bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prescription drug use among pregnant women in opioid Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Lund Ingunn Olea , Skurtveit Svetlana , Engeland Anders , Furu Kari , Ravndal Edle , Handal Marte 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAimsThis study describes the use of prescribed drugs among women in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) prior to, and during, pregnancy.DesignThis cohort study was based on data from two nationwide databases: the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Prescription Database.SettingNorway, 2004–2010.ParticipantsOMT drugs were dispensed to 138 women with 159 pregnancies.MeasurementsAll prescription drugs dispensed to women in OMT three months prior to, and during, pregnancy were studied. Amounts of benzodiazepines, z‐hypnotics and opioid analgesics dispensed during pregnancy were studied and bivariate analysis was used to study neonatal outcomes of OMT pregnancies with and without such co‐medication.FindingsThe prevalence of prescription drug use by pregnant OMT women was high both during the three‐month period prior to (69%), and during (81%), pregnancy. The proportion of pregnant women that was dispensed anti‐infectives (48%) and/or drugs acting on the nervous system (45%) during any time in pregnancy was especially high. In 21%, 15% and 13% of the pregnancies the women were dispensed benzodiazepine anxiolytics, opioid analgesics or benzodiazepine hypnotics respectively. Only 5% of the OMT women were dispensed antidepressants. Malformations were significantly more common among children born to mothers in OMT that received co‐medication with opioids, benzodiazepines or z‐hypnotics.ConclusionsA higher proportion of women in opioid maintenance treatment in Norway use prescription drugs prior to, and during, pregnancy than pregnant women in the general population. Co‐medication with drugs with abuse potential may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and this need to be further addressed.
The effect of beta‐2 adrenergic receptor haplotype variations on the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery*
Authors: Daher M. , Saito R. B. , Barra G. B. , Govêia C. S. , Magalhães E. , Neves F. A. R. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryWe investigated whether genetic variations of the beta‐2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) modulate the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. We focused on the effects of haplotypes formed by combinations of the Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms. Clinical data from 143 healthy parturients were collected. Only the ArgGln haplotype appeared to influence the risk of hypotension, most probably through a recessive mode of inheritance (p = 0.027). Therefore, patients were grouped according to ArgGln homozygosity in two groups: presence of one or no copies of the haplotype (n = 120) or two copies of the haplotype (n = 23). Both groups presented similar baseline characteristics. Comparatively, patients homozygous for the ArgGln haplotype presented consistently higher blood pressure levels throughout the evaluation period (p = 0.001 for systolic arterial pressure variation from baseline). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that haplotype variations of the the ADRB2 modulate the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.
A clinical evaluation of four non‐Luer spinal needle and syringe systems
Authors: Kinsella S. M. , Goswami A. , Laxton C. , Kirkham L. , Wharton N. , Bowen M. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryWe performed an evaluation of non‐Luer spinal devices supplied by four manufacturers or suppliers: Polymedic; Pajunk; Sarstedt; and Smiths. For each supplier, 100 evaluations were performed using a 25‐G 90‐mm spinal needle, 3‐ml syringe, 5‐ml syringe and filter needle; for comparison, 100 evaluations were performed with our standard Luer equipment. The non‐Luer devices were associated with more qualitative problems compared with the Luer devices, for example, poor feel of dural puncture (9–32% vs 10%, respectively), poor observation of cerebrospinal fluid in the hub (3–27% vs 0%), and connection problem of the syringe to the spinal needle (7–33% vs 0%). There was also more frequent failure to achieve the spinal injection due to equipment‐related causes (4–7% vs 0%, respectively). Median (IQR [range]) numeric satisfaction scores for the spinal needles were: Luer 10 (9–10 [7–10]); Polymedic 7 (4–8 [0–10]; Pajunk 7 (5–8 [0–10]); Sarstedt 7 (6–8 [0–10]); and Smiths 9 (7–10 [0–10]) (p < 0.0001). Satisfaction scores for all spinal equipment were: Luer 10 (9–10 [5–10]); Polymedic 8 (6–8 [0–10]); Pajunk 7 (5–7 [1–9]); Sarstedt 8 (6–8 [0–10]); and Smiths 8 (8–9 [2–10]) (p < 0.0001). Between 21% and 75% of non‐Luer evaluations were rated with satisfaction worse than the usual Luer needle compared with 0–10% rated better, depending on the needle type. Between 22% and 76% of non‐Luer evaluations were rated with satisfaction worse than the usual Luer equipment compared with 0–14% rated better. Specific concerns included poor feel of tissue planes and observation of cerebrospinal fluid (Polymedic), difficulty with connection of the syringe to the spinal needle and trocar removal (Pajunk), poor feel of tissue planes and needle flexibility (Sarstedt) and difficulty with connection of the syringe to the spinal needle (Smiths). We could not demonstrate a short‐term learning curve for the new devices. Decisions on purchasing and implementation of the new non‐Luer equipment will have to acknowledge that clinicians may have greater technical problems and reduced satisfaction compared with the current equipment.
Stoichiometry of potassium is largely determined by water availability and growth in Catalonian forests
Authors: Sardans Jordi , Peñuelas Josep , Coll Marta , Vayreda Jordi , Rivas‐Ubach Albert 
Published: August 2012

Summary

The study of the relationships between organisms and environmental elemental stoichiometry and ecosystem structure and function has recently received increasing attention. Some elements, however, have been less studied or have even been neglected. One of these elements is K, despite its critical importance in the water economy of plants.

We hypothesized that K concentrations and especially K contents (concentrations × biomass), their stoichiometries with respect to C, N, and P contents, and their relative allocations to foliar and woody compartments would be linked to climatic gradients in the availability of water, forest type and growth. We tested this hypothesis by analysing the data set of the Catalan Forest Inventory.

Evergreens, the type of tree with the slowest growth, showed the highest K contents, especially in wood, and the lowest plasticity to change the stoichiometry of K within and between foliar and woody biomasses along climatic gradients. The allocation of K to leaves in relation to the allocation of C, N and P increased with mean annual precipitation (MAP) and was concomitant with decreases in the allocation of K to wood in relation to the allocation of C, N and P (higher K:CL/W, K:NL/W and K:PL/W).

In summer, the driest period, higher K:C, K:N and K:P content ratios in leaves were accompanied by lower K:C, K:N and K:P content ratios in wood, mainly in the species at the driest sites. Higher K:C and K:N content ratios in leaves and above‐ground biomass in all forest types, and higher K:CL/W and K:NL/W in conifers and deciduous trees were related to higher growth. K contents of leaves were better correlated with tree growth than were K concentrations of leaves in all forest types.

These results show that the stoichiometry of K is strongly related to the availability of water and that the uptake of K is more related to the uptake of water than the uptake of N and P. Stoichiometric differences involving K are related to both the response of plants to drought and to plant growth. K thus plays a key role, together with N and P, in the response of plants to climatic gradients for improving the capacities for growth and adaptation to water stress along environmental gradients and through time (seasons). Moreover, these results show that the differences in stoichiometric composition and plasticity involving K contents can underlie the long‐term adaptation of trees to different ecological styles of life. K should thus be considered in ecological stoichiometric studies of terrestrial plants.
Adult proximity and frugivore's activity structure the spatial pattern in an endangered plant
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pérez Javier , Wiegand Thorsten , Traveset Anna 
Published: August 2012

Summary

Seed dispersers play a key role in shaping the spatial patterns of plant populations. After their disappearance, we expect a substantial increase in plant aggregation, which can ultimately cascade into high plant competition.

We used data of fully mapped distribution of four populations of the shrub Daphne rodriguezii from Menorca Island (Balearic Islands, W Mediterranean Sea), one in which D. rodriguezii coexists with its only disperser, the lizard Podarcis lilfordi, and three populations where this lizard went extinct long ago.

We used spatial point‐pattern analysis to better understand the lizard's role on the spatial distribution of D. rodriguezii. To this end, we used specific point‐process models that represented our main hypotheses on the impact of (i) habitat suitability, (ii) disperser activity, (iii) proximity of adults on the distribution of juvenile and adult shrubs and (iv) the impact of adult proximity on juvenile survival.

Plants were aggregated in all populations, and aggregation at short distances was stronger in populations without lizards. The observed spatial pattern of juveniles was better explained by a combination of hypotheses (ii) and (iii). The density of juveniles below adults was similar in all populations, but density far from adults was higher in the population with dispersers. In populations without dispersers, juveniles suffered higher mortality below adults.

Overall, our results suggest that the effects of lizard extinction were subtle. In the absence of lizards' dispersal, plants self‐replace in favourable locations, but a decline in density, is evidenced near adults attributed to higher competition. Lizards, which often defecate under fruiting plants, create also a tight juvenile–adult association, but allow juveniles to escape from the immediate proximity of adults attributed to longer‐distance movements. Our study shows how the analysis of the spatial pattern of plants can leads to detailed hypotheses on the underlying mechanisms structuring plant populations.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mediate below‐ground plant–herbivore interactions: a phylogenetic study
Authors: Vannette Rachel L. , Rasmann Sergio 
Published: August 2012

Summary

Ecological interactions are complex networks, but have typically been studied in a pairwise fashion. Examining how third‐party species can modify the outcome of pairwise interactions may allow us to better predict their outcomes in realistic systems. For instance, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can affect plant interactions with other organisms, including below‐ground herbivores, but the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear.

Here, we use a comparative, phylogenetically controlled approach to test the relative importance of mycorrhizal colonization and plant chemical defences (cardenolides) in predicting plant survival and the abundance of a generalist below‐ground herbivore across 14 species of milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Plants were inoculated with a mixture of four generalist AMF species or left uninoculated. After 1 month, larvae of Bradysia sp. (Diptera: Sciaridae), a generalist below‐ground herbivore, colonized plant roots.

We performed phylogenetically controlled analyses to assess the influence of AMF colonization and toxic cardenolides on plant growth, mortality and infestation by fungus gnats. Overall, plants inoculated with AMF exhibited greater survival than did uninoculated plants. Additionally, surviving inoculated plants had lower numbers of larvae in their roots and fewer non‐AM fungi than surviving uninoculated plants. In phylogenetic controlled regressions, gnat density in roots was better predicted by the extent of root colonized by AMF than by root cardenolide concentration. Taken as a whole, AMF modify the effect of below‐ground herbivores on plants in a species‐specific manner, independent of changes in chemical defence.

This study adds to the growing body of literature demonstrating that mycorrhizal fungi may improve plant fitness by conferring protection against antagonists, rather than growth benefits. In addition, we advocate using comparative analyses to disentangle the roles of shared history and ecology in shaping trait expression and to better predict the outcomes of complex multitrophic interactions.
Variations in testosterone pathway genes and susceptibility to testicular cancer in Norwegian men
Authors: Kristiansen W. , Aschim E. L. , Andersen J. M. , Witczak O. , Fosså S. D. , Haugen T. B. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryImbalance between the oestrogen and androgen levels in utero is hypothesized to influence testicular cancer (TC) risk. Thus, variation in genes involved in the action of sex hormones may contribute to variability of an individual’s susceptibility to TC. Mutations in testosterone pathway genes may alter the level of testosterone in vivo and hypothetically the risk of developing TC. Luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), 5α‐reductase II (SRD5A2) and androgen receptor (AR) are key elements in androgen action. A case‐control study comprising 651 TC cases and 313 controls in a Norwegian population was conducted for investigation of polymorphisms in the LHR, SRD5A and AR genes and their possible association with TC. A statistical significant difference was observed in patients being heterozygous for the LHR Asn312Ser polymorphism when comparing genotypes between all TC cases and controls (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.48–0.89, padj = 0.049). No statistically significant difference between the histological subtypes seminoma and non‐seminoma was observed. Our results may suggest a possible association between genetic variation in the LHR gene and the risk of developing TC.
Antioxidant activity and polyphenol contents in Brazilian green propolis extracts prepared with the use of ethanol and water as solvents in different pH values
Authors: Mello Beatriz C. B. S. , Hubinger Miriam D. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryPropolis is a natural product with a variable and complex chemical composition associated with its high concentration on polyphenolic compounds. The effect of pH variation (2.0, 3.0, 4.3, 6.0 and 8.0) during aqueous and ethanolic propolis extraction was studied for up to 10 days. Total phenols and flavonoids contents were measured for the extracts by spectrophotometric assays. Antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) methods. The best time of extraction was up to 5 days for all samples. Basic aqueous extracts (pH 8.0) resulted in a higher concentration of compounds than the extract without pH modification, reaching an increase of 160% in flavonoids and 25% in phenols. Ethanolic extracts with pH variation resulted in an extract with 50% less polyphenols and 6% less flavonoids than extract without pH modification. The antioxidant activity was highest for ethanolic extract at pH 4.3 and aqueous extract at pH 8.0 – almost 90% and 45%, respectively, in DPPH method – and was related to the level of polyphenols by Pearson's correlations.
Evening ambient light exposure can reduce circadian phase advances to morning light independent of sleep deprivation
Authors: BURGESS HELEN J. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryShort sleep/dark durations are common in modern society. We investigated if exposure to additional evening ambient light, often associated with later bedtimes and short sleep, reduces circadian phase advances to morning bright light. Twelve healthy subjects participated in two conditions that differed in the distribution of sleep before exposure to morning bright light. Subjects had a consolidated 9‐h night time sleep opportunity, or a 3‐h daytime nap followed by a 6‐h night time sleep opportunity, each before morning bright light. Eight of the 12 subjects obtained similar amounts of sleep in both conditions, and yet still showed significant reductions in phase advances with 6‐h nights (1.7 versus 0.7 h, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the exposure to additional evening ambient light often associated with short sleep episodes can significantly reduce phase advances to morning light, and may therefore increase the risk for circadian misalignment.
The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Jadidi‐Niaragh F. , Shegarfi H. , Naddafi F. , Mirshafiey A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction and selective neuronal death in the brain. The aetiology of AD is not clear but environmental factors and heritable predisposition may play a role in the disease emergence. It has also been suggested that neural–immune interaction has a role in disease appearance. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in the host defence, which is related to their ability to secrete a variety of cytokines and chemokines, as well as killing infected host cells. Moreover, there is some evidence that imply the involvement of NK cells in immunopathogenesis of AD. In this review, we have attempted to clarify the role of NK cells in the immunopathogenesis of AD.
Prevalence and risk factors of atopic diseases in German children and adolescents
Authors: Schmitz Roma , Atzpodien Karen , Schlaud Martin 
Published: August 2012

To cite this artcle: Schmitz R, Atzpodien K, Schlaud M. Prevalence and risk factors of atopic diseases in German children and adolescents – findings from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 716–723.AbstractBackground:  Atopic diseases became an important health problem in affluent Western societies.Methods:  To study the prevalence and factors associated with the risk of atopic diseases in Germany, data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) were analysed (n = 17,450). Standardized, computer‐assisted personal interviews with parents and parent‐administered questionnaires provided physician diagnoses of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis and asthma as well as data on demographic characteristics, migration background, birth order, age at the beginning of nursery, atopic diseases of parents, parents’ smoking status, parents’ occupation, breastfeeding and living environment.Results:  The life‐time prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 13.2% (95% confidence limit: 12.5–13.9%), 10.7% (10.1–11.3%) for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and 4.7% (4.3–5.1%) for asthma. At least one atopic disease in parents was the strongest factor associated with atopic diseases in the offspring, with a prevalence ratio of up to 2.6. High and middle socio‐economic status (prevalence ratio, 95% confidence limit: 1.28, 1.12–1.46; 1.15, 1.01–1.32) were associated with the risk of atopic dermatitis, whereas a two‐sided background of migration reduced the risk (0.76, 0.65–0.88). Factors that reduced the risk of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were parents working as self‐employed farmers (0.48, 0.30–0.76) and older siblings (0.80, 0.71–0.89), whereas the beginning of nursery school at older age was associated with an increased risk in children who were cared for outside the family before school age (1.05, 1.00–1.10). Living in mould‐infested rooms (1.64, 1.23–2.19), an urban living environment (1.20, 1.02–1.42) and a smoking mother and/or father (1.20, 1.02–1.40) were associated with the risk of asthma.Conclusions:  Our results are in line with the so‐called ‘hygiene hypothesis’, which emphasizes the role of environmental factors in addition to a genetic predisposition in the development of atopic diseases. Research on factors associated with atopic diseases can facilitate decisions on preventive strategies. Further studies are needed to explore trends in prevalence and risk factors for atopic diseases.
Patch Use in Free‐Ranging Goats: Does a Large Mammalian Herbivore Forage like Other Central Place Foragers?
Authors: Shrader Adrian M. , Kerley Graham I. H. , Brown Joel S. , Kotler Burt P. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractClassic central place foraging theory does not focus on the foraging of central place herbivores. This is especially true with regard to large mammalian herbivores. To understand the foraging dynamics of these neglected foragers, we measured giving‐up densities (GUDs) in artificial food patches. We did this at different distances away from the central point (i.e. corral) for a herd of free‐ranging domestic goats. To determine temporal changes, we conducted the study over a 3‐mo period during an extended dry season. Throughout our study, goats foraged across a gradient of food availability where forage was more available farther away from the central point. In contrast to the prediction that predation risk and/or increased travel costs were the main drivers of foraging decisions, we found that the goats increased their feeding effort (i.e. achieved lowerGUDs) the farther away they moved from the central point. This suggests that either metabolic or missed opportunity costs were the main factors that influenced foraging decisions. In addition, we suggest that social foraging may have also played a role. With increases in foraging opportunities away from the central point, a herd will likely move slowly while foraging. As a result, individuals can feed intensively from patches but remain part of the group. Ironically, owing to the sustained close proximity of other group members, individuals may perceive patches farther from the central point as being safer. Temporally, the goats increased their feeding effort throughout the dry season. This suggests there was a decline in food quality and/or availability across the environment as the study progressed. Despite this increase in feeding effort, the negative relationship with distance did not change. Ultimately, our results provide key insight into how metabolic, missed opportunity and perceived predation costs influence the feeding decisions of large central place herbivores.
Kodamaea ohmeri isolate from two immunocompromised patients: first report in Italy
Authors: Santino I. , Bono S. , Borruso L. , Bove M. , Cialdi E. , Martinelli D. , Alari A. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryKodamaea ohmeri is an unusual yeast‐form fungus that has recently been identified as an important aetiological agent of fungaemia, endocarditis, cellulitis, funguria and peritonitis in immunocompromised patients. We present two new isolated of K. ohmeri. The microorganisms were identified by CHROMagar Candida medium, VitekII system and API ID32C. Biochemical identification of the two yeast isolates was confirmed by sequence analysis of the 26S ribosomal DNA. Antifungal susceptibility testing done by Sensititre YeastOne showed that the isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B, voriconazole and itraconazole. This work is the first report of isolation of K. ohmeri in immunocompromised patients in Italy.
Ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica responsive to colchicine
Authors: Schofield Clare , Sladden Michael J 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTNecrobiosis lipoidica is an uncommon granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology. Few treatments have emerged with consistent efficacy and the ulcerated form of necrobiosis lipoidica can be particularly difficult to treat. A 56‐year‐old non‐diabetic woman with chronic ulcerative necrobiosis lipoidica unresponsive to other therapies was commenced on colchicine treatment. Complete resolution of the ulcers was observed after 2 months therapy with colchicine 500 µg twice daily.