bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
General Movements Assessment of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit following surgery
Authors: Crowle Cathryn , Badawi Nadia , Walker Karen , Novak Iona 
Published: April 2015

AimThere is an identified gap in the literature regarding the use of the General Movements (GMs) Assessment to identify risk in infants post‐surgery. This paper aims to examine the GMs for infants who have undergone surgery to identify common risk profiles in the writhing age.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of 170 infants (99 male, 58%) admitted to a neonatal surgical unit from 2012 until June 2014. Infants were born at a mean age of 38 weeks (standard deviation (SD) 2.3), and writhing GMs were conducted at term (40 weeks, SD 2.6) following either cardiac (n = 84, 49%) or non‐cardiac surgery (n = 86, 51%). GMs were categorised by three trained assessors.ResultsNormal writhing was recorded in 64 infants (38%). The most common profile was poor repertoire (n = 80, 47%), with 14 (8%) cramped synchronised. There was no difference in scores between infants who had undergone cardiac versus non‐cardiac surgery (P = 0.45).ConclusionThis is the first report on the GMs assessment in an infant surgical population. Infants who have undergone surgery most commonly display poor repertoire writhing movements. Research is needed to determine the ability of the GMs to predict neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population.
Antimicrobial properties of K
alanchoe blossfeldiana: a focus on drug resistance with particular reference to quorum sensing-mediated bacterial biofilm formation
Authors: Sarkar Ratul , Mondal Chaitali , Bera Rammohan , Chakraborty Sumon , Barik Rajib , Roy Paramita , Kumar Alekh , Yadav Kirendra K , Choudhury Jayanta , Chaudhary Sushil K , Samanta Samir K , Karmakar Sanmoy , Das Satadal , Mukherjee Pulok K , Mukherjee Joydeep , Sen Tuhinadri 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Objectives
This study attempts to investigate the antimicrobial properties of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana with a particular reference to quorum sensing (QS)-mediated biofilm formation.

Methods
The methanol extract of K. blossfeldiana leaves (MEKB) was evaluated for antimicrobial properties including QS-controlled production of biofilm (including virulence factor, motility and lactone formation) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methanol extract of K. blossfeldiana was also evaluated for anti-cytokine (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 beta) properties in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Key findings
Methanol extract of K. blossfeldiana exhibited antimicrobial effect on clinical isolates, as well as standard reference strains. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exposed to MEKB (subminimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)) displayed reduced biofilm formation, whereas supra-MIC produced destruction of preformed biofilms. Methanol extract of K. blossfeldiana reduced the secretion of virulence factors (protease and pyoverdin) along with generation of acyl homoserine lactone (AHL). Confocal laser scanning microscopy images indicate reduction of biofilm thickness. The extract also reduced cytokine formation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated PBMC.

Conclusions
K alanchoe blossfeldiana was found to interfere with AHL production, which in turn may be responsible for downregulating QS-mediated production of biofilm and virulence. This first report on the antibiofilm and anticytokine properties of this plant may open up new vistas for future exploration of this plant for combating biofilm-related resistant infections.
W
ithania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in neurobehavioural disorders induced by brain oxidative stress in rodents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Durg Sharanbasappa , Dhadde Shivsharan B , Vandal Ravichandra , Shivakumar Badamaranahalli S , Charan Chabbanahalli S 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Objectives
W ithania somnifera has been in use for several thousand years in Ayurveda to treat various neurological disorders. There is, however, not much scientific data on its protective role in neuronal pathology specifically against brain oxidative stress. Hence, an attempt is made in this work for systematic review and meta-analysis of W. somnifera on neurobehavioural disorders induced by brain oxidative stress in rodents.

Methods
A systematic search of the effect of W. somnifera on brain oxidative stress-induced neuronal pathology was performed using electronic databases. The systematic review was performed on neurobehavioural parameters, whereas meta-analysis of W. somnifera effect was done on oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione and lipid peroxidation), nitrite, protein carbonyl, AchE, ChAT and Ach of rodent brain. Data were analysed using Review Manager Software.

Key findings
Twenty-eight studies were selected based upon the inclusion and exclusion criteria. W. somnifera appreciably inhibited the neurological abnormalities due to oxidative stress in rodent brain produced by different physical and chemical stimuli. W. somnifera also significantly restored the altered oxidative and other stress markers in different parts of rodent brain.

Summary
The systematic review provides scientific evidence for the traditional claim of W. somnifera use in different neurological aliments. However, future clinical trials are mandated to establish the therapeutic efficacy and safety in human beings.
In-vitro evaluation of performance of solid immediate release dosage forms of weak bases in upper gastrointestinal lumen: experience with miconazole and clopidogrel salts
Authors: Dimopoulou Maria , Mourouti Canella-Stefania , Vertzoni Maria , Symillides Mira , Reppas Christos 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Objectives
Evaluate the impact of salt and counterion identity on performance of solid immediate release dosage forms of miconazole and clopidogrel, respectively, in fasted upper gastrointestinal lumen using in-vitro methodologies.

Methods
Two miconazole chemical forms (free base and nitrate salt) and three clopidogrel chemical forms (bisulfate, besylate and hydrochloride salts) were studied. Solubilities of miconazole forms were measured in simulated gastric fluids. Gastrointestinal transfer of the five chemical forms was evaluated by using a flow-through, three-compartmental set-up. Precipitation in duodenal compartment was evaluated by using solutions in gastric compartment.

Key findings
Solubilities in simulated gastric fluids, concentrations in duodenal compartment and solubilities in duodenal compartment indicated poorer performance of miconazole nitrate vs. miconazole free base in upper gastrointestinal lumen. In line with the low crystallization tendency of free base, duodenal precipitation of miconazole from a free base solution was limited. Concentrations in duodenal compartment indicated that counterion identity does not affect the performance of clopidogrel; precipitation in duodenal compartment was extensive in all cases.

Conclusions
Miconazole data indicate that salts may adversely affect performance of immediate release dosage forms of weak bases. In line with existing in-vivo data, clopidogrel data indicate that counterion identity is unimportant for the performance of clopidogrel salts in upper intestinal lumen.
Risk assessment for extending the Biopharmaceutics Classification System-based biowaiver of immediate release dosage forms of fluconazole in adults to the paediatric population
Authors: Charoo Naseem A , Cristofoletti Rodrigo , Dressman Jennifer B 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Objectives
The paediatric population undergoes developmental changes in gastric pH, gastric emptying, intestinal transit time, membrane permeability, protein binding, body water, distribution and metabolism. It is widely recognised that changes in these parameters may result in an alteration of the plasma profile and thus in key bioequivalence parameters such as Cmax (maximum plasma concentration of drug) and area under the plasma concentration vs time profile curve. The aim of this work is to assess the risk of extending the biowaiver for immediate release dosage formulations of fluconazole from the adult to the paediatric population.

Methods and key findings
Fluconazole exhibits good solubility and very rapid dissolution characteristics in various pH media. The absorption of fluconazole in children is known to be complete (over 90%) and not impaired by elevated pH, which is prevalent during the early days of life. Dose numbers calculated using body surface area are less than 1. Therefore, the risk to drug absorption due to differences in gastric pH, gastric emptying, intestinal transit, membrane permeability and metabolising enzymes between adults and children is considered low.

Conclusions
Thus, it can be safely concluded that fluconazole meets highly soluble and highly permeable criteria in the paediatric population and can be allocated to class 1 of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) for this population as well as in adults. Additionally, fluconazole has an excellent safety profile in children, similar to that in adults. The BCS-based biowaiver claimed in adults can be safely extended to the paediatric population provided that the requirements in excipient selection and dissolution profile comparison using BCS-based dissolution conditions as stated in the biowaiver monograph for fluconazole immediate release dosage forms in adults are fulfilled.
Evaluation of a combination chemotherapy protocol including lomustine and doxorubicin in canine histiocytic sarcoma
Authors: Cannon C. , Borgatti A. , Henson M. , Husbands B. 
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVESTo describe a chemotherapy protocol combining lomustine and doxorubicin in canine histiocytic sarcoma, including outcomes and toxicity.MATERIALS AND METHODSRetrospective review of case records for dogs with histiocytic sarcoma treated with lomustine and doxorubicin (± cyclophosphamide) alternating every 2 weeks. Data collected included signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities, extent of disease, response, toxicity, time to tumour progression and survival time.RESULTSOf 17 dogs, 15 had disseminated or metastatic disease. The median number of chemotherapy cycles (one dose of each drug) received was three; most dogs discontinued therapy due to progressive disease. Dose reductions or delays occurred in 18% of cycles. The overall response rate was 58%, with a median time to tumour progression of 185 (range, 59 to 268) days for responders. The overall median survival time was 185 (18 to 402) days. No significant prognostic factors were identified.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThe protocol appeared well‐tolerated, had some efficacy against canine histiocytic sarcoma in the study population and could be considered as an alternative to single‐agent protocols; prospective comparison may be warranted.
Prevalence of Baseline Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in an Australian Cohort of Men with Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ong Wee Loon , McLachlan Hamish , Millar Jeremy L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntroductionErectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication following prostate cancer treatment. Post-treatment erectile function (EF) preservation is strongly dependent on the baseline EF prior to treatment.AimTo assess the baseline EF among patients with localized prostate cancer, and the factors associated with baseline EF.MethodsAll men with clinically localized prostate cancer had their baseline EF assessed prior to brachytherapy at our institution. Six hundred ninety-nine men who completed the International Index of Erectile Function five-item questionnaires pre-treatment between 2001 and 2013 were included in the study. Data on patient factors (medical comorbidities and smoking history) and prostate cancer clinicopathological characteristics were recorded. Ordinal logistic regressions were used to estimate the effects of each variable on the severity of ED.Main Outcome MeasuresBaseline EF among men with localized prostate cancer, and factors associated with ED.ResultsPrior to permanent seed brachytherapy, 335 (48%) patients reported no ED, 129 (17%) mild ED, 42 (6%) mild–moderate ED, 37 (5%) moderate ED, and 165 (24%) severe ED. In multivariate analyses, age, diabetes, and hypertension remained to be independently associated with ED, with diabetes most strongly associated with worse ED (odds ratio = 2.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.3–5.3).ConclusionsED is common among patients with localized prostate cancer prior to any curative treatment. Assessment of baseline ED is important prior to curative treatment of prostate cancer in order to offer appropriate advise on likelihood of EF preservation post-treatment and avoid patient dissatisfaction with treatment outcomes due to unrealistic expectations.
Production Characteristics of All‐male and Mixed‐sex Giant River Prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Grown in Earthen Ponds in Kentucky and Mississippi USA
Authors: Tidwell James H. , D'Abramo Louis R. , Coyle Shawn D. , Bright Leigh A. , Shultz Charlie , Kupchinsky Zachary , Schwartz Pamela , Upstrom Craig 
Published: April 2015

AbstractProduction and population characteristics of monosex male (all‐male) giant river prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, were compared with a normal (mixed‐sex) population in separate studies in Mississippi and Kentucky (USA) under low and high density stocking conditions, respectively. In Study 1 (Mississippi), juvenile prawns were stocked into eight 0.05–0.06 ha ponds at 24,700/ha. The mean stocking weight of all‐male was 0.34 g and mixed‐sex was 0.39 g. Prawns were fed 23% crude protein “range cubes” and harvested after 120 d for the all‐male prawns and 112 d for mixed‐sex prawns. In Study 2 (Kentucky), juvenile prawns from each group were stocked into six 0.04 ha ponds at 60,000 juveniles per hectare. The mean stocking weight for all‐male was 0.38 g and for mixed‐sex juveniles was 0.34 g. Prawns were fed a commercial sinking pellet (33% protein) once daily at a standardized rate and harvested after 105 d. In both locations survival of mixed‐sex prawns and all‐male prawns was not significantly different and the final average weight of all‐male prawns was significantly greater than the average weight of mixed‐sex prawns. For the study in Kentucky, total production was not significantly different between treatments, whereas in Mississippi total production in the all‐male ponds was significantly higher than in the mixed‐sex ponds. For both studies, the production size index of all‐male prawns was significantly greater than that of mixed‐sex prawns. In terms of population structure, in all‐male ponds there was a significant increase in orange claw (OC) males compared with the mixed‐sex ponds both as a percent of sex and a percent of total population. The increase in OC numbers in all‐male populations may be due to a lack of females to stimulate the transition of males to the final, sexually mature, blue claw stage. As target weights increase from 20, 30, and 40 g, the all‐male populations were increasingly superior in terms of production (kg/ha) of those target sizes. The economic benefit of all‐male over mixed‐sex populations will be principally based on an examination of tradeoffs that primarily consider the cost difference of juveniles relative to the price differences for different final harvest weights.
Effect of different enrichment products rich in docosahexaenoic acid on growth and survival of meagre, Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801)
Authors: Vallés Roser , Estévez Alicia 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLive prey used in aquaculture to feed marine larval fish – rotifer and Artemia nauplii – lack the necessary levels of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) which are considered essential for the development of fish larvae. Due to the high voracity, visual feeding in conditions of relatively high luminosity, and cannibalism observed in meagre larvae, a study of its nutritional requirements is needed. In this study, the effect of different enrichment products with different docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations used to enrich rotifers and Artemia metanauplii have been tested on growth, survival, and lipid composition of the larvae of meagre. The larvae fed live prey enriched with Algamac 3050 (AG) showed a significantly higher growth than the rest of the groups at the end of the larval rearing, while the larvae fed preys enriched with Multigain (MG) had a higher survival rate. DHA levels in larvae fed prey enriched with MG were significantly higher than in those fed AG‐enriched prey. High levels of DHA in Artemia metanauplii must be used to achieve optimal growth and survival of meagre larvae.
Characterization of the 26S Proteasome S7 Subunit Gene and Its Expression during Regeneration in Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Qin Yanjie , Zhao Xiangji , Li Xia , Wang Yanfeng , Liu Yang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe 26S proteasome, which includes 20S core and 19S regulatory particles, plays an important role in removing harmful and/or unnecessary proteins. In this study, we cloned a 2443‐bp full‐length cDNA sequence of the S7 subunit of 19S from the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, including a 70‐bp 5′‐untranslated region (UTR) and 1070‐bp 3′‐UTR coding for a theoretical 435 amino acid protein. Sequence analysis showed that S7 belongs to the ATPases associated with a wide variety of cellular activities (AAA+) superfamily. S7 was widely expressed in different tissues as determined by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and its expression was gradually upregulated in the regenerating body wall. Combined with histological observations, our results suggest that the S7 subunit or the 26S proteasome assembled based on S7 may be associated with the regulation of cell migration and cell cycle during body wall regeneration in A. japonicus.
Effect of Bacteriophages on Vibrio alginolyticus Infection in the Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)
Authors: Zhang Jiancheng , Cao Zhenhui , Li Zhen , Wang Lili , Li Huaqiang , Wu Feifei , Jin Liji , Li Xiaoyu , Li Shuying , Xu Yongping 
Published: April 2015

AbstractVibrio alginolyticus is an important pathogen that causes a variety of diseases in marine animals including the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Herein, we describe a two‐phage mixture which may have potential for use as an antibacterial agent to prevent V. alginolyticus infection in the sea cucumber. A Z1210 bacterial isolate was cultured from diseased sea cucumber suffering from skin ulcerations and viscera ejection. The isolate was identified as V. alginolyticus by morphology and sequence similarity analysis. Subsequently, two bacteriophages infecting isolate Z1210 were isolated from the drainpipe of an aquatic market. Morphologically, these two phages were classified as members of Podoviridae (PVA1) and Myoviridae (PVA2) and each phage showed high virulence in an in vitro experiment. Additionally, an experiment conducted in a marine environment showed that a mixture of the two phages increased the survival of sea cucumbers (10 ± 2 g) to 73, 50, and 47% when it was used with a multiplicity of infection of 10, 1, or 0.1, respectively. This result differed markedly from the control without phage (3% survival) while there was no significant difference between the 80 and 47% survival observed for two antibiotic treatments (5 mg/L doxycycline and 10 mg/L kanamycin, respectively).
Dietary Soy Peptide Enhances Thermotolerance and Survival of Juvenile Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Ragaza Janice A. , Mamauag Roger E. P. , Yokoyama Saichiro , Ishikawa Manabu , Koshio Shunsuke 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSoy peptide (SP), a soy protein enzymatic hydrolysate, contains bioactive substances that could be utilized as an immune‐stimulating feed ingredient. The experiment evaluated the efficacy of dietary SP on promoting growth, and enhancing tolerance and survival to heat stress in juvenile Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Four diets were incorporated with different levels of SP (0, 2, 5, and 10%) and a 6‐wk feeding trial ensued. Following the feeding trial, the experimental groups were subjected to heat stress to measure survival rate and heat shock protein 70s (HSP70s) in gill, liver, and skin. Fish fed diets with SP inclusion showed considerable decrease in percent weight gain. Significantly higher lethal time values to 50% mortality (LT50) value were recorded for fish fed 10% SP. Moreover, LT50 values of fish fed 2 and 5% SP were significantly higher compared with fish fed control diet. HSP70s produced in all the tissues were significantly highest in fish fed 10% SP. HSP70s values were significantly higher in fish fed 2 and 5% SP compared with fish fed control diet. A significant reduction in HSP70s among all groups during recovery period was also observed. These results suggest that SP can be used to enhance the immune response and survival of P. olivaceus under heat stress.
Energy allocation to growth and reproduction in a viviparous lizard endemic to the highlands of the Andes, Argentina
Authors: Boretto J. M. , Cabezas‐Cartes F. , Ibargüengoytía N. R. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIndividuals devote energy intake to growth, maintenance and reproduction, so knowing the way in which they allocate this energy between competing demands is essential to understand their relationship with the environment. Phymaturus lizards, viviparous and mostly herbivorous, inhabit cold environments of the Andes highlands of Argentina and Chile and the volcanic plateaus of Patagonia, Argentina. Herein, we discussed the interplay between reproductive effort and growth in Phymaturus punae, a lizard with a biannual female reproductive cycle and the lowest annual reproductive output of the genus. Using skeletochronology, we estimated that juveniles reach up to 7–8 years and that adults have 8–18 years in females and 9–20 years in males. Juveniles grow faster than adults and adult females have higher specific growth rates than adult males. The adult life span was 10 years for females and 11 for males and the relative reproductive time was 1.25 for females and 1.22 for males. Net reproductive rate resulted in 7.5 offspring throughout the females' reproductive life. During adulthood a negative correlation between the ring width and age was found in males, while in females the ring width showed a pattern related with the yearly reproductive state. Females tend to have wider rings when pregnant and narrower rings when vitellogenic. The intersexual differential investment in growth is congruent with different requirements for reproduction between genders, whereas the tendency of females to grow less during vitellogenesis than during pregnancy, suggests differences in the metabolic costs of these reproductive processes. Even when P. punae exhibits high life span, females have a relative low lifetime reproductive effort and net reproductive rate. However, this still represents a high reproductive investment for this species, considering the harsh conditions of the environments where it lives, the viviparous reproductive mode and their herbivorous diet.