bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular response of Anabaena flos‐aquae to differing concentrations of phosphorus: A combined Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray microanalytical study
Authors: Dean Andrew Peter , Estrada Beatriz , Nicholson James Martin , Sigee David Charles 
Published: August 2008

SUMMARYThe response of Anabaena flos‐aquae to varying levels of P availability was determined using the combined techniques of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis (EDXRMA). Batch cultures of Anabaena were grown at initial P concentrations of 50 μg (low‐P culture), 500 μg (intermediate‐P) and 5000 μg (high‐P) (PO4‐P L−1) and were monitored for total biovolume, chlorophyll a, media nutrients (PO4‐P and NO3‐N), cellular P quota (EDXRMA) and carbon allocation (FTIR spectroscopy). The high‐P culture showed a sixfold increase in total biovolume over the sampling period. Phosphorus in the media remained at more than ∼4000 μg L−1 and intracellular P concentration (P quota) as determined by EDXRMA showed no decline, remaining at more than 0.20% dry weight (DW). The intermediate‐P culture showed a similar increase in total biovolume, but P concentrations in the media fell to ∼20 μg L−1, and this was reflected in a decline in the cellular P quota from 0.24% to 0.06% DW. Although the high‐ and intermediate‐P treatments differed markedly in both internal and external P, analysis of the FTIR spectra from the two treatments, using both hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), indicated no difference in carbon allocation. Cells from the low‐P treatment showed strong evidence for P deficiency. P concentrations in the media were undetectable (<5 μg L−1), total biovolume was much reduced, and P quotas were low, falling from 0.08% to 0.01% DW. HCA and PCA clearly separated FTIR spectra from low‐P cells from those of intermediate‐ and high‐P cultures, with low‐P cells having increased absorbance in the region of the spectra associated with carbohydrate. Both FTIR spectroscopy and EDXRMA have the resolution to study the elemental and macromolecular composition of single species within mixed phytoplankton populations and the combined use of these techniques has considerable potential for the study of cyanobacterial responses to environmental stress.
Hyperammonaemic encephalopathy associated with rituximab‐containing chemotherapy
Authors: Nott L. , Price T. J. , Pittman K. , Patterson K. , Young R. , Fletcher J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractHyperammonaemic encephalopathy has been infrequently reported after both standard and high‐dose chemotherapy for solid and haematological malignancies. It is important to consider this diagnosis for patients with unexplained behaviour changes or encephalopathy and this case report emphasizes this condition and the importance of early diagnosis and is the first reported in association with rituximab‐containing chemotherapy.
Endoscopic evaluation of significant gastrointestinal lesions in patients with iron deficiency with and without anaemia: a Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Disease Study
Authors: Park J. S. , Park D. I. , Park S. K. , Choi J. S. , Kim Y. H. , Chang D. K. , Son H. J. , Kim J. E. , Kim J. O. , Lee S. H. , Kim H. S. , Sin J. E. , Lee S. G. , Lee S.‐Y. , Park S. J. , Park C. H. , Baek I. H. , Jang B. I. , Jeen Y. T. , Huh K. C. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: Although endoscopy is recommended for patients with iron deficiency anaemia, there is, currently, no consensus on the role of endoscopy for iron‐deficient patients without anaemia. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of serious gastrointestinal (GI) lesions, identified by endoscopy in patients with iron deficiency and anaemia compared with patients with iron deficiency without anaemia.Methods: One thousand five hundred and eighteen patients with a ferritin value of ≤50 ng/mL and a total iron‐binding capacity ≥300 mg/dL were retrospectively investigated using oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy between January 2005 and September 2006. The lesions identified were classified as clinically important according to standard predetermined criteria.Results: Among the 1518 cases, 749 patients had anaemia and 769 had normal haemoglobin levels. Clinically important lesions were identified in 24.6% of the patients with anaemia and in 22.8% of the patients without anaemia (P > 0.05). The frequency of lower GI tract lesions (13.6 vs 11.4%, P > 0.05) and upper GI tract lesions (11.9 vs 12.5%, P > 0.05) was similar in the comparisons between the two groups. However, the frequency of malignant GI lesions was higher in the patients with anaemia (5.1 vs 0.7%, P < 0.01). In addition, the patients without anaemia were significantly more likely to have early‐stage neoplasia (adenoma, early gastric cancer and Dukes’ A and B colon cancer) than were the patients with anaemia (98.4 vs 52.5%, P < 0.01).Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that patients with iron deficiency should undergo endoscopic evaluation of the GI tract, irrespective of whether they have anaemia. The endoscopic evaluation of the GI tract in patients with iron deficiency without anaemia could provide an opportunity for the detection of early‐stage neoplasia at a curable stage.
Prior diabetes mellitus is associated with increased morbidity in cystic fibrosis patients undergoing bilateral lung transplantation: an ‘orphan’ area? A retrospective case–control study
Authors: Bradbury R. A. , Shirkhedkar D. , Glanville A. R. , Campbell L. V. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: The aim of this study was to determine whether pre‐existing diabetes mellitus increases the risk of rejection, infection and/or death in cystic fibrosis patients undergoing bilateral sequential single‐lung transplantation.Methods: A retrospective audit of 25 consecutive patients with cystic fibrosis who underwent bilateral sequential single‐lung transplantation between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005 at a tertiary referral hospital was carried out.Results: Although 32% patients had diabetes diagnosed before lung transplantation, 92% had random blood glucose levels ≥11.1 mmol/L requiring insulin during admission. Patients with pre‐existing diabetes had increased infection‐related (3.9 vs 1.2, P= 0.01) and putative rejection‐related (1.4 vs 0.5, P= 0.04) hospital admissions post‐transplantation compared with those without diabetes pre‐transplant. During the period of observation, four of eight patients with a prior diagnosis of diabetes died compared with none of 17 patients without prior diabetes (P= 0.0055).Conclusion: Almost all cystic fibrosis patients develop hyperglycaemia after lung transplantation, but patients with prior diabetes have more complication‐related admissions to hospital and a higher mortality rate.
Intravenous aminoglycoside usage and monitoring of patients with cystic fibrosis in Australia. What's new?
Authors: Soulsby N. , Bell S. , Greville H. , Doecke C. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: The aim of this study was to determine the current situation regarding aminoglycoside use and monitoring in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) throughout Australia.Methods: A questionnaire was sent out to all CF units. Information gathered included patient characteristics, aminoglycoside use, dosing, therapeutic drug‐monitoring methods, toxicity monitoring and incidence of occurrence.Results: Responses were obtained from 27 of the 28 units identified. Tobramycin was the aminoglycoside of choice. All but three centres were using once‐daily dosing for aminoglycoside administration. Initial dosing in tobramycin‐naïve patients was based on bodyweight (range 7–12 mg/kg). Patients being readmitted were mainly prescribed the dose that they had received on their previous admission. All units gave i.v. doses by infusion with five units using bolus dosing as well. The method of therapeutic drug monitoring varied greatly. A computer programme was used by 15 units. Toxicity monitoring usually coincided with therapeutic drug monitoring. Nephrotoxicity was reported as having occurred in 13 units and ototoxicity in 15 units. The highest incidence of toxicity was ototoxicity in 20% of patients in one CF unit.Conclusion: Aminoglycoside dosing regimens have changed since the last survey was carried out in 1999. There has been an increase in the use of once‐daily dosing from 54 to 88% of units. The reporting of both ototoxicity and renal toxicity has also increased (from 27 to 75% and from 19 to 65%, respectively). Standardization of management protocols for antibiotic use and patient monitoring may help reduce the risk of cumulative toxicity to aminoglycosides in CF patients.
No improvement in lung cancer care: the management of lung cancer in 1996 and 2002 in New South Wales
Authors: Simonella L. , O’Connell D. L. , Vinod S. K. , Delaney G. P. , Boyer M. , Esmaili N. , Hensley M. , Goldsbury D. , Supramaniam R. , Hui A. , Armstrong B. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: Patterns‐of‐care studies emphasize significant variation in the management of lung cancer. The aim of the study was to compare the patterns of care for patients diagnosed with lung cancer in 1996 and 2002 within three health areas in New South Wales.Methods: Treatment data were collected from medical records and treating doctors for the calendar year 1996 and between 1 November 2001 and 31 December 2002. Patients were residents of either south‐western Sydney, Hunter or Northern Sydney health areas at the time of diagnosis. χ2‐tests were used to investigate changes in treatment patterns between the two time periods. An adjusted odds ratio for treatment in 2002 relative to 1996 was calculated using logistic regression.Results: Data were available for 738 and 567 cases in 1996 and 2002, respectively. Cancer‐specific therapy was given within 6 months of diagnosis to 62 and 64% of patients, respectively. Adjusting for health area, age, sex, pathology and performance status, the odds ratio (OR) of treatment in 2002 relative to 1996 was 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78–1.35). When stage was included, the odds of treatment in 2002 relative to 1996 for non‐small‐cell lung cancer (n = 950) was 1.21 (95%CI 0.87–1.68). After adjustment for potential confounders, patients diagnosed with small‐cell lung cancer (n = 176) were substantially less likely to receive treatment in 2002 compared with patients diagnosed in 1996 (OR = 0.11; 95%CI 0.04–0.34).Conclusion: The odds of receiving treatment in 2002 and 1996 were similar. However, patients diagnosed with small‐cell lung cancer in 2002 were significantly less likely to receive treatment. Overall, this study suggests there has been no change in lung cancer care in New South Wales. Further work is required to determine what proportion of persons with lung cancer should receive cancer‐specific treatment so that clinical practices can be judged appropriately.
Contributors to cognitive impairment in congestive heart failure: a pilot case–control study
Authors: Beer C. , Ebenezer E. , Fenner S. , Lautenschlager N. T. , Arnolda L. , Flicker L. , Almeida O. P. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:  Cognitive impairment and heart failure are both serious health problems related to population ageing. Impaired cognitive function is an important but underrecognized complication of congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of the study was to examine the sociodemographic, clinical, neuroimaging and biochemical parameters affecting cognition in CHF.Methods:  Thirty‐one patients with CHF (left‐ventricular ejection fraction < 40%) and 24 controls without CHF, all free of clinically significant cognitive impairment, participating in a case–control study were assessed using a cognitive battery (CAMCOG), a depression scale, 6‐min‐walk test, left‐ventricular ejection fraction, semi‐quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, and cortisol, aldosterone and renin concentrations.Results:  The CHF patients had lower CAMCOG scores than controls (93.5 ± 6.1 vs 99.9 ± 2.4, P < 0.001) and had significantly lower scores on visuospatial, executive function, visual memory and verbal learning tasks. Concentrations of renin and aldosterone were higher in patients with CHF (5.4 ± 6.0 vs 0.8 ± 0.7 mU/L, P < 0.001 and 598.2 ± 306.2 vs 346.0 ± 201.5, P= 0.003). Right medial temporal lobe atrophy was more prominent in CHF (P= 0.030). Left medial temporal lobe atrophy and deep white matter hyperintensities showed moderate association with cognitive scores in CHF, whereas functional capacity and biochemical parameters were fairly correlated to cognition.Conclusion:  Congestive heart failure is associated with a pattern of generalized cognitive decline. Structural brain changes, functional capacity and biochemical parameters are associated with the cognitive performance of patients with CHF, but their contribution appears modest. The design of a definitive case–control study is described.
Meta‐analysis: the effect and adverse events of Lactobacilli versus placebo in maintenance therapy for Crohn disease
Authors: Shen J. , Ran H. Z. , Yin M. H. , Zhou T. X. , Xiao D. S. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:  Lactobacilli are used in an attempt to maintain remission for Crohn disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of Lactobacilli compared with placebo in maintenance therapy for Crohn disease.Methods:  We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, OVID and BIOSIS. All randomized trials comparing Lactobacilli with placebo in maintenance therapy for Crohn disease were included.Results:  Six randomized controlled trials with a total of 359 participants met the inclusion criteria. From the meta‐analyses, the relative risk (RR) of clinical relapse rate was 1.15 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90–1.48) comparing Lactobacilli with placebo and RR of endoscopic relapse rate was 1.31 (95%CI 0.57–3.00). Subgroup analyses showed RR for clinical relapse rates of Lactobacilli versus placebo was 0.99 (95%CI 0.76–1.29) in adults, 1.85 (95%CI 1.00–3.41) in children, 1.68 (95%CI 1.07–2.64) in Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG and 0.91 (95%CI 0.68–1.23) in Lactobacillus johnsonii respectively. The pooled RR of adverse events was 0.83 (95%CI 0.61–1.12).Conclusion:  Our meta‐analysis suggests that compared with placebo, administration of L. rhamnosus strain GG as maintenance therapy may increase the relapse rates of Crohn disease. L. johnsonii is inefficacious in reducing the incidence of relapse.
Leflunomide use in New Zealand. A national prospective post‐marketing study
Authors: White D. H. N. , Lynskey N. V. , Jones P. B. B. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:  This post‐marketing study aimed to record rates of retention, adverse effects and efficacy of leflunomide in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The secondary objectives were to make a semi‐quantitative assessment of response to treatment and to examine the effect of a loading dose on adverse events and treatment duration.Methods:  Rheumatologists in New Zealand contributed to a prospective leflunomide treatment registry. Baseline data were collected on leflunomide initiation and information about treatment experience was sought every 6 months. Each patient was followed for 2 years. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate differences in stopping rates between lack of efficacy and adverse effects. Hazard analysis was used to evaluate the effect of using a loading dose on retention rate.Results:  Three hundred and eight patients were enrolled in the study; complete follow‐up data were available for 244 patients. Retention of patients on leflunomide was 64% at 12 months and 49.4% at 2 years. Reasons for stopping were adverse events (54 patients), loss of effect (25 patients) and miscellaneous reasons (14 patients). Use of a loading dose had no effect on retention; there was no difference in treatment duration between those who stopped from adverse effects or loss of efficacy.Conclusion:  Leflunomide was effective in treating RA in a group that had longer duration of disease and greater prior use of disease‐modifying agents than the groups studied in clinical trials. Rates of withdrawal were lower than those reported in other post‐marketing studies, but were higher than those from phase III clinical trials.
Platelet function in patients with major depression
Authors: Ziegelstein R. C. , Parakh K. , Sakhuja A. , Bhat U. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractDepression, ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease are important causes of morbidity and are among the leading contributors to global health burden. These conditions often occur in the same patient, resulting in considerably greater effect on health than combinations of chronic diseases without depression. The frequent occurrence of these conditions in the same patient raises the possibility of a common genetic predisposition, similar risk factors or a pathophysiological link. Serotoninergic and adrenergic signalling play important roles in causing major depression and also in platelet activation and aggregation, which underlies vascular disease. This review discusses the potential pathophysiological link between major depression and conditions in which platelet activation plays an important role and also provides evidence linking the use of the most commonly used antidepressant drugs (i.e. the selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors) to increased risk of bleeding.
Stable implantation of orthogonal sensor circuits in Gram‐negative bacteria for environmental release
Authors: De Las Heras Aitor , Carreño Carlos A. , De Lorenzo Víctor 
Published: August 2008

SummaryA broad host range, orthogonal genetic platform has been developed to format sensor circuits in the chromosome of Gram‐negative microorganisms destined for environmental release as bioindicators of toxic or perilous compounds (e.g. explosives) in soil. The genetic scheme includes the generation of a genomic landing pad for the sensor module with a Tn5‐mini‐transposon bearing an optimal attTn7 sequence and a choice of reporter systems with optical and enzymatic outputs. The array of functional elements thereby inserted in the chromosome match that of a cognate plasmid vector which delivers the transcription factors and the promoters to a frame that places the regulatory parts in front of the reporters. Site‐specific recombination sites allow the deletion of antibiotic resistances and enables reporter output prior to deliberate release. The system thus allows the production and maintenance of cells in a pre‐release state and its intentional conversion in deliverable strains that fulfil all safety, stability and performance criteria. The combination of such a genetic platform with a variant of the transcriptional regulator XylR of Pseudomonas putida that responds to 2,4‐dinitrotoluene has been the basis for the production of strains that emit light upon exposure to residues of explosives in a soil microcosm.
The effects of medetomidine hydrochloride on the electroretinogram of normal dogs
Authors: Norman Joanna C. , Narfström Kristina , Barrett Paul M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPurpose To determine the effects of a standardized intravenous dose of an α‐2 agonist (Domitor®, Orion Pharma, distributed by Pfizer Animal Health, Exton, PA) on the electroretinogram (ERG) response in normal dogs.Methods Twenty‐five normal dogs were used to collect ERG responses including a‐ and b‐wave implicit times (IT) and amplitudes (AMP) before and after administration of medetomidine. Dogs were dark adapted for 20 min and ERGs were obtained using the HMsERG (RetVetCorp Inc., Columbia, MO). TheQuickRetCheckprotocol (Narfström) was employed to provide the following flash intensities: 10 mcd s/m2, 3 cd s/m2, and 10 cd s/m2. ERGs were repeated after 375 µg/m2of medetomidine intravenously. Statistical analysis of the difference between the responses before and after medetomidine at all flash intensities was performed using a mixed effects model foranova.Results ThePvalue for the effect of medetomidine on each of the ERG responses was < 0.01. The estimates of the effect of medetomidine were (+)1.35 ms, (–)23 µV, (+)3.16 ms, and (–)47 µV for the a‐wave IT, a‐wave AMP, b‐wave IT, and the b‐wave AMP, respectively.Conclusions Medetomidine significantly prolongs the implicit time and lowers the amplitude response of both the a‐ and b‐waves in normal dogs at all flash intensities examined. Clinically, however, medetomidine only minimally affects the retinal responses and is a viable choice for use in dog ERGs.
Identification of survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, in canine urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma*
Authors: Rankin W. Velando , Henry C. J. , Turnquist S. E. , Turk J. R. , Beissenherz M. E. , Tyler J. W. , Rucker E. B. , Knapp D. W. , Rodriguez C. O. , Green J. A. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSurvivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, is overexpressed in human invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. Survivin expression in canine TCC has not been defined. This study was designed to compare survivin expression between canine TCC and normal urinary bladder tissue. Reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed on fresh‐frozen and formalin‐fixed tissues, respectively. All TCC tissues (n = 6) and 11/22 normal tissues assessed by PCR were positive for survivin. This difference was not significant (P = 0.06). With regard to IHC, 28/41 TCC samples were positive for nuclear survivin, whereas 0/46 normal tissues had nuclear immunoreactivity (P < 0.001). Cytoplasmic immunoreactivity did not significantly differ between TCC (7/41) and normal tissues (17/46) (P = 0.07). We conclude that nuclear survivin is present in canine TCC, but not in normal bladder urothelium. Future studies will evaluate the role of nuclear survivin in TCC development and as a potential therapeutic target.
Clinicopathological and immnuohistochemical findings in a series of folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma
Authors: Suarez‐Peñaranda Jose M. , Vieites Begoña , Ramírez‐Santos Aquilina , Fernández‐Redondo Virginia , Toribio Jaime , Del Rio Emilo , Forteza‐Vila Jerónimo 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Folliculo‐sebaceous cystic hamartoma (FSCH) is an uncommon skin condition presenting as a slow‐growing papulo‐nodular lesion, in or around the nose. Most cases are not clinically suspected and only histopathological examination allows the diagnosis. Pathological features include a dermal‐located infundibulo‐cystic structure with sebaceous glands radiating around, a stromal component encircling the epithelial structures, with clefts between the lesional epithelial and stromal parts, as well as between this and the adjacent dermis.Results:  We report eight patients with the diagnosis of FSCH (5 females and 3 males), with ages ranging from 35 to 77 years. Most cases (5 out of 8) were located in or around the nose and sizes were comprised between 0.6 and 1.2 cm. Lesions had grown for long periods of time, up to ten years in one case. Immunohistochemistry showed staining for p63 in the epithelial component of all lesions, while CD10 was only present in some sebocytes. CD34 and Factor XIIIa positive cells were present in the lesional stroma. Staining for androgen and alpha‐estrogen receptors was also usually noticed.Conclusions:  FCSH is a hamartomatous skin lesion, clinically indistinct but with well‐defined histopathological features. Immunohistochemistry shows a profile very close to normal sebaceous glands.