bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity and endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent coronary vasomotor function
Authors: Yoshino Tomohide , Nakae Ichiro , Matsumoto Tetsuya , Mitsunami Kenichi , Horie Minoru 
Published: October 2010

Summary1. Coronary endothelial function and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are independent predictors of cardiovascular events. Thus, in the present study we examined the relationship between baPWV and endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent coronary vasodilatory functions.2. Sixty‐five patients (12 diabetic and 53 non‐diabetic) with no significant stenosis of the coronary artery were studied and baPWV determined. After cardiac catheterization, graded doses of bradykinin (BK; 0.2, 0.6 and 2.0 μg/min), nitroglycerin (NTG; 250 μg) and papaverine (Pa; 12 mg) were administered into the left anterior descending coronary artery. Coronary blood flow (CBF) was measured using a Doppler flow wire.3. In the 65 patients, an inverse correlation was found between baPWV and the percentage change in epicardial coronary artery diameter (Δ%CoD), as well as the percentage change in CBF (Δ%CBF), following administration of BK (endothelium‐dependent vasodilator). Moreover, inverse correlations were found between baPWV and Δ%CoD following administration of NTG (endothelium‐independent vasodilator) and Δ%CBF following administration of Pa (endothelium‐independent vasodilator).4. Multivariate analysis revealed diabetes to be independently and significantly associated with baPWV, BK‐induced Δ%CBF and Δ%CoD and Pa‐induced Δ%CBF.5. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that increased baPWV is associated with endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent coronary vasodilatory dysfunction. Non‐invasive and straightforward baPWV measurement may be useful for the assessment of coronary risk factors, particularly in diabetic patients.
Voluntary exercise does not affect stress‐induced tachycardia, but improves resistance to cardiac arrhythmias in rats
Authors: Beig Mirza I , Callister Robin , Saint David A , Bondarenko Eugene , Walker Frederick R , Day Trevor A , Nalivaiko Eugene 
Published: October 2010

Summary1. It is currently unknown whether long‐term voluntary exercise has enduring cardioprotective effects in animal models.2. The present study was conducted in three groups of rats: (i) sedentary controls (n = 6); (ii) 24 h runners (n = 8; unlimited access to running wheels); and (iii) 2 h runners (n = 8; access to running wheels limited to 2 h daily). After termination of the 6 week exercise protocol, all rats were implanted with the telemetric electrocardiogram transmitters and were studied 1 week later.3. Resting heart rate (HR) values in the control rats, 24 h runners and 2 h runners were 372 ± 7, 361 ± 9 and 298 ± 5 b.p.m., respectively (P < 0.05 for 2 h runners vs controls). The high‐frequency spectral power in the control rats, 24 h runners and 2 h runners was 3.9 ± 0.2, 4.3 ± 0.3 and 5.3 ± 0.3 s2, respectively (P < 0.05 for 2 h runners vs controls), whereas intrinsic HR was 383 ± 3, 377 ± 2 and 346 ± 3 b.p.m., respectively (P < 0.001 for 2 h runners vs controls). Restraint stress provoked tachycardia of similar magnitude in all groups.4. After completion of telemetric studies, haemodynamic indices and susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias were assessed in anaesthetized animals, there were no major between‐group differences in HR, arterial pressure, contractility indices or sensitivity to β‐adrenoceptor stimulation (dobutamine) or blockade (atenolol). The effective refractory period in the control rats, 24 h runners and 2 h runners was 49 ± 2, 55 ± 2 and 60 ± 4 ms, respectively (P = 0.054 for 2 h runners vs controls). A significantly higher dose of aconitine was required to provoke ventricular arrhythmias in the 24 h and 2 h running groups compared with controls (489 ± 76, 505 ± 88 and 173 ± 33 μg, respectively; P < 0.05).5. We conclude that, in rats, long‐term voluntary exercise has enduring cardioprotective effects mediated at the level of both the central nervous system and the heart.
Preferred orientation of the trace fossil Entradichnus meniscus in eolian dune strata (Djadokhta Formation) at Tugrikiin Shiree, southern Mongolia and its paleoecological implications
Authors: Seike Koji , Hasegawa Hitoshi , Ichinnorov Niiden 
Published: October 2010

AbstractEolian sand dune deposits of the Upper Cretaceous Djadokhta Formation at Tugrikiin Shiree, southern Mongolia, yield not only dinosaur skeletal remains but also numerous trace fossils produced by invertebrates. This paper describes the trace fossil Entradichnus meniscus, a long unlined and unbranched trail that is filled with meniscate laminae and occurs characteristically in positive epirelief. The trail is straight to gently meandering, parallel to the foreset laminae of the eolian dunes, and exhibits a significant preferred orientation parallel to the depositional dip of the cross‐stratification laminae. In addition, almost all the crescentic internal laminae of the trail show concave down‐dips. These features indicate that the trails were produced beneath the slipface of eolian dunes by the downward burrowing of the trace‐makers. This occurrence mode of E. meniscus of the Mongolian Cretaceous is very similar to that described from the Jurassic eolian dune deposits in North America. Hence, the downward burrowing of the E. meniscus animal might be a common feature in arid eolian dune deposits at least during the Jurassic and Cretaceous, and possibly reflecting a behavioral response to the morphology of large sand dunes under an arid climate.
Vitamin C deficiency increases the binucleation of hepatocytes in SMP30 knock‐out mice
Authors: Park Jin‐Kyu , Hong Il‐Hwa , Ki Mi‐Ran , Chung Hae‐Young , Ishigami Akihito , Ji Ae‐Ri , Goo Moon‐Jung , Kim Dong‐Hwan , Kwak Ji‐Hoon , Min Chang‐Woo , Lee Seung‐Sook , Jeong Kyu‐Shik 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The binucleation of hepatocytes, which was known as an important feature of liver growth and physiology, has been reported to be increased during the chronic oxidative injury stage and has been regarded as an age‐related change of hepatic structures. Therefore, we investigated the binuclearity pattern in the livers of senescence marker proteins‐30 (SMP30) knock‐out (KO) mice compared with wild‐type (WT) mice and vitamin C‐treated KO (KO + VC) mice.Methods:  The WT, KO and KO + VC mice were fed a vitamin C free diet and VC(+) group mice were given vitamin C water containing 1.5 g/L of vitamin C, whereas VC(−) group was given normal drinking water without vitamin C, for 16 weeks.Results:  In microscopic examination, the livers of KO mice showed a significantly increased number of binuclear hepatocytes compared with that of WT mice and KO + VC mice. KO mice also showed the most increased expression level of CYP2E1 and PCNA determined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis. Moreover, KO mice indicated the highest level of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase level in serum biochemical analysis. Accordingly, significantly decreased levels of reactive oxygen species, MDA (malondialdehyde) and HAE (4‐hydroxyalkenals) were detected in KO + VC mice compared with KO mice.Conclusion:  Therefore, it is concluded that vitamin C deficiency induces an increase of CYP2E1 expression and elevated ROS production, which causes oxidative liver injury and the elevation of hepatocyte binucleation in SMP30 KO mice.
Melamine‐tainted milk product‐associated urinary stones in children
Authors: Wang Zheng , Luo Hong , Tu Wenwei , Yang Hui , Wong Wilfred Hing‐Sang , Wong Wing‐Tak , Yung Ka‐Fu , Zhou Nan , Zhang Jingti , Li Xiaoqing , Wang Zerong , Guo Wenjun , Mu Dezhi , Li Fanghong , Mao Meng , Lau Yu‐Lung 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground: An outbreak of urinary stones related to consumption of melamine‐tainted milk products (MTMP) occurred in China in 2008. The aim of the present study was to evaluate such children to identify their clinical features and risk factors.Methods: Renal ultrasound was performed for 7328 children who presented to a Sichuan teaching hospital between 13 September and 15 October 2008 due to concern of such stones. Clinical data, family information, feeding history and urinary stones were analyzed.Results: Of the 7328 children, 189 (2.58%) had ultrasound findings of urinary stones, and 51 were admitted. Age (mean ± SD) was 27.4 ± 25.5 months, and 101 were male and 88, female. The odds ratio (OR) for urinary stones for infants and young children (1–3 years) as compared to older children (>3 years), was 2.42 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64–3.56;P < 0.0001) and 1.95 (95%CI, 1.31–2.89;P < 0.0011), respectively. Independent risk factors associated with urinary stones included consumption of MTMP with melamine at >5500 mg/kg (OR, 13.3; 95%CI, 6.8–26.1,P < 0.0001) as compared to that with melamine at <200 mg/kg, and younger father (P = 0.0006). On logistic regression, the only risk factor associated with inpatient care was lower family income per person (OR, 4.4; 95%CI, 1.2–15.9,P = 0.02). Repeat ultrasound for 51 children at mean follow up of 15.3 ± 8.9 days found that 33 passed out all stones, which was associated with a larger number of smaller stones (P = 0.003). Urinary stones contained melamine and uric acid, but no cyanuric acid.Conclusions: MTMP‐associated urinary stones were more frequent in young children and more severe in children from poorer families.
Lower respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections among mature babies in Japan
Authors: Kawai Takumi , Goto Aya , Watanabe Eiko , Nagasawa Machiko , Yasumura Seiji 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground:  Epidemiologic evidence regarding the background factors of childhood infections in Japan is scarce. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the rates and associated factors of hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and gastrointestinal infections (GII) among children with birthweight ≥2500 g and ≥37 weeks of gestational age.Method:  The data for the study were collected at 18‐month health checkups in one city in Japan. The community database included information on the main outcome (past hospitalization) and 16 host, environmental, and parenting factors. The Kaplan–Meier method and log–rank test were used to determine sex differences in hospital admission for infection, and the Cox regression model to analyze sex‐specific factors associated with the hospitalization.Results:  The proportion of children who were admitted to hospital before their 18‐month checkup was 7.1% for LRTI and 2.2% for GII. Hospital admission for LRTI among boys was higher than girls. Multivariate analysis indicated the following LRTI‐associated factors: child‐care attendance (hazard ratio [HR]= 1.97) and three or more adults living together (HR = 2.63) for boys; and child‐care attendance (HR = 4.30) and two or more children living together (HR = 4.57) for girls. GII‐associated factors were maternal age <25 years (HR = 3.45) for boys, and hand washing by caregivers after lavatory use and diaper changing (HR = 6.93) for girls.Conclusions:  One out of 11 children was hospitalized because of LRTI or GII during their first 18 months, which was associated with a biologic factor (sex), environmental factors (child‐care attendance and family size), and parenting practices (shorter duration of exclusive breast‐feeding and caregivers' unfavorable hygiene practices).
Twice‐weekly fluconazole prophylaxis in premature infants: Association with cholestasis
Authors: Bhat Vishwanath , Fojas Milliecor , Saslow Judy G. , Shah Sahil , Sannoh Sulaiman , Amendolia Barbara , Pyon Kee , Kemble Nicole , Stahl Gary , Aghai Zubair H. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground:  Fluconazole prophylaxis is effective in preventing invasive candidiasis in extremely low‐birthweight (ELBW) infants. The authors previously reported an increased incidence of cholestasis with fluconazole prophylaxis in ELBW infants, which led to fluconazole prophylaxis being changed to a less frequent dosing (LFD) schedule of twice a week at their institution. The purpose of the present study was therefore to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of LFD fluconazole prophylaxis in preventing invasive candidiasis in ELBW infants.Methods:  ELBW infants who received the LFD regimen of fluconazole (twice a week for up to 6 weeks) were compared with infants who received the frequent dosing (FD) schedule (every 72 h for first 2 weeks, every 48 h for next 2 weeks and every 24 h for the final 2 weeks). The two groups were compared for baseline demographics, risk factors for candidiasis, the rate of invasive fungal infection and the incidence and severity of cholestasis.Results:  There was no significant difference in the incidence of invasive candidiasis in infants who received the LFD (2/104, 2%) compared to FD (0/140, 0%; P= 0.4) fluconazole prophylaxis. The severity of cholestasis was lower and a trend towards decreased incidence of cholestasis was observed on the LFD schedule.Conclusion:  The LFD regimen of fluconazole prophylaxis is effective in preventing invasive fungal infection in ELBW infants. The severity of cholestasis was decreased with the LFD schedule.
Renal mass sampling: An enlightened perspective
Authors: Samplaski Mary K , Zhou Ming , Lane Brian R , Herts Brian , Campbell Steve C 
Published: October 2010

AbstractRenal mass sampling (RMS) can be carried out by core biopsy or fine needle aspiration with each presenting potential advantages and limitations. The literature about RMS is confounded by a lack of standardized techniques, ambiguous terminology, imprecise definitions of accuracy, substantial rates of non‐informative biopsies, and recurrent diagnostic challenges with respect to eosinophilic neoplasms. Despite these concerns, RMS has an expanding role in the evaluation and treatment of renal masses, in order to stratify biological aggressiveness and guide management that can range from surgery to active surveillance. Non‐informative biopsies can be managed with surgical excision or repeat biopsy, with the latter showing encouraging results in recent studies. We propose a new classification in which all biopsies are categorized as non‐informative versus informative, with the latter being subclassified as confirmed accurate, presumed accurate or confirmed inaccurate. This terminology will facilitate the comparison of results from various studies and stimulate progress. Incorporation of novel biomarkers and molecular fingerprinting into RMS protocols will likely allow for more rational management of patients with renal masses in the near future.
Positioning the instillation of contrast at the ureteral orifice cystography can be useful to predict postoperative contralateral reflux in children with unilateral vesicoureteral reflux
Authors: Matsumoto Fumi , Shimada Kenji , Matsui Futoshi , Itesako Toshihiko 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of positioning the instillation of contrast at the ureteral orifice (PIC) cystography in prediction of postoperative contralateral reflux in patients with unilateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) undergoing ureteral reimplantation. Between January 2007 and March 2009, 34 children (20 boys and 14 girls) had antireflux surgery for unilateral primary VUR. This was diagnosed by conventional fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in all patients. After induction of general anesthesia, PIC cystography was carried out immediately before ureteral reimplantation by instilling contrast material at the ureteral orifice. Patients with positive PIC cystogram on the contralateral side underwent bilateral ureteral reimplantation via the Cohen technique. VCUG was repeated at 6–12 months postoperatively. Of the 34 patients, 16 (47%) showed VUR on the contralateral side on PIC cystography and underwent bilateral reimplantation. The remaining 18 patients (53%) with negative PIC cystogram underwent unilateral reimplantation, and no VUR was detected by postoperative VCUG in all ureters. None of the 34 patients had surgical complications or recurrent urinary tract infections. In conclusion, PIC cystography represents a useful tool to predict new onset contralateral VUR in patients with unilateral VUR on conventional VCUG.
Trophic structure of macroinvertebrates in Amazonian streams impacted by anthropogenic siltation
Authors: COUCEIRO SHEYLA R. M. , HAMADA NEUSA , FORSBERG BRUCE R. , PADOVESI‐FONSECA CLAUDIA 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis study assessed the results of anthropogenic sediment input on macroinvertebrate trophic structure in streams located in an area of oil and natural gas exploitation in Brazil's Amazon forest. The results indicate that macroinvertebrate communities both in streams impacted by anthropogenic sediments and in non‐impacted streams are composed mainly of taxa in the following functional feeding groups: predators, gathering‐collectors, scrapers, shredders and filtering‐collectors. The highest densities were observed for collector‐gatherers, followed by scrapers, predators, shredders and filtering‐collectors. However, both the richness and the density of all groups were reduced in impacted streams. The reductions were significantly related to suspended inorganic sediment load and to the colour of suspended sediments. The relative proportion of shredders in streams impacted by anthropogenic sediments was significantly reduced as compared with the proportion observed in non‐impacted streams. This resulted from lower availability of coarse particulate organic matter in these streams owing to burial of leaves and other plant material. These results indicate changes in the functioning and productivity of streams owing to anthropogenic siltation. This is because the benthic macroinvertebrate communities, sampled during this study, were dependent on the degradation of leaves, which are the primary energy source sustaining the benthic foodweb.
Implications of movement patterns of a dietary generalist for mistletoe seed dispersal
Authors: RAWSTHORNE JOHN , WATSON DAVID M. , ROSHIER DAVID A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractMistletoes are dispersed primarily by frugivorous birds and have highly aggregated distributions at multiple scales. Mistletoe specialist frugivores have been found to intensify infections within infected hosts and stands, and this is considered the most likely mechanism underlying clumped mistletoe distributions at these scales. How these patchy infections first develop and whether seed dispersers also contribute to aggregated mistletoe distributions at landscape and regional scales have not been evaluated. Here we predict the mistletoe seed shadow of a dietary generalist (spiny‐cheeked honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Aves: Meliphagidae), by combining our observations of movements via radio telemetry with previous data on gut passage times to estimate seed dispersal curves for individual birds. There was considerable variation in movements and inferred seed dispersal between individuals, with non‐breeding birds predicted to regularly transport Amyema quandang (Santalales: Loranthaceae) seeds up to 700 m; well beyond the boundaries of an existing mistletoe infection. As the first work to consider explicitly the distance component of mistletoe seed dispersal by dietary generalists, this study poses further questions about the relative seed dispersal roles of dietary generalists and mistletoe specialists. Moreover, our findings highlight considerable intraspecific variation in movement and foraging behaviour, suggesting gender and reproductive status of birds should be considered explicitly when quantifying seed dispersal services.
Easy technique for assessing pollination rates in the genus Erica reveals road impact on bird pollination in the Cape fynbos, South Africa
Authors: GEERTS SJIRK , PAUW ANTON 
Published: October 2010

AbstractRoad traffic is one of the most pervasive forms of anthropogenic disturbance, but its impact on pollination, a potentially sensitive ecosystem process, has not been investigated. Such an assessment is needed in order to evaluate the potential for roadside verges to act as biodiversity refugia and corridors in otherwise transformed landscapes. Here, we document the impact of a two‐lane tar road on pollination by birds in the Cape fynbos of South Africa. To do so, we developed a quick and widely applicable method of determining pollination rates in bird‐pollinated members of the large genus Erica. Experiments with caged birds showed that the status of the anther ring (broken/perfect) indicated a sunbird visit with 92% accuracy, while field surveys confirmed anther ring status also serves as a proxy for pollen receipt to stigmas. Using this technique we determined pollination rate in Erica perspicua at three distances from the road (0–10, 20–30 and 40–50 m). After controlling for flower colour, robbing rate and plant density, significantly fewer anther rings were disturbed in close proximity to the road. The documented twofold decline in pollination along roadsides could have important implications for the way we view and manage road verges as refugia for species and ecological processes.
Fire incidence, but not fire size, affects macropod densities
Authors: STYGER J. K. , KIRKPATRICK J. B. , MARSDEN‐SMEDLEY J. O. N. , LEONARD S. W. J. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe regeneration of plants post‐fire has widely been shown to be attractive to vertebrate herbivores. However, there are few data relevant to the effect of fire size on herbivore densities. In dry eucalypt forest in one region and hummock sedgeland in another region, we used timed scat counts to test the effect of fire and fire size on Tasmanian macropod densities 6 months after burning. We also tested whether soil characteristics and the nature of ground cover related to the degree of attractiveness of post‐burn regeneration. Soil nutrients and higher covers of grasses and herbs in ground layer vegetation were associated with higher macropod densities. In dry eucalypt forest, fire incidence and fire size did not affect macropod density, while in hummock sedgeland, fire had a positive effect on macropod density, but fire size had no effect.
Delta opioid receptor‐mediated analgesia is not altered in preprotachykinin A knockout mice
Authors: Dubois Dave , Gendron Louis 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWe have shown that delta opioid receptor (DOPR)‐mediated analgesia was enhanced in the complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) model of inflammation. This effect is thought to originate from translocation of DOPR in the plasma membrane of dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord neurons. Among the putative mechanisms involved in the regulation of DOPR trafficking, an interaction with substance P (SP) in large dense‐core vesicles has been described as an essential event for the externalization of DOPR. As we have previously observed that membrane DOPRs were upregulated in small‐ and medium‐sized neurons under inflammatory pain conditions (whereas SP is mainly expressed by small dorsal root ganglia neurons), we raised the hypothesis that an SP‐independent mechanism mediates DOPR trafficking and functional emergence in the CFA model. Therefore, we investigated the role of SP in DOPR‐mediated analgesia by using preprotachykinin A (precursor of SP) knockout mice (PPTA−/−) in the CFA model of inflammation. First, we confirmed that PPTA−/−mice are not expressing SP and have a similar level of CFA‐induced inflammation as wildtype mice. Then, using the thermal plantar test, we found that an intrathecal injection of deltorphin II induced DOPR‐mediated antihyperalgesia, which was not modified by the absence of SP (similar efficacy and potency in wildtype and PPTA−/−mice). We also observed similar analgesia of intrathecal deltorphin II for PPTA−/−and wildtype mice in the hot‐water immersion tail‐flick test. Consequently, our results suggest that SP is not essential for membrane insertion and for the functional emergence of DOPR.