bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diffusion of mepivacaine to adjacent synovial structures after intrasynovial analgesia of the digital flexor tendon sheath
Authors: Jordana M. , Martens A. , Duchateau L. , Haspeslagh M. , Vanderperren K. , Oosterlinck M. , Pille F. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyControversy exists about the specificity of diagnostic analgesia of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) in horses.ObjectivesTo evaluate the degree of diffusion of mepivacaine from the equineDFTSto adjacent synovial structures.Study designCrossover experiment.MethodsUnder general anaesthesia, theDFTSof one front and one hindlimb of 8 horses were injected simultaneously with mepivacaine. Synovial fluid samples of the injectedDFTS, the adjacent metacarpo‐/metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joint, proximal interphalangeal joint, distal interphalangeal joint, navicular bursa and contralateralMCP/MTPjoint were collected 15 min post injection (T15) from one of the injected limbs and 60 min post injection (T60) from the other limb. Venous blood samples were obtained at T0, T15 and T60 to evaluate systemic distribution of mepivacaine. After a 2‐week washout period, the procedure was repeated using the same limbs but reversing the time of sampling (front vs. hindlimbs). The concentration of mepivacaine in samples was measured with a commercialELISAkit.ResultsMepivacaine concentrations in theDFTSsamples, at both T15 (5077 mg/l) and T60 (3503 mg/l), exceeded those estimated sufficient to produce synovial analgesia (100 mg/l or 300 mg/l). Mepivacaine was found in all synovial structures adjacent to the injectedDFTSand in the contralateralMCP/MTPjoints, but concentrations were low, with a maximum value of only 3.2 mg/l. With the exception of the navicular bursa samples, the mepivacaine concentrations in the adjacent synovial structures were significantly higher at T60 than at T15 (P<0.03). Significantly higher mepivacaine concentrations were found in the ipsilateral than the contralateralMCP/MTPjoints at T60 (P<0.001). Blood samples had significantly higher mepivacaine concentrations at T15 and T60 than at T0 (P<0.001).ConclusionsMepivacaine injected into theDFTSof horses diffuses towards adjacent synovial structures without achieving clinically relevant concentrations.
CCL7 contributes to the TNF‐alpha‐dependent inflammation of lesional psoriatic skin
Authors: Brunner Patrick M. , Glitzner Elisabeth , Reininger Baerbel , Klein Irene , Stary Georg , Mildner Michael , Uhrin Pavel , Sibilia Maria , Stingl Georg 
Published: April 2015

AbstractChemokines are small chemotactic proteins that have a crucial role in leukocyte recruitment into tissue. Targeting these mediators has been suggested as a potential therapeutic option in inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis. Using quantitative RT‐PCR, we found CCL7, a chemokine ligand known to interact with multiple C‐C chemokine receptors, to be markedly increased in lesional psoriasis as opposed to atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, non‐lesional psoriatic and normal control skin. Surprisingly, this increase in CCL7 mRNA expression exceeded that of all other chemokines investigated, and keratinocytes and dermal blood endothelial cells were identified as its likely cellular sources. In an imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like mouse model, CCL7 had a profound impact on myeloid cell inflammation as well as on the upregulation of key pro‐psoriatic cytokines such as CCL20, IL‐12p40 and IL‐17C, while its blockade led to an increase in the antipsoriatic cytokine IL‐4. In humans receiving the TNF‐α‐blocker infliximab, CCL7 was downregulated in lesional psoriatic skin already within 16 hours after a single intravenous infusion. These data suggest that CCL7 acts as a driver of TNF‐α‐dependent Th1/Th17‐mediated inflammation in lesional psoriatic skin.
Generation of Helios reporter mice and an evaluation of the suppressive capacity of Helios+ regulatory T cells in vitro
Authors: Sugita Kazunari , Hanakawa Sho , Honda Tetsuya , Kondoh Gen , Miyachi Yoshiki , Kabashima Kenji , Nomura Takashi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHelios is a member of the Ikaros transcription factor family and has been reported to be a marker of thymus‐derived regulatory T cells (Treg). Helios is an intracellular protein, however, and hence cannot be used as a marker to separate living Tregs. To solve this problem, we generated Helios reporter mice in which Helios+ cells selectively express Venus, a variant of green fluorescent protein. Most of the Tregs in the thymus expressed Helios, whereas its expression was varied in peripheral lymphoid organs. The Helios+ Treg‐population was superior in ability to suppress both antigen‐specific and TCR‐stimulated T cell responses. We also showed that Helios+ Tregs inhibited the cytokine production by T cells more efficiently than Helios‐ Tregs. We conclude that Helios reporter mouse strain is a useful tool to study function of Helios and that Helios+ Tregs represent the highly suppressive population.
Seasonal and diel changes in fish distribution in a tropical hydropower plant tailrace: evidence from hydroacoustic and gillnet sampling
Authors: Loures R. C. , Pompeu P. S. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractHydropower plant operation can lead to direct impacts on fish near the dam, causing injuries and death. In Brazil, it is more common to observe these impacts in the tailrace. To understand temporal and spatial variations in fish abundance in the tailrace, to assist plant operation management, surveys were performed in Três Marias Hydropower Plant using hydroacoustics and multimesh gillnets. Data were collected in the tailrace backwater over 1 year, during 18 field trips, each covering a 24‐h cycle with six sampling intervals. A greater abundance of fish was found in the tailrace during the wet season, mainly explained by total discharge. More fish were detected by hydroacoustics and gill nets during night sampling. Siluriformes, which are known to exhibit nocturnal habits, were the predominant species in both dry and wet seasons. Thus, damaging operational procedures for fish should be planned in the dry season, low‐abundance period.
Leaf‐trait plasticity and species vulnerability to climate change in a Mongolian steppe
Authors: Liancourt Pierre , Boldgiv Bazartseren , Song Daniel S. , Spence Laura A. , Helliker Brent R. , Petraitis Peter S. , Casper Brenda B. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractClimate change is expected to modify plant assemblages in ways that will have major consequences for ecosystem functions. How climate change will affect community composition will depend on how individual species respond, which is likely related to interspecific differences in functional traits. The extraordinary plasticity of some plant traits is typically neglected in assessing how climate change will affect different species. In the Mongolian steppe, we examined whether leaf functional traits under ambient conditions and whether plasticity in these traits under altered climate could explain climate‐induced biomass responses in 12 co‐occurring plant species. We experimentally created three probable climate change scenarios and used a model selection procedure to determine the set of baseline traits or plasticity values that best explained biomass response. Under all climate change scenarios, plasticity for at least one leaf trait correlated with change in species performance, while functional leaf‐trait values in ambient conditions did not. We demonstrate that trait plasticity could play a critical role in vulnerability of species to a rapidly changing environment. Plasticity should be considered when examining how climate change will affect plant performance, species' niche spaces, and ecological processes that depend on plant community composition.
The molecular basis of low activity levels of coagulation factor VII: a Brazilian cohort
Authors: Rabelo F.Y. , Jardim L. L. , Landau M. B. , Gadelha T. , Corrêa M. F. B. , Pereira I.F.M. , Rezende S. M. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryInherited factor VII (FVII) deficiency is the most common among the rare bleeding disorders. It is transmitted as an autosomal recessive inheritance, due to mutations in the FVII gene (F7). Molecular studies of FVII deficiency are rare in non‐Caucasian populations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the molecular basis behind low levels of FVII activity (FVII:C) levels in a cohort of Brazilian patients. A total of 34 patients with low FVII levels were clinically evaluated and submitted to laboratory tests, among these, prothrombin time and FVII:C, with different thromboplastins. All exons and intron/exon boundaries of F7 were amplified and sequenced. A total of 14 genetic alterations were identified, of which six were described previously, c.1091G>A, c.1151C>T, c.‐323_‐313insCCTATATCCT, c.285G>A, c.525C>T, c.1238G>A and eight (54.0%) and eight were new, c.128G>A, c.252C>T, c.348G>A, c.417G>A, c.426G>A, c.745_747delGTG, c.843G>A and c.805+52C>T. In addition to the mutation c.1091G>A, known as FVII Padua, the mutation c.1151C>T also presented discrepant FVII:C levels when tested with human and rabbit brain thromboplastin. There was no association between phenotype and genotype. Most of the identified genetic alterations found were polymorphisms. Low levels of FVII:C in this population were mostly related to polymorphisms in F7 and associated with a mild clinical phenotype. Mutation c.1151C>T was associated with discrepant levels of FVII:C using different thromboplastins, such as reported with FVII Padua.
Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease in the urinary bladder
Authors: Dropkin Benjamin M , Ingimarsson Johann P , Jones Jonathan D , Pettus Jason R , Seigne John D 
Published: April 2015

AbstractImmunoglobulin G4‐related disease is a fibroinflammatory condition of unclear etiology that can present with inflammatory changes and enlargement of a wide variety of organs, most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract. A diagnosis requires an elevated serum immunoglobulin G4 concentration and a tissue biopsy showing a dense plasma cell infiltrate with an increased percentage of immunoglobulin G4+ plasma cells. This disease infrequently presents in the genitourinary tract, and as such might be unfamiliar to and potentially overlooked by urologists. Here we present the third reported case of immunoglobulin G4‐related disease manifesting as a mass in the urinary bladder.
Prevalence of incidental pulmonary nodules on computed tomography of the thorax in trauma patients
Authors: Hammerschlag G. , Cao J. , Gumm K. , Irving L. , Steinfort D. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground/AimsLung cancer is the third leading cause of death in high‐income countries. Early detection leads to improved clinical outcomes, with evidence showing that lung cancer screening reduces lung cancer mortality. Knowledge of the population prevalence of pulmonary nodules affects the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of a local screening programme.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of our trauma database looking for the prevalence of incidental pulmonary nodules on computed tomography of the thorax. Prevalence of nodules and follow up according to Fleischner Guidelines were reviewed.ResultsTwo hundred and forty‐eight patients underwent a computed tomography thorax as part of their trauma assessment. 8.5% (21/248) had incidental pulmonary nodules. Eighty‐one per cent of these (17/21) required follow up according to the Fleischner Society Guidelines. One was subsequently diagnosed with primary lung cancer, one with metastatic sigmoid cancer and one with invasive aspergillus.ConclusionsIncidental pulmonary nodules are common in the general population. This has implications for possible lung cancer screening recommendations in the Australian population. Referral and/or review systems are essential to ensure adequate follow up of incidental findings, as it is likely some patients are not receiving adequate follow up at present.
Is excessive acetaminophen intake associated with transaminitis in adult patients with dengue fever?
Authors: Pandejpong D. , Saengsuri P. , Rattarittamrong R. , Rujipattanakul T. , Chouriyagune C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundDengue, an endemic infection causing severe flu‐like symptoms and fever, is often treated with high‐dose acetaminophen that can exceed recommended daily dosages. This leads to hepatotoxicity, although the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. We hypothesised that excessive acetaminophen causes hepatic toxicity in dengue patients.AimsTo investigate a correlation between elevated serum transaminases and excessive acetaminophen intake, and other aggravating factors of liver injury in dengue cases.MethodsThis prospective observational study obtained blood samples from 150 participants with acute febrile illness for dengue serological tests, blood counts, and the detection of serum transaminases and acetaminophen levels. Other factors were determined by questionnaire.ResultsOf 150 participants enrolled, 77 had dengue fever. Abnormally high serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels were present in 97.0% and 75.3% of dengue cases respectively. Multivariate analysis of cases with increased serum transaminases more than threefold normal upper limits indicated that male gender (odds ratio (OR) = 3.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–9.42) and consuming >8 g acetaminophen orally (OR = 4.62, 95% CI 1.37–13.18) correlated with transaminitis. No correlation was found for other factors such as age, fever day at presentation, body mass index, alcohol intake or dengue severity classification (all P > 0.05). Chronic alcohol consumption was higher in non‐dengue (2.6%) versus dengue cases (27.8%) (P < 0.01).ConclusionsMost dengue patients had mild‐to‐moderate transaminitis. Male gender and acetaminophen >8 g were associated with increased serum transaminases. Thus, 1000 mg acetaminophen every 8 h or <3000 mg/day is recommended for dengue cases. Chronic alcohol consumption might be protective against dengue infection.
Proton pump inhibitors utilisation in older people in New Zealand from 2005 to 2013
Authors: Nishtala P. S. , Soo L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors (PPI) to treat acid‐related disorders continue to rise internationally and in New Zealand. Concerns have been raised regarding its widespread use, costs and potential adverse effects in older people.AimsThis study aimed to characterise the utilisation of PPI by older people (aged 65 years and older) in New Zealand from 2005 to 2013.MethodsRepeated cross‐sectional analysis of population‐level dispensing data was conducted from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2013. Dispensing data for all PPI prescriptions from 2005 to 2013 were obtained from the Ministry of Health, New Zealand. Utilisation was measured in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 older people per day using the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology anatomic, therapeutic and chemical classification system. Utilisation was standardised by sex, age, ethnicity and district health board.ResultsOverall PPI utilisation showed a 26.7% increase from 2005 to 2013, from 273.41 to 346.53 DDD/1000/day. The greatest utilisation was observed in individuals aged between 80 and 84 years. Middle Eastern/Latin American/African utilised more PPI compared with other ethnic groups.ConclusionsUtilisation of PPI among older people in New Zealand increased by a fifth from 2005 to 2013. Given the concerns surrounding the long‐term PPI use in older people, the appropriateness of the increased utilisation needs to be continuously re‐evaluated by prescribers and health policy makers.
FGF21 deletion exacerbates diabetic cardiomyopathy by aggravating cardiac lipid accumulation
Authors: Yan Xiaoqing , Chen Jun , Zhang Chi , Zhou Shanshan , Zhang Zhiguo , Chen Jing , Feng Wenke , Li Xiaokun , Tan Yi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractFibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays an important role in energy homoeostasis. The unaddressed question of FGF21's effect on the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is investigated here with FGF21 knockout (FGF21KO) diabetic mice. Type 1 diabetes was induced in both FGF21KO and C57BL/6J wild‐type (WT) mice via streptozotocin. At 1, 2 and 4 months after diabetes onset, the plasma FGF21 levels were significantly decreased in WT diabetic mice compared to controls. There was no significant difference between FGF21KO and WT diabetic mice in blood glucose and triglyceride levels. FGF21KO diabetic mice showed earlier and more severe cardiac dysfunction, remodelling and oxidative stress, as well as greater increase in cardiac lipid accumulation than WT diabetic mice. Western blots showed that increased cardiac lipid accumulation was accompanied by further increases in the expression of nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) and its target protein CD36, along with decreases in the phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase and the expression of hexokinase II and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma co‐activator 1α in the heart of FGF21KO diabetic mice compared to WT diabetic mice. Our results demonstrate that FGF21 deletion‐aggravated cardiac lipid accumulation is likely mediated by cardiac Nrf2‐driven CD36 up‐regulation, which may contribute to the increased cardiac oxidative stress and remodelling, and the eventual development of DCM. These findings suggest that FGF21 may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of DCM.
Extent of misconceptions, negative prejudices and discriminatory behaviour to psoriasis patients in France
Authors: Halioua B. , Sid‐Mohand D. , Roussel M.E. , Maury‐le‐Breton A. , de Fontaubert A. , Stalder J.F. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe perception of stigmatization of patients with psoriasis is largely due to misconceptions and negative prejudice about this skin disease. ‘Uneducated’ judgments can give rise to discriminatory behaviours.ObjectiveEvaluate the prevalence, in France, of misconceptions, negative prejudice and discriminatory behaviour towards psoriasis patients.MethodsOnline survey conducted in June 2011, aimed at 1005 persons aged 16–64 years, representative of the French population. The representativeness of the sample was ensured by quota methodology (gender, age, occupation of the interviewed person) after stratification by region and location category. The respondents were asked to respond to a questionnaire on their knowledge of psoriasis, their attitude and main feelings/perceptions towards psoriasis patients.ResultsAbout 62.4% of respondents recognize a lack of information about psoriasis and 19.7% have misconceptions about this disease. About 16.5% believe that psoriasis is contagious, 6.8% believe this skin disease is related to personal hygiene and 3.2% believe that it affects more people with low personal hygiene. About 50.0% of respondents show discriminatory behaviour towards psoriasis patients, reflected by reluctance to maintain friendship ties/a relationship of friendliness (7.6%), to have lunch or dinner with a person with visible manifestations (17.9%), to give a kiss on the cheek in greeting (29.7%), to shake hands (28.8%) and to have sexual relations/intercourse (44.1%). Patients with negative prejudice about the psoriasis frequently have misconceptions towards psoriasis patients. About 52.8% of respondents do not know anyone with psoriasis. Socio‐demographic indicators such as gender, education level and rural or urban way of life are not associated with an increased prevalence of misconceptions and/or discriminatory behaviour.ConclusionThe lack of knowledge about psoriasis in France is important. There is an urgent need to strengthen information campaigns about psoriasis intended for the General Public.
The parasite Ichthyophonus sp. in Pacific herring from the coastal NE Pacific
Authors: Hershberger P K , Gregg J L , Hart L M , Moffitt S , Brenner R , Stick K , Coonradt E , Otis E O , Vollenweider J J , Garver K A , Lovy J , Meyers T R 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe protistan parasite Ichthyophonus occurred in populations of Pacific herring Clupea pallasii Valenciennes throughout coastal areas of the NE Pacific, ranging from Puget Sound, WA north to the Gulf of Alaska, AK. Infection prevalence in local Pacific herring stocks varied seasonally and annually, and a general pattern of increasing prevalence with host size and/or age persisted throughout the NE Pacific. An exception to this zoographic pattern occurred among a group of juvenile, age 1+ year Pacific herring from Cordova Harbor, AK in June 2010, which demonstrated an unusually high infection prevalence of 35%. Reasons for this anomaly were hypothesized to involve anthropogenic influences that resulted in locally elevated infection pressures. Interannual declines in infection prevalence from some populations (e.g. Lower Cook Inlet, AK; from 20–32% in 2007 to 0–3% during 2009–13) or from the largest size cohorts of other populations (e.g. Sitka Sound, AK; from 62.5% in 2007 to 19.6% in 2013) were likely a reflection of selective mortality among the infected cohorts. All available information for Ichthyophonus in the NE Pacific, including broad geographic range, low host specificity and presence in archived Pacific herring tissue samples dating to the 1980s, indicate a long‐standing host–pathogen relationship.
Blocking the GABA transporter GAT‐1 ameliorates spinal GABAergic disinhibition and neuropathic pain induced by paclitaxel
Authors: Yadav Ruchi , Yan Xisheng , Maixner Dylan W. , Gao Mei , Weng Han‐Rong 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPaclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used for treating carcinomas. Patients receiving paclitaxel often develop neuropathic pain and have a reduced quality of life which hinders the use of this life‐saving drug. In this study, we determined the role of GABA transporters in the genesis of paclitaxel‐induced neuropathic pain using behavioral tests, electrophysiology, and biochemical techniques. We found that tonic GABA receptor activities in the spinal dorsal horn were reduced in rats with neuropathic pain induced by paclitaxel. In normal controls, tonic GABA receptor activities were mainly controlled by the GABA transporter GAT‐1 but not GAT‐3. In the spinal dorsal horn, GAT‐1 was expressed at presynaptic terminals and astrocytes while GAT‐3 was only expressed in astrocytes. In rats with paclitaxel‐induced neuropathic pain, the protein expression of GAT‐1 was increased while GAT‐3 was decreased. This was concurrently associated with an increase in global GABA uptake. The paclitaxel‐induced attenuation of GABAergic tonic inhibition was ameliorated by blocking GAT‐1 but not GAT‐3 transporters. Paclitaxel‐induced neuropathic pain was significantly attenuated by the intrathecal injection of a GAT‐1 inhibitor. These findings suggest that targeting GAT‐1 transporters for reversing disinhibition in the spinal dorsal horn may be a useful approach for treating paclitaxel‐induced neuropathic pain.
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Patients receiving paclitaxel for cancer therapy often develop neuropathic pain and have a reduced quality of life. In this study, we demonstrated that animals treated with paclitaxel develop neuropathic pain, have enhancements of GABA transporter‐1 protein expression and global GABA uptake, as well as suppression of GABAergic tonic inhibition in the spinal dorsal horn. Pharmacological inhibition of GABA transporter‐1 ameliorates the paclitaxel‐induced suppression of GABAergic tonic inhibition and neuropathic pain. Thus, targeting GAT‐1 transporters for reversing GABAergic disinhibition in the spinal dorsal horn could be a useful approach for treating paclitaxel‐induced neuropathic pain.