bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Telocytes in human skin – are they involved in skin regeneration?
Authors: Ceafalan Laura , Gherghiceanu Mihaela , Popescu L. M. , Simionescu Olga 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTelocytes (TCs), a particular interstitial cell type, have been recently described in a wide variety of mammalian organs (www.telocytes.com). The TCs are identified morphologically by a small cell body and extremely long (tens to hundreds of μm), thin prolongations (less than 100 nm in diameter, below the resolving power of light microscopy) called telopodes. Here, we demonstrated with electron microscopy and immunofluorescence that TCs were present in human dermis. In particular, TCs were found in the reticular dermis, around blood vessels, in the perifollicular sheath, outside the glassy membrane and surrounding sebaceous glands, arrector pili muscles and both the secretory and excretory portions of eccrine sweat glands. Immunofluorescence screening and laser scanning confocal microscopy showed two subpopulations of dermal TCs; one expressed c‐kit/CD117 and the other was positive for CD34. Both subpopulations were also positive for vimentin. The TCs were connected to each other by homocellular junctions, and they formed an interstitial 3D network. We also found TCs adjoined to stem cells in the bulge region of hair follicles. Moreover, TCs established atypical heterocellular junctions with stem cells (clusters of undifferentiated cells). Given the frequency of allergic skin pathologies, we would like to emphasize the finding that close, planar junctions were frequently observed between TCs and mast cells. In conclusion, based on TC distribution and intercellular connections, our results suggested that TCs might be involved in skin homeostasis, skin remodelling, skin regeneration and skin repair.
Refining definitions of periodontal disease and caries for prediction models of incident tooth loss
Authors: Houshmand Mohammad , Holtfreter Birte , Berg Marie Henrike , Schwahn Christian , Meisel Peter , Biffar Reiner , Kindler Stefan , Kocher Thomas 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAimTo assess the suitability of different definitions of caries and periodontitis for inclusion in tooth loss prediction models.Materials and MethodsThe Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) is a population‐based cohort study conducted in 1997–2001 (SHIP‐0) and 2002–2006 (SHIP‐1). This sample comprised 2,780 subjects aged 20–81 years with complete information on dental and periodontal status [DMFS status, clinical attachment loss (CAL) and probing depth (PD)]. Analyses on five‐year tooth loss were limited to half‐mouth data.ResultsThe predictive value of tested definitions was markedly age‐ and gender‐dependent: in 20–39‐aged men, the number of decayed or filled surfaces best predicted the number of lost teeth, whereas in young women CAL≥4 mm performed best. In older subjects, periodontal definitions were superior to caries definitions: mean CAL performed best in 40–59‐year olds, whereas AL‐ or PD‐related definitions predicted best in 60–81‐year olds. On tooth level, mean CAL was the superior definition to assess 5‐year incident tooth loss in all strata except for young men.ConclusionsCaries parameters best predicted incident tooth loss in men aged 20–39 years; in the intermediate and oldest age group and in young women, mean AL was most informative. Therefore, prediction models need to be developed for different age and gender groups.
Neutrophil superoxide production in the presence of cigarette smoke extract, nicotine and cotinine
Authors: Matthews John B. , Chen Fa‐Ming , Milward Michael R. , Ling Martin R. , Chapple Iain L. C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAimTo determine the effect of cigarette smoke extract, nicotine and cotinine on lucigenin‐detectable neutrophil superoxide production.Materials & MethodsNeutrophils from periodontally healthy individuals were treated with aqueous smoke extract, nicotine and cotinine, prior to stimulation or at the same time as stimulation with Fusobacterium nucleatum, IgG‐opsonized Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Superoxide generation was determined by lucigenin chemiluminescence.ResultsSmoke extract induced superoxide release from neutrophils (p <0.0001) in a dose‐dependent manner. By contrast, superoxide generation by neutrophils in response to pathologically relevant stimuli was inhibited by pre‐treatment with smoke extract (p <0.01). This inhibition did not require the continued presence of the extract. A similar reduction in stimulated superoxide production by smoke extract was detected when neutrophils were simultaneously exposed to the extract and stimuli. Nicotine and cotinine (0–10 μg/ml) had no effect on superoxide release from unstimulated or stimulated neutrophils.ConclusionsStable water‐soluble components of cigarette smoke directly induce superoxide generation by otherwise unstimulated neutrophils, but reduce superoxide responses of cells to pathologically relevant stimuli. These data suggest potential neutrophil‐mediated mechanisms by which smoking may initiate and maintain oxidative stress at periodontally healthy sites and participate in disease progression, by reducing innate immune responses.
Prognostic value of the periodontal risk assessment in patients with aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Meyer‐Bäumer Amelie , Pritsch Maria , Cosgarea Raluca , El Sayed Nihad , Kim Ti‐Sun , Eickholz Peter , Pretzl Bernadette 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectivesAim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of the modified periodontal risk assessment (PRA) in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) for the first time.Material and MethodsA total of 86 Patients with AgP were re‐examined 5–17 years after active periodontal treatment. Risk profile according to the modified PRA was assigned and regularity of maintenance monitored. Tooth loss, bone loss and recurrence of periodontitis were analysed in association with gender, diagnosis, compliance and risk profile using uni‐ and multivariate parametric regression and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsA total of 14 patients showed a localized AgP, 60 a high‐risk‐profile and 19 were compliant with the proposed maintenance‐interval. Of 2202 teeth 98 were lost. Multivariate analysis could not assign a statistically significant impact to risk‐profile. By excluding Interleukin‐1 composite genotype from the modified PRA a significant influence (p = 0.003, HR 2.74) was detected. The impact of compliance was shown to be nearly significant (p = 0.059, HR 2.0). In patients with generalized AgP a tendency for increased tooth loss was found.ConclusionThe prognostic value of the modified PRA could not be confirmed in patients with AgP. However, exclusion of Interleukin‐1 composite genotype led to a model with significant influence on tooth loss.
microRNA‐21 is upregulated in malignant melanoma and influences apoptosis of melanocytic cells
Authors: Satzger Imke , Mattern Anika , Kuettler Uta , Weinspach Dirk , Niebuhr Margarete , Kapp Alexander , Gutzmer Ralf 
Published: April 2012

AbstractOverexpression of microRNA‐21 (miR‐21) has been observed in various cancer types, but little is known about the role of miR‐21 in melanoma. In this study, we demonstrate that levels of miR‐21 are significantly increased in primary melanoma tissues as compared to benign nevi and in human melanoma cell lines as compared to melanocytic cell preparations. We show that downregulation of miR‐21 in melanoma cell lines with high endogenous miR‐21 expression induced apoptosis, whereas proliferation was not significantly altered. Upregulation of miR‐21 in melanocytes resulted in increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis. However, in the MEWO melanoma cells with low endogenous miR‐21 expression, upregulation of miR‐21 had no functional effects. These findings indicate a potential pathogenetic role of miR‐21 upregulation in a subgroup of melanomas.
Drought‐mediated stem and below‐ground bud dynamics in restored grasslands
Authors: Carter Daniel L. , VanderWeide Benjamin L. , Blair John M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractQuestionDoes the below‐ground bud bank mediate response to drought in restored grasslands?LocationPlatte River Valley region of south‐central Nebraska, USA.MethodsWe imposed severe drought for one growing season using rainfall manipulation structures and measured the response of above‐ and below‐ground plant communities (ramet and below‐ground bud densities) with respect to non‐drought controls during the drought year and a recovery year.ResultsDrought reduced below‐ground bud bank density and above‐ground stem density. However, bud bank density recovered, and bud production was higher on previously droughted subplots relative to controls in the year following drought. The response of below‐ground bud and above‐ground stem density to drought differed according to functional identity (C3 grass, C4 grass, and forb), with forbs least resistant to, but having the greatest recovery from, drought.ConclusionsWhile overall density in restored grasslands was resilient, drought effects on below‐ground bud banks may have longer‐term impacts on plant community structure. Reduced density above‐ or below‐ground during the growing season following drought may allow for the persistence of species relatively more reliant on recruitment from seed banks in favourable micro‐sites.
Do Ranger Stations Deter Poaching Activity in National Parks in Thailand?
Authors: Jenks Kate E. , Howard JoGayle , Leimgruber Peter 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAs protected areas become more accessible via transportation networks, fragmentation, and encroachment from the borders, carnivores in these areas frequently decline. To counter these pressures, patrolling and active wildlife enforcement are widely accepted as fundamental conservation strategies. Using the case example of Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) and data from a camera trap survey, we modeled and evaluated the effectiveness of ranger stations in reducing human access and illegal activities, and in increasing prey and predator presence. This type of data and analysis is needed to monitor and evaluate enforcement effectiveness and develop adaptive management strategies. At KYNP, we used camera‐trapping data as a proxy to evaluate whether or not a positive impact of ranger stations on wildlife distribution could outweigh edge effects from human disturbance. We assessed factors affecting the distribution of poachers and wildlife using Maxent. Our analysis was based on 217 camera trap locations (6260 trap nights) and suggests that ungulates and poachers persist nearby ranger stations. Rangers should increase patrolling efforts of border areas; however, increasing wildlife patrolling in inaccessible areas with mobile range units may be more effective than establishing more ranger stations along park boundaries.
Ruft Blausäure eine Adrenalinausschüttung hervor?1
Authors: Møller Knud O. , Reykjavik Kristin Stefansson 
Published: April 2012

ZusammenfassungSubkutane Injektion, von 1–2 mg/kg Natriumzyanid ruft im Laufe von wenigen Minuten bei Kaninchen eine ausgesprochene, etwa 2 bis 3 Stunden dauernde Hyperglykämie hervor; bei epinephrektomierten Tieren bewirkt Natriumzyanid keine Veränderung der Blutzuckerkonzentration.
Über die Hemmung der Blutgerinnung durch basische Körper und deren Beziehung zu organischen gerinnungshemmenden Säuren1
Authors: Herrmann Heinz 
Published: April 2012

Zusammenfassung1. Es wird gezeigt, daß auch basische Substanzen gerinnungshemmend wirken können. Von den untersuchten Basen erwies sich Janusgrün am wirksamsten. Dieser Farbstoff gleicht in seiner Wirkung dem Heparinpräparat von Kahlbaum.2. Saure und basische gerinnungshemmende Körper verhalten sich auch im Gerinnungsversuch antagonistisch.3. Die gerinnungshemmenden Säuren zeichnen sich durch ein besonders starkes Fällungsvermögen von basischen Farbstoffen aus.
Der Stoffwechsel bakterienfreier Tiere. IV. Die Zusammensetzung der Meerschweinchenmilch1
Authors: Neymark Marit 
Published: April 2012

ZusammenfassungIn Meerschweinchenmilch ist der Gehalt an Eiweißstoffen, Fett, Zucker und Mineralbestandteilen bestimmt worden. Bei einem Vergleich zwischen den bei diesen Analysen gefundenen Werten und den von Abderhalden (1899) veröffentlichten Werten findet man in unseren Bestimmungen einen bedeutend höheren Gehalt an Kasein und Albumin. Abderhalden gibt den Totaleiweißgehalt als Summe von Kasein und Albumin an. In den vorliegenden Analysen ist im Mittel ein Globulingehalt von einem halben Prozent erhalten worden. Der Fettgehalt ist etwas niedriger und der Zuckergehalt etwas höher als in Abderhaldens Analysen. Der totale Aschegehalt, sowie der Calciumgehalt ist etwas höher, während der Phosphorgehalt exakt mit Abderhaldens übereinstimmt.Die Untersuchung wurde mit Unterstützung von der Rockefeller Foundation ausgeführt.
Findet sich bei der Mehrzahl der Individuen ein photochromatisches Intervall für langwelliges “rotes” Licht?1
Authors: Brenning Runar , Cöster Arne 
Published: April 2012

ZusammenfassungMit Göthlins Liminospektroskop, welches monochromatisches Licht von einwandfreier Reinheit erzeugt, wurden die Licht‐und Farbenschwellen bei 62 Studenten der Medizin teils nach 1 stündiger Dunkeladaptation in vollständiger Dunkelheit, teils nach 5 Minuten langer Adaptation für eine Lichtstärke von 10 Lux bestimmt. Von diesen 62 Reagenten gaben 59 an, daß beim Betrachten von Licht der Wellenlängen 680, 740 bzw. 800 mμ die Empfindung schon an der Lichtschwelle rotfarbig war. Die 3 übrigen Reagenten gaben ein farbloses Intervall für Licht der genannten Wellenlängen an. Von diesen drei hatte einer einen protanomalen, ein anderer einen deuteranomalen Farbensinn; der dritte wies einen leichten Grad von Farbensinnschwäche auf, ohne jedoch ein anomaler Trichromat zu sein.
Zur Methodik der Bestimmung der Blutmenge in den peripheren Blutgefäßen1
Authors: Sjöstrand Torgny 
Published: April 2012

ZusammenfassungBestimmungen der Gefrierzeit von Mäusen im Gewicht von 5 bis 7 Gramm beim Eintauchen in flüssige Luft zeigen, daß hierbei die verschiedenen Gewebe je nach ihrer Lage zur Körperoberfläche in 1–10 Sekunden fixiert werden. Bis die Gefrierung auch das Herz erreicht, wird die Herzfrequenz nur in geringem Grade verändert und die Tiere weisen Zeichen eines sehr schnellen Todes auf. Durch Fixierung der gefrorenen Kadaver (ohne vorheriges Auftauen) in Formalin bei — 8 bis — 9 Grad und nachfolgende Behandlung in früher angegebener Weise wird es möglich, die roten Blutkörperchen mit Orthotolidin‐Wasserstoffsuperoxyd zu färben und Bestimmungen der Blutmenge auszuführen.Ein Vergleich zwischen den auf diese Weise getöteten Tieren und solchen, die, wie bei früheren Untersuchungen durch Zerquetschung des Halsmarks getötet worden waren, zeigt im großen ganzen übereinstimmende Blutmengen in Leber, Niere, Nebenniere, Darm und Skelettmuskulatur. Tiere, die vor der Gefrierung mit Pernocton eingeschläfert und laparotomiert worden waren, wiesen eine größere Blutmenge in den peripheren Blutgefäßen von Leber, Niere und Darm auf, wie dies schon frühere Untersuchungen zeigten.
The Etiology‐Filling Pattern‐Pulmonary Artery Pressure Score: A Simple Tool for Risk Stratification of Patients with Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Vallebona Alessandro , Gigli Guido , Orlandi Sandro , Orlandi Davide , Gigli Lorenzo , Reggiardo Giorgio 
Published: April 2012

©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The detection of patients at high risk for death is a major challenge in HF management. The authors compared the prognostic value of 23 clinical Doppler echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise indexes in a stable, moderately symptomatic, systolic HF outpatient population receiving optimal medical therapy. The end point was the incidence of overall mortality. Between January 2002 and December 2008, a total of 146 patients with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 0.31±0.8 and New York Heart Association functional class II or III were enrolled. The prognostic power of single variables was assessed using chi‐square test for categoric variables and t test for continuous variables. Variables associated with the prespecified end point were included as predictors in a binary logistic regression multivariate model. At multivariate analysis, “restrictive” LV filling pattern (P=.004), ischemic etiology (P=.022), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ≥50 mm Hg (P=.027), and peak oxygen uptake (VO2) <15.9 mL/kg/min (P=.046) resulted independent predictors of the outcome. A simple risk score was then obtained using these significant independent variables, excluding peak VO2 because of only borderline significance. Patients with ischemic etiology, restrictive LV filling pattern, and PASP ≥50 mm Hg have a very high risk of death (odds ratio, 33.77; 95% confidence interval, 5.74–198.8; P<.001, compared with patients with no risk factors). In this high‐risk group, evaluation of peak VO2 could be superfluous. A very simple clinical echocardiographic model based on etiology‐LV filling and pulmonary pressure is a powerful tool for risk stratification of systolic HF in ambulatory patients.
Accuracy and reliability of microbubble ultrasound measurements for the non‐invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Cobbold Jeremy F. L. , Patel Dhupal , Fitzpatrick Julie A. , Patel Nayna , Crossey Mary M. E. , AbdAlla Mohamed Saad , Goldin Robert D. , Vennart William , Thomas Howard C. , Taylor‐Robinson Simon D. 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound can be used to assess liver disease severity non‐invasively by observing intra‐ and extrahepatic hemodynamic changes. Transit times are calculated to include intra‐ and extrahepatic components (hepatic vein transit time, HVTT) or the intrahepatic component (hepatic transit time, HTT), but these have not been compared directly. We aimed to compare diagnostic accuracy of HVTT and HTT in gauging the severity of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and to assess inter‐ and intra‐observer reliability.Methods:  Recorded ultrasound scans performed on 75 patients with biopsy‐staged CHC, using the microbubble contrast agent Sonovue were analyzed.Results:  Diagnostic accuracy of HTT and HVTT for diagnosis of cirrhosis was 0.78 and 0.71 (P = 0.24). Diagnostic accuracy of HTT and HVTT for diagnosis of fibrosis stage >2 was 0.76 and 0.72 (P = 0.23). Negative predictive value for cirrhosis using this cut‐off was high for both techniques (HVTT, 88%; HTT, 92%), suggesting utility for exclusion of cirrhosis. Inter‐observer reliability for HTT and HVTT were 0.92 and 0.94, respectively. Intra‐observer reliability for HTT and HVTT were 0.98 and 0.99.Conclusion:  In this cohort, reliability exceeded 90% while diagnostic accuracy was in keeping with previous studies of microbubble transit time analysis. Despite higher numerical diagnostic accuracy for HTT, no significant difference was demonstrated between the techniques, suggesting that both methods can be used reliably.
Toll‐like receptor 4 mediates intrauterine growth restriction after systemic Campylobacter rectus infection in mice
Authors: Arce R.M. , Caron K.M. , Barros S.P. , Offenbacher S. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryCampylobacter rectus is associated with fetal exposure and low birthweight in humans. C. rectus also invades placental tissues and induces fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in mice, along with overexpression of Toll‐like receptors (TLR4), suggesting that TLR4 may mediate placental immunity and IUGR in mice. To test this hypothesis we examined the effect of in vitro TLR4 neutralization on trophoblastic proinflammatory activity and studied the IUGR phenotype in a congenic TLR4‐mutant mouse strain after in vivo C. rectus infection. Human trophoblasts were pretreated with TLR4 neutralizing antibodies and infected with C. rectus; proinflammatory cytokine production was assessed by cytokine multiplex assays. Neutralizing TLR4 antibodies significantly impaired the production of proinflammatory cytokines in trophoblastic cells after infection in a dose‐dependent manner. We used a subcutaneous chamber model to provide a C. rectus challenge in BALB/cAnPt (TLR4Lps‐d) and wild‐type (WT) females. Females were mated with WT or TLR4Lps‐d males once/week; pregnant mice were infected at (E)7.5 and sacrificed at (E)16.5 to establish IUGR phenotypes. Maternal C. rectus infection significantly decreased fetal weight/length in infected WT when compared with sham WT controls (P < 0.05, analysis of variance). However, infected TLR4Lps‐d−/− mice did not show statistically significant differences in fetal weight and length when compared with WT controls (P > 0.05). Furthermore, heterozygous TLR4Lps‐d+/− fetuses showed IUGR phenotype rescue. We conclude that TLR4 is an important mediator of trophoblastic proinflammatory responses and TLR4‐deficient fetuses do not develop IUGR phenotypes after C. rectus infection, suggesting that placental cytokine activation is likely to be mediated by TLR4 during low birthweight/preterm birth pathogenesis.
Theoretical and legal issues related to choice blindness for voices
Authors: Sauerland Melanie , Sagana Anna , Otgaar Henry 
Published: April 2012

Purpose. To examine whether choice blindness occurs for auditory stimuli, namely voices.Methods. One hundred participants listened to three pairs of voices and had to decide each time which one they found more sympathetic or sounded more criminal. After they made a choice, participants were presented with the chosen voice again and had to match it to a face. However, during the second trial, participants were actually presented with the voice they had previously not chosen.Results. Only 19% of the participants detected this change concurrently, an additional 10% detected it retrospectively. This indicates that choice blindness transfers to auditory stimuli. Whether participants had previously evaluated sympathy or criminality of the voices had no effect on choice blindness.Conclusions. The study shows that choice blindness is a robust phenomenon that can also be elicited when auditory stimuli are employed. Implications for earwitness testimony and expert witnesses in the context of forensic speech analysis are discussed.