bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal dietary choline deficiency alters angiogenesis in fetal mouse hippocampus
Authors: Mehedint Mihai G. , Craciunescu Corneliu N. , Zeisel Steven H. 
Published: July 2010

We examined whether maternal dietary choline modulates angiogenesis in fetal brain. Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were fed either a choline-deficient (CD), control (CT), or choline-supplemented diet (CS) from days 12 to 17 (E12-17) of pregnancy and then fetal brains were studied. In CD fetal hippocampus, proliferation of endothelial cells (EC) was decreased by 32% (p < 0.01 vs. CT or CS) while differentiated EC clusters (expressing factor VIII related antigen (RA)) increased by 25% (p < 0.01 vs. CT or CS). These changes were associated with > 25% decrease in the number of blood vessels in CD fetal hippocampus (p < 0.01 vs. CT and CS), with no change in total cross-sectional area of these blood vessels. Expression of genes for the angiogenic signals derived from both endothelial and neuronal progenitor cells (NPC) was increased in CD fetal hippocampus VEGF C (Vegfc), 2.0-fold,p < 0.01 vs. CT and angiopoietin 2 (Angpt2), 2.1-fold, (p < 0.01 vs. CT)). Similar increased expression was observed in NPC isolated from E14 fetal mouse brains and exposed to low (5 μM), CT (70 μM), or high choline (280 μM) media for 72 h (low choline caused a 9.7-fold increase in relative gene expression ofVegfc(p < 0.001 vs. CT and high) and a 3.4-fold increase in expression ofAngpt2, (p < 0.05 vs. CT and high). ANGPT2 protein was increased 42.2% (p < 0.01). Cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotide islands in the proximity of the promoter areas ofVegfcandAngpt2were hypomethylated in low choline NPC compared to CT NPC (p < 0.01). We conclude that maternal dietary choline intake alters angiogenesis in the developing fetal hippocampus.
OWL2Perl: creating Perl modules from OWL class definitions
Authors: Kawas Edward , Wilkinson Mark D. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Summary: Support for utilizing OWL ontologies in Perl is extremely limited, despite the growing importance of the Semantic Web in Healthcare and Life Sciences. Here, we present a Perl framework that generates Perl modules based on OWL Class definitions. These modules can then be used by other software applications to create resource description framework (RDF) data compliant with these OWL models.
Availability: OWL2Perl is available for download from CPAN, under the module name OWL2Perl. It is released under the new BSD license.
Contact: edward.kawas@gmail.com; markw@illuminae.com
MetPA: a web-based metabolomics tool for pathway analysis and visualization
Authors: Xia Jianguo , Wishart David S. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Summary: MetPA (Metabolomics Pathway Analysis) is a user-friendly, web-based tool dedicated to the analysis and visualization of metabolomic data within the biological context of metabolic pathways. MetPA combines several advanced pathway enrichment analysis procedures along with the analysis of pathway topological characteristics to help identify the most relevant metabolic pathways involved in a given metabolomic study. The results are presented in a Google-map style network visualization system that supports intuitive and interactive data exploration through point-and-click, dragging and lossless zooming. Additional features include a comprehensive compound library for metabolite name conversion, automatic generation of analysis report, as well as the implementation of various univariate statistical procedures that can be accessed when users click on any metabolite node on a pathway map. MetPA currently enables analysis and visualization of 874 metabolic pathways, covering 11 common model organisms.
Availability: Freely available at http://metpa.metabolomics.ca
Contact: david.wishart@ualberta.ca
The validity of viral hepatitis and chronic liver disease diagnoses in Veterans Affairs administrative databases
Authors: KRAMER J. R. , DAVILA J. A. , MILLER E. D. , RICHARDSON P. , GIORDANO T. P. , EL‐SERAG H. B. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryBackground  The validity of International Classification of Diseases‐9 codes for liver disease has not been determined.Aim  To examine the accuracy of International Classification of Diseases‐9 codes for cirrhosis with hepatitis C virus or alcoholic liver disease and HIV or hepatitis B virus coinfection with hepatitis C virus in Veterans Affairs data.Methods  We conducted a retrospective study comparing the Veterans Affairs administrative data with abstracted data from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center’s medical records. We calculated the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, per cent agreement and kappa.Results  For cirrhosis codes, the positive predictive value (probability that cirrhosis is present among those with a code) and negative predictive value (probability that cirrhosis is absent among those without a code) were 90% and 87% with 88% agreement and kappa = 0.70. For hepatitis C virus codes, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 93% and 92%, yielding 92% agreement and kappa = 0.78. For alcoholic liver disease codes, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 71% and 98%, with 89% agreement and kappa = 0.74. All parameters for HIV coinfection with hepatitis C virus were >89%; however, the codes for hepatitis B virus coinfection had a positive predictive value of 43–67%.Conclusion  These diagnostic codes (except hepatitis B virus) in Veterans Affairs administrative data are highly predictive of the presence of these conditions in medical records and can be reliably used for research.
Modulation of salivation and heartburn in response to the site of acid infusion in the human oesophagus
Authors: Dutta S. K. , Agrawal K. , Mahmoud M. A. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryBackground  The pathogenesis of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease includes increased acid reflux, reduced salivation and impaired peristalsis. This may depend upon the height of acid wave and magnitude of oesophageal mucosal exposure. Interestingly, the effect of site of acid infusion upon salivary secretion and heartburn has not been examined in any detail.Aim  To examine whether acid infusion in the upper oesophagus may cause increased salivation and heartburn as compared with acid infusion in the lower oesophagus.Methods  Twelve healthy male subjects (mean age 30) received infusions of HCl, citric acid and acetic acid at 10 and 20 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) for fixed time periods. Parotid saliva collected periodically and heartburn severity scored using standardized scale. Standard statistical methods (paired t‐tests, analysis of variance) were used to determine the significance of results.Results  Acid infusion in the upper oesophagus increased parotid flow rate as compared with that in the lower oesophagus (P < 0.05). Likewise, there was a significantly increased heartburn score at 20 cm as well as 10 cm above LES (P < 0.05) as compared with that in the stomach.Conclusion  These data suggest a significant increase in salivation and heartburn in response to acid infusion in the upper vs. lower part of the oesophagus.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Risk of intravascular injection in transforaminal epidural injections
Authors: Nahm F. S. , Lee C. J. , Lee S. H. , Kim T. H. , Sim W. S. , Cho H. S. , Park S. Y. , Kim Y. C. , Lee S. C. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryTransforaminal epidural injection is an effective method for treating spinal pain but can cause devastating complications that result from accidental vascular uptake of the injectate or a direct vascular injury. We prospectively evaluated the patient factors that might be associated with intravascular uptake during transforaminal epidural injections. A total of 2145 injections were performed on 1088 patients under contrast‐enhanced real‐time fluoroscopic guidance. The collected data included the patient’s age, sex, body mass index, diagnosis, injection level, side of injection, history of spinal surgery at the targeted level, and the number of injections at the targeted site. The overall incidence of intravascular injection was 10.5% (224/2145). The highest incidence was at the cervical level (28/136; 20.6%), followed by the sacral level (111/673; 16.5%), the thoracic level (23/280; 8.2%) and the lumbar level (64/1056; 6.1%). The difference was significant for the cervical and sacral level compared with the lumbar and thoracic levels (p < 0.001). Intravascular injection was not associated with the other patient characteristics studied.
Successful resuscitation following ropivacaine‐induced systemic toxicity in a neonate
Authors: Hübler M. , Gäbler R. , Ehm B. , Oertel R. , Gama de Abreu M. , Koch T. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryA 5‐week‐old preterm infant was scheduled for inguinal hernia repair. Following induction of general anaesthesia, 10 mg.kg−1 ropivacaine was injected, accidently, into the caudal space. The infant developed cardiac depression with bradycardia (minimum heart rate 50 beats.min−1), elevated T waves and widening of QRS complexes. Resuscitation by means of external chest compression, intravenous adrenaline and fluid administration was successful. Ropivacaine serum concentrations were obtained at three time points yielding a peak level of 6 μg.ml−1 20 min after caudal injection.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Optimal effect‐site concentration of remifentanil for preventing cough during emergence from sevoflurane‐remifentanil anaesthesia*
Authors: Jun N. H. , Lee J. W. , Song J. W. , Koh J. C. , Park W. S. , Shim Y. H. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThis randomised, double‐blinded, controlled trial was designed to identify the optimal dose of remifentanil for cough suppression without adverse effects during emergence from sevoflurane‐remifentanil anaesthesia for thyroidectomy. One hundred and four patients were randomly assigned to maintain target effect‐site concentrations of remifentanil at 0 (control group), 1.0 (remifentail 1 group), or 1.5 ng.ml−1 (remifentanil 1.5 group) during emergence. The incidence of coughing was lower in the remifentanil 1.5 group (31%) than in the control group (74%) or remifentanil 1 group (63%) (p = 0.0004). In addition, the severity of coughing during extubation was lower in the remifentanil 1.5 group (median (IQR [range]) 0 (0–1 [0–1]) than in the control group (1 (0–2 [0–3])) and remifentanil 1 group (1 (0–2 [0–3])) (p = 0.004). Haemodynamic changes were reduced, but emergence time and stay in the post‐anaesthesia care unit was prolonged in the remifentanil 1.5 group. Maintaining the remifentanil effect‐site concentration at 1.5 ng.ml−1 during emergence from sevoflurane‐remifentanil anaesthesia reduces the incidence and severity of coughing without serious adverse events and may provide haemodynamic stability in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. However, awakening may be delayed.
Emergency re‐admissions to hospital due to adverse drug reactions within 1 year of the index admission
Authors: Davies Emma C. , Green Christopher F. , Mottram David R. , Rowe Philip H. , Pirmohamed Munir 
Published: July 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT ADRs in hospital patients are a significant burden, though how often ADRs cause re‐admission to hospital has not been well documented in the literature. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • One fifth of patients re‐admitted to hospital within 1 year of discharge from their index admission were re‐admitted due to an adverse drug reaction.• Admission to a medical ward, elderly age and prescription of anti‐platelet agents or diuretics were identified as risk factors for re‐admission due to ADRs.• Since up to 50% of these reactions were possibly avoidable, better methods of medication review in both hospital and primary care, in conjunction with a clinical review, are needed to enable improved prescribing practices that will be essential for improving the benefit‐harm balance of medicines.AIMThe proportion of re‐admissions to hospital caused by ADRs is poorly documented in the UK. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ADRs on re‐admission to hospital after a period as an inpatient.METHODSOne thousand patients consecutively admitted to 12 wards were included. All subsequent admissions for this cohort within 1 year of discharge from the index admission were retrospectively reviewed.RESULTSOf the 1000 patients included, 403 (40.3%, 95% CI 39.1, 45.4%) were re‐admitted within 1 year. Complete data were available for 290 (70.2%) re‐admitted patients, with an ADR contributing to admission in 60 (20.8%, 95% CI 16.4, 25.6%) patients. Presence of an ADR in the index admission did not predict for an ADR‐related re‐admission (10.5% vs. 7.2%, P = 0.25), or re‐admission overall (47.2% vs. 41.2%, P = 0.15). The implicated drug was commenced in the index admission in 33/148 (22.3%) instances, with 37/148 (25%) commenced elsewhere since the index admission. Increasing age and an index admission in a medical ward were associated with a higher incidence of re‐admission ADR. The most frequent causative drugs were anti‐platelets and loop diuretics, with bleeding and renal impairment the most frequent ADRs. Over half (52/91, 57.1%) of the ADRs were judged to be definitely or possibly avoidable.CONCLUSIONSOne fifth of patients re‐admitted to hospital within 1 year of discharge from their index admission are re‐admitted due to an ADR. Our data highlight drug and patient groups where interventions are needed to reduce the incidence of ADRs leading to re‐admission.
Corticosteroids therapy and peptic ulcer disease in nephrotic syndrome patients
Authors: Hsiang Kuo‐Wei , Ng Yee‐Yung , Lu Ching‐Liang , Chen Tseng‐Shing , Lin Hsiao‐Yi , Luo Jiing‐Chyuan , Wu Jia‐Min , Lin Han‐Chieh , Chang Full‐Young , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: July 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Whether corticosteroid use induces peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains uncertain.• Helicobacter pylori infection in steroid users has not been well evaluated in the past. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Prednisolone 60 mg daily for 3 months caused few endoscopic ulcers (1.6%) and no ulcer complications in 60 nephrotic patients, which was comparative with the controls, with an odds ratio of 0.5.• Corticosteroid therapy did not to increase PUD in nephrotic syndrome patients. Further larger studies are needed to clarify the role of corticosteroid in PUD.AIMSWhether corticosteroids induce peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains uncertain. The study evaluated and compared the occurrence of PUD between nephrotic patients receiving oral prednisolone therapy and nephritic patients without steroid therapy.METHODSThe prospective case control study compared 60 nephrotic syndrome patients who received 60 mg daily prednisolone therapy for 3 months with 30 age‐and sex‐matched nephritic patients without steroid therapy. Each patient underwent endoscopic examination and tissue and blood sampling before and after the study. Examined parameters included Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and gastric and serum prostaglandin (PG) E2 and thromboxane (TX) B2 concentrations. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of endoscopic peptic ulcers between the two groups, while the secondary end point was the occurrence of ulcer complications.RESULTSThe two groups were comparable in sex, age, smoking habits, alcohol drinking, past history of PUD, H. pylori infection rate and serum creatinine. There were no differences in the occurrence of endoscopic peptic ulcers (1.6% vs. 3.3%) and ulcer complications (0% vs. 0%), pre‐therapy gastric PGE2, and pre‐ and post‐therapy gastric TXB2, serum PGE2 and serum TXB2 between the two groups. However, there was significantly lower post‐therapy gastric PGE2 concentrations in the prednisolone group.CONCLUSIONSThree‐month therapy with 60 mg daily prednisolone caused few endoscopic ulcers (1.6%) and no ulcer complications in nephrotic patients. Corticosteroids therapy did not increase PUD in nephrotic syndrome patients [odds ratio 0.492 with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03, 8.142, P= 0.620]. Further larger studies are needed to clarify the role of corticosteroids in PUD.
Expression and function of toll‐like receptors in multiple myeloma patients: toll‐like receptor ligands promote multiple myeloma cell growth and survival via activation of nuclear factor‐κB
Authors: Xu Yang , Zhao Yun , Huang Haiwen , Chen Guanghua , Wu Xiaojin , Wang Ying , Chang Weirong , Zhu Ziling , Feng Yufeng , Wu Depei 
Published: July 2010

SummaryToll like receptors (TLRs) are the major agents for innate immunity that recognize invading microbial products and regulate the growth of normal and malignant human B lymphocytes. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell malignancy, though the regulatory role of TLRs in MM plasma cells has been reported, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. We first compared the transcripts of TLR1 to TLR10 in MM patients and healthy donors and found that TLR2, ‐4 and ‐9 transcripts were higher in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) from patients than those from donors; in addition the expression of TLR4 and TLR9 were higher in MM cells than normal cells as demonstrated by flow cytometric analyses. The ligands of these two TLRs were capable to promote the growth of MM cells and protect them from serum‐deprivation‐induced apoptosis but not normal plasma cells, which could be attenuated with anti‐IL6 neutralizing antibodies or blockage of NF‐κB activities. Further investigation demonstrated that these TLR ligands could trigger the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB p65 and the activated NF‐κB was sufficient to increase the expression of IL6 transcript in MM cells. These data suggested that activated NF‐κB signalling probably plays a crucial role for the ligands of TLR4 and TLR9 to promote the growth and survival of MM cells partially through IL6 autocrine.
research paper: Clinical use of unfractionated heparin therapy in children: time for change?
Authors: Newall Fiona , Ignjatovic Vera , Johnston Linda , Summerhayes Robyn , Lane Geoff , Cranswick Noel , Monagle Paul 
Published: July 2010

SummaryPaediatric recommendations for unfractionated heparin (UFH) management are extrapolated from adult trials, a practice that may contribute to the inferior UFH‐related outcomes in children compared to adults. This is the first study to determine UFH concentration in a population of children and correlated UFH concentration with measures of UFH effect. Correlation coefficients between protamine titration (concentration) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), anti‐ activated factor X (Xa) assay and thrombin clotting time (effect) were 0·59, 0·46 and 0·52 respectively. A protamine titration level of 0·2–0·4 iu/ml in children was not equivalent to an anti‐Xa assay of 0·35–0·7 iu/ml but to an anti‐Xa assay 0·17–0·85 iu/ml. In addition, use of the anti‐Xa or protamine titration assays to establish an APTT therapeutic range resulted in upper limits of APTT ranges exceeding 200 s. Existing methods for determining therapeutic ranges for UFH in adult populations do not produce equivalent ranges in children. As a result, paediatric clinical guidelines that state a therapeutic range for UFH can be determined using a protamine titration assay of 0·2–0·4 iu/ml or an anti‐Xa assay of 0·35–0·7 iu/ml are not based on appropriate evidence. There is an urgent need for change in our approach to the use of UFH in children.
A review of the evidence on the effectiveness of children's vision screening
Authors: Mathers M. , Keyes M. , Wright M. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractScreening programmes enable health conditions to be identified so that effective interventions can be offered. The aim of this review was to determine: (1) the effectiveness of children's vision screening programmes; (2) at what age children should attend vision screening; and (3) what form vision screening programmes should take to be most effective. A literature review on the effectiveness of vision screening programmes in children aged 0–16 years was undertaken. Eligible studies/reviews were identified through clinical databases, hand searches and consultation with expert reviewers. The methodological quality of papers was rated using National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines. Screening of children 18 months to 5 years, and subsequent early treatment, led to improved visual outcomes. The benefit was primarily through treatment of amblyopia, with improved visual acuity of the amblyopic eye. However, the overall quality of the evidence was low. The implication of improved visual acuity (e.g. any potential impact on quality of life) was not considered. Without consideration of ‘quality of life’ values, such as loss of vision in one eye or possibility of future bilateral vision loss, the cost‐effectiveness of screening is questionable. Screening and treating children with uncorrected refractive error can improve educational outcomes. Evidence suggested that screening occur in the preschool years. Orthoptists were favoured as screening personnel; however, nurses could achieve high sensitivity and specificity with appropriate training. Further research is required to assess the effectiveness of neonatal screening. Most studies suggested that children's vision screening was beneficial, although programme components varied widely (e.g. tests used, screening personnel and age at testing). Research is required to clearly define any improvements to quality of life and any related economic benefits resulting from childhood vision screening. The evidence could be used to guide optimization of existing programmes.
Perceived parenting and psychological well‐being in UK ethnic minority adolescents
Authors: Maynard M. J. , Harding S. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground  Warm, caring parenting with appropriate supervision and control is considered to contribute to the best mental health outcomes for young people. The extent to which this view on ‘optimal’ parenting and health applies across ethnicities, warrants further attention. We examined associations between perceived parental care and parental control and psychological well‐being among ethnically diverse UK adolescents.Methods  In 2003 a sample of 4349 pupils aged 11–13 years completed eight self‐reported parenting items. These items were used to derive the parental care and control scores. Higher score represents greater care and control, respectively. Psychological well‐being was based on total psychological difficulties score from Goodman's Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, increasing score corresponding to increasing difficulties.Results  All minority pupils had lower mean care and higher mean control scores compared with Whites. In models stratified by ethnicity, increasing parental care was associated with lower psychological difficulties score (better mental health) and increasing parental control with higher psychological difficulties score within each ethnic group, compared with reference categories. The difference in psychological difficulties between the highest and lowest tertiles of parental care, adjusted for age, sex, family type and socio‐economic circumstances, was: White UK =−2.92 (95% confidence interval −3.72, −2.12); Black Caribbean =−2.08 (−2.94, −1.22); Nigerian/Ghanaian =−2.60 (−3.58, −1.62); Other African =−3.12 (−4.24, −2.01); Indian =−2.77 (−4.09, −1.45); Pakistani/ Bangladeshi =−3.15 (−4.27, −2.03). Between ethnic groups (i.e. in models including ethnicity), relatively better mental health of minority groups compared with Whites was apparent even in categories of low care and low autonomy. Adjusting for parenting scores, however, did not fully account for the protective effect of minority ethnicity.Conclusions  Perceived quality of parenting is a correlate of psychological difficulties score for all ethnic groups despite differences in reporting. It is therefore likely that programmes supporting parenting will be effective regardless of ethnicity.