bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Propionibacterium acnes lipase by extracts of Indian medicinal plants
Authors: Patil V. , Bandivadekar A. , Debjani D. 
Published: January 2012

SynopsisLipases play an important role in pathogenesis of acne by hydrolysing sebum triglycerides and releasing irritating free fatty acids in the pilosebaceous follicles. Lipase is a strong chemotactic and proinflammatory antigen. Therefore, lipase has generated a high interest as a pharmacological target for antiacne drugs. The aim of this study was to identify inhibitory effects of plant extracts on the lipase activity of Propionibacterium acnes. Colorimetric microassay was used to determine lipase activity. Extracts from Terminalia chebula and Embelia ribes showed lower IC50 value (1 μg mL−1) for lipase inhibition as compared to Vitex negundo and Picrorhiza kurroa (19 and 47 μg mL−1, respectively). The active component responsible for lipase inhibition was isolated. This study reports for the first time the novel antilipase activity of chebulagic acid (IC50: 60 μmol L−1) with minimum inhibitory concentration value of 12.5 μg mL−1 against P. acnes. The inhibitory potential of plant extracts was further confirmed by plate assay. The organism was grown in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of extracts from P. kurroa, V. negundo, T. chebula, E. ribes and antibiotics such as clindamycin and tetracycline. Extract from T. chebula showed significant inhibition of lipase activity and number of P. acnes.
Imaging evidence for disturbances in multiple learning and memory systems in persons with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: GOH SUZANNE , PETERSON BRADLEY S 
Published: January 2012

Aim  The aim of this article is to review neuroimaging studies of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that examine declarative, socio‐emotional, and procedural learning and memory systems.Method  We conducted a search of PubMed from 1996 to 2010 using the terms ‘autism,’‘learning,’‘memory,’ and ‘neuroimaging.’ We limited our review to studies correlating learning and memory function with neuroimaging features of the brain.Results  The early literature supports the following preliminary hypotheses: (1) abnormalities of hippocampal subregions may contribute to autistic deficits in episodic and relational memory; (2) disturbances to an amygdala‐based network (which may include the fusiform gyrus, superior temporal cortex, and mirror neuron system) may contribute to autistic deficits in socio‐emotional learning and memory; and (3) abnormalities of the striatum may contribute to developmental dyspraxia in individuals with ASD.Interpretation  Characterizing the disturbances to learning and memory systems in ASD can inform our understanding of the neural bases of autistic behaviors and the phenotypic heterogeneity of ASD.
Prophylactic femoral varization osteotomy for contralateral stable hips in non‐ambulant individuals with cerebral palsy undergoing hip surgery: decision analysis
Authors: PARK MOON SEOK , CHUNG CHIN YOUB , KWON DAE GYU , SUNG KI HYUK , CHOI IN HO , LEE KYOUNG MIN 
Published: January 2012

Aim  This study was undertaken to determine the need for concurrent prophylactic femoral varization osteotomy (FVO) of contralateral stable hips at the time of hip reconstructive surgery on unstable hips in non‐ambulant individuals with cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V).Method  A decision analysis model was constructed that included (1) the probability of unstable hips during observation of the contralateral stable hips, (2) unstable hip rate (subluxation or dislocation rate) after prophylactic FVO or after delayed reconstructive surgery (including FVO) for unstable hips, and (3) complication rates after concurrent prophylactic FVO or after hip reconstructive surgery. The final outcome score was based on pain utility measures. The probabilities of all cases and the utility score were obtained by literature review.Results  The decision model favoured concurrent prophylactic FVO for the contralateral stable hips over observation (pain utility measure scores 0.814 vs 0.781). In a one‐way sensitivity analysis, the decision model favoured concurrent prophylactic FVO when the unstable hip rate of contralateral stable hips during observation was 27% or over. Concurrent prophylactic surgery also demonstrated higher utility scores than observation when the unstable hip rate after FVO was between 0% and 29%.Interpretation  The decision analysis model demonstrated that concurrent prophylactic FVO for a contralateral stable hip in individuals with cerebral palsy undergoing hip reconstructive surgery was beneficial from a medical perspective, which was based on current evidence.
Beyond valence: The differential effect of masked anger and sadness stimuli on effort‐related cardiac response
Authors: Freydefont Laure , Gendolla Guido H. E. , Silvestrini Nicolas 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis experiment investigated the moderating effect of masked anger versus sadness primes on objective task difficulty's impact on effort‐related cardiovascular response. Cardiovascular measures (ICG and blood pressure) were assessed during a habituation period and an easy versus difficult short‐term memory task during which participants were exposed to masked emotional facial expressions. As expected, sadness primes led to stronger cardiac preejection period (PEP) responses than anger primes when the task was easy. When the task was difficult, we observed the reversed pattern. Here, anger primes led to stronger PEP reactivity than sadness primes. Heart rate responses described the corresponding pattern. The results demonstrate that masked anger and sadness primes have different effects on cardiac response in easy and difficult tasks. The effect of anger primes resembles the facilitating effect of happiness primes observed in previous studies.
Ketone bodies in epilepsy
Authors: McNally Melanie A. , Hartman Adam L. 
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 28–35.AbstractSeizures that are resistant to standard medications remain a major clinical problem. One underutilized option for patients with medication‐resistant seizures is the high‐fat, low‐carbohydrate ketogenic diet. The diet received its name based on the observation that patients consuming this diet produce ketone bodies (e.g., acetoacetate, β‐hydroxybutyrate, and acetone). Although the exact mechanisms of the diet are unknown, ketone bodies have been hypothesized to contribute to the anticonvulsant and antiepileptic effects. In this review, anticonvulsant properties of ketone bodies and the ketogenic diet are discussed (including GABAergic and glutamatergic effects). Because of the importance of ketone body metabolism in the early stages of life, the effects of ketone bodies on developing neurons in vitro also are discussed. Understanding how ketone bodies exert their effects will help optimize their use in treating epilepsy and other neurological disorders.
Climate change might increase the invasion potential of the alien C4 grass Setaria parviflora (Poaceae) in the Mediterranean Basin
Authors: Chuine Isabelle , Morin Xavier , Sonié Laurette , Collin Christian , Fabreguettes Jacques , Degueldre David , Salager Jean‐Louis , Roy Jacques 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim  Current climate change is supposed to be beneficial to many biological invaders, especially to C4 alien plants. While several experiments have been dedicated to measuring alien plants’ response to increased atmospheric CO2 concentration, very few studies have been undertaken to measure the response of alien plants to warming. This study was aimed to test experimentally whether the predicted climate change in the Mediterranean Basin could be beneficial to the alien C4 grass Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen.Location  Three populations of S. parviflora from Corsica, southern France, were grown in Montpellier, southern France.Methods The C4 alien grass S. parviflora was exposed to artificial climate change conditions for 3 years in open field and in competition with the local native community. We measured the response to artificial warming of +1.5 and +3 °C and artificial drought (−30% precipitation) versus ambient conditions for phenology, biomass and fecundity of S. parviflora. We compared the response of S. parviflora individuals to the response of the local community.Results  Artificial warming strongly enhanced the biomass and the fecundity of S. parviflora, while it decreased or did not affect the biomass and fecundity of the local community. The phenology (onset of growth, first spike pollinating and fruit ripeness) of S. parviflora was advanced significantly and explained the changes observed in biomass and fecundity.Main conclusions  Here, we report a positive effect of climate change on the growth and fertility of S. parviflora, a C4 alien plant. Our results suggest that climate change predicted for the next decades in the Mediterranean Basin might substantially enhance the performance of S. parviflora, potentially increasing its invasion success.
Comparative and meta‐analytic insights into life extension via dietary restriction
Authors: Nakagawa Shinichi , Lagisz Malgorzata , Hector Katie L. , Spencer Hamish G. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryDietary restriction (DR) extends the lifespan of a wide range of species, although the universality of this effect has never been quantitatively examined. Here, we report the first comprehensive comparative meta‐analysis of DR across studies and species. Overall, DR significantly increased lifespan, but this effect is modulated by several factors. In general, DR has less effect in extending lifespan in males and also in non‐model organisms. Surprisingly, the proportion of protein intake was more important for life extension via DR than the degree of caloric restriction. Furthermore, we show that reduction in both age‐dependent and age‐independent mortality rates drives life extension by DR among the well‐studied laboratory model species (yeast, nematode worms, fruit flies and rodents). Our results suggest that convergent adaptation to laboratory conditions better explains the observed DR–longevity relationship than evolutionary conservation although alternative explanations are possible.
Old flies have a robust central oscillator but weaker behavioral rhythms that can be improved by genetic and environmental manipulations
Authors: Luo Wenyu , Chen Wen‐Feng , Yue Zhifeng , Chen Dechun , Sowcik Mallory , Sehgal Amita , Zheng Xiangzhong 
Published: January 2012

SummarySleep–wake cycles break down with age, but the causes of this degeneration are not clear. Using a Drosophila model, we addressed the contribution of circadian mechanisms to this age‐induced deterioration. We found that in old flies, free‐running circadian rhythms (behavioral rhythms assayed in constant darkness) have a longer period and an unstable phase before they eventually degenerate. Surprisingly, rhythms are weaker in light–dark cycles and the circadian‐regulated morning peak of activity is diminished under these conditions. On a molecular level, aging results in reduced amplitude of circadian clock gene expression in peripheral tissues. However, oscillations of the clock protein PERIOD (PER) are robust and synchronized among different clock neurons, even in very old, arrhythmic flies. To improve rhythms in old flies, we manipulated environmental conditions, which can have direct effects on behavior, and also tested a role for molecules that act downstream of the clock. Coupling temperature cycles with a light–dark schedule or reducing expression of protein kinase A (PKA) improved behavioral rhythms and consolidated sleep. Our data demonstrate that a robust molecular timekeeping mechanism persists in the central pacemaker of aged flies, and reducing PKA can strengthen behavioral rhythms.
Opioid Use and Dependence Among Persons With Migraine: Results of the AMPP Study
Authors: Buse Dawn C. , Pearlman Starr H. , Reed Michael L. , Serrano Daniel , Ng‐Mak Daisy S. , Lipton Richard B. 
Published: January 2012

Objective.— To assess the frequency of opioid use for acute migraine treatment and characterize use groups by sociodemographics, health‐care resource utilization (HRU), comorbidities and probable dependence within a large, US population‐based sample of persons with migraine.Background.— Opioids are used in the acute treatment of migraine. However, their use is controversial.Methods.— Data from the 2009 American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) study were used to categorize persons with migraine into 4 groups based on reported opioid use: nonusers (between 2005 and 2009), previous users (history of use between 2005 and 2008 but no‐use in 2009), and current opioid users (those reporting use of opioids in the 3 months preceding the 2009 American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention survey). Current opioid users were divided into nondependent and probable dependence users according to criteria for dependence adapted for inclusion in the survey from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–4th edition. All opioid‐use groups were contrasted by sociodemographics, headache characteristics, medical and psychiatric comorbidities (depression [measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9], anxiety [measured by the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Health Disorders, PRIME‐MD], and cardiovascular events and risk factors), and headache‐related HRU.Results.— In a sample of 5796 migraineurs, 4076 (70.3%) were opioid nonusers, 798 (13.8%) were previous users, and 922 (15.9%) were current opioid users. Among current opioid users, 153 (16.6%) met criteria for probable dependence and 769 (83.4%) did not. Headache‐related disability (Migraine Disability Assessment sum scores) increased across groups as follows: nonusers: 7.8, previous users: 13.3, current nondependent users: 19.1, and current probable dependence users: 44.4, as did monthly headache frequency: nonusers: 3.2 days/month, previous users: 4.3 days/month, current nondependent users: 5.6 days/month, and current probable dependence users: 8.6 days/month. The prevalence of depression and anxiety was highest among current users with probable dependence. Rates of headache‐related HRU were higher for all opioid‐use groups for emergency department/urgent care, primary care, and specialty care visits compared to nonusers.Conclusions.— Opioid use for migraine is associated with more severe headache‐related disability, symptomology, comorbidities (depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease and events), and greater HRU for headache. Longitudinal studies are needed to further assess the directionality and causality between opioid use and the outcomes we examined.
Predictors of Headache Before, During, and After Pregnancy: A Cohort Study
Authors: Turner Dana P. , Smitherman Todd A. , Eisenach James C. , Penzien Donald B. , Houle Timothy T. 
Published: January 2012

Objective.— The present study endeavored to identify predictors of headache during pregnancy, shortly after delivery, and at 8‐week follow‐up.Background.— Many women suffer from headaches during pregnancy and the post‐partum period. However, little is known about factors that predict headache surrounding childbirth.Methods.— Secondary analysis of longitudinal cohort study of 2434 parturients hospitalized for cesarean or vaginal delivery in 4 university hospitals in the United States and Europe. Data were gathered from interviews and review of medical records shortly after delivery; 972 of the women were contacted 8 weeks later to assess persistent headache. The primary outcome measures were experiencing headache during pregnancy, headache within 72 hours after delivery, and headache at 8 weeks after delivery.Results.— Of the parturients, 10% experienced headache during pregnancy, 3.7% within 72 hours after delivery, and 3.6% at 8 weeks postdelivery. Compared to those without a history of headache, a history of headache prior to pregnancy was the strongest predictor of headache during pregnancy (9.8% vs 23.5%; risk ratio 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4 to 4.0). Experiencing headache during pregnancy (adjusted hazard ratio HR 3.8; 95% CI: 2.4 to 6.2) and receiving needle‐based regional anesthesia for pain treatment (adjusted hazard ratio 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.5) were independently associated with headache within 72 hours after delivery with event rates of 11.1% and 10.5%, respectively. Compared to those without such a history, headache before pregnancy was significantly associated with experiencing headache 8 weeks after delivery (4.0% vs 23.8%; risk ratio = 6.0; 95% CI: 2.0 to 8.0), but headache during pregnancy or shortly after delivery was not. Several other psychosocial predictors (eg, somatization, smoking before pregnancy) were statistically associated with at least 1 headache outcome.Conclusions.— A history of headache prior to pregnancy is a strong predictor of headache during and after pregnancy, the latter independent of but compounded by spinal injection. Physicians should attend to prior headache history when making decisions about pain management during and after childbirth. As the lack of formal International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD‐II), headache diagnoses is a limitation of this study, future longitudinal studies should replicate the present design while including headache subtyping consistent with ICHD‐II nosology.(Headache 2012;52:348‐362)
Proposed Local Ecological Impact Categories and Indicators for Life Cycle Assessment of Aquaculture
Authors: Ford Jennifer S. , Pelletier Nathan L. , Ziegler Friederike , Scholz Astrid J. , Tyedmers Peter H. , Sonesson Ulf , Kruse Sarah A. , Silverman Howard 
Published: January 2012

SummaryIn this study we discuss impact categories and indicators to incorporate local ecological impacts into life cycle assessment (LCA) for aquaculture. We focus on the production stages of salmon farming—freshwater hatcheries used to produce smolts and marine grow‐out sites using open netpens.Specifically, we propose two impact categories: impacts of nutrient release and impacts on biodiversity. Proposed indicators for impacts of nutrient release are (1) the area altered by farm waste, (2) changes in nutrient concentration in the water column, (3) the percent of carrying capacity reached, (4) the percent of total anthropogenic nutrient release, and (5) release of wastes into freshwater. Proposed indicators for impacts on biodiversity are (1) the number of escaped salmon, (2) the number of reported disease outbreaks, (3) parasite abundance on farms, and (4) the percent reduction in wild salmon survival. For each proposed indicator, an example of how the indicator could be estimated is given and the strengths and weaknesses of that indicator are discussed.We propose that including local environmental impacts as well as global‐scale ones in LCA allows us to better identify potential trade‐offs, where actions that are beneficial at one scale are harmful at another, and synchronicities, where actions have desirable or undesirable effects at both spatial scales. We also discuss the potential applicability of meta‐analytic statistical techniques to LCA.
Associations Between Observed Mother–Adolescent Interactions and Adolescent Information Management
Authors: Rote Wendy M. , Smetana Judith G. , Campione‐Barr Nicole , Villalobos Myriam , Tasopoulos‐Chan Marina 
Published: January 2012

Associations between observed mother–adolescent interactions during a conflict task and adolescents’ information management strategies were examined in 108 primarily middle class, European‐American adolescents (M = 13.80 years, SD = 1.52) and their mothers. Teens who communicated more clearly disclosed more about personal and multifaceted activities, lied less about personal activities, and engaged in less avoidance regarding multifaceted and prudential activities. Mothers’ clear communication was associated with less adolescent disclosure and more avoidance about personal and multifaceted activities. Teens with more receptive mothers omitted less prudential information but avoided discussing prudential issues more. Maternal warmth was not associated with information management. The results highlight the need to distinguish between parent and teen behaviors and between affective quality and specific communicative behaviors.
Analyzing the Residential Property Appraisal and Outcomes to Determine if a Property Tax Revolt is Imminent*
Authors: Hissong Rodney V. , F. Hawley Robert 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesResidential property tax protests have drawn public debate, but relatively little is known about who protests, the outcomes of protests, and consistency among local review boards. This study examines these topics among 171,228 homeowners of Tarrant County, Texas who filed a protest between 2001 and 2009.MethodsUsing data from an appraisal district in Texas, this study examines market differences, housing types, and appraisal board outcomes over time to assess the degree to which market predictors contribute to differences in protest rates and outcomes in 40 municipalities.ResultsProtest rates tend to change little over time and hold within a narrow range. A small percentage of protests conclude with a full hearing; decisions tend to favor protestors.ConclusionsContrary to public opinion, protests are not surging. For protestors, market value within their communities emerges as a better predictor of filing a protest than simply market value of individual properties.
Atrial Electrical and Structural Remodeling Associated with Longstanding Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular Hypertrophy in Humans
Authors: MEDI CAROLINE , KALMAN JONATHAN M. , LING LIANG‐HAN , TEH ANDREW W. , LEE GEOFFREY , LEE GERALDINE , SPENCE STEVEN J. , KAYE DAVID M. , KISTLER PETER M. 
Published: January 2012

Atrial Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension. Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common to a range of cardiopulmonary conditions and is associated with atrial arrhythmias. However, little is known of the isolated atrial effects of PH and right atrial dilatation (RA) in humans. To avoid the confounding effects of PH‐associated disease states, we performed detailed electrophysiological (EP) and electroanatomic (EA) mapping of the RA in patients with idiopathic PH.Methods and Results: Eight PH patients (mean pulmonary arterial [PA] pressure 39.0 ± 15.8 mmHg) and 16 age‐matched controls (mean PA pressure 11.5 ± 4.1 mmHg, P < 0.0001) were studied. Corrected sinus node recovery times (cSNRT), atrial effective refractory periods (ERPs), conduction delay at the crista terminalis (CT), and inducibility of atrial fibrillation (AF) were evaluated. EA mapping (pacing cycle length 600 and 300 milliseconds) was performed to determine RA global and regional voltage, conduction velocities, atrial activation times, fractionated electrograms and double potentials. Patients with PH demonstrated a prolongation in cSNRT without significant change in atrial ERP and an increase in AF inducibility. PH was associated with lower tissue voltage (1.8 ± 0.4 mV in PH vs 2.2 ± 0.4 mV in controls, P = 0.02), increased low voltage areas (13.7 ± 8.2% in PH vs 6.2 ± 3.7% in controls, P < 0.01) and the presence of electrically silent areas. Conduction velocities were slower (global 67.3 ± 5.6 cm/s vs 92.8 ± 4.0 cm/s, P < 0.001) and fractionated electrograms and double potentials were more prevalent (14.7 ± 4.4% vs 6.3 ± 4.1, P < 0.01) in PH compared with controls, respectively.Conclusion: Idiopathic PH is associated with RA remodeling characterized by: generalized conduction slowing with marked regional abnormalities; reduced tissue voltage; and regions of electrical silence. These changes provide important insights into the isolated effects of PH fundamental to a range of clinical conditions associated with AF. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 614–620, June 2012)