bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of seedling resistance to Stagonospora nodorum blotch in selected tetraploid and hexaploid wheat genotypes
Authors: Singh P. K. , Feng J. , Mergoum M. , McCartney C. A. , Hughes G. R. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractStagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB), caused by Phaeosphaeria nodorum, is a major component of the leaf‐spotting disease complex of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the northern Great Plains of North America. This study was conducted, under controlled environmental conditions, to determine the inheritance of resistance to SNB in a diverse set of hexaploid and tetraploid wheat genotypes and to decipher the genic/allelic relationship among the resistance gene(s). Plants were inoculated at the two to three‐leaf stages with a spore suspension of P. nodorum isolate Kelvington‐SK and disease reaction was assessed 8 days after inoculation based on a lesion‐type scale. Tests of the F1 and F2 generations and of F2 : 3 or F2 : 5 families indicated that a single recessive gene controlled resistance to SNB in both hexaploid and tetraploid resistance sources. Lack of segregation in intra‐specific and inter‐specific crosses between the hexaploid and the tetraploid resistant genotypes, indicated that these genetically diverse sources of resistance possess the same gene for resistance to SNB. Results of this study suggest that the wheat‐P. nodorum interaction may follow the toxin model of the gene‐for‐gene hypothesis.
Lower urinary tract symptoms after hormone replacement therapy in Japanese patients with late‐onset hypogonadism: A preliminary report
Authors: Takao Tetsuya , Tsujimura Akira , Nakayama Jiro , Matsuoka Yasuhiro , Miyagawa Yasushi , Takada Shingo , Nonomura Norio , Okuyama Akihiko 
Published: February 2009

AbstractHormone replacement therapy (HRT) is performed for the treatment for patients with late onset hypogonadism (LOH). One of the main concerns about HRT is the influence of lower urinary tract including prostate. This study examined whether HRT for Japanese patients of LOH affected lower urinary tract symptoms. A total of 21 patients with LOH were included in this study. Changes of International prostate symptom score (IPSS), IPSS quality of life (QOL) index and King's health questionnaire (KHQ), before HRT and 3 months after HRT, were evaluated. Statistical comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Total IPSS and QOL index were not significantly different from 7.43 ± 6.56, 2.71 ± 1.74 at baseline to 8.29 ± 6.24, 2.91 ± 1.13 after 3 months. There were no significant differences in any of the nine categories of KHQ. In this preliminary study, the results suggested that HRT for LOH had no short‐term effects on patients with lower urinary symptoms.
Transdifferentiation of rat fetal brain stem cells into penile smooth muscle cells
Authors: Song Yunseob , Mehta Neal , Sheh Bryant , Saljooque Farid , U Hoi Sang , Rajasekaran Mahadevan 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate whether rat fetal brain stem cells can be induced to acquire cell fates outside the nervous system, hypothesising that cell‐based replacement therapy with stem cells can aid in the regeneration of penile smooth musculature and might help to attenuate organic erectile dysfunction (ED), as the degeneration of penile smooth muscle cells leading to subsequent impairment of function is important in organic ED.MATERIALS AND METHODSFetal brain stem cells (FBSCs) from embryonal 12‐day Fisher 344 rats were isolated and characterized. For in vitro studies, undifferentiated FBSCs were cultured for 21 days in either N2 media (control) or N2 media conditioned in rat penile smooth muscle cell culture. These were then subjected to immunocytochemistry for specific markers of neural stem cells (nestin) and penile smooth muscle cells, i.e. α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA), penis‐specific myosin light chain (MLC) desmin, calponin, vimentin, phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE5) and connexin. For in vivo studies, male adult Fisher 344 rats had an intracavernous injection with saline (five rats, control) or FBSCs that were labelled genetically by an expression construct for green fluorescent protein (GFP, nine rats, experimental) and maintained for 6 weeks. The rats were then killed and penile tissue was harvested and subjected to immunocytochemistry for markers of neural stem cells, smooth muscle cells, and sinusoidal endothelium (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF).RESULTSUndifferentiated cells exposed to N2 media continued to maintain the characteristic morphological and protein marker features of FBSCs, while the cells exposed to the conditioned media acquired the morphological features of smooth muscle cells. In addition, the differentiated cells (30–40%) expressed smooth muscle markers. Rats implanted with FBSCs had cells that showed double‐labelling for GFP/αSMA, GFP/calponin and GFP/VEGF. The control group had no evidence of such double‐labelling.CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest the transdifferentiation of FBSCs into penile smooth muscle cells. Such transdifferentiated cells showed long‐term survival when injected into the cavernous tissue, thus raising the possibility of a novel therapeutic option for organic ED.
Metanephric adenoma of the kidney: clinical and radiological study of nine cases
Authors: Bastide Cyrille , Rambeaud Jean‐Jacques , Bach Ariadne M. , Russo Paul 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo analyse the clinical and radiological features of metanephric adenoma (MA, a rare benign renal tumour) in nine patients, and to review previous reports.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom 1992 to 2007, we identified nine patients (eight women and one man) with MA at our institution. Four patients had a radical nephrectomy and five a partial nephrectomy. Preoperative imaging was reviewed by a senior radiologist. Renal colour Doppler ultrasonography (US), abdominal computed tomography and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging were used in seven, eight and four patients, respectively.RESULTSThe mean (range) age of the patients was 46.8 (19–79) years. Six tumours were discovered incidentally. Three patients were symptomatic (two with haematuria and one with polycythaemia). There was no vascular flow on colour Doppler US within the tumours. There were peripheral and/or central calcifications in six of the tumours. All the tumours were well‐circumscribed with minimal enhancement after injection with non‐ionic intravenous contrast or gadolinium.CONCLUSIONSRenal MA is a benign tumour occurring mainly in young and middle‐aged women. Polycythaemia is associated in ≈10%. Generally, MA is solid, well‐circumscribed and hypovascular, often with calcifications. Based on a combination of clinical and imaging features, it might be possible to suspect the diagnosis of MA and propose a preoperative diagnostic biopsy, a partial nephrectomy or active surveillance.
Smoke‐free air policy: subcultural shifts and secondary health effects among club‐going young adults
Authors: Kelly Brian C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn March 2003, New York City implemented legislation that called for a ban of smoking in bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments. The express purpose of this legislation was to protect the health of employees and patrons from second‐hand smoke. In addition to the stated goal of protection from second‐hand smoke for employees, key secondary health effects of this law have emerged in the lives of club‐going youth. This paper is based upon data derived from an ethnographic research project on club‐related health issues in NYC. Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork during the implementation of the ban and in‐depth interviews with club‐going youth, the paper provides a grounded analysis of youth reactions to the smoking ban and a descriptive profile of the secondary health effects of the smoking ban in nightclubs. It explores the attitudes of club‐going youth towards the ban and the ways in which the legislation shapes the behaviours of habitual smokers, ‘social smoking’, and the use of drugs within bars and clubs. In particular, the data suggest a tension between the desire to remain subculturally involved and the desire to smoke. It also highlights the adaptive character of subcultures and the importance of social relations in behavioural patterns.
Sociology of diagnosis: a preliminary review
Authors: Jutel Annemarie 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDiagnoses are the classification tools of medicine, and are pivotal in the ways medicine exerts its role in society. Their sociological study is commonly subsumed under the rubrics of medicalisation, history of medicine and theory of disease. Diagnosis is, however, a powerful social tool, with unique features and impacts which deserve their own specific analysis. The process of diagnosis provides the framework within which medicine operates, punctuates the values which medicine espouses, and underlines the authoritative role of both medicine and the doctor. Diagnosis takes place at a salient juncture between illness and disease, patient and doctor, complaint and explanation. Despite calls for its establishment, almost two decades ago (Brown 1990), there is not yet a clear sociology of diagnosis. This paper argues that there should be, and, as a first step, draws together a number of threads of medical sociology that potentially contribute to this proposed sociology of diagnosis, including the place of diagnosis in the institution of medicine, the social framing of disease definitions, the means by which diagnosis confers authority to medicine, and how that authority is challenged. Through this preliminary review, I encourage sociology to consider the specific role of diagnosis in view of establishing a specific sub‐disciplinary field.
Everyday health and the internet: a mediated health perspective on health information seeking
Authors: Kivits Joëlle 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper explores the relationship between internet use and individuals’ health experience. Adopting a ‘mediated health’ approach, it presents four cases studies of households using the internet for health information. The study shows that participants use the internet as it offers personalised information in line with individuals’ and families’ health needs affecting their everyday routines. The internet emerges as an everyday helper linked to the intimacy of health experiences. Agency is manifest in study participants’ choice of both becoming more informed as well as having the possibility of ignoring information. Case studies also show how personal internet use is confronted by informational surroundings generating flows of information that may induce uncertainty on the information seeker's side. The paper calls for a perspective which considers together personal health experience and media use to embed online health information seeking within an everyday context of internet use.
POST‐KEYNESIAN EFFECTIVE DEMAND AND CAPITAL–LABOUR SUBSTITUTION
Authors: Ohno Takashi 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses the relationship between the real wage rate and employment when we induce capital–labour substitution within a Post‐Keynesian Kaleckian model. To avoid the over‐determinacy problem, we consider a non‐homogeneous production function and cost minimization, in contrast to recent work that assumed a homogeneous production function and profit maximization. As a result, we find not only that increasing returns to scale are important in sustaining the long‐run stability condition, but also that if the increasing returns to scale are small, then it is more likely that employment will increase.
Characterizing arbitrarily slow convergence in the method of alternating projections
Authors: Bauschke Heinz H. , Deutsch Frank , Hundal Hein 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBauschke, Borwein, and Lewis have stated a trichotomy theorem that characterizes when the convergence of the method of alternating projections can be arbitrarily slow. However, there are two errors in their proof of this theorem. In this note, we show that although one of the errors is critical, the theorem itself is correct. We give a different proof that uses the multiplicative form of the spectral theorem, and the theorem holds in any real or complex Hilbert space, not just in a real Hilbert space.
Predictors of Adherence to Triptans: Factors of Sustained vs Lapsed Users
Authors: Cady Roger K. , Maizels Morris , Reeves Dennis L. , Levinson Daniel M. , Evans Judith K. 
Published: February 2009

Objective.— The present study was conducted to identify factors that predict adherence to triptans by migraine patients.Background.— Triptans have demonstrated efficacy for acute migraine yet many migraine sufferers discontinue their use.Design and Methods.— A survey study was conducted using 785 subjects (390 health maintenance organizations [HMO] and 395 non‐HMO). Of those, 586 were sustained users of triptans (defined by at least 1 refill within the past year), and 199 were classified as lapsed users (ie, individuals who had 0 refills in the past year). Groups were compared on a variety of measures including a comprehensive Migraine Survey that included items related to efficacy and adverse events associated with the patient's current medication, as well as the Headache Impact Test (HIT)‐6 and Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS) questionnaires. Data were analyzed with multivariate analysis of variance and stepwise multiple regression.Results.— Sustained users of triptans were significantly more satisfied with their medication, confident in the medication's ability to control headache, and reported control of migraine with fewer doses of medication. Sustained users also switched triptans products significantly less often than lapsed users, and reported greater benefit from triptan intervention in restoring normal daily functions, including improved cognitive ability, compared with lapsed users' ratings of their nontriptan medication. More lapsed users than sustained users reported adverse events associated with past triptan use. Results from multiple and logistic regression analyses correctly classified 95% of sustained users and identified the most significant predictors for sustained use as: satisfaction and belief in medication, reliability of response, effectiveness in rapidly restoring normal levels of productivity, and fewer doses of medication for resolving an attack. The HIT‐6 and MIDAS distinguished between sustained and lapsed triptan users on days unable to do household work and missed family and social events.Conclusions.— Predictors of adherence to triptans included satisfaction and confidence in triptans' ability to stop the migraine and associated symptoms and to return the individual to normal functioning. The findings suggest that lapsed users may not be receiving optimal treatment, and that if their past response to triptans was a consequence of inadequate education, they may benefit from additional education on proper use of triptans.
A novel strategy for tumour therapy combining cell apoptosis and active immunity induced by caspy2, a zebrafish caspase
Authors: Liu Lei , Deng Hongxin , Wang Yongsheng , Chen Ping , Yang Yang , Yang Hanshuo , Chen Xiancheng , Chen Lijuan , Zhu Wen , Liang Shufang , Yang Jinliang , Qian Zhiyong , Li Jiong , Wen Yanjun , Kan Bin , Mao Yongqiu , Zhao Xia , Wei Yuquan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractCaspy2, a zebrafish protease, is an active caspase for inducing apoptosis in mammalian cells. To investigate whether caspy2‐mediated apoptosis could be used in cancer therapy, its cDNA was amplified and cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1+. The recombinant plasmid was mixed with cationic liposome and introduced into various tumour cell lines in vitro. Our data showed that caspy2 induced remarkable apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro. Treatment of mice‐bearing CT26 colon carcinoma or MethA fibrosarcoma with intratumoral injection of liposome‐caspy2 plasmid complex resulted in substantial killing of neoplastic cells and long‐term survivors. Apoptotic cells were widely distributed in caspy2‐treated tumour tissue. Infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocyte was also observed apparently in the tumour tissue after the treatment with caspy2. Tumour‐specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I‐dependent CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity was found by means of 51Cr release assay. In MethA model, the mice acquired a long‐time protective immunity against the parental tumour cell re‐challenge. These results indicated that caspy2 can act as both apoptosis inducer and immune response initiator, which may account for its extraordinary antitumour effect. Furthermore, in vivo depletion of CD8+ T lymphocytes could completely abrogate the antitumour immune activity, whereas the depletion of CD4+ cells showed partial abrogation. In this study, we developed a novel anticancer strategy that combines both induction of apoptosis and immune response in mice‐bearing tumours with a single caspy2 gene. This approach may provide an important way for treatment of cancer.
Differential distribution of aggrecan isoforms in perineuronal nets of the human cerebral cortex
Authors: Virgintino Daniela , Perissinotto Daniela , Girolamo Francesco , Mucignat Maria T. , Montanini Luisa , Errede Mariella , Kaneiwa Tomoyuki , Yamada Shushei , Sugahara Kazuyuki , Roncali Luisa , Perris Roberto 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAggrecan is a component of the CNS extracellular matrix (ECM) and we show here that the three primary alternative spliced transcripts of the aggrecan gene found in cartilage are also present in the adult CNS. Using a unique panel of core protein‐directed antibodies against human aggrecan we further show that different aggrecan isoforms are deposited in perineuronal nets (PNNs) and neuropil ECM of Brodmann’s area 6 of the human adult cerebral cortex. According to their distribution pattern, the identified cortical aggrecan isoforms were subdivided into five clusters spanning from cluster 1, comprised isoforms that appeared widespread throughout the cortex, to cluster 5, which was an aggrecan‐free subset. Comparison of brain and cartilage tissues showed a different relative abundance of aggrecan isoforms, with cartilage‐specific isoforms characterizing cluster 5, and PNN‐associated isoforms lacking keratan sulphate chains. In the brain, isoforms of cluster 1 were disclosed in PNNs surrounding small‐medium interneurons of layers II–V, small‐medium pyramidal neurons of layers III and V and large interneurons of layer VI. Aggrecan PNNs enveloped both neuron bodies and neuronal processes, encompassing pre‐terminal nerve fibres, synaptic boutons and terminal processes of glial cells and aggrecan was also observed in continuous ‘coats’ associated with satellite, neuron‐associated cells of a putative glial nature. Immunolabelling for calcium‐binding proteins and glutamate demonstrated that aggrecan PNNs were linked to defined subsets of cortical interneurons and pyramidal cells. We suggest that in the human cerebral cortex, discrete, layer‐specific PNNs are assembled through the participation of selected aggrecan isoforms that characterize defined subsets of cortical neurons.
Cannabis use and destructive periodontal diseases among adolescents
Authors: López Rodrigo , Baelum Vibeke 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAim: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the association between cannabis use and destructive periodontal disease among adolescents.Material and methods: Data from a population screening examination carried out among Chilean high school students from the Province of Santiago were used to determine whether there was an association between the use of cannabis and signs of periodontal diseases as defined by (1) the presence of necrotizing ulcerative gingival (NUG) lesions or (2) the presence of clinical attachment loss (CAL) 3 mm. The cannabis exposures variables considered were “Ever use of cannabis” (yes/no) and “Regular use of cannabis” (yes/no). The associations were investigated using multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, paternal income, paternal education, frequency of tooth‐brushing and time since last dental visit.Results: Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that “Ever use of cannabis” was significantly negatively associated with the presence of NUG lesions (OR=0.47 [0.2;0.9]) among non‐smokers only. No significant associations were observed between the presence of CAL 3 mm and cannabis use in either of the smoking groups.Conclusions: There was no evidence to suggest that the use of cannabis is positively associated with periodontal diseases in this adolescent population.
Regenerative potential and healing dynamics of the periodontium: a critical‐size supra‐alveolar periodontal defect study
Authors: Polimeni Giuseppe , Susin Cristiano , Wikesjö Ulf M. E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives: The nature and characteristics of the newly formed periodontium obtained following regenerative procedures remain a matter of controversy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the regenerative potential of the periodontal attachment and healing dynamics as observed from the spatial distribution of newly formed cementum, periodontal ligament (PDL) and alveolar bone following optimal circumstances for wound healing/regeneration in a discriminating animal model.Material and Methods: Critical‐size, 6‐mm, supra‐alveolar, periodontal defects were surgically created in six young adult Beagle dogs. Space‐providing ePTFE devices with 300‐μm laser‐drilled pores were implanted to support wound stability and space provision in one jaw quadrant/animal. Treatments were alternated between left and right jaw quadrants in subsequent animals. The gingival flaps were advanced to submerge the defect sites for primary intention healing. Histometric analysis followed an 8‐week healing interval.Results: Healing was uneventful in all animals. The histometric analysis showed that cementum regeneration (2.99 ± 0.22 mm) was significantly greater than PDL (2.54 ± 0.18 mm, p=0.03) and bone regeneration (2.46 ± 0.26 mm, p=0.03). The wound area showed significant positive non‐linear effect on cementum (log β=1.25, p<0.001), PDL (log β=1.24, p<0.001) and new bone formation (log β=1.36, p<0.001). A high degree of concordance and significant linear relationship was observed between cementum, PDL and bone regeneration indicating that their formation virtually occurred in parallel.Conclusions: Cementum, PDL and alveolar bone virtually regenerate in parallel under optimal circumstances for periodontal wound healing/regeneration. Moreover, space provision positively influences the extent of periodontal regeneration.
Effects of smoking on healing response to non‐surgical periodontal therapy: a multilevel modelling analysis
Authors: Wan Chi Pui , Leung W. Keung , Wong May C. M. , Wong Ruby M. S. , Wan Peng , Lo Edward C. M. , Corbet Esmonde F. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAim: To investigate the factors predicting non‐surgical periodontal treatment responses using multilevel multiple regression.Material and Methods: Forty men (mean 45.6 years) were recruited; 20 were smokers. A 12‐month reduction in probing pocket depth (PPD) and gain in probing attachment level (PAL) of 5814 sites were analysed, with 594 being initially diseased sites (initial PPD5 mm).Results: Variance Component models showed that site‐level variations contributed about 70–90% of the total variance. About a 10% reduction of the total variations of PPD reduction in initially diseased sites was achieved with the inclusion of the 10 predictors in the multilevel multiple regression. Multilevel multiple regression showed that three predictors, subject level: non‐smokers; tooth‐level: anterior teeth; and site level: sites without plaque at baseline, were significantly associated with a greater reduction in PPD in initially diseased sites over the 12‐month study period (p<0.05). No consistent predictor was found for PAL gain.Conclusion: Multilevel analysis was applied on periodontal treatment response data. Smokers showed less favourable PPD reduction at deep sites after non‐surgical periodontal therapy.