bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of pulse pressure and spontaneous variations of macular thickness in patients with diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Dupas Bénédicte , Feldman‐Billard Sylvie , Bui Quoc Emmanuel , Erginay Ali , Guillausseau Pierre‐Jean , Massin Pascale 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPurposeTo study spontaneous variations of central macular thickness (CMT) and its relation to blood pressure (BP) in patients with diabetic macular oedema (DME).Methods23 diabetic patients presenting with DME with a CMT ≥ 260 μm on optical coherence tomography (OCT‐3, Carl Zeiss Meditec, CA) were followed every 2 weeks for 3 months. At baseline, ambulatory 24H‐BP monitoring (ABPM) was performed, as well as five CMT measurements (9 am, 12 am, 3 pm, 6 pm and 9 am the day after). During follow‐up, BP and CMT were simultaneously measured at 9 am.ResultsSignificant spontaneous variations in CMT (at least one change in CMT greater than 11% compared to the median CMT value) were observed over 3 months in 48% of patients. Mean CMT decreased over the day and increased during the night, but not significantly (p = 0.1). During the 6 visits, the CMT at 9 am positively correlated with the pulse pressure (PP) measured at the same time (r = 0.29, p = 0.0008). In addition, the mean 24H‐CMT was positively correlated with the mean 24H‐ PP (r = 0.48, p = 0.02).ConclusionSignificant spontaneous changes in CMT of patients with DME were observed in nearly half of cases over 3 months. Retinal thickness was correlated to PP levels (patients with higher CMT had higher PP levels). This high variability of macular oedema, and the influence of BP on retinal thickness, should be taken into consideration by practitioners when evaluating the benefit of a therapy in DME.
Ocular diseases and 10‐year mortality: The Beijing Eye Study 2001/2011
Authors: Wang Ya Xing , Zhang Jing Shang , You Qi Sheng , Xu Liang , Jonas Jost B. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPurposeTo examine the relationship between major ocular diseases and mortality.MethodsThe population‐based longitudinal study Beijing Eye Study was performed in 2001 and repeated in 2011. The participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination at baseline in 2001.ResultsOf 4439 subjects examined in 2001, 2695 (60.7%) subjects returned for the follow‐up examination in 2011, while 379 (8.5%) subjects were dead and 1365 (30.8%) subjects were alive, however, did not agree to be re‐examined. In multivariate regression analysis, mortality was significantly associated with the systemic parameters of older age (p < 0.001; Odds ratio (OR): 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.09), male gender (p < 0.001; OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.78), lower level of education (p < 0.001; OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.74) and smoking (p < 0.001; OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.36, 2.49) and with the ocular parameters of presence of diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.002; OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.34, 3.81), non‐glaucomatous optic nerve damage (p = 0.001; OR: 4.90; 95% CI: 1.90, 12.7) and higher degree of nuclear cataract (p = 0.002; OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.52). In that model, mortality was not significantly (all p > 0.05) associated with refractive error, cortical or subcapsular posterior cataract, intraocular pressure, best corrected visual acuity, visual field defects, prevalence of age‐related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusions, open‐angle glaucoma and angle‐closure glaucoma.ConclusionsAfter adjustment for age, gender, level of education and smoking, mortality was significantly higher in subjects with diabetic retinopathy, non‐glaucomatous optic nerve damage and nuclear cataract. Other major ophthalmic parameters and disorders such as hyperopia, myopia, high myopia, pterygium, age‐related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, glaucoma and cortical or nuclear cataract were not significantly associated with mortality in the multivariate analysis.
Changes in arterial function in a mouse model of human familial hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Brinkmann O. , Schmerbach K. , Tietge U. J. F. , Dietrich T. , Guski H. , Linz D. , Kühn H. , Patzak A. , Wilfert K. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimAtherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. The ApoB mouse is a model for human familial hypercholesterolaemia and has a lipoprotein profile similar to that of humans with atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is a suitable model to investigate the changes in vasoreactivity during atherogenesis. This study investigates contractile and dilatative properties of arteries in this model in relation to age.MethodsMale ApoB mice and B6, wild‐type (WT), mice were examined at age four or 18 months. Isometric measurements of 2‐mm ring preparations of the aorta thoracica were performed using a wire myograph. Histological and biochemical methods served to determine atherosclerosis, lipid status and endothelial markers respectively.ResultsMorphometric analysis showed that all old ApoB mice had severe atherosclerosis in the aorta. Atherosclerotic alteration of the aorta of the ApoB mice coincided with a diminished vasodilatation to acetylcholine. The phenylephrine response was significantly attenuated already to the same degree in the non‐atherosclerotic aorta of the young ApoB mice as in the atherosclerotic aorta of the older ApoB mice. Serum parameters showed a rise in total cholesterol and triglycerides in the ApoB strain compared to WT mice. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)‐1 and soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM)‐1 were increased in old compared to young ApoB mice.ConclusionThe study shows that reduced acetylcholine‐induced dilatation is related to the presence of atherosclerosis in old ApoB mice. Remarkably, the impaired vessel reactivity to phenylephrine already in young ApoB mice indicates early changes in vascular function in this model.
Is it meaningful to distinguish between generalized and specific Internet addiction? Evidence from a cross‐cultural study from Germany, Sweden, Taiwan and China
Authors: Montag Christian , Bey Katharina , Sha Peng , Li Mei , Chen Ya‐Fei , Liu Wei‐Yin , Zhu Yi‐Kang , Li Chun‐Bo , Markett Sebastian , Keiper Julia , Reuter Martin 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIntroductionIt has been hypothesized that two distinctive forms of Internet addiction exist. Here, generalized Internet addiction refers to the problematic use of the Internet covering a broad range of Internet‐related activities. In contrast, specific forms of Internet addiction target the problematic use of distinct online activities such as excessive online video gaming or activities in social networks.MethodsThe present study investigates the relationship between generalized and specific Internet addiction in a cross‐cultural study encompassing data from China, Taiwan, Sweden and Germany in n = 636 participants. In this study, we assessed – besides generalized Internet addiction – addictive behavior in the domains of online video gaming, online shopping, online social networks and online pornography.ResultsThe results confirm the existence of distinct forms of specific Internet addiction. One exception, however, was established in five of the six samples under investigation: online social network addiction correlates in large amounts with generalized Internet addiction.DiscussionIn general, it is of importance to distinguish between generalized and specific Internet addiction.
Endoscopic ultrasound of the colon for the differentiation of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in comparison with healthy controls
Authors: Ellrichmann M. , Wietzke‐Braun P. , Dhar S. , Nikolaus S. , Arlt A. , Bethge J. , Kuehbacher T. , Wintermeyer L. , Balschun K. , Klapper W. , Schreiber S. , Fritscher‐Ravens A. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryBackgroundDiagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is based on clinical presentation, colonoscopy and histology. Differentiation of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) can be difficult in some patients. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides high resolution images of the gastrointestinal wall (GI) and may be an alternative to differentiate CD/UC.AimEUS of the GI layers in patients with IBD and healthy controls (HC) for the differential diagnosis of UC/CD in a prospective, blinded study.MethodsConsecutive patients with CD, UC or HC underwent EUS in the mid sigmoid colon with a forward‐viewing radial echoendoscope. Mucosal, submucosal, total wall thickness (TWT) and locoregional lymphnodes (LN) were assessed by EUS in a blinded fashion. TWT was correlated with macroscopic IBD scores and histological inflammation scores.ResultsTotal wall thickness of 61 HC was 1.71 ± 0.02 mm, and 3.51 ± 0.15 mm in n = 52 with active IBD. In patients with active UC significant thickening of the mucosa was observed but nearly normal submucosa and m.propria. In active CD significant thickening of the submucosal layer was seen with nearly normal mucosa and m.propria [MucosaUC = 2.08 ± 0.11 mm, MucosaCD = 1.32 ± 0.17 mm (P = 0.0001); SubmucosaUC = 1.01 ± 0.08 mm, SubmucosaCD = 2.01 ± 0.22 mm (P = 0.0001)]. In 73.7% of patients with active CD, but in none with UC, paracolonic lymph nodes were detected. When mucosal‐submucosal and TWT and LNs were combined, the sensitivity was 92.3% for the differentiation of active UC/CD. There was a strong correlation of TWT with histological inflammation scores (UC: r = 0.43; CD: r = 0.69).ConclusionsIncreased total wall thickness has a high positive predictive value for active IBD. EUS can differentiate active UC from CD and quantify the level of colonic inflammation.
Effects of dietary Centella asiatica (L.) Urban on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood composition in piglets vaccinated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Authors: Maneewan Chamroon , Mekbungwan Apichai , Charerntantanakul Wasin , Yamauchi Kohsho , Yamauchi Koh‐en 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTo investigate the effects of Centella asiatica (L.) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood composition in piglets, 32 nursery pigs were fed 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% dietary C. asiatica (L.) from 15 to 90 kg BW. At 30 kg BW, nutrient digestibility was measured and at 35 kg BW piglets were vaccinated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Hematological parameters were checked at 40 and 80 kg BW. Compared with the control, growth performance was not affected. The ether extract, ash and calcium digestibility were lower at 0.5%, and dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, phosphorus and energy digestibility were lower at 1.0% (P < 0.05). On hematological values, at 40 kg hematocrit, total white blood cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes were higher at the 2.0% level (P < 0.05). Most of these values except basophils and monocytes continued until at 80 kg, at which total white blood cells, neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes were higher even at 1.0% (P < 0.05); neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio tended to be higher at 2.0% (P < 0.03). Cholesterol, triglycerides and antibody levels against M. hyopneumoniae did not differ except that at 40 kg the cholesterol of 0.5% was lower (P < 0.05) and M. hyopneumoniae‐specific antibodies tended to be higher with increasing levels of C. asiatica (L.) (P < 0.07). The result that C. asiatica (L.) could not improve growth performance but increased values of serum hematocrit and white blood cells, and mycoplasma immunity to M. hyopneumoniae might suggest that C. asiatica (L.) has no function to elevate body weight but has the potential to enhance innate immunity.
Effects of Seijo‐bofu‐to, a Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine Containing Furanocoumarin Derivatives, on the Drug‐Metabolizing Enzyme Activities in Healthy Male Volunteers
Authors: Saruwatari Junji , Takashima Ayaka , Yoshida Kousuke , Soraoka Hiromi , Ding Tong‐Bin , Uchiyashiki Yoshihiro , Tsuda Yoshiyuki , Imamura Motoki , Oniki Kentaro , Miyata Keishi , Nakagawa Kazuko 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSeijo‐bofu‐to, a traditional medicine used to treat acne in Asian countries, contains twelve herbal components, including Angelica dahurica root, a source of furanocoumarin derivatives. In this study, we investigated potential herb–drug interactions of seijo‐bofu‐to in healthy male volunteers. Thirty‐two young, healthy, non‐smoking males were assessed for the baseline activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP3A, CYP2D6, N‐acetyltransferase 2 and xanthine oxidase according to the urinary metabolic indices of 8‐hr urine samples collected after the administration of a 150‐mg dose of caffeine and a 30‐mg dose of dextromethorphan, and the ratio of urinary excretion of 6β‐hydroxycortisol to cortisol. Thereafter, the volunteers received 3.75 g of seijo‐bofu‐to twice daily for 7 days and underwent the same tests on post‐dose day 7. The geometric mean ratio of the CYP1A2 activity on day 7 to that observed at baseline was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.55–0.79, p = 0.001). The geometric mean phenotypic indices for CYP3A, CYP2D6, N‐acetyltransferase 2 and xanthine oxidase on day 7 did not differ from the baseline values. The findings of the present study suggest that seijo‐bofu‐to may inhibit the activity of CYP1A2, whereas it is unlikely to participate in herb–drug interactions involving medications predominantly metabolized by CYP3A, CYP2D6, N‐acetyltransferase 2 or xanthine oxidase.
Semiparametric approach for non‐monotone missing covariates in a parametric regression model
Authors: Sinha Samiran , Saha Krishna K. , Wang Suojin 
Published: February 2014

SummaryMissing covariate data often arise in biomedical studies, and analysis of such data that ignores subjects with incomplete information may lead to inefficient and possibly biased estimates. A great deal of attention has been paid to handling a single missing covariate or a monotone pattern of missing data when the missingness mechanism is missing at random. In this article, we propose a semiparametric method for handling non‐monotone patterns of missing data. The proposed method relies on the assumption that the missingness mechanism of a variable does not depend on the missing variable itself but may depend on the other missing variables. This mechanism is somewhat less general than the completely non‐ignorable mechanism but is sometimes more flexible than the missing at random mechanism where the missingness mechansim is allowed to depend only on the completely observed variables. The proposed approach is robust to misspecification of the distribution of the missing covariates, and the proposed mechanism helps to nullify (or reduce) the problems due to non‐identifiability that result from the non‐ignorable missingness mechanism. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator are derived. Finite sample performance is assessed through simulation studies. Finally, for the purpose of illustration we analyze an endometrial cancer dataset and a hip fracture dataset.
Airway epithelial barrier function regulates the pathogenesis of allergic asthma
Authors: Heijink I. H. , Nawijn M. C. , Hackett T.‐L. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThe integrity of the airway epithelium in patients with asthma is often disrupted, with loss of epithelial cell–cell contacts. Airway epithelial barrier dysfunction may have important implications for asthma, because structural epithelial barrier function is tightly interwoven with the ability of the epithelium to regulate the immune system. We propose that changes at the airway epithelial barrier play a central role in the sensitisation to allergens and pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Many of the recently identified susceptibility genes for asthma are expressed in airway epithelium. However, the exact mechanisms by which the expression of epithelial susceptibility genes translates into a functionally altered response to aeroallergens in asthma are still unknown. In this review, we will focus on the role of airway epithelial barrier function in the susceptibility to develop allergic asthma and discuss therapeutic strategies aimed at the epithelial barrier.
Polyclonal B cell activation for accurate analysis of pre-existing antigen-specific memory B cells
Authors: Karahan G E , Eikmans M , Anholts J D H , Claas F H J , Heidt S 
Published: February 2014

Summary
The enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay is a widely used tool for enumeration of antigen-specific memory B cells in several disciplines, such as vaccination, cancer immunotherapy and transplantation. For the accurate estimation of antigen-specific memory B cell frequencies, a well-defined B cell activation protocol is pivotal. In this study, we aimed to characterize a polyclonal B cell activation protocol to facilitate optimal monitoring of antigen-specific memory B cell frequencies. Total, naive and memory B cells were activated polyclonally with an α-CD40 monoclonal antibody, cytosine–phosphate–guanine (CPG) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 2006, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10 and IL-21. Polyclonal activation of B cells resulted in equal cell death ratios in naive and memory B cells. When tested in an antigen-specific system, immunoglobulin (Ig)G spots were detected only in the memory fraction. There was no change in B cell polyclonality due to in-vitro activation. Our data show that the current polyclonal activation protocol may be used reliably to estimate the frequency of memory B cells in ELISPOT assays.
Suppression of allo-human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies secreted by B memory cellsin vitro: intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) versusa monoclonal anti-HLA-E IgG that mimics HLA-I reactivities of IVIg
Authors: Zhu D , Ravindranath M H , Terasaki P I , Miyazaki T , Pham T , Jucaud V 
Published: February 2014

SummaryB memory cells remain in circulation and secrete alloantibodies without antigen exposure &gt; 20 years after alloimmunization postpartum or by transplantation. These long-lived B cells are resistant to cytostatic drugs. Therapeutically, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is administered to reduce allo-human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies pre- and post-transplantation, but the mechanism of reduction remains unclear. Recently, we reported that IVIg reacts with several HLA-I alleles and the HLA reactivity of IVIg is lost after its HLA-E reactivity is adsorbed out. Therefore, we have generated an anti-HLA-E monoclonal antibody that mimics the HLA-reactivity of IVIg to investigate whether this antibody suppresses IgG secretion, as does IVIg. B cells were purified from the blood of a woman in whose blood the B memory cells remained without antigen exposure &gt; 20 years after postpartum alloimmunization. The B cells were stimulated with cytokines using a well-defined culture system. The anti-HLA-E monoclonal antibody (mAb) significantly suppressed the allo-HLA class-II IgG produced by the B cells, and that this suppression was far superior to that by IVIg. These findings were confirmed with HLA-I antibody secreted by the immortalized B cell line, developed from the blood of another alloimmunized woman. The binding affinity of the anti-HLA-E mAb for peptide sequences shared (i.e. shared epitopes) between HLA-E and other β2-microglobulin-free HLA heavy chains (open conformers) on the cell surface of B cells may act as a ligand and signal suppression of IgG production of activated B memory cells. We propose that anti-HLA-E monoclonal antibody may also be useful to suppress allo-HLA IgG production in vivo.
Dimensions of the healthy gingiva and peri‐implant mucosa
Authors: Parpaiola Andrea , Cecchinato Denis , Toia Marco , Bressan Eriberto , Speroni Stefano , Lindhe Jan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the dimensions of the soft tissue cuff present at various aspects of teeth and to compare these dimensions to those of the mucosa surrounding single implants.Material and methodsFifty volunteers were recruited that were ≥25 years of age and exhibited no signs of (i) untreated caries; (ii) loss of periodontal tissue support in the incisor, canine, and premolar regions; (iii) systemic or local disease. Furthermore, among the 50 patients recruited (iV), 27 had one single implant in the maxilla with teeth present mesial and/or distal to the implant. Probing pocket depth (PPD) and transmucosal sounding depth (TS) were assessed by five experienced, carefully calibrated examiners and with the use of a periodontal probe at the proximal (mesial, distal) and flat (facial, buccal and palatal/lingual) surfaces of all teeth/implants. The width of the keratinized mucosa (KM) was also determined.ResultsIt was demonstrated that (i) PPD and TS were greater at proximal than at flat surfaces at both tooth and implant sites. In addition, both PPD and TS were deeper at implant than at tooth sites. The TS values documented that the cuff of healthy soft tissue that surrounded a tooth varied between 2 mm at flat surfaces and 4 mm at proximal surfaces, while at implant sites, the mucosa at proximal as well as flat surfaces was 1–1.5 mm greater.ConclusionThe probing pocket depth (PPD) and the transmucosal sounding depth (TS) values were greater at proximal than at flat, that is, facial/palatal (lingual) surfaces at tooth sites and frequently also at implant sites. Furthermore, the PPD and the TS dimensions were greater at implant than at adjacent tooth sites.
Glucagon dynamics during hypoglycaemia and food‐re‐challenge following treatment with vildagliptin in insulin‐treated patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Farngren J. , Persson M. , Schweizer A. , Foley J. E. , Ahrén B. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimsTo determine the effects of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibition on glucagon dynamics in patients with insulin‐treated type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsThe study was a single‐centre, double‐blind, randomized, placebo controlled crossover study in patients with T2D, mean age 59 ± 6 (s.d.) years and mean haemoglobin A1c 7.7 ± 0.8%, treated with exogenous insulin with or without oral antihyperglycaemic agents. Patients received vildagliptin (50 mg BID) or placebo as add‐on to insulin for 4 weeks in random order with a 4‐week washout in‐between. On day 28 of the respective treatment, patients were served a standard meal (500 kcal) followed by a hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemic clamp (target 2.5 mmol/l) and a subsequent food re‐challenge (700 kcal). The completers population (n = 29) was analysed.ResultsGlucose levels were lower with vildagliptin than with placebo during the meal [areas under the curve (AUC) 1.23 ± 0.07 vs. 1.46 ± 0.05 mol/l min, P < 0.001] and similar between the groups during the clamp. During the meal, glucagon levels were lower with vildagliptin (AUC 1.98 ± 0.15 vs. 2.15 ± 0.17 nmol/l min, P = 0.016). In contrast, the glucagon counter‐regulation to the insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia was sustained by vildagliptin (6.05 ± 1.20 pmol/l during vildagliptin vs.6.94 ± 1.09 pmol/l during placebo, NS). During the food re‐challenge after hypoglycaemia, glucagon levels were, again, significantly lower after vildagliptin (AUC 1.30 ± 0.11 vs. 1.52 ± 0.12 nmol/l min, P < 0.039). Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) levels were significantly elevated by vildagliptin compared to placebo during meal, hypoglycaemia and food re‐challenge.ConclusionsVildagliptin action to block GLP‐1 and GIP inactivation by DPP‐4 improves glucagon dynamics during hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and food re‐challenge.