bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influences on the transport and establishment of exotic bird species: an analysis of the parrots (Psittaciformes) of the world
Authors: Cassey Phillip , Blackburn Tim M. , Russell Gareth J. , Jones Kate E. , Lockwood Julie L. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractMost studies of exotic species invasions only consider the factors that affect the establishment of populations following release, yet this is only one step on the invasion pathway. Different factors are likely to influence which species are transported and released. Here, we examine the influence of species traits on the successful transition of species through several stages in the introduction pathway (transport, release, and establishment), using parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) as a model system. We use a species‐level supertree of parrots to test for phylogenetic auto‐correlation in the introduction process. Our analyses find that different sets of variables are related to the probability that a species enters each stage on the invasion pathway. The availability of individuals for transport and release seems to be most important for passage through these stages, but has no obvious effect on establishment following release. Rather, establishment success is higher for sedentary species, and species with broad diets.
Increases in Serum Non‐High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol May Be Beneficial in Some High‐Functioning Older Adults: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging
Authors: Karlamangla Arun S. , Singer Burton H. , Reuben David B. , Seeman Teresa E. 
Published: March 2004

Objectives: To examine the association between changes in serum non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (non‐HDL‐C) over a 2.5‐year period and risk of adverse health outcomes in the following 4.5 years in high‐functioning older adults.Design: Prospective cohort, established in 1988, with a follow‐up in 1991 and 1995.Setting:  Population‐based, community‐dwelling men and women.Participants: A random sample (n=267) from the MacArthur cohort (N=1,189). The cohort represented the highest‐functioning tertile of 4,030 screened candidates aged 70 to 79.Measurements:  Change in non‐HDL‐C between 1988 and 1991 was measured as a predictor of health outcomes between 1991 and 1995, including all‐cause mortality, and among survivors, incident heart attack or stroke, development of new disability in basic activities of daily living, and decline in performance on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire.Results: More‐positive change in non‐HDL‐C between 1988 and 1991 was associated with fewer adverse outcomes between 1991 and 1995. In individuals whose total cholesterol at baseline was in the middle two quartiles (195–244 mg/dL), each 10‐mg/dL increase in the 1988‐to‐1991 change in non‐HDL‐C was associated with an adjusted mortality odds ratio (OR) of 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.51–0.88). In individuals without cardiovascular disease at baseline, the adjusted OR for new physical disability was 0.79 (95% CI=0.65–0.95) and for cognitive decline was 0.81 (95% CI=0.67–0.98).Conclusion: Increases in cholesterol over time have beneficial associations in some older adults. The role of cholesterol changes in the health of older individuals needs further exploration.
Association Between Functional Status and Use and Effectiveness of Beta‐Blocker Prophylaxis in Elderly Survivors of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Vitagliano Gail , Curtis Jeptha P. , Concato John , Feinstein Alvan R. , Radford Martha J. , Krumholz Harlan M. 
Published: March 2004

Objectives: To examine whether physical and cognitive impairments explain low use of beta‐blockers in elderly patients and whether functionally impaired older adults have improved survival if a beta‐blocker is prescribed at hospital discharge.Design: Cross‐sectional and retrospective cohort study.Setting: Acute care hospitals in the United States.Participants: National cohort of 45,370 elderly acute myocardial infarction survivors, with no chart‐documented contraindications to beta‐blocker treatment.Measurements: The main outcome measures were beta‐blocker prescription at hospital discharge and 1‐year survival.Results: Fifty percent (n=22,683) of eligible patients were prescribed a beta‐blocker at discharge. Older age and functional impairments (incontinence, mobility impairment, and cognitive impairment) were independently associated with decreased use of beta‐blockers. The odds ratios for prescribing a beta‐blocker at hospital discharge were 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.77–0.86), 0.63 (95% CI=0.56–0.71), and 0.40 (95% CI=0.32–0.51) for persons with one, two, and three impairments, respectively, compared with those with no impairments. In survival analysis, patients prescribed a beta‐blocker were 21% less likely than nonrecipients to die within 1 year of follow‐up (relative risk=0.79, P=.0001). Similar survival benefit was observed in patients with and without functional impairments.Conclusion: This study shows a strong association between functional impairment and the use of beta‐blockers after acute myocardial infarction in elderly patients. The results suggest that increasing use of beta‐blockers in this group provides an opportunity to improve outcomes.
The Association Between Physical Function and Lifestyle Activity and Exercise in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Authors: Brach Jennifer S. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Kritchevsky Stephen , Yaffe Kristine , Newman Anne B. ,   for the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study Research Group
Published: March 2004

Objectives: To determine whether older adults who exercise demonstrate higher levels of physical function than those who do not exercise but are physically active throughout the day.Design: Cross‐sectional examination of baseline data from the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study.Setting: Health ABC field centers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Memphis, Tennessee.Participants: Three thousand seventy‐five well‐functioning black and white men and women aged 70 to 79.Measurements: Physical activity and exercise were assessed using a modified leisure‐time physical activity questionnaire. Participants were classified as inactive (reporting <1,000 kcal/wk of exercise activity and ≤2,719 kcal/wk of total physical activity), lifestyle active (reporting <1,000 kcal/wk of exercise activity and >2,719 kcal/wk of total physical activity), or exerciser (reporting≥1,000 kcal/wk of exercise activity). Physical function measures included the Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) battery, the Health ABC battery, a 400‐m walk test, and isokinetic strength testing of the knee extensors.Results: The lifestyle active and exerciser groups had similar total activity levels (men: 6,135 kcal/wk and 6,734 kcal/wk, respectively; P=.108; women: 5,695 kcal/wk and 5,854 kcal/wk, respectively; P=.335). When examining lower extremity performance in relation to physical activity, a progressive trend was evident, with the inactive individuals most likely to have impaired performance on the EPESE battery (men: 33.7%, 24.3%, and 19.1%, P<.001; women: 49.9%, 37.3%, and 28.4%, P<.001; inactive, lifestyle active, and exerciser, respectively). Progressive trends of similar magnitude were present for the Health ABC battery, time to walk 400 m, and knee extensor strength. In multivariate linear regression, those in the inactive and lifestyle active groups had poorer scores on the Health ABC performance battery than individuals in the exercise group after controlling for demographic factors and prevalent disease (men: inactive β=−0.27, P<.001, lifestyle active β=−0.07, P=.032; women: inactive β=−0.23, P<.001, lifestyle active β=−0.07, P<.059). After controlling for demographic factors and prevalent disease, the lifestyle active and exercisers had similar proportions of functionally limited older persons (scoring <10 on the EPESE battery).Conclusion: Older adults who participate in 20 to 30 minutes of moderate‐intensity exercise on most days of the week have better physical function than older persons who are active throughout the day or who are inactive. Any type of physical activity is better than no activity for protection against functional limitations, but exercise confers greater benefit for physical capacity.
Interventions Improve Gait Regularity in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy While Walking on an Irregular Surface Under Low Light
Authors: Richardson James K. , Thies Sibylle B. , DeMott Trina K. , Ashton‐Miller James A. 
Published: March 2004

Objectives: To determine which, if any, of three inexpensive interventions improve gait regularity in patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) while walking on an irregular surface under low‐light conditions.Design: Observational.Setting: University of Michigan Biomechanics Research Laboratory.Participants: Forty‐two patients with PN (20 women), mean age±standard deviation=64.5±9.7.Interventions: A straight cane, touch of a vertical surface, or semirigid ankle orthoses.Measurements: Step‐width variability and range, step‐time variability, and speed.Results: Subjects demonstrated significantly less step‐width variability (mean=41.0±1.5, 36.9±1.6, 37.2±1.3, and 35.9±1.5 mm for baseline, cane, orthoses, and vertical surface, respectively; P<.0001) and range (182.7±7.4, 163.7±8.3, 164.3±7.4, 154.3±6.9 mm for baseline, cane, orthoses and vertical surface, respectively; P=.0006) with each of the interventions than under baseline conditions. Step‐time variability significantly decreased with use of the orthoses and vertical surface but not the cane (P=.0001). Use of a cane, but not orthoses or vertical surface, was associated with decreased speed (0.79±0.03, 0.73±0.03, 0.79±0.03, 0.80±0.03 m/s for baseline, cane, orthoses, and vertical surface, respectively; P=.0001).Conclusion: Older patients with PN demonstrate improved spatial and temporal measures of gait regularity with the use of a cane, ankle orthoses, or touch of a vertical surface while walking under challenging conditions. The decreased speed and stigma associated with the cane and uncertain availability of a vertical surface suggest that the ankle orthoses may be the most practical intervention.
The Effect of a 5‐Week Wobble‐Board Exercise Intervention on Ability to Discriminate Different Degrees of Ankle Inversion, Barefoot and Wearing Shoes: A Study in Healthy Elderly
Authors: Waddington Gordon S. , Adams Roger D. 
Published: March 2004

Objectives: There is some evidence of an improvement in falls risk in the elderly after completing a wobble‐board training program. This study examined the effects of wobble‐board training on ability to discriminate between different extents of ankle inversion movements in a group of older subjects, tested wearing shoes and barefoot.Design: A randomized, controlled, crossover pilot study.Setting: Canberra region, Australia.Participants: Twenty community‐dwelling subjects aged 65 to 85 participated in this study; all were in good health with no known disorder of the musculoskeletal system.Measurements: The accuracy with which subjects could identify a set of ankle inversion movements of different extents was measured, with testing conducted in an upright, weightbearing stance.Intervention: The effects of a 5‐week training program using a wobble board modified for data logging or a period of normal activity only were assessed. Subjects underwent an ankle movement discrimination test pre‐ and posttraining, with shoes on and off.Results: Greater improvement in ankle movement discrimination capability was made in subjects who underwent wobble‐board training than in subjects who did not train (F1,18=11.2, P=.003). Active movements at the ankle were also significantly better discriminated throughout when subjects were wearing shoes than when barefoot (F1,18=40.6, P=.001).Conclusion: Training with a wobble board provides a simple in‐home intervention that improves ability to differentiate between extent of movements into ankle inversion in subjects aged 65 and older. Research on trip and fall frequency after wobble‐board use is needed before such training could be widely used.
Designing Randomized, Controlled Trials Aimed at Preventing or Delaying Functional Decline and Disability in Frail, Older Persons: A Consensus Report
Authors: Ferrucci Luigi , Guralnik Jack M. , Studenski Stephanie , Fried Linda P. , Cutler Gordon B. , Walston Jeremy D. ,   The Interventions on Frailty Working Group
Published: March 2004

The discovery of effective interventions to prevent or delay disability in older persons is a public health priority. Most likely to benefit from such interventions are frail individuals who are not yet disabled and those with early disability who are at high risk of progression. In spite of this frail older persons have often been excluded from research on the assumption that they would not tolerate testing or benefit from treatment. The Interventions on Frailty Working Group developed recommendations to screen, recruit, evaluate, and retain frail older persons in clinical trials. Specific recommendations are:

Eligibility screening should include a multistage process, to quickly exclude those who are too well and those who are too sick.
Inclusion criteria should target those most likely to benefit, be meaningful to clinicians, and reflect advancements in the frailty research area.
Disability outcome measures should include self‐reported, objective, and proxy measures. Strategies to improve retention and compliance and to monitor their effectiveness should be an integral part of the study design.
Estimation of cost and sample size should contemplate high dropout rates and interference bycompeting outcomes.

Additional research is needed to refine criteria for screening frail older persons, identify objective measures of disability that are reliable and valid in frail older persons, and improve the informed consent process for high‐risk participants, recognizing that research in this subgroup is essential to improving their health outcomes.
RUNX3 expression in primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer
Authors: Li J , Kleeff J , Guweidhi A , Esposito I , Berberat P O , Giese T , Büchler M W , Friess H 
Published: March 2004

Aim:Runx transcription factors are important regulators of lineage specific gene expression, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Runx3 expression is lost in a high proportion of gastric cancers, suggesting a tumour suppressive role in this malignancy. This study investigates the expression and localisation of Runx3 in pancreatic tissues.Methods:Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure Runx3 mRNA. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to localise Runx3 in normal pancreatic tissues, and in primary and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Basal and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) induced Runx3 expression was analysed in cultured pancreatic cancer cell lines.Results:Runx3 expression was low to absent in normal pancreatic tissues, but increased in a third of cancer tissues. Runx3 was present only in islets in normal pancreas, whereas in pancreatic cancers, Runx3 was detected in the cancer cells of seven of 24 samples analysed. In addition, it was expressed by lymphocytes in six of the 16 cases with lymphocyte infiltration. In pancreatic cancer cell lines, Runx3 mRNA was present in Colo-357 and T3M4 cells, but was low to absent in the other cell lines tested. TGFβ1 repressed Runx3 mRNA expressed in Colo-357 cells, and had no effect on Runx3 expression in the other pancreatic cancer cell lines.Conclusion:Runx3 expression is restricted to islets in the normal pancreas. In contrast, a considerable proportion of pancreatic tumours express Runx3, and its expression is localised in the tumour cells and in the infiltrating lymphocytes. Thus, Runx3 might play a role in the pathogenesis of PDAC.
C-Reactive Protein Does Not Directly Induce Tissue Factor in Human Monocytes
Authors: Paffen Elaine , Vos Hans L. , Bertina Rogier M. 
Published: March 2004

Objective—It is generally assumed that C-reactive protein (CRP) induces synthesis of tissue factor (TF) in monocytic cells, thereby potentially initiating intravascular blood coagulation. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of CRP-induced TF expression in monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) in vitro.Methods and Results—Monocytes were isolated from the blood of healthy donors and cultured with or without CRP or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to study the time course of TF antigen and TF mRNA expression. Addition of 100 μg/mL CRP did not result in a significant increase in TF antigen (range: 9 to 163 pg/106cells, n=11) and TF mRNA (relative number of TF transcripts; NTF=0.01 to 0.33), when compared with nonstimulated cells (TF antigen 7 to 46 pg/106cells, NTF=0.01 to 0.13). Variation of CRP concentration and exposure time did not affect the TF response. Similar results were obtained in monocytes cultured in suspension and in MDMs. In contrast, TF was strongly induced by 10 μg/mL LPS (TF antigen 1125 to 6120 pg/106cells, NTF=5.94 to 23.43). Cultured monocytes did express FcRγII, a putative CRP receptor, and addition of CRP induced a 7-fold increase in the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Interestingly, CRP addition to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) did result in TF expression on monocytic cells.Conclusions—The absence of TF induction after incubation of purified monocytes with CRP indicates that CRP is unable to induce TF expression in monocytes and MDMs directly. The presence of CRP-induced TF expression in PBMCs suggests that CRP can induce TF indirectly, probably through cross-talk between cells.
Rapid chemokine secretion from endothelial cells originates from 2 distinct compartments
Authors: Øynebråten Inger , Bakke Oddmund , Brandtzaeg Per , Johansen Finn-Eirik , Haraldsen Guttorm 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe neutrophil-attracting chemokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) is stored in the Weibel-Palade body (WPB) of endothelial cells (ECs) from which it can be rapidly released after exposure to the secretagogues histamine or thrombin. In this manner, IL-8 may enable rapid recruitment of leukocytes to inflammatory sites. To explore the possible storage of EC-derived chemokines that may attract other subsets of leukocytes, we examined the intracellular localization and secretagogue responsiveness of growth-related oncogene α (GROα), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), eotaxin-3, interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). While eotaxin-3, GROα, and MCP-1 were rapidly released from ECs, the release of the T-cell attractors RANTES and IP-10 was not sensitive to the secretagogues. Moreover, of the 3 former chemokines, only eotaxin-3 was stored in WPBs. GROα and MCP-1 resided mainly in smaller vesicles compatible with sorting to a different, histamine-responsive compartment, which has been described in ECs although not reported to contain chemokines. In conclusion, we propose that rapid release of chemokines is restricted to those primarily recruiting leukocytes of the innate immune system, and that their storage in ECs is not restricted to the WPB compartment. (Blood. 2004;104:314-320)
Direct evidence of leukocyte adhesion in arterioles by angiotensin II
Authors: Álvarez Ángeles , Cerdá-Nicolás Miguel , Naim Abu Nabah Yafa , Mata Manuel , Issekutz Andrew C. , Panés Julián , Lobb Roy R. , Sanz Maria-Jesus 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAlthough leukocytes adhere in arteries in various vascular diseases, to date no endogenous proinflammatory molecule has been identified to initiate leukocyte adhesion in the arterial vasculature. This study was undertaken to assess angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced leukocyte adhesion in arterioles in vivo. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of Ang II; 4 hours later, leukocyte recruitment in mesenteric microcirculation was examined using intravital microscopy. Ang II (1 nM) produced significant arteriolar leukocyte adhesion of mononuclear cells. Using function-blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different rat cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), we discovered that this effect was dependent on P-selectin and β2-integrin. In postcapillary venules, Ang II also induced leukocyte infiltration, which was reduced by P-selectin and by β2- and α4-integrin blockade. Interestingly, neutrophils were the primary cells recruited in venules. Although β2-integrin expression in peripheral leukocytes of Ang II-treated animals was not altered, it was increased in peritoneal cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed increased P-selectin, E-selectin, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in response to Ang II in arterioles and venules. These findings provide the first evidence that Ang II causes leukocyte adhesion to the arterial endothelium in vivo at physiologically relevant doses. Therefore, Ang II may be a key molecule in cardiovascular diseases in which leukocyte adhesion to the arteries is a characteristic feature. (Blood. 2004;104:402-408)
Constitutive STAT6 activation in primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Guiter Chrystelle , Dusanter-Fourt Isabelle , Copie-Bergman Christiane , Boulland Marie-Laure , le Gouvello Sabine , Gaulard Philippe , Leroy Karen , Castellano Flavia 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPrimary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL), currently recognized as a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) subtype, shows increased expression of interleukin 4 (IL-4)/IL-13 signaling effectors and targets, suggesting constitutive activation of these pathways. We therefore investigated the functional state of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), mediating IL-4/IL-13 transcriptional effects. Constitutive STAT6 phosphorylation and DNA-binding activity were detected in PMBL cell lines but not DLBCL cell lines. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis revealed nuclear phosphorylated STAT6 (P-STAT6) in 8 of 11 PMBL, compared with 1 of 10 DLBCL primary tumors (P = .01). IL-4 and IL-13 transcripts were absent in PMBL cell lines and expressed at low levels in tumors, indicating that, contrary to classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), STAT6 activation is not due to an autocrine IL-4/IL-13 secretion. We demonstrated an amplification of the JAK2 gene in 2 of 6 PMBL cases, and showed higher JAK2 mRNA levels in PMBL compared with DLBCL (P = .005). The Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) was constitutively phosphorylated in the PMBL MedB1 cell line. MedB1 treatment with JAK2 inhibitor AG490 partially decreased STAT6 phosphorylation, suggesting that JAK2 is partially involved in STAT6 activation in these cells. Our findings highlight phosphorylated STAT6 as a characteristic distinguishing PMBL from DLBCL, but a common feature to PMBL and cHL, supporting the hypothesis of common pathogenic events in these 2 lymphomas. (Blood. 2004;104: 543-549)
Infection of C57BL/10ScCr and C57BL/10ScNCr mice withLeishmania majorreveals a role for Toll-like receptor 4 in the control of parasite replication
Authors: Kropf P , Freudenberg N , Kalis C , Modolell M , Herath S , Galanos C , Freudenberg M , Müller I 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe innate immune system is essential for host defense; it senses the presence of potentially pathogenic-invading microorganisms, and the contribution of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to this response is increasingly recognized. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of TLR4 to the course of cutaneous leishmaniasis in vivo. We used C57BL/10ScNCr (TLR40/0) and C57BL/10ScCr [TLR4/interleukin-12 (IL-12)Rβ20/0] mice and compared the course of Leishmania major infection, parasite load, cell recruitment, and cytokine profile with those of wild-type C57BL/10ScSn mice. Our results confirm the importance of IL-12 receptor-mediated signaling in resistance to L. major infections. Importantly, we show that the lack of TLR4 results in an increased permissiveness for parasite growth during the innate and adaptive phase of the immune response and in delayed healing of the cutaneous lesions. The use of the tlr4 transgenic mouse strain TCr5 demonstrated unequivocally that TLR4 contributes to the efficient control of Leishmania growth in vivo.