bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between body mass index and outcomes in leukemic patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Hadjibabaie Molouk , Tabeefar Hamed , Alimoghaddam Kamran , Iravani Masood , Eslami Kaveh , Honarmand Hooshyar , Javadi Mohammad reza , Khatami Farnaz , Ashouri Asieh , Ghavamzadeh Ardeshir 
Published: April 2011

Hadjibabaie M, Tabeefar H, Alimoghaddam K, Iravani M, Eslami K, Honarmand H, Javadi M, Khatami F, Ashouri A, Ghavamzadeh A. The relationship between body mass index and outcomes in leukemic patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 149–155.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is being used increasingly in an attempt to cure many hematological disorders. Obesity has become a world wide phenomenon and is a known risk factor for numerous medical conditions, but its role in transplant outcomes remained controversial. Total of 192 patients with acute leukemia who underwent sibling HLA matched HSCT were analyzed to find the effect of pre‐transplant body mass index (BMI) on transplant outcomes such as time to engraftment, infections, graft vs. host disease (GvHD), and overall survival (OS) for the period of three yr (April 2006–March 2009). There was a significant correlation between higher pre‐transplant BMI and shorter engraftment time (p = 0.010); but no relation between BMI and GvHD, infection, and OS was found. The results of this study showed that patients with higher BMI may have a shorter engraftment time; but lower, although not significant, survival rate compared to non‐obese patients.
Use of antipsychotic medications in patients with Parkinson's disease at Auckland City Hospital
Authors: Bloomfield K. , MacDonald L. , Finucane G. , Snow B. , Roxburgh R. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground:  The American Academy of Neurology considers clozapine first line treatment for psychosis in Parkinson's disease (PD). In practice, patients are typically treated with quetiapine initially despite only level C evidence for use due to concern about side‐effects, and changed to clozapine if they fail this.Aim:  To review the use of antipsychotics in patients with PD and the demographics of PD patients who develop psychosis.Methods:  Patients with PD on antipsychotic medications were identified by the Movement Disorder Nurse Specialist database and by reviewing patients admitted to Auckland City Hospital from January 2006 until March 2008. The demographic data, details of PD and antipsychotic use and comorbidities were recorded.Results:  Sixty‐six patients with PD on antipsychotics were identified. The mean age was 75 years and 48 (73%) were in residential care. Patients admitted on antipsychotics had longer disease duration (P < 0.001) and were more likely to have cognitive impairment (P= 0.02) than those admitted not on antipsychotics. The most common indication for use was hallucinations. Patients on clozapine were younger (P < 0.005) and had less comorbidity (P= 0.04) than those on quetiapine. Fifty per cent (6/12) of patients on clozapine had previously failed quetiapine.Conclusion:  Quetiapine has a good efficacy rate with minimal side‐effects. This study lends support to the assumption that quetiapine is a useful medication. However, clozapine also was well tolerated and could be considered for use more frequently than it is.
Association between serum cystatin C, monocytes and other inflammatory markers
Authors: Evangelopoulos A. A. , Vallianou N. G. , Bountziouka V. , Katsagoni C. , Bathrellou E. , Vogiatzakis E. D. , Bonou M. S. , Barbetseas J. , Avgerinos P. C. , Panagiotakos D. B. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground:  Cystatin C is a marker of renal function that appears to be associated with inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is any relationship between cystatin C, total and differential leukocyte count and other inflammatory markers.Methods:  Cystatin C, creatinine, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), haptoglobin, ferritin, serum albumin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides together with total and differential leukocyte count were determined in 490 adults (46 ± 16 years, 40% men) who underwent a typical health examination. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics were also recorded.Results:  After adjustment for demographic risk factors, comorbid health conditions and renal function, a positive and independent relationship of serum cystatin C levels with peripheral monocyte blood count (regression coefficient ± SE: 12 ± 3.38, P < 0.001) and white blood count (0.616 ± 0.278, P= 0.027) was evident. In this multiple linear regression analysis, other inflammatory markers (i.e. hs‐CRP, haptoglobin, ferritin, albumin) did not seem to affect cystatin C blood levels.Conclusion:  The results of this study demonstrated that monocytes, which play an important role in chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis, were independently related with cystatin C concentrations. This finding may provide a plausible link for the usefulness of cystatin C in predicting increased cardiovascular risk.
Regulation of Akt and Wnt signaling by the group II metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist LY341495 and agonist LY379268
Authors: Sutton Laurie P. , Rushlow Walter J. 
Published: April 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 117, 973–983.AbstractMetabotropic glutamate receptors 2/3 (mGlu2/3) have been implicated in schizophrenia and as a novel treatment target for schizophrenia. The current study examined whether mGlu2/3 regulates Akt (protein kinase B) and Wnt (Wingless/Int‐1) signaling, two cascades associated with schizophrenia and modified by antipsychotics. Western blotting revealed increases in phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (pGSK‐3) following acute and repeated treatment of LY379268 (mGlu2/3 agonist), whereas increases in dishevelled‐2 (Dvl‐2), dishevelled‐3 (Dvl‐3), GSK‐3 and β‐catenin were only observed following repeated treatment. LY341495 (mGlu2/3 antagonist) induced the opposite response compared with LY379268. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments showed an association between the mGlu2/3 complex and Dvl‐2 providing a possible mechanism to explain how the mGlu2/3 can mediate changes in Wnt signaling. However, there was no association between the mGlu2/3 complex and Akt suggesting that changes in Akt signaling following LY341495 and LY379268 treatments may not be directly mediated by the mGlu2/3. Finally, an increase in locomotor activity induced by LY341495 treatment correlated with increased pAkt and pGSK‐3 levels and was attenuated by the administration of the GSK‐3 inhibitor, SB216763. Overall, the results suggest that mGlu2/3 regulates Akt and Wnt signaling and LY379268 treatment has overlapping effects with D2 dopamine receptor antagonists (antipsychotic drugs).
New species and records of the genera Milichia Meigen and Milichiella Giglio‐Tos (Diptera, Milichiidae) from the Oriental region and Seram Island
Authors: IWASA Mitsuhiro 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe species of the genera Milichia and Milichiella in the Oriental region and Seram Is. are taxonomically investigated. Three new species, Milichia linealis sp. nov. from the Philippines, Milichiella sulawesiensis sp. nov. and Milichiella nigella sp. nov. from Indonesia, are described. New distributional data of Milichiella bakeri Aldrich from Indonesia and M. spinthera Hendel from Indonesia, Nepal and Thailand are given. Keys to the species of Milichia and Milichiella in the Oriental region and Seram Is. are provided.
Quantum Yields and Quantitative Spectra of Firefly Bioluminescence with Various Bivalent Metal Ions
Authors: Wang Yu , Kubota Hidehiro , Yamada Nobuyuki , Irie Tsutomu , Akiyama Hidefumi 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe measured quantitative spectra of firefly (Photinus pyralis) bioluminescence in the presence of Zn2+ and other bivalent metal ions to investigate the effects of these metal ions on luciferin‐luciferase reaction. We studied the dependence of the quantum yield and spectrum on quantity and kind of bivalent metal ions. Adding various amounts of Mg2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+ produced virtually no change in the quantum yields or the spectra of bioluminescence. In contrast, increasing amounts of ions such as Zn2+ and Cd2+ decreased quantum yields and changed the bioluminescence color from yellow‐green to red. Quantitative analysis showed that the sensitivities of the quantum yield and color to various metal ions were in the order of Hg2+>Zn2+, Cd2+>Ni2+, Co2+, Fe2+≫Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+. We propose that the changes in quantum yield and spectrum caused by the metal ions are due to their effect on luciferase that surrounds oxyluciferin during its radioactive decay. We also found that having more metal ions accelerated bioluminescence reactions. The sensitivity of the reaction rate had no correlation with those of the quantum yield and spectrum.
Decreased prothrombin time after intravitreal bevacizumab in the early period in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Qian Jing , Jiang Yan‐Rong 
Published: April 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) (IVB) injection on prothrombin time (PT) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and nondiabetic patients.Methods:  Eighty‐nine patients received primary IVB (1.25 mg) in one eye were investigated. The patients were divided into three groups: 34 PDR (diabetic group), 26 nondiabetic (nondiabetic group) patients received IVB and 29 PDR patients without IVB (control group). The levels of PT were detected before and after IVB in study groups and at corresponding time‐points in the control group. Paired samples t‐test was conducted to compare the statistical differences of PT in each group.Results:  Significant difference (p < 0.001) of the levels of PT before and after IVB was observed in diabetic group in the early period, and the PT changes (11.0 ± 0.56 before and 10.6 ± 0.45 after IVB) were in fact within the normal range. There were no significant differences in other groups and other time‐points (all p > 0.05).Conclusions:  Intravitreal bevacizumab may lead to a decrease in the levels of PT in the early period after IVB in PDR patients, suggesting a temporarily potential effect of IVB on the extrinsic clotting pathway of blood coagulation cascade in diabetic patients.
Pharmacological Properties of the Central Antihypertensive Agent, Moxonidine
Authors: Edwards Lincoln P. , Brown‐Bryan Terry A. , McLean Lancelot , Ernsberger Paul 
Published: April 2011

SummaryThe sympathetic nervous system plays a central role in the pathophysiology not only of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases but also metabolic disorders including disturbances of glucose and lipid homeostasis. A centrally acting sympathetic agent is therefore attractive not only for lowering blood pressure, but also intervening with multiple disease processes. Older agents such as clonidine and guanabenz have numerous side effects, including sedation and dry mouth that limit their acceptability to patients. Moxonidine and the related agent rilmenidine have greatly reduced side effects, because they have reduced activity at the α2‐adrenergic receptors that mediate these undesirable actions. Instead, moxonidine and rilmenidine act primarily through a novel cellular site, termed the I1‐imidazoline receptor. The molecular biology of the I1‐imidazoline receptor protein has recently been described, and the cell signaling pathways linked to this protein have been characterized. Moxonidine has unique effects on a number of cell types through this unusual cellular site of action. There are multiple therapeutic implications of these cellular actions, especially for metabolic syndrome and its associated derangements in glucose and lipid metabolism. Finally, the clinical trials that seemed to identify an unfavorable outcome in severe heart failure are dissected and critiqued. We conclude that moxonidine and future successors to this agent could be of great value in treating multiple chronic diseases.
The production‐ecological sustainability of cassava, sugarcane and sweet sorghum cultivation for bioethanol in Mozambique
Authors: DE VRIES SANDER C. , VAN DE VEN GERRIE W. J. , VAN ITTERSUM MARTIN K. , GILLER KEN E. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe present an approach for providing quantitative insight into the production‐ecological sustainability of biofuel feedstock production systems. The approach is based on a simple crop‐soil model and was used for assessing feedstock from current and improved production systems of cassava for bioethanol. Assessments were performed for a study area in Mozambique, a country considered promising for biomass production. Our focus is on the potential role of smallholders in the production of feedstock for biofuels. We take cassava as the crop for this purpose and compare it with feedstock production on plantations using sugarcane, sweet sorghum and cassava as benchmarks. Production‐ecological sustainability was defined by seven indicators related to resource‐use efficiency, soil quality, net energy production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Results indicate that of the assessed systems, sugarcane performed better than cassava, although it requires substantial water for irrigation. Targeted use of nutrient inputs improved sustainability of smallholder cassava. Cassava production systems on more fertile soils were more sustainable than those on less fertile soils; the latter required more external inputs for achieving the same output, affecting most indicators negatively and reducing the feasibility for smallholders. Cassava and sweet sorghum performed similarly. Cassava production requires much more labour per hectare than production of sugarcane or sweet sorghum. Production of bioethanol feedstock on cultivated lands was more sustainable and had potential for carbon sequestration, avoiding GHG emissions from clearing natural vegetation if new land is opened.
A five‐year clinical and radiographic follow‐up of bipolar hip arthroplasty with insertion of a porous‐coated anatomic femoral component without cement
Authors: Cao Cheng‐fu , Zhou Jun‐jie , Pang Jin‐hui , Chen Xian‐qi 
Published: April 2011

Objective:  To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of bipolar hip arthroplasty with a cementless porous‐coated anatomic femoral component.Methods:  Fifty‐nine patients (86 hips) with a minimum 3.5‐year follow‐up were followed up for a mean of 5.2 years (from January 2005 to January 2007). Standard clinical evaluation utilizing the Harris hip score and radiographic evaluation based on the criteria of the Hip Society were used in this prospective study. Radiographic assessment included evaluation of calcar remodeling and pedestal formation.Results:  The average age of the patients (24 men and 35 women) at the time of surgery was 71.4 years (range, 69–84 years). The average preoperative Harris hip score was 48.5 ± 4.0 (range, 25–65) points, pain score 15.2 ± 3.9 (range, 0–20) points and functional score 26.7 ± 4.6 (range, 9–40) points. At the time of the latest follow‐up, the average Harris hip score was 96.1 ± 2.1 (range, 67–100) points, pain score 42.6 ± 6.3 (range, 32–54) points and functional score 45.5 ± 4.7 (range, 29–56) points. Five hips (5.81%) had pain in the anterior part of the thigh. Two hips (2.33%) required revision of the femoral component because of aseptic loosening and periprosthetic fracture. Radiographic assessment revealed consistent evidence of proximal bone ingrowth. No completely radiolucent lines were identified, except around stems that had loosened. Twenty‐seven femoral components (31.4%) had associated slight pedestal formation. No osteolytic lesions of the femur were identified. Nonprogressive pelvic osteolysis was identified in four hips, none of the lesions being ≥2 mm in diameter.Conclusion:  An anatomically designed prosthesis can provide good clinical results, with low incidence of thigh pain and loosening of the component.
Surgical management of cervical cord injury with ossification of the cervical posterior longitudinal ligament
Authors: Yang Da‐long , Zhang Ying‐ze , Shen Yong , Cao Jun‐ming 
Published: April 2011

Objective:  To identify an appropriate surgical approach for the management of cervical cord injury with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.Methods:  A retrospective study of 25 cases of cervical cord injury with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was performed. Two cases were classified as Frankel grade A, three as grade B, fourteen as grade C, and six as grade D. Treatment procedures consisted of anterior decompression with instrumentation (twelve patients), posterior decompression (eight patients), and combined anterior and posterior decompression (five patients).Results:  There were no iatrogenic injuries of great vessels, trachea, esophagus or spinal cord. All patients were followed up for 15–86 months (average, 38.3 months). All segment with anterior fixation attained solid fusion, without implants loosening or breakage. No reclosed open‐door was found after posterior laminoplasty. Twenty‐one patients improved by one to two Frankel grades. The patients with complete spinal cord injury achieved no neurologic recovery, but did experience relief of upper limb pain or numbness.Conclusion:  The surgical outcomes of cervical cord injury with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were satisfactory. It is important to select a suitable surgical approach according to the findings on radiological imaging and the clinical characteristics and general condition of the patients.
Biomechanical stability of lower cervical spine immediately after discectomy with grafting
Authors: Yin De‐zhen , Xin Xiao‐tang , Yang Rui , Shi Yu‐peng , Shen Hui‐yong 
Published: April 2011

Objective:  Anterior cervical discectomy is commonly used to treat radiculopathy and myelopathy. Although the size of the implanted graft may influence the clinical outcome of anterior reconstruction of the cervical spine, the ideal graft height remains arguable. The objective of the current study was to study the interrelations of graft height and immediate biomechanical stability in an anterior cervical discectomy model.Methods:  Six fresh‐frozen human cadaver cervical spines (C1–T1) were tested in five sequential states. The first state tested was the “normal” state (specimens with intact discs). The other four states were tested after C5–C6 discectomy by the Smith‐Robinson graft technique, using graft thicknesses of 100%, 120%, 140%, and 160% of the baseline height. The baseline height was defined as the intervertebral disc height of C5–C6 at the intact stage. Intervertebral segment flexion, extension, bending and rotation of C5–C6 were recorded using a 3D laser scanner and analyzed using Geomagic Studio 5.0 software.Results:  Bone grafting at 100% baseline height after discectomy provided the least stability and the greatest movement range. With increasing height of grafts, the movement range of the cervical spine declined. Immediate stability of the operated segments was significantly increased by grafting with 140% and 160% baseline heights compared to the baseline height condition.Conclusions:  Strut‐graft with appropriate distraction after Smith‐Robinson anterior cervical discectomy plays an important role in the whole immediate biomechanical stability of the lower cervical spine. A graft height of 40% greater than baseline may be ideal after single discectomy in clinical practice.
Novel sulfobutyl ether cyclodextrin gradient leads to highly active liposomal irinotecan formulation
Authors: Li ChunLei , Cui JingXia , Wang CaiXia , Li YanHui , Zhang Lan , Xiu Xian , Li YongFeng , Wei Na , Zhang Li , Wang Ping 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Objectives
Liposomal delivery of irinotecan could provide protection against drug hydrolysis, deliver more active lactone form to tumours and prolong irinotecan exposure time. Nevertheless, conventional drug-loading technologies have typically resulted in undesired drug retention properties. To resolve the problem, a modified gradient loading method was developed and the resulting formulations were evaluated in a systemic manner.

Methods
Irinotecan was loaded into liposomes using a novel sulfobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrin (sbe-CD) gradient. The effect of drug-to-lipid ratio (D/L) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafting density were investigated. Drug release experiments were performed in ammonium-containing medium based on the fluorescence dequenching phenomenon of irinotecan. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in normal balb/c mice treated with different formulations. To compare the anti-tumour effect of different formulations, an RM-1 prostate cancer model was used. Acute toxicity studies were performed in healthy female c57 mice.

Key findings
Irinotecan could be encapsulated into liposomes with &gt; 90% loading efficiency at a high drug-to-lipid mass ratio (&gt; 0.5). In-vitro release experiments revealed that sbe-CD anion was more able to retain irinotecan than sulfate. Moreover, the elevated D/L ratio elicited decreased drug release kinetics. Both trends had also been observed when the effects of anions and D/L ratio on half-life of irinotecan were assessed. Pegylated liposomal irinotecan loaded with sbe-CD/triethylammonium gradient had irinotecan half-life values ranging from 9.4 to 13.1 h, surpassing vesicles prepared by the triethylammonium sulfate method (∼4.5 h). In the RM-1 tumour model, all the liposomal irinotecan formulations were more therapeutically active than free irinotecan and the formulation with a high D/L ratio was the most efficacious. Moreover, the high D/L formulation might be less toxic than free irinotecan based on acute toxicity studies.

Conclusions
The novel sbe-CD gradient could mediate effective irinotecan loading and improve irinotecan retention, thus resulting in highly active liposomal irinotecan formulations. The improvement in drug retention might be associated with the formation of complicated aggregates inside vesicles.