bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testosterone stimulates extra‐hepatic but not hepatic fat oxidation (Fox): comparison of oral and transdermal testosterone administration in hypopituitary men
Authors: Birzniece Vita , Meinhardt Udo J. , Handelsman David J. , Ho Ken K. Y. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  Fat mass is increased in hypogonadal men and the changes are reversed by testosterone replacement. Testosterone administration enhances whole body fat oxidation (Fox). Fat is oxidized in the liver and in extra‐hepatic tissues.Objective  To determine whether the stimulation of Fox by testosterone arises primarily from the liver or from extra‐hepatic tissues.Design/patients  This was an open‐label cross‐over study. Thirteen men with hypopituitarism (age 53·1 ± 4·1 years) with both growth hormone (GH) and testosterone deficiency were studied sequentially after 2 weeks of treatment with transdermal testosterone (5 mg), no treatment, and stepwise incremental doses of oral crystalline testosterone (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg) in the absence of GH replacement.Measurements  Serum testosterone, IGF‐I, metabolic effects [resting energy expenditure (REE) and Fox], SHBG, and thyroid binding globulin (TBG) as markers of excessive hepatic androgen exposure, were measured at the end of each treatment period.Results  When compared to the no‐treatment phase, mean blood testosterone levels rose into the physiological range after transdermal testosterone delivery but did not significantly change after 10, 20, 40 or 80 mg oral testosterone treatment. Blood SHBG and TBG fell significantly with 80 mg oral testosterone dose but were unaffected by any other testosterone treatment. Fox increased significantly with transdermal but not with any dose of oral testosterone. Mean plasma IGF‐I and REE were unaffected by testosterone, regardless of the route or dose.Conclusions  Short‐term testosterone administration does not stimulate hepatic fat oxidation but enhances whole body fat oxidation by acting on extra‐hepatic tissues.
What should be done in an operating room when an insulinoma cannot be found?
Authors: Rostambeigi Nassir , Thompson Geoffrey B. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryInsulinoma is the most common (functioning) islet cell tumour of the pancreas and is highly curable with accurate localization and precise extirpation of the often benign, solitary lesion. Although previous reports describe high success rates without pre‐operative localization, more recent recognition of the overlap among causes of endogenous hyperinsulinism, coupled with the deleterious long‐term effects of blind distal pancreatectomy and re‐operation, mandate the need for precise pre‐operative localization or regionalization of the tumour(s). If these criteria have not been met and the surgeon finds him/herself in the operating room without a localized or regionalized tumour, the operation should be concluded without resection, the diagnosis reconfirmed, and a calcium stimulation test performed. At experienced centres, this can be often carried out within 24–48 h and the patient returned to the operating room for a gradient‐guided resection. Intraoperative venous sampling for insulin might be an option in the future but its accuracy has not been validated in sufficient numbers of patients to date.
Pedogenic alterations of illitic minerals represented by Radiocaesium Interception Potential in soils with different soil moisture regimes in humid Asia
Authors: Nakao A. , Funakawa S. , Watanabe T. , Kosaki T. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryA frayed edge site can be a significant indicator of alterations in illitic minerals in soils evolving under different climates, because illitic minerals are known to enlarge the frayed edge site through vermiculitization. We investigated the relative abundance of this site in soil clays (<2 μm) using Radiocaesium Interception Potential (RIP) methodology, and determined the mineralogical factors controlling its amount (represented by RIP) for soils under ustic soil moisture regimes (northern Thailand, TH) and udic regimes (southwestern Japan, JP; East Kalimantan in Indonesia, ID) in humid Asia. We found three different correlations between RIP and mineralogical‐ or chemical‐indices: positive (amount of illitic mineral and Cs‐fixing capacity), negative (amount of kaolinite and hot‐citrate extractable Al‐Si) and no correlation (amount of DCB‐oxides). The variable that correlated best with the logarithm of RIP in each region was Alcit‐Sicit (JP), amount of illitic mineral (TH) and amount of kaolinite (ID). Under an ustic soil moisture regime in TH, there was little vermiculitization, as was evidenced by the direct correlation between the frayed edge site (or RIP) and the amount of illitic minerals and the very small Cs‐fixing capacity. A distinct dry season restricts water leaching, which may reduce alteration in illitic minerals. For ID soils under an udic soil moisture regime, illitic minerals weather to form vermiculite, which is reflected in the enlargement of the frayed edge site. However, for JP soils, hydroxy‐Al interlayering reduces the frayed edge site formed through vermiculitization. The release of hydroxy‐Al polymers from vermiculitic layers can induce the re‐exposure of the frayed edge site that can be progressive under a podzolization process.
Estimating particle‐size fractions of soil dominated by silicate minerals from geochemistry
Authors: Rawlins B. G. , Webster R. , Tye A. M. , Lawley R. , O’Hara S. L. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryMeasuring particle‐size distribution (psd) is so time‐consuming and expensive that it is rarely affordable for systematic survey. In young soil dominated by silicate minerals the size fractions have characteristic elemental compositions, and so they might be predicted from geochemical analysis. We tested the feasibility of predicting the psd from concentrations of elements in samples of topsoil taken in surveys of two large regions in eastern England and on which the psd had been determined. Of the 35 elements measured we chose eight (a) from our general knowledge of mineral composition, (b) after a principal component analysis to avoid redundancy and (c) experience elsewhere. Of the eight elements, five were used (Al, Fe, Ni, Ti and Zr) to build multiple linear regression models for the predictions. The equations were assessed by their coefficients of determination, R2, and the effectiveness of their predictions, expressed as root‐mean‐square errors (RMSEs) on validation sets of data of known psd. The models accounted on average for 89% of the variance in the clay size‐fraction and 82% for sand. The corresponding median RMSEs were 4.9% and 8.8% on medians of 17% and 58%, respectively. The silt size‐fraction was less well predicted; R2 was only 0.58, and the median RMSE was 10.6% on a median of 22%. We judge our approach, in which the regression models may be regarded as pedotransfer functions, to have been moderately successful and to merit attention in similar circumstances in other regions.
Soil management modifies micro‐scale abundance and function of soil microorganisms in a Mediterranean ecosystem
Authors: Lagomarsino A. , Grego S. , Marhan S. , Moscatelli M. C. , Kandeler E. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe present study tests whether soil management (tillage and fertilizer) modified the small‐scale abundance and function of soil microorganisms in response to changes in organic matter quantity and quality. The experimental field, located in the coastal hills of Marche (central Italy), was planted in rotation with Triticum durum in winter and Zea mais in summer. Soil samples were collected in the maize‐field soil, in conventional and no‐tillage (NT) systems, and in fertilized and unfertilized soil. We analysed total organic C (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) microbial biomass C (MBC), enzymes involved in C‐ (β‐glucosidase, α‐glucosidase, β‐cellobiohydrolase, β‐xylosidase), N‐ (leucine‐aminopeptidase and N‐acetyl‐β‐glucosaminidase), P‐ (acid phosphatase) and S‐cycling (arylsulphatase), as well as functional diversity in the bulk soil, coarse sand, fine sand, silt and clay fractions. Micro‐scale investigations revealed great microbial abundance in smaller fractions because of protection offered by microaggregates, whereas the distribution of enzymes reflected the availability of their corresponding substrates. No‐tillage treatment significantly increased organic input, mainly in the coarser fractions, enhancing enzyme activities and the functional diversity of the microbial community. This effect was even larger in the absence of fertilizer. At the particle‐size level of resolution, adding fertilizer stimulated nutrient cycling. Our results confirmed the hypothesis that no‐tillage enlarges the content of particulate organic matter in the coarse sand fraction and stimulates microbial decomposition. In the smaller fractions the enlarged microbial pool and increased soil organic matter with small C/N ratio under NT confirm that this management practice is effective in increasing soil C sequestration capacity.
IAPV, a bee‐affecting virus associated with Colony Collapse Disorder can be silenced by dsRNA ingestion
Authors: Maori E. , Paldi N. , Shafir S. , Kalev H. , Tsur E. , Glick E. , Sela I. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractColony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been associated with Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). CCD poses a serious threat to apiculture and agriculture as a whole, due to the consequent inability to provide the necessary amount of bees for pollination of critical crops. Here we report on RNAi‐silencing of IAPV infection by feeding bees with double‐stranded RNA, as an efficient and feasible way of controlling this viral disease. The association of CCD with IAPV is discussed, as well as the potential of controlling CCD.
Lipopolysaccharide elicits expression of immune‐related genes in the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Tanaka H. , Sagisaka A. , Fujita K. , Kaneko Y. , Imanishi S. , Yamakawa M. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractLipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major cell wall component of Gram‐negative bacteria, was found to be unable to activate immune‐related genes in Drosophila melanogaster. In contrast, highly purified LPS elicited immune‐related gene expression in the fat body of Bombyx mori. However, the level of activation by highly purified LPS was lower than crude LPS and peptidoglycan. Furthermore, synthetic lipid A also activated these genes, suggesting that B. mori possesses unknown signal pathways to activate immune‐related genes by LPS. Up‐regulation of antimicrobial peptide genes by highly purified LPS was not confirmed in the immune‐responsive cell line, NIAS‐Bm‐aff3, suggesting that some factors necessary for signal transduction activated by LPS are deficient in this cell line.
Does diclofenac increase the risk of cervical necrotizing fasciitis in a rat model?
Authors: Eter Elie G. , Khazzaka Aline , Mneimneh Wadad , Karam‐Sarkis Dolla , Haddad Amine , Sarkis Riad 
Published: January 2009

SummaryNon‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known for aggravating in vitro infections and were reported in many cases of cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF). We developed a rat model of CNF, mimicking as closely as possible the human‐CNF, to study the effect of a NSAIDs, diclofenac, as a promoting factor. Twenty rats were injected bilaterally in the neck with peptostreptococcus and with a fresh saliva specimen for another 20 rats. Half of each group was given an intramuscular injection of 4 mg/kg diclofenac at the time of inoculation and 24 h later, and the other half saline injections; rats were killed at day 7 and clinical, bacterial and histological studies were performed to assess the infectious process and the incidence of CNF. No statistically significant difference was found between groups treated with diclofenac vs. the saline injection groups. However a significant correlation was noted between clinical observation, bacterial density and histological signs of inflammation. CNF has a high mortality rate and the use of NSAIDs in conditions potentially leading to CNF is very common. However, our rat model does not support the hypothesis of a promoting role of diclofenac which was occasionally suggested in the medical literature. This study suggests that diclofenac does not seem to increase the risk of occurrence of CNF. Nonetheless, NSAIDs can mask inflammatory signs of an already spreading CNF.
Delayed local inflammatory response induced by Thalassophryne nattereri venom is related to extracellular matrix degradation
Authors: Pareja‐Santos Alessandra , Saraiva Tania Cristina , Costa Erica Pereira , Santos Marinilce Fagundes , Zorn Telma Tenorio , Souza Valdenia Maria Oliveira , Lopes‐Ferreira Monica , Lima Carla 
Published: January 2009

SummarySymptoms evoked by Thalassophryne nattereri fish envenomation include local oedema, severe pain and intense necrosis with strikingly inefficient healing, continuing for several weeks or months. Investigations carried out in our laboratory showed that, in the venom‐induced acute inflammation, thrombosis in venules and constrictions in arterioles were highly visible, in contrast to a notable lack of inflammatory cell. Nevertheless, the reason that the venom toxins favour delayed local inflammatory response is poorly defined. In this study, we analysed the movement of leucocytes after T. nattereri venom injection in the intraplantar region of Swiss mice, the production of pro‐inflammatory mediators and the venom potential to elicit matrix metalloproteinase production and extracellular matrix degradation. Total absence of mononuclear and neutrophil influx was observed until 14 days, but the venom stimulates pro‐inflammatory mediator secretion. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 were detected in greater quantities, accompanied by tissue degradation of collagenous fibre. An influx of mononuclear cells was noted very late and at this time the levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β and MMP‐2 remained high. Additionally, the action of venom on the cytoskeletal organization was assessed in vitro. Swift F‐actin disruption and subsequent loss of focal adhesion was noted. Collectively these findings show that the altered specific interaction cell‐matrix during the inflammatory process creates an inadequate environment for infiltration of inflammatory cells.
Histopathological abnormalities of prolonged alloxan‐induced diabetes mellitus in rabbits
Authors: Mir Sajad Hussain , Darzi Mohd Maqbool 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe objective of this study was to investigate the prolonged complications of untreated diabetes on histomorphology of rabbits. Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in one group of New Zealand white male rabbits by intraperitoneal administration of four doses of alloxan @ 80 mg/kg b.w. at weekly intervals following 12 h fasting. Other group of rabbits served as healthy controls that received isotonic saline in a similar manner. The establishment of diabetes mellitus was confirmed by fasting blood glucose levels. For histomorphological study of different organs, 50% of the animals were killed after 7 weeks and the rest after 26 weeks. Routine haematoxylin and eosin stain and Gomori’s modified stain were used. The blood glucose level of diabetic rabbits increased significantly throughout the experimental period. The peak values for blood sugar were on the sixth week of the study. Further, histomorphological alterations were recorded in pancreas, kidneys, lungs, heart and brain in diabetic rabbits. However, mild changes were observed in gastrointestinal tract with proliferation of yeasts in the stomach. With the progress of untreated diabetes, the histoanatomical alterations intensify and extend to almost all organs of the body and appear to increase the susceptibility of gastric mucosa to yeast cell proliferation.
Morphological parameters for assessment of burn severity in an acute burn injury rat model
Authors: Meyerholz David K. , Piester Travis L. , Sokolich Julio C. , Zamba Gideon K. D. , Light Timothy D. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryDetermination of burn severity (i.e. burn depth) is important for effective medical management and treatment. Using a recently described acute burn model, we studied various morphological parameters to detect burn severity. Anaesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats received burns of various severity (0‐ to14‐s contact time) followed by standard resuscitation using intravenous fluids. Biopsies were taken from each site after 5 h, tissues fixed in 10% neutral‐buffered formalin, processed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Superficial burn changes in the epidermis included early keratinocyte swelling progressing to epidermal thinning and nuclear elongation in deeper burns. Subepidermal vesicle formation generally decreased with deeper burns and typically contained grey foamy fluid. Dermal burns were typified by hyalinized collagen and a lack of detectable individual collagen fibres on a background of grey to pale eosinophilic seroproteinaceous fluid. Intact vascular structures were identified principally deep to the burn area in the collagen. Follicle cell injury was identified by cytoplasmic clearing/swelling and nuclear pyknosis, and these follicular changes were often the deepest evidence of burn injury seen for each time point. Histological scores (epidermal changes) or dermal parameter depths (dermal changes) were regressed on burn contact time. Collagen alteration (r2 = 0.91) correlated best to burn severity followed by vascular patency (r2 = 0.82), epidermal changes (r2 = 0.76), subepidermal vesicle formation (r2 = 0.74) and follicular cell injury was useful in all but deep burns. This study confirms key morphological parameters can be an important tool for the detection of burn severity in this acute burn model.
Involvement of the cytoskeletal elements in articular cartilage homeostasis and pathology
Authors: Blain Emma J. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe cytoskeleton of all cells is a three‐dimensional network comprising actin microfilaments, tubulin microtubules and intermediate filaments. Studies in many cell types have indicated roles for these cytoskeletal proteins in many diverse cellular processes including alteration of cell shape, movement of organelles, migration, endocytosis, secretion, cell division and extracellular matrix assembly. The cytoskeletal networks are highly organized in structure enabling them to fulfil their biological functions. This review will primarily focus on the organization and function of the three major cytoskeletal networks in articular cartilage chondrocytes. Articular cartilage is a major load‐bearing tissue of the synovial joint; it is well known that the cytoskeleton acts as a physical interface between the chondrocytes and the extracellular matrix in ‘sensing’ mechanical stimuli. The effect of mechanical load on cytoskeletal element expression and organization will also be reviewed. Abnormal mechanical load is widely believed to be a risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis. Several studies have intimated that the major cytoskeletal networks are disorganized or often absent in osteoarthritic cartilage chondrocytes. The implications and possible reasoning for this are more widely discussed and placed into context with their potential relevance to disease and therapeutic strategies.
Polymorphonuclear cells stimulate the migration and metastatic potential of rat sarcoma cells
Authors: Remedi María Mónica , Donadio Ana Carolina , Chiabrando Gustavo Alberto 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe tumour microenvironment, which is largely composed of inflammatory cells, is a crucial participant in the neoplastic process through the promotion of cell proliferation, survival and migration. Neutrophil polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) induce inflammatory reactions that can be either cytotoxic for tumour cells or can promote tumour growth and metastasis. Previously, we have reported a spontaneous metastasis tumour model that has tumour PMNs infiltration, and metastasis, to liver and spleen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the PMNs influences on the tumour cell invasion and metastatic properties. We analysed intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), MT1‐MMP (membrane type 1‐matrix metalloproteinase) and MMP2 protein expression in TuE‐t cells cultured with PMNs or PMNs‐conditioned medium isolated from tumour bearing and normal rats. The interaction between tumour cells and PMNs induced a decrease in ICAM‐1 expression in tumour cells as well as an increase in MMP2 and tumour cell motility. Besides, conserved expression of uPAR and MT1‐MMP in tumour cells was also demonstrated. The up‐regulation in MMP2 associated with uPAR and MT1‐MMP conserved expression may be related to an increased extracellular matrix proteolysis. These results showed that the interaction of tumour cells with PMNs could favour tumour cell spreading through the promotion of a tumour invasive phenotype.
Parasite intensity and fur coloration in reindeer calves – contrasting artificial and natural selection
Authors: Rødven Rolf , Männikkö Inkeri , Ims Rolf A. , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Folstad Ivar 
Published: January 2009

SummaryIn reindeer, the variation in fur coloration is higher in semi‐domesticated than in wild populations. This difference might result from impacts of natural enemies acting on conspicuously coloured individuals with higher intensity in natural than semi‐domesticated populations.While predator pressure is rather similar for wild and semi‐domesticated populations, semi‐domesticated reindeer are less impacted by parasitism due to endectocidic treatment. In this study, we estimated the intensity of warble flies in different reindeer colour morphs in a large sample of untreated calves from multiple semi‐domesticated herds in northern Norway.We found that lighter coloured reindeer calves have higher intensities of warble fly larvae than darker ones. This is associated with a decrease in body mass, and may hence influence subsequent fitness of the animals.The high intensity of parasites in white calves implies that they are either more exposed or less resistant to parasitic infections. In either case, parasitism by warble flies appears to be a proximate cause driving coloration of reindeer towards a reduced variability in natural populations.