bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishment of a Flexible Platform for an Automated Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor—ELISA
Authors: Schneider Ilka , Stoll Paul , Haller Daniel , Thurow Kerstin 
Published: July 2007

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a standard immunoassay to estimate protein concentrations in a variety of samples. An automated ELISA procedure was established that allows the measurement of the concentration of numerous proteins in a small sample volume. The automated ELISA procedure was tested by measuring the concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in serum samples from humans. It was shown that the reproducibility of protein concentrations in three assay plates within one automated run was greater than 92%, within independent automated experiments greater than 96%. Automated processing with a maximum capacity of six plates and 240 serum samples per run showed an average interassay precision of 91 %. Serial dilutions of randomly chosen sera displayed significant linearity of recovered concentration. In conclusion it can be stated that the automated assay provides high flexibility with highly reproducible results and has several advantages compared to the manual method, including less operator dependence and faster sample throughput. The investigated ELISA test system seems to exhibit analytical characteristics indicating further clinical application. (JALA 2007;12:219–29)
‘Our bodies, our selves?’ The body as source in feminist theology
Authors: Moulaison Jane Barter 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis article is, in part, an effort to come to terms with the ubiquitous celebration of embodiment in feminist discourse, and particularly within feminist theology. It will begin with a brief introduction to some of the key concepts in feminist theology and its use of the body, beginning with the body theologies of those who might now be called ‘second-wave’ theologians – Carter Heyward and Beverly Harrison. From here, I will consider postmodern feminist challenges to the reified and essentialised body as I examine what I call the subversive body in third-wave or postmodern feminism, both secular and theological. Finally, I shall move from these to an alternative construal of the importance of the body through the consideration of Christian bodily practices. Such an alternative will allow me to reflect upon what it is to become a specifically Christian body through church practices. I shall then endeavour to return to the critical concerns raised by feminism about the subjugation of women's bodies in the church as I consider the resources that might be available within the tradition itself for critical and emancipatory practices toward women and other strangers within the Body of Christ.
Why torture?
Authors: BLAKELEY RUTH 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTI develop a framework to account for torture, which I argue should be understood with reference to international relations. I show that torture is intended as a tool to ensure the security, stability and legitimacy of elites, often transnationally, but there is often a disjuncture between its intended and actual outcomes. Despite dominant claims that torture is used to defeat security threats, most torture is intended to deter political opposition and secure legitimacy for elites. I conclude that torture should be renounced, both on moral grounds, and because it is not necessary for the functions it is intended to serve.
Time and crisis: framing success and failure in Romania’s post-communist transformations
Authors: POP LILIANA 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThis article analyses the complex interplay between domestic systemic transformations in post-communist Europe and the reintegration of these countries in the global political economy, through a study of the relationship between successive Romanian governments and the international financial institutions in the 1990s. Conceptually, it seeks to overcome the dichotomies of realist and rationalist approaches to international relations by deploying fields, habitus and practices conceptual framework inspired by the work of Pierre Bourdieu. The article captures both the symbolic and material-structural dimensions of the interaction between domestic field-creation and the reproduction of global economic and political fields. It suggests that practices aimed at the reproduction of power hierarchies are also modulated by symbolic requirements, to save face and to avoid whenever possible open conflict, related to the logic of honour.
The use of temozolomide as a radiosensitiser for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Walsh N. , Fleet A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most commonly occurring adult brain tumour and has the worst prognosis. Radiobiologically, GBM exhibits radioresistant characteristics, which may contribute to its incurability. The use of a chemical radiosensitiser combined with radiotherapy may be an exploitable mechanism to improve therapeutic gain. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a promising new alkylating agent that has been introduced into clinical practice over the last decade and has shown modest activity against high-grade gliomas. This paper aims to evaluate the evidence base for the use of TMZ as a radiosensitiser in practice by reviewing published literature. Findings demonstrate promising improvements in progression-free and overall survival for patients with GBM receiving concomitant and adjuvant TMZ and radiotherapy compared with radiotherapy alone. These results are evaluated to put forth recommendations for further research.
Differences in radiation therapy staff and students’ perceptions of clinical teaching characteristics
Authors: Palmer Cathryne , Naccarato Natassia 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground: The clinical practicum provides an opportunity for students to apply and integrate classroom theory and clinical practice and competence effectively. In a teaching hospital, it is the responsibility of all staff to participate in clinical teaching and every interaction with a student constitutes a learning experience. The clinical teaching characteristics that are important to students and facilitate learning are not clearly defined in radiation therapy practice.Objective: To determine and compare the perceptions of the most and the least important clinical teaching characteristics as identified by radiation therapy staff and students.Methods: A self-administered, online questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was developed using clinical teaching characteristics identified in the literature and from Knox and Mogan’s Nursing Clinical Teaching Effectiveness Inventory. Participants were asked to rate on a 4-point, Likert-type scale the importance of the teaching characteristics with 1 being ‘not at all important’ and 4 being ‘very important’. Of the 150 questionnaires distributed, 49 radiation therapists and 10 students responded to the survey, constituting a 39% response rate.Results: There was generally a greater agreement between staff and students in terms of rating the least important teaching characteristics, being in the categories of interpersonal relationships and personality traits. Staff ranked characteristics in the category of Clinical Competence as most important, whereas the most important clinical teaching characteristics for students were dispersed amongst all categories.Conclusion: Radiation therapy staff and students place great emphasis on the demonstration of clinical competence in the teaching–learning process; clinical teachers should be made aware of and develop these characteristics, which ultimately assist in the student’s success.
Constructing a coherent joint prior while respecting biological realism: application to marine mammal stock assessments
Authors: Brandon John R. , Breiwick Jeffrey M. , Punt André E. , Wade Paul R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBrandon, J. R., Breiwick, J. M., Punt, A. E., and Wade, P. R. 2007. Constructing a coherent joint prior while respecting biological realism: application to marine mammal stock assessments. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1085–1100. Bayesian estimation methods, employing the Sampling–Importance–Resampling algorithm, are currently used to perform stock assessments for several stocks of marine mammals, including the Bering–Chukchi–Beaufort Seas stock of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) and walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) off Greenland. However, owing to the functional relationships among parameters in deterministic age-structured population dynamics models, placing explicit priors on each life history parameter in addition to the population growth rate parameter results in an incoherent joint prior distribution (i.e. two different priors on the estimated parameters). One solution to constructing a coherent joint prior is to solve for juvenile survival analytically, using values generated from the prior distributions for the remaining parameters. However, certain combinations of model parameter values result in values for juvenile survival that are larger than adult survival, which is biologically implausible. Therefore, to respect biological realism, certain parameter values must be rejected for some or all the remaining parameters. This study investigates several alternative resampling schemes for obtaining a realistic joint prior distribution, given the constraint on survival rates. The sensitivity of assessment results is investigated for data-rich (bowhead) and data-poor (walrus) scenarios. The results based on limited data are especially sensitive to the choice of alternative resampling scheme.
Crystal structures and thermal expansion of α-MgSO4and β-MgSO4from 4.2 to 300 K by neutron powder diffraction
Authors: Fortes A. D. , Wood I. G. , Vočadlo L. , Brand H. E. A. , Knight K. S. 
Published: July 2007

Detailed neutron powder diffraction measurements have been carried out on two polymorphs of anhydrous magnesium sulfate, α-MgSO4and β-MgSO4. α-MgSO4is orthorhombic, space groupCmcm(Z= 4); at 4.2 K the unit-cell dimensions area= 5.16863 (3),b= 7.86781 (5),c= 6.46674 (5) Å,V= 262.975 (2) Å3[ρcalc= 3040.16 (2) kg m−3], and at 300 K,a= 5.17471 (3),b= 7.87563 (5),c= 6.49517 (5) Å,V= 264.705 (2) Å3[ρcalc= 3020.29 (2) kg m−3]. The axial and volumetric thermal expansion coefficients are positive at all temperatures and exhibit no unusual behaviour. Structures were refined at 4.2 and 300 K toRP< 3%; less precise structural parameters were determined during warming from 4.2 to 300 K. β-MgSO4has a more complex structure, crystallizing in space groupPbnm(Z= 4); the unit-cell dimensions at 4.2 K area = 4.73431 (8),b= 8.58170 (12),c= 6.67266 (11) Å,V= 271.100 (5) Å3[ρcalc= 2949.04 (5) kg m−3], and at 300 K,a= 4.74598 (7),b= 8.58310 (10),c= 6.70933 (10) Å,V= 273.306 (4) Å3[ρcalc= 2925.42 (4) kg m−3]. The thermal expansivities of theaandcaxes, and the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient, are positive at all temperatures and normally behaved. However, the thermal expansion of thebaxis is both very small and negative below ∼125 K. Structural and thermal motion parameters for β-MgSO4as a function of temperature are also reported.
Clindamycin and taste disorders
Authors: De Groot Mark C. H. , Van Puijenbroek Eugène P. 
Published: July 2007

What is already known about this subject. • The antibiotic clindamycin has a bitter taste when it is used orally. What this study adds • A case series on oral as well as i.v. use of clindamycin associated with taste disorders is presented.• After corrections in a case‐by‐case analysis for several possible confounders such as indication, clindamycin is disproportionally associated with taste disorders.• Serum and hence saliva and sputum clindamycin levels seem to be responsible for this reversible adverse drug reaction.AimsTopical use of clindamycin has been associated with taste disorders in the literature, but little is known about the nature of this adverse drug reaction. The aim of this article was to describe reports of clindamycin‐induced taste disorders and to analyse the factors involved.MethodsThe adverse drug reaction database of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre was searched for reports concerning taste disorders with antibiotics. Clinical review of the cases and statistical analysis with logistic regression were performed. Characteristics of patients who reported taste disorders were compared for age, gender and formulation in clindamycin vs. other antibiotic users.ResultsTaste disorders were reported in seven (18%) of the clindamycin cases. In five reports an oral formulation was involved, in one report intravenous (i.v.) administration and in one report both formulations were used. Latency was <1 day after start and in one case taste disorders were present repeatedly at 10 min after every i.v. application. The adjusted reporting odds ratio was 7.0 (95% confidence interval 2.8, 17.3) and supports a possible causal relationship.ConclusionsThe association of clindamycin and taste disorders is supported by disproportionality analysis and seems to be independent of possible confounders such as age, gender and infections. The case reports suggest a role for clindamycin concentrations excreted in body fluids like saliva.
Proton pump inhibitor‐induced acute interstitial nephritis
Authors: Härmark Linda , Van Der Wiel Hans E. , De Groot Mark C. H. , Van Grootheest A. C. 
Published: July 2007

What is already known about this subject • In several case reports the use of omeprazole has been associated with interstitial nephritis.• Recently there have been reports linking other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with interstitial nephritis. What this study adds • We present supplementary cases received by the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb, concerning interstitial nephritis in users of PPIs including omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole.• In this case series seven patients are presented. In six cases they recovered spontaneously after cessation of the PPI, in one case the patient recovered after treatment with a corticosteroid.• Further support for this association comes from the worldwide adverse drug reaction database of the World Health Organization.• This report shows that interstitial nephritis can occur with all PPIs. Health professionals should be aware of this potential serious adverse drug reaction.AimTo investigate the association between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and acute interstitial nephritis (AIN).MethodsThe Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb received seven case reports of AIN induced by various PPIs. In five of the reports it was mentioned that the diagnosis was confirmed by a renal biopsy.ResultsThe time to onset varied between hours to 4 months. In all cases but one the patient spontaneously recovered after withdrawal of the offending agent. In one case the patient received treatment with prednisolone and recovered. In one patient a rechallenge was done 9 days after the initial event. Within 12 h of re‐exposure the patient developed symptoms of AIN.ConclusionsThe mechanism of drug‐induced AIN is unknown, but an immunological mechanism is suspected. Our reports show no relation between dosage, latency, time to recovery, age or gender, supporting the hypothesis that the aetiology of AIN is immunological. Lareb has received reports of AIN with the use of omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole. This shows that AIN is a complication associated with the whole group of PPIs and not only omeprazole. It is important for health professionals to be aware of this adverse drug reaction, because an accurate and timely diagnosis and withdrawal of the offending drug can prevent potentially life‐threatening renal failure.
The pharmacokinetic profile of sitaxsentan, a selective endothelin receptor antagonist, in varying degrees of renal impairment
Authors: Dhaun Neeraj , Melville Vanessa , Kramer William , Stavros Fiona , Coyne Terrance , Swan Suzanne , Goddard Jane , Webb David J. 
Published: July 2007

What is already known about this subject • The initial indication for endothelin (ET) receptor antagonism as a treatment strategy, primary pulmonary hypertension, is now expanding to include scleroderma, which can cause both pulmonary and renal disease.• It is important to understand the effects of impaired renal function on the pharmacokinetics of these drugs to allow appropriate dosing in individuals with impaired renal function. What this study adds • Sitaxsentan, an oral selective endothelin A receptor antagonist, is licensed for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, and studies of this drug in CKD are planned.• The pharmacokinetic profile of sitaxsentan is unchanged in subjects with varying degrees of renal impairment.• The results of this study will allow confident dosing of sitaxsentan in individuals with renal impairment, and inform future studies.AimTo investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of a single 100‐mg oral dose of sitaxsentan, a selective endothelin type A receptor antagonist, in subjects with normal and impaired renal function.MethodsThis was an open label, single oral dose study in subjects with normal [creatinine clearance (CrCL) ≥ 80 ml min−1] and impaired renal function (mild renal impairment CrCL 51–80 ml min−1, moderate impairment CrCL 31–50 ml min−1, severe impairment CrCL ≤ 30 ml min−1). All subjects received a dose of 100 mg sitaxsentan.ResultsTwenty‐four subjects were enrolled, six in each of the normal and three renal impairment groups. The mean plasma sitaxsentan concentrations were comparable across the groups, as were the mean values for Cmax (10.3–13.9 µg ml−1), AUC∞ (18.7–22.5 h µg−1 ml−1), oral clearance (CL/F, 82.3–94.9 ml min−1), volume of distribution (Vz/F, 64.8–69.6 l) and elimination half‐life (t1/2, 8.6–9.6 h). There was substantial overlap among the four groups in the individual subject values for CL/F and Vz/F and no relationship between either of these parameters and CrCL.ConclusionAfter a single 100‐mg oral dose of sitaxsentan there were no differences in its pharmacokinetics among subjects with normal or impaired renal function.
Add‐on therapy with doxazosin in patients with hypertension influences arterial stiffness and albuterol‐mediated arterial vasodilation
Authors: Wykretowicz Andrzej , Guzik Przemyslaw , Krauze Tomasz , Adamska Karolina , Milewska Agata , Wysocki Henryk 
Published: July 2007

What is already known about this subject • Hypertension is associated with increased arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function.• Arterial vasodilation depends on endothelial function and can be regulated by β2‐adrenergic stimulation.• Doxazosin is a known and potent antihypertensive agent. However, its effects on arterial stiffness and vasodilation have not been fully established. What this study adds Sixteen‐week add‐on antihypertensive therapy with 4 mg of doxazosin extended release daily:• Reduces arterial stiffness.• Improves albuterol‐mediated, i.e. endothelium‐dependent, arterial vasodilation.• Does not influence nitroglycerin‐mediated, i.e. endothelium‐independent, arterial vasodilation.AimsDoxazosin is an antihypertensive agent with largely unknown effects on arterial stiffness and vasodilation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of doxazosin extended‐release (ER) to the standard management of hypertension in patients with inadequately controlled blood pressure (BP) on arterial stiffness and arterial vasodilation.MethodsTwenty patients with inadequately controlled hypertension were treated with 4 mg doxazosin ER daily for 16 weeks as an adjunct to their existing antihypertensive regimen.ResultsDoxazosin ER add‐on therapy was associated with significantly reduced systolic (P < 0.0001) and diastolic (P = 0.0003) BP, improved arterial stiffness (determined by digital volume pulse analysis (P = 0.048) and albuterol‐mediated arterial vasodilation (P = 0.030).ConclusionsAdd‐on therapy with 4 mg of doxazosin ER daily reduces BP and arterial stiffness and improves arterial vasodilation in response to adrenergic stimulation.
No significant effect ofSLCO1B1polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone
Authors: Kalliokoski Annikka , Neuvonen Mikko , Neuvonen Pertti J. , Niemi Mikko 
Published: July 2007

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (c.521T→C) of theSLCO1B1gene, encoding the hepatic uptake transporter organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1, has been associated with marked changes in the pharmacokinetics of the antidiabetic drug repaglinide.• Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are competitive inhibitors of OATP1B1 and might thus be its substrates.• Gemfibrozil, an inhibitor of OATP1B1in vitro, considerably increases the plasma concentrations of rosiglitazone and pioglitazonein vivoin humans.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• TheSLCO1B1c.521T→C SNP was not associated with changes in rosiglitazone or pioglitazone pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers.• OATP1B1 is thus unlikely to play an important role in the disposition of rosiglitazone or pioglitazone.AIMSTo examine possible effects of polymorphism in theSLCO1B1gene, encoding the hepatic uptake transporter organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1, on the pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone in a prospective genotype panel study.METHODSSixteen healthy volunteers with the homozygousSLCO1B1c.521TT genotype (controls), 12 with the heterozygous c.521TC genotype and four with the homozygous c.521CC genotype ingested a single 4‐mg dose of rosiglitazone and a single 15‐mg dose of pioglitazone in a cross‐over study with a wash‐out period of at least 1 week.RESULTSSLCO1B1polymorphism had no statistically significant effect on any of the pharmacokinetic variables of rosiglitazone, pioglitazone or their metabolites. The mean ± SD area under the plasma rosiglitazone concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC0–∞) was 2024 ± 561 ng ml−1 h in the c.521TT subjects, 1763 ± 288 ng ml−1 h in the c.521TC subjects (geometric mean ratio c.521TC/c.521TT 0.89; 95% confidence interval 0.72, 1.11) and 1729 ± 346 ng ml−1 h in the c.521CC subjects (c.521CC/c.521TT 0.87; 0.63, 1.20). The AUC0–∞of pioglitazone averaged 6244 ± 1909 ng ml−1 h in the c.521TT subjects, 5123 ± 1165 ng ml−1 h in the c.521TC subjects (c.521TC/c.521TT 0.83; 0.65, 1.06) and 4851 ± 1123 ng ml−1 h in the c.521CC subjects (c.521CC/c.521TT 0.79; 0.55, 1.14). There was a significant correlation between the AUC0–∞of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone (r = 0.717,P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSTheSLCO1B1c.521T→C SNP does not affect the pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone or pioglitazone, indicating that OATP1B1 plays no significant role in the disposition of these drugs.