bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of sequential infections of Caenorhabditis elegans with Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis
Authors: JebaMercy Gnanasekaran , Balamurugan Krishnaswamy 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTCaenorhabditis elegans can be used to study the dynamics of polymicrobial infections, specifically those between Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. With C. elegans, Proteus mirabilis acts as an opportunistic pathogen and does not kill this host. Hence, in the present study, C. elegans was immunochallenged by pre‐infecting it with the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus in order to study the subsequent effect of P. mirabilis on the host. It was found that 12 hrs of S. aureus and 80 hrs of subsequent P. mirabilis infection significantly reduced the life span of exposed C. elegans by 80%. However, preinfection with S. aureus for 8 and 4 hrs reduced the life span of C. elegans by only 60 and 30%, respectively. Further, there was greater production of reactive oxygen species in the sequentially infected samples than in the S. aureus and P. mirabilis controls. Real time PCR analysis indicated regulation of candidate immune regulatory genes, lysozyme (lys‐7), CUB‐like proteins (F08G5.6), neuropeptide‐like factors (nlp‐29), transcription factors of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (ATF‐7) and daf‐2–daf‐16 (daf‐16), insulin‐like signaling pathways and C‐type lectin (clec‐60 and clec‐87) family members during S. aureus and subsequent P. mirabilis‐mediated infections, indicating possible roles of, and contributions by, the above factors during host immune responses against these sequential infections. The present findings demonstrate that S. aureus infections increase the vulnerability of the C. elegans host by subverting its immune system, which then permits the opportunistic pathogen P. mirabilis to be pathogenic to this host
The influence of drug use in university hospitals on the pharmaceutical consumption in their surrounding communities
Authors: Gallini Adeline , Legal Renaud , Taboulet Florence 
Published: September 2012

AimTo investigate the influence of hospital drug choices on pharmaceutical consumption for nine competitive classes in the surrounding community.MethodsEcological study. Data from the national survey on drugs in hospitals were used to extract quantities purchased by 25 French university hospitals for three ‘hospital classes’ (EPOs, LMWHs and setrons) and six ‘ambulatory classes’ (PPIs, ACEIs and ARBs, statins, α‐adrenoreceptor antagonists (AAAs) and selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors SSRIs). Re‐imbursed quantities for patients living in the hospital's catchment area were extracted from the national health insurance database. The relationship between the use of a brand in hospitals and their catchment areas was assessed using multivariate linear regressions with instrumental variables.ResultsAn increase of 1 day of treatment with one brand in the hospital was associated with a significant increase of 2.8 days of treatment with the same brand in the catchment area. However, results strongly varied according to classes. An increase of 1 day of treatment in the hospital was significantly associated with an increase of 0.21 day for ‘hospital classes’ and 21.8 days for ‘ambulatory classes’ in the catchment area. Strong variations were seen across ‘ambulatory classes’. The effect was maximal for cardiovascular classes and not significant for AAAs and SSRIs. The size of the effect also varied with hospital characteristics: small and proximity university hospitals exerted the greatest influence.ConclusionsHospital consumption influences the use of drugs in the community. A significant effect was found, especially for competitive classes used on a long‐term basis. The economic consequences of these findings need to be addressed.
Prevalence of abnormal urinary albumin excretion in a population‐based study in Spain: results from the HERMEX Study
Authors: Robles Nicolas R. , Felix Francisco J. , Fernandez‐Berges Daniel , Perez‐Castán Jose F. , Zaro Maria J. , Lozano Luis , Alvarez‐Palacios Paula , Garcia‐Trigo Antonio , Tejero Veronica , Morcillo Yolanda , Hidalgo Ana B. 
Published: September 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (12): 1272–1277AbstractBackground  HERMEX is a population‐based study which try to evaluate the relative weight of cardiovascular risk factors in the population of Extremadura. This report provides the data obtained about microalbuminuria in a large Spanish population.Design and methods  Observational, cross‐sectional, population‐based study. A total of 3402 subjects were randomly selected from the Health Care System of Extremadura. The final sample included 2813 subjects (mean age 51·2 years, 53·5% female). Urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) in first morning urine sample was analysed. Microalbuminuria was diagnosed when UAER was ≥ 22 in men or ≥ 31 mg/g in women.Results  Prevalence of abnormal UAER in general population was 5·5% (microalbuminuria: 4·7%; proteinuria 0·8%). Microalbuminuria grew slightly in patients between 65 and 74 years and showed a dramatic increase in subject older than 75 years (P < 0·001). Men showed a high prevalence of microalbuminuria (5·8% vs. women 3·6%; P = 0·006 chi‐squared test). Increased UAER was more common in obese subjects (6·7% vs. 2·3%, P < 0·001), hypertensive patients (8·3% vs. 2·3%, P < 0·001) and diabetic ones (10·9% vs. 3·7%, P < 0·001). The multivariate analysis showed a positive correlation of abnormal UAER with body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, plasma creatinine and triglyceride levels.Conclusions  A low frequency of abnormal UAER was detected in a randomly selected sample of Spanish general population. This finding agreed with the low rates of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity observed in Spain in spite of a high prevalence of classic cardiovascular risk factors.
Adipokines: a novel link between adiposity and carotid plaque vulnerability
Authors: Kadoglou Nikolaos P. E. , Sailer Nikolaos , Moumtzouoglou Anestis , Kapelouzou Alkistis , Gerasimidis Thomas , Kostakis Alkiviadis , Liapis Christos D. 
Published: September 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (12): 1278–1286AbstractBackground  In patients with carotid stenosis, we prospectively investigated the association of novel adipokines, apelin and visfatin, with gray‐scale median (GSM) score, a valid index of carotid plaque vulnerability. We also assessed the impact of atorvastatin therapy on the above biochemical and imaging markers.Materials and methods  Seventy‐four overweight [body‐mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2, fat‐mass > 30%], statin‐free patients, with carotid stenosis, but without indications for intervention were enrolled. Thirty‐eight age‐, sex‐ and BMI‐matched healthy subjects served as healthy controls (HC). All patients received gradual titrated (10–80 mg) atorvastatin therapy to target LDL‐C < 100 mg/dL. GSM score, blood pressure (BP), fat‐mass, lipid profile, and serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), apelin and visfatin levels were obtained at baseline and after 24 months.Results  At baseline, patients with carotid atherosclerosis had worse lipid profile, lower apelin and higher systolic BP, hsCRP, visfatin levels compared with HC (P < 0·05). Notably, decreased apelin (P < 0·001) and GSM score (P = 0·010), while increased visfatin (P = 0·019) and hsCRP (P = 0·039) levels were found in symptomatic rather than asymptomatic patients. At baseline, GSM score correlated with fat‐mass, BMI, LDL‐C, visfatin and apelin (P < 0·05). Apelin, visfatin and fat‐mass remained independent determinants of baseline GSM score (R2 = 0·391, P = 0·007). In parallel, we found that apelin increment and LDL‐C reduction were independently associated with the atorvastatin‐induced GSM increase (R2 = 0·411, P = 0·011).Conclusion  Increased fat‐mass, low apelin and high visfatin serum levels seem to correlate with carotid plaque vulnerability in patients with carotid stenosis. The atorvastatin‐induced modification of apelin and LDL‐C may beneficially affect carotid plaque stability.
The effect of stocking rate and calving date on grass production, utilization and nutritive value of the sward during the grazing season
Authors: McCarthy B. , Pierce K. M. , Delaby L. , Brennan A. , Fleming C. , Horan B. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA 2‐year whole‐farm system study compared the accumulation, utilization and nutritive value of grass in spring‐calving grass‐based systems differing in stocking rate (SR) and calving date (CD). Six treatments (systems) were compared over two complete grazing seasons. Stocking rates used in the study were low (2·5 cows ha−1), medium (2·9 cows ha−1) and high (3·3 cows ha−1), respectively, and mean CDs were 12 February (early) and 25 February (late). Each system had its own farmlet of eighteen paddocks and one herd that remained on the same farmlet area for the duration of the study. Stocking rate had a small effect on total herbage accumulation (11 860 kg DM ha−1 year−1), but had no effect on total herbage utilization (11 700 kg DM ha−1 year−1). Milk and milk solids (MS; fat + protein) production per ha increased by 2580 and 196 kg ha−1 as SR increased from 2·5 to 3·3 cows ha−1. Milk production per ha and net herbage accumulation and utilization were unaffected by CD. Winter feed production was reduced as SR increased. Increased SR, associated with increased grazing severity, resulted in swards of increased leaf content and nutritive value. The results indicate that, although associated with increased milk production per ha, grazed grass utilization and improved sward nutritive value, the potential benefits of increased SR on Irish dairy farms can only be realized if the average level of herbage production and utilization is increased.
Enhanced detection of infectious salmon anaemia virus using a low‐speed centrifugation technique in three fish cell lines
Authors: Molloy S D , Thomas E , Hoyt K , Bouchard D A 
Published: September 2012

AbstractInfectious salmon anaemia (ISA), caused by ISA virus (ISAV), is a serious disease of farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Recently, molecular‐ and immunofluorescent‐based techniques have become powerful diagnostic tools for ISAV detection, but culture‐based techniques remain the gold standard. A disadvantage of ISAV culture is that the incubation time required before cytopathic effect (CPE) is observed in cell monolayers. To decrease time until CPE is observed, a low‐speed centrifugation technique was applied to existing standard operating procedures for ISAV culture in three fish cell lines. Time until CPE observation was compared in CHSE, SHK and ASK cells, treated or not treated with low‐speed centrifugation after inoculation with ISAV. Low‐speed centrifugation treatment significantly enhanced observable cell infection. Compared to control cells, the length of time until ISAV CPE observation decreased in centrifuged ASK and CHSE cells. Low‐speed centrifugation was also incorporated into a modified clinical shell vial assay. At 48 h post‐inoculation with approximately 20 viral particles, ISAV was detected by an immunofluorescence antibody test in treated ASK and SHK1 cells but not in control cells. Finally, this enhanced viral adsorption assay performed in ASK cells demonstrated higher sensitivity than a real‐time RT‐PCR assay performed on RNA isolated from ISAV‐spiked salmon kidney homogenates.
Obesity and overweight in intellectual and non‐intellectually disabled children
Authors: Slevin E. , Truesdale‐Kennedy M. , McConkey R. , Livingstone B. , Fleming P. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have compared overweight and obesity in intellectually disabled (ID) and non‐intellectually disabled (N‐ID) children. This research compared the prevalence of overweight and obesity between a sample of 218 ID and 229 N‐ID school pupils in Northern Ireland (NI). Comparison of the physical activity and dietary behaviour of the two groups of school pupils were also undertaken.MethodsEach pupil completed (assisted if required) a food intake and physical activity questionnaire. Following this body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were measured and recorded.ResultsSignificantly more ID pupils (72, 33%) were overweight/obese compared with 55 (24%) of the N‐ID pupils in accordance with their BMI. ID pupils also had significantly higher waist circumferences. Over a quarter of foods consumed by the pupils were fatty and sugary foods and close to 30% of these foods were eaten by the ID children. Pupils spent most of their time engaging in low levels of activity such as reading, watching TV, on games consoles and listening to music. Pupils with an ID spent fewer hours on moderate and high levels of activities compared with those children with N‐ID.ConclusionsResults of this study found higher levels of overweight and obesity in this sample than in international published research. Additionally significantly higher numbers of ID pupils were overweight and obese indicating the need for future research and public health to focus on this issue.
Increased Responses to the Actions of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 on Energy Balance and Body Weight in a Seasonal Model of Adiposity
Authors: Murphy M. , Samms R. , Warner A. , Bolborea M. , Barrett P. , Fowler M. J. , Brameld J. M. , Tsintzas K. , Kharitonenkov A. , Adams A. C. , Coskun T. , Ebling F. J. P. 
Published: September 2012

The present study aimed to investigate the actions of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on energy balance in a natural model of relative fatness, the Siberian hamster. Hamsters were studied under long days (LD) to promote weight gain, or short days to induce weight loss, and treated with rhFGF21 (3 mg/kg/day) via s.c. minipumps for 14 days. On days 7–9, detailed assessments of ingestive behaviour, metabolic gas exchange and locomotor activity were made. FGF21 caused substantial (P < 0.0001) weight loss in the fat LD state but not in the lean SD state: at the end of the study, FGF21‐treated hamsters in LD lost 18% of body weight compared to vehicle controls, which is comparable to the natural body weight loss observed in SD. Epididymal fat pads, a correlate of total carcass fat content, were reduced by 19% in FGF21 treated hamsters in LD, whereas no difference was found in SD. Body weight loss in LD was associated with a reduction in food intake (P < 0.001) and a decreased respiratory exchange ratio (P < 0.001), indicating increased fat oxidation. Treatment with FGF21 maintained the normal nocturnal increase in oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production into the early light phase in hamsters in LD, indicating increased energy expenditure, although locomotor activity was unaffected. These data suggest a greater efficacy of FGF21 in hamsters in LD compared to those in SD, which is consistent with both the peripheral and possibly central actions of FGF21 with respect to promoting a lean phenotype. The observed differences in FGF21 sensitivity may relate to day length‐induced changes in adipose tissue mass.
Production of hydrogen peroxide and expression of ROS‐generating genes in peach flower petals in response to host and non‐host fungal pathogens
Authors: Liu J. , Macarisin D. , Wisniewski M. , Sui Y. , Droby S. , Norelli J. , Hershkovitz V. 
Published: September 2012

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play dual roles in plant–microbe interactions in that they can either stimulate host resistance or enhance pathogen virulence. Innate resistance in peach (Prunus persica) to the brown rot fungal pathogen Monilinia fructicola is very limited, and knowledge of the mechanism of virulence is rudimentary. In this study, production of hydrogen peroxide, a major component of ROS, was determined in peach flower petals in response to M. fructicola (a host pathogen) and Penicillium digitatum (a non‐host pathogen). Monilinia fructicola was able to infect flower petals while P. digitatum was not. During the host‐specific interaction, M. fructicola induced hydrogen peroxide accumulation in flower petals. Application of exogenous antioxidants significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide accumulation as well as the incidence of brown rot disease. Application of M. fructicola spores to the surface of intact flower petals induced gene expression and increased enzyme activity of NADPH oxidase and cell wall peroxidase in host tissues, resulting in the production of hydrogen peroxide. Petals inoculated with M. fructicola exhibited high levels of protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation. No significant response in gene expression, enzyme activity or hydrogen peroxide levels was observed in peach flower petals treated with P. digitatum. These results suggest that M. fructicola, as with other necrotrophic fungi, uses the strong oxidative response as part of a virulence mechanism.
Perception of insect feeding by plants
Authors: Bonaventure G. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe recognition of phytophagous insects by plants induces a set of very specific responses aimed at deterring tissue consumption and reprogramming metabolism and development of the plant to tolerate the herbivore. The recognition of insects by plants requires the plant’s ability to perceive chemical cues generated by the insects and to distinguish a particular pattern of tissue disruption. Relatively little is known about the molecular basis of insect perception by plants and the signalling mechanisms directly associated with this perception. Importantly, the insect feeding behaviour (piercing‐sucking versus chewing) is a decisive determinant of the plant’s defence response, and the mechanisms used to perceive insects from different feeding guilds may be distinct. During insect feeding, components of the saliva of chewing or piercing‐sucking insects come into contact with plant cells, and elicitors or effectors present in this insect‐derived fluid are perceived by plant cells to initiate the activation of specific signalling cascades. Although receptor–ligand interactions controlling insect perception have yet not been molecularly described, a significant number of regulatory components acting downstream of receptors and involved in the activation of defence responses against insects has been reported. Some of these regulators mediate changes in the phytohormone network, while others directly control gene expression or the redox state of the cell. These processes are central in the orchestration of plant defence responses against insects.
Health needs of Australian Indigenous young people entering detention
Authors: Doolan Ivan , Najman Jackob M , Cherney Adrian 
Published: September 2012

Aim:  To determine whether there are different health needs associated with differences between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous youth in detention in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Methods:  All records of young people (aged 10 to 21 years) taken into detention in Brisbane Queensland over the period 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2009 were reviewed, and data were extracted documenting the mental health and related behaviours of those referred to the Mental Health, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems – Tenth Revision (ICD‐10) criteria were applied to a clinical interview. ICD‐10 diagnostic outcomes and reason for referral are presented by Indigenous status and age.Results:  Young male (under 14 years of age) Indigenous respondents are substantially over‐represented in youth in detention. Indigenous youth in detention are disproportionately referred and diagnosed with a substance use problem. Referral and diagnosis of substance use problems was not as commonly found for non‐Indigenous youth.Conclusions:  Young Indigenous persons are substantially over‐represented in those taken into detention in Queensland. This study shows significant differences in relation to mental health and substance use assessment outcomes for Indigenous and non‐Indigenous young people in youth detention in Queensland. Further research focusing on service delivery for Indigenous young people should focus on their specific needs.
Current status and future prospects for cultured limbal tissue transplants in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Harkin Damien G , Apel Andrew J , Di Girolamo Nick , Watson Stephanie , Brown Karl , Daniell Mark D , McGhee J Jane , McGhee Charles NJ 
Published: September 2012

AbstractCultured limbal tissue transplants have become widely used over the last decade as a treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). While the number of patients afflicted with LSCD in Australia and New Zealand is considered to be relatively low, the impact of this disease on quality of life is so severe that the potential efficacy of cultured transplants has necessitated investigation. We presently review the basic biology and experimental strategies associated with the use of cultured limbal tissue transplants in Australia and New Zealand. In doing so, we aim to encourage informed discussion on the issues required to advance the use of cultured limbal transplants in Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, we propose that a collaborative network could be established to maintain access to the technology in conjunction with a number of other existing and emerging treatments for eye diseases.
Effects of musical training on the early auditory cortical representation of pitch transitions as indexed by change‐N1
Authors: Itoh Kosuke , Okumiya‐Kanke Yoko , Nakayama Yoh , Kwee Ingrid L. , Nakada Tsutomu 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe effects of musical training on the early auditory cortical response to pitch transitions in music were investigated by use of the change‐N1 component of auditory event‐related potentials. Musicians and non‐musicians were presented with music stimuli comprising a melody and a harmony under various listening conditions. First, when the subjects played a video game and were instructed to ignore the auditory stimuli, the onset of stimuli elicited a typical, fronto‐central onset‐N1, whereas melodic and harmonic pitch transitions within the stimuli elicited so‐called change‐N1s that were more posterior in scalp distribution. The pitch transition change‐N1s, but not onset‐N1, were enhanced in musicians. Second, when the listeners attended to the same stimuli as above to detect infrequently occurring target stimuli, the change‐N1 elicited by pitch changes (in non‐target stimuli) was augmented, in non‐musicians only when the target was easily detectable, and in both musicians and non‐musicians when it was difficult to detect. Thus, the early, obligatory cortical response to pitch transitions during passive listening was chronically enhanced by training in musicians, and, reflecting this training‐induced enhancement, the task‐related modulation of this response was also different between musicians and non‐musicians. These results are the first to demonstrate the long‐term effects of training, short‐term effects of task and the effects of their interaction on the early (~100‐ms) cortical processing of pitch transitions in music. The scalp distributions of these enhancement effects were generally right dominant at temporal electrode sites, suggesting contributions from the radially oriented subcomponent of change‐N1, namely, the Tb (N1c) wave of the T‐complex.