bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A cost‐effectiveness analysis of the intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry multicentre randomised controlled trial (the FOREMOST trial)
Authors: East CE , Gascoigne MB , Doran CM , Brennecke SP , King JF , Colditz PB 
Published: August 2006

Objective To report an economic analysis of the Australian intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) multicentre randomised controlled trial (the FOREMOST trial), which examined whether adding FPO to conventional cardiotocographic (CTG) monitoring (intervention group) was cost‐effective in reducing operative delivery rates for non‐reassuring fetal status compared with the use of CTG alone (control group).Design Cost‐effectiveness analysis of the FOREMOST trial.Setting Four Australian maternity hospitals, each with more than 4000 births/year.Population Women in labour at ≥36 weeks of gestation, with a non‐reassuring CTG.Methods Costs were for treatment‐related expenses, incorporating diagnosis‐related grouping costs and direct costs (including fetal monitoring). Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) and cost‐effectiveness plane were calculated, and sensitivity analysis was conducted. The primary outcome was that of the clinical trial: operative delivery for non‐reassuring fetal status avoided in the intervention group relative to that in the control group.Main outcome measures The ICER.Results The ICER demonstrated a saving of $A813 for each operative birth for non‐reassuring fetal status averted by the addition of FPO to CTG monitoring compared with the use of CTG monitoring alone.Conclusion The addition of FPO to CTG monitoring represented a less costly and more effective use of resources to reduce operative delivery rates for non‐reassuring fetal status than the use of conventional CTG monitoring alone.
Intracellular Calcium Response and Adhesiveness of Chick Embryonic Retinal Neurons to Photoelectric Dye‐coupled Polyethylene Films as Prototypes of Retinal Prostheses
Authors: Uji Akihito , Matsuo Toshihiko , Uchida Tetsuya , Shimamura Kaoru , Ohtsuki Hiroshi 
Published: August 2006

Abstract:  Photoelectric dyes, which absorb light and convert photon energy to electric potentials, were shown to stimulate retinal neurons in culture. One of these dyes coupled with polyethylene film surface, as a prototype of retinal prostheses, could induce intracellular calcium elevation in chick embryonic retinal tissues. In this study, we used retinal cells from chick embryos in which no photoreceptor outer segments yet developed, and assessed cell adhesiveness and response to the original and modified types of our retinal prostheses.Extruded‐blown film of high density polyethylene was used as the original polyethylene film. Polyethylene film surface was modified either by coupling with type 1 collagen or by crystallization from the melt of the original polyethylene film. A photoelectric dye, 2‐[2‐[4‐(dibutylamino)phenyl]ethenyl]‐3‐carboxymethylbenzothiazolium bromide, was coupled to these different types of polyethylene films through amide linkage. Retinal cells from chick embryos at the 12‐day embryonic stage were cultured on the surface of dye‐coupled films. The response of retinal cells to the dye‐coupled films was observed by calcium imaging. Cell types, either neurons or glial cells, were detected by immunocytochemical staining and also observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Intracellular calcium elevation was observed in cells, including both neurons and glial cells, on the surface of the original dye‐coupled film, collagen‐coated dye‐coupled film, and dye‐coupled recrystallized film, in contrast with no response of cells cultured on the dye‐uncoupled plain film. Retinal neurons grew upon colonies of glial cells settling on the surface of all different types of the films. The number of retinal neurons on the collagen‐coated dye‐coupled film and dye‐coupled recrystallized film was significantly larger than the number of neurons on the dye‐uncoupled plain film (P = 0.0004, analysis of variance; P < 0.05, Tukey–Kramer test). With SEM, Muller cell‐like large cells covered the original dye‐coupled film and collagen‐coated dye‐coupled film, while neuron‐like small cells settled directly on the dye‐coupled recrystallized film and also formed large colonies on Muller‐like cells. Retinal neurons and glial cells were cultured directly on the different types of dye‐coupled polyethylene films. Photoelectric dye‐coupled polyethylene films could be used as prototypes of retinal prostheses.
How Long Do Most Seizures Last? A Systematic Comparison of Seizures Recorded in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
Authors: Jenssen Sigmund , Gracely Edward J. , Sperling Michael R. 
Published: August 2006

Summary:  Purpose: More information is needed regarding how long seizures typically last, since this influences treatment decisions. Seizure type and other factors could influence seizure duration. Methods: Data were collected from a random sample of patients being evaluated with continuous video and scalp EEG. Seizure duration was defined as time from early sign of seizure (clinical or EEG) until the end of seizure on EEG. Seizures were categorized as simple partial (SPS), complex partial (CPS), secondarily generalized tonic–clonic (SGTCS), primary generalized tonic–clonic (PGTCS) and tonic (TS). SGTCS were divided into a complex partial part (SGTCS/CP) and a tonic–clonic part (SGTCS/TC). Median and longest duration of each seizure type in each individual were used. Comparisons of seizure types, first and last seizure, area of onset, and state of onset were performed. Results: Five hundred seventy‐nine seizures were recorded in 159 adult patients. Seizures with partial onset spreading to both hemispheres had the longest duration. SGTCS were unlikely to last more than 660 s, CPS more than 600 s, and SPS more than 240 s. PGTCS and TS had shorter durations, but the number of subjects with those two types was small. CPS did not differ in duration according to sleep state at onset nor side of origin. Conclusion: A working definition of status epilepticus in adults with cryptogenic or symptomatic epilepsy can be drawn from these data for purposes of future epidemiologic research. More information is needed for the idiopathic epilepsies and in children.
Substantia Nigra Is an Anticonvulsant Site of Action of Topiramate in the Focal Pilocarpine Model of Limbic Seizures
Authors: Meurs Alfred , Clinckers Ralph , Ebinger Guy , Michotte Yvette , Smolders Ilse 
Published: August 2006

Summary:  Purpose: The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) is known to play a role in gating and control of seizures. Prompted by the observation that intrahippocampal topiramate (TPM) administration does not suppress limbic seizures in the focal pilocarpine model, we investigated the role of the SNR in the anticonvulsant mechanism of action of TPM. Methods: Limbic seizures were evoked in freely moving rats by intrahippocampal administration of pilocarpine via a microdialysis probe. Changes in hippocampal extracellular (EC) glutamate and GABA concentrations were monitored. Effects of intraperitoneal (10–200 mg/kg), intrahippocampal (1–5 mM), and bilateral intranigral (100–300 nmol) TPM administration on pilocarpine‐induced seizures and neurochemical changes were evaluated. Effects of TPM administration alone on hippocampal and nigral EC amino acid concentrations were also studied. Results: Systemic and intranigral, but not intrahippocampal TPM administration suppressed pilocarpine‐induced seizures and neurochemical changes. Nigral GABAA receptor blockade by picrotoxin abolished the anticonvulsant effect of TPM in SNR. Systemic TPM administration increased hippocampal glutamate and decreased GABA. Intranigral TPM administration increased hippocampal glutamate, but not GABA. Intrahippocampal TPM increased hippocampal glutamate and GABA, but only at high concentrations. Conclusions: In the focal pilocarpine model, TPM does not exert its anticonvulsant effect at the site of seizure initiation. We identified the SNR as a site of action of TPM, and showed that the nigral GABA‐ergic system is central to TPM's anticonvulsant effect in SNR. Anticonvulsant effects and neurochemical changes in hippocampus following intranigral TPM administration suggest the existence of a nigro‐hippocampal circuit, which may be involved in the control of limbic seizures.
Genome size variation in pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.)
Authors: Tatum T.C. , Nunez L. , Kushad M.M. , Rayburn A.L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPumpkins, a subgroup of the domesticated Cucurbita species, have been reported to range in fruit type (related to size) from miniature (<100 g) to jumbo (>273 kg). In order to obtain a wide range of fruit types it is hypothesised that all potential factors affecting fruit type must be used. One factor that is often overlooked in plant studies is genome size. In various plant species, genome size variation has been associated with characteristics such as cell size, plant size and flowering time. Such characteristics are referred to as nucleotypic parameters. In order to determine if nucleotypic selection is occurring in pumpkin, 17 varieties were analysed for genome size variation in two separate experiments. The species selected encompass the total range of fruit types reported in pumpkin. Significant nuclear DNA content variation was observed in pumpkin. There was no significant correlation between genome size and fruit type. In fact, the miniature pumpkin types were found to have the same genome size as the jumbo pumpkin types. In addition, a positive correlation between genome size and stomata length (an estimate of cell size in plants) was observed. Both the miniature and jumbo types were observed to have the smallest genome size and the smallest cell size. Thus, nucleotypic selection does appear to occur in pumpkin and appears to be involved in determining fruit type, although it may not be the only factor involved.
Coronal sealing ability of three sectional obturation techniques – SimpliFill, Thermafil and warm vertical compaction – compared with cold lateral condensation and post space preparation
Authors: Gopikrishna Velayutham , Parameswaren Anantanarayanan 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect post space preparation has on the coronal seal of root canals obturated with cold lateral condensation of gutta‐percha compared with the corsonal sealing ability of three sectional obturation techniques not requiring post space preparation. Sixty‐eight human maxillary central incisors were divided equally into four groups: cold lateral condensation (Group I), SimpliFill (Group II), Thermafil (Group III) and warm vertical compaction (Group IV). After coronal flaring, all four groups were cleaned and shaped with Lightspeed rotary instruments to a size 60 master apical rotary. After obturation Peeso Reamers were used to create a post space for Group I, while Groups 2, 3 and 4 incorporated the post space in the obturation (sectional technique) and did not require making a post space after obturation. The teeth were then stored in 100% humidity for 1 week and then kept in rhodamine B fluorescent dye for 3 weeks. The teeth were then split open, and the linear dye penetration from a coronal to apical direction (coronal seal) was evaluated with a fluorescent light microscope. Statistical analysis showed that Group I (cold lateral condensation followed by post space made with Peeso Reamers) leaked significantly more (P < 0.05) than the remaining three sectional obturation groups. It was concluded that stresses generated during post space preparation might be detrimental to the seal obtained by the obturation. Sectional obturations with their superior sealing ability offer a viable alternative.
The predicting role of substance P in the neoplastic transformation of the hypoplastic bone marrow
Authors: Nowicki M , Ostalska-Nowicka D , Konwerska A , Miskowiak B 
Published: August 2006

Aims:To estimate the expression of substance P in the haematopoietic cells of hypoplastic bone marrow and define its relationship with the course of bone marrow hypoplasia.Methods:Bone marrow specimens were obtained from 42 children with bone marrow hypoplasia who were hospitalised in the Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland, between 1996 and 2003. Substance P and Ki-67 expression were evaluated using immunochemical and hybridocytochemical assays.Results:The expression of substance P (as evidenced by both immunocytochemical and hybridisation techniques) was confirmed in the cytoplasm of B lymphocytes in 8 of 11 children who developed acute leukaemia in 45 (SD 12) days. The percentage of substance P-positive cells ranged from 67.6 to 95.8 (mean of 81.5% cells with immunocytochemistry and 84.3% with in situ hybridisation). The risk of development of leukaemia secondary to bone marrow hypoplasia was found to be significant (p<0.001) in those children who expressed substance P in normal-looking lymphocytes at the initial bone marrow evaluation.Conclusions:The presence of substance P in B lymphocytes of hypoplastic bone marrow may predict its neoplastic transformation. A marked correlation between substance P-positive bone marrow pattern and the expansion of tumour cells may prove the potential value of this oligopeptide in the pathogenesis of leukaemia.
Metabolic protein replacement drives tissue turnover in adult mice
Authors: Arneson Lynne S. , MacAvoy Stephen , Basset Ethan 
Published: August 2006

Stable isotopes are increasingly being used to examine ecological and physiological questions, such as dietary choices, migration routes and timing, and physiological condition. To address these questions in the field, laboratory experiments must be done to determine diet–tissue discrimination values and turnover rates for stable isotopes in tissues. In this study, we examined the carbon and nitrogen turnover rates of whole blood, skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, heart, and brain, as well as the sulfur turnover rate of whole blood, skeletal muscle, and liver in Mus musculus L., 1758 following a diet change. By examining tissue isotope change in two groups of mice fed different diets, we found that tissues turnover at different rates (in order of fastest to slowest — liver, kidney, heart, brain, whole blood, skeletal muscle), but that carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotopes turned over with similar half-lives within a single tissue. By using a diet with different nutrient isotopic values, we also calculated that up to approximately 90%–95% of carbon in newly synthesized tissue was contributed by dietary protein. These results will provide field researchers with additional tissue isotopic half-lives to elucidate dietary history with a greater degree of certainty. The tissue sulfur half-lives provide an extra stable isotope that may be used in situations where carbon and nitrogen values do not differ between old and new nutrient sources.
Nitric oxide deficiency promotes vascular side effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors
Authors: Anning Peter B. , Coles Barbara , Morton Jonathan , Wang Haibin , Uddin Jashim , Morrow Jason D. , Dey Sudhansu K. , Marnett Lawrence J. , O'Donnell Valerie B. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
The cardiovascular safety of COX-2 selective and nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has recently been called into question. The factors that predispose to adverse events by NSAIDs are unknown. Because patients with arthritis have decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, the in vivo effects of NSAIDs on murine vascular tone and platelet activity in the presence or absence of NO were examined. Here, we show that acute hypertensive and prothrombotic activities of the COX-2–selective inhibitor celecoxib are revealed only after in vivo inhibition of NO generation. The nonselective NSAID indomethacin was hypertensive but antithrombotic when NO was absent. In vitro myography of aortic rings confirmed that vasoconstriction required inhibition of both NOS and COX-2 and was abolished by supplementation with exogenous NO. These data indicate that NO suppresses vascular side effects of NSAIDs, suggesting that risk will be greatest in patients with impaired vascular function associated with decreased NO bioavailability.
Immunostimulatory combinations: designing the next generation of vaccine adjuvants
Authors: Kornbluth Richard S , Stone Geoffrey W 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAgents that activate dendritic cells are essential components for vaccines and can be conceptualized as molecular adjuvants. Other molecular adjuvants affect downstream factors that shape the resulting immune response. This review provides a compendium of recently studied molecular adjuvants, focusing on CD8+ T cell responses, which have important roles in HIV vaccines. Reference is also made to CD8+ T cell antitumor responses, where parallel studies of molecular adjuvants are being pursued. Molecular adjuvants can be considered in the following groups: TNF superfamily molecules such as CD40 ligand; agonists for TLRs; agonists for NAIP, CIITA, HET-E, TP-1-leucine-rich repeat pathway receptors, such as nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)1, NOD2, and cryopyrin; chemokines; ILs; CSFs; IFNs; alarmins; and purinergic P2X7 receptor agonists. Complementing these positively acting agents are strategies to reduce the immunosuppressive effects of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and negatively acting factors such as TGF-β, IL-10, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1, and programmed cell death-1 using neutralizing antibodies, antisense, and small interfering RNA. Especially effective are combinations of molecular adjuvants, which can elicit a massive expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and show unprecedented efficacy in vaccine and tumor models. Taken together, these new approaches provide significant incremental progress in the development of vaccines to elicit cell-mediated immunity against HIV and other pathogens.
Requirement of Androgen-Dependent Activation of Protein Kinase Cζ for Androgen-Dependent Cell Proliferation in LNCaP Cells and Its Roles in Transition to Androgen-Independent Cells
Authors: Inoue Takahiro , Yoshida Toru , Shimizu Yosuke , Kobayashi Takashi , Yamasaki Toshinari , Toda Yoshinobu , Segawa Takehiko , Kamoto Toshiyuki , Nakamura Eijiro , Ogawa Osamu 
Published: August 2006

AbstractA cell line that we designed, AILNCaP, proliferated in androgen-depleted medium after emerging from long-term androgen-depleted cultures of an androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP. Using this cell line as a model of progression to androgen independence, we demonstrated that the activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin/p70 S6 kinase transduction pathway is down-regulated after androgen depletion in LNCaP, whereas its activation is related to transition of this cell line to androgen-independent proliferation. Kinase activity of protein kinase Cζ is regulated by androgen stimulation in LNCaP cells, whereas it is activated constitutively in AILNCaP cells under androgen-depleted conditions. Treatment with a protein kinase Cζ pseudosubstrate inhibitor reduced p70 S6 kinase activity and cell proliferation in both cell lines. We identified that both protein kinase Cζ and p70 S6 kinase were associated in LNCaP cells and this association was enhanced by the androgen stimulation. We examined the expression of phospho-protein kinase Cζ and phospho-p70 S6 kinase in hormone-naive prostate cancer specimens and found that the expression of both kinases was correlated with each other in those specimens. Significant correlation was observed between the expression of both kinases and Ki67 expression. Most of the prostate cancer cells that survived after prior hormonal treatment also expressed both kinases. This is the first report that shows the significance of this pathway for both androgen-dependent and -independent cell proliferation in prostate cancer. Our data suggest that protein kinase Cζ/mammalian target of rapamycin/S6 kinase pathway plays an important role for the transition of androgen-dependent to androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.
Leptin Increases Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase I (TIMP-1) Gene Expression by a Specificity Protein 1/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Mechanism
Authors: Lin Songbai , Saxena Neeraj K. , Ding Xiaokun , Stein Lance L. , Anania Frank A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractLeptin has properties of a profibrogenic cytokine. In liver, the activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC) is responsible for a net production of extracellular matrix. A key molecule synthesized is the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase I (TIMP-1), which acts to inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases. The purpose of the present study was to determine how leptin, a gp130 cytokine, orchestrates the regulation of TIMP-1 gene activation and expression. Transient transfection of primary HSCs revealed that leptin significantly increased luciferase activity of a 229-bp TIMP-1 promoter construct (TIMP-1–229). An EMSA revealed that leptin enhanced specificity protein 1 (Sp1) binding. Site-directed mutagenesis for Sp1 reduced the enhancing effect of leptin on TIMP-1 transcriptional activation, and this effect was dose dependent on the number of Sp1 sites mutated. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that leptin enhanced binding of Sp1; however, inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 phosphorylation by AG490 also blocked Sp1 phosphorylation and significantly reduced leptin-associated TIMP-1–229 promoter activity, indicating that one mechanism for leptin-increased transcriptional activity is via phosphorylation of Sp1 and subsequent promoter binding. Finally, we demonstrate that leptin also results in intranuclear pSTAT3 binding to Sp1. We propose a novel mechanism whereby leptin-mediated TIMP-1 transcription employs a Sp1/pSTAT3-dependent mechanism, one of which is a noncanonical association between Sp1 and pSTAT3. These data provide a new molecular mechanism whereby the adipocytokine leptin plays a role in complications of the metabolic syndrome.
Cristobalite Morphology and Oxygen Isotopic Composition Variation under Hydrothermal Alteration
Authors: Jackson M. L. , Clayton R. N. , Fujii Noriyuki , Henderson J. H. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractFrom 2 to 28% opal-cristobalite was isolated from the 2–20 µm fraction of rhyolitic and andesitic tuffaceous pyroclastics from the Island of Honshu, Japan, where it had been formed in hydrothermal springs at temperatures of ∼25–170°C as calculated from the oxygen isotopic ratios (18O/16O). Three of the isolates gave X-ray powder diffractograms with strong peaks at 4.07 Å. Two of these also had very weak peaks at 4.32 Å indicative of the presence of traces of tridymite. The fourth isolate had a strong 4.11 Å cristobalite peak and a very weak 4.32 Å peak. The morphology, determined by the scanning electron microscope, varied with the formation temperature indicated by the oxygen isotopic ratio (δ18O), from spheroidal and spongy for the opal-cristobalite formed at ∼25°C (δ18O = 26.0‰) in contrast to angular irregular plates and prisms for that formed at ∼115°C (11.9‰), ∼135°C (7.9 ‰) and ∼170°C (6.8 ‰). The differences in δ18O values are attributed to variation in hydrothermal temperature, but some variability in oxygen isotopic composition of the water is possible. The field-measured temperatures related roughly with the calculated fractionation temperatures except in one site, while the contrast in cristobalite morphology related well to calculated low and high fractionation temperatures. Low-cristobalite of hydrothermal origin in New Zealand (δ18O = 9‰) had characteristic rounded grains with some evidence of platiness. Co-existing quartz grains (δ18O = 10‰) showed more subhedral and irregular prismatic morphology.