bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Duloxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder: an open-label study
Authors: Hudson James I , Perahia David G , Gilaberte Inmaculada , Wang Fujun , Watkin John G , Detke Michael J 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic and highly disabling condition. Existing pharmacotherapies produce full remission in only 30% to 40% of treated patients. Antidepressants exhibiting dual reuptake inhibition of both serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) may achieve higher rates of remission compared with those acting upon a single neurotransmitter. In this study, the safety and efficacy of duloxetine, a potent dual reuptake inhibitor of 5-HT and NE, were examined.

Methods
Patients (N = 533) meeting DSM-IV criteria for MDD received open-label duloxetine (60 mg once a day [QD]) for 12 weeks during the initial phase of a relapse prevention trial. Patients were required to have a 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD17) total score ≥18 and a Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) score ≥4 at baseline. Efficacy measures included the HAMD17 total score, HAMD17 subscales, the CGI-S, the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale, Visual Analog Scales (VAS) for pain, and the Symptom Questionnaire, Somatic Subscale (SQ-SS). Quality of life was assessed using the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and the Quality of Life in Depression Scale (QLDS). Safety was evaluated by recording spontaneously-reported treatment-emergent adverse events, changes in vital signs and laboratory analytes, and the Patient Global Impression of Sexual Function (PGI-SF) scale.

Results
The rate of discontinuation due to adverse events was 11.3%. Treatment-emergent adverse events reported by ≥10% duloxetine-treated patients were nausea, headache, dry mouth, somnolence, insomnia, and dizziness. Following 12 weeks of open-label duloxetine therapy, significant improvements were observed in all assessed efficacy and quality of life measures. In assessments of depression severity (HAMD17, CGI-S) the magnitude of symptom improvement continued to increase at each study visit, while for painful physical symptoms the onset of improvement was rapid and reached a maximum after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment.

Conclusion
In this open-label phase of a relapse prevention study, duloxetine (60 mg QD) was shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of MDD.

Trial registration
NCT00036309.
How human practices have affected vector-borne diseases in the past: a study of malaria transmission in Alpine valleys
Authors: Sérandour Julien , Girel Jacky , Boyer Sebastien , Ravanel Patrick , Lemperière Guy , Raveton Muriel 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackgroundMalaria was endemic in the Rhône-Alpes area of eastern France in the 19thcentury and life expectancy was particularly shortened in Alpine valleys. This study was designed to determine how the disease affected people in the area and to identify the factors influencing malaria transmission.MethodsDemographic data of the 19thcentury were collected from death registers of eight villages of the flood-plain of the river Isère. Correlations were performed between these demographic data and reconstructed meteorological data. Archive documents from medical practitioners gave information on symptoms of ill people. Engineer reports provided information on the hydraulic project developments in the Isère valley.ResultsDescription of fevers was highly suggestive of endemic malaria transmission in the parishes neighbouring the river Isère. The current status of anopheline mosquitoes in the area supports this hypothesis. Mean temperature and precipitation were poorly correlated with demographic data, whereas the chronology of hydrological events correlated with fluctuations in death rates in the parishes.ConclusionNowadays, most of the river development projects involve the creation of wet areas, enabling controlled flooding events. Flood-flow risk and the re-emergence of vector-borne diseases would probably be influenced by the climate change. The message is not to forget that human disturbance of any functioning hydrosystem has often been linked to malaria transmission in the past.
Studying the Hurdles of Insulin Prescription (SHIP©): development, scoring and initial validation of a new self-administered questionnaire
Authors: Martinez Luc , Consoli Silla M , Monnier Louis , Simon Dominique , Wong Olivier , Yomtov Bernard , Guéron Béatrice , Benmedjahed Khadra , Guillemin Isabelle , Arnould Benoit 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackgroundAlthough insulin therapy is well-accepted by symptomatic diabetic patients, it is still often delayed in less severe patients, in whom injectable insulin remains under-used. A better understanding of patients' perception of insulin would eventually help physicians to adopt the most appropriate dialogue when having to motivate patients to initiate or to intensify insulin injection.MethodsThe 'Studying the Hurdles of Insulin Prescription' (SHIP) questionnaire was developed based on a list of concepts derived from three diabetic patients' focus groups, and was included into two cross-sectional studies with similar design: SHIP Oral study and SHIP Premix study. Diabetic patients treated with oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA; n = 1,494) and patients already treated with insulin (n = 1,150) completed the questionnaire at baseline, 6- and 12 months. Psychometric properties were assessed: 1) structure analysis by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation, 2) internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha), and 3) concurrent validity (Spearman correlation coefficients with the Fear of Self-Injecting (FSI) score of the Diabetes Fear of Injecting and Self-testing Questionnaire. Reluctance/motivation towards insulin was assessed. Scores' ability to predict patients' insulin injection reluctance/motivation and initiation/intensification was evaluated with the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC).ResultsPCA analysis confirmed the structure of the 14 items grouped into 3 dimensions: 'acceptance and motivation', 'fear and constraints', and 'restraints and barriers' towards insulin injection. Internal consistency reliability was excellent (Cronbach's alpha > 0.70); concurrent validity was good. The three scores were significantly predictive of patients' reluctance/motivation towards insulin injection initiation, as they were of patients' actual switch, except for the 'restraints and barriers' dimension. 'Acceptance and motivation' and 'fears and constraints' dimensions were also significantly predictive of patients' reluctance/motivation towards insulin intensification. By the end of the 12-month study, 179 of the initially OHA-treated patients had started insulin injections; 186 of the patients already treated with insulin had increased their injections.ConclusionThe SHIP questionnaire provides reliable and valid assessment of diabetic patients' attitude towards insulin and injections. The predictive power of scores for patients' reluctance/motivation and actual treatment decisions demonstrates encouraging potential for further application in clinical practice.
Modulation of CD1d-restricted NKT cell responses by CD4
Authors: Chen Xiuxu , Wang Xiaohua , Besra Gurdyal S , Gumperz Jenny E 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCD4+ and CD4− NKT cell populations have been shown to be functionally distinct, but the role of CD4 molecules in NKT cell activation is not clear. Here, we have used human CD1d-restricted NKT cell clones to investigate the contribution of CD4 to NKT cell functional responses. Coligation of CD4 with the TCR/CD3 complex resulted in enhanced cytokine secretion and increased calcium flux by CD4+ NKT cell clones, indicating that CD4 is functionally active in these cells. CD4 blockade specifically inhibited cytokine secretion and proliferation of CD4+ NKT cell clones in response to CD1d+ APCs but did not affect cytotoxicity, suggesting that CD4 preferentially modulates some NKT cell functional responses and not others. Anti-CD4 mAb treatment inhibited NKT cell responses to both MHC class II+ and MHC class II− APCs, indicating that its effect was not due to blocking CD4 binding to MHC class II molecules on APCs. The inhibitory effect of the anti-CD4 mAb also did not require recognition of CD1d by the NKT cell, since calcium flux was reduced in response to anti-CD3 mAb stimulation. Western blot analysis revealed that anti-CD4 treatment resulted in increased phosphorylation of an inhibitory site of p56lck (tyrosine 505). Thus, CD4 blockade interferes with the course of CD3-mediated signaling events in NKT cells. These results indicate that CD4 can contribute to NKT cell activation independently of the presence of a CD4-ligand on APCs and suggest that it preferentially modulates cytokine and proliferative responses.
Adoptive transfer of murine syngeneic graft-vs.-host disease by CD4+ T cells
Authors: Bryson J Scott , Jennings C Darrell , Brandon Jason A , Perez Jacqueline , Caywood Betty E , Kaplan Alan M 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSyngeneic graft-vs.-host disease (SGVHD) develops in rodents following the treatment of lethally irradiated, bone marrow (BM) reconstituted animals with a short course of the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A (CsA). Using an in vivo depletion approach, we recently demonstrated that CD4+, but not CD8+, T cells participated in inducing SGVHD. Studies were therefore undertaken to adoptively transfer SGVHD into lethally irradiated, syngeneic BM reconstituted secondary recipients. Whole T cell populations as well as purified CD4+T cells isolated from SGVHD, but not normal or transplant control, animals mediated the transfer of SGVHD into secondary recipients. These cells have an apparent specificity for enteric bacterial antigens. The pathologic process that developed was identical to that observed in the animals with de novo SGVHD after syngeneic BMT and CsA therapy. It was shown that a radiation-sensitive mechanism prevented the transfer of SGVHD into normal, nonirradiated secondary recipients. The ability to reproducibly transfer SGVHD into secondary recipients will enhance our ability to study regulatory mechanisms that are altered during CsA therapy and permit the development of murine CsA-induced SGVHD.
Mycobacterium bovisBCG disrupts the interaction of Rab7 with RILP contributing to inhibition of phagosome maturation
Authors: Sun Jim , Deghmane Ala-Eddine , Soualhine Hafid , Hong Thomas , Bucci Cecilia , Solodkin Anna , Hmama Zakaria 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPhagosomes containing M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG interact normally with early endosomes but fail to fuse with late endosomes and lysosomes. Whereas many early events of mycobacterial phagosomes have been elucidated, the exact mechanism of the inhibition of fusion with lysosomes is still unclear. Several Rab GTPase proteins were shown to be involved in membrane fusion and vesicular transport. In particular, Rab7 associates with the phagosomal membrane and regulates the fusion between late endosomes and lysosomes. This function of Rab7 was shown to be mediated in epithelial cell models by the Rab7 effector RILP (Rab7-interacting lysosomal protein). However, the relevance of Rab7-RILP interaction to phagosome biogenesis in macrophage infected with mycobacteria is still unknown. In this study, cotransfection of RAW 264.7 cells with Rab7 and RILP revealed that Rab7-RILP interaction occurs in macrophages ingesting latex beads. Thereafter, this cell system model was used to demonstrate that infection with live but not killed M. bovis BCG inhibited RILP recruitment despite Rab7 acquisition by the phagosome. Further investigation using immobilized RILP to pull down active Rab7 (GTP-bound form) from macrophage lysates demonstrated that inactive Rab7 (GDP-bound form) predominates in cells infected with live BCG. In addition, cell-free system experiments demonstrated that BCG culture supernatant contains a factor that catalyzes the GTP/GDP switch on recombinant Rab7 molecules. Such a factor was shown to diffuse beyond BCG phagosomes and target other Rab7-positive compartments. These findings suggest that live mycobacteria express within the macrophage a Rab7 deactivating factor leading to abortion of RILP-mediated fusion with lysosomes.
Imaging Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma with Persistent Elevated Calcitonin Levels
Authors: Giraudet Anne Laure , Vanel Daniel , Leboulleux Sophie , Aupérin Anne , Dromain Clarisse , Chami Linda , Ny Tovo Noël , Lumbroso Jean , Lassau Nathalie , Bonniaud Guillaume , Hartl Dana , Travagli Jean-Paul , Baudin Eric , Schlumberger Martin 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Purpose: Because calcitonin level remains elevated after initial treatment in many medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) patients without evidence of disease in the usual imaging work-up, there is a need to define optimal imaging procedures.
Patients and Methods: Fifty-five consecutive elevated calcitonin level MTC patients were enrolled to undergo neck and abdomen ultrasonography (US); neck, chest, and abdomen spiral computed tomography (CT); liver and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); bone scintigraphy; and 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan (PET).
Results: Fifty patients underwent neck US, CT, and PET, and neck recurrence was demonstrated in 56, 42, and 32%, respectively. Lung and mediastinum lymph node metastases in the 55 patients were demonstrated in 35 and 31% by CT and in 15 and 20% by PET. Liver imaging with MRI, CT, US, and PET in 41 patients showed liver in 49, 44, 41, and 27% patients, respectively. Bone metastases in 55 patients were demonstrated in 35% by PET, 40% by bone scintigraphy, and 40% by MRI; bone scintigraphy was complementary with MRI for axial lesions but superior for the detection of peripheral lesions. Ten patients had no imaged tumor site despite elevated calcitonin level (median 196 pg/ml; range 39–816). FDG uptake in neoplastic foci was higher in progressive patients but with a considerable overlap with stable ones.
Conclusion: The most efficient imaging work-up for depicting MTC tumor sites would consist of a neck US, chest CT, liver MRI, bone scintigraphy, and axial skeleton MRI. FDG PET scan appeared to be less sensitive and of low prognostic value.
Increased Prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Common Bile Duct Stone Patients
Authors: Laukkarinen Johanna , Kiudelis Gediminas , Lempinen Marko , Räty Sari , Pelli Hanna , Sand Juhani , Kemppainen Esko , Haglund Caj , Nordback Isto 
Published: August 2007

AbstractContext: Earlier, we have shown an increased prevalence of previously diagnosed hypothyroidism in common bile duct (CBD) stone patients and a delayed emptying of the biliary tract in hypothyroidism, explained partly by the missing prorelaxing effect of T4 on the sphincter of Oddi contractility.Objective: In this study, the prevalence of previously undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism in CBD stone patients was compared with nongallstone controls.Patients: All patients were clinically euthyreotic and without a history of thyroid function abnormalities. CBD stones were diagnosed at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (group 1; n = 303) or ruled out by previous medical history, liver function tests, and ultrasonography (control group II; n = 142).Main Outcome Measures: Serum free FT4 and TSH (S-TSH) were analyzed; S-TSH above the normal range (&gt;6.0 mU/liter) was considered as subclinical and S-TSH 5.0–6.0 mU/liter as borderline-subclinical hypothyroidism.Results: A total of 5.3 and 5.0% (total 10.2%; 31 of 303) of the CBD stone patients were diagnosed to have subclinical and borderline-subclinical hypothyroidism, compared with 1.4% (P = 0.05) and 1.4% (total 2.8%, four of 142; P = 0.026) in the control group, respectively. In women older than 60 yr, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 11.4% in CBD stone and 1.8% in control patients (P = 0.032) and subclinical plus borderline-subclinical hypothyroidism 23.8% in CBD stone and 1.8% in control patients (P = 0.012).Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism is more common in the CBD stone patients, compared with nongallstone controls, supporting our hypothesis that hypothyroidism might play a role in the forming of CBD stones. At minimum, women older than 60 yr with CBD stones should be screened for borderline or overt subclinical hypothyroidism.
Early start-up of solid oxide fuel cell hybrid systems with ejector cathodic recirculation: Experimental results and model verification
Authors: Ferrari M. L. , Traverso A , Pascenti M , Massardo A. F. 
Published: August 2007

A new test rig, founded in part by Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Limited, by the EU integrated project ‘FELICITAS’, and by the national project PRIN-2005, has been designed and built at the University of Genova to study different early start-up layouts and strategies for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) hybrid systems, using ejector-based cathodic recirculation. The test rig, which is flexible enough to analyse different emulated turbomachine layout (single shaft, two shafts, regenerated cycles or not, and so forth), different ejector configurations, and different stack arrangements, is unique. It also allows the early start-up performance to be fully investigated with particular attention to the analysis of the hybrid system fluid dynamic behaviour when the stack is off and the control system operates at critical conditions. The experiments have been carried out using a patented start-up combustor emulator (outlet temperature higher than 950°C), and monitoring the pressure and temperature quick rise to prevent mechanical and thermal stress to the fuel cell stack and to maintain turbomachine stability. The experimental results have also been used to verify the time-dependent hybrid system models based on TPG-TRANSEO tool. The results show good agreement with experimental data. This is essential to increase confidence with predictive time-dependent simulation tools during the start-up phase, where experimental data are hardly available and fuel cell materials may operate under risky conditions.
Water-soluble Carbon Nanotube Chain-transfer Agents (CNT-CTAs)
Authors: Ellis Amanda V , Waterland Mark R , Quinton Jamie 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Acyl chloride groups on carbon nanotubes are reacted with a magnesium chloride dithiopropanoate salt to create novel carbon nanotube chain-transfer agents (CNT-CTAs) for potential use in reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerizations.
Ring-closing Metathesis for the Synthesis of Phenylene-bridged Silamacrocycles
Authors: Phan Son Thanh , Setaka Wataru , Kira Mitsuo 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Disilacycloalkadienes with bridged halophenylene rings have been successfully synthesized via ring-closing metathesis reactions. Molecular structures of these macrocycles were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopies and X-ray crystallography. The Sonogashira coupling reactions of the macrocycles with phenylacetylene did not proceed probably owing to severe steric hindrance during the reactions.
Oral Aloe Vera-Induced Hepatitis
Authors: Bottenberg Michelle M , Wall Geoffrey C , Harvey Roger L , Habib Shahid 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To report a case of possible oral aloe vera-induced hepatitis. Case Summary: A 73-year-old female was admitted to the hospital for acute hepatitis. Extensive laboratory testing did not reveal the cause of the patient's disease. She was asked multiple times whether she was taking any home medications, which she initially denied. It was only after an extensive medication history done by a clinical pharmacist that the patient admitted to using oral aloe vera capsules for constipation. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe vera, liver markers of hepatotoxicity returned to normal levels. Discussion: Herbal medications pose an increasing problem in patient safety, as the different types of these products and the number of patients who use them continue to grow. In the US, these products are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as prescription medications; thus, safety information can be difficult to obtain. In particular, hepatic toxicity due to herbal agents is poorly described in the medical literature. Aloe vera, often used topically for minor burns, can also be used orally as a laxative or an “anti-aging” agent. According to the Naranjo probability scale, the hepatotoxicity in this case was possibly related to ingestion of oral aloe vera. Additionally, using the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method for determining drug hepatotoxicity, the patient's symptoms were scored as probably caused by oral aloe vera. The more conservative designation was used in our report. Conclusions: With the widespread use of oral aloe vera and other herbal products, clinicians faced with a case of acute hepatitis that is not readily diagnosed should question patients about herbal use.
Serum Piperacillin/Tazobactam Pharmacokinetics in a Morbidly Obese Individual
Authors: Newman Diane , Scheetz Marc H , Adeyemi Oluwadamilola A , Montevecchi Mauro , Nicolau David P , Noskin Gary A , Postelnick Michael J 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To report pharmacokinetic alterations and optimal dosing of piperacillin/tazobactam in an obese patient. Case Summary: A 39-year-old morbidly obese (weight 167 kg, body mass index 50 kg/m2) man was treated with piperacillin/tazobactam 3.375 g every 4 hours for recurrent cellulitis. The wound culture grew Groups A and B Streptococcus and rare Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Blood samples were obtained at steady-state from a peripheral venous catheter at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after the start of the infusion. Population pharmacokinetics were generated from a previously published data set. The serum concentrations of piperacillin/tazobactam obtained in the patient were compared with the 95% confidence interval from the representative population. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as maximal serum concentration, minimal serum concentration, average steady-state concentration, half-life, elimination rate constant, volume of distribution (Vd), clearance, area under the curve at steady-state, and percent of time greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration (%t>MIC) were calculated and qualitatively compared between the sample and the population. Discussion: Substantial differences were noted in both the absolute values at the times of sample collection and the overall concentration-versus-time profile of both compounds. The morbidly obese individual compared with the population demonstrated a reduced average serum steady-state concentration: 39.8 mg/L versus 123.6 mg/L, an increased Vd: 54.3 L versus 12.7 L, and an increased half-life: 1.4 hours versus 0.6 hours, respectively. The %t>MIC of piperacillin for the patient, assuming MICs of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 mg/L, was 100%. 100%, 90.9%, 55.4%. 19.9%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. Conclusions: Pathogens with elevated MICs may require altered dosing schemes with piperacillin/tazobactam. Future studies are warranted to assess increased dosages, more frequent dosing intervals, or continuous infusion dosing schemes for obese individuals with serious infections.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D corrected serum ACE activity and severity assessment of community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: van de Garde Ewoudt M.W. , Endeman Henrik , Deneer Vera H.M. , Biesma Douwe H. , Ruven Henk J.T. , van Velzen-Blad Heleen , Leufkens Hubert G.M. , van den Bosch Jules M.M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractClin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1326–31.