bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serine racemase rs391300 G/A polymorphism influences the therapeutic efficacy of metformin in Chinese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2
Authors: Dong Min , Gong Zhi‐Cheng , Dai Xing‐Ping , Lei Guang‐Hua , Lu Hong‐Bin , Fan Lan , Qu Jian , Zhou Hong‐Hao , Liu Zhao‐Qian 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the serine racemase (SRR) rs391300 G/A polymorphism with the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and to assess the impacts of the polymorphism on the therapeutic efficacy of metformin in Chinese patients.2. A case‐control study of 402 patients with T2DM and 171 healthy controls was conducted. The SRR rs391300 polymorphism was genotyped in all participants using the ABI 3700 automated sequencer. Forty‐four recent‐onset T2DM patients with different rs391300 genotypes were selected to receive 500 mg metformin orally daily for 12 consecutive weeks as monotherapy. Serum fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting serum insulin (FINS), postprandial serum insulin (PINS), triglycerol (TG), cholesterol (CHO), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), and body mass index (BMI) were determined before and after metformin treatment.3. The distribution frequencies of rs391300 were in agreement with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). After treatment with metformin, the values of BMI, FPG, PPG, PINS, HbA1c, CHO, and TG decreased significantly (P < 0.01), whereas FINS increased (P < 0.001), in patients with T2DM. Patients with the GA or AA genotype of rs391300 showed better improvements in the levels of FPG, PPG, and CHO (P < 0.05) than individuals with the GG genotype.4. The SRR rs391300 polymorphism was associated with the therapeutic efficacy of metformin in Chinese patients with T2DM.
Pyruvate’s blood glutamate scavenging activity contributes to the spectrum of its neuroprotective mechanisms in a rat model of stroke
Authors: Boyko Matthew , Zlotnik Alexander , Gruenbaum Benjamin F. , Gruenbaum Shaun E. , Ohayon Sharon , Kuts Ruslan , Melamed Israel , Regev Adi , Shapira Yoram , Teichberg Vivian I. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn previous studies, we have shown that by increasing the brain‐to‐blood glutamate efflux upon scavenging blood glutamate with either oxaloacetate or pyruvate, one achieves highly significant neuroprotection particularly in the context of traumatic brain injury. The current study examines, for the first time, how the blood glutamate scavenging properties of glutamate–pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alone or in combination with pyruvate, may contribute to the spectrum of its neuroprotective mechanisms and improve the outcome of rats exposed to brain ischemia, as they do after head trauma. Rats that were exposed to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and treated with intravenous 250 mg/kg pyruvate had a smaller volume of infarction and reduced brain edema, resulting in an improved neurological outcome and reduced mortality compared to control rats treated with saline. Intravenous pyruvate at the low dose of 31.3 mg/kg did not demonstrate any neuroprotection. However, when combined with 0.6 mg/kg of GPT there was a similar neuroprotection observed as seen with pyruvate at 250 mg/kg. Animals treated with 1.69 g/kg glutamate had a worse neurological outcome and a larger extent of brain edema. The decrease in mortality, infarcted brain volume and edema, as well as the improved neurological outcome following MCAO, was correlated with a decrease in blood glutamate levels. We therefore suggest that the blood glutamate scavenging activity of GPT and pyruvate contributes to the spectrum of their neuroprotective mechanisms and may serve as a new neuroprotective strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Hide and seek in forests: colonization by the pine processionary moth is impeded by the presence of nonhost trees
Authors: Dulaurent Anne‐Maïmiti , Porté Annabel J. , van Halder Inge , Vétillard Fabrice , Menassieu Pierre , Jactel Hervé 
Published: September 2011

The disruption of host‐finding cues has been proposed as a key mechanism underlying the lower damage caused by phytophagous insects in mixed forests. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the distribution of pine processionary mothThaumetopoea pityocampa(Denis & Schiffer‐Müller) (Lepidoptera) infestation at the edges of pure stands ofPinus pinaster(AÏton) at some distance from nonhost trees (Experiment 1) or bordered in part by a broadleaved hedgerow (Experiment 2).An ‘edge effect' was demonstrated, with trees at the edge of the stand being more heavily infested than those at the interior of the stand.The presence of a nonhost broadleaved hedgerow in front of the edge of the pine stand resulted in lowerT. pityocampainfestation. There were significantly fewerT. pityocampanests behind the hedgerow than on the exposed part of the edge. The presence of the hedgerow did not dilute or repelT. pityocampainfestation further into the pine stand, although it decreased the infestation ofT. pityocampathroughout the pine stand. The decrease inT. pityocampainfestation behind the hedgerow was greater when the broadleaved hedgerow was taller than the pine trees.These results highlight the benefits of using nonhost tree species on the edge of monospecific forest stands to reduce insect damage. This approach could be promoted as an innovative forest pest management method.
Effect of latitude and acclimation on the lethal temperatures of the peach‐potato aphid Myzus persicae
Authors: Alford Lucy , Blackburn Tim M. , Bale Jeffrey S. 
Published: September 2011

Aphids, similar to all insects, are ectothermic and, consequently, are greatly affected by environmental conditions. The peach potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) has a global distribution, although it is not known whether populations display regional adaptations to distinct climatic zones along its distribution and vary in their ability to withstand and acclimate to temperature extremes. In the present study, lethal temperatures were measured in nine anholocyclic clones of M. persicae collected along a latitudinal cline of its European distribution from Sweden to Spain. The effects of collection origin and intra‐ and intergenerational acclimation on cold and heat tolerance, as determined by upper and lower lethal temperatures (ULT50 and LLT50, respectively), were investigated.
Lethal temperatures of M. persicae were shown to be plastic and could be altered after acclimation over just one generation. Lower lethal temperatures were significantly depressed in eight of nine clones after acclimation for one generation at 10°C (range: −13.3 to −16.2°C) and raised after acclimation at 25°C (range: −10.7 to −11.6°C) compared with constant 20°C (range: −11.9 to −12.9°C). Upper lethal temperatures were less plastic, although significantly increased after one generation at 25°C (range: 41.8–42.4°C) and in five of nine clones after acclimation at 10°C. There was no evidence of intergenerational acclimation over three generations.
Thermal tolerance ranges were expanded after acclimation at 10 and 25°C compared with constant 20°C, resulting in aphids reared at 10°C surviving over a temperature range that was approximately 2–6°C greater than those reared at 25°C.
There was no clear relationship between lethal temperatures and latitude. Large scale mixing of clones may occur across Europe, thus limiting local adaption in thermal tolerance. Clonal type, as identified by microsatellite analysis, did show a relationship with thermal tolerance, notably with Type O clones being the most thermal tolerant. Clonal types may respond independently to climate change, affecting the relative proportions of clones within populations, with consequent implications for biodiversity and agriculture.
Antisocial Propensity, Adolescent School Outcomes, and the Risk of Criminal Conviction
Authors: Savolainen Jukka , Hughes Lorine A. , Mason W. Alex , Hurtig Tuula M. , Ebeling Hanna , Moilanen Irma K. , Kivivuori Janne , Taanila Anja M. 
Published: September 2011

Data from the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort Study (n = 4,645) were used to examine the influence of mid‐adolescent (age 15) school outcomes on late‐adolescent (ages 17–19) risk of criminal conviction. Consistent with social‐developmental theories of offending, we found that poor academic performance and reduced school attachment increase the risk of criminal conviction independently of pre‐existing differences in antisocial propensity and other confounding factors identified in prior research. Moreover, in support of an integrated model, our research suggests that academic performance and school attachment mediate the effects of childhood antisociality and learning difficulties on late‐adolescent risk of criminal conviction. The implications of findings for policy and future research are discussed.
Simulation of a Constitutional Spending Limit for a Conservative State: With Dynamic Adjustment and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: MERRIFIELD JOHN , MONSON DEREK 
Published: September 2011

Longstanding concern about the rate of state and local government spending growth, strengthened by “Great Recession” economic and fiscal conditions, sustains advocacy of constitutional amendments to cap the growth of state and local taxes or spending. For some states, interest recently changed to necessity, and current constitutional limits—most notably the California experience with the Gann Spending limit (1979–1990) and the Colorado experience with its Taxpayer Bill of Rights (1992‐present)—contain numerous valuable lessons for fiscal restraint proponents.We use those lessons, and others, to develop a constitutional spending limit (CSL) for Utah, and describe a CSL simulation for the state for 1990–2009. In contrast to what an “Institutional Irrelevance Perspective” suggests for a politically conservative state such as Utah, we find that Utah would have seen large and robust CSL impacts from setting the spending growth rate at school‐age population plus inflation for K‐12 education funding, and at population plus inflation for remaining nonexempt state spending.1 Those impacts include a reduced tax burden, sizable reserves to cope with emergencies, elimination of fiscal crises, and expanded personal income. Extensive sensitivity analysis identifies the key underlying factors and demonstrates the robustness of those findings. We compare the Utah results to a 1990–2009 CSL simulation for California, and a 1995–2009 CSL simulation for Ohio.
Seed rain dynamics reveals strong dispersal limitation, different reproductive strategies and responses to climate in a temperate forest in northeast China
Authors: Li Buhang , Hao Zhanqing , Bin Yue , Zhang Jian , Wang Miao 
Published: September 2011

AbstractQuestionsSpecies co‐existence may be achieved by limited dispersal due to the reduced chance of inter‐specific competition. But the timing of seed release also provides clues for species co‐existence because asynchronous reproduction can alleviate inter‐specific competition for dispersal agents, while synchronous reproduction can facilitate overall seed dispersal. How strong is seed dispersal limitation, do co‐existing species release seeds synchronously or asynchronously, and what is the relationship between seed production and main meteorological measures?LocationA 25‐ha plot in a temperate forest, Changbai Mountain, Northeast China.MethodsWe calculated Jaccard coefficients between seed rain composition and neighbouring adult tree composition, analysed long‐term seed rain dynamics for both the whole community and different species, and regressed seed rain density with meteorological measures using autoregressive models.ResultsThe Jaccard coefficient dropped sharply as neighbourhood radius increased to about 10 m, indicating severe dispersal limitation. Both synchrony and asynchrony in seed release were observed: most species released mature seeds synchronously from August to November, with small segregations in time; one species released seeds in Jun. Bimodal and unimodal seasonal dynamics of seed rain were observed and some species released seeds beyond the main fruiting seasons. The seasonal dynamics of seed release might be driven by different strategies of seed dispersal. Seed rain density is significantly positively related to temperature and precipitation, with a 2‐mo time lag.ConclusionsBoth dispersal limitation and timing of seed release by co‐existing species may contribute to maintenance of diversity of this forest, but variations in temperature and precipitation considerably alter seed rain density.
The potential economic value of a ‘universal’ (multi‐year) influenza vaccine
Authors: Lee Bruce Y. , Tai Julie H. Y. , McGlone Sarah M. , Bailey Rachel R. , Wateska Angela R. , Zimmer Shanta M. , Zimmerman Richard K. , Wagner Michael M. 
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Lee et al. (2011) The potential economic value of a ‘universal’ (multi‐year) influenza vaccine. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), 167–175.Background  Limitations of the current annual influenza vaccine have led to ongoing efforts to develop a ‘universal’ influenza vaccine, i.e., one that targets a ubiquitous portion of the influenza virus so that the coverage of a single vaccination can persist for multiple years.Objectives  To estimate the economic value of a ‘universal’ influenza vaccine compared to the standard annual influenza vaccine, starting vaccination in the pediatric population (2–18 year olds), over the course of their lifetime.Patient/Methods  Monte Carlo decision analytic computer simulation model.Results  Universal vaccine dominates (i.e., less costly and more effective) the annual vaccine when the universal vaccine cost ≤$100/dose and efficacy ≥75% for both the 5‐ and 10‐year duration. The universal vaccine is also dominant when efficacy is ≥50% and protects for 10 years. A $200 universal vaccine was only cost‐effective when ≥75% efficacious for a 5‐year duration when annual compliance was 25% and for a 10‐year duration for all annual compliance rates. A universal vaccine is not cost‐effective when it cost $200 and when its efficacy is ≤50%. The cost‐effectiveness of the universal vaccine increases with the duration of protection.Conclusions  Although development of a universal vaccine requires surmounting scientific hurdles, our results delineate the circumstances under which such a vaccine would be a cost‐effective alternative to the annual influenza vaccine.
The role of interleukin (IL)‐17 in anxiety and depression of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: LIU Yang , HO Roger Chun‐Man , MAK Anselm 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground:  Pro‐inflammatory cytokines are found to be elevated in patients with anxiety and depression but whether their serum levels are related to anxiety and depression is unknown. We used rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as an inflammatory disease model to explore such relationships.Methods:  Eighteen RA patients and 18 healthy controls matched for age and gender were assessed for the severity of anxiety and depression with the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Disease activity of RA and pain were assessed by the Disease Activity Scale (DAS‐2)8 and visual analogue scale of pain, respectively. Serum pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐17 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay. The differences in cytokine levels between RA patients and healthy controls, as well as within the RA group with and without anxiety and depression, were compared by using the Mann–Whitney U‐test. The correlations between anxiety, depression and pro‐inflammatory cytokines were explored by Spearman’s rank correlation. Multiple linear regression was used to adjust for DAS‐28 and pain.Results:  Serum TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐17 levels were significantly higher in RA patients than those of healthy subjects (P < 0.001, P = 0.012 and P = 0.016, respectively). Within the RA group, serum IL‐17 level was significantly higher in those with anxiety than those without (P = 0.044). Additionally, IL‐17 level was positively correlated with the severity of anxiety, even after adjustment for DAS‐28 and pain.Conclusion:  Serum IL‐17 was elevated in RA patients, especially in those with anxiety. In addition, IL‐17 level was independently associated with higher anxiety score.
Biogenic vs. geologic carbon emissions and forest biomass energy production
Authors: Gunn John S. , Ganz David J. , Keeton William S. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn the current debate over theCO2emissions implications of switching from fossil fuel energy sources to include a substantial amount of woody biomass energy, many scientists and policy makers hold the view that emissions from the two sources should not be equated. Their rationale is that the combustion or decay of woody biomass is simply part of the global cycle of biogenic carbon and does not increase the amount of carbon in circulation. This view is frequently presented as justification to implement policies that encourage the substitution of fossil fuel energy sources with biomass. We present the opinion that this is an inappropriate conceptual basis to assess the atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting of woody biomass energy generation. While there are many other environmental, social, and economic reasons to move to woody biomass energy, we argue that the inferred benefits of biogenic emissions over fossil fuel emissions should be reconsidered.
Therapeutic approach for type 1 diabetes mellitus using the novel immunomodulator FTY720 (fingolimod) in combination with once‐daily injection of insulin glargine in non‐obese diabetic mice
Authors: Tsuji Takumi , Inoue Mariko , Yoshida Yuya , Fujita Tetsuro , Kaino Yukikazu , Kohno Takeyuki 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAims/Introduction:  The therapeutic effectiveness against type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) of the novel immunomodulator FTY720 (fingolimod), alone and in combination with insulin glargine, was examined in the non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model.Materials and Methods:  Female NOD mice that had developed DM spontaneously were divided into four groups: (i) an FTY720 (0.1 mg/kg, p.o., twice weekly)‐treated group; (ii) an insulin glargine (1.0 IU, s.c., once daily)‐treated group; (iii) a combination FTY720 + insulin glargine (0.1–1.0 IU, s.c., once daily)‐treated group; and (iv) a placebo (vehicle)‐treated group. Treatment was initiated at the time of onset of DM and continued for 70 days or until death. The therapeutic efficacy of FTY720, insulin glargine and FTY720 + insulin glargine was evaluated by measuring the ratio of insulin‐positive β‐cells/total islet area, the extent of islet inflammation (insulitis score), blood glucose levels, and serum C‐peptide levels.Results:  Therapeutic administration of FTY720 to NOD mice with hyperglycemia (i.e. overt DM) significantly prolonged survival (P < 0.05 vs placebo). In the placebo group, all mice died within 63 days on the onset of DM; in contrast, 45% of FTY720‐treated mice survived during the observation period (up to 70 days after the onset of DM). Therapeutic administration of FTY720 in combination with insulin glargine to NOD mice with hyperglycemia further improved survival (P < 0.05) compared with either FTY720 or insulin glargine alone (i.e. 85% of FTY720 + insulin glargine‐treated mice survived to the end of the observation period). The efficacy of FTY720 in combination with insulin glargine was confirmed by histochemical, immunohistochemical and endocrinologic observations.Conclusions:  Combination therapy with FTY720 plus insulin glargine is a promising candidate for the treatment of DM and may allow for a reduction in the frequency of insulin self‐injections. (J Diabetes Invest, doi:10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00160.x, 2011)
Association between insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome risk factors in Japanese
Authors: Yamada Chizumi , Moriyama Kengo , Takahashi Eiko 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAims/Introduction:  It is important to identify individuals at risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), namely those with insulin resistance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to find anthropometric and metabolic parameters that can better predict insulin resistance.Subjects and Methods:  We selected 3899 individuals (2058 men and 1841 women), excluding those with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥126 mg/dL, on medication for hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes, and those with a history of advanced macrovascular disease. Using multivariate analyses, we selected components for obesity, lipids, and blood pressure based on the strength of their association with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR).Results:  In multiple linear regression analysis, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triglycerides (TG), high‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL‐C), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were selected in men and women, and the effect of BMI on HOMA‐IR outweighed that of WC. In multiple logistic regression analysis, BMI, TG, and SBP were significantly associated with HOMA‐IR ≥2.5 in both genders, but WC and HDL‐C were only selected in men. Combinations of BMI, TG, SBP, and FPG showed higher HOMA‐IR values than those of the existing MetS components, considered useful for the identification of individual with higher insulin resistance.Conclusions:  Body mass index, TG and SBP were selected as components significantly related to insulin resistance. The selected components were fundamentally adherent to the existing MetS criteria, the only difference being the measure of obesity, in which a stronger association with insulin resistance was observed for BMI than WC. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00162.x, 2011)
Musculoskeletal disease and injury, now and in the future. Part 1: Fractures and fatalities
Authors: CLEGG P. D. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryOrthopaedic injury is common in the racing Thoroughbred and is a cause of both economic loss to the industry, as well as being an obvious welfare issue. Fatal injuries sustained during racing are an obvious major concern and it is important that all is done to reduce their frequency. As a consequence of the importance of these causes of horse morbidity and mortality, the Horserace Betting Levy Board in the UK has invested considerable resources into research in recent years in this area in an attempt to decrease the frequency of such injuries. This review summarises current knowledge relating to epidemiological investigations relating to fractures, falling and fatalities in the racing Thoroughbred. Studies identify the importance of track surface conditions, the importance of pre‐existing orthopaedic pathology, as well as issues relating to the horse's past training and racing experience as important determinants of both injury and death. Such findings can now be used to develop interventions to reduce racehorse injury and death for the benefit of both the industry and the horse.