bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin promotes sleep in mice by inhibiting orexin neurons in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus
Authors: Sharma Rishi , Sahota Pradeep , Thakkar Mahesh M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMelatonin promotes sleep. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Orexin neurons in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus (PFH) are pivotal for wake promotion. Does melatonin promote sleep by inhibiting orexin neurons? We used C57BL/6J mice and designed 4 experiments to address this question. Experiment 1 used double‐labeled immunofluorescence and examined the presence of melatonin receptors on orexin neurons. Second, mice, implanted with bilateral guides targeted toward PFH and sleep‐recording electrodes, were infused with melatonin (500 pmole/50 nL/side) at dark onset (onset of active period), and spontaneous bouts of sleep‐wakefulness were examined. Third, mice, implanted with bilateral guides into the PFH, were infused with melatonin (500 pmole/50 nL/side) at dark onset and euthanized 2 hours later, to examine the activation of orexin neurons using c‐Fos expression in orexin neurons. Fourth, mice, implanted with PFH bilateral guides and sleep‐recording electrodes, were infused with melatonin receptor antagonist, luzindole (10 pmol/50 nL/side), at light onset (onset of sleep period), and spontaneous bouts of sleep‐wakefulness were examined. Our results suggest that orexin neurons express MT1, but not MT2 receptors. Melatonin infusion into the PFH, at dark onset, site‐specifically and significantly increased NREM sleep (43.7%, P = .003) and reduced wakefulness (12.3%, P = .013). Local melatonin infusion at dark onset inhibited orexin neurons as evident by a significant reduction (66%, P = .0004) in the number of orexin neurons expressing c‐Fos. Finally, luzindole infusion‐induced blockade of melatonin receptors in PFH at sleep onset significantly increased wakefulness (44.1%, P = .015). Based on these results, we suggest that melatonin may act via the MT1 receptors to inhibit orexin neurons and promote sleep.
Digestive proteases and in vitro protein digestibility of feed ingredients for the Central American river turtle, Dermatemys mawii
Authors: Rangel‐Mendoza J. , Hernández‐García J. , Álvarez‐González C. A. , Guerrero‐Zárate R. , Zenteno‐Ruiz C. E. , López‐Luna M. A. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryFunctional characteristics of digestive proteases and in vitro digestibility of several protein sources were studied in hatchlings of Central American river turtles, Dermatemys mawii. Acidic and alkaline proteases from the stomach and intestines were used, and optimums for acidic proteases were registered at 55°C and pH 2, while alkaline proteases were found at 55°C and pH 9. Ten protein ingredients, both vegetable and animal sources, were explored by the pH‐STAT method, only for alkaline proteases. The degree of hydrolysis was at its highest for squid meal and lowest for blood meal, while the total free amino acids level was at its highest for squid meal, and lowest for wheat gluten meal. Our results indicate that D. mawii has a broad capacity to digest both animal and vegetable sources, and suggests some ingredients more suitable to design artificial diets for this species.
In vitro gas and methane production in rumen fluid from dairy cows fed grass silages differing in plant maturity, compared to in vivo data
Authors: Macome F. M. , Pellikaan W. F. , Hendriks W. H. , Warner D. , Schonewille J. T. , Cone J. W. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe relationship between in vitro rumen CH4 production of grass silages, using the gas production technique, and in vivo data obtained with the same cows and rations in respiration chambers was investigated. Silages were made from grass harvested in 2013 on May 6th, May 25th, July 1st and July 8th. The grass silages were used to formulate four different rations which were fed to 24 cows in early and late lactation, resulting in a slightly different dry matter intake (DMI; 16.5 kg/day vs. 15.4 kg/day). The experimental rations consisted of 70% grass silage, 10% maize silage, and 20% concentrates on a dry matter basis. Cows were adapted to the rations for 17 days before rumen fluid was collected via oesophageal tubing, and in vitro gas and CH4 production were analysed. In vitro total gas and CH4 production of the (ensiled) grass expressed as ml/g OM decreased with advancing maturity of the grass. The in vitro CH4 production after 48 hr of incubation expressed in ml/g OM did not correlate with the in vivo CH4 production expressed in g/kg organic matter intake or g/kg DMI (R2 = .00–.18, p ≥ .287). The differences in CH4 emission per unit of intake observed in vivo were rather small between the different rations, which also contributed to the observed poor relationship. Utilizing stepwise multiple regression improved the correlation only slightly. In vitro gas and CH4 production varied based on whether donor cows were previously adapted to the respective ration or not, suggesting that careful adaption to the experimental diet should be envisaged in in vitro gas and CH4 production experiments.
Investigation of carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on growth, serum and tissue metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed a high‐fat diet
Authors: Almeida V. V. , Yan H. , Nakatsu C. H. , Ajuwon K. M. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryCarryover effect of prior fibre consumption on metabolic markers was investigated. Treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 factorial with 2 fibre sources, 4% inulin or cellulose (Solka‐Floc®) and fat levels (5 or 15%) for the low‐fat diet (LFD) and high‐fat diet (HFD) respectively. Pigs were fed the two fibre diets for the first 56d (nursery phase), and thereafter fed either the LFD or HFD containing no added fibre source from d56 to 140 (growing phase). Pigs on the HFD were heavier (p = .05) than those on LF (64.61 vs. 68.38 kg), regardless of prior fibre type consumed. Pigs that were fed cellulose during the nursery and later fed the HFD had the highest ADG (p < .05). Feeding the HFD resulted in higher back fat (BF) (13.41 and 18.18 ± 0.12 mm for LFD and HFD, respectively; p < .01). The HFD resulted in higher (p < .01) insulin (0.014 and 0.016 ± 0.001 mg/L for LF and HF respectively) and glucose (100.89 and 125.03 ± 4.39 mg/dl for LF and HF respectively) concentrations in the serum. Inulin increased (p ≤ .02) jejunal expression of SREBP‐1c and CL‐4, but reduced (p < .05) TNFɑ and IL‐6 expression in the ileum. Alpha‐diversity was significantly different (p < .05) between the inulin and cellulose fed pigs at the end of the nursery and finishing phases. Therefore, inulin feeding before a HFD may lead to reduction in ADG and inflammatory markers in the small intestine of pigs, and thus prevent future metabolic disorders.
The antimicrobial activity of lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) and its influence on the production performance of broiler chickens
Authors: Adaszyńska‐Skwirzyńska M. , Szczerbińska D. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe aim of the study was the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity (in vitro) of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil (LEO) and the effect of its addition to the drinking water of broiler chickens on their production performance. Antimicrobial activity was determined by establishing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using a series of microdilutions. Bird experiments were carried out on a commercial farm on 300 Ross 308 broilers. One‐day‐old chicks were randomly assigned to three experimental groups of 100 individuals (five replications of 20 individuals each). In the control group, chickens received drinking water without added essential oil throughout the rearing period. In the LEO0.2 and LEO0.4 groups, from 1 to 42 days of bird life, the LEO0.2 group had 0.2 ml/L of essential lavender oil added to the drinking water, while LEO0.4 had 0.4 ml/L added. The results of the experiment showed the antimicrobial activity of LEO and its positive effect on the production results of broiler chickens. Application of higher concentration of essential oil (0.4 ml/L) significantly affected production results (BW, FCR, WCR—p < .01). No differences were observed in FI, WI, F:W and mortality (p > .05). In vitro studies indicate a significant effect of LEO on the inhibition of microbial growth. These results encourage further studies on a larger scale that will confirm antimicrobial efficiency and define the mechanisms of action of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil and its individual components.
Inhibition of Internal Attention to Positive and Negative Representations in Dysphoria
Authors: Isato Ayako , Nishimura Haruki , Yamada Makiko , Mochizuki Satoshi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe developed the Internal–External Attention‐Switching Task, which measures the ability to inhibit internal attention and the ability to remove inhibition of internal attention. The Internal–External Attention‐Switching Task was administered to a sample of dysphoric and non‐dysphoric undergraduate or graduate students (N = 44). Difficulty in both inhibition of internal attention to negative representation and removal of this inhibition were shown to be general. Importantly, however, dysphoric individuals could not maintain internal attention or remove inhibition of internal attention to positive representations as easily as non‐dysphoric individuals could. Therefore, reduced attention to positive representations in dysphoric individuals may enable maintenance of their depressive mood.
Emerging psychiatric disorders in Kleine‐Levin syndrome
Authors: Groos Elisabeth , Chaumereuil Charlotte , Flamand Mathilde , Brion Agnes , Bourdin Hubert , Slimani Vanessa , Lecendreux Michel , Arnulf Isabelle 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIn Kleine‐Levin syndrome (KLS), episodes of hypersomnia and cognitive, psychiatric and behavioural disturbances alternate with asymptomatic periods in adolescents. We evaluated whether psychiatric disorders would emerge during asymptomatic periods in a naturalistic, uncontrolled clinical cohort. Patients with primary KLS underwent psychiatric interviews at diagnosis and every year for 1–10 years, leading to diagnosis of former and present comorbid psychiatric disorders. Among the 115 patients (65.2% male and aged 16.1 ± 4.8 years at KLS onset), 19 (16.5%) had a history of psychiatric disorder prior to KLS onset, which persisted afterwards in 10. Twenty‐five (21%) patients developed a new, comorbid psychiatric disorder 1–6 years after KLS onset, during ‘asymptomatic’ periods, including mood disorders (n = 14; including major depressive episodes, n = 8; recurrent depressive episodes, n = 2; bipolar I disorder, n = 1; dysthymic disorder, n = 1; adjustment disorder with depressive mood, n = 1; and mood disorder not otherwise specified, n = 1), anxiety disorders (n = 7), eating disorders (n = 2), psychotic disorders not otherwise specified (n = 2), schizoaffective disorder (n = 1) and cannabis dependence (n = 1). Six patients attempted suicide: two before and two after KLS onset, and two during episodes. Female sex, longer disease course, longer time incapacitated (356 ± 223 versus 155 ± 186 days) and more frequent psychiatric symptoms during episodes (but no family or personal history of psychiatric disorders) were associated with emerging psychiatric disorders. Contrary to the alleged benignity of KLS and normality between episodes, one KLS patient in five suffers from emerging psychiatric disorders. These disorders may depend on personal vulnerability and, most probably, on psychiatric symptoms during episodes.
Schizotypal traits are associated with sleep spindles and rapid eye movement in adolescence
Authors: Kuula Liisa , Merikanto Ilona , Makkonen Tommi , Halonen Risto , Lahti‐Pulkkinen Marius , Lahti Jari , Heinonen Kati , Räikkönen Katri , Pesonen Anu‐Katriina 
Published: April 2018

SummaryResearch suggests an association between schizophrenia and a decrease in sleep spindle activity, as well as a change in sleep architecture. It is unknown how the continuum of psychotic symptoms relates to different features in the sleep electroencephalogram. We set out to examine how sleep architecture and stage 2 spindle activity are associated with schizotypy in a healthy adolescent population. The participants in our study (n = 176, 61% girls) came from a community‐based cohort. Schizotypal traits were evaluated using the Schizotypal Personality Scale (STA) in early adolescence (mean age 12.3 years, SD = 0.5) and the participants underwent ambulatory overnight polysomnography at mean age 16.9 years (SD = 0.1). Sleep was scored in 30‐s epochs into stages 1, 2, 3 and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Stage 2 spindles were detected using an automated algorithm. Spindle analyses from central and frontal derivations included spindle duration and density for slow (10–13 Hz) and fast (13–16 Hz) ranges. Covariates included sex and age. Those with the highest STA scores had a higher percentage of REM (B = 2.07 [95% CI, 0.17, 4.0]; p = .03) than those with the lowest scores. Those with the highest scores had shorter spindle duration, as derived from the frontal regions, and a slower oscillation range (B = −0.04 [95% CI, −0.07, −0.01]; p = .023) than those with the lowest scores. We conclude that high levels of schizotypy characteristics measured in early adolescence may be associated with distinguished features of sleep architecture, namely with spindle morphology and a higher proportion of REM sleep.
Effects of enrofloxacin on antioxidant system, microsomal enzymatic activity, and proteomics in porcine liver
Authors: Li Y. , Mou Y. , Thunders M. , Wu Y. , Ai X. , Zhou X. , Qiu J. 
Published: April 2018

Enrofloxacin (EF) is a widely used fluoroquinolone, usually regarded as a safe and effective treatment for bacterial infections. Adverse effects of EF have previously been demonstrated in some species, but so far there have been no studies looking specifically at the impact of EF on pigs. In this study, three different doses of EF (5, 25 and 125 mg kg bw−1) were administrated to Bama pigs. The results showed that lipid peroxidation of pig liver tissue occurred with all EF doses. The 125 mg kg dose of EF induced catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐px) and increased CYP450 content in pig liver microsomes. The activity of microsomal NADPH‐cytochrome C reductase (NCCR) was elevated at both the 25 and 125 mg kg doses of EF. Microsomal erythromycin N‐demethylase (ERND) and aminopyrin N‐demethylase (AND) were inhibited by high doses of EF, while aniline‐4‐hydroxylase (AH) was unaffected. None of the EF treatments affected superoxide dismutase (SOD) or cytochrome b5 content. Antioxidases and microsomal enzymes may work together to resist the adverse effects of EF. Proteomic analysis revealed increased protein expression of carboxylesterase (CES) and alpha‐enolase (ENO1) in microsomes as a stress response to EF. These results provide new information about the adverse effect of fluoroquinolones and help guide their usage more effectively in the clinic or animal breeding.
Pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) after oral, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and bath administration
Authors: Shan Q. , Wang J. , Yang F. , Ma L. , Yin Y. , Liu S. , Li L. , Zheng G. 
Published: April 2018

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of cefquinome (CEQ) was studied in crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) after single oral, intramuscular (i.m.), and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight and following incubation in a 5 mg/L bath for 5 hr at 25°C. The plasma concentration of CEQ was determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). PK parameters were calculated based on mean CEQ concentration using WinNonlin 6.1 software. The disposition of CEQ following oral, i.m., or i.p. administration was best described by a two‐compartment open model with first‐order absorption. After oral, i.m., and i.p. administration, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) values were 1.52, 40.53, and 67.87 μg/ml obtained at 0.25, 0.23, and 0.35 hr, respectively, while the elimination half‐life (T1/2β) values were 4.68, 7.39, and 6.88 hr, respectively; the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) values were 8.61, 339.11, and 495.06 μg hr/ml, respectively. No CEQ was detected in the plasma after bath incubation. Therapeutic blood concentrations of CEQ can be achieved in the crucian carp following i.m. and i.p. administration at a dosage of 10 mg/kg once every 2 days.
Development and validation of a novel score for fibrosis staging in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Wu Daxian , Rao Qunfang , Chen Wenqian , Ji Feiyang , Xie Zhongyang , Huang Kaizhou , Chen Er'mei , Zhao Yalei , Ouyang Xiaoxi , Zhang Sainan , Jiang Zhengyi , Zhang Lingjian , Xu Linjie , Gao Hainv , Li Lanjuan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackground & AimsNon‐invasive assessment methods for liver fibrosis are urgently needed. The present study aimed to develop a novel diagnostic model for fibrosis staging in patients with chronic hepatitis B.MethodsA cross‐sectional set of 417 chronic hepatitis B patients who underwent liver biopsy was enrolled and the METAVIR score was adopted as the reference of fibrosis staging.ResultsAmong thyroid hormones, only the level of free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) decreased gradually with the METAVIR fibrosis score (P < .001). FibroStage, a novel diagnosis model that incorporates data on FT4, platelets, cholinesterase, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, and age, was developed using the deriving set (n = 219). For the diagnosis of significant fibrosis, the FibroStage model had a significantly higher area under the receiver operating curve than did the FibroIndex, Forn, and Lok models (all of P < .01) and tended to better than the fibrosis‐4 (P = .0791) but comparable with the aspartate transaminase‐to‐platelet ratio index model (P = .1694). For the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis, FibroStage had a higher area under the receiver operating curve than did the aspartate transaminase‐to‐platelet ratio index, FibroIndex, Forn, and Lok models (all of P < .05) and had a comparable area under the receiver operating curve with the fibrosis‐4 model (P = .2109). For the diagnosis of cirrhosis, the area under the receiver operating curve of FibroStage was higher than those of the aspartate transaminase‐to‐platelet ratio index, fibrosis‐4, FibroIndex, and Lok (all of P < .05) models and was comparable with Forn (P = .1649). These results was validated by a validation set (n = 198).ConclusionFT4 may be an indicator for fibrosis staging in chronic hepatitis B patients. FibroStage is a better model than aspartate transaminase‐to‐platelet ratio index, fibrosis‐4, FibroIndex, Forn, and Lok for the comprehensively diagnosis of significant and advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Sp1‐regulated transcription of RasGRP1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation
Authors: Zhang Xinran , Zhuang Hao , Han Feng , Shao Xiaowen , Liu Yun , Ma Xuda , Wang Zun , Qiang Zhaoyan , Li Yongmei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsThe role of Ras guanine nucleotide‐releasing protein 1 (RasGRP1) in tumourigenesis has been a subject of debate, and its functions and clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the expression of RasGRP1 in HCC and determined how it contributes to HCC cell proliferation.MethodsRasGRP1 expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting of 24 paired HCC tissues and para‐tumour tissues. RasGRP1 expression was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis of a tissue microarray from 1 independent cohort. Overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method, and risk factors that contributed to OS or DFS were identified using Cox regression analysis. The biologic relevance of RasGRP1 was examined by small interfering RNAs and an exogenous plasmid construct. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to examine the binding of Sp1 to the RasGRP1 promoter.ResultsIncreased RasGRP1 expression was associated with tumour size (P = .004), tumour‐node‐metastasis stage (P = .032), and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage (P = .002). RasGRP1 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor in HCC patients. RasGRP1 downregulation inhibited cell proliferation, whereas RasGRP1 overexpression promoted cell proliferation. Moreover, specificity protein 1 bound to the RasGRP1 promoter and promoted RasGRP1 transcription. In addition, RasGRP1 overexpression enhanced activation of the c‐Raf pathway.ConclusionsRasGRP1 is upregulated in HCC and promotes HCC cell proliferation. Thus, RasGRP1 may be a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
Depositional processes of impactites from the YAX‐1 drill core in the Chicxulub impact structure inferred from vertical profiles of PDF orientations and grain size distributions of shocked quartz
Authors: Chang Yu , Goto Kazuhisa , Sekine Yasuhito , Tajika Eiichi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractCore samples from the Chicxulub impact structure provide insights into the formation processes of a shallow‐marine‐target, complex crater. Although previous studies investigated the impactites (generally suevitic and polymict breccias) of the Yaxcopoil‐1 (YAX‐1) drill core in the Chicxulub impact structure, the interpretation of its deposition remains controversial. Here, we analyze planar deformation features (PDFs), grain size, and abundance of shocked quartz throughout the YAX‐1 impactite sequence (794–895 m in depth). PDF orientations of most quartz grains in YAX‐1 impactites show a distribution of both low angles ({104}, {103}, {102}) and high angles (orientations higher than 55° to c‐axis), while the lower part of the impactite sequence contains quartz showing only PDF orientations of low angles. High‐abundance, coarse‐grained shocked quartz is found from the lower to middle parts of the impactites, whereas it abruptly changes to low‐abundance, fine‐grained shocked quartz within the upper part. In the uppermost part of the impactites, repeated oscillations in contents of these two components are observed. PDF orientation pattern suggests most of the shocked quartz grains experienced a range of shock pressure, except two samples in the lower part of impactites, which experienced only a high level of shock. We suggest that the base and lower part of the impactite sequence were formed by ejecta curtain and melt surge deposits, respectively. Our results are also consistent with the interpretation that the middle part of the impactite sequence is fallback ejecta from the impact plume. Additionally, we support the contention that massive seawater resurges into the crater occurred during the deposition of the upper and uppermost part of the impactites.