Key findings were high pregnancy rates, with 28.9% of women reporting six or more pregnancies, high rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage, termination and stillbirth) compared with national data and poor uptake of contraception, with only 54.7% of sexually active women not wanting to get pregnant using a method. Women expressed diverse preferences for the type and location of women's health services they felt would meet their needs.ConclusionWomen in OTP clinics have unaddressed reproductive health issues, particularly around contraception. Addressing these will potentially minimise the risk of material deprivation and social exclusion in these women and improve their well‐being through greater control and choice over their fertility. Current women's health service provision in OTP programs involves referral to external services, but an integrated model of care may best address the unmet contraceptive needs of these women.
Liposome‐Encapsulated Hemoglobin Accelerates Skin Wound Healing in Mice
Authors: Fukui Tsuyoshi , Kawaguchi Akira T. , Takekoshi Susumu , Miyasaka Muneo , Tanaka Rica 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEffects of liposome‐encapsulated hemoglobin with high O2 affinity (m‐LEH, P50O2 = 17 mm Hg) on skin wound healing in mice were examined. Two full‐thickness dorsal wounds 6 mm in diameter encompassed by silicone stents were created in Balb/c mice. Two days later (day 2), the animals randomly received intravenous m‐LEH (2 mL/kg, n = 12), homologous blood transfusion (red blood cell [RBC], n = 11), or saline (n = 12). The same treatment was repeated 4 days after wounding (day 4), and the sizes of the skin defects and ulcers were monitored on days 0, 2, 4, and 7, when all animals were euthanized for morphological studies. While the size of the skin defect in relation to the stent ring remained the same in all groups, the size of the ulcer compared with the skin defect (or silicone stent) became significantly reduced on days 4 and 7 in mice treated with m‐LEH (46 ± 10% of pretreatment size, P <  0.01) compared with mice treated with RBC transfusion (73 ± 6%) or saline (76 ± 7%). m‐LEH treatment significantly accelerated granulation, increased epithelial thickness, suppressed early granulocyte infiltration, and increased Ki67 expression in accordance with the ulcer size reduction, while there was no difference in surface blood flow or CD31 expression among the groups. The results suggest that m‐LEH (2 mL/kg) may accelerate skin wound healing in Balb/c mice via mechanism(s) involving reduced inflammation and increased metabolism, but not by improved hemodynamics or endothelial regeneration.
Adenosine‐5′‐Triphosphate‐Adenosine‐Glutathione Cross‐Linked Hemoglobin as Erythropoiesis‐Stimulating Agent
Authors: Simoni Jan , Simoni Grace , Moeller John F. , Feola Mario , Griswold John A. , Wesson Donald E. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAn effective hemoglobin (Hb)‐based blood substitute that acts as a physiological oxygen carrier and volume expander ought to stimulate erythropoiesis. A speedy replacement of blood loss with endogenous red blood cells should be an essential feature of any blood substitute product because of its relatively short circulatory retention time and high autoxidation rate. Erythropoiesis is a complex process controlled by oxygen and redox‐regulated transcription factors and their target genes that can be affected by Hb physicochemical properties. Using an in vitro cellular model, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of erythropoietic action of unmodified tetrameric Hb (UHb) and Hb cross‐linked with adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP), adenosine, and reduced glutathione (GSH). These effects were studied under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Results indicate that these Hb solutions have different effects on stabilization and nuclear translocation of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1 alpha, induction of the erythropoietin (EPO) gene, activation of nuclear factor (NF)‐kappa B, and expression of the anti‐erythropoietic agents—tumor necrosis factor‐alpha and transforming growth factor‐beta 1. UHb suppresses erythropoiesis by increasing the cytoplasmic degradation of HIF‐1 alpha and decreasing binding to the EPO gene while inducing NF‐kappa B‐dependent anti‐erythropoietic genes. Cross‐linked Hb accelerates erythropoiesis by downregulating NF‐kappa B, stabilizing and facilitating HIF‐1 alpha binding to the EPO gene, under both oxygen conditions. ATP and adenosine contribute to normoxic stabilization of HIF‐1 and, with GSH, inhibit the NF‐kappa B pathway that is involved in the suppression of erythroid‐specific genes. Proper chemical/pharmacological modification is required to consider acellular Hb as an erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent.
Varenicline Potentiates Alcohol‐Induced Negative Subjective Responses and Offsets Impaired Eye Movements
Authors: Childs Emma , Roche Daniel J. O. , King Andrea C. , de Wit Harriet 
Published: February 2012

Background:  Varenicline (VAR) is a partial nicotinic receptor agonist that is an effective smoking cessation medication. Preliminary evidence indicates that it may also reduce alcohol consumption, but the underlying mechanism is not clear. For example, VAR may reduce alcohol consumption by attenuating its subjectively rewarding properties or by enhancing its aversive effects. In this study, we examined the effects of an acute dose of VAR upon subjective, physiological, and objective responses to low and moderate doses of alcohol in healthy social drinkers.Methods:  Healthy men and women (N = 15) participated in 6 randomized sessions; 3 sessions each with 2 mg VAR and placebo (PL) followed 3 hours later by a beverage containing PL, low‐dose alcohol (0.4 g/kg), or high‐dose alcohol (0.8 g/kg). Subjective mood and drug effects (i.e., stimulation, drug liking), physiological measures (heart rate, blood pressure), and eye tracking tasks were administered at various intervals before and after drug and alcohol administration.Results:  VAR acutely increased blood pressure, heart rate, ratings of dysphoria and nausea, and also improved eye tracking performance. After alcohol drinking (vs. PL), VAR increased dysphoria and tended to reduce alcohol liking ratings. It also attenuated alcohol‐induced eye‐tracking impairments. These effects were independent of the drug’s effects on nausea before drinking.Conclusions:  Our data support the theory that VAR may reduce drinking by potentiating aversive effects of alcohol. VAR also offsets alcohol‐induced eye movement impairment. The evidence suggests that VAR may decrease alcohol consumption by producing effects, which oppose the rewarding efficacy of alcohol.