bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diabetic characteristics and alveolar bone loss in streptozotocin‐ and streptozotocin‐nicotinamide‐treated rats with periodontitis
Authors: Kim J‐H. , Lee D‐E. , Choi S‐H. , Cha J‐H. , Bak E‐J. , Yoo Y‐J. 
Published: February 2014

Background and ObjectiveExperimental models showing variable diabetic status are necessary to understand the relationship between diabetes and periodontitis. The streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes model allows control of diabetic status by nicotinamide (NA), which protects against STZ‐induced β‐cell necrosis. Therefore, we compared diabetic characteristics and alveolar bone loss in STZ‐ and STZ‐NA‐treated rats with periodontitis.Material and MethodsSTZ‐treated rats were generated by intravenous (IV) administration of STZ (50 mg/kg). STZ‐NA‐treated rats were induced by intraperitoneal administration of NA (270 mg/kg) 15 min before IV administration of STZ (65 mg/kg). Periodontitis was induced by ligature around the left mandibular first molar 1 wk after injection. Blood glucose level, glucose tolerance and serum insulin levels were determined at day 0 and/or 20 after ligature. At day 20, tibia bone loss was assessed using micro‐computed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Alveolar bone loss was histologically measured as the distance of the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest in distal and the percentage of periodontal ligament area in the first molar furcation, respectively. The number of inflammatory cells, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL)‐positive cells and the area of osteoid were determined.ResultsIn STZ‐treated rats, obvious hyperglycemia over 300 mg/dL and severe body weight loss were observed. The insulin level was approximately 14% compared to that of control rats. STZ‐NA‐treated rats were impaired in glucose tolerance compared to control rats; however, body weight and insulin levels were not significantly different. Tibia bone loss was increased in STZ‐treated rats, but significant change was not observed in STZ‐NA‐treated rats compared to control rats. In ligatured teeth, alveolar bone loss was increased in both STZ‐ and STZ‐NA‐treated rats compared to control rats. Alveolar bone loss, the number of inflammatory cells and RANKL‐positive cells in STZ‐treated rats were greater than in STZ‐NA‐treated rats. The area of osteoid decreased in STZ‐treated rats compared to control, but not STZ‐NA‐treated rats.ConclusionThese results indicate that STZ‐ and STZ‐NA‐treated rats exhibit diabetic characteristics similar to type 1 diabetes mellitus and a pre‐diabetic state, respectively. In addition, alveolar bone loss in response to periodontitis and tibia loss depend on diabetic status. Diabetic status‐dependent bone remodeling imbalance and inflammation could affect the alveolar bone loss in the two models. Both STZ‐ and STZ‐NA‐treated rats may be useful to investigate differences in periodontitis sensitivity associated with diabetic status and to develop therapeutic agents for periodontitis in patients with diabetes.
A Profile of Farmers and Other Employed Canadians With Chronic Back Pain: A Population‐Based Analysis of the 2009‐2010 Canadian Community Health Surveys
Authors: Trask Catherine , Bath Brenna , McCrosky Jesse , Lawson Josh 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPurposeChronic back disorders (CBDs) are a serious public health issue, both in the general population and among farmers. However, it is not clear whether all individuals with CBD should be treated the same, or if some subpopulations have special needs. This study's purpose was to determine the demographic, socioeconomic, co‐morbidity, and other health characteristics of Canadian farmers and nonfarmers with self‐reported CBD.MethodsWe performed a secondary analysis of the 2009‐2010 Canadian Community Health Survey to develop a profile of adults with CBD comparing farmers (N = 350) to nonfarmer employed persons (N = 11,251). In addition to descriptive analysis, multiple logistic regression was used to control for possible confounding.FindingsOur results indicate that farmers with CBD are significantly more likely to be older, less educated, and more often male and living rurally than nonfarmers with CBD. We found no difference between rates and type of co‐morbidities between farmers and nonfarmers. However, the sociodemographic differences between farmers and nonfarmers with CBD may impact the design of effective interventions and have implications for health services planning and health care delivery. The information presented is anticipated to help address the identified need for musculoskeletal disorder prevention in agriculture.
Meloxicam pharmacokinetics using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling in ferrets after single subcutaneous administration
Authors: Chinnadurai S. K. , Messenger K. M. , Papich M. G. , Harms C. A. 
Published: February 2014

This study was designed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam, an oxicam class, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), in ferrets. We determined the pharmacokinetic properties of a single subcutaneous dose of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) in nine male and nine female ferrets. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture of the cranial vena cava into heparinized syringes. Plasma meloxicam concentrations were determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pharmacokinetic variables were calculated using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling to take advantage of the population‐based sampling scheme and to minimize sample volume collected per animal. Maximum plasma concentration, volume of distribution per absorption, and elimination half‐life were 0.663 μg/mL, 0.21 L, and 11.4 h, respectively, for females and 0.920 μg/mL, 0.35 L, and 17.8 h, respectively, for males. Significant differences were found in each of the above parameters between male and female ferrets. Systemic clearance per absorption was not affected by gender and was 13.4 mL/h. Analgesic efficacy was not evaluated, but plasma meloxicam concentrations achieved in these animals are considered effective in other species. Sex differences in the pharmacokinetic behavior of meloxicam should be taken into consideration when treating ferrets.
10Be content in clasts from fallout suevitic breccia in drill cores from the Bosumtwi impact crater, Ghana: Clues to preimpact target distribution
Authors: Losiak Anna , Wild Eva Maria , Michlmayr Leonard , Koeberl Christian 
Published: February 2014

AbstractRocks from drill cores LB‐07A (crater fill) and LB‐08A (central uplift) into the Bosumtwi impact crater, Ghana, were analyzed for the presence of the cosmogenic radionuclide 10Be. The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which target rocks of various depths were mixed during the formation of the crater‐filling breccia, and also to detect meteoric water infiltration within the impactite layer. 10Be abundances above background were found in two (out of 24) samples from the LB‐07A core, and in none of five samples from the LB‐08A core. After excluding other possible explanations for an elevated 10Be signal, we conclude that it is most probably due to a preimpact origin of those clasts from target rocks close to the surface. Our results suggest that in‐crater breccias were well mixed during the impact cratering process. In addition, the lack of a 10Be signal within the rocks located very close to the lake sediment–impactite boundary suggests that infiltration of meteoric water below the postimpact crater floor was limited. This may suggest that the infiltration of the meteoric water within the crater takes place not through the aerial pore‐space, but rather through a localized system of fractures.
Exercise test in pediatric renal transplant recipients and its relationship with their cardiac function
Authors: Derakhshan Ali , Derakhshan Dorna , Amoozgar Hamid , Shakiba Mohammad Ali , Basiratnia Mitra , Fallahzadeh Mohammad Hossein 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPediatric kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk of CVD. Exercise test is a good method to evaluate exercise capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and risk of potential CVDs. The aim of this study was to assess the exercise capacity in this population and determine its relationship with their cardiac function using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Exercise test, conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography were performed on 44 kidney transplant children (age ranging 11–20, 59% male) with acceptable renal function, and the results were compared with their normal healthy counterparts. Our transplant patients achieved significantly lower maximal heart rate, maximal heart rate ratio, total energy expenditure during the exercise, and maximal O2 consumption (Max VO2) than the normal group (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between hemoglobin (Hb) level, dialysis duration, kidney function, and the exercise test parameters. Kidney transplant patients had preserved systolic despite diminished diastolic cardiac function compared to the normal children. Our pediatric renal transplant recipients had severely impaired diastolic dysfunction and significantly reduced MaxVO2 compared with their healthy counterparts. No correlation was found between MaxVO2 and measured indices of systolic and diastolic cardiac function.
Ovarian and Hormonal Responses to Follicular Phase Administration of Investigational Metastin/Kisspeptin Analog, TAK‐683, in Goats
Authors: Goto Y , Endo N , Nagai K , Ohkura S , Wakabayashi Y , Tanaka A , Matsui H , Kusaka M , Okamura H , Tanaka T 
Published: February 2014

ContentsThis study evaluated the effects of follicular phase administration of TAK‐683, an investigational metastin/kisspeptin analog, on follicular growth, ovulation, luteal function and reproductive hormones in goats. After confirmation of ovulation by transrectal ultrasonography (Day 0), PGF2α (2 mg/head of dinoprost) was administered intramuscularly on Day 10 to induce luteal regression. At 12 h after PGF2α administration, intravenous administration of vehicle or 35 nmol (50 μg)/head of TAK‐683 was performed in control (n = 4) and treatment (n = 4) groups, respectively. Blood samples were collected at 6‐h intervals for 96 h and then daily until the detection of subsequent ovulation (second ovulation). After the second ovulation, ultrasound examinations and blood sampling were performed every other day or daily until the subsequent ovulation (third ovulation). Mean concentrations of LH and FSH in the treatment group were significantly higher 6 h after TAK‐683 treatment than those in the control group (12.0 ± 10.7 vs 1.0 ± 0.7 ng/ml for LH, 47.5 ± 28.2 vs 15.1 ± 3.4 ng/ml for FSH, p < 0.05), whereas mean concentrations of oestradiol in the treatment group decreased immediately after treatment (p < 0.05) as compared with the control group. Ovulation tended to be delayed (n = 2) or occurred early (n = 1) in the treatment group as compared with the control group. For the second ovulation, ovulatory follicles in the treatment group were significantly smaller in maximal diameter than in the control group (3.8 ± 0.5 vs 5.4 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.05, n = 3). Administration of TAK‐683 in the follicular phase stimulates gonadotropin secretion and may have resulted in ovulation of premature follicles in goats.
Multiple Focus Strategies inPro‐Drop Languages: Evidence from Ellipsis in Spanish
Authors: Biezma María 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn this paper I use the case of Spanish to argue that language regularities may give rise to multiple strategies for marking focus. In addition to the well‐known observation that focus can be marked by word order and intonation, I present experimental results regarding ellipsis that show that overt full DPs in subject position in Spanish are marked as focused. This strategy is linked to a language regularity, namely the availability of silent (pro) subjects. In Spanish, there is a preference forprosubjects. Overt full DPs in subject position are marked, and the presence of overt full DPs is used to indicate focus on the subject (thepro‐drop hypothesis). I will provide a novel syntactic analysis of the ellipsis structures, discuss discourse licensing conditions and present two experiments that investigate preferences in ellipsis resolution and argue in favor of thepro‐drop hypothesis. Experiment 1 compares structural preferences for ellipsis resolution across bare argument ellipsis and replacives, investigating the role of syntax and the information‐structure status of the subject. Experiment 2 compares the resolution of ellipsis with antecedents with overt DP subjects versusprosubjects. The paper also establishes links with the processing of ellipsis in other languages.
PerR-Regulated Manganese Ion Uptake Contributes to Oxidative Stress Defense in an Oral Streptococcus
Authors: Wang Xinhui , Tong Huichun , Dong Xiuzhu 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Metal homeostasis plays a critical role in antioxidative stress.
Streptococcus oligofermentans
, an oral commensal facultative anaerobe lacking catalase activity, produces and tolerates abundant H
2
O
2
, whereas Dpr (an Fe
2+
-chelating protein)-dependent H
2
O
2
protection does not confer such high tolerance. Here, we report that inactivation of
perR
, a peroxide-responsive repressor that regulates zinc and iron homeostasis in Gram-positive bacteria, increased the survival of H
2
O
2
-pulsed
S. oligofermentans
32-fold and elevated cellular manganese 4.5-fold.
perR
complementation recovered the wild-type phenotype. When grown in 0.1 to 0.25 mM MnCl
2
,
S. oligofermentans
increased survival after H
2
O
2
stress 2.5- to 23-fold, and even greater survival was found for the
perR
mutant, indicating that PerR is involved in Mn
2+
-mediated H
2
O
2
resistance in
S. oligofermentans
. Mutation of
mntA
could not be obtained in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth (containing ∼0.4 μM Mn
2+
) unless it was supplemented with ≥2.5 μM MnCl
2
and caused 82 to 95% reduction of the cellular Mn
2+
level, while
mntABC
overexpression increased cellular Mn
2+
2.1- to 4.5-fold. Thus, MntABC was identified as a high-affinity Mn
2+
transporter in
S. oligofermentans. mntA
mutation reduced the survival of H
2
O
2
-pulsed
S. oligofermentans
5.7-fold, while
mntABC
overexpression enhanced H
2
O
2
-challenged survival 12-fold, indicating that MntABC-mediated Mn
2+
uptake is pivotal to antioxidative stress in
S. oligofermentans. perR
mutation or H
2
O
2
pulsing upregulated
mntABC
, while H
2
O
2
-induced upregulation diminished in the
perR
mutant. This suggests that
perR
represses
mntABC
expression but H
2
O
2
can release the suppression. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that PerR regulates manganese homeostasis in
S. oligofermentans
, which is critical to H
2
O
2
stress defenses and may be distributed across all oral streptococci lacking catalase.
Small-GTPase-Associated Signaling by the Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors CpDock180 and CpCdc24, the GTPase Effector CpSte20, and the Scaffold Protein CpBem1 in Claviceps purpurea
Authors: Herrmann Andrea , Tillmann Britta A. M. , Schürmann Janine , Bölker Michael , Tudzynski Paul 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Monomeric GTPases of the Rho subfamily are important mediators of polar growth and NADPH (Nox) signaling in a variety of organisms. These pathways influence the ability of
Claviceps purpurea
to infect host plants. GTPase regulators contribute to the nucleotide loading cycle that is essential for proper functionality of the GTPases. Scaffold proteins gather GTPase complexes to facilitate proper function. The guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) CpCdc24 and CpDock180 activate GTPase signaling by triggering nucleotide exchange of the GTPases. Here we show that CpCdc24 harbors nucleotide exchange activity for both Rac and Cdc42 homologues. The GEFs partly share the cellular distribution of the GTPases and interact with the putative upstream GTPase CpRas1. Interaction studies show the formation of higher-order protein complexes, mediated by the scaffold protein CpBem1. Besides the GTPases and GEFs, these complexes also contain the GTPase effectors CpSte20 and CpCla4, as well as the regulatory protein CpNoxR. Functional characterizations suggest a role of CpCdc24 mainly in polarity, whereas CpDock180 is involved in stress tolerance mechanisms. These findings indicate the dynamic formation of small GTPase complexes and improve the model for GTPase-associated signaling in
C. purpurea
.
The Salmonella Spi1 Virulence Regulatory Protein HilD Directly Activates Transcription of the Flagellar Master OperonflhDC
Authors: Singer Hanna M. , Kühne Caroline , Deditius Julia A. , Hughes Kelly T. , Erhardt Marc 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTInfection of intestinal epithelial cells is dependent on theSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium pathogenicity island 1 (Spi1)-encoded type III injectisome system and flagellar motility. Thus, the expression of virulence and flagellar genes is subject to tight regulatory control mechanisms in order to ensure the correct spatiotemporal production of the respective gene products. In this work, we reveal a new level of cross-regulation between the Spi1 and flagellar regulatory systems. Transposon mutagenesis identified a class of mutants that preventedflhDCautorepression by overexpressing HilD. HilD, HilC, RtsA, and HilA comprise a positive regulatory circuit for the expression of the Spi1 genes. Here, we report a novel transcriptional cross talk between the Spi1 and flagellar regulons where HilD transcriptionally activatesflhDCgene expression by binding to nucleotides −68 to −24 upstream from the P5 transcriptional start site. We additionally show that, in contrast to the results of a previous report, HilA does not affect flagellar gene expression. Finally, we discuss a model of the cross-regulation network between Spi1 and the flagellar system and propose a regulatory mechanism via the Spi1 master regulator HilD that would prime flagellar genes for rapid reactivation during host infection.
Access to rheumatologists among patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis in a Canadian universal public healthcare system
Authors: Widdifield Jessica , Paterson J Michael , Bernatsky Sasha , Tu Karen , Thorne J Carter , Ivers Noah , Butt Debra , Jaakkimainen R Liisa , Gunraj Nadia , Ahluwalia Vandana , Bombardier Claire 
Published: February 2014

ObjectivesOur objective was to estimate the percentage of patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were seen by a rheumatologist within 3, 6 and 12 months of suspected diagnosis by a family physician, and assess what factors may influence the time frame with which patients are seen.SettingOntario, Canada.ParticipantsOver 2000–2009, we studied patients with incident RA who were initially diagnosed by a family physician.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe assessed secular trends in rheumatology encounters and differences between patients who received versus did not receive rheumatology care. We performed hierarchical logistic regression analyses to determine whether receipt of rheumatology care was associated with patient, primary care physician and geographical factors.ResultsAmong 19 760 patients with incident RA, 59%, 75% and 84% of patients were seen by a rheumatologist within 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. The prevalence of initial consultations within 3 months did not increase over time; however, access within 6 and 12 months increased over time. Factors positively associated with timely consultations included higher regional rheumatology supply (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.35 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.60)) and higher patient socioeconomic status (aOR 1.18 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.30)). Conversely, factors inversely associated with timely consultations included remote patient residence (aOR 0.51 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.64)) and male family physicians (aOR 0.88 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.95)).ConclusionsIncreasing access to rheumatologists within 6 and 12 months occurred over time; however, consultations within 3 months did not change over time. Measures of poor access (such as proximity to and density of rheumatologists) were negatively associated with timely consultations. Additional factors that contributed to disparities in access included patient socioeconomic status and physician sex.
Well London Phase-1: results among adults of a cluster-randomised trial of a community engagement approach to improving health behaviours and mental well-being in deprived inner-city neighbourhoods
Authors: Phillips Gemma , Bottomley Christian , Schmidt Elena , Tobi Patrick , Lais Shahana , Yu Ge , Lynch Rebecca , Lock Karen , Draper Alizon , Moore Derek , Clow Angela , Petticrew Mark , Hayes Richard , Renton Adrian 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundWe report the main results, among adults, of a cluster-randomised-trial ofWell London, a community-engagement programme promoting healthy eating, physical activity and mental well-being in deprived neighbourhoods. The hypothesis was that benefits would be neighbourhood-wide, and not restricted to intervention participants. The trial was part of a multicomponent process/outcome evaluation which included non-experimental components (self-reported behaviour change amongst participants, case studies and evaluations of individual projects) which suggested health, well-being and social benefits to participants.MethodsTwenty matched pairs of neighbourhoods in London were randomised to intervention/control condition. Primary outcomes (five portions fruit/vegetables/day; 5×30 m of moderate intensity physical activity/week, abnormal General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 score and Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) score) were measured by postintervention questionnaire survey, among 3986 adults in a random sample of households across neighbourhoods.ResultsThere was no evidence of impact on primary outcomes: healthy eating (relative risk [RR] 1.04, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.17); physical activity (RR:1.01, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.16); abnormal GHQ12 (RR:1.15, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.61); WEMWBS (mean difference [MD]: −1.52, 95% CI −3.93 to 0.88). There was evidence of impact on some secondary outcomes: reducing unhealthy eating-score (MD: −0.14, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.27) and increased perception that people in the neighbourhood pulled together (RR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.29).ConclusionsThe trial findings do not provide evidence supporting the conclusion of non-experimental components of the evaluation that intervention improved health behaviours, well-being and social outcomes. Low participation rates and population churn likely compromised any impact of the intervention. Imprecise estimation of outcomes and sampling bias may also have influenced findings. There is a need for greater investment in refining such programmes before implementation; new methods to understand, longitudinally different pathways residents take through such interventions and their outcomes, and new theories of change that apply to each pathway.