bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroinflammation as a possible link between cannabinoids and addiction
Authors: Rodrigues Livia C.M. , Gobira Pedro H. , de Oliveira Antonio Carlos , Pelição Renan , Teixeira Antonio Lucio , Moreira Fabricio A. , Campos Alline Cristina 
Published: October 2014

ObjectiveSubstance dependence disorder is a chronically relapsing condition characterised by neurobiological changes leading to loss of control in restricting a substance intake, compulsion and withdrawal syndrome. In the past few years, (endo)cannabinoids have been raised as a possible target in the aetiology of drug addiction. On the other hand, although the exact mechanisms of the genesis of addiction remain poorly understood, it is possible that neuroinflammation might also play a role in the pathophysiology of this condition. Studies demonstrated that (endo)cannabinoids act as immunomodulators by inhibiting cytokines production and microglial cell activation. Thus, in the present review, we explore the possible role of neuroinflammation on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids on drug addiction.MethodsWe conducted an evidence-based review of the literature in order to assess the role of cannabinoids on the neuroinflammatory hypothesis of addiction (terms: addiction, cannabinoids and inflammation). We searched PubMed and BioMedCentral databases up to April 2014 with no date restrictions.ResultsIn all, 165 eligible articles were included in the present review. Existing evidence suggests that disruption in cannabinoid signalling during the drug addiction process leads to microglial activation and neuroinflammation.ConclusionThe literature showed that inflammation and changes in endocannabinod signalling occur in drug abuse; however, it remains uncertain whether these changes are causally or coincidentally associated with addiction. Additional studies, therefore, are needed to elucidate the contribution of neuroinflammation on the behavioural and neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids on drug addiction.
Efficacy of spent blewit mushroom compost andBacillus aryabhattaicombination on control of Pythium damping-off in cucumber
Authors: CHEN J. T. , LIN M. J. , HUANG J. W. 
Published: October 2014

SUMMARYPythium damping-off caused byPythium aphanidermatumusually occurs in commercial nurseries of cucumber seedlings. The purpose of the present study was to develop a container medium for effectively suppressing Pythium damping-off of cucumber seedlings. Seven agricultural materials were tested for their suitability as substrates for the growth of cucumber seedlings. Bas Van Burren No. 4 peat moss (BVB) was able to promote the growth of cucumber seedlings, but it was ineffective against Pythium damping-off. Spent blewit mushroom compost (SBMC) was an available substrate that could inhibitP. aphanidermatum, but it also inhibited the growth of cucumber seedlings slightly. A cultural medium, spent blewit peat compost (SBPC), containing 50% (v/v) SBMC, 50% (v/v) BVB and 0·3% (w/v) lime was consequently formulated. The SBPC was able to promote the growth of cucumber seedlings and reduce the incidence of Pythium damping-off. A total of 20 micro-organisms were isolated from SBMC compost and screened in steamed SBPC medium for their ability to inhibit the growth ofP. aphanidermatum. Among these,Bacillus aryabhattaiisolate number CB13 was able to suppressP. aphanidermatumsignificantly in the steamed SBPC medium. Thus, bio-formulation of SBPC medium with the beneficial microbeB. aryabhattaiCB13 was carried out. The incidence of Pythium damping-off was reduced from 58% in steamed SBPC medium to 4% in the bio-formulated container medium. The novel bio-formulation has high potential for controlling Pythium damping-off in commercial nurseries.
Intake of selected minerals on commercial dairy herds in central and northern England in comparison with requirements
Authors: SINCLAIR L. A. , ATKINS N. E. 
Published: October 2014

SUMMARYOverfeeding minerals to dairy herds will raise diet cost, increase their excretion into the environment and for minerals such as copper (Cu) can lead to poisoning and cow death. In contrast, underfeeding may compromise cow performance, health and fertility. Despite this, the level of mineral intake on commercial dairy units is poorly documented. To determine the mineral intake on commercial dairy herds in central and northern England over the winter of 2011/12 and compare these to recommended levels, samples of compound feed, forage mix, supplementary sources (including lick blocks, rumen boluses, free access minerals and drenches) and drinking water were collected from 50 herds over the winter feeding period and analysed for 10 macro and trace minerals. For cows in early lactation the mean dietary concentration of phosphorus (P) was 4·5 g/kg dry matter (DM) (s.d. 0·70), 0·1 g/kg DM below UK requirements, and for calcium (Ca) was 10·2 g/kg DM (s.d. 2·94), 5·9 g/kg DM above requirements. Trace mineral concentrations were also in excess of requirements in early lactation, with a mean dietary Cu concentration of 28 mg/kg DM (s.d. 9·85), approximately 18 mg/kg DM above UK requirements, with 32 of the 50 herds feeding above the UK industry recommended maximum of 20 mg/kg DM and 6 above the EU limit of 40 mg/kg DM. Dietary mineral concentrations were generally lower in late lactation but still higher than requirements. The forage mix (including supplementary feeds and minerals) contributed the greatest amount of minerals, with percentile ranges (10th–90th) of 2·1–4·4 g/kg diet DM for P, 1·4–3·2 g/kg diet DM for magnesium (Mg) and 5·3–25·0 mg/kg diet DM for Cu. Compounds fed in the milking parlour supplied (10th–90th percentile) 0·0–1·4 g P g/kg diet DM, 0·0–1·2 g Mg/kg diet DM and 0·0–11·6 mg Cu/kg diet DM. For the upper 90th percentile of dairy herds, water supplied proportionally 0·08 of Ca requirements recommended in early lactation in the UK, whilst supplementary mineral sources supplied up to 0·64 of Cu and 0·43 of zinc (Zn) requirements. High dietary concentrations of Cu were not justified by the presence of the dietary antagonist molybdenum (Mo), with no relationship between the two minerals in early or late lactation diets. In conclusion, most dairy herds were feeding excess amounts of minerals over the winter feeding period when compared to UK or other national recommended guidelines, with the implications of a higher diet cost and negative impact on the environment and animal health.
The eminent anatomists who discovered the upper oesophageal sphincter
Authors: Marchese-Ragona R , Ottaviano G , Masiero S , Staffieri C , Martini A , Staffieri A , Mion M , Zaninotto G , Restivo DA 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjective:To discover the anatomist who first identified the upper oesophageal sphincter.Method:The authors searched dozens of antique anatomy textbooks kept in the old section of the ‘Vincenzo Pinali’ Medical Library of Padua University, looking for descriptions of the upper oesophageal sphincter.Results:The oesophageal sphincter was drawn correctly only in 1601, by Julius Casserius, in the book De vocis auditusque organis historia anatomica… (which translates as ‘An Anatomical History on the Organs of Voice and Hearing …’), and was properly described by Antonio Maria Valsalva in 1704 in the book De aure humana tractatus… (‘Treatise on the Human Ear …’).Conclusion:Anatomists Casserius and Valsalva can be considered the discoverers of the ‘oesophageal sphincter’.
Bleeding following coblation tonsillectomy: a 10-year, single-surgeon audit and modified grading system
Authors: Rogers M A , Frauenfelder C , Woods C , Wee C , Carney A S 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjective:Coblation tonsillectomy can be controversial. This study assessed post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage outcomes for patients operated on by a single experienced coblation-trained ENT surgeon.Study design:A retrospective audit of coblation tonsillectomies was performed using the Flinders modification of Stammberger criteria for post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.Method:Case note review, interview and database interrogation were utilised to obtain the dataset. Haemorrhage results were compared to reports in the current literature.Results:Of those who underwent coblation tonsillectomy, 3.4 per cent were readmitted to hospital with haemorrhage and 1.3 per cent returned to the operating theatre (0.4 per cent primary haemorrhage and 0.9 per cent secondary haemorrhage). Younger children had a lower risk of returning to the operating theatre than older children or adults (0.3 per cent under the age of 12 years vs 2.0 per cent aged 12 years or older).Conclusion:Coblation can be a safe method for tonsillectomy with low complication rates when performed by an experienced ENT surgeon. The Flinders modification of the Stammberger criteria for post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage provides a simple system for data comparison.
Sudden deafness as an initial presenting symptom of posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction: two case reports
Authors: Lee E J , Yoon Y J 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjective:This paper reports on two patients with posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction whose only presenting complaint was acute unilateral hearing loss.Case reports:In the two cases reported, sudden hearing loss was an initial symptom, with no other neurological signs. Infarction in the territory of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery was diagnosed using brain magnetic resolution imaging. The patients had some degree of hearing improvement 3 or 4 days after initial treatment.Conclusion:In this article, new cases of posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction presenting as sudden deafness, without prominent neurological signs, are described. Otologists should be aware that hearing loss can sometimes appear as a warning sign of impending posterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction.
Length-weight relationship, growth and mortality ofAnadara granosain Penang Island, Malaysia: an approach using length-frequency data sets
Authors: Mirzaei Mohammad Reza , Yasin Zulfigar , Shau Hwai Aileen Tan 
Published: October 2014

Length-weight relationship, growth parameters and mortality rates ofAnadara granosain the intertidal zone of Balik Pulau, Penang Island, West Coast of Malaysia were investigated based on monthly length-frequency data (December 2011 to November 2012). A total of 548 individuals ranging from 11.25 to 33.13 mm size were subjected to analysis. Logarithmic relationship between the length and weight was LogW = 2.328LogL − 2.537 (R2 = 0.922) for combined sexes. From this equation it was clear that the exponent ‘b’ value forA. granosashowed a negative allometric growth (b < 3). A von Bertalanffy growth function with an asymptotic length (L∞) of 35.40 mm and a growth constant (K) of 1.1 year−1was established from length frequency distributions. Thet0(−0.140) was estimated by substituting theL∞andKin the Pauly's equation. The sizes attained byA. granosawere 10.13, 14.36, 17.89, 20.82, 23.56 and 25.29 mm at the end of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months, respectively. The estimated growth performance index (Ø) was 3.13 while the estimated lifespan of the cockles was about 2.72 years at the study area. The estimated value of total mortality based on length-converted catch curve wasZ = 3.02 year−1. The natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) rates were 1.84 and 0.48 year−1, respectively. The exploitation level (E) ofA. granosawas 0.20, which indicated slight fishing pressure on the stock.
Altered performance in attention tasks in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: seasonal dependency and association with disease characteristics
Authors: Trikojat K. , Buske-Kirschbaum A. , Schmitt J. , Plessow F. 
Published: October 2014

Background.Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is a chronic disease affecting about 23% of the European population with increasing prevalence rates. Beside classical symptoms (i.e. sneezing, nasal congestion), patients frequently complain about subjective impairments in cognitive functioning during periods of acute allergic inflammation. However, objective evidence for such deficits or the role of potential modulators and underlying mechanisms is limited. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of SAR on attention-related cognitive processes. In addition, relationships between attention performance, sleep and mood disturbances as well as specific disease characteristics as potential modulators of this link were explored.Method.SAR patients (n = 41) and non-allergic healthy controls (n = 42) completed a set of attention tasks during a symptomatic allergy period and during a non-symptomatic period. Influences of sleep, mood, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and individual allergy characteristics on cognitive performance were evaluated.Results.Compared to healthy controls, SAR patients had a slower processing speed during both symptomatic and non-symptomatic allergy periods. Additionally, they showed a more flexible adjustment in attention control, which may serve as a compensatory strategy. Reduction in processing speed was positively associated with total IgE levels whereas flexible adjustment of attention was linked with anxious mood. No association was found between SAR-related attention deficits and allergy characteristics or sleep.Conclusions.SAR represents a state that is crucially linked to impairments in information processing and changes in attentional control adjustments. These cognitive alterations are more likely to be influenced by mood and basal inflammatory processes than sleep impairments or subjective symptom severity.
Vitamin D status and incidence of tuberculosis infection conversion in contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients: a prospective cohort study
Authors: ARNEDO-PENA A. , JUAN-CERDÁN J. V. , ROMEU-GARCÍA M. A. , GARCÍA-FERRER D. , HOLGUÍN-GÓMEZ R. , IBORRA-MILLET J. , PARDO-SERRANO F. 
Published: October 2014

SUMMARYThe objective of this study was to estimate the relationship between serum vitamin D (VitD) status and tuberculosis (TB) infection conversion (TBIC), measured by the tuberculin skin test (TST) and an interferon-gamma release assay, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test, in the contacts of pulmonary TB patients in Castellon (Spain) in a prospective cohort study from 2010 to 2012. Initially, the participants were negative to latent TB infection after a screening that included TST and QFT-GIT tests, and other examinations. A baseline determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was obtained by chemiluminescence immunoassay. After 8–10 weeks, participants were screened for a second time to determine TB infection conversion (TBIC). Poisson regression models were used in the statistical analysis. Of the 247 participants in the cohort, 198 (80·2%) were screened twice and 18 (9·1%) were TBIC cases. The means of VitD concentration in the TBIC cases and the non-cases were 20·7±11·9 and 27·2±11·4 ng/ml (P = 0·028), respectively. Adjusted for high exposure and TB sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB)-positive index case, higher serum VitD concentration was associated with low incidence of TBIC (Ptrend = 0·005), and an increase of 1 ng/ml VitD concentration decreased the incidence of TBIC by 6% (relative risk 0·94, 95% confidence interval 0·90–0·99, P = 0·015). The results suggest that sufficient VitD level could be a protective factor of TBIC.
Assessing the use of antiviral treatment to control influenza
Authors: KRAMER S. C. , BANSAL S. 
Published: October 2014

SUMMARYVaccines are the cornerstone of influenza control policy, but can suffer from several drawbacks. Seasonal influenza vaccines are prone to production problems and low efficacies, while pandemic vaccines are unlikely to be available in time to slow a rapidly spreading global outbreak. Antiviral therapy was found to be beneficial during the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic even with limited use; however, antiviral use has decreased further since then. We sought to determine the role antiviral therapy can play in pandemic and seasonal influenza control using conservative estimates of antiviral efficacy, and to assess if conservative but targeted strategies could be employed to optimize the use of antivirals. Using an age-structured contact network model for an urban population, we compared the transmission-blocking ability of a conservative antiviral therapy strategy to the susceptibility-reducing effects of a robust influenza vaccine. Our results show that while antiviral therapy cannot replace a robust influenza vaccine, it can play a role in reducing attack rates and eliminating outbreaks, and could significantly reduce public health burden when vaccine is either unavailable or ineffective. We also found that antiviral therapy, by treating those who are infected, is naturally a highly optimized strategy, and need not be improved upon with expensive targeted campaigns.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial tachyarrhythmias after an atrial switch operation in a patient with univentricular heart combined with transposition of the great arteries
Authors: Ban Ji-Eun , Park Sang-Weon , Kim Young-Hoon 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA 31-year-old patient previously underwent a Mustard operation presented with palpitations. Atrial tachycardia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were documented on the surface electrocardiogram. Under the guidance of a three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system, ablation of the isolated left-sided pulmonary vein and a cavo-tricuspid isthmus-dependent intra-atrial macro re-entry circuit eliminated atrial tachycardia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation without the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia.
Maternal hypothyroidism may be associated with CHD in offspring
Authors: Grattan Michael J , Thomas Daina S , Hornberger Lisa K. , Hamilton Robert M , Midodzi William K , Vohra Sunita 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjectives:This study tested whether mothers with maternal hypothyroidism have increased odds of CHD in their offspring, and examined the relationship between CHD, maternal thyroid function, and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.Background:Maternal hypothyroidism increases the risk for foetal demise and prematurity and can have a negative impact on neurodevelopment. Prior studies have postulated a relationship between maternal thyroid function, CHD, and maternal nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.Methods:A cross-sectional case–control study was conducted over a 17-month period to obtain a history of maternal thyroid status and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Paediatric echocardiograms were evaluated for CHD by a blinded paediatric cardiologist. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between CHD and maternal hypothyroidism.Results:Of the 998 maternal–child pairs, 10% (98/998) of the mothers reported a history of prenatal hypothyroidism. The overall prevalence of CHD in the study sample was 63% (630/998). Mothers with a history of hypothyroidism were significantly more likely to have offspring with CHD compared with mothers without a history of hypothyroidism (72 versus 62%; p=0.04). The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of CHD in offspring associated with reported maternal hypothyroidism was 1.68 (1.02–2.78).Conclusion:This study suggests that maternal hypothyroidism is a risk factor for the development of CHD. Further prospective investigations are necessary to confirm this association and delineate pathogenic mechanisms.
Prevalence of female urinary incontinence and its impact on quality of life in a cluster population in the United Kingdom (UK): a community survey
Authors: Cooper Jason , Annappa Manjula , Quigley Angela , Dracocardos Davina , Bondili Anu , Mallen Christian 
Published: October 2014

AimTo ascertain the prevalence of urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms, impact on quality of life and help-seeking behaviour.BackgroundUrinary incontinence is common and will affect more individuals as the population ages. Estimates of the prevalence of urinary incontinence vary hugely. Additional information is required to inform resource allocation.MethodsPopulation-based cross-sectional postal evaluation of all female patients over 21 years registered at a single medical practice in the United Kingdom.FindingsA total of 40% of respondents suffered urinary incontinence, which caused significant problems in 8.5%. Stress urinary incontinence was the most common type of incontinence while 10% had symptoms of voiding dysfunction. A total of 17% of women had sought professional help. Patients perceived that urinary incontinence was part of the natural ageing process and that there was a low expectation of successful treatment.
Steps towards eta-Earth, from Kepler data
Authors: Traub Wesley A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to take steps towards estimating the frequency of terrestrial planets in the habitable zones of their host stars, using planet counts from the Kepler mission. The method is to assume that an analytical form for the underlying distribution function, numerically simulate the observing procedure, compare the simulated and real observations, and iterate the model parameters to achieve convergence in the sense of least-squares. The underlying distribution can then be extrapolated to a region of interest, here the terrestrial habitable-zone range. In this regime (small radii, long periods), the instrument noise makes such detections essentially impossible below a fairly sharply defined threshold signal level. This threshold can be estimated from the existing data. By taking this cutoff into account, the distribution of planets, as a function of radius and period, can be estimated with minimal bias. Extending this distribution to terrestrial planets in habitable-zone orbits can yield an estimate of eta-sub-Earth.
Long-term consequences of a short-term hypergravity load in a snail model
Authors: Martynova Marina G. , Shabelnikov Sergej V. , Bystrova Olga A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractHere we focused on the dynamic processes in the snail at different time after short-term hypergravity load (STHL) by monitoring the state of neuroendocrine and immune systems, the nucleic acid synthesis levels in the atrial cells, and the behaviour of the atrial granular cells (GCs). We observed that immediately after centrifugation (14 g for 15 min) in the snail haemolymph concentration of dopamine and noradrenaline (measured by high-performance liquid chromatography) and the number of circulating haemocytes and their proliferative activity (estimated by the direct cell counting and [3H]thymidine incorporation, respectively) increased significantly, whereas the concentration of adrenaline decreased. Twenty-four hours after STHL, the levels of catecholamines and haemocytes returned to their control values. In the atrial epicardial and endothelial cells, a notable drop of transcription activity (evaluated by [3H]uridine autoradiography) from the baseline in the immediate post-STHL period was followed by its gradual increase reaching a maximum at the day 5 and subsequent decrease to control value by the day 10. In endothelial cells, DNA-synthesizing activity (evaluated by [3H]thymidine autoradiography) equal to zero before and just after STHL, increased significantly at the day 5, and decreased by the day 10. The atrial GCs underwent total degranulation. Formed as a result small ungranulated cells exhibited DNA synthesis. Afterwards, most probably, the GCs divided and regranulated. One month after STHL the GC population had been restored. Overall, STHL has triggered an immediate reaction of the neuroendocrine and immune systems and initiated long-lasting processes at a cellular level, which included alterations in activity of nucleic acid syntheses in the epicardial and endothelial cells and remodelling of the GC population in the atrium.