bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The timed‐pregnant baboon animal model can be used for determining the role of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 during development
Authors: Santolaya‐Forgas Joaquin , Edwin Samuel , Zeiter Katie , Pitt Adam , Pineles Beth , Tarca Adi L. , Espinoza Jimmy , Kusanovic Juan Pedro , Erez Offer , Wolf Roman , Romero Roberto 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackground  During pregnancy, mechanisms that allow for regulation of continuous fetal and placental vasculogenesis with prevention of maternal neo‐vascularization remain elusive. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) biological system has a key role during vasculogenesis. The aims of this study were to validate a bioassay for soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (sVEGFR‐1 and sVEGFR‐2) in baboon plasma and to determine the maternal and fetal plasma concentration of these receptors at the end of the baboon pregnancy.Methods  Maternal peripheral blood samples were obtained from eight baboons (Papio anubis) prior to elective cesarean section and from the umbilical cord after the fetuses were delivered. Spike and recovery experiments at various concentrations in pooled baboon maternal plasma were used to validate a human quantitative sandwich immunoassay for sVEGFR‐1 and ‐2. Concentrations of sVEGFR‐1 and ‐2 were then determined in maternal and fetal plasma samples.Results  No significant correlations were observed between sVEGFR‐1 or ‐2 concentrations in maternal and fetal circulations. The concentration of sVEGFR‐1 was at least 30 times greater and that of sVEGFR‐2 approximately two times greater, in maternal than in cord plasma (both P < 0.01).Conclusions  These findings suggest that baboons can be used to study the regulation of vasculogenesis during pregnancy.
Skin capacitance imaging of acne lesions
Authors: Xhauflaire‐Uhoda Emmanuelle , Piérard Gérald E. 
Published: December 2006

Background: Little information is available about specific functional characteristics of skin in acneic patients.Objective: To determine a capacitance mapping of lesional skin in acne in order to predict drug affinity according to the hydrophilic–lipophilic characteristics.Method: Skin capacitance imaging based on silicon image sensor technology was used with the SkinChip® device.Results: The non‐optical images obtained by this means clearly identified low capacitance comedones contrasting with a perifollicular rim of high capacitance in inflammatory papules. This method also showed sweating and the follicular pores distributed in a pinpoint pattern.Conclusion: The objective mapping of skin surface capacitance showed large differences between acne lesions and the surrounding skin. The low capacitance of comedones contrasted with the high capacitance of the perifollicular area in inflammatory papules. These electrometric characteristics reflecting the corneocyte hydration may influence drug affinity to acne lesions.
Estimation of water content distribution in the skin using dualband polarization imaging
Authors: Arimoto Hidenobu 
Published: December 2006

Background/purpose: A new enhancement imaging technique for visualizing two‐dimensional distribution of water content in human tissue is proposed based on optical properties such as reflectance spectra and the scattering from the skin surface.Methods: The method consists of two fundamental functions: spectral filtering for estimating skin hydration and polarization control for the appropriate measurement depth. Spectral filtering is simply achieved by utilizing the bandpass filters, whereas the measurement depth control is performed by changing the polarization directions in front of a light source and a detector.Results: The combined method of spectral filtering and polarization imaging effectively visualized the water content distribution in skin as a shading on a composed black and white image. The result was compared with the measured value of the capacitance method, and the result of the proposed method was validated.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the proposed method enhances the scattering property in the skin according to the water content. Detailed discussions are given.
Reliability of measurement of skin ultrasonic properties in vivo: a potential technique for assessing irradiated skin
Authors: Huang Y. P. , Zheng Y. P. , Leung S. F. , Mak A. F. T. 
Published: December 2006

Background/aims: Quantitative and objective technique to assess radiation‐induced tissue fibrosis is important for clinicians to estimate the efficiency of radiotherapeutic schemes. It has been widely reported that ultrasonic properties are sensitive to changes of acoustic scatterers in biological tissues. Therefore, measurement of ultrasonic properties may serve as a potential assessment technique for irradiated skins. The aim of the present study is to investigate the reliability of such measurement so as to evaluate its potentials for future clinical applications.Methods: Ultrasonic parameters including attenuation slope (β), integrated attenuation (IA) and integrated backscatter (IBS) were measured for the frequency range of 10–25 MHz from echographic signals of the forearm and neck dermis of 20 normal subjects in vivo. The intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability of measurement was assessed in 10 normal subjects using intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman test.Results: The intra‐ and inter‐rater measurement was demonstrated to be reliable as indicated by high ICC values generally larger than 0.80. In addition, the ultrasonic parameters could successfully differentiate the skins in the neck and forearm regions.Conclusion: The measurement provided reliable information on the ultrasonic properties of the skins and could be potentially applied to comparative clinical trials to assess the late effects of radiotherapy on skins.
Evaluation of the effects of topical clobetasol propionate by visual score, electrical impedance and laser Doppler flowmetry
Authors: Emtestam L. , Kuzmina N. , Talme T. 
Published: December 2006

Background/purpose: The intensity of steroid‐induced skin blanching is usually evaluated subjectively by a trained observer using a visual score although a few methods have been described for doing this objectively. In this study we wished to establish whether the effects of topical steroids can be detected by measuring the electrical impedance of the skin.Methods: Ten healthy volunteers were treated with three concentrations of clobetasol propionate (0.005, 0.05, and 0.5 mg/mL) on the forearm covered by a dressing overnight. On the following morning, we assessed dermal blanching using a visual score, laser Doppler flowmetry and electrical impedance.Results: Using the visual score, we found dose–response blanching at all concentrations of clobetasol propionate. The laser Doppler flow values declined significantly after the application of clobetasol propionate (0.005 mg/mL (P<0.01) and 0.5 mg/mL (P<0.05)), as compared with the test site treated with the vehicle alone. Electrical impedance showed a significant increase in phase index after the application of 0.05 mg (P<0.01) and 0.5 mg (P<0.01) of clobetasol propionate, and a significant reduction in real part index after of 0.05 mg/mL (P<0.05) and 0.5 mg/mL (P<0.05) compared with the test site treated with the vehicle alone. The magnitude index and imaginary part index were not affected by this steroid.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the dermal blanching induced by topical corticosteroids can be evaluated with a skin impedance spectrometer.
Distribution of the endophytic fungus, Neotyphodium occultans in naturalized Italian ryegrass in western Japan and its production of bioactive alkaloids known to repel insect pests
Authors: Sugawara K. , Inoue T. , Yamashita M. , Ohkubo H. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractEndophytic fungi belonging to the genus Neotyphodium that form mutualistic associations with grasses of the subfamily Pooideae are ecologically and agriculturally important, producing mycotoxins that affect grazing animals and some insect pests. After our first report of naturalized Italian ryegrasses (Lolium multiflorum, annual ryegrass) infected with a Neotyphodium endophyte in Japan, the identity of this endophyte, the nature of its association with host grasses and its distribution, as well as the possible presence of toxic alkaloids have been of interest. To answer these questions we conducted surveys covering the western part of Japan to determine the distribution of infected Italian ryegrasses. Further, to identify the endophyte we used microscopy to determine its distribution in infected grasses and we applied DNA analysis using the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) to compare strains of this endophyte obtained from different geographic locations. Finally, we examined seed obtained from endophyte‐infected Italian ryegrasses using high‐performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and gas chromatograph. These studies indicated that naturalized Italian ryegrass in all three islands surveyed; Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku, was frequently infected with N. occultans. N‐formyl loline, an insect toxin, and peramine, a feeding deterrent were detected in the infected seed samples, but neither ergovaline nor lolitrem B (causal agents of grazing animal toxicity) were detected. These chemical analyses indicated that N. occultans infection of Italian ryegrasses may provide some influence on the insect fauna of the area through the chemicals active against insects, but was unlikely to be toxic to grazing animals.
Effects of season, variety and botanical fractions on oxalate content of napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach)
Authors: Rahman M. M. , Niimi M. , Ishii Y. , Kawamura O. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractVarious tropical grasses sometimes contain oxalate in sufficient concentration as to induce calcium deficiency in grazing animals. Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum), a useful tropical grass for ruminants was examined for oxalate levels with regard to season, variety and botanical fractions. It was observed that oxalate content was significantly (P < 0.001) affected by the season with the highest value (3.77%) being associated with early summer samples and the lowest value (1.76%) with late autumn samples. Compared to a normal, non‐dwarf variety, a dwarf variety exhibited a higher oxalate content but the difference was not statistically significant. With regard to the botanical fractions, oxalate content was significantly (P < 0.05) higher (2.78%) in leaf tissues compared to stem with leaf sheath (2.05%). In another experiment, a late, dwarf variety was re‐grown four times to evaluate re‐growth period effects on oxalate content during the early summer. Oxalate content increased gradually from the re‐growth period 1 (6 June to 28 June) to re‐growth period 3 (21 June to 12 July), and declined in re‐growth period 4 (28 June to 19 July). Results suggest that when napiergrass is grown in early summer, it could achieve oxalate levels that are toxic to ruminants.
Distribution model and spatial variation of cover in grassland vegetation
Authors: Chen Jun , Shiyomi Masae , Yamamura Yasuo , Hori Yoshimichi 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn addition to biomass and frequency of occurrence, cover is often used as a measure in vegetation surveys. However, the theoretical and statistical bases underlying cover measures are not fully understood. Here, based on actual survey data, we showed that the frequency distributions of cover in grassland vegetation measured using the point‐grid plate method were well described by the beta distribution. The beta distribution expresses various types of cover frequency distributions, such as the ‘J’, ‘L’, ‘one‐peak’, ‘U’, and ‘rectangular’ types. We defined an index that expresses the spatial heterogeneity of cover based on the beta distribution. Further, we derived a simple method to estimate cover and the spatial heterogeneity index based on the beta distribution using a point‐grid plate. In this simple method, we classified the plant cover observed in each quadrat into the following three categories: cover <c1; cover betweenc1andc2; and cover >c2(0 < c1 < c2 < 1). We counted the number of grid points only up toc2; when the cover exceededc2, counts were halted and the plant cover was assigned to cover >c2. This method saves time and labor. We showed that the parameter values (cover and spatial heterogeneity index) estimated from the data obtained for plant species in a grassland using the simple method agreed well with those obtained by counting all grid points covered by the plant species.
Hereditary Predisposition to Cancer
Authors: KNUDSON ALFRED G. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACT: Both hereditary and environmental factors influence the risk of cancer. Four risk categories, or oncodemes, can exist for a particular kind of cancer, depending upon the presence of neither, one, or both factors: (1) spontaneous, or background; (2) hereditary; (3) environmental; (4) interactive. In the second, mutation imparts a high relative risk, but a generally low attributable risk; in the fourth, the opposite obtains. The second oncodeme contains genes that are also important for the non‐hereditary forms of the same cancer. Probably all forms of cancer exist in a dominantly heritable form. Most of the genes are tumor suppressors, although a few are oncogenes or DNA repair genes. The mutations are in most, if not all cases, maintained in a population by an equilibrium between mutation and selection.Most of the cloned genes are expressed widely among tissues, yet there is typically some tumor specificity. Somatic mutations in second alleles at the relevant loci are necessary, but generally not sufficient for carcinogenesis, although they, in some instances, lead to the formation of benign precursor lesions. Further events are necessary for carcinogenesis. This is particularly true for carcinomas. The benign lesions appear to involve an increase in number of long‐lived cells that can accumulate other mutations. For some tumors, physiologic events, such as tissue growth at puberty or proliferation of embryonic stem cells, may produce this effect. Mutations of DNA mismatch repair genes underscore the effect that changes in somatic mutation rates can have, especially in the risk for multi‐event carcinomas. Conversely, these are the tumors that offer the greatest opportunity for prevention.
Neurotransmitters and Suicidal Behavior
Authors: ÅSBERG MARIE 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACT:Studies of neurotransmitter metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were initially focused on depressive illness. Although several studies have demonstrated low concentrations of the serotonin metabolite, 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), and the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), in depressed patients, these early studies may have been biased by concomitant administration of antidepressant drugs (which tend to lower CSF 5‐HIAA), amount of CSF drawn (there is a concentration gradient for both metabolites), and selection of control subjects. Once these methodological details are controlled for, the differences between depressed patients and controls are unimpressive.However, there is a remarkably consistent association between low concentrations of CSF 5‐HIAA and suicidal behavior, as evidenced by over 20 studies. The association is not confined to depressive illness but has also been found in schizophrenia, personality disorder, and certain impulse control disorders (but, interstingly, not in bipolar disorder). A low concentration of CSF 5‐HIAA in a suicide attempter is associated with a substantial increase in short‐term suicide risk. CSF studies in violent criminals, and in nonhuman primates, suggest that aggression dyscontrol may partly explain the association between suicide and serotonin, which is of considerable theoretical interest. CSF 5‐HIAA determinations may also be helpful in the clinical assessment of suicide risk.
Suicide: A Four‐pathway Clinical‐Biochemical Model
Authors: FAWCETT JAN , BUSCH KATIE A. , JACOBS DOUGLAS , KRAVITZ HOWARD M. , FOGG LOUIS 
Published: December 2006

Abstract This chapter, based on a review of recent research as well as data presented in this report, proposes four hypothetical pathways leading to suicide in clinical depression: (1) an acute pathway involving severe anxiety/agitation associated with high brain corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF or CRH) levels, (2) trait baseline and reactivity hopelessness, (3) severe anhedonia, and (4) trait impulsiveness associated with low brain serotonin turnover and low total cholesterol as a possible peripheral correlate.Clinical research showing evidence for acute versus chronic high‐risk suicide factors and other studies linking severe anxiety/agitation to high CRF levels will be presented as associated with acute suicidal risk, which is potentially reversible with recognition and treatment. Evidence for anhedonia severity as a risk factor and trait, as well as evidence that baseline hopelessness and sensitivity are traits related to chronic suicide risk, will be presented. Finally, evidence relating low serum cholesterol to suicide in depressed inpatients will be presented in the context of literature suggesting a relationship between low serum cholesterol and violent death and suicide in population studies. Data suggesting a relationship between low serum cholesterol and decreased CSF 5‐HIAA, suggesting reduced serotonin turnover, will be presented, in light of prior studies relating low CSF 5‐HIAA and violent suicide. These data taken together suggest four pathways to suicide that are worth investigating in order to better understand the mechanisms leading to this behavior. Future possibilities and applications of these findings are discussed.
Evaluation of Dried Whole Blood Spots Obtained by Heel or Finger Stick as an Alternative to Venous Blood for Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection in Vertically Exposed Infants in the Routine Diagnostic Laboratory
Authors: Patton Janet C. , Akkers Eveline , Coovadia Ashraf H. , Meyers Tammy M. , Stevens Wendy S. , Sherman Gayle G. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACT
The diagnostic accuracy of the Roche Amplicor human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA PCR assay (version 1.5) on DNA extracted from pediatric heel prick dried blood spots using Roche MagNA Pure nucleic acid purification technology was evaluated. The methodologies transfer successfully from the labor-intensive research laboratory to the high-throughput automated routine laboratory.
Production and Characterization of High-Affinity Human Monoclonal Antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoproteins in a Mouse Model Expressing Human Immunoglobulins
Authors: Sheppard Neil C. , Davies Sarah L. , Jeffs Simon A. , Vieira Sueli M. , Sattentau Quentin J. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTHuman (Hu) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins (Env) are useful tools in the structural and functional analysis of Env, are under development both as potential prophylaxis and as therapy for established HIV-1 infection, and have crucial roles in guiding the design of preventative vaccines. Despite representing more than 50% of infections globally, no MAbs have been generated in any species against C clade HIV-1 Env. To generate HuMAbs to a novel Chinese C clade Env vaccine candidate (primary isolate strain HIV-197CN54), we used BAB5 mice that express a human immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody repertoire in place of endogenous murine immunoglobulins. When immunized with HIV-197CN54Env, these mice developed antigen-specific IgM antibodies. Hybridoma fusions using splenocytes from these mice enabled the isolation of two Env-specific IgM HuMAbs: N3C5 and N03B11. N3C5 bound to HIV-1 Env from clades A and C, whereas N03B11 bound two geographically distant clade C isolates but not Env from other clades. These HuMAbs bind conformational epitopes within the immunodominant region of the gp41 ectodomain. N3C5 weakly neutralized the autologous isolate in the absence of complement and weakly enhanced infection in the presence of complement. N03B11 has no effect on infectivity in either the presence or the absence of complement. These novel HuMAbs are useful reagents for the study of HIV-1 Env relevant to the global pandemic, and mice producing human immunoglobulin present a tool for the production of such antibodies.
Association between
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Beijing/W Lineage Strain Infection and Extrathoracic Tuberculosis: Insights from Epidemiologic and Clinical Characterization of the Three Principal Genetic Groups of
M. tuberculosis
Clinical Isolates
Authors: Kong Y. , Cave M. D. , Zhang L. , Foxman B. , Marrs C. F. , Bates J. H. , Yang Z. H. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACT

Clinical strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
can be divided into three principal genetic groups based on the single-nucleotide polymorphisms at the
katG
gene codon 463 and the
gyrA
gene codon 95. One subgroup of genetic group 1, the Beijing/W lineage, has been widely studied because of its worldwide distribution and association with outbreaks. In order to increase our understanding of the clinical and epidemiological relevance of the genetic grouping of
M. tuberculosis
clinical strains and the Beijing/W lineage, we investigated the genetic grouping of 679 clinical isolates of
M. tuberculosis
, representing 96.3% of culture-confirmed tuberculosis cases diagnosed in Arkansas between January 1996 and December 2000 using PCR and DNA sequencing. We assessed the associations of infections by different genetic groups of
M. tuberculosis
strains and infection by the Beijing/W lineage strains with the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 679 study isolates, 676 fell into one of the three principal genetic groups, with 63 (9.3%) in group 1, 438 (64.8%) in group 2, and 175 (25.9%) in group 3. After adjusting for potential confounding of age, gender, race/ethnicity, human immunodeficiency virus serostatus, and
plcD
genotype in a multivariate logistic regression model, patients infected by the Beijing/W lineage isolates were nearly three times as likely as patients infected with the non-Beijing/W lineage isolates to have an extrathoracic involvement (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.85 [1.33, 6.12]). Thus, the Beijing/W lineage strains may have some special biological features that facilitate the development of extrathoracic tuberculosis.
Transovarial Transmission Efficiency of
Babesia bovis
Tick Stages Acquired by
Rhipicephalus
(
Boophilus
)
microplus
during Acute Infection
Authors: Howell Jeanne M. , Ueti Massaro W. , Palmer Guy H. , Scoles Glen A. , Knowles Donald P. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACT

The protozoan parasite
Babesia bovis
, a reemerging threat to U.S. cattle, is acquired by adult female ticks of the subgenus
Boophilus
and is transovarially transmitted as the kinete stage to developing larval offspring. Sporozoites develop within larvae and are transmitted during larval feeding on a bovine host. This study evaluated the efficiency of
B. bovis
infection within
Rhipicephalus
(
Boophilus
)
microplus
following acquisition feeding on acutely parasitemic cattle. Parasite levels were quantified in blood from experimentally infected cattle and within hemolymph and larvae derived from acquisition-fed female
B. microplus
. There was a positive correlation between blood parasite levels in acutely parasitemic cattle and kinete levels in the hemolymph of adult female
Boophilus
ticks following acquisition feeding; however, there was no relationship between kinete levels in females and infection rates of larval progeny.
Boophilus microplus
females that acquisition fed produced larval progeny with infection rates of 12% to 48%. Importantly, larvae derived from replete females with very low levels of kinete infection, as demonstrated by microscopy and PCR, had infection rates of 22% to 30% and transmitted
B. bovis
during transmission feeding. These data demonstrate that although hemolymph infection may be undetectable, transmission to larval progeny occurs at a level which ensures transmission to the bovine host.