bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of hepatitis B virus and risk factors in Brazilian non‐injecting drug users
Authors: Ferreira Renata C. , Rodrigues Fabiana P. , Teles Sheila A. , Lopes Carmen L.R. , Motta‐Castro Ana Rita C. , Novais Antônia C.M. , Souto Francisco J.D. , Martins Regina M.B. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractNon‐injecting drug users are at high‐risk for acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV), although the factors contributing to this increased risk are not known. In the present study, the overall and occult HBV infection prevalence rates were determined in a large population of non‐injecting drug users in the Central‐West region of Brazil. HBV genotypes and predictors of infection were also identified. A total of 852 individuals in 34 drug treatment centers were interviewed, and their serum samples were tested for the presence of HBV markers by ELISA. HBsAg and anti‐HBc‐positive samples were tested for HBV DNA by PCR. Samples with HBV DNA were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The overall prevalence of HBV infection was 14% (95% CI: 11.7–16.5). A multivariate analysis of risk factors showed that age >30 years, non‐white race/ethnicity, duration of drug use >10 years, lifetime number of sexual partners >10, non‐use of condoms, and HCV and HIV status were associated significantly with HBV infection. Of the 9 (1%) HBsAg‐reactive samples, HBV DNA was present in 2/2 of HBeAg‐positive and in 5/7 anti‐HBe‐positive samples. An occult HBV infection rate of 2.7% (3/110) was found among anti‐HBc‐positive individuals. All HBV DNA‐positive samples were genotyped: seven were genotype A, two were genotype D, and one was genotype F. Finally, few individuals (8%) had serological evidence of a previous HBV vaccination. These findings indicate that preventive interventions are needed for both sexual and drug‐related high‐risk behavior. Additionally, non‐injecting drug users should be targeted for HBV vaccination. J. Med. Virol. 81:602–609, 2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Indole‐3‐propionic acid attenuates neuronal damage and oxidative stress in the ischemic hippocampus
Authors: Hwang In Koo , Yoo Ki‐Yeon , Li Hua , Park Ok Kyu , Lee Choong Hyun , Choi Jung Hoon , Jeong Young‐Gil , Lee Yun Lyul , Kim Young‐Myeong , Kwon Young‐Guen , Won Moo‐Ho 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTryptophan‐derived indole compounds have been widely investigated as antioxidants and as free‐radical scavengers. Indole‐3‐propionic acid (IPA), one of these compounds, is a deamination product of tryptophan. In the present study, we used Mongolian gerbils to investigate IPA's neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage and its antioxidative effects in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) after 5 min of transient forebrain ischemia. The repeated oral administration of IPA (10 mg/kg) for 15 days before ischemic surgery protected neurons from ischemic damage. In this group, the percentage of cresyl violet–positive neurons in the CA1 was 56.8% compared with that in the sham group. In the vehicle‐treated group, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐, S‐100‐, and vimentin‐immunoreactive astrocytes and ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba‐1)– and isolectin B4 (IB4)–immunoreactive microglia were activated 4 days after ischemia/reperfusion, whereas in the IPA‐treated ischemic group, GFAP, S‐100, Iba‐1, and IB4, but not vimentin, immunoreactivity was distinctly lower than that in the vehicle‐treated ischemic groups. The administration of IPA significantly decreased the level of 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal, a marker of lipid peroxidation, in ischemic hippocampal homogenates compared with that in the vehicle‐treated ischemic groups at various times after ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, immunostaining for 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine showed DNA damage in pyramidal neurons in the ischemic CA1 was significantly lower in the IPA‐treated ischemic groups than in the vehicle‐treated ischemic groups. These results suggest that IPA protects neurons from ischemia‐induced neuronal damage by reducing DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Survival and early functional integration of dopaminergic progenitor cells following transplantation in a rat model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Hahn Michaela , Timmer Marco , Nikkhah Guido 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDopaminergic (DA) grafts in rat models of Parkinson's disease (PD) have previously been derived from embryonic day (E) 14 grafts. Because there is an increasing interest in the restorative capacity of DA stem and progenitor cells, in the present study we examined the survival and early and late functional behavioral effects of DA progenitor cells derived from E12, E13, E14, and E15 grafts transplanted into rats with unilateral 6‐hydroxydopamin lesions. DA transplant–induced functional recovery was already observed in postural balancing reactions after 10 days and in stepping behavior after 13 days, that is, in spontaneous complex behaviors, and later, after 16 days, in the amphetamine‐induced rotation test. Three distinct patterns of functional recovery could be observed at 6–9 weeks posttransplantation. First, behavioral improvements in drug‐induced rotational asymmetry, stepping, and skilled forelimb behavior were directly related to DA neuron survival and TH‐positive fiber reinnervation. Second, recovery in postural balancing reactions was closely related to a specific developmental time window of donor age, for example, only seen in E13 and E14 grafts. Finally, no functional graft effects were seen in the table lift test. Interestingly, DA neuron graft survival, TH‐positive fiber outgrowth, and graft volume were significantly influenced by the developmental time window in which the DA progenitor cells were dissected from the ventral mesencephalon, that is, from E12, E13, E14, or E15 rat embryos. These data highlight the complexity of graft–host interactions and provide novel insights into the dynamics of DA progenitor graft‐mediated functional recovery in animal models of Parkinson's disease. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein product of CLN6 gene responsible for variant late‐onset infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis interacts with CRMP‐2
Authors: Benedict Jared W. , Getty Amanda L. , Wishart Thomas M. , Gillingwater Thomas H. , Pearce David A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMutations in CLN6 cause variant late‐onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (vLINCL), a childhood neurodegenerative disorder resulting from aberrant neuronal cell loss and pathological accumulation of lysosomal autofluorescent storage material in the central nervous system. The direct function of the endoplasmic reticulum–resident protein CLN6 and how dysfunction of this protein results in vLINCL are unknown. We report that CLN6 interacts with collapsin response mediator protein‐2 (CRMP‐2). To further understand the significance and possible contribution to vLINCL of the CLN6–CRMP‐2 interaction, we utilized the nclf mouse, which harbors mutations in CLN6. Significantly, CRMP‐2 protein level was found to be reduced in the nclf mouse brain, particularly in the thalamus. Because CRMP‐2 functions in growth cone collapse and is an effector protein downstream of Sema3A signaling, this pathway was examined via a dorsal root ganglion (DRG) repulsion assay. However, there were no defects in the repulsion of DRGs derived from nclf mice, indicating that the loss of CLN6 does not affect Sema3A signaling. CRMP‐2 has also been implicated in controlling axon number and outgrowth, as observed in cultured hippocampal neurons. Therefore, we explored the formation and maturation of hippocampal neurons derived from nclf mice in a glial coculture system. The maturation of these neurons was reduced; by day in vitro (DIV) 8, more than 50% of nclf‐derived hippocampal neurons had died. Additionally, beginning around DIV4, nclf neurons were less mature than their WT counterparts, presumably because of an inability to form mature synaptic connections. We concluded that alterations in neurite maturation resulting from a loss of CLN6–CRMP‐2 interaction may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and pathology in vLINCL. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II in dendritic spine remodeling during epileptiform activity in vitro
Authors: Zha Xiang‐ming , Dailey Michael E. , Green Steven H. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractEpileptiform activity (EA) in vivo and in vitro induces a loss of dendritic spines and synapses. Because CaMKII has been implicated in synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity, we investigated the role of CaMKII in the effects of EA on spines, using rat hippocampal slice cultures. To visualize dendrites and postsynaptic densities (PSDs) in pyramidal neurons in the slices, we used biolistic transfection to express either free GFP or a PSD95‐YFP construct that specifically labels PSDs. This allowed us to distinguish two classes of dendritic protrusions: spines that contain PSDs, and filopodia that lack PSDs and that are, on average, longer than spines. By these criteria, 48 hr of EA caused a decrease specifically in the number of spines. Immunoblots showed that EA increased CaMKII activity in the slices. Inhibition of CaMKII by expression of AIP, a specific peptide inhibitor of CaMKII, reduced spine number under basal conditions and failed to prevent EA‐induced spine loss. However, under EA conditions, AIP increased the number of filopodia and the number of PSDs on the dendritic shaft. These data show at least two roles for CaMKII activity in maintenance and remodeling of dendritic spines under basal or EA conditions. First, CaMKII activity promotes the maintenance of spines and spine PSDs. Second, CaMKII activity suppresses EA‐induced formation of filopodia and suppresses an increase in shaft PSDs, apparently by promoting translocation of PSDs from dendritic shafts to spines and/or selectively stabilizing spine rather than shaft PSDs. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuronal TIMP‐1 release accompanies astrocytic MMP‐9 secretion and enhances astrocyte proliferation induced by β‐amyloid 25–35 fragment
Authors: Hernández‐Guillamon Mar , Delgado Pilar , Ortega Laura , Pares Mireia , Rosell Anna , García‐Bonilla Lidia , Fernández‐Cadenas Israel , Borrell‐Pagès Maria , Boada Mercè , Montaner Joan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is accompanied by an inflammatory response that includes neurodegeneration and glial reactivity. Tissue remodeling proteins, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), are inflammatory mediators that might play a dual role in the AD brain. We aimed to investigate the effects of β‐amyloid (Abeta) on the MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 balance and its involvement in Abeta toxicity in neurons and glial cells. Our results demonstrate that the neurotoxic 25–35 Abeta fragment induces the activation of MMP‐9 and the increase of proMMP‐2/9 secretion and promotes the release of TIMP‐1 in a mixed cortical neuroglial culture. The same treatments performed in pure neuronal or astrocytic cultures confirm that astroglial cells are the major source of MMP‐9, whereas increased TIMP‐1 levels have a neuronal origin. Moreover, 25–35 Abeta fragment not only induced a release of these molecules but also caused expressional changes in MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1, correlated with the neurotoxicity process. We also show that TIMP‐1 promoted cell proliferation in a mixed neuroglial culture, and we confirm this effect in primary cultured astrocytes induced by rTIMP‐1 and 25–35 Abeta. Because the proliferative effect caused by Abeta 25–35 was enhanced by the presence of TIMP‐1, we suggest that the astroglial reactivity induced by chronic exposure of the peptide might be mediated in part by TIMP‐1, which is secreted mainly by injured neurons. In conclusion, our data suggest that the Abeta 25–35 fragment stimulates the MMP‐9–TIMP‐1 pathway, promoting gliosis, in a self‐defensive attempt to eliminate amyloid deposition from AD brains. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Future change of temperature and precipitation extremes in South America as derived from the PRECIS regional climate modeling system
Authors: Marengo J. A. , Jones R. , Alves L. M. , Valverde M. C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractUsing the PRECIS regional climate modeling system this study analyses the distribution of extremes of temperature and precipitation in South America in the recent past (1961–1990) and in a future (2071–2100) climate under the IPCC SRES A2 and B2 emissions scenarios. The results show that for the present climate the model simulates well the spatial distribution of extreme temperature and rainfall events when compared with observations, with temperature the more realistic. The observations over the region are far from comprehensive which compromises the assessment of model quality. In all the future climate scenarios considered all parts of the region would experience significant and often different changes in rainfall and temperature extremes. In the future, the occurrence of warm nights is projected to be more frequent in the entire tropical South America while the occurrence of cold night events is likely to decrease. Significant changes in rainfall extremes and dry spells are also projected. These include increased intensity of extreme precipitation events over most of Southeastern South America and western Amazonia consistent with projected increasing trends in total rainfall in these regions. In Northeast Brazil and eastern Amazonia smaller or no changes are seen in projected rainfall intensity though significant changes are seen in the frequency of consecutive dry days. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
An approach to extrapolate categorical agricultural soil data to nonmapped areas using majority vote
Authors: Böhm Christian , Kiesel Joachim , Deumlich Detlef , Thiere Jürgen 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSoil maps are indispensable base material for planning processes and risk analyses. For many studies, however, area‐wide uniformly scaled soil maps are not available. Our objective was to develop a GIS‐based method for providing information for NoData areas of the Medium‐Scale Agricultural Site Mapping (MMK). NoData areas represent nonagricultural zones, in this case especially forests. A grid‐based methodology for extrapolating soil mapping units of agricultural areas to the entire landscape was developed and tested in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania (total area 23,170 km2). The principle of the extrapolation method is based on a statistical neighborhood analysis implemented by the moving‐window technology considering selected site features as geology, altitude, and relief energy. Results were illustrated exemplarily for soil‐moisture conditions, which are expressed as “hydromorphy association types”. Four different indicators were derived to ensure a spatially differentiated evaluation of the extrapolation quality. The precision with which it is possible to extrapolate already mapped MMK units in terms of the hydromorphy association type was used to validate the extrapolation method. Evaluation of the results was based on the percentage of Correctly Extrapolated Pixels (CEP), which were derived from a confusion matrix. The percentage of CEP was 26% when the 15 single classes of the hydromorphy association type were considered separately. The percentage of CEP rose up to 65% after grouping the hydromorphy association types into three practically combined categories. It could be demonstrated that the extrapolation technique applied represented an objective and relatively fast and cost‐effective method to obtain an area‐wide MMK mapping.
Rates of decomposition and phosphorus release from organic residues related to residue composition
Authors: Jalali Mohsen , Ranjbar Faranak 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe use of organic residues might be appropriate in maintaining long‐term P requirement of crops. Eight plant residues and two manures in a wide range of C : N ratios were incubated for 12 weeks at 25°C, during which the processes of decomposition and formation of acid‐extractable P (P release) were assessed. Residues were incubated moist in bags and inoculated with a soil suspension. The exponential model was found to be suitable to describe decomposition and P‐release rates from residues. There were two distinct parts of P release in each time curve, which gave two rate constants and were calculated as the slope of each part. The rates of P release of the residues were considerably higher during the first 4 weeks of incubation than during the second phase of incubation (weeks 5–12). Phosphorus release by residues was similar to the decomposition pattern. The residue P content was correlated with P release, but not with decomposition rate. Mass loss and release of P were greater from sunflower and wheat residues than from sheep manure, suggesting that a high C : N ratio does not necessarily retard decomposition. The model parameters of P release were derived which are suitable to estimate the P‐fertilizer effect of organic residues. Our results suggest that the use of organic residues as a source for short‐ and long‐term P supply for crops should be encouraged.
Relationship of soil phosphorus with uranium in grassland mineral soils in Ireland using soils from a long‐term phosphorus experiment and a National Soil Database
Authors: Tunney Hubert , Stojanović Mirjana , Mrdaković Popić Jelena , McGrath David , Zhang Chaosheng 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPhosphorus fertilizer contains contaminants that may increase the content in the soil and in plants. The relationship between soil P and soil uranium (U) was investigated to determine potential effects of P‐fertilizer use. This study is based on a long‐term experiment (38 years with 0, 15, and 30 kg fertilizer P ha–1 y–1) for beef production on grassland at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland and also on soils from a National Soil Database (NSD). The NSD soils were taken at fixed locations on a predetermined grid system at the density of one sample every 50 km2. Of the 1310 samples in the NSD, the 760 grassland mineral soils were selected for this study. The aim was to determine to what extent P fertilizer increases the content of U in the soil. The results showed that there was a small but significant increase in soil U in the high‐P treatments, which contained high levels of soil P, in the long‐term field experiment. The results from the NSD showed that there was not a significant relationship between extractable (Morgan's) soil test P (STP) and U. It is concluded that the use of chemical P fertilizer at normal rates used in agriculture in Ireland is not a major threat to U content of soil based on the results of this study. There was a significant relationship between total P and STP, in the NSD, with the latter making up approx. 1% of the former. Soil available P increased with soil pH, probably reflecting the use of chemical P fertilizer and lime on agricultural soils.
In situ monitoring of solid‐state transition of p‐aminobenzoic acid polymorphs using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Xia , Wang Xiujuan , Ching Chi Bun 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of solid‐state polymorphic transition of p‐aminobenzoic acid (PABA) using in situ Raman spectroscopy measurement. The polymorphic transition experiments were conducted on a micro quartz vessel mounted on a microscope, hot and cold stage, under isothermal conditions. The temperature was precisely controlled by a standalone temperature controller equipped with liquid nitrogen cooling system. The Raman spectroscopy probe was positioned on the surface of the solid sample in the micro vessel. The polymorphic transition progression was in situ monitored and recorded by Raman spectroscopy. Based on the polymorphic transition rate resulted from the quantitative analysis of Raman spectra, the mechanism of solid‐state polymorphic transition of PABA was examined by various empirical kinetic models. An Arrhenius analysis was also performed to calculate activation energies from 134.7 kJ mol−1 to 137.7 kJ mol−1 for the transition. The results demonstrated that in situ Raman spectroscopy is a valuable and accurate technique to probe polymorphic transition process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl sulphate mineral jáchymovite (UO2)8(SO4)(OH)14· 13H2O
Authors: Čejka Jiří , Frost Ray L. , Sejkora Jiří , Keeffe Eloise C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractRaman spectra of jáchymovite, (UO2)8(SO4)(OH)14·13H2O, were studied, complemented with infrared spectra, and compared with published Raman and infrared spectra of uranopilite, [(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6(H2O)6]·6H2O. Bands related to the stretching and bending vibrations of (UO2)2+, (SO4)2−, (OH)− and water molecules were assigned. UO bond lengths in uranyl and OH· · ·O hydrogen bond lengths were calculated from the Raman and infrared spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal properties of connective tissue in breast and leg muscles of chickens and turkeys
Authors: Voutila Liisa , Ruusunen Marita , Jouppila Kirsi , Puolanne Eero 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: There is a need to characterise connective tissue of chicken and turkey as they can be involved in meat defects. This study focused on the content and thermal stability of intramuscular connective tissue. A comparison between breast and leg muscles and between 38‐day‐old chickens (Ross 502) and 110‐111‐day‐old turkeys (Nicholas 300) commercially produced in Finland was made.RESULTS: Collagen content of breast muscles was lower than that of leg muscles (approx. 2.4 mg g−1 vs. 4.0 mg g−1, respectively, P < 0.05), but collagen content was similar in chickens and turkeys. The percentage of soluble collagen in chicken muscles was higher than that in turkey muscles (P < 0.05). In chickens, more soluble collagen was found in leg muscles than in breast muscles (P < 0.05). Chicken breast muscles had higher onset temperature of thermal shrinkage (To) of intramuscular connective tissue than turkey breast muscles (P < 0.05). Chicken leg muscles had higher peak temperature of thermal shrinkage (Tp) of intramuscular connective tissue than turkey leg muscles (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Chickens and turkeys had similar collagen content and To and Tp despite the species, age and muscle difference. However, the higher collagen solubility in chickens than in turkeys indicated that collagen was less matured in chickens than in turkeys. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Genomic profiling of breast cancer
Authors: Pandey Anjita , Singh Alok Kumar , Maurya Sanjeev Kumar , Rai Rajani , Tewari Mallika , Kumar Mohan , Shukla Hari S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractGenome study provides significant changes in the advancement of molecular diagnosis and treatment in Breast cancer. Several recent critical advances and high‐throughput techniques identified the genomic trouble and dramatically accelerated the pace of research in preventing and curing this malignancy. Tumor‐suppressor genes, Proto‐oncogenes, DNA‐repair genes, Carcinogen‐metabolism genes are critically involved in progression of breast cancer. We reviewed imperative finding in breast genetics, ongoing work to segregate further susceptible genes, and preliminary studies on molecular profiling. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:386–392. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.