bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Follow up of intima–media thickness after severe early‐onset preeclampsia
Authors: Blaauw Judith , Souwer Esteban T.D. , Coffeng Sophie M. , Smit Andries J. , van Doormaal Jasper J. , Faas Marijke M. , van Pampus Maria G. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveEarly‐onset preeclampsia is associated with premature cardiovascular disease. We previously demonstrated that femoral intima–media thickness (IMT) and markers of cardiovascular disease were increased in women 1 year after early‐onset preeclampsia. The current study measured (progression of) IMT, cardiovascular disease risk factors and markers of endothelial cell dysfunction 4–5 years postpartum in the same women.Study designCase–control study.PopulationFormerly preeclamptic women.MethodsIMT of carotid and femoral arteries was measured by ultrasound, as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Various conventional cardiovascular risk factors were determined, as well as serum markers of endothelial cell activation and inflammation. Values were compared with those 1 year after the first (preeclamptic) pregnancy.Main outcome measuresIMT.ResultsWe included 17 formerly preeclamptic women (cases) and 16 controls. Mean interval between index delivery and day of investigation was 4.7 years for the cases and 4.3 years for the controls. Neither differences nor progression of IMT was observed between the cases and the controls. Increased blood pressure, body mass index, serum triglycerides and inflammatory markers were found in the cases compared with the controls.ConclusionIMT was not increased in women with an almost 5‐year history of severe preeclampsia as an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk. This study suggests a transient adaptive response of the arteries in formerly preeclamptic women. The persistence of cardiovascular risk factors in this group emphasizes the need for long‐term follow‐up.
Optic nerve and retinal features in uveitis associated with juvenile systemic granulomatous disease (Blau syndrome)
Authors: Carreño Ester , Guly Catherine M. , Chilov Michael , Hinchcliffe Annie , Arostegui Juan I. , Lee Richard W. J. , Dick Andrew D. , Ramanan Athimalaipet V. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPurposeTo determine whether patients with juvenile systemic granulomatous disease (JSGD) (Blau syndrome) and uveitis have a characteristic ocular phenotype.MethodsClinical and imaging data were collected retrospectively from patients attending the Regional Combined Paediatric Rheumatology and Ocular Inflammatory Service, Bristol Eye Hospital. General demographic information, laterality of the uveitis, age at onset, anatomical classification and course of the uveitis, clinical phenotype and specific NOD2 mutation were recorded for each patient.ResultsSeventeen eyes from nine patients (five males; four females) were included in the study. Mean age at the disease onset was 15 months, range 1–84 months. Eight patients had bilateral uveitis. Anterior uveitis was present in five eyes, intermediate uveitis in two eyes, and there were 10 eyes with panuveitis, manifesting as multifocal choroiditis. Appearance of optic disc included indistinct disc margins in six eyes, optic nerve head pallor in six eyes, optic disc vessel sheathing in four eyes, and there was peripapillary hypo/hyperpigmentation in 13 eyes accompanied with characteristic peripapillary nodular excrescences. Among NOD2 mutations, the p.R334W was the most commonly detected (n: four cases), and three patients carried novel variants, the p.E338D and p.D390V variants in one patient, and the p.H520Y and p.Q809K variants in two different patients.ConclusionsChronic bilateral panuveitis and a nodular peripapillary appearance in childhood onset uveitis are characteristic features of JSGD, which support the need for an appropriate genetic NOD2 analysis.
Contribution of the dorsal branch of the accessory nerve to the innervation of the trapezius muscle in the pig – a retrograde tracing study
Authors: Dudek Agnieszka , Sienkiewicz Waldemar , Kaleczyc Jerzy 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe study was aimed to establish the contribution of the dorsal branch of the accessory nerve (DBXI) to the innervation of the porcine trapezius muscle (TRAP). Combined retrograde tracing using fluorescent tracer Fast blue (FB) and surgical denervation procedure (excision of DBXI segment) were applied. FB+ neurons supplying the cervical (c‐TRAP) and thoracic part (th‐TRAP) of TRAP were localized in following nerve centres: the ipsilateral ventral horn of the grey matter of cervical neuromers, ipsilateral spinal ganglia and bilateral sympathetic chain ganglia. After the excision of DBXI segment, no FB+ motoneurons supplying c‐TRAP were found while the mean number of those supplying th‐TRAP was significantly decreased. A slight decrease in average numbers of sensory and autonomic neurons implemented in the innervation of both parts of TRAP was also observed. This study has revealed that in the pig DBXI is the only motor pathway to c‐TRAP while the vast majority of motoneurons supplying porcine th‐TRAP send their axons via DBXI.
Proton pump inhibitors do not impair the effectiveness of metformin in patients with diabetes
Authors: Flory James , Haynes Kevin , Leonard Charles E. , Hennessy Sean 
Published: September 2014

AimsIn order to exert its pharmacodynamic effect, the diabetes drug metformin needs to be taken up into hepatocytes by the organic cation transporter (OCT) system. A recent in vitro study found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) inhibit OCT1, OCT2 and OCT3, suggesting that PPIs might reduce metformin's effectiveness. This pharmacoepidemiologic study looked for evidence of a clinical effect of such an interaction.MethodsThis was an observational cohort study examining changes in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) with exposure to metformin and to PPIs as single agents and in combination. The aim was to assess evidence of a deleterious drug−drug interaction.ResultsPPIs did not reduce the effectiveness of metformin, and indeed were associated with a minimally better glycaemic response by − 0.06 HbA1c percentage points (95% confidence interval, −0.10, −0.01) in metformin initiators.ConclusionsDespite a mechanistic basis for a potential drug–drug interaction, we found no evidence of a deleterious interaction between PPIs and metformin.
Development and validation of a system of assimilation indices: A mixed method approach to understand change in psychotherapy
Authors: Neto David D. , Baptista Telmo M. , Dent‐Brown Kim 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesAssimilation is an important process in understanding change in psychotherapy. Similar to other psychological processes, assimilation may be traceable in the speech of clients by attending to its signs or indices. In the present research, we aimed to build a system of indices of assimilation.Design and methodsThis research follows a mixed method design. The indices were derived through qualitative analysis, using grounded theory. Subsequently, the indices were adjusted quantitatively and applied to 30 single psychotherapy sessions of adult clients with depression and 11 therapists. Forty‐two indices were found and grouped into the following five process categories of assimilation: external distress, pain, noticing, decentring and action.ResultsThe indices showed good inter‐rater reliability and internal consistency. Except for noticing, all process categories correlated significantly with each other according to conceptual proximity. The system of indices also showed convergent validity with an existing coding system of assimilation for two process categories.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the system of indices is a useful approach for understanding assimilation. The consideration of assimilation in a continuous fashion through sub‐processes may help to extend our knowledge of this process and provide a tool for clinical practice.Practitioner points

Assimilation is an important process in understanding change in psychotherapy in the sense that it takes into account insight and action‐related processes.

Clients convey in their speech signs or indices of the assimilation process which can be observed both in the style and content of their utterances.

Using these indices, therapists can continuously assess assimilation and use this information in choosing interventions.

Limitations

This study follows a cross‐sectional design and does not allow consideration of the predictive value of the indices.

The outcome of the therapy was not taken into account, which restricts validity considerations to the comparison with an existing instrument and the observation of the relation between sub‐processes of assimilation.
Clinical characteristics and healthcare utilization of patients with multicentric Castleman disease
Authors: Casper Corey , Teltsch Dana Y. , Robinson Don , Desrosiers Marie‐Pierre , Rotella Philip , Dispenzieri Angela , Qi Ming , Habermann Thomas , Reynolds Matthew W. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryMulticentric Castleman disease (MCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disease. Little is known about how patient clinical features and healthcare utilization varies by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and disease subtype. Data of MCD patients identified between 2000 and 2009 were collected from medical records at two United States treatment centres. Clinical, demographic, and biochemical characteristics, drug therapies and medical utilization were descriptively reported by HIV status and cell histology, and statistically compared with the Fisher's Exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Patients (n = 59) had a pathologically and clinically confirmed MCD diagnosis: plasmacytic (42%), hyaline vascular (29%) and mixed (15%); 10% had HIV infection. In the first year after diagnosis, MCD patients on average saw a healthcare provider more than six times, were hospitalized at least once and underwent frequent radiological and laboratory testing. Rituximab was the most commonly used drug therapy, followed by corticosteroids and conventional chemotherapy. One‐ and 2‐year survival was excellent in HIV‐negative patients (100% and 97%, respectively) but inferior for HIV‐positive cases (67% and 67%, respectively). Heterogeneous treatment decisions were observed in this MCD study; HIV status was the only distinguishing clinical criteria associated with pharmacotherapies. Additional research is necessary to guide treatment of this rare lymphoproliferative disorder.
‘I saw Santa drinking soda!’ Advertising and children's food preferences
Authors: Lioutas E. D. , Tzimitra‐Kalogianni I. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe influence of advertising on children's food preferences is well documented in the research literature. In this study we aim to examine the ways in which food advertising propels children's consumer behaviour and to investigate how food advertising affects the frequency of unhealthy food consumption.MethodsData were drawn from a sample of elementary school children in the region of Thessaly (Greece). Three scales were used to measure children's lifestyle patterns, food consumption frequencies, and their response to advertising. Univariate and inferential statistics were used to answer the research questions.ResultsThe analysis revealed that a significant proportion of children (47.4%) frequently consume unhealthy foods. Children who have little understanding of the persuasive intent of advertising rate advertised foods as healthier and more nutritious. The frequency of unhealthy food consumption is influenced by the entertaining dimension of advertising and the level of the motivational arousal after children's exposure to food advertisements.ConclusionsFood advertising impels children's consumer behaviour through four different modes. First, advertising engenders expectations, which raise purchase motivation. Second, the purchase of advertised foods is accompanied by positive feelings (happiness, satisfaction). Third, the entertaining dimension of advertising generates pleasant mood, which positively predisposes the evaluation of advertised foods. Fourth, children do not always possess the ability to recognize the persuasive nature of advertising.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of QGE031 (ligelizumab), a novel high‐affinity anti‐IgE antibody, in atopic subjects
Authors: Arm J. P. , Bottoli I. , Skerjanec A. , Floch D. , Groenewegen A. , Maahs S. , Owen C. E. , Jones I. , Lowe P. J. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryBackgroundUsing a monoclonal antibody with greater affinity for IgE than omalizumab, we examined whether more complete suppression of IgE provided greater pharmacodynamic effects, including suppression of skin prick responses to allergen.ObjectiveTo explore the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of QGE031 (ligelizumab), a novel high‐affinity humanized monoclonal IgG1κ anti‐IgE.MethodsPreclinical assessments and two randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind clinical trials were conducted in atopic subjects. The first trial administered single doses of QGE031 (0.1–10 mg/kg) or placebo intravenously, while the second trial administered two to four doses of QGE031 (0.2– 4 mg/kg) or placebo subcutaneously at 2‐week intervals. Both trials included an open‐label omalizumab arm.ResultsSixty of 73 (82%) and 96 of 110 (87%) subjects completed the intravenous and subcutaneous studies, respectively. Exposure to QGE031 and its half‐life depended on the QGE031 dose and serum IgE level. QGE031 had a biexponential pharmacokinetic profile after intravenous administration and a terminal half‐life of approximately 20 days. QGE031 demonstrated dose‐ and time‐dependent suppression of free IgE, basophil FcεRI and basophil surface IgE superior in extent (free IgE and surface IgE) and duration to omalizumab. At Day 85, 6 weeks after the last dose, skin prick wheal responses to allergen were suppressed by > 95% and 41% in subjects treated subcutaneously with QGE031 (2 mg/kg) or omalizumab, respectively (P < 0.001). Urticaria was observed in QGE031‐ and placebo‐treated subjects and was accompanied by systemic symptoms in one subject treated with 10 mg/kg intravenous QGE031. There were no serious adverse events.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceThese first clinical data for QGE031, a high‐affinity IgG1κ anti‐IgE, demonstrate that increased suppression of free IgE compared with omalizumab translated to superior pharmacodynamic effects in atopic subjects, including those with high IgE levels. QGE031 may therefore benefit patients unable to receive, or suboptimally treated with, omalizumab.
Asthma and allergy development: contrasting influences of yeasts and other fungal exposures
Authors: Behbod B. , Sordillo J. E. , Hoffman E. B. , Datta S. , Webb T. E. , Kwan D. L. , Kamel J. A. , Muilenberg M. L. , Scott J. A. , Chew G. L. , Platts‐Mills T. A. E. , Schwartz J. , Coull B. , Burge H. , Gold D. R. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryBackgroundInfancy is a developmental stage with heightened susceptibility to environmental influences on the risk of chronic childhood disease. Few birth cohort studies have detailed measures of fungal diversity data in infants' bedrooms, limiting the potential to measure long‐term associations of these complex exposures with development of asthma or allergy.ObjectiveWe evaluated the relation of home fungal levels in infancy to repeated measures of wheeze and development of asthma and rhinitis by age 13, and sensitization by age 12 years.MethodsIn the Epidemiology of Home Allergens and Asthma prospective birth cohort study, we recruited 408 children with family history of allergic disease or asthma. When children were aged 2–3 months, we measured culturable fungi in bedroom air and dust, and in outdoor air. Main outcomes included ascertainment of symptoms/disease onset by questionnaire from birth through age 13. We estimated hazard ratios and, for wheeze and sensitization, odds ratios for an interquartile increase in log‐transformed fungal concentrations, adjusting for other outcome predictors and potential confounders.ResultsElevated levels of yeasts in bedroom floor dust were associated with reduced: i) wheeze at any age; ii) fungal sensitization; and iii) asthma development by age 13 (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), [0.75 to 0.98]). Outdoor airborneCladosporiumand dustborneAspergilluspredicted increased rhinitis. Risk of fungal sensitization by age 12, in response to environmentalAlternariaandAspergillus, was elevated in children with a maternal history of fungal sensitization.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceDespite the irritant and allergenic properties of fungi, early‐life elevated dust yeast exposures or their components may be protective against allergy and asthma in children at risk for these outcomes. Ascertainment of fungal components associated with immunoprotective effects may have therapeutic relevance for asthma.
Epitope analysis of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6: characteristic patterns of IgE‐binding fingerprints among individuals with similar clinical histories
Authors: Otsu K. , Guo R. , Dreskin S. C. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryBackgroundAra h 2 and Ara h 6 are moderately homologous and highly potent peanut allergens.ObjectiveTo identify IgE‐binding linear epitopes of Ara h 6, compare them to those of Ara h 2, and to stratify binding based on clinical histories.MethodsThirty highly peanut‐allergic subjects were stratified by clinical history. Sera were diluted to contain the same amount of anti‐peanut IgE. IgE binding to overlapping 20‐mer peptides of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 was assessed using microarrays.ResultsEach subject had a unique IgE‐binding fingerprint to peptides; these data were coalesced into epitope binding. IgE from subjects with a history of more severe reactions (n = 19) had a smaller frequency of binding events (BEs) for both Ara h 2 (52 BEs of 152 (19X8epitopes) possible BEs and Ara h 6 (13 BEs of 133 (19X7 epitopes) possible BEs) compared to IgE from those with milder histories (n = 11) (Ara h 2: 47 BEs of 88 (11X8 epitopes) possible BEs, P < 0.01; Ara h 6: 25 BEs of 77 (11X7 epitopes) possible BEs, P < 0.001). Using an unsupervised hierarchal cluster analysis, subjects with similar histories tended to cluster. We have tentatively identified a high‐risk pattern of binding to peptides of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6, predominantly in subjects with a history of more severe reactions (OR = 12.6; 95% CI: 2.0–79.5; P < 0.01).Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceIgE from patients with more severe clinical histories recognize fewer linear epitopes of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 than do subjects with milder reactions and bind these epitopes in characteristic patterns. Close examination of IgE binding to epitopes of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 may have prognostic value.
Chlorhexidine in cosmetic products – a market survey
Authors: Opstrup Morten S. , Johansen Jeanne D. , Bossi Rossana , Lundov Michael D. , Garvey Lene H. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryBackgroundChlorhexidine may cause type I and type IV allergy. Some chlorhexidine‐allergic individuals have been exposed in the healthcare setting as patients or healthcare workers, but for others the source of sensitization is unknown. Chlorhexidine may be used as a preservative or an antimicrobial agent in cosmetic products at a concentration up to 0.3%, as set by the European Cosmetics Directive (now Regulations).ObjectivesTo identify cosmetic product types containing chlorhexidine, and to measure the concentration of chlorhexidine in selected products.MethodsBetween February 2013 and April 2013, we checked for chlorhexidine in cosmetic products in 14 supermarkets, one hairdressing salon and one beauty and retail store in Copenhagen, Denmark by reading the ingredient labels. The chlorhexidine concentration was measured in 10 selected products by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet (UV) detector.ResultsChlorhexidine was found in 80 of 2251 checked products (3.6%) in the following categories: hair products (57/760), creams (9/324), face washes (4/24), wet wipes (4/63), skin tonics (3/22), make‐up removers (2/25), and mouth washes (1/17). Chlorhexidine concentrations were 0.01–0.15%.ConclusionsWe found chlorhexidine in various cosmetic product types, predominantly aimed at females, and in hair products. The measured chlorhexidine concentrations were all within the permitted limit. The relevance for allergic sensitization should be further explored.
A technical modification of video‐assisted ablation for recurrent pilonidal sinus
Authors: Milone M. , Bianco P. , Musella M. , Milone F. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThe study evaluated, in a proof of concept, the usefulness of a prosthesis (plug) in addition to video assisted ablation of pilonidal sinus (VAAPS) for treatment of recurrent pilonidal sinus.MethodThis is a case series of recurrent complex pilonidal sinus treated by VAAPS plus plug positioning.ResultsFour patients were analysed. All were successfully treated by this new approach. No difficulties in inserting the plug were identified. Complete healing was achieved in all cases. No infection or recurrence was reported during a limited follow‐up.ConclusionThis new technique allows a minimally invasive scarless approach to recurrent pilonidal sinus.
Adipogenic differentiation potential of adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells from ovariectomized mice
Authors: Fu Y. , Li R. , Zhong J. , Fu N. , Wei X. , Cun X. , Deng S. , Li G. , Xie J. , Cai X. , Lin Y. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectivesIn human post‐menopausal osteoporosis, enhanced adipogenesis in bone marrow and enhanced formation of adipose tissue in vivo are observed. These changes correlate with reduced trabecular bone volume and increased adipocyte cell size as well as cell number. However, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying osteoporosis‐related changes in adipocyte cell volume are not known. This study was designed to compare adipogenic potential of adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) obtained from ovariectomized mice with that of control ADSCs, and to analyse pathological mechanisms from the point of functional changes of ADSCs.Materials and methodsHealthy female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into ovariectomy and sham‐surgery groups. Mouse ADSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro up to passage 3. After adipogenic induction, oil red O staining of lipid droplets was used to detect adipogenic ability of ADSCs; real‐time PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect expression of adipogenesis‐related genes and proteins.ResultsAs indicated by increased expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes and proteins, and lipid droplets accumulation shown by oil red‐O staining, adipogenic differentiation of ADSCs was significantly enhanced in the ovariectomy group compared to the sham‐surgery group (P < 0.05).ConclusionThese findings suggest that enhanced adipogenic differentiation of ADSCs is likely to be the important cause for increased adipogenesis in vivo and subsequent obesity‐like changes in body mass, in mice, after ovariectomy.
Retrieval of the pancreas allograft for whole‐organ transplantation
Authors: Fridell Jonathan A. , Powelson John A. , Kubal Chandrashekhar A. , Burke George W. , Sageshima Junichiro , Rogers Jeffrey , Stratta Robert J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractProper pancreas retrieval during multi‐organ recovery is one of the cornerstones of technically successful whole‐organ pancreas transplantation. With evolving surgical approaches for organ retrieval and implantation, it has become standard to procure the pancreas in conjunction with other abdominal organs without compromising either vasculature, graft quality, or transplant outcomes. This review summarizes the major steps required for proper whole‐organ retrieval of the pancreas allograft with suggestions and tips whenever alternative approaches are available.