bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attenuation of MPTP‐induced neurotoxicity and locomotor dysfunction in Nucling‐deficient mice via suppression of the apoptosome pathway
Authors: Teng Xichuan , Sakai Takashi , Liu Li , Sakai Rika , Kaji Ryuji , Fukui Kiyoshi 
Published: April 2006

Abstract1‐Methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced neurotoxicity is one of the experimental models most commonly used to study the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the biochemical mechanisms underlying the cell death induced by MPTP remain to be clarified, it has been found that the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway plays an important role in the neurotoxicity of MPTP. Nucling is a novel type of apoptosis‐associated molecule, essential for cytochrome c, apoptosis protease activating factor 1 (Apaf‐1), pro‐caspase‐9 apoptosome induction and caspase‐9 activation following pro‐apoptotic stress. Here we found that Nucling‐deficient mice treated with MPTP did not exhibit locomotor dysfunction in an open‐field test. The substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons of Nucling‐deficient mice were resistant to the damaging effects of the neurotoxin MPTP. Up‐regulated expression of apoptosome was attenuated in Nucling‐deficient mice treated with MPTP. These results indicate an important role for Nucling in MPTP‐induced neuronal degeneration and suggest that the suppression of Nucling would be of therapeutic benefit for the treatment of neurodegeneration in PD.
Forearm blood flow and oxygen consumption in patients with bilateral repetitive strain injury measured by near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Brunnekreef Jaap J. , Oosterhof Jan , Thijssen Dick H. J. , Colier Willy N. J. M. , Van Uden Caro J. T. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryDespite the social impact of repetitive strain injury (RSI), little is known about its pathophysiological mechanism. The main objective of this study was to assess the local muscle oxygenation (mVO2) and blood flow (mBF) of the forearm in individuals with RSI during isometric contractions of the forearm. We employed the non‐invasive optical technique near‐infrared spectroscopy to assess forearm VO2 and BF. These variables were assessed at 10%, 20%, and 40% of their individual maximal voluntary strength. Twenty‐two patients with RSI symptoms in both arms (bilateral RSI) and 30 healthy age‐matched subjects participated in this cross‐sectional study. The results showed lower mVO2 during exercise and a reduced mBF after exercise. The results suggest that mVO2 and mVO2 are lower in the forearms of individuals with RSI compared with their controls at similar working intensities. This finding indicates that the underlying vasculature may be impaired. Although these findings contribute to the understanding of RSI, future research is necessary to further unravel the mechanisms of this area.
Cardiac pumping capability in patients with peripheral vascular disease
Authors: Hodges L. D. , Sandercock G. R. H. , Das S. K. , Brodie D. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIntroduction:  Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition characterized by atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities, low functional capacity and low exercise tolerance. Less empirical data are available concerning the cardiovascular response to maximum exercise tests in patients with PVD. The purpose of this study was to examine cardiovascular variables in patients with peripheral vascular disease.Methods:  Fifty patients (67 ± 9 years) completed an incremental exercise test (2 min stages, 3·2 km h−1, with increases of 2% every 2 min) to maximum claudication pain. Maximal oxygen consumption () was assessed on a breath‐by‐breath basis by online expiratory gas analysis (CardiO2, Medical Graphics Co.). Blood pressure was recorded at peak exercise. Following a 30‐min rest period, patients exercised at the highest level attained during the first test and cardiac output () was measured using the exponential non‐invasive rebreathing method. Cardiac power output peak (CPOpeak) in Watts (W), was then computed.Results:  Mean ± SD values were; 13·85 ± 4·14 ml kg min−1; maximal walk time 357 ± 227 s; peak mean arterial pressure 127 ± 15 mmHg; 9·8 ± 2·39 (l min−1); CPO 2·86 ± 0·87 W.Conclusion:  Patients with peripheral vascular disease demonstrate attenuated levels of cardiovascular capacity. This group of patients should be given exercise therapy in order to improve cardiovascular status and ambulatory function.
Comparison of two physical sensor models for satellite images: Position–Rotation model and Orbit–Attitude model
Authors: Kim Taejung , Dowman Ian 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe main objective of this paper is to compare two types of physical sensor models of linear pushbroom satellite images: one that uses position and rotation angles as model parameters and one that uses orbit and attitude angles as model parameters. Comparison is carried out by two accuracy measures: the accuracy of bundle adjustments and the accuracy of estimating exterior orientation parameters. The first measure has been used widely to indicate the mapping accuracy of sensor models. It is argued that the second measure is also important for certain applications. The two types were implemented with different sets of unknown parameters and tested with two KOMPSAT‐1 Earth Observing Camera (EOC) scenes and GPS‐derived control points. In terms of the first measure the two models produced similar results whereas in terms of the second measure the one based on orbit and attitude outperformed the other. It seems better to use this model if one wishes to retrieve satellite orbit or attitude through bundle adjustments.
Medications Associated with Probable Medication Overuse Headache Reported in a Tertiary Care Headache Center Over a 15‐Year Period
Authors: Meskunas Chelsea A. , Tepper Stewart J. , Rapoport Alan M. , Sheftell Fred D. , Bigal Marcelo E. 
Published: April 2006

Objectives.—To evaluate the substances associated with medication overuse headache (MOH) in a headache center, over the course of the past 15 years.Background.—The acute treatment of migraine has substantially changed over the past 15 years, and therefore, the substances associated with MOH may have changed as well.Methods.—We randomly reviewed charts of subjects seen during the years of 2005, 2000, 1995, and 1990, to identify substances associated with MOH. Since the criteria proposed by the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders require causal attribution, demonstrated by improvement after withdrawal (and this was not assessed in this study), herein we refer to probable MOH (PMOH). We contrasted the substances associated with PMOH over the studied years.Results.—Our sample consists of 1200 individuals, 300 per year of interest. The proportions of subjects with a diagnosis of PMOH remained stable over the years, varying from 64% of all cases seen in the center in 1990, to 59.3% in 2005. We found a significant decrease in the relative frequency of probable ergotamine overuse headache (from 18.6% to 0%, P < .0001), and in probable combination analgesic overuse headache (from 42.2% to 13.6%, P < .0001). The differences were not significant for opioid overuse headache. The relative frequency increased significantly for the triptans (from 0% to 21.6%, P < .0001), simple analgesics (from 8.8% to 31.8%, P < .05), and for combinations of acute medications (from 9.8% to 22.7%, P= .01).Conclusion.—While overuse of acute medications remains an important problem in the tertiary care arena, the substances associated with the overuse have dramatically changed over the past 15 years. Educational initiatives should emphasize that the newer specific acute migraine medications (triptans) may also be associated with PMOH.
Mechanisms involved in the enhancement of osteoclast formation by enamel matrix derivative
Authors: Itoh N. , Kasai H. , Ariyoshi W. , Harada E. , Yokota M. , Nishihara T. 
Published: April 2006

Background and Objective:  Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is used clinically to promote periodontal tissue regeneration, and it has been reported that EMD can induce the formation of osteoclasts in mouse marrow cultures. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of EMD‐induced osteoclast formation using a mouse monocytic cell line, RAW 264.7.Material and Methods:  Bioactive fractions were purified from EMD by reverse‐phase HPLC using a C18 hydrophobic support, following which RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with EMD or its purified fractions in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) for 8 d. Following staining with tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), TRAP‐positive multinucleated cells were counted. The expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB (RANK), as well as phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase, in RAW 264.7 cells were detected using immunoblotting. To determine whether EMD has an effect on osteoclast function, differentiated RAW 264.7 cells were cultured on Osteologic™ Multitest slides with RANKL in the presence of EMD.Results:  Purified EMD fractions (fraction numbers 21–25; EMD peak 2) were found to enhance the formation and function of RAW 264.7 cells induced by RANKL. Moreover, EMD peak 2 enhanced the levels of phosphorylation of ERK p38 and RANK in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with RANKL.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that EMD induces the formation of osteoclasts through interaction with RANKL, while ERK and p38 MAPK may play a critical role in the enhancement of osteoclast formation in RAW 264.7 cells.
The Causal Structure of Land Price Determinants
Authors: Awokuse Titus O. , Duke Joshua M. 
Published: April 2006

This paper investigates causation contemporaneously and dynamically to elucidate the persistent lack of agreement about what “causes” changes in farmland prices. The analysis synthesizes and extends previous investigations in this area by employing a combination of directed acyclic graphs (DAG), a recently developed modeling technique, and cointegrated VAR model. DAG theory and algorithms offer a powerful tool for analyzing contemporaneous causal relationships among economic variables. The results from this study confirm the importance of measures of return to farming, financial (credit market constraints) and/or macroeconomic activity as significant determinants of fluctuations in farmland prices.Le présent article examine la causalité de façon contemporaine et dynamique pour élucider le manque persistant de consensus quant aux causes de variations du prix des terres. L'analyse est une synthèse des études antérieures de même qu'un prolongement effectuéà l'aide d'une combinaison de graphes acycliques orientés (DAG), technique de modélisation mise au point récemment, et du modèle VAR cointégré. La théorie des DAG et les algorithmes constituent un outil puissant pour analyser les liens causals contemporains des variables économiques. Les résultats confirment l'importance du rendement de l'activité agricole, des contraintes financières (contraintes du crédit) et/ou de l'activité macroéconomique comme déterminants significatifs des variations du prix des terres agricoles.
Green Subsidies in Agriculture: Estimating the Adoption Costs of Conservation Tillage from Observed Behavior
Authors: Kurkalova Lyubov , Kling Catherine , Zhao Jinhua 
Published: April 2006

Due to payoff uncertainties combined with risk aversion and/or real options, farmers may demand a premium in order to adopt conservation tillage practices, over and above the compensation for the expected profit losses (if any). We propose a method of directly estimating the financial incentives required for adopting conservation tillage and distinguishing between the expected payoff and premium of adoption based on the observed behavior. We find that the premium may play a significant role in farmers' adoption decisions. In an application to the state of Iowa, we find that if a uniform conservation tillage adoption subsidy program were offered in 1992, over 86% of the subsidy program payments would be an income transfer to existing and low‐cost adopters. En raison des incertitudes quant aux gains, combinées à l'aversion pour le risque et/ou aux options réelles, les agriculteurs pourraient réclamer une prime pour l'adoption de méthodes culturales de conservation du sol, une prime qui serait supérieure à l'indemnisation offerte en cas de perte de gains prévue (s'il y a lieu). Nous avons proposé une méthode fondée sur le comportement observé qui permet une estimation directe des incitatifs financiers exigés pour adopter les méthodes culturales de conservation du sol et qui fait une distinction entre les gains prévus et la prime d'adoption. Nous avons constaté qu'une prime pourrait influencer considérablement les décisions des agriculteurs quant à l'adoption de méthodes culturales de conservation du sol. En Iowa par exemple, nous avons trouvé que, si un programme de subventions uniforme pour l'adoption de méthodes de conservation du sol avait été offert en 1992, plus de 86 p. 100 des paiements du programme de subvention aurait constitué un transfert de revenus aux adopteurs existants et à faibles coûts.
Prevalence of fetal resorption in stray dogs in Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Ortega‐Pacheco A. , Rodriguez‐Buenfil J. C. , Segura‐Correa J. C. , Montesde Oca‐González A. R. , Jiménez‐Coello M. 
Published: April 2006

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of fetal resorption in 77 pregnant bitches and its association with the age, size and body condition score of the bitch and to determine the frequency of transuterine migration of embryos.Methods: The number and position of embryos or fetuses and placental zones were registered postmortem. The prevalence of fetal losses was determined by comparing the number of corpora lutea with the number of embryos or fetuses in each bitch. The prevalence of transuterine migration of embryos was determined by correlating the number of fetuses in each horn and the number of corpora lutea in the ipsilateral ovary.Results: Fetal resorption zones were demonstrated in 42·9 per cent of the bitches. However, pregnancy continued in 84·9 per cent of cases. Of the fetal losses, 25·9 per cent were determined by counting the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos or fetuses. Young bitches tended to have a higher probability of fetal resorption than adult bitches (P<0·06). The presence of fetal resorption zones was not associated with size or body condition. Transuterine migration of embryos had occurred in 15·8 per cent of the bitches.Clinical Significance: This study demonstrated that embryo resorption is a normal event in the bitches, with a higher prevalence than previously thought.
Bayesian Parameter Estimation of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficients of a Roof-Mounted Radiant Barrier System
Authors: Lauret Philippe , Miranville Frédéric , Boyer Harry , Garde François , Adelard Laetitia 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis paper deals with the application of Bayesian methods to the estimation of two convective heat-transfer coefficients of a roof-mounted radiant barrier system. As part of an empirical validation of the thermal model of the roofing complex, a parametric sensitivity analysis highlighted the importance of convective coefficients in the thermal behavior of a roofing complex. A parameter estimation method is then used in order to find the values of the coefficients that lead to an improvement of the thermal model. However, instead of using a classical parameter estimation method, we used a Bayesian inference approach to parameter estimation. The aim of the paper is to introduce the basic concepts of this powerful method in this simple two-parameter case. We show that Bayesian methods introduce an explicit treatment of uncertainty in modeling and a corresponding measure of reliability for the conclusions reached.
General Sun Tracking Formula for Heliostats With Arbitrarily Oriented Axes
Authors: Chen Y. T. , Lim B. H. , Lim C. S. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The most general form of solar tracking formulae of an arbitrarily oriented heliostat toward an arbitrarily located target on the Earth is presented. With this complete solution, the used azimuth-elevation, spinning-elevation tracking formula, etc., are the special cases of it. Therefore, more application may be sought out for many individual cases in solar engineering. The new form of tracking solution could bring changes in the geometry and structure of the design of heliostat to meet various requirements.
N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase V and β1-6 Branching N-Linked Oligosaccharides Are Associated with Good Prognosis of Patients with Bladder Cancer
Authors: Ishimura Hirofumi , Takahashi Toshiko , Nakagawa Hiroaki , Nishimura Shin-Ichiro , Arai Yoichi , Horikawa Yohei , Habuchi Tomonori , Miyoshi Eiji , Kyan Atsushi , Hagisawa Shigeru , Ohyama Chikara 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Purpose: N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) is an enzyme that catalyzes β1-6 branching of N-acetylglucosamine on asparagine (N)-linked oligosaccharides (N-glycan) of cell proteins. We examined the relationship between GnT-V expression and clinicopathologic features of the patients with bladder cancer.
Experimental Design: We immunohistochemically examined GnT-V expression in paraffin-embedded bladder cancer specimen using anti-GnT-V monoclonal antibody. We compared GnT-V expression with cause-specific survival of the patients with bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to show the cause-specific survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to compare GnT-V expression with other clinical and pathologic variables. We also evaluated mRNA expression of GnT-V and N-linked oligosaccharide structure in bladder cancer specimens.
Results: Immunohistochemistry revealed that GnT-V expression inversely correlated with tumor grade and stage. The incidence of positive GnT-V expression in bladder cancer was significantly higher in low-grade/superficial cancer than in high-grade/invasive cancer. The patients whose tumor was positive for GnT-V survived significantly longer than those whose tumor was negative for GnT-V. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that GnT-V expression was an independent predictor of prognosis of the patient. The expression of GnT-V mRNA determined by reverse transcription-PCR was consistent with the results with immunohistochemistry for tumor samples. Carbohydrate structural analysis revealed that superficial bladder cancer is rich in branched N-linked oligosaccharides, for which biosynthesis GnT-V is responsible.
Conclusions: GnT-V and its resultant β1-6 branching N-linked oligosaccharides are closely related to low malignant potential and good prognosis of the patients with bladder cancer.
Bcl-2 Is a Prognostic Marker in Breast Cancer Independently of the Nottingham Prognostic Index
Authors: Callagy Grace M. , Pharoah Paul D. , Pinder Sarah E. , Hsu Forrest D. , Nielsen Torsten O. , Ragaz Joseph , Ellis Ian O. , Huntsman David , Caldas Carlos 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPurpose: Prognostication of breast cancer using clinicopathologic variables, although useful, remains imperfect. Many reports suggest that gene expression profiling can refine the current approach. Alternatively, it has been shown that panels of proteins assessed by immunohistochemistry might also be useful in this regard. We evaluate the prognostic potential of a panel of markers by immunohistochemistry in a large case series to establish if either a single marker or a panel could improve the prognostic power of the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI). We validated the results in an independent series.Experimental Design and Results: The expression of 13 biomarkers was evaluated in 930 breast cancers on a tissue microarray. Eight markers [estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Bcl-2, cyclin E, p53, MIB-1, cytokeratin 5/6, and HER2] showed a significant association with survival at 10 years on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis that included these eight markers and the NPI, only the NPI [hazard ratio (HR), 1.35; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.16-1.56; P = 0.0005], ER (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39-0.88; P = 0.011), and Bcl-2 (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.46-0.99; P = 0.055) were significant. In a subsequent multivariate analysis that included the NPI, ER, and Bcl-2, only Bcl-2 (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44-0.87; P = 0.006) remained independent of NPI (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.16-1.56; P = 0.004). In addition, Bcl-2, used as a single marker, was more powerful than the use of a panel of markers. Based on these results, an independent series was used to validate the prognostic significance of Bcl-2. ER and PR were also evaluated in this validation series. Bcl-2 (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.96; P = 0.018) retained prognostic significance independent of the NPI (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.67-2.51; P &lt; 0.001) with an effect that was maximal in the first 5 years.Conclusion: Bcl-2 is an independent predictor of breast cancer outcome and seems to be useful as a prognostic adjunct to the NPI, particularly in the first 5 years after diagnosis.
CD73/Ecto-5′-Nucleotidase Protects Against Vascular Inflammation and Neointima Formation
Authors: Zernecke Alma , Bidzhekov Kiril , Özüyaman Burcin , Fraemohs Line , Liehn Elisa A. , Lüscher-Firzlaff Juliane M. , Lüscher Bernhard , Schrader Jürgen , Weber Christian 
Published: April 2006

Background—Although CD73/ecto-5′-nucleotidase has been implicated in maintaining vasoprotection, its role in regulating endothelial adhesion molecule or inflammatory monocyte recruitment (eg, in the context of vascular injury) remains to be defined.Methods and Results—Compared with wild-type mice, CD73-deficient (CD73−/−) mice exhibit increased luminal staining and protein and transcript expression for vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in carotid arteries. In vitro, aortic endothelial cells (ECs) from CD73−/−mice display an upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of VCAM-1, associated with increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity, as determined by chromatin cross-linking and immunoprecipitation or quantitative p65 binding assays. CD73−/−ECs and carotid arteries perfused ex vivo supported increased monocyte arrest under flow conditions, which was mediated by α4β1integrin. After wire injury of carotid arteries, CD73 expression and activity were upregulated in wild-type mice, whereas neointimal plaque formation and macrophage content were increased in CD73−/−mice versus wild-type mice, concomitant with elevated NF-κB activation, luminal VCAM-1 expression, and soluble VCAM-1 concentrations. In contrast, reconstitution of wild-type mice with CD73−/−versus CD73+/+BM did not significantly exacerbate neointima formation. Treatment with the specific A2Areceptor agonist ATL-146e reversed the increased VCAM-1 transcript and protein expression in CD73−/−ECs and inhibited monocyte arrest on CD73−/−ECs. Continuous infusion of ATL-146e prevented neointima formation in CD73−/−mice.Conclusions—Our data epitomize the importance of vascular CD73 in limiting endothelial activation and monocyte recruitment via generation of adenosine acting through the A2Areceptor, providing a molecular basis for therapeutic protection against vascular inflammation and neointimal hyperplasia.