bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Family involvement in illicit drug treatment?
Authors: TOUMBOUROU JOHN W. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractSupport now exists for the practice of including the family in attempts to alter individual problems related to alcohol use. The present paper extends discussion of family involvement in treatment to include programmes addressing illicit drug use. In contrast to programmes focusing on alcohol use where the cohabitating family has been the focus, developmental issues arising within the family of origin tend to be of most interest in illicit drug treatment. Treatment process descriptions, in a range of programmes, refer to the need to redress developmental failures originating in the family. More commonly the family is seen as a method of obtaining practical support for recovery. There are differences, however, both in the developmental deficits targeted for intervention and the approaches utilized to involve families in treatment. The frequent reference to illicit drug‐users' families as high‐risk groups for harmful behaviours, together with demonstrations of family involvement as a successful strategy, recommends the potential of these approaches as a practical prevention initiative. Broader assessment of potential benefits for the wider family network is suggested as a useful way to encourage such developments. [Toumbourou JW. Family involvement in illicit drug treatment? Drug Alcohol Rev 1994;13:385–392]
Partners of problem drinkers: moving into the 1990s
Authors: WATTS SHARYN , BUSH ROBERT , WILSON PETER 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe literature on partners of problem drinkers is reviewed. Originally research and treatment viewed partners of problem drinkers from a pathological perspective. This paper suggests an alternative stress and coping perspective as less stigmatizing and more realistic in terms of the experiences of these individuals. [Watts S, Bush R, Wilson P. Partners of problem drinkers: moving into the 1990s. Drug Alcohol Rev 1994;13:401–407]
Reading the problem family: post‐structuralism and the analysis of social problems
Authors: REEKIE GAIL 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPost‐structuralist theory questions the rational pursuit of an underlying ‘truth’ that often characterizes social scientific inquiry, proposing instead the simultaneous existence of multiple and often contradictory truths. The problem family can, from this perspective, only be known through the different discourses that produce it. This paper suggests some of the political advantages of developing methods of reading ‘problems’ related to drugs and alcohol. Without this critical attention to language, we risk perpetuating the ways in which problems are talked about and thought about. Drawing on examples from debates surrounding teenage pregnancy and youth drinking, the paper argues that post‐structuralism allows us to analyse the specific ways in which professional discourses write social problems, and hence to own them and to re‐write them. [Reekie G. Reading the problem family: post‐structuralism and the analysis of social problems. Drug Alcohol Rev 1994; 13: 457–465]
4-[2-(3-Ethyl-4-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidine-1-carboxamido)ethyl]benzenesulfonamide
Authors: Li Xiang 
Published: July 2006

In the title molecular structure, C16H21N3O4S, the dihedral angle between the essentially planar 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole and benzene rings is 20.8 (2)°. In the crystal structure, molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds [H...O = 2.07 (3)–2.57 (3) Å] to form a two-dimensional network.
The Jehovah's Witness and dementia: who or what defines ‘best interests’?
Authors: Hegde R. , Bell D. , Cole P. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryAn elderly woman with dementia presented for repeat surgical management of fractured neck of femur. Although no advance directive had ever been generated, the patient was declared to be a strict Jehovah's Witness by her daughter, who vetoed the transfusion of any blood products. The fracture was managed conservatively but the patient suffered repeated chest infections, from which she died 4 months after admission. This case raised several clinical, ethical and legal issues and generated a spectrum of opinion as to the appropriateness of operative intervention, transfusion and provision of intensive care. We suggest that professional guidelines and the new Mental Capacity Act 2005 do not provide explicit and comprehensive guidance for practitioners. Further deliberation is required to bring about convergence between the law, ethical principles and professional guidelines.
Transfusion‐related acute lung injury: a literature review
Authors: Barrett N. A. , Kam P. C. A. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryTransfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious and potentially fatal complication of transfusion of blood and blood components. TRALI is under‐diagnosed and under‐reported because of a lack of awareness. A number of models have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of TRALI: an antibody mediated model; a two‐event biologically active mediator model; and a combined model. TRALI can occur with any type of blood product and can occur with as little as one unit. Its presentation is similar to other forms of acute lung injury and management is predominantly supportive. The main strategy in combating TRALI is prevention both through manipulation of the donor pool and through clinical strategies directed at reducing transfusion of blood products including, but not limited to, evidence‐based lower transfusion thresholds. This article presents a review of TRALI and addresses the definition, pathology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment and prevention of the syndrome.
Altered deoxyuridine and thymidine in plasma following capecitabine treatment in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Li Kong M. , Rivory Laurent P. , Hoskins Janelle , Sharma Rohini , Clarke Stephen J. 
Published: July 2006

AimsTo investigate the relationship between changes in plasma deoxynucleoside concentrations and response and toxicity in patients treated with capecitabine.MethodsTwenty‐six patients received 2 g capecitabine twice daily orally for 2 weeks of a 3‐week cycle. Blood samples were collected on day 0 (baseline), day 8, day 15 and day 22 of the first cycle for the determination of plasma thymidine (TdR) and deoxyuridine (UdR) concentrations. Patients were reviewed weekly during the first cycle, then 3‐weekly for toxicity assessment. Response was assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) criteria.ResultsThe plasma UdR and UdR/TdR ratios were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) compared with baseline (49.3 ± 20.8 nmol l−1) for the entire 3‐week treatment period. In contrast, the plasma TdR concentrations of these patients were significantly reduced only on day 8 (P < 0.01) compared with baseline (12.1 ± 3.83 nmol l−1), but returned gradually to basal levels by day 15. There were no significant correlations demonstrated between pretreatment or maximal post‐treatment plasma nucleoside ratio and either toxicity or response. The TSER genotype frequencies of homozygous TSER*2, TSER*3 and heterozygous TSER*2/*3 were 7.7%, 42.3% and 50%, respectively. These preliminary data also indicate no direct relationship between thymidylate synthase (TS) genotype and plasma nucleoside levels.ConclusionsCapecitabine mimics continuous infusion of 5‐FU to achieve sustained cellular TS inhibitory effects and suggests the antiproliferative mechanism of capectabine is at least partly due to TS inhibition through its active metabolite FdUMP. Although plasma UdR and TdR concentrations and the UdR/TdR ratio can provide some pharmacodynamic indication of TS inhibition, they are unlikely to predict therapeutic response or toxicity accurately following capecitabine treatment in cancer patients.
C‐reactive protein promotes platelet adhesion to endothelial cells: a potential pathway in atherothrombosis
Authors: Yaron Gil , Brill Alexander , Dashevsky Olga , Yosef‐Levi Irit Mor , Grad Etty , Danenberg Haim D. , Varon David 
Published: July 2006

SummaryC‐reactive protein (CRP) is a strong predictor for acute cardiovascular events. Several endothelial prothrombotic effects of CRP have been recently reported. This study examined the effect of CRP on bovine aortic endothelial cell (EC) activation and capacity to recruit human platelets under flow conditions using the cone and plate(let) analyser method. Human recombinant CRP promoted platelet adhesion in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, with a maximal effect at 20 μg/ml (increase of 174% over baseline, P < 0·01). Similar effects were observed following incubation of EC with sera of transgenic mice that express human CRP (10 μg/ml). Anti‐intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 neutralising monoclonal antibody and nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, blocked the effect of CRP, reducing adhesion from 202% to 128% (P < 0·05) and 114% (P = 0·02) respectively. The pro‐adhesive effect of CRP was abolished by calphostin C (a protein kinase C inhibitor), whereas the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase antagonist, PD98059, did not have any effect. CRP promoted P‐selectin expression on the EC surface and blockade of P‐selectin reversed CRP‐induced platelet adhesion. In conclusion, CRP promoted platelet adhesion to EC. Our results emphasise the possible role of CRP in linking inflammation and thrombosis and provide a potential mechanism for the high incidence of vascular events associated with high CRP levels.
Adult stem cell homing and differentiation in vitro on composite fibrin matrix
Authors: Sreerekha P. R. , Divya P. , Krishnan L. K. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract.  Strategies to generate differentiated cells from haematopoetic progenitor cells will enhance potential use of adult stem cells for therapeutic transplantation or tissue engineering. Transplantation of undifferentiated stem cells into recipient tissue hinges on the hypothesis of a milieu dependent differentiation and it has been suggested that a clot‐equivalent scaffold is crucial for these circulating cells to anchor and multiply. Here a natural scaffold, fibrin along with fibronectin, gelatin and growth factors has been used to induce endothelial progenitor cells and smooth muscle progenitor cells to differentiate into endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, respectively, from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Characteristics of endothelial cells have been verified by the detection of mRNA for and immunostaining the cells for von Willebrand factor, uptake of acetylated low‐density lipoproteins and measurement of released nitric oxide in the culture medium, as nitrite. The specific molecules that characterized smooth muscle cells were alpha smooth muscle actin and calponin, besides deposition of collagen type I and elastin, onto the culture matrix. The adhesive proteins used for the fabrication of endothelial progenitor cells matrix and smooth muscle progenitor cells matrix were the same, but specific differentiation was brought about by modulating the growth factor composition in the matrix and in the culture medium. Both endothelial and smooth muscle cells were consistently developed from 20 ml of human blood.
Facilitating access to services for children and families: lessons from Sure Start Local Programmes
Authors: Garbers Claudia , Tunstill Jane , Allnock Debbie , Akhurst Sofie 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTWith the introduction of the highly publicized Sure Start Local Programme (SSLP) initiative in 1998, the UK government introduced a community‐based set of provisions targeted at families with children under 4 years who were living in some of the 20% most deprived and disadvantaged geographical areas in England. These programmes were designed to combat the adverse effects of poverty and disadvantage on the long‐term outcomes for children and families. One challenging dimension for programme development has been the facilitation of access to the services on offer in these programmes. Drawing on findings from the implementation module within the government‐commissioned National Evaluation of Sure Start, this paper examines the way in which SSLPs have sought to facilitate access to services for their local communities and to encourage community members to take up and continue using those services. This paper presents a detailed overview of programme activity in respect of access. It identifies a continuum of access and a model of three styles of parental service use. The paper highlights the implications of the SSLP implementation process for the development of subsequent related initiatives such as children’s centres and extended schools.
IgE binding studies with large peptides expressed from Der p II cDNA constructs
Authors: CHUA K. Y. , GREENE W. K. , KEHAL P. , THOMAS W. R. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe major mite allergen Der p II shows marked resistance to denaturation and is expressed from cDNA in bacteria with almost all of its IgE binding activity. Despite these properties, the IgE binding activity appears to be dependent on maintaining the complete primary structure. Random fragment libraries of cDN A, able to code for up to 93 of the 129 amino acid residue protein, did not express IgE binding peptides. Large overlapping peptides 1–69, 69–129 and 42–117 expressed as the fusions from the glutathione transferase of pGEX vectors only had binding activity with IgE in 15 out of 57 sera, and this was typically weak. Sera from children with atopic dermatitis bound IgE in seven out of eight cases but this was also weak compared with their strong reactivity to intact recombinant Der p II. The inability of such large peptides to form IgE binding structures suggests that the antigenic determinants of Der p II are highly conformational and restricted.
Structural and secretory characteristics of bovine lung and skin mast cells: evidence for the existence of heterogeneity
Authors: HUNT T. C. , CAMPBELL A. M. , ROBINSON C. , HOLGATE S. T. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryWe have examined cells dispersed enzymatically from three different sites in (he bovine lung (tracheal mucosa, bronchial mucosa and parenchyma) and the skin, in order to ascertain whether the bovine model could be used to study mast cell heterogeneity. Histochemically there were two sub‐populations of mast cells present in both lung and skin (on the basis of toluidine blue staining and the sensitivity to formalin fixation), but their proportions were similar in all sites studied. Skin mast cells contained approximately twice the amount of histamine than their counterparts in the lung (P < 0.05). Functional heterogeneity was examined by in vitro release of histamine following secretagogue challenge. Calcium ionophore induced a substantial release of histamine; skin mast cells releasing significantly more histamine than any of the lung mast cells (at 10 μm ionophore, 37.1% and 20.7% net histamine release, respectively, P < 0.05), although the time‐course of release from the two tissues was similar. The neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide and somatostatin induced a modest but statistically significant release of histamine from both skin and lung mast cells, whilst substance P only induced histamine secretion from skin mast cells. A range of other potential immunological and non‐immunological secretagogues was unsuccessful in eliciting histamine release from mast cells in any of the tissues. We conclude that there were no convincing histochemical differences between mast cells from the sites examined in the lung or skin. Additionally, there was no discernabie functional heterogeneity between mast cells within the lung, but functional differences were evident between mast cells of the bovine lung and skin. However, in the absence of a suitable immunological stimulus the bovine model cannot be regarded as a good model of mast cell heterogeneity.
Inhibitory effect of inhaled procaterol on anaphylactic bronchoconstriction and thromboxane A2 production in guinea‐pigs
Authors: FUJIMURA M. , SAKAMOTO S. , NISHI K. , SAITO M. , MIYAKE Y. , MATSUDA T. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThis study was designed to examine whether an inhaled β2‐agonist, procaterol, inhibits thromboxane A2 (TXA2) production induced by antigen challenge in passively sensitized guinea‐pigs in vivo. Antigen‐induced bronchoconstriction was markedly inhibited by pre‐treatment with procaterol. Inhaled procaterol significantly reduced in a dose‐dependent manner the increment in TXB2 concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained 5 min after antigen challenge. Aerosol administration of procaterol significantly inhibited bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled hislainine. These results suggest that inhalation of procalerol has an inhibitory effect on antigen‐induced TXA2 production as well as a protective effect against bronchoconstriction induced by bronchoactive agents.
Effects of maternal diet during late pregnancy and lactation on the development of IgE and egg‐ and milk‐specific IgE and IgG antibodies in infants
Authors: LILJA G. , DANNAEUS A. , FOUCARD T. , GRAFF‐LONNEVIG V. , JOHANSSON S. G. O. , ÖMAN H. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe IgE levels and food‐allergen‐specific IgE‐ and IgG‐antibodies (Ab) to oval bumin (OA), ovomucoid (OVO) and β‐Mactoglobulin (BLG) were determined up to 18 months of age in 163 infants born to women who were atopic. A high (HIGH group) or a low (REDUCED group) intake of hen's egg and cow's milk by the mother during the third trimester gave no significant differences in the concentrations of IgE or in IgE‐Ab (OVO, BLG) and IgG‐Ab (OA, OVO, BLG). Similarly, a prolongation of the abstention diet to the early lactation period did not influence the immune response. The IgG‐Ab levels to all three food allergens decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in both study groups between birth and 2 months of age, but then increased significantly (P < 0.001) between 6 and 18 months of age. The presence in serum of IgE‐Ab to OVO (≥ 0.15 PRU/ml) was associated with significantly higher IgG‐Ab levels to OVO at 6 months (P < 0.001) and at 18 months (P < 0.05). Infants with positive skin‐prick tests (SPT) to OA and OVO showed higher IgG‐Ab levels at 6 and 18 months of age than did infants with negative SPT reactions to the two egg allergens. This indicates a relation between the IgE‐ and IgG‐Ab response and it also suggests that some individuals are ‘high responders’ to both types of immunoglobulin isotypes while others are ‘low responders’.
Functional inactivation of Dermatophagoides spp. (house dust mite) reactive human T‐cell clones
Authors: O'HEHIR R. E. , AGUILAR B. A. , SCHMIDT T. J. , GOLLNICK S. O. , LAMB J. R. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryStaphylococcal enterotoxins are able both to stimulate powerful polyclonal proliferative responses and to induce non‐responsiveness of T lymphocytes expressing the appropriate T‐cell antigen receptor Vβ gene products. T‐cell clones representative of the human response to house dust mite were identified that express either Vβ3 or Vβ6 gene products. The specificity of the latter was confirmed by serology. Pre‐treatment of cloned Vβ3+ T cells with the Staphyhcoccus aureus enterotoxins B or C1 rendered them non‐responsive to immunogenic challenge with their natural ligand, while retaining responsiveness to exogenous IL‐2. Similarly, exposure of the Vβ6+ dust mite reactive T cells to the Staphylococcal enterotoxin of the appropriate specificity, SEE, induced specific anergy. The development of non‐responsiveness was associated with changes in the T‐cell phenotypes. Downreguiation of the T‐cell receptor, Ti‐CD3, was paralleled by enhanced expression of both CD2 and the IL‐2 receptor, CD25. Differential co‐modulation of CD4 and Ti‐CD3 suggested that for some T cells CD4 may form part of the specific antigen recognition structure. Toxicity of the Staphylococcal enterotoxins may be removed by chemical modification, thus their ability functionally to inactivate subpopulations of T cells expressing antigen‐specific receptors with shared characteristics may be of potential value in the regulation of allergic diseases if the diversity of the T‐cell repertoire proves to be limited.
The effect of genetic and environmental factors on the prevalence of allergic disorders at the age of two years
Authors: Arshad S. H. , Stevens M. , Hide D. W. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe effect of genetic and environmental factors on the prevalence of allergic disorders in early childhood was determined in a prospective follow‐up study. Information was available on 1174 children at the age of 2 years. Two‐hundred and seventy‐five were considered to have an allergic disorder. The prevalence varied from 3.2% for rhinitis to 10.9%, for asthma. At 2 years 60 children reacted positively on skin‐prick test (SPT). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for each factor. For asthma, positive family history, male sex, low birth‐weight, maternal smoking and season of birth were significant risk factors. For eczema, positive family history was the only significant risk factor. For rhinitis, lower socio‐economic group and autumn birth were significant. Maie sex and low birth‐weight were significant for skin test positivity. Positive family history and low birth‐weight were significant risk factors for any allergy. Low birth‐weight was also a significant risk for skin test reactivity to house dust mite. Genetic and environmental factors have a profound effect on the development of allergic disorders in the first two years of life.
Surfactant dysfunction develops when the immunized guinea‐pig is challenged with ovalbumin aerosol
Authors: LIU M. , WANG L. , ENHORNING G. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackground
The cause of the airway resistance developing during an asthma attack is not completely understood. Besides bronchospastn and airway oedema a surfactant dysfunction has been suggested as a reason for an increased airway resistance.Objective
This paper airns at exatnining if itideed surfactant dysfunction develops when an asthma attack is induced in guinea‐pigs.Methods
Guinea‐pigs, immunized against ovalbumin and ihcn challenged (by inhal‐ing the antigen) underwent lung function tests (n=7) and were compared with seven animals challenged, but not immunized. Lung lavage was carried out in three groups of guinea‐pigs: controls. never immunized nor challenged (n=7), not immunized but challenged (n=6), immunized and challenged, no lung function test (n=6). After concctUruting the tavage fluit 10 times the surface activity was evaluated wilh the pulsatitig bubble surfactometer. The fluid's concentration of phospholipids and proteins was determined as was ihe phospholipid composition.Results
The 19 immunized and challenged animals all developed severe respiratory distress, six so seriously that they died. Lung function tests showed significantly increased airway resistance and decreased tidal volume, minute volume, and dynamic compliance. Surface activity of lavage fluid from immunized and challenged animals was significantly reduced when compared with fluid from control animals (p<0.01). Immunization and challenge had no effect on the lavage fluid's phospholipid concen‐tration or composition, but the proteins were at a higher concentration that in ihe fluid of the controls (P<0.01).Conclusion
Proteins leaking into the airways inhibited the surfactant. This, in turn might have caused conducting airways to become blocked by liquid columns, which would increase airway resistance.