bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased lipopolysaccharide-induced tumour necrosis factor levels and death in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits
Authors: BRITO B E , ROMANO E L , GRUNFELD C 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYNutritional-induced hypercholesterolaemia in New Zealand rabbits causes increased susceptibility to experimental infections. Rabbits fed cholesterol (0·5 g%) for 8 weeks were injected intravenously with varying doses of Escherichia coli 0127: B8 lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 3–100 μg/kg). The levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), and the survival rates of treated rabbits were then measured. Rabbits fed either normal chow or chow impregnated with sesame oil were used as controls. LPS induced higher serum TNF levels in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits than in normal rabbits or rabbits fed with chow containing sesame oil. TNF levels rose faster in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits than in normal rabbits, reaching maximum levels at 60 min and 120 min, respectively, after LPS injection. The survival rate of hypercholesterolaemic rabbits (1/11) was lower than in normal rabbits (6/7) or rabbits fed with the sesame oil chow (4/4) at the higher LPS doses. No death occurred at lower doses. One possible interpretation of these results, also supported by neutralization experiments, is that increased TNF secretion in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits raises the host's susceptibility to experimental endotoxaemia and possibly to Gram-negative infection.
Both VH and VL chains of polyreactive IgM antibody are required for polyreactivity: expression of Fab inEscherichia coli
Authors: CHEUNG S C , TAKEDA S , NOTKINS A L 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYMonoclonal polyreactive antibodies can bind to many structurally dissimilar self and non-self antigens. Neither the precise antigen-binding site on the polyreactive antibody molecule nor the molecular basis of polyreactivity has been elucidated. The present study was initiated to see whether antibody genes encoding the Fab fragment of a human monoclonal polyreactive IgM antibody (MoAb 67) could be efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli, and whether the bacterially expressed Fab fragments possessed biological activity. cDNA encoding the variable domains of the heavy and light chains of MoAb 67 were cloned, amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and expressed in E. coli. Neither the recombinant heavy nor light chain showed antigen-binding activity. In contrast, the recombinant Fab 67 fragment showed the same antigen-binding reactivity profile as the native IgM antibody. It is concluded that the antigen-binding activity of polyreactive antibodies resides in the Fab fragment, and that both the heavy and light chains are required for activity.
The outcome of combined urethropexy and colposuspension for management of bitches with urinary incontinence associated with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence
Authors: Martinoli Stefania , Nelissen Pieter , White Richard A. S. 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo report 1) a combined technique of urethropexy and colposuspension; 2) intra‐ and postoperative complications; and 3) medium term outcome.Study designRetrospective case series.AnimalsFemale dogs (n = 30) with urinary incontinence associated with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) unresponsive to medical management.MethodsThrough a ventral median celiotomy, the bladder was positioned abdominally to permit the urethra to be anchored with single interrupted polypropylene sutures to the prepubic tendon and linea alba. The vagina was freed from the vesicovaginal and rectovaginal attachments and advanced cranially by traction before attachment to the prepubic tendon with polypropylene mattress sutures. Bitches were re‐examined 2 weeks postoperatively; medium term outcome (>6 months) was evaluated by telephone interview of owners.ResultsAt a median follow up of 39.5 months, 21 bitches (70%) were considered to have an “excellent” medium term outcome with complete resolution of their urinary signs; 8 (26.6%) had a “good” outcome, and 3 (10%) had mild transient dysuria postoperatively.ConclusionCombined urethropexy and colposuspension resulted in complete resolution of urinary incontinence in 70% of bitches with USMI and was not associated with major complications.
Obesity: An epidemiological perspective from Asia and its relationship to gastrointestinal and liver cancers
Authors: Goh Li‐Yen , Goh Khean‐Lee 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObesity is major health problem in the Asia‐Pacific region. The proportion of people who are overweight and obese in the region has increased dramatically and is closely linked to the increasing affluence in the region. While the body mass index has been used as a yardstick in many published studies, it has been noted that Asian patients have a greater percentage body fat for a given body mass index and especially abdominal or visceral obesity.The association of obesity and cancers is intriguing and worrisome at the same time, as obesity is rising exponentially throughout the world especially in the Asia‐Pacific region. Evidence of its association with gastrointestinal cancers is well documented and is reported with cardioesophageal, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, and gallbladder cancers. The strength of association varies between individual cancers but is of particular concern with colorectal cancer, which is perhaps the fastest emerging cancer in this region. Biological mechanisms for obesity‐related carcinogenesis have been described, which includes insulin resistance and secretion of adipokines and chronic inflammation. A “dose–response” relationship between severity of excess body weight and risks of cancer has been reported. However, there is a paucity of data looking at a decrease in incidence of these cancers with a decrease in body weight with treatment, for example, bariatric surgery. Such studies will be difficult to perform and which would require a long period of longitudinal follow‐up.
LPS antagonism of TGF‐β signaling results in prolonged survival and activation of rat primary microglia
Authors: Mitchell Kendall , Shah Jill P. , Tsytsikova Lyubov V. , Campbell Ashley M. , Affram Kwame , Symes Aviva J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAccumulating evidence indicates that activated microglia contribute to the neuropathology involved in many neurodegenerative diseases and after traumatic injury to the CNS. The cytokine transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1), a potent deactivator of microglia, should have the potential to reduce microglial‐mediated neurodegeneration. It is therefore perplexing that high levels of TGF‐β1 are found in conditions where microglia are chronically activated. We hypothesized that TGF‐β1 signaling is suppressed in activated microglia. We therefore activated primary rat microglia with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and determined the expression of proteins important to TGF‐β1 signaling. We found that LPS treatment decreased the expression of the TGF‐β receptors, TβR1 and TβR2, and reduced protein levels of Smad2, a key mediator of TGF‐β signaling. LPS treatment also antagonized the ability of TGF‐β to suppress expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and to induce microglial cell death. LPS treatment similarly inhibited the ability of the TGF‐β related cytokine, Activin‐A, to down‐regulate expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and to induce microglial cell death. Together, these data suggest that microglial activators may oppose the actions of TGF‐β1, ensuring continued microglial activation and survival that eventually may contribute to the neurodegeneration prevalent in chronic neuroinflammatory conditions.
imageWe propose that LPS/TLR4 signaling interferes with key components in the TGF‐β1 signaling pathway in primary microglia. As a result, the ability of TGF‐ β1 to exert anti‐inflammatory effects is significantly reduced leading to prolonged survival of classically activated microglia. Identifying the mechanisms by which TGF‐ β1 signaling is targeted during microglia activation may yield novel strategies for deactivating chronically activated microglia.
Healing and recovering after a suicide attempt: a grounded theory study
Authors: Chi Mei‐Ting , Long Ann , Jeang Shiow‐Rong , Ku Yan‐Chiou , Lu Ti , Sun Fan‐Ko 
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectivesTo explore the healing and recovery process following a suicide attempt over 12 months ago.BackgroundLiterature has explored the process leading up to attempted suicide. However, there is a lack of information exploring the healing and recovery process after a suicide attempt.DesignQualitative research using the grounded theory approach.MethodsData were collected during 2010–2011 from the psychiatric outpatient's centre in Taiwan. Interviews were conducted with people who had attempted suicide more than 12 months prior to data collection and had not reattempted since that time (n = 14). Constant comparison analysis was used to scrutinise the data.ResultsFindings demonstrated that healing and recovering evolved in five phases: (1) self‐awareness: gained self‐awareness of their responsibilities in life and their fear of death; (2) the inter‐relatedness of life: awareness of the need to seek help from professionals, friends and family for support; (3) the cyclical nature of human emotions: reappearance of stressors and activators causing psyche disharmony; (4) adjustment: changes in adjustment patterns of behaviour, discovering and owning one's own unique emotions, deflecting attention from stressors and facing reality and (5) acceptance: accepting the reality of life and investing in life.ConclusionThe healing and recovery process symbolises an emotional navigation wheel. While each phase might follow the preceding phase, it is not a linear process, and patients might move backwards and forwards through the phases depending on the nursing interventions they receive coupled with their motivation to heal. It is important for nurses to use advanced communication skills to enable them to co‐travel therapeutically with patients.Relevance to clinical practiceListening to patients' voices and analysing their healing and recovery process could serve as a reference for psychiatric nurses to use to inform therapeutic interventions.
The effect of individualised developmental care practices on the growth and hospitalisation duration of premature infants: the effect of mother's scent and flexion position
Authors: Kardaş Özdemir Funda , Güdücü Tüfekci Fatma 
Published: November 2013

Aim and objectiveTo assess the effect of individualised developmental care practices on the growth and hospitalisation duration of premature infants.BackgroundIt is known that individualised developmental care practices enable premature infants to have enhanced weight gain, decreased intensive care complications, and earlier discharge from the hospital.DesignThe study used an experimental design.MethodsThe study was carried out with premature infants who received treatment and care in the newborn intensive care unit (n = 97). Infants were randomised into three groups: mother's scent, flexion and control. Infants were monitored each day until discharge and the measurements were recorded. The data obtained were analysed by t‐test, percentage distributions, means, chi‐square test, analysis of variance and Bonferroni test.ResultsThere was a significant difference between experimental and control groups in terms of means of their discharge weight and height, and this difference was associated with the mother‐scent group (p < 0·05). While the within‐group difference between hospitalisation and discharge weight means was significant only in the mother‐scent group (p < 0·05), the within‐group difference between hospitalisation and discharge height means was significant in all three groups (p < 0·05). Even though the within‐group difference between means of hospitalisation duration of premature infants was insignificant (p > 0·05), means in the experimental groups were determined to be lower than the means in the control group.ConclusionAs the methods of mother's smell and flexion position interventions support premature infants’ growth and shorten their hospitalisation duration, it is important to use them routinely at newborn intensive care unit.Relevance to clinical practiceNewborn intensive care unit nurses may nurse premature infants in the flexion position to enable them to sense their mother's scent and this may to accelerate their growth and shorten their hospitalisation duration.
Effects of a suicide prevention programme for hospitalised patients with mental illness in South Korea
Authors: Jun Won Hee , Lee Eun Ju , Park Jeong Soon 
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectivesTo investigate the effects of a suicide prevention programme on the levels of depression, self‐esteem, suicidal ideation and spirituality in patients with mental illness.BackgroundInstances of suicide have significant correlations with depression, low self‐esteem, suicidal ideation and a low level of spirituality in the victims. Therefore, addressing depression, low self‐esteem and suicidal ideation as suicide risk factors and increasing levels of spirituality can constitute an effective programme to prevent suicide among patients with mental illness.DesignThe study was a quasi‐experimental study with a nonequivalent control group, nonsynchronised design.ParticipantsThe study sample consisted of 45 patients with mental illness who had been admitted to the psychiatric unit in a university hospital in South Korea. The patients were assigned to control and experimental groups of 23 and 22 members, respectively.MethodsThe suicide prevention programme was conducted with the experimental group over four weeks and included eight sessions (two per week). The control group received only routine treatments in the hospital.ResultsThe experimental group that participated in the programme had significantly decreased mean scores for depression and suicidal ideation compared with the control group. However, there were no significant differences in the mean scores for self‐esteem and spirituality between the groups.ConclusionThe suicide prevention programme might be usefully applied as a nursing intervention for patients hospitalised in psychiatric wards or clinics where the goals are to decrease depression and suicidal ideation.Relevance to clinical practiceTypical treatments for hospitalised patients with mental illness are not enough to prevent suicide. Intervention for suicide prevention needs to apply an integrated approach. The suicide prevention programme using an integrated approach is more effective in reducing depression and suicidal ideation in patients with mental illness than applying routine treatments in the hospital.
Th1 immune responses can be modulated by varying dimethyldioctadecylammonium and distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine content in liposomal adjuvants
Authors: Hussain Mohammed Jubair , Wilkinson Alexander , Bramwell Vincent W , Christensen Dennis , Perrie Yvonne 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Objectives
Cationic liposomes of dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) combined with trehalose 6,6′-dibehenate (TDB) elicit strong cell-mediated and antibody immune responses; DDA facilitates antigen adsorption and presentation while TDB potentiates the immune response. To further investigate the role of DDA, DDA was replaced with the neutral lipid of distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) over a series of concentrations and these systems investigated as adjuvants for the delivery of Ag85B–ESAT-6-Rv2660c, a multistage tuberculosis vaccine.

Methods
Liposomal were prepared at a 5 : 1 DDA–TDB weight ratio and DDA content incrementally replaced with DSPC. The physicochemical characteristics were assessed (vesicle size, zeta potential and antigen loading), and the ability of these systems to act as adjuvants was considered.

Key findings
As DDA was replaced with DSPC within the liposomal formulation, the cationic nature of the vesicles decreases as does electrostatically binding of the anionic H56 antigen (Hybrid56; Ag85B-ESAT6-Rv2660c); however, only when DDA was completed replaced with DSPC did vesicle size increase significantly. T-helper 1 (Th1)-type cell-mediated immune responses reduced. This reduction in responses was attributed to the replacement of DDA with DSPC rather than the reduction in DDA dose concentration within the formulation.

Conclusion
These results suggest Th1 responses can be controlled by tailoring the DDA/DSPC ratio within the liposomal adjuvant system.
A Comparison of DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 Definitions for Sexual Dysfunctions: Critiques and Challenges
Authors: Sungur Mehmet Z. , Gündüz Anil 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Introduction
The diagnostic criteria of sexual dysfunctions (SDs) are paramount for the development of sexual medicine as reliable diagnoses are essential to guide treatment plans. Prior Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifications based definitions of SD mostly on expert opinions and included imprecise terms. The validity of diagnoses of SD has only recently been challanged, and efforts are made to make more operational definitions.

Aim
This paper aims to compare and contrast the recently released Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria of SD with that of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) and explains the rationale for making changes in the new DSM-5. It also aims to address some issues to be considered further for the future.

Methods
Online proposed American Psychiatric Association website DSM-5, the new released DSM-5, and DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for SD were throughly inspected, and an extensive literature search was performed for comparative reasons.

Main Outcome Measures
Changes in diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 were detected, and DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for SD were compared and contrasted.

Results
Diagostic criteria were more operationalized, and explicit duration and frequency criteria were set up in DSM-5 for purposes of good clinical research. Classifications based on simple linear sexual response were abondoned, and diagnostic classifications were separetely made for males and females. Desire and arousal disorders in women were merged.

Conclusions
Drifting apart from linear sexual response cycle may be an advancement in establishing specific diagnostic criteria for different genders. However, it is still a question of debate whether there is enough evidence to lump sexual interest and arousal disorders in females. Making more precise definitions is important to differentiate disorders from other transient conditions. However, there is still room to improve our definitions and find a way to include gay and lesbian individuals. Further discussions and debates are expected to be continued in the future.
A 12‐Week, Open Label, Multi‐Center Study to Evaluate the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Silodosin on Voiding Dysfunction in Patients with Neurogenic Bladder
Authors: MOON Kyung Hyun , PARK Choal‐Hee , JUNG Hee‐Chang , OH Tae‐Hee , KIM Jae‐Soo , KIM Duk‐Yoon 
Published: November 2013

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical effect and safety of α1A‐adrenoceptor blocker, silodosin, in patients with voiding dysfunction caused by neurogenic bladder.MethodsFrom April 2011 to January 2012, patients who were diagnosed as potential voiding dysfunction associated with neurogenic bladder, aged ≥ 20 years were enrolled. Silodosin (8 mg/day) was administered once daily in the morning with food. The efficacy was assessed at the baseline and after 12 weeks of the treatment having following parameters of international prostate symptom score and other measures including the maximum flow rate and the postvoid residual urine volume.ResultsA total of 97 patients were screened and 95 were enrolled. Of these 95 patients, 82 patients were completed and included in analysis. After 12‐weeks of treatment, mean total international prostate symptom score decreased significantly from 22.23 ± 6.80 to 14.98 ± 9.48 (P = 0.0002). Voiding symptoms and storage symptoms were also improved by decreasing in international prostate symptom score‐QoL from 4.62 ± 0.92 to 3.48 ± 1.63 (P < 0.0001). Maximum flow rate increased significantly from 10.72 ± 2.66 to 15.14 ± 6.63 (P < 0.0001). The main adverse event was ejaculation disorder. No serious adverse events related to silodosin were noted.ConclusionsThis study indicates that silodosin was significantly effective, well tolerated and safe in patients who have voiding dysfunction associated with neurogenic bladder.
Parent perspectives on decisions to participate in a phase I hepatocyte transplant trial
Authors: Dreyzin Alexandra , Barnato Amber E. , Soltys Kyle A. , Farris Coreen , Sada Rachel , Haberman Kimberly , Fox Ira J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe examined factors that affect decision‐making for families presented with a phase I clinical trial of hepatocyte transplant as a potential alternative to liver transplant for their children among two groups: (i) families who were actually offered enrollment in the hepatocyte trial and; (ii) families whose children had liver transplants before the trial was available. We conducted semi‐structured interviews about actual and hypothetical decision‐making regarding trial participation and used grounded theory analysis to identify common themes. The most common motivator for participation was decline in the child's health. The most common deterrent was lack of data from prior hepatocyte transplants, particularly when compared with data available about liver transplant. Interviewees’ point of comparison for evaluating relative benefits and risks of hepatocyte transplant oscillated between the alternative of doing nothing while waiting for a liver (the relevant alternative) vs. the alternative of getting a liver. These results suggest that families’ reluctance to participate may result from misconceptions about severity of the child's disease, underestimating risks of liver transplant, or confusion about the role of hepatocyte transplant in the treatment pathway. Clarification of available treatment alternatives and associated risks as part of informed consent may improve the quality of decision‐making regarding trial enrollment.
Donor T‐cell chimerism and early post‐transplant cytomegalovirus viremia in patients treated with myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Taimur S. , Askar M. , Sobecks R. , Rybicki L. , Warshawsky I. , Mossad S. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundCytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common infection after myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (M‐alloHSCT). Achievement of complete donor T‐cell chimerism (CDC‐T) post transplant is a measure of immune reconstitution. We investigated the association between CDC‐T post M‐alloHSCT and the incidence of CMV viremia.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all CMV and chimerism results of 47 patients for the first 6 months post M‐alloHSCT. CDC‐T was analyzed as a time‐varying covariate for association with post M‐alloHSCT CMV viremia.ResultsCMV viremia occurred in 15 (32%) and CDC‐T was achieved in 38 (81%) recipients within the first 6 months post M‐alloHSCT. On univariable analysis, increased CMV viremia was seen among patients with CDC‐T (hazard ratio 2.81 [P = 0.07, 95% confidence interval = 0.93–8.52]). A 30‐day landmark analysis showed that the incidence of CMV viremia at 6 months (regardless of recipient CMV serostatus) was 50% among those who had achieved CDC‐T by day 30, and 23% among those who had not (P = 0.06).ConclusionWe conclude that shorter time to CDC‐T may be associated with higher risk of CMV viremia. If confirmed in a larger cohort, this might be a marker for risk stratification in the management of CMV in this population.