bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Failure to support a genetic contribution of AKT1 polymorphisms and altered AKT signaling in schizophrenia
Authors: Ide Masayuki , Ohnishi Tetsuo , Murayama Miyuki , Matsumoto Izuru , Yamada Kazuo , Iwayama Yoshimi , Dedova Irina , Toyota Tomoko , Asada Takashi , Takashima Akihiko , Yoshikawa Takeo 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe protein kinase v‐akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT) gene family comprises three human homologs that phosphorylate and inactivate glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Studies have reported the genetic association of AKT1 with schizophrenia. Additionally, decreased AKT1 protein expression and the reduced phosphorylation of GSK3β were reported in this disease, leading to a new theory of attenuated AKT1‐GSK3β signaling in schizophrenia pathogenesis. We have evaluated this theory by performing both genetic and protein expression analyses. A family based association test of AKT1 did not show association with schizophrenia in Japanese subjects. The expression levels of total AKT, AKT1 and phosphorylated GSK3β detected in the schizophrenic brains from two different brain banks also failed to support the theory. In addition, no attenuated AKT‐GSK3β signaling was observed in the lymphocytes from Japanese schizophrenics, contrasting with previous findings. Importantly, we found that the level of phosphorylated GSK3β at Ser9 tended to be inversely correlated with postmortem intervals, and that the phosphorylation levels of AKT were inversely correlated with brain pH, issues not assessed in the previous study. These data introduce a note of caution when estimating the phosphorylation levels of GSK3β and AKT in postmortem brains. Collectively, this study failed to support reduced signaling of the AKT‐GSK3β molecular cascade in schizophrenia.
Endogenously activated mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors sustain the increase in c‐Myc expression induced by leukaemia inhibitory factor in cultured mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Spinsanti Paola , De Vita Teresa , Di Castro Sara , Storto Marianna , Formisano Pietro , Nicoletti Ferdinando , Melchiorri Daniela 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe have shown that endogenous activation of type 5 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu5) receptors supports the maintenance of a pluripotent, undifferentiated state in D3 mouse embryonic stem cells cultured in the presence of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Here, we examined the interaction between LIF and mGlu5 receptors using as a read‐out the immediate early gene, c‐Myc. The selective mGlu5 receptor antagonist, 2‐methyl‐6‐(phenylenthynyl)pyridine (MPEP; 1 μm), reduced the increase in c‐Myc protein levels induced by LIF by enhancing c‐Myc ubiquitination. A reduction in c‐Myc levels was also observed following small interfering RNA‐mediated mGlu5 receptor gene silencing. MPEP reduced glycogen synthase kinase‐3β phosphorylation on Ser9, but increased phosphorylation of the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI‐3‐K) substrate, AKT. In our hands, activated PI‐3‐K reduced the stability of c‐Myc, because (i) the PI‐3‐K inhibitor, LY294002, prevented the reduction in c‐Myc levels induced by MPEP; and (ii) over‐expression of AKT promoted c‐Myc ubiquitination. All effects of MPEP were mimicked by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors and reversed by the PKC activator, tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate. We conclude that endogenous activation of mGlu5 receptors sustains the increase in c‐Myc induced by LIF in embryonic stem cells by inhibiting both glycogen synthase kinase‐3β and PI‐3‐K, both effects resulting from the activation of PKC.
Copper‐dependent inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase by Aβ1−42 requires reduced methionine at residue 35 of the Aβ peptide
Authors: Crouch Peter J. , Barnham Kevin J. , Duce James A. , Blake Rachel E. , Masters Colin L. , Trounce Ian A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBy altering key amino acid residues of the Alzheimer's disease‐associated amyloid‐β peptide, we investigated the mechanism through which amyloid‐β inhibits cytochrome c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1). Native amyloid‐β inhibited cytochrome oxidase by up to 65%, and the level of inhibition was determined by the period of amyloid‐β ageing before the cytochrome oxidase assay. Substituting tyrosine‐10 with alanine did not affect maximal enzyme inhibition, but the altered peptide required a longer period of ageing. By contrast, oxidizing the sulfur of methionine‐35 to a sulfoxide, or substituting methionine‐35 with valine, completely abrogated the peptide's inhibitory potential towards cytochrome oxidase. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the loss of inhibitory potential towards cytochrome oxidase with the methionine‐35‐altered peptides did not correlate with a substantially different distribution of amyloid‐β oligomeric species. Although the amyloid‐β‐mediated inhibition of cytochrome oxidase was completely dependent on the presence of divalent Cu2+, it was not supported by monovalent Cu+, and experiments with catalase and H2O2 indicated that the mechanism of cytochrome oxidase inhibition does not involve amyloid‐β‐mediated H2O2 production. We propose that amyloid‐β‐mediated inhibition of cytochrome oxidase is dependent on the peptide's capacity to bind, then reduce Cu2+, and that it may involve the formation of a redox active amyloid‐β‐methionine radical.
Quantitative assessment of liver fibrosis: a novel automated image analysis method
Authors: Matalka Ismail I. , Al‐Jarrah Omar M. , Manasrah Toqa M. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract: Background:Semiquantitative staging of liver fibrosis is a highly subjective procedure and may lead to an uncertainty in judgment regarding the degree of severity and hence the progression of the disease.Aim:In this work, we present an automated quantification system (AQS) for evaluating the degree of severity of fibrosis in liver biopsies based on Ishak et al.'s classification. Accordingly, liver fibrosis is classified into six classes depending on its severity and progression. The described system is of special value in accurately assessing the prognosis of chronic liver disease.Methods:In our method, we tried to approximate the architecture of the fibrosis in the subject sample using texture features and shape representation of the fibrosis structural expansion with an overall accuracy of about 98%.Results and conclusion:The presented AQS is considered to be a novel approach in the domain of automatic liver fibrosis quantification. It is a true quantification and intelligent approach that attempts to utilize the current semiquantitative methods of liver fibrosis assessment to turn them into real quantitative ones with significant reduction in variability and subjectivity. We propose that our method can be adopted by a panel of expert liver pathologists and software to be developed and used on a wide scale.
Psychological Reaction to Potential Malfunctioning of Implantable Defibrillators
Authors: VAN DEN BROEK KRISTA C. , DENOLLET JOHAN , NYKLÍČEK IVAN , VAN DER VOORT PEPIJN H. 
Published: September 2006

Background: Psychological problems following implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) implantation are diverse and include increased levels of anxiety. Anxiety may even rise further when possible malfunctioning of an ICD is announced, with a higher risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias and death as a consequence. Following the public statement of Medtronic, all patients in the Netherlands with the specific Medtronic ICD were contacted for extra device evaluation. The aim of this exploratory study was to determine whether the proportion of ICD patients with high levels of anxiety would increase after this extra device evaluation.
Methods: Patients were recruited from an ongoing prospective study on psychological effects of ICD implantation. Thirty‐three patients completed the State subscale of the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after extra device evaluation. The STAI can identify patients with high levels of anxiety.
Results: A high level of anxiety was experienced by two patients (6.1%) at baseline and eight patients (24.2%) at follow‐up (P = 0.031). Hence, ICD patients were significantly more likely to experience high levels of anxiety following the public statement of potential malfunctioning of their device.
Conclusion: A public statement regarding device safety may increase levels of anxiety among ICD patients. Given the potential triggering effect of high levels of anxiety on arrhythmias, psychological support may be considered for some of the ICD patients after such public statement.
Pulmonary Vein Vestibule Ablation for the Control of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Impaired Left Ventricular Function
Authors: TONDO CLAUDIO , MANTICA MASSIMO , RUSSO GIOVANNI , AVELLA ANDREA , DE LUCA LUCIA , PAPPALARDO AUGUSTO , FAGUNDES RAFAEL LOPES , PICCHIO EDO , LAURENZI FRANCESCO , PIAZZA VITO , BISCEGLIA IRMA 
Published: September 2006

Introduction: Congestive heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are frequently linked, and when associated produce additive deleterious effects. In this prospective study, the effects of catheter ablation for AF in patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) function are presented.
Methods: Baseline data and clinical outcome have been prospectively collected in 105 consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary vein ablation for the control of AF. We evaluated 40 patients affected by LV dysfunction with ejection fraction (EF) <40% and compared them to the remaining 65 patients with normal ventricular function in terms of changes in LV function, maintenance of sinus rhythm, and quality of life during follow‐up.
Results: After a mean follow‐up of 14 ± 2 months, 87% of patients with impaired LV function and 92% of patients with normal ventricular function were in sinus rhythm, with or without antiarrhythmic therapy (P = NS). A significant improvement in LVEF and fractional shortening was documented in patients with CHF (33 ± 2% vs 47 ± 3%, and 19 ± 4% vs 30 ± 3%, P < 0.01 for both comparisons). Evaluation of exercise capacity and quality of life documented better improvements in patients with CHF compared to patients without CHF.
Conclusions: Catheter ablation in patients with LV dysfunction is feasible, not associated with higher procedural complications, and provides a significant improvement in LV performance, symptoms, and quality of life during follow‐up.
Nonfluoroscopic Catheter Navigation for Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardia in Children
Authors: PAPAGIANNIS JOHN , TSOUTSINOS ALEXANDROS , KIRVASSILIS GEORGE , SOFIANIDOU IOANNA , KOUSSI THEOFILI , LASKARI CLEO , KIAFFAS MARIA , APOSTOLOPOULOU SOTIRIA , RAMMOS SPYRIDON 
Published: September 2006

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RCA) of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in children is highly successful but requires exposure to radiation. Nonfluoroscopic mapping systems may significantly reduce fluoroscopy time.
Methods: Forty consecutive pediatric patients who underwent RCA for accessory pathways (AP) or AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with use of a nonfluoroscopic navigation system (Ensite® NavX™) (group A) were compared retrospectively to 40 consecutive patients with similar diagnoses who underwent RCA with fluoroscopic guidance only (group B).
Results: Group A (mean age 12.1 ± 2.9 years, mean weight 47 ± 13.9 kg) consisted of 11 patients (27.7%) with AVNRT and 29 (72.5%) with AP. Group B (mean age 10.9 ± 3.1 years, mean weight 47.1 ± 17.1 kg) consisted of 7 patients (17.5%) with AVNRT and 33 (82.5%) with AP. There were no significant differences in AP location, patients with congenital heart disease, and number of radiofrequency lesions. Fluoroscopy time was significantly shorter in group A than in group B (10.4 ± 6.1, range 3.1–28.8 minutes, vs 24.9 ± 16.0, range 4.4–82.0 minutes, P < 0.0001). Procedure duration was also significantly shorter in group A than in group B (170 ± 68.5, range 90–420 minutes, vs 218 ± 69.3, range 90–360 minutes, P < 0.0001). Initial success was 95% in group A and 100% in group B. Tachycardia recurrences occurred in two patients in group A (5%) and six patients in group B (15%). Final success, including repeat ablations for recurrences or failures, was 100% in both groups.
Conclusions: The use of a nonfluoroscopic system for catheter navigation significantly reduced fluoroscopy exposure and total procedure duration of RCA of common SVT substrates in children.
The impact of gestational stress and prenatal growth on emotional problems in offspring: a review
Authors: Rice F. , Jones I. , Thapar A. 
Published: September 2006

Objective:  Events occurring very early in life, even prenatally, may have long‐term effects on future health and behaviour. The influence of poor foetal growth and gestational stress in the mother on the risk of emotional problems in offspring was reviewed.Method:  A selective review of the literature was undertaken.Results:  Studies of preterm infants and infants born small for gestational age have shown increased levels of emotional problems across the lifespan. In general, studies examining maternal depression/anxiety during pregnancy and other indices of gestational stress have shown significant associations with emotional problems in children. The results of several studies also point to the importance of psychosocial and genetic factors in moderating associations.Conclusion:  Future research that focuses on identifying the mechanisms underlying these associations is needed. The moderating role of psychosocial and genetic risk factors is an important area in which future research should be directed. These findings have clinical implications for the provision of antenatal care.
Generalized anxiety disorder: a 40‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Rubio G. , López‐Ibor J. J. 
Published: September 2006

Objective:  There is insufficient knowledge of the long‐term course of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). We studied the course of this disorder in patients who were followed up for 40 years.Method:  Patients admitted with the diagnosis of anxiety states (‘anxious thymopathy’ ) to the Lopez Ibor Neuropsychiatric Research Institute between 1950 and 1961 were examined between 1984 and 1988 (n = 65). The retrospective diagnosis of GAD was made according to DSM‐III‐R criteria during 1984–1988 (first examination). A re‐examination was performed by the same psychiatrist in the period 1997–2001 (n = 59; second examination).Results:  At first and second examinations 20% and 17% of subjects were diagnosed as GAD. Improvement was observed in 83%. GAD tended to disappear around age 50, but was replaced by somatization disorders. Lack of regular treatment compliance, female sex, and onset of GAD before age 25 were variables associated with a worse outcome. Undifferentiated somatization disorder was the most prevalent clinical status at follow‐up.Conclusion:  After several decades, participants improve with regard to GAD, although most continue to present somatizations.
Benefit of “one‐stage full‐mouth disinfection” is explained by disinfection and root planing within 24 hours: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Quirynen Marc , De Soete Marc , Boschmans Geert , Pauwels Martine , Coucke Wim , Teughels Wim , Van Steenberghe Daniel 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjectives: The beneficial effects of the one‐stage, full‐mouth disinfection remain controversial in the scientific literature. This might be due to the fact that an entire mouth disinfection with the use of antiseptics has been confused with a full‐mouth scaling and root planing. This parallel, single blind RCT study aimed to compare several full‐mouth treatment strategies with each other.Material and methods: Seventy‐one patients with moderate periodontitis were randomly allocated to one of the following treatment strategies: scaling and root planing, quadrant by quadrant, at two‐week intervals (negative control, NC), full‐mouth scaling and root planing within 2 consecutive days (FRP), or three one‐stage, full‐mouth disinfection (FM) protocols within 2 consecutive days applying antiseptics to all intra‐oral niches for periopathogens using as antiseptics: chlorhexidine (FMCHX) for 2 months, amine fluoride/stannous fluoride for 2 months (FMF), or chlorhexidine for 2 months followed by amine fluoride/stannous fluoride for another 6 months (FMCHX+F). At baseline and after 2, 4, and 8 a series of periodontal parameters were recorded.Results: All treatment strategies resulted in significant (p<0.05) improvements of all clinical parameters over the entire duration of the study. Inter‐treatment differences were often encountered. The NC group nearly always showed significant smaller improvements than the two CHX groups. The differences between the FRP or FM groups, and the two CHX groups only sporadically reached a statistical significance.Conclusion: These observations indicate that the benefits of the “OSFMD” protocol are partially due to the use of the antiseptics and partially to the completion of the therapy in a short time.
Adherence to a daily flossing regimen in university students: effects of planning when, where, how and what to do in the face of barriers
Authors: Schüz Benjamin , Sniehotta Falko F. , Wiedemann Amelie , Seemann Rainer 
Published: September 2006

Abstract:Objectives: Regular (daily) dental flossing is recommended for preventing oral diseases, but adherence is unsatisfactory. Social cognitive theory (SCT) specifies determinants of dental flossing: Cognitions about risk, positive and negative outcome expectations and the perceived ability to perform behaviour predict motivation, which in turn predicts behaviour. Recent research suggests that motivation alone may not suffice to predict behaviour, and proposes if‐then‐planning. This study aims to predict flossing adherence from social cognitive variables and planning.Material and Methods: Questionnaire data from 157 non‐dental university students on flossing, SCT variables and planning were gathered at three measurement points over 6 weeks. Residual floss was used to validate behaviour self‐reports.Results: Social cognitive variables and planning correlated significantly with flossing at all times. Discriminant function analysis suggests that after controlling for Time 1 flossing, planning Time 2 (Wilk's λ=0.77; p<0.01) is more important in discriminating between adherent and non‐adherent participants at Time 3 than Time 1 social cognitive measures. Regression analyses confirmed this result with planning as only predictor of flossing change (p<0.05).Conclusions: These results suggest targeting planning in interventions to increase compliance with flossing recommendations. Implications for such interventions are discussed.
Whittaker Chambers's Witness and the Dilemma of a Modern Conservatism
Authors: Kimmage Michael 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPublished in 1952, Witness is the memoir of Whittaker Chambers (1901–61). A former spy for the Soviet Union, Chambers was among the most influential anti‐communists and conservatives of the 1950s. He wrote Witness to further an anti‐communist conservatism. By the objective criterion of influence, Chambers enjoyed unusual success: his book was read by a mass audience and by politicians alike; it was cherished by Ronald Reagan, who brought his own anti‐communist conservatism to the White House in 1980. Yet a careful reading of Witness complicates the story of its influence. Chambers had profound doubts about modernity and modern America. He thought that a secular capitalist modernity had undermined Western culture and America alike. Capitalism and technology may yield great power, but they also corrupt cultural integrity. Witness is as much the record of spiritual anguish within the modern world, of modern conservatism experienced as dilemma, as it is a Cold War call to arms. Chambers's anti‐communist words and energy inspired Reagan and his neoconservative admirers, but by cheerfully embracing modern America they ignored the key dilemma of Chambers's eight‐hundred‐page autobiography. Witness can thus be used to track the intellectual evolution of an increasingly modern American conservatism.
ORF18 Is a Transfactor That Is Essential for Late Gene Transcription of a Gammaherpesvirus
Authors: Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja , Wu Ting-Ting , Martinez-Guzman DeeAnn , Jia Qingmei , Deng Hongyu , Reyes Nichole , Sun Ren 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT

Lytic replication of the tumor-associated human gammaherpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus has important implications in pathogenesis and tumorigenesis. Herpesvirus lytic genes have been temporally classified as exhibiting immediate-early (IE), early, and late expression kinetics. Though the regulation of IE and early gene expression has been studied extensively, very little is known regarding the regulation of late gene expression. Late genes, which primarily encode virion structural proteins, require viral DNA replication for their expression. We have identified a murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) early lytic gene,
ORF18
, essential for viral replication.
ORF18
is conserved in both beta- and gammaherpesviruses. By generating an MHV-68 ORF18-null virus, we characterized the stage of the virus lytic cascade that requires the function of ORF18. Gene expression profiling and quantitation of viral DNA synthesis of the ORF18-null virus revealed that the expression of early genes and viral DNA replication were not affected; however, the transcription of late genes was abolished. Hence, we have identified a gammaherpesvirus-encoded factor essential for the expression of late genes independently of viral DNA synthesis.