bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CD36 modulates proinflammatory cytokine responses to Plasmodium falciparum glycosylphosphatidylinositols and merozoites by dendritic cells
Authors: KUMAR S. , GOWDA N. M. , WU X. , GOWDA R. N. , GOWDA D. C. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryStudies have shown that glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) of Plasmodium falciparum activate macrophages mainly through Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2)‐mediated signalling and to certain extent through TLR4‐mediated signalling to induce proinflammatory cytokine production. However, the ability of parasite GPIs to activate dendritic cells (DCs) has not been reported. Here, we show that parasite GPIs efficiently activate DCs through TLR2‐mediated signalling mechanism and induce the production of TNF‐α and IL‐12. We also studied the role of scavenger receptor CD36 in P. falciparum GPI‐ and merozoite‐induced cytokine responses by DCs. The results indicate that CD36 modulates the cytokine‐inducing activity of the parasite GPIs by collaborating with TLR2 in DCs. Furthermore, our data reveal that CD36 modulates the activity of P. falciparum merozoites, likely by the contribution of phagocytosis‐coupled CD36‐mediated signalling to the signalling induced by merozoites. Altogether, these results contribute towards understanding of signalling mechanisms in malaria parasite‐induced activation of the innate immune system.
Intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability of the application of the cellulite severity scale to a Spanish female population
Authors: De La Casa Almeida M. , Suarez Serrano C. , Jiménez Rejano J.J. , Chillón Martínez R. , Medrano Sánchez E.M. , Rebollo Roldán J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground  ‘Hexsel, dal’Forno and Hexsel Cellulite Severity Scale’ (CSS) was developed to evaluate cellulite with an objective and easy to apply tool.Objective  Study CSS intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability in a Spanish female population by evaluating patients’ cellulite through photographs of their overall gluteofemoral zone as opposed to its creators who distinguished between buttocks and thigh.Methods  Cellulite Severity Scale was applied to 27 women, evaluating gluteofemoral cellulite, differentiating between left and right. Evaluations were made by three expert examiners each at three times with a 1‐week separation. Variables were the five CSS dimensions (number of evident depressions; depth of depressions; morphological appearance of skin surface alterations; grade of laxity, flaccidity, or sagging skin; and the Nürnberger and Müller classification scale), and the overall CSS score. Cronbach’s alpha, intra‐class correlation and item total correlation were analysed.Results  Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.951 (right) and 0.944 (left). In the intra‐observer reliability analysis, intra‐class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.993 to 0.999 (P < 0.001) and in the inter‐observer analysis were 0.937 (right) and 0.947 (left) (P < 0.001). Item total correlation showed all dimensions to be needed except grade of laxity, flaccidity or sagging skin (0.959 right; 0.955 left).Conclusion  Cellulite Severity Scale has excellent reliability and internal consistency when used to evaluate cellulite on the buttocks and back of the thighs considered together. Nevertheless, the dimension grade of laxity, flaccidity or sagging skin does not contribute positively to the final consistency of the scale. This dimension needs to be analysed in greater depth in future studies.
Phosphotyrosine enrichment identifies focal adhesion kinase and other tyrosine kinases for targeting in canine hemangiosarcoma
Authors: Marley K. , Maier C. S. , Helfand S. C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCanine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is an endothelial cell malignancy driven, in part, by activating mutations in receptor and non‐receptor tyrosine kinases. Proteomics, Western blots and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor were used to elucidate activating mechanisms in HSA cell lines. Phosphotyrosine peptides from focal adhesion kinase (FAK) STAT3, Lyn, Fyn and other signal transduction kinases were identified by mass spectrometry. FAK was constitutively activated at tyrosine 397, the autophosphorylation site, and this was reversible with high concentrations of a FAK inhibitor. FAK inhibitor‐14 suppressed migration and phosphorylation of FAK tyrosine 397 and tyrosines 576/577 and was cytotoxic to HSA cells suggesting FAK signalling may be an important contributor to canine HSA survival.
Comparison of the Effect of the GABAB Receptor Agonist, Baclofen, and the Positive Allosteric Modulator of the GABAB Receptor, GS39783, on Alcohol Self‐Administration in 3 Different Lines of Alcohol‐Preferring Rats
Authors: Maccioni Paola , Zaru Alessandro , Loi Barbara , Lobina Carla , Carai Mauro A. M. , Gessa Gian Luigi , Capra Alessandro , Mugnaini Claudia , Pasquini Serena , Corelli Federico , Hyytiä Petri , Lumeng Lawrence , Colombo Giancarlo 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundAdministration of the GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, and positive allosteric modulator, GS39783, has been repeatedly reported to suppress multiple alcohol‐related behaviors, including operant oral alcohol self‐administration, in rats. This study was designed to compare the effect of baclofen and GS39783 on alcohol self‐administration in 3 lines of selectively bred, alcohol‐preferring rats: Indiana alcohol‐preferring (P), Sardinian alcohol‐preferring (sP), and Alko Alcohol (AA).MethodsRats of each line were initially trained to respond on a lever, on a fixed ratio (FR) 4 (FR4) schedule of reinforcement, to orally self‐administer alcohol (15%, v/v) in daily 30‐minute sessions. Once responding reached stable levels, rats were exposed to a sequence of experiments testing baclofen (0, 1, 1.7, and 3 mg/kg; i.p.) and GS39783 (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; i.g.) on FR4 and progressive ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement. Finally, to assess the specificity of baclofen and GS39783 action, rats were slightly food‐deprived and trained to lever‐respond for food pellets.ResultsThe rank of order of the reinforcing and motivational properties of alcohol was P>sP>AA rats. Under both FR and PR schedules of reinforcement, the rank of order of potency and efficacy of baclofen and GS39783 in suppressing alcohol self‐administration was P>sP>AA rats. Only the highest dose of baclofen reduced lever‐responding for food pellets; this effect was common to all 3 rat lines. Conversely, no dose of GS39783 altered lever‐responding for food in any rat line.ConclusionsThese results suggest that: (i) the strength of the reinforcing and motivational properties of alcohol differ among P, sP, and AA rats; (ii) the reinforcing and motivational properties of alcohol in P, sP, and AA rats are differentially sensitive to treatment with baclofen and GS39783; (iii) the heterogeneity in sensitivity to baclofen and GS39783 of alcohol self‐administration in P, sP, and AA rats may resemble the differential effectiveness of pharmacotherapies among the different typologies of human alcoholics; and (iv) the GABAB receptor is part of the neural substrate mediating the reinforcing and motivational properties of alcohol.
Selenium or Selenium Plus Folic Acid–Supplemented Diets Ameliorate Renal Oxidation in Ethanol‐Exposed Pups
Authors: Ojeda Maria Luisa , Nogales Fatima , Murillo Maria Luisa , Carreras Olimpia 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundEthanol (EtOH) exposure during gestation and lactation induces an oxidative stress in offspring. In kidney, the oxidative damage is the primary pathway to alcohol‐induced injury. In this study, we have demonstrated that a diet supplemented with selenium (Se) (0.5 ppm) or with Se (0.5 ppm) + folic acid (8 ppm) administered to EtOH‐exposed (20% v/v) dams during gestation and lactation prevents the oxidative EtOH‐provoked effects in their offspring's kidneys.MethodsAll the studies were performed on 21‐day‐old pups. Serum, urine, and kidney Se levels were assessed by graphite‐furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Se and creatinine clearance, antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid and protein peroxidation were determined by a spectrophotometric method in kidney.ResultsDietary supplementation treatments used could not improve the glomerular filtration function altered by EtOH exposure during gestation and lactation; however, they did improve renal Se deposits, renal development, and renal protein content while decreasing lipid and protein oxidation and modifying antioxidant enzymes' activity.ConclusionsSe or Se + folic acid supplementations improve renal development and protein content and modify antioxidant enzymes' activity, decreasing lipid and protein oxidation after EtOH exposure. In this context, a double‐supplemented diet appears to reduce protein peroxidation more efficiently than the Se‐only‐supplemented one, probably via superoxide dismutase and catalase.
Pilot Study of iPS‐Derived Neural Cells to Examine Biologic Effects of Alcohol on Human Neurons In Vitro
Authors: Lieberman Richard , Levine Eric S. , Kranzler Henry R. , Abreu Christine , Covault Jonathan 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundStudies of the effects of alcohol on N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor function and gene expression have depended on rodent or postmortem human brain models. Ideally, the effects of alcohol might better be examined in living neural tissue derived from human subjects. In this study, we used new technologies to reprogram human subject‐specific tissue into pluripotent cell colonies and generate human neural cultures as a model system to examine the molecular actions of alcohol.MethodsInduced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were generated from skin biopsies taken from 7 individuals, 4 alcohol‐dependent subjects, and 3 social drinkers. We differentiated the iPS cells into neural cultures and characterized them by immunocytochemistry using antibodies for the neuronal marker beta‐III tubulin, glial marker s100β, and synaptic marker synpasin‐1. Electrophysiology was performed to characterize the iPS‐derived neurons and to measure the effects of acute alcohol exposure on the NMDA receptor response in chronically alcohol exposed and nonexposed neural cultures from 1 nonalcoholic. Finally, we examined changes in mRNA expression of the NMDA receptor subunit genes GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, and GRIN2D after 7 days of alcohol exposure and after 24‐hour withdrawal from chronic alcohol exposure.ResultsImmunocytochemistry revealed positive staining for neuronal, glial, and synaptic markers. iPS‐derived neurons displayed spontaneous electrical properties and functional ionotropic receptors. Acute alcohol exposure significantly attenuated the NMDA response, an effect that was not observed after 7 days of chronic alcohol exposure. After 7 days of chronic alcohol exposure, there were significant increases in mRNA expression of GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2D in cultures derived from alcoholic subjects but not in cultures derived from nonalcoholics.ConclusionsThese findings support the potential utility of human iPS‐derived neural cultures as in vitro models to examine the molecular actions of alcohol on human neural cells.
Adiposity in 277 young adult male offspring of women with diabetes compared with controls: A Danish population‐based cohort study
Authors: NIELSEN GUNNAR LAUGE , DETHLEFSEN CLAUS , LUNDBYE‐CHRISTENSEN SØREN , PEDERSEN JAN FOG , MØLSTED‐PEDERSEN LARS , GILLMAN MATT W. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective. To examine the associations of maternal diabetes, overall and stratified according to treatment of diabetes, with weight‐related outcomes at the time of military conscription, at age 18–20 years. Design and setting. Cohort study of 277 Danish male offspring of mothers with recognized pre‐gestational or gestational diabetes. As population‐based controls we selected 870 men matched from the Civil Registration Office. Methods. Data on weight‐related outcomes were retrieved from the Danish military conscription registry. Main outcome measures. Military rejection due to adiposity and body mass index (BMI) at conscription. Results. Army rejection rate due to adiposity was 5.8% (n= 16) among 277 diabetes mellitus‐exposed men compared with 3.1% (n= 27) in 870 controls (risk difference 2.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) −0.3–5.7)) and mean BMI at conscription was 1.4 kg/m2 (95%CI 0.8–2.0) higher among those diabetes mellitus‐exposed men. In analyses adjusted for birthweight and gestational age, compared with controls, the BMI was 0.6 kg/m2 (95%CI −0.3–1.5) higher in sons of mothers with pre‐gestational and 2.7 kg/m2 (95% (CI): 0.9–4.5) higher with gestational diabetes. The greatest BMI difference was in offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes in whom insulin was initiated during pregnancy. We found no difference in conscript height. Conclusions. Compared with controls, male offspring of women with diabetes had a higher rejection rate due to adiposity and higher adult BMI. Subgroup analyses showed that the association was most pronounced in sons of mothers with gestational diabetes, whereas pre‐gestational diabetes was only weakly associated with higher offspring BMI.
The diagnostic accuracy of two methods for E6&7 mRNA detection in women with minor cytological abnormalities
Authors: KOLIOPOULOS GEORGE , CHRELIAS CHARALAMBOS , PAPPAS ASIMAKIS , MAKRIDIMA SOFIA , KOUNTOURIS EMMANUEL , ALEPAKI MARIA , SPATHIS ARIS , STATHOPOULOU VICKY , PANAYIOTIDES IOANNIS , PANAGOPOULOS PERICLES , KARAKITSOS PETROS , KASSANOS DIMITRIOS 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective. To examine the diagnostic accuracy of nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) and flow cytometry for E6&7 human papillomavirus (HPV) mRNA detection in the triage of minor cytological abnormalities. Design. Prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Setting. Gynecology outpatient clinics of a university hospital. Population. 472 women with low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). Methods. Residual material of the liquid‐based smears was tested by NASBA and by flow cytometry for E6&E7 mRNA expression. Histological diagnosis was used as reference standard. Main outcome measures. Accuracy indices of the two techniques and of type 16‐specific NASBA for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ and CIN3+, accuracy indices at age >35 years, correlation between NASBA and flow, comparison between integrated and episomal high‐risk HPV infection for risk of CIN2+. Results. Both tests showed increased positivity rates with increasing severity of the lesion (p < 0.05, chi‐squared test for trend). There was a positive correlation between NASBA and flow results (phi coefficient = 0.325). NASBA‐positive cases were more likely to have CIN2+ than were NASBA‐negative/DNA‐positive for types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45 (25/73 vs. 4/52, p= 0.0004; Fisher‘s exact test). In the LSIL group the NASBA accuracy indices for CIN3+ were: sensitivity 75%, specificity 78.7% and positivity rate 20.8%, and for flow 77.8%, 64.5% and 35.9%, respectively. Conclusions. NASBA has favorable specificity and positivity rates for triaging LSIL prior to colposcopy. A relatively low sensitivity warrants cytological surveillance of the NASBA‐negative LSILs. Flow cytometry does not perform as well overall.
Attitudes and perceptions towards substances among people with mental disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Thornton L. K. , Baker A. L. , Johnson M. P. , Lewin T. J. 
Published: April 2012

Thornton LK, Baker AL, Johnson MP, Lewin TJ. Attitudes and perceptions towards substances among people with mental disorders: A systematic review.Objective:  To develop effective interventions for people with coexisting mental disorders (MD) and substance use, it may be beneficial to understand their attitudes and perceptions of substances.Method:  A systematic literature search regarding attitudes and perceptions towards tobacco, alcohol or cannabis among people with MD was conducted. Studies’ methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.Results:  Twenty‐one papers were included in the review and found to have generally low methodological quality. Papers investigated reasons for substance use, substance use expectancies, substances’ perceived effects and reasons for quitting. People with psychotic disorders reported using substances primarily for relaxation and pleasure. Among people with mood disorders, alcohol was used primarily for social motives and tobacco for negative affect reduction.Conclusion:  For substance use interventions among people with MD to be more effective, it may be necessary to tailor interventions specifically for this population and customize by substance type. Gaps in the literature regarding attitudes and perceptions towards substance use among people with MD were identified, which future research should aim to address. These include designing and conducting methodologically rigorous research, investigating perceived harmfulness and knowledge of substances, and broadening recruitment of participants to include people with MD other than psychosis.
The heritability of avoidant and dependent personality disorder assessed by personal interview and questionnaire
Authors: Gjerde L. C. , Czajkowski N. , Røysamb E. , Ørstavik R. E. , Knudsen G. P. , Østby K. , Torgersen S. , Myers J. , Kendler K. S. , Reichborn‐Kjennerud T. 
Published: April 2012

Gjerde LC, Czajkowski N, Røysamb E, Ørstavik RE, Knudsen GP, Østby K, Torgersen S, Myers J, Kendler KS, Reichborn‐Kjennerud T. The heritability of avoidant and dependent personality disorder assessed by personal interview and questionnaire.Objective:  Personality disorders (PDs) have been shown to be modestly heritable. Accurate heritability estimates are, however, dependent on reliable measurement methods, as measurement error deflates heritability. The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability of DSM‐IV avoidant and dependent personality disorder, by including two measures of the PDs at two time points.Method:  Data were obtained from a population‐based cohort of young adult Norwegian twins, of whom 8045 had completed a self‐report questionnaire assessing PD traits. 2794 of these twins subsequently underwent a structured diagnostic interview for DSM‐IV PDs. Questionnaire items predicting interview results were selected by multiple regression, and measurement models of the PDs were fitted in Mx.Results:  The heritabilities of the PD factors were 0.64 for avoidant PD and 0.66 for dependent PD. No evidence of common environment, that is, environmental factors that are shared between twins and make them similar, was found. Genetic and environmental contributions to avoidant and dependent PD seemed to be the same across sexes.Conclusion:  The combination of both a questionnaire‐ and an interview assessment of avoidant and dependent PD results in substantially higher heritabilities than previously found using single‐occasion interviews only.
Chromium in leather footwear—risk assessment of chromium allergy and dermatitis
Authors: Thyssen Jacob P. , Strandesen Maria , Poulsen Pia B. , Menné Torkil , Johansen Jeanne D. 
Published: April 2012

Background. Chromium‐tanned leather footwear, which releases >3 ppm hexavalent Cr(VI), may pose a risk of sensitizing and eliciting allergic dermatitis.Objectives. To determine the content and potential release of chromium in leather footwear and to discuss the prevention of chromium contact allergy and dermatitis.Methods. Sixty pairs of leather shoes, sandals and boots (20 children's, 20 men's, and 20 women's) were purchased in Copenhagen and examined with X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Chromium was extracted according to the International Standard, ISO 17075. The detection level for Cr(VI) was 3 ppm.Results. Chromium was identified in 95% of leather footwear products, the median content being 1.7% (range 0–3.3%). No association with store category or footwear category was found. A tendency for there to be a higher chromium content in footwear with high prices was shown (ptrend = 0.001). Cr(VI) was extracted from 44% of 18 footwear products, and, in three items, more than 10 ppm was extracted. One shoe had 62 ppm Cr(VI) extracted. Sandals seemed to be over‐represented among footwear with detectable Cr(VI). Cr(III) extraction reached a median value of 152 ppm.Conclusions. Most leather footwear contained chromium. Cr(VI) was extracted from a high proportion of leather footwear; this poses a risk of sensitization.
Myo/Nog cells in normal, wounded and tumor‐bearing skin
Authors: Gerhart Jacquelyn , Hayes Candace , Scheinfeld Victoria , Chernick Michael , George‐Weinstein Mindy , Gilmour Susan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMurine and human skin were examined for the presence of Myo/Nog cells that were originally discovered in the chick embryo by their expression of MyoD mRNA, noggin and the G8 antigen. Myo/Nog cells are the primary source of noggin in telogen hair follicles. They are scarce within the interfollicular dermis and absent in the epidermis. Within 24 h following epidermal abrasion, Myo/Nog cells increase in number in the follicles and appear in the wound. Myo/Nog cells are also recruited to the stroma of tumors formed from v‐Ras‐transformed keratinocytes (Ker/Ras). Human squamous cell carcinomas and malignant melanomas contain significantly more Myo/Nog cells than basal cell carcinomas. Myo/Nog cells are distinct from macrophages, granulocytes and cells expressing alpha smooth muscle actin in the tumor stroma. Myo/Nog cells may be modulators of skin homoeostasis and wound healing, and potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in skin cancer.
Functional analysis of the Notch ligand Jagged1 missense mutant proteins underlying Alagille syndrome
Authors: Tada Minoru , Itoh Satsuki , Ishii‐Watabe Akiko , Suzuki Takuo , Kawasaki Nana 
Published: April 2012

Heterozygous mutations in the JAG1 gene, encoding Notch ligand Jagged1, cause Alagille syndrome (ALGS). As most of the mutations are nonsense or frameshift mutations producing inactive truncated proteins, haplo‐insufficiency is considered the major pathogenic mechanism of ALGS. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the missense mutations cause ALGS remain unclear. Here we analyzed the functional properties of four ALGS missense mutant proteins, P163L, R184H, G386R and C714Y, using transfected mammalian cells. P163L and R184H showed Notch‐binding activities similar to that of the wild‐type when assessed by immunoprecipitation. However, their trans‐activation and cis‐inhibition activities were almost completely impaired. These mutant proteins localized mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), suggesting that the mutations induced improper protein folding. Furthermore, the mutant proteins bound more strongly to the ER chaperone proteins calnexin and calreticulin than the wild‐type did. C714Y also localized to the ER, but possessed significant trans‐activation activity and lacked enhanced binding to the chaperones, indicating a less severe phenotype. The properties of G386R were the same as those of the wild‐type. Dominant‐negative effects were not detected for any mutant protein. These results indicate that accumulation in the ER and binding to the chaperones correlate with the impaired signal‐transduction activities of the missense mutant proteins, which may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism of ALGS. Our findings, which suggest the requirement for cell‐surface localization of Jagged1 for cis‐inhibition activities, also provide important information for understanding the molecular basis of Notch‐signaling pathways.Structured digital abstract
Jagged‐1physically interacts with Calreticulin and Calnexin by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2)
Jagged‐1physically interacts with NOTCH3 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
Epidemiological aspects of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus from 2009 to 2011 in Iran
Authors: Yavarian Jila , Naseri Maryam , Shadab Azadeh , Shafiei Jandaghi Nazanin Z. , Mokhtari Azad Talat 
Published: April 2012

Please cite this paper as: Yavarian et al. (2012). Epidemiological aspects of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus from 2009 to 2011 in Iran. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(601), e74–e76.