bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forearm vasodilator reactivity in homozygous carriers of the 9p21·3 rs1333049 G>C polymorphism
Authors: Aschauer Stefan , Mittermayer Friedrich , Wagner Claudia C. , Schmidt Wolfgang M. , Brunner Martin , Haslacher Helmuth , Wolzt Michael , Müller Markus 
Published: July 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (8): 700–705AbstractAim  Recently, a novel susceptibility locus for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been identified on chromosome 9p21·3, linked to the single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1333049 G>C. However, the physiological mechanism through which this locus confers an increased CAD‐risk is still unknown. The aim of the present case–control study was to test whether this chromosome 9p21·3 locus, represented by the rs1333049 variant, is associated with altered vasodilator resistance vessel function in healthy young volunteers.Design and results  A total of 97 healthy male volunteers were screened for homozygous carriers of either the G‐ or the C‐allele, the minor allele in European populations. Forearm blood flow (FBF) reactivity to acetylcholine (ACh) and glycerol trinitrate (GTN) was then studied in 10 C/C‐genotype carriers compared with 10 control subjects harbouring the G/G‐genotype. FBF responses to ACh and GTN were reduced in subjects homozygous for the C‐allele of the rs1333049 SNP (P < 0·05). FBF reactivity to the highest dose of ACh and GTN was 95% and 74% lower when compared with control subjects with the G/G‐genotype.Conclusion  Our study revealed a functional impairment in forearm artery vasodilator resistance in carriers of the rs1333049 C/C‐genotype, thus providing evidence for a first physiological functional link underlying the genetic association of the 9p21·3 locus with an increased cardiovascular risk.
A retrospective analysis of histological prognostic factors for the development of lymph node metastases from auricular squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Clark Richard R , Soutar David S , Hunter Keith D 
Published: July 2010

Clark R R, Soutar D S & Hunter K D (2010) Histopathology 57, 138–146 A retrospective analysis of histological prognostic factors for the development of lymph node metastases from auricular squamous cell carcinomaAims:  Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the auricle has a high risk of metastatic spread, which is associated with high mortality. Identification of patients with a high risk of lymph node metastases would allow prophylactic treatment to the draining lymph nodes, but there are no established clinical or histopathological criteria to predict which tumours have a high risk of metastasis. The aim was to determine such criteria.Methods and results:  The study was a retrospective analysis of the clinical and histological features of 229 cases of SCC of the auricle, with a minimum of 2 years’ clinical follow‐up. Overall, lymph node metastases were present in 24 cases (10.5%). Of the patients with metastatic disease 66.7% died, despite multi‐modality treatment. Tumours with a depth of invasion >8 mm or a depth of invasion between 2 and 8 mm in conjunction with evidence of destructive cartilage invasion, lymphovascular invasion or a non‐cohesive invasive front had a high risk of metastasis (56% and 24%, respectively).Conclusions:  Patients with high‐risk tumours, as assessed histopathologically, should be considered for prophylactic therapy to or staging of the regional lymph nodes.
Simultaneous assessment of DNA ploidy and biomarker expression in paraffin‐embedded tissue sections
Authors: Fleskens Stijn J H M , Takes Robert P , Otte‐Höller Irene , Van Doesburg Lisanne , Smeets Annemieke , Speel Ernst‐Jan M , Slootweg Pieter J , Van Der Laak Jeroen A W M 
Published: July 2010

Fleskens S J H M, Takes R P, Otte‐Höller I, van Doesburg L, Smeets A, Speel E‐J M, Slootweg P J & van der Laak J A W M (2010) Histopathology 57, 14–26 Simultaneous assessment of DNA ploidy and biomarker expression in paraffin‐embedded tissue sectionsAims:  Aneuploidy is a potential biomarker for predicting progression of premalignancies. Ploidy assessment is mostly performed on nuclei isolated from tissue sections. Ploidy assessment in situ in tissue sections may be a large improvement, enabling selective sampling of nuclei, thus allowing the correlation between ploidy and histology. Existing ploidy analysis methods in sections suffer from limited sensitivity. The aim was to reliably assess ploidy in sections, combined with simultaneous assessment of other markers at the individual cell level.Methods and results:  Ploidy was measured in 22 paraffin‐embedded oral premalignancies. The DNA stoichiometric Feulgen procedure was used on isolated nuclei, as well as fluoresence in situ hybridization analysis. In tissue sections, Feulgen was combined with immunohistochemistry for Ki67 proliferation marker, enabling distinction between cycling euploid and aneuploid cells. Aneuploidy was reliably detected in tissue sections (sensitivity 100%, specificity 92%). One section in which aneuploidy was detected was misclassified in isolated nuclei analysis. Sections were also successfully analysed using our model combined with DNA double strand break marker γ‐H2AX in fluorescence microscopy, underlining the power of biomarker evaluation on single cells in tissue sections.Conclusions:  The analysis model proposed in this study enables the combined analysis of histology, genotypic and phenotypic information.
Chitosan/double‐stranded RNA nanoparticle‐mediated RNA interference to silence chitin synthase genes through larval feeding in the African malaria mosquito (Anopheles gambiae)
Authors: Zhang X. , Zhang J. , Zhu K. Y. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine whether the expression of two chitin synthase genes, AgCHS1 and AgCHS2, can be repressed by chitosan/AgCHS dsRNA‐based nanoparticles through larval feeding in Anopheles gambiae. The AgCHS1 transcript level and chitin content were reduced by 62.8 and 33.8%, respectively, in the larvae fed on chitosan/AgCHS1 dsRNA nanoparticles compared with those of the control larvae fed on chitosan/GFP dsRNA nanoparticles. Our study suggested for the first time that RNA interference (RNAi) in mosquito larvae is systemic, and demonstrated that the larvae fed on the nanoparticles assembled from AgCHS1 and AgCHS2 dsRNA increased larval susceptibilities to diflubenzuron, and calcofluor white (CF) or dithiothreitol, respectively. These results suggest great potential for using such a nanoparticle‐based RNAi technology for high‐throughput screening of gene functions and for developing novel strategies for pest management.
Carbon isotope fractionation of amino acids in fish muscle reflects biosynthesis and isotopic routing from dietary protein
Authors: McMahon Kelton W. , Fogel Marilyn L. , Elsdon Travis S. , Thorrold Simon R. 
Published: July 2010

Summary 1. Analysis of stable carbon isotopes is a valuable tool for studies of diet, habitat use and migration. However, significant variability in the degree of trophic fractionation (Δ13CC‐D) between consumer (C) and diet (D) has highlighted our lack of understanding of the biochemical and physiological underpinnings of stable isotope ratios in tissues. 2. An opportunity now exists to increase the specificity of dietary studies by analyzing the δ13C values of amino acids (AAs). Common mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus, Linnaeus 1766) were reared on four isotopically distinct diets to examine individual AA Δ13CC‐D variability in fish muscle. 3. Modest bulk tissue Δ13CC‐D values reflected relatively large trophic fractionation for many non‐essential AAs and little to no fractionation for all essential AAs. 4. Essential AA δ13C values were not significantly different between diet and consumer (Δ13CC‐D = 0·0 ± 0·4‰), making them ideal tracers of carbon sources at the base of the food web. Stable isotope analysis of muscle essential AAs provides a promising tool for dietary reconstruction and identifying baseline δ13C values to track animal movement through isotopically distinct food webs. 5. Non‐essential AA Δ13CC‐D values showed evidence of both de novo biosynthesis and direct isotopic routing from dietary protein. We attributed patterns in Δ13CC‐D to variability in protein content and AA composition of the diet as well as differential utilization of dietary constituents contributing to the bulk carbon pool. This variability illustrates the complicated nature of metabolism and suggests caution must be taken with the assumptions used to interpret bulk stable isotope data in dietary studies. 6. Our study is the first to investigate the expression of AA Δ13CC‐D values for a marine vertebrate and should provide for significant refinements in studies of diet, habitat use and migration using stable isotopes.
Health literacy, self‐reported status and health promoting behaviours for adolescents in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Li‐Chun 
Published: July 2010

Aim and objective.  The objective of this study was to analyse the associations between health literacy, health status and health‐promoting behaviours among Taiwan adolescents.Background.  Limited health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes such as low use of preventive services, poor self‐reported health conditions and absence of health‐promoting behaviours in adults. However, these factors have not been analysed in adolescents. The associations between health literacy and health outcome in adolescents provide helpful insights in conducting health education programmes for health professionals.Design.  A cross‐sectional survey.Methods.  The survey analysed a purposive sample of 1601 senior/vocational high school students from six counties in Taiwan. Data for health literacy and health‐promoting behaviours were collected by the Chinese version (short form) of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adolescents (c‐sTOFHLAd) and health‐promoting behaviour scale with subscales for the following health‐promoting behaviours: nutrition, exercise, stress management, interpersonal relations, health responsibility and self‐actualisation.Results.  Adolescents with low health literacy were less likely to perceive good health status [adjusted odd ratio, (AOR) = 0·59, 95%CI = 0·41–0·86] and less likely to exhibit health‐promoting behaviours (AOR = 0·58, 95%CI = 0·39–0·86) than those with high health literacy were, especially in nutrition (AOR = 0·62, 95%CI = 0·43–0·89) and interpersonal relations (AOR = 0·61, 95%CI = 0·43–0·87) subscales. Adolescents with high and low health literacy did not significantly differ in the following health‐promoting behaviours: exercise, stress management, health responsibility and self‐actualisation.Conclusion.  Health literacy is vital for promoting health in adolescents, especially in the domains of nutrition and interpersonal relations.Relevance to clinical practice.  Health professionals should conduct health literacy assessments for adolescents prior to designing health education programmes for those with low health literacy to develop health literacy skills as to perform health promoting behaviours.
Reliability, validity and factor structure of the Appraisal of Self‐Care Agency Scale – Revised (ASAS‐R)
Authors: Sousa Valmi D. , Zauszniewski Jaclene A. , Bergquist‐Beringer Sandra , Musil Carol M. , Neese Jane B. , Jaber Ala'a F. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Self‐care agency is a fundamental concept in nursing and health care research. Having self‐care agency enhances an individual's health‐promoting behaviours and/or specific capabilities for chronic disease self‐management. The purpose of this study was to continue the development and psychometric testing of the Appraisal of Self‐Care Agency – Revised (ASAS‐R).Methods  A cross‐sectional methodological design was used to examine the reliability, validity and factor structure of the ASAS‐R among individuals from the general population. The sample consisted of 629 adults who were randomly selected to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 240) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 389) of the scale. A demographic questionnaire, the ASAS‐R and the Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP‐II) were the measures used to collect the data.Results  The final 15‐item three‐factor ASAS‐R had an overall Cronbach's alpha (α) of 0.89. The three factors extracted, rotated and scored in this study were labelled: having power for self‐care, developing power for self‐care and lacking power for self‐care. All inter‐items and item‐to‐total correlations met recommended criteria of r = 0.30 to r = 0.70, except for one of the items that had an item‐to‐total correlation of 0.71, slightly exceeding the maximum recommended item‐to‐total correlation. The three factors had Cronbach's alphas of 0.86, 0.83 and 0.79, respectively. The three factors together explained 61.7% of the scale items variance. Each item of the scale had a strong factor loading ranging from 0.52 to 0.81. All measures of model fit exceeded the recommended criteria, indicating that the 15‐item ASAS‐R had a very good fit (χ2/d.f. = 1.97, GFI = 0.94, AGFI = 0.92, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.05, RMR = 0.05 and the PCLOSE = 0.48).Conclusions  The 15‐item three‐factor ASAS‐R is a short, reliable and valid instrument to measure self‐care agency among individuals from the general population, but further psychometric evaluation is needed among individuals with chronic diseases, especially those with diabetes mellitus.
Evidence of dysregulated affect indicated by high alexithymia in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: NIKOLAOU ALEXANDRA , SCHIZA SOFIA E. , CHATZI LEDA , KOUDAS VASSILIS , FOKOS STEFANOS , SOLIDAKI ELENI , BITSIOS PANOS 
Published: July 2010

SummaryAlexithymia refers to dysregulation of affect characterized by difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by increased medical/psychiatric comorbidity and possibly by affect dysregulation. In the present case‐control study, we examined alexithymia levels with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20) in 23 psychiatrically uncomplicated OSA outpatients and 23 same gender controls one‐to‐one matched for age, education and subjective depressive symptomatology. General health/quality of life was assessed with the Short‐Form 36 Health Survey (SF‐36) in the patient group. Hierarchical multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the association of alexithymia with the presence of OSA, and clinical and polysomnographic parameters of this condition. TAS‐20 total and subscale scores were associated positively with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)‐21 and negatively with SF‐36 scores. After adjusting for all confounders, OSA was positively associated with total TAS‐20 score, ‘expressing feelings’ and ‘externally oriented thinking’ subscales. The latter was associated with increased sleepiness and reduced blood oxygenation in the OSA group. Finally, ‘difficulty describing feelings’ and ‘externally oriented thinking’ significantly predicted risk for OSA. Alexithymia is higher in non‐psychiatrically ill patients with OSA compared with carefully matched controls even after adjustment for subjective depressive symptoms and demographic confounders. Total alexithymia is associated with greater subjective depression and poor general health/quality of life, while ‘externally oriented thinking’ is associated with disease severity and together with ‘difficulty describing feelings’ may be vulnerability factors for OSA, although reverse causality cannot be excluded.
Pharmacokinetics of a novel amoxicillin/colistin suspension after intramuscular administration in pigs
Authors: HE J. , TANG S. , LI L. , ZHANG C. , LI X. , XIA X. , XIAO X. 
Published: July 2010

He, J., Tang, S., Li, L., Zhang, C., Li, X., Xia, X., Xiao, X. Pharmacokinetics of a novel amoxicillin/colistin suspension after intramuscular administration in pigs. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 34, 42–50.An amoxicillin (AMO) or colistin (COS) oil suspension was developed and corresponding pharmacokinetics studies were conducted in pigs after i.m. injection. The combination product is a white‐ to cream‐colored oil suspension which is easy to be re‐dispersed. Settling volume ratio, syringeability and flowability of the product is well consistent with the technical standards set by the Ministry of Agriculture of People’s Republic of China. Two studies were conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics of the combination product in swine. First, the pharmacokinetics of the combination product was compared with those of the same products merely removing either AMO or COS. No significant change in the major pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, Tmax, MRT, t1/2λ, AUC and AUMC) was observed when either component was removed from the combination product, indicating that AMO and COS do not interfere with each other in their absorption and distribution in the tissue when used as a combination. Second, the pharmacokinetics of the combination product was compared with that of their respective single products. It was found that the apparent elimination half‐lives (t1/2λ) of AMO and COS in combination product were 6.38 and 8.09 h, which were 2.40 and 2.38 times longer than the single products, respectively. Thus, the novel AMO/COS suspension extended significantly the half‐life of both drugs to maintain a longer drug residence time in pigs when compared to their single products.
Bioavailability of detomidine administered sublingually to horses as an oromucosal gel
Authors: KAUKINEN H. , ASPEGRÉN J. , HYYPPÄ S. , TAMM L. , SALONEN J. S. 
Published: July 2010

Kaukinen, H., Aspegrén, J., Hyyppä, S., Tamm, L., Salonen, J. S. Bioavailability of detomidine administered sublingually to horses as an oromucosal gel. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 34, 76–81.The objective of the study was to determine the absorption, bioavailability and sedative effect of detomidine administered to horses as an oromucosal gel compared to intravenous and intramuscular administration of detomidine injectable solution. The study was open and randomized, with three sequences crossover design. Nine healthy horses were given 40 μg/kg detomidine intravenously, intramuscularly or administered under the tongue with a 7‐day wash‐out period between treatments. Blood samples were collected before and after drug administration for the measurement of detomidine concentrations in serum. The effects of the route of administration on heart rate and rhythm were evaluated and the depth of sedation assessed. Mean (±SD) bioavailability of detomidine was 22% (±5.3%) after sublingual administration and 38.2% (±7.9%) after intramuscular administration. The sedative effects correlated with detomidine concentrations regardless of the route of administration. We conclude that less detomidine is absorbed when given sublingually than when given intramuscularly, because part of it does not reach the circulation. Sublingual administration of detomidine oromucosal gel at 40 μg/kg produces safe sedation in horses. Slow absorption leads to fewer and less pronounced adverse effects than the more rapid absorption after intramuscular injection.
Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in adult goats and its analgesic effect in disbudded kids
Authors: INGVAST‐LARSSON C. , HÖGBERG M. , MENGISTU U. , OLSÉN L. , BONDESSON U. , OLSSON K. 
Published: July 2010

Ingvast‐Larsson, C., Högberg, M., Mengistu, U., Olsén, L., Bondesson, U., Olsson, K. Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in adult goats and its analgesic effect in disbudded kids. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.34, 64–69.The pharmacokinetics and analgesic effect of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg) in goats were investigated. In a randomized, cross‐over design the pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated in adult goats (n = 8) after single intravenous and oral administration. The analgesic effect was evaluated in kids using a randomized, placebo controlled and blinded protocol. Kids received meloxicam (n = 6) once daily and their siblings (n = 5) got isotonic NaCl intramuscularly while still anaesthetized after cautery disbudding and injections were repeated on three consecutive days. In the adult goats after intravenous administration the terminal half‐life was 10.9 ± 1.7 h, steady‐state volume of distribution was 0.245 ± 0.06 L/kg, and total body clearance was 17.9 ± 4.3 mL/h/kg. After oral administration bioavailability was 79 ± 19%, Cmax was 736 ± 184 ng/mL, Tmax was 15 ±5 h, although the terminal half‐life was similar to the intravenous value, 11.8 ± 1.7 h. Signs of pain using a visual analogue scale were smaller in kids treated with meloxicam compared with kids treated with placebo on the first day after disbudding, but subsequently no difference in pain was noticeable. Plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations did not differ between the two groups.
Efficacy of heartworm preventatives against ascarids and hookworms in client‐owned dogs: a retrospective case control study
Authors: GATES M. C. , NOLAN T. J. 
Published: July 2010

Gates, M.C., Nolan, T.J. Efficacy of heartworm preventatives against ascarids and hookworms in client‐owned dogs: a retrospective case control study.J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.34, 116–119.The efficacy of heartworm preventatives against ascarids and hookworms was assessed in a retrospective analysis of 1329 dogs that received a fecal examination and were surveyed about heartworm preventative use upon presentation to the veterinary teaching hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. To remove confounding due to age, patients under 6 months old were analyzed separately from the remaining population. Although there were no reported cases of ascarids or hookworms in patients under 6 months old receiving monthly heartworm prevention, the prevalence reached 5.2% and 11.7%, respectively, in patients that were not using any products. For patients over 6 months old, there were no apparent associations between parasites and heartworm preventative use. Of the 75.5% of dogs that were administered heartworm preventatives, 16.1% reported seasonal use and 83.9% reported using the products year round. Patients using heartworm preventatives seasonally were no more likely to be harboring nematode parasites than patients using preventatives year round (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.19–2.55). Overall efficacy rates were consistent with prior studies on the active ingredients. Heartworm preventative have the greatest value for controlling nematode endoparasites in patients under 6 months old.
Transcription, processing and function of CRISPR cassettes in Escherichia coli
Authors: Pougach Ksenia , Semenova Ekaterina , Bogdanova Ekaterina , Datsenko Kirill A. , Djordjevic Marko , Wanner Barry L. , Severinov Konstantin 
Published: July 2010

SummaryCRISPR/Cas, bacterial and archaeal systems of interference with foreign genetic elements such as viruses or plasmids, consist of DNA loci called CRISPR cassettes (a set of variable spacers regularly separated by palindromic repeats) and associated cas genes. When a CRISPR spacer sequence exactly matches a sequence in a viral genome, the cell can become resistant to the virus. The CRISPR/Cas systems function through small RNAs originating from longer CRISPR cassette transcripts. While laboratory strains of Escherichia coli contain a functional CRISPR/Cas system (as judged by appearance of phage resistance at conditions of artificial co‐overexpression of Cas genes and a CRISPR cassette engineered to target a λ‐phage), no natural phage resistance due to CRISPR system function was observed in this best‐studied organism and no E. coli CRISPR spacer matches sequences of well‐studied E. coli phages. To better understand the apparently ‘silent’E. coli CRISPR/Cas system, we systematically characterized processed transcripts from CRISPR cassettes. Using an engineered strain with genomically located spacer matching phage λ we show that endogenous levels of CRISPR cassette and cas genes expression allow only weak protection against infection with the phage. However, derepression of the CRISPR/Cas system by disruption of the hns gene leads to high level of protection.