bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk of severe liver disease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with normal aminotransferase levels: A role for insulin resistance and diabetes
Authors: Fracanzani Anna Ludovica , Valenti Luca , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Andreoletti Marco , Colli Agostino , Vanni Ester , Bertelli Cristina , Fatta Erika , Bignamini Daniela , Marchesini Giulio , Fargion Silvia 
Published: May 2008

Abstract

It is uncertain whether patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have a milder disease and should undergo liver biopsy. We reviewed the histological data of 458 Italian patients with NAFLD in whom liver biopsy was indicated by altered liver enzymes (395 cases, 86%), or persistently elevated ferritin or long-lasting severe steatosis (63 cases). Factors associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis ≥ 2 were identified by multivariate analysis. Patients with normal ALT were significantly older, had lower body mass index, fasting triglycerides, insulin resistance according to homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), ALT, and gamma-glutamyltransferase, but a higher prevalence of hypertension. NASH was diagnosed in 59% and 74% of the patients with normal and increased ALT, respectively (

P

= 0.01). In the overall series of patients, NASH was independently predicted by ALT (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.19 per 10-IU/mL increase) and diabetes (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–2.0). The same variables were selected in patients with increased ALT, whereas in those with normal ALT, HOMA-IR and ALT were independent predictors. Severe fibrosis was independently predicted by serum ferritin (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.001–1.08 per 50-ng/mL increase), ALT (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.14), and diabetes (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.4–2.3) in the overall series, serum ferritin and diabetes in those with increased ALT, and only HOMA-IR (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.2–3.7) in patients with normal ALT.

Conclusion:

Normal ALT is not a valuable criterion to exclude patients from liver biopsy. Alterations in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in subjects with normal ALT should also be considered in the selection of NAFLD cases for histological assessment of disease severity and progression. (Hepatology 2008.)
Relations between characteristics of workplace practices and types of informal work‐related learning: A survey study among Dutch Police
Authors: Doornbos Anja J. , Simons Robert‐Jan , Denessen Eddie 
Published: May 2008

AbstractSome organizations seek to promote informal work‐related learning to stimulate organizational performance. This study focuses on six types of work‐related learning in relation to personal, relational, and work characteristics of the workplace practice. A survey was conducted to identify types and levels of work‐related learning for executive Dutch police officers in terms of intentionality, developmental relatedness, and interaction partner's professional practice and hierarchical position. Analysis of the data found that police officers frequently learn from their peers and together. They learn from new and less‐experienced colleagues infrequently. Of the nine characteristics of workplace practices researched in this study, some seemed to individually facilitate work‐related learning; in particular, the individual's value of workrelated learning, possibilities for collegial feedback, and a relatively high level of work pressure seemed to stimulate informal work‐related learning. Implications of the findings for HRD research and practice are discussed.
Effects of incubation temperature on growth and performance of the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)
Authors: Andrews Robin M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractI evaluated the effect of incubation temperature on phenotypes of the veiled chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus. I chose this species for study because its large clutch size (30–40 eggs or more) allows replication within clutches both within and among experimental treatments. The major research objectives were (1) to assess the effect of constant low, moderate, and high temperatures on embryonic development, (2) to determine whether the best incubation temperature for embryonic development also produced the “best” hatchlings, and (3) to determine how a change in incubation temperature during mid‐development would affect phenotype. To meet these objectives, I established five experimental temperature regimes and determined egg survival and incubation length and measured body size and shape, selected body temperatures, and locomotory performance of lizards at regular intervals from hatching to 90 d, or just before sexual maturity. Incubation temperature affected the length of incubation, egg survival, and body mass, but did not affect sprint speed or selected body temperature although selected body temperature affected growth in mass independently of treatment and clutch. Incubation at moderate temperatures provided the best conditions for both embryonic and post‐hatching development. The highest incubation temperatures were disruptive to development; eggs had high mortality, developmental rate was low, and hatchlings grew slowly. Changes in temperature during incubation increased the among‐clutch variance in incubation length relative to that of constant temperature treatments. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:435–446, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical identification of the extravillous trophoblast during the placentation of the degu (Octodon degus)
Authors: Bosco Cleofina , Buffet Chosica 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRecent data indicate that placentation in Octodon degus is similar to that in humans, making it a potential animal model for studies in human placental pathologies related to alterations in the migration of the extravillous trophoblast (EVT). Our objective was to immunohistochemically identify degu EVT during placentation by using cytoskeletal protein markers to establish the normal migratory pattern of the EVT. Fifteen O.degus were divided into three equal groups: day 27, 60, and 84 of gestation. The placentas were immunostained for cytokeratin (CK) and α smooth muscle actin (SMA). At day 27, the migrating EVT immunostained for SMA but not for CK. Once the EVT was incorporated in the maternal vessels (day 60) it was positive for CK but negative for SMA. The smooth muscle cells of the mesometrial arteries that remained after EVT invasion were positive for SMA. At day 84, the media muscular layer had partially regenerated but some EVT was still present. Furthermore, at day 27 cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) was detected in the endothelium of the maternal decidual vessels. Our results suggest that during the early stages of placentation, the cytoskeletal organization of the actin network of the migrating EVT corresponds to that of a cell with motile behavior. Once the EVT invaded the spiral arteries, the cytoskeleton reorganized, adopting the structure of an epithelial‐like cell, expressing CK intermediate filaments. The media muscle layer regenerated near the end of gestation but some EVT remained. During EVT formation the endothelium of the maternal decidual vessels immunostained for COX‐1. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:534–539, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Remission of CVB3‐induced viral myocarditis by in vivo Th2 polarization via hydrodynamics‐based interleukin‐4 gene transfer
Authors: Jiang Zhenggang , Xu Wei , Li Kang , Yue Yan , Xu Lin , Ye Fei , Xiong Sidong 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundRegulation of Th polarization was critical for the prevention of Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) induced myocarditis. In the present study, interleukin (IL)‐4 was over‐expressed by hydrodynamics‐based gene transfection (HGT) to induce the in vivo Th2 bias and evaluate the influence of Th polarization on the pathogenesis of CVB3‐myocaditis.MethodsIL‐4 expressing plasmid was delivered into BALB/c mice by HGT after CVB3 infection. In vivo Th polarization was evaluated by detecting expression of Th1/Th2 cytokine, antibody isotype and Th related transcription factor, as well as the proliferation of CD8+ T cells. The severity of myocarditis was assessed by weight loss, serological index of myocarditis, pathological feature, as well as survival rate.ResultsHGT of IL‐4 plasmid resulted in high‐level and long‐lasting expression of IL‐4 in different organs, which rescued mice from severe heart inflammation and death. This may due to the induction of a Th2‐bised immune response specified with decreased expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interferon (IFN)‐γ but increased expression of IL‐10 and IL‐4 in serum and heart tissue, more IL‐4 but less IFN‐γ secreting splenic CD4+ T cells, an immunoglobulin G1 isotype switch, increased expression of GATA‐3 and low proliferation of CD8+ T cells, without significant change of virus titer in heart tissue.ConclusionsCVB3‐induced myocarditis could be remitted through in vivo Th2 polarization, which has implications for our understanding of the role of Th2 population in immunity to CVB3 infection and for the development of new therapies for CVB3‐myocarditis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skull shape and feeding strategy in Sphenodon and other Rhynchocephalia (Diapsida: Lepidosauria)
Authors: Jones Marc E.H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe Rhynchocephalia are a group of small diapsid reptiles that were globally distributed during the early Mesozoic. By contrast, the only extant representatives, Sphenodon punctatus and S. guntheri (Tuatara), are restricted to New Zealand off‐shore islands. The Rhynchocephalia are widely considered to be morphologically uniform but research over the past 30 years has revealed unexpected phenotypic and taxonomic diversity. Phylogenetically “basal taxa” generally possess relatively simple conical or columnar teeth whereas more derived taxa possessed stouter flanged teeth and sophisticated shearing mechanisms: orthal in some (e.g., Clevosaurus hudsoni) and propalinal in others (e.g., S. punctatus). This variation in feeding apparatus suggests a wide range of feeding niches were exploited by rhynchocephalians. The relationship of skull shape to skull length, phylogenetic grouping, habit, and characters relating to the feeding apparatus are explored here with geometric morphometric analysis on two‐dimensional landmarks. Principle components analysis demonstrates that there are significant differences between phylogenetic groups. In particular, Sphenodon differs significantly from all well known fossil taxa including the most phylogenetically basal forms. Therefore, it is not justifiable to use Sphenodon as a solitary outgroup when studying skull shape and feeding strategy in squamates; rhynchocephalian fossil taxa also need to be considered. There are also significant differences between the skull shapes of aquatic taxa and those of terrestrial taxa. Of the observed variation in skull shape, most variation is subsumed by variation in dentary tooth base shape, the type of jaw movement employed (e.g., orthal vs. propalinal) and the number of palatal tooth rows. By comparison, the presence or absence of flanges, dentary tooth number and palatal tooth row orientation subsume much less. Skull length was also found to be a poor descriptor of overall skull shape. Compared to basal rhynchocephalians members of more derived terrestrial radiations possess an enlarged postorbital area, a high parietal, and a jaw joint positioned ventral to the tooth row. Modification of these features is closely associated with increased biting performance and thus access to novel food items. Some of these same trends are apparent during Sphenodon ontogeny where skull growth is allometric and there is evidence for ontogenetic variation in diet. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metamorphic changes in localization of sugars in skin of the leopard frog, Rana pipiens
Authors: Faszewski Ellen E. , Tyrell Annemarie , Guin Sujata , Kaltenbach Jane C. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA lectin histochemical study was carried out to determine the distribution of specific sugars in glycoconjugates within an important osmoregulatory organ, amphibian skin. Paraffin sections were made of Rana pipiens skin from dorsal and ventral regions of aquatic larvae in representative developmental stages as well as from several body regions of semiaquatic adult frogs. Sections were incubated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐conjugated lectins, which bind to specific terminal sugar residues of glycoconjugates. Such sites were visualized by DAB‐H2O2. The following HRP‐lectins were used: UEA‐1 for α‐L‐fucose, SBA for N‐acetyl‐D‐galactosamine, WGA for N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosamine, PNA for β‐galactose, and Con A for α‐mannose. We found that lectin binding patterns in larvae change during metamorphic climax as the skin undergoes extensive histological remodeling; this results in adult skin with staining patterns that are specific for each lectin and are similar in all body regions. Such findings in R. pipiens provide additional insight into the localization of molecules involved in osmoregulation in amphibian skin. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasticity of hippocampus following perinatal asphyxia: Effects on postnatal apoptosis and neurogenesis
Authors: Morales P. , Fiedler J.L. , Andrés S. , Berrios C. , Huaiquín P. , Bustamante D. , Cardenas S. , Parra E. , Herrera‐Marschitz M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAsphyxia during delivery produces long‐term deficits in brain development, including hippocampus. We investigated hippocampal plasticity after perinatal asphyxia, measuring postnatal apoptosis and neurogenesis. Asphyxia was performed by immersing rat fetuses with uterine horns removed from ready‐to‐deliver rats into a water bath for 20 min. Caesarean‐delivered pups were used as controls. The animals were euthanized 1 week or 1 month after birth. Apoptotic nuclear morphology and DNA breaks were assessed by Hoechst and TUNEL assays. Neurogenesis was estimated by bromodeoxyuridine/MAP‐2 immunocytochemitry, and the levels and expression of proteins related to apoptosis and cell proliferation were measured by Western blots and in situ hybridization, respectively. There was an increase of apoptosis in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) and cell proliferation and neurogenesis in CA1, DG, and hilus regions of hippocampus 1 week after asphyxia. The increase of apoptosis in CA3 and cell proliferation in the suprapyramidal band of DG was still observed 1 month following asphyxia. There was an increase of BAD, BCL‐2, ERK2, and bFGF levels in whole hippocampus and bFGF expression in CA1 and CA2 and hilus at P7 and P30. There was a concomitant decrease of phosphorylated‐BAD (Ser112) levels. The increase of BAD levels supports the idea of delayed cell death after perinatal asphyxia, whereas the increases of BCL‐2, ERK2, and bFGF levels suggest the activation of neuroprotective and repair pathways. In conclusion, perinatal asphyxia induces short‐ and long‐term regionally specific plastic changes, including delayed cell death and neurogenesis, involving pro‐ and antiapoptotic as well as mitogenic proteins, favoring hippocampal functional recovery. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Climate variability in the Salawusu River valley of the Ordos Plateau (Inner Mongolia, China) during Marine Isotope Stage 3
Authors: Wen Xiaohao , Li Baosheng , Zheng Yanming , Zhang David Dian , Ye Jianping 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFluctuations in climatic proxies of the Milanggouwan section in the Salawusu River valley of the Ordos Plateau (Inner Mongolia, China) during Marine Isotope stage 3 (MIS 3) coincide well with sedimentary cycles for palaeo‐mobile dune sands alternating with fluvial–lacustrine facies and palaeosols. We compared the palaeo‐mobile dune sands with modern mobile dune sands (products of a cold and dry climate dominated by the East Asian winter monsoon), whereas the fluvial–lacustrine facies and palaeosols were controlled by a wet–warm climate similar to that of the East Asian summer monsoon. The MIS 3 climate of the Salawusu River valley appears to have experienced at least nine wet–warm and ten cold–dry fluctuations, divided into five stages: MIS 3e (58 900–49500 yr BP), MIS 3d (49 500–40 700 yr BP), MIS 3c (40 700–36 900 yr BP), MIS 3b (36 900–27 000 yr BP) and MIS 3a (27 000–22 300 yr BP). The 19 cold–warm climatic fluctuations corresponded roughly to the GRIP and Guliyan records, and with fluctuations in the North Atlantic climate. Notable peaks in the spectral analysis occurred at 19 500 yr, 1020 yr, 640 yr and 500 yr. Our results show that the millennial–centennial climate was closely related to the relative strengths of East Asian monsoons, which are controlled by the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation, and which is also closely linked to the Sun's precession period. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship between CAG repeat length and clinical progression in Huntington's disease
Authors: Ravina Bernard , Romer Megan , Constantinescu Radu , Biglan Kevin , Brocht Alicia , Kieburtz Karl , Shoulson Ira , McDermott Michael P. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to examine the relationship between CAG repeat length (CAGn) and clinical progression in patients with Huntington's disease (HD). There are conflicting reports about the relationship between CAGn and clinical progression of HD. We conducted an analysis of data from the Coenzyme Q10 and Remacemide Evaluation in Huntington's Disease (CARE‐HD) clinical trial. We modeled progression over 30 months on the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) and supplemental neuropsychological and behavioral tests using multiple linear regression. Mean subject age was 47.9 ± 10.5 years and mean CAGn was 45.0 ± 4.1. Multiple linear regression revealed statistically significant associations between CAGn and worsening on several motor, cognitive, and functional outcomes, but not behavioral outcomes. Many effects were clinically important; 10 additional CAG repeats were associated with an 81% increase in progression on the Independence Scale. These associations were not observed in the absence of age adjustment. Age at the time of assessment confounds the association between CAGn and progression. Adjusting for age shows that longer CAGn is associated with greater clinical progression of HD. This finding may account for the variable results from previous studies examining CAGn and progression. Adjusting for CAGn may be important for clinical trials. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Diffusion‐weighted imaging and magnetization transfer imaging of tardive and edentulous orodyskinesia
Authors: Khiat Abdesslem , Kuznetsov Yevgeniy , Blanchet Pierre J. , Boulanger Yvan 
Published: May 2008

AbstractOral dyskinesias occur in elderly individuals in relation to drug use (tardive dyskinesia, TD) or edentulousness (edentulous orodyskinesia, EOD) but their characterization remains incomplete. Our aim was to investigate whether magnetic resonance techniques such as diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) of the brain could be used to differentiate dyskinetic patients from control subjects. Eight drug‐treated patients with TD, 12 EOD patients, 8 drug‐treated patients without TD, and 10 control subjects were recruited and examined by DWI and MTI. Measurements in the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus yielded globally different apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values between drug treated patients with TD and control subjects but the magnetization transfer ratios showed no significant variations. The discrimination between dyskinetic patients and control subjects offered by ADC values was however slightly poorer than the discrimination offered by the previously published choline/creatine ratios measured by MR spectroscopy in the basal ganglia. The results are consistent with the pathophysiological hypothesis of damage to cholinergic interneurons. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Movement disorders in Rett syndrome: An analysis of 60 patients with detected MECP2 mutation and correlation with mutation type
Authors: Temudo Teresa , Ramos Elisabete , Dias Karin , Barbot Clara , Vieira Jose P. , Moreira Ana , Calado Eulalia , Carrilho Ines , Oliveira Guiomar , Levy Antonio , Fonseca Maria , Cabral Alexandra , Cabral Pedro , Monteiro Joao P , Borges Luis , Gomes Roseli , Santos Manuela , Sequeiros Jorge , Maciel Patricia 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRett syndrome (RS) is one of the best human models to study movement disorders. Patients evolve from a hyperkinetic to a hypokinetic state, and a large series of abnormal movements may be observed along their lives such as stereotypies, tremor, chorea, myoclonus, ataxia, dystonia, and rigidity. The aim of this work was to analyze movement disorders in RS patients with a detected MECP2 mutation, as well as their correlation with genotype, in a clinically and genetically well‐characterized sample of patients, and thus contribute to redefine the clinical profile of this disease. In this study, we included 60 patients with detected MECP2 mutations. These were categorized and grouped for analysis, according to (1) type of change (missense or truncating, including nonsense and frameshift but also large deletions) and (2) location of the mutation. Differences were found concerning the frequency of independent gait, dystonia, type of tremor, and global score severity when comparing the group of patients with missense and truncating mutations. We also found differences in the presence, distribution, severity, or type of movement disorders in the two groups of patients according to the median duration of the disease (less than 60 months; 60 months or more). We conclude that movement disorders seem to reflect the severity and rate of progression of Rett disorder, patients with truncating mutations presenting a higher rate and more severe dystonia and rigid‐akinetic syndrome, when comparing groups with similar time of disease evolution. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
REM behavior disorder, hallucinations and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: A two‐year follow up
Authors: Sinforiani Elena , Pacchetti Claudio , Zangaglia Roberta , Pasotti Chiara , Manni Raffaele , Nappi Giuseppe 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn Parkinson's disease (PD) the presence of REM parasonnias as REM Behaviour Disorder (RBD) or vivid dreams/nightmares, is recognized as largely associated with hallucinations, even if the risk of the development of hallucinations seem not to depend on how long the REM parasomnias had been occurring. The aim of this study was to establish if RBDs occurring earlier than hallucinations in PD are predictive of cognitive impairment development. Three groups of PD patients: i) group 1, without RBD and without hallucinations; ii) group 2, with RBD but without hallucinations; iii) group 3, with RBD and hallucinations have been prospectively investigated at baseline and after two years throughout a clinical and neuropsychological evaluation. After two years, the group 1 continued to present normal neuropsychological tests and did not present either RBDs or hallucinations. In the group 2, the frontal impairment evidenced at baseline was confirmed; the onset of newly hallucinations was reported in a subgroup of 12 patients, who proved to be older, with a more severe executive impairment at baseline and with a more severe motor symptoms progression than those RBD patients who had not manifested hallucinations. The group 3, characterized at baseline by a more severe cognitive impairment presented, after two years, a cognitive worsening and a higher mortality rate. The longitudinal but at preliminary step investigation identified a PD subgroup of patients, in whom a common background disease profile, including the presence of RBD, could represent a “red flag” in developing further cognitive impairment. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society