bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Cacao Liquor Polyphenols on Cardiovascular and Autonomic Nervous Functions in Hypercholesterolaemic Rabbits
Authors: Akita Megumi , Kuwahara Masayoshi , Itoh Fumi , Nakano Yoshihisa , Osakabe Naomi , Kurosawa Tohru , Tsubone Hirokazu 
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  Many epidemiological studies have shown that polyphenols can reduce the risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases. This study tested the hypothesis that cacao liquor polyphenols have the properties to restore the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous function in an animal model of familial hypercholesterolaemia. Male Kurosawa and Kusanagi‐hypercholesterolaemic rabbits were housed in individual cages in a room where a 12‐hr light:dark cycle (lights‐on at 8:00 and lights‐off at 20:00) was maintained. At 3 months of age, they were divided into two groups (standard diet and cacao liquor polyphenol) and the animals received 100 g of the respective diets per day and were provided with tap water ad libitum. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured by a telemetry system. To clarify the autonomic nervous function, power spectral analysis of heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity and autonomic nervous tone were measured. After 6 months of dietary administration of cacao liquor polyphenols, heart rate and blood pressure were lowered but plasma lipid concentrations were unchanged. The area of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta in the cacao liquor polyphenol group was significantly smaller than that in the standard diet group. The high‐frequency power of heart rate variability in the rabbits in the standard diet group was significantly decreased with ageing, but that in the cacao liquor polyphenol group was not different between short‐term and long‐term treatment. Moreover, cacao liquor polyphenols preserved parasympathetic nervous tone, although that in the standard diet group was significantly decreased with ageing. We conclude that cacao liquor polyphenols may play an important role to protect cardiovascular and autonomic nervous functions.
Use of Observations below Detection Limit for Model Calibration
Authors: LeFrancois Michael , Poeter Eileen 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCensored (nondetect) values occur when chemical concentrations in water samples are near or below the level that can be measured by an analysis method. It is common to either delete or substitute values for nondetect observations for use in model calibration, but this practice can bias the estimated parameter values and the model predictions. A more realistic representation of the system is obtained from the calibration if we include such observations in a manner reflecting that we know only the value is below the detection limit. Consequently, we propose use of the censored‐residual approach to including nondetect values as observations for calibration. In this approach, residuals are calculated as the detection limit minus the simulated value when the simulated value exceeds the detection limit, and the residual is assigned a value of zero when the simulated value is below the detection limit. The new censored‐residual approach is particularly advantageous when calibrating transport models to low concentration data.
A study of nurses’ knowledge of a palliative approach in residential aged care facilities
Authors: Ronaldson Susan , Hayes Lillian , Carey Michele , Aggar Christina 
Published: November 2008

Aim.  To identify residential aged care nurses’ current knowledge of palliative care for older residents in need of end‐of‐life care.Background.  Recently, there has been a growing interest in the delivery of palliative care in residential aged care facilities. While it is recognized that aged care nurses do possess palliative care knowledge the actual level of their knowledge has not been well documented.Design/method.  An analytical study using a validated questionnaire tool – Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing, developed by Ross et al. [Journal of Advanced Nursing23 (1996) 126–137], combined with a demographic survey of Registered Nurses and assistants in nursing working in five high care residential aged care facilities in inner city region of Sydney, Australia.Results.  The total Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing score possible was 20. The mean score for Registered Nurses was 11.7 (SD 3.1) and for AINs 5.8 (SD 3.3), the difference between scores being significant (t = 8.7, df 95, P = 0.000). Misconceptions in palliative care were identified for both the groups of carers.Conclusion.  This research has highlighted the need for ongoing palliative care education for both the groups of primary carers.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings of this research highlight the existing palliative care knowledge of residential aged care nurses and provides evidence for education programmes.
New polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Greek smooth newt, Lissotriton vulgaris graecus, and their utility in the nominotypical subspecies
Authors: SOTIROPOULOS K. , ELEFTHERAKOS K. , TSAPARIS D. , KASAPIDIS P. , MAGOULAS A. , LEGAKIS A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractEight polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from the Greek smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris graecus) using a microsatellite enrichment protocol and selective hybridization with a biotinylated (AC)11 probe. The loci showed different variation patterns in a single breeding population (32 individuals) with mean number of alleles at 5.0 and mean observed heterozygosity at 0.520. The amplification success also in the nominotypical subspecies favours the use of these microsatellite loci in population genetic analyses as well as in the study of contact zones between smooth newt subspecies.
Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in the brine shrimp Artemia (Branchiopoda, Anostraca)
Authors: MUÑOZ J. , GREEN A. J. , FIGUEROLA J. , AMAT F. , RICO C. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe brine shrimp Artemia is a complex genus containing sexual species and parthenogenetic lineages. Artemia franciscana is native to America and its cysts (diapausing eggs) are used worldwide as a food source in aquaculture. As a consequence, this anostracan has become an invasive species in many hypersaline aquatic ecosystems of other continents. Parthenogenetic Artemia lineages occur only in the Old World. Ten and five microsatellite markers were developed to characterize two populations for A. franciscana and two populations for diploid parthenogenetic Artemia, respectively. For A. franciscana the number of alleles ranged from 11 to 58 per locus, while for parthenogens the number of alleles ranged from three to 10. The levels of heterozygosity in A. franciscana and in parthenogens ranged from 0.115 to 0.976 and from 0.000 to 0.971, respectively. These microsatellite loci showed a high population assignment power, which will be useful for future studies of population genetics and invasive processes in Artemia.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Eriosomatinae)
Authors: LAVANDERO BLAS , FIGUEROA CHRISTIAN C. , RAMIREZ CLAUDIO C. , CALIGARI PETER D. S. , FUENTES‐CONTRERAS EDUARDO 
Published: November 2008

AbstractEight novel microsatellite primer pairs are presented for Eriosoma lanigerum, representing the first microsatellite markers available for this genus. Loci were characterized for 27 individuals from one single orchard in Central Chile. All loci were polymorphic within E. lanigerum (three to 11 alleles per locus; observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.41 to 0.93), and are therefore useful for population genetic studies within the species.
Vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis
Authors: XIA Wei‐Bo , XU Ling , SU Hua 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOsteoporosis is a disease of disequilibrium between bone formation and bone loss, and vitamin D is one of the key hormones in the regulation of bone metabolism, the major role of which is to provide the proper micro‐environment for bone mineralization. Vitamin D deficiency which has been defined by most experts as circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels of less than 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) is widespread all over the world. As shown by the results of recent studies, vitamin D deficiency could increase the risk of low bone mineral density or osteoporosis, muscle disorders, falls, and as a matter of course, fractures due to both osteoporosis and falls. Long‐term supplementation of vitamin D and calcium are good prevention measures for osteoporosis, falls and fractures. At the same time, they are essential components of osteoporosis management. Many studies show that sufficient vitamin D intake could increase bone mass, and decrease the risk of falls and fractures.
Quantitative ultrasound of bone and calcium intake in suburban males in Sri Lanka
Authors: SIRIBADDANA S.H. , KOVAS Y. , FERNANDO D.J.S. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:   While only 30% of all hip fractures occurred in Asia in 1990, more than 50% will occur by the year 2050. We investigated the relationship between the Stiffness Index (SI), assessed with quantitative ultrasound, and calcium intake in a cross‐sectional survey of suburban males of different ages.Methods:   From 496 people who were invited, 274 participated (55%). A single operator performed quantitative ultrasound measurements at the right calcaneus using Lunar Achilles. We derived the Sri Lankan T‐score values for SI. Calcium intake was measured using semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to measure the previous 7 days intake.Results:   There was gradual decrease in mean SI from the age of 30 years. Eighty percent of the men between 21–40 years had normal T‐scores. This percentage value fell to high 60s in men between 41–70 years. After 71 years, 35% had normal T‐scores and 30% had T‐scores less than –2.5. The mean calcium intake was 197 mg/day (95% CI 187–287 mg).Conclusions:   This is the first population‐based study done in Sri Lanka regarding calcium intake and SI in males. Although few men had low T‐scores according to SI after 40 years, bone health of elderly (after 71 years) is at risk levels. The overall prevalence of low SI was negligible (4%) even with low calcium intake. Age is the only factor that influenced SI.
Genetics of osteoporosis in Chinese
Authors: XIAO Sumei , HUANG Qingyang , KUNG Annie W.C. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOsteoporosis is a common skeletal disease characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and deterioration in bone microarchitecture, resulting in increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. As a complex disease, it is determined by both genetic and environmental factors, as well as their interactive effects. Studies have suggested that different genetic determinants may be involved in different ethnic groups. In this paper, we reviewed the genetic studies of osteoporosis in A Chinese population, focusing on the genes affecting BMD, a surrogate phenotype of osteoporosis.
Diversity of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome
mec
Structures in Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and
Staphylococcus haemolyticus
Strains among Outpatients from Four Countries
Authors: Ruppé Etienne , Barbier François , Mesli Yasmine , Maiga Aminata , Cojocaru Radu , Benkhalfat Mokhtar , Benchouk Samia , Hassaine Hafida , Maiga Ibrahim , Diallo Amadou , Koumaré Abdel Karim , Ouattara Kalilou , Soumaré Sambou , Dufourcq Jean-Baptiste , Nareth Chhor , Sarthou Jean-Louis , Andremont Antoine , Ruimy Raymond 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

In staphylococci, methicillin (meticillin) resistance (MR) is mediated by the acquisition of the
mecA
gene, which is carried on the size and composition variable staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
). MR has been extensively studied in
Staphylococcus aureus
, but little is known about MR coagulase-negative staphylococci (MR-CoNS). Here, we describe the diversity of SCC
mec
structures in MR-CoNS from outpatients living in countries with contrasting environments: Algeria, Mali, Moldova, and Cambodia. Their MR-CoNS nasal carriage rates were 29, 17, 11, and 31%, respectively. Ninety-six MR-CoNS strains, comprising 75 (78%)
Staphylococcus epidermidis
strains, 19 (20%)
Staphylococcus haemolyticus
strains, 1 (1%)
Staphylococcus hominis
strain, and 1 (1%)
Staphylococcus cohnii
strain, were analyzed. Eighteen different SCC
mec
types were observed, with 28 identified as type IV (29%), 25 as type V (26%), and 1 as type III (1%). Fifteen strains (44%) were untypeable for their SCC
mec
. Thirty-four percent of MR-CoNS strains contained multiple
ccr
copies. Type IV and V SCC
mec
were preferentially associated with
S. epidermidis
and
S. haemolyticus
, respectively. MR-CoNS constitute a widespread and highly diversified MR reservoir in the community.
Absence of CD4+T Lymphocytes, CD8+T Lymphocytes, or B Lymphocytes Has Different Effects on the Efficacy of Posaconazole and Benznidazole in Treatment of Experimental AcuteTrypanosoma cruziInfection
Authors: Ferraz Marcela L. , Gazzinelli Ricardo T. , Alves Rosana O. , Urbina Julio A. , Romanha Alvaro J. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTWe investigated the influence of CD4+T lymphocytes, CD8+T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes on the efficacy of posaconazole (POS) and the reference drug benznidazole (BZ) during treatment of acuteTrypanosoma cruziinfection in a murine model. Wild-type mice infected withT. cruziand treated with POS or BZ presented no parasitemia, 100% survival, and 86 to 89% cure rates, defined as the percentages of animals with negative hemocultures at the end of the observation period. CD4+-T-lymphocyte-knockout (KO) mice infected withT. cruziand treated with BZ or POS controlled parasitemia during treatment, although circulating parasites reappeared after drug pressure cessation, leading to only a 6% survival rate and no cure. CD8+-T-lymphocyte-KO mice infected withT. cruziand treated with POS or BZ had intermediate results, displaying discrete parasitemia after the treatment was ended, 81 and 86% survival, and cure rates of 31 and 66%, respectively. B-lymphocyte-KO mice infected withT. cruziand treated with BZ relapsed with parasitemia 1 week after the end of treatment and had a 67% survival rate and only a 22% cure rate. In contrast, the activity of POS was much less affected in these animals, with permanent suppression of parasitemia, 100% survival, and a 71% cure rate. Our results demonstrate that abrogation of different lymphocytes’ activities has distinct effects on the efficacy of POS and BZ in this experimental model, probably reflecting different parasite stages preferentially targeted by the two drugs and distinct cooperation patterns with the host immune system.
Antibody to the Type 3 Capsule Facilitates Immune Adherence of Pneumococci to Erythrocytes and Augments Their Transfer to Macrophages
Authors: Li Jie , Szalai Alexander J. , Hollingshead Susan K. , Nahm Moon H. , Briles David E. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaehas been shown to bind to erythrocytes via a process called immune adherence. This adherence and the subsequent transfer of pneumococci from erythrocytes to macrophages are both dependent on complement C3 deposition onto the pneumococcal surface. The observation that anti-capsule antibody increases C3 deposition on the pneumococcal capsule indicated that anti-capsule antibody may also facilitate the clearance of pneumococci through immune adherence. Using pneumococcal strain WU2 (capsule type 3) and its nonencapsulated mutant JD908, we found that monoclonal antibody (MAb) to type 3 capsule increases complement C3, C1q, and C4 deposition on WU2 and enhanced the immune adherence of WU2 to erythrocytes. The MAb to type 3 capsule also enhanced the transfer of WU2 from erythrocytes to macrophages. Moreover, the transfer reaction was inhibited by preincubating macrophages with anti-CR3 or anti-FcγRIII/II MAb, indicating that CR3 and FcγRIII/II on macrophages mediate this process. The transfer reactions of JD908 (opsonized with complement) and WU2 (opsonized with complement plus MAb to type 3 capsule) were similarly inhibited by anti-CR3 MAb, but only the latter was inhibited by anti-FcγRIII/II MAb. This finding indicates that although complement and the macrophage receptor CR3 are essential for the transfer reaction, if antibody is present it can further enhance the transfer reaction through a process dependent on FcγRIII/II. Using pre- and postvaccination sera of people immunized with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, we confirmed that human anti-capsule antibodies are also able to increase the immune adherence of pneumococci and their transfer to macrophages.
Liver Transcriptome Profiles Associated with Strain-SpecificEhrlichia chaffeensis-Induced Hepatitis in SCID Mice
Authors: Miura Koshiro , Rikihisa Yasuko 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTInfection of humans withEhrlichia chaffeensis, the etiologic agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis, can cause hepatitis of various levels of severity. When the three human isolates ofE. chaffeensis, each belonging to a different genogroup, are inoculated into severe combined immunodeficiency mice, the order of severity of clinical signs and bacterial burden detected in the liver is as follows (from greatest to least severity and highest to lowest burden): strain Wakulla, followed by strain Liberty, followed by strain Arkansas. In this article, we used microarray analysis to define transcriptional profiles characteristic of the histopathological features in the mouse liver. Cytokine and chemokine profiles and their receptor profiles were strikingly different among the three strains ofE. chaffeensis: gamma interferon, CCL5, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL7, CXCL9, interleukin 2 receptor gamma (IL2Rγ), IL21R, CCR2, and CXCR6 were highly upregulated with strain Arkansas; and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CCL6, CCL12, CCL20, CXCL2, CXCL7, CXCL9, CXCL13, TNF receptor superfamily 9 (TNFRSF9), TNFRSF13β, IL1R2, IL2Rγ, IL20Rβ, IL21R, CCR1, CCR2, and CXCR4 were highly upregulated with strain Wakulla. With strain Liberty, only CXCL13 was highly upregulated, and IL13Rα2 was downregulated. In livers infected with the Arkansas strain, monocytes/macrophages and NK cells were enriched in the granulomas and an increase in NK cell marker mRNAs was detected. Livers infected with the Wakulla strain displayed infiltration of significantly more neutrophils and an increase in neutrophil marker mRNAs. Genes commonly upregulated in liver tissue infected with the three strains are other host innate immune and inflammatory response genes, including those encoding several acute-phase proteins. Genes downregulated commonly are related to host physiologic functions. The results suggest that marked modulation of host cytokine and chemokine profiles byE. chaffeensisstrains underlies the distinct host liver disease.
Salirasib (farnesyl thiosalicylic acid) for brain tumor treatment: a convection-enhanced drug delivery study in rats
Authors: Goldberg Liat , Ocherashvilli Aharon , Daniels Dianne , Last David , Cohen Zvi R. , Tamar Gregory , Kloog Yoel , Mardor Yael 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOur aim was to assess the ability of convection-enhanced drug delivery (CED), a novel approach of direct delivery of drugs into brain tissue and brain tumors, to treat brain tumors using salirasib (farsnesyl thiosalicylic acid). CED was achieved by continuous infusion of drugs via intracranial catheters, thus enabling convective distribution of high drug concentrations over large volumes while avoiding systemic toxicity. Several phase II/III CED-based trials are currently in progress but have yet to overcome two major pitfalls of this methodology (the difficulty in attaining efficient CED and the significant nonspecific neurotoxicity caused by high drug doses in the brain). In this study, we addressed both issues by employing our previously described novel CED imaging and increased efficiency methodologies to exclusively target the activated form of the Ras oncogene in a 9L gliosarcoma rat model. The drug we used was salirasib, a highly specific Ras inhibitor shown to exert its suppressive effects on growth and migration of proliferating tumor cells in in vitro and in vivo models, including human glioblastoma, without affecting normal tissues. The results show a significant decrease in tumor growth rate in salirasib-treated rats relative to vehicle-treated rats as well as a significant correlation between CED efficacy and tumor growth rate with no observed toxicity despite drug concentrations an order of magnitude higher than previously detected in the brain. The results show that CED of salirasib is efficient and nontoxic for the treatment of glioblastoma in a rat model, thus suggesting that it may be considered for clinical application. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3609–16]
Targeting multiple pathways in gliomas with stem cell and viral delivered S-TRAIL and Temozolomide
Authors: Hingtgen Shawn , Ren Xianghui , Terwilliger Ernie , Classon Marie , Weissleder Ralph , Shah Khalid 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively kills tumor cells. However, its short half-life, poor delivery, and TRAIL-resistant tumor cells have diminished its clinical efficacy. In this study, we explored whether novel delivery methods will represent new and effective ways to treat gliomas and if adjuvant therapy with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide would enhance the cytotoxic properties of TRAIL in glioma lines resistant to TRAIL monotherapy. We have engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors encoding recombinant secreted TRAIL (S-TRAIL) and bioluminescent-fluorescent marker fusion proteins and show that AAV-delivered S-TRAIL leads to varying degrees of killing in multiple glioma lines, which correspond with caspase-3/7 activation. In vivo, dual bioluminescent imaging revealed efficient delivery of therapeutic AAV vectors directly into the tumor mass, which induced marked attenuation of tumor progression. Treatment of glioma cells with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide alone lead to a significant accumulation of cells in G2-M phase, activated the cell cycle checkpoint protein Chk1, and increased death receptor expression in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, combined treatment with AAV-S-TRAIL or neural stem cell-S-TRAIL and temozolomide induced cell killing and markedly up-regulated proapoptotic proteins in glioma cells least sensitive to TRAIL. This study elucidates novel means of delivering S-TRAIL to gliomas and suggests combination of clinically relevant temozolomide and S-TRAIL may represent a new therapeutic option with increased potency for glioblastoma patients. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3575–85]