bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Sociological Alternative to the Psychiatric Conceptualization of Mental Suffering
Authors: Smith Dena T. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractUncovering both the structural causes and experiences of suffering is a central sociological endeavor. Sociologists study many different kinds of suffering; after all, strife is experienced both physically and emotionally, because of internal factors such as illness, due to external factors such as trauma, and as a result of economic, political or natural environments. In this paper, I address one form of suffering: mental suffering. In particular, I describe the medicalization of mental suffering in biological psychiatry, which focuses on the genetic factors of illness and equates mental suffering with mental illness. The psychiatric concept of mental illness highlights the continuing, crucial role for sociology in both understanding the experience and identifying the structural roots of suffering. Since the dominant conceptualization of mental suffering is as a medical concept, it is vital for sociology to offer alternative explanations and contribute to a multidimensional analysis. The roots of mental suffering are much more than biological; social comparison, social inequality, and other social stressors are equally important etiological considerations. Therefore, a true understanding of mental suffering requires multiple perspectives, and sociological constructs guard against a total medicalization of mental suffering.
African‐American Women and Suicide: A Review and Critique of the Literature
Authors: Spates Kamesha 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis paper reviews the literature on African‐American women’s suicide rates. This topic is often neglected due to African‐American women’s low rates of suicide occurrence. This review seeks to answer the call for increased scientific inquiry on matters related to African‐American women and suicide. The author begins by identifying complex dynamics surrounding African‐American women’s unique social position in order to establish a better understanding of how socio‐cultural influences are addressed in the literature in relation to the suicide paradox. Both theoretical and empirical studies are thoroughly assessed in order to identify the risk and protective factors exclusive to African‐American women. The literature concludes that a history of mental disorders, particularly depression, a history of physical and emotional abuse, and a history of alcohol and substance abuse have all proven significant in increasing the risk of suicidal behavior among African‐American women. Untreated depression continues to be the leading cause of suicide among African‐American women. Contrarily, the literature identifies religious/spiritual beliefs, strong social ties, low rates of suicide acceptability, and unique coping strategies developed as a result of longstanding oppressive conditions as primary reasons for African‐American women’s exceptionally low suicide rates.
Habitat requirements of the endangered beetle Boros schneideri (Panzer, 1796) (Coleoptera: Boridae)
Authors: BLAŽYTĖ‐ČEREŠKIENĖ LAIMA , KARALIUS VIDMANTAS 
Published: May 2011

Abstract.  1. To further knowledge regarding habitat requirements of the threatened species Boros schneideri, a total of 1522 dead standing Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were checked for the presence of B. schneideri larvae. For the 245 trees inhabited by larvae (16% of all examined trees), tree characteristics and occupancy patterns were measured.2. As most of the investigated forests were 40–80 years old and were dominated by comparatively thin dead trees (5–20 cm diameter at breast height), B. schneideri larvae were mainly found under the bark of trees with a diameter in the range of 10–20 cm. However, the probability of a tree being inhabited by B. schneideri increased progressively with tree diameter and forest age.3. Most of the trees with B. schneideri (79%) were in medium‐dense and sparse‐growth pine forests where the canopy cover was 60–80%. The presence of Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Scots pine forests was an important factor affecting the probability of trees being inhabited by B. schneideri. Only 6% of trees inhabited by B. schneideri were found in mixed Scots pine‐Norway spruce forests, where the shadowing was higher than 80%.4. All dead trees inhabited by B. schneideri had loose and at least slightly fragmented bark. A bark area of 0.08 m2 was found to be sufficient for the survival of B. schneideri. The critical bark thickness for B. schneideri larvae was 5 mm.5. The data obtained are important for the optimisation of conservation measures implemented during forest management operations.
Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Accelerated Radiation Therapy and Concomitant Carboplatin in Cats
Authors: Fidel J. , Lyons J. , Tripp C. , Houston R. , Wheeler B. , Ruiz A. 
Published: May 2011

Background:Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) carries a very poor prognosis with traditional treatments.Hypothesis/Objectives:To examine the effectiveness of adding carboplatin to a previously published accelerated radiation protocol in the treatments of oral SCC in cats.Animals:Thirty‐one cases of oral SCC in cats. Tumor sites included lingual (n = 9), mandible (n = 10), maxilla (n = 7), tonsil (n = 4), and cheek (n = 1).Methods:Prospective trial using a planned radiation protocol consisting of 14 fractions of 3.5 Gy given within a 9‐day period with the addition of carboplatin given at 90–100 mg/m2on day 1 and day 4.5. Treatments were twice daily with a 6‐hour delay between treatments. All cats presenting with oral SCC without evidence of distant metastasis were eligible.Results:Median survival for all cats was 163 days (range 53–770 days) with a mean of 319 ± 53 days with significant predictors of survival being site (P= .004) and whether there was a complete response at 30 days (P= .001). Cats with tumors of tonsil origin or cheek responded best to therapy and were long‐term survivors with a mean survival of 724 days and the median had not been reached because of continued survival of 4 cats.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:This protocol offers an aggressive yet tolerable treatment of oral SCC in cats that might offer improved survival as compared with previously reported treatments. The long‐term survival of cats with tonsillar SCC has not been reported previously.
Selective Saber Rattling by Iraqi Politicians
Authors: Tures John A. , Beaver Kim S. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractFormer Prime Minister Iyad Allawi stunned the Iraqi and American political establishment with his comeback success in Iraq's 2010 election. Speculation immediately began to focus on how his coalition could have won the most seats, focusing on disaffection with the status quo. But the answer could come from a tactic Allawi has repeatedly used: tying his domestic political opponents to countries that Iraq has clashed with in the past, to reignite old hatreds and fears. This article investigates, not only how Allawi and even his rivals have adopted such a strategy, but also how our current understanding of the diversionary theory of conflict needs to be modified to see how politicians in other places play this wag the dog game.
Libya and the International System: Retracing the Aftermath of the Lockerbie Bombing
Authors: Stottlemyre Steven 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe defining moment of Libya's relationship with the United States during the last decade of the 20th century was the 1991 implication of Libya and its government by the United States and United Kingdom in the 1988 bombing of Pan American Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The controversial decision of the United Nations Security Council to employ sanctions against Libya after its refusal to surrender two bombing suspects to the United States and United Kingdom was largely ignored by European countries with interests in Libya, and led to the eventual open opposition to sanctions by many of Libya's African neighbors. Libya was quickly found guilty in the U.S. and UK courts of public opinion; however the common assumption that Libya's refusal reflected its indignation toward the West is problematic, and does not take into account historical factors that pushed Libya away from compliance, nor the lengths to which Libya attempted to sidestep those factors in order to respect international law. This article places Libya's reaction to the destruction of Flight 103 into the context of its recent relationship with the United States, and argues that despite the tainted U.S. public perception of Libya and its leader, the aftermath of the destruction of Flight 103 no longer plays an important role in shaping United States–Libya relations.
Synergistic virulence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola in a murine periodontitis model
Authors: Orth R.K‐H. , O’Brien‐Simpson N.M. , Dashper S.G. , Reynolds E.C. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryChronic periodontitis is characterized by the destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth and has been associated with the presence of a subgingival polymicrobial biofilm containing Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola. We have investigated the potential synergistic virulence of P. gingivalis and T. denticola using a murine experimental model of periodontitis. An inoculation regime of four intra‐oral doses of 1 × 1010P. gingivalis cells induced significant periodontal bone loss compared with loss in sham‐inoculated mice, whereas doses of 1 × 109 cells or lower did not induce bone loss. Inoculation with T. denticola with up to eight doses of 1 × 1010 cells failed to induce bone loss in this model. However, four doses of a co‐inoculum of a 1 : 1 ratio of P. gingivalis and T. denticola at 5 × 108 or 1 × 109 total bacterial cells induced the same level of bone loss as four doses of 1 × 1010P. gingivalis cells. Co‐inoculation induced strong P. gingivalis‐specific T‐cell proliferative and interferon‐γ‐dominant cytokine responses, and induced a strong T. denticola‐specific interferon‐γ dominant cytokine response. Only at the higher co‐inoculum dose of 1 × 1010 total cells was a T. denticola‐specific T‐cell proliferative response observed. These data show that P. gingivalis and T. denticola act synergistically to stimulate the host immune response and to induce alveolar bone loss in a murine experimental periodontitis model.
Vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects of the extract and the isolated flavonoid rutin obtained from Polygala paniculata L.
Authors: da Rocha Lapa Fernanda , Soares Kelly Cristina , Rattmann Yanna Dantas , Crestani Sandra , Missau Fabiana Cristina , Pizzolatti Moacir Geraldo , Marques Maria Consuelo Andrade , Rieck Lia , Santos Adair Roberto Soares 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the in-vitro and in-vivo cardiovascular effects of the crude hydroalcoholic extract from Polygala paniculata (HEPP) in rats.

Methods
The procedures were performed on aortic rings and on normotensive anaesthetized rats.

Key findings
When tested in endothelium-intact aorta rings, HEPP (30–1000 µg/ml) produced a significant non-concentration-dependent relaxing effect (∼40%), which was completely prevented by incubation with L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), ODQ (soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and partially inhibited by tetraethylammonium (TEA; a non-selective potassium channel blocker) and charybdotoxin (a large- and intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel blocker). In contrast, atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist) or pyrilamine(a histamine H1 receptor antagonist) had no effect. Furthermore, oral administration of HEPP (30–300 mg/kg) in anaesthetized rats caused a dose-dependent and sustained hypotensive action. This effect was unchanged by atropine or TEA, but was strongly reduced in rats continuously infused with L-NAME or methylene blue. Moreover, rutin (1–3 mg/kg) administered by an intravenous route also caused a dose-dependent hypotensive effect in rats.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that the extract obtained from P. paniculata induces potent hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects that are dependent on the nitric oxide/guanylate cyclase pathway. These effects could be related, at least in part, to the rutin contents in this extract.
Possible mechanism of the antidepressant effect of 3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose from Polygala tenuifolia Willd
Authors: Hu Yuan , Liu Ming , Liu Ping , Guo Dai-Hong , Wei Ri-Bao , Rahman Khalid 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Objective
The present study was designed to observe the effects of 3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose (DISS), an active oligosaccharide ester component obtained from the roots of Polygala tenuifolia Willd., on behavioral and biochemical aspects of depression induced by chronic mild stress (CMS) in rats. It is the first exploration of the possible association between DISS's antidepressant-like effects and biochemical markers of depression, and involved measuring monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, cortisol levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.

Methods
Rats were exposed to stressor once daily for consecutive 5 weeks. DISS and a positive control drug, fluoxetine, were administered via gastric intubation to once daily for consecutive 3 weeks from the third week.

Key findings
The results showed that rats subjected to CMS exhibit a reduction in sucrose intake. Conversely, brain MAO-A and MAO-B activity, plasma cortisol levels, and MDA levels were increased, while SOD activity was decreased following CMS exposures. DISS significantly inhibited MAO-A and MAO-B activity and blocked plasma elevated cortisol level, an indicator of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. In addition, DISS increases SOD activity, inhibits lipid peroxidation, and lessens production of MDA.

Conclusion
These results suggest that DISS may possess potent and rapid antidepressant properties, which are mediated via MAO, the HPA axis and oxidative systems. These antidepressant actions make DISS a potentially valuable drug for the treatment of depression.
A novel tri-layered buccal mucoadhesive patch for drug delivery: assessment of nicotine delivery
Authors: Rao Shasha , Song Yunmei , Peddie Frank , Evans Allan M 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the potential of a novel delivery device for administering drugs that suffer from a high degree of first-pass metabolism.

Methods
A tri-layered buccal mucoadhesive patch, comprising a medicated dry tablet adhered to a mucoadhesive film, was prepared and characterized by its physicochemical properties and mucoadhesive strength. Nicotine was used as a model drug for the characterization of drug release and drug permeation. The influence of different adsorbents on the release of nicotine base from the patches was evaluated in vitro. Different molecular forms of nicotine (base and complex salt) were evaluated for their effect on release performance and permeation in vitro.

Key findings
Results demonstrated acceptable physicochemical and mucoadhesive properties for the tri-layered patch. Rapid release of nicotine was observed when nicotine base was incorporated with calcium sulfate dihydrate as the adsorbent. Patches incorporating nicotine base showed distinct advantages over those containing nicotine polacrilex, in terms of drug release (complete drug release achieved at 30 vs 60 min) and transmucosal permeation (37.28 ± 4.25 vs 2.87 ± 0.26% of the dose permeating through mucosa within 120 min).

Conclusions
The novel tri-layered patch can effectively adhere to, and deliver an active ingredient through the buccal mucosa, confirming its potential for buccal mucoadhesive drug delivery.
Development of effervescent tablets containing benznidazole complexed with cyclodextrin
Authors: Maximiano Flávia Pires , Costa Guilherme Hideki Yoshizane , de Sá Barreto Lívia Cristina Lira , Bahia Maria Terezinha , Cunha-Filho Marcílio S S 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Objectives
Benznidazole (BNZ), the primary chemotherapy agent used to treat Chagas disease, has poor aqueous solubility, which results in low bioavailability. The purpose of this work was to develop stable effervescent tablets using an inclusion complex of BNZ with cyclodextrin (CD).

Method
In the first phase, different CDs were evaluated according to their ability to improve the aqueous solubility of BNZ. Then, inclusion complexes of BNZ in the solid state were produced by the kneading method and the complexes were evaluated using several physical–chemical assays. Finally, effervescent tablets were prepared according to a complete 32 factorial design. The effects of the concentration of CD and effervescent mixture on the dissolution rate and physical stability of tablets were evaluated.

Key findings
Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin produced the greatest improvement in the aqueous solubility of BNZ, almost 20-times greater than the water system. Solid systems produced with BNZ and CD showed physical–chemical interactions and increased the drug dissolution rate, suggesting the formation of a true solid inclusion complex. Moreover, the effervescent matrix of the tablets was effective in improving the dissolution behaviour of BNZ complexed with CD.

Conclusions
Effervescent tablets produced using an inclusion complex of BNZ with CD suggest a possible improvement in the bioavailability of BNZ, and this could represent a relevant advance in Chagas therapy.
Effect of bile on the oral absorption of halofantrine in polyethylene glycol 400 and polysorbate 80 formulations dosed to bile duct cannulated rats
Authors: Tønsberg Henrik , Holm René , Mu Huiling , Boll Jette Bisgaard , Jacobsen Jette , Müllertz Anette 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of bile on the oral absorption of the poorly water-soluble compound, halofantrine, when administered to rats in vehicles consisting of the co-solvent polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) alone or in mixtures with the surfactant polysorbate 80 (PS 80) (95 : 5; 85 : 15; 75 : 25 PEG 400 : PS 80).

Methods
Halofantrine (17.5 mg/kg) was administered to bile duct cannulated (BDC) and sham-operated rats in a fixed vehicle volume of 5 ml/kg.

Key findings
The bioavailability of halofantrine was significantly lower in BDC rats when dosed with 0–5% PS 80 in PEG 400 compared with BDC rats dosed with &gt;15% PS 80. Increasing the concentration of PS 80 to 15–100% eliminated this difference. A possible explanation for the lower bioavailability of halofantrine in BDC rats when dosed in pure PEG 400 could be the dilution of the vehicle by intestinal fluids, decreased transit time and precipitation in the gastrointestinal tract upon dilution of PEG 400.

Conclusions
The addition of PS 80 to the formulation increased its solubilising power upon dilution and may have inhibited precipitation and substituted the absence of bile above a certain level. Adjusting the level of surfactant in drug formulations could therefore be used to minimise variability in the bioavailability from co-solvent systems based upon differences in bile concentration between individuals.
Influence of atorvastatin on fractional and subfractional composition of serum lipoproteins and MMP activity in mice with Triton WR 1339-induced lipaemia
Authors: Korolenko Tatyana A , Cherkanova Marina S , Tuzikov Fedor V , Johnston Thomas P , Tuzikova Natalia A , Loginova Viktoriya M , Kaledin Vassilij I 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The effects of atorvastatin on the atherogenic and anti-atherogenic lipoprotein-cholesterol (C-LP) and lipoprotein-triglyceride (TG-LP) fractions and subfractions at the early stage of murine acute hyperlipidaemia, and its pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects via the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were studied.

Methods
Atorvastatin (75 mg/kg) was administered to ICR mice with acute lipaemia induced by a single injection of Triton WR 1339 (500 mg/kg). A novel small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) method was used for the determination of the fractional and subfractional composition of C-LP and TG-LP.

Key finding
In Triton WR 1339-treated mice, there was a drastic increase in the atherogenic low-density C-LP (C-LDL) fraction, intermediate density lipoprotein-cholesterol (C-IDL) subfraction, and very low-density C-LP (C-VLDL) fractions (C-VLDL3–5 subfraction). Additionally, there was an increase in the C-HDL3 subfraction. Treatment of lipaemia with atorvastatin resulted in the normalization of the atherogenic C-LDL fraction and the C-IDL subfraction. A decrease in C-VLDL (C-VLDL3–5 subfraction), total cholesterol and, especially, triglyceride (TG) concentrations was also demonstrated. Similar results were obtained with the TG-LP fractions and subfractions. Additionally, atorvastatin treatment resulted in an increase in the serum and liver MMP activity.

Conclusion
High-dose atorvastatin therapy exerts its rapid lipid-lowering and pleiotropic effect(s) in the early stages of acute lipaemia induced with Triton WR-1339.
Investigation into drug release from colon-specific azoreductase-activated steroid prodrugs using in-vitro models
Authors: Ruiz Juan F Marquez , Kedziora Kinga , Windle Henry , Kelleher Dermot P , Gilmer John F 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to investigate drug release from a double steroid prodrug, OPN501, which incorporates a phenylpropionate linker, and its phenylacetate analogue. The prodrugs, which were designed to deliver prednisolone to the colon for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, are based on a novel design that requires sequential azoreductase activity and cyclization of an amino ester to trigger drug release. We sought to explain the divergent effects of the two compounds in anti-inflammatory models and to justify the selection of OPN-501 for clinical development.

Methods
The compounds were incubated in mouse colonic contents (10%) fermented in brain heart infusion under anaerobic conditions. The disappearance of the prodrugs and release of prednisolone was monitored by HPLC. We then developed a method for assessment of prodrug activation using suspensions of Clostridium perfringens, an anaerobe from the human colon. The cyclization of the compounds was studied in various media, assessing the influence of pH and bulk solvent polarity on cyclization rate using HPLC and NMR.

Key findings
The prodrugs were activated via multiple pathways releasing prednisolone in mouse colonic ferment. The compounds released prednisolone by reduction–cyclization in C perfringens suspension. The active OPN-501 generated a stoichiometric amount of prednisolone following azoreductase activation, whereas its analogue did not. The pH rate profile for the cyclization of the amino intermediates of the two compounds revealed significant differences in rate at pH values relevant to the inflamed colon, which explain in part the different amounts of drug produced.

Conclusions
The steroid prodrug OPN-501 has optimal drug release characteristics for colon targeting because of a kinetic advantage of a six-membered ring formation in the aminolysis reactions of anilides. The results are relevant to the development of OPN-501 but also to cyclization strategies in prodrug design especially for colon targeting.