bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intrapartum tests for group B streptococcus: accuracy and acceptability of screening
Authors: Daniels JP , Gray J , Pattison HM , Gray R , Hills RK , Khan KS ,   on behalf of the GBS Collaborative Group
Published: October 2010

Please cite this paper as: Daniels J, Gray J, Pattison H, Gray R, Hills R, Khan K on behalf of the GBS Collaborative Group. Intrapartum tests for group B streptococcus: accuracy and acceptability of screening. BJOG 2011;118:257–265.Objective  To assess the accuracy and acceptability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and optical immunoassay (OIA) tests for the detection of maternal group B streptococcus (GBS) colonisation during labour, comparing their performance with the current UK policy of risk factor‐based screening.Design  Diagnostic test accuracy study.Setting and population  Fourteen hundred women in labour at two large UK maternity units provided vaginal and rectal swabs for testing.Methods  The PCR and OIA index tests were compared with the reference standard of selective enriched culture, assessed blind to index tests. Factors influencing neonatal GBS colonisation were assessed using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for antibiotic use. The acceptability of testing to participants was evaluated through a structured questionnaire administered after delivery.Main outcome measures  The sensitivity and specificity of PCR, OIA and risk factor‐based screening.Results  Maternal GBS colonisation was 21% (19–24%) by combined vaginal and rectal swab enriched culture. PCR test of either vaginal or rectal swabs was more sensitive (84% [79–88%] versus 72% [65–77%]) and specific (87% [85–89%] versus 57% [53–60%]) than OIA (P < 0.001), and far more sensitive (84 versus 30% [25–35%]) and specific (87 versus 80% [77–82%]) than risk factor‐based screening (P < 0.001). Maternal antibiotics (odds ratio, 0.22 [0.07–0.62]; P = 0.004) and a positive PCR test (odds ratio, 29.4 [15.8–54.8]; P < 0.001) were strongly related to neonatal GBS colonisation, whereas risk factors were not (odds ratio, 1.44 [0.80–2.62]; P = 0.2).Conclusion  Intrapartum PCR screening is a more accurate predictor of maternal and neonatal GBS colonisation than is OIA or risk factor‐based screening, and is acceptable to women.
Timing of delivery for pregnancies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Hutcheon JA , Butler B , Lisonkova S , Marquette GP , Mayer C , Skoll A , Joseph KS 
Published: October 2010

Please cite this paper as: Hutcheon J, Butler B, Lisonkova S, Marquette G, Mayer C, Skoll A, Joseph K. Timing of delivery for pregnancies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. BJOG 2010;117:1658–1662.A recent report has suggested that delivery at early term ages may be associated with lower mortality among infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. We sought to confirm this finding by examining gestational age‐specific mortality in the USA in term infants with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia, delivered following the spontaneous onset of labour. In the final population of 928 infants, neonatal and infant mortality decreased with advancing gestation, from 25 and 36% at 37 weeks of gestation, respectively, to 17 and 20% at 40 weeks of gestation, respectively. Log‐binomial regression models showed that neonatal and infant mortality at 37 weeks of gestation were significantly higher than at 40 weeks. Further evidence, ideally from a randomised trial, is needed before recommendations for clinical practice on timing of delivery should be made.
CSF transthyretin neuroprotection in a mouse model of brain ischemia
Authors: Santos Sofia Duque , Lambertsen Kate Lykke , Clausen Bettina Hjelm , Akinc Akin , Alvarez Rene , Finsen Bente , Saraiva Maria João 
Published: October 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 1434–1444.AbstractBrain injury caused by ischemia is a major cause of human mortality and physical/cognitive disability worldwide. Experimentally, brain ischemia can be induced surgically by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Using this model, we studied the influence of transthyretin in ischemic stroke. Transthyretin (TTR) is normally responsible for the transport of thyroid hormones and retinol in the blood and CSF. We found that TTR null mice (TTR−/−) did not show significant differences in cortical infarction 24 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion compared with TTR+/+ control littermates. However, TTR null mice, heterozygous for the heat‐shock transcription factor 1 (TTR−/−HSF1+/− mice), which compromised the stress response, showed a significant increase in cortical infarction, cerebral edema and the microglial‐leukocyte response compared with TTR+/+HSF1+/− mice. Unexpectedly, we observed novel TTR distribution throughout the infarct, localized to disintegrated β‐tubulin III+ neurons and cell debris. Specific elimination of TTR synthesis in the liver by RNAi had no effect on TTR distribution in the infarct, indicating that the observed TTR infiltration derived from CSF and not from the serum. This finding is corroborated by results from ‘in situ’ hybridization and real time PCR that excluded the presence of transthyretin mRNA in the infarct and peri‐infarct areas. Our data suggest that in conditions of a compromised heat‐shock response, CSF TTR contributes to control neuronal cell death, edema and inflammation, thereby influencing the survival of endangered neurons in cerebral ischemia.
Identifying parents with risky alcohol consumption habits in a paediatric unit – are screening and brief intervention appropriate methods?
Authors: Bjerregaard Lene B.L. , Gerke Oke , Rubak Sune , Høst Arne , Wagner Lis 
Published: October 2010

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 383–393

Identifying parents with risky alcohol consumption habits in a paediatric unit – are screening and brief intervention appropriate methods? Background:  There is no systematic identification of parents with excessive alcohol use who have a child admitted to hospital. Children in families with excessive alcohol issues form a high risk group as substantial alcohol consumption has a damaging influence on a child emotionally, cognitively, socially and physically. Alcohol consumption is a sensitive issue, and health staff needs knowledge, qualifications and adequate training in communicating with parents about this taboo.Aim:

To identify specific patterns in subgroups of parents by comparing results from screening and demographic variables
To identify systematic patterns in staff members by demographic variables to decide whether these factors influence the screening results.

Methods:  During 1 year, screening and brief intervention (SBI) was accomplished, including health staff conducting dialogues with parents of a hospitalized child using motivational interviewing (MI) and screening for risky alcohol behaviour by Cut down, Annoyance from others, feel Guilty, Early‐morning Craving (CAGE)‐C. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, and relationships were tested with a statistical significance level of 0.05, using SPSS (version 16.0).Results:  Motivational dialogues with 779 parents were conducted by 43 staff members, and 11% of the parents were screened positive for risky alcohol behaviour. Drinking alcohol 4 days a week or more and drinking alcohol outside mealtimes were main risk factors. Parents’ gender was the strongest predictor of screening positive and OR was 6.8 for men (CI 4.03–11.74) compared to women, p < 0.0001. An OR of 1.2 for parents’ age (CI 1.02–1.42) indicates the risk of screening positive increases with age, p = 0.027.Conclusions:  Brief intervention using CAGE‐C and MI has proven successful in mapping parents’ alcohol consumption patterns and in identifying parents with risky alcohol consumption habits. Health staff is able to manage health promotion and prevention when having the right competences and when being supervised.
Rho‐kinase signalling regulates trypsinogen activation and tissue damage in severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Awla D , Hartman H , Abdulla A , Zhang S , Rahman M , Regnér S , Thorlacius H 
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSESevere acute pancreatitis (SAP) is characterized by trypsinogen activation, infiltration of leucocytes and tissue necrosis but the intracellular signalling mechanisms regulating organ injury in the pancreas remain elusive. Rho‐kinase is a potent regulator of specific cellular processes effecting several pro‐inflammatory activities. Herein, we examined the role of Rho‐kinase signalling in acute pancreatitis.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHPancreatitis was induced by infusion of taurocholate into the pancreatic duct in C57BL/6 mice. Animals were treated with a Rho‐kinase inhibitor Y‐27632 (0.5–5 mg·kg−1) before induction of pancreatitis.KEY RESULTSTaurocholate infusion caused a clear‐cut increase in blood amylase, pancreatic neutrophil infiltration, acinar cell necrosis and oedema formation in the pancreas. Levels of pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO), macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 (MIP‐2), trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) and lung MPO were significantly increased, indicating local and systemic disease. Inhibition of Rho‐kinase activity dose‐dependently protected against pancreatitis. For example, 5 mg·kg−1 Y‐27632 reduced acinar cell necrosis, leucocyte infiltration and pancreatic oedema by 90%, 89% and 58%, respectively, as well as tissue levels of MPO by 75% and MIP‐2 by 84%. Moreover, Rho‐kinase inhibition decreased lung MPO by 75% and blood amylase by 83%. Pancreatitis‐induced TAP levels were reduced by 61% in Y‐27632‐treated mice. Inhibition of Rho‐kinase abolished secretagogue‐induced activation of trypsinogen in pancreatic acinar cells in vitro.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSOur novel data suggest that Rho‐kinase signalling plays an important role in acute pancreatitis by regulating trypsinogen activation and subsequent CXC chemokine formation, neutrophil infiltration and tissue injury. Thus, these results indicate that Rho‐kinase may constitute a novel target in the management of SAP.
Biodistribution, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA) using [18F]‐IL1RA and PET imaging in rats
Authors: Cawthorne C , Prenant C , Smigova A , Julyan P , Maroy R , Herholz K , Rothwell N , Boutin H 
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEPositron emission tomography (PET) has the potential to improve our understanding of the preclinical pharmacokinetics and metabolism of therapeutic agents, and is easily translated to clinical studies in humans. However, studies involving proteins radiolabelled with clinically relevant PET isotopes are currently limited. Here we illustrate the potential of PET imaging in a preclinical study of the biodistribution and metabolism of 18F‐labelled IL‐1 receptor antagonist ([18F]IL‐1RA) using a novel [18F]‐radiolabelling technique.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHIL‐1RA was radiolabelled by reductive amination on lysine moieties with [18F]fluoroacetaldehyde. Sprague‐Dawley rats were injected intravenously with [18F]IL‐1RA and imaged with a PET camera for 2 h. For the study of IL‐1RA metabolites by ex vivoγ‐counting of samples, rats were killed 20 min, 1 h or 2 h after injection of [18F]IL‐1RA.KEY RESULTS[18F]IL‐1RA distribution into the major organs of interest was as follows: kidneys >> liver > lungs >> brain. In lungs and liver, [18F]IL‐1RA uptake peaked within 1 min post‐injection then decreased rapidly to reach a plateau from 10 min post‐injection. In the brain, the uptake exhibited slower pharmacokinetics with a smaller post‐injection peak and a plateau from 6 min onward. IL‐1RA was rapidly metabolized and these metabolites represented ∼40% of total activity in plasma and ∼80% in urine, 20 min after injection.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Preclinical PET imaging is a feasible method of assessing the biodistribution of new biological compounds of therapeutic interest rapidly. The biodistribution of [18F]IL‐1RA reported here is in agreement with an earlier study suggesting low uptake in the normal brain, with rapid metabolism and excretion via the kidneys.
Sarcolemmal cardiac KATPchannels as a target for the cardioprotective effects of the fluorine‐containing pinacidil analogue, flocalin
Authors: Voitychuk Oleg I , Strutynskyi Ruslan B , Yagupolskii Lev M , Tinker Andrew , Moibenko Olexiy O , Shuba Yaroslav M 
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEA class of drugs known as KATP‐channel openers induce cardioprotection. This study examined the effects of the novel KATP‐channel opener, the fluorine‐containing pinacidil derivative, flocalin, on cardiac‐specific KATP‐channels, excitability of native cardiac myocytes and on the ischaemic heart.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe action of flocalin was investigated on: (i) membrane currents through cardiac‐specific KATP‐channels (IKATP) formed by KIR6.2/SUR2A heterologously expressed in HEK‐293 cells (HEK‐2936.2/2A); (ii) excitability and intracellular Ca2+([Ca2+]i) transients of cultured rat neonatal cardiac myocytes; and (iii) functional and ultrastructural characteristics of isolated guinea‐pig hearts subjected to ischaemia‐reperfusion.KEY RESULTSFlocalin concentration‐dependently activated a glibenclamide‐sensitive IKATPin HEK‐2936.2/2Acells with an EC50= 8.1 ± 0.4 µM. In cardiac myocytes, flocalin (5 µM) hyperpolarized resting potential by 3–5 mV, markedly shortened action potential duration, reduced the amplitude of [Ca2+]itransients by 2–3‐fold and suppressed contraction. The magnitude and extent of reversibility of these effects depended on the type of cardiac myocytes. In isolated hearts, perfusion with 5 µmol·L−1flocalin, before inducing ischaemia, facilitated restoration of contraction during reperfusion, decreased the number of extrasystoles, prevented the appearance of coronary vasoconstriction and reduced damage to the cardiac tissue at the ultrastructural level (state of myofibrils, membrane integrity, mitochondrial cristae structure).CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONSFlocalin induced potent cardioprotection by activating cardiac‐type KATP‐channels with all the benefits of the presence of fluorine group in the drug structure: higher lipophilicity, decreased toxicity, resistance to oxidation and thermal degradation, decreased metabolism in the organism and prolonged therapeutic action.
Targeting the oncogenic role of miRNA in human cancer using naturally occurring compounds
Authors: Rushworth Stuart A 
Published: October 2010

Micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate the expression of genes involved in development, growth, proliferation and apoptosis. In cancer several miRNAs have been functionally classified as oncogenes or tumour suppressers or act to regulate transcription factors, like nuclear factor kappa B and NF‐E2–related factor 2, in cancers such as leukaemia, breast and colorectal. Therefore, it has been proposed that manipulating miRNA regulation may be a novel avenue for developing efficient therapies against cancer. In this issue, Li and colleagues describe a novel way of targeting miRNA, by using a naturally occurring anti‐cancer compound found in mistletoe which they showed to down‐regulate miR‐135a&b, which target the 3′untranslated region of adenomatous polyposis coli gene, the inactivation of which is a major initiating event in colorectal tumourigenesis. This commentary aims to discuss the regulatory mechanisms of miRNA synthesis and the potential outcomes for using naturally occurring compounds antioxidants or cellular antioxidant pathways to target miRNA for therapeutic intervention.LINKED ARTICLE This article is a commentary on Li et al., pp. 349–364 of this issue. To view this paper visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2010.01042.x
Procyclicality, Bank Lending, and the Macroeconomic Implications of a Revised Basel Accord
Authors: Jacques Kevin T. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBank regulators are in the process of implementing revised regulatory capital standards. However, the macroeconomic effects of a revised Basel Accord are uncertain. Examining the various channels through which the revised Accord may influence economic output suggests that making the buffer stock of capital positively related to the business cycle is necessary to reduce procyclicality. This can be accomplished by bank regulators using either enhanced supervisory powers or increased financial disclosure.
Idiosyncratic Risk in Emerging Markets
Authors: Angelidis Timotheos 
Published: October 2010

AbstractIn this study, I examine the properties and portfolio management implications of value‐weighted idiosyncratic volatility in 24 emerging markets. This paper provides evidence against the view that the rise of idiosyncratic risk is a global phenomenon. Furthermore, specific and market risks jointly predict market returns as there is a negative (positive) relation between idiosyncratic (market) risk and subsequent stock returns. Idiosyncratic volatility is the most important component of tracking error volatility, and it does not exhibit either an upward or a downward trend. Thus, investors do not have to increase, on average, the number of stocks they hold to keep the active risk constant.
Termination of Ventricular Tachycardia by Far‐Field Stimulation in Humans: A Feasibility Study
Authors: LAWO THOMAS , SCHRADER JÜRGEN , BUDDENSIEK MICHAEL , SCHWEIKA OLIVER , MÜGGE ANDREAS , BÖSCHE LEIF I. 
Published: October 2010

Background: Although a low‐energy cardioversion (LEC) shock from an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) can terminate ventricular tachycardia (VT), it frequently triggers ventricular fibrillation (VF) and is therefore not used in clinical practice. We tested whether a modified LEC shock with a very short duration (0.12–0.36 ms), termed “field stimulus,” can terminate VT without triggering VF.
Methods: In 13 sedated patients with implanted ICDs, we attempted to induce VT and to terminate the arrhythmias by field stimuli during hospital predischarge tests.
Results: In eight patients, 27 VT episodes were induced and treated with a total of 46 high‐voltage (25–200 V) field stimuli, which terminated 11 VT episodes (41% efficacy) and never accelerated VT into VF. VT episodes slower than 230 beats per minute (bpm) (median rate) were terminated more successfully than faster arrhythmia episodes (69% vs 15%, P < 0.01). The strength of the field stimulus had no major influence on the effectiveness. We therefore postulate that suboptimal timing of field stimuli (delivered simultaneously with a sensed event in the right ventricular apex) was the main reason for failed VT terminations.
Conclusion: A short (0.12–0.36 ms), high‐voltage (50–100 V) field stimulus delivered from the shock coil of an implanted ICD system can safely terminate VT, especially for VT rates below 230 bpm. We believe that it would be reasonable to test the effectiveness of automatic field‐stimulus therapy from implanted ICDs in VT episodes up to 230 bpm that are not susceptible to termination by antitachycardia pacing. (PACE 2010; 33:1540–1547)
Rotating Resident Didactics in the Emergency Department: A Cross‐sectional Survey on Current Curricular Practices
Authors: Branzetti Jeremy B. , Aldeen Amer Z. , Mark Courtney D. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Rotating (non–emergency medicine [EM]) residents perform clinical rotations in many academic emergency departments (EDs). The primary objective of this work was to quantify characteristics of rotating residents and the didactic curricula offered to them during their EM rotations. Secondary objectives were to identify barriers to instituting such didactics and to establish ideal curricular contents.Methods:  A Web‐based survey was administered by e‐mail to residency directors of all U.S. allopathic EM residency programs. Consent was obtained in the first part of the survey, and the study was deemed exempt from full review by the institutional review board. Questions solicited information regarding type and quantity of rotating residents in their main EDs, the “didactic educational format” available to rotating residents, and ideal and actual didactic curricular contents. Statistics were reported as proportions and means with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and medians with interquartile ranges (IQRs).Results:  Surveys were sent to 143 programs, and the response rate was 71%. Ninety‐nine percent of respondents had rotating residents in their EDs, and the median number per month was 4 (IQR = 3–6). Five percent of respondents had established didactic curricula specifically for rotating residents, and 64% sent them to either EM resident or medical student lectures. Thirty‐one percent of programs reported no didactics, and 65% of these felt there was no need for such education. Resuscitation, trauma, and toxicology were cited as the most important subjects for actual and ideal curricula.Conclusions:  Most academic EDs have rotating residents, but very few provide didactic education specific to their learning needs and almost a third provide no didactics.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:S49–S53 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Exploring Patterns of Health Service Use in Older Emergency Department Patients
Authors: Nicole Hastings S. , Horney Carolyn , Landerman Lawrence R. , Sanders Linda L. , Hocker Michael B. , Schmader Kenneth E. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Study objectives were to identify groups of older patients with similar patterns of health care use in the 12 months preceding an index outpatient emergency department (ED) visit and to identify patient‐level predictors of group membership.Methods:  Subjects were adults ≥ 65 years of age treated and released from an academic medical center ED. Latent cluster analysis (LCA) models were estimated to identify groups with similar numbers of primary care (PC), specialist, and outpatient ED visits and hospital days within 12 months preceding the index ED visit.Results:  In this sample (n = 308), five groups with distinct patterns of health service use emerged. Low Users (35%) had fewer visits of all types and fewer hospital days compared to sample means. Low Users were more likely to be female and had fewer chronic health conditions relative to the overall sample (p < 0.05). The ED to Supplement Primary Care Provider (PCP) (23%) group had more PCP visits, but also significantly more ED visits. Specialist Heavy (22%) group members had twice as many specialist visits, but no difference in PCP visits. Members of this class were more likely to be white and male (p < 0.05). High Users (15%) received more care in all categories and had more chronic baseline health conditions (p < 0.05) but no differences in demographic characteristics relative to the whole sample. The ED and Hospital as Substitution Care (6%) group had fewer PC and specialist visits, but more ED visits and hospital days.Conclusions:  In this sample of older ED patients, five groups with distinct patterns of health service use were identified. Further study is needed to determine whether identification of these patient groups can add important information to existing risk‐assessment methods.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:1086–1092 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine