bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Trimetazidine on P‐Wave Duration and Dispersion in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: GUNES YILMAZ , TUNCER MUSTAFA , GUNTEKIN UNAL , AKDAG SERKAN , GUMRUKCUOGLU HASAN ALI 
Published: January 2009

Background: P‐wave duration and dispersion (PWD) have been shown to be noninvasive predictors for development of atrial fibrillation. Thus, it may be possible to attenuate atrial fibrillation risk through normalization of P‐wave duration and dispersion. Trimetazidine, a metabolic modulator, has been reported to improve cardiac function in heart failure (HF) patients.
Methods: Thirty‐six HF patients being treated with angiotensin inhibitors, carvedilol, spironolactone, and furosemide were prescribed trimetazidine, 20 mg three times a day. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations were obtained before and 6 months after addition of trimetazidine in HF patients and 36 healthy control group patients having normal echocardiographic examination.
Results: Maximum P‐wave duration (Pmax) (106.7 ± 15.8 vs. 91.7 ± 12.7 ms) and PWD (57.2 ± 15.4 vs. 37.9 ± 16.7 ms) were significantly longer in HF patients compared to the control group. There were significant correlations of Pmax and PWD with left atrial diameter (r = 0.508, P = < 0.001 and r = 0.315, P = 0.029), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r = 0.401, p = 0.005 and r = 0.396, P = 0.005), deceleration time (r = 0.296, P = 0.032 and r = 0.312, P = 0.035), and isovolumetric relaxation time (r = 0.265, P = 0.038 and r = 0.322, P = 0.015). There were significant improvements in LVEF (32.7 ± 6.5% to 37.2 ± 5.5%, P = 0.036), left atrial diameter (41.5 ± 6.7 to 40.3 ± 6.1 mm, P < 0.001), and Pmax (106.7 ± 15.8 to 102.2 ± 11.5 ms, P = 0.006) and PWD (57.2 ± 15.4 to 48.9 ± 10.1 ms, P < 0.001) during follow‐up.
Conclusions: Trimetazidine added to optimal medical therapy in HF may improve Pmax and PWD in association with improved left ventricular function. Longer‐term and larger studies are necessary to evaluate whether these findings may have clinical implications on prevention of atrial fibrillation.
Health‐related quality of life is maintained in hemodialysis patients receiving pharmaceutical care: A 2‐year randomized, controlled study
Authors: PAI Amy Barton , BOYD Alex , CHAVEZ Alicia , MANLEY Harold J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractEnd‐stage renal disease and initiation of hemodialysis (HD) adversely affect health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). There are currently no data evaluating the effect of pharmaceutical care (PC) on HRQOL in HD patients. HD patients were randomized to receive PC; one‐on‐one, in‐depth medication reviews conducted by a clinical pharmacist or Standard of Care (SOC); and brief medication reviews conducted by dialysis nurses. The renal quality of life profile (RQLP) was administered at baseline and then at 1 and 2 years after study initiation. The RQLP is a 43‐item questionnaire that has 5 dimensions: Eating/Drinking, Physical Activities, Leisure Time, Psychosocial Activities, and Impact of Treatment, where increasing scores reflect worsening of HRQOL. A total of 107 patients were enrolled (SOC: n=46; PC: n=61). Besides gender, there were no differences in the demographics or the baseline total RQLP scores. The mean±SD total RQLP scores at Year 1 were significantly worse in SOC compared with PC (88±31 vs. 71±34, respectively; P=0.03). Significant worsening of Eating and Drinking (5.9±3.3 vs. 4.4±3.1, respectively; P=0.04), Physical Activities (37±13.6 vs. 30±16.3, respectively; P=0.04), and Leisure Time scores (8.3±3.4 vs. 5.9±3.6, respectively; P=0.03) was also observed in the SOC group. After 2 years, only the SOC patients had worsening of Leisure Time (7.5±3.0 vs. 5.2±3.9, respectively; P=0.04). No other parameters were different between the groups after 2 years. These data indicate that patients who have clinical care provided by pharmacists do not have worsened HRQOL after 1 year and are able to maintain HRQOL for an additional year.
Using water wisely: New, affordable, and essential water conservation practices for facility and home hemodialysis
Authors: AGAR John W. M. , SIMMONDS Rosemary E. , KNIGHT Richard , SOMERVILLE Christine A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractDespite a global focus on resource conservation, most hemodialysis (HD) services still wastefully or ignorantly discard reverse osmosis (R/O) “reject water” (RW) to the sewer. However, an R/O system is producing the highly purified water necessary for dialysis, it rejects any remaining dissolved salts from water already prefiltered through charcoal and sand filters in a high‐volume effluent known as RW. Although the RW generated by most R/O systems lies well within globally accepted potable water criteria, it is legally “unacceptable” for drinking. Consequently, despite being extremely high‐grade gray water, under current dialysis practices, it is thoughtlessly “lost‐to‐drain.” Most current HD service designs neither specify nor routinely include RW‐saving methodology, despite its simplicity and affordability. Since 2006, we have operated several locally designed, simple, cheap, and effective RW collection and distribution systems in our in‐center, satellite, and home HD services. All our RW water is now recycled for gray‐water use in our hospital, in the community, and at home, a practice that is widely appreciated by our local health service and our community and is an acknowledged lead example of scarce resource conservation. Reject water has sustained local sporting facilities and gardens previously threatened by indefinite closure under our regional endemic local drought conditions. As global water resources come under increasing pressure, we believe that a far more responsible attitude to RW recycling and conservation should be mandated for all new and existing HD services, regardless of country or region.
Cardiovascular conditions in hemodialysis patients may be worsened by extensive interdialytic weight gain
Authors: HOLMBERG Benny , STEGMAYR Bernd G. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe risk of death is increased for hemodialysis (HD) patients compared with age‐matched healthy subjects, the main reason for this being cardiovascular conditions. This prospective study investigated whether the burden of interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was of importance for cardiovascular end points and survival. A total of 97 HD patients were studied. The end points included death (reasons given), acute myocardial infarction, or coronary vascular intervention. The extent of ultrafiltration was measured at predefined follow‐up points. The IDWG was calculated as ultrafiltration/body weight given in weight%. The burden of IDWG was analyzed. End points occurred in 77 (79%) of the patients during the 5‐year study period. The extent of IDWG was higher in those with end points due to cardiovascular reasons (3.77 weight% vs. 3.19 P<0.001), cardiac reasons (P<0.001), congestive heart failure (P<0.01), aortic aneurysm, and intracerebral bleeding (P<0.024). To reduce the risk for cardiovascular events, it is important to avoid too extensive IDWG in HD patients.
Mini mental status examination (MMSE) in stable chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis: The effects of hemodialysis on the MMSE score. A prospective study
Authors: DAHBOUR Said S. , WAHBEH Ayman M. , HAMDAN Mohammad Z. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractCognitive impairment is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The mini mental status examination is a simple screening test for dementia. The objectives of this study were to (1) study and compare the predialysis and postdialysis mini mental status examination score and 2 subscores and compare them with those of a control group and (2) determine the factors affecting these scores. This was a prospective study of 54 HD patients, which involved calculation of their predialysis (PrHDSc) and (2–4 weeks later) postdialysis (PoHDSc) scores and comparison of these with the control scores (CoSc). The mean scores for PreHDSc and PoHDSc were 26.5±2.7 and 26.4±3.3, respectively. Both were significantly lower than CoSc, 28.4±1.6 (95% CI for score difference 0.99–2.97, P<0.001). The subscores for orientation, registration, and recall (ORR) and attention (ATT) before and after HD were 14.2±1.3, 14.3±1.8, and 3.5±1.7, 3.2±1.8, respectively. Both were significantly lower than the CoSc, 15.2±1.2 and 4.2±1.1 (P=0.001 and 0.004, respectively). There were no significant differences between the PrHDSc and PoHDSc (P values of 0.87, 0.63, and 0.45, respectively). Patients' PrHDSc correlated positively with PoHDSc and dialysis efficiency measured by the urea reduction ratio and Kt/V (r=0.58, 0.4, and 0.34, respectively). Education level correlated positively with PrHDSc r=0.41 but not PoHDSc. Hemodialysis duration correlated negatively with PrHDSc r=−0.3. There was no correlation among age, chronic renal failure duration, HD frequency, weight loss, systolic or diastolic blood pressure drop, and PrHDSc or PoHDSc. Hemodialysis patients scored significantly less than the control patients. Their score was not affected by HD. This may reflect the stable cognitive function/dysfunction or the mild sensitivity of the test.
Massive aneurysmal dilatation of a depopulated ureteric hemodialysis xenograft
Authors: SMITH Matthew P. WELBERRY , SPARK James Ian , PATEL Jai V. , BORDER David J. , OSWAL Dilip , LEWINGTON Andrew J. P. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractUse of depopulated bovine ureteric xenografts for hemodialysis vascular access has recently been described. Cellular components have been removed, giving a connective tissue matrix which can be neocellularized, retaining native biomechanics. A 24‐year‐old male with end‐stage renal disease from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis presented with particularly difficult vascular access. A depopulated bovine ureteric xenograft was implanted from the left subclavian artery to innominate vein. It became massively aneurysmal, requiring emergency embolization. Biopsy of the graft stained positive for α‐gal. We believe this is the first reported case of massive aneurysmal dilatation of a depopulated bovine ureteric xenograft.
Connexin43 modulates neutrophil recruitment to the lung
Authors: Sarieddine Maya Z. Richani , Scheckenbach K. E. Ludwig , Foglia Bernard , Maass Karen , Garcia Irène , Kwak Brenda R. , Chanson Marc 
Published: January 2009

AbstractTransmigration of neutrophils through the microvascular endothelium is a cardinal event of acute inflammation. It has been suggested that gap junctions made of connexin43 (Cx43) may serve as a conducting pathway to spread inflammatory signals within the lung capillary network. To determine whether Cx43 contributes to neutrophil transmigrationin vivo, the number of transmigrated neutrophils was monitored in lungs of Cx43 mouse models subjected to inflammation by intratracheal instillations ofPseudomonas aeruginosalipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cx43 was detected in inflamed lungs independently of neutrophil recruitment, whereas Cx43 up‐regulation was not detected in mice genetically protected from inflammation. Mice heterozygous for the Cx43 gene (gja1) showed a 56% (P< 0.01) reduction in airway neutrophil count. In contrast, increased (P< 0.05) neutrophil recruitment in response to LPS was observed in a mouse model expressing a mutant Cx43 with enhanced channel conductivity.In vitroadhesion assays showed that reduced conductivity of Cx43 channels with43Gap26, a Cx43 blocking peptide, decreased adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells. Finally, we found that instillation of43Gap26 in inflamed lungs reduced neutrophil transmigration by 65% (P< 0.05). These results indicate that inflammatory mediators up‐regulate alveolar Cx43 to promote neutrophil recruitment to the airspace. Cx43 may therefore represent a pharmacological target in lung diseases characterized by excessive neutrophil recruitment to the airways.
Studies on dentin grafts to bone defects in rabbit tibia and mandible; development of an experimental model
Authors: Andersson Lars , Ramzi Abbas , Joseph Bobby 
Published: January 2009

Abstract –  Background and Aim:  Dentin contains bone morphogenic protein which is important in bone induction and dentin can act as a slow releasing carrier. This property may possibly be used as an alternative or supplement to bone grafting to defective areas after trauma prior to treatment with osseointegrated implants. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate if dentin can be used as a graft in bone defects in an experimental rabbit model.Materials and Methods:  Eight New Zealand White Rabbits were used to prepare bone cavities either in the angle of the mandible or tibia. Six of the eight tibial and six of the eight mandibular bone defects were filled with dentin blocks from human premolars which were extracted for orthodontic treatment. Two mandibular and two tibial bone cavities were used as controls and all the rabbits were sacrificed after 3 months. Radiographic and histological examinations were performed.Results:  There was a difference in healing pattern between the mandibular and tibial defects. In the mandible, the dentin blocks were resorbed to a larger extent and more often surrounded by fibrous tissue, probably due to the fact that the dentin blocks were mobile because of the thin mandibles and muscular activity in that area. Only some dentin blocks were ankylosed with the mandibular bone. In the tibia however, all dentin blocks were fused to bone over a large area. Osseous replacement resorption was seen. In control cavities, bone formation was seen but was never complete. No signs of inflammatory changes were seen in any fused grafts.Conclusions:  Dentin grafts have a potential to be incorporated in bone without inflammation and can be used as bone inducer and later replaced by bone. Thus, rabbit tibia served as a better model for further studies of this phenomenon when compared to the mandible.
Neurodevelopmental outcome and pulmonary morbidity two years after early versus late surfactant treatment: does it really differ?
Authors: Hentschel R , Dittrich F , Hilgendorff A , Wauer R , Westmeier M , Gortner L 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim: To investigate whether neurodevelopmental outcome or pulmonary morbidity at age two years might be different after early versus late surfactant treatment in intubated preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Methods: In 185 ex‐preterm infants of 27–32 completed weeks of gestation, who were enrolled in a controlled trial of early versus late surfactant treatment (31 ± 19 min vs. 202 ± 80 min, respectively), a standardized follow up of medical history, pulmonary morbidity and neurodevelopmental outcome using the Griffiths scales were carried out.Results: Neurobehavioural and motor development was comparable in both groups, as was medical history and actual morbidity. However, in the early treatment group a delay in the subscale ‘personal social’ of the Griffiths test and in one ‘milestone’ of motor development (rolling over from supine to prone) was noticed, and the rate of increased muscular tone was significantly higher.Conclusion: In terms of long‐term morbidity or neurological development there is no obvious advantage of an immediate surfactant administration after intubation in preterm infants with RDS. This is in line with our results published earlier on morbidity at discharge, so improvement of gas exchange after intubation can first be awaited before surfactant is indicated.
Quantitative trait locus mapping of resistance in apple to Cydia pomonella and Lyonetia clerkella and of two selected fruit traits
Authors: Stoeckli S. , Mody K. , Gessler C. , Christen D. , Dorn S. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractApple, Malus×domestica, is the most important fruit grown within the temperate zonobiome. It is attacked by both fruit‐damaging and leaf‐damaging lepidopteran pest insects, which require regular control such as the carpophagous codling moth, Cydia pomonella, or frequent control such as the phyllophagous apple leaf miner, Lyonetia clerkella. As many environmentally friendly pest control tactics are only effective at low levels of infestation, host plant resistance is a promising future component of integrated pest management systems, but knowledge is still lacking on such genetically based approaches against lepidopteran pests. The aim of the study was to identify molecular markers linked to C. pomonella and L. clerkella resistance or susceptibility in commercial apple as well as markers linked to selected fruit traits. The number of C. pomonella‐infested fruits and the number of L. clerkella mines were quantified as measures of apple resistance or susceptibility to the studied moth species. Herbivore surveys on 160 apple genotypes, representing a segregating F1 cross of the apple cultivars ‘Fiesta’ and ‘Discovery’, were carried out during two consecutive years and at two sites in Switzerland. Broad‐sense heritability was 29.9% (C. pomonella), 18.2% (L. clerkella), 21.9% (fruit number) and 16.6% (fruit diameter). A subsequent analysis identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated to C. pomonella susceptibility on the Discovery linkage group 10. The closest marker to this QTL was the random amplified polymorphic marker Z19‐350. No significant QTL was identified for resistance to L. clerkella. A putative QTL associated to fruit number was identified on Fiesta linkage group 12. The presented QTL associated with C. pomonella susceptibility and the putative QTL linked to fruit number may facilitate marker‐assisted breeding of resistant apple cultivars with cropping traits desirable for optimal fruit production.
Cryotherapy of shoot tips: a technique for pathogen eradication to produce healthy planting materials and prepare healthy plant genetic resources for cryopreservation
Authors: Wang Q.C. , Panis B. , Engelmann F. , Lambardi M. , Valkonen J.P.T. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractCryotherapy of shoot tips is a new method for pathogen eradication based on cryopreservation techniques. Cryopreservation refers to the storage of biological samples at ultra‐low temperature, usually that of liquid nitrogen (−196°C), and is considered as an ideal means for long‐term storage of plant germplasm. In cryotherapy, plant pathogens such as viruses, phytoplasmas and bacteria are eradicated from shoot tips by exposing them briefly to liquid nitrogen. Uneven distribution of viruses and obligate vasculature‐limited microbes in shoot tips allows elimination of the infected cells by injuring them with the cryo‐treatment and regeneration of healthy shoots from the surviving pathogen‐free meristematic cells. Thermotherapy followed by cryotherapy of shoot tips can be used to enhance virus eradication. Cryotherapy of shoot tips is easy to implement. It allows treatment of large numbers of samples and results in a high frequency of pathogen‐free regenerants. Difficulties related to excision and regeneration of small meristems are largely circumvented. To date, severe pathogens in banana (Musa spp.), Citrus spp., grapevine (Vitis vinifera), Prunus spp., raspberry (Rubus idaeus), potato (Solanum tuberosum) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) have been eradicated using cryotherapy. These pathogens include nine viruses (banana streak virus, cucumber mosaic virus, grapevine virus A, plum pox virus, potato leaf roll virus, potato virus Y, raspberry bushy dwarf virus, sweet potato feathery mottle virus and sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus), sweet potato little leaf phytoplasma and Huanglongbing bacterium causing ‘citrus greening’. Cryopreservation protocols have been developed for a wide variety of plant species, including agricultural and horticultural crops and ornamental plants, and can be used as such or adjusted for the purpose of cryotherapy.
EFFECT OF HIGH PRESSURE ON LACTOCOCCAL BACTERIOPHAGES
Authors: BOZOĞLU FARUK , AKÇELİK MUSTAFA , BAYINDIRLI ALEV 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT Four different host‐specific lactococcal bacteriophages were subjected to high hydrostatic pressure and heat treatments. Pressure treatments were done at room temperature at 300 and 350 MPa for 5–40 min. Complete inactivation of bacteriophages was observed starting at 350 MPa for 20‐min treatment at room temperature. The effect of heat on the bacteriophages was analyzed by heat treatment at 71.7C for predetermined lengths of time (1–5 min). Decrease in bacteriophage number was observed after 3 min of heat treatment at 71.7C. Pressure treatment at 350 MPa/5 min and heat treatment at 71.7C/3 min were both found to be effective for the inactivation of lactococcal bacteriophages. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that protein profiles of pressure‐treated (350 MPa, 25 min) bacteriophages were altered. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSBacteriophages are still a problem for the production of fermented dairy products, as there has not been a process to eliminate them completely from the fermentation environment. Processes such as pasteurization are not adequate to eliminate bacteriophages. However, new food preservation methods have been developed, one of which is high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing. HHP has potential application for the inactivation of viruses. Here, we demonstrate the application of HHP to inactivate the bacteriophages of dairy starter culture Lactococcus in comparison with heat treatment.
COMPARISON OF CYTOLETHAL DISTENDING TOXIN AND INVASION ABILITIES IN CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI ISOLATED FROM CLINICAL PATIENTS AND POULTRY
Authors: GILBERT CARL , HANNING IRENE , VAUGHN BRANDI , KANTA HASNA , SLAVIK MICHAEL 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT The cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) and ability to invade cells are known virulence factors of Campylobacter jejuni. The cdtB subunit was sequenced in isolates obtained from humans (n = 19), chickens (n = 50), and turkeys (n = 22) to determine if pathogenic C. jejuni could be detected using the cdtB gene. Most of the C. jejuni isolates (87%) were found to carry the cdtB gene with a highly conserved sequence. However, 4 human, 5 chicken, and 2 turkey isolates had mutations resulting in sequences being 30% or less homologous to the consensus sequence. Some of these mutations had minor effects on cytotoxicity and isolates still were able to kill 18–67% of HeLa cells. In this study, there was no correlation in invasion abilities and cytotoxicity. The results indicated C. jejuni may utilize more than one mechanism in causing disease and pathogenicity but is strain dependent. Also, the utility of the cdtB as an indicator of pathogenicity is doubtful.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S.A. and creates a 1.2 billion dollar annual burden. Being able to detect and distinguish pathogenic from nonpathogenic strains is important for assessing the risk to consumers of contracting campylobacteriosis. Understanding which pathogenicity factors are important in causing disease can give information to develop targets for detecting pathogenic bacteria, intervention strategies and therapeutic medicines. This work points out that the ability of C. jejuni to cause disease varies by strain and one or more mechanisms may be used in causing disease. The results of this study indicate multiple targets may be necessary for designing a molecular assay used to detect pathogenic strains of C. jejuni. In order to reduce C. jejuni on poultry products, the incidences of campylobacteriosis and consequent economic burden, detection and intervention methods need to be developed.