bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of almond-enriched high-monounsaturated fat diet on selected markers of inflammation: a randomised, controlled, crossover study
Authors: Rajaram Sujatha , Connell Kristianne M. , Sabaté Joan 
Published: October 2009

Frequent consumption of nuts lowers the risk of CHD. While lowering blood lipids is one of the mechanisms for cardioprotection, the present study sought to determine whether monounsaturated fat-rich almonds also influence other CHD risk factors such as inflammation and haemostasis. This was a randomised, controlled, crossover feeding study with twenty-five healthy adults (eleven men; fourteen women), age 22–53 years. Following a 2 week run-in phase (34 % energy from fat), subjects were assigned in random order to three diets for 4 weeks each: a heart-healthy control diet with no nuts ( < 30 % energy from fat), low-almond diet and high-almond diet (10 % or 20 % isoenergetic replacement of control diet with almonds, respectively). SerumE-selectin was significantly lower on the high-almond diet compared with the control diet.E-selectin decreased as the percentage of energy from almonds increased (P < 0·0001). C-reactive protein (CRP) was lower in both the almond diets compared with the control diet. A clear dose response was not observed for eitherE-selectin or CRP. There was no effect of diet on IL-6 or fibrinogen. Tissue plasminogen activator antigen was significantly lower on the control and high-almond diets compared with the low-almond diet, although the values were within normal range. In conclusion, consumption of almonds influenced a few but not all of the markers of inflammation and haemostasis. A clear dose response was not observed for any of the markers studied.
Bacterial communities of disease vectors sampled across time, space, and species
Authors: Jones Ryan T , Knight Rob , Martin Andrew P 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
A common strategy of pathogenic bacteria is to form close associations with parasitic insects that feed on animals and to use these insects as vectors for their own transmission. Pathogens interact closely with other coexisting bacteria within the insect, and interactions between co-occurring bacteria may influence the vector competency of the parasite. Interactions between particular lineages can be explored through measures of α-diversity. Furthermore, general patterns of bacterial community assembly can be explored through measures of β-diversity. Here, we use pyrosequencing (n=115 924 16S rRNA gene sequences) to describe the bacterial communities of 230 prairie dog fleas sampled across space and time. We use these communinty characterizations to assess interactions between dominant community members and to explore general patterns of bacterial community assembly in fleas. An analysis of co-occurrence patterns suggests non-neutral negative interactions between dominant community members (P&lt;0.001). Furthermore, bacterial communities of fleas shift dramatically across years (phylotype-based: R=0.829, P&lt;0.001; phylogenetic-based: R=0.612–0.753, P&lt;0.001), but they also significantly differ across space (phylotype-based: R=0.418, P&lt;0.001; phylogenetic-based: R=0.290–0.328, P&lt;0.001) and between flea species (phylotype-based: R=0.160, P=0.011; phylogenetic-based: not significant). Collectively, our results show that flea-associated bacterial communities are not random assemblages; rather, an individual flea's bacterial community is governed by interactions between bacterial lineages and by the flea's place in space and time.
Home advantage in football in South‐West Europe: Long‐term trends, regional variation, and team differences
Authors: Pollard Richard , Gómez Miguel A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe examined the trends in home advantage in the professional football leagues of France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal since the start of each league more than 70 years ago. A total of 81,185 games were included, involving 244 different teams. Home advantage was quantified each season for each country as the number of points gained at home expressed as a percentage of all points gained at home and away. Home advantage was generally high in the early years of each league, especially in Spain and Italy (over 70%). There were then considerable fluctuations up to the late 1970s. During this time, home advantage was consistently highest in Spain, which could be explained by greater regional autonomy and more distinct local cultural identity. Since then there has been a major decline in all the countries, especially since the late 1990s. Each country has experienced its lowest ever level (60% or less) during the last four seasons. Possible explanations for this include the effects of changes that have taken place in the rules of football, such as greater use of substitutes and a series of new laws intended to discourage defensive play. In addition, free agency coupled with the rapid commercial development of football has weakened the relationship between players and their home city and fans. There were significant differences between teams within France, Italy, and Portugal (all P < 0.001) but not Spain (P = 0.145). Home advantage was higher for teams from the islands of Corsica and Sicily (P < 0. 001) and to a lesser extent Sardinia (P = 0.095). It was lower in teams that play in the four capital cities and also in Milan, whose two teams share the same stadium. This is consistent with the belief that the territorial feelings fostered in isolated, culturally distinct communities can lead to increased home advantage, while the reverse is the case in large cosmopolitan urban areas.
Golf‐related injuries: A systematic review
Authors: Cabri Jan , Sousa João Paulo , Kots Magdalena , Barreiros João 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA review was undertaken to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in golf and to stimulate the discussion on possible injury mechanisms. The main conclusion of most published studies is that although professional and amateur golfers show a similar anatomical distribution of injuries by body segment, differences tend to be seen in the ranking of injury occurrence by anatomical site. This could be due to many things, including the player's handicap, age, golf swing biomechanics, and training or playing habits. The impact of golf injuries deserves special attention due to the interaction of the nature of the injury, practice routines, amount of practice, handicap, and frequency of activity. Individual differences and clinical and coaching procedures deserve investigation. Other epidemiological information should be regarded as insufficient with respect to a full understanding of injury mechanisms, which can give us a better insight into the evolutionary nature of the injury. Also, a better understanding of golf swing mechanisms and individual neuromuscular aspects can help explain why some individuals are more injury‐prone than others.
Sodium lactate infusion during a cycling time‐trial does not increase lactate concentration or decrease performance
Authors: Ellis Darren , Simmons Catherine , Miller Benjamin F. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine whether an exogenous sodium lactate infusion increases blood lactate concentration and decreases performance during a 20‐km time‐trial. Highly trained male cyclists performed a 20‐km time‐trial with a saline (control) or sodium lactate infusion. Sodium lactate was infused at rates previously observed to raise blood lactate concentration by 2 mmol·l−1 in trained individuals cycling at 65% of maximum oxygen uptake. Blood lactate concentration increased (P≤0.0001) during both the control and sodium lactate trials compared with rest, with peak values of 9.6 and 10.6 mmol·l−1, respectively. The increase in sodium lactate over time was not significantly different from the control (P=0.34). Time to complete the time‐trial and average power for the time‐trial were not significantly different between the control (25.72±0.80 min; 348.0±32.4 W) and sodium lactate trials (25.58±0.93 min; 352.6±39.3 W). In addition, rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, and respiratory parameters did not differ between trials. In conclusion, when exogenous lactate is infused during a 20‐km cycling time‐trial, an exercise bout performed above the maximal lactate steady state, blood lactate concentration did not increase. Furthermore, exogenous lactate infusion did not decrease exercise performance, increase perceived exertion, or change respiratory parameters. Because lactate per se did not change performance outcomes or measured perceived exertion, we suggest that alternative objective measures of exercise intensity and performance be explored.
Is taking part in clinical trials good for your health? A cohort study
Authors: Clark Andrew L. , Lammiman Michael J. , Goode Kevin , Cleland John G.F. 
Published: October 2009

AimsThe prognosis of patients included in clinical trials is often better than might be anticipated from epidemiological data. Patients volunteering to take part in a study might be unrepresentative of the potential treatment population or the trial itself may confer benefit by offering closer supervision.Methods and resultsA total of 2332 consecutive patients (average ± SD age 70.1 ± 10.8; 26% female) who presented to a community heart failure clinic were diagnosed as having heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. All patients were asked whether they would be prepared to take part in clinical research projects at their initial visit. During a median follow‐up in survivors of 55.7 months (interquartile range 30.4–74.3), 792 (34%) patients died. Agreeing to take part in clinical trials strongly predicted a good outcome (approximately halving the risk of death). In multivariate modelling, willingness to take part [hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) 0.33 (0.26–0.40)] was a predictor of good outcome independent of age, severity of left ventricular dysfunction, renal function, sodium levels, drug use, and comorbidities. In a subset in whom N‐terminal pro‐B type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) was available (n = 1256), agreeing to take part in trials remained an independent predictor of survival with log [NT‐proBNP].ConclusionThose patients with chronic heart failure who express a willingness to take part in a clinical trial, appear to have a better prognosis than those who do not.
Transplantation with survivin‐engineered mesenchymal stem cells results in better prognosis in a rat model of myocardial infarction
Authors: Fan Lin , Lin Chaogui , Zhuo Shuangmu , Chen Lianglong , Liu Nan , Luo Yukun , Fang Jun , Huang Zhengrong , Lin Yunling , Chen Jianxin 
Published: October 2009

AimsTo investigate the effect of survivin (SVV)‐engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on post‐infarction cardiac performance and remodelling in rats.Methods and resultsMesenchymal stem cells from male Sprague–Dawley rat bone marrow were infected with the self‐inactive lentiviral vector GFP‐wre‐CMV/LTR and Flap‐Ubiqutin promoter (GCFU) carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene and SVV recombinant vector (GCFU‐SVV). In vitro, modification with SVV increased the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by 1.28‐fold under hypoxic conditions. In vivo, after permanent left anterior descending artery occlusion, rats were randomized (n = 18 per group) to receive intra‐myocardial injections of 100 µL of phosphate‐buffered saline without cells (group vehicle) or containing 2 million MSCGFP (group MSCGFP) or MSCSVV (group MSCSVV) cells. Cellular survival assessed by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction for GFP in the MSCSVV group was 2.5‐fold higher at 7 days and 4.3‐fold higher at 28 days after transplantation than in the MSCGFP group. When compared with transplantation with MSCGFP, transplantation with MSCSVV further upregulated VEGF expression at 7 and 28 days after myocardial infarction (MI), increased capillary density by 38%, reduced the infarct size by 12.7%, significantly inhibited collagen deposition, and further improved cardiac function at 28 days after MI.ConclusionTransplantation with SVV‐engineered MSCs by lentiviral vector leads to better prognosis for MI by enhancing cellular survival.
Measurements of acoustic scattering from zooplankton and oceanic microstructure using a broadband echosounder
Authors: Lavery Andone C. , Chu Dezhang , Moum James N. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Lavery, A. C., Chu, D., and Moum, J. N. 2010. Measurements of acoustic scattering from zooplankton and oceanic microstructure using a broadband echosounder. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 379–394. In principle, measurements of high-frequency acoustic scattering from oceanic microstructure and zooplankton across a broad range of frequencies can reduce the ambiguities typically associated with the interpretation of acoustic scattering at a single frequency or a limited number of discrete narrowband frequencies. With this motivation, a high-frequency broadband scattering system has been developed for investigating zooplankton and microstructure, involving custom modifications of a commercially available system, with almost complete acoustic coverage spanning the frequency range 150–600 kHz. This frequency range spans the Rayleigh-to-geometric scattering transition for some zooplankton, as well as the diffusive roll-off in the spectrum for scattering from turbulent temperature microstructure. The system has been used to measure scattering from zooplankton and microstructure in regions of non-linear internal waves. The broadband capabilities of the system provide a continuous frequency response of the scattering over a wide frequency band, and improved range resolution and signal-to-noise ratios through pulse-compression signal-processing techniques. System specifications and calibration procedures are outlined and the system performance is assessed. The results point to the utility of high-frequency broadband scattering techniques in the detection, classification, and under certain circumstances, quantification of zooplankton and microstructure.
Epifauna associated with an introduced crab in the Barents Sea: a 5-year study
Authors: Dvoretsky Alexander G. , Dvoretsky Vladimir G. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Dvoretsky, A. G., and Dvoretsky, V. G. 2010. Epifauna associated with an introduced crab in the Barents Sea: a 5-year study. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 204–214. Species composition, prevalence, intensity, and spatial distribution of macro-invertebrates colonizing the invasive red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) in a typical bay of the Barents Sea, Dalnezelenetskaya Bay (depths 5–40 m), and adjacent deeper water (120–180 m) were examined in the summers of 2004–2008. In all, 43 associated species were found on the crabs. The most common epibionts were Mytilus edulis (Bivalvia), Obelia spp. (Hydrozoa), and Circeis armoricana (Polychaeta). Symbiotic species included Ischyrocerus commensalis and Ischyrocerus anguipes (Amphipoda), Harmothoe imbricata (Polychaeta), and Johanssonia arctica (Hirudinea). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of infestation between male and female crabs. The prevalence of most of the common species was greater in crabs with old shells than in crabs with new shells. Infestation levels of J. arctica were higher in deeper than in shallow water, and M. edulis was less abundant in deep water. All species found on the crabs appear to be native to the Barents Sea. However, I. commensalis amphipods were not found at the site examined before the introduction of the red king crab, indicating that their distribution may have changed after association with this host species. Introduced hosts may well influence the distribution of rare native species.
Efficacy of 308‐nm excimer light for Japanese patients with psoriasis
Authors: NIWA Yusuke , HASEGAWA Toshio , KO Subin , OKUYAMA Yasuhiro , OHTSUKI Akiko , TAKAGI Atsushi , IKEDA Shigaku 
Published: October 2009

AbstractUltraviolet irradiation therapy, including psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy and narrow‐band ultraviolet B (310–312 nm) therapy, is a widely used and highly efficient treatment modality for psoriasis. Therapy with 308‐nm excimer light has been reported to be effective for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. To evaluate the efficacy of 308‐nm excimer light therapy for Japanese psoriasis patients, seven patients (six men and one woman) with plaque‐type psoriasis were treated with 308‐nm excimer light at 7–14‐day intervals. The Psoriasis Severity Index (PSI) was calculated for individual plaques in order to assess the effectiveness of the therapy. A 74.9% mean improvement in the PSI was observed after 10 treatment sessions. These results suggested that targeted irradiation with 308‐nm excimer light leads to rapid and selective improvement in plaque‐type psoriatic lesions without unnecessary radiation exposure to the surrounding unaffected skin.
Foundations and self‐tanning products: Do they provide any protection from the sun?
Authors: CHOQUENET Benjamin , COUTEAU Céline , PAPARIS Eva , COIFFARD Laurence J. M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAs soon as the weather turns sunny, everyone wants a tan. People with skin phototypes III and IV, called melanocompetent, have no problem meeting this fashion requirement. But things are quite different for people with phototypes I and II and so these individuals look for alternative solutions. In essence, light skin burns easily when exposed to the sun. Therefore, light‐skinned people are offered a cosmetic solution through self‐tanning products or foundations. It seemed interesting to us to evaluate the sun protection power of this type of product. To do this, we used an in vitro method to determine the typical indicators related to sunscreen products, such as sun protection factor (SPF), ultraviolet (UV)‐A protection factor (PF‐UVA), UV‐B/UV‐A ratio as well as the critical wavelength because these artificial tanning products could be considered sunscreen products by users. It is important to know whether a self‐tanning product and/or a foundation provide sun protection and whether they meet the standards set for other sunscreen products. Protection which is imbalanced for either UV‐B or UV‐A radiation is potentially harmful for users believing themselves adequately protected. To do this, we assembled the requisite conditions for forming melanoidins in the cosmetic itself. We tested seven amino acids found in the corneal cells of the epidermis. Regardless of the amino acid used, the corresponding SPF was essentially zero (approximately SPF 2). Foundations, on the other hand, proved to be much more interesting because they possess a non‐negligible SPF as well as good photostability making these products safe in terms of their mode of application (applied once daily).
Clinical trial: the safety and short‐term efficacy of recombinant cholera toxin B subunit in the treatment of active Crohn’s disease
Authors: STÅL P. , BEFRITS R. , RÖNNBLOM A. , DANIELSSON Å. , SUHR O. , STÅHLBERG D. , BRINKBERG LAPIDUS A. , LÖFBERG R. 
Published: October 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 387–395SummaryBackground  The cholera toxin B subunit ameliorates experimentally induced colitis in mice. In humans, cholera toxin B subunit has never been tested in the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD).Aim  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit of patients with CD.Methods  An open‐label, multicentre, nonrandomized trial including 15 patients with mild/moderate CD. Patients received an oral solution of 5 mg recombinant cholera toxin B subunit three times weekly for 2 weeks. Reduction in CD Activity Index (CDAI) with >100 between baseline and days 15, 29, 42 and 70 defined clinical response. Patients with CDAI score ≤150 were defined as being in remission.Results  A significant decrease in CDAI score was observed. Response rates were 40% in the full analysis set and 42% in the per protocol analysis. Two patients receiving adjuvant treatment after day 29 were excluded, after which 40% were in remission at 4 weeks and 30% at 8 weeks post‐treatment. Mild side effects (arthralgia, headache and pruritus) were seen in 33% of patients.Conclusions  Treatment with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit was safe. Approximately 40% of patients with active CD responded to treatment. Randomized studies are needed to establish the clinical efficacy of recombinant cholera toxin B subunit.
Autoimmune liver diseases in a paediatric population with coeliac disease – a 10‐year single‐centre experience
Authors: DI BIASE A. R. , COLECCHIA A. , SCAIOLI E. , BERRI R. , VIOLA L. , VESTITO A. , BALLI F. , FESTI D. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryBackgroud  Coeliac disease (CD) can be associated with liver disease. Gluten‐free diet (GFD) normalizes cryptogenic forms, but most likely not autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). For this condition, immunosuppressants represent the treatment. However, when these are stopped, AIH generally relapses.Aim  To determine in CD children liver test abnormality frequency, the effect of GFD alone, or plus prolonged immunosuppressants on AIH course.Methods  Coeliac disease patients with abnormal transaminases were selected; if transaminases <5 × UNL (upper normal limits), GFD alone was administered; if >5 × UNL, liver examinations and biopsy were performed. In AIH, immunosuppressants were administered (5 years). Treatment was stopped only if patients remained in remission during the entire maintenance period and normalized liver histology.Results  A total of 140 out of 350 CD children had hypertransaminaemia: 133 cryptogenic disease, 7 AIH. GFD normalized only cryptogenic hepatitis. During treatment, all AIH persistently normalized clinical and biochemical parameters; after withdrawal, six patients maintained a sustained remission (follow‐up range: 12–63 months), while one relapsed.Conclusions  In CD children with AIH, only GFD plus immunosuppressants determines a high remission rate. When clinical remission is reached, a prolonged immunosuppressive regimen induces a high sustained remission rate after treatment withdrawal, indicating that this regimen may prevent early relapse. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 253–260
Laboratory correlates for a phase II trial of romidepsin in cutaneous and peripheral T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Bates Susan E. , Zhan Zhirong , Steadman Kenneth , Obrzut Tomasz , Luchenko Victoria , Frye Robin , Robey Robert W. , Turner Maria , Gardner Erin R. , Figg William D. , Steinberg Seth M. , Ling Alex , Fojo Tito , To Kin Wah , Piekarz Richard L. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryRomidepsin has shown promise in the treatment of T‐cell lymphomas, and so we evaluated molecular endpoints gathered from 61 patients enrolled on a phase II trial of romidepsin in cutaneous and peripheral T‐cell lymphoma at the National Institutes of Health. The endpoints included histone H3 acetylation andABCB1gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs);ABCB1gene expression in tumour biopsy samples; and blood fetal haemoglobin levels (HbF), all of which were increased following romidepsin treatment. The fold increase in histone acetylation in PBMCs at 24 h was weakly to moderately well correlated with the pharmacokinetic parametersCmaxand area under the curve (AUC)last(ρ = 0·37,P = 0·03 and ρ = 0·36,P = 0·03 respectively) and inversely associated with clearance (ρ = −0·44;P = 0·03). Histone acetylation in PBMCs at 24 h was associated with response (P = 0·026) as was the increase in fetal haemoglobin (P = 0·014); this latter association may be due to the longer on‐study duration for patients with disease response. Together, these results suggest that pharmacokinetics may be an important determinant of response to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) – the association with histone acetylation in PBMCs at 24 h is consistent with a hypothesis that potent HDIs are needed for a critical threshold of drug exposure and durable activity.