bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic Ethanol‐Induced Insulin Resistance Is Associated With Macrophage Infiltration Into Adipose Tissue and Altered Expression of Adipocytokines
Authors: Kang Li , Sebastian Becky M. , Pritchard Michele T. , Pratt Brian T. , Previs Stephen F. , Nagy Laura E. 
Published: July 2007

Background:  Chronic ethanol consumption disrupts glucose homeostasis and is associated with the development of insulin resistance. While adipose tissue and skeletal muscle are the two major organs utilizing glucose in response to insulin, the relative contribution of these two tissues to impaired glucose homeostasis during chronic ethanol feeding is not known. As other models of insulin resistance, such as obesity, are characterized by an infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue, as well as changes in the expression of adipocytokines that play a central role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, we hypothesized that chronic ethanol‐induced insulin resistance would be associated with increased macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue and changes in the expression of adipocytokines by adipose tissue.Methods:  Male Wistar rats were fed a liquid diet containing ethanol as 36% of calories or pair‐fed a control diet for 4 weeks. The effects of chronic ethanol feeding on insulin‐stimulated glucose utilization were studied using the hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp technique, coupled with the use of isotopic tracers. Further, macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue and expression of adipocytokines were also assessed after chronic ethanol feeding.Results:  Hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp studies revealed that chronic ethanol feeding to rats decreased whole‐body glucose utilization and decreased insulin‐mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production. Chronic ethanol feeding decreased glucose uptake in epididymal, subcutaneous, and omental adipose tissue during the hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp, but had no effect on glucose disposal in skeletal muscle. Chronic ethanol feeding increased the infiltration of macrophages into epididymal adipose tissue and changed the expression of mRNA for adipocytokines: expression of mRNA for monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin‐6 were increased, while expression of mRNA for retinol binding protein 4 and adiponectin were decreased in epididymal adipose tissue.Conclusions:  These data demonstrate that chronic ethanol feeding results in the development of insulin resistance, associated with impaired insulin‐mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production and decreased insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake into adipose tissue. Chronic ethanol‐induced insulin resistance was associated with increased macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue, as well as changes in the expression of adipocytokines by adipose tissue.
Managing phosphorous soil dynamics over space and time
Authors: Lambert D. M. , Lowenberg‐DeBoer J. , Malzer G. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractUnderstanding the relationship between soil fertility dynamics and crop response is conceptually appealing. Even more appealing is comprehension of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of these connections over a production surface and across seasons. But gaining knowledge about these interactions is difficult because nutrient carryover dynamics and crop response to inputs are determined simultaneously on the one hand, and sequentially on the other. A second problem enters when crops are rotated, for example, the corn [Zea mays (L.) Merr.]–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] system commonly practiced in the U.S. Corn Belt. This article examines nutrient carryover–crop response dynamics using data from a corn‐soybean, variable rate nitrogen (N), and phosphorous (P) experiment conducted over five years in Minnesota, USA. Site‐specific corn response to N and P and soybean response to P is estimated with a P carryover equation. Estimates are used in a dynamic programming model to determine site‐specific optimal N and P fertilizer policies, soil P evolution, and profitability. The net present value of managing N and P site‐specifically is compared to a strategy in which these inputs are managed uniformly following Extension guidelines. The results suggest that when P carryover is accounted for in determining optimal P fertilizer rates, returns to the variable rate strategies are higher than returns to a uniform or whole‐field management strategy.
Comparing heterogeneous consumption in U.S. and Japanese meat and fish demand
Authors: Tonsor Glynn T. , Marsh Thomas L. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis article uses national, quarterly data to conduct an empirical analysis of pre‐committed meat and fish demand by U.S. and Japanese households using the generalized almost ideal demand system (GAIDS). Pre‐committed demand represents the component of demand that is insensitive to both income and price adjustments. U.S. consumers are found to hold significant positive pre‐committed demand for beef and pork, while Japanese consumers appear to possess significant, positive pre‐committed demand for beef and fish. This provides evidence to partially explain observed differences in Japanese and U.S. consumer reactions to nonprice and nonincome effects in beef, pork, poultry, and fish. In addition, based on in‐ and out‐of‐sample performance, the more general GAIDS is preferred to the almost ideal demand system (AIDS) for both the U.S. and Japanese demand systems. Results lend to improved demand modeling efforts and more complete understanding of true market forces at hand in meat and fish markets for these culturally diverse consumer groups.
T‐box factors: targeting to chromatin and interaction with the histone H3 N‐terminal tail
Authors: Demay Florence , Bilican Bilada , Rodriguez Mercedes , Carreira Suzanne , Pontecorvi Marco , Ling Yan , Goding Colin R. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryT‐box transcription factors play a crucial role in development where they are implicated in patterning and cell fate decisions. Tbx2 and Tbx3 have also been implicated in several cancers including melanoma, and can act as antisenescence factors through their ability to repress p19ARF and p21CIP1 expression. Although several target genes for T‐box factors have been identified, it is unknown whether this family of proteins can bind chromatin, a property that would facilitate the epigenetic reprogramming that occurs in both development and cancer progression.Here, we show that Tbx2 has the potential to recognize mitotic chromatin in a DNA‐dependent fashion, can interact specifically with the histone H3 N‐terminal tail, a property shared with Tbx4, Tbx5 and Tbx6, and can also recognize nucleosomal DNA, with binding to nucleosomes being antagonized by the presence of the histone tails. Strikingly, in vivo Tbx2 co‐localization with pericentric heterochromatin appears to be regulated and ectopic expression of Tbx2 leads to severe mitotic defects. Taken together our results suggest that Tbx2, and most likely other members of the T‐box family, are able to target chromatin and may indicate a role for the T‐box factors in epigenetic reprogramming events.
Effects of Menstrual Cycle Status and Gender on Human Neutrophil Phenotype
Authors: Smith Jennifer M. , Shen Zheng , Wira Charles R. , Fanger Michael W. , Shen Li 
Published: July 2007

ProblemThe effects of gender and fluctuating ovarian hormones on neutrophil phenotype have yet to be characterized.Method of studyNeutrophils from females at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the menstrual cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry for surface receptor, granule protein, and intracellular cytokine expression. Comparisons were made to neutrophils from males isolated at 7‐day intervals during 1 month.ResultsDecreased MMP‐9 and TNF‐α expression by neutrophils from females was observed during the periovulatory period. Comparing the genders, cells from females during the periovulatory period expressed less CD11b and CD18 than those from males. CXCR1 surface levels were higher on neutrophils from female donors.ConclusionsNeutrophil phenotype varies minimally during the menstrual cycle and between the genders. Our data provide support for a potential anti‐inflammatory effect of ovarian hormones on neutrophils.
The frequency of occurrence of abnormal frenal attachment of lips and enamel defects in Turner syndrome
Authors: Kusiak A , Sadlak‐Nowicka J , Limon J , Kochańska B 
Published: July 2007

Objective:  The aim of the work was to register the frequency of occurrence of abnormal frenal attachment of lips and enamel defects and find the correlation between these anomalies and three types of Turner syndrome.Materials and methods:  Fifty patients (aged 20–40 years) were clinically and cytogenetically diagnosed and divided into three groups, according to karyotype: 45,X (17 cases), with structural aberrations of chromosome X (12 cases) and with mosaic karyotype (21 cases). The control group consisted of 51 healthy woman aged 21–40 years. Subjects were screened for developmental anomalies in the labial frenula and enamel defects in three groups of Turner syndrome.Results:  Some significant anomalies of soft and hard tissues were found in studied patients: abnormal frenal attachments (42% of cases), enamel opacities (58% of cases) and enamel hypoplasia (38% of cases). Differences in the occurrence of these anomaly in all group with Turner syndrome in comparison with the control group were significantly different. Enamel defects were prevalent in the patients with karyotype 45,X and patients with structural aberrations of chromosome X in comparison with the mosaic karyotype.Conclusion:  The results of the present study have shown, that abnormal attachment of lips and enamel defects were more frequent in Turner syndrome patients than in the control group. Enamel defects were correlated with the karyotypes of Turner syndrome and abnormal attachment of lips was not correlated with the karyotypes of Turner syndrome.
Call It Consumption! Re‐Conceptualizing Ecotourism as Consumption and Consumptive
Authors: Meletis Zoë A. , Campbell Lisa M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractLabeling ecotourism as ‘non‐consumptive’ and contrasting it with direct uses of wildlife through activities such as hunting is common practice among organizations and academics primarily concerned with conservation. We interrogate this binary opposition by questioning the assumptions underlying it, namely that ‘the direct consumption of wildlife’ (i) does not occur in ecotourism; (ii) is incompatible with ecotourism; (iii) is the primary concern; and (iv) is inferior to ecotourism as both a conservation and development strategy. Based on a review of the relevant theoretical and case‐study based literature, as well as our own research, we argue that categorizing ecotourism as ‘non‐consumptive’ is not only inaccurate, but also has consequences for both environments and people. We suggest ways in which ecotourism can be re‐conceptualized in order to better achieve its goals of conserving both nature and culture, and of contributing to both conservation and development.
Liver disease in hepatitis C virus carriers identified at blood donation and their outcomes with or without interferon treatment: Study on 1019 carriers followed for 5–10 years
Authors: Mizui Masaaki , Tanaka Junko , Katayama Keiko , Nakanishi Toshio , Obayashi Makoto , Aimitsu Shiomi , Yoshida Tomoo , Inoue Junichi , Yokoyama Tatsuji , Tsuji Keiji , Arataki Keiko , Yamaguchi Syuji , Miura Toshio , Kitamoto Mikiya , Takezaki Eiichi , Orimen Shigeo , Sakata Tatsurou , Kamada Kouji , Maruhashi Akira , Tamura Tooru , Nakamura Toshio , Ishida Kunio , Teramen Kazushi , Miyakawa Yuzo , Yoshizawa Hiroshi 
Published: July 2007

Aim: To portray liver disease and project outcomes in carriers of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the general population.Methods: Liver disease was evaluated in 1019 individuals who were found with HCV infection at blood donation, and they were followed for 5–10 years with or without receiving interferon (IFN).Results: At baseline, chronic hepatitis was detected in 529 (51.9%) HCV carriers and more frequently in men than in women (62.6% [299/478]vs42.5% [230/541],P < 0.01); cirrhosis was diagnosed in five (0.5% [three men included]) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in one (0.1% [man]). Of the carriers who were followed for 5 years or longer, loss of HCV‐RNA from serum was achieved in 61 (31.0%) of the 197 treated with interferon (IFN) and only one of the 211 (0.5%) without IFN (P < 0.0001). HCC developed in 14 carriers including six ofthe 211 (2.8%) without IFN and eight of the 197 (4.1%) with IFN (six non‐responders included). Follow ups of the 949 carriers identified age (P < 0.002), male gender (P < 0.01) and cirrhosis at the baseline (P < 0.0001) as factors contributing to the development of HCC. Cumulative incidence rates of HCC during 10 years among carriers found with chronic hepatitis increased in parallel with the age at the baseline.Conclusion: Identification of HCV carriers in the general population and treating those indicated with IFN would help decrease the development of HCC and lift its medical, as well as economic, burdens off society.
Pregnancy in multiple sclerosis patients treated with immunomodulators prior to or during part of the pregnancy: a descriptive study in the Spanish population
Authors: De las Heras V. , De Andrés C. , Téllez N. , Tintoré M. ,   on behalf of the EMPATIE Study Group, Spain
Published: July 2007

Objectives To study the management of pregnancy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) in routine clinical practice and to analyze pregnancy outcomes and the clinical course of MS around pregnancy. Methods Retrospective, multicentric study in Spain in MS patients receiving IMT before conception and followed for at least three months post-partum. Results A total of 1286 medical records were reviewed. Eighty-eight pregnancies were identified in 74 (6%) women, 66% of which were unexposed and 34% exposed pregnancies. In most cases, IMT was discontinued before conception and resumed shortly after delivery. Accidental exposure to IMT did not lead to higher rates of abortions ( P = 0.76) or malformations. The relapse rate was decreased during pregnancy (0.31 versus 0.61 in the pre-pregnancy year) and increased after delivery (0.87 on month 3), returning to pre-conception values on month 12. The median EDSS score was not increased during the study. Conclusions Discontinuation of IMT before conception, and resumption shortly after delivery was the most frequent clinical practice procedure. Accidental exposure to IMT did not affect pregnancy outcomes or increased malformation rates. Pregnancy was associated with a reduced relapse rate. No factor was found to predict the risk of relapses during or after pregnancy. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 981—984. http://msj.sagepub.com
Quality of life in multiple sclerosis: should clinicians trust proxy ratings?
Authors: Tripoliti E. , Campbell C. , Pring T. , Taylor-Goh S. 
Published: July 2007

Purpose Measures of quality of life (QoL) are increasingly used to monitor psychological and social well being of clients with chronic illnesses. They are particularly useful in cases where an illness results in multiple disabilities. Where clients have difficulty completing the measure, others who know them may act as proxies. It is important, therefore to assess the accuracy of proxy scores. This study compared the QoL scores given by people with multiple sclerosis (PWMS) with proxy scores given by close relatives. Method The Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) quality of life instrument (Cella et al.) [1] was used. Forty PWMS completed the measure in face-to-face interviews with a speech and language therapist. Close relatives were asked to independently complete the measure on behalf of these clients. Results The overall correlation between client and proxy scores was 0.62, which Sneeuw et al. [2] suggest indicates good agreement. As in previous studies with other groups of clients, proxies underestimated the scores of PWMS. Despite these findings, the results showed substantial disagreements for individual clients and their proxies and a relationship was found which suggests that proxies underestimate the scores of clients with better QoL and overestimate those with poorer QoL scores. Conclusion The level of agreement found between client and proxy scores and the tendency for proxies to underestimate clients' scores are consistent with research with other client groups. The overestimation by proxies of clients who rate their QoL as poor needs further investigation. If confirmed it may complicate the estimation of client scores from those of proxies. We conclude that while proxy scores may be useful as a means of estimating the QoL of groups of clients in research studies they should be used cautiously in the prediction of the QoL of individual clients at the clinical level. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 1190—1194. http://msj.sagepub.com
Multidisciplinary fatigue management programme in multiple sclerosis: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Kos D. , Duportail M. , D'hooghe MB , Nagels G. , Kerckhofs E. 
Published: July 2007

Objective To establish the efficacy of a multidisciplinary fatigue management programme (MFMP) in MS. Method Fifty-one subjects with MS were randomly allocated to group A, who only received the four weeks MFMP, or group B receiving a placebo intervention programme first and the MFMP after 6 months. In both groups, assessment was performed at baseline, 3 weeks and 6 months after the programmes and included Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), MS Self-Efficacy scale (MSSE), Mental Health Inventory (MHI) and Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA). Results The MFIS showed a significant change over time ( F(4,152) = 3.346, P = 0.012), which was similar in both groups (time*group interaction: F(4,152) = 1.094, P = 0.361). A clinically relevant reduction of MFIS score of 10 points or more was found in 17% of individuals following the MFMP, compared to 44% after the placebo intervention programme ( P = 0.06). Compared to no intervention, a significant effect of the MFMP after 6 months ( P = 0.003) was found in five participants (31%). No significant changes in FSS, MSSE, MHI and IPA, in both groups, were found. Conclusion Although an additional effect was found, the multidisciplinary fatigue management programme showed no efficacy in reducing the impact of fatigue compared to a placebo intervention programme. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 996—1003. http://msj.sagepub.com
Vocational rehabilitation services for people with multiple sclerosis: what patients want from clinicians and employers
Authors: Sweetland J. , Riazi A. , Cano S.J. , Playford E.D. 
Published: July 2007

Background The NSF for Long-term Neurological Conditions highlights the need for vocational rehabilitation services. Although the barriers to work for people with MS (pwMS) have been clearly identified, there has been little research that identifies the type of support required.Objective To identify what pwMS require from a vocational rehabilitation service in terms of content and service delivery.Design of study Four focus groups of pwMS, currently in employment, were convened. These were audio-taped and content analysed using a constant comparison method.Results People with MS identified two key needs; managing performance and managing expectations. Performance difficulties could be managed either by treating symptoms, by changing the environment, or by altering the demands of the job. PwMS highlighted the need for counselling to help them, and advocacy to help their employers have appropriate expectations.Conclusion PwMS need support in the workplace in two distinct ways. First, by managing the interaction between the impairments caused by MS, the physical environment, and the demands imposed by the work. Second, by providing expert knowledge about the employment environment and the needs of employers, an awareness of the relevant legislation and counselling in supporting people to adapt, adjust and resolve complex issues. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 1183—1189. http://msj.sagepub.com
Human type 2 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA and protein distribution in placental villi at mid and term pregnancy
Authors: Drolet Renée , Simard Marc , Plante Julie , Laberge Philippe , Tremblay Yves 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
During human pregnancy, the placental villi produces high amounts of estradiol. This steroid is secreted by the syncytium, which is directly in contact with maternal blood. Estradiol has to cross placental foetal vessels to reach foetal circulation. The enzyme 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17beta-HSD2) was detected in placental endothelial cells of foetal vessels inside the villi. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of estradiol to estrone, and of testosterone to androstenedione. It was proposed that estradiol level into foetal circulation could be regulated by 17beta-HSD2.

Methods
We obtained placentas from 10 to 26 6/7 weeks of pregnancy from women undergoing voluntary termination of pregnancy, term placentas were collected after normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries. We quantified 17beta-HSD2 mRNA levels in mid-gestation and term human placenta by RT-QPCR. We produced a new anti-17beta-HSD2 antibody to study its spatio-temporal expression by immunohistochemistry. We also compared steroid levels (testosterone, estrone and estradiol) and 17beta-HSD2 mRNA and protein levels between term placenta and endometrium.

Results
High 17beta-HSD2 mRNA and protein levels were found in both mid-gestation and term placentas. However, we showed that 17beta-HSD2 mRNA levels increase by 2.27 fold between mid-gestation and term. This period coincides with a transitional phase in the development of the villous vasculature. In mid-gestation placenta, high levels of 17beta-HSD2 were found in mesenchymal villi and immature intermediate villi, more precisely in endothelial cells of the stromal channel. At term, high levels of 17beta-HSD2 were found in the numerous sinusoidal capillaries of terminal villi. 17beta-HSD2 mRNA and protein levels in term placentas were respectively 25.4 fold and 30 to 60 fold higher than in the endometrium. Steroid levels were also significantly higher in term placenta than in the endometrium.

Conclusion
The spatial and temporal expression of 17beta-HSD2 in the placenta during pregnancy and the comparison of 17beta-HSD2 expression and steroid levels between placental villi and endometrium are compatible with a role in the modulation of active and inactive forms of estrogens. Our observations strongly support the hypothesis that 17beta-HSD2 acts as a barrier decreasing estradiol secretion rates in the foetal circulation.