bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy and neonatal characteristics of opioid‐dependent Indigenous Australians: A rural and metropolitan comparison
Authors: TETSTALL Emma , LIU Anthony Jun Wing , AN Ethan Ikhyun , CANALESE Joe , NANAN Ralph 
Published: June 2009

Aims: To identify maternal, obstetric and neonatal characteristics of opioid‐dependent Indigenous Australians in rural and metropolitan settings.Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 232 metropolitan and 67 rural infants born to mothers maintained on methadone throughout pregnancy for the treatment of opiate dependency, between January 2000 and December 2006. Medical records of identified mother/infant dyads were reviewed by evaluating 20 different maternal, obstetric and neonatal parameters.Results: The number of infants of opiate‐dependent mothers (IODMs) identified to be of Aboriginal ethnicity was 47 in the rural and 50 in the metropolitan setting. This reflected a significantly higher proportion in the rural versus metropolitan areas (70.1% vs 21.6%, P < 0.05). The effect of rurality was independent of ethnicity with significantly lower rates of neonatal withdrawal requiring treatment (P < 0.001), antenatal consultations (P < 0.01), department of community services (DoCS) involvement (P < 0.001) and shorter infant lengths of stay (P < 0.001). There was a non‐significant trend towards more intrauterine growth restriction in Aboriginal infants. There were no significant differences in parameters in rural Indigenous versus rural non‐Indigenous infants.Conclusions: Significant differences exist between rural and metropolitan IODMs in terms of less attendance at antenatal consultations, less neonatal withdrawal requiring treatment, shorter average length of hospital stay for the infant and less documented DoCS involvement. These differences maybe a reflection of a different diagnostic and management approach. Ethnicity had no major clinical impact in either the rural or the metropolitan settings. Future research comparing the long‐term outcomes would be of interest.
Anti–von Willebrand factor aptamer ARC1779 for refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Knöbl Paul , Jilma Bernd , Gilbert James C. , Hutabarat Renta M. , Wagner Patricia G. , Jilma‐Stohlawetz Petra 
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Plasma exchange is the main therapy for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). No treatments other than plasma exchange have been documented to be effective nor are approved for treatment of TTP. The anti–von Willebrand factor (VWF) aptamer ARC1779 effectively inhibits VWF activity in plasma samples of TTP patients and thus shear‐dependent platelet (PLT) function as measured by the PLT function analyzer PFA‐100 (Dade Behring). It was hypothesized that ARC1779 would offer a potentially effective treatment option for a critically ill patient, refractory to standard care.CASE REPORT: A 39‐year‐old male patient with idiopathic TTP, refractory to daily plasma exchange, rituximab, steroids, and splenectomy, was additionally treated with a continuous infusion of the anti–von Willebrand factor (VWF) aptamer ARC1779 for 3 weeks.RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of approximately 10 µg/mL ARC1779 decreased VWF activity by more than 96%. Plasma exchange treatment acutely decreased the plasma concentrations of ARC1779 by a mean of 47% (range, 40%‐61%). Thus, additional minibolus infusions of ARC1779 were given after each plasma exchange to rapidly restore steady‐state concentrations. ARC1779 resulted in an increase of PLT counts as long as ARC1779 was given. On three occasions the infusion was stopped, each accompanied by a decrease in PLT counts and worsening of microangiopathy. No serious adverse effects were observed during the treatment with ARC1779.CONCLUSION: ARC1779 caused a clear and reproducible increase in PLT counts in an otherwise refractory TTP case. These clinical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic data provide a rational basis for clinical trials with ARC1779 in TTP.
The relative safety of automated two‐unit red blood cell procedures and manual whole‐blood collection in young donors
Authors: Benjamin Richard J. , Dy Beth A. , Kennedy Jean M. , Notari IV Edward P. , Eder Anne F. 
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Automated red blood cell (RBC) apheresis offers the advantage of collecting 2 units of RBCs (2RBC) from one donation, but may expose donors to procedure‐related risks. This study evaluated the relative safety of 2RBC compared to whole‐blood (WB) donation with a focus on young donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Adverse reactions recorded at the collection site or requiring outside medical care were compared after 4,348,686 WB and 206,570 2RBC donations in 26 regional blood centers.RESULTS: 2RBC donors were more likely than WB donors to be male (91.6% vs. 50.3%) and repeat donors (84.0% vs. 81.0%). The overall complication rate was higher for 2RBC than WB collections (627.9 vs. 435.1 per 10,000; odds ratio [OR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41‐1.47), but more than 96% of all reactions were minor in severity. For donors younger than 20 years, adverse events were equally or less common after 2RBC than after WB donation, but were more common after 2RBC for donors 20 years or older. The rate of major systemic complications was significantly lower for 2RBC than WB donations in all age groups (10.2 vs. 14.3 per 10,000 collections; OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62‐0.82). Overall, the need for outside medical care was similar for 2RBC and WB collections (3.4 vs. 4.2 per 10,000 donations, respectively), but significantly less likely after 2RBC donation for donors less than 20 years old (3.8 vs. 7.0. per 10,000 donations; OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.32‐0.89).CONCLUSION: 2RBC collection procedures, as currently performed in the American Red Cross, are associated with fewer immediate adverse reactions in young donors and have a comparable safety profile in older donors. These data support the collection of 2RBC from young donors.
Weekly E‐mail Reminders Influence Emergency Physician Behavior: A Case Study Using the Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Pneumonia Guidelines
Authors: Weiner Scott G. , Brown Sanford F. , Goetz Jessica D. , Webber Cheryl A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Improving physician compliance with evidence‐based guidelines is challenging. The authors wanted to determine if weekly e‐mail reminders to emergency department (ED) staff increase compliance with Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) community‐acquired pneumonia quality measures.Methods:  One nurse administrator reviewed records on a weekly basis for all adult patients admitted to the hospital from the ED with a working diagnosis of pneumonia. An e‐mail was then sent to all ED staff indicating the percentage of patients with antibiotic timing less than 4 hours from arrival. The names of individuals who administered antibiotics in less than 1 hour were highlighted. This study compared the time to antibiotics for 11 months before and 11 months after commencing this intervention.Results:  There were 281 patients in the control cohort, and 37 met exclusion criteria, leaving 244 for analysis. There were 342 patients in the intervention cohort, and 40 met exclusion criteria, leaving 302 for analysis. The median time from arrival to chest radiograph order decreased significantly from 61 to 47 minutes (p < 0.001). The median time interval from chest radiograph order to antibiotic administration did not change significantly (92 to 88 minutes, p = 0.294). The overall median time from arrival to antibiotic administration decreased significantly from 162 to 146 minutes (p = 0.018). The percentage of patients with antibiotic administration within 4 hours increased from 77.5% to 86.1% (p = 0.009).Conclusions:  Weekly e‐mail reminders listing performance on antibiotic administration recommendations are associated with increased compliance with a clinical guideline.
Cross‐talk between calcineurin/NFAT and Jak/STAT signalling induces cardioprotective αB‐crystallin gene expression in response to hypertrophic stimuli
Authors: Manukyan Irena , Galatioto Josephine , Mascareno Eduardo , Bhaduri Sikha , Siddiqui M.A.Q. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAmong the stress proteins that are up‐regulated in the heart due to imposed biomechanical stress, αB‐crystallin (CryAB) is the most abundant and pivotal in rendering protection against stress‐induced cell damage. Cardiomyocyte‐specific expression of the CryAB gene was shown to be dependent upon an intact αBE4 cis‐element located in the CryAB enhancer. To date, there is no evidence on the identity of regulatory proteins and associated signalling molecules that control CryAB expression in cardiomyocytes. In this study, we define a mechanism by which the calcineurin/NFAT and Jak/STAT pathways regulate CryAB gene expression in response to a hypertrophic agonist endothelin‐1 (En‐1), in hypertrophic hearts of mice with pressure overload (TAC) and in heart‐targeted calcineurin over‐expressing mice (MHC‐CnA). We observed that in response to various hypertrophic stimuli the transcription factors NFAT, Nished and STAT3 form a dynamic ternary complex and interact with the αBE4 promoter element of the CryAB gene. Both dominant negative NFAT and AG490, an inhibitor of the Jak2 phosphorylation, inhibited CryAB gene transcription in transient transfection assays. AG490 was also effective in blocking the nuclear translocation of NFAT and STAT3 in cardiomyocytes treated with En‐1. We observed a marked increase in CryAB gene expression in MHC‐CnA mouse hearts accompanied with increased phosphorylation of STAT3. We conclude that hypertrophy‐dependent CryAB gene expression can be attributed to a functional linkage between the Jak/STAT and calcineurin/NFAT signalling pathways, each of which are otherwise known to be involved independently in the deleterious outcome in cardiac hypertrophy.
Anti‐arthritis activity of cationic materials
Authors: Dong Lei , Xia Suhua , Chen Huan , Chen Jiangning , Zhang Junfeng 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCationic materials exhibit remarkable anti‐inflammatory activity in experimental arthritis models. Our aim was to confirm this character of cationic materials and investigate its possible mechanism. Adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) models were used to test cationic materials for their anti‐inflammatory activity. Cationic dextran (C‐dextran) with different cationic degrees was used to investigate the influence of the cationic elements of materials on their anti‐inflammatory ability. Peritoneal macrophages and spleen cells were used to test the expression of cytokines stimulated by cationic materials. Interferon (IFN)‐γ receptor‐deficient mice and macrophage‐depleted rats were used to examine the possible mechanisms of the anti‐inflammatory activity of cationic materials. In AIA models, different cationic materials shared similar anti‐inflammatory characters. The anti‐inflammatory activity of C‐dextran increased with as the cationic degree increased. Cationic materials stimulated interleukin (IL)‐12 expression in peritoneal macrophages, and strong stimulation of IFN‐γ secretion was subsequently observed in spleen cells. In vivo experiments revealed that circulating IL‐12 and IFN‐γ were enhanced by the cationic materials. Using IFN‐γ receptor knockout mice and macrophage‐depleted rats, we found that IFN‐γ and macrophages played key roles in the anti‐inflammatory activity of the materials towards cells. We also found that neutrophil infiltration at inflammatory sites was reduced when AIA animals were treated with C‐dextran. We propose that cationic signals act through an unknown receptor on macrophages to induce IL‐12 secretion, and that IL‐12 promotes the expression of IFN‐γ by natural killer cells (or T cells). The resulting elevated systemic levels of IFN‐γ inhibit arthritis development by preventing neutrophil recruitment to inflammatory sites.
Immunohistochemical, tomographic and histological study on onlay bone graft remodeling. Part II: calvarial bone
Authors: Pedrosa Wagner Fernandes , Okamoto Roberta , Faria Paulo Esteves Pinto , Arnez Maya Fernanda Manfrin , Xavier Samuel Porfírio , Salata Luiz Antonio 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjectives: Little information is available on the molecular events that occur during graft incorporation over time. The calvarial bone (Cb) grafts have been reported to produce greater responses compared with other donor regions in maxillofacial reconstructions, but the scientific evidences for this are still lacking. The objectives of this study are (1) to study the morphological pattern of Cb onlay bone grafts and compare them with the biological events through immunohistochemical responses and (2) to establish the effects of perforations in maintaining the volume and bone density of the receptor bed.Material and methods: Sixty New Zealand White rabbits were submitted to Cb onlay bone grafts on the mandible. In 30 rabbits, the receptor bed was perforated (perforated group), while for the remaining animals the bed was kept intact (non‐perforated group). Six animals from each group were sacrificed at 5, 7, 10, 20 and 60 days after surgery. Histological sections from the grafted area were prepared for immunohistochemical and histological analyses. Immuno‐labeling was found for proteins Osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κβ ligand (RANKL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteopontin (OPN), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), Type I collagen (COL I) and osteocalcin (OC). The tomography examination [computerized tomography (CT) scan] was conducted just after surgery and at the sacrifice.Results: The histological findings revealed that the perforations contributed to higher bone deposition during the initial stages at the graft–receptor bed interface, accelerating the graft incorporation process. The results of the CT scan showed lower resorption for the perforated group (P≤0.05), and both groups showed high bone density rates at 60 days. This set of evidences is corroborated by the immunohistochemical outcomes indicating that proteins associated with revascularization and osteogenesis (VEGF, OPN, TRAP and ALP) were found in higher levels in the perforated group.Conclusions: These findings indicate that the bone volume of calvarial grafts is better maintained when the receptor bed is perforated, probably resulting from more effective graft revascularization and greater bone deposition. The process of bone resorption peaked between 20 and 60 days post‐operatively in both groups although significantly less in the perforated group.
Increased bone formation around coated implants
Authors: Stadlinger Bernd , Bierbaum Susanne , Grimmer Silke , Schulz Matthias C. , Kuhlisch Eberhard , Scharnweber Dieter , Eckelt Uwe , Mai Ronald 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim: We hypothesized that coating threaded, sandblasted acid‐etched titanium implants with collagen and chondroitin sulphate (CS) increases bone formation and implant stability, compared with uncoated controls.Materials and Methods: Three different implant surface conditions were applied: (1) sandblasted acid‐etched (control), (2) collagen/chondroitin sulphate (low‐dose – CS1), (3) collagen/chondroitin sulphate (high‐dose – CS2). Sixty 9.5 mm experimental implants were placed in the mandible of 20 minipigs. Bone–implant contact (BIC) and relative peri‐implant bone‐volume density (rBVD – relation to bone‐volume density of the host bone) were assessed after 1 and 2 months of submerged healing. Implant stability was measured by resonance frequency analysis (RFA).Results: After 1 month, coated implants had significantly more BIC compared with controls (CS1: 68%, p<0.0001, CS2: 63%, p=0.009, control: 52%). The rBVD was lower for all surface conditions, compared with the hostbone. After 2 months, BIC increased for all surfaces. No significant differences were measured (CS1: 71%, p=0.016, CS2: 68%, p=0.67, control: 63%). The rBVD was increased for coated implants. RFA values were 71–77 at implantation, 67–73 after 1 month and 74–75 after 2 months. Differences in rBVD and RFA were not statistically significant.Conclusions: Data analysis suggests that collagen/CS has a positive influence on bone formation after 1 month of endosseous healing.
The impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on the prognosis of primary myelofibrosis: a prospective survey of 202 cases in Japan
Authors: Hidaka Tomonori , Shide Kotaro , Shimoda Haruko , Kameda Takurou , Toyama Keiko , Katayose Keiko , Kubuki Youko , Nagata Kenji , Takenaka Katsuto , Akashi Koichi , Okamura Takashi , Niho Yoshiyuki , Mizoguchi Hideaki , Omine Mitsuhiro , Ozawa Keiya , Harada Mine , Shimoda Kazuya 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCytogenetic abnormalities were often observed in primary myelofibrosis patients. The presence of specific cytogenetic abnormalities, such as sole abnormalities of chromosome 13q−, 20q−, or −7/7q−, is reported to have the influence on the prognosis of primary myelofibrosis. We analyzed the data from the prospective survey of Japanese primary myelofibrosis patients which was conducted from 1999 to clarify the impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on the prognosis of primary myelofibrosis. A total of 202 primary myelofibrosis patients had the cytogenetic and the prognostic data. Eighty (40%) out of 202 cases had cytogenetic abnormalities, and an association was evident for platelet counts. Although the presence of an abnormal karyotype did not affect the prognosis, primary myelofibrosis patients with cytogenetic abnormalities other than 13q− and 20q− showed an inferior prognosis compared to patients with a normal karyotype or sole 13q− or 20q− abnormalities. Patients with an unfavorable cytogenetic profile (abnormal cytogenetics other than 13q− or 20q−) also had a greater tendency to transform to leukemia than patients with a favorable cytogenetic profile (normal cytogenetics, sole abnormalities of either chromosome 13q−, or 20q−). Abnormal cytogenetics other than 13q− or 20q− in primary myelofibrosis patients has the poor prognostic effect for both survival and the risk of leukemic transformation.
ICF‐CY: A Universal Tool for Documentation of Disability
Authors: Simeonsson Rune J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health—ICF (ICF‐CY) conceptual framework offers a new paradigm and taxonomy of human functioning disability, which can be used to guide holistic and interdisciplinary approaches to assessment and intervention. In settings serving children, youth, or adults with disabilities, the ICF‐CY can provide comprehensive documentation of its involvement in special education and rehabilitation. Implementation of the ICF‐CY in early intervention, special education, and habilitation settings should build on the adoption of the dimensional framework for practice and corresponding applications in assessment and intervention practices. An important priority in such applications is the identification and development of instruments and assessment tools that can provide evidence for assigning severity levels to ICF‐CY codes.
Structural characterization of l‐glutamate oxidase from Streptomyces sp. X‐119‐6
Authors: Arima Jiro , Sasaki Chiduko , Sakaguchi Chika , Mizuno Hiroshi , Tamura Takashi , Kashima Akiko , Kusakabe Hitoshi , Sugio Shigetoshi , Inagaki Kenji 
Published: June 2009

l‐Glutamate oxidase (LGOX) from Streptomyces sp. X‐119‐6, which catalyzes the oxidative deamination of l‐glutamate, has attracted increasing attention as a component of amperometric l‐glutamate sensors used in the food industry and clinical biochemistry. The precursor of LGOX, which has a homodimeric structure, is less active than the mature enzyme with an α2β2γ2 structure; enzymatic proteolysis of the precursor forms the stable mature enzyme. We solved the crystal structure of mature LGOX using molecular replacement with a structurally homologous model of l‐amino acid oxidase (LAAO) from snake venom: LGOX has a deeply buried active site and two entrances from the surface of the protein into the active site. Comparison of the LGOX structure with that of LAAO revealed that LGOX has three regions that are absent from the LAAO structure, one of which is involved in the formation of the entrance. Furthermore, the arrangement of the residues composing the active site differs between LGOX and LAAO, and the active site of LGOX is narrower than that of LAAO. Results of the comparative analyses described herein raise the possibility that such a unique structure of LGOX is associated with its substrate specificity. Structured digital abstract

MINT‐7041556: LGOX_gamma fragment (uniprotkb:Q8L3C7), LGOX_beta fragment (uniprotkb:Q8L3C7) and LGOX_alpha fragment (uniprotkb:Q8L3C7) physically interact (MI:0915) by x‐ray crystallography (MI:0114)
Malignant transformation of a chronic leg ulcer
Authors: Erfurt‐Berge Cornelia , Schuler Gerold , Bauerschmitz Juergen 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTWe report a case of a squamous cell carcinoma arising from a chronic leg ulcer initially diagnosed as venous ulcer. Usually, further diagnostic assessment of chronic ulcers is initiated with considerable delay only in cases when appropriate treatment fails to effect cure.
Seed Dispersal by Golden‐headed Lion TamarinsLeontopithecus chrysomelasin Southern Bahian Atlantic Forest, Brazil
Authors: Catenacci Lilian S. , De Vleeschouwer Kristel M. , Nogueira‐Filho Sérgio L. G. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTSeed dispersal by small primates may be particularly relevant in areas where populations of larger frugivores have been reduced or extinguished by hunting and/or habitat disturbance. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the golden‐headed lion tamarinLeontopithecus chrysomelasas a seed disperser in Atlantic forest remnants in Brazil. To this end, we opportunistically collected feces deposited during observations on the feeding behavior of two groups of golden‐headed lion tamarins ranging in the degraded areas of the Una Biological Reserve, Bahia, Brazil, from February 2006 to January 2007. We collected 587 fecal samples, of which 524 contained seeds from 24 plant species, distributed over 13 families. Disregarding seeds of<3 mm, the majority of seeds recovered were bromeliad seeds. In general, ingestion of seeds by golden‐headed lion tamarins did not improve the germination proportion or decrease the germination delay of seeds, with the exception ofAechmeaspp. seeds. The tamarins encountered different habitats during their daily activity period, while feeding and defecating. Consequently, some seeds were transported to different habitats including disturbed areas. Thus, the role of seed dispersal in combination with the daily movement pattern ofL. chrysomelascontributes to the persistence of fruit plants and epiphyte species and to the natural regeneration process within Atlantic forest remnants.