bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cessation in the use of tobacco – pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic routines in patients
Authors: Quist‐Paulsen Petter 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIntroduction:  Approximately one‐third of the adult population in industrial countries and 70% in several Asian countries are daily smokers. Tobacco is now regarded as the world's leading cause of death. Approximately two‐thirds of lifelong smokers eventually die because of smoking. Smoking cessation is the most effective action to reduce mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary heart disease.Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of smoking cessation programmes in patients with smoking‐related disorders.Methods:  Medline was searched for studies of interventions for smoking cessation in patients.Results:  In patients with cardiovascular diseases and COPD, smoking cessation programmes with behavioural support over several months significantly increase quit rates. The intensity of the programmes seems to be proportional to the effect. A long follow‐up period is probably the most important element in the programmes. Even the most intensive programmes are very cost‐effective in terms of cost per life‐year gained. Effective programmes can be delivered by personnel without special education in smoking cessation using simple intervention principles.Conclusions:  In patients with smoking‐related disorders, smoking cessation interventions with several months of follow‐up are effective and easily applicable in clinical practice. Wider implementation of such programmes would be a cost‐effective way of saving lives.Please cite this paper as: Quist‐Paulsen P. Cessation in the use of tobacco – pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic routines in patients. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 4–10.
Assessing the Viability of the Independent Practice of Dental Hygiene – A Brief Communication
Authors: Beach M. Miles , Shulman Jay D. , Johns Glenna , Paas Jeffrey C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: This paper deals with the economics of the independent dental hygiene practice.Methods: Using historical data from dental practices in Cincinnati, Ohio, we developed a business model for an independent hygiene practice. We tested the sensitivity of the model to variations in key assumptions (initial capitalization, interest, employee salary, and owner’s draw). We described the profitability on the basis of the breakeven point.Results: Under the most permissive regulatory and financial environment, the practice would breakeven after 26 months. However, the owner would not equal the earnings of a salaried hygienist until the initial loan is paid off after 7 years. The model was not sensitive to 20 percent changes in the key assumptions.Conclusions: Under ideal circumstances, an independent hygiene practice could be profitable.
Induction of regulatory T cell–resistant helper CD4+ T cells by bacterial vector
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroyoshi , Tsuji Takemasa , Jäger Elke , Briones Gabriel , Ritter Gerd , Old Lloyd J. , Galán Jorge E. , Shiku Hiroshi , Gnjatic Sacha 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSalmonella typhimurium engineered to deliver cancer/testis antigen NY-ESO-1 through type III secretion (S typhimurium–NY-ESO-1) was shown to be an efficient cancer vaccine construct in mice and to stimulate NY-ESO-1–specific CD8+/CD4+ T cells in vitro in patients with cancer with NY-ESO-1 spontaneous immunity. We also showed that individuals without spontaneous immunity to NY-ESO-1 had specific CD4+ T-cell precursors with high avidity to NY-ESO-1 under tight control by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. We now found that in healthy donors and patients with melanoma without NY-ESO-1 spontaneous immunity, S typhimurium–NY-ESO-1 elicits CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1) cells in vitro recognizing naturally processed antigen from these high-avidity NY-ESO-1–specific naive precursors. In contrast to peptide stimulation, induction of specific Th1 cells with S typhimurium–NY-ESO-1 did not require in vitro depletion of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells, and this prevailing effect was partially blocked by disruption of interleukin-6 or glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR) signals. Furthermore, S typhimurium–induced Th1 cells had higher GITR expression than peptide-induced Th1 cells and were resistant to suppression by CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in a GITR-dependent fashion. We propose that S typhimurium–NY-ESO-1 induces antigen-specific T-cell responses that are resistant to suppression by CD4+CD25+ Treg cells.
Differential regulation of abundance and deadenylation of maternal transcripts during bovine oocyte maturation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Thélie Aurore , Papillier Pascal , Pennetier Sophie , Perreau Christine , Traverso Juan Martin , Uzbekova Svetlana , Mermillod Pascal , Joly Catherine , Humblot Patrice , Dalbiès-Tran Rozenn 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Background
In bovine maturing oocytes and cleavage stage embryos, gene expression is mostly controlled at the post-transcriptional level, through degradation and deadenylation/polyadenylation. We have investigated how post transcriptional control of maternal transcripts was affected during in vitro and in vivo maturation, as a model of differential developmental competence.

Results
Using real time PCR, we have analyzed variation of maternal transcripts, in terms of abundance and polyadenylation, during in vitro or in vivo oocyte maturation and in vitro embryo development. Four genes are characterized here for the first time in bovine: ring finger protein 18 (RNF18) and breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance 4 (BCAR4), whose oocyte preferential expression was not previously reported in any species, as well as Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) and STELLA. We included three known oocyte marker genes (Maternal antigen that embryos require (MATER), Zygote arrest 1 (ZAR1), NACHT, leucine rich repeat and PYD containing 9 (NALP9)). In addition, we selected transcripts previously identified as differentially regulated during maturation, peroxiredoxin 1 and 2 (PRDX1, PRDX2), inhibitor of DNA binding 2 and 3 (ID2, ID3), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), cell division cycle 2 (CDC2), as well as Aurora A (AURKA). Most transcripts underwent a moderate degradation during maturation. But they displayed sharply contrasted deadenylation patterns that account for variations observed previously by DNA array and correlated with the presence of a putative cytoplasmic polyadenylation element in their 3' untranslated region. Similar variations in abundance and polyadenylation status were observed during in vitro maturation or in vivo maturation, except for PRDX1, that appears as a marker of in vivo maturation. Throughout in vitro development, oocyte restricted transcripts were progressively degraded until the morula stage, except for MELK ; and the corresponding genes remained silent after major embryonic genome activation.

Conclusion
Altogether, our data emphasize the extent of post-transcriptional regulation during oocyte maturation. They do not evidence a general alteration of this phenomenon after in vitro maturation as compared to in vivo maturation, but indicate that some individual messenger RNA can be affected.
Role of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 in prevention of colon cancer
Authors: Durai Rajaraman , Yang Shi Y , Seifalian Alexander M , Goldspink Geoffrey , Winslet Marc C 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Background
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are important for the proliferation of cancer cells. One of their binding proteins, known as insulin-like growth factor binding protein -4 (IGFBP-4) is well known for its inhibitory action on IGFs in vitro. We assessed the effect of IGFBP-4 in prevention of development of colon cancer in vivo.

Methods
Nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with HT-29 colon cancer cells and they were also simultaneously injected either gene construct containing mammalian expression vector pcDNA3 with or without IGFBP-4 gene or phosphate buffered saline. The effect was assessed 4 weeks later by evaluating the tumours for mitosis, necrosis, apoptosis, and expressions of IGFBP-4, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins.

Results
The results showed that the IGFBP-4 gene therapy did not prevent the tumour establishment but it increased the tumour apoptosis which was associated with an increase in Bcl-2 and Bax expressions. The IGFBP-4 protein was low in tumours which received IGFBP-4 gene construct which may be due to a feed back mechanism of IGFBP-4 upon its own cells.

Conclusion
IGFBP-4 gene therapy in the form localised gene transfer did not prevent colon cancer initiation and establishment but it resulted in increased apoptosis and Bax protein expression and a decrease in tumour cellular mitosis
Direct observation of hematopoietic progenitor chimerism in fetal freemartin cattle
Authors: Niku Mikael , Pessa-Morikawa Tiina , Taponen Juhani , Iivanainen Antti 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Background
Cattle twins are well known as blood chimeras. However, chimerism in the actual hematopoietic progenitor compartment has not been directly investigated. Here, we analyzed fetal liver of chimeric freemartin cattle by combining a new anti-bovine CD34 antibody and Y-chromosome specific in situ hybridization.

Results
Bull-derived CD34+ cells were detected in the liver of the female sibling (freemartin) at 60 days gestation. The level of bull-derived CD34+ cells was lower in the freemartin than in its male siblings. Bull (Y+) and cow hematopoietic cells often occurred in separate clusters. Around clusters of Y+CD34+ cells, Y+CD34- cells were typically observed. The thymi were also strongly chimeric at 60 days of gestation.

Conclusion
The fetal freemartin liver contains clusters of bull-derived hematopoietic progenitors, suggesting clonal expansion and differentiation. Even the roots of the hematopoietic system in cattle twins are thus strongly chimeric from the early stages of fetal development. However, the hematopoietic seeding of fetal liver apparently started already before the onset of functional vascular anastomosis.
Decursin and decursinol angelate inhibit estrogen-stimulated and estrogen-independent growth and survival of breast cancer cells
Authors: Jiang Cheng , Guo Junming , Wang Zhe , Xiao Bingxiu , Lee Hyo-Jung , Lee Eun-Ok , Kim Sung-Hoon , Lu Junxuan 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Introduction
Estrogen and estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated signaling are crucial for the etiology and progression of human breast cancer. Attenuating ER activities by natural products is a promising strategy to decrease breast cancer risk. We recently discovered that the pyranocoumarin compound decursin and its isomer decursinol angelate (DA) have potent novel antiandrogen receptor signaling activities. Because the ER and the androgen receptor belong to the steroid receptor superfamily, we examined whether these compounds affected ER expression and signaling in breast cancer cells.

Methods
We treated estrogen-dependent MCF-7 and estrogen-independent MDA MB-231 human breast cancer cells with decursin and DA, and examined cell growth, apoptosis, and ERα and ERβ expression in both cell lines – and, in particular, estrogen-stimulated signaling in the MCF-7 cells. We compared these compounds with decursinol to determine their structure-activity relationship.

Results
Decursin and DA exerted growth inhibitory effects on MCF-7 cells through G1 arrest and caspase-mediated apoptosis. These compounds decreased ERα in MCF-7 cells at both mRNA and protein levels, and suppressed estrogen-stimulated genes. Decursin and the pure antiestrogen Faslodex™ exerted an additive growth inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cells. In MDA MB-231 cells, these compounds induced cell-cycle arrests in the G1 and G2 phases as well as inducing apoptosis, accompanied by an increased expression of ERβ. In contrast, decursinol, which lacks the side chain of decursin and DA, did not have these cellular and molecular activities at comparable concentrations.

Conclusion
The side chain of decursin and DA is crucial for their anti-ER signaling and breast cancer growth inhibitory activities. These data provide mechanistic rationales for validating the chemopreventive and therapeutic efficacy of decursin and its derivatives in preclinical animal models of breast cancer.
Insulin Secretion and Clearance after Subacute Estradiol Administration in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Van Pelt Rachael E. , Schwartz Robert S. , Kohrt Wendy M. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Context: Data from large clinical trials of postmenopausal women suggest that the incidence of diabetes is reduced in women randomized to estrogen-based hormone therapy when compared with placebo. Whether this is due to an effect of estrogen on insulin or glucose metabolism remains unclear.
Objective: Our objective was to test the hypothesis that estradiol (E2) increases insulin secretion and clearance.
Design: Serum insulin and C-peptide (CPEP) responses to hyperglycemia (250 mg/dl) plus iv l-arginine were measured on 2 separate days, with (EST) and without [control (CON)] subacute (24 h) transdermal E2 administration.
Study Participants: There were 11 postmenopausal women (mean ± sd; 55 ± 4 yr) included in this study.
Main Outcomes: Insulin secretion and clearance were estimated from the CPEP area under the curve and the molar ratio of CPEP to insulin area under the curve, respectively. Mean glucose disposal rate (GDR) was estimated from the rate of glucose infusion during the final 30 min of the hyperglycemic clamp.
Results: There were no differences in insulin secretion or clearance between the EST and CON days. Fasting glucose was lower on the EST compared with the CON (93 ± 6 vs. 98 ± 8 mg/dl), but mean GDR was not different. However, when one outlier was excluded from analysis, GDR was increased after EST compared with CON. Furthermore, a strong inverse association was observed between years since menopause and E2-mediated changes in GDR (r = −0.794; P = 0.004).
Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis, 24-h transdermal E2 administration did not alter insulin secretion or clearance in postmenopausal women. However, a longer time since menopause was associated with a reduced effect of E2 to increase glucose uptake.
Polymerization Efficiency of Glass-Ionomer and Resin Adhesives under Molar Bands
Authors: Rejman Daniel John , Eliades Theodore , Bradley Thomas G. , Eliades George 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Objective: To determine the degree of cure of a light-cured resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) under molar bands compared with a light-cured resin and a dual-cured resin.
Materials and Methods: The 3 cements used were Fuji Ortho LC, Eagle Spectrum resin, and Variolink II dual-cure. Each sample was indirectly light cured for 20 seconds (10 seconds occlusally, 10 seconds cervically) under sections of molar bands, and the degree of cure was evaluated with micro-MIR FTIR spectroscopy.
Results: The RMGI exhibited a significantly higher mean degree of cure (55.31%) than both of the resins (Eagle 19.23%; Variolink II, 25.42%), which did not differ significantly at α = .05 level of significance.
Conclusion: Higher degree of conversion can be obtained from RMGIs under molar bands compared with composite resin adhesives provided the proper curing technique is used.
Near-End of Treatment Panoramic Radiograph in the Assessment of Mesiodistal Root Angulation
Authors: Owens Ann Marie , Johal Ama 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Objectives: To test the hypothesis that there is no difference between the actual mesiodistal root angulation and the mesiodistal root angulation as measured on the panoramic radiograph.
Materials and Methods: A typodont dentition was set up into a Class I occlusion. Wire struts were placed on the buccal surface of each tooth to represent their long axes. The dentition was fixed into a natural skull for imaging. The radiographic and true mesiodistal angulation of each tooth to a horizontal reference plane (the arch wire) was measured using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The mesiodistal root positions were then altered to a more mesial and then more distal position and the measurements were repeated.
Results: Only 26.7% of the radiographic root angulations were within the clinically acceptable angular variation range of ±2.5°. The greatest variation in the upper arch occurred in the canine-premolar area where the roots were projected as being more divergent. The greatest variation in the lower arch occurred in the lateral incisor-canine region where these roots were projected as being more convergent. The extent of radiographic distortion is statistically greater in the lower arch than in the upper arch in the ideal (P ≤ .05) and distal (P ≤ .01) root positions.
Conclusions: The hypothesis is rejected. There is a clinically significant variation between the radiographic and the true root angulations recorded. Caution is advised when interpreting mesiodistal root angulation using this radiograph.
Persistent Cutaneous Lesions of Darier Disease and Second-Hit Somatic Variants in ATP2A2 Gene
Authors: Atzmony Lihi , Zagairy Fadia , Mawassi Banan , Shehade Majd , Tatour Yasmin , Danial-Farran Nada , Khayat Morad , Warrour Nassim , Dodiuk-Gad Roni , Cohen-Barak Eran 
Published: March 2024

ImportanceDarier disease (DD) is a rare genetic skin disorder caused by heterozygous variants in the ATP2A2 gene. Clinical manifestations include recurrent hyperkeratotic papules and plaques that occur mainly in seborrheic areas. Although some of the lesions wax and wane in response to environmental factors, others are severe and respond poorly to therapy.ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the persistency of skin lesions in DD.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this case series, DNA was extracted from unaffected skin, transient and persistent lesional skin, and blood from 9 patients with DD. Genetic analysis was used using paired-whole exome sequencing of affected skin and blood or by deep sequencing of ATP2A2 of affected skin. Chromosomal microarray analysis was used to reveal copy number variants and loss of heterozygosity. All variants were validated by Sanger sequencing or restriction fragment length polymorphism.Interventions or ExposuresPaired whole-exome sequencing and deep sequencing of ATP2A2 gene from blood and skin samples isolated from persistent, transient lesions and unaffected skin in patients with DD.Main Outcomes and MeasuresGermline and somatic genomic characteristics of persistent and transient cutaneous lesions in DD.ResultsOf 9 patients with DD, all had heterozygous pathogenic germline variants in the ATP2A2 gene, 6 were female. Participant age ranged from 40 to 69 years on enrollment. All 11 persistent skin lesions were associated with second-hit somatic variants in the ATP2A2 gene. The somatic variants were classified as highly deleterious via combined annotation-dependent depletion (CADD) scores or affect splicing, and 3 of them had been previously described in patients with DD and acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf. Second-hit variants in the ATP2A2 gene were not identified in the transient lesions (n = 2) or the normal skin (n = 2).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this study, persistent DD lesions were associated with the presence of second-hit somatic variants in the ATP2A2 gene. Identification of these second-hit variants offers valuable insight into the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the lasting nature of persistent DD lesions.
Modifiable Lifestyle, Sedentary Behaviors and the Risk of Frailty: A Univariate and Multivariate Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yu Ling , Guo Zeyi , Long Qing , Zhao Xinling , Liu Yilin , Cao Xiang , Zhang Yunqiao , Yan Weimin , Qian Qing qing , Chen Jian , Teng Zhaowei , Zeng Yong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis research conducted a two‐sample univariate and multivariate Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to explore the causal link between different types of leisure sedentary behavior (LSB) and frailty. Independent instrumental variables significantly associated with sedentary behaviors (p < 5 × 10−8) are obtained from a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of 422,218 individuals, and Frailty Index (FI) are derived from the latest GWAS dataset of 175,226 individuals. MR analysis is conducted using inverse variance weighting, MR‐Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode, supplemented by MRAPSS. Univariate MR revealed that sedentary behaviors such as watching television increased the risk of frailty (OR, 1.271; 95% CI: 1.202‐1.345; p = 6.952 × 10−17), as sedentary driving behaviors are done (OR, 1.436; 95% CI: 1.026‐2.011; p = 0.035). Further validation through APSS, taking into account cryptic relatedness, stratification, and sample overlap, maintained the association between television viewing and increased frailty risk (OR, 1.394; 95% CI: 1.266‐1.534; p = 1.143 × 10−11), while the association with driving dissipated. In multivariate inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis, after adjusting for C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels, television Sedentary behavior (SB) inversely affected frailty (OR, 0.782; 95% CI: 0.724‐0.845; p = 4.820 × 10−10). This study indicates that televisio SB significantly increases the risk of frailty, suggesting potential biological heterogeneity behind specific sedentary activities. This process may interact with inflammation, influencing the development of frailty.
Modular Satellite Nanoparticles for Remedying Primary and Secondary Injury in Cerebral Ischemia‐Reperfusion
Authors: Zhou Han , Wu Yu , Li Min , Liang Qirui , Dong Wang , Li Qing , Wang Yucai 
Published: March 2024

AbstractReperfusion therapy, employed in the treatment of acute stroke, frequently proves to be inadequate in addressing the primary brain tissue injury and may even give rise to secondary damage. The study introduces a satellite nanoparticle platform named MEps, which combine the neural repair properties of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (Exos) with the inflammatory site‐targeting abilities of macrophage membranes (MMs). MMs and Exos in MEps act like satellites, ensuring precise positioning and information transmission. MEps rapidly form a protective barrier on the damaged cerebral vascular endothelial cells through the interaction of adhesion molecules with their receptors, blocking the infiltration of neutrophils. Subsequently, repair factors in Exos repair the damaged cells and initiate neurogenesis. The results indicate that this innovative approach effectively mitigates ischemic‐reperfusion injury at multiple levels and demonstrates strong biocompatibility. This strategy holds promise for clinical applications in alleviating ischemic‐reperfusion injury.
Fibrosis‐on‐Chip: A Guide to Recapitulate the Essential Features of Fibrotic Disease
Authors: Streutker Emma M. , Devamoglu Utku , Vonk Madelon C. , Verdurmen Wouter P. R. , Le Gac Séverine 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFibrosis, which is primarily marked by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, is a pathophysiological process associated with many disorders, which ultimately leads to organ dysfunction and poor patient outcomes. Despite the high prevalence of fibrosis, currently there exist few therapeutic options, and importantly, there is a paucity of in vitro models to accurately study fibrosis. This review discusses the multifaceted nature of fibrosis from the viewpoint of developing organ‐on‐chip (OoC) disease models, focusing on five key features: the ECM component, inflammation, mechanical cues, hypoxia, and vascularization. The potential of OoC technology is explored for better modeling these features in the context of studying fibrotic diseases and the interplay between various key features is emphasized. This paper reviews how organ‐specific fibrotic diseases are modeled in OoC platforms, which elements are included in these existing models, and the avenues for novel research directions are highlighted. Finally, this review concludes with a perspective on how to address the current gap with respect to the inclusion of multiple features to yield more sophisticated and relevant models of fibrotic diseases in an OoC format.