bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IL‐25 regulates the expression of adhesion molecules on eosinophils: mechanism of eosinophilia in allergic inflammation
Authors: Cheung P. F. Y. , Wong C. K. , Ip W. K. , Lam C. W. K. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Interleukin‐25 (IL‐25) is a novel T‐helper‐2 (Th2) cytokine of the IL‐17 family that plays a key role in allergic inflammation. Recent studies reported that over‐expression of IL‐25 in mouse induces eosinophilia. We investigated the effect of IL‐25 on the expression of several adhesion molecules on human eosinophils and the underlying intracellular mechanisms.Methods:  Viability of eosinophils was measured by annexin V‐flourescein isothiocyanate (FITC) assay. Gene expression and surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 (CD54), ICAM‐3 (CD50), L‐selectin (CD62L), leukocyte function‐associated antigen (LFA‐1) (CD11a/CD18) and very late antigen‐4 (VLA‐4, CD49d/CD29) on eosinophils were measured by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and flow cytometry, respectively. Adhesion of eosinophils to fibronectin was assessed using the fibronectin‐coated insert system.Results:  Viability of eosinophils was significantly enhanced by IL‐25 from 41% to 76% dose‐dependently. IL‐25 could significantly upregulate the surface expression of ICAM‐1, but suppress those of ICAM‐3 and L‐selectin on eosinophils in a dose‐dependent manner. Adhesion of eosinophils to fibronectin was also significantly enhanced by IL‐25. Besides, pre‐incubation with p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580, C‐Jun NH2‐terminal protein kinases (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 and proteosome inhibitor MG‐132 could significantly restrain the effects of IL‐25 on surface expression of L‐selectin, ICAM‐1 and ICAM‐3, respectively, and also on the adhesion of eosinophils onto fibronectin (all P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Our findings suggest an essential role of IL‐25 in enhancing survival and regulating surface expression of ICAM‐1, ICAM‐3 and L‐selectin on human eosinophils through the activation of p38 MAPK, JNK and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB pathways, thereby shedding light on the molecular mechanisms of IL‐25‐induced eosinophilia in allergic inflammation.
Inhibition of type I allergic responses with nanogram doses of replicon‐based DNA vaccines
Authors: Scheiblhofer S. , Gabler M. , Leitner W. W. , Bauer R. , Zoegg T. , Ferreira F. , Thalhamer J. , Weiss R. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Allergic diseases have become a major public health problem in developed countries; yet, no reliable, safe and consistently effective treatment is available. DNA immunization has been shown to prevent and balance established allergic responses, however, the high dose of conventional DNA vaccines necessary for the induction of anti‐allergic reactions and their poor immunogenicity in primates require the development of new allergy DNA vaccines. We evaluated protective and therapeutic effects of a Semliki‐Forest Virus replicase‐based vs a conventional DNA vaccine in BALB/c mice using the model allergen β‐galactosidase.Methods:  Immunoglobulin (Ig)E suppression was determined by a basophil release assay as an in vitro correlate for allergen‐specific crosslinking capacity of IgE reflecting the in vivo situation in an allergic individual. Th1 memory responses were measured by cytokine detection via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme‐linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT).Results:  Nanogram amounts of a replicase‐based vector triggered a Th1 response comparable with that achieved with the injection of 20 000‐times more copies of a conventional DNA plasmid, and induced IgE suppression in both a protective and a therapeutic setting.Conclusions:  Replicase‐based DNA vaccines fulfill the stringent criteria for an allergy DNA vaccine, i.e. low dose, strong Th1 immunogenicity and memory, lack of ‘therapy‐induced’ IgE production and anaphylactic side effects. Moreover, by triggering apoptosis in transfected cells, their unique ‘immunize and disappear’ feature minimizes the hypothetical risks of genomic integration or induction of autoimmunity.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for progressive multiple sclerosis: report of efficacy and safety at three yr of follow up in 21 patients
Authors: Ni Xiu‐Shi , Ouyang Jiang , Zhu Wen‐Hui , Wang Chong , Chen Bing 
Published: June 2006

Abstract:  Objective:  To observe the efficacy and toxicity of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS).Methodology:  Twenty‐one patients with PMS were treated with autologous HSCT. Stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide (CY) and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor. After conditioning regimen of CY and total body irradiation or BEAM, stem cells were reinfused. CD34+ cell selection of the graft was performed and anti‐thymocyte globulin was given for T‐cell depletion. The probabilities of confirmed progression‐free survival and disease activity‐free survival were used to assess the efficacy and the adverse experiences were recorded to detect the toxicities.Results:  The median follow‐up time was 42 (6–65) months. The probabilities of confirmed progression‐free survival and the disease activity‐free survival were 75% and 33.3%, respectively. The principal adverse events included allergy, infection, elevation of liver enzymes, transient neurologic deterioration and depression. Two patients died of severe pneumonia and varicella‐zoster virus hepatitis, at 4.5 and 15 months post‐transplant, respectively.Conclusions:  Autologous HSCT seems beneficial to PMS. However, more patients and longer follow up would be required to assess the risk/benefit ratio.
Is Mate Provisioning Predicted by Ornamentation? A Test with Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Authors: Jawor Jodie M. , Breitwisch Randall 
Published: June 2006

AbstractMale birds of many species feed their mates during courtship and incubation. The amount of food provided can be substantial and even essential for successful reproduction in some species, and can influence female nest attentiveness in many others. Additionally, mate provisioning may predict later nestling feeding rates. Females may thus benefit from being able to determine male provisioning effort. We assessed the expression of several ornaments, known to indicate condition in male northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), and compared these with mate provisioning rates, nestling feeding rates, and nest attentiveness. We found that male ornamentation may not be indicative of mate provisioning rates. Mate provisioning rate did not co‐vary with reproductive success, male feedings to nestlings, or nest attentiveness of females. However, females which were fed more often during incubation tended to provision nestlings less. Reduced female parental effort following extensive incubation feeding may be indicative of females using incubation feeding to assess future male parental effort. Male hormonal condition that favors high rates of nestling provisioning may be a proximate cause of mate provisioning during incubation, even in the absence of selection, favoring high rates of mate provisioning. Both sexes may have capitalized on this unselected behavior.
Genetic diversity contribution to errors in short oligonucleotide microarray analysis
Authors: Kirst Matias , Caldo Rico , Casati Paula , Tanimoto Gene , Walbot Virginia , Wise Roger P. , Buckler Edward S. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryDNA arrays based on short oligonucleotide (≤ 25‐mer) probes are being developed for many species, and are being applied to quantify transcript abundance variation in species with high genetic diversity. To define the parameters necessary to design short oligo arrays for maize (Zea mays L.), a species with particularly high nucleotide (single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP) and insertion‐deletion (indel) polymorphism frequencies, we analysed gene expression estimates generated for four maize inbred lines using a custom Affymetrix DNA array, and identified biases associated with high levels of polymorphism between lines. Statistically significant interactions between probes and maize inbreds were detected, affecting five or more probes (out of 30 probes per transcript) in the majority of cases. SNPs and indels were identified by re‐sequencing; they are the primary source of probe‐by‐line interactions, affecting probeset level estimates and reducing the power of detecting transcript level variation between maize inbreds. This analysis identified 36 196 probes in 5118 probesets containing markers that may be used for genotyping in natural and segregating populations for association gene analysis and genetic mapping.
Rhetoric in Economic Research: The Case of Gender Wage Differentials
Authors: WEICHSELBAUMER DORIS , WINTER‐EBMER RUDOLF 
Published: June 2006

Scientific rhetoric can have a profound impact on the perception of research; it can also drive and direct further research efforts. What determines whether results are discussed in a neutral or a judgmental way? How precise and convincing do results have to be so that authors call for significant policy changes? These questions are in general difficult to answer, because rhetoric on the one hand, and content and methodology of the paper on the other, cannot be separated easily. We therefore used a unique example to examine this question empirically: the analysis of gender wage differentials. Here, the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition represents a standard research method that compares male and female earnings, holding observable factors constant. We analyzed close to 200 papers to investigate what drives authors to talk about discrimination, whether and when they call for policy activism, or when they are more hesitant to do so. Our results show that American authors are more reluctant to refer to discrimination. So are women, but only with respect to the titles of their papers. Furthermore, we find that the better the data and method used in a paper, the more likely an author is to assign his/her estimate of unequal wages to discrimination. The contrary is true the higher the prestige of the author or the research outlet.
Temporal resource partitioning by bats at water holes
Authors: Adams R. A. , Thibault K. M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe temporal axis of niche (temporally based resource partitioning) is an understudied mechanism for resource partitioning in mammals even though it provides a potential means for species coexistence. Herein we evaluate species‐specific use curves based upon capture times during the overlapping activity of bat species at two water holes in an arid environment where bats likely suffer high levels of evaporative water loss during roosting. During the first 75 min after sunset, intense bat activity at each water hole ensued and, although visitation times overlapped, there was a significant difference among species use curves. In addition, pairwise comparisons showed high similarity in temporal visitation patterns across sites for species in which capture numbers were comparable, whereas other species shifted to significantly earlier arrival times when their capture numbers were higher. There were no significant differences in mean roost site emergence times among species, nor in distance of roost sites from water holes. Our data provide one of the few statistically verified examples of fine‐grain temporal partitioning by mammals simultaneously using the same resource. We conclude that temporal partitioning helps facilitate bat species coexistence in water‐stressed environments.
The use of heart rate variability measures to assess autonomic control during exercise
Authors: Sandercock G. R. H. , Brodie D. A. 
Published: June 2006

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non‐invasive indicator of cardiac autonomic modulation at rest. During rhythmic exercise, global HRV decreases as a function of exercise intensity. Measures reflecting sympathovagal interactions at rest do not behave as expected during exercise. This makes interpretation of HRV measures difficult, especially at higher exercise intensities. This problem is further confounded by the occurrence of non‐neural oscillations in the high‐frequency band due to increased respiratory effort.Alternative data treatments, such as coarse graining spectral analysis (CGSA), have demonstrated expected changes in autonomic function during exercise with some success. The separation of harmonic from fractal and/or chaotic components of HRV and study of the latter during exercise have provided further insight into cardioregulatory control. However, more research is needed. Some cross‐sectional differences between HRV in athletes and controls during exercise are evident and data suggest longitudinal changes may be possible.Standard spectral HRV analysis should not be applied to exercise conditions. The use of CGSA and non‐linear analyses show much promise in this area. Until further validation of these measures is carried out and clarification of the physiological meaning of such measures occurs, HRV data regarding altered autonomic control during exercise should be treated with caution.
Scapulothoracic latent muscle reaction timing comparison between trained overhead throwers and untrained control subjects
Authors: Brindle T. J. , Nyland J. A. , Nitz A. J. , Shapiro R. 
Published: June 2006

Aim: This study evaluated select scapulothoracic muscles for training‐induced latent muscle reaction timing (LMRT) changes. Comparisons were also made between the dominant and non‐dominant upper extremities and between individual muscles.Materials and methods: Fifteen male trained overhead throwers (college baseball pitchers) and 15 male untrained, age‐matched control subjects participated in this study. Scapulothoracic muscle activation data were collected as subjects attempted to stop a variably timed, sudden glenohumeral joint internal rotation perturbation.Results: Training group differences were not evident for LMRT (P=0.56), however upper extremity dominance (P=0.003) and test muscle (P=0.0002) displayed significant differences. Dominant upper extremity upper trapezius muscle LMRT (72.5±26 ms) occurred later than non‐dominant upper trapezius muscle LMRT (60.0±14.1 ms, P=0.001). Dominant upper extremity middle trapezius‐rhomboid muscle LMRT (60.0±16.2 ms) occurred later than non‐dominant middle trapezius‐rhomboid muscle LMRT (50.2±12.6 ms, P=0.004). Dominant upper extremity upper trapezius muscle LMRT also occurred later than serratus anterior (55.7±16.0 ms, P=0.001) and middle trapezius‐rhomboid LMRT (60.2±16 ms, P=0.003). Mean overall dominant upper extremity LMRT (62.7±19.4 ms) was delayed compared with mean overall non‐dominant upper extremity LMRT (53.9±12.4 ms, P=0.003).Clinical consequences: Although training was not found to influence scapulothoracic LMRT, differences were observed between the dominant and non‐dominant upper extremities. Consistent LMRT delays at the dominant upper extremity suggest possible neuromuscular timing differences to enable prolonged glenohumeral joint and scapulothoracic articulation acceleration before deceleration through eccentric muscle activation. Both trained and untrained overhead throwers displayed this response. Variable perturbation test velocities, and in‐season testing of larger subject groups may be needed to better elucidate the more subtle differences associated with training.
Implant Treatment in the Edentulous Maxillae: A 15‐Year Follow‐Up Study on 76 Consecutive Patients Provided with Fixed Prostheses
Authors: Jemt Torsten , Johansson Jesper 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTBackground:  Few long‐term follow‐up studies are available on implant treatment based on patient level data related to time.Purpose  The aim of this study was to report 15‐year patient‐based data in relation to time of follow up after treatment with fixed prostheses supported by implants in the edentulous upper jaw.Materials and Methods  Seventy‐six edentulous consecutive patients, provided with 450 turned Brånemark implants, were followed up with regard to maintenance, complications, and radiographs taken during the follow‐up period.Results  Forty‐four patients provided with 247 implants were lost to follow up. Patients followed up for 15 years showed as a group a trend of better implant survival than patients lost to follow up (p > .05). Altogether, 37 implants and 5 fixed prostheses failed during the follow‐up period. Most implants were lost at abutment surgery (n− 15) and another nine during the first year of function. The 15‐year implant and fixed prosthesis cumulative survival rate was 90.9 and 90.6%, respectively. Resin veneer fractures caused most problems, more frequent in the earlier stage while severe wear increased in the later stage of follow up. No implant fractures or loosening of abutment/bridge locking screws were noted. The mean marginal bone loss was 0.5 mm (SD 0.47) after 5 years, followed by only minimal average changes during the following years. No radiographic parameter showed any time‐dependent relationship. The percentage of patients presenting at least one implant with more than 2.0‐mm bone loss was 4.9% in the interval from 0 to 5 years and 4.0% between 10 and 15 years. Only 1.3% of implants showed >3.0 mm accumulated bone loss after 15 years.Conclusion  Implant treatment in the edentulous upper jaw functions well in a 15‐year time perspective, but an insignificant trend of higher implant failures was observed for patients lost to follow up. Besides wear and fractures of veneers, no other parameter showed any time‐related relationship, indicating an increased risk for more complications during later stages of follow up. However, accumulation of smaller amount of bone loss during the years resulted in an increasing number of implants and patients with bone levels below the third thread, which could be speculated to increase future maintenance after 15 years.
Moderately Roughened‐ and Roughened‐Surface Implants Used as Rigid Orthodontic Anchorage: A Case Series
Authors: Kato Satoshi , Kato Michiko 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTBackground  Osseointegrated implants, especially Brånemark turned‐surface implants, have been shown to function as stable and efficient orthodontic anchors. While it is generally accepted that prostheses can be attached to implants that have been used as anchors, it has not been clarified if the same applies to moderately roughened‐ and roughened‐surface implants.Purpose  The purpose of the present study was to assess the differences between moderately roughened‐ and roughened‐surface implants that are used as orthodontic anchors and then bonded with prostheses and those that are bonded with prostheses without serving as orthodontic anchors.Materials and Methods  A total of 43 moderately roughened‐ and roughened‐surface implants (ITI titanium plasma spray TPS®] Straumann AG, Waldenburg, Switzerland], ITI sandblasted large‐grit acid‐etched SLA®] Straumann AG], Nobel TiUniteTM Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden]) were placed in 11 partially edentulous patients, aged 35–61 years (two men and nine women). After an appropriate healing period, orthodontic therapy was performed in 11 patients using 27 implants as orthodontic anchors. After completion of the orthodontic therapy, the prostheses were attached at the same time to both types of implants: the 27 implants that were used as anchors, and 16 implants that were not used as anchors. All 11 patients were followed up regularly.Results:  Regardless of use as orthodontic anchorage, all implants maintained osseointegration and continued to function properly.Conclusion:  No differences existed in therapeutic results after prosthesis bonding whether or not moderately roughened‐ and roughened‐surface implants were used as orthodontic anchors.
Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Gynecologic Neoplasms: A Retrospective Pilot Study
Authors: Amsterdam Alison , Krychman Michael L. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Little is known regarding the impact of a sexual health program on the sexual functioning of patients with a history of a gynecologic malignancy.

Aim
To evaluate as a pilot study the prevalence of common sexual health symptoms and evaluate the effects and compliance with clinical recommendations in gynecologic oncology patients.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study of 259 female cancer patients who attended a survivorship program at an academic medical center from March 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004. Patients received symptomatic treatment recommendations including hormone therapy alternatives, psychosexual counseling, minimally absorbed vaginal estrogen suppositories, and vaginal dilators.

Main Outcome Measures
Patient self-report of the severity of sexual symptomology at follow-up visit.

Results
Ninety-six patients (37%) had gynecologic neoplasms and the most common gynecologic malignancy seen was ovarian (27%). Median age at initial visit was 51 years (range 25–76) and 88 patients (92%) were postmenopausal. The most frequent presenting complaint encountered was dyspareunia (72%), atrophic vaginitis (65%), hypoactive desire (43%), and orgasmic dysfunction (17%). At a median of 6 months (range 0–20), 60 patients (63%) received follow-up, and of them 42 (70%) self-reported improvement in their symptoms.

Conclusions
The establishment of a well-structured sexual health program in a cancer setting can result in a 63% compliance rate with a 70% subjective improvement in sexual health complaints. Further research with objective measures of sexual dysfunction is needed to better evaluate patients’ progress in this setting.
Current Concerns in Validity Theory
Authors: Kane Michael T. 
Published: June 2006

We are at the end of the first century of work on models of educational and psychological measurement and into a new millennium. This certainly seems like an appropriate time for looking backward and looking forward in assessment. Furthermore, a new edition of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, & NCME, 1999) has been published, and the previous editions of the Standards have served as benchmarks in the development of measurement theory.This backward glance will be just that, a glance. After a brief historical review focusing mainly on construct validity, the current state of validity theory will be summarized, with an emphasis on the role of arguments in validation. Then how an argument‐based approach might be applied will be examined in regards to two issues in validity theory: the distinction between performance‐based and theory‐based interpretations, and the role of consequences in validation.
Reverse Genetic Generation of Recombinant Zaire Ebola Viruses Containing Disrupted IRF-3 Inhibitory Domains Results in Attenuated Virus Growth In Vitro and Higher Levels of IRF-3 Activation without Inhibiting Viral Transcription or Replication
Authors: Hartman Amy L. , Dover Jason E. , Towner Jonathan S. , Nichol Stuart T. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT
The VP35 protein of Zaire Ebola virus is an essential component of the viral RNA polymerase complex and also functions to antagonize the cellular type I interferon (IFN) response by blocking activation of the transcription factor IRF-3. We previously mapped the IRF-3 inhibitory domain within the C terminus of VP35. In the present study, we show that mutations that disrupt the IRF-3 inhibitory function of VP35 do not disrupt viral transcription/replication, suggesting that the two functions of VP35 are separable. Second, using reverse genetics, we successfully recovered recombinant Ebola viruses containing mutations within the IRF-3 inhibitory domain. Importantly, we show that the recombinant viruses were attenuated for growth in cell culture and that they activated IRF-3 and IRF-3-inducible gene expression at levels higher than that for Ebola virus containing wild-type VP35. In the context of Ebola virus pathogenesis, VP35 may function to limit early IFN-β production and other antiviral signals generated from cells at the primary site of infection, thereby slowing down the host's ability to curb virus replication and induce adaptive immunity.