bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Responses of cricket cercal interneurons to realistic naturalistic stimuli in the field
Authors: Dupuy Fabienne , Steinmann Thomas , Pierre Dominique , Christidès Jean-Philippe , Cummins Graham , Lazzari Claudio , Miller John , Casas Jérôme 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY
The ability of the insect cercal system to detect approaching predators has been studied extensively in the laboratory and in the field. Some previous studies have assessed the extent to which sensory noise affects the operational characteristics of the cercal system, but these studies have only been carried out in laboratory settings using white noise stimuli of unrealistic nature. Using a piston mimicking the natural airflow of an approaching predator, we recorded the neural activity through the abdominal connectives from the terminal abdominal ganglion of freely moving wood crickets (Nemobius sylvestris) in a semi-field situation. A cluster analysis of spike amplitudes revealed six clusters, or ‘units’, corresponding to six different subsets of cercal interneurons. No spontaneous activity was recorded for the units of larger amplitude, reinforcing the idea they correspond to the largest giant interneurons. Many of the cercal units are already activated by background noise, sometimes only weakly, and the approach of a predator is signaled by an increase in their activity, in particular for the larger-amplitude units. A scaling law predicts that the cumulative number of spikes is a function of the velocity of the flow perceived at the rear of the cricket, including a multiplicative factor that increases linearly with piston velocity. We discuss the implications of this finding in terms of how the cricket might infer the imminence and nature of a predatory attack.
Temperature dependence of locomotor performance in the tropical clawed frog,Xenopus tropicalis
Authors: Herrel Anthony , Bonneaud Camille 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYAmphibians are ideal taxa with which to investigate the effects of climate change on physiology, dispersal capacity and distributional ranges as their physiological performance and fitness is highly dependent on temperature. Moreover, amphibians are among the most endangered vertebrate taxa. Here we use the tropical clawed frog, Xenopus tropicalis, as a model system to explore effects of temperature on locomotor performance. Our analyses show that locomotion is thermally sensitive, as illustrated by significant effects of temperature on terrestrial exertion capacity (time until exhaustion) and aquatic burst speed (maximal burst swimming velocity and maximal burst swimming acceleration capacity). Exertion performance measures had relatively lower temperature optima and narrower performance breadth ranges than measures of burst speed. The narrow 80% performance breadths confirm predictions that animals from stable environments should display high thermal sensitivity and, combined with the divergent temperature optima for exertion capacity and burst speed, underscore the vulnerability of tropical species such as X. tropicalis to even relatively small temperature changes. The temperature sensitivity of locomotor performance traits in X. tropicalis suggests that tropical ectotherms may be impacted by predicted changes in climate.
Isotopic incorporation rates for shark tissues from a long-term captive feeding study
Authors: Kim Sora Lee , del Rio Carlos Martínez , Casper Dave , Koch Paul L. 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY
Stable isotope analysis has provided insight into the dietary and habitat patterns of many birds, mammals and teleost fish. A crucial biological parameter to interpret field stable isotope data is tissue incorporation rate, which has not been well studied in large ectotherms. We report the incorporation of carbon and nitrogen into the tissues of leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata). Because sharks have relatively slow metabolic rates and are difficult to maintain in captivity, no long-term feeding study has been conducted until the point of isotopic steady state with a diet. We kept six leopard sharks in captivity for 1250 days, measured their growth, and serially sampled plasma, red blood cells and muscle for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. A single-compartment model with first-order kinetics adequately described the incorporation patterns of carbon and nitrogen isotopes for these three tissues. Both carbon and nitrogen were incorporated faster in plasma than in muscle and red blood cells. The rate of incorporation of carbon into muscle was similar to that predicted by an allometric equation relating isotopic incorporation rate to body mass that was developed previously for teleosts. In spite of their large size and unusual physiology, the rates of isotopic incorporation in sharks seem to follow the same patterns found in other aquatic ectotherms.
The glycated albumin to glycated haemoglobin ratio increases along with the fibrosis stage in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Bando Yukihiro , Kanehara Hideo , Aoki Keiko , Toya Daishy , Notsumata Kazuo , Tanaka Nobuyoshi , Enomoto Hirayuki , Nishiguchi Shu-hei , Nakasho Keiji , Nakamura Hideji , Kasayama Soji , Koga Masafumi 
Published: June 2012

Background We previously reported that the indicator of glycaemic control, glycated albumin (GA) levels, are low in relation to glycaemia in patients with high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease because of chronic inflammation, and that the GA/glycated haemoglobin ratio (G/H ratio) is inversely correlated with hepatic function in patients with chronic liver disease. The severity of liver fibrosis is known to be a good indicator for surveillance, and for determining the prognosis and optimal treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical usefulness of measuring the G/H ratio for predicting the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with NASH. Methods The study subjects were 36 patients with histologically diagnosed NASH (19 men, 17 women; mean age54.8 ± 12.2 years, body mass index 28.3 ± 5.0 kg/m2). The relationships of the G/H ratio to hepatic function tests and fibrosis stage in the liver were investigated. Results The G/H ratio in patients with NASH was inversely correlated with ALT ( P < 0.001) and platelet count ( P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the G/H ratio was positively correlated with the fibrosis stage in liver ( P = 0.003). Conclusions These results suggest that the G/H ratio increases along with the fibrosis stage in patients with NASH.
Classification of variant forms of haemoglobin according to the ratio of glycated haemoglobin to glycated albumin
Authors: Miyazaki Ayako , Kohzuma Takuji , Kasayama Soji , Koga Masafumi 
Published: June 2012

Background Asymptomatic variant haemoglobin is increasingly being found in the measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for the management of diabetes mellitus. We compared the HbA1c concentrations measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and immunoassay and glycated albumin (GA) concentrations and calculated the respective ratios in order to classify the variant haemoglobin. Methods Twenty different haemoglobin variants from 43 subjects were identified by mass spectrometry and DNA analysis. Since GA accurately reflects glycaemic control in patients with variant haemoglobin, we calculated respective ratios of HbA1c and GA. Haemoglobin variants causing a low ratio of HbA1c measured by HPLC (HPLC-HbA1c) to GA with a normal ratio of HbA1c measured by immunoassay (IA-HbA1c) to GA were classified as C1. A further classification of α and β was used with abnormalities of the α chain or β chain in the haemoglobin gene. Other haemoglobin variants were classified as non-C1. Eight diabetic patients with stable glycaemic control were used as controls. Results Twenty forms of variant haemoglobins were classified as C1 α (2 variants; I-Interlaken and Hb J-Meerut), C1 β (15 variants) and non-C1 (3 variants; Hb Himeji, Hb Woolwich, Hb Peterborough). Positive correlations between GA and HPLC-HbA1c or IA-HbA1c were seen in the C1 β patients with diabetes mellitus. The regression line between GA and HPLC-HbA1c, but not that between GA and IA-HbA1c, showed a downward shift in comparison with the data obtained from the diabetic controls. Conclusions Variant haemoglobin could be classified by calculating the ratios of HPLC-HbA1c, IA-HbA1c and GA.
Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in the assessment of inflammatory activity of rheumatoid arthritis patients in remission
Authors: Toldi Gergely , Bekő Gabriella , Kádár Gabriella , Mácsai Emília , Kovács László , Vásárhelyi Barna , Balog Attila 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background: Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a biomarker increasingly used for the assessment of systemic inflammation. We aimed to evaluate suPAR for the assessment of inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in remission.

Methods: In our cross-sectional study we measured plasma suPAR and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in 120 RA patients at various stages of disease activity and 29 healthy age-matched controls.

Results: suPAR, CRP and ESR values were higher in RA patients compared to healthy individuals. When suPAR levels were analyzed according to DAS28 scores of RA patients, suPAR level in the subgroup with DAS28≤2.6 was lower than in the subgroup with DAS28>2.6, but still higher than in controls [4.45 (3.33–5.56) ng/mL vs. 3.66 (3.10–4.67) ng/mL vs. 2.80 (2.06–3.42) ng/mL, p<0.0001, median (interquartile range)]. In contrast, CRP and ESR values were comparable in the subgroup with DAS28≤2.6 and in healthy individuals. We further analyzed the correlation between the number of tender and/or swollen joints and suPAR levels in RA patients in remission. suPAR values were significantly higher in patients with four tender and/or swollen joints than in patients with 2–3 or 0–1 tender and/or swollen joints.

Conclusions: While CRP and ESR values indicate remission of the chronic inflammatory process in RA, suPAR values are still elevated compared to healthy individuals. suPAR might be particularly valuable in the recognition of inflammatory activity in patients who are in remission according to DAS28 scores but have symptoms of tender and/or swollen joints.
Intensity Reflection Coefficient Based Min-Sum Decoding for Low Density Parity Check Codes
Authors: Islam Mohammad Rakibul , Mahmood Khandaker Sultan , Oshim Md. Farhan Tasnim , Farazi Md. Moshiur Rahman 
Published: June 2012

AbstractLow Density Parity Check Codes (LDPC) give groundbreaking performance which is known to approach Shannon’s limits for sufficiently large block length. Historically and recently, LDPC have been known to give superior performance than concatenated coding. In the following paper, a proposal to modify the standard Min-Sum (MS) algorithm for decoding LDPC codes is presented. This is done by introduction of a factor, intensity reflection coefficient (IRC),
α-Tocopherol ameliorates nickel induced testicular oxidative and nitrosative stress in albino rats
Authors: Jargar Jameel G. , Yendigeri Saeed M. , Hattiwale Shaheenkousar H. , Dhundasi Salim A. , Das Kusal K. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background: Heavy metals generate free radicals and induce oxidative and nitrosative stress with depletion of antioxidants. In this study, we have evaluated the beneficial effects of α-tocopherol against nickel sulfate exposed testicular dysfunction.

Methods:We studied the effect of supplementation of α-tocopherol (10 mg/100 g body weight, i.m.) on nickel sulfate (2.0 mg/100 g body weight, i.p.) induced testicular oxidative and nitrosative stress in Wister strain male albino rats. Serum and testicular nitric oxide, L-ascorbic acid and serum α-tocopherol concentrations were evaluated. We also evaluated sperm count, motility and histopathology of testes.

Results:Nickel treated rats showed significantly decreased body weight, testicular somatic index, sperm count, sperm motility, serum and testicular L-ascorbic acid concentration and serum α-tocopherol level as compared to their controls. However, simultaneous treatment with nickel sulfate and α-tocopherol produced a remarkable improvement of all the above parameters when compared with treatment with nickel alone. Nickel treated rats also had significantly increased serum and testicular nitric oxide concentrations as compared to their controls. However, simultaneous treatment with nickel sulfate and α-tocopherol significantly decreased nitric oxide concentrations in both serum and testes, respectively, as compared to nickel treatment alone. Histopathology of the testes revealed tortuous seminiferous tubules, loss of spermatogenesis process (>75%), congestion and necrosis in nickel sulfate treated rats, whereas rats simultaneously treated with nickel sulfate and α-tocopherol had almost normal seminiferous tubules and near normal spermatogenesis as compared to nickel alone treated rats.

Conclusions: Nickel sulfate treatment causes testicular oxidative and nitrosative stress in albino rats, but simultaneous supplementation of α-tocopherol was found to be beneficial in combating against such stresses.
Gene polymorphisms in chronic C virus hepatitis
Authors: Werling Klára , Rácz Károly 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem in the world. Current standard of treatment with pegylated interferonalpha (PegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) achieves a sustained virological response in 40–50% of those infected with genotype 1. Host genotyping studies have the potential to identify genes and therefore pathogenic processes important in viral clearance, enabling a rational approach to design new drugs, and to identify patients who will most likely respond to current and new treatments. The polymorphisms in IL28B are highly predictive of response to PegIFN and RBV combination therapy for HCV genotype 1 infection. Possibly combined to other baseline features, such as the measurements of IP-10 and HLA-C as well as on-treatment viral kinetics, should allow for improved prediction of response to HCV combination therapy. Host genetics have significant role in spontaneous clearance of HCV. Genotyping of this polymorphism will aid clinical decision making for both current standard of care and potentially for the integration of other agents in the future, providing an opportunity for clinicians to individualize treatment regimens for hepatitis C patients.
Comminution of a prolapsed thrombus after coronary stent implantation using cutting balloon
Authors: Komócsi András , Költô Gyöngyvér , Horváth Iván G. , Kónyi Attila 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Coronary thrombosis and secondary embolization remain two of the major challenges of intervention in myocardial infarction. Pharmacological dissolution as well as instruments to evacuate the thrombotic mass with or without distal protection have been applied in the acute interventions with variable degrees of success. With time, cross-linking of the fibrin strands results in a resilient, partially organizing coagulate that is more or less attached to the wall of the artery. The currently used devices designed to cope with recently formed thrombus may fail to disrupt these flexible structures, and pharmacological dissolution is also usually ineffective. Here, we report a case with a subacute occlusion; after failure of thrombus extraction, mechanical comminution of a clot with cutting balloons was successfully performed.
A Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study in Taiwan: Use of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Did Not Decrease Prostate Cancer Risk in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Authors: Liang Ji-An , Sun Li-Min , Lin Ming-Chia , Chang Shih-Ni , Sung Fung-Chang , Muo Chih-Hsin , Kao Chia-Hung 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to:Describe the effect of finasteride use on the incidence of prostate cancer and overall cancer.Describe the effect of dutasteride use on the incidence of renal cancer.Explain the relationship between finasteride dosage and risk of prostate cancer and overall cancer risk.
CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Background.
5α-Reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) are commonly used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) by blocking the conversion of testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone. This study explored a possible association between the use of the 5ARIs finasteride and dutasteride and the subsequent risk of prostate cancer or other cancers.

Methods.
We analyzed data from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance system. In a BPH cohort, we identified 1,489 patients with cancer and included them in our study group. For the control group, 3 patients without cancer were frequency matched with each BPH case for age, BPH diagnosis year, index year, and month. Information regarding past 5ARI use was obtained from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated.

Results.
Finasteride use marginally increased the incidence of prostate and overall cancer at a level of statistical significance (prostate cancer: OR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.00–3.59; overall cancer: OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.00–2.28). Dutasteride use significantly increased kidney cancer risk (OR = 9.68, 95% CI: 1.17–80.0). Dosage analysis showed that lower doses of finasteride were associated with higher overall and prostate cancer risks. The major limitation is the lack of important data in the NHIRD, such as prostate cancer histologic grades, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and family history of cancer.

Conclusions.
This population-based nested case-control study suggested that finasteride use may increase prostate and overall cancer risks for patients with BPH. The effects were more prominent for patients using lower doses of finasteride.
Directly Observed Antidepressant Medication Treatment and HIV Outcomes Among Homeless and Marginally Housed HIV-Positive Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tsai Alexander C. , Karasic Dan H. , Hammer Gwendolyn P. , Charlebois Edwin D. , Ragland Kathy , Moss Andrew R. , Sorensen James L. , Dilley James W. , Bangsberg David R. 
Published: June 2012

Objectives. We assessed whether directly observed fluoxetine treatment reduced depression symptom severity and improved HIV outcomes among homeless and marginally housed HIV-positive adults in San Francisco, California, from 2002 to 2008. Methods. We conducted a nonblinded, randomized controlled trial of once-weekly fluoxetine, directly observed for 24 weeks, then self-administered for 12 weeks (n = 137 persons with major or minor depressive disorder or dysthymia). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score was the primary outcome. Response was a 50% reduction from baseline and remission a score below 8. Secondary measures were Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score, antiretroviral uptake, antiretroviral adherence (measured by unannounced pill count), and HIV-1 RNA viral suppression (< 50 copies/mL). Results. The intervention reduced depression symptom severity (b = −1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.85, −3.08; P < .001) and increased response (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.40; 95% CI = 1.86, 3.10; P < .001) and remission (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI = 1.29, 3.87; P < .001). BDI-II results were similar. We observed no statistically significant differences in secondary HIV outcomes. Conclusions. Directly observed fluoxetine may be an effective depression treatment strategy for HIV-positive homeless and marginally housed adults, a vulnerable population with multiple barriers to adherence.
Interpersonal Processes of Care and Cesarean Delivery in Two Health Care Settings
Authors: Hessol Nancy A. , Odouli Roxana , Escobar Gabriel J. , Stewart Anita L. , Fuentes-Afflick Elena 
Published: June 2012

Objectives. We examined whether interpersonal processes of care (IPC) were associated with cesarean delivery. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional study of 1308 postpartum women at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Walnut Creek, CA (KP-WC), and San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) from 2004 to 2006. Using interview and medical record data, logistic regression analyses estimated the odds of cesarean delivery as a function of IPC domains. Results. After adjustment for demographic and reproductive factors, women at KP-WC who reported higher scores for their provider’s “elicitation of patient concerns and responsiveness” were less likely to have delivered by cesarean, whereas women who reported higher scores for “empowerment and self-care” were more likely. At KP-WC, women who reported low English proficiency were less likely to have delivered by cesarean than women who reported high proficiency. At SFGH, none of the IPC measures were significant; however, younger age was associated with a lower risk of cesarean delivery, whereas higher educational attainment was associated with an increased risk. Conclusions. To reduce record-high rates of cesarean delivery, more emphasis should be placed on addressing the nonmedical factors associated with operative delivery.
Sustained Effects of the Communities That Care System on Prevention Service System Transformation
Authors: Rhew Isaac C. , Brown Eric C. , Hawkins J. David , Briney John S. 
Published: June 2012

Objectives. We examined whether the Communities That Care (CTC) system sustained effects 1.5 years after study funding ended on prevention system constructs expected to be important for community-level reductions in drug use and antisocial behaviors among youths. Methods. Data were from a community trial of 24 towns in the United States randomized to either the CTC intervention or control conditions. Participants were 928 community key leaders interviewed at 1 to 4 waves from 2001 to 2009. Intervention activities, including training and technical assistance, were conducted between 2003 and 2008 in the CTC communities. Results. Leaders from CTC communities reported higher levels of adoption of a science-based approach to prevention and a higher percentage of funding desired for prevention activities in 2009 than did leaders in control communities. CTC communities showed a higher increase over time in community norms against adolescent drug use as well as adoption of a science-based approach compared with control communities. Conclusions. These findings indicated that CTC implementation produced enduring transformation of important prevention system constructs in intervention communities, which might, in turn, produce long-term reductions in youth problem behaviors.