bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitigation of peroxynitrite‐mediated nitric oxide (NO) toxicity as a mechanism of induced adaptive NO resistance in the CNS
Authors: Bishop Amy , Gooch Renea , Eguchi Asuka , Jeffrey Stephanie , Smallwood Lorraine , Anderson James , Estevez Alvaro G. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractDuring CNS injury and diseases, nitric oxide (NO) is released at a high flux rate leading to formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO•) and other reactive nitrogenous species, which nitrate tyrosines of proteins to form 3‐nitrotyrosine (3NY), leading to cell death. Previously, we have found that motor neurons exposed to low levels of NO become resistant to subsequent cytotoxic NO challenge; an effect dubbed induced adaptive resistance (IAR). Here, we report IAR mitigates, not only cell death, but 3NY formation in response to cytotoxic NO. Addition of an NO scavenger before NO challenge duplicates IAR, implicating reactive nitrogenous species in cell death. Addition of uric acid (a peroxynitrite scavenger) before cytotoxic NO challenge, duplicates IAR, implicating peroxynitrite, with subsequent 3NY formation, in cell death, and abrogation of this pathway as a mechanism of IAR. IAR is dependent on the heme‐metabolizing enzyme, heme oxygenase‐1 (HO1), as indicated by the elimination of IAR by a specific HO1 inhibitor, and by the finding that neurons isolated from HO1 null mice have increased NO sensitivity with concomitant increased 3NY formation. This data indicate that IAR is an HO1‐dependent mechanism that prevents peroxynitrite‐mediated NO toxicity in motor neurons, thereby elucidating therapeutic targets for the mitigation of CNS disease and injury.
Signal transduction and functional selectivity of F15599, a preferential post‐synaptic 5‐HT1Areceptor agonist
Authors: Newman‐Tancredi A , Martel J‐C , Assié M‐B , Buritova J , Lauressergues E , Cosi C , Heusler P , Bruins Slot L , Colpaert FC , Vacher B , Cussac D 
Published: January 2009

Background and purpose: Activation of post‐synaptic 5‐HT1Areceptors may provide enhanced therapy against depression. We describe the signal transduction profile of F15599, a novel 5‐HT1Areceptor agonist.Experimental approach: F15599 was compared with a chemical congener, F13714, and with (+)8‐OH‐DPAT in models of signal transductionin vitroandex vivo.Key results: F15599 was highly selective for 5‐HT1Areceptors in binding experiments and in [35S]‐GTPγS autoradiography of rat brain, where F15599 increased labelling in regions expressing 5‐HT1Areceptors. In cell lines expressing h5‐HT1Areceptors, F15599 more potently stimulated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, compared with G‐protein activation, internalization of h5‐HT1Areceptors or inhibition of cAMP accumulation. F13714, (+)8‐OH‐DPAT and 5‐HT displayed a different rank order of potency for these responses. F15599 stimulated [35S]‐GTPγS binding more potently in frontal cortex than raphe. F15599, unlike 5‐HT, more potently and efficaciously stimulated Gαithan Gαoactivation. In rat prefrontal cortex (a region expressing post‐synaptic 5‐HT1Areceptors), F15599 potently activated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and strongly induced c‐fos mRNA expression. In contrast, in raphe regions (expressing pre‐synaptic 5‐HT1Areceptors) F15599 only weakly or did not induce c‐fos mRNA expression. Finally, despite its more modest affinityin vitro, F15599 bound to 5‐HT1Areceptorsin vivoalmost as potently as F13714.Conclusions and implications: F15599 showed a distinctive activation profiles for 5‐HT1Areceptor‐mediated signalling pathways, unlike those of reference agonists and consistent with functional selectivity at 5‐HT1Areceptors. In rat, F15599 potently activated signalling in prefrontal cortex, a feature likely to underlie its beneficial effects in models of depression and cognition.
A Metric of Maternal Prenatal Risk Drinking Predicts Neurobehavioral Outcomes in Preschool Children
Authors: Chiodo Lisa M. , Janisse James , Delaney‐Black Virginia , Sokol Robert J. , Hannigan John H. 
Published: January 2009

Background:  Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, continue to be high‐incidence developmental disorders. Detection of patterns of maternal drinking that place fetuses at risk for these disorders is critical to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, but is challenging and often insufficient during pregnancy. Various screens and measures have been used to identify maternal risk drinking but their ability to predict child outcome has been inconsistent. This study hypothesized that a metric of fetal “at‐risk” alcohol exposure (ARAE) derived from several indicators of maternal self‐reported drinking would predict alcohol‐related neurobehavioral dysfunctions in children better than individual measures of maternal alcohol consumption alone.Methods:  Self‐reported peri‐conceptional and repeated maternal drinking during pregnancy were assessed with semi‐structured interviews and standard screens, i.e., the CAGE, T‐ACE, and MAST, in a prospective sample of 75 African‐American mothers. Drinking volumes per beverage type were converted to standard quantity and frequency measures. From these individual measures and screening instruments, a simple dichotomous index of prenatal ARAE was defined and used to predict neurobehavioral outcomes in the 4‐ to 5‐year‐old offspring of these women. Study outcomes included IQ, attention, memory, visual‐motor integration, fine motor skill, and behavior. Statistical analyses controlled for demographic and other potential confounders.Results:  The current “at‐risk” drinking metric identified over 62% of the mothers as drinking at risk levels—23% more than the selection criterion identified—and outperformed all individual quantity and frequency consumption measures, including averages of weekly alcohol use and “binge” alcohol exposures (assessed as intake per drinking occasion), as well as an estimate of the Maternal Substance Abuse Checklist (Coles et al., 2000), in predicting prenatal alcohol‐related cognitive and behavioral dysfunction in 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children.Conclusions:  A metric reflecting multiple indices of “at‐risk” maternal alcohol drinking in pregnancy had greater utility in predicting various prenatal alcohol‐related neurobehavioral dysfunction and deficits in children compared to individual measures of maternal self‐reported alcohol consumption or a previous maternal substance abuse index. Assessing fetal risk drinking in pregnant women was improved by including multiple indicators of both alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related consequences and, if appropriate practical applications are devised, may facilitate intervention by health care workers during pregnancy and potentially reduce the incidence or severity of FASDs.
A Rasch Model Analysis of Alcohol Consumption and Problems Across Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Authors: Kahler Christopher W. , Hoeppner Bettina B. , Jackson Kristina M. 
Published: January 2009

Background:  Recent investigations using item response modeling have begun to conceptualize alcohol consumption, problems, and dependence as representing points along a single continuum of alcohol involvement. Such a conceptualization may be of particular benefit to measurement of alcohol involvement in adolescents, but investigations to date have been limited to adult samples and may not generalize to adolescents due to age‐related developmental differences.Methods:  This study used Rasch model analyses to examine the properties of indices of alcohol consumption and problems among 6,353 adolescents, aged 12 to 18 years, in Wave 1 of the Add Health survey. A particular focus was on whether the functioning of items changed when these adolescents were re‐interviewed in Wave 3 when they were 18 to 24 years of age.Results:  Rasch model analyses supported the unidimensionality and additive properties of the items in the Wave 1 data. Comparisons of Wave 1 and Wave 3 data indicated differential item functioning in most of the items such that items related to alcohol consumption were more severe during adolescence, whereas items related to alcohol problems were more severe in young adulthood.Conclusions:  A valid index of alcohol involvement in adolescents can be constructed combining indices of alcohol consumption and alcohol problems. Such an index covers a range of severity and functions similarly across sex and race/ethnicity. A similar index can be constructed in young adulthood. However, the interpretation of scores must be attentive to developmental differences. In particular, for adolescents, indices of alcohol consumption are relatively closer in severity to indices of alcohol problems than they are among young adults. Thus, alcohol problems are more likely among adolescents than young adults given a similar level of drinking.
Digital image management project for dermatological health care environments: a new dedicated software and review of the literature
Authors: Rubegni Pietro , Nami Niccolò , Poggiali Sara , Tataranno Domenico , Fimiani M. 
Published: January 2009

Background/purpose: Because the skin is the only organ completely accessible to visual examination, digital technology has therefore attracted the attention of dermatologists for documenting, monitoring, measuring and classifying morphological manifestations. To describe a digital image management system dedicated to dermatological health care environments and to compare it with other existing softwares for digital image storage.Methods: We designed a reliable hardware structure that could ensure future scaling, because storage needs tend to grow exponentially. For the software, we chose a client‐web server application based on a relational database and with a ‘minimalist’ user interface.Results: We developed a software with a ready‐made, adaptable index of skin pathologies. It facilitates classification by pathology, patient and visit, with an advanced search option allowing access to all images according to personalised criteria. The software also offers the possibility of comparing two or more digital images (follow‐up). The fact that the archives of years of digital photos acquired and saved on PCs can easily be entered in the program distinguishes it from the others in the market. This option is fundamental for accessing all the photos taken in years of practice in the program without entering them one by one. The program is available to any user connected to the local Intranet and the system may directly be available in the future from the Internet.Conclusions: All clinics and surgeries, especially those that rely on digital images, are obliged to keep up with technological advances. It is therefore hoped that our project will become a model for medical structures intending to rationalise digital and other data according to statutory requirements.
Quantitation of epidermal and mucosal tissue injury using contrast agents and imaging techniques
Authors: Visscher Marty O. , Sullivan David , Sullivan Steven , Barford Brian , Dock Murray , Sommers Marilyn S. 
Published: January 2009

Background/purpose: Epidermal injury is common but the accuracy of visual methods is significantly impacted by the inherent skin pigmentation. We examined imaging and fluorescence techniques to quantify tissue injury as a function of skin color.Methods: Epidermal and mucosal scratches were created in 20 light‐ (L* 68.2±2.3) and 20 dark‐skinned (L* 46.4±5.2) females. Injured and uninjured sites were treated with toluidine blue (TB), fluorescein (FL) and a TB/FL mixture and photographed under conditions of white and fluorescent light. Area and intensity parameters were determined.Results: Injured sites with TB and TB/FL had higher areas than the control for both light and dark subjects (anova, P<0.05). The intensity of the injured TB site was higher than the control for light skin only. The areas of injured sites with FL and TB/FL were higher than the control for both groups as were the intensities of the injured sites with FL. The findings were similar for the lip skin.Conclusions: Application of TB and FL contrasts under white and fluorescent light can be used to quantify tissue injuries for L* values >35 and is a promising approach for the quantitation across a range of skin pigmentation.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Safety Analysis of the Diaphragm in Combination with Lubricant or Acidifying Microbicide Gels: Effects on Markers of Inflammation and Innate Immunity in Cervicovaginal Fluid
Authors: Anderson Deborah J. , Williams D’Nyce L. , Ballagh Susan A. , Barnhart Kurt , Creinin Mitchell D. , Newman Daniel R. , Bowman Frederick P. , Politch Joseph A. , Duerr Ann C. , Jamieson Denise J. 
Published: January 2009

Objective  Diaphragms are being considered for use with vaginal microbicide gels to provide enhanced protection against sexually transmitted pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of a diaphragm with microbicide or placebo gel causes cervicovaginal inflammation or perturbations in cervicovaginal immune defense.Method of study  Eighty‐one non‐pregnant women were randomized into three groups and instructed to use Milex® (CooperSurgical, Inc., Trumbull, CT, USA)diaphragms overnight for 14 days in combination with one of the two acid‐buffering microbicide gels [ACIDFORM™ (Instead Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA) or BufferGel™ (BG; ReProtect Inc., Baltimore, Maryland)] or placebo gel (K‐Y Jelly®; Personal Products Inc., Raritan, NJ, USA). Cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs) were performed prior to study entry and on days 8 and 16. Nine soluble mediators of vaginal inflammation or immune defense were measured in CVLs by Bio‐Plex or ELISA.Results  Use of diaphragms with placebo or microbicide gel was not associated with increased levels of inflammation markers. Concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) were markedly reduced in the BG group.Conclusion  Daily use of a diaphragm with placebo or acidifying microbicide gel did not cause cervicovaginal inflammation. However, diaphragm/BG use was associated with markedly reduced levels of SLPI, an important mediator of innate immune defense. Further studies are warranted to establish the safety of diaphragm/microbicide gel combinations.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Selective Downregulation of Phosphoinositide 3‐Kinase alpha in Leukocytes During Pregnancy
Authors: Rohrbach Anne , Rubio Ignacio , Bulgay‐Moerschel Mehtab , Koenig Christian , Poehlmann Tobias G. , Markert Udo R. , Gruen Michael 
Published: January 2009

Problem  During pregnancy, it is crucially important that the mother’s immune system tolerates the developing embryo. Although a number of mechanisms of immunological tolerance have been described, little is known about intracellular signaling events, causing a decrease in the mother’s leukocyte activity.Method of study  We investigated the expression and activity of phosphoinositide 3‐kinases (PI3K) in maternal blood cells of healthy volunteers by Reverse Transcription PCR and Western blotting.Results  Our data reveal a selective downregulation of the p110α catalytic isoform. This correlated with a slight decrease in PI3K activity as judged by the levels of phosphorylated Akt.Conclusion  As PI3K are involved in signal transduction of various leukocyte receptors, this downregulation may comprise a means of holding immune functions at bay.
Family functioning and juvenile chronic physical illness in Northern Russia
Authors: Zashikhina A , Hagglof B 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim: To study family functioning of adolescents with chronic physical illnesses and factors related to it. The following research questions were addressed: (i) if families with adolescents with chronic physical illnesses were at increased risk for problematic functioning compared to the healthy control families; (ii) was disease severity associated with family dysfunction; and (iii) did family functioning level differ in three disease groups (diabetes, asthma and epilepsy).Methods: Self‐report family inventory and socio‐economic status questions were individually completed by 148 adolescents with physical illnesses aged 13–16 years and their mothers; medical data were obtained from the files at the outpatient clinics. Comparative data were collected from a group of 301 schoolchildren.Results: Overall there were no differences found in functioning of families with physically ill adolescents compared to controls. Family functioning was significantly associated with the number of disease‐specific (disease severity and duration) and non‐disease (socio‐economic status and family type) factors.Conclusion: In our study, families with physically ill adolescents showed considerable resilience and tolerance to the changes in habitual functioning of the family unit. While greater disease severity, longer disease duration, as well as single‐parent household were the factors that contributed to the family dysfunction.
No association between maternal psychological symptoms and infant outcome after pregnancy complicated by early‐onset hypertensive disorders
Authors: Kaspers Ageeth G , Rep Annelies , Ganzevoort Wessel , Wolf Hans , De Vries Johanna IP , Van Wassenaer Aleid G ,   for the PETRA investigators
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim: The aim of this work was to study the effect of maternal psychological symptoms on infant development 1 year after early‐onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Methods: All mothers were enrolled in the Pre‐eclampsia, Eclampsia TRial Amsterdam. Mothers were asked to complete the 90‐item Symptom Check List (SCL‐90) at the corrected ages of their infants of 0, 3 and 12 months. The total sum score of these three checklists was calculated. Infants were examined at the corrected age of 12 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Mental Developmental Index [MDI] and Psychomotor Developmental Index [PDI] subscales). The Bayley scores were compared between infants of mothers with SCL‐90 sum scores in the highest 25% and lowest 75%.Results: For 141 mother–infant pairs (80%) all three SCL‐90 checklists and Bayley scores were available. Mean gestational age was 32 weeks and 90% of the infants were growth restricted. The mean MDI was 87 in the highest 25% and 89 in the lowest 75% group. This was 79 versus 80 for the PDI.Conclusion: In this population of high‐risk growth‐restricted infants born after a pregnancy complicated by early‐onset hypertensive disorders, there is no additional impact of negative maternal psychological symptoms on infant development after 1 year.
Bedside analysis of human milk for adjustable nutrition strategy
Authors: Menjo Aiko , Mizuno Katsumi , Murase Masahiko , Nishida Yoshiko , Taki Motohiro , Itabashi Kazuo , Shimono Tomohiro , Namba Kazuyoshi 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim: Mother's milk is optimum for preterm infants, but human milk fortifier is required at times, because some nutrients are sometimes insufficient for infant growth. It is important to measure the nutrients in breast milk at bedside so that the amount of nutrients that need to be supplemented can be determined. A human milk analyser (HMA, Miris®) is currently available. We examined if the macronutrient values measured by human milk analyser are comparable with those measured by conventional methods. We also sought to discover whether we could dilute the milk sample used for the human milk analyser measurement if the amount of milk available for testing was insufficient.Subjects and Methods: First, the results of protein, fat and lactose content in breast milk samples obtained using the human milk analyser and conventional methods were compared. Second, we measured diluted samples and compared the values with nondiluted samples.Results: When comparing the human milk analyser and conventional methods, all three nutrients exhibited a significantly positive correlation (p < 0.001); lactose content was reliable on the condition that it is 6–7 g/dL. The lactose content measured by the HPLC method was obtained by 3.05 × human milk analyser value − 13.4. When comparing diluted and nondiluted samples, fat and protein had expected values after dilution whereas lactose did not.Conclusion: The human milk analyser can inform us about the amount of major nutrients in breast milk: fat, protein and lactose. However, when human milk is diluted, the lactose content measured by the human milk analyser is overestimated.
Phospholipid content, expression and support of thrombin generation of neonatal platelets
Authors: Bernhard Heike , Rosenkranz Andrea , Petritsch Martina , Köfeler Harald , Rehak Thomas , Novak Michael , Muntean Wolfgang 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim: Newborns have, despite low clotting factors and poor in vitro platelet function, a well functioning haemostasis. We investigated whether phospholipids (PL) in neonatal platelets differ from those in adult platelets in their exposure on the platelet surface, and their effect on thrombin generation.Methods: The effect of newborn and adult platelets on thrombin generation (TG) was measured by means of calibrated automated thrombography (CAT), and in a purified system. In addition, clotting times were measured. Phosphatidylserine (PS)‐exposure was measured by flow cytometry. The amount of PL was determined by means of mass‐spectrometry (Materials and Methods section in Supporting Information online).Results: In comparison with adults the clotting times in platelet‐rich plasma of newborns were less shortened by adding calciumionophore. No differences in the support of TG between neonatal and adult platelets were found by means of CAT. In the purified system, TG was increased by ionophor‐stimulated platelets but no difference was evident between newborn and adult platelets. Flow cytometric analysis showed no difference between adult and newborn platelets. Results of mass‐spectrometry showed a very similar pattern of phospholipid‐content of adult and newborn platelets.Conclusion: Our results do not provide any evidence that a different phospholipid‐expression of neonatal platelets may alter TG in neonates.
Interleukin‐10 and transforming growth factor‐β1 in cord blood: relationship with paternal allergy and cesarean section
Authors: Balossini V , Monzani A , Rapa A , Vivenza D , Caristo E , Oderda G 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim: To measure Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) in cord blood and assess their relationship with parental allergy and perinatal characteristics.Methods: In a neonatal care unit 212 consecutive full‐term and appropriate for gestational age newborns were recruited. IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 levels were determined in cord blood by high sensitivity ELISA. Perinatal characteristics, mode of delivery and presence of allergy in parents were recorded.Results: Out of 212 newborns, 136 were of non‐allergic parents and 76 (35.8%) of one or both allergic parents. In newborns of allergic fathers median IL‐10 levels tended to be lower (0.67 vs. 1.06 pg/mL, p = 0.07) and TGF‐β1 levels were significantly lower (40.9 vs. 45.3 ng/mL, p = 0.008) than in newborns of non‐allergic parents. Multiple general regression analysis showed that presence of paternal allergy (β=−0.19, p = 0.003) to be born by cesarean section (β=−0.21, p = 0.03) and younger gestational age (β= 0.14, p = 0.04) independently contributed to decrease TGF‐β1 levels (multiple R = 0.38, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: Paternal allergy and cesarean section are associated to decreased TGF‐β1, which might be the mediator of the increased risk of atopy development. Cord blood IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 levels of our newborn series could be used as reference values for further studies on these relationships.