bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of nicotine content information in smokers' subjective responses to nicotine and placebo inhalers
Authors: Darredeau Christine , Barrett Sean P. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractObjectiveA growing body of evidence suggests that non‐pharmacological factors may play an important role in smoking cessation outcomes using nicotine replacement therapies. This study examined the role of information about nicotine content in smokers' subjective responses to nicotine and placebo inhalers, using the four conditions of the balanced‐placebo design in a mixed within/between‐subjects design.MethodsTwenty‐four adult smokers (12 male) completed two laboratory sessions following overnight abstinence from smoking. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either nicotine inhalers or placebo inhalers in both sessions but were told that they received a nicotine‐containing inhaler in one session and a nicotine‐free inhaler in the other. In each session participants completed subjective assessments before and after inhaler administration using visual analogue scales and the Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges.ResultsWhile neither nicotine content nor information about it significantly affected cigarette craving associated with withdrawal relief, participants reported a greater reduction in craving associated with intention to smoke when told the inhalers contained nicotine than when told the inhalers were nicotine‐free, regardless of actual nicotine content.ConclusionsFindings suggest that psychological factors play an important role in smokers' subjective responses to nicotine inhalers, the effects of which cannot be solely attributed to the direct pharmacological effects of nicotine. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leaf Litter Decomposition of Three Riparian Tree Species and Associated Macroinvertebrates of Eswathu Oya, a Low Order Tropical Stream in Sri Lanka
Authors: Walpola Hiranthi , Leichtfried Maria , Amarasinghe Mala , Füreder Leopold 
Published: February 2011

AbstractLeaf decomposition, an important component of the organic matter dynamics in streams, has been widely examined in temperate regions but much less documented in tropical regions. We report here the first study of leaf decomposition in a Sri Lankan stream. The litterbag technique was used. Coarse (8 mm) and fine (100 µm) litterbags, that included or excluded macroinvertebrates respectively, were used to enclose leaves of three dominant riparian tree species: native Ochlandra stridula (bamboo), and the introduced Alstonia macrophylla and Hevea brasiliensis (rubber). A fourth set of litterbags contained a mixture of these three species. Leaf colonization by macroinvertebrates was highest in the early stages of the decomposition process on Hevea leaves but invertebrate densities declined later. The opposite colonization effect was observed on the native Ochlandra leaves: slow colonization with continuing low densities from the beginning to the end of the process. Decomposition of all three species was significantly faster in the coarse than in the fine mesh bags. Alstonia, which has the softest leaf tissue, was most rapidly decomposed while Ochlandra, with its tough structure, was the slowest. Among the invertebrates, insects were the most important leaf colonizing animals, with Diptera, Coleoptera and Trichoptera the most dominant. The invertebrate variety in the mixed bags was higher than in the single‐species leaf bags, where Chironomidae dominated the colonizing assemblages. This study has shown that toughness, indicated by the ‘specific weight of leaf tissue’, and the quality of the leaves was more important in determining breakdown rates than their origin. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Life Cycle and Feeding Habits of Dina punctata Johansson, 1927 (Erpobdellidae, Hirudinea) in a Small Carpathian Stream
Authors: Beracko Pavel , Košel Vladimír 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe leech Dina punctata Johanson, 1927 inhabits various types of running waters. This species appeared in Slovakia probably after the first Rhine‐Main‐Danube canal was built. Because little is known about its ecology, the aim of our study was to analyze the life cycle, individual growth rate, reproduction parameters and food composition of D. punctata in the Vydrica Stream. Samples of leeches were taken mainly each month from April 2003 to November 2004. The leech D. punctata had maximal 2‐year life cycle there. Mature leeches, which were recognized by the presence of clitella, were present from April to the end of August. The most individuals mature at the age of 1 year. The breeding season of D. punctata peaks in June. The number of eggs per one cocoon is from 3 to 12. The mean successfulness of development of egg to embryo is 58%. Larvae from the family Chironomidae (28%), Gammarus fossarum (20%) and oligochaetes from the subfamily Naidinae (17%) are the dominant components of the feeding niche. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Epiphytic Rotifer Abundance and Diversity in Moss Patches in Bogs and Fens in the Polesie National Park (Eastern Poland)
Authors: Bielańska‐Grajner Irena , Cudak Anna , Mieczan Tomasz 
Published: February 2011

AbstractMoss‐inhabiting rotifers were studied in 2 raised bogs, 2 poor fens (i.e. intermediate between raised bogs and typical fens), 1 typical fen, and 1 base‐rich fen, located in the Polesie National Park (eastern Poland). Moss samples were collected from April till November 2007 in monthly intervals. In total, 42 taxa of Monogononta and 26 of Bdelloidea were found. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) detected highly significant differences between the habitats in conductivity (F = 37.19, P < 0.001), total organic content (F = 9.34, P < 0.001), total P (F = 51.71, P < 0.001), and nitrate N (F = 48.98, P < 0.001). The mean density of rotifers was the highest in a bog dominated by Sphagnum angustifolium Jensen (Durne Bagno), and the lowest in the base‐rich fen (Bubnów). In all the studied habitats, the Bdelloidea were the most abundant, accounting for 56 to 85% of the total rotifer density. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), made for selected physicochemical parameters and taxa, confirms strong relationships between abiotic conditions and selected rotifer taxa: Habrotrocha angusticolis, Dicranophorus capucinus, Keratella serrulata, and Lepadella elliptica. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of Rotenone Treatment on Lotic Invertebrates
Authors: Kjærstad Gaute , Arnekleiv Jo Vegar 
Published: February 2011

AbstractTwo rivers in Norway were treated with rotenone in an effort to eradicate the salmon parasite, Gyrodactylus salaris. Rotenone induced an immediate catastrophic invertebrate drift, mainly of dead individuals. The response to rotenone with respect to degree and timing varied widely. Baetis rhodani, Isoperla sp. and Rhyacophila nubila displayed a strong increase in drift densities early in the treatment. Baetis niger, Ameletus inopinatus, Heptagenia sp. and Agapetus ochripes showed a delayed response. Ephemerella aurivillii, E. mucronata, Taeniopteryx nebulosa and Elmis aenea drifted at low densities throughout the treatment. Early larval instar tended to be more sensitive to rotenone than later instar, and the toxic effect of rotenone tended to increase with increasing water temperature. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Antigenotoxicity of artepillin C in vivo evaluated by the micronucleus and comet assays
Authors: de Azevedo Bentes Monteiro Neto Moacir , de Souza Lima Ildercílio Mota , Furtado Ricardo Andrade , Bastos Jairo Kenupp , da Silva Filho Ademar Alves , Tavares Denise Crispim 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTArtepillin C (3,5‐diprenyl‐p‐coumaric acid), a major compound found in Brazilian green propolis and Baccharis dracunculifolia, shows anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and antitumoral activities, among others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic potential of artepillin C and its ability to prevent the chemically induced chromosome breakage or loss and the primary DNA damage using the micronucleus and comet assays in male Swiss mice, respectively. The animals were treated by gavage with different doses of artepillin C (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg kg−1 b.w.). For the antigenotoxicity assays, the different doses of artepillin C were administered simultaneously to doxorubicin (DXR; micronucleus test; 15 mg kg−1 b.w.) and to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; comet assay; 40 mg kg−1 b.w.). The results showed that artepillin C itself was not genotoxic in the mouse micronucleus and comet assays. In the animals treated with artepillin C and DXR, the number of micronucleated reticulocytes was significantly lower in comparison with the animals treated only with DXR. Regarding antigenotoxicity, artepillin C at the tested doses significantly reduced the extent of DNA damage in liver cells induced by MMS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The extract of the jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata promotes neurotoxic effects
Authors: Carneiro Raquel Felipe Vasconcelos , Nascimento Nilberto Robson Falcão do , Costa Paula Priscila Correia , Gomes Victor Martins , de Souza Alex Jardelino Felizardo , de Oliveira Simone Cristina Buzzo , dos Santos Diz Filho Eduardo Britto , Zara Fernando José , Fonteles Manassés Claudino , de Oliveira Toyama Daniela , Toyama Marcos Hikari , Santos Cláudia Ferreira 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTPhyllorhiza punctata (P. punctata) is a jellyfish native to the southwestern Pacific. Herewith we present the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of an extract of the tentacles of P. punctata. The tentacles were subjected to three freeze–thaw cycles, homogenized, ultrafiltered, precipitated, centrifuged and lyophilized to obtain a crude extract (PHY‐N). Paralytic shellfish poisoning compounds such as saxitoxin, gonyautoxin‐4, tetrodotoxin and brevetoxin‐2, as well as several secretory phospholipase A2 were identified. PHY‐N was tested on autonomic and somatic neuromuscular preparations. In mouse vas deferens, PHY‐N induced phasic contractions that reached a peak of 234 ± 34.7% of control twitch height, which were blocked with either 100 μ m of phentolamine or 1 m m of lidocaine. In mouse corpora cavernosa, PHY‐N evoked a relaxation response, which was blocked with either L‐NG‐Nitroarginine methyl ester (0.5 m m) or 1 m m of lidocaine. PHY‐N (1, 3 and 10 μg ml−1) induced an increase in tonus of the biventer–cervicis neuromuscular preparation that was blocked with pre‐treatment of galamine (10 μ m). Administration of 6 mg kg−1 PHY‐N intramuscularly produced death in broilers by spastic paralysis. In conclusion, PHY‐N induces nerve depolarization and nonspecifically increases neurotransmitter release. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A possible mechanism for hepatotoxicity induced by BIRB‐796, an orally active p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase inhibitor
Authors: Iwano Shunsuke , Asaoka Yoshiji , Akiyama Hideo , Takizawa Satoko , Nobumasa Hitoshi , Hashimoto Hisashi , Miyamoto Yohei 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTBIRB‐796, a selective inhibitor of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, has entered clinical trials for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Levels of alanine transaminase, a biomarker of hepatic toxicity in clinical pathology, were found to be increased in Crohn's disease patients treated with BIRB‐796. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the molecular mechanism(s) of this hepatotoxicity. A toxicogenomic analysis using a highly sensitive DNA chip, 3D‐Gene™ Mouse Oligo chip 24k, indicated that BIRB‐796 treatment activated the nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 signaling pathway, which plays a key role in the response to oxidative stress. A reactive intermediate of BIRB‐796 was detected by the glutathione‐trapping method using mouse and human liver microsomes. The production of this reactive metabolite in the liver may be one of the causes of BIRB‐796's hepatotoxicity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased expression of miR‐34a in mouse spleen one day after exposure to N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea
Authors: Chen David , Li Zhiguang , Chen Tao 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of single‐stranded small RNA molecules (~22 nucleotides) that are not translated into proteins and function as regulators of gene expression. Many miRNAs are involved in carcinogenesis. One of them, miR‐34a, is associated with various p53‐initiated biological processes and may act as a tumor suppressor miRNA. Its expression is generally down‐regulated in tumor tissues and up‐regulated in tissues exposed to carcinogens chronically or subchronically. However, the response of this miRNA to acute exposure of a genotoxic carcinogen is little known. In this study, miR‐34a expression was evaluated in spleen tissues of mice treated with a dose of 120 mg kg−1 body weight N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea (ENU), a potent mutagenic carcinogen. Real‐time PCR analysis showed that the ENU exposure resulted in a 5.5‐fold increase of miR‐34a expression over the control one day after the treatment. The result suggests that miR‐34a expression responds sensitively to genotoxic insults within a short period after exposure of the mutagen, and therefore, this gene has the potential to be used as an indicator for genotoxin exposure.
Arsenic: toxicity, oxidative stress and human disease
Authors: Jomova K. , Jenisova Z. , Feszterova M. , Baros S. , Liska J. , Hudecova D. , Rhodes C. J. , Valko M. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTArsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid element that is present in air, water and soil. Inorganic arsenic tends to be more toxic than organic arsenic. Examples of methylated organic arsenicals include monomethylarsonic acid [MMA(V)] and dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(V)]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐mediated oxidative damage is a common denominator in arsenic pathogenesis. In addition, arsenic induces morphological changes in the integrity of mitochondria. Cascade mechanisms of free radical formation derived from the superoxide radical, combined with glutathione‐depleting agents, increase the sensitivity of cells to arsenic toxicity. When both humans and animals are exposed to arsenic, they experience an increased formation of ROS/RNS, including peroxyl radicals (ROO•), the superoxide radical, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical (OH•) via the Fenton reaction, hydrogen peroxide, the dimethylarsenic radical, the dimethylarsenic peroxyl radical and/or oxidant‐induced DNA damage. Arsenic induces the formation of oxidized lipids which in turn generate several bioactive molecules (ROS, peroxides and isoprostanes), of which aldehydes [malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4‐hydroxy‐nonenal (HNE)] are the major end products. This review discusses aspects of chronic and acute exposures of arsenic in the etiology of cancer, cardiovascular disease (hypertension and atherosclerosis), neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances, liver disease and renal disease, reproductive health effects, dermal changes and other health disorders. The role of antioxidant defence systems against arsenic toxicity is also discussed. Consideration is given to the role of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (α‐tocopherol), curcumin, glutathione and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in their protective roles against arsenic‐induced oxidative stress. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiotoxicity testing using pluripotent stem cell‐derived human cardiomyocytes and state‐of‐the‐art bioanalytics: a review
Authors: Mandenius Carl‐Fredrik , Steel Daniella , Noor Fozia , Meyer Thomas , Heinzle Elmar , Asp Julia , Arain Sarina , Kraushaar Udo , Bremer Susanne , Class Reiner , Sartipy Peter 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTIn this article, recent progress in cardiotoxicity testing based on the use of immortalized cell lines or human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived cardiomyocytes in combination with state‐of‐the‐art bioanalytical methods and sensors is reviewed. The focus is on hESC‐derived cells and their refinement into competent testing cells, but the access and utility of other relevant cell types are also discussed. Recent developments in sensor techniques and bioanalytical approaches for measuring critical cardiotoxicity parameters are highlighted, together with aspects of data evaluation and validation. Finally, recommendations for further research are given. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Directed assembly of cell‐laden microgels for building porous three‐dimensional tissue constructs
Authors: Yanagawa Fumiki , Kaji Hirokazu , Jang Yun‐Ho , Bae Hojae , Yanan Du , Fukuda Junji , Qi Hao , Khademhosseini Ali 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe organization of cells within a well‐defined microenvironment is important in generating the resulting tissue function. However, the cellular organization within biodegradable scaffolds often does not resemble those of native tissues. In this study, we present directed assembly of microgels to organize cells for building porous 3D tissue constructs. Cell‐laden microgels were generated by molding photocrosslinkable polyethylene glycol diacrylate within a poly(dimethyl siloxane) stencil. The resulting microgels were subsequently packed as individual layers (1 mm in height) on a glass substrate by removing the excess prepolymer solution around the microgels. These clusters were crosslinked and stacked on one another to fabricate thick 3D constructs that were greater than 1 cm in width and 3 mm in thickness. To generate pores within the engineered structures, sodium alginate microgels were integrated in the engineered constructs and used as a sacrificial template. These pores may be potentially useful for fabricating a vascular network to supply oxygen and nutrients to the engineered tissue constructs. This simple and versatile building approach may be a useful tool for various 3D tissue culture and engineering applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Tumoral calcinosis: Sonographic sedimentation sign
Authors: Chakarun Corey J. , Talkin Brenna , White Eric A. , Romero Miriam , Ralls Philip W. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractWe present the sonographic findings of tumoral calcinosis in two patients compared with conventional radiography, CT, and MRI. Sonography in both patients demonstrated fluid‐sedimentation levels, with more echogenic debris layering dependently. This appearance has been referred to as the “sedimentation sign” on conventional radiography and results from dependent layering of hydroxyapatite crystals within cystic spaces of the lesion. There are only three reported cases in the world literature of sonographic findings in patients with tumoral calcinosis. We describe the first two cases of sonography demonstrating the “sedimentation sign,” which may aid in the diagnosis of tumoral calcinosis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Transvaginal sonography of postabortal (redo) syndrome
Authors: Sherer David M. , Salame Ghadir , Shah Tana , Lee Yi‐Chun , Serur Eli , Economos Katherine , Gorelick Constantine , Abulafia Ovadia 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAcute hematometra, also termed the postabortal syndrome or redo syndrome, is a rare immediate complication of suction curettage characterized by severe lower abdominal cramping in association with an enlarged and markedly tender uterus. We describe the transvaginal sonographic features of this syndrome. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Variations on cops and robbers
Authors: Frieze Alan , Krivelevich Michael , Loh Po‐Shen 
Published: February 2011

AbstractWe consider several variants of the classical Cops and Robbers game. We treat the version where the robber can move R≥1 edges at a time, establishing a general upper bound of , where α = 1 + 1/R, thus generalizing the best known upper bound for the classical case R = 1 due to Lu and Peng, and Scott and Sudakov. We also show that in this case, the cop number of an n‐vertex graph can be as large as n1 − 1/(R − 2) for finite R≥5, but linear in n if R is infinite. For R = 1, we study the directed graph version of the problem, and show that the cop number of any strongly connected digraph on n vertices is O(n(loglogn)2/logn). Our approach is based on expansion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory.
Post‐traumatic osteoarthritis: Improved understanding and opportunities for early intervention
Authors: Anderson Donald D. , Chubinskaya Susan , Guilak Farshid , Martin James A. , Oegema Theodore R. , Olson Steven A. , Buckwalter Joseph A. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractEven with current treatments of acute joint injuries, more than 40% of people who suffer significant ligament or meniscus tears, or articular surface injuries, will develop osteoarthritis (OA). Correspondingly, 12% or more of all patients with lower extremity OA have a history of joint injury. Recent research suggests that acute joint damage that occurs at the time of an injury initiates a sequence of events that can lead to progressive articular surface damage. New molecular interventions, combined with evolving surgical methods, aim to minimize or prevent progressive tissue damage triggered by joint injury. Seizing the potential for progress in the treatment of joint injuries to forestall OA will depend on advances in (1) quantitative methods of assessing the injury severity, including both structural damage and biologic responses, (2) understanding of the pathogenesis of post‐traumatic OA, taking into account potential interactions among the different tissues and the role of post‐traumatic incongruity and instability, and (3) application of engineering and molecular research to develop new methods of treating injured joints. This paper highlights recent advances in understanding of the structural damage and the acute biological response following joint injury, and it identifies important directions for future research. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:802–809