bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Methoxychlor on Ca2+ Movement and Viability in MDCK Renal Tubular Cells
Authors: Cheng He‐Hsiung , Lu Yi‐Chau , Lu Ti , Cheng Jin‐Shiung , Mar Guang‐Yuan , Fang Yi‐Chien , Chai Kuo‐Liang , Jan Chung‐Ren 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe effect of the insecticide methoxychlor on the physiology of renal tubular cells is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect of methoxychlor on cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in MDCK renal tubular cells using the Ca2+‐sensitive fluorescent dye fura‐2. Methoxychlor at 5–20 μM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration‐dependent manner. The signal was reduced by 80% by removing extracellular Ca2+. Methoxychlor‐induced Ca2+ entry was not affected by nifedipine and SK&F96365 but was inhibited by econazole and protein kinase C modulators. In Ca2+‐free medium, treatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin or 2,5‐di‐tert‐butylhydroquinone (BHQ) partly inhibited methoxychlor‐induced [Ca2+]i rise. Incubation with methoxychlor also inhibited thapsigargin‐ or BHQ‐induced [Ca2+]i rise. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 nearly abolished methoxychlor‐induced [Ca2+]i rise. At 5–15 μM, methoxychlor slightly increased cell viability, whereas at 20 μM, it decreased viability. The cytotoxic effect of methoxychlor was not reversed by chelating cytosolic Ca2+ with 1,2‐bis(2‐aminophenoxy)ethane‐N,N,N,N‐tetraacetic acid/AM (BAPTA/AM). Annexin V‐FITC data suggest that 10 μM methoxychlor inhibited apoptosis, while 20 μM methoxychlor enhanced apoptosis. Methoxychlor (10 and 20 μM) increased the production of reactive oxygen species. Together, in renal tubular cells, methoxychlor induced [Ca2+]i rise by inducing phospholipase C‐dependent Ca2+ release from multiple stores and Ca2+ entry via protein kinase C‐ and econazole‐sensitive channels. Methoxychlor slightly enhanced or inhibited cell viability in a concentration‐dependent, Ca2+‐independent manner. Methoxychlor induced cell death that may involve apoptosis via mitochondrial pathways.
Gender Variance in Childhood and Sexual Orientation in Adulthood: A Prospective Study
Authors: Steensma Thomas D. , van der Ende Jan , Verhulst Frank C. , Cohen-Kettenis Peggy T. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Several retrospective and prospective studies have reported on the association between childhood gender variance and sexual orientation and gender discomfort in adulthood. In most of the retrospective studies, samples were drawn from the general population. The samples in the prospective studies consisted of clinically referred children. In understanding the extent to which the association applies for the general population, prospective studies using random samples are needed.

Aim
This prospective study examined the association between childhood gender variance, and sexual orientation and gender discomfort in adulthood in the general population.

Methods
In 1983, we measured childhood gender variance, in 406 boys and 473 girls. In 2007, sexual orientation and gender discomfort were assessed.

Main Outcome Measures
Childhood gender variance was measured with two items from the Child Behavior Checklist/4–18. Sexual orientation was measured for four parameters of sexual orientation (attraction, fantasy, behavior, and identity). Gender discomfort was assessed by four questions (unhappiness and/or uncertainty about one's gender, wish or desire to be of the other gender, and consideration of living in the role of the other gender).

Results
For both men and women, the presence of childhood gender variance was associated with homosexuality for all four parameters of sexual orientation, but not with bisexuality. The report of adulthood homosexuality was 8 to 15 times higher for participants with a history of gender variance (10.2% to 12.2%), compared to participants without a history of gender variance (1.2% to 1.7%). The presence of childhood gender variance was not significantly associated with gender discomfort in adulthood.

Conclusions
This study clearly showed a significant association between childhood gender variance and a homosexual sexual orientation in adulthood in the general population. In contrast to the findings in clinically referred gender-variant children, the presence of a homosexual sexual orientation in adulthood was substantially lower.
Postural balance in young adults: The role of visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems
Authors: Grace Gaerlan Mary , Alpert Patricia T. , Cross Chad , Louis Margaret , Kowalski Susan 
Published: March 2012

Abstract  Purpose: The purpose of the study is to examine what sensory system predominates to maintain balance (e.g., visual, vestibular, and somatosensory) among people in their twenties and thirties.Data sources: A subset of individuals from a larger descriptive cross‐sectional study was assessed. A sample of 194 (males = 28%, females = 72%) young adults in the second and third decades of life had anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and leg length) taken and body mass index and waist‐to‐hip ratio were calculated. Balance was assessed using the NeuroCom Balance Master machine.Results: There was a significant difference among the three sensory systems for postural balance among the young population, F (2, 576) = 111.741, p < .001. Post hoc Bonferroni tests were maintained at the 0.05 level which showed significance for the visual system compared to vestibular and somatosensory system: visual (M = 93.7, SD = 2.07); vestibular (M = 90.4, SD = 2.74); and somatosensory (M = 90.0, SD = 3.13). Based on the results, the visual system is the predominant sensory system used by young adults to maintained optimal postural balance.Significance for Practice: There is very little known about balance of younger adults. If balance issues are identified early in adult life it is possible to prevent exacerbation of balance decline as one age. If nurse practitioners are aware of what dominant sensory systems for balance young adults use, perhaps strategies to preserve these can avoid falls as they age.
Nurse practitioners’ contributions to cultural competence in primary care settings
Authors: Matteliano Mary A. , Street Debra 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPurpose: To document unique ways Nurse Practitioners (NPs) contribute to the delivery of culturally competent healthcare to diverse and underserved patient populations in urban primary care practices.Data Sources: Data are from a multi‐year, multi‐site study and includes 50 intensive interviews with healthcare professionals and repeated observations at three urban primary health clinics in a Northeastern U.S. city.Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Different healthcare professionals reported common perspectives on cultural competence dealing with distinctive patient communities, including altruistic motivations, advocacy, and addressing root causes while treating diverse patients. What made NPs distinct among healthcare workers in this study was the comprehensiveness of their cultural competence approaches, both in patient interactions and within healthcare teams. NPs established culturally sensitive partnerships with patients, encouraged self‐advocacy, addressed contextual considerations, and adjusted practices to meet the patient needs. They also developed niches in multidisciplinary teams that emphasized holistic approaches to establish trust and to cross cultural boundaries, both with other health professionals and their diverse patients.
Assembling an experimentalist regime: Transnational governance interactions in the forest sector
Authors: Overdevest Christine , Zeitlin Jonathan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractTransnational governance initiatives increasingly face the problem of regime complexity in which a proliferation of regulatory schemes operate in the same policy domain, supported by varying combinations of public and private actors. The literature suggests that such regime complexity can lead to forum shopping and other self‐interested strategies, which undermine the effectiveness of transnational regulation. Based on the design principles of experimentalist governance, this paper identifies a variety of pathways and mechanisms, which promote productive interactions in regime complexes. We use the case of the EU's Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative, interacting with private certification schemes and public legal timber regulations, including those of third countries such as the US and China, to demonstrate how an increasingly comprehensive transnational regime can be assembled by linking together distinct components of a regime complex. We argue that it is the experimentalist features of this initiative and its regulatory interactions, which accommodate local diversity and foster recursive learning from decentralized implementation experience, that make it possible to build up a flexible and adaptive transnational governance regime from an assemblage of interconnected pieces, even in situations where interests diverge and no hegemon can impose its own will.
A Novel Pathway of Photoinduced Decomposition of Sphingolipids
Authors: Lisovskaya Alexandra G. , Edimecheva Irina P. , Shadyro Oleg I. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractA possibility of a novel photodestruction process has been shown for sphingolipids and their low‐molecular analogues, including the stage of Norrish Type‐I decomposition of excited molecules of the starting compounds followed by fragmentation of nitrogen‐centered radicals via rupture of the C–C and O–H bonds. Realization of such transformation during photolysis of ceramide, sphingomyelin and galactocerebroside results in formation of 2‐hexadecenal, which possess a wide spectrum of biological activity.
A novel β‐globin gene mutation HBB.c.22 G>C produces a hemoglobin variant (Hb Vellore) mimicking HbS in HPLC
Authors: EDISON E. S. , SATHYA M. , RAJKUMAR S. V. , NAIR S. C. , SRIVASTAVA A. , SHAJI R. V. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryHemoglobinopathies are highly prevalent in Indian population. DNA analysis to detect causative mutations is required for identifying rare hemoglobin variants or when hematological results are discordant with the clinical phenotype. In this report, we describe a novel hemoglobin variant caused by a mutation in beta‐globin gene, Codon 7 GAG→CAG (Glu→Gln) that elutes in the position of sickle haemoglobin (HbS) in cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography. This report highlights possible diagnostic pitfalls in interpreting data solely based on haemoglobin analysis and usefulness of mutation screening in definitive diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies.
Evolution of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins insecticidal activity
Authors: Bravo Alejandra , Gómez Isabel , Porta Helena , García‐Gómez Blanca Ines , Rodriguez‐Almazan Claudia , Pardo Liliana , Soberón Mario 
Published: March 2012

SummaryInsecticidal Cry proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis are use worldwide in transgenic crops for efficient pest control. Among the family of Cry toxins, the three domain Cry family is the better characterized regarding their natural evolution leading to a large number of Cry proteins with similar structure, mode of action but different insect specificity. Also, this group is the better characterized regarding the study of their mode of action and the molecular basis of insect specificity. In this review we discuss how Cry toxins have evolved insect specificity in nature and analyse several cases of improvement of Cry toxin action by genetic engineering, some of these examples are currently used in transgenic crops. We believe that the success in the improvement of insecticidal activity by genetic evolution of Cry toxins will depend on the knowledge of the rate‐limiting steps of Cry toxicity in different insect pests, the mapping of the specificity binding regions in the Cry toxins, as well as the improvement of mutagenesis strategies and selection procedures.
Bilateral cataract induced by unilateral UVR‐B exposure – evidence for an inflammatory response
Authors: Meyer Linda M. , Löfgren Stefan , Holz Frank G. , Wegener Alfred , Söderberg Per 
Published: March 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate whether unilateral in vivo UVR‐B exposure of one eye affects the fellow eye in a co‐cataractogenic, sympathetic reaction and to determine whether an inflammatory response could be involved in the pathogenesis.Methods:  C57BL/6 mice were unilaterally exposed in vivo to UVR‐B for 15 min. In the group of 24 animals each received 0×/2×/3×/or 4× cataract threshold equivalent dose. Following 48‐hr UVR‐B exposure, cataract morphology was documented in dark‐field illumination photography, and light scattering was quantified, in both lenses in vitro. Serum levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1ß, IL‐6 and TNF‐α were analysed with ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was performed for inflammatory infiltration in exposed and contralateral eyes.Results:  UVR‐B exposure induced cataract in all exposed lenses. There was additionally a significant UVR dose–dependent increase in light scattering in the lenses of the non‐exposed fellow eye. Inflammatory infiltration was detected immunohistochemically in the anterior segment of both eyes. IL‐1β serum concentration increased with increasing UVR‐B exposure dose. There was a similar trend for serum IL‐6 but not for TNF‐α.Conclusion:  Unilateral UVR‐B exposure to one eye is associated with intraocular inflammation and an increase in lens light scattering also in the unexposed, fellow eye. A resulting systemic inflammatory response might be mediated by IL‐1β and possibly IL‐6. The finding that an inflammatory response may play a role in UVR‐B‐induced cataract development might initiate new strategies in the prevention of the disease.
Comparison of optic disc parameters using spectral domain cirrus high‐definition optical coherence tomography and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in normal eyes
Authors: Resch Hemma , Deak Gabor , Pereira Ivania , Vass Clemens 
Published: March 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To compare Cirrus HD – optical coherence tomography (HD‐OCT) with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (HRT 3) for analysis of optic disc parameters in healthy eyes.Methods:  In 126 subjects, cup volume (CV), vertical cup/disc ratio (CDR), neuroretinal rim area (NRA), cup area (CA) and optic disc area (ODA) were measured with the Cirrus HD‐OCT and HRT 3. These optic disc parameters were chosen for statistical analysis because they can be analysed in both OCT and HRT 3 and they are widely used parameters for glaucoma assessment.Results:  Mean values and significances of paired t‐tests for OCT and HRT were for CV: 0.099 ± 0.11 versus 0.082 ± 0.10 (p < 0.001), CA: 0.42 ± 0.31 versus 0.39 ± 0.31 (p < 0.001), CDR: 0.36 ± 0.17 versus 0.27 ± 0.21 (p < 0.001). NRA and ODA were not significantly different between instruments. The Pearson coefficients were 0.905 (CV), 0.824 (CA), 0.734 (CDR), 0.295 (NRA) and 0.378 (ODA).Conclusion:  To our interpretation, the delineation of the optic disc border is error‐prone with both instruments and all parameters directly depending on it are thus poorly correlated. However, the determination of the optic disc excavation (CV and CA) appears comparable taking into account a small systematic difference between instruments.
Choroidal hemodynamic in myopic patients with and without primary open‐angle glaucoma
Authors: Samra Waleed Abou , Pournaras Constantin , Riva Charles , Emarah Mohammed 
Published: March 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate the change in subfoveal choroidal blood flow in patients with glaucoma and to assess the effect of myopia, as one of the vascular risk factors for glaucoma on this flow.Methods:  Subfoveal choroidal blood flow in groups of 12 myopic and glaucomatous eyes has been investigated by means of the laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), comparing the results with those of 17 myopic eyes without glaucoma, 34 non‐myopic glaucomatous eyes and of 50 control eyes. The subfoveal choroidal LDF parameters, that is, blood velocity (ChBVel), volume (ChBVol), and flow (ChBF), as well as the vascular resistance were studied in each group. Statistical analysis was performed by means of anova and t‐test according to the Bonferroni procedure for multiple comparisons. Pearson correlation was used to establish the correlations between the hemodynamic parameters and the degree of myopia in dioptres.Results:  All LDF parameters (ChBVel, ChBVol and ChBF) were significantly reduced in glaucomatous patients (1.3 ± 0.4, 0.14 ± 0.06 and 4 ± 2 respectively) and myopic patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) (1.3 ± 0.4, 0.08 ± 0.04 and 2 ± 0.7 respectively) and without POAG (1.2 ± 0.3, 0.11 ± 0.08 and 2 ± 1 respectively) in comparison with age‐matched controls (1.5 ± 0.4, 0.27 ± 0.1 and 8 ± 2 respectively). On the other hand, the choroidal vascular resistance (Rm) was increased in the previously described studied patients groups (16 ± 7, 26 ± 9 and 24 ± 9 respectively) compared with controls (7 ± 2). The LDF parameters did not differ significantly between myopic subjects without and with POAG (p = 0.09, p = 0.09, p = 0.2, p = 0.08 and p = 0.9 respectively). Compared to patients with emmetropic glaucomatous, significant reduction in the ChBVol and ChBF and increased Rm were recorded in patients with glaucomatous myopia (p = 0.05, p = 0.04 and p = 0.04 respectively).Pearson correlation demonstrated a significant correlation between the degree of myopia in dioptres and the ChBF (p = 0.012).Conclusions:  The subfoveal choroidal LDF parameters were reduced in patients with POAG and myopia. Theses alterations are more in glaucomatous patients with myopia in comparison with age‐matched glaucomatous patients without myopia. These data suggest that the impaired choroidal circulation caused by myopia might be an important additional risk factor involved in the glaucomatous damaging process.
Comparison of Naftopidil 75 mg with Tamsulosin Hydrochloride 0.2 mg in the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: SHIGEMURA Katsumi , YAMAMICHI Fukashi , MATSUMOTO Minori , TANAKA Kazushi , YAMASHITA Masuo , ARAKAWA Soichi , FUJISAWA Masato 
Published: March 2012

Objective: To compare the efficacy of two α1‐adrenoceptor antagonists, α1D‐adrenoceptor‐selective naftopidil (Naf) 75 mg and α1A‐adrenoceptor‐selective tamsulosin hydrochloride (Tam) 0.2 mg, for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods: Seventy‐seven patients with LUTS secondary to BPH were enrolled. Data were gathered from patients retrospectively: 41 patients who were prescribed Naf 75 mg for 4 weeks and 36 patients who were prescribed Tam 0.2 mg for 4 weeks, respectively. The efficacy criteria were improvement in LUTS International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) scores after dosing.Results: Naf 75 mg significantly improved symptoms in all 11 categories (overall IPSS, incomplete emptying, voiding symptoms [Intermittency, poor flow and straining], storage symptoms [daytime frequency, urgency and nocturia frequency], QOL index, intermittency, poor flow, straining, daytime frequency, urgency, and nocturia frequency) (P < 0.05). Tam 0.2 mg significantly suppressed 10 of the 11 tested symptom categories except straining (P < 0.05). Comparison data of the two drugs tended to show Naf 75 mg had better efficacy on nocturia frequency than Tam 0.2 mg (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Naf 75 mg might show a better efficacy for LUTS with BPH in nocturia frequency than Tam 0.2 mg.
Apremilast in the Treatment of Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Authors: McLENNAN Gregory P. , KHOURDAJI Iyad , KILLINGER Kim A. , BOURA Judith A. , PETERS Kenneth M. 
Published: March 2012

Objective: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a disease with an uncertain cause and limited effective treatments. Apremilast (Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ, USA) is a selective phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitor that modulates the immune system. An open‐label, one‐arm, pilot study was conducted to explore its potential for improving CP/CPPS symptoms.Methods: Males ≥ 18 years of age were treated with 20 mg oral apremilast twice daily for up to 12 weeks. Outcomes were measured with Global Response Assessment (GRA), pain visual analog scale (VAS), Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), SF‐12 mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) health‐related quality of life subscales, and voiding diaries. Repeated measures and paired t‐tests evaluated changes from baseline to end of treatment, and at a final visit 4 weeks off the drug.Results: Seventeen men (94% Caucasian; mean age 48.2 ± 10 years) were treated (mean 115.8 ± 56.1 doses). Mean VAS (3.4 ± 2.0 vs 1.8 ± 1.7; P = 0.0011), PSQI (9.4 ± 4.4 vs 7.4 ± 4.2; P = 0.037) and CPSI (26.1 ± 5.0 vs 17.2 ± 8.3; P = 0.0016) scores improved from baseline to end of treatment. Incontinence episodes per day improved slightly (P = 0.042). When only those completing at least 8 weeks of treatment were examined (n = 9), significant changes in CPSI, VAS, and PSQI were still observed. At the final visit, 8/9 (88.9%) men also reported some improvement in pain related to sex. Side‐effects were generally mild and well tolerated.Conclusion: These results suggest that apremilast may improve CP/CPPS symptoms with only mild side‐effects. However, placebo controlled studies are necessary to determine efficacy.
Fish to meat intake ratio and cooking oils are associated with hepatitis C virus carriers with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels
Authors: Otsuka Momoka , Uchida Yuki , Kawaguchi Takumi , Taniguchi Eitaro , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Kitani Shingo , Itou Minoru , Oriishi Tetsuharu , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Tanaka Suiko , Yagi Minoru , Sata Michio 
Published: March 2012

Aim:  Dietary habits are involved in the development of chronic inflammation; however, the impact of dietary profiles of hepatitis C virus carriers with persistently normal alanine transaminase levels (HCV‐PNALT) remains unclear. The decision‐tree algorithm is a data‐mining statistical technique, which uncovers meaningful profiles of factors from a data collection. We aimed to investigate dietary profiles associated with HCV‐PNALT using a decision‐tree algorithm.Methods:  Twenty‐seven HCV‐PNALT and 41 patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in this study. Dietary habit was assessed using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. A decision‐tree algorithm was created by dietary variables, and was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (AUROC).Results:  In multivariate analysis, fish to meat ratio, dairy product and cooking oils were identified as independent variables associated with HCV‐PNALT. The decision‐tree algorithm was created with two variables: a fish to meat ratio and cooking oils/ideal bodyweight. When subjects showed a fish to meat ratio of 1.24 or more, 68.8% of the subjects were HCV‐PNALT. On the other hand, 11.5% of the subjects were HCV‐PNALT when subjects showed a fish to meat ratio of less than 1.24 and cooking oil/ideal bodyweight of less than 0.23 g/kg. The difference in the proportion of HCV‐PNALT between these groups are significant (odds ratio 16.87, 95% CI 3.40–83.67, P = 0.0005). Fivefold cross‐validation of the decision‐tree algorithm showed an AUROC of 0.6947 (95% CI 0.5656–0.8238, P = 0.0067).Conclusion:  The decision‐tree algorithm disclosed that fish to meat ratio and cooking oil/ideal bodyweight were associated with HCV‐PNALT.