bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microstructural analysis on the testicular cyst of the wolf spider by 3D volume rendering
Authors: Kim Hoon , Kim Jae‐Kyung , Moon Myung‐Jin 
Published: January 2014

AbstractSpermatogenesis has long been a major research area in understanding the development of living organisms. In vertebrates, sperm is produced along the wall of the seminiferous tubules, leaving spermatogonia in the outermost layer, which undergo cell division and differentiation. However, sperm in many invertebrates is developed in a testicular cyst, which contains germ cells at the same developmental stages. On the contrary, in spiders, it is very difficult to count the exact number of cells in a cyst, since each spermatid gets transformed to a round sperm ball within the cyst through the flagellar coiling process. Therefore, in this study, we applied a 3D rendering technique to analyze the exact number of germ cells per cyst in spiders. For image processing and reconstruction, serial section images were scanned and reconstructed into 3D images. Upon successful 3‐dimensional reconstruction of testicular cysts, the exact number of germ cells produced from a single cyst appeared to be 64, 26 which indicates that a spider spermatogonium undergoes 6 cell divisions to produce spermatozoa.
β‐elemene reverses the drug resistance of A549/DDP lung cancer cells by activating intracellular redox system, decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential and P‐glycoprotein expression, and inducing apoptosis
Authors: Yao Chengcai , Jiang Jie , Tu Yuanrong , Ye Shefang , Du Haoxin , Zhang Yi 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundβ‐elemene (β‐ELE) injection is a new anticancer drug extracted from Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe that has been widely used to treat malignant tumors. Recent studies show that β‐ELE reverses the drug resistance of tumor cells. To explore the possible mechanisms of β‐ELE, we investigated its effects on cisplatin (DDP)‐resistant human lung adenocarcinoma A549/DDP cells.MethodsThe effects of β‐ELE on the growth of A549/DDP cells in vitro were determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed by fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry with Annexin V‐FITC/propium iodide double staining; mitochondrial membrane potential using JC‐1 fluorescence probe and laser confocal scanning microscopy, and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels were measured by 2’,7'‐dichlorfluorescein‐diacetate staining and flow cytometry; and contents of cytosolic glutathione were determined by glutathione assay kits. Intracellular Rhodamine‐123 fluorescence intensity was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) was detected by Western blotting.Resultsβ‐ELE inhibited the proliferation of A549/DDP cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, β‐ELE enhanced the sensitivity of A549/DDP cells to cisplatin and reversed the drug resistance of A549/DDP cells. Consistent with a role in activating apoptosis, β‐ELE decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species concentration and intracellular accumulation of Rhodamine‐123, decreased the cytoplasmic glutathione levels and the expression of P‐gp in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner.ConclusionsThese results define a pathway of β‐ELE function that involves decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and P‐gp expression activated intracellular redox system, and induced apoptosis leading to reverse drug resistance.
Pre‐treatment of bupivacaine‐induced cardiovascular depression using different lipid formulations of propofol
Authors: YILMAZ M. , CELEBI H. , AKCALI D. , GUREL N. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundPre‐treatment with lipid emulsions has been shown to increase lethal doses of bupivacaine, and the lipid content of propofol may alleviate bupivacaine‐induced cardiotoxicity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of propofol in intralipid or medialipid emulsions on bupivacaine‐induced cardiotoxicity.MethodsRats were anaesthetised with ketamine and were given 0.5 mg/kg/min propofol in intralipid (Group P), propofol in medialipid (Group L), or saline (Group C) over 20 min. Thereafter, 2 mg/kg/min bupivacaine 0.5% was infused. We recorded time to first dysrhythmia occurrence, respective times to 25% and 50% reduction of the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure, and time to asystole and total amount of bupivacaine consumption. Blood and tissue samples were collected following asystole.ResultsThe time to first dysrhythmia occurrence, time to 25% and 50% reductions in HR, and time to asystole were longer in Group P than the other groups. The cumulative bupivacaine dose given at those time points was higher in Group P. Plasma bupivacaine levels were significantly lower in Group P than in Group C. Bupivacaine levels in the brain and heart were significantly lower in Group P and Group L than in Group C.ConclusionWe conclude that pre‐treatment with propofol in intralipid, compared with propofol in medialipid or saline, delayed the onset of bupivacaine‐induced cardiotoxic effects as well as reduced plasma bupivacaine levels. Further studies are needed to explore tissue bupivacaine levels of propofol in medialipid and adapt these results to clinical practice.
Gallbladder carcinoma: a New Zealand centre's 10‐year experience with presentation, ethnic diversity and survival rate
Authors: Lilic Nikola , Addison Ben , Hammodat Hisham 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundGallbladder cancer is a high‐mortality cancer with a wide range of incidence worldwide. Some indigenous populations are known to have a higher incidence of gallbladder cancer. Commonly, it is incidentally discovered during routine gallbladder surgery. The primary aim was to determine the incidence and characteristics of gallbladder cancer in a New Zealand population. The secondary aim was to determine if inequalities in gallbladder cancer rates between Māori and non‐Māori have decreased.MethodsA retrospective cohort study utilizing an online database was conducted to identify all patients with gallbladder malignancy treated in the Waitemata District Health Board from 2003 to 2013. The outcomes measured were staging of cancer, histology, ethnicity, incidental finding and survival rates.ResultsThe age‐standardized incidence (ASI) rate of gallbladder carcinoma is 0.60/100 000. The gender‐specific ASI rates were 0.21/100 000 (men) and 0.76/100 000 (women). The incidence for Māori was 0.96/100 000 (men) and 1.37/100 000 (women). Gallbladder carcinoma was found incidentally in 0.44% of cholecystectomies, which made up 46.2% of all cases. Right upper quadrant pain was the most common presenting symptom (74.4%). Surgery was the most common treatment modality (66.7%). Mean survival across all patients was 12.24 months.ConclusionOur study found that the ASI of gallbladder carcinoma when compared with the Koea et al. study has decreased for men from New Zealand, but appears to have increased slightly for women from New Zealand. The raw incidence for Māori men and women appears to have decreased, but inequality in gallbladder cancer incidence between Māori and non‐Māori remains.
The impact of native large herbivores and fire on the vegetation dynamics in the Cape renosterveld shrublands of South Africa: insights from a six‐yr field experiment
Authors: Radloff Frans G.T. , Mucina Ladislav , Snyman Dirk 
Published: January 2014

AbstractQuestionRenosterveld – a vegetation complex within the Fynbos Biome of South Africa – occurs in multiple structural states, including shrublands and various types of grasslands, lawns and herb‐lands. Uncertainty exists over whether the present unpalatable shrubland state might have replaced a historical grassland state. Settled agriculture characterized by fixed burning cycles and overgrazing by livestock has been blamed for this putative change. However, the disappearance of native large herbivores has also been implicated. Understanding the drivers responsible for putative state changes is of importance for conservation of this critically endangered vegetation type.LocationRenosterveld shrublands and grasslands of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape Province, South Africa.MethodsThree structural states of renosterveld (grazing lawn, tussock grassland and shrubland) were subjected to an experiment involving fire (burned/unburned) and herbivory (grazed/ungrazed by native mesoherbivores). Using animal exclosures and experimental burning, we measured the responses of the biomass of major plant functional types over 6 yrs to test whether switches between states occur in order to discern the drivers of these changes. The data were analysed using permutational manova, Fisher's exact contingency tests and NMDS.ResultsHerbivory (but not fire) had significant effects on lawn and tussock grassland biomass. Palatable shrubs proliferated in tussock grassland protected from herbivory. Unpalatable shrubs invaded burned lawn habitats exposed to herbivory. The vegetation composition of the shrubland state was affected by fire, herbivory and by the interaction between the two. Burned and grazed shrubland reverted to a dense canopy unpalatable state, while shrubland plots protected from grazing became palatable shrubland with a grass understorey. Palatable shrub species increased in the unburned and ungrazed shrubland plots, while the biomass of unpalatable shrubs declined in both the unburned grazed and exclosure plots.ConclusionWe found no evidence supporting the hypothesis that the disappearance of native large herbivores led to the conversion of tussock grassland into unpalatable shrubland. Instead, the removal of native browsers caused palatable shrubs to dominate tussock grassland areas. Unpalatable shrubland is retained through a combination of fire and herbivory, but how this state established and persisted historically remains undetermined. Temporary relief from large herbivore grazing after unpalatable shrubland has been burned is recommended if a more open grassland state is the desired target.
Mapping the Human Toxome by Systems Toxicology
Authors: Bouhifd Mounir , Hogberg Helena T. , Kleensang Andre , Maertens Alexandra , Zhao Liang , Hartung Thomas 
Published: January 2014

AbstractToxicity testing typically involves studying adverse health outcomes in animals subjected to high doses of toxicants with subsequent extrapolation to expected human responses at lower doses. The low‐throughput of current toxicity testing approaches (which are largely the same for industrial chemicals, pesticides and drugs) has led to a backlog of more than 80,000 chemicals to which human beings are potentially exposed whose potential toxicity remains largely unknown. Employing new testing strategies that employ the use of predictive, high‐throughput cell‐based assays (of human origin) to evaluate perturbations in key pathways, referred as pathways of toxicity, and to conduct targeted testing against those pathways, we can begin to greatly accelerate our ability to test the vast ‘storehouses’ of chemical compounds using a rational, risk‐based approach to chemical prioritization and provide test results that are more predictive of human toxicity than current methods. The NIH Transformative Research Grant project Mapping the Human Toxome by Systems Toxicology aims at developing the tools for pathway mapping, annotation and validation as well as the respective knowledge base to share this information.
Design and Synthesis of a New Class of 4‐Aminoquinolinyl‐ and 9‐Anilinoacridinyl Schiff Base Hydrazones as Potent Antimalarial Agents
Authors: Sharma Moni , Chauhan Kuldeep , Srivastava Rajeev K. , Singh Shiv V. , Srivastava Kumkum , Saxena Jitendra K. , Puri Sunil K. , Chauhan Prem M. S. 
Published: January 2014

A series of novel 4‐aminoquinolinyl and 9‐anilinoacridinyl Schiff base hydrazones have been synthesized and evaluated for their antimalarial activity. All compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antimalarial activity against chloroquine‐sensitive strain 3D7 and the chloroquine‐resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum and for cytotoxicity toward Vero cells. Compounds 17, 20, and 21 displayed good activity against the 3D7 strain with IC50 values ranging from 19.69 to 25.38 nm. Moreover, compounds 16, 17, 21, 24, 32, and 33 exhibited excellent activities (21.64–54.26 nm) against K1 strain and several compounds displayed β‐hematin inhibitory activity, suggesting that they act on the heme crystallization process such as CQ. Compounds were also found to be non‐toxic with good selectivity index.
Relationship among attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, dietary behaviours and obesity
Authors: Kim E. J. , Kwon H. J. , Ha M. , Lim M. H. , Oh S. Y. , Kim J. H. , Yoo S. J. , Paik K. C. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundAttention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood and can be associated with obesity. The aim of this study was to reveal the connection between ADHD symptoms, food habits and obesity.MethodsWe examined 12 350 children (6010 boys, 6340 girls) from 27 elementary schools in Cheonan, the Republic of Korea. The study subjects were 5‐ to 13‐year‐old children (9.4 ± 1.7 years). Parents completed the DuPaul ADHD Rating Scale. Food habits were measured by a questionnaire adapted from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web‐based Survey and a validated mini‐dietary assessment tool. The full set of hypothesized associations was tested using covariance structural modelling.ResultsThe prevalence of ADHD was 7.6% and that of obesity was 4.5% in our study population. The data was well fit by the model. ADHD was associated with body mass index (BMI; standardized β = 0.086, P < 0.001). Bulimic dietary behaviours was related to BMI (standardized β = 0.548, P < 0.001). Socio‐economic status was associated with BMI (standardized β = −0.017, P = 0.027).ConclusionOur analysis suggested that ADHD was a risk factor for obesity through dietary behavioural change and socio‐economic status.
‘You've got to trust her and she's got to trust you’: children's views on participation in the child protection system
Authors: Cossar Jeanette , Brandon Marian , Jordan Peter 
Published: January 2014

AbstractParticipation by children in child protection remains a complex area of practice. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study exploring the views of 26 children, aged 6–17 years, about their participation in the child protection system in England. All of the children were subject to a child protection plan and were living at home at the time of interview. The children's understanding of the child protection process was categorized, and the majority of children, including the youngest, were found be at least partially aware of the child protection process, often struggling to make sense of the professional intervention in their families on the basis of partial information. It is argued that decisions about children's involvement should take into account not only children's age and understanding, but be seen in the context of wider family dynamics. Participation in formal processes such as child protection conferences was experienced as difficult and emotive. The child's relationship with their social worker was central to meaningful participation.
Comparison of baseline brachial artery measurements and effect on peak flow‐mediated dilation
Authors: Ostrem Joseph D. , Dengel Donald R. , Marlatt Kara L. , Steinberger Julia 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBackgroundFlow‐mediated dilation (FMD) following reactive hyperaemia can use different time‐point measures for baseline diameter. The aim of this study is to compare preocclusion, occlusion and postocclusion baseline brachial artery measurements on the calculation of peak FMD.Study DesignUltrasound imaging of the brachial artery following reactive hyperaemia was conducted in 418 children and 533 adults. Baseline brachial artery measures were a 10‐s average before (preocclusion), during (occlusion) and after (postocclusion) hyperaemia. Peak FMD was defined as the greatest percent change from baseline to the peak brachial artery diameter following reactive hyperaemia.ResultsPreocclusion, occlusion and postocclusion baseline measures of brachial artery diameter were not significantly different in children (3·15 ± 0·51, 3·14 ± 0·50 versus 3·11 ± 0·50 mm, P = 0·179) or adults (3·81 ± 0·72, 3·81 ± 0·73 versus 3·79 ± 0·73 mm, P = 0·201). Peak FMD values were not significantly different when calculated from preocclusion, occlusion or postocclusion baselines in children (6·77 ± 5·78, 6·93 ± 4·03 versus 7·85 ± 3·62%, P = 0·208) or adults (6·07 ± 5·53, 6·14 ± 3·94 versus 6·62 ± 3·70%, P = 0·266).ConclusionWe found no difference in FMD regardless of the baseline brachial artery diameter used in children and adults. Therefore, compilation of data and comparison of results from studies utilizing different measures of baseline brachial diameter may be able to be conducted.
Session rating of perceived exertion following resistance exercise with blood flow restriction
Authors: Vieira Amilton , Gadelha André B. , Ferreira‐Junior João B. , Vieira Carlos A. , de Melo Keene von Koenig Soares Edgard , Cadore Eduardo L. , Wagner Dale R. , Bottaro Martim 
Published: January 2014

SummarySession ratings of perceived exertion (SRPE) provide a valid and reliable indicator of resistance exercise session intensity. However, there is a lack of studies on the effects of resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) on SRPE. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare the effects of resistance exercise at high intensity versus low intensity with BFR on internal training load measured by SRPE. Thirteen young (22·2 ± 3·8 years) resistance‐trained men (training experience 3·2 ± 2·4 years) participated in the study protocol. After determining one maximum repetition (1‐RM), the subjects were assigned to two groups in a counterbalanced design (i) high‐intensity exercise (HIE, performed one training session at 80% of 1‐RM) and (ii) low intensity with BFR (BFR, performed an exercise session at 50% of 1‐RM with BFR). During each session, subjects performed three sets of unilateral elbow flexion leading to concentric failure with a 1‐min rest interval between sets. A cuff around the arm, inflated at 110 mmHg, was used continuously for BFR. The SRPE was reported 30 min after the end of the session. The low intensity with BFR showed lower total work (197·13 ± 63·49 versus 300·92 ± 71·81 kg; P = 0·002) and higher SRPE (9 versus 6; P = 0·007) than high‐intensity resistance exercise. The present results indicate that BFR is an important factor to increase internal training load. Future studies should investigate the physiological stress imposed by different training methods rather than just quantify the external training load such as intensity or volume.
Does prenatal maternal stress impair cognitive development and alter temperament characteristics in toddlers with healthy birth outcomes?
Authors: Zhu Peng , Sun Meng‐Sha , Hao Jia‐Hu , Chen Yu‐Jiang , Jiang Xiao‐Min , Tao Rui‐Xue , Huang Kun , Tao Fang‐Biao 
Published: January 2014

AimThe aim of this study was to assess the cognitive and behavioural development of children with healthy birth outcomes whose mothers were exposed to prenatal stress but did not experience pregnancy complications.MethodIn this prospective study, self‐reported data, including the Prenatal Life Events Checklist about stressful life events (SLEs) during different stages of pregnancy, were collected at 32 to 34 weeks' gestation. Thirty‐eight healthy females (mean age 27y 8mo, SD 2y 4mo) who were exposed to severe SLEs in the first trimester were defined as the exposed infant group, and 114 matched comparison participants were defined as the unexposed infant group (1:3). Maternal postnatal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Toddler Temperament Scale were used to evaluate the cognitive development and temperament characteristics of the infants with healthy birth outcomes when they were 16 to 18 months old.ResultsA randomized block multivariate analysis of covariance showed that the mental development index scores of the infants of mothers with prenatal exposure to SLEs in the first trimester averaged seven points (95% confidence interval 3.23–10.73 points) lower than those of the unexposed infants. Moreover, the infants in the exposed group achieved higher scores for regularity (adjusted mean [SD] 2.77 [0.65] vs 2.52 [0.78], F(5,146)=5.27, p=0.023) and for persistence and attention span (adjusted mean 3.61 [0.72] vs 3.35 [0.52], F(5,146)=5.51, p=0.020).InterpretationThis study provides evidence that lower cognitive ability and less optimal worse behavioural response in infants might independently result from prenatal maternal stress.
Modeling effects of SGLT‐2 inhibitor dapagliflozin treatment versus standard diabetes therapy on cardiovascular and microvascular outcomes
Authors: Dziuba J. , Alperin P. , Racketa J. , Iloeje U. , Goswami D. , Hardy E. , Perlstein I. , Grossman H. L. , Cohen M. 
Published: January 2014

AimsDapagliflozin, a sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitor, has been shown to lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), weight, blood pressure and serum uric acid in clinical trials. Plasma lipids were also evaluated as exploratory variables. The goal of this study was to estimate the long‐term cardiovascular (CV) and microvascular outcomes of dapagliflozin added to the standard of care (SOC) versus SOC using simulation methodology.MethodsThe Archimedes Model, a validated model of human physiology, diseases and healthcare systems, was used to model a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) population derived from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with HbA1c 7–10%, taking a single oral antidiabetic agent [metformin, sulfonylureas SU or thiazolidinedione (TZD)] at the beginning of the trial. A 20‐year trial was simulated comparing dapagliflozin 10 mg, given in addition to SOC, with SOC alone. SOC was based on American Diabetes Association (ADA)/European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2012 guidelines and included diet, metformin, SU, TZD, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4), glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), and insulin therapies, with usage levels reflective of those in NHANES. Dapagliflozin effects were derived from phase 3 clinical trial results. End points included CV and microvascular outcomes.ResultsOver a 20‐year period, patients on dapagliflozin were projected to experience relative reductions in the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, CV death, and all‐cause death of 13.8, 9.1, 9.6 and 5.0%, respectively, and relative reductions in the incidence of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), foot amputation, and diabetic retinopathy of 18.7, 13.0 and 9.8%, respectively, when compared with SOC.ConclusionsOn the basis of simulation results, adding dapagliflozin to currently available treatment options is projected to further decrease the CV and microvascular complications associated with T2DM.
Metabolic syndrome in antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia: pooled analysis of data from three Indian studies
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Nebhinani Naresh , Padmavati Ramachandran , Chadda Rakesh K , Tirupati Srinivasan , Pallava Abhishek 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and subthreshold MS in antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia by pooling the data from three different centres in India.MethodsOne hundred thirty‐seven antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia were evaluated for MS using common criteria for clinical diagnosis.ResultsTwenty‐six patients (19%) met consensus criteria. Additionally, 56 patients (40.9%) fulfilled one criterion and 32 patients (23.3%) fulfilled two criteria of MS out of five criteria.ConclusionOne‐fifth of antipsychotic naïve patients with schizophrenia had MS and another two‐third had at least one metabolic abnormality. Awareness of such a high risk is vitally important for rational selection of antipsychotic medications as well as effective implementation of preventive measures.