bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomised controlled trial comparing two insertion techniques for the Laryngeal Mask Airway Flexible™ in patients undergoing dental surgery
Authors: Choo C. Y. , Koay C. K. , Yoong C. S. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe Laryngeal Mask Airway FlexibleTM (LMA Flexible) has been widely utilised for dental, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology‐related procedures. Our study evaluates two different techniques of inserting the LMA Flexible for patients undergoing day‐case dental surgery. One hundred and eight patients were randomly assigned into two groups based on the LMA Flexible insertion technique – either laryngoscopy‐guided (n = 54) or digital manipulation (standard technique; n = 54). Patient and airway characteristics were recorded before induction of anaesthesia. The primary outcome was success rate at first insertion. Other outcomes assessed included fibreoptic assessment of laryngeal mask airway placement, haemodynamic changes, need for airway adjustment during surgery and sore throat. The success rate of insertion on the first attempt was higher for the laryngoscopy‐assisted technique compared with the standard technique (96.3% vs 81.5%, respectively, p < 0.05). Fibreoptic assessment showed that the former group had better placement of the laryngeal mask airway than the latter (59.3% vs 37% p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups for haemodynamic changes. Sore throat was more common in the group with the standard technique (35.2% vs 16.7%, p < 0.05). Our study suggests the use of the laryngoscope to guide insertion of the LMA Flexible for dental surgery is a better option compared with the standard technique of digital manipulation.
Influence of CYP2B6 and ABCB1 SNPs on nevirapine plasma concentrations in Burundese HIV‐positive patients using dried sample spot devices
Authors: Calcagno Andrea , D'Avolio Antonio , Simiele Marco , Cusato Jessica , Rostagno Roberto , Libanore Valentina , Baietto Lorena , Siccardi Marco , Bonora Stefano , Di Perri Giovanni 
Published: June 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Nevirapine pharmacokinetics are affected by several factors including CYP2B6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These genetic profiles are more common in African patients and they affect the drug clearance being associated with higher trough concentrations. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacogenetic (PK/PG) studies are difficult to perform in remote areas where refrigeration is not available, although dried plasma and dried blood methods have been validated.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• Dried plasma spots are useful tools for studying nevirapine PK with a good association to plasma concentrations and they can be used in rural areas since a cold chain is not necessary. Dried blood spots can be used to store and analyze patients' DNA for PG polymorphisms. Nevirapine trough concentrations in Burundese patients, not studied so far, are above the target concentration (3000 ng ml−1) in 84% of patients. CYP2B6 (both at position 516 and 983) but not ABCB1 (3435 and 1236) SNPs as well as age correlate with higher nevirapine exposure.AIMS The pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacogenetics (PG) of nevirapine have been studied in rich and limited‐resource countries. CYP2B6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with decreased drug clearance. We evaluated the PG determinants of nevirapine trough concentrations in a rural cohort in Burundi using easy to store and transport dried sample spot devices.METHODS A cross‐sectional analysis in HIV‐positive nevirapine‐treated patients in Kiremba, north of Burundi, was performed in 2009. After blood withdrawal whole blood was stored on dried blood spots and plasma (after centrifugation) was placed on dried plasma spot devices and stored at room temperature. Nevirapine plasma and dried sample spot concentrations were compared to test the clinical usefulness of this method. SNPs in CYP2B6 and ABCB1 (using a real time PCR technique) were analyzed and associated with nevirapine plasma trough concentrations.RESULTS Nevirapine concentrations measured on dried plasma spot devices were highly related to plasma concentrations in 60 patients, although a negative bias was observed (−18%). Nevirapine trough concentrations were above the target concentration (3000 ng ml−1) in 84% of patients and they were associated with CYP2B6 SNPs (both at position 516 and 983). No effect of ABCB1 SNPs was noted.CONCLUSIONS Dried plasma spot devices are accurate tools for measuring nevirapine concentrations in rural settings where refrigeration is not available, despite a moderate underestimation bias. They allowed the evaluation of nevirapine concentrations in a cohort of HIV‐infected people in rural Burundi, confirming very good exposure and correlation with PG polymorphisms in the CYP2B6 encoding gene.
Novel Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol formulation Namisol® has beneficial pharmacokinetics and promising pharmacodynamic effects
Authors: Klumpers Linda E. , Beumer Tim L. , van Hasselt Johan G. C. , Lipplaa Astrid , Karger Lennard B. , Kleinloog H. Daniël , Freijer Jan I. , de Kam Marieke L. , van Gerven Joop M. A. 
Published: June 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Cannabis based medicines are registered as a treatment for various indications, such as pain and spasms in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and anorexia and nausea in patients with HIV or receiving cancer treatment.• the pharmacokinetics of the various administration routes of cannabis and cannabis based medicines are variable and dosing is hard to regulate.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• Namisol is a new tablet containing pure THC (>98%) that has a beneficial pharmacokinetic profile after oral administration.• Namisol gives a quick onset of pharmacodynamic effects in healthy volunteers, which implies a rapid initiation of therapeutic effects in patients.AIMS Among the main disadvantages of currently available Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) formulations are dosing difficulties due to poor pharmacokinetic characteristics. Namisol® is a novel THC formulation, designed to improve THC absorption. The study objectives were to investigate the optimal administration route, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and tolerability of Namisol®.METHODS This first in human study consisted of two parts. Panel I included healthy males and females (n = 6/6) in a double‐blind, double‐dummy, randomized, crossover study with sublingual (crushed tablet) and oral administration of Namisol® (5 mg THC). Based on these results, male and female (n = 4/5) participants from panel I received oral THC 6.5 and 8.0 mg or matching placebo in a randomized, crossover, rising dose study during panel II. PD measurements were body sway; visual analogue scales (VAS) mood, psychedelic and heart rate. THC and 11‐OH‐THC population PK analysis was performed.RESULTS Sublingual administration showed a flat concentration profile compared with oral administration. Oral THC apparent t1/2 was 72–80 min, tmax was 39–56 min and Cmax 2.92–4.69 ng ml−1. THC affected body sway (60.8%, 95% CI 29.5, 99.8), external perception (0.078 log mm, 95% CI 0.019, 0.137), alertness (−2.7 mm, 95% CI −4.5, −0.9) feeling high (0.256 log mm, 95% CI 0.093, 0.418) and heart rate (5.6 beats min–1, 95% CI 2.7, 6.5). Namisol® was well tolerated.CONCLUSIONS Oral Namisol® showed promising PK and PD characteristics. Variability and tmax of THC plasma concentrations were smaller for Namisol® than reported for studies using oral dronabinol and nabilone. This study was performed in a limited number of healthy volunteers. Therefore, future research on Namisol® should study clinical effects in patient populations.
Identifying high‐risk babies born in the community using foot length measurement at birth in Uganda
Authors: Nabiwemba E. , Marchant T. , Namazzi G. , Kadobera D. , Waiswa P. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground  Low birthweight and prematurity are risk factors for neonatal mortality. Identifying low birthweight and premature babies at birth and giving them appropriate care could increase their chances of survival. This study aimed at assessing the use of foot length as a surrogate for low birthweight and prematurity, and recommending an operational cut‐off for identifying high‐risk babies at the community level in low resource settings.Methods  A hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out between 1 September and 17 December 2009 in Uganda. Foot length of 711 newborns was measured using three different methods and their weight taken using a digital salter scale within 24 h of life. Gestational age of the newborns was also estimated using the Eregie method. Non‐parametric receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was carried out to determine the foot length method with the highest predictive value to predict low birthweight and premature newborns. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values for a range of foot lengths were estimated to determine the optimal cut‐off to predict low birthweight and prematurity in this setting.Results  Of the 711 babies recruited on day 1, 85 (12%) babies were low birthweight (<2500 g) and 29 (4%) premature (<37 weeks). The operational cut‐off for foot length to detect small babies was defined as 7.6 cm, with sensitivity 85% [95% confidence interval (CI) 75–92] and specificity 81% (95% CI 78–84) for low birthweight, and sensitivity 96% (95% CI 82–100) and specificity 76% (95% CI 73–79) for premature babies.Conclusion  Foot length in the first days of life can predict low birthweight and prematurity among newborn babies in this setting. Further evaluation is needed to assess the feasibility of its use by community health workers to identify babies that need extra care.
Plasmablastic lymphoma of the elderly: a clinicopathological comparison with age‐related Epstein–Barr virus‐associated B cell lymphoproliferative disorder
Authors: Liu Fang , Asano Naoko , Tatematsu Akiko , Oyama Takashi , Kitamura Kunio , Suzuki Kotaro , Yamamoto Kazuhito , Sakamoto Natsumi , Taniwaki Masafumi , Kinoshita Tomohiro , Nakamura Shigeo 
Published: June 2012

Liu F, Asano N, Tatematsu A, Oyama T, Kitamura K, Suzuki K, Yamamoto K, Sakamoto N, Taniwaki M, Kinoshita T & Nakamura S  (2012) Histopathology Plasmablastic lymphoma of the elderly: a clinicopathological comparison with age‐related Epstein–Barr virus‐associated B cell lymphoproliferative disorderAims:  Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive lymphoma with a terminally differentiated B cell phenotype; half of patients with this disease have Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. The majority of PBL cases are associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, while the remaining HIV‐negative cases were accompanied by other immunodeficiency conditions or immunosenescence in the elderly.Methods and results:  To characterize HIV‐negative PBL of the elderly (PBL‐E), we compared the clinicopathological characteristics of 10 cases of PBL‐E and 124 cases with age‐related EBV‐associated B cell lymphoproliferative disorder (AR‐EBVLPD). The 10 PBL‐E (eight men, two women; median age: 68 years) were associated with a more indolent clinical behaviour and a better overall survival than AR‐EBVLPD. Extranodal involvement was higher in PBL‐E (50%) than AR‐EBVLPD; notably, the nasal cavity was affected most frequently in PBL‐E (60%). Immunoglobulin heavy chain/(IGH)/MYC translocation was detected in half of the PBL‐E cases.Conclusions:  PBL‐E shares some clinical features with AR‐EBVLPD, such as HIV negativity, old age, and EBV infection, no known immunosuppressive condition but there are some differences such as a higher ratio of extranodal involvement and better prognosis. PBL‐E is a newly recognized condition and should be distinguished from HIV‐positive PBL, sharing features with AR‐EBVLPD in particular, immunosenescence of the elderly.
Metals in organic and conventional wheat flours determined by an optimised and validated ICP‐MS method
Authors: Vrček Valerije , Vinković Vrček Ivana 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThis study was undertaken (i) to optimise and validate a suitable method for multi‐element determination in cereal products and (ii) to evaluate multi‐element content differences in commercially available conventional vs. organic wheat flours. Presented ICP‐MS method is simple and accurate for the determination of eighteen elements in cereal food. Obtained results show differences in metal content between conventional and organic wheat flours and confirm that both types of production are well within the toxicological safety limits regarding the metal contents. The significant differences among conventional vs. organic wheat flours were obtained for As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mo, Ni and V. Toxic metals (Al, As, Cd and Pb) input was higher in conventional compared with organic wheat flours. However, further and long‐term research is needed to clearly underline the effects of organic agricultural practice on the quality of food products.
Preparation of rice analogues using extrusion technology
Authors: Mishra Abhinav , Mishra Hari Niwas , Srinivasa Rao Pavuluri 
Published: June 2012

SummaryRice is considered as staple food in many parts of the world. An issue of concern is the breakage of rice kernels in milling processes, and these broken kernels are not generally accepted by consumers. These broken kernels can be mixed with some desired additives to improve their quality and extruded for the preparation of reconstituted rice kernels or rice analogues. Various studies have been conducted for the preparation of the rice analogues in the past few decades, and recently attempts have been made to fortify these analogues with protein, certain vitamins and minerals. The main features such as colour, shape, size, texture, and cooking characteristics and cooking time of these rice‐like grains can be tailored to the requirements of specific applications by modification of the extrusion parameters. Various organisations, such as Wuxi NutriRice Co. (DSM/Buhler) and China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporate (COFCO), Superlative Snacks Inc., Vigui and PATH, have utilised this technique to prepare fortified and reconstituted rice. Studies have shown that it is possible to improve the nutritional quality of rice by fortified rice analogues. This article reviews research results of the many approaches to the formation of fortified rice analogues by extrusion‐based technologies.
Effects of salts of organic acids on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes in soft cheeses
Authors: Silva Elaine N. G. , Almeida Rogeria C.C. , Figueiredo Ana Cláudia L. , Miranda Fernanda A. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sodium lactate and sodium propionate, both in combination with sodium acetate, on strains of Listeria monocytogenes in artificially inoculated soft cheeses. Minas Frescal and Coalho cheeses, inoculated with a mix of L. monocytogenes 1/2a and Scott A, underwent two treatments: 2% (w/v) sodium lactate in combination with 0.25% (w/v) sodium acetate and 2% (w/v) sodium propionate in combination with 0.25% (w/v) sodium acetate. The samples were analysed immediately and after 7 days at 10 °C. The growth of the pathogen was inhibited in cheeses containing the salts of organic acids, and the effects of treatment were statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference between the types of treatment applied. Our data demonstrate that the effectiveness of the salts of organic acids depended on the initial concentration of L. monocytogenes and that a higher concentration of the salts is necessary to ensure sustained inactivation of target pathogens because they are weakly antilisterial when the soft cheeses are stored at 10 °C.
Influence of some oenological practices on the aromatic and sensorial characteristics of white Verdejo wines
Authors: Losada Manuel M. , López Jorge F. , Añón Ana , Andrés Jesús , Revilla Eugenio 
Published: June 2012

AbstractChanges in the aromatic composition as well as sensory characteristics in Verdejo white wines were analysed based on two factors: the winemaking methodology and the storing time of wine in bottles. The volatile components were determined by GLC‐MS, and the sensory profile was designed and assessed according to the ISO 11035 standard. The results showed that when wines were made in oak barrels, either completely or partially, which means the wines were in contact with the lees, the levels of 1‐octanol, ethyl heptanoate and ethyl decanoate were significantly affected (P < 0.05); the softness sensation was also influenced (P < 0.05). However, the amount of time the wines were stored in bottles significantly affected (P < 0.05) the levels of 1‐hexanol, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl decanoate, hexyl acetate, isoamyl acetate and isoamyl lactate and also an odour note (tropical fruit). The compounds with higher OAV values belong to the groups of esters and fatty acids. For these reasons, the composition and the quality of the aroma of Verdejo white wines appear to be significantly affected both by use of oak barrels in winemaking and the time the wines are stored in bottles.
Bioconversion of shrimp shell waste for the production of antioxidant and chitosan used as fruit juice clarifier
Authors: Ghorbel‐Bellaaj Olfa , Jridi Mourad , Khaled Hayet Ben , Jellouli Kemel , Nasri Moncef 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe pH, proteolytic activity, extent of demineralisation and deprotenisation of shrimp waste were studied during 7 days of fermentation using Pseudomonas aeruginosa A2. After 3 days, pH dropped from 7.0 to 4.4 and then remained constant. Simultaneously, a demineralisation of 92% was achieved. However, protease activity reached its highest level (1230 U mL−1) after 1 day of incubation, and a protein removal of 90% was achieved. Chitin obtained was converted to chitosan. This chitosan, with 73% deacetylation, was tested for clarification of different fruit juices. It was observed that low concentrations of chitosan (below to 1%) greatly increase the clarity of juices without affecting the nutritional value. The antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates produced during fermentation was tested. Hydrolysate obtained after 3 days showed the strongest scavenging activity (90%), which was comparable to the positive control BHA; however, that obtained after 1 day exhibited the highest ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (OD 700 nm = 1.7).
RecA mediates MgpB and MgpC phase and antigenic variation in Mycoplasma genitalium, but plays a minor role in DNA repair
Authors: Burgos Raul , Wood Gwendolyn E. , Young Lei , Glass John I. , Totten Patricia A. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryMycoplasma genitalium, a sexually transmitted human pathogen, encodes MgpB and MgpC adhesins that undergo phase and antigenic variation through recombination with archived ‘MgPar’ donor sequences. The mechanism and molecular factors required for this genetic variation are poorly understood. In this study, we estimate that sequence variation at the mgpB/C locus occurs in vitro at a frequency of > 1.25 × 10−4 events per genome per generation using a quantitative anchored PCR assay. This rate was dramatically reduced in a recA deletion mutant and increased in a complemented strain overexpressing RecA. Similarly, the frequency of haemadsorption‐deficient phase variants was reduced in the recA mutant, but restored by complementation. Unlike Escherichia coli, inactivation of recA in M. genitalium had a minimal effect on survival after exposure to mitomycin C or UV irradiation. In contrast, a deletion mutant for the predicted nucleotide excision repair uvrC gene showed growth defects and was exquisitely sensitive to DNA damage. We conclude that M. genitalium RecA has a primary role in mgpB/C–MgPar recombination leading to antigenic and phase variation, yet plays a minor role in DNA repair. Our results also suggest that M. genitalium possesses an active nucleotide excision repair system, possibly representing the main DNA repair pathway in this minimal bacterium.
Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Authors: Kadlec Kristina , Schwarz Stefan 
Published: June 2012

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus delphini together comprise the S. intermedius group (SIG). Within the SIG, S. pseudintermedius represents the major pathogenic species and is involved in a wide variety of infections, mainly in dogs, but to a lesser degree also in other animal species and humans.Antimicrobial agents are commonly applied to control S. pseudintermedius infections; however, during recent years S. pseudintermedius isolates have been identified that are meticillin‐resistant and have also proved to be resistant to most of the antimicrobial agents approved for veterinary applications.This review deals with the genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance properties in S. pseudintermedius and other SIG members. A summary of the known resistance genes and their association with mobile genetic elements is given, as well as an update of the known resistance‐mediating mutations. These data show that, in contrast to other staphylococcal species, S. pseudintermedius seems to prefer transposon‐borne resistance genes, which are then incorporated into the chromosomal DNA, over plasmid‐located resistance genes.
Evaluation of methylprednisolone and triamcinolone for the induction and maintenance treatment of pruritus in allergic cats: a double‐blinded, randomized, prospective study
Authors: Ganz Eva C. , Griffin Craig E. , Keys Deborah A. , Flatgard Tami A. 
Published: June 2012

Background –  Oral triamcinolone (T) and methylprednisolone (M) have been recommended at various dosages for the control of pruritus associated with feline allergic dermatitis.Objectives –  The first objective was to determine effective dosages of methylprednisolone (Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) and triamcinolone (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., St Joseph, MO, USA) required to induce remission from pruritus associated with feline allergic dermatitis. The second objective was to compare efficacy of several different alternate day maintenance dosages. The third objective was to determine whether laboratory abnormalities occurred at effective dosages.Animals –  Thirty‐two client‐owned allergic cats were randomly assigned to the M or T groups.Methods –  Owners reported weekly on pruritus score and behavioural changes. Remission was defined as a pruritus score of ≤2/10, with 0 as the least and 10 as the most pruritic. Serum chemistry, complete blood count, fructosamine and urinalysis were assessed on day 0, at the end of the 7–14 day induction phase and at study completion.Results –  Mean once daily doses required for induction were 1.41 mg/kg for M and 0.18 mg/kg for T. Mean alternate day maintenance doses were 0.54 mg/kg for M and 0.08 mg/kg for T. There was a statistically significant decrease in eosinophils and increase in fructosamine for both groups from baseline to study completion. Fructosamine levels did not exceed the reference range in any case.Conclusions –  These results suggest that triamcinolone is approximately seven times as potent as methylprednisolone, and that these dosages are efficacious and well tolerated for the control of pruritus in allergic cats.