bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex as a biological variable in the rat model of diisopropylfluorophosphate‐induced long‐term neurotoxicity
Authors: Gage Meghan , Golden Madison , Putra Marson , Sharma Shaunik , Thippeswamy Thimmasettappa 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSex differences in response to neurotoxicant exposure that initiates epileptogenesis are understudied. We used telemetry‐implanted male and female adult rats exposed to an organophosphate (OP) neurotoxicant, diisopropylflourophosphate (DFP), to test sex differences in the severity of status epilepticus (SE) and the development of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS). Females had significantly less severe SE and decreased epileptiform spikes compared with males, although females received a higher dose of DFP than males. The estrous stages had no impact on seizure susceptibility, but rats with severe SE had a significantly prolonged diestrus. A previously demonstrated disease‐modifying agent, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 1400W, was tested in both sexes. None of the eight males treated with 1400W developed convulsive SRS during 4 weeks post‐DFP exposure, while two of seven females developed convulsive SRS. Concerning gliosis and neurodegeneration, there were region‐specific differences in the interaction between sex and SE severity. As SE severity influences epileptogenesis, and as females had significantly less severe SE, sex as a biological variable should be factored into the design of future OP nerve agent experiments while evaluating neurotoxicity and optimizing potential disease‐modifying agents.
Adverse reaction to local anaesthetics: Is it always allergy?
Authors: Furci Fabiana , Martina Stefano , Faccioni Paolo , Faccioni Fiorenzo , Senna Gianenrico , Caminati Marco 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveLocal anaesthetics are very commonly used drugs in dentistry, and people who undergo procedures with local anaesthetics often refer adverse reactions that are not of allergic origin. Considering that in dentistry contact with allergens is very frequent, it is essential to assess the real incidence of allergy to local anaesthetics.Subjects and MethodsWe evaluated a group of 159 patients in whom adverse reaction occurred after procedures with local anaesthetics.ResultsThe reactions between allergy to local anaesthetic (immediate and delayed) and certain symptoms presented by patients were investigated. Allergy to latex and chlorexidine were investigated in all patients. Only one patient, who previously presented a constant erythema at the wrist after procedure with local anaesthetics, was positive to Mepivacaine patch test. Two patients were positive to latex and one to chlorexidine.ConclusionsThe main finding of this study was that a reaction registered in the medical history and reported by a patient is rarely allergic but the use of vasoconstrictors or emotional factors may account for it. However, a complete allergological investigation is necessary for a correct diagnosis and future management.
Improving decision‐making in complicated or rare cases—An approach towards Evidence‐based Veterinary Medicine in small animal reproduction
Authors: Riege Lisa , Haimerl Peggy , Arlt Sebastian P. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe concepts of Evidence‐based Veterinary Medicine (EBVM) provide a methodological and systematic approach to include the best evidence from research into clinical decision‐making. These concepts include steps as the search and assessment of relevant research findings and consideration of individual aspects. In addition, owners and other persons involved in animal health care should be included in shared decision‐making. Some breeders have good basic knowledge concerning breeding management and characteristics of diseases and concerning advantages and disadvantages of different therapeutic approaches, while others are notable to understand complex medical interrelations or emergency situations. All these aspects need to be addressed when communicating and discussing different diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic options. In special fields, such as small animal reproduction, veterinarians often see animals with rare diseases or complex conditions so that an application of standard therapies and well‐established textbook recommendations is not possible. To learn more about cases too rare for successful systematic research, the case collection tool REPROCASES (www.evssar.org/reprocases) is now available. The aim of this project is to gather information from specialists on small animal reproduction in a multicentre approach. If you see rare or not well‐investigated cases such as cystic ovarian diseases, cryptorchidism or others, you are more than welcome to share your findings via the database. Even if this approach cannot completely replace standardized clinical trials, the idea is to gather more information on effects, prognosis, side effects and long‐term fertility for specific conditions.
Factors associated with risk of care dependency in disabled geriatric patients
Authors: Doroszkiewicz Halina , Sierakowska Matylda 
Published: February 2020

IntroductionThe growing number of elderly people results in the intensification of disability, reduced level of independency and quality of life as well as augmented demand on medical and social services. The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with probability of care dependency in disabled geriatric patients.Materials and methodsThe study involved 200 patients aged 60 or over, consecutively admitted to the Geriatrics Unit. A cross‐sectional quantitative study design. The study carried out using the questionnaire evaluating the patients’ biopsychosocial needs and level of care dependency: the Polish version of the Care Dependency Scale (CDS). Data regarding the patients’ self‐care, locomotor function, emotional status, cognitive function, vision, hearing, the risk of pressure sores or falls, self‐assessed health status and the sense of loneliness were obtained from medical documentation using selected elements of the CGA (Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment).ResultsThe mean CDS score (15–75) for all the evaluated patients was 55.3 ± 15.1–43.4 ± 11.9 in the category of dependent patients and 67.5 ± 4.6 in the category of independent of care, respectively (p < 0.001). The participants' mean age was 81.8 ± 6.6 (in the dependent category, 83.3, and in the independent category, 80.2). The final model produced statistically significant independent factors: cognitive ability, Instrumental‐ADL performance, locomotive ability and age.ConclusionsThe progressing care dependency increased with the worsening of cognitive functions, difficulties performing I‐ADL, locomotion impairment and advanced age. To support independent living of elderly people, healthcare professionals should recognise the situation in the community to carry out interventions aimed at preventing and minimising disability and delaying institutionalisation.
Interleukin‐20 differentially regulates bone mesenchymal stem cell activities in RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis through the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis and the NF‐κB, MAPK and AKT signalling pathways
Authors: Meng Bowen , Wu Dongle , Cheng Yangfan , Huang Peina , Liu Yuanbo , Gan Lei , Liu Chufeng , Cao Yang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe immune and skeletal systems share common mechanisms, and the crosstalk between the two has been termed osteoimmunology. Osteoimmunology mainly focuses on diseases between the immune and bone systems including bone loss diseases, and imbalances in osteoimmune regulation affect skeletal homeostasis between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. The immune mediator interleukin‐20 (IL‐20), a member of the IL‐10 family, enhances inflammation, chemotaxis and angiogenesis in diseases related to bone loss. However, it is unclear how IL‐20 regulates the balance between osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis; therefore, we explored the mechanisms by which IL‐20 affects bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in osteoclastogenesis in primary cells during differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and signalling. We initially found that IL‐20 differentially regulated preosteoclast proliferation and apoptosis; BMSC‐conditioned medium (CM) significantly enhanced osteoclast formation and bone resorption, which was dose‐dependently regulated by IL‐20; IL‐20 inhibited OPG expression and promoted M‐CSF, RANKL and RANKL/OPG expression; and IL‐20 differentially regulated the expression of osteoclast‐specific gene and transcription factors through the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis and the NF‐kB, MAPK and AKT pathways. Therefore, IL‐20 differentially regulates BMSCs in osteoclastogenesis and exerts its function by activating the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis and the NF‐κB, MAPK and AKT pathways, which make targeting IL‐20 a promising direction for targeted regulation in diseases related to bone loss.
Social policy and embedded evaluation: Assessing the impact of a food insecurity project in the United Kingdom
Authors: Purdam Kingsley , Silver Daniel 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSocial policy making needs to involve robust evaluation to assess its impact. In this article, a social policy intervention focused on tackling food insecurity amongst vulnerable people is examined and the benefits and challenges of using an embedded approach to evaluation are considered. Food insecurity is defined as not always having the economic, social, and physical resources to ensure a sufficient supply of nutritionally appropriate food. Evidence suggests that food insecurity in the United Kingdom is increasing in the context of long‐term poverty, austerity, insecure employment, rising living costs, low pay, and cuts to welfare and public services. An embedded evaluation was conducted involving interviews with the intervention participants and observations of a series of cooking and food budgeting classes. The findings suggest that the classes had a positive impact on many of the participants, who felt more confident about cooking and valued the shared experience. However, given the acute problems facing many of the participants including long‐term poverty, policies aimed at tackling food insecurity need to go beyond cooking and food budgeting skills. The embedded evaluation approach contributed towards the overall impact of the intervention by providing insights that led to changes as part of an iterative process during the intervention rather than in the form of a final report after its completion. An embedded evaluation‐based approach can be resource intensive, and the role of the evaluators can present challenges, but it can help to bridge the gap between intervention design, delivery, and social change.
Carbon addition reduces labile soil phosphorus by increasing microbial biomass phosphorus in intensive agricultural systems
Authors: Xu Zhen , Qu Mingshan , Liu Shenglin , Duan Yisheng , Wang Xiao , Brown Lawrie K , George Timothy S , Zhang Lin , Feng Gu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAccumulation of inorganic and labile organic phosphorus (P) in intensive agricultural systems leads to P loss from soil which can cause serious environmental problems. Soil microbes are important in mobilizing soil non‐available P, however, little is known about the role of soil microbes in immobilizing P to reduce P loss. Here, we test whether stimulating microbial biomass to immobilize P could reduce the amount of labile P available for leaching. The distribution characteristics of Olsen P, organic P and microbial biomass P were determined in three intensive agricultural systems. In addition, we conducted a pot experiment with three P and four carbon (C) levels. CaCl2extractable P was measured and used to indicate the risk of P leaching. We found that there was a positive relationship between soil organic C and microbial biomass P. Carbon addition drove the process of P immobilization and reduced CaCl2extractable P. Microbial biomass P increased by 64% (p < .05) with the addition of C, and Olsen P and CaCl2extractable P decreased by 28% and 17%, respectively. Our results show that C addition increased microbial immobilization of P and reduced forms of labile P susceptible to leaching. Stimulating microbes to immobilize P by adding C to soils may have the potential to reduce P loss from intensive agricultural systems, reducing their environmental impact.
Capture‐induced exertional rhabdomyolysis in the Shortfin Mako Shark, Isurus oxyrinchus
Authors: Otway Nicholas M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundShortfin Mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) are top‐order predators in oceanic food chains. They are captured worldwide by commercial and recreational fisheries, but little is known about the effects that fishing has on the homeostasis and longevity of these animals.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the health of Shortfin Mako sharks captured by recreational fishers off eastern Australia.MethodsTwenty‐four sharks were captured, and their gender, length, weight, reproductive maturity, and stage were recorded. After blood and urine collection, serum analytes were quantified using standard biochemical methods, whereas urine was analyzed using semi‐quantitative reagent strips, microscopic examination, centrifugation, and ammonium sulfate precipitation tests.ResultsSix Makos presented with red‐brown urine. The means of notable serum analytes were as follows: sodium 276 mmol/L, potassium 15.6 mmol/L, inorganic phosphate 10.6 mmol/L, magnesium 3.3 mmol/L, urea 325 mmol/L, creatinine 52 μmol/L, AST 2806 U/L, CK 240938 U/L, lactate 44.4 mmol/L, osmolarity 1160 mmol/L, and pH 7.13. These analytes differed from the respective sand tiger shark reference interval, which was used as a proxy for Makos. The red‐brown urine was due to myoglobin and had a mean pH of 5.76 that, when combined with red‐brown casts, led to a diagnosis of fishing‐induced exertional rhabdomyolysis that occurred secondary to lactic acidosis, hypoxia, and hypovolemia. It was further exacerbated by hyperkalemia and acute renal failure, serious complications that often lead to mortality.ConclusionsPractitioners caring for sharks and rays should consider collecting urine from free‐living or aquarium animals when they are captured for examination and/or treatment, particularly at times with maximal seawater temperatures.
Exercise intolerance in heart failure: The important role of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Taylor Bryan J. , Shapiro Brian P. , Johnson Bruce D. 
Published: February 2020

New Findings
What is the topic of this review?This review concerns the negative impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on the pulmonary haemodynamic and gas exchange responses to exercise, considering the mechanisms by which PH plays a role in exercise intolerance in heart failure (HF) patients.
What advances does it highlight?The hallmark limited pulmonary vascular ‘reserve’ and impaired pulmonary gas exchange responses to exercise in HF are worsened by the development of PH; these are key determinants of exercise intolerance. Even HF patients who present with ‘normal’ pulmonary vascular function experience exercise‐induced PH, which plays a role in exercise intolerance.
AbstractPatients with heart failure universally complain of exertional intolerance, but the underlying cause(s) of this intolerance may differ between patients with different disease phenotypes. Exercise introduces an impressive stress to the lungs, where elevations in venous return and cardiac output engender substantial increases in pulmonary blood volume and flow. Relative to healthy individuals, the pulmonary vascular reserve to accept this increase in pulmonary perfusion is compromised in heart failure, with a growing body of evidence suggesting that the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH), and in particular a precapillary component of PH, worsens the pulmonary haemodynamic response to exercise in these patients. Characterized by an exaggerated increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and an elevation in pulmonary vascular resistance, this dysfunctional pulmonary haemodynamic response plays a role in exercise intolerance, probably through an impairment of right ventricular function, underperfusion of the pulmonary circulation and a subsequent reduction in systemic blood flow and oxygen delivery. The hallmark abnormalities in ventilatory and pulmonary gas exchange that accompany heart failure, including a greater ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide, are also worsened by the development of PH. This raises the possibility that measures of exercise pulmonary gas exchange might help to ‘describe’ underlying PH in heart failure; however, several fundamental issues and questions need to be addressed before such gas exchange measures could truly be considered efficacious measures used to differentiate the type of PH and track the severity of PH in heart failure.exercise intolerance, heart failure, pulmonary gas exchange, pulmonary haemodynamics, pulmonary hypertension
Effects of caffeine on neuromuscular function in a non‐fatigued state and during fatiguing exercise
Authors: Mesquita Ricardo N. O. , Cronin Neil J. , Kyröläinen Heikki , Hintikka Jukka , Avela Janne 
Published: February 2020

New Findings
What is the central question of the study?
What are the effects of caffeine on neuromuscular function in a non‐fatigued state and during fatiguing exercise?

What is the main finding and its importance?
In a non‐fatigued state, caffeine decreased the duration of the silent period evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Caffeine‐induced reduction of inhibitory mechanisms in the central nervous system before exercise was associated with an increased performance. Individuals who benefit from caffeine ingestion may experience lower perception of effort during exercise and an accelerated recovery of M‐wave amplitude postfatigue. This study elucidates the mechanisms of action of caffeine and demonstrates that inter‐individual variability of its effects on neuromuscular function is a fruitful area for further work.

AbstractCaffeine enhances exercise performance, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear. In this study, we investigated its effects on neuromuscular function in a non‐fatigued state and during fatiguing exercise. Eighteen men participated in this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover trial. Baseline measures included plantarflexion force, drop jump, squat jump, voluntary activation of triceps surae muscle, soleus muscle contractile properties, M‐wave, α‐motoneuron excitability (H‐reflex), corticospinal excitability, short‐interval intracortical inhibition, intracortical facilitation, silent period evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (SP) and plasma potassium and caffeine concentrations. Immediately after baseline testing, participants ingested caffeine (6 mg·kg−1) or placebo. After a 1‐h rest, baseline measures were repeated, followed by a fatiguing stretch–shortening cycle exercise (sets of 40 bilateral rebound jumps on a sledge apparatus) until task failure. Neuromuscular testing was carried out throughout the fatigue protocol and afterwards. Caffeine enhanced drop jump height (by 4.2%) and decreased the SP (by 12.6%) in a non‐fatigued state. A caffeine‐related decrease in SP and short‐interval intracortical inhibition before the fatiguing activity was associated with an increased time to task failure. The participants who benefitted from an improved performance on the caffeine day reported a significantly lower sense of effort during exercise and had an accelerated postexercise recovery of M‐wave amplitude. Caffeine modulates inhibitory mechanisms of the CNS, recovery of M‐wave amplitude and perception of effort. This study lays the groundwork for future examinations of differences in caffeine‐induced neuromuscular changes between those who are deemed to benefit from caffeine ingestion and those who are not.
Heterogeneous baroreflex control of sympathetic action potential subpopulations in humans
Authors: Klassen Stephen A. , Moir M. Erin , Usselman Charlotte W. , Shoemaker J. Kevin 
Published: February 2020

Key points
Emission patterns in muscle sympathetic nerve activity stem from differently sized action potential (AP) subpopulations that express varying discharge probabilities. The mechanisms governing these firing behaviours are unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that the arterial baroreflex exerts varying control over the different AP subpopulations.
During baseline, medium APs expressed the greatest baroreflex slopes, while small and large APs exhibited weaker slopes. On going from baseline to lower body negative pressure (LBNP; simulated orthostatic stress), baroreflex slopes for some clusters of medium APs expressed the greatest increase, while slopes for large APs also increased but to a lesser degree. A subpopulation of previously silent larger APs was recruited with LBNP but these APs expressed weak baroreflex slopes.
The arterial baroreflex heterogeneously regulates sympathetic AP subpopulations, exerting its strongest effect over medium APs. Weak baroreflex mechanisms govern the recruitment of latent larger AP subpopulations during orthostatic stress.
AbstractMuscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) occurs primarily in bursts of action potentials (AP) with subpopulations that differ in size and discharge probabilities. The mechanisms determining these discharge patterns remain unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that variations in AP discharge are due to subpopulation‐specific baroreflex control. We employed multi‐unit microneurography and a continuous wavelet analysis approach to extract sympathetic APs in 12 healthy individuals during baseline (BSL) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP; ‐40, ‐60, ‐80 mmHg). For each AP cluster, the baroreflex threshold slope was measured from the linear regression between AP probability (%) and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg). During BSL, the baroreflex exerted non‐uniform regulation over AP subpopulations: medium‐sized AP clusters expressed the greatest slopes while clusters of small and large APs expressed weaker slopes. On going from BSL to LBNP, the baroreflex slopes for each AP subpopulation were modified differently. Baroreflex slopes (%/mmHg) for some medium APs (cluster 5: −4.4 ± 4 to −9.1 ± 5) expressed the greatest increase with LBNP, while slopes for large APs (cluster 9: −1.3 ± 1 to −2.6 ± 2) also increased, but to a lesser degree. Slopes for small APs present at BSL exhibited reductions with LBNP (cluster 2: −3.9 ± 3 to −2.2 ± 3). Larger previously silent AP clusters recruited with LBNP expressed weak baroreflex regulation (cluster 14: −0.9 ± 1%/mmHg). The baroreflex exerts the strongest control over medium‐sized APs. Augmenting baroreflex gain and upward resetting of discrete AP subpopulations active at BSL, as well as recruiting larger previously silent APs with weak baroreflex control, facilitates elevated MSNA during orthostatic stress.