bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Restricting cough and cold medicines in children
Authors: Isbister Geoffrey K , Prior Felicity , Kilham Henry A 
Published: June 2010

Aims:  Based on concerns about safety and efficacy, international authorities have either advised against the use of cough and cold medication or considering such action. We aimed to systematically review the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of cough and cold medicines in children.Methods:  We conducted a systematic review to identify studies relating to the use of products to treat symptoms of the common cold, influenza or allergic rhinitis, and relating to poisoning or toxicity from unintentional ingestion or overdose in children (<12 years). Medline, Embase and the Cochrane database were searched. No meta‐analysis was undertaken because of the paucity of evidence, multiple medicines available, and the need to consider both effectiveness and safety.Results:  Seventy two relevant studies or clinical reports were identified. There was little support for the effectiveness of these medicines for acute cough or the common cold in children. However, the majority of these medicines do not appear to be highly toxic in children and are not a major cause of severe effects following unintentional poisoning. The common use of these agents does not appear to be responsible for increased deaths in young children. Many cases of toxicity from cough and cold medications in young children are a result of therapeutic error. Particular medications, including diphenhydramine and codeine, appear to be associated with a high frequency of severe adverse effects and toxicity.Conclusion:  Restriction of cough and cold medicines in children is supported by currently available evidence.
Water births and the research required to assess the benefits versus the harms
Authors: Davies Mark W 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe questions that must be asked about any health‐care intervention, including the use of immersion in the second stage of labour with birth into the water, are: is it useful?, does it do any harm? and do any benefits outweigh any harms? There is little subjective evidence (and no reliable, objective evidence) of any benefit to the mother or baby from water birth. There are reports of uncommon, yet significant, adverse outcomes for babies including deaths and significant morbidity directly attributed to water birth. There are also sound physiological mechanisms that can readily explain the significant adverse outcomes reported. It remains unknown whether any benefits from water birth outweigh any harms given the small number of underpowered studies available. An appropriately sized randomised controlled trial of good quality remains the only reliable way to assess both the efficacy and the safety of water births. Babies should not be born into water unless enrolled in such trials.
Configurations of Rape: Some Issues for Conversation Configurations of Rape in the Hebrew Bible: A Literary Analysis of Three Rape Narratives – By Frank M. Yamada
Authors: Kuan K. Jeffrey 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWhile I am in much agreement with Frank Yamada's analysis and reading of the Genesis 34, Judges 19, and 2 Samuel 13 as rape narratives, in that all three texts show a ‘family resemblance’, this review essay is an attempt to engage his work in a conversation by discussing the following issues: (1) his use of ‘family resemblance’; (2) common authorship; (3) insider–outsider category; (4) 2 Samuel 11 as a rape narrative; (5) theological and ethical implications of such readings.
Interleukin‐6‐type cytokines in neuroprotection and neuromodulation: oncostatin M, but not leukemia inhibitory factor, requires neuronal adenosine A1 receptor function
Authors: Moidunny Shamsudheen , Dias Raquel Baptista , Wesseling Evelyn , Sekino Yuko , Boddeke Hendrikus W. G. M. , Sebastião Ana Maria , Biber Knut 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1667–1677.AbstractNeuroprotection is one of the prominent functions of the interleukin (IL)‐6‐type cytokine family, for which the underlying mechanism(s) are not fully understood. We have previously shown that neuroprotection and neuromodulation mediated by IL‐6 require neuronal adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) function. We now have investigated whether two other IL‐6‐type cytokines [oncostatin M (OSM) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)] use a similar mechanism. It is presented here that OSM but not LIF, enhanced the expression of A1Rs (both mRNA and protein levels) in cultured neurons. Whereas the neuroprotective effect of LIF was unchanged in A1R deficient neurons, OSM failed to protect neurons in the absence of A1R. In addition, OSM pre‐treatment for 4 h potentiated the A1R‐mediated inhibition of electrically evoked excitatory post‐synaptic currents recorded from hippocampal slices either under normal or hypoxic conditions. No such effect was observed after LIF pre‐treatment. Our findings thus strongly suggest that, despite known structural and functional similarities, OSM and LIF use different mechanisms to achieve neuroprotection and neuromodulation.
mGluR1 antagonist decreased NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide production after transient focal cerebral ischemia
Authors: Murotomi Kazutoshi , Takagi Norio , Mizutani Reiko , Honda Taka‐aki , Ono Megumi , Takeo Satoshi , Tanonaka Kouichi 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1711–1719.AbstractNADPH oxidase, which is activated by PKC and signaling via the NMDA receptor, is one of the crucial enzymes for superoxide production in the CNS. We showed earlier that the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) plays an important role in the activation of PKC and tyrosine phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor, which has been implicated in enhancement of the channel activity, after cerebral ischemia. In this study, we sought to determine the role of mGluR1 in the activation of NADPH oxidase and subsequent superoxide production after transient focal cerebral ischemia. The amounts of NADPH oxidase subunits in the membrane fraction were increased after the start of reperfusion. These changes were accompanied by increased NADPH oxidase activity followed by superoxide production. The administration of an mGluR1 antagonist attenuated NADPH oxidase activity, which was coincident with inhibition of superoxide production. We further showed that the increase in the amount of PKCδ, but not of PKCζ, as well as the increase in those of NADPH oxidase subunits, was attenuated by the mGluR1 antagonist. These results suggest that mGluR1 may be linked to the increase in NADPH oxidase activity that is mediated by PKCδ and subsequent superoxide production after cerebral ischemia.
Apolipoprotein B100 secretion by cultured ARPE‐19 cells is modulated by alteration of cholesterol levels
Authors: Wu Tinghuai , Fujihara Masashi , Tian Jane , Jovanovic Miroslava , Grayson Celene , Cano Marisol , Gehlbach Peter , Margaron Philippe , Handa James T. 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1734–1744.AbstractCholesteryl ester rich apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) lipoproteins accumulate in Bruch’s membrane before the development of age‐related macular degeneration. It is not known if these lipoproteins come from the circulation or local ocular tissue. Emerging, but incomplete evidence suggests that the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) can secrete lipoproteins. The purpose of this investigation was to determine (i) whether human RPE cells synthesize and secrete apoB100, and (ii) whether this secretion is driven by cellular cholesterol, and if so, (iii) whether statins inhibit this response. The established, human derived ARPE‐19 cells challenged with 0–0.8 mM oleic acid accumulated cellular cholesterol, but not triglycerides. Oleic acid increased the amount of apoB100 protein recovered from the medium by both western blot analysis and 35S‐radiolabeled immunoprecipitation while negative stain electron microscopy showed lipoprotein‐like particles. Of nine statins evaluated, lipophilic statins induced HMG‐CoA reductase mRNA expression the most. The lipophilic Cerivastatin (5 μM) reduced cellular cholesterol by 39% and abrogated apoB100 secretion by 3‐fold. In contrast, the hydrophilic statin Pravastatin had minimal effect on apoB100 secretion. These data suggest that ARPE‐19 cells synthesize and secrete apoB100 lipoproteins, that this secretion is driven by cellular cholesterol, and that statins can inhibit apoB100 secretion by reducing cellular cholesterol.
Genotypic and phenotypic variation in diatom silicification under paleo‐oceanographic conditions
Authors: FINKEL Z. V. , MATHESON K. A. , REGAN K. S. , IRWIN A. J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractDiatoms have co‐evolved with the silicon cycle and are largely responsible for reducing surface concentrations of silicate in the ocean to their present levels. We quantify silicification in marine diatoms at a range of high silicate concentrations representative of environments found over their geological history. The species examined include Stephanopyxis turris, an ancient centric species found throughout the Cenozoic, Thalassiosira pseudonana and Thalassiosira weissflogii, two younger centric species, and two pennate ecotypes of Staurosirella pinnata isolated from different nutrient regimes. Frustule thickness and micromorphological structure are strongly affected by silicate concentration. All species become increasingly silicified with silicate concentrations at concentrations vastly in excess of surface ocean concentrations today. In contrast, the half‐saturation constant for silicate uptake for most modern diatoms is below 2 μm. Based on the results, we hypothesize that silicate uptake is multiphasic in diatoms and that multiple silicate transport systems may have evolved in response to decreases in surface silicate concentration over geological time. The oldest species examined is more heavily silicified than the more modern species, presumably reflecting the conditions under which it originated. Yet diversification in silicification can be rapid, as illustrated by greater silicification in onshore versus the offshore ecotype of the same modern species. This work suggests that silicification of fossil frustules may eventually provide a paleoproxy for surface silicate concentrations over the Cenozoic, although development of species‐specific calibrations will be necessary and the effects of a range of environmental conditions must be investigated.
Plasma myeloperoxidase, NT‐proBNP, and troponin‐I in patients on CAPD compared with those on regular hemodialysis
Authors: AL‐HWEISH Abdulla , SULTAN Sherif S. , MOGAZI Khaled , ELSAMMAK Mohamed Y. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMyeloperoxidase (MPO) is a hemoprotein that is released during inflammation and may lead to irreversible protein and lipid modification, increasing levels of oxidized low density lipoprotein, and promoting athrogenesis. Recently, it has been considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, the measurement of carotid intima‐media thickness gives an indication about the degree of atherosclerosis and prediction of clinical cardiovascular events. Elevated white blood cells counts may indicate a state of acute inflammation and follow its progression. Dialysis patients are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with healthy subjects. The role of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide and increased cardiac troponin in identification and prognostication of cardiovascular diseases in end‐stage renal disease patients has been investigated. The current study aimed to evaluate plasma MPO and its possible relationship with carotid intima‐media thickness, troponin I, N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), and insulin resistance as measured by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA index) in a cohort of Saudi patients who are undergoing hemodialysis (HD) vs. continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for end‐stage renal disease. Plasma MPO was significantly higher in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) than in those on HD and in normal subjects (P<0.001). Conversely, NT‐proBNP plasma levels were significantly higher in patients on HD (both predialysis and postdialysis) than in those on CAPD (P<0.01) and than normal subjects. Similarly, plasma troponin‐I levels were significantly higher in patients on HD compared with those of CAPD and than normal subjects (P<0.001). Plasma troponin‐I and NT‐proBNP levels were positively correlated in the 3 groups namely those on CAPD, Pre‐HD, and post‐HD (r: 0.464 and P=0.047; r: 0.330 and P=0.013; and r: 0.452 and P=0.024), respectively. There was no correlation between the MPO level and carotid intima‐media thickness (P>0.05). However, plasma MPO level correlated positively with the white blood cell count in patients on CAPD and in those on HD (P<0.05). Our findings suggest an increased oxidative stress in CAPD patients compared with HD patients, while the reported difference in plasma NT‐proBNP and troponin‐I may be related to the rapid decline of residual renal function in HD and type of membrane used in the HD dialysis procedure itself.
Exercise improves the ApoB/ApoA‐I ratio, a marker of the metabolic syndrome in obese children
Authors: Ben Ounis O , Elloumi M , Makni E , Zouhal H , Amri M , Tabka Z , Lac G 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim:  This study was designed to examine the effect of training on components of the metabolic syndrome and ApoB/ApoA‐I ratio in obese children.Methods:  We studied thirty‐two obese children (13.3 ± 0.4 years) with 16 subjects who participated to 8‐week training and 16 subjects serving as a control group. Training was individualized at the point where fat oxidation was maximal (Fat max). In each subject, pre‐ and postintervention anthropometric measures and biochemical tests on fasting blood were performed.Results:  After the programme, the training group showed an increase in VO2peak and fat oxidation during exercise. Body mass index (BMI), blood glucose and triglycerides were reduced, and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) was increased. ApoB/ApoA‐I ratio decreased significantly (−0.43%, p < 0.01). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure also decreased (−8.4% and −10.9%, respectively). Among the training group, 10 subjects were classified as having the metabolic syndrome before the intervention and none after. No significant changes in any other variables were measured in the control group.Conclusions:  Training targeted at Fat max reduces the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors in obese children. In particular, this intervention decreases the ApoB/ApoA‐I ratio, which may be considered as a marker for following this syndrome.
Many patients with Type 1 diabetes estimate their prandial insulin need inappropriately
Authors: AHOLA Aila J. , MÄKIMATTILA Sari , SARAHEIMO Markku , MIKKILÄ Vera , FORSBLOM Carol , FREESE Riitta , GROOP Per‐Henrik ,   on behalf of the FinnDIANE Study Group
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground:  Many factors contribute to the need for prandial insulin in Type 1 diabetes. However, patients’ success in achieving normal postprandial glucose concentration is understudied. The aim of the present study was to determine how often patients with Type 1 diabetes achieve normal postprandial glucose concentrations and to evaluate factors associated with postprandial hypo‐ and hyperglycemia.Methods:  Data on food intake, physical activity, insulin administration, and blood glucose concentration were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire from 331 patients with Type 1 diabetes (43% men; mean age 49 ± 12 years; mean diabetes duration 32 ± 13 years). Of these, 179 provided data on blood glucose concentrations measured 110–150 min postprandially. One such meal per patient was randomized for analyses.Results:  Hypoglycemia (<4.0 mmol/L), normoglycemia (4.0–7.9 mmol/L), and hyperglycemia (≥8.0 mmol/L) were observed after 23%, 36%, and 41% of meals, respectively. The three postprandial glycemia groups did not differ with respect to the meal composition or the timing of the postprandial blood glucose measurement. In women, postprandial hyperglycemia was associated with shorter diabetes duration and higher preprandial blood glucose concentration, whereas postprandial hypoglycemia was associated with higher physical activity. No single factor explained the postprandial glycemic state in men.Conclusions:  A total of 64% of patients estimated their prandial insulin need inappropriately, suggesting that estimation of the optimal prandial insulin dose is not easy, even after a long duration of diabetes.
Review of methods for deriving areal reduction factors
Authors: Svensson C. , Jones D.A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe design of hydraulic structures requires knowledge of how much rain is likely to fall within a certain amount of time and over a specific area. Point rainfalls are only representative for a very limited area, and for larger areas, the areal average rainfall depth is likely to be much smaller than at the point of the maximum observed depth. The estimation of areal reduction factors (ARFs) is concerned with the relationship between the point and areal rainfalls. This relationship has been found to vary with, for example, predominant weather type, season and return period. Traditionally, ARF estimates are based on empirical methods, although, more recently, a range of analytical methods have been applied. The review has found that no method is unambiguously correct. However, the traditional data‐intensive, empirical, fixed‐area methods still have advantages, including probabilistically correct ARF estimates and applicability over a comprehensive range of spatial and temporal scales. Although the analytical techniques attempt to place ARF estimation on a sounder scientific basis, they tend to rely on simplified assumptions and/or are only applicable within limited scales. The use of radar is problematic because of inhomogeneities and short data records, as well as possible biases in the ARF estimates.
The autoimmunity conundrum: clotting or inflammation
Authors: YEE Dennis Z. Y. , TENG Gim Gee , LIM Anita Y. N. , LOW Adrian F. , VASOO Sheila 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAntiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition with a myriad of clinical manifestations ranging from cardiovascular, neurologic, renal involvement to cutaneous manifestations and thrombocytopenia. We describe a young woman who presented with fever, cough and dyspnea. She had a history of recurrent pregnancy losses and her antiphospholipid antibodies and lupus serologies were positive. Echocardiography showed mobile mitral and aortic valve vegetations. She was treated as for infective endocarditis and diagnosed with primary APS with lupus‐like disease. Vigilance is required to establish if there is an underlying rheumatological condition in a patient who presents with presumptive infective endocarditis in the absence of risk factors. Treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus and primary APS are distinct.
The N‐terminal kinase suppressor of Ras complex has a weak nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity
Authors: Yang Xueqin , You Jiacong , Luo Wei , Yue Jiao , Ma Li , Xiao Wen , Zhu Daxing , Wu Zhihao , Wang Dong , Nadiminty Nagalakshmi , Gao Allen C. , Zhou Qinghua 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIntroduction:  An increasing number of studies have proven that the kinase suppressor of Ras (KSR1) functions as a scaffolding protein that coordinates the assembly of a multiprotein complex containing mitogen‐activated protein kinase and its upstream regulators. However, a few studies have reported that KSR1 can activate c‐Raf‐1. Therefore, whether KSR1 possesses a kinase activity has been an unresolved issue until now.Materials and Methods:  pCMV‐Tag2b‐KSR plasmids were transfected into 293T cells. In vitro autophosphorylation was assayed by autoradiography and in vitro kinase was assayed by reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography.Results:  We observed that wild‐type KSR1 (WT‐KSR) and N‐terminal KSR1 (N‐KSR) were phosphorylated, but the C‐terminal KSR1 (C‐KSR) and vector proteins were not. The high performance liquid chromatography profile showed not only the adenosine diphosphate peak but also the uridine triphosphate peak in the WT‐KSR and N‐KSR groups; both peaks were considerably more significant in these groups than in the others. The WT‐KSR and N‐KSR groups exhibited transphosphorylation and autophosphorylation activities, while the other groups revealed almost no activity.Discussion:  Here, we demonstrate the nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity of the KSR1 complex and that this activity can be independent of the C‐terminus of KSR1. Additionally, we found the autophosphorylation activity of the KSR1 complex to be extremely weak, suggesting that the KSR1 complex possesses an extremely weak kinase activity irrespective of whether it is nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity or serine/threonine protein kinase activity. These data suggest that the kinase activity of the KSR1 complex is derived from its associated proteins.
Increased Mutation Frequency in Redox-Impaired
Escherichia coli
Due to RelA- and RpoS-Mediated Repression of DNA Repair
Authors: Singh Amarjeet , Karimpour-Fard Anis , Gill Ryan T. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Balancing of reducing equivalents is a fundamental issue in bacterial metabolism and metabolic engineering. Mutations in the key metabolic genes
ldhA
and
pflB
of
Escherichia coli
are known to stall anaerobic growth and fermentation due to a buildup of intracellular NADH. We observed that the rate of spontaneous mutation in
E. coli
BW25113 (Δ
ldhA
Δ
pflB
) was an order of magnitude higher than that in wild-type (WT)
E. coli
BW25113. We hypothesized that the increased mutation frequency was due to an increased NADH/NAD
+
ratio in this strain. Using several redox-impaired strains of
E. coli
and different redox conditions, we confirmed a significant correlation (
P
< 0.01) between intracellular-NADH/NAD
+
ratio and mutation frequency. To identify the genetic basis for this relationship, whole-genome transcriptional profiles were compared between BW25113 WT and BW25113 (Δ
ldhA
Δ
pflB
). This analysis revealed that the genes involved in DNA repair were expressed at significantly lower levels in BW25113 (Δ
ldhA
Δ
pflB
). Direct measurements of the extent of DNA repair in BW25113 (Δ
ldhA
Δ
pflB
) subjected to UV exposure confirmed that DNA repair was inhibited. To identify a direct link between DNA repair and intracellular-redox ratio, the stringent-response-regulatory gene
relA
and the global-stress-response-regulatory gene
rpoS
were deleted. In both cases, the mutation frequencies were restored to BW25113 WT levels.