bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Review article: advances in the management of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension‐related renal dysfunction
Authors: Leithead J. A. , Hayes P. C. , Ferguson J. W. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryBackgroundIn cirrhosis, portal hypertension is associated with a spectrum of renal dysfunction that has significant implications for morbidity and mortality.AimTo discuss recent progress in the patho‐physiological mechanisms and therapeutic options for portal hypertension‐related renal dysfunction.MethodsA literature search using Pubmed was performed.ResultsPortal hypertension‐related renal dysfunction occurs in the setting of marked neuro‐humoral and circulatory derangement. A systemic inflammatory response is a pathogenetic factor in advanced disease. Such physiological changes render the individual vulnerable to further deterioration of renal function. Patients are primed to develop acute kidney injury when exposed to additional ‘hits’, such as sepsis. Recent progress has been made regarding our understanding of the aetiopathogenesis. However, treatment options once hepatorenal syndrome develops are limited, and prognosis remains poor. Various strategies to prevent acute kidney injury are suggested.ConclusionPrevention of acute kidney injury in high risk patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension‐related renal dysfunction should be a clinical priority.
Beliefs about medicines in Dutch acenocoumarol and phenprocoumon users
Authors: Verhoef Talitha I. , Redekop W. Ken , Bouvy Marcel L. , Dorenbos Brenda , Karwar Zamiera , van Schie Rianne M. F. , de Boer Anthonius , Maitland‐van der Zee Anke‐Hilse ,   EU‐PACT group
Published: February 2014

AimsAdherence to the generally complex regimen of coumarin derivatives is vital in order to keep patients in the adequate International Normalized Ratio range. Patients' beliefs about medicines are associated with the level of therapy adherence. Our first aim was to assess beliefs about coumarins. Secondly, we compared the beliefs about coumarins with the beliefs about other cardiovascular drugs.MethodsThe Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire was used to assess medication beliefs. The questionnaire was completed by new users of coumarins indicated for venous thromboembolism or atrial fibrillation. A necessity score and a concerns score were calculated for all patients. The analyses were repeated for users of antihypertensive drugs or statins (not using coumarins).ResultsThree hundred and twenty patients were included in the analysis of the beliefs about coumarins. The mean necessity score was 15.3, the concerns score 12.3 and the necessity–concerns differential 3.0. Patients with venous thromboembolism (n = 71) had higher necessity scores than patients with atrial fibrillation (n = 249; 16.8 vs. 14.9, P < 0.001). The mean necessity score in 493 users of other cardiovascular drugs was 16.1, the concerns score 13.5 and the necessity–concerns differential 2.6. The necessity score was higher in chronic cardiovascular drug users (n = 192) than in new users (n = 301; 17.9 vs. 14.9, P < 0.001).ConclusionsCoumarin users score higher on the necessity scale than on the concerns scale, which is also the case in users of other cardiovascular drugs. Patients with atrial fibrillation have a less positive attitude towards these drugs than patients with venous thromboembolism, and could therefore benefit more from specific attention.
Assessing the safety features of electronic patient medication record systems used in community pharmacies in England
Authors: Ojeleye Oluwagbemileke , Avery Anthony J. , Boyd Matthew J. 
Published: February 2014

AimsTo evaluate the ability of electronic patient medication record (ePMR) systems used in community pharmacies in England to detect and alert users about clinical hazards, errors and other safety problems.MethodsBetween September 2012 and November 2012, direct on‐site observational data about the performance of ePMR systems were collected from nine sites. Twenty‐eight scenarios were developed by consensus agreement between a general practitioner and two community pharmacists. Each scenario was entered into the ePMR system, and the results obtained from the assessment of six unique systems in nine sites, in terms of the presence or absence of an alert, were recorded onto a prespecified form.ResultsNone of the systems produced the correct responses for all of the 28 scenarios tested. Only two systems provided an alert to penicillin sensitivity. No dose or frequency check was observed when processing a prescription for methotrexate. One system did not warn about nonsuitability of aspirin prescribed to a child of 14 years of age. In another system, it was not possible to record a patient's pregnancy status. None of the six systems provided any warning for diclofenac overdose, high initiation dose of morphine sulfate or significant dose increase. Only one of the systems did not produce any spurious alerts.ConclusionsThe performance of the ePMR systems tested was variable and suboptimal. The findings suggest the need for minimum specifications and standards for ePMR systems to ensure consistency of performance.
Citalopram and escitalopram plasma drug and metabolite concentrations: genome‐wide associations
Authors: Ji Yuan , Schaid Daniel J. , Desta Zeruesenay , Kubo Michiaki , Batzler Anthony J. , Snyder Karen , Mushiroda Taisei , Kamatani Naoyuki , Ogburn Evan , Hall‐Flavin Daniel , Flockhart David , Nakamura Yusuke , Mrazek David A. , Weinshilboum Richard M. 
Published: February 2014

AimsCitalopram (CT) and escitalopram (S‐CT) are among the most widely prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). We applied a genome‐wide association study to identify genetic factors that contribute to variation in plasma concentrations ofCTorS‐CTand their metabolites inMDDpatients treated withCTorS‐CT.MethodsOur genome‐wide association study was performed using samples from 435MDDpatients. Linear mixed models were used to account for within‐subject correlations of longitudinal measures of plasma drug/metabolite concentrations (4 and 8 weeks after the initiation of drug therapy), and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were modelled as additive allelic effects.ResultsGenome‐wide significant associations were observed forS‐CTconcentration withSNPsin or near theCYP2C19gene on chromosome 10 (rs1074145,P= 4.1 × 10−9) and withS‐didesmethylcitalopram concentration forSNPsnear theCYP2D6locus on chromosome 22 (rs1065852,P= 2.0 × 10−16), supporting the important role of these cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in biotransformation of citalopram. After adjustment for the effect ofCYP2C19functional alleles, the analyses also identified novel loci that will require future replication and functional validation.ConclusionsIn vitroandin vivostudies have suggested that the biotransformation ofCTto monodesmethylcitalopram and didesmethylcitalopram is mediated byCYPisozymes. The results of our genome‐wide association study performed inMDDpatients treated withCTorS‐CThave confirmed those observations but also identified novel genomic loci that might play a role in variation in plasma levels ofCTor its metabolites during the treatment ofMDDpatients with these selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Applicability of Computational Systems Biology in Toxicology
Authors: Kongsbak Kristine , Hadrup Niels , Audouze Karine , Vinggaard Anne Marie 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSystems biology as a research field has emerged within the last few decades. Systems biology, often defined as the antithesis of the reductionist approach, integrates information about individual components of a biological system. In integrative systems biology, large data sets from various sources and databases are used to model and predict effects of chemicals on, for instance, human health. In toxicology, computational systems biology enables identification of important pathways and molecules from large data sets; tasks that can be extremely laborious when performed by a classical literature search. However, computational systems biology offers more advantages than providing a high‐throughput literature search; it may form the basis for establishment of hypotheses on potential links between environmental chemicals and human diseases, which would be very difficult to establish experimentally. This is possible due to the existence of comprehensive databases containing information on networks of human protein–protein interactions and protein–disease associations. Experimentally determined targets of the specific chemical of interest can be fed into these networks to obtain additional information that can be used to establish hypotheses on links between the chemical and human diseases. Such information can also be applied for designing more intelligent animal/cell experiments that can test the established hypotheses. Here, we describe how and why to apply an integrative systems biology method in the hypothesis‐generating phase of toxicological research.
Hirsch, Brett D (2012) Digital humanities pedagogyhttp://openbookpublishers.com/ isbn 978‐1‐909254‐25‐1 426 pp £14.95
Authors: Dettori Giuliana 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThis interesting book, the target audience of which is teachers of digital humanities at university level, highlights the need to teach methodological approaches and not simply technological skills. Thus we nurture scholars who are culturally literate as well as digitally adept, and foster the development of critical thinking skills. If the content of this book is likely to be relevant to you, I recommend that you buy a copy for your own use.Giuliana Dettori
Miller, Suzanne M & McVee, Mary B ed (2012) Multimodal composing in classroomsRoutledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐0‐415‐89747‐1 161 pp £27.99 http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415897471/
Authors: Dettori Giuliana 
Published: February 2014

SummaryMultimodal composing in classrooms aims to encourage school teachers to change their view of literacy, through the analysis of experiences of multimodal literacies in a variety of learning contexts. Literacy entails not only reading and writing, but, working in different modes, effectively expressing oneself and understanding others’ expressions. Developing multimodal literacies is a powerful tool to foster learning and understanding and hence to improve school education. If what this book is about is likely to appeal to you, I recommend that you arrange to borrow a copy for a while.Giuliana Dettori
Motteram, Gary ed (2013) Innovations in learning technology for English language teachingBritish Council (London) isbn 978‐0‐86355‐713‐2 197 pp £12 (free download) http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/C607%20Information%20and%20Communication_WEB%20ONLY_FINAL.pdf
Authors: Laborda Jesús García 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThis reader‐friendly volume brings a lot of fresh ideas to teaching English as a foreign language. However, not only teachers of English may benefit from it—teachers of other subjects may do so as well, if they have a genuine interest in the use of new technologies in the classroom. The free availability is a plus, and I recommend you to download your own copy, even if the book does not at once seem directly relevant to you.Jesús García Laborda
Nelson, Brian C & Erlandson, Benjamin E (2012) Design for learning in virtual worlds Routledge (New York & London) isbn 978‐0‐415‐88640‐6 215 pp £24.99 http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415886406/
Authors: Hedberg John G 
Published: February 2014

SummaryNelson and Erlandson have collated a summary of the work of early designers and researchers into virtual worlds for learning and assessment. While it is confined to those experiences already well known in the literature, it does provide a basic introduction for undergraduates. If it seems that this book could be relevant to you, I advise that you will probably find only parts of it of interest or use.John G Hedberg
How Does China's New Labour Contract Law Affect Floating Workers?
Authors: Li Xiaoying , Freeman Richard B. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractChina's new Labour Contract Law took effect in January 2008 and required firms to give migrant workers written contracts, strengthened labour protections for workers and contained penalties for firms that did not follow the labour code. This article uses survey data of migrant workers in the Pearl River Delta before and after the law, and a retrospective question on when workers received their first labour contract to assess the effects of the law on labour outcomes. The evidence shows that the new law increased the percentage of migrant workers with written contracts, which in turn raised social insurance coverage, reduced the likelihood of wage arrears and raised the likelihood that workers had a union at their workplace.
Thematic analysis of the effectiveness of an inpatient mindfulness group for adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Yildiran Hatice , Holt Rachel R. 
Published: February 2014

Accessible summary

Mindfulness helps people focus instead of worrying about the past or future.

We talked to six people who took part in a mindfulness group.

They all had intellectual disabilities and were in hospital for mental health problems.

They told us the group helped, and we hope that mindfulness can help other people too.

SummaryThe study focused on the effectiveness of group mindfulness for people with intellectual disabilities in an assessment and treatment unit. Six participants with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities were interviewed using semi‐structured interviews. The interviews focused on identifying the benefits and difficulties of using mindfulness. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified which were categorised into interpersonal (‘helping people’) and intrapersonal (‘focusing on one particular thing’; ‘improving skills’; get rid of all nasty bad stuff you want to get rid of’) benefits. The theme ‘bit too late to teach old dog new tricks’ captured the difficulties encountered. The themes highlighted that people with intellectual disabilities were able to form an understanding of mindfulness and were able to benefit from the intervention.
Challenges for opioid receptor nomenclature: IUPHAR Review 9
Authors: Cox Brian M , Christie Macdonald J , Devi Lakshmi , Toll Lawrence , Traynor John R 
Published: February 2014

Recent developments in the study of the structure and function of opioid receptors raise significant challenges for the definition of individual receptor types and the development of a nomenclature that precisely describes isoforms that may subserve different functions in vivo. Presentations at the 2013 meeting of the International Narcotics Research Conference in Cairns, Australia, considered some of the new discoveries that are now unravelling the complexities of opioid receptor signalling. Variable processing of opioid receptor messenger RNAs may lead to the presence of several isoforms of the μ receptor. Each opioid receptor type can function either as a monomer or as part of a homo‐ or heterodimer or higher multimer. Additionally, recent evidence points to the existence of agonist bias in the signal transduction pathways activated through μ receptors, and to the presence of regulatory allosteric sites on the receptors. This brief review summarizes the recent discoveries that raise challenges for receptor definition and the characterization of signal transduction pathways activated by specific receptor forms.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2
Acute desipramine restores presynaptic cortical defects in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by suppressing central CCL5 overproduction
Authors: Di Prisco Silvia , Merega Elisa , Lanfranco Massimiliano , Casazza Simona , Uccelli Antonio , Pittaluga Anna 
Published: February 2014

Background and PurposeAltered glutamate exocytosis and cAMP production in cortical terminals of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice occur at the early stage of disease (13 days post‐immunization, d.p.i.). Neuronal defects were paralleled by overexpression of the central chemokine CCL5 (also known as RANTES), suggesting it has a role in presynaptic impairments. We propose that drugs able to restore CCL5 content to physiological levels could also restore presynaptic defects. Because of its efficacy in controlling CCL5 overexpression, desipramine (DMI) appeared to be a suitable candidate to test our hypothesis.Experimental ApproachControl and EAE mice at 13 d.p.i. were acutely or chronically administered DMI and monitored for behaviour and clinical scores. Noradrenaline and glutamate release, cAMP, CCL5 and TNF‐α production were quantified in cortical synaptosomes and homogenates. Peripheral cytokine production was also determined.Key ResultsNoradrenaline exocytosis and α2‐adrenoeceptor‐mediated activity were unmodified in EAE mice at 13 d.p.i. when compared with control. Acute, but not chronic, DMI reduced CCL5 levels in cortical homogenates of EAE mice at 13 d.p.i., but did not affect peripheral IL‐17 and TNF‐α contents or CCL5 plasma levels. Acute DMI caused a long‐lasting restoration of glutamate exocytosis, restored endogenous cAMP production and impeded the shift from inhibition to facilitation of the CCL5‐mediated control of glutamate exocytosis. Finally, DMI ameliorated anxiety‐related behaviour but not motor activity or severity of clinical signs.ConclusionsWe propose DMI as an add‐on therapy to normalize neuropsychiatric symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients at the early stage of the disease.
CO and CO‐releasing molecules (CO‐RMs) in acute gastrointestinal inflammation
Authors: Babu D , Motterlini R , Lefebvre R A 
Published: February 2014

Carbon monoxide (CO) is enzymatically generated in mammalian cells alongside the liberation of iron and the production of biliverdin and bilirubin. This occurs during the degradation of haem by haem oxygenase (HO) enzymes, a class of ubiquitous proteins consisting of constitutive and inducible isoforms. The constitutive HO2 is present in the gastrointestinal tract in neurons and interstitial cells of Cajal and CO released from these cells might contribute to intestinal inhibitory neurotransmission and/or to the control of intestinal smooth muscle cell membrane potential. On the other hand, increased expression of the inducible HO1 is now recognized as a beneficial response to oxidative stress and inflammation. Among the products of haem metabolism, CO appears to contribute primarily to the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of the HO1 pathway explaining the studies conducted to exploit CO as a possible therapeutic agent. This article reviews the effects and, as far as known today, the mechanism(s) of action of CO administered either as CO gas or via CO‐releasing molecules in acute gastrointestinal inflammation. We provide here a comprehensive overview on the effect of CO in experimental in vivo models of post‐operative ileus, intestinal injury during sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. In addition, we will analyse the in vitro data obtained so far on the effect of CO on intestinal epithelial cell lines exposed to cytokines, considering the important role of the intestinal mucosa in the pathology of gastrointestinal inflammation.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of the Gasotransmitters. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-6
Oxytocin inhibits the activity of acid‐sensing ion channels through the vasopressin, V1A receptor in primary sensory neurons
Authors: Qiu Fang , Qiu Chun‐Yu , Cai Huilan , Liu Ting‐Ting , Qu Zu‐Wei , Yang Zhifan , Li Jia‐Da , Zhou Qun‐Yong , Hu Wang‐Ping 
Published: February 2014

Background and PurposeA growing number of studies have demonstrated that oxytocin (OT) plays an analgesic role in modulation of nociception and pain. Most work to date has focused on the central mechanisms of OT analgesia, but little is known about whether peripheral mechanisms are also involved. Acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs) are distributed in peripheral sensory neurons and participate in nociception. Here, we investigated the effects of OT on the activity of ASICs in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.Experimental ApproachElectrophysiological experiments were performed on neurons from rat DRG. Nociceptive behaviour was induced by acetic acid in rats and mice lacking vasopressin, V1A receptors.Key ResultsOT inhibited the functional activity of native ASICs. Firstly, OT dose‐dependently decreased the amplitude of ASIC currents in DRG neurons. Secondly, OT inhibition of ASIC currents was mimicked by arginine vasopressin (AVP) and completely blocked by the V1A receptor antagonist SR49059, but not by the OT receptor antagonist L‐368899. Thirdly, OT altered acidosis‐evoked membrane excitability of DRG neurons and significantly decreased the amplitude of the depolarization and number of action potentials induced by acid stimuli. Finally, peripherally administered OT or AVP inhibited nociceptive responses to intraplantar injection of acetic acid in rats. Both OT and AVP also induced an analgesic effect on acidosis‐evoked pain in wild‐type mice, but not in V1A receptor knockout mice.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese results reveal a novel peripheral mechanism for the analgesic effect of OT involving the modulation of native ASICs in primary sensory neurons mediated by V1A receptors.
Orexin/hypocretin role in reward: implications for opioid and other addictions
Authors: Baimel Corey , Bartlett Selena E , Chiou Lih‐Chu , Lawrence Andrew J , Muschamp John W , Patkar Omkar , Tung Li‐Wei , Borgland Stephanie L 
Published: February 2014

Addiction is a devastating disorder that affects 15.3 million people worldwide. While prevalent, few effective treatments exist. Orexin receptors have been proposed as a potential target for anti‐craving medications. Orexins, also known as hypocretins, are neuropeptides produced in neurons of the lateral and dorsomedial hypothalamus and perifornical area, which project widely throughout the brain. The absence of orexins in rodents and humans leads to narcolepsy. However, orexins also have an established role in reward seeking. This review will discuss some of the original studies describing the roles of the orexins in reward seeking as well as specific works that were presented at the 2013 International Narcotics Research Conference. Orexin signalling can promote drug‐induced plasticity of glutamatergic synapses onto dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a brain region implicated in motivated behaviour. Additional evidence suggests that orexin signalling can also promote drug seeking by initiating an endocannabinoid‐mediated synaptic depression of GABAergic inputs to the VTA, and thereby disinhibiting dopaminergic neurons. Orexin neurons co‐express the inhibitory opioid peptide dynorphin. It has been proposed that orexin in the VTA may not mediate reward per se, but rather occludes the ‘anti‐reward’ effects of dynorphin. Finally, orexin signalling in the prefrontal cortex and the central amygdala is implicated in reinstatement of reward seeking. This review will highlight recent work describing the role of orexin signalling in cellular processes underlying addiction‐related behaviours and propose novel hypotheses for the mechanisms by which orexin signalling may impart drug seeking.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2