bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐oxidized low‐density lipoprotein antibody levels are associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Garrido‐Sánchez L. , Cardona F. , García‐Fuentes E. , Rojo‐Martínez G. , Gómez‐Zumaquero J. M. , Picón M. J. , Soriguer F. , Tinahones F. J.
Published: August 2008

Background  Anti‐oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) antibodies are associated with the oxidative capacity of plasma, but whether they protect or promote diabetes is unknown. We undertook a prospective study to determine the predictive capacity of anti‐oxidized LDL antibodies for the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials and methods  We selected 391 non‐diabetic women aged 18–65 years. The subjects were classified as being normal (oral glucose test tolerance normal, OGTT‐N), or having impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or T2DM according to their baseline glucose levels and after an OGTT. The same subjects were studied six years later. The levels of anti‐oxidized LDL antibodies were classified as above or below the 50th percentile.

Results  Of the women who were OGTT‐N at the start of the study and who had anti‐oxidized LDL antibody levels below the 50th percentile, only 65·1% were still OGTT‐N after 6 years versus 79·5% of those who had anti‐oxidized LDL antibody levels above the 50th percentile (P = 0·015). Women who had IGT or IFG at the start of the study whose anti‐oxidized LDL antibody levels were below the 50th percentile had a relative risk of 9·79 (95% confidence interval, 1·40–68·45) of developing diabetes (P < 0·001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the variables predicting the development of a carbohydrate metabolism disorder in the women after 6 years were body mass index (P < 0·001) and the levels of anti‐oxidized LDL antibodies (P = 0·042).

Conclusions  Levels of anti‐oxidized LDL antibodies are independent predictors for the development of T2DM in women.
Growth hormone and changes in energy balance in growth hormone deficient adults
Authors: Deepak D. , Daousi C. , Boyland E. , Pinkney J. H. , Wilding J. P. H. , MacFarlane I. A.
Published: August 2008

Background  Adults with growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) have an adverse body composition with an increased prevalence of obesity. It is not known whether growth hormone replacement (GHR) results in alterations in energy intake (EI) and/or energy expenditure (EE). The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of GHR on EI and EE.

Materials and methods  Nineteen hypopituitary adults (14 males, 5 females, mean age 46·2 years) with severe GHD (peak GH response to glucagon ≤ 9 mU L−1) were studied. All patients self‐injected recombinant human GH starting with 0·3 mg s.c. daily. The following were measured before and following 6 months of stable maintenance of GHR: food intake during a test meal, appetite ratings, resting EE (indirect calorimetry) and voluntary physical activity (accelerometry).

Results  GHR nearly doubled voluntary physical activity (mean activity units 3319 vs. 1881, P = 0·007) and improved quality of life score (mean score 9·1 vs. 16·5, P < 0·0001). Subjects reported higher fasting hunger ratings (mean 64·8 vs. 49·6, P = 0·02) but ad libitum energy intake remained unchanged. Eating behavioural traits were favourably altered with lower disinhibition (mean 6·0 vs. 7·2, P = 0·02) and lower susceptibility to hunger ratings (4·6 vs. 6·8, P = 0·001) after GHR. Additionally, GHR did not result in significant changes in resting EE, body weight and body mass index.

Conclusions  GHR in AGHD significantly improves voluntary physical activity and quality of life. Following GHR, subjects experience greater ‘state’ (physiological) hunger, reductions in eating disinhibition and hunger susceptibility, but no effects on calorie intake or macronutrient choice were detected.
High HDL‐cholesterol in women with rheumatoid arthritis on low‐dose glucocorticoid therapy
Authors: García‐Gómez C. , Nolla J. M. , Valverde J. , Narváez J. , Corbella E. , Pintó X.
Published: August 2008

Background  Dyslipidaemia has been described in non‐treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and improves after therapy with disease modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs or glucocorticoids; however, it has generally been perceived that glucocorticoids adversely affect lipid metabolism. The association of low dose glucocorticoid therapy with plasma lipid levels was evaluated in female RA patients.

Materials and methods  A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 78 female RA patients [mean age: 60 (12) years; mean disease duration: 13 (9) years]. Sixty‐five (83%) were on glucocorticoid therapy [total equivalent mean prednisone dose: 5·1 (1·7) mg d−1]. Each patient was assessed through a self‐reported questionnaire, structured interview and physical examination. Blood samples were obtained for routine biochemistry, lipid profile and haematological tests. Lipid profiles of RA patients who were and were not on glucocorticoid therapy were compared.

Results  Clinical and laboratory features of the two groups of patients were similar, except for the Health Assessment Questionnaire and body mass index, which were significantly higher in the patients on glucocorticoid therapy. These patients had 14·7% higher serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c) levels than untreated patients (P = 0·043), mainly at the expense of HDL2 subfraction, which was 24·4% higher (P < 0·039), whereas HDL3‐c was only 7·4% higher (P = 0·219). Serum levels of glucose and total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL ‐c), very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins A‐I and B were not increased in patients on glucocorticoid therapy.

Conclusions  Low dose glucocorticoid therapy in RA patients is associated with an increase in HDL‐c, without increasing LDL‐c or triglyceride. These lipid changes may overall be considered favourable.
Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces lipid peroxidation and mucin secretagogue activity in gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones
Authors: Jüngst C. , Sreejayan N. , Zündt B. , Müller I. , Spelsberg F. W. , Hüttl T. P. , Kullak‐Ublick G. A. , Del Pozo R. , Jüngst D. , Von Ritter C.
Published: August 2008

Background  Recently it has been postulated that gallbladder mucin hypersecretion observed in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease may be induced by biliary lipid peroxidation. Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment reduces mucin concentration and the formation of cholesterol crystals in the gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones and this effect might be mediated by a decrease of biliary lipid peroxidation.

Material and methods  In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial patients with symptomatic cholesterol gallstones received either ursodeoxycholic acid (750 mg daily) (n = 10) or placebo (n = 12) 10–12 days prior to cholecystectomy. As a marker for lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde was measured in bile together with mucin concentration. In addition, the mucin secretagogue activity of the individual bile samples was assessed in cultured dog gallbladder epithelial cells.

Results  Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy resulted in a significant reduction of lipid peroxidation in bile as determined by the biliary malondialdehyde concentration (1·36 ± 0·28 vs. 2·05 ± 0·38 µmol L−1; P < 0·005) and the malondialdehyde (µmol L−1)/total bile acid (mmol L−1) ratio (0·02 ± 0·005 vs. 0·06 ± 0·01; P < 0·001). Furthermore, a decrease in mucin concentrations (0·7 ± 0·3 vs. 1·3 ± 0·5 mg mL−1; P < 0·005) and of the mucin secretagogue activity of gallbladder bile (0·9 ± 0·2 vs. 2·2 ± 0·3 times control; P < 0·001) was observed.

Conclusions  The reduction of lipid peroxidation and mucin secretagogue activity of gallbladder bile induced by ursodeoxycholic acid treatment may contribute to the beneficial effects of this drug on gallbladder bile composition and symptoms in cholesterol gallstone patients.
New evidence for the role of TNF‐α in liver ischaemic/reperfusion injury
Authors: Pevni D. , Frolkis I. , Schwartz D. , Schwartz I. , Chernichovski T. , Kramer A. , Ben‐Gal Y. , Uretzky G. , Shapira I. , Weinbroum A.
Published: August 2008

Background  Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) plays a key role in causing ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. I/R also causes activation of xanthine oxidase and dehydrogenase (XDH + XO) system that, via generated free radicals, causes organ damage. We investigated the effect of ischaemia, reperfusion and non‐ischaemic prolonged perfusion (NIP) on TNF‐α and XDH + XO production in an isolated perfused rat liver model.

Materials and methods  Rat livers underwent 150 min NIP (control group) or two hours of ischaemia followed by reperfusion (I/R group). TNF‐α (TNF‐α mRNA and protein level), XDH + XO production and bile secretion were determined in tissue and effluent at baseline, at 120 min of ischaemia, after 30 min of reperfusion (I/R group) and after 120 and 150 min of prolonged perfusion (control).

Results  Unexpectedly, neither ischaemia nor reperfusion had any effect on TNF‐α production. TNF‐α in effluent was 11 ± 4·8 pg mL−1 at baseline, 7 ± 3·2 pg mL−1 at the end of ischaemia, and 13 ± 5·3 pg mL−1 after 30 min of reperfusion. NIP, however, caused a significant increase of TNF‐α synthesis and release. TNF‐α effluent level after 120 and 150 min of perfusion was 392 ± 78·7 pg mL−1 and 408 ± 64·3 pg mL−1, respectively. TNF‐α mRNA in tissue was also significantly elevated compared to baseline levels (1·31 ± 0·2 P < 0·001 and 1·38 P < 0·002, respectively). Decrease of liver function (expressed by bile secretion) during I/R and NIP was accompanied by significant XDH + XO elevation.

Conclusion  This is the first evidence that NIP, and not I/R, is the decisive trigger for TNF‐α production. This study leads to a better understanding of pathogenesis of liver I/R and perfusion damage.
Sirtuin gene expression in human mononuclear cells is modulated by caloric restriction
Authors: Crujeiras A. B. , Parra D. , Goyenechea E. , Martínez J. A.
Published: August 2008

Background  Sirtuins may provide novel targets for treating some diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as obesity and its comorbidities. However, there are a few in vivo studies in humans about the potential role of sirtuins as therapeutic targets among obese patients undergoing caloric restriction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess if the gene expression of sirtuins is modulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by a hypocaloric diet devised to lose weight in humans.

Materials and methods  Gene expression of two sirtuins (SIRT1 and SIRT2) in the PBMC of obese subjects (32·3 ± 5·5 kg m−2) before and following an 8‐week hypocaloric diet was investigated. NADH‐coenzyme Q reductase (NDUFS2) and cytochrome c oxidase assembly protein (COX15) gene expression was selected together with plasma antioxidant power and nitric oxide as markers of antioxidant status. A quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction approach was performed to assess the nutrigenomics outcome. Moreover, 2‐keto[1‐13C]isocaproate breath test (KICA‐BT) parameters were evaluated to study mitochondrial oxidation in vivo.

Results  The intervention up‐regulated the expression of both sirtuins, being inversely associated with total antioxidant capacity and directly related to nitric oxide, mitochondrial oxidation assessed by the KICA‐BT and the expression of the mitochondrial proteins COX15 and NDUFS2.

Conclusion  SIRT1 and SIRT2 may serve as key regulators for some obesity comorbidities related to antioxidant status, while PBMC could be a model to study the effect of the sirtuin response in obesity therapy.
Estimated liver weight is directly related to hepatic very low‐density lipoprotein–triglyceride secretion rate in men
Authors: Tsekouras Y. E. , Magkos F. , Kavouras S. A. , Panagiotakos D. B. , Sidossis L. S.
Published: August 2008

Background  Animal studies suggest that liver weight is directly related to hepatic very low‐density lipoprotein–triglyceride (VLDL‐TG) secretion, independently of body size. This relationship has never been examined in humans.

Materials and methods  We measured VLDL‐TG secretion rate by using stable isotope‐labelled tracers in 21 healthy, non‐obese men (age: 25 ± 3 years; body mass index: 24·8 ± 1·6 kg m−2), and evaluated the relationship between VLDL‐TG secretion and indices of total and regional adiposity (body mass index, total body fat, trunk fat), metabolic parameters (free fatty acid, glucose, and insulin concentrations, homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance, resting energy expenditure), and estimated liver weight.

Results  Correlation analysis showed that estimated liver weight was positively associated with total VLDL‐TG secretion rate (r = 0·722, P < 0·001), VLDL‐TG secretion rate per liter of plasma (r = 0·562, P = 0·008), VLDL‐TG secretion rate per kilogram of body weight (r = 0·555, P = 0·009), and VLDL‐TG secretion rate per kilogram of liver weight (r = 0·620, P = 0·003). In multiple regression analysis, estimated liver weight was the only significant predictor of VLDL‐TG secretion rate regardless of units of expression, explaining 31–52% of total variance; none of the metabolic parameters and indices of body fatness entered the regression models.

Conclusions  We conclude that estimated liver weight is directly related to hepatic VLDL‐TG secretion rate in healthy non‐obese men; this relationship is likely not mediated by interindividual variation in body size.
Maximal and submaximal endurance performance in adults with severe haemophilia
Authors: HERBSLEB M. , HILBERG T.
Published: August 2008

Summary.  Maximal exercise testing, including the determination of maximal performance and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), is considered the gold standard for assessing maximal endurance performance. The effectiveness of such testing is often reduced in haemophilic adults owing to musculoskeletal impairments or pain rather than because of cardiac exertion. The measurement of submaximal performance parameters overcomes many limitations of maximal exercise testing but a testing standard is still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate maximal and particularly submaximal endurance performance of adult patients with severe haemophilia A and B. Eleven patients and 11 matched healthy controls were tested by spiroergometry with a specific treadmill test and the power was calculated in Watts. The haemophilic group achieved lower absolute (210 ± 63 W) and weight‐related (2.94 ± 0.98 W kg−1) maximal endurance performance compared with the control group (287 ± 50 W resp. 3.82 ± 0.53 W kg−1; P ≤ 0.05). The patients also showed a lower submaximal endurance performance at the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT = 147 ± 56 W) and fixed lactate values (2 mmol = 98 ± 60 W; 4 mmol = 158 ± 56 W) compared with the healthy controls (IAT = 210 ± 41 W; 2 mmol = 153 ± 30 W; 4 mmol = 223 ± 39 W; all P ≤ 0.05). The heart rate and lactate value at the IAT were not different. The disease‐related musculoskeletal changes in haemophilic adults lead to a reduced maximal and submaximal endurance performance, which can be easily measured by the described test procedure.
Strong genetic impoverishment from the centre of distribution in southern Europe to peripheral Baltic and isolated Scandinavian populations of the pearly heath butterfly
Authors: Besold Joachim , Schmitt Thomas , Tammaru Toomas , Cassel‐Lundhagen Anna
Published: August 2008

Aim Climatic changes and fluctuations in the past have strongly influenced the distribution of animal and plant species. Such fluctuations are also reflected in the patterns of genetic diversity on both local and global scales. The genetic pattern of the pearly heath butterfly,Coenonympha arcania, was used to evaluate the genetic differentiation of isolated (in north‐western Europe), peripheral (in north‐eastern Europe) and central (in southern Europe) populations in the context of post‐glacial distributional changes of the species.

Location Europe (Sweden, Germany, the Baltic states, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria). Thus, samples were collected from large parts of the species’ distribution representing the three categories mentioned above.

Methods We analysed 18 loci of 569 individuals from 28 populations by allozyme electrophoresis. We used both individual‐based and population‐based analyses, includingF‐statistics, various clustering methods and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations.

Results All loci, exceptFum, were polymorphic. The meanFSTfor all samples was 0.18. The mean genetic distance among populations was 0.046. Two major genetic lineages were distinguished. Populations from the centre of the distributional range in southern Europe and the northern periphery of the distributional range differed significantly in their level of genetic variability. The central populations of south‐eastern Europe showed high levels of genetic diversity and no differentiation among populations.

Main conclusions Most probably the two major genetic lineages evolved during glacial isolation in two disjunct Mediterranean refugia. The lack of genetic differentiation across south‐eastern Europe implies a continuous Würm ice age distribution in this area, thus supporting the functional existence of steppe forests throughout this region. The peripheral‐isolated populations in Sweden seem to have suffered from one or more severe bottlenecks, resulting in substantial genetic impoverishment. The peripheral‐connected eastern Baltic populations, on the other hand, are affected by post‐glacial and possibly recurrent gene flow from more central parts of the distribution.
Ants and people: a test of two mechanisms potentially responsible for the large‐scale human population–biodiversity correlation for Formicidae in Europe
Authors: Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C. , Steiner Florian M. , Pautasso Marco
Published: August 2008

Aim:  Recent coarse‐scale studies have shown positive relationships between the biodiversity of plants/vertebrates and the human population. Little is known about the generality of the pattern for invertebrates. Moreover, biodiversity and human population might correlate because they both covary with other factors such as energy availability and habitat heterogeneity. Here we test these two non‐mutually exclusive mechanisms with ant species‐richness data from the Fauna Europaea.

Location  Forty‐three European countries/regions.

Methods  We derived mixed models of total, native and exotic ant species richness as a function of human population size/density, controlling for country area, plant species richness (as a proxy for habitat heterogeneity), and mean annual temperature and precipitation (variables related to energy availability).

Results  Ant species richness increased significantly with increasing human population. This result was confirmed when controlling for variations in country area. Both for human population size/density and for ant species richness, there were positive correlations with temperature but not with precipitation. This finding is in agreement with the energy‐availability hypothesis. However, we observed a negative latitudinal gradient in ant and plant species richness, although not in human population size/density. Plant species richness was positively correlated with ant species richness but not with human population size/density. Thus, there is evidence that this type of habitat heterogeneity can play a role in the observed latitudinal gradient of ant species richness, but not in the positive correlation between ant species richness and human population. The results were confirmed for the 545 native and the 32 exotic ant species reported, and we observed a good correlation between exotic and native ant species richness.

Main conclusions  Ant species richness in European countries conforms to six macroecological patterns: (1) a negative latitudinal gradient; and a positive (2) species–energy relationship, (3) species–area relationship, (4) correlation with plant species richness, (5) exotic–native species richness correlation, and (6) species–people correlation. There is some evidence for the energy‐availability hypothesis, but little evidence for habitat heterogeneity as an explanation of the large‐scale human population–ant biodiversity correlation. This correlation has implications for the conservation of ant diversity in Europe.
The influence of sea currents, past disruption of gene flow and species biology on the phylogeographical structure of coastal flowering plants
Authors: Westberg Erik , Kadereit Joachim W.
Published: August 2008

Aim  We investigate the geographical genetic structure of two coastal plant species, Cakile maritima Scop. (Brassicaceae) and Eryngium maritimum L. (Apiaceae), through three sea straits and along one continuous stretch of coast using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). The two species have a similar ecology in that they grow in sandy habitats, but differ in life‐form (annual vs. perennial) and dispersability of seeds by sea water as inferred from floating experiments. The sea straits differ in their geological history and their modern current systems. The primary goal of our study was to test the hypothesis that sea straits have an influence on the geographical patterns of genetic variation at the population level.

Location  The areas around the Strait of Gibraltar, the Dardanelles, the Bosporus and the Atlantic coast of western France.

Methods  For both species we investigated AFLP variation in several populations from each area. Bayesian clustering and diversity and differentiation measures were used to analyse the genetic data.

Results  In most areas the spatial genetic structure was similar between the two species. They share the presence of distinct genetic gaps along the coast through the Strait of Gibraltar and the Bosporus, and these genetic gaps coincide with the straits. Both species show genetic continuity along the coast of western France. A distinct genetic gap was found through the Dardanelles for C. maritima but not for E. maritimum.

Main conclusions  The study shows that sea straits have an influence on the geographical patterns of genetic variation. Sea currents are inferred to cause the genetic gap through the Strait of Gibraltar. In the Bosporus and, for C. maritima, through the Dardanelles, the genetic gaps found are explained by the past closure of these two straits as well as by present‐day factors. Simulations indicate that the lower differentiation of C. maritima through the Dardanelles than through the Bosporus cannot be explained by the difference in geological history of these two straits. The difference in seed dispersability between the two species is argued to be responsible for the observation that differentiation among genetic clusters is higher in E. maritimum than in C. maritima where a direct comparison is possible.
Interpretation of the last‐glacial vegetation of eastern‐central Europe using modern analogues from southern Siberia
Authors: Kuneš Petr , Pelánková Barbora , Chytrý Milan , Jankovská Vlasta , Pokorný Petr , Petr Libor
Published: August 2008

Aim  Interpretation of fossil pollen assemblages may benefit greatly from comparisons with modern palynological and vegetation analogues. To interpret the full‐ and late‐glacial vegetation in eastern‐central Europe we compared fossil pollen assemblages from this region with modern pollen assemblages from various vegetation types in southern Siberia, which presumably include the closest modern analogues of the last‐glacial vegetation of central Europe.

Location  Czech and Slovak Republics (fossil pollen assemblages); Western Sayan Mountains, southern Siberia (modern pollen assemblages).

Methods  Eighty‐eight modern pollen spectra were sampled in 14 vegetation types of Siberian forest, tundra and steppe, and compared with the last‐glacial pollen spectra from seven central European localities using principal components analysis.

Results  Both full‐ and late‐glacial pollen spectra from the valleys of the Western Carpathians (altitudes 350–610 m) are similar to modern pollen spectra from southern Siberian taiga, hemiboreal forest and dwarf‐birch tundra. The full‐glacial and early late‐glacial pollen spectra from lowland river valleys in the Bohemian Massif (altitudes 185–190 m) also indicate the presence of patches of hemiboreal forest or taiga. Other late‐glacial pollen spectra from the Bohemian Massif suggest an open landscape with steppe or tundra or a mosaic of both, possibly with small patches of hemiboreal forest.

Main conclusions  Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that during the full glacial and late glacial, the mountain valleys of the north‐western Carpathians supported taiga or hemiboreal forest dominated by Larix, Pinus cembra, Pinus sylvestris and Picea, along with some steppic or tundra formations. Forests tended to be increasingly open or patchy towards the west (Moravian lowlands), gradually passing into the generally treeless landscape of Bohemia, with possible woodland patches in locally favourable sites.
Influence of palatal surface shape of dentures on food perception
Authors: TANAKA A. , KODAIRA Y. , ISHIZAKI K. , SAKURAI K.
Published: August 2008

Summary  The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of the palatal surface shape of dentures on food perception. Eighteen healthy dentulous subjects (mean age, 24 years) were investigated. Four types of experimental plate were used: (i) a tailor‐made plate, (ii) an average‐model plate, (iii) a smooth plate, and (iv) a wrinkle plate. Test foods consisted of Bavarian cream cubes containing one to three mustard seeds and six raw carrot pieces of different shapes. Bavarian cream cubes with three seeds were used for analysis. Other foods were used as dummy foods. Subjects were required to wear experimental plates and press test foods placed on the anterior area of the tongue against the experimental plates. We measured time required to perceive number of spherical bodies, rate of correct answers, and level of perception with each type of experimental plate using a 100‐mm visual analogue scale. The results showed a significant difference in response time between the average‐model plate and the other experimental plates, with response time longest for the average‐model plate. On the other hand, no significant differences in rate of correct answers regarding number of spherical bodies or level of perception were found among the experimental plates. When incisive papilla, palatine suture and palatal rugae based on the standard Japanese shape were replicated on the palatal surface of the plates, the time required for food perception during ingestion was prolonged in comparison to plates with other palatal surface shapes.
Proclination of lower incisors: a design to maximize food penetration and minimize torque
Authors: PAPHANGKORAKIT J. , OSBORN J. W.
Published: August 2008

Summary  Human upper and lower incisors are both tilted forward in the sagittal plane. Previous theoretical and in vitro studies have investigated how proclination may help the teeth either to penetrate or to fracture food more effectively or both. We study the proclination of lower incisors in relation to efficiency and to the protection it may offer from potentially damaging torque forces. Lateral cephalographs from 57 normal human subjects were traced. In one study, a line was drawn joining the centre of the condyle to the tip of the lower incisor. The results showed the lower incisor is oriented so that it is closely parallel to the arc of a circle centred at the condyle. In another study, lines were drawn joining the tips of upper and lower incisors at different openings. Each line showed the direction of the force that must be used to bite an object held between the tips of the incisor teeth. Its direction was compared with the direction of the long axis of the lower incisor when the mandible was graphically rotated open. The results showed the long axis of the lower incisor is closest to the direction of the bite force at 12° and 15° of jaw openings (roughly 20–25 mm incisal separation). This is the opening where the maximum incisal force is normally produced. The findings suggest that to reduce the torque, lower incisors implanted or relocated during orthodontic treatment should be oriented parallel to the closing arc.
Comparisons between a mixing ability test and masticatory performance tests using a brittle or an elastic test food
Authors: SUGIURA T. , FUEKI K. , IGARASHI Y.
Published: August 2008

Summary  A variety of chewing tests and test items have been utilized to evaluate masticatory function. The purpose of this study was to compare a mixing ability test with masticatory performance tests using peanuts or gummy jelly as test foods. Thirty‐two completely dentate subjects (Dentate group, mean age: 25·1 years) and 40 removable partial denture wearers (RPD group, mean age: 65·5 years) participated in this study. The subjects were asked to chew a two‐coloured paraffin wax cube as a test item for 10 strokes. Mixing Ability Index (MAI) was determined from the colour mixture and shape of the chewed cube. Subjects were asked to chew 3 g portions of peanuts and a piece of gummy jelly for 20 strokes, respectively. Median particle size of chewed peanuts was determined using a multiple‐sieving method. Concentration of dissolved glucose from the surface of the chewed gummy jelly was measured using a blood glucose meter. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the relationships between the MAI, median particle size and the concentration of dissolved glucose. Mixing Ability Index was significantly related to median particle size (Dentate group: r = −0·56, P < 0·001, RPD group: r = −0·70, P < 0·001), but not significantly related to glucose concentration (Dentate group: r = 0·12, RPD group: r = 0·21, P > 0·05). It seems that ability of mixing the bolus is more strongly related to the ability of comminuting brittle food than elastic food.
Plasma and urinary concentrations of trimetoquinol by LC‐MS‐MS following intravenous and intra‐tracheal administration to horses with heaves
Authors: CAMARGO F. C. , ROBINSON N. E. , DIRIKOLU L. , BERNEY C. , EBERHART S. , DERKSEN F. J. , LEHNER A. F. , MAY J. , HUGHES C. , TOBIN T.
Published: August 2008

Trimetoquinol (TMQ) is a very potent and fast acting bronchodilator in horses with heaves. This study assessed the plasma and urinary concentrations of TMQ in horses with heaves following administration via the intravenous (IV, 0.2 μg/kg) and intra‐tracheal (IT, 2 μg/kg) routes. TMQ was administered to six horses affected with heaves (RAO – Recurrent Airway Obstruction, used interchangeably) by the above routes and plasma and urine samples collected and stored at −20 °C until analyzed. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) of TMQ was followed by highly sensitive ESI(+)‐LC‐MS‐MS (ElectroSpray Ionization, positive mode – Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry – Mass Spectrometry); with a Limit of Detection (LOD) estimated at 1 pg/mL. Following IV administration, TMQ plasma levels peaked at 1 min at 707 pg/mL, and at 9 min at 306 pg/mL following IT administration. Our results show that TMQ plasma concentrations decline rapidly following IV administration, which is consistent with the fast onset and short duration of TMQ effect that was observed in our previous studies. On the other hand, IT administration showed a very unique plasma concentration pattern. From a regulatory standpoint, the current available TMQ ELISA kit was also used in an attempt to detect TMQ from the plasma and urine samples. We report that the ELISA kit was unable to detect TMQ from any of the samples generated in these studies.
Muscle tissue kinetics of oxytetracycline following intramuscular and oral administration at two dosages to giant freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
Authors: POAPOLATHEP A. , POAPOLATHEP S. , JERMNAK U. , IMSILP K. , WANNAPAT N. , SUGITA‐KONISHI Y. , KUMAGAI S.
Published: August 2008

The giant river shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), a native species of Thailand, is either exported for commercial purposes or supplied to meet the local requirements in Thailand. Limited pharmacokinetic information of the major antibiotic, oxytetracycline (OTC), is available for this freshwater shrimp. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the muscle tissue kinetics of OTC in M. rosenbergii following either intramuscular (i.m.) or oral (p.o.) administration at two dosages of 11 and 22 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). The concentration of OTC in shrimp tissues was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a fluorescence detector. Muscle tissue concentrations were below the detection limit (LOD, 0.1 μg/g) after 96 and 120 h, following i.m. and p.o. administration, respectively. Peak muscle concentrations (Cmax) were 3.47 and 1.73 μg/g after i.m. and p.o. administration at a single dose of 11 mg/kg b.w. whereas they were 6.03 and 2.51 μg/g at a single dose of 22 mg/kg b.w., respectively. A noncompartment model was developed to describe the pharmacokinetics of OTC in the giant freshwater shrimp. The terminal half‐lives of OTC were 28.68 and 28.09 h after i.m. and p.o. administration at a single dose of 11 mg/kg b.w., but 29.95 and 27.03 h at a single dose of 22 mg/kg b.w., respectively. The relative bioavailability was 82.32 and 64.67% following i.m. and p.o. administration, respectively. Based on the pharmacokinetic data, i.m. and p.o. administration with OTC at a dose of 11 mg/kg b.w. would be appropriate for use in giant freshwater shrimp farming. To avoid the OTC residue in shrimp muscle, it should take at least seven half‐lives (8 days) to wash out the drug from the muscle of M. rosenbergii.
Safety and efficacy of injectable and oral maropitant, a selective neurokinin1 receptor antagonist, in a randomized clinical trial for treatment of vomiting in dogs
Authors: RAMSEY D. S. , KINCAID K. , WATKINS J. A. , BOUCHER J. F. , CONDER G. A. , EAGLESON J. S. , CLEMENCE R. G.
Published: August 2008

Maropitant (Cerenia™), a selective neurokinin1 receptor antagonist, was evaluated for safety and efficacy in treatment and prevention of acute vomiting due to various etiologies in dogs in a randomized clinical trial. Two‐hundred seventy‐eight dogs were enrolled from 29 veterinary hospitals. Two‐hundred fifty‐two were evaluable for efficacy, while 275 were evaluable for safety. A randomized block design was utilized (three maropitant‐ and one placebo‐treated dog per block). Initial treatment was maropitant at 1 mg/kg body weight (0.45 mg/lb) or an equivalent volume of saline (placebo) administered subcutaneously. On the subsequent 1 to 4 days, maropitant or placebo (dependent on allocation) was administered subcutaneously or orally at approximate 24‐h intervals as needed. Oral doses were administered as maropitant tablets using unit dosing to deliver a minimum dose of 2 mg/kg body weight (0.9 mg/lb) or equivalent numbers of similar placebo tablets. Dogs and housing were observed twice daily for evidence of vomiting. Emesis was significantly (P ≤ 0.0012) reduced in maropitant‐treated dogs as 50% (32/64) of placebo‐treated dogs continued to vomit compared to only 21.8% (41/188) of maropitant‐treated dogs. Post‐treatment clinical signs were consistent with clinical diagnoses and judged not to be treatment related. In this clinical trial, maropitant was safe and effective in reducing emesis due to various etiologies in dogs.
Enantiomeric disposition of ketorolac in goats following administration of a single intravenous and oral dose
Authors: NAGILLA R. , DESHMUKH D. D. , COPEDGE K. J. , MILLER S. , MARTIN B. , BELL E. C. , DURAN S. H. , RAVIS W. R.
Published: August 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stereospecific pharmacokinetics of ketorolac (KT) in goats following a single 2 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) dose and a single 6 mg/kg oral dose. A stereoselective high pressure liquid chromatography assay was used to quantify ketorolac plasma concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters for both stereoisomers were estimated by model independent methods. Following an i.v. dose, the plasma concentration profiles for the stereoisomers were similar with half‐lives of 1.05 ± 0.62 h forR‐KT and 1.05 ± 0.61 h forS‐KT. Clearance values forR‐ andS‐KT after an i.v. dose were 0.53 ± 0.23 and 0.54 ± 0.23 L·h/kg, respectively. Following an oral dose, the terminal half‐lives were longer with values of 34.08 ± 11.81 and 33.97 ± 12.19 h forR‐KT andS‐KT, respectively. The average bioavailability was 133 ± 23% forR‐KT andS‐KT, respectively. The longer half‐lives and high apparent bioavailability after oral dosing are suggestive of a slow absorption process in the gastrointestinal tract and recycling. The results indicate that interconversion of the stereoisomers of ketorolac is absent in goats. However, studies with individual isomers are needed before any conclusion can be drawn about the lack of bioinversion.
Rates of bluetongue virus transmission betweenCulicoides sonorensisand sheep
Authors: BAYLIS M. , O’CONNELL L. , MELLOR P. S.
Published: August 2008

AbstractTwo experiments were undertaken to estimate the transmission rates of bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 1 between a biting midge vector,Culicoides sonorensis(Wirth & Jones) (Ceratopogonidae), and a natural host, sheep. In an experiment to measure the transmission rate from vector to host (V→H), six batches of one, five and 20 intrathoracically infected midges were fed on a total of 18 bluetongue (BT)‐naïve sheep. The sheep were then monitored for 21 days for clinical signs of BT, viraemia and antibody response. All sheep fed on by five or 20 midges and five of six sheep fed on by just one midge showed signs of BT, were viraemic and developed antibody. The sixth sheep fed on by a single infected midge did not show signs of BT or have detectable viraemia; it did, however, develop a weak antibody response. A bite from a single infected midge is therefore able to transmit BTV to naïve sheep with 80–100% efficiency. Sheep fed upon by larger numbers of infected midges took less time to reach maximum viraemia and developed stronger antibody responses. Sheep exposed to greater amounts of BTV in feeding midges developed a higher level of viraemia and stronger antibody responses. In a second experiment to measure the transmission rate from host to vector (H→V), batches of up to 500 uninfected femaleC. sonorensisfed every 1–2 days on two experimentally infected sheep during the course of infection. Of 3929 engorged midges that were individually titrated after surviving the extrinsic incubation period, only 23 (0.6%) were infected with BTV. Viraemia in the sheep extended for up to 19 days post‐inoculation. No infected midges, however, were detected from 14 days post‐infection.
Reduced susceptibility to DDT in field populations of Anopheles quadriannulatus and Anopheles arabiensis in Malawi: evidence for larval selection
Authors: MZILAHOWA T. , BALL A. J. , BASS C. , MORGAN J. C. , NYONI B. , STEEN K. , DONNELLY M. J. , WILDING C. S.
Published: August 2008

Abstract Bioassays for insecticide resistance in adult mosquitoes were conducted on samples of Anopheles gambiae Giles s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae) species collected as larvae from breeding sites in the lower Shire Valley, Malawi. The results indicate full susceptibility to permethrin, deltamethrin and malathion, but reduced susceptibility to DDT in one sample from Thom (LT50 of 8.39 min for females and 25.09 min for males). Polymerase chain reaction‐based species identification of the mosquitoes assayed revealed a mixture of Anopheles arabiensis Patton and Anopheles quadriannulatus (Theobold). The LT50 did not differ significantly between species. Genotyping of the L1014F and L1014S kdr alleles showed all mosquito specimens to be homozygous wild type; thus the reduced susceptibility detected is not attributable to target site insensitivity and instead is likely to be metabolic in nature. Anopheles quadriannulatus is characteristically zoophagic and exophilic. Indeed, of 82 Anopheles collected through knockdown collections within dwellings, only one was An. quadriannulatus and the rest were An. arabiensis. They are unlikely, therefore, to have been exposed to selection pressure arising from insecticide‐treated net usage or to DDT indoor residual spraying. Therefore, it is suggested that this example of reduced susceptibility to DDT in An. quadriannulatus reflects selection in the larval stages.
Identification of the intermediate hosts of Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae under field conditions
Authors: TRAVERSA D. , OTRANTO D. , IORIO R. , CARLUCCIO A. , CONTRI A. , PAOLETTI B. , BARTOLINI R. , GIANGASPERO A.
Published: August 2008

Abstract A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assay was used for the specific detection of Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae (Nematoda, Spirurida) in order to identify the intermediate hosts of both nematode species under field conditions. A total of 1087 netted and 165 laboratory‐bred flies were tested. Flies were identified as Musca domestica Linnaeus 1758, Musca autumnalis De Geer 1776, Haematobia irritans (Linnaeus 1758), Haematobia titillans (De Geer 1907) and Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus 1758) (Muscidae). Genomic DNA was extracted from pools of fly heads, thoraces and abdomens, and 703 samples were subjected to a duplex two‐step semi‐nested PCR assay to specifically detect diagnostic regions within the ribosomal ITS2 sequence of both H. microstoma and H. muscae. Stomoxys calcitrans specimens were positive for H. microstoma DNA and M. domestica specimens were positive for H. muscae DNA. In particular, PCR‐positive samples derived from both farm‐netted and laboratory‐bred flies. The present study represents the first evidence of the vectorial competence of different fly species as intermediate hosts of Habronema stomachworms under field conditions. We discuss the roles of S. calcitrans and M. domestica in transmitting H. microstoma and H. muscae.
In vitro efficacy of over‐the‐counter botanical pediculicides against the head louse Pediculus humanus var capitis based on a stringent standard for mortality assessment
Authors: HEUKELBACH J. , CANYON D. V. , OLIVEIRA F. A. , MULLER R. , SPEARE R.
Published: August 2008

Abstract Infestation of the head louse Pediculus humanus var capitis DeGeer (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) is an important public health problem in Australia, with up to a third of children infested in some primary schools. Insecticide resistance and inadequate attention to the application instructions of topical pediculicides are common reasons for treatment failure. This study evaluated six popular Australian over‐the‐counter products against head lice, primarily comprised of different botanical extracts, and compared them with permethrin 1% (Quellada®) and a non‐treatment control in order to assess their in vitro efficacy. We also assessed commonly used criteria for evaluating pediculicide efficacy in vitro. All tested products failed to demonstrate high levels of efficacy with the exception of Tea Tree Gel®, which outperformed 1% permethrin. Permethrin had a high level of efficacy, but using stringent criteria 18% of lice were not dead at 3 h, indicating some resistance to Quellada®. Commonly used less stringent criteria were shown to overestimate mortality of head lice as a result of the protective phenomenon of stasis or sham death observed in exposed lice that may recover after some time. Using two different levels of stringency resulted in different rankings of efficacy for most products, with the exception of the first ranked product, Tea Tree Gel®. Rankings of efficacy also varied over time, even within the different assessment criteria. Government regulatory agencies should require standard in vitro tests using stringent mortality criteria, with an observation period of ≥ 6 h, to determine the efficacy of new pediculicides, and only products that cause a minimum mortality rate (e.g. 80%) in head lice collected from the target population should be licensed for sale.
Structure of some East AfricanGlossina fuscipes fuscipespopulations
Authors: KRAFSUR E. S. , MARQUEZ J. G. , OUMA J. O.
Published: August 2008

AbstractGlossina fuscipes fuscipesNewstead 1910 (Diptera: Glossinidae) is the primary vector of human sleeping sickness in Kenya and Uganda. This is the first report on its population structure. A total of 688 nucleotides of mitochondrial ribosomal 16S2 and cytochrome oxidase I genes were sequenced. Twenty‐one variants were scored in 79 flies from three geographically diverse natural populations. Four haplotypes were shared among populations, eight were private and nine were singletons. The mean haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.84 and 0.009, respectively. All populations were genetically differentiated and were at demographic equilibrium. In addition, a longstanding laboratory culture originating from the Central African Republic (CAR‐lab) in 1986 (or before) was examined. Haplotype and nucleotide diversities in this culture were 0.95 and 0.012, respectively. None of its 27 haplotypes were shared with the East African populations. A first approximation of relative effective population sizes was Uganda > CAR‐lab > Kenya. It was concluded that the structure ofG. f. fuscipespopulations in East Africa is localized.
Analysis of the activity patterns of two sympatric sandfly siblings of the Lutzomyia longipalpis species complex from Brazil
Authors: RIVAS G. B. S. , SOUZA N. A. , PEIXOTO A. A.
Published: August 2008

Abstract Lutzomyia longipalpis s.l. (Lutz & Neiva) (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Latin America. Differences in copulation songs, pheromones and molecular markers show that L. longipalpis is a species complex in Brazil. The patterns of activity of insect vectors are important in disease transmission. In addition, differences in activity rhythms have a potential role as a temporal reproductive isolation mechanism in closely related species. We compared the activity patterns of males and females of two sympatric species of the Longipalpis complex from Sobral (Ceará State, Brazil) in controlled laboratory conditions. We observed small but significant differences between the two species in the activity phase in both males and females.