bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heparin Affin Regulatory Peptide Modulates the Endogenous Anticoagulant Activity of Heparin and Heparan Sulphate Mimetics
Authors: Mejdoubi‐Charef Najet , Courty José , Sineriz Fernando , Papy‐Garcia Dulce , Charef Said 
Published: October 2014

AbstractPleiotrophin, also known as heparin affin regulatory peptide (HARP), is a growth factor expressed in various tissues and cell lines. In this work, HARP was tested for its capacity to modulate the anticoagulant activity of heparin and heparan sulphate mimetics (OTR4120). We used both in vitro and in vivo assays. HARP was found to be differently effective for neutralization of the anticoagulant activity of the mimetic heparan sulphate (OTR4120) and heparin in purified system and human plasma. HARP was shown to compete with both antithrombin and thrombin for binding to heparin and to OTR4120, respectively. In the presence of OTR4120, the Vmax was constant and the calculated maximum velocity was 1.56 U/min; the thrombin Km value (0.011 nM) was affected by HARP concentrations. The Km (HARP) value was 0.085 nM, which is consistent with high affinity of HARP to OTR4120. Under the same conditions, initial velocity patterns for antithrombin–heparin were determined in the presence or in the absence of HARP. The antithrombin value Km (0.022 nM) was affected by HARP (0.077 nM). HARP exhibits efficacy equivalent to or greater than protamine. Interestingly, intraperitoneally administered HARP decreased the anticoagulant activity of heparin and of OTR4120 in mice. Taken together, these data provide the first evidence for a physiological role of HARP in the modulation of anticoagulant activity of heparin and heparin‐like material.
Toxinology of Venoms from Five Australian Lesser Known Elapid Snakes
Authors: Pycroft Kyle , Fry Bryan G. , Isbister Geoffrey K. , Kuruppu Sanjaya , Lawrence Josie , Ian Smith A. , Hodgson Wayne C. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractResearch into Australian elapid venoms has mainly focused on the seven genera of greatest clinical significance: Acanthophis, Hoplocephalus, Notechis, Oxyuranus, Pseudechis, Pseudonaja and Tropidechis. However, even small species represent a potential for causing severe clinical envenoming. Further, owing to taxonomic distinctiveness, these species are a potential source of novel toxins for use in drug design and development. This is the first study to characterize the venoms of Cryptophis boschmai, Denisonia devisi, Echiopsis curta, Hemiaspis signata and Vermicella annulata. MALDI analysis of each venom, over the range of 4–40 kDa, indicated components in the weight range for three finger toxins (6–8 kDa) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2; 12–14 kDA). Interestingly, C. boschmai venom was the only venom, which contained components > 25 kDa. All venoms (10 μg/ml) demonstrated in vitro neurotoxicity in the chick biventer cervicis nerve‐muscle preparation, with a relative rank order of: H. signata ≥ D. devisi ≥ V. annulata = E. curta > C. boschmai. CSL polyvalent antivenom neutralized the inhibitory effects of C. boschmai venom but only delayed the inhibitory effect of the other venoms. All venoms displayed PLA2 activity but over a wide range (i.e. 1–621 μmol/min./mg). The venoms of C. boschmai (60 μg/kg, i.v.), D. devisi (60 μg/kg, i.v.) and H. signata (60 μg/kg, i.v.) produced hypotensive effects in vivo in an anaesthetized rat preparation. H. signata displayed moderate pro‐coagulant activity while the other venoms were weakly pro‐coagulant. This study demonstrated that these understudied Australian elapids have varying pharmacological activity, with notable in vitro neurotoxicity for four of the venoms, and may produce mild to moderate effects following systemic envenoming.
Rifampicin has a Profound Effect on the Pharmacokinetics of Oral S‐Ketamine and Less on Intravenous S‐Ketamine
Authors: Peltoniemi Marko A. , Saari Teijo I. , Hagelberg Nora M. , Laine Kari , Kurkinen Kaisa J. , Neuvonen Pertti J. , Olkkola Klaus T. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractLow‐dose ketamine is currently used in several acute and chronic pain conditions as an analgesic. Ketamine undergoes extensive metabolism and is thus susceptible to drug–drug interactions. We examined the effect rifampicin, a well‐known inducer of many cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and transporters, on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral S‐ketamine in healthy volunteers. Eleven healthy volunteers were administered in randomized order 600 mg rifampicin or placebo orally for 6 days in a four‐session paired cross‐over study. On day 6, S‐ketamine was administered intravenously (0.1 mg/kg) in the first part of the study and orally (0.3 mg/kg) in the second part. Plasma concentrations of ketamine and norketamine were measured up to 24 hr and behavioural and analgesic effects up to 12 hr. Rifampicin treatment decreased the mean area under the plasma ketamine concentration–time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC
0–∞) of intravenous and oral S‐ketamine by 14% (p = 0.005) and 86% (p < 0.001), respectively. Rifampicin decreased greatly the peak plasma concentration of oral S‐ketamine by 81% (p < 0.001), but shortened only moderately the elimination half‐life of intravenous and oral S‐ketamine. Rifampicin decreased the ratio of norketamine AUC
0–∞ to ketamine AUC
0–∞ after intravenous S‐ketamine by 66%, (p < 0.001) but increased the ratio by 147% (p < 0.001) after the oral administration of S‐ketamine. Rifampicin profoundly reduces the plasma concentrations of ketamine and norketamine after oral administration of S‐ketamine, by inducing mainly its first‐pass metabolism.
Increasing Membrane Interactions of Local Anaesthetics as Hypothetic Mechanism for Their Cardiotoxicity Enhanced by Myocardial Ischaemia
Authors: Tsuchiya Hironori , Mizogami Maki , Shigemi Kenji 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWhile myocardial ischaemia enhances the cardiotoxicity of local anaesthetics, the pharmacological background remains unclear. Cardiolipin (CL) localized in mitochondrial membranes is possibly the site of cardiotoxic action of local anaesthetics and peroxynitrite is produced by cardiac ischaemia and reperfusion. We verified the hypothetic mechanism that local anaesthetics may interact with CL‐containing biomembranes to change the membrane biophysical property and their membrane interactions may be increased by peroxynitrite. Biomimetic membranes were prepared with different phospholipids and cholesterol of varying compositions. The membrane preparations were reacted with peroxynitrite of pathologically relevant concentrations and local anaesthetics (bupivacaine and lidocaine) of a cardiotoxic concentration separately or in combination. Changes in membrane fluidity were determined by measuring fluorescence polarization. Peroxynitrite decreased the fluidity of biomimetic membranes at 0.1–10 μM with the relative potency being CL>1‐stearoyl‐2‐arachidonoylphosphatidylcholine>1,2‐dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine‐constituting membranes, indicating the lipid peroxidation‐induced membrane rigidification determined by the unsaturation degree of membrane lipids. When treated with 0.1–10 μM peroxynitrite, biomimetic membranes were more rigid with elevating the CL content from 0% to 30 mol%, suggesting that CL is a primary target of peroxynitrite. Bupivacaine and lidocaine fluidized at 200 μM biomimetic membranes containing 10 mol% CL and their effects were increased by pre‐treating the membranes with 0.1 and 1 μM peroxynitrite. Cardiotoxic bupivacaine and lidocaine increasingly interact with CL‐containing mitochondria model membranes which are relatively rigidified by peroxynitrite. Such an increasing membrane interaction may be, at least in part, responsible for the local anaesthetic cardiotoxicity enhanced by myocardial ischaemia.
Effect of Carvedilol and Nebivolol on Oxidative Stress‐related Parameters and Endothelial Function in Patients with Essential Hypertension
Authors: Zepeda Ramiro J. , Castillo Rodrigo , Rodrigo Ramón , Prieto Juan C. , Aramburu Ivonne , Brugere Solange , Galdames Katia , Noriega Viviana , Miranda Hugo F. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractOxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction have been associated with essential hypertension (EH) mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of carvedilol and nebivolol on the oxidative stress‐related parameters and endothelial function in patients with EH. The studied population included 57 patients, either sex, between 30 and 75 years of age, with mild‐to‐moderate EH complications. Participants were randomized to receive either carvedilol (12.5 mg) (n = 23) or nebivolol (5 mg) (n = 21) for 12 weeks. Measurements included; 24‐hr ambulatory blood pressure (BP), flow‐mediated dilatation, levels of nitric oxide estimated as nitrite – a nitric oxide metabolite (
NO
2
) – in plasma, and oxidative stress‐related parameters in plasma and erythrocyte. EH patients who were treated with nebivolol or carvedilol showed systolic BP reductions of 17.4 and 19.9 mmHg, respectively, compared with baseline values (p < 0.01). Diastolic BP was reduced by 13.7 and 12.8 mmHg after the treatment with ebivolol and carvedilol, respectively (p < 0.01) (fig. 2B). Nebivolol and carvedilol showed 7.3% and 8.1% higher endothelium‐dependent dilatation in relation to baseline values (p < 0.05). Ferric‐reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSSH) ratio showed 31.5% and 29.6% higher levels in the carvedilol group compared with basal values; however, nebivolol‐treated patients did not show significant differences after treatment. On the other hand, the
NO
2
plasma concentration was not modified by the administration of carvedilol. However, nebivolol enhanced these levels in 62.1% after the treatment. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the antihypertensive effect of both beta‐blockers. However, carvedilol could mediate these effects by an increase in antioxidant capacity and nebivolol through the raise in
NO
2
concentration. Further studies are needed to determine the molecular mechanism of these effects.
Inhibition of Oestradiol‐induced Prolactin Release in a Dual‐Cannulated Ovariectomized Rat Model by Carmoxirole, a Peripherally Restricted Dopamine Agonist
Authors: Brott David A. , Werkheiser Jennifer L. , Campbell Pam , Bentley Patricia , Andersson Håkan H. A. S. , Stewart Jane , Huby Russell , Altekar Maneesha , Kinter Lewis B. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractCentrally acting dopamine agonists (e.g. bromocriptine) and dopamine transport inhibitors (e.g. GBR12909) are known to inhibit oestradiol‐induced prolactin release. The capacity of peripherally restricted compounds to do likewise, however, is unknown. Here, the effects of the peripherally restricted dopamine receptor agonist carmoxirole on oestradiol‐induced prolactin release were investigated. Dual‐cannulated ovariectomized rats were used, so that a robust, reproducible response to exogenous oestrogen could be induced and sequential blood samples were taken with minimal stress. Carmoxirole (15 mg/kg) inhibited oestradiol‐induced prolactin release, similar to bromocriptine and GBR12909. However, carmoxirole also induced a rapid, transient, oestradiol‐independent release of prolactin. These data show that peripherally restricted dopamine receptor agonists are sufficient to inhibit oestradiol‐induced prolactin release. Like centrally acting compounds, they may therefore be expected to affect the incidence of prolactin‐dependent tumours in rat carcinogenesis studies without inducing central‐mediated side effects.
One‐Step Surfactant‐Free Hydrothermal Synthesis of Platelike Sodium Niobate Template Powders
Authors: Gu Qilin , Zhu Kongjun , Liu Jinsong , Wang Jing , Liu Pengcheng , Sun Qiaomei , Qiu Jinhao 
Published: October 2014

A one‐step surfactant‐free hydrothermal route is developed to prepare platelike NaNbO3 template powders. At optimal KOH concentration, pure platelike NaNbO3 with rhombohedral structure (width and thickness of 20 and 2 μm, respectively) is obtained at 200°C for 16 h. After calcination at 600°C for 4 h, the structure of the hydrothermally synthesized NaNbO3 changes from rhombohedral to orthorhombic, whereas the initial platelike morphology is maintained. Such characteristics in terms of phase structure, elemental composition, and morphology render our hydrothermally synthesized NaNbO3 suitable for textured ceramic fabrications.
Catheter Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (CALYPSO) Pilot Trial
Authors: AL‐KHATIB SANA M. , DAUBERT JAMES P. , ANSTROM KEVIN J. , DAOUD EMILE G. , GONZALEZ MARIO , SABA SAMIR , JACKSON KEVIN P. , REECE TAMMY , GU JOAN , POKORNEY SEAN D. , GRANGER CHRISTOPHER B. , HESS PAUL L. , MARK DANIEL B. , STEVENSON WILLIAM G. 
Published: October 2014

Catheter Ablation for Ventricular TachycardiaIntroductionWe conducted this pilot randomized clinical trial to determine the feasibility of a large clinical trial aimed at testing whether early use of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is superior to antiarrhythmic medications at reducing mortality.Methods and ResultsPatients were enrolled at 4 sites if they had ischemic heart disease, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), and received ≥1 ICD shock or ≥3 antitachycardia pacing therapies for VT. Patients were randomized to 2 arms: (1) antiarrhythmic medication (n = 14) and (2) catheter ablation (n = 13); patients were followed at 3 and 6 months. Endpoints included recurrent VT, time to first ICD therapy for VT, and death. Of 243 screened patients, 27 were enrolled. Main reasons for screen failures were: (1) patient was already on an antiarrhythmic medication (88 [41%]), (2) VT due to a reversible cause (23 [11%]), and (3) incessant VT (20 [9%]). Fourteen patients had recurrent VT, 8 (62%) in the ablation arm and 6 (43%) in the antiarrhythmic medication arm. Median time to recurrent VT was 75 days (25th, 75th: 51, 89) in the ablation arm and 57 days (30, 145) in the antiarrhythmic arm. Four patients died, 2 in each arm.ConclusionThis clinical trial shows that most patients in clinical practice have already failed antiarrhythmic drug therapy before catheter ablation is considered, and the VT recurrence rates and death in these patients are high. For a large clinical trial to be feasible, factors limiting early consideration of catheter ablation need to be identified and addressed.
STATISTICAL MODELING OF STOCK RETURNS: EXPLANATORY OR DESCRIPTIVE? A HISTORICAL SURVEY WITH SOME METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Authors: Koundouri Phoebe , Kourogenis Nikolaos , Pittis Nikitas 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to survey the statistical models of stock returns that have been suggested in the finance literature since the middle of the twentieth century; second, to examine under the prism of the contemporary philosophy of science, which of the aforementioned models can be classified as explanatory and which as descriptive. Special emphasis is paid on tracing the interactions between the motivation for the birth of statistical models of stock returns in any given historical period and the concurrent changes of the theoretical paradigm in financial economics, as well as those of probability theory.
Recurrent brain tumor with hydrocephalus in pregnancy
Authors: Taylan Enes , Akdemir Ali , Zeybek Burak , Ergenoglu Ahmet Mete , Yeniel Ahmet Ozgur 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBrain tumors during pregnancy are very rare. Diagnosis of this condition is difficult because the symptoms imitate pregnancy‐related ailments. The management of this condition also presents challenges. This case report aims to present a successful treatment and delivery of a patient with recurrent brain tumor during pregnancy with hydrocephalus.
Prevalence and associated factors of induced abortion among rural married women: A cross‐sectional survey in Anhui, China
Authors: Gao Guo‐Peng , Zhang Ren‐Jie , Zhang Xiu‐Jun , Jia Xiao‐Min , Li Xiu‐De , Li Xiang , Wang Cheng‐Cheng , Tong Fei , Sun Ye‐Huan 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimThis study aims to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with induced abortion among married women in rural areas of Anhui Province, China.Material and MethodsA multistage probability sampling method was used to identify a representative sample of 53 652 married women aged 18–49 years in rural areas of Anhui Province, China. All women were interviewed in the form of a standardized questionnaire.ResultsWe found that 32.0% (16 800) of these women had had at least one induced abortion: 21.1% (11 090) of women had had one; 7.6% (3976) of women had had two; and 4.1% (1734) of women had had at least three. The number of induced abortions per 100 pregnancies was found to be 22.0. Multivariate analysis showed that education, the age of a woman at her first marriage, number of total births, number of total pregnancies, and contraceptive methods were significant predictors for induced abortion after controlling for women's current age, employment and family yearly income.ConclusionThe study shows that the prevalence of induced abortion is still very high among married women in rural China, and highly effective methods of contraception (sterilization, intrauterine device) decrease women's recourse to induced abortion.
Precursors of ovarian cancer in the fallopian tube: Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma – an update
Authors: Zeppernick Felix , Meinhold‐Heerlein Ivo , Shih Ie‐Ming 
Published: October 2014

AbstractOvarian tumors comprise a wide variety of entities. The largest group, epithelial ovarian carcinoma, can be classified into two main groups, type I and type II tumors. Recent advances in the understanding of ovarian cancer development have resulted in the finding of ‘serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma’, which is believed to represent the precursor lesion in high‐grade serous ovarian carcinoma. In this review, lines of evidence for this are discussed and possible future implications for clinical and research settings are outlined.
Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage I ovarian carcinoma with intraoperative tumor capsule rupture
Authors: Shimizu Dai , Sato Naoki , Sato Toshiharu , Makino Kenichi , Kito Masahiko , Shirasawa Hiromitsu , Kumagai Jin , Terada Yukihiro 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimAdjuvant chemotherapy is generally recommended for early stage epithelial ovarian cancer. However, it remains uncertain which histological subtypes and substages of stage I disease should receive adjuvant chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of chemotherapy among stage I epithelial ovarian cancer.Material and MethodsOf the 267 patients with stage I epithelial ovarian cancer analyzed in this study, 152 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy (AC‐positive group) and 115 patients did not (AC‐negative group). Survival analysis was retrospectively performed to determine the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage I epithelial ovarian cancer patients.ResultsRecurrence was observed in 14 patients in the AC‐negative group and 20 patients in the AC‐positive group. There were no statistically significant differences in disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival between the two groups. In stage IA and IB patients, there was no statistically significant difference in DFS and overall survival based on adjuvant chemotherapy status. However, in patients with intraoperative tumor capsule rupture, the AC‐positive group had significantly better DFS than the AC‐negative group (P = 0.01). Patients with clear cell carcinoma who received adjuvant chemotherapy had better DFS than patients who did not (P = 0.004).ConclusionsAdjuvant chemotherapy may not be necessary for patients with stage IA or IB epithelial ovarian cancer, but may be beneficial for clear cell carcinoma patients with intraoperative tumor rupture.
Effect of the percentage of body fat on surgical, clinical and pathological outcomes in women with endometrial cancer
Authors: Secilmis Kerimoglu Ozlem , Pekin Aybike , Yilmaz Setenay Arzu , Yavas Guler , Beyhekim Fatma , Demirtaş Ayşe Ayda , Dogan Nasuh Utku , İlhan Tolgay Tuyan , Celik Cetin 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimThis study used the measure of percentage of body fat (%BF) to define obesity and evaluated the effect of percentage of %BF on clinical, surgical and pathological features in women with endometrial cancer.MethodsBetween 2011 and 2013, bioelectrical impedance analysis and body size measurements of 94 patients whose endometrial biopsy revealed endometrial cancer were obtained. Patients were divided into two groups according to body mass index (BMI) (normal, <30 kg/m2; elevated, ≥30 kg/m2), and also classified by %BF (normal, <32%; elevated, ≥32%).ResultsThe patients' mean age was 55.0 ± 10.9 years. Mean %BF and BMI were 40.8% ± 9.8% and 32.9 ± 7.5, respectively. Eighty‐three (88%) patients were obese according to %BF; 54 (57%) were obese according to BMI. Patients with elevated %BF were more likely to have less than 50% myometrial invasion (P = 0.004). Significantly more para‐aortic lymph nodes were retrieved in patients with normal %BF or BMI (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Patients with elevated %BF had longer operating times (P = 0.043) and were more likely to have stage I disease than patients with normal %BF (P < 0.001).ConclusionEndometrial cancer patients with an elevated %BF are more likely to have stage I disease and less than 50% myometrial invasion than patients with normal %BF. Defining obesity by BF may provide better estimation of obesity prevalence in patients with endometrial cancer and further understanding the relationship between BF with endometrial cancer may give more information about the effects of obesity on endometrial cancer.
Analyzing the necessity of prophylactic antibiotic usage in laparoscopy for uncomplicated gynecologic conditions in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayarathna Y. Rajayana J. , Ranaraja Sisira , Sumathipala Dulika S. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimThe use of prophylactic antibiotics for laparoscopy of uncomplicated gynecologic conditions is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess whether prophylactic antibiotics is necessary to prevent early postoperative infections and febrile morbidity in elective laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic conditions.Material and MethodsA total of 218 patients who underwent laparoscopy for uncomplicated gynecologic conditions were recruited into the study over a 1‐year period. Following recruitment into the study, they were divided into two groups (ratio 1:1). Patients were divided into either group A (n = 115) the therapy arm or group B (n = 103) the placebo arm. Group A patients received oral azithromycin 1 g daily for 3 days (i.e. the day before, the day of and the day after the procedure) while group B received placebo therapy. Post‐procedural febrile and infection morbidity was analyzed.ResultsMorbidity was absent in 91.3% of patients in both groups A and B. The primary outcome measure of postoperative fever was present in eight patients from each group. The secondary outcome measure of postoperative infection was present in one patient from the group that did not receive prophylaxis (group B), who had a surgical site infection. There were no patients with urinary tract infection or pelvic inflammatory disease during the study.ConclusionAntibiotics prophylaxis was not able to achieve statistically significant reduction in postoperative febrile or infective morbidity in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery for benign uncomplicated conditions.