bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropad as a diagnostic tool for diabetic autonomic and sensorimotor neuropathy
Authors: Spallone V. , Morganti R. , Siampli M. , Fedele T. , D’Amato C. , Cacciotti L. , Maiello M. R. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims  The aim of the present study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Neuropad sudomotor test for diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), the latter assessed using a multi‐level diagnostic approach.Methods  In 51 diabetic patients, CAN, symptoms and signs of DPN, vibration perception threshold (VPT), cold (CTT) and warm thermal perception thresholds (WTT) were measured. Neuropad response was determined as normal (complete colour change) or abnormal (absent or incomplete colour change). The time until the complete colour change (CCC time) was recorded.Results  CCC time showed significant correlations with all the neurological parameters, the strongest of which were with Valsalva ratio (ρ = −0.64, P < 0.0001), symptoms of DPN (ρ = 0.66, P < 0.0001), postural hypotension (ρ = 0.54, P = 0.0001) and CTT (ρ = −0.54, P = 0.0001). CCC time showed moderate diagnostic accuracy for both CAN and DPN: the areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were 0.71 and 0.76, respectively. The diagnostic characteristics of three cut‐off values of CCC time, identified by ROC analysis (i.e. 10, 15 and 18 min), were analysed. Compared with 10 min, the 15‐min cut‐off value provided better specificity (from 27% to 52% and from 31% to 62% for CAN and DPN, respectively) and a better likelihood ratio for negative result (from 0.67 to 0.34 and from 0.58 to 0.33) without lowering sensitivity (from 82% to 82% and from 85% to 80%).Conclusions  Neuropad is a reliable diagnostic tool for both CAN and DPN, albeit of only moderate accuracy. Extending the observation period to 15 min provides greater diagnostic usefulness.
Quality of life in patients with scalp psoriasis treated with calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate scalp formulation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ortonne JP , Ganslandt C , Tan J , Nordin P , Kragballe K , Segaert S 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground  Psoriasis vulgaris of the scalp has a significant psychosocial impact on individuals affecting their quality of life (QoL). A combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate in a formulation suitable for treatment of scalp psoriasis has been developed.Objective  To assess the impact of treatment with either calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate scalp formulation or calcipotriol scalp solution on QoL in patients with scalp psoriasis (both within and between treatment groups).Methods  This 8‐week, randomized, investigator‐blind study, compared the once‐daily, two‐compound scalp formulation (calcipotriol 50 µg/g plus betamethasone 0.5 mg/g as dipropionate; Xamiol®, LEO Pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark) with twice‐daily calcipotriol scalp solution (50 µg/mL; Daivonex®, LEO Pharma A/S) in patients with scalp psoriasis of at least moderate severity covering ≥ 10% of the scalp. QoL was assessed (weeks 0, 2, 4, 8) using the 36‐item Short Form Health Survey (version 2; SF‐36v2) and Skindex‐16.Results  Treatment with the two‐compound scalp formulation (n = 207) resulted in significant improvements from baseline on the SF‐36v2 (Physical Component Summary, P = 0.005, week 8; Mental Component Summary, P < 0.05, weeks 2, 4, 8). A significant change from baseline in the calcipotriol scalp solution group (n = 105) was seen only on the Mental Component Summary (P = 0.04, week 8). Change from baseline in Skindex‐16 was significantly in favour of the two‐compound scalp formulation. Change was significant on both total score and individual scales.Conclusion  The two‐compound scalp formulation was superior to calcipotriol scalp solution in improving QoL in patients with scalp psoriasis.Conflict of interest declarationJ.P. Ortonne has served as a paid speaker and consultant for LEO Pharma.C. Ganslandt is a salaried employee of LEO Pharma.J. Tan served as a speaker, investigator and advisory board member for LEO Pharma and received honoraria from LEO Pharma for these activities.P. Nordin served as a paid investigator for LEO Pharma in the clinical trial.K. Kragballe has served as a paid speaker and consultant for LEO Pharma.S. Segaert has served as a paid speaker, clinical investigator and consultant for LEO Pharma.
The reliability of palatability estimates obtained from rumen contents analysis and a field‐based index of diet selection
Authors: Tanentzap A. J. , Bee J. N. , Lee W. G. , Lavers R. B. , Mills J. A. , Mark A. F. , Coomes D. A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractUnderstanding herbivore foraging behaviour is often limited by not knowing the palatability of food items. Electivity indices can overcome this challenge by relating the consumption of food items to their relative abundance in the environment. We compare eight widely used electivity indices to relate the level of consumption of 48 food items in the rumen contents of 402 red deer Cervus elaphus in New Zealand to the environmental availability of food items. Additionally, we derive a field‐based index of palatability from observed browse damage recorded during vegetation surveys at our site. Electivity indices were positively correlated with each other and with the browse survey index, which was also positively correlated with electivity indices from other studies. Thus, the choice of electivity index is unimportant when making comparisons of relative palatability among food items. Our analyses suggest that quantitative measures of palatability may be reliably inferred from observed browse damage in the field, which is quicker and less destructive to estimate than electivity indices. As a result, we demonstrate a useful technique for predicting herbivore diet selection.
Primary and secondary phenology. Does it pay a frog to spawn early?
Authors: Loman J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis study examines the consequences of variation in the laying and hatching date for the time of metamorphosis in the common frog Rana temporaria. Field data are presented showing that eggs laid early tend to take longer to develop. Thus, the time advantage for early eggs is reduced at the time of hatching. There was an among‐year variation in this phenomenon; it was not manifest in a phenologically late year. Also, field data revealed that mortality due to pond freezing is a real risk for early laid eggs. Finally, two experiments in tanks analyse the effects of hatching date variation for the time of metamorphosis. (1) When hatching was experimentally delayed by 7 or 11 days, this resulted in later metamorphosis, however, by only 2 and 5 days, respectively. (2a) When tadpoles from the same pond that naturally hatched at different times were compared, it was found that a hatching time difference of 6 days resulted in later metamorphosis by 2 days only. (2b) A comparison of tadpoles from two different ponds that hatched 11 days apart also resulted in only 2 days' difference in metamorphosis. In this case, the later but faster developing tadpoles metamorphosed at a smaller size. I suggest that eggs from these two ponds differed genetically in the growth and development strategy. Despite the obvious risks, and the moderate gain in terms of early metamorphosis, frogs breed dangerously early in spring. Possible reasons for this are discussed. These include external selective forces that promote early metamorphosis (also at a high cost), within‐pond competition among tadpoles with an advantage for early and large tadpoles and finally factors relating to mate choice at the breeding site.
Availability of neurotransmitter glutamate is diminished when β‐hydroxybutyrate replaces glucose in cultured neurons
Authors: Lund Trine M , Risa Øystein , Sonnewald Ursula , Schousboe Arne , Waagepetersen Helle S 
Published: May 2009

AbstractKetone bodies serve as alternative energy substrates for the brain in cases of low glucose availability such as during starvation or in patients treated with a ketogenic diet. The ketone bodies are metabolized via a distinct pathway confined to the mitochondria. We have compared metabolism of [2,4‐13C]β‐hydroxybutyrate to that of [1,6‐13C]glucose in cultured glutamatergic neurons and investigated the effect of neuronal activity focusing on the aspartate–glutamate homeostasis, an essential component of the excitatory activity in the brain. The amount of 13C incorporation and cellular content was lower for glutamate and higher for aspartate in the presence of [2,4‐13C]β‐hydroxybutyrate as opposed to [1,6‐13C]glucose. Our results suggest that the change in aspartate–glutamate homeostasis is due to a decreased availability of NADH for cytosolic malate dehydrogenase and thus reduced malate–aspartate shuttle activity in neurons using β‐hydroxybutyrate. In the presence of glucose, the glutamate content decreased significantly upon activation of neurotransmitter release, whereas in the presence of only β‐hydroxybutyrate, no decrease in the glutamate content was observed. Thus, the fraction of the glutamate pool available for transmitter release was diminished when metabolizing β‐hydroxybutyrate, which is in line with the hypothesis of formation of transmitter glutamate via an obligatory involvement of the malate–aspartate shuttle.
Proinflammatory cytokine interferon‐γ increases induction of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase in monocytic cells primed with amyloid β peptide 1–42: implications for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yamada Akiko , Akimoto Hidetoshi , Kagawa Syota , Guillemin Gilles J. , Takikawa Osamu 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIndoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) is the rate‐limiting enzyme of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, ultimately leading to production of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QUIN) by monocytic cells. In the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide leads to an increase in IDO expression and QUIN production in microglia surrounding amyloid plaques. We examined whether the IDO over‐expression in microglia could be mediated by brain proinflammatory cytokines induced during the peripheral inflammation using THP‐1 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as models for microglia. THP‐1 cells pre‐treated with 5–25 μM amyloid β peptide (Aβ) (1–42) but not with Aβ (1–40) or Aβ (25–35) became an activated state as indicated by their morphological changes and enhanced adhesiveness. IDO expression was only slightly increased in the reactive cells but strongly enhanced following treatment with proinflammatory cytokine interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) but not with interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, or interleukin‐6 at 100 U/mL. The concomitant addition of Aβ (1–42) with IFN‐γ was totally ineffective, indicating that Aβ pre‐treatment is prerequisite for a high IDO expression. The priming effect of Aβ (1–42) for the IDO induction was also observed for PBMC. These findings suggest that IFN‐γ induces IDO over‐expression in the primed microglia surrounding amyloid plaques.
Vulnerability to glutamate toxicity of dopaminergic neurons is dependent on endogenous dopamine and MAPK activation
Authors: Izumi Yasuhiko , Yamamoto Noriyuki , Matsuo Takaaki , Wakita Seiko , Takeuchi Hiroki , Kume Toshiaki , Katsuki Hiroshi , Sawada Hideyuki , Akaike Akinori 
Published: May 2009

AbstractDopaminergic neurons are more vulnerable than other types of neurons in cases of Parkinson disease and ischemic brain disease. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that endogenous dopamine plays a role in the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons. Although glutamate toxicity contributes to the pathogenesis of these disorders, the sensitivity of dopaminergic neurons to glutamate toxicity has not been clarified. In this study, we demonstrated that dopaminergic neurons were preferentially affected by glutamate toxicity in rat mesencephalic cultures. Glutamate toxicity in dopaminergic neurons was blocked by inhibiting extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), c‐junN‐terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK. Furthermore, depletion of dopamine by α‐methyl‐dl‐p‐tyrosine methyl ester (α‐MT), an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), protected dopaminergic neurons from the neurotoxicity. Exposure to glutamate facilitated phosphoryration of TH at Ser31 by ERK, which contributes to the increased TH activity. Inhibition of ERK had no additive effect on the protection offered by α‐MT, whereas α‐MT and c‐junN‐terminal kinase or p38 MAPK inhibitors had additive effects and yielded full protection. These data suggest that endogenous dopamine is responsible for the vulnerability to glutamate toxicity of dopaminergic neurons and one of the mechanisms may be an enhancement of dopamine synthesis mediated by ERK.
Myoglobin as a prognostic indicator for outcome in dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus
Authors: Adamik Katja N. , Burgener Iwan A. , Kovacevic Alan , Schulze Sebastian P. , Kohn Barbara 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective –To determine whether myoglobin (Mb) is a useful prognostic indicator for outcome and to investigate any relationship between Mb and mortality in dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus (GDV).Design –Prospective study.Setting –Veterinary teaching hospital.Animals –Seventy‐two dogs with GDV.Interventions –Blood sampling.Measurements and Main Results –Mb levels were measured at the time of diagnosis (Mbt0), 24 hours (Mbt1), and 48 hours (Mbt2) after signs of GDV were recognized. Fifty‐seven dogs survived (group I) and 15 dogs did not survive (group II). Mb t0differed significantly between groups (P=0.04). Mbt0in group I ranged from <30 to >700 ng/mL (n=57, median 74 ng/mL), and in group II from 34 to >700 ng/mL (n=15, median 238 ng/mL). Analysis of a receiver operating characteristic curve of Mbt0suggested that the best single cutpoint would be 168 ng/mL (sensitivity 60.0%, specificity 84.2%). Fifty percent of dogs with Mbt0>168 ng/mL were euthanized, while 88.9% with Mbt0<168 ng/mL survived. Mbt1and Mbt2differed significantly between groups I and II. Mbt1in group I ranged from 32 to >700 ng/mL (n=55, median 123 ng/mL), and Mbt1in group II ranged from 131 to 643 ng/mL (n=7, median 343 ng/mL) (P=0.006). Mbt2in group I ranged from 30 to 597 ng/mL (n=54, median 101 ng/mL), and in group II from 141 to >700 ng/mL (n=8, median 203 ng/mL) (P=0.02).Conclusions –In this study, Mbt0is a moderately sensitive and specific prognostic indicator. Almost 90% of the dogs below the cutpoint survived to discharge, whereas 50% with Mbt0above the cutpoint did not survive.
Urocortin 1 improves renal function in rats with streptozotocin‐induced diabetes by inhibiting overproduction of TGF‐β1 and VEGF
Authors: Li Xuan , Hu Jue , Zhang Qichun , Sun Xiaoyu , Li Shengnan 
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  Renal function can be assessed by measuring albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate, and the latter is often estimated by creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are two important factors involved in the progressive loss of renal function in diabetic nephropathy (DN), especially in terms of albuminuria. We investigated the effect of urocortin 1 on renal function of rats with DN and the mechanisms involved.Experimental approach:  A modified rat model of DN (multiple injections of low‐dose streptozotocin and complete Freund's adjuvant) and a rat mesangial cell line were used. Albuminuria and Ccr were measured or calculated. Expression and secretion of TGF‐β1 and VEGF were measured by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (R&D System, Inc., Minneapolis, MA, USA). Urocortin 1 and astressin [a non‐selective antagonist of corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) receptors] were given as daily injections for 8 weeks.Key results:  Treatment of DN rats with urocortin 1 decreased albuminuria, renal weight and overexpression of TGF‐β1 and VEGF but enhanced Ccr. Furthermore, VEGF mRNA was increased in kidneys of DN rats, and this increase was reduced by treatment with urocortin 1. The secretion of VEGF induced by TGF‐β1 in mesangial cells was inhibited by urocortin 1 pretreatment. Astressin given with urocortin 1 prevented most of the effects of urocortin 1, in our models, in vivo or in vitro.Conclusion and implications:  Our results strongly suggest that urocortin 1 improved renal function in rats with DN by inhibiting the overproduction of TGF‐β1 and VEGF.
An estimation of β2‐adrenoceptor reserve on human bronchial smooth muscle for some sympathomimetic bronchodilators
Authors: Giembycz Mark A 
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose: The β2‐Adrenoceptor on human pro‐inflammatory cells is exquisitely sensitive to desensitization, whereas β2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated relaxation of human airways smooth muscle (HASM) is relatively resistant to this phenomenon. An explanation for this discrepancy is that a large β2‐adrenoceptor ‘reserve’ exists on HASM cells for sympathomimetic bronchodilators, which protects against desensitization.Experimental approach: The operational model of agonism was used to estimate the affinity of salbutamol, terbutaline, formoterol and procaterol for the β2‐adrenoceptors in methacholine (MCh)‐contracted HASM from which the relationship between fractional receptor occupancy and relaxation was determined. This analysis was performed under conditions of fractional, irreversible, β2‐adrenoceptor inactivation and, for salbutamol and terbutaline only, by the comparative method of Barlowet al.The affinity of salbutamol for the β2‐adrenoceptor guinea‐pig eosinophils and the receptor/occupancy‐response relationship for the suppression of the respiratory burst (an index of pro‐inflammatory cell function) was also determined.Key results: For salbutamol and terbutaline, both pharmacological approaches yielded in HASM discrepant affinity estimates (values differed, maximally, by 0.67 log10unit). However, affinity values more closely agreed (difference <0.47 log10unit), when operational analysis was performed on data corrected for ‘fade’ of the MCh‐induced contraction. Plots of fractional β2‐adrenoceptor occupancy versus relaxation indicated a receptor ‘reserve’ for all agonists tested at all levels of response. In contrast, minimal receptor reserve was detected for the ability of salbutamol to suppress respiratory burst activity in eosinophils.Conclusions and implications: These data may help explain the relative inability of sympathomimetic bronchodilators to render HASM tolerant to β2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated relaxation.
Serial surgical debridement: A retrospective study on clinical outcomes in chronic lower extremity wounds
Authors: Cardinal Matthew , Eisenbud David E. , Armstrong David G. , Zelen Charles , Driver Vickie , Attinger Christopher , Phillips Tania , Harding Keith 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThis investigation was conducted to determine if a correlation exists between wound healing outcomes and serial debridement in chronic venous leg ulcers (VLUs) and diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We retrospectively analyzed the results from two controlled, prospective, randomized pivotal trials of topical wound treatments on 366 VLUs and 310 DFUs over 12 weeks. Weekly wound surface area changes following debridement and 12‐week wound closure rates between centers and patients were evaluated. VLUs had a significantly higher median wound surface area reduction following clinical visits with surgical debridement as compared with clinical visits with no surgical debridement (34%, p=0.019). Centers where patients were debrided more frequently were associated with higher rates of wound closure in both clinical studies (p=0.007 VLU, p=0.015 DFU). Debridement frequency per patient was not statistically correlated to higher rates of wound closure; however, there was some minor evidence of a positive benefit of serial debridement in DFUs (odds ratio—2.35, p=0.069). Our results suggest that frequent debridement of DFUs and VLUs may increase wound healing rates and rates of closure, though there is not enough evidence to definitively conclude a significant effect. Future clinical research in wound care should focus on the relationship between serial surgical wound debridement and improved wound healing outcomes as demonstrated in this study.
Factors affecting cold hardiness in the small striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta undulata
Authors: Hiiesaar Külli , Williams Ingrid , Luik Anne , Metspalu Luule , Muljar Riin , Jõgar Katrin , Karise Reet , Mänd Marika , Svilponis Eha , Ploomi Angela 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta undulata Kutschera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a pest of cruciferous crops. It overwinters as an adult. During winter in northern European countries, such as Estonia, it is subject to sometimes severe temperatures that may fluctuate daily, over the season, and between seasons. The objective of this study was to investigate factors that affect its cold hardiness. In a series of five experiments, the effects of food plant, starvation, and acclimatization on the beetles’ ability to supercool and survive exposure to sub‐zero temperatures was investigated. The supercooling points (SCP) of overwintered beetles field‐collected from white mustard and Indian mustard differed from those caught from white cabbage and oilseed rape, but these differences disappeared after a 4‐day period of starvation at room temperature, indicating that gut content probably influences the potential to supercool. The duration and temperature of acclimation affected SCP in overwintered beetles. The decrease in SCP was more rapid at 22 °C than at 0 °C, probably because of faster dehydration and gut evacuation at the higher temperature. Acclimation at 0 °C for a week increased the ability of overwintered beetles to survive sub‐zero temperatures, lowering both SCP and lower lethal temperature (LLT50). Some pre‐freeze mortality occurred; SCP and LLT50 were correlated but the latter was a constant 3 °C higher than the former. The SCP of field‐collected pre‐winter beetles decreased gradually during the autumn. It also decreased when field‐collected pre‐winter beetles were acclimated at 0 °C in the laboratory, attaining its lowest level after 18 days. Phyllotreta undulata is well‐adapted to unstable and sometimes severe winter conditions; its high potential to supercool enhances its cold hardiness and ability to survive short periods at sub‐zero temperatures although it cannot survive freezing of its body fluids.