bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized, controlled evaluation of early intervention: the Born to Learn curriculum
Authors: Drotar D. , Robinson J. , Jeavons L. , Lester Kirchner H. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  This study addressed the need for studies of the efficacy of the Born to Learn (BTL) curriculum.Methods  Based on random assignment, 227 families of infants received the BTL curriculum conducted in monthly home visits, and 237 families received general child development education only.Results  The BTL curriculum resulted in higher mastery motivation (task competence) at 36 months (P < 0.05) and greater effects for children from low (P < 0.01) versus high socio‐economic status on mastery motivation and cognitive development at 24 months. No effects were found on a wide range of other developmental outcomes.Conclusion  Future studies should document the BTL curriculum effectiveness in diverse settings and samples.
Low blood pressure and blood glucose levels in Alzheimer's disease Evidence for a hypometabolic disorder?
Authors: LANDIN K. , BLENNOW K. , WALLIN A. , GOTTFRIES C.‐G. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objective. To test possible differences between patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and patients with other forms of dementia and the healthy population concerning body composition, blood pressure, metabolic data and leukoaraiosis (LA).Design. Retrospective study on data collected according to a predefined protocol.Setting. A geriatric, neuropsychiatric diagnostic unit.Subjects. Seventy‐one consecutive patients with dementia.Main outcome measures. Body mass index, blood pressure, metabolism and LA in AD compared to other dementia forms.Results. Mean blood pressure and fasting blood glucose levels were lower in patients with AD, 94 ± 12 mmHg and 4.3 ± 0.5 mmol l−1, compared to patients with unspecified dementia (NUD), 100 ± 10 mmHg and 5.5 ± 2.5 mmol l−1 (P < 0.05) and vascular dementia (VAD), 114 ± 12 mmHg and 5.6 ± 1.6 mmol l−1 (P < 0.001) and the age‐matched healthy population. Body mass index, serum cholesterol and Cortisol were similar in all groups of dementia patients whereas triglycerides were highest in the VAD group. No cases of diabetes or treatment for hypertension were found in the AD group while the prevalence was 21% and 36% for diabetes in the NUD and VAD groups and 8% in the population from the same region. There were 16% with antihypertensive treatment in dementia NUD, 50% in VAD, and 30% in the general population. Treated or newly detected hypothyreosis was present in 11 % of the AD patients, none in the other dementia groups and 2% in the general population. Smoking was least common in AD. Degree of LA correlated with blood pressure and blood glucose levels.Conclusions. AD was clearly different to other dementia patients. They had lower blood pressure, blood glucose and higher prevalence of hypothyreosis than the healthy, age‐matched population. These findings may indicate that AD could be a hypometabolic disorder.
Monitoring of hearing during treatment of leukaemia with special reference to the use of amikacin
Authors: AXDORPH U. , LAURELL G. , BJÖRKHOLM M. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Thirty‐nine patients with leukaemia were followed audiometrically during treatment with broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Amikacin was given during neutropenic febrile episodes. Five patients reported a deterioration of the hearing function after termination of amikacin treatment. Significant hearing threshold loss occurred in 20 patients (51%). The hearing threshold changes were small in general, except for two patients who exhibited bilateral hearing threshold changes in the frequency range 0.5–8 kHz.Using multiple linear regression analysis 22% of the changes in hearing thresholds was estimated to be related to old age, an increased trough concentration of amikacin and an impaired pretreatment hearing state. Factors found not to influence the hearing thresholds were maximum peak concentration of amikacin, cumulative duration of therapy, pretreatment renal dysfunction and concomitant use of vancomycin.It is concluded that administration of amikacin for repeated treatment courses is associated with a low incidence of serious changes in hearing function.
Metabolic effects of strict salt restriction in essential hypertensive patients
Authors: DEL RÍO A. , RODRÍGUEZ‐VILLAMIL J. L. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objetive. Some observations suggest that a strict low‐salt diet may induce unfavourable metabolic side‐effects. The main aim of this study was to analyse the possible consequences of severe salt restriction in mildly hypertensive patients. Design. The study was carried out through a randomized double‐blind protocol. Subjects. Forty‐seven ambulatory patients proceeding from the hypertension unit were initially admitted: 17 were lost, and 30 non‐diabetic mildly hypertensives (DBF 90–104 mmHg) with normal renal function completed the protocol.Intervention. After a wash‐out period, patients were maintained on a low‐salt intake (2.8 ± 1.0 g day−1 of NaCl) and placebo for 2 weeks, and the same diet and salt supplements (11.7± 2.5 g day−1 of NaCl) for another 2 weeks, separated by a second wash‐out period.Measures. At the end of each dietary period, blood pressure (BP) and body weight were measured, and a blood sample was taken for determination of routine serum chemistries, plasma lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations, immunoreactive insulin (IRI), and plasma renin activity (PRA). Urinary 24 h excretion of sodium and potassium were measured.Results. During the salt restriction period BP did not change, weight lowered, and PRA raised. There was a significant increase in serum level of creatinine, uric acid, JRI, total cholesterol and apo B, and a decrease in HDL cholesterol and apo A‐I.Conclusion. As previously suggested, these observations seem to indicate that strict salt restriction may cause, at least in the short‐term, adverse metabolic changes in hypertensive patients.
The effect of psychosocial stress and risk factors for ischaemic heart disease on the plasma fibrinogen concentration
Authors: MATTIASSON I. , LINDGÄRDE F. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. To assess the effect on the fibrinogen concentration of sleep disturbance and mental stress, taking into account the effect of 21 other variables related to the risk of cardiovascular disease.Design. A cross‐sectional study on men threatened by redundancy, and controls.Setting. A health screening programme in Malmö, Sweden.Subjects. Four hundred and eighty five workers in a shipbuilding yard, scheduled for closure, and 190 age‐matched men. The subjects were randomly selected from a larger group of shipyard workers and controls invited to a health screening programme. Mean age was 51.6 years (range 38–62 years).Main outcome measures. Plasma fibrinogen concentration, serum Cortisol concentration, body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, blood lipids, platelet number and size, white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, vital capacity, liver enzymes, blood glucose concentration fasting and after an oral glucose tolerance test. Questionnaire designed to evaluate muscle tension, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, job stress, alcohol and smoking habits and perceived health.Results. In stepwise regression analysis fibrinogen concentration was found to be correlated to white blood cell count, muscle tension, heart rate, body mass index, age and serum cholesterol concentration in non‐smokers, which together explained 14.9% of the variation in fibrinogen concentration. In smokers, platelet count, heart rate, serum triglyceride concentration, age and fasting glucose explained 22.5% of the variation in fibrinogen concentration. The fibrinogen concentration was inversely correlated to the psychological variables, but unrelated to the serum Cortisol concentration or to factors connected with the job situation, and it was decreased in moderate alcohol consumers.Conclusions. Our interpretation of the findings is that an increase in the plasma fibrinogen concentration reflects the presence of a low‐grade inflammatory process, and poor physical fitness.
Deep vein thrombosis: a 7‐year follow‐up study
Authors: HELDAL M. , SEEM E. , SANDSET P. M. , ABILDGAARD U. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. To study the sequelae of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in terms of symptoms and objective signs of deep venous insufficiency (DVI) and their relationship to the initial extension of DVT, and to assess the control legs in the same way.Design. Follow‐up study after an average of 89 (range 79–102) months.Setting. Out‐patient clinic, University Hospital, Oslo.Subjects. Seventy‐six patients with DVT 7 years previously. At follow‐up 41 patients were dead and 10 were not available for restudy, thus twenty‐five patients were studied in all.Main outcome measures. Symptom rating. Objective verification of DVI by invasive pressure recordings (DVI‐I) and by the Doppler ultrasound technique (DVI‐D).Results. At follow‐up, 42% of the patients had symptoms, half of these severe, while 68% had DVI. Eighty‐two per cent of symptomatic patients and 60% of the asymptomatic patients had DVI. There were no more symptoms in proximal than in distal DVT, but slightly more DVI. Control legs had neither symptoms nor DVI.Conclusions. Seven years after DVT few patients had severe symptoms, although objective signs of DVI were common. Symptoms were no more frequent after proximal than after distal DVT. We found no symptoms or DVI in control legs.
Effect of promethazine on lumbar vertebral bone mass in postmenopausal women
Authors: TYAN M. L. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. Work in mice suggests that the age‐related loss of bone mineral noted in that species is caused by an intrinsic defect in a haematopoietic cell population which results directly or indirectly in increased bone resorption. This age‐related loss of bone mineral is prevented or reversed by well‐tolerated doses of promethazine HCL. The present study was undertaken to determine if promethazine would retard or reverse bone loss in postmenopausal women.Design. Postmenopausal women whose spine (L2 to L4) bone mineral content (BMC) was two standard deviations below young normal values were assigned randomly to receive calcium or promethazine and calcium daily. Subjects who had been taking oral oestrogen for more than 4 years also were assigned randomly but independently to the calcium or promethazine groups.Setting. All subjects were seen in the out‐patient clinic of the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.Subjects. Healthy, ambulatory postmenopausal females were recruited by word of mouth and by advertisement from the local community. Fifty‐four subjects completed the first 6 months of the study and 43 completed 30 months.Interventions. The subjects were assigned randomly to receive 1000 mg calcium daily or promethazine 50 mg and calcium 1000 mg daily throughout the period of the study.Main outcome measures. Bone mineral content of the lumbar vertebrae (L2 to L4) was determined by dual photon densitometry every 6 months. Dorsolumbar spine X‐rays were obtained yearly and at the completion of the study to detect new compression fractures.Results. In the groups not taking oestrogen, BMC decreased at the rate of 1.53% year−1 in the group given only calcium; in contrast, BMC increased at 3.22% year−1 in the group given promethazine and calcium (P < 0.001). Among the women taking oestrogen, increases in mean BMC were noted in both groups, but those taking promethazine and calcium had a greater rate of increase than observed in the group taking only calcium (5.62% vs. 1.97% per year−1, P < 0.001).Conclusions. These results suggest that promethazine can induce a modest increase in vertebral BMC in postmenopausal women who are not taking oestrogen and greater increases in those who are.
Progressive renal failure in patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: TANAKA H. , AKAMA H. , TOMINAGA N. , OSHIMA H. , ICHIKAWA Y. , IKEDA Y. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objective. To investigate the mode of progression to renal failure in patients with lupus nephritis in relation to disease activity and responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy.Design. Retrospective clinical study.Setting. University hospital.Subjects. Twenty‐eight patients with progressive lupus nephritis (Cr ≥ 1.4 mg dl−1).Interventions. Rapidity of progression was defined as the slope of the reciprocal of serum creatinine values. Lupus activity was scored using the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index system.Main outcome measures. Improvement of serum creatinine values after 6 months of therapy.Results. Rapidity of progression, which was calculated during the deterioration in kidney function, reflected systemic and serological disease activity, and moreover closely correlated with response to corticosteroid therapy.
Effects on glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, insulin‐like growth factor 1 and its binding protein, IGFBP‐1, in a randomized controlled diet and exercise study in healthy, middle‐aged men
Authors: HELLÉNIUS MAI‐LIS B. , BRISMAR KERSTIN E. , BERGLUND BO H. , de FAIRE ULF H. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. To study the effects of advice on diet, exercise and their combination on oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), insulin secretion, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and its binding protein, IGFBP‐1.Design. A 6‐month, randomized, controlled intervention study.Setting. Primary health care centres in Sollentuna, Stockholm and the Department of Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.Subjects. One hundred and fifty‐seven normoglycaemic healthy men, mean age 46 years, range 35–60 years, with slightly to moderately raised cardiovascular risk factors.Interventions. Advice on diet (D, n = 40), exercise (E, n = 39) a combination of both (DE, n = 39) and a control group (C. n = 39).Main outcome measures. An OGTT, insulin secretion, IGF‐1 and its binding protein, IGFBP‐1.Results. The number of pathological OGTTs in the intervention groups decreased from 42/118 to 33/118 whilst the number in the control group did not change. Fasting insulin levels decreased in groups E and DE from 8.8–7.4 mU L−1 (P < 0.01) and from 8.3–6.7 mU L−1 (P < 0.01), respectively. Accordingly, the insulin area under the curve decreased from 5278 to 4828 (P < 0.05) in group E, and from 5482 to 4809 (P < 0.01) in group DE. IGF‐1 only increased in group D. The most prominent changes were noted for IGFBP‐1, which increased in all three intervention groups and to the highest degree in group DE (from 33.7–42.6 μg L−1, P < 0.001).Conclusions. A combination of increased exercise and improved diet, as well as increased exercise alone, favourably affect glucose and insulin homeostasis in middle‐aged men with moderately elevated cardiovascular risk factors. The most marked changes were noted for IGFBP‐1, possibly suggesting a decreased insulin secretion and an enhanced insulin sensitivity.
Clinical and virological findings in mixed cryoglobulinaemia
Authors: MAZZARO C. , TULISSI P. , MORETTI M. , MAZZORAN L. , PUSSINI E. , CROVATTO M. , SANTINI G. F. , POZZATO G. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. As a close relationship has been established between mixed cryoglobulinaemia and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the clinical, histological and virological findings of patients affected by mixed cryoglobulinaemia were determined.Design. Hepatitis C virus infection was investigated by the presence of anti‐HCV antibodies and PCR amplification of the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR), and the genotype of HCV was also determined according to Okamoto. A bone marrow biopsy was performed in all patients and liver and kidney biopsies when indicated.Subjects. Eighty‐two subjects affected by mixed cryoglobulinaemia were enrolled in this study.Results. The prevalence of anti‐HCV antibodies was high (83%); PCR amplification of the 5′UTR region was performed in 52 subjects and in 44 of them (85%) the results were positive. In the same subjects, the Core region amplification was positive in 46 cases (88%). A high prevalence of genotype II was found (54%). Chronic liver disease was present in 55 patients (67%). Bone marrow biopsies showed the presence of low‐grade non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas in 11 cases (13%). Membrano‐proliferative glomerulonephritis was found in seven subjects (8%).Conclusions. Mixed cryoglobulinaemia is associated with HCV infection in the nearly all cases. Several HCV genotypes are involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Mixed cryoglobulinaemia is associated with a high prevalence of chronic liver disease, low‐grade non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
Islet cell antibodies: variable immunostaining of pancreatic islet cells and carcinoid tissue
Authors: HALLBERG ANDERS , JUHLIN CLAES , BERNE CHRISTIAN , KÄMPE OLLE , KARLSSON F. ANDERS 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. Islet cell antibodies (ICA) in sera of patients with autoimmune diabetes mellitus generally stain not only the insulin‐producing beta cells but also the non‐beta cells of the islets of Langerhans. The antibodies have been reported to react also with the chromaffin cells of carcinoid tissue. In the present study, we examined in detail the reactivity of 10 ICA‐positive sera of patients with new onset insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and two sera of patients with stiff‐man syndrome.Design. The sera were analysed by immunofluorescence and by immunoperoxidase staining of human islets as well as by immunoprecipitations using 35S‐methionine labelled rat islet lysates. In addition, immunofluorescence analyses of carcinoid tissues were carried out.Results. Eight of the 10 IDDM‐positive sera reacted with all islet endocrine cells, whereas two sera showed staining restricted to the beta cells, as did the two sera of the patients with stiff‐man syndrome. All beta cell ‘selective’ sera, but only 6 of 8 ‘whole’ islet positive sera, immunoprecipitated the 64 kDa glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antigen. The staining of carcinoid tissue was variable and did not correlate with the ‘whole’ or ‘selective’ staining pattern of islets.Conclusion. The data underline a heterogeneity of ICA and indicate the presence of a separate, non‐GAD antigen in islet cells. It is possible that in future studies, a resolution of ICA titres with respect to different types of islet cellular reactivity might provide insights into the pathogenesis of IDDM and improve the prognostic implications of antibody determinations.
Influence of compensated radioiodine therapy on thyroid volume and incidence of hypothyroidism in Graves' disease
Authors: Nygaard Birte , HEGEDÜS L. , GERVIL M. , HJALGRIM H. , HANSEN B. M. , SØE‐JENSEN P. , HANSEN J. M. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. To investigate the long‐term effect of radioactive iodine (131I) on thyroid function and size in patients with Graves' disease.Setting. Out‐patient clinic in Herlev Hospital.Subjects. One hundred and seventeen consecutive patients (104 women) with Graves' disease selected for 131I treatment and followed for a minimum of 12 months (range 1–10 years, median 5 years).Interventions. 131I dose was calculated based on thyroid volume and 24‐h 131I uptake.Main outcome measures. Standard thyroid function variables and ultrasonically determined thyroid volume before treatment as well as 0.75, 1.5, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, and then once a year were investigated.Results. Seventy‐eight patients were cured by one 131I dose and 30 by two doses, while the remaining nine patients received additional doses (range one to five doses, median one dose). Within one year, 25% developed hypothyroidism, and hereafter, hypothyroidism developed at a constant rate of 3% per year independent of antithyroid pretreatment. The cumulative 10‐year risk of hypothyroidism was 60%. Initial median thyroid volume was 33 mL (range 9–106 mL). At 12 months after the last 131I dose, median thyroid volume was reduced to 14 mL (range 6–36 mL) (P < 0.00001). The median reduction being 58% (range 0–80%,), hereafter no further reduction occurred. A significant reduction in thyroid volume was also noted in patients needing subsequent 131I doses and in those developing hypothyroidism within the first year.Conclusions. 131I normalizes thyroid volume in patients with Graves' disease. Hypothyroidism seems an inevitable end result of this treatment. The present study suggests that it will be impossible to modify 131I therapy in a way to achieve both early control of hyperthyroidism and a low incidence of hypothyroidism.
MicroRNAs in common diseases and potential therapeutic applications
Authors: Tsai Louis M , Yu Di 
Published: August 2009

Summary1. Evidence gathered in recent years has revealed microRNAs (miRNAs) fine‐tune gene expression and play an important role in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis.2. The present review summarizes current knowledge of miRNA pathways in the pathogenesis of cancer, cardiac diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and infection.3. There is considerable potential to target miRNAs as a novel approach in the treatment of human diseases. Currently, miRNA‐based therapies are being examined in both animal models and human clinical trials.
Guanylate cyclase regulates ileal longitudinal muscle contractions induced by neurogenic nitrergic activity in the rat
Authors: Oliveira Jorge MA , Gonçalves Jorge 
Published: August 2009

Summary1. Nitrergic neurons regulate gastrointestinal (GI) activity and their dysfunction has been associated with various GI diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) typically relaxes GI smooth muscle, but nitrergic contractions also occur. Although guanylate cyclase is well established as mediating nitrergic GI relaxation, its role in contraction remains uncertain.2. We used electrical field stimulation (EFS; 0.3 msec pulses, three trains of 1.2 s width, 2 Hz, at 30 s intervals) to evoke biphasic contraction–relaxation responses in rat ileum strips (longitudinal muscle–myenteric plexus preparations), mediated by the endogenous nitrergic transmitter, under non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic (NANC) conditions (1 μmol/L atropine and 4 μmol/L guanethidine).3. All EFS responses were abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 μmol/L). Inhibition of NO synthase withNω‐nitro‐l‐arginine‐methyl‐ester (l‐NAME; 100 and 300 μmol/L) prevented both EFS‐evoked contractions and relaxations.l‐Arginine (3 mmol/L) reversedl‐NAME inhibition, primarily restoring contractions and suggesting that these require lower nitrergic transmitter levels than relaxations.4. Pretreatment of preparations with subrelaxant concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (1 μmol/L) selectively desensitized EFS‐evoked contractions without affecting relaxations, suggesting different downstream mechanisms. Nevertheless, the selective guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (3 and 10 μmol/L) inhibited both nitrergic contractions and relaxations, indicating that guanylate cyclase activation is required for both responses.5. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that the endogenous nitrergic transmitter differentially regulates guanylate cyclase, leading to either contractions or relaxations depending on its concentrations, thus providing additional insight into the regulation of ileum contractility by nitrergic activity.