bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting anemia management in hemodialysis patients: A single‐center experience
Authors: SPIEGEL David M. , GITLIN Matthew , MAYNE Tracy 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe difficulty maintaining hemoglobin (Hgb) within the targets recommended by KDOQI is widely recognized. While factors responsible for erythropoietin resistance have been widely studied, factors responsible for the marked fluctuations and the inability to maintain Hgb within the target range have only begun to be investigated. This study was a cross‐sectional review of anemia management in hemodialysis patients. The purpose was to evaluate factors responsible for Hgb decreases of 0.5 or 1.0 g/dL and to determine the primary factors responsible for Hgb decreases below 11 g/dL. Hgb values and clinical events were extracted from patient management databases between January 1, 2005 and November 30, 2006. Isolated events were defined as events that occurred at least 30 days after any previous event and had Hgb measurements within 2 weeks before and after the event. Increasing hospital length of stay and surgical access intervention were the most common events that resulted in a decrease in Hgb. The most common factor present in patients with Hgb decreases below 11 g/dL was the withholding of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) within the preceding 2 months. This was the only explanation for the decrease in Hgb to <11 g/dL in 38.5% of such events. The ability to maintain dialysis patients' Hgb in the target range is complicated by intervening acute events that require hospitalization or surgical access interventions. The withholding of rHuEPO appears to be a major factor in Hgb decreases below 11 g/dL.
Effect of an ethanol/trisodium citrate hemodialysis catheter locking solution on isolates of Candida albicans
Authors: MAHARAJ Anil R. , ZELENITSKY Sheryl A. , VERCAIGNE Lavern M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe conducted an in vitro study to assess the effect of a 30% ethanol/4% trisodium citrate (TSC) catheter locking solution on isolates of Candida albicans. Twelve isolates obtained from human blood cultures were tested in control solutions composed of broth and normal saline, and a test solution of 30% ethanol, 4% TSC, and broth. Colony counts were determined for control and test solutions at baseline and after 1, 24, and 48 hours of exposure. After 48 hours, the remaining test solution was filtered through a sterile filter funnel and rinsed with 10 mL of sterile water. Filters were aseptically transferred to agar plates and incubated for 24 hours. Control solutions grew well over the incubation period, as expected. In contrast, no viable growth was observed in test solutions 1 hour after instillation of the ethanol/TSC locking solution, or throughout the 48‐hour study duration. Additionally, filters from test solutions displayed no growth. We conclude that a 30% ethanol/4% TSC catheter locking solution eradicated all isolates of C. albicans within 1 hour of exposure in this in vitro study, and shows promise as a new hemodialysis catheter locking solution.
Tissue plasminogen activator as a hemodialysis catheter locking solution
Authors: McGILL Rita L. , SPERO Joel A. , SYSAK Joshua C. , SANDRONI Stephen E. , MARCUS Richard J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTunneled hemodialysis catheters require a “locking solution” between treatments to prevent catheter thrombosis. Heparin locks can be unsafe in patients with life‐threatening bleeding diathesis because of unintentional anticoagulation. This study was designed to define the hematologic consequences of using tissue plasminogen activator (t‐PA) as an alternative locking solution after heparin‐free hemodialysis (HF‐HD). Following HF‐HD, t‐PA 2 mg was instilled into each lumen of the dialysis catheter in 10 patients. Euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT), fibrinogen, D‐dimer, and fibrin degradation products were measured during the last hour of dialysis, and repeated 15 and 30 minutes after catheter locking. Dialysis catheter performance was reassessed at the time of the next hemodialysis. Fibrinogen, D‐dimer, and fibrin degradation products were elevated at all time points, but did not change after t‐PA. ECLT decreased significantly from baseline 15 minutes after catheter locking (217±64 vs. 132±75 min, p=0.016). ECLT values had returned to baseline (202±56 minutes) by 30 minutes. No episodes of bleeding or catheter thrombosis occurred, and catheter performance did not deteriorate. A 2 mg t‐PA locking solution preserved dialysis catheter performance. ECLT decreased at 15 minutes, but normalized by 30 minutes, and did not enter the range in which bleeding would be likely. No clinical events were seen during this transient increase in systemic fibrinolysis.
Effects of parenteral iron on inflammation and the myocardium in hemodialysis patients
Authors: SOOD Manish M. , OUDIT Gavin Y. , MOHAMMADI Hanif , HUANG Hong , LOK Charmaine E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractInflammation is a nontraditional cardiovascular risk factor in hemodialysis patients. This pilot study tested the hypothesis that intravenous iron adds to this inflammation by increasing oxidative stress. Secondly, we described the association between iron indices and myocardial structure and function. Thirteen hemodialysis patients from a teaching hospital were recruited for this descriptive study and divided into 3 groups according to their iron profile (high, low, and intermediate). Oxidative stress was determined in vivo by mass spectroscopy with measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), hexanal, and nonenal. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and 2‐dimensional echocardiography were used to study any structural or functional changes, respectively. A strong correlation was found between iron indices and oxidative stress (MDA and ferritin r=0.95; p<0.001; MDA and transferrin saturation r=0.80, p<0.01). Magnetic resonance imaging measurements showed a weak correlation with iron indices while no correlation was found between iron indices and echocardiographic measurements. Iron indices are positively correlated with functional oxidative stress. Larger studies are needed to determine the association between inflammation and structural or functional dysfunction of the myocardium.
Home hemodialysis in Australia: Current perspective
Authors: KERR Peter G. , POLKINGHORNE Kevan R. , McDONALD Stephen P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHome hemodialysis (HD) in Australia represents 11% of the dialysis population. This percentage has declined over the last 20 years but the absolute number of home HD patients has increased since 2001. The major reason for this resurgence has been the institution of nocturnal HD at home. Predominantly, this has been as a strictly alternate day exercise, although 5–6 times per week dialysis is also practised. Short‐daily HD is uncommon in Australia. Nocturnal HD now comprises 30% or more of all home HD. Most home HD in Australia is practiced without remote monitoring, using simple machines with separate reverse osmosis units. Patients tend to self‐needle and not all have a “partner.” The enthusiasm for nocturnal HD in particular has been fuelled by ANZDATA Registry data demonstrating a survival advantage for patients dialyzing alternate days compared with 3 times per week; and for patients dialyzing for >18 hours per week compared with 12 or 15 hours per week.
What happened in Finland to increase home hemodialysis?
Authors: HONKANEN Eero O. , RAUTA Virpi M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractFinland is geographically a rather large country with a relatively sparse population (5.3 million). Home hemodialysis (HHD) was started in Helsinki 40 years ago and in the early years it was only used in selected patients. However, by the late 1980s HHD almost disappeared owing to the advent of CAPD and new HD centers. Towards the end of the 1990s, it became evident that PD had limitations and new ways had to be found to individualize HD, improve the outcome, increase capacity, and limit the growth of costs of HD. After careful planning, HHD was reinstituted at the Helsinki University Hospital in 1998 and since then the program has grown steadily. By December 31, 2007, altogether 163 patients had started at home. This has required changes in the predialysis program where the “home first” policy was adopted. Other important features include close cooperation with other nephrological centers as well as centralized HHD training that also supports more remote hospitals. Since then this therapy has been started in several other academic and in some smaller hospitals, and at the end of last year about 4% of all Finnish dialysis patients (n=1.600) were on HHD (prevalence 11.8/million). In the Helsinki metropolitan area this treatment is the most economical modality (estimated annual global costs €37.000), comparable to self‐care satellite HD and CAPD. A successful HHD program requires a well‐organized predialysis program, a highly motivated multidisciplinary team, and well‐developed training networks.
The ideal home hemodialysis machine
Authors: KJELLSTRAND Carl M. , KJELLSTRAND Per 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDaily home hemodialysis (HD) patients have a much superior survival rate than patients on regular, 3 times a week in‐center HD or on peritoneal dialysis. Present‐day HD machines are unsuitable for use at home by patients. We present our concept of the ideal home HD machine that allows daily short and long HD, does all the work preparing for and cleaning up after dialysis, has an intravenous infusion system controlled by the patient, needs no systemic anticoagulation, and teaches and interacts with the patient during dialysis. To fulfill these functionalities, the dialyzer and blood tubing must be integrated with the machine and replaced less often than monthly, the machine must be capable of at least 200 L/week of hemodiafiltration, prepare all fluids necessary between and during dialyses, and all the components and fluids must be much beyond ultrapure.
Role of peritoneal dialysis in the era of the resurgence of home hemodialysis
Authors: BURKART John 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a resurgence of home hemodialysis (HHD) therapies. Given the small percentage of prevalent patients in the United States currently on home dialysis, an appropriate question is: What is the role of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in this era? Data suggest that in centers that are promoting the growth of HHD, their PD programs also tend to be very active. Furthermore, our experience and other data suggest that one should not worry about cannibalizing PD in order to grow HHD. Most HHD patients come from in‐center hemodialysis or those patients transitioning from PD to another therapy. In fact, data suggest that in order to promote the growth of HHD, a certain minimal infrastructure is needed in terms of staff. An active PD program not only supports a robust infrastructure that allows for HHD growth but also fosters profitability of a home program.
The International Quotidian Hemodialysis Registry: Rationale and challenges
Authors: LINDSAY Robert M. , CARTER Shannon , AWARAJI Christian , SURI Rita S. , NESRALLAH Gihad 
Published: July 2008

AbstractOutcomes from conventional thrice‐weekly hemodialysis (CHD) are disappointing for a life‐saving therapy. The results of the HEMO Study show that the recommended minimum dose (Kt/V) for adequacy is also the optimum attainable with CHD. Interest is therefore turning to alternative therapies exploring the effects of increased frequency and time of hemodialysis (HD) treatment. The National Institutes of Health have sponsored 2 randomized prospective trials comparing short hours daily in‐center HD and long hours slow nightly home HD with CHD. An International Registry has also been created to capture observational data on patients receiving short hours daily in‐center HD, long hours slow nightly home HD, and other alternative therapies. Participation by individual centers, other registries and the major dialysis chains is growing and currently data from nearly 3000 patients have been collected. Pitfalls in data collection have been identified and are being corrected. A matched cohort (patients in other registries) study is planned to obtain information regarding hard outcomes expected from these therapies. The Registry may become the most important source of information required by governments, providers, and the nephrological community in assessing the utility of such therapies.
Identification of pY19‐caveolin‐2 as a positive regulator of insulin‐stimulated actin cytoskeleton‐dependent mitogenesis
Authors: Kwon Hayeong , Jeong Kyuho , Pak Yunbae 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMitogenic regulation by caveolin‐2 in response to insulin was investigated. Insulin triggered phosphorylation of caveolin‐2 on tyrosine 19. Insulin increased the interaction between pY19‐caveolin‐2 and phospho‐ERK, and that interaction was inhibited by a MEK inhibitor U0126. Insulin‐induced interaction of caveolin‐2 with phospho‐ERK was prevented when tyrosine 19 is mutated to alanine. Insulin relocalized phospho‐ERK and pY19‐caveolin‐2 to the nucleus and their nuclear co‐localization was impaired by U0126. Down‐regulation of caveolin‐2 by caveolin‐2 siRNA arrested the insulin‐induced nuclear localization of ERK with no change in the insulin‐stimulated ERK activation. Of consequence, the caveolin‐2 siRNA attenuated the ERK‐mediated c‐Jun and cyclinD1 expression and DNA synthesis by insulin. In addition, actin cytoskeleton influenced the nuclear translocation of caveolin‐2‐ERK complex. Collectively, our findings underscore the importance of pY19‐caveolin‐2 with the spatial coordination by insulin in ERK‐mediated mitogenic regulation of insulin signalling and indicate that the phosphorylation of pY19‐caveolin‐2 is required for actin cytoskeleton‐dependent ERK nuclear import.
microRNA expression in lymphoid malignancies: new hope for diagnosis and therapy?
Authors: Lawrie Charles Henderson 
Published: July 2008

Introduction
microRNAs in lymphocyte development
microRNAs in lymphoid malignancy
microRNA: a new class of diagnostic and therapeuti agents for lymphoma?

AbstractmicroRNAs are a newly discovered class of short (∼22 nt) naturally occurring single‐stranded RNA molecules that regulate the expression of target genes post‐transcriptionally. Despite only being discovered 7 years ago, microRNAs have been implicated as key regulatory molecules in nearly every biological process examined so far and abnormal expression of microRNAs have been linked to many forms of disease including cancer where they can function as both tumour‐suppressors and oncogenes. So why are microRNAs causing so much excitement? And will this excitement translate into new medical breakthroughs? This review attempts to answer these questions in the wider context of cancer, focusing on the role that microRNAs play in normal lymphoid development and malignancy.
Surface morphology and mechanical properties of fibroblasts from scleroderma patients
Authors: Reich Adam , Meurer Michael , Eckes Beate , Friedrichs Jens , Muller Daniel J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractOverproduction of extracellular matrix components by fibroblasts plays a key role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. To investigate whether these functional alterations are accompanied by changes in the mechanical properties and morphology of fibroblast, atomic force microscopy was applied to dermal fibroblasts derived either from scleroderma patients or from healthy donors. No significant morphological differences could be observed among the different cell strains showing long cytoskeleton fibres similar in length and irregularly distributed protrusions on the cell surface. In contrast, significant differences in cellular stiffness of dermal fibroblasts derived from scleroderma lesions were detected. Compared to fibroblasts from healthy donors, diseased cells were characterized by a reduced elastic constant both when the global and local mechanical properties were probed. The altered stiffness of scleroderma fibroblasts may be important in the pathogenesis of the disease as it could lead to the abnormal response of fibroblasts to mechanical stimuli.
Receptor tyrosine and MAP kinase are involved in effects of H2O2 on interstitial cells of Cajal in murine intestine
Authors: Choi Seok , Yeum Cheol Ho , Kim Young Dae , Park Chan Guk , Kim Man Yoo , Park Jong‐Seong , Jeong Han‐Seong , Kim Byung Joo , So Insuk , Kim Ki Whan , Jun Jae Yeoul 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is involved in intestinal motility through changes of smooth muscle activity. However, there is no report as to the modulatory effects of H2O2 on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). We investigated the H2O2 effects and signal transductions to determine whether the intestinal motility can be modulated through ICC. We performed whole‐cell patch clamp in cultured ICC from murine intestine and molecular analyses. H2O2 hyperpolarized the membrane and inhibited pacemaker currents. These effects were inhibited by glibenclamide, an inhibitor of ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channels. The free‐radical scavenger catalase inhibited the H2O2‐induced effects. MAFP and AACOCF3 (a cytosolic phospholipase A2 inhibitors) or SC‐560 and NS‐398 (a selective COX‐1 and 2 inhibitor) or AH6809 (an EP2 receptor antagonist) inhibited the H2O2‐induced effects. PD98059 (a mitogen activated/ERK‐activating protein kinase inhibitor) inhibited the H2O2‐induced effects, though SB‐203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) or a JNK inhibitor did not affect. H2O2‐induced effects could not be inhibited by LY‐294002 (an inhibitor of PI3‐kinases), calphostin C (a protein kinase C inhibitor) or SQ‐22536 (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor). Adenoviral infection analysis revealed H2O2 stimulated tyrosine kinase activity and AG 1478 (an antagonist of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase) inhibited the H2O2‐induced effects. These results suggest H2O2 can modulate ICC pacemaker activity and this occur by the activation of KATP channels through PGE2 production via receptor tyrosine kinase‐dependent MAP kinase activation.
Down‐regulation of cardiac lineage protein (CLP‐1) expression in CLP‐1 +/− mice affords cardioprotection against ischaemic stress
Authors: Mascareno Eduardo , Manukyan Irena , Das Dipak K. , Siddiqui M. A. Q. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn order to understand the transcriptional mechanism that underlies cell protection to stress, we evaluated the role of CLP‐1, a known inhibitor of the transcription elongation complex (pTEFb), in CLP‐1 +/− mice hearts. Using the isolated heart model, we observed that the CLP‐1+/− hearts, when subjected to ischaemic stress and evaluated by haemodynamic measurements, exhibit significant cardioprotection. CLP‐1 remains associated with the pTEFb complex in the heterozygous hearts, where as it is released in the wild‐type hearts suggesting the involvement of pTEFb regulation in cell protection. There was a decrease in Cdk7 and Cdk9 kinase activity and consequently in phosphorylation of serine‐5 and serine‐2 of Pol II CTD in CLP‐1 +/− hearts. However, the levels of mitochondrial proteins, PGC‐1α and HIF‐1α, which enhance mitochondrial activity and are implicated in cell survival, were increased in CLP‐1+/− hearts subjected to ischaemic stress compared to that in wild‐type CLP‐1+/+ hearts treated identically. There was also an increase in the expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK‐1), which facilitates cell adaptation to hypoxic stress. Taken together, our data suggest that regulation of the CLP‐1 levels is critical to cellular adaptation of the survival program that protects cardiomyocytes against stress due collectively to a decrease in RNA Pol II phosphorylation but an increase in expression of target proteins that regulate mitochondrial function and metabolic adaptation to stress.
Evaluation of blood vessel ingrowth in fibrin gel subject to type and concentration of growth factors
Authors: Arkudas A. , Tjiawi J. , Saumweber A. , Beier J. P. , Polykandriotis E. , Bleiziffer O. , Horch R. E. , Kneser U. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractOur aim was to quantitatively assess the angiogenetic effects of VEGF and bFGF immobilized in a fibrin‐based drug delivery system in a suitable subcutaneous rat model. After evaluation of a suitable implantation technique (6 rats), four teflon isolation chambers containing fibrin gel matrices were implanted subcutaneously in an upside‐down fashion on the back of 30 Lewis rats. The matrices consisted of 500 μl fibrin gel with two different fibrinogen concentrations (10 mg/ml or 40 mg/ml fibrinogen) and 2 I.U./ml thrombin and contained VEGF and bFGF in five different concentrations (0 to 250 ng/ml each). At 3, 7 and 14 days after implantation, matrices were explanted and subjected to histological and morphometrical analysis. At 1 week, the volume of the fibrin clots was significantly smaller in the 100 and 250 ng/ml VEGF and bFGF groups in comparison to lower concentrated growth factors. At 1 and 2 weeks, the use of growth factors in low concentrations (25 ng/ml VEGF and bFGF) significantly increased the amount of fibrovascular tissue, average fraction of blood vessels and number of blood vessels at the matrix–host interface in comparison to growth factor‐free controls. Higher concentrations were neither associated with further increase of tissue formation nor with increased sprouting of blood vessels in this model. This study demonstrates that fibrin gel‐immobilized angioinductive growth factors efficiently stimulate generation of fibrovascular tissue and sprouting of blood vessels in a newly developed subcutaneous upside‐down isolation chamber model with an optimum between 25 and 100 ng/ml.
Paraoxonase 1 activities and polymorphisms in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Paşca Sergiu P. , Dronca Eleonora , Nemeş Bogdan , Kaucsár Tamás , Endreffy Emõke , Iftene Felicia , Benga Ileana , Cornean Rodica , Dronca Maria 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a complex and heterogeneous group of conditions of unknown aetiology, characterized by significant disturbances in social, communicative and behavioural functioning. Recent studies suggested a possible implication of the high‐density lipoprotein associated esterase/lactonase paraoxonase 1 (PON1) in ASD. In the present study, we aimed at investigating the PON1 status in a group of 50 children with ASD as compared to healthy age and sex matched control participants. We evaluated PON1 bioavailability (i.e.arylesterase activity) and catalytic activity (i.e.paraoxonase activity) in plasma using spectrophotometric methods and the two common polymorphisms in thePON1coding region (Q192R, L55M) by employing Light Cycler real‐time PCR. We found that both PON1 arylesterase and PON1 paraoxonase activities were decreased in autistic patients (respectively,P< 0.001,P< 0.05), but no association with less active variants of thePON1gene was found. The PON1 phenotype, inferred from the two‐dimensional enzyme analysis, had a similar distribution in the ASD group and the control group. In conclusion, both the bioavailability and the catalytic activity of PON1 are impaired in ASD, despite no association with the Q192R and L55M polymorphisms in thePON1gene and a normal distribution of the PON1 phenotype.