bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micafungin for candidiasis
Authors: Pappas Peter G. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryInvasive candidiasis and mucosal candidiasis are among the most important health care associated infections; in its invasive form, candidiasis is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Among the currently available antifungal agents, the echinocandins are the among the most potent agents against Candida species. As a class, these agents are well tolerated and rapidly fungicidal. Among the echinocandins, micafungin has been studied most extensively. This paper reviews the results from the largest studies of micafungin among patients with invasive and esophageal candidiasis, and supports the use of echinocandins in this increasingly common disorder.
Invasive Candida infections in the ICU
Authors: Eggimann Philippe , Barberini Luc , Calandra Thierry , Marchetti Oscar 
Published: April 2012

SummaryInvasive candidiasis, including candidemia and deep‐seated Candida infections, is a severe opportunistic infection with an overall mortality in ICU patients comparable to that of severe sepsis/septic shock. With an incidence ranging from 5 to 10 cases per 1000 ICU admissions, invasive candidiasis represents 5–10% of all ICU‐acquired infections. Although a high proportion of critically ill patients is colonised with Candida spp., only 5–40% develop an invasive infection. The occurrence of this complication is difficult to predict and an early diagnosis remains a major challenge. Indeed, blood cultures are positive in a minority of cases and often late in the course of infection. New non‐culture based laboratory techniques may contribute to early diagnosis and management of invasive candidiasis. Recent data suggest that prediction rules based on risk factors, clinical and microbiological parameters or monitoring of Candida colonisation may efficiently identify critically ill patients at high risk of invasive candidiasis who may benefit of preventive or pre‐emptive antifungal therapy. In many cancer centres, exposure to azoles antifungals has been associated with an epidemiological shift from Candida albicans to non‐albicans Candida species with reduced antifungal susceptibility or intrinsic resistance. This trend has not been observed in recent surveys on candidemia in non‐immunocompromised ICU patients. Prophylaxis, pre‐emptive or empirical antifungal treatment are possible approaches for prevention or early management of invasive candidiasis. However, the selection of high‐risk patients remains critical for an efficient management aimed at reducing the number needed to treat and thus avoiding unnecessary treatments associated with the emergence of resistance, drug toxicity and costs.
Follicular Dynamics, Interval to Ovulation and Fertility After AI in Short‐Term Progesterone and PGF2α Oestrous Synchronization Protocol in Sheep
Authors: Cox JF , Allende R , Lara E , Leiva A , Díaz T , Dorado J , Saravia F 
Published: April 2012

ContentsThe study was aimed to assess the influence that short‐term progesterone treatments have on follicular dynamics, oestrus and ovulation in sheep. The treatment was tested thereafter in a field trial to assess its fertility after AI with fresh semen. In a first experiment, 12 ewes without CL were grouped to receive a new (n = 6) or used CIDR (n = 6) for 7 days and blood samples were obtained to follow plasma progesterone profiles. In a second experiment, 39 cycling ewes were synchronized by a 7‐day P4+PGF2α protocol using a new (n = 20) or a 7‐day used CIDR (n = 19). Half of both groups received 400 IU eCG and half remained untreated as controls. Ultrasound ovarian examination and oestrous detection were used to compare follicular dynamics, oestrus and ovulation in both groups. In a third experiment, 288 ewes in 3 farms were synchronized by the short‐term P4+PGF2α+eCG protocol and ewes were AI with fresh semen 24 h after oestrous detection. Lambing performance was used to test the fertility of the treatment. In Experiment 1, ewes with new inserts presented higher P4 concentration than ewes with used inserts throughout the sampling period (p < 0.05) and exhibited a P4 peak at days 1‐2 of the treatment that was not observed in ewes with used inserts. In Experiment 2, ewes treated with new and used inserts show similar ovarian and behavioral traits (p > 0.10). However, ewes treated with eCG show shorter interval to oestrus (p = 0.004) and tend to have larger mature CL (p = 0.06). In Experiment 3, oestrous presentation and lambing performance after AI with fresh semen was considered normal compared to published results. Results suggest that the oestrous synchronization protocol based on P4+PGF2α allows little control of follicular dynamics without compromising fertility after AI with fresh semen provided that eCG is added at the end of the treatment.
Attenuation of cysteamine‐induced duodenal ulcer with Cochinchina momordica seed extract through inhibiting cytoplasmic phospholipase A2/5‐lipoxygenase and activating γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase
Authors: Choi Ki‐Seok , Kim Eun‐Hee , Hong Hua , Ock Chan Young , Lee Jeong Sang , Kim Joo‐Hyun , Hahm Ki‐Baik 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Cysteamine is a reducing aminothiol used for inducing duodenal ulcer through mechanisms of oxidative stress related to thiol‐derived H2O2 reaction. Cochinchina momordica saponins have been suggested to be protective against various gastric diseases based on their cytoprotective and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms. This study was aimed to document the preventive effects of Cochinchina momordica seed extract against cysteamine‐induced duodenal ulcer as well as the elucidation of its pharmacological mechanisms.Methods:  Cochinchina momordica seed extract (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) was administrated intragastrically before cysteamine administration, after which the incidence of the duodenal ulcer, ulcer size, serum gastrin level, and the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH)/ oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG) as well as biochemical and molecular measurements of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), 5‐lipoxygenase and the expression of proinflammatory genes including IL‐1β, IL‐6, COX‐2 were measured in rat model. Additional experiments of electron spin resonance measurement and the changes of glutathione were performed.Results:  Cochinchina momordica seed extract effectively prevented cysteamine‐induced duodenal ulcer in a dose‐dependent manner as reflected with significant decreases in either duodenal ulcerogenesis or perforation accompanied with significantly decreased in serum gastrin in addition to inflammatory mediators including cPLA2, COX‐2, and 5‐lipoxygenase. Cochinchina momordica seed extract induced the expression of γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ‐GCS)‐related glutathione synthesis as well as significantly reduced the expression of cPLA2. Cochinchina momordica seed extract preserved reduced glutathione through increased expressions of γ‐GCS.Conclusion:  Cochinchina momordica seed extracts exerted significantly protective effect against cysteamine‐induced duodenal ulcer by either cPLA2 inhibition or glutathione preservation.
Topical application of acetic acid in cytoreduction of gastric cancer. A technical report using mouse model
Authors: Okabe Susumu , Kodama Yosuke , Cao Hailong , Johannessen Helenne , Zhao Chun Mei , Wang Timothy C , Takahashi Rei , Chen Duan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Application of acetic acid topically to the mucosal or serosal side of the stomach has been well used to create a chronic gastric ulcer model. The aim of the present study was to apply it as a new cytoreductive approach in a mouse model of gastric cancer.Methods:  A total of 43 genetically engineered mice, the so‐called (INS‐GAS) mice that develop spontaneously gastric cancer at 10–14 months of age, were included. Acetic acid‐induced ulcer method was applied to mice under isofluran anesthesia. The ulcer at the cancer side was made by exposing either the anterior serosal or posterior mucosal side of gastric wall to 0.1 mL of 60% or 100% acetic acid for 30 or 60 s with a cylindrical metal mold (4 mm ID). Route to the serosal side was intra‐abdominal and one to the mucosal side was through a small hole made in the forestomach. The opposite side of gastric wall (no treatment with acetic acid) was used as the corresponding control. After the mice were sacrificed, the stomachs were collected 1, 3, 6 h or 1, 3 and 7 days, postoperatively, and evaluated by visual inspection and histology.Results:  Gastric cancer was found in both the anterior and posterior walls of the corpus in all 43 mice. Intraluminal pH value was between 11 and 13. Severe necrosis in the cancer was observed in the side exposing to acetic acid, but not in the control side, shortly after the treatment (i.e. within 30 or 60 min). The muscularis mucosa and muscle layers were less damaged, regardless of the side of the treatment. Ulcer formation in the cancer took place 1, 3 or 7 days later. The ulcer depth was sometimes at the muscularis mucosa and muscle layers. At 3 and 7 days, regeneration of epithelial cells was clearly observed in the ulcer margin in the stomach of mice.Conclusions:  Topical application of acetic acid either from mucosal or serosal surface promptly caused the necrosis of tumor, suggesting the potential approach of this simple and reliable method as a cytoreductive treatment of gastric cancer in patients through endoscopy or laparoscopy.
Analysis of brain activity during visceral stimulation
Authors: Hojo Mariko , Takahashi Toshimitsu , Nagahara Akihito , Sasaki Hitoshi , Oguro Masako , Asaoka Daisuke , Watanabe Sumio 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a useful technology for investigating regional metabolic activity in the brain. Many experiments using fMRI have been performed, but because of variations in protocols and analytic techniques, the results vary. When a priori information of the task is known, a model‐based technique, such as statistical parametric mapping, is often used for analysis. In the case of acid stimulation of the esophagus the task model is unclear, so we analyzed brain activity during an acid or isotonic saline infusion to the esophagus using independent component analysis (ICA), which does not depend on a priori information of the task.Methods:  Six healthy male volunteers (29–45 years) participated in the study. A multi‐lumen catheter was inserted transnasally and side‐hole infusions ports were approximately 15 cm proximal to the lower esophageal sphincter. The experimental protocol was 5‐min interval, 5‐min saline infusion, 5‐min interval, 5‐min 0.1 N HCl, and a final 5‐min interval. After magnetic resonance scanning, fMRI image data were analyzed using group ICA.Results:  The cerebral regions activated during the first interval, saline infusion, and HCl infusion were the thalamus, insula, cingulate gyri, temporal pole and some parts of the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. Activation of the postcentral and precentral gyri occurred during both infusions, but was not observed during the first interval.Conclusion:  ICA, which can show the cerebral areas activated in relation to liquid in the esophagus, may be a powerful technique for studying the brain's response to visceral stimulation.
Is the clinical malignant phenotype of prostate cancer a result of a highly proliferative immune‐evasive B7‐H3‐expressing cell population?
Authors: Liu Yishan , Vlatkovic Ljiljana , Sæter Thorstein , Servoll Einar , Waaler Gudmund , Nesland Jahn M , Giercksky Karl‐Erik , Axcrona Karol 
Published: April 2012

Objectives:  To assess the expression of the cell surface protein B7‐H3 in prostate cancer, and its association to clinically relevant parameters after radical prostatectomy and to the proliferation marker Ki‐67.Methods:  Radical prostatectomy specimens from a cohort of 130 patients with a median clinical follow up of 8 years were used for the analysis. The expression of B7‐H3 and the proliferation marker Ki‐67, as well as other standard clinicopathological parameters, were evaluated.Results:  A high expression of B7‐H3 was associated with pathological stage T3a and T3b, high Gleason score, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and high proliferative activity. Univariable analysis showed that a high expression level of B7‐H3 was also correlated with biochemical failure and clinical relapse, and with the expression of Ki‐67. A high expression level of Ki‐67 was associated with clinical progression and a tendency towards higher rates of prostate‐specific antigen relapse in multivariate analyses.Conclusions:  Our findings show that a high expression level of B7‐H3 in prostate cancer correlates with the expression of the proliferation marker Ki‐67, biochemical failure and clinical relapse. Thus, expression of the cell surface molecule B7‐H3 adds to the malignant phenotype of prostate cancer cells expressing high levels of Ki‐67. The impact of B7‐H3 function on prostate cancer and its potential role in immunotherapy should be explored further.
Early ileostomy closure: is there a downside?
Authors: Omundsen Mark , Hayes Julian , Collinson Rowan , Merrie Arend , Parry Bryan , Bissett Ian 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  A loop ileostomy is a common adjunct to formation of a low colorectal anastomosis. However, it is not without significant physical and psychological morbidity, and financial cost. Feasibility of early closure during the index admission has previously been reported. This pilot study examines the safety of early closure compared with traditional timing.Methods:  A retrospective audit of consecutive ileostomy closures performed in a tertiary colorectal unit from January 2008 to January 2010. Demographic data, treatment data and complications were collected by a single investigator from a prospective clinical audit database and hospital records. Patients undergoing early closure (within 10 days of the index operation) were compared with the traditional timing group.Results:  A total of 93 patients underwent closure of loop ileostomy during the study period (44 female; 49 male). Median patient age was 61 years. Nineteen patients (20%) underwent early closure. There were six wound infections in the early closure group (32%), and five in the traditional timing group (7%) (P= 0.01). There was no significant difference in other complications between the two groups. There was a significantly shorter overall hospital stay in the early closure group with a median stay of 14 days (range 10–26), and in the traditional timing group a median stay of 17 days (range 7–80) (P= 0.05). Seven patients (9%) in the traditional timing group had ileostomy‐related complications.Conclusion:  Early ileostomy closure appears to be associated with an increased wound infection rate but otherwise appears to be a safe alternative to traditional closure in selected patients and may reduce overall hospital stay.
Queensland Lung Cancer Screening Study: rationale, design and methods
Authors: Marshall H. M. , Bowman R. V. , Crossin J. , Lau M. A. , Slaughter R. E. , Passmore L. H. , McCaul E. M. , Courtney D. A. , Windsor M. N. , Yang I. A. , Smith I. R. , Keir B. J. , Hayes T. J. , Redmond S. J. , Zimmerman P. V. , Fong K. M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackgroundLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related mortality in Australia. Screening using low‐dose computed tomography (LDCT) can reduce lung cancer mortality. The feasibility of screening in Australia is unknown. This paper describes the rationale, design and methods of the Queensland Lung Cancer Screening Study.AimsThe aim of the study is to describe the methodology for a feasibility study of lung cancer screening by LDCT in Australia.MethodsThe Queensland Lung Cancer Screening Study is an ongoing, prospective observational study of screening by LDCT at a single tertiary institution. Healthy volunteers at high risk of lung cancer (age 60–74 years; smoking history ≥30 pack years, current or quit within 15 years; forced expiratory volume in 1s ≥50% predicted) are recruited from the general public through newspaper advertisement and press release. Participants receive a LDCT scan of the chest at baseline, year 1 and year 2 using a multidetector helical computed tomography scanner and are followed up for a total of 5 years. Feasibility of screening will be assessed by cancer detection rates, lung nodule prevalence, optimal management strategies for lung nodules, economic costs, healthcare utilisation and participant quality of life.ConclusionsStudying LDCT screening in the Australian setting will help us understand how differences in populations, background diseases and healthcare structures modulate screening effectiveness. This information, together with results from overseas randomised studies, will inform and facilitate local policymaking.
Uncertainty in action‐value estimation affects both action choice and learning rate of the choice behaviors of rats
Authors: Funamizu Akihiro , Ito Makoto , Doya Kenji , Kanzaki Ryohei , Takahashi Hirokazu 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe estimation of reward outcomes for action candidates is essential for decision making. In this study, we examined whether and how the uncertainty in reward outcome estimation affects the action choice and learning rate. We designed a choice task in which rats selected either the left‐poking or right‐poking hole and received a reward of a food pellet stochastically. The reward probabilities of the left and right holes were chosen from six settings (high, 100% vs. 66%; mid, 66% vs. 33%; low, 33% vs. 0% for the left vs. right holes, and the opposites) in every 20–549 trials. We used Bayesian Q‐learning models to estimate the time course of the probability distribution of action values and tested if they better explain the behaviors of rats than standard Q‐learning models that estimate only the mean of action values. Model comparison by cross‐validation revealed that a Bayesian Q‐learning model with an asymmetric update for reward and non‐reward outcomes fit the choice time course of the rats best. In the action‐choice equation of the Bayesian Q‐learning model, the estimated coefficient for the variance of action value was positive, meaning that rats were uncertainty seeking. Further analysis of the Bayesian Q‐learning model suggested that the uncertainty facilitated the effective learning rate. These results suggest that the rats consider uncertainty in action‐value estimation and that they have an uncertainty‐seeking action policy and uncertainty‐dependent modulation of the effective learning rate.
HbA1c‐based diabetes diagnosis among patients with glucokinase mutation (GCK‐MODY) is affected by a genetic variant of glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G6PC2)
Authors: Borowiec M. , Fendler W. , Dusatkova P. , Antosik K. , Pruhova S. , Cinek O. , Mysliwiec M. , Jarosz‐Chobot P. , Malecki M. T. , Mlynarski W. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAims  Genetic variation at the rs560887 locus of the glucose‐6‐phosphatase, catalytic 2 gene (G6PC2) is known to affect regulation of fasting glycaemia. We determined the rs560887 genotype of patients with monogenic diabetes and glucokinase gene mutations (GCK‐MODY) and correlated the genotypes with HbA1c levels.Methods  Patients from families with GCK‐MODY were recruited from two large cohorts from Poland (n = 128) and the Czech Republic (n = 154). Genotypes at the rs560887 polymorphic site in G6PC2 were examined using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The effect of rs560887 genotype on age at diagnosis of GCK‐MODY and initial HbA1c levels were evaluated separately within both cohorts. Following that, a meta‐analysis of rs560887 genotype–HbA1c associations of both Polish and Czech cohorts was performed to confirm homogeneity of findings and validate cohort‐specific results.Results  GG homozygosity at rs560887 was associated with marginally elevated HbA1c levels (P = 0.07 in both cohorts). The effects observed in both groups were very homogeneous (Q = 0.18; P = 0.68). Meta‐analysis showed that GG homozygosity at rs560887 was associated with mean HbA1c levels higher by 2.4 mmol/mol (0.24%), 95% CI 0.5–4.4 mmol/mol (0.05–0.44%) than in individuals with other genotypes. Additionally, meta‐analysis of both cohorts showed that GG homozygous individuals had higher odds of reaching the 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) diagnostic threshold of diabetes; (odds ratio 1.90; 95% CI 1.07–3.36; P = 0.03). No such effects were observed for age at diagnosis of diabetes.Conclusions  Variation at the rs560887 locus of G6PC2 is associated with worse glycated haemoglobin levels in individuals with GCK mutations; GG homozygotes are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for diabetes based on HbA1c level.
Assessing the incentives in regional city‐to‐city cooperation: A case study of Jiangyin–Jingjiang Industrial Park of Jiangsu Province in the Yangtze River Delta region1 区域城市间合作诱因：以长江三角洲地区江苏江阴‐靖江工业园区为例
Authors: Chan 陈振光 Roger C.K. , Xian 线实 Shi 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWith the rise of cities as geographical units, intercity cooperation has been increasing worldwide. Benefits of regional city‐to‐city (C2C) cooperation can be seen in the political added value and added value of urban competitiveness. This paper focuses on the Jiangyin–Jingjiang Industrial Park in the Yangtze River Delta region as a case study to explore these benefits in regional C2C cooperation in China's local context. It is found that political added value is more effective and efficient in accelerating strategy formulation and partner selection within regional C2C cooperation. The added value of urban competitiveness is more crucial in regional C2C partnership maintenance serving as an internal driving force for sustainable C2C cooperation. In addition, intervention from the provincial government tends to consolidate the impact of urban competitiveness in regional C2C cooperation. The empirical study also sheds light on the dynamics of China's economic decentralisation, political centralisation and the market logic interwoven with state authority.摘要随着城市作为地理单元的崛起，城市间的合作正在全球范围内不断涌现。通过引入城市竞争力的视角，本文将区域城市间合作（Regional City‐to‐city cooperation）所带来的收益划分为政治附加值和城市竞争力附加值，并以长江三角洲地区江苏江阴‐靖江工业园区为案例着重审视和探讨了中国本土语境下区域城市间合作的激励机制。本研究发现对于推动区域城市间合作战略的形成和伙伴城市的选择，政治附加值更加有效；而对于区域城市间合作关系的维系，城市竞争力附加值则更为关键。因此，城市竞争力附加值是可持续的城市间合作的内在推动力。本文的实证研究折射出转型期中国的经济分权与政治集中，以及市场逻辑与国家权利逻辑的相互交织。
‘Chaos, restitution and quest’: one woman’s journey through menopause
Authors: Nosek Marcianna , Kennedy Holly Powell , Gudmundsdottir Maria 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMenopause, a natural stage in a woman’s reproductive life, is not an illness; yet some women experience severe enough symptoms to cause a breakdown in the body similar to illness or other major health disruptions. As part of a larger narrative analysis investigation of distress during menopause, this case study presents one woman’s transformational journey through menopause, analysed through Frank’s health and illness narratives – chaos, restitution and quest. The narratives were retranscribed using Labov’s elements of a true story and Gee’s poetic restructuring. This report of one woman’s experience of distress during the menopause transition describes a poetic chaos narrative of incessant night sweats resulting in a loss of physicality and a deep‐rooted belief in self‐healing; a restitution narrative of restored health that mandated the surrender to a new healing discourse, experienced simultaneously as a victory and a defeat; and a quest narrative of seeking meaning, insight and new‐found values and identities.