bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of aldosterone receptor blockade in patients with mild–moderate heart failure taking a beta‐blocker
Authors: Berry Colin , Murphy Niamh , De Vito Giuseppe , Galloway Stuart , Seed Alison , Fisher Carol , Sattar Naveed , Vallance Patrick , Hillis W. Sewart , McMurray John 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAims:Spironolactone improves prognosis in severe heart failure (HF). We investigated its effects in patients with mild–moderate HF treated with an ACE inhibitor and beta‐blocker.Methods and results:Randomised, double‐blind, parallel‐group, 3‐month comparison of placebo and spironolactone (25 mg daily) in 40 patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I (20%), II (70%) or III (10%), with a left ventricular ejection fraction of <40%.The mean (standard error) changes from baseline in the spironolactone and placebo groups were, respectively: i) B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) −53.4(22.2) pg/mL and +3.3(12.1) pg/mL, P=0.04, ii) pro‐collagen type III N‐terminal amino peptide (PIIINP) −0.6(0.2) μmol/L and +0.02(0.2) μmol/L, P=0.02 and iii) creatinine +10.7(3.2) μmol/L and −0.3(2.6) μmol/L, P=0.01.Compared with placebo, spironolactone therapy was associated with a reduction in self‐reported health‐related quality of life: change in visual analog score: −6 (3) vs. +6 (4); P=0.01.No differences were observed on other biochemical, neurohumoral, exercise and autonomic function assessments.Conclusion:In patients with mild–moderate HF, spironolactone reduced neurohumoral activation (BNP) and a marker of collagen turnover (PIIINP) but impaired renal function and quality of life. The benefit–risk ratio of aldosterone blockade in mild HF is uncertain and requires clarification in a large randomised trial.
Acute muscle inflammation enhances the monosynaptic reflexes and c‐fos expression in the feline spinal cord
Authors: Schomburg Eike D. , Steffens Heinz , Maznychenko Andrey V. , Pilyavskii Alexander I. , Hellström Fredrik , Kostyukov Alexander I. , Maisky Vladimir A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe aim of this research was to study the changes of the motor reflex activity (monosynaptic reflex (MSR) of the flexor and extensor muscles) and Fos immunoreactivity in lumbo‐sacral spinal cord after acute induced myositis of m. gastrocnemius‐soleus (GS). The experiments were carried out on ischaemic decerebrated, spinalized in C1 cats. After infiltration of the GS muscle with carrageenan (2%) MSRs of flexors and extensors showed a significant increase in amplitude +127±24.5% and +155±28.5%, respectively, p<0.05. The exposed effect was initiated within 30min and achieved a maximum 2.8h after the intramuscular injections of carrageenan. After analysis of dynamics of the MSRs, animals were perfused and c‐fos expression in the spinal segments L6–S1 was evaluated. In comparison to sham‐operated animals, the number of Fos‐immunoreactive (Fos‐ir) cells was noticeably increased in the lumbar cord of cats with carrageenan‐induced myositis. The labeled cells were concentrated in the ipsilateral laminae I/II, neck of the dorsal horn (V/VI) and intermediate zone (VII), however, clear predominance of their concentration was found in the deep laminae. The effect of muscle inflammation was also expressed as a significant decline in the number of NADPH‐d‐reactive cells (p<0.05) in ipsilateral laminae I/II of L6/L7. The results show that the input from acutely inflamed muscles may induce an increase of the reflex responsiveness of flexors and extensors which is not mediated via the gamma‐spindle‐loop and which coincides with a significant increase in c‐fos expression in the deep laminae of the lumbar spinal cord.
Long‐term reliable change of pain scores in individual myogenous TMD patients
Authors: van Grootel Robert J. , van der Bilt Andries , van der Glas Hilbert W. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA within‐patient change in pain score after treatment is statistically ‘reliable’ when it exceeds the smallest detectable difference (SDD). The aims of the present study were to: (i) determine SDDs for VAS‐scores of pain intensity, for sufficiently long test–retest intervals to include most biological fluctuations, (ii) examine whether SDD is invariant to baseline score, and (iii) discuss the value of reliable change (RC) for detecting clinically important difference (CID) or as a possible indicator of successful treatment. SDDs were determined using duplicate data from 118 patients with myogenous Temporomandibular disorders: (1) VAS‐scores of pain intensity from the masticatory system in a pre‐treatment diary, and (2) VAS‐scores of pain intensity from the hand (cold‐pressor test). RC was determined in VAS‐scores from a pre‐ and post‐treatment questionnaire. The long‐term SDD was 49 mm. A regression analysis on duplicate VAS‐scores showed that SDD was largely invariant to the baseline level. Because RC (change > SDD) exceeded CID, it might serve as an indicator of successful treatment. However, only 17% of the patients showed RC after treatment, mainly because the baseline was smaller than SDD in 67% of the patients thus making detection of any treatment effect impossible. For patients with possible detection (33%), the frequency of RC was 51%. If the detection threshold would be avoided by provoking pain in patients with a low baseline, a long‐term RC in VAS‐scores might occur in about half of all myogenous TMD patients and might then serve as an indicator of cases of treatment success.
Introduction to the special issue on innovative data sources for empirically building and validating theories in Operations Management
Authors: Gattiker Thomas F. , Parente Diane H. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAll research methods have strengths and weaknesses. The two dominant empirical methodologies in operations management are the survey and the case study. Reliance on a limited number of methodologies can influence the body of knowledge that that a field generates – and even the problems that the field collectively chooses to investigate or not investigate. The special issue attempts to “push the envelope” in terms of the data sources used in operations management. In particular, the following data sources are used: laboratory study, customer comment data, third‐party web site quality ratings, process characteristics collected from e‐commerce web sites themselves, environmental performance reports, and a publicly available research database. Researchers contemplating their data gathering strategy must consider the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. The introduction to special issue discusses positives and negatives of both conventional and innovative data sources.
Environmental change recorded in sediments from the Marmes rockshelter archaeological site, southeastern Washington state, USA
Authors: Huckleberry Gary , Fadem Cynthia 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe Marmes Rockshelter archaeological site in southeastern Washington state contains a > 11 kyr stratigraphic record that was excavated in the 1960s but only recently analyzed in detail. We present the results of physical, chemical, and isotopic analyses of archived Marmes sediments from rockshelter, hillslope, and floodplain locations. Multiple lines of evidence including éboulis production, soil chemistry, and δ13C and δ18O signatures in soil organic matter and calcium carbonate suggest that relatively cool, moist conditions 10,600 to 9700 14C yr BP were followed by relatively warm and dry conditions as early as 9000 14C yr BP. Warm and dry conditions extended to the late Holocene, followed by a return to cooler and moister climate. The limited range of δ13C and δ18O values in Marmes paleosols suggests that the magnitude of moisture and temperature shifts was locally buffered in the lower Snake River Canyon but adequate to generate significant changes in sedimentation and soil formation, possibly due to nonlinear geological and pedological processes. These buffered canyon environments were well suited for establishing residential bases associated with foraging and logistical collecting strategies and may have minimized the influence of climate changes in food resource abundance.
Phosphorylation inhibits turnover of the tau protein by the proteasome: influence of RCAN1 and oxidative stress
Authors: Poppek Diana , Keck Susi , Ermak Gennady , Jung Tobias , Stolzing Alexandra , Ullrich Oliver , Davies Kelvin J. A. , Grune Tilman 
Published: November 2006

Hyperphosphorylated tau proteins accumulate in the paired helical filaments of neurofibrillary tangles seen in such tauopathies as Alzheimer's disease. In the present paper we show that tau turnover is dependent on degradation by the proteasome (inhibited by MG132) in HT22 neuronal cells. Recombinant human tau was rapidly degraded by the 20 S proteasome in vitro, but tau phosphorylation by GSK3β (glycogen synthase kinase 3β) significantly inhibited proteolysis. Tau phosphorylation was increased in HT22 cells by OA [okadaic acid; which inhibits PP (protein phosphatase) 1 and PP2A] or CsA [cyclosporin A; which inhibits PP2B (calcineurin)], and in PC12 cells by induction of a tet-off dependent RCAN1 transgene (which also inhibits PP2B). Inhibition of PP1/PP2A by OA was the most effective of these treatments, and tau hyperphosphorylation induced by OA almost completely blocked tau degradation in HT22 cells (and in cell lysates to which purified proteasome was added) even though proteasome activity actually increased. Many tauopathies involve both tau hyperphosphorylation and the oxidative stress of chronic inflammation. We tested the effects of both cellular oxidative stress, and direct tau oxidative modification in vitro, on tau proteolysis. In HT22 cells, oxidative stress alone caused no increase in tau phosphorylation, but did subtly change the pattern of tau phosphorylation. Tau was actually less susceptible to direct oxidative modification than most cell proteins, and oxidized tau was degraded no better than untreated tau. The combination of oxidative stress plus OA treatment caused extensive tau phosphorylation and significant inhibition of tau degradation. HT22 cells transfected with tau–CFP (cyan fluorescent protein)/tau–GFP (green fluorescent protein) constructs exhibited significant toxicity following tau hyperphosphorylation and oxidative stress, with loss of fibrillar tau structure throughout the cytoplasm. We suggest that the combination of tau phosphorylation and tau oxidation, which also occurs in tauopathies, may be directly responsible for the accumulation of tau aggregates.
Regulation of the cardiac L-type calcium channel in L6 cells by arginine-vasopressin
Authors: Hantash Basil M. , Thomas Andrew P. , Reeves John P. 
Published: November 2006

L-type Ca2+ channel activity was measured in L6 cells as nifedipine-sensitive barium (Ba2+; 5 mM) influx in a depolarizing salt solution containing 140 mM KCl. Addition of AVP (arginine-vasopressin) during Ba2+ uptake reduced the rate of Ba2+ influx by 60–100%; this was followed by a gradual restoration of the initial rate of Ba2+ uptake. Blockade of PKC (protein kinase C) by pretreatment with 10 μM bisindolylmaleimide did not affect the initial inhibition of Ba2+ influx, but completely abolished the recovery phase. The effect of AVP was half-maximal at 10 nM AVP and was blocked by the V1a receptor antagonist d-(CH2)5-Tyr(Me)-AVP. Activation of Gαs by isoprenaline or cholera toxin antagonized the actions of AVP on Ba2+ uptake. This protection persisted in the presence of the PKA (protein kinase A) inhibitor KT5720, and was not mimicked by agents that increase cAMP. Inhibition of Ba2+ influx was also elicited by ATP and ET (endothelin 1) with an order of effectiveness ET&lt;ATP&lt;AVP. Each of these agents has been reported to act through Gq-coupled receptors. We conclude that activation of Gq-coupled receptors produces a rapid inhibition of the cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel, which is subsequently overcome by activation of PKC.
Characterization of A-kinase-anchoring disruptors using a solution-based assay
Authors: Stokka Anne J. , Gesellchen Frank , Carlson Cathrine R. , Scott John D. , Herberg Friedrich W. , Taskén Kjetil 
Published: November 2006

Subcellular localization of PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase A) is determined by protein–protein interactions between its R (regulatory) subunits and AKAPs (A-kinase-anchoring proteins). In the present paper, we report the development of the Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay (AlphaScreen™) as a means to characterize AKAP-based peptide competitors of PKA anchoring. In this assay, the prototypic anchoring disruptor Ht31 efficiently competed in RIIα isoform binding with RII-specific and dual-specificity AKAPs (IC50 values of 1.4±0.2 nM and 6±1 nM respectively). In contrast, RIα isoform binding to a dual-specific AKAP was less efficiently competed (IC50 of 156±10 nM). Characterization of two RI-selective anchoring disruptors, RIAD (RI-anchoring disruptor) and PV-38 revealed that RIAD (IC50 of 13±1 nM) was 20-fold more potent than PV-38 (IC50 of 304±17 nM) and did not compete in the RIIα–AKAP interaction. We also observed that the kinetics of RII displacement from pre-formed PKA–AKAP complexes and competition of RII–AKAP complex formation by Ht31 differed by an order of magnitude when the component parts were mixed in vitro. No such difference in potency was seen for RIα–AKAP complexes. Thus the AlphaScreen assay may prove to be a valuable tool for detailed characterization of a variety of PKA–AKAP complexes.
The Metabolic Response of Heterotrophic Arabidopsis Cells to Oxidative Stress
Authors: Baxter Charles J. , Redestig Henning , Schauer Nicolas , Repsilber Dirk , Patil Kiran R. , Nielsen Jens , Selbig Joachim , Liu Junli , Fernie Alisdair R. , Sweetlove Lee J. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
To cope with oxidative stress, the metabolic network of plant cells must be reconfigured either to bypass damaged enzymes or to support adaptive responses. To characterize the dynamics of metabolic change during oxidative stress, heterotrophic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cells were treated with menadione and changes in metabolite abundance and 13C-labeling kinetics were quantified in a time series of samples taken over a 6 h period. Oxidative stress had a profound effect on the central metabolic pathways with extensive metabolic inhibition radiating from the tricarboxylic acid cycle and including large sectors of amino acid metabolism. Sequential accumulation of metabolites in specific pathways indicated a subsequent backing up of glycolysis and a diversion of carbon into the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. Microarray analysis revealed a coordinated transcriptomic response that represents an emergency coping strategy allowing the cell to survive the metabolic hiatus. Rather than attempt to replace inhibited enzymes, transcripts encoding these enzymes are in fact down-regulated while an antioxidant defense response is mounted. In addition, a major switch from anabolic to catabolic metabolism is signaled. Metabolism is also reconfigured to bypass damaged steps (e.g. induction of an external NADH dehydrogenase of the mitochondrial respiratory chain). The overall metabolic response of Arabidopsis cells to oxidative stress is remarkably similar to the superoxide and hydrogen peroxide stimulons of bacteria and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), suggesting that the stress regulatory and signaling pathways of plants and microbes may share common elements.
PHASE DIAGRAMS FOR CERAMISTS: SUPPLEMENT NO. 1
Authors: MCMURDIE HOWARD F. , HALL F. P. 
Published: November 2006

The original compilation of phase diagrams was made by F. P. Hall and Herbert Insley and was published as the October, 1933, issue of The Journal of The American Ceramzc Soctety. These authors then followed with a supplement, published as the April, 1938, issue of the same Journal, and with another complete compilation which was published as Part I1 of the Sovember, 1947, issue of this Journal.The following compilation is the first supplement to the Sovember, 1947, issue. It includes corrections of errorst and omitted diagrams as well as those published since the 1917 compilation was printed.It is to be understood that temperatures are given in degrees centigrade and the compositions are given in weight percentage unless otherwise stated on the individual diagram.
Successful treatment with topical tacrolimus in four cases of discoid lupus erythematosus
Authors: SUGANO Masayoshi , SHINTANI Yoichi , KOBAYASHI Keiko , SAKAKIBARA Noriyuki , ISOMURA Iwao , MORITA Akimichi 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTDiscoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), a cutaneous form of lupus erythematosus, is characterized as atrophic and scaly erythema and the lesions are often refractory to a wide range of topical or systemic therapies. Herein, we present four cases of DLE that were successfully treated with topical tacrolimus. Tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) was applied to DLE lesions twice daily and the erythematous plaques readily diminished after 4–8 weeks. Adverse effects, such as burning sensation or irritations, were not observed. These results indicate that topical tacrolimus might be an effective and alternative treatment to control DLE.
The role of childhood risk factors in initiation of alcohol use and progression to alcohol dependence
Authors: Sartor Carolyn E. , Lynskey Michael T. , Heath Andrew C. , Jacob Theodore , True William 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTAims To identify childhood risk factors that predict (a) age of first drink and (b) time from first use to alcohol dependence (AD) onset, using survival analysis.Participants The sample consisted of 1269 offspring (mean age = 20.1 years) of male twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry; 46.2% were offspring of alcohol‐dependent fathers.Measurements DSM‐IV psychiatric diagnoses and substance use behaviors were assessed by structured telephone interview.Findings First drink occurred on average at 15.7 years; AD onset at 19.1 years. A Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed conduct disorder (CD) as the most potent predictor of early alcohol initiation (HR 2.48; CI 1.85–3.32). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), maternal AD, paternal AD, male gender and parental divorce were also associated with early first use (HR 1.20–1.52; CI 1.04–1.39–1.18–1.96). A Cox proportional hazard regression analysis modeling first drink to AD identified nicotine dependence (HR 3.91; CI 2.48–6.17) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (HR 3.45; CI 2.08–5.72) as robust predictors of progression to AD. CD (HR 1.75; CI 1.10–2.77) and cannabis abuse (HR 1.88; CI 1.22–2.90) were also associated with rapid transition to AD.Conclusions Results highlight the role of psychiatric and substance use disorders in progression from first drink to AD, underscore the continuity of risk associated with CD and indicate that (with the exception of CD) different factors play a role in transition to AD than in initiation of alcohol use. Distinctions between stages are interpreted in a developmental framework.
Does CDX2 expression predict Barrett's metaplasia in oesophageal columnar epithelium without goblet cells?
Authors: KERKHOF M. , BAX D. A. , MOONS L. M. G. , VAN VUUREN A. J. , VAN DEKKEN H. , STEYERBERG E. W. , KUIPERS E. J. , KUSTERS J. G. , SIERSEMA P. D. ,   FOR THE CYBAR STUDY GROUP
Published: November 2006

SummaryBackground  Intestinal metaplasia (Barrett's oesophagus), but not cardiac‐type mucosa in columnar‐lined oesophagus, is regarded as premalignant. As intestinal metaplasia and cardiac‐type mucosa are endoscopically indiscernible, it is difficult to take targeted samples from columnar‐lined oesophagus with consequently a risk of having undetected intestinal metaplasia.Aim  To investigate whether the intestinal markers CDX2, MUC2 and villin can predict the presence of undetected intestinal metaplasia in columnar‐lined oesophagus.Methods  Presence of intestinal metaplasia or cardiac‐type mucosa was identified in 122 biopsy sets of columnar‐lined oesophagus from 61 patients, collected at two subsequent follow‐up upper endoscopies. CDX2, MUC2 and villin expression were determined by immunohistochemistry.Results  All intestinal metaplasia samples (55) were positive for CDX2 and MUC2 and 32 of 55 for villin. CDX2 expression was detected in 23 of 67 (34%) samples with only cardiac‐type mucosa. Detection of CDX2 in cardiac‐type mucosa increased the likelihood of finding intestinal metaplasia in another biopsy set of columnar‐lined oesophagus (odds ratio 3.5, 95% CI = 1.2–10, P = 0.02). MUC2 was positive in 13 of 23 (57%) of CDX2‐positive cardiac‐type mucosa samples, whereas villin was detected in seven of 23 (30%).Conclusions  CDX2 expression in cardiac‐type mucosa might be able to predict the presence of undetected intestinal metaplasia in columnar‐lined oesophagus, and thus may be a putative marker for the presence of intestinal metaplasia in the absence of goblet cells.
Ectopic lung transplantation induces the accumulation of eosinophil progenitors in the recipients' lungs through an allergen‐ and interleukin‐5‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Xavier‐Elsas P. , Santos‐Maximiano E. , Queto T. , Mendonça‐Sales S. , Joseph D. , Gaspar‐Elsas M. I. C. , Vargaftig B. B. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryBackground
Airway challenge of ovalbumin‐sensitized mice induces intrapulmonary accumulation of eosinophil progenitors.Objective
To evaluate whether allergen‐challenged lungs release factors promoting intrapulmonary accumulation of haemopoietic cells, and define the role of allergic lung injury, we developed a transplantation model.Methods
Lung tissue from allergen‐challenged, sensitized donors was ectopically grafted in syngeneic recipients, and haemopoietic progenitors inside the lungs of the recipients were quantified.Results
In BALB/c mice, accumulation of progenitors occurred only when: (a) donors were sensitized and airway challenged with homologous allergen; (b) and recipients were sensitized. Grafts from the appropriate donors released biologically active IL‐5, which was effective in sensitized recipients. The effect of the appropriate donor–recipient combination was prevented by neutralizing anti‐IL‐5 antibody. Grafts from unchallenged, sensitized donors synergized with recombinant IL‐5 in sensitized recipients. Unlike BALB/c, grafts from naïve IL‐5 transgenic CBA/Ca mice (whose lungs contained a large number of progenitors, independently of sensitization and challenge) were effective in non‐transgenic, ovalbumin‐sensitized recipients.Conclusion
This shows that: (a) intrapulmonary accumulation of progenitors is independent of immunological injury; (b) grafts systemically release IL‐5, which is required for progenitor accumulation in the recipients' lungs; (c) and sensitization is required for full responsiveness to IL‐5 and for generation of lung‐derived signals that synergize with IL‐5.
The effect of egg load on readiness to accept a low‐quality host plant is weak and age dependent in a geometrid moth
Authors: JAVOIŠ JUHAN , TAMMARU TOOMAS 
Published: November 2006

Abstract 1. Most empirical and theoretical studies treat egg load as a major determinant of insect oviposition behaviour, and predict a positive link between egg load and readiness to oviposit.2. In the present study, the correlation between egg load and readiness to lay eggs on a low‐ranked host was examined in wild‐caught moths, Scotopteryx chenopodiata L. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).3. No overall effect of egg load on oviposition could be detected. However, there was a significant interaction between egg load and wing wear: in only one wing‐wear class, out of four, high egg load tended to promote oviposition, while in the three other classes the effect was insignificant.4. The results suggest that the effect of egg load on oviposition may depend on the age of the ovipositing insect.