bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic hepatitis B infection in an Australian antenatal population: seroprevalence and opportunities for better outcomes
Authors: Guirgis Marianne , Zekry Amany , Yan Kenneth , Bu Yang Min , Lee Alice 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground:  In the antenatal population, screening for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier status is routinely undertaken to guide preventative measures for the newborn. There is scarce information in the literature, however, regarding the subsequent management of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive mothers.Aims and Methods:  Thus, we undertook this retrospective study to (i) determine the prevalence of HBsAg positivity among mothers attending two teaching hospital birth centers; (ii) determine whether HBsAg mothers received HBV education and underwent further evaluation of HBV infectivity status; and (iii) determine whether these mothers had further follow up for HBV infection post delivery.Results:  Between January 2003 and December 2006, 14, 857 mothers were screened for hepatitis B virus infection. Among these, 295 mothers were positive with HBsAg seroprevalence of 2%. A more detailed review of the available 206 medical records revealed that the majority (78%) had previous documentation of infection in earlier pregnancies. However none had received education regarding HBV infectivity. In addition, liver function tests were only performed in 78% of the mothers while Hepatitis B e antigen was tested in 65% of cases. Further, 93% of the mothers had no documentation of further follow up plans or referrals for their HBV infection.Conclusion:  It is clear that chronic HBV infection is prevalent in the antenatal population. However, there are no strategies to ensure that infected mothers subsequently undergo further education for HBV or evaluation of infectivity. Clearly strategies are required to ensure improved follow up of hepatitis B infected mothers.
Efficacy of a single 24‐hour pre‐anesthetic dose of proton pump inhibitors
Authors: Hirota Kazuyoshi , Imai Atsushi , Kudo Mihoko , Hashimoto Hiroshi , Kushikata Tetsuya 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The H2 receptor antagonist roxatidine is routinely used as an oral pre‐anesthetic medication in surgical patients at night and 2 h before surgery. In the present study, we have compared the effects of roxatidine, rabeprazole and lansoprazole given singly at night as an alternative to the standard double roxatidine medication.Methods:  120 adult patients undergoing urological surgery were randomly assigned to three groups: roxatidine, rabeprazole and lansoprazole (n = 40 each). Following induction of anesthesia, gastric fluid was obtained by aspiration using a syringe to measure pH and volume of gastric contents.Results:  Gastric volume (14.1 ± 1.9 mL) in the lansoprazole group was significantly larger than that in roxatidine (8.6 ± 1.7 mL) and rabeprazole (7.5 ± 1.1 mL) groups (P < 0.05). Gastric pH in lansoprazole group (4.10 ± 0.38) was also significantly lower than that in the roxatidine group (5.41 ± 0.31, P < 0.05). The numbers of patients with critical factors for acid aspiration pneumonia (gastric pH < 2.5 or volume > 25 mL) in the lansoprazole group was significantly higher than in the roxatidine group (P < 0.05). Gastric pH and volume in all groups were constant even in the afternoon.Conclusion:  Single rabeprazole (but not lansoperazole) medication may be a suitable alternative to standard roxatidine for prophylaxis of acid aspiration pneumonia.
Comparison of outcomes between patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and those with hepatitis C virus‐related cirrhosis
Authors: Toshikuni Nobuyuki , Izumi Akiyoshi , Nishino Ken , Inada Nobu , Sakanoue Ritsuko , Yamato Ryumei , Suehiro Mitsuhiko , Kawanaka Miwa , Yamada Gotaro 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The natural history of alcoholic cirrhosis, especially in Asian countries, has not been completely understood thus far.Methods:  We retrospectively compared the outcomes of compensated cirrhosis between Japanese alcoholic and hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients.Results:  A total of 227 patients (75 alcoholic and 152 HCV‐infected patients) with compensated cirrhosis were enrolled. The median follow‐up period was 4.9 years. The cumulative rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development were significantly lower in the alcoholic patients than in the HCV‐infected patients (6.8% vs 50.3% at 10 years, P = 0.0003), while the cumulative rates of hepatic decompensation (37.4% vs 51.7% at 10 years) and survival (53.8% vs 47.4% at 10 years) did not significantly differ between the two groups (Kaplan‐Meir analysis). The main causes of death were hepatic failure and non‐hepatic diseases in the alcoholic patients and HCC and hepatic failure in the HCV‐infected patients. Multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazard model revealed that the risk of HCC was lower in alcoholic cirrhosis than in HCV‐related cirrhosis (hazard ratio (HR), 0.46), while the risk of hepatic decompensation and mortality was the same. Predictors of decreased survival were non‐abstinence (HR, 2.53) in the alcoholic patients and low serum albumin level (1.58) in the HCV‐infected patients.Conclusions:  Survival of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis was similar to that of patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis. The risk of HCC development was lower in alcoholic cirrhosis than in HCV‐related cirrhosis. Abstinence from alcohol was important for improving the survival of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Prediction of response to combined immunotherapy with interferon‐α and low‐dose interleukin‐2 in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Expression patterns of potential molecular markers in radical nephrectomy specimens
Authors: Miyake Hideaki , Sakai Iori , Muramaki Mototsugu , Kurahashi Toshifumi , Takenaka Atsushi , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: April 2009

Objectives:  To evaluate the expression levels of multiple molecular markers in radical nephrectomy specimens from patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who received combined immunotherapy with interferon‐α (IFN‐α) and low‐dose interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and to identify factors predicting susceptibility to this therapy.Methods:  This study included 40 patients with metastatic clear cell RCC undergoing combined immunotherapy with IFN‐α and low‐dose IL‐2 following radical nephrectomy. Expression levels of 10 markers, including Aurora‐A, Bcl‐2, clusterin, heat shock protein 27, heat shock protein 90, Ki‐67, matrix metalloproteinase‐2, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor, in RCC specimens were measured using immunohistochemical staining.Results:  In this series, one, 10, 15 and 16 patients were diagnosed as showing complete response, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease, respectively. Expression levels of Bcl‐2 and Ki‐67 had significant impacts on the response to this therapy. Furthermore, cancer‐specific survival was significantly associated with the expression levels of Ki‐67 and Bcl‐2 in addition to performance status, presence of metastases at diagnosis, metastatic organ and C‐reactive protein on univariate analysis. Only the presence of metastases at diagnosis and Ki‐67 expression level appeared to be independent predictors of cancer‐specific survival on multivariate analysis.Conclusions:  It would be useful to consider the expression levels of potential molecular markers, particularly Ki‐67, in addition to clinical parameters, such as the presence of metastases at diagnosis, to select metastatic RCC patients likely to benefit from combined immunotherapy.
Assimilation and Otherness: the Theological Significance of Négritude
Authors: WILLIAMS A.N. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis article argues that otherness is a root concept in Christian theology, functioning as such in Christology and the doctrines of the Trinity, creation, sanctification and consummation. Recent philosophical and theological treatments of otherness or alterity have, however, focused on its problematic aspects, its link to ills such as racism, sexism and genocide. The thought of the Senegalese statesman and poet Léopold Sédar Senghor (1906–2001) is proposed as an aid in mediating between the tradition's conceptions of otherness and contemporary debates and contexts, illuminating root concepts which have not been recognized as such, their systematic interconnectedness and their enduring relevance.
The “X component” in Shanghai's social security reforms
Authors: Davies Gloria , Nielsen Ingrid , Nyland Chris , Smyth Russell , Zhu Cherrie , Zhu Judith 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn 2003, the Shanghai Bureau of Labour and Social Security launched the zhenbao (town insurance) programme, now widely known as 25 plus X. This scheme is regarded as an important experiment in social security reform and has been lauded for extending social security to areas where previously only segments of the population had mandatory coverage. Using data from 103,000 individuals enrolled in 25 plus X, we examine the extent to which the scheme represents an extension in social security coverage. Our analysis suggests that while it does represent an extension of benefits for some, for many it represents a considerable dilution in benefits.
Women’s views on the use of decision aids for decision making about the method of delivery following a previous caesarean section: qualitative interview study
Authors: Frost J , Shaw A , Montgomery A , Murphy DJ 
Published: April 2009

Objective  To obtain the views of women on their experiences of decision making about the method of delivery following a previous caesarean section and the role of decision aids in this process.Design  Qualitative study nested within a randomised controlled trial, using repeat semi‐structured interviews conducted pre‐ and postnatally. Data were analysed using a framework approach.Setting  Three maternity units in south‐west England and Scotland.Sample  Purposive sample of 30 women participating in a randomised controlled trial of two decision aids for women making a decision about mode of next delivery following a previous caesarean section (Decision Aids for Mode of next Delivery).Results  Thirty women were interviewed during pregnancy about their experience of decision making about the mode of delivery and 22 were re‐interviewed postnatally. Key themes were: role of decision aids in reducing decisional conflict and uncertainty during the pregnancy; impact of decision aids on knowledge and anxiety; the relationship between prior preferences, decisions and actual outcome; and the mediating role of decision aids.Conclusions  Women making a decision about mode of delivery following previous caesarean section value some form of structured information to help reduce decisional conflict. Information provision for women making this decision needs to be relevant to their individual needs. Decision analysis may help reconcile prior preferences and the actual mode of delivery.
Occupational predictors of pregnancy outcomes in Irish working women in the Lifeways cohort
Authors: Niedhammer I , O’Mahony D , Daly S , Morrison JJ , Kelleher CC ,   the Lifeways Cross‐Generation Cohort Study Steering Group
Published: April 2009

Objective  The objective of this study was to explore the association between occupational factors and pregnancy outcomes in a prospective cohort of Irish pregnant women.Design  This study has a prospective design.Population  The Lifeways cohort included 1124 pregnant women, 676 of whom delivered a single baby and were working at their first prenatal care visit when they filled in a self‐administered questionnaire.Methods  Occupational factors were measured using this questionnaire and included eight factors describing job and working conditions. Data including pregnancy outcomes were also obtained from clinical hospital records. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for well‐known risk factors.Main outcome measures  Birthweight (≤3000 g and ≤2500 g), preterm delivery (<37 gestation weeks) and small‐for‐gestational‐age.Results  Significant associations were found between physical work demands and low birthweight (≤2500 g) and working with between a temporary contract and preterm delivery. Trends were also observed between working 40 hours or more a week and shift work, and birthweight of 3000 g or less. The study of a cumulative index showed that being exposed to at least two of these occupational factors significantly predicted birthweight of ≤3000 g (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.17–5.08) and of ≤2500 g (OR = 4.65, 95% CI: 1.08–20.07) and preterm delivery (OR = 5.18, 95% CI: 1.00–27.01).Conclusions  Our findings suggest that occupational factors may predict birthweight through their predictive effects on preterm delivery. This is one of the few prospective studies on pregnancy outcomes that include working conditions. As they may be modifiable, occupational factors deserve more attention in relation to birth outcomes.
CD36: A multi‐modal target for acute stroke therapy
Authors: Cho Sunghee , Kim Eunhee 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA role for CD36 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, inflammation and lipid metabolism has been well‐documented. However, little is known about the role of CD36 in cerebral ischemia. The intent of this review is to develop the concept that CD36, whose functions have been implicated in other pathological events, is a prototypic inflammatory receptor that contributes to the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia. The importance of CD36 as a treatment target is indicated by the fact that many treatment strategies that are effective in experimental models of stroke exhibit little or no efficacy in clinical trials. The failure of clinical trials may be due to the use of animal models of stroke that do not reflect traditional risk factors for stroke in humans. The discussion will be focused on two risk factors, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, that modulate CD36 responses. Blocking the expression and function of CD36 by pharmacological or genetic means will provide insight not only toward identifying CD36 as a novel molecular target but also for developing effective therapeutic strategies to treat stroke victims. More importantly, coupling clinically relevant conditions with CD36‐mediated ischemic injury may provide an appropriate animal model paradigm and develop a scientific understanding that could lead to clinical translational studies involving human subjects.
Protein kinase G is involved in ammonia‐induced swelling of astrocytes
Authors: Konopacka Agnieszka , Konopacki Filip A. , Albrecht Jan 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAmmonia‐induced swelling of astrocytes is a primary cause of brain edema associated with acute hepatic encephalopathy. Previous studies have shown that ammonia transiently increases cGMP in brain in vivo and in cultured astrocytes in vitro. We hypothesized that protein kinase G (PKG), an enzyme activated by cGMP and implicated in regulation of cell shape, size, and/or volume in peripheral and CNS cells, may play a role in the ammonia‐induced astrocytic volume increase. Treatment of cultured rat cortical astrocytes with 1 or 5 mM NH4Cl (ammonia) for 24 h increased their cell volume by 50% and 80% above control, respectively, as measured by confocal imaging followed by 3D computational analysis. A cGMP analog, 8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐cGMP, increased the cell volume in control cells and potentiated the increase in 1 mM ammonia‐treated cells. A soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor (1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one) abrogated, and a PKG inhibitor [8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐cGMP‐thioate, Rp‐isomer] dose‐dependently reduced the cell volume‐increasing effect of 5 mM ammonia. The results suggest that (i) PKG may play a permissive role in ammonia‐induced astrocytic swelling and (ii) elevation of brain cGMP associated with acute exposure to ammonia in vivo may aggravate the ensuing brain edema.
Now I know my ABC. A systems neurochemistry and functional metabolomic approach to understanding the GABAergic system
Authors: Rae Caroline , Nasrallah Fatima A. , Griffin Julian L. , Balcar Vladimir J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractHere, we describe use of a reductionist brain model, the brain tissue slice, to generate snapshots of functional metabolism in response to a pharmacological (GABAergic) perturbation. Tissue slices prepared from Guinea pig cerebral cortex were incubated for 1 h in the presence of [3‐13C]‐pyruvate and ligands with affinity for GABA receptors. The resultant patterns of 13C flux and metabolite levels were measured by 13C/1H NMR spectroscopy, generating ‘metabolic fingerprints’ for each ligand. Effects of agonists and effectors at GABA receptors (A, B, and C types) were examined, compared to those of exogenous GABA and evaluated using multivariate statistical models. Data clusterings did not directly correlate with GABA receptor types but produced at least five distinct groups ranked according to their affinity for GABA. As our experimental model retains, to a large extent, the structure and function of normal brain tissue, the generated database can be used to assess GABAergic ligands and make unique inferences relevant to their modes of action in brain.
Calcium in the mechanism of ammonia‐induced astrocyte swelling
Authors: Jayakumar Arumugam R. , Rama Rao Kakulavarapu V. , Tong Xiaoying Y. , Norenberg Michael D. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBrain edema, due largely to astrocyte swelling, is an important clinical problem in patients with acute liver failure. While mechanisms underlying astrocyte swelling in this condition are not fully understood, ammonia and associated oxidative/nitrosative stress appear to be involved. Mechanisms responsible for the increase in reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) and their role in ammonia‐induced astrocyte swelling, however, are poorly understood. Recent studies have demonstrated a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+in cultured astrocytes exposed to ammonia. As Ca2+is a known inducer of RONS, we investigated potential mechanisms by which Ca2+may be responsible for the production of RONS and cell swelling in cultured astrocytes after treatment with ammonia. Exposure of cultured astrocytes to ammonia (5 mM) increased the formation of free radicals, including nitric oxide, and such increase was significantly diminished by treatment with the Ca2+chelator 1,2‐bis‐(o‐aminophenoxy)‐ethane‐N,N,‐N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid tetraacetoxy‐methyl ester (BAPTA). We then examined the activity of Ca2+‐dependent enzymes that are known to generate RONS and found that ammonia significantly increased the activities of NADPH oxidase (NOX), constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS), and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and such increases in activity were significantly diminished by BAPTA. Pre‐treatment of cultures with 7‐nitroindazole, apocyanin, and quinacrine, respective inhibitors of cNOS, NOX, and PLA2, all significantly diminished RONS production. Additionally, treatment of cultures with BAPTA or with inhibitors of cNOS, NOX, and PLA2 reduced ammonia‐induced astrocyte swelling. These studies suggest that the ammonia‐induced rise in intracellular Ca2+activates free radical producing enzymes that ultimately contribute to the mechanism of astrocyte swelling.
Transglutaminases and neurodegeneration
Authors: Jeitner Thomas M. , Pinto John T. , Krasnikov Boris F. , Horswill Mark , Cooper Arthur J. L. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractTransglutaminases (TGs) are Ca2+‐dependent enzymes that catalyze a variety of modifications of glutaminyl (Q) residues. In the brain, these modifications include the covalent attachment of a number of amine‐bearing compounds, including lysyl (K) residues and polyamines, which serve to either regulate enzyme activity or attach the TG substrates to biological matrices. Aberrant TG activity is thought to contribute to Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, and supranuclear palsy. Strategies designed to interfere with TG activity have some benefit in animal models of Huntington and Parkinson diseases. The following review summarizes the involvement of TGs in neurodegenerative diseases and discusses the possible use of selective inhibitors as therapeutic agents in these diseases.
Contributions of Ca2+ and Zn2+ to spreading depression‐like events and neuronal injury
Authors: Dietz Robert M. , Weiss John H. , Shuttleworth C. William 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe phenomenon of spreading depression (SD) involves waves of profound neuronal and glial depolarization that spread throughout brain tissue. Under many conditions, tissue recovers full function after SD has occurred, but SD‐like events are also associated with spread of injury following ischemia or trauma. Initial large cytosolic Ca2+ increases accompany all forms of SD, but persistently elevated Ca2+ loading is likely responsible for neuronal injury following SD in tissues where metabolic capacity is insufficient to restore ionic gradients. Ca2+ channels are also involved in the propagation of SD, but the channel subtypes and cation fluxes differ significantly when SD is triggered by different types of stimuli. Ca2+ influx via P/Q type channels is important for SD generated by localized application of high K+ solutions. In contrast, SD‐like events recorded in in vitro ischemia models are not usually prevented by Ca2+ removal, but under some conditions, Zn2+ influx via L‐type channels contributes to SD initiation. This review addresses different roles of Ca2+ in the initiation and consequences of SD, and discusses recent evidence that selective chelation of Zn2+ can be sufficient to prevent SD under circumstances that may have relevance for ischemic injury.
Kinetic validation of 6‐NBDG as a probe for the glucose transporter GLUT1 in astrocytes
Authors: Barros Luis Felipe , Bittner Carla X. , Loaiza Anitsi , Ruminot Iván , Larenas Valeria , Moldenhauer Hans , Oyarzún Carolina , Alvarez Mauro 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn recent years, the use of fluorescent glucose analogs has allowed the study of rapid transport modulation in heterogeneous cell cultures and complex tissues. However, the kinetic behavior of these tracers is not conventional. For instance, the fluorescent glucose analog 6‐NBDG permeates the cell 50–100 times slower than glucose but the uptake of 6‐NBDG is almost insensitive to glucose, an observation that casts doubts as to the specificity of the uptake pathway. To investigate this apparent anomaly in cultured astrocytes, which are rich in the glucose transporter GLUT1, we first estimated the kinetic parameters of 6‐NBDG uptake, which were then incorporated into the kinetic model of GLUT1. The main outcome of the analysis was that 6‐NBDG binds to GLUT1 with 300 times higher affinity than glucose, which explains why its uptake is not efficiently displaced by glucose. The high binding affinity of 6‐NBDG also explains why cytochalasin B is less effective at inhibiting 6‐NBDG uptake than at inhibiting glucose uptake. We conclude that 6‐NBDG, used at low concentrations, permeates into astrocytes chiefly through GLUT1, and advise that the exofacial GLUT1 inhibitor 4,6‐ethylidine‐d‐glucose be used, instead of glucose, as the tool of choice to confirm the specificity of 6‐NBDG uptake.