bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Cost of Relapse in Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder
Authors: Fitzgerald Paul , de Castella Anthony , Arya Dinesh , Simons W. Robert , Eggleston Andrew , Meere Sharon , Kulkarni Jayashari 
Published: July 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to quantify the costs and resource utilization associated with a relapse of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Methods: The study comprised a retrospective audit of data from 200 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who were admitted to hospital for a relapse of their disorder in two mental health services in Australia between 1 June 2001 and 31 May 2002. Resource use and costing data were collected for 12 months before and 12 months after the hospitalization. Results: There was an increase in contacts per month and associated outpatient costs after the index admission which persisted for the full 12 month data collection period (total of AUD $637). There was also a total increase in hospital costs but this did not persist beyond the first 2 months of the follow-up period and is likely explained by the index admission. Conclusions: Increased healthcare resource utilization and costs results from relapse in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. An increase in service use and costs persist for a considerable time period after an episode of relapse.
Molecular Characterization ofStenotrophomonas maltophiliaIsolates from Cystic Fibrosis Patients and the Hospital Environment
Authors: Marzuillo Carolina , Giusti Maria De , Tufi Daniela , Giordano Alessandra , Cimmuto Angela Del , Quattrucci Serena , Mancini Carlo , Villari Paolo 
Published: July 2009

Objectives.To ascertain whether cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are colonized or infected with unique or multiple strains ofStenotrophomonas maltophilia; to understand whether some strains colonize or infect more than 1 patient, indicating clonal spread; and to explore the molecular heterogeneity of hospital water isolates and their correlation with clinical isolates.Setting.The regional CF center of Policlinico “Umberto I” of Rome, Italy.Methods.The study was carried out on a random sample ofS. maltophiliaisolates (n= 110) collected from CF patients (n= 50) during the period 2002–2005 and on 24 water isolates obtained during a monitoring program in the first 6 months of 2005. Home environmental samplings were not performed. All isolates, which were recovered from cultures of specimens obtained in both inpatient and outpatient settings, were genotyped with DNA macrorestriction analysis with the restriction enzymeXbaland pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results.One-third of the patients with repeated episodes ofS. maltophiliainfection or colonization hosted more than 1 strain. A potential transmission, defined as the isolation of the same strain in 2 or more patients, occurred 5 times, showing a frequency of potential transmission episodes slightly higher than previously reported. Water, taps, and sinks of the different rooms of the CF center tended to be persistently colonized with the same strain ofS. maltophilia, with no correlation between clinical and water-associated isolates.Conclusions.The study does not provide sufficient data to conclude definitively that isolation of colonized or infected CF patients and control of hospital water systems contamination would be beneficial infection control measures. Epidemiologic analytical studies that correlate the presence ofS. maltophiliawith clinical outcomes are strongly needed.
Long‐term outcome of non‐fistulizing (ulcers, stricture) perianal Crohn’s disease in patients treated with infliximab
Authors: BOUGUEN G. , TROUILLOUD I. , SIPROUDHIS L. , OUSSALAH A. , BIGARD M.‐A. , BRETAGNE J.‐F. , PEYRIN‐BIROULET L. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground  In Crohn’s disease, anal ulcers and stricture can be disabling.Aim  To evaluate long‐term outcome of non‐fistulizing perianal Crohn’s disease under infliximab.Methods  The medical records of 99 patients with non‐fistulizing perianal Crohn’s disease at first infliximab infusion were reviewed. Complete responses (ulcer healing or stricture regression) after induction infliximab therapy and at the maximal follow‐up were assessed.Results  Ninety‐four patients (94.9%) had ulcers, 22 (22.2%) had stricture and 31 (31.3%) had draining perianal fistulas at first infliximab infusion. After infliximab induction therapy, 40/94 (42.5%) patients with ulcers, 4/22 (18.2%) with stricture and 10/31 (32.2%) with fistulas had a complete response. Eight patients were lost to follow‐up. After a median follow‐up of 175 weeks (range, 13–459), complete response rates for ulcers, stricture and fistulas were 72.3% (68/94), 54.5% (12/22) and 54.8% (20/31) respectively. Long‐term response for cavitating ulcer was positively associated with concomitant immunosuppressant use (P = 0.017) and older age (P = 0.049). Among the 12 patients with complete regression of stricture, 6 patients also had anal dilatation. Complete response was associated with perianal pain relief and disappearance of soiling. Three patients with ulcers developed an anal abscess.Conclusions  Infliximab therapy may be effective in inducing and maintaining response for ulcers.
Prescription rates of protective co‐therapy for NSAID users at high GI risk and results of attempts to improve adherence to guidelines
Authors: LAINE L. , CONNORS L. , GRIFFIN M. R. , CURTIS S. P. , KAUR A. , CANNON C. P. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground  Protective co‐therapy is recommended in NSAID users with GI risk factors, but adherence is poor.Aim  To assess the proportion of NSAID users receiving co‐therapy and strategies to improve adherence.Methods  Arthritis patients ≥50 years of age received etoricoxib or diclofenac in a double‐blind randomized trial. Reminders that high‐risk patients (age ≥ 65; previous ulcer/haemorrhage; corticosteroid, anticoagulant, aspirin use) should receive co‐therapy were given at study initiation. Free PPI was provided. An intervention midway through the study included a written reminder and required written response regarding co‐therapy.Results  16 244/23 504 (69%) patients had GI risk factors. Pre‐intervention, co‐therapy was most common with previous ulcer/haemorrhage [706/1107 (64%)] and 3–4 risk factors [331/519 (64%)]. In the 10 026 patients enrolled pre‐intervention and remaining in the study ≥6 months after, co‐therapy in high‐risk patients increased from 2958/6843 (43%) to 4177/6843 (61%) (difference = 18%; 95% CI 16%,19%). The increase was greater outside the US (22%; 19%,24%) than in the US (15%; 13%,17%).Conclusions  Less than 50% of NSAID users with GI risk factors are given protective co‐therapy – even if prescribers are given reminders and cost is not an issue. Direct communication requiring written response significantly increased adherence to guidelines, but achieving higher levels of adherence will require additional strategies.
Utility of diagnostic tests in the follow‐up of egg‐allergic children
Authors: Diéguez Ma C. , Cerecedo I. , Muriel A. , Zamora J. , Abraira V. , Camacho E. , Antón M. , De La Hoz B. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground
Better knowledge of the accuracy of a skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) levels to egg allergens would help to identify persistent egg‐allergic children, avoiding unnecessary risky challenges. This study was designed to assess the accuracy of a SPT and sIgE levels to egg allergens in order to determine persistent egg allergy in IgE‐mediated allergic children after an egg‐free diet.Methods
Children below 16 years were prospectively and consecutively recruited. Inclusion criteria were: allergy to egg proteins (children with a positive clinical case of IgE‐mediated egg allergy and a positive SPT to egg allergens and/or positive sIgE levels), and strict egg avoidance diet followed for at least 6 months. Clinical histories were recorded and all patients underwent SPTs, sIgE levels to egg allergens and the gold standard ‐a double‐blind placebo‐controlled egg challenge (DBPCFG). DBPCFG was interpreted without knowledge of the results of the other tests and vice‐versa. A SPT and sIgE levels' ROC curves analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic performance of the different tests.Results
Finally, 157 children were included in the study. One hundred out of these 157 children (63.7%) had a positive oral challenge. Ninety‐six were male (61%), and the median age was 2.5 years. One hundred and three (66.9%) had atopic dermatitis. A 7 mm egg white prick test had a positive likelihood ratio (+LR) of 6.7, and a level of 1.3 KU/L egg white‐sIgE had a +LR of 5.1. A 7 mm egg white SPT had a positive predictive value of 92.3% (95% CI 85.1–99.5), and for a 9 mm egg white SPT this value was 95.6% (95% CI 87.3–100.0). For egg white‐sIgE, 1.5 KU/L had a positive predictive value of 90.4% (95% CI 82.4–98.4) and for 25 KU/L it was 100.0% (95% CI 100.0–100.0). SPTs with ovotransferrin and lysozyme showed the lowest accuracy, followed by yolk and ovalbumin SPTs.Conclusion
This study is the first to evaluate both tests (SPT and sIgE levels) and all egg allergens to determine the persistence of egg allergy in IgE‐mediated allergic children. Measuring the SPT and sIgE levels is useful to predict persistent allergy in these children, especially with the egg white complete extract. An oral challenge should not be performed in egg allergic paediatric patients with either an egg white prick test above 7 mm or a white egg‐sIgE determination above 1.3 KU/L, because there is a 90% probability of remaining allergic.
An abnormal screening glucose challenge test in pregnancy predicts postpartum metabolic dysfunction, even when the antepartum oral glucose tolerance test is normal
Authors: Retnakaran Ravi , Qi Ying , Sermer Mathew , Connelly Philip W. , Hanley Anthony J. G. , Zinman Bernard 
Published: July 2009

SummaryObjective  In pregnancy, a normal result on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) that follows an abnormal screening glucose challenge test (GCT) is considered a reassuring finding, requiring no further intervention. The obstetrical and metabolic implications of this presentation, however, have not been well studied. Thus, we sought to characterize the obstetrical and postpartum metabolic significance of an abnormal GCT in women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) on antepartum OGTT.Design/patients/measurements  A total of 259 women with NGT on antepartum OGTT (166 with an abnormal GCT and 93 with a normal GCT) underwent (i) metabolic evaluation in pregnancy, (ii) assessment of obstetrical outcome at delivery and (iii) repeat metabolic characterization by OGTT at 3 months postpartum.Results  Neither infant birthweight nor Caesarean section rate differed between the abnormal GCT and normal GCT groups. At 3 months postpartum, however, compared to the normal GCT group, the abnormal GCT group exhibited greater glycaemia (mean area under the glucose curve (AUCgluc) 19·6 vs. 18·3, P = 0·0021), lower insulin sensitivity (median insulin sensitivity index (ISOGTT) 9·5 vs. 11·3, P = 0·0243) and poorer beta‐cell function (median insulinogenic index/Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR) 9·8 vs. 14·1, P = 0·0013). On multiple linear regression analyses, an abnormal GCT emerged as (i) the strongest independent predictor of postpartum AUCgluc (t = 2·77, P = 0·006) and (ii) the strongest independent negative predictor of log insulinogenic index/HOMA‐IR (t = –2·36, P = 0·0191). Furthermore, the GCT was the antepartum parameter that best predicted postpartum pre‐diabetes (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AROC) = 0·754).Conclusions  An abnormal antepartum GCT, even when followed by a normal OGTT, is associated with postpartum glycaemia and beta‐cell dysfunction, factors that may portend an increased future risk of diabetes in this patient population.
Do leaves of plants on phosphorus‐impoverished soils contain high concentrations of phenolic defence compounds?
Authors: Wright David M. , Jordan Greg J. , Lee William G. , Duncan Richard P. , Forsyth David M. , Coomes David A. 
Published: July 2009

Summary 1. Prominent theories of plant defence have predicted that plants growing on nutrient‐poor soils produce more phenolic defence compounds than those on richer soils. Only recently has the Protein Competition Model (PCM) of phenolic allocation suggested that N and P limitation could have different effects because the nutrients are involved in different cellular metabolic processes. 2. We extend the prediction of the PCM and hypothesize that N will have a greater influence on the production of phenolic defensive compounds than P availability, because N limitation reduces protein production and thus competition for phenylalanine, a precursor of many phenolic compounds. In contrast, P acts as a recyclable cofactor in these reactions, allowing protein and hence phenolic production to continue under low P conditions. 3. We test this hypothesis by comparing the foliar concentrations of phenolic compounds in (i) phenotypes of 21 species growing on P‐rich alluvial terraces and P‐depleted marine terraces in southern New Zealand, and (ii) 87 species growing under similar climates on comparatively P‐rich soils in New Zealand vs. P‐depleted soils in Tasmania. 4. Foliar P concentrations of plants from the marine terraces were about half those of plants from alluvial soils, and much lower in Tasmania than in New Zealand. However, foliar concentrations of N and phenolic compounds were similar across sites in both comparisons, supporting the hypothesis that N availability is a more important determinant of plant investment in phenolic defensive compounds than P availability. We found no indication that reduced soil P levels influenced plant concentrations of phenolic compounds. There was wide variation in the foliar N and P concentrations among species, and those with low foliar nutrient concentrations produced more phenolics (including condensed tannins). 5. Our study is the first trait comparison extending beyond standard leaf economics to include secondary metabolites related to defence in forest plants, and emphasizes that N and P have different influences on the production of phenolic defence compounds.
Carbon accumulation at depth in Ferralsols under zero‐till subtropical agriculture
Authors: BODDEY ROBERT M. , JANTALIA CLAUDIA P. , CONCEIÇÃO PAULO C. , ZANATTA JOSILEIA A. , BAYER CIMÉLIO , MIELNICZUK JOÃO , DIECKOW JEFERSON , DOS SANTOS HENRIQUE P. , DENARDIN JOSÉ E. , AITA CELSO , GIACOMINI SANDRO J. , ALVES BRUNO J.R. , URQUIAGA SEGUNDO 
Published: July 2009

AbstractConservation agriculture can provide a low‐cost competitive option to mitigate global warming with reduction or elimination of soil tillage and increase soil organic carbon (SOC). Most studies have evaluated the impact of zero till (ZT) only on surface soil layers (down to 30 cm), and few studies have been performed on the potential for C accumulation in deeper layers (0–100 cm) of tropical and subtropical soils. In order to determine whether the change from conventional tillage (CT) to ZT has induced a net gain in SOC, three long‐term experiments (15–26 years) on free‐draining Ferralsols in the subtropical region of South Brazil were sampled and the SOC stocks to 30 and 100 cm calculated on an equivalent soil mass basis. In rotations containing intercropped or cover‐crop legumes, there were significant accumulations of SOC in ZT soils varying from 5 to 8 Mg ha−1 in comparison with CT management, equivalent to annual soil C accumulation rates of between 0.04 and 0.88 Mg ha−1. However, the potential for soil C accumulation was considerably increased (varying from 0.48 to 1.53 Mg ha−1 yr−1) when considering the soil profile down to 100 cm depth. On average the estimate of soil C accumulation to 100 cm depth was 59% greater than that for soil C accumulated to 30 cm. These findings suggest that increasing sampling depth from 30 cm (as presently recommended by the IPCC) to 100 cm, may increase substantially the estimates of potential CO2 mitigation induced by the change from CT to ZT on the free‐draining Ferralsols of the tropics and subtropics. It was evident that that legumes which contributed a net input of biologically fixed N played an important role in promoting soil C accumulation in these soils under ZT, perhaps due to a slow‐release of N from decaying surface residues/roots which favored maize root growth.
Predicted impact of climate change on European bats in relation to their biogeographic patterns
Authors: REBELO HUGO , TARROSO PEDRO , JONES GARETH 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThere has been considerable recent interest concerning the impact of climate change on a wide range of taxa. However, little is known about how the biogeographic affinities of taxa may affect their responses to these impacts. Our main aim was to study how predicted climate change will affect the distribution of 28 European bat species grouped by their biogeographic patterns as determined by a spatial Principal Component Analysis. Using presence‐only modelling techniques and climatic data (minimum temperature, average temperature, precipitation, humidity and daily temperature range) for four different climate change scenarios (IPCC scenarios ranging from the most extreme A1FI, A2, B2 to the least severe, B1), we predict the potential geographic distribution of bat species in Europe grouped according to their biogeographic patterns for the years 2020–2030, 2050–2060 and 2090–2100. Biogeographic patterns exert a great influence on a species' response to climate change. Bat species more associated with colder climates, hence northern latitudes, could be more severely affected with some extinctions predicted by the end of the century. The Mediterranean and Temperate groups seem to be more tolerant of temperature increases, however, their projections varied considerably under different climate change scenarios. Scenario A1FI was clearly the most detrimental for European bat diversity, with several extinctions and declines in occupied area predicted for several species. The B scenarios were less damaging and even predicted that some species could increase their geographical ranges. However, all models only took into account climatic envelopes whereas available habitat and species interactions will also probably play an important role in delimiting future distribution patterns. The models may therefore generate ‘best case’ predictions about future changes in the distribution of European bats.
Two‐step vegetation response to enhanced precipitation in Northeast Brazil during Heinrich event 1
Authors: DUPONT LYDIE M. , SCHLÜTZ FRANK , EWAH CAROL TEBOH , JENNERJAHN TIM C. , PAUL ANDRÉ , BEHLING HERMANN 
Published: July 2009

AbstractHigh resolution palynological and geochemical data of sediment core GeoB 3910‐2 (located offshore Northeast Brazil) spanning the period between 19 600 and 14 500 calibrated year bp (19.6–14.5 ka) show a land‐cover change in the catchment area of local rivers in two steps related to changes in precipitation associated with Heinrich Event 1 (H1 stadial). At the end of the last glacial maximum, the landscape in semi‐arid Northeast Brazil was dominated by a very dry type of caatinga vegetation, mainly composed of grasslands with some herbs and shrubs. After 18 ka, considerably more humid conditions are suggested by changes in the vegetation and by Corg and C/N data indicative of fluvial erosion. The caatinga became wetter and along lakes and rivers, sedges and gallery forest expanded. The most humid period was recorded between 16.5 and 15 ka, when humid gallery (and floodplain) forest and even small patches of mountainous Atlantic rain forest occurred together with dry forest, the latter being considered as a rather lush type of caatinga vegetation. During this humid phase erosion decreased as less lithogenic material and more organic terrestrial material were deposited on the continental slope of northern Brazil. After 15 ka arid conditions returned. During the humid second phase of the H1 stadial, a rich variety of landscapes existed in Northeast Brazil and during the drier periods small pockets of forest could probably survive in favorable spots, which would have increased the resilience of the forest to climate change.
The lectin Jacalin induces human B‐lymphocyte apoptosis through glycosylation‐dependent interaction with CD45
Authors: Ma Bruce Yong , Yoshida Kaori , Baba Makoto , Nonaka Motohiro , Matsumoto Shogo , Kawasaki Nobuko , Asano Shinji , Kawasaki Toshisuke 
Published: July 2009

SummaryIt has been well established that CD45 is a key receptor‐type protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) regulating Src‐family protein tyrosine kinase (Src‐PTK) in T and B lymphocytes. However, precisely how CD45 exerts its effect in these lymphocytes remains controversial. We recently reported that Jacalin, an α‐O‐glycoside of the disaccharide Thomsen–Friedenreich antigen‐specific lectin from jackfruit seeds, caused marked T‐cell activation in response to T‐cell receptor ligation and CD28 costimulation by binding to CD45. On extending the reported research, we found that CD45 and isoforms are major Jacalin receptors on B lymphocytes, and that the glycosylation of CD45 is involved in the interaction of Jacalin with the PTPase. In contrast to Jacalin‐stimulated T‐cell activation, we found that Jacalin induced human B‐lymphocyte apoptosis, resulting in calcium mobilization and calpain activation, suggesting that the calcium–calpain pathway may mediate the Jacalin‐induced apoptosis. Importantly, the apoptosis was effectively blocked by a specific CD45 PTPase inhibitor, indicating that Jacalin induces human B‐lymphocyte apoptosis through CD45 triggering. Furthermore, we found that Jacalin significantly increased the C‐terminal inhibitory tyrosine (Tyr507) phosphorylation of Src‐PTK Lyn, one of the major substrates of CD45 PTPase, and this effect was also observed on incubation of B lymphocytes with the specific CD45 PTPase inhibitor, suggesting that Jacalin stimulation results in increasing C‐terminal tyrosine phosphorylation of the kinase through inhibition of CD45 tyrosine phosphatase activity in human B lymphocytes. Therefore, the down‐modulation of Lyn kinase may play a role in the regulation of B‐lymphocyte viability.
Immunoglobulin superfamily is conserved but evolved rapidly and is active in the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Huang L. , Cheng T. , Xu P. , Duan J. , Fang T. , Xia Q. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractImmunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) proteins are known for their abilities to specifically recognize and adhere to cells. In this paper, we predicted the presence of 133 IgSF proteins in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) genome. Comparison with similar proteins in other model organisms (Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae, Apis mellifera and Homo sapiens) indicated that IgSF proteins are conserved but have rapidly evolved from worms to human beings. However, these proteins are well conserved amongst insects. Silkworm microarray‐based expression data showed tissue expression of 57 IgSF genes and microbe‐induced differential expression of 37 genes. Based on the expression data, we can conclude that the silkworm IgSF is active.