bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced neuronal and blunted hemodynamic reactivity to cocaine in the prefrontal cortex following extended cocaine access: optical imaging study in anesthetized rats
Authors: Allen Craig P. , Park Kicheon , Li Ang , Volkow Nora D. , Koob George F. , Pan Yingtian , Hu Xiu‐Ti , Du Congwu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCocaine addiction is associated with dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which facilitates relapse and compulsive drug taking. To assess if cocaine's effects on both neuronal and vascular activity contribute to PFC dysfunction, we used optical coherence tomography and multi‐wavelength laser speckle to measure vascularization and hemodynamics and used GCaMP6f to monitor intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]in) as a marker of neuronal activity. Rats were given short (1 hour; ShA) or long (6 hours; LgA) access cocaine self‐administration. As expected, LgA but not ShA rats escalated cocaine intake. In naïve rats, acute cocaine decreased oxygenated hemoglobin, increased deoxygenated hemoglobin and reduced cerebral blood flow in PFC, likely due to cocaine‐induced vasoconstriction. ShA rats showed enhanced hemodynamic response and slower recovery after cocaine, versus naïve. LgA rats showed a blunted hemodynamic response, but an enhanced PFC neuronal [Ca2+]in increase after cocaine challenge associated with drug intake. Both ShA and LgA groups had higher vessel density, indicative of angiogenesis, presumably to compensate for cocaine's vasoconstricting effects. Cocaine self‐administration modified the PFC cerebrovascular responses enhancing it in ShA and attenuating it in LgA animals. In contrast, LgA but not ShA animals showed sensitized neuronal reactivity to acute cocaine in the PFC. The opposite changes in hemodynamics (decreased) and neuronal responses (enhanced) in LgA rats indicate that these constitute distinct effects and suggest that the neuronal and not the vascular effects are associated with escalation of cocaine intake in addiction whereas its vascular effect in PFC might contribute to cognitive deficits that increase vulnerability to relapse.
Fine versus coarse atrial fibrillation in rheumatic mitral stenosis: The impact of aging and the clinical significance
Authors: Pourafkari Leili , Baghbani‐Oskouei Aidin , Aslanabadi Naser , Tajlil Arezou , Ghaffari Samad , Sadigh Ali Mosavi , Savadi‐Oskouei Safa , Enamzadeh Elgar , Parizad Raziyeh , Nader Nader D 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) as the most rhythm disturbance in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS), is classified in to coarse and fine subtypes according to the height of fibrillatory wave amplitude. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with the presence of fine versus coarse morphology in patients with rheumatic MS.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, patients with confirmed diagnosis of severe rheumatic MS admitted between March 2013 and March 2017 were screened. Patients were categorized to sinus rhythm (SR) and AF rhythm (coarse and fine subtypes) groups according to the admission electrocardiogram. The association between various clinical and echocardiographic factors and the development of fine versus coarse AF were examined.ResultsAmong 754 patients with the diagnosis of rheumatic MS, 288 (198 female) were found to have AF (38%). Among them 206 (71.5%), and 82 (28.5%) patients had fine and coarse morphology respectively. Patient in these two groups were quite similar in terms of echocardiographic parameters and comorbidities. However, patients with fine morphology AF were significantly older. (p‐Value=.007).ConclusionCoarse morphology of AF is common in patients with rheumatic MS. While echocardiographic or most clinical parameters do not seem to associate with the occurrence of coarse or fine morphology, age seems to be the only independent factor correlated with the presence of fine subtype of AF in this population.
Inhibition of In Vitro Metabolism of Opioids by Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Authors: Moody David E. , Fu Yueqiao , Fang Wenfang B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that skeletal muscle relaxants could inhibit the in vitro metabolism of common comedications opioids buprenorphine, methadone and oxycodone. The compounds [solubility‐limited concentration (μM) studied] were as follows: baclofen (1000), carisoprodol (200), its metabolite meprobamate (1000), chlorzoxazone (200), cyclobenzaprine (1000), metaxalone (50), methocarbamol (1000), orphenadrine (1000) and tizanidine (1000). Compounds were first incubated with human liver microsomes ± pre‐incubation, screened with pathway‐specific cDNA‐expressed cytochrome P450s (rCYP), and then IC50 values determined using either 8‐concentration tests for those where the rCYP screen suggested an IC50 was achievable, or a 3‐concentration test with downward extrapolation if screen suggested 50% inhibition was not achievable. These results were then extrapolated to determine an inhibitory potential. Six pathway inhibitor combinations were identified with a moderate inhibitory potential (≥2.0 < 5.0): five with chlorzoxazone, R‐EDDP, S‐EDDP and noroxycodone production by CYP3A4, and R‐ and S‐EDDP production by CYP2B6; and one for the meprobamate effect on noroxycodone production by CYP3A4. An additional eleven combinations were found with a weak inhibitory potential (≥1.25 < 2.0): five with carisoprodol, two each with methocarbamol and meprobamate, and one each with metaxalone and orphenadrine. This represents the first comprehensive study of the inhibitory effect of this class of drugs and suggests that some of them may produce significant drug–drug interactions with opioids that are frequent comedications with skeletal muscle relaxants.
Floral resource pulse decreases bumble bee foraging trip duration in central Wisconsin agroecosystem
Authors: Hemberger Jeremy , Gratton Claudio 
Published: March 2018

1. Resource pulses, narrow periods of high resource availability, can elicit strong behavioural responses across diverse taxa. Mass‐flowering agricultural crops are an example of a resource pulse that insect pollinators exploit. However, the underlying mechanism behind changes in pollinator behaviour associated with mass‐flowering crops is still relatively unexplored.2. The present study quantified the behavioural response of bumble bees, an important wild pollinator, to commercial cranberry bloom, an important mass‐flowering crop in Wisconsin, U.S.A. Over a 2‐year period, foraging trip duration was measured using radio frequency identification at 14 farms situated across landscape contexts, ranging from high to low natural area (woodland amount). Using transect surveys, floral resource abundance at a landscape scale was estimated.3. It was found that bumble bees were highly sensitive to temporal changes in landscape‐level resource abundance associated with the onset of cranberry bloom, during which they decreased foraging trip duration by 22% and increased the number of foraging trips during bloom by 24% on average relative to the period before and after bloom. This phenomenon was consistent across colonies, individual bees, and landscape contexts, despite a higher abundance of flowers in low woodland landscapes. Bumble bee colonies growing in low‐ and high‐woodland landscapes exhibited a similar performance.4. As mass‐flowering crops are probably a factor influencing bumble bee foraging behaviour in agricultural regions, investigations should continue into how variable resource landscapes, particularly those offering resource pulses, affect wild pollinators and the pollination services they provide.
Drought consistently alters the composition of soil fungal and bacterial communities in grasslands from two continents
Authors: Ochoa‐Hueso Raúl , Collins Scott L. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Hamonts Kelly , Pockman William T. , Sinsabaugh Robert L. , Smith Melinda D. , Knapp Alan K. , Power Sally A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe effects of short‐term drought on soil microbial communities remain largely unexplored, particularly at large scales and under field conditions. We used seven experimental sites from two continents (North America and Australia) to evaluate the impacts of imposed extreme drought on the abundance, community composition, richness, and function of soil bacterial and fungal communities. The sites encompassed different grassland ecosystems spanning a wide range of climatic and soil properties. Drought significantly altered the community composition of soil bacteria and, to a lesser extent, fungi in grasslands from two continents. The magnitude of the fungal community change was directly proportional to the precipitation gradient. This greater fungal sensitivity to drought at more mesic sites contrasts with the generally observed pattern of greater drought sensitivity of plant communities in more arid grasslands, suggesting that plant and microbial communities may respond differently along precipitation gradients. Actinobateria, and Chloroflexi, bacterial phyla typically dominant in dry environments, increased their relative abundance in response to drought, whereas Glomeromycetes, a fungal class regarded as widely symbiotic, decreased in relative abundance. The response of Chlamydiae and Tenericutes, two phyla of mostly pathogenic species, decreased and increased along the precipitation gradient, respectively. Soil enzyme activity consistently increased under drought, a response that was attributed to drought‐induced changes in microbial community structure rather than to changes in abundance and diversity. Our results provide evidence that drought has a widespread effect on the assembly of microbial communities, one of the major drivers of soil function in terrestrial ecosystems. Such responses may have important implications for the provision of key ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling, and may result in the weakening of plant–microbial interactions and a greater incidence of certain soil‐borne diseases.
Push‐Pull Tests for Estimating RDX and TNT Degradation Rates in Groundwater
Authors: Michalsen Mandy M. , Weiss Rebecca , King Aaron , Gent David , Medina Victor F. , Istok Jonathan D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn situ bioremediation is being considered to optimize an existing pump‐and‐treat remedy for treatment of explosives‐contaminated groundwater at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. Push‐pull tests were conducted using a phased approach to measure in situ hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine (RDX) and 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) degradation rates associated with various carbon substrates. Phase I included short‐duration transport tests conducted in each well to determine dilution rates and retardation factors for RDX and TNT. Phase II included aquifer “feedings” conducted by injecting 150 gallons of treated site groundwater amended with ethanol, corn syrup, lactose or emulsified oil (concentrations 10, 25 and 27 mM, respectively; 12% by volume for emulsified oil). Wells received up to 6 substrate “feedings” over the course of 3 months followed by monitoring dissolved oxygen, nitrate, Fe(II), and sulfate to gauge in situ redox conditions as indicators of anaerobic microbial activity. Phase III included push‐pull tests conducted by injecting 150 gallons of site groundwater amended with approximately 1000 µg/L RDX, 350 µg/L TNT, carbon substrate and a conservative tracer, followed by sampling over 8 d. Corn syrup resulted in the best RDX removal (82% on average) and the largest RDX degradation rate coefficient (1.4 ± 1.1 d−1). Emulsified oil resulted in the best TNT removal (99%) and largest TNT degradation rate coefficient (5.7 × 10−2 d−1). These results will be used to simulate full‐scale in situ bioremediation scenarios at Umatilla and will support a go/no‐go decision to initiate full‐scale bioremediation remedy optimization.
The Value of Groundwater Modeling to Support a Pump and Treat Design
Authors: Compernolle T. , Van Passel S. , Lebbe L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA wide range of rules, algorithms, and models are available to design an effective pump and treat remediation system. Often, one refers to the effectiveness of the developed pump and treat system to demonstrate how valuable the use of a groundwater model can be. An economic valuation of the groundwater model is usually missing. This study provides a framework that puts the discussion concerning the use of groundwater models in an economic perspective. It is not only demonstrated that a more effective pump and treat system can be designed using a groundwater model, but also the economic implications of using a groundwater model are calculated. A set of economic decision rules is applied to determine the economic value of a groundwater model. It is shown that investing in a groundwater model can be economically worthwhile. The remediation time is reduced, remediation costs are saved and the property can be sold more early. These benefits outweigh the costs of developing a groundwater model, and hence a positive net benefit (NB) is determined.
Assessing BTEX Biodegradation Potential at a Refinery Using Molecular Biological Tools
Authors: Key Katherine C. , Sublette Kerry L. , Johannes Tyler W. , Ogles Dora , Baldwin Brett , Biernacki Anita 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA microbial survey of hydrocarbon‐impacted groundwater and vadose zone at a Midwestern refinery employed molecular biological tools to elucidate the microbial processes involved in bioremediation occurring in the subsurface. qPCR analysis of bio‐traps incubated in groundwater indicated that a large and diverse microbial community was present throughout the site and suggested that mechanisms of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) biodegradation included aerobic oxidation, sulfate reduction, methanogenesis, and possibly Fe+3 reduction. To assess the role of vadose zone microorganisms in hydrocarbon attenuation, RNA was extracted from soil core samples, and reverse transcriptase‐qPCR (RT‐qPCR) analysis indicated that microbial activity in the vadose zone generally increased with depth, likely supported by hydrocarbons and methane volatilizing from the groundwater. Stable isotope probing (SIP) with 13C6‐benzene provided direct evidence of benzene biodegradation in six of the eight wells studied. The highest levels of 13C were detected in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) extracted from the two monitoring wells closest to the river. The influx of nutrients and oxygen coming from the river may help to maintain a robust population of hydrocarbon degraders in these wells. While qPCR analysis indicated that microorganisms with the genetic potential for hydrocarbon biodegradation were ubiquitous at the site, RT‐qPCR and SIP results were used to refine the site conceptual model by identifying areas where that genetic potential was actively being expressed and locations where biodegradation was lagging.
On‐Site Vapor‐Phase Analysis as a Novel Approach for Monitoring Groundwater Wells
Authors: Adamson David T. , McHugh Thomas E. , Rysz Michal W. , Landazuri Roberto , Seyedabbasi Mir Ahmad , Haas Patrick E. , Newell Charles J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe results of comprehensive field testing of on‐site vapor‐phase‐based groundwater monitoring methods are presented to demonstrate their utility as a robust and cost‐effective approach for rapidly obtaining volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentration data from a monitoring well. These methods—which rely on sensitive, commercially available field equipment to analyze vapor in equilibrium with groundwater—proved easy to implement and can be tailored to site‐specific needs, including multilevel sampling. During field testing, low‐flow groundwater concentrations could be reasonably estimated using submerged passive vapor diffusion samplers or field equilibration of collected groundwater (R2 = 0.85 to 0.96). These two methods are not as reliant on in‐well mixing to overcome vertical stratification within wells as simpler headspace methods. The importance of well and aquifer‐specific factors on concentration data (and therefore method selection) is highlighted, including the effect of changing in‐well patterns due to seasonal temperature gradients. Results indicated that vertical stratification was relatively limited within the set of wells included in these studies, resulting in similar performance for short depth‐discrete passive vapor diffusion samplers (constructed from 40‐mL vials) and longer samplers (2.5 to 5 feet in length) designed to cover a larger portion of the screened interval. A year‐long, multi‐event evaluation demonstrated that vapor‐phase‐based monitoring methods are no more variable than conventional groundwater monitoring methods, with both types subject to similar spatial and temporal variability that can be difficult to reduce. Vapor sampling methods represent a promising approach for estimation of groundwater concentrations by reducing the cost liabilities associated with monitoring while providing a more sustainable approach.
Evaluating the Subsurface Distribution of Zero‐Valent Iron Using Magnetic Susceptibility
Authors: Arnason John G. , Harkness Mark , Butler‐Veytia Belinda 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSuccessful in situ groundwater remediation relies on the adequate distribution of treatment materials within the subsurface. Zero‐valent iron (ZVI) is widely used for the remediation of soils contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds. Because ZVI is a solid, various techniques are used to distribute ZVI in the subsurface; however, a major uncertainty in this process involves determining the distribution of the iron during emplacement. A method of mapping the distribution of ferromagnetic material such as ZVI is by magnetic susceptibility (MS), a novel approach that is highly sensitive, quantitative, objective, and easily applied in field. The method has been tested in the laboratory on synthetic cores containing EHC®, an organic amendment containing 40 to 50% ZVI, using an MS meter with two types of sensors (loop and handheld). Both sensors have high sensitivity (e.g., 1% disseminated EHC is easily detected), whereas the hand‐held sensor has greater spatial resolution (e.g., differences are notable on a scale of 1 cm). Following the laboratory studies, the handheld instrument was used to perform field measurements for multiple pilot studies and a full‐scale application of EHC using various delivery methods (pneumatic fracturing, hydraulic fracturing, and direct injection) to construct a biobarrier at a field remedial site. The MS method has proven invaluable in quantifying amendment distribution and ensuring appropriate application of this remedial technology.
Presence of Semi‐Volatile Organic Contaminants in Shallow Groundwater of Selected Regions in China
Authors: Chen Liang , Jin Song , Liu Yulong , Liu Fei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA pioneering investigation of semi‐volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in shallow groundwater in China was hereby reported. Representative groundwater samples were collected from three selected regions: Eastern Hai River Plain, Yangtze River Delta, and Yunnan‐Guizhou Plateau, and analyzed for 103 SVOCs linked to agricultural and industrial practices. Analytical results showed that 70 of the 103 SVOCs were present in the groundwater samples, a detection frequency of approximately 86%. Compounds detected most frequently included P,P′‐DDT (53.49%, MDL 0.0007 µg/L), 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (51.16%, MDL 0.02 µg/L), and phenol (51.16%, MDL 0.02 µg/L). Fifteen SVOCs, such as P,P′‐DDT, 2,4‐dinitrotoluene, heptachlor, and aldrin, were detected at concentrations exceeding the USA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria‐2009 (USNRWQC‐2009). Most of these 15 SVOCs belong to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides. The detection of SVOCs in the Yunnan‐Guizhou Plateau warrants special concern, since this region has limited human activities and been assumed as an environmentally pristine area. The data from this work are expected to contribute to the database of contemporary groundwater quality in China.
Anti‐Helicobacter pylori therapy in localized gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A prospective, nationwide, multicenter study in Japan
Authors: Sugizaki Katsuya , Tari Akira , Kitadai Yasuhiko , Oda Ichiro , Nakamura Shotaro , Yoshino Tadashi , Sugiyama Toshiro 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori eradication therapy was approved in Japan for the first‐line, standard treatment of H. pylori‐positive gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Although several retrospective studies or small‐scale single‐center studies have been reported, a prospective, large‐scale, nationwide, multicenter study has not been reported from Japan.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a prospective, nationwide, multicenter study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of rabeprazole‐based triple H. pylori eradication therapy for patients with localized gastric MALT lymphoma in practice‐based clinical trial. A total of 108 H. pylori‐positive patients with stage I/II1 gastric MALT lymphoma underwent H. pylori eradication therapy. The primary endpoints were complete remission (CR) rate and the rate of transfer to secondary treatment. The secondary endpoints were CR maintenance duration and overall survival (OS).ResultsCR of lymphoma was achieved in 84 of 97 patients (86.6%), during the period 2.0‐44.7 months (median, 5.3 months) after starting H. pylori eradication treatment. CR was maintained in 77 of 81 patients (95.1%) for 0.4‐53.2 months (median, 33.1 months). Secondary treatments (radiotherapy, rituximab, or gastrectomy) for gastric MALT lymphoma were needed in 10 of the 97 patients (10.31%). During follow‐up, OS rate was 96.9% (94/97) and the causes of 3 deaths were not related to lymphoma.ConclusionsRabeprazole‐based H. pylori eradication therapy demonstrated a high CR rate, long CR maintenance, and a good OS for patients with localized gastric MALT lymphoma in this prospective, practice‐based, multicenter study.
Brief report: Lactobacillus bulgaricus GLB44 (Proviotic™) plus esomeprazole for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A pilot study
Authors: Opekun Antone R. , Gonzales Savannah A. , Al‐Saadi Mahmoud A. , Graham David Y. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus GLB44 plus a proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) reported cures of more than 90% of patients with active Helicobacter pylori infections.AimTo confirm the high H. pylori cure rates reported previously.MethodA pilot study was done in healthy H. pylori‐infected volunteers using 3‐gram sachet (3 billion cells) of L. delbrueckii GLB44 plus 22.3 mg of esomeprazole b.i.d., for 14 days. The result was determined by urea breath testing 4 weeks after therapy. Stopping rules required for ending enrollment if less than 3 of the first 10 subjects were cured.ResultsNine subjects were entered and because all failed to achieve negative urea breath test, the stopping rule required the study to end.ConclusionWe were unable to confirm reports of achieving a high H. pylori cure rate with L. delbrueckii GLB44 plus a PPI.