bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A pilot study to investigate the scope for an inpatient smoking cessation programme
Authors: George J. , Taylor S. , Hong T. , Leung S. , Nguyen J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground: Many Australian hospitals have recently introduced smoke‐free policies.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the smoking habits of hospital inpatients and to investigate the scope for an inpatient smoking cessation programme.Methods: A cross‐sectional survey of adult inpatients of a tertiary‐referral hospital who were smoking just before admission. The questionnaire contained items on general demographics, views on quitting, past quit attempts and validated scales – Fagerström test of nicotine dependence, Biener's contemplation ladder and Velicer's smoking decisional balance.Results: Participants' (n= 125) median age was 53 years and had smoked for 35.0 ± 17.2 years. The majority were male (n= 84; 67.2%) and 45 (36.3%) lived with someone who smoked. Participants self‐reported 4.5 ± 7.3 past attempts to quit. Only 61 (49.6%) said that their health professionals ever discussed options to assist quitting. Forty‐nine (39.2%) reported accessing smoking areas during their hospital stay. Participants scored 4.5 ± 2.5 on the Fagerström test. Forty‐two (33.8%) ranked themselves very high (9 or 10) on the contemplation ladder. The mean difference between the Velicer's subscales –‘cons’ (α= 0.81) and ‘pros’ (α= 0.80) was 3.2 ± 10.6 in favour of quitting. Fifty‐four (43.9%) participants were interested in starting smoking cessation therapy during their hospital stay. Nicotine patches (31; 25.4%) were the preferred dosage forms to assist quitting followed by oral tablets (23; 18.9%) and chewing gum (20; 16.4%).Conclusions: Our findings could guide the design of inpatient smoking cessation interventions. Greater efforts from health professionals are essential for informing people about smoking cessation options, promoting their uptake, potentially resulting in higher quit rates.
A 5‐year follow up of patients discharged with non‐specific abdominal pain: out of sight, out of mind?
Authors: Banz V. M. , Sperisen O. , de Moya M. , Zimmermann H. , Candinas D. , Mougiakakou S. G. , Exadaktylos A. K. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground/Aim: Acute non‐specific abdominal pain (NSAP) is prevalent in 6–25% of the general population and is a common cause of admission to the emergency department (ED). Despite involvement of substantial financial and human resources, there are few data on long‐term outcome after initial diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate long‐term outcome of patients initially admitted with NSAP to an ED.Methods: The study involves a 5‐year follow‐up analysis of prospectively collected data on 104 patients admitted to our ED in 2003 with NSAP. Primary end‐point was clinical outcome 5 years after initial ED admission. Predictive risk factors were assessed using a multivariate regression model.Results: 29 patients (28%) had recurring NSAP 5 years after initial ED admission, 76% of these patients received (multiple) diagnostic examinations and 13% eventually required diagnostic (or therapeutic) surgery. Although approximately half of patients with recurring NSAP eventually received a definite diagnosis, 30% still suffered from recurrent abdominal pain. Using regression analysis, no single factor in our dataset could be identified as a predictor for NSAP persistence.Conclusion: The long‐term impact for patients initially admitted to our ED with acute NSAP is significant – 28% of patients continue to suffer from recurring NSAP after 5 years. NSAP therefore remains, despite more advanced diagnostic tools, a true and, as yet, unsolved problem.
REVIEW: Management of gout: beyond allopurinol
Authors: McGill N. W. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe basic concepts of the pathogenesis and management of gout have not altered for many years. Monosodium urate monohydrate crystals drive the disease and identification of these crystals is required for certain diagnosis. In contrast, our understanding of the mediators of gouty inflammation, the appropriate target serum urate concentration during treatment, the drugs available and the best ways to use those drugs have all advanced in recent years and will be the focus of this review.
Circadian rhythms and their development in children: implications for pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in anesthesia
Authors: Potts Amanda L. , Cheeseman James F. , Warman Guy R. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryThe influence of time‐of‐day on the action and toxicity of drugs may be an important factor in the design of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies, and the interpretation of data resulting from these studies. Time‐of‐day can have a profound influence on the action of drugs. In some settings (e.g. cancer chemotherapy), the timing of drug administration has been utilized to maximize therapeutic effect and minimize toxicity. Time‐of‐day variation in the action of anesthetic drugs has been clearly demonstrated in adults. For example, local anesthetic action is longest during the afternoon, and neuromuscular blockade by rocuronium lasts one‐third longer in the morning than the afternoon. Circadian rhythms develop over the first months and years of life. Robust rhythms in hormone production (e.g. melatonin and cortisol) are seen at approximately 3 months of age, but it remains unclear as to when daily rhythms in drug PK and PD first appear. Here, we review the evidence for time‐of‐day effects in anesthetic drugs in adults and children and outline the potential influence this has on pediatric anesthesia.
Clinicopathological outcomes after radical cystectomy for clinical T2 urothelial carcinoma: further evidence to support the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Canter Daniel , Long Christopher , Kutikov Alexander , Plimack Elizabeth , Saad Ismail , Oblaczynski Megan , Zhu Fang , Viterbo Rosalia , Chen David Y.T. , Uzzo Robert G. , Greenberg Richard E. , Boorjian Stephen A. 
Published: June 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Systemic chemotherapy for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer is underutilized. Currently, debate centers on whether patients should be given neoadjuvant chemotherapy or be given chemotherapy after surgery, depending on the pathology of the specimen. In this paper, we found that greater than 73% of patients had evidence of bladder cancer that was locally advanced, a criteria that would designate these patients for adjuvant chemotherapy. Using this evidence and the knowledge that neoadjuvant chemotherapy confers a survival advantage, we argue that neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be the standard of care.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinicopathological outcomes for patients with clinical T2 (cT2) urothelial carcinoma treated with radical cystectomy (RC) without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC).PATIENTS AND METHODSWe identified 212 patients with cT2 tumours who underwent RC at our institution without NC. Pathological assessment of RC specimens was correlated with clinical stage. The impact of various clinicopathological factors on the outcome of patients with cT2 disease was analysed.RESULTSIn total, 153/212 (73.2%) patients with cT2 bladder cancer had either pT3/T4 or pN+ tumours at RC. Moreover, only 58/153 (37.9%) of these patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow‐up was 28 (months 0.6–107.5) (range). The 5‐year recurrence‐free survival and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) was 56.5% and 59.5%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, increasing age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04; P= 0.04), advanced pathological stage (HR 1.83; P= 0.02), and positive lymph nodes (HR 3.72; P= 0.001) were adversely associated with CSS, while receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy was protective of disease‐specific mortality (HR 0.45; P= 0.04).CONCLUSIONSPathological upstaging is prevalent and survival remains modest in patients with cT2 tumours treated with RC without NC. Unfortunately, only 40% of patients that had locally advanced and/or regionally metastatic disease received adjuvant treatment. These data further support the value of NC for patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer, even in those with apparent clinically organ‐confined tumours.
Economic burden of comorbidities in patients with psoriasis is substantial
Authors: Kimball AB , Guérin A , Tsaneva M , Yu AP , Wu EQ , Gupta SR , Bao Y , Mulani PM 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  Psoriasis is frequently associated with comorbidities.Objective  To estimate the incremental economic burden associated with comorbidities in patients with psoriasis, accounting for psoriasis severity.Methods  Patients continuously enrolled ≥ 6 months after a randomly selected psoriasis diagnosis date were selected from the Ingenix Impact National Managed Care Database (1999–2004). Comorbidities identified during the 6‐month study included: psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, cerebrovascular diseases and peripheral vascular disease. Resource utilization and costs during the 6‐month follow‐up period were compared for patients with ≥ 1 comorbidity vs. those without and for patients with a specific comorbidity vs. those without. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for resource utilization using negative binomial and logistic regression models, respectively. Adjusted incremental costs associated with comorbidities were reported using general linear models with log‐link and gamma distributions or two‐part models. Models controlled for age, sex and psoriasis severity.Results  A total of 114 512 patients were included; 51% had ≥ 1 comorbidity. Hyperlipidemia (27%) and hypertension (25%) were most prevalent. Patients with comorbidities were more likely to experience urgent care [OR (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 1.58 (1.51–1.65)] than patients without comorbidities. They also had significantly greater hospitalization rates [IRR (95% CI) = 2.27 (2.13–2.42)] and outpatient visits [IRR (95% CI) = 1.53 (1.52–1.55)]. Compared with patients who did not have comorbidities, patients with comorbidities incurred $2184 (P < 0.001) greater total costs.Conclusion  Comorbidities present a significant economic burden in patients with psoriasis.
Influence of the leptin G‐2548A polymorphism on leptin levels and anthropometric measurements in healthy Spanish adolescents‡
Authors: Riestra Pia , Garcia‐Anguita Alicia , Viturro Enrique , Schoppen Stefanie , De Oya Manuel , Garcés Carmen 
Published: June 2010

SummaryPolymorphisms in the leptin gene (LEP) have been associated with leptin levels and obesity in some studies in adults though this link has scarcely been investigated in children. In our study, we examined the relationship of the LEP G‐2548A polymorphism with leptin levels, anthropometric variables and body composition in a population‐based sample of pubescent children. Our study included 880 healthy schoolchildren (419 males and 461 females), 12–16 years of age. Plasma leptin levels were determined by ELISA. The LEP polymorphism was determined by allelic discrimination TaqMan® assay. Male carriers of the AA genotype had significantly lower plasma leptin levels than GA (p < 0.008) and GG (p < 0.001) carriers and significantly lower mean hip circumference (HC) values than GG carriers (p = 0.04). In girls, leptin levels were also lower in A‐allele carriers than in GG carriers, and BMI and HC were significantly lower in AA carriers as compared with GG carriers. In addition, the frequency of the A allele was significantly lower (χ2: 4.58, p = 0.032) in the OW‐obese than in the NW group. In conclusion, the LEP G‐2548A polymorphism is associated with variations in leptin levels, BMI and HC in Spanish pubertal children, and evidence suggests a link between the G allele and presence of overweight in girls.
Univariate and Bivariate Linkage Analysis Identifies Pleiotropic Loci Underlying Lipid Levels and Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Authors: Hasstedt Sandra J. , Hanis Craig L. , Elbein Steven C. ,   the American Diabetes Association GENNID Study Group
Published: June 2010

SummaryDyslipidemia frequently co‐occurs with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and with obesity. To investigate whether the co‐occurrence is due to pleiotropic genes, we performed univariate linkage analysis of lipid levels and bivariate linkage analysis of pairs of lipid levels and of lipid levels paired with T2D, body mass index (BMI), and waist‐hip ratio (WHR) in the African American subset of the Genetics of NIDDM (GENNID) sample. We obtained significant evidence for a pleiotropic low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C)–T2D locus on chromosome 1 at 16–19 megabases (MB) (bivariate lod = 4.41), as well as a non‐pleiotropic triglyceride (TG) locus on chromosome 20 at 28–34 MB (univariate lod = 3.57). In addition, near‐significant evidence supported TG–T2D loci on chromosome 2 at 81–101 MB (bivariate lod = 4.23) and 232–239 MB (bivariate lod = 4.27) and on chromosome 7 at 147–151 MB (univariate lod = 3.08 for TG with P = 0.041 supporting pleiotropy with T2D), as well as an LDL‐C–BMI locus on chromosome 3 at 137–147 MB (bivariate lod score = 4.25). These findings provide evidence that at least some of the co‐occurrence of dyslipidemia with T2D and obesity is due to common underlying genes.
Seasonal reproduction in the female spiny mouse from South Africa
Authors: Medger K. , Chimimba C. T. , Bennett N. C. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMany mammal species reproduce seasonally because of annual fluctuations in temperature, rainfall and photoperiod in often nutritionally challenging habitats. The reproductive biology of many small southern African mammals is largely unknown and in critical need of study. We investigated the breeding pattern of the female spiny mouse (Acomys spinosissimus) from South Africa. We examined the ovarian development, follicular growth, circulating plasma progesterone concentrations and the reproductive status of wild‐caught adult female spiny mice sampled over a 12‐month period while also correcting for body mass and age. From these data, we conclude that female A. spinosissimus breed seasonally. The main breeding season of the spiny mouse is between September and January, with plasma progesterone concentrations being elevated, ovarian volume and primary, secondary, tertiary and Graafian follicle numbers as well as the corpora body number being the highest and pregnancies occurring during this period. Females were reproductively inactive from February through to August. The breeding season coincides with the onset of the rainy season in the habitat, which starts around September and ends in April. Rainfall, in association with an increase in primary productivity and hence higher food availability, might be the most important factor shaping reproduction in the female spiny mouse.
Retailoring docosahexaenoic acid‐containing phospholipid species during impaired neurogenesis following omega‐3 α‐linolenic acid deprivation
Authors: Brand Annette , Crawford Michael A. , Yavin Ephraim 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1393–1404.AbstractDiminished levels of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3), the major fatty acid (FA) synthesized from α‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐3), have been implicated in functional impairment in the developing and adult brain. We have now examined the changes in phospholipid (PL) molecular species in the developing postnatal cortex, a region recently shown to be affected by a robust aberration in neuronal cell migration, after maternal diet α‐linolenic acid deprivation (Yavin et al. (2009)Neuroscience162(4),1011). The frontal cortex PL composition of 1‐ to 4‐week‐old rats was analyzed by gas chromatography and electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry. Changes in the cortical PL molecular species profile by dietary means appear very specific as 22:6n‐3 was exclusively substituted by docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n‐6). However, molecular species were conserved with respect to the combination of specific polar head groups (i.e. ethanolamine and serine) in sn‐3 and defined saturated/mono‐unsaturated FA in sn‐1 position even when the sn‐2 FA moiety underwent diet‐induced changes. Our results suggest that substitution of docosahexaenoic acid by docosapentaenoic acid is tightly regulated presumably to maintain a proper biophysical characteristic of membrane PL molecular species. The importance of this conservation may underscore the possible biochemical consequences of this substitution in regulating certain functions in the developing brain.
p90RSK activation contributes to cerebral ischemic damage via phosphorylation of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1
Authors: Manhas Namratta , Shi Yejie , Taunton Jack , Sun Dandan 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1476–1486.AbstractExcessive activation of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE‐1) plays a role in cerebral ischemic injury. The current study investigated whether NHE‐1 protein in ischemic brains is regulated by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)/90‐kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) signaling pathways. A transient focal ischemia in mice was induced by a 60‐min‐occlusion of the middle cerebral artery followed by reperfusion for 3, 10, or 60 min (Rp). Expression of phosphorylated ERK 1/2 was significantly elevated in the ipsilateral hemispheres at 3–10 min Rp and reduced by 60 min Rp. An increase in phosphorylation of p90RSK, a known NHE‐1 kinase, was also detected at 3–10 min Rp, which was accompanied with a transient elevation of NHE‐1 phosphorylation (p‐NHE‐1). Stimulation of p90RSK in ischemic neurons was downstream of ERK activation because inhibition of MEK1 (MAP kinase/ERK kinase) with its inhibitor U0126 blocked phosphorylation of p90RSK. Moreover, direct inhibition of p90RSK by its selective inhibitor fluoromethyl ketone not only reduced p‐NHE‐1 expression but also ischemic infarct volume. Taken together, our study revealed that reperfusion triggers a transient stimulation of the ERK/p90RSK pathway. p90RSK activation contributes to cerebral ischemic damage in part via activation of NHE‐1 protein.
BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: Native and introduced fish species richness in Mediterranean streams: the role of multiple landscape influences
Authors: Filipe Ana F. , Filomena Magalhães M. , Collares‐Pereira Maria João 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim  To examine the role of multiple landscape factors on the species richness patterns of native and introduced freshwater fish.Location  Mediterranean streams, south‐western Iberian Peninsula, Europe (c. 87,000 km2).Methods  We used a dataset of fish occurrences from 436 stream sites. We quantified the incremental explanatory power of multiple landscape factors in native, introduced, and overall local species richness using regression analysis. First, we related variation in local species richness across river basins to regional species richness (here, the basin species pool), area and factors of climate and topography. Second, we related within‐river basin local species richness to site’s climate and topography, and spatial structure derived from Principal Coordinates of Neighbour Matrices approach, after testing for species richness spatial autocorrelation; predicted local richness was mapped.Results  Patterns of local species richness across river basins were strongly associated with regional species richness for overall, native and introduced species; annual rainfall showed a significant incremental contribution to variation in introduced species richness only. Within river basins, environmental factors were associated with local richness for the three species groups, though their contributions to the total explained variation were inferior to those of spatial factors; rainfall seasonality and stream slope were the most consistent environmental correlates for all species groups, while the influence of spatial factors was most prevalent for native species.Main conclusions  Landscape factors operating among and within river basins seem to play a relevant role in shaping local species richness of both native and introduced species, and may be contingent on basin‐specific contexts. Nevertheless, local factors, such as habitat characteristics and biotic interactions and human‐induced disturbances may also be at play. Multiscale approaches incorporating a multitude of factors are strongly encouraged to facilitate a deeper understanding of the biodiversity patterns of Mediterranean streams, and to promote more effective conservation and management strategies.
Effect of plant neutrophil elastase inhibitor on leucocyte migration, adhesion and cytokine release in inflammatory conditions
Authors: Oliveira C , Navarro‐Xavier RA , Anjos‐Vallota EA , Martins JO , Silveira VLF , Gonçalves LRC , Araújo MS , Motta G , Sannomiya P , Oliva MLV 
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The serine and cysteine peptidase inhibitor, BbCI, isolated from Bauhinia bauhinioides seeds, is similar to the classical plant Kunitz inhibitor, STI, but lacks disulphide bridges and methionine residues. BbCI blocks activity of the serine peptidases, elastase (Kiapp 5.3 nM) and cathepsin G (Kiapp 160.0 nM), and the cysteine peptidase cathepsin L (Kiapp 0.2 nM). These three peptidases play important roles in the inflammatory process.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We measured the effects of BbCI on paw oedema and on leucocyte accumulation in pleurisy, both induced by carrageenan. Leucocyte–endothelial cell interactions in scrotal microvasculature in Wistar rats were investigated using intravital microscopy. Cytokine levels in pleural exudate and serum were measured by elisa.KEY RESULTS Pretreatment of the animals with BbCI (2.5 mg·kg−1), 30 min before carrageenan‐induced inflammation, effectively reduced paw oedema and bradykinin release, neutrophil migration into the pleural cavity. The number of rolling, adhered and migrated leucocytes at the spermatic fascia microcirculation following carrageenan injection into the scrotum were reduced by BbCI pretreatment. Furthermore, levels of the rat chemokine cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemo‐attractant‐1 were significantly reduced in both pleural exudates and serum from animals pretreated with BbCI. Levels of interleukin‐1β or tumour necrosis factor‐α, however, did not change.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Taken together, our data suggest that the anti‐inflammatory properties of BbCI may be useful in investigations of other pathological processes in which human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G and cathepsin L play important roles.