bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of hepatitis B core antigen and β‐catenin expression on hepatocytes in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: Relevance to the severity of liver damage and viral replication
Authors: Kim Chang Wook , Yoon Seung Kew , Jung Eun Sun , Jung Chan Kwon , Jang Jeong Won , Kim Min Soo , Lee So Yeon , Bae Si Hyun , Choi Jong Young , Choi Sang Wook , Han Nam Ik , Lee Chang Don 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The topographical distribution of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is related to the pathogenesis of liver damage caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. β‐catenin plays an important role in both intracellular adhesion and Wnt signaling transduction pathways. This study investigated the intrahepatic expression of HBcAg and β‐catenin in chronic HBV infection, and correlated the results with the degree of liver damage and viral replication.Method:  Liver sections from 73 patients with chronic HBV infection were examined immunohistochemically for HBcAg and β‐catenin.Results:  The distribution of HBcAg could be classified into four types: only nucleus (C‐1), both nucleus and cytoplasm (C‐2), only cytoplasm (C‐3) and all negative for nucleus and cytoplasm (C‐4). Significant differences in serum aminotransferase level, HBV DNA and necroinflammatory score were observed among the different distribution types, and as the distribution of HBcAg changed from C‐1 to C‐4, fibrosis stage and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative/anti‐HBe positive rate increased concurrently. The distribution of β‐catenin could be classified into two types: only membrane (B‐1) and membrane with nucleus or cytoplasm (B‐2). B‐2 showed higher serum aminotransferase level and necroinflammatory score than B‐1. Between B‐1 and B‐2, there was no significant difference in serum HBV DNA level or fibrosis stage.Conclusions:  In chronic HBV infection, HBcAg distribution may change from C‐1 to C‐4 gradually, and in correlation with serum aminotransferase, and HBV DNA and HBeAg negative/anti‐HBe positive rate. Nuclear or cytoplasmic distribution of β‐catenin, compared with exclusive membranous distribution of β‐catenin, is related to active hepatitis, but not viral replication.
Prospective study of cardiac troponin I release in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Iser David M , Thompson Alexander J V , Sia Koon Ket , Yeomans Neville D , Chen Robert Y M 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The rate of cardiac injury in upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is unclear. The aims of this study were to determine prospectively the risk of cardiac troponin I release and associated adverse cardiac events in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.Methods:  From January to September 2003, we prospectively studied patients with documented hematemesis and melena referred to the gastroenterology unit in a tertiary teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Serial assays for cardiac troponin I were performed at 0, 12 and 24 h. Serial creatine kinase levels and electrocardiographs were also performed. Clinical and biochemical data were collected. The primary endpoint was a troponin level >0.5 μg/L within 24 h of recruitment. Various clinical variables were then compared between the groups of patients with or without troponin rise.Results:  A total of 156 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 67 years (range 19–96). There were 104 (67%) male patients. A troponin level of greater than 0.5 μg/L was found in 30/156 (19%); 126 (81%) patients had normal troponin levels. Age greater than 65 years, signs of hemodynamic instability at presentation, a recent history of cardiac disease, cardiovascular compromise following endoscopy, and re‐bleeding were associated with troponin release.Conclusion:  Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is associated with a risk of cardiac injury of up to 19%. Troponin assay could be used to screen for cardiac damage, especially in elderly patients who present with hemodynamic instability.
Hypoxia and hepatocellular carcinoma: The therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Xiong‐Zhi , Xie Guang‐Ru , Chen Dan 
Published: June 2007

AbstractHypoxia enhances proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, chemoresistance, and radioresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); suppresses differentiation and apoptosis of HCC; and consequently leads to resistance of transarterial embolization (with or without chemotherapy). Because transarterial embolization contributes to angiogenesis via inducing hypoxia, therapy combined with transarterial embolization and antiangiogenic therapy provides a new strategy for the treatment of HCC. Unfortunately, hypoxia leads to the escape of HCC cells from transarterial embolization and antiangiogenic therapy. Thus combined therapy that induces and targets hypoxia may be of benefit to HCC patients. Because angiogenesis plays an important role in recurrence of HCC after resection, antiangiogenic therapy is beneficial to HCC patients following surgical resection of the tumor.
A single center experience of methotrexate in the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: A case for subcutaneous administration
Authors: Nathan Debbie M , Iser John H , Gibson Peter R 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Methotrexate (MTX) is used as a second‐line immunodulator in patients with inflammatory bowel disease when purine analogs are not tolerated or lack efficacy. High‐level evidence indicates efficacy for intramuscular administration in Crohn's disease, but there are few reports of experience with subcutaneous delivery. This study aimed to evaluate the response to and tolerance of MTX where subcutaneous administration was the preferred option.Method:  The records of all patients treated with MTX were evaluated with regard to the dose, duration, response, and tolerance to MTX. Remission was defined as improvement in symptoms with no corticosteroid requirement for 3 months or ability to wean off steroids.Results:  MTX was initiated in 45 patients with Crohn's disease and 23 ulcerative colitis (median age, 46 years; range, 20–80 years; 54% men) because of intolerance (69%) or resistance (31%) to purine analogues. MTX was initiated in 74% of patients in doses of 25 mg (33) or 20 mg (17), administered by subcutaneous self‐injection in 90% of subjects. Remission was achieved in 24 of 45 (53%) with Crohn's disease and 11 of 23 (48%) with ulcerative colitis. An additional four (9%) patients with Crohn's disease and three patients (13%) with ulcerative colitis demonstrated symptomatic improvement and/or ability to decrease corticosteroid dose. While nine patients ceased therapy and nine successfully reduced their doses due to intolerance, three of four patients had no adverse effects. Subcutaneous delivery was well accepted.Conclusions:  Subcutaneously administered MTX exhibits apparent efficacy, acceptance, tolerance, and safety in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who are steroid‐dependent and where purine analogs have been ineffective or intolerable.
The impact of surface integrity by hard turning versus grinding on rolling contact fatigue – Part I: Comparison of fatigue life and acoustic emission signals
Authors: WARREN A. W. , GUO Y. B. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTHard turning and grinding are finishing processes for the manufacture of precision components, such as bearings, gears and cams. However, the effects of distinct surface integrity by hard turning versus grinding on rolling contact life are poorly understood. Four representative surface types were prepared: as‐turned, as‐ground, turned and polished and ground and polished. Surface integrity was characterized by surface topography, microstructure and micro/nanohardness. Fatigue tests were performed with an acoustic emission sensor and the signal processing software. The surface topographies show that skewness of the as‐ground surface is much more negative than the as‐tuned one while other surface parameters are equivalent. The turned surface has a thicker strain hardened zone and a thinner thermal affected zone than those of the ground one. The ground surface has higher micro‐ and nanohardness on surface and in the subsurface than the turned one. The amplitude of acoustic emission signal is the most stable and sensitive signal to fatigue failure. The turned surface may have a longer life (> 84%) than the ground one with equivalent surface finish. The fatigue lives of the bearing assembly are nearly identical for the turned surface versus the polished surface and the turned polished surface versus the ground and polished surface. In addition, polishing may not necessarily improve fatigue life of the machined surface, but increase bearing assembly life as much as 40%.
Crossed cortico‐spinal motor control after capsular stroke
Authors: Braun Christoph , Staudt Martin , Schmitt Carmen , Preissl Hubert , Birbaumer Niels , Gerloff Christian 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWhile it is widely accepted that multiple nonprimary motor areas such as the dorsal premotor cortex contribute to recovery from stroke, the contribution of the ipsilesional and contralesional primary motor cortex (M1) is controversial. It has been suggested that re‐instating ‘near normal’ activation patterns is a good strategy for recovery of function [Baron et al., (2004) Cerebrovasc. Dis., 18, 260–267; Ward & Cohen, (2004) Arch. Neurol., 61, 1844–1848]. The present study addressed this aspect of stroke recovery by combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) in a cross‐sectional design on nine patients with well‐recovered motor function 17.6 ± 5.5 months (mean ± SD) after subcortical stroke. While TMS was applied to probe the integrity of the cortico‐spinal tract (CST) at rest, MEG was used to test for recruitment of CST pathways during a motor challenge [cortico‐muscular coherence (CMC) in a precision grip task]. With both techniques, crossed cortico‐spinal connectivity could be demonstrated. A significant correlation (r = 0.85) of CMC magnitude and recovered muscle strength underlined the functional relevance of crossed CST integrity for successful recovery. In conclusion, at the descriptive level, crossed CST connectivity is a common finding in well‐recovered patients with capsular stroke. This renders it likely that maintaining or regaining use of crossed CST fibers is one way to achieve effective recovery.
GABAergic mechanisms in absence epilepsy: a computational model of absence epilepsy simulating spike and wave discharges after vigabatrin in WAG/Rij rats
Authors: Bouwman Brigitte M. , Suffczynski Piotr , Lopes da Silva Fernando H. , Maris Eric , Van Rijn Clementina M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn this study, the effects of vigabatrin on spike‐and‐wave discharges (SWDs) were measured in WAG/Rij rats, an animal model of absence epilepsy. Vigabatrin was used with the aim of enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission, and in this way to investigate the role of this process in the properties of SWDs. The study was carried out both in the rat, in vivo, and also using a computational model, in order to test different mechanisms that may account for the changes in SWDs after vigabatrin. The model parameters, representing GABA levels, were changed according to the known, and assumed, mechanism of action of the drug. The results show that the computational model can most adequately simulate the data obtained in vivo on the assumption that the enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission due to application of vigabatrin is most pronounced at the level of the thalamic relay nuclei (TC cells). Furthermore, vigabatrin was shown to affect both the SWD starting and stopping mechanisms, as reflected by hazard rates. Based on these results, we suggest that GABAergic neurotransmission in TC cells is actively involved in the SWD termination.
Altered cerebellar development in mice lacking pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide
Authors: Allais Aurélie , Burel Delphine , Isaac Emma R. , Gray Sarah L. , Basille Magali , Ravni Aurélia , Sherwood Nancy M. , Vaudry Hubert , Gonzalez Bruno J. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated that pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts trophic effects during neurodevelopment. In particular, the occurrence of PACAP and its receptors in the cerebellum during pre‐ and postnatal periods suggests that it could play a crucial role in ontogenesis of this structure. To test this hypothesis, we compared the histogenesis of cerebellar cortex in wild‐type and PACAP‐knockout (PACAP–/–) mice at postnatal days (P)4 and 7. Morphometric analysis of PACAP–/–mice revealed a significant reduction in the thickness of the external granule cell layer at P4 and of the internal granule cell layer at P7. Expression of nestin, a neural precursor marker, and synaptophysin, a mature neuronal marker, was quantified by real‐time PCR and Western blot. No modification of nestin expression was noticed between wild‐type and PACAP–/–mice, but a substantial decrease in synaptophysin expression was observed in PACAP–/–mice at P4 and P7. Immunohistochemistry revealed a reduction in synaptophysin labelling in the molecular and internal granule cell layers of PACAP–/–mice at P7. Caspase‐3 activation was significantly increased in PACAP–/–mice at P4 and P7. Autoradiographic studies revealed no difference in PACAP binding site distributions and PACAP was effective at stimulating cAMP production in both wild‐type and PACAP–/–cultured granule cells. This study demonstrates that disruption of the PACAP gene induces alteration of the immature cerebellum. Neuronal differentiation of granule cells was delayed whereas cell death that naturally occurs during ontogeny was increased in PACAP–/–mice. These data provide the first evidence of a physiological role for PACAP during cerebellar development.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐1‐dependent maintenance of neuronal metabolism through the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase–Akt pathway is inhibited by C2‐ceramide in CAD cells
Authors: Arboleda Gonzalo , Huang Tze‐Jen , Waters Catherine , Verkhratsky Alex , Fernyhough Paul , Gibson Rosemary M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractCeramide is a lipid second‐messenger generated in response to stimuli associated with neurodegeneration that induces apoptosis, a mechanism underlying neuronal death in Parkinson's disease. We tested the hypothesis that insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) could mediate a metabolic response in CAD cells, a dopaminergic cell line of mesencephalic origin that differentiate into a neuronal‐like phenotype upon serum removal, extend processes resembling neurites, synthesize abundant dopamine and noradrenaline and express the catecholaminergic biosynthetic enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine β‐hydroxylase, and that this process was phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI 3‐K)–Akt‐dependent and could be inhibited by C2‐ceramide. The metabolic response was evaluated as real‐time changes in extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) using microphysiometry. The IGF‐1‐induced ECAR response was associated with increased glycolysis, determined by increased NAD(P)H reduction, elevated hexokinase activity and Akt phosphorylation. C2‐ceramide inhibited all these changes in a dose‐dependent manner, and was specific, as it was not induced by the inactive C2‐ceramide analogue C2‐dihydroceramide. Inhibition of the upstream kinase, PI 3‐K, also inhibited Akt phosphorylation and the metabolic response to IGF‐1, similar to C2‐ceramide. Decreased mitochondrial membrane potential occurred after loss of Akt phosphorylation. These results show that IGF‐1 can rapidly modulate neuronal metabolism through PI 3‐K–Akt and that early metabolic inhibition induced by C2‐ceramide involves blockade of the PI 3‐K–Akt pathway, and may compromise the first step of glycolysis. This may represent a new early event in the C2‐ceramide‐induced cell death pathway that could coordinate subsequent changes in mitochondria and commitment of neurons to apoptosis.
Striatal dopaminergic activity (FDOPA‐PET) associated with cognitive items of a depression scale (MADRS) in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Koerts Janneke , Leenders Klaus L. , Koning Marthe , Portman Axel T. , Van Beilen Marije 
Published: June 2007

AbstractMotor symptoms form the hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), although other features such as depression are often present. Currently‐used depression rating scales measure affective and somatic symptoms. These somatic symptoms of depression can also be core PD symptoms, suggesting an overlap of symptoms between depression and PD. Using in vivo radiotracer methods, striatal dopaminergic dysfunction is found in both PD and depression. This study investigates to what extent the overlapping symptoms of depression and PD are associated with the striatal dopaminergic dysfunction typical of PD. Symptoms of depression were assessed in 23 PD patients who did not have major depression according to the Montgomery–Åsberg depression rating scale (MADRS; cut‐off < 18) and according to a trained psychologist who interviewed all patients. The striatal dopaminergic activity of patients was assessed with FDOPA‐PET. Dopaminergic activity of the putamen and caudate nucleus was associated with MADRS total score and specifically with the symptom ‘Concentration difficulties’. These results suggest that the typical striatal dopaminergic dysfunction of PD can cause symptoms that can also be categorized as symptoms of depression. In particular, cognitive symptoms measured with a depression rating scale may be based on the dopaminergic dysfunction of the striatum in PD patients.
Tax Competition Reconsidered
Authors: DHILLON AMRITA , WOODERS MYRNA , ZISSIMOS BEN 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn a classic model of tax competition, this paper shows that the level of public good provision and taxation in a decentralized equilibrium can be efficient or inefficient with either too much or too little public good provision. The key is whether there exists a unilateral incentive to deviate from the efficient state and, if so, whether this entails raising or lowering taxes. A priori, there is no reason to suppose the incentive is in either one direction or the other.
Persistence of the Common Hartnup Disease D173N Allele in Populations of European Origin
Authors: Azmanov Dimitar N. , Rodgers Helen , Auray‐Blais Christiane , Giguère Robert , Bailey Charles , Bröer Stefan , Rasko John E. J. , Cavanaugh Juleen A. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryHartnup disorder is an aminoaciduria that results from mutations in the recently described gene SLC6A19 on chromosome 5p15.33. The disease is inherited in a simple recessive manner and ten different mutations have been described to date. One mutation, the D173N allele, is present in 42% of Hartnup chromosomes from apparently unrelated families from both Australia and North America. We report an investigation of the origins of the D173N allele using a unique combination of variants including SNPs, microsatellites, and a VNTR across 211 Kb spanning the SLC6A19 locus. All individuals who carry the mutant allele share an identical core haplotype suggesting a single common ancestor, indicating that the elevated frequency of the D173N allele is not a result of recurrent mutation. Analyses of these data indicate that the allele is more than 1000 years old. We compare the reasons for survival of this allele with other major alleles in some other common autosomal recessive diseases occurring in European Caucasians. We postulate that survival of this allele may be a consequence of failure of the allele to completely inactivate the transport of neutral amino acids.
Optical bioluminescence imaging of human ES cell progeny in the rodent CNS
Authors: Bradbury Michelle S. , Panagiotakos Georgia , Chan Bill K. , Tomishima Mark , Zanzonico Pat , Vider Jelena , Ponomarev Vladimir , Studer Lorenz , Tabar Viviane 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPre‐clinical efforts of grafting human embryonic stem cell (hESC)‐derived neural precursors have been hampered by problems ranging from graft rejection to overgrowth and tumor formation. The ability to detect such potential complications sensitively and reliably in clinically relevant contexts will rest upon the implementation of suitable non‐invasive imaging technologies for continuously probing graft survival, proliferation, and migration. Neural precursors were transduced ex vivo using a lentiviral‐mediated gene delivery system expressing firefly d‐luciferase, under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter. Transduced cells revealed no loss of cellular morphology, proliferative capacity, or neural phenotype in vitro. As a novel approach to monitoring the fate of human grafts within the living brain, we adapted optical bioluminescence imaging to assess long‐term graft viability in immunodeficient mouse models transplanted with genetically engineered human neural precursor cells. We additionally applied this technology to immunocompetent models for detecting and characterizing the time course of graft rejection. Using this strategy, we define statistically relevant imaging criteria that can predict graft rejection or overgrowth. In conclusion, our data suggest that optical bioluminescence imaging can serve as an essential tool for the development of hESC‐based grafting strategies in the CNS.
Systemically delivered Erythropoietin transiently enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis
Authors: Ransome Mark I. , Turnley Ann M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractErythropoietin is a primary regulator of erythropoiesis in the hematopoietic system. More recently erythropoietin has been shown to play a role in neurogenesis and provide neurotrophic support to injured CNS tissue. Here the effects of large systemic doses of erythropoietin on basal levels of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice were examined. A 7‐day period of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) administration increased the number of bromodeoxyuridine [BrdU(+)] cells in the sub‐granular zone (SGZ) by 30%. Analysis of cell phenotype revealed an increase in mitotically active doublecortin(+) neuronal progenitor cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein(+) SGZ radial astrocytes/stem cells but not mature S100β(+) astrocytes. These effects appeared to be mediated, in part, by mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling and potentially regulated by suppressor of cytokine signaling‐3. Hippocampal levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐related kinase 42/44 and suppressor of cytokine signaling‐3 were increased 2–6 h after a single systemic rhEPO injection. However, rhEPO had no observed effect on the long‐term survival of new born cells in the SGZ, with similar numbers of BrdU(+) cells and BrdU(+)/NeuN(+) co‐labeled cells after 4 weeks. Therefore, systemically delivered rhEPO transiently increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis without any apparent long‐term effects.
Hemodialysis at Home Series Editors: Bertrand L. Jaber and John Moran: Effects of Home Hemodialysis on Health‐Related Quality of Life Measures
Authors: Finkelstein Fredric O. , Finkelstein Susan H. , Wuerth Diane , Shirani Shirin , Troidle Laura 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn recent years, there has been an increased interest in performing hemodialysis (HD) more frequently than thrice weekly, particularly in the home setting. This interest has been stimulated by some studies that have indicated significant benefits to performing more frequent HD on various medical and quality of life outcome measures. However, only a few studies using varying quality of life instruments have critically examined the impact of frequent HD on the quality of life of patients. Although not consistent across studies, results suggest a positive impact of more frequent HD on patients’ quality of life. It is hoped that the results of two landmark studies, now in progress (the Frequent Hemodialysis Network trial and the FREEDOM study), will provide more insight into the impact of more frequent HD on quality of life.