bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women’s experiences of becoming a mother after prolonged labour
Authors: Nystedt Astrid , Högberg Ulf , Lundman Berit 
Published: June 2008

AbstractTitle.  Women’s experiences of becoming a mother after prolonged labour. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore women’s experiences of becoming a mother after prolonged labour.Background.  The negativity associated with a complicated labour such as prolonged labour can lead to a struggle to become a healthy mother and could restrict the process of becoming a mother.Methods.  Interviews were conducted in 2004 with 10 mothers who had been through a prolonged labour with assisted vaginal or caesarean delivery 1–3 months previously. Thematic content analysis was used.Findings.  Three themes were formulated, describing women’s experiences as fumbling in the dark, struggling for motherhood and achieving confidence in being a mother. The difficulties and suffering involved in becoming a mother after a prolonged labour were interpreted to be like ‘fumbling in the dark’. Women experienced bodily fatigue, accompanied by feelings of illness and detachment from the child. Having the child when in this condition entailed a struggle to become a mother. In spite of these experiences and the desire to achieve confidence in being a mother, the reassurance of these women regarding their capacity for motherhood was crucial: it was central to their happiness as mothers, encouraged interaction and relationship with the child, and contributed to their adaptation to motherhood.Conclusion.  Women experiencing prolonged labour may be comparable with the experience of and recovery from illness, which could contribute to difficulties transitioning to motherhood and limit a woman’s ability to be emotionally available for the child.
Phylogeny ofHystrixand related genera (Poaceae: Triticeae) based on nuclear rDNA ITS sequences
Authors: Zhang H.‐Q. , Fan X. , Sha L.‐N. , Zhang C. , Yang R.‐W. , Zhou Y.‐H. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe taxonomic status ofHystrixand phylogenetic relationships amongHystrixand its related genera ofPseudoroegneria(St),Hordeum(H),Psathyrostachys(Ns),Elymus(StH),Leymus(NsXm),Thinopyrum bessarabicum(Eb) andLophopyrum elongatum(Ee) were estimated from sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The type species ofHystrix,H. patula, clustered with species ofPseudoroegneria,Hordeum,Elymus,Th. bessarabicumandLo. elongatum, whileH. duthieissp.duthiei,H. duthieissp.longearistata,H. coreanaandH. komaroviiwere grouped withPsathyrostachysandLeymusspecies. The results indicate that: (i)H. patulais distantly related to other species ofHystrix, but is closely related toElymusspecies; (ii)H. duthieissp.duthiei,H. duthieissp.longearistata,H. coreanaandH. komaroviihave a close affinity withPsathyrostachysandLeymusspecies, andH. komaroviimight contain the NsXm genome ofLeymus; and (iii) the St, H and Ns genomes inHystrixoriginate fromPseudoroegneria,HordeumandPsathyrostachys, respectively, while the Xm inHystrixandLeymushas a complex relationship with the E or St genomes. According to the genomic system of classification in Tiritceae, it is reasonable to treatHystrix patulaasElymus hystrixL, and the other species ofHystrixas species of a section ofLeymus,LeymusSect.Hystrix.
Parental Distribution of Resources in Relation to Larval Hunger and Size Rank in the Burying BeetleNicrophorus vespilloides
Authors: Smiseth Per T. , Moore Allen J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn altricial birds, the parents’ distribution of resources within the brood is influenced by variation in at least two components of nestling condition: hunger level and size rank. Here, we examine whether variation in larval hunger and size rank had similar influences on the parents’ distribution of resources in the burying beetleNicrophorus vespilloides. To this end, we analyzed hitherto unpublished data on parental resource distribution among individual larvae derived from three previous experiments. Our first experiment showed that resource distribution was biased towards hungry larvae at the expense of control larvae, but that actively begging hungry larvae were as likely to obtain resources from parents as actively begging control larvae. Thus, resource distribution was biased towards hungry larvae because hungry larvae spent more time begging than control larvae. Our second experiment showed that actively begging senior larvae (i.e. larvae that were older and larger) were more likely to obtain resources than actively begging junior larvae, suggesting that senior larvae had a competitive advantage or were treated preferentially by the parents. Our third experiment found no evidence that the interaction between larval hunger and size rank had an effect on parental resource distribution, suggesting that hunger level had a similar effect on resource distribution to seniors and juniors. We conclude that offspring hunger and size rank have remarkably similar effects in the burying beetleN. vespilloidesas reported in studies on altricial birds.
Male Head Secretion Triggers Copulation in the Dwarf SpiderDiplocephalus permixtus
Authors: Uhl Gabriele , Maelfait Jean‐Pierre 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe term nuptial feeding is applied for any possible form of transfer of substances during the course of mating. However, the underlying functions can range from increased coupling efficiency or increased male survival to various levels of sexual selection. Males of many dwarf spider species (Erigoninae: Linyphiidae; Araneae) produce secretions from conspicuous grooves or elevations on their prosoma that seem to play a role during the mating episode. We asked if these structures represent a survival strategy, a mating effort in that they function as a mate attractant or as a mechanism to secure matings or if they simply facilitate successful genital coupling. InDiplocephalus permixtusmales possess a deep groove in the ocular area into which females sink their chelicerae before mating commences. Secretory glands in the area of the groove produce a substance, which is taken up by the female in the process of mating. We experimentally prevented females from taking up secretion by covering the head structures of one group of males and compared the behaviour with controls. We investigated effects in a single male setting as well as in a competitive two‐males setting. Under both experimental conditions the probability that copulation occurred was significantly reduced in head covered males: females bit into male head structures irrespective of male treatment but covered males did not commence pedipalp insertion despite optimal mating position. Our data suggest that in contrast to other gustatorial arthropod species investigated so far the head–mouth contact between the sexes primarily triggers the mating behaviour of the male and not that of the female. Clearly, the secretion does not function as a mate attractant as mating position was achieved with similar probability in covered and control males. A function as a survival strategy can be excluded as well, because sexual cannibalism never occurred. Potential stimulating or manipulative effects of the secretion during copulatory and post‐copulatory phases remain to be investigated.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN µ‐OPIOID RECEPTOR‐1 102T>C POLYMORPHISM AND INTERMEDIATE TYPE 2 DIABETES PHENOTYPES: RESULTS FROM THE QUEBEC FAMILY STUDY (QFS)
Authors: Ruchat Stephanie‐May , Girard Martine , Weisnagel S John , Bouchard Claude , Vohl Marie‐Claude , Pérusse Louis 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY

It has been suggested recently that molecules expressed both in the pancreas and hypothalamus, such as µ‐opioid receptor 1 (OPRM1), could form an integrated brain–liver system, which may sense glucose levels and therefore contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
In the present study, we tested associations between OPRM1 gene polymorphisms (rs1799971, 102T/C and rs0648007G/A) and indices of glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity (IS) and insulin secretion derived from plasma measures obtained in a fasting state and following a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 749 subjects from the Quebec Family Study (QFS). Polymorphisms were tested for association with glucose tolerance (normal vs IFG and T2DM combined) by calculating a χ2 statistic and corresponding P values, whereas associations with quantitative measures of glucose tolerance, IS and insulin secretion were tested using mixed linear models implemented in the MIXED procedure of sas (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA).
Associations were found between 102T/C OPRM1 and indices of glucose tolerance and IS. Compared with T/T homozygotes, carriers of the OPRM1 C‐102 variant exhibited a better glucose tolerance with a lower (P = 0.006) glucose area under the curve (AUC) following the OGTT and a better IS with a higher (P = 0.03) value of the Cederholm index, a numerical index of the curve relating glucose uptake to the log10 plasma insulin levels during the OGTT.
The results of the present study reveal that the 102T/C OPRM1 gene polymorphism is associated with a better glucose tolerance and improved IS, both of which suggest a potential protective effect of this variant on T2DM risk.
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF TRAMADOL ON VASCULAR REACTIVITY IN NORMOTENSIVE AND SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Raimundo Juliana M , Pontes Luana B , Antunes Fernanda , Sudo Roberto T , Trachez Margarete M , Zapata‐Sudo Gisele 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARYThe aim of the present study was to determine the effects of tramadol on vascular reactivity in aortic rings from Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Aortic rings, with or without endothelium, were obtained from male WKY rats and SHR (15–20 weeks old) and prepared for isometric tension recording. Aortic rings were precontracted with phenylephrine (10 µmol/L) or 40 mmol/L KCl and then exposed to cumulative concentrations of tramadol (0.1–1 mmol/L).Tramadol produced a concentration‐dependent relaxation of precontracted aortic rings from WKY rats and SHR, which was not dependent on functional endothelium. Vascular relaxation was significantly greater in rings from SHR than WKY rats.The concentration of tramadol necessary to produce a 50% reduction of the maximal contraction to phenylephrine (IC50) in rings with and without endothelium from SHR was 0.47 ± 0.08 and 0.44 ± 0.03 mmol/L, respectively (P = 0.76).Tramadol attenuated the contracture elicited by Ca2+in depolarized tissue, suggesting that it may inhibit L‐type Ca2+channels. However, pretreatment with nicardipine (1 µmol/L) prevented the relaxation induced by tramadol in aortic rings from WKY rats and partially reduced its inhibitory effect in aortic rings from SHR.Pretreatment of endothelium‐denuded aorta with glybenclamide (3 µmol/L), 4‐aminopyridine (3 mmol/L), tetraethylammonium (3 mmol/L) and naloxone (100 µmol/L) did not affect tramadol‐induced vasodilation of aortic rings from either WKY rats or SHR.Intravenous administration of tramadol (10 mg/kg) to conscious SHR significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure from 171.4 ± 5.3 to 129.3 ± 5.3 (P = 0.002) and from 125.0 ± 6.5 to 57.8 ± 8.9 mmHg (P = 0.003), respectively.
Washout of water‐soluble vitamins and of homocysteine during haemodialysis: Effect of high‐flux and low‐flux dialyser membranes
Authors: HEINZ JUDITH , DOMRÖSE UTE , WESTPHAL SABINE , LULEY CLAUS , NEUMANN KLAUS H , DIERKES JUTTA 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Vitamin deficiencies are common in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) owing to dietary restrictions, drug–nutrient interactions, changes in metabolism, and vitamin losses during dialysis. The present study investigated the levels of serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate, plasma pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate (PLP), serum cobalamin, blood thiamine, blood riboflavin, and plasma homocysteine (tHcy) before and after haemodialysis treatment.Methods:  Vitamin and tHcy blood concentrations were measured in 30 patients with ESRD before and after dialysis session either with low‐flux (n = 15) or high‐flux (n = 15) dialysers.Results:  After the dialysis procedure, significantly lower concentrations of serum folate (37%), plasma PLP (35%), blood thiamine (6%) and blood riboflavin (7%) were observed. No significant changes were found for serum cobalamin or for RBC folate. There were no differences in the washout of water‐soluble vitamins between treatments with low‐flux and high‐flux membranes. Furthermore, a 41% lower concentration in tHcy was observed. The percentage decrease in tHcy was significantly greater in the patients treated with high‐flux dialysers (48% vs 37%; P < 0.01). The percentage change during dialysis was significantly inversely related to the molecular weight of the vitamins measured (r =−0.867, P < 0.01).Conclusion:  This study showed significantly lower blood or serum levels of various water‐soluble vitamins after dialysis, independently of the dialyser membrane. The monitoring of the vitamin status is essential in patients treated with high‐flux dialysers as well as in patients treated with low‐flux dialysers.
Carbamylated low‐density lipoprotein induces proliferation and increases adhesion molecule expression of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells
Authors: ASCI GULAY , BASCI ALI , SHAH SUDHIR V , BASNAKIAN ALEXEI , TOZ HUSEYIN , OZKAHYA MEHMET , DUMAN SONER , OK ERCAN 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Presence of accelerated atherosclerosis in dialysis patients cannot be entirely explained by conventional risk factors. Exposure to urea, which is elevated in patients with kidney disease, leads to the carbamylation of proteins. We investigated the effects of carbamylated low‐density lipoprotein (cLDL) on human coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).Methods:  Native LDL (nLDL) was carbamylated with potassium cyanate. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of cLDL carbamylated at different time points. Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine incorporation), expression of adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix protein synthesis were studied.Results:  Carbamylated low‐density lipoprotein exposure leads to morphological alterations and presence of cellular debris. Neither nLDL nor cLDL caused apoptosis. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was not different between groups. Carbamylated low‐density lipoprotein led to a striking proliferation in VSMC compared to nLDL. Carbamylated low‐density lipoprotein significantly increased intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 expression compared to the control. The effects of cLDL on proliferation and adhesion molecule expression were dose‐dependent and correlated with the degree of low‐density lipoprotein carbamylation. cLDL had no effect on extracellular matrix protein synthesis.Conclusion:  The results support the hypothesis that cLDL may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in uraemic patients.
Serine/threonine kinase, Cot/Tpl2, regulates renal cell apoptosis in ischaemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: YAOMURA TAKAAKI , TSUBOI NAOTAKE , URAHAMA YOSHINORI , HOBO AKINORI , SUGIMOTO KENJI , MIYOSHI JUN , MATSUGUCHI TETSUYA , REIJI KANNAGI , MATSUO SEIICHI , YUZAWA YUKIO 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Cot/Tpl2, a serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinase, has been classified as a member of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, and is known to have a pleiotropic role. Many studies have reported the involvement of Cot/Tpl2, mainly as a member of the Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 4 signalling pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production. At the same time, it is also related to the caspase‐dependent apoptotic pathway. Thus, the role of Cot/Tpl2 in ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in which TNF‐α and apoptosis are the major pathogenetic factors was studied.Methods:  IRI was induced in wild type (Cot/Tpl2+/+) mice and in Cot/Tpl2‐deficient (Cot/Tpl2−/−) mice. The extent of tubular injury and renal function were studied. TNF‐α production, neutrophil infiltration and apoptosis were also compared between the two groups.Results:  Cot/Tpl2−/− mice had preserved renal function compared with wild type mice in IRI. Although Cot/Tpl2 was phosphorylated in IRI and in the cultured tubular epithelial cells (TEC) after stimulation with LPS and hydrogen peroxide, there were no significant differences in terms of TNF‐α production, neutrophil infiltration or MAPK activation between Cot/Tpl2+/+ and Cot/Tpl2−/− mice. In contrast, Cot/Tpl2−/− mice showed obviously reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling positive cells and cleaved caspase‐3 positive cells. Furthermore, Cot/Tpl2‐deficient TECs demonstrated significantly less caspase‐3 activation after hydrogen peroxide stimulation with comparable caspase‐9 activation to wild type TEC.Conclusion:  Cot/Tpl2 did not function as a member of MAPK family, but as a promoter of apoptosis in IRI. These results suggest that Cot/Tpl2 could be a possible therapeutic target in IRI.
Cost‐effectiveness of the oral adsorbent AST‐120 versus placebo for chronic kidney disease
Authors: TAKAHASHI TOMOHIKO , REED SHELBY D , SCHULMAN KEVIN A 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  This study was designed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of AST‐120, an oral adsorbent that attenuates the progression of chronic kidney disease.Methods:  We developed a Markov model with six health states, including four levels of serum creatinine, haemodialysis and death, using data from a randomized clinical trial conducted in Japan. Direct costs relevant to chronic kidney disease were calculated from a Japanese reimbursement perspective. Projected quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) and costs were compared between the AST‐120 and placebo groups. The target population was nondiabetic patients with serum creatinine levels from 5.0 to 8.0 mg/dL (442–707 µmol/L) at baseline. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the stability of the results.Results:  At 3 years, mean total costs per patient were estimated at ¥6.67 million (US$56 982) in the AST‐120 group and ¥9.38 million (US$80 196) in the placebo group. Mean total costs were ¥2.72 million (US$23 205) lower among patients receiving AST‐120. QALY per patient were 0.295 (approximately 3.5 months) greater for patients receiving AST‐120 than for those receiving placebo over 3 years. The finding that treatment with AST‐120 dominated placebo (i.e. was less costly and resulted in more QALY) was upheld in sensitivity analyses.Conclusion:  The use of AST‐120 in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease may help to slow the rate of growth in expenditures for kidney disease.
A systematic review of continuous renal replacement therapy and intermittent haemodialysis in management of patients with acute renal failure
Authors: GHAHRAMANI NASROLLAH , SHADROU SHAHROUZ , HOLLENBEAK CHRISTOPHER 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY:Background:  Acute renal failure (ARF) still bears a poor prognosis with mortality rates up to 70% and the ideal form of renal replacement therapy (RRT) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCT) to examine the effect of dialysis modality (IHD: Intermittent haemodialysis; CRRT: continuous renal replacement therapy) on survival of patients with ARF and to also study the effect of each modality on dialysis dependence (DD).Methods:  Using and combining two comprehensive search themes (ARF and RRT), we searched electronic databases from 1969 through September of 2007, supplemented by a manual review of abstracts from nephrology meetings and reference lists of review articles. All RCT comparing IHD with CRRT in adult patients with ARF and with explicit reporting of mortality were included. The primary outcome was the pooled estimate of the odds ratio (OR) of mortality for patients with ARF treated with CRRT versus IHD. The secondary outcome was OR of DD at time of discharge for surviving patients.Results:  A total of 587 studies were identified, 554 of which were excluded on initial screening. Analysis of the nine RCT (1635 patients) showed an OR of 0.89 (0.63–1.24) for survival in patients on CRRT. Limiting the analysis to the seven RCT published after the year 2000, revealed an OR of 0.72 (0.58–0.90). The OR of all the studies before 2000 was 1.06 (95% CI 0.67–1.68), as compared with OR of 0.61 (95% CI 0.50–0.74) for studies post‐2000. Four studies showed a significantly lower risk of DD among the CRRT group and none showed higher OR for DD. When analysis was limited to the RCT, the OR for DD was 1.07 (0.47–2.39), suggesting no difference in DD between the modalities.Conclusions:  Similar to previously reported meta‐analyses, we did not find a significant effect of CRRT on the OR of survival. The progressive reduction in the OR of survival with CRRT relative to IHD might reflect progressive improvements in IHD. The OR of DD was not affected by mode of RRT. In conclusion, compared with IHD, CRRT does not offer an advantage with regards to survival or DD in ARF. Considering its cost and potential disadvantages, it is imperative to identify the subset of patients with ARF that would potentially derive maximum benefit from CRRT. This will require large, adequately powered studies with sufficient follow‐up.
Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in South Asian healthy adult kidney donors
Authors: SRINIVAS SANJAY , ANNIGERI RAJEEV A , MANI MUTHU KRISHNA , RAO BUDITHI SUBBA , KOWDLE PRAKASH C , SESHADRI RAJAGOPALAN 
Published: June 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  We evaluated the performance of serum creatinine based equations to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in South Asian healthy renal donors.Methods:  GFR by 99mTc‐diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) renogram (mGFR) in 599 renal donors was measured. GFR was estimated using a six variable modification of diet in renal disease formula (MDRD1), a four variable MDRD formula (MDRD2), Cockcroft‐Gault creatinine clearance (CG CrCl), Cockcroft‐Gault glomerular filtration rate (CG GFR) and the Mayo Clinic formula (Mayo GFR). The performance of various prediction equations was compared for global bias, precision (R2) and accuracy (percentage of estimated GFR (eGFR) falling within 15% and 30% of mGFR).Results:  The mean age was 37.4 ± 11 years and 48.2% were male. The mGFR was 95.5 ± 11.6 mL/min per 1.73 m2. The bias (mL/min per 1.73 m2) was 7.5 ± 0.9, −9.0 ± 0.75, 13.1 ± 0.9, 7.5 ± 0.9 and 23.4 ± 0.76 for CG CrCl, CG GFR, MDRD1, MDRD2 and Mayo GFR, respectively. R2 was 0.082 for CG CrCl and MDRD1, 0.081 for CG GFR and MDRD2 and 0.045 for Mayo GFR. The percentages of eGFR falling within 15% and 30% of mGFR were 50.5 and 80.1 for CG CrCl, 65.8 and 84 for CG GFR, 50 and 74 for MDRD1, 54.3 and 80.1 for MDRD2 and 32 and 63.4 for Mayo GFR. Overall CG GFR performed better in estimating GFR in all subjects.Conclusion:  The CG GFR equation was better than other equations to estimate GFR in South Asian healthy renal donors. We propose a new equation derived from the regression model in our study population to estimate GFR in a South Asian healthy adult population.