bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac microvascular rarefaction in hyperthyroid rats is reversed by losartan, diltiazem, and propranolol
Authors: Freitas Felipe , Estato Vanessa , Lessa Marcos A. , Tibiriçá Eduardo 
Published: April 2014

AbstractCardiac microvascular rarefaction appears to be involved in hyperthyroidism‐induced left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction. We investigated the effects of losartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist; diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker; and propranolol, a β‐adrenergic receptor antagonist, on cardiac function and structural microcirculatory cardiac alterations in an experimental model of l‐thyroxin‐induced hyperthyroidism in rats. Hyperthyroidism (HYPER) was induced by intraperitoneal injections of l‐thyroxin for 35 days (600 μg/kg/day; n = 32). The euthyroid group was treated with distilled water (EUT + VEH; n = 8). On the 14th day, the HYPER group was divided into four groups that received an oral treatment for 21 days with saline (HYPER + VEH; n = 8), losartan (10 mg/kg/day; HYPER + LOS, n = 8), diltiazem (10 mg/kg/day; HYPER + DILT, n = 8), or propranolol (10 mg/kg/day; HYPER + PROP, n = 8). An echocardiographic study was performed at baseline, at the beginning and at the end of the pharmacological treatment protocol (35th day). The structural capillary density in the left ventricle (LV) was analyzed using histochemical analysis with fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated Griffonia simplicifolia lectin. HYPER + VEH (182 ± 5 mmHg; P < 0.001) presented higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared with EUT + VEH (132 ± 3 mmHg). HYPER + LOS (144 ± 2 mmHg), HYPER + DILT (147 ± 3 mmHg) and HYPER + PROP (153 ± 4 mmHg) presented lower SBP compared with HYPER + VEH (P < 0.001). Chronic treatment with losartan, diltiazem, and propranolol reversed cardiac structural microvascular rarefaction (HYPER + VEH 0.16 ± 0.01; EUT + VEH 0.35 ± 0.02; HYPER + LOS 0.46 ± 0.03; HYPER + DILT 0.49 ± 0.02; HYPER + PROP 0.58 ± 0.04 (Vv[cap]/Vv[fib]); P < 0.001) and enhanced the LV ejection fraction of hyperthyroid rats (HYPER + VEH 71 ± 3; EUT + VEH 85 ± 2; HYPER + LOS 90 ± 3; HYPER + DILT 85 ± 3; HYPER + PROP 86 ± 2%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, chronic treatment with losartan, diltiazem, and propranolol improved the cardiac microcirculation and function in an experimental model of hyperthyroidism in rats.
Use of select dietary supplements among individuals with diabetes or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Owen‐Smith Ashli A , Rand Cynthia , Smith David H , Tom Jeffrey O , Laws Reesa , Waterbury Amy , Vollmer William M 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundPrior research on the use of dietary supplements (DSs) has examined the characteristics of users compared to non‐users; however, most studies have generally surveyed healthy populations and have not asked whether users discuss their DS intake with their healthcare providers.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to characterise the use of select DSs among individuals with chronic disease, and to assess the degree to which they discussed DS use with their healthcare provider.MethodsA telephone survey was administered to a subset of individuals who were subsequently randomised into a larger clinical trial. Participants were asked about the frequency and types of DS used, with electronic medical records used to capture clinical characteristics. Participants were aged ≥40 years and had diabetes mellitus or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.ResultsAmong the 833 survey respondents, 56.3% of respondents reported daily DS use. Daily DS users were more likely to be older, female, have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and better medication adherence. The most commonly used supplements were multivitamins, omega 3 supplements and vitamin D. Approximately one‐third of users reported that they had not discussed DS use with their healthcare provider.ConclusionsGiven the high prevalence of DS use in this population, it is critical that healthcare providers discuss DS use with their patients so that the safety and health of these patients are not compromised.
An Hypothesis: The Dramatic Decline in Heart Attacks in the United States is Temporally Related to the Decline in Duodenal Ulcer Disease and Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Hughes William S. 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundStudies of autopsies of military members dying in three US wars indicate that the prevalence of atherosclerosis in successive cohorts of healthy young men and women has dramatically decreased over the past half century.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the decline in the prevalence of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction with previously published studies on the decline in the prevalence of duodenal ulcer.MethodsA plot of the prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis and the prevalence of myocardial infarction in three cohorts of young men and women born from 1930 to 1980 was constructed.ResultsThe figure shows a marked decline in prevalence in atherosclerosis beginning in a military cohort born around 1930 and a similar marked decline in prevalence of myocardial infarction in the US population beginning in 1970. In published studies duodenal ulcer began to decline in prevalence in 1960. As duodenal ulcers began to occur at age 30 and myocardial infarctions began to occur at age 40 at the time of peak prevalence, the cohort born in 1930 was the first to experience a decline in prevalence of both duodenal ulcer and heart attacks.ConclusionThe study shows that the decline in heart attacks is temporally related to the decline in duodenal ulcer and by inference, Helicobacter pylori infection.
Evaluation of a new grading system for laryngeal squamous intraepithelial lesions—a proposed unified classification
Authors: Gale Nina , Blagus Rok , El‐Mofty Samir K , Helliwell Tim , Prasad Manju L , Sandison Ann , Volavšek Metka , Wenig Bruce M , Zidar Nina , Cardesa Antonio 
Published: April 2014

AimsTo verify the applicability, reproducibility and predictive value of a proposed unified classification (amended Ljubljana classification) for laryngeal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs).Methods and resultsSix internationally recognized experts and three pathologists from Ljubljana contributed to this study by evaluating a set of laryngeal SILs using the new system: low‐grade SIL, high‐grade SIL, and carcinoma in situ (CIS). The overall agreement among reviewers was good. Overall unweighted and weighted κ‐values and 95% confidence intervals were 0.75 (0.65–0.84) and 0.80 (0.71–0.87), respectively. The results were stratified between the international reviewers and the Ljubljana pathologists. The former had good overall agreement, and the latter had very good agreement. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed a significant difference (P < 0.0001) between patients with low‐grade and high‐grade SILs; 19 of 1204 patients with low‐grade SILs and 30 of 240 patients with high‐grade SILs progressed to malignancy in 2–15 years and in 2–26 years, respectively.ConclusionsThe proposed modification to the Ljubljana classification provides clear morphological criteria for defining the prognostic groups. The criteria facilitate better interobserver agreement than previous systems, and the retrospective follow‐up study demonstrates a highly significant difference in the risk of malignant progression between low‐grade and high‐grade SILs.
Shock, awe and continuity: Mrs Thatcher's legacy for the public sector
Authors: Coffey Dan , Thornley Carole 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis article makes the case for a nuanced and historically informed analysis of Mrs Thatcher's legacy for the public sector, which distinguishes between shocks and continuities, and gives due weight to particular political economic features of the British state. We conclude with an assessment of the material and ideological legacy.
SmFeAsO Superconductor with Preferred Crystallographic Orientation and Enhanced Critical Current Density
Authors: Anooja Jayakumari B. , Aswathy Pillai M. , Varghese Neson , Aloysius Rajappan P. , Syamaprasad Upendran 
Published: April 2014

The effect of combined substitution of Sm3+ and O2− with Ca2+ and F−, respectively, on the structural and superconducting properties of SmFeAsO system is investigated. It is observed that the binary doping using CaF2 causes considerable structural as well as microstructural changes wherein the preferred orientation of (00 l) planes and enhancement of grain size are quite interesting. Moreover, a maximum TC of 53.8 K and a transport JC of 880 A/cm2 (12 K) are achieved in the codoped samples. The achievement of preferred orientation, enhanced TC, and the subsequent increase in JC of the modified SmFeAsO system are particularly significant for high current conductor development.
A Modular Concept of Crystal Structure Applied to the Thermal Transformation of α‐C2SH
Authors: Garbev Krassimir , Gasharova Biliana , Stemmermann Peter 
Published: April 2014

A single crystal of α‐Ca2[HSiO4](OH) (α‐C2SH) was repeatedly imaged at room temperature with synchrotron mid‐infrared microscopy after heating to 310°C, 340°C, 370°C, and 400°C respectively. The mechanisms of the observed phase transformations are discussed on the basis of a modular concept of the crystal structures. All images show domains of dellaite, Ca6[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)2, which are predominantly formed in the core of the crystal. In the crystal rim area α‐C2SH persists in higher abundance. The mechanism of the phase transformation of α‐C2SH into dellaite includes the following: (1) Partial formation of killalaite (Ca3[HSi2O7](OH)) as nuclei according to the isochemical reaction 2Ca2[HSiO4](OH) → Ca3[HSi2O7](OH) + Ca(OH)2 probably induced by anisotropic thermal expansion, local chemical fluctuations, structural (proton) disorder, and different bond strengths of the OH groups in the α‐C2SH structure. (2) Further dehydration of killalaite and α‐C2SH domains results in the formation of dellaite according to Ca3[HSi2O7](OH) + Ca(OH)2 + Ca2[HSiO4](OH) – 2H2O → Ca6[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)2. The results suggest that the polymerization of two isolated [HSiO4] tetrahedra takes place without dehydration according to reaction (1) rather than through condensation with simultaneous H2O release: 2[HSiO4] → [Si2O7] + H2O. We suggest that reaction (1) cannot be completed at ambient pressure. Thus in the regions close to the rim of the crystals we expect the formation of x‐C2S, which starts along the crystal edges according to Ca2[HSiO4](OH) → Ca2SiO4 + H2O. Based on a modular concept, a structural relationship between α‐C2SH, killalaite, dellaite, and x‐C2S has been established. Similarities and differences in the thermal behavior of α‐C2SH and afwillite have been highlighted.
Changes in blood profile in sheep receiving raw garlic, garlic oil or monensin
Authors: Anassori E. , Dalir‐Naghadeh B. , Pirmohammadi R. , Hadian M. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing a basal diet (CTR) with raw garlic (GAR) or garlic oil (GAO) on blood profile in sheep. Monensin (MON, 33 mg/kg DM) was used as positive control. Four ruminally fistulated rams were used in three experiments each arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28‐day periods. Experiments 1 and 2 differed in the dose of GAR (75 vs. 100 g/kg DM) and GAO (500 vs. 750 mg/kg DM), while experiment 3 was designed to compare the two doses of each additive (GAR and GAO). The animals were fed a basal diet as TMR consisting of 77.83% forage (alfalfa hay and corn silage) and 22.17% concentrate, providing 10.50 MJ/kg DM (metabolizable energy) and 16.5% crude protein to cover maintenance energy and protein requirements. Supplementation of monensin decreased (P < 0.05) β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and non‐esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations in the blood compared with other treatments. There was no significant effect of additives on serum concentration of glucose, total triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Although the serum insulin concentration was elevated in sheep receiving MON and GAO (P < 0.01), no change was observed in blood glucose concentration. No significant effect of GAO and GAR was observed in key energy and protein‐related blood metabolites. However, administration of monensin had a positive influence on energy indices. In conclusion, whereas parameters characterizing the energy balance did not show a significant effect of GAR supplementation, a higher insulin concentration in GAO‐treated animals was observed.
Does the niche breadth or trade‐off hypothesis explain the abundance–occupancy relationship in avian Haemosporidia?
Authors: Drovetski Sergei V. , Aghayan Sargis A. , Mata Vanessa A. , Lopes Ricardo J. , Mode Nicolle A. , Harvey Johanna A. , Voelker Gary 
Published: April 2014

AbstractTwo hypotheses have been proposed to explain the abundance–occupancy relationship (AOR) in parasites. The niche breadth hypothesis suggests that host generalists are more abundant and efficient at colonizing different host communities than specialists. The trade‐off hypothesis argues that host specialists achieve high density across their hosts' ranges, whereas generalists incur the high cost of adaptation to diverse immuno‐defence systems. We tested these hypotheses using 386 haemosporidian cytochrome‐b lineages (1894 sequences) recovered from 2318 birds of 103 species sampled in NW Africa, NW Iberia, W Greater Caucasus and Transcaucasia. The number of regions occupied by lineages was associated with their frequency suggesting the presence of AOR in avian Haemosporidia. However, neither hypothesis provided a better explanation for the AOR. Although the host generalist Plasmodium SGS1 was over three times more abundant than other widespread lineages, both host specialists and generalists were successful in colonizing all study regions and achieved high overall prevalence.
Suicidality in Chronic Pain: Predictors of Suicidal Ideation in Fibromyalgia
Authors: Triñanes Yolanda , González‐Villar Alberto , Gómez‐Perretta Claudio , Carrillo‐de‐la‐Peña María T. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectivesFibromyalgia (FM) has been associated with a higher prevalence of suicidal behavior. Nevertheless, much remains unknown about suicide risk factors for this chronic pain disorder. In the present study, the relationship of suicidal ideation in FM with a number of sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological variables was analyzed.MethodsOne hundred seventeen women with Fibromyalgia were assessed. The procedure included the exploration of sleep problems (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), health‐related quality of life (SF‐36 and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), the core symptoms of FM (visual analogue scales), and algometry of tender points. Suicidal ideation was evaluated by item 9 of the BDI. Patients with presence vs. absence of suicidal ideation were compared in all the variables studied.ResultsThe prevalence of suicidal ideation among FM patients was 32.5%. Significant differences between patients with vs. without suicidal ideas emerged mainly for the various indices of depression. Patients with suicidal ideation also reported higher levels of anxiety, more day dysfunction due to sleepiness and more limitations due to emotional and physical problems. Logistic regression analysis revealed that cognitive depression symptoms such as BDI Self‐Blame cluster are the more closely related to suicide ideation.ConclusionsThe presence of suicidal ideation in FM patients is closely related to comorbid depression, anxiety and to a higher impact of the disease in daily life.
Effects of Testosterone Treatment on Bone Mineral Density in Hypogonadal Men Receiving Intrathecal Opioids
Authors: Finch Philip M. , Price Leanne M. , Pullan Peter T. , Drummond Peter D. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundOpioid induced depression of sex hormones is a common finding in chronic pain patients receiving long‐term opioids by oral, parenteral and even intrathecal routes of administration. The hypothalamic suppression by opioids leads to a hypogonadal state with low testosterone levels in males and subsequent low bone mineral density (BMD).MethodsWe have studied the effects of intrathecally administered opioids on BMD in a group of male chronic pain patients. In addition, we have studied the effects of supplementary testosterone on bone metabolism to see if the adverse effects of intrathecal opioids can be reversed.ResultsEleven of the 27 patients were on supplementary testosterone having previously been diagnosed as hypogonadal with low serum testosterone. Duration of testosterone supplementation was greater than 2 years in all 11 patients. Both serum total and free testosterone levels were higher in patients on supplementary testosterone than in patients who did not receive this treatment. Of the 16 patients not on testosterone supplement, 14 (87%) had low serum testosterone levels (<10 nmol/L) and 11 (69%) had low or osteoporotic T scores. Within this group, low free testosterone was associated with low BMD scores, and this persisted after correcting for age. Eight of the patients on testosterone supplement had normal BMDT scores and three (27%) had low or osteoporotic T scores. T and age‐corrected BMDZ scores were significantly greater in the 11 patients on testosterone supplements than BMD scores in the other 16 patients.ConclusionTestosterone supplementation was found to largely correct the effects of intrathecal opioids on testosterone levels and BMD.
Genetic variability, heritability and correlation among agronomic and disease resistance traits in a diversity panel and elite breeding material of spelt wheat
Authors: Longin Carl Friedrich Horst , Würschum Tobias 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSpelt wheat (Triticum spelta L.) is an old‐world crop that has attracted increased attention since the 1970s accompanied by a constant increase in spelt production. Our objectives were to (i) study the genetic variability and heritability of important agronomic traits and (ii) examine the correlation among these traits for an efficient design of spelt breeding schemes. To this end, we compared a diversity panel of 150 old and new spelt varieties with current elite‐breeding material. Phenotypic data were recorded at multiple locations for yield, plant height, lodging, heading time, number of spikelets, ear snapping and susceptibility to powdery mildew, brown rust and Septoria tritici blotch. We observed highly significant genetic variances for almost all traits in both germplasm sets. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.23 for Septoria tritici blotch to 0.97 for plant height. A significant correlation between yield and plant height of −0.56 as well as yield and lodging of −0.39 was determined but no other correlation of yield with any of the examined traits. Thus, pedigree selection with early generation screenings on plant height and lodging can be recommended for further spelt improvement.
Sublethal metal stress response of larvae of Aedes aegypti
Authors: Perez Mario H. , Noriega Fernando G. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) has adapted to urban environments. The urbanization process provides suitable habitats for this disease vector, subsequently increasing the probability of the transmission of pathogens in high‐density environments. Urban environments provide metal‐stressed larval habitats. However, little is known about the physiological cost of metal stress or how this might affect the performance of this mosquito species. The present study aims to characterize the sublethal physiological consequences of metal stress in Aedes aegypti. Various parameters of mosquito physiology under larval metal stress are assessed, including larval metallothionein expression and the effects of larval metal stress on adult performance and their progeny. The results show that environmentally relevant larval metal stress compromises larval and adult development and performance, and also results in larval metal tolerance along with an increase in lipid consumption. These performance costs are coupled with a dramatic increase in metallothionein expression in the midgut. Metal stress results in a lowered adult body mass and neutral storage lipids at emergence, starvation tolerance, fecundity and starvation tolerance of offspring compared with non‐metal‐stressed individuals. Ironically, larval metal stress results in increased adult longevity. Taken together, these findings indicate that even low levels of environmentally relevant larval metal stress have considerable physiological consequences for this important disease vector.
Observation of Magnetic Field Effects on Transient Fluorescence Spectra of Cryptochrome 1 From Homing Pigeons
Authors: Du Xian‐li , Wang Jing , Pan Wei‐song , Liu Qi‐jun , Wang Xiao‐jie , Wu Wen‐jian 
Published: April 2014

AbstractCryptochromes are suggested to be involved in the bird magnetoreception based on the radical pair mechanism (RPM), a well established theory of weak magnetic field effects on chemical reactions. Two members of cryptochrome/photolyase family were found to respond to magnetic field, however, no direct responses of bird cryptochrome to magnetic field as weak as the Earth's magnetic field have been obtained so far. In this study, we used transient fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize the weak magnetic field effects of bird cryptochromes. To do this, we cloned the cryptochrome 1 gene (clCRY1) from the retina of homing pigeons (Columba livia), expressed it in insect Sf9 cells and analyzed the transient fluorescence of purified clCRY1 by application of 45–300 μT magnetic fields. The flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADox) and glucose oxidase (GOD) in PBS buffer were set as controls which could be excited by light to generate radicals, but would not be sensitive to magnetic field. We observed that the transient fluorescence spectra of clCRY1 were sensitive to the applied magnetic field at room temperature. Our result provides a new proof of the cryptochrome‐based model of avian magnetoreception in vitro.
The Change in Suicide Rates between 2002 and 2011 in China
Authors: Zhang Jie , Sun Long , Liu Yuxin , Zhang Jianwei 
Published: April 2014

Chinese suicide rates have been reported in various studies in the past two decades, but few of them were based on national data. The most recent mortality data (2002–2011) provided by the China Ministry of Health and the detailed census data provided by the National Population Census were used in this study. We calculated the age‐, gender‐, and region‐specific suicide rates and their trends in the past 10 years between 2002 and 2011. The overall suicide rates in China decreased during the study period. The rural/urban ratio of the suicide rates has been significantly reduced from the ratio in the 1990s, and male suicide rates have exceeded those of females. Age was positively associated with suicide rates without the two peaks found in the suicide rates over 20 years ago. The Chinese suicide rates have significantly declined in the past decade, with withering of the unique suicide rate patterns previously found in Chinese suicides about 20 years ago.