bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A hybrid design: case‐parent triads supplemented by control‐mother dyads
Authors: Vermeulen Sita H. , Shi Min , Weinberg Clarice R. , Umbach David M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractHybrid designs arose from an effort to combine the benefits of family‐based and population‐based study designs. A recently proposed hybrid approach augments case‐parent triads with population‐based control‐parent triads, genotyping everyone except the control offspring. Including parents of controls substantially improves statistical efficiency for testing and estimating both offspring and maternal genetic relative risk parameters relative to using case‐parent triads alone. Moreover, it allows testing of required assumptions. Nevertheless, control fathers can be hard to recruit, whereas control offspring and their mothers may be readily available. Consequently, we propose an alternative hybrid design where offspring‐mother pairs, instead of parents, serve as population‐based controls. We compare the power of our proposed method with several competitors and show that it performs well in various scenarios, though it is slightly less powerful than the hybrid design that uses control parents. We describe approaches for checking whether population stratification will bias inferences that use controls and whether the mating‐symmetry assumption holds. Surprisingly, if mating symmetry is violated, even though mating‐type parameters cannot be directly estimated using control‐mother dyads alone, and maternal effects cannot be estimated using case‐parent triads alone, combining both sources of data allows estimation of all the parameters. This hybrid design can also be used to study environmental influences on disease risk and gene‐by‐environment interactions.Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative study of cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and genotoxicity induced by four typical nanomaterials: the role of particle size, shape and composition
Authors: Yang Hui , Liu Chao , Yang Danfeng , Zhang Huashan , Xi Zhuge 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlthough the biological effects of some nanomaterials have already been assessed, information on toxicity and possible mechanisms of various particle types are insufficient. Moreover, the role of particle properties in the toxic reaction remains to be fully understood. In this paper, we aimed to explore the interrelationship between particle size, shape, chemical composition and toxicological effects of four typical nanomaterials with comparable properties: carbon black (CB), single wall carbon nanotube, silicon dioxide (SiO2) and zinc dioxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. We investigated the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative effects of particles on primary mouse embryo fibroblast cells. As observed in the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and water‐soluble tetrazolium (WST) assays, ZnO induced much greater cytotoxicity than non‐metal nanoparticles. This was significantly in accordance with intracellular oxidative stress levels measured by glutathione depletion, malondialdehyde production, superoxide dismutase inhibition as well as reactive oxygen species generation. The results indicated that oxidative stress may be a key route in inducing the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles. Compared with ZnO nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes were moderately cytotoxic but induced more DNA damage determined by the comet assay. CB and SiO2 seemed to be less effective. The comparative analysis demonstrated that particle composition probably played a primary role in the cytotoxic effects of different nanoparticles. However, the potential genotoxicity might be mostly attributed to particle shape. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Filler particles used in dental biomaterials induce production and release of inflammatory mediators in vitro
Authors: Ansteinsson Vibeke E. , Samuelsen Jan Tore , Dahl Jon E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlthough dental composites are in extensive use today, little is known about the biological effects of the filler particles. As composite materials are gradually broken down in the aggressive environment of the oral cavity, the filler particles may leak and induce toxic effects on the surrounding tissue and cells. The aim of this study was to elucidate possible adverse biological effects of commonly used dental filler particles; bariumaluminiumsilica (BaAlSi) and bariumaluminiumfluorosilica (BaAlFSi) with mean size of 1 μm. BEAS‐2B cells were used as a model system. Particle morphology, mean particle size in solution, and particle surface charge were determined by scanning electron microscopy and Malvern zetasizer technology, respectively. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect secretion of cytokine and chemokine (IL‐8 and IL‐6) and quantitative PCR for detection of gene activity. Both types of particle increased the release of IL‐6 and IL‐8 in a dose‐dependent manner. BaAlFSi particles induced a more marked IL‐8 response compared to BaAlSi particles, whereas no significant difference was observed for the IL‐6 response. Mechanistic studies using specific inhibitors and activators indicated that cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase A is partly involved in the observed IL‐8 response. In conclusion, we consider dental filler particles to have potential to induce adverse biological response in cell cultures. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Dhara Sujoy K. , Stice Steven L. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAvailability of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) has enhanced human neural differentiation research. The derivation of neural progenitor (NP) cells from hESC facilitates the interrogation of human embryonic development through the generation of neuronal subtypes and supporting glial cells. These cells will likely lead to novel drug screening and cell therapy uses. This review will discuss the current status of derivation, maintenance and further differentiation of NP cells with special emphasis on the cellular signaling involved in these processes. The derivation process affects the yield and homogeneity of the NP cells. Then when exposed to the correct environmental signaling cues, NP cells can follow a unique and robust temporal cell differentiation process forming numerous phenotypes. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 633–640, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Context matters: In vivo and in vitro influences on muscle satellite cell activity
Authors: Cornelison D.D.W. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSkeletal muscle is formed during development by the progressive specification, proliferation, migration, and fusion of myoblasts to form terminally differentiated, contractile, highly patterned myofibers. Skeletal muscle is repaired or replaced postnatally by a similar process, involving a resident myogenic stem cell population referred to as satellite cells. In both cases, the activity of the myogenic precursor cells in question is regulated by local signals from the environment, frequently involving other, non‐muscle cell types. However, while the majority of studies on muscle development were done in the context of the whole embryo, much of the current work on muscle satellite cells has been done in vitro, or on satellite cell‐derived cell lines. While significant practical reasons for these approaches exist, it is almost certain that important influences from the context of the injured and regenerating muscle are lost, while potential tissue culture artifacts are introduced. This review will briefly address extracellular influences on satellite cells in vivo and in vitro that would be expected to impinge on their activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 663–669, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of heavy metals on cultural and morphological growth characteristics of halotolerant Penicillium morphotypes
Authors: Nazareth Sarita , Marbaniang Tabitha 
Published: August 2008

AbstractFour different morphotypes of halotolerant Penicillium isolated from mangroves and salterns, selected on the basis of their morphological dissimilarities, namely, monoverticillate, biverticillate symmetric, biverticillate asymmetric and terverticillate, were studied for their response to the presence of heavy metals – lead, copper and cadmium salts. Lead was the most easily tolerated of the heavy metals tested, and caused the least variations in cultural and morphological characteristics, while cadmium was the most toxic, causing significant cultural and morphological variations. More striking was the observation that resistance to the heavy metals was highest by the terverticillate Penicillium, decreasing in the biverticillate isolates, the monoverticillate isolate showing the least resistance. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cloning of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase from an Antarctic psychrophilic bacterium by inverse and splinkerette PCR
Authors: Too W.C. See , Liew Y.C. , Few L.L. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPsychrophiles are organisms that thrive in cold environments. One of the strategies for their cold adaptation is the ability to synthesize cold‐adapted enzymes. These enzymes usually display higher catalytic efficiency and thermolability at lower temperatures compared to their mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts. In this work, a psychrophilic bacterium codenamed π9 was selected for the cloning of the gene encoding glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), an enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. Here, the cloning of an 1113 bp fragment of GAPDH gene which covers the 1002 bp open reading frame by using multiple PCR steps is described. The partial sequence of this gene was PCR amplified by using degenerate primers followed by the cloning of the flanking sequences by inverse and splinkerette PCR techniques. The success in cloning the GAPDH gene by PCR has bypassed the more time consuming genomic library construction and screening method. The full length GAPDH protein was subsequently expressed in E. coli, purified as His‐tag protein and confirmed to be catalytically active. This work demonstrated the use of multiple PCR techniques to clone a gene based solely on sequence comparison. It also laid the foundation for further biochemical and structural characterizations of GAPDH from a psychrophilic bacterium by providing a highly purified recombinant protein sample. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chromate resistance, transport and bioreduction by Exiguobacterium sp. ZM‐2 isolated from agricultural soil irrigated with tannery effluent
Authors: Alam Mohammad Zubair , Malik Abdul 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBacterial strain Exiguobacterium sp. ZM‐2 isolated from agricultural soil irrigated with tannery effluents, was examined for its resistance to hexavalent chromium. Exiguobacterium sp. ZM‐2 could resist 12.37 mM of potassium chromate. The isolate was also found resistant to other heavy metal ions. Exiguobacterium sp. ZM‐2 was able to reduce 500 μM hexavalent chromium completely within 56 h under in vitro conditions. Chromate reduction was severely affected in presence of metabolic inhibitors, sodium cyanide and sodium azide. No chromate reduction was observed in presence of 1 mM sodium cyanide while only 17% of 250 μM chromate was reduced when medium contained 1 mM sodium azide. A 10 mM sodium sulphate inhibited hexavalent chromium reduction up to 35%. On the other hand, use of 1 mM 2, 4‐dinitrophenol, an uncoupling agent, stimulated the chromate reduction, indicating that the respiratory‐chain‐linked electron transport to Cr (VI) was limited by the rate of dissipation of the proton motive force. Cell free extract of Exiguobacterium sp. ZM‐2 readily reduce Cr (VI) to Cr (III). The kinetics of chromate reductase fit well in the linearized Lineweaver‐Burk plot and showed a Km of 106.1 μM Cr (VI) and Vmax of 1.24 μmol/min per mg of protein. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The influence of tempeh fermentation and conventional cooking on anti‐nutrient level and protein bioavailability (in vitro test) of grass‐pea seeds
Authors: Stodolak Bożena , Starzyńska‐Janiszewska Anna 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: The solid state fermentation tempeh type is known to result in the decomposition of anti‐nutrients and the improvement of nutritional value of legume seeds. The aim of the research was to study the influence of tempeh fermentation and conventional cooking on (1) levels of 3‐N‐oxalyl‐L‐2,3‐diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), soluble phenols, trypsin inhibitors and inositol phosphates; and (2) the in vitro bioavailability of proteins in grass‐pea seeds.RESULTS: Tempeh fermentation reduced the level of ODAP, trypsin inhibitors and phytates by 93, 99 and 22%, respectively, and increased protein bioavailability by about 25%. Protein bioavailability from conventionally cooked seeds was higher than from fermented seeds. However, during the in vitro test more soluble protein (approx. 10%) was released from 100 g tempeh product than from cooked seeds.CONCLUSIONS: Solid state fermentation and cooking resulted in seeds of comparable quality but the tempeh contained much less ODAP, which is very promising in the context of popularising grass pea. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor antagonist J‐113397 enhances the effects of levodopa in the MPTP‐lesioned nonhuman primate model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Visanji Naomi P. , de Bie Rob M.A. , Johnston Tom H. , McCreary Andrew C. , Brotchie Jonathan M. , Fox Susan H. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe anti‐parkinsonian and levodopa‐sparing potential of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOP) antagonist J‐113397 has been demonstrated in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. Here, we describe the levodopa‐sparing potential of J‐113397 in MPTP‐lesioned marmosets. Coadministration of J‐113397 (30 mg/kg) with a sub‐therapeutic dose of levodopa (12.5 mg/kg) produced an anti‐parkinsonian action equivalent to that of a therapeutic dose of levodopa. However, these effects were accompanied by an equivalent level of dyskinesia. The actions of NOP antagonists seen in rodents translate to nonhuman primates. However, the present study raises the possibility that these levodopa‐sparing benefits may be offset by a propensity to exacerbate dyskinesia. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Effects of a NR2B selective NMDA glutamate antagonist, CP‐101,606, on dyskinesia and parkinsonism
Authors: Nutt John G. , Gunzler Steven A. , Kirchhoff Trish , Hogarth Penelope , Weaver Jerry L. , Krams Michael , Jamerson Brenda , Menniti Frank S. , Landen Jaren W. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractGlutamate antagonists decrease dyskinesia and augment the antiparkinsonian effects of levodopa in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). In a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, we investigated the acute effects of placebo and two doses of a NR2B subunit selective NMDA glutamate antagonist, CP‐101,606, on the response to 2‐hour levodopa infusions in 12 PD subjects with motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. Both doses of CP‐101,606 reduced the maximum severity of levodopa‐induced dyskinesia ∼30% but neither dose improved Parkinsonism. CP‐101,606 was associated with a dose‐related dissociation and amnesia. These results support the hypothesis that glutamate antagonists may be useful antidyskinetic agents. However, future studies will have to determine if the benefits of dyskinesia suppression can be achieved without adverse cognitive effects. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
The prodromal phase of sporadic Parkinson's disease: Does it exist and if so how long is it?
Authors: Hawkes Christopher H. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIt is frequently assumed that idiopathic Parkinson's disease starts with several nonmotor symptoms and signs, but the evidence for this stage in the disease process is of variable quality. This review evaluates the more robust prospective or pathologically confirmed publications to establish whether there is a premotor period and if so what is its duration. The most informative studies are considered to be those concerned with olfaction, dysautonomia, and sleep disorder. Estimates for the duration of the prodromal phase vary from months to decades. It is concluded that there probably is an early phase in the disease where a variety of nonmotor features develop, but the sequence and time of onset of such features is not well established. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Deep brain stimulation and the ethics of protection and caring for the patient with Parkinson's dementia
Authors: Farris Sierra , Ford Paul , DeMarco Joseph , Giroux Monique L 
Published: August 2008

AbstractDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective neurosurgical treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) suffering from motor complications that are refractory to further medication management. DBS requires an invasive procedure of implanting brain electrodes while awake, followed by implantation of neurostimulators under general anesthesia. The neurostimulator requires battery monitoring and replacement approximately every 3 to 5 years. These two elements of the technology provide numerous decision points about continuing therapies that can involve ethical choices. Although motor function can be improved with subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS, the long‐term risks of living with implanted hardware should be carefully evaluated for patients with diminishing cognitive capacity. We describe two cases where ethical dilemmas occurred postoperatively as a result of cognitive decline and describe salient ethical dimensions that illustrate the need for a proactive postoperative plan for supervision as a prerequisite for surgery to include neuropsychological testing to predict the likelihood of net benefit to the patient and family beyond just motor improvement. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
A neurophysiological study of myoclonus in patients with DYT11 myoclonus‐dystonia syndrome
Authors: Marelli Cecilia , Canafoglia Laura , Zibordi Federica , Ciano Claudia , Visani Elisa , Zorzi Giovanna , Garavaglia Barbara , Barzaghi Chiara , Albanese Alberto , Soliveri Paola , Leone Massimo , Panzica Ferruccio , Scaioli Vidmer , Pincherle Alessandro , Nardocci Nardo , Franceschetti Silvana 
Published: August 2008

AbstractMutations in the ϵ‐sarcoglycan (SGCE) gene have been associated with DYT11 myoclonus‐dystonia syndrome (MDS). The aim of this study was to characterize myoclonus in 9 patients with DYT11‐MDS presenting with predominant myoclonus and mild dystonia by means of neurophysiological techniques. Variously severe multifocal myoclonus occurred in all of the patients, and included short (mean 89.1 ± 13.3 milliseconds) electromyographic bursts without any electroencephalographic correlate, sometimes presenting a pseudo‐rhythmic course. Massive jerks could be evoked by sudden stimuli in 5 patients, showing a “startle‐like” muscle spreading and latencies consistent with a brainstem origin. Somatosensory evoked potentials and long‐loop reflexes were normal, as was silent period and long‐term intracortical inhibition evaluated by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation; however, short‐term intracortical inhibition revealed subtle impairment, and event‐related synchronization (ERS) in the beta band was delayed. Blink reflex recovery was strongly enhanced. Myoclonus in DYT11‐MDS seems to be generated at subcortical level, and possibly involves basal ganglia and brainstem circuitries. Cortical impairment may depend from subcortical dysfunction, but it can also have a role in influencing the myoclonic presentation. The wide distribution of the defective SCGE in DYT11‐MDS may justify the involvement of different brain areas. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Mutation analyses in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism–dementia complex of the Kii peninsula, Japan
Authors: Tomiyama Hiroyuki , Kokubo Yasumasa , Sasaki Ryogen , Li Yuanzhe , Imamichi Yoko , Funayama Manabu , Mizuno Yoshikuni , Hattori Nobutaka , Kuzuhara Shigeki 
Published: August 2008

AbstractTo clarify the genetic background of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/parkinsonism–dementia complex (PDC) of the Kii peninsula, Japan (Kii ALS/PDC), we performed extended mutation analyses of three patients with pathologically diagnosed Kii ALS/PDC. Direct sequencing analyses were performed in 19 genes, including ALS/frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)‐related genes (SOD2, SOD3, ALS2/alsin, SMN1, PGRN, ANG, VEGF, VCP, VAPB, DCTN1, CHMP2B, and TARDBP or TDP‐43), tauopathy‐related gene (GSK3β), and parkinsonism‐related genes (alpha‐synuclein, LRRK2, parkin, DJ‐1, PINK1, and ATP13A2). Gene dosage analyses were conducted in screening of MAPT, alpha‐synuclein, TDP‐43 (or TARDBP), GSK3β, and parkin. We found no mutation in the 19 genes. We found a homozygous nonsynonymous SNP (ALS2/alsin V368M) shared by all the three patients. Gene dosage was normal in MAPT, alpha‐synuclein, TDP‐43, GSK3β, and parkin. The present findings, together with a previous negative study on MAPT and SOD1 mutation, further elucidated the lack of causative mutations in all exons, exon–intron boundaries, or some rearrangements of the reported major causative or susceptible genes related to ALS, FTLD, parkinsonism, synucleinopathy, TDP‐43 proteinopathy, and tauopathy. However, the familial aggregation and lack of any environment factors suggest that Kii ALS/PDC is caused by other yet unidentified genetic factors. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Microstructural abnormalities of striatum and thalamus in children with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Makki Malek I. , Behen Michael , Bhatt Arpi , Wilson Benjamin , Chugani Harry T. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe applied diffusion‐tensor MRI (DT‐MRI) to investigate directly the water diffusivity within subcortical gray matter structures comprising the fronto‐striato‐thalamic (FST) circuit, which is implicated in the pathophysiology of Tourette syndrome (TS). We investigated the structural integrity of basal ganglia and thalamus in 23 children with TS and 35 age‐matched healthy controls (NC), and examined the association of DT‐MRI measures to tic severity and comorbid symptoms. We measured parallel (λ1) and perpendicular (λ23) diffusivity, mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA) in both hemispheres. Compared with NC, the TS group showed a significant increase in λ1 (P = 0.003) and MD (P = 0.027) in the bilateral putamen, an increase in λ23 in right thalamus (P = 0.008), and a reversed asymmetry of FA (P = 0.03) in the thalamus. There was a significant positive correlation between λ23 in right thalamus and tic severity. TS patients showed significantly lower left caudate volume (P = 0.011) and bilateral thalamic volumes (left, P = 0.035, right P = 0.006) compared with NC. These findings support the notion that microstructural dysfunction measured by DT‐MRI in component regions of the FST circuit contribute to the pathophysiology in TS. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society