bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of buspirone on gastric sensorimotor function in man
Authors: VAN OUDENHOVE L. , KINDT S. , VOS R. , COULIE B. , TACK J. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBackground  Previous studies have suggested involvement of 5HT1 receptors in the control of gastric tone.Aim  To study the effect of buspirone, a 5HT1A agonist, on gastric sensorimotor function in healthy volunteers.Methods  Ten healthy volunteers (six males and four females, ages 20–29 years) participated in a barostat study evaluating the influence of single oral doses of buspirone (5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg) on tone and sensitivity of the proximal stomach. In addition, the effect of placebo or the three lowest doses of buspirone on gastric emptying was assessed using a solid and liquid gastric emptying breath test.Results  Compared to preadministration volumes, buspirone increased proximal stomach volumes in a dose‐dependent manner, with significant fundic relaxation after 30 and 40 mg doses (intra‐balloon volume increases of respectively 258 ± 80 mL and 273 ± 49 mL, P ≤ 0.05). Pressure thresholds during gastric distention were not altered, but corresponding intraballoon volumes were significantly increased after 30 and 40 mg doses (respective discomfort volumes 596 ± 73 vs. 791 ± 87 mL and 630 ± 73 vs.741 ± 60 mL, both P < 0.05). Buspirone significantly slowed solid and liquid gastric emptying at the 20‐mg dose.Conclusion  Buspirone dose‐dependently relaxes the proximal stomach in the fasting state and decreases the gastric emptying rate in healthy volunteers.
Development of a risk stratification model for predicting acute renal failure in orthotopic liver transplantation recipients*
Authors: Rueggeberg A. , Boehm S. , Napieralski F. , Mueller A. R. , Neuhaus P. , Falke K. J. , Gerlach H. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe purpose of this prospective observation cohort study was to develop and validate a risk stratification model for prediction of acute renal failure after liver transplantation. Data from 71 orthotopic liver transplantation recipients were used to develop a risk stratification model by binary logistic regression analysis containing the following variables: pretransplant hepatitis B and/or C infection; arterial hypertension; intra‐operative mean arterial blood pressure before induction of anaesthesia; units of packed red blood cells required; hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure ≤50 mmHg); and maximum lactate concentration. Validation of the model on 167 consecutive patients revealed a sensitivity of 0.78, a specifity of 0.92, a negative predictive value of 0.96 and a positive predictive value of 0.62. This risk stratification model enables identification of orthotopic liver transplantation recipients with no or low risk for acute renal failure directly at the end of the transplantation procedure.
Seamount detection and isolation with a modified wavelet transform
Authors: Hillier J. K. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTThe size, shape and number of seamounts, once detected and isolated from other features such as oceanic plateaus or trenches, have the potential to provide valuable constraints on important solid Earth processes, e.g. oceanic volcanism. The variability of seamount size and morphology, however, presents problems for computational approaches to seamount isolation. This paper develops a novel and efficient wavelet‐based seamount detection routine ‘Spatial Wavelet Transform (SWT)’; the first use of multiple scales of analysis to directly isolate edifices from bathymetric data. Only weak shape‐related criteria are used and no a priori knowledge of the scale and location of the seamounts is required. For a bathymetric profile collected on cruise v3312 SWT matches, to within 25%, the dimensions of five times the number of the features determined by manual inspection than does the best statistically based (e.g. mean, median or mode) sliding window filter. The size–frequency distribution, a key descriptor of seamount populations, is also much better estimated by the SWT method. As such, the SWT represents a step towards the goal of objective and robust quantification and classification of seamounts.
Quality of life changes and clinical outcomes in thyroid cancer patients undergoing radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) with recombinant human TSH (rhTSH): a randomized controlled study
Authors: Taïeb D. , Sebag F. , Cherenko M. , Baumstarck‐Barrau K. , Fortanier C. , Farman‐Ara B. , De Micco C. , Vaillant J. , Thomas S. , Conte‐Devolx B. , Loundou A. , Auquier P. , Henry J. F. , Mundler O. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBackground  Recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) has become the modality of choice for radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) in low‐risk thyroid cancer patients.Aims and methods  The aims of the present prospective randomized study were to evaluate the impact of TSH stimulation procedure (hypothyroidism vs. rhTSH) on quality of life (QoL) of thyroid cancer patients undergoing RRA and to evaluate efficacy of both procedures.L‐T4 was initiated in both groups after thyroidectomy. After randomization, L‐T4 was discontinued in hypothyroid (hypo) group and continued in rhTSH group. A measure of 3·7 GBq of radioiodine was given to both groups. The functional assessment of chronic illness therapy‐fatigue (FACIT‐F) was administered from the early postoperative period to 9 months. Socio‐demographic parameters, anxiety and depression scales were also evaluated (CES‐D, BDI and Spielberger state‐trait questionnaires).At 9 months, patients underwent an rhTSH stimulation test, diagnostic 131I whole body scan (dxWBS) and neck ultrasonography.Results  A total of 74 patients were enrolled for the study. There was a significant decrease in QoL from baseline (t0) to t1 (RRA period) in the hypothyroid group with significant differences in FACIT‐F TOI (P < 10−3), FACT‐G total score (P = 0·005) and FACIT‐F total score (P = 0·003). By contrast, QoL was preserved in the rhTSH group. In the multivariate analysis, FACIT‐TOI changes were only affected by the modality of TSH stimulation performed for RRA. From 3 to 9 months, changes of QoL scales and subscales were no longer statistically different in both groups of patients.Based on serum rhTSH‐stimulated Tg alone (Tg < 0·8 µg/l, BRAHMS Tg Kryptor), no difference in ablation success was observed between rhTSH and hypothyroidism groups, 91·7% and 97·1%, respectively. A higher rate of persistent thyroid remnants was observed in the rhTSH arm, although in most cases uptake was < 0·1% and of no clinical significance.Conclusions  rhTSH preserves QoL of patients undergoing RRA with similar rates of ablation success compared to hypothyrodism. However, there is a wide heterogeneity in the clinical impact of hypothyroidism.
Placental production and maternal serum and urine levels of inhibin A and activin A are modified by antihypertensive therapy in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Khalil Asma , Jauniaux Eric , Harrington Kevin , Muttukrishna Shanthi 
Published: September 2008

SummaryObjective  Levels of inhibin A and activin A are raised in pre‐eclampsia (PE) but it is not known if antihypertensive therapy can affect their levels. Our aim was to investigate the effect of the antihypertensive drug α‐methyldopa on serum, urine and placental concentrations of inhibin A and activin A in women presenting with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Design  This was a cross‐sectional study.Patients  We recruited 65 women presenting with PE, 39 with gestational hypertension (GH) and 104 normotensive controls matched for maternal age, gestational age and parity.Measurements  Using specific validated ELISAs, serum and urine levels of inhibin A and activin A, and uterine artery Doppler indices, were measured before and 24–48 h after initiating α‐methyldopa therapy in women with PE, with GH and controls. Protein extracts were obtained from samples of placental tissue from another group of women with PE, GH and controls for the same analysis.Results  In PE, but not GH, α‐methyldopa therapy was associated with significantly (P < 0·05) lower levels of both serum and urine inhibin A and activin A. Similarly, in PE but not GH, α‐methyldopa therapy was associated with lower placental levels of both markers (P < 0·05). There was no significant difference in pulsatility index following treatment in either PE or GH.Conclusions  Our data indicate that antihypertensive therapy with α‐methyldopa may have an effect on the synthesis and/or release of placental proteins in pregnancies complicated by PE and that this effect may be independent of its known antihypertensive action.
Microalbuminuria and obesity: impact on cardiovascular disease and mortality
Authors: Klausen Klaus Peder , Parving Hans‐Henrik , Scharling Henrik , Jensen Jan Skov 
Published: September 2008

SummaryObjective  Microalbuminuria and obesity are both associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to determine the association between obesity (measured by body mass index, waist‐to‐hip ratio, waist circumference) and different levels of microalbuminuria. We also aimed to determine the risk of death and CVD at different levels of microalbuminuria and obesity.Design  Population‐based observational study based on 2696 men and women, 30–70 years of age. Urinary albumin excretion (UAE), body mass index, waist‐to‐hip ratio, waist circumference and other cardiovascular risk factors were measured during the years 1992–1994 at the Copenhagen City Heart Study. End‐points were registered until 1999–2000 with respect to CVD and until 2004 with respect to death.Results  There was a strong association between microalbuminuria and obesity. Microalbuminuria and obesity had additive effects on the relative risk of death independently of other risk factors. In contrast there was no statistically significant association between microalbuminuria and risk of CVD when stratified by obesity.Conclusions  Microalbuminuria (UAE > 5 µg/min) confers increased risk of death and to a similar extent as obesity. This effect is independent of concomitant obesity. We suggest microalbuminuria to be included in health examinations besides measurements of obesity.
Effects of an empowerment‐based education program for public health nurses in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Li‐Chun , Liu Chieh‐Hsing , Yen Edwin Han‐Wen 
Published: September 2008

Aim and objectives.  The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an empowerment‐based education program (EBEP) on employee empowerment, job satisfaction, job productivity and innovative behaviours for public health nurses (PHN) in Taiwan.Background.  Empowerment is an important consideration among nurses trying to function in ever‐changing health care and education settings. Several studies focused on the trend of public health nursing revealed that PHN have experienced a severe feeling of powerlessness. Developing empowerment strategies through organisations may be a means of helping employees recognise powerlessness in difficult situations and take appropriate action.Design.  Quasi‐experimental design.Methods.  PHN in two health bureaus in Taiwan were assigned into an empowerment group (n = 29) and a control group (n = 32). Twenty‐four hours of the EBEP lasted four weeks included four empowerment classes and four group workshops following each curriculum for PHN to apply principles of empowerment in their work environment. Data were collected at baseline and four weeks after the intervention. Analysis of covariance (ancova) was used to examine the intervention effect.Results.  The experimental group reported significantly higher psychological empowerment [F (1,47) = 5·09, MSE = 3·25, p = 0·001, η2 = 0·18] and competence [F (1,47) = 3·96, MSE = 28·78, p = 0·05, η2 = 0·22] and impact [F (1,47) = 4·98, MSE = 44·79, p = 0·002, η2 = 0·20] subscales, job productivity [F (1,47) = 4·88, MSE = 5·18, p = 0·002, η2 = 0·19] and innovative behaviours [F (1,47) = 5·09, MSE = 3·25, p = 0·001, η2 = 0·24] than the control group after the EBEP.Conclusion.  The EBEP had significant effect on psychological empowerment and subscales of competence and impact, innovative behaviour and job productivity but no effect on organisational empowerment and job satisfaction for PHN.Relevance to clinical practice.  Our findings suggest public health administration could design empowerment‐based education to improve employee empowerment and job productivity for PHN. Furthermore, using multiple components to design empowerment education should be considered in further studies.
Mast cells in the gills and intestines of naturally infected fish: evidence of migration and degranulation
Authors: Dezfuli B S , Giari L 
Published: September 2008

AbstractImmunopathological and ultrastructural studies were carried out on the gills of bream, Abramis brama, naturally infected with the copepod Ergasilus sieboldi and on the intestine of brown trout, Salmo trutta, infected with the acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus truttae. Infected gills showed extensive tissue damage due to copepod attachment, including hyperplasia, as well as proliferation of mast cells, rodlet cells and mucous cells. In parasitized gills of bream, mast cells were more abundant than in uninfected gills. They were free within the lacunae, as well as outside and inside the blood vessels of the primary lamellae, and made intimate contact with vascular endothelial cells and with neutrophils. In some infected gills, degranulation of mast cells was common. Infected intestines of brown trout had more mast cells than uninfected intestines, and these cells were often in close proximity to, and inside, the capillaries and lying close to fibroblasts of the muscularis layer and stratum granulosum. Intense degranulation of mast cells was encountered in all intestinal layers, especially near the E. truttae body.
Description and phylogeny of Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. and Zschokkella lophii sp. n. from the Japanese anglerfish, Lophius litulon (Jordan)
Authors: Freeman M A , Yokoyama H , Ogawa K 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTwo new species of myxozoans from the Japanese anglerfish, Lophius litulon, are described using myxospore morphology and small subunit rDNA sequences. Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. is a parasite of the gall bladder and had a prevalence of 57%. Mature spores of C. anko sp. n. are arcuate to crescent shaped with valves tapering to rounded tips. A prominent sutural line runs centrally between the round adjacent polar capsules containing the polar filament coiled two to three times. Spore measurements: length 10.8 (9.7–11.9) μm, width 41.9 (36.9–47.2) μm, polar capsule diameter 4.6 (4.1–5.3) μm. Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. can be distinguished from other Ceratomyxa spp. due to its spore dimensions and shape. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. is a parasite of the urinary bladder and had a prevalence of 70%. Mature spores are ellipsoidal to semicircular with bluntly pointed ends. The sutural line is curved or sinuous and the valves have no discernable surface ornamentation. Two almost spherical polar capsules are located separately in the ends of the spore, opening in almost opposite directions and contain the polar filament with five coils. Spore measurements: length 20.1 (16.8–24.0) μm, width 14.9 (12.7–16.8) μm, polar capsule diameter 5.1 (3.6–5.8) μm. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. can be distinguished from other Zschokkella spp. due to the terminal opening of the polar capsules within the spores and the site of infection within the host fish. In the phylogenetic analyses, C. anko sp. n. grouped with other members of the same genus forming a monophyly. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. forms a discrete clade with another Zschokkella sp. that infects the urinary bladder of marine fish. This grouping forms a sister clade to one containing members of the genus Parvicapsula, all of which are parasites of the urinary system in marine fish.
Origin of the parasites of an invading species, the Australian cane toad (Bufo marinus): are the lungworms Australian or American?
Authors: DUBEY SYLVAIN , SHINE RICHARD 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPhylogeographical analyses that identify the geographical origin of parasites in invading species can clarify the parasites’ potential for biological control of the invader and the risks posed by the parasite to native species. Our data on nuclear and mitochondrial genetic sequences show that the nematode lungworms (Rhabdias spp.) in invasive Australian populations of cane toads (Bufo marinus) are Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala, a South American species. We did not find this lungworm species in any Australian frogs sympatric with cane toads, suggesting that the parasite does not attack Australian frogs and hence may offer potential as a biocontrol agent of the toad.
Clonal population structure of the chestnut blight fungus in expanding ranges in southeastern Europe
Authors: MILGROOM MICHAEL G. , SOTIROVSKI KIRIL , SPICA DOMENICO , DAVIS JOANNE E. , BREWER MARIN T. , MILEV MILKO , CORTESI PAOLO 
Published: September 2008

AbstractExpanding populations are often less genetically diverse at their margins than at the centre of a species’ range. Established, older populations of the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, are more variable for vegetative compatibility (vc) types than in expanding populations in southeastern Europe where C. parasitica has colonized relatively recently. To test whether vc types represent clones, we genotyped 373 isolates of C. parasitica from southern Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey using 11 sequence‐characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. Ten SCAR loci and six vegetative incompatibility (vic) loci were polymorphic in these samples. These populations are clonal by all criteria tested: (i) among 373 isolates, we found only eight multilocus haplotypes, and the same haplotypes were found in multiple countries, sometimes separated in time by as much as 12 years; (ii) the number of haplotypes observed was significantly less than expected under random mating; (iii) populations are in linkage disequilibrium; (iv) the two sets of independent markers, SCARs and vc types, are highly correlated; and (v) sexual structures of C. parasitica were found only in Bulgaria and Romania. One mating type (MAT‐1) was found in 98% of the isolates sampled. In contrast, a population in northern Italy, in the central part of the range in Europe, had 12 multilocus haplotypes among 19 isolates. The spread of a few clones could be the result either of founder effect and restricted migration, or these clones have greater fitness than others and spread because they are better adapted to conditions in southeastern Europe.
Monocyte Exposure to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cell Wall Mannan and Decreased TNF‐α Production in Mild Asthma: A Role for Mannan‐binding Lectin?
Authors: Johannessen L. N. , Løvik M. , Steinshamn S. , Nilsen A. M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA correlation between fungal exposure and aggravation of inflammatory symptoms in asthmatic individuals is well documented in the literature. However, the molecular mediators responsible for clinical symptoms due to fungal exposure in individuals with asthma are still not known. The fungal cell wall polysaccharide mannan stimulates production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in monocytes. Recently, a role for the plasma protein mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) has been proposed in individuals with severe asthmatic disease, although little is known about its role in those with mild and untreated asthma. MBL has been reported to modulate inflammatory cytokine production, but the mechanisms are not known. We conducted a pilot study and found that the cell wall mannan preparation used stimulated lower TNF‐α production by monocytes from asthmatic subjects compared with that from healthy subjects in the presence of autologous plasma. Lipopolysaccharide‐induced TNF‐α production was not significantly different between the groups. Further, plasma MBL levels in individuals with mild asthma were slightly increased compared with those in normal subjects, although the difference was not statistically significant. We speculate that reduced TNF‐α production in monocytes from asthmatic subjects after fungal cell wall mannan stimulation could partly be influenced by plasma components such as MBL.
Strategy to Assess the Overall Cytokine Profile of Circulating Leukocytes and its Association with Distinct Clinical Forms of Human Chagas Disease
Authors: Vitelli‐Avelar D. M. , Sathler‐Avelar R. , Teixeira‐Carvalho A. , Pinto Dias J. C. , Gontijo E. D. , Faria A. M. , Elói‐Santos S. M. , Martins‐Filho O. A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHerein we have employed an alternative strategy to assess the cytokine patterns of circulating leukocytes and correlate dominant cytokine profiles with indeterminate‐IND and cardiac‐CARD clinical forms of Chagas disease. We have first calculated median percentages of cytokine‐positive leukocytes of our study sample to establish, for each cytokine‐positive cell population, the cut‐off edge that would segregate ‘low’ and ‘high’ cytokine producers to build colour diagrams and draw a panoramic cytokine chart. Using this approach we demonstrated that most IND individuals presented a dominant regulatory cytokine profile, whereas CARD individuals displayed a dominant inflammatory cytokine pattern. In addition, radar chart analysis confirmed the dichotomic cytokine balance between IND and CARD groups and further allowed the identification of the relative contribution of each cell population for the global cytokine pattern. Data analysis demonstrated that CD4+ T cells were the major cell population defining the regulatory profile in IND, whereas monocytes and CD4+ T cells determined the inflammatory cytokine pattern in CARD individuals. Interestingly, in vitro stimulation with trypomastigote Trypanosoma cruzi antigen was able to invert the cytokine balances in IND and CARD groups. Upon antigenic stimulation, changes in the frequencies of IL‐10‐producing CD4+ T cells and monocytes drove IND individuals towards an inflammatory pattern and CARD towards a regulatory cytokine profile. A similar inversion could be found after in vivo treatment of IND and CARD individuals with benzonidazole. Altogether, these findings shed some light into the complex cytokine network underlying the immunopathogenesis of Chagas disease and provide putative immunological biomarkers of disease severity and therapeutic response.
Mucosal Administration of Completely Non‐Replicative Vaccinia Virus Recombinant Dairen I strain Elicits Effective Mucosal and Systemic Immunity
Authors: Yoshino N. , Kanekiyo M. , Hagiwara Y. , Okamura T. , Someya K. , Matsuo K. , Ami Y. , Sato S. , Yamamoto N. , Honda M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe studied the immunogenicity of completely replication‐deficient vaccinia virus Dairen I strain recombinant encoding simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) gag/pol (rDIs) in both mucosal and systemic compartments. When administered either intranasally or intragastrically, rDIs elicited enhanced levels of both SIV Gag p27‐specific IgA antibodies and specific plasma antibodies, and the enhanced immunity persisted for the 1‐year of observation by intranasal immunization. Increases were observed in antigen‐specific IgA antibody‐forming cells (AFC) in intestinal mucosal tissues and in IgG AFC in spleens. Furthermore, induction of type 1 and 2 helper cytokines in CD4+ spleen T cells and of CD8+ IFN‐γ spot‐forming cells in mucosal tissues was observed in the intranasally immunized mice. Moreover, not even high‐dose rDIs generated an SIV gene signal in the brain tissues of immunized mice. These findings suggest that mucosal immunization with the DIs recombinant hold promise as a safe mucosal vector.