bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of hypertension in Chinese and their relevance for the choice of antihypertensive drugs
Authors: Wang Ji‐Guang , Li Yan 
Published: December 2012

SummaryAccording to the 4th National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2002, the prevalence of hypertension in China was 18.8%. Despite that, the treatment rate among hypertensive patients was 82%, the control rate remained low in persons with hypertension (6%), because of the low awareness in general (30%) and the low control rate among treated hypertensive patients (25%). One of the major reasons for the increasing prevalence of hypertension is unbalance of dietary sodium and potassium intakes. In the International Study of Macro/Micro‐nutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP), Chinese, compared with American, British, and Japanese populations, had highest dietary sodium intakes and lowest potassium intakes, leading to a two to three times higher sodium/potassium ratio. High dietary sodium intakes may change the circadian rhythm of 24 h blood pressure, which is characterized by a higher night‐time blood pressure. Indeed, the prevalence of isolated night‐time hypertension, defined as a night‐time blood pressure of at least 120 mmHg systolic or 70 mmHg diastolic and a daytime systolic/diastolic blood pressure less than 135/85 mmHg, was higher in Chinese than in Europeans. The complications of hypertension are also different across ethnicities, being mainly stroke instead of myocardial infarction in Chinese. Blood pressure lowering provides more protection against stroke than myocardial infarction, and calcium channel blockers provide more protection against stroke than other classes of antihypertensive drugs. Current Chinese hypertension guidelines recommend calcium channel blockers as the first of the five classes of antihypertensive drugs for stage 1 and low‐risk hypertension.
How do hydromorphological constraints and regulated flows govern macroinvertebrate communities along an entire lowland river?
Authors: Guareschi S. , Laini A. , Racchetti E. , Bo T. , Fenoglio S. , Bartoli M. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTMacroinvertebrates' response to hydromorphological alterations and regulated flows along lowland rivers is still poorly known despite ecohydrology's fundamental role in river science. Along the Oglio River (Northern Italy), several water abstractions and dams break it into segments with varying hydraulic and morphological properties. Three types of a priori different environments were identified (dammed, downstream and free flowing sections), and macroinvertebrate communities were sampled from each zone. This study aimed (i) to investigate patterns of macroinvertebrate communities along a regulated lowland river by testing the a priori zones; (ii) to find macroinvertebrate taxa that served as indicators of the various hydrological conditions and (iii) to verify hydromorphological control over ecological macroinvertebrate traits resulting in different trait values in each identified zone. Macroinvertebrate community was characterized in a total of 63 stations by means of two quantitative approaches, each exploring a surface of 0.5 m2. The lowest richness values were found in dammed sites that tended toward lentic conditions. Ecnomidae (dammed zones), Limoniidae (downstream zones) and Heptageniidae (free flowing section) were identified as the best indicators of varying hydrological conditions. As suggested by the results of 4th Corner Method, environmental constraints define communities with different ecological traits. These results highlight hydromorphological control over macroinvertebrate community structure and reflect how regulated flows affect the Oglio River in terms of biodiversity, indicator taxa and ecological traits. The authors wish to stress the importance of considering the ecological effects of dams and impoundments on river systems in upstream areas as well as downstream. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Light and hydrologic variability as drivers of stream biofilm dynamics in a flume experiment
Authors: Ceola Serena , Bertuzzo Enrico , Mari Lorenzo , Botter Gianluca , Hödl Iris , Battin Tom J. , Gatto Marino , Rinaldo Andrea 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTWe run a comparative study of the results of flume experiments and several dynamic models reproducing the effects of streamflow variability on biofilm (i.e. periphyton) temporal dynamics. During the experiment, two contrasting flow regimes, characterised by a constant and a time‐varying discharge temporal sequence, and four different light conditions (from 90% to 27% transmission of incident light) were performed to test the effects of availability and temporal variability of light and streamflows on biofilm growth. Several model formulations, describing growth and loss dynamics, have been explored in order to assess the relevant processes that controlled biofilm temporal pattern. Model identification criteria were used to identify the most suitable model, in which the growth rate is found to be dependent on density‐limitation dynamics coupled with a saturating light effect, while the loss rate is linearly proportional to the discharge conditions experienced in the flumes. This model formulation proved able to reproduce remarkably well the observed biofilm dynamics. In order to analyse the stationary behaviour of the best‐performing model reproducing biofilm biomass dynamics, we also run a long‐term simulation, where no significant biomass differences between the constant and stochastic flow regimes were detected. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of Lead(II) in Groundwater Using Solid‐State Lead(II) Selective Electrodes by Tuned Galvanostatic Polarization
Authors: Lisak Grzegorz , Ciepiela Filip , Bobacka Johan , Sokalski Tomasz , Harju Leo , Lewenstam Andrzej 
Published: December 2012

AbstractA method for direct potentiometric determination of lead(II) ion in native, untreated environmental samples of groundwater is reported. In a filtered sample, when applying a solid‐state (PbS/Ag2S) ion‐selective electrode in tuned galvanostatic polarization (TGP) mode, a concentration of 17.2±1.6 µg dm−3 was measured. The potentiometric results are compared with those obtained using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), 18.0±0.4 µg dm−3 and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV), 24.3±0.5 µg dm−3. Owing to limitations of other methods, the analysis of Pb2+ in the untreated and non‐filtered samples was only possible with the ion‐selective electrode solid‐state electrode. The described method can be an attractive alternative to existing methods of Pb2+ determination that are used to monitor groundwater pollution.
Evidence of impaired health in yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from a biological mercury hotspot in northeastern north America
Authors: Batchelar Katharina L. , Kidd Karen A. , Drevnick Paul E. , Munkittrick Kelly R. , Burgess Neil M. , Roberts Aaron P. , Smith James D. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Few studies have investigated the effects of mercury (Hg) on wild fish from remote areas, even though these fish can have high total Hg concentrations. In Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site (KNPNHS), Nova Scotia, Canada, concentrations of total Hg in many yellow perch (Perca flavescens) currently exceed the estimated threshold level for adverse effects in fish (0.2 µg Hg g−1 (wet wt), whole body). To determine whether Hg exposure is adversely affecting the general health of these fish, the authors collected male and female perch in the fall of 2009 and 2010 from 12 lakes within KNPNHS. The health endpoints condition, liver somatic index (LSI), and macrophage aggregates (MAs; indicators of oxidative stress and tissue damage) in the liver, kidney, and spleen were examined, and in female perch were compared between lakes and related to Hg concentrations measured in the muscle and liver tissue. No negative relationships between fish condition or LSI and Hg were found. However, within the liver, kidney, and spleen tissues of females, the relative area occupied by MAs was positively related to both muscle and liver Hg concentrations, indicating the health of these perch was adversely affected at the cellular level. These findings raise concerns for the health of these perch as well as for other wild fish populations known to have similarly elevated Hg concentrations. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:627–637. © 2012 SETAC
Brain region distribution and patterns of bioaccumulative perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and sulfonates in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Authors: Greaves Alana K. , Letcher Robert J. , Sonne Christian , Dietz Rune 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
The present study investigated the comparative accumulation of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in eight brain regions of polar bears (Ursus maritimus, n = 19) collected in 2006 from Scoresby Sound, East Greenland. The PFAAs studied were perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs, C6–C15 chain lengths) and sulfonates (C4, C6, C8, and C10 chain lengths) as well as selected precursors including perfluorooctane sulfonamide. On a wet-weight basis, blood–brain barrier transport of PFAAs occurred for all brain regions, although inner regions of the brain closer to incoming blood flow (pons/medulla, thalamus, and hypothalamus) contained consistently higher PFAA concentrations compared to outer brain regions (cerebellum, striatum, and frontal, occipital, and temporal cortices). For pons/medulla, thalamus, and hypothalamus, the most concentrated PFAAs were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), ranging from 47 to 58 ng/g wet weight, and perfluorotridecanoic acid, ranging from 43 to 49 ng/g wet weight. However, PFOS and the longer-chain PFCAs (C10–C15) were significantly (p &lt; 0.002) positively correlated with lipid content for all brain regions. Lipid-normalized PFOS and PFCA (C10–C15) concentrations were not significantly (p &gt; 0.05) different among brain regions. The burden of the sum of PFCAs, perfluoroalkyl sulfonates, and perfluorooctane sulfonamide in the brain (average mass, 392 g) was estimated to be 46 µg. The present study demonstrates that both PFCAs and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates cross the blood–brain barrier in polar bears and that wet-weight concentrations are brain region–specific. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:713–722. © 2012 SETAC
Persistence of the tricyclic antidepressant drugs amitriptyline and nortriptyline in agriculture soils
Authors: Li Hongxia , Sumarah Mark W. , Topp Edward 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Amitriptyline and nortriptyline are widely used tricyclic antidepressant drugs. They have been detected in wastewater, surface runoff, and effluents from sewage treatment plants. As such, they could potentially reach agriculture land through the application of municipal biosolids or reclaimed water. In the absence of data on their fate in the environment, the persistence and dissipation pathways of radiolabeled amitriptyline were determined in three agriculture soils varying widely in texture and chemical properties (loam soil, clay loam soil, and sandy loam soil). Tritiated amitriptyline was added to laboratory microcosms containing soils, and the metabolism of the extractable 3H was monitored during incubation at 30°C. The total solvent extractable radioactivity decreased in all three soils with times to dissipate 50% of material (DT50) ranging from 34.1 ± 3.2 (loam soil) to 85.3 ± 3.2 d (sandy soil). Nortriptyline (N-desmethyl amitriptyline) and amitriptyline-N-oxide were identified as major transformation products in all three soils by high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF-MS/UV). The addition of liquid municipal biosolids to the loam soil had no effect on the dissipation of amitriptyline. The persistence of nortriptyline was evaluated in the loam soil. The DT50 of nortriptyline was 40.5 ± 3.2 d estimated with HPLC-TOF-MS/UV. Approximately 10% of added nortriptyline was converted to hydroxylated products after 50 d of incubation. In summary, amitriptyline persisted in agricultural soils with major dissipation mechanisms, including forming nonextractable residues and producing various transformation products including the psychoactive drug nortriptyline. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:509–516. © 2012 SETAC
Effects of (−)‐borneol on the growth and morphology of Aspergillus fumigatus and Epidermophyton floccosom
Authors: Lee Su Yeon , Kim Seon Hong , Hong Chang Young , Park Mi‐Jin , Choi In‐Gyu 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTAntifungal activity of (−)‐borneol against two filamentous fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus and Epidermophyton floccosum, and relevant morphological effects were studied. Mycelial growths of the fungi were inhibited at 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml of (−)‐borneol in Sabouraud dextrose agar medium. The growth inhibition of the two filamentous fungi by (−)‐borneol was shown by ultra‐structural modifications visualized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FESEM images of treated mycelia showed interesting alterations of the hyphal surfaces, while TEM observations revealed more detailed changes in cell walls and cellular organelles when compared with the normal structures of the cells. The presence of ultra‐structural modifications of filamentous fungi due to treatment with (−)‐borneol strongly supported the hypothesis that (−)‐borneol induced morphological changes in mycelia. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Terrestrial arthropods from the Late Pleistocene of Jamaica: systematics, palaeoecology and taphonomy
Authors: Baalbergen Els , Donovan Stephen K. 
Published: December 2012

The Red Hills Road Cave, Jamaica, is the most important site for terrestrial arthropods in the post‐Miocene of the Greater Antilles. Its fauna includes millipedes, isopods, crabs and insects, in addition to land snails and vertebrates. Arthropods are preserved in three dimensions and delicate structures such as limbs can be recognized. This unusual preservation was favoured by acidic groundwater rich in dissolved calcium carbonate; periods of high rainfall during which the bottle‐shaped cave was filled with water; and any arthropod washed in would have drowned. The absence of spiders, centipedes and most insects is due to the absence of carbonate in their exoskeletons. Millipedes and isopods possess a potential for preservation by carbonate mineralization that does not occur in other groups; they secrete calcium carbonate in the exoskeleton which hardens the cuticle and is water permeable, bringing about mineral replacement of the original structures.Within the cave, fossil millipede taxa include Rhinocricus sp. or spp., Chondrotropis sp., Caraibodesmus verrucosus (Pocock) and Cyclodesmus sp. cf. C. porcellanus Pocock. The isopod fauna includes Pseudarmadillo sp., Venezillo boonae Van Name, and Philoscia spp. 1 and 2. Crab claws belong to Sesarma sp. cf. S. cookei Hartnoll. Millipedes and isopods are particularly complete, representing drowned individuals fossilized soon after death; land crabs occur as fingers and rare chelae, suggesting that they may be exuviae. Only the most robust parts of insects have been discovered, but are particularly rare, consisting of three taxa of fly puparia and one possible beetle elytra. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microglial activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by the priming signals derived from macrophages infected with mycobacteria
Authors: Lee Hye‐Mi , Kang Junghee , Lee Sung Joong , Jo Eun‐Kyeong 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe inflammasome is a multimolecular complex that orchestrates the activation of proinflammatory caspases and interleukin (IL)‐1β, which is generally increased in the cerebrospinal fluids of patients with tuberculous meningitis. However, it has not been clarified whether mycobacteria can activate the inflammasome and induce IL‐1β maturation in microglia. In this study, we found that the priming of primary murine microglial cells with conditioned media from cultures of macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) led to robust activation of caspase‐1 and IL‐1β secretion after Mtb stimulation. Potassium efflux and the lysosomal proteases cathepsin B and cathepsin L were required for the Mtb‐induced caspase‐1 activation and maturation of IL‐1β production in primed microglia. Mtb‐induced IL‐1β maturation was also found to depend on the nucleotide binding and oligomerization of domain‐like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 protein (NLRP3) and apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), as well as the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Notably, the priming of microglia with tumor necrosis factor‐α or oncostatin M resulted in caspase‐1 cleavage and IL‐1β secretion in response to Mtb. Moreover, dexamethasone, as an adjunctive therapy for patients of tuberculous meningitis, significantly reduced the Mtb‐induced maturation of IL‐1β through inhibition of mitochondrial ROS generation. Collectively, these data suggest that Mtb stimulation induces activation of the microglial NLRP3 inflammasome (composed of NLRP3, ASC, and cysteine protease caspase‐1) through microglia–leukocyte interactions as a priming signal, and that dexamethasone decreases inflammasome activation through inhibition of ROS of mitochondrial origin. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intrahippocampal infusion of the Ih blocker ZD7288 slows evoked theta rhythm and produces anxiolytic‐like effects in the elevated plus maze
Authors: Yeung Michelle , Dickson Clayton T , Treit Dallas 
Published: December 2012

AbstractHippocampal theta rhythm has been associated with a number of behavioral processes, including learning and memory, spatial behavior, sensorimotor integration and affective responses. Suppression of hippocampal theta frequency has been shown to be a reliable neurophysiological signature of anxiolytic drug action in tests using known anxiolytic drugs (i.e., correlational evidence), but only one study to date (Yeung et al. (2012) Neuropharmacology 62:155–160) has shown that a drug with no known effect on either hippocampal theta or anxiety can in fact separately suppress hippocampal theta and anxiety in behavioral tests (i.e., prima facie evidence). Here, we attempt a further critical test of the hippocampal theta model by performing intrahippocampal administrations of the Ih blocker ZD7288, which is known to disrupt theta frequency subthreshold oscillations and resonance at the membrane level but is not known to have anxiolytic action. Intrahippocampal microinfusions of ZD7288 at high (15 µg), but not low (1 µg) doses slowed brainstem‐evoked hippocampal theta responses in the urethane anesthetized rat, and more importantly, promoted anxiolytic action in freely behaving rats in the elevated plus maze. Taken together with our previous demonstration, these data provide converging, prima facie evidence of the validity of the theta suppression model. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of a changed model of care delivery in a Canadian province using outcome mapping
Authors: Tomblin Murphy Gail , MacKenzie Adrian , Alder Rob , Cruickshank Cindy 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARYBackgroundCollaboration between the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, the province's District Health Authorities (DHAs) and the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Center led to the development and implementation of a new collaborative model of patient‐centered care delivery in the province.ObjectiveThe objective was to determine the effectiveness of the initiative in arriving at the envisioned care model by investigating its impacts (if any) on patient, system, and providers outcomes.MethodsA repeated surveys study design with mixed methods in an outcome mapping framework was used to measure process and outcome indicators for patients and families, providers, and the system.ResultsAlmost all outcomes at the patient and family, provider, and system level improved following the implementation of the model, and these effects were stronger on units where the model was more fully implemented.ConclusionsThe efforts of the province, DHAs and IWK to improve patient care through the new care model have been successful. This evaluation is unique in the broad range of indicators it incorporates. Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of health system changes is critical to system effectiveness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mental health in France, policies and actors: developing administrative knowledge in a segmented world
Authors: Mossé Philippe , Maury Caroline , Daumerie Nicolas , Roelandt Jean‐Luc 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARYThe new mental health care policy, which has been set up in France, involves a change of paradigm, which has been going on since the 2000s: the emphasis is shifting from psychiatry to mental health care. This shift mainly concerns the knowledge about mental health is produced and circulates among an increasingly large number of bodies. Mainly grounded on actor interview analysis, official reports and blueprints, this study shows that the results of this process are numerous. They include the development of ambulatory care and strong moves towards decentralization. More data and knowledge are therefore to be shared in this more complex system. However, the French State, in the form of the central administration, is taking advantage of this move and is still contributing significantly to the definition and implementation of the new policy. On the other hand, the new governance dynamic is not leading to standardization of medical practices, as the mental health field remains highly heterogeneous. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress system changes associated with marijuana dependence may increase craving for alcohol and cocaine
Authors: Fox Helen C. , Tuit Keri L. , Sinha Rajita 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveTo date, little research exists defining bio‐behavioral adaptations associated with both marijuana abuse and risk of craving and relapse to other drugs of abuse during early abstinence.MethodFifty‐nine treatment‐seeking individuals dependent on alcohol and cocaine were recruited. Thirty of these individuals were also marijuana (MJ) dependent; 29 were not. Twenty‐six socially drinking healthy controls were also recruited. All participants were exposed to three 5‐min guided imagery conditions (stress, alcohol/cocaine cue and relaxing), presented randomly, one per day across three consecutive days. Measures of craving, anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol were collected at baseline and subsequent recovery time points.ResultsThe MJ‐dependent group showed increased basal anxiety ratings and cardiovascular output alongside enhanced alcohol craving and cocaine craving, and dampened cardiovascular response to stress and cue. They also demonstrated elevated cue‐induced anxiety and stress‐induced cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone levels, which were not observed in the non‐MJ‐dependent group or controls. Cue‐related alcohol craving and anxiety were both predictive of a shorter number of days to marijuana relapse following discharge from inpatient treatment.ConclusionsFindings provide some support for drug cross‐sensitization in terms of motivational processes associated with stress‐related and cue‐related craving and relapse. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.