bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Used as Ultrasonographic Assessment of the Incidence of Raised Intracranial Pressure in Preeclampsia
Authors: Dubost Clément , Le Gouez Agnès , Jouffroy Viridiana , Roger-Christoph Sandrine , Benhamou Dan , Mercier Frédéric J. , Geeraerts Thomas 
Published: January 2012

Background
In some cases of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, brain imaging displays signs compatible with raised intracranial pressure. We aimed to estimate the incidence of raised intracranial pressure in preeclampsia using ocular ultrasonography.

Methods
Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurements were compared in 26 preeclamptic and 25 healthy pregnant women. For each optic nerve, two measurements were made (transverse plane and sagittal plane) using a 7.5 MHz ultrasound linear probe. Preeclamptic patients were followed-up until postpartum day 7.

Results
Median ONSD values were significantly greater in preeclamptic patients compared with healthy pregnant women at delivery (5.4 mm (95% CI: 5.2, 5.7) vs. 4.5 mm (95% CI: 4.3, 4.8), P < 0.0001). At delivery, 5/26 (19%) of preeclamptic patients had ONSD values above 5.8 mm (value associated in the literature with 95% risk of raised intracranial pressure) whereas none of the healthy pregnant group had such high ONSD values. In the preeclamptic group, ONSD decreased after the third postpartum day. ONSD values at day 7 were not significantly different from those obtained in the normal pregnancy group (P = 0.10).

Conclusion
In about 20% of preeclamptic patients, ONSD reaches values compatible with intracranial pressure above 20 mmHg. Further work is needed to confirm this incidence and to better understand the diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness of this easy-to-do monitoring technique.
Can Colonic Manometry Studies Be Done on the Day of Colonic Motility Catheter Placement?
Authors: Ammoury Rana F. , Emhardt John D. , Aitchison William B. , Horn Debra S. , Croffie Joseph M. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and Aims:Colonic manometry has been used to assess colonic neuromuscular integrity in pediatric patients with severe constipation unresponsive to standard medical therapy and to tailor their treatment plans. There are presently no available standard protocols for conducting colonic manometry studies. The aim of the present study was to determine whether colonic manometry studies can be conducted on the same day the colonic motility catheters are placed and to compare the effects of inhaled sevoflurane versus intravenous propofol, used during catheter placement, on colonic motility.Methods:Twenty patients, randomized to receive sevoflurane or propofol during catheter placement, underwent colonic manometry on the day of catheter placement as well as the day after. The total motility index (MI), change in MI in response to a meal and bisacodyl, and presence of high‐amplitude propagating contractions were compared between the 2 studies for each patient.Results:Ten patients were allocated to sevoflurane and 10 patients to propofol. A total of 8 (80%) patients in the sevoflurane group and 9 (90%) patients in the propofol group had no differences in their studies between days 1 and 2 when the tracings were interpreted manually for gross evidence of high‐amplitude propagating contractions and gastrocolonic reflex. Similarly, there was no change in the total MI between studies done on days 1 and 2 in either sevoflurane (978 ± 232 vs 978 ± 184; P = 0.99) or propofol (968 ± 200 vs 1078 ± 227; P = 0.29) group. When comparing change in MI in response to a meal or bisacodyl between the 2 days, there was no statistical difference noted in either group.Conclusions:Colonic manometry studies can be conducted as early as 4 hours following catheter placement with either propofol or sevoflurane used for anesthesia.
A New Type of Compartment, Defined by Plant-Specific Atg8-Interacting Proteins, Is Induced upon Exposure of Arabidopsis Plants to Carbon Starvation
Authors: Honig Arik , Avin-Wittenberg Tamar , Ufaz Shai , Galili Gad 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Atg8 is a central protein in bulk starvation–induced autophagy, but it is also specifically associated with multiple protein targets under various physiological conditions to regulate their selective turnover by the autophagy machinery. Here, we describe two new closely related Arabidopsis thaliana Atg8-interacting proteins (ATI1 and ATI2) that are unique to plants. We show that under favorable growth conditions, ATI1 and ATI2 are partially associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane network, whereas upon exposure to carbon starvation, they become mainly associated with newly identified spherical compartments that dynamically move along the ER network. These compartments are morphologically distinct from previously reported spindle-shaped ER bodies and, in contrast to them, do not contain ER-lumenal markers possessing a C-terminal HDEL sequence. Organelle and autophagosome-specific markers show that the bodies containing ATI1 are distinct from Golgi, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and classical autophagosomes. The final destination of the ATI1 bodies is the central vacuole, indicating that they may operate in selective turnover of specific proteins. ATI1 and ATI2 gene expression is elevated during late seed maturation and desiccation. We further demonstrate that ATI1 overexpression or suppression of both ATI1 and ATI2, respectively, stimulate or inhibit seed germination in the presence of the germination-inhibiting hormone abscisic acid.
Safety and patient outcomes with lubiprostone for up to 52 weeks in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
Authors: Chey W. D. , Drossman D. A. , Johanson J. F. , Scott C. , Panas R. M. , Ueno R. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryBackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‐C) significantly decreases quality of life and the ability to perform daily living activities.AimTo demonstrate the long‐term safety, tolerability and patient outcomes of lubiprostone in patients with IBS‐C.MethodsThis extension study enrolled 522 IBS‐C patients who had completed one of two randomised phase 3 studies. All enrolled patients received open‐label lubiprostone orally for 36‐weeks (8 mcg, twice daily). The primary objective was the assessment of long‐term safety and tolerability, monitored via adverse events (AEs), laboratory parameters and vital signs. Additional outcome endpoints included monthly responder rates and patient evaluations of IBS‐C symptom severity and impact on quality of life.ResultsThe evaluable safety population comprised of 520 patients; 476 of which had patient reported outcome data available. The overall safety profile of lubiprostone during this study was similar to that observed in the preceding phase 3 studies. The most common AEs were diarrhoea (11.0%), nausea (11.0%), urinary tract infection (9.0%), sinusitis (9.0%) and abdominal distention (5.8%). Diarrhoea and nausea were the most common treatment‐related AEs. No serious AEs were considered treatment‐related. Seventeen patients discontinued due to a treatment‐related AE, of which diarrhoea and nausea accounted for six (1.2%) and three (0.6%) respectively. For responder rates and patient‐evaluated parameters (n = 476), all groups experienced significant improvements from baseline, with initial improvements maintained throughout the study.ConclusionIn patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, lubiprostone 8 mcg twice daily was found to be safe and well tolerated over 9–13 months of treatment.
SNP‐based association mapping of the polled gene in divergent cattle breeds
Authors: Seichter D. , Russ I. , Rothammer S. , Eder J. , Förster M. , Medugorac I. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryNaturally, hornless cattle are called polled. Although the POLL locus could be assigned to a c. 1.36‐Mb interval in the centromeric region of BTA1, the underlying genetic basis for the polled trait is still unknown. Here, an association mapping design was set up to refine the candidate region of the polled trait for subsequent high‐throughput sequencing. The case group comprised 101 homozygous polled animals from nine divergent cattle breeds, the majority represented by Galloway, Angus, Fleckvieh and Holstein Friesian. Additionally, this group included some polled individuals of Blonde d’Aquitaine, Charolais, Hereford, Jersey and Limousin breeds. The control group comprised horned Belgian Blue, Fleckvieh, Holstein Friesian and Illyrian Buša cattle. A genome‐wide scan using 49 163 SNPs was performed, which revealed one shared homozygous haplotype block consisting of nine neighbouring SNPs in all polled animals. This segment defines a 381‐kb interval on BTA1 that we consider to be the most likely location of the POLL mutation. Our results further demonstrate that the polled‐associated haplotype is also frequent in horned animals included in this study, and thus the haplotype as such cannot be used for population‐wide genetic testing. The actual trait‐associated haplotype may be revealed by using higher‐density SNP arrays. For the final identification of the causal mutation, we suggest high‐throughput sequencing of the entire candidate region, because the identification of functional candidate genes is difficult owing to the lack of a comparable model.
Trends of reporting of ‘serious’vs. ‘non‐serious’ adverse drug reactions over time: a study in the French PharmacoVigilance Database
Authors: Moulis Guillaume , Sommet Agnès , Durrieu Geneviève , Bagheri Haleh , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse , Montastruc Jean‐Louis ,   The French Association of PharmacoVigilance Centres
Published: January 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Several factors are known to influence spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Among them, ‘seriousness’ of the reaction is one of the most important.• However, evolution in the reporting of ‘serious’vs.‘non‐serious’ ADRs over time for the same drug remains unknown.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• Spontaneous reports mainly involve ‘non‐serious’ ADRs during the first years of marketing and ‘serious’ ADRs later, particularly for drugs with non‐hospital use.AIM To investigate trends in spontaneous reporting to the French Pharmacovigilance system of ‘serious’ (SADRs) and ‘non‐serious’ (NSADRs) adverse drug reactions over time.METHODS Annual SADR : NSADR ratios were calculated for each drug and their evolution tested with linear trend tests.RESULTS Among the 39 new active substances commercialized in France in 2000, 16 had sufficient data to perform linear trend tests. An increasing linear relation was found for five widely prescribed drugs, a non‐significant increasing trend for eight others, i.e. drugs mostly used in hospitals.CONCLUSION ADR reports mainly concern NSADRs during first years of marketing. Reports of SADRs are proportionally more frequent later.
Adaptive trials in paediatric development: dealing with heterogeneity and uncertainty in pharmacokinetic differences in children
Authors: Cella Massimo , Danhof Meindert , Della Pasqua Oscar 
Published: January 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• In children, differences in treatment response may be influenced by the effect of developmental changes and maturation on drug disposition, which lead to ambiguous relationships between dose and exposure.• Initial estimation of the paediatric dose is obtained by extrapolation. However, no consensus on dose selection methodologies has been reached so far.• The paradigm compound used in this investigation is abacavir, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used to treat human immunodeficiency virus infection. The recommended paediatric dose is 8 mg kg−1 twice daily up to a maximum of 300 mg twice daily.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• The use of adaptive rather than fixed dose protocols enables the accurate selection of the paediatric dose.• Adaptive procedures ensure shrinkage of the observed exposure distribution around the target range irrespective of study size.• Modelling and simulation techniques provides the basis for the systematic evaluation of the implications of dose selection in a paediatric clinical trial.AIMS To assess whether an adaptive design in early clinical trials based on the paradigm of variable dosing and controlled exposure can provide better dosing recommendations compared with the standard fixed dose approach.METHODS In a clinical trial simulation setting, a paediatric study was simulated using a pharmacokinetic model previously developed for abacavir. Plasma concentrations following the current recommended dose (8 mg kg−1) were taken at standard sampling times, exposures (AUC) were calculated and doses individually adapted to reach the target exposure (i.e. effective exposure in adults). A second round of simulations followed with the adapted doses, and the resulting concentrations were fitted again with the same model. Exposure distributions in both conditions (i.e. fixed dose and controlled exposure) were compared with the target exposure.RESULTS The AUC distribution after the current dose resulted in a median exposure of 6.43 mg h l−1 (90th percentile 3.13–10.67 mg h l−1). A total of 61 of 128 subjects showed AUC values either too low or to high compared with the target exposure. After dose adjustment, the median exposure was 6.94 mg h l−1 (5.57–8.25 mg h l−1), and only 14 subjects deviated from the target range.CONCLUSIONS Adaptive randomization can be used to optimize dosing regimens in early paediatric clinical trials. The randomization of patients to target exposure rather than dose increases the probability of demonstrating efficacy (i.e. study power) compared with dose‐controlled trials. Furthermore, it contributes to further understanding of the role of dose on the total heterogeneity in clinical response.
Incidence of anaphylaxis in the city of Alcorcon (Spain): a population‐based study
Authors: Tejedor Alonso M. A. , Moro Moro M. , Múgica García M. V. , Esteban Hernández J. , Rosado Ingelmo A. , Vila Albelda C. , Gomez Traseira C. , Cardenas Contreras R. , Sanz Sacristán J. , Hernández Merino A. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryBackgroundRelatively few studies have examined the incidence of anaphylaxis in the general population.ObjectiveTo report the incidence of anaphylaxis among the general population of the city of Alcorcon, Spain, using various public health care databases.MethodsEpisodes of anaphylaxis were recovered using validated alphanumeric strings in different fields of electronic clinical records used in the different public health settings in the city of Alcorcon (primary care, Emergency Department, hospitalized patients and Allergy Outpatient Clinic). Patients with anaphylaxis were tracked across the different clinical settings in Alcorcon.ResultsThe incidence of anaphylaxis in Alcorcon was 103.37 episodes per 100 000 person‐years (total standardized incidence rate of 112.2). There was a peak of 313.58 episodes in the 0–4 years age group and a different distribution of incidence rates (although non‐significant) among different age groups between male patients and female patients. In most age groups, incidence tended to be higher for female patients aged over 10 years. Patients were attended at two or more levels in 76.78% of episodes, and a new evaluation was often made at a primary care centre (71.43%), Allergy Outpatient Clinic (75.6%), or both after the episode (58.93%).Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceThis study revealed a higher rate of anaphylaxis than that in previous studies, although this incidence rate is probably lower than the real incidence rate. Studies exploring potential methodological, genetic and environmental factors accounting for these higher rates of anaphylaxis are required.
Disease severity impairs sleep quality in allergic rhinitis (The SOMNIAAR study)
Authors: Colás C. , Galera H. , Añibarro B. , Soler R. , Navarro A. , Jáuregui I. , Peláez A. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryBackgroundSleep is impaired in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, with subsequent effects on daytime performance and health‐related quality of life (QOL). Sleep quality in AR has rarely been considered through validated tools and consensus classifications.ObjectiveTo evaluate sleep quality and daytime somnolence in AR patients, and to estimate its relationship to disease severity according to Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) conventional and modified classifications, as well as in terms of QOL and comorbidities.MethodsAllergic rhinitis adult patients were evaluated through a prospective, observational, multicentre survey in Spain. Symptoms were assessed using the Total Symptoms Score (TSS), specific QOL by the Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), sleep quality by Pittsburgh scale, and diurnal somnolence by a scale based on Epworth's, all recorded in a unique visit.ResultsA total of 2275 patients were included. According to ARIA criteria, 50.2% had persistent and 49.8% intermittent rhinitis, whereas 87.6% were classified as moderate‐severe and 12.4% as mild; 52.8% had poor sleep quality, with a global median score for Pittsburgh scale of 6 (normal < 5) and 21.1% suffered from excessive diurnal somnolence. Correlation between Pittsburgh scale and RQLQ was moderate (r = 0.54). Among symptoms, nasal obstruction and concomitant asthma mainly, contributed to bad sleep quality. In a logistic regression model, moderate‐severe rhinitis and nasal obstruction were all associated with a worse sleep quality.Conclusions and clinical relevanceSleep quality is altered in AR patients. Sleep quality was worse in moderate‐severe, and particularly in severe AR. Nasal obstruction and RQLQ deterioration are associated with a poorer sleep quality. Sleep impairment is common in allergic rhinitis, particularly in more severe forms. Nasal obstruction and concomitant asthma should be considered as contributing factors.Capsule summaryThis is a large epidemiological survey of patients with allergic rhinitis showing a strong relationship between disease severity, as assessed by a consensus classification, and sleep impairment, as measured by a validated sleep quality tool.
Immunohistochemical expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes 2 and 5 in colorectal cancer
Authors: Evangelou Ioulia , Petraki Constantina , Msaouel Pavlos , Scorilas Andreas , Sdrolia Eleni , Padazi Georgia , Koborozos Vassilios , Koutsilieris Michael 
Published: January 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (7): 777–783AbstractBackground  To determine the immunohistochemical expression levels of the somatostatin receptor subtypes 2 and 5 (Sst2 and Sst5) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and to investigate the association of Sst2 and Sst5 expression with clinicopathological parameters.Materials and methods  A retrospective analysis of formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded CRC surgical specimens from 81 patients assessed by immunohistochemistry for Sst2 and Sst5 expression.Results  Sst2 and Sst5 expression levels showed significant, negative association with CRC invasion and liver metastasis (P values < 0·05) while Sst2 also showed significantly increased expression in lower‐grade tumours as well as in tumours located in the rectum (P values < 0·05). Patients with CRC expressing either Sst2 or Sst5 had significantly longer survival rates (P values < 0·05), although Sst expression was not found to be an independent predictor of survival after controlling for other known prognostic clinicopathological variables (P values > 0·05).Conclusions  The present data confirm the relationship of Sst2 and Sst5 expression levels with reduced tumour aggressiveness.
An in vivo investigation of salivary properties, enamel hypomineralisation, and carious lesion severity in a group of Iraqi schoolchildren
Authors: GHANIM AGHAREED , MARIÑO RODRIGO , MORGAN MICHAEL , BAILEY DENISE , MANTON DAVID 
Published: January 2012

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 2–12
Background.  Hypomineralised enamel is a prevalent, congenital defect vulnerable to deteriorate post‐eruptively particularly in the presence of an unfavourable oral environment.Aims.  To assess the influence of salivary characteristics on the clinical presentation of hypomineralisation lesions diagnosed in first permanent and second primary molars and to evaluate caries severity in relation to the defect’s clinical presentation.Design.  Recruitment consisted of 445 seven‐ to nine‐year‐old participants, of whom 152 were diagnosed as having molar hypomineralisation (MH); the remaining unaffected subjects (N = 293) were considered their controls for saliva analysis. Dental caries status was assessed in 300 subjects of saliva sub‐sample, equally divided as MH‐affected and non‐affected children. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System was used for caries detection. Salivary flow rates, viscosity, pH, and buffering capacity were determined.Results.  Molar hypomineralisation‐affected children have significantly higher mean caries scores compared to the non‐affected group. Dentinal carious lesions were ten times more frequent in teeth with post‐eruptive breakdown (PEB) than with teeth with opacities only. Low salivary flow rates (LSFR), moderately viscous saliva, and low pH were significantly more common in the affected group. LSFR and moderate and highly acidic saliva were more likely associated with PEB.Conclusion.  Demarcated hypomineralised enamel is a dynamic defect highly influenced by individual characteristics of the oral environment.
A controlled, longitudinal study of home visits compared to telephone contacts to prevent early childhood caries
Authors: PLONKA KATHRYN A. , PUKALLUS MARGARET L. , BARNETT ADRIAN , HOLCOMBE TREVOR F. , WALSH LAURENCE J. , SEOW W. KIM 
Published: January 2012

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 23–31
Background.  Home visits (HV) provide excellent opportunities for health promotion.Aim.  This longitudinal study compared the effects of HV and telephone contacts (TC) in preventing early childhood caries (ECC) and colonisation of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) from 0 to 24 months.Design.  A total of 325 children were recruited from community health centres at mean age of 42 days, and randomly assigned to receive either HV or TC. A total of 188 children completed three, 6 monthly HV, and another 58 had three, 6 monthly TC. An additional 40 age‐matched children from childcare facilities served as reference controls (RC). At 24 months, all groups were examined at a community dental clinic.Results.  At 24 months, three HV children of 188 (1.5%) had caries, compared to four TC of 58 (6.8%) and nine RC of 40 (22.5%) (P < 0.001 for HV versus RC; P = 0.05 for HV versus TC and P = 0.03 for TC versus RC). There were also more children with MS in the TC (47%) and RC (35%) compared to HV (28%) group (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02).Conclusions.  Home visits and telephone contacts conducted 6 monthly from birth are effective in reducing ECC prevalence by 24 months.