bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of VDAC1 and Bcl‐2 family of proteins in VacA‐induced cytochrome c release and apoptosis of gastric epithelial carcinoma cells
Authors: LAN Chun Hui , SHENG Jian Qiu , FANG Dian Chun , MENG Qing Zhuang , FAN Li Lin , HUANG Zeng Rong 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVE:  It is known that the vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) could induce apoptosis. However, the mechanism remained to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Bcl family of proteins (Bcl‐2 and Bax) and the mitochondrial voltage‐dependent anion channel (VDAC) in VacA‐induced apoptosis of AGS cells.METHODS:  Plasmid pGBKT7‐VacA p58 was constructed and transfected into the AGS cells. RT‐PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the expressions of cytochrome c, caspase‐3, Bax, Bcl‐2 and VDAC1 mRNA and proteins.RESULTS:  VacA p58 can induce cytochrome c release and activate caspase‐3 in AGS cells. It up‐regulated the expressions of Bax and VDAC1 mRNA and proteins, and decreased the expression of Bcl‐2 in AGS cells.CONCLUSION:  VacA p58 induces apoptosis in AGS cells. This apoptotic process is associated with the up‐regulation of Bax/VDAC1 and downregulation of Bcl‐2. These findings suggest that the release of cytochrome c by VacA p58 is mainly through VDAC‐dependent and Bcl‐2 family‐dependent pathways.
A Model for Positively Correlated Count Variables
Authors: Møller Jesper , Rubak Ege 
Published: February 2010

Summary An α‐permanental random field is briefly speaking a model for a collection of non‐negative integer valued random variables with positive associations. Though such models possess many appealing probabilistic properties, many statisticians seem unaware of α‐permanental random fields and their potential applications. The purpose of this paper is to summarize useful probabilistic results, study stochastic constructions and simulation techniques, and discuss some examples of α‐permanental random fields. This should provide a useful basis for discussing the statistical aspects in future work.
Comparison of central and peripheral airway involvement before and during methacholine, mannitol and eucapnic hyperventilation challenges in mild asthmatics
Authors: Aronsson David , Tufvesson Ellen , Bjermer Leif 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIntroduction:  Testing for airway hyperresponsiveness with indirect stimuli as exercise or mannitol has been proposed to better reflect underlying airway inflammation, as compared with methacholine (MCh), believed to act directly on airway smooth muscle cells.Objective:  To investigate whether different direct and indirect stimuli induces different patterns of obstruction, recorded as central and peripheral resistance, and to see whether baseline resistance could predict a positive response to direct or indirect provocation.Methods:  Thirty‐four mild asthmatics and 15 controls underwent MCh, mannitol and eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) challenge tests. The response was evaluated with spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS).Results:  Twenty‐three out of 34 asthmatics were positive to either EVH (22) or mannitol (13). Those positive to mannitol had a significant increased baseline value of IOS parameters such as ΔR5‐R20 and AX. Twelve of the asthmatics had a 10% fall or more in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in all three challenge tests. However, the response pattern measured by IOS did not differ between the tests. When the limit for a positive mannitol provocation was set to 10% fall in FEV1, 16 out of 19 mannitol‐positive patients were also positive to EVH.Conclusion:  Even in mild asthmatics, a substantial number had a positive indirect test. Mannitol FEV1 provocative dose to decrease FEV1 by 10% from baseline (PD10) was closely associated to EVH10%. No difference in bronchoconstrictive pattern could be seen between the different provocation tests, but those positive to mannitol had more peripheral airway involvement at baseline. This supports the idea that peripheral airway involvement is an important predictor of asthma airway reactivity.Please cite this paper as: Aronsson D, Tufvesson E, Bjermer L. Comparison of central and peripheral airway involvement before and during methacholine, mannitol and eucapnic hyperventilation challenges in mild asthmatics. Clin Respir J 2011; 5: 10–18.
Differentiated intramucosal gastric carcinoma without ulceration showing extensive lymph node metastasis
Authors: Lee So‐Young , Park Young‐Soo , Jang Se‐Jin , Oh Sung‐Tae , Huh Joo‐Ryung 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTEarly gastric cancer is defined as gastric cancer confined to the mucosa or submucosa. For the majority of early gastric cancers without nodal involvement, endoscopic mucosal removal (EMR) is safer and more cost‐effective than are other treatment methods. Here we report a rare case of differentiated mucosal carcinoma with extensive lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis. Endoscopy showed a 5.5 cm non‐ulcerated slightly elevated and depressed lesion without indication of submucosal involvement. Although the tumor met the extended criteria for EMR, D2 gastrectomy was performed. The resected specimen showed a 5.5 cm intramucosal carcinoma with extensive lymphovascular invasion of the submucosa, and metastasis to two perigastric nodes, indicating that metastasis can occur in patients with non‐ulcerated differentiated mucosal tumors. Although these tumors are extremely rare, the risks and limitations of EMR should be fully considered in choosing an optimal surgical procedure.
Utility of liquid‐based cytology in the evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration: Comparison with the conventional smears
Authors: Kim Jeong Won , Seo Dong Wan , Moon Sung‐Hoon , Gong Gyungyub 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT Background and aim: Recently, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) has been introduced in the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions, adjacent lymph nodes, and organs. To investigate the usefulness of liquid‐based cytology (LBC) in EUS‐FNA, we compare the efficacy of the conventional smear (CS) and LBC in EUS‐FNA specimens. Methods: Forty‐three paired LBC and CS slides were obtained using a split sample protocol. The specimen adequacy and diagnostic values were compared. Results: The adequate cases for diagnosis were 36 (83.7%) in CS and 22 (51.2%) in LBC. Inadequate samples were mostly obtained from lymph nodes: 6 cases in CS and 17 in LBC. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CS and LBC were as follows: 90.5%, 95.5%, and 93.0% in CS, respectively, and 57.1%, 100%, and 79.1% in LBC. The false‐negative and false‐positive rates were 4.7% and 2.3% in CS, respectively, and 20.9% and 0% in LBC. The overall agreement of CS and LBC for the diagnosis of malignancy was high (κ= 0.616). Conclusions: CS is a more effective and adequate preparation method for use in EUS‐FNA‐based diagnosis. Considering the split sample protocol of this study, LBC is a comparable diagnostic tool to CS in the evaluation of EUS‐FNA specimens.
Chromosome doubling of the bioenergy crop, Miscanthus×giganteus
Authors: YU CHANG YEON , KIM HYOUNG SEOK , RAYBURN A. LANE , WIDHOLM JACK M. , JUVIK JOHN A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe perennial grass, Miscanthus×giganteus is a sterile triploid, which due to its growth rate and biomass accumulation has significant economic potential as a new bioenergy crop. The sterility associated with the triploid genome of this accession requires labor‐intensive vegetative, instead of seed propagation for potential commercial production. Chromosome doubling was used to produce hexaploid plants in an effort to restore fertility to M×giganteus. Tissue culture derived calli from immature inflorescences were treated with the antimitotic agents, colchicine and oryzalin in liquid and solid media. Calli survival rate decreased with increasing concentrations and durations of colchicine or oryzalin treatments and ranged from 0% to 100%. Nuclear DNA content, as determined by flow cytometry, indicated that the frequency of chromosome‐doubled calli varied between compounds and concentrations with the greatest proportion of callus doubling observed using 2‐day treatments of 15 μm oryzalin (78%) or 939 μm colchicine (67%). Liquid media treatments were more effective than solid gels for chromosome doubling. Although oryzalin was effective at chromosome doubling, it inhibited callus growth and plant regeneration frequency. Seven hexaploid plants with doubled DNA content were generated, which displayed increased stomata size (30.0±0.2 μm) compared with regenerated triploid M. ×giganteus plants (24.3±1.0 μm). Following clonal replication these plants will be evaluated for growth rate, biomass accumulation, and pollen viability. Successful chromosome doubling and plant regeneration of M.×giganteus suggests that ploidy manipulation of this plant and its parental species (Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus) could be a means to access genetic variability for the improvement of Miscanthus as a biofuel/bioenergy crop.
Ultrastructural observations on the ascomata and ascospores of the truffleMattirolomyces terfezioides
Authors: Healy Rosanne A. , Kovács Gábor M. 
Published: February 2010

The septal pore ultrastructure of non-ascogenous and reproductive hyphae, as well as development of the spore wall were examined in the truffle Mattirolomyces terfezioides (Mattir.) E. Fisch. (Ascomycota, Pezizales, Pezizaceae) and compared with other pezizalean taxa. The septal pore in ascogenous hyphae of M. terfezioides is a uni- or bi-convex band of the type found in the Pezizaceae. Septal pore ultrastructure in other hyphae included a uniconvex band with lamellate structure. Woronin bodies were globose to hexagonal, and infrequently ellipsoid in shape. Hexagonal Woronin bodies have not been previously reported in the Pezizaceae. Ascospore delimitation starts with two delimiting membranes and the spore-wall development is typical of the Pezizales. The heterogeneously staining spines of the secondary cell wall differ from the structures of Terfezia species. The ultrastructural characteristics of M. terfezioides show the general characteristics of the Pezizaceae, except that the hexagonal Woronin body form is new to this family. The spore delimitation, spine-cap structure, and Woronin body shape of M. terfezioides presented here are in agreement with molecular taxonomic results, which separate the genus from Terfezia and call into question the generic position of Mattirolomyces tiffanyae Healy.
Allometry of Corispermum macrocarpum in response to soil nutrient, water, and population density
Authors: Huang Yingxin , Zhao Xueyong , Zhou Daowei , Luo Yayong , Mao Wei 
Published: February 2010

The allometric effects of Corispermum macrocarpum Bunge in response to soil nutrient content, water content, and population density were compared in a greenhouse experiment. The results showed that biomass allocation was size-dependent. The plasticity of roots, leaf allocation, and reproductive effort was “true” plasticity (i.e., changing biomass allocation in response to environmental conditions regardless of plant size), and no plasticity was detected in stem allocation in response to soil nutrient variation. At a low soil nutrient content, C. macrocarpum allocated more resources to reproductive organs than to roots and leaves at equivalent plant size, but the value of root allocation was consistent because of the trade-off between the effects of plant size and soil nutrient content. In the response to soil water variation, the plasticity of root allocation and reproductive effort was true plasticity, the plasticity of stem allocation was “apparent” plasticity (i.e., changing biomass allocation in response to plant size regardless of environmental conditions), which was caused by plant size, but there was no plasticity in leaf allocation. Except for the true plasticity of root allocation, there was no plasticity in stems, leaves, and reproductive organs in response to population density.
What is the taxonomic identity of Minnesota wolves?
Authors: Mech L. D. 
Published: February 2010

The taxonomic identity of the historical and current wolf ( Canis lupus L., 1758 or Canis lycaon Schreber, 1775 or their hybrids) population in Minnesota (MN) and the Great Lakes region has been, and continues to be, controversial. So too does its legal status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This review summarizes the morphological and genetic information about that population and concludes that historically the MN population consisted of a gray wolf (C. lupus) in the west and an eastern type ( Canis lupus lycaon or C. lycaon) in the east with intergrades or hybrids between the two in most of the state. After extirpation in much of its original MN range, the now-recovered population was infused with gray wolves from Ontario but still consists of hybrid lycaon × gray wolves, probably with higher content gray wolves in the west and higher content lycaon in the east but with most wolves morphologically appearing to be gray wolves. Because the current Wisconsin and Michigan wolf population was derived from MN wolves, they would be primarily hybrids as well. Future research should seek to relate genetic data with morphological measurements in MN wolves. In addition, attempts to breed coyotes ( Canis latrans Say, 1823) with gray wolves in captivity would shed considerable light on the controversy over the origin and taxonomic identity of the newly proposed C. lycaon.
Feeding-crater selection by high-arctic reindeer facing ice-blocked pastures
Authors: Hansen Brage Bremset , Aanes Ronny , Sæther Bernt-Erik 
Published: February 2010

Increased frequency of ground-icing events is likely to influence population dynamics in arctic ungulates, but their behavioural responses remain unexplored. During a record-mild winter with heavy rainfall, we analysed snow and ice characteristics and foraging trade-offs by Svalbard reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik, 1829) on a semi-isolated, recently occupied range. Snow depths were well within thresholds for cratering, but >90% of low altitudes was covered by a thick ice coat on the ground (median thickness 9 cm). Different strategies to cope with these conditions appeared. Part of the population sought mountainous habitat with very sparse vegetation. Individuals remaining at lower altitudes either used sparsely vegetated, wind-blown ridges partially covered with ice, or apparently applied olfactory senses to locate vegetation in ice-free microhabitat beneath the snowpack. No feeding craters were covered by ground ice, compared with most nearby controls. Following ground-ice avoidance, vegetation rather than snowpack properties determined fine-scale crater selection. Even under such poor conditions, the presence of medium- to high-quality forage (dwarf willow ( Salix polaris Wahlenb.) and fruticose lichens) rather than low-digestible, high-biomass forage (mosses) influenced cratering decisions. Behavioural plasticity combined with a gradually depleted lichen resource can partly buffer the reindeer against predicted climate change, at least in the short-term.
Ecogeographical variation in the Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)
Authors: Salomon Marc , Voisin Jean-François 
Published: February 2010

The Southern Giant Petrel ( Macronectes giganteus (Gmelin, 1789); Aves, Procellariiformes), ranging from New Zealand to the Graham Peninsula and Patagonia and also from coastal Antarctica to Gough Island, displays significant geographic variation throughout its range. Six breeding provinces were identified, which show significant interpopulational variation. The formerly proposed subspecies Macronectes giganteus giganteus and Macronectes giganteus solanderi were confirmed. Macronectes giganteus solanderi has smaller homologuous parts than M. g. giganteus. Two of the provinces belong to the subspecies M. g. solanderi. Females are smaller and have shorter bills than males. In M. g. giganteus, outer appendages are longer in the sub-Antarctic than in the Antarctic, which is consistent with Allen’s rule. Moreover, an east-to-west cline shows a gradual decrease in body size. Within M. g. solanderi, the Chubut River Estuary (Argentina) and the Falkland Islands form the southern province, and Gough Island the northern province. The birds have shallower bills in Argentina than in the Falklands or Gough, but tarsi are longest in Gough. Macronectes giganteus giganteus is morphologically polymorphic but taxonomically stable, whereas M. g. solanderi, which is biometrically less variable, could undergo taxonomical differentiation. This paper gives arguments for further morphometric and genetic studies on the taxon.
Intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the dynamics of local small-mammal populations
Authors: Solonen T. , Ahola P. 
Published: February 2010

We studied dynamics of local small-mammal assemblages consisting of shrews, voles, and mice by small-scale snap trapping in each spring and autumn from 1981 to 2006 in southern Finland. Our aim was to search for relative roles of possible regulatory associations within and between species, as well as to find reflections of the effects of large-scale climatic phenomena on local populations. Preceding intraspecific densities had a dominating role in seasonal changes in small-mammal numbers. Their relationships with weather-related factors indicated by the indices of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) were most pronounced during winter. Relationships with the NAO indices, increasing values of which indicate milder weather in the north, were negative in voles but positive in shrews and mice. Spring densities were governed by the largely compensatory effects of the growth rate of the preceding summer and subsequent population decline during winter in the field vole ( Microtus agrestis (L., 1761)) and mice, while the effects of winter decline dominated in shrews. The bank vole ( Myodes glareolus (Schreber, 1780) = Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780)) showed decreasing winter decline, which had a considerable positive effect on population densities.
The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Paeoniflorin on Cerebral Infarction Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Tang Nou-Ying , Liu Chung-Hsiang , Hsieh Ching-Tou , Hsieh Ching-Liang 
Published: February 2010

Paeoniflorin, a component in Paeonia lactiflora Pall, inhibits nuclear factor-κB expression in chronic hypoperfusion rat and has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of paeoniflorin on cerebral infarct, and the involvement of anti-inflammation. We established an animal model of cerebral infarct by occluding both the common carotid arteries and the right middle cerebral artery for 90 min, followed by reperfusion of 24 hours. The ratios of cerebral infarction area to total brain area, and neuro-deficit score were used as an index to observe the effects of paeoniflorin on cerebral infarct. ED1 (mouse anti rat CD68), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO) immunostaining and apoptotic cells in the cerebral infarction region also were studied. The results indicated that both pre-treatment and post-treatment with paeoniflorin reduced the ratio of cerebral infarction area; pre-treatment with paeoniflorin also reduced the neurological deficit score. The counts of ED1, IL-1β, TNF-α, ICAM-1 of microvessels and MPO immunoreactive cells and apoptotic cells were increased in the cerebral infarction region; however, these increases were reduced by Paeoniflorin pre-treatment.In conclusion, Paeoniflorin reduced cerebral infarct and neurological deficit in ischemia-reperfusion injured rats, suggesting that paeoniflorin may have a similar effect in humans and might be a suitable treatment for stroke. Paeoniflorin reduced cerebral infarct, at least in part, involves the anti-inflammatory properties.
THE EFFECT OF FUEL TO OXYGEN RATIOS ON THE PROPERTIES OF HIGH VELOCITY OXY-FUEL TiO2 NANO-PHOTOCATALYST COATINGS
Authors: BOZORGTABAR MARYAMOSSADAT , SALEHI MEHDI , RAHIMIPOUR MOHAMMADREZA , JAFARPOUR MOHAMMADREZA 
Published: February 2010

A liquid fuel high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process has been used to deposit TiO 2 photocatalytic coatings utilizing a commercially available anatase/rutile nano-powder as the feedstock. The coatings were characterized in terms of the phases present, its crystallite size and coating morphology by means of X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The results indicate that the sprayed TiO 2 coatings were composed of both TiO 2 phases, namely anatase and rutile with different phase content and crystallite size. A high anatase content of 80% by volume was achieved at 0.00015 fuel to oxygen ratio with nanostructure coating by grain size smaller than feedstock powder. It is found that fuel to oxygen ratio strongly influenced on temperature and velocity of particles in stream jet consequently on phase transformation of anatase to rutile and their crystallite size and by optimizing the ratio which can promote structural transformation and grain coarsening in coating.
RADIOSCAPHOLUNATE ARTHRODESIS — A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: Bain Gregory Ian , Ondimu Phillip , Hallam Peter , Ashwood Neil 
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate pain levels, range of motion, patient activity and satisfaction after radioscapholunate (RSL) arthrodesis. This was in association with distal scaphoid excision and complete resection of the triquetrum. The non-union rate for radioscapholunate arthrodesis was examined and the results compared with previous studies.Twenty-three patients (14 males and nine females) with an average age of 47 (range 26–73) years underwent RSL fusion for post-traumatic osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and Kienböck's disease of the lunate with a mean follow-up of 32 (range 13–70) months. The absolute prerequisite for any of these groups of patients was a functional midcarpal joint which was assessed pre-operatively with radiographs and intra-operatively prior to RSL fusion.The average flexion to extension motion changed from 66° to 57°. The ulnoradial range of motion also increased to 43° from a pre-operative value of 22°. The patients visual analogue pain scores reduced from an average of 64 to 28 (p = 0.01). Nineteen patients had no restriction in activity and all but one was satisfied with the outcome. All patients remained in full time employment with ten returning to some form of sport.RSL fusion with excision of the distal pole of the scaphoid and the entire triquetrum led to minimal reduction in the flexion-extension arc of motion and an increase in the ulnoradial arc. There was also good pain relief and maintenance of a patient's function. Memory staples are also an effective method of securing fusion in the wrist obtaining similar results to that seen in forefoot surgery.