bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone acetate after intra-articular administration and its effect on endogenous hydrocortisone and cortisone secretion in horses
Authors: Soma Lawrence R. , Uboh Cornelius E. , Luo Yi , Guan Fuyu , Moate Peter J. , Boston Ray C. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Objective—To determine the pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone (MP) and develop a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model of the related changes in plasma concentrations of endogenous hydrocortisone (HYD) and cortisone (COR) following intra-articular administration of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) in horses.
Animals—6 Thoroughbreds.
Procedures—In each horse, 200 mg of MPA was injected intrasynovially into a carpal joint, and plasma MP, HYD, and COR concentrations were determined via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Results—A 5-compartment pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model was used to describe the concatenated changes in the plasma concentrations of MP, HYD, and COR and to estimate the instantaneous rate of endogenous HYD production. The median transfer half-life (t1/2t) of methylprednisolone from the joint to plasma and elimination half-life (t1/2e) from plasma were 1.7 and 19.2 hours, respectively. Maximum plasma concentration of methylprednisolone was 7.26 ± 3.3 ng/mL at 8 hours, which decreased to 0.11 ± 0.08 ng/mL at 144 hours after injection. At 3 hours after MPA administration, plasma COR and HYD concentrations were significantly decreased from baseline values (from 2.9 ± 0.28 ng/mL to 2.10 ± 1.0 ng/mL and from 61.1 ± 18.9 ng/mL to 25.7 ± 12.1 ng/mL, respectively).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The sensitivity of the analytic method used allowed complete description of the related kinetics of MP, HYD, and COR following intra-articular administration of MPA. A single intra-articular administration of MPA profoundly affected the secretion of HYD and COR in horses; secretion of endogenous corticosteroids remained suppressed for as long as 240 hours after injection.
Effects of ergotamine and ergovaline on the electromyographic activity of smooth muscle of the reticulum and rumen of sheep
Authors: McLeay Lance M. , Smith Barry L. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Objective—To investigate the effects of IV administration of ergotamine and ergovaline and intraruminal administration of ergotamine on electromyographic (EMG) activity of reticuloruminal smooth muscle in conscious sheep.
Animals—3 sheep with indwelling electrodes in the musculature of the reticulum and rumen.
Procedure—In a crossover design study, reticuloruminal motility before and after IV administration of ergotamine (5, 10, 20, and 40 nmol/kg) or ergovaline (2.5, 5, and 10 nmol/kg) was evaluated; EMG effects were compared with those of corresponding control treatments (IV administration of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution or acetone, respectively) in sheep. Ergotamine (800 nmol/kg) or water was also administered intraruminally and their effects compared.
Results—After IV administration of ergopeptides, vagally dependent cyclical A and B sequences of contraction of the reticulorumen were immediately inhibited, preceding increases in baseline EMG activity (tonus). The return of cyclical contractions was associated with an increase in contraction amplitude. The effects were dose dependent; administration of 40 nmol of ergotamine/kg resulted in responses that continued for 3 to 4 hours. The effects of intraruminal administration of ergotamine were variable; after 8 hours, EMG activity was increased from baseline for < 2 hours in 1 sheep, 10 hours in another, and > 15 hours in the third.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In sheep, the effects of ergotamine and ergovaline on reticuloruminal motility after IV administration and the duration of responses following intraruminal administration suggest that disruption of digestion may occur in animals grazing endophyte-infected pasture that has a high ergopeptide content.
Evaluation of the urodynamic and hemodynamic effects of orally administered phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine in female dogs
Authors: Carofiglio Francesca , Hamaide Annick J. , Farnir Frédéric , Balligand Marc H. , Verstegen John P. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Objective—To compare the urodynamic and hemodynamic effects of different dosages of phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine and determine effective dosages in increasing urethral resistance in female dogs.
Animals—20 sexually intact female Beagles.
Procedure—Dogs were allocated into 4 groups and received phenylpropanolamine once, twice, or 3 times daily, or ephedrine twice daily, for 14 days. On days 0, 7, and 14, urethral pressure profiles were performed while dogs were anesthetized with propofol. Variables recorded included maximum urethral pressure, maximum urethral closure pressure, integrated pressure, functional profile length, anatomic profile length, plateau distance, distance before maximum urethral pressure, and maximum meatus pressure. Arterial and central venous pressures were measured before anesthetic induction and 10 and 35 minutes after induction.
Results—Administration of phenylpropanolamine once daily or ephedrine twice daily significantly increased maximum urethral pressure and maximum urethral closure pressure. Values for integrated pressure were significantly increased after 14 days of once-daily administration of phenylpropanolamine. Variables did not change significantly from day 7 to day 14. Diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures increased significantly during the treatment periods, and arterial pressure decreased during propofol infusion.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Oral administration of phenylpropanolamine once daily or ephedrine twice daily increased urethral resistance in clinically normal dogs and may be recommended for management of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. Treatment efficacy may be assessed after 1 week. Dogs with concurrent cardiovascular disease should be monitored for blood pressure while receiving α-adrenergic agents because of the effects on diastolic and mean arterial pressure.
Evaluation of the effects of stress in cats with idiopathic cystitis
Authors: Westropp Jodi L. , Kass Philip H. , Buffington C. A. T. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Objective—To determine the effects of stress in cats with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) by evaluating bladder permeability, sympathetic nervous system function, and urine cortisol:creatinine (C:Cr) ratios during periods of stress and after environmental enrichment.
Design—Prospective study.
Animals—13 cats with FIC and 12 healthy cats.
Procedure—Cats subjected to an acute-onset moderate stressor for 8 days received IV injections of fluorescein. Serum fluorescein concentrations were determined and compared with those of controls to evaluate bladder permeability, and urine C:Cr ratios were compared to evaluate function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were analyzed in a subset of cats. After 8 days of moderate stress, cats were moved to an enriched environment, and tests were repeated after 21 days.
Results—Serum fluorescein concentrations were significantly higher in cats with FIC at all time points. In the cats in which plasma catecholamine concentrations were determined, concentrations of dihydroxyphenylalanine, norepinephrine, and dihyroxyphenylglycol were significantly higher in cats with FIC at all time points, whereas no differences in urine C:Cr ratio between groups were observed.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Cats with FIC appeared to have altered bladder permeability, most notably during the period of initial stress. The increase in plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine concentration suggests that there may be stress-induced increase in the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis. In contrast, no effects of stress on C:Cr ratios were observed, which suggests there was dissociation between the sympathetic nervous system and HPA-axis responses to stress.
Evaluation of surrogate markers for passive transfer of immunity in kittens
Authors: Crawford P. Cynda , Levy Julie K. , Werner Linda L. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Objective—To identify surrogate markers of passive transfer of immunity in kittens.
Design—Prospective clinical trial.
Animals—55 kittens from 12 specific-pathogen–free queens.
Procedure—Kittens were allocated at birth into colostrum-fed (n = 27) and colostrum-deprived (28) groups. Blood was collected at birth and on days 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 56. Serum samples were analyzed for activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyltransferase, amylase, and lipase and for concentrations of albumin, total protein, bilirubin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, and triglycerides by use of an automated analyzer. Total serum solids concentrations were estimated by use of refractometry. Serum IgG concentrations were quantified by use of radial immunodiffusion.
Results—All kittens were agammaglobulinemic at birth. Colostrum-fed kittens had significantly higher IgG concentrations than did colostrum-deprived kittens from 1 though 28 days of age. Transient significant differences in serum biochemical variables between the colostrum-deprived and colostrum-fed groups were substantially resolved by day 4. Passive transfer of immunity could be reliably determined at 1 day of age and to a lesser extent at 2 days of age only by measurement of serum activity of ALP.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Adequacy of passive transfer in kittens initially correlated with serum activity of ALP, but quantification of serum IgG concentration was necessary after 2 days of age.
Measurement of Human Cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) Activity In Vitro
Authors: Polasek Thomas M. , Elliot David J. , Miners John O. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractCytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) is responsible for the metabolism of a diverse range of clinically used drugs and dietary and environmental chemicals (including many procarcinogens). CYP1A2 expression is influenced by numerous factors, and hence wide interindividual variability is a characteristic feature of this enzyme in humans. Phenacetin represents a convenient probe for the assessment of human CYP1A2 activity in vitro (hepatic microsomes and recombinant enzyme). It is a relatively high‐turnover substrate that forms only one major primary metabolite, the O‐deethylated derivative acetaminophen. Acetaminophen formation in incubations of phenacetin with a CYP1A2 source is readily measured by HPLC with UV detection. The assay has a low requirement for human liver microsomes or recombinant enzyme, and is both selective and sensitive without the requirement for a solvent extraction step. Overall assay reproducibility is excellent, with coefficients of variation <4%.
Polyamides nanocapsules: Modeling and wall thickness estimation
Authors: Bouchemal K. , Couenne F. , Briançon S. , Fessi H. , Tayakout M. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis work provides a better understanding for effective control of the nanocapsules wall thickness. Polyamides based nanocapsules are prepared by interfacial polymerization combined with spontaneous emulsification. A clear guideline of how factors such as monomer concentration, diffusion, interfacial reaction, or water swelling influence the capsule formation is very important to the control of capsule wall structure and release performance. In this goal, the macroscopic planar models of the interfacial polycondensation between diethylenetriamine and sebacoyle chloride are studied experimentally and theoretically. This planar model is developed to examine the kinetics of the reaction and to perform the estimation of parameters thanks to the experiment measurements. The effect of the operating conditions on the wall thickness is also studied. The model is shown to be consistent with the experimental data. Next, the spherical model is deduced from the first one. The results obtained with this model are in accordance with some observations of wall thickness. From this model, the increase of the wall thickness is predicted for several operating conditions. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Factor analysis of obsessive–compulsive disorder YBOCS‐SC symptoms and association with 5‐HTTLPR SERT polymorphism
Authors: Hasler Gregor , Kazuba Diane , Murphy Dennis L. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractSymptoms defining obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) are diverse. Factor analyses of OCD symptoms have been used to evaluate obsessive–compulsive phenotypes that are thought to be more homogenous than the macro phenotype. There is evidence that three factors (symmetry/ordering, obsessions/checking, and hoarding) are familial and preliminary evidence that repetitive rituals are associated with a functional polymorphism in the promotor region of the serotonin transporter gene (5‐HTTLPR). The goal of this study was to examine relationships between OCD symptom dimensions and 5‐HTTLPR. We genotyped 153 subjects who met DSM‐IV criteria for OCD. We used the Yale‐Brown obsessive–compulsive scale symptom checklist (YBOCS‐SC) to assess OCD symptoms. Using principle components analysis, we derived four factors from the 13 symptom categories of the YBOCS‐SC in this patient sample, which replicated previous factor analyses of this scale. The frequencies of the S allele and the SS genotype were associated with the second factor including obsessions regarding symmetry and compulsions involving repeating, counting, and ordering/arranging. This study may contribute to understanding of molecular genetic features underlying the appearance of symptom clusters in OCD. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence for monozygotic twin (MZ) discordance in methylation level at two CpG sites in the promoter region of the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene
Authors: Mill Jonathan , Dempster Emma , Caspi Avshalom , Williams Benjamin , Moffitt Terrie , Craig Ian 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMonozygotic (MZ) twin concordance for a range of psychiatric conditions is rarely 100%. It has been suggested that epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation, may account for a proportion of the variation in behavioral traits observed between these genetically identical individuals. In this study we have quantitatively assessed the methylation status of two CpG sites in the promoter region of the COMT gene in 12 MZ twins‐pairs discordant for birth weight, but otherwise clinically unaffected. DNA was obtained at age 5‐years using buccal swabs, and modified using sodium‐bisulfite treatment. Methylation profiles were assessed using Pyrosequencing™, a technology enabling the precise degree of methylation to be assessed at any CpG site. We found that the degree of methylation at the two CpG sites was highly correlated, but there was considerable variation in the concordance of methylation levels between MZ twin‐pairs. Some MZ twin‐pairs showed a high degree of methylation concordance, whereas others differed markedly in their methylation profiles. Such epigenetic variation between genetically identical individuals may play a key role in the etiology of psychopathology, and explain the incomplete phenotypic concordance observed in MZ twins. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association between the DRD2 A1 allele and response to methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatments
Authors: Barratt Daniel T. , Coller Janet K. , Somogyi Andrew A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe TaqI A polymorphism (A1) of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2), although not a specific predictor of opioid dependence, has been strongly associated with high levels of prior heroin use and poor treatment outcomes among methadone maintenance patients. The aims of this study were to confirm these findings via a retrospective analysis of A1 allele frequency in methadone (n = 46) and buprenorphine (n = 25) patients, and non‐opioid‐dependent controls (n = 95). Subjects were genotyped at the DRD2 TaqI A locus using PCR amplification followed by TaqI restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. For methadone and buprenorphine subjects, heroin use (prior to treatment), treatment outcomes, and withdrawal occurrence were determined from comprehensive case notes. No significant differences in A1 allele frequency (%) were observed between: methadone (19.6%), buprenorphine (18.0%), and control (17.9%) groups (P > 0.7); successful and poor treatment outcome groups, methadone: 20.0% and 19.2%, respectively (P = 1.0); buprenorphine: 18.4% and 20.0%, respectively (P = 1.0). Also, there were no significant relationships between TaqI A genotype and prior heroin use (P = 0.47). However, among the successful methadone subjects, significantly fewer A1 allele carriers experienced withdrawal than non‐A1 carriers (P = 0.04). In conclusion, the DRD2 genotype effects did not affect opioid maintenance treatment outcomes. This suggests the need for a further prospective investigation into the role of the DRD2 A1 allele in heroin use and response to maintenance pharmacotherapies for opioid dependence. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure–property relationships for sulfonated poly(butylene terephthalate)
Authors: Chisholm Bret J. , Richards William D. , Banach Timothy E. , Soloveichik Sofia , Kelley James F. , Bradtke Greg R. , Dhawan Sandeep 
Published: March 2006

AbstractStructure–property relationships have been developed for sulfonated poly(butylene terephthalate) copolymers. The compositional variables investigated were sulfonate content, molecular weight, and polymer endgroup composition, and the fundamental polymer properties evaluated were melt viscosity, crystallization kinetics, and impact strength. It was found that all compositional variables significantly affect all of the polymer properties of interest. The most interesting effect is the influence of polymer endgroup composition on polymer properties. The trends indicate that the carboxylic acid endgroups form intermolecular interactions with sodium sulfonate groups, resulting in a decrease in the strength of intermolecular ionic interactions between sodium sulfonate groups. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4662–4771, 2006
Growing up and moving on in rheumatology: Parents as proxies of adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Shaw K. L. , Southwood T. R. , McDonagh J. E. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo examine agreement about physical health, functional ability, and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) between adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents.MethodsThe study group comprised 303 adolescent‐parent dyads who completed individual questionnaires, including the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire with visual analog scales for pain and general well‐being, and the Juvenile Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire. Agreement was determined using the Bland and Altman method.ResultsApproximately half of the adolescent‐parent dyads showed clinically acceptable agreement for pain, general well‐being, functional disability, and HRQOL. Where discrepancies occurred, there were similar numbers of parental overestimation and underestimation, with the exception that parents rated functional ability worse than did adolescents. Parents were also consistent with respect to overestimation or underestimation, irrespective of the health domain in question. Agreement was associated with better disease‐related outcome variables, but was not significantly influenced by demographic factors. Agreement between adolescents and parents was dependent on the level of disease outcome and the health domain under scrutiny, and was less for moderate disease outcomes (as compared with mild or severe) and less visible phenomena (e.g., pain, global well‐being).ConclusionThere is a wide variation in agreement between adolescents with JIA and their parents that is dependent on which health‐related variable is under scrutiny. Proxy report is likely to be valid for adolescents with JIA at either the mild or severe end of the spectrum and/or for the visible manifestations of the disease. Consideration of both adolescent and parent‐proxy reports is therefore important in future research.
Correlates of knee pain in older adults: Tasmanian older adult cohort study
Authors: Zhai Guangju , Blizzard Leigh , Srikanth Velandai , Ding Changhai , Cooley Helen , Cicuttini Flavia , Jones Graeme 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the association between chondral defects, bone marrow lesions, knee and hip radiographic osteoarthritis (OA), and knee pain.MethodsKnee pain was assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. T1‐ and T2‐weighted fat saturation magnetic resonance imaging was performed on the right knee to assess chondral defects and subchondral bone marrow lesions. Radiography was performed on the right knee and hip and scored for radiographic OA. Body mass index (BMI) and knee extension strength were measured.ResultsA total of 500 randomly selected men and women participated. The prevalence of knee pain was 48%. In multivariable analysis, prevalent knee pain was significantly associated with medial tibial chondral defects (odds ratio [OR] 2.32, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.02–5.28 for grade 3 versus grade 2 or less; OR 4.93, 95% CI 1.07–22.7 for grade 4 versus grade 2 or less), bone marrow lesions (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.04–2.00 per compartment), and hip joint space narrowing (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.07–1.73 per unit), as well as greater BMI and lower knee extension strength. It was not significantly associated with radiographic knee OA. These variables were also associated with more severe knee pain. In addition, there was a dose response association between knee pain and number of sites having grade 3 or 4 chondral defects (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.12–1.73 per site), with all subjects having knee pain if all compartments of the knee had these defects.ConclusionKnee pain in older adults is independently associated with both full and non–full‐thickness medial tibial chondral defects, bone marrow lesions, greater BMI, and lower knee extension strength, but is not associated with radiographic knee OA. The association between radiographic hip OA and knee pain indicates that referred pain from the hip needs to be considered in unexplained knee pain.