bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validity, practical utility and reliability of Actigraph accelerometry for the measurement of habitual physical activity in dogs
Authors: Yam P. S. , Penpraze V. , Young D. , Todd M. S. , Cloney A. D. , Houston‐Callaghan K. A. , Reilly J. J. 
Published: January 2011

Objectives: To test the validity, practical utility, and reliability of the Actigraph GT3‐X accelerometer for measurement of habitual physical activity in pet dogs. Methods: In the validation study, 30 dogs wore the accelerometer for 1 day while being filmed. Accelerometer and film were synchronised and 10‐minute periods of the filmed records were extracted with dogs in continuous periods of sedentary behaviour, light intensity physical activity indoors, light to moderate intensity physical activity outdoors and vigorous physical activity outdoors. For the ‐practical utility and reliability studies, 20 dogs wore the GT3‐X accelerometers for 1 week: practical utility was quantified as data loss and was also assessed by owner questionnaire; reliability was ‐determined by 2 to 7 days of monitoring using the Spearman–Brown prophecy formula. Results: In the validation study, accelerometry output differed significantly between activity intensities (Friedman test, P<0·01). In the practical utility study, no data were lost from any dogs and dog ‐owners reported that accelerometry was well tolerated. Reliability of accelerometry output was high: for 3 days of wear, it was 91% [95% confidence interval (CI) 82 to 96] and for 7 days of wear, it was 94% (CI 88 to 97). Clinical Significance: The GT3‐X accelerometer is valid, practical and reliable for the measurement of habitual physical activity in dogs.
Clinical characteristics, management and long‐term outcome of suspected rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in 14 dogs
Authors: Schubert T. A. , Chidester R. M. , Chrisman C. L. 
Published: January 2011

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, management and long‐term outcome in dogs with suspected rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder. Method: Medical records and video recordings of 14 dogs with suspected rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder were reviewed and the owners were contacted via telephone or email for further information. Results: Clinical signs included episodes of violent limb movements, howling, barking, growling, chewing, or biting during sleep. Episodes occurred at night and during daytime naps. The age at onset ranged from 8 weeks to 7·5 years with a median of 6 years but 64% of dogs were one year or less. There was no apparent sex or breed predisposition. Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder events were reduced in severity and frequency in 78% of the dogs treated with 40 mg/kg/day oral potassium bromide. One dog was euthanised within 3 months of the onset of signs because of their severity. The duration of the disorder in the 13 surviving dogs ranged from 1·5 to 9 years. None of the dogs spontaneously recovered. Clinical Significance: Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder is suspected to occur in dogs, as it does in human beings. It causes concern to the owners and disrupts the home environment. Unlike human beings, rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder of dogs often has a juvenile onset.
Diseases in pet degus: a retrospective study in 300 animals
Authors: Jekl V. , Hauptman K. , Knotek Z. 
Published: January 2011

Introduction: Degus are commonly used as laboratory animals; however, over the past few years, they have become increasingly popular as pets. Objectives: The aim of this article was to present disease prevalence in 300 pet degus divided in two age groups (under and above two years). Methods: Medical records of degus (Octodon degus), which were presented to the author’s clinic in the period from January 2007 to December 2009, were reviewed. Results: The most common diseases in degus were (1) acquired dental disease (60·0%) with significantly higher prevalence in older animals (P<0.001), (2) skin alopecia due to fur chewing (13·33%) and (3) lens cataracts (13·33%). Other common disorders included traumatic injuries to soft tissues (bite wounds and tail slip), traumatic fractures and dietary diarrhoea. Reproductive disorders were most commonly associated with dystocia and pathological changes in the post‐natal period. Only 38 degus in a total of 300 animals were healthy. Clinical Significance: This is the first study to describe the disease prevalence in two age groups of pet degus. The majority of diseases were caused by improper diet, self‐mutilation and improper handling; as such client education is necessary to avoid such a high disease prevalence.
RNA interference (RNAi) of Ufd1 protein can sensitize a hydroxycamptothecin‐resistant colon cancer cell line SW1116/HCPT to hydroxycamptothecin
Authors: CHEN Xiang , RAN Zhi Hua , TONG Jin Lu , NIE Fang , ZHU Ming Ming , XU Xi Tao , XIAO Shu Dong 
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether RNA interference (RNAi) of the ubiquitin fusion‐degradation 1‐like protein (Ufd1) could sensitize hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT)‐resistant colon cancer cell line SW1116/HCPT to the cytotoxic effect of HCPT.METHODS: SW1116/HCPT cells were transfected with plasmids containing Ufd1‐specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) (Ufd1 knockdown cells) and non‐specific siRNA (control cells). A drug sensitivity analysis, 3‐(4,5)‐dimethylthiahiazol (‐z‐y1)‐3,5‐di‐ phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay was performed on Ufd1 knockdown cells and control cells. After treating the cells with HCPT, a caspase‐3 and caspase‐4 activity assay, flow cytometric analysis and Western blot for detecting phosphorylated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (p‐JNK), phosphorylated protein kinases B (p‐Akt), P53, ubiquitin, GADD 153 and Grp78/Bip were performed.RESULTS: According to the MTT assay, the survival rate of knockdown cells was significantly lower than that of the control cells (P < 0.01). Both caspase‐3 and caspase‐4 activity assay showed higher activation level in Ufd1 knockdown cells than that in the control cells (P < 0.01). A flow cytometric analysis revealed more severe S‐phase arrest in the Ufd1 knockdown cells than that in the control cells (P < 0.05). The Western blot showed that increasing the concentration of HCPT resulted in a higher expression level of p‐JNK, P53, ubiquitin, GADD 153 and Grp78/Bip in the Ufd1 knockdown cells than that in the control cells.CONCLUSION: Ufd1 plays a key role in HCPT resistance of SW1116/HCPT and RNAi of Ufd1 can sensitize SW1116/HCPT to the cytotoxic effect of HCPT via strengthening the activation of caspase‐3 pathway and disturbing endoplasmic reticulum functions.
Rapid Acquisition of Gigapascal-High-Pressure Resistance by Escherichia coli
Authors: Vanlint Dietrich , Mitchell Rachael , Bailey Edward , Meersman Filip , McMillan Paul F. , Michiels Chris W. , Aertsen Abram 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Pressure and temperature are important environmental variables that influence living systems. However, while they vary over a considerable range on Earth and other planets, it has hardly been addressed how straightforwardly and to what extent cellular life can acquire resistance to extremes of these parameters within a defined genomic context and a limited number of generations. Nevertheless, this is a very pertinent question with respect to the penetration of life in allegedly inhospitable environments. In this study, directed evolution was used to reveal the potential of the nonsporulating and mesophilic model bacterium
Escherichia coli
to develop the ability to survive exposure to high temperature or pressure. While heat resistance could only marginally be increased, our data show that piezoresistance could readily and reproducibly be extended into the GPa range, thereby greatly exceeding the currently recognized maximum for growth or survival.

IMPORTANCE
While extremophilic microorganisms generally serve as the reference for microbial survival capacities in inhospitable environments, we set out to examine how readily a mesophilic model bacterium such as
Escherichia coli
could build up resistance to extremes of temperature or pressure within a very short evolutionary time scale. Both heat and high pressure constitute ecologically important physical stresses that are able to irrevocably penetrate the entire cell. Our results for the first time establish that cellular life can acquire resistance to pressures extending into the GPa range.
Small RNAs in the GenusClostridium
Authors: Chen Yili , Indurthi Dinesh C. , Jones Shawn W. , Papoutsakis Eleftherios T. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTThe genusClostridiumincludes major human pathogens and species important to cellulose degradation, the carbon cycle, and biotechnology. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are emerging as crucial regulatory molecules in all organisms, but they have not been investigated in clostridia. Research on sRNAs in clostridia is hindered by the absence of a systematic method to identify sRNA candidates, thus delegating clostridial sRNA research to a hit-and-miss process. Thus, we wanted to develop a method to identify potential sRNAs in theClostridiumgenus to open up the field of sRNA research in clostridia. Using comparative genomics analyses combined with predictions of rho-independent terminators and promoters, we predicted sRNAs in 21 clostridial genomes:Clostridium acetobutylicum,C. beijerinckii,C. botulinum(eight strains),C. cellulolyticum,C. difficile,C. kluyveri(two strains),C. novyi,C. perfringens(three strains),C. phytofermentans,C. tetani, andC. thermocellum. Although more than one-third of predicted sRNAs have Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequences, only one-sixth have a start codon downstream of SD sequences; thus, most of the predicted sRNAs are noncoding RNAs. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (Q-RT-PCR) and Northern analysis were employed to test the presence of a randomly chosen set of sRNAs inC. acetobutylicumand severalC. botulinumstrains, leading to the confirmation of a large fraction of the tested sRNAs. We identified a conserved, novel sRNA which, together with the downstream gene coding for an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene, responds to the antibiotic clindamycin. The number of predicted sRNAs correlated with the physiological function of the species (high for pathogens, low for cellulolytic, and intermediate for solventogenic), but not with 16S rRNA-based phylogeny.IMPORTANCEClostridia include major human pathogens and species important to human physiology, cellulose degradation, the carbon cycle, and biotechnology. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are increasingly recognized as crucial regulatory molecules in all organisms, but they remain virtually unexplored in clostridia. We provide the first comprehensive list of computationally identified and experimentally verified small RNAs in the genusClostridiumaiming to accelerate interest in and studies of small RNA molecules in a very important genus. The higher number of sRNAs found in clostridial pathogens suggests a good correlation between the physiological function or niche of the species and the number of predicted and conserved sRNAs. Our list of predicted sRNAs displays a strong enrichment of sRNAs upstream or downstream of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes. This, combined with the identification of a conserved sRNA apparently involved in clindamycin resistance, provides a new perspective for future studies of possible regulation of antibiotic resistance genes by sRNAs in bacteria.
Manipulation effects of prior exercise intensity feedback by the Borg scale during open-loop cycling
Authors: Pires Flávio Oliveira , Hammond John 
Published: January 2011

ObjectiveTo verify the effects of exercise intensity deception by the Borg scale on the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR) and performance responses during a constant power output open-loop exercise.MethodsEight healthy men underwent a maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer to identify the peak power output (PPO) and heart rate deflection point (HRDP). Subsequently, they performed a constant power output trial to exhaustion set at the HRDP intensity, in deception (DEC) and informed (INF) conditions: DEC—subjects were told that they would be cycling at an intensity corresponding to two categories below the RPE quantified at the HRDP; INF—subjects were told that they would cycle at the exact intensity corresponding to the RPE quantified at the HRDP.ResultsThe PPO and power output at the HRDP obtained in maximal incremental tests were 247.5±32.1 W and 208.1±27.1 W, respectively. No significant difference in the time to exhaustion was found between DEC (525±244 s) or INF (499±224 s) trials. The slope and the first and second measurements of the RPE and HR parameters showed no significant difference between trials.ConclusionsPsychophysiological variables such as RPE and HR as well as performance were not affected when exercise intensity was deceptively manipulated via RPE scores. This may suggest that unaltered RPE during exercise is a regulator of performance in this open-loop exercise.
Effect of ethnicity, gender and drug use history on achieving high rates of affirmative informed consent for genetics research: impact of sharing with a national repository
Authors: Ray Brenda , Jackson Colin , Ducat Elizabeth , Ho Ann , Hamon Sara , Kreek Mary Jeanne 
Published: January 2011

AimGenetic research representative of the population is crucial to understanding the underlying causes of many diseases. In a prospective evaluation of informed consent we assessed the willingness of individuals of different ethnicities, gender and drug dependence history to participate in genetic studies in which their genetic sample could be shared with a repository at the National Institutes of Health.MethodsPotential subjects were recruited from the general population through the use of flyers and referrals from previous participants and clinicians with knowledge of our study. They could consent to 11 separate choices so that they could specify how and with whom their genetic sample could be shared. Rates of affirmative consent were then analysed by gender, ethnicity and drug dependence history.ResultsOf 1416 volunteers enrolled, 99.7% gave affirmative informed consent for studies of addiction conducted in our laboratory. No significant difference was found for participation in genetic studies conducted in our laboratory by gender, ethnicity or drug dependence history. Over all 11 questions, individuals with a history of drug use were more likely to agree to consent to participate in our study than were healthy volunteers.ConclusionA high percentage of each category of gender, ethnicity and drug history, gave affirmative consent at all levels. The level of detail in and the amount of time spent reviewing the informed consent, and a relationship of trust with the clinical investigator may contribute to this outcome.
Veterinary surgeons' attitudes towards physician-assisted suicide: an empirical study of Swedish experts on euthanasia
Authors: Lerner Henrik , Lindblad Anna , Algers Bo , Lynöe Niels 
Published: January 2011

AimTo examine the hypothesis that knowledge about physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and euthanasia is associated with a more restrictive attitude towards PAS.DesignA questionnaire about attitudes towards PAS, including prioritisation of arguments pro and contra, was sent to Swedish veterinary surgeons. The results were compared with those from similar surveys of attitudes among the general public and physicians.ParticipantsAll veterinary surgeons who were members of the Swedish Veterinary Association and had provided an email address (n=2421).Main outcome measuresSimilarities or differences in response pattern between veterinary surgeons, physicians and the general public.ResultsThe response pattern among veterinary surgeons and the general public was almost similar in all relevant aspects. Of the veterinarians 75% (95% CI 72% to 78%) were in favour of PAS, compared with 73% (95% CI 69% to 77%) among the general public. Only 10% (95% CI 5% to 15%) of the veterinary surgeons were against PAS, compared with 12% (95% CI 5% to 19%) among the general public. Finally, 15% (95% CI 10% to 21%) of veterinarians were undecided, compared with 15% (95% CI 8% to 22%) among the general public. Physicians had a more restrictive attitude to PAS than the general public.ConclusionsSince veterinary surgeons have frequent practical experience of euthanasia in animals, they do have knowledge about what euthanasia really is. Veterinary surgeons and the general public had an almost similar response pattern. Accordingly it seems difficult to maintain that knowledge about euthanasia is unambiguously associated with a restrictive attitude towards PAS.
Neonatal outcomes of preterm infants in breech presentation according to mode of birth in Canadian NICUs
Authors: Lodha Abhay , Zhu Qiaohao , Lee Shoo K , Shah Prakesh S ,   the Canadian Neonatal Network
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Background
Many medical practitioners have adopted the practice of caesarean section for preterm infants in breech presentation based on term infant data. Some studies have highlighted deleterious effects on survival, such as intraventricular haemorrhage and periventricular leucomalacia, while others have reported no difference from the outcomes after vaginal delivery.

Objective
To compare outcomes of preterm infants of ≤32 weeks' gestational age who were in breech position at the time of birth according to mode of birth in Canadian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Settings
29 Canadian NICUs.

Design
Neonates admitted to participating NICUs in the Canadian Neonatal Network between 2003 and 2007 were included in this retrospective study. Infants who were in breech position at the time of birth were divided into two groups: vaginal birth (VB) and caesarean section (CS). Data on common neonatal outcomes were compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Main outcome measures
Neonatal mortality and other neonatal morbidities.

Results
Of 3552 preterm infants in breech position at birth, 2937 (83%) were delivered by CS and 615 (17%) by VB. Multivariate regression analysis with adjustment for perinatal risk factors indicated that VB was associated with an increased risk of death (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3), chronic lung disease (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.9) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.3).

Conclusion
Vaginal birth for preterm infants in breech presentation is possibly associated with a higher risk of adverse neonatal outcomes compared with caesarean birth in Canadian NICUs. It is not clear whether adverse outcomes are due to the mode of delivery or whether breech birth is associated with other risk factors, an issue that can only be resolved by a randomised controlled trial.
Phosphorylation Regulates c-Myc's Oncogenic Activity in the Mammary Gland
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Cunningham Melissa , Zhang Xiaoli , Tokarz Sara , Laraway Bryan , Troxell Megan , Sears Rosalie C. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Expression of the c-Myc oncoprotein is affected by conserved threonine 58 (T58) and serine 62 (S62) phosphorylation sites that help to regulate c-Myc protein stability, and altered ratios of T58 and S62 phosphorylation have been observed in human cancer. Here, we report the development of 3 unique c-myc knock-in mice that conditionally express either c-MycWT or the c-MycT58A or c-MycS62A phosphorylation mutant from the constitutively active ROSA26 locus in response to Cre recombinase to study the role of these phosphorylation sites in vivo. Using a mammary-specific Cre model, we found that expression of c-MycWT resulted in increased mammary gland density, but normal morphology and no tumors at the level expressed from the ROSA promoter. In contrast, c-MycT58A expression yielded enhanced mammary gland density, hyperplastic foci, cellular dysplasia, and mammary carcinoma, associated with increased genomic instability and suppressed apoptosis relative to c-MycWT. Alternatively, c-MycS62A expression reduced mammary gland density relative to control glands, and this was associated with increased genomic instability and normal apoptotic function. Our results indicate that specific activities of c-Myc are differentially affected by T58 and S62 phosphorylation. This model provides a robust platform to interrogate the role that these phosphorylation sites play in c-Myc function during development and tumorigenesis. Cancer Res; 71(3); 925–36. ©2011 AACR.
Multiple Mutations and Bypass Mechanisms Can Contribute to Development of Acquired Resistance to MET Inhibitors
Authors: Qi Jie , McTigue Michele A. , Rogers Andrew , Lifshits Eugene , Christensen James G. , Jänne Pasi A. , Engelman Jeffrey A. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Therapies targeting receptor tyrosine kinases have shown efficacy in molecularly defined subsets of cancers. Unfortunately, cancers invariably develop resistance, and overcoming or preventing resistance will ultimately be key to unleashing their full therapeutic potential. In this study, we examined how cancers become resistant to MET inhibitors, a class of drugs currently under clinical development. We utilized the highly sensitive gastric carcinoma cell line, SNU638, and two related MET inhibitors PHA-665752 and PF-2341066. To our surprise, we observed at least two mechanisms of resistance that arose simultaneously. Both resulted in maintenance of downstream PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)-AKT and MEK (MAP/ERK kinase)-ERK signaling in the presence of inhibitor. One mechanism, observed by modeling resistance both in vitro and in vivo, involved the acquisition of a mutation in the MET activation loop (Y1230). Structural analysis indicates that this mutation destabilizes the autoinhibitory conformation of MET and abrogates an important aromatic stacking interaction with the inhibitor. The other cause of resistance was activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway due to increased expression of transforming growth factor α. Activation of EGFR bypassed the need for MET signaling to activate downstream signaling in these cells. This resistance could be overcome by combined EGFR and MET inhibition. Thus, therapeutic strategies that combine MET inhibitors capable of inhibiting Y1230 mutant MET in combination with anti-EGFR–based therapies may enhance clinical benefit for patients with MET-addicted cancers. Importantly, these results also underscore the notion that a single cancer can simultaneously develop resistance induced by several mechanisms and highlight the daunting challenges associated with preventing or overcoming resistance. Cancer Res; 71(3); 1081–91. ©2011 AACR.