bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of mirtazapine on sleep disturbance under neuropathic pain‐like state
Authors: Enomoto Tatsuya , Yamashita Akira , Torigoe Kazuhiro , Horiuchi Hiroshi , Hirayama Shigeto , Nakahara Kae , Yanase Makoto , Sakai Hiroyasu , Ikegami Daigo , Nagase Hiroshi , Suzuki Tsutomu , Iseki Masako , Inada Eiichi , Narita Minoru 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSleep disturbance has been reported to be one of the most frequent symptoms in patients suffered from severe pain. Benzodiazepines are effective and reduce anxiety in the hours after use, but the induced sleep tends to be less than ideal in quality, with increased Stages I–II and reduces Stages III–IV sleep. In the present study, we investigated sleep disturbance under a neuropathic pain‐like state in mice using electroencephalogram (EEG)/electromyogram (EMG). In a model of neuropathic pain, sciatic nerve ligation caused a marked decrease in the latency of paw withdrawal in response to a thermal stimulus only on the ipsilateral side. Under this condition, sciatic nerve‐ligated animals showed a statistically significant increase in wakefulness and a decrease in non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep during the light phase. Mirtazapine (MTZ) is an antidepressant, which is considered to enhance noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission via antagonistic action at central α2‐adrenergic autoreceptors and heteroreceptors. In the present binding study, MTZ showed higher affinity for histamine H1 and serotonin 5‐HT2A/2C receptors than other receptors, including α2‐adrenergic receptor, in the mouse brain tissue. The thermal hyperalgesia and sleep disturbance following nerve ligation were almost completely alleviated by MTZ. These findings suggest that MTZ may improve the quality of sleep as well as control pain in patients with neuropathic pain mainly through histamine H1‐ and serotonin 5‐HT2‐receptor antagonistic actions. Synapse, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties of a Dinuclear Antiferromagnetically Coupled Cobalt Complex
Authors: Wu Da‐Yu , Huang Wei , Wang Laiguo , Wu Genhua 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA new dinuclear cobalt(II) compound,[(TPA*)CoII(DHBQ2–)CoII(TPA*)]2+ (12+) {TPA* =tris[(3, 5‐dimethyl‐pyrazol‐l‐yl)methyl] amine, DHBQ = deprotonated 2, 5‐dihydroxy‐1, 4‐benzoquinone}, was prepared and structurally and magnetically characterized. X‐ray crystallography revealed the centrosymmetric dinuclear divalent cobalt ions bridged by DHBQ2– unit. The cobalt ions in the title compound have a distorted octahedral arrangement by coordination with four nitrogens of a TPA* and two oxygens of a bridging DHBQ unit. Due to the interdimer offset face‐to‐face π–π stacking in the crystallographic ac plane, the complex shows extended 2D supramolecular structure. Magnetic experiments showed the cobalt‐based dinuclear compound exhibits antiferromagnetic interactions with g = 2.35 and J/kB = –2.76 K, respectively.
A Study of Puroindoline b Gene Involvement in the Milling Behavior of Hard‐Type Common Wheats
Authors: Lasme Privat , Oury François‐Xavier , Michelet Christophe , Abécassis Joël , Mabille Frédéric , L'Helgouac'h Christine Bar , Lullien‐Pellerin Valérie 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTDifferences in milling behavior among hard‐type common wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars are well known to millers. Among them, the French cultivar Soissons, which contains the Pinb‐D1d allelic form of the puroindoline b gene, is particularly distinguished for its high milling value. Near‐isogenic lines (NILs) differing by the allelic forms of the puroindoline b gene, Pinb‐D1d or Pinb‐D1b (one of the most frequent alleles found in the European wheat population), were constructed. Grain characteristics obtained after wheat cultivation in distinct environmental conditions were compared between NILs and the cultivar Soissons, as was their fractionation behavior. Results showed that NILs containing the Pinb‐D1d allele displayed lower values of grain hardness and vitreousness than did the corresponding lines containing the Pinb‐D1b allelic form under the same cultivation conditions. Both genetic background and environmental conditions appeared to affect grain texture. Measured single‐kernel characterization system hardness index values of the samples under study were found to be correlated with the vitreousness values. Studies of the milling behavior helped to point out that grain vitreousness is an important factor acting on endosperm breakage ability, whatever the genetic background of the wheat. Our results also demonstrated that, at similar levels of vitreousness, the endosperm of Soissons could more easily be reduced than that of other wheat lines.
Spirometric values in elderly asthmatic patients are not influenced by obesity
Authors: Agondi R. C. , Bisaccioni C. , Aun M. V. , Ribeiro M. R. , Kalil J. , Giavina‐Bianchi P. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryBackgroundStudies have suggested that asthma in obese individuals differs from the classic asthma phenotype, presenting as a disease that is more difficult to control.ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to determine whether obesity, age or a combination of the two are associated with worse spirometry parameters in patients with asthma.MethodsThis was an observational cross‐sectional study involving patients over 18 years of age who had been diagnosed with asthma (allergic or nonallergic). We evaluated the results of their spirometric tests. The patients were classified in accordance with two criteria: body mass index (BMI) and age. Based on their BMIs, the patients were divided into three groups: normal weight, overweight and obese. Patients were also separated into two categories by age: 18–59 years of age; and ≥ 60 years of age.ResultsWe evaluated 451 patients with asthma and their spirometry tests. In the present study, the pulmonary function parameters were negatively correlated with BMI and age (P < 0.05). We found that there was a statistically significant correlation between spirometric values and BMI among patients 18–59 years of age (P < 0.001), however, among patients over 60, we did not observe this negative association.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThe spirometric values decreased significantly in proportion to the increase of BMI and age in patients with asthma, especially among young adults. There was no negative correlation between BMI and FEV1 in the group ≥ 60 years of age, suggesting that perhaps the time of disease is a major factor in the loss of lung function than weight gain in the elderly.
Analysis of the role ofBacillus subtilisσMin β‐lactam resistance reveals an essential role for c‐di‐AMP in peptidoglycan homeostasis
Authors: Luo Yun , Helmann John D. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryTheBacillus subtilisextracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor σMis inducible by, and confers resistance to, several cell envelope‐acting antibiotics. Here, we demonstrate that σMis responsible for intrinsic β‐lactam resistance, with σXplaying a secondary role. Activation of σMupregulates several cell wall biosynthetic enzymes including one, PBP1, shown here to be a target for the beta‐lactam cefuroxime. However, σMstill plays a major role in cefuroxime resistance even in cells lacking PBP1. To better define the role of σMin β‐lactam resistance, we characterized suppressor mutations that restore cefuroxime resistance to asigMnull mutant. The most frequent suppressors inactivatedgdpP(yybT) which encodes a cyclic‐di‐AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE). Intriguingly, σMis a known activator ofdisAencoding one of three paralogous diadenylate cyclases (DAC). Overproduction of the GdpP PDE greatly sensitized cells to β‐lactam antibiotics. Conversely, genetic studies indicate that at least one DAC is required for growth with depletion leading to cell lysis. These findings support a model in which c‐di‐AMP is an essential signal molecule required for cell wall homeostasis. Other suppressors highlight the roles of ECF σ factors in counteracting the deleterious effects of autolysins and reactive oxygen species in β‐lactam‐treated cells.
Distinct roles of two ceramide synthases, CaLag1p and CaLac1p, in the morphogenesis of Candida albicans
Authors: Cheon Seon Ah , Bal Jyotiranjan , Song Yunkyoung , Hwang Hai‐min , Kim Ah Ruem , Kang Woo Kyu , Kang Hyun Ah , Hannibal‐Bach Hans K. , Knudsen Jens , Ejsing Christer S. , Kim Jeong‐Yoon 
Published: December 2011

SummaryLag1p and Lac1p catalyse ceramide synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This study shows that Lag1 family proteins are generally required for polarized growth in hemiascomycetous yeast. However, in contrast to S. cerevisiae where these proteins are functionally redundant, C. albicans Lag1p (CaLag1p) and Lac1p (CaLac1p) are functionally distinct. Lack of CaLag1p, but not CaLac1p, caused severe defects in the growth and hyphal morphogenesis of C. albicans. Deletion of CaLAG1 decreased expression of the hypha‐specific HWP1 and ECE1 genes. Moreover, overexpression of CaLAG1 induced pseudohyphal growth in this organism under non‐hypha‐inducing conditions, suggesting that CaLag1p is necessary for relaying signals to induce hypha‐specific gene expression. Analysis of ceramide and sphingolipid composition revealed that CaLag1p predominantly synthesizes ceramides with C24:0/C26:0 fatty acid moieties, which are involved in generating inositol‐containing sphingolipids, whereas CaLac1p produces ceramides with C18:0 fatty acid moieties, which are precursors for glucosylsphingolipids. Thus, our study demonstrates that CaLag1p and CaLac1p have distinct substrate specificities and physiological roles in C. albicans.
Resveratrol induces gastric cancer cell apoptosis via reactive oxygen species, but independent of sirtuin1
Authors: Wang Zhengguang , Li Weiping , Meng Xiangling , Jia Benli 
Published: December 2011

Summary

The currently available chemotherapeutic regimens against gastric cancer are not very effective, leading to high recurrence and poor survival. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol with potent apoptosis‐inducing activity. However, the mechanism underlying its actions remains unknown.
In the present study, human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC7901 cells were treated with resveratrol (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L) for 48 h, and cellular apoptosis DNA damage were determined. In certain experiments, cells were incubated with superoxide dismutase (100 U/mL), catalase (300 U/mL) or sirtinol (10 μmol/L) to determine the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sirtuin1 in resveratrol‐induced cellular apoptosis.
Treatment with resveratrol (50–200 μmol/L) for 48 h significantly induced apoptosis and DNA damage in human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells. This was due to the increased generation of ROS following resveratrol treatment because incubation of cells with superoxide dismutase (100 U/mL) or catalase (300 U/mL) attenuated resveratrol‐induced cellular apoptosis. Interestingly, treatment with resveratrol (25–200 μmol/L) did not affect the level and activity of sirtuin1, whereas the sirtuin1 inhibitor sirtinol (10 μmol/L) significantly reduced sirtuin1 activity. Furthermore, treatment with sirtinol (10 μmol/L) did not have any effect on apoptosis induced by resveratrol.
These data provide evidence that resveratrol induces apoptosis via ROS, but independent of sirtuin1, in the human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901.
Multiple resource limitation theory applied to herbivorous consumers: Liebig’s minimum rule vs. interactive co‐limitation
Authors: Sperfeld Erik , Martin‐Creuzburg Dominik , Wacker Alexander 
Published: December 2011

Ecology Letters(2011)AbstractThere is growing consensus that the growth of herbivorous consumers is frequently limited by more than one nutrient simultaneously. This understanding, however, is based primarily on theoretical considerations and the applicability of existing concepts of co‐limitation has rarely been tested experimentally. Here, we assessed the suitability of two contrasting concepts of resource limitation, i.e. Liebig’s minimum rule and the multiple limitation hypothesis, to describe nutrient‐dependent growth responses of a freshwater herbivore (Daphnia magna) in a system with two potentially limiting nutrients (cholesterol and eicosapentaenoic acid). The results indicated that these essential nutrients interact, and do not strictly follow Liebig’s minimum rule, which consistently overestimates growth at co‐limiting conditions and thus is not applicable to describe multiple nutrient limitation of herbivorous consumers. We infer that the outcome of resource‐based modelling approaches assessing herbivore population dynamics strongly depends on the applied concept of co‐limitation.
Decreased peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA content is related to HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose level and age of onset in Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Xu F. X. , Zhou X. , Shen F. , Pang R. , Liu S. M. 
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, e47–e54 (2012)AbstractAims  Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content is essential for maintaining normal mitochondrial function, and the mitochondrial function is critical for the production and the release of insulin in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. We investigated whether peripheral blood mtDNA content was reduced in Type 2 diabetes, and what were the major factors?Methods  The mtDNA content of peripheral blood in a sample of 147 Type 2 diabetes and 170 normal Chinese subjects was determined by amplification of the mitochondrial gene CYT‐B and normalized by a nuclear DNA β‐globin gene. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, fasting plasma insulin and lipid profile (HDL‐cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride) were analysed with commercial kits on an automatic analyser.Results  In Type 2 diabetes group, the mean HbA1c was 62 mmol/mol (7.8%). Moreover, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, LDL‐cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting plasma insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance were significantly higher in Type 2 diabetes group than that in control group. Peripheral blood mtDNA content was 24% lower than that in the controls (1.4 ± 0.5 vs. 1.8 ± 0.7, P < 0.001). The mtDNA content was negatively correlated with BMI, fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (P < 0.01), and age, triglyceride and LDL‐cholesterol levels (P < 0.05); while positively correlated with HDL‐cholesterol level (P < 0.05) in both groups. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose and age of onset were the major factors affecting the mtDNA content in the Type 2 diabetes group; however, BMI was the only variable associated with lower mtDNA content in control group.Conclusion  Our results demonstrate that lower peripheral blood mtDNA content is associated with Type 2 diabetes in Chinese individuals, and HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose and age of onset are the major factors affecting the mtDNA content.
Description and Validation of an Italian ICHD‐II‐Based Questionnaire for Use in Epidemiological Research
Authors: Abrignani Giorgia , Ferrante Tullia , Castellini Paola , Lambru Giorgio , Beghi Ettore , Manzoni Gian Camillo , Torelli Paola 
Published: December 2011

Background.— In the absence of biological markers, the diagnosis of primary headache in epidemiological studies rests on clinical findings, as reported through ad‐hoc interviews.Objectives.— The aim of this study was to validate a specially designed headache questionnaire to be administered by a physician for the diagnosis of primary headaches or of probable medication overuse headache in the general population according to the 2004 International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition (ICHD‐II).Methods.— The questionnaire comprises 76 questions based on the ICHD‐II diagnostic criteria for migraine (codes 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.5.1, and 1.6), tension‐type headache (codes 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4), primary stabbing headache (code 4.1), and probable medication‐overuse headache (code 8.2.7), as well as on other clinical features (eg, age at onset, relation between headache and pregnancy, etc). The answers to each question could be of the following types: (1) numbers (ie, age at onset); (2) “Yes” or “No” (eg, as in reply to “Do you have nausea during headache?”); and (3) predefined answers (eg, quality of pain). We assessed the validity and reliability of the questionnaire and its sensitivity and specificity for migraine and tension‐type headache.Results.— The study population consisted of 50 patients (37 women and 13 men) aged 18‐76 years (mean, 40.7) seen for the first time on a consecutive basis at the University of Parma Headache Centre. The questionnaire was administered independently by 2 trained physicians (E1 and E2) prior to the visit performed by a headache specialist taken as the gold standard (GS). GS, E1, and E2 were blind to the diagnosis made by each others. If appropriate, more than 1 headache type were considered. When present, we defined the 2 different headache types in the same subject as Diagnosis 1 and Diagnosis 2. Questionnaire‐based diagnosis was compared with the diagnosis established by GS. For Diagnosis 1 (n = 50), we found an agreement rate of 98% (K‐value: 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88‐1.00) between E1 and GS and between E2 and GS, and of 96% (K‐value: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.80‐1.00) between E1 and E2. For Diagnosis 2 (n = 24), we found an agreement rate of 83.3% (K‐value: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.63‐0.98) between E1 and GS, of 62.5% (K‐value: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41‐0.82) between E2 and GS, and of 70.8% (K‐value: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.45‐0.87) between E1 and E2. Sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 93.3%, respectively, for migraine without aura (code 1.1) and 100% for frequent episodic tension‐type headache (code 2.2).Conclusion.— Our findings support the use of this questionnaire as a valid and reliable tool for diagnosis of headaches in epidemiological studies.
Lifestyle and the Risk of Dementia in Japanese‐American Men
Authors: Gelber Rebecca P. , Petrovitch Helen , Masaki Kamal H. , Abbott Robert D. , Ross George Webster , Launer Lenore J. , White Lon R. 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesTo determine whether adhering to a healthy lifestyle in midlife may reduce the risk of dementia.DesignCase–control study nested in a prospective cohort.SettingThe Honolulu‐Asia Aging Study, Oahu, Hawaii.ParticipantsThree thousand four hundred sixty‐eight Japanese‐American men (mean age 52 in 1965–1968) examined for dementia 25 years later.MeasurementsMen at low risk were defined as those with the following midlife characteristics: nonsmoking, body mass index (BMI) less than 25.0 kg/m2, physically active, and having a healthy diet (based on alcohol, dairy, meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fat). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for developing overall dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD), adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsDementia was diagnosed in 6.4% of men (52.5% with AD, 35.0% with VaD). Examining the risk factors individually, BMI was most strongly associated with greater risk of overall dementia (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.26–2.77; BMI > 25.0 vs <22.6 kg/m2). All of the individual risk factors except diet score were significantly associated with VaD, whereas none were significantly associated with AD alone. Men with all four low‐risk characteristics (7.2% of the cohort) had the lowest OR for overall dementia (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.15–0.84). There were no significant associations between the combined low‐risk characteristics and the risk of AD alone.ConclusionAmong Japanese‐American men, having a healthy lifestyle in midlife is associated with a lower risk of dementia in late life.
Spread and Habitat Selection of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera Calliphoridae) in Northern Italy: Forensic Implications
Authors: Lambiase Simonetta , Camerini Giuseppe 
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  Habitat selection exploited by Chrysomya albiceps during its initial spread in Northern Italy was analyzed in relation to landscape structure. The results of two short studies and a case report are here discussed. C. albiceps was not found on experimental pig carcasses in the urban area of Pavia. It was missing in the woody mountains surrounding Lecco, but it was found in the same area, at a lower altitude, within the typical “urban sprawl” landscape. It was then recorded in a natural reserve, among a rich carrion‐fly population. Indications coming from habitat selection suggest that C. albiceps has not yet saturated its potential ecological niche in newly colonized areas of Northern Italy. Factors like temperature, altitude, and interspecific competition can act as limiting factors, affecting habitat selection and distribution in newly colonized areas; the influence of those factors has to be taken into account for forensic purposes.
Whole Body Postmortem Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Authors: Ruder Thomas D. , Hatch Gary M. , Ebert Lars C. , Flach Patricia M. , Ross Steffen , Ampanozi Garyfalia , Thali Michael J. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have become important elements of forensic radiology. Whereas the feasibility and potential of CT angiography have long been explored, postmortem MR angiography (PMMRA) has so far been neglected. We tested the feasibility of PMMRA on four adult human cadavers. Technical quality of PMMRA was assessed relative to postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA), separately for each body region. Intra‐aortic contrast volumes were calculated on PMCTA and PMMRA with segmentation software. The results showed that technical quality of PMMRA images was equal to PMCTA in 4/4 cases for the head, the heart, and the chest, and in 3/4 cases for the abdomen, and the pelvis. There was a mean decrease in intra‐aortic contrast volume from PMCTA to PMMRA of 46%. PMMRA is technically feasible and allows combining the soft tissue detail provided by MR and the information afforded by angiography.
The ‘epidemic’ of melanoma between under‐ and overdiagnosis
Authors: Weyers Wolfgang 
Published: December 2011

In the past decades, the incidence of melanoma has been reported to rise in epidemic proportions. The chief reason for that pseudo‐epidemic is improved criteria for diagnosis that allow melanomas to be recognized far more accurately and at earlier stages. The rising number of melanomas diagnosed has resulted in increased diagnostic scrutiny, more pigmented lesions being biopsied and more melanomas recognized, thus enhancing the ‘epidemic’ in self‐perpetuating fashion. Regression of melanomas may, in part, explain why lesions undetected before did not result in a far higher mortality. Another potential reason for the disparity between increasing incidence of melanoma and relatively steady mortality may be overdiagnosis of melanoma. The latter may be curtailed by establishment of well‐defined diagnostic categories, efforts to establish reliable criteria for recognition of those categories, better clinicopathologic correlation, postponement of biopsy of pigmented lesions in the case of irritation and excisional rather than incisional biopsies.Weyers W. The ‘epidemic’ of melanoma between under‐ and overdiagnosis.