bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preservation of mitochondrial function may contribute to cardioprotective effects of Na+/Ca2+exchanger inhibitors in ischaemic/reperfused rat hearts
Authors: Motegi K , Tanonaka K , Takenaga Y , Takagi N , Takeo S 
Published: June 2007

Background and purpose:Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX) inhibitors are known to attenuate myocardial reperfusion injury. However, the exact mechanisms for the cardioprotection remain unclear. The present study was undertaken to examine the mechanism underlying the cardioprotection by NCX inhibitors against ischaemia/reperfusion injury.Experimental approach:Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 35‐min ischaemia/60‐min reperfusion or 20‐min ischaemia/60‐min reperfusion. NCX inhibitors (3‐30 μM KB‐R7943 (KBR) or 0.3‐1 μM SEA0400 (SEA)) were given for 5 min prior to ischaemia (pre‐ischaemic treatment) or for 10 min after the onset of reperfusion (post‐ischaemic treatment).Key results:With 35‐min ischaemia/60‐min reperfusion, pre‐ or post‐ischaemic treatment with KBR or SEA neither enhanced post‐ischaemic contractile recovery nor attenuated ischaemia‐ or reperfusion‐induced Na+accumulation and damage to mitochondrial respiratory function. With the milder model (20‐min ischaemia/reperfusion), pre‐ or post‐ischaemic treatment with 10 μM KBR or 1 μM SEA significantly enhanced the post‐ischaemic contractile recovery, associated with reductions in reperfusion‐induced Ca2+accumulation, damage to mitochondrial function, and decrease in myocardial high‐energy phosphates. Furthermore, Na+influx to mitochondriain vitrowas enhanced by increased concentrations of NaCl. KBR (10 μM) and 1 μM SEA partially decreased the Na+influx.Conclusions and implications:The NCX inhibitors exerted cardioprotective effects during relatively mild ischaemia. The mechanism may be attributable to prevention of mitochondrial damage, possibly mediated by attenuation of Na+overload in cardiac mitochondria during ischaemia and/or Ca2+overload via the reverse mode of NCX during reperfusion.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)151, 963–978; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707321
Seasonal variation in serum concentrations of reproductive hormones and urinary excretion of 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin in men living north and south of the Arctic Circle: a longitudinal study
Authors: Ruhayel Yasir , Malm Gunilla , Haugen Trine B. , Henrichsen Trine , Bjørsvik Cathrine , Grotmol Tom , Sæther Thomas , Malm Johan , Figenschau Yngve , Rylander Lars , Levine Richard J. , Giwercman Aleksander 
Published: June 2007

SummaryObjective  Seasonal variation in photoperiod or temperature may influence human reproductive biology. The present study evaluated whether seasonal changes occurred in the levels of reproductive hormones and the major melatonin metabolite, 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), in populations exposed to extreme variation in photoperiod and temperature.Design  Two separate cohorts of Norwegian men were recruited from the general population in either of two locations: Tromsø (69·5°N, n = 92) or Oslo (60°N, n = 112), located north and south of the Arctic Circle (66·5°N), respectively.Measurements  Four blood and 12‐h overnight urine samples were obtained on separate occasions over a 12‐month period, including during the photoperiod maximum and minimum. Serum concentrations of FSH, LH, testosterone (T), oestradiol (E2), SHBG and the urinary excretion of aMT6s were assessed.Results  Statistical analysis using generalized estimating equations indicated that LH levels were lowest during early winter in both locations (both P = 0·01). In Tromsø, free T and E2 concentrations peaked during early winter (P = 0·02 and 0·003, respectively). In Oslo, free T levels were lowest during early winter (P = 0·06) whereas E2 levels were lowest during late summer (P < 0·001). Urinary aMT6s concentrations were lowest during early summer in Tromsø and Oslo. Concentrations peaked during early winter in Tromsø (P < 0·001) and during late winter in Oslo (P < 0·001).Conclusions  LH levels exhibited similar changes in both locations, whereas the patterns of changes of the sex steroid concentrations differed, possibly indicating different underlying mechanisms. Excretion of aMT6s was lowest during early summer in both locations, indicating that the long natural photoperiod was sufficient to cause suppression of melatonin secretion. Whether these changes have any biological significance remains uncertain.
Genetic polymorphism of CYP2D6 influences susceptibility to papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Lemos Manuel C. , Carrilho Francisco , Rodrigues Fernando , Coutinho Eduarda , Gomes Leonor , Carvalheiro Manuela , Regateiro Fernando J. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryObjective  Xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes are widely polymorphic and confer interindividual variation in the ability to detoxify carcinogens or to activate pro‐carcinogens. A common polymorphism of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) results in lack of enzyme activity and has been associated with an altered susceptibility to several cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the CYP2D6 poor metaboliser genotype and the risk of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).Design  Retrospective case‐control study.Patients  One hundred and eighty‐seven patients with PTC and 256 controls.Measurements  Genotyping was performed by PCR and restriction enzyme analysis to detect the presence of the common CYP2D6*4 poor metaboliser allele.Results  The frequency of individuals with the homozygous poor metaboliser genotype was lower in the patient group [1·6 vs. 5·5%, P = 0·037, OR = 0·28 (95% CI 0·09–0·93)]. The CYP2D6*4 allele frequency was also lower in the patient group [13·4 vs. 21·7%, P = 0·002, OR = 0·56 (95% CI 0·39–0·80)].Conclusions  The results suggest that the poor metaboliser genotype is associated with a protective effect against PTC. This could be explained by a possible role of CYP2D6 on the metabolic activation of putative environmental chemical thyroid carcinogens or by linkage to another cancer‐causing gene. Further research may allow the identification of metabolic risk factors and contribute towards understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in thyroid carcinogenesis.
A novel compound heterozygous mutation of the aromatase gene in an adult man: reinforced evidence on the relationship between congenital oestrogen deficiency, adiposity and the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Maffei Laura , Rochira Vincenzo , Zirilli Lucia , Antunez Paula , Aranda Claudio , Fabre Bibiana , Simone Maria L. , Pignatti Elisa , Simpson Evan R. , Houssami Souheir , Clyne Colin D. , Carani Cesare 
Published: June 2007

SummaryBackground  Descriptions of new cases of human aromatase deficiency are useful for a better understanding of male oestrogen pathophysiology, as some aspects remain controversial.Objective  To present a new case of an adult man affected by aromatase deficiency, along with a description of clinical phenotype, and hormonal and genetic analysis.Design  Case report study.Patient  A 25‐year‐old man with continuing linear growth, eunuchoid body habitus and diffuse bone pain.Measurements  Amplification and sequencing of all coding exons with their flanking intronic sequences of the CYP19A1 gene. Aromatase expression of the mutant human cDNAs was compared with wild type. Serum LH, FSH, testosterone, oestradiol, insulin, glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum lipids and liver enzymes were measured. Histological analysis of liver and testis biopsies was performed.Results  Two novel heterozygous compound inactivating mutations of the CYP19A1 gene were disclosed. The first mutation is at bp380 (T→G) in exon IV and the second one at bp 1124 (G→A) in exon IX. LH and testosterone were normal, FSH was slightly elevated, and serum oestradiol undetectable. The subject showed a metabolic syndrome characterized by abdominal obesity, hyperinsulinaemia, acanthosis nigricans and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.Conclusions  These novel mutations improve our knowledge on genetics of the CYP19A1 gene. This new case of aromatase deficiency sheds new light on the heterogeneity of mutations in the CYP19A1 gene causing loss of function of the aromatase enzyme. The evidence of metabolic syndrome and of obesity associated with congenital oestrogen deprivation emphasizes the role of oestrogens in fat accumulation and distribution in men, a role that has long been partially overlooked in these patients.
Role of the innate immune system in host defence against bacterial infections: focus on the Toll‐like receptors
Authors: Albiger B. , Dahlberg S. , Henriques‐Normark B. , Normark S. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract.The innate immunity plays a critical role in host protection against pathogens and it relies amongst others on pattern recognition receptors such as the Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and the nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domains proteins (NOD‐like receptors, NLRs) to alert the immune system of the presence of invading bacteria. Since their recent discovery less than a decade ago, both TLRs and NLRs have been shown to be crucial in host protection against microbial infections but also in homeostasis of the colonizing microflora. They recognize specific microbial ligands and with the use of distinct adaptor molecules, they activate different signalling pathways that in turns trigger subsequent inflammatory and immune responses that allows a immediate response towards bacterial infections and the initiation of the long‐lasting adaptive immunity. In this review, we will focus on the role of the TLRs against bacterial infections in humans in contrast to mice that have been used extensively in experimental models of infections and discuss their role in controlling normal flora or nonpathogenic bacteria. We also highlight how bacteria can evade recognition by TLRs.
Comparison between gradient‐dependent hydraulic conductivities of roots using the root pressure probe: the role of pressure propagations and implications for the relative roles of parallel radial pathways
Authors: BRAMLEY HELEN , TURNER NEIL C. , TURNER DAVID W. , TYERMAN STEPHEN D. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTHydrostatic pressure relaxations with the root pressure probe are commonly used for measuring the hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) of roots. We compared the Lpr of roots from species with different root hydraulic properties (Lupinus angustifolius L. ‘Merrit’, Lupinus luteus L. ‘Wodjil’, Triticum aestivum L. ‘Kulin’ and Zea mays L. ‘Pacific DK 477’) using pressure relaxations, a pressure clamp and osmotic gradients to induce water flow across the root. Only the pressure clamp measures water flow under steady‐state conditions. Lpr determined by pressure relaxations was two‐ to threefold greater than Lpr from pressure clamps and was independent of the direction of water flow. Lpr (pressure clamp) was two‐ to fourfold higher than for Lpr (osmotic) for all species except Triticum aestivum where Lpr (pressure clamp) and Lpr (osmotic) were not significantly different. A novel technique was developed to measure the propagation of pressure through roots to investigate the cause of the differences in Lpr. Root segments were connected between two pressure probes so that when root pressure (Pr) was manipulated by one probe, the other probe recorded changes in Pr. Pressure relaxations did not induce the expected kinetics in pressure in the probe at the other end of the root when axial hydraulic conductance, and probe and root capacitances were accounted for. An electric circuit model of the root was constructed that included an additional capacitance in the root loaded by a series of resistances. This accounted for the double exponential kinetics for intact roots in pressure relaxation experiments as well as the reduced response observed with the double probe experiments. Although there were potential errors with all the techniques, we considered that the measurement of Lpr using the pressure clamp was the most unambiguous for small pressure changes, and provided that sufficient time was allowed for pressure propagation through the root. The differences in Lpr from different methods of measurement have implications for the models describing water transport through roots and the potential role of aquaporins.
Age determines memory for face identity and expression
Authors: SAVASKAN Egemen , MÜLLER Sandra Elisabeth , BÖHRINGER Andreas , PHILIPPSEN Christine , MÜLLER‐SPAHN Franz , SCHÄCHINGER Hartmut 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground:  The recognition of facial expressions is an important component of emotion processing which contributes to interactional behavior. One of the factors highly associated with potential decline of ability in behavioral tasks is age.Methods:  We have investigated age‐related changes in facial identity and expression memory of healthy subjects in three age groups: young adults (20–40 years), elderly adults (60–80 years) and, for the first time in the literature, very old adults (over 80 years of age). Using a picture test, photographs of faces with happy or angry expressions were presented to study participants during the encoding task, and the memory for identity and emotional facial expression was investigated in a subsequent recognition task showing emotionally neutral faces. Half of the faces presented in the recognition task were initially shown in the encoding task.Results:  Age interacted with the memory process: the ability to recognize both facial identity and emotional expression declined with advanced age. Happy facial expressions were better recognized in all age groups. Although there was a continuous overall decrease in recognition of both happy and angry expressions with advanced age, the effect favoring happy facial expressions was stable also in very old adults. Other factors such as gender or educational level did not affect the memory process for facial expressions.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that age is a significant determinant of memory for facial identity and emotional expression, and that, similar to younger adults, the recognition process of the elderly favors happy emotional facial expressions.
Effect of activity reminiscence therapy as brain‐activating rehabilitation for elderly people with and without dementia
Authors: YAMAGAMI Tetsuya , OOSAWA Makoto , ITO Sinichi , YAMAGUCHI Haruyasu 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground:  Preventing the progression of dementia is a widespread challenge. However, currently there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of dementia rehabilitation.Methods:  We practiced activity reminiscence therapy (ART) as brain‐activating rehabilitation for both lucid and demented persons (n = 18) in a day‐service setting as well as in a group home. The ART sessions were conducted 1 hour every week for 12 weeks (intervention period). We compared the results of three cognitive tests (the Mini‐Mental State Examination, the Kana Pick‐out test and the ‘logical memory’ component of the Wechsler Memory Scale‐Revised) and four behavior and caregiver's burden scales (the Clinical Dementia Rating, the Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects, the Dementia Behavior Disturbance scale and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview) conducted during the control period with those taken during the intervention period. At the end of the intervention period, we interviewed the staff and families individually to assess whether the participants seemed to have changed after intervention and, if so, how.Results:  In cognitive tests, only immediate and delayed recall of the Wechsler Memory Scale‐Revised showed significant improvement. None of the four behavior and caregiver's burden scales showed any significant changes after intervention. However, the interviews showed improvements in subjective aspects of communication, interaction and behavior.Conclusion:  ART uses old‐style tools. The nostalgia brought about by using these familiar tools led to effective recall of experiences, in which the participants taught the staff how to use the tools, which were unfamiliar to the staff. Through this role‐reversal, they gained a sense of self‐worth and a desire to live. Due to the reconstructed relationship between participants and caregivers, we consider ART to be effective in maintaining and improving emotional functions, activities of daily living and memory. ART should be useful for both lucid and mildly demented persons as brain‐activating rehabilitation therapy.
Gefitinib in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: Clinical experience in patients of Asian origin
Authors: ARMOUR Alison 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground:  The IRESSA Survival Evaluation in Lung cancer (ISEL) trial showed some improvement in survival which failed to reach statistical significance in the overall population and in patients with adenocarcinoma. However, gefitinib (IRESSA) treatment was associated with a significant improvement in the survival in subgroups of patients of Asian origin and never smokers. Here we review the clinical experience of gefitinib in patients of Asian origin with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and discuss the evidence for the underlying biological basis for the apparent heterogeneity in clinical outcome between patients of Asian and non‐Asian origin.Methods:  Reports of clinical experience with gefitinib 250 mg/day in Asia were identified by searching Embase and Medline databases for publications between 1 January 2003 and 27 July 2006.Results:  A large number of reports in patients of Asian origin show high objective response and disease‐control rates with gefitinib treatment, with median survival >6 months and time to progression >3 months. The reports also indicate that gefitinib is generally well tolerated by patients of Asian origin and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, which appear to be associated with gefitinib sensitivity, occur at a much higher rate in these patients compared with patients of non‐Asian origin. These reports also indicate that a high EGFRgene copy number may be associated with their response to gefitinib.Conclusion:  Gefitinib appears to be a valid, efficacious, and generally well‐tolerated treatment option for patients of Asian origin with advanced NSCLC. It is possible that differences in EGFR mutation rates may underlie variations in response rates to gefitinib between Asian and non‐Asian patient populations. Further exploratory analyses conducted in prospective clinical trials are required to fully determine the role of EGFR mutations, a high EGFR gene copy number and other biomarkers in determining the response to gefitinib treatment.
Results of treatment of esophageal carcinoma in 110 patients in north‐west Iran
Authors: SOKOUTI Mohsen , MONTAZERI Vahid , ALIZADEH Mahasti 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground:  Esophageal carcinoma is one of the most common lethal malignancies in north and north‐west Iran. It is usually advanced in presentation and is rarely diagnosed in the early stages. The aim of this article is to describe the clinicopathological features and survival of esophageal carcinoma in the advanced and early stages.Methods:  One hundred and ten patients (49 men and 61 women) with esophageal carcinoma treated by surgery and combination therapies in a referral hospital were studied over a 5‐year period. The clinicopathological features, treatment received, complications of the treatment and survival data of these patients and also the time of diagnosis, stage of cancer, demographic features, surgical therapy and survival were analyzed.Results:  Among the 110 patients with esophageal cancer who were undergone surgery, there was none in stages 0 and 1. The frequency of patients in stages 2, 3, and 4 were 21%, 70% and 9%, respectively. Of the tumors, 87% were squamous cell carcinomas and 13% adenocarcinomas. Anastomotic leakage and pneumonia were the most common operative complications. The 5‐year survival rate in this study was 2.7%.Conclusion:  Most of the esophageal cancers in north‐west Iran are detected in the late stages and the survival rate is lower than reported in other studies. Screening and education in order for early detection are important preventive interventions in this region.
Cardiac Transplantation: A Quarter Century of Progress
Authors: Thompson Mark E. , Shapiro Alvin P. 
Published: June 2007

This article provides a review of the current status of cardiac transplantation, which offers the only viable alternative for the management of patients with refractory congestive heart failure. The criteria for recipient evaluation and selection are discussed. The major limitation to the number of potential recipients of cardiac transplantation is the availability of donors, numbering about 2000 per year. The current one‐year survival rate is approximately 80%, while the 5‐year survival rate is in excess of 70%. These numbers confirm the therapeutic benefit derived from cardiac transplantation, and are in marked contrast to the one‐year mortality rate of 30–60% experienced by patients with New York Heart Association class IV congestive heart failure. The long‐term complications of cardiac transplantation include acute and chronic rejection, infection, the side effects of immunosuppressive agents (including nephrotoxicity and hypertension), the development of neoplasms, and accelerated transplant coronary arteriopathy.This paper also emphasizes the areas in which investigation into the behavioral aspects of cardiac transplantation may be directed, including: (a) study of the individual and group attitudes toward organ donation; (b) psychologic implications of mechanical circulatory support as an alternative to cardiac transplantation; (c) in the transplanted patient with a denervated heart there is the opportunity to study the interaction between the autonomic nervous system and behavioral stimuli; (d) the psychologic adaptation of the recipient to organ transplantation; (e) the role of educational programs designed to influence favorably the attitude of the general population toward organ transplantation; and (f) in the future, the psychologic aspects of xenograft transplantation as an alternative to homograft transplantation.
RIBBON-MOVES OF 2-KNOTS: THE TORSION LINKING PAIRING AND THE $\tilde{\eta}$-INVARIANTS OF 2-KNOTS
Authors: OGASA EIJI 
Published: June 2007

We discuss the ribbon-move for 2-knots, which is a local move. Let K and K' be 2-knots. Then we have the following: Suppose that K and K' are ribbon-move equivalent. (1) Let [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text]) be the ℤ-torsion submodule of the Alexander module [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text]). Then [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to [Formula: see text] not only as ℤ-modules but also as ℤ[t, t-1]-modules. (2) The Farber–Levine pairing for K is equivalent to that for K'. (3) The set of the values of the ℚ/ℤ-valued [Formula: see text] invariants for K is equivalent to that for K'.