bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reticulon‐1C acts as a molecular switch between endoplasmic reticulum stress and genotoxic cell death pathway in human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Sano Federica Di , Fazi Barbara , Tufi Roberta , Nardacci Roberta , Piacentini Mauro 
Published: March 2007

AbstractDamage or stress in many organelles may trigger apoptosis by several not yet fully elucidated mechanisms. A cell death pathway is induced by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress elicited by the unfolded protein response and/or by aberrant Ca2+ signalling. Reticulon‐1C (RTN‐1C) belongs to the reticulon family, neuroendocrine‐specific proteins localized primarily on the ER membrane. In the present study, we demonstrate that RTN‐1C is able to modulate, in a mutually exclusive way, the cellular sensitivity to different apoptosis pathways in human neuroblastoma cells. In fact, the increase of RTN‐1C protein levels per se results in ER stress‐induced cell death, mediated by an increase of cytosolic Ca2+, and significantly sensitizes cells to different ER stress inducers. In line with these findings, the reduction of RTN‐1C, by antisense DNA expression, reduced the sensitivity to ER‐stressors. In the presence of high RTN‐1C levels, genotoxic drugs become ineffective as a consequence of the cytoplasm translocation of p53 protein, while the silencing of endogenous RTN‐1C results in the potentiation of the genotoxic drugs action. These data indicate that RTN‐1C is able to modulate the cellular sensitivity to different apoptotic pathways representing a promising molecular target for new drug development.
Partitioning of the plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase into lipid rafts in primary neurons: effects of cholesterol depletion
Authors: Jiang Lei , Fernandes Denzyl , Mehta Nandini , Bean Jennifer L. , Michaelis Mary L. , Zaidi Asma 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSpatial and temporal alterations in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i play a pivotal role in a wide array of neuronal functions. Disruption in Ca2+ homeostasis has been implicated in the decline in neuronal function in brain aging and in neurodegenerative disorders. The plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase (PMCA) is a high affinity Ca2+ transporter that plays a crucial role in the termination of [Ca2+]i signals and in the maintenance of low [Ca2+]i essential for signaling. Recent evidence indicates that PMCA is uniquely sensitive to its lipid environment and is stimulated by lipids with ordered acyl chains. Here we show that both PMCA and its activator calmodulin (CaM) are partitioned into liquid‐ordered, cholesterol‐rich plasma membrane microdomains or ‘lipid rafts’ in primary cultured neurons. Association of PMCA with rafts was demonstrated in preparations isolated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and in intact neurons by confocal microscopy. Total raft‐associated PMCA activity was much higher than the PMCA activity excluded from these microdomains. Depletion of cellular cholesterol dramatically inhibited the activity of the raft‐associated PMCA with no effect on the activity of the non‐raft pool. We propose that association of PMCA with rafts represents a novel mechanism for its regulation and, consequently, of Ca2+ signaling in the central nervous system.
A comparison of triple combination cream and hydroquinone 4% cream for the treatment of moderate to severe facial melasma
Authors: Ferreira Cestari Tania , Hassun Karime , Sittart Alexandre , De Lourdes Viegas Maria 
Published: March 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a triple combination (TC) cream and monotherapy with hydroquinone (HQ) cream in the treatment of moderate to severe facial melasma. A total of 120 patients applied TC cream once daily or HQ cream twice daily for 8 weeks. Evaluations included static global severity assessment of melasma, improvement of melasma over time, local tolerability, and adverse events. TC cream was significantly more effective than HQ cream from week 4 onwards: lesions were approximately equivalent to the surrounding skin in 35% of all TC‐treated patients, compared to 5% of those who used HQ cream (P = 0.0001). Improvement of more than 75% was achieved by 73% of TC cream patients and 49% of HQ cream patients (P = 0.007). The incidence of adverse events (erythema, burning sensation, and desquamation) was similar in both groups. No patient dropped out of the study because of drug‐related adverse events. TC cream was more effective than the HQ cream for the treatment of moderate to severe facial melasma. Both products had similar safety profiles.
Nail cosmetics in nail disorders
Authors: Iorizzo Matilde , Piraccini Bianca Maria , Tosti Antonella 
Published: March 2007

SummaryThe clinical features of nail dystrophies depend on the part of the nail that has been damaged. Due to the important functions of fingernails and toenails, any abnormality of the nail causes impaired function of the hand or foot. Moreover, the aesthetic aspect of the nail may affect employability, self‐esteem, and interaction with other people.Because the nails are often difficult to treat, cosmetology may be an effective support to medical treatment. Nail cosmetics may help the patient to cope with his or her nail dystrophy while waiting for treatment to show its efficacy. It may also be the only choice to hide nail dystrophy where the nail is irreversibly damaged. Nail cosmetics may also function at treatment for onychtillomania, nail biting, and nail ingrowing.
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Authors: Goldman Mitchel P , Merial‐Kieny Christelle , Nocera Thérèse , Mery Sophie 
Published: March 2007

SummaryIntroduction  Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is commonly used to treat actinic keratoses, superficial cutaneous carcinoma, photodamage, and/or acne. The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of Avène thermal spring water (ATSW), a low mineral content spring water, to a high mineral content spring water. We evaluated post‐PDT clinical symptoms and findings when used as an adjunctive therapy in postprocedure skin care.Methods  A double‐blind monocentric comparative study was conducted on 25 patients suffering from either vulgaris acne or photodamage with or without actinic keratoses. The patients were treated with 5‐aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA) activated with an intense pulsed light and/or blue light source. Patients were randomized so that 12 patients treated their faces with ATSW and 13 were treated with a comparative water spray. Clinical signs were evaluated by the investigator at day 0, before and 15 min after the first spraying, at days 2, 4, and 7, and each day from day 0 to day 6 by patients. Clinical signs (erythema, stinging, pruritus, pain, and tightening) were evaluated by the use of a 4‐point grading scale.Results  The intragroup analysis showed that pain was significantly reduced by ATSW spraying at days 2, 4, and 7. The evaluation by patients showed that only ATSW alleviates pain from day 3 to day 6. The between‐group analysis revealed that pruritus was significantly reduced by ATSW at day 7. Erythema, stinging, and tightening were not significantly reduced by both waters. Patients wished to continue using ATSW in 83% of cases.Conclusion  This comparative clinical trial demonstrates that ATSW, a low mineral content spring water, can be useful after ALA‐PDT in reducing postprocedure cutaneous inflammation and patient discomfort better than a high mineral content spring water.
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N‐acetyl glucosamine
Authors: Bissett Donald L , Robinson Larry R , Raleigh Patricia S , Miyamoto Kukizo , Hakozaki Tomohiro , Li Jim , Kelm Gary R 
Published: March 2007

SummaryGlucosamine has been reported to inhibit melanin production in melanocyte culture. It thus has a potential to reduce hyperpigmentation via topical use. Due to stability limitations of glucosamine, we chose to clinically evaluate the stable derivative N‐acetyl glucosamine (NAG). Based on in vitro Franz cell testing, NAG is a good skin penetrant. In an 8‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, left‐right randomized, split‐face clinical test, topical 2% NAG reduced the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation. In a second clinical study involving the topical combination of 2% NAG with 4% niacinamide, an agent previously shown to be clinically active, the effect on hyperpigmentation was greater. Both of these agents are well tolerated by the skin. This high tolerance coupled with relative ease of formulation and stability in solution make NAG, especially in combination with niacinamide, a suitable cosmetic ingredient for use in skin care products dealing with issues of skin hyperpigmentation.
Synergistic Combinations of Anticonvulsant Agents: What Is the Evidence from Animal Experiments?
Authors: Jonker Daniël M. , Voskuyl Rob A. , Danhof Meindert 
Published: March 2007

Summary: Purpose:Combination therapy is often used in the treatment of seizures refractory to monotherapy. At the same time, the pharmacodynamic mechanisms that determine the combined efficacy of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are unknown, and this prevents a rational use of these drug combinations. We critically evaluate the existing evidence for pharmacodynamic synergism between AEDs from preclinical studies in animal models of epilepsy to identify useful combinations of mechanisms and to determine whether study outcome depends on the various research methods that are in use.Methods:Published articles were included if the studies were placebo‐controlled, in vivo, or ex vivo animal studies investigating marketed or experimental AEDs. The animal models that were used in these studies, the primary molecular targets of the tested drugs, and the methods of interpretation were recorded. The potential association of these factors with the study outcome (synergism: yes or no) was assessed through logistic regression analysis.Results:In total, 107 studies were identified, in which 536 interaction experiments were conducted. In 54% of these experiments, the possibility of a pharmacokinetic interaction was not investigated. The majority of studies were conducted in the maximal electroshock model, and other established models were the pentylenetetrazole model, amygdala kindling, and the DBA/2 model. By far the most widely used method for interpretation of the results was evaluation of the effect of a threshold dose of one agent on the median effective dose (ED50) of another agent. Experiments relying on this method found synergism significantly more often compared with experiments relying on other methods (p < 0.001). Furthermore, experiments including antagonists of the AMPA receptor were more likely to find synergism in comparison with all other experiments (p < 0.001).Conclusions:Intensive preclinical research into the effects of AED combinations has not led to an understanding of the pharmacodynamic properties of AED combinations. Specifically, the majority of the preclinical studies are not adequately designed to distinguish between additive, synergistic, and antagonistic interactions. Quantitative pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic studies of selectively acting AEDs in a battery of animal models are necessary for the development of truly synergistic drug combinations.
Oral Contraceptives Induce Lamotrigine Metabolism: Evidence from a Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Trial
Authors: Christensen Jakob , Petrenaite Vaiva , Atterman Jørn , Sidenius Per , Öhman Inger , Tomson Torbjørn , Sabers Anne 
Published: March 2007

Summary:  Purpose: This study evaluates the effect of oral contraceptives on lamotrigine (LTG) plasma concentrations and urine excretion of LTG metabolites in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study in patients with epilepsy. Methods: Women with epilepsy, treated with LTG in monotherapy and taking combination‐type oral contraceptives, were randomized to treatment with placebo or a standard combination‐type contraceptive pill. The dose‐corrected trough plasma concentration of LTG and the ratio of N‐2‐glucuronide/unchanged LTG on urine after 21 days of concomitant placebo treatment was analyzed versus those after 21 days of concomitant treatment with the oral contraceptive pill. Results: The mean dose‐corrected LTG concentration after placebo treatment was 84%[95% confidence interval (CI), 45–134%] higher than after oral contraceptives, signifying an almost doubling of the concentration after cessation of oral contraceptives. Most of this increase took place within the first week after oral contraceptives were stopped. The N‐2‐glucuronide/LTG ratio in the urine was decreased by 31% (95% CI, −20–61%) when shifting from oral contraceptives to placebo. Conclusions: Cessation of oral contraceptives leads to an 84% increase in the concentration of LTG. In parallel, the excretion of the N‐2‐glucuronide was decreased, indicating that the changes are caused by altered LTG glucuronidation. The change in LTG concentrations was observed within 1 week of the shift of treatment, suggesting that induction and deinduction of LTG glucuronidation is faster than that seen for other metabolic pathways (e.g., cytochrome P450).
Testosterone, Sex Hormone–Binding Globulin, and Frailty in Older Men
Authors: Mohr Beth A. , Bhasin Shalender , Kupelian Varant , Araujo Andre B. , O'Donnell Amy B. , McKinlay John B. 
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether testosterone (T) levels are associated with frailty or its components.DESIGN: Population‐based cohort study conducted in three waves (T1: 1987–1989, T2: 1995–1997, T3: 2002–2004).SETTING: Communities in the Boston, Massachusetts, area.PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred forty‐six men aged 50 to 86 at T3 with complete data on frailty components and hormone measurements.MEASUREMENTS: The frailty phenotype was defined as the presence of three or more of the following: weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness. Men were classified as frail (≥3 components), intermediate (1–2 components), and nonfrail (0 components). Whether total and free T or sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) levels were associated cross‐sectionally with frailty and with degree of frailty was determined. Potential confounders such as age, chronic disease, lifestyle factors, diet, and physical activity were considered.RESULTS: No association was observed between total or free T and the frailty phenotype after adjusting for confounders. Conversely, a significant association was observed between SHBG and frailty phenotype with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.25 (95% confidence interval=1.06–1.46) per 10‐nM increase in SHBG levels. Associations between hormones and degree of frailty were similar to those for overall frailty. Of frailty components, grip strength and physical activity, but not exhaustion, slow walking, or weight loss, were associated with total T levels, whereas SHBG was related to weight loss, exhaustion, and physical activity.CONCLUSION: Total and free T levels were not associated with frailty phenotype, but SHBG was. Furthermore, T and SHBG levels were associated with some, but not all, components of frailty. Therefore, T trials in older men should focus on men experiencing decreases in strength.
Fixed Points of Two-Sided Fractional Matrix Transformations
Authors: Handelman David 
Published: March 2007

AbstractLet "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" be "Equation missing" complex matrices, and consider the densely defined map "Equation missing" on "Equation missing" matrices. Its fixed points form a graph, which is generically (in terms of "Equation missing") nonempty, and is generically the Johnson graph "Equation missing"; in the nongeneric case, either it is a retract of the Johnson graph, or there is a topological continuum of fixed points. Criteria for the presence of attractive or repulsive fixed points are obtained. If "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" are entrywise nonnegative and "Equation missing" is irreducible, then there are at most two nonnegative fixed points; if there are two, one is attractive, the other has a limited version of repulsiveness; if there is only one, this fixed point has a flow-through property. This leads to a numerical invariant for nonnegative matrices. Commuting pairs of these maps are classified by representations of a naturally appearing (discrete) group. Special cases (e.g., "Equation missing" is in the radical of the algebra generated by "Equation missing" and "Equation missing") are discussed in detail. For invertible size two matrices, a fixed point exists for all choices of "Equation missing" if and only if "Equation missing" has distinct eigenvalues, but this fails for larger sizes. Many of the problems derived from the determination of harmonic functions on a class of Markov chains.
Depiction of the Variations of Great Plains Precipitation and Its Relationship with Tropical Central-Eastern Pacific SST
Authors: Yang Song , Ding X. , Zheng D. , Li Q. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Several advanced analysis tools are applied to depict the time–frequency characteristics of the variations of Great Plains (GP) precipitation and its relationship with tropical central-eastern Pacific Ocean sea surface temperature (SST). These tools are advantageous because they reveal the detailed features of the dominant time scales of precipitation variations, the combined effects of multiscale oscillating signals on the intensity of precipitation, and the variations of SST–precipitation relationships in time and frequency domains. The variability of GP precipitation is characterized by strong annual and semiannual signals, which have the most stable oscillating frequencies and the largest amplitudes. However, nonseasonal signals, which are less oscillatory and have smaller amplitudes and more variable frequencies with time, also contribute significantly to precipitation variability and may modify the seasonal cycle of GP precipitation. The phase of these nonseasonal signals is in phase (out of phase) with that of seasonal signals during the periods of heavy (deficient) precipitation. Significant correlations exist between GP precipitation and Niño-3.4 SST, and the strongest relationship appears when the SST leads the precipitation by 1 month. The GP precipitation increases (decreases) during El Niño (La Niña) episodes. Significant relationships appear on semiannual and annual time scales in the 1950s and on interannual time scales in the 1910s, 1940s, and 1980s. A particularly significant relationship appears on biennial time scales in the 1980s. The revealed SST–precipitation relationship is strongly seasonally dependent, with the greatest significance in summer. Warming of tropical central-eastern Pacific SST weakens the overlying easterly trade winds and strengthens the northward moisture supply from Central America through the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Plains. This dominant SST influence prevails in all seasons. However, the moisture transport from the southwest coast and the Gulf of California also contributes to the variability of GP precipitation in September–November, December–February, and March–May. In June–August, the increase in GP precipitation is caused by convergence between anomalous northerly flow over the northern plains, associated with the warming in the northeastern Pacific, and southerly flow over the southern plains, associated with the warming in the tropical central-eastern Pacific.
Drugs for Kicks
Authors: Chapel James L. , Taylor Daniel W. 
Published: March 2007

This paper is a review of drugs that are being abused by chil dren and adolescents. The format includes subheadings of "General Information," "Effects," "Techniques of Administra tion," "Habit Description," "Clinical Findings," "Association with Crime, Sex, Antisocial Behavior," "Personality Dynamics," "Treatment," and, where applicable, "Preventive Measures." The paper is summarized in a table and includes a comprehensive bibliography of some ninety references. Inhaling noxious vapors of toluene, gasoline, etc., results in an acute brain syndrome that resembles alcohol intoxication but has more serious side effects, including hallucinations and delusions. The deterioration of judgment accompanying this intoxication sometimes results in serious accidents and even fatal conse quences. The possibility of chronic physical and psychological morbidity is accepted. More serious is the problem of the adolescent narcotic addict who is under compulsion to obtain drugs (usually by crime) to feed his physical and psychic craving. Of the hallucinogenic drugs, LSD and marijuana are by far the most commonly abused. Though neither has been shown to be addictive, both produce physiologic and psychic manifesta tions that can be rather severe, and both can precipitate psychotic breaks. LSD has been shown to cause "chromosomal breaks" in the cells of the users and their offspring. Other hallucinogenic drugs such as morning-glory seeds, nutmeg, etc., give essentially the same reactions but are less frequently used. The paper conjectures that usage of LSD, STP, and other psychedelic drugs (but not marijuana) will eventually drop off but that other modes of getting "kicks" or "acting out" will quickly spring up to take their place.
On the Development of Urethane Foam Manufacturing Technology
Authors: Kadowaki Seiji 
Published: March 2007

An outline of Japanese urethane foams now under production is given, including a description of formulation, processing and testing techniques. Extra super-soft foams, prepared from a 3000 M.W. glycerol-based triol and a reactive additive to satisfy a de mand in the bedding industry, have good drape properties, quick recovery after com pression and retain their softness at low tem peratures. High load-bearing flexible and semirigid foams with good physical properties have been successfully prepared by a one-shot process using polyolefins as the cell-opening agent. Rigid foams containing more than 95% open cell have also been prepared by this method.
Back to parallel computation: Proposal for a completely new on-line simulation system using standard minicomputers for low-cost multiprocessing
Authors: Korn Granino A. 
Published: March 2007

This proposal suggests a novel and different system for fast on-line solution of the differential equa tions or difference equations describing a dynamical system (aerospace vehicle, ship, plant, physiologi caZ system, social/economic system, etc.). In an earlier study sponsored by the National Science Foundation, we have demonstrated beyond doubt that on-line, interactive, and scale-factor-free aZZ digital simulation, with a graphic solution display, is far more convenient than analog-hybrid computa tion. We now propose a simple multiprocessor system employing parallel operation of several inexpensive, standard, unmodified, minicomputers for faster on- line simulation at a cost dramatically lower than with conventional digital computers. The essential hardware features of the proposed system will be found in Section 2 of Part III and in Figure 3. Minicomputers specifically suitable for such multi processing are now mass-produced for a very large nonsimulation market; the proposed use of such commercially available components is a significant feature of our system, which will also draw on our laboratory's five years' experience with simulation software and display design.