bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of intravenous amiodarone in children
Authors: Ramusovic Sergej , Läer Stephanie , Meibohm Bernd , Lagler Florian B , Paul Thomas 
Published: September 2013

ObjectivesAlthough amiodarone is an effective treatment for severe paediatric arrhythmias, uncertainties about adverse effects such as hypotension, bradycardia and excessive serum drug concentrations persist. Therefore, the aims of this study were to: (a) determine serum concentrations of intravenous (IV) amiodarone following a widely implemented dosing regimen of 5 mg/kg bolus plus a 10 mg/kg/day continuous infusion and (b) generate descriptive data on safety parameters such as hypotension, bradycardia or corrected QT (QTc) prolongation during this regimen.DesignProspective observational study.SettingPaediatric intensive care unit.PatientsTwenty paediatric patients (median age, 0.23 years; range, 6 days–15.04 years) with arrhythmia secondary to or without cardiac surgery.InterventionsNone.Main outcome measuresAmiodarone serum concentrations, blood pressure, heart rate, QTc intervals.ResultsAmiodarone serum concentrations increased markedly during bolus, followed by rapid decreases during maintenance infusion. All patients had serum concentrations regarded as effective in adults (median concentration range: 1.30–2.06 µM/L during maintenance phase). Amiodarone suppressed arrhythmias in 18 (90%) patients. Mean QTc intervals for pretherapy, during and post-therapy periods were 443 ms, 458 ms and 467 ms, respectively. Eight patients had hypotension.ConclusionsAmiodarone was effective in the majority of children in this small cohort.
Changes in cardiovascular risk factors in relation to increasing ethnic inequalities in cardiovascular mortality: comparison of cross-sectional data in the Health Surveys for England 1999 and 2004
Authors: Bhopal Raj S , Humphry Roger W , Fischbacher Colin M 
Published: September 2013

ObjectivesReducing disease inequalities requires risk factors to decline quickest in the most disadvantaged populations. Our objective was to assess whether this happened across the UK's ethnic groups.DesignSecondary analysis of repeated but independent cross-sectional studies focusing on Health Surveys for England 1999 and 2004.SettingCommunity-based population level surveys in England.ParticipantsSeven populations from the major ethnic groups in England (2004 sample sizes): predominantly White general (6704), Irish (1153), Chinese (723), Indian (1184), Pakistani (941), Bangladeshi (899) and Black Caribbean (1067) populations. The numbers were smaller for specific variables, especially blood tests.Outcome measuresData on 10 established cardiovascular risk factors were extracted from published reports. Differences between 1999 and 2004 were defined a priori as occurring when the 95% CI excluded 0 (for prevalence differences), or 1 (for risk ratios) or when there was a 5% or more change (independent of CIs).ResultsGenerally, there were reductions in smoking and blood pressure and increases in the waist–hip ratio, body mass index and diabetes. Changes between 1999 and 2004 indicated inconsistent progress and increasing inequalities. For example, total cholesterol increased in Pakistani (0.3 mmol/L) and Bangladeshi men (0.3 mmol/L), and in Pakistani (0.3 mmol/L), Bangladeshi (0.4 mmol/L) and Black Caribbean women (0.3 mmol/L). Increases in absolute risk factor levels were common, for example, in Pakistani (five risk factors), Bangladeshi (four factors) and general population women (four factors). For men, Black Caribbeans had the most (five factor) increases. The changes relative to the general population were also adverse for three risk factors in Pakistani and Black Caribbean men, four in Bangladeshi women and three in Pakistani women.ConclusionsChanges in populations with the most cardiovascular disease and diabetes did not decline the quickest. Cardiovascular screening programmes need more targeting.
Job strain and depressive symptoms in men and women: a prospective study of the working population in Sweden
Authors: Theorell Töres , Hammarström Anne , Gustafsson Per E , Magnusson Hanson Linda , Janlert Urban , Westerlund Hugo 
Published: September 2013

BackgroundSeveral prospective studies have indicated increased risk of developing depressive symptoms in employees who report psychologically demanding and uncontrollable work (job strain). There are diverging findings regarding gender differences in this relationship. The aim was to analyse whether men and women differ with regard to the prospective relationship between adverse psychosocial work environment and depressive symptoms during a 2-year period.MethodThe Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health cohort based on representative recruitment of working men and women in Sweden was used. 2731 men and 3446 women had answered questions regarding work environment and mental health in 2008 and 2010. Psychological demands, decision authority, age and income as well as depressive symptoms in 2008 were used as predictors of depressive symptoms in 2010.ResultsWomen reported less decision authority at work and their demand level developed more unfavourably than did men’s—resulting in increased job strain gap between men and women from 2008 to 2010. The relationship between demand and decision authority (and job strain) on one hand and depressive symptoms on the other hand was not statistically different in men and women.ConclusionsOverall, women reported higher levels of job strain than men. In Sweden, job strain was as strongly related to depressive symptoms among men as among women.
Conservatism of Late Pennsylvanian vegetational patterns during short-term cyclic and long-term directional environmental change, western equatorial Pangea
Authors: Tabor Neil J. , Romanchock Charles M. , Looy Cynthia V. , Hotton Carol L. , Dimichele William A. , Chaney Dan S. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Patterns of plant distribution by palaeoenvironment were examined across the Pennsylvanian–Permian transition in North–Central Texas. Stratigraphically recurrent packages of distinct lithofacies, representing different habitats, contain qualitatively and quantitatively different macrofloras and microfloras. The species pools demonstrate niche conservatism, remaining closely tied to specific habitats, during both short-term cyclic environmental change and a long-term trend of increasing aridity. The deposits examined principally comprise the terrestrial Markley and its approximate marine equivalent, the Harpersville Formation and parts of lower Archer City Formation. Fossiliferous deposits are lens-like, likely representing fill sequences of channels formed during abandonment phases. Palaeosols, represented by blocky mudstones, comprise a large fraction of the deposits. They suggest progressive climate change from minimally seasonal humid to seasonal subhumid to seasonal dry subhumid. Five lithofacies yielded plants: kaolinite-dominated siltstone, organic shale, mudstone beds within organic shale, coarsening upward mudstone–sandstone interbeds and channel sandstone. Both macro- and microflora were examined. Lithofacies proved compositionally distinct, with different patterns of dominance diversity. Organic shales (swamp deposits), mudstone partings (swamp drainages) and coarsening upward mudstone–sandstone interbeds (floodplains) typically contain Pennsylvanian wetland vegetation. Kaolinite-dominated siltstones and (to the extent known) sandstones contain taxa indicative of seasonally dry substrates. Some kaolinite-dominated siltstones and organic shales/coals yielded palynomorphs. Microfloras are more diverse, with greater wetland–dryland overlap than macrofloras. It appears that these two floras were coexistent at times on the regional landscape.
Geochemical record of Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous events, Palaeozoic of Graz, Eastern Alps, Austria
Authors: Bojar Ana-Voica , Neubauer Franz , Koeberl Christian 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

The late Famennian mass extinction has been associated with a worldwide anoxic event evidenced at many sites by the accumulation of organic-rich shales starting prior to the Devonian–Carboniferous (D/C) boundary. Environmental reconstructions are hampered by the fact that only a few D/C boundary sections exist in carbonate facies. One of these is the Palaeozoic Steinberg section, Eastern Alps, Austria. Based on detailed geochemical investigations and correlation with previously investigated sections, we propose a succession of events from the late Famennian to the Tournaisian. Both the low total rare earth element (REE) contents and the normalized REE distribution patterns indicate low terrigenous input from the
praesulcata
Zone to the
typicus
Zone. The δ
13
C, δ
18
O, δ
34
S and total organic content (TOC) show a shift towards higher values, which correlates well with the late Famennian isotopic trends that are related to a period of active ocean circulation, cooling and increased productivity. Two isotopic shifts are present in the section: the older isotopic shift of the δ
13
C values is situated at the level of the Lower to Middle
praesulcata
Zone, while the younger one is found at the level of the Upper
praesulcata
Zone. In the
sulcata
Zone, a sharp decrease in δ
18
O values and a shift in the Ce anomaly follow. Concomitantly, a drop in the δ
13
C and δ
34
S values, highly variable TOC values, and the main and secondary element concentrations are interpreted to be related to a drop in primary productivity, with the recovery continuing in the
crenulata
Zone. In this context, the variations towards lower CaO, Sr, Rb and Ba values probably correlate with biomass variations and a transition from cooler towards warmer conditions.
Role for Platelet Glycoprotein Ib-IX and Effects of its Inhibition in Endotoxemia-Induced Thrombosis, Thrombocytopenia, and Mortality
Authors: Yin Hong , Stojanovic-Terpo Aleksandra , Xu Weidong , Corken Adam , Zakharov Alexander , Qian Feng , Pavlovic Sasha , Krbanjevic Aleksandar , Lyubimov Alexander V. , Wang Zaijie J. , Ware Jerry , Du Xiaoping 
Published: September 2013

Objective—
Poor prognosis of sepsis is associated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intravascular inflammation, microvascular thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Platelets are critical for thrombosis, and there has been increasing evidence of the importance of platelets in endotoxemia. The platelet adhesion receptor, the glycoprotein Ib-IX complex (GPIb-IX), mediates platelet adhesion to inflammatory vascular endothelium and exposed subendothelium. Thus, we have investigated the role of GPIb-IX in LPS-induced platelet adhesion, thrombosis, and thrombocytopenia.

Approach and Results—
LPS-induced mortality is significantly decreased in mice expressing a functionally deficient mutant of GPIbα. Furthermore, we have developed a micellar peptide inhibitor, MPαC (C13H27CONH-SIRYSGHpSL), which selectively inhibits the von Willebrand factor -binding function of GPIb-IX and GPIb-IX–mediated platelet adhesion under flow without affecting GPIb-IX–independent platelet activation. MPαC inhibits platelet adhesion to LPS-stimulated endothelial cells in vitro and alleviates LPS-induced thrombosis in glomeruli in mice. Importantly, MPαC reduces mortality in LPS-challenged mice, suggesting a protective effect of this inhibitor during endotoxemia. Interestingly, MPαC, but not the integrin antagonist, Integrilin, alleviated LPS-induced thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions—
These data indicate an important role for the platelet adhesion receptor GPIb-IX in LPS-induced thrombosis and thrombocytopenia, and suggest the potential of targeting GPIb as an antiplatelet strategy in managing endotoxemia.
Adiponectin‐Mediated Modulation of Lymphatic Vessel Formation and Lymphedema
Authors: Shimizu Yuuki , Shibata Rei , Ishii Masakazu , Ohashi Koji , Kambara Takahiro , Uemura Yusuke , Yuasa Daisuke , Kataoka Yoshiyuki , Kihara Shinji , Murohara Toyoaki , Ouchi Noriyuki 
Published: September 2013

Background
Obesity is linked with an increased risk of lymphedema, which is a serious clinical problem. Adiponectin is a circulating adipokine that is down‐regulated in obese states. We investigated the effects of adiponectin on lymphatic vessel formation in a model of lymphedema and dissected its mechanisms.

Methods and Results

A mouse model of lymphedema was created via ablation of tail surface lymphatic network. Adiponectin‐knockout mice showed the greater diameter of the injured tail compared with wild‐type mice, which was associated with lower numbers of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). Systemic delivery of adiponectin reduced the thickness of the injured tail and enhanced LEC formation in wild‐type and adiponectin‐knockout mice. Adiponectin administration also improved the edema of injured tails in obese
KKAy
mice. Treatment with adiponectin protein stimulated the differentiation of human
LEC
s into tubelike structures and increased
LEC
viability. Adiponectin treatment promoted the phosphorylation of
AMP
‐activated protein kinase (
AMPK
), Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase n
LECs
. Blockade of
AMPK
or Akt activity abolished adiponectin‐stimulated increase in
LEC
differentiation and viability and endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation. Inhibition of
AMPK
activation also suppressed adiponectin‐induced Akt phosphorylation in
LECs
. In contrast, inactivation of Akt signaling had no effects on adiponectin‐mediated
AMPK
phosphorylation in
LECs
. Furthermore, adiponectin administration did not affect the thickening of the damaged tail in endothelial nitric oxide synthase–knockout mice.

Conclusions

Adiponectin can promote lymphatic vessel formation via activation of
AMPK
/Akt/
endothelial nitric oxide synthase
signaling within LECs, thereby leading to amelioration of lymphedema.
Improving the Efficiency of Stroke Trials
Authors: McArthur Kate S. , Johnson Paul C.D. , Quinn Terence J. , Higgins Peter , Langhorne Peter , Walters Matthew R. , Weir Christopher J. , Dawson Jesse , Lees Kennedy R. 
Published: September 2013

Background and Purpose—
Use of the modified Rankin scale (mRS) in multicenter trials may be limited by interobserver variability. We assessed the effect of this on trial power and developed a novel group adjudication approach.

Methods—

We generated power and sample size estimates from simulated trials modeled with varying mRS reliability. We conducted a virtual acute stroke trial across 14 UK sites to develop a group adjudication approach. Traditional mRS interviews, performed at local sites, were digitally recorded and scored by adjudication committee. We assessed the effect of translation by comparing scores in translated mRS interviews, originally conducted in English and Mandarin. Agreement was measured using κ and weighted κ (κ
w
) statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results—

Statistical simulations suggest that improving mRS reliability from κ=0.25 to κ=0.5 or 0.7 may allow reductions in sample size of n=386 or 490 in a typical n=2000 study. Our virtual acute stroke trial included 370 participants and 563 mRS video assessments. We adjudicated mRS in 538 of 563 (96%) study visits. At 30 and 90 days, 161 of 280 (57.5%) and 131 of 258 (50.8%) clips showed interobserver disagreement. Agreement within the adjudication committee was good (30-day κ
w
=0.85 [95% confidence interval, 0.81–0.86]; 90-day κ
w
=0.86 [95% confidence interval, 0.82–0.88]) without significant or systematic bias in mRS scoring compared with the local mRS. Interobserver reliability of translated mRS assessments was similar to native language clips (native [n=69] κ
w
=0.91 [95% confidence interval, 0.94–0.99]; translated [n=89] κ
w
=0.90 [95% confidence interval, 0.83–0.96]).

Conclusions—
Achievable improvements in interobserver reliability may substantially reduce study sample size, with associated financial benefits. Central adjudication of mRS assessments is feasible (including across international centers), valid and reliable despite the challenges of mRS assessment in large clinical trials.
The SUA 2005 Protocol: A Critical Reflection
Authors: MacDonald Scott D. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
This article is a critical reflection on the Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation. It begins with an examination of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA), including: the objectives of the regime, the manner in which these objectives are met, and where SUA has failed. The discussion then turns to the 2005 Protocol, concentrating on the reasons why it was necessary to update SUA, the provisions of the 2005 Protocol, the anti-trafficking instruments that preceded the 2005 Protocol, and an analysis of the anti-trafficking innovations that were adopted and excluded. The article concludes by examining the reasons why the 2005 Protocol has not been more widely ratified and briefly considers possible future directions for maritime anti-terrorism regimes.
Climatology and Dynamics of the Summer Etesian Winds over the Eastern Mediterranean*
Authors: Tyrlis Evangelos , Lelieveld Jos 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe Etesians are persistent northerly winds that prevail over the eastern Mediterranean during summer. A climatology of Etesian outbreaks over the Aegean was compiled with the aid of the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) dataset and their vertical organization is investigated. Their variability arises from high-frequency variability originating in the midlatitudes, interannual and intraseasonal variability controlled by the South Asian monsoon, and a local diurnal cycle. Consistent with the monsoon influence, Etesian outbreaks are most frequent from mid-July to mid-August. In agreement with previous studies, a negative trend in the incidence of Etesian outbreaks is detected during the overall June–September period, which is strikingly strong for September but diminishes in June. The strengthening of the Etesians by day over the central and southern Aegean results from the deepening of the Anatolian thermal low because of the daytime sensible heating near the surface. The timing of an outbreak onset is controlled by wave disturbances originating over the North Atlantic that trigger the development of a strong ridge over the Balkans, which induces anomalously strong northerly flow and subsidence over the Aegean. During Etesian outbreaks, sharp tropopause folds and stratospheric intrusions of high potential vorticity descend deeply into the troposphere.
Summer Rainfall Variability in Low-Latitude Highlands of China and Subtropical Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Cao Jie , Yao Ping , Wang Lin , Liu Kui 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Based on reanalysis and observational datasets, this study proposes a reasonable mechanism for summer rainfall variations over the low-latitude highlands (LLH) of China, in which a subtropical Indian Ocean dipole (SIOD)-like pattern is the key external thermal forcing. In summers with a positive SIOD-like pattern, sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies may lead to lower-tropospheric divergence over the tropical Indian Ocean and convergence over the subtropical southwestern Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. The convergence over the Arabian Sea can induce easterly anomalies of the divergent wind component off the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal (BOB), while the divergence over the tropical Indian Ocean can change the interhemispheric vertical circulation and produce a descending motion over the same area and cyclonic anomalies in the rotational wind component over the Indian peninsula. The combined effect of the divergent and rotational wind anomalies and enhanced interhemispheric vertical circulation facilitates easterly anomalies and weakens climatological water vapor flux to the northern BOB. Therefore, anomalous water vapor divergence and less precipitation are observed over the LLH. In summers with a negative SIOD-like pattern, the situation is approximately the same but with opposite polarity and a weaker role of the divergent wind component. Further analyses indicate that the summertime SIOD-like pattern can be traced to preceding seasons, especially in positive SIOD-like years. The SST–wind–evaporation feedback mechanism could account for maintenance of the SIOD-like pattern. These results provide efficient prediction potential for summer rainfall variations over the LLH.
Spectrum of autoantibodies for gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Picceli VF , Skare TL , Nisihara R , Kotze L , Messias-Reason I , Utiyama SRR 
Published: September 2013

Background Organ-specific autoimmune diseases may appear in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Gastrointestinal symptoms are well documented in SLE and may be similar to those related to autoimmune gastrointestinal diseases. Objective Our aim was to search for gastrointestinal organ-specific autoantibodies in 194 patients with systemic lupus and 103 healthy controls from Southern Brazil. Methods Anti-endomysium antibodies (IgA-EmA), anti-gastric parietal cells (GPC) antibodies, anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA), anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) and anti-LKM-1 (liver-kidney microsomal) were searched for using indirect immunofluorescence in the sera of patients and controls. Results The total positivity of antibodies in SLE patients was 14.4% (28/194) and differed significantly from healthy individuals (0.97%; p < 0.001). IgA-EmA was more common in lupus patients than in controls (11/194; p = 0.009), and one of these patients had dermatitis herpetiformis. Clinical association revealed that IgA-EmA was more common in SLE patients with discoid lesions. The frequency of anti-GPC ( p = 0.10), ASMA ( p = 0.16) and AMA ( p = 0.55) did not differ significantly between groups. No patient presented LKM-1 autoantibodies. One patient presenting anti-GPC was diagnosed with atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia. Conclusion Only IgA-EmA was significantly associated with lupus and with the presence of discoid lesions. Until now, no obvious association with celiac disease has been found.
A novel approach for quantitative assessment of mucosal damage in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Matalka Ismail I , Al-Omari Faruq A , Salama Rola M , Mohtaseb Alia H 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAimsOne of the main reliable histological features to suggest the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease is the presence of significant distortion of the crypt architecture indicating the chronic nature of the disease resulting in mucosal damage. This feature has a considerable intra-observer and inter-observer variability leading to significant subjectivity in colonic biopsy assessment. In this paper, we present a novel automated system to assess mucosal damage and architectural distortion in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).MethodsThe proposed system relies on advanced image understating and processing techniques to segment digitally acquired images of microscopic biopsies, then, to extract key features to quantify the crypts irregularities in shape and distribution. These features were used as inputs to an artificial intelligent classifier that, after a training phase, can carry out the assessment automatically.ResultsThe developed system was evaluated using 118 IBD biopsies. 116 out of 118 biopsies were correctly classified as compared to the consensus of three expert pathologists, achieving an overall precision of 98.31%.ConclusionsAn automated intelligent system to quantitatively assess inflammatory bowel disease was developed. The proposed system utilized advanced image understanding techniques together with an intelligent classifier to conduct the assessment. The developed system proved to be reliable, robust, and minimizes subjectivity and inter- and intra-observer variability.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1797721309305023