bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Calcium‐sensing receptors induce apoptosis in cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes during simulated ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Jiang Chun‐ming , Han Li‐Ping , Li Hong‐Zhu , Qu Ying‐Bo , Zhang Zhuo‐Ran , Wang Rui , Xu Chang‐qing , Li Wei‐ming 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCalcium‐sensing receptors (CaSRs) are G‐protein coupled receptors which regulate systemic calcium homeostasis and also participate in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. We have previously shown that CaSR can induce apoptosis in isolated rat adult hearts and in normal rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. However, no knowledge exists concerning the role of CaSR in apoptosis induced by ischemia and reperfusion in neonatal cardiac myocytes. Therefore, in the present study, we incubated primary neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes in ischemia‐mimetic solution for 2 h, then re‐incubated them in a normal culture medium for 24 h to establish a model of simulated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). We assayed the apoptotic ratio of the cardiomyocytes by flow cytometry; observed morphological alterations by transmission electron microscope; analyzed the expression of caspase‐3, Bcl‐2, CaSR, extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK), and Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) by Western blotting; and measured the concentration of intracellular calcium by Laser Confocal Scanning Microscopy. The results showed that simulated I/R increased the expression of CaSR and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. GdCl3, a specific activator of CaSR, further enhanced CaSR expression, along with increases in intracellular calcium and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes during I/R. Activation of CaSR down‐regulated Bcl‐2 expression, up‐regulated caspase‐3 and Fas/FasL expression and stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In summary, CaSR is involved in I/R injury and apoptosis of neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes by inhibiting Bcl‐2, inducing calcium overload and activating the Fas/FasL death receptor pathway.
Management of cancer pain in Korea
Authors: Lee Sang Chul 
Published: March 2008

Pain occurs in up to 70% of patients with advanced cancer and in about 65% of patients dying from non‐malignant disease. Pain can be controlled in most cases (about 80%) using a simple, stepwise approach and a limited number of analgesics as set out in the World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder. About 10% of patients will require more complex, sometimes invasive, management to control their pain, leaving the remaining 10% with cancer pain that is difficult to control. A high prevalence of undertreated cancer pain has indeed been reported in several clinical settings.In Korea, approximately 100,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year, and incidence has increased in the past 15 years. Recently, the management of cancer pain has received increased attention from healthcare professionals such as pain physicians, oncologists, and palliative care providers. In 2001, the guidelines on cancer pain management were distributed to Korean physicians by the Korean Society of Hospice and Palliative Care. However, little data are available concerning the management of cancer pain in Korea.There are many measures available to manage cancer pain in Korea. Examples are medication (NSAIDs, opioids etc.), nerve block and neurolysis, ketamine infusion therapy, radiofrequecy, vertebroplasty and so on.The management of pain is an essential component of a comprehensive approach to patients with cancer for the entire course of the disease, and there is no reason for these patients to have ongoing pain with the full range of drugs and strategies currently available.
Predicting pain and pain responses to opioids
Authors: Wilder‐Smith Clive H. 
Published: March 2008

The mechanisms behind the wide individual variability in pain experience and relief are an area of intense research activity. Predicting individual clinical pain and the responsiveness to analgesics should increase the efficacy and tolerability of analgesic treatments, and improve the overall treatment outcome. Several factors have shown validity in the prediction of pain, with most studies having been performed in postoperative pain. These factors include younger age, female gender, multiple psychosocial contributors (e.g. negative affect, somatisation, depressive mood, expectations, anxiety), pre‐existing physical comorbidities and pain, information provided by carers, and the nature of the pain insult. Recent studies have shown quantitiative sensory testing at high stimulus intensity (e.g. pain thresholds), as well as specific genetic factors and the functional testing of the endogenous pain modulatory pathways as emerging useful tools in the study of individual pain variability.Many of the above factors are also relevant in the prediction of analgesic responsiveness. The predominant pain characteristics, pain chronicity and neuroplastic changes, opioid‐related genetic factors and psychological factors (including placebo response components) are major determinants of analgesic efficacy. Prediction of analgesia using quantitative sensory tests has been studied with some success.Better prediction of individual pain and analgesic responsiveness promises to improve pain control and general treatment outcome, and reduce adverse events as well as costs. Further prospective studies with interdisciplinary input validating the usefulness of predictive variables within algorithms are encouraged in large patient cohorts.
Efficacy of curcumin therapy against Angiostrongylus cantonensis-induced eosinophilic meningitis
Authors: Shih P.C. , Lee H.H. , Lai S.C. , Chen K.M. , Jiang S.T. , Chen Y.F. , Shiow S.J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAngiostrongylus cantonensis can invade the central nervous system, leading to human eosinophilic meningitis or eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Curcumin is a natural product which has the effects of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and anti-carcinogensis, while the administration of curcumin has been reported to possibly relieve the symptoms of meningitis. The present study tested the potential efficacy of curcumin in A. cantonensis-induced eosinophilic meningitis of BALB/c mice. Assay indicators for the therapeutic effect included the larvicidal effect, eosinophil counts and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity in angiostrongyliasis. Eosinophils were mildly reduced in treatment groups compared with infected-untreated mice. However, there were no significant differences in larvicidal effects or MMP-9 activity. This study suggests that anti-inflammatory treatment with curcumin alone has low efficacy, but the treatment does not interfere with MMP-9 expression and is not useful for larvicidal effects. The possible reasons include low curcumin across the blood–brain barrier and also those larvae that survive stimulate MMP-9 production, which promotes blood–brain barrier damage, with leukocytes then crossing the blood–brain barrier to cause meningitis. Further studies will be required to test these possibilities.
Aminoguanidine prevents the impairment of cardiac pumping mechanics in rats with streptozotocin and nicotinamide‐induced type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wu M‐S , Liang J‐T , Lin Y‐D , Wu E‐T , Tseng Y‐Z , Chang K‐C 
Published: March 2008

Background and purpose:Aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of advanced glycation endproducts, has been shown to prevent arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA)‐induced type 2 diabetes in rats. Our aims were to examine whether AG produced benefits on cardiac pumping mechanics in the STZ and NA‐treated animals in terms of maximal systolic elastance (Emax) and theoretical maximum flow (Qmax).Experimental approach:After induction of type 2 diabetes, rats received daily injections of AG (50 mg kg−1, i.p.) for 8 weeks and were compared with age‐matched, untreated, diabetic controls. Left ventricular (LV) pressure and ascending aortic flow signals were recorded to calculate Emax and Qmax, using the elastance‐resistance model. Physically, Emax reflects the contractility of the myocardium as an intact heart, whereas Qmax has an inverse relationship with the LV internal resistance.Key results:Both type 2 diabetes and AG affected Emax and Qmax, and there was an interaction between diabetes and AG for these two variables. The Emax and Qmax were reduced in rats with type 2 diabetes, but showed a significant rise after administration of AG to these diabetic rats. Moreover, the increase in Qmax corresponded to a decrease in total peripheral resistance of the systemic circulation when the STZ and NA‐induced diabetic rats were treated with AG.Conclusions and implications:AG therapy prevented not only the contractile dysfunction of the heart, but also the augmentation in LV internal resistance in rats with STZ and NA‐induced type 2 diabetes.British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 758–764; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.119; published online 31 March 2008
Growth hormone, IGF‐I and insulin and their abuse in sport
Authors: Holt R I G , Sönksen P H 
Published: March 2008

There is widespread anecdotal evidence that growth hormone (GH) is used by athletes for its anabolic and lipolytic properties. Although there is little evidence that GH improves performance in young healthy adults, randomized controlled studies carried out so far are inadequately designed to demonstrate this, not least because GH is often abused in combination with anabolic steroids and insulin. Some of the anabolic actions of GH are mediated through the generation of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), and it is believed that this is also being abused. Athletes are exposing themselves to potential harm by self‐administering large doses of GH, IGF‐I and insulin. The effects of excess GH are exemplified by acromegaly. IGF‐I may mediate and cause some of these changes, but in addition, IGF‐I may lead to profound hypoglycaemia, as indeed can insulin. Although GH is on the World Anti‐doping Agency list of banned substances, the detection of abuse with GH is challenging. Two approaches have been developed to detect GH abuse. The first is based on an assessment of the effect of exogenous recombinant human GH on pituitary GH isoforms and the second is based on the measurement of markers of GH action. As a result, GH abuse can be detected with reasonable sensitivity and specificity. Testing for IGF‐I and insulin is in its infancy, but the measurement of markers of GH action may also detect IGF‐I usage, while urine mass spectroscopy has begun to identify the use of insulin analogues.British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 542–556; doi:fn1; published online 31 March 2008
Potential Impacts of Tailings and Tailings Cover Fertilization on Arsenic Mobility in Surface and Ground Waters
Authors: Rayne Sierra , Forest Kaya 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA number of mining sites worldwide, particularly gold mines, have tailings management facilities (TMFs) that contain high levels of arsenic. Current closed mine site regulatory agencies tend to prefer revegetation of TMFs as part of the mandated reclamation activities. At many sites, often in polar regions, vegetation is difficult to establish either directly on the tailings or on the coarse-rock covers due to nutrient poor soils, phytotoxicity problems, and/or a less than optimum climate. Addition of phosphorus-based fertilizers to the tailings and/or cover material is commonly considered in order to promote the revegetation process and – ideally – allow the site owners to discharge their closure duties as rapidly as possible. However, due to the similar geochemistry of arsenic and phosphorus oxyanion species, this type of mine closure strategy may have unintended consequences regarding arsenic mobility on and off the site. This document reviews the current state-of-the-art regarding mobilization of arsenic by phosphate ions, and identifies relevant risks and opportunities of using this information to better manage closed mine sites.
Threshold Values of High‐risk Echocardiographic Epicardial Fat Thickness
Authors: Iacobellis Gianluca , Willens Howard J. , Barbaro Giuseppe , Sharma Arya M. 
Published: March 2008

Objective: Echocardiographic epicardial adipose tissue is a new index of cardiac and visceral adiposity with great potential as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic target. In this study, we sought to provide threshold values of echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness associated with metabolic and anthropometric risk factors.Methods and Procedures: Epicardial fat thickness was measured in 246 consecutive white subjects (120 women, 126 men, median age 46 years (30–65), median BMI 32 kg/m2 (22–52), median waist circumference 100.5 cm (85–140)), who underwent routine transthoracic echocardiogram for standard clinical indications. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), Insulin resistance, BMI, and waist circumference categories were identified and epicardial fat was calculated.Results: Among 246 subjects, 58% had MetS. These subjects showed median values of epicardial fat thickness of 9.5 and 7.5 mm (in men and women, respectively), significantly higher than those found in subjects without MetS (no MetS) (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed that epicardial fat thickness of 9.5 and 7.5 mm maximize the sensitivity and specificity to predict MetS, in men and women, respectively. In separate analyses, median epicardial fat thickness values of 9.5 and 7.5 mm were cutoff points associated with high abdominal fat in men and women, respectively. When insulin sensitivity was considered separately, epicardial fat thickness of 9.5 mm was associated with insulin resistance.Discussion: Median values of 9.5 and 7.5 mm should be considered the threshold values for high‐risk echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness in white men and women, respectively. Echocardiographic epicardial fat measurement may be of help for cardiometabolic risk stratification and therapeutic interventions targeting the fat.
Association between TNFA‐308 G/A polymorphism and sensitization to para‐phenylenediamine: a case–control study
Authors: Blömeke B. , Brans R. , Dickel H. , Bruckner T. , Erdmann S. , Heesen M. , Merk H. F. , Coenraads P.‐J. 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Para‐phenylenediamine (PPD) and related chemicals are common contact sensitizers, frequently causing allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) plays a key role in contact sensitization.Methods:  In this case–control study, we evaluated the distribution of variations in the regulatory region of the gene for TNF‐α (TNFA‐308 G/A) in 181 Caucasian individuals with a history of ACD and sensitization to PPD and 161 individuals with no history of sensitization to PPD.Results:  The frequency of GA or AA TNFA genotypes was significantly higher in individuals sensitized to PPD than in age‐ and gender‐matched controls giving an odds ratio (OR) of 2.16 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.35–3.47; P = 0.0016). This relation was even more pronounced when restricting cases to females over 45 years (OR = 3.71; 95% CI: 1.65–8.31; P = 0.0017) vs younger females (less than or equal to 45 years; OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.03–5.65; P = 0.044) or males (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 0.449–2.47; P = 1.0). In addition, a logistic regression model revealed a significant effect for TNFA‐308 AA and AG vs GG genotype (point estimate = 2.152; 95% Wald CI: 1.332–3.477).Conclusions:  These findings suggest a possible role for the TNFA‐308 genetic polymorphism as a susceptibility factor for chemically induced ACD.
Head shape evolution in Tropidurinae lizards: does locomotion constrain diet?
Authors: KOHLSDORF T. , GRIZANTE M. B. , NAVAS C. A. , HERREL A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDifferent components of complex integrated systems may be specialized for different functions, and thus the selective pressures acting on the system as a whole may be conflicting and can ultimately constrain organismal performance and evolution. The vertebrate cranial system is one of the most striking examples of a complex system with several possible functions, being associated to activities as different as locomotion, prey capture, display and defensive behaviours. Therefore, selective pressures on the cranial system as a whole are possibly complex and may be conflicting. The present study focuses on the influence of potentially conflicting selective pressures (diet vs. locomotion) on the evolution of head shape in Tropidurinae lizards. For example, the expected adaptations leading to flat heads and bodies in species living on vertical structures may conflict with the need for improved bite performance associated with the inclusion of hard or tough prey into the diet, a common phenomenon in Tropidurinae lizards. Body size and six variables describing head shape were quantified in preserved specimens of 23 species, and information on diet and substrate usage was obtained from the literature. No phylogenetic signal was observed in the morphological data at any branch length tested, suggesting adaptive evolution of head shape in Tropidurinae. This pattern was confirmed by both factor analysis and independent contrast analysis, which suggested adaptive co‐variation between the head shape and the inclusion of hard prey into the diet. In contrast to our expectations, habitat use did not constrain or drive head shape evolution in the group.
A model to assess the use of caecal and faecal inocula to study fermentability of nutrients in rabbit
Authors: Bovera F. , D’Urso S. , Meo C. Di , Tudisco R. , Nizza A. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryAn in vitro gas production trial was conducted using 10 Hyla rabbits to evaluate the use of caecal and faecal inocula in fermentability studies. Caecal content (CI) and hard faeces (FI) were used as inocula. Six legume and six cereal concentrates were used as substrates. Gas production was recorded 19 times at 2–24 h intervals throughout fermentation (120 h). The fermentation characteristics (degraded organic matter, OMd; potential gas production, A; volatile fatty acid, VFA; ammonia, NH3) were measured by testing the inoculum and substrate (legumes vs. cereals). The inocula were different (p < 0.01) in OMd (818.2 vs. 799.4 g/kg OM for CI and FI respectively), A (255.0 vs. 267.1 ml/g OM), total VFA (67.3 vs. 53.2 mmol/g OM) and NH3 content (21.2 vs. 19.8 mmol/l). Moreover, the significant differences in the (acetate + propionate)/butyrate ratio (5.02 vs. 4.09 for CI and FI respectively, p < 0.01) and in the branched chain proportion (isobutyrate + isovaleriate)/total VFA (0.044 vs. 0.031, p < 0.01) indicate that the inocula differed in fermenting legumes or cereals, but the equations for estimating caecal fermentation characteristics from those of faeces showed R2 values from 0.673 to 0.975 (p ≤ 0.01). Our results confirm that in vitro fermentation characteristics of faeces were highly related to those of caecal content.
Performance of marking techniques in the field and laboratory for Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Mattioli F. , Cabrera Walsh G. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA reliable marking technique was needed for a mark–release–recapture experiment with adults of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar). Four marking techniques, acrylic paint (spattered or brushed on the surface of the insect); and fluorescent pigments (dusted on surfaces or mixed with diet to produce an ingested marker), were tested. Fluorescent pigment durability for the dusting and ingested techniques was evaluated for laboratory conditions and under simulated field conditions. The impact of the techniques on beetle survival was also assessed. Both acrylic paint techniques caused mobility problems in the beetles, and neither technique lasted for more than 48 h. Both fluorescent pigment techniques were more reliable, but the dusting technique showed a significantly higher mortality than the control, and duration variations between laboratory and field conditions. Use of fluorescent pigments added to the diet was the most reliable technique. This technique allowed the manipulation of the marking period, and provided reliable timing of marker persistence in the field.
Feeding damage of Japanese beetle (Col.: Scarabaeidae) on 16 field‐grown birch (Betula L.) genotypes
Authors: Gu M. , Robbins J. A. , Rom C. R. , Hensley D. L. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractFeeding damage by Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) was evaluated on 16 field‐grown birch genotypes (Betula L.) under two irrigation regimes at Fayetteville, AR in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Percentage of total leaf area skeletonized by Japanese beetle was visually estimated, and leaf damage was rated as no damage, low damage, moderate or severe damage based on the percentage of leaf skeletonization. The average percentage of leaf skeletonization on all birch trees by Japanese beetles was 32% in 2003, 27% in 2004 and 25% in 2005. In 2005, well‐watered trees had a higher percentage of leaf skeletonization than water‐stressed trees. Betula utilis var. jacquemontii and Betula papyrifera‘Uenci’, rated as severe damage in all 3 years, were estimated to have the highest percentage of leaf skeletonization followed by B. papyrifera, which was rated as moderate‐to‐severe damage. Betula maximowicziana, Betula nigra‘Cully’, B. papyrifera‘Renci’, and Betula platyphylla‘Fargo’ were rated as low‐to‐moderate damage. Betula pendula‘Laciniata’ had nearly no damage from Japanese beetle in all 3 years. The other birch genotypes were rated as low damage during the 3‐year period.
Mapping of a blast field resistance gene Pi39(t) of elite rice strain Chubu 111
Authors: Terashima T. , Fukuoka S. , Saka N. , Kudo S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe investigated the mode of inheritance and map location of field resistance to rice blast in the elite rice strain Chubu 111, and yield under severe blast conditions. Chubu 111 carries the complete resistance gene Pii, although field testing showed this strain to be susceptible to infection. The level of field resistance of Chubu 111 was so high that chemicals used to control blast were not required, even in an epiphytotic area. Genetic analysis of field resistance to blast in 149 F3 lines derived from a cross between Chubu 111 and the susceptible cultivar ‘Mineasahi’ suggested that field resistance is controlled by a dominant gene, designated Pi39(t), that cosegregates with the single sequence repeat marker loci RM3843 and RM5473 on chromosome 4. Comparative studies of polymorphism at RM3843 among Chubu 111 and six cultivars or lines in its pedigree suggested that the donor of the resistance gene was the Chinese cultivar ‘Haonaihuan’. Marker‐assisted selection of Pi39(t) should be useful in rice‐breeding programmes for field resistance to blast.
Reduction in kernel weight as a potential indirect selection criterion for wheat grain yield under terminal heat stress
Authors: Sharma R. C. , Tiwary A. K. , Ortiz‐Ferrara G. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHeat is an important abiotic stress during wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain‐filling in South Asia. A study was undertaken to determine effectiveness of selection for reduction in 1000‐kernel weight (TKWR) under heat stress to increase grain yield. Selection was made for low and high TKWR and selected progenies were evaluated in timely and late seeded trials at two locations in Nepal in 2003. One thousand kernel weight (TKW), biomass yield, grain yield, harvest index (HI), grain‐filling duration (GFD) and area under spot blotch progress curve per day (AUDPC/day) were examined. The low and high TKWR groups did not differ significantly for TKW, biomass yield, grain yield, HI, days to heading, GFD and AUDPC/day under timely seeding. However, low TKWR lines showed higher TKW, biomass yield, grain yield, HI, and GFD and lower AUDPC/day than the lines with high TKWR under late seeding. Realized heritability estimates for TKWR ranged from 0.68 to 0.85. The findings show that selection for low TKWR could be used as an indirect selection criterion to identify high grain yielding lines under terminal heat stress.