bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mortality rate of alcoholic liver disease and risk of hospitalization for alcoholic liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic liver failure in Australia between 1993 and 2005
Authors: Liang W. , Chikritzhs T. , Pascal R. , Binns C. W. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground:  Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is an important contributor to the total burden of alcohol‐related harm; however, the morbidity of different types of ALD in Australia has not been described. The aim of this study was to investigate recent trends in hospital admission rates among alcoholic liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatic failure and alcoholic hepatitis in Australia, as well as the mortality of ALD.Method:  This is a population‐based cohort study including the total 15+ years Australian population. Data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Main outcome measures: (i) trend of standardized mortality rates and trend of standardized hospital admission rates for males and females for 1993/1994–2004/2005 (fiscal year), (ii) relative risk of alcoholic liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatic failure and alcoholic hepatitis hospital admissions for 1999/2000–2004/2005.Results:  The mortality rate of ALD decreased significantly. Significant increases in hospital admissions for alcoholic hepatic failure among older adults and alcoholic hepatitis among younger age groups were observed. There is a significant 10‐fold increase in the risk of hospital admissions of alcoholic cirrhosis in 2002/2003 for the 20–29 years population.Conclusion:  Reductions in overall ALD mortality observed are likely the result of advances in disease management. Significant increase in hospital admissions suggests an increase in the prevalence of ALD among the Australian population. Dramatic increases in hospital admissions for alcoholic cirrhosis in 2002/2003 for the 20–29 years population may have been due to an increase in screening of alcohol‐related harms in primary care settings.
Survival in scleroderma: results from the population‐based South Australian Register
Authors: Hissaria P. , Lester S. , Hakendorf P. , Woodman R. , Patterson K. , Hill C. , Ahern M. J. , Smith M. D. , Walker J. G. , Roberts‐Thomson P. J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim:  To ascertain the mortality risk and investigate clinical and serological factors influencing survival of patients listed on the South Australian Scleroderma Register (SASR).Methods:  The SASR is a population‐based register, which was commenced in 1993 and has actively sought to recruit all scleroderma patients diagnosed in SA over a 15‐year period. Clinical and serological details have been accessed from questionnaires or from clinical and laboratory files. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated and survival analyses performed on all living and deceased patients listed on this SASR (n= 786).Results:  Patients with scleroderma had increased mortality compared with the general SA population (SMR 1.46 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–1.69)). Factors that adversely altered survival included older age at onset, male gender, diffuse skin involvement, presence of scleroderma renal crisis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancer and anti‐topoisomerase (Scl‐70) and anti‐U1 RNP antibodies, while a trend was observed with increased nailfold capillary dropout. Mean age of death for patients with limited scleroderma was 74.1 years (95% CI 72.5–75.7), diffuse scleroderma 62.9 years (95% CI 59.4–66.4) and overlap disease 57.8 years (95% CI 48.7–66.9). Survival improved over the 15‐year study period.Conclusions:  Scleroderma substantially reduces life expectancy. Survival is influenced by age at onset, gender, diffuse involvement of skin fibrosis, visceral involvement, development of cancer, extent of microvascular capillary damage and by the presence of scleroderma‐associated antibodies, Scl‐70 and RNP. Scleroderma renal crisis continues to carry high mortality. Survival improved over the 15‐year study period.
Implementing a web‐based oncology protocol system in Australia: evaluation of the first 3 years of operation
Authors: Hains I. M. , Ward R. L. , Pearson S.‐A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground:  EviQ is a web‐based oncology protocol system launched across Australia in 2005 (http://www.eviq.org.au). We evaluated eviQ use at the point‐of‐care and determined the factors impacting on its uptake and routine use in the first three years of operation.Methods:  We conducted a suite of qualitative and quantitative studies with over 200 Australian oncology physicians, nurses and pharmacists working at treatment centres in diverse geographical locations.Results:  EviQ was part of routine care at many hospitals; however, the way in which it was used at the point‐of‐care varies according to clinician roles and hospital location. We identified a range of factors impacting on eviQ uptake and routine use. Infrastructure, such as availability of point‐of‐care computers, and formal policies endorsing eviQ are fundamental to increasing uptake. Furthermore, the level of clinical and computer experience of end‐users, the attitudes and behaviour of clinicians, endorsement and promotion strategies, and level and type of eviQ education all need to be considered and managed to ensure that the system is being used to its full potential.Conclusion:  Our findings show that the dissemination of web‐based treatment protocols does not guarantee widespread use. Organisational, environmental and clinician‐specific factors play a role in uptake and utilisation. The deployment of sufficient computer infrastructure, implementation of targeted training programmes and hospital policies and investment in marketing approaches are fundamental to uptake and continued use. This study highlights the value of ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure systems like eviQ achieve their primary purpose – reducing treatment variation and improving quality of care.
Temporal properties of spatial frequency tuning of surround suppression in the primary visual cortex and the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat
Authors: Ishikawa Ayako , Shimegi Satoshi , Kida Hiroyuki , Sato Hiromichi 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn primary visual cortex (V1) neurons, a stimulus placed in the extraclassical receptive field suppresses the response to a stimulus within the classical receptive field (CRF), a phenomenon referred to as surround suppression. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms of surround suppression in V1. Using stationary‐flashed sinusoidal grating as stimuli, we observed temporal changes of surround suppression in V1 and the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and of the response to CRF stimulation in V1. The spatial frequency (SF) tuning of surround suppression in V1 neurons changed over time after the stimulus onset. In the early phase (< 50 ms), the SF tuning was low‐pass, but later became band‐pass that tuned to the optimal SF in response to CRF stimulation. On the other hand, the SF tuning of CRF responses in V1 was band‐pass throughout the response time whereas the SF peak shifted slightly toward high SF. Thus, SF tuning properties of the CRF response dissociated from that of surround suppression in V1 only in the early phase. We also confirmed that the temporal changes of the SF tuning of surround suppression in the LGN occurred in the same direction as surround suppression in V1, but the shift from low‐pass to band‐pass SF tuning started later than that in V1. From these results, we suggest that subcortical mechanisms contribute to early surround suppression in V1, whereas cortical mechanisms contribute to late surround suppression.
TARPs γ‐2 and γ‐7 are essential for AMPA receptor expression in the cerebellum
Authors: Yamazaki Maya , Fukaya Masahiro , Hashimoto Kouichi , Yamasaki Miwako , Tsujita Mika , Itakura Makoto , Abe Manabu , Natsume Rie , Takahashi Masami , Kano Masanobu , Sakimura Kenji , Watanabe Masahiko 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)‐type glutamate receptors require auxiliary subunits termed transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs), which promote receptor trafficking to the cell surface and synapses and modulate channel pharmacology and gating. Of six TARPs, γ‐2 and γ‐7 are the two major TARPs expressed in the cerebellum. In the present study, we pursued their roles in synaptic expression of cerebellar AMPA receptors. In the cerebellar cortex, γ‐2 and γ‐7 were preferentially localized at various asymmetrical synapses. Using quantitative Western blot and immunofluorescence, we found severe reductions in GluA2 and GluA3 and mild reduction in GluA4 in γ‐2‐knockout (KO) cerebellum, whereas GluA1 and GluA4 were moderately reduced in γ‐7‐KO cerebellum. GluA2, GluA3 and GluA4 were further reduced in γ‐2/γ‐7 double‐KO (DKO) cerebellum. The large losses of GluA2 and GluA3 in γ‐2‐KO mice and further reductions in DKO mice were confirmed at all asymmetrical synapses examined with postembedding immunogold. Most notably, the GluA2 level in the postsynaptic density fraction, GluA2 labeling density at parallel fiber–Purkinje cell synapses, and AMPA receptor‐mediated currents at climbing fiber–Purkinje cell synapses were all reduced to approximately 10% of the wild‐type levels in DKO mice. On the other hand, the reduction in GluA4 in γ‐7‐KO granular layer reflected its loss at mossy fiber–granule cell synapses, whereas that of GluA1 and GluA4 in γ‐7‐KO molecular layer was caused, at least partly, by their loss in Bergmann glia. Therefore, γ‐2 and γ‐7 cooperatively promote synaptic expression of cerebellar AMPA receptors, and the latter also promotes glial expression.
The neurobiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Bento‐Abreu André , Van Damme Philip , Van Den Bosch Ludo , Robberecht Wim 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a degenerative disease affecting the motor neurons. In spite of our growing insights into its biology, it remains a lethal condition. The identification of the cause of several of the familial forms of ALS allowed generation of models to study this disease bothin vitroandin vivo. Here, we summarize what is known about the pathogenic mechanisms of ALS induced by hereditary mutations, and attempt to identify the relevance of these findings for understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of the sporadic form of this disease.
Secretagogin is a Ca2+‐binding protein identifying prospective extended amygdala neurons in the developing mammalian telencephalon
Authors: Mulder Jan , Spence Lauren , Tortoriello Giuseppe , DiNieri Jennifer A. , Uhlén Mathias , Shui Bo , Kotlikoff Michael I. , Yanagawa Yuchio , Aujard Fabienne , Hökfelt Tomas , Hurd Yasmin L. , Harkany Tibor 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe Ca2+‐binding proteins (CBPs) calbindin D28k, calretinin and parvalbumin are phenotypic markers of functionally diverse subclasses of neurons in the adult brain. The developmental dynamics of CBP expression are precisely timed: calbindin and calretinin are present in prospective cortical interneurons from mid‐gestation, while parvalbumin only becomes expressed during the early postnatal period in rodents. Secretagogin (scgn) is a CBP cloned from pancreatic β and neuroendocrine cells. We hypothesized that scgn may be expressed by particular neuronal contingents during prenatal development of the mammalian telencephalon. We find that scgn is expressed in neurons transiting in the subpallial differentiation zone by embryonic day (E)11 in mouse. From E12, scgn+ cells commute towards the extended amygdala and colonize the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, the interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure, the dorsal substantia innominata (SI) and the central and medial amygdaloid nuclei. Scgn+ neurons can acquire a cholinergic phenotype in the SI or differentiate into GABA cells in the central amygdala. We also uncover phylogenetic differences in scgn expression as this CBP defines not only neurons destined to the extended amygdala but also cholinergic projection cells and cortical pyramidal cells in the fetal nonhuman primate and human brains, respectively. Overall, our findings emphasize the developmentally shared origins of neurons populating the extended amygdala, and suggest that secretagogin can be relevant to the generation of functional modalities in specific neuronal circuitries.
Sevoflurane for central catheter placement in neonatal intensive care: a randomized trial
Authors: MICHEL FABRICE , VIALET RENAUD , HASSID SOPHIE , NICAISE CLAIRE , GARBI AURÉLIE , THOMACHOT LAURENT , DI MARCO JEAN N. , LAGIER PIERRE , MARTIN CLAUDE 
Published: June 2010

SummaryObjective:  To compare the efficacy and safety of sevoflurane deep sedation with glucose and nonnutritive sucking (GNNS) in reducing the duration of the procedure and in preventing pain‐related effects during peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement.Background:  PICC placement in neonatal intensive care is a delicate and stressful procedure that requires pain prevention. GNNS has been recommended in this situation but remain often inefficient.Methods:  We designed a randomized controlled study in a sixteen‐bed pediatric and neonatal unit in a tertiary hospital. Fifty‐nine neonates at >28 weeks of gestation with continuous positive airway pressure or invasive mechanical ventilation and requiring PICC placement were included. Patients were randomized to receive inhaled sevoflurane (IS) or glucose and non‐nutritive sucking (GNNS). Procedural duration and conditions, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, occurrence of movements and complications were compared (http://clinicaltrials.gov trial register no. NCT00420693).Results:  The two groups had similar demographics. There were no between‐group differences in procedural duration (P = 0.84) despite greater immobility in IS group (P = 0.017). IS was also associated with fewer episodes of hypertension (P = 0.003), tachycardia (P < 0.001), and bradycardia (P = 0.02). Occurrences of hypotension were not different between the groups (P = 0.06). The GNNS group showed more desaturation during the 4 h after the procedure (P = 0.03). Complications during intensive care stay did not differ between groups.Conclusion:  Inhaled sevoflurane does not make easier catheters placement but prevent pain‐related symptoms. Because sevoflurane is responsible for hypotension, it requires careful monitoring and treatment adaptation.
Spatial analysis of gypsy moth populations in Sardinia using geostatistical and climate models
Authors: Cocco Arturo , Cossu Antonio Q. , Erre Patrizia , Nieddu Giovanni , Luciano Pietro 
Published: June 2010

Spatial fluctuations of the Sardinian population of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) were characterized using geostatistical and climate models. Data on gypsy moth egg mass abundance recorded at 282 permanent monitoring sites from 1980 to 2004 were incorporated in a geographic information system with the vegetational, geomorphological and pedological features of the sites.
Statistical analyses revealed that the relative outbreak frequency was related to the predominant host tree, slope and elevation of the monitoring sites, whereas there was no correlation between outbreak frequency and exposure and soil type.
By using bioclimatic modelling, probability maps of gypsy moth outbreaks were generated. The model identified a probability surface with climatic conditions favourable to gypsy moth outbreaks and thus potentially subject to defoliation. The maps included 92 sites where outbreaks never occurred, suggesting that the Sardinian climate may not be a determinant factor for gypsy moth outbreaks.
The geostatistical method cokriging with outbreak frequency as a covariate was found to be the most suitable technique to estimate gypsy moth egg mass abundance. Semivariograms showed spatial correlation of egg mass abundance within the range 18.5–53 km. The results obtained were used to create regional gypsy moth distribution maps by cokriging, which demonstrated the outbreak foci and different infestation levels at each monitoring area. These results can help to delimit the treatment areas and develop rational gypsy moth management programmes.
Gamma‐ and epsilonproteobacterial ectosymbionts of a shallow‐water marine worm are related to deep‐sea hydrothermal vent ectosymbionts
Authors: Ruehland Caroline , Dubilier Nicole 
Published: June 2010

SummaryThe marine oligochaete worm Tubificoides benedii is often found in high numbers in eutrophic coastal sediments with low oxygen and high sulfide concentrations. A dense biofilm of filamentous bacteria on the worm's tail end were morphologically described over 20 years ago, but no further studies of these epibiotic associations were done. In this study, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization and comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and protein‐coding genes to characterize the microbial community of the worm's tail ends. The presence of genes involved in chemoautotrophy (cbbL and cbbM) and sulfur metabolism (aprA) indicated the potential of the T. benedii microbial community for chemosynthesis. Two filamentous ectosymbionts were specific to the worm's tail ends: one belonged to the Leucothrix mucor clade within the Gammaproteobacteria and the other to the Thiovulgaceae within the Epsilonproteobacteria. Both T. benedii ectosymbionts belonged to clades that consisted almost exclusively of bacteria associated with invertebrates from deep‐sea hydrothermal vents. Such close relationships between symbionts from shallow‐water and deep‐sea hosts that are not closely related to each other are unusual, and indicate that biogeography and host affiliation did not play a role in these associations. Instead, similarities between the dynamic environments of vents and organic‐rich mudflats with their strong fluctuations in reductants and oxidants may have been the driving force behind the establishment and evolution of these symbioses.
RNAi‐mediated knockdown of a Spodoptera frugiperda trypsin‐like serine‐protease gene reduces susceptibility to a Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ca1 protoxin
Authors: Rodríguez–Cabrera Lianet , Trujillo–Bacallao Damian , Borrás–Hidalgo Orlando , Wright Denis J. , Ayra–Pardo Camilo 
Published: June 2010

Summary SfT6 has been identified in a subtracted cDNA library of Spodoptera frugiperda larval midgut transcripts as a serine‐protease gene downregulated within 24 h of intoxication with Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ca1 protein. In the present study, the specific role of SfT6 during Cry1Ca1 intoxication was investigated by RT‐PCR and in vivo RNA interference. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR analysis showed SfT6 mRNA levels in the midgut tissue were significantly reduced after injecting or feeding 4th‐instar larvae with specific long‐size dsRNA. Gut juice‐mediated in vitro protoxin activation and susceptibility for Cry1Ca1 were investigated in Sft6‐knockdown larvae and compared with control treated with nonspecific dsRNA. Our results demonstrate SfT6 plays a determinant role in Cry1Ca1 toxicity against S. frugiperda since a decreased expression caused a reduced protoxin activation by larval gut juice and reduced susceptibility of insects to toxin in bioassays. We propose SfT6 downregulation occurring at the early stages of Cry1Ca1 intoxication is part of a complex and multifaceted defensive mechanism triggered in the insect gut to withstand B. thuringiensis pathogenesis.
Cerebellin1 is a novel orexigenic peptide
Authors: Gardiner J. V. , Beale K. E. , Roy D. , Boughton C. K. , Bataveljic A. , Campbell D. C. , Bewick G. A. , Patel N. A. , Patterson M. , Leavy E. M. , Ghatei M. A. , Bloom S. R. , Dhillo W. S. 
Published: June 2010

Aim: Cerebellin1 (Cbln1) is highly expressed in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain involved in appetite regulation. However, the effects of Cbn1 on food intake are not known. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Cbln1 on appetite regulation in rats. Methods: We determined the effect of (i) intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of Cbln1 on food intake, behaviour and plasma pituitary hormone levels in male Wistar rats; (ii) Cbln1 on the release of hypothalamic neuropeptides known to modulate food intake from hypothalamic explants and (iii) fasting on hypothalamic Cbln1 mRNA expression. Results: (i) ICV administration of Cbln1 significantly increased food intake in rats and caused no adverse behaviours. ICV administration of Cbln1 significantly reduced plasma thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels 10 min postinjection in rats. (ii) Cbln1 significantly increased the release of neuropeptide Y (NPY) from hypothalamic explants. (iii) Cbln1 mRNA expression levels were increased in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in fasted rats. Conclusions: These data suggest that Cbln1 is a novel orexigenic peptide, which may mediate its effects via hypothalamic NPY.
The effects of total energy expenditure from all levels of physical activity vs. physical activity energy expenditure from moderate‐to‐vigorous activity on visceral fat and insulin sensitivity in obese Type 2 diabetic women
Authors: Koo B. K. , Han K. A. , Ahn H. J. , Jung J. Y. , Kim H. C. , Min K. W. 
Published: June 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1088–1092 (2010)AbstractAims  We examined the effects of physical activity with or without dietary restriction for 3 months on regional fat and insulin sensitivity and compared the effect of total energy expenditure from all levels of physical activity with that of physical activity energy expenditure from moderate‐to‐vigorous exercise in obese women with Type 2 diabetes.Methods  In this randomized, controlled trial, we assessed change of body weight, abdominal visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area and insulin sensitivity, expressed as KITT, and monitored total energy expenditure and physical activity energy expenditure using an accelerometer during a 12‐week intervention in four groups: control, diet, exercise and diet plus exercise.Results  The mean body mass index was 28.0 ± 2.7 kg/m2 and the mean duration of diabetes was 8 ± 6 years. Both the diet and diet plus exercise groups showed significant body weight loss compared with the control group (P < 0.05). However, the visceral fat area was reduced only in the diet and exercise group (P = 0.017) and the subcutaneous fat area was reduced only in the diet group (P = 0.009). Mean energy intake was an independent determinant of the change in subcutaneous fat area (P = 0.020) and mean total anergy expenditure was an independent determinant of visceral fat area (P = 0.002). Insulin sensitivity KITT was associated with physical activity energy expenditure (P = 0.006), energy intake (P = 0.047) and the change in fructosamine level (P = 0.016) but not with changes in body weight, subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area or adipokine level.Conclusions  Exercise had an additive effect to dietary restriction on visceral fat reduction. Visceral fat area was associated with total energy expenditure, but insulin sensitivity was associated with physical activity energy expenditure.