bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of the activating JAK2 tyrosine kinase mutation in chronic porto‐splenomesenteric venous thrombosis
Authors: ORR D. W. , PATEL R. K. , LEA N. C. , WESTBROOK R. H. , O’GRADY J. G. , HEATON N. D. , PAGLIUCA A. , MUFTI G. J. , HENEGHAN M. A. 
Published: May 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1330–1336SummaryBackground  Occult myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) are present in 25% of patients with chronic portal, splenic and mesenteric venous thrombosis (PSMVT). A somatic mutation of JAK2 (JAK2V617F) can be used to identify patients with latent MPD.Aim  We evaluated the prevalence and clinical significance of JAK2V617F in patients with chronic PSMVT.Methods  Allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction was performed to screen for JAK2V617F.Results  Thirty‐five patients were tested for JAK2V617F. The underlying pro‐coagulant condition was MPD in seven of 35 (20.0%) patients; other aetiologies included hereditary thrombophilia (n = 5), chronic pancreatitis (n = 2), liver abscess (n = 1) and umbilical vein sepsis (n = 3). The remainder were labelled idiopathic, i.e. 17/35 (48.6%) patients. JAK2V617F was detected in 16/35 (45.7%) patients: seven of seven (100%) with MPD, two of 11 (18.1%) with non‐MPD acquired conditions and seven of 17 (41.2%) with ‘idiopathic’ chronic PSMVT. Mean haemoglobin concentration (P = 0.04), haematocrit (P = 0.04), white cell count (P = 0.002) and platelet count (P = 0.05) were significantly higher in patients with JAK2V617F. None of the seven patients with latent MPD have progressed to overt MPD over median follow‐up of 85 months.Conclusion  JAK2V617F occurs in 41% of patients with idiopathic chronic portal, splenic and mesenteric venous thrombosis, confirming the presence of latent myeloproliferative disorders, and should form part of the routine pro‐coagulant screen.
Clinical trial: the effects of certolizumab pegol therapy on work productivity in patients with moderate‐to‐severe Crohn’s disease in the PRECiSE 2 study
Authors: FEAGAN B. G. , REILLY M. C. , GERLIER L. , BRABANT Y. , BROWN M. , SCHREIBER S. 
Published: May 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1276–1285SummaryBackground  The effect of certolizumab pegol on employment status and work productivity has not been previously assessed.Aim  To assess the impact of treatment with certolizumab pegol, the only PEGylated, Fab′ TNF antagonist, on work productivity in patients with active Crohn’s disease (CD) from the PRECiSE 2 study.Methods  Patients (n = 668) with active disease [CD activity index (CDAI) score of 220–450] were treated with open‐label subcutaneous certolizumab pegol 400 mg (week 0, 2, 4). Responders (n = 425) (≥100‐point decrease in CDAI from baseline) were randomized to receive certolizumab pegol 400 mg or placebo every 4 weeks until week 24, with final evaluation at week 26. Patients completed the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment for CD questionnaire (WPAI:CD) and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) at weeks 0, 6, 16 and 26 and at the withdrawal visit.Results  Work productivity improved following induction with certolizumab pegol. Between week 6 and 26, certolizumab pegol‐treated patients experienced significant improvement in work productivity compared with placebo recipients (11% and 10% overall improvement in work and activity impairment, respectively). During the maintenance phase, impairments in productivity and activities due to CD were significantly less in the certolizumab pegol group than in the placebo group.Conclusion  Induction and maintenance therapy with certolizumab pegol significantly improved the work productivity of patients with active CD compared with those in the placebo group.
Faecal lactoferrin – a novel test to differentiate between the irritable and inflamed bowel?
Authors: SIDHU R. , WILSON P. , WRIGHT A. , YAU C. W. H. , D’CRUZ F. A. , FOYE L. , MORLEY S. , LOBO A. J. , MCALINDON M. E. , SANDERS D. S. 
Published: May 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1365–1370SummaryBackground  Distinguishing between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be challenging.Aims  To investigate the utility of faecal lactoferrin as a marker of inflammation in patients with IBD, IBS and controls.Methods  Disease activity in IBD patients was assessed using the modified Harvey–Bradshaw Activity Index. Stool samples were analysed using an ELISA assay.Results  We recruited 137 patients with IBS, 126 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 104 with Crohn’s disease (CD), and 98 healthy volunteers. The median ± IQ lactoferrin concentration (μg/g faecal weight) was 0 ± 1.4 for IBS patients, 6.6 ± 42 for UC patients, 4 ± 12.7 for CD patients and 0.5 ± 2 for healthy controls. Lactoferrin levels were significantly higher in IBD patients compared with IBS/healthy controls (P < 0.001). The median lactoferrin concentrations were significantly higher in active UC & CD patients compared with inactive patients (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002 respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of lactoferrin in distinguishing active IBD from IBS/healthy controls were 67% and 96%, 87% and 86.8% respectively.Conclusions  Lactoferrin is useful to differentiate between IBD and IBS, and can be used as an adjunct to blood parameters to determine IBD patients who have ongoing inflammation.
Cytometric analysis of oral scrapings of patients with oral lichen planus
Authors: Acha‐Sagredo A. , Jiménez Y. , Bagán J. V. , Echebarria‐Goicouria M. A. , Aguirre‐Urizar J. M. 
Published: May 2010

A. Acha‐Sagredo, Y. Jiménez, J. V. Bagán, M. A. Echebarria‐Goicouria and J. M. Aguirre‐Utric analysis of oral scrapings of patients with oral lichen planusObjective:  Aneuploidy has been associated with malignant and premalignant oral lesions. In the past few years, its application in oral precancerous lesions and its prognostic meaning have been controversial issues. The aim of our study was to characterize alterations in DNA content by automated DNA image cytometry in oral scrapings of patients with oral lichen planus.Methods:  Cytological samples from 40 patients clinicopathologically diagnosed with oral lichen planus were analysed by DNA image cytometry.Results:  All the cases were classified as diploid, showing a predominant population of cells with normal DNA content (DNA index, 0.85–1.15). Atrophic/erosive lesions showed a higher percentage of tetraploid cells when compared with reticular/papular lesions but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.09).Conclusions:  Aneuploidy does not seem a common event in oral lichen planus lesions. However, we consider that the use of DNA image cytometry of oral scrapings may be an easy and helpful methodology in the follow‐up of patients with these lesions.
Non‐trophic effects of oribatid mites on cord‐forming basidiomycetes in soil microcosms
Authors: A'BEAR A. DONALD , BODDY LYNNE , RASPOTNIG GUENTHER , JONES T. HEFIN 
Published: May 2010

1. Saprotrophic cord‐forming basidiomycetes are the primary agents of decomposition in forest ecosystems. Collembola and oribatid mites affect fungal growth and foraging, and therefore decomposition, through direct mycelial grazing.2. Grazing on the fungal species Hypholoma fasciculare, Resinicium bicolor and Phanerochaete velutina by the collembola Folsomia candida, and the oribatid mites Steganacarus magnus, Euzetes globulus and Hermannia gibba was investigated in soil microcosms.3. Folsomia candida grazed on all fungal species: radial extent of R. bicolor, hyphal coverage of all fungal species, and fractal dimension of R. bicolor and P. velutina were all reduced. Oribatid mites did not graze the fungi but did affect mycelial morphology. Steganacarus magnus caused a reduction in the radial extent of H. fasciculare, and the hyphal coverage and fractal dimension in both H. fasciculare and R. bicolor. Euzetes globulus and H. gibba reduced the hyphal coverage of P. velutina.4. Oribatid mites are associated with a cornucopia of chemical secretions with possible anti‐fungal properties. Chemical analysis of H. gibba opisthonotal secretions revealed four main compounds, all of which are new to the known spectrum of opisthonotal components. The most abundant was (E)‐β‐farnesene.5. Treatment effects were species‐specific in terms of both fungal and invertebrate species. This study provides the first evidence of non‐grazing effects of oribatid mites on fungal growth and morphology. This could potentially influence the spatial organisation of mycelium in forest soils and therefore the ability of fungi to locate, colonise and decompose dead organic matter.
Nurse‐led self‐management group programme for patients with congestive heart failure: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Smeulders Esther S.T.F. , Van Haastregt Jolanda C.M. , Ambergen Ton , Uszko‐Lencer Nicole H.K.M. , Janssen‐Boyne Josiane J.J. , Gorgels Anton P.M. , Stoffers Henri E.J.H. , Lodewijks‐van der Bolt Cara L.B. , Van Eijk Jacques Th.M. , Kempen Gertrudis I.J.M. 
Published: May 2010

smeulders e.s.t.f., van haastregt j.c.m., ambergen t., uszko‐lencer n.h.k.m., janssen‐boyne j.j.j., gorgels a.p.m., stoffers h.e.j.h., lodewijks‐van der bolt c.l.b., van eijk j.th.m. & kempen g.i.j.m. (2010) Nurse‐led self‐management group programme for patients with congestive heart failure: randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(7), 1487–1499.AbstractTitle.  Nurse‐led self‐management group programme for patients with congestive heart failure: randomized controlled trial. Aim.  This paper reports on of the effects of the Chronic Disease Self‐Management Programme on psychosocial attributes, self‐care behaviour and quality of life among congestive heart failure patients who experienced slight to marked limitation of physical activity.Background.  Most self‐management programmes for congestive heart failure patients emphasize the medical aspects of this chronic condition, without incorporating psychosocial aspects of self‐management. The programme has been used with various patient groups, but its effectiveness with congestive heart failure patients when led by pairs of cardiac nurse specialists and peer leaders is unknown.Method.  A randomized controlled trial with 12 months of follow‐up from start of the programme was conducted with 317 patients. Control group patients (n = 131) received usual care, consisting of regular outpatient checkups. Intervention group patients (n = 186) received usual care and participated in the six‐week self‐management programme. The programme teaches patients medical, social and emotional self‐management skills. Twenty‐one classes were conducted in six hospitals in the Netherlands, and data were collected between August 2004 and January 2007.Results.  Directly after the programme, statistically significant effects were found for cognitive symptom management (P < 0·001), self‐care behaviour (P = 0·008) and cardiac‐specific quality of life (P = 0·005). No effects were found at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up.Conclusion.  Further research is necessary to study how long‐term effectiveness of the programme with patients with congestive heart failure can be achieved, and how successful adaptations of the programme can be integrated into standard care.
Unravelling migratory connectivity in marine turtles using multiple methods
Authors: Godley Brendan J. , Barbosa Castro , Bruford Michael , Broderick Annette C. , Catry Paulo , Coyne Michael S. , Formia Angela , Hays Graeme C. , Witt Matthew J. 
Published: May 2010

Summary 1. Comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental spatial ecology of marine species is critical to allow the identification of key habitats and the likely sources of anthropogenic threats, thus informing effective conservation strategies. 2. Research on migratory marine vertebrates has lagged behind many similar terrestrial animal groups, but studies using electronic tagging systems and molecular techniques offer great insights. 3. Marine turtles have complex life history patterns, spanning wide spatio‐temporal scales. As a result of this multidimensional complexity, and despite extensive effort, there are no populations for which a truly holistic understanding of the spatial aspects of the life history has been attained. There is a particular lack of information regarding the distribution and habitats utilized during the first few years of life. 4. We used satellite tracking technology to track individual turtles following nesting at the green turtle Chelonia mydas nesting colony at Poilão Island, Guinea Bissau; the largest breeding aggregation in the eastern Atlantic. 5. We further contextualize these data with pan‐Atlantic molecular data and oceanographic current modelling to gain insights into likely dispersal patterns of hatchlings and small pelagic juveniles. 6. All adult turtles remained in the waters of West Africa, with strong connectivity demonstrated with Banc D’Arguin, Mauritania. 7. Despite shortcomings in current molecular markers, we demonstrate evidence for profound sub‐structuring of marine turtle stocks across the Atlantic; with a high likelihood based on oceanographic modelling that most turtles from Guinea‐Bissau are found in the eastern Atlantic. 8. Synthesis and applications. There is an increased need for a better understanding of spatial distribution of marine vertebrates demonstrating life histories with spatio‐temporal complexity. We propose the synergistic use of the technologies and modelling used here as a working framework for the future rapid elucidation of the range and likely key habitats used by the different life stages from such species.
Creatine supplementation for patients with COPD receiving pulmonary rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: AL‐GHIMLAS Fahad , TODD David C. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Creatine improves muscle strength in exercising healthy individuals, and in patients with neuromuscular disease and heart failure. The aim of this study was to assess whether creatine supplementation improves pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) outcomes in patients with COPD.Methods:  A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed of randomized controlled trials published between January 1966 and February 2009 that evaluated the effect of creatine compared with placebo on exercise capacity, muscle strength and health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) in patients undergoing PR for COPD. The pooled estimates were expressed as mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD).Results:  Four randomized controlled trials that included 151 patients were identified. There was no effect of creatine supplementation on exercise capacity (SMD −0.01, 95% CI: −0.42 to 0.22, n = 151). Creatine supplementation did not improve lower extremity muscle strength (SMD 0.03, 95% CI: −0.55 to 0.61, n = 140) or upper limb muscular strength (SMD 0.02, 95% CI: −0.33 to 0.38, n = 128) compared with placebo. Two studies (n = 48) assessed quality of life using the St. George's Respiratory Disease Questionnaire. There were no differences in HR‐QoL according to domain or total scores. Overall, creatine appeared to be safe and was well tolerated. Quality assessment of the studies showed important limitations.Conclusions:  Creatine supplementation does not improve exercise capacity, muscle strength or HR‐QoL in patients with COPD receiving PR. However, important limitations were identified in the quality of the available evidence, suggesting that further research is required in this area.
Metabolic abnormalities in adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: GEORGIOPOULOU Vasiliki V. , DENKER Adam , BISHOP Kathy L. , BROWN Jason M. , HIRSH Benjamin , WOLFENDEN Linda , SPERLING Laurence 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Survival of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has improved, resulting in increased exposure of patients to cardiovascular risk factors. Diabetes mellitus is common in patients with CF; however, less is known about lipid abnormalities in this population. In this study, the prevalence of lipid abnormalities was investigated in a contemporary population of adults with CF.Methods:  Clinical and laboratory data on 221 adult patients with CF were collected retrospectively. Fasting serum glucose levels and lipid profiles were recorded. The age‐specific values for healthy individuals, as reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, were used for comparison.Results:  The mean age of the patients was 30 ± 10 years, 55.1% were men and the mean FEV1% was 68 ± 25%. Sixty‐nine patients (31.2%) had CF‐related diabetes mellitus and 52 (23.5%) were receiving insulin therapy. In addition, 36 patients (16.3%) had impaired glucose tolerance. Triglyceride levels were similar to those of historical control subjects (mean ± SEM, 1.37 ± 0.05 and 1.39 ± 0.02 mmol/L, respectively, P = 0.75). However, in the 30–39 years age group of CF patients, triglyceride levels were increased relative to those of their control counterparts (1.79 ± 0.14 vs 1.38 ± 0.04 mmol/L, P = 0.006). Total cholesterol levels were lower in the CF patients compared with control subjects, across all age groups.Conclusions:  Abnormalities of glucose metabolism are highly prevalent in CF patients, and are accompanied by hypertriglyceridaemia in the 30–39 years age group. Prospective studies are required to confirm lipid abnormalities and investigate possible cardiovascular complications in patients with CF.
Building the role of local government authorities towards the achievement of the human right to water in rural Tanzania
Authors: Jiménez Alejandro , Pérez‐Foguet Agustí 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn recent decades, many changes have occurred in the approach to financing and operating water services in developing countries. The demand‐responsive approach is now adopted in many countries in a context of donor‐supported decentralization processes, which gives more responsibility to end users. However, the government's responsibility at different levels is enforced by the international recognition of the human right to water. This paper examines specific actions that build the role of local government authorities in this scenario. A collaboration between an international NGO and a rural district in Tanzania from 2006 to 2009 is used as an action research case study that is representative of local capacity‐building needs in decentralized contexts and rural areas. Three main challenges were detected: i) lack of reliable information; ii) poor allocation of resources in terms of equity; and iii) lack of long‐term community management support from the district. Two mechanisms were established: i) water point mapping as a tool for information and planning; and ii) a District Water and Sanitation Unit Support (DWUS) for community management. The results show how the framework provided by the goal of human right to water helps to define useful strategies for equity‐oriented planning and post‐project support at the local level.
Shellfish aquaculture and First Nations' sovereignty: The quest for sustainable development in contested sea space
Authors: Joyce Alyssa L. , Satterfield Terre A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAquaculture tenures or leases have become an increasingly important management tool for regulating access rights to coastal and offshore marine habitat. Tenure, as a form of private property rights to marine space, is generally considered a prerequisite for aquaculture development, as are the associated exclusive access rights which provide necessary incentives for producers to invest in infrastructure. The shellfish industry in British Columbia (BC), Canada, is presented as a case study of a transition from a primarily common property wild fishery to a rights‐based system for aquaculture. In BC, seafood production has grown substantially during the past two decades as a result of aquaculture production. However, despite the inherent economic advantages of the tenuring system for increasing seafood production, rights to aquaculture sites in BC remain highly controversial, particularly in response to environmental concerns and infringements on Aboriginal territorial claims. Shellfish farming has, to‐date, been far less controversial than salmon farming; however, shellfish aquaculture has not been uniformly adopted across the province, and analyses of industry capacity or economic opportunities for coastal communities have failed to adequately explain development patterns. This paper, which identifies perceptions of the risks and benefits of the shellfish aquaculture tenuring system, presents the results of 56 interviews conducted with individuals involved in shellfish production in BC. Results indicate that heightened perceptions of risk about shellfish aquaculture tenuring are related to unresolved Aboriginal territorial claims, economic dependence on wild shellfish resources, as well as place‐based values favouring access to wild resources. Underlying values and cultural understandings also strongly shape public perceptions of the risks of aquaculture, and as such, influence local decisions to either accept or resist industry growth. In this case, interviewees' risk perceptions were found to be more important indicators of the potential for industry expansion than studies of capacity or economic cost‐benefit analyses.
In Vitro and Computational Thrombosis on Artificial Surfaces With Shear Stress
Authors: Corbett Scott C. , Ajdari Amin , Coskun Ahmet U. , N‐Hashemi Hamid 
Published: May 2010

AbstractImplantable devices in direct contact with flowing blood are associated with the risk of thromboembolic events. This study addresses the need to improve our understanding of the thrombosis mechanism and to identify areas on artificial surfaces susceptible to thrombus deposition. Thrombus deposits on artificial blood step transitions are quantified experimentally and compared with shear stress and shear rate distributions using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Larger steps, and negative (expanding) steps result in larger thrombus deposits. Fitting CFD results to experimental deposit locations reveals a specific shear stress threshold of 0.41 Pa or a shear rate threshold of 54 s−1 using a shear thinning blood viscosity model. Thrombosis will occur below this threshold, which is specific to solvent‐polished polycarbonate surfaces under in vitro coagulation conditions with activated clotting time levels of 200–220 s. The experimental and computational models are valuable tools for thrombosis prediction and assessment that may be used before proceeding to clinical trials and to better understand existing clinical problems with thrombosis.
Physiologic Benefits of Pulsatile Perfusion During Mechanical Circulatory Support for the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure in Adults
Authors: Guan Yulong , Karkhanis Tushar , Wang Shigang , Rider Alan , Koenig Steven C. , Slaughter Mark S. , El Banayosy Aly , Ündar Akif 
Published: May 2010

AbstractA growing population experiencing heart failure (100 000 patients/year), combined with a shortage of donor organs (less than 2200 hearts/year), has led to increased and expanded use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. MCS devices have successfully improved clinical outcomes, which are comparable with heart transplantation and result in better 1‐year survival than optimal medical management therapies. The quality of perfusion provided during MCS therapy may play an important role in patient outcomes. Despite demonstrated physiologic benefits of pulsatile perfusion, continued use or development of pulsatile MCS devices has been widely abandoned in favor of continuous flow pumps owing to the large size and adverse risks events in the former class, which pose issues of thrombogenic surfaces, percutaneous lead infection, and durability. Next‐generation MCS device development should ideally implement designs that offer the benefits of rotary pump technology while providing the physiologic benefits of pulsatile end‐organ perfusion.