bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin increases growth properties in human dermal papilla spheroids by activating AKT/GSK3β/β-Catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Bae Sowon , Yoon Yoo Gyeong , Kim Ji Yea , Park In-Chul , An Sungkwan , Lee Jae Ho , Bae Seunghee 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundMelatonin, a neurohormone, maybe involved in physiological processes, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and hair growth. In the present study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on proliferation and intracellular signaling in DP cells using a three-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture system that mimics thein vivohair follicle system.MethodsDP cells were incubated in monolayer (2D) and 3D spheroid culture systems. The expression levels of melatonin receptors in DP cells were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. The effect of melatonin on the hair-inductive property of DP cells was analyzed using a WST-1-based proliferation assay, determination of DP spheroid size, expression analysis of DP signature genes, and determination of β-catenin stabilization in DP cells. The AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway associated with melatonin-induced β-catenin stabilization in DP cells was investigated by analyzing changes in upstream regulator proteins, including AKT, GSK3β, and their phosphorylated forms.ResultsThe expression levels of the melatonin receptors were higher in human DP cells than in human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblast cells. Comparing the expression level according to the human DP cell culture condition, melatonin receptor expression was upregulated in the 3D culture system compared to the traditional two-dimensional monolayer culture system. Cell viability analysis showed that melatonin concentrations up to 1 mM did not affect cell viability. Moreover, melatonin increased the diameter of DP cell 3D spheroids in a dose-dependent manner. Immunoblotting and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that melatonin upregulated the expression of hair growth-related genes, including alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein 2, versican, and wingless-int 5A, in a melatonin receptor-dependent manner. Cell fractionation analysis showed that melatonin increased the nuclear localization of β-catenin. This result correlated with the increased transcriptional activation of T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor-responsive luciferase induced by melatonin treatment. Interestingly, melatonin induced the phosphorylation of protein kinase B/AKT at serine 473 residue and GSK-3β at serine 9 residue. To determine whether AKT phosphorylation at serine 473 induced β-catenin nuclear translocation through GSK3β phosphorylation at serine 9, the PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 was cotreated with melatonin. Immunoblotting showed that LY294002 inhibited melatonin-induced phosphorylation of GSK3β at serine 9 residue and β-catenin activation.ConclusionCollectively, this report suggests that melatonin promotes growth properties by activating the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway through melatonin receptors.
Influence of Nitrogen and Zinc on Yield Components and Economics of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica)
Authors: Tejaswi Addanki , Singh Shikha , Akhil Guggilla , Ganesh Mannepu Venkata Sai 
Published: May 2022

Background: Foxtail millet crop has interesting characteristic features i.e., fairly tolerant to drought, and can escape terminal drought because of early maturity. Foxtail millet is comparable to that of super cereals like rice and wheat due to its capacity to withstand drought, adaptable to adverse climatic condition and input management.
Objectives: Effect of nitrogen and zinc on yield attributes and economics of foxtail millet.
Methods: With the goal of studying the effect of nitrogen and zinc on yield and economics of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) One variety of Foxtail millet i.e., DHFt 109-3 was used with different doses of Nitrogen at 40, 50, 60 kg/ha and Zinc at 10, 15, 20 kg/ha was used. There were 9 treatments each replicated thrice. The result showed that the yield parameters viz, length of Ear (21.19 cm), seed yield (2.11 t/ha), test weight (3.36 g) straw yield (5.48 t/ha), gross return (73,850.00 INR/ha), net return (51,508.00 INR/ha), B:C ratio (2.30) were recorded superior with application of nitrogen at 60 kg/ha along with zinc 20 kg/ha.
Conclusion: Maximum Gross returns (73,850.00 INR/ha), Net return (51,508.00 INR/ha), B:C ratio (2.30) was obtained with application of 60 N kg/ha + 20 kg Zn/ha.
Futures and realized cash or settle prices for gold, silver, and copper
Authors: Varela Oscar 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThis article examines the relation between 15‐, 30‐, 45‐, and 60‐day gold, silver, and copper futures, and their realized cash or delivery settle prices, for deliveries on the first, middle, and last business day (FD, MD, and LD, respectively) of the delivery month. Samples of futures prices for gold, silver, and copper, and the realized cash or delivery settle prices, based on fixed maturities for a cross‐section of contracts are used, because time‐series over fixed maturities are unfeasible owing to the restrictive maturity periods in these contracts. This study contrasts with similar studies for forwards, which are not hampered by this problem (e.g., Baillie and Bollerslev in 1989), studies that use contemporaneous time‐series of futures and cash prices to obtain optimal hedge ratios (e.g., Ghosh and Clayton in 1996), and studies that examine for parity between different futures prices (e.g., Franses and Kofman in 1991). Near‐term gold, closest to delivery silver and all copper futures (the latter only with settle prices at delivery) are good predictors of the future cash price, except for silver and copper deliveries on the last day of delivery months. These results are consistent with previous studies on short‐term cash (Ma in 1985) and futures (Ma and Soenen in 1988) parity between gold and silver, and with Gross's (1988) results for copper. The longer‐term gold (45‐ and 60‐day) and silver (30‐, 45‐, and 60‐day) futures reject an unbiased expectations hypothesis. This result is consistent with Leistikow (1990) because cash prices respond less than futures prices in these instances.
Regioselective Enzymatic Diol Esterification in Batch and Fixed‐Bed Adsorptive Reactors: Experiments and Modeling
Authors: Migliorini Cristiano , Meissner Jonathan Paul , Mazzotti Marco , Carta Giorgio 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe dynamic behavior of batch and fixed‐bed adsorptive reactors is studied for the enzyme‐catalyzed regioselective esterification of propionic acid and 2‐ethyl‐1,3‐hexanediol in hexane. The reaction is equilibrium‐limited with an apparent equilibrium constant of 0.6 ± 0.1 at 22 °C. Moreover, accumulation of water produced in the reaction onto the biocatalyst causes a decrease in the catalytic activity. As a result, improvements in both reaction rate and final conversion can be achieved by operating in an adsorptive‐reactor mode. Control of water in the reactor is achieved with a catalytically inert ion‐exchange resin in Na‐form. The resin prevents an excessive accumulation of water on the biocatalyst and reduces equilibrium limitations. The thermodynamic activity of water is identified as a key parameter for the design of such reactors. A mathematical model capable of predicting the water activity as a function of the varying concentrations of reactants and products is thus developed and found to successfully predict the experimental behavior observed in laboratory reactors. Substantial improvements in performance predicted by the model are seen experimentally in batch reactions and during the transient operation of continuous‐flow fixed‐bed reactors combining adsorptive and catalytic functions.
Simultaneous Measurement of 19 Components in Serum‐Containing Animal Cell Culture Media by Fourier Transform Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Riley Mark R. , Crider Heather M. , Nite Megan E. , Garcia Rafael A. , Woo Jennifer , Wegge Rachel M. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAnimal cell cultures generate maximal amounts of desired products when maintained in a controlled environment with low and constant concentrations of nutrients and wastes. Traditionally this has involved slow addition of glucose and glutamine; however, recent studies have indicated that a number of low concentration amino acids are required to prevent initiation of apoptosis. Therefore, optimal control of animal cell cultures will likely require measurement of a large number of chemical components. We present here the evaluation of a near‐infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) monitoring scheme to quantify 19 cellular nutrients and wastes in culture medium with and without serum. The components include glucose, lactate, ammonia, pyruvate, glutamine, and 14 other amino acids. Spectroscopic calibrations were generated for a synthetic version of a standard culture medium (DMEM) in which the concentrations of 17 DMEM components and ammonia and lactate were varied in a random fashion. This randomization provides a stringent evaluation of the measurement scheme. Reasonably accurate measurements of these 19 components could be accomplished in the absence or presence of 10% horse serum by volume with percent errors ranging from 3% to 37%. Analytes with concentrations as low as 0.3 mM could be reliably quantified. The presence of serum, when properly included in the calibration, has little effect on measurement error. These results provide an important step toward application of NIRS for monitoring the large number of varying components of animal cell cultivations.
Flow ratios to express results obtained with the human in vivo‘perfused forearm technique’
Authors: Rongen G. A. , Lambrou G. , Smits P. 
Published: July 2002

Aims
To determine the accuracy of forearm blood flow (FBF) ratio (flow in infused arm/flow in control arm) to detect unilateral increases in forearm blood flow.
Methods
In nine healthy male volunteers, we measured the effect of infusion of saline into the brachial artery at a rate of 2 ml/100 ml forearm min−1 on FBF ratio during control, mental arithmetic (MAR) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) at −40 mmHg.
Results
Saline infusion increased FBF ratio from baseline by 115.9±17.4, 82.0±19.0 and 159.6±53.3% for control, MAR and LBNP, respectively (P<0.05 for MAR vs control).
Conclusions
FBF ratio may underestimate unilateral increases in forearm blood flow during simultaneous mental arousal.
CHANGING PATTERNS OF SEVERE CRANIOMAXILLOFACIAL TRAUMA IN AUCKLAND OVER EIGHT YEARS
Authors: Adams Christopher D. , Januszkiewicz Janek S. , Judson James 
Published: July 2002

Background: This study was performed to review the changing pattern of incidence of severe craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma in Auckland over 8 years (1989–1997) and to audit the involvement of the regional plastic surgery service. Methods: A review of prospectively collected admission data of patients admitted to the Auckland Hospital Department of Critical Care Medicine (DCCM) with severe CMF trauma during 1997. A comparison is made with similar data from 1989. Injury severity was defined using the Injury Severity Score (ISS). Results: Twenty‐six patients with severe CMF trauma were admitted to Auckland Hospital DCCM in 1997. Their average ISS was 35. Eighty per cent had a significant head injury. Sixty‐two per cent had injuries due to road traffic accidents (RTA) and 42% had positive blood alcohol levels, including 37% of the RTA victims. Twenty‐three per cent had their surgical care provided by the regional plastic surgery service. In 1989, 55 patients were admitted to DCCM with severe CMF trauma. The average ISS was 36. Ninety‐five per cent had a significant head injury. Seventy‐three per cent had injuries due to RTA and 55% had positive blood alcohol, including 60% of the RTA group. Conclusions: Patients with severe CMF trauma make up a significant proportion of trauma admissions to DCCM and have a high incidence of life‐threatening injuries. A multidisciplinary approach is essential. The nature and severity of these injuries has not changed over the last decade. There has been a clear decrease in the incidence of these injuries. This seems to be due to a profound decrease in the rate of RTA associated with alcohol intoxication.
Natural logarithmic formula: Not an alternative method for estimating Kt/V in paediatric haemodialysis
Authors: Jiravuttipong Apichat , Jones Colin L 
Published: July 2002

SUMMARYMany methods have been used to measure urea kinetic modelling (UKM) in haemodialysis patients. Formal UKM has been recommended as the best method to calculate Kt/V in adult and paediatric patients. The natural logarithmic formula for Kt/V was established as the best alternative for adult patients but there is no data comparing the two methods of determining UKM in children and adolescents. We compared Kt/V derived from formal UKM with that derived from the natural logarithmic formula in seven patients having 74 episodes of treatment with haemodialysis. The patients' ages ranged from 7 to 16 years. The mean percent difference between the two methods was 11.4 ± 9.0% and the total percent error was 29.3%. When compared for different means of vascular access, the mean percent difference between the two methods for arteriovenous (AV) vascular access ranged from 3.7% in a 7 year old to 9.6% in a 10 year old, and the mean percent difference in the venovenous (VV) vascular access subgroup ranged from 16.5% in a 7 year old to 25.5% in a 10 year old. These results show that the natural logarithmic formula consistently overestimates Kt/V in both AV and VV vascular access, suggesting it may not be adequate for a paediatric haemodialysis population.
EFFECT OF MORBIDITIES ON COSTS OF END‐STAGE RENAL DISEASES (ESRD) PATIENTS IN THE TOP END OF THE NT
Authors: You Jiqiong 
Published: July 2002

Objectives The continuing care cost of maintaining ESRD patients includes not only the cost of dialysis, but also the costs of treating comorbidities related to dialysis treatments (MRD) and not related to dialysis treatments. This study examined the relationship between comorbidities and costs. Methods: Cost information of ESRD patients was derived from Royal Darwin Hospital costing study in 1996/97 and 1997/98 financial years. Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) assigned to patients who were hospitalised were re‐categorised as 19 groups of comorbidites. Multiple linear regression (MLR) model was developed to analyse the relationship between diseases and costs. A forward selection strategy was applied to select diseases significantly affecting costs. Results: In that 2‐year period, 167 people (102 Aboriginals (A), and 65 non Aboriginals) were treated for ESRD, at a total cost of $12.7million. Provision of dialysis treatment alone cost $9.7m (76% of total cost). One hundred and thirteen people (85% of A, 40% of non A) had intercurrent hospitalisations for comorbidities at a cost of $3m (24%), with 530 episodes. Of these episodes, the most frequent reasons of admission for A were: water and electrolyte disorder (WED 25%), respiratory diseases (RD 20%), and surgical procedure (13%), while for non A, they were cardiovascular diseases (CVD 27%), WED (17%) and SP (15%) (see below). The following diseases (p < 0.05) were chosen in the final MLR model in terms of cost: SP, RD, CVD, WED, MRD, and access procedure etc. SP, RD and CVD accounted for 30%, 18%, and 11% of the $3m.

% of episodes
SP
RD
CVD
WED
MRD
Access

AB (% of 422)
13
20
12
25
5
0.9

non AB (% of 88)
15
7
27
17
5
5

Cost %
30
18
11
9
6
5

ConclusionsTo reduce the continuing care costs for ESRD patients, greater efforts must be made to decrease the comorbidities. Prevention of surgical diseases, respiratory infection, and heart diseases might reduce the morbidity rate in ESRD patients, and subsequently reduce costs.
GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS IN INTERLEUKIN‐4 TRANSGENIC MICE HAS A NON‐IMMUNE ETIOLOGY
Authors: Rüger Bm , Erb Kj , He Y , Lane Jm , Davis Pf , Hasan Q 
Published: July 2002

Background Mice with constitutive transgenic (tg) expression of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) develop autoimmune‐type disorders resembling lupus nephritis. The kidneys show progressive glomerulosclerosis with immunoglobulin (Ig) and complement deposition.Methods This study investigated the role of renal IL‐4 expression and the relevance of glomerular Ig deposition in the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis in IL‐4tg mice. The mice were treated with either IL‐4 neutralizing antibody or the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone (MP). To further clarify whether the renal lesions were exclusively immune‐mediated, IL‐4tg mice were cross‐bred with δ chain deficient mice (δ MT‐/‐), which are unable to produce Igs.Results Glomeruli of anti‐IL‐4‐treated tg mice showed a normal structure with negligible Ig deposits. Similarly, in MP‐treated tg mice only trace amounts of glomerular Ig deposits could be detected, although in comparison with wt mice, increased mesangial collagen deposition was evident. Despite complete absence of renal Ig deposits, IL‐4tg/δMT‐/‐ mice developed progressive glomerulosclerosis with mesangial accumulation of collagen types I, IV and V. Renal IL‐4 expression was observed in both anti‐IL‐4‐ and MP‐treated IL‐4 tg mice, as well as in IL‐4tg/δMT‐/‐ mice. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of glomerular T cells and macrophages between the groups.Conclusions Our data demonstrate that in this model glomerulosclerosis developed independently of and prior to Ig deposition, and imply that the initial accumulation of glomerular extracellular matrix was due to renal IL‐4 expression.
Gasless retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy for a case with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: SAKAKIBARA NAOYUKI , SHINOJIMA HIROKAZU , MATUGASE YASUKUNI , MORITA KEN , HISAJIMA SADAKAZU 
Published: July 2002

AbstractA 53‐year‐old man with incidental renal cell carcinoma underwent gasless retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy. Convalescence was uneventful. There remained no evidence of disease during the 58‐month follow up.
POSTIRRADIATION LUMBOSACRAL RADICULOPLEXOPATHY: IMPROVEMENT AFTER IMMUNE THERAPY
Authors: Bersano A. , Carpo M. , Di Troia A. , Scarlato G. , Nobile‐Orazio E. 
Published: July 2002

A delayed progressive impairment of peripheral nervous system including brachial and lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy is a well‐known complication of local radiotherapy. No treatment for this infrequent complication is currently available. Recently, improvement after treatment with high dose immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been reported in some patients, suggesting either an immune‐mediated inflammatory nerve damage induced by irradiation or a dysimmune neuropathy (CIDP‐like) misdiagnosed as a postirradiation disease. We report on two patients who developed motor lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy several years after local radiotherapy. The first patient (ZA) is a 49 y.o. man developing a progressive proximal>distal weakness and hypotrophy of lower limbs, 20 years after radiotherapy of lumbosacral region for seminoma. Electrophysiological studies showed markedly reduced motor conduction velocities (CV) and prolonged F‐wave latencies in lower limb nerves.The second patient (BF), is a 52 y.o. woman who developed progressive left brachial plexopathy and distal>proximal weakness and hypotrophy of lower limbs 12 years after a first course of toracoascellar and lumbar irradiation for Hodgkin lymphoma followed by a second course of cervicoclavicular irradiation for tumor recurrence 7 years later. Electrophysiological studies showed markedly reduced CMAP amplitudes and proportionally reduced CV in motor nerves. No sensory impairment was detected in both patients. CSF protein was elevated in both patients while cells were normal. On the assumption of a possible dysimmune origin of the disease, patient ZA underwent high dose intravenous steroid treatment, while patient BF, who had previously deteriorated after steroids, was treated with IVIg. After treatment, patient ZA became able to walk with less waddling, to rise from the floor and climb stairs without support, and to run. Improvement was less consistent in patient BF, whose right leg strength improved even if she still needed bilateral support to walk. The improvement observed in both patients supports the hypothesis that, at least in some patients, an immune‐mediated mechanism may underlie postirradiation radiculoplexopathy.
QUANTITATIVE SENSORY TESTING AND SWEAT FUNCTION IN FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA. CORRELATION WITH CUTANEOUS INNERVATION
Authors: Nolano M. , Provitera V. , Crisci C. , Saltalamacchia A. , Filla A. , Wendelshafer‐Crabb G. , Kennedy W.R. , Santoro L. , Caruso G. 
Published: July 2002

To evaluate small fiber function in Friedreich's Ataxia (FA), we performed in 7 patients pin‐prick, thermal thresholds, and sweat test. All tests were performed in four different sites: hand dorsum, anterior thigh, lateral distal leg, and foot dorsum. The same subjects underwent 3 mm punch skin biopsy from fingertip, anterior thigh, and lateral distal leg. We used a thin needle mounted on a calibrated nylon wire for the pin‐prick test, and a Medoc 2001 TSA system for thermal threshold assessment. Sweat test was performed using a silicon mold after stimulation with pilocarpine by iontophoresis.Skin specimens, cut into 100‐μm‐thick sections, were double‐stained using primary antibodies specific for collagen and nervous fibers and secondary antibodies labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 fluorophores. Tridimensional digitized images were obtained from z‐series of 2‐μm‐thick optical sections acquired with a confocal microscope.We found in all patients in the more distal sites definite signs of functional impairment of the small fibers. These data correlated with the skin innervation morphological findings that showed, in the same sites, a sensible loss of small fibers regarding both the epidermal free endings and the subepidermal neural plexus. Less severe morphological abnormalities were found in the proximal sites.The large fiber neuropathy in FA is well documented. Our data show a length‐dependent involvement of small fibers in the pathological process.
ATYPICAL DEMYELINATING CHARCOT‐MARIE‐TOOTH DISEASE AND MYELIN GENE MUTATIONS
Authors: Pareyson D. , Sghirlanzoni A. , Botti S. , Lauria G. , Ciano C. , Morbin M. , Taroni F. 
Published: July 2002

Among our series of patients with inherited demyelinating neuropathies, we identified families showing atypical features and carrying mutations in myelin genes. We observed two sibships with Dejerine‐Sottas disease born to consanguineous parents both affected by a mild Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy with only slight nerve conduction showing (>40 m/sec in upper limbs). The children carried a homozygous frameshift mutation in the P0 gene (Val102fs) resulting in a nonfunctional protein truncated very early in the extracellular domain. The parents, harboring the mutation in heterozygous form, had a distinct phenotype, milder than that observed in other reported cases of CMT1B, which can be misdiagnosed as the axonal form CMT2 and resembles the phenotype of the P0‐deficient heterozygous mice. In another family with autosomal dominant CMT1, there was a striking association with bilateral trigeminal neuralgia in several family members. Screening for gene mutations revealed a heterozygous missense mutation in the P0 gene. We fully evaluated a family in which a 66‐year‐old man and his 32‐year‐old daughter had a severe early‐onset demyelinating neuropathy. The father, chairbound since age 55, also had cranial nerve involvement (oculomotor paresis with diplopia, sensorineural hearing loss, and vocal cord paresis requiring tracheostomy). Sural nerve biopsy in the daughter demonstrated severe loss of myelinated fibers with several complex onion bulb formations. Both patients carried a heterozygous missense mutation (Arg381His) in the gene coding for Early Growth Response 2 (EGR2), a Schwann cell transcription factor that is thought to regulate myelinogenesis and cranial nerve development.Supported by Telethon grants to A.S. and F.T.