bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases 5 in primary afferent neurons contributes to heat and cold hyperalgesia after inflammation
Authors: Katsura Hirokazu , Obata Koichi , Mizushima Toshiyuki , Sakurai Jun , Kobayashi Kimiko , Yamanaka Hiroki , Dai Yi , Fukuoka Tetsuo , Sakagami Masafumi , Noguchi Koichi 
Published: June 2007

AbstractHeat and cold hyperalgesia is a common feature of inflammatory pain. To investigate whether activation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase 5 (ERK5), also known as big mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1, in primary sensory neurons participates in inflammatory pain, we examined the phosphorylation of ERK5 in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) after peripheral inflammation. Inflammation induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant produced heat and cold hyperalgesia on the ipsilateral hind paw and induced an increase in the phosphorylation of ERK5, mainly in tyrosine kinase A‐expressing small‐ and medium‐size neurons. In contrast, there was no change in ERK5 phosphorylation in the spinal dorsal horn. ERK5 antisense, but not mismatch, oligodeoxynucleotide decreased the activation of ERK5 and suppressed inflammation‐induced heat and cold hyperalgesia. Furthermore, the inhibition of ERK5 blocked the induction of transient receptor potential channel TRPV1 and TRPA1 expression in DRG neurons after peripheral inflammation. Our results show that ERK5 activated in DRG neurons contribute to the development of inflammatory pain. Thus, blocking ERK5 signaling in sensory neurons that has the potential for preventing pain after inflammation.
Nicotinic α5 subunit deletion locally reduces high‐affinity agonist activation without altering nicotinic receptor numbers
Authors: Brown Robert W. B. , Collins Allan C. , Lindstrom Jon M. , Whiteaker Paul 
Published: June 2007

AbstractNeuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit α5 mRNA is widely expressed in the CNS. An α5 gene polymorphism has been implicated in behavioral differences between mouse strains, and α5‐null mutation induces profound changes in mouse acute responses to nicotine. In this study, we have examined the distribution and prevalence of α5* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in mouse brain, and quantified the effects of α5‐null mutation on pre‐synaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function (measured using synaptosomal86Rb+efflux) and overall [125I]epibatidine binding site expression. α5* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression was found in nine of fifteen regions examined, although < 20% of the total nicotinic acetylcholine receptor population in any region contained α5. Deletion of the α5 subunit gene resulted in localized loss of function (thalamus, striatum), which was itself confined to the DHβE‐sensitive receptor population. No changes in receptor expression were seen. Consequently, functional changes must occur as a result of altered function per unit of receptor. The selective depletion of high agonist activation affinity sites results in overall nicotinic function being reduced, and increases the overall agonist activation affinity. Together, these results describe the receptor‐level changes underlying altered behavioral responses to nicotine in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α5 subunit‐null mutants.
Differential ability of a thiazolidinedione PPARγ agonist to attenuate cytokine secretion in primary microglia and macrophage‐like cells
Authors: Woster Andrew P. , Combs Colin K. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists are known to inhibit select pro‐inflammatory changes in models of CNS and systemic inflammation. Recent reports suggest that these anti‐inflammatory effects are due to mechanisms other than canonical nuclear receptor‐mediated transcriptional alteration. Using primary microglia and the monocytic cell line, THP‐1, we demonstrate that rosiglitazone, a PPARγ‐activating thiazolidinedione, decreases pro‐inflammatory cytokine secretion as measured by ELISA. Cells were pre‐treated with various thiazolidinediones, including rosiglitazone, prior to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) to stimulate cytokine production. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) secretion was significantly inhibited in both primary microglia and THP‐1 cells differentiated for 72 h in the presence of PMA to induce a macrophage‐like phenotype. No reduction in TNFα secretion was observed in undifferentiated THP‐1 cells with rosiglitazone pre‐treatment. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed no significant difference in PPARγ activation between PMA‐differentiated and undifferentiated THP‐1 cells. When PMA‐differentiated and undifferentiated THP‐1 cells were treated with the irreversible PPARγ antagonist, GW 9662, a significant, dose‐dependent decrease in TNFα secretion was observed. These results suggest that the anti‐inflammatory benefit of PPARγ ligands occur independently of classical PPARγ activation.
Characterization of 26 new microsatellite loci in the dugong (Dugong dugon)
Authors: BRODERICK DAMIEN , OVENDEN JENNY , SLADE ROB , LANYON JANET M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTwenty‐six microsatellite loci have been isolated from a dugong (Dugong dugon). The average heterozygosity was 0.52 with two to 10 alleles per locus surveyed from 50 individuals. The markers are suitable for genetic mark–recapture (PID = 5 × 10−16) in dugongs and they could also be used to quantify physical tag loss, estimate relatedness, assign paternity, elucidate population structure and identify migrants. The loci also amplified in Florida manatees (22/26) and Asian elephants (6/26).
Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci in Lindera benzoin, Lauraceae
Authors: EDWARDS MARTEN J. , NIESENBAUM RICHARD A. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractMicrosatellite markers were developed for studies of the genetic diversity and population substructure of Lindera benzoin, Lauraceae (spicebush). Nuclear microsatellite sequences were obtained from DNA libraries that were enriched for (CA), (GA), (AAG) and (ATG) repeat motifs. From 69 microsatellite sequences, 20 primer sets were developed. Of these, 11 primer pairs resulted in amplified polymorphic loci. In 29 samples of eastern Pennsylvania spicebush plants, the number of microsatellite alleles ranged from two to 16 per locus with observed heterozygosity values ranging from 0.10 to 0.82.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the Omono type of ninespine stickleback, genus Pungitius
Authors: KOIZUMI NORIYUKI , JINGUJI HIROSHI , TAKAHASHI HIDEAKI , HIGUCHI MASAHITO , TAKATA KEISUKE , MINEZAWA MITSURU , TAKEMURA TAKESHI , MORI ATSUSHI 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe isolated and characterized 25 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Omono type of ninespine stickleback, genus Pungitius, an endangered species in streams including agricultural canals in Japan. The number of observed alleles per locus ranged from two to 15 within 32 individuals each collected from three populations in the Omono River, and the values of observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.031 to 0.906 and from 0.031 to 0.856, respectively. All loci conformed to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Genetic linkage disequilibrium analysis between all pairs of the loci showed no significant departure from the null hypothesis between any of the loci.
Association Between a Polymorphism in the Lymphotoxin−a Promoter Region and Migraine
Authors: Lee Kyung‐A , Jang Soo Yeon , Sohn Kwang‐Min , Won Hong Hee , Kim Min Ji , Kim Jong‐Won , Chung Chin‐Sang 
Published: June 2007

Objective.—The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms in the lymphotoxin (LTA)‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) region are associated with the risk of migraine.Background.—Previous studies concerning the role of TNFα in migraine have provided conflicting results. It has been reported that LTA could be a susceptibility gene in migraine. It is possible that the TNFα polymorphism associated with migraine is in linkage disequilibrium with other functional polymorphisms that influence migraine risk. Moreover, there are significant differences among the allele frequencies of TNF gene variants among populations from different ethnic groups.Methods.—In a case‐control study, including 439 migraine patients and 382 controls, we examined the association between 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding and promoter regions of LTA and TNFα genes, which are located within the 22 kb around TNF and the risk of migraine. We performed a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) to identify differential protein‐DNA binding of LTA‐294.Results.—Homozygosity for the LTA‐294C allele was significantly associated with an increased risk of migraine compared with CT/TT carriers (corrected P= .005, odds ratio [OR]= 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3‐2.3). Haplotype TGAAC was found to be significantly associated with a protective effect against migraine (P= .0005, Bonferroni corrected P= .003, OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.5‐0.8). There was no differential protein‐DNA binding pattern in both EMSA and ChIP assays.Conclusions.—We found that the LTA haplotypes were associated with migraine among Koreans and that the best marker for this is the LTA‐294 T/C polymorphism. Our results indicate that these associations should be defined in the context of the involvement of other genetically linked region, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci.
Disability in Chronic Migraine With Medication Overuse: Treatment Effects at 3 Years
Authors: Andrasik Frank , Grazzi Licia , Usai Susanna , D'Amico Domenico , Kass Steven , Bussone Gennaro 
Published: June 2007

Objectives.—To determine the clinical status, with respect to pain indices and disability level, of chronic migraine patients with medication overuse who were treated 3 years previously.Background.—Patients who have chronic migraine accompanied by medication overuse are particularly difficult to treat. Investigations are limited in number, few have included follow‐up beyond 6 months, and almost none have examined whether treatment leads to concurrent improvements in disability and functional impairment. In a prior report, we described the clinical course of 84 such patients followed for 1 full year after treatment.Methods.—These same 84 patients were followed for 2 additional years to assess longer term maintenance of effects, using measurement procedures identical to those in the original investigation.Results.—Both endpoint and completer analyses revealed significant improvement on all measures studied—headache days per month, analgesic consumption, and MIDAS scores (Total, Headache Frequency, and Headache Intensity)—with some loss of benefits over time for the pain indices. MIDAS total scores, however, were lower at 36 months than at 6 months. Comparisons of those who completed the 3‐year follow‐up to those who did not revealed few differences at baseline. All of this suggests attrition did not have a bearing on outcome.Discussion.—High levels of maintenance were revealed at 3 years. Even though reports of pain revealed some lessening of effects, this was not accompanied by reports of deterioration in functioning. This suggests that patients have learned to adapt and adjust to headaches in their daily lives.
A Double‐Blind, Dose Comparison Study of Topiramate for Prophylaxis of Basilar‐Type Migraine in Children: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lewis Donald , Paradiso Erika 
Published: June 2007

Background.— Basilar‐type migraine (BM) is the most common migraine “variant,” representing 3‐19% of migraine in children.BMis characterized by attacks of dizziness, vertigo, visual disturbances, ataxia, and/or diplopia, followed by migraine headache.Objective.— The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of topiramate for prophylaxis of BM in children and adolescents (6‐18 years).Design.— Outpatient, double‐blind, parallel‐group, dose comparison study with 2 phases: prerandomization (screening/washout and 4‐week prospective baseline) and 12‐week double blind (titration and maintenance).Methods.— Following consent and assent, subjects with BMs, as defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (second edition), and ≥4 migraines/month were randomized to receive either 25 mg per day or 100 mg per day of topiramate in a 1 : 1 ratio.Results.— Fourteen children (4 boys, 10 girls) completed the double‐blind phase (7 in the 25‐mg group and 7 in the 100‐mg group). During the prospective baseline, the mean headache frequency of the combined group “all migraines” per month was 4.5/month (25 mg) and 4.8/month (100 mg). Average duration of migraine was 5.5 hours (25 mg) and 5.0 hours (100 mg) and average mean pain (5‐point faces scale) was 3.3 for both (25 mg 100 mg).The reduction in median monthly migraine rate during the double‐blind treatment phase relative to baseline was 2.9 (64.4%) and 3.6 (75.0%) for the 25‐mg and 100‐mg topiramate‐treated groups, respectively (P < .001).The reduction in median monthly BM rate during the double‐blind treatment phase relative to baseline was 2.5 (74.24%) and 2.3 (82.8%) for the 25‐mg and 100‐mg topiramate‐treated groups, respectively. The overall reduction in BM attacks reduced from 2.84/month to 0.59/month (79.2%; P < .0042).Overall, 86% of patients responded with a greater than 50% reduction in migraine frequency (100%, 25 mg and 71%, 100 mg). Mean reduction in migraine duration was 18 minutes (25 mg) and 89 minutes (100 mg). There was no significant difference in migraine severity between the 2 groups. Parent Global Assessment was “very much” or “much improved” in 6 of 7 (25 mg) and 3 of 7 (100 mg) patients. Migraine disability as measured by PedMidas© reduced from moderate to no disability (P < .001). There were no serious adverse events.Conclusions.— Preventive therapy with topiramate resulted in reducing the overall migraine frequency and the frequency of attacks of BM at both 25 mg and 100 mg doses relative to the historical baseline and prospective baseline periods. The 2 treatment groups resulted in comparable outcomes.
Vigabatrin and Epilepsy: Lessons Learned
Authors: Wild John M. , Ahn Hyo‐sook , Baulac Michel , Bursztyn Joseph , Chiron Catherine , Gandolfo Enrico , Safran Avinoam B. , Schiefer Ulrich , Perucca Emilio 
Published: June 2007

Summary:  Purpose: The risk factors for visual field loss attributable to vigabatrin (VAVFL) are equivocal. This multinational, prospective, observational study aimed to clarify the principal/major factors for VAVFL. Methods: Interim analysis of three groups with refractory partial epilepsy, stratified by age (8–12 years; >12 years) and exposure to vigabatrin (VGB). Group I comprised participants treated with VGB for ≥6 months, Group II participants previously treated with VGB for ≥6 months who had discontinued the drug for ≥6 months and Group III those never treated with VGB. Perimetry was undertaken at least every six months, for up to 36 months; results were evaluated masked to drug exposure. Results: Based upon 563 participants in the locked data set, 432 yielded one or more Conclusive visual field examinations. For Group I, the frequency of VAVFL at the last Conclusive examination was 10/32 (31.2%) for those aged 8–12 years and 52/125 (41.6%) for those aged >12 years. For Group II, the proportions were 4/39 (10.3%) and 31/129 (24.0%). No cases resembling VAVFL manifested in Group III. VAVFL was associated with duration of VGB therapy (Odds ratio [OR] 14.2; 95% CI 5.0 to 40.5); mean dose of VGB (OR 8.5; 95% CI 2.2 to 33.2); and male gender (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.7). VAVFL was more common with static than kinetic perimetry (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.2). Conclusions: The therapeutic benefit of VGB is counteracted by the progressive accrual of the risk of VAVFL with continued exposure and with increase in mean dose.
Subepidermal Moisture Predicts Erythema and Stage 1 Pressure Ulcers in Nursing Home Residents: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bates‐Jensen Barbara M. , McCreath Heather E. , Kono Ayumi , Apeles Neil Christopher R. , Alessi Cathy 
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between a measure of subepidermal moisture (SEM) and visual skin assessment (VSA) of erythema and Stage 1 pressure ulcers (PUs) performed a week later in nursing home (NH) residents.DESIGN: Descriptive, cohort study.SETTING: Two NHs.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty‐five residents.METHODS: Concurrent VSAs and SEM readings were obtained at the sacrum, right and left trochanters, buttocks, and ischial tuberosities weekly for 52 weeks. SEM was measured using a handheld dermal phase meter, with higher readings indicating greater SEM (range 0–999 dermal phase units [DPUs]). VSA was rated as normal, erythema/Stage 1 PU, or Stage 2+PU. SEM was modeled as a predictor of VSA of erythema and PUs 1 week later (controlling for clustering), with concurrent moisture, Braden Scale PU risk status, anatomic site, and ethnicity as covariates.RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 84.7, 83% were female, and 80% were non‐Hispanic white. SEM measures were lowest for normal skin (97±122 DPU), higher for erythema/Stage 1 PUs (192±188 DPU), and highest for Stage 2+PUs (569±320 DPU) across all sites (all P<.001). SEM was responsive to changes in VSA, and higher SEM predicted greater likelihood of erythema/Stage 1 PU the next week (odds ratio=1.26 for every 100‐DPU increase in SEM, P=.04).CONCLUSION: SEM measures are associated with concurrent erythema and PUs and future (1 week later) development of erythema/Stage 1 PUs. SEM may assist in predicting early PU damage, allowing for earlier intervention to prevent skin damage.
Blood group genotyping in Germany
Authors: Flegel Willy A. 
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: Molecular methods for blood group genotyping became available more than 10 years ago as one major aspect of immunogenetics. Since then, the clinical applications have been expanded and refined. Their implementation varies considerably among different health‐care systems, notably between North America and Europe.STUDY DESIGN: This summary is based on studies published mostly during the last 3 years and on workshop reports from the German and Swiss transfusion societies. It represents an edited transcript of the author's presentation given at the Workshop on Molecular Methods in Immunohematology organized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Bethesda on September 25, 2006.RESULTS: Current applications of blood group genotyping in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are detailed: weak D testing in patients and pregnant women; blood group genotyping in perinatal care, in patients who received a transfusion, and in patients with immunohematologic problems; RHD genotyping in donors for DEL and D+/– chimera; and RHD zygosity testing.CONCLUSION: Since around 2000, molecular tests for blood groups have been widely offered as a routine service. Many samples are shipped to reference laboratories in the German‐speaking countries with the specific request for such testing. The advent of Conformité Européenne (CE)‐labeled test kits renders it technically and legally possible, within the specifications of the CE‐certification process for in vitro diagnostic devices in the European Union, to replace several blood group serology tasks by genotyping.
Molecular genetic blood group typing by the use of PCR‐SSP technique
Authors: Prager Martina 
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND:DNA‐based methods are useful for enhancing immunohematology typings. Ready‐to‐use Conformité Européenne (CE)‐marked test kits based on polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific priming (PCR‐SSP) have been developed, which enable the examination of weak, unexpected, or unclear serologic findings.DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION:Primers were designed according to established mutation databases. Proficiency testing for CE marking was performed in accordance with Directive 98/79EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 27, 1998 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices using pretyped in‐house and external samples.INTENDED USE:BAGene PCR‐SSP kits are in vitro diagnostic devices. Genotyping ofABOandRHD/RHCEas well asHPAandKEL,JK, andFYspecificities has to be performed after the conclusion of the serologic determination.APPLICATION:Ready‐to‐use PCR‐SSP typing kits allow the determination of common, rare, or weak alleles of the ABO blood group, Rhesus, and Kell/Kidd/Duffy systems as well as alleles of the human platelet antigens.RESULTS:The investigations showed clear‐cut results in accordance with serology or molecular genetic pretyping.CONCLUSION:PCR‐SSP is a helpful supplementary technique for resolving most of the common problems caused by discrepant or doubtful serologic results, and it is an easy‐to‐handle robust method. Questionable cases in donor, recipient, and patient typing can be examined with acceptable cost.
Technical Considerations for Dominant Frequency Analysis
Authors: NG JASON , KADISH ALAN H. , GOLDBERGER JEFFREY J. 
Published: June 2007

Introduction: Dominant frequency (DF) analysis of atrial electrograms has been used to characterize atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to explore technical issues that may affect the estimation of local activation rate during AF using DF analysis. Methods and Results: Epicardial atrial electrograms recorded during AF from 10 dogs were used to evaluate the effects of unipolar versus bipolar recordings, bipolar electrode spacing, postrecording processing, far field ventricular depolarizations, ventricular template subtraction, and signal duration on DF analysis. Simulated electrograms were used to evaluate the effect of far field ventricular depolarizations and signal‐to‐noise ratio. DFs were compared with activation rates obtained by manual marking and the reproducibility of the DFs was evaluated. Bipolar electrograms were found to be preferable to unipolar electrograms. Preprocessing was a necessary step for bipolar signals, but also aided analysis of unipolar recordings. Ventricular far field depolarizations significantly affected DFs. Ventricular template subtraction helped DF analysis in signals with both minimal and significant ventricular components. A recording duration above 2 seconds was required for reliable DF measurements. Signal‐to‐noise ratios below 13 dB could also affect DF, particularly for signals with significant amplitude and frequency variation. Conclusions: Various factors affect DF analysis. Proper interpretation of DF analysis requires careful evaluation of the AF signals and robust processing techniques.