bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations of calcium homoeostasis in cultured rat astrocytes evoked by bioactive sphingolipids
Authors: Stenovec M. , Trkov S. , Kreft M. , Zorec R. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimIn the brain, alterations in sphingolipid metabolism contribute to several neurological disorders; however, their effect on astrocytes is largely unknown. Here, we identified bioactive sphingolipids that affect intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), mobility of peptidergic secretory vesicles, signalling pathways involved in alterations of calcium homoeostasis and explored the relationship between the stimulus‐evoked increase in [Ca2+]i and attenuation of vesicle mobility.MethodsConfocal time‐lapse images were acquired to explore [Ca2+]i signals, the mobility of fluorescently tagged peptidergic vesicles and the structural integrity of the microtubules and actin filaments before and after the addition of exogenous sphingolipids to astrocytes.ResultsFingolimod (FTY720), a recently introduced therapeutic for multiple sclerosis, and sphingosine, a releasable constituent of membrane sphingolipids, evoked long‐lasting increases in [Ca2+]i in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+; the evoked responses were diminished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Activation of phospholipase C and inositol‐1,4,5‐triphosphate receptors was necessary and sufficient to evoke increases in [Ca2+]i as revealed by the pharmacologic inhibitors; Ca2+ flux from the extracellular space intensified these responses several fold. The lipid‐evoked increases in [Ca2+]i coincided with the attenuated vesicle mobility. High and positive correlation between increase in [Ca2+]i and decrease in peptidergic vesicle mobility was confirmed independently in astrocytes exposed to evoked, transient Ca2+ signalling triggered by purinergic and glutamatergic stimulation.ConclusionExogenously added cell‐permeable sphingosine‐like lipids exert complex, Ca2+‐dependent effects on astrocytes and likely alter their homeostatic function in vivo.
Electromechanical and atrial and ventricular antiarrhythmic actions of CIJ‐3‐2F, a novel benzyl‐furoquinoline vasodilator in rat heart
Authors: Chang Gwo‐Jyh , Yeh Yung‐Hsin , Lin Tsung‐Pin , Chang Chi‐Jen , Chen Wei‐Jan 
Published: May 2014

Background and PurposeThis study was designed to examine the antiarrhythmic efficacy and the underlying mechanisms of the benzyl‐furoquinoline vasodilator, CIJ‐3‐2F, in rat cardiac preparations.Experimental ApproachConduction electrograms and left ventricular pressure were determined in Langendorff‐perfused hearts. Action potentials were assessed with microelectrode techniques, calcium transients by fura‐2 fluorescence and ionic currents by whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques.Key ResultsIn isolated hearts, CIJ‐3‐2F prolonged sinus cycle length, QT interval, Wenckebach cycle length, atrio‐His bundle and His bundle‐ventricular conduction intervals, refractory periods in atrium, AV node, His‐Purkinje system and ventricle, and also increased left ventricular pressure. CIJ‐3‐2F reduced the incidences of both ischaemic and reperfusion‐induced ventricular arrhythmias and prevented the induction of atrial tachyarrhythmias. In both atrial and papillary muscles, CIJ‐3‐2F decreased upstroke velocity and prolonged duration of the action potential. In ventricular myocytes, CIJ‐3‐2F moderately increased the amplitude of [Ca2+]i transients and cell shortening. CIJ‐3‐2F inhibited the transient outward K+ current (Ito) (IC50 = 4.4 μM) with accelerated inactivation, a slower rate of recovery from inactivation and use‐dependency. CIJ‐3‐2F also suppressed the steady‐state outward K+ current (Iss, IC50 = 3.6 μM, maximum inhibition = 65.7%) and both the inward Na+ current (INa, IC50 = 2.8 μM) and L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa,L, IC50 = 4.9 μM, maximum inhibition = 69.4%).Conclusions and ImplicationsCIJ‐3‐2F blocked Na+ and Ito channels and, to some extent, also blocked Ca2+ and Iss channels, modifying cardiac electromechanical function. These effects are likely to underlie its antiarrhythmic properties.
Overcoming barriers to effective early parenting interventions for attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): parent and practitioner views
Authors: Smith E. , Koerting J. , Latter S. , Knowles M. M. , McCann D. C. , Thompson M. , Sonuga‐Barke E. J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe importance of early intervention approaches for the treatment of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been increasingly acknowledged. Parenting programmes (PPs) are recommended for use with preschool children with ADHD. However, low ‘take‐up’ and high ‘drop‐out’ rates compromise the effectiveness of such programmes within the community.MethodsThis qualitative study examined the views of 25 parents and 18 practitioners regarding currently available PPs for preschool children with ADHD‐type problems in the UK. Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken to identify both barriers and facilitators associated with programme access, programme effectiveness, and continued engagement.Results and conclusionsMany of the themes mirrored previous accounts relating to generic PPs for disruptive behaviour problems. There were also a number of ADHD‐specific themes. Enhancing parental motivation to change parenting practice and providing an intervention that addresses the parents' own needs (e.g. in relation to self‐confidence, depression or parental ADHD), in addition to those of the child, were considered of particular importance. Comparisons between the views of parents and practitioners highlighted a need to increase awareness of parental psychological barriers among practitioners and for better programme advertising generally. Clinical implications and specific recommendations drawn from these findings are discussed and presented.
Increased miR-223 expression in T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis leads to decreased insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated interleukin-10 production
Authors: Lu M-C , Yu C-L , Chen H-C , Yu H-C , Huang H-B , Lai N-S 
Published: May 2014

Summary
We hypothesized that the aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) T cells was involved in the pathogenesis of RA. The expression profile of 270 human miRNAs in T cells from the first five RA patients and five controls were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Twelve miRNAs exhibited potentially aberrant expression in RA T cells compared to normal T cells. After validation with another 22 RA patients and 19 controls, miR-223 and miR-34b were over-expressed in RA T cells. The expression levels of miR-223 were correlated positively with the titre of rheumatoid factor (RF) in RA patients. Transfection of Jurkat cells with miR-223 mimic suppressed insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and transfection with miR-34b mimic suppressed cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) protein expression by Western blotting. The protein expression of IGF-1R but not CREB was decreased in RA T cells. The addition of recombinant IGF-1-stimulated interleukin (IL)-10 production by activated normal T cells, but not RA T cells. The transfection of miR-223 mimic impaired IGF-1-mediated IL-10 production in activated normal T cells. The expression levels of SCD5, targeted by miR-34b, were decreased in RA T cells after microarray analysis. In conclusion, both miR-223 and miR-34b were over-expressed in RA T cells, but only the miR-223 expression levels were correlated positively with RF titre in RA patients. Functionally, the increased miR-223 expression could impair the IGF-1-mediated IL-10 production in activated RA T cells in vivo, which might contribute to the imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Blood pressure, fludrocortisone dose and plasma renin activity in children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21‐hydroxylase deficiency followed from birth to 4 years of age
Authors: Bonfig Walter , Schwarz Hans Peter 
Published: May 2014

SummaryIntroductionInfants with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) require higher doses of fludrocortisone (FC) due to physiological mineralocorticoid resistance. The adequacy of mineralocorticoid replacement should be closely monitored to avoid hypertension.ObjectiveTo evaluate blood pressure (BP) in infants with CAH due to 21‐hydroxylase deficiency.Patients and MethodsThirty‐three patients (18f/15 m) diagnosed by newborn screening were followed until the age of 4 years. Mean start of HC and FC treatment was day 9·8 ± 9·2 postnatally. Mean daily HC dose ranged from 8·6 to 12·3 mg/m2/day.ResultsDuring the first year of life prevalence of systolic hypertension was up to 45·5%. At 12 and at 18 months, BP was highest. Prevalence of systolic hypertension was up to 57·6% at 18 months of age. After 24 months BP levels were lower and at 48 months prevalence of hypertension decreased to 15·2%. Systolic and diastolic BP correlated significantly with the administered fludrocortisone dose (r = 0·3, P = 0·005), but not with body mass index. Hypertensive children received significantly higher FC doses and had significantly lower plasma renin activity during the study period.ConclusionHigh prevalence of transient, most likely FC induced hypertension was found in young children with classic CAH diagnosed by newborn screening. The changing mineralocorticoid sensitivity in infants is a risk factor for the development of hypertension in patients with CAH, who are treated with FC. Therefore suppressed plasma renin activity should be avoided to prevent arterial hypertension.
Short‐term changes in bone formation markers following growth hormone (GH) treatment in short prepubertal children with a broad range of GH secretion
Authors: Andersson Björn , Swolin‐Eide Diana , Magnusson Per , Albertsson‐Wikland Kerstin 
Published: May 2014

SummaryObjectivesGrowth hormone (GH) promotes longitudinal growth and bone modelling/remodelling. This study investigated the relationship between levels of bone formation markers and growth during GH treatment in prepubertal children with widely ranging GH secretion levels.MethodsThe study group comprised 113 short prepubertal children (mean age ± SD, 9·37 ± 2·13 years; 99 boys) on GH treatment (33·0 ± 0·06 μg/kg/day) for 1 year. Blood samples were taken at baseline and 1 and 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months, and 1 year after treatment start. Intact amino‐terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin were measured using an automated IDS‐iSYS immunoassay system.ResultsIntact amino‐terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), BALP and osteocalcin, increased in the short‐term during GH treatment. PINP after 1 week (P = 0·00077), and BALP and osteocalcin after 1 month (P < 0·0001 and P = 0·0043, respectively). PINP levels at 1 and 3 months correlated positively, and osteocalcin levels at 1 week and percentage change after 1 month correlated negatively, with first year growth response. No significant correlations were found between BALP and first year growth. Multiple regression analysis showed that bone marker levels together with auxological data and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 explained the variation in first year growth response to 36% at start, 32% after 2 weeks and 48% at 3 months.ConclusionShort‐term increases in levels of the bone formation markers PINP, BALP and osteocalcin showed different temporal patterns, but all correlated with first year growth response during GH treatment. These markers may be a useful addition to existing prediction models for growth response.
Socio‐economic status and incident diabetes mellitus among employees in Denmark: a prospective analysis with 10‐year follow‐up
Authors: Cleal B. , Hannerz H. , Poulsen K. , Andersen L. L. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimsTo contribute to the research on diabetes and social inequality by presenting national data on incident diabetes mellitus, stratified according to socio‐economic status.MethodsNational registers were combined, linking socio‐economic status with incident diabetes over a 10‐year period (2001–2010). The study population comprised employees in Denmark aged 20–59 years at baseline. Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate socio‐economic rate ratios. Excess fraction analysis was used to determine the proportion of cases that would not have occurred if morbidity rates in each socio‐economic group had been as low as those in the reference group. Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate 95% CIs for excess fraction estimatesResultsA total of 1 005 572 men and 951 039 women were included in the analysis. The follow‐up yielded 43 439 cases in 9 533 199 person‐years at risk among men and 29 266 cases in 9 163 405 person‐years at risk among women. Using ‘professionals’ as a reference group, higher levels of relative risk were observed among every other socio‐occupational group. The excess fraction was, 0.342 (95% CI 0.329–0.354) among men and 0.359 (95% CI 0.349–0.369) among women.ConclusionsExcess fraction analysis suggests that more than a third of cases of diabetes could be prevented if all employees were exposed to the same working conditions as the reference population. Acknowledging potential confounders, the observed levels of incident diabetes among the workforce highlight the potential gains to be had by better use of the workplace as an arena for prevention. Greater integration of occupational health and general healthcare is required to achieve this.
Peri‐Aortic Fluid: A Critical Finding in Acute Aortic Syndrome
Authors: Barake Walid , Oqab Zardasht , Najib Syed Samir , Hamilton Andrew , Johri Amer M. 
Published: May 2014

Mini‐AbstractA case of acute aortic syndrome (AAS) in a 70‐year‐old patient is described. Peri‐aortic fluid on echocardiography was a key for early diagnosis and surgical intervention. Peri‐aortic fluid, even in the absence of dissection on imaging, is a critical finding in AAS which has been underappreciated in the literature.
Insect herbivory and vertebrate grazing impact food limitation and grasshopper populations during a severe outbreak
Authors: BRANSON DAVID H. , HAFERKAMP MARSHALL A. 
Published: May 2014

1. Competition between herbivores often plays an important role in population ecology and appears strongest when densities are high or plant production is low. Phytophagous insects are often highly abundant, but relatively few experiments have examined competition between vertebrates and phytophagous insects.2. In grassland systems worldwide, grasshoppers are often the dominant phytophagous insect, and livestock grazing is a dominant land use. For this study, a novel experiment was conducted examining competition between vertebrates and invertebrates, where both grasshopper densities and sheep grazing were manipulated inside 10‐m2 caged mesocosms during a grasshopper outbreak. We examined how grasshopper densities and the timing of vertebrate herbivory affected grasshopper densities, if the effects of vertebrates on survival and reproduction changed with grasshopper density, and how a naturally occurring grasshopper outbreak affected grasshopper populations in the following year.3. Densities of grasshoppers at the site peaked at 130 m–2. Food‐limited competition was stronger in treatments with higher grasshopper densities and repeated or late livestock herbivory, leading to reduced survival, femur length, and functional ovarioles, a measure of future reproduction. Strong food‐limited density‐dependent reproduction and survival led to reduced hatching densities in 2001.4. As competition was typically stronger with high grasshopper densities than with livestock grazing, competition from vertebrates could be relatively less important for phytophagous insect population dynamics during outbreaks. The experiment provides insights into how competition between insect and vertebrate herbivores influences insect population dynamics, and indicates that severe outbreaks can rapidly subside with strong competition from vertebrate and insect herbivores.
Growth of common carp Cyprinus carpio in Anatolia (Turkey), with a comparison to native and invasive areas worldwide
Authors: Vilizzi Lorenzo , Ekmekçi F. Güler , Tarkan Ali Serhan , Jackson Zachary J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractCommon carp Cyprinus carpio occurs in several non‐native areas worldwide, where it is generally regarded as either naturalised or invasive. Anatolia (Turkey) represents a unique region for evaluating common carp growth, due both to its location at the southernmost range of expansion of the species' wild form and to most of its water bodies having been stocked with domesticated strains. Based on a review of length‐at‐age data for common carp stocks from 45 water bodies sampled between 1953 and 2007, regional patterns in growth across climates, water body types, scalation variants and sexes, along with altitudinal gradients in growth performance and mortality, were investigated. Growth rates were lower in cold and arid relative to temperate climates, and also under hot or dry summers; this was true also of the mirror relative to the scale variant, males to females, but not of water body types (i.e., man‐made reservoirs, natural lakes, water courses). Growth performance and mortality decreased with increasing altitude and decreasing temperature, likely due to optimisation of resource allocation between growth and reproduction. Growth rate of common carp from Anatolia was consistently lower compared to its native (Eurasian) and, especially, invasive (North American) counterparts, which reflected an opportunistic life‐history strategy. Lower growth rates in Anatolia were ascribed to lower resilience of the widespread mirror variant together with limited habitat for spawning in man‐made reservoirs. Better knowledge of common carp growth in Anatolia will improve stock management and conservation efforts. Further studies will help clarify the mechanisms responsible for evolutionary genotype–phenotype inter‐relationships.
A newly discovered role of evolution in previously published consumer–resource dynamics
Authors: Hiltunen Teppo , Hairston Nelson G. , Hooker Giles , Jones Laura E. , Ellner Stephen P. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractConsumer–resource interactions are fundamental components of ecological communities. Classic features of consumer–resource models are that temporal dynamics are often cyclic, with a ¼‐period lag between resource and consumer population peaks. However, there are few published empirical examples of this pattern. Here, we show that many published examples of consumer–resource cycling show instead patterns indicating eco‐evolutionary dynamics. When prey evolve along a trade‐off between defence and competitive ability, two‐species consumer–resource cycles become longer and antiphase (half‐period lag, so consumer maxima coincide with minima of the resource species). Using stringent criteria, we identified 21 two‐species consumer–resource time series, published between 1934 and 1997, suitable to investigate for eco‐evolutionary dynamics. We developed a statistical method to probe for a transition from classic to eco‐evolutionary cycles, and find evidence for eco‐evolutionary type cycles in about half of the studies. We show that rapid prey evolution is the most likely explanation for the observed patterns.
Rising sea level, temperature, and precipitation impact plant and ecosystem responses to elevated CO2 on a Chesapeake Bay wetland: review of a 28‐year study
Authors: Drake Bert G. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAn ongoing field study of the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on a brackish wetland on Chesapeake Bay, started in 1987, is unique as the longest continually running investigation of the effects of elevated CO2 on an ecosystem. Since the beginning of the study, atmospheric CO2 increased 18%, sea level rose 20 cm, and growing season temperature varied with approximately the same range as predicted for global warming in the 21st century. This review looks back at this study for clues about how the effects of rising sea level, temperature, and precipitation interact with high atmospheric CO2 to alter the physiology of C3 and C4 photosynthetic species, carbon assimilation, evapotranspiration, plant and ecosystem nitrogen, and distribution of plant communities in this brackish wetland. Rising sea level caused a shift to higher elevations in the Scirpus olneyi C3 populations on the wetland, displacing the Spartina patens C4 populations. Elevated CO2 stimulated carbon assimilation in the Scirpus C3 species measured by increased shoot and root density and biomass, net ecosystem production, dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, and methane production. But elevated CO2 also decreased biomass of the grass, S. patens C4. The elevated CO2 treatment reduced tissue nitrogen concentration in shoots, roots, and total canopy nitrogen, which was associated with reduced ecosystem respiration. Net ecosystem production was mediated by precipitation through soil salinity: high salinity reduced the CO2 effect on net ecosystem production, which was zero in years of severe drought. The elevated CO2 stimulation of shoot density in the Scirpus C3 species was sustained throughout the 28 years of the study. Results from this study suggest that rising CO2 can add substantial amounts of carbon to ecosystems through stimulation of carbon assimilation, increased root exudates to supply nitrogen fixation, reduced dark respiration, and improved water and nitrogen use efficiency.
The Dynamic Effects of Entrepreneurship on Regional Economic Growth: Evidence from Canada
Authors: Matejovsky Lukas , Mohapatra Sandeep , Steiner Bodo 
Published: May 2014

AbstractFacilitating entrepreneurship to address regional income disparity continues to be a major concern of policy makers across the globe. This study explores the temporal pattern of income disparity for Canadian provinces in two estimation steps. First, an econometric growth regression model is applied to identify the impact of entrepreneurship on regional economic growth. The estimation results suggest that entrepreneurship, measured in terms of the self‐employment rate, plays a pivotal role in determining regional development in Canada. Second, a dynamic vector autoregression model is employed to simulate long‐run regional growth effects that result from policy shocks affecting entrepreneurship. Compared to other growth drivers, entrepreneurship is found to have more pronounced and long‐term stimulative effects on regional development for the period of 1987–2007.
The Disconnect Between Principles and Practice: Rural Policy Reviews of OECD Countries
Authors: Freshwater David , Trapasso Raffaele 
Published: May 2014

AbstractFollowing the publication of the New Rural Paradigm (NRP) in 2006, the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) undertook a number of national rural policy reviews for member countries between 2006 and 2009. These reviews were paid for by the nation being reviewed and were structured to assess how well the national policy followed the guidelines of the NRP. International agencies, including the OECD, are seen as being well positioned to encourage policy transfer, and one might think that countries wishing to be reviewed would have adopted the NRP. We examine the set of reviews to determine which elements of the NRP were commonly adopted and which were not. While it may seem that the interval between 2006 and the time of the reviews is too short to expect much change, the ideas underpinning the NRP have their origins in OECD rural policy analysis that began in the late 1980s.Over 20 years, the OECD philosophy of rural development has evolved to parallel the academic research literature in endorsing “bottom‐up” investment‐oriented policies that engage a broad set of actors. Yet, just as academic research seems to have little impact on actual rural policy, so too there is limited evidence that countries fully adopt the NRP. Explaining why this lack of impact is the case is beyond the scope of the paper, but our results reinforce the challenges facing any effort to alter current rural policy.