bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mixtures of endocrine disrupting contaminants modelled on human high end exposures: an exploratory study in rats
Authors: Christiansen S. , Kortenkamp A. , Axelstad M. , Boberg J. , Scholze M. , Jacobsen P. R. , Faust M. , Lichtensteiger W. , Schlumpf M. , Burdorf A. , Hass U. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBy diminishing the action of androgens during gestation, certain chemicals can induce irreversible demasculinization and malformations of sex organs in the male rat after gestational exposure. Studies with mixtures of such anti‐androgens have shown that substantial combined effects occur even though each individual chemical is present at low, ineffective doses, but the effects of mixtures modelled based on human intakes have not previously been investigated. To address this issue for the first time, we selected 13 chemicals for a developmental mixture toxicity study in rats where data about in vivo endocrine disrupting effects and information about human exposures was available, including phthalates, pesticides, UV‐filters, bisphenol A, parabens and the drug paracetamol. The mixture ratio was chosen to reflect high end human intakes. To make decisions about the dose levels for studies in the rat, we employed the point of departure index (PODI) approach, which sums up ratios between estimated exposure levels and no‐observed‐adverse‐effect‐level (NOAEL) values of individual substances. For high end human exposures to the 13 selected chemicals, we calculated a PODI of 0.016. As only a PODI exceeding 1 is expected to lead to effects in the rat, a total dose more than 62 times higher than human exposures should lead to responses. Considering the high uncertainty of this estimate, experience on lowest‐observed‐adverse‐effect‐level (LOAEL)/NOAEL ratios and statistical power of rat studies, we expected that combined doses 150 times higher than high end human intake estimates should give no, or only borderline effects, whereas doses 450 times higher should produce significant responses. Experiments indeed showed clear developmental toxicity of the 450‐fold dose in terms of increased nipple retention (NR) and reduced ventral prostate weight. The 150‐fold dose group exhibited significantly increased NR. These observations suggest that highly exposed population groups, especially women of reproductive age, may not be protected sufficiently against the combined effects of chemicals that affect the hormonal milieu required for normal male sexual differentiation.
Biomarkers of endocrine disruption: cluster analysis of effects of plasticisers on Phase 1 and Phase 2 metabolism of steroids
Authors: Waring R. H. , Ramsden D. B. , Jarratt P. D. B. , Harris R. M. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryAlthough some endocrine disruptors (EDs) act at steroid receptors, it is now apparent that compounds may have ED potential if they alter steroid synthesis or metabolism, particularly if they affect Phase 1 or Phase 2 pathways. In the ENDOMET project (EU‐funded 5th Framework programme), 23 different assays were used on a wide range of EDs. Cluster analysis of the matrix results enabled identification of four integrated test systems that can be used to pinpoint compounds that are able to alter steroid metabolism or function. Critical pathways were shown to include oestrogen synthesis and sulphonation, synthesis of sulphate/PAPS and thyroid hormone regulation so that the activity profiles of some Phase 1 and Phase 2 reactions can be used as biomarkers for detection of compounds with ED potential.
Carers' perspectives of a weight loss intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity: a qualitative study
Authors: Spanos D. , Hankey C. R. , Boyle S. , Koshy P. , Macmillan S. , Matthews L. , Miller S. , Penpraze V. , Pert C. , Robinson N. , Melville C. A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  To date, no studies have explored the role of carers in supporting adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and obesity during a weight loss intervention. The present study explored perceptions of carers supporting adults with ID, as they participated in a 6‐month multi‐component weight loss intervention (TAKE 5).Methods  Semi‐structured interviews were used to explore the experiences of 24 carers. The transcripts were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis.Results  Three themes emerged from the analysis: carers' perceptions of participants' health; barriers and facilitators to weight loss; and carers' perceptions of the weight loss intervention. Data analysis showed similarities between the experiences reported by the carers who supported participants who lost weight and participants who did not. Lack of sufficient support from people from the internal and external environment of individuals with ID and poor communication among carers, were identified as being barriers to change. The need for accessible resources tailored to aid weight loss among adults with ID was also highlighted.Conclusion  This study identified specific facilitators and barriers experienced by carers during the process of supporting obese adults with ID to lose weight. Future research could utilise these findings to inform appropriate and effective weight management interventions for individuals with ID.
Reduction of errors during practice facilitates fundamental movement skill learning in children with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Capio C. M. , Poolton J. M. , Sit C. H. P. , Eguia K. F. , Masters R. S. W. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) have been found to have inferior motor proficiencies in fundamental movement skills (FMS). This study examined the effects of training the FMS of overhand throwing by manipulating the amount of practice errors.Methods  Participants included 39 children with ID aged 4–11 years who were allocated into either an error‐reduced (ER) training programme or a more typical programme in which errors were frequent (error‐strewn, ES). Throwing movement form, throwing accuracy, and throwing frequency during free play were evaluated.Results  The ER programme improved movement form, and increased throwing activity during free play to a greater extent than the ES programme. Furthermore, ER learners were found to be capable of engaging in a secondary cognitive task while manifesting robust throwing accuracy performance.Conclusions  The findings support the use of movement skills training programmes that constrain practice errors in children with ID, suggesting that such approach results in improved performance and heightened movement engagement in free play.
Can persistent organic pollutants and plastic‐associated chemicals cause cardiovascular disease?
Authors: Lind L. , Lind P. M. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract.  Lind L, Lind PM (Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden). Can persistent organic pollutants and plastic‐associated chemicals cause cardiovascular disease? (Review). J Intern Med 2012; 271: 537–553.During the last decade, associations between persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins and pesticides, and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and overt CV disease (CVD) have been reported in humans. Recently, associations between plastic‐associated chemicals (PACs), such as bisphenol A and phthalates, and CVD have also begun to emerge. Several approaches to evaluating such associations have been used: accidents with a high level of exposure, occupational exposure studies, geographical studies of subjects living near a contaminated area and traditional case–control or cohort studies with measurements of circulating levels of different environmental contaminants in the general population. Exposure to POPs has consistently been associated with diabetes using all the approaches described above, including prospective studies. The evidence regarding associations between exposure to POPs and other CV risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity and lipids, is less strong and is mainly based on cross‐sectional data. Associations between overt CVD and POPs have been reported using all the above approaches, but prospective data from population‐based studies are still lacking to provide firm evidence of an important and independent role of POP exposure in the pathogenesis of CVD. Nevertheless, taken together, current evidence suggests that further longitudinal and experimental studies should be conducted to investigate the effect of exposure to both POPs and PACs, such as bisphenol A and phthalates.
Bacillus thuringiensis protein transfer between rootstock and scion of grafted poplar
Authors: Wang L. , Yang M. , Akinnagbe A. , Liang H. , Wang J. , Ewald D. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry1Ac protein is a toxin against different leaf‐eating lepidopteran insects that attack poplar trees. In the present study, the mode of migration of the Bt‐Cry1Ac protein within poplar grafts was investigated. Grafting was done using Pb29 (transgenic poplar 741 with cry1Ac genes), CC71 (transgenic poplar 741 with cry3A genes), non‐transgenic poplar 741 and non‐transgenic Populus tomentosa, either as scion or as rootstock. In order to detect migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein from one portion of the graft union to different tissues in the grafted plant, ELISA analysis was employed to assess the content of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein in the phloem, xylem, pith and leaves of the grafted poplar. To further verify migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein, Clostera anachoreta larvae, which are susceptible to Bt‐Cry1Ac protein, were fed leaves from the control graft (i.e., graft portion that originally did not contain Bt‐Cry1Ac protein). The results showed that Bt‐Cry1Ac protein was transported between rootstock and scion mainly through the phloem. Migration of Bt‐Cry1Ac protein in the grafted union was also evidenced in that the leaves of the control graft did have a lethal effect on C. anachoreta larvae in laboratory feeding experiments.
Enzymatic characteristics of crude feruloyl and acetyl esterases of rumen fungus Neocallimastix sp. YAK11 isolated from yak (Bos grunniens)
Authors: Cao Y. C. , Yang H. J. , Zhang D. F. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryRumen fungus Neocallimastix sp. YAK11 was isolated from yak (Bos grunniens), and three consecutive 10‐day pure cultures were anaerobically performed at 39 °C in 20‐ml Hungate’s tubes to explore ferulic acid esterase (FAE) and acetyl esterase (AE) activity profiles of the fungus grown on whole hay fraction of Chinese wildrye grass (Leymus chinensis) (WHOcw, n = 4) and its neutral detergent fibre fraction (NDFcw, n = 4), respectively. An aliquot of 0.7‐ml culture was sampled daily using a sterile syringe, and 0.7‐ml fresh medium was immediately added to the tubes to compensate for the withdrawn samples. Peak esterase activity occurred for FAE on day 5 (p < 0.001) and for AE on day 6 (p < 0.001). The mean activities of FAE and AE in WHOcw were 2.07 and 1.29 times of those in NDFcw (p < 0.001). Both FAE and AE activities were positively correlated with xylanase (r > 0.65, p < 0.001) and carboxymethyl cellulase (r > 0.57, p < 0.001) activities. Total volatile fatty acid concentration was positively correlated with enzyme activities of AE (r > 0.87, p < 0.001), FAE (r > 0.82, p < 0.001) and xylanase (r > 0.56, p < 0.001). Crude enzyme solution was harvested for the fungus grown on WHOcw, and the pH optimum of FAE activity was 8.0 while the optimum for AE was 9.0. Both FAE and AE had a broad pH stability range. The optimal temperatures for FAE and AE activity were 40 and 50 °C. The Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) for FAE against methyl ferulate at pH 6.0 and 39 °C were 0.078 mm and 2.93 mU, respectively. The Km and Vmax for AE against p‐nitrophenyl acetate at pH 7.0 and 39 °C were 2.73 mm and 666.67 mU, respectively. Both FAE and AE may have prospective advantages for the enzymatic degradation of roughages in ruminant animals.
Review of the Pilbara Craton and Fortescue Basin, Western Australia: Crustal evolution providing environments for early life
Authors: HICKMAN ARTHUR HUGH 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe oldest part of the Pilbara Craton is 3.80–3.55 Ga crust. Between 3.53 and 3.22 Ga, mantle plume activity resulted in eight successive volcanic cycles forming the Pilbara Supergroup. Large volumes of granitic magma were intruded during the same period. By 3.22 Ga, a thick continental crust, the East Pilbara Terrane, had been established. Between 3.22 and 3.16 Ga, rifting of the East Pilbara Terrane separated off two additional terranes (Karratha and Kurrana), with intervening basins of oceanic crust. After 3.16 Ga, the three terranes began to converge, resulting in both obduction of oceanic crust (Regal Terrane) and, in another area, subduction to form a 3.13 Ga island arc (Sholl Terrane). At 3.07 Ga, the Karratha, Regal, and Sholl Terranes collided to form the West Pilbara Superterrane, and this collided with the East Pilbara Terrane. The 3.05–2.93 Ga De Grey Superbasin was deposited as a succession of basins: Gorge Creek, Whim Creek, Mallina, and Mosquito Creek. Eventual closure of the basins, between 2.94 and 2.93 Ga, formed two separate orogenic belts on either side of the East Pilbara Terrane. Post‐orogenic granites were intruded between 2.89 and 2.83 Ga. The 2.78–2.63 Ga Fortescue Basin developed in four stages: (i) rifting of the Pilbara Craton; (ii) folding and erosion; (iii) large igneous province (LIP) volcanism; and (iv) marine sedimentation on a passive margin. A review of all known evidence for early life in the Pilbara Craton is provided. In hydrothermal settings, most of the evidence occurs as filamentous and spheroidal microfossils, organic carbon, microbial mats, and rare stromatolites. By contrast, shallow‐water marine sedimentary rocks contain a diverse range of stromatolites, and microbial mats. Lacustrine and shallow‐water marine carbonate rocks in the Fortescue Basin contain abundant and morphologically diverse stromatolites, widespread microbial mats, and organic carbon.
Analysing decadal land use/cover dynamics of the Lake Basaka catchment (Main Ethiopian Rift) using LANDSAT imagery and GIS
Authors: Dinka Megersa Olumana 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDevelopment of accurate classification methods for rapidly changing catchments like that of Lake Basaka is fundamental to better understanding the catchment dynamics, which were not addressed in previous studies. Thus, the aim of this study was to map the decadal land use/cover (LUC) regimes of the Lake Basaka catchment, utilizing time series of LANDSAT images and to analyse the changes that occurred at different time periods. Both unsupervised and supervised image classification systems were utilized in Earth Resources Data Analysis System (ERDAS) Imagine (9.1). Appropriate pre‐ and postprocessing also was utilized. Seven major LUC classes were identified in the final land cover maps produced after the supervised (maximum likelihood) classification exercise. The analysis results indicated the Lake Basaka catchment had experienced a drastic change in its LUC conditions over the last 4–5 decades because of rapid increases in human settlement, deforestation, establishment of irrigation schemes and Awash National Park (ANP). Approximately 18 924 ha of forest and 4730 ha of grazing lands were devastated between 1973 and 2008. At the same time, there was a shift in land cover from forests/woodlands to open woodlands, shrub and grazing lands. The land cover classifications generally were achieved at a very high overall accuracy (84.34%) and overall kappa statistics (0.802), substantiating the value of using the classified LUC in this study as an input to hydrological models. This study results provide an opportunity to better understand and quantify the hydrological response regimes of the lake catchment from the perspective of changing LUC conditions during different hydrological periods and the resulting dynamics of the lake water balance.
Biological monitoring and pollution assessment of the Mukuvisi River, Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Regina Ndebele‐Murisa Mzime 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe ecological health and biodiversity of the Mukuvisi River system were investigated during this brief study to assess the functioning of the natural river system, utilizing biological monitoring. The study covered a period of 5 weeks from 15 September to 12 October 2005, during which a weekly sampling routine was conducted, and the effects of pollution on the river were investigated. The pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, temperature and electrical conductivity, as well as the two major nutrients in the water (phosphorus; nitrogen) were measured at four sites along the Mukuvisi River. Macroinvertebrate species also were identified and enumerated at each site, using the South African Scoring System version 4 (SASS4) to assess the biological diversity and to evaluate pollution levels at each site. Site 2 was the most polluted, while site 4 was the cleanest site. It was concluded that, although the river receives pollutants along its course, it also has a self‐purification capacity that can be enhanced by remedial measures against pollution. Possible remedial actions are discussed as recommendations in this study.
Access to anticancer drugs: many evidence‐based treatments are off‐label and unfunded by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Authors: Mellor J. D. , Van Koeverden P. , Yip S. W. K. , Thakerar A. , Kirsa S. W. , Michael M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe off‐label use of a drug refers to a use outside the terms of its approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It is also possible to prescribe unlicensed drugs under the TGA's special access scheme. A high rate of off‐label prescribing has previously been reported in cancer. Our study aimed to document the disparity between evidence‐based clinical guidelines for anticancer therapy, product approval and funding status of these agents within an academic tertiary/quaternary cancer centre.MethodsAll chemotherapy protocols approved for use in our specialist oncology centre were assessed to determine if the drugs were off‐label or unlicensed for that indication based on review of their current product information. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) funding status for each protocol was subsequently assessed.ResultsA total of 448 protocols containing 82 different drugs across 15 tumour groups was identified. Overall, 189 (42.2%) of protocols were off‐label, and three (0.7%) were unlicensed. This resulted in all 192 protocols being unfunded by the PBS. Of the 189 off‐label protocols, 132 (69.9%) were based on established evidence‐based treatment guidelines, and a further 39 (20.6%) was based on phase II or III clinical trial data.ConclusionOver 90% of off‐label protocols are supported by established treatment guidelines or published peer‐reviewed research even though the medications are not approved for that particular use by the TGA. However, these off‐label protocols are unfunded by the PBS; this results in a marked inequality of access to appropriate medications for cancer patients across Australia.
Sleep, blood pressure and obesity in 22 389 New Zealanders
Authors: Wilsmore B. R. , Grunstein R. R. , Fransen M. , Woodward M. , Norton R. , Ameratunga S. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim:  To determine the relationship of sleep disorders with blood pressure and obesity in a large, relatively healthy, community‐based cohort.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was undertaken using data from 22 389 volunteer blood donors in New Zealand aged 16–84 years. Height, weight, neck circumference and blood pressure were measured directly, and data on sleep and other factors were ascertained using a validated self‐administered questionnaire.Results:  Even in a relatively young, non‐clinical cohort, lack of sleep (34%), snoring (33%), high blood pressure (20%) and obesity (19%) are common. After adjusting for relevant confounders, participants at high risk of sleep apnoea had double the odds of having high blood pressure but only in participants over 40 years. Very low and high quantities of sleep are also associated with high blood pressure. Even after controlling for neck circumference, self‐reported sleep apnoea, sleep dissatisfaction and low amounts of sleep are associated with a higher body mass index.Conclusions:  Obesity and hypertension have significant associations with a variety of sleep disorders, even in those less than 40 years of age and after adjusting for a wide range of potential confounders.
Rapid ambulatory pathway laser prostatectomy is safe: results within the global period
Authors: Jumper Cullen , Snyder Paul , Yap Ronald L. 
Published: February 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Laser prostatectomy is a commonly performed procedure for BOO, and has been shown to have short‐ and medium‐term results equivalent to the gold standard procedure (i.e. TURP) in various studies. It also has an advantage over TURP in that it can be performed on patients who are taking anticoagulant medication. However, patients in most studies are admitted to the hospital overnight on continuous bladder irrigation and are discharged home the next day.The present study shows that it is safe and feasible to perform laser prostatectomy in an ambulatory fashion with discharge of patients within hours of their surgery. The discharge pathway is associated with minimal morbidity or the need for admission after surgery, and the reported short‐term results are in accordance with the available literature on laser prostatectomy.OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility and safety of a rapid ambulatory discharge pathway after holmium laser ablation of the prostate (HoLAP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The study group comprised a cohort of 65 consecutive patients undergoing HoLAP scheduled as a day surgical case by a single surgeon between January 2007 and December 2009.
Patients were discharged from day surgery with a catheter in place, and returned for a voiding trial on postoperative day 3.
Preoperative, intra‐operative and postoperative parameters were reviewed with follow‐up data for the 90‐day global postoperative period.
Statistical analysis employed Student's t‐test with P < 0.05 (two‐tailed) being considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The mean (range) patient age was 64 (41–87) years; mean (range) American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.2 (1–4); mean (sd) operation duration was 44 (17) min; and mean (sd) time after surgery until discharge was 149 (51) min.
Postoperative complications included catheter occlusion (1.5%) and admission for haematuria (1.5%).
There were no re‐admissions after discharge from the hospital.
Within the 90‐day global period, 13 patients described lower urinary tract symptoms (20%), five patients had postoperative urinary retention (7.7%) and one patient had a urinary tract infection (1.5%).
After surgery, mean American Urological Association Symptom Score decreased from 21.3 to 7.6 (P < 0.001); mean quality of life score decreased from 4.04 to 1.38 (P < 0.001); and mean post‐void residual decreased from 190.2 to 46.4 mL (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
In appropriately selected patients, HoLAP can be safely performed as an ambulatory case with a rapid discharge pathway and minimal morbidity during the 90‐day global period.