bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ischaemic and pharmacological preconditionings protect liver via adenosine and redox status following hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion in rats
Authors: Ajamieh Hussam H. , Candelario-Jalil Eduardo , Fernández Olga Sonia León , Gerbes Alexander L 
Published: May 2008

Although IPC (ischaemic preconditioning) is considered as a protective strategy in HI/R (hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion), the mechanisms for this effect have not been fully elucidated. In the present study we investigate whether PPC (pharmacological preconditioning) by transient activation of A1R (adenosine A1 receptor) protects against long-term HI/R and whether the protective effects of IPC depend on A1R activation and whether both preconditionings affect remote organs. Wistar rats underwent IPC and long-term HI/R. Another set of animals were pharmacologically preconditioned with the A1R-agonist CCPA [2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine; 0.1 mg/kg of body weight, i.p. (intraperitoneally)] 24 h before HI/R. In other groups, rats received an A1R-antagonist, DPCPX (1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine; 0.1 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.) 24 h before HI/R. Hepatic damage was evaluated by transaminase [AST (aspartate transaminase), ALT (alanine transaminase)] release; inflammation was assessed by hepatic MPO (myeloperoxidase) and serum TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) and NO; oxidative stress was estimated by MDA (malondialdehyde) and 4-HDA (4-hydroxyalkenals), SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity, GSH and ADA (adenosine deaminase) as adenosine metabolism. Both preconditionings protected liver and lung against HI/R as indicated by the reduction in transaminases, MPO, MDA+4-HDA, NO, TNFα and ADA activity as compared with HI/R (P&lt;0.05). However, pre-treatment with DPCPX abolished the protective effects of IPC and PPC. Preconditionings induced a significant increase in hepatic MnSOD (manganese SOD) activity and NO generation compared with the sham group, and this activity was abolished by DPCPX pre-treatment. A1R activation induced hepatic delayed preconditioning and blockade of A1R abolished hepatic IPC. IPC, as well as PPC, were able to prevent lung damage. These protective effects are associated with a reduction in oxidative stress, inflammation and endogenous antioxidant preservation.
Determinants of changes in blood glucose response to short-term exercise training in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hordern Matthew D. , Cooney Louise M. , Beller Elaine M. , Prins Johannes B. , Marwick Thomas H. , Coombes Jeff S. 
Published: May 2008

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a 4-week exercise training intervention on blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, BMI (body mass index) and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with Type 2 diabetes, and to identify and establish criteria for patients who are more likely to improve their blood glucose from short-term exercise training. A randomized, controlled trial of exercise training, comprising two supervised and one non-supervised sessions of individualized cardiorespiratory and resistance exercise per week, was performed in 132 healthy patients with Type 2 diabetes (exercise training group, n=68), with the aim of accumulating a minimum of 150 min of moderate-intensity exercise for 4 weeks. BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipid profile, blood glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity [calculated by HOMAIR (homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) and QUICKI (quantitative insulin check index)], β-cell function (calculated by HOMAβ-Cell), HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) and V̇O2max (maximal oxygen consumption) were measured at baseline and at 4 weeks. The exercise training group had significant improvements in V̇O2max, BMI and triacylglycerols (triglycerides). There were no significant changes in blood glucose, HOMAIR, QUICKI or HOMAβ-Cell. Decreases in blood glucose were significantly predicted by baseline blood glucose and HbA1c, with these variables accounting for 15.9% of the change in blood glucose (P&lt;0.001). ROC (receiver operator characteristic) curve analysis revealed that patients with a blood glucose &gt;8.85 mmol/l (sensitivity=73%, specificity=78%) and HbA1c &gt;7.15% (sensitivity=79%, specificity=60%) were more likely to achieve a clinically significant decrease in blood glucose. In conclusion, in apparently healthy patients with Type 2 diabetes, a 4-week exercise intervention improved cardiorespiratory fitness, BMI and triacylglycerols. Elevated blood glucose and HbA1c predicted improvements in blood glucose.
Relationship between peripheral and coronary function using laser Doppler imaging and transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Khan Faisel , Patterson Dean , Belch Jill J.F. , Hirata Kumiko , Lang Chim C. 
Published: May 2008

Vascular dysfunction in the coronary and peripheral circulations is an early prognostic marker of future cardiovascular events. Measurements of coronary and peripheral vascular function in resistance vessels can be made, but rely on invasive procedures, which make them unsuitable for routine application. An assessment of the direct correlation between vascular responses in skin and coronary vessels has not been made previously. In 27 normal healthy subjects (18–55 years of age), we examined the relationship between peripheral and coronary vascular function. Cutaneous perfusion was measured using the non-invasive technique of laser Doppler imaging during iontophoresis of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, and cutaneous vascular conductance was calculated (laser Doppler perfusion/mean arterial pressure). Coronary flow reserve was measured using transthoracic echocardiography during intravenous adenosine infusion. Mean diastolic velocities were measured at baseline and peak hyperaemic conditions from the Doppler signal recordings. CVR (coronary velocity reserve) was defined as the ratio of hyperaemic to basal mean diastolic velocities. There were significant positive correlations between CVR and cutaneous vascular conductance for acetylcholine (r=0.399, P=0.039) and sodium nitroprusside (r=0.446, P=0.020). These results support the idea that peripheral measurements of skin blood flow are representative of generalized microvascular function including that of the coronary circulation in normal healthy subjects.
Dynamic cerebral autoregulatory capacity is affected early in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kim Yu-Sok , Immink Rogier V. , Stok Wim J. , Karemaker John M. , Secher Niels H. , van Lieshout Johannes J. 
Published: May 2008

Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of endothelial dysfunction and microvascular complications with impaired autoregulation of tissue perfusion. Both microvascular disease and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy may affect cerebral autoregulation. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that, in the absence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, cerebral autoregulation is impaired in subjects with DM+ (Type 2 diabetes with microvascular complications) but intact in subjects with DM− (Type 2 diabetes without microvascular complications). Dynamic cerebral autoregulation and the steady-state cerebrovascular response to postural change were studied in subjects with DM+ and DM−, in the absence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, and in CTRL (healthy control) subjects. The relationship between spontaneous changes in MCA Vmean (middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity) and MAP (mean arterial pressure) was evaluated using frequency domain analysis. In the low-frequency region (0.07–0.15 Hz), the phase lead of the MAP-to-MCA Vmean transfer function was 52±10 ° in CTRL subjects, reduced in subjects with DM− (40±6 °; P&lt;0.01 compared with CTRL subjects) and impaired in subjects with DM+ (30±5 °; P&lt;0.01 compared with subjects with DM−), indicating less dampening of blood pressure oscillations by affected dynamic cerebral autoregulation. The steady-state response of MCA Vmean to postural change was comparable for all groups (−12±6% in CTRL subjects, −15±6% in subjects with DM− and −15±7% in subjects with DM+). HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) and the duration of diabetes, but not blood pressure, were determinants of transfer function phase. In conclusion, dysfunction of dynamic cerebral autoregulation in subjects with Type 2 diabetes appears to be an early manifestation of microvascular disease prior to the clinical expression of diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy or cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy.
Preliminary study of hemodynamic distribution in patient-specific stenotic carotid bifurcation by image-based computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Xue Y.-J. , Gao P.-Y. , Duan Q. , Lin Y. , Dai C.-B. 
Published: May 2008

Background: Regions prone to atherosclerosis, such as bends and bifurcations, tend to exhibit a certain degree of non-planarity or curvature, and these geometric features are known to strongly influence local flow patterns. Recently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been used as a means of enhancing understanding of the mechanisms involved in atherosclerotic plaque formation and development. Purpose: To analyze flow patterns and hemodynamic distribution in stenotic carotid bifurcation in vivo by combining CFD with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Material and Methods: Twenty-one patients with carotid atherosclerosis proved by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and/or Doppler ultrasound underwent contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the carotid bifurcation by a 3.0T MR scanner. Hemodynamic variables and flow patterns of the carotid bifurcation were calculated and visualized by combining vascular imaging postprocessing with CFD. Results: In mild stenotic cases, there was much more streamlined flow in the bulbs, with reduced or disappeared areas of weakly turbulent flow. Also, the corresponding areas of low wall shear stress (WSS) were reduced or even disappeared. As the extent of stenosis increased, stronger blood jets formed at the portion of narrowing, and more prominent eddy flows and slow back flows were noted in the lee of the stenosis. Regions of elevated WSS were predicted at the portion of stenosis and in the path of the downstream jet. Areas of low WSS were predicted on the leeward side of the stenosis, corresponding with the location of slowly turbulent flows. Conclusion: CFD combined with MRA can simulate flow patterns and calculate hemodynamic variables in stenotic carotid bifurcations as well as normal ones. It provides a new method to investigate the relationship of vascular geometry and flow condition with atherosclerotic pathological changes.
High-resolution computed tomography with 16-row mdct: a comparison regarding visibility and motion artifacts of dose-modulated thin slices and “step and shoot” images
Authors: Vikgren J. , Johnsson Å. A. , Flinck A. , Kheddache S. , Milde H. , Båth M. 
Published: May 2008

Background: Dose modulation can be used to reduce the radiation dose in computed tomography (CT) examinations while still obtaining the necessary diagnostic image quality. Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) provides the possibility of simultaneous reconstruction of thin and thick slices from the same raw data. Purpose: To compare thin slices reconstructed from a dose-modulated helical acquisition and conventional high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images taken with the “step and shoot” technique in terms of visibility and motion artifacts, in order to investigate the possibility of excluding “step and shoot” acquisition from the HRCT examination. Material and Methods: Twenty patients were examined by a dose-modulated helical acquisition, “MDCT smart mA,” and by a noncontiguous cross-sectional high-resolution 16-row MDCT examination, “MDCT step and shoot.” Images from four anatomical levels, made anonymous regarding identity and technical data, were analyzed in random order by four thoracic radiologists. Results: “MDCT smart mA” was worse than “MDCT step and shoot” in terms of visibility. Concerning motion artifacts, “MDCT smart mA” was better than “MDCT step and shoot.” Conclusion: Thin images reconstructed from a dose-modulated 16-row helical MDCT acquisition (“MDCT smart mA”), as performed in our study, do not provide sufficient image quality regarding visibility compared to the “MDCT step and shoot” technique for the latter technique to be excluded from the HRCT examination.
A diagnostically promising technique for tallying nominal reference errors in the narratives of school‐aged children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Authors: Thorne John C. , Coggins Truman 
Published: May 2008

Background: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) include the range of disabilities that occur in children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) on the severe end of the spectrum. Clinical research has documented a range of cognitive, social, and communication deficits in FASD and it indicates the need for diagnostic tools that can identify children with diminished communicative capacities resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Previous research indicates that analysis of nominal reference errors within narrative discourse may provide such a tool.Aims: To demonstrate the potential diagnostic utility of a new tool for tallying nominal reference errors in the oral narratives of school‐aged children with FASD by presenting quantitative measurement data that address interrater agreement and predictive accuracy.Methods & Procedures: Retrospective analysis was conducted on spontaneously produced oral narratives from 32 school‐aged children (8;5–11;7) with a range of socio‐economic and ethnic profiles. Sixteen of the children had been previously diagnosis with an FASD, including five with full or partial FAS (pFAS). The remaining 16 children were considered typically developing (TD). A range of methods for calculating the rate of nominal reference errors (rNRE) were used to predict which narratives were produced by children from each group. Accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) for two predictions (FASD versus TD, and FAS/pFAS versus all others) was quantified using receiver‐operating characteristic curve analyses. Pairwise statistical comparisons were made between methods to determine which had the most diagnostic potential.Outcomes & Results: The proposed system for calculating the rNRE was highly accurate at predicting which narratives were produced by children with FASD (versus TD, 88% overall accuracy), and which were produced by children with FAS/pFAS (versus all others, 97% overall accuracy), and outperformed all other methods tested. Agreement on coding decisions between independent judges was high (kappa = 0.90).Conclusions: The strong predictive accuracy demonstrated in this study provides empirical evidence that the system proposed in this feasibility study has sufficient sensitivity and diagnostic utility to warrant further development for use with children suspected of prenatal alcohol exposure. It also points to the potential for the tool to be used with other clinical populations that, even in the absence of a confirmed alcohol exposure, share many of the communication challenges of this complex clinical population.
Discerning static and causal interactions in genome-wide reverse engineering problems
Authors: Zampieri Mattia , Soranzo Nicola , Altafini Claudio 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Background: In the past years devising methods for discovering gene regulatory mechanisms at a genome-wide level has become a fundamental topic in the field of systems biology. The aim is to infer gene-gene interactions in an increasingly sophisticated and reliable way through the continuous improvement of reverse engineering algorithms exploiting microarray data.
Motivation: This work is inspired by the several studies suggesting that coexpression is mostly related to ‘static’ stable binding relationships, like belonging to the same protein complex, rather than other types of interactions more of a ‘causal’ and transient nature (e.g. transcription factor–binding site interactions). The aim of this work is to verify if direct or conditional network inference algorithms (e.g. Pearson correlation for the former, partial Pearson correlation for the latter) are indeed useful in discerning static from causal dependencies in artificial and real gene networks (derived from Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae).
Results: Even in the regime of weak inference power we have to work in, our analysis confirms the differences in the performances of the algorithms: direct methods are more robust in detecting stable interactions, conditional ones are better for causal interactions especially in presence of combinatorial transcriptional regulation.
Contact: altafini@sissa.it
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Evolutionary design principles of modules that control cellular differentiation: consequences for hysteresis and multistationarity
Authors: Kim Junil , Kim Tae-Geon , Jung Sung Hoon , Kim Jeong-Rae , Park Taesung , Heslop-Harrison Pat , Cho Kwang-Hyun 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) govern cellular differentiation processes and enable construction of multicellular organisms from single cells. Although such networks are complex, there must be evolutionary design principles that shape the network to its present form, gaining complexity from simple modules.
Results: To isolate particular design principles, we have computationally evolved random regulatory networks with a preference to result either in hysteresis (switching threshold depending on current state), or in multistationarity (having multiple steady states), two commonly observed dynamical features of GRNs related to differentiation processes. We have analyzed the resulting evolved networks and compared their structures and characteristics with real GRNs reported from experiments.
Conclusion: We found that the artificially evolved networks have particular topologies and it was notable that these topologies share important features and similarities with the real GRNs, particularly in contrasting properties of positive and negative feedback loops. We conclude that the structures of real GRNs are consistent with selection to favor one or other of the dynamical features of multistationarity or hysteresis.
Contact: ckh@kaist.ac.kr
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Why are programmes for offenders with personality disorder not informed by the relevant scientific findings?
Authors: Duggan Conor 
Published: May 2008

This paper examines the evidence to justify intervening in those with personality disorder, specifically antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) as defined by the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association 1994). The evidence from randomized controlled trials in the mental health literature is reviewed and found to be deficient with only five trials satisfying Cochrane criteria, all of which had a reduction in substance misuse as their primary outcome, rather than a change in the personality disorder
per se
.

Next, I consider the contribution of Thomas Kuhn to explain why it is difficult to develop a scientific basis in forensic mental health. I argue that, because forensic mental health is inclusive in its purpose (interacting with the law, social services and the penal system, all of which have different rules and agendas), it is difficult to develop a consensus on fundamentals, this consensus being a hallmark of a science.
Finally, I argue that despite the absence of evidence from mental health, providers for ASPD are in a fortunate position in being able to draw upon the correctional literature. This is relevant, provided that we agree that a reduction in offending is the primary outcome. While mental health can learn much from correctional practice, it can also enhance the efficacy of the latter by, for instance, drawing attention to the specific vulnerabilities of the personality structure that might impede programme delivery in correctional settings. Means of achieving a conjunction of mental health and correctional practice are urgently required as this would be beneficial to both.
Biochemical and Genomic Characterization of Terpene Synthases inMagnolia grandiflora
Authors: Lee Sungbeom , Chappell Joseph 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMagnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia) is a primitive evergreen tree that has attracted attention because of its horticultural distinctiveness, the wealth of natural products associated with it, and its evolutionary position as a basal angiosperm. Three cDNAs corresponding to terpene synthase (TPS) genes expressed in young leaves were isolated, and the corresponding enzymes were functionally characterized in vitro. Recombinant Mg25 converted farnesyl diphosphate (C15) predominantly to β-cubebene, while Mg17 converted geranyl diphosphate (C5) to α-terpineol. Efforts to functionally characterize Mg11 were unsuccessful. Transcript levels for all three genes were prominent in young leaf tissue and significantly elevated for Mg25 and Mg11 messenger RNAs in stamens. A putative amino-terminal signal peptide of Mg17 targeted the reporter green fluorescent protein to both chloroplasts and mitochondria when transiently expressed in epidermal cells of Nicotiana tabacum leaves. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that Mg25 and Mg11 belonged to the angiosperm sesquiterpene synthase subclass TPS-a, while Mg17 aligned more closely to the angiosperm monoterpene synthase subclass TPS-b. Unexpectedly, the intron-exon organizations for the three Magnolia TPS genes were different from one another and from other well-characterized TPS gene sets. The Mg17 gene consists of six introns arranged in a manner similar to many other angiosperm sesquiterpene synthases, but Mg11 contains only four introns, and Mg25 has only a single intron located near the 5′ terminus of the gene. Our results suggest that the structural diversity observed in the Magnolia TPS genes could have occurred either by a rapid loss of introns from a common ancestor TPS gene or by a gain of introns into an intron-deficient progenote TPS gene.
The AP2/ERF Domain Transcription Factor ORA59 Integrates Jasmonic Acid and Ethylene Signals in Plant Defense
Authors: Pré Martial , Atallah Mirna , Champion Antony , De Vos Martin , Pieterse Corné M. J. , Memelink Johan 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Plant defense against pathogens depends on the action of several endogenously produced hormones, including jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene. In certain defense responses, JA and ethylene signaling pathways synergize to activate a specific set of defense genes. Here, we describe the role of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) domain transcription factor ORA59 in JA and ethylene signaling and in defense. JA- and ethylene-responsive expression of several defense genes, including PLANT DEFENSIN1.2 (PDF1.2), depended on ORA59. As a result, overexpression of ORA59 caused increased resistance against the fungus Botrytis cinerea, whereas ORA59-silenced plants were more susceptible. Several AP2/ERF domain transcription factors have been suggested to be positive regulators of PDF1.2 gene expression based on overexpression in stably transformed plants. Using two different transient overexpression approaches, we found that only ORA59 and ERF1 were able to activate PDF1.2 gene expression, in contrast to the related proteins AtERF1 and AtERF2. Our results demonstrate that ORA59 is an essential integrator of the JA and ethylene signal transduction pathways and thereby provide new insight into the nature of the molecular components involved in the cross talk between these two hormones.