bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microtubule depolymerizing vascular disrupting agents: novel therapeutic agents for oncology and other pathologies
Authors: Kanthou Chryso , Tozer Gillian M. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryVascular disrupting agents (VDAs) are a relatively new group of ‘vascular targeting’ agents that exhibit selective activity against established tumour vascular networks, causing severe interruption of tumour blood flow and necrosis to the tumour mass. Microtubule depolymerizing agents form by far the largest group of small molecular weight VDAs many of which, including lead compound disodium combretastatin A‐4 3‐O‐phosphate (CA‐4‐P), are under clinical development for cancer. Although distinct from the angiogenesis inhibitors, VDAs can also interfere with angiogenesis and therefore constitute a potential group of novel drugs for the treatment of pathological conditions characterized by excessive angiogenesis, in addition to cancer. The endothelial cytoskeleton is the primary cellular target of this family of drugs, and some progress in understanding the molecular and signalling mechanisms associated with their endothelial disrupting activity has been made in the last few years. Susceptibility of tumour vessels to VDA damage is ascribed to their immature pericyte‐defective nature, although the exact molecular mechanisms involved have not been clearly defined. Despite causing profound damage to tumours, VDAs fail to halt tumour growth unless used together with conventional treatments. This failure is attributed to resistance mechanisms, primarily associated with cells that remain viable within the tumour rim, and enhanced angiogenesis. The focus is now to understand mechanisms of susceptibility and resistance to identify novel molecular targets and develop strategies that are more effective.
A detailed microscopic study of the changes in the aorta of experimental model of postmenopausal rats fed with repeatedly heated palm oil
Authors: Adam Siti Khadijah , Das Srijit , Jaarin Kamsiah 
Published: September 2010

SummaryHypercholesterolaemia, increase in lipid peroxidation and hyperhomocysteinaemia may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study was performed to examine the effects of repeatedly heated palm oil mixed with 2% cholesterol diet on atherosclerosis in oestrogen‐deficient postmenopausal rats. Ovariectomy causes disruption of tunica intima layer of the rat aorta simulating a postmenopausal condition in females. Twenty‐four ovariectomized female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The control group received 2% cholesterol diet without palm oil. A diet with 2% cholesterol content fortified with fresh, once‐heated and five‐times‐heated palm oil was given to the other treatment groups. The rats were sacrificed at the end of 4 months of study and the aortic arch tissue was processed for histomorphometry and electron microscopy. On observation, there was disruption of the intimal layer of the ovariectomized rat aorta. There was no obvious ultrastructural change in the aorta of the rats fed with fresh palm oil. The ultrastructural changes were minimal with once‐heated palm oil, in which there was a focal disruption of the endothelial layer. The focal disruption was more pronounced with five‐times‐heated palm oil. The results of this study show that the ingestion of fresh palm oil may have a protective effect on the aorta but such a protective action may be lost when the palm oil is repeatedly heated. The study may be clinically important for all postmenopausal women who are susceptible to atherosclerosis.
Ischaemia/reperfusion induced cardiac stem cell homing to the injured myocardium by stimulating stem cell factor expression via NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Guo Junli , Jie Wei , Kuang Dong , Ni Juan , Chen Duoen , Ao Qilin , Wang Guoping 
Published: September 2010

SummaryIschaemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a major cause of heart failure. Recently cardiac stem cells (CSCs) were proposed as the most appropriate cell type for heart disease therapy. However, it is still unclear whether I/R can stimulate the CSCs homing to the injured myocardium. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to a 30‐min ischaemia followed by reperfusion of different intervals. RT‐PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect stem cell factor (SCF) expression at mRNA and protein levels respectively. Activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. To assess the homing of CSCs in vivo, BrdU‐labelled CSCs were injected into AV‐groove before induction of ischaemia and examined by immunofluorescent staining in the injured myocardium after I/R. From day 3 to day 6 after reperfusion, the accumulation of CSCs was significantly elevated in the injured area, which was matched with the increased SCF expression during I/R. Pretreatment of rats with NF‐κB inhibitor, N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC) not only suppressed NF‐κB activation induced by I/R but also attenuated SCF expression. Further analysis revealed that I/R induced phosphorylation of IκBα after 15 min of reperfusion, and the raised phosphor‐IκBα returned to the basal level at 2 h of reperfusion. In simulated I/R(SI/R) in vitro, it enhanced NF‐κB activation and SCF expression in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, which was markedly inhibited by NF‐κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide or NAC. Taken together, our results demonstrated that I/R induced CSCs homing to the injured myocardium by stimulating myocardial SCF expression via activation of NF‐κB.
Innovative pedagogical practice with ICT in three Nordic countries – differences and similarities
Authors: Ottestad G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThree Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland and Norway, participated in the IEA SITES 2006 study. All the three countries have launched huge policy and investment programmes to promote digital literacy and readiness for the information age. In relation to the remarkable Finnish Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, it is interesting to see if the Finnish school system may be better suited to ground and contextualize pedagogical practice with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) than the Danish and Norwegian counterparts. One main difference is that the Finnish system seems to anchor decisions about and interpretations on how ICT should be utilized stronger at the local level than the two other systems. One of the general goals in the policy programmes is to get teachers to innovate with ICT in the classrooms. The Second Information Technology in Education Study (SITES) 2006 indicators for two innovative pedagogical orientations, lifelong learning orientation and connectedness are utilized to compare teachers from the three nations. The main findings is that Finnish teachers are either not differing or they are scoring significantly lower on the two indicators than teachers from Denmark or Norway. The exception is Finnish science teachers who are more inclined towards using ICT in lifelong learning practices than their Danish and Norwegian counterparts. Generally, the Finnish teachers seem to be more autonomous in their pedagogical choices but may also be more conservative than the Danish and Norwegian teachers in making use of ICT.
Estimating diagnostic test accuracy for infectious salmon anaemia virus in Maine, USA
Authors: Gustafson L , Ellis S , Bouchard D , Robinson T , Marenghi F , Warg J , Giray C 
Published: September 2010

AbstractInfectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) is a pathogen of consequence to farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. ISA control centres on active surveillance for early detection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), indirect fluorescent antibody assay (IFAT) and virus isolation. Because diagnostic test performance varies among populations and laboratories, the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) recommends an evaluation of test accuracy in each region of use. This is complicated in Maine, USA by the co‐existence of ISAV genotypes homologous to North American (NA) and European (EU) isolates. While NA ISAV genotypes isolated in Maine are characterized by high morbidity and mortality, the single EU genotype in Maine has not yet been linked to disease or isolated by cell culture. Consequently, distinguishing among genotypes is critical to infection response. Accuracy in NA genotype detection was estimated from ISA surveillance data using latent class models. Results suggested that RT‐PCR is an excellent screening test for NA ISAV genotypes in Maine, although probably with reduced specificity in the presence of EU genotypes. IFAT, in contrast, was a poor screening test for detection of ISAV in Maine, although it may be useful in confirmation of NA genotypes during disease outbreaks.
Occurrence of gyrodactylids on wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in Danish rivers
Authors: Von Gersdorff Jørgensen L , Heinecke R D , Kania P , Buchmann K 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThree hundred and one parr of wild salmon, Salmo salar L., from three river systems in Denmark were examined in December 2005 and August 2006 for gyrodactylid infections. The species determination was done by morphological analyses of the opisthaptoral hard parts and molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing. Five species of the genus Gyrodactylus were found: Gyrodactylus derjavini, Gyrodactylus teuchis, Gyrodactylus truttae, Gyrodactylus arcuatus and Gyrodactylus salaris. The parasite species G. derjavini dominated over G. teuchis and G. truttae and only one specimen of G. arcuatus and one specimen of G. salaris were recovered. This specimen of G. salaris had the same mutation in the ITS‐region as a previously described non‐pathogenic Danish G. salaris variant. The prevalence of gyrodactylids on the salmon ranged from 0% to 100% but the mean abundance never exceeded 12.8.
A review on the morphology, molecular characterization, morphogenesis and pathogenesis of white spot syndrome virus
Authors: Escobedo‐Bonilla C M , Alday‐Sanz V , Wille M , Sorgeloos P , Pensaert M B , Nauwynck H J 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSince it first appeared in 1992, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has become the most threatening infectious agent in shrimp aquaculture. Within a decade, this pathogen has spread to all the main shrimp farming areas and has caused enormous economic losses amounting to more than seven billion US dollars. At present, biosecurity methods used to exclude pathogens in shrimp farms include disinfecting ponds and water, preventing the entrance of animals that may carry infectious agents and stocking ponds with specific pathogen‐free post‐larvae. The combination of these practices increases biosecurity in shrimp farming facilities and may contribute to reduce the risk of a WSSV outbreak. Although several control methods have shown some efficacy against WSSV under experimental conditions, no therapeutic products or strategies are available to effectively control WSSV in the field. Furthermore, differences in virulence and clinical outcome of WSSV infections have been reported. The sequencing and characterization of different strains of WSSV has begun to determine aspects of its biology, virulence and pathogenesis. Knowledge on these aspects is critical for developing effective control methods. The aim of this review is to present an update of the knowledge generated so far on different aspects of WSSV organization, morphogenesis, pathology and pathogenesis.
Pan‐steatitis in farmed northern bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus (L.), in the eastern Adriatic
Authors: Roberts R J , Agius C 
Published: September 2010

AbstractClinical, gross and histopathological investigations were carried out into large‐scale mortalities on eastern Mediterranean bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus (L.), farms. Fish showed only nervous signs and darkened colour. At post‐mortem the liver was bronze coloured and the pyloric area waxy in consistency. There was no evidence of any other gross pathology. Histopathology showed severe hepatic necrosis and lipidosis. Peri‐pancreatic lipoid tissue was heavily infiltrated with an inflammatory round cell infiltrate. Fish on all three farms had been fed on a North African pilchard diet rather than traditional local or Baltic species. Once the diet was modified, losses ceased. A diagnosis of pan‐steatitis as seen in other farmed fish species, as well as in terrestrial animals, on particular fish‐based diets was made, although the actual factor within the diet which induced the inflammatory effect is not known.
First report of Streptococcus iniae in red porgy (Pagrus pagrus, L.)
Authors: El Aamri F , Padilla D , Acosta F , Caballero M J , Roo J , Bravo J , Vivas J , Real F 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis work describes the first isolation of Streptococcus iniae in red porgy, Pagrus pagrus (L.), and the first European isolation of this pathogen in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata (L.). In both farmed fish species, infection resulted in lethargy, anorexia, abnormal swimming, exophthalmia and sudden death, with mortality rates of over 25% in red porgy and 10% in gilthead seabream. Beta‐haemolytic Gram‐positive cocci, catalase negative and oxidase negative, were isolated in pure culture from internal organs. Conventional and rapid identification systems, and 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing were used to identify the causative agent of the natural disease. LD50 trials were carried out to show the virulence of this isolated strain in these species, with values of 1.7 × 104 CFU per fish in red porgy and 1.32 × 105 CFU per fish in gilthead seabream. The most prominent lesions were meningoencephalitis and multifocal infiltration of macrophage cells in the kidney and spleen.
Weight status and body image perception in Italian children
Authors: Gualdi‐Russo E. , Albertini A. , Argnani L. , Celenza F. , Nicolucci M. , Toselli S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground  Previous research suggests there is a tendency in overweight subjects to underestimate their weight status. This study investigated the perception of body image in Italian children, with particular regard to overweight children.Methods  Primary school children (n = 866) were recruited for this cross‐sectional nutritional survey in northern Italy. Anthropometric measurements were performed to determine body mass index (BMI). Body image perception was assessed with the Body Silhouette Chart for preadolescent children shown to the children and to their mothers (n = 778) during an interview. A new scheme to identify wrong (F.1, F.2) or inappropriate (F.3) self figure responses in overweight subjects was used.Results  More than one‐third of the Italian children examined were above the normal BMI range (prevalence of overweight: 35.8%, girls; 37.2%, boys). A higher degree of dissatisfaction was expressed by girls than by boys, and the percentage increased in overweight/obese children. A discrepancy between the self figure perception and the real nutritional status of the subject occurred in 6–9% of the overweight/obese children.Conclusion  The comparison of body image perception and anthropometric assessment of nutritional status could play an important role in future programs of nutritional surveillance as they provide indications of dissatisfaction and body image disturbances.
Plasma cytokine levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a preliminary study
Authors: Alberti Andrea , Sarchielli Paola , Gallinella Elisabetta , Floridi Ardesio , Floridi Alessandro , Mazzotta Giovanni , Gallai Virgilio 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThe levels of some pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, IL‐6, IL‐10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β], were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in the plasma of patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) at 22:00 hours before polysomnographic recording and immediately after the first obstructive apnea causing an SaO2 below 85%. Significantly higher levels of TNF‐α were found in OSAS patients assessed before polysomnography compared with the control group (P < 0.01). A slight but significant increase in the plasma levels of IL‐6 was also present (P < 0.05). Conversely, a significant decrease in the plasma levels of IL‐10 was evident at baseline in OSAS patients (P < 0.04). No significant difference emerged between the mean values of IL‐1α and TGF‐β between OSAS patients and controls. The present data support a prevailing activation of the Th1‐type cytokine pattern in OSAS patients, which is not associated with the severity and duration of OSAS. This can have important consequences for the outcome of OSAS patients, especially with regard to the increased risk for developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Immediately after the first obstructive apnea causing an SaO2 <85%, a significant variation was observed in the plasma levels of TNF‐α in OSAS patients compared with those measured before the beginning of polysomnographic recording (P < 0.001). The role played by this further increase in TNF‐α levels after the obstructive apnea in OSAS patients remains to be established in the light of the pathogenic mechanisms of this sleep disorder.
Pharmacodynamics of warfarin in cats
Authors: SMITH S. A. , Kraft S. L. , LEWIS D. C. , MELETHIL S. , FREEMAN L. C. 
Published: September 2010

The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacodynamic response to warfarin in cats. The specific aim was to determine if a log‐linear indirect response model (Nagashima et al., 1969) used to describe the in vivo effect of warfarin in humans could be applied to cats. The pharmacokinetics of racemic warfarin were described using a non‐compartmental approach. The relationship between prothrombin complex activity (PCA) and normalized prothrombin time (PTR) was defined for feline plasma under our experimental conditions, and determined to be: %PCA=12.38+648 e−PTR/0.492. These data were then integrated and used to predict the warfarin dose associated with therapeutic anti‐coagulation defined as an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 2.0–3.0.The maximum prothrombinopenic response to warfarin in cats after a single intravenous dose of 0.5 mg/kg occurred at 24–48 h. Pharmacodynamic modeling suggested that each cat had a narrow therapeutic range of the steady‐state concentration of total warfarin required to appropriately block prothrombin complex synthesis (median: 265.2–358.7 ng/mL). The median daily dose range predicted to yield therapeutic concentrations of warfarin was 0.061–0.088 mg/kg per day. Wide inter‐individual variations in both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic response suggest that a more optimal dosing of warfarin may be possible with the development of individual pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic algorithms, analogous to those currently employed in human patients.
Pharmacokinetics of ivermectin in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep
Authors: PÉREZ R. , PALMA C. , NÚÑEZ M. J. , COX J. , ARBOIX M. 
Published: September 2010

The plasma kinetic profile of ivermectin during the last trimester of pregnancy was studied in ewes after a single subcutaneous administration of 0.2 mg/kg body weight (BW). Sheep were randomly distributed into two groups. Ewes in group 1 (control,n = 6) were left unmated, whereas in group 2 (pregnant,n = 6) ewes were estrus‐synchronized and mated with rams. Both groups were housed under similar conditions of management and feeding. At 120 days of pregnancy, both groups were given a subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mg/kg BW of ivermectin. Blood samples were taken by jugular puncture according to a fixed protocol between 1 h and 40 days post‐treatment. After plasma extraction and derivatization, samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. A computerized pharmacokinetic analysis was performed, and the data were compared by means of the Studentt‐test.The results showed that plasma concentrations of ivermectin remained longer in the pregnant than in the control group. The mean values of pharmacokinetic parametersCmax,tmax, and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) were similar for both groups of sheep. The mean residence time (MRT) values for the pregnant group (8.8 ± 1.4 days) were higher (P < 0.05) than those observed in the control group (5.3 ± 1.9 days). It can be concluded that pregnancy increases the residence time of ivermectin in the plasma of pregnant sheep when it is administered subcutaneously.
Reproductive biology and postnatal development in sloths, Bradypus and Choloepus: review with original data from the field (French Guiana) and from captivity
Authors: Taube Erica , Keravec Joël , Vié Jean‐Christophe , Duplantier Jean‐Marc 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe reproductive biology of sloths remains obscure despite accounts on mating in the wild and in captivity. We present field data collected in French Guiana over a period of 16 months in the framework of an animal rescue carried out during the filling of a hydroelectric dam, and captive data obtained from breeding records from different zoos. According to these data and a review of the literature, we determined the most likely values for different reproductive parameters in sloths. Choloepus didactylus have a 10‐month gestation period with an inter‐birth interval of 16 months or more; young become independent around 12 months. The gestation period is similar in Choloepus hoffmanni, but the inter‐birth interval is 15 months and young become independent around 9 months. In Bradypus tridactylus pregnancy seems to last 6 months, the inter‐birth interval is approximately 12 months, and the age at which young become independent is about 5 months. In Bradypus variegatus the gestation period is 6 months and the inter‐birth interval 10–12 months; young become independent at 6 months. The occurrence of post‐partum oestrus was established in both genera. All species of sloths have only one young per litter; weaning takes place at a few weeks yet offspring continue riding on their mother until independence. Reproduction does not appear seasonal in Choloepus didactylus, it may be slightly seasonal in Choloepus hoffmanni;Bradypus variegatus have a mating season before the rains, and in Bradypus tridactylus reproduction is clearly seasonal. We suggest that these differences in reproductive strategies are basically linked to different diets. Although sloths are not endangered at present, they are threatened by loss of rainforest habitat. Since these species have such a low reproductive rate and Bradypus do not adapt—let alone reproduce—outside their natural environment, it is essential to understand their habitat requirements and population parameters for conservation purposes.