bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A case–control study of risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis among boxer, bullterrier and West Highland white terrier dogs in Sweden
Authors: Nødtvedt Ane , Bergvall Kerstin , Sallander Marie , Egenvall Agneta , Emanuelson Ulf , Hedhammar Åke 
Published: September 2007

AbstractEnvironmental and dietary risk factors for the development of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) in the high‐risk breeds of boxer, bullterrier and West Highland white terrier were assessed in a case–control study. A logistic regression model was developed to evaluate their relative importance in 58 cases from 12 practices in Sweden and 61 unaffected controls, matched to cases by breed and year of birth. The final model included a random error term for ‘examining veterinarian’, as dogs from the same practice were not considered independent. No effect of gender, season of birth, environment, vaccination or de‐worming practices on the odds of developing CAD was detected. The main finding was that feeding a diet including noncommercial products to the bitch during lactation had a protective effect on the development of CAD in her offspring; the odds of developing CAD were twice as high among offspring from bitches that were not exposed to home‐made/noncommercial diets [95% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio: 1.2–3.8]. The population attributable fraction for not feeding home‐made diets to the lactating bitch was estimated as 0.4 (95% CI: 0.04–0.63). Randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to further support the finding of a potential protective role of diet in CAD development.
Public trust in the Spanish health‐care system
Authors: Jovell Albert , Blendon Robert J. , Navarro Maria Dolors , Fleischfresser Channtal , Benson John M. , DesRoches Catherine M. , Weldon Kathleen J. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground  Fifteen years ago, public opinion surveys in Spain showed substantial dissatisfaction with the health‐care system. Since that time, health‐care in Spain has undergone significant changes, including a decentralization of the system, an increase in spending and a change in the way the system is financed.Objective  This study examines how Spanish citizens rate the performance of their health system today, both as compared with other sectors of society and as compared with earlier time periods.Methods  Data are drawn from nationally representative telephone surveys of the non‐institutionalized adult Spanish population (age 18 years and over). The study was carried out in two phases: October–November 2005 (n = 3010) and January 2006 (n = 2101).Results  The majority of the Spanish population thinks the health system needs to be changed. The problems cited relate mostly to long wait times to get health‐care. Nevertheless, over the last 15 years, the proportion of people who have very negative views about the health system has decreased by half. The majority believes that not enough money is spent on health‐care, but few people would support an increase in taxes to provide additional funding. The survey finds the National Health System’s institutions and health professionals to be more highly trusted than other institutions and professional groups in the country.Conclusions  Government policy‐makers in Spain face a dilemma: the public wants more health spending to decrease wait times, but there is substantial resistance to increasing taxes as a means to finance improvements in the system’s capacity.
Cotard's syndrome in adolescents and young adults is associated with an increased risk of bipolar disorder
Authors: Consoli Angèle , Soultanian Charlotte , Tanguy Marie‐Laure , Laurent Claudine , Perisse Didier , Luque Rogelio , Berrios German E , Cohen David 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  To assess the effect of age at onset on the phenomenology of Cotard's syndrome (CS) as a recent study reported a high rate of occurrence of bipolar disorder (BD) in adolescents and young adults with CS followed up for ≥2 years.Methods:  We reviewed all cases of CS reported since it was first described. A statistical analysis was carried out to determine the effect of age at onset on CS phenomenology.Results:  We found 138 cases including 21 cases aged 25 years or younger. In these younger CS patients, BD was more frequent, and the risk of associated BD was increased nine times (p < 0.0001). Within the BD sub‐group (n = 27), admixture analysis identified two sub‐groups with mean ages at onset of 18.7 years [standard deviation (SD) = 3.2] and 50.5 years (SD = 11.7).Conclusions:  Young people with CS should be monitored carefully for the onset of BD, and families should be educated about this risk. Treatment with mood stabilizers can be helpful for those who develop BD. Within BD associated with CS, early versus late onset should be distinguished.
The impact of environmental temperature on lithium serum levels
Authors: Wilting Ingeborg , Fase Sandra , Martens Edwin P , Heerdink Eibert R , Nolen Willem A , Egberts Antoine CG 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  Three studies have reported a seasonal variation in lithium serum levels, with higher levels during summer. Our objective was to investigate the impact of actual environmental temperature on lithium serum levels.Methods:  A retrospective study was conducted using available records of lithium serum levels for the period between January 1995 and July 2004, obtained from three large teaching hospitals in The Netherlands. Lithium serum levels were linked to season and average daily temperature data obtained from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. An analysis was performed on all lithium serum levels not accounting for the intra‐individual dependency of lithium serum levels. The association between season, temperature and both absolute lithium serum level and the frequency of potentially toxic serum levels was investigated. A mixed model analysis, accounting for intra‐individual dependency of lithium serum levels, was performed.Results:  A total of 41,102 lithium serum levels (3,054 patients) were included. A significant difference in mean lithium serum levels across seasons (p < 0.001) and temperature categories (p = 0.001) was found, peaking in summer [0.761 mmol/L, ± standard error of the mean (SEM) 0.002] and at temperatures of 15–20°C [0.762 mmol/L (± SEM 0.005)], and at a minimum in winter [0.748 mmol/L (± SEM 0.002)] and at <0°C [0.741 mmol/L (± SEM 0.005)]. The relative frequency of potentially toxic serum levels significantly differed between seasons (p = 0.023, highest in winter), but not between temperature categories (p = 0.481). A significant positive association for intra‐individual lithium serum level and season (p < 0.001) and temperature (p < 0.001) was established.Conclusions:  Season and environmental temperature have a statistically significant but therapeutically irrelevant effect on lithium serum levels.
Immune variations in bipolar disorder: phasic differences
Authors: Ortiz‐Domínguez Abigail , Hernández María Eugenia , Berlanga Carlos , Gutiérrez‐Mora Doris , Moreno Julia , Heinze Gerhard , Pavón Lenin 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  To characterize the immunological variations of patients with a bipolar disorder (BD) diagnosis in manic (BDm) and depressive (BDd) phases, by the quantification of the serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, ‐2, ‐4, ‐6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α).Methods:  Twenty physically healthy patients with a BD type I diagnosis and 33 matched controls were studied, after giving informed consent. The inclusion criteria included at least three weeks without any kind of psychopharmacological treatment, Young Mania Rating Scale score ≥20 for BDm (n = 10) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score ≥21 for BDd patients (n = 10). Exclusion criteria included any infectious diseases, allergies or any other kind of medical illness that required treatment with immunosuppressors, as well as any other diagnosis in Axis I. Physical and laboratory examinations were performed to rule out any clinical illness. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze the serum cytokines concentration.Results:  BD patients, when compared to controls, showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in the serum levels of the measured cytokines. The sub‐group of BDd patients showed an increase in IL‐6 and TNF‐α, as well as a decrease in IL‐2 concentration. The BDm sub‐group, on the other hand, showed an increase in TNF‐α and IL‐4 values, with a low concentration of IL‐1 and IL‐2. The comparison between both sub‐groups suggests that there is a distinctive cytokine pattern for the specific phases of the disorder: for mania, we found a high IL‐4 and low IL‐1β and IL‐6 concentration, while in the depressive phase, the inverse pattern was found.Conclusions:  Our results show the existence of phasic differences in the serum levels of cytokines in BD.
Efficacy of a protein kinase C inhibitor (tamoxifen) in the treatment of acute mania: a pilot study
Authors: Zarate Carlos A , Singh Jaskaran B , Carlson Paul J , Quiroz Jorge , Jolkovsky Libby , Luckenbaugh David A , Manji Husseini K 
Published: September 2007

Objectives: Considerable preclinical biochemical and behavioral data suggest that protein kinase C inhibition would bring about antimanic effects. Notably, the structurally highly dissimilar antimanic agents lithium and valproate, when administered in therapeutically relevant paradigms, attenuate protein kinase C inhibition function. There is currently only one relatively selective protein kinase C inhibitor that crosses the blood–brain barrier available for human use – tamoxifen. Our group recently conducted a single‐blind study with tamoxifen in acute mania and found that it significantly decreased manic symptoms within ashort periodof time (3–7 days). In this study, we investigated whether antimanic effects can be achieved with a protein kinase C inhibitor in subjects with mania.Methods: In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, 16 subjects with bipolar disorder, manic or mixed, with or without psychotic features, were randomly assigned to receive tamoxifen (20–140 mg/day; n = 8) or placebo (n = 8) for three weeks. Primary efficacy was assessed by the Young Mania Rating Scale.Results: Subjects on tamoxifen showed significant improvement in mania compared to placebo as early as five days, an effect that remained significant throughout the three‐week trial. The effect size for the drug difference was very large (d = 1.08, 95% confidence interval 0.45–1.71) after three weeks (p = 0.001). At study endpoint, response rates were 63% for tamoxifen and 13% for placebo (p = 0.12).Conclusions: Antimanic effects resulted from a protein kinase C inhibitor; onset occurred within five days. Large, controlled studies with selective protein kinase C inhibitors in acute mania are warranted.
Patterns of mating call preferences in túngara frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus
Authors: RYAN M. J. , BERNAL X. E. , RAND A. S. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe examine acoustic mating preferences of a focal population at four different scales of divergence: within the population, between populations in the same genetic group, between populations in different genetic groups and between different species. At all scales there is substantial genetic divergence, variation in mating signals and preferences are influenced by signal variation. There is, however, no support for the hypothesis that mating preferences accumulate predictably with genetic distance. Females preferred the local conspecific call to the foreign conspecific call in about one‐third of the experiments, and preferred the local call to all of the heterospecific calls tested. But there was no significant relationship between the variation in the strength of preference and genetic distance either among conspecific populations, or among heterospecific species. Thus, in this study macroevolutionary patterns are not apparent at the microevolutionary scale.
Microscopic Characterization of Teeth of Pacas Bred in Captivity (Agouti paca, Linnaeus, 1766)
Authors: Oliveira F. S. , Canola J. C. , Oliveira P. T. , Pécora J. D. , Capelli A. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe microscopic description of the teeth of pacas (Agouti paca) bred in captivity was developed for providing biological data on one of the largest American wild rodents, as not many references exist in the literature about this species. Two newborn males, two adult males (9 and 72 months old), one newborn female and two adult females (30 and 54 months old) were used after death due to fights, neonatal cannibalism or unknown causes. Animals were radiographed, and their teeth were extracted and put on an acrylic resin block, cut on a diamond‐like disc microtome and diaphanized. It was noted that enamel surrounds the coronary dentine and projects to the root region, besides being present as internal laminae, arranged in a parallel way and in the vestibulolingual direction. The dentine is located between the enamel laminae and surrounds the pulp horns. The cementum is located internal to the enamel laminae. From scanning electronic microscopy, we find that the enamel is the outer element on the vestibular surface, and it is in direct contact with the dentine. On the lingual surface, the cementum and dentine are the outer elements.
Occurrence and hygienic relevance of fungi in drinking water
Authors: Kanzler D. , Buzina W. , Paulitsch A. , Haas D. , Platzer S. , Marth E. , Mascher F. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryFungi, above all filamentous fungi, can occur almost everywhere, even in water. They can grow in such a quantity in water that they can affect the health of the population or have negative effects on food production. There are several reports of fungal growth in water from different countries, but to our knowledge none from Austria so far. The aim of this study was to gain an overview of the spectrum of filamentous fungi and yeasts in drinking water systems. Thirty‐eight water samples from drinking water and groundwater were analysed. Fungi were isolated by using membrane filtration and plating method with subsequent cultivation on agar plates. The different taxa of fungi were identified using routine techniques as well as molecular methods. Fungi were isolated in all water samples examined. The mean value for drinking water was 9.1 CFU per 100 ml and for groundwater 5400 CFU per 100 ml. Altogether 32 different taxa of fungi were found. The taxa which occurred most frequently were Cladosporium spp., Basidiomycetes and Penicillium spp. (74.6%, 56.4% and 48.7%, respectively). This study shows that drinking water can be a reservoir for fungi, among them opportunists, which can cause infections in immunosuppressed patients.
RESISTANCE TO FAS‐MEDIATED APOPTOSIS IN MALIGNANT TUMOURS IS RESCUED BY KN‐93 AND CISPLATIN VIA DOWNREGULATION OF c‐FLIP EXPRESSION AND PHOSPHORYLATION
Authors: Yang Bao‐Feng , Xiao Chang , Li Hong , Yang Shi‐Jie 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms that control tumour cell resistance and to search for molecules that could overcome Fas ligand (FasL) or CH‐11 resistance in certain tumours, including glioma and melanoma.
Twelve tumour cell lines were examined for their sensitivity to CH‐11‐induced apoptosis and then two of each of the CH‐11‐sensitive and ‐resistant tumour cell lines were analysed for Fas‐mediated death‐inducing signalling complex (DISC). The calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor KN‐93 and the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin were used to treat resistant cells; the effects of these two drugs on CH‐11‐resistant tumour cells were investigated.
In CH‐11‐sensitive tumour cells, apoptosis‐initiating caspase 8 and caspase 10 were recruited to the DISC, where they became activated through autocatalytic cleavage, leading to apoptosis through cleavage of downstream substrates, such as caspase 3 and DNA fragmentation factor 45.
In CH‐11‐resistant cells, cellular Fas‐associated death domain‐like interleukin‐1b‐converting enzyme inhibitory protein (c‐FLIP) proteins were recruited to the DISC, resulting in inhibition of caspase 8 and caspase 10 cleavage. The c‐protein expression and phosphorylation of FLIP and CaMKII protein and enzyme activity were upregulated in resistant cells. Treatment of resistant cells with 100 mmol/L KN‐93 and 10 mg/mL cisplatin downregulated c‐FLIP expression, inhibited c‐FLIP phosphorylation and rescued CH‐11 sensitivity.
In conclusion, KN‐93 and cisplatin inhibit c‐FLIP protein expression and phosphorylation restores CH‐11‐induced apoptosis in tumour cells. tHe present study provides evidence for the use of a new combination therapeutic strategy in the treatment of malignant tumours.
PRESSOR AND NON‐PRESSOR EFFECTS OF SODIUM LOADING ON STROKE IN STROKE‐PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liu Ai‐Jun , Yi‐Ming Wuliya , Liu Jian‐Guo , Shen Fu‐Ming , Su Ding‐Feng 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY

Aetiological studies have shown that sodium loading increases both blood pressure and death from stroke. The present study was designed to investigate the pressor and non‐pressor effects of sodium loading on stroke in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).
Eighty‐five female SHRSP were used. Forty‐nine SHRSP, aged 5 months, were randomly divided into two groups with or without sodium loading and their survival times were recorded. Thirty‐six SHRSP, aged 3 months, were randomly divided into two groups and were instrumented to determine blood pressure, heart period and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) after 4 months of sodium loading or normal rat chow. After determination of BRS, blood samples were collected for the measurement of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 and angiotensin (Ang) II and brains were dissected for light microscopic examination.
Over the 15 month period, the mortality of control SHRSP was 37.5%, which reached 80.0% in the sodium loading group. Compared with the control group, blood pressure was increased but BRS was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in sodium‐loaded rats. Levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6 and AngII were all significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the sodium‐loaded rats. Sodium loading also markedly increased the number of cerebral aneurysms. Multivariate regression analysis showed that IL‐6 was the most significant factor related to aneurysm formation.
Sodium loading increases death from stroke in SHRSP. The increased blood pressure, impaired BRS, inflammatory reaction and the formation of cerebral aneurysms may contribute to the development of stroke.
PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR‐ACTIVATED RECEPTOR‐γ AGONISTS ATTENUATE ANGIOTENSIN II‐INDUCED COLLAGEN TYPE I EXPRESSION IN ADVENTITIAL FIBROBLASTS
Authors: Zhang Jia , Fang Ning‐Yuan , Gao Ping‐Jin , Wu Ling‐Yun , Han Wei‐Qing , Guo Shu‐Jie , Shen Wei‐Li , Zhu Ding‐Liang 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY

Angiotensin (Ang) II‐mediated oxidative stress may be important in enhanced adventitial fibroblast collagen formation. The aim of the present study was to test whether PPAR‐γ agonists 15‐deoxy‐Δ12,14‐prostaglandin J2 (15d‐PGJ2) and pioglitazone could alter AngII‐induced collagen type I formation in vascular adventitial fibroblasts via reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Vascular adventitial fibroblasts were isolated from rat thoracic aortas of male Sprague‐Dawley rats and treated with different concentrations of AngII for different periods of time. The expression of collagen type I induced by AngII was examined by western blot. Expression of PPAR‐γ mRNA was examined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Intracellular ROS generation was measured by flow cytometry. Activation of transcription factors nuclear factor (NF)‐κB and activator protein (AP)‐1 was assessed by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.
Angiotensin II increased expression of collagen type I in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner in adventitial fibroblasts. In addition, AngII stimulated intracellular generation of ROS in adventitial fibroblasts. Pretreatment of cells with 15d‐PGJ2 and pioglitazone attenuated collagen type I expression and generation of ROS induced by AngII, respectively. Moreover, we observed that N‐acetylcysteine inhibited collagen type I expression induced by AngII as did the PPAR‐γ agonists. Angiotensin II treatment activated the redox‐sensitive transcription factors NF‐κB and AP‐1, whereas pretreatment with 15d‐PGJ2 and pioglitazone reduced the AngII‐induced DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB but not AP‐1.
Our data demonstrate that the PPAR‐γ agonists 15d‐PGJ2 and pioglitazone attenuate AngII‐mediated collagen type I expression in adventitial fibroblasts, which may be mediated by the modulation of ROS release and the redox‐sensitive transcription factor NF‐κB.
CORRELATION OF BODY COMPOSITION WITH CARDIAC FUNCTION AND ARTERIAL COMPLIANCE
Authors: Zeng Qiang , Sun Xiao‐Nan , Fan Li , Ye Ping 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY

The aim of the present study was to examine the correlation of precisely measured body composition with cardiac function and arterial compliance.
Body composition was determined in a total of 325 healthy volunteers (217 men, 108 women) with an average age of 48 years using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Multiple body components, such as water, fat, mineral, protein and intracellular and extracellular liquid, were included in our measurements. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was evaluated to assess arterial stiffness, whereas cardiac function was examined by echocardiography. Levels of serum glucose, high‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and uric acid were measured to evaluate the cardiovascular risk of the participants.
All parameters of body composition, especially body fat rate (BFR; body fat mass/weight, were closely correlated with arterial function as evaluated by PWV. However, plasma homocysteine, one of the independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, failed to exhibit any correlation with arterial compliance. Notably, the BFR was found to be associated with both systolic and diastolic cardiac function with high correlation coefficients. Individuals with normal systolic and diastolic function were characterized with lower PWV values for the aorta, as well as arm and inferior arteries, indicating better arterial compliance. Body fat mass and BFR were significantly lower in subjects with normal systolic function than those with defective arterial compliance.
In conclusion, our data provide new insights into the intrinsic correlation between body composition and cardiac function, as well as arterial compliance, implicating a potential application of BIA in the clinical prediction and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.