bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting the impact on workload with the application of inpatient clinical review criteria into a paediatric emergency department
Authors: O'Leary Fenton M , Chayen Gilad M 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjective: Inpatient paediatric clinical observation charts that have predefined physiological criteria, which when reached might generate a mandatory medial review, are to be introduced into EDs in New South Wales. The present study estimated the increased workload of introducing these charts.Methods: The present study was carried out in the ED of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia. All patients admitted directly to the inpatient wards or to the Emergency Medical Unit for a 2 week period in April 2010 were included. The last set of clinical observations prior to the child being transferred out of the ED were recorded. These data were compared to the review criteria defined by the observation charts. The primary outcome was a possible activation of a review. Secondary outcomes were an attempt to quantify the extra time in the ED required before the review would be completed and the patient would be ready for transfer.Results: There were 1822 presentations. Two hundred and fifty‐three were admitted to the wards and 109 to the Emergency Medical Unit. There were 126 possible activations. Fifty‐seven (52%) of Emergency Medical Unit patients and 69 (28%) of ward patients met review criteria at the time of transfer. The review activations might have generated an extra 7060 min of additional workload.Conclusions: Individual units must decide where in the patient journey to introduce the charts for acute paediatric admissions based on the number of acute paediatric admissions and their severity as well as the availability and ability of staff to respond to calls.
Voluntary resistance wheel exercise during post‐natal growth in rats enhances skeletal muscle satellite cell and myonuclear content at adulthood
Authors: Smith H. K. , Merry T. L. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Aim:  To determine whether voluntary free wheel (FW) or resistance wheel (RW) exercise or reduced muscle activity would influence maturational increases in muscle mass and the number of satellite cells (SCs) and myonuclei (MN) accrued by adulthood.
Methods:  Hind limb muscles of male rats housed with, or without, FWs from 4 to 5, 7 or 10 weeks of age, and rats housed with RWs from 4 to 10 week of age, were evaluated. To assess the effect of reduced muscle activity, gastrocnemius muscles of 4‐week‐old rats were injected with botulinum toxin (Btx) and collected at 7 weeks of age. Muscle fibre size and the frequency of Pax7‐positive SCs and MN were determined in 7‐ and 10‐week‐old muscles via immunohistochemical methods.
Results:  Free wheel exercise enhanced muscle growth and the frequency of SCs in the medial gastrocnemius (MG) (threefold) and vastus lateralis (VL) (twofold) of rats at 10 week of age. Resistance wheel exercise increased the number of SCs and MN (22–30%), with more muscle fibre nuclei being associated with larger fibre size, in the soleus, MG and VL muscles. Btx impaired the normal increases in muscle fibre size and the accrual of MN but not SCs.
Conclusion:  A greater volume of exercise during maturational growth was important for enhancing SC numbers, whereas their conversion to MN required higher‐intensity exercise. The enhanced muscle fibre nuclear populations may influence the capacity of the muscle to adapt to exercise, injury or disuse in later adulthood.
Effects of renal denervation on the NKCC2 cotransporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle in rats with congestive heart failure
Authors: Torp M. , Brønd L. , Nielsen J. B. , Nielsen S. , Christensen S. , Jonassen T. E. N. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Aim:  Congestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with increased renal sympathetic nerve activity and renal sodium retention. Rats with CHF display increased expression of the Na–K–2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) in the renal medullary thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (mTAL), and arginine vasopressin (AVP)‐stimulated cAMP formation in mTAL segments is increased in rats with CHF. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of RSNA on cAMP formation and NKCC2 expression in mTAL in rats with CHF.
Methods:  Congestive heart failure was induced in male Wistar rats by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Bilateral surgical renal denervation (DNX) was performed 3 weeks later. Two weeks after DNX, mTAL segments were isolated and stimulated with AVP.
Results:  Congestive heart failure rats displayed increased mTAL NKCC2 expression (2.5 ± 0.5 vs. 1 ± 0.2 in Sham rats), which was abolished by DNX. Bilateral denervation decreased basal cAMP levels in unstimulated tubules from CHF rats (CHF: 12.56 ± 7.73 fmol μg−1 protein vs. DNX‐CHF: 7.94 ± 4.33; P < 0.05), as well as from Sham rats (SHAM: 4.70 ± 1.38 vs. DNX‐SHAM: 2.36 ± 1.52; P < 0.05). mTAL segments from DNX‐CHF and DNX‐Sham rats showed decreased AVP (10−6 m)‐stimulated cAMP formation, compared with CHF (CHF: 11.92 ± 4.89 fmol μg−1 protein vs. DNX‐CHF: 4.68 ± 2.47; P < 0.05) and Sham (SHAM: 10.78 ± 5.59 vs. DNX‐SHAM: 4.89 ± 2.62; P < 0.05).
Conclusion:  These results indicate that the renal sympathetic nerves have an effect on NKCC2 expression in the mTAL and might have an effect on cAMP formation in the TAL in CHF.
Nanoparticles for transcutaneous vaccination
Authors: Hansen Steffi , Lehr Claus‐Michael 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe living epidermis and dermis are rich in antigen presenting cells (APCs). Their activation can elicit a strong humoral and cellular immune response as well as mucosal immunity. Therefore, the skin is a very attractive site for vaccination, and an intradermal application of antigen may be much more effective than a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. However, the stratum corneum (SC) is a most effective barrier against the invasion of topically applied vaccines. Products which have reached the stage of clinical testing, avoid this problem by injecting the nano‐vaccine intradermally or by employing a barrier disrupting method and applying the vaccine to a relatively large skin area. Needle‐free vaccination is desirable from a number of aspects: ease of application, improved patient acceptance and less risk of infection among them. Nanocarriers can be designed in a way that they can overcome the SC. Also incorporation into nanocarriers protects instable antigen from degradation, improves uptake and processing by APCs, and facilitates endosomal escape and nuclear delivery of DNA vaccines. In addition, sustained release systems may build a depot in the tissue gradually releasing antigen which may avoid booster doses. Therefore, nanoformulations of vaccines for transcutaneous immunization are currently a very dynamic field of research. Among the huge variety of nanocarrier systems that are investigated hopes lie on ultra‐flexible liposomes, superfine rigid nanoparticles and nanocarriers, which are taken up by hair follicles. The potential and pitfalls associated with these three classes of carriers will be discussed.
Access to oral health services for urban low‐income Latino children: social ecological influences
Authors: Telleen Sharon , Rhee Kim Young O. , Chavez Noel , Barrett Richard E. , Hall William , Gajendra Sangeeta 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjectives:Using an ecological conceptual model, this study examined the social context, structural, and behavioral factors within an immigrant community that contribute to increased access and use of oral health services by Latino children. The predictors of health service use at the level of the individual, the family, the provider, and the health service system were studied for their effects on the initiation of care, continuity of care, and frequency of planned visits.Methods:In‐depth face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 320 Latino mothers regarding their use of oral health services for 4‐8‐year‐old children [Mexican (n = 221), Puerto Rican (n = 69), and Central and South American (n = 30)]. Outcome measures of dental care utilization were early age at initiation of care, continuity of care, and frequency of planned dental visits.Results:Regular planned dental visits were significantly related to the structural variables of household income and provider availability. The initiation of dental care was related to the mother's beliefs about the value of early preventive dental care. Mothers were more likely to continue care if they believed that the purpose was to keep the child's teeth healthy and had satisfactory communication with the dentist.Conclusions:Identifying the structural and behavioral factors that increase the likelihood of the use of oral health services can provide the basis for developing effective interventions specific to Latino children at the neighborhood level. The study findings can be also used for designing culturally appropriate oral health promotion programs and provider coordination of care.
Winter to spring changes in the slush bacterial community composition of a high‐mountain lake (Lake Redon, Pyrenees)
Authors: Llorens‐Marès Tomàs , Auguet Jean‐Christophe , Casamayor Emilio O. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryBacterial community composition was analysed in the slush layers of snow‐covered Lake Redon (2240 m altitude, Limnological Observatory of the Pyrenees, LOOP, NE Spain) in winter and spring and compared with bacteria from the lake water column, using 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and CARD‐FISH counts. The set of biological data was related to changes in bacterial production and to other relevant environmental variables measured in situ. In winter, up to 70% of the 16S rRNA sequences found in the slush were closely related to planktonic bacteria from the water column beneath the ice. Conversely, during spring ablation, 50% of the sequences had > 97% identity with bacteria from the cryosphere (i.e. globally distributed glaciers, snow and ice) and may have originated from remote aerosol deposition. The transition winter to spring was characterized by consistent community changes switching from assemblages dominated by Betaproteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes during snowpack growth to communities essentially dominated by the Bacteroidetes of classes Cytophagia and Sphingobacteria. This strong bacterial composition switch was associated with consistent increases in bacterial abundance and production, and decreasing bacterial diversity.
Obesity may attenuate the HbA1c‐lowering effect of sitagliptin in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Bando Yukihiro , Kanehara Hideo , Aoki Keiko , Hisada Azusa , Toya Daisyu , Tanaka Nobuyoshi 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAims/Introduction:  The aim of the present study was to assess the independent predictors of the HbA1c‐lowering effect of sitagliptin in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.Materials and Methods:  Data were retrieved from the medical records of 151 type 2 diabetic patients who had been taking sitagliptin 25 or 50 mg once daily for inadequate glycemic control for at least 12 weeks, with or without other oral hypoglycemic agents. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate correlations between two independent continuous variables. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of reductions in HbA1c levels after 12 weeks of sitagliptin treatment (ΔHbA1c).Results:  In all patients combined, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients showed that ΔHbA1c was significantly correlated with baseline HbA1c alone (r = 0.371, P < 0.0001). However, multiple linear regression analysis among all patients using baseline variables revealed that the independent factors contributing to ΔHbA1c, in order of importance, were method of prescribing (P < 0.0001), baseline HbA1c (P < 0.0001), body mass index (BMI; P = 0.004), and duration of diabetes (P = 0.024).Conclusions:  Our analysis may provide novel evidence that increased BMI contributes, in part, to attenuation of the HbA1c‐lowering effect of sitagliptin in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. Analysis of a larger population over a longer period of time is warranted to confirm these findings. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00156.x, 2011)
Acteoside inhibits melanogenesis in B16F10 cells through ERK activation and tyrosinase down-regulation
Authors: Son Young-Ok , Lee Seung-Ah , Kim So-Soon , Jang Yong-Suk , Chun Jae-Chul , Lee Jeong-Chae 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Objectives
Acteoside is a phenylpropanoid glycoside extracted from the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa that displays various biological activities. In this study, we tested the effects of acteoside on tyrosinase activity and melanin biosynthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. We also explored molecular mechanisms for the inhibition of melanogenesis observed, focusing on the signalling pathway of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).

Methods
The effects of acteoside were determined using several cell-free assay systems and B16F10 melanoma cells for melanin content and tyrosinase activity. To investigate effects on melanogenic regulatory factors we performed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, cAMP assay and Western blot analyses.

Key findings
Acteoside showed an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in both cell-free assay systems and cultured B16F10 melanoma cells. Acteoside decreased levels of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) proteins, whereas it increased ERK phosphorylation. A specific ERK inhibitor, PD98059, abolished the acteoside-induced down-regulation of MITF, tyrosinase and TRP-1 proteins. The ERK inhibitor increased tyrosinase activity and melanin production and reversed the acteoside-induced decrease in tyrosinase activity and melanin content. In addition, acteoside suppressed melanogenesis induced by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and showed UV-absorbing effects.

Conclusions
Acteoside decreased tyrosinase activity and melanin biosynthesis in B16F10 cells by activating ERK signalling, which down-regulated MITF, tyrosinase and TRP-1 production.
Flavonoids in Scutellaria immaculata and S. ramosissima (Lamiaceae) and their biological activity
Authors: Mamadalieva Nilufar Z , Herrmann Florian , El-Readi Mahmoud Z , Tahrani Ahmad , Hamoud Razan , Egamberdieva Dilfuza R , Azimova Shahnoz S , Wink Michael 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to investigate the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria immaculata and S. ramosissima (Lamiaceae) and the in-vitro biological activity of their extracts and flavonoids.

Methods
The flavonoid composition of S. immaculata (Si) and S. ramosissima (Sr) were analysed using LC-MS. Antimicrobial activity was studied in vitro against a range of bacteria and fungi using diffusion and microdilution methods. Anti-trypanosomal and cell proliferation inhibitory activity of the extracts and flavonoids was assessed using MTT. The antioxidant activity of the flavonoids and extracts were evaluated using DPPH* test.

Key findings
LC-MS investigation of Si and Sr plants allowed the identification, for the first time, of an additional 9 and 16 flavonoids, respectively. The methanol, chloroform and water extracts from these plants and six flavonoids (scutellarin, chrysin, apigenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, cynaroside and pinocembrine) exhibited significant inhibition of cell growth against HeLa, HepG-2 and MCF-7 cells. The chloroform extract of Sr showed potent cytotoxic effects with IC50 (drug concentration which resulted in a 50% reduction in cell viability) values of 9.25 ± 1.07 µg/ml, 12.83 ± 1.49 µg/ml and 17.29 ± 1.27 µg/ml, respectively. The highest anti-trypanosomal effect against T. b. brucei was shown by the chloroform extract of Sr with an IC50 (drug concentration which resulted in a 50% inhibition of the biological activity) of 61 µg/ml. The pure flavonoids showed an IC50 range between 3 and 29 µm, with cynaroside as the most active compound with an IC50 value of 3.961 ± 0.133 µm. The chloroform extract of Sr has potent antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC = 0.03 mg/ml). Pinocembrine exhibited a strong activity against the all bacteria except Escherichia coli and yeasts. Water extracts of Sr and Si exhibited potent antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 5.62 ± 0.51 µg/ml and 3.48 ± 0.02 µg/ml, respectively. Scutellarin exerted stronger antioxidant activity than other flavonoids.

Conclusions
This is the first study reporting an in-vitro biological investigation for Si and Sr. Especially the chloroform extract of Sr showed potent anticancer and antimicrobial activity. Cynaroside had a highly selective and strong cytotoxicity against T. b. brucei while showing only mild effects against cancer cells.
Vaccination of Dams Increases Antibody Titer and Improves Growth Parameters in Finisher Pigs Subclinically Infected with Porcine Circovirus Type 2
Authors: Kurmann J. , Sydler T. , Brugnera E. , Buergi E. , Haessig M. , Suter M. , Sidler X. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTPorcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the obligate infectious agent in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) of pigs. To control PMWS, we vaccinated dams at 4 and 2 weeks before pregnancy and again in the 12th week of gestation with an inactivated PCV2 vaccine (Circovac). Two producer farms run under the control of Swiss Swine Health Organization were selected for the experiment. Previously, in one farm PMWS was diagnosed on pigs after weaning, whereas in the other farm, pigs wasted during the fattening period. For the experiments 113 dams were randomly vaccinated, and 111 dams were sham injected. Vaccination increased serum antibodies in dams 3- to 9-fold, accompanied by serum antibody titer increases in their offspring. In the sixth week of life, progeny from vaccinated dams had about the same IgG antibody titers as progeny of unvaccinated dams at the third day of life. In sera of vaccinated dams only low concentrations of PCV2 DNA were detected, and no progeny developed PMWS. Interestingly, at day 56 four progeny of unvaccinated dams tested positive for anti-PCV2 IgM antibodies, indicating a primary infection with PCV2. Of economic importance is the observation that progeny of vaccinated dams had a significantly higher daily weight gain in the fattening period (farm X, +51 g/day; farm Y, +30 g/day) and thus a shortened fattening period of about 6 days compared to progeny of controls. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of subclinical circovirus infection and its effects on growth performance of fattening pigs by vaccination of dams.
Establishment of a New Human Pneumococcal Standard Reference Serum, 007sp
Authors: Goldblatt D. , Plikaytis B. D. , Akkoyunlu M. , Antonello J. , Ashton L. , Blake M. , Burton R. , Care R. , Durant N. , Feavers I. , Fernsten P. , Fievet F. , Giardina P. , Jansen K. , Katz L. , Kierstead L. , Lee L. , Lin J. , Maisonneuve J. , Nahm M. H. , Raab J. , Romero-Steiner S. , Rose C. , Schmidt D. , Stapleton J. , Carlone G. M. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTLot 89SF has been the reference standard serum pool used in pneumococcal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) since 1990. In 2005, it was estimated that there remained between 2 and 5 years' supply of lot 89SF. Since lot 89SF was the reference standard used in the evaluation of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevnar (PCV7), the link to clinical efficacy would be severed if stocks became completely depleted. Furthermore, demonstration of immune responses comparable to those elicited by PCV7 is a licensure approach used for new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, so a replacement reference standard was required. A total of 278 volunteers were immunized with the 23-valent unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine Pneumovax II, and a unit of blood was obtained twice within 120 days following immunization. Plasma was prepared, pooled, and confirmed to be free from hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV. The pooled serum was poured at 6 ml per vial into 15,333 vials and lyophilized. Immunological bridging of 007sp to 89SF was used to establish equivalent reference values for 13 pneumococcal capsular serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F) by five independent laboratories. Antibody concentrations in 007sp were established relative to the lot 89SF reference preparation using the WHO reference ELISA. Subsequently, 12 existing WHO calibration sera had concentrations reassigned for 13 pneumococcal serotypes using new serum 007sp as the reference, and these were compared to concentrations relative to the original reference serum. Agreement was excellent for the 12 WHO calibration sera. The 007sp preparation has replaced 89SF as the pneumococcal reference standard. Sufficient quantity of this new preparation is available such that, with judicious use, it should be available for at least 25 years.
Comparative Evaluation of MPT83 (Rv2873) for T Helper-1 Cell Reactivity and Identification of HLA-Promiscuous Peptides in Mycobacterium bovis BCG-Vaccinated Healthy Subjects
Authors: Mustafa Abu S. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

MPT83 (Rv2873), a surface lipoprotein excreted in the culture of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, is immunoreactive in antibody assays in humans and animals and provides protection as a combined DNA vaccine in mice and cattle. This study was undertaken to determine the reactivity of MPT83 in T helper 1 (Th1)-cell assays, i.e., antigen-induced proliferation and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) secretion, using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from
Mycobacterium bovis
bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated and/or
M. tuberculosis
-infected healthy subjects. PBMCs were tested with complex mycobacterial antigens and pools of synthetic peptides corresponding to MPT63, MPT83, MPB70, LppX, PPE68, CFP10, and ESAT-6. The results showed that MPT83 is among the strongest Th1 cell antigens of
M. tuberculosis
, and it was recognized equally strongly by BCG-vaccinated and by BCG-vaccinated and
M. tuberculosis
-infected healthy subjects. Furthermore, HLA heterogeneity of the responding donors suggested that MPT83 was presented to Th1 cells by several HLA-DR molecules. The analysis of the mature MPT83 sequence (amino acids [aa] 1 to 220) and its 14 overlapping synthetic peptides for binding prediction to HLA class II molecules and actual recognition of the peptides by PBMCs from HLA-DR-typed subjects in antigen-induced proliferation and IFN-γ assays suggested that Th1 cell epitopes were scattered throughout the sequence of MPT83. In addition, the HLA-promiscuous nature of at least three peptides, i.e., P11 (aa 151 to 175), P12 (aa 166 to 190), and P14 (aa 196 to 220), was suggested by HLA-DR binding predictions and recognition by HLA-DR heterogeneous donors in Th1 cell assays. These results support the inclusion of MPT83 in an antigen cocktail to develop a new antituberculosis vaccine.