bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk‐taking among adolescents: Associations with social and affective factors
Authors: Michael Keren , Ben‐Zur Hasida 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe research investigated the associations of social and affective factors with risk‐taking in male and female adolescents. A sample of 269 Israeli adolescents completed questionnaires measuring frequency of involvement in risk‐taking behaviours, relationships with parents, orientation towards peer group, depressive mood, and aggressive behaviour. Correlations and multiple regression analyses showed that risk behaviour among male adolescents was mainly related to orientation towards peer group, while for female adolescents relationships with parents was the prominent factor in risk behaviour. The parental factor also contributed to the depressive mood of both genders in the sample. However, depressive mood showed only a weak association with risk taking. These results underscore the differential associations of relationships with parents vs. peers among adolescent boys and girls, respectively, in regard to risk taking.
Parental communication and youth sexual behaviour
Authors: Aspy Cheryl B. , Vesely Sara K. , Oman Roy F. , Rodine Sharon , Marshall LaDonna , McLeroy Ken 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTThe role of parental communication and instruction concerning sexual behaviour were studied in a community‐based sample of 1083 youth aged 13–17 (mean age of 15 years; 51% girls, 49% White). The Youth Asset Survey was administered along with items measuring demographics and youth risk behaviours. After controlling for demographic factors, multivariate analysis revealed that youth were much less likely to have initiated sexual intercourse if their parents taught them to say no, set clear rules, talked about what is right and wrong and about delaying sexual activity. If youth were sexually active, they were more likely to use birth control if taught at home about delaying sexual activity and about birth control. Having only one sexual partner was associated with having an adult role model who supports abstinence, being taught at home about birth control, and being taught at home how to say no. If parents reported talking with youth about birth control and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention, youth were significantly more likely to use birth control. Our conclusion is that parents have the opportunity and ability to influence their children's sexual behaviour decisions.
Enhancement of nitric oxide production by methylecgonidine in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes
Authors: Yang Yinke , Liao Haisun , Ke Qingen , Cai Jingbo , Xiao Yong‐Fu , Morgan James P 
Published: June 2006

In the present experiments, we investigated the effects of methylecgonidine (MEG) on nitric oxide (NO) production in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Incubation of cultured cardiomyocytes with carbachol or MEG for 48 h significantly enhanced NO production. No release was increased from 1.48±0.13 μM (mg protein)−1 for control to 5.73±0.19 μM (mg protein)−1 for 1 μM carbachol treated cells (P<0.001). In addition, incubation with 1 μM MEG enhanced NO production to 5.55±0.28 μM (mg protein)−1. The effects of MEG on NO production were concentration‐dependent. The muscarinic antagonist atropine prevented the enhancement of NO production induced by carbachol or MEG. Compared to MEG‐induced NO production, cocaine was much less potent.
The enhancement of NO production by carbachol or MEG was even greater in cultured cardiomyocytes transfected with the M2 cDNA. After 48‐h incubation with 1 μM carbachol or 1 μM MEG, NO production was increased by 6.5 and 6.7 fold, respectively, in cardiomyocytes overexpressing M2 receptors. Coincubation with atropine or NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester abolished the enhancement of NO production. In contrast, NO production enhanced by carbachol or MEG in M1‐ or M3‐transfected cardiomyocytes was similar to the level in non‐transfected cells.
Western blot analysis showed that the protein levels of M1, M2, and M3 were significantly increased in cardiomyocytes transfected with the receptor cDNAs, but MEG had no effect on the expressions. It is interesting that both carbachol and MEG caused a significant increase in constitutive endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) only in M2‐transfected cardiomyocytes, not in non‐transfected, M1‐ or M3‐transfected cells. Again, atropine blocked the MEG‐produced induction of eNOS.
Our data demonstrate that MEG significantly enhanced NO production in cultured cardiomyocytes and that the enhancement of NO production may result from MEG stimulation of muscarinic M2 receptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135, 188–196; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704414
Endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization and relaxation in mesenteric arteries of middle‐aged rats: influence of oestrogen
Authors: Sakuma Ichiro , Liu Ming‐Yue , Sato Atsushi , Hayashi Toshio , Iguchi Akihisa , Kitabatake Akira , Hattori Yuichi 
Published: June 2006

We determined whether gender and/or oestrogen deficiency affect endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization and relaxation in mesenteric arteries isolated from middle‐aged (44 – 45 week old) rats.
The hyperpolarizing response to acetylcholine (ACh) was significantly greater in females than in males. Ovariectomy caused a marked reduction in ACh‐induced hyperpolarization in female arteries, and this was improved by 17β‐oestradiol replacement therapy.
ACh‐induced relaxations in female arteries were not significantly different from those observed in male rats, and were unaffected by ovariectomy, regardless of whether indomethacin was present. However, when endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was blocked with NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine, the sensitivity and maximum relaxant response to ACh was significantly higher in intact females compared with males and ovariectomized females. Treatment with 17β‐oestradiol prevented the reduced vasorelaxant response in ovariectomized females.
Immunohistochemical examination for eNOS showed no apparent difference in eNOS protein expression in the endothelium of arteries between intact and ovariectomized females.
Since circulating concentrations of oestrogen were essentially low in middle‐aged female rats, the present results suggest that subtle changes from a critical concentration of oestrogen at this age may strongly affect the vascular actions of endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor without effect on eNOS expression and activity.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135, 48–54; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704444
Urotensin II evokes potent vasoconstriction in humans in vivo
Authors: Böhm Felix , Pernow John 
Published: June 2006

The peptide urotensin II (U II) evokes potent vasoconstriction in non‐human primates. In human blood vessels studied in vitro variable effects of U II are reported; vasoconstriction, vasodilatation or no response. It is therefore of importance to determine the vascular effect of U II in humans in vivo. U II (0.1 – 300 pmol min−1) was infused into the brachial artery of nine healthy volunteers. Changes in forearm blood flow (FBF) were determined by venous occlusion plethysmography. U II induced dose‐dependent reduction in FBF. A threshold response was obtained by 1 pmol min−1, and the highest dose of U II (300 pmol min−1) reduced FBF by 31±4% (P<0.01). FBF returned to baseline values within 30 min. This study demonstrates that U II produces potent vasoconstriction in humans in vivo.British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135, 25–27; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704448
Antiinflammatory action of endocannabinoid palmitoylethanolamide and the synthetic cannabinoid nabilone in a model of acute inflammation in the rat
Authors: Conti Silvia , Costa Barbara , Colleoni Mariapia , Parolaro Daniela , Giagnoni Gabriella 
Published: June 2006

The antiinflammatory activity of synthetic cannabinoid nabilone in the rat model of carrageenan‐induced acute hindpaw inflammation was compared with that of the endocannabinoid palmitoylethanolamide and the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug indomethacin.Preliminary experiments in rats used a tetrad of behavioural tests, specific for tetrahydrocannabinol‐type activity in the CNS. These showed that the oral dose of nabilone 2.5 mg kg−1had no cannabinoid psychoactivity.Intraplantar injection of carrageenan (1% w v−1) elicited a time‐dependent increase in paw volume and thermal hyperalgesia.Nabilone (0.75, 1.5, 2.5 mg kg−1, p.o.), given 1 h before carrageenan, reduced the development of oedema and the associated hyperalgesia in a dose‐related manner. Nabilone 2.5 mg kg−1, palmitoylethanolamide 10 mg kg−1and indomethacin 5 mg kg−1, given p.o. 1 h before carrageenan, also reduced the inflammatory parameters in a time‐dependent manner.The selective CB2cannabinoid receptor antagonist {N‐[(1S)‐endo‐1,3,3‐trimethyl bicyclo [2.2.1]heptan‐2‐yl]‐5‐(4‐chloro‐3‐methylphenyl)‐1‐(4‐methylbenzyl)pyrazole‐3 carboxamide} (SR 144528), 3 mg kg−1p.o. 1 h before nabilone and palmitoylethanolamide, prevented the anti‐oedema and antihyperalgesic effects of the two cannabinoid agonists 3 h after carrageenan.Our findings show the antiinflammatory effect of nabilone and confirm that of palmitoylethanolamide indicating that these actions are mediated by an uncharacterized CB2‐like cannabinoid receptor.British Journal of Pharmacology(2002)135, 181–187; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704466
High-affinity AKAP7δ–protein kinase A interaction yields novel protein kinase A-anchoring disruptor peptides
Authors: Hundsrucker Christian , Krause Gerd , Beyermann Michael , Prinz Anke , Zimmermann Bastian , Diekmann Oliver , Lorenz Dorothea , Stefan Eduard , Nedvetsky Pavel , Dathe Margitta , Christian Frank , Mcsorley Theresa , Krause Eberhard , Mcconnachie George , Herberg Friedrich W. , Scott John D. , Rosenthal Walter , Klussmann Enno 
Published: June 2006

PKA (protein kinase A) is tethered to subcellular compartments by direct interaction of its regulatory subunits (RI or RII) with AKAPs (A kinase-anchoring proteins). AKAPs preferentially bind RII subunits via their RII-binding domains. RII-binding domains form structurally conserved amphipathic helices with unrelated sequences. Their binding affinities for RII subunits differ greatly within the AKAP family. Amongst the AKAPs that bind RIIα subunits with high affinity is AKAP7δ [AKAP18δ; Kd (equilibrium dissociation constant) value of 31 nM]. An N-terminally truncated AKAP7δ mutant binds RIIα subunits with higher affinity than the full-length protein presumably due to loss of an inhibitory region [Henn, Edemir, Stefan, Wiesner, Lorenz, Theilig, Schmidtt, Vossebein, Tamma, Beyermann et al. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 26654–26665]. In the present study, we demonstrate that peptides (25 amino acid residues) derived from the RII-binding domain of AKAP7δ bind RIIα subunits with higher affinity (Kd=0.4±0.3 nM) than either full-length or N-terminally truncated AKAP7δ, or peptides derived from other RII binding domains. The AKAP7δ-derived peptides and stearate-coupled membrane-permeable mutants effectively disrupt AKAP–RII subunit interactions in vitro and in cell-based assays. Thus they are valuable novel tools for studying anchored PKA signalling. Molecular modelling indicated that the high affinity binding of the amphipathic helix, which forms the RII-binding domain of AKAP7δ, with RII subunits involves both the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic faces of the helix. Alanine scanning (25 amino acid peptides, SPOT technology, combined with RII overlay assays) of the RII binding domain revealed that hydrophobic amino acid residues form the backbone of the interaction and that hydrogen bond- and salt-bridge-forming amino acid residues increase the affinity of the interaction.
Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size in healthy prepubertal children: The STRIP study
Authors: KAITOSAARI TUULI , RÖNNEMAA TAPANI , VIIKARI JORMA , LEINO AILA , JOKINEN EERO , SIMELL OLLI 
Published: June 2006

Abstract Background: Small, dense low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) particles (diameter<255Å) are highly atherogenic, and in adults they are associated with an elevated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Aim: To examine possible contributors to LDL particle size distribution in healthy prepubertal children. Methods: We determined LDL particle size in 176 7‐y‐old children by non‐denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Children were divided into two groups in two ways: by using the median of their average LDL particle diameter (261.2 Å) or by using the LDL peak particle diameter (255 Å) as the cut‐off point. Results: Children with smaller LDL particles did not significantly differ from children with larger LDL particles with respect to anthropometric variables, serum triglyceride concentration (in all children<1.7 mmol/L), apoE phenotype, amount and quality of dietary fat, or child's family history of CHD. Furthermore, LDL particle size did not correlate with any of the anthropometric, lipid or nutrient variables. Children with average LDL particle size below the median had higher serum insulin and lower high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apoA‐1 concentrations than those with LDL particle size above the median. Conclusion: Our data suggest that many factors related to the development of small, dense LDL particles might have their major impact after the onset of puberty.
The adult sense of coherence scale is applicable to 12‐year‐old schoolchildren—an additional tool in health promotion
Authors: Honkinen Päivi‐Leena , Suominen Sakari , Rautava Päivi , Hakanen Jari , Kalimo Raija 
Published: June 2006

Abstract Background: Two principal operationalizations of sense of coherence (SOC) for the study of adults have been developed, one consisting of 29 and another consisting of 13 items. According to these studies, SOC is associated with various aspects of perceived health. Also, a 16‐item scale for determining SOC in young children (≤10 y) is available. It is unclear from which age on SOC can be studied by using any of the scales for adults. Aim: To determine whether the 13‐item SOC scale for adults is applicable to children 12 y of age. Methods: Comparable data of SOC had been collected by a mail survey directed to adults (mean age 36 y, n=706) in 1985. Twelve‐year‐old children filled in questionnaires in school class in 1997 (n=994). Results: SOC score range, mean, median and standard deviation (SD), and Cronbach alpha coefficients of the total SOC scale were almost identical in children and adults.Conclusion: The 13‐item SOC scale aimed at adults is applicable to children of 12 y of age or older. The SOC scale could be a useful additional tool for identifying children with perceived health deficits potentially in need of supportive interventions.
Historical view of DNA replication studies, with special reference to Japan
Authors: Sugino Akio , Araki Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAlmost forty years after the key contributions to the field by Okazaki and coworkers that gave rise to the concept of leading and the lagging strand, we are still at the state of uncertainty about the proteins that replicate each strand. Perhaps, one main conclusion that should be drawn from the data currently available is that the protein architecture at the fork is more plastic than originally thought.
iubmb Life, 58: 323‐327, 2006
Risk Factors for Nosocomial Infection in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Couto Renato C. , Pedrosa Tania M. G. , Tofani Cristina de Paula , Pedroso Enio R. P. 
Published: June 2006

Objective.To determine risk factors for nosocomial infection in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Design.A prospective, open cohort study.Setting.A 22-bed NICU.Patients.Neonates admitted to a single NICU during 1994-1998 were included in the study. Outcome variables included central venous catheter (CVC)–associated primary bloodstream infection (BSI), non–CVC-associated primary BSI, pneumonia, and overall nosocomial infection. Independent variables included birth weight, use of mechanical ventilation (MV), duration of MV, use of a CVC, duration of CVC use, duration of NICU stay, gestational age, congenital malformation, maximum (ie, worst) base excess, and maximum and minimum fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) for maintaining appropriate blood saturation levels during the first 12 hours after NICU admission.Results.A total of 1051 neonates were admitted to the NICU. Overall, 358 NIs were diagnosed. Non–CVC-associated primary BSI was the most frequent nosocomial infection (in 195 neonates [54.5%]), followed by pneumonia (46 [12.8%]), and CVC-associated primary BSI (35 [9.8%]). The mortality rate was 16%. In the final logistic regression model, the following 5 risk factors were found to be predictive of nosocomial infection development: use of MV, longer duration of MV, longer duration of CVC use, longer duration of NICU stay, and low maximum appropriate FIO2.Conclusion.Invasive device use and duration of use continue to greatly influence the development of nosocomial infection in NICUs. In our cohort, birth weight showed no influence on the development of nosocomial infection. Low maximum FIO2influenced the occurrence of overall nosocomial infection.
Histiocytic sarcoma with secondary involvement of the skin and expression of CD1a: evidence of indeterminate cell differentiation?
Authors: Frater John L. , Kling Christopher W. , Obadiah Joseph M. , Gardner Laura J. , Grosso Leonard E. , Resh Brooke , Hurley M. Yadira 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Histiocytic sarcoma is an exceedingly rare malignant neoplasm composed of cells with a monocyte/macrophage phenotype. In the current nosology of histiocytic neoplasms, histiocytic sarcoma is separate from indeterminate cell histiocytosis, a generally benign disorder characterized by proliferation of a CD1a+ and S‐100+ population of cells lacking Birbeck granules usually limited to the skin.Methods:  We present a case of histiocytic sarcoma in a 64‐year‐old man presenting as a peritonsillar mass and secondarily involving the skin.Results:  The malignant cells in the extracutaneous foci of disease expressed macrophage‐associated antigens including S‐100 but were CD1a–. The malignant cells in the skin coexpressed CD1a and S‐100 but lacked ultrastructural features of Langerhans cells, findings indicative of indeterminate cells.Conclusions:  We discuss the clinical and histopathologic differential diagnosis in association with prior reported cases of histiocytic sarcoma, particularly in cases involving the skin and cases expressing the Langerhans cell‐associated antigen CD1a.
Defect Diffusion in Single Crystal Aluminum Oxide
Authors: JONES T. P. , COBLE R. L. , MOGAB C. J. 
Published: June 2006

A defect diffusion coefficient was determined in single crystal aluminum oxide from 1400° to 1850°C by measuring the movement of the color boundary in a Ti3+− doped single crystal heated in air. In this temperature range the experimental data can be represented byThe interpretation developed is that this equation represents the diffusivity for a defect which contributes to aluminum self‐diffusion.
Concurrent use and order of use of cocaine and alcohol: behavioural differences between users of crack cocaine and cocaine powder
Authors: Gossop Michael , Manning Victoria , Ridge Gayle 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTAims The study investigates patterns of cocaine use and alcohol use when these substances were taken on their own, the order of administration of alcohol and of cocaine when the two substances were taken together, and changes in the doses of alcohol and of cocaine when the two substances were taken together. The study further investigates differences in the combined use of the two substances by users of cocaine powder and crack cocaine.Design Entry criteria for the study were current (previous 30 days) use of both alcohol and cocaine. Study participants (n = 102) were recruited from clinical and non‐clinical settings. Data were collected by face‐to‐face structured interviews.Findings Different patterns of combined cocaine and alcohol use were reported by cocaine powder and crack cocaine users. Cocaine powder users tended to take increased doses of both cocaine and alcohol when these were used in combination. During high‐dose crack using episodes, crack users tended to drink lower amounts of alcohol than usual. Cocaine powder users tended to use cocaine and alcohol concurrently. Crack users tended to use alcohol at the end of crack‐using sessions.Conclusions The observed differences are not understood clearly but may be influenced by differential effects of route of administration upon absorption, bioavailability and the balance of euphoric/dysphoric effects. Research studies of the combined use of cocaine and alcohol should distinguish explicitly between the use of cocaine by different routes of administration, and this should be specified in the description of subject samples.
Attentional bias predicts heroin relapse following treatment
Authors: Marissen Marlies A. E. , Franken Ingmar H. A. , Waters Andrew J. , Blanken Peter , Van Den Brink Wim , Hendriks Vincent M. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTAims  Previous studies have shown that abstinent heroin addicts exhibit an attentional bias to heroin‐related stimuli. It has been suggested that attentional bias may represent a vulnerability to relapse into drug use. In the present study, the predictive value of pre‐treatment attentional bias on relapse was examined in a population of abstinent heroin addicts. Further, the effect of cue exposure therapy (CET) on attentional bias was studied.Design  Participants were assigned randomly to receive nine sessions of CET or placebo psychotherapy.Setting  An in‐patient drug abuse treatment setting.Participants  Abstinent heroin‐dependent patients.Measurements  Participants completed the emotional Stroop task both before and after completing treatment.Findings  Pre‐treatment attentional bias predicted relapse at 3‐month follow‐up, even when controlling for self‐reported cravings at the test session. Further, attentional bias was reduced in both groups after therapy, independent of treatment condition.Conclusions  Attentional bias may tap an important component of drug dependence as it is a predictor of opiate relapse. However, CET does not specifically reduce attentional bias.
Impaired vasoreactivity in bodybuilders using androgenic anabolic steroids
Authors: Lane H. A. , Grace F. , Smith J. C. , Morris K. , Cockcroft J. , Scanlon M. F. , Davies J. S. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Anabolic androgenic steroids are used by some bodybuilders to enhance performance. While the cardiovascular implications of supraphysiological androgen levels requires further clarification, use is associated with sudden death, left ventricular hypertrophy, thrombo‐embolism and cerebro‐vascular events.Materials and methods  To further understand the effect of androgenic anabolic steroid abuse on vascular function, this study assessed vascular stiffness (pulse‐wave analysis) and cardiovascular risk factors in 28 male, bodybuilding subjects, of whom ten were actively receiving anabolic agents (group A; 26·4 ± 7·2 years) and eight had undergone a 3‐month ‘wash‐out’ period (group B; 32·1 ± 7·1 years). The remaining ten bodybuilding subjects (group C; 24·4 ± 4·4 years) denied any past use of anabolic steroids or other performance enhancing drugs. Comparisons were made with ten sedentary male controls (group D, 29·3 ± 4·7 years).Results  Endothelial independent dilatation in response to glycerol trinitrate was significantly impaired in the group currently using anabolic steroids (group A) compared with the other three groups [A (5·63 ± 3·24%) versus; B (11·10 ± 4·91%), C (17·88 ± 9·2%) and D (14·46 ± 3·9%), P < 0·0005, respectively], whereas no significant differences in endothelial‐dependant dilatation were detected between the groups [A (5·0 ± 3·0%), B (7·4 ± 3·4%), C (9·6 ± 4·5%) and D (8·2 ± 3·3%), P < 0·059, respectively].Conclusions  Previous studies described a decline in vascular reactivity occurring in bodybuilding subjects which is independent of anabolic steroid use and may result from smooth muscle hypertrophy with increased vascular stiffness. This study revealed impaired vascular reactivity associated with anabolic agents and that improvement in vascular function may occur following their discontinuation.