bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enalapril in African patients with congestive cardiac failure.
Authors: Ajayi AA , Balogun MO , Oyewo EA , Ladipo GO
Published: July 2012

In a preliminary double‐blind study in African patients with heart failure, enalapril tended to increase treadmill exercise duration relative to placebo (95% confidence interval‐11.5 to 144.3 s). This was associated with a significant improvement in NYHA functional class and subjective well being (P less than 0.05 ANOVA) with a concomitant reduction in body weight (P less than 0.05 ANOVA). It significantly increased pulse pressure during forearm isometric exercise (P less than 0.05 ANOVA), but the Valsalva's manoeuvre and the orthostatic response were unchanged.
Psychomotor effects of ketorolac in comparison with buprenorphine and diclofenac [see comments]
Authors: MacDonald FC , Gough KJ , Nicoll RA , Dow RJ
Published: July 2012

1. Ketorolac is an investigational non‐opioid analgesic. Buprenorphine, an opioid compound and diclofenac, a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory, are analgesics used in clinical practise. 2. The psychomotor effects of ketorolac (30 mg), buprenorphine (0.3 mg), diclofenac (50 mg) and placebo all administered i.m., were examined in 12 healthy male volunteers (age 19‐38 years), up to 8 h post‐dose. 3. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was measured up to 24 h post‐dose, providing an indication of local tissue damage following injection. 4. Buprenorphine caused significant psychomotor impairment in seven out of eight psychomotor tests. The effects consistently peaked 4 h post‐dose and were still apparent in many cases 8 h post‐dose. These psychomotor effects were supported by marked symptoms in all volunteers. 5. Ketorolac and diclofenac had no clinically significant effects on psychomotor tests and only minimal symptoms were reported. 6. Diclofenac caused a marked increased in CPK (mean Cmax 298 iu l‐1) compared with ketorolac (mean Cmax 70 iu l‐1) and buprenorphine (mean Cmax 68 iu l‐1). 7. These results suggest that ketorolac and diclofenac are suitable for administration following day case surgery.
Cimetidine‐nicoumalone interaction in man: stereochemical considerations.
Authors: Gill TS , Hopkins KJ , Bottomley J. , Gupta SK , Rowland M.
Published: July 2012

1. The cimetidine‐nicoumalone interaction was studied in five subjects who received a single 10 mg oral dose of racemic nicoumalone alone and 3 days into an oral regimen of cimetidine of 200 mg three times daily and 400 mg at night. 2. The concentrations of R(+)‐ and S(−)− nicoumalone in plasma were measured using a stereospecific h.p.l.c assay; augmentation of prothrombin time was used as a measure of response. 3. Cimetidine increased the rate (but not extent) of absorption of both R(+)‐ and S(−)−nicoumalone, and reduced the clearance of R(+)‐nicoumalone but not that of the S(−)−enantiomer. 4. Cimetidine increased the anticoagulant response produced by nicoumalone in some but not all subjects, despite a consistent effect on the pharmacokinetics of the oral anti‐coagulant. 5. Cimetidine appears to produce its effect by stereoselectively inhibiting the elimination of R(+)‐nicoumalone.
Cyclosporin‐erythromycin interaction in renal transplant patients.
Authors: Gupta SK , Bakran A. , Johnson RW , Rowland M.
Published: July 2012

1. The interaction between cyclosporin (CyA) and erythromycin was studied in renal transplant patients following oral and intravenous administration of CyA. 2. Blood and plasma CyA concentrations and blood concentrations of metabolite 17 were measured by h.p.l.c. 3. Erythromycin produced almost a two‐fold increase in bioavailability, from 36% to 60%; with a small (13%) decrease in clearance of CyA. 4. The metabolite 17 data further support the postulate that erythromycin increases the absorption of CyA rather than inhibits its metabolism, as generally believed.
A comparison of the effects of ibuprofen and indomethacin upon renal haemodynamics and electrolyte excretion in the presence and absence of frusemide.
Authors: Passmore AP , Copeland S. , Johnston GD
Published: July 2012

1. This study has compared the effects of ibuprofen and indomethacin upon renal haemodynamics, electrolyte excretion and renin release in the presence and absence of frusemide under sodium replete conditions in eight healthy volunteers. 2. Neither ibuprofen (400 mg and 800 mg) nor indomethacin (50 mg) affected renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate or electrolyte excretion in the basal state. 3. Frusemide had no effect on renal blood flow, but significantly increased glomerular filtration rate. This latter change was suppressed significantly only by ibuprofen 400 mg. Frusemide‐induced diuresis was inhibited by all treatments, while natriuresis following frusemide was inhibited by indomethacin only. 4. Significant increments in plasma renin activity, which were suppressed by all treatments, were observed after frusemide. The degree of inhibition of the renin responses was significantly greater in the presence of indomethacin than with either dose of ibuprofen. 5. In a sodium replete setting in healthy volunteers, indomethacin and ibuprofen had no detrimental effects on basal renal function. In the presence of frusemide, indomethacin had more anti‐natriuretic and renin‐suppressing effect than ibuprofen. There was no evidence for a dose‐related effect of ibuprofen.
The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of morphine after intravenous, oral and buccal administration in healthy volunteers.
Authors: Hoskin PJ , Hanks GW , Aherne GW , Chapman D. , Littleton P. , Filshie J.
Published: July 2012

1. The absolute bioavailability of morphine from oral aqueous solution, a controlled release oral tablet (MST‐Continus) and a controlled release buccal tablet has been investigated in six healthy volunteers. 2. Analysis of plasma samples for morphine and its active metabolite morphine‐6‐glucuronide (M6G) was by means of a differential radioimmunoassay technique. Absolute bioavailability for morphine was estimated to be 23.9% after oral solution, 22.4% after MST‐Continus and 18.7% after the buccal tablet. Maximum plasma morphine concentrations were seen at 45 min (oral solution), 2.5 h (MST) and 6 h (buccal). 3. There was no difference in the amount of M6G appearing in plasma after intravenous, oral or buccal administration but the mean ratio of AUCs for M6G: morphine in plasma after intravenous morphine was 2 : 1 compared with 11 : 1 after oral and buccal morphine.
Self‐report reliability and symptomatology of habitual caffeine consumption.
Authors: James JE , Bruce MS , Lader MH , Scott NR
Published: July 2012

1. A large body of research on the demography of caffeine use and its potential health consequences has been undermined by the absence of empirical data on the reliability of retrospective self‐reports of caffeine consumption. 2. The principal aim of the present study was to use standard bioanalytic method to assess the reliability of subjects' self‐reported caffeine use. Saliva samples were obtained from 142 first‐ and second‐year medical students and assayed for caffeine and paraxanthine. 3. Self‐reported caffeine use was found to be significantly correlated with salivary caffeine (r = 0.31, P less than 0.001) and paraxanthine (r = 0.42, P less than 0.001), thereby providing qualified support for use of questionnaires to estimate patterns of caffeine consumption. 4. A secondary aim of the study was to extend previous research concerning the symptomatology of caffeine use by examining the association between caffeine exposure and a variety of measures of somatic and psychological health. Caffeine consumption was reliably associated with the self‐reported occurrence of somatic symptoms, but not psychological well‐being.
Effects of alpha‐adrenoceptor and of combined sympathetic and parasympathetic blockade on cardiac performance and vascular resistance.
Authors: Kelbaek H , Frandsen H , Hilsted J , Christensen NJ , Nielsen SL
Published: July 2012

1. Cardiac performance and vascular resistance was studied in seven healthy men by radionuclide cardiography and venous plethysmography before and after alpha‐adrenoceptor blockade with phentolamine and after combined alpha‐adrenoceptor, beta‐adrenoceptor (propranolol) and parasympathetic (atropine) blockade. 2. During alpha‐adrenoceptor blockade heart rate and cardiac output increased considerably and left ventricular ejection fraction increased because of increased contractility. Systemic vascular resistance fell both during alpha‐ adrenoceptor blockade alone and during combined blockade. The increase in calf blood flow was of the same magnitude after combined blockade and after alpha‐adrenoceptor blockade alone, and was considerably higher than the fall in systemic vascular resistance. Plasma catecholamine concentrations increased after phentolamine, but the changes were blunted when propranolol and atropine were added. 3. These results indicate that peripheral vasoconstriction especially that exerted by alpha‐adrenoceptor nervous tone in skeletal muscle restricts left ventricular emptying of the intact heart. During pharmacologic blockade of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system at rest the chronotropic state is augmented, whereas preload and inotropy are unaffected.
The use of microcomputer‐based psychomotor tests for the evaluation of benzodiazepine effects on human performance: a review with emphasis on temazepam.
Authors: Kunsman GW , Manno JE , Manno BR , Kunsman CM , Przekop MA
Published: July 2012

1. The literature relating to the effects of benzodiazepines in general, and temazepam in particular, on human psychomotor performance as assessed using microcomputer‐based testing batteries is surveyed. 2. The adverse effects of central nervous system depressants on performance is an important mediocolegal issue and frequently comes into question in on‐the‐road and on‐the‐job accidents. The use of microcomputer‐based testing batteries allows for performance evaluation both in the laboratory and at‐the‐scene, as well as providing the opportunity to model a large number of different behaviours required in routine yet complex psychomotor tasks. 3. The conclusions in general are: (1) The benzodiazepines as a class of drugs impair both cognitive and motor performance. These effects are often subtle when low doses are involved or when testing occurs the morning following evening administration of the medication. (2) No single psychomotor task adequately simulates complex daily tasks such as automobile driving. A battery of tests that evaluates a number of the components of such tasks is necessary to determine adequately the full range of effects of these medications.
New models of focal cerebral ischaemia.
Authors: Mhairi Macrae I
Published: July 2012

1. Studies in animal models of stroke have provided an invaluable contribution to our current understanding of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischaemia. The strengths of stroke research in animals are: 1) the ability to control the severity, duration, location and cause of the ischaemia, variables which confound interpretation of human stroke data; 2) co‐existent disease states and variations in cerebrovascular anatomy are avoided; and 3) physiological parameters such as blood pressure, blood gases, temperature and plasma glucose (all of which influence the magnitude of the ischaemic lesion) can be closely monitored and controlled. Taking all these things on board, it is possible to induce a consistent focal ischaemic lesion in animal models of stroke (e.g. the permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in the rat). This has resulted in the wide use of animal models for assessment of anti‐ischaemic drug efficacy as well as for research into the pathophysiological sequelae of stroke. 2. Traditionally focal ischaemia models involved permanent occlusion of a major cerebral artery such as the MCA. However, since vessel occlusion is seldom permanent in human stroke more recent developments have incorporated reperfusion (following ischaemia) into the design of the animal model. This has been achieved by reversible occlusion of cerebral vessels using 1) intraluminal filaments; 2) microclips; 3) the abluminal application of potent and prolonged vasoconstrictors; or 4) the introduction of emboli into the cerebral circulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ethanol kinetics: extent of error in back extrapolation procedures [see comments]
Authors: al‐Lanqawi Y. , Moreland TA , McEwen J. , Halliday F. , Durnin CJ , Stevenson IH
Published: July 2012

1. Plasma ethanol concentrations were measured in 24 male volunteers for 9 h after a single oral dose of 710 mg kg‐1. 2. The rate of decline of the plasma ethanol concentration (k0; mean +/‐ s.d.), was 186 +/‐ 26 mg l‐1 h‐1. 3. In each individual, three elimination rates were used to back‐extrapolate plasma ethanol concentrations over 3 and 5 h periods from observed values at 4 h and 6 h post‐dosing assuming zero‐order kinetics. The extrapolated values were then compared with the observed concentrations. 4. Using the mean k0 values for the subjects the mean error in back extrapolation was small but highly variable. The variability in the error increased with the length of the extrapolation period. 5. When a k0 value of 150 mg l‐1 h‐1 (a value often cited as a population mean) was used for back extrapolation this resulted in significant under‐estimation of actual values whereas the use of a k0 value of 238 mg l‐1 h‐1 (the highest value observed in the present study) resulted in significant over‐estimation of actual values. 6. These results indicate that because the kinetics of ethanol are associated with substantial inter‐subject variability the use of a single slope value to back calculate blood concentrations can give rise to considerable error.
The influence of posture on the pharmacokinetics of orally administered nifedipine.
Authors: Renwick AG , Ahsan CH , Challenor VF , Daniels R. , Macklin BS , Waller DG , George CF
Published: July 2012

1. Nifedipine (20 mg as capsules) and soluble paracetamol (1 g) were co‐ administered to eight healthy young volunteers on three separate occasions, following which in random order they stood, lay on their left side or lay on their right side for 4 h. 2. The time to maximum plasma concentration of paracetamol was significantly lower when standing or lying on the right side compared with recumbent left, indicating more rapid gastric emptying. 3. The times to maximum plasma concentrations of nifedipine and its metabolite produced at first pass were reduced when standing or lying on the right side. These postures were associated with significantly higher peak plasma concentrations and AUC values of nifedipine but not of its nitropyridine metabolite. 4. The increase in heart rate following nifedipine administration was significantly greater when lying on the right side compared with the left. 5. The data are consistent with transient saturation of first pass metabolism of nifedipine with postures which favour rapid gastric emptying. The results demonstrate the importance of defining the precise posture in studies in which pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic measurements are made on drugs which are absorbed rapidly and are subject to presystemic elimination.
The low‐chloride cough response is not inhibited by a single, high dose of aspirin.
Authors: Stone RA , Barnes PJ , Fuller RW
Published: July 2012

The effect of a single, high dose of aspirin has been assessed against low chloride cough challenge. The drug does not affect the cough response, suggesting that airway prostaglandin generation is not responsible for the tussive activity of low chloride solution.
Introducing NMDA antagonists into clinical practice: why head injury trials?
Authors: Bullock R.
Published: July 2012

1. Head injury is the major cause of death and severe disability in young adults. Evidence from clinical studies shows ischaemic brain damage to be the major determinant of bad outcome, and that a proportion of this (perhaps up to 40%) is delayed, thus offering an opportunity for 'prophylactic' therapy. 2. Laboratory studies in several relevant animal models of human head injury (fluid percussion, subdural haematoma, and focal ischaemia by middle cerebral occlusion) indicate that excitatory amino acids are important mediators of brain damage. Pretreatment with NMDA antagonists has shown that the extent of ischaemic damage may be dramatically reduced in these models (68% reduction in the cat MCA occlusion model, 54% in the rat subdural haematoma model). 3. Trials of NMDA antagonists in human head injury are therefore strongly indicated.
Morphine metabolism in neonates and infants.
Authors: Choonara I. , Lawrence A. , Michalkiewicz A. , Bowhay A. , Ratcliffe J.
Published: July 2012

The metabolism of morphine was studied in seven fullterm neonates and five infants receiving a continuous infusion of morphine. All the patients had detectable plasma concentrations of morphine 3‐glucuronide (M3G) and 10 had detectable concentrations of morphine 6‐glucuronide (M6G). The mean plasma clearance of morphine was 20.1 ml min‐1 kg‐1 in neonates and 23.4 ml min‐1 kg‐1 in the group as a whole. The M3G/morphine ratio (7.3) was higher than that previously reported for preterm neonates (5.0) but lower than that reported for children (23.9).
Stereoselective inhibition of renal organic cation transport in human kidney.
Authors: Wong LT , Smyth DD , Sitar DS
Published: July 2012

Amantadine was found to be concentrated by human cortical slices, with apparent Km and Vmax values of 187 +/‐ 11 microM and 1.37 +/‐ 0.28 nmol mg‐1 min‐1 respectively (mean +/‐ s.e. mean, n = 4). Addition of quinine (8S, 9R‐(−)−isomer) or quinidine (8R, 9S‐(+)‐isomer) competitively inhibited this accumulation (apparent Ki values of 261 +/‐ 44 (n = 4) and 586 +/‐ 68 microM (n = 3), respectively). The stereoselectivity of this inhibition is the reverse of that seen with respect to the renal clearances of the diastereoisomers.
Clinical, radiological, and functional evaluation following acute stroke.
Authors: Grosset DG
Published: July 2012

1. There are currently no proven treatments for cerebral infarction or intracerebral haematoma. Drug testing is at an exciting phase, however, and thrombolytic and neuroprotective agents appear to have the potential to rescue ischaemic cerebral tissue. The heterogeneous nature of stroke demands adequate patient assessment by clinical and radiological study, with standardised approaches to the measurement of recovery. 2. Previous studies have not fulfilled these stringent criteria, impairing interpretation and inter‐study comparison. The needs of drug studies in the acute phase following stroke are discussed in this review.
Therapeutic interventions in acute stroke.
Authors: Lees KR
Published: July 2012

1. Potential therapies for ischaemic stroke include agents to reduce oedema, to improve cerebral perfusion, to reduce excitotoxic damage, to minimise free‐radical induced injury and to reduce complications such as deep venous thrombosis. 2. Of the anti‐oedema drugs, steroids are ineffective and possibly dangerous; intravenous glycerol is unproven. 3. Haemodilution to reduce whole blood viscosity and improve perfusion is ineffective. Thrombolytic drugs have not been adequately tested but several randomised multicentre trials are now commencing. Early treatment and CT scanning are essential. 4. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs may have wide applicability but have not been tested in the acute phase of stroke. A multi‐centre trial will address this issue. 5. Neuronal cytoprotection offers exciting prospects for acute stroke treatment. Antagonists of glutamate at the NMDA receptor, calcium and sodium channel blocking agents and free radical scavenging drugs have potent effects experimentally. Several agents are now reaching clinical trials. The calcium antagonist nimodipine has been disappointing in large scale trials but some studies were flawed by late treatment. 6. Successful treatment of acute stroke is likely to combine several approaches. 7. Therapeutic trials in stroke must include CT scanning, early treatment and a multicentre approach to achieve large numbers of patients.
Trials of the bronchodilator activity of the isoenzyme‐selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor AH 21‐132 in healthy volunteers during a methacholine challenge test.
Authors: Foster RW , Rakshi K. , Carpenter J.R. , Small RC
Published: July 2012

1. An approximately steady‐state reduction of specific airway conductance was induced in normal human subjects by means of a methacholine individualized loading+maintenance dose regime. Tested against this background bronchoconstriction, the mixed type III/IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor AH 21‐132, ingested in doses up to 90 mg, had no detectable bronchodilator activity. 2. AH 21‐132, infused intravenously over 15 min, evoked short‐lived bronchodilatation at doses of 20 and 40 mg, without affecting blood pressure or heart rate. 3. AH 21‐132, mixed 1:18.5 by weight with sucrose, dissolved in saline, nebulized and inhaled in doses between 2 and 24 mg of AH 21‐132, produced dose‐dependent bronchodilation. The ED50 was estimated as 9.2 mg AH 21‐132. The peak relief of imposed bronchoconstriction was 80% and the apparent half‐time of removal of AH 21‐132 from its site of action was 25 min. 4. Inhaled, nebulized, hypertonic sucrose had a minor bronchodilator action. 5. AH 21‐132, by intravenous and inhaled routes of administration, provides relief of methacholine‐induced bronchoconstriction.
Increase in Na+/K+ pump numbers in vivo in healthy volunteers taking oral lithium carbonate and further upregulation in response to lithium in vitro.
Authors: Antia IJ , Dorkins CE , Wood AJ , Aronson JK
Published: July 2012

1. We have measured [3H]‐ouabain binding to lymphocyte membranes in eight healthy volunteers before and after they had taken lithium carbonate for 14 days in doses which maintained the serum lithium concentration in the range 0.5‐1.0 mmol 1‐1. 2. There was a statistically significant increase in the [3H]‐ouabain binding capacity of the lymphocyte membranes (reflecting the number of Na+, K+‐ATPase molecules) after 14 days of lithium administration in vivo. This suggests that a failure to increase pump numbers after similar exposure to lithium in vivo in patients with manic‐depressive psychosis is a primary abnormality associated with the disease. 3. In vivo lithium administration did not alter the normal adaptive (upregulatory) response of lymphocyte Na+, K+‐ATPase to standard pharmacological challenges, involving in vitro incubation for 3 days with lithium chloride (8 mmol 1‐1) or sodium ethacrynate (1 mumol 1‐1). 4. We have previously found that there is an impaired response of the Na+, K+‐ ATPase to these in vitro stimuli in patients with manic‐depressive psychosis, and our present data suggest that this abnormality is attributable to the disease itself and not to in vivo lithium therapy. 5. The data also suggest that the increase in vivo Na+/K+ pump activity which we have previously described in healthy volunteers after 21 days of lithium administration is at least partly due to an increase in Na+/K+ pump numbers.
A systematic review of educational interventions to change behaviour of prescribers in hospital settings, with a particular emphasis on new prescribers
Authors: Brennan Nicola , Mattick Karen
Published: July 2012

Aims

Prescribing is a complex task and a high risk area of clinical practice. Poor prescribing occurs across staff grades and settings but new prescribers are attributed much of the blame. New prescribers may not be confident or even competent to prescribe and probably have different support and development needs than their more experienced colleagues. Unfortunately, little is known about what interventions are effective in this group. Previous systematic reviews have not distinguished between different grades of staff, have been narrow in scope and are now out of date. Therefore, to inform the design of educational interventions to change prescribing behaviour, particularly that of new prescibers, we conducted a systematic review of existing hospital‐based interventions.

Methods

Embase, Medline, SIGLE, Cinahl and PsychINFO were searched for relevant studies published 1994–2010. Studies describing interventions to change the behaviour of prescribers in hospital settings were included, with an emphasis on new prescibers. The bibliographies of included papers were also searched for relevant studies. Interventions and effectiveness were classified using existing frameworks and the quality of studies was assessed using a validated instrument.

Results

Sixty‐four studies were included in the review. Only 13% of interventions specifically targeted new prescribers. Most interventions (72%) were deemed effective in changing behaviour but no particular type stood out as most effective.

Conclusion

Very few studies have tailored educational interventions to meet needs of new prescribers, or distinguished between new and experienced prescribers. Educational development and research will be required to improve this important aspect of early clinical practice.
Descriptions of fathers’ care by children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) – relative neglect and children's needs
Authors: Cater Åsa , Forssell Anna M.
Published: July 2012

The situation of children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) raises certain issues related to child neglect. Little is known about how children exposed to IPV perceive and describe their living conditions. This paper addresses this lack by analysing aspects of fathers’ care in descriptions given by children whose fathers have subjected the mothers to IPV. The analysis is based on qualitative interviews with 10 children aged 8–12 years. Three themes constitute the results. First, the fathers are not described by the children as engaged and responsible care providers. Second, in their general descriptions of how mothers and fathers fill complementary roles for the child, parenthood seems to mean in practice that the mother is the provider of (almost) everything the child may need. Third, the mere absence of violence seems to be judged ‘good‐enough’ fathering in the children's descriptions. Altogether, this leads to the conclusion that being exposed to IPV and believing that mothers are responsible for their welfare precludes children from viewing their fathers as responsible for their well‐being. The limited utility for child welfare practice of a ‘child‐based’ definition of neglect in cases of IPV is discussed, and alternatives are suggested.
Expression of autophagy 8 (Atg8) and its role in the midgut and other organs of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, during metamorphic remodelling and under starvation
Authors: Khoa D. B. , Takeda M.
Published: July 2012

A 345 base pair cDNA encoding autophagy 8 (Atg8) of Galleria mellonella (GmAtg8) was cloned and sequenced. The deduced protein was estimated to be 118 amino acids long. Structural comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed that GmAtg8 belong to the Atg8 family of ubiquitin‐like proteins. It is predicted to contain four β‐sheets and four α‐helices. It also contains a highly conserved glycine residue at the C‐terminal, as well as highly conserved Phe77 and Ph79 at a recognition cleavage site of Atg4 and Tyr49, and Leu50 at a site for activation of the lipidated form of Atg8 by Atg7 and Atg3. The developmental expression profile demonstrated that GmAtg8 transcript and its protein products are expressed in such organs as the midgut, ovary, Malpighian tubules, fat body and silk gland. In the midgut and silk gland, GmAtg8 transcript and its protein products increased during metamorphosis and under starvation, but decreased after re‐feeding. Expression of autophagy seems to precede apoptosis in the midgut transformation from larva to pupa and pupa to adult during metamorphosis. Some waves overlap with apoptotic waves, particularly at early stages, but others are unique in terms of site and timing.
Chitosan: a new solution for removal of smear layer after root canal instrumentation
Authors: Silva P. V. , Guedes D. F. C. , Nakadi F. V. , Pécora J. D. , Cruz‐Filho A. M.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To evaluate, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the efficacy of smear layer removal using chitosan compared with different chelating agents, and to quantify, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with flame (AASF), the concentration of calcium ions in these solutions after irrigation.

Methodology

The root canals of twenty‐five canines were prepared using a crown‐down technique and irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite. The teeth were randomly divided into groups (n = 5), according to the type of final irrigation: 15% EDTA, 0.2% chitosan, 10% citric acid, 1% acetic acid and control (without final irrigation). The total volume of each chelating solution was collected from the canals and analysed by AASF for quantification of calcium ions in the solutions. Then, the roots were split longitudinally and examined by SEM for evaluation of smear layer removal in the middle and apical thirds. Cleaning scores were attributed and analysed statistically using the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests. The AASF data were analysed by one‐way anova and Tukey–Kramer test. A significant level of α = 0.05 was adopted.

Results

15% EDTA, 0.2% chitosan and 10% citric acid had similar smear layer removal capacity with a significant difference (P < 0.05) from 1% acetic acid and the control group. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the smear layer remaining in the middle and apical thirds. The highest calcium ion concentration was observed with 15% EDTA (121.80 ± 5.13) and 0.2% chitosan (104.13 ± 19.23), with no significant difference. The lowest calcium ion concentration was obtained with 1% acetic acid (25.62 ± 7.68), whilst 10% citric acid (70.38 ± 11.15) had intermediate results, differing significantly from the other solutions (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

15% EDTA, 0.2% chitosan and 10% citric acid effectively removed smear layer from the middle and apical thirds of the root canal. 15% EDTA and 0.2% chitosan were associated with the greatest effect on root dentine demineralization, followed by 10% citric acid and 1% acetic acid.
Complete denture displacement following open‐mouth reline
Authors: Utz K.‐H. , Schneider D. , Feyen J. , Grüner M. , Bayer S. , Fimmers R. , Müller F.
Published: July 2012

In 21 complete denture wearers, six upper and 15 lower denture relines were performed with the open‐mouth technique. The centric relation (CR) was recorded with the Central‐Bearing‐Point (CBP) method three times before and three times after the reline. For each registration, the right and left condylar position was recorded in three dimensions using a custom‐made measuring device. The average denture displacement from an initial reference position (CR) was calculated for each registration. An upper denture reline leads to a mean displacement of 2·5 mm, both in the right and left condylar area. With an average of 2·0 mm, this displacement was smaller following a lower denture reline (right and left mean, 1·6 mm). The precision of the CBP‐registrations proved 0·5 mm before and 0·3 mm after reline; hence, the measured condylar displacement after reline could not attribute to a methodological bias. This clinical‐experimental study demonstrates that relining complete dentures with the open‐mouth technique may lead to a substantial denture shift and thus imply inevitably clinically relevant occlusal discrepancies. It is therefore important to carefully check the occlusion at denture delivery and remount the prostheses if necessary.
Impaired propulsive motility in the distal but not proximal colon of BK channel β1‐subunit knockout mice
Authors: France M. , Bhattarai Y. , Galligan J. J. , Xu H.
Published: July 2012

Background  Large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BK) channels regulate smooth muscle tone. The BK channel β1‐subunit increases Ca2+ sensitivity of the α‐subunit in smooth muscle. We studied β1‐subunit knockout (KO) mice to determine if gastrointestinal (GI) motility was altered.

Methods  Colonic and intestinal longitudinal muscle reactivity to bethanechol and colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs) were measured in vitro. Gastric emptying and small intestinal transit were measured in vivo. Colonic motility was assessed in vivo by measuring fecal output and glass bead expulsion time. Myoelectric activity of distal colon smooth muscle was measured in vitro using intracellular microelectrodes.

Key Results  Bethanechol‐induced contractions were larger in the distal colon of β1‐subunit KO compared to wild type (WT) mice; there were no differences in bethanechol reactivity in the duodenum, ileum, or proximal colon of WT vsβ1‐subunit KO mice. There were more retrogradely propagated CMMCs in the distal colon of β1‐subunit KO compared to WT mice. Gastrointestinal transit was unaffected by β1‐subunit KO. Fecal output was decreased and glass bead expulsion times were increased in β1‐subunit KO mice. Membrane potential of distal colon smooth muscle cells from β1‐subunit KO mice was depolarized with higher action potential frequency compared to WT mice. Paxilline (BK channel blocker) depolarized smooth muscle cells and increased action potential frequency in WT distal colon.

Conclusions & Inferences  BK channels play a prominent role in smooth muscle function only in the distal colon of mice. Defects in smooth muscle BK channel function disrupt colonic motility causing constipation.
Examining demographic and socio‐economic correlates of accurate knowledge about blood donation among African migrants in Australia
Authors: Renzaho A. M. N. , Polonsky M. J.
Published: July 2012

Objectives

To develop and test a knowledge questionnaire about blood donation in African migrant communities in Australia, which is applicable to other communities, and to assess the relationship between the demographic and socio‐economic characteristics and knowledge of the African migrant community.

Methods

Using a cross‐sectional survey of 425 African migrants and refugees living in Victoria and South Australia, we assessed the knowledge questionnaire for readability, item difficulty, point‐biserial correlation and reliability. The relationships between demographic and socio‐economic factors and knowledge about blood donation were then evaluated using hierarchical multiple regression.

Results

The knowledge scale was found to have good psychometric properties and to be reliable: a Flesch reading ease score of 64·7; an average index of item difficulty of 0·42; a point‐biserial correlation of 0·38 and a Kuder–Richardson‐20 coefficient of 0·78 indicating strong internal consistency. A quarter of respondents (26·1%; 95% CI: 21·9, 30·3) had poor knowledge about issues related to blood donation; 51·1% (95% CI: 46·3, 55·8) had moderate knowledge and 22·8% (95% CI: 18·8, 26·8) were highly knowledgeable. Factors associated with blood donation knowledge were religion, pre‐migration area of residence, country of birth, length of stay in Australia, and previous blood donation status. Age, gender, educational attainment, migration and employment status were non‐significant.

Conclusion

Knowledge and awareness of issues associated with blood donation is important in regard to blood donation decisions, and this article has developed a measure using African migrant communities in Australia that has appropriate psychographic properties. The measure can, therefore, be used by researchers when studying the role of knowledge in relation to blood donation across cultural groups in Australia and other countries. It also identifies that demographic characteristics affect knowledge, which suggests that targeted interventions might be needed, especially when dealing with migrant and refugee communities.
Living kidney donors – a prospective study of quality of life before and after kidney donation
Authors: Garcia Márcia Fátima Faraldo Martinez , Andrade Luis Gustavo M. , Carvalho Maria Fernanda C.
Published: July 2012

Although the safety of living kidney donation has been well established, prospective studies examining the physical and psychosocial aspects of the donor's quality of life are still scarce. Thus, the purpose of this prospective work was to assess the quality of life of 50 consecutive donors before and after kidney transplantation. All donors were asked to respond to both a donor questionnaire and the short‐form 36‐item health survey (SF‐36). Interviews were individually conducted before, three months after, and over one yr after transplantation. Donation was considered a positive experience by all patients and had no impact on any physical or psychosocial aspect of the donor's life. Improved self‐esteem and better quality of life after donation were reported in 52% of the cases. All donors would donate again and encouraged donation. SF‐36 data indicated improvement in post‐donation mental and physical scores among living donors closely related to recipient. Overall, most donors had a positive experience, felt no changes in quality of life, experienced enhanced self‐esteem, would donate again, and recommended donation.
Reduced gut microbial diversity in early life is associated with later development of eczema but not atopy in high‐risk infants
Authors: Ismail Intan H. , Oppedisano Frances , Joseph Shayne J. , Boyle Robert J. , Licciardi Paul V. , Robins‐Browne Roy M. , Tang Mimi L.K.
Published: July 2012

Background:  Alterations in intestinal microflora have been linked to the development of allergic disease. Recent studies suggest that healthy infant immune development may depend on the establishment of a diverse gut microbiota rather than the presence or absence of specific microbial strains.

Objectives:  We investigated the relationship between diversity of gut microbiota in the early postnatal period and subsequent development of eczema and atopy in the first year of life.

Methods:  Fecal samples were collected 1 wk after birth from 98 infants at high risk of allergic disease, who were followed prospectively to age 12 months. Fecal microbial diversity was assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) using restriction enzymes Sau96I and AluI, with a greater number of peaks representing greater diversity of bacterial communities.

Results:  Microbial diversity at day 7 was significantly lower in infants with eczema at age 12 months as compared to infants without eczema (AluI mean number of peaks 13.1 vs. 15.5, p = 0.003, 95% CI for difference in means −3.9, −0.8; Sau96I 14.7 vs. 17.2, p = 0.03, 95% CI −4.9, −0.3). No differences were observed for atopic compared to non‐atopic infants, or infants with two allergic parents compared to those with one or no allergic parent.

Conclusions:  A more diverse intestinal microbiota in the first week of life is associated with a reduced risk of subsequent eczema in infants at increased risk of allergic disease. Interventions that enhance microbial diversity in early life may provide an effective means for the prevention of eczema in high‐risk infants.
Evaluation of Obturator Foramen Suggests No Differences Between Sexes in Young Bovines
Authors: Parés‐Casanova P. M.
Published: July 2012

Among the numerous bovine pelvic traits displaying sex differences, no detailed studies of bovine obturator foramen are available in the veterinary literature. The purpose of this work was to study quantitatively this structure using lineal biometrics, shape indexes and Fourier analysis. The material consisted of 60 hemicoxae belonging to young bovines of approximately 1 year of age. Although significant differences were found in area, perimeter and length of obturator foramen, none of the analyses used were able to differentiate between sexes and thus cannot be used as a natural trait for determining sex, at least in young bovines.
Contrasting functional trait syndromes underlay woody alien success in the same ecosystem
Authors: TECCO PAULA A. , URCELAY CARLOS , DÍAZ SANDRA , CABIDO MARCELO , PÉREZ‐HARGUINDEGUY NATALIA
Published: July 2012

We performed a comprehensive comparative study of functional traits in coexisting alien and native woody species in order to examine the strategies related to resource use and dispersion underlying alien success in mountain Chaco woodlands of central Argentina. Our approach integrated seemingly contrasting pieces of evidence in the region. We specifically assessed whether (i) the ‘functional acquisitive trend’ previously observed along a broad environmental gradient accounts for woody alien naturalization when considering a single mesic ecosystem; or (ii) more than one trait syndrome is important among alien species, which would be more in line with the context‐dependent nature of biological invasions at a local scale. Fifteen vegetative and regenerative traits were measured on the most common 14 native and 11 alien woody species. We compared the attributes of (i) native and alien species and (ii) between native species and two contrasting groups of alien species identified in the previous analysis. The overall trait comparison (i) showed that, in terms of vegetative attributes, woody alien species tend to be on average more acquisitive than native species. However, (ii) two contrasting syndromes were revealed among alien species: a group of seven deciduous species with acquisitive attributes; and a group of four evergreen species showing markedly more conservative attributes than the first group. The functional attributes of ‘conservative aliens’ completely overlapped with the range observed for native species, except for an exclusive dispersal phenology and a stronger tendency to clonal spread. Acquisitive aliens, in turn, proved to be beyond the range of attributes of native species, at the acquisitive extreme, as they did in previous comparisons. Despite their importance, general trends in plant functional attributes across regions and ecosystems can sometimes obscure trends at more local scales that are nevertheless important for the understanding and management of particular systems. Our study concurs with previous general trends when looking at the overall comparison between native and alien species, but unveils contrasting functional strategies among alien species when examining their attributes more closely, even within the same ecosystem.
An updated prostate cancer staging nomogram (Partin tables) based on cases from 2006 to 2011
Authors: Eifler John B. , Feng Zhaoyang , Lin Brian M. , Partin Michael T. , Humphreys Elizabeth B. , Han Misop , Epstein Jonathan I. , Walsh Patrick C. , Trock Bruce J. , Partin Alan W.
Published: July 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Pathological stage after radical prostatectomy can be accurately predicted by serum prostate‐specific antigen level, clinical stage and biopsy Gleason sum, the ‘Partin tables’.

Since the previous publication of the Partin tables, an updated Gleason scoring system has been established and incremental changes have occurred in the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. The current analysis updates the Partin nomogram in a contemporary cohort of patients.

Objective

To update the 2007 Partin tables in a contemporary patient population.

Patients and Methods

The study population consisted of 5,629 consecutive men who underwent RP and staging lymphadenectomy at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 1, 2006 and July 30, 2011 and met inclusion criteria.

Polychotomous logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of each pathologic stage category: organ‐confined disease (OC), extraprostatic extension (EPE), seminal vesicle involvement (SV+), or lymph node involvement (LN+) based on preoperative criteria.

Preoperative variables included biopsy Gleason score (6, 3+4, 4+3, 8, and 9–10), serum PSA (0–2.5, 2.6–4.0, 4.1–6.0, 6.1–10.0, greater than 10.0 ng/mL), and clinical stage (T1c, T2c, and T2b/T2c).

Bootstrap re‐sampling with 1000 replications was performed to estimate 95% confidence intervals for predicted probabilities of each pathologic state.

Results

The median PSA was 4.9 ng/mL, 63% had Gleason 6 disease, and 78% of men had T1c disease.

73% of patients had OC disease, 23% had EPE, 3% had SV+ but not LN+, and 1% had LN+ disease. Compared to the previous Partin nomogram, there was no change in the distribution of pathologic state.

The risk of LN+ disease was significantly higher for tumours with biopsy Gleason 9–10 than Gleason 8 (O.R. 3.2, 95% CI 1.3–7.6).

The c‐indexes for EPE vs. OC, SV+ vs. OC, and LN+ vs. OC were 0.702, 0.853, and 0.917, respectively.

Men with biopsy Gleason 4+3 and Gleason 8 had similar predicted probabilities for all pathologic stages.

Most men presenting with Gleason 6 disease or Gleason 3+4 disease have <2% risk of harboring LN+ disease and may have lymphadenectomy omitted at RP.

Conclusions

The distribution of pathologic stages did not change at our institution between 2000–2005 and 2006–2011.

The updated Partin nomogram takes into account the updated Gleason scoring system and may be more accurate for contemporary patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.
BAYESIAN PREDICTION FOR SPATIAL GENERALISED LINEAR MIXED MODELS WITH CLOSED SKEW NORMAL LATENT VARIABLES
Authors: Hosseini Fatemeh , Mohammadzadeh Mohsen
Published: July 2012

Spatial generalised linear mixed models are used commonly for modelling non‐Gaussian discrete spatial responses. In these models, the spatial correlation structure of data is modelled by spatial latent variables. Most users are satisfied with using a normal distribution for these variables, but in many applications it is unclear whether or not the normal assumption holds. This assumption is relaxed in the present work, using a closed skew normal distribution for the spatial latent variables, which is more flexible and includes normal and skew normal distributions. The parameter estimates and spatial predictions are calculated using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. Finally, the performance of the proposed model is analysed via two simulation studies, followed by a case study in which practical aspects are dealt with. The proposed model appears to give a smaller cross‐validation mean square error of the spatial prediction than the normal prior in modelling the temperature data set.
Written on the body? Individual differences between British adults who do and do not obtain a first tattoo
Authors: SWAMI VIREN
Published: July 2012

Swami, V. (2012). Written on the body? Individual differences between British adults who do and do not obtain a first tattoo. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 407–412.

This study compared individual psychological differences of individuals who do and not obtain their first tattoo. A total of 136 British residents visiting a tattoo parlour completed measures of the Big Five personality factors, Sensation Seeking, Need for Uniqueness, distinctive appearance investment, attitudes to authority, and sociosexual orientation. As compared to individuals who did not subsequently obtain a tattoo, individuals that did were significantly less conscientious, more extraverted, more willing to engage in sexual relations in the absence of commitment, and had higher scores on sensation seeking, Need for Uniqueness, and distinctive appearance investment. The effect sizes of uncovered differences were small‐to‐moderate (ηp2 = .07–.14). These results are discussed in relation to the mainstreaming of tattoos in contemporary, post‐industrialised societies.