bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Circadian regulation of central ethanol sensitivity by themPer2gene
Authors: Perreau‐Lenz Stéphanie , Zghoul Tarek , De Fonseca Fernando R. , Spanagel Rainer , Bilbao Ainhoa 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTThe effect of alcohol is known to vary with the time of the day. Although initially it was suggested that this phenomenon may be due to diurnal differences in ethanol metabolism, more recent studies were contradicting. In the present study, we therefore first set out in assessing the diurnal variations in ethanol sensitivity in mice analysing, concurrently, ethanol elimination rates. Ethanol‐induced (3.5 g/kg; intraperitoneal) loss of righting reflex (LORR) duration was thus determined at several Zeitgeber time (ZT) points (ZT5, 11, 17 and 23) in C57BL/6N mice. In parallel, the corresponding ethanol elimination rates were also assessed. The results display the existence of a distinct diurnal rhythm in LORR duration peaking at ZT11, whereas no differences could be observed regarding the elimination rates of alcohol. Successively, we checked the involvement of the clock genesmPer1andmPer2in conveying this rhythm in sensitivity, testing LORR and hypothermia at the peak and trough previously observed (ZT5 and ZT11).Per1Brdm1mice demonstrate a similar diurnal pattern as control mice, with enhanced LORR durations at ZT11. In contrast,Per2Brdm1mice did not exhibit a temporal variation to the depressant effects of ethanol with respect to LORR, revealing a constant high sensitivity to ethanol. The present study reveals a central role of themPer2gene in inhibiting alcohol sensitivity at the beginning of the inactive phase.
Effects of dexmedetomidine or methylprednisolone on inflammatory responses in spinal cord injury
Authors: CAN M. , GUL S. , BEKTAS S. , HANCI V. , ACIKGOZ S. 
Published: June 2009

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the anti‐inflammatory response of methylprednisolone and the α2‐agonist dexmedetomidine in spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods: Twenty‐four male adult Wistar albino rats, weight 200–250 g, were included in the study. The rats were divided into four groups as follows: the control group (n: 6) received only laminectomy; the SCI group (n: 6) with trauma alone; the SCI+methylprednisolone group (n: 6) with trauma and 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone, followed by a maintenance dose of 5.4 mg/kg/h; and the SCI+dexmedetomidine group (n: 6) with trauma and 10 μg/kg dexmedetomidine treatment intraperitoneally. Twenty‐four hours after the trauma, spinal cord samples were taken for histopathological examination and serum samples were collected for interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α measurement.Results: TNF‐α (P=0.009) and IL‐6 (P=0.009) levels were significantly increased in the SCI group. TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels were significantly decreased with methylprednisolone (P=0.002, 0.002) and dexmedetomidine (P=0.002, 0.009) treatment, respectively. Methylprednisolone and dexmedetomidine treatment reduced neutrophils' infiltration in SCI.Conclusions: The current study does not clarify the definitive mechanism by which dexmedetomidine decreases inflammatory cytokines but it is the first study to report the anti‐inflammatory effect of dexmedetomidine in SCI. Further studies are required to elucidate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the inflammatory response.
Intravenous magnesium sulfate for post‐operative pain in patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery
Authors: DABBAGH A. , ELYASI H. , RAZAVI S. S. , FATHI M. , RAJAEI S. 
Published: June 2009

Introduction: This study looks at the effect of supplementary intravenous magnesium sulfate on acute pain when administered in patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery using spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine.Method and materials: In this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 60 patients were selected and randomly divided into two groups. Efforts were made to place both groups under the same method of anesthesia. One group received 8 mg/kg intravenous magnesium sulfate, started before the incision and continued up to the end of the surgical procedure, using a 50 ml syringe, via a peripheral large bore catheter; the second group received the same volume of placebos using the same method. To present the results, mean (± SD) was used; a P value of <0.05 was considered significant.Results: There was no difference between the two groups in terms of the basic variables. Pain reported by the first group that received magnesium sulfate was significantly less at the first, third, sixth and 12th hours after the operation in comparison with the group that received placebo. Also, the intravenous morphine requirements in the first 24 h after the surgery were less in the magnesium group (4.2 ± 1.6 mg) than in the control group (9.8 ± 2.1 mg).Conclusion: Intravenous magnesium sulfate can serve as a supplementary analgesic therapy to suppress the acute post‐operative pain, leading to less morphine requirements in the first 24 h.
A database of vertebrate longevity records and their relation to other life‐history traits
Authors: DE MAGALHÃES J. P. , COSTA J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractLongevity is a major characteristic of animals that has long fascinated scientists. In this work, we present a comprehensive database of animal longevity records and related life‐history traits entitled AnAge, which we compiled and manually curated from an extensive literature. AnAge started as a collection of longevity records, but has since been expanded to include quantitative data for numerous other life‐history traits, including body masses at different developmental stages, reproductive data such as age at sexual maturity and measurements of reproductive output, and physiological traits related to metabolism. AnAge features over 4000 vertebrate species and is a central resource for applying the comparative method to studies of longevity and life‐history evolution across the tree of life. Moreover, by providing a reference value for longevity and other life‐history traits, AnAge can prove valuable to a broad range of biologists working in evolutionary biology, ecology, zoology, physiology and conservation biology. AnAge is freely available online (http://genomics.senescence.info/species/).
Phenotypic plasticity of desiccation resistance inGlossinapuparia: are there ecotype constraints on acclimation responses?
Authors: TERBLANCHE J. S. , KLEYNHANS E. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPhenotypic plasticity allows organisms to cope with environmental variation and may aid in the evolution of novel traits. However, whether phenotypic plasticity is beneficial, or if acclimation responses might be constrained to particular ecotypes is generally poorly explored. Here we test the beneficial acclimation hypothesis (BAH) and its alternatives for desiccation resistance to atmospheric moisture in mesic‐ and xeric‐adaptedGlossinaspecies. Highly significant interactions among acclimation and test humidity were detected for water loss rates indicative of significant phenotypic plasticity. Ordered‐factoranovawas unable to reject predictions of the ‘drier is better’ acclimation hypothesis in xericGlossina morsitansand mesicG. austeni. Evidence for the ‘deleterious acclimation hypothesis’ was found for mesicG. palpalisas expected from the moist habitats it typically occupies. By contrast, support for the ‘optimal acclimation hypothesis’ was found in xericG. pallidipes. Little support for BAH was obtained in the present study, although other hypotheses, which might enhance fitness within the environments these species are typically exposed to, were supported. However, acclimation responses were not necessarily constrained to xeric/mesic ecotypes which might be expected if adaptation to a particular environment arose as a trade‐off between plastic responses and living in a particular habitat. These results highlight the complexity of acclimation responses and suggest an important role for phenotypic plasticity in moderating environmental effects on evolutionary fitness inGlossina.
Effect of acute citrate load on markers of bone metabolism in healthy volunteers
Authors: Chen Y. , Bieglmayer C. , Höcker P. , Dettke M. 
Published: June 2009

Background and objectives  This study aims to investigate the possible effects of acute citrate administration on bone metabolism in healthy men.Materials and methods  A placebo‐controlled, crossover trial was conducted on 10 male volunteers. The volunteers received either a standardized infusion of citrate at 1·5 mg/kg body weight/min or the equal volume of placebo, separated by a washout period of 14 days. Serial blood and urine samples were collected and analysed for bone biochemical markers and electrolytes.Results  Infusion of citrate resulted in increased serum levels of the bone formation marker osteocalcin (OC) and bone resorption marker C‐telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX). Increases in CTX and OC were positively correlated to the surge in the serum concentration of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) but only OC showed correlation to changes in ionized calcium. Citrate infusion showed no effect on serum concentrations of bone alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, and bone tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b, or the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand. Variations in OC and CTX were short‐term as both bone markers gradually declined within 90 min following citrate exposure.Conclusion  Acute citrate load resulted in profound alterations of the bone markers OC and CTX. The short‐term increase of CTX suggests a temporary shift to a higher bone turnover rate, although the clinical consequence of the observed changes in bone markers remains open.
Ultrastructure of the Spermatozoa of the Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis)
Authors: Li H. Y. , Zhang X. F. , Wang D. , Chen D. Q. 
Published: June 2009

SummarySemen sample was collected from two captive adult Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) during physical examination. One individual was aged about 9 years with body length 143 cm (total length) and body weight 46.1 kg in 2003. The age of the other was unknown and its body length was 147 cm and body weight was 43 kg in 2004. Ultrastructure of their spermatozoa was examined using scanning and transmission electron microscope. The sperm concentration was 4.17 × 109spermatozoa per ml by the cytometer. The approximate dimensions of the spermatozoa were as follows: head length, 3.366 ± 0.140 μm (mean ± SE,n = 15); head width, 1.896 ± 0.099 μm (n = 15); and neck length, 1.004 ± 0.074 μm (n = 10). The tail included midpiece, principal piece and terminal piece. The length of the midpiece was 1.882 ± 0.077 μm (n = 9). There is no apparent boundary between the principal piece and the terminal piece, so the length of the principal piece and the terminal piece was 44.612 ± 3.485 μm (n = 5). Total length of the spermatozoa was 53.314 ± 4.580 μm (n = 10). The acrosome covered approximately 45.8% of the anterior portion of the head.
Assessment of DNA Damage during In Vitro Development of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Embryos: Effect of Cysteamine
Authors: Mukherjee A , Kumar D , Singh KP , Chauhan MS , Singla SK , Palta P , Manik RS 
Published: June 2009

ContentsComet assay was used in the present study to examine DNA damage to buffalo oocytes and embryos during in vitro culture. Embryos were produced in vitro from oocytes obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries in presence of cysteamine (IVM and IVC media supplemented with 50 and 100 μm, respectively) or in its absence (controls). Compared to controls, cysteamine supplementation increased (p < 0.01) cleavage rate and proportion of oocytes that developed to 8‐ to 16‐cell stage. The incidence of DNA damage was lower (p < 0.01) in cysteamine group than that in controls at 8‐ to 16‐ (19.3 ± 4.24 vs 72.0 ± 5.22%) but not in 2‐cell stage embryos (11.7 ±  5.63 vs 20.8 ± 5.49%) or in mature oocytes (5.3 ± 3.43 vs 10.3 ± 4.73%). The tail length, which indicates magnitude of DNA damage, was shorter (p < 0.01) in cysteamine group than in controls in mature oocytes (25.5 ± 0.5 vs 36.0 ± 0.71 pixels) and 8‐ to 16‐cell stage (49.2 ± 1.64 vs 152.7 ± 1.28 pixels) but not in 2‐cell stage embryos (36.3 ± 1.54 vs 36.4 ± 0.75 pixels). Also, exposure of oocytes/embryos to UV radiation or H2O2 caused extensive DNA damage. In conclusion, these results suggest that oocytes/embryos suffer from DNA damage during progress of in vitro culture, which can be partly ameliorated by cysteamine supplementation of culture media.
Health promotion: Facilitators and barriers perceived by district nurses
Authors: Wilhelmsson Susan , Lindberg Malou 
Published: June 2009

Purpose: To investigate district nurses' (DN) opinions regarding facilitators and barriers in their work with health promotion.Methods: Qualitative descriptive study. Interviews with a purposeful sampling of 54 DNs. Data were analysed with content analysis.Results: The DNs expressed that nursing was the right profession to work with health promotion, and that it was an important task that was done by no one else. They experienced being stuck between disease‐oriented and health promotion work and that priorities were wrong. The focus was not on health promotion and the time DNs could spend with health promotion was limited, and instead they had to perform elementary medical tasks.Conclusions: Tasks of a medical nature are given priority over health promotion. DNs lack support and no one asked or cared about the results from health promotion activities.
Paraffin (kerosene)* poisoning in under‐five children: A problem of developing countries
Authors: Tshiamo Wananani 
Published: June 2009

Although developed countries have largely eliminated the problem of paraffin ingestion in young children, many developing countries have not. Paraffin, used as a home energy source, particularly in rural area, accounts for a significant percent of paediatric poisoning and can lead to serious health problems, complications and death.This paper presents a review done by a nurse clinician concerned about the number of paediatric poisonings she saw in the hospital in one developing country, Botswana. The first stage of solving the problem is presented in which she established the extent and epidemiology of the issue. Suggestions for its solution are also discussed. It is hoped that this can serve both to increase awareness in developing countries of the dangers of paraffin poisoning and serve as a model for nurse clinicians and researchers in developing countries.
Conventional nutritional counselling maintains nutritional status of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in spite of systemic inflammation and decrease of residual renal function
Authors: MARTÍN‐DEL‐CAMPO FABIOLA , GONZÁLEZ‐ESPINOZA LILIANA , ROJAS‐CAMPOS ENRIQUE , RUIZ NORMA , GONZÁLEZ JUANA , PAZARÍN LEONARDO , CUETO‐MANZANO ALFONSO M 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYAim:  To evaluate the effect of nutritional counselling on nutritional status in peritoneal dialysis patients.Methods:  Twenty‐nine peritoneal dialysis patients were randomly selected to receive conventional nutritional counselling during 6 months of follow up. All patients had monthly clinical and biochemical evaluations, and assessments of dialysis adequacy, inflammation and nutritional status at 0, 3 and 6 months.Results:  Moderate‐severe malnutrition decreased 28% whereas normal nutrition increased 23% at final evaluation (non‐significant). Calorie and protein intake remained stable throughout the study (baseline vs final, calorie: 24 ± 8 vs 23 ± 5 Kcal/kg; protein: 1.1 ± 0.5 vs 1.0 ± 0.3 g/Kg, respectively). On the other hand, triceps (16 ± 6 vs 18 ± 8 mm) and subscapular (17 ± 8 vs 20 ± 5 mm) skinfold thicknesses, and mid‐arm circumference (27 ± 3 vs 28 ± 3 mm) significantly increased; mid‐arm muscle area displayed a non‐significant trend to increase (30 ± 9 vs 31 ± 9 cm2) whereas serum albumin significantly increased at the end of study (2.67 ± 0.46 vs 2.94 ±  0.48 g/dL). At final evaluation, median renal creatinine clearance decreased (6.3 (0.8–15.3) vs 2.0 (0.1–6.3) L/week per 1.73 m2) whereas interleukin‐6 increased (2.33 (1.9–7.0) vs 4.02 (2.1–8.4) pg/mL).Conclusion:  Even though conventional nutritional counselling, as an isolated measure, did not significantly improve all nutritional parameters, it prevented a greater deterioration during 6 months. Nutritional counselling maintained the nutritional status in spite of a decrease in residual renal function and higher systemic inflammation.
Changes in prostate volume in Japanese patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: Association with other urological measures and risk of surgical intervention
Authors: Tsukamoto Taiji , Masumori Naoya , Nakagawa Haruo , Arai Yoichi , Komiya Akira , Ichikawa Tomohiko , Takei Mineo , Yamaguchi Akito , Liu Ying , Crane Martin M 
Published: June 2009

Objectives:  To evaluate changes in prostate volume (PV) and its association with selected urological measures and risk of surgical intervention in Japanese men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods:  The medical records of all consecutive urologist‐diagnosed BPH patients of ≥40 years old who attended any of four urology clinics in Japan during January 2004–June 2006 were reviewed. Both cross‐sectional and longitudinal data were captured to analyze baseline correlations among urological measures, to evaluate the longitudinal changes in PV and selected urological measures, and to examine the predictors of surgical intervention.Results:  The follow‐up period was 2.8 years. Mean PV and mean prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) of 1331 eligible patients were 34.0 mL and 4.0 ng/mL, respectively. Both measures increased directly with age. Baseline PV correlated with residual urine volume (r = 0.18, P < 0.05) and PSA (r = 0.41, P < 0.001). Among 319 patients who had more than one PV measurement, PV increased in 51% of patients, remained the same in 28% and decreased in 21%. Use of α‐blockers at baseline and during follow up was not associated with PV change. Patients who had a PV ≥30 mL, a severe International Prostate Symptom Score and a PSA level ≥1.5 ng/mL at baseline, were more likely to have surgical intervention during the follow‐up period.Conclusions:  Predictors generated in this study may help to identify a subset of BPH patients at high risk of surgical intervention.
RNA interference targeting of sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 protects human granulosa cells from apoptosis
Authors: Gao Jun , Zhang Ren‐Li , Zhou Can‐Quan , Ma Yun , Zhuang Guang‐Lun 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim:  Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1) plays an essential role in initiating the female germ cell death signal. To evaluate whether RNA interference has potential as a new approach in germ cell protection, we tested the effect of SMPD1 knockdown on human granulosa cells in vitro.Methods:  We designed and synthesized three small interference RNA (siRNA) sequences targeted on SMPD1 and transfected them into human luteinizing granulosa cells (hGC) in vitro. Forty‐eight hours after transfecting with siRNAs, hGC were treated with mitomycin C (MMC) to induce apoptosis. mRNA was detected with quantitative RT‐PCR and protein was detected with Western blot. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to measure cell survival rate and detection of apoptotic rate of cells with Annexin V‐PI staining by flow cytometer (FCM). Study groups were compared with liposome (lipofectamine 2000), MMC control and negative control siRNA.Results:  After treatment with siRNA targeted to SMPD1, significant SMPD1 suppression occurred. After knockdown expression of SMPD1, the survival rate of hGC increased from 32.3% to 40.3%, and the apoptosis rate decreased from 68.3% to 44%.Conclusion:  siRNA targeted on SMPD1 can protect hGC cells from apoptosis. These results reveal SMPD1 as a significant and effective target site for RNAi in the protection of human germ cells, which may have a direct bearing on future therapeutic research.
External aortic compression device: The first aid for postpartum hemorrhage control
Authors: Soltan Mohamed Hashem , Faragallah Medhat Farag , Mosabah Mohamed Hany , Al‐adawy Ahemd Reda 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the external aortic compression device (EACD) as a first aid to control postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).Methods:  Three hundred women whose deliveries were complicated with PPH were recruited into a quasi‐randomization study. Groups comprised 120 women each who had atonic PPH. The EACD was used together with traditional management in study women, while traditional management alone was used in control women. Outcome measures were maternal mortality, morbidity (hysterectomy), amount of blood transfusion (BT), uterotonic drugs and time to stop bleeding. Side effects of the EACD were assessed. Atonic PPH was defined as a blood loss of ≥500 mL from an atonic uterus with circulatory compromise within 24 hrs of childbirth. Controls were treated with i.v. access, nasal oxygen, fresh BT, uterine massage, El‐Menia air inflated balloon and uterotonic drugs. Study women were treated using EACD together with conventional management.Results:  Time to stop bleeding was significantly shorter (36.8 ± 23.4 vs 118.6 ± 36.8 min) in study women than in control women (P < 0.001); 87.5% of study women, but no single woman in the control group had their bleeding stopped within the first 45 min of PPH onset. No morbidities or mortality among those who received EACD compared with control women, among who had five surgical hysterectomies and one mortality. The amount of BT units (302 vs 200), ergometrine ampoules (3.6 ± 0.5 vs 2.5 ± 0.8), syntocinon units (30.6 ± 0.5 vs 20.5 ± 0.8) and misoprostol tablets (6.7 ± 1.8 vs 3.8 ± 0.7) received were significantly more in the control group than in the study group (P < 0.001). Adverse effects of EACD were rarely observed.Conclusion:  EACD is a cost‐effective and easily applied maneuver that allows satisfactory management of PPH without maternal mortality or morbidity. It is of value in developing countries.
Risk factors for emergency cesarean delivery of the second twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin
Authors: Suzuki Shunji 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim:  A case‐control study of twins was performed to identify clinical predictions of emergency cesarean delivery in the second‐born twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin.Methods:  The obstetric records were reviewed of all twin vaginal deliveries at the Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital from 2002 through 2007.Results:  There were 206 vaginal deliveries of first twins at ≥33 weeks of gestation. Of these deliveries, nine women (4.4%) underwent an emergency cesarean for the delivery of the second twin. The incidence of cesarean delivery for the second twin was significantly greater in cases with a history of infertility therapy (odds ratio: 5.0, 95% confidence intervals: 1.2–22), gestational age at ≥39 weeks (24, 4.7–120), nonvertex presentation (6.2, 1.5–26), operative delivery of the first twin (6.1, 1.5–24) and intertwin delivery time interval >30 min (7.2, 1.7–30).Conclusion:  The most important risk factor of emergency cesarean delivery in the second twin was a gestational age of ≥39 weeks.
Prenatal diagnosis of long QT syndrome by non‐invasive fetal electrocardiography
Authors: Fujimoto Yoshinobu , Matsumoto Tadashi , Honda Nobuhisa , Tojo Ryuichiro , Furuya Masataka , Kasai Kenji , Saito Suguru , Mochimaru Fumio , Ishikawa Yasuhiro 
Published: June 2009

AbstractLong QT syndrome is a high‐risk condition associated with arrhythmia due to its sudden cause of death. Prenatal diagnosis of long QT syndrome, however, is impossible using the fetal echocardiogram. Here we present the first reported case of long QT syndrome in which a prenatal diagnosis was made using non‐invasive fetal electrocardiogram. We consider that the non‐invasive fetal electrocardiogram may be a good method for diagnosing fetal QT prolongation.