bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antenatal care provider's advice is the key determinant of influenza vaccination uptake in pregnant women
Authors: Mak Donna B. , Regan Annette K. , Joyce Sarah , Gibbs Robyn , Effler Paul V. 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundAlthough influenza vaccination is an important component of antenatal care and is recommended and funded by the Australian government, vaccination uptake has been low.AimsThis study compared seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among pregnant Western Australian (WA) women and identified factors associated with vaccination uptake.Materials and MethodsAdult women who were pregnant during the 2012 and 2013 influenza vaccination seasons were selected at random and invited to complete a computer‐assisted telephone interview survey about whether they received influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Data analyses were weighted to the age distribution of women of reproductive age in WA. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with vaccination uptake.ResultsBetween 2012 and 2013, the proportion of WA women whose antenatal care provider recommended influenza vaccination increased from 37.6 to 62.1% and vaccination uptake increased from 23.0 to 36.5%. The antenatal care provider's advice to have influenza vaccine was the single most important factor associated with vaccination (OR 11.1, 95% CI 7.9–15.5). Most women (63.7%) were vaccinated in general practice, 18.8% in a public hospital antenatal clinic and 11.0% at their workplace. Wanting to protect their infant from infection (91.2%) and having the vaccine recommended by their GP (60.0%) or obstetrician (51.0%) were commonly reported reasons for vaccination; worrying about side effects was a common reason for nonvaccination.ConclusionsTo optimise maternal and infant health outcomes, Australian antenatal care providers and services need to incorporate both the recommendation and delivery of influenza vaccination into routine antenatal care.
The effect of hyperglycaemia on haemostasis testing – a volunteer study
Authors: Lippi G. , Buonocore R. , Musa R. , Ippolito L. , Picanza A. , Favaloro E. J. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryWe investigated whether the contamination of samples with glucose subsequently tested for haemostasis affected the results, including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen concentration. Venous blood was collected from 12 healthy subjects and divided into four aliquots, which were subjected to different degrees of contamination with standard glucose solution (0%, 5%, 10%, 20%). With increasing glucose contamination, prothrombin time increased from mean (SD) 11.0 (0.7) s to 11.2 (0.7) s, 11.5 (0.7) s and 12.2 (0.8) s, all p < 0.001. Activated partial thromboplastin time decreased from 32.3 (0.9) s to 30.9 (0.8) s, 30.8 (0.8) s, and 29.7 (0.7) s, all p < 0.001. Fibrinogen concentration decreased from 3.8 (0.7) g.l−1 to 3.7 (0.6) g.l−1, 3.6 (0.6) g.l−1, and 3.4 (0.6) g.l−1, all p < 0.001. Bias was clinically meaningful from 5% contamination for activated partial thromboplastin time, 10% contamination for prothrombin time and 20% contamination for fibrinogen concentration. We conclude that if glucose contamination of haemostasis samples is suspected or has occurred, the specimens should not be analysed.
Growth hormone treatment of Prader–Willi syndrome has long‐term, positive effects on body composition
Authors: Höybye Charlotte 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimGrowth hormone (GH) treatment is a relatively new concept in adults, and the knowledge of its long‐term effects is limited. We studied ten men with Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS) after more than 5 years of GH treatment.MethodsStudy participants underwent a detailed physical examination, including blood tests. Five had received GH as childhood and five had started GH as adults.ResultsThe total duration of GH treatment was 16 ± 4 years in the childhood PWS group and 15 ± 1 years in the adulthood PWS group. Their respective mean ages were 27 ± 4 years and 44 ± 4 years, mean heights were 178 ± 11 cm and 156 ± 5 cm, and mean body mass indexes were 32.4 ± 10.3 kg/m2 and 28.9 ± 4.6 kg/m2. There were no differences in body composition between the groups and all lipids and insulin‐like growth factor 1 were normal or close to normal. Four had well‐controlled type 2 diabetes. The GH doses in the childhood and adulthood groups were 0.4 mg and 0.3 mg, respectively.ConclusionMen with PWS who received GH treatment displayed positive effects on body composition independent of when the GH treatment had started. Only patients who gained weight developed diabetes. The duration of GH treatment should balance the benefits and observed side effects.
Sites of cell proliferation during scute morphogenesis in turtle and alligator are different from those of lepidosaurian scales
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo , Minelli Daniela 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCell proliferation in forming shield scutes has been studied by immunofluorescence in embryos of turtle, alligator and snake after injection of 5‐bromo‐deoxy‐uridine. Hinge regions of scutes in alligator and turtle carapace derive from an initial waving and invagination of the epidermis that contains 5‐bromo‐deoxy‐uridine‐labelled cells. This suggests that down growth of the epidermis into the dermis is driven by local proliferation in addition to dermal anchorage and stabilization of hinge regions. Few keratinocytes migrate into suprabasal layers 1 day after injection of 5‐bromo‐deoxy‐uridine and keratinocytes reach the precorneous layer in about 5 days. Proliferating keratinocytes are randomly distributed in the outer scale surface of symmetric scutes but are more numerous in the outer scale surface of asymmetric or overlapped scutes indicating epidermal expansion. Higher localization of proliferating cells along hinge regions of embryonic turtle and alligator scutes is maintained in adult scutes where most growth occurs. In snake, skin proliferation becomes prevalent on the elongating outer side of the asymmetric scale. Comparison between proliferation sites in turtle–alligator–chick scales with lepidosaurian scales indicates that placodes are present only in turtle–alligator–chick scales. Conversely, scale primordia detected only using gene markers are found in most crocodilian and lepidosaurians embryonic skin.
Single‐sweep spectral analysis of contact heat evoked potentials: a novel approach to identify altered cortical processing after morphine treatment
Authors: Hansen Tine M. , Graversen Carina , Frøkjær Jens B. , Olesen Anne E. , Valeriani Massimiliano , Drewes Asbjørn M. 
Published: December 2014

AimsThe cortical response to nociceptive thermal stimuli recorded as contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) may be altered by morphine. However, previous studies have averaged CHEPs over multiple stimuli, which are confounded by jitter between sweeps. Thus, the aim was to assess single‐sweep characteristics to identify alterations induced by morphine.MethodsIn a crossover study 15 single‐sweep CHEPs were analyzed from 62 electroencephalography electrodes in 26 healthy volunteers before and after administration of morphine or placebo. Each sweep was decomposed by a continuous wavelet transform to obtain normalized spectral indices in the delta (0.5–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (12–32 Hz) and gamma (32–80 Hz) bands. The average distribution over all sweeps and channels was calculated for the four recordings for each volunteer, and the two recordings before treatments were assessed for reproducibility. Baseline corrected spectral indices after morphine and placebo treatments were compared to identify alterations induced by morphine.ResultsReproducibility between baseline CHEPs was demonstrated. As compared with placebo, morphine decreased the spectral indices in the delta and theta bands by 13% (P = 0.04) and 9% (P = 0.007), while the beta and gamma bands were increased by 10% (P = 0.006) and 24% (P = 0.04).ConclusionThe decreases in the delta and theta band are suggested to represent a decrease in the pain specific morphology of the CHEPs, which indicates a diminished pain response after morphine administration. Hence, assessment of spectral indices in single‐sweep CHEPs can be used to study cortical mechanisms induced by morphine treatment.
Effect of grapefruit juice on the bioactivation of prasugrel
Authors: Holmberg Mikko T. , Tornio Aleksi , Hyvärinen Hanna , Neuvonen Mikko , Neuvonen Pertti J. , Backman Janne T. , Niemi Mikko 
Published: December 2014

AimsThe P2Y12 inhibitor prasugrel is a prodrug, which is activated after its initial hydrolysis partly by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. Grapefruit juice, a strong inactivator of intestinal CYP3A4, greatly reduces the activation and antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of grapefruit juice on prasugrel.MethodsIn a randomized crossover study, seven healthy volunteers ingested 200 ml of grapefruit juice or water three times daily for 4 days. On day 3, they ingested a single 10 mg dose of prasugrel with an additional 200 ml of grapefruit juice or water. Plasma concentrations of prasugrel metabolites and the antiplatelet effect were measured.ResultsGrapefruit juice increased the geometric mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0–∞) of the primary, inactive metabolite of prasugrel to 164% of the control value (95% confidence interval 122–220%, P = 0.008), without a significant effect on its peak plasma concentration (Cmax). The Cmax and AUC0–∞ of the secondary, active metabolite were decreased to 51% (95% confidence interval 32–84%, P = 0.017) and 74% of the control value (95% confidence interval 60–91%, P = 0.014) by grapefruit juice (P < 0.05). The average platelet inhibition, assessed with the VerifyNow® method at 0–24 h after prasugrel intake, was 5 percentage points (95% confidence interval 1–10 percentage points) lower in the grapefruit juice phase than in the water phase (P = 0.034).ConclusionsGrapefruit juice reduces the bioactivation of prasugrel, but this has only a limited effect on the antiplatelet effect of prasugrel.
Population pharmacokinetic model of free and total ropivacaine after transversus abdominis plane nerve block in patients undergoing liver resection
Authors: Ollier Edouard , Heritier Fabrice , Bonnet Caroline , Hodin Sophie , Beauchesne Brigitte , Molliex Serge , Delavenne Xavier 
Published: December 2014

AimsThe aim of this study was to develop a pharmacokinetic model in order to characterize the free and total ropivacaine concentrations after transversus abdominis plane block in a population of patients undergoing liver resection surgery. In particular, we evaluated the impact of the size of liver resection on ropivacaine pharmacokinetics.MethodsThis work is based on a single‐centre, double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled study. Among the 39 patients included, 19 patients were randomized to the ropivacaine group. The free and total ropivacaine concentrations were measured in nine or 10 blood samples per patient. A pharmacokinetic model was built using a nonlinear mixed‐effect modelling approach.ResultsThe free ropivacaine concentrations remained under the previously published toxic threshold. A one‐compartment model, including protein binding site with a first‐order absorption, best described the data. The protein binding site concentration was considered as a latent variable. Bodyweight, the number of resected liver segments and postoperative fibrinogen evolution were, respectively, included in the calculation of the volume of distribution, clearance and binding site production rate. The resection of three or more liver segments was associated with a 53% decrease in the free ropivacaine clearance.ConclusionsAlthough large liver resections were associated with lower free ropivacaine clearance, the ropivacaine pharmacokinetic profile remained within the safe range after this type of surgery.
Altered intracellular region of MUC1 and disrupted correlation of polarity‐related molecules in breast cancer subtypes
Authors: Iizuka Misato , Nakanishi Yoko , Fuchinoue Fumi , Maeda Tetsuyo , Murakami Eriko , Obana Yukari , Enomoto Katsuhisa , Tani Mayumi , Sakurai Kenichi , Amano Sadao , Masuda Shinobu 
Published: December 2014

MUC1 glycoprotein is overexpressed and its intracellular localization altered during breast carcinoma tumorigenesis. The present study aimed to clarify the relationship of cytoplasmic localization of MUC1 with the breast cancer subtype and the correlation of 10 molecules associated with cell polarity in breast cancer subtypes. We immunostained 131 formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded breast cancer specimens with an anti‐MUC1 antibody (MUC1/CORE). For 48 of the 131 tumor specimens, laser‐assisted microdissection and real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR were performed to analyze mRNA levels of MUC1 and 10 molecules, β‐catenin, E‐cadherin, claudin 3, claudin 4, claudin 7, RhoA, cdc42, Rac1, Par3 and Par6. Localization of MUC1 protein varied among breast cancer subtypes, that is, both the apical domain and cytoplasm in luminal A‐like tumors (P < 0.01) and both the cytoplasm and cell membrane in luminal B‐like (growth factor receptor 2 [HER2]+) tumors (P < 0.05), and no expression was found in triple negative tumors (P < 0.001). Estrogen receptor (ER)+ breast cancers showed higher MUC1 mRNA levels than ER− breast cancers (P < 0.01). The incidence of mutual correlations of expression levels between two of the 10 molecules (55 combinations) was 54.5% in normal breast tissue and 38.2% in luminal A‐like specimens, 16.4% in luminal B‐like (HER2+), 3.6% in HER2 and 18.2% in triple negative specimens. In conclusion, each breast cancer subtype has characteristic cytoplasmic localization patterns of MUC1 and different degrees of disrupted correlation of the expression levels between the 10 examined molecules in comparison with normal breast tissue.
An outcome and cost analysis of anal fistula plug insertion vs endorectal advancement flap for complex anal fistulae
Authors: Fisher O. M. , Raptis D. A. , Vetter D. , Novak A. , Dindo D. , Hahnloser D. , Clavien P.‐A. , Nocito A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimThe study aimed to compare the rate of success and cost of anal fistula plug (AFP) insertion and endorectal advancement flap (ERAF) for anal fistula.MethodPatients receiving an AFP or ERAF for a complex single fistula tract, defined as involving more than a third of the longitudinal length of of the anal sphincter, were registered in a prospective database. A regression analysis was performed of factors predicting recurrence and contributing to cost.ResultsSeventy‐one patients (AFP 31, ERAF 40) were analysed. Twelve (39%) recurrences occurred in the AFP and 17 (43%) in the ERAF group (P = 1.00). The median length of stay was 1.23 and 2.0 days (P < 0.001), respectively, and the mean cost of treatment was €5439 ± €2629 and €7957 ± €5905 (P = 0.021), respectively. On multivariable analysis, postoperative complications, underlying inflammatory bowel disease and fistula recurring after previous treatment were independent predictors of de novo recurrence. It also showed that length of hospital stay ≤ 1 day to be the most significant independent contributor to lower cost (P = 0.023).ConclusionAnal fistula plug and ERAF were equally effective in treating fistula‐in‐ano, but AFP has a mean cost saving of €2518 per procedure compared with ERAF. The higher cost for ERAF is due to a longer median length of stay.
Sarcopenic obesity with metabolic syndrome: a newly recognized entity following living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Choudhary Narendra S. , Saigal Sanjiv , Saraf Neeraj , Mohanka Ravi , Rastogi Amit , Goja Sanjay , Menon Palat B. , Mishra Sunil , Mittal Ambrish , Soin Arvinder S. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveThere are limited data about sarcopenic obesity in liver transplant recipients.MethodsLiving donor liver transplant recipients with at least 12 months of follow‐up were included. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined as ≥3 ATP III criteria. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance. Immunosuppression protocol included short‐term steroids, mycophenolate and calcineurin inhibitors (mainly tacrolimus). Data are shown as percentage, mean ± SD, or median (25–75 IQR).ResultsThe study comprised 82 patients (males 69), aged 50.5 ± 10.65 yr, and follow‐up 24 (12–38.5) months. Etiology for cirrhosis was alcohol 29%, hepatitis C 22%, hepatitis B 17%, cryptogenic 24%, and others 7%. Post‐transplant sarcopenic obesity was present in 72 (88%), and MS was present in 43 (52%) of recipients with no significant difference among etiologies. There were significant differences between pre‐ and post‐transplant body mass index, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein (p = 0.000 for all), prevalence of hypertension (18% vs. 39%), and diabetes (20% vs. 56%). Patients with sarcopenic obesity had significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, and MS (57% vs. 20%, p = 0.041) when compared to patients without sarcopenic obesity.ConclusionDespite resuming routine activities, the majority of liver transplant recipients develop sarcopenic obesity and MS. The importance and role of appropriate nutrition and exercise after transplantation merits further investigation.
Non‐classical mechanism of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor channel block by fluoxetine
Authors: Barygin Oleg I. , Komarova Margarita S. , Tikhonova Tatiana B. , Tikhonov Denis B. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAntidepressants have many targets in the central nervous system. A growing body of data demonstrates the influence of antidepressants on glutamatergic neurotransmission. In the present work, we studied the inhibition of native Ca2+‐permeable and Ca2+‐impermeable α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in rat brain neurons by fluoxetine. The Ca2+‐impermeable AMPA receptors in CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons were weakly affected. The IC50 value for the inhibition of Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptors in giant striatal interneurons was 43 ± 7 μm. The inhibition of Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptors was voltage dependent, suggesting deep binding in the pore. However, the use dependence of fluoxetine action differed markedly from that of classical AMPA receptor open‐channel blockers. Moreover, fluoxetine did not compete with other channel blockers. In contrast to fluoxetine, its membrane‐impermeant quaternary analog demonstrated all of the features of channel inhibition typical for open‐channel blockers. It is suggested that fluoxetine reaches the binding site through a hydrophobic access pathway. Such a mechanism of block is described for ligands of sodium and calcium channels, but was never found in AMPA receptors. Molecular modeling suggests binding of fluoxetine in the subunit interface; analogous binding was proposed for local anesthetics in closed sodium channels and for benzothiazepines in calcium channels.
Charcoal‐inferred Holocene fire and vegetation history linked to drought periods in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Hubau Wannes , Van den Bulcke Jan , Van Acker Joris , Beeckman Hans 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe impact of Holocene drought events on the presumably stable Central African rainforest remains largely unexplored, in particular the significance of fire. High‐quality sedimentary archives are scarce, and palynological records mostly integrate over large regional scales subject to different fire regimes. Here, we demonstrate a direct temporal link between Holocene droughts, palaeofire and vegetation change within present‐day Central African rainforest, using records of identified charcoal fragments extracted from soil in the southern Mayumbe forest (Democratic Republic of Congo). We find three distinct periods of local palaeofire occurrence: 7.8–6.8 ka BP, 2.3–1.5 ka BP, 0.8 ka BP – present. These periods are linked to well‐known Holocene drought anomalies: the 8.2 ka BP event, the 3rd millennium BP rainforest crisis and the Mediaeval Climate Anomaly. During and after these Holocene droughts, the Central African rainforest landscape was characterized by a fragmented pattern with fire‐prone open patches. Some fires occurred during the drought anomalies although most fires seem to lag behind them, which suggests that the open patches remained fire‐prone after the actual climate anomalies. Charcoal identifications indicate that mature rainforest patches did persist through the Early to Mid‐Holocene climatic transition, the subsequent Holocene thermal optimum and the third millennium BP rainforest crisis, until 0.8 ka BP. However, disturbance and fragmentation were probably more prominent near the boundary of the southern Mayumbe forest. Furthermore, the dominance of pioneer and woodland savanna taxa in younger charcoal assemblages indicates that rainforest regeneration was hampered by increasingly severe drought conditions after 0.8 ka BP. These results support the notion of a dynamic forest ecosystem at multicentury time scales across the Central African rainforest.
Squamate hatchling size and the evolutionary causes of negative offspring size allometry
Authors: Meiri S. , Feldman A. , Kratochvíl L. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAlthough fecundity selection is ubiquitous, in an overwhelming majority of animal lineages, small species produce smaller number of offspring per clutch. In this context, egg, hatchling and neonate sizes are absolutely larger, but smaller relative to adult body size in larger species. The evolutionary causes of this widespread phenomenon are not fully explored. The negative offspring size allometry can result from processes limiting maximal egg/offspring size forcing larger species to produce relatively smaller offspring (‘upper limit’), or from a limit on minimal egg/offspring size forcing smaller species to produce relatively larger offspring (‘lower limit’). Several reptile lineages have invariant clutch sizes, where females always lay either one or two eggs per clutch. These lineages offer an interesting perspective on the general evolutionary forces driving negative offspring size allometry, because an important selective factor, fecundity selection in a single clutch, is eliminated here. Under the upper limit hypotheses, large offspring should be selected against in lineages with invariant clutch sizes as well, and these lineages should therefore exhibit the same, or shallower, offspring size allometry as lineages with variable clutch size. On the other hand, the lower limit hypotheses would allow lineages with invariant clutch sizes to have steeper offspring size allometries. Using an extensive data set on the hatchling and female sizes of > 1800 species of squamates, we document that negative offspring size allometry is widespread in lizards and snakes with variable clutch sizes and that some lineages with invariant clutch sizes have unusually steep offspring size allometries. These findings suggest that the negative offspring size allometry is driven by a constraint on minimal offspring size, which scales with a negative allometry.