bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential expression of microRNAs in myometrium and leiomyomas and regulation by ovarian steroids
Authors: Pan Qun , Luo Xiaoping , Chegini Nasser 
Published: March 2008

AbstractGiven the emerging roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) as key regulator of mRNA stability we assessed their expression profile in paired myometrium and leiomyoma, their isolated smooth muscle cells (MSMC and LSMC), a spontaneously transformed leiomyoma smooth muscle cells (T‐LSMC) and SK‐LMS‐1, a leiomyosarcoma cell line using microarray and real time PCR.Based on global normalization of expression values of 385 miRNAs and statistical analysis (anova), 91 miRNAs were expressed above the threshold levels in myometrium, with a progressive decline in numbers in leiomyomas, MSMC, LSMC, T‐LSMC and SK‐LMS‐1 (P<0.05).We selected and validated the expression of miR‐20a, miR‐21, miR‐26a, miR‐18a, miR‐206, miR‐181a and miR‐142–5p and found their differential expression in tissue and cell‐specific manners (P<0.05).Treatments of MSMC and LSMC with 17β estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate (10−8M), or ICI‐182780 and RU‐486 (10−6M) resulted in differential regulation of these miRNAs (P<0.05).In conclusion, the expression of a number of miRNAs in myometrium and leiomyoma with their progressive aberrant from normal MSMC into LSMC, transformed and cancerous stage, suggests that miRNAs and their regulation by ovarian steroids play a key role in pathogenesis of leiomyoma through gene expression stability.
Atrial extracellular matrix remodelling in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Polyakova V. , Miyagawa S. , Szalay Z. , Risteli J. , Kostin S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent clinical arrhythmia. Atrial fibrosis is an important factor in initiating and maintaining AF. However, the collagen turnover and its regulation in AF has not been completely elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that the extracellular matrix changes are more severe in patients with permanent AF in comparison with those in patients in sinus rhythm (SR). Intraoperative biopsies from the right atrial appendages (RAA) and free walls (RFW) from 24 patients with AF undergoing a mini‐Maze procedure and 24 patients in SR were investigated with qualitative and quantitative immunofluorescent and Western blot analyses. As compared with SR, all patients with AF exhibited dysregulations in collagen type I and type III synthesis/degradation. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP2) was significantly enhanced only in RAA‐AF. As compared with SR, collagen VI, matrix metalloproteinases MMP2, MMP9 and TIMP1 were significantly increased while TIMP3 and TIMP4 remained unchanged in all AF groups. Reversion‐inducing cysteine‐rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK), a newly discovered MMPs inhibitor, was elevated in RFW as compared to RAA‐AF (P<0.05) and RFW‐SR (P<0.05). The level of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 was higher in AF than SR. Smad2 and phosphorylated Smad2 showed an elevation in RFW‐AF as compared to RFW‐SR, RAA‐AF, and RAA‐SR groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: Atrial fibrosis in AF is characterized by severe alterations in collagen I and III synthesis/degradation associated with disturbed MMP/TIMP systems and increased levels of RECK. TGF‐β1 contributes to atrial fibrosis via TGF‐β1‐Smad pathway by phospho‐rylating Smad2. These processes culminate in accumulations of fibrillar and non‐fibrillar collagens leading to excessive atrial fibrosis and maintainance of AF.
In vivo detection of c‐Met expression in a rat C6 glioma model
Authors: Towner R.A. , Smith N. , Doblas S. , Tesiram Y. , Garteiser P. , Saunders D. , Cranford R. , Silasi‐Mansat R. , Herlea O. , Ivanciu L. , Wu D. , Lupu F. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe tyrosine kinase receptor, c‐Met, and its substrate, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), are implicated in the malignant progression of glioblastomas. In vivo detection of c‐Met expression may be helpful in the diagnosis of malignant tumours. The C6 rat glioma model is a widely used intracranial brain tumour model used to study gliomas experimentally. We used a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) molecular targeting agent to specifically tag the cell surface receptor, c‐Met, with an anti‐c‐Met antibody (Ab) linked to biotinylated Gd (gadolinium)‐DTPA (diethylene triamine penta acetic acid)‐albumin in rat gliomas to detect overexpression of this antigen in vivo. The anti‐c‐Met probe (anti‐c‐Met‐Gd‐DTPA‐albumin) was administered intravenously, and as determined by an increase in MRI signal intensity and a corresponding decrease in regional T1 relaxation values, this probe was found to detect increased expression of c‐Met protein levels in C6 gliomas. In addition, specificity for the binding of the anti‐c‐Met contrast agent was determined by using fluorescence microscopic imaging of the biotinylated portion of the targeting agent within neoplastic and ‘normal’brain tissues following in vivo administration of the anti‐c‐Met probe. Controls with no Ab or with a normal rat IgG attached to the contrast agent component indicated no non‐specific binding to glioma tissue. This is the first successful visualization of in vivo overexpression of c‐Met in gliomas.
Alzheimer neurofibrillary degeneration: significance, etiopathogenesis, therapeutics and prevention
Authors: Iqbal K. , Grundke‐Iqbal I. 
Published: March 2008

Introduction
Significance
Etiopathogenesis
Mechanism by which ab normal hyperphosphorylation of tau leads to neurofibrillary degeneration
Signal transduction pathways involved
Role of decreased brain glucose metabolism in neurofibrillary degeneration
Subgroups of AD
Therapeutic approaches to inhibit neurofibrillary degeneration

AbstractAlzheimer disease (AD) is multi‐factorial and heterogeneous. Independent of the aetiology, this disease is characterized clinically by chronic and progressive dementia and histopathologically by neurofibrillary degeneration of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau seen as intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, neuropil threads and dystrophic neurites, and by neuritic (senile) plaques of β‐amyloid. The neurofibrillary degeneration is apparently required for the clinical expression of AD, and in related tauopathies it leads to dementia in the absence of amyloid plaques. While normal tau promotes assembly and stabilizes microtubules, the abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau sequesters normal tau, MAP1 and MAP2, and disrupts microtubules. The abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau also promotes its self‐assembly into tangles of paired helical and or straight filaments. Tau is phosphorylated by a number of protein kinases. Glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK‐3) and cyclin dependent protein kinase 5 (cdk5) are among the kinases most implicated in the abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau. Among the phosphatases which regulate the phosphorylation of tau, protein phosphatase‐2A (PP‐2A), the activity of which is down‐regulated in AD brain, is by far the major enzyme. The inhibition of abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau is one of the most promising therapeutic targets for the development of disease modifying drugs. A great advantage of inhibiting neurofibrillary degeneration is that it can be monitored by evaluating the levels of total tau and tau phosphorylated at various known abnormally hyperphosphorylated sites in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients, obtained by lumbar puncture. There are at least five subgroups of AD, each is probably caused by a different etiopathogenic mechanism. The AD subgroup identification of patients can help increase the success of clinical trials and the development of specific and potent disease modifying drugs.
Interstitial Cajal‐like cells in rat mesentery: an ultrastructural and immunohistochemical approach
Authors: Hinescu M. E. , Popescu L. M. , Gherghiceanu M. , Faussone‐Pellegrini M.‐S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractInterstitial Cajal‐like Cells (ICLC) were recently recognized in a plethora of non‐digestive organs. Here, we describe a cell type of rat mesentery sharing ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features with ICLC. Mesenteric ICLC were demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and further tested by light microscope immunohistochemistry. The cell described here fulfils the TEM diagnostic criteria accepted for ICLC: location in the connective interstitium; close vicinity to nerves, capillaries and other interstitial cells; characteristic long, moniliform cell processes; specialized cell‐to‐cell junctions; caveolae; mitochondria at 5–10% of cytoplasmic volume; rough endoplasmic reticulum at about 1–2%; intermediate and thin filaments, microtubules; undetectable thick filaments. The processes of this mesenteric ICLC were particularly long, with a mean length of 24.91 μm (10.27–50.83 μm), and a convolution index of 2.32 (1.37–3.63) was calculated in order to measure their potential length. Mean distances versus main target cells of ICLC–nerve bundles, vessels, adipocytes and macrophages–were 110.69, 115.80, 205.07 and 34.65 nm, respectively. We also tested the expression of CD117/c‐kit, CD34, vimentin, α‐smooth muscle actin, nestin, NK‐1, tryptase and chymase and the antigenic profile of the mesenteric ICLC was comparable if not identical with that recently observed in ICLC from other extra‐digestive tissues. Due to the peculiar aspect of the mesenteric ICLC processes it can be hypothesized that these cells form a three‐dimensional network within the mesentery that is at the same time resistant and deformable following stretches consequent to intestine movements, mainly avoiding blood vessels closure or controlling blood vessels rheology. It remains, however, to be established if and how such cells are connected with the archetypal enteric ICC.
Phosphorylated PP2A (tyrosine 307) is associated with Alzheimer neurofibrillary pathology
Authors: Liu R. , Zhou X.‐W. , Tanila H. , Bjorkdahl C. , Wang J.‐Z. , Guan Z.‐Z. , Cao Y. , Gustafsson J.‐Å. , Winblad B. , Pei J.‐J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDown‐regulation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is thought to play a critical role in tau hyperphosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vitro phosphorylation of PP2A catalytic subunit at Y307 efficiently inactivates PP2A. A specific antibody against phosphorylated (p) PP2A (Y307) (PP2Ac‐Yp307) was used to investigate possible PP2A down‐regulation by known pathophysiological changes associated with AD, such as Aβ accumulation and oestrogen deficiency. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed an aberrant accumulation of PP2Ac‐Yp307 in neurons that bear pretangles or tangles in the susceptible brain regions, such as the entorhinal cortical cortex and the hippocampus. Experimentally, increased PP2Ac‐Yp307 was observed in mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells that stably express the human amyloid precursor protein with Swedish mutation (APPswe) compared with wild‐type, and in the brains of transgenic APPswe/ presenilin (PS1, A246E) mice, which corresponded to the increased tau phosphorylation. Treating N2a cells with Aβ25–35 mimicked the changes of PP2Ac‐Yp307 and tau phosphorylation in N2a APPswe cells. Knockout of oestrogen receptor (ER) α or ERβ gave similar changes of PP2Ac‐Yp307 level and tau phosphorylation in the mouse brain. Taken together, these findings suggest that increased PP2A phosphorylation (Y307) can be mediated by Aβ deposition or oestrogen deficiency in the AD brain, and consequently compromise dephosphorylation of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau, and lead to neurofibrillary tangle formation.
Facial Expression and Pain Assessment in the Pediatric Patient: The Primal Face of Pain
Authors: Schiavenato Martin 
Published: March 2008

PURPOSE.  This paper aims to explore the role of facial expression in pediatric pain assessment. A comparison of tools employing facial expression methodology is presented. The concept of the primal face of pain (PFP) is introduced. CONCLUSION.  The PFP offers an explanation to the utility and deficiency of facial pain scales and facial expression in pain assessment. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  The complexities of pain measurement should preclude the clinical application of untested instruments. For reported tools, a careful evaluation of the psychometric properties and the clinical context must precede application. The concept of the PFP warns against the application of facial pain scales as proxy measures in their intended population. Reliance on facial expression to assess pain in the school‐age child is imprecise.
Directions in Rural Development Policy – Lessons from Both Sides of the Atlantic Richtlinien für die ländliche Entwicklungspolitik – Beispiele von diesseits und jenseits des Atlantiks Les orientations de la politique de développement rural – Enseignements en provenance des deux côtés de l’Atlantique
Authors: Blandford David , Hill Berkeley 
Published: March 2008

Directions in Rural Development Policy – Lessons from Both Sides of the AtlanticA workshop comparing rural development policies in Europe and the US found differences in the social values that shape them. These include different attachments to place, concerns with lagging regions, and interests in the assessment of public interventions. There is also a difference in coverage. In the EU environmental and landscape issues form part of the CAP’s Rural Development Pillar, using agriculture as an instrument, whereas in the US these are handled by other policies, some of which can claim deeper historical roots. In the context of rural development policy, the EU attaches intrinsic value to the environment, while in the US the focus is more on economic spin‐offs from environmental quality. There are also differences in governance; a complete US view requires taking in Federal, State and local initiatives whereas in the EU a more organised framework is apparent. Nevertheless, when policy is viewed from a bottom‐up perspective many common features are found. Improving human and social capital and infrastructure are key factors to stimulating economic development on both sides of the Atlantic, though only some of these drivers form part of the CAP’s Pillar II. While in the EU the role of rural development is set to expand, this is far less certain in the US where the emphasis on agricultural support is likely to continue to dominate the political agenda.
Environment, Land Use and Amenities – the New Dimension of Rural Development Environnement, utilisation des terres et aménités – la nouvelle dimension du développement rural Umwelt, Landnutzung und landschaftliche Schönheit – die neue Dimension bei der Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums
Authors: McGranahan David A. , Thomson Kenneth J. 
Published: March 2008

Environment, Land Use and Amenities – the New Dimension of Rural DevelopmentWhile agriculture, environmental conditions, and rural development are concerns common to both sides of the Atlantic, their interrelationships are viewed quite differently. For the EU, agriculture is seen as a means of sustaining the countryside; keeping it attractive to tourists and prospective residents. Farmers are stewards of the land and as such a key to rural development. For the US, agriculture and the environment are seen in potential conflict. Most of the expenditure on conservation goes to keeping environmentally sensitive cropland out of production. At the national level at least, the appeal of the countryside is not seen as a means to rural development, so that conservation programs tend to be seen as a threat to rural development by reducing the use of local off‐farm services. Part of the difference in viewpoint may stem from the greater socio‐cultural significance of agricultural landscapes in the EU. However, recent research in the US suggests that landscape is important in attracting new rural residents and visitors and there is growing recognition on both sides of the Atlantic that the natural environment helps shape rural growth. More research is needed on the relationship between the environment and rural development as unsupported assumptions seem to underlie policies in both regions.
Simulation Modeling as a Tool for Understanding the Landscape Ecology of Southern Pine Beetle Infestations in Southern Appalachian Forests
Authors: Cairns David Martin , Lafon Charles W. , Birt Andrew G. , Waldron John D. , Tchakerian Maria , Coulson Robert N. , Xi Weimin , Klepzig Kier 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe forests of southeastern North America are influenced by a variety of disturbances including fire and insect outbreaks. In this paper, we discuss the role of disturbances in structuring forest landscapes with particular emphasis placed on the reciprocal interaction between forest structure and outbreaks of the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalisZimmermann). We highlight work in which we are currently involved to illustrate the importance and utility of using spatially explicit forest modeling as a tool for understanding forest–insect interactions and its potential role in determining management strategies.
The El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Global Precipitation
Authors: Curtis Scott 
Published: March 2008

AbstractOur understanding of the relationship between the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon and global precipitation is reviewed from the early works of Sir Gilbert Walker to the latest research frontiers. ENSO is defined by large‐scale changes in the sea surface temperature and sea‐level pressure patterns of the Pacific Ocean. Rainfall follows the low (high) pressure (temperature) anomalies and subsequently impacts the global atmospheric circulation. ENSO contributes to global precipitation anomalies through teleconnections – changes in the Walker and Hadley circulations, oceanic Kelvin and Rossby waves, ‘atmospheric bridge’ mechanisms, and atmospheric Rossby wave trains – as observed with long‐term in situ measurements and recent satellite‐based analyses. Finally, some outstanding research questions are discussed. Is precipitation a useful predictor for ENSO? How does ENSO affect the probability density function of precipitation around the globe? What is the impact of global warming on the ENSO–precipitation relationship?
The occurrence of Cryptocoryne and Lagenandra (Araceae) on Sri Lanka
Authors: de Graaf A. , Arends J. C. 
Published: March 2008

Depending on the species, Cryptocoryne plants grow in different biotopes, viz. spring, river, dark forest, and tree‐savanna. The species of Lagenandra are exclusively found in river biotopes. The chromosome numbers found in this study corroborate the numbers previously recorded. Some variation in respect to the morphology of the inflorescence of C. wendtii de Wit and L. ovata (L.) Thwaites is described. A map presenting the distribution of the of Cryptocoryne with their chromosome numbers is included.The existing populations of Cryptocoryne on Sri Lanka should be protected from further exploitation by plant collectors.
The distribution and the systematic relevance of the androecial characters oligomery and polymery in the Magnoliophytina
Authors: Decraene L. P. Ronse , Smets E. 
Published: March 2008

In the system of classification sensu Cronquist, the division between the two subclasses Dilleniidae and Rosidae relies on only a few characters. The major distinguishing character is the occurrence of centripetal or centrifugal sequence of stamen development. We question not only the application and the value of this character, but also the maintenance of the Rosidae and Dilleniidae as separately derived natural taxa, because of the lack of solid distinguishing criteria. We have studied the staminal characters in the 192 families of the Dilleniidae and the Rosidae, using Dahlgren's classification diagram.The study focussed on the following androecial characters: 1) polyandry; i.e. spiral polyandry, complex polyandry (viz. centrifugal, centripetal and lateral polyandry) and cyclic polyandry 2) diplostemony and obdiplostemony 3) haplostemony and obhaplostemony.In our proposal only two characters are maintained, namely oligomery (diplostemony s.l.) and polymery (true polyandry s.l.), both having a number of character states. Polyandry, as it has been described up to now, is not to be regarded as homologous in all Magnoliophytina. Both characters correspond to two different lines within the Magnoliatae. In addition, the division between the Dilleniidae and Rosidae sensu Cronquist is no longer tenable.Finally, a number of modifications of Dahlgren's diagram are suggested and a division of the Magnoliophytina in a polymerous group and an oligomerous group is proposed. The Dilleniidae‐Rosidae complex is included in the oligomerous group.
Sequence of bryophytes and lichens in relation to substrate variables of decaying coniferous wood in Northern Sweden
Authors: Söderström Lars 
Published: March 2008

Söderström, L. 1988. Sequence of bryophytes and lichens in relation to substrate variables of decaying coniferous wood in Northern Sweden. ‐ Nord. J. Bot. 8: 89–97. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.The species sequence on decaying logs during the decay period has been investigated in a forest in Northern Sweden. The species present can be divided, by means of a weighted average technique, into four groups, facultative epiphytes, early and late epixylics, and ground flora species.Species sequence on several variables reflecting the wood decay, was measured for 25 species. Wood texture (degree of surface erosion) was the most important variable in separating species. Logs high above ground had very few species, probably due to low moisture content. Log diameter was important and several species did not occur, or only rarely occurred, on small logs. Small logs are more rapidly overgrown by ground flora species and very few reach late decay stages before being overgrown. Larger logs also have greater waterholding capacity which facilitates growth of many species sensitive to drought.
The spatial structure of the gene pool of a viviparous population of Poa alpina ‐ environmental controls and spatial constraints
Authors: Bjørnstad Ottar N. , Iversen Anders , Hansen Marit 
Published: March 2008

Bjømstad, O. N., Iversen, A. & Hansen, M. 1995. The spatial structure of the gene pool of a viviparous population of Poa alpina— environmental controls and spatial constraints. — Nord. J. Bot. 15: 347–354. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107–055X.Because both the genetic make‐up and the environmental conditions of a population are spatially autocorrelated, it is difficult to infer processes of selection or drift for population genetic mappings. We propose a methodology based on partial Mantel techniques and partial autocorrelation techniques to separate the action of these processes. The method is applied to data on Poa alpina to indicate that isolation‐by‐distance (drift) is the main process inducing positive autocorrelation at the scale of diaspore dispersal (< 100m). The pattern at larger distances is more consistent with selection.