bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spironolactone diminishes urinary albumin excretion in patients with type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria: a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study
Authors: Nielsen S. E. , Persson F. , Frandsen E. , Sugaya T. , Hess G. , Zdunek D. , Shjoedt K. J. , Parving H‐H. , Rossing P. 
Published: January 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e184–e190 (2012)AbstractAims  Adding aldosterone receptor blockade to standard renoprotective treatment may provide additional renoprotection in patients with overt nephropathy. We expected an impact of spironolactone in early diabetic nephropathy, and for this hypothesis we studied the effect on markers of glomerular and tubular damage in patients with Type 1 diabetes and persistent microalbuminuria.Methods  A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled crossover study in 21 patients with Type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria using spironolactone 25 mg or placebo once daily, for 60 days added to standard antihypertensive treatment. After each treatment period, the primary endpoint were evaluated: urinary(u)‐albumin excretion/24 hour(h) and secondary endpoints; 24 h blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and markers of tubular damage: urinary liver‐type fatty‐acid binding protein (LFABP), neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM1).Results  All patients completed the study. During spironolactone treatment, urinary albumin excretion rate was reduced by 60% (range 21–80%), from 90 mg/24 h to 35 mg/24 h (P = 0.01). Blood pressure (24 h) did not change during spironolactone treatment (P > 0.2 for all comparisons). The GFR (SD) decreased from 78 (6) mL/min/1.73 m2 to 72 (6) mL/min/1.73 m2 (P = 0.003). Urinary liver‐type fatty‐acid binding protein, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule 1 did not change during treatment (P > 0.3 for all comparisons). Treatment was well‐tolerated, but two patients had severe hyperkalaemia (plasma potassium = 5.7 mmol/l), which was sufficiently treated with diuretics and dietary intervention.Conclusions  Spironolactone treatment in addition to standard renoprotective treatment lowers urinary albumin excretion in microalbuminuric patients with Type 1 diabetes, and thus may offer additional renoprotection independent of blood pressure.
Retinal nerve fibre layer thinning associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Shahidi A. M. , Sampson G. P. , Pritchard N. , Edwards K. , Vagenas D. , Russell A. W. , Malik R. A. , Efron N. 
Published: January 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e106–e111 (2012)AbstractAims  To investigate the relationship between retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and peripheral neuropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes, particularly in those who are at higher risk of foot ulceration.Methods  Global and sectoral retinal nerve fibre layer thicknesses were measured at 3.45 mm diameter around the optic nerve head using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The level of neuropathy was assessed in 106 participants (82 with Type 2 diabetes and 24 healthy controls) using the 0–10 neuropathy disability score. Participants were stratified into four neuropathy groups: none (0–2), mild (3–5), moderate (6–8), and severe (9–10). A neuropathy disability score ≥ 6 was used to define those at higher risk of foot ulceration. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of neuropathy disability scores, age, disease duration and retinopathy on RNFL thickness.Results  Inferior (but not global or other sectoral) retinal nerve fibre layer thinning was associated with higher neuropathy disability scores (P = 0.03). The retinal nerve fibre layer was significantly thinner for the group with neuropathy disability scores ≥ 6 in the inferior quadrant (P < 0.005). Age, duration of disease and retinopathy levels did not significantly influence retinal nerve fibre layer thickness. Control participants did not show any significant differences in thickness measurements from the group with diabetes and no neuropathy (P > 0.24 for global and all sectors).Conclusions  Inferior quadrant retinal nerve fibre layer thinning is associated with peripheral neuropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes, and is more pronounced in those at higher risk of foot ulceration.
Diabetic retinopathy in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Cohort: a pilot study
Authors: Mayer‐Davis E. J. , Davis C. , Saadine J. , D’Agostino R. B. , Dabelea D. , Dolan L. , Garg S. , Lawrence J. M. , Pihoker C. , Rodriguez B. L. , Klein B. E. , Klein R. ,   for the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study Group
Published: January 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1148–1152 (2012)AbstractAims  The aim of this pilot study was to generate an initial estimate of the prevalence and correlates of diabetic retinopathy in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of youth with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods  A pilot study was conducted among 222 individuals with Type 1 diabetes (79% non‐Hispanic white, 21% other) and 43 with Type 2 diabetes (28% non‐Hispanic white, 72% other), all of > 5 years duration (mean duration 6.8 years) who participated in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study. Diabetic retinopathy was assessed using non‐mydriatic retinal photography of both eyes.Results  The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 17% for Type 1 diabetes and 42% for Type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 1.50, 95% CI 0.58–3.88; P = 0.40 adjusted for age, duration, gender, race/ethnicity, parental education and HbA1c. HbA1c was significantly higher among those with any diabetic retinopathy (adjusted mean 79 mmol/mol, 9.4%) vs. no diabetic retinopathy (adjusted mean 70 mmol/mol, 8.6%) (P = 0.015). LDL cholesterol was also significantly higher among those with any diabetic retinopathy (adjusted mean 107.2 mg/dl) compared with those without diabetic retinopathy (adjusted mean 97.9 mg/dl) (P = 0.04).Conclusions  The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in contemporary young individuals was substantial, particularly among minority youth and those with Type 2 diabetes. Further long‐term study of diabetic retinopathy in youth is needed.
CYBA C242T polymorphism is associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus in Brazilian hypertensive patients
Authors: Schreiber R. , Ferreira‐Sae M. C. , Tucunduva A. C. , Mill J. G. , Costa Felipe O. , Krieger J. E. , Franchini K. G. , Pereira A. C. , Nadruz W. 
Published: January 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e55–e61 (2012)AbstractAims  The CYBA C242T polymorphism has been associated with cardiovascular phenotypes such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, but available data are conflicting. This report investigated the impact of this variant on hypertension and metabolic determinants of cardiovascular risk in a large Brazilian sample.Methods  We cross‐sectionally evaluated 1856 subjects (826 normotensive subjects and 1030 hypertensive patients) by clinical history, anthropometry, laboratory analysis and genotyping of the CYBA C242T polymorphism.Results  Genotype frequencies in the whole population were consistent with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and genotype distributions were not different between hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Hypertensive patients with the CC genotype presented lower fasting plasma glucose levels (5.9 ± 0.1 vs. 6.2 ± 0.1 mmol/l, P = 0.020) and waist circumference (94.5 ± 0.6 vs. 96.3 ± 0.6 cm, P = 0.028) than CT + TT ones. Similarly, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and obesity was also lower in hypertensive patients carrying the CC genotype (16% vs. 21%, P = 0.041; 36% vs. 43%, P = 0.029, respectively). In addition, multiple and logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the CYBA C242T polymorphism was associated with glucose levels, waist circumference, obesity and diabetes mellitus in hypertensive patients independently of potential confounders. Conversely, in normotensive subjects, no significant difference in studied variables was detected between the genotype groups.Conclusions  These data suggest that the T allele of the CYBA C242T polymorphism may be used as a marker for adverse metabolic features in Brazilian subjects with systemic hypertension.
Invasive woody plants affect the composition of native lizard and small mammal communities in riparian woodlands
Authors: Bateman H. L. , Ostoja S. M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractNonnative Tamarix spp. (saltcedar) is among the most invasive and common trees along riparian habitats in the western U S, impacting native plant communities and habitat quality. Tamarix dominance causes a reduction in habitat physiognomic heterogeneity in riparian habitats. Animal abundance, diversity and habitat associations in monotypic stands of saltcedar remain largely unexplored for non‐avian communities. We sampled small vertebrate and ground arthropod communities in monotypic Tamarix stands and in mixed stands of Tamarix and native (Populus, Salix, and Prosopis spp.) trees in riparian habitats along the Virgin River in the Mojave Desert. Our survey of faunal communities suggests that many species of arthropods, reptiles and small mammals utilize both Tamarix‐dominated and mixed habitats along the Virgin River. Small mammal and lizard communities were dominated by generalist species. Mixed stands had greater arthropod abundance, lizard abundance and small mammal diversity; whereas, monotypic and mixed stands had similar lizard diversity. The habitat of mixed sites was characterized by ‘nativeness’ (areas with native riparian trees) and less ‘shady exotic thickets’ (areas with Tamarix and high overstory cover) compared to Tamarix‐dominated stands. There were species‐specific responses to habitat physiognomy. Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mouse) was associated with shady exotic thickets. Sceloporus magister (desert spiny lizard) and Neotoma lepida (desert woodrat) were associated with native trees and woody debris. Seven rodent and lizard species’ abundances were explained by habitat physiognomy variables. Rare and specialist species were more impacted by nonnative vegetation. These results contribute to the body of research on animal utilization of nonnative habitats and relation to habitat physiognomy. Management of nonnative plants should consider how control activities could impact habitat physiognomy and native animal communities in riparian habitat.
Seasonal and altitudinal influences on the home range and movements of common wombats in the Australian Snowy Mountains
Authors: Matthews A , Green K 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMany animals throughout the world are excluded from areas because of seasonal snow cover. The aim of this study was to determine how snow influences the home range use and movements of the common wombat, a large burrowing mammal that remains active in the subalpine zone of the Australian Snowy Mountains throughout winter but is not resident in the alpine zone (above treeline). Global positioning system collars were deployed on wombats to monitor nightly movements continuously over both the winter and non‐winter periods. Home ranges of wombats (six male, five female) were far larger than previously reported (mean = 172 ha; 95% kernel method), and increased significantly with altitude. Wombats typically remained in their non‐winter home range during winter, but they contracted their range (by 7–43%) and shifted their centre of activity. Some wombats also moved more slowly and did not travel as far each night during winter. This study has shown that wombats at their upper range limit in marginal habitat exhibit a high degree of behavioural flexibility and have a surprising capacity for long‐distance movements over large home ranges, despite their need to burrow. This suggests that the alpine zone is easily within their dispersal range, but they are currently constrained by snow depth. If the snow cover continues to decline, then wombats will be limited only by the suitability of the habitat in the alpine zone, such as for burrowing.
The Impact of Scale, Recycling Boundary, and Type of Waste on Symbiosis and Recycling
Authors: Chen Xudong , Fujita Tsuyoshi , Ohnishi Satoshi , Fujii Minoru , Geng Yong 
Published: January 2012

SummaryInnovative waste recycling through industrial processes such as industrial and urban symbiosis has long been practiced and recently received much attention in the field of industrial ecology, with researchers making efforts to identify key contributing factors to successful industrial symbiosis. By analyzing 88 sample recycling projects in 23 eco‐towns in Japan, this article focuses on the factors of project scale, recycling boundary, and types of waste in relationship to environmental benefits and operational performance. The results showed that larger eco‐towns achieved more savings of virgin materials and higher stability in operation. Large‐scale projects tended to locate closer to the users of recycled products than did small‐scale projects. For treating similar types of waste, projects producing recycled products for special users (e.g., feedstock to a blast furnace for iron production) tended to locate closer to the users than those not producing for special users. The type of waste had a strong effect on the savings of virgin materials and recycling boundaries, while local factors had significant impacts on operational performance. The results also showed that agglomeration did not significantly contribute to the environmental benefits or operational performance of eco‐town projects. Another finding was that national agencies were helpful for facilitating cross‐prefecture transportation and long‐distance transaction of wastes. Implications of the findings are also discussed.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Basal Ganglia and Thalamus in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Sharma Khema R. , Sheriff Sulaiman , Maudsley Andrew , Govind Varan 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTPURPOSETo assess the involvement of basal ganglia and thalamus in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) method.METHODSFourteen definite‐ALS patients and 12 age‐matched controls underwent whole brain DTI on a 3T scanner. Mean‐diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were obtained bilaterally from the basal ganglia and thalamus in the regions‐of‐interest (ROIs).RESULTSThe MD was significantly higher (P < .02) in basal ganglia and thalamus in patients with ALS compared with controls. Correspondingly, the FA was significantly lower (P < .02) in these structures, except in caudate (P = .04) and putamen (P = .06) in patients compared with controls. There were mild to strong correlations (r = .3−.7) between the DTI measures of basal ganglia and finger‐tap, foot‐tap, and lip‐and‐tongue movement rate.CONCLUSIONSThe increased MD in basal ganglia and thalamus and decreased FA in globus pallidus and thalamus are indicative of neuronal loss or dysfunction in these structures.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Analysis of Tumefactive Giant Brain Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Miron Shmuel , Tal Sigal , Achiron Anat 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) quantifies the motion of water within brain tissue. Inflammation leads to tissue disruption, resulting in increased diffusivity and decreased directionality. We aimed to quantify the damage within tumefactive giant brain lesions (TGL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) using MRI and DTI methodology.METHODSRegion of interest were determined on TGL and acute MS lesions to obtain metrics such as volume, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (λ||), and radial diffusivity (λ⊥).RESULTSWe identified 10 TGL in 10 patients with MS. The incidence of TGL was 2.8%. Comparing TGL to acute 16 MS lesions, DTI metrics demonstrated significantly higher ADC, λ|| and λ⊥ diffusivities and lower FA values in TGL (P <.001). Five TGL were reevaluated after 120 days by MRI and DTI metrics. Significant group changes were detected at 120 days: TGL volume decreased, ADC, λ|| and λ⊥ values were lower and FA was higher (P < .01).CONCLUSIONSWithin the spectrum of acute MS lesions, TGL present DTI metrics of an intense acute inflammatory process. Analysis of TGL progression proposes that DTI metrics sensitively detects micro‐structural changes in TGL from acute inflammation towards lesion recovery and reorganization.
The response of aphids to plant water stress – the case of Myzus persicae and Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Authors: Simpson K. L. S. , Jackson G. E. , Grace J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe possible repercussions of decreasing water availability in plant–insect interactions largely remain unclear. To study this, we designed two factorial studies applying two levels of water stress to Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L. (Brassicaceae) plants inoculated with the aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Macrosiphini). One study investigated the effect of aphids and water stress on leaf water potential components, aphid population size, aphid intrinsic rate of increase (rm), and fecundity. The other investigated the effect of aphids and water stress on gas exchange, leaf fluorescence yield, estimation of leaf chlorophyll, and above‐ground dry weight. Drought treatment reduced the size of the M. persicae population. Aphid numbers were strongly and positively correlated with soil moisture and negatively correlated with leaf temperature. Aphids on droughted plants had lower rm and lower fecundity per aphid. Under aphid stress, plants showed reduced maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax), lower leaf chlorophyll as estimated by soil plant analysis development (SPAD) values, higher osmotic potential, and reduced final above‐ground dry weight compared with control plants. Aphid infestation also led to significantly higher leaf water potentials and reduced light‐adapted fluorescence yield. Compared with control plants, water‐stressed plants showed reduced Amax, lower SPAD values, reduced leaf water potential, lower turgor, and reduced final above‐ground dry weight. Osmotic potential was lower in droughted plants when aphids were not present. Plants under combined aphid and water stress showed significantly reduced SPAD and final above‐ground dry weight, with comparatively higher leaf water potentials. These results show that aphid infestation limits solute accumulation in the vacuole of drought stressed cabbage. Aphid infestation reduced the host’s ability to photosynthesise optimally and led to reduced growth. Plant stress hypotheses propose that a senescence feeder such as M. persicae would show higher rates of growth in response to the increasing ‘quality’ of the phloem sap under water shortage. In the case of M. persicae, our results do not support the hypothesis that drought leads to improved aphid population growth and survival.
Feeding disruption of potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, by imidacloprid as measured by electrical penetration graphs
Authors: Butler Casey D. , Walker Gregory P. , Trumble John T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a serious pest of potatoes that can cause yield loss by direct feeding and by transmitting a bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous (also known as Candidatus L. solanacearum), which is associated with zebra chip disease of this crop. Current pest management practices rely on the use of insecticides for control of potato psyllid to lower disease incidences and increase yields. Imidacloprid is typically applied at potato planting, and it remains unknown if imidacloprid has any effect on potato psyllid feeding behavior. Thus, our specific objectives of this study were to determine and characterize the effects of imidacloprid treatment (0.11 ml l−1) to potato plants on adult potato psyllid feeding behavior 1, 2, and 4 weeks post‐application. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) recordings of potato psyllid feeding revealed six EPG waveforms, which include non‐probing (NP), intercellular stylet penetration (C), initial contact with phloem tissue (D), salivation into phloem sieve elements (E1), phloem sap ingestion (E2), and ingestion of xylem sap (G). The number of NP events and the duration of individual NP events significantly increased on plants treated with imidacloprid compared with untreated controls. Potato psyllids exhibited significant decreases in the number of phloem salivation events on plants treated with imidacloprid. Waveform durations and waveform durations per event for E2 and G were significantly decreased for psyllids on plants treated with imidacloprid compared with untreated controls. These data suggest that the effective use of imidacloprid to reduce transmission of Ca. Liberibacter psyllaurous is related to the negative effects of imidacloprid on psyllid feeding.
Does pelvic venous congestion syndrome exist and can it be treated?
Authors: BALL ELIZABETH , KHAN KHALID S. , MEADS CATHERINE 
Published: January 2012

Abstract Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and costly health problem in gynecology. Operative pathological findings are often absent. In some women with CPP, pelvic venous congestion has been reported; however, this observation has also been made in asymptomatic women. Thus, it is not clear whether pelvic venous congestion causes CPP and, if it does, whether it is a direct or indirect cause. Venography and non‐invasive imaging methods are used for the diagnosis, but scoring systems have not been validated. The current mainstay of treatment is venography‐controlled embolization, which is less invasive than surgical interventions. However, the only evidence on effectiveness comes from uncontrolled case series. A systematic review of causation evidence is needed to prove whether pelvic venous congestion causes CPP and whether embolization treatment is effective. In addition, if causation is established, good‐quality primary randomized controlled trials on embolization may be required.
Effects of combined treatment with clorgyline and selegiline on extracellular noradrenaline and serotonin levels
Authors: Kitaichi Yuji , Inoue Takeshi , Nakagawa Shin , Boku Shuken , Koyama Tsukasa 
Published: January 2012

Kitaichi Y, Inoue T, Nakagawa S, Boku S, Koyama T. Effects of combined treatment with clorgyline and selegiline on extracellular noradrenaline and serotonin levels.Objective Combined treatment with clorgyline, an irreversible monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A inhibitor, and selegiline, an irreversible MAO-B inhibitor, reportedly increases extracellular serotonin levels in the raphe nuclei more than clorgyline does alone. However, the effects of combination of these MAO inhibitors on extracellular noradrenaline have not been reported.Methods Using in vivo microdialysis, we measured extracellular noradrenaline and serotonin levels after administration of clorgyline and/or selegiline in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats.Results Administration of clorgyline (10 mg/kg) significantly increased both extracellular serotonin and noradrenaline levels. Combined treatment using clorgyline (10 mg/kg) and selegiline (3 mg/kg) increased extracellular serotonin and noradrenaline levels more than each drug alone did.Conclusions These findings of this study suggest the augmented antidepressant action of the combination of MAO-A inhibition and MAO-B inhibition. The addition of a MAO-A inhibitor to selegiline or increasing dose of selegiline to achieve full MAO-A inhibition might be the promising strategy for the antidepressant treatment in partial responders or non-responders to selegiline.