bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A potential nitrergic mechanism of action for indomethacin, but not of other COX inhibitors: relevance to indomethacin-sensitive headaches
Authors: Summ Oliver , Andreou Anna P. , Akerman Simon , Goadsby Peter J. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that act as cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors are commonly used in the treatment of a range of headache disorders, although their mechanism of action is unclear. Indomethacin is of particular interest given its very special effect in some primary headaches. Here the in vivo technique of intravital microscopy in rats has been utilised as a model of trigeminovascular nociception to study the potential mechanism of action of indomethacin. Dural vascular changes were produced using electrical (neurogenic) dural vasodilation (NDV), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) induced dural vasodilation and nitric oxide (NO) induced dural vasodilation using NO donors. In each of these settings the effect of intravenously administered indomethacin (5 mg kg−1), naproxen (30 mg kg−1) and ibuprofen (30 mg kg−1) was tested. All of the tested drugs significantly inhibited NDV (between 30 and 52%). Whilst none of them was able to inhibit CGRP-induced dural vasodilation, only indomethacin reduced NO induced dural vasodilation (35 ± 7%, 10 min post administration). We conclude NSAIDs inhibit release of CGRP after NDV without an effect on CGRP directly. Further we describe a differentiating effect of indomethacin inhibiting nitric oxide induced dural vasodilation that is potentially relevant to understanding its unique action in disorders such as paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua.
Ovarian function in girls and women with GALT‐deficiency galactosemia
Authors: Fridovich‐Keil Judith L. , Gubbels Cynthia S. , Spencer Jessica B. , Sanders Rebecca D. , Land Jolande A. , Rubio‐Gozalbo Estela 
Published: October 2010

AbstractPrimary or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is the most common long‐term complication experienced by girls and women with classic galactosemia; more than 80% and perhaps more than 90% are affected despite neonatal diagnosis and careful lifelong dietary restriction of galactose. In this review we explore the complexities of timing and detection of galactosemia‐associated POI and discuss potential underlying mechanisms. Finally, we offer recommendations for follow‐up care with current options for intervention.
Marked geographic aggregation of acute intermittent porphyria families carrying mutation Q180X in Venezuelan populations, with description of further mutations
Authors: Paradisi Irene , Arias Sergio 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAcute intermittent porphyria (AIP) caused by mutations in the hydroxymethylbilane synthase gene (HMBS), has been reported in almost all human populations, with varying frequencies. A founder effect for a few specific mutations in geographic regions where prevalence is high (Sweden, The Netherlands, Switzerland) has been established through haplotype analyses, while some other mutations (R26H, R26C) have been repeatedly reported in many populations with different genetic backgrounds. Epidemiological, biochemical and molecular data on AIP in Venezuela were gathered during the last two decades; 24 independent families with AIP were ascertained, based on a deficient HMBS activity and increased porphobilinogen (PBG) urinary excretion. Molecular analyses of coding and splicing regions were performed in 23 families, to establish disease‐causing changes, and haplotype analyses were used to assess ancestral kinships between them. Changes were detected in 16 out of 23 families, 9 of them being different: R26H, R26C, c.87+5G>A, c.267‐54_61delgaaggggt, R116W, Q180X, c.825+1G>A, c.913‐1delG, and 3′ UTR *277G>A. Seven mutations were found, each one in a single family; one mutation was present in two unrelated families, whereas mutation Q180X was shared by 7 independent kindreds, all of which had the same haplotype (‐);T;A;T;G;T;A;G (3167delG; 3530T>C; 3581A>G; 3982T>C; 6479G>T; 7052T>C; 7064A>C; 7779G>A). Six out of seven different Q180X carrier families came from the same geographic focus (Santa Lucía, Miranda State). Dense geographic aggregation with one identical haplotype strongly suggests a remote founder phenomenon for these Venezuelan AIP families, carrying an unreported but most frequent mutation.
Dispositional, ecological and biological influences on adolescent tranquilizer, Ritalin, and narcotics misuse
Authors: Fleary Sasha A. , Heffer Robert W. , McKyer E. Lisako J. 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTThe primary purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which two of the three sources of risk‐taking—dispositional and ecological—in adolescence and demographic variables were related to Ritalin, tranquilizer and narcotics misuse. The secondary aim of this study was to distinguish subgroups of Ritalin, tranquilizer, and narcotics misusers using dispositional, ecological and demographic variables. An archival dataset containing 1672 participants (11–18 years old) was used. Ritalin, tranquilizer, and narcotics misuse were dichotomized and hierarchical logistic regressions were computed for dispositional and ecological sources of risk‐taking and demographics. To distinguish subgroups of misusers, hierarchical multinomial regressions were computed. Dispositional, ecological, and demographic variables were related to Ritalin, tranquilizer, and narcotics misuse and distinguished among non‐users, experimenters/occasional misusers, and frequent misusers. Prescription drug prevention programs should incorporate demographic, dispositional, and ecological variables and should parallel the guidelines currently used for developing effective substance abuse prevention programs.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and schizophrenia
Authors: Verge B. , Alonso Y. , Valero J. , Miralles C. , Vilella E. , Martorell L. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe poorly understood aetiology of schizophrenia is known to involve a major genetic contribution even though the genetic factors remain elusive. Most genetic studies are based on Mendelian rules and focus on the nuclear genome, but current studies indicate that other genetic mechanisms are probably involved. This review focuses on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a maternally inherited, 16.6-Kb molecule crucial for energy production that is implicated in numerous human traits and disorders. The aim of this review is to summarise the studies that have explored mtDNA in schizophrenia patients and those which provide evidence for its implication in this illness. Alterations in mitochondrial morphometry, brain energy metabolism, and enzymatic activity in the mitochondrial respiratory chain suggest a mitochondrial dysfunction in schizophrenia that could be related to the genetic characteristics of mtDNA. Moreover, evidence of maternal inheritance and the presence of schizophrenia symptoms in patients suffering from a mitochondrial disorder related to an mtDNA mutation suggest that mtDNA is involved in schizophrenia. The association of specific variants has been reported at the molecular level; however, additional studies are needed to determine whether the mitochondrial genome is involved in schizophrenia.
A multidimensional association approach to sequential consumer judgments
Authors: Sleeth‐Keppler David , Wheeler S. Christian 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis article shows that consumer contexts can activate multidimensional associations that determine when accessible constructs influence judgment. Four experiments showed that exposure to consumer products (e.g., Ferrari) can activate constructs (e.g., expensive) that influence judgments of targets along that dimension, but only when an additional associated construct (e.g., foreign) matches features of the target (e.g., when the target is foreign). The effects were observed across multiple domains and held when exposure to the products was only incidental. The effects were moderated by the salience of the associated construct in the judgment target.
Feline Toxicological Emergencies: When to Suspect and what to do
Authors: Grave Tobias W , Boag Amanda K 
Published: October 2010

Practical relevance Confirmed or suspected intoxications with a wide variety of agents represent a small but important group of feline emergency cases. Generally it is thought that toxicities are less common in cats compared with dogs, with a higher proportion relating to dermal as opposed to oral exposure. Clinical challenges Once toxicity is suspected or diagnosed, it must be recognised that treatment regimes may need modification compared with those established for dogs. Different drugs or different dosages may be warranted and the choice of available drugs may be reduced. Evidence base This review draws on published studies, case reports and clinical experience to summarise key features of the general management of the intoxicated feline patient before describing some of the more serious and common intoxications in more detail. Audience The focus throughout the review is on the peculiarities of feline metabolism and how they may impact on presentation and treatment. The aim is to assist companion animal and feline practitioners, who are in the frontline when it comes to managing these emergency cases.
Successful Treatment of Small Intestinal Volvulus in Two Cats
Authors: Knell Sebastian C , Andreoni Angelo A , Dennler Matthias , Venzin Claudio M 
Published: October 2010

Background Mesenteric volvulus describes a torsion of the small intestine around the mesenteric root, which can be partial or complete. In dogs, it is an uncommon condition, with German shepherd dogs showing a predisposition. Chronic mesenteric volvulus has also been described. In cats, previous reports have documented two cases of small intestinal volvulus, both diagnosed at necropsy, and a further case of volvulus of the colon in a patient that died after surgery.Clinical significance This report describes two cats with mesenteric volvulus that were successfully treated. To the authors' knowledge, no reports of antemortem diagnosis or treatment of small intestinal volvulus in cats have previously been published. On the basis of the cases presented, it appears that the diagnosis of intestinal volvulus may be more difficult in cats than in dogs, but that the prognosis may not be as poor. Therefore, it is suggested that owners be encouraged to pursue surgery.
Labor Unions, Operating Flexibility, and the Cost of Equity
Authors: Chen Huafeng Jason , Kacperczyk Marcin , Ortiz-Molina Hernán 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWe study whether the constraints on firms’ operations imposed by labor unions affect firms’ costs of equity. The cost of equity is significantly higher for firms in more unionized industries. This effect holds after controlling for several industry and firm characteristics, is robust to endogeneity concerns, and is not driven by omitted variables. Moreover, the unionization premium is stronger when unions face a more favorable bargaining environment and is highly countercyclical. Unionization is also positively related to various measures of operating leverage. Our findings suggest that labor unions increase firms’ costs of equity by decreasing firms’ operating flexibility.
Management of sword-swallower injuries
Authors: Moberly A C , Fritsch M H , Mosier K M 
Published: October 2010

AbstractObjective:To report an unusual case of hypopharyngeal perforation in a sword-swallower, with emphasis on management options.Method:Case report and review of the English language literature concerning sword-swallowing injuries to the hypopharynx and oesophagus.Results:A 29-year-old male sword-swallower suffered hypopharyngeal perforation during a performance. The patient received conservative management, with intensive care unit admission, infectious disease consultation, intravenous antibiotics, discontinuation of oral intake and close observation. He progressed well, resumed oral intake on hospital day six, and was discharged home on hospital day eight.Conclusion:Sword-swallowing is an unusual vocation which may lead to potentially devastating injuries. This case report and review of the literature illustrates the management options for such hypopharyngeal and oesophageal injuries.
Use of trans-septal mattress suture of Little's area for anterior epistaxis
Authors: Nitek S K , Wysocki J , Niszczota C S 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground:In some cases of epistaxis, anterior packing and/or electrocoagulation are not sufficient and suturing is needed. However, standard suturing techniques are sometimes ineffective. This paper reports the use of a new kind of trans-septal mattress suture, based on regional vascular anatomy, in this clinical context.Methods:Four adult patients with haemorrhage in Little's area underwent standard suturing, but bleeding persisted. These patients were successfully treated with trans-septal mattress suturing, using four punctures around the haemorrhage site.Results:No relapses or complications were observed over a six-month follow-up period.Conclusion:In cases of persistent bleeding from Little's area, suturing should surround the bleeding area. The described suturing method is simple, efficacious and cheap.
Functionalities of free and open electronic health record systems
Authors: Flores Zuniga Alejandro Enrique , Win Khin Than , Susilo Willy 
Published: October 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine open-source electronic health record (EHR) software to determine their level of functionalities according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.Methods: ISO standards were used as a guideline to determine and describe the reference architecture and functionalities of a standard electronic health record system as well the environmental context for which the software has been built. Twelve open-source EHR systems were selected and evaluated according to two-dimensional criteria based on ISO/TS 18308:2004 functional requirements and ISO/TR 20514:2005 context of the EHR system.Results: Open EHR software programs mostly fulfill structural, procedural, evolutional, and medicolegal requirements at the minimal and full functionality levels. Communication, privacy, and security requirements are accomplished in less than 23 percent of the cases, mainly at minimal functional level. Ethical, cultural, and consumer requirements still need to be fulfilled by free and open-source EHR applications.Conclusions: Most analyzed systems had several functional limitations. Nevertheless, especially for clinicians and decision makers in developing countries, open-source EHR systems are an option. The limited functionalities are likely to become requirements for further releases of open-source EHR systems.
Options on low-cost abatement and investment in the energy sector: new perspectives on REDD
Authors: FUSS SABINE , SZOLGAYOVA JANA , GOLUB ALEXANDER , OBERSTEINER MICHAEL 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTDeforestation is one of the major sources of carbon emissions, but the Kyoto Protocol presently excludes avoiding these emissions to fulfill stabilization targets. Since the need for policy incentives for the reduction of emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) was officially recognized in 2007, the focus of this debate has shifted to issues of implementation. Concerns about the effects that the availability of low-cost REDD credits might have on energy investments, and the development of clean technology constitute the main motivation of this paper. We analyze the production side of the problem with the help of a real options model with an option to invest in less carbon-intensive energy technology and an option to purchase credits on REDD, which will (or will not) be exercised in the future. Unresolved questions can thus still be addressed later, while producers and investors hold REDD options to maintain flexibility for later decisions.
Human Transcript Database Search Showed Existence Of Extremely Short Introns
Authors: Shimada Makoto , Haraguchi Noriko , Mayeda Akila 
Published: October 2010

AbstractSince pre-mRNA splicing is processed by a spliceosome that is a huge complex consists of RNAs and as many as 200 proteins, it is considered that minimum intron size is limited by molecular size of the spliceosome. To understand splicing mechanism, we investigate human intron size distribution using annotated transcriptome database, H-InvDB. Distribution of obtained intron length shows that there is a mode at 83 nt in length with 4049 transcripts and number of introns decreases drastically in shorter than 65 nt, where numbers of transcripts in each locus also decrease. However, some introns less than 65 nt are observed, both shows high Codon Adaptation Index (CAI) and also observed orthologous transcripts in other mammals. These suggests that there is a limitation in minimum length to spliced out in general splicing mechanism of human, but also unknown mechanism may be exist to splice small intron exceeding the limitation.
Systems Biology Ontology: Update
Authors: Juty Nick 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe Systems Biology Ontology (SBO) is composed of hierarchically arranged sets of controlled vocabularies that are commonly used in mathematical modelling, providing an additional layer of semantic information. We present recent developments in SBO, including the ontology's OBO Foundry status, its relationship to SBGN, and detail some of the restructuring work that has been undertaken.
Ontologies for use in Systems Biology: SBO, KiSAO and TEDDY
Authors: Juty Nick , Le Novère Nicolas , Waltemath Dagmar , Knuepfer Christian 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe use of computational modelling in the description and analysis of biological systems is at the heart of Systems Biology. Besides the information stored in a core model, there is increasingly a need to provide additional semantic information: to identify model components, to assist in biological interpretation of models, to define simulation conditions and to describe simulation results. This information deficit can be addressed through the use of ontologies. We describe here three ontologies created specifically to address the needs of the Systems Biology community in each sub-division, and illustrate their practical use with the 'Repressilator' model (Elowitz and Leibler, 2000).
A Retrospective Study of Red Cell Maternal Antibodies by Chemiluminescence
Authors: Downing I. , Bromilow I. M. , Templeton J. G. , Fraser R. H. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractPlasma samples from 109 patients with maternal IgG alloantibodies were investigated using a chemiluminescence (CL) assay, a functional test, to predict which antibodies were clinically significant. The CL assay was able to distinguish between those patients who were unaffected or mildly affected requiring only phototherapy, and those patients with moderate or severe haemolytic disease of the fetus or newborn (HDN) requiring transfusion therapy. The CL result was compared with the anti‐D quantification result, the number of IgG molecules bound per red cell and, in 80% of the cases, the monocyte monolayer assay. If mothers carrying Rh‐negative fetuses were ignored, then the CL assay correctly predicted the outcome for 93.4% of all cases (including those other than D), while the AutoAnalyzer and monocyte assay predicted correctly 92.7% (of the anti‐D patients) and 81.5%, respectively. Greater than 80% of patients with severe or moderate HDN had both IgG1+IgG3 subclasses in the maternal plasma, while those infants who were unaffected or only mildly affected had a greater chance of having IgG1 only (44%) in the maternal plasma, IgG3 only (27%) or both subclasses (29%).
Effect of Dietary Formic and Propionic Acids on Salmonella Pullorum Shedding and Mortality in Layer Chicks after Experimental Infection
Authors: Al‐Tarazi Y. H. , Alshawabkeh K. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryThis investigation was conducted to study the effect of dietary formic acid (FA) and propionic acid (PA) mixture on inhibitory effect of Salmonella pullorum in layer chicks. Nine equal groups of 1‐day‐old layer chicks, in addition to positive and negative controls, were fed on day 3 of age with acid‐treated feed containing mixture of both acids at concentrations, from 0.5 to 1.5%. Positive and negative controls were fed untreated feed. All groups except the negative control were challenged orally on day 3 with 104 CFU/ml/bird S. pullorum. Cloacal swabs were taken at three successive days and at 7, 14 and 21 days of challenge. After 1, 2 and 3 weeks after challenge, four chicks from each group were killed, and crop and caecal contents were examined for S. pullorum and pH. The numbers of S. pullorum re‐isolation from all treated groups, ‘except groups treated with mixture of 0.5% and 0.5%, 1% and 0.5% as well as 0.5% and 1% FA and PA’, decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the positive control. The mortality rates of all treated groups except the group treated with 0.5% FA and 0.5% PA decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the positive control. The treatment significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the pH of the crop and caecal contents in all groups except the group treated with 0.5% FA and 0.5% PA compared with the control. Also, the treatment significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the pH of the crop and caecal contents in all groups after 3 weeks of treatment compared with the first and second weeks. The treatments significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the frequency of S. pullorum recovery from crop and caecal contents in six groups treated with 1.5 and 0.5, 1 and 1, 1.5 and 1, 0.5 and 1.5, 1 and 1.5, 1.5% and 1.5% FA and PA, respectively.These results indicate that addition of FA and PA mixture in a total concentration of 2% or more to the diet of newly hatched infected layer chicks significantly decreases the crop and caecal colonization by S. pullorum and significantly decreases S. pullorum faecal excretion and reduced the chick mortality rate.
Aetiology of Ovine Footrot in the Portuguese Region of Alto Alentejo
Authors: Jiménez R. , Píriz S. , Martín‐Palomino P. , Mateos E. , Vadillo S. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryIn this work, we found it appropriate to carry out a study directed towards isolating and identifying the entailed microorganisms which trigger off footrot in sheep, placing special emphasis on the serotipification of the different Dichelobacter nodosus species. With this goal in mind four flocks from the Portuguese region of ‘Alto Alentejo’ were selected, all of them had one common feature: their main health problem was ovine footrot. We also set out to determine the elastolitic capacity of isolated strict‐anaerobic bacteria, in order to be able to clarify the direct involvement of these microorganisms in the outbreak of this infectious process.