bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Areca nut extract treatment elicits the fibroblastoid morphological changes, actin re‐organization and signaling activation in oral keratinocytes
Authors: Yang Shun‐Chun , Lin Shu‐Chun , Chiang Wei‐Fan , Yen Ching‐Yu , Lin Chi‐Hung , Liu Shyun‐Yeu 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackground:  Areca (named as betel) is an important etiological factor linked with the high prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in South‐Asian countries. This in vitro study investigated the cellular changes and signaling activation in oral keratinocytes in response to areca nut extract (ANE) treatment.Methods:  Normal human oral keratinocyte (NHOK) and oral epidermoid carcinoma cell, Meng‐1 (OECM‐1) OSCC cell line were treated with variable dosages of ripen ANE. The morphological and cytoskeletal changes, as well as the activation of GTPase proteins and signaling kinases, were analyzed.Results:  Most NHOK cells in culture were polygonal, with only <5% cells exhibiting fibroblastoid morphology. However, 10 µg/ml ANE elicited fibroblastoid morphological change, genesis of lamellipodia, loss of subcortical actin, and stress‐fiber formation in approximately 25% cultivated NHOK cells. Similar morphological changes were observed in nearly all OECM‐1 cells following the ANE treatment. The activation of Rac and Rho GTPase, together with the prominent phosphorylation of a stress‐activated kinases, particularly JNK1, was identified in treated OECM‐1 cells.Conclusion:  The novel evidences from the study that ANE impairs the actin organization and activates the signals in oral keratinocytes might bestow further insight into the impacts of ANE in oral pathogenesis.
Relationship between Fertilizing Ability of Ejaculated Human Spermatozoa and Its Chromatin Heterogeneity
Authors: Hashimoto Shinako , Yanagida Kaoru , Katayose Haruo , Yamada Hidekazu , Yamada Hiroko , Sato Akira 
Published: October 2003

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the fertilizing ability of ejaculated human sperm and its chromatin heterogeneity.Method: We used the D‐AO staining method (acridine orange epifluorescence accompanied by diamide, a thiol oxidizing agent) to analyze the sperm chromatin structure of infertile patients with IVF‐ET treatment. SDS‐PAGE was performed to analyze the sperm nuclear proteins collected from patients with immature sperm (stained red with D‐AO staining) and proven fertile men.Results: 1. It was suggested that D‐AO staining allowed the immature sperm to be divided into two groups. One was immature sperm, which had disturbance of S‐S formation in the epididymides, and the other was sperm that which had an abnormal exchange process of nuclear proteins in the testes. 2. The stainability after D‐AO staining showed no correlation with the findings of semen analysis. 3. The fertilization rate of IVF‐ET was significantly correlated to the percentage of green sperm staining with D‐AO staining. 4. In the pregnant group after IVF–ET, it was noticed that sperm of the green type with D‐AO staining was increased in comparison with the non‐pregnancy group. 5. The fertilization rate in the group of the sperm stained red with D‐AO staining was increased to 73.5% by ICSI. 6. Definite differences were noticed between the protein components of the patients with immature sperm and those of the proven fertile men by analysing with SDS‐PAGE.Conclusion: D‐AO staining was an efficient method for evaluating the fertilizing ability of human ejaculated sperm, and to determine an appropriate ART tool such as ICSI.
Fetal hemorrhage associated with congenital intestinal atresia
Authors: Shimizu Shoko , Kawagishi Rikako , Arimoto‐Ishida Emi , Wada Kazuko , Shimoya Koichiro , Murata Yuji 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe encountered two cases of severe intrauterine hemorrhage associated with congenital intestinal atresia. In both cases, the first sign that necessitated immediate clinical management was the abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, represented by prolonged bradycardias and late decelerations. This occurred immediately after the onset of labor. An emergency cesarean section was performed on both patients and, despite being born with severe anemia, the condition of the infants was excellent.We found that continuous fetal heart rate monitoring should be performed if polyhydramniosis suspected, when the fetus is diagnosed with congenital intestinal atresia and when changes in intrauterine pressure are clinically expected, such as at the onset of labor or after amniocentesis.
B‐Lynch Brace Suturing in primary post‐partum hemorrhage during cesarean section
Authors: Pal Manidip , Biswas Asok Kumar , Bhattacharya Sudhindra Mohan 
Published: October 2003

AbstractPrimary atonic post‐partum hemorrhage during lower segment cesarean section, which was not controlled by ecbolics – oxytocin, methylergometrine, 15‐methyl‐prostaglandinF2α– was managed by applying a B‐Lynch Brace Suture. The test of potential efficacy was the control of hemorrhage by bimanual uterine compression. Six primigravida patients at their term gestation, who underwent emergency cesarean section, all except one under spinal anesthesia, received this type of suture. Interestingly, in every case hemorrhage was controlled successfully with the compression suture. None of them received blood or blood products transfusions or developed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Postoperative recovery was good and all patients are in follow‐up to assess their future reproductive activity. B‐Lynch Brace Suturing is an invaluable procedure for the control of atonic primary post‐partum hemorrhage following cesarean delivery.
Expression of carbonic anhydrase IX in human pancreatic cancer
Authors: Juhász M. , Chen J. , Lendeckel U. , Kellner U. , Kasper H.‐U. , Tulassay Z. , Pastorekova S. , Malfertheiner P. , Ebert M. P. A. 
Published: October 2003

SummaryBackground : Carbonic anhydrase IX has been linked to cancer development and progression.Aim : To analyse carbonic anhydrase IX expression and anhydrase inhibition in pancreatic cancer and to correlate these findings with p53 expression and microvessel density.Materials and methods : Seventy‐seven pancreatic cancers were examined (43 males, 34 females; mean age, 64 years). The anti‐carbonic anhydrase IX M75 antibody was used for immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Microvessels were visualized using the anti‐CD34 antibody, and p53 expression in cancer cells was assessed with a specific anti‐p53 antibody. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed in order to assess carbonic anhydrase IX mRNA levels in the pancreas. Furthermore, pancreatic cancer cell lines were treated with acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.Results : In the normal pancreas, carbonic anhydrase IX immunoreactivity was observed at the basolateral membrane of ductal cells in 24 cases (31%). Carbonic anhydrase IX expression was found at the membrane and in the cytoplasm of pancreatic cancer cells in 16 pancreatic cancers (21%). Carbonic anhydrase IX expression was independent of the localization, stage, size, metastases and differentiation of the tumour. p53 expression was significantly more frequent in poorly differentiated cancers (P = 0.0323); however, p53 expression and microvessel density were independent of carbonic anhydrase IX expression. Overall, carbonic anhydrase IX expression was not altered in pancreatic cancers vs. adjacent normal pancreatic tissue as assessed by Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. However, incubation of pancreatic cancer cell lines with acetazolamide led to a significant inhibition of cell proliferation in AsPC‐1 and PANC‐1 pancreatic cancer cells.Conclusion : Carbonic anhydrase IX expression is observed in both ductal epithelial and cancer cells of the pancreas. Although the expression of carbonic anhydrase IX in pancreatic cancer is not associated with angiogenesis or advanced disease, it may well be a target for carbo‐anhydrase inhibitors in a subset of pancreatic cancers.
Second‐line treatment for failure to eradicate Helicobacter pylori: a randomized trial comparing four treatment strategies
Authors: Lamouliatte H. , Mégraud F. , Delchier J.‐C. , Bretagne J.‐F. , Courillon‐Mallet A. , De Korwin J.‐D. , Fauchère J.‐L. , Labigne A. , Fléjou J.‐F. , Barthelemy P. ,   FOR A MULTICENTRE STUDY GROUP
Published: October 2003

SummaryAim : To compare the efficacy of different regimens in patients in whom previous Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has failed.Methods : In this study named StratHegy patients (n = 287) were randomized to receive one of three empirical triple therapy regimens or a strategy based on antibiotic susceptibility. The empirical regimens were omeprazole, 20 mg b.d., plus amoxicillin, 1000 mg b.d., and clarithromycin, 500 mg b.d., for 7 days (OAC7), clarithromycin, 500 mg b.d., for 14 days (OAC14) or metronidazole, 500 mg b.d., for 14 days (OAM14). In the susceptibility‐based strategy, patients with clarithromycin‐susceptible strains received OAC14, whilst the others received OAM14. The 13C‐urea breath test was performed before randomization and 4–5 weeks after eradication therapy.Results : In the intention‐to‐treat analysis, the eradication rates for empirical therapies were as follows: OAC7, 47.4% (27/57); OAC14, 34.5% (20/58); OAM14, 63.2% (36/57); it was 74.3% (84/113) for the susceptibility‐based treatment (P < 0.01 when compared with OAC7 and OAC14). In patients receiving clarithromycin, the eradication rates were 80% for clarithromycin‐susceptible strains and 16% for clarithromycin‐resistant strains; in patients receiving OAM14, the eradication rates were 81% for metronidazole‐susceptible strains and 59% for metronidazole‐resistant strains.Conclusions : Eradication rates of approximately 75% can be achieved with second‐line triple therapy based on antibiotic susceptibility testing. If susceptibility testing is not available, OAM14 is an appropriate alternative.
Cytokine polymorphism frequencies in the Greek Cypriot population
Authors: Costeas P. A. , Koumas L. , Koumouli A. , Kyriakou‐Giantsiou A. , Papaloizou A. 
Published: October 2003

SummaryThere is considerable evidence to suggest that several cytokine genes are polymorphic, resulting in differential transcription and protein expression levels among individuals. It has also been demonstrated that ethnicity can be a determinant for distinctive cytokine polymorphism frequencies. In this study, we evaluated the distribution of cytokine gene polymorphisms in 100 healthy Greek Cypriot subjects, using polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) typing analysis. Cytokine gene polymorphisms were determined for transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 codon 10 (TGFβc10; C to T), TGFβ1 codon 25 (TGFβc25; G to C), tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) promoter −308 (G to A), interleukin (IL)‐6 promoter −174 (G to C), IL‐10 promoter −1082 (G to A), IL‐10 promoter −819 (C to T), IL‐10 promoter −592 (C to A) and interferon γ (IFNγ) intron 1 +874 (A to T). Frequencies for the above cytokine genotypes were calculated for the Greek Cypriot population.
Promoter polymorphisms of the CD14 gene are not associated with bronchial asthma in Caucasian children
Authors: Heinzmann A. , Dietrich H. , Jerkic S.‐P. , Kurz T. , Deichmann K. A. 
Published: October 2003

SummarySeveral studies have investigated the association of a promoter polymorphism in CD14 with atopic phenotypes. We screened this and another polymorphism in 182 asthmatic children and found no association with asthma. Furthermore, there was substantial linkage disequilibrium of the polymorphisms. Thus CD14 does not play a major role in the development of asthma in our population of Caucasian children.
No linkage or association of five polymorphisms in the interleukin‐4 receptor α gene with atopic asthma in Italian families
Authors: Migliaccio C. , Patuzzo C. , Malerba G. , Trabetti E. , Galavotti R. , Pescollderung L. , Boner A. L. , Pignatti P. F. 
Published: October 2003

SummaryThe literature contains conflicting reports on the association of common variants of the interleukin (IL)‐4 receptor alpha (IL4RA) gene with atopic asthma. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the linkage and association of several gene polymorphisms with atopic asthma in a large series of well‐characterized individuals. Analysis of five polymorphisms (I50V, E375A, C406R, S478P and Q551R) of the IL4RA gene was performed in 823 individuals from 182 families with atopic asthmatic children from north‐east Italy. The subjects were tested for clinical asthma, total serum IgE level, skin prick test positivity to common aeroallergens, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. The frequency of the polymorphisms was similar to that reported for other populations. The 375, 406, 478 and 551 polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium, as previously reported. No linkage or transmission disequilibrium was observed in the families between any mutation and any of the phenotypes investigated. No multipoint haplotype was associated with any phenotype. In conclusion, the IL4RA gene does not seem to play an important role in genetic predisposition to atopic asthma in the population tested.
Association between an interleukin‐13 promoter polymorphism and atopy
Authors: Hummelshoj T. , Bodtger U. , Datta P. , Malling H. J. , Oturai A. , Poulsen L. K. , Ryder L. P. , Sorensen P. S. , Svejgaard E. , Svejgaard A. 
Published: October 2003

SummarySeveral studies indicate genetic involvement of Th2 cytokines in allergic diseases. Interleukin (IL)‐13 has been mapped to the cytokine cluster on chromosome 5q31–33, which has been associated with atopic conditions. Recently, an association was reported between the T allele in a promoter polymorphism in the IL‐13 gene (C to T exchange) at position −1055 and allergic asthma in a population study in the Netherlands. This observation was apparently confirmed in a case–control study using probands and spouses from a Dutch asthma family study, but the polymorphism in that study was reported to occur at position −1111. In the present study, we established that this polymorphism is located at position −1024 relative to the ATG translation initiation codon, and investigated whether it confers a genetic predisposition to atopic conditions and the Th1 condition multiple sclerosis (MS) in Caucasian subjects. We confirmed the association between the IL‐13 −1024TT genoype and inhalation allergy (P = 2.4E‐02). By combining the data from the three studies, we demonstrated a strong association (P = 1.09E‐05) between the IL‐13 −1024 marker and inhalation allergy. Furthermore, we showed for the first time that this association also exists in atopic dermatitis (P = 2.0E‐02). No association with MS was found.
Primary production and carbon allocation in relation to nutrient supply in a tropical experimental forest
Authors: Giardina Christian P. , Ryan Michael G. , Binkley Dan , Fownes James H. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractNutrient supply commonly limits aboveground plant productivity in forests, but the effects of an altered nutrient supply on gross primary production (GPP) and patterns of carbon (C) allocation remain poorly characterized. Increased nutrient supply may lead to a higher aboveground net primary production (ANPP), but a lower total belowground carbon allocation (TBCA), with little change in either aboveground plant respiration (APR) or GPP. Alternatively, increases in nutrient supply may increase GPP, with the quantity of GPP allocated aboveground increasing more steeply than the quantity of GPP allocated belowground. To examine the effects of an elevated nutrient supply on the C allocation patterns in forests, we determined whole‐ecosystem C budgets in unfertilized plots ofEucalyptus salignaand in adjacent plots receiving regular additions of 65 kg N ha−1, 31 kg P ha−1, 46 kg K ha−1, and macro‐ and micronutrients. We measured the absolute flux of C allocated to the components of GPP (ANPP, TBCA and APR), as well as the fraction of GPP allocated to these components.Fertilization dramatically increased GPP. Averaged over 3 years, GPP in the fertilized plots was 34% higher than that in the unfertilized controls (3.95 vs. 2.95 kg C m−2 yr−1). Fertilization‐related increases in GPP were allocated entirely aboveground – ANPP was 85% higher and APR was 57% higher in the fertilized than in the control plots, while TBCA did not differ significantly between treatments. Carbon use efficiency (NPP/GPP) was slightly higher in the fertilized (0.53) compared with the control plots (0.51). Overall, fertilization increased ANPP and APR, and these increases were related to a greater GPP and an increase in the fraction of GPP allocated aboveground.
Air temperature triggers the recovery of evergreen boreal forest photosynthesis in spring
Authors: Tanja Suni , Berninger Frank , Vesala Timo , Markkanen Tiina , Hari Pertti , Mäkelä Annikki , Ilvesniemi Hannu , Hänninen Heikki , Nikinmaa Eero , Huttula Timo , Laurila Tuomas , Aurela Mika , Grelle Achim , Lindroth Anders , Arneth Almut , Shibistova Olga , Lloyd Jon 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe timing of the commencement of photosynthesis (P*) in spring is an important determinant of growing‐season length and thus of the productivity of boreal forests. Although controlled experiments have shed light on environmental mechanisms triggering release from photoinhibition after winter, quantitative research for trees growing naturally in the field is scarce. In this study, we investigated the environmental cues initiating the spring recovery of boreal coniferous forest ecosystems under field conditions. We used meteorological data and above‐canopy eddy covariance measurements of the net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) from five field stations located in northern and southern Finland, northern and southern Sweden, and central Siberia. The within‐ and intersite variability for P* was large, 30–60 days. Of the different climate variables examined, air temperature emerged as the best predictor for P* in spring. We also found that ‘soil thaw’, defined as the time when near‐surface soil temperature rapidly increases above 0°C, is not a useful criterion for P*. In one case, photosynthesis commenced 1.5 months before soil temperatures increased significantly above 0°C. At most sites, we were able to determine a threshold for air‐temperature‐related variables, the exceeding of which was required for P*. A 5‐day running‐average temperature (T5) produced the best predictions, but a developmental‐stage model (S) utilizing a modified temperature sum concept also worked well. But for both T5 and S, the threshold values varied from site to site, perhaps reflecting genetic differences among the stands or climate‐induced differences in the physiological state of trees in late winter/early spring. Only at the warmest site, in southern Sweden, could we obtain no threshold values for T5 or S that could predict P* reliably. This suggests that although air temperature appears to be a good predictor for P* at high latitudes, there may be no unifying ecophysiological relationship applicable across the entire boreal zone.
Exposure to an enriched CO2 atmosphere alters carbon assimilation and allocation in a pine forest ecosystem
Authors: Schäfer Karina V. R. , Oren Ram , Ellsworth David S. , Lai Chun‐Ta , Herrick Jeffrey D. , Finzi Adrien C. , Richter Daniel D. , Katul Gabriel G. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe linked a leaf‐level CO2 assimilation model with a model that accounts for light attenuation in the canopy and measurements of sap‐flux‐based canopy conductance into a new canopy conductance‐constrained carbon assimilation (4C‐A) model. We estimated canopy CO2 uptake (AnC) at the Duke Forest free‐air CO2 enrichment (FACE) study. Rates of AnC estimated from the 4C‐A model agreed well with leaf gas exchange measurements (Anet) in both CO2 treatments. Under ambient conditions, monthly sums of net CO2 uptake by the canopy (AnC) were 13% higher than estimates based on eddy‐covariance and chamber measurements. Annual estimates of AnC were only 3% higher than carbon (C) accumulations and losses estimated from ground‐based measurements for the entire stand. The C budget for the Pinus taeda component was well constrained (within 1% of ground‐based measurements). Although the closure of the C budget for the broadleaf species was poorer (within 20%), these species are a minor component of the forest. Under elevated CO2, the C used annually for growth, turnover, and respiration balanced only 80% of the AnC. Of the extra 700 g C m−2 a−1 (1999 and 2000 average), 86% is attributable to surface soil CO2 efflux. This suggests that the production and turnover of fine roots was underestimated or that mycorrhizae and rhizodeposition became an increasingly important component of the C balance. Under elevated CO2, net ecosystem production increased by 272 g C m−2 a−1: 44% greater than under ambient CO2. The majority (87%) of this C was sequestered in a moderately long‐term C pool in wood, with the remainder in the forest floor–soil subsystem.
BIOMOD – optimizing predictions of species distributions and projecting potential future shifts under global change
Authors: Thuiller Wilfried 
Published: October 2003

AbstractA new computation framework (BIOMOD: BIOdiversity MODelling) is presented, which aims to maximize the predictive accuracy of current species distributions and the reliability of future potential distributions using different types of statistical modelling methods. BIOMOD capitalizes on the different techniques used in static modelling to provide spatial predictions. It computes, for each species and in the same package, the four most widely used modelling techniques in species predictions, namely Generalized Linear Models (GLM), Generalized Additive Models (GAM), Classification and Regression Tree analysis (CART) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). BIOMOD was applied to 61 species of trees in Europe using climatic quantities as explanatory variables of current distributions. On average, all the different modelling methods yielded very good agreement between observed and predicted distributions. However, the relative performance of different techniques was idiosyncratic across species, suggesting that the most accurate model varies between species. The results of this evaluation also highlight that slight differences between current predictions from different modelling techniques are exacerbated in future projections. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the reliability of alternative projections without validation techniques or expert opinion. It is concluded that rather than using a single modelling technique to predict the distribution of several species, it would be more reliable to use a framework assessing different models for each species and selecting the most accurate one using both evaluation methods and expert knowledge.