bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modified release terbutaline (SKP1052) for hypoglycaemia prevention: a proof‐of‐concept study in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nosek L. , Cardot J.‐M. , Owens D. R. , Ibarra P. , Bagate K. , Vergnault G. , Kaiser K. , Fischer A. , Heise T. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimsIn this randomized, single blind, cross‐over study 2.5 mg and 5 mg of the modified‐release terbutaline formulation (SKP‐1052) were compared with conventional immediate‐release terbutaline (IRT, 5 mg) and placebo on overnight blood glucose (BG) and hypoglycaemia in 30 subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus.MethodsSubjects received subcutaneous injections of insulin glargine (individualized doses) before dinner. SKP‐1052, IRT or placebo was administered around 21:00 hours. BG and terbutaline concentrations were monitored overnight for 10 h post‐dosing. Endpoints comprised of the nadir BG (BGn 0–10 h, primary endpoint), mean overnight BG (BGmean), morning BG (BGmorning) and hypoglycaemia rates as well as pharmacokinetic (PK) endpoints.ResultsSKP‐1052 delayed release of terbutaline by 2 h [PK‐tmax (mean ± SD) 5.0 ± 2.1 h (2.5 mg) and 4.7 ± 1.7 h (5 mg) vs. 2.6 ± 1.3 h with IRT, p < 0.01, respectively]. Compared with placebo, no significant differences were observed for BGn 0–10 h across treatments, but both 5 mg formulations showed less hypoglycaemic events [10 (IRT), 16 (SKP‐1052) vs. 33], higher BGmean (120, 114 and 95 mg/dl) and BGmorning (126, 126 and 101 mg/dl, all comparisons p < 0.05 vs. placebo). Numerically higher BG‐levels between 3 and 8 h post‐dosing were observed with 2.5 mg SKP‐1052 vs. placebo.ConclusionsCompared with IRT SKP‐1052 delays release of terbutaline. 2.5 mg SKP‐1052 led to numerically higher BG 3 to 8 h post‐dose without fasting hyperglycaemia while 5 mg SKP‐1052 resulted in fasting hyperglycaemia vs. placebo. Future studies will investigate optimized doses of SKP‐1052 for nocturnal hypoglycaemia prevention.
Neurofuzzy models to automate the grading of old‐age depression
Authors: Chattopadhyay Subhagata 
Published: September 2012

AbstractManual grading of depression is sometimes difficult due to the subjective signs‐symptoms. The aim of this paper is to automate the process of depression grading using a neurofuzzy model (NFM). Two hundred and seventy real‐world depression cases are considered in this work. Each case has seven symptoms, which are obtained according to DSM‐IV‐TR. Each case is graded as ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’. However, in practice, the boundaries of ‘mild’ and ‘moderate’ grading are fuzzy in nature. The paper attempts to solve this fuzzy overlapping zone of these grades. To reduce the number of symptoms, significantly correlated symptoms are mined using a paired t‐test. Then, two NFMs have been developed. NFM‐1 has been developed with all seven symptoms, while only significantly correlated symptoms have been used to construct the NFM‐2 model. Two fuzzy membership functions, such as triangular membership function (TRMF) and Gaussian membership function (GMF) have been considered to note with which better fuzzification could be achieved. The paper concludes that NFM‐1 with GMF is the best model with average predicting accuracy of 94.4% and robustness.
Millimeter‐scale resolution of trace metal distributions in microbial mats from a hypersaline environment in Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Huerta‐Diaz M. A. , Delgadillo‐Hinojosa F. , Siqueiros‐Valencia A. , Valdivieso‐Ojeda J. , Reimer J. J. , Segovia‐Zavala J. A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMicrobial mats from two ponds with different salinities from the saltern of Guerrero Negro (Mexico) points toward millimeter‐scale coherent variations in trace metal (Me) concentrations (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn). Total, HCl‐leachable and pyrite‐associated Me showed a trend of increasing concentrations with increasing depth suggesting gradual addition of reactive Me probably as a result of metal sulfide precipitation at depth. The trends in Me profiles can be ascribed to the establishment and maintenance of microzones that promote geochemical processes, bacterial population distributions, and differential mass transport within the mats. Degrees of trace metal pyritization (1 ± 1% for Zn to 24 ± 7% for Cd) as well as metals associated with the pyrite fraction (<1.4–36 ± 18 nmol g−1 for Zn and Mn, respectively) were low, as expected from a reactive Fe‐limited system like Guerrero Negro. Calculated enrichment factors showed that Ni (2.6 ± 2.1), Co (5.5 ± 4.0), Pb (9.4 ± 7.4), and Cd (57 ± 39) were, on average, enriched in the microbial mats of Guerrero Negro. Natural enrichments of Cd, Pb, and Co in sediments along the coast of Baja California and metabolical requirements of Co and Ni by the predominant cyanobacteria in the Guerrero Negro mats may explain these enrichments. Metal characteristics in microbial mats could be advantageously used as biosignatures to identify their presence in the geological record or in other planetary systems.
Review: interventions to increase influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in hospitals
Authors: Hollmeyer Helge , Hayden Frederick , Mounts Anthony , Buchholz Udo 
Published: September 2012

Please cite this paper as: Hollmeyer et al. (2012) Review: interventions to increase influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in hospitals. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(4), 604–621.Annual influenza vaccination rates among hospital healthcare workers (HCW) are almost universally low despite recommendations from WHO and public health authorities in many countries. To assist in the development of successful vaccination programmes, we reviewed studies where interventions aimed to increase the uptake of influenza vaccination among hospital HCW. We searched PUBMED from 1990 up to December 2011 for publications with predetermined search strategies and of pre‐defined criteria for inclusion or exclusion. We evaluated a large number of ‘intervention programmes’ each employing one or more ‘intervention components’ or strategies, such as easy access to vaccine or educational activities, with the goal to raise influenza vaccine uptake rates in hospital HCW during one influenza season. Included studies reported results of intervention programmes and compared the uptake with the season prior to the intervention (historical control) or to another intervention programme within the same season that started from the same set of baseline activities. Twenty‐five studies performed in eight countries met our selection criteria and described 45 distinct intervention programmes. Most studies used their own facility as historical control and evaluated only one season. The following elements were used in intervention programmes that increased vaccine uptake: provision of free vaccine, easy access to the vaccine (e.g. through mobile carts or on‐site vaccination), knowledge and behaviour modification through educational activities and/or reminders and/or incentives, management or organizational changes, such as the assignment of personnel dedicated to the intervention programme, long‐term implementation of the strategy, requiring active declination and mandatory immunization policies. The number of these components applied appeared to be proportional to the increase in uptake. If influenza uptake in hospital HCW is to be increased on sustained basis, hospital managers need to be committed to conduct a well‐designed long‐term intervention programme that includes a variety of co‐ordinated managerial and organizational elements.
Analytical detection of influenza A(H3N2)v and other A variant viruses from the USA by rapid influenza diagnostic tests
Authors: Balish Amanda , Garten Rebecca , Klimov Alexander , Villanueva Julie 
Published: September 2012

Please cite this paper as:Balishet al.(2012) Analytical detection of influenza A(H3N2)v and other A variant viruses from the USA by rapid influenza diagnostic tests. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(4), 491–496.Background The performance of rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) that detect influenza viral nucleoprotein (NP) antigen has been reported to be variable. Recent human infections with variant influenza A viruses that are circulating in pigs prompted the investigation of the analytical reactivity of RIDTs with these variant viruses.Objectives To determine analytical reactivity of seven FDA‐cleared RIDTs with influenza A variant viruses in comparison with the reactivity with recently circulating seasonal influenza A viruses.Methods Tenfold serial dilutions of cell culture–grown seasonal and variant influenza A viruses were prepared and tested in duplicate with seven RIDTs.Results All RIDTs evaluated in this study detected the seasonal influenza A(H3N2) virus, although detection limits varied among assays. All but one examined RIDT identified the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus. However, only four of seven RIDTs detected all influenza A(H3N2)v, A(H1N2)v, and A(H1N1)v viruses. Reduced sensitivity of RIDTs to variant influenza viruses may be due to amino acid differences between the NP proteins of seasonal viruses and the NP proteins from viruses circulating in pigs.Conclusions Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of RIDTs to detect influenza A variant viruses. Specimens from patients with influenza‐like illness in whom H3N2v is suspected should be sent to public health laboratories for additional diagnostic testing.
Cytochrome P450s and cytochrome P450 reductase in the olfactory organ of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis
Authors: Pottier M.‐A. , Bozzolan F. , Chertemps T. , Jacquin‐Joly E. , Lalouette L. , Siaussat D. , Maïbèche‐Coisne M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractCytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) are involved in many physiological functions in insects, such as the metabolism of signal molecules, adaptation to host plants and insecticide resistance. Several P450s have been reported in the olfactory organs of insects, the antennae, and have been proposed to play a role in odorant processing and/or xenobiotic metabolism. Despite recent transcriptomic analyses in several species, the diversity of antennal P450s in insects has not yet been investigated. Here, we report the identification of 37 putative P450s expressed in the antennae of the pest moth Spodoptera littoralis, as well as the characterization of a redox partner, cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. littoralis P450s belong to four clades defined by their conservation with vertebrate P450s and their cellular localization. Interestingly, the CYP3 and CYP4 clans, which have been described to be mainly involved in the metabolism of plant compounds and xenobiotics, were largely predominant. More surprisingly, two P450s related to ecdysteroid metabolism were also identified. Expression patterns in adult and larval tissues were studied. Eight P450s appeared to be specific to the chemosensory organs, ie the antennae and proboscis, suggesting a specific role in odorant and tastant processing. Moreover, exposure of males to a plant odorant down‐regulated the transcript level of CPR, revealing for the first time the regulation of this gene by odorants within insect antennae. This work suggests that the antennae of insects are a key site for P450‐mediated metabolism of a large range of exogenous and endogenous molecules.
Assessing bias against overweight individuals among nursing and psychology students: an implicit association test
Authors: Waller Tabitha , Lampman Claudia , Lupfer‐Johnson Gwen 
Published: September 2012

Aim and objectives.  To determine the implicit or unconscious attitudes of Nursing and Psychology majors towards overweight individuals in medical and non‐medical contexts.Background.  Obesity is a leading health concern today, which impacts both physical and psychological health. Overweight individuals confront social biases in many aspects of their lives including health care. Examining the views of Nursing and Psychology students may reveal implicit attitudes towards overweight individuals that may lead to prejudiced behaviours.Design.  A mixed design experiment with one between‐subjects variable (student major: Nursing or Psychology) and one within‐subjects variable (condition: congruent or incongruent) was used to assess implicit attitudes in two convenience samples of Nursing and Psychology students.Methods.  A computerised implicit association test was used to determine implicit attitudes towards overweight individuals in medical and non‐medical contexts. A total of 90 students from Nursing (n = 45) and Psychology (n = 45) were recruited to complete an implicit association test. Reaction times in milliseconds between the congruent trials (stereotype consistent) and incongruent trials (stereotype inconsistent) were compared with determine adherence to social stereotypes or weight bias.Results.  A statistically significant implicit bias towards overweight individuals was detected in both subject groups and in both target settings (medical vs. non‐medical). Stronger weight bias was found when the stimulus targets were female than male.Conclusions.  Findings from this study expand understanding of the implicit attitudes and social biases of Nursing and Psychology students. The views held by these future healthcare professionals may negatively impact patient care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Providing education and support to overweight individuals is central to Nursing practice in a society struggling to manage obesity. Negative stereotypes or beliefs about these individuals may result in poor patient care. Therefore, nurses and other healthcare professionals must be aware of personal biases and work to develop methods to address weight‐related issues in a therapeutic manner.
Deep sequencing reveals extensive variation in the gut microbiota of wild mosquitoes from Kenya
Authors: Osei‐Poku J. , Mbogo C. M. , Palmer W. J. , Jiggins F. M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe mosquito midgut is a hostile environment that vector‐borne parasites must survive to be transmitted. Commensal bacteria in the midgut can reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit disease, either by having direct anti‐parasite effects or by stimulating basal immune responses of the insect host. As different bacteria have different effects on parasite development, the composition of the bacterial community in the mosquito gut is likely to affect the probability of disease transmission. We investigated the diversity of mosquito gut bacteria in the field using 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA to build up a comprehensive picture of the diversity of gut bacteria in eight mosquito species in this population. We found that mosquito gut typically has a very simple gut microbiota that is dominated by a single bacterial taxon. Although different mosquito species share remarkably similar gut bacteria, individuals in a population are extremely variable and can have little overlap in the bacterial taxa present in their guts. This may be an important factor in causing differences in disease transmission rates within mosquito populations.
Quercetin improves hepatic fibrosis reducing hepatic stellate cells and regulating pro‐fibrogenic/anti‐fibrogenic molecules balance
Authors: Hernández‐Ortega Luis Daniel , Alcántar‐Díaz Blanca Estela , Ruiz‐Corro Luis Alberto , Sandoval‐Rodriguez Ana , Bueno‐Topete Miriam , Armendariz‐Borunda Juan , Salazar‐Montes Adriana María 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground and AimDevelopment of hepatic cirrhosis involves oxidative stress, inflammation, hepatic stellate cells (HSC)s activation and fibrosis. On the other hand, quercetin, a natural flavonoid is a potent antioxidant and activator of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The aim was to determinate the effect of quercetin on HSCs and development of hepatic fibrosis.MethodsWistar male rats were chronically intoxicated with CCl4 for 8 weeks and concomitantly treated with 100 mg/kg per day of quercetin. Oxidative state, inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated. Effect of quercetin on apoptosis of HSC was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling reaction.ResultsSixty percent of reduction in fibrosis index was observed with quercetin treatment compared with control animals. Considerable reduction on hepatic enzymes was detected in the quercetin group. Expression of pro‐fibrotic genes (transforming growth factor‐β [TGF‐β], Collagen 1α [Col‐1α] and connective tissue growth factor [CTGF]) were decreased by quercetin. Quercetin increased gene expression and functional activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase. Inflammatory index was highly reduced as determined by H‐E staining and pro‐inflammatory cytokines expression and nuclear factor‐κB activation were also inhibited. A significant reduction of 65% on activated HSC number was detected when rats were treated with quercetin. Quercetin also induced activation of matrix metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9 contributing to decreased index of fibrosis.ConclusionsTreatment with quercetin reduces oxidation and inflammation and also prevents liver fibrosis, through induction of HSC apoptosis and activation of MMPs.
Fatty liver reduces hepatitis B virus replication in a genotype B hepatitis B virus transgenic mice model
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Pan Qin , Duan Xiao‐Yan , Liu Qiang , Mo Guo‐Yu , Rao Gui‐Rong , Fan Jian‐Gao 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground and AimNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) overlapping with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is undergoing a rapid increase in China. Therefore, the establishment and character of an animal model with both NAFLD and chronic HBV infection has become an urgent task.MethodsMice with chronic HBV genotype B infection were established with a microinjection of oocytes. Transgenic and nontransgenic mice were then randomized into groups of NAFLD + HBV, HBV, NAFLD, and control and were treated with high‐fat diets or common forage. At 8, 16, and 24 weeks, characteristics of NAFLD were evaluated by physical indices, liver function tests, glycolipid metabolism, and histopathological scoring. Viral dynamics were also analyzed by HBV‐DNA and HBV‐related antigens.ResultsHepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were expressed, and HBV‐DNA was replicated in HBV transgenic mice at different stages in the serum and liver. Hepatic steatosis was only induced after exposure of the mice to high‐fat diets, and no obvious pathological changes occurred in the HBV group from 8 to 24 weeks. Compared to mice with HBV alone, significant reductions in serum levels of HBV‐DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg occurred in the NAFLD + HBV group after 24 weeks (all P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the NAFLD and NAFLD + HBV groups shared comparable physical and metabolic disorders and similar steatotic, inflammatory and fibrotic characteristics in the liver.ConclusionHigh‐fat diets and transgenic operations on the HBV genotype B induced a rodent model of NAFLD overlapping with chronic HBV infection, and this model reduces the HBV viral factors but not the metabolic and histologic features.
Role of splenectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and hypersplenism
Authors: Kim Sung Hoon , Kim Do Young , Lim Jin Hong , Kim Seung Up , Choi Gi Hong , Ahn Sang Hoon , Choi Jin Sub , Kim Kyung Sik 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntroductionHypersplenism with thrombocytopenia is a common complication of cirrhosis with portal hypertension. We evaluated the role of splenectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in terms of the improvement of biochemical indices and liver volume.MethodsNineteen patients with HCC underwent liver resection and splenectomy from January 2000 to December 2009. Thirty‐nine patients who underwent liver resection during the same period were enrolled as case‐matched controls. We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. We analysed the results of biochemical tests, disease‐free survival and overall survival and measured the liver volume before and at 90 days after operation.ResultsPreoperative white blood cell counts (P = 0.001), platelet counts (P = 0.021), total bilirubin (P ≤ 0.001) and prothrombin time by international normalized ratio (P = 0.043) were significantly different. However, these results had converged to similar levels 90 days after the operation. The degree of increment in liver volume were similar (P = 0.763). In splenectomy group, portal vein thrombosis developed in eight patients and all patients except one recovered using only conservative treatments. There was an operative mortality because of liver failure by thrombosis.ConclusionsAlthough splenectomy may induce thrombosis, liver failure and subsequent mortality, splenectomy may improve liver function and expand the indication of liver resection if postoperative management is conducted conservatively.
Oncologic clearance with preservation of reconstructive options: literature review and the ‘delayed reconstruction after pathology evaluation (DRAPE)’ technique
Authors: Behan Felix C. , Rozen Warren M. , Kwee Melissa M. , Kapila Shivam , Fairbank Sian , Findlay Michael W. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntraoperative frozen section and Mohs' micrographic surgery (MMS) are two techniques used to ensure oncological clearance without resorting to unnecessarily wide margins that might compromise reconstructive options for definitive wound closure. In addition to some technical issues, these techniques are suboptimal for resection of tumours such as melanoma, where specific tissue margins at histopathology are required to ensure minimal risk of local recurrence. We describe a technique that minimizes the amount of tissue excised and uses definitive paraffin sections interpreted in a pathology laboratory in order to delay reconstruction until after clear oncologic margins are obtained. This ‘delayed reconstruction after pathology evaluation (DRAPE)’ technique is particularly directed at extensive and complicated skin lesions, located in areas of the body that can be difficult to reconstruct and are prone to disfigurement and/or loss of function. A review of the literature is undertaken, establishing the role of each technique in achieving clear surgical margins. A case example is presented, highlighting the role of the DRAPE approach. The DRAPE technique is presented as a useful option for high‐risk lesions, especially within aesthetically sensitive regions or for complex reconstructions, and when reconstruction can be reasonably delayed while tumour clearance is established.