bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gastrostomy tube feeding of children with cerebral palsy: variation across six European countries
Authors: DAHLSENG MAGNUS O , ANDERSEN GURO L , DA GRACA ANDRADA MARIA , ARNAUD CATHERINE , BALU RAJESH , DE LA CRUZ JAVIER , FOLHA TERESA , HIMMELMANN KATE , HORRIDGE KAREN , JÚLÍUSSON PÉTUR B , PÅHLMAN MAGNUS , RACKAUSKAITE GIJA , SIGURDARDOTTIR SOLVEIG , ULDALL PETER , VIK TORSTEIN ,   on behalf of the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe Network
Published: July 2012

Aim  To compare the prevalence of gastrostomy tube feeding (GTF) of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in six European countries.Method  Data on 1295 children (754 males, 541 females; mean age 5y 11mo, range 11y 2mo, min 6mo, max 11y 8mo) with CP born from 1999 to 2001 were collected from geographically defined areas in six European countries; four of the areas covered the whole country. Distribution of CP was unilateral 37%, bilateral 51%, dyskinetic 8%, and ataxic 4%. Sixty children were classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I and II, 6 in level III and 34 in levels IV and Vas Outcome measures were GTF, age at placement, feeding difficulties and the children’s height and weight for age standard deviation scores (z‐scores).Results  The use of GTF among all children with CP was highest in western Sweden (22%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 16–29), and lowest in Portugal (6%, 95% CI 3–10), northern England (6%, 95% CI 3–9) and in Iceland (3%, 95% CI 0–13; p<0.001). The difference between areas was greater among children in GMFCS levels IV and V (non‐ambulant); in this group, lower height z‐scores were more prevalent in the areas with lower prevalence of GTF. The children’s age at placement of gastrostomy also varied between areas (p<0.002).Interpretation  The observed differences in the use of GTF may reflect differences in access to treatment or clinical practice, or both. Our results suggest that the use of GTF may improve growth in height and weight among children with more severely affected gross motor function – the group most likely to have associated feeding difficulties.
Epineurial adipocytes are dispensable for Schwann cell myelination
Authors: Nadra Karim , Médard Jean‐Jacques , Quignodon Laure , Verheijen Mark H. G. , Desvergne Béatrice , Chrast Roman 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPrevious clinical observations and data from mouse models with defects in lipid metabolism suggested that epineurial adipocytes may play a role in peripheral nervous system myelination. We have used adipocyte‐specific Lpin1 knockout mice to characterize the consequences of the presence of impaired epineurial adipocytes on the myelinating peripheral nerve. Our data revealed that the capacity of Schwann cells to establish myelin, and the functional properties of peripheral nerves, were not affected by compromised epineurial adipocytes in adipocyte‐specific Lpin1 knockout mice. To evaluate the possibility that Lpin1‐negative adipocytes are still able to support endoneurial Schwann cells, we also characterized sciatic nerves from mice carrying epiblast‐specific deletion of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, which develop general lipoatrophy. Interestingly, even the complete loss of adipocytes in the epineurium of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma knockout mice did not lead to detectable defects in Schwann cell myelination. However, probably as a consequence of their hyperglycemia, these mice have reduced nerve conduction velocity, thus mimicking the phenotype observed under diabetic condition. Together, our data indicate that while adipocytes, as regulators of lipid and glucose homeostasis, play a role in nerve function, their presence in epineurium is not essential for establishment or maintenance of proper myelin.
Use of recombinant activated Factor VII for refractory after lung transplant bleeding as an effective strategy to restrict blood transfusion and associated complications
Authors: Bhaskar Balu , Zeigenfuss Marc , Choudhary Jivesh , Fraser John F. 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND: Recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been increasingly used to stop massive bleeding after cardiothoracic surgical procedures. However, the risk : benefit profile of such a potent hemostatic agent remains unclear in the postsurgical patient, and the cost benefit is even less clear. In patients after lung transplantation, volume of blood transfused is of major concern, and all attempts are made to minimize large blood transfusions in this cohort. We report our experience with rFVIIa in patients with refractory bleeding after lung transplant surgery.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: All lung transplant patients who underwent single‐ or double‐lung transplantation who received rFVIIa in the 5‐year period, from January 2005 to June 2011, were included. A total of 15 patients were identified from a total of 95 lung transplant cases operated during this study period. Patient demographics, intra‐ and postoperative records were reviewed to assess the efficacy and safety of rFVIIa treatment.RESULTS: Patients with major bleeding treated with rFVIIa showed improved hemostasis with rapid normalization of coagulation variables. rFVIIa treatment was not associated with an increase in mechanical ventilation time, length of intensive care unit stay, or hospital stay compared to other lung transplant patients. In addition, the use of rFVIIa was associated with reduction in transfusion requirements of red blood cells, fresh‐frozen plasma, and platelets (all p < 0.001). No definite thromboembolic‐related event was recorded in our cohort.CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that rFVIIa was associated with reduced blood loss, improvement of coagulation variables, and decreased need for transfusions. This reduction in losses led to a reduced requirement for blood transfusion, which may translate to a decrease in transfusion‐related complications. Further investigation is needed to determine rFVIIa's safety and its efficacy in improving postoperative morbidity and mortality specifically in the field of post–lung transplantation surgery.
Association Between Child Restraint Systems Use and Injury in Motor Vehicle Crashes
Authors: Ma Xiaoguang , Layde Peter , Zhu Shankuan 
Published: July 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:916–923 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  The objective was to estimate the fatal and nonfatal injury risk associated with inappropriate or no use of child restraint systems (CRS) for children younger than 13 years of age involved in motor vehicle crashes (MVC) in the United States.Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional study of children aged 0 to 12 years involved in MVCs based on a nationally representative probability sample from 1996 to 2005 in the United States. A total of 7,633 children were included in the analysis, weighted to represent 3,798,830 children. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between restraint use and fatal or nonfatal injury.Results:  In all age groups, failure to use a restraint increased the risk of fatal injury (odds ratio [OR] ranged from 9.81 to 23.79, all p < 0.05). In children aged 1 to 3 years, inappropriate use of a restraint was associated with fatal injury (OR = 6.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.40 to 16.48). Restrained children aged 4 to 7 years in rear seats with seat belts only (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.11 to 0.94) and infants in front seats using child safety seats (OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.07 to 0.99) were associated with decreased nonfatal but not fatal injury compared to children with the recommended use of CRS in the two age groups.Conclusions:  Failure to use child restraints was associated with increased fatal injury. Our findings raise questions regarding current recommendations for specific CRS use in infants and children 4 to 7 years old. Further research is needed to identify the most effective CRS and seating location for children of each age.
The Effect of Weight‐based Volume Loading on the Inferior Vena Cava in Fasting Subjects: A Prospective Randomized Double‐blinded Trial
Authors: Weekes Anthony J. , Lewis Margaret R. , Kahler Zachary P. , Stader Donald E. , Quirke Dale P. , Norton H. James , Almond Courtney , Middleton Dawn , Tayal Vivek S. 
Published: July 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:901–907 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  Inferior vena cava ultrasound (IVC‐US) assessment has been proposed as a noninvasive method of assessing volume status. Current literature is divided on its ability to do so. The primary objective was to compare IVC‐US changes in healthy fasting subjects randomized to either 10 or 30 mL/kg of intravenous (IV) fluid administration versus a control group that received only 2 mL/kg.Methods:  This was a prospective randomized double‐blinded trial set in emergency department (ED) clinical care rooms. Volunteer subjects with no history of cardiac disease or hypertension fasted for 12 hours. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive IV 0.9% saline bolus of 2 (control group), 10, or 30 mL/kg over 30 minutes. IVC‐US was performed before and 15 minutes after each fluid bolus.Results:  Forty‐two fasting subjects were enrolled. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparison showed that IVC‐US was unable to detect any significant difference between the control group and those given either 10 or 30 mL/kg fluid, whether using maximum or minimum IVC diameter or caval index (IVC‐CI). The groups receiving 10 and 30 mL/kg each had a statistically significant change in IVC‐CI; however, the 30 mL/kg group had no significant change in either of the mean IVC diameters.Conclusions:  Overall, there were statistically significant differences in mean IVC‐US measurements before and after fluid loading, but not between groups. Fasting asymptomatic subjects had a wide intersubject variation in both baseline IVC‐US measurements and fluid‐related changes. The degree of IVC‐US change in association with graded acute volume loading was not predictably proportional between our subjects.
Serum levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 are correlated with liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Zhu Chuan Long , Li Wen Ting , Li Yi , Gao Ren Tao 
Published: July 2012

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) expression and the severity of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and to explore the diagnostic value of serum TIMP‐1.MethodsA total of 159 CHB patients underwent liver biopsy for the analysis of liver fibrosis stages and inflammation. Serum TIMP‐1 was determined by ELISA. Hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type III (PCIII), collagen type IV (CIV), laminin (LN), and FIB‐4 index were determined and calculated, and diagnostic accuracy was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsSerum levels of TIMP‐1 were associated with the grade of liver inflammation in CHB patients (r = 0.695, P < 0.01), especially in those without fibrosis or with stage 1 fibrosis, and were also positively correlated with liver fibrosis in CHB patients (r = 0.854, P < 0.01), particularly in those with inflammation at grade 1, 2 and 3. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of serum TIMP‐1 was 0.918 for significant liver fibrosis (≥stage 2), and a sensitivity of 89.4% and specificity of 83.6% were obtained with a cut‐off value of ≥174.5 ng/mL of serum TIMP‐1, which were higher than that of HA, CIV and FIB‐4 index.ConclusionTIMP‐1 is a valuable single biomarker for the evaluation of significant fibrosis in CHB patients.
The pitfalls of ultrasonography in the evaluation of soft tissue masses
Authors: Kwok Henry CK , Pinto Clinton H , Doyle Anthony J 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIntroductionUltrasonography is associated with a high error rate in the evaluation of soft tissue masses. The purposes of this study were to examine the nature of the diagnostic errors and to identify areas in which reporting could be improved.MethodsPatients who had soft tissue tumours and received ultrasonography during a 10‐year period (1999–2009) were identified from a local tumour registry. The sonographic and pathological diagnoses were categorised as either ‘benign’ or ‘non‐benign’. The accuracy of ultrasonography was assessed by correlating the sonographic with the pathological diagnostic categories. Recommendations from radiologists, where offered, were assessed for their appropriateness in the context of the pathological diagnosis.ResultsOne hundred seventy‐five patients received ultrasonography, of which 60 had ‘non‐benign’ lesions and 115 had ‘benign’ lesions. Ultrasonography correctly diagnosed 35 and incorrectly diagnosed seven of the 60 ‘non‐benign’ cases, and did not suggest a diagnosis in 18 cases. Most of the diagnostic errors related to misdiagnosing soft tissue tumours as haematomas (four out of seven). Recommendations for further management were offered by the radiologists in 144 cases, of which 52 had ‘non‐benign’ pathology. There were eight ‘non‐benign’ cases where no recommendation was offered, and the sonographic diagnosis was either incorrect or unavailable.ConclusionsUltrasonography lacks accuracy in the evaluation of soft tissue masses. Ongoing education is required to improve awareness of the limitations with its use. These limitations should be highlighted to the referrers, especially those who do not have specific training in this area.
Centenary of schizophrenia: Should the term survive “togo shicchou sho” and “salience syndrome”?
Authors: Palm Ulrich 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe term “schizophrenia” has been associated with stigma since its appearance in 1911. Several destigmatization programs in occidental countries have had favorable results. In Japan, schizophrenia has been renamed as a kind of integration disorder. A debate is ongoing about whether to replace the term schizophrenia with “salience syndrome”, a term that implies a disorder of stimulus–reaction control. Increased dopamine, a mediator between a stimulus and the affective reaction, is the supposed neurobiological correlate. Reducing the disease entity schizophrenia to a syndromal level might mean that accessory symptoms, which could be important for predicting the course and outcome of the illness, are neglected. A mere syndromal description with a new term will not improve destigmatization. It will, however, blur physicians' perception and impair patients' acceptance of the disorder. Furthermore, ethnic and cultural aspects are not reflected by nosological changes.
Mechanism of macrophage migration inhibitory factor‐induced decrease of T‐type Ca2+ channel current in atrium‐derived cells
Authors: Rao Fang , Deng Chun‐Yu , Wu Shu‐Lin , Xiao Ding‐Zhang , Huang Wei , Deng Hai , Kuang Su‐Juan , Lin Qiu‐Xiong , Shan Zhi‐Xin , Liu Xiao‐Ying , Zhu Jie‐Ning , Yu Xi‐Yong 
Published: July 2012

New findings
What is the central question of this study?Recent evidence indicates that T‐type calcium channels may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. We previously reported that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, reduced L‐type calcium channel expression in atrial fibrillation. The role of MIF in the regulation of atrial T‐type calcium channels has not been previously investigated.
What is the main finding and its importance?In the present study, we report that MIF decreases the T‐type calcium current in atrium‐derived myocytes through impairment of channel function and activation of c‐Src kinases, representing a potential pathogenic mechanism in atrial fibrillation.
The T‐type Ca2+ current (ICa,T) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study sought to investigate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pleiotropic cytokine, in the regulation of T‐type Ca2+ channels (TCCs) in atrial myocytes. We used the whole‐cell voltage‐clamp technique and biochemical assays to study the regulation and expression of ICa,T in atrial myocytes. Gene levels of the α1G and α1H subunit of TCCs were decreased in human atrial tissue of patients with AF. In cultured atrium‐derived myocytes (HL‐1 cells), mouse recombinant MIF (20 or 40 nm, 24 h) suppressed peak ICa,T in a concentration‐dependent manner, impaired the voltage‐dependent activation of ICa,T and downregulated TCC α1G and α1H mRNA. The Src inhibitors genistein and PP1 significantly enhanced ICa,T. The reduction of ICa,T and TCC subunit mRNA induced by recombinant MIF could be reversed by genistein and PP1. The TCC α1G associated with Src in HL‐1 cells and mouse cardiomycytes. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is involved in the pathogenesis of AF, probably by decreasing the T‐type calcium current in atrium‐derived myocytes through impairment of channel function and activation of c‐Src kinases, representing a potential pathogenic mechanism in atrial fibrillation.
Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Continuous and Conventional Intrathecal Amphotericin B in Rabbits
Authors: Fang Min , Lü Tian Ming , Ma An De , Wang Li , Li Guo Liang , Qiu Ai Zhu , Pan Zhi Yong , Wang Yuan Yuan , Liu Xiao Jia 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT
We previously reported a new effective therapy, continuous intrathecal amphotericin B (AMB), for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis, which had fewer side effects and complications than conventional intrathecal AMB. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of continuous intrathecal administration and conventional intrathecal AMB were compared in rabbits, providing a pharmacokinetic basis for the use of continuous intrathecal AMB therapy. The AMB concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), sampled via an inserted cisterna magna catheter, was determined by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. The results revealed significant pharmacokinetic differences between the two groups. In the continuous intrathecal group (0.15 mg/kg/24 h), the concentration of AMB peaked 7.01 μg/ml at 4 h and then decreased to a stable level of 1.0 to 1.34 μg/ml, with no neurological impairments, while in the conventional intrathecal group (0.015 mg/kg), the drug concentration reached a peak of 3.41 μg/ml at 1 h and then decreased progressively, with fever and neurological impairments, including convulsion and paralysis. The pharmacokinetic results indicated that the continuous intrathecal AMB is a more effective and safe therapy than the conventional intrathecal AMB, with comparatively rational pharmacokinetics and fewer neurological impairments.
Various
pfcrt
and
pfmdr1
Genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum Cocirculate with P. malariae, P. ovale spp., and P. vivax in Northern Angola
Authors: Fançony Cláudia , Gamboa Dina , Sebastião Yuri , Hallett Rachel , Sutherland Colin , Sousa-Figueiredo José Carlos , Nery Susana Vaz 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

Artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria has become widely available across Africa. Populations of
Plasmodium falciparum
that were previously dominated by chloroquine (CQ)-resistant genotypes are now under different drug selection pressures.
P. malariae
,
P. ovale curtisi
, and
P. ovale wallikeri
are sympatric with
P. falciparum
across the continent and are frequently present as coinfections. The prevalence of human
Plasmodium
species was determined by PCR using DNA from blood spots collected during a cross-sectional survey in northern Angola.
P. falciparum
was genotyped at resistance-associated loci in
pfcrt
and
pfmdr1
by real-time PCR or by direct sequencing of amplicons. Of the 3,316 samples collected, 541 (16.3%) contained
Plasmodium
species infections; 477 (88.2%) of these were
P. falciparum
alone, 6.5% were
P. falciparum
and
P. malariae
together, and 1.1% were
P. vivax
alone. The majority of the remainder (3.7%) harbored
P. ovale curtisi
or
P. ovale wallikeri
alone or in combination with other species. Of 430
P. falciparum
isolates genotyped for
pfcrt
, 61.6% carried the wild-type allele CVMNK at codons 72 to 76, either alone or in combination with the resistant allele CVIET. No other
pfcrt
allele was found. Wild-type alleles dominated at codons 86, 184, 1034, 1042, and 1246 of the
pfmdr1
locus among the sequenced isolates. In contrast to previous studies,
P. falciparum
in the study area comprises an approximately equal mix of genotypes associated with CQ sensitivity and with CQ resistance, suggesting either lower drug pressure due to poor access to treatment in rural areas or a rapid impact of the policy change away from the use of standard monotherapies.
In Vitro
Activity of Fluorescent Dyes against Asexual Blood Stages of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Joanny Fanny , Held Jana , Mordmüller Benjamin 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

Many successful antimicrobial drugs originate from synthetic dyes. This paper reports the
in vitro
activity of 14 fluorescent dyes against
Plasmodium falciparum
. Five of these dyes (Hoechst 33342, MitoRed, DiOC
6
, SYTO 9, and rhodamine B) show activity at a low nanomolar concentration against two
P. falciparum
strains in the histidine-rich protein 2 drug sensitivity assay, while toxicity in HeLa cells is low. These dyes may be a starting point for developing new drugs against
P. falciparum
.
Antibacterial Activities of Iron Chelators against Common Nosocomial Pathogens
Authors: Thompson Mitchell G. , Corey Brendan W. , Si Yuanzheng , Craft David W. , Zurawski Daniel V. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

The activities of iron chelators (deferoxamine, deferiprone, Apo6619, and VK28) were evaluated against type strains of
Acinetobacter baumannii
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, and
Escherichia coli
. Deferiprone, Apo6619, and VK28 each inhibited growth in standard and RPMI tissue culture medium, while deferoxamine had no effect. Additionally, time-kill assays revealed that VK28 had a bacteriostatic effect against
S. aureus
. Therefore, these newly developed iron chelators might provide a nontraditional approach for treatment of bacterial infections.
Nocardia brasiliensis Cell Wall Lipids Modulate Macrophage and Dendritic Responses That Favor Development of Experimental Actinomycetoma in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Trevino-Villarreal J. Humberto , Vera-Cabrera Lucio , Valero-Guillén Pedro L. , Salinas-Carmona Mario C. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTNocardia brasiliensisis a Gram-positive facultative intracellular bacterium frequently isolated from human actinomycetoma. However, the pathogenesis of this infection remains unknown. Here, we used a model of bacterial delipidation with benzine to investigate the role ofN. brasiliensiscell wall-associated lipids in experimental actinomycetoma. Delipidation ofN. brasiliensiswith benzine resulted in complete abolition of actinomycetoma without affecting bacterial viability. Chemical analyses revealed that trehalose dimycolate and an unidentified hydrophobic compound were the principal compounds extracted fromN. brasiliensiswith benzine. By electron microscopy, the extracted lipids were found to be located in the outermost membrane layer of theN. brasiliensiscell wall. They also appeared to confer acid-fastness.In vitro, the extractable lipids from theN. brasiliensiscell wall induced the production of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and CCL-2 in macrophages. TheN. brasiliensiscell wall extractable lipids inhibited important macrophage microbicidal effects, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) production, phagocytosis, bacterial killing, and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) expression in response to gamma interferon (IFN-γ). In dendritic cells (DCs),N. brasiliensiscell wall-associated extractable lipids suppressed MHC-II, CD80, and CD40 expression while inducing tumor growth factor β (TGF-β) production. Immunization with delipidatedN. brasiliensisinduced partial protection preventing actinomycetoma. These findings suggest thatN. brasiliensiscell wall-associated lipids are important for actinomycetoma development by inducing inflammation and modulating the responses of macrophages and DCs toN. brasiliensis.