bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methamphetamine binge administration dose‐dependently enhanced negative affect and voluntary drug consumption in rats following prolonged withdrawal: role of hippocampal FADD
Authors: García‐Cabrerizo Rubén , García‐Fuster M. Julia 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWhile prior studies have established various interacting mechanisms and neural consequences (i.e. monoaminergic nerve terminal damage) that might contribute to the adverse effects caused by methamphetamine administration, the precise mechanisms that mediate relapse during withdrawal remain unknown. This study evaluated the long‐term consequences of binge methamphetamine administration (three pulses/day, every 3 hours, 4 days, i.p.; dose–response: 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg) in adult Sprague–Dawley rats at two behavioral levels following 25 days of withdrawal: (1) negative affect (behavioral despair—forced‐swim test, and anhedonia—1% sucrose consumption, two‐bottle choice test) and (2) voluntary methamphetamine consumption (20 mg/l, two‐bottle choice test). Striatal and hippocampal brain samples were dissected to quantify monoamines content by high‐performance liquid chromatography and to evaluate neurotoxicity (dopaminergic and serotonergic markers) and neuroplasticity markers [i.e. cell fate regulator (Fas‐associated protein with death domain) FADD] by Western blot. The results showed that methamphetamine administration induced dose‐dependent negative effects during prolonged withdrawal in adult rats. In particular, rats treated repeatedly with methamphetamine (7.5 mg/kg) showed (1) enhanced negative affect—increased anhedonia associated with behavioral despair, (2) increased voluntary methamphetamine consumption, (3) enhanced neurotoxicity—decreased dopamine and metabolites in striatum and decreased serotonin in hippocampus, (4) altered neuroplasticity markers—decreased FADD protein and increased p‐FADD/FADD balance selectively in hippocampus and (5) higher consumption rates of methamphetamine that were associated with lower FADD content in hippocampus. These results confirm that methamphetamine withdrawal dose‐dependently induced negative affect and decreased monoamines content, while also increased voluntary methamphetamine consumption and suggested a role for hippocampal FADD neuroplasticity in these drug‐withdrawal adaptations.
Efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous azacitidine in Chinese patients with higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes: Results from a multicenter, single‐arm, open‐label phase 2 study
Authors: Du Xin , Lai Yue‐Yun , Xiao Zhijian , Liu Ting , Hu Yu , Sun Aining , Li Xiao , Shen Zhi‐Xiang , Jin Jie , Yu Li , Laille Eric , Dong Qian , Songer Stephen , Beach C.L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundAzacitidine safety and efficacy were established in studies of mainly Caucasian patients. Differences in drug metabolism enzymes between Caucasian and East Asian populations prevent extrapolation of drug effects between these groups. This phase 2 study evaluated azacitidine safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics in patients with higher‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR‐MDS) in mainland China.MethodsPatients aged ≥18 years with HR‐MDS were to receive subcutaneous azacitidine 75 mg/m2/day for 7 days per 28‐day cycle, for ≥6 cycles. Pharmacokinetic blood samples were collected in cycle 1 predose on days 5–7, and postdose on day 7. Pharmacokinetic outcomes are descriptively compared with those of a historical North American cohort.ResultsOf 72 participants, 46 (64%) completed ≥6 cycles. Response rate was 96%, driven primarily by stable disease (94%); one patient achieved complete remission. Hematologic improvement was attained by 53% of patients. Azacitidine mean plasma concentration versus time profiles were similar in shape for Chinese (n = 12) and North American (n = 45) patients. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was higher in Chinese patients; however, mean azacitidine exposure (1190 ng·h/mL) was similar to the North American cohort (1021 ng·h/mL). Most common grade 3–4 treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were thrombocytopenia (69%) and neutropenia (67%).ConclusionsAzacitidine was safe and effective in Chinese patients with HR‐MDS. Clinical outcomes were comparable to those for primarily Caucasian patients in the phase 3 AZA‐001 study. Cmax differences between Chinese and North American patients were not associated with differences in TEAE frequency or severity. No initial azacitidine dose adjustment is required for Chinese patients with HR‐MDS.
Study of top ballet school students revealed large deficiencies in their body weight and body fat
Authors: Grochowska‐Niedworok Elżbieta , Kardas Marek , Fatyga Edyta , Piórkowska‐Staniek Karolina , Muc‐Wierzgoń Małgorzata , Kokot Teresa 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimThis study assessed the nutritional status and physical activity levels of 150 female students aged 10–18 from three top Polish ballet schools, where the most promising dancers go on to pursue professional ballet careers.MethodsWe analysed the girls’ body composition, physical activity level (PAL) and PAL coefficient. The ballet students also completed a questionnaire.ResultsThe results revealed large deficiencies in the body weight and body fat of the young ballerinas. The mean body mass index (BMI) for the group was 16.8 kg/m2. Polish centile charts showed that 18% of the girls had BMIs below the norm and 54% had a lower than average body fat content, with a mean of 15.6%. The body fat content was lowest (13.8%) in the 13‐ to 15‐year age group. On average, girls aged 10–12 had 15.7% body fat, while girls aged 16–18 had 18.4%. The mean values for the anthropometric measurements were higher in older girls. The majority (72%) of the respondents reported high physical activity levels, defined as more than 15 hours of exercise per week.ConclusionSpecial attention should be paid to low BMIs and body fat in young ballet school dancers aged 10–15 years.
Effects of different gestation housing types on reproductive performance of sows
Authors: Choe Jeehwan , Kim Sheena , Cho Jin Ho , Lee Jeong Jae , Park Sangwoo , Kim Byeonghyeon , Kim Junsu , Baidoo Samuel K. , Oh Sangnam , Kim Hyeun Bum , Song Minho 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of different gestation housing types on reproductive performance of sows. A total of 60 sows (218 ± 24 kg body weight) with mixed parity were used. During gestation, 28 sows were housed in groups with electronic sow feeders (space allowance = 1.26 m2/sow) and 32 sows were housed in individual stalls (space allowance = 1.20 m2/sow). Sows from both housing types were moved to farrowing crates on day 109 of gestation and stayed until weaning (18 days post‐farrowing). Typical corn‐soybean meal diets were provided to sows during gestation and lactation. Measurements were reproductive performance of sows at farrowing as well as performance of sows and their litter during lactation. Similar total numbers of piglets born at farrowing were observed for sows gestated in both housing types. However, group‐housed gestation sows had more mummies (0.321 vs. 0.064; P < 0.05) and stillbirths (0.893 vs. 0.469; P = 0.073) at farrowing than individual‐housed gestation sows. Consequently, individual‐housing type had higher percentage of piglets born alive (95.5 vs. 90.4%; P < 0.05) than the group‐housing type. Therefore, improved reproductive performance of sows from individual gestating housing was confirmed in this study.
Inclusion of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain TOA5001 in the diet of broilers suppresses the symptoms of coccidiosis by modulating intestinal microbiota
Authors: Tsukahara Takamitsu , Inoue Ryo , Nakayama Keizo , Inatomi Takio 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCoccidiosis is an intestinal parasitic infection and one of the most prevalent and economically damaging diseases of chickens. Furthermore, coccidia‐induced mucogenesis promotes secondary colonization by Clostridium perfringens, a major pathogen of chickens that causes necrotic enteritis. Our previous work found that supernatant of a culture of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain TOA5001 (BA) inhibited the growth of C. perfringens on Gifu anaerobic broth medium. Accordingly, we evaluated the effectiveness of dietary BA administration in inhibiting C. perfringens colonization of the intestine in broilers that were experimentally infected with coccidia. Ten healthy broilers from a BA‐supplemented (2 × 105 colony‐forming units/g of feed) broiler group and 10 from a non‐treated group were challenged with Eimeria tenella and E. maxima (5000 oocysts of each species/chick) at 28 days old. At 36 days old, five chicks from each group were slaughtered, whereas the remaining five in each group were killed at 49 days old. Dietary BA administration into Eimeria‐challenged birds reduced coccidial symptoms such as intestinal lesions. It also modified the cecal microbiota through suppressing C. perfringens and E. coli colonization, and inducing domination of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, the Lactobacillus group and unknown Lachnospiraceae genera by bacterial DNA‐based metagenome analyses. B. amyloliquefaciens TOA5001 supplementation suppressed the symptoms of coccidiosis by modulating cecal microbiota in Eimeria‐challenged broilers.
The stapes of Edops craigi and ear evolution in the lissamphibian stem group
Authors: Schoch Rainer R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Lower Permian temnospondyl Edops craigi exemplifies an early and plesiomorphic condition of the single ear ossicle or stapes among the temnospondyls, the probable stem group of lissamphibians. In Edops, the 11‐cm‐long bone is more massive than in other temnospondyls, has a distinct neck, a dorsal crest and incompletely subdivided footplate and ventral process. Despite a range of invariances, temnospondyl stapes were much more diverse than previously conceived. A survey of described stapes gives insight into character evolution of the ear ossicle in the lissamphibian stem group. These include alternative patterns of paedomorphosis, proportional size change, morphology of tympanic region and reorientation of the auditory apparatus.
Manipulation, salience, and nudges
Authors: Noggle Robert 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCass Sunstein and Richard Thaler recommend helping people make better decisions by employing ‘nudges’, which they define as noncoercive methods of influencing choice for the better. Not surprisingly, healthcare practitioners and public policy professionals have become interested in whether nudges might be a promising method of improving health‐related behaviors without resorting to heavy‐handed methods such as coercion, deception, or government regulation. Many nudges seem unobjectionable as they merely improve the quality and quantity available for the decision‐maker. However, other nudges influence decision‐making in ways that do not involve providing more and better information. Nudges of this sort raise concerns about manipulation. This paper will focus on noninformational nudges that operate by changing the salience of various options. It will survey two approaches to understanding manipulation, one which sees manipulation as a kind of pressure, and one that sees it as a kind of trickery. On the pressure view, salience nudges do not appear to be manipulative. However, on the trickery view (which the author favors), salience nudges will be manipulative if they increase the salience so that it is disproportionate to that fact's true relevance and importance for the decision at hand. By contrast, salience nudges will not be manipulative if they merely highlight some fact that is true and important for the decision at hand. The paper concludes by providing examples of both manipulative and nonmanipulative salience nudges.
Do reef corals age?
Authors: Bythell John C. , Brown Barbara E. , Kirkwood Thomas B. L. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTHydra is emerging as a model organism for studies of ageing in early metazoan animals, but reef corals offer an equally ancient evolutionary perspective as well as several advantages, not least being the hard exoskeleton which provides a rich fossil record as well as a record of growth and means of ageing of individual coral polyps. Reef corals are also widely regarded as potentially immortal at the level of the asexual lineage and are assumed not to undergo an intrinsic ageing process. However, putative molecular indicators of ageing have recently been detected in reef corals. While many of the large massive coral species attain considerable ages (>600 years) there are other much shorter‐lived species where older members of some populations show catastrophic mortality, compared to juveniles, under environmental stress. Other studies suggestive of ageing include those demonstrating decreased reproduction, increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and disease, reduced regeneration potential and declining growth rate in mature colonies. This review aims to promote interest and research in reef coral ageing, both as a useful model for the early evolution of ageing and as a factor in studies of ecological impacts on reef systems in light of the enhanced effects of environmental stress on ageing in other organisms.
The inositol pyrophosphate pathway in health and diseases
Authors: Chakraborty Anutosh 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTInositol pyrophosphates (IPPs) are present in organisms ranging from plants, slime moulds and fungi to mammals. Distinct classes of kinases generate different forms of energetic diphosphate‐containing IPPs from inositol phosphates (IPs). Conversely, polyphosphate phosphohydrolase enzymes dephosphorylate IPPs to regenerate the respective IPs. IPPs and/or their metabolizing enzymes regulate various cell biological processes by modulating many proteins via diverse mechanisms. In the last decade, extensive research has been conducted in mammalian systems, particularly in knockout mouse models of relevant enzymes. Results obtained from these studies suggest impacts of the IPP pathway on organ development, especially of brain and testis. Conversely, deletion of specific enzymes in the pathway protects mice from various diseases such as diet‐induced obesity (DIO), type‐2 diabetes (T2D), fatty liver, bacterial infection, thromboembolism, cancer metastasis and aging. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of the same class of enzymes in mice validates the therapeutic importance of this pathway in cardio‐metabolic diseases. This review critically analyses these findings and summarizes the significance of the IPP pathway in mammalian health and diseases. It also evaluates benefits and risks of targeting this pathway in disease therapies. Finally, future directions of mammalian IPP research are discussed.
Has it become warmer in Alberta? Mapping temperature changes for the period 1950–2010 across Alberta, Canada
Authors: Kienzle Stefan W. 
Published: December 2017

Key Messages

Between 1950 and 2010, winter temperatures in Alberta rose by 3.5°C to 5°C in the south and up to 7°C in the north, while summer temperatures increased by less than 1°C in most of the province.
The number of days with minimum temperatures below −20°C has generally about halved across Alberta, while the number of heat waves has roughly doubled.
Highest confidence levels were evident for rising trends in mean annual and winter temperatures, and declining trends in the number of days below −20°C and heating degree days.
Randomized controlled trial evaluating a novel community eye care programme for elderly individuals with visual impairment
Authors: Tan Anna CS , Man Ryan , Wong Chee Wai , Lee Shu Yen , Lamoureux Ecosse L , Ang Marcus 
Published: December 2017

AbstractImportanceThe novel intervention was effective at improving compliance to appropriate tertiary eye care after community eye screening.BackgroundElderly individuals from low socio‐economic background with visual impairment (VI) often do not attend tertiary care, even if significant eye diseases are detected while in the community. We evaluate a novel incentive care scheme (ICS) to improve compliance to appropriate follow‐up after community eye screening.DesignRandomized controlled trial in a population‐based setting was conducted.ParticipantsA total of 140 elderly individuals with VI (visual acuity <6/12, mean age ± SD = 66.6 ± 8.9 years, 46.4% female) were included.MethodsParticipants were randomized to either ICS (N = 72) or usual care (UC; N = 68). ICS incorporated patient education, social support and financial assistance to assist individuals in attending tertiary eye care. UC comprised of a standard referral letter and advice.Main outcome measurePrimary outcome included compliance to eye care referral. Secondary outcomes included best‐corrected visual acuity and vision‐related quality of life assessed at baseline and 3 months.ResultsParticipants receiving the ICS intervention had higher rates of compliance to tertiary eye care attendance compared to UC (31.9% vs. 16.2%, respectively, P = 0.027). While we observed an overall significant improvement in best‐corrected visual acuity at 3 months in both groups (P < 0.05), we found no significant differences in Rasch‐transformed vision‐related quality of life scores between groups (all P > 0.05). Identified barriers for tertiary healthcare access included patient attitudes and financial‐ and health‐related barriers.Conclusion and RelevanceOur pilot RCT found that ICS improved adherence to appropriate tertiary eye care referrals after community eye screening in elderly people with VI.
Osseointegration and foreign body reaction: Titanium implants activate the immune system and suppress bone resorption during the first 4 weeks after implantation
Authors: Trindade Ricardo , Albrektsson Tomas , Galli Silvia , Prgomet Zdenka , Tengvall Pentti , Wennerberg Ann 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundOsseointegration mechanisms are still not entirely understood.PurposeThe present pilot study aims at demonstrating the involvement of the immune system in the process of osseointegration around titanium implants, comparing bone healing in the presence and absence of a titanium implant.Materials and MethodsFifteen New Zealand White rabbits had one osteotomy performed at each of the distal femurs; on one side, no implant was placed (sham) and on the other side a titanium implant was introduced. Subjects were sacrificed at 10 and 28 days for gene expression analysis (three subjects each time point) and for decalcified qualitative histology (six subjects each time point). At 10 days, the three subjects for gene expression analysis were part of the six subjects for histology.ResultsGene expression analysis: at 10 days, ARG1 was significantly up‐regulated around titanium, indicating an activation of M2‐macrophages. At 28 days CD11b, ARG1, NCF‐1, and C5aR1 were significantly up‐regulated, indicating activation of the innate immune system, respectively M1‐macrophages, M2‐macrophages and group 2‐innate lymphoid cells, neutrophils, and the complement system; on the other hand, the bone resorption markers RANKL, OPG, cathepsin K, and TRAP were significantly down‐regulated around titanium. Histology: at 10 days new bone formation is seen around both sham and titanium sites, separating bone marrow from the osteotomy/implant site; at 28 days no bone trabeculae is seen on the sham site, which is healing at the original cortical level, whereas around titanium implants, bone continues into organization of more mature cortical‐like bone, forming a layer between the implant and the bone marrow.ConclusionsThe presence of a titanium implant during bone healing activates the immune system and displays type 2 inflammation, which is likely to guide the host‐biomaterial relationship. At the same time, bone resorption is suppressed around titanium sites compared to sham sites after 4 weeks of implantation, suggesting a shift to a more pronounced bone forming environment. This suggests two important steps in osseointegration: identification of the titanium foreign body by the immune system and the development of a bone forming environment, that at tissue level translates into bone build‐up on the titanium surface and can be perceived as an attempt to isolate the foreign body from the bone marrow space.
Nickel and cobalt release from earrings and piercing jewellery – analytical results of a German survey in 2014
Authors: Uter Wolfgang , Wolter Jörg 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBackgroundNickel and cobalt are important metal allergens, and more knowledge on the levels of exposure to these from everyday contacts is needed.ObjectivesTo report the results of a repeat routine surveillance scheme in the Federal Republic of Germany on the release of nickel and cobalt.MethodsFifteen laboratories assessed earrings and piercing jewellery items from 12 of the states in 2014, complying with EN 1811:2011 + AC:2012 and using atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry for quantification. Kaplan–Meier analysis for left‐censored data was employed to account for measurements below the limit of quantification.ResultsNickel release exceeded 0.35 µg/cm2 per week in 26 of 160 piercing posts (16.2%), and 0.88 µg/cm2 per week in 2.0–5.9% of other parts, that is, the current respective ‘pass’ thresholds, with no change from the previous 2008 survey. The level of cobalt release was lower than that of nickel release, and also significantly lower than in the previous survey.ConclusionsThe finding of the highest level of nickel release from piercing posts, with their deliberately lower threshold of acceptability, is worrying, as is the largely unchanged overall level of nickel release. A regulation on cobalt release is currently lacking; risk assessment and management based on dose‐elicitation data are needed.
Compliance to Brazil's Forest Code will not protect biodiversity and ecosystem services
Authors: Vieira Raísa Romênia S. , Ribeiro Bruno R. , Resende Fernando M. , Brum Fernanda T. , Machado Nathália , Sales Lilian Patrícia , Macedo Lara , Soares‐Filho Britaldo , Loyola Rafael 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn striking contrast to heartening events in the adjacent Amazon, Brazil's Cerrado biome has seen continued deforestation over the past decade. Though approved in 2012, no study evaluated the impacts of new Brazilian Forest Code (FC) revision on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Here, we report the first assessment of the likely loss and gain in biodiversity and ecosystem services expected if the FC is properly enforced across 200 million hectares of the Cerrado. We also discuss the challenges associated to compliance with the law and present opportunities for conservation. Establishing restoration programmes in private properties with currently less native vegetation than required by the FC could create habitat for 25% more threatened species than now found in these places and could also increase water security and carbon stock in 56.6 MtC. More important, trading environmental reserve quotas coupled with the strategic expansion of protected areas on private and public land could definitely rescue the Cerrado from the brink.