bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bax shuttling after neonatal hypoxia–ischemia: Hyperoxia effects
Authors: Gill Martin B. , Bockhorst Kurt , Narayana Ponnada , Perez‐Polo J. Regino 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPerinatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI) occurs in 0.2%–0.4% of all live births, with 100% O2 resuscitation (HHI) remaining a standard clinical treatment. HI produces a broad spectrum of neuronal death phenotypes ranging from a more noninflammatory apoptotic death to a more inflammatory necrotic cell death that may be responsible for the broad spectrum of reported dysfunctional outcomes. However, the mechanisms that would account for this phenotypic spectrum of cell death are not fully understood. Here, we provide evidence that Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax) can shuttle to different subcellular compartments in response to HI, thus triggering the different organelle‐associated cell death signaling cascades resulting in cell death phenotype diversity. There was an early increase in intranuclear and total nuclear Bax protein levels followed by a later Bax redistribution to the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Associated with the organelle‐specific Bax shuttling time course, there was an increase in nuclear phosphorylated p53, cytosolic cleaved caspase‐3, and caspase‐12. When HI‐treated P7 rats were resuscitated with 100% O2 (HHI), there were increased lesion volumes as determined by T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging with no change in cortical apoptotic signaling compared with HI treatment alone. There was, however, increased inflammatory (cytosolic‐cleaved interleukin‐1β) and necrotic (increased nuclear 55‐kDa‐cleaved PARP‐1 [poly‐ADP‐ribose 1] and decreased nuclear HMGB1 [nuclear high‐mobility group box 1]) after HHI. Furthermore, HHI increased ER calpain activation and ER Bax protein levels compared with HI alone. These data suggest that 100% O2 resuscitation increases Bax‐mediated activation of ER cell death signaling, inflammation, and lesion volume by increasing necrotic‐like cell death. In light of these findings, the use of 100% O2 treatment for neonatal HI should be reevaluated. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validation of internal control genes for expression studies: Effects of the neurotrophin BDNF on hippocampal neurons
Authors: Santos Ana Rita A. , Duarte Carlos B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe stability of expression of an internal control is required for accurate and reliable normalization in quantitative real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) experiments. However, expression of commonly used reference genes can be regulated under specific experimental conditions, particularly in response to stimuli that exert multiple effects on gene expression. The neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates gene expression through activation of multiple signaling cascades, and we have conducted an expression study for the proper validation of internal control genes in BDNF‐stimulated cultured hippocampal neurons. geNorm and NormFinder were applied to eight potential genes to identify the most stable genes to be used in the relative quantification of the effects of BDNF on gene expression. Our data show that Tbp (TATA box binding protein), Ppia (peptidylprolyl isomerase A), Pgk1 (phosphoglycerate kinase 1), and Hprt1 (hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase I) are the most stable genes under the experimental conditions used, contrasting with Tuba1 (tubulin alpha1‐A chain) and Gapdh (glyceraldehydes‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase), two genes widely used as control genes, which showed an unstable expression in hippocampal neurons stimulated with BDNF. Analysis of the BDNF‐induced changes in expression of Sars, Tufm, and Egr3 by using different sets of control genes showed distinct results, with a combination of three to four of the genes Tbp/Ppia/Pgk1/Hprt1 providing the most consistent results. Our data reinforce the need for proper validation of the internal control genes for an accurate quantification of qRT‐PCR results, particularly when analyzing cellular responses to agents (e.g., neurotrophins) that cause multiple changes in gene expression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Joint immobilization reduces the expression of sensory neuropeptide receptors and impairs healing after tendon rupture in a rat model
Authors: Bring Daniel K.‐I. , Reno Carol , Renstrom Per , Salo Paul , Hart David A. , Ackermann Paul W. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHealing after mobilization versus immobilization was assessed in a model of rat Achilles tendon rupture, by RT‐PCR at 8 and 17 days and by histological analyses at 14 and 28 days postrupture. The expression of mRNA for extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules (collagen type I and type III, versican, decorin, and biglycan), and the subjective histological maturation of the healing area were analyzed. Effects of immobilization on healing were related to changes in the peripheral expression of substance P (NK1)‐ and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CRLR and RAMP‐1)‐ receptors. At 8 days postinjury, mRNA levels for ECM molecules were equal in both groups. However, by day 17, the ECM mRNA expression in the mobilized group had increased up to ∼14× that of the immobilized group, which were comparable to intact tendon values. Histological analysis confirmed a higher regenerating activity in the mobilized group, with an increased amount of blood vessels, fibroblasts, and new collagen. The expression of sensory neuropeptide receptors in the mobilized group exhibited a significant increase from 8 to 17 days postinjury similar to the increased ECM mRNA expression, whereas the immobilized group at 17 days exhibited levels comparable to the intact tendon values. Therefore, immobilization postrupture appears to hamper tendon healing, a process which may prove to be directly linked to a downregulated peripheral sensitivity to sensory neuropeptide stimulation. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:274–280, 2009
Neuromuscular junction integrity after chronic nerve compression injury
Authors: Mozaffar Tahseen , Strandberg Erika , Abe Kazuko , Hilgenberg Lutz G. , Smith Martin A. , Gupta Ranjan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChronic nerve compression injuries (CNC) are progressive demyelinating disorders characterized by a gradual decline of the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in the affected nerve region. CNC injury induces a robust Schwann cell response with axonal sprouting, but without morphologic evidence of axonal injury. We hypothesize that early CNC injury occurs without damage to neuromuscular junction of motor axons. A well‐established animal model was used to assess for damage to motor axons. As sprouting is considered a hallmark of regeneration during and after axonal degeneration and sprouting was confirmed visually at 2 weeks in CNC animals, we assessed for axonal degeneration in motor nerves after CNC by evaluating the integrity of the neuromuscular junction. NCV exhibited a gradual progressive decline consistent with the human condition. Compound motor action potential amplitudes decreased slightly immediately and plateaued, indicating that there was not sustained and increasing axonal loss. Sprouting was confirmed using immunofluorescence and by an increase in number of unmyelinated axons and Remak bundles. Blind analysis of the neuromuscular junction showed no difference between control and CNC images, indicating that there was no evidence for end‐unit axonal loss in the soleus muscle. Because the progressive decline in NCV was not paired with a similar progressive decline in amplitude, it is likely that axonal loss is not responsible for slowing of action potentials. Blind analysis of the neuromuscular junction provides further evidence that the axonal sprouting seen early after CNC injury is not a consequence of axonal degeneration in the motor nerves. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:114–119, 2009
Quick prediction of the retention of solutes in 13 thin layer chromatographic screening systems on silica gel by classification and regression trees
Authors: Komsta Łukasz 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe use of classification and regression trees (CART) was studied in a quantitative structure–retention relationship (QSRR) context to predict the retention in 13 thin layer chromatographic screening systems on a silica gel, where large datasets of interlaboratory determined retention are available. The response (dependent variable) was the rate mobility (RM) factor, while a set of atomic contributions and functional substituent counts was used as an explanatory dataset. The trees were investigated against optimal complexity (number of the leaves) by external validation and internal crossvalidation. Their predictive performance is slightly lower than full atomic contribution model, but the main advantage is the simplicity. The retention prediction with the proposed trees can be done without computer or even pocket calculator.
Use of capillary electrophoresis to evaluate protective effects of methylglyoxal scavengers on the activity of creatine kinase
Authors: Ma Jinyu , Peng Xiaofang , Cheng Ka‐Wing , Chen Feng , Yang Dajin , Chen Bo , Wang Mingfu 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMethylglyoxal (MGO) is a highly reactive α‐oxoaldehyde formed endogenously in numerous enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions. The reactions between MGO and various amino residues in proteins not only result in inactivation of enzymes, but also lead to the formation of different detrimental advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). Recently, it was reported that creatine kinase (CK, EC 2.7.3.2) activity could be reduced or even lost under incubation with MGO in vitro. In this study, an efficient CE analytical method was developed for the evaluation of CK activity. Based on this CE method, the inhibitory effect of MGO on CK activity was confirmed. Several MGO scavengers such as aminoguanidine (AG) and some thiols showed obvious protective effects on CK activity against MGO. Furthermore, tiopronin (TP), a hepatoprotective drug, was found for the first time to counteract MGO‐induced inhibition of CK activity in CK reaction. Meanwhile, TP also retained adenosine diphosphate (ADP) generation level in plasma treated with MGO, which implies that this drug may have potential protective effect on other enzymes which are associated with adenine nucleotide metabolism. Besides, the established CE approach can be utilized as a model for screening effective MGO scavengers by monitoring CK‐catalyzed conversion between adenosine triphosphate and ADP.
Hydrosilylation of Diynes as a Route to Functional Polymers Delocalized Through Silicon
Authors: Sanchez Jason C. , Trogler William C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPolycarbosilanes exhibit desirable physiochemical properties such as high thermal stability, elastomeric behavior, diverse functional group tolerance, electronic delocalization, and ease of synthesis. New ceramic precursors, fire‐retardant materials, and flexible conducting polymers have been created using polycarbosilanes. Catalytic hydrosilylation provides a convenient synthetic route to these materials. With its tolerance of many functional groups, catalytic hydrosilylation offers one‐step syntheses of both aliphatic and olefinic polymers and dendrimers whose electronic properties can be tuned selectively.Copolymerization of conjugated diynes with compounds that contain the silole chromophore offers a route to new luminescent materials that have been applied to the detection of explosives and may be promising organic light‐emitting diode materials. An important feature of the silole materials is the Lewis acidity at silicon, which offers a function not often present in organic polymers.magnified image
Imaging physical parameters of pre‐breakdown Sites by lock‐in thermography techniques
Authors: Breitenstein O. , Bauer J. , Wagner J.‐M. , Lotnyk A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLocal pre‐breakdown sites in solar cells can be studied by lock‐in thermography (LIT). Three new LIT techniques are proposed and demonstrated here, which are TC‐DLIT for studying the local temperature coefficient of pre‐breakdown sites, Slope‐DLIT for measuring the normalized local slope of the I–V characteristics, and MF‐ILIT for imaging the local carrier multiplication factor. First results on multicrystalline silicon cells show that the pre‐breakdown mechanism cannot completely be described by the conventional impact ionization and internal field emission models. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving the health and well‐being of cancer survivors: past as prologue
Authors: Bloom Joan R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDuring the past two decades, there have been a number of unsuccessful replication attempts of our finding that group psychotherapy improves cancer survival. One explanation for this failure is that the wrong phenomenon has been studied. Rather than focusing on the effects of the psychotherapeutic relationship, perhaps, the focus should have been on the social support provided and networks developed by these groups. Since the late 1970s, a growing body of research indicates the importance of social networks and social support on reductions in not only all cause mortality, but also disease specific mortality including cancer. We have learned about how the health, well‐being, and ultimate survival of cancer patients is improved by social support and social networks. The social milieu within which we live can provide resources that facilitate reintegration into society. These resources at the individual level, such as one's perception of social and emotional support, at the level of one's social ties with family and friends, and at the community level appear to improve survival across disease conditions including cancer. Even though, the mechanisms by which these endpoints are achieved remain elusive, there is much that can be done. The challenge of our time is to translate what we already know into programs to improve quality of life and to focus research toward increasing our understanding the mechanisms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale©: psychometric properties in a large cancer cohort
Authors: Watson M. , Homewood J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectives: The Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) Scale is widely used to assess psychological response to cancer. There have been several attempts to replicate independently the original factor structure of the MAC. Evidence from these replication studies is reviewed. A re‐analysis of the MAC Scale was conducted on a substantial new cohort in order to clarify the factor structure.Methods: 1255 patients with various cancer diagnoses completed the MAC Scale.Results: Two results emerged: first, that the original MAC dimension of Helplessness/Hopelessness is extremely stable and robust; second, that the original factors can be subsumed within two overarching (first order) factors relating to positive and negative adjustment scores.Conclusions: The original MAC Scale remains a satisfactory measure of psychological outcome. Two‐higher order factors representing global adjustment are now available to provide an overall summary measure alongside the original specific sub‐scales. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the positive relation between received social support and negative affect: a test of the triage and self‐esteem threat models in women with breast cancer
Authors: Lepore Stephen J. , Glaser Debra B. , Roberts Katherine J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective: There is a seemingly paradoxical positive relation between received social support and psychological distress in cancer patients. This study evaluates two models that explain this positive relation: (a) the triage model, which argues that more distressed people receive more support and (b) the self‐esteem threat model, which argues that receiving support increases distress by undermining self‐esteem.Methods: Longitudinal survey data were collected from 71 women treated for breast cancer at 3‐ (T1) and 18‐months (T2) post‐diagnosisResults: Analyses did not disconfirm either model. Consistent with the triage model, there was a marginally significant (p=0.052) positive relation between T1 negative affect and T2 received support, controlling for T1‐received support. Consistent with the self‐esteem threat model, a significant positive relation between T1 received support and T2 negative affect, controlling for T1 negative affect, appeared to be mediated by T2 self‐esteem.Conclusions: These findings suggest that people with cancer who are most distressed may receive the most social support, but the conveyance of support can have negative consequences for self‐esteem and affect. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrocephalus as a possible additional contributor to cognitive outcome in survivors of pediatric medulloblastoma
Authors: Hardy Kristina K. , Bonner Melanie J. , Willard Victoria W. , Watral Melody Ann , Gururangan Sridharan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectives: The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between shunted hydrocephalus and intellectual, memory and academic functioning in a group of survivors of pediatric medulloblastoma.Methods: Data from measures of cognitive, memory, academic and visual–motor functioning were gathered retrospectively from 35 survivors. Of these survivors, 10 (28.6%) required ventriculoperitoneal‐shunt placement for hydrocephalus posttumor resection.Results: Results revealed that participants with shunted hydrocephalus demonstrated significantly lower IQs, lower nonverbal intellectual functioning, lower academic skills in writing and math, and impairments in visual–motor abilities when compared with those without shunt.Conclusions: These results highlight the need to explore other variables—in addition to radiation and chemotherapy—as risk factors for neurocognitive impairments in survivors. Furthermore, identification of physiological substrates underlying these deficits is needed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
Psychological distress and its correlates in ovarian cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Arden‐Close Emily , Gidron Yori , Moss‐Morris Rona 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective: Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, and consequently high levels of distress are often experienced. It is necessary to understand the factors associated with psychological distress in order to guide interventions to target those factors. The purpose of this systematic review was therefore to identify correlates of psychological distress in ovarian cancer.Methods: Included studies had to be quantitative and empirical, with standardized measures of psychological distress (anxiety or depression), and to present results for ovarian cancer patients specifically. Standard systematic search methods were used. Information about design, ovarian cancer sample size, disease stage, time since diagnosis, measures of distress used and findings was extracted from each study. The studies were quality assessed using experimenter‐defined criteria as good, average and poor quality. Strength of the evidence (strong, some, inconclusive) was based on the quality and consistency of findings.Results: Eighteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. There was strong evidence for a relationship between younger age, being diagnosed with more advanced disease, more physical symptoms and shorter time since diagnosis with increased levels of anxiety and/or depression. Additional factors (e.g. immune) tested in a few studies also emerged as correlates of distress.Conclusions: Demographic, disease and quality of life factors correlated with distress. However, too few studies assessed possible psychological and immunological correlates, which could be potentially modified and should be assessed in future studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of a nursing intervention on quality of life outcomes in post‐surgical women with gynecological cancers
Authors: McCorkle Ruth , Dowd Michael , Ercolano Elizabeth , Schulman‐Green Dena , Williams Anna‐leila , Siefert Mary Lou , Steiner Jeanne , Schwartz Peter 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective: Women with gynecological cancers have reported poor health‐related quality of life (QOL), with complex physical and psychological needs post‐surgery and during chemotherapy treatment. There are no studies reporting interventions addressing these needs post‐hospital discharge in this population.Methods: Patients were randomized into two groups. The intervention group received 6 months of specialized care by an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN); in addition, women with high distress were evaluated and monitored by a psychiatric consultation–liaison nurse (PCLN). The attention control group was assisted with symptom management by a research assistant. The effects of the 6‐month intervention were evaluated using self‐report questionnaires at baseline (24–48 h after surgery), 1, 3, and 6 months post‐ surgery. QOL assessments included the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale , the ambiguity subscale of the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale , the Symptom Distress Scale, and the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐12). The sample for the longitudinal analysis included 123 who completed QOL outcome measures across three occasions post‐surgery.Results: The APN intervention resulted in significantly less uncertainty than the attention control intervention 6 months after surgery. When the sub‐group who received the APN plus PCLN intervention was compared with the total attention control group, the sub‐group had significantly less uncertainty, less symptom distress, and better SF‐12 mental and physical QOL over time.Conclusion: Nurse tailored interventions that target both physical and psychological aspects of QOL in women recovering from cancer surgery and undergoing chemotherapy produce stronger outcomes than interventions that target solely one QOL aspect. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression, distress and positive mood in late‐stage cancer: a longitudinal study
Authors: Rabkin Judith G. , McElhiney Martin , Moran Patricia , Acree Michael , Folkman Susan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectives: To determine whether new‐onset clinical depression emerges over time, and whether positive and negative mood levels change among patients with terminal cancer.Methods: In this two‐site study, 58 cancer patients seen at least twice were interviewed monthly until death or study termination. Major measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire—9, Holland System of Beliefs Inventory, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.Results: At study entry, 7% of patients had major depressive disorder; another 9% had depressive symptoms but no Axis I diagnosis. Twenty‐two percent were taking antidepressants. During visits ranging from 2 to 21 per patient, 76% of patients never had a depression diagnosis, 3% were always depressed, and 14% became depressed for the first time, almost exclusively at their final visit before death. Scores on positive mood were equivalent to or higher than scores on negative mood and did not change over time. Cancer site, hospice, spiritual beliefs, income, and caregiver mood were unrelated to depression. Spiritual beliefs were, however, associated with positive mood, hope, and better quality of life.Conclusions: In this exploratory study, terminally ill patients approaching death experienced positive as well as negative mood although a significant minority met criteria for major depression at the last visit before death. The findings suggest that major depression is not an inevitable part of the dying process in patients with terminal cancer. Further, the appropriateness of classifying sadness, loss of interest and thoughts that one would be better off dead in the last days of life as psychopathology should be reconsidered. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.