bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a Novel Y5 Antagonist in Obese Mice: Combination With Food Restriction or Sibutramine
Authors: Mashiko Satoshi , Ishihara Akane , Iwaasa Hisashi , Moriya Ryuichi , Kitazawa Hidefumi , Mitobe Yuko , Ito Junko , Gomori Akira , Matsushita Hiroko , Takahashi Toshiyuki , MacNeil Douglas J. , Van der Ploeg Lex H.T. , Fukami Takehiro , Kanatani Akio 
Published: April 2008

Objective:To further address the function of the Y5 receptor in energy homeostasis, we investigated the effects of a novel spironolactone Y5 antagonist in diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice.Methods and Procedures:Male C57BL/6 orNpy5r−/−mice were adapted to high‐fat (HF) diet for 6–10 months and were submitted to three experimental treatments. First, the Y5 antagonist at a dose of 10 or 30 mg/kg was administered for 1 month to DIO C57BL/6 orNpy5r−/−mice. Second, the Y5 antagonist at 30 mg/kg was administered for 1.5 months to DIO C57BL/6 mice, and insulin sensitivity was evaluated using an insulin tolerance test. After a recovery period, nuclear magnetic resonance measurement was performed to evaluate body composition. Third, DIO mice were treated with the Y5 antagonist alone, or in combination with 10% food restriction, or with another anorectic agent, sibutramine at 10 mg/kg, for 1.5 months. Plasma glucose, insulin, and leptin levels, and adipose tissue weights were quantified.Results:The spironolactone Y5 antagonist significantly reduced body weight in C57BL DIO mice, but not inNpy5r−/−DIO mice. The Y5 antagonist produced a fat‐selective loss of body weight, and ameliorated obesity‐associated insulin resistance in DIO mice. In addition, the Y5 antagonist combined with either food restriction or sibutramine tended to produce greater body weight loss, as compared with single treatment.Discussion:These findings demonstrate that the Y5 receptor is an important mediator of energy homeostasis in rodents.
Ability to Taste 6‐n‐Propylthiouracil and BMI in Low‐income Preschool‐aged Children
Authors: Lumeng Julie C. , Cardinal Tiffany M. , Sitto Jacinta R. , Kannan Srimathi 
Published: April 2008

Background: Sensitivity to the bitter compound 6‐n‐propylthiouracil (PROP) is genetically mediated. Sensitivity to PROP has been associated with weight status in both adults and children.Objective: To determine whether there is an association between PROP sensitivity and BMI in low‐income children of diverse race/ethnicity, among whom there is a high prevalence of obesity.Methods and Procedures: Eighty‐one preschool‐aged children attending Head Start tasted a solution of 560 μmol/l PROP and reported whether it tasted “like water” or “like something else”. Mothers reported child's race, age, maternal education, maternal weight and height, child's reluctance to sample new foods via the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), and child's dietary intake using a food frequency questionnaire. Child weight and height were measured. BMI was calculated and for children, expressed in z‐scores. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between child's PROP taster status and BMI z‐score, testing covariates child's age, gender, race, maternal education and BMI, and child's FNS score. Children's dietary intake was compared by PROP taster status.Results: PROP tasters, compared with nontasters, had significantly higher BMI z‐scores (0.99 (s.d. 1.24) vs. 0.03 (1.12), P = 0.004) and had a significantly higher prevalence of overweight (31.8% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.025), but demonstrated no differences in reported dietary intake. The most parsimonious model predicting the child's BMI z‐score included only maternal BMI and the child's PROP taster status (R 2 = 22.3%).Discussion: A genetically mediated ability to taste bitter may contribute to obesity risk in low‐income, preschool‐aged children.
Estradiol and the Estradiol Metabolite, 2‐Hydroxyestradiol, Activate AMP‐activated Protein Kinase in C2C12 Myotubes
Authors: D'Eon Tara M. , Rogers Nicole H. , Stancheva Zlatina S. , Greenberg Andrew S. 
Published: April 2008

Objective:Systemic loss of estradiol (E2) during menopause is associated with increased adiposity which can be prevented with E2 replacement. Rodent studies suggest that E2, or lack of, is a key mediator in menopause‐related metabolic changes. We have previously demonstrated that E2 treatment produces a rapid, dose‐dependent activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) in murine skeletal muscle. Activation of AMPK is implicated in the therapeutic benefits of many insulin sensitizing agents including metformin and thiazolidinediones. Here, we expand our observations and provide novel data which demonstrate that in addition to E2, its metabolite 2‐hydroxyestradiol (2‐HE2), activate AMPK in C2C12 myotubes.Methods and Procedures:C2C12 myotubes were used to examine the effects on E2 and the by‐products of its metabolism on AMPK activation.Results:Low concentrations of E2 (10 and 100 nmol/l) were found to increase AMPK phosphorylation by ∼1.6‐fold, while a higher concentration (10 μmol/l) resulted in a ∼3.0‐fold increase. In comparison to E2 treatment alone, incubation of myotubes with E2 and 1‐aminobenzotriazole (ABT) (a CYP450 inhibitor that blocks metabolism of E2) caused AMPK activation to be enhanced at low E2 concentrations, but attenuated at higher concentrations. The effects of ABT suggested that one or more E2 metabolites contribute to the maximal activation of AMPK at high E2 concentrations. Indeed, the estrogen metabolite 2‐HE2, but not 2‐methoxyestradiol (2‐ME2), directly activated AMPK in C2C12 myotubes.Discussion:We propose a model where E2, acting through its metabolite 2‐HE2 and the estrogen receptors (ERs), activates AMPK in myotubes. Finally, activation is abolished when all E2 is metabolized to 2‐ME2.
BMI Compared With Central Obesity Indicators in Relation to Diabetes and Hypertension in Asians
Authors:   The Decoda Study Group, Nyamdorj R. 
Published: April 2008

Objective: To compare BMI with waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), and waist‐to‐stature ratio (WSR) in association with diabetes or hypertension.Methods and Procedures: Cross‐sectional data from 16 cohorts from the DECODA (Diabetes Epidemiology: Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic criteria in Asia) study, comprising 9,095 men and 11,732 women, aged 35–74 years, of different ethnicities were included in this meta‐analysis.Results: Age‐adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for diabetes in men (women) for 1 s.d. increase in BMI, WC, WHR, and WSR were 1.52 (1.59), 1.54 (1.70), 1.53 (1.50), and 1.62 (1.70), respectively; and the corresponding ORs for hypertension were 1.68 (1.55), 1.66 (1.51), 1.45 (1.28), and 1.63 (1.50). Paired homogeneity tests (BMI with each of the three) adjusted for age and cohort showed that diabetes had stronger association with WSR than BMI (P = 0.001) in men but with WC and WSR than BMI (both P < 0.05) in women. Hypertension had stronger association with BMI than WHR in men (P < 0.001) and had the strongest with BMI than the others (WHR P < 0.001; WSR P < 0.01; and WC P < 0.05) in women. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves adjusted for age and cohort were slightly larger for diabetes for WSR 0.735 (0.748) in men (women) and WC 0.749 (women only) than BMI 0.725 (0.742) while for hypertension larger for BMI 0.760 (0.766) than WHR 0.748 (0.751), but their 95% CIs were all overlapped.Discussion: WSR was stronger than BMI in association with diabetes, but these indicators were equally strongly associated with hypertension in Asians.
Chemical Evolution of Heavy Elements in the Early Galaxy: Implications for Stellar Sources
Authors: Qian Yong-Zhong 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAn overview of the sources for heavy elements in the early Galaxy is given. It is shown that observations of abundances in metal-poor stars can be used along with a basic understanding of stellar models to guide the search for the source of the heavy r-process nuclei (r-nuclei). Observations show that this source produces very little of the elements from C through Zn, including Fe. This strongly suggests that O–Ne–Mg core-collapse supernovae (SNe) from progenitors of ∼8–11 M⊙ are the source for the heavy r-nuclei. It is shown that a two-component model based on the abundances of Fe (from Fe core-collapse SNe) and Eu (from O–Ne–Mg core-collapse SNe) gives very good quantitative predictions for the abundances of all the other elements in metal-poor stars.
Hero, saint or revolutionary? Nineteenth-century politics and the cult of Garibaldi
Authors: Riall Lucy 
Published: April 2008

SummaryGiuseppe Garibaldi was the most enduring political hero of nineteenth-century Italy. His political image was inspired by both the romantic movement and religion and, in turn, inspired a new kind of charismatic popular politics. The first part of this article explores the sources and assesses the impact of the cult of Garibaldi during the Risorgimento. The second part examines the use made of Garibaldi's image after Italian unification and, especially, after his death. It finds that government attempts to glorify Garibaldi were relatively unsuccessful while the parallel, republican cult of Garibaldi had a considerable impact. Thus, Garibaldi's extraordinary popularity highlighted the failed official ‘nationalization’ of Italians. At the same time, support for Garibaldi points to the emergence of an alternative sense of Italian national identity
Silvio Berlusconi and the myth of the creative entrepreneur
Authors: Poli Emanuela 
Published: April 2008

Summary
Berlusconi became a high-profile entrepreneur in the course of the 1980s, founding his empire on construction, television and department stores. His transformation of AC Milan into a powerful force in football and popular culture set the scene for his entry into politics in 1994. Berlusconi presented himself as an outsider and a possible saviour of the nation in crisis. With his appealing image and constant repetition of his personal success story, he conveyed to the electorate a reassuring message of future prosperity. However, he lacked the visionary energy of the true charismatic leader. Instead he was a corporate politician who filled the personality vacuum left by the removal of the old élite.
Anesthesia Depth–dependent Features of Electroencephalographic Bicoherence Spectrum during Sevoflurane Anesthesia
Authors: Hayashi Kazuko , Sawa Teiji , Matsuura Megumi 
Published: April 2008

Background
Growth pattern in the electroencephalographic bicoherence spectrum has recently been found to relate to anesthetic depth, and bicoherence analysis can reflect behavior of the thalamocortical reverberating network. Because the thalamocortical network is known to represent a key factor in sleep by anesthesia, systematic and qualitative bicoherence studies of different anesthetic depths is necessary throughout all pairs of frequencies.

Methods
Sixteen patients were anesthetized using sevoflurane (1, 2, or 3%) combined with remifentanil (0.4 microg x kg x min). Raw electroencephalographic signals were collected, and bicoherence was estimated in all pairs of frequencies, between 0.5 and 40 Hz at 0.5-Hz intervals.

Results
Sevoflurane (1%) caused two main peaks, spindle frequencies (11.0 +/- 1.2 Hz, 44.7 +/- 12.3% [bicoherence growth]) and delta-theta frequencies (5.4 +/- 0.5 Hz, 33.0 +/- 8.4%), in the diagonal line of biphasic bicoherence plots. High concentrations of sevoflurane (2% and 3%) shifted these peaks to 9.8 +/- 1.1 Hz, 46.2 +/- 12.7%; 8.7 +/- 1.3 Hz, 37.2 +/- 13.7% and 4.9 +/- 0.5 Hz, 44.6 +/- 7.0%; 4.3 +/- 0.8 Hz, 45.2 +/- 10.6%, respectively. Sevoflurane caused a third bicoherence peak to appear in another heterogeneous pair frequency (pair of alpha basal frequency and its double frequency), outside the diagonal line, which also inherited the behavior of alpha bicoherence peaks at different anesthetic depths.

Conclusions
Sevoflurane anesthesia caused bicoherence peaks in alpha and delta-theta areas and also formed secondary third peaks. Deeper sevoflurane anesthesia shifted all bicoherence peaks to lower frequencies and caused increased bicoherence growth in the delta-theta area. The obtained features are consistent with characteristics of the thalamocortical reverberating network and suggest the importance of bicoherence analysis for the thalamic system.
Toxicology Profile of N -Methyl-d-aspartate Antagonists Delivered by Intrathecal Infusion in the Canine Model
Authors: Yaksh Tony L. , Tozier Nicolle , Horais Kjersti A. , Malkmus Shelle , Rathbun Michael , LaFranco Lisa , Eisenach James 
Published: April 2008

Background
Intrathecal N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonists have antihyperalgesic efficacy. The authors examined toxicity in a canine model of chronic lumbar intrathecal infusion.

Methods
Dogs (10-16 kg) were prepared with lumbar intrathecal catheters connected to vest-mounted pumps (100 microl/h). In phase 1, stepwise incrementations in infusion concentration were performed at 48- to 72-h intervals to determine an infusion dose with minimal but detectable behavioral effects. In phase 2, the dose/concentration defined in phase 1 was infused for 28 days. Behavioral function during infusion and histopathology at sacrifice was assessed. Drugs examined were 2-amino-5-phosphono-valorate (AP5), MK801, memantine, amitriptyline, S-methadone, and saline.

Results
In the phase 1 dose ranging, the minimum effect doses for the several agents were as follows: AP5, 1 mg/day; amitriptyline, 1 mg/day; ketamine, 10 mg/day; MK801, 1 mg/day; and memantine, 4 mg/day. In phase 2, infusion of these doses typically resulted in mild hind limb weakness by 3-5 days after initiation of infusion, which progressed over the 28-day infusion interval. In a limited number of animals, a similar effect was observed with S-methadone. Histopathologically, vehicle-infused animals displayed a minor local catheter reaction. With the drug treatments, a gradient of increasing pathology from cervical to lumbar segments was noted. Pathology ranged from local demyelination to necrotizing lesions of spinal parenchyma near the catheter tip. All drugs given at their respective doses produced pathology scores significantly worse than saline controls.

Conclusions
These drugs given for 28 days at acutely tolerable doses lead to spinal pathology. These data suggest a reevaluation of the use of these agents in chronic spinal delivery.
Three-Dimensional Gas Exchange Pathways in Pome Fruit Characterized by Synchrotron X-Ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Verboven Pieter , Kerckhofs Greet , Mebatsion Hibru Kelemu , Ho Quang Tri , Temst Kristiaan , Wevers Martine , Cloetens Peter , Nicolaï Bart M. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Our understanding of the gas exchange mechanisms in plant organs critically depends on insights in the three-dimensional (3-D) structural arrangement of cells and voids. Using synchrotron radiation x-ray tomography, we obtained for the first time high-contrast 3-D absorption images of in vivo fruit tissues of high moisture content at 1.4-μm resolution and 3-D phase contrast images of cell assemblies at a resolution as low as 0.7 μm, enabling visualization of individual cell morphology, cell walls, and entire void networks that were previously unknown. Intercellular spaces were always clear of water. The apple (Malus domestica) cortex contains considerably larger parenchyma cells and voids than pear (Pyrus communis) parenchyma. Voids in apple often are larger than the surrounding cells and some cells are not connected to void spaces. The main voids in apple stretch hundreds of micrometers but are disconnected. Voids in pear cortex tissue are always smaller than parenchyma cells, but each cell is surrounded by a tight and continuous network of voids, except near brachyssclereid groups. Vascular and dermal tissues were also measured. The visualized network architecture was consistent over different picking dates and shelf life. The differences in void fraction (5.1% for pear cortex and 23.0% for apple cortex) and in gas network architecture helps explain the ability of tissues to facilitate or impede gas exchange. Structural changes and anisotropy of tissues may eventually lead to physiological disorders. A combined tomography and internal gas analysis during growth are needed to make progress on the understanding of void formation in fruit.
Case of adult T‐cell leukemia with pulmonary involvement presenting as nodular shadows
Authors: OYAMA Kimitaka , KANEKURA Takuro , YOSHII Noriko , YONEKURA Kentaro , MERA Kentaro , HIRAYAMA Yoshikazu , UMEKITA Yoshihisa , YOSHIDA Hiroki , UMEMURA Yoshiro , KANZAKI Tamotsu 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTA 60‐year‐old man with a diagnosis of smoldering adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) had been treated successfully for 4 years with psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy, γ‐interferon, oral etoposide and sobuzoxane. He subsequently developed rapidly‐growing skin nodules over his entire body. Chest X‐ray and thoracic computed tomography showed nodular shadows in the right lower lung field and nodules in both lower lung lobes. Despite combined chemotherapy, he died. Upon autopsy, numerous nodules were found in the bilateral lower lobes; microscopically, the nodules were diffusely infiltrated by ATL cells. Our review of the published work found only two previously reported cases of ATL with pulmonary involvement manifested as nodular shadows. Herein, we present details on the third case.
Clavus detected incidentally by positron emission tomography with computed tomography
Authors: DAINICHI Teruki , HONMA Yutaka , HASHIMOTO Takashi , FURUE Masutaka 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis is the first report showing that positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) can detect clavus. A 37‐year‐old woman diagnosed with epithelioid sarcoma on her left inguinal region was investigated by whole‐body PET/CT. The imaging showed some 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake at the right lateral foot. There had been a clavus in exactly the same region. Every dermatologist, radiologist and oncologist needs to know about this finding for making an accurate diagnosis.
Overexpression of snakin‐1 gene enhances resistance to Rhizoctonia solani and Erwinia carotovora in transgenic potato plants
Authors: ALMASIA NATALIA I. , BAZZINI ARIEL A. , HOPP H. ESTEBAN , VAZQUEZ‐ROVERE CECILIA 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYSnakin‐1 (SN1), a cysteine‐rich peptide with broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity in vitro, was evaluated for its ability to confer resistance to pathogens in transgenic potatoes. Genetic variants of this gene were cloned from wild and cultivated Solanum species. Nucleotide sequences revealed highly evolutionary conservation with 91–98% identity values. Potato plants (S. tuberosum subsp. tuberosum cv. Kennebec) were transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens with a construct encoding the S. chacoense SN1 gene under the regulation of the ubiquitous CaMV 35S promoter. Transgenic lines were molecularly characterized and challenged with either Rhizoctonia solani or Erwinia carotovora to analyse whether constitutive in vivo overexpression of the SN1 gene may lead to disease resistance. Only transgenic lines that accumulated high levels of SN1 mRNA exhibited significant symptom reductions of R. solani infection such as stem cankers and damping‐off. Furthermore, these overexpressing lines showed significantly higher survival rates throughout the fungal resistance bioassays. In addition, the same lines showed significant protection against E. carotovora measured as: a reduction of lesion areas (from 46.5 to 88.1% with respect to the wild‐type), number of fallen leaves and thickened or necrotic stems. Enhanced resistance to these two important potato pathogens suggests in vivo antifungal and antibacterial activity of SN1 and thus its possible biotechnological application.
Expression of inhibitors of apoptosis family protein in 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene‐induced hamster buccal‐pouch squamous‐cell carcinogenesis is associated with mutant p53 accumulation and epigenetic changes
Authors: Hsue Shui‐Sang , Wang Wen‐Chen , Chen Yuk‐Kwan , Lin Li‐Min 
Published: April 2008

SummaryFifty outbred Syrian golden hamsters were equally divided into three experimental groups and two control groups. The pouches of the experimental groups were painted bilaterally with a 0.5% 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) solution thrice a week for 3, 7 and 14 weeks. One of the control groups was applied with mineral oil while another control group remained untreated throughout the experiment. Neither survivin nor cIAP2 could be detected in any of the control tissues, whereas survivin and cIAP2 were found to be significantly increased in 3‐, 7‐ and 14‐week DMBA‐treated pouches compared with the control pouches. Expression of XIAP, cIAP1 and NAIP were noted for both the control and 3‐, 7‐ and 14‐week DMBA‐treated pouches, but levels were found to be significantly elevated in the experimental groups compared with the control pouches. p53 was not detected in any control tissues, but was significantly increased in 3‐, 7‐ and 14‐week DMBA‐treated pouches. Direct sequencing revealed a point mutation (C→G) of p53 for pouch tissues treated with DMBA for 3 and 7 weeks, and there was a wide variation in the p53 sequence of the 14‐week DMBA‐treated pouch tissues, as compared with the control tissues. The control tissues had a survivin‐ and cIAP2‐methylated allele, whereas the DMBA‐treated tissues showed no evidence of survivin‐ and cIAP2‐methylation. Neither the control nor DMBA‐treated pouches showed evidence of XIAP‐, cIAP1‐ or NAIP‐methylation. Our results suggest that the expression of inhibitors of apoptosis family in DMBA‐induced hamster buccal‐pouch squamous‐cell carcinogenesis may be modulated by both genetic (mutant p53) and epigenetic mechanisms.
Effect of the injection site on the bioavailability of amoxycillin trihydrate in dairy cows
Authors: RUTGERS L. J. E. , VAN MIERT A. S. J. P. A. M. , NOUWS J. F. M. , VAN GINNEKEN C. A. M. 
Published: April 2008

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of amoxycillin sodium and amoxycillin trihydrate‐20% aqueous suspension was studied in a group of five dairy cows. Amoxycillin sodium was administered intravenously and amoxycillin trihydrate‐20% by four different routes of administration: subcutaneously in the dewlap, intramuscularly in the lateral neck, M. triceps, and buttock (M. semitendineus). The dose level for both drug formulations was 3.83 ± 0.47 mg/kg.The mean plasma concentration–time curve(Cp)for intravenous amoxycillin sodium administration could be described mathematically by the biexponential equation Cp= 15.6 e‐0.033t+ 1.04 e‐0.0091t. The areas under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC's) obtained after the intravenous injections of sodium amoxycillin were used as references for the bioavailability studies of the four routes of amoxycillin trihydrate administration.Intramuscular injections into the lateral neck or into the M. triceps resulted in similar systemic bioavailabilities, being at 12 h post injection (p.i.) 76.2 and 79.2% of the administered dose. The biological half‐lives (t1/2) were similar, being 6.2 and 6.9 h, respectively. After subcutaneous injection into the dewlap or intramuscular injection into the buttock lower bioavailabilities at 12 h p.i. were observed (24.1 and 49.2%, respectively). The plasma amoxycillin concentration was persistently low. The half‐lives of plasma amoxycillin disposition after the buttock and dewlap injections were 13.2 and 44 h, respectively.The plasma concentrations obtained were compared with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against pathogenic bacteria with respect to the theoretical design of effective antibacterial therapy. The differences observed serve to emphasize the fact that more attention should be paid to the effect of the route of administration on the biological bioavailability of a drug, with particular reference to studies on clinical efficacy. Pre‐slaughter withdrawal times were suggested for the different routes of injection of these two drug formations.