bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immediate effect of intensive atorvastatin therapy on lipid parameters in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Vondrakova Dagmar , Ostadal Petr , Kruger Andreas 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Intensive statin therapy decreases mortality and incidence of coronary events in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recently it has been reported that spontaneous lipid levels remain clinically stable during ACS. The immediate influence of lipid levels by high-dose statin therapy initiated at admission in ACS patients is, however, not clear.

Methods
We have analyzed a group of 114 patients with ACS (mean age 63.7; females 25.4%). Atorvastatin 80 mg was administered at admission and then once daily for the rest of hospitalization. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL), HDL-cholesterol (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were measured at admission (D0), and then every morning of hospitalization (D1, D2).

Results
The mean entry values (D0) of TC, LDL, HDL and TG (in mmol/L) were 5.24, 3.26, 1.07 and 1.31, respectively. The therapy with atorvastatin 80 mg resulted in a decrease of TC levels in the first morning (D1) by 6.1% and in the second morning (D2) by 13.2% (p < 0.001 for all comparisons with the entry value D0); LDL was decreased by 5.8% (D1) and 15.6% (D2) (p < 0.001 vs. D0); the level of HDL was decreased by 7.5% (D1) and 12.1% (D2) (p < 0.001 vs. D0). In contrast, the TG level was higher in the first morning (D1) by 20.6% and in the following morning (D2) by 25.5% (p < 0.05 vs. D0).

Conclusions
We have shown that intensive statin therapy started at admission in ACS patients has a highly significant, immediate effect on all monitored lipid levels. Since TC and LDL levels were decreased as predicted, reduction in HDL and increase in TG levels suggest a different acute effect of high-dose statin on lipid levels in comparison with long-term treatment of ACS patients.
Cord blood versus age 5 mononuclear cell proliferation on IgE and asthma
Authors: Chang Carolyn , Gauvey-Kern Kevin , Johnson Alina , Kelvin Elizabeth A , Chew Ginger L , Perera Frederica , Miller Rachel L 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundFetal immune responses following exposure of mothers to allergens during pregnancy may influence the subsequent risk of childhood asthma. However, the association of allergen-induced cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) proliferation and cytokine production with later allergic immune responses and asthma has been controversial. Our objective was to compare indoor allergen-induced CBMC with age 5 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and determine which may be associated with age 5 allergic immune responses and asthma in an inner city cohort.MethodsAs part of an ongoing cohort study of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH), CBMCs and age 5 PBMCs were cultured with cockroach, mouse, and dust mite protein extracts. CBMC proliferation and cytokine (IL-5 and IFN-γ) responses, and age 5 PBMC proliferation responses, were compared to anti-cockroach, anti-mouse, and anti-dust mite IgE levels, wheeze, cough, eczema and asthma.ResultsCorrelations between CBMC and age 5 PBMC proliferation in response to cockroach, mouse, and dust mite antigens were nonsignificant. Cockroach-, mouse-, and dust mite-induced CBMC proliferation and cytokine responses were not associated with allergen-specific IgE at ages 2, 3, and 5, or with asthma and eczema at age 5. However, after adjusting for potential confounders, age 5 cockroach-induced PBMC proliferation was associated with anti-cockroach IgE, total IgE, and asthma (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn contrast to allergen-induced CBMC proliferation, age 5 cockroach-induced PBMC proliferation was associated with age 5 specific and total IgE, and asthma, in an inner-city cohort where cockroach allergens are prevalent and exposure can be high.
Diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by the use of ecstasy: a case report
Authors: Gama Mirnaluci Paulino Ribeiro , de Souza Bárbara Vicente , Ossowski Ana Carolina , Perraro Rafaela Cristina 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Introduction
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamin), a hallucinogenic amphetamine, is often used by young people, especially at 'raves'. This illicit drug can cause many metabolic changes and its use, when associated with prolonged exercise, may exacerbate ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetic patients.

Case presentation
This is a case of ketoacidosis complicated by the use of ecstasy in a 19-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic Caucasian woman.

Conclusion
The use of ecstasy may trigger diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with a preexisting metabolic disorder
Risk of osteoporotic fracture in a large population-based cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kim Seo Young , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Liu Jun , Daniel Gregory W , Chang Chun-Lan , Garneau Katie , Solomon Daniel H 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction
Although osteoporosis has been reported to be more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), little is known whether the risk of osteoporotic fractures in these patients differs by age, sex, and anatomic site.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a health care utilization database. Incidence rates (IRs) and rate ratios (RRs) of osteoporotic fractures with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models compared the risk of osteoporotic fracture at typical sites between RA and non-RA patients.

Results
During a median 1.63-year follow-up, 872 (1.9%) of 47,034 RA patients experienced a fracture. The IR for osteoporotic fracture at typical sites among RA patients was 9.6 per 1,000 person-years, 1.5 times higher than the rate of non-RA patients. The IR was highest for hip fracture (3.4 per 1,000 person-years) in RA. The IRs across all age groups were higher for women than men and increased with older age in both groups. The RRs were elevated in RA patients across all common sites of osteoporotic fracture: hip (1.62, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.84), wrist (1.15, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.32), pelvis (2.02, 95% CI 1.77 to 2.30), and humerus (1.51, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.84). After confounding adjustment, a modest increase in risk for fracture was noted with RA (hazard ratio 1.26, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.38).

Conclusions
Our study showed an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures for RA patients across all age groups, sex and various anatomic sites, compared with non-RA patients.
Risk of Skeletal-Related Events in Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer Treated with Pamidronate or Zoledronic Acid
Authors: Spence Michele M , Hui Rita L , Chan James , Schottinger Joanne E 
Published: August 2010

Background: Pamidronate and zoledronic acid are used for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly breast and prostate cancers. There have been no head-to-head clinical trials comparing Pamidronate and zoledronic acid among patients with advanced prostate cancer. Objective: To estimate the risk of developing an SRE among men with metastatic prostate cancer after being treated with either pamidronate or zoledronic acid. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, using data from Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region. The cohort included men aged ≥18 years diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1998 to 2004 who received at least 1 infusion of either Pamidronate or zoledronic acid after their cancer diagnosis. Patients receiving both drugs and those with a documented SRE prior to diagnosis were excluded. The primary outcome of SREs was defined using diagnosis codes for fractures, spina) cord compression, radiation to bone, and hypercalcemia of malignancy. Secondary outcomes were deterioration in renal function, based on serum creatinine laboratory results, and mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to predict SREs and mortality risk for Pamidronate compared to zoledronic acid. The proportion of patients with renal function deterioration was analyzed using χ2 tests. Results: The cohort included 118 patients treated with Pamidronate and 274 treated with zoledronic acid. Results showed no significant difference in risk of SREs for Pamidronate versus zoledronic acid (OH 0.99; 95% CI 0.59 to 1.67; p = 0.98). No significant difference was found in renal function deterioration (χ2 2.08; p = 0.15) or mortality (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.43 to 1.17; p = 0.18). Conclusions: For patients with prostate cancer, the choice between these 2 bisphosphonates must be balanced between the shorter infusion time of zoledronic acid versus its increased costs. We found no evidence for a difference in outcomes; therefore, pamidronate is an effective choice where clinic capacity permits.
Proinsulin levels in patients with pancreatic diabetes are associated with functional changes in insulin secretion rather than pancreatic β-cell area
Authors: Breuer Thomas G K , Menge Bjoern A , Banasch Matthias , Uhl Waldemar , Tannapfel Andrea , Schmidt Wolfgang E , Nauck Michael A , Meier Juris J 
Published: August 2010

IntroductionHyperproinsulinaemia has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is unclear whether this is due to an intrinsic defect in β-cell function or secondary to the increased demand on the β-cells. We investigated whether hyperproinsulinaemia is also present in patients with secondary diabetes, and whether proinsulin levels are associated with impaired β-cell area or function.Patients and methodsThirty-three patients with and without diabetes secondary to pancreatic diseases were studied prior to pancreatic surgery. Intact and total proinsulin levels were compared with the pancreatic β-cell area and measures of insulin secretion and action.ResultsFasting concentrations of total and intact proinsulin were similar in patients with normal, impaired (including two cases of impaired fasting glucose) and diabetic glucose tolerance (P=0.58 andP=0.98 respectively). There were no differences in the total proinsulin/insulin or intact proinsulin/insulin ratio between the groups (P=0.23 andP=0.71 respectively). There was a weak inverse association between the total proinsulin/insulin ratio and pancreatic β-cell area (r2=0.14,P=0.032), whereas the intact proinsulin/insulin ratio and the intact and total proinsulin levels were unrelated to β-cell area. However, a strong inverse relationship between homeostasis model assessment index of β-cell function and both the total and the intact proinsulin/insulin ratio was found (r2=0.55 andr2=0.48 respectively). The association of insulin resistance (IR) with intact proinsulin was much weaker than the correlation with fasting insulin.ConclusionsHyperproinsulinaemia is associated with defects in insulin secretion rather than a reduction in β-cell area. The weak association between intact proinsulin and IR argues against the usefulness of this parameter in clinical practice.
Growth-restricted preterm newborns are predisposed to functional adrenal hyperandrogenism in adult life
Authors: Meuwese Christiaan L , Euser Anne M , Ballieux Bart E , van Vliet Huib A , Finken Martijn J J , Walther Frans J , Dekker Friedo W , Wit Jan M 
Published: August 2010

BackgroundThe long-term effects of perinatal growth and corticosteroid exposure on adrenal steroid concentrations in adults born very preterm are uncertain.ObjectivesTo examine the effect of birth weight, early postnatal growth, and pre- and postnatal corticosteroid administration on serum adrenal steroids in 19-year-old subjects born very preterm.Design and methodsSubjects born before 32 weeks of gestation in The Netherlands participating in the Project on Preterm and Small for Gestational Age Infants (POPS) were investigated at 19 years of age. Serum cortisol, DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione (Adione) concentrations were measured in 393 out of 676 eligible subjects, compared with controls, and associated with perinatal growth and pre- and postnatal corticosteroids administration using multiple linear regression analyses.ResultsSerum DHEAS and Adione in men and women were higher than in controls. In the multiple regression analyses, birth weight SDS showed a statistically significant negative association with serum DHEAS concentrations in women (β: −0.865, 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.254 to −0.476) and in men (β: −0.758, 95% CI: −1.247 to −0.268) and with serum Adione concentrations in women (β: −0.337, 95% CI: −0.593 to −0.082). Early postnatal weight gain showed no association with any of measured adrenal markers. In women, serum Adione was associated with postnatal dexamethasone exposure (β: 0.932, 95% CI: 0.022 – 1.843).ConclusionsYoung adults born very preterm show elevated adrenal androgens, particularly when born small for gestational age. Postnatal corticosteroid administration is positively associated with serum Adione in young women.
Randomized, Controlled, Single‐Masked, Clinical Study to Compare and Evaluate the Efficacy of Microspheres and Gel in Periodontal Pocket Therapy
Authors: Srirangarajan S. , Mundargi Raghavendra C. , Ravindra S. , Setty Swati B. , Aminabhavi T.M. , Thakur Srinath 
Published: August 2010

Background: The aim of this randomized, split‐mouth, single‐masked study is to compare the efficacy of a gel and microspheres as drug‐delivery systems in the treatment of periodontal disease.Methods: Microspheres were prepared, the release patterns of the microspheres and gel formulations were analyzed using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer, and particle shapes were studied under a scanning electron microscope. A split‐mouth design was followed in which 30 potential sites were identified and divided into three groups: one control group and two groups in which microspheres or a gel was placed. Patients were recalled at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. Clinical recordings included plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and relative attachment level (RAL) measurements; subgingival plaque was also obtained for microbiologic examination prior to and after therapy.Results: Microspheres had a more sustained release and a high initial drug concentration. There was a significant improvement in the PI and GI in the initial 3 months. The results were statistically significant at P = 0.01. The mean PD scores among scores for the three groups at baseline and follow‐up visits showed a reduction of 0.4 to 1 mm. The microbiologic parameters were also statistically significant.Conclusion: These data suggest that the type of delivery system could significantly influence the outcome of therapy.
Hypothalamic AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Regulates Glucose Production
Authors: Yang Clair S. , Lam Carol K.L. , Chari Madhu , Cheung Grace W.C. , Kokorovic Andrea , Gao Sun , Leclerc Isabelle , Rutter Guy A. , Lam Tony K.T. 
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE
The fuel sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the hypothalamus regulates energy homeostasis by sensing nutritional and hormonal signals. However, the role of hypothalamic AMPK in glucose production regulation remains to be elucidated. We hypothesize that bidirectional changes in hypothalamic AMPK activity alter glucose production.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
To introduce bidirectional changes in hypothalamic AMPK activity in vivo, we first knocked down hypothalamic AMPK activity in male Sprague-Dawley rats by either injecting an adenovirus expressing the dominant-negative form of AMPK (Ad-DN AMPKα2 [D157A]) or infusing AMPK inhibitor compound C directly into the mediobasal hypothalamus. Next, we independently activated hypothalamic AMPK by delivering either an adenovirus expressing the constitutive active form of AMPK (Ad-CA AMPKα1312 [T172D]) or the AMPK activator AICAR. The pancreatic (basal insulin)-euglycemic clamp technique in combination with the tracer-dilution methodology was used to assess the impact of alternations in hypothalamic AMPK activity on changes in glucose kinetics in vivo.

RESULTS
Injection of Ad-DN AMPK into the hypothalamus knocked down hypothalamic AMPK activity and led to a significant suppression of glucose production with no changes in peripheral glucose uptake during the clamps. In parallel, hypothalamic infusion of AMPK inhibitor compound C lowered glucose production as well. Conversely, molecular and pharmacological activation of hypothalamic AMPK negated the ability of hypothalamic nutrients to lower glucose production.

CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that changes in hypothalamic AMPK activity are sufficient and necessary for hypothalamic nutrient-sensing mechanisms to alter glucose production in vivo.
Leptin regulates MMP-2, TIMP-1 and collagen synthesis via p38 MAPK in HL-1 murine cardiomyocytes
Authors: Schram Kristin , Girolamo Sabrina , Madani Siham , Munoz Diana , Thong Farah , Sweeney Gary 
Published: August 2010

AbstractA clear association between obesity and heart failure exists and a significant role for leptin, the product of the obese gene, has been suggested. One aspect of myocardial remodeling which characterizes heart failure is a disruption in the balance of extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation. Here we investigated the effects of leptin on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) expression, as well as collagen synthesis in HL-1 cardiac muscle cells. Gelatin zymographic analysis of MMP activity in conditioned media showed that leptin enhanced MMP-2 activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Leptin is known to stimulate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in cardiac cells and utilization of the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, demonstrated that this kinase also plays a role in regulating several extracellular matrix components, such that inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling prevented the leptin-induced increase in MMP-2 activation. We also observed that leptin enhanced collagen synthesis determined by both proline incorporation and picrosirius red staining of conditioned media. Pro-collagen type-I and pro-collagen type-III expression, measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting were also increased by leptin, effects which were again attenuated by SB203580. In summary, these results demonstrate the potential for leptin to play a role in mediating myocardial ECM remodeling and that the p38 MAPK pathway plays an important role in mediating these effects.
Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Nighttime-Release Prednisone
Authors: ALTEN RIEKE , DÖRING GISELA , CUTOLO MAURIZIO , GROMNICA-IHLE ERIKA , WITTE STEPHAN , STRAUB RAINER , BUTTGEREIT FRANK 
Published: August 2010

Objective.To investigate the effects of longterm low-dose chronotherapy with modified-release (MR) prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as part of the Circadian Administration of Prednisone in Rheumatoid Arthritis (CAPRA-1) study. This consisted of a 3-month active-controlled phase and a 9-month open-label extension with MR prednisone including patients previously treated with prednisone (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00146640).Methods.Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) tests were performed on 28 patients at 3 timepoints: at baseline on prestudy immediate-release (IR) prednisone, after the 3-month double-blind phase on either IR prednisone or MR prednisone, and after the 9-month open-label extension on MR prednisone. Changes of cortisol were assessed and compared to individual patients’ efficacy and safety data.Results.The increase (mean, SD) of cortisol plasma concentrations after injection of corticorelin was 5.5 (4.37) μg/dl on IR prednisone at baseline (n = 21) and 5.3 (4.07) μg/dl on MR prednisone at 12 months (n = 22). Numbers of normal/suppressed/no response reactions did not differ among treatments. Switching from IR to MR prednisone did not influence responses, nor did longterm treatment of up to 12 months with MR prednisone. No worsening of adrenal impairment was observed on treatment with nighttime-release prednisone in patients with low responsiveness to CRH testing before the treatment with MR prednisone.Conclusion.Treatment with nighttime-release prednisone did not change adrenocortical function over 12 months. We presume that chronotherapy with this nighttime-release prednisone may improve the efficacy of longterm low-dose glucocorticoid treatment in patients with RA.
1er après-propos.
Authors: Siegal Michael 
Published: August 2010

Accès au langage et raisonnement de type théorie de l’esprit: recherches avec des enfants sourds signeurs natifs Ce commentaire a pour objectif de souligner les aspects fondamentaux des résultats récents concernant le raisonnement de type théorie de l’esprit (TOM) chez les jeunes enfants et ses relations avec l’accès au langage. Â maints égards, il apparaît désormais clairement que le raisonnement de type TOM et plus généralement les aspects de la mentalisation qui lui sont associés comme la compréhension des émotions, sont indépendants de l’acquisition de la syntaxe et d’autres aspects du langage, mais sont liés par contre à l’utilisation du langage comme base de discussion à propos des états mentaux. Les recherches avec les enfants sourds signeurs natifs et issus de familles de sourds sont particulièrement démonstratives de ce point de vue. Avec des environnements langagiers similaires à la maison, les enfants signeurs natifs bilingues qui ont accès à la fois au langage signé et au langage parlé à l’école ont des performances en TOM bien supérieures aux enfants qui sont dans des écoles oralistes où l’accès au langage signé est absent. De tels résultats suggèrent que l’expression d’une TOM chez les signeurs natifs pourrait être stimulée par la pratique et l’automatisation, dans un environnement où l’accès au langage natif (naturel) est continu. Dans ce cas, les enfants ont des conditions optimales pour maîtriser les aspects de la conversation portant sur les états mentaux avec toutes les implications qui en découlent dans l’évaluation métareprésentationnelle, et en particulier les états épistémiques de croyance vraie ou fausse.
Introduction : Comportements et représentations d'attachement dans l'enfance
Authors: Zaouche-Gaudron Chantal , Pierrehumbert Blaise 
Published: August 2010

RÉSUMÉ À partir de la procédure des « Histoires d’attachement à compléter », proposée par Inge Bretherton au début des années 1990, plusieurs systèmes de codage ont été développés en vue d’opérationnaliser la notion de « Modèles internes opérants », ceci en s’appuyant sur les narratifs produits par les enfants. Depuis plus de quinze ans, ces procédures ont suscité de nombreuses recherches et s’avèrent productives tant en psychologie du développement que dans le champ de la recherche clinique. L’objectif principal de ce numéro thématique est de faire le point sur l’utilisation des narratifs d’enfants en vue d’explorer les représentations mentales au sujet des relations proches, ainsi que d’analyser la construction et l’intériorisation des relations d’attachement dans différents contextes de vie.