bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EVALUATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE AV‐08 FOR SIMULTANEOUS BIOCONTROL OF SALMONELLA MONTEVIDEO AND ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 IN EXPERIMENTALLY CONTAMINATED CHICKEN SKIN
Authors: LÓPEZ‐CUEVAS OSVALDO , CASTRO‐DEL CAMPO NOHELIA , LEÓN‐FÉLIX JOSEFINA , VALDEZ‐TORRES BENIGNO , CHAIDEZ CRISTÓBAL 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTThe aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of bacteriophage Av‐08 for reducing Salmonella Montevideo and Escherichia coli O157:H7 presence from chicken skin surface at 4C. Significant reduction (P < 0.05) of S. Montevideo (5.16 log10 colony‐forming units [cfu]/4 cm2 chicken skin) and E. coli O157:H7 (4.9 log10 cfu/4 cm2 chicken skin) was achieved. When phage was applied to the bacterial mixture, a reduction of 4.4 and 4.69 log10 cfu/4 cm2 of S. Montevideo and E. coli O157:H7 was obtained on the chicken skin surface, respectively. No significant reduction was observed by buffer application, compared with the control. Phage Av‐08 was able to survive on the chicken skin surface at concentrations fluctuating from 7.27 to 8.44 log10 PFU/4 cm2 for 6 days. These results demonstrated the ability of phage Av‐08 in reducing the presence of S. Montevideo and E. coli O157:H7 from chicken skin surface at 4C.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSRecent antimicrobial and disinfectant bacterial resistance have renewed interest of using bacteriophage biocontrol against foodborne bacterial pathogens. In this research lytic bacteriophage Av‐08 was evaluated for reducing Salmonella Montevideo and Escherichia coli O157:H7 from chicken skin surface. Actually, commercial bacteriophage preparations have been exploited for biocontroling foodborne bacterial pathogens. Phage Av‐08 was able to simultaneously reduce S. Montevideo and E. coli O157:H7 presence from chicken skin. Therefore, bacteriophage Av‐08 showed potential to be exploited for biocontroling Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 from foods.
Chemical Composition of Currant Seed Extracts and Their Protective Effect on Human Lymphocytes DNA
Authors: Gođevac Dejan , Tešević Vele , Vajs Vlatka , Milosavljević Slobodan , Zdunić Gordana , ĐOrđević Boban , Stanković Miroslava 
Published: June 2012

Abstract:  On the basis of LC/UV/MS analysis, 35 compounds from the extracts of seeds of black, red, and white currants (2 cultivars of each) were identified. Black currants cultivars contained protocatechuic acid and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, and traces of nitril containing phenolic acids. The presence of synapoyl glucoside was characteristic for cv. Malling Jewel. Sesquiterpenoid glycosides and carboxymethylindol glycosides were present mainly in white and red currant cultivars. Blackcurrant seeds contained higher amounts of flavonoids, especially rutin, isoquercetin, and taxifolin. The currant seed extracts were tested for in vitro protective effect on chromosome aberrations in peripheral human lymphocytes using cytochalasin‐B blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay. The frequency of MN was scored in binucleated cells, and the cultivars of black currants showed the best antioxidant potential. At a concentration of only 0.17 mg/mL, extract of the seed cv. Malling Jewel effected a decrease in the frequency of MN of 60% compared with control cell cultures.Practical Application:  Our results provide evidence of protective effects of currant seed extracts and isolated pure compounds on cytogenetic damages in human lymphocytes. Thus, currant seed extracts could exert beneficial effects in quite a few diseases, for many of the biological actions have been attributed to their antioxidant properties.
Association between inflammatory bowel disease gene 5 (IBD5) and interleukin‐23 receptor (IL23R) genetic polymorphisms in Malaysian patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: CHUA Kek Heng , HILMI Ida , LIAN Lay Hoong , PATMANATHAN Sathya Narayanan , HOE See Ziau , LEE Way Seah , GOH Khean Lee 
Published: June 2012

OBJECTIVE:  This study was aimed to investigate the possible association of Crohn's disease (CD) with inflammatory bowel disease gene 5 (IBD5) IGR2198a_1 (rs11739135), IGR2096a_1 (rs12521868) and interleukin‐23 receptor (IL23R) genetic variant (rs1004819) in the Malaysian population.METHODS:  Blood samples from 80 CD patients and 100 healthy controls were recruited. Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism.RESULTS:  The results revealed that there was an increased frequency of IGR2198a_1 C allele (8.8% in CD, 1.5% in controls, P < 0.05, OR 6.30, 95% CI 1.77–22.31) and IGR2096a_1 T allele (6.9% in CD, 1.5% in controls, P < 0.05, OR 4.85, 95% CI 1.33–17.69) in the CD patients as compared to the controls, suggesting the two variants were potential risk factors of CD. Both risk alleles (C and T) were highest in Indians. In contrast, no significant difference was observed for the IL23R gene variant (rs1004819) between these two groups (P = 0.941). All genotypes and alleles of this gene variant were present in equal ratios in the CD and control groups (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.66–1.57 for T allele and OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.64–1.52 for C allele).CONCLUSIONS:  There is a strong association between both IBD5 locus variants but not the IL23R gene variant with CD in the Malaysian population. The IBD5 locus variants were highest in Indians, which may explain the increased susceptibility of this particular ethnic group to the disease.
Re‐thinking Disability, Work and Welfare
Authors: Barnes Colin 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThere is a wealth of evidence that disabled people experience far higher levels of unemployment and underemployment than non‐disabled peers. Yet hitherto sociologists have paid scant attention to the structural causes of this issue. Drawing on a socio/political or social model of disability perspective this paper argues for a reconfiguration of the meaning of disability and work in order to address this problem. It is also suggested that such a strategy will make a significant contribution to the struggle for a fairer and equitable global society.
Institutional Activism: Reconsidering the Insider/Outsider Dichotomy
Authors: Pettinicchio David 
Published: June 2012

AbstractSocial movements are conventionally understood as a means by which groups seek to resolve collective grievances outside of the regular political process. With this in mind, I explore the important role of “institutional activists”– insiders with access to resources and power – who proactively take up causes that overlap with those of grassroots challengers. This article focuses on the history of, and recent developments in, the study of institutional activism, situating the concept within existing social movement theory and providing examples of the varying roles of institutional activists in mobilization.
Hybrid vigor in the biological control agent, Longitarsus jacobaeae
Authors: Szűcs Marianna , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , Schwarzländer Mark , Schaffner Urs 
Published: June 2012

AbstractHybridization is an important evolutionary mechanism that can increase the fitness and adaptive potential of populations. A growing body of evidence supports its importance as a key factor contributing to rapid evolution in invasive species, but the effects of hybridization have rarely been assessed in intentionally introduced biological control agents. We investigated hybrids between a Swiss and an Italian population of the beetle, Longitarsus jacobaeae, a biological control agent of Jacobaea vulgaris, by reciprocally crossing individuals in the laboratory. Phenological traits of F1 and F2 hybrid lineages showed intermediate values relative to their parental populations, with some maternal influence. Fitness of the F2 generation, measured as lifetime fecundity, was higher than that of the Italian parent in one of the lineages and higher than that of either parent in the other hybrid lineage. The increased fecundity of hybrids may benefit tansy ragwort biological control by increasing the establishment success and facilitating a more rapid population buildup in the early generations. Even though the long‐term consequences of hybridization in this and other systems are hard to predict, intentional hybridization may be a useful tool in biological control strategies as it would promote similar microevolutionary processes operating in numerous targeted invasive species.
Country heterogeneity and long‐run determinants of inflation in the Gulf Arab states†
Authors: Basher Syed Abul , Elsamadisy Elsayed Mousa 
Published: June 2012

AbstractApplying non‐stationary panel data econometric methods, this paper analyses the major sources and transmission of inflation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries over the 1980–2008 period. We argue that, in GCC countries, money is essentially demand determined, so that the high collinearity between money and aggregate demand indicators such as non‐hydrocarbon output is expected and should be dealt with accordingly. Several important results emerge from the analysis. Firstly, the money supply stands out as a significant determinant of inflation both in short‐run and in long‐run. Both foreign prices and the nominal effective exchange rate are shown to be more successful in explaining inflation in the long‐run than the short‐run. The half‐life of the speed of adjustment reveals that it takes about 2.9 years for 50 per cent of a shock to the long‐run equilibrium to dissipate. An implication of our results is the case it makes for more sovereign monetary policies in GCC countries.
Petroleum consumption—oil price uncertainty nexus in OECD countries: application of EGARCH models and panel cointegration
Authors: Pourshahabi Farshid , Sattari Yaser , Shirazi Ali 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects of oil price uncertainty on petroleum consumption in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. We apply panel unit roots and panel cointegration methods to detect long‐run relationships. Moreover, exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity models are used to capture the stochastic variation and asymmetries in oil prices by using monthly oil prices data from 1980 to 2008. The result indicates that the coefficients of real oil price and income variables are significant and of expected sign. Furthermore, our empirical results indicate that the effect of oil price uncertainty on petroleum consumption of OECD countries is negative and significant. That is, oil price uncertainty reduces petroleum consumption in OECD countries. Following these results, this paper offers some important and common ways to cope with costs of oil price volatility such as reducing oil price volatility itself, take advantage of hedging, price smoothing, broaden the diversity of energy sources and diminishing the importance of oil consumption.
Price asymmetries and volatility in the Italian gasoline market
Authors: Romano Antonio Angelo , Scandurra Giuseppe 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe oil price volatility registered in this period has suggested us to investigate the ef that variability has on price transmission mechanism on the Italian gasoline market. In this paper, we investigate the effect that price volatilities have on price speed adjustment in the production–distribution chain. We consider the wholesale and the retail market. We divide the sample into two subsamples and estimate, in the former, industrial gasoline price responses for a period of low volatility and a period with high volatility of oil prices and, in the latter, retail gasoline price responses for the same period of low and high volatilities of industrial prices. In the period marked by a large price volatility, the degree of asymmetry tends to decrease. In fact, the effects of downstream price decrease are larger than those of price increase and do not reflect the consumers' perception.
Coronary artery calcium scanning in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus: A paradigm shift
Authors: Hecht Harvey S. , Narula Jagat 
Published: June 2012

AbstractCoronary artery calcium (CAC) is the most powerful cardiac risk prognosticator in the asymptomatic population, with consistent superiority to all risk factor‐based paradigms. More recently, the strong prognostic value of changes in CAC has been demonstrated. The application of CAC to asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), all of whom have been presumed to be of high risk, has yielded a range of risks from low to high, proportional to the amount of calcified plaque, as in patients without DM. These risks are higher than in non‐diabetic patients at corresponding CAC levels, except for those without CAC who have the same low risk as non‐diabetic patients. In addition, the value of serial scanning to assess plaque progression and prognosis in people with DM has been demonstrated. Therefore, we propose that: (i) DM is not a coronary artery disease equivalent; (ii) CAC can be used routinely in all asymptomatic diabetic patients >40 years of age, as proposed by American College of Cardiology/American heart Association guidelines; and (iii) serial CAC scanning be considered for evaluation of the response to therapy.
Time Course of Depression and One‐Year Prognosis of Patients with Stroke in Mainland China
Authors: Zhang Ning , Wang Chun‐Xue , Wang An‐Xin , Bai Ying , Zhou Yong , Wang Yi‐Long , Zhang Tong , Zhou Juan , Yu Xin , Sun Xin‐Yu , Liu Zhao‐Rui , Zhao Xing‐Quan , Wang Yong‐Jun ,   on behalf of the Prospective Cohort study on Incidence and Outcome of Patients with Poststroke Depression in China (PRIOD) Investigators
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY Aims: To investigate the incidence of depression at different time points within the first year after stroke in mainland China and to identify risk factors related to a poor 1‐year prognosis in stroke patients. Methods: Subjects with acute cerebrovascular diseases were recruited and enrolled from 56 hospitals in mainland China between April 2008 and April 2010. Demographic data, previous disease history, and clinical data were collected. Four follow‐up visits were occurred within the first year after stroke. The modified Rankin Scale ≥2 represents an unfavorable prognosis. Depression was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition and was divided into persistent, recurrent and transient types. Results: The 1‐year cumulative incidence of depression in stroke patients was 41.8%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the 1‐year prognosis level was associated with age, disability before onset, neurological functional deficit level at admission, and a range of depression types. The odds ratio for persistent depression is the highest (OR = 7.615, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval 5.011–11.572). Conclusions: In our study, depression occurred in >40% of patients within the first year after stroke. Persistent depression is the first independent determinant of prognosis during the first year after stroke.
Drug Binding Assays do not Reveal Specific Binding of Lacosamide to Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 2 (CRMP‐2)
Authors: Wolff Christian , Carrington Bruce , Varrin‐Doyer Michel , Vandendriessche Anne , Van der Perren Christy , Famelart Michel , Gillard Michel , Foerch Patrik , Rogemond Véronique , Honnorat Jerôme , Lawson Alastair , Miller Karen 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY Aims: Lacosamide (LCM; SPM 927, Vimpat®) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) used as adjunctive treatment for adults with partial‐onset seizures. LCM has a different mode of action from traditional sodium channel blocking AEDs in that it selectively enhances slow inactivation of sodium channels without affecting fast inactivation. Initial investigations suggested that LCM might have an additional mode of action by binding to the collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP‐2), which is further investigated here. Methods: LCM binding to native and cloned human CRMP‐2 was determined using radioligand binding experiments and surface plasmon resonance measurements. Results: No specific binding of [3H]LCM (free concentration 100–1450 nM) to isolated or membrane bound human CRMP‐2 expressed in mammalian cell systems and bacteria was observed. Surface plasmon resonance analysis also showed that LCM, over a concentration range of 0.39–100 μM, does not specifically bind to human CRMP‐2. Conclusion: The diverse drug binding methods employed here are well suited to detect specific binding of LCM to CRMP‐2 in the micromolar range, yet the results obtained were all negative. Results of this study suggest that LCM does not specifically bind to CRMP‐2.
NPY Intraperitoneal Injections Produce Antidepressant‐Like Effects and Downregulate BDNF in the Rat Hypothalamus
Authors: Gelfo Francesca , Tirassa Paola , De Bartolo Paola , Croce Nicoletta , Bernardini Sergio , Caltagirone Carlo , Petrosini Laura , Angelucci Francesco 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY Aims: Several studies have documented an involvement of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) in stress‐related disorders. Stress‐related disorders are also characterized by changes in brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophins implicated in the survival and function of neurons. Thus the aim of this study was to investigate whether an NPY intraperitoneal treatment has antidepressant‐like effects in rats subjected to a classical stress paradigm, the Forced Swim Test (FST), in association with changes in local brain neurotrophin production. Methods: Rats were intraperitoneally injected with either NPY (60 μg/kg) or a vehicle for three consecutive days between two FST sessions and then tested for time spent (or delay onset) in immobile posture. Moreover, we measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) neurotrophin levels in the hypothalamus and corticosterone levels in plasma. Results: The data showed that NPY induced a significant delay in the onset and a significant reduction in the duration of the immobility posture in FST. We also found that NPY decreased BDNF levels in the hypothalamus and corticosterone levels in plasma. Discussion: Immobility posture in FST can be reduced by antidepressant drugs. Thus, our data show an antidepressant‐like effect of NPY associated with changes in BDNF levels in the hypothalamus and reduced activity of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Conclusion: These findings, while confirming the involvement of the NPY system in stress‐related disorders, suggest that a less invasive route of administration, such as an intraperitoneal injection, may be instrumental in coping with stressful events in animal models and perhaps in humans.
Antidepressant Effects on Emotional Temperament: Toward a Biobehavioral Research Paradigm for Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Soskin David P. , Carl Jenna R. , Alpert Jonathan , Fava Maurizio 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY Background: Given the limited efficacy of current pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) and the historical decline in antidepressant development, there is increasing clinical urgency to develop more effective treatments. Objectives: To synthesize findings from clinical psychology and affective neuroscience related to the construct of emotional temperament; to examine the effects of antidepressants on the temperament dimensions of positive (PA) and negative affectivity (NA); and to propose a biobehavioral research paradigm for the treatment of MDD. Methods: We begin with an introduction to PA and NA, which emphasizes their construct development, historical context, and relevance to psychopathology. We then review studies of antidepressant effects on PA and NA, and explore two related hypotheses: (1) Cause‐correction: The antidepressant response may fundamentally occur through changes in emotional temperament, with subsequent spread to syndrome or symptom changes; (2) preferential effects: Antidepressants with different mechanisms of action may have preferential effects on PA or NA. Results: Preliminary findings appear to support the cause‐correction hypothesis; there is insufficient clinical evidence to support the preferential effects hypothesis. Conclusions: PA and NA are biologically based temperament dimensions, which modulate emotional, motivational, and behavioral responses to positive and negative incentives. They can be altered by antidepressants, and may independently contribute to depression improvement. In addition, the distinct biobehavioral features of PA and NA suggest that combined pharmacological and cognitive–behavioral treatments targeting these dimensions may have specific, and perhaps, synergistic antidepressant effects.
Synergic Effects of Levamlodipine and Bisoprolol on Blood Pressure Reduction and Organ Protection in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Yang Yan‐Ling , Yu Li‐Ting , Wu Zhao‐Tang , Yu Jian‐Guang , Zhang Jing‐Ming , Chen Qing‐Hua , Bao Yong‐Chu , Liu Jian‐Guo 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY Aims: Stroke is a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for stroke. The objective of this work was to study the synergic effects of levamlodipine and bisoprolol on blood pressure reduction and organ protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: Blood pressure was continuously monitored in conscious SHR. For acute study, a single dose of drugs was administrated via an intragastric catheter. For chronic study (4 months), drugs were delivered via rat chow. Results: A single dose of levamlodipine (from 1 mg/kg), bisoprolol (from 0.125 mg/kg), and their combinations significantly decreased blood pressure. The levamlodipine‐induced tachycardia and the bisoprolol‐induced bradycardia were temporized by the combination of these two drugs. Upon chronic treatment, this combination also decreased blood pressure variability and reduced organ damage. Conclusion: Levamlodipine and bisoprolol produce synergic effects on blood pressure reduction and organ protection in SHR.
Female Early Adult Depression Results in Detrimental Impacts on the Behavioral Performance and Brain Development in Offspring
Authors: Gong Yu , Sun Xiu‐Lan , Wu Fang‐Fang , Su Chun‐Jin , Ding Jian‐Hua , Hu Gang 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY Aims:The present study was to understand whether early adult depressive females implicated their offspring.Methods:Seven‐week‐old female mice were subject to chronic mild stress (CMS) to establish the animal model of depression. The behavioral performance of their offspring were tested via neonatal reflexes tests, hole‐board test, and morris water maze test in different ages. Astrocyte number, hippocampal volume, and neurogenesis were analyzed via immunohistochemical blotting. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and serum cortisol levels were measured by western blotting and ELISA.Results:Female depressive mice had normal fertility, but their offspring had lowered neonatal survival rate and body weight from neonatal period to early adulthood. The offspring of female depressive mice exhibited the impairments of neonatal reflex attainment and memory, but had higher emotionality as adults. Furthermore, the astrocyte number, hippocampal volume, and neurogenesis were reduced in the offspring. However, the expressions of GR were increased in the hippocampus of offspring.Conclusion:This study reveals that female early adult depressive mice have normal reproductive ability, but make long‐term detrimental impacts on the behavioral performance and brain development of their offspring.