bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene is associated with increased pain sensitivity in morphine‐treated patients undergoing a painful procedure after cardiac surgery
Authors: Ahlers Sabine J. G. M. , Elens Laure L. , van Gulik Laura , van Schaik Ron H. , van Dongen Eric P. A. , Bruins Peter , Tibboel Dick , Knibbe Catherijne A. J. 
Published: December 2012

AimsThe catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism affected pain sensitivity of healthy volunteers upon application of experimental pain stimuli. The relevance of these findings in morphine‐treated postoperative cardiac patients undergoing painful healthcare procedures is unknown; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the COMT Val158Met polymorphism increases pain sensitivity in morphine‐treated patients undergoing an unavoidable painful routine procedure after cardiac surgery.MethodsOne hundred and seventeen postoperative cardiac patients in the intensive care unit were genotyped for the COMT Val158Met polymorphism. All patients were treated with continuous morphine infusions for pain at rest, and received a bolus of morphine (2.5 or 7.5 mg) before a painful procedure (turning and/or chest drain removal) on the first postoperative day. Numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were evaluated at the following four time points: at baseline (at rest), and before, during and after the painful procedure.ResultsOverall mean NRS scores were significantly higher in patients carrying the Met‐variant allele. During the painful procedure, the mean NRS score was significantly higher for Met/Met patients compared with Val/Met and Val/Val patients (mean NRS 3.4 ± 2.8, 2.7 ± 2.4 and 1.7 ± 1.7, respectively; P = 0.04). In Met/Met patients, the increase in NRS scores during the painful procedure compared with the baseline NRS score was clinically relevant (ΔNRS ≥ 1.3) and statistically significant and appeared to be independent of sex and the morphine bolus dose.ConclusionsOur results show that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism contributes to variability in pain sensitivity after cardiac surgery of morphine‐treated patients in the intensive care unit, because Met‐allele carriers were more sensitive to overall pain and procedure‐related pain.
Source‐to‐sink analysis of ancient sedimentary systems using a subsurface case study from the Møre‐Trøndelag area of southern Norway: Part 1 – depositional setting and fan evolution
Authors: Sømme Tor O. , Jackson Christopher A‐L. , Vaksdal Monica 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn this study, we use seismic reflection, well and core data to investigate the role that basin physiography and sediment routing systems played on the distribution, geometry and stratigraphic architecture of Upper Cretaceous submarine fans (SF) offshoreNorway. The Late Cretaceous Møre‐Trøndelag margin of westernNorway was characterised by steep submarine slopes (gradient of ~0.3°–3°). Mudstones dominate the Upper Cretaceous slope succession, although a few regionally extensive, sandstone‐dominated units are developed. We focus on the most regionally extensive sandstone unit, which is of Late Turonian‐to‐Early Coniacian age. Mapping and visualisation of 2D and 3D seismic reflection data and analysis of well data indicates that the sandstone unit comprises a total of 11 SF, which were fed by sand‐rich sediment gravity flows routed through multiple upper slope canyons. Based on the internal organisation of seismic facies, four fan types have been identified: (i) Type Ia fans, which are characterised by <10 erosional channel complexes at their bases and aggradational to landward‐stepping lobes in their upper parts; (ii) Type Ib fans, which are characterised by >10 erosional channel complexes at their bases and aggradational to landward‐stepping lobe and mass‐transport deposits near the fan apex in their upper parts; (iii) TypeIIfans, which are dominated by aggradational lobe deposits; and (iv) TypeIIIfans, which are dominated by a single channel complex that passes downdip into a small terminal lobe. The different fan types are interpreted to reflect variable stratigraphic responses to source proximity and basin physiography, which is principally related to the degree of local fault reactivation and differential compaction. This variability highlights the diversity of fan types that may occur over short distances along continental margins, and demonstrates the importance of local controls in understanding the internal stratigraphic variability that may be present in deep‐marine successions.
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by sterile non‐latex protective gloves: clinical investigation and chemical analyses
Authors: Pontén Ann , Hamnerius Nils , Bruze Magnus , Hansson Christer , Persson Christina , Svedman Cecilia , Thörneby Andersson Kirsten , Bergendorff Ola 
Published: December 2012

Background An increased frequency of occupational contact hand dermatitis among surgical operating theatre personnel has been noticed.Objectives To evaluate patients with occupational contact dermatitis caused by their rubber gloves, and to describe a method for analysing the content of the allergens in the gloves.Materials and methods Patch tests were performed with the baseline series, a rubber chemical series, and the patients' own gloves. A method for analysing 1,3‐diphenylguanidine (DPG) and cetylpyridinium chloride in the gloves was developed.Results Contact allergy to thiuram mix was found in 8 of 16 patients, whereas 12 of 16 patients reacted to DPG. In 7 of 8 patients, contact allergy to cetylpyridinium chloride was found. In the patients' gloves, cetylpyridinium chloride and DPG were detected at higher concentrations on the inside of the gloves than on the outside. Most patients had worked for decades in their present occupations, but their hand dermatitis had only been present for months.Conclusion Contact allergy to DPG in gloves has been disputed, but, in this study, we were able to confirm the presence of DPG and cetylpyridinium chloride in the causative gloves by using a modified method for the analysis. The presence of these chemicals in gloves caused an increase in occupational contact dermatitis in surgical operating theatre personnel.
Assessment of ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction–Related Diastolic Dysfunction with Compensatory Rise in Left Atrial Ejection Force
Authors: Dogan Cem , Omaygenc Onur , Hatipoglu Suzan , Bakal Ruken B. , Demirkiran Aykut , Emiroglu M. Yunus , Bayram Tulay , Ozdemir Nihal 
Published: November 2012

Background: It is well known that patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) show both systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess post–myocardial infarction diastolic dysfunction using left atrial ejection force (LAEF) in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and Results: We enrolled 58 patients presenting with STEMI who were treated with primary PCI and 23 healthy subjects as a control group. A detailed transthoracic echocardiogram, including mitral flow velocities, tissue Doppler mitral annular velocities, and left atrial (LA) phasic volumes, was performed in both groups. We also measured the level of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP). LAEF was calculated using the formula: 0.5 × P × Mitral orifice area × (Peak A velocity)2. Correlations between variables were studied using “Pearson and Spearman's rho” test. In the test group, we found that the level of BNP in the plasma, E/E′ ratio, and the LA volume measurements were higher than that of the control group, and those differences were statistically significant. LAEF was increased in patients with myocardial infarction (MI); moderately correlated to BNP (r = 0.383 and P = 0.001) and E/E′ (r = 0.473 and P = 0.001), and strongly correlated to A‐wave velocity (r = 0.731 and P = 0.001). LAEF was also negatively correlated to E/A ratio (r = −0.419 and P = 0.001) and LVEF (r = −0.339 and P = 0.003). Conclusion: Impaired diastolic function in STEMI affects LA and increased LAEF is one of its manifestations. LAEF may also have diagnostic importance in diastolic dysfunction, but these findings should be confirmed by further studies.
Sticky plant traps insects to enhance indirect defence
Authors: Krimmel B. A. , Pearse I. S. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractPlant‐provided foods for predatory arthropods such as extrafloral nectar and protein bodies provide indirect plant defence by attracting natural enemies of herbivores, enhancing top‐down control. Recently, ecologists have also recognised the importance of carrion as a food source for predators. Sticky plants are widespread and often entrap and kill small insects, which we hypothesised would increase predator densities and potentially affect indirect defence. We manipulated the abundance of this entrapped insect carrion on tarweed (Asteraceae: Madia elegans) plants under natural field conditions, and found that carrion augmentation increased the abundance of a suite of predators, decreased herbivory and increased plant fitness. We suggest that entrapped insect carrion may function broadly as a plant‐provided food for predators on sticky plants.
How did phenobarbital’s chemical structure affect the development of subsequent antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)?
Authors: Bialer Meir 
Published: December 2012

SummaryPhenobarbital has been in clinical use as an antiepileptic drug (AED) since 1912. The initial clinical success of phenobarbital and other barbiturates affected the design of subsequent AEDs (e.g., phenytoin, primidone, ethosuximide), developed between 1938 and 1962, the chemical structures of which resemble that of phenobarbital. However, the empirical discovery of carbamazepine (1962) and the serendipitous discovery of valproic acid (1967) led to subsequent AEDs having chemical structures that are diverse and completely different from that of phenobarbital. Sixteen AEDs were introduced between 1990 and 2012. Most of these AEDs were developed empirically, using mechanism‐unbiased anticonvulsant animal models. The empirical nature of the discovery of these AEDs, coupled with their multiple mechanisms of action, explains their diverse chemical structures. The antiepileptic market is therefore crowded. Future design of new AEDs must have a potential for treating nonepileptic central nervous system (CNS) disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, neuropathic pain, migraine prophylaxis, or restless legs syndrome). The barbiturates were once used as sedative‐hypnotic drugs, but have been largely replaced in this role by the much safer benzodiazepines. In contrast, phenobarbital is still used worldwide in epilepsy. Nevertheless, the development of nonsedating phenobarbital derivatives will answer a clinical unmet need and might make this old AED more attractive.
Exercise training‐induced adaptations associated with increases in skeletal muscle glycogen content
Authors: Manabe Yasuko , Gollisch Katja S. C. , Holton Laura , Kim Young‐Bum , Brandauer Josef , Fujii Nobuharu L. , Hirshman Michael F. , Goodyear Laurie J. 
Published: December 2012

Chronic exercise training results in numerous skeletal muscle adaptations, including increases in insulin sensitivity and glycogen content. To understand the mechanism leading to increased muscle glycogen, we studied the effects of exercise training on glycogen regulatory proteins in rat skeletal muscle. Female Sprague Dawley rats performed voluntary wheel running for 1, 4 or 7 weeks. After 7 weeks of training, insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake was increased in epitrochlearis muscle. As compared with sedentary control rats, muscle glycogen did not change after 1 week of training, but increased significantly after 4 and 7 weeks. The increases in muscle glycogen were accompanied by elevated glycogen synthase activity and protein expression. To assess the regulation of glycogen synthase, we examined its major activator, protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and its major deactivator, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3. Consistent with glycogen synthase activity, PP1 activity was unchanged after 1 week of training but significantly increased after 4 and 7 weeks of training. Protein expression of RGL(GM), another regulatory PP1 subunit, significantly decreased after 4 and 7 weeks of training. Unlike PP1 activity, GSK‐3 phosphorylation did not follow the pattern of glycogen synthase activity. The ~ 40% decrease in GSK‐3α phosphorylation after 1 week of exercise training persisted until 7 weeks, and may function as a negative feedback mechanism in response to elevated glycogen. Our findings suggest that exercise training‐induced increases in muscle glycogen content could be regulated by multiple mechanisms, including enhanced insulin sensitivity, glycogen synthase expression, allosteric activation of glycogen synthase, and PP1 activity.
Microbial methane turnover at Marmara Sea cold seeps: a combined 16S rRNA and lipid biomarker investigation
Authors: Chevalier N. , Bouloubassi I. , Birgel D. , Taphanel M.‐H. , López‐García P. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractLipid biomarkers and their stable carbon isotopic composition, as well as 16S rRNA gene sequences, were investigated in sediment cores from active seepage zones in the Sea of Marmara (Turkey) located on the active North Anatolian Fault, to assess processes associated with methane turnover by indigenous microbial communities. Diagnostic 13C‐depleted archaeal lipids of anaerobic methane oxidizers were only found in one core from the South of Çinarcik Basin and consist mainly of archaeol, sn‐2 hydroxyarchaeol and various unsaturated pentamethylicosenes. Concurrently, abundant fatty acids (FAs) and a substantial amount of monoalkylglycerolethers (MAGEs), assigned to sulphate‐reducing bacteria, were detected with strong 13C‐depletions. Both microbial lipids and their δ13C values suggest that anaerobic oxidation of methane with sulphate reduction (AOM/SR) occurs, specially in the 10‐ to 12‐cm depth interval. Lipid biomarker results accompanied by 16S rRNA‐based microbial diversity analyses showed that ANME‐2 (ANME‐2a and ‐2c) archaea and Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus and Desulfobulbus deltaproteobacterial clades are the major AOM assemblages, which indicate a shallow AOM community at high methane flux. Apart from the typical AOM lipid biomarker pattern, a 13C‐depleted diunsaturated hydrocarbon, identified as 7,14‐tricosadiene, occurred in the inferred maximum AOM interval at 10–12 cm depth. Its isotopic fingerprint implies that its microbial precursor occurs in close association with the AOM communities. Interestingly, the presence of 7,14‐tricosadiene coincides with the presence of the so‐far uncultured bacterial Candidate Division JS1, often detected in AOM areas. We propose the hypothesis that the JS1 bacterial group could be the potential source of 13C‐depleted tricosadiene. Future testing of this hypothesis is essential to fully determine the role of this bacterial group in AOM.
Abiotic oxidation of Fe(II) by reactive nitrogen species in cultures of the nitrate‐reducing Fe(II) oxidizer Acidovorax sp. BoFeN1 – questioning the existence of enzymatic Fe(II) oxidation
Authors: Klueglein N. , Kappler A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractNitrate‐reducing, Fe(II)‐oxidizing bacteria were suggested to couple with enzymatic Fe(II) oxidation to nitrate reduction. Denitrification proceeds via intermediates (, NO) that can oxidize Fe(II) abiotically at neutral and particularly at acidic pH. Here, we present a revised Fe(II) quantification protocol preventing artifacts during acidic Fe extraction and evaluate the contribution of abiotic vs. enzymatic Fe(II) oxidation in cultures of the nitrate‐reducing, Fe(II) oxidizer Acidovorax sp. BoFeN1. Sulfamic acid used instead of HCl reacts with nitrite and prevents abiotic Fe(II) oxidation during Fe extraction. Abiotic experiments without sulfamic acid showed that acidification of oxic Fe(II) nitrite samples leads to 5.6‐fold more Fe(II) oxidation than in anoxic samples because the formed NO becomes rapidly reoxidized by O2, therefore leading to abiotic oxidation and underestimation of Fe(II). With our revised protocol using sulfamic acid, we quantified oxidation of approximately 7 mm of Fe(II) by BoFeN1 within 4 days. Without addition of sulfamic acid, the same oxidation was detected within only 2 days. Additionally, abiotic incubation of Fe(II) with nitrite in the presence of goethite as surface catalyst led to similar abiotic Fe(II) oxidation rates as observed in growing BoFeN1 cultures. BoFeN1 growth was observed on acetate with N2O as electron acceptor. When adding Fe(II), no Fe(II) oxidation was observed, suggesting that the absence of reactive N intermediates (, NO) precludes Fe(II) oxidation. The addition of ferrihydrite [Fe(OH)3] to acetate/nitrate BoFeN1 cultures led to growth stimulation equivalent to previously described effects on growth by adding Fe(II). This suggests that elevated iron concentrations might provide a nutritional effect rather than energy‐yielding Fe(II) oxidation. Our findings therefore suggest that although enzymatic Fe(II) oxidation by denitrifiers cannot be fully ruled out, its contribution to the observed Fe(II) oxidation in microbial cultures is probably lower than previously suggested and has to be questioned in general until the enzymatic machinery‐mediating Fe(II) oxidation is identified.
Association between CCL2 haplotypes and knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Hulin‐Curtis S. L. , Bidwell J. L. , Perry M. J. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryWe examined five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and reconstructed 5‐locus haplotypes of the CCL2 gene, in knee osteoarthritis (OA) cases and in controls. The CCL2 rs2857657 variant (G) allele was observed more frequently in female knee OA cases than in controls. One haplotype (H5) was observed exclusively in the control group (f = 2.3%). Genetic variation in the CCL2 gene may be associated with knee OA.
Determining the osmolality of over‐concentrated and supplemented infant formulas
Authors: Steele J. R. , Meskell R. J. , Foy J. , Garner A. E. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundHyperosmolar infant feeds can cause osmotic diarrhoea and may be a risk factor for necrotising enterocolitis; the osmolality of infant formula is therefore usually <400 mOsm kg−1. However, in fluid‐restricted infants and those needing nutritional support, formulas may be over‐concentrated or supplemented. The present study aimed to determine the effect of these practices on osmolality.MethodsA clinical laboratory osmometer was used to measure the osmolality of infant formulas. The effect of over‐concentration and supplementation on osmolality was then determined using three and seven different infant formulas, respectively. Osmolalities were measured in triplicate.ResultsThe effect of over‐concentration was shown to be linear using Pepti Junior (Cow & Gate, Trowbridge, UK) at concentrations of 12.8% (standard), 17% and 19%. This linear relationship was also demonstrated with Enfamil A.R. (Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Uxbridge, UK) (15%) and Neocate (SHS International Ltd, Liverpool, UK) (21%). The effect of individual additives on osmolality was found to be similar for the seven infant formulas. All preparations of SMA High Energy (SMA Nutrition, Maidenhead, UK) and five of the 12 preparations of Nutriprem 1 (Cow & Gate) exceeded an osmolality of 400 mOsm kg−1.ConclusionsThe effect of over‐concentrating infant formulas was shown to be linear, meaning that the osmolality at different concentrations can be predicted accurately. The over‐concentrated infant formulas that were measured in the present study did not exceed 400 mOsm kg−1, with the exception of 21% Neocate, which would not be used in practice. When supplemented, some infant formulas exceeded an osmolality of 400 mOsm kg−1; this may be relevant in cases of feed intolerance or in those at risk of necrotising enterocolitis.
Acné et blanchiment de la peau à Lomé (Togo)
Authors: Kombate Koussake , Mouhari‐Toure Abass , Saka Bayaki , Akakpo Abla Séfako , Maboudou Akouavi , Pitché Palokinam , Tchangaï‐Walla Kissem 
Published: December 2012

RésuméObjectif  Cette étude a pour but de décrire les caractéristiques cliniques des patients acnéiques qui utilisent des produits de blanchiment de la peau (SB).Patients et méthodes  Il s’agit d’une étude prospective menée sur une période de 8 mois dans 3 services de dermatologie et une clinique privée. Tous les patients examinés pour une acné ont été inclus dans l’étude.Résultats  L’étude a inclu 119 patients examinés pour une acné, du mois de mars au mois d’octobre 2010. Parmi eux, 48 (40.7 %) procédaient à un blanchiment de la peau (SB). L’hydroquinone a été le premier produit utilisé pour le SB (26 sur 48), suivie par les corticostéroïdes locaux (17 sur 48). Les lésions élémentaires ont été les suivantes: papules (99.2 %), comédons (36.1 %), pustules (63.9 %), pigmentation (26.1 %), cicatrices (21 %) et nodules (20.2 %). L’atteinte acnéique du visage a été observée chez tous les patients (100 %). Les lésions étaient étendues chez 43.7 % des patients. L’étendue des lésions acnéiques n’a pas été statistiquement associée aux SB. Les autres régions du corps concernées ont été le thorax (20.2 %), le dos et les épaules (41.2 %). Le risque relatif de présenter des lésions sur le dos et/ou les épaules quand le patient utilisait des SB a été de 2.71 (IC: 1.08–6.84), ce qui est significatif.Conclusion  L’étude suggère que le dos et les épaules peuvent constituer les principales zones de lésions acnéiques associées avec la pratique du SB. L’influence des différents types de produits n’est pas claire.
Etude épidémiologique de L’Erythème Pigmenté Fixe à Pointe‐Noire
Authors: Ognongo‐Ibiaho A.N. , Atanda H.L. 
Published: December 2012

RésuméUne étude prospective a été menée sur une période de 27 mois, afin de déterminer le profil épidémiologique de l’Erythème pigmenté fixe (EPF) observé au cours d’une consultation dermatologique à Pointe ‐Noire. Au cours de la période d’étude 54 sur 9070 consultants (0,6%) ont souffert d’EPF diagnostiqué cliniquement. Les variables étudiés étaient: L’âge, le sexe, le médicament, le point de vente. L’âge moyen de survenue était de 30 ans. La fréquence de survenue était plus élevée dans le sexe masculin (38 patients) que dans le sexe féminin (16 patients). Les médicaments incriminés étaient: Les sulfamides (48 patients) dont Cotrimoxazole (45 patients) et Sulfadoxine et Pyrémethanine (three patients) Coartem® + Doliprane® (one patient), Chloramphenicol® (one patient), Amidol® (one patient), Duocotexin® + Paracétamol® (one patient), Surquina® (one patient), Amodiaquine® (one patient). Le point de vente était illicite (vendeurs ambulants, marchés) chez 44 patients chez 10 patients, il était licite (pharmacies). Cette étude montre que le Cotrimoxazole acheté dans les points de vente illicites est la principale étiologie de l’EPF dans le service. Ce qui confirme que ces médicaments sont contrefaits. L’implication des dermatologues dans la lutte contre la vente illicite des médicaments contrefaits est à privilégier.