bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kickin’ Asthma: School‐Based Asthma Education in an Urban Community
Authors: Magzamen Sheryl , Patel Bina , Davis Adam , Edelstein Joan , Tager Ira B. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND:  In urban communities with high prevalence of childhood asthma, school‐based educational programs may be the most appropriate approach to deliver interventions to improve asthma morbidity and asthma‐related outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of Kickin’ Asthma, a school‐based asthma curriculum designed by health educators and local students, which teaches asthma physiology and asthma self‐management techniques to middle and high school students in Oakland, CA.METHODS:  Eligible students were identified through an in‐class asthma case identification survey. Approximately 10‐15 students identified as asthmatic were recruited for each series of the Kickin’ Asthma intervention. The curriculum was delivered by an asthma nurse in a series of four 50‐minute sessions. Students completed a baseline and a 3‐month follow‐up survey that compared symptom frequency, health care utilization, activity limitations, and medication use.RESULTS:  Of the 8488 students surveyed during the first 3 years of the intervention (2003‐2006), 15.4% (n = 1309) were identified as asthmatic; approximately 76% of eligible students (n = 990) from 15 middle schools and 3 high schools participated in the program. Comparison of baseline to follow‐up data indicated that students experienced significantly fewer days with activity limitations and significantly fewer nights of sleep disturbance after participation in the intervention. For health care utilization, students reported significantly less frequent emergency department visits or hospitalizations between the baseline and follow‐up surveys.CONCLUSIONS:  A school‐based asthma curriculum designed specifically for urban students has been shown to reduce symptoms, activity limitations, and health care utilization for intervention participants.
Local Ca2+ influx through CRAC channels activates temporally and spatially distinct cellular responses
Authors: Parekh A. B. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCa2+ entry through store‐operated Ca2+ release‐activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels controls a disparate array of key cellular responses. In this review, recent work will be described that shows local Ca2+ influx through CRAC channels has important spatial and temporal consequences on cell function. A localized Ca2+ rise below the plasma membrane activates, within tens of seconds, catabolic enzymes resulting in the generation of the intracellular messenger arachidonic acid and the paracrine pro‐inflammatory molecule LTC4. In addition, local Ca2+ entry can activate gene expression, which develops over tens of minutes. Local Ca2+ influx through CRAC channels therefore has far‐reaching consequences on intra‐ and intercellular communication.
Modulation of calcium signalling by intracellular organelles seen with targeted aequorins
Authors: Alonso M. T. , Manjarrés I. M. , García‐Sancho J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe cytosolic Ca2+ signals that trigger cell responses occur either as localized domains of high Ca2+ concentration or as propagating Ca2+ waves. Cytoplasmic organelles, taking up or releasing Ca2+ to the cytosol, shape the cytosolic signals. On the other hand, Ca2+ concentration inside organelles is also important in physiology and pathophysiology. Comprehensive study of these matters requires to measure [Ca2+] inside organelles and at the relevant cytosolic domains. Aequorins, the best‐known chemiluminescent Ca2+ probes, are excellent for this end as they do not require stressing illumination, have a large dynamic range and a sharp Ca2+‐dependence, can be targeted to the appropriate location and engineered to have the proper Ca2+ affinity. Using this methodology, we have evidenced the existence in chromaffin cells of functional units composed by three closely interrelated elements: (1) plasma membrane Ca2+ channels, (2) subplasmalemmal endoplasmic reticulum and (3) mitochondria. These Ca2+‐signalling triads optimize Ca2+ microdomains for secretion and prevent propagation of the Ca2+ wave towards the cell core. Oscillatory cytosolic Ca2+ signals originate also oscillations of mitochondrial Ca2+ in several cell types. The nuclear envelope slows down the propagation of the Ca2+ wave to the nucleus and filters high frequencies. On the other hand, inositol‐trisphosphate may produce direct release of Ca2+ to the nucleoplasm in GH3 pituitary cells, thus providing mechanisms for selective nuclear signalling. Aequorins emitting at different wavelengths, prepared by fusion either with green or red fluorescent protein, permit simultaneous and independent monitorization of the Ca2+ signals in different subcellular domains within the same cell.
Roles of the actin‐binding proteins in intracellular Ca2+ signalling
Authors: Chun J. T. , Santella L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractStarfish oocytes undergo massive intracellular Ca2+ signalling during meiotic maturation and fertilization. Although the igniting stimulus of Ca2+ mobilization may differ in different cell contexts, its final leverage is usually the Ca2+‐releasing second messengers such as InsP3, cADPr and NAADP. The general scheme of intracellular Ca2+ release is that the corresponding receptors for these molecules serve as ion channels to release free Ca2+ from its internal stores such as the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. However, a growing body of evidence has suggested that intracellular Ca2+ release can be strongly modulated by the actin cytoskeleton. Although it is known that Ca2+ contributes to remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton, whether the actin cytoskeleton modulates Ca2+ signalling in return has not been much explored. An emerging candidate to answer to this reciprocal causality of Ca2+ and the actin cytoskeleton may be actin‐binding proteins. In this review, we discuss how the actin cytoskeleton may fit into the known mechanisms of intracellular Ca2+ release, and propose two models to explain the experimental data.
Physiological functions of glucose‐inhibited neurones
Authors: Burdakov D. , González J. A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractGlucose‐inhibited neurones are an integral part of neurocircuits regulating cognitive arousal, body weight and vital adaptive behaviours. Their firing is directly suppressed by extracellular glucose through poorly understood signalling cascades culminating in opening of post‐synaptic K+ or possibly Cl− channels. In mammalian brains, two groups of glucose‐inhibited neurones are best understood at present: neurones of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) that express peptide transmitters NPY and agouti‐related peptide (AgRP) and neurones of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) that express peptide transmitters orexins/hypocretins. The activity of ARC NPY/AgRP neurones promotes food intake and suppresses energy expenditure, and their destruction causes a severe reduction in food intake and body weight. The physiological actions of ARC NPY/AgRP cells are mediated by projections to numerous hypothalamic areas, as well as extrahypothalamic sites such as the thalamus and ventral tegmental area. Orexin/hypocretin neurones of the LH are critical for normal wakefulness, energy expenditure and reward‐seeking, and their destruction causes narcolepsy. Orexin actions are mediated by highly widespread central projections to virtually all brain areas except the cerebellum, including monosynaptic innervation of the cerebral cortex and autonomic pre‐ganglionic neurones. There, orexins act on two specific G‐protein‐coupled receptors generally linked to neuronal excitation. In addition to sensing physiological changes in sugar levels, the firing of both NPY/AgRP and orexin neurones is inhibited by the ‘satiety’ hormone leptin and stimulated by the ‘hunger’ hormone ghrelin. Glucose‐inhibited neurones are thus well placed to coordinate diverse brain states and behaviours based on energy levels.
Genetic manipulation, whole‐cell recordings and functional imaging of the sensorimotor cortex of behaving mice
Authors: Petersen C. C. H. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractSensory processing, sensorimotor integration and motor control are amongst the most basic functions of the brain and yet our understanding of how the underlying neuronal networks operate and contribute to behaviour is very limited. The relative simplicity of the mouse whisker sensorimotor system is helpful for detailed quantitative analyses of motor control and perception during active sensory processing. Recent technical advances now allow the measurement of membrane potential in awake‐behaving mice, using whole‐cell recordings and voltage‐sensitive dye imaging. With these recording techniques, it is possible to directly correlate neuronal activity with behaviour. However, in order to obtain causal evidence for the specific contributions of different neuronal networks to behaviour, it is critical to manipulate the system in a highly controlled manner. Advances in molecular neurobiology, gene delivery and mouse genetics provide techniques capable of layer, column and cell‐type specific control of gene expression in the mouse neocortex. Over the next years, we anticipate considerable advances in our understanding of brain function through measuring and manipulating neuronal activity with unprecedented precision to probe the molecular and synaptic mechanisms underlying simple forms of active sensory perception and associative learning.
The physiology of rodent beta‐cells in pancreas slices
Authors: Rupnik M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBeta‐cells in pancreatic islets form complex syncytia. Sufficient cell‐to‐cell electrical coupling seems to ensure coordinated depolarization pattern and insulin release that can be further modulated by rich innervation. The complex structure and coordinated action develop after birth during fast proliferation of the endocrine tissue. These emergent properties can be lost due to various reasons later in life and can lead to glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus. Pancreas slice is a novel method of choice to study the physiology of beta‐cells still embedded in their normal cellulo‐social context. I present major advantages, list drawbacks and provide an overview on recent advances in our understanding of the physiology of beta‐cells using the pancreas slice approach.
Decoding epithelial signals: critical role for the epidermal growth factor receptor in controlling intestinal transport function
Authors: McCole D. F. , Barrett K. E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe intestinal epithelium engages in bidirectional transport of fluid and electrolytes to subserve the physiological processes of nutrient digestion and absorption, as well as the elimination of wastes, without excessive losses of bodily fluids that would lead to dehydration. The overall processes of intestinal ion transport, which in turn drive the secretion or absorption of water, are accordingly carefully regulated. We and others have identified the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) as a critical regulator of mammalian intestinal ion transport. In this article, we focus on our studies that have uncovered the intricate signalling mechanisms downstream of EGFr that regulate both chloride secretion and sodium absorption by colonocytes. Emphasis will be placed on the EGFr‐associated regulatory pathways that dictate the precise outcome to receptor activation in response to signals that may seem, on their face, to be quite similar if not identical. The concepts to be discussed underlie the ability of the intestinal epithelium to utilize a limited set of signalling effectors to produce a variety of outcomes suitable for varying physiological and pathophysiological demands. Our findings therefore are relevant not only to basic biological principles, but also may ultimately point to new therapeutic targets in intestinal diseases where ion transport is abnormal.
The lateral intercellular space as osmotic coupling compartment in isotonic transport
Authors: Larsen E. H. , Willumsen N. J. , Møbjerg N. , Sørensen J. N. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractSolute‐coupled water transport and isotonic transport are basic functions of low‐ and high‐resistance epithelia. These functions are studied with the epithelium bathed on the two sides with physiological saline of similar composition. Hence, at transepithelial equilibrium water enters the epithelial cells from both sides, and with the reflection coefficient of tight junction being larger than that of the interspace basement membrane, all of the water leaves the epithelium through the interspace basement membrane. The common design of transporting epithelia leads to the theory that an osmotic coupling of water absorption to ion flow is energized by lateral Na+/K+ pumps. We show that the theory accounts quantitatively for steady‐ and time dependent states of solute‐coupled fluid uptake by toad skin epithelium. Our experimental results exclude definitively three alternative theories of epithelial solute–water coupling: stoichiometric coupling at the molecular level by transport proteins like SGLT1, electro‐osmosis and a ‘junctional fluid transfer mechanism’. Convection‐diffusion out of the lateral space constitutes the fundamental problem of isotonic transport by making the emerging fluid hypertonic relative to the fluid in the lateral intercellular space. In the Na+ recirculation theory the ‘surplus of solutes’ is returned to the lateral space via the cells energized by the lateral Na+/K+ pumps. We show that this theory accounts quantitatively for isotonic and hypotonic transport at transepithelial osmotic equilibrium as observed in toad skin epithelium in vitro. Our conclusions are further developed for discussing their application to solute–solvent coupling in other vertebrate epithelia such as small intestine, proximal tubule of glomerular kidney and gallbladder. Evidence is discussed that the Na+ recirculation theory is not irreconcilable with the wide range of metabolic cost of Na+ transport observed in fluid‐transporting epithelia.
Downstream from calcium signalling: mitochondria, vacuoles and pancreatic acinar cell damage
Authors: Voronina S. , Sherwood M. , Barrow S. , Dolman N. , Conant A. , Tepikin A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCa2+ is one of the most ancient and ubiquitous second messengers. Highly polarized pancreatic acinar cells serve as an important cellular model for studies of Ca2+ signalling and homeostasis. Downstream effects of Ca2+ signalling have been and continue to be an important research avenue. The primary functions regulated by Ca2+ in pancreatic acinar cells – exocytotic secretion and fluid secretion – have been defined and extensively characterized in the second part of the last century. The role of cytosolic Ca2+ in cellular pathology and the related question of the interplay between Ca2+ signalling and bioenergetics are important current research lines in our and other laboratories. Recent findings in these interwoven research areas are discussed in the current review.
Applicatives
Authors: McGinnis Martha 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAn applicative is a syntactic element adding an extra object to a clause. In some cases, the direct and applied objects are generated within a small clause; in others, the applied object is generated outside the main verb phrase. Symmetric applicatives allow either object to move to the subject position of a passive clause; asymmetric applicatives allow only one object to move. Within Minimalist theory, syntactic movement is constrained by the Minimal Link Condition (MLC). In the simplest case, the MLC allows only the highest argument to move to subject position. However, the lower object can do so if the higher object is ineligible for movement, or if the lower one moves over it via a syntactic escape hatch. A surprising interaction of binding and movement provides independent evidence for this analysis. A new phase‐based approach seeks to illuminate the nature of syntactic domains by connecting movement in applicatives with their semantic and phonological properties.
Can Language Politics Ensure Languages Survival? Evidence from Italy
Authors: Perta Carmela 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn light of the minority language revitalization trend, which has spread throughout Europe, encouraged by International and European legislation, at the end of the last century, an Italian law was approved to give a national framework to minority language preservation and renaissance. The status and prestige of minority languages thus appeared to be strengthened, though several theoretical and practical problems continue to impede national implementation of the law. Some of these problems – the different language minorities present in Italy, the linguistic variety that should be used in public settings and the nature of the language that is the object of the national language policy – are examined in this article. The purpose of this article is to consider the pros and cons of Italian language policies and politics through case studies representative of Italian sociolinguistic diversity, thus highlighting the roadblocks to protecting minority languages.
The Effect of Class Size Reduction on Foreign Language Learning: A Case Study1
Authors: Yi Heejong 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe effect of class size reduction (CSR) has been a frequent topic in educational policy over the past decades. Although previous studies yield inconclusive results, the expectation has been that implementing CSR would improve students’ academic achievement. This article studies the effects of CSR in adult foreign language classrooms at a single institution. Language proficiency data from students learning Modern Standard Arabic, Chinese, or Korean in a class of reduced size (5–6 students per classroom) are compared to those in the standard size classroom for this institution (9–10 students per classroom). At the midpoint in the course, the effects of CSR are evident in the areas of pronunciation and communicative skills. At the end of the course, the students in a CSR classroom reach higher proficiency in reading, listening, and speaking.
Discourse Impairments Following Right Hemisphere Brain Damage: A Critical Review
Authors: Johns Clinton L. , Tooley Kristen M. , Traxler Matthew J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractRight hemisphere brain damage (RHD) rarely causes aphasias marked by clear and widespread failures of comprehension or extreme difficulty producing fluent speech. Nonetheless, subtle language comprehension deficits can occur following unilateral RHD. In this article, we review the empirical record on discourse function following right hemisphere damage, as well as relevant work on non‐brain damaged individuals that focuses on right hemisphere function. The review is divided into four sections that focus on discourse processing, inferencing, humor, and non‐literal language. While the exact role that the right hemisphere plays in language processing, and the exact way that the two cerebral hemispheres coordinate their linguistic processes are still open to debate, our review suggests that the right hemisphere plays a critical role in managing inferred or implied information by maintaining relevant information and/or suppressing irrelevant information. Deficits in one or both of these mechanisms may account for discourse deficits following RHD.
Why All Counter‐Evidence to the Critical Period Hypothesis in Second Language Acquisition Is not Equal or Problematic
Authors: Rothman Jason 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThat adult and child language acquisitions differ in route and outcome is observable. Notwithstanding, there is controversy as to what this observation means for the Critical Period Hypothesis’ (CPH) application to adult second language acquisition (SLA). As most versions of the CPH applied to SLA claim that differences result from maturational effects on in‐born linguistic mechanisms, the CPH has many implications that are amendable to empirical investigation. To date, there is no shortage of literature claiming that the CPH applies or does not apply to normal adult SLA. Herein, I provide an epistemological discussion on the conceptual usefulness of the CPH in SLA (cf. Singleton 2005) coupled with a review of Long's (2005) evaluation of much available relevant research. Crucially, I review studies that Long did not consider and conclude differently that there is no critical/sensitive period for L2 syntactic and semantic acquisition.
United Kingdom myeloma forum position statement on the use of lenalidomide in multiple myeloma
Authors: DAVIES F. , MORRIS C. , BIRD J. , COOK G. , WILLIAMS C. , TIGHE J. , CAVENAGH J. , BEHRENS J. , SCHEY S. , MORGAN G. ,   On Behalf Of The United Kingdom Myeloma Forum
Published: November 2008

SummaryLenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug, which has anti‐myeloma activity in vitro. Phase II clinical trials have demonstrated lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone is effective for the treatment of both relapsed refractory myeloma and newly diagnosed patients. Two large phase III studies comparing lenalidomide and dexamethasone to dexamethasone alone in relapsed patients showed superiority in response, progression free and overall survival. It is administered orally for 21 days in a 28 day cycle. Side effects are manageable and include neutropenia and venous thrombotic events. It is currently approved, in combination with dexamethasone, for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy. Studies in front line patients and with other drug combinations are ongoing. Given the strength of this data the UK Myeloma Forum believe that lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone should be available for prescription by UK haematologists according to its licensed indication in patients with relapsed myeloma.
Regular use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs increases the risk of adult‐onset asthma: a population‐based follow‐up study
Authors: Thomsen Simon Francis , Kyvik Kirsten Ohm , Skadhauge Lars Rauff , Steffensen Ida , Backer Vibeke 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:  Little is known about the relation between regular use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the risk of asthma at the population level. The aim of this study was to examine a possible association between intake of NSAIDs and risk of adult‐onset asthma.Methods:  Using data from two multidisciplinary postal questionnaire surveys concerning health and lifestyle, we prospectively studied 19 349 adult twins enrolled in the nationwide Danish Twin Registry.Results:  We found a higher prevalence of new‐onset asthma in subjects who used NSAIDs (other than aspirin) regularly compared with non‐users (7.7% vs 4.3%), OR = 1.87 (1.25–2.81), P = 0.002. The result remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, smoking, BMI, hay fever, eczema and intake of medications other than NSAIDs, OR = 1.90 (1.26–2.85), P = 0.002.Conclusions:  Regular use of NSAIDs other than aspirin may be a risk factor for adult‐onset asthma. This observation must be accommodated in explanations of the relationship between use of analgesics and risk of asthma.Please cite this paper as: Thomsen SF, Kyvik KO, Skadhauge LR, Steffensen I and Backer V. Regular use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs increases the risk of adult‐onset asthma: a population‐based follow‐up study. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 82–84.