bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kadooka Yukio , Sato Masao , Ogawa Akihiro , Miyoshi Masaya , Uenishi Hiroshi , Ogawa Hitomi , Ikuyama Ken , Kagoshima Masatoyo , Tsuchida Takashi 
Published: April 2013

Consumption of fermented milk (FM) containing a probiotic, Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055), previously showed a reduction in abdominal adiposity in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) using FM with 108 colony-forming units (cfu) of LG2055/g. However, whether the effectiveness is observed at lower concentrations, the recommended minimum or intermediate levels of probiotics (106 or 107cfu/g, respectively), remains to be examined. A multi-centre, double-blind, parallel-group RCT was conducted using 210 healthy Japanese adults with large visceral fat areas (80·2–187·8 cm2). They were balanced for their baseline characteristics and randomly assigned to three groups receiving FM containing 107, 106 or 0 (control) cfu LG2055/g of FM, and were asked to consume 200 g FM/d for 12 weeks. Abdominal visceral fat areas, which were determined by computed tomography, at week 12, changed from baseline by an average of − 8·5 % (95 % CI − 11·9, − 5·1; P< 0·01) in the 107 dose group, and by − 8·2 % (95 % CI − 10·8, − 5·7; P< 0·01) in the 106 dose group. Other measures including BMI, waist and hip circumferences, and body fat mass were also significantly decreased from baseline at week 12 in both groups; interestingly, the cessation of taking FM for 4 weeks attenuated these effects. In the control group, none of these parameters significantly decreased from baseline. These findings demonstrate that consumption of LG2055 at doses as low as the order of 108cfu/d exhibited a significant lowering effect on abdominal adiposity, and suggest that constant consumption might be needed to maintain the effect.
Comanaging small-scale sea cucumber fisheries in New Caledonia and Vanuatu using stock biomass estimates to set spatial catch quotas
Authors: LÉOPOLD M. , CORNUET N. , ANDRÉFOUËT S. , MOENTEAPO Z. , DUVAUCHELLE C. , RAUBANI J. , HAM J. , DUMAS P. 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYMany sea cucumber fisheries have dramatically declined worldwide due to rapid overexploitation and ineffective management. This study designed an innovative management strategy for small-scale, data-limited sea cucumber fisheries in Pacific Island countries. Firstly, a local quota-based comanagement system was implemented in New Caledonia to manage a small-scale sandfishHolothuria scabrafishery. A habitat map derived from high-resolution satellite imagery was used to stratify survey sampling and assess the harvestable stock biomass. The latter has been monitored as the reference biomass (RB) since 2008 and repeatedly used by the local fishers’ organization and Fisheries Department officers to set adaptive total allowable catches and regulations of fishing effort. Results showed the excellent performance of this fishery between 2008 and 2012, both biologically (167% increase in total stock biomass) and economically (146% increase in annual returns from catches). Secondly, the assessment of the RB was generalized to multispecies sea cucumber fisheries in Vanuatu in 2011 before the proposed lifting of a five-year national moratorium. Building upon these practical case studies in New Caledonia and Vanuatu, this paper outlines an operational framework to inform sea cucumber fisheries policy in these two countries and discusses the upscaling of the proposed management strategy.
Einstellungen von Grundschulkindern zu Nahrungsmitteln
Authors: Heim-Dreger Uwe , Eschenbeck Heike , Kohlmann Carl-Walter 
Published: April 2013

In der Studie wurde untersucht, ob Geschmackspräferenzen für gesunde und ungesunde Nahrungsmittel sowie implizite Einstellungen zu Nahrungsmitteln bei Kindern im Grundschulalter Zusammenhänge mit dem Body Mass Index (BMI-SDS) aufweisen. 148 Kinder der dritten Klasse im Alter zwischen 7 und 10 Jahren nahmen an der Studie teil. Die Geschmackspräferenzen wurden mit Ratingskalen im Selbstbericht erfasst, die impliziten Einstellungen mit einem idiografischen Impliziten Assoziationstest (IAT). Im IAT wurden alle Stimuli der Konzepte (ich versus andere, gesunde Nahrungsmittel versus ungesunde Nahrungsmittel) mit Fotografien präsentiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass der IAT-Index zur Prädiktion des BMI einen signifikanten Beitrag leistet. Kinder, bei denen die Konzepte ich und ungesunde Nahrungsmittel stärker assoziiert waren, wiesen auch einen höheren BMI-SDS auf. Hingegen leisteten die expliziten Maße keinen signifikanten Beitrag zur Vorhersage des BMI. Die Befunde werden im Kontext des noch inkonsistenten Forschungsstandes diskutiert.
The Myb-p300-CREB axis modulates intestine homeostasis, radiosensitivity and tumorigenesis
Authors: Sampurno S , Bijenhof A , Cheasley D , Xu H , Robine S , Hilton D , Alexander W S , Pereira L , Mantamadiotis T , Malaterre J , Ramsay R G 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium is constantly renewing, depending upon the intestinal stem cells (ISC) regulated by a spectrum of transcription factors (TFs), including Myb. We noted previously in mice with a p300 mutation (plt6) within the Myb-interaction-domain phenocopied Myb hypomorphic mutant mice with regard to thrombopoiesis, and here, changes in GI homeostasis. p300 is a transcriptional coactivator for many TFs, most prominently cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and also Myb. Studies have highlighted the importance of CREB in proliferation and radiosensitivity, but not in the GI. This prompted us to directly investigate the p300–Myb–CREB axis in the GI. Here, the role of CREB has been defined by generating GI-specific inducible creb knockout (KO) mice. KO mice show efficient and specific deletion of CREB, with no evident compensation by CREM and ATF1. Despite complete KO, only modest effects on proliferation, radiosensitivity and differentiation in the GI under homeostatic or stress conditions were evident, even though CREB target gene pcna (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) was downregulated. creb and p300 mutant lines show increased goblet cells, whereas a reduction in enteroendocrine cells was apparent only in the p300 line, further resembling the Myb hypomorphs. When propagated in vitro, crebKO ISC were defective in organoid formation, suggesting that the GI stroma compensates for CREB loss in vivo, unlike in MybKO studies. Thus, it appears that p300 regulates GI differentiation primarily through Myb, rather than CREB. Finally, active pCREB is elevated in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and adenomas, and is required for the expression of drug transporter, MRP2, associated with resistance to Oxaliplatin as well as several chromatin cohesion protein that are relevant to CRC therapy. These data raise the prospect that CREB may have a role in GI malignancy as it does in other cancer types, but unlike Myb, is not critical for GI homeostasis.
Quantum-dot supercrystals for future nanophotonics
Authors: Baimuratov Anvar S. , Rukhlenko Ivan D. , Turkov Vadim K. , Baranov Alexander V. , Fedorov Anatoly V. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe study of supercrystals made of periodically arranged semiconductor quantum dots is essential for the advancement of emerging nanophotonics technologies. By combining the strong spatial confinement of elementary excitations inside quantum dots and exceptional design flexibility, quantum-dot supercrystals provide broad opportunities for engineering desired optical responses and developing superior light manipulation techniques on the nanoscale. Here we suggest tailoring the energy spectrum and wave functions of the supercrystals' collective excitations through the variation of different structural and material parameters. In particular, by calculating the excitonic spectra of quantum dots assembled in two-dimensional Bravais lattices we demonstrate a wide variety of spectrum transformation scenarios upon alterations in the quantum dot arrangement. This feature offers unprecedented control over the supercrystal's electromagnetic properties and enables the development of new nanophotonics materials and devices.
Primary proteasome inhibition results in cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Herrmann Joerg , Wohlert Christine , Saguner Ardan M. , Flores Ana , Nesbitt Lisa L. , Chade Alejandro , Lerman Lilach O. , Lerman Amir 
Published: April 2013

AimsThe proteasome prevents the intracellular accumulation of proteins and its impairment can lead to structural and functional alterations, as noted for the coronary vasculature in a previous study. Utilizing the same model, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that chronic proteasome inhibition (PSI) also leads to structural and functional changes of the heart.Methods and resultsFemale domestic pigs were randomized to a normal diet without (N) or with twice‐weekly subcutaneous injections of the proteasome inhibitor MLN‐273 (0.08 mg/kg, N + PSI, n = 5 each group). In vivo data on cardiac structure and function as well as myocardial perfusion and microvascular permeability response to adenosine and dobutamine were obtained by electron beam computed tomography after 11 weeks. Subsequent ex vivo myocardial analyses included immunoblotting, immunostaining, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling), Masson trichrome, and Congo red staining. Compared with N, an increase in LV mass was observed in N + PSI (106.5 ± 16.4 g vs. 183.1 ± 24.2 g, P < 0.05). The early to late diastolic filling ratio was increased in N + PSI vs. N (3.5 ± 0.6 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1, P < 0.05). The EF tended to be lower (46 ± 12% and 53 ± 9%, respectively) and cardiac output was significantly lower in N + PSI than in N (2.9 ± 1.1 vs. 4.7 ± 1.1 L/min, P < 0.05). Tissue analyses demonstrated an accumulation of proteasome substrates, apoptosis, and fibrosis in the PSI group. Compared with N, the myocardial perfusion response was reduced and microvascular permeability was increased in N + PSI.ConclusionThe current study demonstrates that chronic proeasome inhibition affects the cardiovascular system, leading to functional and structural alteration of the heart consistent with a hypertrophic–restrictive cardiomyopathy phenotype.
First Report of Blueberry scorch virus in Elderberry in Poland
Authors: Kalinowska E. , Paduch-Cichal E. , Chodorska M. 
Published: April 2013

Blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) is a member of the genus Carlavirus and one of the most widespread pathogens of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The virus was first reported in the United States and has been reported in several countries in Europe, including Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. Symptoms of scorch disease in highbush blueberry include necrosis of flower blossoms and leaves, shoot blight, and chlorosis. Sometimes BlScV infection is symptomless or limited to single blossoms and shoots, but all highbush blueberry cultivars are susceptible to virus infection. Cranberry (V. macrocarpon L.) and wild black huckleberry (V. membranaceum L.) are known as natural and symptomless hosts of BlScV (1). In June 2012, during the research concerning the occurrence of BlScV in plants outside Vaccinium sp., 15 leaf samples from five elderberry bushes (Sambucus nigra L., family Adoxaceae) were randomly collected from the Lodzkie region in Central Poland and three were positive in double antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA using specific antiserum (Agdia Inc., Elkhart, IN). To confirm the presence of the virus, total nucleic acid was extracted from ELISA-positive elderberry samples according to established protocol (T. Malinowski. Proc. 4th Int. EFPP Symposium, 445, 1996) and used in one step reverse transcription PCR. Primers were developed against the published NJ-2, BC-1, and BC-2 sequences of BlScV (GenBank Accession Nos. NC_003499, AY941198, and AY941199, respectively). The forward primer, RDP_1 (5′-ATGGCACTCACATACAGAAGTCC-3′), and the reverse primer, RDP_2 (5′-TGCCTCTTCAATGCACGATGTTC-3′), were used to amplify a 420-bp fragment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene of the virus. Amplicons of expected size were obtained from three DAS-ELISA-positive samples, while no products were observed for the negative control (DAS-ELISA-negative elderberry tissues). Sequence of one selected PCR product revealed 100, 88, and 87% nucleotide sequence identity and 100, 96, and 96% amino acid sequence identity with BC-2, NJ-2, and BC-1, respectively. BlScV-infected elderberry bushes were asymptomatic. As BlScV is transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner, infected elderberry bushes near highbush blueberry plantings may play an important role in virus spread. The potential for BlScV infection of plants outside family Ericaceae should be investigated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BlScV infecting elderberry. Reference: (1) R. R. Martin et al. Viruses 4:2831, 2012.
First Report of Pepper vein yellows virus Infecting Sweet Pepper in Spain
Authors: Villanueva F. , Castillo P. , Font M. I. , Alfaro-Fernández A. , Moriones E. , Navas-Castillo J. 
Published: April 2013

In November 2012, unusual symptoms were observed in plants of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in commercial greenhouses of Almería Province, southeastern Spain. Symptoms included interveinal yellowing, upward leaf curling, and internode shortening, and were more evident in the upper part of the plant. Abnormal ripening of fruits was observed in symptomatic plants, with fruits remaining orange in the red varieties and yellow in the orange varieties, thus reducing their marketability. During December 2012 and January 2013, severe outbreaks of this disease syndrome occurred, with many greenhouses exhibiting almost 100% incidence. The symptoms observed were similar to those reported for isolates of Pepper vein yellows virus (PeVYV, genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae) (previously also named Pepper yellow leaf curl virus [PYLCV] and Pepper yellows virus [PYV]) (2,4). Twenty five symptomatic leaf and/or fruit samples (some of them supplied by Zeraim Ibérica, S.A.), each from a different greenhouse, were analyzed and all reacted positively in double-antibody sandwich-ELISA with an antiserum against the polerovirus Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV) (Sediag, Longvic, France), known to cross-react with PeVYV (2). Total RNA was extracted by TRIsure reagent (Bioline, London, United Kingdom) from symptomatic leaves and analyzed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with primers Pol-G-F (5′-GAYTGCTCYGGYTTYGACTGGAG-3′) and Pol-G-R (5′-GATYTTATAYTCATGGTAGGCCTTGAG-3′) designed for universal detection of poleroviruses by amplifying the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and coat protein (CP) partial genes (3). DNA fragments of the expected size (1.1 kbp) were amplified supporting a polerovirus infection in all the analyzed samples. The PCR product obtained from one sample (Almería-1) was extracted from agarose gel with a QIAquick gel extraction kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), cloned in pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega, Madison, WI), and one clone was sequenced (Macrogen Inc., Seoul, South Korea). The PCR products amplified from three other samples (2-13, 7-13, and 8-13) were directly sequenced. The nucleotide identity between the amplified fragments (GenBank Accession Nos. KC769487, KC839992 to 94), calculated after alignment with ClustalW, was 99.7 to 100%. The highest nucleotide identity of the Spanish sequences was with a PeVYV isolate from Turkey (FN600344, named as PYV) (98.5 to 98.7%). The spread of PeVYV in Spain is additional evidence of the emergence of this virus as a global threat for pepper crops after its first detection in Japan in 1995 and recent reports from the Mediterranean Basin (1,2). References: (1) N. Buzkan et al. Arch. Virol. 158:881, 2013. (2) A. Dombrovsky et al. Phytoparasitica 38:477, 2010. (3) D. Knierim et al. Plant Pathol. 59:991, 2010. (4) R. Murakami et al. Arch. Virol. 156:921, 2011.
Developmental Effects of Neonatal Isoflurane and Sevoflurane Exposure in Rats
Authors: Seubert Christoph N. , Zhu Wanting , Pavlinec Christopher , Gravenstein Nikolaus , Martynyuk Anatoly E. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background:
The general anesthetics, isoflurane and sevoflurane, cause developmental abnormalities in neonatal animal models via incompletely understood mechanisms. Despite many common molecular targets, isoflurane and sevoflurane exhibit substantial differences in their actions. The authors sought to determine whether these differences can also be detected at the level of neurodevelopmental effects.

Methods:
Postnatal rats, 4–6 days old, were exposed to 1.2% isoflurane or 2.1% sevoflurane for 1–6 h and studied for immediate and delayed effects.

Results:
Isoflurane exposure was associated with weaker seizure-like electroencephalogram patterns than sevoflurane exposure. Confronted with a new environment at a juvenile age, the sevoflurane-exposed rats spent significantly more time in an “immobile” state than unexposed rats. Electroencephalographic (mean ± SE, 55.5 ± 12.80 s vs. 14.86 ± 7.03 s; P = 0.014; n = 6–7) and spontaneous behavior (F
(2,39) = 4.43; P = 0.018) effects of sevoflurane were significantly diminished by pretreatment with the Na+–K+–2Cl– cotransporter inhibitor bumetanide, whereas those of isoflurane were not. Pretreatment with bumetanide, however, diminished isoflurane-induced activation of caspase-3 in the cerebral cortex (F(2,8) = 22.869; P = 0.002) and prevented impairment in sensorimotor gating function (F
(2,36) = 5.978; P = 0.006).

Conclusions:
These findings in combination with results previously reported by the authors suggest that isoflurane and sevoflurane produce developmental effects acting via similar mechanisms that involve an anesthetic-induced increase in neuronal activity. At the same time, differences in their effects suggest differences in the mediating mechanisms and in their relative safety profile for neonatal anesthesia.
Prospective Randomized Crossover Study of a New Closed-loop Control System versus Pressure Support during Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Clavieras Noémie , Wysocki Marc , Coisel Yannael , Galia Fabrice , Conseil Matthieu , Chanques Gerald , Jung Boris , Arnal Jean-Michel , Matecki Stefan , Molinari Nicolas , Jaber Samir 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background:
Intellivent is a new full closed-loop controlled ventilation that automatically adjusts both ventilation and oxygenation parameters. The authors compared gas exchange and breathing pattern variability of Intellivent and pressure support ventilation (PSV).

Methods:
In a prospective, randomized, single-blind design crossover study, 14 patients were ventilated during the weaning phase, with Intellivent or PSV, for two periods of 24 h in a randomized order. Arterial blood gases were obtained after 1, 8, 16, and 24 h with each mode. Ventilatory parameters were recorded continuously in a breath-by-breath basis during the two study periods. The primary endpoint was oxygenation, estimated by the calculation of the difference between the Pao
2/Fio2
ratio obtained after 24 h of ventilation and the Pao
2/Fio2
ratio obtained at baseline in each mode. The variability in the ventilatory parameters was also evaluated by the coefficient of variation (SD to mean ratio).

Results:
There were no adverse events or safety issues requiring premature interruption of both modes. The Pao
2/Fio2
(mean ± SD) ratio improved significantly from 245 ± 75 at baseline to 294 ± 123 (P = 0.03) after 24 h of Intellivent. The coefficient of variation of inspiratory pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure (median [interquartile range]) were significantly higher with Intellivent, 16 [11–21] and 15 [7–23]%, compared with 6 [5–7] and 7 [5–10]% in PSV. Inspiratory pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, and Fio2
changes were adjusted significantly more often with Intellivent compared with PSV.

Conclusions:
Compared with PSV, Intellivent during a 24-h period improved the Pao
2/Fio2
ratio in parallel with more variability in the ventilatory support and more changes in ventilation settings.
Effects of Volatile Anesthetic Choice on Hospital Length-of-stay
Authors: Kopyeva Tatyana , Sessler Daniel I. , Weiss Stephanie , Dalton Jarrod E. , Mascha Edward J. , Lee Jae H. , Kiran Ravi P. , Udeh Belinda , Kurz Andrea 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background:
Volatile anesthetic prices differ substantially. But differences in drug-acquisition cost would be inconsequential if hospitalization were prolonged by more soluble anesthetics. The authors tested the hypothesis that the duration of hospitalization is prolonged with isoflurane anesthesia.

Methods:
Initially, the authors queried their electronic records and used propensity matching to generate homogeneous sets of adults having inpatient noncardiac surgery who were given desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane. The authors then conducted a prospective alternating intervention trial in which adults (mostly having colorectal surgery) were assigned to isoflurane or sevoflurane, based on protocol.

Results:
In the retrospective analysis, 2,898 matched triplets were identified among 43,352 adults, each containing one patient receiving isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane, respectively. The adjusted geometric mean (95% CI) hospital length-of-stay for the isoflurane cases was 2.85 days (2.78–2.93); this was longer than that observed for both desflurane (2.64 [2.57–2.72]; P &lt; 0.001) and sevoflurane (2.55 [2.48–2.62]; P &lt; 0.001). In the prospective trial (N = 1,584 operations), no difference was found; the adjusted ratio of means (95% CI) of hospital length-of-stay in patients receiving isoflurane versus sevoflurane was 0.98 (0.88–1.10), P = 0.77, with adjusted geometric means (95% CI) estimated at 4.1 (3.8–4.4) and 4.2 days (3.8–4.5), respectively.

Conclusions:
Results of the propensity-matched retrospective analysis suggested that avoiding isoflurane significantly reduced the duration of hospitalization. In contrast, length-of-stay was comparable in our prospective trial. Volatile anesthetic choice should not be based on concerns about the duration of hospitalization. These studies illustrate the importance of following even the best retrospective analysis with a prospective trial.
FLECKED RETINA, CHOROIDOPATHY, AND RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL TEAR IN FAMILIAL PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION
Authors: Torfs Sara , Leys Anita M. 
Published: April 2013

Background:
Thanks to advancement in treatment modalities, the medial survival rate of patients with familial pulmonary arterial hypertension (FPAH) has been improved. Unfortunately, ocular complications because of the chronically elevated systemic venous pressure become more frequent.

Methods:
The authors report new FPAH-associated fundus changes in a 50-year-old male patient treated with sildenafil. The anomalies were studied with autofluorescence, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and spectral optical coherence tomography including enhanced depth imaging.

Results:
Loss of vision and cystoid macular edema were associated with a flecked retina, a thick choroid, central serous choroidopathy-like changes in both eyes and with retinal pigment epithelium detachments and a retinal pigment epithelium tear in the right eye.

Conclusion:
Treatment of ocular findings associated with FPAH mainly involves optimal control of pulmonary arterial hypertension and ophthalmic supportive treatment toward preventing acute ocular complications. The ocular complications occur as a result of enhanced pressure in the superior vena cava and in the ophthalmic veins, resulting in dilation of the ocular veins and congestion of the choroid. Sildenafil treatment in FPAH may enhance the congestion of the choroid and can induce central serous choroidopathy-like changes. A flecked retina, central serous choroidopathy-like changes, and retinal pigment epithelium tear are rare complications of FPAH.