bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between coping and psychological and physical adjustment in rheumatoid arthritis: a literature review
Authors: Ramjeet Janet , Smith Jane , Adams Malcolm 
Published: October 2008

Aim. This systematic review examines how specific coping strategies are associated with psychological and physical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis.Background and methods. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long‐term condition that people cope with but it is unclear whether specific coping strategies have an effect on mood and function. Therefore a systematic review was undertaken of the coping with arthritis literature and 174 studies were initially included. Further examination determined that 31 studies (11 longitudinal and 20 cross sectional) were finally included in the review. The 31 studies were clinically and methodologically diverse; therefore the analysis of results was a qualitative synthesis. Coping strategies that contributed to the prediction of outcomes were allocated to a new structure for the classification of coping.Results. The results demonstrated there was not sufficient, consistent evidence to support the overall view that individual coping strategies contributed to longitudinal outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis. However, major differences in the design of included studies may have hindered the comparison of results. There was some evidence from longitudinal studies that patients who used resting, inactivity, etc. (helplessness category) experienced negative outcomes. Avoidance (escape) was the most common overall category associated with predominantly negative outcomes in both cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies.Conclusions. There was generally limited evidence to suggest an association between coping strategies and outcomes but the design of studies and the lack of clarity about coping strategies were identified as problems. This study used a new framework for the conceptualisation of coping strategies, thus contributing to further examining the utility of coping strategies and contributing to their redefinition.Relevance to clinical practice. The use of helplessness (inactivity and passive coping) and escape/avoidant coping strategies, including denial and wishful thinking, could be identified and addressed by nurses and other health professionals to reduce the associated negative outcomes.
Functional analysis of the large periplasmic loop of the Escherichia coli K‐12 WaaL O‐antigen ligase
Authors: Pérez José M. , McGarry Megan A. , Marolda Cristina L. , Valvano Miguel A. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryWaaL is a membrane enzyme implicated in ligating undecaprenyl‐diphosphate (Und‐PP)‐linked O antigen to lipid A‐core oligosaccharide. We determined the periplasmic location of a large (EL5) and small (EL4) adjacent loops in the Escherichia coli K‐12 WaaL. Structural models of the EL5 from the K‐12, R1 and R4 E. coli ligases were generated by molecular dynamics. Despite the poor amino acid sequence conservation among these proteins, the models afforded similar folds consisting of two pairs of almost perpendicular α‐helices. One α‐helix in each pair contributes a histidine and an arginine facing each other, which are highly conserved in WaaL homologues. Mutations in either residue rendered WaaL non‐functional, since mutant proteins were unable to restore O antigen surface expression. Replacements of residues located away from the putative catalytic centre and non‐conserved residues within the centre itself did not affect ligation. Furthermore, replacing a highly conserved arginine in EL4 with various amino acids inactivates WaaL function, but functionality reappears when the positive charge is restored by a replacement with lysine. These results lead us to propose that the conserved amino acids in the two adjacent periplasmic loops could interact with Und‐PP, which is the common component in all WaaL substrates.
Phytophthora infestans in a subtropical region: survival on tomato debris, temporal dynamics of airborne sporangia and alternative hosts
Authors: Lima M. A. , Maffia L. A. , Barreto R. W. , Mizubuti E. S. G. 
Published: October 2008

Little is known about inoculum dynamics of late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans in tropical/subtropical areas, particularly in Brazil. The objectives of the present study were to assess (i) the survival of the pathogen on stems, leaflets and tomato fruits, either buried or not in soil; (ii) the pathogenicity of P. infestans to mostly solanaceous plant species commonly found in Brazil that could act as inoculum reservoir; and (iii) the temporal dynamics of airborne sporangia. Phytophthora infestans survived in tomato plant parts for less than 36 days under greenhouse and field conditions. In greenhouse tests, pathogen structures were detected earlier on crop debris kept in dry than in wet soil conditions. Isolates of two clonal lineages of P. infestans, US‐1 from tomato, and BR‐1 from potato, were inoculated on 43 plant species. In addition to potato and tomato, Petunia × hybrida and Nicotiana benthamiana were susceptible to the pathogen. Airborne inoculum was monitored with Rotorod and Burkard spore traps as well as with tomato and potato trap plants. Sporangia were sampled in most weeks throughout 2004 and in the first two weeks of 2005. Under tropical/subtropical conditions, airborne inoculum is abundant and is more important to late blight epidemics than inoculum from crop debris or alternative hosts.
The Pseudomonas syringae type III effector AvrRpm1 induces significant defenses by activating the Arabidopsis nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat protein RPS2
Authors: Kim Min Gab , Geng Xueqing , Lee Sang Yeol , Mackey David 
Published: October 2008

SummaryPlant disease resistance (R) proteins recognize potential pathogens expressing corresponding avirulence (Avr) proteins through ‘gene‐for‐gene’ interactions. RPM1 is an Arabidopsis R‐protein that triggers a robust defense response upon recognizing the Pseudomonas syringae effector AvrRpm1. Avr‐proteins of phytopathogenic bacteria include type III effector proteins that are often capable of enhancing virulence when not recognized by an R‐protein. In rpm1 plants, AvrRpm1 suppresses basal defenses induced by microbe‐associated molecular patterns. Here, we show that expression of AvrRpm1 in rpm1 plants induced PR‐1, a classical defense marker, and symptoms including chlorosis and necrosis. PR‐1 expression and symptoms were reduced in plants with mutations in defense signaling genes (pad4, sid2, npr1, rar1, and ndr1) and were strongly reduced in rpm1 rps2 plants, indicating that AvrRpm1 elicits defense signaling through the Arabidopsis R‐protein, RPS2. Bacteria expressing AvrRpm1 grew more on rpm1 rps2 than on rpm1 plants. Thus, independent of its classical ‘gene‐for‐gene’ activation of RPM1, AvrRpm1 also induces functionally relevant defenses that are dependent on RPS2. Finally, AvrRpm1 suppressed host defenses and promoted the growth of type III secretion mutant bacteria equally well in rps2 and RPS2 plants, indicating that virulence activity of over‐expressed AvrRpm1 predominates over defenses induced by weak activation of RPS2.
Serological prevalence of echinococcosis and risk factors for infection among children in rural communities of southern Ningxia, China
Authors: Yang Yu Rong , Craig Philip S. , Vuitton Dominique A. , Williams Gail M. , Sun Tao , Liu Tian Xi , Boufana Belgees , Giraudoux Patrick , Teng Jing , Li Yanbin , Huang Ling , Zhang Wei , Jones Malcolm K. , McManus Donald P. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryObjective To assess the usefulness of serology as an indicator ofEchinococcustransmission for developing preventive measures against echinococcosis in rural communities.Methods Cross‐sectional survey in 2002 among 861 children aged 7 to 18 years in Xiji County, Ningxia, China. Before ultrasound abdominal examination, a questionnaire was used to identify socioeconomic, sanitary and hygiene risk factors for echinococcal infection; filter paper blood samples were collected from each child for specific antibody detection using EmP (Echinococcus multilocularis) and EgB (Echinococcus granulosus) antigens.Results Transmission of bothE. multilocularisandE. granulosusoccur in this area. Serological prevalence was far higher than disease prevalence in this age range. We found no gender‐related differences of seroprevalence among the children, suggesting an equal chance of exposure to echinococcal egg‐contaminated environments. The seroprevalence distribution was associated with changes in the ecology of wild hosts forE. multiloculariscontamination, and with changes in socio‐geographic features of the communities forE. granulosuscontamination.Conclusions Serological data obtained for children in mass surveys of echinococcosis appear to be a comprehensive and useful tool to monitor changes of transmission dynamics in humans and provide ‘warning signals’ to decision makers for the instigation of specific control measures against the disease.
Hydroxyzine and cetirizine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics after oral and intravenous administration of hydroxyzine to healthy dogs
Authors: Bizikova Petra , Papich Mark G. , Olivry Thierry 
Published: October 2008

AbstractPharmacokinetic parameters of hydroxyzine and its active metabolite cetirizine were determined after oral and intravenous administration of 2 mg kg−1 of hydroxyzine to six healthy dogs. Plasma drug levels were determined with high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Pharmacodynamic studies evaluated the suppressive effect on histamine and anticanine IgE‐mediated cutaneous wheal formation. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic correlations were determined with computer modelling. The mean systemic availability of oral hydroxyzine was 72%. Hydroxyzine was rapidly converted to cetirizine regardless of the route of administration. The mean area‐under‐the‐curve was eight and ten times higher for cetirizine than hydroxyzine after intravenous and oral dosing, respectively. After oral administration of hydroxyzine, the mean peak concentration of cetirizine was approximately 2.2 µg mL−1 and that of hydroxyzine 0.16 µg mL−1. The terminal half‐life for cetirizine varied between 10 and 11 h after intravenous and oral administration of hydroxyzine. A sigmoidal relationship was fit to the data comparing cetirizine plasma concentration to wheal suppression. Maximum inhibition (82% and 69% for histamine and anticanine IgE‐mediated skin reactions, respectively) was observed during the first 8 h, which correlated with a plasma concentration of cetirizine greater than 1.5 µg mL−1. Pharmacological modelling suggested that increasing either hydroxyzine dosages or frequencies of administration would not result in histamine inhibition superior to that obtained with twice daily hydroxyzine at 2 mg kg−1. In conclusion, there was rapid conversion of hydroxyzine to cetirizine. The reduction of wheal formation appeared almost entirely due to cetirizine. Pharmacodynamic modelling predicted that maximal antihistamine effect would occur with twice daily oral administration of hydroxyzine at 2 mg kg−1.
Impulsivity as a determinant and consequence of drug use: a review of underlying processes
Authors: de Wit Harriet 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTImpulsive behaviors are closely linked to drug use and abuse, both as contributors to use and as consequences of use. Trait impulsivity is an important determinant of drug use during development, and in adults momentary ‘state’ increases in impulsive behavior may increase the likelihood of drug use, especially in individuals attempting to abstain. Conversely, acute and chronic effects of drug use may increase impulsive behaviors, which may in turn facilitate further drug use. However, these effects depend on the behavioral measure used to assess impulsivity. This article reviews data from controlled studies investigating different measures of impulsive behaviors, including delay discounting, behavioral inhibition and a newly proposed measure of inattention. Our findings support the hypothesis that drugs of abuse alter performance across independent behavioral measures of impulsivity. The findings lay the groundwork for studying the cognitive and neurobiological substrates of impulsivity, and for future studies on the role of impulsive behavior as both facilitator and a result of drug use.
Heavy drinking relates to positive valence ratings of alcohol cues
Authors: Pulido Carmen , Mok Alex , Brown Sandra A. , Tapert Susan F. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTA positive family history of alcohol use disorders (FH) is a robust predictor of personal alcohol abuse and dependence. Exposure to problem‐drinking models is one mechanism through which family history influences alcohol‐related cognitions and drinking patterns. Similarly, exposure to alcohol advertisements is associated with alcohol involvement and the relationship between affective response to alcohol cues and drinking behavior has not been well established. In addition, the collective contribution that FH, exposure to different types of problem‐drinking models (e.g. parents, peers) and personal alcohol use have on appraisal of alcohol‐related stimuli has not been evaluated with a large sample. We investigated the independent effects of FH, exposure to problem‐drinking models and personal alcohol use on valence ratings of alcohol pictures in a college sample. College students (n = 227) completed measures of personal drinking and substance use, exposure to problem‐drinking models, FH and ratings on affective valence of 60 alcohol pictures. Greater exposure to non‐familial problem‐drinkers predicted greater drinking among college students (β = 0.17, P < 0.01). However, personal drinking was the only predictor of valence ratings of alcohol pictures (β = −0.53, P < 0.001). Personal drinking level predicted valence ratings of alcohol cues over and above FH, exposure to problem‐drinking models and demographic characteristics. This suggests that positive affective responses to alcohol pictures are more a function of personal experience (i.e. repeated heavy alcohol use) than vicarious learning.
Proof‐of‐concept human laboratory study for protracted abstinence in alcohol dependence: effects of gabapentin
Authors: Mason Barbara J. , Light John M. , Williams Lauren D. , Drobes David J. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTThere is a need for safe medications that can effectively support recovery by treating symptoms of protracted abstinence that may precipitate relapse in alcoholics, e.g. craving and disturbances in sleep and mood. This proof‐of‐concept study reports on the effectiveness of gabapentin 1200 mg for attenuating these symptoms in a non‐treatment‐seeking sample of cue‐reactive, alcohol‐dependent individuals. Subjects were 33 paid volunteers with current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐IV alcohol dependence and a strength of craving rating 1 SD or greater for alcohol than water cues. Subjects were randomly assigned to gabapentin or placebo for 1 week and then participated in a within‐subjects trial where each was exposed to standardized sets of pleasant, neutral and unpleasant visual stimuli followed by alcohol or water cues. Gabapentin was associated with significantly greater reductions than placebo on several measures of subjective craving for alcohol as well as for affectively evoked craving. Gabapentin was also associated with significant improvement on several measures of sleep quality. Side effects were minimal, and gabapentin effects were not found to resemble any major classes of abused drugs. Results suggest that gabapentin may be effective for treating the protracted abstinence phase in alcohol dependence and that a randomized clinical trial would be an appropriate next step. The study also suggests the value of cue‐reactivity studies as proof‐of‐concept screens for potential antirelapse drugs.
Identifying the neural circuitry of alcohol craving and relapse vulnerability
Authors: Heinz Andreas , Beck Anne , Grüsser Sabine M. , Grace Anthony A. , Wrase Jana 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTWith no further intervention, relapse rates in detoxified alcoholics are high and usually exceed 80% of all detoxified patients. It has been suggested that stress and exposure to priming doses of alcohol and to alcohol‐associated stimuli (cues) contribute to the relapse risk after detoxification. This article focuses on neuronal correlates of cue responses in detoxified alcoholics. Current brain imaging studies indicate that dysfunction of dopaminergic, glutamatergic and opioidergic neurotransmission in the brain reward system (ventral striatum including the nucleus accumbens) can be associated with alcohol craving and functional brain activation in neuronal systems that process attentional relevant stimuli, reward expectancy and experience. Increased functional brain activation elicited by such alcohol‐associated cues predicted an increased relapse risk, whereas high brain activity elicited by affectively positive stimuli may represent a protective factor and was correlated with a decreased prospective relapse risk. These findings are discussed with respect to psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment options.
Anticaries effect of compounds extracted from Galla Chinensis in a multispecies biofilm model
Authors: Xie Q. , Li J. , Zhou X. 
Published: October 2008

Introduction:  Galla Chinensis is a leaf gall known to have some antibacterial effects. Using an in vitro biofilm model of dental plaque, the present study aimed to evaluate the anticaries effects of Galla Chinensis and its chemical fractions.Methods:  A four‐organism bacterial consortium (Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus) was grown on hydroxyapatite (HA) discs, bovine enamel blocks, and glass surfaces in a continuous culture system and exposed to repeated solution pulses. Galla Chinensis extracts, sucrose solutions, and sodium fluoride solutions were pulsed into different flow cells. The pH value of the planktonic phase in each flow cell was recorded and the bacteria colonizing the biofilm on the HA discs were counted. Enamel blocks were observed using a polarized microscope and lesion depth was evaluated. The biofilm morphology was examined with a fluorescence microscope and the images captured were analyzed on an image analysis system.Results:  When Galla Chinensis extract, its chemical fraction, or fluoride was added to the sucrose solution, the planktonic phase pH remained higher than that in the sucrose alone. A lower level of colonization on the HA surface was also observed in the groups to which Galla Chinensis and fluoride were added compared with the control sucrose group, and this was reflected in both the total viable count and the biofilm imaging, which showed fewer cariogenic bacteria and a less compact biofilm, respectively. Enamel demineralization in both the fluoride group and the Galla Chinensis group was significantly less than that in the sucrose group.Conclusions:  Galla Chinensis and fluoride may inhibit the cariogenicity of the oral biofilm. Galla Chinensis appears to be a promising source of new agents that may prevent dental caries.
Relationship between human cytomegalovirus transcription and symptomatic apical periodontitis in Iran
Authors: Yazdi K. A. , Sabeti M. , Jabalameli F. , Eman eini M. , Kolahdouzan S. A. , Slots J. 
Published: October 2008

Background/aims:  Apical periodontitis of endodontic origin may develop as a result of cooperative interactions among herpesviruses, specific pathogenic bacteria and tissue‐destructive inflammatory mediators. This study sought to identify the presence of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) transcripts in symptomatic and asymptomatic periapical lesions of individuals living in Iran.Material and methods:  Fifty endodontic patients (28 with symptomatic periapical lesions and 22 with asymptomatic periapical lesions) were included in the study. In each study subject, a microbiological periapical sample was collected using a curette in conjunction with periapical surgery. A reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assay was used to identify transcripts of EBV and HCMV.Results:  Human cytomegalovirus transcript was detected in 15 of the 28 (53.6%) symptomatic and in six of the 22 (27.3%) asymptomatic periapical study lesions (significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions; P = 0.03, chi‐square test). Epstein–Barr virus transcript was identified in one symptomatic and in two asymptomatic periapical lesions.Conclusion:  This study establishes that HCMV transcription is common in apical periodontitis and is most frequent in symptomatic lesions. The high frequency of active herpesvirus infections in severe apical periodontitis changes the pathogenic paradigm of the disease and may also have preventive and therapeutic implications.
Testing multiple hypotheses for the maintenance of male homosexual copulatory behaviour in flour beetles
Authors: LEVAN K. E. , FEDINA T. Y. , LEWIS S. M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractDiverse animal groups exhibit homosexual interactions, yet the evolutionary maintenance of such behaviours remains enigmatic as they do not directly increase reproductive success by generating progeny. Here, we use Tribolium castaneum flour beetles, which exhibit frequent male homosexual copulations, to empirically test several hypotheses for the maintenance of such behaviours: (1) establishing social dominance; (2) practice for future heterosexual encounters; and (3) indirect sperm translocation. We found no evidence that Tribolium males use homosexual copulations either to establish dominance or to practice behaviours that increase their subsequent heterosexual reproductive performance. Our results provide limited support for the hypothesis of indirect sperm translocation: when males from two genetic strains mated with females immediately following a homosexual copulation, females produced progeny sired not only by the directly mating male, but also by that male’s homosexual partner. However, this phenomenon was detected in only 7% of homosexual pairs, and in each case such indirectly sired progeny accounted for < 0.5% of females’ total progeny. Direct observations indicated that mounting males often released spermatophores during homosexual copulations. These observations suggest that homosexual copulations may be a behavioural mechanism that allows males to expel older, potentially low‐quality sperm. Additional work is needed to test this new hypothesis, and to determine whether sperm release during homosexual copulations occurs in other groups.
Effects of zinc levels on activities of gastrointestinal enzymes in growing rats
Authors: Jing M. Y. , Sun J. Y. , Weng X. Y. , Wang J. F. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe present study investigated the effect of different zinc (Zn) levels on activities of gastrointestinal digestive enzymes of growing rats. Four diets including Zn‐adequate (ZA; 46 mg/kg, control), Zn‐deficient (ZD; 3 mg/kg), high Zn supply (ZH; 234 mg/kg) and pair‐fed in which animals received the ZA diet at restricted amounts reflecting feed intake of the ZD group were fed to rats for 5 weeks. Dietary Zn was supplemented with ZnO. The results showed that Zn deficiency resulted in decreases in body weight, while ZH supply stimulated growth. The activities of sucrase, lactase and lipase were unaffected by dietary Zn levels. Maltase activity, however, was reduced in ZD group and elevated in ZH group. Amylase and protease activities were depressed by zinc deficiency. However, rats fed the Zn‐repletion diet displayed higher activity of pepsin, pancreatic amylase and protease. In particular, ZH supply did have no effect on intestinal hydrolases activities. The present study suggested that zinc deficiency impaired the activities of digestive enzymes and growth of animals. However, ZH supply might improve the digestion of nutrients via increasing activities of gastrointestinal hydrolase and probably enhanced animal health.