bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of kisspeptin‐54 on blood pressure in humans and plasma kisspeptin concentrations in hypertensive diseases of pregnancy
Authors: Nijher Gurjinder M. K. , Chaudhri Owais B. , Ramachandran Radha , Murphy Kevin G. , Zac‐Varghese Sagen E. K. , Fowler Alexis , Chinthapalli Krishna , Patterson Michael , Thompson Emily L. , Williamson Catherine , Kumar Sailesh , Ghatei Mohammad A. , Bloom Stephen R. , Dhillo Waljit S. 
Published: July 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Kisspeptin potently stimulates gonadotrophin release in humans and therefore represents a potential therapy for disorders of reproduction. However, ex vivo studies on human tissue suggest that kisspeptin has vasoconstrictive effects. Thus it is important to determine the effects of kisspeptin on blood pressure and heart rate in humans. Furthermore, plasma kisspeptin concentrations increase markedly in pregnancy but it is currently not known if concentrations are altered in hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This study demonstrates that states of elevated kisspeptin are not associated with changes in blood pressure or heart rate in humans. Neither are hypertensive diseases of pregnancy associated with altered circulating kisspeptin. This has implications for the future use of kisspeptin as a therapy.AIMSTo investigate (i) if kisspeptin administration alters heart rate (HR) or blood pressure (BP) in healthy male and female volunteers, (ii) whether circulating plasma kisspeptin concentrations in healthy pregnant women and women with hypertensive diseases of pregnancy correlate with BP and (iii) whether women with hypertensive diseases of pregnancy have altered plasma kisspeptin concentrations.METHODSWe have previously reported the effects of administration of kisspeptin‐54 on gonadotrophin secretion in healthy male and female volunteers. In these studies, cardiovascular parameters were not a primary endpoint. However, data were also collected on BP and HR for 4 h post administration of kisspeptin‐54. Blood samples were taken from 105 women in the third trimester of pregnancy (27 women with hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and 78 controls). Samples were assayed for plasma kisspeptin immunoreactivity (IR).RESULTSAdministration of kisspeptin was not associated with significant changes in HR or BP in healthy men or women. There was no significant correlation between plasma kisspeptin concentration and BP in healthy pregnant women or in those with hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. No significant differences in plasma kisspeptin‐IR concentrations were observed between women with hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and normotensive pregnant controls, plasma kisspeptin concentrations ± SE: controls 2878 ± 157 pmol l−1; pregnancy‐induced hypertension 2696 ± 299 pmol l−1 (95% CI vs. controls −514, 878 pmol l−1); pre‐eclampsia 3519 ± 357 (95% CI vs. controls −1644, 362 pmol l−1).CONCLUSIONSElevation of plasma kisspeptin‐IR is not associated with an alteration in BP in humans.
Economic evaluation of immunoglobulin replacement in patients with primary antibody deficiencies
Authors: Beauté J , Levy P , Millet V , Debré M , Dudoit Y , Le Mignot L , Tajahmady A , Thomas C , Suarez F , Pellier I , Hermine O , Aladjidi N , Mahlaoui N , Fischer A 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Lifelong immunoglobulin replacement is the standard, expensive therapy for severe primary antibody deficiencies. This treatment can be administrated either by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or subcutaneous infusions (SCIG) and delivered at home or in an out-patient setting. This study aims to determine whether SCIG is cost-effective compared with IVIG from a French social insurance perspective. Because both methods of administration provide similar efficacies, a cost-minimization analysis was performed. First, costs were calculated through a simulation testing different hypothesis on costs drivers. Secondly, costs were estimated on the basis of field data collected by a questionnaire completed by a population of patients suffering from agammaglobulinaemia and hyper-immunoglobulin (Ig)M syndrome. Patients' satisfaction was also documented. Results of the simulation showed that direct medical costs ranged from €19 484 for home-based IVIG to €25 583 for hospital-based IVIG, with home-based SCIG in between at €24 952 per year. Estimations made from field data were found to be different, with significantly higher costs for IVIG. This result was explained mainly by a higher immunoglobulin mean dose prescribed for IVIG. While the theoretical model showed very little difference between SCIG and hospital-based IVIG costs, SCIG appears to be 25% less expensive with field data because of lower doses used in SCIG patients. The reality of the dose difference between both routes of administration needs to be confirmed by further and more specific studies.
The other side of immunoglobulin G: suppressor of inflammation
Authors: Aschermann S , Lux A , Baerenwaldt A , Biburger M , Nimmerjahn F 
Published: July 2010

SummaryImmunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules can have two completely opposite functions. On one hand, they induce proinflammatory responses and recruit innate immune effector cells during infection with pathogenic microorganisms or autoimmune disease. On the other hand, intravenous infusion of high doses of pooled IgG molecules from thousands of donors [intravenous IG (IVIG) therapy] represents an efficient anti-inflammatory treatment for many autoimmune diseases. Whereas our understanding of the mechanism of the proinflammatory activity of IgG is quite advanced, we are only at the very beginning to comprehend how the anti-inflammatory activity comes about and what cellular and molecular players are involved in this activity. This review will summarize our current knowledge and focus upon the two major models of either IVIG-mediated competition for IgG-triggered effector functions or IVIG-mediated adjustment of cellular activation thresholds used to explain the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity.
Developing combination immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes: recommendations from the ITN–JDRF Type 1 Diabetes Combination Therapy Assessment Group
Authors: Matthews J B , Staeva T P , Bernstein P L , Peakman M , Von Herrath M 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Like many other complex human disorders of unknown aetiology, autoimmune-mediated type 1 diabetes may ultimately be controlled via a therapeutic approach that combines multiple agents, each with differing modes of action. The numerous advantages of such a strategy include the ability to minimize toxicities and realize synergies to enhance and prolong efficacy. The recognition that combinations might offer far-reaching benefits, at a time when few single agents have yet proved themselves in well-powered trials, represents a significant challenge to our ability to conceive and implement rational treatment designs. As a first step in this process, the Immune Tolerance Network, in collaboration with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, convened a Type 1 Diabetes Combination Therapy Assessment Group, the recommendations of which are discussed in this Perspective paper.
Psychosocial effects on siblings of children with autism and mental retardation: a population‐based study
Authors: BÅGENHOLM A. , GILLBERG C. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT.The probands of this study were 60 children and young adults between 5 and 20 years of age, 20 of whom had siblings with autism, 20 of whom had siblings with mental retardation, and 20 of whom had siblings who were free of handicap. The three proband groups were matched for gender, birth order and socioeconomic status. The children were questioned about their sibling relationships and about particular problems they faced concerning their handicapped brothers or sisters and about problems concerning themselves. Parents were interviewed about the healthy child's behaviour and social adjustment. Mothers completed the Eysenck Personality Inventory concerning themselves. Siblings of handicapped children and especially siblings of children with autism were more concerned about the future. They also felt lonely more often and many of them had peer problems. They often regarded their handicapped siblings as a burden. They tended to have only one sibling. Siblings often did not know why their handicapped brother or sister was different from other children. There were more behaviour disturbances in the siblings of handicapped children and mothers with a child with autism reported more ‘stressful events’. There were no differences as regards the personality of the mothers and the self‐concept of the children between the three groups.
Transillumination by light‐emitting diode facilitates peripheral venous cannulations in infants and small children
Authors: HOSOKAWA K. , KATO H. , KISHI C. , KATO Y. , SHIME N. 
Published: July 2010

Background: Transillumination facilitates the visualization of peripheral veins in infants and children. The clinical usefulness of light‐emitting diode (LED)‐powered devices has not been thoroughly studied.Methods: We randomly assigned 136 infants and children weighing <15 kg, undergoing general anesthesia, to red LED‐powered transillumination (TM group, n=67) vs. the usual method (UM group, n=69) of peripheral venous cannulations. Venous puncture was performed following anesthesia induction with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide. The primary and secondary study endpoints were the rate of successful cannulations at initial attempt, and the duration of insertion attempts, respectively.Results: The median score of the estimated cannulation difficulty before attempted puncture was similar in both groups. The success rates at first attempt were 75% and 61% (NS) and mean±SD times to successful venous access were 47±34 and 68±66 s (NS) in the TM and UM groups, respectively. The cannulation procedures were completed significantly earlier in the TM group than in the UM group (hazard ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–2.47; P=0.03). In the subgroup of infants and children <2 years old, venous cannulation was successful at first attempt in 73% and 49% in the TM group (n=44) and in the UM group (n=47), respectively (P=0.03).Conclusions: LED‐powered transillumination devices facilitated peripheral venous cannulations in small infants and children.
SHORT COMMUNICATION: Little evidence for Cope’s rule from Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of extant mammals
Authors: MONROE M. J. , BOKMA F. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAccording to Cope’s rule, lineages tend to evolve towards larger body size, possibly because of selective advantages of being large. The status of Cope’s ‘rule’ remains controversial as it is supported in some but not all large‐scale fossil studies. Here, we test for Cope’s rule by Bayesian analyses of average body masses of 3253 extant mammal species on a dated phylogenetic tree. The data favour a model that does not assume Cope’s rule. When Cope’s rule is assumed, the best estimate of its strength is an average ancestor‐descendant increase in body size of only 0.4%, which sharply contrasts with the 9% bias estimated from fossil mammals. Thus, we find no evidence for Cope’s rule from extant mammals, in agreement with earlier analyses of existing species, which also did not find support for Cope’s rule.
Immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil attenuates the development of hypertension and albuminuria in deoxycorticosterone acetate‐salt hypertensive rats
Authors: Boesen Erika I , Williams Douglas L , Pollock Jennifer S , Pollock David M 
Published: July 2010

Summary1. The interplay between the immune and renin–angiotensin systems is emerging as a crucial factor in the development and progression of hypertension. The aim of the present study was to determine the involvement of immune cells in the hypertension and renal injury produced by a non‐angiotensin II‐dependent form of hypertension, namely deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)‐salt‐induced hypertension, in rats.2. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent uninephrectomy and received either a sustained‐release pellet of DOCA s.c. and 0.9% NaCl (saline) to drink for 21 days or a placebo pellet and water to drink for 21 days. Additional groups of DOCA‐salt‐ and placebo‐treated rats were treated concurrently with the immune suppressant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; 30 mg/kg per day). Rats were placed in metabolic cages for 24 h urine collection prior to and at weekly intervals during the 21 day experimental period.3. Mycophenolate mofetil significantly attenuated the development of hypertension in DOCA‐salt rats compared with untreated DOCA‐salt hypertensive rats (mean arterial pressure by telemetry on Day 18 146 ± 7 vs 180 ± 3 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.001), as well as proteinuria (87 ± 27 vs 305 ± 63 mg/day, respectively, on Day 21) and albuminuria (51 ± 15 vs 247 ± 73 mg/day, respectively, on Day 21). Creatinine clearance was better preserved in MMF‐treated DOCA‐salt rats compared with untreated DOCA‐salt rats (0.74 ± 0.07 vs 0.49 ± 0.09 mL/min, respectively; P < 0.05), but was still significantly reduced compared with that in the placebo group (1.15 ± 0.12 mL/min; P < 0.05). Finally, MMF treatment significantly attenuated the DOCA‐salt‐induced rise in renal cortical T‐lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration (P < 0.05).4. These data indicate that immune cells play a deleterious role in both the hypertension and renal injury associated with DOCA‐salt hypertension.
Rectus abdominis muscle endometriosis: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Giannella Luca , La Marca Antonio , Ternelli Giliana , Menozzi Glennis 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe abdominal wall is an uncommon site of extrapelvic endometriosis, which usually develops in a previous surgical scar and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any abdominal swelling. Endometriosis involving the rectus abdominis muscle is a very rare event and its rarity explains the incomplete nature of the reports in the literature. Up to the present, 18 cases with lesions contained entirely within the rectus abdominis muscle were clearly documented in medical literature with only four cases as a primary location. We report a case, which came to our observation, of primary endometriosis of the rectus abdominis muscle. The patient underwent only surgery without any medical treatment. Currently, the patient is in follow up for four years with no recovery of the disease. In our experience, surgery is the treatment of choice and it is decisive. We reviewed the literature and summarized all reported cases.
Biological effects of distension media in bipolar versus monopolar resectoscopic myomectomy: A randomized trial
Authors: Darwish Atef M. , Hassan Zein Z. , Attia Alaa M. , Abdelraheem Sherif S. , Ahmed Yahya M. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAim:  To estimate the effect of 0.9% saline during bipolar resectoscopy and 1.5% glycine during monopolar resectoscopy on hemodynamic, biochemical and hematological parameters.Material & Methods:  A prospective randomized study in a tertiary care university hospital and comprising of 155 patients scheduled for hysteroscopic myomectomy. They were subjected to bipolar resectoscopic myomectomy utilizing 0.9% saline in group A, and monopolar resectoscopic myomectomy utilizing 1.5% glycine in group B. Perioperative measurements of hemodynamic, hematological, and biochemical changes in all cases were reported. Likewise, intrauterine pressure throughout the different procedures was recorded. Main outcome measures: intraoperative difference with regards to fluid volume and subsequent systemic changes specially osmolarity.Results:  A significant increase of central venous pressure, end diastolic volume, end diastolic index, stroke volume, stroke index, cardiac output, cardiac index, postoperative prothrombin time and postoperative partial thromboplastin time in both groups with positive correlations between the absorbed fluid volume and these measurements in both groups. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance, postoperative hemoglobin concentration, postoperative hematocrit value ratio, postoperative platelet count and postoperative prothrombin concentration in both groups and there were negative correlations between the absorptive fluid volume and these measurements in both groups. There were significant decrease in serum sodium concentration and postoperative serum osmolarity in glycine group (B) with negative correlations between the absorptive fluid volume and both serum sodium concentration and serum osmolarity in glycine group (B).Conclusions:  The use of bipolar resectoscope utilizing 0.9% saline as a distention media is not associated with hyponatremia or hyposmolarity unlike monopolar resectoscope utilizing 1.5% glycine distending media in cases with submucous myoma of considerable size.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery and reconstruction of the vagina in a patient with stage II primary vaginal squamous carcinoma
Authors: Lv Lin , Sun Yang , Liu Hui , Lou Jiangyan , Peng Zhilan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPrimary vaginal carcinoma is a rare gynecologic cancer. Radiotherapy is the standard treatment for patients affected by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage II vaginal cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery has been shown to be a valid therapeutic strategy in patients with cervical cancer; however, there is little information concerning the feasibility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery in patients with invasive vaginal carcinoma. We report the first case of stage II vaginal carcinoma with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery combined with vaginal reconstruction using bilateral pudendal thigh fasciocutaneous flaps. The patient was free of disease with a satisfactory sexual life after 30 months.
Crack‐healing behaviour and resultant high‐temperature fatigue strength of machined Si3N4/SiC composite ceramic
Authors: JUNG Y.‐S. , GUO Y. , NAKAO W. , TAKAHASHI K. , ANDO K. , SAITO S. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTThe crack‐healing behaviour of machining cracks in Si3N4/20 wt% SiC composite was investigated. The machining cracks were introduced by a heavy machining process, during the creation of a semicircular groove. The machined specimens were healed at various temperatures and times in air. The optimized crack‐healing condition of the machined specimens was found to be a temperature of 1673 K and a time of 10 h. The specimens healed by this condition exhibited almost the same strength as the smooth specimens healed. Moreover, the bending strengths and the fatigue limits of the machined specimens healed were systematically investigated at temperatures from room temperature to 1673 K. The machined specimens healed at the optimized condition exhibited an almost constant bending strength (∼700 MPa) up to 1673 K. Also, the specimens exhibited considerably high cyclic and static fatigue limits at temperatures from 1073 to 1573 K. These results demonstrated that the crack‐healing could be an effective method for improving the structural integrity and reducing machining costs of the Si3N4/SiC composite ceramic.
Components of primary care interventions to treat childhood overweight and obesity: a systematic review of effect
Authors: Sargent G. M. , Pilotto L. S. , Baur L. A. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThe primary care setting presents an opportunity for intervention of overweight and obese children but is in need of a feasible model‐of‐care with demonstrated effectiveness. The aims were to (i) identify controlled interventions that treated childhood overweight or obesity in either a primary care setting or with the involvement of a primary healthcare professional and (ii) examine components of those interventions associated with effective outcomes in order to inform future intervention trials in primary care settings. Major health and medicine databases were searched: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Reviews, CENTRAL, DARE, PsychINFO and ERIC. Articles were excluded if they described primary prevention interventions, involved surgical or pharmacological treatment, were published before 1990 or not published in English. Twenty‐two papers describing 17 studies were included. Twelve studies reported at least one significant intervention effect. Comparison of these 12 interventions provides evidence for: training for health professionals before intervention delivery; behaviour change options (including healthy diet, activity and sedentary behaviour); effecting behaviour change via a combination of counselling, education, written resources, support and motivation; and tailoring intensity according to whether behavioural, anthropometric or metabolic changes are the priority. These components are practicable to future intervention studies in primary care.
Thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke in Austria: data from the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke (SITS) register
Authors: Topakian R. , Brainin M. , Eckhardt R. , Kiechl S. , Ahmed N. , Ferrari J. , Iglseder B. , Wahlgren N. G. , Lang W. , Fazekas F. , Willeit J. , Aichner F. T. ,   for the SITS‐Austria group
Published: July 2010

Background:  We aimed at determining the safety and efficacy of IV alteplase in Austrian versus non‐Austrian centres as documented in the Internet‐based registers Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis for Stroke – MOnitoring STudy (SITS‐MOST) and – International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS‐ISTR).Methods:  We analysed patient data entered in the registers SITS‐MOST and SITS‐ISTR in the period December 2002 to 15 November 2007.Results:  Compared to the non‐Austrian cohort (n = 15153), the Austrian cohort (n = 896) was slightly older [median, interquartile range (IQR): 70, 60–77 years vs. 69, 60–76 years, P = 0.05] and included more women (44.6% vs. 41.0%, P = 0.03). Austrian patients had a significantly shorter stroke onset‐to‐treatment time (OTT; median, IQR: 135, 105–160 min vs. 145, 115–170 min, P < 0.0005). Symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhages were observed in 1.6% of Austrian and 1.7% of non‐Austrian patients (P = 0.82). At 3 months, 50.8% of Austrian and 53.0% of non‐Austrian patients were independent (P = 0.23), but death was less frequent in Austrian patients (12.1% vs. 14.9%, P = 0.03). Multivariate analyses adjusted for demographic and baseline characteristics confirmed lower mortality at 3 months in the Austrian cohort (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence intervals 0.71–0.92, P = 0.001). Longer OTT was associated with increased mortality at 3 months, with a hazard ratio of 1.02 (95% CI 1.01–1.03; P = 0.005) for each 10‐min increase in OTT.Conclusions:  The implementation of intravenous alteplase for acute stroke has been safe and efficacious in Austrian centres. OTT and mortality were significantly lower in Austrian patients compared to non‐Austrian SITS centres.