bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dopamine D1 receptors control exercise hyperpnoea in mice
Authors: Iwase Michiko , Izumizaki Masahiko , Tsuchiya Naoto , Homma Ikuo 
Published: October 2012

New findings
What is the central question of this study?Measurement of ventilation (as well as simultaneous recording of ventilation and pulmonary gas exchange) in exercising mice has not been studied thoroughly. We evaluated ventilation in association with metabolic changes during constant‐load exercise in mice and examined the role of D1 receptors in addition to the D2 receptors previously studied. This reliable method can be used in gene‐manipulated mice.
What is the main finding and its importance?We showed that the D1 receptors participate in resting ventilation and exercise hyperpnoea in parallel with metabolic changes during the steady state in mice. The metabolic control of D1 receptors was important for maintenance of the steady state.
Previously, we undertook simultaneous recording of ventilation and pulmonary gas exchange in mice and revealed that dopamine D2 receptors participate in exercise hyperpnoea via behavioural control of ventilation with unchanged pulmonary gas exchange. Here, we examined the hypothesis that D1 receptors also contribute to exercise hyperpnoea using a D1 receptor antagonist (SCH 23390; SCH) that crosses the blood–brain barrier, with the same recording technique and protocol as in the previous study. The respiratory responses of mice injected with saline or SCH (50 μg (kg body weight)−1, i.p.) were compared during constant‐load exercise at 6 m min−1. Each mouse was set in an airtight treadmill chamber equipped with a differential pressure transducer and open‐circuit system with a mass spectrometer. At rest, SCH‐injected mice had significantly reduced respiratory frequency, minute ventilation and pulmonary gas exchange compared with saline‐injected mice. Ventilation during hyperoxic gas inhalation and hypercapnic ventilatory responses between groups were similar. Abrupt increases and sequential declines to the steady‐state level were produced by treadmill exercise in both groups of mice. Treatment with SCH lowered the increased levels of respiratory frequency, tidal volume and minute ventilation during the steady state, as well as reducing the O2 uptake, CO2 output and body temperature throughout treadmill exercise. These data suggest that D1 receptors contribute to a resting ventilation level and exercise hyperpnoea during the steady state in parallel with metabolic changes. Notably, the metabolic control of D1 receptors was important for maintenance of the steady state, and D1 receptors in hypothalamic nuclei could be involved in this modulation.
Methodology for registration of distended rectums in pelvic CT studies
Authors: Rodriguez‐Vila B. , Garcia‐Vicente F. , Gomez E. J. 
Published: October 2012

Purpose:Accurate delineation of the rectum is of high importance in off‐line adaptive radiation therapy since it is a major dose‐limiting organ in prostate cancer radiotherapy. The intensity‐based deformable image registration (DIR) methods cannot create a correct spatial transformation if there is no correspondence between the template and the target images. The variation of rectal filling, gas, or feces, creates a noncorrespondence in image intensities that becomes a great obstacle for intensity‐based DIR.Methods:In this study the authors have designed and implemented a semiautomatic method to create a rectum mask in pelvic computed tomography (CT) images. The method, that includes a DIR based on the demons algorithm, has been tested in 13 prostate cancer cases, each comprising of two CT scans, for a total of 26 CT scans.Results:The use of the manual segmentation in the planning image and the proposed rectum mask method (RMM) method in the daily image leads to an improvement in the DIR performance in pelvic CT images, obtaining a mean value of overlap volume index = 0.89, close to the values obtained using the manual segmentations in both images.Conclusions:The application of the RMM method in the daily image and the manual segmentations in the planning image during prostate cancer treatments increases the performance of the registration in presence of rectal fillings, obtaining very good agreement with a physicianˈs manual contours.
A Single, Plastic Population of Mycosphaerella pinodes Causes Ascochyta Blight on Winter and Spring Peas (Pisum sativum) in France
Authors: Le May Christophe , Guibert Michèle , Leclerc Aurélie , Andrivon Didier , Tivoli Bernard 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTPlant diseases are caused by pathogen populations continuously subjected to evolutionary forces (genetic flow, selection, and recombination). Ascochyta blight, caused byMycosphaerella pinodes, is one of the most damaging necrotrophic pathogens of field peas worldwide. In France, both winter and spring peas are cultivated. Although these crops overlap by about 4 months (March to June), primary Ascochyta blight infections are not synchronous on the two crops. This suggests that the disease could be due to two differentM. pinodespopulations, specialized on either winter or spring pea. To test this hypothesis, 144 pathogen isolates were collected in the field during the winter and spring growing seasons in Rennes (western France), and all the isolates were genotyped using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Furthermore, the pathogenicities of 33 isolates randomly chosen within the collection were tested on four pea genotypes (2 winter and 2 spring types) grown under three climatic regimes, simulating winter, late winter, and spring conditions.M. pinodesisolates from winter and spring peas were genetically polymorphic but not differentiated according to the type of cultivars. Isolates from winter pea were more pathogenic than isolates from spring pea on hosts raised under winter conditions, while isolates from spring pea were more pathogenic than those from winter pea on plants raised under spring conditions. These results show that disease developed on winter and spring peas was initiated by a single population ofM. pinodeswhose pathogenicity is a plastic trait modulated by the physiological status of the host plant.
Effect of Frequency and Waveform on Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium in Salsa by Ohmic Heating
Authors: Lee Su-Yeon , Ryu Sangryeol , Kang Dong-Hyun 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

The effect of frequency of alternating current during ohmic heating on electrode corrosion, heating rate, inactivation of food-borne pathogens, and quality of salsa was investigated. The impact of waveform on heating rate was also investigated. Salsa was treated with various frequencies (60 Hz to 20 kHz) and waveforms (sine, square, and sawtooth) at a constant electric field strength of 12.5 V/cm. Electrode corrosion did not occur when the frequency exceeded 1 kHz. The heating rate of the sample was dependent on frequency up to 500 Hz, but there was no significant difference (
P
> 0.05) in the heating rate when the frequency was increased above 1 kHz. The electrical conductivity of the sample increased with a rise in the frequency. At a frequency of 60 Hz, the square wave produced a lower heating rate than that of sine and sawtooth waves. The heating rate between waveforms was not significantly (
P
> 0.05) different when the frequency was >500 Hz. As the frequency increased, the treatment time required to reduce
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 and
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium to below the detection limit (1 log CFU/g) decreased without affecting product quality. These results suggest that ohmic heating can be effectively used to pasteurize salsa and that the effect of inactivation is dependent on frequency and electrical conductivity rather than waveform.
Bacteriophage Ecology in a Commercial Cucumber Fermentation
Authors: Lu Z. , Pérez-Díaz I. M. , Hayes J. S. , Breidt F. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

To reduce high-salt waste from cucumber fermentations, low-salt fermentations are under development. These fermentations may require the use of starter cultures to ensure normal fermentations. Because potential phage infection can cause starter culture failure, it is important to understand phage ecology in the fermentations. This study investigated the phage ecology in a commercial cucumber fermentation. Brine samples taken from a fermentation tank over a 90-day period were plated onto deMan-Rogosa-Sharpe agar plates. A total of 576 lactic acid bacterial isolates were randomly selected to serve as potential hosts for phage isolation. Filtered brine served as a phage source. Fifty-seven independent phage isolates were obtained, indicating that 10% of the bacterial isolates were sensitive to phage attack. Phage hosts include
Lactobacillus brevis
(67% of all hosts),
Lactobacillus plantarum
(21%),
Weissella paramesenteroides
,
Weissella cibaria
, and
Pediococcus ethanolidurans
. Nearly 50% of phages were isolated on day 14, and the majority of them attacked
L. brevis
. Some phages had a broad host range and were capable of infecting multiple hosts in two genera. Other phages were species specific or strain specific. About 30% of phage isolates produced turbid pinpoint plaques or only caused reduced cell growth on the bacterial lawns. Six phages with distinct host ranges were characterized. The data from this study showed that abundant and diverse phages were present in the commercial cucumber fermentation, which could cause significant mortality to the lactic acid bacteria population. Therefore, a phage control strategy may be needed in low-salt cucumber fermentations.
Chromosomal
tet
(O)-Harboring Regions in Campylobacter coli Isolates from Turkeys and Swine
Authors: Crespo M. D. , Olson J. W. , Altermann E. , Siletzky R. M. , Kathariou S. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

In turkey-derived
Campylobacter coli
isolates of a unique lineage (cluster II), the tetracycline resistance determinant
tet
(O) was chromosomal and was part of a gene cassette (transposon) interrupting a
Campylobacter jejuni
-associated putative citrate transporter gene. In contrast, the swine-derived
C. coli
strain 6461 harbored a chromosomal
tet
(O) in a different genomic location.
The Two-Component Sensor KinB Acts as a Phosphatase To Regulate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence
Authors: Chand Nikhilesh S. , Clatworthy Anne E. , Hung Deborah T. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic pathogen that is capable of causing both acute and chronic infections.P. aeruginosavirulence is subject to sophisticated regulatory control by two-component systems that enable it to sense and respond to environmental stimuli. We recently reported that the two-component sensor KinB regulates virulence in acuteP. aeruginosainfection. Furthermore, it regulates acute-virulence-associated phenotypes such as pyocyanin production, elastase production, and motility in a manner independent of its kinase activity. Here we show that KinB regulates virulence through the global sigma factor AlgU, which plays a key role in repressingP. aeruginosaacute-virulence factors, and through its cognate response regulator AlgB. However, we show that rather than phosphorylating AlgB, KinB's primary role in the regulation of virulence is to act as a phosphatase to dephosphorylate AlgB and alleviate phosphorylated AlgB's repression of acute virulence.
Coordinated Regulation of
gnd
, Which Encodes 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase, by the Two Transcriptional Regulators GntR1 and RamA in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Tanaka Yuya , Ehira Shigeki , Teramoto Haruhiko , Inui Masayuki , Yukawa Hideaki 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

The transcriptional regulation of
Corynebacterium glutamicum gnd
, encoding 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, was investigated. Two transcriptional regulators, GntR1 and RamA, were isolated by affinity purification using
gnd
promoter DNA. GntR1 was previously identified as a repressor of gluconate utilization genes, including
gnd
. Involvement of RamA in
gnd
expression had not been investigated to date. The level of
gnd
mRNA was barely affected by the single deletion of
ramA
. However,
gnd
expression was downregulated in the
ramA gntR1
double mutant compared to that of the
gntR1
single mutant, suggesting that RamA activates
gnd
expression. Two RamA binding sites are found in the 5′ upstream region of
gnd
. Mutation proximal to the transcriptional start site diminished the gluconate-dependent induction of
gnd
-
lacZ
. DNase I footprinting assay revealed two GntR1 binding sites, with one corresponding to a previously proposed site that overlaps with the −10 region. The other site overlaps the RamA binding site. GntR1 binding to this newly identified site inhibits DNA binding of RamA. Therefore, it is likely that GntR1 represses
gnd
expression by preventing both RNA polymerase and RamA binding to the promoter. In addition, DNA binding activity of RamA was reduced by high concentrations of NAD(P)H but not by NAD(P), implying that RamA senses the redox perturbation of the cell.
Brain Areas Involved in Acupuncture Needling Sensation of de qi: A single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) study
Authors: Chen Jia-Rong , Li Gan-Long , Zhang Gui-Feng , Huang Yong , Wang Shu-Xia , Lu Na 
Published: October 2012

Background De qi is a sensory response elicited by acupuncture stimulation. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), de qi is essential for clinical efficacy. However, the understanding of the neurobiological basis of de qi is still limited. Objective To investigate the relationship between brain activation and de qi by taking a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan while applying acupuncture at TE5. Methods A total of 24 volunteers were randomly divided into 4 groups, and received verum or sham acupuncture at true acupuncture point TE5 or a nearby sham point according to grouping. All subjects then received a 99mTc-ethylcysteinate dimer (ECD) SPECT scan. Results All six subjects in the verum acupuncture at true acupuncture point group experienced de qi sensation; in contrast, all six subjects in the sham acupuncture at the sham point group responded with nothing other than non-sensation. Compared to the scan results from subjects who experienced non-sensation, SPECT scans from subjects with de qi sensation demonstrated significant activated points mainly located in brodmann areas 6, 8, 19, 21, 28, 33, 35, 37, 47, the parahippocampal gyrus, lentiform nucleus, claustrum and red nucleus; deactivated points were seen in brodmann areas 9 and 25. Conclusions Verum acupuncture at true acupuncture points is more likely to elicit de qi sensation. De qi sensations mainly resulted in brain area activations, but not deactivations. These brain areas are related to the curative effect of Te5. The acupuncture needle sensations of de qi and sharp pain are associated with different patterns of activations and deactivations in the brain.
Sports and exercise physicians as medical assessors
Authors: Milne Chris , Harcourt Peter , Bolzonello David 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveTo clarify the role of sports and exercise physicians as medical assessors.MethodsGroup discussion between senior doctors at a previous annual conference of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians, followed by further discussion between the authors. Clarification of the key requirements of insurers, and formulation of practical advice for those performing this work.ResultsOur expertise in performing medical assessments for the purpose of fitness to play sport is a transferable skill. It can also be used to provide medical assessments for injured workers. Our expertise in rehabilitation is also of value to insurers and other interested parties.ConclusionThe work is both challenging and rewarding, and can provide additional variety in the working week.
Are socioeconomic disparities in tobacco consumption increasing in India? A repeated cross-sectional multilevel analysis
Authors: Bhan Nandita , Srivastava Swati , Agrawal Sutapa , Subramanyam Malavika , Millett Christopher , Selvaraj Sakthivel , Subramanian S V 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesIndia bears a significant portion of the global tobacco burden with high prevalence of tobacco use. This study examines the socioeconomic patterning of tobacco use and identifies the changing gender and socioeconomic dynamics in light of theCigarette Epidemic Model.DesignSecondary analyses of second and third National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data.Setting and participantsData were analysed from 201 219 men and 255 028 women over two survey rounds.Outcomes and methodsOutcomes includedsmoking(cigarettes,bidisand pipes/cigar),chewed tobacco(paan masala,gutkhaand others) anddual use, examined by education, wealth, living environment and caste. Standardised prevalence and percentage change were estimated. Pooled multilevel models estimated the effect of socioeconomic covariates on the log odds of tobacco use by gender, along with fixed and random parameters.FindingsAmong men (2005−2006), gradients in smoking by education (illiterates: 44% vs postgraduates: 15%) and chewing (illiterates: 47% vs postgraduates: 19%) were observed. Inverse gradients were also observed by wealth, living environment and caste. Chewed tobacco use by women showed inverse socioeconomic status (SES) gradients comparing the illiterates (7.4%) versus postgraduates (0.33%), and poorest (17%) versus richest (2%) quintiles. However, proportional increases in smoking were higher among more educated (postgraduates (98%) vs high schooling only (17%)) and chewing among richer (richest quintile (49%) vs poorest quintile (35%)). Among women, higher educated showed larger declines for smoking—90% (postgraduates) versus 12% (illiterates). Younger men (15–24 years) showed increasing tobacco use (smoking: 123% and chewing: 112%). Older women (35–49 years) show higher prevalence of smoking (3.2%) compared to younger women (0.3%).ConclusionsIndian tobacco use patterns show significant diversions from theCigarette Epidemic Model—from gender and socioeconomic perspectives. Separate analysis by type is needed to further understand social determinants of tobacco use in India.
Physicians’ response to computerised alerts for psychotropic drugs in older persons: a multilevel analysis of the associated alert, patient and physician characteristics
Authors: Tamblyn Robyn , Reidel Kristen , Patel Vaishali 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveComputerised drug alerts are expected to reduce patients’ risk of adverse drug events. However, physicians over-ride most drug alerts, because they believe that the benefit exceeds the risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the drug alert, patient and physician characteristics associated with the: (1) occurrence of psychotropic drug alerts for elderly patients and the (2) response to these alerts by their primary care physicians.SettingPrimary care, Quebec, Canada.DesignProspective cohort study.ParticipantsSixty-one physicians using an electronic prescribing and drug alert decision-support system in their practice, and 3413 elderly patients using psychotropic drugs.Primary and secondary measuresPsychotropic drug class, alert severity, patient risk for fall injuries and physician experience, practice volume and computer use were evaluated in relationship to the likelihood of having: (1) a psychotropic drug alert, (2) the prescription revised in response to an alert. Cluster-adjusted alternating logistic regression was used to assess multilevel predictors of alert occurrence and response.ResultsIn total 13 080 psychotropic drug alerts were generated in 8931 visits. Alerts were more likely to be generated for male patients at higher risk of fall-related injury and for physicians who established the highest alert threshold. In 9.9% of alerts seen, the prescription was revised. The highest revision rate was for antipsychotic alerts (22.6%). Physicians were more likely to revise prescriptions for severe alerts (OR 2.03; 95%CI 1.39 to 2.98), if patients had cognitive impairment (OR 1.95; 95%CI 1.13 to 3.36), and if they made more visits to their physician (OR 1.05 per 5 visits; 95%CI 1 to 1.09).ConclusionsPhysicians view and respond to a small proportion of alerts, mainly for higher-risk patients. To reduce the risk of psychotropic drug-related fall injuries, a new generation of evidence-based drug alerts should be developed.
The Cancer Patient Experiences Questionnaire (CPEQ): reliability and construct validity following a national survey to assess hospital cancer care from the patient perspective
Authors: Iversen Hilde Hestad , Holmboe Olaf , Bjertnæs Øyvind Andresen 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesPatient experience questionnaires have been criticised owing to the lack of supporting psychometric evidence. The objective of this study was to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of the Cancer Patient Experiences Questionnaire (CPEQ) in Norway.DesignQuestionnaire development was based on a literature review of existing questionnaires, patient interviews, expert-group consultations, pretesting of questionnaire items and a national survey. Psychometric evaluation included exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and tests of internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability.SettingData were collected using a postal survey of cancer patients attending 54 hospitals in all 4 health regions. The subjects were 14 227 adult cancer patients who had attended an outpatient clinic or who had been discharged from an inpatient ward. Patients with all types of cancer were included. Data quality, internal consistency reliability and construct validity were assessed.ResultsOf the 13 846 patients who received the CPEQ, 7212 (52%) responded. Exploratory factor analysis identified six scales of outpatient experiences relating to nurse contact, doctor contact, information, organisation, patient safety and contact with next of kin, and seven scales of inpatient experiences, with the addition of hospital standard to the aforementioned scales. All but two of the scales met the criterion of 0.70 for Cronbach's α testing, and test–retest correlations ranged from 0.57 to 0.85. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the interpretation of six and seven scales for outpatients and inpatients, respectively. Statistically significant associations based on explicit hypotheses provided evidence for the construct validity of the scales. One additional scale measuring the hospital level was identified (α=0.85).ConclusionsThe CPEQ is a self-report instrument that includes the most important aspects of patient experiences with cancer care at hospitals. The instrument was tested following a national survey in Norway; good evidence is provided herein for the internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability and construct validity.