bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aerobic exercise and intraocular pressure in normotensive and glaucoma patients
Authors: Natsis Konstantinos , Asouhidou Irene , Nousios George , Chatzibalis Theodosios , Vlasis Konstantinos , Karabatakis Vasilios 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
With the increasing number of people participating in physical aerobic exercise, jogging in particular, we considered that it would be worth knowing if there are should be limits to the exercise with regard to the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eyes. The purpose of this study is to check IOP in healthy and primary glaucoma patients after aerobic exercise.

Methods
145 individuals were subdivided into seven groups: normotensives who exercised regularly (Group A); normotensives in whose right eye (RE) timolol maleate 0.5% (Group B), latanoprost 0.005% (Group C), or brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (Group D) was instilled; and primary glaucoma patients under monotherapy with β-blockers (Group E), prostaglandin analogues (Group F) or combined antiglaucoma treatment (Group G) instilled in both eyes. The IOP of both eyes was measured before and after exercise.

Results
A statistically significant decrease was found in IOP during jogging. The aerobic exercise reduces the IOP in those eyes where a b-blocker, a prostaglandin analogue or an α-agonist was previously instilled. The IOP is also decreased in glaucoma patients who are already under antiglaucoma treatment.

Conclusion
There is no ocular restriction for simple glaucoma patients in performing aerobic physical activity.
Influence of gender, sexual orientation, and need on treatment utilization for substance use and mental disorders: Findings from the California Quality of Life Survey
Authors: Grella Christine E , Greenwell Lisa , Mays Vickie M , Cochran Susan D 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
Prior research has shown a higher prevalence of substance use and mental disorders among sexual minorities, however, the influence of sexual orientation on treatment seeking has not been widely studied. We use a model of help-seeking for vulnerable populations to investigate factors related to treatment for alcohol or drug use disorders and mental health disorders, focusing on the contributions of gender, sexual orientation, and need.

Methods
Survey data were obtained from a population-based probability sample of California residents that oversampled for sexual minorities. Logistic regression was used to model the enabling, predisposing, and need-related factors associated with past-year mental health or substance abuse treatment utilization among adults aged 18–64 (N = 2,074).

Results
Compared with individuals without a diagnosed disorder, those with any disorder were more likely to receive treatment. After controlling for both presence of disorder and other factors, lesbians and bisexual women were most likely to receive treatment and heterosexual men were the least likely. Moreover, a considerable proportion of sexual orientation minorities without any diagnosable disorder, particularly lesbians and bisexual women, also reported receiving treatment.

Conclusion
The study highlights the need to better understand the factors beyond meeting diagnostic criteria that underlie treatment utilization among sexual minorities. Future research should also aim to ascertain the effects of treatment provided to sexual minorities with and without diagnosable disorders, including the possibility that the provision of such treatment may reduce the likelihood of their progression to greater severity of distress, disorders, or impairments in functioning.
Phellodendron and Citrus extracts benefit joint health in osteoarthritis patients: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Oben Julius , Enonchong Ebangha , Kothari Shil , Chambliss Walter , Garrison Robert , Dolnick Deanne 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
The objective of this clinical study was to assess the potential benefit of a dietary supplement, NP 06-1, on joint health in overweight and normal weight adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

Methods
An 8-week placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was conducted with four groups comparing the effects of NP 06-1 to placebo on overweight and normal weight subjects diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis of the knee. NP 06-1 (a combination of two botanical extracts; Phellodendron amurense bark and Citrus sinensis peel) or matching placebo were given in a dose of two capsules (370 mg each) twice daily. The outcome measures were the Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI) for joint pain and movement as well as biomarkers of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]).

Results
Eighty (80) subjects were enrolled and 45 subjects completed the study. No serious adverse events were reported. The mean total LAI scores at baseline for the four groups ranged from 11.4 to 12.4 (SD 1.2 to 2.4). Treatment for 8 weeks resulted in a statistical improvement in the LAI score in the overweight treatment group compared to placebo (6.3 ± 2.3 vs 11.8 ± 1.5; p < 0.0001). At 8 weeks, a similar result was observed in the normal weight groups (7.7 ± 1.4 vs 9.9 ± 0.9; p < 0.0001). There was a reduction in CRP levels with treatment in the overweight treatment group at 8 weeks (-0.62 ± 0.2; 49%) compared to baseline (p < 0.001) and to placebo (p < 0.001). For the normal weight participants, there were significant reductions in CRP compared to baseline, but not to the matched placebo group. Both overweight and normal weight treatment groups lost a significant amount of weight compared to their placebo groups. The overweight treatment group lost an average of 5% body weight after 8 weeks. There was no significant change in ESR in any of the groups.

Conclusion
In this pilot study, NP 06-1 had beneficial effects on symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee as measured using LAI scores and had anti-inflammatory effects as measured using CRP. Administration of NP 06-1 was also associated with weight loss, which may have been a contributing factor to the other benefits.
Combined therapy with cyclophosphamide and DNA preparation inhibits the tumor growth in mice
Authors: Alyamkina Ekaterina A , Dolgova Evgenia V , Likhacheva Anastasia S , Rogachev Vladimir A , Sebeleva Tamara E , Nikolin Valeriy P , Popova Nelly A , Orishchenko Konstantin E , Strunkin Dmitriy N , Chernykh Elena R , Zagrebelniy Stanislav N , Bogachev Sergei S , Shurdov Mikhail A 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
When cyclophosphamide and preparations of fragmented exogenous genomic double stranded DNA were administered in sequence, the regressive effect on the tumor was synergic: this combined treatment had a more pronounced effect than cyclophosphamide alone. Our further studies demonstrated that exogenous DNA stimulated the maturation and specific activities of dendritic cells. This suggests that cyclophosphamide, combined with DNA, leads to an immune response to the tumors that were grafted into the subjects post treatment.

Methods
Three-month old CBA/Lac mice were used in the experiments. The mice were injected with cyclosphamide (200 mkg per 1 kg body weight) and genomic DNA (of human, mouse or salmon sperm origin). The DNA was administered intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. After 23 to 60 days, one million tumor cells were intramuscularly grafted into the mice. In the final experiment, the mice were pre-immunized by subcutaneous injections of 20 million repeatedly thawed and frozen tumor cells. Changes in tumor growth were determined by multiplying the three perpendicular diameters (measured by caliper). Students' t-tests were used to determine the difference between tumor growth and average survival rate between the mouse groups and the controls.

Results
An analysis of varying treatments with cyclophosphamide and exogenous DNA, followed by tumor grafting, provided evidence that this combined treatment had an immunizing effect. This inhibitory effect in mice was analyzed in an experiment with the classical immunization of a tumor homogenate. The strongest inhibitory action on a transplanted graft was created through the following steps: cyclophosphamide at 200 mg/kg of body weight administered as a pretreatment; 6 mg fragmented exogenous DNA administered over the course of 3 days; tumor homogenate grafted 10 days following the final DNA injection.

Conclusion
Fragmented exogenous DNA injected with cyclophosphamide inhibits the growth of tumors that are grafted to mice after this combined treatment.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulatory activities of caffeic acid and ellagic acid in cardiac tissue of diabetic mice
Authors: Chao Pei-chun , Hsu Cheng-chin , Yin Mei-chin 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
Caffeic acid (CA) and ellagic acid (EA) are phenolic acids naturally occurring in many plant foods. Cardiac protective effects of these compounds against dyslipidemia, hypercoagulability, oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic mice were examined.

Methods
Diabetic mice were divided into three groups (15 mice per group): diabetic mice with normal diet, 2% CA treatment, or 2% EA treatment. One group of non-diabetic mice with normal diet was used for comparison. After 12 weeks supplement, mice were sacrificed, and the variation of biomarkers for hypercoagulability, oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiac tissue of diabetic mice were measured.

Results
The intake of CA or EA significantly increased cardiac content of these compounds, alleviated body weight loss, elevated plasma insulin and decreased plasma glucose levels in diabetic mice (p < 0.05). These treatments also significantly enhanced plasma antithrombin-III and protein C activities (p < 0.05); and decreased triglyceride content in cardiac tissue and plasma (p < 0.05), in which the hypolipidemic effects of EA were significantly greater than that of CA (p < 0.05). CA or EA significantly lowered cardiac levels of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, interleukin (IL)-beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (p < 0.05); and retained cardiac activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (p < 0.05). These compounds also significantly up-regulated cardiac mRNA expression of GPX1, SOD and catalase; and down-regulated IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and MCP-1 mRNA expression in diabetic mice (p < 0.05).

Conclusion
These results support that CA and EA could provide triglyceride-lowering, anti-coagulatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory protection in cardiac tissue of diabetic mice. Thus, the supplement of these agents might be helpful for the prevention or attenuation of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Endoscopic T-tube placement in the management of lye-induced esophageal perforation: Case report of a safe treatment strategy
Authors: McMahon Mary Aisling , O'Kelly Fardod , Lim Kheng Tian , Ravi Narayanasamy , Reynolds John Vincent 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Esophageal perforation is associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. We report herein a case of lye-induced esophageal perforation managed successfully by employing endoscopic T-tube placement with a successful outcome.
Fat head: an analysis of head and neck insulation in the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Authors: Davenport John , Fraher John , Fitzgerald Edward , McLaughlin Patrick , Doyle Tom , Harman Luke , Cuffe Tracy 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARY
Adult leatherback turtles are gigantothermic/endothermic when foraging in cool temperate waters, maintaining a core body temperature within the main body cavity of ca. 25°C despite encountering surface temperatures of ca. 15°C and temperatures as low as 0.4°C during dives. Leatherbacks also eat very large quantities of cold, gelatinous prey (medusae and pyrosomas). We hypothesised that the head and neck of the leatherback would have structural features to minimise cephalic heat loss and limit cooling of the head and neck during food ingestion. By gross dissection and analytical computed tomography (validated by ground truthing dissection) of an embalmed specimen we confirmed this prediction. 21% of the head and neck was occupied by adipose tissue. This occurred as intracranial blubber,encapsulating the salt glands, medial portions of the eyeballs, plus the neurocranium and brain. The dorsal and lateral surfaces of the neck featured thick blubber pads whereas the carotid arteries and jugular veins were deeply buried in the neck and protected laterally by blubber. The oesophagus was surrounded by a thick sheath of adipose tissue whereas the oropharyngeal cavity had an adipose layer between it and the bony proportion of the palate,providing further ventral insulation for salt glands and neurocranium.
Are stress hormone levels a good proxy of foraging success? An experiment with King Penguins,Aptenodytes patagonicus
Authors: Angelier Frédéric , Giraudeau Mathieu , Bost Charles-André , Le Bouard Fabrice , Chastel Olivier 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYIn seabirds, variations in stress hormone (corticosterone; henceforth CORT)levels have been shown to reflect changing marine conditions and, especially,changes in food availability. However, it remains unclear how CORT levels can be mechanistically affected by these changes at the individual level. Specifically, the influence of food acquisition and foraging success on CORT secretion is poorly understood. In this study, we tested whether food acquisition can reduce baseline CORT levels (`the food intake hypothesis') by experimentally reducing foraging success of King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus). Although CORT levels overall decreased during a foraging trip, CORT levels did not differ between experimental birds and controls. These results demonstrate that mass gain at sea is not involved in changes in baseline CORT levels in this species. The overall decrease in CORT levels during a foraging trip could result from CORT-mediated energy regulation (`the energy utilisation hypothesis'). Along with other evidence, we suggest that the influence of foraging success and food intake on CORT levels is complex and that the ecological meaning of baseline CORT levels can definitely vary between species and ecological contexts. Therefore, further studies are needed to better understand (1) how baseline CORT levels are functionally regulated according to energetic status and energetic demands and (2) to what extent CORT can be used to aid in the conservation of seabird populations.
Cyclomorphosis in Tardigrada: adaptation to environmental constraints
Authors: Halberg Kenneth Agerlin , Persson Dennis , Ramløv Hans , Westh Peter , Kristensen Reinhardt Møbjerg , Møbjerg Nadja 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARY
Tardigrades exhibit a remarkable resilience against environmental extremes. In the present study, we investigate mechanisms of survival and physiological adaptations associated with sub-zero temperatures and severe osmotic stress in two commonly found cyclomorphic stages of the marine eutardigrade Halobiotus crispae. Our results show that only animals in the so-called pseudosimplex 1 stage are freeze tolerant. In pseudosimplex 1, as well as active-stage animals kept at a salinity of 20 ppt, ice formation proceeds rapidly at a crystallization temperature of around –20°C,revealing extensive supercooling in both stages, while excluding the presence of physiologically relevant ice-nucleating agents. Experiments on osmotic stress tolerance show that the active stage tolerates the largest range of salinities. Changes in body volume and hemolymph osmolality of active-stage specimens (350–500 μm) were measured following salinity transfers from 20 ppt. Hemolymph osmolality at 20 ppt was approximately 950 mOsm kg–1. Exposure to hypo-osmotic stress in 2 and 10 ppt caused(1) rapid swelling followed by a regulatory volume decrease, with body volume reaching control levels after 48 h and (2) decrease in hemolymph osmolality followed by a stabilization at significantly lower osmolalities. Exposure to hyperosmotic stress in 40 ppt caused (1) rapid volume reduction, followed by a regulatory increase, but with a new steady-state after 24 h below control values and (2) significant increase in hemolymph osmolality. At any investigated external salinity, active-stage H. crispaehyper-regulate, indicating a high water turnover and excretion of dilute urine. This is likely a general feature of eutardigrades.
Metabolic correlates of selection on aerobic capacity in laboratory mice:a test of the model for the evolution of endothermy
Authors: Gębczyński Andrzej K. , Konarzewski Marek 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYAccording to the aerobic capacity model of the evolution of endothermy,high levels of basal/resting metabolic rate (BMR/RMR) underlying endothermy have evolved as a correlated response to selection for high rates of aerobic metabolism (VO2max). To test the model we studied metabolic, behavioural and morphological correlates of replicated selection on maximum body mass-corrected metabolism elicited by swimming(VO2swim) in male laboratory mice. While 10 generations of selection did not change body mass, it resulted in a 12%difference in VO2swim between mice of selected and control line types and significant, correlated responses in maximum metabolic rates elicited by exposure to cold in a helium–oxygen atmosphere (VO2He), and during forced running on a motorized treadmill (VO2run). Selected and control lines also significantly differed with respect to duration of running(a measure of stamina, trun), and the distance run to exhaustion (de). However, the selection protocol did not result in elevated BMR and voluntary activity. Higher VO2max in selected animals was positively correlated with higher masses of gastrocnemius muscles and heart but not of other visceral organs (intestine, stomach, liver and kidneys). These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the lack of correlation between basal and maximal metabolic rates in selected mice. Overall, our study does not support the assumptions of the aerobic capacity model for the evolution of endothermy.
Thermo-sensitive response based on the membrane fluidity adaptation inParamecium multimicronucleatum
Authors: Toyoda Taichi , Hiramatsu Yoshinori , Sasaki Toshiaki , Nakaoka Yasuo 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYRelationships between the thermo-sensitive response and membrane lipid fluidity were studied using a ciliated protozoan, Paramecium multimicronucleatum. Paramecium elicits a transient membrane depolarization in response to a cooling stimulus (temperature drop). The depolarization amplitude was largest when the cooling stimulus was started from the culture temperature, whilst when cooling started at a temperature more than 5°C higher or lower than the culture temperature, only a small depolarization was induced. Therefore, the cooling-induced response was dependent on the culture temperature and its sensitivity to the cooling stimulus was highest at the culture temperature. Membrane fluidity measurements of living cells using the fluorescent dye 6-lauroyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene (laurdan) showed that the fluidity measured at the culture temperature was almost constant irrespective of the temperature at which the cells had been cultured and adapted, which is consistent with homeoviscous adaptation. The constant fluidity at the culture temperature quickly decreased within a few seconds of application of the cooling stimulus, and the decreased fluidity gradually readapted to a constant level at the decreased temperature within 1 h. When the constant fluidity at culture temperature was modified by the addition of procaine or benzyl alcohol, the cooling-induced depolarization was completely abolished. These results suggest the possibility that the adaptation of fluidity to a constant level and its quick decrease below the constant level activate cooling-sensitive channels to elicit the transient depolarization.
Photoreactivation is the main repair pathway for UV-induced DNA damage in coral planulae
Authors: Reef Ruth , Dunn Simon , Levy Oren , Dove Sophie , Shemesh Eli , Brickner Itzchak , Leggat William , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARY
The larvae of most coral species spend some time in the plankton, floating just below the surface and hence exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The high levels of UVR are potentially stressful and damaging to DNA and other cellular components, such as proteins, reducing survivorship. Consequently, mechanisms to either shade (prevent) or repair damage potentially play an important role. In this study, the role of photoreactivation in the survival of coral planulae was examined. Photoreactivation is a light-stimulated response to UV-damaged DNA in which photolyase proteins repair damaged DNA. Photoreactivation rates, as well as the localization of photolyase, were explored in planulae under conditions where photoreactivation was or was not inhibited. The results indicate that photoreactivation is the main DNA repair pathway in coral planulae, repairing UV-induced DNA damage swiftly (K=1.75 h–1 and a half-life of repair of 23 min), with no evidence of any light-independent DNA repair mechanisms, such as nucleotide excision repair (NER), at work. Photolyase mRNA was localized to both the ectoderm and endoderm of the larvae. The amount of cell death in the coral planulae increased significantly when photoreactivation was inhibited, by blocking photoreactivating light. We found that photoreactivation, along with additional UV shielding in the form of five mycosporine-like amino acids, are sufficient for survival in surface tropical waters and that planulae do not accumulate DNA damage despite being exposed to high UVR.
Cockroaches breathe discontinuously to reduce respiratory water loss
Authors: Schimpf Natalie G. , Matthews Philip G. D. , Wilson Robbie S. , White Craig R. 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYThe reasons why many insects breathe discontinuously at rest are poorly understood and hotly debated. Three adaptive hypotheses attempt to explain the significance of these discontinuous gas exchange cycles (DGCs), whether it be to save water, to facilitate gas exchange in underground environments or to limit oxidative damage. Comparative studies favour the water saving hypothesis and mechanistic studies are equivocal but no study has examined the acclimation responses of adult insects chronically exposed to a range of respiratory environments. The present research is the first manipulative study of such chronic exposure to take a strong-inference approach to evaluating the competing hypotheses according to the explicit predictions stemming from them. Adult cockroaches (Nauphoeta cinerea) were chronically exposed to various treatments of different respiratory gas compositions (O2,CO2 and humidity) and the DGC responses were interpreted in light of the a priori predictions stemming from the competing hypotheses. Rates of mass loss during respirometry were also measured for animals acclimated to a range of humidity conditions. The results refute the hypotheses of oxidative damage and underground gas exchange, and provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that DGCs serve to reduce respiratory water loss: cockroaches exposed to low humidity conditions exchange respiratory gases for shorter durations during each DGC and showed lower rates of body mass loss during respirometry than cockroaches exposed to high humidity conditions.