bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do low‐molecular‐weight heparins influence the healing process in colon anastomosis?
Authors: Krzesniak‐Wszola N. , Bielecki K. , Ostrowski J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAnastomosis leakage is one of the most serious complications of colorectal surgery. A role for extracellular matrix remodelling in the healing process of the colon wall has been recently postulated. Changes in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in the intestinal wall occurring prior to elective resection and primary anastomosis appear to be responsible for dehiscence leading to anastomosis. Thrombophylaxis using low‐molecular‐weight heparins is routinely administered to all patients during the perioperative period. However, adverse antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects such as limitation of bioavailability of growth factors and angiogenesis inhibition have been characterized in various cell types as a result of heparin administration. It is also likely that relationships exist between extracellular matrix homeostasis and the coagulation/fibrinolysis system. We hypothesize that subcutaneous administration of LMWHs (low‐molecular‐weight heparins) may influence matrix metalloproteinase activity in the colon wall and increase the risk of postoperative leakage.
Increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation of colorectal cancer cells using insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐4 gene delivered locally by gene transfer
Authors: Durai R. , Yang S. Y. , Sales K. M. , Seifalian A. M. , Goldspink G. , Winslet M. C. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjective  Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I induces proliferation of transformed cells. Its binding proteins (IGFBP) are involved in local regulation of IGF. This study assessed the effects of overexpression of IGFBP‐4 on the development of cancer in vivo.Method  Nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with HT‐29 colorectal cancer cells (3 × 106). When the tumour became visible (1 week after inoculation), animals received either 150 μg of mammalian expression vector containing IGFBP‐4 cDNA or vector alone (n = 6 each) by peritumoural injection. Tumour size was measured during the growth. After 3 weeks of IGFBP‐4 induction, animals were killed and tumour tissue samples were collected for examining the level of IGFBP‐4 expression. Tumour mitotic activities were determined by counting numbers of mitotic cells on the tissue section. Apoptosis was investigated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUDP nick end labelling assay.Results  Following IGFBP‐4 treatment, tumour showed large necrotic areas, significantly increased numbers of apoptotic cells (36.67 ± 7.36 vs 7.07 ± 1.91, P < 0.01 vs control), decreased cells undergoing mitosis (2.31 ± 0.32 vs 3.61 ± 0.27, P < 0.01 vs control) and higher expression of IGFBP‐4 (P < 0.05 vs control).Conclusion  IGFBP‐4 gene transfer increased apoptosis and decreased mitosis, but tumour volume was not significantly altered possibly due to cellular debris filling the centre of tumours.
Early symptomatic recurrence after intestinal resection in Crohn's disease is unpredictable
Authors: Kurer M. A. , Stamou K. M. , Wilson T. R. , Bradford I. M. J. , Leveson S. H. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjective  To identify predictors of early symptomatic recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) after surgical resection.Method  We studied a cohort of 128 patients who had undergone at least one intestinal resection for CD. Factors that might predict early recurrence were documented for analysis using a standardized pro forma. These comprised age, gender, family history, extra‐intestinal manifestations, smoking, complicated disease at first presentation, site of disease, preoperative inflammatory markers, involvement of resection margins, orientation and method of anastomosis and postoperative medical therapy. All symptomatic recurrences were confirmed by endoscopic, radiological, or operative means. We defined early recurrence as that which occurred within 36 months of first surgery. Univariate analysis was conducted to compare the distribution of each factor in those who developed early recurrence (n = 48) and those who remained disease free for the first 36 months (n = 50).Results  Of the 128 patients studied, 98 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of at least 36 months of follow up. Of these patients, 48 (49%) patients developed recurrence. Trends towards fewer early recurrences were seen in patients with colonic disease (33%vs 56%, P = 0.068). Of the current smokers, 60% developed early recurrence compared with 43% of nonsmokers (P = 0.269). All other factors examined were similarly distributed between the two groups. Metronidazole as adjuvant treatment does not appear to protect against early symptomatic recurrence.Conclusion  This study shows that early symptomatic postoperative recurrence of CD remains unpredictable. Against expectation, abstinence from smoking and postoperative adjuvant metronidazole did not appear to protect against early symptomatic recurrence.
An observational cohort study investigating the cardiovascular safety of tadalafil when prescribed in primary care in England: mortality due to ischaemic heart disease
Authors: Hazell Lorna , Boshier Andrew , Harris Scott , Wilton Lynda V. , Shakir Saad A.W. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVETo examine the cardiovascular safety of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type‐5 inhibitor used for treating erectile dysfunction in patients prescribed this drug by general practitioners (GPs) in England in 2003, focusing on mortality due to ischaemic heart disease (IHD).PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients in this observational cohort study were identified from dispensed prescriptions for tadalafil issued by GPs from February to November 2003. Demographic and outcome data were requested from patients’ GPs using a postal questionnaire. A standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated using indirect standardization for all deaths from IHD or myocardial infarction (MI) in male patients who were prescribed tadalafil, regardless of whether they were taking tadalafil at the time, compared to those in the English male population (2002).RESULTSClinical information was obtained for 6266 patients; patient sex could not be confirmed for 37 but in the remaining 6229 the median age was 61 years (interquartile range 53–68). The age was not specified for 2361 (37.7%) of the patients. Excluding patients not taking tadalafil at the time of the event, cardiovascular events included chest pain in 20, angina in 18, MI in 15 (including six fatal) and IHD in 11 (including five fatal). There were also six deaths where the cause was not ascertained; five of these patients were known to be male. Comparison of mortality due to IHD or MI for men with those in the English male population (2002) provided an SMR of 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.50–1.48).CONCLUSIONSThe results from this study suggest a similar incidence of death due to IHD or MI in men prescribed tadalafil to that in the male English population. However, due to possible under‐reporting and the limitations of using an external comparator, these results should be interpreted in context with other studies on the cardiovascular effects and safety of tadalafil.
A prospective, randomized, double‐blind trial to evaluate the role of a short reducing course of oral corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Authors: Bates Sylvia M. , Hill Valerie A. , Anderson John B. , Chapple Christopher R. , Spence Rosemary , Ryan Claire , Talbot Martin D. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVESTo assess the validity of our observational experience that a short course of oral prednisolone therapy might be of value in the management of symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) in men.PATIENTS AND METHODSTwenty‐one men with CPPS (inflammatory or non‐inflammatory) for ≥6 months, and who had failed to improve with standard antibiotic therapy, were randomized to receive either a 1‐month reducing course of oral prednisolone (nine) or an equivalent placebo regimen (12 men). The outcome measures used were the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), General Health Questionnaire‐30 (GHQ‐30) and the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH‐CPSI), which were completed at baseline and 3 months.RESULTSOutcomes were analysed for the 18 patients (six treated, 12 placebo) who completed the 3 months of follow‐up. At both baseline and 3 months, respectively, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the NIH‐CPSI total score (P = 0.48 and 0.62; Mann–WhitneyU‐test), or in the HADS (anxiety,P = 0.85 and 0.67; depressionP = 0.96 and 0.74), and there was no significant improvement or deterioration over time. Although not statistically significant, there was a trend to improvement in the depression score for the active group (P = 0.13). However, the clinical significance is doubtful, as both baseline and follow‐up depression scores were within the normal range. No patient had clinically negative changes in depression. A 3‐month follow‐up analysis was not possible for the McGill Pain Questionnaire or GHQ‐30 as not all patients completed the questionnaire.CONCLUSIONSWhilst the study showed no clinical benefit of using corticosteroids in the management of CPPS, the few patients recruited limited the validity of firm conclusions from the data. There was a trend towards an improvement of depression levels amongst subjects. The study highlights the difficulties of recruitment and illustrates the complex psychological profiles of patients with CPPS.
A Spatial Model for the Needle Losses of Pine-Trees in the Forests of Baden-Württemberg: An Application of Bayesian Structured Additive Regression
Authors: Augustin Nicole H. , Lang Stefan , Musio Monica , Von Wilpert Klaus 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe data that are analysed are from a monitoring survey which was carried out in 1994 in the forests of Baden-Württemberg, a federal state in the south-western region of Germany. The survey is part of a large monitoring scheme that has been carried out since the 1980s at different spatial and temporal resolutions to observe the increase in forest damage. One indicator for tree vitality is tree defoliation, which is mainly caused by intrinsic factors, age and stand conditions, but also by biotic (e.g. insects) and abiotic stresses (e.g. industrial emissions). In the survey, needle loss of pine-trees and many potential covariates are recorded at about 580 grid points of a 4 km × 4 km grid. The aim is to identify a set of predictors for needle loss and to investigate the relationships between the needle loss and the predictors. The response variable needle loss is recorded as a percentage in 5% steps estimated by eye using binoculars and categorized into healthy trees (10% or less), intermediate trees (10–25%) and damaged trees (25% or more). We use a Bayesian cumulative threshold model with non-linear functions of continuous variables and a random effect for spatial heterogeneity. For both the non-linear functions and the spatial random effect we use Bayesian versions of P-splines as priors. Our method is novel in that it deals with several non-standard data requirements: the ordinal response variable (the categorized version of needle loss), non-linear effects of covariates, spatial heterogeneity and prediction with missing covariates. The model is a special case of models with a geoadditive or more generally structured additive predictor. Inference can be based on Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques or mixed model technology.
A Generalization of the Beta–Binomial Distribution
Authors: Rodríguez-Avi J. , Conde-Sánchez A. , Sáez-Castillo A. J. , Olmo-Jiménez M. J. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe paper describes a distribution generated by the Gaussian hypergeometric function that may be seen as a generalization of the beta–binomial distribution. It is expressed as a generalized beta mixture of a binomial distribution. This new mixing distribution allows the existence of a mode and an antimode, which is very useful for fitting some data sets. Two examples illustrate the greater versatility of the new distribution compared with the beta–binomial distribution.
GOES-8 X-Ray Sensor Variance Stabilization Using the Multiscale Data-Driven Haar–Fisz Transform
Authors: Fryzlewicz Piotr , Delouille Véronique , Nason Guy P. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryWe consider the stochastic mechanisms behind the data that were collected by the solar X-ray sensor (XRS) on board the GOES-8 satellite. We discover and justify a non-trivial mean–variance relationship within the XRS data. Transforming such data so that their variance is stable and its distribution is taken closer to the Gaussian distribution is the aim of many techniques (e.g. Anscombe and Box–Cox). Recently, new techniques based on the Haar–Fisz transform have been introduced that use a multiscale method to transform and stabilize data with a known mean–variance relationship. In many practical cases, such as the XRS data, the variance of the data can be assumed to increase with the mean, but other characteristics of the distribution are unknown. We introduce a method, the data-driven Haar–Fisz transform, which uses the Haar–Fisz transform but also estimates the mean–variance relationship. For known noise distributions, the data-driven Haar–Fisz transform is shown to be competitive with the fixed Haar–Fisz methods. We show how our data-driven Haar–Fisz transform method denoises the XRS series where other existing methods fail.
ROBERT JENSON ON THE PRE‐EXISTENCE OF CHRIST
Authors: CRISP OLIVER D. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn his recent two‐volume Systematic Theology, Robert Jenson offers an account of Christ's pre‐existence that is, in several important respects, an original contribution to the literature. In this article, I offer a critical interaction with Jenson's doctrine. In particular, I show that what Jenson has to say about (a) divine eternity and (b) the relationship between philosophy and theology, have important bearings on his construal of Christ's pre‐existence and, in the final analysis, skew what he has to say on the matter. I conclude that Jenson's account of this doctrine, though suggestive and insightful in several respects, is unsuccessful, indeed, incoherent, as it stands.
THEOLOGY FROM A FRACTURED VISTA: SUSAN NEIMAN'S EVIL IN MODERN THOUGHT
Authors: ROSSI PHILIP J. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract Evil in Modern Thought, Susan Neiman's account of the intellectual trajectory of modernity, employs the trope “homeless” to articulate deep difficulties that affirmations of divine transcendence and of human capacities to acknowledge transcendence face in a contemporary context thoroughly marked by fragmentation, fragility, and contingency. The “hospitality” of the Incarnation, which makes a fractured world a place for divine welcoming of the human in all its contingency and brokenness, is proposed as locus for theological engagement with Neiman's appropriation of a Kantian sense of hope as the readiness to resist evil in a world seemingly bereft of welcome.
Experience with the use of a first‐line regimen of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine in patients in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database
Authors: Zhou J , Paton NI , Ditangco R , Chen Y‐MA , Kamarulzaman A , Kumarasamy N , Lee CKC , Li PCK , Merati TP , Phanuphak P , Pujari S , Vibhagool A , Zhang F , Chuah J , Frost KR , Cooper DA , Law MG ,   on behalf of the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database
Published: January 2007

BackgroundThe antiretroviral treatment (ART) combination of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine (d4T/3TC/NVP) is the most frequently used initial regimen in many Asian countries. There are few data on the outcome of this treatment in clinic cohorts in this region.MethodsWe selected patients from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) who started their first ART regimen with d4T/3TC/NVP. Treatment change was defined as cessation of therapy or the addition or change of one or more drugs. Clinical failure was defined as diagnosis with an AIDS‐defining illness, or death while on d4T/3TC/NVP treatment.ResultsThe rate of treatment change among TAHOD patients starting d4T/3TC/NVP as their first antiretroviral treatment was 22.3 per 100 person‐years, with lower baseline haemoglobin (i.e. anaemia) associated with slower rate of treatment change. The rate of clinical failure while on d4T/3TC/NVP treatment was 7.3 per 100 person‐years, with baseline CD4 cell count significantly associated with clinical failure. After d4T/3TC/NVP was stopped, nearly 40% of patients did not restart any treatment and, of those who changed to other treatment, the majority changed to zidovudine (ZDV)/3TC/NVP and less than 3% of patients changed to a protease inhibitor (PI)‐containing regimen. The rates of disease progression on the second‐line regimen were similar to those on the first‐line regimen.ConclusionThese real‐life data provide an insight into clinical practice in Asia and the Pacific region. d4T/3TC/NVP is maintained longer than other first‐line regimens and change is mainly as a result of adverse effects rather than clinical failure. There is a need to develop affordable second‐line antiretroviral treatment options for patients with HIV infection in developing countries.
Predictive factors for immunological and virological endpoints in Thai patients receiving combination antiretroviral treatment
Authors: Srasuebkul P , Ungsedhapand C , Ruxrungtham K , Boyd MA , Phanuphak P , Cooper DA , Law MG ,   the HIV‐NAT study team
Published: January 2007

BackgroundRoutine CD4 count and HIV viral load monitoring is a financial barrier in developing countries.MethodsWe assessed factors associated with CD4 counts ≤200 cells/μL and detectable viral load in Thai HIV‐infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the HIV Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration and the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre (HIV‐NAT). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models for multiple treatment failures were used to determine factors related to CD4 counts ≤200 cells/μL and detectable viral load. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models for CD4 counts ≤200 cells/μL were developed with and without viral load in order to build models applicable to contexts in which viral load is not available.ResultsFour hundred and seventeen patients were included in the study. Fifty‐four per cent were male, and the median CD4 count and log10 viral load at baseline were 283 cells/μL and 4.3 log10 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL, respectively. Independent factors related to CD4 count ≤200 cells/μL were CD4 count at baseline [hazards ratio (HR) 0.20/100 cells/μL; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17–0.23] and changes in CD4 count (HR 0.22/100 cells/μL; 95% CI 0.17–0.28). Factors in multivariate models (in which viral load was considered for inclusion) were CD4 count at baseline (HR 0.21/100 cells/μL; 95% CI 0.18–0.24), changes in CD4 count (HR 0.25/100 cells/μL; 95% CI 0.19–0.32) and detectable viral load (HR 1.94; 95% CI 1.20–3.13). Predictive factors (independent of viral load) were triple ART or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (HR 0.28; 95% CI 0.22–0.36) and detectable viral load at baseline (HR 2.96; 95% CI 2.24–3.91).ConclusionsCD4 count at baseline and changes in CD4 count were important in predicting CD4 counts ≤200 cells/μL. Triple ART and detectable viral load at baseline were important in predicting detectable viral load.
Mitochondrial DNA assessment in adipocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV‐infected patients with lipodystrophy according to a validated case definition
Authors: Casula M , Van Der Valk M , Wit FW , Nievaard MA , Reiss P 
Published: January 2007

BackgroundSeveral studies have compared mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in tissue from HIV‐1‐infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy with and without evidence of lipodystrophy, the diagnosis of which was based on subjective clinical assessment.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the utility of mtDNA quantification as a marker of HIV‐associated lipodystrophy as diagnosed using a published validated case definition.MethodsWe assessed mtDNA content in adipocytes from both thigh and lumbar subcutaneous adipose tissue (n=19), and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (n=26), obtained from 26 HIV‐1‐infected patients classified as having lipodystrophy (n=17) or not having lipodystrophy (n=9) according to the validated definition derived from the Lipodystrophy Case Definition Study.ResultsThe adipocyte and PBMC mtDNA contents did not significantly differ between patients with and without lipodystrophy. Lipodystrophy patients had been treated for significantly longer times, especially with dideoxynucleoside analogues. In both groups, the thigh adipocyte mtDNA content was significantly greater than that of the lumbar region. When all patients were considered together, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between thigh adipocyte mtDNA content and stavudine treatment duration.ConclusionsLonger exposure to dideoxynucleoside analogues was associated with lipodystrophy, and longer exposure to stavudine was correlated with lower mtDNA content in thigh adipocytes. However, a single measurement of adipocyte mtDNA content in this limited sample of patients could not distinguish between patients with and without clinical lipodystrophy. The observed variation in mtDNA content between different subcutaneous adipose tissue depots argues for harmonization of future studies regarding which depot to biopsy.
Serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase1 enhances contextual fear memory formation through down‐regulation of the expression of Hes5
Authors: Lee Ching T. , Ma Yun L. , Lee Eminy H. Y. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractMitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase plays an important role in memory formation and directly phosphorylates serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase1 (SGK1) at Ser78. In this study, we examined the role and mechanism of SGK1 Ser78 activation involved in contextual fear memory formation in rats. Results revealed that SGK1 Ser78 phosphorylation was increased 30 min, 1 h and 3 h after training. Transient transfection of the dominant negative mutant of sgk, sgkS78A, to hippocampal neurons impaired, whereas transfection of the constitutively active sgk, sgkS78D, enhanced fear retention. Microarray analysis identified 14 genes that showed more than threefold alteration in their gene expression in sgkS78A‐transfected animals 6 h after training. One of them is Hairy and Enhancer of split 5 (Hes5). The expression level of Hes5 is approximately 4.4‐fold higher in sgkS78A‐transfected animals. Further analyses revealed that Hes5 level is markedly decreased after training in control animals, but sgkS78A markedly increased Hes5 level after training. RNA interference experiment showed that shHes5 dose‐dependently enhanced fear retention, whereas over‐expression of Hes5 impaired fear retention. Moreover, shHes5 at a lower concentration completely blocked the memory‐impairing effect of sgkS78A. These results together suggest that Hes5 negatively regulates contextual fear memory formation and SGK activation down‐regulates Hes5 expression to enhance fear retention.