bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between cardiac autonomic neuropathy and hypertension and its potential influence on diabetic complications
Authors: Ayad F. , Belhadj M. , Pariés J. , Attali J. R. , Valensi P. 
Published: May 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 804–811 (2010)AbstractAims  To examine the association between cardiac autonomic neuropathy and hypertension and the role of this association in diabetic complications.Methods  We included 310 patients, 138 with Type 1 and 172 with Type 2 diabetes, 62 of them with hypertension. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy was assessed by analysing heart rate variations during three standard tests (deep breathing, lying to standing and Valsalva) and looking for postural hypotension.Results  Cardiac autonomic neuropathy was present in 123 patients and 39 also had hypertension. The prevalence of a cardiac autonomic neuropathy/hypertension association was higher in Type 2 patients (P < 0.002). The prevalence of hypertension increased with the severity of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. In multiple logistic regression analysis, cardiac autonomic neuropathy was an independent risk factor for hypertension [odds ratio 2.86 (1.54–5.32); P < 0.001]. Only confirmed or severe cardiac autonomic neuropathy (two or more abnormal function tests, respectively) were independent risk factors for hypertension (P < 0.005 and < 0.0001). Cardiac autonomic neuropathy was found in most of the patients with macrovascular complications, retinopathy or nephropathy, but a large majority of the patients with these complications exhibited the cardiac autonomic neuropathy/hypertension profile. This profile was more prevalent among the patients with coronary or peripheral artery disease or antecedent stroke than among those free of these complications (P < 0.001). In logistic regression analyses, the cardiac autonomic neuropathy/hypertension profile associated significantly with macro‐ and microvascular complications.Conclusions  These data are strongly in favour of the role of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in hypertension in diabetic patients. The association of the cardiac autonomic neuropathy/hypertension profile with vascular complications is consistent with a deleterious effect on vascular hemodynamics and structure, additional to the effects of hypertension.
Depressive symptoms in the first year from diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes: results from the DESMOND trial
Authors: Skinner T. C. , Carey M. E. , Cradock S. , Dallosso H. M. , Daly H. , Davies M. J. , Doherty Y. , Heller S. , Khunti K. , Oliver L. ,   on behalf of The DESMOND Collaborative
Published: May 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 965–967 (2010)AbstractAims  To describe the course of depressive symptoms during the first year after diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.Methods  Post hoc analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of self‐management education for 824 individuals newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Participants completed the Depression scale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale after diagnosis and at 4, 8 and 12 months follow‐up. Participants also completed the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale at 8 and 12 months follow‐up. We present descriptive statistics on prevalence and persistence of depressive symptoms. Logistic regression is used to predict possible depression cases, and multiple regression to predict depressive symptomatology.Results  The prevalence of depressive symptoms in individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes (18–22% over the year) was not significantly different from normative data for the general population (12%) in the UK. Over 20% of participants indicated some degrees of depressive symptoms over the first year of living with Type 2 diabetes; these were mostly transient episodes, with 5% (1% severe) reporting having depressive symptoms throughout the year. At 12 months post diagnosis, after controlling for baseline depressive symptoms, diabetes‐specific emotional distress was predictive of depressive symptomatology.Conclusions  The increased prevalence of depressive symptoms in diabetes is not manifest until at least 1 year post diagnosis in this cohort. However, there are a significant number of people with persistent depressive symptoms in the early stages of diabetes, and diabetes‐specific distress may be contributing to subsequent development of depressive symptoms in people with Type 2 diabetes.
INTER‐ETHICS: TOWARDS AN INTERACTIVE AND INTERDEPENDENT BIOETHICS
Authors: ABMA TINEKE A. , BAUR VIVIANNE E. , MOLEWIJK BERT , WIDDERSHOVEN GUY A.M. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTSince its origin bioethics has been a specialized, academic discipline, focussing on moral issues, using a vast set of globalized principles and rational techniques to evaluate and guide healthcare practices. With the emergence of a plural society, the loss of faith in experts and authorities and the decline of overarching grand narratives and shared moralities, a new approach to bioethics is needed. This approach implies a shift from an external critique of practices towards embedded ethics and interactive practice improvement, and from a legal defence of rights towards fostering interdependent practices of responsibility. This article describes these transitions within bioethics in relation to the broader societal and cultural dynamics within Western societies, and traces the implications for the methodologies and changing roles of the bioethicist. The bioethicist we foresee is not just a clever expert but also a relationally sensitive person who engages stakeholders in reciprocal dialogues about their practice of responsibility and helps to integrate various sorts of knowledge (embodied, experiential, visual, and cognitive‐scientific). In order to illustrate this new approach, we present a case study. It concerns a project focusing on an innovation in elderly care, based on the participation of various stakeholders, especially older people themselves.
7. Respondent-Driven Sampling: An Assessment of Current Methodology
Authors: Gile Krista J. , Handcock Mark S. 
Published: May 2010

Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) employs a variant of a link-tracing network sampling strategy to collect data from hard-to-reach populations. By tracing the links in the underlying social network, the process exploits the social structure to expand the sample and reduce its dependence on the initial (convenience) sample. The current estimators of population averages make strong assumptions in order to treat the data as a probability sample. We evaluate three critical sensitivities of the estimators: (1) to bias induced by the initial sample, (2) to uncontrollable features of respondent behavior, and (3) to the without-replacement structure of sampling. Our analysis indicates: (1) that the convenience sample of seeds can induce bias, and the number of sample waves typically used in RDS is likely insufficient for the type of nodal mixing required to obtain the reputed asymptotic unbiasedness; (2) that preferential referral behavior by respondents leads to bias; (3) that when a substantial fraction of the target population is sampled the current estimators can have substantial bias. This paper sounds a cautionary note for the users of RDS. While current RDS methodology is powerful and clever, the favorable statistical properties claimed for the current estimates are shown to be heavily dependent on often unrealistic assumptions. We recommend ways to improve the methodology.
2‐Phenyl‐5‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐1‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole, a benzimidazole derivative, inhibits growth of human prostate cancer cells by affecting tubulin and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase
Authors: Chang Wei‐Ling , Chang Chih‐Shiang , Chiang Po‐Cheng , Ho Yunn‐Fang , Liu Ju‐Fang , Chang Kai‐Wei , Guh Jih‐Hwa 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and tubulin are, frequently, targets for developing anti‐cancer drugs. A major obstacle to successful development is P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp)‐mediated resistance. Here, we have assessed a compound that inhibited growth of cancer cells, for effects on JNK and tubulin and as a substrate for P‐gp.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Several pharmacological and biochemical assays were used to characterize signalling pathways of 2‐phenyl‐5‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐1‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole (PPTMB), a benzimidazole analogue, in prostate cancer cells.KEY RESULTS PPTMB inhibited proliferation of several human prostate cancer cell lines. It displayed similar activity against a P‐gp‐rich cell line, indicating that PPTMB was not a substrate for P‐gp. PPTMB induced G2/M arrest of the cell cycle and subsequent apoptosis, using flow cytometry. Tubulin polymerization assays and Western blot analysis showed that PPTMB directly acted on tubulin and caused disruption of microtubule dynamics, inducing mitotic arrest and sustained high levels of cyclin B1 expression and Cdk1 activation. Subsequently, mitochondria‐related apoptotic cascades were induced, including Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL phosphorylation, Mcl‐1 down‐regulation, truncated Bad formation and activation of caspase‐9 and ‐3. PPTMB stimulated JNK phosphorylation at Thr183/Tyr185. SP600125, a specific JNK inhibitor, significantly inhibited apoptotic signalling, indicating that JNK plays a key role in PPTMB action. PPTMB showed a 10‐fold higher potency against prostate cancer cells than normal prostate cells.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS PPTMB is an effective anti‐cancer agent. It disrupted microtubule dynamics, leading to mitotic arrest of the cell cycle and JNK activation, which in turn stimulated the mitochondria‐related apoptotic cascades in prostate cancer cells.
14‐Deoxyandrographolide desensitizes hepatocytes to tumour necrosis factor‐alpha‐induced apoptosis through calcium‐dependent tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A release via the NO/cGMP pathway
Authors: Roy DN , Mandal S , Sen G , Mukhopadhyay S , Biswas T 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEAndrographis paniculata (AP) has been found to display hepatoprotective effect, although the mechanism of action of the active compounds of AP in this context still remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the hepatoprotective efficacy of 14‐deoxyandrographolide (14‐DAG), a bioactive compound of AP, particularly its role in desensitization of hepatocytes to tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α)‐induced signalling of apoptosis.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHTNF‐α‐mediated ligand receptor interaction in hepatocytes in the presence of 14‐DAG was studied in vitro in primary hepatocyte cultures, with the help of co‐immunoprecipitation, confocal microscopy and FACS analysis. Events associated with 14‐DAG‐induced TNFRSF1A release from hepatocytes were determined using immunoblotting, biochemical assay and fluorimetric studies. Pulse‐chase experiments with radiolabelled TNF‐α and detection of apoptotic nuclei by terminal transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling were performed under in vivo conditions.KEY RESULTS14‐DAG down‐regulated the formation of death‐inducing signalling complex, resulting in desensitization of hepatocytes to TNF‐α‐induced apoptosis. Pretreatment of hepatocytes with 14‐DAG accentuated microsomal Ca‐ATPase activity through induction of NO/cGMP pathway. This resulted in enhanced calcium influx into microsomal lumen with the formation of TNFRSF1A–ARTS‐1–NUCB2 complex in cellular vesicles. It was followed by the release of full‐length 55 kDa TNFRSF1A and a reduction in the number of cell surface TNFRSF1A, which eventually caused diminution of TNF‐α signal in hepatocytes.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONTaken together, the results demonstrate for the first time that 14‐DAG desensitizes hepatocytes to TNF‐α‐mediated apoptosis through the release of TNFRSF1A. This can be used as a strategy against cytokine‐mediated hepatocyte apoptosis in liver dysfunctions.
In rat renal fibroblasts, mycophenolic acid inhibits proliferation and production of the chemokine CCL2, stimulated by tumour necrosis factor‐α
Authors: Chang Hong‐Wei , Wu Vin‐Cent , Wu Kwan‐Dun , Huang Hong‐Yu , Hsieh Bor‐Shen , Chen Yung‐Ming 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Renal fibroblasts play a pivotal role in the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, a condition highly predictive of progression towards end‐stage renal disease. The present study investigated the anti‐mitogenic and anti‐inflammatory effects of an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, mycophenolic acid (MPA) and the mechanisms underlying its action in normal rat kidney fibroblasts (49F cells).EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Proliferation of 49F cells was studied by tetrazole 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl‐)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and flow cytometry. The cyclins, tumour suppressor genes and phospho‐mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were semiquantified by immunoblotting. Apoptosis was measured by quantifying the fragmented DNA and the activity of caspase 3. The monocyte chemokine CCL2 was measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of CCL2 was measured by real‐time PCR.KEY RESULTS Mycophenolic acid dose‐dependently inhibited steady‐state proliferation of 49F cells by up‐regulation of p21, p27 and p53, in association with a decrease in cyclins D2 and E. Treatment with MPA also triggered apoptosis of 49F cells by activating the caspase 3 cascade. Furthermore, MPA attenuated tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced CCL2 expression through down‐regulation of p38 MAPK, but not that of ERK1/2 or JNK.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The anti‐mitogenic and anti‐inflammatory effects of MPA were mediated by up‐regulation of cell cycle inhibitors and pro‐apoptotic signals, and by suppression of p38 MAPK pathway respectively. This dual effect of MPA may form the rationale for animal or clinical trials for the treatment of fibrotic renal diseases.
Angiotensin receptor type 1 antagonists protect against neuronal injury induced by oxygen–glucose depletion
Authors: Wu X , Kihara T , Hongo H , Akaike A , Niidome T , Sugimoto H 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSESeveral clinical trials andin vivoanimal experiments have suggested that blockade of angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1) improves ischaemic outcomes. However, the mechanism(s) underlying these effects has not been elucidated. Here, we have investigated the protective effects of pretreatment with AT1receptor antagonists, losartan or telmisartan, against ischaemic insult to neuronsin vitro.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHPrimary rat neuron–astrocyte co‐cultures and astrocyte‐defined medium (ADM)‐cultured pure astrocyte cultures were prepared. Ischaemic injury was modelled by oxygen–glucose depletion (OGD) and lactate dehydrogenase release after OGD was measured with or without AT1receptor antagonists or agonists (L162313), AT2receptor antagonist (PD123319) or agonist (CGP‐42112A) pretreatment, for 48 h. Activity of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT‐1) was evaluated by [3H]‐glutamate uptake assays, after AT1receptor agonists or antagonists. Immunoblot and real‐time PCR were used for analysis of protein and mRNA levels of GLT‐1.KEY RESULTSAT1receptor agonists augmented OGD‐induced cellular damage, which was attenuated by AT1receptor antagonists. AT1receptor antagonists also suppressed OGD‐induced extracellular glutamate release, reactive oxygen species production and nitric oxide generation. GLT‐1 expression and glutamate uptake activity were significantly enhanced by AT1receptor antagonists and impaired by AT1receptor agonists. AT1receptor stimulation suppressed both ADM‐induced GLT‐1 protein expression and mRNA levels. AT1b receptor knock‐down with siRNA enhanced GLT‐1 expression. In postnatal (P1–P21) rat brains, protein levels of GLT‐1 and AT1receptors were inversely correlated.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSSuppression of AT1receptor stimulation induced GLT‐1 up‐regulation, which ameliorated effects of ischaemic injury.
Population dynamics and integrated pest management of Thrips tabaci on leek under field conditions in northwest Italy
Authors: Bosco Lara , Tavella Luciana 
Published: May 2010

Abstract Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a major pest of leek, Allium porrum L. (Alliaceae), in Piedmont, northwest Italy, and to control its infestation the leek crop is sprayed intensively with insecticides during the summer period. In order to find the most efficient and environment‐friendly method of thrips control, research was conducted on six commercial farms during 2005–2006 to assess thrips population composition and infestation levels, and in an experimental field during 2005–2007. Biological and chemical control were compared during 2005–2006, whereas integrated pest management was adopted during 2007. During the growing season, thrips and natural enemy populations were monitored at 14‐day intervals by beating plants; new leaves of plants were also visually inspected for thrips‐feeding symptoms. Furthermore, in the experimental field at harvest‐time, the level of thrips injury to plants was assigned to one of five classes, depending on the percentage of leaf area damaged. Over 99% of phytophagous adult thrips found were male and female T. tabaci. Infestations were very variable in the crops surveyed, partly due to broad‐spectrum chemical treatments against the leek pests, which often failed to control thrips. In general, populations peaked in September, when they reached the maximum mean values ranging between 1.7 and 33.1 thrips per plant. At harvest, none of the surveyed farms experienced quality losses due to thrips injuries. In the experimental field during 2005–2006, the mean number of thrips per plant was greater in the chemical than in the biological control treatment, even though damage indices showed no significant differences between the two treatments. Predatory thrips of the genus Aeolothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and predatory bugs of the genus Orius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), mostly Orius majusculus Reuter, were particularly abundant during 2007, supporting the importance of management with selective insecticides to encourage natural colonization by predators.
Egg hatching response to a range of air humidities for six species of predatory mites
Authors: Ferrero M. , Gigot C. , Tixier M.‐S. , Van Houten Y. M. , Kreiter S. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe efficiency of biological control agents is often affected by local conditions such as low relative humidity (r.h.). This is especially true for mites of the family Phytoseiidae, and particularly for their egg stage. A key issue in biological control is thus to assess the drought tolerance of phytoseiid species that are (or that will be) commercialized. In this study, we evaluated the egg hatching response to a humidity range for six species of Phytoseiidae, by assessing the relative air humidity and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) at which 50% of the eggs hatch: r.h.50 and VPD50. Typhlodromus athiasae Porath & Swirskii and Phytoseiulus longipes Evans (Argentinean strain) were the most drought‐tolerant, with a r.h.50 of 43% (VPD50 = 18.2 hPa) and 43% (18.1 hPa), respectively. The most drought‐sensitive species were Amblyseius swirskii (Athias‐Henriot) (63%, 11.4 hPa), Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) (69%, 9.8 hPa), and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias‐Henriot (70%, 9.4 hPa). Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark & Muma and P. longipes (Chilean strain) showed intermediate responses with 49% (16.1 hPa) and 50% (15.9 hPa), respectively. These results were similar to what had been obtained for the same species by other authors. However, unexpected inter‐ and intraspecific differences uncorrelated to climatic conditions of the area of origin were observed. The possibility to localize species and/or populations that could be efficient as biological control agents under dry conditions is discussed.
Increased expression of bFGF is associated with carotid atherosclerotic plaques instability engaging the NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Sigala Fragiska , Savvari Paraskevi , Liontos Michalis , Sigalas Panagiotis , Pateras Ioannis S. , Papalampros Alexandros , Basdra Efthimia K. , Kolettas Evangelos , Kotsinas Athanassios , Papavassiliou Athanasios G. , Gorgoulis Vassilis G. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractUnstable atherosclerotic plaques of the carotid arteries are at great risk for the development of ischemic cerebrovascular events. The degradation of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and nitric oxide induced apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contribute to the vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaques. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) through its mitogenic and angiogenic properties has already been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, its role in plaque stability remains elusive. To address this issue, a panel of human carotid atherosclerotic plaques was analysed for bFGF, FGF‐receptors‐1 and ‐2 (FGFR‐1/‐2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and MMP‐9 expression. Our data revealed increased expression of bFGF and FGFR‐1 in VSMCs of unstable plaques, implying the existence of an autocrine loop, which significantly correlated with high iNOS and MMP‐9 levels. These results were recapitulated in vitro by treatment of VSMCs with bFGF. bFGF administration led to up‐regulation of both iNOS and MMP‐9 that was specifically mediated by nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation. Collectively, our data demonstrate a novel NF‐κB‐mediated pathway linking bFGF with iNOS and MMP‐9 expression that is associated with carotid plaque vulnerability.
Health‐related quality of life in Swedish children and adolescents with limb reduction deficiency
Authors: Ylimäinen K , Nachemson A , Sommerstein K , Stockselius A , Norling Hermansson L 
Published: May 2010

AbstractAim:  To investigate health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in young persons with limb reduction deficiency (LRD).Methods:  One hundred and forty children with LRD aged 8–16 answered the DISABKIDS questionnaire for children with chronic health conditions. Of their parents, 137 answered a corresponding questionnaire concerning their child.Results:  Compared to reference data from children with other health conditions, children with LRD showed higher overall HRQoL and higher HRQoL in all subscales except social exclusion. Overall, the results were not related to gender or age, but girls with longitudinal, bilateral or lower LRD reported significantly lower HRQoL in most subscales than girls with other forms of LRD. Unexpected attention and perceived physical appearance had a significant impact on HRQoL. There was poor agreement between parent and child report of the child’s HRQoL.Conclusion:  Children and adolescents with limb reduction deficiency have a better HRQoL than children with other health conditions but there are subgroups of children who experience a significantly lower HRQoL than their peers. The difference between parent and child ratings should be considered in clinical practice.
Local treatment of empyema in children: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Krenke Katarzyna , Peradzyńska Joanna , Lange Joanna , Ruszczyński Marek , Kulus Marek , Szajewska Hania 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe aim of the study is to systematically evaluate data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of using intrapleural fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusions or empyema in children. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched in July 2009. Four RCTs, involving 194 children, were included. In two RCTs, intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment was compared with normal saline. One of these RCTs showed a significantly reduced hospital stay in those treated with urokinase compared with those treated with normal saline. Otherwise, no fibrinolytic agent had an effect on any other outcome. Two RCTs that compared fibrinolytic treatment with video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) revealed no benefit of VATS.Conclusion:  There is little evidence that intrapleural fibrinolysis is more effective than normal saline in the local treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusions or empyema in children. There is no evidence that VATS is more effective than fibrinolytic treatment. Only a limited number of trials were available for analysis, so some caution must be exercised in interpreting the strength of the evidence presented.