bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Desferrioxamine enhances hypoxic ventilatory response and induces tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression in the rat brainstem in vivo
Authors: Nguyen M.V.C. , Pouvreau S. , El Hajjaji F.Z. , Denavit‐Saubie M. , Pequignot J.M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO) induces accumulation of the hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF‐1), a transcription factor that up‐regulates genes involved in adaptative responses to hypoxia. This property makes DFO a potential neuroprotector against hypoxic stress. We investigated in rats the effects of DFO on the ventilatory response to mild hypoxic tests and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a target gene of HIF‐1. Two protocols were used, the first with repeated injections of 50 mg/kg DFO every 2 days during a 2‐week period. This was aimed at define the time course of the ventilatory responses to a hypoxic test. In the second protocol, rats were given a single injection of 300 mg/kg DFO. Every day over 4 days, the hypoxic ventilatory response was recorded before the animal was sacrificed, and Western blot analysis of TH in the dorsal brainstem cardiorespiratory area was performed. DFO produced a delayed increase in the hypoxic ventilatory response, which appeared in the same time window as TH up‐regulation (2–3 days after the bolus injection of DFO). This delay suggests a genic effect of the drug that improves the ventilatory response to hypoxia. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hippocampal neurons possess primary cilia in culture
Authors: Berbari Nicolas F. , Bishop Georgia A. , Askwith Candice C. , Lewis Jacqueline S. , Mykytyn Kirk 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPrimary cilia are cellular appendages that provide important sensory functions and defects in primary ciliary signaling have been implicated in the pathophysiology of human diseases and developmental abnormalities. Almost all human cell types possess a primary cilium. Neurons throughout the brain possess primary cilia on which certain receptors localize, suggesting that neurons possess cilia‐mediated signaling. However, the functional significance of neuronal cilia is unknown. Although there is a great deal of interest in understanding the functions of neuronal cilia, their study is hampered by the lack of an in vitro model system. We report that the majority of hippocampal neurons cultured from postnatal mice possess primary cilia in vitro. Further, we describe cilia proteins that can be labeled to readily visualize neuronal primary cilia in culture. These findings are the first characterization of neuronal primary cilia in vitro and should greatly facilitate further investigations into the function of these organelles. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interleukin‐1β but not tumor necrosis factor‐α potentiates neuronal damage by quinolinic acid: Protection by an adenosine A2Areceptor antagonist
Authors: Stone Trevor W. , Behan Wilhelmina M.H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractQuinolinic acid is an agonist at glutamate receptors sensitive to N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA). It has been implicated in neural dysfunction associated with infections, trauma, and ischemia, although its neurotoxic potency is relatively low. This study was designed to examine the effects of a combination of quinolinic acid and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Compounds were administered to the hippocampus of anesthetized male rats, animals being allowed to recover for 7 days before histological analysis of the hippocampus for neuronal damage estimated by counting of intact, healthy neurons. A low dose of quinolinic acid or IL‐1β produced no damage by itself, but the two together induced a significant loss of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus. Higher doses produced almost total loss of pyramidal cells. Intrahippocampal TNF‐α produced no effect alone but significantly reduced the neuronal loss produced by quinolinic acid. The adenosine A2Areceptor antagonist ZM241385 reduced neuronal loss produced by the combinations of quinolinic acid and IL‐1β. The results suggest that simultaneous quinolinic acid and IL‐1β, both being induced by cerebral infection or injury, are synergistic in the production of neuronal damage and could together contribute substantially to traumatic, infective, or ischemic cerebral damage. Antagonism of adenosine A2Areceptors protects neurons against the combination of quinolinic acid and IL‐1β. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhanced susceptibility of Prnp‐deficient mice to kainate‐induced seizures, neuronal apoptosis, and death: Role of AMPA/kainate receptors
Authors: Rangel Alejandra , Burgaya Ferran , Gavín Rosalina , Soriano Eduardo , Aguzzi Adriano , del Río José A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNormal physiologic functions of the cellular prion protein (PrPc) are still elusive. This GPI‐anchored protein exerts many functions, including roles in neuron proliferation, neuroprotection or redox homeostasis. There are, however, conflicting data concerning its role in synaptic transmission. Although several studies report that PrPc participates in NMDA‐mediated neurotransmission, parallel studies describe normal behavior of PrPc‐mutant mice. Abnormal axon connections have been described in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampi of PrPc‐deficient mice similar to those observed in epilepsy. A study indicates increased susceptibility to kainate (KA) in these mutant mice. We extend the observation of these studies by means of several histologic and biochemical analyses of KA‐treated mice. PrPc‐deficient mice showed increased sensitivity to KA‐induced seizures in vivo and in vitro in organotypic slices. In addition, we show that this sensitivity is cell‐specific because interference experiments to abolish PrPc expression increased susceptibility to KA in PrPc‐expressing cells. We indicate a correlation of susceptibility to KA in cells lacking PrPc with the differential expression of GluR6 and GluR7 KA receptor subunits using real‐time RT‐PCR methods. These results indicate that PrPc exerts a neuroprotective role against KA‐induced neurotoxicity, probably by regulating the expression of KA receptor subunits. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure, function, property, and role in neurologic diseases and other diseases of the sHsp22
Authors: Hu Zhiping , Chen Lan , Zhang Jie , Li Ting , Tang Jianguang , Xu Niangui , Wang Xiang 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSmall heat shock proteins are members of the heat shock proteins family. They share important identical features: 1) they form the conserved structure ‘α‐crystallin domain’ with about 80–100 residues in the C‐terminal part of the proteins; 2) they have monomeric molecular masses ranging in 12–43 kDa; 3) they associate into large oligomers consisting in many cases of subunits; 4) they increase expression under stress conditions; 5) they exhibit a highly dynamic structure; and 6) they play a chaperone‐like role. Hsp22 (also known as HspB8, H11, and E2IG1) retains the structural motif of the ‘α‐crystallin’ family of Hsps and is a member of the superfamily of sHsps. Hsp22 displays chaperone activity, autokinase activity, and trigger or block apoptosis activity. It differs from canonical family members existing as a monomer. A decrease in the HspB8 activity may contribute to the development of some neurologic diseases and others. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of the multiple pass, low fluence algorithm for radiofrequency tightening of the lower face
Authors: Bogle Melissa A. , Ubelhoer Nathan , Weiss Robert A. , Mayoral Flor , Kaminer Michael S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveNon‐ablative monopolar radiofrequency technology delivers heat to the deep dermis and subdermal layers of the skin to improve facial laxity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the multiple pass, low fluence treatment alogrithm for lower face laxity.Study Design/Materials and MethodsSixty‐six subjects with moderate facial laxity were treated with a maximum of 5 passes over the lower face and neck. Treated areas were evaluated using the Leal Laxity Classification System and by independent photographic assessment. Measurements of skin stiffness and energy absorption were taken with the BTC2000 device.ResultsThe average treatment level was 62.0 (83 J/cm2) with 556 pulses per treatment. At the 6 month follow‐up visit, 92% of patients had a measurable improvement in overall appearance. Independent photographic review revealed improvement in 84% of subjects at 6 months. Objective measures utilizing the BTC2000 device demonstrated improvement that diminished with time.ConclusionThe low‐fluence, multiple pass technique is an effective algorithm for radiofrequency skin tightening. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:210–217, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of long term results after Ho:YAG and diode laser treatment of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates
Authors: Sroka Ronald , Janda Philip , Killian Tina , Vaz Francis , Betz Christian S. , Leunig Andreas 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveVarious laser systems have been used to reduce the volume of hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates during the last 25 years. Although there are many studies reporting the clinical results immediately after laser treatment, there are only a few describing long‐term results. Therefore, a clinical study was performed to assess and to compare the long‐term outcome of both endonasal Ho:YAG and endonasal diode laser‐assisted turbinate surgery.Study Design/Materials and MethodsIn the first treatment group, a total of 80 patients (allergic rhinitis (46%) and vasomotor rhinitis (54%)) suffering from nasal obstruction due to hyperplastic inferior nasal turbinates were treated by a pulsed Ho:YAG laser emitting light at a wavelength of λ = 2,100 nm (pulse energy: 0.8–1.2 J/pulse, repetition rate: 4–8 Hz) under local anesthesia. In the second group, an additional 113 patients (allergic rhinitis (52%) and vasomotor rhinitis (48%)) were treated by means of a continuous wave GaAlAs‐diode laser emitting light at a wavelength of λ = 940 nm (power: 8–10 W). The treatment time was 3–10 minutes per turbinate and the nasal cavities were left unpacked following the procedure. The study concerning long‐term effects was conducted using a standardized questionnaire, allergy test, and rhinomanometry within a follow‐up period of 6 month and after 3 years. All patients were refractory to conservative medical treatment prior to laser treatment.ResultsThree years after laser treatment, a subjective improvement of nasal airflow had been described by the patients in 67.5% after Ho:YAG‐ and in 74.4% after diode laser treatment. Rhinomanometry revealed a significant improvement of the nasal airflow at both 6 months and 3 years after the laser treatment as compared to the preoperative data. Side effects like nasal dryness and pain were rare (<5%) and occurred only during the first weeks after the intervention. After diode laser treatment, patients showed nasal obstruction due to postoperative edema and nasal crusting during the first 3–4 weeks, whereas patients from the Ho:YAG laser group described these symptoms only for a period of 1–2 weeks.ConclusionBoth Ho:YAG‐ and diode laser treatment, which are performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, show promising long‐term results. It has therefore, developed to become a time and cost‐effective treatment modality in endonasal laser surgery at our institution. While short‐term differences concerning the healing process after Ho:YAG‐ compared to diode‐laser treatment could be ascertained according to the subjective and objective evaluation, no significant long‐term differences between the two investigated groups could be observed. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Creep of saturated materials as a chemically enhanced rate‐dependent damage process
Authors: Hu Liang Bo , Hueckel Tomasz 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMaterial behaviour that exhibits characteristics of creep induced by a spontaneous mineral dissolution enhanced by material damage is studied. It is believed that the characteristic rates of the chemical processes involved determine the time‐rate dependence of the resulting strain. A basic model of a combined chemo‐plastic softening and chemically enhanced deviatoric strain hardening for saturated geomaterials is presented. Chemical softening is postulated to occur as a consequence of the net mass removal resulting from dissolution and precipitation of specific minerals occurring at the damage‐generated inter‐phase interfaces. Closed and open systems are discussed. In the former case, deformation at constant stress results entirely from a local compensation mechanism between the chemical softening and strain hardening. The classical three stages of creep are interpreted in terms of mechanisms of dissolution and precipitation, as well as the variation in the reaction surface areas involved in the mass exchange. In an open system, the above local mechanism is enhanced by the removal of mass via diffusion of species affecting the mass balance. Such a system is addressed via a boundary value problem as shown in an example. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postural and respiratory functions of the pelvic floor muscles
Authors: Hodges P.W. , Sapsford R. , Pengel L.H.M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAimsDue to their contribution to modulation of intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) and stiffness of the sacroiliac joints, the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) have been argued to provide a contribution to control of the lumbar spine and pelvis. Furthermore, as IAP is modulated during respiration this is likely to be accompanied by changes in PFM activity.MethodsIn order to evaluate the postural and respiratory function of the PFM, recordings of anal and vaginal electromyographic activity (EMG) were made with surface electrodes during single and repetitive arm movements that challenge the stability of the spine. EMG recordings were also made during respiratory tasks: quiet breathing and breathing with increased dead‐space to induce hypercapnoea.ResultsEMG activity of the PFM was increased in advance of deltoid muscle activity as a component of the pre‐programmed anticipatory postural activity. This activity was independent of the direction of arm movement. During repetitive movements, PFM EMG was tonic with phasic bursts at the frequency of arm movement. This activity was related to the peak acceleration of the arm, and therefore the amplitude of the reactive forces imposed on the spine. Respiratory activity was observed for the anal and vaginal EMG and was primarily expiratory. When subjects moved the arm repetitively while breathing, PFM EMG was primarily modulated in association with arm movement with little respiratory modulation.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that the PFM contribute to both postural and respiratory functions. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:362–371, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Groin abscess secondary to trans obturator tape erosion: Case report and literature review
Authors: Marsh Fiona , Rogerson Lynne 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAimsTo report a case of groin abscess secondary to trans obturator tape erosion and review the literature on the incidence, predisposing factors, symptoms and management of tape erosion.MethodsThe clinical history, operative details, postoperative symptoms, findings and management of this case are reported. A thorough literature review of midurethral tape erosions and, in particular, transobturator tape erosions was performed.ResultsA 46‐year‐old woman with urodynamic stress incontinence underwent trans obturator tape insertion. Eight weeks later she developed vaginal discharge and was subsequently diagnosed with a left lateral vaginal wall tape erosion. The eroded section was excised under general anaesthetic. Two weeks later she presented with a large right sided groin abscess which required incision, drainage and debridement of necrotic areas of gracillis and adductor muscles. Short term results following trans obturator tape insertion report excellent efficacy rates (90–96% after 1 year), however there is a lack of long term data on safety and efficacy. Current literature on transobturator tape erosion is scanty and reported rates range from 1.9–7% depending on the tape inserted. Tape erosion commonly presents with vaginal discharge, bleeding or dyspareunia and several methods of management have been reported including conservative management, excision of the eroded section or removal of the entire tape.ConclusionsGroin abscess following tape erosion is a serious complication resulting in further surgery and months of morbidity for the woman. Prompt management of tape erosion is essential to minimise such complications and more data is required on the long term efficacy and safety of transobturator tapes. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:543–546, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Displacement and recovery of the vesical neck position during pregnancy and after childbirth
Authors: Wijma Jacobus , Weis Potters Annemarie E. , van der Mark Thomas W. , Tinga Dick J. , Aarnoudse Jan G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAims(i) To describe the displacement and recovery of the vesical neck position during pregnancy and after childbirth and (ii) to discriminate between compliance of the vesical neck supporting structures with and without pelvic floor contraction.MethodsWe focussed on the biomechanical properties of the vesical neck supporting structures during pregnancy and after childbirth by calculating the compliance and the hysteresis as a result from of abdominal pressure measurements and simultaneous perineal ultrasound.ResultsThis study shows that compliance of the supporting structures remains relatively constant during pregnancy and returns to normal values 6 months after childbirth. Hysteresis, however, showed an increase after childbirth, persisting at least until 6 months post partum.ConclusionsVaginal delivery may stretch and or load beyond the physiological properties of the pelvic floor tissue and in this way may lead to irreversible changes in tissue properties which play an important role in the urethral support continence mechanism. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:372–376, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RhoA/Rho kinase‐mediated Ca2+ sensitization in the contraction of human prostate
Authors: Takahashi Ryosuke , Nishimura Junji , Seki Narihito , Yunoki Takakazu , Tomoda Toshihisa , Kanaide Hideo , Naito Seiji 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAimsThe contractile mechanisms of prostatic smooth muscle have been extensively investigated at the receptor level. However, the intracellular mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated, especially in human tissue. In the present study, we examined the functional role of RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK), one of the major intracellular molecules involved in smooth muscle contraction, in the contraction of the human prostate.MethodsRing preparations made of cultured human prostatic stromal cells (CHPSCs) or fresh human prostatic tissue was used for an isometric tension study. Gene transfer using baculovirus vector and α‐toxin permeabilized preparations were also used.ResultsRhoA, ROCK I and ROCK II proteins were all expressed in CHPSCs and fresh human prostatic tissue. In CHPSCs ring preparations, the contraction induced by endothelin (ET)‐1 was enhanced by over‐expression of RhoA and inhibited by ROCK inhibitor. In α‐toxin permeabilized preparations, ET‐1 or GTP‐γS induced an additional contraction at a constant [Ca2+]i, that was inhibited by ROCK inhibitor. In fresh human prostatic tissue, norepinephrine (NE)‐induced contraction was inhibited by ROCK inhibitor at a constant [Ca2+]i in α‐toxin permeabilized preparations.ConclusionsThese results suggested that RhoA/ROCK‐mediated Ca2+ sensitization is likely involved in the contraction of the human prostate. The antagonisms of this pathway may thus be useful as an alternative target in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:547–551, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energetic–statistical size effect simulated by SFEM with stratified sampling and crack band model
Authors: Bažant Zdeněk P. , Pang Sze‐Dai , Vořechovský Miroslav , Novák Drahomír 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe paper presents a model that extends the stochastic finite element method to the modelling of transitional energetic–statistical size effect in unnotched quasibrittle structures of positive geometry (i.e. failing at the start of macro‐crack growth), and to the low probability tail of structural strength distribution, important for safe design. For small structures, the model captures the energetic (deterministic) part of size effect and, for large structures, it converges to Weibull statistical size effect required by the weakest‐link model of extreme value statistics. Prediction of the tail of extremely low probability such as one in a million, which needs to be known for safe design, is made feasible by the fact that the form of the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of a quasibrittle structure of any size has been established analytically in previous work. Thus, it is not necessary to turn to sophisticated methods such as importance sampling and it suffices to calibrate only the mean and variance of this cdf. Two kinds of stratified sampling of strength in a finite element code are studied. One is the Latin hypercube sampling of the strength of each element considered as an independent random variable, and the other is the Latin square design in which the strength of each element is sampled from one overall cdf of random material strength. The former is found to give a closer estimate of variance, while the latter gives a cdf with smaller scatter and a better mean for the same number of simulations. For large structures, the number of simulations required to obtain the mean size effect is greatly reduced by adopting the previously proposed method of random property blocks. Each block is assumed to have a homogeneous random material strength, the mean and variance of which are scaled down according to the block size using the weakest‐link model for a finite number of links. To check whether the theoretical cdf is followed at least up to tail beginning at the failure probability of about 0.01, a hybrid of stratified sampling and Monte Carlo simulations in the lowest probability stratum is used. With the present method, the probability distribution of strength of quasibrittle structures of positive geometry can be easily estimated for any structure size. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.