bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Customised birthweight centiles are useful for identifying small‐for‐gestational‐age babies in women with type 2 diabetes
Authors: ROWAN Janet A. , LUEN Steven , HUGHES Ruth C. , SADLER Lynn C. , McCOWAN Lesley M. E. 
Published: April 2009

Background: Customised birthweight centiles identify small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) babies at increased risk of morbidity more accurately than population centiles, but they have not been validated in obese populations.Aims: To compare the rates of SGA by population and customised birthweight centiles in babies of women with type 2 diabetes and examine perinatal outcomes in customised SGA infants.Methods: Data were from a previous retrospective cohort study detailing pregnancy outcomes in 212 women with type 2 diabetes. Customised and population birthweight centiles were calculated; pregnancy details and neonatal outcomes were compared between groups that delivered infants who were SGA (birthweight < 10th customised centile) and appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA) (birthweight 10–90th customised centile).Results: Fifteen (7%) babies were SGA by population centiles and 32 (15%) by customised centiles. Two babies of Indian women were reclassified from SGA to AGA by customised centiles. Nineteen babies were reclassified from AGA to SGA by customised centiles; of these, 15 (79%) were born to Polynesian women, five (26%) were born less than 32 weeks and two (11%) were stillborn. Customised SGA infants, compared with AGA infants, were more likely to be born preterm (19 (59%) vs 20 (16%), P < 0.001) and more likely to be stillborn (4 (13%) vs 0 P = 0.001). After excluding still births, admission to the neonatal unit was also more common (19 of 28 (68%) vs 43 of 127 (34%), P < 0.001).Conclusions: In our population more babies were classified as SGA by customised compared with population centiles. These customised SGA babies have high rates of morbidity.
Comparison of the effects of deferasirox, deferiprone, and deferoxamine on the growth and virulence of Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Neupane Ganesh Prasad , Kim Dong‐Min 
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND: Since deferoxamine (DFO), a standard iron‐chelating agent that is widely used in patients with iron overload such as hemochromatosis or thalassemia, is a kind of hydroxamine siderophore of Streptomyces species, it can accelerate the in vitro growth of ferophilic organisms such as Vibrio vulnificus, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Mucorales.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We compared the effects of the two oral iron chelators, deferiprone (DFP) and deferasirox (DFS), on the growth and virulence of V. vulnificus with that of the parenteral iron‐chelating drug DFO used to treat patients with iron overload.RESULTS: When V. vulnificus ATCC 27562 was grown in iron‐poor liquid medium with α,α′‐dipryridyl, addition of DFO promoted its growth, whereas DFP and DFS did not. Only DFP and DFS showed growth inhibitory effect by chelating iron and causing iron deprivation. Similarly, on iron‐poor agar plates, various clinical V. vulnificus strains were only able to grow around filter paper disks impregnated with DFO. Our in vitro study data showed that DFS or DFP has more potential clinical application for preventing V. vulnificus infection in patients receiving iron chelation therapy.CONCLUSIONS: When patients with iron overload need iron chelation therapy, especially in a population at high risk for V. vulnificus in its endemic season, DFS or DFP may be safely used rather than DFO.
A correlation between growth rate, apoptosis, and tumor necrosis factor‐α in umbilical cord blood cells infected with two strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Theus John W. , Justus Robert S. , Theus Sue A. 
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND: Using umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells, it was demonstrated that three virulent isolates, two highly transmissible clinical isolates and the virulent laboratory strain, demonstrated rapid growth in the UCB cells, which was significantly faster than the growth rate observed for a unique isolate. There was also a significant increase in the amount of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α elicited from the UCB cells after infection with the unique isolate compared to the hypervirulent isolates. This study investigated whether neutralization or addition of TNF‐α within this system would alter growth rates and apoptosis.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Ten UCB samples were obtained for these experiments and adherent cells were isolated. Two clinical isolates, one virulent and one unique, were used. Colony‐forming units were assessed at 3 hours postinfection (Day 0) and on Day 7 to generate growth ratios. TNF‐α antibody or exogenous TNF‐α was added after the 3‐hour incubation period. Viability of the UCB cells was assessed. Apoptosis was measured using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin‐dUTP nick end labeling staining.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the growth ratio for the virulent strain regardless of the presence of TNF‐α antibody. There was a significant increase for the nonvirulent strain after the addition of antibody. There was an increase in viability for the UCB cells in the presence of antibody, suggesting a decrease in TNF‐α–dependent apoptosis. Addition of exogenous TNF‐α to the UCB cells after infection with the virulent strain decreased the growth ratio with a significant increase in apoptosis.CONCLUSIONS: The TNF‐α response of the UCB cells is related to the infecting strain and the intracellular growth of the strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not directly controlled by the level of TNF‐α. This cytokine is at the start of a powerful cascade of transcription factors with numerous pleiotropic effects; consequently abrogating/enhancing a single direct outcome was difficult, with only slight alterations in growth.
Morphologic, histochemical, and functional analysis of platelet‐rich plasma activity on skeletal cultured cells
Authors: Bertoldi Carlo , Pinti Marcello , Zaffe Davide , Cossarizza Andrea , Consolo Ugo , Ceccherelli Giovanni Battista 
Published: April 2009

BACKGROUND: Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) is a medium containing concentrated amounts of growth factors in a form that is easy to handle in regenerative sites. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of PRP on the differentiation of cultured skeletal cells and the capability of PRP to induce the production of some osteogenesis‐related molecules and mineralization.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Flow cytometry (cellular antigens), real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR; bone morphogenetic protein [BMP] messengers), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; osteogenic expression), and calcification analyses were performed on 24‐ and 48‐hour human bone cells (HBCs) and 143B and SaOS‐2 (osteosarcoma) cell cultures to study the effect of PRP on proliferation and differentiation of skeletal cultured cells. PRP was added using different protocols since no studies are available on bone cultures treated in the long term with PRP.RESULTS: Flow cytometry showed PRP induction toward a nonhemopoietic lineage in HBCs; RT‐qPCR showed enhanced mRNA encoding for BMP2 in HBCs, BMP6 and BMP7 in 143B cultures, and BMP2 and BMP7 in SaOS‐2 cultures. Better ALP and calcification results were obtained in SaOS‐2 cultures when PRP was added more frequently at shorter intervals while poor results were obtained after single PRP addition.CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight induction of bone cell proliferation and differentiation by PRP. Since repeated administration of PRP is needed to achieve the best results, an almost continuous delivery system of PRP, or better a controlled release of growth and differentiation factors, using biomaterials might provide increased performance at bone regeneration sites.
Obama's Realist Idealism
Authors: ALBRIGHT MADELEINE 
Published: April 2009

President Barack Obama pledged in his first TV interview—with the Arab satellite channel Al Arabiya—that America under his watch would “listen with respect and not dictate” to the world. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has further announced that this country will no longer just throw around its military might but will pursue a “smart power” approach by tempering the use of hard weaponry with the “soft power” of persuasion and cultural attraction. Or, as Madame Secretary's husband Bill has put it, America will now lead through the power of example instead of the example of power.The first exceedingly complex test of Obama's smart power strategy will be how to end George W. Bush's misguided “war on terror” in Afghanistan and Pakistan, keeping al‐Qaida at bay without being swallowed by the quagmire of tribal politics. An array of experts from New Delhi to Paris offers their views in this section.
Economic Weight of Brazil, China and India Can Mitigate Global Crisis
Authors: CARDOSO FERNANDO HENRIQUE 
Published: April 2009

As the global financial crisis emanating from the United States shuts down world markets, can globalization survive? Will the resurgent intrusion of the state—and thus politics—into the market lead to protectionism and collapse, as was the case in the early 20th century? Or will the new interconnectivity of climate change and mutual economic dependence—especially between China and the US—deepen global links?The former mayor of Shanghai, legendary Nobel economist Paul Samuelson and Third Way guru Anthony Giddens ponder those questions in this section.
Outcome among patients with acute renal failure needing continuous renal replacement therapy: A single center study
Authors: HUSSAIN Syed , PIERING Walter , MOHYUDDIN Tayyab , SALEH Mohammad , ZHU Yong‐Ran , HANAN Mary , COHEN Eric 
Published: April 2009

AbstractOutcome of acute renal failure (ARF) and use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) have shown a consistently high mortality. (1) Evaluate the short‐term patient survival. (2) Evaluate dialysis‐free survival. (3) Evaluate risk factors associated with overall survival and the continued need for intermittent dialysis. We identified adults (≥18 years) needing CRRT, treated in the critical care units of Froedtert Medical and Lutheran Hospital from January 1, 2003 till December 31, 2005. Patients were divided into two major groups needing CRRT, end stage renal disease (ESRD) (chronic dialysis) and non‐ESRD with ARF. Continuous renal replacement therapy was performed with an average of 2 L replacement fluid exchanges/h. Sigma stat software was used for analysis. Comparison was done for noncontinuous variables by chi‐square and t test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A total of 110 (ESRD 24/non‐ESRD 86) patients received CRRT during study period. Over all in‐hospital mortality among non‐ESRD patients was 63% vs. 46% for ESRD. Among non‐ESRD patients who survived, 47% needed intermittent hemodialysis on intensive care unit discharge and 28% continued to need hemodialysis at last follow‐up. Among non‐ESRD patients alive at discharge, those who were dialysis dependent on last follow‐up were older (64.5) than those who did not require dialysis on last follow‐up (58.4) P=0.347. Non‐ESRD patients who died were in the hospital for an average of 17.5 days compared with 29 days for those who were discharged from the hospital. Patients with ARF needing CRRT have high in‐hospital mortality. A significant percentage of patients remained dialysis dependant on last follow‐up.
Treatment of severe metastatic calcification in hemodialysis patients
Authors: YEH Shih‐Mong , HWANG Shang‐Jyi , CHEN Hung‐Chun 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSoft tissue and vascular calcifications are commonly present in uremic patients secondary to disturbances in calcium and phosphate balance and secondary to hyperparathyroidism. We report a uremic patient who developed uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism rapidly within 6 months after commencing hemodialysis (HD) therapy, with clinical presentations of tumoral calcinosis, calciphylaxis, and myocardial calcifications. After treatment with a low‐calcium dialysate, non–calcium‐containing phosphate binders, and parathyroidectomy, a dramatic resolution of soft tissue calcification was achieved. However, there was relatively little change in the vascular and other visceral calcifications over the 3‐month observation period. This case highlights an unusual and rapid development of tertiary hyperparathyroidism, the importance of tight calcium/phosphate control in uremic patients, the potential hazards of a high calcium concentration dialysate, and the dangers of the overzealous use of active vitamin D therapy in HD patients with uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism.
Complex wounds tend to develop more rapidly in patients receiving hemodialysis because of diabetes mellitus
Authors: FUJIOKA Masaki , OKA Kiyoshi , KITAMURA Riko , YAKABE Aya 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe number of patients requiring dialysis because of diabetes mellitus is increasing and such patients often have complex chronic wounds, which are difficult to heal. However, there are few retrospective studies of wounds requiring surgical treatment. We evaluated 14 patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) (8 because of diabetes and 6 because of other diseases) who had extremity wounds and underwent surgical treatment in our unit from 2004 through 2007. We investigated differences in the cause of wounds, and in the interval between the start of HD and wound development. Wounds in patients undergoing HD because of diabetes originated due to ischemia in 2 cases (25%), trauma in 2 cases (25%), and infection in 4 cases (50%). Seven of 8 wounds developed infection with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Wounds in patients undergoing HD because of other diseases developed due to ischemia in 2 cases (33%) and trauma in 4 cases (67%). Three of 6 wounds developed infection and MRSA were isolated from 2 wounds. The interval between the start of HD and wound development was significantly shorter in patients with diabetes than in patients without diabetes. All patients with infectious wounds required immediate debridement. We conclude that patients receiving HD because of diabetes are likely to have more severe and rapidly developing wounds due to infections. Thus, they usually require immediate debridement before blood access shunt infection occurs.
Metformin‐induced encephalopathy without lactic acidosis in a patient with contraindication for metformin
Authors: JUNG Eun Young , CHO Hyun Seop , SEO Jong Woo , KIM Dong Wook , KIM Hyun‐Jung , CHANG Se‐Ho , PARK Dong Jun 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA 51‐year‐old Korean man with end‐stage renal disease and who was on intermittent hemodialysis was admitted with progressive dysarthria, gait disturbance, and myoclonus. The liver function tests and the electrolyte and arterial gas analyses were normal. The Magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a diffuse symmetric high signal intensity in the basal ganglia on the T2‐weighted image. After a thorough history taking, we knew that he had been treated with metformin for 3 months at other hospital without our hospitals staff's knowledge. After stopping the metformin, the patient's neurologic signs and symptoms disappeared and the Magnetic resonance imaging findings after 20 days were markedly improved.
Hemodialysis vascular access monitoring: Current concepts
Authors: ALLON Michael , ROBBIN Michelle L. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMost arteriovenous grafts fail due to irreversible thrombosis, and most clotted grafts have an underlying stenotic lesion. These observations raise the plausible hypothesis that early detection of graft stenosis with preemptive angioplasty will reduce the likelihood of graft thrombosis. A number of noninvasive methods can be used to detect hemodynamically significant graft stenosis with a high positive predictive value. These tests include clinical monitoring, as well as surveillance by static dialysis venous pressures, flow monitoring, or duplex ultrasound. However, these surveillance tests have a much lower positive predictive value for graft thrombosis in the absence of preemptive angioplasty. In other words, none of the currently available surveillance tests can reliably distinguish between stenosed grafts destined to clot, and those that will remain patent without intervention. As a consequence, any program of graft surveillance necessarily results in a substantial proportion of unnecessary angioplasties. Moreover, a substantial proportion of grafts thrombose despite a normal antecedent surveillance test. Numerous observational studies have found an impressive reduction of graft thrombosis after implementation of a stenosis surveillance program. In contrast, 5 of 6 randomized clinical trials failed to show a reduction of graft thrombosis in patients undergoing graft surveillance, as compared with those receiving only clinical monitoring. The lack of benefit of surveillance is largely attributable to the rapid recurrence of stenosis after angioplasty. Thus, routine surveillance for graft stenosis, with preemptive angioplasty, cannot be recommended for reduction of graft thrombosis. Future research should be directed at pharmacologic interventions to prevent graft stenosis.
AMP‐activated protein kinase and pancreatic/duodenal homeobox‐1 involved in insulin secretion under high leucine exposure in rat insulinoma β‐cells
Authors: Zhang Xiujuan , Sun Nannan , Wang Laicheng , Guo Hua , Guan Qingbo , Cui Bin , Tian Limin , Gao Ling , Zhao Jiajun 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe effect of leucine on glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in pancreatic β‐cells is quite controversial, and mechanism involved in the effect has not been elucidated yet. Consequently, we aimed to investigate effect of leucine on GSIS and its mechanism focusing on contribution of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and pancreatic/duodenal homeobox‐1 (PDX‐1). Rat insulinoma β‐cells (INS‐1, RIN m5F, DN‐PDX‐1#28 and PDX‐1#6) were cultured with or without leucine, AICAR (AMPK agonist) or compound C (AMPK antagonist) for 48 hrs. In contrast to control, AICAR treatment decreased GSIS at high glucose and insulin content, also impaired protein and mRNA expression of PDX‐1 and its downstream targets, glucokinase (GCK) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2). Compound C treatment had the opposite effects. We observed that neither AICAR nor compound C could affect expression of GCK and GLUT2 when PDX‐1 expression was absent. Chronic leucine exposure inhibited GSIS at high glucose and insulin content in a dose‐dependent manner, concomitant with an increase in AMPK and a decrease in PDX‐1, GCK and GLUT2. The inhibitory effects of leucine was potentiated by AICAR treatment and rescued by compound C treatment. Finally, the inhibition of PDX‐1 could potentiate the impaired effects induced by leucine whereas overexpression of PDX‐1 could protect the cell from impairment induced by leucine. The study indicated that chronic leucine might result in an increase in AMPK and then a decrease in PDX‐l, in turn to depress GCK and GLUT2 resulting in decreased GSIS at high glucose and insulin content.
Probiotic effects of orally administered Lactobacillus salivarius WB21‐containing tablets on periodontopathic bacteria: a double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mayanagi Gen , Kimura Moto , Nakaya Seigo , Hirata Haruhisa , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Benno Yoshimi , Shimauchi Hidetoshi 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim: This study was designed to evaluate whether the oral administration of lactobacilli could change the bacterial population in supra/subgingival plaque.Material and Methods: Sixty‐six healthy volunteers without severe periodontitis were randomized into two groups to receive lactobacilli or placebo for 8 weeks (8W): the test group (n=34) received 2.01 × 109 CFU/day of Lactobacillus salivarius WB21 and xylitol in tablets; the control group (n=32) received placebo with xylitol. Supra/subgingival plaque samples were collected at the baseline and after 4 weeks (4W) and 8W. The bacterial amounts in plaque samples were analysed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.Results: The numerical sum of five selected periodontopathic bacteria in the test group was decreased significantly in subgingival plaque at 4W [odds ratio (OR)=3.13, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=1.28–7.65, p=0.012]. Multivariate analysis showed that significantly higher odds were obtained for the reduction of Tannerella forsythia in subgingival plaque of the test group at both 4W (OR=6.69, 95% CI=2.51–17.9, p<0.001) and 8W (OR=3.67, 95% CI=1.45–9.26, p=0.006).Conclusion: Oral administration of probiotic lactobacilli reduced the numerical sum of five selected periodontopathic bacteria and could contribute to the beneficial effects on periodontal conditions.
MMP‐13 promoter polymorphisms in patients with chronic periodontitis: effects on GCF MMP‐13 levels and outcome of periodontal therapy
Authors: Pirhan Demet , Atilla Gül , Emingil Gülnur , Tervahartiala Taina , Sorsa Timo , Berdeli Afig 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim: The aims of this study were to investigate (a) the matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) promoter polymorphisms in severe, generalized chronic periodontitis (CP), (b) the relationship of periodontal therapy outcome with these genotypes and (c) gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) MMP‐13 level–MMP‐13 genotype correlation.Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood of 102 patients with severe, generalized CP, and 98 periodontally healthy subjects. MMP‐13 −77A/G and 11A/12A polymorphisms were determined by the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing methods, respectively. Fifty‐eight CP patients received non‐surgical periodontal therapy and were followed for 6 months. Clinical periodontal parameters and GCF samples were collected at baseline and at 6 months. GCF MMP‐13 levels were analysed by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results: The distribution of MMP‐13 −77AG genotypes and allele frequencies did not differ significantly between study groups (p>0.05). Study subjects, except 3, had the 11A/11A genotype. MMP‐13 −77G allele carriers had similar GCF MMP‐13 levels and clinical periodontal parameters compared with AA genotypes after non‐surgical periodontal therapy (p<0.05).Conclusions: These data suggest that the −77A/G and 11A/12A polymorphisms of MMP‐13 gene are not associated with susceptibility to severe, generalized CP in a Turkish population. It seems that −77G allele carriage may not influence the outcome of periodontal therapy.