bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statin adherence and the risk of major coronary events in patients with diabetes: a nested case–control study
Authors: Ruokoniemi Päivi , Korhonen Maarit J. , Helin‐Salmivaara Arja , Lavikainen Piia , Jula Antti , Junnila Seppo Y. T. , Kettunen Raimo , Huupponen Risto 
Published: December 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Statin therapy is recommended in diabetes to lower the risk of coronary events. However, large randomized trials of statins performed specifically among diabetic patients have produced conflicting results. No long‐term follow‐up studies are available on the incidence of major coronary events and adherence to statin therapy in real‐life patients with diabetes.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• The study results demonstrate that good adherence to statins is associated with a reduced risk of major coronary events in patients with diabetes, irrespective of the presence of coronary heart disease at statin initiation. This study provides further justification for maintenance statin therapy in diabetes.AIMS To evaluate whether good statin adherence is associated with a reduced incidence of major coronary events (MCEs) among diabetic patients with and without coronary heart disease (CHD).METHODS Using data derived by linkage of nationwide health databases in Finland, we conducted a nested case–control analysis of 3513 cases with an MCE, a composite of acute myocardial infarction and/or coronary revascularization, and 20 090 matched controls identified from a cohort of 60 677 statin initiators with diabetes. Cases and controls were matched according to gender, time of cohort entry and duration of follow‐up and further classified to two risk groups according to the presence of CHD at statin initiation. The incidence of MCEs was compared between patients with good statin adherence (the proportion of days covered ≥80%) and patients with poor statin adherence (<80%). Odds ratios (OR) for MCEs were estimated by conditional logistic regression adjusting for several covariables.RESULTS Good statin adherence was associated with a reduced incidence of MCEs in those with prior CHD [OR 0.84 (95% CI 0.74–0.95)] and in those without it [OR 0.86 (95% CI 0.78–0.95)]. The association persisted among those followed up for 5 years or longer [OR 0.77 (95% CI 0.58–1.02) and OR 0.79 (95% CI 0.66–0.94) respectively]. In sensitivity analyses, a reduced MCE incidence was observed also in those without any documented cardiovascular disease (CVD) at statin initiation [OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.78–0.96) overall and OR 0.80 (95% CI 0.66–0.97) for those followed up 5 years or longer].CONCLUSIONS In patients with diabetes, good adherence to statins predicts reduced incidence of MCEs irrespective of the presence of CHD at statin initiation.
Genetics of type 2 diabetes: pathophysiologic and clinical relevance
Authors: Herder Christian , Roden Michael 
Published: December 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2011; 41 (6): 679–692AbstractBackground  Recent genome‐wide association studies enlarged our knowledge about the genetic background of type 2 diabetes.Aims  This review provides an overview of the role of these novel genetic findings for the pathophysiology, prediction and treatment of type 2 diabetes.Results  The genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes appears to be determined by many common variants in multiple gene loci with low effect sizes. Although at least 36 diabetes‐associated genes were identified, only about 10% of the heritability of type 2 diabetes can be explained. Most of the discovered gene variants have been linked to beta‐cell dysfunction rather than insulin resistance, which might challenge established thinking of type 2 diabetes as a predominant disorder of insulin action. Genetic data can lead to statistically significant, but not to clinically relevant contributions to risk prediction for type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, preliminary evidence suggests interactions between genotypes and response to lifestyle changes or drug treatment.Conclusions  Future studies need to target the issue of hidden heritability and to detect the causal gene variants within the identified gene loci. Improved understanding of the genetic contribution to type 2 diabetes may then help addressing the questions whether genotyping is useful to predict individual diabetes risk, identifies individual responsiveness to preventive and therapeutic interventions or at least allows for breaking down type 2 diabetes into smaller, clinically meaningful subtypes.
Bat habitat use in logged jarrah eucalypt forests of south‐western Australia
Authors: Webala Paul W. , Craig Michael D. , Law Bradley S. , Armstrong Kyle N. , Wayne Adrian F. , Bradley J. Stuart 
Published: December 2010

Summary 1. Ecologically sustainable forest management is being implemented to address the competing demands of timber production and conservation, but its effectiveness is poorly understood. Bats play key roles in forest ecosystems and are sensitive to timber harvesting, so are potential indicators of whether management is successfully achieving biodiversity conservation in production forests. 2. We evaluated logging impacts in jarrah eucalypt forests of south‐western Australia by examining insectivorous bat activity, feeding buzzes and insect biomass at four sites in each of recently logged forest, young regrowth and old regrowth. 3. Forest tracks supported higher overall activity and higher feeding activity than off‐track sites, but activity was similar on‐track irrespective of logging history. However, off‐track activity in old regrowth was significantly higher than in either young regrowth or recently logged forest. 4. Vespadelus regulus and Nyctophilus spp. were more active in old regrowth than other logging histories. Similarly, V. regulus, Nyctophilus spp., Chalinolobus gouldii, Chalinolobus morio and Falsistrellus mackenziei activity was significantly greater on‐ than off‐tracks, but activity was similar on‐track across logging histories. 5. Increased understorey clutter was the strongest predictor of reduced bat activity in off‐track sites. Reduced clutter and roost availability most probably explained greater activity in old regrowth forest. Neither insect biomass nor interactive effects of clutter and insect biomass significantly affected bat activity. 6. Synthesis and applications. Tracks provided internal linear edges within cluttered forests allowing bat species to use such areas for foraging. However, our results suggest that the retention of unlogged areas within logged forests is likely to be the most effective strategy in many forest ecosystems for conserving bat populations and achieving ecologically sustainable forest management for this group.
Influence of the 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron on gastric sensorimotor function and nutrient tolerance in healthy volunteers
Authors: Janssen P. , Vos R. , Van Oudenhove L. , Tack J. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground  Serotonin is believed to be involved in the regulation of the gastric accommodation reflex in man however which receptor subtype(s) are involved remains to be elucidated.Methods  Eleven healthy subjects (nine men, age 19–30) underwent a gastric barostat and a drinking test after treatment with either placebo or ondansetron (8 mg intravenously). During the barostat protocol an intragastric flaccid bag was stepwise distended (2 mmHg increments 2 min) to determine gastric compliance and sensitivity to distention. Subsequently, the pressure level was set at intra‐abdominal pressure +2 mmHg while volume was followed before and after administration of a liquid meal (200 mL; 300 kcal). During the drink test volunteers drank at a rate of 15 mL min−1 until maximal satiation. Results (mean ± SEM) were compared using t‐tests and mixed model analysis.Key Results  Gastric compliance was not significantly altered by ondansetron (51.5 ± 5.6 vs 49.2 ± 5.2 mL mmHg−1), neither were the pressure thresholds for first perception or discomfort. Ondansetron treatment did not affect basal gastric tone (173 ± 14 vs 156 ± 12 mL), neither did it affect the amplitude of the meal‐induced relaxation (160 ± 52 vs 131 ± 43 mL) or the maximum volume increase after the meal (264 ± 54 mL vs 234 ± 51 mL). During the drinking test the amount of liquid meal ingested at maximum satiation was significantly increased by ondansetron (784 ± 74 vs 907 ± 64 mL, P < 0.05).Conclusions & Inferences  These data suggest that 5‐HT acting at 5‐HT3 receptors is not involved in the control of gastric sensorimotor function, but contributes to the regulation of hunger and satiation in man.
Effects of tripeptides and lactogenic hormones on oligopeptide transporter 2 in bovine mammary gland
Authors: Zhou M. M. , Wu Y. M. , Liu H. Y. , Zhao K. , Liu J. X. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryThis study was conducted to investigate the expression of oligopeptide transporter 2 (PepT2) and its potential function in bovine mammary gland. First, the PepT2 mRNA and protein were determined in cultured mammary epithelial cells. Then the effects of lactogenic hormones (prolactin, hydrocortisone or insulin) and substrate (threonyl‐phenylalanyl‐phenylalanine) on PepT2 were investigated. The PepT2 mRNA and protein were successfully detected in bovine mammary epithelial cells. PepT2 gene expression was enhanced by the addition of 50, 500 and 5000 ng/ml prolactin, 10 and 100 ng/ml hydrocortisone, and 50, 500, 5000 and 50 000 ng/ml insulin. PepT2 mRNA abundance was increased when 5, 10 and 15% of threonyl‐phenylalanyl‐phenylalanine was included. Responses of PepT2 to lactogenic hormones and oligopeptide inferred that it may play an important role in bovine mammary gland.
The impact of perinatal urinoma formation on renal function: our experience and review of the literature
Authors: Adorisio Ottavio , Silveri Massimiliano , Colajacomo Mauro , Bassani Francesca , Rivosecchi Massimo 
Published: December 2010

Introduction:  A urinoma is a fluid mass consisting of extravasated urine in the perirenal space. Its impact on renal function was analysed.Methods:  All cases of prenatal and neonatal urinoma reported in the literature were analysed as well as two cases recently observed in our department.Results:  A review of all prenatally diagnosed urinomas revealed 25 cases, for a total of 30 renal units. The cause of obstruction was: lower urinary tract (LUT) obstruction in 16 cases (62.5%), upper urinary tract (UUT) obstruction in seven cases (29.5%) and unknown in two cases (8%). A preserved renal function was found in only 30% of all cases. Furthermore, prognosis for renal function was better in posterior urethral valve (PUV) patients than in uretero‐pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) patients.In addition, we analysed 35 published cases of urinoma with a neonatal onset, without prenatal diagnosis, and secondary to LUT obstruction in 27 cases (77%), UUT obstruction in seven cases (20%), while the underlying cause was unknown in one cases (3%). A preserved renal function was observed in 84% of cases with UUT obstruction and in 80% of cases presenting a LUT obstruction.Conclusions:  Prognosis concerning renal function seems to be mainly related to two factors: age at presentation and underlying diagnosis. Decompression of the urinary tract by urine extravasation produces the best results in terms of preservation of the renal function in LUT obstruction (75% in prenatal and 84% in postnatal cases); UUT obstruction however is associated with a good prognosis in the neonatal period (80% of preserved renal function) but with a severe impairment (only 20% of preserved renal function) in prenatally detected cases.
Children of substance‐using mothers: child health engagement and child protection outcomes
Authors: Callaghan Tamara , Crimmins Jennifer , Schweitzer Robert D 
Published: December 2010

Aim:  Maternal substance use has been associated with a range of child risk factors. The study investigated the relationship between engagement with child health services and child protection outcomes for children of substance‐using mothers.Methods:  The sample comprised 119 children of mothers who disclosed opiate, amphetamine or methadone use during a maternity admission between 2000 and 2003. Statutory child protection agency and child health engagement information for the first 2 years of life was obtained. The relationship between type of maternal substance use, child health engagement and child protection outcomes was examined.Results:  Of study group infants, 72% were engaged with child health services during the first 2 years of life. Chi‐squared analysis showed no significant relationship between child health engagement and child protection reports. Child health engagement was associated with decreased substantiated child protection notifications for children of methadone using mothers, but not for children of illicit substance users.Conclusions:  Almost a quarter of identified children of substance‐using mothers are not accessing standard child health services in their first 2 years of life. This study provides support for increased attention to the provision of child health services for children of methadone using mothers. Further research into effective intervention strategies for children of illicit substance‐using mothers is indicated.
Intrapleural urokinase versus surgical management of childhood empyema
Authors: van Loo Anouk , van Loo Eva , Selvadurai Hiran , Cooper Peter , Van Asperen Peter , Fitzgerald Dominic A 
Published: December 2010

Aim:  Empyema can be managed conservatively with intravenous antibiotics or invasively with a drain inserted under image guidance or via surgical evacuation. Both approaches are successful but comparisons of the method of drainage are few. This study compared clinical outcomes for empyema in previously well children from a single centre over a 12 year period.Methods:  A retrospective analysis of cases over 12 years from the Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney was undertaken. Ethics committee approval was obtained.Results:  Seventy two cases were identified from medical records, 12 cases were excluded and 60 cases remained. The mean age was 4.7 ± 4.3 years and there was a slight male preponderance. Treatment was divided into surgical management with a large bore drain alone [n = 25] and minimally invasive management with the use of a “pigtail catheter” and intrapleural fibrinolytic [“Urkoinase”][n = 35]. At presentation the mean heart rate and respiratory rate were not statistically different. The median (range) number of doses of urokinase was 5.66 doses (1–12). More fluid was drained with the use of urokinase [594 ml (25–4575 ml) vs. 195 ml (10–1426 ml); p = 0.006], but this did not influence the rate of resolution of fever or the length of hospital stay. A pathogen was isolated in 42.9% of the urokinase group and 68% of the surgical group which approached statistical significance [p = 0.054].Conclusions:  Both large bore surgical drains and “pigtail catheter” drains with the instillation of urokinase lead to similarly favourable treatment outcomes. Either treatment could be recommended depending on local expertise and preferences.
Cardiac cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in a 13‐year‐old treated with doxorubicin microbead transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Rosenbaum Jeremy , Vrazas John , Lane Geoffrey K , Hardikar Winita 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIncreasing numbers of children are surviving into adulthood following surgery to correct or palliate congenital heart disease. This surgery can occasionally result in long‐standing elevated right heart pressures and chronic hepatic venous congestion leading to cardiac cirrhosis. We report the first paediatric case of hepatocellular carcinoma in the setting of cardiac cirrhosis. A 13‐year‐old girl developed inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma and was treated with transarterial embolization with lipiodol and doxorubicin eluting microbeads. Promoting awareness of this association, even in younger patients, will hopefully result in better surveillance and screening of hepatic complications in survivors of complex cardiac surgery.
Intolerance to food additives – does it exist?
Authors: Turner Paul J , Kemp Andrew S 
Published: December 2010

Abstract‘Food intolerance’ is often confused with a range of adverse symptoms which may be coincidental to ingestion of food. ‘Food intolerance’ is defined as a reaction in which symptoms must be objectively reproducible and not known to involve an immunological mechanism. A more precise term is non‐allergic food hypersensitivity, which contrasts with food allergies which are due to an immunological mechanism. Some children will experience food reactions to food additives. Reported symptoms range from urticaria/angioedema to hyperactive behaviours. While parents/carers report that over one fifth of children experience of food reaction, only 1 in 20 of these are confirmed to have a non‐allergic food hypersensitivity on testing.
Vascular catheter‐related complications in newborns
Authors: Wu Jinlin , Mu Dezhi 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBabies in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit have more frequent invasive procedures such as heel prick samples for gases, bilirubin levels or if ventilated suction down the endotracheal tube is more frequent and still invasive. Central and peripheral vascular catheters are essential to serve many important functions for sick neonates. However, there is growing recognition of potential risks, such as infection, thrombosis, vasospasm, phlebitis, infiltration and so on, associated with their use. Based on current evidence, this paper reviews the common complications of vascular catheters and their corresponding preventive or treatment approaches in newborns.
Rhinovirus infection induces expression of airway remodelling factors in vitro and in vivo
Authors: KUO Curtis , LIM Sam , KING Nicholas J.C. , BARTLETT Nathan W. , WALTON Ross P. , ZHU Jie , GLANVILLE Nicholas , ANISCENKO Julia , JOHNSTON Sebastian L. , BURGESS Janette K. , BLACK Judith L. , OLIVER Brian G. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  A hallmark of asthma is airway remodelling, which includes increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein. Viral infections may promote the development of asthma and are the most common causes of asthma exacerbations. We evaluated whether rhinovirus (RV) infection induces airway remodelling, as assessed by ECM deposition.Methods:  Primary human bronchial epithelial cells and lung parenchymal fibroblasts were infected with RV‐2 or RV‐16, or treated with RV‐16 RNA, imiquimod (Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist) or polyinosinic : polycytidylic acid (poly I : C) (activator of TLR 3, retinoic‐acid‐inducible protein I and melanoma‐differentiated‐associated gene 5). Changes in ECM proteins and their transcription were measured by ELISA and quantitative real‐time PCR. In addition, gene expression for ECM proteins was assessed in a mouse model of RV infection.Results:  RV infection increased deposition of the ECM protein, perlecan, by human bronchial epithelial cells, and collagen V and matrix‐bound vascular endothelial growth factor were increased in both human bronchial epithelial cell and fibroblast cultures. Purified RV‐16 RNA, poly I : C and imiquimod induced similar increases in ECM deposition to those observed with RV‐infected fibroblasts. However, only poly I : C induced ECM deposition by bronchial epithelial cells, suggesting that RV‐induced ECM deposition is mediated through TLR. Furthermore, gene expression for fibronectin and collagen I was increased in lung homogenates of mice infected with RV‐1b.Conclusions:  RV infection and TLR ligands promote ECM deposition in isolated cell systems and RV induces ECM gene expression in vivo, thus demonstrating that RV has the potential to contribute to remodelling of the airways through induction of ECM deposition.
Cigarette smoke modulates PGE2 and host defence against Moraxella catarrhalis infection in human airway epithelial cells
Authors: ZHANG WEIYUN , CASE STEPHANIE , BOWLER RUSSELL P. , MARTIN RICHARD J. , JIANG DI , CHU HONG WEI 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Airway bacterial infections pose a significant challenge to the management of COPD, a disease mainly caused by cigarette smoking. However, the mechanisms of impaired airway mucosal innate immunity against bacteria in COPD remain unclear. We examined the effect of cigarette smoke on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and downstream epithelial host defence mechanisms including the antimicrobial substance human β‐defensin‐2 (hBD‐2).Methods:  Brushed bronchial epithelial cells were obtained from healthy smokers and individuals with COPD, and cultured under air–liquid interface conditions with or without exposure to whole cigarette smoke (WCS) or Moraxella catarrhalis (Mc) infection. Bacterial load, hBD‐2 (a molecule known to kill Mc) and PGE2 were measured.Results:  WCS decreased Mc‐induced hBD‐2 expression and increased Mc load on bronchial epithelial cells from healthy smokers and COPD patients. Moreover, WCS inhibited PGE2 induction following Mc. PGE2 was shown to increase hBD‐2 production in bronchial epithelial cells from healthy smokers, but not from COPD patients.Conclusions:  The results suggest that in well‐differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells, WCS may impair host defence against Mc in part through inhibiting PGE2 production.
Phylogeny of macrophagous leeches (Hirudinea, Clitellata) based on molecular data and evaluation of the barcoding locus
Authors: Oceguera‐Figueroa Alejandro , Phillips Anna J. , Pacheco‐Chaves Bernald , Reeves Will K. , Siddall Mark E. 
Published: December 2010

Oceguera‐Figueroa, A., Phillips, A. J., Pacheco‐Chaves, B., Reeves, W. K. & Siddall, M. E. (2010). Phylogeny of macrophagous leeches (Hirudinea, Clitellata) based on molecular data and evaluation of the barcoding locus. —Zoologica Scripta,40, 194–203.The phylogenetic relationships of macrophagous leech species are studied using two mitochondrial [cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI) and 12S rDNA] and two nuclear (28S rDNA and 18S rDNA) markers. The complete dataset analysed in this study included 49 terminals and 5540 aligned characters. Phylogenetic analyses were performed under two optimality criteria: Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood. The monophyly of the two currently recognized families (i.e. Erpobdellidae and Salifidae) is confirmed and well supported. The phylogenetic position of Gastrostomobdellidea is studied for the first time and found to be sister to family Salifidae nested well within Erpobdelliformes. Previously recognized taxonomic arrangements were evaluated and discarded through successive constraint analyses. Correlation between morphology and phylogeny was notable in Salifidae but not in Erpobdellidae. Variability of COI, the barcoding locus, was examined across species leading to the recognition of the invasiveBarbronia weberiin Mexico, Costa Rica, Germany, South Africa and Taiwan.