bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of oxidative stress in renal injury induced in rats by losartan exposure during lactation
Authors: Marin Evelyn Cristina Santana , Francescato Heloísa Della Coletta , Costa Roberto Silva , da Silva Cleonice Giovanini Alves , Coimbra Terezila Machado 
Published: February 2013

Introduction: Rats exposed to angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists during lactation present progressive disturbances in renal development that lead to progressive alterations in renal function and structure. This study evaluates the role of oxidative stress in the renal changes induced by exposure to losartan, a type 1 AII receptor antagonist, in rats during lactation. Materials and methods: Male Wistar pups were divided into: Control, pups of dams that received 2% sucrose solution; Control-tempol, pups of dams that received tempol (0.34 g/l), a superoxide dismutase mimetic compound; Losartan, pups of dams that received losartan (100 mg/kg/day), and Losartan-tempol, pups of dams that received losartan and tempol. Losartan and/or tempol were administered during lactation. Blood and urine samples were collected at 21 or 60 days, and the kidneys were removed. Results: Losartan-treated pups exhibited disturbances in renal function and structure that persisted into adulthood. Tempol treatment reduced oxidative stress and attenuated the changes induced by losartan in the glomerular filtration rate, desmin expression at the glomerular edge, vimentin in tubular cells, as well as apoptosis and inflammatory infiltration in the renal cortex. Conclusion: Oxidative stress contributes at least in part to the renal injury observed in pups exposed to losartan during lactation.
Cardiovascular effects of angiotensin A: A novel peptide of the renin–angiotensin system
Authors: Coutinho Danielle CO , Foureaux Giselle , Rodrigues Keyla DL , Salles Rodrigo LA , Moraes Patrícia L , Murça Tatiane M , De Maria Marilda LA , Gomes Enéas RM , Santos Robson AS , Guatimosim Sílvia , Ferreira Anderson J 
Published: February 2013

Introduction: Angiotensin (Ang) A was first identified in human plasma and it differs from Ang II in Ala1 instead of Asp1. Here, we hypothesized that the actions of this peptide might explain, at least partially, the limited effects of AT1R antagonists in certain cardiovascular diseases. Materials and methods: The effects of Ang A and Ang II on blood pressure (BP) and heart function were compared. Importantly, participation of AT1R in these effects was evaluated. Furthermore, the effects of these two peptides on ischemia/reperfusion arrhythmias and involvement of calcium in these effects were investigated. Results: Administration of increasing doses of these peptides caused elevations in BP at comparable magnitude. AT1R blockade completely abolished these effects. The actions of these peptides in cardiac function were quite similar although the effects of Ang A were only partially blocked by losartan. Interestingly, Ang II elicited an increase in the duration of ischemia/reperfusion arrhythmias while Ang A had no effect on cardiac rhythm during reperfusion. In accordance, differently to Ang II, Ang A did not induce any significant effect on calcium transient during baseline and ischemic stress conditions. Conclusions: These data suggest that the existence of alternative peptides of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) might contribute to the limited effects of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in certain pathophysiological circumstances.
Wallet-Based Redistricting: Evidence for the Concentration of Wealth in Majority Party Districts
Authors: Kirkland Justin H. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis article examines the role of wealth in the redistricting process in state legislative contests. I argue that the decision by state redistricting mapmakers to pursue a “seatswing” or “protection” strategy involves more than just a choice between where to move partisan voters. Redistricting may also allow parties to consider wealth as an additional resource to be concentrated or dispersed across legislative districts. To test this wealth-based hypothesis, I examine state redistricting plans in California and North Carolina. Logistic regression analyses of census block group exchanges between state legislative districts reveal that income plays a significant role in redistricting decisions.
State-Level Measures of Institutional Budgetary Influence from the American State Administrators Project: 1964–98
Authors: Dometrius Nelson C. , Bowling Cynthia , Ferguson Margaret R. , Wright Deil S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe American State Administrators Project is a half-century long research program surveying the attitudes and behavior of state agency leaders. The project has produced a voluminous number of publications and conference papers. At the same time it has also faced several difficulties in making its data more widely available to the scholarly community. This paper describes the Project, some of the data difficulties it has faced, and the portion of the data being distributed with this article.
Therapeutic applications of melatonin
Authors: Kostoglou-Athanassiou Ifigenia 
Published: February 2013

Melatonin is a methoxyindole synthesized within the pineal gland. The hormone is secreted during the night and appears to play multiple roles within the human organism. The hormone contributes to the regulation of biological rhythms, may induce sleep, has strong antioxidant action and appears to contribute to the protection of the organism from carcinogenesis and neurodegenerative disorders. At a therapeutic level as well as in prevention, melatonin is used for the management of sleep disorders and jet lag, for the resynchronization of circadian rhythms in situations such as blindness and shift work, for its preventive action in the development of cancer, as additive therapy in cancer and as therapy for preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Differences in patterns of high-risk human papillomavirus infection between urban and rural low-resource settings: cross-sectional findings from Mali
Authors: Schluterman Nicholas H , Sow Samba O , Traore Cheick B , Bakarou Kamate , Dembelé Rokiatou , Sacko Founé , Gravitt Patti E , Tracy J Kathleen 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
The burden of cervical cancer is disproportionately high in low-resource settings. With limited implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines on the horizon in the developing world, reliable data on the epidemiology of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection in distinct geographic populations is essential to planners of vaccination programs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether urban patterns of HR-HPV occurrence can be generalized to rural areas of the same developing country, using data from Mali, West Africa, as an example.

Methods
Urban and rural women in Mali participated in a structured interview and clinician exam, with collection of cervical samples for HPV DNA testing, to determine HR-HPV prevalence and correlates of infection. Correlates were assessed using bivariate analysis and logistic regression.

Results
A total of 414 women (n=202 urban women; n=212 rural women) were recruited across both settings. The prevalence of HR-HPV infection in rural women was nearly twice that observed in urban women (23% v. 12%). Earlier age of sexual debut and fewer pregnancies were associated with HR-HPV infection among urban women, but not rural women. Twenty-six percent of urban women who had sexual intercourse by age 14 had an HR-HPV infection, compared to only 9% of those who had later sexual debut (p<0.01). Overall, age, income, and polygamy did not appear to have a relationship with HR-HPV infection.

Conclusions
Compared to urban women, rural women were significantly more likely to be infected with high-risk HPV. The patterns and risk factors of HR-HPV infection may be different between geographic areas, even within the same developing country. The high prevalence in both groups suggests that nearly all rural women and most urban women in Mali will be infected with HR-HPV during their lifetime, so the effects of risk factors may not be statistically apparent. To control HPV and cervical cancer in West Africa and the rest of the developing world, planners should prioritize vaccination in high-burden areas.
Synthesis of silica nanoparticles from Vietnamese rice husk by sol–gel method
Authors: Le Van Hai , Thuc Chi Nhan Ha , Thuc Huy Ha 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSilica powder at nanoscale was obtained by heat treatment of Vietnamese rice husk following the sol–gel method. The rice husk ash (RHA) is synthesized using rice husk which was thermally treated at optimal condition at 600°C for 4 h. The silica from RHA was extracted using sodium hydroxide solution to produce a sodium silicate solution and then precipitated by adding H2SO4at pH = 4 in the mixture of water/butanol with cationic presence. In order to identify the optimal condition for producing the homogenous silica nanoparticles, the effects of surfactant surface coverage, aging temperature, and aging time were investigated. By analysis of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, the silica product obtained was amorphous and the uniformity of the nanosized sample was observed at an average size of 3 nm, and the BET result showed that the highest specific surface of the sample was about 340 m2/g. The results obtained in the mentioned method prove that the rice husk from agricultural wastes can be used for the production of silica nanoparticles.
Outcome of deliveries in healthy but obese women: obesity and delivery outcome
Authors: Kaplan-Sturk Rebecka , Åkerud Helena , Volgsten Helena , Hellström-Westas Lena , Wiberg-Itzel Eva 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Obesity among fertile women is a global problem. 25% of pregnant Swedish women are overweight at admission to the antenatal clinic and 12% of them are considered as obese. Previous studies have shown an increased risk of delivery complications with an elevated maternal BMI. The aim of this study was to evaluate delivery outcomes in relation to maternal BMI on admission to the antenatal clinic.
A healthy group of 787 women with full-term pregnancies and spontaneous onset of labor were included in the study. Delivery outcome was assessed in relation to maternal BMI when attending the antenatal clinic.

Results
The results indicated that in deliveries where the maternal BMI was > 30 a high frequency of abnormal CTG trace during the last 30 minutes of labor was shown. A blood sample for evaluation of risk of fetal hypoxia was performed in only eight percent of these deliveries. A spontaneous vaginal delivery without intervention was noted in 85.7%, and 12% of neonates were delivered with an adverse fetal outcome compared to 2.8% in the group with a maternal BMI<30 (p<0.001).

Conclusion
These results indicate an increased risk at delivery for healthy, but obese women in labor. Furthermore, the delivery management may not always be optimal in these deliveries.
Establishment of a new representative model of human ovarian cancer in mice
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Chen Xinlian , Shi Gang , Xie Xiaoyan , Liu Hongqian , Zhang Xuemei , Lai Yi , Zuo Yan , Chen Zhong , Liu Shanling , Wang He 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Intraperitoneal (i.p.) models that accurately mimic the feature behavior of human ovarian cancer are required to investigate the pathology and therapeutics of the disease. However, established i.p. models which are well-characterized and reliable are few. The purposes of this study are to establish a representative mice i.p. model of the disease and to analyze the consequent pathology.

Methods
Fresh tumor cells fiom the ascites of patient were injected into female NOD/SCID mice intraperitoneally. Histology, Cytogenetic, immunohistochemistry,tumor markers of CA125,AFP, CA-199 and CEA were used to analyze the model.

Results
The mice developed marked abdominal distention within 6 months after inoculated with tumor cells from a patient with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The mice developed clinically evident intraperitoneal tumors and massive ascites containing numerous tumor cells in clumps. CA125 level in our model was high in both serum and ascites supernatants, while levels of other tumor markers, such as AFP, CA-199 and CEA, were normal. Cytogenetic analysis and immunohistochemical staining confirmed its characteristics resembling human epithelial ovarian tumor.

Conclusions
The model described in this paper accurately mimics the features of ovarian tumor, which may be useful for evaluation of new therapeutics.
BioBanking as the central tool for translational medicine CTM issue 2013
Authors: Marko‐Varga György 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe impact of mapping the human proteome: Globally, the health care organizations are under resource and cost constrains due to the increasing number of patients that are due to a fast increase of the 65+ age group requiring extensive medical hospitalization and treatments. Hospitals worldwide strive to seek the best cure for patients, suffering from various diseases. A consequence of these global changes, of healthy populations in relation to patients forms the basis for the build of large and centralized biobank facilities, with strategies where the search for an understanding of diseases at a molecular level is at heart. The efforts made lies within large governmental resource allocations where patient centers are collecting samples from clinical study participants in order to try to discover universal expression patterns and molecular signatures of disease and disease stages. Most developments in this area are aimed towards the discovery, and understanding diagnosis implementations. By providing the right treatment alternatives for patients care, at the right time point i.e., at a given disease stage development becomes a major goal where pharmaceutical industry, academia and the health care sector joins forces in large clinical epidemiological, population‐, and disease based studies. This becomes a clear strategic link to the enhancement and prospects for personalized medicines and target directed diagnosis developments (Companion Diagnostics), which require coordinated efforts across a wide range of disciplines. Currently, companion diagnostics is at the core of the personalized medicine paradigm shift. It will identify patients who are most likely to benefit from a particular therapeutic product, as well as identify patients likely to be at increased risk for serious adverse reactions as a result of treatment with a particular therapeutic agent. It is predicted that more than half of all new drugs will require a companion diagnostic, which opens up for an endeavor for Proteomics research implementations.
Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA) Practice Patterns in Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia (CIA) Treated at Hospital Oncology Clinics
Authors: Reitan John F. , van Breda Arletta , Shreay Sanatan , Corey-Lisle Patricia K. , Cong Ze 
Published: February 2013

Objectives To characterize erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) usage initiated in hospital outpatient oncology centers that employ weekly (QW) and every-3-week (Q3W) ESA dosing regimens; describe the frequency of ESA dosing, transfusions, hemoglobin determinations, and anemia-related visits between these 2 regimens; and compare the rates at which inpatient ESA doses are administered on QW versus Q3W schedules. Methods This was a retrospective, observational record review evaluating ESA usage in 641 patients from 8 outpatient oncology clinics throughout the United States. Adult patients who initiated myelosuppressive chemotherapy for a documented solid tumor between August 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009 and received their first 3 consecutive outpatient ESA doses on a QW or Q3W schedule were eligible for study inclusion. During a single course of chemotherapy, ESA administrations were recorded as long as ESA therapy was continued on the initial regimen. ESA doses were captured until termination of ESA therapy, until 9 months had elapsed since the first ESA dose, until the patient was switched to another ESA regimen, or until death. ESA administration during inpatient admissions was also recorded. Results ESA utilization varied between the dosing groups, with fewer ESA doses administered per follow-up month in patients receiving Q3W versus QW ESA therapy (mean, 1 vs 2 doses). Compared to weekly administration, extended-dose ESA therapy also reduced the number of hemoglobin determinations and anemia-related visits without chemotherapy required per follow-up month. Neither the number of transfusions nor the number of packed red blood cell units administered per follow-up month differed between treatment groups. Compared to weekly ESA therapy, Q3W administration reduced costs associated with ESA prescribing and utilization. Conclusion: Extended-dose ESA therapy (Q3W dosing) may improve practice efficiency and may be associated with reduced frequencies of hemoglobin determinations and ESA doses required. Q3W dosing may also reduce inpatient ESA utilization by reducing the number of ESA doses required for previously maintained outpatients.
Analysis of Antithrombotic Therapy after Cardioembolic Stroke Due to Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter
Authors: Peterson Evan J. , Reaves Anne B. , Smith Jennifer L. , Oliphant Carrie S. 
Published: February 2013

Background Guidelines recommend that all patients with atrial fibrillation and a history of ischemic stroke should receive an anticoagulant. Prior analyses show that warfarin is underutilized in most populations. Objective To examine the use of antithrombotic and anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter during the index hospitalization for acute, ischemic stroke. Methods Retrospective electronic medical record review of 200 patients treated at a tertiary care hospital with a primary ICD-9 code for ischemic stroke and a secondary ICD-9 code for atrial fibrillation or flutter. Exclusion criteria were active bleeding, pregnancy, age less than 18, pre-existing warfarin allergy, or dabigatran use. Results Fifty-two percent of patients received at least one dose of warfarin during the index hospitalization. There was no relationship between CHADS2 score and likelihood of receiving warfarin ( P > .05). There was no significant difference in adverse event rate in patients receiving warfarin compared to those receiving aspirin (3.8% vs 9.1%; P = .14), but the rate of hemorrhagic transformation was lower in patients receiving warfarin (1% vs 7%; P = .03). The composite of hemorrhagic stroke or hemorrhagic transformation was significantly lower in patients receiving bridging therapy (0% vs 11%; P = .03). Sixteen patients were readmitted for stroke within 3 months of discharge. Ten were readmitted for ischemic stroke, 3 for hemorrhagic stroke or hemorrhagic transformation, and 3 for systemic bleeding. Ten patients (62.5%) were receiving warfarin at readmission, but only one of these patients had a therapeutic INR. Conclusions Warfarin was underutilized as secondary stroke prophylaxis in these high-risk patients. Bridging therapy appeared to be safe and was not associated with an increase in adverse events.
Prevalence and Nature of Medication Administration Errors in Health Care Settings: A Systematic Review of Direct Observational Evidence
Authors: Keers Richard N , Williams Steven D , Cooke Jonathan , Ashcroft Darren M 
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review empirical evidence on the prevalence and nature of medication administration errors (MAEs) in health care settings. DATA SOURCES: Ten electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Scopus, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, PsycINFO, Cochrane Reviews and Trials, British Nursing Index, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Health Management Information Consortium) were searched (1985-May 2012). STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: English-language publications reporting MAE data using the direct observation method were included, providing an error rate could be determined. Reference lists of all included articles were screened for additional studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: In all, 91 unique studies were included. The median error rate (interquartile range) was 19.6% (8.6–28.3%) of total opportunities for error including wrong-time errors and 8.0% (5.1–10.9%) without timing errors, when each dose could be considered only correct or incorrect. The median rate of error when more than 1 error could be counted per dose was 25.6% (20.8–41.7%) and 20.7% (9.7–30.3%), excluding wrong-time errors. A higher median MAE rate was observed for the intravenous route (53.3% excluding timing errors (IQR 26.6–57.9%)) compared to when all administration routes were studied (20.1%; 9.0–24.6%), where each dose could accumulate more than one error. Studies consistently reported wrong time, omission, and wrong dosage among the 3 most common MAE subtypes. Common medication groups associated with MAEs were those affecting nutrition and blood, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, and antiinfectives. Medication administration error rates varied greatly as a product of differing medication error definitions, data collection methods, and settings of included studies. Although MAEs remained a common occurrence in health care settings throughout the time covered by this review, potential targets for intervention to minimize MAEs were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should attend to the wide methodological inconsistencies between studies to gain a greater measure of comparability to help guide any forthcoming interventions.
Reinitiating Aspirin Therapy for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in a Patient Post—Aspirin-Induced Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Adly Gounathan , Plakogiannis Roda 
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of continued aspirin use for primary prevention of a cardiovascular event in a patient post—aspirin-induced upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed and evaluate published evidence to determine whether reinitiating aspirin therapy for this patient was appropriate. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old man had been taking chronic low-dose (81 mg/day) aspirin therapy since 2002 for primary prevention of a cardiovascular event. He developed an upper GI bleed with lowered hemoglobin (9 mg/dL) and hematocrit (26.3%) after concomitantly taking 2 doses of naproxen (220 mg each). An objective causality assessment with the Naranjo probability scale revealed a probable adverse reaction of an upper GI bleed associated with concomitant naproxen and aspirin use. No further naproxen was taken. Aspirin was discontinued and pantoprazole was started, with resolution of the bleeding. Aspirin was restarted 2.5 months after pantoprazole was initiated, and no further bleeding occurred. DISCUSSION: Upper GI bleeds associated with aspirin therapy are well described in the literature. The management of cardiovascular event prophylaxis after a GI bleed is often controversial; consensus in regard to the optimal method of management does not exist. We evaluated GI protection strategies for patients with a history of aspirin-induced GI bleeding requiring cardiovascular prophylaxis. We found that the benefit of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events needs to be carefully balanced with the risks associated with its use. The current literature supports that the best approach to prevent recurrent aspirin-induced GI bleeding is to administer a proton pump inhibitor with aspirin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events needs to be carefully balanced with the risks associated with its use. Based on the current literature, the best approach to preventing recurrent aspirin-induced GI bleeds is to administer a proton pump inhibitor concomitantly with aspirin therapy.