bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Haemostatic reference intervals in pregnancy
Authors: Jørgensen Maja , Klajnbard Anna , Andersen Malene , Colov Nina , Stender Steen , Szecsi Pal 
Published: February 2010

SummaryHaemostatic reference intervals are generally based on samples from non-pregnant women. Thus, they may not be relevant to pregnant women, a problem that may hinder accurate diagnosis and treatment of haemostatic disorders during pregnancy. In this study, we establish gestational age-specific reference intervals for coagulation tests during normal pregnancy. Eight hundred one women with expected normal pregnancies were included in the study. Of these women, 391 had no complications during pregnancy, vaginal delivery, or postpartum period. Plasma samples were obtained at gestational weeks 13–20, 21–28, 29–34, 35–42, at active labor, and on postpartum days 1 and 2. Reference intervals for each gestational period using only the uncomplicated pregnancies were calculated in all 391 women for activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, fibrin D-dimer, antithrombin, free protein S, and protein C and in a subgroup of 186 women in addition for prothrombin time (PT), Owren and Quick PT, protein S activity, and total protein S and coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII. The level of coagulation factors II, V, X, XI, XII and antithrombin, protein C, aPTT, PT remained largely unchanged during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum and were within non-pregnant reference intervals. However, levels of fibrinogen, D-dimer, and coagulation factors VII, VIII, and IX increased markedly. Protein S activity decreased substantially, while free protein S decreased slightly and total protein S was stable. Gestational age-specific reference values are essential for the accurate interpretation of a subset of haemostatic tests during pregnancy, delivery, and puerperium.
Treating and Training: A 30 Year Experience of a Team with a Group-Analytic Framework: Part I
Authors: Manso Neto Isaura , Fialho Teresa , Godinho Paula , Centeno Maria João 
Published: February 2010

The authors are currently responsible for the Day Hospital at the Psychiatric Service of the Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatry and Mental Health of the Hospital de Santa Maria, a large general and university hospital in Lisbon. They are the heiresses of a group of psychiatrists with group analytic training, who founded this Day Hospital and initiated its constitution in 1977, by adapting group analytic concepts to the treatment of patients in states of acute dis-compensation, as well as simultaneously investing in the post-graduate training of psychiatry and paedopsychiatry interns, psychologists and nurses. This training has been recently extended to medical students, on a regular basis. In Part I of this article, the authors will approach the importance of the senior technicians’ group analytic training, and of the essentially group functioning of the Day Hospital, as well as describe it, by characterizing the patients, the programme and the therapeutic and training tools of this therapeutic and training Unit, which is a reference in Portugal. In Part II, the authors will present a survey questionnaire that was elaborated with the aim of evaluating the training received during the 30 years of existence of this Unit. This questionnaire was sent to all the technicians who trained at the Day Hospital during the period between 1977 and 2007. The results will be presented as well as the conclusions of this research.
Does MRI lesion activity regress in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Zhao Y. , Petkau AJ , Traboulsee A. , Riddehough A. , Li DKB 
Published: February 2010

Background: The rate of new contrast-enhancing lesions (CELs) on monthly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans has been shown to decrease over a 9-month period in placebo-treated patients with relapsing—remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Objective: We examined this phenomenon in placebo-treated secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients. Methods: Patients were chosen from two clinical trials. Monthly scans were taken at screening, baseline and months 1—9 for Cohort-1 and months 1—6 for Cohort-2. We examined the monthly new CEL rates according to initial CEL level: 0, 1—3, >3 CELs at screening, and presence and absence of pre-study relapses. Results: Respectively, 59, 21 and 14 of the 94 Cohort-1 patients, and 36, 17 and 9 of the 62 Cohort-2 patients had 0, 1—3 and >3 initial CELs. For Cohort-1, the monthly new CEL rates did not change during follow-up, regardless of initial CEL level. For Cohort-2, the monthly rate was unchanged in the 0 initial CEL subgroup, but decreased 33% (95% confidence interval: 8%, 52%) from months 1—3 to months 4—6 in the other two subgroups. For the combined cohorts, a decreasing rate was observed in the 12 patients with >3 initial CELs and pre-study relapses. Conclusions: The short-term trend of new CEL activity in placebo-treated SPMS patients may vary across cohorts.
Lineage-specific positive selection at the merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1) locus of Plasmodium vivax and related simian malaria parasites
Authors: Sawai Hiromi , Otani Hiroto , Arisue Nobuko , Palacpac Nirianne , de Oliveira Martins Leonardo , Pathirana Sisira , Handunnetti Shiroma , Kawai Satoru , Kishino Hirohisa , Horii Toshihiro , Tanabe Kazuyuki 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
The 200 kDa merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) of malaria parasites, a strong vaccine candidate, plays a key role during erythrocyte invasion and is a target of host protective immune response. Plasmodium vivax, the most widespread human malaria parasite, is closely related to parasites that infect Asian Old World monkeys, and has been considered to have become a parasite of man by host switch from a macaque malaria parasite. Several Asian monkey parasites have a range of natural hosts. The same parasite species shows different disease manifestations among host species. This suggests that host immune responses to P. vivax-related malaria parasites greatly differ among host species (albeit other factors). It is thus tempting to invoke that a major immune target parasite protein such as MSP-1 underwent unique evolution, depending on parasite species that exhibit difference in host range and host specificity.

Results
We performed comparative phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of the gene encoding MSP-1 (msp1) from P. vivax and nine P. vivax-related simian malaria parasites. The inferred phylogenetic tree of msp1 significantly differed from that of the mitochondrial genome, with a striking displacement of P. vivax from a position close to P. cynomolgi in the mitochondrial genome tree to an outlier of Asian monkey parasites. Importantly, positive selection was inferred for two ancestral branches, one leading to P. inui and P. hylobati and the other leading to P. vivax, P. fieldi and P. cynomolgi. This ancestral positive selection was estimated to have occurred three to six million years ago, coinciding with the period of radiation of Asian macaques. Comparisons of msp1 polymorphisms between P. vivax, P. inui and P. cynomolgi revealed that while some positively selected amino acid sites or regions are shared by these parasites, amino acid changes greatly differ, suggesting that diversifying selection is acting species-specifically on msp1.

Conclusions
The present results indicate that the msp1 locus of P. vivax and related parasite species has lineage-specific unique evolutionary history with positive selection. P. vivax and related simian malaria parasites offer an interesting system toward understanding host species-dependent adaptive evolution of immune-target surface antigen genes such as msp1.
Description of an Outbreak of Acute Sterile Peritonitis in Iran
Authors: Nouri-Majalan Nader , Najafi Iraj , Sanadgol Hoshang , Ganji Mohammad-Reza , Atabak Shahnaz , Hakemi Monirossadat , Soleymanian Tayebeh 
Published: February 2010

Background Outbreaks of sterile or chemical peritonitis are uncommon and often not well documented. It is therefore important to describe the characteristics of sterile peritonitis in continuous peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods Characteristics of acute chemical peritonitis (ACP) are described in 20 patients (5 males, 15 females; mean age 50 ± 15 years; range 29 – 72 years). Cultures and Gram stains were negative for micro-organisms. All patients with symptoms of peritonitis were using glucose bags with the same lot number and resolution of peritonitis occurred only after changing the suspicious bags. The first measurements of dialysate-to-plasma creatinine (D/P creat) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) before and after ACP were compared in 14 patients with no separate episode of bacterial peritonitis during that time. Results Cloudy dialysate was observed in 19 patients and 13 experienced abdominal pain. Mean dialysate white blood cell count and percentage neutrophils were 520/mm3 (range 100 – 1600/mm3) and 65% (range 14% – 98%) respectively. Analysis of the unused PD solution showed that endotoxin (0.06 endotoxin unit/mL), 5-hydroxymethyl furaldehyde (8 μg/mL), and acetaldehyde (0.4 μg/mL) concentrations were within acceptable ranges. In 14 patients without episodes of bacterial peritonitis, D/P creat was significantly higher after than before ACP (0.77 ± 0.07 vs 0.55 ± 0.1, p = 0.036), whereas GFR was not (4.5 ± 2.9 vs 4.9 ± 2.53 mL/minute, p = 0.62). Conclusion Although chemical peritonitis in glucose-based PD solution is uncommon, it should be distinguished from bacterial peritonitis in outbreaks of peritonitis. Facilities to measure glucose degradation products are required, especially in developing countries. Acute chemical peritonitis increases small-molecule transport in the short term.
Endoscopic Transluminal Insertion of a Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter
Authors: Mettang Thomas , Krumme Bernd , Wilhelm Arne , Duschka Lothar 
Published: February 2010

Background At present there are various more or less invasive surgical and laparoscopic ways to place a catheter suitable for peritoneal dialysis (PD); however, once the catheter is in place, there is no possibility to inspect the peritoneal cavity without de novo laparotomy or laparoscopy. Patients and Methods To establish a minimally invasive technique and allowing for maximal options, we used a PD catheter with an extra large inside diameter of 3.5 mm. Because of the enlarged inner diameter of 3.5 mm (compared to 2.6 mm in standard Tenckhoff catheters), this device can be passed by a very thin video-endoscope with an external diameter of 2.8 mm. Using a stepwise approach, we applied this device in placing PD catheters in 2 patients. The procedure could be done without complications. Both patients were doing well 4 and 6 months later, respectively, without any PD-related complications. Intraperitoneal view by the endoscope was limited; an attempt to obtain a peritoneal biopsy failed. Conclusions If the drawbacks of this method can be overcome it will have a wide spectrum of applications ( i.e., inspection of the peritoneal cavity and obtaining peritoneal biopsies at any time during PD treatment). In this way it can be used scientifically and clinically when a problem of flow or ultrafiltration occurs or when encapsulating sclerosing peritonitis is suspected.
Peritoneal Dialysis in Africa
Authors: Abu-Aisha Hasan , Elamin Sarra 
Published: February 2010

Background Africa is the world's second-largest and second most populous continent. It is also the poorest and most underdeveloped continent. Struggling to provide the essential health interventions for its occupants, the majority of African countries cannot regard renal replacement therapy a health priority. Review In 2007, Africa's dialysis population constituted only 4.5% of the world's dialysis population, with a prevalence of 74 per million population (pmp), compared to a global average of 250 pmp. In almost half the African countries, no dialysis patients are reported. The prevalence of peritoneal dialysis (PD) was 2.2 pmp, compared to a global prevalence of 27 pmp, with the bulk of African PD patients (85%) residing in South Africa. In North African countries, which serve 93% of the African dialysis population, the contribution of PD to dialysis is only 0% – 3%. Cost is a major factor affecting the provision of dialysis treatment and many countries are forced to ration dialysis therapy. Rural setting, difficult transportation, low electrification rates, limited access to improved sanitation and improved water sources, unsuitable living circumstances, and the limited number of nephrologists are obstacles to the provision of PD in many countries. Conclusion The potential for successful regular PD programs in tropical countries has now been well established. Cost is a major prohibitive factor but the role of domestic manufacture in facilitating widespread use of PD is evidenced by the South African example. Education and training are direly needed and these are areas where international societies can be of great help.
Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis in a Patient with Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1: A Case Report
Authors: Vanmassenhove Jill , Vanholder Raymond , Forsyth Ramses , Dhondt Annemieke 
Published: February 2010

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare metabolic disorder caused by a defect in glyoxylate metabolism attributable to low or absent activity of the liver-specific peroxisomal enzyme alanine/glyoxylate aminotransferase. This defect leads to enhanced conversion of glyoxylate to poorly soluble oxalate, which is then excreted into the urine. This process may lead to deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in many tissues as well as in the kidneys, resulting in nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis, and/or renal failure. We present a 39-year-old patient with end-stage renal failure due to PH1, who was admitted with symptoms of feeling bloated, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain related to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS). He had been treated with peritoneal dialysis for a total period of 5 years. EPS is a rare condition characterized by fibrosis and adhesions of the peritoneum to loops of the small intestine and has been described secondary to treatment with peritoneal dialysis. It also occurs in a variety of other clinical conditions such as autoimmune diseases and peritoneal and intra-abdominal malignancies. The calcium oxalate crystals found in the peritoneal fascia of this particular patient may suggest a causative relationship between crystal deposits and evolution to fibrosis and sclerosis of the peritoneum. The degree of impact of the peritoneal dialysis treatment itself on the development of EPS, however, is uncertain.
Glucose Degradation Products Result in Cardiovascular Toxicity in a Rat Model of Renal Failure
Authors: Müller–Krebs Sandra , Kihm Lars P. , Zeier Benjamin , Gross Marie-Luise , Wieslander Anders , Haug Ulrike , Zeier Martin , Schwenger Vedat 
Published: February 2010

Background It has been shown that glucose degradation products (GDP) generated during heat sterilization of peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids impair the peritoneal membrane locally, then enter the systemic circulation and cause damage to the remnant kidney. Here we examined in subtotally nephrectomized (SNX) rats whether GDP also affect the cardiovascular system. Materials and Methods Standard 5/6 nephrectomy was carried out in Sprague–Dawley rats; other rats were sham operated and left untreated for 3 weeks. Through an osmotic mini-pump, SNX+GDP group received GDP intravenously for 4 weeks; the SNX and the sham-operated groups remained without GDP. The experiment was terminated for all groups 7 weeks postoperatively. We analyzed cardiovascular damage by serum analyses and immunohistochemical investigation. Results In SNX+GDP animals, expression of the advanced glycation end product (AGE) marker carboxymethyllysine and receptor of AGE (RAGE) were significantly higher in the myocardium and the aorta compared to the SNX rats. We also found significantly higher levels of apoptosis measured by caspase 3 staining in the cardiovascular system in the SNX+GDP group. Moreover, we observed a more pronounced expression of oxidative stress in the SNX+GDP rats compared to the SNX rats. In serum analyses, advanced oxidation protein products and reactive oxygen species were increased, as was immunohistochemical endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Conclusions In addition to local toxic effects, GDP cause systemic toxicity. Here we showed that, in SNX rats, administration of GDP increased cardiovascular damage. In particular, we found increased levels of AGE, RAGE, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Whether these findings are of clinical relevance has to be further investigated.
Prolylprolinol‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Michael Addition of Aliphatic Aldehydes to Nitroalkenes
Authors: Lu Dengfu , Gong Yuefa , Wang Weizhou 
Published: February 2010

AbstractSeveral novel prolylprolinol catalysts have been designed and synthesized. This type of compound showed high catalytic efficiency on promoting the direct addition of unmodified aldehydes to nitroalkenes. Among the catalysts surveyed, the least bulky member (8d) exhibited the best performance on both efficiency and stereoselectivity, providing the products with up to 97% ee value with 1.5–5 mol% catalyst loading. Additionally, computational studies of the transition state have been conducted to explain the high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity.
Longitudinal study of vision and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Talman Lauren S. , Bisker Esther R. , Sackel David J. , Long David A. , Galetta Kristin M. , Ratchford John N. , Lile Deacon J. , Farrell Sheena K. , Loguidice Michael J. , Remington Gina , Conger Amy , Frohman Teresa C. , Jacobs Dina A. , Markowitz Clyde E. , Cutter Gary R. , Ying Gui‐Shuang , Dai Yang , Maguire Maureen G. , Galetta Steven L. , Frohman Elliot M. , Calabresi Peter A. , Balcer Laura J. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectiveCross‐sectional studies of optical coherence tomography (OCT) show that retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness is reduced in multiple sclerosis (MS) and correlates with visual function. We determined how longitudinal changes in RNFL thickness relate to visual loss. We also examined patterns of RNFL thinning over time in MS eyes with and without a prior history of acute optic neuritis (ON).MethodsPatients underwent OCT measurement of RNFL thickness at baseline and at 6‐month intervals during a mean follow‐up of 18 months at 3 centers. Low‐contrast letter acuity (2.5%, 1.25% contrast) and visual acuity (VA) were assessed.ResultsAmong 299 patients (593 eyes) with ≥6 months follow‐up, eyes with visual loss showed greater RNFL thinning compared to eyes with stable vision (low‐contrast acuity, 2.5%: p < 0.001; VA: p = 0.005). RNFL thinning increased over time, with average losses of 2.9μm at 2 to 3 years and 6.1μm at 3 to 4.5 years (p < 0.001 vs 0.5–1‐year follow‐up interval). These patterns were observed for eyes with or without prior history of ON. Proportions of eyes with RNFL loss greater than test‐retest variability (≥6.6μm) increased from 11% at 0 to 1 year to 44% at 3 to 4.5 years (p < 0.001).InterpretationProgressive RNFL thinning occurs as a function of time in some patients with MS, even in the absence of ON, and is associated with clinically significant visual loss. These findings are consistent with subclinical axonal loss in the anterior visual pathway in MS, and support the use of OCT and low‐contrast acuity as methods to evaluate the effectiveness of putative neuroprotection protocols. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:749–760
Pilot trial of low‐dose naltrexone and quality of life in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cree Bruce A. C. , Kornyeyeva Elena , Goodin Douglas S. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of 4.5mg nightly naltrexone on the quality of life of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.MethodsThis single‐center, double‐masked, placebo‐controlled, crossover study evaluated the efficacy of 8 weeks of treatment with 4.5mg nightly naltrexone (low‐dose naltrexone, LDN) on self‐reported quality of life of MS patients.ResultsEighty subjects with clinically definite MS were enrolled, and 60 subjects completed the trial. Ten withdrew before completing the first trial period: 8 for personal reasons, 1 for a non–MS‐related adverse event, and 1 for perceived benefit. Database management errors occurred in 4 other subjects, and quality of life surveys were incomplete in 6 subjects for unknown reasons. The high rate of subject dropout and data management errors substantially reduced the trial's statistical power. LDN was well tolerated, and serious adverse events did not occur. LDN was associated with significant improvement on the following mental health quality of life measures: a 3.3‐point improvement on the Mental Component Summary score of the Short Form‐36 General Health Survey (p = 0.04), a 6‐point improvement on the Mental Health Inventory (p < 0.01), a 1.6‐point improvement on the Pain Effects Scale (p =.04), and a 2.4‐point improvement on the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (p = 0.05).InterpretationLDN significantly improved mental health quality of life indices. Further studies with LDN in MS are warranted. ANN NEUROL 2010
ChemInform Abstract: Highly Efficient and Chemoselective Reduction of Sulfoxides Using the System Silane/Oxo‐Rhenium Complexes.
Authors: Sousa Sara C. A. , Fernandes Ana C. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Iridium‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methane.
Authors: Liu Wen‐Bo , Zheng Sheng‐Cai , He Hu , Zhao Xiao‐Ming , Dai Li‐Xin , You Shu‐Li 
Published: February 2010

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Petiolins F—I, Benzophenone Rhamnosides from Hypericum pseudopetiolatum var. kiusianum.
Authors: Tanaka Naonobu , Kubota Takaaki , Kashiwada Yoshiki , Takaishi Yoshihisa , Kobayashi Jun'ichi 
Published: February 2010

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
Adsorption Characteristics of Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solution onto Baryte
Authors: Vijayakumar Govindasamy , Yoo Chang Kyoo , Elango Kuppana Gounder P. , Dharmendirakumar Mahendiradas 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBatch sorption experiments were carried out for the adsorption of the basic dye Rhodamine B from aqueous solution using baryte as the adsorbent. The effect of adsorbent dosage, temperature, initial dye concentration and pH were studied. Adsorption data were modeled using first and second order kinetic equations and the intra particle diffusion model. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process followed second order rate kinetics with an average rate constant of 0.05458 g mg–1 min–1. Dye adsorption equilibrium was attained rapidly after 30 min of contact time. The equilibrium data was fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin isotherms over a dye concentration range of 50–250 mg/L. The adsorption thermodynamic parameters showed that adsorption was an exothermic, spontaneous and less ordered arrangement process. The adsorbent, baryte, was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that baryte has good potential for the removal of Rhodamine B from dilute aqueous solution.