bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functionally Active Toll‐Like Receptor 3 on Human Primary and Metastatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Matijevic T. , Marjanovic M. , Pavelic J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractToll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3) is a member of Toll‐like receptors who recognize structurally conserved molecules derived from pathogens and trigger the immune response. To clarify if TLR3, is expressed in certain tumour cell lines and whether it is functional and what is the response of these cell lines to different concentrations of poly I:C treatment, we have screened SW480, SW620, FaDu and Detroit 562 cell lines using real‐time PCR, flow cytometry and ELISA. We have shown that all these cell lines express TLR3 on mRNA and protein level but it is only functional in Detroit 562 cell line since only in these cells poly I:C treatment triggered the IL‐6 secretion. In addition, poly I:C treatment inhibited cell growth and triggered up‐regulation of IL‐12p40, IL‐8 and Il‐1α in Detroit 562 cell line. By using annexin‐V apoptosis detection kit, we have found that poly I:C triggers apoptosis in Detroit 562 cell line. We have found here that based on the results of TLR3 functionality there is a huge difference between FaDu and Detroit 562 cell lines which are of the same origin (pharynx) but FaDu is primary and Detroit 562 metastatic carcinoma. Our study also shows that Detroit 562 cell line could be a good model for cancer therapy research and development as it is responsive to TLR3 agonists which consequently drives it to apoptosis.
Immunological Determinants in a Mouse Model of Chemical‐Induced Asthma After Multiple Exposures
Authors: Vanoirbeek J. A. J. , Tarkowski M. , De Vooght V. , Nemery B. , Hoet P. H. M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn a mouse model of chemical‐induced asthma, we investigated the effects of multiple challenges, using toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a known cause of occupational asthma. On days 1 and 7, BALB/c mice received TDI or vehicle (acetone/olive oil). On days 10, 13 and 16 the mice received an intranasal instillation of TDI. Ventilatory function (Penh) was monitored by whole body plethysmography for 40 min after each challenge. Reactivity to methacholine was measured 22 h later. Pulmonary inflammation, TNF‐α and MIP‐2 levels were assessed 24 h after the last challenge by broncho‐alveolar lavage (BAL). Other immunological parameters included total IgE, lymphocyte sub‐populations in auricular and cervical lymph nodes, and IL‐4, IFN‐γ and IL‐13 levels in supernatants of lymph node cells, cultured with or without concanavalin A. Early ventilatory function and airway reactivity increased in all groups that received a dermal application and one or multiple intranasal challenges of TDI. After multiple challenges, lung inflammation was characterized by neutrophils (∼15%), and eosinophils (∼4%), along with an increase in BAL MIP‐2 and TNF‐α levels. The auricular and cervical lymph node cells of all sensitized mice showed an increase in B cells, Th cells and an increased concentration of in vitro release of IL‐4, IFN‐γ and IL‐13 after stimulation with concanavalin A. Total serum IgE was elevated in dermally TDI‐sensitized mice. This protocol including multiple challenges results in a model that resembles human asthma, indicating that responses found in the model using a single challenge could be a good first indication for the development of asthma.
Effects of hydrology on the growth and physiology of an invasive exotic, Lygodium microphyllum (Old World climbing fern)
Authors: GANDIAGA S , VOLIN J C , KRUGER E L , KITAJIMA K 
Published: April 2009

SummaryWe conducted a glasshouse study to examine effects of hydrology on the growth and physiology of Lygodium microphyllum (Old World climbing fern), an invasive exotic that is rapidly colonising forested wetlands in Florida, USA. We assessed the fern’s growth and physiological responses to three hydrological treatments – flood, drought and field capacity. To further explore the physiology of the treatment responses of L. microphyllum, we also sprayed each plant with gibberellic acid, paclobutrazol (gibberellin inhibitor) or a water control solution (at a rate of 5 mL three times per week) using a 3 × 3 factorial design. Flooding reduced relative growth rate by 55%, whereas periodic exposure of ferns to a soil water potential of −1 MPa did not affect growth or physiology. Flooding led to substantial decreases in specific leaf area and area‐based rates of pinna photosynthesis, resulting in a 64% lower rate of photosynthesis per unit pinna mass. Application of growth regulators had no effect on fern growth, morphology or physiology. Even though flooding substantially reduced growth, L. microphyllum still showed a positive relative growth rate after >2 months of inundated soils. This apparent hydrological plasticity is likely a contributing factor to the introduced fern’s widespread establishment across a range of plant communities within the Florida Everglades ecosystem. Short‐term manipulation of site hydrology does not appear to be an effective management option. Consequently, this has considerable implications for the Everglades, which is undergoing a 30‐year system‐wide hydrological restoration.
Cholinergic optimization of cue‐evoked parietal activity during challenged attentional performance
Authors: Broussard John I. , Karelina Kate , Sarter Martin , Givens Ben 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe detection of salient or instrumental stimuli and the selection of cue‐evoked responses are mediated by a fronto‐parietal network that is modulated by cholinergic inputs originating from the basal forebrain. Visual cues that guide behavior are more strongly represented in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) than are similar cues that are missed or task‐irrelevant. Although the crucial role of cholinergic inputs in cue detection has been demonstrated by lesion studies, the role of PPC neurons in the cholinergic modulation of cue detection is unclear. We recorded extracellular spikes from PPC neurons of rats performing a sustained attention task, before and after selective removal of cholinergic inputs to the recording site. Visual cues that were subsequently detected evoked significant increases in the PPC firing rate. In the absence of cholinergic input, the activation of PPC neurons by detected cues was greatly diminished. When a visual distractor was introduced during task performance, a population of PPC neurons selectively responded to the distractor. As a result of cholinergic deafferentation, distractor‐related neuronal activity was enhanced, and the detection‐related activity was further suppressed. Thus, in deafferented subjects, the distractor lowered the signal‐to‐noise ratio of cue‐evoked responses. This impairment in cue‐evoked neuronal activity may have mediated the increased response latencies observed for detected cues in the presence of the distractor. Additional experiments demonstrated that the effects of cholinergic deafferentation were not confounded by extended practice or electrode depth. Collectively, these findings indicate that cholinergic inputs to PPC neurons amplify cue detection, and may also act to suppress irrelevant distractors.
Postnatal lesion evidence against a primary role for the corpus callosum in mouse sociability
Authors: Yang Mu , Clarke Andrew M. , Crawley Jacqueline N. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) strain is an inbred strain of mice that displays prominent social deficits and repetitive behaviors analogous to the defining symptoms of autism, along with complete congenital agenesis of the corpus callosum (CC). The BTBR strain is genetically distant from the widely used C57BL/6J (B6) strain, which exhibits high levels of sociability, a low level of repetitive behaviors, and an intact CC. Emerging evidence implicates compromised interhemispherical connectivity in some cases of autism. We investigated the hypothesis that the disconnection of CC fiber tracts contributes to behavioral traits in mice that are relevant to the behavioral symptoms of autism. Surgical lesion of the CC in B6 mice at postnatal day 7 had no effect on juvenile play and adult social approaches, and did not elevate repetitive self‐grooming. In addition, LP/J, the strain that is genetically closest to the BTBR strain but has an intact CC, displayed juvenile play deficits and repetitive self‐grooming similar to those seen in BTBR mice. These corroborative results offer evidence against the hypothesis that the CC disconnection is a primary cause of low sociability and a high level of repetitive behaviors in inbred mice. Our findings indicate that genes mediating other aspects of neurodevelopment, including those whose mutations underlie more subtle disruptions in white matter pathways and connectivity, are more likely to contribute to the aberrant behavioral phenotypes in the BTBR mouse model of autism.
Improvement of psoriatic onychodystrophy by a water‐soluble nail lacquer
Authors: Cantoresi F , Sorgi P , Arcese A , Bidoli A , Bruni F , Carnevale C , Calvieri S 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground  There is a strong need for effective products, simple to use and safe for a chronic use in the management of nail psoriasis. Recently, a non‐drug, water‐soluble nail lacquer became available, containing hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCH), horsetail extract (Equisetum arvense) and methylsulphonyl‐methane (DMSO2). This product was effective in strengthening the nails and reducing fragility and roughness in brittle nails. A clinical trial was performed to verify whether this product was able to improve nail psoriatic signs and appearance.Patients and methods  Thirty adult patients affected by mild to moderate symmetric psoriasis of the matrix and/or of the nail bed in at least one fingernail diagnosed more than 6 months before screening and with negative mycology findings were recruited. The nail lacquer was applied once daily on the affected fingernails of the left hand for 24 consecutive weeks. The right hand was used as control. The extent and severity of nail psoriasis was assessed on a target fingernail by means of the recently proposed Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score. The value at baseline was 2.83 (± 0.99). At the end of treatment, the patients judged the treatment effect and their willing to continue product application. Adverse events were carefully recorded.Results  Overall, 28 patients were included in the efficacy analysis. At the end of treatment, results showed a 72% reduction in pitting, 66% reduction in leukonychia, 63% reduction in onycholysis and a reduction of 65% in NAPSI score compared to baseline, respectively. No changes were observed in the untreated nails.Patients’ treatment evaluation was classified as very satisfying or good by 78.6% of patients.The acceptability of the treatment was excellent in all patients both for the easiness and for the organoleptic characteristics of the product and 75% of them decided to continue the application after the end of the study.No adverse reactions were reported.Conclusion  In our experience, the new water‐soluble nail lacquer proved to be effective in decreasing signs and symptoms of nail dystrophy in psoriatic patients. The effect was particularly evident on NAPSI and on pitting. The product was very well accepted by the patients.Conflict of InterestNone declared.
Circumference reduction and cellulite treatment with a TriPollar radiofrequency device: a pilot study
Authors: Manuskiatti W , Wachirakaphan C , Lektrakul N , Varothai S 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground  A wide variety of treatments for circumference reduction and cellulite are available, but most procedures offer suboptimal clinical effect and/or delayed therapeutic outcome.Objective  To determine the safety and efficacy of the TriPollar radiofrequency device for cellulite treatment and circumference reduction.Methods  Thirty‐nine females with cellulite received eight weekly TriPollar treatments. Treatment areas included the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and arms. Subjects were evaluated using standardized photographs and measurements of body weight, circumference, subcutaneous thickness, and skin elasticity of the treatment sites at baseline, immediately after and 4 weeks after the final treatment. Physicians’ evaluation of clinical improvement scores using a quartile grading scale was recorded.Results  Thirty‐seven patients (95%) completed the treatment protocol. There was significant circumference reduction of 3.5 and 1.7 cm at the abdomen (P = 0.002) and thigh (P = 0.002) regions, respectively. At 4 weeks after the last treatment, the average circumferential reductions of the abdomen and thighs were sustained. No significant circumferential reductions of the buttocks and arms at the last treatment visit compared to baseline were demonstrated (P = 0.138 and 0.152, respectively). Quartile grading scores correlating to approximately 50% improvement in cellulite appearance were noted.Conclusions  Tripollar radiofrequency provided beneficial effects on the reduction of abdomen and thigh circumference and cellulite appearance.Conflict of InterestThe authors have no financial interest in this article.
Carer Knowledge and Perceptions of Healthy Lifestyles for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Melville Craig A. , Hamilton Sarah , Miller Susan , Boyle Susan , Robinson Nicola , Pert Carol , Hankey Catherine R. 
Published: April 2009

Background  Carers can have a significant impact supporting people with intellectual disabilities to make healthy lifestyle choices. This study examines carers’ training needs on diet and physical activity.Methods  A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken of the knowledge and perceptions of carers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to examine carer knowledge of public health recommendations on diet and physical activity; perceptions of the benefits of healthy diets and physical activity levels; and the carer views on the barriers to change experienced by individuals with intellectual disabilities.Results  Sixty‐three carers took part in the study. They generally had a low level of knowledge around public health recommendations on diet and physical activity. Greater importance was attributed to the health benefits of diet than physical activity. Carers rated intrapersonal barriers to change within the person with intellectual disabilities as more important, than interpersonal or external barriers to change, with significant differences in perceived barriers relevant to diet and physical activity.Conclusions  Carers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities have significant training needs relevant to promoting healthy lifestyles. This highlights the opportunity to promote health improvement via the development, and provision, of effective training initiatives.
Discharge planning in mental health care: a systematic review of the recent literature
Authors: Steffen S. , Kösters M. , Becker T. , Puschner B. 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  To determine and estimate the efficacy of discharge planning interventions in mental health care from in‐patient to out‐patient treatment on improving patient outcome, ensuring community tenure, and saving costs.Method:  A systematic review and meta‐analysis identified studies through an electronic search on the basis of defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted data.Results:  Of eleven studies included, six were randomised controlled trials, three were controlled clinical trials, and two were cohort studies. The discharge planning strategies used varied widely, most were limited to preparation of discharge during in‐patient treatment. Pooled risk ratios were 0.66 (95% CI = 0.51 to 0.84; P < 0.001) for hospital readmission rate, and 1.25 (1.07 to 1.47; P < 0.001) for adherence to out‐patient treatment. Effect sizes (Hedge’s g) were −0.25 (−0.45 to −0.05; P = 0.02) for mental health outcome, and 0.11(−0.05 to 0.28; NS) for quality of life.Conclusion:  Discharge planning interventions are effective in reducing rehospitalisation and in improving adherence to aftercare among people with mental disorders.
Mouse model of experimental periodontitis induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis/Fusobacterium nucleatum infection: bone loss and host response
Authors: Polak David , Wilensky Asaf , Shapira Lior , Halabi Amal , Goldstein Dita , Weiss Ervin I. , Houri‐Haddad Yael 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim: To compare the effect of oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis or Fusobacterium nucleatum versus infection with both bacteria on mouse periodontal tissues, and to characterize the inflammatory response.Materials and Methods: Mice were orally infected with P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum or both. At 42 days post‐infection, alveolar bone loss was quantified using micro‐computerized tomography. Tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin (IL)‐1β levels induced by the infection were quantified using the subcutaneous chamber model.Results: Mice orally infected with F. nucleatum/P. gingivalis exhibited significantly more bone loss compared with that of mono‐infected and sham‐infected mice. F. nucleatum/P. gingivalis infection also increased the levels of TNF‐α and IL1β compared with the levels found in the mono‐infected groups.Conclusions: Polymicrobial infection with P. gingivalis/F. nucleatum aggravates alveolar bone loss and induces a stronger inflammatory response compared with that observed upon infection with either bacterium alone. The results suggest that oral infection of mice with a mixture of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum may be superior to mono‐infection models of experimental periodontitis.
Ceramic Inlays: A Case Presentation and Lessons Learned from the Literature
Authors: BOUSHELL LEE W. , RITTER ANDRÉ V. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTCeramic dental restorative materials offer an esthetic alternative to dental amalgam or gold. There is uncertainty relative to the longevity of ceramic inlay restorations. Recently published long‐term research studies reveal general clinical performance trends. These trends are discussed while presenting a ceramic inlay case. Successful clinical use of ceramic inlay materials is absolutely dependent on the creation of an uncompromised adhesive tooth/ceramic interface. Ceramic inlay restorations perform well in terms of long‐term retention, color match, and anatomic contour stability. These restorations all experience limited margin deterioration that does not predispose to marginal discoloration or secondary caries. Patients rarely suffer from postoperative sensitivity secondary to ceramic inlay placement.Ceramic inlays fail predominantly as a result of crack propagation from material flaws leading to bulk fracture. Some superficial ceramic defects may be repaired with composite resin. Internal material flaws are minimized by industrial production of indirect pressable glass‐ceramic materials or ceramic blocks designed for computer‐aided design/computer‐assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM). External surface flaws are limited by careful polishing techniques. Strategic placement of ceramic inlays in teeth that are not subject to heavy occlusal loading will result in more predictable long‐term performance. Preparation design to prevent flexure of ceramic inlay materials is essential.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEUse of ceramic inlays to restore defects in posterior teeth requires careful attention to detail. Placement of ceramic inlay materials in high‐stress areas may result in less predictable long‐term performance. Ceramic inlays are advantageous for restoring moderately sized defects when optimal control of restoration contours and esthetics is desired.
Advances in the understanding of chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helices: the perichondrial vasculitis theory
Authors: Upile T. , Patel N.N. , Jerjes W. , Singh N.U. , Sandison A. , Michaels L. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives:  Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis (CNCH) usually presents as a painful nodule affecting the pinna. The aetiology of the disease is unknown. Several theories have been suggested.We suggest a possible explanation based upon pathophysiological treatment correlations to new histopathological evidence.Design:  A detailed histopathological review of 16 confirmed cases of CNCH was undertaken by two pathologists, independently and together, using a qualitative grading of arteriolar narrowing.Results:  Review of cases revealed arteriolar narrowing in perichondrium region of pinna most remote from arterial blood supply, i.e. helix. This has lead to ischaemic changes and death of the metabolically active underlying cartilage with necrosis and extrusion.Conclusion:  This is the first report of specific perichondrial arteriolar changes as the possible cause of underlying cartilage necrosis resulting in CNCH.
Pathological validation of supracricoid partial laryngectomy in laryngeal cancer
Authors: Sun D.‐I. , Cho K.‐J. , Cho J.‐H. , Joo Y.‐H. , Jung C.‐K. , Kim M.‐S. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives:  To validate pathologically whether supracricoid partial laryngectomy is an oncologically sound procedure in cases with invasion of the thyroid cartilage, paraglottic space, pre‐epiglottic space, anterior commissure, or subglottis.Design:  A retrospective review of case notes was performed.Setting:  Patients treated at a single institute in the Republic of Korea.Participants:  Sixty‐three patients who underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma between June 1994 and May 2005 who were followed for at least 2 years.Main outcome measures:  Local control and overall survival rates. Pathological invasion of the thyroid cartilage, anterior commissure, pre‐epiglottic space, paraglottic space, or subglottis was also investigated as a cause of recurrence. Prognostic factors for local control and survival were evaluated with univariate and multivariate models.Results:  Invasion of the anterior commissure, paraglottic space, thyroid cartilage, pre‐epiglottic space, or subglottis had no significant impact on the recurrence or overall survival rates. The presence of a positive resection margin was significantly associated with recurrence in the univariate and multivariate analyses (P = 0.026, 0.028, respectively). When considering the prognostic factors influencing survival, the univariate analysis showed that N stage, a positive resection margin and recurrence had significant influences on the overall survival rate (P = 0.010, 0.0004 and 0.000 respectively). In the multivariate analysis, only recurrence affected the survival rate (P = 0.002).Conclusion:  Supracricoid partial laryngectomy can be used with oncological safety in selected cases of laryngeal cancer with invasion of the anterior commissure, thyroid cartilage, pre‐epiglottic space, paraglottic space, or subglottis.