bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
T‐RFLP‐based mcrA gene analysis of methanogenic archaea in association with oral infections and evidence of a novel Methanobrevibacter phylotype
Authors: Vianna M. E. , Conrads G. , Gomes B. P. F. A. , Horz H. P. 
Published: August 2009

Introduction:  Increasing evidence suggests a role for methanogenic archaea (methanogens) in human health and disease via syntrophic interactions with bacteria. Here we assessed the prevalence and distribution of methanogens and possible associations with bacteria in oral biofilms.Methods:  Forty‐four periodontal and 32 endodontic samples from necrotic teeth with radiographic evidence of apical periodontitis were analysed. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis based on the mcrA gene, specific to methanogens, was applied. The prevalence and amounts of methanogens in endodontic samples were compared with those of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema spp. and Synergistes spp. based on real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reactions.Results:  Besides dominance of the mcrA gene corresponding to Methanobrevibacter oralis, one mcrA gene type, for which no cultivated member has been reported previously, was identified in five periodontal samples and one endodontic sample. Rates of non‐synonymous vs. synonymous nucleotide substitutions suggest that this mcrA gene type codes for a functionally active methyl‐coenzyme M reductase. Methanobrevibacter smithii, the prominent methanogen in the human gut system, was not detected. Mean proportions of methanogens were comparable to Synergistes spp. ranging from 0.5 to 1.0% of the total microbial community. Treponema spp. dominated with a mean proportion of 10%, while the mean proportions of the other endodontic pathogens were below 0.1%. A positive association between methanogens and Synergistes spp. was found.Conclusion:  Our data provide evidence of a novel, as yet uncultured methanogenic phylotype in association with oral infections, and indicate possible interactions between methanogens and Synergistes spp., the nature of which deserves further investigation.
Cytomegalovirus‐infected inflammatory cells in dental periapical lesions
Authors: Sabeti M. , Daneshmand A. , Simon J. H. , Slots J. 
Published: August 2009

Introduction:  As cytomegalovirus may be etiologically involved in periapical pathosis of endodontic origin, this study aimed to determine the cellular source of periapical cytomegalovirus.Methods:  Periapical granulomatous tissue was collected from 15 extracted teeth with symptomatic periapical lesions. Multi‐color flow cytometry was used to identify cytomegalovirus‐infected cells.Results:  Cytomegalovirus infection was identified in 10 of the 15 (67%) study lesions, and in periapical monocytes/macrophages (40% of lesions) and T lymphocytes (54% of lesions), but not in periapical B lymphocytes.Conclusion:  This study and previous polymerase chain reaction‐based investigations show that cytomegalovirus is a frequent inhabitant of symptomatic periapical lesions.
Effect of dietary fat to produce non‐alcoholic fatty liver in the rat
Authors: Ahmed Umbreen , Redgrave Trevor G , Oates Phillip S 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim: Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) belongs to a spectrum of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Oxidative stress is hypothesized to play an important role in the progression of the disease. We used the Lieber/DeCarli model for NASH to investigate the mechanisms involved in its progression.Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed standard (35% of energy from fat) or high fat (71% of energy from fat) liquid diets, ad libitum or two‐thirds of the amount consumed ad libitum initially for 3 weeks and then extended to 5 weeks.Results: Steatosis was absent in rats at 3 weeks feeding, but by 5 weeks, the high fat/ad lib group showed microvesicular steatosis and foci of macrovesicular steatosis without inflammation. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were not different. By 5 weeks feeding, hepatic triglycerides were highest in the high fat ad lib group and the ad lib groups were higher compared with their restricted groups. The oxidative stress marker, hydroxyalkenal (HAE) was decreased in the standard ad lib compared with the high fat ad lib group. Liver mRNA of interleukin‐6, haem oxygenase‐1, and markers of endoplasmic stress: C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), glucose responsive protein‐78 (GRP78) and spliced X‐box DNA binding protein (spliced XBP1) were similar in the ad lib groups.Conclusions: Extending the feeding period of the high fat/ad lib diet for 5 weeks placed our rats with Type I to II NAFLD compared to the more progressed Type III state previously obtained after 3 weeks feeding. The milder condition obtained raised the prospect of genetic modifiers present in our rats that resist disease progression.
Meta‐analysis used to identify factors associated with the effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors against non‐erosive reflux disease
Authors: Hiyama Toru , Matsuo Keitaro , Urabe Yuji , Fukuhara Tatsuma , Tanaka Shinji , Yoshihara Masaharu , Haruma Ken , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground:  A lack of published data remains on factors associated with the treatment response to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in patients with non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD).Methods:  Studies on effectiveness of PPI in patients with NERD were identified using the MEDLINE database and manual searches of the available literature. Twenty publications that comprised a total of 22 study arms were eligible, and meta‐analyses of these 22 study arms were carried out.Results:  Overall improvement rate in patients with PPI was 68%. Univariate meta‐regression analysis was used to explore the source of heterogeneity, P‐value for males was 0.192, and in the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was 0.186, indicating that these factors are associated with treatment effectiveness. Thus, as the frequency of male and H. pylori‐infected patients increased, the effectiveness of PPI against NERD improved. By multivariate meta‐regression analysis, the P‐value for male and H. pylori infection decreased further (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively), indicating little interaction between male sex and H. pylori infection.Conclusion:  These results suggest that H. pylori infection and patient sex may be associated with the effectiveness of PPI against patients with NERD. The reasons are still unclear, and further examinations are needed to clarify them.
GB virus C genotype 2 predominance in a hepatitis C virus/HIV infected population associated with reduced liver disease
Authors: Berzsenyi Mark D , Bowden D Scott , Roberts Stuart K , Revill Peter A 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  GB virus C (GBV‐C) infection in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV co‐infection is associated with a significant reduction in the severity of HCV‐related liver disease. The role of GBV‐C genotype in this association is unknown. It has been suggested that GBV‐C genotype may influence CD4 positive T‐cell counts in HCV/HIV co‐infected patients. The aim of the present study was to identify the GBV‐C genotype in a HCV/HIV co‐infected population and determine if the GBV‐C genotype contributes to a reduction in HCV‐related liver disease.Methods:  GBV‐C RNA from 57 patients who were co‐infected with HCV/HIV was analyzed. GBV‐C RNA was detected by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction with primers to the NS5B gene and genotype determined by phylogenetic analysis after sequencing using E2 gene primers.Results:  Genotype 2 was the predominant isolate in our population and was detected in 50/56 (89.3%) of patients, although sequences with similarity to genotypes 1, 3, 4 and 5 were also identified. There was no statistical difference between CD4 positive T‐cell counts in the GBV‐C genotype 2 and non‐genotype 2 groups.Conclusions:  The GBV‐C genotype distribution in our HCV/HIV patient group was consistent with that reported in other developed countries. The predominance of genotype 2 in this study meant that we could not draw a conclusion for the role of GBV‐C genotype in the reduced severity of liver disease in co‐infected patients but CD4 positive T‐cell counts appeared to be unaffected by GBV‐C genotype.
Prevalence of celiac disease in the Asia–Pacific region
Authors: Cummins Adrian G , Roberts‐Thomson Ian C 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe development of sensitive and specific serological assays for celiac disease has led to a revision of the prevalence of this disease in many countries. In the Asia–Pacific region, prevalence has been determined in only a minority of countries but those with prevalence rates of 1:50–1:500 adults include Australia, Iran, Israel, New Zealand, Syria and Turkey. In contrast, celiac disease appears to be extremely rare in Japan and may be rare in China. In India, prevalence rates are high in the northern states but much lower in the southern states. In individual countries, important determinants of prevalence include the per capita consumption of wheat and the frequency of a specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type genetically defined as HLA‐DQB1*02 (*0201 or *0202) and serologically defined as HLA‐DQ2. These determinants predict low prevalence rates for celiac disease in the Pacific Islands, South‐East Asia and eastern China but higher rates in countries west of India and China. There is also the potential for a rising incidence of celiac disease if traditional rice‐based diets are replaced by Western‐style diets with a higher content of wheat products.
Impact of pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics on the efficacy of pranlukast in Japanese asthmatics
Authors: ASANO Koichiro , NAKADE Susumu , SHIOMI Tetsuya , NAKAJIMA Takeshi , SUZUKI Yusuke , FUKUNAGA Koichi , OGUMA Tsuyoshi , SAYAMA Koichi , FUJITA Hirofumi , TANIGAWARA Yusuke , ISHIZAKA Akitoshi 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Wide inter‐individual variability in therapeutic effects limits the efficacy of leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonists in the treatment of asthma. We have reported that genetic variability in the expression of LTC4 synthase is associated with responsiveness to pranlukast in Japanese asthmatic patients. However, the effects of pharmacokinetic variability are less well known. This was an analysis of the pharmacokinetics of pranlukast in a population of adult asthmatics, and its effect on clinical responses. Other factors that may be related to the therapeutic effects of pranlukast, including LTC4 synthase gene polymorphisms, were also investigated.Methods:  The population pharmacokinetics of pranlukast was analysed in a one‐compartment model, using data collected in 50 Japanese adults with moderate to severe asthma, who were treated with pranlukast, 225 mg bd for 4 days. In 32 of these patients, in whom the clinical response to pranlukast (increase in FEV1 after 4 weeks of treatment) was measured in a previous study, a combined pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic analysis was performed.Results:  Using the population pharmacokinetic model, the estimated the mean oral clearance (CL/F) of pranlukast was 16.4 L/h, and the inter‐individual variability was 30.1%. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that LTC4 synthase polymorphisms, but not the CL/F of the drug, predicted an improvement in pulmonary function with pranlukast treatment (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  There was marked inter‐individual variability in the pharmacokinetics of pranlukast among adult asthmatics, but this had little impact on the clinical effectiveness of the drug.
Effects of CAY10404 on the PKB/Akt and MAPK pathway and apoptosis in non‐small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: CHO Yongseon , PARK Mee‐Ja , PARK Mira , MIN Sun Seek , YEE Jaeyong , KIM Chan , HAN Min‐Soo , HAN Seung‐Ho 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in men and women worldwide. The mechanism of cell death induced by CAY10404, a highly selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor, was evaluated in three non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (H460, H358, H1703).Methods: To measure the effects of CAY10404 on proliferation of NSCLC cells, 3 × 103cells/well were plated in 96‐well plates and allowed to adhere overnight at 37°C. After treatment with CAY10404 for 3 days, cell proliferation was measured by the 3‐ (4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In the H460 NSCLC cells, evidence of apoptosis was sought using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay and western blot analysis.Results: Treatment with CAY10404 in the range of 10–100 µM caused dose‐dependent growth inhibition, with an average 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 60–100 µmol/L, depending on the cell line. Western blot analysis of CAY10404‐treated cells showed cleavage of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) and procaspase‐3, signifying caspase activity and apoptotic cell death. CAY10404 treatment inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, glycogen synthase kinase‐3β and extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 in H460 and H358 cells.Conclusions: These results suggest that CAY10404 is a potent inducer of apoptosis in NSCLC cells, and that it may act by suppressing multiple protein kinase B/Akt and mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways.
Topical lidocaine through the bronchoscope reduces cough rate during bronchoscopy
Authors: ANTONIADES Nick , WORSNOP Christopher 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Topical lidocaine is often administered through the flexible bronchoscope in an attempt to reduce excessive coughing and patient discomfort. With the increasing use of sedation, including opiates that possess central cough suppressant effects, and the potential for serious clinical toxicity, the need for evidence regarding the efficacy of topical lidocaine is important. This study assessed whether topical lidocaine through the bronchoscope could reduce cough and stridor rate.Methods:  A randomized controlled trial of 49 patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy was conducted. Following sedation and topical anaesthesia to the upper airway, patients were randomized to receive either lidocaine 2% or placebo (N‐saline) through the bronchoscope to the vocal cords and tracheobronchial tree. Cough and stridor rates were recorded by audiotape. Bronchoscopists and nurses assessed coughing with visual analogue scales.Results:  There were no significant differences in baseline demographics and level of sedation between the two groups. The cough rate per minute (mean (SD)) was lower (P < 0.001) in the lidocaine group, 12.20 (7.99), n = 18, than in the placebo group, 27.50 (10.74), n = 31. The stridor rate was lower with lidocaine, 0.22 (0.60) per minute than with placebo 0.80 (1.35), but the difference was non‐significant at P = 0.095. Both doctors' and nurses' scores for cough were significantly lower in the lidocaine group (P < 0.001 for both). Less midazolam 2.1 mg (1.1) was used with lidocaine than with placebo 3.4 mg (1.9), P = 0.02 and less fentanyl 81.9 mg (34.1) versus 98.4 mg (20.4), P = 0.04.Conclusions:  Topical lidocaine through the bronchoscope significantly decreased cough frequency and the total dose of sedation required during flexible bronchoscopy.
Pleural procedures and pleuroscopy
Authors: WRIGHTSON John M. , HELM Emma J. , RAHMAN Najib M. , GLEESON Fergus V. , DAVIES Robert J.O. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTPleural procedures are commonly performed by physicians from a range of specialities. These procedures vary in complexity, from relatively straightforward pleural aspiration to more challenging procedures such as pleuroscopy. After appropriate training, even complex pleural procedures have a low risk of complications. Nevertheless, an appreciation of procedural risks is essential for physician training and forms the crux of a valid patient consent process. This review presents a systematic evaluation of the potential complications of common pleural procedures.
Development and implementation of the specialized nurse practitioner role: Use of the PEPPA framework to achieve success
Authors: McNamara Shannon , Giguère Valérie , St‐Louis Lyne , Boileau Johanne 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn 2003, amendments to the Nurses' Act in Quebec, Canada, allowed for an expanded nursing role. Specialized nurse practitioners were introduced to the health‐care system in 2005. By merging medical knowledge with advanced practice nursing, the specialized nurse practitioner is gaining in popularity and acceptance with staff members and patients. To guide our team through the process, we used the PEPPA (participatory, evidence‐based, patient‐focused process for guiding the development, implementation, and evaluation of advanced practice nursing) framework. By using a framework specifically designed for the development, implementation, and evaluation of an advanced practice nursing role, we were better prepared for the path that lay ahead. Ultimately, the goal of the implementation of the specialized nurse practitioner role is to improve the quality of care to a specific population of patients, whether it is through individualized clinical follow‐up, evidence‐based practice, patient teaching, or promoting continuous education for the nurses.
Nursing values in China: The expectations of registered nurses
Authors: Pang Dong , Senaratana Wilawan , Kunaviktikul Wipada , Klunklin Areewan , McElmurry Beverly J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to identify the essential professional values of Chinese nurses and their manifestations in the current health‐care environment. Data were collected from 29 nurse experts by semi‐structured individual interviews or focus groups in Beijing and Shanghai, China. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Seven themes were identified: altruism, caring, trustworthiness, dignity, responsibility for the development of the profession, autonomy, and justice. On the whole, these values were in accordance with the codes of the International Council of Nurses and the Chinese Nursing Association. Additionally, culture and socioeconomic trends were found to have an influence on nurses' understanding and explanation of professional values. The findings of this study provided insight into Chinese nurses' professional values and might contribute to the future development of a culturally sensitive scale to measure nursing values in China.
Illness perspectives of Thais diagnosed with schizophrenia
Authors: Sanseeha Ladda , Chontawan Ratanawadee , Sethabouppha Hunsa , Disayavanish Chamlong , Turale Sue 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis study explored the perceptions of 18 people diagnosed with schizophrenia from 1–10 years to uncover how they perceived themselves and their illness. It also involved 12 family members who added their perceptions. The data were collected using in‐depth interviews, reflective journaling, and observations. The data were analyzed through the lens of Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology. Four themes emerged: perceptions of mental illness, perceptions of the causes of illness, perceptions of discrimination, and attempting to live with schizophrenia. The findings included strong underlying cultural and spiritual beliefs, and attitudes unique to the Thai participants, including the causation of schizophrenia by supernatural powers, black magic, and bad karma stemming from past deeds. Understanding the perceptions of the participants might help health‐care providers to be more sensitive to those living with schizophrenia in Thailand and elsewhere. In particular, the findings could be useful in informing psychiatric careproviders about developing better caring systems for clients diagnosed with schizophrenia. This should help the sufferers of schizophrenia to live their lives to their own satisfaction and as normally as possible.
Reconciling topographic and climatic effects on widespread and range‐restricted species richness
Authors: Szabo Nora D. , Algar Adam C. , Kerr Jeremy T. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAim  To identify the reasons behind differing geographical species richness patterns of range‐restricted and widespread species.Location  The Western Hemisphere.Methods  We used regression to determine the strongest environmental predictors of richness for widespread and range‐restricted mammal species in 10,000 km2 quadrats in the continental Americas. We then used range‐placement models to predict the expected correlation between range‐restricted and widespread species richness were they to be determined by identical, random, or contrasting environmental factors. Finally, to determine the reasons underlying deviations from these predictions, we divided the Americas into 5% quantiles based on temperature and topographic heterogeneity and correlated richness of these two assemblages across quantiles – an approach that avoids constraints on statistical testing imposed by low potential for range overlap among range‐restricted species.Results  Minimum annual temperature was the strongest predictor of widespread species richness while topographic heterogeneity was the best, although weak, predictor of range‐restricted species richness in conventional regression analysis. Our models revealed that the observed correlation between range‐restricted and widespread species richness was similar to what would be observed if both range‐restricted and widespread species richness were determined by temperature. Patterns of range‐restricted and widespread species richness were highly correlated across temperature quantiles, but range‐restricted species uniquely showed an increasing pattern across heterogeneity quantiles.Main conclusions  Species richness gradients among range‐restricted species differ from those of widespread species, but not as extensively or for the reasons reported previously. Instead, these assemblages appear to share some but not all underlying environmental determinants of species richness. Our new approach to examining species richness patterns reveals that range‐restricted and widespread species richnesses share a common response to temperature that conventional analyses have not previously revealed. However, topographic heterogeneity has assemblage‐specific effects on range‐restricted species.