bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological and biochemical responses of Quercus pubescens to air warming and drought on acidic and calcareous soils
Authors: Contran N. , Günthardt‐Goerg M. S. , Kuster T. M. , Cerana R. , Crosti P. , Paoletti E. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe drought‐ and thermo‐tolerant Quercus pubescens, a tree species growing on both acidic and calcareous soils in the sub‐Mediterranean region, was exposed to soil drought (−60% to −80% soil water content) and air warming (+1.2 °C daytime temperature), singly and in combination. The experiment was conducted on two natural forest soils with similar texture but different pH (acidic and calcareous soils). The physiological (photosynthesis) and biochemical (antioxidant system) responses of Q. pubescens were investigated. On acidic soil, Q. pubescens had a higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) content than on calcareous soil, confirming that this species is better adapted to the latter soil type. A down‐regulation of ascorbate‐glutathione cycle enzymes suggests that ROS were used as signalling molecules. Air warming stimulated stomatal opening, while soil drought induced stomatal closure in the late afternoon and reduced Rubisco carboxylation efficiency. Photosynthetic performance in the combined treatment was higher than under single drought stress and similar to control and air warming. Q. pubescens biochemical responses depended on soil pH. On acidic soil, Q. pubescens trees exposed to air warming used ROS as signalling molecules. On calcareous soil, these trees were able to balance both soil drought and air warming stress, avoiding ROS toxic effects by increasing antioxidant enzyme activitiy and maintaining a high enzymatic antioxidant defence. When combined, drought and air warming induced either more severe (higher oxidative pressure and impairment of the light‐harvesting complex) or different responses (decline of the thermal energy dissipation capacity) relative to the single stressors. Overall, however, Q. pubescens preserved the functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus and controlled the antioxidant system response, thus confirming its drought and thermo‐tolerance and therefore its potential to adapt to the ongoing climate change.
An overnight increase in CO2 predicts mortality in sleep disordered breathing
Authors: BRILLANTE RUBY , LAKS LEON , COSSA GAVINA , PETERS MATTHEW , LIU PETER 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent but under‐recognized. Evidence is accumulating for its role as a predictor of mortality independent of cardiovascular risk factors. The role of hypercapnia in SDB is not known systematically, and between 11 and 43% of patients with SDB develop chronic hypercapnia. Hypercapnia predicts mortality in other respiratory conditions. The role of hypercapnia in independently predicting mortality in patients with SDB after assessing for the presence of airways disease and obesity was investigated.Methods:  The records of 396 consecutive patients were examined retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression to determine the association between gas exchange and polysomnography (PSG) variables and all‐cause mortality, adjusted for potential confounders, including age, gender and presence of co‐morbidity and airways disease.Results:  The mean age of our patient population was 55 ± 15 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.6 ± 6.2 kg/m2. Out of the 322 patient population, 258 were men. After 10 years, 25% had died, following a maximum follow‐up of 16.7 years. Mortality among patients with SDB was predicted by a difference between evening and morning PaCO2 (ΔPaCO2) of ≥7 mm Hg and evening hypoxaemia (PaO2 < 65 mm Hg), independent of age and the presence of co‐morbidity and airways disease. There was a significant correlation between minimum oxygen saturation (SpO2) and ΔPaCO2 ≥ 7 mm Hg (P = 0.002) and evening PaO2 < 65 mm Hg (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  An overnight increase in CO2 and evening hypoxaemia are independent mortality predictors in SDB. A low minimum SpO2 identifies patients in whom morning and evening arterial blood gases are beneficial.
Thermal and hydric implications of diurnal activity by a small tropical frog during the dry season
Authors: TRACY CHRISTOPHER R. , CHRISTIAN KEITH A. , BURNIP NICOLE , AUSTIN BEAU J. , CORNALL ALYSSA , IGLESIAS SEBASTIAN , REYNOLDS STEPHEN J. , TIXIER THOMAS , LE NOËNE CAMILLE 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAmphibians are typically intolerant of high temperatures and dehydrating conditions, and small species are particularly susceptible to desiccation. The rockhole frog, Litoria meiriana (Hylidae), is diurnal and is often observed on rocks in the sun near streams in tropical Australia. These hot, desiccating conditions are avoided by most frog species. We measured the microclimate in the areas used by frogs and the activity, body temperatures and hydric state of free‐ranging individuals of this small frog. We also used plaster models to further explore the dynamic nature of hydric state by combining estimates of water loss and water uptake with behavioural observations of activity and microhabitat selection. Both direct measures and estimates of dynamic hydric state indicated that free‐ranging frogs generally maintained a hydric state above 95% of full hydration, but occasionally, particularly during the afternoon, frogs allowed their hydric state to fall as low as 85%. Body temperatures of frogs remained below the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) even when the frogs were in the sun, because this species has no cutaneous resistance to evaporative water loss and so they cool by evaporation. However, during the hotter part of the day, on dry sunny substrates, the hydric state of the frogs could fall to near lethal hydration states (approximately 70% of full hydration) within a short period (approximately 20 min). Thus, the threat of desiccation appears to be more limiting than the threat of overheating. These diurnal frogs rely on frequent bouts of rehydration to support their ability to venture onto hot, dry rocks during the day.
Lesions of the orbital prefrontal cortex impair the formation of attentional set in rats
Authors: Chase E. Alexander , Tait David S. , Brown Verity J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIn rats, reversal learning impairments are commonly reported after lesions of the orbital prefrontal cortex (OFC), in contrast to the effect of lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex, which impair attentional set‐shifting. Comparable dissociations have also been reported in humans, monkeys and mice. However, these two manifestations of behavioural flexibility may share common cognitive processes. The present study tested the hypothesis that lesions of the OFC (an area that integrates expected and actual outcomes to signal which cues in the environment predict reward) would impair the formation of attentional set as well as impairing reversal learning. We compared the performance of lesioned and control rats on two set‐shifting tasks. The first task we used, ‘the 4ID task’, had no reversal stages, but multiple intradimensional acquisitions before the extradimensional shift stage, to assess set‐formation as well as set‐shifting. The second task was the standard intradimensional/extradimensional ‘7‐stage task’, which includes reversal learning stages after each compound acquisition. Compared with controls, lesioned rats were slower to form attentional set on the 4ID task. When they did form a set, they required more trials to complete the extradimensional shift stage. On the 7‐stage task, we replicated our previous finding of impaired reversal learning and reduced shift‐costs. We interpret these findings as reflecting a single deficit in identifying relevant cues after unexpected outcomes, which supports recent models of OFC function. Our findings challenge the assumption that the contribution of the OFC to behavioural flexibility is limited to reversal learning.
Early‐life stress‐induced anxiety‐related behavior in adult mice partially requires forebrain corticotropin‐releasing hormone receptor 1
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Dong , Labermaier Christiana , Holsboer Florian , Wurst Wolfgang , Deussing Jan M. , Müller Marianne B. , Schmidt Mathias V. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEarly‐life stress may lead to persistent changes in central corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and the CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) system that modulates anxiety‐related behavior. However, it remains unknown whether CRH–CRHR1 signaling is involved in early‐life stress‐induced anxiety‐related behavior in adult animals. In the present study, we used conditional forebrain CRHR1 knockout (CRHR1‐CKO) mice and examined the potential role of forebrain CRHR1 in the anxiogenic effects of early‐life stress. As adults, wild‐type mice that received unstable maternal care during the first postnatal week showed reduced body weight gain and increased anxiety levels in the open field test, which were prevented in stressed CRHR1‐CKO mice. In the light–dark box test, control CRHR1‐CKO mice were less anxious, but early‐life stress increased anxiety levels in both wild‐type and CRHR1‐CKO mice. In the elevated plus maze test, early‐life stress had only subtle effects on anxiety‐related behavior. Moreover, early‐life stress did not alter the basal home cage activity and gene expression levels of key hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis regulators in adult wild‐type and CRHR1‐CKO mice, but enhanced neuroendocrine reactivity to acute immobilization stress in CRHR1‐CKO mice. Our findings highlight the importance of forebrain CRHR1 in modulating some of the anxiogenic effects of early‐life stress, and suggest that other neural circuits are also involved in the programming effects of early‐life stress on anxiety‐related behavior.
Deletion and acquisition of genomic content during early stage adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to a human host environment
Authors: Rau Martin H. , Marvig Rasmus Lykke , Ehrlich Garth D. , Molin Søren , Jelsbak Lars 
Published: June 2012

SummaryAdaptation of bacterial pathogens to a permanently host‐associated lifestyle by means of deletion or acquisition of genetic material is usually examined through comparison of present‐day isolates to a distant theoretical ancestor. This limits the resolution of the adaptation process. We conducted a retrospective study of the dissemination of the P. aeruginosa DK2 clone type among patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, sequencing the genomes of 45 isolates collected from 16 individuals over 35 years. Analysis of the genomes provides a high‐resolution examination of the dynamics and mechanisms of the change in genetic content during the early stage of host adaptation by this P. aeruginosa strain as it adapts to the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung of several patients. Considerable genome reduction is detected predominantly through the deletion of large genomic regions, and up to 8% of the genome is deleted in one isolate. Compared with in vitro estimates the resulting average deletion rates are 12‐ to 36‐fold higher. Deletions occur through both illegitimate and homologous recombination, but they are not IS element mediated as previously reported for early stage host adaptation. Uptake of novel DNA sequences during infection is limited as only one prophage region was putatively inserted in one isolate, demonstrating that early host adaptation is characterized by the reduction of genomic repertoire rather than acquisition of novel functions. Finally, we also describe the complete genome of this highly adapted pathogenic strain of P. aeruginosa to strengthen the genetic basis, which serves to help our understanding of microbial evolution in a natural environment.
A study comparing insulin lispro mix 25 with glargine plus lispro therapy in patients with Type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycaemic control on oral anti‐hyperglycaemic medication: results of the PARADIGM study
Authors: Bowering K. , Reed V. A. , Felicio J. , Landry J. , Ji L. , Oliveira J. 
Published: June 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e263‐e272 (2012)AbstractAims  To test the hypothesis that initiation and intensification with 25% insulin lispro, 75% insulin lispro protamine suspension (LM25), is non‐inferior to initiation and intensification with glargine + insulin lispro therapy on change from baseline in HbA1c.Methods  In this randomized, non‐inferiority (margin of 0.4%), parallel, prospective, multi‐country, 48‐week, open‐label study, patients (n = 426) with Type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with oral anti‐hyperglycaemic medications were assigned to either initiating therapy with one daily LM25 injection, progressing up to three daily injections (full analysis set n = 211; per protocol set n = 177) or initiating therapy with one daily glargine injection and progressing up to three daily insulin lispro injections (full analysis set n = 212; per protocol set n = 184).Results  LM25 therapy was found to be non‐inferior to glargine + insulin lispro therapy by study end (upper limit of 95% CI < 0.4), with a least‐squares mean difference (95% CI) in HbA1c (LM25 minus glargine + insulin lispro) of −0.4 mmol/mol (95% CI −2.7 to 1.9); −0.04% (95% CI −0.25 to 0.17). No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were found in the percentage of patients achieving HbA1c targets or postprandial blood glucose levels. The increase in insulin dose, number of injections and weight change during the course of the study were similar in both groups. Patients in both groups experienced similar hypoglycaemia rates and safety profile.Conclusions  For patients with Type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with oral anti‐hyperglycaemic medications, glycaemic control when initiating and intensifying with LM25 therapy was found to be non‐inferior to treatment with glargine + insulin lispro therapy.
Impact of community pharmacy diabetes monitoring and education programme on diabetes management: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Ali M. , Schifano F. , Robinson P. , Phillips G. , Doherty L. , Melnick P. , Laming L. , Sinclair A. , Dhillon S. 
Published: June 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e326–e333 (2012)AbstractAims  To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist‐led patient education and diabetes monitoring programme on HbA1c and other cardiovascular risk factors in the community setting.Methods  Patients with Type 2 diabetes (n = 46) attending two community pharmacies in Hertfordshire, UK were randomized to one of two groups. Patients in the intervention group (n = 23) received a programme of education about diabetes, its treatment and associated cardiovascular risk factors. These patients were seen for monitoring/counselling by a community pharmacist on six occasions over a 12‐month period. Measures included HbA1c, BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid profile. Patients in the control group (n = 23) underwent these measurements at baseline and at 12 months only, without specific counselling or education over and above usual care.Results  HbA1c fell from 66 mmol/mol (8.2%) to 49 mmol/mol (6.6%) (P < 0.001) in intervention group, compared with reduction from 65 mmol/mol (8.1%) to 59 mmol/mol (7.5%) in the control group (P = 0.03). Blood pressure fell from 146/87 to 126/81 mmHg in the intervention group (P = 0.01) compared with no significant change in the control group (136/86 to 139/82 mmHg). Significant reductions in BMI (30.8 to 27 kg/m2, P < 0.001) and blood glucose (8.8 to 6.9 mmol/l, P < 0.001) were also observed in the intervention group as compared with no significant changes in the control group. Lipid profile changes were mixed. In the intervention group, improvements were seen in diabetes‐related quality of life (P = 0.001), diabetes knowledge (P = 0.018), belief about the need for medication (P = 0.004) and reduced concerns regarding medication (P < 0.001).Conclusions  Education and counselling by community pharmacists can result in favourable improvements to the cardiovascular risk profile of patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Gene expression in the developing aleurone and starchy endosperm of wheat
Authors: Gillies Susan A. , Futardo Agnelo , Henry Robert J. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryWheat is a critical food source globally. Food security is an increasing concern; current production levels are not expected to keep pace with global demand. New technologies have provided a vast array of wheat genetic data; however, best use of this data requires placing it within a framework in which the various genes, pathways and interactions can be examined. Here we present the first systematic comparison of the global transcriptomes of the aleurone and starchy endosperm of the developing wheat seed (Triticum aestivum), at time points critical to the development of the aleurone layer; 6‐, 9‐ and 14‐day post‐anthesis. Illumina sequencing gave 25—55 million sequence reads per tissue, of the trimmed reads, 70%—81% mapped to reference expressed sequence transcripts. Transcript abundance was analysed by performing RNA‐Seq normalization to generate reads per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads values, and these were used in comparative analyses between the tissues at each time point using Kal’s Z‐test. This identified 9414—13 202 highly differentially expressed transcripts that were categorized on the basis of tissue and time point expression and functionally analysed revealing two very distinct tissues. The results demonstrate the fundamental biological reprogramming of the two major biologically and economically significant tissues of the wheat seed over this time course. Understanding these changes in gene expression profiles is essential to mining the potential these tissues hold for human nutrition and contributing to the systems biology of this important crop plant.
Primary health care resources for rehabilitation and secondary prevention after myocardial infarction – a questionnaire survey
Authors: Sjöström‐Strand Annica , Ivarsson Bodil , Sjöberg Trygve 
Published: June 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 260–266

Primary health care resources for rehabilitation and secondary prevention after myocardial infarction – a questionnaire survey
Background:  During the first year after a cardiac event, many patients are offered participation in a cardiac rehabilitation programme, after which the patients are often not given the opportunity to continue to attend rehabilitation and secondary prevention programmes.Aim:  This study describes the primary health care centres’ (PHCC) resources regarding cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programmes for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in a southern Swedish region.Method:  A questionnaire containing 26 dichotomous or multiple choice questions was sent to the responsible manager of all 137 public and private PHCCs in Region Skåne. Questionnaires from 91 (66%) of the PHCCs were completed and returned.Result:  Few nurses at the PHCCs had special training regarding CHD (10%), cardiac rehabilitation (8%) or heart failure (32%). Twenty‐one per cent of the physicians had special training regarding CHD. One third of the PHCCs did not offer long‐term secondary prevention programmes, and few (6%) had any routines for offering socio‐economic support to CHD patients. Comparison of private and public PHCCs showed that the private centres could not offer a physiotherapist (61 vs. 84%) or dietician (32 vs. 73%; p = 0.03) to the same extension as the public ones. Furthermore, the majority (91%) of PHCCs had no cooperation with patient organizations.Conclusions:  The PHCCs need to improve the strategies and long‐term rehabilitation programmes. Furthermore, they need to focus on education programme for the staff. The result revealed that the PHCCs lack resources, strategies and long‐term care programmes for CHD patients.
Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the selection, optimization, compensation questionnaire
Authors: Viglund Kerstin , Aléx Lena , Jonsén Elisabeth , Lundman Berit , Norberg Astrid , Fischer Regina Santamäki , Strandberg Gunilla , Nygren Björn 
Published: June 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 460–467

Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the selection, optimization, compensation questionnaire
Background:  The model of selection, optimization and compensation has been proposed as a model of adaptive management strategies throughout the lifespan.Aim:  The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of a translated Swedish version of the 12‐item selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) questionnaire.Method:  The 12‐item SOC questionnaire is composed of four subscales: elective selection (ES), loss‐based selection, optimization and compensation. A convenience sample of 122 Swedish‐speaking people, aged 19–85, participated in a study of the validity and reliability of the SOC questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, corrected item–total correlation and Cronbach’s alpha if item deleted were used for reliability testing. Two other scales, the ways of coping questionnaire and Rosenberg’s self‐esteem scale, were used to test convergent validity, and the geriatric depression scale was used to test discriminant validity. Stability over time was evaluated using a test–retest model with a 2‐week interval.Results:  The 12‐item SOC questionnaire showed a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.50, and the subscales ranged from α = 0.16 to α = 0.64. Two items in the ES subscale had negative values on the corrected item–total correlation and showed substantial improvement (>0.05) in Cronbach’s alpha when item deleted. When these two items that influenced internal consistency were deleted, Cronbach’s alpha rose to 0.68.Conclusion:  The Swedish version of the 12‐item SOC questionnaire showed deficiencies in a test of internal consistency because of two items in the ES subscale, and these two items were deleted. A consequence of the reduction is a weakening of the ES subscale and thereby to some extent the SOC questionnaire in total. Further testing is advisable. However, the 10‐item SOC questionnaire was acceptable in a test of validity and reliability.
Formulation optimization, skin irritation, and efficacy characterization of a novel skin‐lightening agent
Authors: Jain Piyush , Sonti Sujatha , Garruto John , Mehta Rahul , Banga Ajay K. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryBackground  Skin‐lightening preparations are used by people all over the world for a diverse range of dermatologic indications. The gold standard treatment for skin lightening is with hydroquinone but has been controversial because of the presence of several side effects. Therefore, there has been a constant search for developing new treatment alternatives. Furthermore, the new amendments and bans on animal testing by ECVAM have made the three‐dimensional models like EpiDerm™ and MelanoDerm™ increasingly popular.Objective  This work aims at the formulation development for a new skin‐lightening agent, SMA‐012, followed by testing for skin irritation and efficacy.Methods  Formulation parameters such as concentration of SMA‐012, amount of ethanol, effect of permeation enhancers and pH were first optimized using Franz cell experiments. Tape stripping and underlying skin assays were performed to analyze the amounts of SMA‐012 in different layers of skin. The irritation potential and efficacy of the screened formulation were evaluated using Epiderm™ and Melanoderm™ models.Results  Skin permeation experiments suggested that concentrations of 0.1% SMA‐012, 35% ethanol, and pH of 8.5 to be the best formulation characteristics. This particular formulation was found to be nonirritant for short‐term exposure, when tested in Epiderm™ model and also significantly effective in decreasing the amount of melanin in pigmented skin equivalent models.Conclusion  SMA‐012 shows a good promise as a skin‐lightening agent for cosmetic and therapeutic applications. Additionally, our study demonstrates the application of skin equivalent models as alternatives to animal testing in studying the regulation of skin pigmentation.