bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Host inbreeding increases susceptibility to ectoparasitism
Authors: LUONG L. T. , HEATH B. D. , POLAK M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractInbreeding, which increases homozygosity throughout the genome by increasing the proportion of alleles that are identical by descent, is expected to compromise resistance against parasitism. Here, we demonstrate that host inbreeding increases susceptibility to ectoparasitism in a natural fruit fly (Drosophila nigrospiracula) – mite (Macrocheles subbadius) association, and that this effect depends on host genetic background. Moreover, flies generated from reciprocal crosses between susceptible inbred lines exhibited elevated levels of resistance similar to that in the mass‐bred base population, confirming in reverse direction the causative link between expected heterozygosity and resistance. We also show that inbreeding reduces the host's ability to sustain energetically expensive behaviours, and that host exhaustion dramatically increases susceptibility. These findings suggest that inbreeding depression for resistance results from an inability to sustain defensive behaviours because of compromised physiological competence.
Trait‐associated expressed hepatic and intestine genes in cattle of different metabolic type – putative functional candidates for nutrient utilization
Authors: Schwerin M. , Kuehn C. , Wimmers S. , Walz C. , Goldammer T. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe present study aimed at identifying bovine hepatic and intestinal DNA sequences expressed breed specifically as potential functional candidate genes for nutrient transformation. Transcript levels of 29 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were analysed comparatively in the liver and intestine of growing Charolais and German Holstein bulls by real‐time RT‐PCR. In previous studies, these ESTs were characterized as differentially displayed in mRNA differential display of cows varying in metabolic type and harbouring single nucleotide polymorphisms. Breed‐specific gene expression levels indicate significantly increased hepatic metabolic activity in Charolais and increased intestinal metabolic activity in German Holstein bulls. Transcript levels of six functional genes measured in liver (NDUFB8, NACA, UAP1, SAH) and intestine (FUS/TLS, APOC3), respectively, support this assumption. The observed coincidence of metabolic type‐specific expressed ESTs with variant ESTs showing breed‐specific allele distribution points to functional genetic variants located in the vicinity of the analysed sequences. In addition, location of most of the breed specifically expressed ESTs within chromosome regions known to be affecting carcass and growth traits in cattle supports the putative candidate gene character of the ESTs identified.
High incidence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the prion protein gene of native Brazilian Caracu cattle
Authors: Kues W.A. , Ollhoff R.D. , Carnwath J.W. , De Souza F.P. , Madeira H.M.F. , Niemann H. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryDifferent alleles of the human and ovine prion protein gene correlate with a varying susceptibility to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. However, the pathogenic implications of specific polymorphisms in the bovine prion protein gene (PRNP) are only poorly understood. Previous studies on the bovine PRNP gene investigated common European and North American cattle breeds. As a consequence of decades of intensive breeding for specific traits, these modern breeds represent only a small fraction of the bovine gene pool. In this study, we analysed PRNP polymorphisms in the native Brazilian Caracu breed, which developed in geographical isolation since the 16th century. A total of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were discovered in the coding region of the Caracu PRNP gene. Eight of the SNPs occurred at high frequencies in Caracu cattle (variant allele frequencies = 0.10–0.76), but were absent or only rarely observed in European and North American breeds. One of the Caracu SNPs was associated with an amino acid exchange from serine to asparagine (f = 0.17). This SNP was not detected in Holstein–Friesian, Simmental and German Gelbvieh and was only rarely detected in beef cattle (f = 0.01). We found 17 haplotypes for PRNP in the Caracu breed.
Adefovir dipivoxil therapy in liver transplant recipients for recurrence of hepatitis B virus infection despite lamivudine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis
Authors: Akyildiz Murat , Karasu Zeki , Zeytunlu Murat , Aydin Unal , Ozacar Tijen , Kilic Murat 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground:  Treatment of post‐transplantation recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection despite prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and lamivudine combination therapy is not easy. Because HBV reinfection has a severe course and could result in graft failure in liver transplant recipients, prompt medication is essential. Herein is reported the authors’ experience with adefovir dipivoxil (AD) therapy in 11 liver transplant recipients who had HBV reinfection despite the administration of lamivudine and HBIG.Method:  Two‐hundred and nine patients underwent liver transplantation (100 deceased donor liver transplantations [DDLT], 109 living donor liver transplantation [LDLT]) due to chronic hepatitis B infection between April 1997 and May 2005 in Ege University Medical School, Liver Transplantation Unit. Patients had prophylaxis with lamivudine and low‐dose HBIG combination after liver transplantation. Treatment of recurrence consisted of AD 10 mg once a day and lamivudine 300 mg/daily and HBIG was discontinued in those patients.Results:  In total there were 11 HBV recurrences: five occurred in DDLT recipients and six in LDLT recipients, at a median follow up of 18 months (range, 6–48 months). In one of 11 patients, pretransplant HBV‐DNA and HBeAg were positive. Three patients had a severe course and one patient had fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. After AD treatment, HBV‐DNA level decreased in all patients and became negative in seven patients. Two patients died due to hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after 12 and 14 months of follow up. Serum creatinine level increased mildly in one patient and no other side‐effect was observed, and all patients continued therapy.Conclusion:  Adefovir dipivoxil is a safe, effective treatment option for post‐transplant HBV recurrence even among patients with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis caused by lamivudine‐resistant HBV.
Endoscopic diagnoses and CLO test results in 9239 cases, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Sarı Yavuz Selim , Sander Ersan , Erkan Esin , Tunalı Vahit 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground:  Helicobacter pylori is implicated in the etiology of gastric and duodenal ulcer, non‐ulcer dispepsia, atrophic gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma.Methods:  Between November 1995 and December 2004, the presence of H. pylori was investigated using the CLO test in 9239 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at a single institution in Istanbul, Turkey. The results were evaluated as early–late positive, and negative.Results:  There were 4667 women (50.51%) with a mean age of 44.5 years (range, 13–90 years), and 4572 men (49.49%) with a mean age of 45.7 years (range, 11–85 years). The CLO test was positive in 41.44% of cases. The most frequent symptoms on admission were epigastric pain (46.2%) and burning (19.6%). The most frequent endoscopic diagnosis was pangastritis (64%) and non‐erosive duodenitis (30.5%). The H. pylori positivity was 61.53% during the first 5‐year period and 38.47% during the second 5‐year period. The H. pylori positivity was significant in patients using non‐steroidal anti‐inflamatory drugs and tobacco (P < 0.001).Discussion and Conclusion:  Helicbacter pylori prevelance remains an important health problem for Turkey although it has diminished in parallel to the national development during the last years. Helicbacter pylori, as a first‐degree carcinogen, should be investigated and eradicated particularly in high‐risk patients.
Prevalence and etiology of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase level in an adult population in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chien‐Hua , Huang Min‐Ho , Yang Jee‐Chun , Nien Chiu‐Kue , Yang Chi‐Chieh , Yeh Yung‐Hsiang , Yueh Sen‐Kou 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground:  The prevalence and etiologies of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have geographic variations and they are rarely reported in Taiwan. Through a population‐based screening study, the prevalence and etiologies of elevated ALT in an adult population of Taiwan were assessed.Methods:  A cross‐sectional community study in a rural village of Taiwan was conducted in 3260 Chinese adults (age ≥18 years) undergoing ultrasonography (US), blood tests, and interviews with a structured questionnaire. The diagnostic criteria of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) included alcohol intake <20 g/week for women or <30 g/week for men, negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, no known etiologies of liver disease, and US consistent with fatty liver.Results:  The prevalence of elevated ALT was 11.4% (372/3260). The probable cause of this elevation was excess alcohol consumption in 0.8%, HBV in 28.5%, HCV in 13.2%, both HBV and HCV in 2.2%, NAFLD in 33.6%, and unexplained cause in 21.8%. The etiologic distribution of elevated ALT was similar in both genders, although elevation was more common in men compared to women (17.3%vs 6.1%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of elevated ALT in NAFLD was 18.1% (125/691), and the positive predictive value was 33.6% (125/372). The development of NAFLD was related to increasing age (age between 40 years and 64 years, odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–2.01; age ≥ 65 years, OR 1.46, 95%CI: 1.08–1.96), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 126 mg/dL (OR 1.54, 95%CI: 1.11–2.14), bodymass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 (OR 5.01, 95%CI: 4.13–6.26), triglyceridemia ≥ 150 mg/dL (OR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.58–2.42), and hyperuricemia (OR 1.50, 95%CI: 1.22–1.84). Elevated ALT was related to male gender, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, and triglyceridemia ≥ 150 mg/dL in subjects without known etiologies of liver disease (all P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease appears to be the commonest cause of elevated ALT and presumed liver injury in Taiwan. The development of NAFLD is closely associated with many metabolic disorders. Metabolic disorders are also related to elevated ALT in subjects without known etiologies of liver disease.
Antibiotic prescribing for childhood febrile illness by primary care doctors in Malaysia
Authors: Teng CL , Nik‐Sherina Hanafi , Ng CJ , Chia YC , Atiya Abdul Sallam 
Published: September 2006

Aim:  Fever in children, a mostly benign and self‐limiting illness, is often viewed with consternation by the care givers. It results in early consultation and excessive use of antipyretics and antibiotics. In this study, we document the prescribing practice of doctors from three primary care settings in Malaysia and identify the predictors of antibiotic prescription.Methods:  Interview of care givers bringing febrile children (age ≤ 12 years) to three primary care settings: public primary care clinics, private general practice clinics and a university‐based primary care clinic.Results:  Data from 649 children were analysed. Mean age of children 4.1 years and 55% were boys. One‐third of the children had prior consultation for the same episode of fever. About 80% of the febrile children were diagnosed to have upper respiratory tract infection, viral fever and gastroenteritis. Overall antibiotic prescribing rate was 36.6% (public primary care clinic 26.8%, private general practice clinic 70.0% and university‐based primary care clinic 32.2%). Independent predictors of antibiotic prescription were: clinic setting, longer duration of fever (>7 days), higher temperature (>38°C) and the diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infections. After controlling for demographic and clinical factors, antibiotic prescription in private general practice clinic was seven times higher than public primary care clinic (odds ratio 7.1, 95% confidence interval 4.0–12.7), and 1.6 times higher than university‐based primary care clinic (odds ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.0–2.5).Conclusion:  Differences in the patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics could not adequately explain the high antibiotic prescribing rate in private general practice clinics. This inappropriately high antibiotic prescribing for febrile children in private general practice clinics is a suitable target for future intervention.
Effects of extremely early enteral feeding on plasma glicentin levels in very‐low‐birthweight infants
Authors: Shimizu Toshiaki , Tadokoro Rieko , Kaneko Noritsugu , Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Tanaka Kyoko , Shinohara Kouich , Shiga Seigo , Yamashiro Yuichiro 
Published: September 2006

Aim:  Glicentin, an active component of enteroglucagon, is considered to have a significant trophic action on the intestinal mucosa. We examined the effects of extremely early enteral feedings on the postnatal and postprandial changes in plasma glicentin levels in very‐low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants.Methods:  We measured the plasma glicentin concentrations before and after feedings at 1 or 2 days, 5 or 6 days and 14 days after birth in 21 VLBW infants. The subjects were randomly divided into an extremely early feeding group, which was started on breast milk within 24 h after birth, and a control group, which was started on breast milk more than 24 h after birth.Results:  Plasma basal concentrations of glicentin at 5 or 6 days and at 14 days after birth were significantly higher than those at 1 or 2 days after birth in the early feeding group. The basal glicentin level at 14 days after birth was significantly higher than that at 1 or 2 days. The basal levels at 5 or 6 days and at 14 days after birth in the early feeding group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Plasma glicentin concentrations after feeding were significantly higher than those before feeding at 5 or 6 days and 14 days after birth in the early feeding group, but those levels were significantly higher only at 14 days after birth in the control group.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that extremely early enteral feedings may play an important role in the development of glicentin secretion and intestinal mucosal growth in the early period of life in VLBW infants.
Treatment burden and health‐related quality of life of children with diabetes, cystic fibrosis and asthma
Authors: Ziaian Tahereh , Sawyer Michael G , Reynolds Katherine E , Carbone Josephine A , Clark Jennifer J , Baghurst Peter A , Couper Jennifer J , Kennedy Declan , Martin A James , Staugas Rima Em , French Davina J 
Published: September 2006

Aim:  To identify the time required by children with cystic fibrosis (CF), diabetes or asthma to complete daily treatment tasks and the hassle they experienced when completing these tasks. To compare parent and child reports of daily treatment time and hassle. To investigate the relationship between treatment time and hassle, and (i) children’s health‐related quality of life (HRQL); and (ii) disease severity.Methods:  160 children aged 10–16 years with CF, type 1 diabetes, or asthma were followed over a 2‐year period. Information about children’s treatment time and hassle, and their HRQL was obtained from parents and children at baseline, 1‐year and 2‐year follow‐up assessments.Results:  On average, children with CF reported spending 74.6 ± 57.0 min completing treatment tasks, children with diabetes spent 56.9 ± 27.8 min and children with asthma spent 6.4 ± 9.3 min. Parents reported that children spent less time that was reported by their children. Over the two years, parent and child reports describing treatment time for children with CF did not vary significantly (P = 0.3). Treatment time for children with diabetes increased (P = 0.02) whereas that for children with asthma reduced (P = 0.001). The level of hassle experienced by children when completing individual treatment tasks was low for all three conditions. There was no significant relationship between treatment time and children’s HRQL.Conclusion:  Children with CF or diabetes spent a substantial amount of time each day completing the treatment tasks. Although this was not related to HRQL, it could impact the ability to comply with complex and all home‐based‐therapies for some children.
A polymorphism in lipoprotein lipase affects the severity of Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology
Authors: Blain Jean‐François , Aumont Nicole , Théroux Louise , Dea Doris , Poirier Judes 
Published: September 2006

AbstractEmerging evidences indicate a role for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in degenerative states. Genetic variations in the LPL gene were previously associated to lipid imbalance and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk and severity, a condition that shares pathological features with common Alzheimer's disease (AD). To evaluate whether these genetic variations associate with the risk and pathophysiology of common AD, autopsy‐confirmed patients (242 controls, 153 AD) were genotyped for a PvuII single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs285; referred to as the P+ allele) of LPL. Brain LPL mRNA levels, cholesterol levels, amyloid concentration, senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles density counts were measured and contrasted with specific LPL genotypes. When adjusted for age and sex, homozygosity for the P+ allele resulted in an odds ratio of 2.3 for the risk of developing AD. More importantly, we report that the presence of the P+ allele of LPL significantly affects its mRNA expression level (n = 51; P = 0.026), brain tissue cholesterol levels (n = 55; P = 0.0013), neurofibrillary tangles (n = 52; P = 0.025) and senile plaque (n = 52; P = 0.022) densities. These results indicate that a common polymorphism in the lipoprotein lipase gene modulates the risk level for sporadic AD in the eastern Canadian population but more importantly, indirectly modulates the pathophysiology of the brain in autopsy‐confirmed cases.
Irreversible blockade of monoamine oxidases reveals the critical role of 5‐HT transmission in locomotor response induced by nicotine in mice
Authors: Villégier Anne‐Sophie , Salomon Lucas , Blanc Gérard , Godeheu Gérard , Glowinski Jacques , Tassin Jean‐Pol 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAlthough nicotine is generally considered as the main compound responsible for addictive properties of tobacco, some experimental data indicate that nicotine does not exhibit all the characteristics of other substances of misuse such as psychostimulants and opiates. For example, nicotine generally fails to induce locomotor response in mice and self‐administration of nicotine is difficult to obtain in rats. We have shown recently that a pretreatment with mixed irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as tranylcypromine, triggers a locomotor response to nicotine in mice and induces a robust self‐administration of nicotine in rats. We show here that when mice were pretreated with enhancers of extracellular levels of noradrenaline, dopamine or serotonin (d‐amphetamine, GBR12783 or para‐chloro‐amphetamine, respectively) and injected with nicotine (1 mg/kg), only those animals pretreated with para‐chloro‐amphetamine exhibited a specific locomotor response to nicotine. These data indicate a critical role of serotonin in nicotine‐induced locomotor activity in mice. This was further confirmed in microdialysis experiments showing that nicotine induces an increase in extracellular serotonin levels in the ventral striatum in mice pretreated with tranylcypromine. This effect of nicotine on extracellular serotonin levels was absent in mice lacking the β2‐subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Our data suggest that mixed irreversible MAOIs contained in tobacco facilitate the effects of nicotine on serotonin release, thus allowing the locomotor and rewarding effects of nicotine.
Diet‐induced obesity and diabetes reduce coronary responses to nitric oxide due to reduced bioavailability in isolated mouse hearts
Authors: Bender S. B. , Herrick E. K. , Lott N. D. , Klabunde R. E. 
Published: September 2006

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to examine nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated coronary vascular responses in a mouse model of obesity and diabetes induced by a high‐fat, high‐carbohydrate diet. We hypothesized that endogenous NO bioavailability would be reduced in obese/diabetic mouse hearts due to enhanced superoxide anion production, and that coronary smooth muscle responses to exogenous NO would be reduced.Methods:  Age‐matched, male C57BL/6J mice were fed either a control diet or a high‐fat, high‐carbohydrate diet. After 15 weeks, the mice were anesthetized and their hearts were removed and perfused by the Langendorff method under constant flow conditions with an oxygenated buffer solution, and changes in coronary vascular resistance were quantified.Results:  Mice fed the high‐fat, high‐carbohydrate diet became obese, hyperglycaemic and hyperinsulinaemic. Coronary vasoconstrictor responses to NO synthase inhibition by Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester were reduced in obese/diabetic mice; normal responses were restored by pretreatment with the superoxide dismutase mimetic 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (Tempol). Coronary endothelium‐independent vasodilation to the NO donor (±)‐S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) was reduced; however, 8‐bromo‐cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)‐induced vasodilation was unchanged in obese/diabetic hearts.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that in a diet‐induced mouse model of obesity and diabetes, NO bioavailability is reduced by increased superoxide NO scavenging leading to impaired NO‐mediated vasodilation. Furthermore, the attenuation of SNAP‐induced vasodilation may be due to increased reactive oxygen species scavenging of exogenous NO because normal vascular smooth muscle NO signalling is maintained as indicated by similar 8‐bromo‐cGMP responses in control and obese/diabetic hearts.
Age‐Related Macular Degeneration: Self‐Management and Reduction of Depressive Symptoms in a Randomized, Controlled Study
Authors: Brody Barbara L. , Roch‐Levecq Anne‐Catherine , Kaplan Robert M. , Moutier Christine Y. , Brown Stuart I. 
Published: September 2006

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of a self‐management program for age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in reducing depressive symptoms.DESIGN: Analysis of 6‐month follow‐up for a subset of participants in a randomized, controlled trial who were clinically depressed at baseline.SETTING: University ophthalmology clinic.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty‐two depressed older adult volunteers (mean age 81.5) with advanced AMD who had been randomized to a self‐management program (n=12) or one of two control conditions (n=20). Subjects were included if at baseline they met criteria from the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Axis, I, Fourth Edition, Research Version, for major or minor depressive disorder with significant depressive symptoms (≥5 points) on the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐15).INTERVENTION: AMD self‐management program consisting of cognitive and behavioral elements including health education and enhancement of problem‐solving skills.MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measure was GDS‐15. Secondary outcome measures included National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI‐VFQ) and AMD Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire.RESULTS: At 6‐month follow‐up, the self‐management group had a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms on the GDS‐15 than the controls (P=.03). The mean reduction of 2.92 points in the self‐management group was more than the 2‐point change threshold considered to be clinically meaningful. Change on the NEI‐VFQ was nonsignificant. Reduction in depressive symptoms was associated with greater self‐efficacy in the self‐management group.CONCLUSION: These findings may support the effectiveness of an AMD self‐management program for depressed older adults with advanced vision loss from AMD.