bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Presence of SPINK‐1 variant alters the course of chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Sandhu Bimaljit , Vitazka Patrik , Ferreira‐Gonzalez Andrea , Pandya Arti , Vachhani Ravi , Bouhaidar Doumit , Zfass Alvin , Sanyal Arun 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aims:  There is growing evidence that genetic mutations/variants increase susceptibility to the development and progression of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Several mutations have been identified that have a direct and indirect role in events leading to CP. Mutations in the serine protease inhibitor, Kazal type‐1 (SPINK‐1) gene have been reported to lower the threshold for pancreatitis in the presence of other genetic or environmental factors. The prevalence and impact of SPINK‐1 mutations on the clinical course and outcomes of CP remains unclear. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of the SPINK‐1/N34S variant in patients with CP, and to understand the impact of the SPINK‐1 mutation on the natural history of CP.Methods:  A retrospective‐prospective analysis of 239 patients with CP was performed. A detailed history, including duration of symptoms, type of pain (intermittent flares or chronic continuous pain), number of flares requiring hospital admission, alcohol and smoking history, and family history was obtained. The baseline morphological stage of CP was categorized by Cambridge classification. Clinical outcome variables included frequency and severity of pain episodes, presence of exocrine failure (defined by presence of steatorrhea and/or fecal elastase < 200 ug/g), and diabetes. The genetic tests included the cationic trypsinogen gene‐1 mutation, cystic fibrosis gene mutations (Genzyme assay), and the SPINK‐1/N34S mutation.Results:  Of the 239 patients with CP, 13 (5.4%) were positive for the SPINK‐1/N34S mutation. There were 35 (14.6%) patients with idiopathic pancreatitis (IP) in this cohort. Most of the patients who were positive for the SPINK‐1/N34S mutation had IP and were Caucasian (69.2%). The patients with the SPINK‐1/N34S mutation had a younger age of onset (32.9 ± 10.2 vs 40.1 ± 13.6 years; P = 0.108) than those with IP and no mutation. Over a median follow up of 9.6 years, the patients with the SPINK‐1/N34S mutation had a significantly greater number of acute flares each year, as compared to those without the mutation (11.8 ± 1.5 vs 4 ± 0.98; P = 0.0001).Conclusions:  The prevalence of the SPINK‐1/N34S mutation in patients with CP is 5.4%, and is approximately 37.1% in patients with IP. These mutations are more prevalent in Caucasian patients with CP. The SPINK‐1/N34S mutation predisposes to early onset IP and more frequent acute flares of pancreatitis that might ultimately lead to pancreatic insufficiency. The patients with IP and borderline alcohol history should be considered for testing for genetic analysis, including SPINK‐1 mutations, initially restricted to clinical trials.
Ghrelin inhibits 5‐fluorouracil‐induced apoptosis in colonic cancer cells
Authors: He Xiao‐Tong , Fan Xiao‐Ming , Zha Xi‐Liang 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The aim of the present study was to investigate if ghrelin inhibits apoptosis in colonic cancer cells.Methods:  Cell viability in HT‐29 cells was measured using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was measured using 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining and flow cytometry. The protein expression of Bcl‐2, Bax, and caspase‐3 activation was examined using Western blotting.Results:  Ghrelin dose dependently decreased the growth inhibition of HT‐29 cells induced by 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). Cells treated with 5‐FU displayed chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, which are typical changes of apoptosis. However, co‐treatment with ghrelin reduced these changes. Flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide showed that ghrelin decreased the apoptotic rate of HT‐29 cells induced by 5‐FU. Caspase‐3 activation was significantly lower in the co‐treated group than in the group treated with 5‐FU alone. In addition, ghrelin reversed the 5‐FU‐induced Bcl‐2/Bax protein ratio.Conclusion:  Ghrelin inhibits 5‐FU‐induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells through the regulation of the Bcl‐2/Bax protein ratio.
Pleural infection: Changing bacteriology and its implications
Authors: LISBOA THIAGO , WATERER GRANT W. , LEE Y.C. GARY 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe incidence of pleural infection continues to rise worldwide. Identifying the causative organism(s) is important to guide antimicrobial therapy. The bacteriology of pleural infection is complex and has changed over time. Recent data suggest that the bacterial causes of empyema are significantly different between adult and paediatric patients, between community‐acquired and nosocomial empyemas and can vary among geographical regions of the world. Since the introduction of pneumococcal vaccines, a change has been observed in the distribution of the serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in empyema. These observations have implications on therapy and vaccine strategies. Clinicians need to be aware of the local bacteriology of empyema in order to guide antibiotic treatment.
Community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia: A clinical audit
Authors: THOMAS RAJESH , FERGUSON JOHN , COOMBS GEOFFREY , GIBSON PETER G 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Community‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA) strains are primarily associated with skin and soft tissue infections; however, they are increasingly causing more invasive infections including severe community‐acquired pneumonia. The objective of this study was to describe the clinico‐pathological characteristics of community‐acquired MRSA pneumonia.Methods:  A retrospective analysis of case records from January 2002 to August 2008 was performed on patients admitted with community‐acquired MRSA pneumonia to two large teaching hospitals.Results:  Sixteen patients with community‐acquired MRSA pneumonia were identified. Their age ranged from 11 months to 86 years (median age; 30 years). Duration of symptoms before hospital presentation ranged from one to 21 days. Most patients had productive cough, fever and dyspnoea. The most common radiological presentation included multilobar consolidation (8/16), necrotizing consolidation (7/16) and empyema (5/16).Seven patients required intensive care support; four required ionotropic support and five required mechanical ventilation for a mean duration of 53 h and 6.6 days, respectively. Six patients underwent surgery (VATS or open thoracotomy). There was a mean delay of approximately 69 h (range; 18 h to 11 days) after presentation before appropriate MRSA antimicrobial treatment was initiated. Three patients died of complications from pneumonia, all within 72 h of presentation. Among survivors, the average length of hospital stay was 23.8 days (range; 10–49 days). Majority of survivors were left with mild residual radiological changes.Conclusions:  Community‐acquired MRSA pneumonia is increasing and should be suspected in patients with severe community‐acquired pneumonia. There was a delay in initiation of appropriate antimicrobial treatment that could have lead to increased morbidity.
Atypical metastatic carcinoid of the uterine cervix and review of the literature
Authors: Yoshida Yoshio , Sato Kumiko , Katayama Kanji , Yamaguchi Akio , Imamura Yoshiaki , Kotsuji Fumikazu 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAtypical carcinoid tumors of the uterine cervix represent rare neuroendocrine tumors and are highly aggressive, showing early lymphatic invasion and hematogenous distant metastases. Because of the small number of cases, there are currently no recommendations regarding treatment, and little is known about the response to chemotherapeutic agents. A 39‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with a primary atypical carcinoid of the uterine cervix with numerous metastases to the liver. After radical hysterectomy, she underwent hepatic arterial chemoembolization with streptozotocin and 5‐fluorouracil. Complete response was achieved in numerous liver metastases. At the 2‐year follow up of chemotherapy, the patient remains alive. Treatment for atypical carcinoid tumors remains elusive, however hepatic arterial chemoembolization with streptozotocin and 5‐fluorouracil was effective in the present primary atypical carcinoid with liver metastases. A review of the previous reports is also presented.
Biodiversity and geochemistry of an extremely acidic, low‐temperature subterranean environment sustained by chemolithotrophy
Authors: Kimura Sakurako , Bryan Christopher G. , Hallberg Kevin B. , Johnson D. Barrie 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe geochemical dynamics and composition of microbial communities within a low‐temperature (∼8.5°C), long‐abandoned (> 90 years) underground pyrite mine (Cae Coch, located in north Wales) were investigated. Surface water percolating through fractures in the residual pyrite ore body that forms the roof of the mine becomes extremely acidic and iron‐enriched due to microbially accelerated oxidative dissolution of the sulfide mineral. Water droplets on the mine roof were found to host a very limited diversity of exclusively autotrophic microorganisms, dominated by the recently described psychrotolerant iron/sulfur‐oxidizing acidophile Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans, and smaller numbers of iron‐oxidizing Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. In contrast, flowing water within the mine chamber was colonized with vast macroscopic microbial growths, in the form of acid streamers and microbial stalactites, where the dominant microorganisms were Betaproteobacteria (autotrophic iron oxidizers such as ‘Ferrovum myxofaciens’ and a bacterium related to Gallionella ferruginea). An isolated pool within the mine showed some similarity (although greater biodiversity) to the roof droplets, and was the only site where archaea were relatively abundant. Bacteria not previously associated with extremely acidic, metal‐rich environments (a Sphingomonas sp. and Ralstonia pickettii) were found within the abandoned mine. Data supported the hypothesis that the Cae Coch ecosystem is underpinned by acidophilic, mostly autotrophic, bacteria that use ferrous iron present in the pyrite ore body as their source of energy, with a limited role for sulfur‐based autotrophy. Results of this study highlight the importance of novel bacterial species (At. ferrivorans and acidophilic iron‐oxidizing Betaproteobacteria) in mediating mineral oxidation and redox transformations of iron in acidic, low‐temperature environments.
Can we measure daily tobacco consumption in remote Indigenous communities? Comparing self‐reported tobacco consumption with community‐level estimates in an Arnhem Land study
Authors: CLOUGH ALAN R. , MACLAREN DAVID J. , ROBERTSON JAN A. , IVERS ROWENA G. , CONIGRAVE KATHERINE M. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Introduction and Aims. In remote Indigenous Australian communities measuring individual tobacco use can be confounded by cultural expectations, including sharing. We compared self‐reported tobacco consumption with community‐level estimates in Arnhem Land (Northern Territory). Design and Methods. In a cross‐sectional survey in three communities (population 2319 Indigenous residents, aged≥16 years), 400 Indigenous residents were interviewed (206 men, 194 women). Eight community stores provided information about tobacco sold during the survey. To gauge the impact of 255 non‐Indigenous residents on tobacco turnover, 10 were interviewed (five men, five women). Breath carbon monoxide levels confirmed self‐reported smoking. Self‐reported number of cigarettes smoked per day was compared with daily tobacco consumption per user estimated using amounts of tobacco sold during 12 months before the survey (2007–2008). ‘Lighter smokers’ (<10 cigarettes per day) and ‘heavier smokers’ (≥10 cigarettes per day) in men and women were compared. Results. Of 400 Indigenous study participants, 305 (76%) used tobacco; four chewed tobacco. Of 301 Indigenous smokers, 177 (58%) provided self‐reported consumption information; a median of 11–11.5 cigarettes per day in men and 5.5–10 cigarettes per day in women. Men were three times (odds ratio = 2.9) more likely to be ‘heavier smokers’. Store turnover data indicated that Indigenous tobacco users consumed the equivalent of 9.2–13.1 cigarettes per day; very similar to self‐reported levels. Sixty per cent (= 6/10) of non‐Indigenous residents interviewed were smokers, but with little impact on tobacco turnover overall (2–6%). Discussion and Conclusions. Smoking levels reported by Indigenous Australians in this study, when sharing tobacco was considered, closely reflected quantities of tobacco sold in community stores. [Clough AR, MacLaren DJ, Robertson JA, Ivers RG, Conigrave KM. Can we measure daily tobacco consumption in remote Indigenous communities? Comparing self‐reported tobacco consumption with community‐level estimates in an Arnhem Land study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Heroin maintenance treatment: From idea to research to practice
Authors: UCHTENHAGEN AMBROS A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMaintaining opiate addicts on opiates has a long history. The idea to prescribe pharmaceutical morphine as a substitute for street heroin started in USA and was abolished on the basis of prohibitionist legislation. A new approach to maintain opiate addicts on substitution therapy was initiated in USA in 1963, with the prescription of methadone. This approach found, although slowly, increasing acceptance, and is nowadays considered to be a cornerstone in the management of opiate dependence and for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in opiate injectors. Since 1975, the concept of heroin maintenance treatment was re‐activated in order to reach out to treatment‐resistant heroin addicts. Research projects were performed in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Canada and in England, another one is planned in Belgium. Based on the unanimously positive outcomes, heroin maintenance has become routine treatment for otherwise untreatable heroin addicts in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and England, and Denmark has set up heroin maintenance without new research trials.[Uchtenhagen AA. Heroin maintenance treatment: From idea to research to practice.Drug Alcohol Rev2011;30:130–137]
Developing, evaluating and implementing alcohol brief interventions in Europe
Authors: HEATHER NICK 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIssues. This article traces the history of research on the development, evaluation and implementation of alcohol brief intervention (BI) in Europe. Approach. Narrative and historical review. Key Findings. BI originated in Europe and, following a definition of opportunistic BI, early pioneering studies are summarised. The role of European scientists in the series of studies making up the WHO Collaborative Project on Detection and Management of Alcohol‐related Problems in Primary Health Care (1982–2006) is then described, followed by a short account of a current EU‐funded project (Primary Health European Project on Alcohol) with the aim of achieving a widespread, routine and enduring implementation of BI in EU member states. In addition to involvement in these two major projects, a great deal of research on BI has been carried out in a range of European countries and some of this research is noted. Implications. Several European governments are now taking the rolling out of BI in routine services very seriously as a policy measure. There is no necessary conflict between widely available BI and alcohol control measures. Conclusion. While much remains to be done regarding practical implementation, the mood of those interested in the promotion of BI as a means of reducing alcohol‐related harm, in Europe as elsewhere, is cautiously optimistic.[Heather N. Developing, evaluating and implementing alcohol brief interventions in Europe. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:138–147]
Inter‐ and Intra‐Household Earnings Differentials among Homosexual and Heterosexual Couples
Authors: Ahmed Ali M. , Andersson Lina , Hammarstedt Mats 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe present earnings differentials between homosexuals and heterosexuals. In line with previous research, we find that gay males earn less than heterosexual males, and that lesbians earn more than heterosexual females. However, when combining the individuals into households, our results are strikingly different: very small earnings differentials between gay households and heterosexual households are found. Lesbian households earn considerably less. The largest earnings inequalities between spouses are found among gay males followed by heterosexuals. Studying sexual orientation and earnings is complex, and household earnings have to be taken into consideration when conclusions are drawn.
TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN THE INDIAN TEXTILES INDUSTRY: A NON‐PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS OF FIRM‐LEVEL DATA
Authors: Bhandari Anup Kumar , Ray Subhash C. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe Indian textiles industry is now at the crossroads with the phasing out of the quota regime that prevailed under the Multi‐Fiber Agreement until the end of 2004. In the face of a full integration of the textiles sector in the WTO, maintaining and enhancing productive efficiency is a precondition for competitiveness of the Indian firms in the new liberalized world market. In this paper, we use data obtained from the Annual Survey of Industries for a number of years to measure the levels of technical efficiency in the Indian textiles industry at the firm level. We use both a grand frontier applicable to all firms and a group frontier specific to firms from any individual state, ownership or organization type in order to evaluate their efficiencies. This permits us to separately identify how locational, proprietary and organizational characteristics of a firm affect its performance.
GROWTH, CYCLES, ASSET PRICES AND FINANCE
Authors: Taylor Lance 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTSeveral Kaleckian models are set out. Harrod‐ and Domar‐style investment functions are specified, and combined with distributive dynamics to generate Goodwin‐style cycles. A counterclockwise cycle in a two‐dimensional phase diagram for capacity utilization and the wage share is based on long‐run profit‐led demand and a profit squeeze at high activity levels, consistent with Domar. Harrod‐style investment and short‐run wage‐led demand generate counterfactual clockwise cycles. Financial dynamics involving the equity valuation ratio are considered. Both the ratio and equity price inflation demonstrate positive own‐feedback. The ratio can be stabilized cyclically by capital stock growth and/or rising household net worth or debt. Debt accumulation persists (or ‘overshoots’) after equity price inflation switches to a negative rate. A Minsky‐style model with Harrodian investment can be stabilized by accumulation of business debt.
PSYCHOLOGY AND THE RATIONALITY OF EMOTION
Authors: CLORE GERALD L. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractHuman thought is often automatic, heuristic, unconscious, and guided by emotion instead of being strictly logical and reasoned. Rather than regarding these characteristics as limitations, however, they actually allow rational outcomes to be achieved without the high cost of conscious deliberation. For example, negative affective reactions to illogic often encourage adherence to standards of logic and coherence. Rather than acting to suppress emotion, cognition generally shapes affective reactions into specific emotions. Such emotions can then guide action by providing self‐education about likely consequences. Additionally, whereas cognitive constraints on negative emotions can reduce distress, freeing positive emotions from such constraints can enhance religious experience.
A novel spinocerebellar ataxia type 15 family with involuntary movements and cognitive decline
Authors: Castrioto A. , Prontera P. , Di Gregorio E. , Rossi V. , Parnetti L. , Rossi A. , Donti E. , Brusco A. , Calabresi P. , Tambasco N. 
Published: March 2011

Background and purpose:  SCA15 is a recently identified spinocerebellar ataxia with pure cerebellar involvement. Here, we report a novel SCA15 Italian family with atypical clinical features.Methods:  Three affected members from a three‐generation family segregating an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia underwent clinical examination and genetic tests for hereditary ataxia.Results:  All affected members present with cognitive impairment and two of them with mild intermittent involuntary movements in association with the clinical hallmarks of SCA15 (gait ataxia, balance impairment, and dysarthria). Genetic tests detected a large deletion spanning ITPR1 and SUMF1 genes in affected members.Conclusion:  Our findings help enlarging the clinical spectrum of SCA15.
Increased availability of angiotensin AT1 receptors leads to sustained arterial constriction to angiotensin II in diabetes – role for Rho‐kinase activation
Authors: Bagi Zsolt , Feher Attila , Cassuto James , Akula Komala , Labinskyy Nazar , Kaley Gabor , Koller Akos 
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Antagonists of angiotensin AT1 receptors elicit beneficial vascular effects in diabetes mellitus. We hypothesized that diabetes induces sustained availability of AT1 receptors, causing enhanced arterial constriction to angiotensin II.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To assess functional availability of AT1 receptors, constrictions to successive applications of angiotensin II were measured in isolated skeletal muscle resistance arteries (∼150 µm) of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and of their controls (+/Fa), exposed acutely to high glucose concentrations (HG, 25 mM, 1 h). AT1 receptors on cell membrane surface were measured by immunofluorescence.KEY RESULTS Angiotensin II‐induced constrictions to first applications were greater in arteries of ZDF rats (maximum: 82 ± 3% original diameter) than in those from +/Fa rats (61 ± 5%). Constrictions to repeated angiotensin II administration were decreased in +/Fa arteries (20 ± 6%), but were maintained in ZDF arteries (67 ± 4%) and in +/Fa arteries vessels exposed to HG (65 ± 6%). In ZDF arteries and in HG‐exposed +/Fa arteries, Rho‐kinase activities were enhanced. The Rho‐kinase inhibitor, Y27632 inhibited sustained constrictions to angiotensin II in ZDF arteries and in +/Fa arteries exposed to HG. Levels of surface AT1 receptors on cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were decreased by angiotensin II but were maintained in VSMCs exposed to HG. In VSMCs exposed to HG and treated with Y27632, angiotensin II decreased surface AT1 receptors.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS In diabetes, elevated glucose concentrations activate Rho‐kinase which inhibits internalization or facilitates recycling of AT1 receptors, leading to increased functional availability of AT1 receptors and sustained angiotensin II‐induced arterial constriction.