bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pioglitazone alleviates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and mito‐oxidative damage in the d‐galactose‐induced mouse model
Authors: Prakash Atish , Kumar Anil 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Chronic injection of d‐galactose can cause gradual deterioration in learning and memory capacity, and activates oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic cell death in the brain of mice. Thus, it serves as an animal model of ageing. Recent evidence has shown that mild cognitive impairment in humans might be alleviated by treatment with piogliatzone (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists). To continue exploring the effects of piogliatzone in this model, we focused on behavioural alteration, oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in d‐galactose‐induced mice.

The ageing model was established by administration of d‐galactose (100 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Pioglitazone (10 and 30 mg/kg) and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (15 mg/kg) were given daily to d‐galactose‐induced senescent mice. The cognitive behaviour of mice was monitored using the Morris water maze. The anti‐oxidant status and apoptotic activity in the ageing mice was measured by determining mito‐oxidative parameters and caspase‐3 activity in brain tissue.

Systemic administration of d‐galactose significantly increased behavioural alterations, biochemical parameters, mitochondrial enzymes, and activations of caspase‐3 and acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity as compared with the control group. Piogliatzone treatment significantly improved behavioural abnormalities, biochemical, cellular alterations, and attenuated the caspase‐3 and acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity as compared with the control. Furthermore, pretreatment of BADGE (PPARγ antagonist) with pioglitazone reversed the protective effect of pioglitazone in d‐galactose‐induced mice.

The present study highlights the protective effects of pioglitzone against d‐galactose‐induced memory dysfunction, mito‐oxidative damage and apoptosis through activation of PPARγ receptors. These findings suggest that pioglitazone might be helpful for the prevention or alleviation of ageing.
Impact of yellow mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus [Banks]) density on host's (Corchorus capsularis L.) phenology and assessment of yield loss under field conditions
Authors: Kamruzzaman A. S. M. , Alam M. Zinnatul , Miah M. Ramiz Uddin , Siddiquee Shafiquzzaman 
Published: June 2013

AbstractYellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus [Banks] (Acari: Tarsonemidae) is one of the major pests of jute crops (Corchorus capsularis L.) in Bangladesh. In this study, indigenous varieties of jute were used for treatments, namely, CVL‐1, CVE‐3, BJC‐7370 and BJC‐83. The paired plot treatments (treated and untreated controls) were laid out under field conditions. The effects of yellow mite were studied at three stages of the jute plants: 60 days after sowing (DAS), 90 DAS and 120 DAS. A higher number of mite stages was observed up to 90 DAS and then declined up to 120 DAS in var. BJC‐7370 among two other varieties, Deshi and Tossa. The percentage of infestation and damage indexes (scale 0–5) were measured to relate yellow mite injuries to the number of leaves, leaf area, fresh leaf weight, dry leaf weight, soluble solids, plant height, base diameter, fiber weight, stick weight, number of flowers per plant, number of pods, pod weight per plant, seeds per pod, seed weight and 1000 seeds' weight of plants infested at three different phenological stages. The highest fiber yield loss was found in the variety BJC‐7370 (59.75%), followed by BJC‐83 (55.56%), CVE‐3 (54.30%) and CVL‐1 (50.05). The highest stick yield losses were found in the following order: BJC‐7370 (54.54%) > BJC‐83 (51.17%) > CVL‐1 (43.68%) > CVE‐3 (37.80%) and BJC‐7370 (30.33%) > CVL‐1 (27.83%) > BJC‐83 (24.16%) > CVE‐3 (22.11%) for the highest seed yield under field conditions for Corchorus capsularis. High yellow mite population in untreated checks decreased plant growth and showed significant losses in yield production for the variety BJC‐7370.
A new set of primers for COI amplification from freshwater microcrustaceans
Authors: Prosser Sean , Martínez‐Arce Arely , Elías‐Gutiérrez Manuel 
Published: June 2013

AbstractDespite the contribution of DNA barcoding towards understanding the biodiversity and distribution of species, the success of COI amplification has been quite variable when it comes to freshwater zooplankton (Elías‐Gutiérrez & Valdez‐Moreno 2008; Jeffery et al. 2011). Some genera of microcrustaceans seem to be more difficult to amplify than others. For example, Macrothrix, Scapholeberis, Diaphanosoma and cyclopoids have yielded limited results. Among several possible reasons for the inability to barcode freshwater microcrustaceans is that there does not exist a specific set of primers for COI amplification. To this end, we developed a zooplankton – specific set of primers, which significantly increased average amplification success (20% increase). With these primers, we observed an overall success of over 70% for Sididae and Chydoridae, and more than 80% for Daphniidae, Moinidae, Bosminidae, Macrothricidae, Ilyocryptidae and Diaptomidae. We also demonstrate a simple alteration to a common specimen fixation method that increases the overall recovery of barcodes from freshwater zooplankton. Collectively, we believe our results will greatly aid the recovery of barcodes from these difficult groups.
HIV protease inhibitors induce senescence and alter osteoblastic potential of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells: beneficial effect of pravastatin
Authors: Hernandez‐Vallejo Sandra J. , Beaupere Carine , Larghero Jerome , Capeau Jacqueline , Lagathu Claire 
Published: June 2013

SummaryHIV‐infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy present an increased prevalence of age‐related comorbidities, including osteoporosis. HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) have been suspected to participate to bone loss, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. In endothelial cells, some PIs have been shown to induce the accumulation of farnesylated prelamin‐A, a biomarker of cell aging leading to cell senescence. Herein, we hypothesized that these PIs could induce premature aging of osteoblast precursors, human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and affect their capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts. Senescence was studied in proliferating human MSCs after a 30‐day exposure to atazanavir and lopinavir with or without ritonavir. When compared to untreated cells, PI‐treated MSCs had a reduced proliferative capacity that worsened with increasing passages. PI treatment led to increased oxidative stress and expression of senescence markers, including prelamin‐A. Pravastatin, which blocks prelamin‐A farnesylation, prevented PI‐induced senescence and oxidative stress, while treatment with antioxidants partly reversed these effects. Moreover, senescent MSCs presented a decreased osteoblastic potential, which was restored by pravastatin treatment. Because age‐related bone loss is associated with increased bone marrow fat, we also evaluated the capacity of PI‐treated MSCs to differentiate into adipocyte. We observed an altered adipocyte differentiation in PI‐treated MSCs that was reverted by pravastatin. We have shown that some PIs alter osteoblast formation by affecting their differentiation potential in association with altered senescence in MSCs, with a beneficial effect of statin. These data corroborate the clinical observations and allow new insight into pathophysiological mechanisms of PI‐induced bone loss in HIV‐infected patients.
Pretreatment Alcohol Drinking Goals are Associated with Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Dunn Kelly E. , Strain Eric C. 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundA large subset of patients who enter treatment for alcohol dependence report nonabstinent drinking goals (e.g., reduction in drinking) rather than abstinence, and this pretreatment goal choice may be associated with drinking outcomes and alcohol‐related problems.MethodsAn analysis of the 16‐week Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions (COMBINE) study was conducted to determine the association between self‐reported pretreatment drinking goal and drinking outcomes and alcohol‐related problems. Participants who reported a nonabstinent drinking goal (n = 340) were matched with participants who reported an abstinent drinking goal (n = 340) on 3 variables believed to contribute to treatment outcomes: COMBINE experimental group, gender, and number of prebaseline heavy drinking days.ResultsAnalyses revealed no interaction between the COMBINE experimental group and drinking goal on outcome measures, so results were collapsed and examined as a function of drinking goal group. Participants who chose an abstinent drinking goal had significantly more weeks with no drinking or no heavy drinking, reported fewer heavy drinking days, reported fewer days with >1 drink, and were more likely to have a ≥50% decrease in drinks per day between baseline and week 16 of the intervention. However, both groups reported reductions over time in percent drinking days, mean drinks per day, number of heavy drinking days, and number of drinking days per week, and participants in both groups experienced significant reductions in alcohol‐related problems and improvements in psychosocial functioning.ConclusionsResults replicate and expand upon previous studies examining the association between drinking goal and treatment outcome. These data also provide support for the standard inclusion of drinking treatment goal as a stratification variable in study interventions or as a covariate in outcome analyses and highlight several areas that warrant additional research regarding patients who enter alcohol treatment with a nonabstinent drinking goal.
Suppression and Epigenetic Regulation of MiR‐9 Contributes to Ethanol Teratology: Evidence from Zebrafish and Murine Fetal Neural Stem Cell Models
Authors: Pappalardo‐Carter Dana L. , Balaraman Sridevi , Sathyan Pratheesh , Carter Eric S. , Chen Wei‐Jung A. , Miranda Rajesh C. 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundFetal alcohol exposure produces multiorgan defects, making it difficult to identify underlying etiological mechanisms. However, recent evidence for ethanol (EtOH) sensitivity of the miRNA miR‐9 suggests one mechanism, whereby EtOH broadly influences development. We hypothesized that loss of miR‐9 function recapitulates aspects of EtOH teratology.MethodsZebrafish embryos were exposed to EtOH during gastrulation, or injected with anti‐miR‐9 or nonsense control morpholinos during the 2‐cell stage of development and collected between 24 and 72 hours postfertilization (hpf). We also assessed the expression of developmentally important, and known miR‐9 targets, FGFR‐1, FOXP2, and the nontargeted transcript, MECP2. Methylation at CpG islands of mammalian miR‐9 genes was assessed in fetal murine neural stem cells (mNSCs) by methylation‐specific PCR, and miRNA processing assessed by qRT‐PCR for pre‐miR‐9 transcripts.ResultsEtOH treatment and miR‐9 knockdown resulted in similar cranial defects including microcephaly. Additionally, EtOH transiently suppressed miR‐9, as well as FGFR‐1 and FOXP2, and alterations in miR‐9 expression were correlated with severity of EtOH‐induced teratology. In mNSCs, EtOH increased CpG dinucleotide methylation at the miR‐9‐2 locus and accumulation of pre‐miR‐9‐3.ConclusionsEtOH exerts regulatory control at multiple levels of miR‐9 biogenesis. Moreover, early embryonic loss of miR‐9 function recapitulated the severe range of teratology associated with developmental EtOH exposure. EtOH also disrupts the relationship between miR‐9 and target gene expression, suggesting a nuanced relationship between EtOH and miRNA regulatory networks in the developing embryo. The implications of these data for the expression and function of mature miR‐9 warrant further investigation.
Binge Drinking–Induced Subtle Myocardial Injury
Authors: Waszkiewicz Napoleon , Szulc Agata , Zwierz Krzysztof 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundMost of the clinical, histopathological, and biochemical studies consider the effect of chronic alcohol intoxication on myocardial injury. Much less attention has been paid to acute alcohol (binge drinking)–induced cardiotoxicity, even though alcohol binging is much more common than alcohol dependence.MethodsWe briefly present some of the binge drinking–induced “holiday heart” effects. The literature was searched to find effects of alcohol on heart.ResultsIn binge drinking, the literature has demonstrated transient myocardial subtle changes in cardiac magnetic resonance, increased serological markers of myocardial injury and inflammation, abnormal cardiac rhythm, changes in other biochemical and ultrastructural indices of myocardial dysfunction, as well as changes in metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate, thrombosis/fibrinolysis processes, and coronary vasoconstriction.ConclusionsAlthough acute low alcohol exposure has widely proven positive effect on myocardial function, heavy acute drinking frequent events are related to adverse cardiovascular effects.
Morphologic Radiographic Study of the Proximal Sesamoid Bones of the Forelimb in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training
Authors: Beccati F. , Gialletti R. , Giontella A. , Davanzo S. , Di Meo A. , Pepe M. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe aim of this study was to identify differences in bone shape (height and width) of proximal sesamoid bones (PSB) in 2‐year‐old Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Dorsal 15° proximal‐palmarodistal oblique images of each metacarpophalangeal joint were acquired before the horses started training and at 1 year after the start of exercise and racing. There were no changes in height and width ofPSBs induced by training. There was a significant difference of height and width between medial and lateralPSBs. In both forelimbs, the medialPSBwas significantly wider and shorter than the lateralPSB. The medialPSBof the right forelimb was significantly wider than that of the left forelimb. These results might explain some limb predilection for fracture ofPSBs. The difference in strain pattern between medial and lateralPSBs in different loading conditions needs to be investigated.
Burnout in orthopaedic surgeons: a review
Authors: Arora Manit , Diwan Ashish D. , Harris Ian A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundTraining and practice of orthopaedic surgery are stressful endeavours, placing orthopaedic surgeons at risk of burnout. Burnout syndrome is associated with negative outcomes for patients, institutions and, especially, the surgeon. The aim of this review is to summarize available literature on burnout among orthopaedic surgeons and provide recommendations for future work in this field.MethodsA search of MEDLINE (1946–present) and EMBASE (search terms: ‘Burnout, Professional’ AND ‘Orthopaedics’; ‘Stress, Psychological’ AND ‘Orthopaedic Surgery’; ‘Fatigue, Mental’ AND ‘Orthopaedic Surgery’) was performed. The authors focused on articles that assessed burnout among orthopaedic surgeons. All studies used the Maslach Burnout Inventory allowing for cross‐study (and cross‐country) comparisons.ResultsBurnout rates among orthopaedic surgeons are in the range of 50–60%, higher than surgeons in general (range: 30–40% for surgeons in general), with the highest rate (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores) among orthopaedic residents, followed by department chairs, followed by faculty members. Both objective factors (caseload, practice setting, etc.) and subjective factors (perception that career was unrewarding, perception of lack of autonomy, etc.) contribute to burnout; however, subjective factors show a stronger correlation.ConclusionDespite the heavy burnout rates among orthopaedic surgeons, little work has been performed in this field. Factors responsible for burnout among various orthopaedic populations should be determined, and appropriate interventions designed to reduce burnout.
Partially Linear Structure Selection in Cox Models with Varying Coefficients
Authors: Lian Heng , Lai Peng , Liang Hua 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSummaryTo explore the nonlinear interactions between covariates and an index variable, partially linear proportional hazards models have been proposed for censored survival data. However, specification of the partially linear structure was usually carried out in an ad‐hoc manner by first fitting a full varying‐coefficient model and visually examining the resulting fit to identify the linear part. In this article, we consider the problem of coefficient estimation and constant coefficient identification based on a double shrinkage approach. Variable selection is also considered in a coherent estimation framework, resulting in a double‐penalization procedure. Under the mild assumptions, we establish asymptotic properties for the procedure such as consistency, sparesistency, constansistency, and asymptotic normality. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method by numerical simulations and demonstrate its application using a breast cancer data set.
Suprapubic‐assisted laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery (LESS) in urology: our experience
Authors: Zou Xiaofeng , Zhang Guoxi , Xue Yijun , Yuan Yuanhu , Xiao Rihai , Wu Gengqing , Wang Xiaoning , Wu Yuting , Long Dazhi , Yang Jun , Xu Hui , Liu Folin , Zhang Xu 
Published: June 2013

Objective
To report our experience with suprapubic‐assisted laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery (SA‐LESS) in urology.
Patients and Methods
In all, 236 patients underwent SA‐LESS
A 5‐ and 10‐mm (or two 5‐mm) trocars were inserted at the medial margin of the umbilicus. A 10‐ or 5‐mm trocar was inserted into the abdominal cavity below the ipsilateral pubic hairline.
The technique for the SA‐LESS is similar to that of the standard laparoscopy, with conventional instruments placed in the abdominal trocars, under direct vision achieved by a 10‐mm conventional 30 ° or 5‐mm flexible‐tip 0 ° laparoscope placed through the trocar below the pubic hairline.
Results
SA‐LESS was successfully completed in 229 patients, without the need for ancillary trocars or additional instruments. Six patients required conversion to standard laparoscopy because of intraoperative bleeding (five) and failure to progress (one). One patient underwent open conversion because of gradual bleeding during the dissection of a dense adhesive renal pedicle due to infection and fibrosis The various SA‐LESS procedures performed included adrenalectomy (15), renal cyst excision (19), nephrectomy (78; simple 63, radical 15), nephroureterectomy (three), nephron‐sparing surgery (three), heminephroureterectomy (five), pyeloplasty (nine), pyelolithotomy (six), and ureterolithotomy (98). The median operative time was 81, 106, 92, 140, and 85 min, and the estimated blood loss was 60, 205, 115, 75, and 55 mL for adrenalectomy, simple nephrectomy, radical nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, and ureterolithotomy, respectively.
At a mean (range) follow‐up of 14.8 (2–27) months there was a hidden umbilicus scar. The scar below the pubic hairline was not detectable because of pubic hair covering.
Conclusions
SA‐LESS appears to be feasible, safe and effective.
Compared with umbilical LESS, the placement of a trocar at the umbilicus and below the pubic hairline not only decreases the difficulty of surgery but also leads to little postoperative pain and good cosmetic results.
Validation of voiding diary for stratification of bladder pain syndrome according to the presence/absence of cystoscopic abnormalities: a two‐centre prospective study
Authors: Boudry Genevieve , Labat Jean‐Jacques , Riant Thibault , Normand Loïc Le , Manunta Andrea , Bensalah Karim , Rigaud Jerome 
Published: June 2013

Objective
To assess the value of the voiding diary in the management of patients with bladder pain syndrome for predicting the presence or absence of cystoscopic abnormalities.
Patients and Methods
From November 2009 to March 2011, 54 consecutive patients (39 women and 15 men) with bladder pain syndrome, as defined by the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (ESSIC) criteria, were prospectively enrolled in this two‐centre study.
All patients completed a home voiding diary on 3 consecutive days, which included analysis of voiding frequency, voided volume and severity of pre‐ and post‐voiding pain. The variables were evaluated on a numeric pain scale (NPS).
All patients then underwent standardized cystoscopy under anaesthesia. Patients were stratified into two groups: a group with or a group without cystoscopic abnormalities.
Voiding diary variables were compared using Student's t‐test.
Results
Cystoscopic abnormalities were found in 33 patients.
The group of patients with cystoscopic abnormalities had significantly more severe frequency (P = 0.034), especially nocturnal frequency (P = 0.009), a significantly lower mean voiding volume and lower sd from the mean (P = 0.011 and P = 0.014), and a significantly lower mean post‐voiding NPS score (P = 0.039).
Conclusion
On analysis of the voiding diaries, we found that different patient profiles were associated with the cystoscopic appearance of the bladder.
A clinical voiding score was proposed to predict the cystoscopic appearance of the bladder on the basis of the voiding diary in bladder pain syndrome but needs to be validated on an independent population.
Association of serum vitamin D levels in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Niino Masaaki , Fukazawa Toshiyuki , Miyazaki Yusei , Minami Naoya , Tashiro Jun , Amino Itaru , Nonaka Takayuki , Fujiki Naoto , Doi Shizuki , Kikuchi Seiji 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveVitamin D levels are one of the most likely environmental factors related to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). As vitamin D levels differ between ethnicities, the associated risk of MS also differs. We aimed to determine the associations of serum vitamin D levels in Japanese patients with MS.MethodsSerum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D), and vitamin D‐binding protein (DBP) were measured in 29 patients with relapsing‐remitting (RR) and secondary‐progressive (SP) MS, and in 34 healthy controls.ResultsThe serum levels of 25(OH)D in SPMS patients were significantly decreased compared with those of controls and RRMS patients at remitting phase (7.9 ± 7.2 nM vs 24.2 ± 14.2 nM vs 22.5 ± 13.2 nM, respectively; P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). DBP levels in RRMS and SPMS patients were also decreased compared with controls (419.4 ± 76.2 μg/mL vs 416.7 ± 65.9 μg/mL vs 527.6 ± 149.4 μg/mL, respectively; P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, serum 25(OH)D was found to correlate negatively with disease severity in patients with RRMS in the remitting phase and SPMS using the Expanded Disability Status Scale and the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score.ConclusionsOur results suggest that low 25(OH)D levels are associated with an increased risk of developing SPMS, and a likelihood of developing more severe MS with a worse prognosis in Japanese patients.[Correction added on 2 August 2013, after first online publication: ‘serum 25 (OH)D was found to correlate negatively with 1,25(OH)2D levels in patients’ has been corrected to ‘serum 25(OH)D was found to correlate negatively with disease severity in patients’ in the Results section of the abstract.]