bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Citrulline: pharmacological perspectives and its role as an emerging biomarker in future
Authors: Kaore Shilpa N. , Amane Hanmant S. , Kaore Navinchandra M. 
Published: June 2012

Abstractl‐citrulline is a naturally occurring non‐essential amino acid, an intermediate in urea cycle and conditionally essential in intestinal pathology. It is a potent hydroxyl radical scavenger and much more effective precursor of arginine and nitric oxide (NO) than arginine itself so exploited in therapeutics. Plasma citrulline concentration is used by clinicians to assess functional enterocyte mass in various chronic and acute small bowel pathologies like short bowel syndrome that has become an indication in clinical practice. Its supplementation is likely to be used in conditions like erectile dysfunction, sickle cell anemia, short bowel syndrome (to restore nitrogen balance), hyperlipidemia, cancer chemotherapy, hypercholestremia, in hyperoxic lung damage, urea cycle disorders, Alzheimers disease, multi‐infarct dementia and as an immunomodulator. Its emerging role as a biomarker in intestinal pathology and early diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis has spread considerable interest. Antibody detection to Anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) antibodies can be recommended for early detection of RA decreasing joint damage and deformity, because these are detected well before the onset of disease manifestations of RA. The test is highly specific than RF (Rheumatoid factor), with moderate sensitivity, but much useful in differentiating RA from other disorders. Further studies and exploration is required in these areas.
N‐terminal valine adduct from the anti‐HIV drug abacavir in rat haemoglobin as evidence for abacavir metabolism to a reactive aldehyde in vivo
Authors: Charneira C , Grilo NM , Pereira SA , Godinho ALA , Monteiro EC , Marques MM , Antunes AMM 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to obtain evidence for the activation of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor abacavir to reactive aldehyde metabolites in vivo. Protein haptenation by these reactive metabolites may be a factor in abacavir‐induced toxic events.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The formation of N‐terminal valine adducts from the abacavir‐derived aldehydes was investigated in the haemoglobin of Wistar rats treated with eight daily doses (120 mg·kg−1) of abacavir. The analyses were conducted by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry upon comparison with synthetic standards.KEY RESULTS An N‐terminal valine haemoglobin adduct derived from an α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde metabolite of abacavir was identified in vivo for the first time.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This preliminary work on abacavir metabolism provides the first unequivocal evidence for the formation of an α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde metabolite in vivo and of its ability to form haptens with proteins. The methodology described herein can be used to assess the formation of this metabolite in human samples and has the potential to become a valuable pharmacological tool for mechanistic studies of abacavir toxicity. In fact, the simplicity of the method suggests that the abacavir adduct with the N‐terminal valine of haemoglobin could be used to investigate abacavir‐induced toxicity for accurate risk/benefit estimations.
Behavioral response of mantid Tenodera aridifolia (Mantodea: Mantidae) to windy conditions as a cryptic approach strategy for approaching prey
Authors: Watanabe Hiroshi , Yano Eizi 
Published: June 2012

AbstractCrypsis can be either defensive or aggressive in function, and the first evidence that crypsis reduces the probability of being detected by a predator was collected almost a century ago. Crypsis in mantids may reduce the probability that a mantid will be detected by its prey, but no experiments have been carried out to test this idea. We tested the hypothesis that the approach strategy of the mantid Tenodera aridifolia (Stoll) toward prey when the wind is blowing is adaptive. Significantly less time elapsed between the discovery of the prey by the predator and capture action under windy conditions than under windless conditions. Approach behaviors (walking and body swaying) were observed more frequently under windy than under windless conditions. When the wind stopped, mantids became still, and they changed their behavior in response to alternately changing wind conditions. Moreover, the discovery rate of the predator mantids by conspecific prey mantids was significantly lower on swaying leaves than on fixed leaves. The capturing rate of the prey by the mantid was significantly higher under windy conditions than under windless conditions. We suggest that the strategy of approaching prey quickly when the wind blowing is adaptive for reducing the risk of discovery and escape by the prey.
Dynamic and Persistent Effects of Ethanol Exposure on Development: An In Vivo Analysis During and After Embryonic Ethanol Exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Lin Conny H. , Sa Sasha , Chand Jeeniece , Rankin Catharine H. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundDefects caused by ethanol (EtOH) exposure during development can be different depending on the time of observation. To investigate this temporal component of developmental delay, we use the fast‐developing nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans. We first defined the longitudinal effects of EtOH on development using age‐appropriate markers and then closely followed embryonic development before, during, and after EtOH exposure.MethodsC. elegans embryos were bathed in 0 to 20% EtOH (w/w in ddH2O) for 8 hours or were left untreated during embryonic development. Development was followed longitudinally and scored as embryonic stage at the end of the exposure, hatch time, hatching probability (mortality), body length, postembryonic stage, and egg‐laying pattern. The rate of in vivo embryonic development was observed hourly for 24 hours covering times before, during, and after EtOH exposure.ResultsAfter exposure to 10% EtOH, embryos were at younger embryonic stages, hatched later, and had higher mortality compared to unexposed controls. Embryos exposed to 5% EtOH were at normal embryonic stages, showed no change in mortality, but hatched later than controls. Both EtOH groups showed shorter mean body lengths and slower postembryonic development; however, the 5% group recovered to control levels faster than the 10% group. The pattern of egg laying was delayed in the 10% group, but not in the 5% group. Hourly in vivo observations revealed that a developmental delay was first visible a few hours into 10% EtOH exposure and that the delay increased after the removal of EtOH exposure.ConclusionsDevelopmental delays occurred during and immediately after exposure and were not uniform but rather dynamic. This article highlights the importance of investigating EtOH‐induced defects using different markers and at multiple time points. Attention to temporal effects during and immediately after EtOH exposure can provide understanding of these sensitive time points for observation and treatment.
Effects of Intoxicating Free‐Choice Alcohol Consumption During Adolescence on Drinking and Impulsivity During Adulthood in Selectively Bred High‐Alcohol Preferring Mice
Authors: O'Tousa David S. , Matson Liana M. , Grahame Nicholas J. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundAbuse of alcohol during adolescence continues to be a problem, and it has been shown that earlier onset of drinking predicts increased alcohol abuse problems later in life. High levels of impulsivity have been demonstrated to be characteristic of alcoholics, and impulsivity has also been shown to predict later alcohol use in teenage subjects, showing that impulsivity may precede the development of alcohol use disorders. These experiments examined adolescent drinking in a high‐drinking, relatively impulsive mouse population and assessed its effects on adult drinking and adult impulsivity.MethodsExperiment 1: Selectively bred high‐alcohol preferring (HAPII) mice were given either alcohol (free‐choice access) or water only for 2 weeks during middle adolescence or adulthood. All mice were given free‐choice access to alcohol 30 days later, in adulthood. Experiment 2: Adolescent HAPII mice drank alcohol and water, or water alone, for 2 weeks, and were then trained to perform a delay discounting task as adults to measure impulsivity. In each experiment, effects of volitional ethanol (EtOH) consumption on later behavior were assessed. We expected adolescent alcohol exposure to increase subsequent drinking and impulsivity.ResultsMice consumed significant quantities of EtOH, reaching average blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) of 142 mg/dl (adolescent) or 154 mg/dl (adult) in Experiment 1. Adolescent mice in Experiment 2 reached an average of 108 mg/dl. Mice exposed to alcohol in either adolescence or adulthood showed a transient increase in EtOH consumption, but we observed no differences in impulsivity in adult mice as a function of whether mice drank alcohol during adolescence.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that HAPII mice drink intoxicating levels of alcohol during both adolescence and adulthood and that this volitional intake has long‐term effects on subsequent drinking behavior. Nonetheless, this profound exposure to alcohol during adolescence does not increase impulsivity in adulthood, indicating that long‐term changes in drinking are mediated by mechanisms other than impulsivity.
Drinking History Associations with Regional White Matter Volumes in Alcoholic Men and Women
Authors: Ruiz Susan Mosher , Oscar‐Berman Marlene , Sawyer Kayle S. , Valmas Mary M. , Urban Trinity , Harris Gordon J. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundAlcoholism has been repeatedly associated with gray and white matter pathology. Although neuroimaging has shown alcoholism‐related brain volume reductions and axonal compromise, the integrity of white matter volumes in chronic alcoholism has been challenging to measure on a regional level.MethodsWe first examined the effects of alcoholism on cerebral white matter volumes by lobar and gyral subdivisions in 42 abstinent alcoholics and 42 control participants (split evenly by gender). We also examined cerebellar white matter and regions of the corpus callosum, as well as ventricular volumes. Next, relationships between white matter and ventricular volumes with measures of drinking patterns were assessed. Finally, an examination of early versus late abstinence was conducted. Within each examination, gender effects were explored.ResultsDifferences in regional white matter volumes between alcoholics and controls were observed primarily in the corpus callosum, with a stronger group difference among men than women. Years of heavy drinking had a strong negative impact on frontal and temporal white matter among alcoholic women, and on the corpus callosum among alcoholic men. Quantity of alcohol consumption was associated with smaller corpus callosum and larger ventricular volumes among alcoholic women, whereas abstinence duration was associated with larger corpus callosum volume among alcoholic men. Preliminary data indicated that alcoholic women showed stronger positive associations between sobriety duration and white matter volume than men within the first year of abstinence, whereas men showed this association more so than women after 1 year of abstinence.ConclusionsEffects of drinking history on white matter and ventricular volumes vary by gender, with alcoholic women showing greatest sensitivity in frontal, temporal, ventricular, and corpus callosum regions, and alcoholic men showing effects mainly in the corpus callosum. Preliminary results indicate that recovery of white matter volume may occur sooner for women than for men.
Chronic Ethanol Consumption Alters All‐Trans‐Retinoic Acid Concentration and Expression of Their Receptors on the Prostate: A Possible Link Between Alcoholism and Prostate Damage
Authors: Fontanelli Beatriz A. F. , Chuffa Luiz G. A. , Teixeira Giovana R. , Amorim João P. A. , Mendes Leonardo O. , Pinheiro Patricia F. F. , Kurokawa Cilmery S. , Pereira Sérgio , Fávaro Wagner J. , Martins Otávio A. , Mello Júnior Wílson , Martinez Marcelo , Júnior Antonio Rugolo , Martinez Francisco E. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundEthanol (EtOH) alters the all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA) levels in some tissues. Retinol and ATRA are essential for cell proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of prostate homeostasis. It has been suggested that disturbances in retinol/ATRA concentration as well as in the expression of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) contribute to benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. This study aimed to evaluate whether EtOH consumption is able to alter retinol and ATRA levels in the plasma and prostate tissue as well as the expression of RARs, cell proliferation, and apoptosis index.MethodsAll animals were divided into 4 groups (n = 10/group). UChA: rats fed 10% (v/v) EtOH ad libitum; UChACo: EtOH‐naïve rats without access to EtOH; UChB: rats fed 10% (v/v) EtOH ad libitum; UChBCo: EtOH‐naïve rats without access to EtOH. Animals were euthanized by decapitation after 60 days of EtOH consumption for high‐performance liquid chromatography and light microscopy analysis.ResultsEtOH reduced plasma retinol concentration in both UChA and UChB groups, while the retinol concentration was not significantly different in prostate tissue. Conversely, plasma and prostate ATRA levels increased in UChB group compared with controls, beyond the up‐regulation of RARβ and ‐γ in dorsal prostate lobe. Additionally, no alteration was found in cell proliferation and apoptosis index involving dorsal and lateral prostate lobe.ConclusionsWe conclude that EtOH alters the plasma retinol concentrations proportionally to the amount of EtOH consumed. Moreover, high EtOH consumption increases the concentration of ATRA in plasma/prostate tissue and especially induces the RARβ and RARγ in the dorsal prostate lobe. EtOH consumption and increased ATRA levels were not associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis in the prostate.
Voluntary Alcohol Drinking Enhances Proopiomelanocortin Gene Expression in Nucleus Accumbens Shell and Hypothalamus of Sardinian Alcohol‐Preferring Rats
Authors: Zhou Yan , Colombo Giancarlo , Niikura Keiichi , Carai Mauro A. M. , Femenía Teresa , García‐Gutiérrez Maria S. , Manzanares Jorge , Ho Ann , Gessa Gian Luigi , Kreek Mary Jeanne 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundEvidence obtained in humans and rodents indicates that beta‐endorphin (encoded by the proopiomelanocortin [POMC] gene) is critical in the regulation of alcohol drinking behavior. However, the alcohol effect on POMC gene expression has not been studied in rodent mesolimbic regions, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc).MethodsIn this study, we first utilized POMC‐enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic mice to visualize POMC neurons and found that POMC‐EGFP cells were modestly distributed throughout the NAc shell and core, in addition to the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. POMC mRNA expression in the NAc of mice and rats was confirmed using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and solution hybridization assays. We then investigated whether there are genetically determined differences in basal mRNA levels of POMC and mu opioid receptor (MOP‐r) between selectively bred Sardinian alcohol‐preferring (sP) and nonpreferring (sNP) rats, and whether these mRNA levels are altered in sP rats after alcohol drinking (10%, unlimited access) for 17 days.ResultsAlcohol‐naïve sP rats had higher basal POMC mRNA levels than sNP rats only in hypothalamus. Alcohol drinking increased POMC mRNA levels in both the NAc shell (by 100%) and the hypothalamus (by 50%) of sP rats. Although sP rats had lower basal levels of MOP‐r mRNA and GTPγS binding in NAc shell than sNP rats, voluntary alcohol consumption had no effect on MOP‐r mRNA levels in the NAc shell.ConclusionsOur results define the distribution of POMC‐expressing neurons in the NAc of mice and rats. Higher POMC expression at basal levels in sP rats (genetically determined), along with increases after drinking (alcohol‐induced) in the NAc shell and hypothalamus, suggests that the POMC systems play a role in high alcohol preference and consumption.
A specific time course for mobilization of peripheral blood CD34+ cells after plerixafor injection in very poor mobilizer patients: impact on the timing of the apheresis procedure
Authors: Lefrère François , Mauge Laeticia , Réa Delphine , Ribeil Jean‐Antoine , Dal Cortivo Liliane , Brignier Anne C. , Aoun Charbel , Larghéro Jérôme , Cavazzana‐Calvo Marina , Micléa Jean‐Michel 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: This report describes the specific kinetics of the peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cell concentration in a selected group of very poor stem cell mobilizer patients treated with granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and plerixafor and determines the kinetics' impact on apheresis.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: All patients had previously experienced at least two failures of mobilization (without use of plerixafor). The present salvage therapy consisted in the administration of 10 µg/kg/day G‐CSF for 5 days added to a dose of plerixafor administered at between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Day 5. The PB CD34+ cell counts were tested every 3 hours thereafter. Apheresis was initiated as soon as the PB CD34+ cell count reached 10 × 106/L.RESULTS: A PB CD34+ cell count higher than 10 × 106/L was observed as soon as 3 hours after plerixafor administration in 10 of the 11 patients who reached this threshold at some point in the monitoring process. Interestingly, all patients presented an early decrease in the PB CD34+ cell count 8 to 12 hours after plerixafor administration (below 10 × 106/L for seven patients).CONCLUSION: Had such patients been tested for PB CD34+ cell mobilization according to conventional criteria (i.e., 11 hr after plerixafor administration), apheresis would not have been performed at the optimal timing. For very poor stem cell mobilizer patients, early monitoring of PB CD34+ cell count may be required for the optimal initiation of apheresis.
The role of bicarbonate in platelet additive solution for apheresis platelet concentrates stored with low residual plasma
Authors: Radwanski Katherine , Min Kyungyoon 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Complex platelet additive solutions (PASs) are required to store platelet (PLT) concentrates with plasma levels below 30%. Previously, apheresis PLTs stored with 5% plasma in acetate‐ and bicarbonate‐containing PAS maintained stable pH and bicarbonate levels during 7‐day storage. Due to this observation, the necessity of added bicarbonate in PAS was investigated and whether the concurrent increase in PAS pH after bicarbonate addition had any effect on PLT storage.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Apheresis PLTs were stored in 5% plasma‐95% high‐ or low‐pH PAS, with or without bicarbonate (n = 10 per arm). Bicarbonate PAS PLTs were paired and nonbicarbonate PAS PLTs were paired (split from same double‐dose collection). PLTs were evaluated for in vitro variables on Days 1 and 7 and up to Day 14 if the Day 7 pH was higher than 6.2.RESULTS: PLT pH was maintained above 7.3 to Day 14 in bicarbonate PAS PLTs while pH failures below 6.2 were observed in 4 of 10 and 2 of 10 units on Day 7 in low‐ and high‐pH nonbicarbonate PAS arms, respectively. Day 7 in vitro variables in nonbicarbonate PAS PLTs with pH values of higher than 6.2 were comparable to Day 7 variables in bicarbonate PAS PLTs. The pH of bicarbonate PAS did have a small effect on pH and bicarbonate levels in PLT units, but did not have an effect on functional variables and metabolism.CONCLUSION: Bicarbonate was not required to maintain in vitro PLT function in 5% plasma‐95% PAS, but was required as a pH buffer and increased PAS pH did not significantly contribute to this effect.
Social Support as Influencing Primary Family Caregiver Burden in Taiwanese Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Shieh Shiouh‐Chu , Tung Hengh‐Sin , Liang Shu‐Yuan 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPurpose: The main purpose of this study was to describe the level of experienced burden among Taiwanese primary family caregivers (PFCs) of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Another purpose was to explore the relationship between demographic variables, perceived social support, and caregiver burden.Design: A cross‐sectional study.Methods: This cross‐sectional study included 100 PFCs of postsurgery colorectal cancer patients (CCPs) in one teaching hospital in the Taipei area of Taiwan. The research instruments included the Caregiver Reaction Assessment and the Medical Outcome Study‐Social Support Survey.Findings: The caregivers’ total burden mean was 3.00 (SD= 0.50, range = 2.00–4.19). Social support demonstrated a significant relationship with family caregiver burden (impact on health: r=−0.48, p < .01; impact on schedule: r=−0.58, p < .01; impact on finances: r=−0.44, p < .01; lack of family support: r=−0.54, p < .01; and impact on total scale: r=−0.64, p < .01). Higher perceived social support reported by caregivers predicted lower caregiver burden. Multivariate analysis identified social support as a significant independent influence on caregiver burden after controlling for key demographic variables. Social support accounted for 33% (R2 increment = 0.33, p < .001) of the variance in caregiver burden.Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of social support on caregiver burden in this population. Future interventions should include social support to help alleviate caregiver burden in CCPs following surgery.Clinical Relevance: Results of this study emphasize the important role of social support to enable healthcare professionals to become more effective while caring for caregivers of the patient with CRC who has undergone surgery. The findings of the present study may facilitate cross‐cultural comparison and cultural‐oriented management of caregiver burden. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2011; XX:X, XXX–XXX. ©2011 Sigma Theta Tau International.