bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Age‐Related Changes in Cultured Human Vocal Fold Fibroblasts
Authors: Chen Xia , Thibeault Susan L. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Normal human vocal fold fibroblast (hVFF) primary cell lines are unavailable commercially and are very difficult to acquire, subsequently little is known about their characteristics. The purpose of this study was to compare the morphological and proliferation characteristics and gene expression of hVFFs from different aged donors.Study Design: In vitro.Methods: We developed three normal hVFF primary cell lines from donors aged 21 (21T), 59 (59T) and 79 (79T) years. We characterized their morphological features, proliferative abilities, telomere lengths, and their functional gene expression by quantitative real‐time PCR.Results: The 21T line maintained a typical spindle shape until passage 14 whereas 59T and 79T changed morphology to wider, shorter cells at passage 7. Proliferation rates were constant for the 21T through passage 14; 59T's proliferative half‐life was passage 9, whereas 79T maintained lower proliferation rates from passage 4. Gene expression levels for fibronectin, collagen I, collagen VI, procollagen I and elastin demonstrated similar patterns for all lines, however, relative amounts decreased with the age of donor. Telomere lengths did not show differences related with donor age.Conclusions: hVFF primary cultures have limited proliferative capacity. The morphology, proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression levels of VFF can be affected by age, but senescence patterns were similar across the ages.
Is there a Relationship Between Eagle Syndrome and Cervicofacial Painful Soft Tissue Rheumatisms?
Authors: Zinnuroglu Murat , Ural Ahmet , Günendi Zafer , Meray Jale , Köybaşoğlu Ahmet 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: To investigate the incidence of locomotor system pathologies such as myofacial pain syndrome (MPS), fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), and temporomandibular dysfunction in patients with Eagle Syndrome.Study Design: Prospective study.Patients and Methods: Fourteen patients with Eagle Syndrome, who were treated surgically, were enrolled in the study. Etiologic factors for cervicofacial pain were assessed, pain status was compared preoperatively and postoperatively using visual analogue scale. Palpation of tonsillar fossa, neck and shoulder examination, neurologic examination, evaluation of occlusion status, trigger points, and painful zones were done. Plain anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the cervical spine were obtained and the lengths of the transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebrae were measured bilaterally.Results: MPS, FMS, and temporomandibular dysfunction were diagnosed in 9 (64.3%), 3 (21.4%), and 2 (14.3%) patients, respectively. Visual analogue scale scores decreased significantly after the surgical excision of elongated styloid processes (from 6.7 ± 2.3 to 2.1 ± 1.8), and all the complaints except for headache had diminished (P < .05). Lengths of transverse processes of seventh cervical vertebra were found to be correlated with the length of styloid process (right; r = 0.644, P = .024, left; r = 0.616, P = .033).Conclusions: Cervicofacial pain is a common complaint in patients with Eagle Syndrome. It frequently coexists with rheumatic disorders resulting in chronic pain such as MPS and FMS. Even though Eagle Syndrome is a rare condition, it should be kept in mind in patients suffering from chronic cervicofacial pain that is refractory to treatment. Clinicians should be alert to diagnose and treat coexisting locomotor system disorders.
Titanium versus Nontitanium Prostheses in Ossiculoplasty
Authors: Coffey Charles S. , Lee Fu‐Shing , Lambert Paul R. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: To compare the hearing outcomes and complications observed using either titanium or nontitanium prostheses in a 7‐year consecutive series of ossiculoplasties performed by a single surgeon.Study Design: Retrospective.Methods: A database of ossicular reconstruction surgeries was reviewed for preoperative and postoperative audiometric data including air and bone conduction thresholds at four frequencies and speech reception thresholds. Outcomes were evaluated at time points less than and greater than 6 months postoperatively. Baseline demographic and surgical characteristics and postoperative complications were also noted.Results: A total of 105 cases had sufficient audiometric data available for analysis, including 80 performed with titanium and 25 with nontitanium implants. Follow‐up ranged from 1.2 to 74.2 months, with a mean of 14.9 months. Mean air‐bone gap at initial follow‐up was 21.7 dB in the nontitanium group and 15.4 dB in the titanium group; this difference was significant (P = .01). Postoperative air‐bone gap of less than 20 dB at initial follow‐up was achieved in 50.0% of nontitanium cases and 77.1% of titanium cases (P = .012). This difference in “success” rates persisted at longer follow‐up but did not achieve statistical significance. Mean speech reception thresholds at <6 months was 29.7 dB in the nontitanium group and 22.6 dB in the titanium group (P = .049). Extrusion was observed with two nontitanium prostheses (8.0%) and three titanium prostheses (3.8%) (P > .05).Conclusions: Titanium ossicular prostheses provide hearing outcomes superior to those of nontitanium prostheses when evaluated within 6 months after ossiculoplasty.
Paradigms and Progress in Vocal Fold Restoration
Authors: Ford Charles N. , Baker Daniel C. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractScience advances occur through orderly steps, puzzle‐solving leaps, or divergences from the accepted disciplinary matrix that occasionally result in a revolutionary paradigm shift. Key advances must overcome bias, criticism, and rejection. Examples in biological science include use of embryonic stem cells, recognition of Helicobacter pylori in the etiology of ulcer disease, and the evolution of species. Our work in vocal fold restoration reflects these patterns. We progressed through phases of tissue replacement with fillers and biological implants, to current efforts at vocal fold regeneration through tissue engineering, and face challenges of a new “systems biology” paradigm embracing genomics and proteomics.
Secondary Apoptosis of Spiral Ganglion Cells Induced by Aminoglycoside: Fas–Fas Ligand Signaling Pathway
Authors: Bae Woo Yong , Kim Lee Suk , Hur Dae Young , Jeong Sung Wook , Kim Jae Ryong 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Hair cell loss results in the secondary loss of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), over a period of several weeks. The death of the SGNs themselves results from apoptosis. Previous studies have shown that several molecules are involved in the apoptosis of SGNs that occurred secondary to hair cell loss. However, the precise mechanism of apoptosis of the SGNs remains unclear. The aim of this study was to ascertain the secondary apoptosis of spiral ganglion cells induced by aminoglycoside and to investigate the role of the Fas–FasL signaling pathway using guinea pigs as an experimental animal model.Study Design: Laboratory study using experimental animals.Methods: Guinea pigs weighing 250 to 300 g (n = 21) from 3 to 4 weeks of age were used. Gentamicin (60 μL) was injected through a cochleostomy site on their left side. At 1 (n = 7), 2 (n = 7), and 3 (n = 7) weeks after gentamicin treatment, their cochleas were obtained from their temporal bone. Hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick‐end labeling staining were performed to observe apoptosis. To investigate the involvement of the Fas–FasL signaling pathway in the secondary apoptosis of SGNs, we performed reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), western blotting, and immunohistochemistry.Results: A progressive loss of spiral ganglion cells with increasing time after gentamicin treatment was observed on light microscopic examination. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick‐end labeling staining demonstrated induction of apoptotic cell death in SGNs after gentamicin treatment. Expression of FasL increased over time after gentamicin treatment as determined by RT‐PCR and western blotting. On immunohistochemical staining, we observed the localization of FasL in the SGNs. The proapoptotic molecules Bax and Bad were increased, but levels of the antiapoptotic molecule Bcl‐2 were decreased at increasing survival times after gentamicin treatment on RT‐PCR. The gentamicin‐treated group displayed initial activation of caspase‐8 and increased the cleavage of caspase‐3, caspase‐8, and PARP protein in a time‐dependent manner.Conclusions: The secondary apoptosis of SGNs could be a result of the apoptotic Fas–FasL signaling pathway. Blocking the Fas–FasL signaling pathway could be considered as a method for preventing secondary degeneration of SGNs, and further studies are needed to confirm this.
Phylogeny of the great cats (Felidae: Pantherinae), and the influence of fossil taxa and missing characters
Authors: Christiansen Per 
Published: August 2008

AbstractMolecular phylogenetic studies of the extant Pantherinae have resulted in a variety of different hypotheses of relationships. This study presents the results of a cladistic study encompassing 45 osteological and dental characters in the skull and mandible, as well as 13 soft‐tissue and behavioural characters. Analyzing extant pantherines with osteological data only resulted in two equally parsimonious trees, which differed only with respects to the jaguar, a taxon which shows morphological affinity to the tiger as well as the lion + leopard. Addition of soft‐tissue characters resolved this ambiguity, and led to markedly improved bootstrap values. The inclusion of fossil taxa did not have an impact on topology, but was important for a correct understanding of character evolution, due to the fossils having a combination of characters unlike those of any extant taxon. The clouded leopard is the most basal pantherine, followed by the snow leopard. The large pantherines are a well supported group, to which the snow leopard does not belong, contrary to some molecular studies. Panthera palaeosinensis is no tiger, but may be close to the stem group from which the tiger evolved. P. atrox and P. spelaea are not on the lion lineage, as traditionally assumed, but are successive outgroups to the lion + leopard, although the position of P. spelaea is tentative, but is supported by other lines of evidence such as brain anatomy.© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.
The relative sensitivity of different alignment methods and character codings in sensitivity analysis
Authors: Simmons Mark P. , Müller Kai F. , Webb Colleen T. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSensitivity analysis provides a way to measure robustness of clades in sequence‐based phylogenetic analyses to variation in alignment parameters rather than measuring their branch support. We compared three different approaches to multiple sequence alignment in the context of sensitivity analysis: progressive pairwise alignment, as implemented in MUSCLE; simultaneous multiple alignment of sequence fragments, as implemented in DCA; and direct optimization followed by generation of the implied alignment(s), as implemented in POY. We set out to determine the relative sensitivity of these three alignment methods using rDNA sequences and randomly generated sequences. A total of 36 parameter sets were used to create the alignments, varying the transition, transversion, and gap costs. Tree searches were performed using four different character‐coding and weighting approaches: the cost function used for alignment or equally weighted parsimony with gap positions treated as missing data, separate characters, or as fifth states. POY was found to be as sensitive, or more sensitive, to variation in alignment parameters than DCA and MUSCLE for the three empirical datasets, and POY was found to be more sensitive than MUSCLE, which in turn was found to be as sensitive, or more sensitive, than DCA when applied to the randomly generated sequences when sensitivity was measured using the averaged jackknife values. When significant differences in relative sensitivity were found between the different ways of weighting character‐state changes, equally weighted parsimony, for all three ways of treating gapped positions, was less sensitive than applying the same cost function used in alignment for phylogenetic analysis. When branch support is incorporated into the sensitivity criterion, our results favour the use of simultaneous alignment and progressive pairwise alignment using the similarity criterion over direct optimization followed by using the implied alignment(s) to calculate branch support.
Clade support measures and their adequacy
Authors: Grant Taran , Kluge Arnold G. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn addition to hypothesis optimality, the evaluation of clade (group, edge, split, node) support is an important aspect of phylogenetic analysis. Here we clarify the logical relationship between support and optimality and formulate adequacy conditions for support measures. Support, S, and optimality, O, are both empirical knowledge claims about the strength of hypotheses, h1, h2, …hn, in relation to evidence, e, given background knowledge, b. Whereas optimality refers to the absolute strength of hypotheses, support refers to the relative strength of hypotheses. Consequently, support and optimality are logically related such that they vary in direct proportion to each other, S(h | e,b) ∝ O(h | e,b). Furthermore, in order for a support measure to be objective it must quantify support as a function of explanatory power. For example, Goodman–Bremer support and ratio of explanatory power (REP) support satisfy the adequacy requirement S(h | e,b) ∝ O(h | e,b) and calculate support as a function of explanatory power. As such, these are adequate measures of objective support. The equivalent measures for statistical optimality criteria are the likelihood ratio (or log‐likelihood difference) and likelihood difference support measures for maximum likelihood and the posterior probability ratio and posterior probability difference support measures for Bayesian inference. These statistical support measures satisfy the adequacy requirement S(h | e,b) ∝ O(h | e,b) and to that extent are internally consistent; however, they do not quantify support as a function of explanatory power and therefore are not measures of objective support. Neither the relative fit difference (RFD; relative GB support) nor any of the parsimony (bootstrap and jackknife character resampling) or statistical [bootstrap character resampling, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) clade frequencies] support measures based on clade frequencies satisfy the adequacy condition S(h | e,b) ∝ O(h | e,b) or calculate support as a function of explanatory power. As such, they are not adequate support measures.© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.
Fluctuations in numbers of great white pelicans at Lake St Lucia in response to changing water‐levels
Authors: Bowker Meyrick B. , Downs Colleen T. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn January 2004, Lake St Lucia, a major part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, was reduced to a fraction of its normal capacity as a result of a severe drought in this region of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. After rains in the area, the lake level rose and then fluctuated considerably over the next 42 months. During the first 38 months the mouth of the estuary into the sea was closed. The area entered a second severe period of prolonged drought from mid 2005 through to the spring of 2006. Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus, 1758) numbers and lake levels were monitored during these 42 months. Pelican numbers were highly variable ranging from 0 to 6000. When lake levels were very low or too high, no pelicans were present. Pelican numbers appeared more indicative of food availability. Implications of these trends to the management of the lake and the conservation of the avifauna are discussed. It is suggested that the great white pelican could be used as an indicator species for the fish dynamics of the lake at medium to low lake levels.
New perspectives on the origin and diversification of Africa’s forest avifauna
Authors: Fjeldså Jon , Bowie Rauri C. K. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe use of DNA sequence data in systematic studies has brought about a revolution in our understanding of avian relationships and when combined with digitized distributional data, has facilitated new interpretations about the origins of diverse clades of the African avifauna including its diversification up through the Tertiary until the present. Here we review recent studies with special reference to Africa’s forest avifauna and specifically comment on the putative origins of ‘hotspots’ of endemism in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and in the Cape Region of South Africa. Intriguingly, both these areas appear to have retained populations of relict taxa since the mid‐tertiary thermal optimum and at the same time have been centres of recent species differentiation.
ORMDL3 – guilt by association?
Authors: Wjst M. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryA recent British–German study described ORMDL3 as a new asthma gene. Although the association with chromosome 17q12 marker is plausible from earlier linkage data, it is far from being clear which gene caused the association signal, as it is derived from a large linkage disequilibrium (LD) block. Not only Aiolos and GSDML but also distant genes that are regulated by this site may be relevant. There may be even unidentified RNA transcripts requiring a much more detailed genetic and functional analysis before finding ORMDL3 guilty by association.
The allergen profile of beech and oak pollen
Authors: Egger C. , Focke M. , Bircher A. J. , Scherer K. , Mothes‐Luksch N. , Horak F. , Valenta R. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryBackground
Beech and oak pollen are potential allergen sources with a world‐wide distribution.Objective
We aimed to characterize the allergen profile of beech and oak pollen and to study cross‐reactivities with birch and grass pollen allergens.Methods
Sera from tree pollen‐allergic patients with evidence for beech and oak pollen sensitization from Basel, Switzerland, (n=23) and sera from birch pollen‐allergic patients from Vienna, Austria, (n=26) were compared in immunoblot experiments for IgE reactivity to birch (Betula pendula syn. verrucosa), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oak (Quercus alba) pollen allergens. Subsequently, beech and oak pollen allergens were characterized by IgE inhibition experiments with purified recombinant and natural allergens and with allergen‐specific antibody probes. Birch‐, beech‐ and oak pollen‐specific IgE levels were determined by ELISA.Results
Beech and oak pollen contain allergens that cross‐react with the birch pollen allergens Bet v 1, Bet v 2 and Bet v 4 and with the berberine bridge enzyme‐like allergen Phl p 4 from timothy grass pollen. Sera from Swiss and Austrian patients exhibited similar IgE reactivity profiles to birch, beech and oak pollen extracts. IgE levels to beech and oak pollen allergens were lower than those to birch pollen allergens.Conclusion
IgE reactivity to beech pollen is mainly due to cross‐reactivity with birch pollen allergens, and a Phl p 4‐like molecule represented another predominant IgE‐reactive structure in oak pollen. The characterization of beech and oak pollen allergens and their cross‐reactivity is important for the diagnosis and treatment of beech and oak pollen allergy.
Influence of land use (savanna, pasture,Eucalyptusplantations) on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in Brazil
Authors: Maquere V. , Laclau J. P. , Bernoux M. , Saint‐Andre L. , Gonçalves J. L. M. , Cerri C. C. , Piccolo M. C. , Ranger J. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryIn Brazil, mostEucalyptusstands have been planted on Cerrado (shrubby savanna) or on Cerrado converted into pasture. Case studies are needed to assess the effect of such land use changes on soil fertility and C sequestration. In this study, the influence of Cerrado land development (pasture andEucalyptusplantations) on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SON) stocks were quantified in southern Brazil. Two contrasted silvicultural practices were also compared: 60 years of short‐rotation silviculture (EUCSR) versus 60 years of continuous growth (EUCHF). C and N soil concentrations and bulk densities were measured and modelled for each vegetation type, and SOC and SON stocks were calculated down to a depth of 1 m by a continuous function.Changes in SOC and SON stocks mainly occurred in the forest floor (no litter in pasture and up to 0.87 kg C m−2and 0.01 kg N m−2in EUCSR) and upper soil horizons. C and N stocks and their confidence intervals were greatly influenced by the methodology used to compute these layers. C/N ratio and13C analysis showed that down to a depth of 30 cm, the Cerrado organic matter was replaced by organic matter from newly introduced vegetation by as much as 75–100% for pasture and about 50% for EUCHF, poorer in N forEucalyptusstands (C/N larger than 18 forEucalyptusstands). Under pasture, 0–30 cm SON stocks (0.25 kg N m−2) were between 10 and 20% greater than those of the Cerrado (0.21 kg N m−2), partly due to soil compaction (limit bulk density at soil surface from 1.23 for the Cerrado to 1.34 for pasture). Land development on the Cerrado increased SOC stocks in the 0–30 cm layer by between 15 and 25% (from 2.99 (Cerrado) to 3.86 (EUCSR) kg C m−2). When including litter layers, total 0–30 cm carbon stocks increased by 35% for EUCHF(4.50 kg C m−2) and 53% for EUCSR(5.08 kg C m−2), compared with the Cerrado (3.28 kg C m−2), independently of soil compaction.
Essential role of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase gamma in eosinophil chemotaxis within acute pulmonary inflammation
Authors: Thomas Matthew , Edwards Matthew J. , Sawicka Elzbieta , Duggan Nicholas , Hirsch Emilio , Wymann Matthias P. , Owen Charles , Trifilieff Alexandre , Walker Christoph , Westwick John , Finan Peter 
Published: August 2008

SummaryWe and others have established an important role for phosphoinositide‐3 kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) in the chemotactic responses of macrophages and neutrophils. The involvement of this lipid kinase in allergic inflammatory responses is, however, yet to be fully determined. Here we compare wild‐type (WT) and PI3Kγ−/− (KO) mice within a model of ovalbumin (OVA) ‐specific pulmonary inflammation. Upon OVA aerosol challenge, cell influx into the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid consisted of neutrophils, macrophages and, more significantly, eosinophils – which are key effector cells in allergic inflammation. Each population was reduced by up to 80% in KO mice, demonstrating a role for PI3Kγ in cell infiltration into the airways. The mechanism of reduced eosinophilia was analysed within both development and effector stages of the immune response. Comparable levels of OVA‐specific T‐cell proliferation and immunoglobulin production were established in both strains. Furthermore, no significant differences between WT and KO chemokine production were observed. Having identified the critical point of PI3Kγ involvement, KO eosinophil chemotactic dysfunction was confirmed in vitro. These data are the first to demonstrate the vital role of PI3Kγ in acute allergic inflammation. The profound dependency of eosinophils on PI3Kγ for pulmonary influx identifies this lipid kinase as an attractive target for the pharmacological intervention of asthma.