bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs upregulate function of wild-type and mutant CFTR
Authors: Li J. , Xiang Y-Y. , Ye L. , Tsui L-C. , MacDonald J. F. , Hu J. , Lu W-Y. 
Published: April 2008

Small-scale clinical trials show that treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, improves the symptoms of CF and slows down the decline of lung function. Paradoxically, ibuprofen inhibits ligand-stimulated CF transmembrance conductance regulator (CFTR) activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ibuprofen on CFTR function under different conditions.Patch-clamp recordings were performed in two lines of human airway epithelial cells: IB3-8-3-7 cells, which express wild-type CFTR; and IB3-1 cells, which express the variant CFTR with deletion of phenylalanine 580 (ΔF580CFTR).Addition of ibuprofen to the extracellular solution caused a rapid inhibition of CFTR activity in IB3-8-3-7 cells in the presence of a high intracellular concentration of cAMP, whereas ibuprofen enhanced the CFTR conductance at low levels of cAMP. Introducing ibuprofen into the interior of cells occluded the enhancing effect of ibuprofen. Notably, the variant CFTR-mediated conductance was detected in IB3-1 cells treated with myoinositol and was enhanced by ibuprofen at endogenous levels of cAMP.In summary, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the function of both wild-type cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and the phenylalanine 580 deletion in cultured human airway epithelial cells at endogenous levels of cAMP.
Outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in Norway caused by stx
2-positive Escherichia coliO103:H25 traced to cured mutton sausages
Authors: Schimmer Barbara , Nygard Karin , Eriksen Hanne-Merete , Lassen Jørgen , Lindstedt Bjørn-Arne , Brandal Lin T , Kapperud Georg , Aavitsland Preben 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Background
On 20–21 February 2006, six cases of diarrhoea-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) were reported by paediatricians to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. We initiated an investigation to identify the etiologic agent and determine the source of the outbreak in order to implement control measures.

Methods
A case was defined as a child with diarrhoea-associated HUS or any person with an infection with the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 (defined by the multi-locus variable number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) profile) both with illness onset after January 1st 2006 in Norway. After initial hypotheses-generating interviews, we performed a case-control study with the first fifteen cases and three controls for each case matched by age, sex and municipality. Suspected food items were sampled, and any E. coli O103 strains were typed by MLVA.

Results
Between 20 February and 6 April 2006, 17 cases were identified, of which 10 children developed HUS, including one fatal case. After pilot interviews, a matched case-control study was performed indicating an association between a traditional cured sausage (odds ratio 19.4 (95% CI: 2.4–156)) and STEC infection. E. coli O103:H25 identical to the outbreak strain defined by MLVA profile was found in the product and traced back to contaminated mutton.

Conclusion
We report an outbreak caused by a rare STEC variant (O103:H25, stx
2-positive). More than half of the diagnosed patients developed HUS, indicating that the causative organism is particularly virulent. Small ruminants continue to be important reservoirs for human-pathogen STEC. Improved slaughtering hygiene and good manufacturing practices for cured sausage products are needed to minimise the possibility of STEC surviving through the entire sausage production process.
A school-based randomized controlled trial to improve physical activity among Iranian high school girls
Authors: Taymoori Parvaneh , Niknami Shamsaddin , Berry Tanya , Lubans David , Ghofranipour Fazloalha , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Background
Physical activity (PA) rates decline precipitously during the high school years and are consistently lower among adolescent girls than adolescent boys. Due to cultural barriers, this problem might be exacerbated in female Iranian adolescents. However, little intervention research has been conducted to try to increase PA participation rates with this population. Because PA interventions in schools have the potential to reach many children and adolescents, this study reports on PA intervention research conducted in all-female Iranian high schools.

Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effects of two six-month tailored interventions on potential determinants of PA and PA behavior. Students (N = 161) were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: an intervention based on Pender's Health Promotion model (HP), an intervention based on an integration of the health promotion model and selected constructs from the Transtheoretical model (THP), and a control group (CON). Measures were administered prior to the intervention, at post-intervention and at a six-month follow-up.

Results
Repeated measure ANOVAs showed a significant interaction between group and time for perceived benefits, self efficacy, interpersonal norms, social support, behavioral processes, and PA behavior, indicating that both intervention groups significantly improved across the 24-week intervention, whereas the control group did not. Participants in the THP group showed greater use of counter conditioning and stimulus control at post-intervention and at follow-up. While there were no significant differences in PA between the HP and CON groups at follow-up, a significant difference was still found between the THP and the CON group.

Conclusion
This study provides the first evidence of the effectiveness of a PA intervention based on Pender's HP model combined with selected aspects of the TTM on potential determinants to increase PA among Iranian high school girls.
Caffeine blocks disruption of blood brain barrier in a rabbit model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Chen Xuesong , Gawryluk Jeremy W , Wagener John F , Ghribi Othman , Geiger Jonathan D 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHigh levels of serum cholesterol and disruptions of the blood brain barrier (BBB) have all been implicated as underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Results from studies conducted in animals and humans suggest that caffeine might be protective against Alzheimer's disease but by poorly understood mechanisms. Using rabbits fed a cholesterol-enriched diet, we tested our hypothesis that chronic ingestion of caffeine protects against high cholesterol diet-induced disruptions of the BBB. New Zealand rabbits were fed a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet, and 3 mg caffeine was administered daily in drinking water for 12 weeks. Total cholesterol and caffeine concentrations from blood were measured. Olfactory bulbs (and for some studies hippocampus and cerebral cortex as well) were evaluated for BBB leakage, BBB tight junction protein expression levels, activation of astrocytes, and microglia density using histological, immunostaining and immunoblotting techniques. We found that caffeine blocked high cholesterol diet-induced increases in extravasation of IgG and fibrinogen, increases in leakage of Evan's blue dye, decreases in levels of the tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1, increases in astrocytes activation and microglia density where IgG extravasation was present. Chronic ingestion of caffeine protects against high cholesterol diet-induced increases in disruptions of the BBB, and caffeine and drugs similar to caffeine might be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Validation and extension of an empirical Bayes method for SNP calling on Affymetrix microarrays
Authors: Lin Shin , Carvalho Benilton , Cutler David J , Arking Dan E , Chakravarti Aravinda , Irizarry Rafael A 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMultiple algorithms have been developed for the purpose of calling single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from Affymetrix microarrays. We extend and validate the algorithm CRLMM, which incorporates HapMap information within an empirical Bayes framework. We find CRLMM to be more accurate than the Affymetrix default programs (BRLMM and Birdseed). Also, we tie our call confidence metric to percent accuracy. We intend that our validation datasets and methods, refered to as SNPaffycomp, serve as standard benchmarks for future SNP calling algorithms.
Functions of Normal and Malignant Prostatic Stem/Progenitor Cells in Tissue Regeneration and Cancer Progression and Novel Targeting Therapies
Authors: Mimeault Murielle , Mehta Parmender P. , Hauke Ralph , Batra Surinder K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis review summarizes the recent advancements that have improved our understanding of the functions of prostatic stem/progenitor cells in maintaining homeostasis of the prostate gland. We also describe the oncogenic events that may contribute to their malignant transformation into prostatic cancer stem/progenitor cells during cancer initiation and progression to metastatic disease stages. The molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the intrinsic or the acquisition of a resistant phenotype by the prostatic cancer stem/progenitor cells and their differentiated progenies with a luminal phenotype to the current therapies and disease relapse are also reviewed. The emphasis is on the critical functions of distinct tumorigenic signaling cascades induced through the epidermal growth factor system, hedgehog, Wnt/β-catenin, and/or stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXC chemokine receptor-4 pathways as well as the deregulated apoptotic signaling elements and ATP-binding cassette multidrug transporter. Of particular therapeutic interest, we also discuss the potential beneficial effects associated with the targeting of these signaling elements to overcome the resistance to current treatments and prostate cancer recurrence. The combined targeted strategies toward distinct oncogenic signaling cascades in prostatic cancer stem/progenitor cells and their progenies as well as their local microenvironment, which could improve the efficacy of current clinical chemotherapeutic treatments against incurable, androgen-independent, and metastatic prostate cancers, are also described.
An Initial Analysis of the Research Competency Level of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK)'s Divisional Research Contacts. An In-House Survey
Authors: Eaton Kenneth A , Narain Amrita , Batchelor Paul 
Published: April 2008

Purpose The purpose of this survey was to identify the current level of competence of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK)'s [FGDP(UK)'s] Divisional Research Contacts (DRCs). Methodology The FGDP(UK)'s DRCs were each sent a copy the Faculty's Research Competencies Framework ( RCF). A mutually convenient time for a telephone interview was then agreed between the DRCs and one of the Faculty's two National Research Facilitators. During the interview, a structured questionnaire was used and the DRCs’ qualifications and research experience were recorded along with their perceived knowledge and skill levels for each of the 21 competencies in the RCF, using a five-point Likert scale. Results Eighteen of the 20 DRCs were interviewed, of whom 12 either possessed or were studying for higher research or part-research degrees (PhD or MSc). All had some previous research experience. For 11 of the 15 competencies in the four domains of practical skills, problem-solving, attitudes and dissemination, DRCs rated their knowledge and skills levels as average or higher. For two of these 11 competencies (communication skills and understanding the need for research to support clinical practice), all 18 DRCs rated their levels of knowledge and skills as good or excellent. In the domain of roles and functions, DRCs rated their levels of knowledge and skills at a lower level. Seven rated their competence in designing and implementing a series of studies that address a significant issue and in writing research funding applications to major bodies as poor or very poor. Conclusions The present survey has provided the basis for a future, in-depth training needs analysis along with an insight into the research competency level of 18 of the Faculty's 20 DRCs.
White Seabass Spawning Behavior and Sound Production
Authors: Aalbers Scott A. , Drawbridge Mark A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWhite seabass Atractoscion nobilis (family Sciaenidae) form transient spawning aggregations in the spring and summer throughout southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. Although spawning activity has been linked with sound production in other sciaenid fishes, the function and acoustic characteristics of white seabass sounds have not previously been identified. We described the spawning behavior and characterized the sounds generated by 62 white seabass maintained within the seminatural conditions and free‐field acoustic environment of a net‐pen moored in Catalina Harbor, California. In addition to visual observations, video and audio recordings were made during periods of peak spawning activity in 2001‐2003. The physical characteristics of white seabass sounds were described and illustrated with sonogram, waveform, and power spectrum displays. Gravid females were identifiable during courtship and spawning by shifts in behavior and the development of dark bars across the dorsal region. During spawning, 1‐9 males tightly surrounded a gravid female and the resultant pack shuddered in unison as gametes were simultaneously broadcast into the water column. Five distinct types of sound were produced by white seabass: Single and multiple pulse trains during courtship, drumrolls and thuds during spawning, and booms during yawning and burst swimming. During the actual release of gametes, a rapid succession of overlapping drumroll and thud sounds resulted in identifiable spawning chants lasting 7‐55 s. Consistent physical, behavioral, and acoustical patterns during courtship and spawning indicated that white seabass utilize visual, tactile, and sonic cues to communicate their reproductive state.
Use of Passive Acoustics for Assessing Behavioral Interactions in Individual Toadfish
Authors: Fine Michael L. , Thorson Robert F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMost passive acoustics studies focus on daily and seasonal timing and location of choruses of calling fish, particularly sciaenids. Because male toadfishOpsanusspp. are stationary for extended periods, it is possible to extract detailed information about their calls and interactions, making them a powerful model for passive acoustics studies on commercially important species. Toadfishes of both sexes produce a short, pulsatile agonistic grunt, and males produce a “boatwhistle” advertisement call for male‐male competition and to attract females. We identify unseen vocal individuals (oyster toadfishO. tauand Gulf toadfishO. beta) near a stationary hydrophone and describe call variability and changes over short‐ and long‐term periods, source levels, call propagation, and directionality. Calls exhibit a directional pattern related to the heart‐shaped swim bladder morphology, generating a maximal level behind the fish; grunt frequency spectra allow differentiation of individual callers over multiweek periods. Boatwhistle parameters of oyster toadfish calls change geographically, seasonally, and with temperature, and males call day and night. The Gulf toadfish call rate increases during twilight, when individuals produce shorter and simpler calls. Finally, nearby calling males compete acoustically by increasing their calling rates or producing a grunt (an acoustic tag) during another male's boatwhistle. Toadfishes have been successful models for addressing numerous questions in unseen fish by means of passive acoustics.
Passive Acoustic Techniques in Fisheries Science: A Review and Prospectus
Authors: Gannon Damon P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAn extremely wide variety of fish taxa produce sound. Sound production behavior provides an opportunity to study various aspects of fish biology, such as spawning behavior and habitat selection, in a noninvasive manner. Passive acoustics is an active area of ichthyological research. However, fish bioacousticians have generally not published their research in the fisheries literature. Therefore, fisheries scientists may not be fully aware of progress being made in this field or of potential uses for passive acoustic techniques. In this paper, I discuss the evolutionary, physiological, and behavioral aspects of sound production by fishes; investigate the publication patterns of research on fish sound production; review the literature on the application of passive acoustic methods to fisheries research; and suggest ways of designing passive acoustic surveys to optimize the quantity and quality of information obtained. Passive acoustic methods can be an attractive alternative or supplement to traditional fisheries assessment techniques because they are noninvasive, can be conducted at low cost, and can cover a large study area at high spatial and temporal resolution. However, as in all fisheries surveys, research questions should be defined clearly at the outset and careful planning is necessary to obtain the data required to address those questions.
Use of Passive Acoustics to Determine Red Drum Spawning in Georgia Waters
Authors: Lowerre‐Barbieri Susan K. , Barbieri Luiz R. , Flanders J. R. , Woodward A. G. , Cotton C. F. , Knowlton M. Katheryn 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPassive acoustic sampling to locate spawning sites of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus was conducted along the Georgia coast during July‐October 1995‐1997. Spawning red drum were observed in captivity to determine the level of sound associated with spawning. In 1997, a known red drum spawning site was sampled weekly with a mobile hydrophone and continuously with a remote hydrophone deployed from 23 September to 2 October 1997. Both field and tank observations indicated that red drum males make calls with four or fewer pulses per call without associated spawning. However, calls consisting of at least 8 pulses/call occurred only prior to spawning. In 1995 and 1996, a total of 372 hydrophone observations were made at regularly sampled stations in Doboy, Altamaha, St. Simon's, and St. Andrew sounds and at supplemental locations along the Georgia coast. Only one nearshore spawning site was located; it was found in St. Mary's channel at the mouth of Cumberland Sound. Duration of peak red drum sound production at this site varied from 1 to 4 h but generally occurred from 1600 to 1900 hours. The Cumberland Sound site was characterized by deep water (>13.7 m) and relatively high salinity (>30‰). Red drum spawning activity at this site was estimated to occur during August through mid‐October based on calls.
Identifying Sciaenid Critical Spawning Habitats by the Use of Passive Acoustics
Authors: Luczkovich Joseph J. , Pullinger R. Christopher , Johnson Stephen E. , Sprague Mark W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSounds produced by spawning fishes in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, have been recorded both under captive conditions and in hydrophone and sonobuoy field surveys. These sounds, produced by males, are species specific, are associated with spawning, and are most likely used for advertisement to attract females. Sounds can be discriminated by use of spectral analysis (oscillograms and spectrograms) of recordings, and the peak frequencies produced by each species can be correlated with species and fish size. Sonobuoys were used for passive acoustic surveys, which were “sound truthed” from recordings of captive fishes to determine the timing and location of spawning sites for four species in the family Sciaenidae: Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus, spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus, weakfish C. regalis, and silver perch Bairdiella chrysoura. During May‐September 1998, sounds were first detected in the early evening, increased in loudness after sunset, and ended by sunrise. Weakfish and silver perch were heard predominantly at inlet locations in May and June, whereas spotted seatrout (peak drumming in July) and red drum (peak drumming in September) were heard predominantly at lower‐salinity river mouth locations in western Pamlico Sound. Passive acoustic surveys can be used to determine critical spawning habitats of sciaenid fishes; such surveys have revealed interesting insights into fish behavior and should be integrated into ocean observing systems.
Passive Acoustics as a Tool in Fisheries Science
Authors: Luczkovich Joseph J. , Mann David A. , Rountree Rodney A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMany fishery biologists that are interested in documenting fish habitat and following the movements and behavior of fishes use acoustic tags. Because over 700 fish species naturally produce low‐frequency, species‐specific sounds, these can be used as natural acoustic tags. Passive acoustic approaches (monitoring sound‐producing fishes with hydrophones) show great promise for gathering data in a noninvasive and continuous manner. In this special section, authors review past studies and contribute new findings based on the concept of passive acoustics, in which the sounds produced by fish are used to identify the species present and quantify their relative abundance. Fish have long been known to produce low‐frequency sounds, especially members of the families Sciaenidae, Gadidae, Ictaluridae, Cyprinidae, Batrachoididae, Haemulidae, Lutjanidae, and Serranidae. Passive acoustic methods include the use of low‐frequency hydrophones, digital recorders, autonomous recording sonobuoys and data loggers, and towed hydrophone arrays to record fish sounds. The sounds of fishes that have been recorded so far have been described in monographs, scientific papers, and online digital libraries; in most cases, the recordings are species specific and can be used to identify fish. Work is progressing in using the passive acoustic approach along with traditional fisheries sampling methods (net and active acoustic surveys) to identify habitat use, spawning areas, and relative abundances. The authors in this special section present new passive acoustics‐derived data on sciaenids, batrachoidids, and ictalurids. They outline the methods currently being used and discuss their limitations, provide examples where passive acoustics has been employed successfully, warn of pitfalls in interpreting acoustic data, and lay the groundwork for future studies.
Temporal and Spatial Variability in Juvenile Red Snapper Otolith Elemental Signatures in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Patterson William F. , Cowan James H. , Wilson Charles A. , Chen Zhongxing 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe examined otolith chemistry of age‐0 red snapper Lutjanus campechanus in U.S. waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to determine if otolith elemental signatures could be employed as natural tags to estimate postsettlement population connectivity. Fish (n = 755) belonging to five successive year‐classes (1996‐2000) were sampled from three GOM regions. Solution‐based analysis of otolith chemistry was accomplished with sector field‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (Ba, Mg, Mn, and Sr) and inductively coupled plasma‐optical emissions spectrometry (Ca). Several regional trends observed for individual elements were consistent among year‐classes, yet elemental signatures were significantly different among years as well as among regions (multivariate analysis of variance [MANOVA]; p < 0.001). Jackknifed classification accuracies from linear discriminant function analysis approached 80% (mean = 78.4%) in all years except 1998 (62.4%). Overall, these results indicate otolith elemental signatures may serve as effective region‐specific natural tags of GOM red snapper. Significant differences in otolith chemistry among year‐classes indicates year‐class‐specific analysis is required to derive natural tags. Furthermore, regional differences in elemental signatures may be insufficient in some years to be employed as accurate natural tags.