bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy and chronic kidney disease
Authors: TOMINO YASUHIKO 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTImmunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy is one of the major causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Japan. Despite statutory urinalysis of industrial workers and school children, Japan unfortunately still ranks among the countries with the highest CKD‐5D prevalence in the world. Topics of this review are as follow: (i) early diagnosis and treatment; (ii) influence of the period from onset to medical intervention on renal prognosis; and (iii) epidemiology of IgA nephropathy patients in Japan. Some investigators have discussed the possibility of predicting the diagnosis and prognosis of this disease. We indicated that the frequency of various casts in urinary sediments and total numbers of each type of urinary cast should provide highly convincing data for prediction of the prognosis in IgA nephropathy patients prior to renal biopsy. Furthermore, early medical intervention (anti‐platelet agents, anticoagulants, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, corticosteroids and/or tonsillectomy) may lead to better renal prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy. In a nationwide survey on IgA nephropathy in Japan, predictive factors after 10 years were as follows: (i) male sex; (ii) under 30 years old; (iii) diastolic hypertension; (iv) heavy proteinuria; (v) mild haematuria; (vi) low serum albumin; and (vii) elevated serum creatinine and impaired renal pathology. It appears that substantial renal deterioration can be validly estimated using these predictive factors in patients with IgA nephropathy. In conclusion, early diagnosis, treatment and improvement of predictive factors for a long duration may lead to better renal prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy.
Implication of global nephrology guidelines in Asia and ‘Asian CKD Best Practice Guidelines’
Authors: TSUKAMOTO YUSUKE 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTBy establishing Kidney Diseases: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO), nephrology has taken an important step towards developing global clinical practice guidelines (CPG). KDIGO published its first CPG on ‘Hepatitis C in CKD’ in 2008 and has since published two new CPG (‘CKD‐MBD’ and ‘Kidney Transplant Recipient’) in 2009. A major obstacle to implement CPG is the lack of both high‐quality evidence for regionally‐specific areas of medicine and a lack of resources in many countries in our region. However, an endeavor by the Asian Forum of CKD Initiative (AFCKDI) may make it possible to overcome these obstacles. By developing regionally‐specific CKD guidelines, the AFCKDI might identify relevant evidence gaps and by using specific expertise develop a standard of patient care appropriate to the Asia–Pacific region. This can be accomplished only by engaging a group of international experts who fully represent the Asia–Pacific area.
Chronic kidney disease awareness, screening and prevention: Rationale for the design of a public education program
Authors: COLLINS ALLAN J , GILBERTSON DAVID T , SNYDER JON J , CHEN SHU‐CHENG , FOLEY ROBERT N 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTDesign principles for a chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening program start with the general population at increased risk of CKD. Simple risk factor analysis demonstrates diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and older age as significant associated conditions. More comprehensive risk factor analysis shows only diabetes and hypertension as risk factors in people aged less than 50–60 years, and that anyone aged older than 50–60 years is at risk. Assessment of the relationship between CKD stage and cardiovascular risk factors shows early stage CKD to be associated with poor blood pressure control, which should be addressed. Other risk factors should be more completely assessed to determine if participants and their physicians are adequately addressing factors amenable to treatment to reduce high adverse event rates, premature death and progression to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Such assessment is needed to reduce the high burden of ESRD on national health‐care systems, which can only be addressed by early screening and active treatment.
Proteinuria versus albuminuria in chronic kidney disease
Authors: GUH JINN‐YUH 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTChronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined according to a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate and kidney damage such as proteinuria or albuminuria. Dip‐stick proteinuria is only sensitive to albumin and correlates poorly with quantitative 24 h proteinuria, the most commonly used measure in renoprotective randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT). The amount of proteinuria correlates with the efficacy of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors in non‐diabetics in RCT. Random urine protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) or albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) correlates with 24 h urinary excretion. Dip‐stick proteinuria correlates poorly with ACR, while PCR correlates reasonably well with ACR. Because of a high analytical variability, efforts are in progress to standardize ACR (but not PCR) measurement. There have been no studies on the direct comparison between proteinuria and albuminuria in terms of utilities (biomarker, surrogate end‐point and cost‐effectiveness). In this regard, both proteinuria and albuminuria are good biomarkers for cardiovascular events, renal events or mortality. However, there are limitations in RCT regarding the validity of proteinuria or albuminuria as a surrogate end‐point. In contrast, measuring proteinuria or albuminuria followed by treatment with angiotensin inhibitors is cost‐effective for diabetics, hypertension and aging. CKD guidelines differ in their opinions regarding the choice between ACR and PCR. Based on the current evidence, ACR might be recommended for the diabetics and PCR for the non‐diabetics.
Experiences of widows with children: A qualitative study about spousal death in Iran
Authors: Khosravan Shahla , Salehi Shayesteh , Ahmadi Fazlollah , Sharif Farkhondeh , Zamani Ahmadreza 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe experience of the spousal bereavement of widows who are single parents has been largely neglected in the literature. This qualitative study provides insight into how such women grieved over their spouse's death in Iran. In‐depth interviews with 24 participants were held and field notes were written. The generated data were analyzed by using the constant comparative method. The results indicated four main categories: “intense grief”, “becoming hopeless”, “internalizing bereavement and continuing bonds”, and “the contexts of experience of spousal death”. The fourth category consisted of two subcategories: “the unexpected nature of death” and “full dependence”. The findings suggested that hopelessness related to spousal death changed the lifestyles of the participants, which led to health risks in these women. We conclude that it is the duty of health‐care professionals, especially nurses, to first identify widows at risk, with the help of the contexts of experience of spousal death and the symptoms presented in this study, and then to provide hope therapy, which can facilitate positive bereavement outcomes for healthier living after spousal death.
Compassion fatigue within nursing practice: A concept analysis
Authors: Coetzee Siedine Knobloch , Klopper Hester C. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract“Compassion fatigue” was first introduced in relation to the study of burnout among nurses, but it was never defined within this context; it has since been adopted as a synonym for secondary traumatic stress disorder, which is far removed from the original meaning of the term. The aim of the study was to define compassion fatigue within nursing practice. The method that was used in this article was concept analysis. The findings revealed several categories of compassion fatigue: risk factors, causes, process, and manifestations. The characteristics of each of these categories are specified and a connotative (theoretical) definition, model case, additional cases, empirical indicators, and a denotative (operational) definition are provided. Compassion fatigue progresses from a state of compassion discomfort to compassion stress and, finally, to compassion fatigue, which if not effaced in its early stages of compassion discomfort or compassion stress, can permanently alter the compassionate ability of the nurse. Recommendations for nursing practice, education, and research are discussed.
What Can Austin Tell Us about Truth?
Authors: Hershfield Jeffrey 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn recent discussions of the problem of truth, Austin's views have been largely overlooked. This is unfortunate, since many of his criticisms aimed at Strawson's redundancy theory carry over to more recent incarnations of deflationism. And unlike contemporary versions of the correspondence theory of truth, Austin's manages properly to situate truth in its conceptual neighbourhood wherein it belongs to “a whole dimension of different appraisals which have something or other to do with the relation between what we say and the facts.” A proper analysis of truth cannot be given apart from a broader study of speech acts.
Cross‐Border Exposures and Financial Contagion
Authors: DEGRYSE HANS , ELAHI MUHAMMAD ATHER , PENAS MARIA FABIANA 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTIntegrated financial markets provide opportunities for expansion and improved risk sharing, but also pose threats of contagion risk through cross‐border exposures. This paper examines cross‐border contagion risk over the period 1999–2006. To that purpose we use aggregate cross‐border exposures of 17 countries as reported in the Bank for International Settlements Consolidated Banking Statistics. We find that a shock that affects the liabilities of one country may undermine the stability of the entire financial system. Particularly, a shock wiping out 25% (35%) of US (UK) cross‐border liabilities against non‐US (non‐UK) banks could lead to bank contagion eroding at least 94% (45%) of the recipient countries' banking assets. We also find that since 2006 a shock to Eastern Europe, Turkey and Russia affects most countries. Our simulations also reveal that the ‘speed of propagation of contagion’ has increased in recent years resulting in a higher number of directly exposed banking systems. Finally, we find that contagion is more widespread in geographical proximities.
Carbetocin versus oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage following caesarean section: the results of a double‐blind randomised trial
Authors: Attilakos G , Psaroudakis D , Ash J , Buchanan R , Winter C , Donald F , Hunt LP , Draycott T 
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Attilakos G, Psaroudakis D, Ash J, Buchanan R, Winter C, Donald F, Hunt L, Draycott T. Carbetocin versus oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage following caesarean section: the results of a double‐blind randomised trial. BJOG 2010;117:929–936.Objective  To compare the effectiveness of carbetocin and oxytocin when they are administered after caesarean section for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).Study design  Double‐blind randomised single centre study (1:1 ratio).Setting  Teaching hospital in Bristol, UK with 6000 deliveries per annum.Population  Women at term undergoing elective or emergency caesarean section under regional anaesthesia, excluding women with placenta praevia, multiple gestation and placental abruption.Methods  Women were randomised to receive either carbetocin 100 μg or oxytocin 5 IU intravenously after the delivery of the baby. Perioperative care was otherwise normal and use of additional oxytocics was at the discretion of the operating obstetrician. Analysis was by intention to treat.Primary outcome measure  The proportion of women in each arm of the trial that needed additional pharmacological oxytocic interventions.Results  Significantly more women needed additional oxytocics in the oxytocin group (45.5% versus 33.5%, Relative risk 0.74, 95% CI 0.57–0.95). The majority of women had oxytocin infusions. There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes, including major PPH, blood transfusions and fall in haemoglobin.Conclusions  Carbetocin is associated with a reduced use of additional oxytocics. It is unclear whether this may reduce rates of PPH and blood transfusions.
Examining the effect of positive behaviour support on academic achievement of students with disabilities
Authors: Chitiyo Morgan , Makweche‐Chitiyo Plaxedes , Park Meungguk , Ametepee Lawrence K , Chitiyo Jonathan 
Published: May 2010

Students who engage in challenging behaviour compromise the fundamental ability of schools to educate children. Consequently, teachers face the daunting task of designing effective strategies to promote positive educational outcomes for their students. Since the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments, the use of positive behaviour supports (PBS) to address the behavioural needs of children challenged by disabilities has expanded. There is evidence to support the utility of PBS in reducing challenging behaviour among students. However, successful schools are also gauged by the academic achievement of their students. Hence, it is important to examine the extent to which behavioural outcomes are related to academic outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which PBS interventions aimed at reducing challenging behaviour result in corresponding improvement in academic achievement. A meta‐analysis of extant research indicated a positive correlation of 0.40 between improvement in problem behaviour and academic achievement.A video abstract of this article can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/c9OUU0GkGrw.
Activity‐ and age‐dependent modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission by System A‐mediated glutamine uptake
Authors: Brown Molly N. , Mathews Gregory C. 
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 909–920.AbstractGABAergic neurotransmission adapts to maintain normal brain function in a wide range of activity states through multiple mechanisms; pre‐synaptic control of quantal size has only recently gained recognition as one of those mechanisms. GABA synthesis from glutamate is coupled with vesicular packaging, and therefore the supply of glutamate can affect inhibitory synaptic strength. Because System A transporters supply glutamine to neurons, where it is converted to glutamate, we hypothesized that regulation of the activity of these transporters could alter glutamine uptake and provide a mechanism to link supply to demand for neurotransmitter GABA. In immature and mature rat hippocampus, after a period of hyperexcitability, we observed a System A‐dependent enhancement of inhibitory synaptic strength along with an increase in System A activity in synaptosomes under the same conditions. Under resting conditions, System A’s contribution of glutamine to synaptic GABA diminished with age, correlating with reduced SNAT1/SAT1 expression and, even more so, with its activity on synaptic membranes. We conclude that System A activity is highly regulated, by depolarization and developmental cues, to dynamically modulate GABAergic transmission. Our evidence suggests that SNAT1/SAT1 is the transporter that plays a critical role in dynamically modulating inhibition in response to metabolic demands.
Matching models to data: a receptor pharmacologist's guide
Authors: Hall David A , Langmead Christopher J 
Published: May 2010

In this review we discuss a number of topics related to fitting mechanistic mathematical models to experimental data. These can be divided broadly into issues to consider before beginning an experiment or fitting a model and the advantages of direct fitting of a model over other methods of analysis (e.g. null methods).We have sought to address some commonplace issues of receptor pharmacology with some real‐life examples: How should dilutions be distributed along a concentration–response curve? How do problems with dilutions manifest in assay results? What assumptions are made when certain analysis models are applied? What is global data fitting and how does it work? How can it be applied to improve data analysis? How can models such as one‐site and two‐site fits be compared? What is the principal behind statistical comparison of data fits?It is our hope that after reading this review you will have a greater appreciation of assay planning and subsequent data analysis and interpretation which will improve the quality of the data that you generate.LINKED ARTICLESThis article is part of a themed section on Analytical Receptor Pharmacology in Drug Discovery. To view the other articles in this section visithttp://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2010.161.issue‐6
Effects of drug interactions on biotransformation and antiplatelet effect of clopidogrelin vitro
Authors: Zahno Anja , Brecht Karin , Bodmer Michael , Bur Daniel , Tsakiris Dimitrios A , Krähenbühl Stephan 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe conversion of clopidogrel to its active metabolite, R‐130964, is a two‐step cytochrome P450 (CYP)‐dependent process. The current investigations were performed to characterizein vitrothe effects of different CYP inhibitors on the biotransformation and on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHClopidogrel biotransformation was studied using human liver microsomes (HLM) or specific CYPs and platelet aggregation using human platelets activated with ADP.KEY RESULTSExperiments using HLM or specific CYPs (3A4, 2C19) revealed that at clopidogrel concentrations >10 µM, CYP3A4 was primarily responsible for clopidogrel biotransformation. At a clopidogrel concentration of 40 µM, ketoconazole showed the strongest inhibitory effect on clopidogrel biotransformation and clopidogrel‐associated inhibition of platelet aggregation with IC50values of 0.03 ± 0.07 µM and 0.55 ± 0.06 µM respectively. Clarithromycin, another CYP3A4 inhibitor, impaired clopidogrel biotransformation and antiplatelet activity almost as effectively as ketoconazole. The CYP3A4 substrates atorvastatin and simvastatin both inhibited clopidogrel biotransformation and antiplatelet activity, less potently than ketoconazole. In contrast, pravastatin showed no inhibitory effect. As clopidogrel itself inhibited CYP2C19 at concentrations >10 µM, the CYP2C19 inhibitor lansozprazole affected clopidogrel biotransformation only at clopidogrel concentrations ≤10 µM. The carboxylate metabolite of clopidogrel was not a CYP substrate and did not affect platelet aggregation.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSAt clopidogrel concentrations >10 µM, CYP3A4 is mainly responsible for clopidogrel biotransformation, whereas CYP2C19 contributes only at clopidogrel concentrations ≤10 µM. CYP2C19 inhibition by clopidogrel at concentrations >10 µM may explain the conflicting results betweenin vitroandin vivoinvestigations regarding drug interactions with clopidogrel.
Protective effect of hydrogen sulphide against 6‐OHDA‐induced cell injury in SH‐SY5Y cells involves PKC/PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Tiong Chi Xin , Lu Ming , Bian Jin‐Song 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a novel neuromodulator. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of H2S against cell injury induced by 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA), a selective dopaminergic neurotoxin often used to establish a model of Parkinson's disease for studying the underlying mechanisms of this condition.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Cell viability in SH‐SY5Y cells was measured using MTT assay. Western blot analysis and pharmacological manipulation were employed to study the signalling mechanisms.KEY RESULTS Treatment of SH‐SY5Y cells with 6‐OHDA (50–200 µM) for 12 h decreased cell viability. Exogenous application of NaHS (an H2S donor, 100–1000 µM) or overexpression of cystathionine β‐synthase (a predominant enzyme to produce endogenous H2S in SH‐SY5Y cells) protected cells against 6‐OHDA‐induced cell apoptosis and death. Furthermore, NaHS reversed 6‐OHDA‐induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase. Western blot analysis showed that NaHS reversed the down‐regulation of PKCα, ε and Akt and the up‐regulation of PKCδ in 6‐OHDA‐treated cells. Blockade of PKCα with Gö6976 (2 µM), PKCε with EAVSLKPT (200 µM) or PI3K with LY294002 (20 µM) reduced the protective effects of H2S. However, inhibition of PKCδ with rottlerin (5 µM) failed to affect 6‐OHDA‐induced cell injury. These data suggest that the protective effects of NaHS mainly resulted from activation of PKCα, ε and PI3K/Akt pathway. In addition, NaHS‐induced Akt phosphorylation was significantly attenuated by Gö6976 and EAVSLKPT, suggesting that the activation of Akt by NaHS is PKCα, ε‐dependent.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS H2S protects SH‐SY5Y cells against 6‐OHDA‐induced cell injury by activating the PKCα, ε/PI3K/Akt pathway.
GSK1562590, a slowly dissociating urotensin‐II receptor antagonist, exhibits prolonged pharmacodynamic activity ex vivo
Authors: Behm DJ , Aiyar NV , Olzinski AR , McAtee JJ , Hilfiker MA , Dodson JW , Dowdell SE , Wang GZ , Goodman KB , Sehon CA , Harpel MR , Willette RN , Neeb MJ , Leach CA , Douglas SA 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recently identified antagonists of the urotensin–II (U‐II) receptor (UT) are of limited utility for investigating the (patho)physiological role of U‐II due to poor potency and limited selectivity and/or intrinsic activity.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The pharmacological properties of two novel UT antagonists, GSK1440115 and GSK1562590, were compared using multiple bioassays.KEY RESULTS GSK1440115 (pKi= 7.34–8.64 across species) and GSK1562590 (pKi= 9.14–9.66 across species) are high affinity ligands of mammalian recombinant (mouse, rat, cat, monkey, human) and native (SJRH30 cells) UT. Both compounds exhibited >100‐fold selectivity for UT versus 87 distinct mammalian GPCR, enzyme, ion channel and neurotransmitter uptake targets. GSK1440115 showed competitive antagonism at UT in arteries from all species tested (pA2= 5.59–7.71). In contrast, GSK1562590 was an insurmountable UT antagonist in rat, cat and hUT transgenic mouse arteries (pKb= 8.93–10.12 across species), but a competitive antagonist in monkey arteries (pKb= 8.87–8.93). Likewise, GSK1562590 inhibited the hU‐II‐induced systemic pressor response in anaesthetized cats at a dose 10‐fold lower than that of GSK1440115. The antagonistic effects of GSK1440115, but not GSK1562590, could be reversed by washout in rat isolated aorta. In ex vivo studies, GSK1562590 inhibited hU‐II‐induced contraction of rat aorta for at least 24 h following dosing. Dissociation of GSK1562590 binding was considerably slower at rat than monkey UT.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Whereas both GSK1440115 and GSK1562590 represent high‐affinity/selective UT antagonists suitable for assessing the (patho)physiological role of U‐II, only GSK1562590 exhibited sustained UT residence time and improved preclinical efficacy in vivo.
Is Asia adopting flexicurity?
Authors: VANDENBERG Paul 
Published: May 2010

Abstract.In the face of global competition, many countries are adopting a flexicurity approach to labour regulation, providing employers with greater flexibility to hire and retrench workers while helping workers transition to new jobs. This review of six Asian countries finds that China and the Republic of Korea have enacted such reforms; Singapore and Malaysia provide some ingredients of flexicurity, though no unemployment insurance; India and Sri Lanka have introduced few reforms and continue to rely on an older model of employer‐based security. To support informal workers, the Governments of China, India and Sri Lanka use public works, self‐employment programmes and skills training.