bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Prolonged Exposure to Varenicline in Adult Rats: Haematological, Biochemical and Anatomopathological Studies
Authors: Zaccarelli‐Magalhães Julia , Moreira Natalia , Sandini Thaísa Meira , de Abreu Gabriel Ramos , Sánchez‐Sarmiento Angélica Maria , Ricci Esther Lopes , Fukushima André Rinaldi , de Souza Spinosa Helenice 
Published: September 2017

AbstractVarenicline is a synthetic chemical substance produced from the alkaloid cytisine, used for smoking treatment, which acts as a partial agonist for α4β2 and α3β4 nicotinic cholinergic receptors and as a total agonist for α7 receptor. While there are studies regarding varenicline's non‐smoking‐related effects, as in treatment for drug dependence, there are no studies in the literature evaluating the long‐term toxicity of varenicline through a physiological approach. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate possible toxicity through haematological, biochemical and anatomopathological parameters of prolonged exposure (30 days) to varenicline in rats. Three doses of varenicline were used: 0.03 (therapeutic dose for human beings), 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg orally (gavage). Body‐weight, water and food intake were measured weekly during treatment. On the 30th treatment day, blood and various organs were collected for haematological, biochemical and anatomopathological evaluations. The results show a decrease in some biochemical parameters in animals from the 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg group, although the values are within the normal range of the species. There were no changes in the other evaluations performed. Together, these data indicate that prolonged exposure of rats to different doses of varenicline was not able to alter haematological, biochemical and anatomopathological parameters.
Measuring the impact of teaching approaches on achievement‐related emotions: The use of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire
Authors: Starkey‐Perret Rebecca , Deledalle Aurore , Jeoffrion Christine , Rowe Charlotte 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundThis study focuses on achievement emotions in a context of foreign language acquisition in a French‐speaking population.AimsFirstly, the reliability and construct validity of the Achievement Emotion Questionnaire were examined; the second aim was to compare the effectiveness of two teaching approaches, classical and task‐based learning and teaching (TBLT) on students' emotions over time.SampleThis study involves 299 participants.MethodsAchievement Emotions were rated with a self‐administrated questionnaire at the beginning of the academic year and at its end.ResultsTo verify the psychometric aim, a series of confirmatory factor analyses were computed and showed that the original multifactorial structure proposed by Pekrun et al. (2010) had the best fit. For the second aim, the results showed that all of the achievement emotions reduced in intensity over the school year (apart from boredom) and this reduction is higher for the anxiety level of pupils in 6th grade with TBLT.ConclusionsImplications for further research and educational practice are discussed.
Progressive impairment of testicular endocrine function in ageing men: Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone decrease, and luteinizing hormone increases, in men transitioning from the 8th to 9th decades of life
Authors: Yeap Bu B. , Manning Laurens , Chubb S. A. Paul , Handelsman David J. , Almeida Osvaldo P. , Hankey Graeme J. , Flicker Leon 
Published: September 2017

SummaryContextSex hormone trajectories in ageing men and their health implications remain unclear. We examined longitudinal trajectories and associations of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), oestradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) in oldest old men.DesignProspective cohort study.ParticipantsWe studied 1025 community‐dwelling men median age 75.1 years at baseline with 8.6 years of follow‐up.MeasurementsBaseline and follow‐up T, DHT and E2 were assayed using mass spectrometry. Physical performance was assessed at follow‐up. Correlations and covariate‐adjusted P‐values were determined.ResultsLongitudinal change in T was −2.0%/year, DHT −7.2%/year, LH +7.5%/year, SHBG +5.6%/year while E2 remained stable. Annualized increases in LH correlated with decreases in T and DHT (r = −.20, P < .0001 and r = −.12, P = .0035, respectively). Higher baseline T correlated with better physical performance at follow‐up (eg, Step test r = .07, P = .03), as did higher baseline DHT (eg, time to sit–stand [TSS] r = −.07, P = .01). Larger annualized increases in LH predicted poorer physical performance at follow‐up (eg, TSS r = .14, P = .001). Higher T at follow‐up was associated with better physical performance (eg, TSS r = −.07, P = .04), as were higher DHT and lower LH. At baseline, 24 men (2.4%) had abnormally high LH (>16 IU/L); at follow‐up, 175 (17.4%) had high LH of whom 70 had low T (<6.4 nmol/L).ConclusionsAnnualized increases in LH are associated with declines in T and DHT, and predict poorer subsequent physical performance in oldest old men. Men transitioning from 8th to 9th decades exhibit biochemical evidence of progressively impaired testicular endocrine function, warranting further evaluation.
Estrogen differentially regulates the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and nerve growth factor through free radical generation in the thymus and mesenteric lymph nodes of middle‐aged ovariectomized female Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Ravichandran Kishore A. , Karrunanithi Sunil , Hima Lalgi , Pratap Uday P. , Priyanka Hannah P. , ThyagaRajan Srinivasan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveSympathetic neuronal activity in the thymus and lymph nodes is differentially regulated during reproductive aging. The aim was to investigate the role of estrogen on sympathetic neuronal expression in the thymus and mesenteric lymph nodes of early middle‐aged ovariectomized female rats implanted with 17β‐estradiol pellets.Methods17β‐Estradiol pellets (0.6 and 300) were implanted subcutaneously in ovariectomized middle‐aged female Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 8/group) for a period of 30 days. At the end of the treatment period, the thymus and mesenteric lymph nodes were isolated and analyzed for the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, nerve growth factor, and p‐ERK, p‐CREB and p‐Akt.ResultsThe age‐related increase in tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the thymus was abrogated by ovariectomy, while estrogen suppressed it further and nerve growth factor expression was altered based on the dose of estrogen. In contrast, estrogen increased tyrosine hydroxylase and nerve growth factor expression in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Estrogen enhanced p‐ERK/total ERK, CREB/total CREB and p‐Akt/total Akt expression in a dose‐dependent manner. Free radical generation was augmented by estrogen in the thymus alone.ConclusionsThese results suggest that estrogen differentially influences sympathetic neuronal activity in the primary and secondary lymphoid organs to influence immunity.
Comparative study of new autologous material, bone‐cartilage composite graft, for ossiculoplasty with Polycel® and Titanium
Authors: Kong J.S. , Jeong C.Y. , Shim M.J. , Kim W.J. , Yeo S.W. , Park S.N. 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveOssiculoplasty is a surgical procedure that recreates sound transmission of the middle ear in conductive hearing loss. Various materials have been used for ossicular reconstruction, but the most ideal material for ossiculoplasty remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to introduce a novel method of autologous ossiculoplasty, bone‐cartilage composite graft (BCCG) and to compare its surgical results with different types of ossiculoplastic prostheses.Study DesignA retrospective study was performed in a tertiary referral centre.MethodsData of 275 patients who received ossiculoplasty using the three different materials of BCCG, Polycel® and titanium were analysed according to type of ossiculoplasty: partial or total ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP or TORP). Hearing results, complication rates and clinical parameters including age, sex, past history, preoperative diagnosis and surgery type were compared among different groups.ResultsOssiculoplasty with BCCG showed satisfactory hearing outcomes and the lowest complication rate among the three different materials. In particular, its extrusion rate was 0%.ConclusionWe propose that the BCCG technique is a useful alternative method for ossiculoplasty, with proper patient selection.
What patients and members of their support networks ask about transplant program data
Authors: Schaffhausen Cory R. , Bruin Marilyn J. , Chesley Daryl , McBride Maureen , Snyder Jon J. , Kasiske Bertram L. , Israni Ajay K. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTransplant patients often seek specific data and statistics to inform medical decision making; however, for many relevant measures, patient‐friendly information is not available. Development of patient‐centered resources should be informed by patient needs. This study used qualitative document research methods to review 678 detailed Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) entries and summary counts of 55 362 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) entries to provide a better understanding of what was asked and what requests were most common. Incoming call and email logs maintained by SRTR and UNOS were reviewed for 2010‐2015. Patients sought a wide range of information about outcomes, waiting times, program volumes, and willingness to perform transplants in candidates with specific diseases or demographics. Patients and members of their support networks requested explanation of complex information, such as actual‐vs‐expected outcomes, and of general transplant processes, such as registering on the waiting list or becoming a living donor. They sought transplant program data from SRTR and UNOS, but encountered gaps in the information they wanted and occasionally struggled to interpret some data. These findings were used to identify potential gaps in providing program‐specific data and to enhance the SRTR website (www.srtr.org) with more patient‐friendly information.
Liquidity Risk and Volatility Risk in Credit Spread Models: A Unified Approach
Authors: Perrakis Stylianos , Zhong Rui 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe present an integrated framework incorporating both exogenous liquidity risk in the secondary corporate bond market and volatility risk in the dynamics of asset value in debt rollover models. Using an innovative theoretical approach we derive general expressions for the debt and equity values in all cases. Taking advantage of the analytical expressions for the asset value with the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) process, we show numerically using realistic parameter values from empirical studies that volatility risk, together with deteriorating bond market liquidity, decreases both debt and equity values and significantly increases the credit spreads.
Long‐term changes in recruitment of age‐0 Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) and environmental conditions around Japan
Authors: Ishida Yukimasa , Fukuda Hiromu , Fujioka Ko , Sakai Osamu , Hiraoka Yuko , Oshima Kazuhiro , Nakatsuka Shuya , Suzuki Nobuaki , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecruitment of age‐0 Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) from 1952 to 2014 was examined by a sequential regime shift detection method. The regime shifts in recruitment were detected in 1957, 1972, 1980, 1994 and 2009. The durations of regime shift ranged from 8–15 years and averaged 13.0 years. In both the total (1952–2014) and data rich (1980–2014) periods, negative relationships were found between recruitment and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in autumn, and positive relationships were found between recruitment and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the northern part of the East China Sea, in the southwestern part of the Sea of Japan, and in the waters off Shikoku and Tokai in summer and autumn. The 1994 and 2009 regime shifts in recruitment occurred in the same years as shifts in SST anomalies in the northern part of the East China Sea in summer. These results suggest that the ocean conditions in the northern part of the East China Sea are closely related to recruitment of Pacific bluefin tuna, and that the warmer conditions result in higher recruitment of the species.
Probing Early Motion Processing With Eye Movements: Differences of Vestibular Migraine, Migraine With and Without Aura in the Attack Free Interval
Authors: Rogalinski S. , Rambold H.A. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundMigraineurs, in between headache attacks, have a different sensitivity to sensory motion stimuli compared to non‐migraineurs.MethodsThis cross‐sectional laboratory study examines the motion processing in migraineurs using ocular following responses (OFR) elicited by large field random dot patterns and open‐loop smooth pursuit eye movements (PS) elicited by a single target moving on a homogenous background. Eye movements were recorded with a video‐oculographic system (EyeSeeTec®) and stimuli presented on a CRT at 100 Hz repetition rate to horizontal stimuli of a velocity of 2.5 to 160°/s. Eye movements were analyzed during the open loop period.ResultsWe recorded 43 migraine patients: 14 migraine with (MwA), 19 without aura (MwoA), 10 vestibular migraine (VM), and 16 healthy controls. ANOVA analysis of OFR responses amplitudes showed significant differences in the subgroup (control, MwA, MwoA, and VM) (F3,409 =29.8, P < .001), stimulus velocity (F6,406=12.6, P < .001), and interaction (F18,394=1.9, P = .015). Fitting the OFR response velocity tuning by a “Weibull” function showed that the subgroups were different in the linear scaling factor (F4,53= 4.3, P < .001) but not in parameters defining the overall form of the tuning function. In contrast, the initial open‐loop responses of PS were not changed compared to control for the three different migraine subgroups.ConclusionFrom the findings, we hypothesize that in the migraine subtypes, MwA and VM, there is different sensory motion information processing for OFR compared to MwoA and control, not explained by a neuronal hyperexcitability in V5. OFR might be a possible subclinical marker in the future to diagnose MwA and VM.
Partners in protest: parents, unions and anti‐academy campaigns
Authors: Muna Suzanne 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAn analytical framework has been developed in order to enhance our ability to interrogate and understand the critical factors for successful union–community coalitions. The framework is then tested on a single case study, a campaign run by trade unions, parents and community groups engaged in opposing academisation of their community school. The framework helps structure analysis and aids evaluation of the impact of activists' choices on campaign outcomes.
Medications affecting healing: an evidence‐based analysis
Authors: Khalil Hanan , Cullen Marianne , Chambers Helen , McGrail Matthew 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this arm of the study was to investigate the impact of medication on healing times of the various wound types, including acute wounds and leg ulcers. A prospective longitudinal study design was used, with de‐identified data collected using an electronic mobile wound care database system. Three main categories of data were collected, including patients' demographics, wounds types and treatment characteristics. For acute wounds, there was a total of 1732 patients with 2089 acute wounds. The average healing time was about 35 days. The only significant association was with chemotherapy, which increased healing time by 21 days (P = 0·048). There were non‐significant trends towards reduced healing times with antibiotics (0·5 days; P = 0·853), anticoagulants (1·7 days, P = 0·673) and corticosteroids (4·98 days, P = 0·303). Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were associated with a non‐significant increase in healing time (2·17 days, P = 0·707). For leg ulcers, there was a total of 264 patients with 370 leg ulcers. We only examined the impact of antibiotics, anticoagulants, corticosteroids and NSAIDs on healing times as they had an adequate number of wounds to analyse. The average healing times of leg ulcers were found to be 73 days. None of the classes of medications had any significant impact on healing time. Both anticoagulants and NSAIDs increased healing time by (22·5 days, P = 0·08) and (12·5 days, P = 0·03), respectively. On the other hand, antibiotics and corticosteroids decreased healing times non‐significantly by (9·1 days, P = 0·33) and (21·6 days, P = 0·84), respectively.
Elastic, mechanical, electronic, and defective properties of Zr–Al–C nanolaminates from first principles
Authors: Wang Changying , Han Han , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zhang Wei , Guo Yongliang , Ren Cuilan , Zeng Guangli , Huang Qing , Huai Ping 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBy means of first principles calculations, Zr–Al–C nanolaminates have been studied in the aspects of chemical bonding, elastic properties, mechanical properties, electronic structures, and vacancy stabilities. Although the investigated Zr–Al–C nanolaminates show crystallographic similarities, their predicated properties are very different. For (ZrC)nAl3C2 (n = 2, 3, 4), the Zr–C bond adjacent to the Al–C slab with the C atom intercalated in the Zr layers is the strongest, but the one with the C atom intercalated between the Zr layer and Al layer is the weakest. In contrast, the situation for (ZrC)nAl4C3 (n = 2, 3) is just the opposite. For Zr–Al–C nanolaminates, the calculated bulk, shear and Young's modulus increase in the sequence of Zr2AlC < Zr3AlC2 < Zr2Al4C5 < Zr3Al4C6 < Zr2Al3C4 < Zr3Al3C5 < Zr4Al3C6. The (ZrC)nAl3C2 (n = 2, 3, 4) series exhibit the most outstanding elastic properties. In the presence of the external pressure, the bulk and shear moduli exhibit a linear response to the pressure, except for Zr2AlC and Zr3AlC2, both of which belong to the so‐called MAX phases. The two materials also exhibit very distinct properties in the strain‐stress relationship, electronic structures and vacancy stabilities. As the intercalated Al layers increase, the formation energy of VZr and VAl increases, while the formation energy of VC decreases.
Hypertension management research priorities from patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers: A report from the Hypertension Canada Priority Setting Partnership Group
Authors: Khan Nadia , Bacon Simon L. , Khan Samia , Perlmutter Sara , Gerlinsky Carline , Dermer Mark , Johnson Lonni , Alves Finderson , McLean Donna , Laupacis Andreas , Pui Mandy , Berg Angelique , Flowitt Felicia ,   on behalf of the Hypertension Canada Priority Setting Partnership Group
Published: September 2017

Patient‐ and stakeholder‐oriented research is vital to improving the relevance of research. The authors aimed to identify the 10 most important research priorities of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers (family physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and dietitians) for hypertension management. Using the James Lind Alliance approach, a national web‐based survey asked patients, caregivers, and care providers to submit their unanswered questions on hypertension management. Questions already answered from randomized controlled trial evidence were removed. A priority setting process of patient, caregiver, and healthcare providers then ranked the final top 10 research priorities in an in‐person meeting. There were 386 respondents who submitted 598 questions after exclusions. Of the respondents, 78% were patients or caregivers, 29% lived in rural areas, 78% were aged 50 to 80 years, and 75% were women. The 598 questions were distilled to 42 unique questions and from this list, the top 10 research questions prioritized included determining the combinations of healthy lifestyle modifications to reduce the need for antihypertensive medications, stress management interventions, evaluating treatment strategies based on out‐of‐office blood pressure compared with conventional (office) blood pressure, education tools and technologies to improve patient motivation and health behavior change, management strategies for ethnic groups, evaluating natural and alternative treatments, and the optimal role of different healthcare providers and caregivers in supporting patients with hypertension. These priorities can be used to guide clinicians, researchers, and funding bodies on areas that are a high priority for hypertension management research for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. This also highlights priority areas for improved knowledge translation and delivering patient‐centered care.
Rosmarinic acid down‐regulates NO and PGE2 expression viaMAPK pathway in rat chondrocytes
Authors: Chen We‐Ping , Jin Guo‐Jun , Xiong Yan , Hu Peng‐Fei , Bao Jia‐Peng , Wu Li‐Dong 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRosmarinic acid (RosA) is a water‐soluble polyphenol, which can be isolated from many herbs such as orthosiphon diffuses and rosmarinus officinalis. Previous studies have shown that RosA possesses various biological properties. In this study, we investigate the anti‐osteoarthritic effects of RosA in rat articular chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were pre‐treated with RosA, followed by the stimulation of IL‐1β. Real‐time PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1, MMP‐3 and MMP‐13. Nitric oxide and PGE2 production were measured by Griess reagent and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) was also investigated by Western blot analysis. We found that RosA down‐regulated the MMPs expression as well as nitric oxide and PGE2 production in IL‐1β‐induced chondrocytes. In addition, RosA inhibited p38 and JNK phosphorylation as well as p65 translocation. The results suggest that RosA may be considered a possible agent in the treatment of OA.
Enhanced immune response induced by P5 HER2/neu‐derived peptide‐pulsed dendritic cells as a preventive cancer vaccine
Authors: Gholizadeh Zahra , Tavakkol‐Afshari Jalil , Nikpoor Amin Reza , Jalali Seyed Amir , Jaafari Mahmoud Reza 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDendritic cells are special and powerful antigen‐presenting cells that can induce primary immune responses against tumour‐associated antigens. They can present antigens via both MHC‐I and MHC‐II, so they have the ability to stimulate both cytotoxic T lymphocytes and T helper cells. Furthermore, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes require activation by CD4+ T cells. This requires a CD4+T cell activator molecule, of which PADRE is one of the best. We chose an approach to use both of these important arms of the immune system. We prepared dendritic cells from mouse bone marrow, loaded them with our target peptides (P5 peptide alone or P5 + PADRE), and then injected these pulsed dendritic cells alone or in combination with CpG‐ODN (as adjuvant) into BALB/C mice. After the last boosting dose, mice were inoculated with TUBO cells, which overexpress HER2/neu. Two weeks after the tumour cell injection, immunological tests were performed on splenocyte suspensions, and the remaining mice were evaluated for tumour growth and survival. Our data indicate the formulation that contains PADRE plus P5 loaded onto DC in combination with CpG‐ODN was the most effective formulation at inducing immune responses. Interferon production in CD4+ and CD8+ gated cells, cytotoxicity rates of target cells and mice survival were all significantly greater in this group than in controls, and all the mice in this group were tumour‐free throughout the experiment. Based on our results and the role of HER2/neu as a candidate in human immunotherapy, this approach may be an effective cancer treatment.