bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of combined contraceptive vaginal rings in Norway
Authors: Skipenes Vanja Poppe , Skjeldestad Finn Egil 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIntroductionLittle is known about vaginal ring (VR) prescribers and user patterns in Norway and internationally. With data from the Norwegian Prescription Database, we explore user and prescriber characteristics of women initiating VR use.Material and methodsIn a cross‐sectional study design, we analyzed 47 127 first‐time VR users from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2012. Follow up ended on 30 June 2013. We applied strict definitions for switching from any other hormonal contraceptive before and at the end of VR use. All analyses were performed using SPSS, with chi‐squared test, t‐test, and survival analysis.ResultsAt study end, the prevalent use of VR reached 10 per 1000 women of fertile age, which amounted to 3% of all hormonal contraceptive use. The number of first‐time VR users increased from 2006 to 2008 only among women under the age of 20. Nearly three out of four new users discontinued after 3 months. Physicians without specialist status and general practitioners accounted for over 70% of the prescriptions, whereas gynecologists accounted for 17% of the prescriptions. Gynecologists were significant prescribers of VR to women aged 35 or more.ConclusionsGynecologists are important providers of VR to first‐time users above 30 years of age. When prescribing VR to first‐time users, it is important to discuss the need for contraception in a longer time perspective. Authorizing public health nurses/midwives as VR prescribers to teenagers, from 1 March 2006, may explain the relative increase in VR usage at a younger age.
Adipocytokine, progranulin, augments acetylcholine‐induced nitric oxide‐mediated relaxation through the increases of cGMP production in rat isolated mesenteric artery
Authors: Kazama K. , Hoshino K. , Kodama T. , Okada M. , Yamawaki H. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimProgranulin (PGRN) is a novel adipocytokine with anti‐inflammatory effects in vascular cells. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of PGRN on reactivity of isolated blood vessel.MethodsIsometric contraction of rat isolated superior mesenteric artery was measured.ResultsPre‐treatment with PGRN (10–100 ng mL−1, 30 min) had no effect on noradrenaline‐ or 5‐hydroxytriptamine‐induced contraction. On the other hand, pre‐treatment with PGRN (100 ng mL−1) augmented acetylcholine (ACh; 30 nm)‐induced endothelium‐dependent relaxation. Pre‐treatment with PGRN (100 ng mL−1) augmented ACh (10 μm)‐induced nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated relaxation in the presence of indomethacin (10 μm), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and tetraethyl ammonium (10 mm), a non‐selective potassium channel blocker. In contrast, pre‐treatment with PGRN (100 ng mL−1) had no effect on ACh‐induced endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor‐mediated relaxation. Pre‐treatment with PGRN (100 ng mL−1) had no effect on ACh (10 μm, 1 min)‐induced endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation (at Ser1177) as determined by Western blotting. Pre‐treatment with PGRN (100 ng mL−1) augmented an NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 30 nm–1 μm)‐ but not a membrane‐permeable cGMP analogue, 8‐bromo‐cGMP‐induced relaxation. In the presence of 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (100 μm), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, pre‐treatment with PGRN (100 ng mL−1) increased SNP (30 nm, 5 min)‐induced cGMP production as determined by enzyme immunoassay.ConclusionWe for the first time demonstrate that PGRN augments ACh‐induced NO‐mediated relaxation through the increases of cGMP production in smooth muscle. These results indicate PGRN as a possible pharmacotherapeutic target against cardiovascular diseases including obesity‐related hypertension.
Right ventricle dimensions and function in response to acute hypoxia in healthy human subjects
Authors: Netzer N. C. , Strohl K. P. , Högel J. , Gatterer H. , Schilz R. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimAcute hypoxia produces acute vasoconstriction in the pulmonary circulation with consequences on right ventricular (RV) structure and function. Previous investigations in healthy humans have been restricted to measurements after altitude acclimatization or were interrupted by normoxia. We hypothesized that immediate changes in RV dimensions in healthy subjects in response to normobaric hypoxia differ without the aforementioned constraints.MethodsTransthoracic echocardiography was performed in 35 young, healthy subjects exposed to 11% oxygen, as well as six controls under sham hypoxia (20.6% oxygen, single blind) first at normoxia and after 30, 60, 100, 150 min of hypoxia or normoxia respectively. A subgroup of 15 subjects continued with 3‐min cycling exercise in hypoxia with subsequent evaluation followed by an assessment 1 min at rest while breathing 4 L min−1 oxygen.ResultsDuring hypoxia, there was a significant linear increase of all RV dimensions (RVD1 + 29 mm, RVD2 + 42 mm, RVD3 + 41 mm, RVOT + 13 mm, RVEDA + 18 mm, P < 0.01) in the exposure group vs. the control group. In response to hypoxia, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) showed a modest increase in hypoxia at rest (+7.3 mmHg, P < 0.01) and increased further with physical effort (+11.8 mmHg, P < 0.01). After 1 min of oxygen at rest, it fell by 50% of the maximum increase.ConclusionAcute changes in RV morphology occur quickly after exposure to normobaric hypoxia. The changes were out of proportion to a relatively low‐estimated increase in pulmonary pressure, indicating direct effects on RV structure. The results in healthy subjects are basis for future clinically oriented interventional studies in normobaric hypoxia.
Relationship between the stockperson's attitudes and dairy productivity in Japan
Authors: Fukasawa Michiru , Kawahata Masatoshi , Higashiyama Yumi , Komatsu Tokushi 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study is to identify the factors that comprise farmer attitudes toward dairy cows and jobs in Japan, and examine the relationship between these attitudes and dairy productivity. At first, we executed a questionnaire survey to determine factors that comprise attitudes of farmers toward their jobs and dairy cows, and three factors were extracted. These were named as ‘Positive beliefs to cows’, ‘Negative beliefs to cows’ and ‘Job satisfaction’, respectively. Second, we examined the relationships between attitude and dairy productivity in 35 dairy farms. The positive beliefs scores correlated positively both with milk yield and milk urea nitrogen concentration. We found there to be three farm groups by cluster analysis using three attitude score. The group B farms showed significantly higher positive beliefs scores and job satisfaction scores; on the other hand, the group C farms showed significantly lower positive beliefs scores and higher negative belief scores. The milk yield in group B was significantly higher than that in group C. This study showed that Japanese farmers' attitudes toward cows considerably resemble those seen in previous studies in Western cultures. Positive attitudes toward cows could enhance stockmanship, and could improving animal welfare and productivity.
Prospective dose selection and acceleration of paliperidone palmitate 3‐month formulation development using a pharmacometric bridging strategy
Authors: Samtani Mahesh N. , Nandy Partha , Ravenstijn Paulien , Remmerie Bart , Vermeulen An , Russu Alberto , D'hoore Peter , Baum Ellen Z. , Savitz Adam , Gopal Srihari , Hough David 
Published: June 2016

AimsTo prospectively select the dose of the paliperidone palmitate 3‐month (PP3M) formulation, using a pharmacometric bridging strategy based on the paliperidone palmitate 1‐month (PP1M) formulation previously approved for schizophrenia treatment.MethodsPharmacokinetic (PK) data from a 6‐month interim analysis of a single dose PP3M Phase I clinical trial was integrated with a previously developed PP1M population‐PK model. The model was updated to incorporate formulation as a covariate on absorption parameters and to explore the most critical design element of the Phase III study: the PP1M‐to‐PP3M dose multiplier for patients switching formulations. Plasma paliperidone concentrations were measured at predetermined intervals during Phase III, enabling comparison of the multiple‐dose PK between PP1M and PP3M. Exposure matching was assessed graphically to determine whether paliperidone plasma concentrations from the two formulations overlapped.ResultsProspective steady‐state PK simulations revealed that a 3.5 multiple of the PP1M dose would yield a corresponding PP3M dose with comparable exposure. The prospective pharmacometric simulation and observed Phase III PK data agreed closely. Phase III results confirmed the hypothesis that efficacy of PP3M was noninferior to that of PP1M. The similarity in exposures between the two formulations was likely a key determinant of the equivalent efficacy between the two products observed in the Phase III study.ConclusionsSuccessful prospective PP3M Phase III clinical trial dose selection was achieved through the use of pharmacometric bridging, without conducting a Phase II study and using only limited Phase I data for PP3M. We estimate that this strategy reduced development time by 3–5 years and may be applicable to other drug development projects.
Physical Exercise and Brain Mitochondrial Fitness: The Possible Role Against Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Bernardo T.C. , Marques‐Aleixo I. , Beleza J. , Oliveira P.J. , Ascensão A. , Magalhães J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractExercise is one of the most effective strategies to maintain a healthy body and mind, with particular beneficial effects of exercise on promoting brain plasticity, increasing cognition and reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in later life. Moreover, the beneficial effects resulting from increased physical activity occur at different levels of cellular organization, mitochondria being preferential target organelles. The relevance of this review article relies on the need to integrate the current knowledge of proposed mechanisms, focus mitochondria, to explain the protective effects of exercise that might underlie neuroplasticity and seeks to synthesize these data in the context of exploring exercise as a feasible intervention to delay cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative conditions, particularly Alzheimer disease.
Mechanism responsible for D‐transposition of the great arteries: Is this part of the spectrum of right isomerism?
Authors: Nakajima Yuji 
Published: June 2016

AbstractD‐transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is one of the most common conotruncal heart defects at birth and is characterized by a discordant ventriculoarterial connection with a concordant atrioventricular connection. The morphological etiology of TGA is an inverted or arrested rotation of the heart outflow tract (OFT, conotruncus), by which the aorta is transposed in the right ventral direction to the pulmonary trunk. The rotational defect of the OFT is thought to be attributed to hypoplasia of the subpulmonic conus, which originates from the left anterior heart field (AHF) residing in the mesodermal core of the first and second pharyngeal arches. AHF, especially on the left, at the early looped heart stage (corresponding to Carnegie stage 10–11 in the human embryo) is one of the regions responsible for the impediment that causes TGA morphology. In human or experimentally produced right isomerism, malposition of the great arteries including D‐TGA is frequently associated. Mutations in genes involving left–right (L–R) asymmetry, such as NODAL, ACTRIIB and downstream target FOXH1, have been found in patients with right isomerism as well as in isolated TGA. The downstream pathways of Nodal‐Foxh1 play a critical role not only in L–R determination in the lateral plate mesoderm but also in myocardial specification and differentiation in the AHF, suggesting that TGA is a phenotype in heterotaxia as well as the primary developmental defect of the AHF.
Four‐unit fixed dental prostheses replacing the maxillary incisors supported by two narrow‐diameter implants – a five‐year case series
Authors: Moráguez Osvaldo , Vailati Francesca , Grütter Linda , Sailer Irena , Belser Urs C. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectives(1) To determine the survival rate of 10 four‐unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) replacing the four maxillary incisors, supported by 20 narrow‐diameter implants (NDIs), (2) to assess the incidence of mechanical and biological complications, and (3) to evaluate bone level changes longitudinally after final FDP insertion.Materials and methodsTen patients (six women, four men), mean age 49.4 ± 12.6 years, were treated with a four‐unit anterior maxillary FDP (six screw‐retained; four cemented). Biological parameters, eventual technical complications, radiographic measurements, and study casts were assessed at 1 (baseline), 3, and 5 years after implant placement. A multilevel logistic regression test was performed on clinical parameters and bone level changes (significance level P < 0.05).ResultsThe 5‐year implant and FDP survival rate was 100%. Mean modified plaque index (mPI) values were 0.03 and 0.02 at 3 and 5 years, significantly lower when compared to mPI (0.11 ± 0.31) at 1 year. Mean modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI) was 0.08, 0.08, and 0.15 over time. Probing depth (PD) values were 1.57, 1.64, and 2.03 mm. Statistically significant differences were found between 1 vs. 5 year (P = 0.0003) and 3 vs. 5 year (P = 0.001). Keratinized mucosa (3.65 mm) remained stable during observation period. DIB mean values were 2.01 ± 0.34, 2.13 ± 0.13, and 2.17 ± 0.38 mm. Patient satisfaction based on visual analog scale revealed favorable fulfillment of overall treatment and esthetic expectations.ConclusionsTwo NDIs supporting a four‐unit FDP to replace the four missing maxillary incisors may be considered a predictable treatment modality.
Physiological and biological predictors of length of stay and recovery in adults with acute asthma: An observational cohort study
Authors: Jones Thomas L. , Owen Jonathon , Elliott Scott , Brown Thomas , Reynish Dominic , Mistry Heena , Kerley Sumita , Matti Salah , Shute Janis K. , Chauhan Anoop J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIntroductionAsthma is a prevalent, chronic disease associated with significant risk to patients and cost to healthcare systems. Accurate estimates of length of stay and recovery are important for patient information, physician prognostication, and management of inpatient beds.ObjectivesTo assess factors affecting length of stay and time to recovery in adults with acute asthma.MethodsWe prospectively recruited adult asthmatic non‐smokers admitted with an asthma exacerbation. Participants were assessed for demographics, symptoms, medications, bloods including blood count, clotting status, and cytokines. Results were analyzed for correlation and subsequently in a regression model.ResultsOne hundred twenty‐six participants were recruited of which 75.4% were female. Mean age was 40.0 and mean length of stay was 3.98 days. Length of stay was associated with lower APTT ratio (<P = 0.001), oxygen requirement (P = 0.02), increased AST (P = 0.005), increasing age (P = 0.02), and lower %predicted FEV1 (P = 0.02). Longer time to recovery was associated with plasma IL‐12 >1 pg/mL (P = 0.04).ConclusionOlder participants with lower FEV1 and supplemental oxygen requirements are likely to remain in hospital longer. Activation of the “intrinsic” clotting pathway correlates with an increased length of stay as does a raised serum AST. Detectable IL‐12 in plasma correlates with slower recovery and this may be due to poor response to corticosteroids.
Effect of perioperative systemic steroid treatment on patients with obstructive lung disease undergoing elective abdominal surgery
Authors: Lee Hyun Woo , Lee Jung Kyu , Oh So Hee , Kim Deog Kyeom , Chung Hee Soon , Heo Eun Young 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIntroductionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an independent risk factor of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). It is unknown whether a perioperative systemic corticosteroid would be beneficial in patients with obstructive airway disease.ObjectivesThe present study was conducted to determine the effect of a perioperative systemic corticosteroid on PPCs in patients who showed airway obstruction in preoperative spirometry.MethodsRetrospective medical record reviews were performed on records from January 2010 to December 2011 in a referral hospital. We analyzed the data of patients who were referred to pulmonologists before elective abdominal surgery and had a prebronchodilator FEV1/FVC of <70%. We compared the PPCs between the steroid group and the non‐steroid group.ResultsA total of 270 patients were referred to pulmonologists and, of these, 86 had a FEV1/FVC of <70% in the preoperative spirometry. In the 30 patients in the steroid group, the mean FEV1 was 52.2% and half of these had previously used a bronchodilator. Use of a perioperative systemic corticosteroid was significantly associated with reduced incidence of PPCs in the multivariate logistic regression with adjustment by propensity score (adjusted odds ratio = 0.036, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.003–0.505; P = 0.014).ConclusionIn our retrospective study we showed that those treated with steroids had better outcomes. However, future prospective and randomized controlled trials are needed.
Atorvastatin enhances kainate‐induced gamma oscillations in rat hippocampal slices
Authors: Li Chengzhang , Wang Jiangang , Zhao Jianhua , Wang Yali , Liu Zhihua , Guo Fang Li , Wang Xiao Fang , Vreugdenhil Martin , Lu Cheng Biao 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAtorvastatin has been shown to affect cognitive functions in rodents and humans. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Because hippocampal gamma oscillations (γ, 20–80 Hz) are associated with cognitive functions, we studied the effect of atorvastatin on persistent kainate‐induced γ oscillation in the CA3 area of rat hippocampal slices. The involvement of NMDA receptors and multiple kinases was tested before and after administration of atorvastatin. Whole‐cell current‐clamp and voltage‐clamp recordings were made from CA3 pyramidal neurons and interneurons before and after atorvastatin application. Atorvastatin increased γ power by ~ 50% in a concentration‐dependent manner, without affecting dominant frequency. Whereas atorvastatin did not affect intrinsic properties of both pyramidal neurons and interneurons, it increased the firing frequency of interneurons but not that of pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, whereas atorvastatin did not affect synaptic current amplitude, it increased the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory post‐synaptic currents, but did not affect the frequency of spontaneous excitatory post‐synaptic currents. The atorvastatin‐induced enhancement of γ oscillations was prevented by pretreatment with the PKA inhibitor H89, the ERK inhibitor U0126, or the PI3K inhibitor wortmanin, but not by the NMDA receptor antagonist D‐AP5. Taken together, these results demonstrate that atorvastatin enhanced the kainate‐induced γ oscillation by increasing interneuron excitability, with an involvement of multiple intracellular kinase pathways. Our study suggests that the classical cholesterol‐lowering agent atorvastatin may improve cognitive functions compromised in disease, via the enhancement of hippocampal γ oscillations.
Factors affecting parents’ choices of functional foods targeted for children
Authors: Annunziata Azzurra , Vecchio Riccardo , Kraus Artur 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn recent years the link between diet and disease has become well established, with studies increasingly pointing to the role of diet in disease prevention, as well as its ability to prevent chronic diseases affecting children. As a consequence, there are ever more functional products specifically targeting children, marketed in terms of the benefits conferred on children's health as well as their potential in reducing the risk of disease. The current study aims to explore factors affecting parents’ choices of suitable FFs for their children. The questions addressed in this paper concern how FFs for children are perceived by their parents and what driving factors affect their willingness to purchase FFs. The results from a web survey conducted in southern Italy on a sample of 365 parents of children aged from 1 to 10 years reveal that parents have a strong interest in functional nutrition for their children, even if their level of familiarity with these products is still low. Furthermore, multivariate analysis shows that the buying frequency of FFs targeting children is influenced by several variables, beyond socio‐demographics, generally related to parents’ nutritional knowledge, and trust and familiarity with FFs. The paper provides some practical indications for both policy makers and marketers to build different strategies to improve communication on the nutritional and health benefits of FFs for children.
The influence of source attractiveness on self‐perception and advertising effectiveness for 6‐ to 7‐year‐old children
Authors: Van de Sompel Dieneke , Vermeir Iris 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe objective of this article is to examine the effects of using attractive peer models in advertising for 6‐ to 7‐year‐old children. This age is important in children's development, as children of that age are not yet fully aware of the persuasive intent of advertising, are more focused on perceptual than on cognitive information in ads and are more focused on irrelevant rather than relevant ad information. More insights are therefore needed about whether attractive advertising models influence self‐perception and advertising effectiveness of children this young, in order to help policy makers, parents and advertisers understand these effects. Two experimental studies are presented in which children are exposed to ads with peer models. Results show that when children of 6‐ to 7‐year‐old rate advertising models as being more attractive, advertising effectiveness raises, but children's perceived self‐worth and children's perceived physical attractiveness are unaffected. We conclude that 6‐ to 7‐year‐old children use model attractiveness as a perceptual cue to rate ads but are not yet using comparisons with these models to evaluate themselves.
Spawning of coral reef invertebrates and a second spawning season for scleractinian corals in the central Red Sea
Authors: Bouwmeester Jessica , Gatins Remy , Giles Emily Clark , Sinclair‐Taylor Tane Hemi , Berumen Michael Lee 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRecent coral spawning observations in the central Red Sea show that most scleractinian species release their gametes in the spring, with a majority of species spawning in April. There is, however, a lack of reproductive data for several other coral species, as well as a general lack of data for other invertebrates. Here, we document the detailed timing of spawning for 13 scleractinian coral species, one sea anemone, and six echinoderms from an inshore reef off the coast of Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, in the spring between April and June 2014. Furthermore, inferred from the presence of mature gametes, we report the month of spawning for three additional coral species in the spring. Seven scleractinian coral species were inferred to release their gametes in a second reproductive season, in the autumn, between September and November. This is the first report of a second spawning season in the Arabian region. Biannual spawning has so far been reported on the Great Barrier Reef, in Western Australia, in Indonesia, in Malaysia, in Palau, in Thailand, in Taiwan, and in Western Samoa.