bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perimenstrual migraines and their response to preventive therapy with topiramate
Authors: Allais Gianni , del Rio Margarita Sanchez , Diener Hans-Christoph , Benedetto Chiara , Pfeil Joop , Schäuble Barbara , van Oene Joop 
Published: July 2010

Introduction: Preventive treatment with topiramate is effective for overall reduction of migraine frequency, but there are few data regarding its efficacy on perimenstrual migraines. To determine whether topiramate can prevent perimenstrual migraines, we analyzed data from premenopausal women as a subgroup of the Prolonged Migraine Prevention with Topiramate (PROMPT) study. Methods: In total, 198 women from the PROMPT study with menstrually related migraine (MRM) were evaluated. After a one-to-two–month prospective baseline period, patients received open-label topiramate (50–200 mg/day) for six months. Results: During topiramate treatment, mean monthly migraine frequency was reduced from 7.03 at baseline to 4.36 (mean change: −2.66; p < .001, endpoint analysis). Mean percentage reductions were similar for migraines during and outside the perimenstrual period (−45.9% and −46.1%, respectively). In patients with aura, reductions in migraine days with (−48.3%) or without (−43.4%) aura were similar to those in patients without aura (−45.4%). Reductions were also similar whether women were taking combined oral contraceptives (−47.0%) or were not (−46.6%). Conclusions: Topiramate reduces the frequency, but not severity or duration, of perimenstrual migraines in women with MRM, including migraines with and without aura, and regardless of combined oral contraceptive use.
Effects of sulphurous water on human neutrophil elastase release
Authors: Braga Pier Carlo , Dal Sasso Monica , Culici Maria , Spallino Alessandra , Marabini Laura , Bianchi Tiziana , Nappi Giuseppe 
Published: July 2010

Background: Molecules bearing a sulphide (HS) group, such as glutathione, play a fundamental role in the defensive system of human airways, as shown by the fact that the lining fluid covering the epithelia of the respiratory tract contains very high concentrations of glutathione: the lungs and nose, respectively, contain about 140 and 40 times the concentrations found in plasma. Consequently, various low-weight soluble molecules bearing an HS group (including N-acetylcysteine, mesna and thiopronine, and prodrugs such as stepronine and erdosteine) have been used for therapeutic purposes. HS groups can also be therapeutically administered by means of sulphurous thermal water containing HS groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct activity of such water on the release of elastase by activated human neutrophils. Method: After the neutrophils were incubated with increasing amounts of sulphurous water or the HS/hydrogen sulphide donor sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), elastase release was initiated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and measured by means of spectrofluorimetry using methylsuccinylalanylprolylvalyl-methylcoumarin amide as the fluorogenic substrate. To verify the presence of direct action on elastase we determined the diameter of the area of elastinolysis on elastine-agarose gel plates. Results: The sulphurous water significantly inhibited elastase release at HS concentrations ranging from 4.5 to 18 μg/ml, as assayed using the iodometric method; in the case of NaHS, the inhibition was significant at HS concentrations ranging from 2.2 to 18 μg/ml. The concentration-effect regression lines of both were parallel and neither showed any direct elastolytic activity. Conclusions: Previous claims concerning the activity of sulphurous water have been based on the patients’ subjective sense of wellbeing and on symptomatic (or general) clinical improvements that are not easy to define or quantify exactly. Our findings indicate that, in addition to its known mucolytic and antioxidant activity, sulphurous water also has an anti-elastase activity that may help to control the inflammatory processes of upper and lower airway diseases.
Early Results of Concurrent Arthroscopic Repair of Rotator Cuff and Type II Superior Labral Anterior Posterior Tears
Authors: Strickland Justin P. , Fleckenstein Cassie M. , Ducker Al , Hasan Samer S. 
Published: July 2010

Background: Recent reports on concurrent arthroscopic rotator cuff and type II superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) repair have raised concerns over postoperative stiffness and patient satisfaction. However, it is unclear if the observed stiffness relates to the repair of degenerative SLAP tears in older adults, the surgical technique, the postoperative rehabilitation, or to a combination of these factors. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome and repair integrity of concurrent arthroscopic rotator cuff and type II SLAP repair. Study Design: Case series. Methods: Of 11 patients identified, 7 had a full-thickness rotator cuff tear and 4 had a high-grade partial thickness tear that was completed. A cannula placed through the rotator cuff tear improved the trajectory for posterior suture anchor placement during SLAP repair. Postoperative rehabilitation employed continuous passive motion to prevent stiffness. Results: At minimum of 1-year follow-up, mean yes responses on the Simple Shoulder Test improved from 5.4 to 10.7 (out of 12; P < .01), and mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores improved from 40 to 87 (out of 100; P < .01). Mean forward elevation improved from 148° to 161° ( P < .01) and external rotation from 58° to 67° ( P < .01). Magnetic resonance imaging, obtained at most recent follow-up in 10 patients, demonstrated a healed SLAP tear in all patients and a persistent rotator cuff defect in 1 patient. Conclusions: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can be successfully combined with type II SLAP repair in relatively young patients who have sustained traumatic injury to their shoulders. Allowing early passive motion may help prevent postoperative stiffness without compromising rotator cuff healing.
ATP confers tumorigenic properties to dendritic cells by inducing amphiregulin secretion
Authors: Bles Nathalie , Di Pietrantonio Larissa , Boeynaems Jean-Marie , Communi Didier 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
ATP, which has an important proinflam-matory action as danger signal, induces the semimaturation of dendritic cells (DCs) that can be associated with immune tolerance. We identified epidermal growth factor receptor ligands as target genes of ATPγS, a slowly hydrolyzed ATP derivative, by a gene profiling approach in DCs. Amphiregulin was the most highly up-regulated gene in response to ATPγS. Human monocyte–derived DCs and mouse bone marrow–derived DCs released amphiregulin (AREG) after purinergic receptor activation, with a contribution of P2Y11 and A2B receptor, respectively. Supernatants of LPS+ATPγS-stimulated DCs induced smooth muscle cell and Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cell growth in vitro. The coinjection of LPS+ATPγS-stimulated DCs or their supernatants with LLC cells increased tumor weight in mice compared with LPS-treated DCs. The preincubation of LPS+ATPγS-treated DC supernatants with an anti-AREG blocking antibody inhibited their positive effect on smooth muscle cell density and tumor growth. The present study demonstrates for the first time that DCs can be a source of AREG. ATP released from tumor cells might exert a tumorigenic action by stimulating the secretion of AREG from DCs. Antagonists of purinergic receptors expressed on DCs and anti-AREG blocking antibodies could have a therapeutic potential as antitumor agents.
Gremlin is a novel agonist of the major proangiogenic receptor VEGFR2
Authors: Mitola Stefania , Ravelli Cosetta , Moroni Emanuela , Salvi Valentina , Leali Daria , Ballmer-Hofer Kurt , Zammataro Luca , Presta Marco 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
The bone morphogenic protein antagonist gremlin is expressed during embryonic development and under different pathologic conditions, including cancer. Gremlin is a proangiogenic protein belonging to the cystine-knot superfamily that includes transforming growth factor-β proteins and the angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs). Here, we demonstrate that gremlin binds VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2), the main transducer of VEGF-mediated angiogenic signals, in a bone morphogenic protein–independent manner. Similar to VEGF-A, gremlin activates VEGFR2 in endothelial cells, leading to VEGFR2-dependent angiogenic responses in vitro and in vivo. Gremlin thus represents a novel proangiogenic VEGFR2 agonist distinct from the VEGF family ligands with implications in vascular development, angiogenesis-dependent diseases, and tumor neovascularization.
Validity of spirometry performed online
Authors: Masa J.F. , González M.T. , Pereira R. , Mota M. , Riesco J.A. , Corral J. , Zamorano J. , Rubio M. , Teran J. , Farré R. 
Published: July 2010

Spirometry is essential for the diagnosis and management of common respiratory diseases. However, its use and quality are low in primary care. An important reason for this is the technical difficulty in performing conventional spirometry. If high-quality spirometry could be performed online, from the pulmonary function laboratory in hospitals, most of the technical problems could be solved. The aim of the present study was to compare spirometries performed online by remote technicians with conventional spirometry.This was a controlled, randomised crossover study of 261 patients referred from primary care centres for pulmonary consultation. They were randomised to undergo either conventional or online spirometry. The technician, located remotely, controlled the spirometer computer. Using a teleconference link, the technician guided the patient through the spirometry. The comparison between conventional and online spirometries was performed on intention to treat and per protocol bases for spirometric values and quality criteria. Agreement between the two spirometric methods was assessed with a Bland–Altman plot. A subpopulation of off-range patients was also characterised. Finally, intra- and interobserver agreement was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient.No clinically significant differences were seen between the online and conventional spirometric values in both the intention to treat and per protocol analyses. The agreement in Bland–Altman analysis was poorer for intention to treat than for the per protocol analysis. The latter had a lower percentage of off-range patients and high agreement to determine abnormal spirometry in the off-range group. Conventional spirometry had a higher percentage of patients with spirometric quality criteria although the quality criteria difference was only 5.9%, when both procedures were the first to start. Very good agreement was found between intra- and interobserver reliability.Spirometry performed online from a hospital can be an adequate alternative to conventional spirometry for primary care centres.
Relationship of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in sleep apnoea
Authors: Jurado-Gámez B. , Fernandez-Marin M.C. , Gómez-Chaparro J.L. , Muñoz-Cabrera L. , Lopez-Barea J. , Perez-Jimenez F. , Lopez-Miranda J. 
Published: July 2010

The aim of the present study was to evaluate ischaemic reactive hyperaemia (IRH) in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and its relationship with oxidative stress.We studied 69 consecutive patients referred to our Sleep Unit (Reina Sofia University Hospital, Cordoba, Spain). Patients with chronic diseases or those taking medication were excluded. IRH was assessed before and after polysomnography. Morning IRH and oxidative stress markers were compared between patients with (apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥5) and without (AHI <5) OSA. Measurements were repeated in 25 severe OSA patients after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.We included 46 OSA patients (mean±sdAHI 49±32.1) and 23 non-OSA subjects (AHI 3±0.9). The OSA patients showed a significant worsening of morning IRH, and a significant increase in malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels. Only the oxygen desaturation index independently explained morning IRH, while malondialdehyde levels showed a weak effect on IRH. In severe OSA patients, IRH improved significantly after CPAP treatment, as did malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and protein carbonyl levels.In OSA patients, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress were observed, and IRH worsened after sleep. The increase in oxidative stress was not associated with IRH, while intermittent hypoxia was strongly associated with IRH. In severe OSA patients, CPAP treatment improved oxidative stress and endothelial function.
Cisplatin nephrotoxicity aggravated by cardiovascular disease and diabetes in lung cancer patients
Authors: Máthé C. , Bohács A. , Duffek L. , Lukácsovits J. , Komlosi Z.I. , Szondy K. , Horváth I. , Müller V. , Losonczy G. 
Published: July 2010

Ageing lung cancer patients may be at increased risk of Cisplatin (Cp) nephrotoxicity, because of comorbidities leading to accelerated ageing of the kidneys. Therefore, the Cp-induced impairement of renal function was compared between no comorbidity (NC) and hypertension plus ischaemic heart disease (CD) patients or others having diabetes mellitus plus ischaemic heart disease (DMIH).In a preliminary study, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by clearance of technetium 99m-labelled diethylene-thiamine penta-acetate in 38 lung cancer patients with normal serum creatinine concentration ([creat]). Then, the incidence of nephrotoxicity was analysed retrospectively over 1st–4th cycles of Cp treatment among 242 lung cancer patients with initially normal [creat]. GFR was repeatedly estimated using calculated creatinine clearance.Pre-treatment GFR was 57±3 mL·min−1·m−2in those with normal (n = 15) and 42±2 mL·min−1·m−2in those with pathologically increased (n = 23) [creat] any time following their 2nd–4th Cp cycle (p<0.05). The retrospective analysis revealed that Cp-induced nephrotoxicity developed in 7.5% of the NC (n = 80), in 20.9% of the CD (n = 110) and in 30.8% of the DMIH (n = 52) subgroups. Within the overall dropout rate from further Cp chemotherapy, nephrotoxicity was responsible in 14% of NC, 38% in CD and 75% in DMIH patients.A major portion of our ageing lung cancer patients suffered from comorbidities leading to reduced renal resistance to Cp nephrotoxicity.
Impaired function of regulatory T-cells in hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Authors: Girard M. , Israël-Assayag E. , Cormier Y. 
Published: July 2010

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is characterised by lung lymphocytosis. Most individuals exposed to HP antigens remain asymptomatic. The mechanisms involved in the impaired immune tolerance leading to HP are unclear. Normally, T-regulatory (Treg)-cells control the immune response. The aim of the present study was to determine whether Treg-cell suppressive function deficiency can explain the uncontrolled inflammation in HP.Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood samples were obtained from normal subjects, asymptomatic individuals and HP patients. BAL and blood Treg-cells were isolated. The ability of Treg-cells to suppress T-cell proliferation and the role of interleukin (IL)-17 was verified.BAL and blood Treg-cells from normal subjects suppressed the proliferative response of activated T-cells by 47.1 and 42%, respectively. BAL and blood Treg-cells from asymptomatic subjects had a slightly decreased activity and suppressed proliferation by 29.4 and 31.8%, respectively. BAL and blood Treg-cells from HP patients were totally nonfunctional and unable to suppress proliferation. Low levels of IL-17 were detected in sera and BAL from both normal and asymptomatic individuals, whereas measurable levels were found in patients.Treg-cells may be involved in antigen tolerance in asymptomatic subjects. Defective Treg-cell function, potentially caused by increased IL-17 production, could account for the exacerbated immune response characteristic of HP.
The shock index and the simplified PESI for identification of low-risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Sam A. , Sánchez D. , Gómez V. , Wagner C. , Kopecna D. , Zamarro C. , Moores L. , Aujesky D. , Yusen R. , Jiménez Castro D. 
Published: July 2010

We compared the test characteristics of the shock index (SI) and the simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI) for predicting 30-day outcomes in a cohort of 1,206 patients with objectively confirmed pulmonary embolism (PE).The primary outcome of the study was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was nonfatal symptomatic recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) or nonfatal major bleeding.Overall, 119 (9.9%) out of 1,206 patients died (95% CI 8.2–11.5%) during the first month of follow-up. The sPESI classified fewer patients as low-risk (369 (31%) out of 1,206 patients, 95% CI 28–33%) compared to the SI (1,024 (85%) out of 1,206 patients, 95% CI 83–87%) (p<0.001). Low-risk patients based on the sPESI had a lower 30-day mortality than those based on the SI (1.6% (95% CI 0.3–2.9%)versus8.3% (95% CI 6.6–10.0%)), while the 30-day rate of nonfatal recurrent VTE or major bleeding was similar (2.2% (95%CI 0.7–3.6%)versus3.3% (95%CI 2.2–4.4%)). The net reclassification improvement with the sPESI was 13.4% (p = 0.07). The integrated discrimination improvement was estimated as 1.8% (p<0.001).The sPESI quantified the prognosis of patients with PE better than the SI.
An insight into the sialotranscriptome of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Authors: Anatriello Elen , Ribeiro José MC , de Miranda-Santos Isabel KF , Brandão Lucinda G , Anderson Jennifer M , Valenzuela Jesus G , Maruyama Sandra R , Silva João S , Ferreira Beatriz R 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background

Rhipicephalus sanguineus, known as the brown dog tick, is a common ectoparasite of domestic dogs and can be found worldwide. R.
sanguineus is recognized as the primary vector of the etiological agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis. Here we present the first description of a R. sanguineus salivary gland transcriptome by the production and analysis of 2,034 expressed sequence tags (EST) from two cDNA libraries, one consctructed using mRNA from dissected salivary glands from female ticks fed for 3-5 days (early to mid library, RsSGL1) and the another from ticks fed for 5 days (mid library, RsSGL2), identifying 1,024 clusters of related sequences.

Results
Based on sequence similarities to nine different databases, we identified transcripts of genes that were further categorized according to function. The category of putative housekeeping genes contained ~56% of the sequences and had on average 2.49 ESTs per cluster, the secreted protein category contained 26.6% of the ESTs and had 2.47 EST's/clusters, while 15.3% of the ESTs, mostly singletons, were not classifiable, and were annotated as "unknown function". The secreted category included genes that coded for lipocalins, proteases inhibitors, disintegrins, metalloproteases, immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory proteins, as Evasins and Da-p36, as well as basic-tail and 18.3 kDa proteins, cement proteins, mucins, defensins and antimicrobial peptides. Comparison of the abundance of ESTs from similar contigs of the two salivary gland cDNA libraries allowed the identification of differentially expressed genes, such as genes coding for Evasins and a thrombin inhibitor, which were over expressed in the RsSGL1 (early to mid library) versus RsSGL2 (mid library), indicating their role in inhibition of inflammation at the tick feeding site from the very beginning of the blood meal. Conversely, sequences related to cement (64P), which function has been correlated with tick attachment, was largely expressed in the mid library.

Conclusions
Our survey provided an insight into the R. sanguineus sialotranscriptome, which can assist the discovery of new targets for anti-tick vaccines, as well as help to identify pharmacologically active proteins.
Rapid induction of orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma in immune-competent rats by non-invasive ultrasound-guided cells implantation
Authors: Chan Hoi-Hung , Chu Tian-Huei , Chien Hsin-Fan , Sun Cheuk-Kwan , Wang E-Ming , Pan Huay-Ben , Kuo Hsiao-Mei , Hu Tsung-Hui , Lai Kwok-Hung , Cheng Jiin-Tsuey , Tai Ming-Hong 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
The fact that prognoses remain poor in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma highlights the demand for suitable animal models to facilitate the development of anti-cancer medications. This study employed a relatively non-invasive approach to establish an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma model in immune-competent rats. This was done by ultrasound-guided implantation of cancer cells and the model was used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of short-term and low-dose epirubicin chemotherapy.

Methods
Rat Novikoff hepatoma cells were injected percutaneously into the liver lobes of Sprague-Dawley rats under the guidance of high resolution ultrasound. The implantation rate and the correlation between dissected and ultrasound-measured tumor sizes were evaluated. A similar induction procedure was performed by means of laparotomy in a different group of rats. Pairs of tumor measurement were compared by ultrasound and computerized tomography scan. Rats with a successful establishment of the tumor were divided into the treatment (7-day low-dose epirubicin) group and the control group. The tumor sizes were non-invasively monitored by the same ultrasound machine. Blood and tumor tissues from tumor-bearing rats were examined by biochemical and histological analysis respectively.

Results
Ultrasound-guided implantation of Novikoff hepatoma cells led to the formation of orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma in 60.4% (55/91) of the Sprague-Dawley rats. Moreover, tumor sizes measured by ultrasound significantly correlated with those measured by calipers after sacrificing the animals (P < 0.00001). The rate of tumor induction by ultrasound-guided implantation was comparable to that of laparotomy (55/91, 60.4% vs. 39/52, 75%) and no significant difference in sizes of tumor was noted between the two groups. There was a significant correlation in tumor size measurement by ultrasound and computerized tomography scan. In tumor-bearing rats, short-term and low-dose epirubicin chemotherapy caused a significant reduction in tumor growth, and was found to be associated with enhanced apoptosis and attenuated proliferation as well as a decrease in the microvessel density in tumors.

Conclusions
Ultrasound-guided implantation of Novikoff hepatoma cells is an effective means of establishing orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma in Sprague-Dawley rats. Short-term and low-dose epirubicin chemotherapy had perturbed tumor progression by inducing apoptosis and neovascularization blockade.