bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum vitamin D concentrations and associated severity of acute lower respiratory tract infections in Japanese hospitalized children
Authors: Inamo Yasuji , Hasegawa Maki , Saito Katsuya , Hayashi Rika , Ishikawa Teruaki , Yoshino Yayoi , Hashimoto Koji , Fuchigami Tatsuo 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground:  Vitamin D is an immunomodulatory molecule related to innate immunity that may contribute to the increased occurrence of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in children, one of the most common reasons for hospitalization and intensive care unit admission. In the present study, the association between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of respiratory infection was evaluated by determining serum concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in a group of hospitalized children with ALRI.Methods:  Of the 28 children admitted to Nihon University Nerima‐Hikarigaoka Hospital with ALRI over the period November 2008–May 2009, 26 were diagnosed as having bronchiolitis and two were found to have pneumonia. A competitive protein binding radioimmunoassay was used to determine serum 25(OH)D concentrations.Results:  Mean 25(OH)D concentrations in breast‐fed children with ALRI (n = 7) were significantly lower than those in children with ALRI who were bottle fed/weaned (n = 6) or on a regular diet (n = 15; 14.6 ± 9.7, 28.9 ± 6.9 and 24.6 ± 8.8 ng/mL, respectively). There was a significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency (<15 ng/mL) and the need for supplementary oxygen and ventilator management.Conclusion:  Significantly more children with ALRI who needed supplementary oxygen and ventilator management were vitamin D deficient. These findings suggest that the immunomodulatory properties of vitamin D may influence the severity of ALRI.
The effects of mivacurium‐induced neuromuscular block on Bispectral Index and Cerebral State Index in children under propofol anesthesia – a prospective randomized clinical trial
Authors: WEBER FRANK , KRIEK NADIA , BLUSSÉ van OUD‐ALBLAS HELEEN J. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryBackground:  In adults anesthetized with propofol, muscle relaxants may decrease the Bispectral Index (BIS). The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to detect the influence of a muscle relaxant bolus on the BIS and the Cerebral State Index (CSI) in children under propofol anesthesia.Methods:  Forty pediatric patients, age 6.6 ± 3.3 years, weight 24 ± 9 kg, scheduled for surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia were enrolled. Two minutes after i.v. injection of 0.3 mcg·kg−1 of sufentanil, general anesthesia was induced by an initial bolus of 3 mg·kg−1 of propofol, followed by a continuous infusion titrated to achieve a stable BIS value of 50 ± 5. Patients received either mivacurium 0.25 mg·kg−1 (Group Miva) or NaCl 0.9% 0.12 ml·kg−1 (Group Control). Mean BIS and CSI values per minute were compared between (Miva vs. Control) and within groups (Baseline vs 5 min. after study drug administration).Results:  The observed changes in BIS and CSI values before and after administration of study drugs revealed no differences between the study groups. Mean baseline BIS and CSI values were lower than 5 min after study drug administration. There were no intergroup differences with respect to BIS and CSI values at any time point.Conclusions:  These data suggest that in pediatric patients anesthetized with propofol, administration of mivacurium has no impact on BIS and CSI values.
An institutional experience with epidural analgesia in children and young adults undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: THAMMASITBOON SATID , ROSEN DAVID A. , LUTFI RIAD , ELY BRIAN A. , WEBER MARK A. , HILVERS PAMELA N. , GUSTAFSON ROBERT A. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryBackground:  Allowing spontaneous respiration after cardiac surgery eliminates complications related to mechanical ventilation and optimizes cardiopulmonary interaction. Epidural analgesia has been proposed to promote early extubation after cardiac surgery.Objective:  To identify the characteristics of patients with epidural analgesia and safety profiles with respect to the timing of extubation following cardiac surgery.Design and method:  A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent cardiac surgery during a 5‐year period. Demographic, procedural, and perioperative variables were analyzed to investigate factors that affect the timing of extubation.Results:  A total of 750 records were reviewed. The patients’ median age was 12 months, and 52% were infants (<1 year). Seventy‐five percent of the patients utilized cardiopulmonary bypass. The study population was classified into three groups according to the timing of extubation: 66% were extubated in the operating room or upon arrival at the PICU (Immediate), 15% were extubated within 24 h (mean, 10.8 h; 95% CI, 9.0–12.6) (Early), and 19% were extubated after 24 h (Delayed). For the Immediate and Early groups, multivariate logistic regression identified young age, increased cross‐clamp time, and inotrope score as independent risk factors for the need for mechanical ventilation. Postextubation respiratory acidosis (mean PaCO2, 50 mmHg; 95% CI, 49–51) was well tolerated by all patients. There were no neurologic complications related to the epidural technique.Conclusion:  Epidural analgesia in children undergoing cardiac surgery provides stable analgesia without complications in our experience.
Study to assess the laryngeal and pharyngeal spread of topical local anesthetic administered orally during general anesthesia in children
Authors: BERINGER RICHARD , SKEAHAN NAOMI , SHEPPARD SUZETTE , RAGG PHILIP , MARTIN NICK , McKENZIE IAN , DAVIDSON ANDREW 
Published: July 2010

SummaryBackground:  Topical local anesthesia of the airway of anaesthetized children has many potential benefits. In our institution, lignocaine is topically instilled blindly into the back of the mouth with the expectation that it will come into contact with the larynx. The volume and method of application varies between clinicians. There is no published evidence to support the plausibility of this technique.Aim:  To determine whether this technique of instillation results in the local anesthetic coming into contact with key laryngeal structures and whether this is influenced by volume or additional physical maneuvers.Methods/Materials:  Sixty‐three healthy anaesthetized children between 6 months and 16 years old had lignocaine stained with methylene blue poured into the back of their mouths. The volume and subsequent physical maneuver were determined by randomization. A blinded observer assessed staining of the vocal cords, epiglottis, vallecula and piriform fossae by direct laryngoscopy. Airway complications were recorded.Results:  Fifty‐three of the 63 children had complete staining of all four areas. Four children had one area unstained, and all others had at least partial staining of all four structures. Nine children coughed following induction of anesthesia. Coughing was more likely in children with incomplete staining (P = 0.03), low volume lignocaine (P = 0.003) and following a head lift (P = 0.02).Conclusion:  Oral administration of lignocaine without use of a laryngoscope frequently results in widespread coverage of key laryngeal structures and may reduce the risk of coughing.
Objective and non‐invasive evaluation of photorejuvenation effect with intense pulsed light treatment in Asian skin
Authors: Shin J‐W , Lee D‐H , Choi S‐Y , Na J‐I , Park K‐C , Youn S‐W , Huh C‐H 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground  Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been widely used for photorejuvenation. Although previous literature has shown clinical effectiveness of IPL treatments on cutaneous photoaging, the associated changes in the biophysical properties of the skin following IPL treatments have not been fully elucidated.Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in skin biophysical properties in patients with photoaging after IPL treatments, using non‐invasive, objective skin measuring devices.Patients and methods  A total of 26 Korean women with facial dyschromias underwent three sessions of IPL treatment at 4‐week intervals. Outcome assessments included standardized photography, global evaluation by blinded investigators, patients’ self‐assessment and objective measurements of colour (Mexameter MX18, Chromatometer), elasticity (Cutometer), roughness (Visiometer), sebum (Sebumeter) and skin hydration (Corneometer).Results  Intense pulsed light treatments produced a 15% decrease in the size of representative pigmented lesions (P < 0.05). Patients’ self‐assessment revealed that 84% and 58% of subjects considered their pigmented lesions and wrinkles were improved respectively. Objective colorimetric measurement demonstrated significant improvements following IPL treatments that were most remarkable after one session of IPL. Moreover, skin elasticity showed significant improvements at the end of the study. Skin wrinkles as measured using Visiometer showed a mild improvement without statistical significance. Sebum secretion and water content of skin remained unchanged.Conclusions  Intense pulsed light provided significant improvement in the appearance of facial pigmented lesions in Korean patients. These effects appeared to be more remarkable in improving pigmentation, skin tone and elasticity.
Molecular traits controlling host range and adaptation to plants in Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Genin Stéphane 
Published: July 2010

Summary Ralstonia solanacearum is regarded as one of the world’s most important bacterial plant pathogens because of its aggressiveness, large host range, broad geographical distribution and long persistence in soil and water environments. This root pathogen is an attractive model to investigate the question of host adaptation as it exhibits a remarkably broad host range, being able to infect numerous plant species belonging to different botanical families. Several effector proteins transiting through the type III secretion system have been shown to restrict or extend specifically the host range of the bacterium. Recent investigations on the mechanisms that coordinate changes in gene expression during the passage between saprophytism and life within host tissues have allowed the identification of other molecular determinants implicated in the adaptation of R. solanacearum to its hosts and pathogenesis. Among these determinants are genes involved in chemotaxis, secondary metabolic pathways and the detoxification of various antimicrobial compounds, and genes directing the biosynthesis of phytohormones or adherence factors. The regulation of many of these genes is coordinated by the master pathogenicity regulator HrpG. These hrpG‐dependent genes control major steps during the interaction with plant cells, and probably determine the ecological behaviour of the microorganism, being required for the establishment of pathogenesis or mutualism.
The role of a maternity waiting area (MWA) in reducing maternal mortality and stillbirths in high‐risk women in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Kelly J , Kohls E , Poovan P , Schiffer R , Redito A , Winter H , MacArthur C 
Published: July 2010

Please cite this paper as: Kelly J, Kohls E, Poovan P, Schiffer R, Redito A, Winter H, MacArthur C. The role of a maternity waiting area (MWA) in reducing maternal mortality and stillbirths in high‐risk women in rural Ethiopia. BJOG 2010;117:1377–1383.Objective  To describe maternal mortality and stillbirth rates among women admitted via a maternity waiting area (MWA) and women admitted directly to the same hospital (non‐MWA) over a 22‐year period.Design  Retrospective cohort study.Setting  Hospital in rural Ethiopia, which provided comprehensive emergency obstetric care and has an established MWA.Population  All women admitted for delivery between 1987 and 2008.Methods  Data on maternal deaths, stillbirths, caesarean section and uterine rupture were abstracted from routine hospital records. Sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal care and other data were collected for 2008 only. Rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for maternal mortality and stillbirth.Main outcome measures  Maternal mortality and stillbirth.Results  There were 24 148 deliveries over the study period, 6805 admitted via MWA and 17 343 admitted directly. Maternal mortality was 89.9 per 100 000 live births (95% CI, 41.1–195.2) for MWA women and 1333.1 per 100 000 live births (95% CI, 1156.2–1536.7) for non‐MWA women; stillbirth rates were 17.6 per 1000 births (95% CI, 14.8–21.0) and 191.2 per 1000 births (95% CI, 185.4–197.1), respectively; 38.5% of MWA women were delivered by caesarean section compared with 20.3% of non‐MWA women, and none had uterine rupture, compared with 5.8% in the non‐MWA group. For the 1714 women admitted in 2008, relatively small differences in sociodemographic characteristics, distance and antenatal care uptake were found between groups.Conclusions  Maternal mortality and stillbirth rates were substantially lower in women admitted via MWA. It is likely that at least part of this difference is accounted for by the timely and appropriate obstetric management of women using this facility.
Fetoscopic laser coagulation for severe twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: factors influencing perinatal outcome, learning curve of the procedure and lessons for new centres
Authors: Morris RK , Selman TJ , Harbidge A , Martin WL , Kilby MD 
Published: July 2010

Please cite this paper as: Morris R, Selman T, Harbidge A, Martin W, Kilby M. Fetoscopic laser coagulation for severe twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: factors influencing perinatal outcome, learning curve of the procedure and lessons for new centres. BJOG 2010;117:1350–1357.Objective  To evaluate the effects of operator experience on perinatal outcome in a single centre.Design  Prospective consecutive cohort study.Setting  Regional tertiary referral Fetal Medicine Centre in the UK.Population  Pregnant women with monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by severe twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) (at ≤26 completed weeks of gestatiuon) treated by fetoscopic laser coagulation (FLC) between October 2004 and November 2009.Methods  Pregnancy characteristics and outcomes were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the effect of a priori defined variables on outcome.Main outcome measure  Perinatal survival (survival to 28 days or beyond) for one or more twins.Results  There were 164 consecutive sets of monochorionic twins. The median gestational age (GA) at FLC was 20.4 weeks (interquartile range 18–22.1 weeks), the median interval from FLC to delivery was 88.5 days (interquartile range 53–101 days) and the median GA at delivery was 33.2 weeks (interquartile range 29.7–34.9 weeks). The overall survival was 62%; perinatal survival of one or more twins was 85%. These outcomes improved after about 61 procedures were performed, and after about 3.4 years of experience. Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that Quintero stage‐IV disease decreased (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.10–0.69) and prolongation of GA at delivery increased the survival of the twins (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.12–1.60) (P < 0.01). Increasing experience of the procedure by operator led to a significant increase in perinatal survival (P < 0.01; OR 4.59; 95% CI 1.84–11.44). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that only GA at delivery increased survival overall (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.12–1.60; P = 0.01).Conclusions  These data indicate that both relatively large numbers treated and experience with FLC minimises any adverse outcome in monochorionic pregnancies with severe TTTS.
INCREASED CONCENTRATIONS OF GLYCINE IN HYPOXANTHINE‐GUANINE PHOSPHORIBOSYLTRANSFERASE‐DEFICIENT MOUSE NEUROBLASTOMA CELLS1
Authors: Skaper S. D. , Seegmiller J. E. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract—The intracellular concentrations of a number of amino acids were compared in a parental line of mouse neuroblastoma cells, a line selected for gross deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine‐guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) and in a revertant line containing the enzyme selected from the deficient line. Most prominent was the increased concentration of free glycine and to a lesser extent glutamic acid in enzyme‐deficient cells. The increase in glycine was eliminated after restoration of the HGPRT activity.
SUBCELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF d‐AMINO ACID OXIDASE AND CATALASE IN RAT BRAIN
Authors: Gaunt G. L. , de Duve C. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract—Rat brain d‐amino acid oxidase was found to be confined to the hindbrain, distributed more or less equally between cerebellum and medulla. Histochemical staining showed the enzyme to be localized largely in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. After fractionation by means of several distinct density gradient centrifugation procedures exploiting differences in sedimentation coefficient or in density or in both, the enzyme was found to be entirely or almost entirely associated with cytoplasmic particles with a median diameter of the order of 0·2 μm, and a median equilibrium density in aqueous sucrose of 1·18. Comparison with the behavior of cytochrome oxidase and of N‐acetyl‐β‐glucosaminidase indicates that these particles are not mitochondria and are unlikely to be lysosomes. They also differ significantly from the bulk of the catalase‐containing particles, which on an average appear to be somewhat smaller. The possibility that they might contain some catalase activity, and thereby qualify as ‘peroxisomes’, can however not be excluded. In any case, they differ profoundly from the peroxisomes of liver or kidney.
CONTROL OF PYRUVATE AND β‐HYDROXYBUTYRATE UTILIZATION IN RAT BRAIN MITOCHONDRIA AND ITS RELEVANCE TO PHENYLKETONURIA AND MAPLE SYRUP URINE DISEASE
Authors: Land J. M. , Mowbray J. , Clark J. B. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract—The effects of the amino acids (phenylalanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine) which accumulate in phenylketonuria (PKU) and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), and their analogue α‐keto acids (phenylpyruvate, α‐keto isovalerate, α‐keto isocaproate, α‐keto‐β‐Me valerate) have been studied on rat brain mitochondrial respiration. Both phenylpyruvate and α‐keto isocaproate specifically inhibited the oxidation of pyruvate plus malate and β‐hydroxybutyrate plus malate by rat brain mitochondria in the presence of ADP. However, no inhibitory effects of similar concentrations of phenylpyruvate or α‐keto isocaproate were observed on the isolated semipurified pyruvate or β‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenases from rat brain mitochondria. The transport of pyruvate and β‐hydroxybutyrate across the brain mitochondrial membrane was studied by both uptake and exchange of radioactively labelled substrates. Both these processes were inhibited by phenylpyruvate and α‐ketoisocaproate. The results are interpreted as providing evidence for both pyruvate and β‐hydroxybutyrate translocases across the brain mitochondrial membrane, and that the inhibition of these systems by phenylpyruvate and α‐keto isocaproate may be important lesions in phenylketonuria and maple syrup urine disease respectively.
Polyphosphoinositides as a Probable Source of Brain Free Fatty Acids Accumulated at the Onset of Ischemia
Authors: Ikeda Masuhiro , Yoshida Shinichi , Busto Raul , Santiso Mercedes , Ginsberg Myron D. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe quantitative relationship between phos‐phoinositides and free fatty acids (FFAs) in brain ischemia was studied by measuring contents of individual fatty acids in phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2), phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate (PIP), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidic acid (PA), diacylglycerol (DAG), and the FFA pool. Various periods of complete ischemia (1, 3, 10, and 30 min) were produced by decapitation. Ischemia of 1‐3 min caused rapid decreases in PIP2 and PIP content together with preferential production of stearic and arachidonic acids in the DAG and FFA pools. The decrement in levels of these fatty acid residues in polyphosphoinositides was sufficient to account for their increment in levels in the enlarged DAG and FFA pools. After 10 min of ischemia, levels of PIP2, PIP, and DAG approached plateau values, but levels of all FFAs continued to increase. The increases in content of DAG and FFAs at later ischemic periods could not be accounted for by the decreases in content of PIP2 and PIP. PI and PA levels showed only transient and subtle changes. These results indicate that, at the onset of ischemia, phosphodiesteric cleavage of PIP2 and PIP and subsequent deacylation by lipases are primarily responsible for the preferential increase in levels of free stearic and arachidonic acids and that, later, hydrolysis of other phospholipids plays a major role in the continuous accumulation of FFAs.
Biochemical Changes in Central Nervous System Membranes in Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Salvati Serafina , D'Urso Donatella , Devirgiliis Laura Conti , Crescenzi Giovanni Serlupi 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBiochemical and morphological studies of myelin subtractions were undertaken on Lewis rats during the early stage of the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Myelin subfractions, obtained by sucrose density gradient centrifugation at 10 days post‐induction, were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and assayed for 2′:3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase (CNPase) activity. Aliquots were processed for electron microscopic analysis. When comparing the myelin sub‐fractions of EAE‐affected animals with those of controls, differences were observed only in the light fractions, i.e., a decrease in the specific activity of CNPase and in the percentage of basic proteins relative to the total proteins of the fraction. This decrease was also evident in the basic protein/proteolipid protein ratio which is frequently used in the literature. In addition, electron microscopic observations demonstrated strong differences in the morphology of the same fraction. These findings suggest that the light fraction is the most sensitive in the early stages of the disease and must play a key role in demyelinating processes.
Studies on Analogues of Succinic Semialdehyde as Substrates for Succinate Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase from Rat Brain
Authors: Manzocchi Ada , Biondi Pierantonio , Secch Camillo , Santaniello Enzo 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:The methyl ester of succinic semialdehyde (SSA) was examined as a substrate for succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) from rat brain. It was found that the ester can be oxidized by the enzyme. Values of Km for SSA‐Me were higher than for those for SSA, and for this substrate the enzyme showed a substrate‐dependent inhibition. This finding suggests that the carboxylate group of SSA is not essential in the process of inhibition of SSADH by the substrate. Cyclopropyl analogues of SSA, cis‐ and trans‐1‐formyl‐cyclopropan‐2‐carboxylic acids, were also individually tested as substrates of SSADH. Only the trans isomer was found to be oxidized to the corresponding dicarboxylic acid; it inhibited the enzyme in the same range of concentrations as SSA. The above data suggest that, as for γ‐aminobutyric acid, SSA is present in an unfolded, transoid conformation at the active site of SSADH.