bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adolescent and Adult Heart Rate Responses to Self‐Administered Ethanol
Authors: Ristuccia Robert C. , Spear Linda P. 
Published: July 2008

Background:  Despite the fact that adolescent rats have repeatedly been found to consume more ethanol than adult rats in a variety of ethanol access paradigms, the exact cause of the increase in ethanol consumption during adolescence is not known. One possibility is that age differences in sensitivity to ethanol’s rewarding effects may contribute to the elevated intake seen among adolescents. Human studies have shown that autonomic effects of ethanol, particularly ethanol‐induced tachycardia, are correlated with the positive hedonic properties of the drug and, hence, may serve as a biomarker for reward.Methods:  In this experiment, a limited‐access self‐administration paradigm was used to examine the autonomic effects of ethanol in outbred male adolescent and in adult Sprague‐Dawley rats under circumstances likely to reveal the rewarding value of ethanol.Results:  The results indicated that voluntary ethanol consumption was greater in adolescent than adult rats and that only adolescents consumed enough of the saccharin‐sweetened ethanol solution to show a tachycardic effect greater than that seen in response to saccharin alone.Conclusions:  To the extent that these tachycardic properties of ethanol are associated with the rewarding/hedonic properties of ethanol as previously reported in humans, these findings support the suggestion that adolescent animals may have found the ethanol‐containing solution to be more rewarding than the saccharin solution. A similar effect was not seen in adults, findings consistent with the notion that adult rats may not consume enough ethanol under these circumstances to experience its positive rewarding properties.
Electrophysiological Effects of Dizocilpine (MK‐801) in Adult Rats Exposed to Ethanol During Adolescence
Authors: Criado José R. , Wills Derek N. , Walker Brendan M. , Ehlers Cindy L. 
Published: July 2008

Background:  Despite evidence showing persistent changes in N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐receptor function following ethanol (EtOH) exposure, the contribution of NMDA systems to the long‐term neurophysiological consequences of adolescent EtOH exposure is unclear. The aims of this study were the following: (1) to determine whether adolescent EtOH exposure produces neurophysiological changes after a prolonged withdrawal period in adult rats and (2) to assess protracted alterations in neurophysiological responses to the NMDA antagonist MK‐801 in adult rats exposed to EtOH during adolescence.Methods:  Adolescent male Wistar rats were exposed to EtOH vapor for 12 h/d for 5 weeks. The effects of MK‐801 (0.0 to 0.1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) on the electroencephalogram (EEG) and auditory event‐related potentials (ERPs) were assessed after 8 weeks of abstinence from EtOH.Results:  Experiments in aim 1 revealed that adolescent EtOH exposure reduced EEG variability in the frontal cortex in the 4 to 6 Hz band but had no effect on cortical and hippocampal EEG power and ERPs. Experiments in aim 2 showed that MK‐801 significantly reduced EEG power in the parietal cortex (4 to 6 Hz, 6 to 8 Hz, 8 to 16 Hz, 16 to 32 Hz) and hippocampus (16 to 32 Hz) and EEG variability in the parietal cortex (6 to 8 Hz, 16 to 32 Hz) following adolescent EtOH exposure. MK‐801 produced a significant decrease in hippocampal EEG variability (4 to 6 Hz, 8 to 16 Hz, 16 to 32 Hz) in control, but not in EtOH‐exposed rats. MK‐801 reduced frontal P1 ERP amplitude and latency in response to the rare tone in EtOH‐exposed rats compared to controls. In contrast, MK‐801 significantly reduced P3 ERP amplitude and latency in control, but not in EtOH‐exposed rats.Conclusions:  The effects of MK‐801 on hippocampal EEG variability and P3 ERP amplitude and latency are significantly attenuated after a prolonged withdrawal period following adolescent EtOH exposure. However, the inhibitory effects of MK‐801 on cortical and hippocampal EEG power were enhanced in rats exposed to EtOH during adolescence. Taken together, these data suggest protracted changes in NMDA systems following adolescent EtOH exposure.
Increase in Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Older Americans: Results from a National Survey
Authors: Chen Xiao , White Mary C. , Peipins Lucy A. , Seeff Laura C. 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVES: To compare the proportions of the U.S. population aged 65 and older who underwent tests for colorectal cancer (CRC) in 2000 and 2005 to examine the effect of the change in Medicare reimbursement for screening colonoscopy that occurred in 2001.DESIGN: National population‐based survey.SETTING: United States.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 6,035 respondents to the 2000 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and 5,490 respondents to the 2005 NHIS aged 65 and older.MEASUREMENTS: A questionnaire was used to assess self‐reports of testing (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or home fecal occult blood test (FOBT)) for CRC. Estimates for the U.S. population were extrapolated from the survey results. To account for the complex sampling design, SUDAAN was used to calculate population sizes and proportions.RESULTS: In U.S. adults aged 65 and older, the proportion reporting up‐to‐date CRC testing increased from 39.5% in 2000 to 47.1% in 2005. By 2005, endoscopy had become more common than home FOBT for CRC screening in older adults. In 2000 and in 2005, a higher proportion of men than women were screened across all age groups and for all screening modalities. The proportion screened declined with older age.CONCLUSION: Substantial increases in CRC testing, particularly colonoscopy, followed changes in Medicare reimbursement for screening colonoscopy in adults aged 65 and older. Although nearly half of older adults were up to date with CRC tests, differences remained in the use of screening according to age and sex within this age group.
Circulating Blood Markers and Functional Impairment in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: McDermott Mary M. , Liu Kiang , Ferrucci Luigi , Tian Lu , Guralnik Jack M. , Green David , Tan Jin , Liao Yihua , Pearce William H. , Schneider Joseph R. , McCue Kimberly , Ridker Paul , Rifai Nader , Criqui Michael H. 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether higher levels of inflammatory blood markers, D‐dimer, and homocysteine were associated with greater impairment in lower extremity functioning in persons with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.SETTING: Three Chicago‐area medical centers.PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred twenty‐three persons with PAD (ankle–brachial index (ABI) <0.90).MEASUREMENTS: Lower extremity performance was assessed using the 6‐minute walk and with usual‐ and fast‐paced 4‐m walking speed. Blood markers were D‐dimer, C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sVCAM‐1), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1), and homocysteine. Calf muscle area was measured using computed tomography.RESULTS: Adjusting for confounders, higher levels of D‐dimer (P<.001), IL‐6 (P<.001), sVCAM‐1 (P=.006), CRP (P=.01), homocysteine (P=.004), and sICAM‐1 (P=.046) were associated with poorer 6‐minute walk performance. Higher levels of D‐dimer (P<.001), IL‐6 (P=.003), sVCAM‐1 (P=.001), and homocysteine (P=.005) were associated with slower usual‐paced 4‐m walking speed. Higher levels of D‐dimer, sVCAM‐1, sICAM‐1, IL‐6, and homocysteine were associated with slower fast‐paced walking speed. Results were attenuated after additional adjustment for calf muscle area.CONCLUSION: Higher levels of inflammation and D‐dimer were associated with poorer lower extremity performance in participants with PAD, independent of confounders including ABI.
Use of Postacute Care by Nursing Home Residents Hospitalized for Stroke or Hip Fracture: How Prevalent and to What End?
Authors: Hoverman Carrie , Shugarman Lisa R. , Saliba Debra , Buntin Melinda Beeuwkes 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVES: To examine nursing home (NH) residents' use of Medicare‐paid skilled nursing facility (SNF) services and the outcomes of that care and to identify clinical and non‐clinical factors associated with that care.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort.SETTING: United States.PARTICIPANTS: NH residents aged 65 and older with Medicare claims for a hospitalization for hip fracture or stroke during 2001 to 2003.MEASUREMENTS: Resident diagnoses and use of SNF postacute care were measured using Medicare hospital claims. Market and provider characteristics were drawn from the Provider of Services file. Baseline characteristics, institutionalization, and mortality outcomes were drawn from the Minimum Data Set and Medicare Denominator File.RESULTS: Of the NH population hospitalized for hip fracture (49,903) or stroke (23,084), 79.7% and 64.1%, respectively, used the SNF benefit. Residents not using the SNF benefit had poorer baseline health status; their mortality rates and rates of resuming long‐term care were similar to the rates of residents who used the SNF benefit.CONCLUSION: NH residents used postacute SNF benefits at high rates yet had similar mortality and institutionalization outcomes as those without SNF care.
Maximizing Clinical Research Participation in Vulnerable Older Persons: Identification of Barriers and Motivators
Authors: Marcantonio Edward R. , Aneja Jasneet , Jones Richard N. , Alsop David C. , Fong Tamara G. , Crosby Gregory J. , Culley Deborah J. , Cupples L. Adrienne , Inouye Sharon K. 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVES: To identify barriers and motivators to participation in long‐term clinical research by high‐risk elderly people and to develop procedures to maximize recruitment and retention.DESIGN: Quantitative and qualitative survey.SETTING: Academic primary care medicine and pre‐anesthesia testing clinics.PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients aged 70 and older, including 25 medical patients at high risk of hospitalization and 25 patients with planned major surgery.MEASUREMENTS: Fifteen‐ to 20‐minute interviews involved open‐ and closed‐ended questions guided by an in‐depth script. Two planned study protocols were presented to each participant. Both involved serial neuropsychological assessments, blood testing, and magnetic resonance brain imaging (MRI); one added lumbar puncture (LP). Participants were asked whether they would be willing to participate in these protocols, rated barriers and incentives to participation, and were probed with open‐ended questions.RESULTS: Of 50 participants (average age 78, 44% male, 40% nonwhite), 32 (64%) expressed willingness to participate in the LP‐containing protocol, with LP cited as the strongest disincentive. Thirty‐eight (76%) expressed willingness to participate in the protocol without LP, with phlebotomy and long interviews cited as the strongest disincentives. Altruism was a strong motivator for participation, whereas transportation was a major barrier. Study visits at home, flexible appointment times, assessments shorter than 75 minutes, and providing transportation and free parking were strategies developed to maximize study participation.CONCLUSION: Vulnerable elderly people expressed a high rate of willingness to participate in an 18‐month prospective study. Participants identified incentives and barriers that enabled investigators to develop procedures to maximize recruitment and retention.
Self‐Reported Napping and Duration and Quality of Sleep in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot Study
Authors: Picarsic Jennifer L. , Glynn Nancy W. , Taylor Christopher A. , Katula Jeffrey A. , Goldman Suzanne E. , Studenski Stephanie A. , Newman Anne B. 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of self‐reported napping and its association with subjective nighttime sleep duration and quality, as measured according to sleep‐onset latency and sleep efficiency.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study.SETTING: Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot Study.PARTICIPANTS: Community‐dwelling older adults (N=414) aged 70 to 89.MEASUREMENTS: Self‐report questionnaire on napping and sleep derived from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale.RESULTS: Fifty‐four percent of participants reported napping, with mean nap duration of 55.0±41.2 minutes. Nappers were more likely to be male (37.3% vs 23.8%, P=.003) and African American (20.4% vs 14.4%, P=.06) and to have diabetes mellitus (28% vs 14.3%, P=.007) than non‐nappers. Nappers and non‐nappers had similar nighttime sleep duration and quality, but nappers spent approximately 10% of their 24‐hour sleep occupied in napping. In a multivariate model, the odds of napping were higher for subjects with diabetes mellitus (odds ratio (OR)=1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2–3.0) and men (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.2–3.0). In nappers, diabetes mellitus (β=12.3 minutes, P=.005), male sex (β=9.0 minutes, P=.04), higher body mass index (β=0.8 minutes, P=.02), and lower Mini‐Mental State Examination score (β=2.2 minutes, P=.03) were independently associated with longer nap duration.CONCLUSION: Napping was a common practice in community‐dwelling older adults and did not detract from nighttime sleep duration or quality. Given its high prevalence and association with diabetes mellitus, napping behavior should be assessed as part of sleep behavior in future research and in clinical practice.
Behavioral, biochemical, and genetic analysis of iron metabolism in high‐intensity blood donors
Authors: Mast Alan E. , Foster Tisha M. , Pinder Holly L. , Beczkiewicz Craig A. , Bellissimo Daniel B. , Murphy Anthony T. , Kovacevic Steve , Wroblewski Victor J. , Witcher Derrick R. 
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: Individuals donating whole blood 13 times in a 2‐year period without development of iron deficiency anemia (superdonors) are a self‐selected population that is deferred for low hematocrit (Hct) level less frequently than other donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Iron metabolism was assessed in 138 superdonors through a questionnaire and measurement of Hct, serum ferritin, serum hepcidin, and serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). Genetic testing for HFE and JAK‐2 mutations was also performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Iron deficiency (ferritin level, <30 µg/L) is present in more than 60 percent of superdonors. Behaviors altering iron status included casual use of iron supplements in males, but not in females, and cigarette smoking that produced increased Hct associated with decreased ferritin. The striking biochemical characteristic of superdonors is greatly decreased serum hepcidin, consistent with their need to absorb maximal amounts of dietary iron to replace that lost from blood donation. GDF15 is normal in most superdonors, indicating that GDF15 overexpression arising from the expanded erythroid pool necessary to replace donated red cells is not the biochemical mechanism for the decreased serum hepcidin. Mutations in JAK‐2 were not found, indicating that undiagnosed polycythemia vera is not a common cause for successful repeated blood donation by superdonors. Mutations in HFE associated with hemochromatosis were present in superdonors at the same frequency as the normal population. However, superdonors heterozygous for the H63D mutation in HFE had significantly decreased hepcidin : ferritin ratios demonstrating for the first time that the heterozygous state for HFE mutations is associated with alterations in hepcidin expression.
An evaluation of the DiaMed assays for immunoglobulin A antibodies (anti‐IgA) and IgA deficiency
Authors: Brown Ross , Nelson Margaret , Aklilu Esther , Kabani Karieshma , Yang Shihong , Blayney Bernadette , Popp Hazel 
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A antibodies (anti‐IgA) are rare but can cause transfusion‐associated anaphylaxis. The detection of anti‐IgA has traditionally been performed using a labor‐intensive hemagglutination assay in a limited number of reference laboratories.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two simple gel card assays are now available that can be used to screen for anti‐IgA and IgA deficiency. A total of 24 serum samples that had been previously assayed for anti‐IgA over a 3‐year period were used to assess the DiaMed anti‐IgA and IgA deficiency assays.RESULTS: The DiaMed assays correctly identified patients (n = 6) who had significant IgA deficiency and anti‐IgA. All patients with an abnormal anti‐IgA titer by hemagglutination assay and who were also IgA‐deficient had anti‐IgA detected using the DiaMed screening test. One patient, previously shown to have an IgA level of less than 0.067 g per L, failed to be detected as IgA‐deficient in the DiaMed IgA deficiency test; however, anti‐IgA were not present. Samples with slightly increased anti‐IgA titers tended to have normal IgA levels.CONCLUSION: The DiaMed gel card screening assays are appropriate screening tools for the investigation of transfusion‐related anaphylactic reactions and can be used in any routine blood bank laboratory.
Application of pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis to identify the source of bacterial contamination of peripheral blood progenitor cell products
Authors: Reich‐Slotky Ronit , Wu Fann , Della‐Latta Phyllis , Savage David G. , Schwartz Joseph 
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND: Positive microbial cultures of peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) products, although estimated to be low, are serious events in the manufacture of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products that warrant a thorough investigation to determine the contamination source.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two patients underwent autologous PBPC collection. The first patient was admitted before the collection and was febrile intermittently throughout hospitalization. The second patient spiked a low‐grade fever by the end of the procedure. The HPC products from each patient were cultured during processing and before infusion. Blood cultures were drawn during febrile episodes and before transplant. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibilities were performed on all positive cultures. All strains were typed using pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine their relatedness.RESULTS: The blood cultures from both patients and their corresponding HPC products grew Staphylococcus epidermidis. The PFGE pattern of the S. epidermidis recovered from each patient blood was indistinguishable from the one recovered from the corresponding HPC product. The gel pattern of the strains recovered from the first patient differed by four bands from the one recovered from the second. For each patient, the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the blood cultures and the HPC products were identical. Infusion of the contaminated HPC had no adverse event, and the patients engrafted successfully.CONCLUSION: By use of PFGE technology, the contamination source of PBPC products was identified. It is concluded that the contamination resulted from intermittent bacteremia in the donors and was not introduced during laboratory manufacturing.
Atrophy of type II fibres in myasthenia gravis muscle in thymectomized patients: steroid‐induced change with prognostic impact
Authors: Zamecnik Josef , Vesely Dan , Jakubicka Branislav , Cibula Adrian , Pitha Jiri , Schutzner Jan , Mazanec Radim 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSelective atrophy of type II muscle fibres has been long recognized as an enigmatic but consistent feature of myasthenia gravis (MG) muscle; however, the pathophysiology and the mechanism of that change have remained obscure. In the present study, the results of histomorphometric analysis performed on muscle biopsies from 207 thymectomized seropositive MG patients were correlated with clinical features of MG to demonstrate possible pathophysiological associations and potential prognostic impact. The atrophy of type II fibres was verified in 35 cases (16.9%), being more pronounced in fibres of IIB subtype. It was neither significantly associated with the duration and severity of MG nor with the age of the patients. On the other hand, we demonstrated that the atrophy associated with long‐term treatment with corticosteroids, and correlated with increasing doses. Thus, we suppose that the atrophy of type II muscle fibres in seropositive MG is steroid induced rather than MG‐associated event. Although the MG patients with atrophy of type II fibres did not differ from the remaining MG cases in terms of improvement in the disease during the follow‐up period, our analysis provides clear evidence that they presented a significantly slower tendency to reach an asymptomatic state after thymectomy. Therefore, the steroid‐induced atrophy of type II fibres in MG muscle might be considered to be an unfavourable prognostic factor.
Fibroblast growth factor 2‐induced angiogenesis in zebrafish: the zebrafish yolk membrane (ZFYM) angiogenesis assay
Authors: Nicoli Stefania , De Sena Giulia , Presta Marco 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAngiogenesis plays a key role in tumour growth and metastasis. The teleost zebrafish (Danio rerio) represents a promising alternative model in cancer research. Here, we describe a zebrafish yolk membrane (ZFYM) angiogenesis assays based on the injection of 1–30 ng of human recombinant FGF2 (rFGF2) in the perivitelline space of zebrafish embryos in the proximity of developing subintestinal vein vessels (SIVs) at 48 hrs after fertilization. The rFGF2 induces a rapid and dose‐dependent angiogenic response from the SIV basket, characterized by the ectopic growth of newly formed, alkaline phosphatase‐positive blood vessels. These vessels are formed by proliferating cells that incorporate bromodeoxyuridine and express the endothelial cell markers vegfr2/kdr and fli1. Microangiography shows that rFGF2‐induced vessels are patent and connected to the systemic circulation of the embryo. In keeping with these observations, fli1:EGFP+ cells isolated from transgenic tg(fli1:EGFP)y1 zebrafish embryos express the tyrosine kinase (TK) FGF receptor‐1 (FGFR1) and activate extracellular signal‐regulated kinase signalling when stimulated in vitro by rFGF2. The low molecular weight TK‐FGFR1 inhibitor SU5402 and the high molecular weight FGF2 antagonist long‐pentraxin 3 inhibit the angiogenic activity of rFGF2 when added to fish water or when co‐injected with the growth factor, respectively. Moreover, similar to rFGF2, injection of the zebrafish form of vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A) induces a significant angiogenic response in the ZFYM assay that is suppressed by the VEGF receptor‐2/KDR TK inhibitor SU5416. The ZFYM assay represents a novel tool for testing the activity of low and high molecular weight inhibitors targeting a defined angiogenic growth factor in zebrafish. The assay may offer significant advantages when compared to other animal models.