bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The dermatology view of hereditary angio‐oedema: practical diagnostic and management considerations
Authors: Maurer M. , Parish L.C. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHereditary angio‐oedema (HAE) is characterized by recurrent, localized, non‐pitting, non‐pruritic, non‐urticarial oedema. Nearly all patients experience skin swelling as a feature of HAE. There may be painful abdominal attacks, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The disease is life‐threatening should laryngeal oedema occur. HAE results from a deficiency or dysfunction of C1 inhibitor, a plasma protein with an important role in regulating the contact, complement and fibrinolytic systems. Effective management of HAE should include a plan for treatment of attacks, as well as routine and preprocedure prevention. Acute and prophylactic therapy with C1 inhibitor therapy for correcting the underlying deficiency in HAE is a valuable option.
Spermidine‐induced improvement of memory involves a cross‐talk between protein kinases C and A
Authors: Guerra Gustavo P. , Mello Carlos F. , Bochi Guilherme V. , Pazini Andréia M. , Rosa Michelle M. , Ferreira Juliano , Rubin Maribel A. 
Published: May 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 363–373.AbstractSpermidine (SPD) is an endogenous aliphatic amine with polycationic structure that modulates NMDA receptor activity and improves memory. Recent evidence suggests that cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) play a role in SPD‐induced improvement of memory. In the current study, we determined whether the calcium‐dependent protein kinase (PKC) signaling pathway is involved in SPD‐induced facilitation of memory of inhibitory avoidance task in adult rats. The post‐training administration of the PKC inhibitor, 3‐[1‐(dimethylaminopropyl)indol‐3‐yl]‐4‐(indol‐3‐yl)maleimide hydrochloride [GF 109203X, 2.5 ρmol, intrahippocampal (ih)] with SPD (0.2 nmol, ih) prevented memory improvement induced by SPD. Intrahippocampal administration of SPD (0.2 nmol) facilitated PKC phosphorylation in the hippocampus, 30 min after administration. GF 109203X prevented not only the stimulatory effect of SPD on PKC but also PKA and CREB phosphorylation. These results suggest that memory enhancement induced by the ih administration of SPD involves the cross‐talk between PKC and PKA/CREB, with sequential activation of PKC and PKA/CREB pathways, in rats.
Stability, Responsiveness, and Reproducibility of a Visual Analog Scale for Treatment Satisfaction in Migraine
Authors: Lucas Christian , Romatet Sophie , Mekiès Claude , Allaf Bashar , Lantéri‐Minet Michel 
Published: May 2012

Objectives.— To evaluate the stability, responsiveness, and reproducibility of a simple visual analog scale (VAS).Background.— In order to help physicians in the management of migraine in everyday general practice and assess whether the treatments that they are currently prescribing are actually effective, a VAS of treatment satisfaction with acute migraine treatments has been developed.Methods.— The study used an open‐label, multicenter, prospective design. Adult patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for migraine and who consulted a participating hospital or community neurology clinic were eligible. At inclusion, patients rated their satisfaction with their current treatment on the VAS. Those scoring 7‐10 (satisfied) on the VAS were allocated to the VASCO cohort, and those scoring 0‐4 (dissatisfied) were switched to almotriptan and allocated to the ALMO cohort. Patients scoring between 4 and 7 were assigned to 1 or other cohort at the physician's discretion. The VAS was re‐administered at home the next day and also after the treatment of 3 further headaches, both at home and at a follow‐up visit.Results.— Ninety‐eight patients in the VASCO cohort and 102 in the ALMO cohort were analyzed. Stability was evaluated in the VASCO cohort: 55/98 patients initially satisfied with treatment remained so at study end, whereas 7/98 became dissatisfied. Responsiveness of the VAS to a change in treatment was evaluated in the ALMO cohort: 64/102 patients moved to a higher treatment satisfaction category, whereas 6/102 moved to a lower one. Reproducibility of the VAS was determined in 4 settings (both at the inclusion visit and at study closure in both cohorts). In each setting, VAS scores were compared between consultation and at‐home ratings. In 3 of the 4 settings (both measures in the ALMO cohort and at study closure in the VASCO cohort), good agreement was observed between the 2 ratings (κ = 0.62‐0.69). At inclusion in the VASCO cohort, agreement was only fair (κ = 0.33).Conclusions.— The VAS scale described here is a responsive and easy‐to‐use tool for evaluating treatment satisfaction and for monitoring changes to treatment if these are required.
Fast Carbon Footprinting for Large Product Portfolios
Authors: Meinrenken Christoph J. , Kaufman Scott M. , Ramesh Siddharth , Lackner Klaus S. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryPublicly Available Specification 2050‐2011 (PAS 2050), the Green House Gas Product Protocol (GHGPP) standard and forthcoming guideline 14067 from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have helped to propel carbon footprinting from a subdiscipline of life cycle assessment (LCA) to the mainstream. However, application of carbon footprinting to large portfolios of many distinct products and services is immensely resource intensive. Even if achieved, it often fails to inform company‐wide carbon reduction strategies because footprint data are disjointed or don't cover the whole portfolio. We introduce a novel approach to generate standard‐compliant product carbon footprints (CFs) for companies with large portfolios at a fraction of previously required time and expertise. The approach was developed and validated on an LCA dataset covering 1,137 individual products from a global packaged consumer goods company. Three novel techniques work in concert in a single approach that enables practitioners to calculate thousands of footprints virtually simultaneously: (i) a uniform data structure enables footprinting all products and services by looping the same algorithm; (ii) concurrent uncertainty analysis guides practitioners to gradually improve the accuracy of only those data that materially impact the results; and (iii) a predictive model generates estimated emission factors (EFs) for materials, thereby eliminating the manual mapping of a product or service's inventory to EF databases. These autogenerated EFs enable non‐LCA experts to calculate approximate CFs and alleviate resource constraints for companies embarking on large‐scale product carbon footprinting. We discuss implementation roadmaps for companies, including further road‐testing required to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach for other product portfolios, limitations, and future improvements of the fast footprinting methodology.
Biological response modifiers in photochemically pathogen‐reduced versus untreated apheresis platelet concentrates
Authors: Vetlesen Annette , Mirlashari Mohammad Reza , Akkök Çiğdem Akalın , Kelher Marguerite R. , Khan Samina Y. , Silliman Christopher C. , Kjeldsen‐Kragh Jens 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Lipids and other biologically active substances accumulate in platelet concentrates (PCs) during storage. Some of these substances have been suggested to modulate immune responses and to play a pathogenic role in the development of transfusion‐related acute lung injury. This study compared the content and impact of some biological response modifiers in PCs treated with pathogen reduction (PR) technology and nontreated PCs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Apheresis PCs (n = 12) were split in two: one split was subjected to PR treatment (INTERCEPT, Cerus Corp.) and the other split was left untreated. Basic characterization and content of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and sCD154 were measured. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced secretion of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) was measured after incubation of heparinized whole blood with platelet (PLT) supernatants. The supernatants' neutrophil (PMN)‐priming capacity, and thereby activation of the NADPH oxidase, was measured as the rate of superoxide anion production after formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe activation. Lipids were extracted from the supernatants on Day 6 and tested for PMN‐priming activity.RESULTS: Supernatants from PR‐treated PCs demonstrated significantly higher mean PLT volume (MPV) and O2, lower pH, CO2, and HCO3−, and significantly less LPS‐induced TNF‐α secretion compared to untreated PCs. No differences in swirling, PLT count, potassium levels, glucose consumption, lactate production, IL‐10, VEGF, sCD154, or PMN‐priming activity were found between the groups over time.CONCLUSION: INTERCEPT PR treatment caused no substantial differences in PCs, except for minor changes in MPV and metabolic variables. Further studies are needed to explain the differences in the LPS‐induced TNF‐α secretion.
Impact of rituximab on stem cell mobilization following ACVBP regimen in poor‐risk patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: results from a large cohort of patients
Authors: Lefrère François , Bastit‐Barrau Dominique , Hequet Olivier , Bourin Philippe , Mathieu‐Nafissi Suzanne , Bohbot Alain , Tilly Hervé , Salles Gilles , Fermé Christophe , Lapierre Valérie , Fornecker Luc , Micléa Jean‐Michel , Isebaert Loic , Bologna Serge , Fitoussi Olivier , Mounier Nicolas , Haioun Corinne 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: The ACVBP regimen is an efficient induction regimen for poor‐risk patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) before consolidative autologous stem cell transplantation. Adjunction of the monoclonal anti‐CD20 antibody rituximab (R‐ACVBP) was recently found to be superior to ACVBP alone. This study assessed the impact of rituximab on stem cell mobilization in two similar consecutive groups of patients treated with ACVBP in two prospective, controlled trials.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The first trial (LNH‐98B‐3) involved 137 patients treated with ACVBP alone. In the second trial (LNH‐03‐3B), 91 patients received an R‐ACVBP regimen. Stem cell mobilization was performed after a course of (R)‐ACVBP.RESULTS: The median peak numbers of blood CD34+ cell counts recorded before the first apheresis procedure in the ACVBP and R‐ACVBP groups were 69 × 106 and 63 × 106/L, respectively (p = 0.55). The median numbers of CD34+ cells collected were 7.1 × 106 and 6.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg for the ACVBP and R‐ACVBP groups, respectively (p = 0.13). The median number of apheresis procedures required for gathering the minimum amount of CD34+ cells (2 × 106/kg) was the same in the two groups.CONCLUSION: When compared with ACVBP alone, adjunction of rituximab does not impair stem cell mobilization.
Citric Acid‐Assisted Combustion‐Carbothermal Synthesis of Well‐Distributed Highly Sinterable AlN Nanopowders
Authors: Chu Aimin , Qin Mingli , Rafi‐ud‐din   , Jia Baorui , Lu Huifeng , Qu Xuanhui 
Published: May 2012

Aluminum nitride (AlN) nanopowders were synthesized by carbothermal reduction of a citric acid‐assisted combustion synthesis precursor derived from aluminum nitrate, glucose, citric acid, and urea mixed solution. Effects of citric acid on the size and morphology of precursors as well as synthesized AlN powders were studied in detail. The results indicated that the precursor synthesized from citric acid (0.02 M), was comprised of paper‐thin flaky particles with high specific surface area (14.6 m2/g). Moreover, the precursor, synthesized from citric acid (0.02 M), had exhibited the completion of the nitridation at 1400°C for 2 h. On the contrary, the nitridation reactions for the precursors, synthesized from citric acid (0 and 0.04 M), were incomplete under the same conditions. The decarburized as well as nondecarburized AlN powders from citric acid (0.02 M), synthesized at 1400°C, maintained its appearance similar to that of the original precursor. In addition, the decarburized AlN powders were found to be free of any hard agglomeration, and exhibited the well distributed and high sinterability spherical particles of 60–100 nm. The relative density of the sintered AlN pellet, calcined at 1800°C for 2 h with pressureless and additive free sintering, was found to be 99.05% of its theoretical density.
Is child labour a substitute for adult labour? The relationship between child labour and adult illness in Nepal
Authors: Nepal Apsara , Nepal Mani 
Published: May 2012

Abstract.Using official household survey data, the authors test two axioms regarding child labour in Nepal. Both the “luxury” and the “substitution” axioms appear to hold in the case of Nepal's child labour: a household's higher per capita income reduces child work hours; and the absence from work of an adult household member owing to illness increases child work hours. Girls work more hours than boys. Other variables reducing child work hours are: scholarship provision, private schooling, the presence of siblings at home, and adults' years of schooling. However, higher consumption is not effective in reducing child work hours.
Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate induces mesothelioma cell death via H2O2−dependent T‐type Ca2+ channel opening
Authors: Ranzato Elia , Martinotti Simona , Magnelli Valeria , Murer Bruno , Biffo Stefano , Mutti Luciano , Burlando Bruno 
Published: May 2012

AbstractMalignant mesothelioma (MMe) is a highly aggressive, lethal tumour requiring the development of more effective therapies. The green tea polyphenol epigallocathechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) inhibits the growth of many types of cancer cells. We found that EGCG is selectively cytotoxic to MMe cells with respect to normal mesothelial cells. MMe cell viability was inhibited by predominant induction of apoptosis at lower doses and necrosis at higher doses. EGCG elicited H2O2 release in cell cultures, and exogenous catalase (CAT) abrogated EGCG‐induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and necrosis. Confocal imaging of fluo 3‐loaded, EGCG‐exposed MMe cells showed significant [Ca2+]i rise, prevented by CAT, dithiothreitol or the T‐type Ca2+ channel blockers mibefradil and NiCl2. Cell loading with dihydrorhodamine 123 revealed EGCG‐induced ROS production, prevented by CAT, mibefradil or the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA‐AM. Direct exposure of cells to H2O2 produced similar effects on Ca2+ and ROS, and these effects were prevented by the same inhibitors. Sensitivity of REN cells to EGCG was correlated with higher expression of Cav3.2 T‐type Ca2+ channels in these cells, compared to normal mesothelium. Also, Cav3.2 siRNA on MMe cells reduced in vitro EGCG cytotoxicity and abated apoptosis and necrosis. Intriguingly, Cav3.2 expression was observed in malignant pleural mesothelioma biopsies from patients, but not in normal pleura. In conclusion, data showed the expression of T‐type Ca2+ channels in MMe tissue and their role in EGCG selective cytotoxicity to MMe cells, suggesting the possible use of these channels as a novel MMe pharmacological target.
Hepatocyte transplantation in bile salt export pump‐deficient mice: selective growth advantage of donor hepatocytes under bile acid stress
Authors: Chen Huey‐Ling , Chen Hui‐Ling , Yuan Ray‐Hwang , Wu Shang‐Hsin , Chen Ya‐Hui , Chien Chin‐Sung , Chou Shi‐Ping , Wang Renxue , Ling Victor , Chang Mei‐Hwei 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe bile salt export pump (Bsep) mediates the hepatic excretion of bile acids, and its deficiency causes progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. The current study aimed to induce bile acid stress in Bsep−/− mice and to test the efficacy of hepatocyte transplantation in this disease model. We fed Bsep−/− and wild‐type mice cholic acid (CA) or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Both CA and UDCA caused cholestasis and apoptosis in the Bsep−/− mouse liver. Wild‐type mice had minimal liver injury and apoptosis when fed CA or UDCA, yet had increased proliferative activity. On the basis of the differential cytotoxicity of bile acids on the livers of wild‐type and Bsep−/− mice, we transplanted wild‐type hepatocytes into the liver of Bsep−/− mice fed CA or CA + UDCA. After 1–6 weeks, the donor cell repopulation and canalicular Bsep distribution were documented. An improved repopulation efficiency in the CA + UDCA‐supplemented group was found at 2 weeks (4.76 ± 5.93% vs. 1.32 ± 1.48%, P = 0.0026) and at 4–6 weeks (12.09 ± 14.67% vs. 1.55 ± 1.28%, P < 0.001) compared with the CA‐supplemented group. Normal‐appearing hepatocytes with prominent nuclear staining for FXR were noted in the repopulated donor nodules. After hepatocyte transplantation, biliary total bile acids increased from 24% to 82% of the wild‐type levels, among which trihydroxylated bile acids increased from 41% to 79% in the Bsep−/− mice. We conclude that bile acid stress triggers differential injury responses in the Bsep−/− and wild‐type hepatocytes. This strategy changed the balance of the donor–recipient growth capacities and was critical for successful donor repopulation.
Anxiety, depression and impaired health‐related quality of life in patients with occupational hand eczema
Authors: Boehm Dana , Schmid‐Ott Gerhard , Finkeldey Florence , John Swen Malte , Dwinger Christine , Werfel Thomas , Diepgen Thomas L. , Breuer Kristine 
Published: May 2012

Background. Occupational hand eczema is one of the most frequent occupational diseases. Few data about the prevalence of mental comorbidities are available.Objectives. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety, depression symptoms, the impairment of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and their correlates in patients with occupational hand eczema.Patients and methods. A test battery consisting of the German versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as a specific instrument and the Short Form Health Survey‐36 (SF‐36) as a generic instrument for HRQoL was applied in 122 patients. The severity of hand eczema was assessed with the Osnabrueck Hand Eczema Severity Index (OHSI).Results. Twenty per cent of patients had a positive anxiety score, and 14% had a positive depression score. Higher anxiety levels, a greater impairment in the SF‐36 mental component summary score and a higher DLQI category score for symptoms and feelings was detected in females than in males. The OHSI correlated with the impairment in HRQoL, and an association of severe hand eczema with symptoms of anxiety and depression was found in males.Conclusions. We found a high prevalence of anxiety and depression in our study population of patients with occupational hand eczema. Preventive measures should consider the psychosocial implications of occupational hand eczema.
Native jewelweed, but not other native species, displays post‐invasion trait divergence
Authors: Dostál Petr , Weiser Martin , Koubek Tomáš 
Published: May 2012

Invasive exotic plants reduce the diversity of native communities by displacing native species. According to the coexistence theory, native plants are able to coexist with invaders only when their fitness is not significantly smaller than that of the exotics or when they occupy a different niche. It has therefore been hypothesized that the survival of some native species at invaded sites is due to post‐invasion evolutionary changes in fitness and/or niche traits.In common garden experiments, we tested whether plants from invaded sites of two native species, Impatiens noli‐tangere and Galeopsis speciosa, outperform conspecifics from non‐invaded sites when grown in competition with the invader (Impatiens parviflora). We further examined whether the expected superior performance of the plants from the invaded sites is due to changes in the plant size (fitness proxy) and/or changes in the germination phenology and phenotypic plasticity (niche proxies).Invasion history did not influence the performance of any native species when grown with the exotic competitor. In I. noli‐tangere, however, we found significant trait divergence with regard to plant size, germination phenology and phenotypic plasticity. In the absence of a competitor, plants of I. noli‐tangere from invaded sites were larger than plants from non‐invaded sites. The former plants germinated earlier than inexperienced conspecifics or an exotic congener. Invasion experience was also associated with increased phenotypic plasticity and an improved shade‐avoidance syndrome. Although these changes indicate fitness and niche differentiation of I. noli‐tangere at invaded sites, future research should examine more closely the adaptive value of these changes and their genetic basis.
Pyostomatitis vegetans and its relation to inflammatory bowel disease, pyoderma gangrenosum, pyodermatitis vegetans, and pemphigus
Authors: Nico Marcello M. S. , Hussein Thais P. , Aoki Valeria , Lourenço Silvia V. 
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 584–588Pyostomatitis vegetans (PSV) is an intraoral pustular eruption considered by most authors to represent the mucous analogous of cutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum and its vegetating presentations (pyodermatitis vegetans). A strong correlation of PSV with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is well documented. The histopathology of PSV lesions usually reveals acanthosis, and neutrophils and/or eosinophils infiltration with intraepithelial or subepithelial abscesses; acantholysis is present in some cases. We studied four patients with IBD that presented oral lesions suggestive of PSV. Two male and two female patients were included. The histopathology of oral lesions of two patients revealed findings typical for PSV. The other two patients showed findings typical for pemphigus vulgaris (PV), although the course of their symptoms paralleled that of the bowel disease. Our findings may suggest that pustular lesions in patients with IBD can be a presentation of both PSV and PV; adequate diagnosis is required because clinical presentation is very similar.
Australian triage tags: A prospective, randomised cross‐over trial and evaluation of user preference
Authors: Field Kate , Norton Ian 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjective: The aim of this study was to determine if any disaster triage tag is superior to others, based on objective parameters (time, accuracy) and subjective parameters (user preference). A secondary aim was to determine the average time to perform triage assessment using ‘sieve and sort’.Methods: This was a prospective, randomised cross‐over trial comparing triage cards currently used, or being implemented, across Australia. De‐identified patient information from a trauma database was used to create 125 cases. Volunteer participants were selected from Major Incident Medical Management and Support certified doctors, nurses, paramedics and defence medics and randomised into five groups. Participants completed timed ‘sieve and sort’ triage exercises on 25 different cases with each of the five triage tags and were then asked to rank the tags in order of preference. Participants also performed timed practical triage assessments (sieve and sort) on two healthy volunteers.Results: Based on the objective measures we did not find that one card was superior to others; however, the Northern Territory card was significantly slower and less accurate (P < 0.001). Doctors were the fastest and most accurate ‘sorters’ (P < 0.001); however, inaccuracy was the same for all professional groups for the ‘sieve’. Participants preferred the SMART card to any other tag. Participants' time to carry out a sieve was approximately 30 s, and 60 s for a sort.Conclusion: The SMART card was preferred by participants based on design issues, which supports its implementation. We suggest that doctors are best used in the casualty clearing post.
Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient on treatment with temozolomide
Authors: OTTY Zulfiquer , SABESAN Sabe 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA 68‐year‐old man was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme of the right basal ganglia in March 2010. He was treated with radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy with daily temozolomide for over 6 weeks. During the maintenance phase of treatment with temozolomide, he developed a swelling in the left cheek; a biopsy of which proved to be non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. The temozolomide was stopped and the lymphoma was successfully treated with chemotherapy.