bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antimalarial efficacy of piperaquine‐based antimalarial combination therapies: facts and uncertainties
Authors: Gargano Nicola , Cenci Fabio , Bassat Quique 
Published: September 2011

SummaryPiperaquine is a bisquinoline antimalarial drug extensively used as monotherapy in China in the 1980s and subsequently included as one of the components of the artemisinin‐based combination therapies (ACTs) in the 1990s. Among them, dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DHA‐PQP) represents a new and extremely promising fixed combination. Several clinical trials have repeatedly shown that DHA‐PQP is a safe and highly efficacious therapy against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum and the asexual stages of Plasmodium vivax malaria. Studies conducted with this drug have reported cure rates consistently above 95%, with the only exception being a study carried out in Papua New Guinea which reported a high rate of treatment failures. Although it has been hypothesized that such treatment failures could be related to cross‐resistance mechanisms between piperaquine and other quinolines or to a reduced susceptibility of parasites to artemisinin derivatives, a critical review of the studies published so far seems to exclude both of these possibilities. Overall, there is now sufficient evidence on the safety and efficacy of the DHA‐PQP therapy. Accordingly, the use of this ACT for the treatment of P. falciparum malaria has been recently approved in the EU via a centralized procedure by the European Medicines Agency. Moreover, it is now recommended globally by the World Health Organization as an option for the first‐line treatment of uncomplicated malaria.
Aloe vera extract reduces both growth and germ tube formation by Candida albicans
Authors: Bernardes Ivy , Felipe Rodrigues Monalisa Poliana , Bacelli Gabrielle Klug , Munin Egberto , Alves Leandro Procópio , Costa Maricilia Silva 
Published: September 2011

SummaryDue to the increased number of immunocompromised patients, the infections associated with the pathogen of the genus Candida have significantly increased in recent years. To grow, Candida albicans may form a germ tube extension from the cells, which is essential for virulence. In this work, we studied the effect of crude glycolic extract of Aloe vera fresh leaves (20% w/v) on growth and germ tube formation by C. albicans. The C. albicans growth was determined in the presence of different concentrations of A. vera extracts in Sabouraud dextrose broth medium. In the presence of A. vera extract (10% v/v), the pronounced inhibition in the C. albicans growth (90–100%) was observed. This inhibition occurred parallel to the decrease in the germ tube formation induced by goat serum. Our results demonstrated that A. vera fresh leaves plant extract can inhibit both the growth and the germ tube formation by C. albicans. Our results suggest the possibility that A. vera extract may be used as a promising novel antifungal treatment.
Gestational diabetes mellitus in five ethnic groups: a comparison of their clinical characteristics
Authors: Wong V. W. 
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 366–371 (2012)AbstractAims  The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus has been shown to vary between ethnic groups. The differences in the clinical characteristics and outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus from various ethnic groups have not been clearly defined.Methods  A retrospective review of women with gestational diabetes mellitus from a single institution between 2007 and 2010 was conducted. The clinical profiles of women from five ethnic groups (South‐East Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, Anglo‐European and Pacific Islander) were documented, including the outcomes of their pregnancy.Results  In this cohort of 827 women from these five ethnic groups, South‐East Asians had the lowest BMI, lowest fasting (yet highest 2‐h) glucose level on 75‐g glucose tolerance test, lowest need for insulin therapy and lowest rate of macrosomia. South Asians had the lowest parity but strongest family history of diabetes. Their offspring also had the lowest birthweight. Women from Pacific Islands had the highest parity, BMI, fasting glucose levels on 75‐g glucose tolerance test, HbA1c (at diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus as well as at 36 weeks’ gestation) and greatest need for insulin therapy. Their offspring also had the highest birthweights.Conclusion  This study highlighted the significant differences in clinical characteristics of women with gestational diabetes mellitus among five ethnic groups. These differences may need to be considered in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus, especially in the interpretation of normality for pregnancy.
Intensive multifactorial intervention improves modelled coronary heart disease risk in screen‐detected Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Webb D. R. , Khunti K. , Gray L. J. , Srinivasan B. T. , Farooqi A. , Wareham N. , Griffin S. C. , Davies M. J. ,   for the ADDITION‐Leicester study group
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 531–540 (2012)AbstractAims  To compare the effects of intensive multifactorial cardiovascular risk intervention with standard care in screen‐detected Type 2 diabetes.Methods  Twenty general practices randomly invited 30 950 adults without diagnosed diabetes for screening (World Health Organization, 1999). In a cluster randomized controlled trial, screen‐detected cases were assigned by practice allocation to receive intensive protocol‐driven cardiovascular risk management (n = 146) or standard care (n = 199) according to local guidelines. Intensive intervention was designed to achieve an HbA1c of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%), blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg and total cholesterol < 3.5 mmol/l. Primary outcome was modelled 5‐year coronary heart disease risk (UKPDS‐CHD). Analysis was via intention to treat.Results  After 1.1 years 339 (98%) individuals were still participating. There were significant reductions in HbA1c, blood pressure and total cholesterol from baseline in both groups [mean change for total study population −27.7 mmol/mol (−0.62%), −11.64/10.01 mmHg, −1.11 mmol/l]. After adjustment for baseline and clustering, significant inter‐group differences were observed in mean changes from baseline for HbA1c{−28.5 mmol/mol [−0.7% (1.4)] vs. −27.5 mmol/mol [−0.6% (1.6)], P = 0.001}, blood pressure [systolic −16.2 (19.6) vs. −8.4 (18.6) mmHg, P < 0.001], total cholesterol [−1.3 (1.3) vs. −1.0 (1.2) mmol/l, P < 0.001] and weight [−3.8 (5.5) vs. −2.2 (5.5) kg, P = 0.01] in favour of intensive treatment. UKPDS 5‐year coronary heart disease risk was reduced by 3.2% and 2.3%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Intensive intervention was associated with more lipid‐lowering and anti‐hypertensive but not hypoglycaemic medication use [odds ratios 2.5 (1.4–4.4), 5.5 (2.4–11.5), 1.6 (0.8–2.3); compared with standard care, P < 0.001, P = 0.003, P = 0.65]. Treatment satisfaction responses were superior with intensive intervention, with no increase in self‐reported hypoglycaemia.Conclusion  Intensive intervention in patients with diabetes identified through systematic non‐risk‐factor‐based screening significantly reduces modelled coronary heart disease risk. This is achieved predominantly with lipid‐lowering and anti‐hypertensive treatments with no adverse effect on quality of life or hypoglycaemia.
The Role of Physical Context, Verbal Skills, Non‐parental Care, Social Support, and Type of Parental Discipline in the Development of ToM Capacity in Five‐Year‐Old Children
Authors: Galende Nuria , de Miguel Manuel Sánchez , Arranz Enrique 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the influence of family context on the performance of 5‐year‐old children (N = 70) in theory of mind (ToM) tasks. The children's performances were assessed during individual sessions held at school. Children's verbal skills were assessed using the Peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT). Interviews were also conducted with parents in the family home in order to gather sociodemographic data and to assess diverse variables of the family context. In addition to confirming the important role played by children's verbal skills in ToM, the results also supported a potential influence of family context in ToM development through variables, such as quality of non‐parental care or level of social contact and support. The educational implications of these results are discussed in relation to family intervention.
Electrophysiological correlates of decision‐making in high‐risk versus low‐risk conditions of a gambling game
Authors: Yang Juan , Zhang Qinglin 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe majority of studies investigating risky decision making focus on the high‐conflict condition, and very few consider the low‐conflict condition in which there is either a very high or a very low probability of risk. Even though the high‐risk condition and low‐risk condition are both considered low‐conflict decision scenarios and both behavioral outcomes are highly predictable, these conditions still differ in terms of the probabilities of reward and punishment. In the following study, we investigated both behavioral and electrophysiological correlates associated with high‐ and low‐risk conditions within the low‐conflict scenario, as well as high‐conflict condition, in a modified gambling game. The behavioral results showed that, within the low‐conflict scenario, the participants took more time to make the decision in the high‐risk condition compared to the low‐risk condition. The event‐related potentials (ERP) data showed that, during the decision making, the high‐risk condition evoked a more negative ERP deflection than did the low‐risk condition in the time window of 300–500 ms (N400), which had a frontocentral focus of scalp distribution. The results suggested that the high‐risk condition was associated with a higher conflict between the participants' “motivationally based” tendency to want to receive cards and the task instructions, which stated that the face value of the first two cards will strongly predict a low probability of success. It was further speculated that the N400 in the present study might be associated with anticipation of negative rewards, which was functionally equivalent to the FRN (feedback‐related negativity) to negative outcomes.
Gadolinium and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: Have We Overreacted?
Authors: Penfield Jeffrey G. , Reilly Robert F. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractImaging is an increasingly important part of clinical medicine and contrast enhancement adds valuable diagnostic information. Prior to 2006 gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCA) were used in patients with kidney disease in an attempt to avoid the adverse consequences of iodinated contrast agents. The amount administered often exceeded the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐recommended dosing. After the association between GBCA and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) was reported, usage of GBCA was markedly reduced in patients with kidney disease. As a result, iodinated contrast was often used in place of GBCA. Recently, several studies showed that the risk of NSF using GBCA with increased thermodynamic and kinetic stability or increased relaxivity along with a restricted use policy has dramatically reduced NSF risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We discuss the risks of GBCA and iodinated contrast use in different stages of CKD and suggest that in some situations GBCA use may pose less overall risk to the patient with advanced kidney disease.
Evaluation of Age‐Related White Matter Changes Using Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography
Authors: Xiong Yun Yun , Mok Vincent , Wong Adrian , Leung Thomas , Chen Xiang Yan , Chu Winnie C.W. , Soo Yannie , Fu Jian Hui , Ding Ding , Hong Zhen , Wong Ka Sing 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDAge‐related white matter changes (WMC) increase risk of cognitive and functional decline. They are considered as target for preventive trials. However, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to screen for subclinical WMC is not cost‐effective. We explored the clinical utility of transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in the evaluation of WMC. We hypothesized that the pulsatility index (PI) of TCD correlates with severity of WMC.METHODSAmong 100 stroke patients with WMC, we obtained the mean PI of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and vertebral basilar artery (VB). We investigated the association between PI and WMC volume. We also obtained PI of 50 subjects who had no WMC on MRI and explored the ability of PI values in differentiating subjects with and without WMC.RESULTSMultivariate linear regressions found that mean MCA PI and mean VB PI were independent predictors for total WMC volume (beta = .43, P < .001 and beta = .37, P < .001, respectively). Mean MCA PI significantly differentiated patients with WMC from those without WMC (area under curve [AUC] .85 [95% confidence interval .78‐.91]) with an optimal cut‐off value at 1.15 that yielded sensitivity and specificity of 73.7% and 82%, respectively. AUC for mean VB PI was .81 (95% confidence interval .74‐.88) with cut‐off value at 1.06 that yielded sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 75%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSPI correlates with volume of WMC. It may help to differentiate those with and without WMC in stroke patients. Further study evaluating the clinical utility of TCD in screening for subclinical WMC among community elderly is warranted.
Cognitive impairment, the Mini‐Mental State Examination and socio‐demographic and dental variables in the elderly in Brazil
Authors: de Paula Miranda Leonardo , Silveira Marise F. , Oliveira Thatiane L. , Alves Sâmia F. F. , Júnior Hercílio M. , Batista André U. D. , Bonan Paulo R. F. 
Published: September 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00541.xCognitive impairment, the Mini‐Mental State Examination and socio‐demographic and dental variables in the elderly in BrazilBackground:  Dementia, a syndrome characterised by multiple cognitive impairments, is an increasing medical and social problem across the world. The Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the instrument most often used in the evaluation of cognitive compromise and dementia in elderly individuals. It is noteworthy that there is a scarcity of works in the literature on the dimensions of the MMSE and its relation to dental variables in the elderly.Objectives:  To evaluate the condition of cognitive impairment, the dimensions of the MMSE, and the latter’s relation to socio‐demographic and dental variables in elderly individuals of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.Material and methods:  This is a cross‐sectional descriptive study, whereby 218 elderly users of the system were evaluated at the Sistema Único de Saúde (Brazilian health service) in Montes Claros. The collection of data involved the realisation of structured interviews and clinical dentistry examinations. The screening of cognitive impairment was carried out with the Portuguese version of MMSE. The data were subjected to descriptive and bivariate analyses.Results:  The prevalence of cognitive impairment found was 6.4%. A statistically significant association was observed between cognitive decline and age, marital status and use of dental prostheses. An association was also noted between several dimensions of MMSE and edentulism (time orientation, attention and calculation, and final score) and use of prostheses (except evocation memory and language).Conclusions:  It was noticed that those who were 80 years old or more, not married and using prostheses were more likely to manifest cognitive impairment. Associations between some MMSE dimensions were established, including the final score, with edentulism and the use of prostheses.
Antistaphylococcal Activities of the New Fluoroquinolone JNJ-Q2
Authors: Morrow Brian J. , Abbanat Darren , Baum Ellen Z. , Crespo-Carbone Steven M. , Davies Todd A. , He Wenping , Shang Wenchi , Queenan Anne Marie , Lynch A. Simon 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTThe new broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone JNJ-Q2 displaysin vitroactivity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and ciprofloxacin-resistant MRSA isolates. Tested with isogenic methicillin-susceptibleS. aureus(MSSA) and MRSA strains bearing quinolone-resistant target mutations, JNJ-Q2 displayed MICs ≤ 0.12 μg/ml, values 16- to 32-fold lower than those determined for moxifloxacin. Overexpression of the NorA efflux pump did not impact JNJ-Q2 MICs. Inhibition ofS. aureusDNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV enzymes demonstrated that JNJ-Q2 was more potent than comparators against wild-type enzymes and enzymes carrying quinolone-resistant amino acid substitutions, and JNJ-Q2 displayed equipotent activity against both enzymes. In serial-passage studies comparing resistance selection in parallel MRSA cultures by ciprofloxacin and JNJ-Q2, ciprofloxacin readily selected for mutants displaying MIC values of 128 to 512 μg/ml, which were observed within 18 to 24 days of passage. In contrast, cultures passaged in the presence of JNJ-Q2 displayed MICs ≤ 1 μg/ml for a minimum of 27 days of serial passage. A mutant displaying a JNJ-Q2 MIC of 4 μg/ml was not observed until after 33 days of passage. Mutant characterization revealed that ciprofloxacin-passaged cultures with MICs of 256 to 512 μg/ml carried only 2 or 3 quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) mutations. Cultures passaged with JNJ-Q2 selection for up to 51 days displayed MICs of 1 to 64 μg/ml and carried between 4 and 9 target mutations. Establishedin vitrobiofilms of wild-type or ciprofloxacin-resistant MRSA exposed to JNJ-Q2 displayed greater decreases in bacterial counts (7 days of exposure produced 4.5 to >7 log10CFU decreases) than biofilms exposed to ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampin, or vancomycin.
Proposal of a Pharmacokinetically Optimized Dosage Regimen of Antibiotics in Patients Receiving Continuous Hemodiafiltration
Authors: Yamamoto Takehito , Yasuno Nobuhiro , Katada Shoichi , Hisaka Akihiro , Hanafusa Norio , Noiri Eisei , Yahagi Naoki , Fujita Toshiro , Suzuki Hiroshi 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to quantitatively predict the clearance of three antibiotics, amikacin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin, during continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) and to propose their optimal dosage in patients receiving CHDF. For this goal,
in vitro
CHDF experiments with a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membrane were first performed using these antibiotics, and then the clearances were compared with
in vivo
CHDF situations determined in 16 critically ill patients. The
in vitro
CHDF clearances were described as the product of the outflow rate of a drain (
Q
outflow
) and the drug unbound fraction in artificial plasma, indicating that drug adsorption to the PAN membrane has minor effect on drug clearance in our settings. The observed
in vivo
clearances also agreed very well with the predicted values, with a product of
Q
outflow
and plasma unbound fraction, when residual creatinine clearance (CL
CR
) was taken into account (within a range of 0.67- to 1.5-fold for 15 of 16 patients). Based on these results, a nomogram of the optimized dosages of amikacin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin was proposed, and it was evident that
Q
outflow
and residual CL
CR
are major determinants of the dosage and dosing interval for these antibiotics. Although the applicability needs to be confirmed with another type of membrane or higher
Q
outflow
, our nomogram can help determine the dosage setting in critically ill patients receiving CHDF.
Genome of a Novel Isolate of Paracoccus denitrificans Capable of Degrading
N
,
N
-Dimethylformamide
Authors: Siddavattam Dayananda , Karegoudar Timmanagouda B. , Mudde Santosh Kumar , Kumar Narender , Baddam Ramani , Avasthi Tiruvayipati Suma , Ahmed Niyaz 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

The bacterial genus
Paracoccus
is comprised of metabolically versatile organisms having diverse degradative capabilities and potential industrial and environmental applications for bioremediation in particular. We report a
de novo
-assembled sequence and annotation of the genome of a novel isolate of
Paracoccus denitrificans
originally sourced from coal mine tailings in India. The isolate was capable of utilizing
N
,
N
-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a source of carbon and nitrogen and therefore holds potential for bioremediation and mineralization of industrial pollutants. The genome sequence and biological circuitry revealed thereupon will be invaluable in understanding the metabolic capabilities, functioning, and evolution of this important bacterial organism.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus Strain ATCC 35246
Authors: Ma Zhe , Geng Jianing , Zhang Hui , Yu Haiying , Yi Li , Lei Meng , Lu Cheng-ping , Fan Hong-jie , Hu Songnian 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
is an opportunistic pathogen. It has caused a very large economic loss in the swine industry of China and has become a threat to human health. We announce the complete genome sequence of
S. equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
strain ATCC 35246, which provides opportunities to understand its pathogenesis mechanism and genetic basis.
Reducing selection bias in case-control studies from rare disease registries
Authors: Cole J Alexander , Taylor John S , Hangartner Thomas N , Weinreb Neal J , Mistry Pramod K , Khan Aneal 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
In clinical research of rare diseases, where small patient numbers and disease heterogeneity limit study design options, registries are a valuable resource for demographic and outcome information. However, in contrast to prospective, randomized clinical trials, the observational design of registries is prone to introduce selection bias and negatively impact the validity of data analyses.
The objective of the study was to demonstrate the utility of case-control matching and the risk-set method in order to control bias in data from a rare disease registry. Data from the International Collaborative Gaucher Group (ICGG) Gaucher Registry were used as an example.

Methods
A case-control matching analysis using the risk-set method was conducted to identify two groups of patients with type 1 Gaucher disease in the ICGG Gaucher Registry: patients with avascular osteonecrosis (AVN) and those without AVN. The frequency distributions of gender, decade of birth, treatment status, and splenectomy status were presented for cases and controls before and after matching. Odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) were calculated for each variable before and after matching.

Results
The application of case-control matching methodology results in cohorts of cases (i.e., patients with AVN) and controls (i.e., patients without AVN) who have comparable distributions for four common parameters used in subject selection: gender, year of birth (age), treatment status, and splenectomy status. Matching resulted in odds ratios of approximately 1.00, indicating no bias.

Conclusions
We demonstrated bias in case-control selection in subjects from a prototype rare disease registry and used case-control matching to minimize this bias. Therefore, this approach appears useful to study cohorts of heterogeneous patients in rare disease registries.