bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postnatal development of the renal medulla; role of the renin–angiotensin system
Authors: Madsen K. , Tinning A. R. , Marcussen N. , Jensen B. L. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAdverse events during foetal development can predispose the individual for cardiovascular disease later in life, a correlation known as foetal programming of adult hypertension. The ‘programming’ events have been associated with the kidneys due to the significant role in extracellular volume control and long‐term blood pressure regulation. Previously, nephron endowment and functional consequences of a low nephron number have been extensively investigated without achieving a full explanation of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. In this review, we will focus on mechanisms of postnatal development in the renal medulla with regard to the programming effects. The renin–angiotensin system is critically involved in mammalian kidney development and impaired signalling gives rise to developmental renal lesions that have been associated with hypertension later in life. A consistent finding in both experimental animal models and in human case reports is atrophy of the renal medulla with developmental lesions to both medullary nephron segments and vascular development with concomitant functional disturbances reaching into adulthood. A review of current knowledge of the role of the renin–angiotensin system for renal medullary development will be given.
Effect of repeated doses of netazepide, a gastrin receptor antagonist, omeprazole and placebo on 24 h gastric acidity and gastrin in healthy subjects
Authors: Boyce Malcolm , Warrington Steve 
Published: February 2013

AimTo administer repeated oral doses of netazepide to healthy subjects for the first time, to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and effect on 24 h gastric pH and plasma gastrin.MethodWe did two randomized, double‐blind, parallel group studies. The first compared netazepide 25 and 100 mg 12 hourly, omeprazole 20 mg once daily and placebo for 7 days. On day 7 only, we measured pH and assayed plasma gastrin. The second study compared netazepide 5, 10 and 25 mg and placebo once daily for 14 days. We measured pH on days 1, 7 and 14 and assayed plasma gastrin on days 1 and 14. We compared treatments by time gastric pH ≥ 4 during 0–4, 4–9, 9–13 and 13–24 h after the morning dose, and by plasma gastrin. P < 0.05 was significant.ResultsNetazepide was well tolerated. On day 7 of the first study, netazepide increased pH significantly only during 9–13 h after the 100 mg dose, whereas omeprazole raised pH significantly during all periods. Both netazepide and omeprazole increased plasma gastrin significantly. Netazepide had linear pharmacokinetics. In the second study, netazepide caused dose‐dependent, sustained increases in pH on day 1, but as in the first study, netazepide had little effect on pH on days 7 and 14. Again, netazepide increased plasma gastrin significantly.ConclusionAlthough repeated doses of netazepide led to tolerance to its effect on pH, the accompanying increase in plasma gastrin is consistent with continued inhibition of acid secretion, via gastrin receptor antagonism and gene up‐regulation.
Exact Goodness‐of‐Fit Tests for Markov Chains
Authors: Besag J. , Mondal D. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSummaryGoodness‐of‐fit tests are useful in assessing whether a statistical model is consistent with available data. However, the usual χ2asymptotics often fail, either because of the paucity of the data or because a nonstandard test statistic is of interest. In this article, we describe exact goodness‐of‐fit tests for first‐ and higher order Markov chains, with particular attention given to time‐reversible ones. The tests are obtained by conditioning on the sufficient statistics for the transition probabilities and are implemented by simple Monte Carlo sampling or by Markov chain Monte Carlo. They apply both to single and to multiple sequences and allow a free choice of test statistic. Three examples are given. The first concerns multiple sequences of dry and wet January days for the years 1948–1983 at Snoqualmie Falls, Washington State, and suggests that standard analysis may be misleading. The second one is for a four‐state DNA sequence and lends support to the original conclusion that a second‐order Markov chain provides an adequate fit to the data. The last one is six‐state atomistic data arising in molecular conformational dynamics simulation of solvated alanine dipeptide and points to strong evidence against a first‐order reversible Markov chain at 6 picosecond time steps.
Primary peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified of the thyroid with autoimmune thyroiditis
Authors: Yoshida Noriaki , Nishikori Momoko , Izumi Tohru , Imaizumi Yoshitaka , Sawayama Yasushi , Niino Daisuke , Tashima Masaharu , Hoshi Sayuri , Ohshima Koichi , Shimoyama Masanori , Seto Masao , Tsukasaki Kunihiro 
Published: February 2013

SummaryPrimary peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS) of the thyroid is an extremely rare neoplasm. Six cases of primary PTCL‐NOS of the thyroid were analysed for clinicopathological features and genomic alteration patterns using oligo‐array comparative genomic hybridization. All patients had a diffusely enlarged thyroid and three cases showed leukaemic manifestation. Five of the six cases had anti‐thyroid antibodies and the remaining case showed hypothyroidism, suggesting that all cases had autoimmune thyroiditis. Except for one early relapsed case, the remaining five patients are alive and three of these five individuals have survived for 70 months or more. Interestingly, two cases showed spontaneous regressions after partial thyroid biopsy without any therapy. Leukaemic manifestation disappeared after irradiation of the thyroid mass in another two cases. The tumour cells were positive for CD3, CD4 and CXCR3 in all cases, suggesting that the tumour cells are of a type 1 helper T‐cell origin. All six cases showed genomic alterations that were different from those previously reported for PTCL‐NOS. The loss of 6q24·2 was characteristic and was detected in four of the six cases. These results suggest that primary PTCL‐NOS of the thyroid arising from autoimmune thyroiditis is a distinct disease entity among heterogeneous PTCL‐NOS.
Motivational conditions influence tongue motor performance
Authors: Kothari Mohit , Svensson Peter , Huo Xueliang , Ghovanloo Maysam , Baad‐Hansen Lene 
Published: February 2013

Motivation plays an important role in the outcome of motor learning but has not received attention in tongue‐training‐induced plasticity of the corticomotor pathways. The present study investigated the influence of two different motivational conditions and gender on performance during a complex tongue‐training paradigm using the Tongue Drive System (TDS). In addition, subject‐based reports of motivation, fun, pain, and fatigue were compared between groups and genders. Sixteen subjects were randomized into three groups and were asked to use the TDS for 40 min. A motivational condition (monetary reward or self‐controlled practice) was introduced in two groups and the third group served as the control. The subjects were instructed to play a computer game using the TDS, having control of the computer cursor through a magnet attached to the tongue, and performance was compared among groups. Performance improved in all groups and in both genders. The monetary reward group tended towards higher performance scores compared with the control group, whereas the self‐controlled practice group performed significantly better compared with the control group. There was no significant difference between groups and genders in the subject‐based report for level of motivation, fun, pain, or fatigue. In conclusion, introduction of motivational conditions influenced tongue motor performance.
Mycoplasma genitalium: prevalence in men presenting with urethritis to a South Australian public sexual health clinic
Authors: Mezzini T. M. , Waddell R. G. , Douglas R. J. , Sadlon T. A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground/AimThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection among male patients with dysuria and/or urethral discharge. An analysis of the clinical, demographic and microbiological factors associated with M. genitalium infection was also conducted.MethodFrom May 2007 to June 2011, men presenting to the clinic with self‐reported symptoms of dysuria and/or urethral discharge were identified and underwent urethral swab, which was microscopically assessed for objective non‐gonococcal urethritis. A first‐void urine sample was tested for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae using the Aptima Combo‐2 assay. A portion of the urine sample was sent for polymerase chain reaction analysis for M. genitalium.ResultsOne thousand, one hundred and eighty‐two men with dysuria and/or urethral discharge were tested for M. genitalium. Of those, 96 men (8.1%) were positive for M. genitalium. Men identifying as solely MSM (men who have sex with men) constituted 16.3% (n = 193) of the sample. Their infection rate was 3.1% (n = 6). The infection rate for heterosexual and bisexual men was 9.1%. For all men, the M. genitalium co‐infection rate was 14.6% (n = 14) with C. trachomatis and 3.1% (n = 3) with N. gonorrhoeae. Factors associated with M. genitalium infection were analysed by univariate analysis. We determined that five investigated predictors were significantly associated with M. genitalium infection, urethral discharge, non‐gonococcal urethritis on Gram stain of urethral smears, identification as heterosexual or bisexual, and absence of co‐infection with C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae.ConclusionIn Adelaide, M. genitalium is an important sexually transmitted infection among men with dysuria and/or urethral discharge, and is primarily an infection of heterosexual and bisexual men.
When do we transfuse cryoprecipitate?
Authors: Anderson M. A. , Glazebrook B. , Cutts B. , Stevenson L. , Bielby L. , Borosak M. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe 2001 National Health and Medical Research Council/Australasian Society of Blood Transfusion Clinical Practice Guidelines for cryoprecipitate are being updated, and cryoprecipitate has been incorporated into new Patient Blood Management modules.AimsThis clinical audit sought to clarify current cryoprecipitate use in Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory; assess adherence to guidelines; and gain insights into deviations from recommended practice. This information can be utilised in updating guidelines to make them more relevant, to identify areas for clinician education and to form a baseline of practice prior to release of the 2011 guidelines.MethodsParticipating institutions were invited to audit up to 30 consecutive episodes of cryoprecipitate transfusion over an 11‐month period in 2008. The audits were conducted using a standardised pro forma and involved review of patient records. These were collated electronically using algorithms to determine alignment versus non‐alignment with guidelines.ResultsCryoprecipitate is used in a variety of situations with surgery accounting for the highest volume. Twenty‐six per cent (26%) of transfusions were aligned with 2001 guidelines rising to 61% with a modified fibrinogen trigger. Fibrinogen levels did not appear to dictate all clinical decisions regarding cryoprecipitate use perhaps owing to the acuity of many cases. Additional bleeding risk together with low fibrinogen levels (e.g. thrombocytopenic patients) may contribute to empiric cryoprecipitate use.ConclusionsThese results highlight discrepancies between guidelines and practice, providing rationale for the update of the guidelines that is currently underway. Cryoprecipitate has attendant risks, and it is appropriate that transfusion be restricted to situations with good evidence or sound principles to underpin use.
Does obesity affect the accuracy of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) for predicting prostate cancer among men undergoing prostate biopsy
Authors: Oh Jong J. , Jeong Seong J. , Lee Byung K. , Jeong Chang W. , Byun Seok‐Soo , Hong Sung K. , Lee Sang E. 
Published: February 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
As most urologist known, obesity significantly lowers serum PSA levels. So there is some concern about delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer in obese men.
In the present study, we found that the accuracy level of PSA for detecting prostate cancer was not significantly different between different obesity levels. A well‐designed study adjusting for several factors, e.g. diet, exercise, medication and comorbidity, which may possibly compensate for the associated effects on PSA levels, is needed for confirmation of the present findings.
Objective
To investigate prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) accuracy in detecting prostate cancer according to body mass index (BMI) in Asian men with a PSA level of <30 ng/mL using contemporary multicore (≥12) prostate biopsy.
Patients and Methods
We reviewed the records of 3471 patients, whose initial PSA levels were <30 ng/mL, who underwent multicore (≥12) transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy between January 2004 and May 2011.
BMI was categorised as performed previously for the Asian population: <23, 23–24.9, 25–29.9, and ≥30 kg/m2. PSA accuracy for detecting prostate cancer in each BMI group was assessed based on the receiver operating characteristics‐derived area under the curve.
Results
The mean age and median PSA level were inversely associated with BMI; the median PSA level in each BMI category was 7.84, 7.75, 7.33 and 5.79 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). In all, prostate cancer was detected from biopsy in 1102 (31.7%) patients.
The PSA accuracy for predicting prostate cancer in all patients was estimated to be 0.607, and PSA accuracies in each BMI category were 0.638, 0.572, 0.613 and 0.544, respectively; there was no significant difference among the groups in terms of PSA accuracy.
Conclusions
The accuracy of PSA in predicting prostate cancer did not change regardless of BMI category in Asian men.
However, as patients with higher BMIs had lower PSA levels than those with lower BMIs, it can therefore be suggested that the PSA threshold should be lower in obese men to discriminate between prostate cancer and benign conditions in the real clinical situation.
Optimizing the Noticing of Recasts via Computer‐Delivered Feedback: Evidence That Oral Input Enhancement and Working Memory Help Second Language Learning
Authors: Sagarra Nuria , Abbuhl Rebekha 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThis study investigates whether practice with computer‐administered feedback in the absence of meaning‐focused interaction can help second language learners notice the corrective intent of recasts and develop linguistic accuracy. A group of 218 beginning Anglophone learners of Spanish received 1 of 4 types of automated feedback (no feedback, utterance rejection, recasts, or enhanced recasts) in the written mode or the oral mode, in response to noun–adjective gender or number agreement errors. For both modalities, written and oral posttests conducted up to 2 months after treatment revealed that recasts yielded more target‐like production and learner repair than either no feedback or utterance rejection and that utterance rejection was in turn more effective than no feedback. Two factors were found to increase the effectiveness of computer‐delivered recasts: oral, but not typographical, input enhancement (orally enhanced recasts were more beneficial than orally unenhanced and typographically enhanced recasts) and working memory (higher span learners were superior to lower span learners in all recast groups). We discuss the implications of our results for the area of error treatment as an instructional focus technique and suggest avenues for future research.
The Development of Chinese Fluency During Study Abroad in China
Authors: Du Hang 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThis article is part of a longitudinal study of American college students studying Mandarin in China. Its main data are drawn from monthly speaking events (four sessions with each student) conducted in Chinese with each of 29 participants in a study‐abroad program in China. The study yielded these results: (a) Students made significant progress in their fluency development, especially during the first month; (b) speaking Chinese both inside and outside of class helped fluency; (c) students who consistently spoke Chinese in class and out of class made more progress than those who did not; and (d) time on task, the amount of time that students spent using Chinese, was the most important factor in determining fluency development. The quantitative analysis that is the focus of this article is supplemented by qualitative data from individual students, reflecting the position that only a combination of quantitative and qualitative data can reveal a complete picture of the nature of language acquisition during study abroad. The article concludes with implications for the design and conduct of programs in China.
S‐allyl cysteine restores erectile function through inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation in diabetic rats
Authors: Yang J. , Wang T. , Yang J. , Rao K. , Zhan Y. , Chen R.‐B. , Liu Z. , Li M.‐C. , Zhuan L. , Zang G.‐H. , Guo S.‐M. , Xu H. , Wang S.‐G. , Liu J.‐H. , Ye Z.‐Q. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryExcessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by an overactive nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system in penile tissue is an important mechanism of erectile dysfunction (ED). S‐allyl cysteine (SAC), a bioactive component derived from garlic, was recently reported to exert versatile antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that SAC would be able to resolve diabetes‐related ED by reducing ROS generation, and designed this study to investigate this possibility as well as to determine the related underlying mechanisms. A streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rat model was established and used for comparative analysis of 4‐week treatment regimens with insulin or SAC. The ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure (ICP) to mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was measured to determine erectile function. Differential levels of ROS, NADPH oxidase subunits, nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling pathway, and apoptosis were evaluated in cavernous tissues. Max ICP/MAP was found to be markedly decreased in untreated diabetic rats; SAC, but not insulin, treatment restored the ratio to baseline (in non‐diabetic untreated controls). The corpus cavernosum of untreated diabetic rats showed increased p47phox and p67phox expression, ROS production and penile apoptotic index, and decreased phospho‐endothelial nitric oxide synthase (phospho‐eNOS, Ser1177) expression, cGMP concentration, B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2)/Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax) ratio and smooth muscle cell number. SAC treatment normalized all the diabetes‐induced effects, whereas insulin treatment partially normalized the alterations, but produced no effects on P47phox expression, penile ROS level, apoptotic index, Bcl‐2/Bax ratio and smooth muscle cell number. Collectively, these data indicate that SAC treatment can restore erectile function in diabetic rats by preventing ROS formation through modulation of NADPH oxidase subunit expression. Furthermore, the poor efficacy of conventional insulin treatment for diabetic ED may be associated with an elevated level of ROS in penile tissue.
Defining the aetiology of erectile dysfunction in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Authors: Mehta Akanksha , Stember Doron S. , O'Brien Keith , Mulhall John P. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryMen presenting with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) frequently report concomitant erectile dysfunction (ED), but the underlying cause of ED in this patient population has not been previously studied. This study prospectively investigated the aetiology of ED in men with CPPS. The study population comprised 46 men with penile pain or dysorgasmia, and concomitant ED. All participants completed the NIH‐CPSI and international index of erectile function‐ erectile function domain (IIEF‐EFD) questionnaires, and underwent penile duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DUS), following intracavernosal trimix injection, to evaluate erectile hemodynamic parameters. Pearson's correlation between NIH‐CPSI and IIEF‐EFD scores, and between NIH‐CPSI score and the erectile response to trimix injections was investigated. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe CPPS symptoms was 26, 48 and 26% respectively. The severity of ED was mild, moderate or severe in 15, 61 and 24% of men respectively. NIH‐CPSI and IIEF‐EFD scores were negatively correlated (r = −0.32, p = 0.002). Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end‐diastolic velocity (EDV) were normal in 96 and 100% of men respectively. The majority of men (78%) required ≥2 trimix injections to attain an adequate erection for DUS. NIH‐CPSI scores and the number of trimix injections needed were positively correlated (r = 0.22, p = 0.035). The aetiology of erectile dysfunction in men who present with CPPS and concomitant ED is almost always psychogenic. Penile DUS in this population of men is fraught with the potential for error, and frequently necessitates more than one dose of a vasoactive agent.
Irsogladine maleate for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in hepatitis C virus patients on pegylated‐interferon and ribavirin: A pilot study
Authors: Hayashi Nobuhiko , George Joseph , Shiroeda Hisakazu , Saito Takashi , Toshikuni Nobuyuki , Tsuchishima Mutsumi , Arisawa Tomiyasu , Tsutsumi Mikihiro 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and AimAphthous stomatitis is one of the adverse effects associated with interferon (IFN) that forces dose reduction of IFN and there is no established therapy. This study was aimed to investigate whether irsogladine maleate, which enhances the functions of intercellular communication through the gap junctions, is effective for the treatment of aphthous stomatitis developed in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients on pegylated‐interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin.MethodsNineteen patients with HCV were treated with PEG‐IFN and ribavirin for 48 weeks. Ten out of 19 patients developed aphthous stomatitis during treatment with PEG‐IFN and ribavirin. Within 1–2 weeks after development of aphthous stomatitis, 4 mg irsogladine maleate was orally administered daily to all patients and the therapeutic and adverse effects of irsogladine maleate were examined on every week. The degree of aphthous stomatitis was evaluated by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0.ResultsOut of 10 patients, aphthous stomatitis was evaluated as grade 3 in three patients (30%) and grade 2 in seven patients (70%) by CTCAE. CTCAE grade was improved to 0 after 1 week in six patients, after 2 weeks in two patients, and after 3 weeks in two patients after the start of administration of irsogladine maleate. Aphthous stomatitis has not recurred in patients who had been on irsogladine maleate continuously during treatment of PEG‐IFN and ribavirin.ConclusionsIrsogladine maleate is effective for the treatment of aphthous stomatitis developing during PEG‐IFN and ribavirin administration in HCV patients.