bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive understanding of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: clinical and histopathological correlation
Authors: Kim Sue Kyung , Kim En Hyung , Kang Hee Young , Lee Eun‐So , Sohn Seonghyang , Kim You Chan 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground  The histological findings associated with idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) are hyperkeratosis, an atrophic epidermis, and flattened rete ridges. In addition, a decreased melanin content and reduced numbers of melanocytes are reported features. However, there are few recent studies that have been published on the histopathology of IGH and no comparative studies are available on the skin lesions and perilesional skin of patients with IGH.Objectives  The goals of this study were to identify the clinical and histopathological features of IGH and determine their correlation. We evaluated the clinical features and the histopathological differences between the skin lesions and the perilesional skin in patients with IGH.Methods  A clinical survey was carried out on 47 patients with IGH. Specimens from skin lesions and perilesional skin were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin, Fontana–Masson, MART‐1, and NKI/beteb. We also studied the ultrastructure of four cases.Results  About 30% of the patients had their initial lesions prior to 20 years of age. The arm was the most commonly affected site (53%). Histologically, we found hyperkeratosis in 18 cases (38.3%), but epidermal atrophy was present in only five cases (10.6%), and flattened rete ridges in seven cases (14.9%) compared to the normal skin. Epidermal atrophy was more frequently found at nonsun‐exposed areas. The IGH lesions demonstrated decreased melanin pigment and reduced numbers of melanocytes by NKI/beteb and MART‐1. The ultrastructural evaluation showed degenerative melanocytes and decreased melanosomes. One specimen had normal melanocytes with decreased melanosomes.Conclusions  Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a disorder with multifactorial etiology; its pathogenesis may depend on various factors such as patient age and sun‐exposure. Histopathologically, hyperkeratosis was frequently found; however, the other characteristic findings such as epidermal atrophy and flattened rete ridges were relatively rare.
Nicotine induces the expression of early growth response‐1 in human skin dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Choi Jae Eun , Kim Ji Na , Jeong Sang Hoon , Son Sang Wook 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground  Egr‐1 is known to play an important role in cell growth, differentiation, and cell survival. Human skin dermal fibroblasts (HSDF) may be an important target for adverse effects of tobacco components. However, nicotinic effect for early growth response‐1 (Egr‐1) expression is unknown in HSDF.Methods  Cytotoxicity of nicotine was assessed by cell viability test in HSDF. The expression of Egr‐1 protein and mRNA after nicotine treatment was evaluated by Western blotting and real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. We also measured the promoter activity of Egr‐1 in HSDF after nicotine exposure.Results  Early growth response‐1 protein and mRNA levels were increased in dermal fibroblasts exposed to nicotine. Nicotine treatment stimulated the promoter activity of Egr‐1 in cultured human fibroblasts.Conclusion  In this study, we demonstrate that Egr‐1 expression is markedly induced in HSDF after exposure to nicotine.
Efficacy of skin self‐examination for the early detection of melanoma
Authors: Hamidi Reyhaneh , Peng David , Cockburn Myles 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe National Cancer Institute's “Melanoma Action Plan” calls for reduction of melanoma mortality through early detection. Routine skin self‐examination (SSE) has the potential to increase chances of early detection and treatment and may be the key to melanoma survival. We provide a focused review of the accuracy of SSE for detecting premalignant lesions and cutaneous risk factors for melanoma, with suggestions for future directions for enhancing measurement of SSE accuracy and ways in which to improve the public's perceptions of melanoma efficacy. We examined published data on the efficacy of skin self‐examination for the early detection of melanoma. We searched the MEDLINE database for publications between January 1, 1987 and June 1, 2007 using search terms for “melanoma” and “self‐examination.” We found that sensitivity of skin self‐examination is low, ranging from 25% to 93%, while specificity is generally higher (83% to 97%). Attempts to increase improve the lay public's perceptions of the early signs of melanoma have proved effective, while those aimed at increasing accuracy of SSE with targeted interventions have been moderately successful. SSE's insensitivity for detection of pigmented lesions should prompt further investigation of educational interventions to enhance its accuracy and lead to its adoption as a cheap, simple screening tool. Assessment of the accuracy and efficacy of SSE should proceed using standardized definitions and measurements such that it is easier to pool data on the overall value of SSE as a screening modality.
Effect of pulse width of a variable square pulse (VSP) erbium:YAG laser on the treatment outcome of periorbital wrinkles in Asians
Authors: Manuskiatti Woraphong , Siriphukpong Sujittra , Varothai Supenya , Wanitphakdeedecha Rungsima , Fitzpatrick Richard E. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground  Uses of appropriate laser parameters are essential for an optimum outcome with minimal risks of complications.Objective  To evaluate the effect of pulse width of a variable square pulse (VSP) Er:YAG laser on the treatment outcome.Methods  Twenty‐four Thais with periorbital wrinkles received two treatments with a low‐fluence, VSP Er:YAG laser resurfacing 1 month apart. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups and treated with two different parameters including a pulse width of 0.3 ms (short pulse, SP) for one group and a pulse width of 250 ms (super‐long pulse, SL) for the other group. Assessments were evaluated at baseline, 1‐month and 3‐month follow‐up visits.Results  After one treatment, 63.7% and 33.4% of the subjects in the SP and SL groups, respectively, were assessed to have obvious to marked improvement of their wrinkles. After two treatments, a higher percentage of the subjects were rated to have obvious to marked improvement including 91% and 66.7% in the SP and SL groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in therapeutic outcome between the SP and SL groups.Conclusions  There was no significant difference in efficacy and side effects, between the SP and SL groups. However, a trend toward better response with the shorter pulse width was observed.
Impact of Starvation on Lasius niger’ Exploration
Authors: Mailleux Anne‐Catherine , Devigne Cedric , Deneubourg Jean‐Louis , Detrain Claire 
Published: January 2010

AbstractExploration allows animals to discover food resources, detect competitors and update their general knowledge of the habitat surroundings. Although the vital importance of exploration, its functional and proximal complexity is often underestimated. In this article, we study the exploring activities of Lasius niger, an aphid‐tending ant species that has frequently to face fluctuations in honeydew availability. We study how foragers adjust collectively their exploration strategy to starvation to evidence the mechanisms involved in the adjustment of exploration to the food needs. We also study the social interactions between explorers and nestmates in order to enlighten the individual mechanisms regulating the exploring strategies according to starvation. Our experiments showed that the proportion of nestmates leaving the nest increases twofold after a prolonged starvation of 8 d. Highly starved scouts do not trigger the departure of nestmates by a direct physical contact (antennation) and do not trigger the departure by laying a trail pheromone as they do to recruit nestmates to a food resource. After long starvation periods, higher nestmates mobilisation seems to be based on their increased motivation to leave the nest and explore a new area. This study of social interactions has deciphered the importance of the role allocated to each behavioural group during boosted exploration.
Variation in Helper Type Affects Group Stability and Reproductive Decisions in a Cooperative Breeder
Authors: Schürch Roger , Heg Dik 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRecent studies have shown that differences in life history may lead to consistent inter‐individual variation in behavioural traits, so‐called behavioural syndromes, animal personalities or temperaments. Consistencies of behaviours and behavioural syndromes have mainly been studied in non‐cooperative species. Insights on the evolution of cooperation could be gained from studying individual differences in life histories and behavioural traits. Kin selection theory predicts that if an individual’s reproductive ability is low, it had to aim at gaining inclusive fitness benefits by helping others. We tested this prediction in the cooperatively breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher, by assessing reproductive parameters of adults that had been tested earlier for aggressiveness and for their propensity to assist breeders when they had been young (‘juveniles’). We found that juvenile aggression levels predicted the acceptance of a subordinate in the group when adult. Males which were aggressive as juveniles were significantly more likely to tolerate a subordinate in the group when compared with males which were peaceful as juveniles, whereas females which were more aggressive as juveniles tended to expel subordinates more often. Females produced significantly smaller clutches when paired to males which had helped more as a juvenile, despite the fact that adult males hardly provided direct brood care. There was no evidence that females with a high propensity to help when young, produced smaller clutches or eggs when adult, but they took longer to lay their first clutch when compared with females with a low propensity to help when young. These results suggest that variation in behavioural types might explain variation in cooperation, the extent of group‐living and reproductive decisions.
Effect of α‐Tocopherol on Bovine In Vitro Fertilization
Authors: Marques A , Santos P , Antunes G , Chaveiro A , Moreira da Silva F 
Published: January 2010

ContentsThe objectives of this work are to determine if exogenous supplementation with α‐tocopherol increases the in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate of bovine oocytes and improves viability of selected spermatozoa after ‘swim‐up’. The percentage of fertilized oocytes was significantly but negatively correlated (r = −0.941, p < 0.01) with the concentration of α‐tocopherol. The control resulted in 95% of fertilized oocytes, which decreased as follows: 25 μM α‐tocopherol (α25) 86%, 50 μM α‐tocopherol (α50) 74%, 100 μM α‐tocopherol (α100) 66% and 200 μM α‐tocopherol (α200) 56%. Relatively to sperm viability after ‘swim‐up’ with α‐tocopherol supplementation, this antioxidant proved to have a beneficial effect as its concentration increased up to α50, decreasing for the concentrations of α100 and α200. Control resulted in 83% of live cells and 16% of dead cells; α25 resulted in 88% of live cells and 12% of dead cells; α50 resulted in 91% of live cells and 9% of dead cells; α100 resulted in 67% of live cells and 33% of dead cells; and finally α200 resulted in 57% of live cells and 42% of dead cells. In summary, the present study allows to conclude that, in our conditions, supplementation with the antioxidant α‐tocopherol in IVF of bovine oocytes has a detrimental effect on fertilization rates. Nevertheless, exogenous supplementation with α‐tocopherol at a concentration of 50 mM in the sperm‐TALP media during the ‘swim‐up’ technique has a significant beneficial effect on the selected spermatozoa viability.
Role of prostaglandin E2and its receptors in the process of ductus arteriosus maturation and functional closure in the rabbit
Authors: Fan Fen‐Ling , Zhu Sen , Chen Li‐Hong , Zou Yu‐Liang , Fan Li‐Hong , Kang Ji‐Hong , Ma Ai‐Qun , Guan You‐Fei 
Published: January 2010

Summary1. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common congenital heart defect in premature infants. The present study was designed to determine the role of the prostaglandin (PG) E2pathway in the process of ductus arteriosus (DA) maturation and functional closure.2. Changes in PGE2pathway‐related enzymes and receptors in DA in preterm and term rabbits were examined at both the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, responses of DA rings toPo2and PGE2were determined.3. Circulating PGE2levels remained high until 2 h after birth. High levels of the EP4receptor were found in preterm DA. These tissues were sensitive to PGE2, which caused vessel dilation, but were insensitive to increasedPo2. In contrast, DA tissues from term rabbits exhibited an immediate contractile response to increasedPo2and PGE2treatment resulted in vasoconstriction, which was associated with increased EP3and decreased EP4receptor expression in term DA.4. In conclusion, the preterm PDA is maintained by high levels of PGE2, which mainly binds to the EP4receptor under conditions of hypoxia. In contrast, in the term DA, in which levels of the EP3receptor are higher than in preterm DA, exposure to PGE2resulted in vasoconstriction under normoxic conditions. These findings suggest that blocking the EP4receptor may represent a more selective treatment for the preterm PDA, whereas activating the EP3receptor may be more suitable for the treatment of the term PDA.
The phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase–Akt pathway protects cardiomyocytes from ischaemic and hypoxic apoptosis via mitochondrial function
Authors: Song Hua‐Pei , Zhang Lei , Dang Yong‐Ming , Yan Hong , Chu Zhi‐Gang , Huang Yue‐Sheng 
Published: January 2010

Summary1. After a severe burn, a marked decrease in myocardial blood flow results in ischaemic and hypoxic injury, which subsequently leads to apoptosis or necrosis. Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐K)/Akt is an important intracellular signal transduction molecule that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, glucose metabolism and migration. However, the function and mechanisms of the PI3‐K–Akt pathway in cardiomyocyte apoptosis after a burn remain unclear.2. In the present study, an in vivo rat model of burn injury and an in vitro hypoxic model using rat cardiomyocytes were established. In burned rats, the expression of PI3‐K and phosphorylated (p‐) Akt expression increased, as did myocardial apoptosis. Inhibition of the PI3‐K–Akt pathway with 1.4 mg/kg LY294002 caused a significant increase in the myocardial apoptotic index compared with hypoxia alone in the in vivo model.3. Cardiomyocytes cultured under hypoxic conditions exhibited increased apoptosis, decreased cell viability, enhanced caspase 3 activity, a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, increased cytoplasmic calcium transients and increased p53 and Bax mRNA expression. Pretreatment with 50 μmol/L LY294002 significantly enhanced all these negative indicators compared with hypoxia alone. In contrast, pretreatment of cells with 200 ng/mL insulin‐like growth factor‐1, an activator of PI3‐K–Akt, significantly ameliorated the effects of hypoxia, although control levels were not reached.4. These findings indicate that activation of the PI3‐K–Akt pathway induced by ischaemia and hypoxia after a severe burn can protect cardiomyocytes from apoptosis. This anti‐apoptotic effect is most likely mediated via the mitochondria and changes in p53 and Bax gene expression, intracellular [Ca2+] and caspase 3 activity.
Effect of tocopheryl phosphate on key biomarkers of inflammation: Implication in the reduction of atherosclerosis progression in a hypercholesterolaemic rabbit model
Authors: Libinaki Roksan , Tesanovic Sonja , Heal Aileen , Nikolovski Billie , Vinh Antony , Widdop Robert E , Gaspari Tracey A , Devaraj Sridevi , Ogru Esra 
Published: January 2010

Summary1. Many studies have evaluated the effectiveness of α‐tocopherol (vitamin E) in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, with conflicting results reported on the protective effect of this anti‐oxidant.2. The present study examined the effectiveness of a novel tocopheryl phosphate mixture (TPm) compared with that of α‐tocopherol (TA) on key pro‐inflammatory markers involved in atherogenesis, including interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, tumour necrosis factor‐α and C‐reactive protein (CRP), as well as vascular function and lesion development in rabbits fed a 2% cholesterol diet.3. Treatment with TPm, incorporated into the rabbit food at four doses ranging from 60 to 360 mg/kg chow, resulted in a significant reduction in plasma levels of all pro‐inflammatory cytokines and biomarkers that appeared to be somewhat dose dependent. Conversely, treatment with TA, at a dose equivalent to the highest dose of TPm used, only decreased plasma levels of CRP, IL‐6 and IL‐8. Both TPm and TA treatment significantly improved vascular function to a similar extent, although TPm was more effective in reducing lesion development.4. The reduction in these key pro‐inflammatory markers appears to follow the improvement in the atherogenic state of the animals, indicating that the anti‐inflammatory properties of TPm may be potentially beneficial in inflammatory disease states.
Gastric acid is the key modulator in the pathogenesis of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced ulceration in rats
Authors: Zinkievich J Michael , George Sunil , Jha Shalinee , Nandi Jyotirmoy , Levine Robert A 
Published: January 2010

Summary1. In the present study, we investigated the role of gastric acid (GA) secretion on non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)‐induced ulcerogenesis in vivo. Rats were administered single oral doses of selective cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐1 (SC‐560; 2.5 mg/kg), COX‐2 (DFU; 25 mg/kg) or non‐selective COX (indomethacin; 25 mg/kg) inhibitors. Three groups (basal, histamine‐stimulated and histamine with lansoprazole) were pylorus ligated 2 h after inhibitor administration and killed 2 h later. Another group without pylorus ligation received only inhibitors and was killed after 18 h.2. At 4 h, indomethacin increased the ulcer index (UI) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in basal and histamine‐stimulated states, whereas SC‐560 only increased MPO activity. Histamine‐stimulated, but not basal, GA was further enhanced by indomethacin and SC‐560 via increased proton pump expression. Lansoprazole (10 mg/kg) reduced the UI, MPO activity and GA to basal levels with SC‐560 and DFU and to near basal with indomethacin. Indomethacin and SC‐560 significantly inhibited prostaglandin (PG) E2, without significantly affecting COX‐1 and COX‐2 expression. Although DFU inhibited PGE2 by one‐third, it did not affect COX expression.3. At 18 h, indomethacin significantly increased the UI and MPO activity, whereas PGE2 synthesis was less inhibited, indicating a return to control levels. In contrast, PGE2 synthesis was higher than control with SC‐560. Furthermore, COX‐2 expression was significantly elevated with indomethacin and SC‐560, explaining the source of augmented PGE2 synthesis. Proton pump expression remained elevated, comparable with 4 h levels, with indomethacin and SC‐560. However, DFU had no significant effect on the aforementioned parameters.4. The data suggest that NSAID‐induced ulcerogenesis is dependent on the amount of GA secretion derived from increased proton pump expression and requires inhibition of both COX‐1 and COX‐2.
Pipoxolan inhibits proliferation of HL‐60 human leukaemia cancer cells by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase
Authors: Sheu Ming‐Jyh , Chou Pei‐Yu , Huang Chin‐Shiu , Tsai I‐Chun , Chien Yi‐Chung , Lin Sung‐Yuan , Tsai Huei‐Yann , Cheng Hsu‐Chen , Wu Chieh‐Hsi 
Published: January 2010

Summary1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which pipoxolan exerts its inhibitory effects and apoptotic activity in human leukaemia HL‐60 cells.2. The effects of pipoxolan on the proliferation of HL‐60 cells and on the distribution of cells within different phases of the cell cycle were investigated indirectly using a Trypan blue assay and a flow cytometer, respectively. The effects of pipoxolan on the apoptosis of HL‐60 cells was investigated using DNA fragmentation and flow cytometer. The expression of factors affecting the cell cycle and apoptosis, including p53, p21, Bax, Bcl2, cytochrome c, caspase 3 and caspase 9, was examined by western blotting.3. At 6.25 μg/mL, pipoxolan significantly induced apoptosis in human leukaemia HL‐60 cells after 24 h exposure. In addition, HL‐60 cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase via the induction of p53/p21 by pipoxolan. Apoptosis was associated with an increased Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, cytochrome c release, cleavage of procaspases‐9 and ‐3 and hydrolysis of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) seem to play a key role in the pipoxolan‐induced apoptosis, because high levels of ROS were produced early in the drug treatment. Apoptosis was significantly abrogated by the free radical scavenger N‐acetylcysteine (NAC).
Disposition of isosteviol in the rat isolated perfused liver
Authors: Jin Hongping , Wang Jiping , Gerber Jacobus P , Davey Andrew K 
Published: January 2010

Summary1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the clearance of isosteviol using the rat isolated perfused liver.2. Six livers from male Sprague‐Dawley rats were perfused with 15.7 μmol isosteviol in a recirculating system. Perfusate and bile samples were collected for 60 min and the liver was collected at the end of the perfusion. All samples collected were incubated with α‐glucuronidase. Isosteviol–glucuronide was determined as equivalent isosteviol. Isosteviol concentrations were determined using a previously developed liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method. The final isosteviol liver/perfusate (L/P), bile/liver (B/L) and isosteviol‐glucuronide in bile/liver (BG/LG) ratios were determined.3. Isosteviol has a high clearance (21.4 ± 4.8 mL/min) from the perfusate, with a short half‐life (13 ± 4 min). α‐Glucuronidase incubation revealed that isosteviol is conjugated in the liver and excreted into the bile. There was no isosteviol‐glucuronide detected in perfusate samples. The total recovery of the rat isolated perfused liver system is 74 ± 14% and glucuronidated isosteviol accounted for 23 ± 4% of the administered dose.4. In conclusion, we are the first to characterize the metabolism of isosteviol using rat isolated liver perfusion. Our results strongly suggest that the liver is the main organ of isosteviol elimination and that isosteviol is glucuronidated in the liver before it is excreted into the bile.