bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mannitol and AMP do not induce bronchoconstriction in eosinophilic bronchitis: Further evidence for dissociation between airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness
Authors: SINGAPURI Amisha , MCKENNA Sue , BRIGHTLING Chris E. , BRADDING Peter 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) shares many pathological features with asthma. However, patients with EB do not develop the characteristic physiological abnormalities of asthma: variable airflow obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to a direct bronchial challenge with methacholine. Indirect bronchial challenges with AMP and mannitol are dependent on the presence of airway inflammation, and positive in 10% of asthmatic subjects who have a negative response to methacholine. We have therefore investigated whether subjects with EB are responsive to indirect airway challenge with AMP and mannitol.Methods:  Subjects with asthma, EB and healthy controls attended on up to four occasions. After screening, subjects performed bronchial provocation tests to methacholine and then either AMP or mannitol. Each challenge was followed immediately by sputum induction for the measurement of airway inflammation and mast cell‐derived histamine.Results:  No subjects with EB responded to either AMP (n = 5) or mannitol (n = 7) while 4/8 and 7/10 subjects with asthma responded to the respective challenges (P = 0.057 for AMP, P = 0.004 for mannitol). There was no difference in induced sputum concentrations of histamine or eosinophil cell counts following methacholine challenge compared with AMP or mannitol.Conclusions:  The airways of patients with EB are not responsive to either direct or indirect bronchial challenge. This supports the view that it is the presence of functionally abnormal airway smooth muscle that is the key determinant of BHR in asthma, and that while this may be aggravated by the presence of mucosal airway inflammation, it is not caused by it.
Preference for language in early infancy: the human language bias is not speech specific
Authors: Krentz Ursula C. , Corina David P. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract Fundamental to infants’ acquisition of their native language is an inherent interest in the language spoken around them over non‐linguistic environmental sounds. The following studies explored whether the bias for linguistic signals in hearing infants is specific to speech, or reflects a general bias for all human language, spoken and signed. Results indicate that 6‐month‐old infants prefer an unfamiliar, visual‐gestural language (American Sign Language) over non‐linguistic pantomime, but 10‐month‐olds do not. These data provide evidence against a speech‐specific bias in early infancy and provide insights into those properties of human languages that may underlie this language‐general attentional bias.
Statistical phonetic learning in infants: facilitation and feature generalization
Authors: Maye Jessica , Weiss Daniel J. , Aslin Richard N. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract Over the course of the first year of life, infants develop from being generalized listeners, capable of discriminating both native and non‐native speech contrasts, into specialized listeners whose discrimination patterns closely reflect the phonetic system of the native language(s). Recent work by Maye, Werker and Gerken (2002) has proposed a statistical account for this phenomenon, showing that infants may lose the ability to discriminate some foreign language contrasts on the basis of their sensitivity to the statistical distribution of sounds in the input language. In this paper we examine the process of enhancement in infant speech perception, whereby initially difficult phonetic contrasts become better discriminated when they define two categories that serve a functional role in the native language. In particular, we demonstrate that exposure to a bimodal statistical distribution in 8‐month‐old infants’ phonetic input can lead to increased discrimination of difficult contrasts. In addition, this exposure also facilitates discrimination of an unfamiliar contrast sharing the same phonetic feature as the contrast presented during familiarization, suggesting that infants extract acoustic/phonetic information that is invariant across an abstract featural representation.
Autonomic symptoms in patients and pre‐manifest mutation carriers of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Aziz N. A. , Anguelova G. V. , Marinus J. , Van Dijk J. G. , Roos R. A. C. 
Published: February 2010

Background and purpose:  Although autonomic function tests have revealed abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system in Huntington’s disease (HD), autonomic symptoms and their association with other symptoms and signs of HD have not yet been assessed in large groups of patients or pre‐manifest mutation carriers. Therefore, we aimed at delineating the characteristics and correlates of autonomic symptoms in HD.Methods:  Using the scales for outcomes in Parkinson’s disease‐autonomic symptoms (SCOPA‐AUT) and Beck Depression Inventory questionnaires, autonomic symptoms and depressed mood were assessed in 63 patients with HD, 21 pre‐manifest mutation carriers, and 85 controls. The Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale was used to assess other HD symptoms and signs.Results:  Relative to controls, patients with HD experienced significantly more gastrointestinal, urinary, cardiovascular and, in men, sexual problems. The most prevalent symptoms were swallowing difficulties, erection and ejaculation problems, dysphagia, sialorrhea, early abdominal fullness, straining for defecation, fecal and urinary incontinence, urgency, incomplete bladder emptying, and light‐headedness whilst standing. Pre‐manifest mutation carriers experienced significantly more swallowing difficulties and light‐headedness on standing up compared with controls. In patients with HD, autonomic symptoms were associated with a greater degree of functional disability, more severe depression, and antidepressant drugs use. However, depression was the only independent predictor of autonomic dysfunction.Conclusions:  Autonomic symptoms are highly prevalent in patients with HD and may even precede the onset of motor signs. Moreover, autonomic dysfunction is related to functional disability and depression in HD.
The high rate of familial lichen sclerosus suggests a genetic contribution: an observational cohort study
Authors: Sherman V , McPherson T , Baldo M , Salim A , Gao XH , Wojnarowska F 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Familial lichen sclerosus (LS) has been described in only 37 families. We feel that the association is under‐reported.Objectives  To determine the percentage of patients with LS who have a positive family history.Method  A large observational‐cohort study of a total of 1052 females at vulval clinics within a University Hospital with a diagnosis of LS of the vulva (clinical diagnosis was confirmed in 80% of cases by histology). Patients were questioned as to family history of LS or balanitis xerotica obliterans; male circumcision for medical reasons; vulval cancer; and routine medical and family history. The outcome was the presence or absence of personal or family history of LS, autoimmune disorder or vulval cancer.Results  In total 1052 patients were investigated. Of these, 126 (12%) had a positive family history of LS. These patients belonged to 95 families. Vulval cancer was significantly increased in those with a family history of LS compared with those without (4.1% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.05). There was more associated autoimmune disease in familial LS than in sporadic LS, although this was not statistically significant. (7% vs. 5%, P > 0.2).Conclusion  Our data from a large cohort of patients with LS provide evidence of an increased risk for family members to develop LS. This indicates a likely genetic component in the aetiology of LS.
Subcutaneous zygomycosis: report of 10 cases from two institutions in North India
Authors: Ramesh V , Ramam M , Capoor MR , Sugandhan S , Dhawan J , Khanna G 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Subcutaneous zygomycosis is an uncommon condition observed in tropics. Few series have been published, particularly from the northern regions of India.Objectives  The aim of this study was to describe clinical, investigative and therapeutic details in subcutaneous zygomycosis observed in two teaching hospitals in Delhi.Patients and methods  Ten patients seen over a period of 10 years (1999–2009) form the material for this report.Results  There were four children and six adults. In four children, the presentation was a subcutaneous localized mass or gradually spreading plaque. In the others, it was observed over nasal region of face, spreading inward into mucosal sites and paranasal sinuses, and outward to the contiguous areas. Regional lymphadenopathy was present in two with facial lesions. Majority showed a granulomatous infiltrate with admixture of other cells, mainly eosinophils. Aseptate or poorly septate hyphae were observed in seven. In one patient in whom no hyphae were observed, there was dense perivascular inflammation. Organisms were cultured from four patients, Basidiobolus ranarum in two and Syncephalastrum racemosum in two. The main therapy used was a saturated solution of potassium iodide (KI). Four received only KI of which two attained cure after 3 months and 9 months respectively, and the other two showed signs of regression. In one boy subsidence was associated with reduced circumference of thigh. Ketoconazole or itraconazole was given with KI to hasten regression when response was slow or there were side‐effects to KI.Conclusion  Awareness and early recognition will prevent disfigurement produced by advanced disease, misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical intervention.
Intralesional immunotherapy of common warts: successful treatment with mumps, measles and rubella vaccine
Authors: Nofal A , Nofal E 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Despite numerous therapeutic modalities reported in the literature, treatment of common warts remains a continuing challenge and there is no universal consensus about optimal treatment. Recently, intralesional immunotherapy by different antigens has proved efficacy in the treatment of different types of warts.Objective  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the treatment of common warts.Methods  The study included 135 patients with single or multiple recalcitrant or non‐recalcitrant common warts. They were randomly assigned to two groups; the first group (85 patients) received intralesional MMR vaccine, and the second group (50 patients) received intralesional saline as a control group. Both treatments were injected into single lesions or largest wart in case of multiple lesions at 2‐week intervals until complete clearance or for a maximum of five treatments. Follow‐up was made every 2 months for 6 months to detect any recurrence.Results  A highly significant difference was found between the therapeutic response of common warts to MMR vaccine and saline control group (P < 0.001). In the MMR group, complete response was achieved in 80% and 84.6% of patients presenting with recalcitrant and multiple warts respectively. No recurrence was observed in the MMR group and side effects included pain during injection and flu‐like symptoms.Conclusions  Intralesional immunotherapy by MMR vaccine is a promising effective and safe treatment modality for common warts, particularly the multiple ones.
The evolutionary ecology of clonally propagated domesticated plants
Authors: McKey Doyle , Elias Marianne , Pujol Benoît , Duputié Anne 
Published: February 2010

SummaryWhile seed‐propagated crops have contributed many evolutionary insights, evolutionary biologists have often neglected clonally propagated crops. We argue that widespread notions about their evolution under domestication are oversimplified, and that they offer rich material for evolutionary studies. The diversity of their wild ancestors, the diverse ecologies of the crop populations themselves, and the intricate mix of selection pressures, acting not only on the parts harvested but also on the parts used by humans to make clonal propagules, result in complex and diverse evolutionary trajectories under domestication. We examine why farmers propagate some plants clonally, and discuss the evolutionary dynamics of sexual reproduction in clonal crops. We explore how their mixed clonal/sexual reproductive systems function, based on the sole example studied in detail, cassava (Manihot esculenta). Biotechnology is now expanding the number of clonal crops, continuing the 10 000‐yr‐old trend to increase crop yields by propagating elite genotypes. In an era of rapid global change, it is more important than ever to understand how the adaptive potential of clonal crops can be maintained. A key component of strategies for preserving this adaptive potential is the maintenance of mixed clonal/sexual systems, which can be achieved by encouraging and valuing farmer knowledge about the sexual reproductive biology of their clonal crops.ContentsSummary318I.Domesticated plants as model systems in evolutionary biology: bringing clonally propagated crops into the fold319II.Advantages and disadvantages of clonal propagation319III.Evolution in clonal populations: somatic mutations and epigenetic traits as sources of heritable variation321IV.Evolutionary dynamics of sex in clonally propagated crop plants323V.Mixed clonal‐sexual systems: how do they work?325VI.Domestication syndromes in clonally propagated crops327VII.The future of clonally propagated domesticated plants328Acknowledgements329References329
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases regulate astrocyte cytoskeletal rearrangement and focal adhesion formation
Authors: Puschmann Till B. , Turnley Ann M. 
Published: February 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 881–894.AbstractEphA4 null mice have impaired astrocytic gliosis following spinal cord injury. This may be because of altered cytoskeletal regulation and is examined herein using cultured astrocytes from wildtype and EphA4 null mice. Under basal conditions EphA4 null astrocytes appeared relatively normal but following stimuli resulting in cytoskeletal rearrangement, EphA4 null cells responded more slowly. When F‐actin stress fibers were collapsed using the Rho kinase inhibitor HA1077, fewer EphA4 null cells showed stress fiber collapse in response to HA1077 and recovered stress fibers more slowly following HA1077 removal. EphA4 null astrocytes were less adherent and had smaller focal adhesions, while activation of Eph receptors with ephrin‐A5‐Fc increased the numbers of focal adhesions in both wildtype and knockout astrocytes following serum starvation. Using scratch wound assays, EphA4 null astrocytes invading the scratch showed impaired glial fibrillary acidic protein expression, particularly in proliferative cells. Astrocytes did not express Ephexin, a major Eph‐interacting Rho guanine exchange factor, but they expressed Vav proteins, with lower levels of phospho‐Vav in EphA4 null compared to wildtype astrocytes. This may contribute to the slower cytoskeletal responses generally observed in the EphA4 null astrocytes. Eph receptor signaling therefore regulates astrocyte reactivity through modulation of cytoskeletal responses.
Quantal release of acetylcholine in mice with reduced levels of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter
Authors: Lima Ricardo de Freitas , Prado Vania F. , Prado Marco A. M. , Kushmerick Christopher 
Published: February 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 943–951.AbstractMammalian motor nerve terminals contain hundreds of thousands of synaptic vesicles, but only a fraction of these vesicles is immediately available for release, the remainder forming a reserve pool. The supply of vesicles is replenished through endocytosis, and newly formed vesicles are refilled with acetylcholine through a process that depends on the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). During expression of short‐term plasticity, quantal release can be increased, but it is unknown whether this reflects enhanced recruitment of vesicles from the reserve pool or rapid recycling. We examined spontaneous and evoked release of acetylcholine at endplates from genetically modified VAChT KDHOM mice that express approximately 30% of the normal level of VAChT to determine steps rate‐limited by synaptic vesicle filling. Quantal content and quantal size were reduced in VAChT KDHOM mice compared with wild‐type controls. Although high‐frequency stimulation did not reduce quantal size further, the post‐tetanic increase in end‐plate potential amplitude or MEPP frequency was significantly smaller in VAChT KDHOM mice. This was the case even when tetanic depression was eliminated using an extracellular solution containing reduced Ca2+ and raised Mg2+. These results reveal the dependence of short‐term plasticity on the level of VAChT expression and efficient synaptic vesicle filling.
The hematopoietic factor granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor improves outcome in experimental spinal cord injury
Authors: Pitzer Claudia , Klussmann Stefan , Krüger Carola , Letellier Elisabeth , Plaas Christian , Dittgen Tanjew , Kirsch Friederike , Stieltjes Bram , Weber Daniela , Laage Rico , Martin‐Villalba Ana , Schneider Armin 
Published: February 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 930–942.AbstractGranulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is a potent hematopoietic factor that drives differentiation of neutrophilic granulocytes. We have recently shown that G‐CSF also acts as a neuronal growth factor, protects neurons in vitro and in vivo, and has regenerative potential in various neurological disease models. Spinal cord injury (SCI) following trauma or secondary to skeletal instability is a terrible condition with no effective therapies available at present. In this study, we show that the G‐CSF receptor is up‐regulated upon experimental SCI and that G‐CSF improves functional outcome in a partial dissection model of SCI. G‐CSF significantly decreases apoptosis in an experimental partial spinal transsection model in the mouse and increases expression of the anti‐apoptotic G‐CSF target gene Bcl‐XL. In vitro, G‐CSF enhances neurite outgrowth and branching capacity of hippocampal neurons. In vivo, G‐CSF treatment results in improved functional connectivity of the injured spinal cord as measured by Mn2+‐enhanced MRI. G‐CSF also increased length of the dorsal corticospinal tract and density of serotonergic fibers cranial to the lesion center. Mice treated systemically with G‐CSF as well as transgenic mice over‐expressing G‐CSF in the CNS exhibit a strong improvement in functional outcome as measured by the BBB score and gridwalk analysis. We show that G‐CSF improves outcome after experimental SCI by counteracting apoptosis, and enhancing connectivity in the injured spinal cord. We conclude that G‐CSF constitutes a promising and feasible new therapy option for SCI.
The Scandinavian Ice Sheet: from MIS 4 to the end of the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: LAMBECK KURT , PURCELL ANTHONY , ZHAO JASON , SVENSSON NILS‐OLOF 
Published: February 2010

Lambeck, K., Purcell, A., Zhao, J. & Svensson, N‐O. 2010 (April): The Scandinavian Ice Sheet: from MIS 4 to the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. Boreas, Vol. 39, pp. 410–435. 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010.00140.x. ISSN 0300‐9483.Glacial rebound modelling, to establish constraints on past ice sheets from the observational evidence of palaeo‐shoreline elevations, is well established for the post‐ Last Glacial Maximum (post‐LGM) period, for which the observational evidence is relatively abundant and well distributed spatially and in time. This is particularly the case for Scandinavia. For the earlier part of the glacial cycle this evidence becomes increasingly sparse and uncertain such that, with the exception of the Eemian period, there are very few, if any, direct sea‐level indicators that constrain any part of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet evolution before the LGM. Instead, we assume that ice‐sheet basal conditions during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3) are the same as those for the LGM, focus on establishing these conditions from the rebound analysis for the LGM and Lateglacial period, and then extrapolate to the earlier period using observationally constrained locations of the ice margins. The glacial rebound modelling and inversion follow previously established formulations, with the exception that the effects of water loading from proglacial lakes that form within the Baltic Basin and elsewhere have been included. The data set for the inversion of the sea‐ and lake‐level data has been extended to include marine‐limit data in order to extend the observational record further back in time. The result is a sequence of time slices for the Scandinavian Ice Sheet from the time of MIS 4 to the Lateglacial that are characterized by frozen basal conditions until late in the LGM interval when rapid thinning occurred in the eastern and southern sectors of the ice sheet. The primary function of these models is as an interpolator between the fragmentary observational constraints and to produce quantitative models for the glaciation history with predictive capabilities, for example regarding the evolution of the Baltic Basin.
Bonding to Zirconia Using a New Surface Treatment
Authors: Aboushelib Moustafa N. , Feilzer Albert J. , Kleverlaan Cornelis J. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract Purpose: Selective infiltration etching (SIE) is a newly developed surface treatment used to modify the surface of zirconia‐based materials, rendering them ready for bonding to resin cements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the zirconia/resin bond strength and durability using the proposed technique. Materials and Methods: Fifty‐four zirconia discs were fabricated and divided into three groups (n = 18) according to their surface treatment: as‐sintered surface (control group), airborne‐particle abrasion (50‐μm aluminum oxide), and SIE group. The zirconia discs were bonded to preaged composite resin discs using a light‐polymerized adhesive resin (Panavia F 2.0). The zirconia/resin bond strength was evaluated using microtensile bond strength test (MTBS), and the test was repeated after each of the following intervals of accelerated artificial aging (AA): thermocycling (10,000 cycles between 5 and 55°C), 4 weeks of water storage (37°C), and finally 26 weeks of water storage (37°C). Silver nitrate nanoleakage analysis was used to assess the quality of zirconia/resin interface. A repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to analyze the data (n = 18, α= 0.05) Results: There were significant differences in the MTBS values between the three test groups at each of the test intervals (p < 0.001). AA resulted in reduction in the bond strength of the as‐sintered and the particle‐abraded groups (5.9 MPa and 27.4, MPa, respectively). Reduction in the bond strength of these groups was explained by the observed nanoleakage across the zirconia/resin interface. The bond strength of the SIE specimens was stable after completion of AA (51.9 MPa), which also demonstrated a good seal against silver nitrate penetration across the zirconia/resin interface. Conclusion: SIE established a strong, stable, and durable bond to zirconia substrates. Conservative resin‐bonded zirconia restorations are now possible using this new technique.
Continuing Medical Education Program in Echocardiography
Authors: Fan Pohoey , Groban Leanne , Sanders David M. , Houle Timothy T. , Antonio Benjamin L. , Ntuen Edi C. , Zvara David A. , Kon Neal D. , Kincaid Edward H. 
Published: February 2010

Article Title: Prognostic Value of Tissue Doppler‐Derived E/e′ on Early Morbid Events after Cardiac Surgery(Echocardiography 2010;27:130)