bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nerve growth factor receptor (p75NTR) and pattern of invasion predict poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Søland T M , Brusevold I J , Koppang H S , Schenck K , Bryne M 
Published: June 2008

Aims:  To evaluate the expression of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The results were related to tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage, World Health Organization (WHO) grade, invasive front grading (IFG) and prognosis.Methods and results:  Immunohistochemically, the expression of p75NTR was assessed in 53 T1‐T2 OSCCs. Clinical data were recorded prospectively. The end‐point was disease‐free survival. All tumours expressed p75NTR, and this expression, both in central/superficial tumour areas and at the invasive front, was associated with poor prognosis (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02) (log rank test). Tumours with marked cellular dissociation (IFG parameter) had more recurrences than tumours with collective tumour cell invasion (P = 0.03). In tumours showing both p75NTR at the invasive front and marked tumour cell dissociation, the average risk of recurrence was increased about 17 times (Cox regression analysis) compared with tumours with low p75NTR expression and collective invasion. Traditional prognostic systems were of no prognostic significance.Conclusion:  p75NTR was expressed in all OSCCs. p75NTR expression and the pattern of invasion were significantly associated with a poor prognosis in OSCCs, and both were better prognostic factors than traditional prognostic parameters. The combination of p75NTR expression and the pattern of invasion strongly increased precision in the identification of tumours with poor disease‐free survival.
Turnover of bone marrow‐derived cells in the irradiated mouse cornea
Authors: Chinnery Holly R. , Humphries Timothy , Clare Adam , Dixon Ariane E. , Howes Kristen , Moran Caitlin B. , Scott Danielle , Zakrzewski Marianna , Pearlman Eric , McMenamin Paul G. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryIn light of an increasing awareness of the presence of bone marrow (BM)‐derived macrophages in the normal cornea and their uncertain role in corneal diseases, it is important that the turnover rate of these resident immune cells be established. The baseline density and distribution of macrophages in the corneal stroma was investigated in Cx3cr1gfp transgenic mice in which all monocyte‐derived cells express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). To quantify turnover, BM‐derived cells from transgenic eGFP mice were transplanted into whole‐body irradiated wild‐type recipients. Additionally, wild‐type BM‐derived cells were injected into irradiated Cx3cr1+/gfp recipients, creating reverse chimeras. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks post‐reconstitution, the number of eGFP+ cells in each corneal whole mount was calculated using epifluorescence microscopy, immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. The total density of myeloid‐derived cells in the normal Cx3cr1+/gfp cornea was 366 cells/mm2. In BM chimeras 2 weeks post‐reconstitution, 24% of the myeloid‐derived cells had been replenished and were predominantly located in the anterior stroma. By 8 weeks post‐reconstitution 75% of the myeloid‐derived cells had been replaced and these cells were distributed uniformly throughout the stroma. All donor eGFP+ cells expressed low to moderate levels of CD45 and CD11b, with approximately 25% coexpressing major histocompatibility complex class II, a phenotype characteristic of previous descriptions of corneal stromal macrophages. In conclusion, 75% of the myeloid‐derived cells in the mouse corneal stroma are replenished after 8 weeks. These data provide a strong basis for functional investigations of the role of resident stromal macrophages versus non‐haematopoietic cells using BM chimeric mice in models of corneal inflammation.
The first magnetic maps of a pre-main-sequence binary star system – HD 155555
Authors: Dunstone N. J. , Hussain G. A. J. , Collier Cameron A. , Marsden S. C. , Jardine M. , Stempels H. C. , Ramirez Vlez J. C. , Donati J.-F. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
We present the first maps of the surface magnetic fields of a pre-main-sequence binary system. Spectropolarimetric observations of the young, 18 Myr, HD 155555 (V824 Ara, G5IV+K0IV) system were obtained at the Anglo-Australian Telescope in 2004 and 2007. Both data sets are analysed using a new binary Zeeman–Doppler imaging (ZDI) code. This allows us to simultaneously model the contribution of each component to the observed circularly polarized spectra. Stellar brightness maps are also produced for HD 155555 and compared to previous Doppler images.
Our radial magnetic maps reveal a complex surface magnetic topology with mixed polarities at all latitudes. We find rings of azimuthal field on both stars, most of which are found to be non-axisymmetric with the stellar rotational axis. We also examine the field strength and the relative fraction of magnetic energy stored in the radial and azimuthal field components at both epochs. A marked weakening of the field strength of the secondary star is observed between the 2004 and 2007 epochs. This is accompanied by an apparent shift in the location of magnetic energy from the azimuthal to radial field. We suggest that this could be indicative of a magnetic activity cycle. We use the radial magnetic maps to extrapolate the coronal field (by assuming a potential field) for each star individually – at present ignoring any possible interaction. The secondary star is found to exhibit an extreme tilt (≈75°) of its large-scale magnetic field to that of its rotation axis for both epochs. The field complexity that is apparent in the surface maps persists out to a significant fraction of the binary separation. Any interaction between the fields of the two stars is therefore likely to be complex also. Modelling this would require a full binary field extrapolation.
Stomatal responses to humidity in isolated epidermes
Authors: SHOPE JOSEPH C. , PEAK DAVID , MOTT KEITH A. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTThe ability of guard cells to hydrate and dehydrate from the surrounding air was investigated using isolated epidermes of Tradescantia pallida and Vicia faba. Stomata were found to respond to the water vapour pressure on the outside and inside of the epidermis, but the response was more sensitive to the inside vapour pressure, and occurred in the presence or absence of living, turgid epidermal cells. Experiments using helium–oxygen air showed that guard cells hydrated and dehydrated entirely from water vapour, suggesting that there was no significant transfer of water from the epidermal tissue to the guard cells. The stomatal aperture achieved at any given vapour pressure was shown to be consistent with water potential equilibrium between the guard cells and the air near the bottom of the stomatal pore, and water vapour exchange through the external cuticle appeared to be unimportant for the responses. Although stomatal responses to humidity in isolated epidermes are the result of water potential equilibrium between the guard cells and the air near the bottom of the stomatal pore, stomatal responses to humidity in leaves are unlikely to be the result of a similar equilibrium.
AtRECQ2, a RecQ helicase homologue from Arabidopsis thaliana, is able to disrupt various recombinogenic DNA structures in vitro
Authors: Kobbe Daniela , Blanck Sandra , Demand Katharina , Focke Manfred , Puchta Holger 
Published: June 2008

SummaryRecQ helicases play an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability in pro‐ and eukaryotes. This is highlighted by the human genetic diseases Werner, Bloom’s and Rothmund–Thomson syndrome, caused by respective mutations in three of the five human RECQ genes. The highest numbers of RECQ homologous genes are found in plants, e.g. seven in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, only limited information is available on the functions of plant RecQ helicases, and no biochemical characterization has been performed. Here, we demonstrate that AtRECQ2 is a (d)NTP‐dependent 3′→5′ DNA helicase. We further characterized its basal properties and its action on various partial DNA duplexes. Importantly, we demonstrate that AtRECQ2 is able to disrupt recombinogenic structures: by disrupting various D‐loop structures, AtRECQ2 may prevent non‐productive recombination events on the one hand, and may channel repair processes into non‐recombinogenic pathways on the other hand, thus facilitating genomic stability. We show that a synthetic partially mobile Holliday junction is processed towards splayed‐arm products, possibly indicating a branch migration function for AtRECQ2. The biochemical properties defined in this work support the hypothesis that AtRECQ2 might be functionally orthologous to the helicase part of the human RecQ homologue HsWRN.
Efficacy and safety of low‐pressured and short‐time dilation in endoscopic papillary balloon dilation for bile duct stone removal
Authors: Tsujino Takeshi , Kawabe Takao , Isayama Hiroyuki , Sasaki Takashi , Kogure Hirofumi , Togawa Osamu , Arizumi Toshihiko , Ito Yukiko , Matsubara Saburo , Yamamoto Natsuyo , Nakai Yousuke , Sasahira Naoki , Hirano Kenji , Toda Nobuo , Komatsu Yutaka , Tada Minoru , Yoshida Haruhiko , Omata Masao 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) has been advocated as an alternative therapy to endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones. However, studies have shown that EPBD may increase the risk for pancreatitis. Pancreatitis after EPBD is believed to be related to papillary damage after balloon dilation. We changed the dilation method to a theoretically less hazardous one. This modified dilation method was compared with the initial method.Methods:  A total of 324 patients with bile duct stones underwent EPBD by the modified method between June 1999 and June 2003. Three hundred and twenty‐four patients undergoing EPBD by the initial method served as a historical control group. The success rate of stone removal and the incidence of procedure‐related pancreatitis were compared between the two groups. In the modified method, the balloon was inflated until disappearance of the balloon waist, and the pressure was then maintained for 15 s. In the initial method, the balloon was inflated at 8 atmospheres for 2 min.Results:  Bile duct stones were successfully removed in 313 of 324 patients (96.6%) in the modified group and in 314 of 324 patients (96.9%) in the initial group (not significant). The incidence of postprocedure pancreatitis showed a lower tendency in the modified group (4.0%, 13/324) than in the initial group (7.4%, 24/324) (P‐value = 0.0626). The severity of pancreatitis was significantly reduced in the modified group.Conclusion:  The modified method of EPBD is feasible for extraction of bile duct stones, and may potentially decrease the incidence of severe post‐EPBD pancreatitis.
Liver fat is reproducibly measured using computed tomography in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Speliotes Elizabeth K , Massaro Joseph M , Hoffmann Udo , Foster Meredith C , Sahani Dushyant V , Hirschhorn Joel N , O'Donnell Christopher J , Fox Caroline S 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Fatty liver is the hepatic manifestation of obesity, but community‐based assessment of fatty liver among unselected patients is limited. We sought to determine the feasibility of and optimal protocol for quantifying fat content in the liver in the Framingham Heart Study using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning.Methods:  Participants (n = 100, 49% women, mean age 59.4 years, mean body mass index 27.8 kg/m2) were drawn from the Framingham Heart Study cohort. Two readers measured the attenuation of the liver, spleen, paraspinal muscles, and an external standard from MDCT scans using multiple slices in chest and abdominal scans.Results:  The mean measurement variation was larger within a single axial computed tomography (CT) slice than between multiple axial CT slices for the liver and spleen, whereas it was similar for the paraspinal muscles. Measurement variation in the liver, spleen, and paraspinal muscles was smaller in the abdomen than in the chest. Three versus six measures of attenuation in the liver and two versus three measures in the spleen gave reproducible measurements of tissue attenuation (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICCC] of 1 in the abdomen). Intrareader and interreader reproducibility (ICCC) of the liver‐to‐spleen ratio was 0.98 and 0.99, the liver‐to‐phantom ratio was 0.99 and 0.99, and the liver‐to‐muscle ratio was 0.93 and 0.86, respectively.Conclusion:  One cross‐sectional slice is adequate to capture the majority of variance of fat content in the liver per individual. Abdominal scan measures as compared to chest scan measures of fat content in the liver are more precise. The measurement of fat content in the liver on MDCT scans is feasible and reproducible.
A POST‐KEYNESIAN STOCK‐FLOW CONSISTENT MODEL FOR DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF MONETARY POLICY SHOCK ON BANKING BEHAVIOUR
Authors: Le Heron Edwin , Mouakil Tarik 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTWe try to make Keynes' approach compatible with an endogenous theory of the money supply. For that purpose, the principle of liquidity preference is generalized within a competitive banking framework. Private banks can impose a monetary rationing independently of the central bank. Then, we analyse the consequences of a monetary policy shock on the financial behaviour of banks. We clarify the dynamic process between the monetary policy and net investment within a Minskyan approach. First, we build a Post‐Keynesian stock‐flow consistent model with a private‐bank sector introducing more realistic features. Second, we perform some simulations.
Effects of Family History of Alcohol Use Disorders on Spatial Working Memory BOLD Response in Adolescents
Authors: Spadoni Andrea D. , Norman Andria L. , Schweinsburg Alecia D. , Tapert Susan F 
Published: June 2008

Background: A positive family history (FH) of alcohol use disorders (AUD) has been linked to increased risk for the development of AUD, and neurocognitive factors have been postulated as important underlying mechanisms of familial alcoholism transmission.Methods: We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a spatial working memory (SWM) and vigilance paradigm to investigate potential neurodevelopmental differences linked to familial density of AUD in 72 adolescents aged 12 to 14 years.Results: Youth with denser family histories of AUD showed less activation during a simple vigilance condition relative to SWM in cingulate and medial frontal gyri (β = 0.28,p = 0.03), and a trend for more relative activity during rest (β = −0.25,p = 0.07) in this cluster.Conclusions: Youth with greater familial densities of AUD may be less successful at modulating activity of the default network, potentially indicating a greater propensity for task‐independent thought or reduced inhibition of task‐irrelevant processing. Failure to moderate activation of the default network may have implications for cognitive efficiency and goal directed behavior in youth with dense FH. Further, aberrant activation in cingulate regions may be linked to genetic variation in GABA receptor units, suggesting a useful endophenotype for risk associated with alcohol dependence.
Inhibition of the Activity of Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 4 Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes After Chronic Exposure to Ethanol
Authors: Yoo Seung‐Yeon , Kim Jin‐Hee , Do Sang‐Hwan , Zuo Zhiyi 
Published: June 2008

Background:  The extracellular glutamate concentration is tightly controlled by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). EAAT4 is the predominant EAAT in the cerebellar Purkinje cells. Purkinje cells play a critical role in motor coordination and may be an important target for ethanol to cause motor impairments. We designed this study to determine the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on the activity of EAAT4 and evaluate the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) in these effects.Methods:  EAAT4 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes following injection of EAAT4 mRNA. Oocytes were incubated with ethanol‐containing solution for 24 to 96 hours. Membrane currents induced by l‐aspartate were recorded using 2‐electrode voltage clamps. Responses were quantified by integration of the current trace and reported in microCoulombs (μC).Results:  Ethanol dose‐ and time‐dependently reduced EAAT4 activity. EAAT4 activity after a 96‐hour exposure was significantly decreased compared to the control values at all concentrations tested (10 to 100 mM). Ethanol (50 mM) significantly decreased the Vmax (2.2 ± 0.2 μC for control vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 μC for ethanol, n = 18, p < 0.05) of EAAT4 for l‐aspartate. Preincubation of ethanol‐treated (50 mM for 96 hours) oocytes with phorbol‐12‐myrisate‐13‐acetate (100 nM for 10 minutes) abolished the ethanol‐induced decrease in EAAT4 activity. While staurosporine (2 μM for 1 hour) or chelerythrine (100 μM for 1 hour) significantly decreased EAAT4 activity, no difference was observed in EAAT4 activity among the staurosporine, ethanol, or ethanol plus staurosporine groups. Similarly, EAAT4 activity did not differ among the chelerythrine, ethanol, or ethanol plus chelerythrine groups. Pretreatment of the oocytes with wortmannin (1 μM for 1 hour) also significantly decreased EAAT4 activity. However, no difference was observed in the wortmannin, ethanol, or ethanol plus wortmannin groups.Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that chronic ethanol exposure decreases EAAT4 activity and that PKC and PI3K may be involved in these effects. These effects of ethanol on EAAT4 may cause an increase in peri‐Purkinje cellular glutamate concentration, and may be involved in cerebellar dysfunction and motor impairment after chronic ethanol ingestion.
A Placebo‐Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial of Naltrexone in the Context of Different Levels of Psychosocial Intervention
Authors: Oslin David W. , Lynch Kevin G. , Pettinati Helen M. , Kampman Kyle M. , Gariti Peter , Gelfand Lois , Ten Have Thomas , Wortman Shoshana , Dundon William , Dackis Charles , Volpicelli Joseph R. , O’Brien Charles P. 
Published: June 2008

Background: Naltrexone is approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence when used in conjunction with a psychosocial intervention. This study was undertaken to examine the impact of 3 types of psychosocial treatment combined with either naltrexone or placebo treatment on alcohol dependency over 24 weeks of treatment: (1) Cognitive‐Behavioral Therapy (CBT) + medication clinic, (2) BRENDA (an intervention promoting pharmacotherapy) + medication clinic, and (3) a medication clinic model with limited therapeutic content.Methods: Two hundred and forty alcohol‐dependent subjects were enrolled in a 24‐week double‐blind placebo‐controlled study of naltrexone (100 mg/d). Subjects were also randomly assigned to 1 of 3 psychosocial interventions. All patients were assessed for alcohol use, medication adherence, and adverse events at regularly scheduled research visits.Results: There was a modest main treatment effect for the psychosocial condition favoring those subjects randomized to CBT. Intent‐to‐treat analyses suggested that there was no overall efficacy of naltrexone and no medication by psychosocial intervention interaction. There was a relatively low level of medication adherence (50% adhered) across conditions, and this was associated with poor outcome.Conclusions: Results from this 24‐week treatment study demonstrate the importance of the psychosocial component in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Moreover, results demonstrate a substantial association between medication adherence and treatment outcomes. The findings suggest that further research is needed to determine the appropriate use of pharmacotherapy in maximizing treatment response.
Effects of Chronic Ethanol Feeding on Murine Dendritic Cell Numbers, Turnover Rate, and Dendropoiesis
Authors: Edsen‐Moore Michelle R. , Fan Ji , Ness Kristin J. , Marietta Jacquie R. , Cook Robert T. , Schlueter Annette J. 
Published: June 2008

Background:  Chronic alcoholics have increased susceptibility to and severity of infection, which are likely to be a result of impaired immune defense mechanisms. The contribution of dendritic cells (DC) to these immune defense changes is not well understood. Alterations in DC numbers, dendropoiesis, and lifespan have not been specifically studied in vivo in chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure models. As DC play an essential role in initiating immune responses, alterations in these DC characteristics would help explain changes observed in adaptive immune responses.Methods:  Mice received 20% EtOH (w/v) in the drinking water for up to 28 weeks, with mouse chow ad libitum. In EtOH‐fed and water control mice, DC were enumerated by flow cytometry. The effect of EtOH on DC precursor numbers was determined by differentiation in vitro in the presence of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐4, and the effect of an EtOH environment on untreated DC differentiation was measured following bone marrow transfer to irradiated hosts. DC turnover rate was also examined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and loss.Results:  The percentage and absolute numbers of DC were decreased in spleen and increased in thymus beginning as early as 4 weeks of EtOH feeding. In addition, the overall cellularity of spleen and thymus were altered by this regimen. However, chronic EtOH consumption did not adversely affect DC precursor numbers, differentiation abilities, or turnover rates.Conclusions:  Decreased splenic DC numbers observed following chronic murine EtOH consumption are not because of altered DC precursor numbers or differentiation, nor increased DC turnover rate. Similarly, increased thymic DC numbers are not the result of alterations in DC precursor differentiation or turnover rate. Compartment size plays a role in determining splenic and thymic DC numbers following chronic EtOH feeding. EtOH‐induced alterations in total DC numbers provide several mechanisms to partially explain why chronic alcoholics have increased susceptibility to infections.
Factors Associated With Alcohol Use, Depression, and Their Co‐occurrence During Pregnancy
Authors: Rubio Doris McGartland , Kraemer Kevin L. , Farrell Max H. , Day Nancy L. 
Published: June 2008

Background:  Alcohol use and depression each adversely affect birth outcomes, but the impact of their co‐occurrence among pregnant women is not well understood. In this study, we examined factors associated with alcohol use, depression, and their co‐occurrence during pregnancy.Methods:  We analyzed datasets from 2 longitudinal studies conducted nearly 20 years apart in the same outpatient prenatal clinic of an urban women’s hospital. Participants included 278 women recruited from 1982 to 1985 for the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development (MHPCD) Study and 209 women recruited from 2000 to 2002 for the Health Outcomes from Prenatal Education (HOPE) Study. Both studies selected women on the basis of their level of alcohol use early in pregnancy. We used multinomial logistic regression models to test multiclassification prediction of alcohol use, depression, and their co‐occurrence during pregnancy.Results:  In the second and third trimesters, more MHPCD participants than HOPE participants consumed alcohol (67% vs. 20%), experienced depression (85% vs. 34%), and had co‐occurring drinking and depression (56% vs. 10%) (p < 0.001 for each). For the MHPCD cohort, smoking predicted alcohol use. There were no significant predictors for depression alone or the co‐occurrence. For the HOPE cohort, older age and smoking were predictors of alcohol use, smoking and less education were predictors of depression, and illicit drug use was a predictor of the co‐occurrence of alcohol use and depression (p < 0.05 for all relationships).Conclusions:  Smoking, older age, lower education, and illicit substance use predicted alcohol and/or probable depression in the second and third trimesters among women who drank in the first trimester.