bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Haplotypes of heparin‐binding epidermal‐growth‐factor‐like growth factor gene are associated with pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Harendra Galhenagey Gayani , Jayasekara Rohan W. , Dissanayake Vajira H. W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim:  Heparin‐binding epidermal‐growth‐factor‐like growth factor (HBEGF) plays an important role in placentation, including impaired placentation, the primary defect seen in pre‐eclampsia. We carried out a case–control disease‐association study to examine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the HBEGF gene and haplotypes defined by them with pre‐eclampsia in a Sinhalese population in Sri Lanka.Materials and Methods:  A total of 175 women with pre‐eclampsia and 171 matched normotensive controls were genotyped for six SNP selected in silico as having putative functional effects using mass array Sequenom iplex methodology and a newly designed polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.Results:  The individual SNP were not associated with pre‐eclampsia. The haplotypes defined by them, however, showed both predisposing (rs13385T,rs2074613G,rs2237076G,rs2074611C,rs4150196A,rs1862176A; odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval 1.04–2.60; P = 0.032) and protective (rs13385C,rs2074613G,rs2237076A,rs2074611C,rs4150196A,rs1862176A; odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.89; P = 0.034) effects.Conclusions:  These results confirm that polymorphisms in the HGEGF gene are associated with pre‐eclampsia. The haplotypes are likely to exert their effects through the numerous transcription regulation factors binding to the polymorphic sites, namely GATA‐1, GATA‐3, MZF‐1 and AML‐1a.
Glycaemia and correlates of patient‐reported outcomes in ACCORD trial participants
Authors: Ali M. K. , Feeney P. , Hire D. , Simmons D. L. , O’Connor P. J. , Ganz‐Lord F. , Goff D. , Zhang P. , Anderson R. T. , Narayan K. M. V. , Sullivan M. D. 
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, e67–e74 (2012)AbstractAims  Post‐hoc evaluation of relationships between first‐year change in glycaemic control (HbA1c) and change in patient‐reported outcomes among ACCORD health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) substudy participants.Methods  Data from 2053 glycaemia‐trial subjects were analysed. We assessed physical and mental health status (36‐Item Short Form Health Survey, Version‐2), symptom count and severity (Diabetes Symptoms Distress Checklist) and treatment satisfaction (Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire). Linear mixed models were used to test relationships between 1‐year changes in HbA1c and patient reported outcomes sequentially adjusting for correlates (baseline characteristics, baseline patient reported outcomes, treatment assignment, frequency of clinical contact and post‐randomization weight change plus new complications).Results  Poorer baseline control of HbA1c and cardiovascular disease risk factors predicted greater one‐year improvements in treatment satisfaction. Similarly, poorer baseline patient reported outcome scores all individually predicted greater 1‐year improvement in that same outcome. Accounting for baseline and post‐randomization characteristics and treatment arm, 1‐year change in HbA1c was unrelated to changes in overall physical or mental health; however, every one percentage‐point (10.9 mmol/mol) reduction in HbA1c was associated with lower symptom count (β = 0.599; P = 0.012), lower symptom distress (β = 0.051; P = 0.001), and higher treatment satisfaction (β = −2.514; P < 0.001).Conclusions  Independent of all relevant covariates, better glycaemic control over 1 year was associated with reduced patient‐reported diabetes symptoms and symptom distress, and increased treatment satisfaction, but not overall physical and mental health. Further investigation is required to understand the specific psychosocial mechanisms that affect how patients value health and treatments.
Infants generate goal‐based action predictions
Authors: Cannon Erin N. , Woodward Amanda L. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPredicting the actions of others is critical to smooth social interactions. Prior work suggests that both understanding and anticipation of goal‐directed actions appears early in development. In this study, on‐line goal prediction was tested explicitly using an adaptation of Woodward’s (1998) paradigm for an eye‐tracking task. Twenty 11‐month‐olds were familiarized to movie clips of a hand reaching to grasp one of two objects. Then object locations were swapped, and the hand made an incomplete reach between the objects. Here, infants reliably made their first look from the hand to the familiarized goal object, now in a new location. A separate control condition of 20 infants familiarized to the same movements of an unfamiliar claw revealed the opposite pattern: reliable prediction to the familiarized location, rather than the familiarized object. This study suggests that by 11 months infants actively use goal analysis to generate on‐line predictions of an agent’s next action.
THE ROLE OF THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE GAMA, GHANA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Authors: OTENG‐ABABIO MARTIN 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTSolid waste is one of the most discussed environmental issues, especially in urban centres where both public and private sectors are active participants in its management. This increased attention has been due to the continuous insanitary and health threatening conditions, in spite of governments' huge budgetary interventions. Meanwhile, for most urban poor, waste collection and recycling is a common means for eking out a living, yet this potential for improving solid waste management appears untapped by the authorities. Using mainly qualitative research techniques, this study examines the role of the informal sector and promotes dialogue on the potential of this sector in solid waste management. The findings show that the practice has become a survival strategy for thousands among the urban poor and that, the proper integration of the sector into the existing solid waste management policies can lead to sustainable management practices and possibly help alleviate poverty.
Pregnancy outcomes in adolescents in the UK and Ireland growing up with HIV
Authors: Kenny J , Williams B , Prime K , Tookey P , Foster C 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesAdolescents with HIV infection acquired perinatally or in early childhood are becoming sexually active, but little is known about fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Multicentre data on pregnancy outcomes in this population are described here.MethodsA retrospective case note review of pregnant women with perinatal/early acquired HIV infection, conceiving before 1 September 2009 and attending participating centres in the UK and Ireland, was carried out.ResultsAmong 252 women with perinatal/early acquired infection aged 12 years and older under follow‐up in 21 centres, 42 pregnancies were reported in 30 women (19 women with a single pregnancy, 10 women with two pregnancies, and one woman with three pregnancies). Fifteen women (50%) had previous AIDS‐defining diagnoses. The median age at first reported pregnancy was 18 years (range 14–22 years). Of the 42 pregnancies, 34 (81%) were reportedly unplanned, 31 (74%) involved regular partners, and in 21 (50%) of the 42 pregnancies the partners were reported to be unaware of maternal HIV status. Fifteen of the 42 pregnancies (36%) were electively terminated, six of the 42 (14%) resulted in first‐trimester miscarriages and 21 of the 42 (50%) resulted in live births. Maternal viral load was detectable close to delivery in seven of 21 pregnancies (33%). Four infants required neonatal intensive care, three of whom were delivered preterm. One infant is HIV infected, there are ongoing concerns about the development of three of 21 infants (14%), and two of 21 (10%) have been fostered.ConclusionsDespite access to ongoing sexual health and contraceptive services, unplanned pregnancies are occurring in young women growing up with HIV. Pregnancy care and prevention of onward transmission require complex case management for this emerging population.
Increased number of Purkinje cell dendritic swellings in essential tremor
Authors: Yu M. , Ma K. , Faust P. L. , Honig L. S. , Cortés E. , Vonsattel J.‐P. G. , Louis E. D. 
Published: December 2011

Background and Purpose:  Essential Tremor (ET) is among the most prevalent neurologic disorders. Growing clinical and neuro‐imaging evidence implicates cerebellar dysfunction in the pathogenesis of ET and emerging postmortem studies have identified structural changes in the cerebellum, particularly in Purkinje cells. In this study we systematically quantified focal Purkinje cell dendritic swellings (DS) in 20 ET vs. 19 control brains.Methods:  In each brain, a standard parasagittal neocerebellar tissue block was harvested. DS were quantified in one 7‐μm thick section stained with Luxol Fast Blue/Hematoxylin and Eosin (LH&E) and one section stained with Bielschowsky method.Results:  The number of DS were higher in cases than controls by LH&E (1.50 ± 1.79 vs. 0.05 ± 0.23, P = 0.002) and Bielschowsky methods (2.70 ± 3.10 vs. 0.37 ± 0.50, P = 0.002). The number of DS was correlated with the number of torpedoes and marginally inversely correlated with the number of Purkinje cells.Conclusion:  The current study documents and quantifies an additional structural abnormality in the ET cerebellum, adding to the growing list of such changes in this disease. The mechanisms that underlie this and other structural changes observed in ET are currently unknown, and they deserve additional exploration.
One‐year survival of demented stroke patients: data from the Dijon Stroke Registry, France (1985–2008)
Authors: Béjot Y. , Jacquin A. , Rouaud O. , Durier J. , Aboa‐Eboulé C. , Hervieu M. , Osseby G.‐V. , Giroud M. 
Published: December 2011

Background and purpose:  Dementia is a frequent condition after stroke that may affect the prognosis of patients. Our aim was to determine whether post‐stroke dementia was a predictor of 1‐year case‐fatality and to evaluate factors that could influence survival in demented stroke patients.Methods:  From 1985 to 2008, all first‐ever strokes were recorded in the population‐based stroke registry of Dijon, France (150 000 inhabitants). Dementia was diagnosed during the first month following stroke, according to DSM‐III and DSM‐IV criteria. Survival was evaluated at 1 year and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards to identify independent predictive factors.Results:  We recorded 3948 first‐ever strokes. Among these stroke patients, 3201 (81%) were testable, and of these, 653 (20.4%) had post‐stroke dementia (337 women and 316 men). Demented patients had lower 1‐year survival than patients without dementia (82.9% vs. 86.9%, P = 0.013). However, in multivariate analysis, dementia did not appear as an independent predictor of 1‐year death. In demented stroke patients, age >80 years old, severe handicap at discharge, recurrent stroke within the first year and subarachnoid haemorrhage were associated with a higher risk of 1‐year death, and the risk was lower in the study period 2003–2008.Conclusions:  Dementia after stroke is not independently associated with an increased risk of death at 1 year. In recent years, 1‐year case‐fatality decreased in demented as well as in and non‐demented patients suggesting that improvements in the management of stroke also benefited the most fragile patients.
BEYOND THE HORIZON: CHRONOSCHISMS AND HISTORICAL DISTANCE
Authors: KELLNER HANS 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTHistorical distance presents more complex issues than simply evaluating the meaning of the temporal span between a point in the past and some moment present to an observer. The ordinary historical difference, which is horizontal in the sense that it evokes the notion of hermeneutic horizons, fragments uncontrollably when examined closely, resulting in what might be called a “chronoschism.” The experience of encountering a historical painting by Botticelli provides an example of this fragmentation. This complication of historical distance reminds us also of quite different sorts of distance, including the depths of endless regression, and the elevation of the historical sublime. These various forms of historical distance present a challenge to the horizontal character of normal historical practice.
CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION: A VIEW FROM A DISTANCE
Authors: PETERS RIK 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper explores how the notion of distance works in the practice of interpretation by studying the philosophical underpinnings of the originalism debate in American constitutionalism. Focusing on some of its most important spokespeople, the paper shows that they start from the historicist presupposition that distance can in principle be overcome by a reconstruction of the original intentions of the framers of the Constitution. With the help of Hans‐Georg Gadamer, who explicitly based his philosophical hermeneutics on the notion of distance, this presupposition will be criticized. The paper concludes that the originalist and hermeneuticist positions do not mutually exclude each other, but can be synthesized if they are seen as different questions about the same text. The meaning of the Constitution is therefore not given but is dependent on the direction of the questions asked by the interpreter. From this question‐dependency of meaning it follows that interpretation follows the law of acoustics: “Angle of incidence equates angle of reflection.”
The mechanisms of antihyperalgesic effect of topiramate in a rat model of inflammatory hyperalgesia
Authors: Paranos Sonja Lj. , Tomić Maja A. , Micov Ana M. , Stepanović‐Petrović Radica M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractRecent studies have shown that topiramate, a structurally novel anticonvulsant, exerts antinociceptive activity in animal models of neuropathic, acute somatic, and visceral pain. This study was aimed to examine: (i) the effects of systemically and locally peripherally administered topiramate in the rat inflammatory pain model and (ii) the potential role and site(s) of gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), opioid, and adrenergic receptors in topiramate’s antihyperalgesia. Rats received intraplantar (i.pl.) injections of the pro‐inflammatory compound carrageenan. A paw pressure test was used to determine: (i) the effect of systemic and local peripheral topiramate on carrageenan‐induced hyperalgesia and (ii) the effects of systemic and local peripheral bicuculline (selective GABAA receptor antagonist), naloxone (nonselective opioid receptor antagonist), and yohimbine (selective α2‐adrenergic receptor antagonist) on topiramate‐induced antihyperalgesia. Systemic topiramate (40–160 mg/kg; p.o.) produced a significant dose‐dependent reduction in the paw inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. The antihyperalgesic effect of systemic topiramate was significantly decreased by systemic bicuculline (0.5–1 mg/kg; i.p.), naloxone (2–5 mg/kg; i.p.), and yohimbine (1–3 mg/kg; i.p.). Local peripheral topiramate (0.03–0.34 mg/paw; i.pl.) also produced significant dose‐dependent antihyperalgesia, which was significantly depressed by local peripheral yohimbine (0.05–0.2 mg/paw; i.pl.) but not by local peripheral bicuculline (0.15 mg/paw; i.pl.) or naloxone (0.1 mg/paw; i.pl.). The results suggest that topiramate produces systemic and local peripheral antihyperalgesia in an inflammatory pain model, which is, at least partially, mediated by central GABAA and opioid receptors and by peripheral and most probably central α2‐adrenergic receptors. These findings contribute to better understanding of topiramate’s action in pain states involving inflammation.
Decreased aerobic capacity 4 years after aortic valve replacement in male patients operated upon for chronic aortic regurgitation
Authors: Hedman Kristofer , Tamás Éva , Nylander Eva 
Published: December 2011

SummaryExercise testing is underutilized in patients with valve disease. We have previously found a low physical work capacity in patients with aortic regurgitation 6 months after aortic valve replacement (AVR). The aim of this study was to evaluate aerobic capacity in patients 4 years after AVR, to study how their peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2) had changed postoperatively over a longer period of time. Twenty‐one patients (all men, 52 ± 13 years) who had previously undergone cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) pre‐ and 6 months postoperatively underwent maximal exercise testing 49 ± 15 months postoperatively using an electrically braked bicycle ergometer. Breathing gases were analysed and the patients’ physical fitness levels categorized according to Åstrand’s and Wasserman’s classifications. Mean peakVO2 was 22·8 ± 5·1 ml × kg−1 × min−1 at the 49‐month follow‐up, which was lower than at the 6‐month follow‐up (25·6 ± 5·8 ml × kg−1 × min−1, P = 0·001). All but one patient presented with a physical fitness level below average using Åstrand’s classification, while 13 patients had a low physical capacity according to Wasserman’s classification. A significant decrease in peakVO2 was observed from six to 49 months postoperatively, and the decrease was larger than expected from the increased age of the patients. CPET could be helpful in timing aortic valve surgery and for the evaluation of need of physical activity as part of a rehabilitation programme.
Subtype selective NMDA receptor antagonists induce recovery of synapses lost following exposure to HIV‐1 Tat
Authors: Shin AH , Kim HJ , Thayer SA 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSENeurocognitive disorders afflict approximately 20% of HIV‐infected patients. HIV‐1‐infected cells in the brain shed viral proteins such as transactivator of transcription (Tat). Tat elicits cell death and synapse loss via processes initiated by NMDA receptor activation but mediated by separate downstream signalling pathways. Subunit selective NMDA receptor antagonists may differentially modulate survival relative to synaptic changes.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHTat‐evoked cell death was quantified by measuring propidium iodide uptake into rat hippocampal neurons in culture. The effects of Tat on synaptic changes were measured using an imaging‐based assay that quantified clusters of the scaffolding protein postsynaptic density 95 fused to green fluorescent protein.KEY RESULTSDizocilpine, a non‐competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, inhibited Tat‐induced synapse loss, subsequent synapse recovery and Tat‐induced cell death with comparable potencies. Memantine (10 µM) and ifenprodil (10 µM), which preferentially inhibit GluN2B‐containing NMDA receptors, protected from Tat‐induced cell death with no effect on synapse loss. Surprisingly, memantine and ifenprodil induced synapse recovery in the presence of Tat. In contrast, the GluN2A‐prefering antagonist TCN201 prevented synapse loss and recovery with no effect on cell death.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSSynapse loss is a protective mechanism that enables the cell to cope with excess excitatory input. Thus, memantine and ifenprodil are promising neuroprotective drugs because they spare synaptic changes and promote survival. These GluN2B‐preferring drugs induced recovery from Tat‐evoked synapse loss, suggesting that synaptic pharmacology changed during the neurotoxic process. NMDA receptor subtypes differentially participate in the adaptation and death induced by excitotoxic insult.
Electrocardiographic Determinants of the Polymorphic QRS Morphology in Idiopathic Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Tachycardia
Authors: IGARASHI MIYAKO , TADA HIROSHI , KUROSAKI KENJI , YAMASAKI HIRO , AKIYAMA DAIKI , SEKIGUCHI YUKIO , KUROKI KENJI , MACHINO TAKESHI , MURAKOSHI NOBUYUKI , NAKATA YOSHIO , KUGA KEISUKE , NOGAMI AKIHIKO , AONUMA KAZUTAKA 
Published: December 2011

Coupling Intervals and Polymorphic QRS Morphologies. Introduction: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) arising from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) can trigger polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with no structural heart disease. We aimed to clarify the ECG determinants of the polymorphic QRS morphology in idiopathic RVOT PVT/VF.Methods and Results: The ECG parameters were compared between 18 patients with idiopathic PVT/VF (PVT‐group) and 21 with monomorphic VT arising from the RVOT (MVT‐group). The coupling interval (CI) of the first VT beat was comparable between the 2 groups. However, the prematurity index (PI) of the first VT beat was smaller in the PVT‐group than in the MVT‐group (P  <  0.001). Furthermore, the QT index, defined as the ratio of the CI to the QT interval of the preceding sinus complex, was also smaller for the PVT/VF in the PVT‐group than that for the VT in the MVT‐group (P  <  0.01). In the PVT‐group, the CI of the first VT beat was comparable between that of VT and isolated PVCs, but the PI of the first VT beat was shorter for VT than isolated PVCs (P  <  0.05). The PI was the only independent determinant of the polymorphic QRS morphology (odd ratio = 2.198; 95% confidence interval = 1.321–3.659; P = 0.002).Conclusion: The smaller PIs of the first VT beat may result in a polymorphic QRS morphology. (Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 521‐526, May 2012)
Left ventricular morphology and function in diabetic and nondiabetic hemodialyzed patients
Authors: Tomaszuk‐Kazberuk Anna , Malyszko Jolanta , Bachorzewska‐Gajewska Hanna , Kozuch Marcin , Mysliwiec Michal , Musial Wlodzimierz J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMorbidity in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) diabetic patients is worse than in patients without diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aims to compare clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic features between the ESRD patients with and without DM. Fifty‐eight ESRD patients on dialysis were prospectively divided into two groups according to the presence of DM. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic features (ejection fraction and wall motion score index) were compared between the two groups. Overall, 20 out of 58 patients (37.8%) with ESRD had DM. There were no significant differences between the patients with DM and those without DM when it comes to age (60.6 ± 10.6 vs. 59.0 ± 10.6 years, P = 0.665), ejection fraction (52.6% ± 12.8% vs. 54.2% ± 12.8%, P = 0.59), and wall motion score index (1.21 ± 0.3 vs.1.15 ± 0.3, P = 0.37). In multivariant analysis of the interventricular septum, posterior wall thickness and left atrium size correlated positively with DM. There was also no statistical difference in myocardial perfusion disturbances on real‐time contrast echocardiography between the groups with and without DM (12 (60%) patients vs. 14 patients (36.8%), P = 0.079). Among diabetics 77.8% had significant atherosclerotic changes, while in the group without DM, only 38.1%, P = 0.01. From the laboratory parameters ferritin and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the group with DM, P = 0.014 and P = 0.026, respectively. Patients with ESRD and DM have significantly bigger left atrial size, thicker left ventricular walls, and higher serum ferritin and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels than the patients without DM. The aforementioned features may be possible risk factors for the development of adverse cardiac events in patients on hemodialysis.