bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of a herbal extract containing curcumin and piperine on midazolam, flurbiprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers
Authors: Volak Laurie P. , Hanley Michael J. , Masse Gina , Hazarika Suwagmani , Harmatz Jerold S. , Badmaev Vladimir , Majeed Muhammed , Greenblatt David J. , Court Michael H. 
Published: June 2012

AimsTurmeric extract derived curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) are currently being evaluated for the treatment of cancer and Alzheimer's dementia. Previous in vitro studies indicate that curcuminoids and piperine (a black pepper derivative that enhances curcuminoid bioavailability) could inhibit human CYP3A, CYP2C9, UGT and SULT dependent drug metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine whether a commercially available curcuminoid/piperine extract alters the pharmacokinetic disposition of probe drugs for these enzymes in human volunteers.MethodsA randomized placebo‐controlled six way crossover study was conducted in eight healthy volunteers. A standardized curcuminoid/piperine preparation (4 g curcuminoids plus 24 mg piperine) or matched placebo was given orally four times over 2 days before oral administration of midazolam (CYP3A probe), flurbiprofen (CYP2C9 probe) or paracetamol (acetaminophen) (dual UGT and SULT probe). Plasma and urine concentrations of drugs, metabolites and herbals were measured by HPLC. Subject sedation and electroencephalograph effects were also measured following midazolam dosing.ResultsCompared with placebo, the curcuminoid/piperine treatment produced no meaningful changes in plasma Cmax, AUC, clearance, elimination half‐life or metabolite levels of midazolam, flurbiprofen or paracetamol (α = 0.05, paired t‐tests). There was also no effect of curcuminoid/piperine treatment on the pharmacodynamics of midazolam. Although curcuminoid and piperine concentrations were readily measured in plasma following glucuronidase/sulfatase treatment, unconjugated concentrations were consistently below the assay thresholds (0.05–0.08 μm and 0.6 μm, respectively).ConclusionThe results indicate that short term use of this piperine‐enhanced curcuminoid preparation is unlikely to result in a clinically significant interaction involving CYP3A, CYP2C9 or the paracetamol conjugation enzymes.
Effects of irradiance on diel and seasonal patterns of nutrient uptake by stream periphyton
Authors: MATHESON FLEUR E. , QUINN JOHN M. , MARTIN MICHAEL L. 
Published: June 2012

Summary1. Irradiance strongly affects the abundance of stream periphyton communities that in turn influence patterns of instream nutrient uptake. We examined relationships between irradiance and periphyton nutrient uptake taking into account diel and seasonal variation in ambient irradiance.2. Uptake of dissolved N, P and C by periphyton as areal uptake (U) and demand (Vf) was determined under 11 irradiance levels (0–100% of ambient conditions) using shallow stream‐side experimental channels. Experiments were conducted once per season over one annual cycle with both day and night uptake rates assessed, together with periphyton biomass and autotrophic production rates.3. No consistent diel variation in areal uptake or demand was detected for the predominant inorganic or total dissolved nutrients even at the highest irradiances. Lack of variation may indicate nutrient limitation, with photosynthetic sequestration and storage of C during the day for subsequent utilisation at night. Alternatively, oxygen consumption by photoautotrophs at night may stimulate compensatory heterotrophic uptake (e.g. denitrification).4. In all seasons, release of dissolved organic N was detected during the day but to a lesser extent at night. This was not directly related to irradiance levels, indicating that heterotrophic metabolism (e.g. microbial decomposition) contributes to this phenomenon.5. Areal uptake and demand for the predominant inorganic and total dissolved nutrients increased in response to increasing irradiance in some or all seasons, but rates were typically higher during the spring and summer. Saturation of areal uptake and demand at elevated irradiances was evident during the spring. demand was also saturated at higher irradiances in the summer and autumn. Maximum demand was comparable during spring and summer, but saturation occurred at lower irradiance in summer (24 h average 135–145 μmol m−2 s−1) relative to spring (312–424 μmol m−2 s−1), indicating more efficient nutrient uptake in summer. Higher total periphyton biomass in summer, but comparable autotrophic biomass (chlorophyll a), implies that heterotrophic metabolism may contribute to this greater efficiency. In spring, autotrophic biomass peaked at an irradiance level of 225 μmol m−2 s−1, also suggesting a role for heterotrophic metabolism in demand at higher irradiances.6. The results of this study show that irradiance levels exert a strong influence on the nature and quantity of instream nutrient uptake with N demand saturated at elevated irradiance levels during the spring, summer and autumn. Our results also suggest that heterotrophic metabolism makes a measurable contribution to instream nutrient uptake even under higher irradiances that favour autotrophic activity.
Maternal exposure to predation risk decreases offspring antipredator behaviour and survival in threespined stickleback
Authors: McGhee Katie E. , Pintor Lauren M. , Suhr Elissa L. , Bell Alison M. 
Published: June 2012

Summary1.Adaptive maternal programming occurs when mothers alter their offspring's phenotype in response to environmental information such that it improves offspring fitness. When a mother's environment is predictive of the conditions her offspring are likely to encounter, such transgenerational plasticity enables offspring to be better‐prepared for this particular environment. However, maternal effects can also have deleterious effects on fitness.2.Here, we test whether female threespined stickleback fish exposed to predation risk adaptively prepare their offspring to cope with predators. We either exposed gravid females to a model predator or not, and compared their offspring's antipredator behaviour and survival when alone with a live predator. Importantly, we measured offspring behaviour and survival in the face of the same type of predator that threatened their mothers (Northern pike).3.We did not find evidence for adaptive maternal programming; offspring of predator‐exposed mothers were less likely to orient to the predator than offspring from unexposed mothers. In our predation assay, orienting to the predator was an effective antipredator behaviour and those that oriented survived for longer.4.In addition, offspring from predator‐exposed mothers were caught more quickly by the predator on average than offspring from unexposed mothers. The difference in antipredator behaviour between the maternal predator‐exposure treatments offers a potential behavioural mechanism contributing to the difference in survival between maternal treatments.5.However, the strength and direction of the maternal effect on offspring survival depended on offspring size. Specifically, the larger the offspring from predator‐exposed mothers, the more vulnerable they were to predation compared to offspring from unexposed mothers.6.Our results suggest that the predation risk perceived by mothers can have long‐term behavioural and fitness consequences for offspring in response to the same predator. These stress‐mediated maternal effects can have non‐adaptive consequences for offspring when they find themselves alone with a predator. In addition, complex interactions between such maternal effects and offspring traits such as size can influence our conclusions about the adaptive nature of maternal effects.
The effect of applying cattle slurry using the trailing‐shoe technique on dairy cow and sward performance in a rotational grazing system
Authors: Dale A. J. , Ferris C. P. , Frost J. P. , Mayne C.S. , Kilpatrick D.J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe effects of applying cattle slurry using the trailing‐shoe technique on dairy cow and sward performance were examined in two experiments in Northern Ireland. In Experiment 1, forty‐eight cows were allocated to two treatments, with or without slurry application. In Experiment 2, sixty cows were allocated to four treatments, a combination of high and normal grazing stocking rate, with or without slurry application. In Experiment 1, slurry was applied during the first and fourth rotations. In Experiment 2, slurry was applied prior to the first grazing rotation and during the second, fifth and sixth grazing rotations. In Experiments 1 and 2, the total inorganic fertilizer nitrogen (N) inputs applied within the slurry treatments were 200 and 133 kg N ha−1, with 280 and 285 kg N ha−1 used within the fertilizer‐only treatments in each experiment respectively. Varying responses of milk yield to slurry application were observed. In Experiment 1, with a normal stocking rate, no effect was observed. In Experiment 2 with two stocking rates, reduced milk yields were observed at both stocking rates. Although not significant, there were indications that this reduction in milk yield when slurry was applied was higher at higher stocking rates.
Antibody repertoire development in fetal and neonatal piglets. XXII. λ rearrangement precedes κ rearrangement during B‐cell lymphogenesis in swine
Authors: Sun Xiuzhu , Wertz Nancy , Lager Kelly , Sinkora Marek , Stepanova Katerina , Tobin Gregory , Butler John E. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryVDJ and VJ rearrangements, expression of RAG‐1, Tdt and VpreB, and the presence of signal joint circles (SJC) were used to identify sites of B‐cell lymphogenesis. VDJ, VλJλ but not VκJκ rearrangements or SJC were recovered from yolk sac (YS) at 20 days of gestation (DG) along with strong expression of VpreB and RAG‐1 but weak Tdt expression. VλJλ rearrangements but not VκJκ rearrangements were recovered from fetal liver at 30–50 DG. SJC were pronounced in bone marrow at 95 DG where VκJκ rearrangements were first recovered. The VλJλ rearrangements recovered at 20–50 DG used some of the same Vλ and Jλ segments seen in older fetuses and adult animals. Hence the textbook paradigm for the order of light‐chain rearrangement does not apply to swine. Consistent with weak Tdt expression in early sites of lymphogenesis, N‐region additions in VDJ rearrangements were more frequent at 95 DG. Junctional diversity in VλJλ rearrangement was limited at all stages of development. There was little evidence for B‐cell lymphogenesis in the ileal Peyer's patches. The widespread recovery of VpreB transcripts in whole, non‐lymphoid tissue was unexpected as was its recovery from bone marrow and peripheral blood monocytes. Based on recovery of SJC, B‐cell lymphogenesis continues for at least 5 weeks postpartum.
CD4+ CD25− FoxP3+ regulatory cells are the predominant responding regulatory T cells after human rotavirus infection or vaccination in gnotobiotic pigs
Authors: Wen Ke , Li Guohua , Yang Xingdong , Bui Tammy , Bai Muqun , Liu Fangning , Kocher Jacob , Yuan Lijuan 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe distribution and dynamic changes of CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ and CD4+ CD25− FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells induced by human rotavirus (HRV) infection and vaccination were examined in neonatal gnotobiotic pigs infected with virulent HRV (VirHRV) or vaccinated with attenuated HRV (AttHRV). Subsets of gnotobiotic pigs in the AttHRV and control groups were challenged with VirHRV at post‐inoculation day (PID) 28. We demonstrated that VirHRV infection or AttHRV vaccination reduced frequencies and numbers of tissue‐residing Treg cells, and decreased the frequencies of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) producing CD4+ CD25− Treg cells in ileum, spleen and blood at PID 28. The frequencies of IL‐10 and TGF‐β producing CD4+ CD25− Treg cells in all sites at PID 28 were significantly inversely correlated with the protection rate against VirHRV‐caused diarrhoea (r = −1, P < 0·0001). Hence, higher frequencies of functional CD4+ CD25− Treg cells can be an indicator for poorer protective immunity against rotavirus. Our results highlighted the importance of CD4+ CD25− Treg cells over CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells in rotavirus infection and immunity. AttHRV vaccination (induction of immune effector responses) reduced the expansion of CD4+ CD25− Treg cells in ileum seen in the challenged naive pigs during the acute phase of VirHRV infection and preserved normal levels of intestinal TGF‐β producing Treg cells post‐challenge. The reduced suppressive effect of Treg cells in AttHRV‐vaccinated pigs would unleash effector/memory T‐cell activation upon challenge. Preserving TGF‐β producing CD4+ CD25− Treg cells is important in maintaining homeostasis. Based on our findings, a model is proposed to depict the dynamic equilibrium course of Treg and effector T‐cell responses after primary rotavirus infection/vaccination and challenge.
A critique of the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework
Authors: LaFond Cynthia M. , Van Hulle Vincent Catherine 
Published: June 2012

lafond c.m. & van hulle vincent c. (2012) A critique of the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework. Journal of Advanced Nursing00(0), 000–000. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06048.xAbstractAims.  To present a critique of the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework.Design.  Fawcett’s criteria for theory analysis and evaluation are used.Background.  Use of simulated learning experiences in nursing education is widespread; a sound framework to guide educators across the globe in implementing these experiences effectively is essential. The basic assertion of the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework is that student‐learning outcomes are influenced by the concepts of teacher, student, educational practices, and simulation design characteristics.Data sources.  A literature search was performed using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed and Google Scholar to identify studies published in the English language, between 2005–June 2011, where the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework was tested or used as a theoretical framework for research.Discussion.  Sixteen publications (two articles in press) from the USA and UK were identified using the framework to guide research; outcomes included increased student satisfaction, confidence, and improved skill performance.Implications for nursing.  As a newer theoretical framework, the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework offers promise to guide the construction and implementation of simulation experiences resulting in positive student outcomes.Conclusion.  Empirically supported definitions of concepts would strengthen the framework and help educators to consistently produce and identify positive outcomes. Additional rigorous research is necessary to further test relationships among concepts and the associated concept variables in the framework. More studies outside of the United States are needed to confirm the framework is relevant to nursing programs in other countries.
Recent phylogeographic structure in a widespread ‘weedy’ Neotropical tree species, Cordia alliodora (Boraginaceae)
Authors: Rymer Paul D. , Dick Christopher W. , Vendramin Giovanni G. , Buonamici Anna , Boshier David 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAim  Although hundreds of tree species have broad geographic ranges in the Neotropics, little is known about how such widespread species attained disjunct distributions around mountain, ocean and xeric barriers. Here, we examine the phylogeographic structure of a widespread and economically important tree, Cordia alliodora, to: (1) test the roles of vicariance and dispersal in establishing major range disjunctions, (2) determine which geographic regions and/or habitats contain the highest levels of genetic diversity, and (3) infer the geographic origin of the species.Location  Twenty‐five countries in Central and South America, and the West Indies.Methods  Chloroplast simple sequence repeats (cpSSR; eight loci) were assayed in 67 populations (240 individuals) sampled from the full geographic range of C. alliodora. Chloroplast (trnH–psbA) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacer, ITS) DNA sequences were sampled from a geographically representative subset. Genetic structure was determined with samova, structure and haplotype networks. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and rarefaction analyses were used to compare regional haplotype diversity and differentiation.Results  Although the ITS region was polymorphic it revealed limited phylogeographic structure, and trnH–psbA was monomorphic. However, structure analysis of cpSSR variation recovered three broad demes spanning Central America (Deme 1), the Greater Antilles and the Chocó (Deme 2), and the Lesser Antilles and cis‐Andean South America (Deme 3). samova showed two predominant demes (Deme 1 + 2 and Deme 3). The greatest haplotype diversity was detected east of the Andes, while significantly more genetic variation was partitioned among trans‐Andean populations. Populations experiencing high precipitation seasonality (dry ecotype) had greater levels of genetic variation.Main conclusions  Cordia alliodora displayed weak cis‐ and trans‐Andean phylogeographic structure based on DNA sequence data, indicative of historical dispersal around this barrier and genetic exchange across its broad range. The cpSSR data revealed phylogeographic structure corresponding to three biogeographic zones. Patterns of genetic diversity are indicative of an origin in the seasonally dry habitats of South America. Therefore, C. alliodora fits the disperser hypothesis for widespread Neotropical species. Dispersal is evident in the West Indies and the northern Andean cordilleras. The dry ecotype harbours genetic variation that is likely to represent the source for the establishment of populations under future warmer and drier climatic scenarios.
Across‐taxa incongruence in patterns of collecting bias
Authors: Vale Mariana M. , Jenkins Clinton N. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIf biological collections tend to be taken near accessible areas, and the number of such areas is limited, then we should expect a similar spatial distribution of collecting effort across taxa. Alternatively, if researchers working on a given taxon pick collection localities based on idiosyncratic criteria, then there should be no spatial similarity in collecting effort. This study compares the spatial distribution of collecting effort for plants and birds in Amazonia. Collection localities were transformed into a Thiessen network where polygon size works as a surrogate for collecting effort. A correlation between botanical and ornithological datasets, with an adjustment for spatial autocorrelation, showed little congruence in the spatial distribution of collecting effort between the two taxa. This incongruence of the distribution of collection effort among taxa suggests that the identification of priority areas for research, and correction for Wallacean and Linnean shortfalls based on taxon‐specific studies, should not be generalized.
Promiscuous mating in the harem‐roosting fruit bat,Cynopterus sphinx
Authors: GARG KRITIKA M. , CHATTOPADHYAY BALAJI , DOSS D. PARAMANATHA SWAMI , A.K. VINOTH KUMAR , KANDULA SRIPATHI , RAMAKRISHNAN UMA 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObservations on mating behaviours and strategies guide our understanding of mating systems and variance in reproductive success. However, the presence of cryptic strategies often results in situations where social mating system is not reflective of genetic mating system. We present such a study of the genetic mating system of a harem‐forming batCynopterus sphinxwhere harems may not be true indicators of male reproductive success. This temporal study using data from six seasons on paternity reveals that social harem assemblages do not play a role in the mating system, and variance in male reproductive success is lower than expected assuming polygynous mating. Further, simulations reveal that the genetic mating system is statistically indistinguishable from promiscuity. Our results are in contrast to an earlier study that demonstrated high variance in male reproductive success. Although an outcome of behavioural mating patterns, standardized variance in male reproductive success (Im) affects the opportunity for sexual selection. To gain a better understanding of the evolutionary implications of promiscuity for mammals in general, we compared our estimates ofImand total opportunity for sexual selection (Im/If, whereIfis standardized variance in female reproductive success) with those of other known promiscuous species. We observed a broad range ofIm/Ifvalues across known promiscuous species, indicating our poor understanding of the evolutionary implications of promiscuous mating.
Genetic polymorphism in dopamine receptor D4 is associated with early body condition in a large population of greater flamingos, Phoenicopterus roseus
Authors: GILLINGHAM MARK A. F. , BECHET ARNAUD , GERACI JULIA , WATTIER REMI , DUBREUIL CHRISTINE , CEZILLY FRANK 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBody condition is an important determinant of fitness in many natural populations. However, as for many fitness traits, the underlying genes that regulate body condition remain elusive. The dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) is a promising candidate as dopamine is known to play an important role in the regulation of food intake and the metabolism of both glucose and lipids in vertebrates. In this study, we take advantage of a large data set of greater flamingos, Phoenicopterus roseus, to test whether DRD4 polymorphism predicts early body condition (EBC) while controlling for whole‐genome effects of inbreeding and outbreeding using microsatellite multilocus heterozygosity (MLH). We typed 670 of these individuals for exon 3 of the homologue of the human DRD4 gene and 10 microsatellite markers. When controlling for the effects of yearly environmental variations and differences between sexes, we found strong evidence of an association between exon 3 DRD4 polymorphisms and EBC, with 2.2–2.3% of the variation being explained by DRD4 polymorphism, whereas there was only weak evidence that MLH predicts EBC. Because EBC is most likely a polygenic trait, this is a considerable amount of variation explained by a single gene. This is to our knowledge, the first study to show an association between exon 3 DRD4 polymorphism and body condition in non‐human animals. We anticipate that the DRD4 gene as well as other genes coding for neurotransmitters and their receptors may play an important role in explaining variation in traits that affect fitness.