bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of patients with first‐episode schizophrenia at one‐year follow‐up: Findings from theNationalMentalHealthRegistry inMalaysia
Authors: Chee Kok‐Yoon , Muhammad Dain Norsiatul Azma , Abdul Aziz Salina , Syed Mokhtar Sharifah Suziah , Mat Junus Mazni , Zam Zam Ruzanna , Yahya Badiah , Cheah Yee‐Chuan 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIntroductionThis first outcome study for people with first‐episode schizophrenia (FES) inMalaysia was based on data collected from theNationalMentalHealthRegistry (NMHR). The aim of the study was to assess the outcome of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, one year after contact with mental health services; and to evaluate treatments as well as the utilization of medical and other services in the country.MethodsAll patients withFESregistered inNMHRbetween 1March 2004 and 28February 2005 were included and 79 centers carried out outcome assessments. Socio‐demographic and clinical data were collected and compared with the data inNMHRthat was gathered one year ago. Descriptive statistic was used to analyze the data.ResultsOf 2604 registered patients withFES, only 37.7% had their outcomes successfully assessed. Among those assessed, 25.5% were lost to follow‐up and 45.8% were followed‐up in different centers. Only two patients committed suicide. Increases in weight gain and body mass index were major concerns. On a positive note, employability improved. Forty percent of the patients had their antipsychotics changed over the one‐year period but about 20% of patients were on polytherapy at baseline and after one year. The use of anticholinergic medication dropped remarkably after the one‐year treatment period.DiscussionThis study has shown that one of the great barriers in conducting a nationwide outcome assessment ofFESpatients was the high attrition rate. Nevertheless, these findings provided an important glimpse into the socio‐demographic and clinical outcomes of the patients.
Association between long‐term aspirin use and periodontal attachment level in humans: a cross‐sectional investigation
Authors: Faizuddin M , Tarannum F , Korla N , Swamy S 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  Pharmaceutical inhibition of host response pathways may be an adjunctive or alternative strategy for treating periodontal diseases. In addition to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, aspirin is known to modify the action of cyclo‐oxygenase, changing its activity to a lipoxygenase and leading to formation of lipoxins which have a proresolving effect. This study evaluated the periodontal attachment level of subjects on long‐term low dose aspirin therapy.Methods:  Oral hygiene index simplified, clinical attachment loss and bleeding index were recorded for 162 subjects who were on long‐term (>6 months) low dose (75 mg and 150 mg) aspirin therapy (study group) and 146 subjects not taking the drug (control group).Results:  Mean clinical attachment loss was 2.38 ± 0.49 mm in the control group and 2.01 ± 0.69 mm in the study group. The difference was statistically significant at p < 0.001. Correlation analysis suggested that there was a negative correlation between clinical attachment loss and duration of aspirin intake but the clinical attachment loss was not significantly different in the two dosage groups.Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that low dose aspirin may reduce the risk of periodontal attachment loss. This hypothesis needs to be tested by larger sample sized prospective cohort studies.
Splenic artery ligation: A protection against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in partially hepatectomized rats
Authors: Irie Takumi , Ito Koji , Ozasa Hisashi , Noda Yumi , Ikeda Satoru , Tanaka Shinji , Arii Shigeki , Horikawa Saburo 
Published: February 2012

Aim:  In liver resection, the temporary occlusion of the hepatoduodenal ligament (Pringle maneuver) is often used. However, the maneuver causes ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the remnant liver. Heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 has a cytoprotective role against this injury. Our aim is to investigate whether splenic artery ligation induces HO‐1 expression in the liver and ameliorates the hepatic I/R injury in partially hepatectomized rats.Methods:  Rats underwent splenic artery ligation by occluding the main splenic artery. Two days later, the total hepatic ischemia (Pringle maneuver) was conducted, and then a two‐thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) was performed just before the start of reperfusion. HO inhibitor was twice injected s.c. at 3 and 16 h before the Pringle maneuver. HO‐1 levels were determined by western blotting. Liver injury was biochemically assessed.Results:  In normal rats, HO‐1 was highly expressed in the spleen, but not in the liver. Splenic artery ligation induced HO‐1 in the livers. When rats underwent 20 and 30 min of Pringle maneuver/PH, survival rates were 28% and 8%, respectively. Splenic artery ligation significantly improved both the survival rates: 73% and 56%, respectively. Under these conditions, administration of HO‐1 inhibitor at least partly negated the efficacy of splenic artery ligation. Splenic artery ligation also increased the recovery rate of the remnant liver mass and platelet counts in Pringle maneuver/PH‐treated rats.Conclusion:  Splenic artery ligation was significantly effective on the hepatic I/R injury in partially hepatectomized rats. Induction of HO‐1 may be at least partly involved in the improvement of this injury.
The Combined Prognostic Potential of Serum High‐Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I and N‐Terminal pro‐B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations in Dogs with Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease
Authors: Hezzell M.J. , Boswood A. , Chang Y.‐M. , Moonarmart W. , Souttar K. , Elliott J. 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundIdentification of factors associated with decreased survival in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) will allow more accurate prognosis. N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is negatively associated with survival in dogs with DMVD. In human patients, multimarker strategies provide superior risk stratification compared with single markers.HypothesisHigh‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hscTnI) and other clinical variables will be associated with survival time in dogs with DMVD. Measuring hscTnI and NT‐proBNP in combination will be prognostically superior to measurement of either marker alone. The rate of change of these markers will vary according to cause of death.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs (n = 202) with DMVD of varying severity and age‐matched healthy control dogs (n = 30) recruited from first opinion private practice.MethodsProspective cohort study relating clinical variables at enrollment in dogs with DMVD to survival time (all‐cause, cardiac, and noncardiac mortality). Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with survival. Measurements were obtained approximately every 6 months. Repeated measures models were constructed to assess changes over time.ResultshscTnI, LVEDDN, heart rate, and age were independently associated with decreased survival time (all‐cause mortality). Survival times were shortest in dogs in which both serum hscTnI and NT‐proBNP were increased. hscTnI and NT‐proBNP increased more rapidly in dogs that died of cardiac disease.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceSerum hscTnI has prognostic value in dogs with DMVD. Measurement of NT‐proBNP and hscTnI is prognostically superior to measuring either alone. Serial measurement strategies provide additional prognostic information.
Effects of the source of social comparison information on former cancer patients’ quality of life
Authors: Brakel Thecla M. , Dijkstra Arie , Buunk Abraham P. 
Published: February 2012

Objective. Life, following curative treatment, can be a struggle for former cancer patients. In this phase of their illness, social comparison information may help to improve a patient's quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to determine whether the effects of this information depend on the following two variables: (1) the individual's physical health and (2) the individual's sensitivity to social comparison.Design. In the current study, the effects on a patient's QOL were tested that occur when they are listening to a psychological oncological expert talking about cancer patients’ experiences. Three different recorded interviews with experts were compared (on negative emotions, effective coping, or both), and individual differences were tested as moderators. In addition, the expert source conditions were compared with a condition in which the source was not an expert but a former patient.Methods. In a randomized field experiment, 154 Dutch former cancer patients (Mage= 55 years; 68% women) were assigned to one of the four conditions (three expert source and one former patient source condition). QOL was assessed after 2 months.Results. The effects of the expert source conditions on QOL depended on the participants’ physical health (good vs. poor) and on the participants’ sensitivity to social comparison (whether the recipient reacts with contrast or identification), as indicated by significant three‐way interactions (p < .001). Depending on these two variables, one of the three expert source conditions was at least as effective as the former patient source condition.Conclusions. The results show that desired and undesired effects are found when individual differences relevant to the processing of intervention information are examined.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject? It is known that social comparison processes are important determinants of emotions and QoL. In addition, research has shown that QoL in (former) cancer patients is lowered and interventions are needed.What does this study add? This study showed that the application of social comparison as a method to increase QoL in cancer patients can be beneficial: It showed that applying the auditory channel, in which the expert source becomes more prominent, is effective. In addition, the study illustrates that psycho‐social interventions can have side‐effects; a phenomenon that has hardly been addressed in the literature and in practice.
P2Y1 purinoreceptors are fundamental to inhibitory motor control of murine colonic excitability and transit
Authors: Hwang Sung Jin , Blair Peter J. , Durnin Leonie , Mutafova‐Yambolieva Violeta , Sanders Kenton M. , Ward Sean M. 
Published: February 2012

Key points
Normal colonic motility is regulated by excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons, and previous studies have shown that both components of neural regulation are important for normal propulsion of colonic contents.
Inhibitory neural control consists of two main components, and the major neurotransmitters have been identified as nitric oxide and purines; we investigated the nature of the receptors responsible for purine inhibitory motor control of the colon using mice with P2Y1 receptors deactivated.
Inhibitory control of the colon by purine neurotransmitters was dramatically decreased in these animals and transit of fecal pellets was delayed.
Inhibitory responses to purine neurotransmission and exogenous β‐NAD, a neurotransmitter candidate, were completely abolished in P2Y1 receptor knockouts.
These studies demonstrate the importance of purinergic neural regulation of colonic motility and suggest this form of neural regulation depends upon P2Y1 receptors to receive and transduce inhibitory neural signals.
Embryonic assembly of auditory circuits: spiral ganglion and brainstem
Authors: Marrs Glen S. , Spirou George A. 
Published: February 2012

Key points
Neural activity in sensory systems is important for proper assembly of neural circuits during early development.
In the auditory system, the timing for functional synapse formation and reliance of central circuit formation on peripherally generated activity are unknown.
We used a novel whole‐head slice preparation and genetically labelled auditory neurons to provide the first assay of cells at embryonic ages and reveal a peripheral‐to‐central maturation sequence.
Auditory nerve fibres generate spontaneous action potentials by embryonic day 14 and drive third order central neurons by embryonic day 17, nearly 2 weeks before hearing onset.
This information provides a timeline for initial auditory circuit assembly and the basis to explore mechanisms for initial sensory circuit assembly.
Dosing Regimen Matters: the Importance of Early Intervention and Rapid Attainment of the Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Target
Authors: Martinez Marilyn N. , Papich Mark G. , Drusano George L. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT
To date, the majority of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) discussions have focused on PK/PD relationships evaluated at steady-state drug concentrations. However, a concern with reliance upon steady-state drug concentrations is that it ignores events occurring while the pathogen is exposed to intermittent suboptimal systemic drug concentrations prior to the attainment of a steady state. Suboptimal (inadequate) exposure can produce amplification of resistant bacteria. This minireview provides an overview of published evidence supporting the positions that, in most situations, it is the exposure achieved during the first dose that is relevant for determining the therapeutic outcome of an infection, therapeutic intervention should be initiated as soon as possible to minimize the size of the bacterial burden at the infection site, and the duration of drug administration should be kept as brief as clinically appropriate to reduce the risk of selecting for resistant (or phenotypically nonresponsive) microbial strains. To support these recommendations, we briefly discuss data on inoculum effects, persister cells, and the concept of time within some defined mutation selection window.
Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis and Pharmacogenetics of Raltegravir in HIV-Positive and Healthy Individuals
Authors: Arab-Alameddine Mona , Fayet-Mello Aurélie , Lubomirov Rubin , Neely Michael , di Iulio Julia , Owen Andrew , Boffito Marta , Cavassini Matthias , Günthard Huldrych F. , Rentsch Katharina , Buclin Thierry , Aouri Manel , Telenti Amalio , Decosterd Laurent Arthur , Rotger Margalida , Csajka Chantal ,   the Swiss HIV Cohort Study Group
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to characterize raltegravir (RAL) population pharmacokinetics in HIV-positive (HIV
+
) and healthy individuals, identify influential factors, and search for new candidate genes involved in UDP glucuronosyltransferase (UGT)-mediated glucuronidation. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed with NONMEM. Genetic association analysis was performed with PLINK using the relative bioavailability as the phenotype. Simulations were performed to compare once- and twice-daily regimens. A 2-compartment model with first-order absorption adequately described the data. Atazanavir, gender, and bilirubin levels influenced RAL relative bioavailability, which was 30% lower in HIV
+
than in healthy individuals.
UGT1A9
*
3
was the only genetic variant possibly influencing RAL pharmacokinetics. The majority of RAL pharmacokinetic variability remains unexplained by genetic and nongenetic factors. Owing to the very large variability, trough drug levels might be very low under the standard dosing regimen, raising the question of a potential relevance of therapeutic drug monitoring of RAL in some situations.
Daptomycin and Tigecycline Have Broader Effective Dose Ranges than Vancomycin as Prophylaxis against a Staphylococcus aureus Surgical Implant Infection in Mice
Authors: Niska Jared A. , Shahbazian Jonathan H. , Ramos Romela Irene , Pribaz Jonathan R. , Billi Fabrizio , Francis Kevin P. , Miller Lloyd S. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin is widely used for intravenous prophylaxis against surgical implant infections. However, it is unclear whether alternative antibiotics used to treat methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) infections are effective as prophylactic agents. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of vancomycin, daptomycin, and tigecycline as prophylactic therapy against a methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
(MSSA) or MRSA surgical implant infection in mice. MSSA or MRSA was inoculated into the knee joints of mice in the presence of a surgically placed medical-grade metallic implant. The efficacies of low- versus high-dose vancomycin (10 versus 110 mg/kg), daptomycin (1 versus 10 mg/kg), and tigecycline (1 versus 10 mg/kg) intravenous prophylaxis were compared using
in vivo
bioluminescence imaging,
ex vivo
bacterial counts, and biofilm formation. High-dose vancomycin, daptomycin, and tigecycline resulted in similar reductions in bacterial burden and biofilm formation. In contrast, low-dose daptomycin and tigecycline were more effective than low-dose vancomycin against the implant infection. In this mouse model of surgical implant MSSA or MRSA infection, daptomycin and tigecycline prophylaxis were effective over a broader dosage range than vancomycin. Future studies in humans will be required to determine whether these broader effective dose ranges for daptomycin and tigecycline in mice translate to improved efficacy in preventing surgical implant infections in clinical practice.
Complete Genome Sequence of Rickettsia slovaca, the Agent of Tick-Borne Lymphadenitis
Authors: Fournier Pierre-Edouard , El Karkouri Khalid , Robert Catherine , Médigue Claudine , Raoult Didier 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

The present study reports the complete and annotated genome sequence of the human pathogen
Rickettsia slovaca
strain 13-B, which was isolated from a
Dermacentor
tick in Slovakia in 1968. The 1.27-Mb genome provides further insights into the acquisition of virulence related to genome reduction in
Rickettsia
species.
Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Strain 11819-97, an ST80-IV European Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Isolate
Authors: Stegger Marc , Price Lance B. , Larsen Anders R. , Gillece John D. , Waters Andrew E. , Skov Robert , Andersen Paal S. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

The European methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) clone ST80-IV has historically dominated community-associated infections in major parts of Europe and is a lineage strongly linked to skin and soft tissue infections. Here, we report the genome sequence of an ST80-IV representative, 11819-97, isolated from a skin infection in Denmark in 1997.
Complete Genome Sequence of Mycoplasma haemocanis Strain Illinois
Authors: do Nascimento Naíla C. , Guimaraes Ana M. S. , Santos Andrea P. , SanMiguel Phillip J. , Messick Joanne B. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasma haemocanis
is a blood pathogen that may cause acute disease in immunosuppressed or splenectomized dogs. The genome of the strain Illinois is a single circular chromosome with 919,992 bp and a GC content of 35%. Analyses of the
M. haemocanis
genome will provide insights into its biology and
in vitro
cultivation requirements.
Can antiherbivory resistance explain the abundance of woody species in a Neotropical savanna?
Authors: Dantas Vinícius de Lima , Batalha Marco Antônio 
Published: February 2012

The disturbance resistance model states that, in nutrient-poor communities, species more resistant to herbivory should dominate over the more palatable ones. Here we postulated that the disturbance resistance model should explain the species abundances in a nutrient-poor Neotropical savanna community. If so, the highly resistant species should be the commonest, whereas the poorly resistant ones should be rare. In an area of 2500 m2of woodland cerrado, a type of savanna, we measured the abundance of all 61 species as the total basal area and 9 antiherbivore defence traits from 10 individuals of each species. We used multiple and simple linear regressions to test the relationships between abundance and each trait or total investment in defence. Abundance was negatively related to specific leaf area (R2 = 0.18, b = –0.87, P < 0.001), but not with the other traits nor with total defence. The relationship between specific leaf area and abundance showed that plant functional traits may influence species abundance and supported the idea that nonrandom and resource-mediated processes should prevail at a fine scale. Nevertheless, we did not find strong evidence that antiherbivory resistance can explain species abundance in resource-poor communities, in contrast to the prediction of the disturbance resistance model.
Significance of leaf structure and emission of volatile organic compounds in ozone tolerance of oat and wheat
Authors: Hartikainen Kaisa , Kivimäenpää Minna , Nerg Anne-Marja , Holopainen Toini 
Published: February 2012

To study the possible differences in tropospheric ozone (O3) tolerance of oat (Avena sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), two oat and two wheat cultivars were exposed to 0, 50, or 100 nL·L–1O3concentrations in growth chambers. Measurements on volatile organic counpound emission and physiological, biochemical, and leaf structural characteristics were conducted with 2- and 4-week-old seedlings. Neither of the studied species was particularly O3sensitive, but O3sensitivity should rather be defined on the basis of the characteristics of the cultivars within species. Visible leaf injuries increased with leaf age and with increasing O3concentration. Net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of 2-week-old seedlings were more detrimentally affected by O3compared with older seedlings. Wheat generally invested more in photosynthesis and related processes, such as gs, Fv/Fm, concentrations of Rubisco, chlorophylls and carotenoids, and synthesis of starch compared with oat. O3increased Rubisco concentration in 2-week-old and carotenoid concentration in 4-week-old seedlings, especially in wheat. Lower extent of O3-caused visible leaf injuries in the other oat cultivar can supposedly be explained by its low stomatal conductance and high monoterpene production.
Effect of drainage conditions, bed thickness, and age on the shear strength of mine tailings in a very low stress range
Authors: Dimitrova Rozalina S. , Yanful Ernest K. 
Published: February 2012

The present study utilized a specially built tilting tank to measure the shear strength of deposited mine tailings beds under different degrees of drainage and in the stress range below 1 kPa. Two modes of tilting were employed to simulate drained and partially drained conditions. The slow tilting mode ensured that the excess pore pressure generated in the tailings bed in response to shearing remained low and did not influence the shear strength of the bed. During rapid tilting, the excess pore pressure build-up was significant and ultimately led to bed failure. Failure occurred at a plane parallel to the surface of the bed and at a depth of 0.4 to 1.5 cm. Linear drained and partially drained shear strength envelopes with zero cohesion intercept were defined over the vertical stress range of 0 to 1 kPa. The effective friction angles were determined to be 40.4° and 40.8° for the 3 and 12 day old beds, respectively. For beds of the same thickness and age, the total friction angles obtained from partially drained tests were 23.3° and 23.8°, respectively. Small variations in total and effective friction angles with consolidation time were observed.