bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations in the rate of binge ethanol consumption: implications for preclinical studies in mice
Authors: Linsenbardt David N. , Boehm Stephen L. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe rate at which alcohol (ethanol) is consumed has direct impact on its behavioral and subjective effects. For this reason, alterations in the pattern of ethanol consumption as a function of drinking history might be critical to the development and maintenance of alcoholism. Furthermore, because pharmacological interventions aimed at disrupting the motivation to consume ethanol are dependent on the brain/plasma concentrations present when an individual is most likely to engage in consumption of this substance, characterizing temporal drinking patterns might be useful to determine the timing of such treatments. The primary goal of the present study was to evaluate alterations in the timecourse of daily binge (drinking‐in‐the‐dark; DID) ethanol consumption. We gave 14 daily 2 hour DID ethanol or water access sessions to male C57BL/6J (B6) mice using a state of the art volumetric drinking monitoring device. We then, primarily as a proof‐of‐principle, used the GABAB allosteric modulator GS39783 (GS) to determine how this compound influenced the timecourse of binge‐like ethanol intake. The rate of ethanol consumption increased dramatically over sessions with the majority occurring in the first few minutes of the final session. Additionally, ethanol consumption occurring immediately following access was almost completely abolished in mice pre‐treated with GS; an effect which was ethanol‐specific only at this early time interval. These data characterize progressive alterations in the rate of ethanol intake using the DID model and suggest that careful consideration of prior ethanol history and timing of drug administration are warranted when interpreting results of pre‐clinical drug administration studies.
A prospective study of neurocognitive changes 15 years after chronic inhalant abuse
Authors: Cairney Sheree , O' Connor Nicole , Dingwall Kylie M. , Maruff Paul , Shafiq‐Antonacci Ruxanna , Currie Jon , Currie Bart J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimsIn a previous study, neurological and cognitive deficits reflecting central nervous system (CNS) disruption from chronic inhalant abuse showed substantial recovery after 2 years' abstinence. Functional recovery was progressive, with recovery rates dependent on the degree of impairment prior to abstinence, and severity and duration of initial abuse. Persistent deficits occurred in those with previous ‘lead encephalopathy’ from leaded petrol abuse. The current study examined recovery in the same cohort 15 years after baseline.DesignProspective cohort design.SettingTwo remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Australia.ParticipantsUsing baseline group classifications, 27 healthy controls, 60 ex‐chronic inhalant abusers and an additional 17 with previous lead encephalopathy were assessed.MeasurementsStandard neurological, ocular‐motor and cognitive functions and blood lead levels.FindingsChronic (non‐encephalopathic) inhalant abusers showed elevated blood lead levels and abnormal scores on most tasks at baseline. At 2 years' abstinence, blood lead was reduced but remained elevated and most scores had normalized. By 15 years, blood lead and all performance scores were equivalent to healthy controls for this group (P > 0.05). The encephalopathic group was more severely impaired on all scores at baseline and showed little improvement, if any, across all tests after both 2 and 15 years' abstinence. Blood lead for this group declined, and was not significantly different to controls after 15 years.ConclusionsSome inhalant abusers experience severe and persistent neurological deficits, suggesting irrecoverable damage attributable to lead encephalopathy. In the absence of this encephalopathy long‐term abstinence from inhalants may allow recovery of normal brain function.
The ACACA gene is a potential candidate gene for fat content in sheep milk
Authors: Moioli B. , Scatà M. C. , De Matteis G. , Annicchiarico G. , Catillo G. , Napolitano F. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryNo major gene has yet been reported in sheep that explains the variation of milk fat content. The coding region of the acetyl‐CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA) gene, which plays an important role in de novo fatty acid synthesis, had been investigated, but no non‐synonymous mutations have been reported. In this study, the genomic regions encoding the three promoters of the ACACA gene were directly sequenced in 264 sheep of three different breeds, and 10 SNPs were identified. Allele frequencies of most SNPs significantly differed (P = 0.05–0.0001) between breeds. The SNPs that potentially altered either gene regulatory elements or putative binding sites of transcription factors were made evident through in silico analysis. The association analysis with milk traits, performed for one SNP of PIII (GenBank AJ292286, g.1330G>T), showed a significant allelic substitution effect (+0.33%, P < 0.0001 and +0.35%, P < 0.01) in the Altamurana and Gentile breeds respectively. Because this SNP was located in the binding site of the paired box protein transcription factors, which was shown to function as an efficient promoter element, and because PIII transcripts are expressed in the mammary gland, the SNP in PIII of the ACACA gene might affect the variation of fat content in sheep milk.
Defining peripherally inserted central catheter tip position and an evaluation of insertions in one unit
Authors: Johnston A. J. , Bishop S. M. , Martin L. , See T. C. , Streater C. T. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryPeripherally inserted central catheters are increasingly used to provide access to the central venous circulation. They are commonly positioned ‘blind’ using a variety of anthropometric techniques and operator experience to direct insertion length. Malposition rates are poorly defined because of differing insertion techniques, difficulties defining anatomical tip position on chest radiographs, controversy over what constitutes an adequate catheter position and possible differences between patient groups. We have developed a reproducible method to define catheter positions on chest radiograph and have applied this in a retrospective analysis of 256 ICU and 243 non‐ICU catheter insertions over a 6‐month period. Two different definitions were used for adequate position. ‘Blind’ positioning of peripherally inserted central catheters was associated with a definition‐dependent malposition rate of 42–76%. Malposition rates were significantly higher in ICU patients. Emerging technologies may assist in reducing these high rates.
Comparative analysis of adiponectin isoform distribution in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and after delivery
Authors: Matuszek Beata , Burska Agata , Leszczyńska–Gorzelak Bożena , Donica Helena , Nowakowski Andrzej 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the distribution of circulating adiponectin isoforms in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and compare isoform distribution changes 12 months after delivery.DesignCross‐sectional studySettingUniversity Hospital.PopulationSixty‐four consecutive pregnant women who underwent routine prenatal tests for GDM between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. The study group included 36 women diagnosed with GDM, 30 of whom underwent re‐testing for diabetes 12 months after delivery. The control group included 28 healthy pregnant women.MethodsQuantitative determination of total adiponectin and its isoforms in serum was performed with the multimeric adiponectin enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsTotal adiponectin concentration in women with GDM was significantly lower than in women without GDM. Among adiponectin isoforms, significantly lower concentrations of multimers and trimers in women with GDM were found in comparison to controls, while the concentration of hexamers did not differ between the groups. After delivery, a significant increase in total adiponectin and in the concentration of multimers and trimers was found in women with history of GDM. Additionally, we found that multimers and hexamers were negatively correlated with body mass index before and during gestation, as well as after delivery, and middle molecular weight isoforms in gestation were negatively correlated with birthweight.ConclusionsHypoadiponectinemia during GDM was characterized by a significant, reversible decrease in multimeric levels; thus this isoform seems to function in a cohesive way with total adiponectin. Negative correlations of adiponectin isomers with body mass index indicate that there is a possibility to normalize total adiponectin and prevent GDM.
Phosphene Object Perception Employs Holistic Processing During Early Visual Processing Stage
Authors: Guo Hong , Yang Yuan , Gu Guan , Zhu Yisheng , Qiu Yihong 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPsychophysical studies have verified the possibility of recovering the visual ability by the form of low‐resolution format of images, that is, phosphene‐based representations. Our previous study has found that early visual processing for phosphene patterns is configuration based. This study further investigated the configural processing mechanisms of prosthetic vision by analyzing the event‐related potential components (P1 and N170) in response to phosphene face and non‐face stimuli. The results reveal that the coarse processing of phosphenes involves phosphene‐specific holistic processing that recovers separated phosphenes into a gestalt; low‐level feature processing of phosphenes is also enhanced compared with that of normal stimuli due to increased contrast borders introduced by phosphenes; while fine processing of phosphene stimuli is impaired reflected by reduced N170 amplitude because of the degraded detailed features in the low‐resolution format representations. Therefore, we suggest that strategies that can facilitate the specific holistic processing stages of prosthetic vision should be considered in order to improve the performance when designing the visual prosthesis system.
Different cytokine production and toll‐like receptor expression induced by heat‐killed invasive and carrier strains of Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Potmesil Roman , Beran Ondrej , Musilek Martin , Kriz Pavla , Holub Michal 
Published: March 2013

Neisseria meningitidis may cause severe invasive disease. The carriage state of the pathogen is common, and the reasons underlying why the infection becomes invasive are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to compare the differences between invasive and carrier strains in the activation of innate immunity. The monocyte expression of TLR2, TLR4, CD14, and HLA‐DR, cytokine production, and the granulocyte oxidative burst were analyzed after in vitro stimulation by heat‐killed invasive (n = 14) and carrier (n = 9) strains of N. meningitidis. The expression of the cell surface markers in monocytes, the oxidative burst, and cytokine concentrations were measured using flow cytometry. Carrier strains stimulated a higher production of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative burst in granulocytes than invasive strains (all p < 0.001), whereas invasive strains significantly up‐regulated TLR2, TLR4 (p < 0.001), and CD14 (p < 0.01) expression on monocytes. Conversely, the monocyte expression of HLA‐DR was higher after the stimulation by carrier strains (p < 0.05) in comparison to invasive strains. The LPS inhibitor polymyxin B abolished the differences between the strains. Our findings indicate different immunostimulatory potencies of invasive strains of N. meningitidis compared with carrier strains.
Baicalein Abrogates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)‐mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction during Experimental Pulmonary Carcinogenesis In Vivo
Authors: Naveenkumar Chandrashekar , Raghunandhakumar Subramanian , Asokkumar Selvamani , Devaki Thiruvengadam 
Published: March 2013

AbstractOur current study aimed to evaluate the chemotherapeutic efficacy of baicalein (BE) in Swiss albino mice, which is exposed to benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] for its ability to alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction and systolic failure. Here, we report that oral administration of B(a)P (50 mg/kg body weight)‐induced pulmonary genotoxicities in mice was assessed in terms of elevation in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and DNA damage in lung mitochondria. MDA‐DNA adducts were formed in immunohistochemical analysis, which confirmed nuclear DNA damage. mRNA expression levels studied by RT‐PCR analysis of voltage‐dependent anion channel (VDAC) and adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) were found to be significantly decreased and showed a marked increase in membrane permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening. Accompanied by up‐regulated Bcl‐xL and down‐regulated Bid, Bim and Cyt‐c proteins studied by immunoblot were observed in B(a)P‐induced lung cancer–bearing animals. Administration of BE (12 mg/kg body weight) significantly reversed all the above deleterious changes. Moreover, assessment of mitochondrial enzyme system revealed that BE treatment effectively counteracts B(a)P‐induced down‐regulated levels/activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase, α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, NADH dehydrogenase, cytochrome‐C‐oxidase and ATP levels. Restoration of mitochondria from oxidative damage was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopic examination. Further analysis of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione, vitamin E and vitamin C in lung mitochondria was carried out to substantiate the antioxidant effect of BE. The overall data conclude that chemotherapeutic efficacy of BE might have strong mitochondria protective and restoration capacity in sub‐cellular level against lung carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice.
Acute Poisoning with Neonicotinoid Insecticides: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Lin Pei‐Chen , Lin Hung‐Jung , Liao Yu‐Ying , Guo How‐Ran , Chen Kuo‐Tai 
Published: March 2013

AbstractNeonicotinoids are a new class of insecticides widely applied for crop protection. These insecticides act as agonists at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which cause insect paralysis and death. The high specificity for receptors in insects was considered to possess highly selective toxicity to insects and relative sparing of mammals. However, an increasing number of cases of acute neonicotinoid poisoning have been reported in recent years. We reported a man who developed respiratory failure and shock after ingestion of neonicotinoid insecticide. A detailed literature review found that respiratory, cardiovascular and certain neurological presentations are warning signs of severe neonicotinoid intoxication. The amounts of ingested neonicotinoid insecticide and the plasma neonicotinoid concentration are not useful guides for the management of intoxicated patients. Supportive treatment and decontamination are the practical methods for the management of all neonicotinoid‐poisoned patients.
Cesarean Section for the Second Twin: A Population‐Based Study of Occurrence and Outcome
Authors: Engelbrechtsen Line , Nielsen Elise Hoffmann , Perin Trine , Oldenburg Anna , Tabor Ann , Skibsted Lillian ,   Danish Fetal Medicine Study Group
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough management of twin deliveries has been a topic of discussion for decades, a consensus on how to deliver twins is lacking. The objective of this study was to examine short‐term neonatal outcome of the second twin delivered by cesarean section after vaginal delivery of the first‐born twin (combined delivery) and to identify predictors of combined delivery.MethodsThis study was a 3‐year, population‐based, retrospective cohort investigation of 1,254 twin births in Denmark. The twin births were divided into three groups: vaginal deliveries, planned cesarean deliveries, and combined deliveries. Data were extracted from medical records, a fetal medicine software program (Astraia), and the National Birth Registry. Short‐term poor neonatal outcome was measured as a 5‐minute Apgar score ≤ 7, umbilical cord pH ≤ 7.10, and admission to neonatal intensive care unit for more than 3 days.ResultsVertex‐nonvertex fetal presentations were more prevalent in combined deliveries than vaginal deliveries (OR 4.4, 2.5–7.8). Nonvertex second twins born by combined delivery had a higher risk of Apgar score ≤ 7 and umbilical cord pH ≤ 7.10 compared with vaginal delivery, unadjusted OR 6.2 (2.1–18), and unadjusted OR 3.9 (1.6–9.5). Prenatal ultrasound scans were evaluated in combined deliveries, of which 48 percent were vertex‐vertex at the last ultrasound scan in pregnancy (mean gestational age 34 + 0) and 37 percent were vertex‐vertex at birth.ConclusionsVertex‐nonvertex presenting twins have an increased risk of combined delivery. Combined deliveries are associated with increased neonatal morbidity for the second twin. (BIRTH 40:1 March 2013)
Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of non‐neurogenic overactive bladder: does using onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®) or abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) make a difference?
Authors: Ravindra Pravisha , Jackson Benjamin L. , Parkinson Richard J. 
Published: March 2013

Objective
To compare the clinical effects of two different commercially available botulinum toxin type A products, onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®; Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) and abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®; Ipsen Ltd, Slough, UK), on non‐neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB).
Patients and Methods
We included 207 patients, who underwent treatment with botulinum toxin type A for non‐neurogenic OAB from January 2009 to June 2012 at our institution, in a prospective database that recorded details of their presentation, treatment and outcomes.
In December 2009, our institution switched from using onabotulinumtoxinA to using abobotulinumtoxinA.
Results
Results from the onabotulinumtoxinA cohort (n = 101) and the abobotulinumtoxinA cohort (n = 106) were compared.
Similar reductions in daytime frequency, nocturia and incontinence episodes were observed after treatment, with no difference in duration of effect.
The abobotulinumtoxinA cohort had almost twice the rate of symptomatic urinary retention (23 vs 42%) requiring intermittent self‐catheterisation (ISC).
Conclusions
AbobotulinumtoxinA use was complicated by a significantly higher risk of requiring ISC.
The study suggests that these two toxins are not interchangeable at the doses used.
S 50131 and S 51434, two novel small molecule glucokinase activators, lack chronic efficacy despite potent acute antihyperglycaemic activity in diabetic mice
Authors: De Ceuninck Frédéric , Kargar Catherine , Charton Yves , Goldstein Solo , Perron‐Sierra Françoise , Ilic Catherine , Caliez Audrey , Rolin Jean‐Olivier , Sadlo Marjorie , Harley Elizabeth , Vinson Cédric , Ktorza Alain 
Published: March 2013

Background and PurposeSmall molecule glucokinase activators (GKAs) have been associated with potent antidiabetic efficacy and hepatic steatosis in rodents. This study reports the discovery of S 50131 and S 51434, two novel GKAs with an original scaffold and an atypical pharmacological profile.Experimental ApproachActivity of the compounds was assessed in vitro by measuring activation of recombinant glucokinase, stimulation of glycogen synthesis in rat hepatocytes and increased insulin secretion from rat pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Efficacy and safety in vivo were evaluated after oral administration in db/db mice by measuring glycaemia, HbA1c and dyslipidaemia‐associated events.Key ResultsS 50131 and S 51434 activated GK and stimulated glycogen synthesis in hepatocytes and insulin secretion from pancreatic islets. Unexpectedly, while both compounds effectively lowered glycaemia after acute oral administration, they did not decrease HbA1c after a 4‐week treatment in db/db mice. This lack of antidiabetic efficacy was associated with increased plasma free fatty acids (FFAs), contrasting with the effect of GKA50 and N00236460, two GKAs with sustained HbA1c lowering activity but neutral regarding plasma FFAs. S 50131, but not S 51434, also induced hepatic steatosis, as did GKA50 and N00236460. However, a shorter, 4‐day treatment resulted in increased hepatic triglycerides without changing the plasma FFA levels, demonstrating dynamic alterations in the lipid profile over time.Conclusions and ImplicationsIn addition to confirming the occurrence of dyslipidaemia with GKAs, these findings provide new insights into understanding how such compounds may sustain or lose efficacy over time.
Reliability and concurrent validity of the Infant Motor Profile
Authors: Heineman Kirsten R , Middelburg Karin J , Bos Arend F , Eidhof Lieke , La Bastide‐Van Gemert Sacha , Van Den Heuvel Edwin R , Hadders‐Algra Mijna 
Published: March 2013

AimThe Infant Motor Profile (IMP) is a qualitative assessment of motor behaviour in infancy. It consists of five domains: movement variation, variability, fluency, symmetry, and performance. The aim of this study was to assess interobserver reliability and concurrent validity of the IMP with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and an age‐specific neurological examination.MethodFifty‐nine preterm infants (25 females, 34 males; median gestational age 29.7wks, median birthweight 1285g) and 146 term infants (74 females, 72 males; median gestational age 40.1wks, birthweight 3500g) were included. Assessments were performed at corrected ages of 4, 6, 10, 12, and 18 months and consisted of the IMP, AIMS, and an age‐specific neurological examination. Interobserver reliability was investigated on a sample of 25 video recordings. Non‐parametric statistics were used to analyse the data.ResultsInterobserver reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.95). At all ages, AIMS scores correlated weakly to fairly with total IMP scores (Spearman's ρ 0.36–0.55), but moderately to strongly with scores on the performance domain of the IMP (Spearman's ρ 0.47–0.84). A clear relation was found between total IMP score and outcome of the neurological examination (Kruskal–Wallis p<0.001 at all ages).InterpretationInterobserver reliability of the IMP is good. Concurrent validity with the AIMS is best for the IMP performance domain. Concurrent validity with age‐specific neurological examination is very good.
The Relationship between Coronary Sinus and Impaired Right Ventricular Myocardial Performance Index in Mitral Stenosis
Authors: Vatankulu Mehmet Akif , Koc Fatih , Gul Enes Elvin , Bacaksiz Ahmet , Sonmez Osman , Demir Kenan , Alihanoglu Yusuf , Ari Hatem , Ayhan Selim , Tokac Mehmet 
Published: March 2013

ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate whether coronary sinus (CS) dilatation develops in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and to demonstrate its relationship with the global myocardial performance of the right ventricle (RV).MethodsWe enrolled 34 patients with MS who underwent echocardiography after exhibiting typical symptoms (31 female; mean age 41 ± 12 years) and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched controls without MS who underwent echocardiography (16 female; mean age 38 ± 13 years). The RV myocardial performance index (MPI) was detected using tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE), and maximum CS diameter was measured from the posterior atrioventricular groove in the apical four‐chamber view during the ventricular systole.ResultsThe RV MPI was significantly higher in the MS group compared to the control group (0.60 ± 0.11 vs. 0.41 ± 0.08, P < 0.001). Moreover, the maximum CS dimension was higher in the MS group compared to the control group (8.5 ± 1.1 mm vs. 6.5 ± 1.4 mm, P < 0.001). The maximum CS dilatation was positively correlated with the RV MPI (r = 0.691; P < 0.001).ConclusionThe RV MPI, which represents both systolic and diastolic functions, is increased in patients with MS and correlates with CS dilatation.