bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sand intake by laying hens and its effect on egg production parameters
Authors: Van Der Meulen J. , Kwakernaak C. , Kan C. A. 
Published: July 2007

SummarySoil intake may be the most prominent source of environmental contaminants for free range and organic hens, but there are no quantitative data concerning soil intake by domestic hens. Consumption of soil of 14–32 g a day can be estimated from literature, but such a dilution of nutrient intake seems incompatible with high productivity. In this study laying hens were fed pelleted diets with 0%, 10%, 20%, 25% and 30% of sand addition to determine its effect on productivity. Feed intake, feed and nutrient (feed minus sand) conversion ratio, egg production, egg weight and body weight gain were measured over a 4‐week period. Acid insoluble ash concentration in the faeces was measured to determine the accuracy of estimating the soil ingestion by the soil‐ingestion equation for wildlife as a way to determine soil ingestion of free range and organic hens under practical circumstances. The hens were able to compensate the dilution of the diet with 20%, 25% and 30% of sand by increasing their feed intake. Feed intake increased significantly and feed to egg conversion ratio decreased significantly with increasing sand levels in the diet. The nutrient to egg conversion ratio of the diet without sand tended to be worse than for the diets with sand, presumably due to the total absence of coarse material in the diet. There were no differences in egg production and egg weight between hens fed the different diets but body weight gain was significantly lower for the hens fed the diets with 20%, 25% and 30% of sand. Estimation of sand ingestion was done by the soil‐ingestion equation for wildlife. Provided that the actual dry matter digestibility coefficient of the nutrient part of the diet is taken into account, estimating the soil ingestion according to the soil‐ingestion equation for wildlife seems an appropriate way to determine soil ingestion for free range and organic hens under practical circumstances.
Do fungi play a role in psoriatic nails?
Authors: Szepietowski Jacek C. , Salomon Joanna 
Published: July 2007

SummaryOnychomycosis is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about a half of all nail abnormalities. Some factors like increasing age, male sex, repeated nail damage, genetic predispositions and underlying conditions, such as diabetes, immunodeficiency or peripheral arterial disease may predispose to develop onychomycosis. It is also suggested that abnormalities in nail morphology are the predisposing factors to onychomycosis. Psoriasis is one of the most common reasons of disturbed nail morphology and the spectrum of nail changes in psoriasis is very wide. Thus, there were suggestions that dystrophic nails in psoriatic patients lose their natural preventing barrier and therefore are more predisposed to fungal infection. This paper summarizes the knowledge about prevalence of onychomycosis among psoriatic patients and contains a literature review concerning this problem. Most authors report that the prevalence of onychomycosis in psoriatic patients is not higher than that in control population. However, especially yeasts and maybe moulds, probably as concomitant pathogens, are more often isolated from psoriatic patients than from non‐psoriatic population. In reasonable cases, the mycological examination is required, especially when the clinical picture of the nails suggests the presence of fungal infection. In these cases, antifungal treatment may be beneficial for psoriatic patients.
Dermatomycological guidelines: 10 years of experience in Germany
Authors: Seebacher C. , Korting H. C. 
Published: July 2007

SummarySince the mid‐1990s of the last century, dermatomycological guidelines have been prepared and published in Germany. This has been achieved by a group of experts encompassing leading representatives of Deutschsprachige Mykologische Gesellschaft, Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft as well as Berufsverband Deutscher Dermatologen. Preparation of guidelines is based on a defined procedure. The first draft is prepared by one to three experts and then forwarded to all members of the working group for further discussion and improvement. This can be by way of either conventional mail or electronic mail. All aspects turning up in the process are reflected by the head of the working group and these aspects are used to prepare another version, which is again distributed to all members of the working group. Following up to three or four pertinent rounds of optimisation, a final version based on general consensus will be available at the end. All guidelines are subject to adaptation in a period of 3–5 years at the latest or if needed even earlier.
Invasive fungal infections among inpatients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome at a Chinese university hospital
Authors: Shen Yin Zhong , Qi Tang Kai , Ma Jian Xin , Jiang Xue Yan , Wang Jiang Rong , Xu Qing Nian , Huang Qin , Liu Xi Nian , Sun Hong Qing , Lu Hong Zhou 
Published: July 2007

SummaryInvasive fungal infections (IFIs) have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), however, little is known about the clinical features and prognosis of IFI in AIDS in China. This study aimed to characterise the clinical features and prognosis of IFI in AIDS patients in China. We retrospectively reviewed the records of all HIV‐infected patients at a Chinese university hospital between December 2004 and May 2006. We identified 35 patients with IFI. IFIs included thrush, oesophageal candidiasis, fungal pneumonia, cryptococcosis, penicilliosis and fungaemia, 44.4% of IFIs occurred in the digestive tract, 71.8% of IFIs occurred in patients with CD4+T‐lymphocyte counts <100 cells mm−3. Candida albicans accounted for 57.4% of fungal pathogens isolated. All the patients received both antiretroviral and antifungal therapy; 27 patients were cured and eight died. IFI is one of the most common opportunistic infections in AIDS patients in China. IFIs mainly occur in patients with low CD4+T‐lymphocyte counts. The majority of IFIs occur in the digestive tract. The most common pathogen causing IFI is C. albicans. The mortality rate remains high although antiretroviral therapy and many newer antifungals are available in China.
17β‐OESTRADIOL REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF Na+/K+‐ATPase β1‐SUBUNIT, SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM Ca2+‐ATPase AND CARBONIC ANHYDRASE IV IN H9C2 CELLS
Authors: Liu Chen‐Geng , Xu Ke‐Qian , Xu Xia , Huang Jian‐Jun , Xiao Jing‐Chuan , Zhang Jie‐Ping , Song Hui‐Ping 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

It is necessary to improve our understanding of the effect of 17β‐oestradiol (E2) on the heart at a molecular and cellular level. In the present study, the effects of E2 on Na+/K+‐ATPase, sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) and carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV) in H9C2 cells were investigated. To identify the mechanism of action of E2 on these proteins, the oestrogen receptor (ER) antagonist tamoxifen was used.
The results indicated that 1 and 100 nmol/L E2 can enhance the activity of Na+/K+‐ATPase and SERCA and upregulate the expression of the Na+/K+‐ATPase β1‐subunit, SERCA2a and CAIV at both the mRNA and protein level compared with 0 and 0.01 nmol/L E2. 17β‐Oestradiol had the greatest effect at 100 nmol/L; 1 µmol/L E2 did not further protein expression compared with 100 nmol/L E2.
Tamoxifen (10 nmol/L) significantly decreased the activity of SERCA, as well as the expression of the Na+/K+‐ATPase β1‐subunit and SERCA at the mRNA and protein level, in H9C2 cells cultured with 1 nmol/L E2. Tamoxifen alone had no significant effect on these proteins in H9C2 cells.
It may be hypothesized that a suitable E2 concentration has a protective effect on the heart and that the actual dose of E2 used in hormone‐replacement therapy is important in menopausal women.
MODULATION OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCERS AND ACTIVATORS OF TRANSCRIPTION (STAT) FACTOR PATHWAYS DURING FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHAEMIA: A GENE EXPRESSION ARRAY STUDY IN RAT HIPPOCAMPUS AFTER MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY OCCLUSION
Authors: Sun Sheng‐Li , Li Tie‐Jun , Yang Peng‐Yuan , Qiu Yan , Rui Yao‐Cheng 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) factors are a family of transcription factors that mediate intracellular signalling initiated at cytokine cell surface receptors and transmitted to the nucleus. In the present study, we determined the global changes in STAT gene expression in the hippocampus of rats after focal cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion using microarray analysis.
The present study used middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to induce ischaemia and reperfusion in Sprague‐Dawley rats. Using superarray Q series Janus tyrosine kinases (Jak)/STAT signalling pathway gene array, a total of 96 genes was screened in adult male rat hippocampus after transient focal cerebral ischaemia.
The results showed that 23 genes were upregulated at least twofold by ischaemia treatment and that 12 genes were downregulated at least threefold by ischaemia treatment compared with controls.
After confirmation by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, the data suggest that the gene expression of STAT2, 5a, 5b, 6 and suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) 4 was increased by ischaemia, probably due to a compensatory response of the brain, which may play a protective role in damaged brain tissue.
The results of the present study provide evidence on global changes in STAT gene expression in the hippocampus of rats after focal cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion, in which STAT2, 5a, 5b, 6 and SOCS4 were confirmed to be significantly modulated during focal cerebral ischaemia.
DIABETES‐INDUCED CHANGES IN 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE MODULATION OF VAGALLY INDUCED BRADYCARDIA IN RAT HEART
Authors: García Mónica , Morán Asunción , Martín M Luisa , Ortizde Urbina A Vega , San Román Luis 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

In the present study, we investigated how alloxan‐induced diabetes affects the ability of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) to modulate bradycardia induced in vivo by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve in pithed rats. We also analysed the type and/or subtype of 5‐HT receptors involved.
Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats with a single injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg, s.c.). Four weeks later, rats were anaesthetized, pretreated with atenolol and pithed. Electrical stimulation (3, 6 and 9 Hz) of the vagus nerve resulted in frequency dependent decreases in heart rate (HR).
In diabetic rats, intravenous bolus administration of high doses of 5‐HT (100 and 200 µg/kg) increased the bradycardia induced by vagal electrical stimulation. Similarly, low doses (10 µg/kg) of the 5‐HT1/7 receptor agonist 5‐carboxamidotryptamine (5‐CT), increased vagally induced bradycardia. However, at high doses (50, 100 and 150 µg/kg), 5‐CT reduced the bradycardia. Attenuation of the vagally induced bradycardia evoked by the higher doses of 5‐CT was reproduced by L‐694,247 (50 µg/kg), a selective agonist for the non‐rodent 5‐HT1B and 5‐HT1D receptors. Enhancement of the vagally induced bradycardia elicited by low doses of 5‐CT was reproduced by the selective 5‐HT1A receptor agonist 8‐hydroxydipropylaminotretalin hydrobromide (8‐OH‐DPAT; 50 µg/kg). These stimulatory and inhibitory actions on vagal stimulation‐induced bradycardia in diabetic rats were also observed after administration of exogenous acetylcholine.
Vagally induced bradycardia in diabetic rats was not affected by administration of the selective 5‐HT2 receptor agonist α‐methyl‐5‐HT (150 µg/kg), the selective 5‐HT3 receptor agonist 1‐phenylbiguanide (150 µg/kg) or the selective 5‐HT1B receptor agonist CGS‐12066B (50 µg/kg).
Enhancement of the electrical stimulation‐induced bradycardia in diabetic rats caused by 5‐CT (10 µg/kg) or 8‐OH‐DPAT (50 µg/kg) was abolished by the selective 5‐HT2/7 receptor antagonist mesulergine (1 mg/kg) and the selective 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist WAY‐100,635 (100 µg/kg), respectively. Similarly, pretreatment with the non‐selective 5‐HT1 receptor antagonist methiothepin (0.1 mg/kg) blocked the inhibitory effect of 5‐CT (50 µg/kg) on the bradycardia induced by vagal electrical stimulation in diabetic rats. BRL‐15572 (2 µg/kg), a selective 5‐HT1D receptor antagonist, inhibited the action of L‐694,247 (50 µg/kg), a selective agonist for the non‐rodent 5‐HT1B and 5‐HT1D receptors, on the vagally induced bradycardia.
In conclusion, in the present study, experimental diabetes evoked changes in both the nature and 5‐HT receptor types/subtypes involved in vagally induced bradycardia.
EXPRESSION OF CYP3A ISOFORMS AND P‐GLYCOPROTEIN IN HUMAN STOMACH, JEJUNUM AND ILEUM
Authors: Canaparo Roberto , Finnström Niklas , Serpe Loredana , Nordmark Anna , Muntoni Elisabetta , Eandi Mario , Rane Anders , Zara Gian Paolo 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARYCYP3A isoforms metabolise a diverse array of clinically important drugs and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), a transmembrane efflux pump, can extrude a wide variety of drugs from the cell. It has been suggested that the function of CYP3A4 is complementary to that of P‐gp along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, together forming a coordinated intestinal barrier against xenobiotics. Therefore, the expression ofCYP3A4,CYP3A5,CYP3A7andABCB1(P‐gp) genes were quantified in five normal samples from the human stomach, seven from the jejunum and eight from the ileum by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.In the tissues examined, measurable mRNA expression ofCYP3Awas found in almost all samples from the stomach, jejunum and ileum. The rank order forCYP3AmRNA expression wasCYP3A4 > CYP3A5 > CYP3A7in the GI tract studied, whereas median mRNACYP3A4expression was highest in the small intestine and lowest in the stomach. Expression ofABCB1mRNA was found in almost all samples and the median mRNA expression level was comparable in the jejunum and ileum, but lower in the stomach. Our data also show a significant correlation between all mRNA transcripts studied and a wide interindividual variation.At the protein level, CYP3A4 was detected in all stomach and small intestine samples, the levels being substantially higher in the small intestine than in the stomach. P‐Glycoprotein was detected in all GI samples, but no statistically significant difference was found along the GI tract considered.Collectively, these results demonstrate that CYP3A4 is the main CYP3A expressed in the GI tract investigated, an extensive interindividual variability in the expression of the different CYP3A isoforms in all tissues examined and P‐gp apoprotein levels similar in the stomach, jejunum and ileum.
ACTIONS OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID TRANSPORT INHIBITOR AM404 IN NEUROPATHIC AND INFLAMMATORY PAIN MODELS
Authors: Mitchell Vanessa A , Greenwood Ruth , Jayamanne Angelo , Vaughan Christopher W 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

Although cannabinoid receptor agonists have analgesic activity in chronic pain states, they produce a spectrum of central cannabinoid CB1 receptor‐mediated motor and psychotropic side‐effects. The actions of endocannabinoids, such as anandamide, are terminated by uptake and subsequent intracellular enzymatic degradation. In the present study, we examined the effect of acute administration of the anandamide transport inhibitor AM404 in rat models of chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain.
Systemic administration of AM404 (10 mg/kg) reduced mechanical allodynia in the partial sciatic nerve ligation (PNL) model of neuropathic pain, but not in the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model of inflammatory pain.
The effect of AM404 in the PNL model was abolished by coapplication with the selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 mg/kg). AM404 did not produce a reduction in motor performance in either the PNL or CFA models.
These findings suggest that acute administration of AM404 reduces allodynia in a neuropathic pain model via cannabinoid CB1 receptor activation, without causing the undesirable motor disruption associated with cannabinoid receptor agonists.
ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTORS SUBTYPES MEDIATE DIVERSE GENE EXPRESSION PROFILE IN ADULT HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOCYTES
Authors: Zhou Juan , Xu Xin , Liu Jin‐Jun , Lin Yuan‐Xi , Gao Guang‐Dao 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARYAlthough the systemic and cardiac renin–angiotensin systems are known to be activated in the setting of pressure overload, the actions and signalling mechanisms of angiotensin (Ang) II via AT1and AT2receptors in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes (CM) remain largely unclear.Hypertrophic CM were prepared from rats with aortic banding for 8 weeks, cultured and then treated as follows: (i) 1 µmol/L AngII for 24 h; (ii) 10 µmol/L losartan (an AT1receptor antagonist) for 1 h followed by 1 µmol/L AngII for 24 h; and (iii) 10 µmol/L PD123319 (an AT2receptor antagonist) for 1 h followed by 1 µmol/L AngII for 24 h. Changes in the expression of genes following stimulation of AT1and AT2receptors specific to G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling pathways were tested using GEArray (Superarray, Bethesda, MD, USA). The effects of AngII, acting via AT1and AT2receptors, on the expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 were confirmed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and radioimmunoassay.The genes regulated via stimulation of AT1receptors were mainly restricted to the signalling pathways including cAMP/protein kinase (PK) A, Ca2+, PKC, protein tyrosine kinase, mitogen‐activated protein kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase and nuclear factor‐κB. In addition to these pathways related to activation of AT1receptors, four additional signalling pathways were found to be associated with stimulation of AT2receptors, including phospholipase C, nitric oxide/cGMP, Rho and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription. Blockade of AT2receptors decreased the mRNA and protein expression of TNF‐α and IL‐1β, whereas blockade of AT1receptors had no such effect.In conclusion, in hypertrophic CM, AngII leads to distinct signalling responses mediated by AT1and AT2receptors. Stimulation of AT2receptors appears to have a greater influence on GPCR‐signalling than stimulation of AT1receptors. Angiotensin II enhances the synthesis and secretion of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in hypertrophic CM, which is mediated by AT2, but not AT1, receptors.
UPREGULATED ENDOTHELIN SYSTEM IN DIABETIC VASCULAR DYSFUNCTION AND EARLY RETINOPATHY IS REVERSED BY CPU0213 AND TOTAL TRITERPENE ACIDS FROM FRUCTUS CORNI
Authors: Su Wei , Dai De‐Zai , Liu Hao‐Ran , Na Tao , Dai Yin 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY

The aims of the present study were to examine whether: (i) upregulation of the endothelin (ET) pathway is involved in impairment of vascular relaxation and early retinopathy in diabetic rats; and (ii) vascular and retinal abnormalities respond to the total triterpene acid (TTA) isolated from Fructus Corni compared with responses to the novel endothelin receptor antagonist CPU0213 and aminoguanidine (AMG), a special antagonist for advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).
Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomized into five groups, namely a normal control and four diabetic groups, which included an untreated diabetic group and groups treated with AMG (100 mg/kg, i.g.), CPU0213 (30 mg/kg, s.c.) or TTA (50 mg/kg, i.g.). Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.) on the 1st day. The mRNA expression of prepro‐endothelin‐1 (ppET‐1), endothelin‐converting enzyme (ECE) and iNOS in the thoracic aorta and mRNA for ETA receptors and iNOS in the retina were detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Vasorelaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) and functional assessment of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability was determined in the thoracic aorta.
We observed upregulated mRNA expression of iNOS, ppET‐1 and ECE in the thoracic aorta and upregulated mRNA for the ETA receptor and iNOS in the retina in the untreated diabetic group. Vasodilatation mediated by ACh and NO bioavailability were markedly reduced in the thoracic aorta compared with the normal control group. These abnormalities were essentially reversed by TTA, CPU0213 or AMG, with the exception with that AMG did not modify vasodilatation to ACh.
These data suggest that upregulation of gene transcription of the ET system mediates depressed vasorelaxation, NO bioavailability and changes in iNOS and ETA receptors that reflect early retinopathy in diabetic rats. Total triterpene acid, in terms of pharmacological properties resembling the endothelin receptor antagonist CPU0213, is effective in normalizing expression of the ET system and iNOS in early diabetic retinopathy and vasculaopathy.
Reference‐independent ERP old/new effects of auditory and visual word recognition memory: Joint extraction of stimulus‐ and response‐locked neuronal generator patterns
Authors: Kayser Jürgen , Tenke Craig E. , Gates Nathan A. , Bruder Gerard E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTo clarify polarity, topography, and time course of recognition memory ERP old/new effects during matched visual and auditory continuous word recognition tasks, unrestricted temporal PCA jointly analyzed stimulus‐ and response‐locked, reference‐free current source densities (31‐channel, N=40). Randomization tests provided unbiased statistics for complete factor topographies. Old/new left parietal source effects were complemented by lateral frontocentral sink effects in both modalities, overlapping modality‐specific P3 sources 160 ms preresponse. A mid‐frontal sink 45 ms postresponse terminated the frontoparietal generator pattern, showed old/new effects consistent with bilateral activation of anterior cingulate and SMA, and preceded similar activity extending posteriorly along the longitudinal fissure. These methods separated old/new stimulus source (preresponse) and response sink (postresponse) effects from motor and modality‐specific ERPs.
Motivated attention: Incentive effects on attentional modification of prepulse inhibition
Authors: Ashare Rebecca L. , Hawk Larry W. , Mazzullo Rebecca J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPrepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle is greater for attended compared to ignored prestimuli, and, consistent with theories of motivated attention, initial evidence suggests that this effect is greater among participants given performance‐based incentives. The present study examined a within‐subjects incentive manipulation. Participants (n=41) completed two blocks of a tone discrimination task. During the incentive block, participants received trialwise feedback with small monetary incentives for task performance. Startle eyeblink EMG responses to auditory probes were assessed at 60‐, 120‐, and 180‐ms tone‐probe stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs). As predicted, PPI was enhanced during attended compared to ignored prestimuli only at the 120‐ms SOA in the incentive condition. There was no evidence of attentional modification in the no‐incentive condition. These data suggest that attentional modification of PPI is sensitive to within‐subjects manipulations of incentive, providing a useful tool for testing models of motivated attention in psychopathology and psychopharmacology.