bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of diffuse diabetic macular oedema using steroid eye drops
Authors: Nakano Goto Sakiko , Yamamoto Teiko , Kirii Eriko , Abe Sachi , Yamashita Hidetoshi 
Published: January 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the efficacy of treatment of diffuse diabetic macular oedema (DME) with difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Durezol™) in eyes before vitrectomy.Methods:  This study enrolled patients with diffuse DME for whom more than 3 months had passed since prior treatment. Nineteen eyes in 15 subjects were treated with difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% four times daily for the first month and then twice daily for 2 months (treatment group). As a control group, 22 eyes in 11 subjects with DME were selected from subjects who underwent the steroid responder test.Results:  In the treatment group, the mean visual acuity (VA) (±SD) was 0.38 ± 0.25 logMAR and mean retinal thickness was 461.1 ± 109.9 μm at baseline. After 1 month of treatment, the mean VA had improved to 0.29 ± 0.25 (Wilcoxon rank‐sum test, p = 0.30), while mean retinal thickness had decreased to 372.1 ± 70.0 μm (p = 0.006). The rate of effective improvement in retinal thickness was 42% and that of VA was 26%. In the control group, changes in neither VA nor retinal thickness were significant.Conclusions:  Eye drop therapy using difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% is a useful and effective treatment modality without surgical intervention or severe side‐effects.
Response of corneal hysteresis and central corneal thickness following clear corneal cataract surgery
Authors: Kandarakis Artemios , Soumplis Vasileios , Karampelas Michalis , Koutroumanos Ioannis , Panos Christos , Kandarakis Stylianos , Karagiannis Dimitrios 
Published: January 2011

AbstractPurpose:  To evaluate the effect of routine phacoemulsification in corneal viscoelastic properties determined by corneal hysteresis (CH) and central corneal thickness (CCT) and to explore the impact of phaco energy on the above parameters.Methods:  Forty‐one eyes of 41 patients undergoing cataract surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. CH and CCT were measured preoperatively, 1 day and 1 week postoperatively. CCT measurement was performed using a non‐contact optical pachymeter followed by ocular response analyzer (ORA) examination. Intraoperatively ultrasound time, average phaco power and effective phaco time (EPT) were recorded.Results:  Mean CH was 10.05 ± 1.86 mmHg preoperatively, 8.25 ± 1.85 mmHg 1 day and 9.12 ± 1.37 mmHg 1 week postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean CCT was 534 ± 37.33 μm preoperatively, 592.22 ± 46.34 μm 1 day and 563.21 ± 49.84 μm 1 week postoperatively (p < 0.001). CCT and CH were statistically significantly correlated preoperatively (p = 0.01, r = 0.396). This correlation was not sustained on the first postoperative day (p = 0.094, r = 0.265) and was re‐established 1 week postoperatively (p = 0.002, r = 0.568). On the first postoperative day, the CCT increase was positively correlated with EPT (p = 0.009, r = 0.404), which was not found between CH change and EPT.Conclusion:  Structural corneal alterations following cataract surgery resulted in a statistical change in CH and CCT. These two parameters responded in a different manner that clearly demarcates their different nature. On the first postoperative day, CCT increase was correlated at a statistically significant level with intraoperative EPT. This correlation was not found with CH reduction. Other factors, besides cornea oedema or phacoemulsification energy, could be responsible for this CH modification.
Complement factor H Y402H gene polymorphism and response to intravitreal bevacizumab in exudative age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Nischler Christian , Oberkofler Hannes , Ortner Christoph , Paikl Doris , Riha Wolfgang , Lang Nora , Patsch Wolfgang , Egger Stefan F. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine whether different complement factor H (CFH) genotypes play a role in treatment of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) with intravitreal bevacizumab.Methods:  In this prospective study, we included 197 patients with exudative AMD and treated with 1.25 mg intravitreal bevacizumab at 6‐week intervals until choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was no longer active. In all patients, ophthalmological examinations, visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography and fluorescein angiography were performed. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products.Results:  Age, gender and baseline mean visual acuity were similar among the three CFH genotypes. There was no significant difference in underlying lesion type of CNV, lesion size, number of injections or macula thickness. When examining the effect of genotype on post‐treatment visual acuities, we observed a significant worse outcome for distance and reading visual acuity in the CFH 402HH genotype group. The number of patients who lost 3 or more lines in distance and reading visual acuity testing was significantly higher in the CFH 402HH (41%, 46%) genotype group than in patients with the CFH 402YY (28%, 26%) and CFH 402YH (26%, 24%) genotype.Conclusions:  In addition to the higher risk for exudative AMD in patients with the CFH 402HH genotype that was found in previous studies, our results show that the CFH 402HH genotype also correlates with lower visual acuity outcome after treatment with bevacizumab, suggesting that pharmacogenetics of CFH plays a role in response to treatment of wet AMD.
Comparative study of taurine and tauropyrone: GABA receptor binding, mitochondrial processes and behaviour
Authors: Dzirkale Zane , Pupure Jolanta , Rumaks Juris , Svirskis Simons , Vanina Marija , Mezhapuke Rudolfs , Sile Velga , Fernandes Maria Augusta , Duburs Gunars , Klusa Vija 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectivesTaurine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, has high hydrophilicity and is poorly absorbed. Tauropyrone, a taurine-containing 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, is suggested to have greater activity than taurine owing to improved physicochemical properties that facilitate delivery of the compound to target cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether the 1,4-dihydropyridine moiety in tauropyrone improves the pharmacological efficacy of taurine in vitro and in vivo.MethodsThe effects of taurine and tauropyrone, as well as of the 1,4-dihydropyridine moiety were compared in in-vitro experiments to determine the binding to GABA receptors and influence on mitochondrial processes (isolated rat liver mitochondria), and in in-vivo tests to assess the influence on behavioural effects caused by the GABA-A receptor ligands, bicuculline, diazepam and ethanol.Key findingsUnlike taurine, tauropyrone did not display binding activity for the GABA-A receptor, and only taurine (but not tauropyrone) at low doses (0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/kg) antagonised the bicuculline-induced convulsion effect. Taurine and tauropyrone had no effect on diazepam myorelaxing action, and they both exerted a comparable ‘anti-ethanol’ effect (shortening of the ethanol-sleeping time). Taurine and tauropyrone did not influence processes of mitochondrial bioenergetics.ConclusionsThe action of tauropyrone at the level of the GABA-A receptor differs qualitatively from that of taurine, probably because of its 1,4-dihydropyridine moiety, which may hinder access to the GABA-A receptor GABA site. Tauropyrone does not show improved pharmacological efficacy in in-vitro and in-vivo studies in comparison with taurine.
Synthesis and antimalarial activity of ethylene glycol oligomeric ethers of artemisinin
Authors: Steyn Minette , N'Da David D , Breytenbach Jaco C , Smith Peter J , Meredith Sandra , Breytenbach Wilma J 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to synthesize a series of ethylene glycol ether derivatives of the antimalarial drug artemisinin, determine their values for selected physicochemical properties and evaluate their antimalarial activity in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum strains.

Methods
The ethers were synthesized in a one-step process by coupling ethylene glycol moieties of various chain lengths to carbon C-10 of artemisinin. The aqueous solubility and log D values were determined in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4). The derivatives were screened for antimalarial activity alongside artemether and chloroquine against chloroquine-sensitive (D10) and moderately chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) strains of P. falciparum.

Key findings
The aqueous solubility within each series increased as the ethylene glycol chain lengthened. The IC50 values revealed that all the derivatives were active against both D10 and Dd2 strains. All were less potent than artemether irrespective of the strain. However, they proved to be more potent than chloroquine against the resistant strain. Compound 8, featuring three ethylene oxide units, was the most active of all the synthesized ethers.

Conclusions
The conjugation of dihydroartemisinin to ethylene glycol units of various chain lengths through etheral linkage led to water-soluble derivatives. The strategy did not result in an increase of antimalarial activity compared with artemether. It is nevertheless a promising approach to further investigate and synthesize water-soluble derivatives of artemisinin that may be more active than artemether by increasing the ethylene glycol chain length.
Ameliorative effects of glycyrrhizin on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats
Authors: Sen Subhrojit , Roy Moumita , Chakraborti Abhay Sankar 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Objectives
Glycyrrhizin is the main water-soluble constituent of the root of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). The study investigates the effect of glycyrrhizin on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic changes and associated oxidative stress, including haemoglobin-induced free iron-mediated oxidative reactions.

Methods
Male Wistar rats were grouped as normal control, STZ-induced diabetic control, normal treated with glycyrrhizin, diabetic treated with glycyrrhizin and diabetic treated with a standard anti-hyperglycaemic drug, glibenclamide. Different parameters were studied in blood and tissue samples of the rats.

Key findings
Glycyrrhizin treatment improved significantly the diabetogenic effects of STZ, namely enhanced blood glucose level, glucose intolerant behaviour, decreased serum insulin level including pancreatic islet cell numbers, increased glycohaemoglobin level and enhanced levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. The treatment significantly reduced diabetes-induced abnormalities of pancreas and kidney tissues. Oxidative stress parameters, namely, serum superoxide dismutase, catalase, malondialdehyde and fructosamine in diabetic rats were reverted to respective normal values after glycyrrhizin administration. Free iron in haemoglobin, iron-mediated free radical reactions and carbonyl formation in haemoglobin were pronounced in diabetes, and were counteracted by glycyrrhizin. Effects of glycyrrhizin and glibenclamide treatments appeared comparable.

Conclusion
Glycyrrhizin is quite effective against hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and associated oxidative stress, and may be a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes treatment.
The extent of the uptake of plasmid into the skin determines the immune responses induced by a DNA vaccine applied topically onto the skin
Authors: Yu Zhen , Chung Woon-Gye , Sloat Brian R , Löhr Christiane V , Weiss Richard , Rodriguez B Leticia , Li Xinran , Cui Zhengrong 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Objectives
Non-invasive immunization by application of plasmid DNA topically onto the skin is an attractive immunization approach. However, the immune responses induced are generally weak. Previously, we showed that the antibody responses induced by topical DNA vaccine are significantly enhanced when hair follicles in the application area are induced into the anagen (growth) stage by hair plucking. In the present study, we further investigated the mechanism of immune enhancement.

Methods
Three different methods – hair plucking or treatment with retinoic acid (RA) or O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) – were used to induce mice hair follicles into the anagen stage before they were dosed with a β-galactosidase-encoding plasmid, and the specific antibody responses induced were evaluated.

Key findings
The hair-plucking method was more effective at enhancing the resultant antibody responses. Treatment with RA or TPA caused more damage to the skin and induced more severe local inflammation than hair plucking. However, hair plucking was most effective at enhancing the uptake or retention of the DNA in the application area.

Conclusions
The uptake of plasmid DNA in the application area correlated with the antibody responses induced by a topically applied DNA.
Unprevented or prevented dispensing incidents: which outcome to use in dispensing error research?
Authors: James K Lynette , Barlow Dave , Burfield Robin , Hiom Sarah , Roberts Dave , Whittlesea Cate 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Objectives
To compare the rate, error type, causes and clinical significance of unprevented and prevented dispensing incidents reported by Welsh National Health Service (NHS) hospital pharmacies.

Methods
Details of all unprevented and prevented dispensing incidents occurring over 3 months (September–December 2005) at five district general hospitals across Wales were reported and analysed using a validated method. Rates of unprevented and prevented dispensing incidents were compared using Mann–Whitney U test. Reported error types, contributory factors and clinical significance of unprevented and prevented incidents were compared using Fisher's exact test.

Key findings
Thirty-five unprevented and 291 prevented dispensing incidents were reported amongst 221 670 items. The rate of unprevented (16/100 000 items) and prevented dispensing incidents (131/100 000 items; P = 0.04) was significantly different. There was a significant difference in the proportions of prevented and unprevented dispensing incidents involving the wrong directions/warnings on the label (prevented, n = 100, 29%; unprevented, n = 4, 10%; P = 0.02) and the wrong drug details on the label (prevented, n = 15, 4%; unprevented, n = 6, 14%; P = 0.01). There was a significant difference in the proportions of prevented and unprevented dispensing incidents involving supply of the wrong strength (prevented, n = 46, 14%; unprevented, n = 2, 5%; P = 0.02) and issue of expired medicines (prevented, n = 3, 1%; unprevented, n = 5, 12%; P = 0.002).

Conclusion
The use of prevented dispensing incidents as a surrogate marker for unprevented incidents is questionable. There were significant differences between unprevented and prevented dispensing incidents in terms of rate and error types. This is consistent with the medication error iceberg. Care must be exercised when extrapolating prevented dispensing incident data on error types to unprevented dispensing incidents.
An assessment of dispensing practices in private pharmacies in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Kagashe Godeliver A B , Minzi Omary , Matowe Lloyd 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Objectives
To assess medicine dispensing practices in private pharmacies in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and recommend interventions to improve practice.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey and observational study of dispensing practices among 70 pharmacies in metropolitan Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Key findings
There were 1479 dispensing encounters recorded across the 70 pharmacies. This translated to 1573 medicines dispensed. Of the medicines dispensed, 16% were anti-infectives; 45% of the dispensed medicines were requested by the client, 32% were recommended by the dispenser and only 23% were on prescriptions. The main reasons for pharmacy consultations were coughs (62%), general pain (62%) and 'flu and colds. Malaria constituted 21% of the private pharmacy visits. Of the cough encounters, 30% received antibiotics. In addition, oral antibiotics were given to 81% of the clients with diarrhoea and to 95% of those with eye and ear problems. Of the 628 clients who requested specific medicines without a prescription, only 29% were asked questions on why the medicines were required. Of the clients who bought antibiotics, 20% bought incomplete doses. In total, 1180 clients were interviewed. Of these, 35% could not repeat the instructions given to them by the dispenser. Of the 70 dispensers who gave dosage instructions, only 20% gave them according to guidelines.

Conclusion
In Tanzania, an overwhelming proportion of medicines sold in pharmacies are dispensed without a prescription. The majority of medicines dispensed without a prescription are either requested by the client or recommended by the dispenser. When dispensing medicines, dispensers seldom give dosage instructions; when they do, the instructions are often not consistent with guidelines. A high proportion of clients seeking management of coughs and colds or for diarrhoea from private pharmacies receive antibiotics. Interventions that build the capacity of dispensers, improve the rational use of antibiotics and the management of diarrhoea in private pharmacies in Tanzania are necessary to provide consistent quality services to a populace that relies heavily on the private sector for their medications needs.
Identification of a
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Glucosidase That Hydrolyzes Flavonoid Glucosides
Authors: Schmidt Sabine , Rainieri Sandra , Witte Simone , Matern Ulrich , Martens Stefan 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Baker's yeast (
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
) whole-cell bioconversions of naringenin 7-
O
-β-glucoside revealed considerable β-glucosidase activity, which impairs any strategy to generate or modify flavonoid glucosides in yeast transformants. Up to 10 putative glycoside hydrolases annotated in the
S. cerevisiae
genome database were overexpressed with His tags in yeast cells. Examination of these recombinant, partially purified polypeptides for hydrolytic activity with synthetic chromogenic α- or β-glucosides identified three efficient β-glucosidases (EXG1, SPR1, and YIR007W), which were further assayed with natural flavonoid β-glucoside substrates and product verification by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Preferential hydrolysis of 7- or 4′-
O
-glucosides of isoflavones, flavonols, flavones, and flavanones was observed
in vitro
with all three glucosidases, while anthocyanins were also accepted as substrates. The glucosidase activities of EXG1 and SPR1 were completely abolished by Val168Tyr mutation, which confirmed the relevance of this residue, as reported for other glucosidases. Most importantly, biotransformation experiments with knockout yeast strains revealed that only EXG1 knockout strains lost the capability to hydrolyze flavonoid glucosides.
Identification of Cold-Temperature-Regulated Genes in
Flavobacterium psychrophilum
Authors: Hesami Shohreh , Metcalf Devon S. , Lumsden John S. , MacInnes Janet I. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Flavobacterium psychrophilum
is the etiological agent of bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD) and rainbow trout fry syndrome (RTFS). It causes disease primarily in fresh water-reared salmonids, but other fish species can also be affected. A diverse array of clinical conditions is associated with BCWD, including tail rot (peduncle disease), necrotic myositis, and cephalic osteochondritis. Degradation of connective and muscular tissues by extracellular proteases is common to all of these presentations. There are no effective vaccines to prevent BCWD or RTFS, and antibiotics are often used to prevent and control disease. To identify virulence factors that might permit development of an efficacious vaccine, cDNA suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify cold-regulated genes in a virulent strain of
F. psychrophilum.
Genes predicted to encode a two-component system sensor histidine kinase (LytS), an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, a multidrug ABC transporter permease/ATPase, an outer membrane protein/protective antigen OMA87, an M43 cytophagalysin zinc-dependent metalloprotease, a hypothetical protein, and four housekeeping genes were upregulated at 8°C versus the level of expression at 20°C. Because no
F. psychrophilum
gene was known to be suitable as an internal standard in reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) experiments, the expression stability of nine commonly used reference genes was evaluated at 8°C and 20°C. Expression of the 16S rRNA was equivalent at both temperatures, and this gene was used in RT-qPCR experiments to verify the SSH findings. With the exception of the ATCC 49513 strain, similar patterns of gene expression were obtained with 11 other representative strains of
F. psychrophilum.
Formic Acid Triggers the “Acid Crash” of Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol Fermentation by
Clostridium acetobutylicum
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Zhang Yanping , Dong Hongjun , Mao Shaoming , Zhu Yan , Wang Runjiang , Luan Guodong , Li Yin 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Solvent production by
Clostridium acetobutylicum
collapses when cells are grown in pH-uncontrolled glucose medium, the so-called “acid crash” phenomenon. It is generally accepted that the fast accumulation of acetic acid and butyric acid triggers the acid crash. We found that addition of 1 mM formic acid into corn mash medium could trigger acid crash, suggesting that formic acid might be related to acid crash. When it was grown in pH-uncontrolled glucose medium or glucose-rich medium,
C. acetobutylicum
DSM 1731 containing the empty plasmid pIMP1 failed to produce solvents and was found to accumulate 0.5 to 1.24 mM formic acid intracellularly. In contrast, recombinant strain DSM 1731 with formate dehydrogenase activity did not accumulate formic acid intracellularly and could produce solvent as usual. We therefore conclude that the accumulation of formic acid, rather than acetic acid and butyric acid, is responsible for the acid crash of acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation.
The Airway Epithelium: Soldier in the Fight against Respiratory Viruses
Authors: Vareille Marjolaine , Kieninger Elisabeth , Edwards Michael R. , Regamey Nicolas 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYThe airway epithelium acts as a frontline defense against respiratory viruses, not only as a physical barrier and through the mucociliary apparatus but also through its immunological functions. It initiates multiple innate and adaptive immune mechanisms which are crucial for efficient antiviral responses. The interaction between respiratory viruses and airway epithelial cells results in production of antiviral substances, including type I and III interferons, lactoferrin, β-defensins, and nitric oxide, and also in production of cytokines and chemokines, which recruit inflammatory cells and influence adaptive immunity. These defense mechanisms usually result in rapid virus clearance. However, respiratory viruses elaborate strategies to evade antiviral mechanisms and immune responses. They may disrupt epithelial integrity through cytotoxic effects, increasing paracellular permeability and damaging epithelial repair mechanisms. In addition, they can interfere with immune responses by blocking interferon pathways and by subverting protective inflammatory responses toward detrimental ones. Finally, by inducing overt mucus secretion and mucostasis and by paving the way for bacterial infections, they favor lung damage and further impair host antiviral mechanisms.