bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective effects of ebselen in traumatic brain injury model: involvement of nitric oxide and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase signalling pathway
Authors: Wei Liang , Zhang Yanfei , Yang Cheng , Wang Qi , Zhuang Zhongwei , Sun Zhiyang 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Previous investigations have found that ebselen is able to treat neurodegenerative diseases caused by radical and acute total cerebral ischaemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of ebselen in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) model.

Ninety Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 18 in each): (i) sham operation; (ii) an injury model group; (iii) low‐dose (3 mg/kg) ebselen‐treated group; (iv) a moderate‐dose (10 mg/kg) ebselen‐treated group; and (v) a high‐dose (30 mg/kg) ebselen‐treated group. The TBI model was created according using a modified weight‐drop model. Neurological severity score (NSS), brain water content and histopathological deficits were assessed as parameters of injury severity. Expression of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA, Toll‐like receptor (TLR) and phosphorylated (p‐) p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) were examined by chemical colorimetry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting 24 h after intragastric ebselen administration.

Rats in the TBI model group exhibited markedly more severe neurological injury (higher NSS, more brain water content and more histopathological deficits) than those in the sham‐operated group. Ebselen treatment significantly ameliorated the neurological injury of TBI rats in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, ebselen significantly reduced the NO and iNOS mRNA levels and inhibited TLR4 and p‐p38 MAPK expression, indicating the involvement of NO and p38 MAPK signalling pathways in the neuroprotection afforded by ebselen.

In conclusion, ebselen ameliorated neurological injury, possibly by reducing NO levels and modulating the TLR4‐mediated p38 MAPK signalling pathway. Therefore, ebselen may have potential to treat secondary injuries of TBI.
Traded Bond Denominations, Shock Persistence and Current Account Dynamics: Another Look at the Harberger–Laursen–Metzler Effect
Authors: Fang Chen , Lin Po‐Sheng 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis paper presents an analytical framework to clarify the mechanism through which terms‐of‐trade shocks are transmitted to savings, investment and the current account. By imposing specific preferences to simplify their calculations in the presence of hysteresis, conventional investigations have incorrectly interpreted the macroeconomic effects of terms‐of‐trade disturbances. By concentrating on traded bond denominations and shock persistence, the present analysis reexamines the Harberger–Laursen–Metzler effect and offers new insight. The relevant results provide a rational explanation as to why external price changes lead to a variety of phases of different signs in the evolution of the current account dynamics.
False Identification Use Among College Students Increases the Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder: Results of a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Arria Amelia M. , Caldeira Kimberly M. , Vincent Kathryn B. , Bugbee Brittany A. , O'Grady Kevin E. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundIt is well known that using false identification (ID) is a common method by which underage youth in the United States obtain alcohol. While false ID use is associated with high‐risk drinking patterns, its association with alcohol use disorder (AUD), independent of other risk factors, has not been firmly established.MethodsParticipants were 1,015 college students recruited from 1 university and assessed annually during their first 4 years of college. Latent variable growth curve modeling was used to identify significant predictors of false ID use and test the hypothesis that false ID use increased the risk for AUD, by increasing the frequency and/or quantity of alcohol use. Several other hypothesized risk factors for AUD were accounted for, including demographics (sex, race, living situation, religiosity, socioeconomic status), individual characteristics (childhood conduct problems, sensation‐seeking, age at first drink), high school behaviors (high school drinking frequency, drug use), family factors (parental monitoring, parental alcohol problems), perception of peer drinking norms, and other factors related to false ID use.ResultsFalse IDs were used by almost two‐thirds (66.1%) of the sample. False ID use frequency was positively associated with baseline quantity and frequency of alcohol use, independent of all other factors tested. False ID use was not directly related to AUD risk, but indirectly predicted increases in AUD risk over time through its association with greater increases in alcohol use frequency over time. Several predictors of false ID use frequency were also identified.ConclusionsFalse ID use may contribute to AUD risk by facilitating more frequent drinking. If replicated, these findings highlight the potential public health significance of policies that enforce sanctions against false ID use. Students who use false IDs represent an important target population for alcohol prevention activities.
Different Trajectories of Adolescent Alcohol Use: Testing Gene–Environment Interactions
Authors: van der Zwaluw Carmen S. , Otten Roy , Kleinjan Marloes , Engels Rutger C. M. E. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundTransitions into heavy alcohol use often already take place during adolescence and are likely to be both genetically and environmentally determined. Therefore, in a 6‐wave longitudinal study, we examined the effects of DRD2 Taq1A and OPRM1 A118G genotypes and the interaction with parental rule‐setting on different groups of adolescent drinkers.MethodsGrowth mixture modeling resulted in 3 distinct groups of adolescent drinkers: light drinkers (n = 346), moderate drinkers (n = 178), and heavy drinkers (n = 72).ResultsMultinomial regression showed that moderate drinkers carried the OPRM1 G allele and received lower levels of parental rule‐setting significantly more often than the light drinking group. No other significant main effects of DRD2, OPRM1, and rule‐setting were found. The interaction between OPRM1 genotype and parental rule‐setting significantly distinguished the heavy drinkers from the light (p < 0.001) and moderate groups (p = 0.055): Particularly, the alcohol use of OPRM1 G allele carriers was affected by parental rule‐setting, while AA genotype carriers remained largely unaffected by parental rules.ConclusionsFindings showed that different trajectories of adolescent drinking are preceded by a gene–parenting interaction. These results concur with Belsky's theory of plasticity (2009), as well as with Shanahan and Hofer's typology of a controlling and restricting gene–environment interaction (2005).
The effects of lebrikizumab in patients with mild asthma following whole lung allergen challenge
Authors: Scheerens H. , Arron J. R. , Zheng Y. , Putnam W. S. , Erickson R. W. , Choy D. F. , Harris J. M. , Lee J. , Jarjour N. N. , Matthews J. G. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryBackgroundInterleukin 13 (IL13) is a T‐helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine associated with inflammation and pathology in allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma. We have shown that treatment with lebrikizumab, an anti‐IL13 monoclonal antibody, significantly improves prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in a subset of subjects with uncontrolled asthma.ObjectiveTo evaluate efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab in subjects with mild asthma who underwent bronchial allergen challenge.MethodsTwenty‐nine subjects were randomized 1 : 1–5 mg/kg lebrikizumab (n = 13) or placebo (n = 16) administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks over 12 weeks, a total of four doses. Primary efficacy outcome was late asthmatic response (LAR) at Week 13, defined as area under the curve of FEV1 measured 2–8 h following inhaled allergen challenge. Serum biomarkers were measured to verify IL13 pathway inhibition and identify patients with an increased response to lebrikizumab.ResultsAt Week 13, the LAR in lebrikizumab subjects was reduced by 48% compared with placebo subjects, although this was not statistically significant (95% confidence interval, −19%, 90%). Exploratory analysis indicated that lebrikizumab‐treated subjects with elevated baseline levels of peripheral blood eosinophils, serum IgE, or periostin exhibited a greater reduction in LAR compared with subjects with lower baseline levels of these biomarkers. Lebrikizumab exerted systemic effects on markers of Th2 inflammation, reducing serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), chemokine ligands 13 and 17 by approximately 25% (P < 0.01). Lebrikizumab was well tolerated.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceLebrikizumab reduced the LAR in subjects with mild asthma. Clinical trial number NCT00781443.
The validity of the body adiposity index in predicting percentage body fat and cardiovascular risk factors among Chinese
Authors: Zhang Zhe‐Qing , Liu Yan‐Hua , Xu Ying , Dai Xiao‐Wei , Ling Wen‐hua , Su Yi‐Xiang , Chen Yu‐Ming 
Published: October 2013

SummaryObjectiveRecent research has suggested that body adiposity index (BAI) correlates more closely with percentage body fat (PBF) than body mass index (BMI). Here, we aimed to evaluate BAI's predictive power for PBF and for obesity‐associated risk factors in the Chinese population.SubjectsA total of 1707 women and 680 men aged 51–77 years were analysed in this community‐based cross‐sectional study.MeasurementsBody weight, height, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were measured, and BMI and BAI were calculated. Percentage body fat was determined by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Blood pressure, fasting lipid profiles, glucose and Carotid ultrasound examination determined intima‐media thickness (IMT) at the common carotid arteries (CCA) were also measured.ResultsThe Pearson correlation analysis indicated a stronger correlation between BAI and PBF when women and men were pooled together, but this effect disappeared in sex‐stratified analysis. Bland–Altman plots suggested that BAI underestimated 5·8% of PBF in women and slightly overestimated 0·28% of PBF in men, but the magnitudes of these biases showed a fat mass‐dependent manner. Both the logistic regression and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis indicated that BAI has an inferior predictive power for the presence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome and CCA‐intima‐media thickening, compared with BMI and WC.ConclusionWe concluded that BAI was neither a better predictor for PBF nor for cardiovascular risks in Chinese population compared with BMI and WC.
Farewell to an old friend: chest X‐ray vs high‐resolution computed tomography in welders' lung disease
Authors: Tutkun Engin , Abusoglu Sedat , Yilmaz Hinc , Gunduzoz Meside , Evcik Ender , Ozis Türkan Nadir , Keskinkilic Bekir , Unlu Ali 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntroductionWelder's lung disease originated from a mixed exposure to different kinds of metals and chemicals from welding fumes. Because of these various harmful effects, irreversible morphological changes may occur in all parts of the respiratory tract, airways and lung parenchyma. Parenchymal changes are the main lesions that define the severity of exposure. The grade of these lesions is the main criteria for compensation claims and the clinical threshold for the occupational health physician's decision making of work change in order to protect the worker's health. In this study, our aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of chest X‐ray (CXR) and high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for welders' lung disease.ObjectivesSeventy‐four male welders aged between 25 and 55 years were enrolled to this study.MethodsClinical diagnoses were compared by CXR and HRCT. Same radiologists evaluated the scans without any knowledge about the medical history of the patient (double‐blinded evaluation). The agreement between radiologists was compared with Cohen's kappa statistics.ResultsThe mean age for 74 welders was 40.7 years. The mean duration of exposure was 18.9 years. Although all were found to be nonpathological on the CXR, 27 mild nodular and nine mild linear opacities, five emphysematous changes, three ground glass infiltrates and one pleural thickening were detected by HRCT.ConclusionsHRCT provides better diagnostic performance compared to CXR for the diagnosis of welders' lung disease.
Parasitoid genus‐specific manipulation of orb‐web host spiders (Araneae,Araneidae)
Authors: KORENKO STANISLAV , ISAIA MARCO , SATRAPOVÁ JITKA , PEKÁR STANO 
Published: October 2013

Araneid spiders of genusAraniellaare attacked by three polysphinctine parsitoid waspsPolysphincta boopsTschek,P. tuberose(Gravenhorst), andSinarachna pallipes(Holmgren). In the present study, the trophic niche of sympatrically occurring parasitoids and the host manipulation they induced were studied. The aim was to identify whether the variation in host response to manipulation is as a result of differences among parasitoids or among host species.It was found that final instar larva forced the spider host to build athree‐dimensional(3D) ‘cocoon web’ to protect the parasitoid during pupation. The behaviour of parasitoid larva and the induced modification of the web architecture differed between wasps of genusPolysphinctaandSinarachnabut not among three spider species. The larvae of genusPolysphinctaforced the spider host to build the ‘cocoon web’ with a high thread density within which the pupa was positioned horizontally. The larvae ofSinarachnaforced the spider host to build web with sparse threads and the pupa was positioned vertically in the middle of the ‘cocoon web’.There seems to be an investment trade‐off in parasitoid wasps: some species manipulate the host to build a dense protective web, while pupating in a sparse cocoon, whereas others make the spider produce a sparse web but build a dense pupa wall.
Faecal worm egg count analysis for targeting anthelmintic treatment in horses: Points to consider
Authors: Lester H. E. , Matthews J. B. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryEquine gastrointestinal nematodes are ubiquitous; in horses that graze contaminated pasture and that are not treated appropriately, large numbers of worms can accumulate, which can lead to serious clinical disease. Nematode control has traditionally followed interval treatment regimens, which involve regular anthelmintic administration to all horses based on the strongyle egg reappearance periods of each drug, usually defined around the time of licensing. Interval treatment programmes have resulted in substantial reductions in large strongyle disease, but have made major contributions to the development of anthelmintic resistance, particularly in cyathostomins. Cyathostomin resistance to 2 of the 3 available anthelmintic classes is widespread, and resistance to both classes in single populations is not uncommon. Reduced efficacy of the most commonly used macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics, as measured by shortened egg reappearance periods after treatment, is emerging in cyathostomins. Macrocyclic lactone resistance is also now commonly reported in Parascaris equorum on stud farms. Faecal worm egg counts (FWEC) are increasingly being used as part of targeted approaches to parasite control, whereby only those horses with moderate to high FWEC within a group are treated with an anthelmintic. The objective of this approach is to reduce environmental contamination, while leaving a proportion of the worm population in some horses unexposed to selection pressure for anthelmintic resistance. This article reviews recent findings in equine parasitology research that will underpin guidelines for control, with a particular focus on how to optimise the value of FWEC methodologies and anthelmintic efficacy analyses.
Dynamics and limitations of phytoplankton biomass along a gradient inMwanzaGulf, southernLakeVictoria (Tanzania)
Authors: Cornelissen I. J. M. , Silsbe G. M. , Verreth J. A. J. , van Donk E. , Nagelkerke L. A. J. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryWe investigated how dynamics in phytoplankton biomass are driven through light and nutrient limitations in theMwanzaGulf,LakeVictoria (Tanzania).We measured light attenuation, chlorophyllaand water quality parameters along a phytoplankton biomass gradient in theMwanzaGulf at six sampling stations in three different seasons fromAugust 2009 toMarch 2011.We found a higher rate of attenuation of photosynthetic available radiation than in other gulfs ofLakeVictoria which could only partially be explained by phytoplankton biomass, measured as chlorophylla. Suspended particulate detritus strongly affected light attenuation, particularly in shallow water.In shallow water in the southern part of theMwanzaGulf, nutrients were in excess and phytoplankton biomass was limited by light. In deeper water near the entrance of the gulf, light was not limiting when nitrogen probably was, as indicated by theN:Pratio.Low abundance ofN‐fixing phytoplankton species suggests thatN‐fixation was low in shallow water. Phytoplankton biomass was lower inMwanzaGulf than in northern gulfs ofLakeVictoria, but might increase in the future as a result of nutrient enrichment caused by an increase in intensive agriculture and rapid growth of the city ofMwanza.
Efficacy of oral powder compared with chewable tablets for lanthanum carbonate administration in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Sakurada Tsutomu , Oishi Daisuke , Shibagaki Yugo , Yasuda Takashi , Kimura Kenjiro 
Published: October 2013

AbstractLanthanum carbonate (LC) has been administered in a chewable tablet form for patients with hyperphosphatemia undergoing dialysis. However, some patients have difficulty chewing the tablets. LC oral powder has recently been released in Japan. The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy of LC oral powder form compared with that of chewable tablet form. The efficacy and safety of LC oral powder was retrospectively assessed in hemodialysis patients who switched from chewable tablet form to oral powder form without dose modification. Thirty‐six patients (mean age, 66.8 ± 10.5 years; male, 64%; 39% with diabetes; mean duration of dialysis treatment, 99.2 ± 95.6 months) were enrolled in this study between June and July of 2012. Changes in clinical data and adverse events after the switch to oral powder form were investigated. The average dose of LC was 1180 ± 520 mg/day. Serum phosphorus levels were significantly decreased after the switch from chewable tablet form to oral powder form (5.3 ± 1.7 mg/dL at baseline vs. 4.9 ± 1.2 mg/dL at after 1 month after, P = 0.038). In contrast, no significant differences were observed in serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. Furthermore, no significant differences were evident in weight gain after the switch to oral powder form (2.5 ± 1.2 kg at baseline vs. 2.4 ± 1.1 kg at 1 month after the switch, P = 0.29). No serious adverse events were recorded. Our results suggest that LC is more effective in oral powder form than chewable tablet form for hemodialysis patients.
Sensory and motor physiological functions are impaired in gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor‐deficient mice
Authors: Okawa Tetsuji , Kamiya Hideki , Himeno Tatsuhito , Seino Yusuke , Tsunekawa Shin , Hayashi Yoshitaka , Harada Norio , Yamada Yuichiro , Inagaki Nobuya , Seino Yutaka , Oiso Yutaka , Nakamura Jiro 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionGastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin secreted from the gastrointestinal tract after an ingestion of nutrients, and stimulates an insulin secretion from the pancreatic islets. Additionally, GIP has important roles in extrapancreatic tissues: fat accumulation in adipose tissue, neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system and an inhibition of bone resorption. In the current study, we investigated the effects of GIP signaling on the peripheral nervous system (PNS).Materials and MethodsFirst, the presence of the GIP receptor (GIPR) in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was evaluated utilizing immunohistochemical analysis, western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. DRG neurons of male wild‐type mice (WT) were cultured with or without GIP, and their neurite lengths were quantified. Functions of the PNS were evaluated in GIPR‐deficient mice (gipr−/−) and WT by using current perception thresholds (CPTs), Thermal Plantar Test (TPT), and motor (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV, respectively). Sciatic nerve blood flow (SNBF) and plantar skin blood flow (PSBF) were also evaluated.ResultsWe confirmed the expression of GIPR in DRG neurons. The neurite outgrowths of DRG neurons were promoted by the GIP administrations. The gipr−/− showed impaired perception functions in the examination of CPTs and TPT. Both MNCV and SNCV were delayed in gipr−/− compared with these in WT. There was no difference in SNBF and PSBF between WT and gipr−/−.ConclusionsOur findings show that the GIP signal could exert direct physiological roles in the PNS, which might be directly exerted on the PNS.
UV‐induced alterations of the skin evaluated over time by reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Koller S. , Inzinger M. , Rothmund M. , Ahlgrimm‐Siess V. , Massone C. , Arzberger E. , Wolf P. , Hofmann‐Wellenhof R. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundUltraviolet radiation (UVR) induces various alterations of the skin and plays a decisive part regarding the development of melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancer. For a closer examination of these phenomena in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is one of the most eligible options as it represents a diagnostic tool that allows a non‐invasive examination of the skin, showing microanatomical structures and individual cells.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was using RCM to observe alterations of the skin induced by UVR and to describe the development of these changes. In addition, the findings were compared with histological examinations of the same area.MethodsA small area in the gluteal region of 10 healthy subjects was exposed to a threefold individual minimal erythema dose of solar‐simulated UVR. The following development of the sunburn reaction was evaluated with RCM 1, 24, 72 h and 1 week after UVR exposure. Furthermore, RCM images of unexposed skin were obtained, serving as a reference. To contrast histological examination with RCM, punch biopsies were performed at each point in time. The obtained data were interpreted regarding histological and RCM‐based criteria on sunburn reaction.ResultsAll important UVR‐induced alterations of the skin could be shown in RCM beginning with an inflammatory reaction (inflammatory cells, vasodilatation, oedema), containing the formation of microvesicles, followed by the appearance of apoptotic keratinocytes (sunburn cells), activated melanocytes and at last, loss of the epidermal structure. There was an excellent correlation between RCM and histological features.ConclusionsReflectance confocal microscopy is a highly valuable tool for non‐invasive monitoring of UVR‐induced changes of the skin over time. Furthermore, RCM provides a more detailed visualization of inflammatory cell formation and epidermal blood flow than histological examination can.