bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SYMPATHETIC REGULATION OF RENAL FUNCTION IN STROKE‐PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS CONGENIC FOR CHROMOSOME 1 BLOOD PRESSURE QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI
Authors: Wang Tao , Takabatake Toshikazu , Kobayashi Yuta , Nabika Toru 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY

Two reciprocal congenic strains, WKYpch1.0 and SHRSPwch1.0, were constructed, respectively, by introgressing the stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP)‐derived fragment for the chromosome 1 blood pressure (BP) quantitative trait locus (QTL) into Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats and vice versa.
Under basal conditions with intact renal sympathetic nerves, the renal noradrenaline content and renal vascular resistance (RVR) were decreased in the order of SHRSP, SHRSPwch1.0, WKYpch1.0 and WKY, exhibiting reciprocal changes in the congenic strains according to the genotype of the chromosome 1 QTL.
Renal denervation resulted in significant effects on RVR and the fractional excretion of sodium only in SHRSP and WKYpch1.0, both of which harboured the SHRSP‐derived fragment of chromosome 1 QTL.
Thus, chromosome 1 QTL may influence both renal sympathetic nervous activity and the regulatory role of the sympathetic nervous system in vascular and tubular functions. The reciprocal congenic strains are thereby unique models that may help in the search for intermediate phenotypes and empower functional deduction of candidate genes.
BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY OF SHORT INTERFERING RNA AFTER SYSTEMIC ADMINISTRATION
Authors: White Paul J 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY

RNA interference in vivo has tremendous potential, both with respect to the elucidation of protein function in animals and as a therapeutic platform in humans. In vitro, short interfering RNA (siRNA) has been shown to completely silence gene expression in mammalian cells at low picomolar concentrations.
Although many good publications have shown specific silencing to occur in vivo, there are few that have transferred the combination of maximal efficacy and high potency to this setting. The present review considers the biological barriers that limit the movement of siRNA from vascular lumen to target cell cytoplasm and the strategies that have been used to overcome them.
Intravenous administration of siRNA results in rapid, extensive removal of siRNA from the blood via renal excretion, tissue distribution and nuclease degradation. Movement across vascular capillaries appears to be a limiting factor in some cases; few examples of silencing have been reported in organs with a conventional capillary endothelium.
Cellular uptake and endosomal trapping are significant barriers, but can be overcome using strategies such as antibody mediated cellular uptake or polyethyleneimine‐mediated endosomal escape.
Effect of human leukemia cells in testicular tissues grafted into immunodeficient mice
Authors: Fujita Kazutoshi , Tsujimura Akira , Hirai Toshiaki , Ohta Hiroshi , Matsuoka Yasuhiro , Miyagawa Yasushi , Takao Tetsuya , Takada Shingo , Nonomura Norio , Okuyama Akihiko 
Published: June 2008

Objectives:  To preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys with childhood cancer, it has been proposed that testicular tissues could be harvested before treatment and then immature germ cells matured by xenografting under the skin of immunodeficient mice. However, malignant cells present in the testicular tissue may disturb spermatogenesis in the xenografts. Here we examined the effect of human leukemia cells on ectopic xenografts in immunodeficient mice.Methods:  First, in order to evaluate the tumor forming ability of Human leukemia cells (Jurkat cells), different amounts of these cells were injected into nude mice and analyzed 8 weeks later. Testicular tissues from 5‐week‐old donor SCID mice injected with Jurkat cells were xenografted under the skin of recipient nude mice. After 8 weeks, xenografts were histologically evaluated and expression of testicular markers in xenografts was assessed.Results:  More than 1 × 106 Jurkat cells were necessary to develop a tumor under the skin of nude mice. Eight weeks after xenografting, 5 of 20 xenografts (25%) developed tumors. Spermatogenesis was not detected in any xenografts. Testicular cells were not detected in the tumor by the reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction technique.Conclusions:  Human leukemia cells infiltrating testicular tissue may disturb spermatogenesis in xenografts. Xenografting cannot be considered a reliable method for the detection of human leukemic cells in testicular tissues before auto‐transplantation. Other measures should be developed to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys with leukemia.
Recombinant human thyroid‐stimulating hormone (Thyrogen) in thyroid cancer follow up: experience at a single institution
Authors: Wong R. , Topliss D. J. , Bach L. A. , Hamblin P. S. , Kalff V. , Long F. , Stockigt J. R. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground:  Recombinant human thyroid‐stimulating hormone (Thyrogen®; Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA) (rhTSH)‐stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) (stim‐Tg) and 131I whole‐body scanning (WBS) have been reported to allow follow up of patients with thyroid cancer without the symptoms of thyroxine withdrawal and with equivalent diagnostic information to that obtained after thyroxine withdrawal. The aim of the study was to report results of rhTSH use at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, from 1999 to 2006 and in particular to examine the significance of detectable serum Tg after rhTSH in relation to thyroid cancer staging and to compare the sensitivity of rhTSH‐stimulated serum Tg to whole‐body 131I scanning (WBS) in the detection of residual and recurrent thyroid cancer.Methods:  The study was a retrospective chart review.Results:  In 90 patients, rhTSH was used for 96 diagnostic episodes and 18 doses of rhTSH were used to facilitate treatment with 131I. In stages I and II cancer (n = 42), of three patients with stim‐Tg 1–2 μg/L, none had identifiable disease, and the three patients who had stim‐Tg >2 μg/L did not experience recurrent disease during follow up. In contrast, in stages III and IV cancer (n = 43) 2 of 5 with stim‐Tg 1−2 μg/L had identifiable disease and 7 of 10 with stim‐Tg >2 μg/L had identifiable disease. In Tg‐positive, WBS‐negative disease, further imaging identified persistent/recurrent disease.Conclusion:  rhTSH was effective and safe in the management of thyroid cancer follow up for diagnosis of persistent/recurrent cancer and to enable 131I treatment. In no case did rhTSH‐stimulated WBS identify the presence of disease not also identified by raised basal Tg or stim‐Tg. Therefore, in low risk cancer WBS may be omitted.
Potency of germ cells and its relevance for regenerative medicine
Authors: Mardanpour Parisa , Guan Kaomei , Nolte Jessica , Lee Jae Ho , Hasenfuss Gerhard , Engel Wolfgang , Nayernia Karim 
Published: June 2008

AbstractGermline stem cells, which can self‐renew and generate gametes, are unique stem cells in that they are solely dedicated to transmit genetic information from generation to generation. The germ cells have a special place in the life cycle because they must be able to retain the ability to recreate the organism, a property known as developmental totipotency. Several lines of evidence have suggested the extensive proliferation activity and pluripotency of prenatal, neonatal and adult germline stem cells. We showed that adult male germline stem cells, spermatogonial stem cells, can be converted into embryonic stem cell‐like cells, which can differentiate into the somatic stem cells of three germ layers. Different cell types such as vascular, heart, liver, pancreatic and blood cells could also be obtained from these stem cells. Understanding how spermatogonial stem cells can give rise to pluripotent stem cells and how somatic stem cells differentiate into germ cells could give significant insight into the regulation of developmental totipotency as well as having important implications for male fertility and regenerative medicine.
The long‐term effectiveness of antenatal pelvic floor muscle training: eight‐year follow up of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Agur WI , Steggles P , Waterfield M , Freeman RM 
Published: June 2008

Objective  To determine the long‐term effectiveness of antenatal pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on stress urinary incontinence (SUI).Design  Eight‐year follow up of a randomised controlled trial (RCT).Setting  Acute NHS Teaching Trust.Population  Participants in an RCT of antenatal PFMT 8 years previously.Method  Participants were asked about the presence of SUI, impact on quality of life, frequency of performance of PFMT and details of subsequent deliveries.Main outcome measure  The prevalence of SUI at 8 years.Results  One hundred and sixty‐four (71%) of the original 230 women responded. The significant improvement in postnatal SUI originally shown in the PFMT group compared with controls (19.2 versus 32.7%, P = 0.02) at 3 months was not evident 8 years later (35.4 versus 38.8%, P = 0.7). On direct questioning, 68.4% of the study group claimed that they still performed PFMT as taught during the study, with 38.0% of them performing this twice or more per week. There was no difference in outcome between those who performed PFMT twice or more per week compared with those performing PFMT less frequently. There were no differences in quality‐of‐life domains between the study and the control groups at 8 years.Conclusion  The initially beneficial effect of supervised antenatal PFMT on SUI did not continue for a long term despite the majority claiming to still perform PFMT. These findings are in keeping with those of other studies and raise concerns about the long‐term efficacy of PFMT. Strategies to improve compliance with PFMT are required.
Factors affecting adequacy of Pipelle and Tao Brush endometrial sampling
Authors: Williams ARW , Brechin S , Porter AJL , Warner P , Critchley HOD 
Published: June 2008

Objective  To compare factors influencing adequacy of endometrial samples obtained using two outpatient sampling devices – Pipelle and Tao Brush.Design  Pragmatic unblinded trial with investigation schedule randomised separately within two groups according to endometrial cancer risk.Setting  Gynaecology outpatient clinic of a large city hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland.Population  All women referred to a gynaecology outpatient clinic during a 28‐month period complaining of abnormal vaginal bleeding.Methods  Women were assigned to two ‘risk groups’ for endometrial cancer (‘high risk’ for postmenopausal women and ‘moderate risk’ for premenopausal women aged over 40 years or with other risk factors). Women in each risk group had both types of biopsy and were randomised to two outpatient visualisations: hysteroscopy and/or transvaginal ultrasound scan.Main outcome measures  Completion of the investigation, adequacy of sample and acceptability of investigation to women.Results  In 200 high‐risk women, adequate samples were significantly more likely to be obtained by Tao Brush than Pipelle (P < 0.001). Nulliparity was strongly associated with failed insertion for both devices (P < 0.001). Inadequate samples were strongly associated with postmenopausal status only for Pipelle (P < 0.001), and among premenopausal women, for both samplers, with nulliparity (P < 0.001). A significantly greater proportion of women preferred the Tao Brush to the Pipelle endometrial sampler (P < 0.001).Conclusions  In postmenopausal women, Tao Brush sampling offers advantages over use of Pipelle, and the former should be considered as an alternative or additional sampling device in this group of women.
Effects of polyamines and polyamine synthesis inhibitor on antennal electrophysiological responses of diamondback moths, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Chun , Wang Man‐Qun , Li Hui , Zhang Guoan 
Published: June 2008

AbstractElectroantennography showed that treatment with polyamines and α‐difluoromethyl‐ornithine (DFMO) significantly affected the sensitivity of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), antennae to odors. Response to a female pheromone extract was significantly higher in antennae from spermine‐treated males than in those from acetone‐treated males, and significantly lower in spermidine‐treated males, whereas the DFMO‐treatment had no significant effect. The effect of polyamine and DFMO treatment on olfactory sensitivity differed between the sexes, and correlated with the mating status of adults. Amine putrescine, spermidine, and DFMO treatments enhanced the sensitivity of unmated male antennae to most of the odors tested, but inhibited the sensitivity of virgin female antennae. Spermine treatment enhanced the sensitivity of virgin female antennae to all tested odors, but inhibited the sensitivity of mated female antennae to cabbage juice. These results suggest that polyamines play a regulatory role in the detection of odors and that their effects depend on the odor source, and the gender and mating status of diamondback moths.
Effects of Nitric Oxide Modulators on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Mild Hyperhomocysteinaemic Rat Model
Authors: Sharma Meenakshi , Rai Santosh Kr. , Tiwari Rakesh Kr. , Tiwari Manisha , Chandra Ramesh 
Published: June 2008

Abstract:  Hyperhomocysteinaemia is considered to be an independent risk factor in atherosclerosis. In the present article, we observed the effect of nitric oxide modulators on cardiovascular risk factors in mild hyperhomocysteinaemic rats. A rat model of mild hyperhomocysteinaemia was established by administering methionine (1 g/kg body weight, orally) for 4 weeks. The other groups were concomitantly treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine (LNNA) during the induction of hyperhomocysteinaemia. Lipid profile, total antioxidant capacity and the level of homocysteine and NOx (nitrates and nitrites) was examined in serum at 0 and 4 weeks. Activity of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase, the mRNA level of caveolin, P2 receptors and cardiovascular risk factors were also analysed. Stimulated lipid profile of rats by the treatment of methionine (1 g/kg body weight) reduced significantly by the treatment of SNP with methionine. LNNA increased the level of cholesterol in aorta (P < 0.05 versus group II). SNP significantly suppressed the activity of HMG‐CoA reductase. The mRNA levels of caveolin (P < 0.05), P2X (P < 0.05) and P2Y (P < 0.05) showed a significant decrease in rats administered with SNP. LNNA showed significant induction in the expression of caveolin (P < 0.01) and P2Y (P < 0.01) expression. The level of P2X showed no remarkable change in animals treated with LNNA and methionine both. These data conclude that nitric oxide modulators modulate the effect of hyperhomocysteinaemia on the other cardiovascular risk factors and confirm the finding that nitric oxide plays an important role in homocysteine‐induced cardiovascular diseases.
α‐Amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptors Participate in the Analgesic but Not Hypnotic Effects of Emulsified Halogenated Anaesthetics
Authors: Hang Lihua , Shao Donghua , Yang Yinghong , Sun Wenjin , Dai Tijun , Zeng Yinming 
Published: June 2008

Abstract:  The present study was designed to investigate the role of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in hypnosis and analgesia induced by emulsified inhalation anaesthetics. After having established the mice model of hypnosis and analgesia by intraperitoneally injecting appropriate doses of emulsified enflurane, isoflurane or sevoflurane, we intracerebroventricularly or intrathecally injected different doses of AMPA and then observed the effects on the sleep time using hypnosis test and the tail‐withdrawal latency using the tail‐withdrawal test. In hypnosis test, AMPA (50, 75 and 100 ng, intracerebroventricularly) had no distinctive effects on the sleep time of the mice treated with emulsified inhalation anaesthetics (P > 0.05). In tail‐withdrawal test, AMPA (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 ng, intrathecally) significantly and dose‐dependently decreased the tail‐withdrawal latency (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in the mice treated with emulsified anaesthetics. These results suggest that AMPA receptors may participate in the analgesic but not in the hypnotic effects induced by emulsified enflurane, isoflurane or sevoflurane.
Introduction of exogenous substance into protoplasts of perennial ryegrass by electroporation
Authors: Unno Hiroki , Yamamoto Shinrô 
Published: June 2008

AbstractInvolvement of a substance in the tolerance of plants will be clarified by increasing the substance in the plants and detecting the effect on the tolerance. Some substances, however, are difficult to be increased in intact plants. Accordingly, the introduction of an exogenous substance into protoplasts of grass was investigated by means of electroporation using fructan as the exogenous substance. Protoplasts were freshly prepared from young leaves of perennial ryegrass by treating with 2% cellulase. Fifty percent of the protoplasts were alive after electroporation at 500 V/cm at 18 µF. Fructan concentration in the protoplasts was increased by electroporation as described above in the presence of exogenous fructan and the increase in the fructan was promoted with an increase in concentration of the exogenous fructan. The results obtained suggest that concentrations of substances in grass protoplasts are able to be increased by electroporation.
Transgenic expression of a viral EPS‐depolymerase is potentially useful to induce fire blight resistance in apple
Authors: Flachowsky H. , Richter K. , Kim W.‐S. , Geider K , Hanke M.‐V 
Published: June 2008

AbstractFire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora is the most destructive bacterial disease of pear and apple. The goal of this research was to improve fire blight resistance of apple by transformation with a gene encoding for an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS)‐depolymerase from the E. amylovora phage phi‐Ea1h. The EPS‐depolymerase gene (dpo) driven by the constitutive promoter CaMV35S was transferred into apple scion cv. ‘Pinova’ through Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated leaf disk transformation using a binary vector and strains EHA105 or LBA4404. The integration of the dpo gene and the marker gene nptII was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by Southern hybridisation. From 4560 leaves inoculated in 23 different transformation experiments, 33 independent shoots, regenerated from a single transformation event, were identified as transgenic. Nine of the shoots were randomly selected and vegetatively propagated to establish transgenic clones. The transgenic clones were diploid as was the non‐transgenic genotype ‘Pinova’ analysed by flow cytometry. Both transgenes (dpo and nptII) were transcriptionally active determined by reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR and quantitative RT‐PCR. EPS‐depolymerase was expressed in all transgenic clones showing substantial differences in its activity for different clones concerning EPS degradation. Resistance to E. amylovora was evaluated by infection of in vitro leaves as well as by artificial shoot inoculation of ex vitro plants in the greenhouse. No correlation was obtained for the transgenic lines between the level of dpo gene expression and both the level of depolymerase activity and the disease resistance in vitro, whereas, depolymerase activity did correlate positively with resistance to fire blight in vitro. Seven clones had less disease than the non‐transformed genotype when measured in greenhouse, but no statistically significant differences were found, except for line T373. One line showed the highest depolymerase activity and the least susceptibility to fire blight in vitro as well as in greenhouse (T187).
Purification and characterization of α‐glucosidase in Apis cerana indica
Authors: Chanchao Chanpen , Pilalam Suwisa , Sangvanich Polkit 
Published: June 2008

Abstract Apis cerana indica foragers were used for the isolation of a full‐length α‐glucosidase cDNA, and for purification of the active nascent protein by low salt extraction of bee homogenates, ammonium sulphate precipitation and diethylaminoethyl‐cellulose and Superdex 200 chromatographies. The molecular mass of the purified protein was estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resolution, and the pH, temperature, incubation, and substrate optima for enzymic activity were determined. Conformation of the purified enzyme as α‐glucosidase was performed by BLAST software homology comparisons between matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy analysed partial tryptic peptide digests of the purified protein with the predicted amino acid sequences deduced from the α‐glucosidase cDNA sequence.
Students With Chronic Diseases: Nature of School Physician Support
Authors: Taras Howard , Brennan Jesse J. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTBackground:  To educate children with chronic diseases in the least restrictive environment, schools must prevent, recognize, and react appropriately to symptom exacerbations. Schools are often pushed to their limits of knowledge, resources, and comfort level. This study determined the health conditions of students for whom districts seek school physician consultation and the nature of school physician consultants’ involvement.Methods:  A retrospective record review was performed on 250 of the most recent records of school‐elicited referrals from an academic center that provides physician consultation to school districts. Referrals were sent from 8 school districts in southern California (July 1996 to October 2006). Data collected were nature of student’s special health need, the school physician consultant’s intervention required to satisfy schools’ needs, student grade level, enrollment in special education, and health‐related excessive absenteeism.Results:  No single chronic condition, symptom, or special health care need predominated. Six types of school physician consultant activities were used to overcome hurdles schools faced when accommodating students with special health care needs. The 3 most common were direct communication with students’ own physicians (70% of students), recommending an appropriate level of school health services when this was a matter of controversy (42%), and formulating portions of students’ individualized school health plans (38%).Conclusions:  A portion of students with special health care needs benefited from district referral to a school physician consultant. Whether some of these referrals can be avoided if school personnel and students’ own physicians are supported and trained to communicate more effectively with one another needs to be explored.
Taxonomic review of the genus Gonioctena Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) in the Korean Peninsula
Authors: CHO Hee Wook , LEE Jong Eun 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA taxonomic review of the genus Gonioctena in the Korean Peninsula is presented. Ten species belonging to three subgenera are recognized. Gonioctena jacobsoni (Ogloblin et Medvedev) and Gonioctnea kamiyai Kimoto are recorded for the first time in Korea. A key, illustrations of diagnostic characters, and the coloration patterns of Korean Gonioctena are provided.
First record of the family Aulacidae in Korea (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea)
Authors: LEE Jong‐Wook , TURRISI Giuseppe Fabrizio 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe family Aulacidae with one species, Pristaulacus intermedius Uchida, 1932, is recorded for the first time in Korea. A detailed description, illustrations of morphological features, and a brief discussion are provided.