bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colonic volvulus – an old problem with a new twist
Authors: Lehane C. W. , Gold D. M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe present a case report involving an unusual type of volvulus. A 51‐year‐old man presented with an acute abdomen. He underwent emergency laparotomy at which we identified a volvulus involving his caecum to descending colon in continuity. We believe this to be first reported case of total colonic volvulus.
Hodgkin’s disease of appendix: report of a case
Authors: Umer M. A. , Date R. S. , Mellor S. , Nair B. , Ward J. B. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground  A number of cases of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the appendix have been described, but Hodgkin’s lymphoma is extremely rare. To our knowledge there are only two reports up to 1966 and none since then.Method  We report a case of a 65‐year‐old gentleman who was treated for suspected Crohn’s disease. He failed to respond to medical treatment and underwent right haemicolectomy. The resected segment of bowel demonstrated classical Hodgkin’s disease originating in the appendix. He recovered well from the operation and responded well to postoperative chemotherapy.Conclusion  Hodgkin’s lymphoma of appendix is extremely rare. This case demonstrates the significance of repeated clinical evaluation of patients particularly in the absence of expected response to therapy.
The value of routine histopathological analysis in patients with fistula in‐ano
Authors: Wijekoon N. S. , Samarasekera D. N. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjective  To determine the positive yield of routine histopathology in patients undergoing surgery for fistula in‐ano.Method  Histopathology reports of all the patients who underwent surgery for fistulae‐in‐ano over a period of 36 months were reviewed.Results  Analysis included 84 patients of which 73 (87%) were male subjects. The mean age was 39.4 years (range 11–68). Forty‐one (49%) had recurrent fistulae. Granulomatous diseases such as Crohn’s disease and tuberculosis (TB) were suspected in six patients. However, of the six patients, confirmation of the disease status was obtained only in three patients: stains for acid‐fast bacilli confirmed TB in two (2.4%) patients and colonoscopy and biopsy confirmed Crohn’s disease in one (1.2%) patient. All three patients had recurrent fistulae.Conclusion  As the positive yield of routine histopathology is minimal, we do not recommend routine histopathology for fistula in‐ano, except for those presenting with recurrent fistulae and those with clinical suspicion of an underlying disease such as TB, HIV or Crohn’s disease.
Perioperative care in colorectal surgery: current practice patterns and opinions
Authors: Roig J. V. , García‐Fadrique A. , Redondo C. , Villalba F. L. , Salvador A. , García‐Armengol J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjective  Evidence regarding perioperative care in colorectal surgery has recently increased, leading to changes in classical clinical procedures that make the perioperative period safer and shorter. This survey aimed to evaluate the opinions of Spanish colorectal surgeons on the perioperative management of their patients.Method  Emailed surveys submitted to the members of Spanish Coloproctological Associations.Results  One hundred and thirty‐one (31.7%) of the 413 members participated in the study and responded thus: 21% use clinical pathways and 8% use fast track (FT); 36% use epidural analgesia in colonic surgery and 57% in rectal; 40% use warm air and 23% warm fluids to maintain intraoperative normothermia; 53% prescribe ≥ 3000 ml. of iv fluids on the first postoperative day and 6.2%≤ 2000 ml; 43% never use nasogastric tubes. Oral intake was initiated by 23.5% on the first day, and by 50% when peristalsis began, with an earlier tendency in laparoscopic surgery; 43% believed oral intake reduces ileus, but 12% considered it dangerous. Board accreditation and experience in Coloproctology were significantly associated with a lesser use of nasogastric tubes and earlier feeding. Sixty‐nine per cent considered FT reduces postoperative stay and 44% thought that it minimizes complications.Conclusion  Spanish surgeons maintain a classical procedural policy, but show tendencies towards optimizing patients’ care.
The metabolic syndrome is related to albuminuria in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bianchi C. , Penno G. , Daniele G. , Russo E. , Giovannitti M. G. , Del Prato S. , Miccoli R. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAims  To determine the relationships between metabolic syndrome (MetS), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and renal function in Type 2 diabetes.Methods  In a clinic‐based cohort of 1314 Type 2 diabetic patients (58% male; age 62 ± 10 years), we analysed MetS, detected DN and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Results  Prevalence of both microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria were higher in subjects with MetS than in those without. Prevalence of DN (microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria) increased with the number of MetS components. eGFR was lower in subjects with MetS than in those without (87 ± 23 vs. 92 ± 20 ml/min per 1.73 m2; P < 0.001). The lowest eGFR values were found in those with four or more components of the MetS. Prevalence of low eGFR increased with the stage of DN and was affected by MetS only in normoalbuminuric patients. MetS was independently associated with DN, also after adjustment for confounders [odds ratio (OR) 2.82, confidence interval (CI) 1.93, 4.11] and the presence of low eGFR in the model (OR 2.74, CI 1.87, 4.01). Similarly, MetS was a predictor of low eGFR (OR 1.93, CI 1.11, 3.36), but after adjustment for DN, the association was lost. Finally, MetS per se was independently associated with DN, but not with low eGFR after adjustment for all of the individual components of the MetS.Conclusions  This study suggests a close and independent association between MetS and renal impairment. However, it is unclear whether and to what extent treating MetS by an intensive multifactorial therapeutic approach will prevent or delay progression to renal failure.
Comparison of maternal ghrelin and leptin in healthy mothers and mothers with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Kos K. , Syn W‐K. , Lewandowski K. C. , Bennett J. , Nwokolo C. U. , O’Hare J. P. , Randeva H. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAims  Maternal leptin affects placental growth hormone (GH), whereas ghrelin, a natural ligand of the growth‐hormone‐secretagogue receptor, modulates GH action. Both hormones may affect fetal growth, and dysregulation in diabetes may lead to fetal growth disturbances. The aim was to investigate changes in maternal ghrelin during pregnancy with diabetes and to establish reference leptin levels.Methods  Twelve healthy non‐diabetic (ND) and 12 pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) were recruited. Age and body mass index (BMI) [ND: age 29.9 ± 4.7 years (mean ± sd), BMI 25.2 ± 3.7 kg/m2; T1DM: age 31 ± 5.5 years, BMI 27 ± 3.1 kg/m2] were similar in the groups. HbA1c in T1DM was 6.2 ± 1.1% at 20 weeks, 6.3 ± 1.1% at 30 weeks’ gestation and 7.8 ± 2.1% postpartum. Fasting plasma ghrelin, total leptin, free leptin (FL) and soluble leptin receptor (sOB‐R) levels were measured at 20 and 30 weeks’ gestation and postpartum and determined by radioimmunoassay.Results  All pregnancies resulted in full‐term singleton births with no differences in birth weight between groups [T1DM: 3.4 ± 0.56 kg (mean ± SE); ND: 3.6 ± 0.3 kg, P = NS]. Ghrelin levels were lower in T1DM when corrected for age and mothers’ weight (T1DM: 458 ± 36 pg/ml and 432.9 ± 26.6 pg/ml; ND: 562 ± 52 pg/ml and 515.8 ± 63 pg/ml at 20 and 30 weeks, respectively, P < 0.05). T1DM mothers had higher levels of sOB‐R and FL levels declined at 30 weeks’ gestation in T1DM (P = 0.04) but not in ND.Conclusion  In a population of pregnant women with expected changes in leptin levels as previously reported, ghrelin levels were lower in T1DM pregnancies at 20 and 30 weeks. This may have implications for fetal development and requires further study in diabetes, particularly in pregnancies that result in macrosomia.
Regional distribution of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in rodent, human, and parkinson’s disease brain
Authors: DeCuypere Michael , Lu Yan , Miller Duane D. , LeDoux Mark S. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSeveral members of the tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) family of monoamine alkaloids can be formed from dopamine or its oxidized metabolites and may be involved in the pathogenesis of monoaminergic cell death in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Using enantiomeric‐selective high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy, the regional concentrations of several TIQ derivatives, including salsolinols, were determined in mouse, rat, normal human, and PD brain. TIQ derivatives were detected in all regions subjected to analysis. In general, salsolinols were present at higher concentrations than TIQ and its benzyl and methyl derivatives, especially in human brain. Moreover, salsolinols were concentrated in areas with increased dopamine synthesis and turnover such as the ventral midbrain and striatum, respectively. A possible consequence of nigrostriatal dopaminergic cell death, significantly lower levels of (R)salsolinol, (S)salsolinol, N‐methyl‐(R)salsolinol and N‐methyl‐(S)salsolinol were found in the caudate nuclei of PD in comparison with normal human brain. Our data support the hypothesis of endogenous synthesis of salsolinols and provide evidence for their accumulation in catecholaminergic neurons.
The guanine nucleotide exchange factor, C3G regulates differentiation and survival of human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Radha Vegesna , Rajanna Ajumeera , Gupta Rajesh Kumar , Dayma Kunal , Raman Thiagarajan 
Published: October 2008

AbstractNeuronal differentiation involving neurite growth is dependent on environmental cues which are relayed by signalling pathways to actin cytoskeletal remodelling. C3G, the exchange factor for Rap1, functions in pathways leading to actin reorganization and filopodia formation, processes required during neurite growth. In the present study, we have analyzed the function of C3G, in regulating neuronal cell survival and plasticity. Human neuroblastoma cells, IMR‐32 induced to differentiate by serum starvation or by treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF) or forskolin showed enhanced C3G protein levels. Transient over‐expression of C3G stimulated neurite growth and also increased responsiveness to NGF and serum deprivation induced differentiation. C3G‐induced neurite growth was dependent on both its catalytic and N‐terminal regulatory domains, and on the functions of Cdc42 and Rap1. Knockdown of C3G using small hairpin RNA inhibited forskolin and NGF‐induced morphological differentiation of IMR‐32 cells. Forskolin‐induced differentiation was dependent on catalytic activity of C3G. Forskolin and NGF treatment resulted in phosphorylation of C3G at Tyr504 predominantly in the Golgi. C3G expression induced the cell cycle inhibitor p21 and C3G knockdown enhanced cell death in response to serum starvation. These findings demonstrate a novel function for C3G in regulating survival and differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells.
Muscarinic receptors: do they have a role in the pathology and treatment of schizophrenia?
Authors: Scarr Elizabeth , Dean Brian 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe high affinity of antipsychotic drugs for the dopamine D2 receptor focused attention onto the role of these receptors in the genesis of psychoses and the pathology of schizophrenia. However, psychotic symptoms are only one aspect of the complex symptom profile associated with schizophrenia. Therefore, research continues into other neurochemical systems and their potential roles in key features associated with schizophrenia. Modulating the cholinergic system in attempts to treat schizophrenia predates specific neurochemical hypotheses of the disorder. Cholinergic modulation has progressed from the use of coma therapy, through the use of anti‐cholinergic drugs to control side‐effects of older (typical) antipsychotic medications, to the development of drugs designed to specifically activate selected muscarinic receptors. This review presents data implicating a decrease in muscarinic receptors, particularly the M1 receptor, in the pathology of schizophrenia and explores the potential physiological consequences of such a change, drawing on data available from muscarinic receptor knockout mice as well as clinical and pre‐clinical pharmacology. The body of evidence presented suggests that deficits in muscarinic receptors are associated with some forms of schizophrenia and that targeting these receptors could prove to be of therapeutic benefit to patients with the disorder.
The Paediatric Bipolar Hypothesis: The View from Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Parry Peter , Furber Gareth , Allison Stephen 
Published: October 2008

Background:  The paediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) hypothesis arose in the USA and proposes childhood onset and high rates of prevalence.Method:  Child and adolescent psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand were surveyed about the PBD hypothesis.Results:  Sixty percent responded (N = 199) and most (53%) reported never having diagnosed pre‐pubertal PBD and a further 29% estimated seeing ‘1 or 2’ cases. Most (83%) rated pre‐pubertal PBD as ‘very rare’, ‘rare’ or ‘not diagnosable’. Opinion varied as to whether PBD was over‐diagnosed (25%), appropriately diagnosed (42%), or under‐diagnosed (28%) in Australia and New Zealand, 5% were unsure. In contrast there was a consensus of views that PBD was over‐diagnosed in the USA (90%), whilst less felt it appropriately diagnosed (3%), or under‐diagnosed (1%) and 6% were unsure.Conclusions:  The majority view was consistent with classical descriptions of bipolar disorder.
Development of a Scale to Assess the Attitudes of Paediatric Staff to Caring for Children with Medically Unexplained Symptoms: Implications for the Role of CAMHS in Paediatric Care
Authors: Glazebrook Cristine , Furness Penny , Tay Jasmine , Abbas Kirsty , Hollis Karmen Slaveska 
Published: October 2008

Background:  Children with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) represent a challenge for paediatricians and typically undergo extensive in‐patient investigations for symptoms such as abdominal pain. This can delay access to psychological services. This study aims to develop and evaluate a scale to assess the attitudes of paediatric staff to caring for children with MUS and to explore factors influencing those attitudes.Method:  In this cross‐sectional survey, 118 health professionals at one UK hospital with experience of caring for children with MUS completed an attitude questionnaire developed for the study.Results:  Factor analysis identified four factors that explained significant variance in staff perceptions of care: rewarding nature of care; demanding nature of care; parental influence; children’s need for skilled support. The combined subscales formed the MUS‐Q.Conclusion:  Paediatric staff found caring for children with MUS difficult and would welcome more support from CAMHS. The MUS‐Q proved a reliable tool to evaluate staff attitudes.
Effects of the Glucocorticoid Antagonist, Mifepristone, on the Consequences of Withdrawal From Long Term Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Jacquot Catherine , Croft Adam P. , Prendergast Mark A. , Mulholland Patrick , Shaw Sidney G. , Little Hilary J. 
Published: October 2008

Background: Studies were carried out to test the hypothesis that administration of a glucocorticoid Type II receptor antagonist, mifepristone (RU38486), just prior to withdrawal from chronic alcohol treatment, would prevent the consequences of the alcohol consumption and withdrawal in mice.Materials and Methods: The effects of administration of a single intraperitoneal dose of mifepristone were examined on alcohol withdrawal hyperexcitability. Memory deficits during the abstinence phase were measured using repeat exposure to the elevated plus maze, the object recognition test, and the odor habituation/discrimination test. Neurotoxicity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was examined using NeuN staining.Results: Mifepristone reduced, though did not prevent, the behavioral hyperexcitability seen in TO strain mice during the acute phase of alcohol withdrawal (4 hours to 8 hours after cessation of alcohol consumption) following chronic alcohol treatment via liquid diet. There were no alterations in anxiety‐related behavior in these mice at 1 week into withdrawal, as measured using the elevated plus maze. However, changes in behavior during a second exposure to the elevated plus maze 1  week later were significantly reduced by the administration of mifepristone prior to withdrawal, indicating a reduction in the memory deficits caused by the chronic alcohol treatment and withdrawal. The object recognition test and the odor habituation and discrimination test were then used to measure memory deficits in more detail, at between 1 and 2 weeks after alcohol withdrawal in C57/BL10 strain mice given alcohol chronically via the drinking fluid. A single dose of mifepristone given at the time of alcohol withdrawal significantly reduced the memory deficits in both tests. NeuN staining showed no evidence of neuronal loss in either prefrontal cortex or hippocampus after withdrawal from chronic alcohol treatment.Conclusions: The results suggest mifepristone may be of value in the treatment of alcoholics to reduce their cognitive deficits.
Neuropsychological Study of FASD in a Sample of American Indian Children: Processing Simple Versus Complex Information
Authors: Aragón Alfredo S. , Kalberg Wendy O. , Buckley David , Barela‐Scott Lindsey M. , Tabachnick Barbara G. , May Philip A. 
Published: October 2008

Background:  Although a large body of literature exists on cognitive functioning in alcohol‐exposed children, it is unclear if there is a signature neuropsychological profile in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This study assesses cognitive functioning in children with FASD from several American Indian reservations in the Northern Plains States, and it applies a hierarchical model of simple versus complex information processing to further examine cognitive function. We hypothesized that complex tests would discriminate between children with FASD and culturally similar controls, while children with FASD would perform similar to controls on relatively simple tests.Methods:  Our sample includes 32 control children and 24 children with a form of FASD [fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) = 10, partial fetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS) = 14]. The test battery measures general cognitive ability, verbal fluency, executive functioning, memory, and fine‐motor skills.Results:  Many of the neuropsychological tests produced results consistent with a hierarchical model of simple versus complex processing. The complexity of the tests was determined “a priori” based on the number of cognitive processes involved in them. Multidimensional scaling was used to statistically analyze the accuracy of classifying the neurocognitive tests into a simple versus complex dichotomy. Hierarchical logistic regression models were then used to define the contribution made by complex versus simple tests in predicting the significant differences between children with FASD and controls. Complex test items discriminated better than simple test items. The tests that conformed well to the model were the Verbal Fluency, Progressive Planning Test (PPT), the Lhermitte memory tasks, and the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT). The FASD‐grouped children, when compared with controls, demonstrated impaired performance on letter fluency, while their performance was similar on category fluency. On the more complex PPT trials (problems 5 to 8), as well as the Lhermitte logical tasks, the FASD group performed the worst.Conclusions:  The differential performance between children with FASD and controls was evident across various neuropsychological measures. The children with FASD performed significantly more poorly on the complex tasks than did the controls. The identification of a neurobehavioral profile in children with prenatal alcohol exposure will help clinicians identify and diagnose children with FASD.
S‐Adenosyl‐L‐Methionine Co‐administration Prevents the Ethanol‐Elicited Dissociation of Hepatic Mitochondrial Ribosomes in Male Rats
Authors: Sykora Peter , Kharbanda Kusum K. , Crumm Sara E. , Cahill Alan 
Published: October 2008

Background:  Chronic ethanol feeding to male rats has been shown to result in decreased mitochondrial translation, depressed respiratory complex levels and mitochondrial respiration rates. In addition, ethanol consumption has been shown to result in an increased dissociation of mitoribosomes. S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine (SAM) is required for the assembly and subsequent stability of mitoribosomes and is depleted during chronic ethanol feeding. The ability of dietary SAM co‐administration to prevent these ethanol‐elicited lesions was investigated.Methods:  Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a nutritionally adequate liquid diet with ethanol comprising 36% of the calories according to a pair‐fed design for 28 days. For some animals, SAM was supplemented in the diet at 200 mg/l. Liver mitochondria were prepared and mitoribosomes isolated. Respiration rates, ATP levels, respiratory complex levels, and the extent of mitoribosome dissociation were determined.Results:  Twenty‐eight days of ethanol feeding were found to result in decreased SAM content, depressed respiration, and increased mitoribosome dissociation. No changes in mitochondrial protein content; levels of respiratory complexes I, III, and V; complex I activities; and ATP levels were detected. Co‐administration of SAM in the diet was found to prevent ethanol‐induced SAM depletion, respiration decreases and mitoribosome dissociation.Conclusions:  Taken together, these findings suggest (1) that mitoribosome dissociation precedes respiratory complex depressions in alcoholic animals and (2) that dietary supplementation of SAM prevents some of the early mitochondrial lesions associated with chronic ethanol consumption.
Effects of Alcoholism Typology on Response to Naltrexone in the COMBINE Study
Authors: Bogenschutz Michael P. , Scott Tonigan J. , Pettinati Helen M. 
Published: October 2008

Background:  This study investigated whether subgroups of alcohol‐dependent patients responded differently to naltrexone versus placebo in the NIAAA COMBINE study. In particular, the A versus B and the Early Onset versus Late Onset typologies were examined. Relative to Type A alcoholics, Type B alcoholics are characterized by greater severity, earlier onset, stronger family history, more childhood risk factors (e.g., conduct disorder), and greater frequency of comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders.Methods:  COMBINE study participants were categorized as Type A or Type B using k‐means cluster analysis and variables from 5 domains that have been shown to replicate the original Babor typology efficiently. Early Onset was defined as alcohol dependence beginning before age 25. For the planned analyses, the sample was reduced to the 618 participants receiving naltrexone alone or placebo, either with medical management (MM) alone or with MM plus the Combined Behavioral Intervention (CBI). The a priori primary outcome was percent heavy drinking days during treatment in the groups receiving MM without CBI.Results:  Among those receiving MM without CBI, Type A alcoholics had better drinking outcomes with naltrexone than placebo, whereas medication condition did not influence outcomes significantly in the Type Bs. Age of onset was not significantly related to outcome. For those receiving CBI, no significant effects were found for either typology.Conclusions:  In this sample, the beneficial effects of opioid antagonism were limited to Type A alcoholics receiving treatment in a MM model. Future studies should investigate the relationship between clinically relevant genotypes, phenotypes such as typologies, and treatment response. More work is also needed to develop practical algorithms for phenotypic assignment.