bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological and immunological profile of muscle‐specific kinase myasthenia gravis in Greece
Authors: Tsiamalos P. , Kordas G. , Kokla A. , Poulas K. , Tzartos S. J. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives:  The purposes of this study were to determine the epidemiological characteristics of muscle‐specific kinase‐myasthenia gravis (MuSK‐MG) in Greece and the IgG subclass of the anti‐MuSK antibodies.Methods:  This population‐based study was performed on MuSK‐MG patients in Greece between 1 January 1986 and 30 June 2006. Epidemiological and clinical data for 33 patients were collected. In addition, the distribution of anti‐MuSK IgG autoantibody subclasses in the sera of 14 patients was determined by immunoprecipitation.Results:  The average annual incidence was 0.32 patients/million population/year. On 1st July 2006, there were 33 prevalent cases, giving a point prevalence rate of 2.92/million (women 4.56 and men 1.25). In females, onset of MuSK‐MG occurred after the age of 30, whilst, in males, the disease appears in any decade. The female:male incidence ratio was 3.33:1, whilst the prevalence ratio was 3.65:1. Most patients presented with involvement of the facial and bulbar muscles. Amongst about 800 MG patients seropositive for antibodies against either the AChR or MuSK, one patient was found to be seropositive for anti‐MuSK antibodies and ambiguous for anti‐acetylcholine receptor (anti‐AChR) antibodies. The vast majority of anti‐MuSK antibodies were IgG4, whilst total IgG4 levels in these patients were similar to those in two healthy controls.Conclusions:  The incidence and prevalence of MuSK‐MG in Greece are amongst the highest reported previously for other countries. MuSK‐MG in Greece affects both sexes, but mainly females. The main epidemiological indices were calculated. The vast majority of anti‐MuSK antibodies were IgG4.
On‐again/off‐again dating relationships: How are they different from other dating relationships?
Authors: DAILEY RENÉ M , PFIESTER ABIGAIL , JIN BORAE , BECK GARY , CLARK GRETCHEN 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article explores the understudied yet prevalent phenomenon of on‐again/off‐again (on‐off) dating relationships. Study 1 (N= 445 U.S. college students) showed that almost two thirds of participants had experienced an on‐off relationship. Analyses of open‐ended responses about relationship experiences showed on‐off partners were less likely to report positives (e.g., love and understanding from partners) and more likely to report negatives (e.g., communication problems, uncertainty) than partners who had not broken up and renewed. Study 2 (N= 236), employing quantitative measures, substantiated these findings and further showed a greater number of renewals was associated with greater negatives and fewer positives. Results highlight the need for further investigation regarding on‐off relationships, and theories potentially useful in explaining these relationships are discussed.
Piceatannol, a derivative of resveratrol, moderately slows INa inactivation and exerts antiarrhythmic action in ischaemia‐reperfused rat hearts
Authors: Chen Wen‐Pin , Hung Li‐Man , Hsueh Chia‐Hsiang , Lai Ling‐Ping , Su Ming‐Jai 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  Piceatannol is more potent than resveratrol in free radical scavenging in association with antiarrhythmic and cardioprotective activities in ischaemic‐reperfused rat hearts. The present study aimed to investigate the antiarrhythmic efficacy and the underlying ionic mechanisms of piceatannol in rat hearts.Experimental approach:  Action potentials and membrane currents were recorded by the whole‐cell patch clamp techniques. Fluo‐3 fluorimetry was used to measure cellular Ca2+ transients. Antiarrhythmic activity was examined from isolated Langendorff‐perfused rat hearts.Key results:  In rat ventricular cells, piceatannol (3–30 µmol·L−1) prolonged the action potential durations (APDs) and decreased the maximal rate of upstroke (Vmax) without altering Ca2+ transients. Piceatannol decreased peak INa and slowed INa inactivation, rather than induced a persistent non‐inactivating current, which could be reverted by lidocaine. Resveratrol (100 µmol·L−1) decreased peak INa without slowing INa inactivation. The inhibition of peak INa or Vmax was associated with a negative shift of the voltage‐dependent steady‐state INa inactivation curve without altering the activation threshold. At the concentrations more than 30 µmol·L−1, piceatannol could inhibit ICa,L, Ito, IKr, Ca2+ transients and Na+‐Ca2+ exchange except IK1. Piceatannol (1–10 µmol·L−1) exerted antiarrhythmic activity in isolated rat hearts subjected to ischaemia‐reperfusion injury.Conclusions and implications:  The additional hydroxyl group on resveratrol makes piceatannol possessing more potent in INa inhibition and uniquely slowing INa inactivation, which may contribute to its antiarrhythmic actions at low concentrations less than 10 µmol·L−1.
T‐817MA, a neurotrophic agent, ameliorates the deficits in adult neurogenesis and spatial memory in rats infused i.c.v. with amyloid‐β peptide
Authors: Kimura Tatsuo , Hong Nguyen Phuong Thi , Ho Son Anh , Tran Anh Hai , Ono Taketoshi , Nishijo Hisao 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  Adult neurogenesis occurs throughout life in the subgranular zone and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Deficient neurogenesis may be responsible for deficient hippocampal functions in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). T‐817MA [1‐{3‐[2‐(1‐Benzothiophen‐5‐yl)ethoxy] propyl}‐3‐azetidinol maleate] is a newly synthesized agent for AD treatment with neuroprotective effects against toxicity from amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) and actions promoting neurite outgrowth in vitro. Furthermore, systemic administration of T‐817MA ameliorated cognitive dysfunctions caused by neurodegeneration in a rat model of AD, induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of Aβ. The present study investigated quantitative relationships between spatial memory performance in Aβ‐infused rats and hippocampal neurogenesis, and the effects of T‐817MA on neuronal proliferation in vivo.Experimental approach:  Seven weeks after infusion of Aβ (peptide 1–40; 300 pmol·day−1; i.c.v.), rats were tested in a place learning task in which they were required to alternately visit two reward places in an open field to obtain intracranial self‐stimulation as rewards.Key results:  Rats given Aβ infusions for 10 weeks displayed spatial memory impairments and a decrease in neurogenesis compared with those infused with vehicle. Treatment of the Aβ‐infused rats with T‐817MA (8.4 mg·kg−1·day−1, p.o.) significantly increased hippocampal neurogenesis and ameliorated spatial learning impairments. Furthermore, spatial learning in the task was significantly correlated with neurogenesis.Conclusions and implications:  These results suggest that defective hippocampal neurogenesis is a new target for AD treatment. The neurotrophic compound T‐817MA increased hippocampal neurogenesis in an AD model and might be useful for treatment of AD patients.
Zoledronic acid induces formation of a pro‐apoptotic ATP analogue and isopentenyl pyrophosphate in osteoclasts in vivo and in MCF‐7 cells in vitro
Authors: Räikkönen Johanna , Crockett Julie C , Rogers Michael J , Mönkkönen Hannu , Auriola Seppo , Mönkkönen Jukka 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  Bisphosphonates (BPs) are highly effective inhibitors of bone resorption. Nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates (N‐BPs), such as zoledronic acid, induce the formation of a novel ATP analogue (1‐adenosin‐5′‐yl ester 3‐(3‐methylbut‐3‐enyl) ester triphosphoric acid; ApppI), as a consequence of the inhibition of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase and the accumulation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP). ApppI induces apoptosis, as do comparable metabolites of non‐nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates (non‐N‐BPs). In order to further evaluate a pharmacological role for ApppI, we obtained more detailed data on IPP/ApppI formation in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, zoledronic acid‐induced ApppI formation from IPP was compared with the metabolism of clodronate (a non‐N‐BP) to adenosine 5′(β,γ‐dichloromethylene) triphosphate (AppCCl2p).Experimental approach:  After giving zoledronic acid in vivo to rabbits, IPP/ApppI formation and accumulation was assessed in isolated osteoclasts. The formation of ApppI from IPP was compared with the metabolism of clodronate in MCF‐7 cells in vitro. IPP/ApppI and AppCCl2p levels in cell extracts were analysed by mass spectrometry.Key results:  Isopentenyl pyrophosphate/ApppI were formed in osteoclasts in vivo, after a single, clinically relevant dose of zoledronic acid. Furthermore, exposure of MCF‐7 cells in vitro to zoledronic acid at varying times and concentrations induced time‐ and dose‐dependent accumulation of IPP/ApppI. One hour pulse treatment was sufficient to cause IPP accumulation and subsequent ApppI formation, or the metabolism of clodronate into AppCCl2p.Conclusions and implications:  This study provided the first conclusive evidence that pro‐apoptotic ApppI is a biologically significant molecule, and demonstrated that IPP/ApppI analysis is a sensitive tool for investigating pathways involved in BP action.
Polymorphism of the MDR1/ABCB1 C3435T drug‐transporter and resistance to anticonvulsant drugs: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Bournissen Facundo Garcia , Moretti Myla E. , Juurlink David N. , Koren Gideon , Walker Mugabe , Finkelstein Yaron 
Published: April 2009

SummaryBackground:  Approximately one‐third of patients with epilepsy patients have recurrent seizures despite therapy. It has been suggested that therapeutic failure is associated with high expression of the multidrug efflux ABCB1 (MDR1) drug‐transporter; specifically, that patients with the 3435CC genotype have higher efflux of anticonvulsants out of brain tissue, with correspondingly lower concentrations in the central nervous system.Methods:  We conducted a meta‐analysis to examine the association between MDR1 polymorphisms and the response to anticonvulsants. We included all published studies until September 2007, in which patients with responsive and unresponsive seizure disorders underwent genotyping for ABCB1 C3435T. Individual and summary odds ratios were calculated using a random effects model. A secondary analysis was also performed, stratifying the studies by their ethnic distribution to account for genetic heterogeneity. We also performed a cumulative analysis by date of publication for the included studies using a random effects model.Results:  We identified 11 case‐control studies involving 3,371 patients (1,646 patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy and 1,725 controls). We identified no significant association between anticonvulsant drug resistance and MDR1 polymorphism [odds ratio 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78–1.70; p = 0.48). Subanalysis of studies according to ethnicity yielded similar findings [European cohort: OR = 1.31; 95% CI 0.89–1.94, p = 0.18; Asian cohort: OR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.51–1.89, p = 0.96).Conclusions:  We found no association between ABCB1 genotype and response to anticonvulsant drugs. At the present time, genetic typing for MDR1 polymorphism is not warranted for patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy.
Febrile seizures
Authors: Østergaard John R 
Published: April 2009

AbstractFebrile seizures (FS) are the most common seizure disorder in childhood, affecting 2–5% of children between the ages of 3 and 60 months. Differentiation of FS from acute symptomatic seizures secondary to central nervous system infection is essential. Those with a focal onset, prolonged duration or which occur more than once within the same febrile illness are considered complex and have an increase in risk of subsequent epilepsy development. The vast majority of febrile convulsions are simple, lasting only a few minutes and without need of drug intervention. They have an excellent outcome with no increased risk of decline in IQ, subsequent epilepsy or increased mortality. Febrile seizure can recur, and as it often is a frightening and anxiety‐provoking event for parents and caregivers, an understanding of the natural history and prognosis should enable the physician to reassure the parents providing an appropriate counselling and reassurance.Conclusion: Febrile seizure can recur, and as it often is a frightening and anxiety‐provoking event for parent and caregivers. An understanding of the natural history and prognosis should enable the physician to reassure the parents providing an appropriate counselling and reassurance.
Educational strategy to reduce medication errors in a neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Campino Ainara , Lopez‐Herrera Maria Cruz , Lopez‐de‐Heredia Ion , Valls‐i‐Soler Adolf 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of a comprehensive preventive educational strategy on the number and type of drug errors in the prescription process in a regional neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Design: Medication errors during prescription were recorded in a 41 bed, level III regional neonatal unit by a pharmacist. Data were retrieved from handwritten doctor's orders and introduced at bedsite into an e‐database. Each prescription, not related to enteral and parenteral nutrition and blood products, was evaluated for dosage, units, route and dosing interval. The study was developed in three phases: pilot phase to know the baseline drug error rate and estimate sample size; pre‐intervention (4182 drug orders reviewed); and post‐intervention seven months after a comprehensive preventive educational intervention consisting sessions about drug errors and study's aims was implemented.Results: After the preventive educational intervention was implemented, the prescription error rate and the percentage of registers with one or more incident decreased significantly from 20.7 to 3% (p < 0.001) and from 19.2 to 2.9% (p < 0.001), respectively. Simultaneously, an improvement in correct identification of the prescribing physician was registered (from 1.3 to 78.2%). The rest of items analysed were similar in both periods.Conclusion: The implementation of a structured preventive educational intervention for health professionals in a regional NICU reduced the medication error rate, possibly by the dissemination of a patient safety culture.
Evaluation of documentation in potential abusive head injury of infants in a Paediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Tingberg Björn , Falk Ann‐Charlotte , Flodmark Olof , Ygge Britt‐Marie 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim: The aim is to evaluate medical record documentation regarding potential abusive head injury (AHI) in infants presenting to a Paediatric Emergency Department (ED) with certain primary complaints known to be associated with AHI.Methods: A database search was performed to find all medical records over a period of one year relating to those children who had one AHI‐related primary complaint and who had had a CT head‐scan performed in conjunction with admission. Each medical record was reviewed, in order to assess whether potential abuse had been investigated and documented. Each CT‐scan image was re‐evaluated for missed indications of potential injuries attributable to AHI.Results: Forty‐seven such medical records were found. Of these, 87% showed the diagnosis to be head injuries. The largest group of children was in the age group 0–3 months (38%). Of the children admitted to the Paediatric ED due to a head injury, 54% had a history deemed to raise suspicions of abuse but only five of them had had a documented investigation of child abuse. The re‐evaluation of the CT‐scans showed no missed cases.Conclusion: In this study we found that among children with known risk factors for AHI, only a few had documentation regarding potential child abuse. The use of a standardized protocol could be helpful in the important work to help staff discover potential AHI.
Ontogenetic shifts in interactions of two dominant shrub species in a semi‐arid coastal sand dune system
Authors: Armas Cristina , Pugnaire Francisco I. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractQuestion:How does the interaction between two dominant shrub species in a coastal sand dune community change during their life history? Does this interaction influence their population dynamics?Location:A semiarid coastal sand dune system in southeast Spain.Methods:For 3 years we monitored physiological status, growth and reproductive effort ofJuniperus phoeniceaandPistacia lentiscus, the dominant shrub species, growing either alone or in close spatial association. We also recorded adult mortality patterns and characterized seedling survival, soil properties and microclimate conditions beneath canopies and in bare ground.Results and conclusions:There was a strong bi‐directional interaction between the two studied species, with a net balance that changed in sign with increasing plant development. While mature individuals facilitated the establishment of seedlings of both species, adult mortality patterns suggested asymmetric competition at later life stages. The interaction withPistacianegatively affected growth of juniper and contributed to its high mortality rates, while juniper had almost no effect on maturePistaciaindividuals. Physiological data suggested thatPistaciahad a competitive advantage over juniper, most likely because of differences in rooting patterns and tolerance to salinity, which may determine the source of water available for each species. Community dynamics are governed by facilitation at the seedling stage and shaped by differences in physiological traits in adult plants. Plant‐plant interactions, which are strongly affected by environmental gradients, are important drivers of community dynamics in this system.
Reliability and Failure Modes of Implant‐Supported Y‐TZP and MCR Three‐Unit Bridges
Authors: Bonfante Estevam Augusto , Coelho Paulo Guilherme , Navarro Jr Jose Manuel , Pegoraro Luiz Fernando , Bonfante Gerson , Thompson Van Purdy , Silva Nelson Renato Franç Alves 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTPurpose: Chipping within veneering porcelain has resulted in high clinical failure rates for implant‐supported zirconia (yttria‐tetragonal zirconia polycrystals [Y‐TZP]) bridges. This study evaluated the reliability and failure modes of mouth‐motion step‐stress fatigued implant‐supported Y‐TZP versus palladium‐silver alloy (PdAg) three‐unit bridges.Materials and Methods: Implant‐abutment replicas were embedded in polymethylmethacrylate resin. Y‐TZP and PdAg frameworks, of similar design (n = 21 each), were fabricated, veneered, cemented (n = 3 each), and Hertzian contact‐tested to obtain ultimate failure load. In each framework group, 18 specimens were distributed across three step‐stress profiles and mouth‐motion cyclically loaded according to the profile on the lingual slope of the buccal cusp of the pontic.Results: PdAg failures included competing flexural cracking at abutment and/or connector area and chipping, whereas Y‐TZP presented predominantly cohesive failure within veneering porcelain. Including all failure modes, the reliability (two‐sided at 90% confidence intervals) for a “mission” of 50,000 and 100,000 cycles at 300 N load was determined (Alta Pro, Reliasoft, Tucson, AZ, USA). No difference in reliability was observed between groups for a mission of 50,000. Reliability remained unchanged for a mission of 100,000 for PdAg, but significantly decreased for Y‐TZP.Conclusions: Higher reliability was found for PdAg for a mission of 100,000 cycles at 300 N. Failure modes differed between materials.
THE DETERMINANTS OF FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT: INSTITUTIONS, OPENNESS AND FINANCIAL LIBERALISATION
Authors: Law Siong Hook , Habibullah Muzafar Shah 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper provides new evidence that sheds light on the influence of institutional quality, trade openness and financial liberalisation on financial market development, using data from 27 economies (the G‐7, Europe, East Asia and Latin America) during 1980‐2001. The dynamic panel data analysis results demonstrate that real income per capita and institutional quality are statistically significant determinants of banking sector development and capital market development. The trade openness, however, is more prominent in promoting capital market development. In terms of financial liberalisation, the empirical results suggest that domestic financial sector reforms tend to promote banking sector development, whereas stock market liberalisation is potent in delivering stock market development. Nevertheless, the financial liberalisation programmes are more responsive in developed economies.
Soft lodgement till deposition and syndepositional deformation, Anielinek, the Polish Lowlands
Authors: Ruszczyńska-Szenajch Hanna , Trzciński Jerzy 
Published: April 2009

The paper presents a case study of sediment, termed soft lodgement till (a product of subglacial deposition by active ice), described previously on the basis of macro-evidence from Poland and Canada but not yet studied in detail in one particular site. The till at Anielinek (about 7 m thick) was examined by macroscopic observation, thin section description, and qualitative and quantitative scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. It shows a macroscopic massive structure and overlies a flat top of glaciolacustrine sediments. These sediments form upward intrusions within the till—owing to the existence of reversed density gradients among the deposits—and the upper parts of the intrusions are tilted in consistent directions within the successive parts of the till. Moreover, SEM images also record uniformly oriented microintrusions within this diamictic material. The occurrence of these macro- and microstructures within the successive parts of the till point to an almost continuous process of intrusion during ongoing deposition of the till and to water saturation of the subglacial environment. Such conditions reduced friction of the glacier bed against its substratum, and glacial debris must have been mainly melt-released from the moving glacier base. This process was responsible for deposition of sediment (soft lodgement till) that was immediately and continuously deformed by glacial stress during the ongoing accretion of debris from the glacier base.
South Caspian to Central Iran basins: introduction
Authors: Brunet Marie-Françoise , Granath James W. , Wilmsen Markus 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
The structurally and stratigraphically complex area of northern and central Iran holds the key to understanding the plate tectonic evolution of the South Caspian–Central Iran area. The closure of the Palaeotethys, the opening of the Neotethys, the rise and demise of the Cimmerian mountain chain, as well as the onset of Neotethys subduction and large-scale Neotethyan back-arc rifting all predated the formation of the more than 20 km-thick fill of the South Caspian Basin. This volume brings together work by specialists in different disciplines of the geosciences (tectonics, geophysics, sedimentology, stratigraphy, palaeontology, basin modelling and geodynamics) in order to elucidate the complex Late Palaeozoic–Cenozoic geodynamic history of the Iran area and the birth of the South Caspian Basin.