bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ontogeny of the Enhanced Fetal‐Ethanol‐Induced Behavioral and Neurophysiologic Olfactory Response to Ethanol Odor
Authors: Eade Amber M. , Sheehe Paul R. , Youngentob Steven L. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Studies report a fundamental relationship between chemosensory function and the responsiveness to ethanol, its component orosensory qualities, and its odor as a consequence of fetal ethanol exposure. Regarding odor, fetal exposed rats display enhanced olfactory neural and behavioral responses to ethanol odor at postnatal (P) day 15. Although these consequences are absent in adults (P90), the behavioral effect has been shown to persist into adolescence (P37). Given the developmental timing of these observations, we explored the decay in the response to ethanol odor by examining ages between P37 and young adulthood. Moreover, we sought to determine whether the P15 neurophysiologic effect persists, at least, to P40.Methods:  Behavioral and olfactory epithelial (OE) responses of fetal ethanol exposed and control rats were tested at P40, P50, P60, or P70. Whole‐body plethysmography was used to quantify each animal’s innate behavioral response to ethanol odor. We then mapped the odorant‐induced activity across the OE in response to different odorants, including ethanol, using optical recording methods.Results:  Relative to controls, ethanol exposed animals showed an enhanced behavioral response to ethanol odor that, while significant at each age, decreased in magnitude. These results, in conjunction with previous findings, permitted the development of an ontologic odor response model of fetal exposure. The fitted model exemplifies that odor‐mediated effects exist at birth, peak in adolescence and then decline, becoming absent by P90. There was no evidence of an effect on the odor response of the OE at any age tested.Conclusions:  Fetal exposure yields an enhanced behavioral response to ethanol odor that peaks in adolescence and wanes through young adulthood. This occurs absent an enhanced response of the OE. This latter finding suggests that by P40 the OE returns to an ethanol “neutral” status and that central mechanisms, such as ethanol‐induced alterations in olfactory bulb circuitry, underlie the enhanced behavioral response. Our study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the ontogeny of fetal‐ethanol‐induced olfactory functional plasticity and the behavioral response to ethanol odor.
Opioids in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Stimulate Ethanol Intake
Authors: Barson Jessica R. , Carr Ambrose J. , Soun Jennifer E. , Sobhani Nasim C. , Rada Pedro , Leibowitz Sarah F. , Hoebel Bartley G. 
Published: November 2009

Background: Specialized hypothalamic systems that increase food intake might also increase ethanol intake. To test this possibility, morphine and receptor‐specific opioid agonists were microinjected in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats that had learned to drink ethanol. To cross‐validate the results, naloxone methiodide (m‐naloxone), an opioid antagonist, was microinjected with the expectation that it would have the opposite effect of morphine and the specific opioid agonists.Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were trained, without sugar, to drink 4 or 7% ethanol and were then implanted with chronic brain cannulas aimed at the PVN. After recovery, those drinking 7% ethanol, with food and water available, were injected with 2 doses each of morphine or m‐naloxone. To test for receptor specificity, 2 doses each of the μ‐receptor agonist [d‐Ala2,N‐Me‐Phe4,Gly5‐ol]‐Enkephalin (DAMGO), δ‐receptor agonistd‐Ala‐Gly‐Phe‐Met‐NH2 (DALA), or κ‐receptor agonist U‐50,488H were injected. DAMGO was also tested in rats drinking 4% ethanol without food or water available. As an anatomical control for drug reflux, injections were made 2 mm dorsal to the PVN.Results: A main result was a significant increase in ethanol intake induced by PVN injection of morphine. The opposite effect was produced by m‐naloxone. The effects of morphine and m‐naloxone were exclusively on intake of ethanol, even though food and water were freely available. In the analysis with specific receptor agonists, PVN injection of the δ‐agonist DALA significantly increased 7% ethanol intake without affecting food or water intake. This is in contrast to the κ‐agonist U‐50,488H, which decreased ethanol intake, and the μ‐agonist DAMGO, which had no effect on ethanol intake in the presence or absence of food and water. In the anatomical control location 2 mm dorsal to the PVN, no drug caused any significant changes in ethanol, food, or water intake, providing evidence that the active site was close to the cannula tip.Conclusions: The δ‐opioid receptor agonist in the PVN increased ethanol intake in strong preference over food and water, while the κ‐opioid agonist suppressed ethanol intake. Prior studies show that learning to drink ethanol stimulates PVN expression and production of the peptides enkephalin and dynorphin, which are endogenous agonists for the δ‐ and κ‐receptors, respectively. These results suggest that enkephalin via the δ‐opioid system can function locally within a positive feedback circuit to cause ethanol intake to escalate and ultimately contribute to the abuse of ethanol. This is in contrast to dynorphin via the κ‐opioid system, which may act to counter this escalation. Naltrexone therapy for alcoholism may act, in part, by blocking the enkephalin‐triggered positive feedback cycle.
QT Interval Dispersion and Cardiac Sympathovagal Balance Shift in Rats With Acute Ethanol Withdrawal
Authors: Shirafuji Seiko , Liu Jinyao , Okamura Nanako , Hamada Kazuyuki , Fujimiya Tatsuya 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Dysregulation of autonomic nervous system function and impaired homogeneity of myocardial repolarization are 2 important mechanisms for the genesis of ventricular arrhythmias in nonalcoholic subjects. Our previous study suggested that acute ethanol withdrawal promoted the shift of cardiac sympathovagal balance toward sympathetic predominance and reduced the vagal tone, which were related to a higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and related death. However, the homogeneity of myocardial repolarization and its relation with the cardiac sympathovagal balance are unknown, especially in alcoholic subjects. The aim of the present study was to clarify these points.Methods:  Male Wistar rats were treated with a continuous ethanol liquid diet for 49 days, and then subjected to 1‐day withdrawal and 1‐day withdrawal with 7‐day carvedilol (can block the sympathetic nervous system completely via β1, β2, and α adrenergic receptors) pretreatment. The cardiac sympathovagal balance and homogeneity of myocardial repolarization were evaluated based on the heart rate variability (HRV) and QT interval dispersion (QTd: dynamic changes in QT interval duration).Results:  The increase in QTd was observed only in rats at 1‐day withdrawal, but not in nonalcoholic, continuous ethanol intake, and 1‐day withdrawal with 7‐day carvedilol pretreatment rats. At 1‐day withdrawal, the low‐frequency power/high‐frequency power (LF/HF) ratio in HRV was elevated and correlated with the QTd. The increased QTd and elevated LF/HF ratio were normalized by the 7‐day carvedilol pretreatment in rats at 1‐day ethanol withdrawal.Conclusions:  In rats with an abrupt termination of the chronic continuous ethanol intake, the homogeneity of myocardial repolarization impaired and correlated with the cardiac sympathovagal balance. Carvedilol pretreatment is associated with a reduction in both the QTd and LF/HF ratio, raising the possibility that the cardiac sympathovagal balance shift may be responsible for the impaired homogeneity of myocardial repolarization, and that β‐blocker pretreatment may decrease the mortality risk during alcoholic withdrawal.
A Critical Evaluation of Influence of Ethanol and Diet on Salsolinol Enantiomers in Humans and Rats
Authors: Lee Jeongrim , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Hamazaki Kei , Engleman Eric A. , McBride William J. , Li Ting‐Kai , Kim Hee‐Yong 
Published: November 2009

Background: (R/S)‐Salsolinol (SAL), a condensation product of dopamine (DA) with acetaldehyde, has been speculated to have a role in the etiology of alcoholism. Earlier studies have shown the presence of SAL in biological fluids and postmortem brains from both alcoholics and nonalcoholics. However, the involvement of SAL in alcoholism has been controversial over several decades, since the reported SAL levels and their changes after ethanol exposure were not consistent, possibly due to inadequate analytical procedures and confounding factors such as diet and genetic predisposition. Using a newly developed mass spectrometric method to analyze SAL stereoisomers, we evaluated the contribution of ethanol, diet, and genetic background to SAL levels as well as its enantiomeric distribution.Methods: Simultaneous measurement of SAL enantiomers and DA were achieved by high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). Plasma samples were collected from human subjects before and after banana (a food rich in SAL) intake, and during ethanol infusion. Rat plasma and brain samples were collected at various time points after the administration of SAL or banana by gavage. The brain parts including nucleus accumbens (NAC) and striatum (STR) were obtained from alcohol‐non‐preferring (NP) or alcohol‐preferring (P) rats as well as P‐rats which had a free access to ethanol (P‐EtOH).Results: Plasma SAL levels were increased significantly after banana intake in humans. Consistently, administration of banana to rats also resulted in a drastic increase of plasma SAL levels, whereas brain SAL levels remained unaltered. Acute ethanol infusion did not change SAL levels or R/S ratio in plasma from healthy humans. The levels of both SAL isomers and DA were significantly lower in the NAC of P rats in comparison to NP rats. The SAL levels in NAC of P rats remained unchanged after chronic free‐choice ethanol drinking. There were decreasing trends of SAL in STR and DA in both brain regions. No changes in enantiomeric ratio were observed after acute or chronic ethanol exposure.Conclusions: SAL from dietary sources is the major contributor to plasma SAL levels. No significant changes of SAL plasma levels or enantiomeric distribution after acute or chronic ethanol exposure suggest that SAL may not be a biomarker for ethanol drinking. Significantly lower SAL and DA levels observed in NAC of P rats may be associated with innate alcohol preference.
Immunoglobulin A deficiency and oral health status: a case–control study
Authors: Jorgensen Gudmundur H. , Arnlaugsson Sigurjon , Theodors Asgeir , Ludviksson Bjorn R. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIntroduction: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is important for mucosal health. Selective IgA deficiency (IgAD) is the most common primary immunodeficiency but its effect on oral health is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate dental, periodontal and oral mucosal health in IgAD individuals.Material and methods: In total, 32 adult IgAD subjects were compared with 63 randomly selected individuals. Participants answered questionnaires regarding general and oral health and underwent oral examination, including examination using the periodontal screening and recording (PSR) system and dental examination using the DMF system.Results: The IgAD individuals had significantly more often undergone tonsillectomy (44%versus 24%, p=0.046) and adenoidectomy (31%versus 8%, p=0.003) compared with the controls. Furthermore, the IgAD subjects reported having pharyngitis, stomatitis and herpes labialis significantly more often. There was no significant difference in periodontal health (mean PSR index; 1.87 versus 1.77) or dental health (mean DMFS; 51.3 versus 53.7) between the two cohorts. A positive correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and severity of periodontitis was found (p=0.036).Conclusion: IgAD predisposes to oral mucosal infections but does not influence periodontal or dental health. This is the first controlled study to include detailed clinical history and investigations, together with full oral and dental examination, in adults with IgAD.
Phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate receptor 1 during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes
Authors: ITO Junya , YOSHIDA Tomoko , KASAI Yasushi , WAKAI Takuya , PARYS Jan B. , FISSORE Rafael A. , KASHIWAZAKI Naomi 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTDuring fertilization in mammalian species, a sperm‐induced intracellular Ca2+ signal ([Ca2+]i) mediates both exit of meiosis and oocyte activation. Recently, we demonstrated in mouse oocytes that the phosphorylation levels of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor type1 (IP3R1), the channel responsible for Ca2+ release and oscillations during fertilization, changed during maturation and fertilization. Therefore, we examined the expression and phosphorylation of IP3R1 during in vitro maturation of pig oocytes. Here, our present study shows that expression of IP3R1 protein did not change during maturation, although the phosphorylation status of the receptor, specifically at an MPM‐2 epitope, did. We found that while at the beginning of maturation IP3R1 lacked MPM‐2 immunoreactivity, it became MPM‐2 reactive by 24 h and reached maximal reactivity by 36 h. Interestingly, the acquisition of MPM‐2 reactivity coincided with the activation of p34cdc2 kinase and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), which are involved in meiotic progression. Following completion of maturation, inactivation of MAPK by U0126 did not affect IP3R1 phosphorylation, although inactivation of p34cdc2 kinase by roscovitine dramatically reduced IP3R1 phosphorylation. Neither inhibitor affected total expression of IP3R1. Altogether, our results show that IP3R1 undergoes dynamic phosphorylation during maturation and this might underlie the generation of oscillations at fertilization.
Understanding how advance care planning is approached in the residential aged care setting: A continuum model of practice as an explanatory device
Authors: Shanley Christopher , Whitmore Elizabeth , Khoo Angela , Cartwright Colleen , Walker Amanda , Cumming Robert G 
Published: November 2009

Objective:  To gain an understanding of how advance care planning (ACP) is understood and approached by managers of residential aged care facilities.Methods:  Qualitative interviews with managers from 41 residential aged care facilities from South Western Sydney, Australia. Content and thematic analysis of interview transcripts.Results:  The majority of facilities do not have a systematic approach to ACP, but tend to initiate discussions about end‐of‐life treatments late in a resident's illness. There are varying degrees to which these discussions are used in ongoing care planning or made explicit if the resident is transferred to hospital. A number of factors are identified that support the implementation of ACP.Conclusion:  A continuum model of practice is proposed that describes four broad approaches to practice under the domains of initiation, scope, follow‐up and documentation of ACP as well as the organisational leadership adopted around ACP.
Do physical activity levels influence the cardiovascular‐related physiological characteristics of postmenopausal women?
Authors: Barnett Fiona 
Published: November 2009

Aim:  This study aimed to determine whether cardiovascular‐related physiological differences existed among postmenopausal women in relation to their physical activity levels.Methods:  Participants were postmenopausal women (n= 101) resident in North Queensland. A self‐report questionnaire determined recent exercise history. Anthropometric and physiological measures were obtained. Participants also performed a six‐minute graded exercise test to determine cardiorespiratory fitness.Results:  Compared with the women who exercised, those women who did not exercise had a lower level of cardiorespiratory fitness (P= 0.00) and higher resting diastolic blood pressure (P= 0.01), BMI (P= 0.00) and WHR (P= 0.02). Discriminant function analysis found that a combination of BMI and cardiorespiratory fitness discriminated between the two groups.Conclusions:  Postmenopausal women who performed moderate‐intensity physical activity had more favourable cardiovascular‐related physiological characteristics. Health professionals should encourage more postmenopausal women to participate in moderate‐intensity activity to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Proteolytic activation and function of the cytokine Spätzle in the innate immune response of a lepidopteran insect, Manduca sexta
Authors: An Chunju , Jiang Haobo , Kanost Michael R. 
Published: November 2009

The innate immune response of insects includes induced expression of genes encoding a variety of antimicrobial peptides. The signaling pathways that stimulate this gene expression have been well characterized by genetic analysis in Drosophila melanogaster, but are not well understood in most other insect species. One such pathway involves proteolytic activation of a cytokine called Spätzle, which functions in dorsal–ventral patterning in early embryonic development and in the antimicrobial immune response in larvae and adults. We have investigated the function of Spätzle in a lepidopteran insect, Manduca sexta, in which hemolymph proteinases activated during immune responses have been characterized biochemically. Two cDNA isoforms for M. sexta Spätzle‐1 differ because of alternative splicing, resulting in a 10 amino acid residue insertion in the pro‐region of proSpätzle‐1B that is not present in proSpätzle‐1A. The proSpätzle‐1A cDNA encodes a 32.7 kDa polypeptide that is 23% and 44% identical to D. melanogaster and Bombyx mori Spätzle‐1, respectively. Recombinant proSpätzle‐1A was a disulfide‐linked homodimer. M. sexta hemolymph proteinase 8 cleaved proSpätzle‐1A to release Spätzle‐C108, a dimer of the C‐terminal 108 residue cystine‐knot domain. Injection of Spätzle‐C108, but not proSpätzle‐1A, into larvae stimulated expression of several antimicrobial peptides and proteins, including attacin‐1, cecropin‐6, moricin, lysozyme, and the immunoglobulin domain protein hemolin, but did not significantly affect the expression of two bacteria‐inducible pattern recognition proteins, immulectin‐2 and β‐1,3‐glucan recognition protein‐2. The results of this and other recent studies support a model for a pathway in which the clip‐domain proteinase pro‐hemolymph proteinase 6 becomes activated in plasma upon exposure to Gram‐negative or Gram‐positive bacteria or to β‐1,3‐glucan. Hemolymph proteinase 6 then activates pro‐hemolymph proteinase 8, which in turn activates Spätzle‐1. The resulting Spätzle‐C108 dimer is likely to function as a ligand to activate a Toll pathway in M. sexta as a response to a wide variety of microbial challenges, stimulating a broad response to infection.Structured digital abstract
MINT‐7295125: Spätzle 1A (uniprotkb:C8BMD1) and Spätzle 1A (uniprotkb:C8BMD1) bind (MI:0407) by comigration in gel electrophoresis (MI:0807)
Debriefing critical incidents in the paediatric emergency department: Current practice and perceived needs in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Theophilos Theane , Magyar Joanne , Babl Franz E ,   Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT)
Published: November 2009

AbstractAnecdotally critical incident debriefing (CID) is an important topic for staff in paediatric ED. The present study aimed to determine current baseline CID practices and perceived needs of ED staff. A questionnaire regarding CID practice was circulated to all 13 Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) sites in Australia and New Zealand (including all tertiary paediatric ED), and completed by 1 senior doctor and 1 senior nurse. All PREDICT sites participated (13 nurses, 13 doctors). Seventy per cent did not currently have a hospital protocol on debriefing and 90% did not have ED‐specific guidelines. The most commonly debriefed topics were death of a patient, multi‐trauma and sudden infant death syndrome, also ranked highest in importance for debriefing. The median reported debriefs per department were 4 per year (range 0–12), all conducted within a week of the CI with half within 24 h. ED workers most likely to be invited to the CID session were doctors, nurses and social workers (96%). Debriefing was mostly conducted internally (62%) and most likely facilitated by a doctor (81%) or nurse (54%). Debriefing addressed both clinical and emotional issues (89%) within the same session (69%). Debriefing was rated as very important, median of 8/10 by doctors and 10/10 by nurses. Almost 90% of those surveyed indicated that they would like a CID programme and guidelines for their department. Debriefing is perceived as important by senior ED clinicians, yet few ED have formalized guidelines or programmes. Best‐practice guidelines should be developed.
Clinical challenges and serious vascular complications in neurofibromatosis
Authors: Faruque M Omar , Davidson Fergus 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAlthough generally regarded as a benign and chronic condition, neurofibromatosis can be associated with acute vascular and neurological complications. We report the case of a patient with neurofibromatosis who developed massive haemothorax as a result of spontaneous rupture of the left vertebral artery and left subclavian artery. The case was a diagnostic and management challenge.
Level of Bother and Treatment-Seeking Predictors Among Male and Female in-Patients with Sexual Problems: A Hospital-Based Study
Authors: Evangelia Nakopoulou , Kirana Paraskevi-Sofia , Chiu Gretchen , Link Carol , Rosen Ray , Hatzichristou Dimitrios 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Despite its importance for epidemiological and clinical reasons, relatively few studies investigated determinants of bother or distress associated with sexual problems.

Aim
To assess perception of bother from sexual concerns and examine its role in predicting treatment-seeking.

Main Outcome Measures
The Brief Sexual Symptom Checklist and two single-item questions were used to assess type of sexual problems, level of bother, and treatment-seeking behavior.

Methods
Participants were recruited by selecting all sequentially eligible patients in each of the hospital’s clinics. The scales used were drawn from the Hospitalized and Outpatients’ Profile and Expectations Study survey instrument. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results
In total 415 inpatients (48% men and 52% women) participated in the study. A high prevalence of male and female sexual problems was obtained (more than 50%) with a high degree of overlap among the various sexual problems. Common profiles included lack of desire and arousal or orgasmic problems in the women (8–9%); erectile dysfunction (ED) and low desire in the men (21.7%). Forty-five percent and 34% of our male and female participants, respectively, reported moderate or severe bother with its level declining with aging only in women (P &lt;0.001). Degree of bother was strongly associated with ED (P = 0.005) and curved penis (P = 0.02) in men, and with difficulties reaching orgasm (P = 0.01) in women. In both genders, bother increased the likelihood of willingness to discuss the sexual problem with a physician (odds ratio [OR] 10.66 for men and OR 4.35 for women); only in women, bother was associated with treatment seeking (OR 2.81).

Conclusions
Sexual dysfunctions are not always associated with increased bother or dissatisfaction, a condition that influences treatment-seeking behavior. Such findings are of clinical importance as they aid physicians in establishing a diagnosis of a sexual disorder.