bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hematologic abnormalities associated with simian immunodeficieny virus (SIV) infection mimic those in HIV infection
Authors: Gill Amy F. , Ahsan Muhammad H. , Lackner Andrew A. , Veazey Ronald S. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Studies of hematologic abnormalities in HIV‐infected patients are confounded by a multitude of factors. A retrospective data analysis of simian immunodeficieny virus (SIV)‐infected rhesus macaques (RM) of Indian origin was performed to determine the prevalence of hematologic abnormalities free of these confounds.Methods  Hematologic data from RM inoculated with SIV and without antiviral therapy were examined pre‐inoculation, and throughout infection and the development of AIDS.Results  Anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, eosinophilia, and neutropenia all increased in prevalence with SIV infection. Significant increases in prevalence for both neutropenia and neutrophilia were also detected in SIV‐infected macaques. SIV‐infected macaques also had lower lymphocyte counts and increased prevalence of lymphopenia compared with non‐infected subjects. The prevalence of eosinophilia was significantly increased during SIV infection.Conclusions  Concordance of hematologic abnormalities during SIV infection of macaques with similar changes in HIV infection of humans suggests that, like in HIV infection, hematologic abnormalities are major complications of SIV infection.
Massive visceral Pentastomiasis in a long‐tailed macaque – an incidental finding
Authors: Mätz‐Rensing Kerstin , Lampe Karen , Rohde Gerlinde , Roos Christian , Kaup Franz‐Josef 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  An unusual case of visceral pentastomiasis in a male adult long‐tailed macaque imported from China is reported.Methods  The monkey was part of a toxicologic study. A massive accumulation of C‐shaped parasites in various visceral organs was found post‐mortem.Results  Based on the morphology of the nymphs, pentastomiasis was diagnosed etiopathologically. The pentastome genus and species was identified as Armillifer agkistrodontis by PCR and respective sequencing.Conclusion  Molecular diagnostic methods are necessary tools to determine the exact species involved.
Impairment of Sexual Function in Rats with Epilepsy
Authors: Andersen Monica L. , Alvarenga Tathiana A. , Scorza Fulvio A. , Matos Gabriela , Sonoda Eliza Y. , Hirotsu Camila , Cavalheiro Esper A. , Tufik Sergio 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Epilepsy is a chronic disease that affects men and women of all ages, with different levels of severity. Many individuals with epilepsy also suffer from impairments in sexual function. However, it is difficult to differentiate between the impact of the disease and the impact of antiepileptic drugs on sexual function in human subjects.

Aims
To evaluate sexual behavior in adult male rats submitted to chronic pilocarpine-induced epilepsy.

Methods
First, non-epileptic rats were exposed to nine training sessions to acquire sexual experience, and their baseline sexual performance was evaluated. Then, the same rats were given pilocarpine to induce status epilepticus followed by chronic epilepsy. Once the animals had developed spontaneous recurrent seizures, their sexual behavior was evaluated during three sessions.

Main Outcome Measures
Examine changes in latencies to first mount, intromission, and ejaculation, and the total number of mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations.

Results
All outcome measures related to sexual motivation and sexual performance were markedly impaired during chronic epilepsy compared with the baseline and the control group.

Conclusion
These findings will aid in understanding the interaction between sexual behavior and epilepsy, as well as encouraging further experimental studies in human patients with epilepsy suffering from sexual dysfunction.
Emotional States of Love Moderate the Association Between Catecholamines and Female Sexual Responses in the Laboratory
Authors: Dundon Carolyn M. , Rellini Alessandra H. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Research suggests that there are three interrelated, yet distinct, emotion motivation brain systems for human love (lust, romantic love, and attachment), each associated with a unique catecholaminergic and hormonal profile. Of interest for the current study are norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA), which have a hypothesized connection with romantic love. As NE and DA are also known to facilitate sexual arousal, it is plausible that NE and DA may have a greater positive association with the sexual arousal responses of women in romantic love compared with women in lust.

Aim
This study investigated if the effects of NE and DA activity on sexual arousal responses would differ depending on emotion motivation state (Lust or Romantic).

Main Outcome Measures
Physiological sexual arousal was assessed by photoplethysmography and subjective sexual arousal was assessed with a participant controlled lever.

Methods
Seventeen women were included in the Lust group and 29 in the Romantic group. All participants provided a urine sample (to assess NE and DA) and completed a psychophysiological assessment.

Results
Elevated NE was positively and significantly associated with greater subjective and physiological sexual arousal for the Lust group, but not for the Romantic group. Similarly, elevated DA was positively and significantly associated with greater subjective sexual arousal for the Lust group, but not for the Romantic group.

Conclusions
The sexual arousal responses of women in the Lust group, but not in the Romantic group, were positively and significantly associated with elevated NE and DA. It is feasible that, when women are seeking a partner (Lust), NE and DA may facilitate attention toward sexually relevant stimuli.
Implementing independent regulatory agencies in Brazil: The contrasting experiences in the electricity and telecommunications sectors
Authors: Prado Mariana Mota 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis paper explores hypotheses that could explain both the creation of independent regulatory agencies (IRAs) in Brazil, and the differences in the design of the Brazilian IRAs in the telecommunications and electricity sectors. To formulate specific hypotheses that make sense of the Brazilian case, the paper critically interrogates the “weak state” hypothesis and the “political bias” hypothesis. The first argues that countries with flawed governance structures, such as Latin American countries, are less likely to establish independent regulators than European countries. The second argues that “political bias” is a determinant factor in predicting the implementation of IRAs in Latin America. The first part of the paper uses these two general hypotheses as a basis to formulate specific hypotheses to explain the creation of IRAs in Brazil. The second part of the paper formulates specific hypotheses that could explain why institutional guarantees of IRA independence are stronger in the telecommunications sector, than in the electricity sector. In particular, the paper argues in support of a revised version of the “political bias” hypothesis to explain sectoral divergence, suggesting that bureaucratic resistance to reform may be the cause for the variations observed in Brazil between regulatory reform in electricity and in telecommunications.
Effect of intra‐abdominal pressure on hepatic microcirculation: Implications of the endothelin‐1 receptor
Authors: SÁNCHEZ‐ETAYO Gerard , BORRAT Xavier , ESCOBAR Bibiana , HESSHEIMER Amelia , RODRIGUEZ‐LAIZ Gonzalo , TAURA Pilar 
Published: May 2012

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate the effect of endothelin receptor A (ETA) and endothelin receptor B (ETB) blockade on liver microcirculation and oxygenation during intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) increase.METHODS:  Fifteen anesthetized pigs were randomized to receive either nonselective endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) blocker tezosentan (TG, n = 7) or saline (CG, n = 8). Helium was insufflated to increase IAP from 0 to 25 mmHg. Stroke volume variability was maintained ≤ 12% with colloid infusion. Total liver blood flow (TLBF), hepatic microcirculatory blood flow (MBF), hepatic tissue oxygenation (HpO2), hyaluronic acid and plasma disappearance rate (PDR) of indocyanine green (ICG) were recorded.RESULTS:  TLBF remained mostly unaltered in both groups at low IAP and decreased only in CG at the IAP of 25 mmHg. As IAP increased, a significant decline in MBF was observed without correlation with cardiac output or TLBF. In CG, HpO2 decreased as early as IAP of 10 mmHg to high levels of pressure. However, in TG the decrease was significant only at the IAP of 25 mmHg. PDR of ICG decreased in both groups at IAP of 25 mmHg (P = 0.046 and P = 0.009 in TG and CG, respectively). These changes correlated with MBF (r = 0.793).CONCLUSION:  Blocking ETA and ETB receptors partially protects sinusoidal circulation and tissue oxygenation against stress induced by high IAP.
Correlation between CT attenuation value and iodine concentration in vitro: Discrepancy between gemstone spectral imaging on single‐source dual‐energy CT and traditional polychromatic X‐ray imaging
Authors: Wang Le , Liu Bin , Wu Xing‐wang , Wang Jie , Zhou Yong , Wang Wan‐qin , Zhu Xiao‐hong , Yu Yong‐qiang , Li Xiao‐hu , Zhang Shuai , Shen Yun 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIntroduction: To assess the relation between CT attenuation value and iodine concentration in vitro, using gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) with single‐source dual‐energy CT and traditional polychromatic X‐ray imaging (TPXI), respectively.Methods: A polypropylene phantom with eight test tubes in which iodine concentrations of solution were 0.4, 0.7, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 mg/mL underwent GSI and traditional polychromatic X‐ray scans (80, 100, 120 and 140 kV(p)), using single‐source dual‐energy spectral CT (Discovery CT750HD; GE Healthcare Technologies, Milwaukee, WI, USA) at the same tube speed of 0.8 s/rotation. All spectral imaging data were analysed with GSI viewer to obtain monochromatic images (50–140 keV, interval of 10 keV). Computed tomography attenuation values of iodine solution were measured with the same size of regions of interest and at the exact same level for both monochromatic and polychromatic images. The relation between CT attenuation value and iodine concentration was examined.Results: A linear correlation was found between CT attenuation value and iodine concentration for both monochromatic and polychromatic images. Moreover, the fitting coefficients for CT attenuation values and iodine concentrations were closer to one with GSI (r2 = 0.99824–0.99996) than that with TPXI (r2 = 0.99640–0.99736).Conclusions: Owing to the better correlation coefficients between CT attenuation value and iodine concentration, GSI may be a preferred method for quantitative measurement compared with TPXI.
δ-Opioid receptor agonist SNC80 induces central antinociception mediated by Ca2+-activated Cl- channels
Authors: Pacheco Daniela da Fonseca , Pacheco Cinthia Mara da Fonseca , Duarte Igor Dimitri Gama 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine whether Ca2+-activated Cl- channels (CaCCs) are involved in central antinociception induced by the activation of µ-, δ- and κ-opioid receptors.

Methods
The nociceptive threshold for thermal stimulation was measured using the tail-flick test in Swiss mice. The drugs were administered via the intracerebroventricular route. Probabilities values of P &lt; 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant (analysis of variance/Bonferroni test).

Key findings
The results demonstrate that exposure to the CaCC blocker niflumic acid (2, 4 and 8 µg) partially reverses the central antinociception induced by the δ-opioid receptor agonist SNC80 ((+)-4-[(αR)-α-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide; 4 µg). In contrast, niflumic acid did not modify the antinociceptive effect of the µ-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (0.5 µg) or κ-opioid receptor agonist bremazocine (4 µg).

Conclusions
These data provide evidence for the involvement of CaCCs in δ-opioid receptor-induced central antinociception resulting from receptor activation by the agonist SNC80. CaCC activation does not appear to be involved when µ- and κ-opioid receptors are activated.
Trends in cardiovascular disease biomarkers and their socioeconomic patterning among adults in the Scottish population 1995 to 2009: cross-sectional surveys
Authors: Hotchkiss Joel William , Davies Carolyn Anne , Gray Linsay , Bromley Catherine , Capewell Simon , Leyland Alastair 
Published: May 2012

ObjectivesTo examine secular and socioeconomic changes in biological cardiovascular disease risk factor and biomarker prevalences in the Scottish population. This could contribute to an understanding of why the decline in coronary heart disease mortality in Scotland has recently stalled along with persistence of associated socioeconomic inequalities.DesignCross-sectional surveys.SettingScotland.ParticipantsScottish Health Surveys: 1995, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2009 (6190, 6656, 5497, 4202 and 4964 respondents, respectively, aged 25–64 years).Primary outcome measuresGender-stratified, age-standardised prevalences of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol blood concentration as well as elevated fibrinogen and C reactive protein concentrations according to education and social class groupings. Inequalities were assessed using the slope index of inequality, and time trends were assessed using linear regression.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity, including central obesity, increased between 1995 and 2009 among men and women, irrespective of socioeconomic position. In 2009, the prevalence of obesity (defined by body mass index) was 29.8% (95% CI 27.9% to 31.7%) for men and 28.2% (26.3% to 30.2%) for women. The proportion of individuals with hypertension remained relatively unchanged between 1995 and 2008/2009, while the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia declined in men from 79.6% (78.1% to 81.1%) to 63.8% (59.9% to 67.8%) and in women from 74.1% (72.6% to 75.7%) to 66.3% (62.6% to 70.0%). Socioeconomic inequalities persisted over time among men and women for most of the biomarkers and were particularly striking for the anthropometric measures when stratified by education.ConclusionsIf there are to be further declines in coronary heart disease mortality and reduction in associated inequalities, then there needs to be a favourable step change in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. This may require radical population-wide interventions.
Are they half as strong as they used to be? An experiment testing whether age-related social comparisons impair older people's hand grip strength and persistence
Authors: Swift Hannah J , Lamont Ruth A , Abrams Dominic 
Published: May 2012

ObjectiveTo assess how age-related social comparisons, which are likely to arise inadvertently or deliberately during assessments, may affect older people's performance on tests that are used to assess their needs and capability.DesignThe study randomly assigned participants to a comparison with younger people or a no comparison condition and assessed hand grip strength and persistence. Gender, education, type of residence, arthritis and age were also recorded.SettingAge UK centres and senior's lunches in the South of England.ParticipantsAn opportunity sample of 56 adults, with a mean age of 82.25 years.Main outcomes measuresHand grip strength measured using a manual hand dynamometer and persistence of grip measured using a stopwatch.ResultsComparison caused significantly worse performance measured by both strength (comparison =6.85 kg, 95% CI 4.19 kg to 9.5 kg, control group =11.07 kg, 95% CI 8.47 kg to 13.68 kg, OR =0.51, p=0.027) and persistence (comparison =8.36 s, 95% CI 5.44 s to 11.29 s; control group =12.57 s, 95% CI 9.7 s to 15.45 s, OR =0.49, p=0.045). These effects remained significant after accounting for differences in arthritis, gender, education and adjusting for population age norms.ConclusionsDue to the potential for age comparisons and negative stereotype activation during assessment of older people, such assessments may underestimate physical capability by up to 50%. Because age comparisons are endemic, this means that assessment tests may sometimes seriously underestimate older people's capacity and prognosis, which has implications for the way healthcare professionals treat them in terms of autonomy and dependency.
Birth outcomes for African and Caribbean babies in England and Wales: retrospective analysis of routinely collected data
Authors: Datta-Nemdharry Preeti , Dattani Nirupa , Macfarlane Alison J 
Published: May 2012

ObjectivesTo compare mean birth weights, gestational ages and odds of preterm birth and low birth weight of live singleton babies of black African or Caribbean ethnicity born in 2005 or 2006 by mother's country of birth.DesignSecondary analysis of data from linked birth registration and NHS Numbers for Babies data set.SettingBirths to women in England and Wales in 2005 and 2006.ParticipantsBabies of African and Caribbean ethnicity born in England and Wales in 2005–2006, whose mothers were born in African and Caribbean countries or the UK. Birth outcomes for 51 599 singleton births were analysed.Main outcome measuresGestational age and birth weight.ResultsMothers born in Eastern or Northern Africa had babies at higher mean gestational ages (39.38 and 39.41 weeks, respectively) and lower odds of preterm birth (OR=0.80 and 0.65, respectively) compared with 39.00 weeks for babies with mothers born in the UK. Babies of African ethnicity whose mothers were born in Middle or Western Africa had mean birth weights of 3327 and 3311 g, respectively. These were significantly higher than the mean birth weight of 3257 g for babies of the UK-born mothers. Their odds of low birth weight (OR=0.75 and 0.72, respectively) were significantly lower. Babies of Caribbean ethnicity whose mothers were born in the Caribbean had higher mean birth weight and lower odds of low birth weight than those whose mothers were born in the UK.ConclusionsThe study shows that in babies of African and Caribbean ethnicity, rates of low birth weight and preterm birth varied by mothers' countries of birth. Ethnicity and country of birth are important factors associated with perinatal health, but assessing them singly can mask important heterogeneity in birth outcomes within categories particularly in relation to African ethnicity. These differences should be explored further.
The hyperdense vessel sign on CT predicts successful recanalization with the Merci device in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Froehler Michael T , Tateshima Satoshi , Duckwiler Gary , Jahan Reza , Gonzalez Nestor , Vinuela Fernando , Liebeskind David , Saver Jeffrey L , Villablanca J Pablo ,   For the UCLA Stroke Investigators
Published: May 2012

BackgroundThe success of mechanical clot retrieval for acute ischemic stroke may be influenced by the characteristics of the occlusive thrombus. The thrombus can be partly characterized by CT, as the hyperdense vessel sign (HVS) suggests erythrocyte-rich clot whereas fibrin-rich clot may be isodense. We hypothesized that the physical clot characteristics that determine CT density may also determine likelihood of retrieval with the Merci device.MethodsWe reviewed all acute stroke cases initially imaged with non-contrast CT before attempted Merci clot retrieval at a single center between 2004 and 2010. Each CT was blindly assessed for the presence or absence of the HVS, and post-retrieval angiograms were blindly assessed for reperfusion using the TICI scale.ResultsOf 67 patients analyzed (mean age 69; median NIHSS 19; 61% female), the HVS was seen in 42, and no HVS was present in 25. Successful recanalization was achieved in 79% of patients with the HVS (33/42), but in only 36% (9/25) of patients without HVS (p=0.001). The HVS was the only significant predictor of recanalization while accounting for age, treatment with IV-tPA, clot location, stroke etiology, time to treatment, and number of retrieval attempts.ConclusionThe HVS in acute ischemic stroke was strongly predictive of successful recanalization using the Merci device. The HVS may indicate thrombi that are less adhesive compared with isodense clots that are more resistant to mechanical retrieval. The absence of HVS on pre-treatment CT may thus suggest the need for a more aggressive or alternative therapeutic approach.
Pathologic validation of clot length determined using thin section non-contrast CT
Authors: Yoo Albert J , Leslie-Mazwi Thabele M , Riedel Christian H , Chandra Ronil V 
Published: May 2012

Background and purposeRecent studies have demonstrated that in acute ischemic stroke patients, thin section non-contrast CT (NCCT) can be used to determine the length of the hyperdense intracranial thrombus, and that clot length using this approach predicts the likelihood of vessel recanalization after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator.Summary of caseAn acute ischemic stroke patient presented with a left middle cerebral artery occlusion and underwent emergent catheter based therapy. Clot length was determined using pretreatment thin section NCCT and was independently confirmed by the pathologist after whole clot extraction.ConclusionsThe concordance between the NCCT measured clot length and the pathological examination in this case provides additional support for the accuracy of using thin section NCCT data to determine clot length in all patients.
Gut-Derived Lipopolysaccharide Promotes T-Cell–Mediated Hepatitis in Mice through Toll-Like Receptor 4
Authors: Lin Yan , Yu Le-Xing , Yan He-Xin , Yang Wen , Tang Liang , Zhang Hui-Lu , Liu Qiong , Zou Shan-Shan , He Ya-Qin , Wang Chao , Wu Meng-Chao , Wang Hong-Yang 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Robust clinical and epidemiologic data support the role of inflammation as a key player in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Our previous data showed that gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promote HCC development by activating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressed on myeloid-derived cells. However, the effects of gut-derived LPS on other types of liver injury models are yet to be studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of gut-derived LPS and TLR4 signaling in a T-cell–mediated hepatitis—Con A–induced hepatitis model, which mimic the viral hepatitis. Reduction of endotoxin using antibiotics regimen or genetic ablation of TLR4 in mice significantly alleviate Con A–induced liver injury by inhibiting the infiltration of T lymphocytes into the liver and the activation of CD4+ T lymphocytes as well as the production of T helper 1 cytokines; in contrast, exogenous LPS can promote Con A–induced hepatitis and CD4+ T cells activation in vivo and in vitro. Reconstitution of TLR4–expressing myeloid cells in TLR4-deficient mice restored Con A–induced liver injury and inflammation, indicating the major cell target of LPS. In addition, TLR4 may positively regulate the target hepatocellular apoptosis via the perforin/granzyme B pathway. These data suggest that gut-derived LPS and TLR4 play important positive roles in Con A–induced hepatitis and modulation of the gut microbiotia may represent a new avenue for therapeutic intervention to treat acute hepatitis induced by hepatitis virus infection, thus to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Prev Res; 5(9); 1090–102. ©2012 AACR.