bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brucellosis-Induced Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Treated with Rituximab
Authors: Bourantas Lambros K , Pappas Georgios , Kapsali Eleni , Gougopoulou Dora , Papamichail Dimitrios , Bourantas Konstantinos L 
Published: September 2010

Objective: To present a case of brucellosis-induced severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) that was refractory to traditional corticosteroid treatment and eventually treated with rituximab apart from antibiotic therapy and to discuss the potential role of rituximab in similar cases of AIHA triggered by an underlying reversible cause. Case Summary: A 79-year-old woman was diagnosed with severe AIHA (reticulocyte count 21.5%, hemoglobin 6 g/dL). Initial treatment with prednisone in a regional hospital was not efficacious. Brucellosis was diagnosed by serology; the disease was further complicated by hepatic and splenic granulomatous involvement and sacral bone localization. Due to the severity of AIHA as demonstrated by reticulocyte count and hemoglobin levels, the initial unresponsiveness to corticosteroid therapy, the potential of the underlying infectious cause to relapse along with AIHA, and the localization of the pathogen in a focal site (bone involvement) that could act as a constant AIHA trigger, the patient was treated aggressively with rituximab, apart from the typical antimicrobial therapy. Discussion: Brucellosis can induce autoimmunity and mimic primary hematologic diseases. We reviewed reports on the unique forms of Brucella-induced hemolysis available in the literature. Massive hemolysis, though, is rare, and in the case of a pathogen such as brucellosis, one cannot ignore the potential for infection relapse accompanied by hemolysis relapse. Cases refractory to corticosteroids are typically treated with invasive amputative procedures such as splenectomy. However, in cases where an underlying therapeutically reversible cause of infection can be identified, the proven short-term efficacy and safety profile of rituximab can be of significance. Conclusions: Novel therapeutic approaches with molecular agents such as rituximab may assist in treatment of considerably severe infectious pathogen-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia that is refractory to first-line therapy.
Employee and Employer Support for Workplace‐based Smoking Cessation: Results from an International Survey
Authors: Halpern Michael T. , Taylor Humphrey 
Published: September 2010

Employee and Employer Support for Workplace‐based Smoking Cessation: Results from an International Survey: Michael T. Halpern,et al. Division of Health Services and Social Policy Research, RTI International, USAObjectivesWorkplace smoking cessation programs can increase smoking cessation rates, improve employee health, reduce exposure to second‐hand smoke, and decrease costs. To assist with the development of such programs, we conducted a Global Workplace Smoking Survey to collect information on workplace attitudes towards smoking cessation programs.MethodsData were collected from 1,403 employers (smoking and non‐smoking) and 3,525 smoking employees participating in surveys in 14 countries in Asia, Europe, and South America in 2007. Results were weighted to ensure that they were representative of smokers and employers at companies with the specified number of employees.ResultsMore than two‐thirds of employers (69%) but less than half of employees (48%) indicated that their company should help employees with smoking cessation. Approximately two‐thirds of employees and 81% of employers overall felt that smoke‐free policies encourage cessation, but fewer individuals from Europe (vs. from Asia or South America) agreed with this. In companies with a smoke‐free policy, 76% of employees and 80% of employers felt that their policy had been somewhat, very, or extremely effective in motivating employees to quit or reduce smoking. Employers and employees differed substantially regarding appropriate methods for encouraging cessation, with more employees favouring financial incentives and more employers favouring education.ConclusionsBoth employees and employers value smoke‐free workplace programs and workplace cessation support activities, although many would like their companies to offer more support. These results will be useful for organizations exploring means of facilitating smoking cessation amongst employees.
Impact of Physical Inactivity on Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Metabolism in Healthy Young Male Offspring of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Højbjerre Lise , Sonne Mette Paulli , Alibegovic Amra Ciric , Dela Flemming , Vaag Allan , Meldgaard Jens Bruun , Christensen Karl Bang , Stallknecht Bente 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE
Physical inactivity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and may be more detrimental in first-degree relative (FDR) subjects, unmasking underlying defects of metabolism. Using a positive family history of type 2 diabetes as a marker of increased genetic risk, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of physical inactivity on adipose tissue (AT) metabolism in FDR subjects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 13 FDR and 20 control (CON) subjects participated in the study. All were studied before and after 10 days of bed rest using the glucose clamp technique combined with measurements of glucose uptake, lipolysis, and lactate release from subcutaneous abdominal (SCAAT) and femoral (SCFAT) adipose tissue by the microdialysis technique. Additionally, mRNA expression of lipases was determined in biopsies from SCAAT.

RESULTS
Before bed rest, the FDR subjects revealed significantly increased glucose uptake in SCAAT. Furthermore, mRNA expression of lipases was significantly decreased in the SCAAT of FDR subjects. Bed rest significantly decreased lipolysis and tended to increase glucose uptake in the SCFAT of both CON and FDR subjects. In response to bed rest, SCAAT glucose uptake significantly increased in CON subjects but not in FDR subjects.

CONCLUSIONS
FDR subjects exhibit an abnormal AT metabolism including increased glucose uptake prior to bed rest. However, the differences between FDR and CON subjects in AT metabolism were attenuated during bed rest due to relatively more adverse changes in CON subjects compared with FDR subjects. Physical inactivity per se is not more deleterious in FDR subjects as compared with CON subjects with respect to derangements in AT metabolism.
High Levels of Serum Prolactin Protect Against Diabetic Retinopathy by Increasing Ocular Vasoinhibins
Authors: Arnold Edith , Rivera José C. , Thebault Stéphanie , Moreno-Páramo Daniel , Quiroz-Mercado Hugo , Quintanar-Stéphano Andrés , Binart Nadine , Martínez de la Escalera Gonzalo , Clapp Carmen 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE
Increased retinal vasopermeability (RVP) occurs early in diabetes and is crucial for the development of sight-threatening proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR). The hormone prolactin (PRL) is proteolytically processed to vasoinhibins, a family of peptides that inhibit the excessive RVP related to DR. Here, we investigate the circulating levels of PRL in association with DR in men and test whether increased circulating PRL, by serving as a source of ocular vasoinhibins, can reduce the pathological RVP in diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Serum PRL was evaluated in 40 nondiabetic and 181 diabetic men at various stages of DR. Retinal vasoinhibins were measured in rats rendered hyperprolactinemic by placing two anterior pituitary grafts under the kidney capsule and in PRL receptor–null mice. RVP was determined in hyperprolactinemic rats subjected to the intraocular injection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or made diabetic with streptozotocin.

RESULTS
The circulating levels of PRL increased in diabetes and were higher in diabetic patients without retinopathy than in those with proliferative DR. In rodents, hyperprolactinemia led to vasoinhibin accumulation within the retina; genetic deletion of the PRL receptor prevented this effect, indicating receptor-mediated incorporation of systemic PRL into the eye. Hyperprolactinemia reduced both VEGF-induced and diabetes-induced increase of RVP. This reduction was blocked by bromocriptine, an inhibitor of pituitary PRL secretion, which lowers the levels of circulating PRL and retinal vasoinhibins.

CONCLUSIONS
Circulating PRL influences the progression of DR after its intraocular conversion to vasoinhibins. Inducing hyperprolactinemia may represent a novel therapy against DR.
Antidepressant Medication Use, Weight Gain, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kivimäki Mika , Hamer Mark , Batty G. David , Geddes John R. , Tabak Adam G. , Pentti Jaana , Virtanen Marianna , Vahtera Jussi 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE
To examine antidepressant medication use as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and weight gain.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A series of nested studies within a prospective cohort of 151,347 working-aged men and women including 9,197 participants with continuing antidepressant medication, 224 with severe depression, and 851 with incident type 2 diabetes during a mean follow-up of 4.8 years, as indicated by national health and prescription registers (the Public Sector study, Finland 1995–2005).

RESULTS
In the first analysis, the case subjects were individuals with incident type 2 diabetes compared with matched diabetes-free control subjects. Antidepressant use of ≥200 defined daily doses was associated with a doubling of diabetes risk in both participants with no indication of severe depression (odds ratio 1.93 [95% CI 1.48–2.51]) and participants with severe depression (2.65 [1.31–5.39]). In further analyses, the exposed group was antidepressant users and the reference group was nonusers matched for depression-related characteristics. The 5-year absolute risk of diabetes was 1.1% for nonusers, 1.7% for individuals treated with 200–399 defined daily doses a year, and 2.3% for those with ≥400 defined daily doses (Ptrend &lt; 0.0001). An average self-reported weight gain, based on repeated surveys, was 1.4 kg (2.5%) among nonusers and 2.5 kg (4.3%) among users of ≥200 defined daily doses (Ptrend &lt; 0.0001). Separate analyses for tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors replicated these findings.

CONCLUSIONS
In these data, continuing use of antidepressant medication was associated with an increased relative risk of type 2 diabetes, although the elevation in absolute risk was modest.
Peripartum serum leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels in women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Chen Danqing , Xia Guiyu , Xu Ping , Dong Minyue 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to clarify the alterations in serum leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels at term and early postpartum in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Twenty women with normal pregnancy and 20 with GDM were recruited and blood samples were taken on the day of delivery and Days 1, 3 and 5 after delivery. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in women with GDM than in the controls before delivery and decreased significantly after delivery (p < 0.001). After delivery there were no significant differences in serum leptin concentrations between women with GDM and the controls. Serum soluble leptin receptor concentrations did not differ neither between the two groups, nor before or after delivery. Leptin may play a role in GDM through a positive correlation with insulin resistance.
Vermarktung von Schutzleistungen des Waldes – das Beispiel des Kantons Bern | Marketing of protection services – the example of Canton Berne
Authors: Schmidt Roger 
Published: September 2010

In Switzerland, payments to forest owners and enterprises compensating the costs of forestry measures for protecting houses and infrastructure from natural hazards – and thus providing benefits to the public – are now better than for other non-wood products and services. With the new system of Redistribution of Income and Responsibilities between the Confederation and the cantons (NFA), not only the financial contributions and the procedures between Confederation and cantons have been adapted. In Canton Berne, the entity responsible for the safety of the object to be protected (“Safety Agency”) is now included in the decision making process and the financing. Where housing is concerned, the communal authorities usually act as Safety Agency, where infrastructure is concerned the owner or operating authority. The Forestry Service of Canton Berne defines the procedures, advises the forest owners and Safety Agency, and provides public funding when the requirements are met. Forest owners and Safety Agency agree on the services to be provided and the remaining funding. The financial contributions of Confederation, cantons and Safety Agency do not compensate the forest owner for the protective effect of his forest, but for the actual dispositive and operative services provided. These need to be furnished in an efficient and transparent way.
Forest enterprises must also be able to make profits with the management of protection forests. Covering costs alone is not a sufficient incentive to ensure that the necessary measures are carried out in the long term.
Synthesis of Peptide‐Oligonucleotide Conjugates Using a Heterobifunctional Crosslinker
Authors: Williams Berea A.R. , Chaput John C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPeptide‐oligonucleotide conjugates (POCs) are molecular chimeras composed of a nucleic acid moiety covalently attached to a polypeptide moiety. POCs have been used in numerous applications from therapeutics to nanotechnology, and most recently as combinatorial agents in the assembly of bivalent protein affinity reagents. This unit describes the synthesis and purification of POC molecules using the heterobifunctional crosslinking reagent succinimidyl‐4‐(N‐maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane‐1‐carboxylate (SMCC), which enables amine‐modified oligonucleotides to become covalently linked to cysteine‐modified polypeptides. This solution‐based protocol consists of a two‐step synthesis followed by a single purification step. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 42:4.41.1‐4.41.20. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Impact of systemic sclerosis on occupational and professional activity with attention to patients with digital ulcers
Authors: Bérezné A. , Seror R. , Morell‐Dubois S. , de Menthon M. , Fois E. , Dzeing‐Ella A. , Nguyen C. , Hachulla E. , Guillevin L. , Poiraudeau S. , Mouthon L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) and digital ulcers (DUs) on daily living and professional activities.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated 189 SSc patients for employment status and disability during meetings of the French SSc patient association (n = 86, 45.5%) or during hospitalization (n = 103, 54.5%).ResultsSeventy‐eight (41.2%) patients had diffuse SSc. The mean ± SD age was 54 ± 13 years, and the mean ± SD disease duration was 9.3 ± 8.4 years at the time of evaluation. Sixty (31.7%) patients had at least one DU. Assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (mean ± SD 1.12 ± 0.79 versus 1.39 ± 0.84; P = 0.001), the Cochin Hand Function Scale (mean ± SD 20.2 ± 18.3 versus 27.8 ± 19.1; P < 0.0001), and the Hospital Anxiety Scale (mean ± SD 9.9 ± 5 versus 8.5 ± 4.2; P = 0.04), global disability, hand disability, and anxiety, respectively, were significantly higher in patients with DUs than in others. Most patients reported a limitation in daily activities related to SSc, as assessed by a daily activity limitation scale (mean ± SD 4.4 ± 2.9) and an increased need for help in the home. Patients reported needing mean ± SD 4 ± 13.5 hours per month of paid household help related to SSc and mean ± SD 1.5 ± 10 hours per month related to DUs, with significant differences between patients with or without DUs (P = 0.004). Among the 113 patients in the workforce, 67 (59.3%) were employed, 42 (37.2%) were employed full time, 36 (31.8%) received full disability pension, and 27 (23.9%) were on sick leave, with no difference between patients with or without DUs.ConclusionSSc has a significant impact on activities of daily living and work disability. The need for external home help and disability are increased for those patients with DUs.
Effects of community‐deliverable exercise on pain and physical function in adults with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Kelley George A. , Kelley Kristi S. , Hootman Jennifer M. , Jones Dina L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo use the meta‐analytic approach to determine the effects of community‐deliverable exercise on pain and physical function in adults with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases (AORD).MethodsData sources consisted of 6 electronic databases, cross‐referencing from retrieved studies and expert review. Study selection included 1) randomized controlled trials; 2) ≥1 exercise intervention group; 3) community‐deliverable exercise interventions ≥4 weeks in duration; 4) control group; 5) adults ages ≥18 years with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, gout, or ankylosing spondylitis; 6) published and unpublished studies; 7) studies published in any language between January 1, 1980, and January 1, 2008; and 8) data available for pain and/or physical function. Data abstraction included dual coding by 2 of the authors. Standardized effect sizes (g) and random‐effects models were used to pool pain and physical function outcomes. Data were analyzed according to per‐protocol and intent‐to‐treat (ITT) results. The minimally clinically important difference (MCID) and number needed to treat (NNT) were also calculated.ResultsThirty‐three studies representing 3,180 men and women (1,857 exercise, 1,323 control) with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia were included. Statistically significant and clinically important improvements were observed for pain (per‐protocol g = −0.37 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) −0.53, −0.21], MCID −18%; ITT g = −0.20 [95% CI −0.33, −0.07], MCID −9%, NNT 9) and physical function (per‐protocol g = 0.37 [95% CI 0.21, 0.52], MCID 15%; ITT g = 0.34 [95% CI 0.25, 0.43], MCID 10%, NNT 5).ConclusionCommunity‐deliverable exercise improves pain and physical function in adults with the types of AORD included in the analysis. Dose‐response as well as studies in those with other types of AORD is needed.
In Vivo Evaluation of a pH‐Sensitive Pullulan–Doxorubicin Conjugate
Authors: Lu Dianxiang , Liang Jie , Fan Yujiang , Gu Zhongwei , Zhang Xingdong 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA pH‐sensitive pullulan–doxorubicin conjugate is evaluated in vivo by comparison with doxorubicin with respect to hemolytic activity, biodistribution, biosafety, cardiotoxicity and antitumor effects. Hemolytic studies show that doxorubicin caused 8.38% hemolysis at 250 mg L−1, while no hemolysis is observed with pullulan–doxorubicin conjugate at the same drug concentration. The circulation time of pullulan–doxorubicin conjugate is relatively longer than that of doxorubicin, and the concentration in tumors for pullulan–doxorubicin conjugate increases to about double that of doxorubicin within 240 min after injection of drugs via the lateral vein. In vivo safety research shows that pullulan–doxorubicin conjugate shows better biosafety than free doxorubicin, confirmed by acute toxicity, systemic toxicity and histopathological observations. The cardiotoxicity of pullulan–doxorubicin conjugate is much lower than that of free doxorubicin, as confirmed by TEM and ECG. In vivo antitumor activity assays show that the pullulan–doxorubicin conjugate has an antitumor efficacy comparable to that of doxorubicin.
Processing Technologies for 3D Nanostructured Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
Authors: Meng Decheng , Erol Melek , Boccaccini Aldo R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractEngineered scaffolds made from synthetic or natural biomaterials are crucial elements in tissue engineering strategies. Numerous biomaterials are being used to fabricate scaffolds, including glasses, ceramics, metals, polymers, and their composites. Although materials chemistry and scaffold architecture (pore size, pore volume) are important factors affecting cell–surface interactions, the roughness and topography of the scaffold surface plays an essential part too, especially nanoscale features are relevant. Extensive research has been carried out on introducing nanoscale features on 2D, flat surfaces, but much limited efforts have been focused on nanostructuring the surface of 3D scaffolds. This paper specifically reviews the current techniques that are available to introduce or engineer nanoscale topography on the surfaces of 3D scaffolds or on 2D surfaces that can be successfully assembled into 3D scaffolds via post‐processing. The literature reviewed provides evidence about the influence of nanoscale topography on cell attachment, migration, and proliferation. While the paper is focused on bone tissue scaffolds, several technologies reviewed are equally applicable to scaffolds suitable for engineering and regeneration of other tissues.
Amphiphilic Poly(Amino Acid) Nanoparticles Induce Size‐Dependent Dendritic Cell Maturation
Authors: Kim Hyungjin , Uto Tomofumi , Akagi Takami , Baba Masanori , Akashi Mitsuru 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSize‐regulated amphiphilic poly(amino acid) nanoparticles (NPs) composed of poly(γ‐glutamic acid) (γ‐PGA) and the hydrophobic amino acid derivative, L‐phenylalanine ethyl ester (Phe) are prepared to evaluate the effects of particle size on dendritic cell (DC) uptake of NPs and their immune stimulatory activities as delivery carriers and adjuvants. The size of the Phe‐conjugated γ‐PGA NPs (γ‐PGA–Phe NPs) is easily controlled by regulating the aggregated γ‐PGA–Phe numbers. Each of the differently sized γ‐PGA–Phe NPs could efficiently encapsulate ovalbumin (OVA), and the amount of encapsulated OVA per milligram of NPs is almost the same despite the differences in size. The DC uptake of small NPs is lower than for the larger NPs, but the effect of DC activation by NPs is high in the small sizes. The DC activation is significantly affected by the size of the NPs, which suggests that not only the uptake process of the NPs, but also the surface interactions between the NPs and DCs, is important for the induction of DC maturation. The precisely size‐controllable γ‐PGA–Phe NPs have significant potential as an antigen carrier and vaccine adjuvant. These results should provide guidelines for adjuvant design in the development of an effective vaccine.