bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variants implicated in cortisone reductase deficiency do not contribute to susceptibility to common forms of polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Draper Nicole , Powell Brenda L. , Franks Steve , Conway Gerard S. , Stewart Paul M. , McCarthy Mark I. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryObjective  There are close phenotypic similarities between cortisone reductase deficiency (CRD), a rare abnormality of cortisone metabolism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). As there is evidence that CRD results from digenic mutations involving the genes encoding 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1) and hexose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PD), we sought to establish whether CRD‐associated variants in these genes, individually or in combination, influence susceptibility to PCOS.Design  Case‐control, family‐based association and quantitative‐trait analyses.Patients  A UK case sample comprising 256 nuclear families ascertained from a PCOS offspring and 213 singleton PCOS cases plus 549 control subjects.Measurements  All subjects were genotyped for CRD‐related variants in HSD11B1 (rs12086634) and H6PD (rs6688832). Testosterone was measured with an in‐house radioimmunoassay using ether extraction and dextran‐coated charcoal separation.Results  Case‐control analyses revealed no differences in genotype distribution between PCOS and controls for rs12086634 or rs6688832 (both P = 0·84). Three per cent of cases and 2·4% of controls had genotype combinations (three or more variant alleles at the two sites) considered characteristic of CRD (P = 0·73). There were no departures from expectation in the family‐based association studies, and no significant associations between genotypes (individually or in combination) and BMI, WHR or testosterone.Conclusions  The variants in HSD11B1 and H6PD typed, though implicated in causation of CRD, do not influence susceptibility to PCOS. It seems likely that additional variants within these genes are required for the development of CRD.
Suppressor of cytokine signalling‐3 at pathological levels does not regulate lipopolysaccharide or interleukin‐10 control of tumour necrosis factor‐α production by human monocytes
Authors: Prêle Cecilia M. , Keith‐Magee April L. , Yerkovich Stephanie T. , Murcha Monika , Hart Prue H. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryInterleukin‐10 (IL‐10) is a potent anti‐inflammatory cytokine that suppresses the production of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) by monocytes and macrophages. Suppressor of cytokine signalling‐3 (SOCS3), a negative regulator of the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, is induced following IL‐10 exposure but recent studies in mice suggest that SOCS3 only targets gp‐130‐dependent signal transduction pathways. Understanding the signalling pathways responsible for IL‐10‐mediated effects in primary human monocytes is relevant to human inflammatory disease and necessary for the identification of potential therapeutic targets. An adenoviral transfection system was used to express different levels of SOCS3 (quantified experimentally with its tag green fluorescent protein (GFP)) with the aim of investigating the role of SOCS3 in LPS‐induced and IL‐10‐mediated suppression of TNF‐α production by non‐transformed human monocytes. SOCS3 over‐expression had no effect on TNF‐α mRNA levels induced by LPS or LPS plus IL‐10, or on IL‐10 phosphorylation of STAT3, STAT1 and ERK1/2. When data from all donors were combined, adenoviral overexpression of SOCS3 significantly reversed the suppressive effects of IL‐10 on LPS‐induced TNF‐α production after 2 hr. However, there was a direct correlation between mean GFP intensity (extent of viral infection) and extent of reversal of IL‐10's inhibitory effects. Physiological levels of SOCS3 detected in IL‐10‐exposed human monocytes had no effect on LPS‐induced TNF‐α production. Although overexpression of SOCS3 to supraphysiological levels transiently antagonized the regulatory properties of IL‐10 by a post‐transcriptional mechanism, these findings suggest that under pathological conditions SOCS3 does not control LPS‐activation or the anti‐inflammatory properties of IL‐10 in primary human monocytes.
A minipool process for solvent–detergent treatment of cryoprecipitate at blood centres using a disposable bag system
Authors: Burnouf T. , Goubran H. A. , Radosevich M. , Sayed M. A. , Gorgy G. , El‐Ekiaby M. 
Published: May 2006

Background and Objectives  Single‐donor or small‐pool cryoprecipitates are produced by blood establishments, mostly in developing countries, for substitute therapy in haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease and fibrinogen deficiency, as well as for the manufacture of fibrin sealant. As cryoprecipitate may be contaminated with pathogenic plasma‐borne viruses, there is an urgent need to develop a simple method for the viral inactivation of cryoprecipitate.Materials and Methods  Cryoprecipitate was obtained according to standard procedures. Ten minipools of five or six donations of cryoprecipitate were prepared and subjected, in sterile closed bags, to a viral inactivation treatment using either 2% tri(n‐)butyl phosphate (TnBP) for 4 h at 37 °C or the combination of 1% TnBP and 1% Triton X‐45 for 4 h at 31 °C. The cryoprecipitates were subsequently extracted three times in their processing bags by mixing and decantation using 7·5% sterile ricinus oil. The TnBP‐treated cryoprecipitates were further subjected to a clarifying centrifugation step at 3800 g for 30 min. The final products were dispensed into individual bags and frozen at −30 °C or lower.Results   The cryoprecipitates treated with either 2% TnBP or 1% TnBP + 1% Triton X‐45 showed excellent (> 93%) mean recovery of coagulant factor VIII (FVIII), ristocetin cofactor Von Willebrand factor (VWF:RCo), and clottable fibrinogen activity. Prothrombin time, international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time increased during solvent–detergent treatment but returned to initial values after oil extractions. The final content of TnBP and Triton X‐45 was < 10 and 50 ppm, indicating excellent removal by the oil‐extraction procedure.Conclusions  Viral inactivation treatment by TnBP, with or without Triton X‐45, can be applied to minipools of cryoprecipitate, with good recovery of FVIII, VWF and fibrinogen. The viral inactivation and solvent–detergent removal process can be performed in a closed bag system and using simple blood establishment techniques and equipment. This technology could be considered for the improved viral safety of cryoprecipitate which is used to treat haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease or fibrinogen deficiency, or to prepare fibrin sealant.
Effect of Days Post‐Partum, Breed and Ovum Pick‐Up Scheme on Bovine Oocyte Recovery and Embryo Development
Authors: Lopes AS , Martinussen T , Greve T , Callesen H 
Published: May 2006

ContentsThe objective of this study was to investigate (i) the effect of two different ovum pick‐up (OPU) schemes (once vs twice weekly aspirations) on oocyte recovery rate, quality and subsequentin vitroembryo development, (ii) the influence of days post‐partum on oocyte recovery and (iii) possible differences in OPU results from two different herds. In group A, OPU was performed twice weekly in two Holstein Friesian (HF) and three Danish Red and White (DRW) cows from a private herd. In the research herd, two groups of eight HF cows were investigated: group B (OPU once weekly) and group C (OPU twice weekly). The collected oocytes were subsequently submitted toin vitroembryo production. More oocytes were recovered from the private herd when compared with the research herd. In the research herd, the twice weekly scheme aspirated more oocytes than the once weekly scheme. The quality of the retrieved oocytes was significantly different between groups B and C but not between groups A and C, and HF cows yielded higher quality oocytes than DRW cows (p = 0.029). Oocytes from group C showed higher level of embryonic development than group B oocytes. No differences in blastocyst rates were observed between groups A and C. Session affected the number of retrieved oocytes and subsequent developmental rates, with these being lower in the first compared with the last sessions. Finally, there was no significant effect of days post‐partum in the number and quality of the retrieved oocytes, likely because of the small group size and high variation between sessions.
Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists prevent the increase in striatal glutamate levels induced by glutamate uptake inhibitors
Authors: Pintor A. , Galluzzo M. , Grieco R. , Pèzzola A. , Reggio R. , Popoli P. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractActive uptake by neurons and glial cells is the main mechanism for maintaining extracellular glutamate at low, non‐toxic concentrations. Activation of adenosine A2A receptors increases extracellular glutamate levels, while A2A receptor antagonists reduce stimulated glutamate outflow. Whether a modulation of the glutamate uptake system is involved in the effects elicited by A2A receptor blockers has never been investigated. This study examined the ability of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists to prevent the increase in glutamate levels induced by blockade of the glutamate uptake. In rats implanted with a microdialysis probe in the dorsal striatum, perfusion with 4 mm l‐trans‐pyrrolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylic acid (PDC, a transportable competitive inhibitor of glutamate uptake), or 10 mm dihydrokainic acid (DHK, a non‐transportable competitive inhibitor that mainly blocks the glial glutamate transporter GLT‐1), significantly increased extracellular glutamate levels. The effects of PDC and DHK were completely prevented by the adenosine A2A receptor antagonists SCH 58261 (0.01 mg/kg i.p.) and/or ZM 241385 (5 nm via probe). Since an impairment in glutamate transporter function is thought to play a major role in neurodegenerative disorders, the regulation of glutamate uptake may be one of the mechanisms of the neuroprotective effects of A2A receptor antagonists.
Glutamate‐mediated overexpression of CD38 in astrocytes cultured with neurones
Authors: Bruzzone Santina , Verderio Claudia , Schenk Ursula , Fedele Ernesto , Zocchi Elena , Matteoli Michela , De Flora Antonio 
Published: May 2006

AbstractRecently, a new system of astrocyte–neurone glutamatergic signalling has been identified. It is started in astrocytes by ectocellular, CD38‐catalysed conversion of NAD+ to the calcium mobilizer cyclic ADP‐ribose (cADPR). This is then pumped by CD38 itself into the cytosol where the resulting free intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i transients elicit an increased release of glutamate, which can induce an enhanced Ca2+ response in neighbouring neurones. Here, we demonstrate that co‐culture of either cortical or hippocampal astrocytes with neurones results in a significant overexpression of astrocyte CD38 both on the plasma membrane and intracellularly. The causal role of neurone‐released glutamate in inducing overexpression of astrocyte CD38 is demonstrated by two observations: first, in the absence of neurones, induction of CD38 in pure astrocyte cultures can be obtained with glutamate and second, it can be prevented in co‐cultures by glutamate receptor antagonists. The neuronal glutamate‐mediated effect of neurones on astrocyte CD38 expression is paralleled by increased intracellular cADPR and [Ca2+]i levels, both findings indicating functionality of overexpressed CD38. These results reveal a new neurone‐to‐astrocyte glutamatergic signalling based on the CD38/cADPR system, which affects the [Ca2+]i in both cell types, adding further complexity to the bi‐directional patterns of communication between astrocytes and neurones.
Selective loss of NMDA receptor NR1 subunit isoforms in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Hynd Matthew R. , Scott Heather L. , Dodd Peter R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPrevious work had shown that the ratio of NMDA receptor NR1 subunit mRNA transcripts containing an N‐terminal splice cassette to those that do not is markedly lower in regions of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain that are susceptible to pathological damage, compared with spared regions in the same cases or homotropic regions in controls. To elucidate the origins of this difference in proportionate expression, we measured the absolute levels of each of the eight NR1 transcripts by quantitative internally standardized RT‐PCR assay. Expression of transcripts with the cassette was strongly attenuated in susceptible regions of Alzheimer's brain, whereas expression of non‐cassette transcripts differed little from that in controls. The expression of other NR1 splice variants was not associated with pathology relevant to disease status, although some combinations of splice cassettes were well maintained in AD cases. The population profile of NR1 transcripts in occipital cortex differed from the profiles in other brain regions studied. Western analysis confirmed that the expression of protein isoforms containing the N‐terminal peptide was very low in susceptible areas of the Alzheimer's brain. Cells that express NR1 subunits with the N‐terminal cassette may be selectively vulnerable to toxicity in AD.
Caspase‐3 and calpain activities after acute and repeated ethanol administration during the rat brain growth spurt
Authors: Carloni Silvia , Mazzoni Erika , Balduini Walter 
Published: May 2006

AbstractEthanol administration during the rat brain growth spurt triggers apoptotic neurodegeneration that appears to be mediated by caspase‐3 activation. In order to gain more insight on the role of this caspase in ethanol‐induced developmental neurotoxicity, we studied its expression and activity under different conditions of ethanol exposure during development. Furthermore, because of the cross‐talk between caspase‐3 and calpain we extended our study also at this protease. Ethanol was administered by gavage to rat pups as a single‐day exposure on postnatal day (PN) 7 or from PN4 to PN10. Cleaved caspase‐3 expression peaked in the cerebral cortex 12 h after ethanol treatment and returned to control values at 24 h. An identical pattern was found for caspase‐3‐like activity, that was increased only with the highest dose of ethanol tested (5 g/kg) and mostly in PN4. Repeated ethanol exposure, at a dose that was previously found to induce microencephaly, did not increase caspase‐3 expression and activity although it decreased procaspase‐3 expression and released mitochondrial cytochrome c. Repeated ethanol administration also increased calpain activity. These data show that acute and repeated ethanol administration differentially affect caspase‐3 and calpain activity, suggesting that calpain activation may play a role in developmental neurotoxicity of ethanol.
Intracellular retention of hepatic serpins caused by severe hyperlipidemia
Authors: Hernández‐Espinosa David , Ayala Ignacio , Castells Maria Teresa , García‐Pérez Bartolomé , Martín‐Castillo Antonia , Miñano Antonia , Arcas Isabel , Vicente Vicente , Corral Javier 
Published: May 2006

Abstract: Background: High levels of circulating lipids contribute to both the development of non‐alcoholic liver steatosis (NALS) and peripheral arterial disease, leading to increased thrombotic risk. However, the effects of hyperlipidemia on hepatic proteins have barely been studied. Antithrombin is a hepatic serpin with anticoagulant and anti‐inflammatory roles. The conformational flexibility of antithrombin renders it susceptible to both, genetic and posttranslational modifications. Thus, mutations and environmental factors have been shown to alter this molecule.Methods: We used a chick model to assess the effects of hyperlipidemic diets (HD) on this conformationally sensitive molecule. We determined antithrombin activity in plasma and evaluated the histological and immunohistological features of livers from these animals.Results: A HD for 6 months led to a significant intrahepatic retention and aggregation of antithrombin, which correlated with hepatic steatosis, as revealed by immunohistological analysis. Accordingly, a decrease in circulating antithrombin activity (48.71 ± 6.35%) was observed. Other hepatic proteins, including heparin cofactor II, another anticoagulant serpin, also accumulated intracellularly. Atorvastatin and reversion to a normal diet after 3 months partially protected livers from these deleterious effects.Conclusions: Our results support that hyperlipidemia‐induced NALS causes a significant intracellular aggregation of hemostatic serpins in liver, which determines a decrease in their circulating levels.
A neural network model for predicting aquifer water level elevations
Authors: Coppola Emery A. , Rana Anthony J. , Poulton Mary M. , Szidarovszky Ferenc , Uhl Vincent W. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractArtificial neural networks (ANNs) were developed for accurately predicting potentiometric surface elevations (monitoring well water level elevations) in a semiconfined glacial sand and gravel aquifer under variable state, pumping extraction, and climate conditions. ANNs “learn” the system behavior of interest by processing representative data patterns through a mathematical structure analogous to the human brain. In this study, the ANNs used the initial water level measurements, production well extractions, and climate conditions to predict the final water level elevations 30 d into the future at two monitoring wells. A sensitivity analysis was conducted with the ANNs that quantified the importance of the various input predictor variables on final water level elevations. Unlike traditional physical‐based models, ANNs do not require explicit characterization of the physical system and related physical data. Accordingly, ANN predictions were made on the basis of more easily quantifiable, measured variables, rather than physical model input parameters and conditions. This study demonstrates that ANNs can provide both excellent prediction capability and valuable sensitivity analyses, which can result in more appropriate ground water management strategies.
Empirical relationships for estimating stream depletion by a well pumping near a gaining stream
Authors: Di Matteo Lucio , Dragoni Walter 
Published: May 2006

AbstractSiting wells near streams requires an accurate estimate of the quantity of water derived from the river due to pumping. A number of hydrogeological and hydraulic parameters influence this value. This study estimates stream depletion under steady‐state conditions for a variety of hydrogeological systems. A finite differences model was used to analyze several hydrogeological situations, and for each of these the stream depletion was estimated using an advective transport method. An empirical equation for stream depletion was obtained for the case of a stream that partially penetrates the aquifer and a pumping well that is screened over a portion of the aquifer. The derived equation, which is valid for both isotropic and anisotropic conditions, expresses stream depletion as a function of the unit inflow to the river, the discharge of the pumping well, the well screen length, the distance between the river and pumping well, the wetted perimeter, and a new parameter called “overlap,” which is defined to be the distance between the riverbed and the top of well screen. The overlap parameter makes it possible to consider indirectly the vertical component of flow, which is accentuated when the well is screened below the streambed. The formula proposed here should be useful in deciding where to locate a pumping well and to decide the appropriate length of its screen.
Plume and lithologic profiling with surface resistivity and seismic tomography
Authors: Watson David B. , Doll William E. , Jeffrey Gamey T. , Sheehan Jacob R. , Jardine Philip M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractImproved surface‐based geophysical technologies that are commercially available provide a new level of detail that can be used to guide ground water remediation. Surface‐based multielectrode resistivity methods and tomographic seismic refraction techniques were used to image to a depth of ~30 m below the surface at the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research Field Research Center. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established the research center on the DOE Oak Ridge Reservation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to conduct in situ field‐scale studies on bioremediation of metals and radionuclides. Bioremediation studies are being conducted on the saprolite, shale bedrock, and ground water at the site that have been contaminated with nitrate, uranium, technetium, tetrachloroethylene, and other contaminants (U.S. DOE 1997). Geophysical methods were effective in imaging the high‐ionic strength plume and in defining the transition zone between saprolite and bedrock zones that appears to have a significant influence on contaminant transport. The geophysical data were used to help select the location and depth of investigation for field research plots. Drilling, borehole geophysics, and ground water sampling were used to verify the surface geophysical studies.
An analysis of injuries resulting from professional horse racing in France during 1991–2001: a comparison with injuries resulting from professional horse racing in Great Britain during 1992–2001
Authors: McCrory P , Turner M , LeMasson B , Bodere C , Allemandou A 
Published: May 2006

Background:It has been previously shown that professional jockeys suffer high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the pursuit of their occupation. Little is known, however, about differences in injury rates between countries.Aim:To determine the rate of fatal and non-fatal injuries in flat and jump jockeys in France and to compare the injury rates with those in Great Britain and IrelandMethod:Prospectively collected injury data on professional jockeys were used as the basis of the analysis.Results:Limb fractures occur four times more often in both flat and jump racing in France than in Great Britain. Similarly dislocations are diagnosed 20 times more often in flat and three times more often in jump racing. This difference is surprising given that French jockeys have fewer falls per ride than their British counterparts in flat racing, although they do have more falls than the British in jump racing. Similarly concussion rates seem to be higher in French jockeys, although there may be a difference in the diagnostic methods used in the different countries. By contrast, soft tissue injuries account for a far smaller percentage of injuries than in Great Britain.Conclusion:There are striking differences in injury rates between countries which may be explained in part by a difference in track conditions—for example, harder tracks in France—or different styles of racing—for example, larger fields of horses per race in France.
Synthesis and Reaction of Optically Active 2- and 3-Hydroxyalkylphosphonium Salts
Authors: Yamamoto Shin-ichi , Takeuchi Hiroshi , Tanaka Yuichiro , Okuma Kentaro , Ohta Hiroshi 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Epoxides were converted to the corresponding optically active 2- and 3-hydroxyalkylphosphonium salts by the reaction with triphenylphosphine and dibenzoyltartaric acid (or camphorsulfonic acid), and with methylenetriphenylphosphorane and this acid, followed by fractional recrystallization, respectively. The reaction of oxide ylides derived from these salts with benzaldehyde was carried out.
Coupling Reaction of Allylstannanes with Arenes
Authors: Yamaguchi Jun-ichi , Takagi Yu , Nakayama Atsushi , Fujiwara Tooru , Takeda Takeshi 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The tin(IV) chloride promoted coupling reaction of allylstannanes with various arenes proceeded to give the allylated arenes in good yields. It was also found that tin(II) bromide was an effective catalyst for Friedel–Crafts allylation using allylic bromides.