bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Simvastatin on bone healing around titanium implants in osteoporotic rats
Authors: Du Zhibin , Chen Jiang , Yan Fuhua , Xiao Yin 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectives: Osteoporosis is known to impair the process of implant osseointegration. The recent discovery that statins (HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors) act as bone anabolic agents suggests that statins can be used as potential agents in the treatment of osteoporosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that statins will promote osteogenesis around titanium implants in subjects with osteoporosis.Material and methods: Fifty‐four female Sprague Dawley rats, aged 3 months old, were randomly divided into three groups: Sham‐operated group (SHAM; n=18), ovariectomized group (OVX; n=18), and ovariectomized with Simvastatin treatment group (OVX+SIM; n=18). Fifty‐six days after being ovariectomized (OVX), screw‐shaped titanium implants were inserted into the tibiae. Simvastatin was administered orally at 5 mg/kg each day after the placement of the implant in the OVX+SIM group. The animals were sacrificed at either 28 or 84 days after implantation and the undecalcified tissue sections were obtained. Bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and bone area (BA) within the limits of implant threads were measured around the cortical (zone A) and cancellous (zone B) bone regions. Furthermore, bone density (BD) of zone B in a 500 μm wide zone lateral to the implants was also measured.Results: There were no significant differences in BIC and BA measurements in zone A in any of the three groups at either 28 or 84 days after implantation (P>0.05). By contrast, in zone B, significant differences in the measurement of BIC, BA, and BD were observed at 28 and 84 days between all three groups. Bone healing decreased with lower BIC, BA, and BD around implant in OVX group compared with other two groups, and Simvastatin reversed the negative effect of OVX on bone healing around implants with the improvement of BIC, BA, and BD in zone B.Conclusion: Osteoporosis can significantly influence bone healing in the cancellous bone around titanium implants and Simvastatin was shown to significantly improve the osseointegration of pure titanium implants in osteoporotic rats.
Validating the waist‐height ratio and developing centiles for use amongst children and adolescents
Authors: Nambiar Smita , Truby Helen , Abbott Rebecca A , Davies Peter S.W. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim: To assess the statistical validity of the waist‐height ratio (WHtR) as an appropriate method of adjusting waist circumference (WC) for height in children and adolescents.Introduction: Recently, WHtR has been proposed to be of greater value than body mass index (BMI), in predicting obesity‐related cardiovascular co‐morbidities in children. This index, however, is yet to be extensively validated within the paediatric population.Methods: Height and WC in centimetres, were measured in 3597 children from grades 1 (5–7 years), 5 (9–11 years) and 10 (15–17 years). Log regression analyses using WC and height were performed to determine appropriate powers (p) to raise height, to completely adjust the index for height, by sex and grade. Correlations between WHtR and height were assessed.Results: Statistically, the WHtR is only valid for use among grade 1 boys and girls (p = 1.09 [95%CI 0.95–1.23] and p = 1.07 [95%CI 0.92–1.22], respectively) and grade 10 girls p = 0.85 (95%CI 0.62–1.08). However, the error (0.25%–1.85%), associated with the use of this index, in all ages and both sexes is clinically and biologically acceptable.Conclusion: The WHtR is a clinically and biologically valid index to use among Australian children and adolescents.
THE FRAIL AGED LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR CARERS: A SURVEY OF CHINESE, GREEK AND ANGLO AUSTRALIANS
Authors: Legge V. , Westbrook M. T. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA survey was conducted of Greek (N = 27), Chinese (N = 21) and Anglo Australian (N = 26) carers of frail aged people living in the community. The health and dependency status of the aged groups were similar as were many of the experiences of the carers, e.g. stress experienced, appreciation of community services used. Anglo Australian carers were less likely to reside with the aged and seemed more attuned to eventual nursing home placement. Greek carers used fewer services, were least likely to have considered placement and emphasised their duty to care. Chinese carers were those most likely to use services and appreciate their potential for maintaining the aged in the community.Mary Westbrook is Associate Professor in Psychology and Dr Varoe Legge is Senior Lecturer in Sociology in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney. In this capacity they are involved in the education of practitioners in ten health professions. They are currently researching attitudes toward physical disability and rehabilitation in six Australian communities.
Rehabilitation in the Community: the Role of Day Hospitals and Day Therapy Centres in Victoria
Authors: Butler A. , Russell H. 
Published: December 2008

This paper reports on a 1994 survey of day hospitals and day therapy centres in Victoria. It examines the relative availability of these types of facilities in different Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) regions; attendance patterns and staffing; client characteristics and outcomes; and operational issues. Particular attention is paid to the differences found in the survey between metropolitan day hospitals, regional day hospitals and day therapy centres in relation to size, client profile, length of stay and mode of operation.Alex Butler and Heather Russell are research fellows at the Aged Care Research Group, Lincoln Gerontology Centre, La Trobe University The Aged Care Research Group is the Evaluation Unit for the Aged Care Assessment Team program in Victoria.
The Ontogenetic Expression Pattern of Type 5 Phosphodiesterase Correlates with Androgen Receptor Expression in Rat Corpora Cavernosa
Authors: Carosa Eleonora , Rossi Simona , Giansante Nadia , Gravina Giovanni Luca , Castri Alessandra , Dolci Susanna , Botti Flavia , Morelli Annamaria , Di Luigi Luigi , Pepe Mario , Lenzi Andrea , Jannini Emmanuele A. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The mechanisms controlling erection in animals and in humans are mainly age-dependent. However, the ontogenesis of the biochemical machinery of erection is largely unknown.

Aim
The aim of this article was to study the expression pattern of androgen receptor (AR) and the major cyclic guanosine monophosphate-hydrolyzing enzyme present in the corpora cavernosa, type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5), in the rat penis during development.

Methods
AR and PDE5 expression was tested on ribonucleic acids (RNAs) and proteins extracted from the whole penis or from primary cultures of smooth muscle cells obtained from the corpora cavernosa of 3- (rCC3), 20- (rCC20), and 60- (rCC60) day-old rats. Rat corpus cavernosum cells were characterized by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Main Outcome Measures
Expression of PDE5 and AR messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein have been measured by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

Results
A significant increase in PDE5 mRNA expression was observed with RT-PCR from prepuberty to adulthood (0.5 ± 0.06 vs. 1.6 ± 0.046 arbitrary units [a.u.]P = 0.049). This age-dependent increase was mirrored by the increase in PDE5 protein expression found when comparing neonatal to adult corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (1.5 ± 0.26 vs. 4.9 ± 0.59 a.u. P = 0.0038) and the further 1.6-fold increase from rCC20 to rCC60 (4.9 ± 0.59 vs. 8.0 ± 0.8 a.u. P = 0.0024). This is the first demonstration of the ontogenetic profile of PDE5 expression in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. As it has been demonstrated that androgens control PDE5 expression and that PDE5 inhibitors need an optimal androgenic milieu to act perfectly on erection, the expression of AR protein in rat corpus cavernosum cells was then tested by Western blot. A 7.0-fold increase was observed in primary cultured cells from 3 to 60 days old (1.4 ± 0.38 vs. 9.8 ± 1.3 a.u. P = 0.0052).

Conclusion
The increase in ARs during rat penile development parallels that of PDE5 RNA and protein, thus suggesting a positive effect of androgens on PDE5 expression.
Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) Species Composition in a Primary Rain Forest and Agroforests in Central Amazonia
Authors: Ackerman Ilse L. , Constantino Reginaldo , Gauch, Jr Hugh G. , Lehmann Johannes , Riha Susan J. , Fernandes Erick C. M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTTermites play important roles in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil structure in tropical rain forests. When forests are replaced by agriculture, termite species richness, abundance, and function often decline. We compared the termite assemblage of a primary forest site with that of a low plant diversity, palm‐based agroforest (five plant species) and a high plant diversity, home‐garden agroforest (10 plant species) using a rapid biodiversity assessment protocol. In comparing the primary forest termite species composition to previously published studies, we found soil feeders and the Apicotermitinae to be more dominant than previously reported in Amazonia. Thirty percent of the species belonged to the Apicotermitinae, and an unusually high percentage (57%) of species were soil feeders. Unexpectedly, the palm‐based agroforest, despite its lower plant diversity, was closer to primary forest in termite species composition, rate of species accumulation, and proportions of species in taxonomic and functional classes than was the home‐garden agroforest. This suggests that particular plant attributes may better determine the termite assemblage than plant diversity alone in these agroecosystems. Unlike other agroecosystems reported in the literature, Apicotermitinae and soil feeders were proportionally more abundant in these agroforests than in primary forest. The ability of agroforests to support populations of soil feeders has a potentially positive effect on soil fertility in these agroecosystems; insomuch as feeding guild is a proxy for function, these closed‐canopy agroforests may be able to sustain the same termite‐mediated functions as primary forest.
Intestinal Dipeptidases. Development of Dipeptidase Activity in the Small Intestine of the Rat as Related to the Development of the Intestinal Mucosa
Authors: Lindberg Tor , Owman Christer 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe development of five intestinal dipeptidase activities (L‐alanyl‐L‐glutamic acid, L‐alanyl‐L‐proline, glycylglycine, glycyl‐L‐leucine and glycyl‐L‐valine dipeptidase activity) in the rat from 15 days post coitum up to 3 weeks post partum was investigated and related to the structural development of the rat small intestinal mucosa. Very low enzyme activities were found in the period of mucosal cell proliferation (15 to 18 days post coitum). At 18 1/2 days post coitum the period of mucosal cell differentiation was commencing, and simultaneously the dipeptidase activities began increasing to reach maximal values at parturition, by which time the differentiation was finishing. Within a few hours of birth, when the newborns had suckled, an abrupt and significant fall to the relatively low adult level was observed for four of the dipeptidase activities. The fifth enzyme activity (L‐alanyl‐L‐proline dipeptidase) declined more slowly postnatally and first reached the relatively low adult level during the 3rd week post partum. The relation of the changes in the intestinal dipeptidase activities to the structural characteristics of the mucosa during the development has been discussed.
Catecholamine Excretion in Adreno‐Demedullated Rats Exposed to Gold after Chronic Guanethidine Treatment
Authors: Pouliot M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAdreno‐demedullated rats subjected to a moderate cold exposure showed a significant increase in urinary excretion of noradrenaline (NA) and maintained their thermal equilibrium. Adrenodemedullated rats, chronically pretreated with guanethidine, however, failed to respond with an increase in NA excretion upon exposure to 3° C and all the animals died 7 days later following a fall in urinary NA. These results suggest that the survival of cold stressed adreno‐demedullated animals is dependent upon a peripheral secretion of NA.
Studies on the Ganglionic Site of Action of Sympathetic Outflow to the Stomach
Authors: Jansson G. , Martinson J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn acute experiments on cats anesthetized with chloralose, inhibition of excitatory vagal responses of gastric smooth muscle was produced by reflex or direct activation of an adrenergic nerve fibre system. The reflex that could be elicited by distension of a jejunal loop or stimulation of mesenteric afferents was dependent on intact spinal connections because it was blocked by spinal anesthesia. Activation of the adrenergic nerve fibre system did not inhibit gastric myogenic tone or gastric muscle contraction elicited by the muscarinic action of acetylcholine. It was therefore concluded that the adrenergic outflow responsible for this type of inhibition acts on parasympathetic intramural ganglion cells involved in the excitatory control of gastric motility.
Uptake, Storage and Release of Histamine by Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells in vitro
Authors: Cabut Martha , Haegermark ÖSten 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRat peritoneal mast cells, when incubated in histamine‐H3containing medium, were shown to take up and concentrate histamine. The uptake was proportional to incubation time and to extracellular histamine concentration. Metabolic inhibitors did not significantly affect the uptake. The exogenous histamine was bound to mast cell granules in about the same proportion as found for the endogenous. Treatment of mast cells with compound 48/80 released the same relative amounts of both exogenous and endogenous histamine. These results suggest that histamine was taken up by passive diffusion and stored in the mast cell granules. High concentrations of 5‐HT inhibited the histamine uptake, whereas histidine and 5‐HTP did not influence the process.
Chloride and Hydrogen Ion Distribution between Human Red Cells and Plasma
Authors: Funder Jørgen , Wieth Jens Otto 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDistribution of Cl‐and H+between human red cells and plasma has been studied after variations of plasma pH (induced both by changing pCO2 and changing bicarbonate concentration). The distribution ratio of chloride Cl‐cell/Cl‐plasma = r(Cl‐), and of hydrogen ions H+plasma/H+cell = r[H+], showed the following relations to plasma pH:r(Cl‐) = 3.319—(0.359 pHplasma)r[H+] = 3.094—(0.335 pHplasma)The conception that the distribution of Cl‐and H+is a Donnan distribution, is supported by the distribution of Cl‐and H+found after addition of an impermeant, negatively charged ion (citrate) to the extracellular phase. The normally negative potential difference between cells and plasma may be inverted in the presence of citrate. The effects on ion distribution seen, when normal cells are suspended in isotonic sucrose or glucose, can be explained as being caused by diffusion potentials, which arise because of the much higher permeability of the red cell membrane towards anions than towards cations. Calculation of the water shift to be expected as the osmotic consequence of the redistribution of diffusible anions between cells and plasma (—ΔH2O/ΔpH: 423g H2O/kg RBC solids) was found to agree with the experimentally determined value of 404g H2O/kg RBC solids.
Inhibitory Action of Adrenergic Blocking Agents on Catecholamine Release and Uptake in Isolated Nerve Granules
Authors: Euler U. S. Von , Lishajko F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA series of adrenergic α‐and β‐blockers have been found to decrease the release rate of nor‐adrenaline from a suspension of bovine splenic nerve granules incubated in phosphate buffer at pH 7.5. The same blockers also inhibited the uptake of noradrenaline in partially depleted nerve granules in the presence of ATP—Mg++. It is tentatively suggested that the interactions of the adrenergic blocking agents with uptake mechanisms for noradrenaline in the nerve granules and at the receptor level in effector cells involve certain common features.
Effect of Finnish Bath (Sauna) on the Urinary Excretion of Noradrenaline, Adrenaline and 3‐Methoxy‐4‐Hydroxy‐Mandelic Acid
Authors: Huikko M. , Jouppila P. , Kärki N. T. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractFor the present work the urinary excretion of noradrenaline, adrenaline and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxymandelic acid in 18 healthy young persons during a sauna bath were studied. The average basal excretion of noradrenaline was 30.6 ± 3.4ng/min, and due to the influence of sauna it rose to 46.6 ± 4.1ng/min. Average adrenaline excretion during basal activity was 7.0 ± 0.7ng/min, and in the sauna 9.6 ± 1.1ng/min, while the figures for excretion of 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxy‐mandelic acid were 4.2 ± 0.3μg/min and 4.6 ± 0.4μg/min.
The Effect of DOPA on the Spinal Cord 3. Depolarization Evoked in the Central Terminals of Ipsilateral Ia Afferents by Volleys in the Flexor Reflex Afferents
Authors: Andén N.‐E. , Jukes M. G. M. , Lundberg A. , Vyklický L. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn unanaesthetized spinal cats, injected with 1‐DOPA, volleys in the flexor reflex afferents (FRA) evoke a long latency, long lasting dorsal root potential (DRP). Measurements of excitability of ispilateral primary afferent terminals show a corresponding depolarization of Ia, but not Ib or cutaneous, afferent terminals. Volleys in the FRA have no effect on Ia afferent terminals in the normal acute spinal cat, presumably because the neuronal pathway transmitting the effect from the FRA to Ia afferents is inhibited by activity in another pathway from the FRA. Results are presented showing that after intravenous injection of DOPA volleys in the FRA can inhibit transmission from the FRA to Ia afferents. It is suggested that this inhibitory effect from the FRA also is responsible for the hyperpolarization of Ia afferent terminals that sometimes is evoked from the FRA after DOPA and is probably caused by a removal of depolarization.
The Effect of DOPA on the Spinal Cord 4. Depolarization Evoked in the Central Terminals of Contralateral Ia Afferent Terminals by Volleys in the Flexor Reflex Aflerents
Authors: Jankowska E. , Lund S. , Lundberg A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAfter injection of DOPA in unanaesthetized spinal cats volleys in the flexor reflex afferents (FRA) evoke a late long lasting Contralateral dorsal root potential. Measurements of excitability of contralateral afferent terminals show a corresponding depolarization of Ia, but not of Ib or cutaneous afferent terminals. Results are also presented showing that transmission from the FRA to contralateral Ia afferent terminals can be inhibited from the FRA.
Length at Inactivated Contractile Elements, Length‐tension Diagram Active State and Tone of Vascular Smooth Muscle
Authors: Lundholm Lennart , Mohme‐Lundholm Ella 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAnalysis of the mechanical properties of vascular muscle is complicated by the fact that normally it is contracted to a certain degree and has no constant resting length. By total blockade of the energy production of the muscle with monoiodoacetic acid under anaerobic conditions the vessel length at inactivated contractile elements could be measured. With the aid of this length the length‐tension diagram of the vascular muscle in untreated and adrenaline‐treated vessels was studied. The muscle developed a maximal tension (2.100gwt/cm2 cross section) at this length, which therefore probably corresponded to L0 in skeletal muscle. The vascular muscle shortened maximally to 25 per cent of the relaxed length. Both the development of maximal isometric tension and the maximal isotonic shortening were of the same magnitude in vascular as in skeletal muscle. The series‐elastic component (15–20 per cent) was, on the other hand, greater in vascular than in skeletal muscle. No rigor mortis was noted in the vascular muscle. The spontaneous tension of the vascular muscle and tension increase induced by adrenaline could be largely ascribed to an active state. The question of whether a “tonic” or “catch” mechanism is present in vascular muscle, independent of the active state, is discussed.
Cat Retinal Ganglion Cell Responses to Changing Light Intensities: Sinusoidal Modulation in the Time Domain
Authors: Cleland B. , Enroth‐Cugell Christina 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAction potentials were recorded from single axons of retinal ganglion cells in adult lightly anesthetized, paralyzed cats (intact eye). A small, sinusoidally time modulated stimulus was located in the most responsive portion of the receptive field center. The mean discharge frequency was monitored on a counter during the experiment and the responses over extended periods of time were recorded on tape and later averaged. Most of the cells were outside area centralis. A series of experiments showed that doses of muscle paralyzing agents several times larger than those commonly used in cat retinal ganglion cell experiments were needed for unfailing long‐lasting eye immobilization. In a second series of experiments the mean discharge frequency of the cell, the peak‐peak amplitude of the averaged response and the stimulus‐response phase difference were studied as: (a) a function of modulation depth at constant frequency, (b) a function of stimulus frequency at constant depth of modulation. Only two of 31 cells exhibited (up to 40 per cent modulation) a mean discharge frequency independent of modulation depth, a response amplitude reasonably proportional to modulation depth, an almost constant stimulus‐response phase difference and an averaged response whose shape was almost sinusoidal. The remaining cells failed to fulfill at least one of these requirements for linearity. For 6 cells modulation sensitivity curves were determined and found to have the same general shape as those subjectively determined in humans.
Extraneuronal Binding of Catecholamines and 3,4‐Dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) in Salivary Glands
Authors: Hamberger Bertil , Norberg Karl‐Axel , Olson Lars 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTIn vivoandin vitrostudies using the histochemical fluorescence technique of Falck and Hillarp were made on the submaxillary and sublingual glands of the rat after the administration of catecholamines or dopa, or the incubation of slices of the glands with the same drugs. Catecholamines and in all probability also L‐dopa were found to be bound extraneuronally in the salivary gland parenchyma under the conditions of the experiments. It is probable that the present experiments visualize the same type of extraneuronal binding as has been found with biochemical techniques. It appears that a certain activity of the parenchyma is necessary for the binding to occur. Apart from being a source of error in the evaluation of biochemical measurements, extraneuronal binding may be of importance related to transmitter mechanisms.