bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of the pressor response elicited by carbachol and electrical stimulation of the amygdala by muscarinic antagonists in conscious rats
Authors: Aslan Neslihan , Gören Zafer , özkutlu Uǧur , Onat Filiz , Oktay Sule 
Published: August 2006

The nature of the muscarinic receptor involved in mediating cardiovascular changes caused by unilateral microinjection of carbachol (5 nmol) into, and electrical stimulation (200–300 μA) of, the amygdaloid complex was investigated in conscious, unrestrained female Sprague‐Dawley rats.
Unilateral microinjection of carbachol (5 nmol; n=6) and electrical stimulation (200–300 μA, 80 Hz, 30 s; n=4) caused a significant rise in blood pressure of 21±4 mmHg and 25±5 mmHg, respectively. These changes were associated with no overall effect on heart rate. The effects of electrical stimulation were found to be repeatable.
Pretreatment i.c.v. with pirenzepine (5–20 nmol; n=6–7 for each dose), dose‐dependently inhibited the rise in blood pressure induced by carbachol, whereas AF‐DX 116 (100 nmol; n=6) failed to have any effect on the carbachol‐induced pressure response. Neither antagonist alone had any effect on resting baseline variables.
Unilateral microinjections of atropine sulphate (1–100 nmol; n=4–6 for each dose), pirenzepine (0.03–10 nmol; n=4 for each dose) or AF‐DX 116 (10–60 nmol; n=4–5 for each dose), into the amygdala, dose‐dependently inhibited the rise in blood pressure caused by electrical stimulation (200–300 μA). The ID50 values were 1.05, 0.23 and 39.5 nmol, respectively. Although pirenzepine seemed to be more potent than atropine, this difference was not significant.
It is concluded that the rise in blood pressure elicited by unilateral microinjection of carbachol into, or electrical stimulation of, the amygdaloid complex is mediated by M1‐muscarinic receptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 121, 35–40; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0701096
Gibbs’ phenomenon and surface area
Authors: de Michele L. , Roux D. 
Published: August 2006

If a functionffis of bounded variation onTN (N≥1)T^N\ (N\geq 1)and{φn}\{{\varphi }_n\}is a positive approximate identity, we prove that the area of the graph off∗φnf*{\varphi }_nconverges from below to the relaxed area of the graph offf. Moreover we give asymptotic estimates for the area of the graph of the square partial sums of multiple Fourier series of functions with suitable discontinuities.
Greedy approximation with respect to certain subsystems of the Walsh orthonormal system
Authors: Grigorian Martin , Zink Robert 
Published: August 2006

In an article that appeared in 1967, J.J. Price has shown that there is a vast family of subsystems of the Walsh orthonormal system each of which is complete on sets of large measure. In the present work it is shown that the greedy algorithm, when applied to functions in

L

1

[
0
,
1
]

L^{1}[0,1]

, is surprisingly effective for these nearly–complete families. Indeed, if

Φ
\Phi

is such a subsystem of the Walsh system, then to each positive

ε
\varepsilon

, however small, there corresponds a Lebesgue measurable set

E
E

such that for every

f
f

, Lebesgue integrable on

[
0
,
1
]

[0,1]

, the greedy approximants to

f
f

, associated with

Φ
\Phi

, converge, in the

L

1

L^{1}

norm, to an integrable function

g
g

that coincides with

f
f

on

E
E

.
Successful induction of tolerance to infliximab in patients with Crohn's disease and prior severe infusion reactions
Authors: DUBURQUE C. , LELONG J. , IACOB R. , SEDDIK M. , DESREUMAUX P. , FOURNIER C. , WALLAERT B. , CORTOT A. , COLOMBEL J.‐F. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryAimTo appraise the tolerance and efficacy of an induction of tolerance protocol to infliximab permitting the re‐administration of the drug to patients with Crohn's disease having had infusion reactions requiring suspension of treatment.MethodsFourteen patients were included in the induction of tolerance protocol. Each infusion of infliximab (5 mg/kg) was divided into 11 escalating 15 min increments over a 3‐h time period. The induction of tolerance procedure was repeated for subsequent infusions.ResultsTen patients (71.4%) received all the three infusions for the induction treatment. Nine (64.3%) had a significant response and six (48.8%) still benefited from infliximab infusions. Seven patients (50%) achieved a complete remission, after a mean of 2.5 (two to three) infusions. Four patients (28.6%) had no response and the protocol was stopped. Three patients (21.4%) experienced mild immediate hypersensitivity reactions, which were controlled, two patients (14.2%) experienced severe immediate hypersensitivity reactions, leading to interruption of the treatment and one patient developed a delayed hypersensitivity reaction.ConclusionOur induction of tolerance protocol allows some patients who have experienced severe or repetitive infusion reactions to infliximab to be safely retreated with the drug in a hospitalized setting, with a clinical response achieved in a majority of these patients.
A patient follow‐up survey programme for alosetron: assessing compliance to and effectiveness of the risk management programme
Authors: MILLER D. , BENNETT L. , HOLLIS K. , TENNIS P. , COOK S. , ANDREWS E. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundIn November 2002, alosetron HCl (Lotronex, GlaxoSmithKline Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) was re‐introduced to the US marketplace for women with severe diarrhoea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome. In support of the re‐introduction, a risk management programme was implemented, which included a patient follow‐up study in which all users of alosetron could participate.AimWe report on the methods used and the effectiveness of key elements of the risk management programme.MethodsPatients voluntarily enroled in the study and completed questionnaires at baseline, after 5 and 10 weeks, and quarterly thereafter. Questions focussed on patient eligibility, knowledge of risks and benefits, and adherence to the recommended programme elements for education, prescribing and dispensing.ResultsBetween December 2002 and 2004, 4803 patients enrolled in the study, and <3% were lost to follow‐up. The average follow‐up time was approximately 6 months, and the response rate for each assessment was >95%. A total of 90% of patients at baseline met the full clinical criteria recommended for the treatment. Patient adherence to the risk management programme was >87%.ConclusionsUsing the Lotronex risk management programme, patients met clinical criteria, were knowledgeable about treatment risks and benefits, and were adherent to the process elements of the programme. These patients seemed to engage in active dialogue with their physicians about symptoms and use of alosetron.
Stability of E‐cadherin methylation status in gastric mucosa associated with histology changes
Authors: CHAN A. O. O. , HUANG C. , HUI W. M. , CHO C. H. , YUEN M. F. , LAM S. K. , RASHID A. , WONG B. C.‐Y. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundWe have previously shown reversal of E‐cadherin methylation in gastric mucosa from patients with dyspepsia at week 6 after Helicobacter pylori‐eradication therapy. But the long‐term methylation status of these patients was unknown.AimTo investigate the methylation status at E‐cadherin at year 3 after H. pylori‐eradication therapy.Methods35 patients (25 with and 10 without H. pylori eradicated) enrolled in our previous study were recruited into the present study (year 3 analysis). Methylation at E‐cadherin was evaluated by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction method.ResultsThere was no difference in age and sex distribution in the two groups. Methylation at E‐cadherin in patients with H. pylori eradicated at weeks 0, 6 and year 3 were 52%, 20% and 20%, respectively. Concordant methylation status at week 6 and year 3 was 92%. Methylation at E‐cadherin in patients without H. pylori at weeks 0, 6 and year 3 were 50%, 60% and 60%, respectively. Concordant methylation status between week 6 and year 3 was 90%. Stability of E‐cadherin methylation status was associated with histological changes. No association between E‐cadherin methylation status and age was observed.ConclusionThe methylation pattern is stable for a long period, thus suggesting the effect of environment on methylation.
Comparison of simple tests for the non‐invasive diagnosis of clinically silent cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: BORRONI G. , CERIANI R. , CAZZANIGA M. , TOMMASINI M. , RONCALLI M. , MALTEMPO C. , FELLINE C. , SALERNO F. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundBiopsy is the gold standard for assessing cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, but it is expensive and at risk of complications. Alternative non‐invasive methods have been developed but their usefulness remains uncertain.AimTo compare the accuracy of five non‐invasive scores in detecting cirrhosis.MethodsWe reviewed the charts and liver biopsies of 228 consecutive, treatment‐naïve, hepatitis C virus‐positive patients, 13.2% of whom with histological diagnosis of cirrhosis. The five alternative scores were age‐platelet index, cirrhosis discriminant score, aspartate transaminases to platelet ratio index, Pohl's index, and aspartate transaminases/alanine transaminases ratio.ResultsThe specificities of the scores were good (87–100%), but not so their sensitivities (17–67%). Accordingly positive likelihood ratios were generally good but negative likelihood ratios were suboptimal. Combinations of the scores independently related to cirrhosis only slightly change this diagnostic accuracy. Using double cut‐offs to exclude/diagnoses cirrhosis, cirrhosis discriminant score classified 21% of patients without misdiagnoses and aspartate transaminases to platelet ratio index classified 85% of case with 9% of misdiagnoses.ConclusionsThe five scores showed variable sensitivities and specificities in detecting liver cirrhosis, both individually and in combination. The use of double cut‐off points may make the cirrhosis discriminant score and aspartate transaminases to platelet ratio index useful to reduce the number of patients submitted to liver biopsy.
Methotrexate therapy for the symptomatic treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis patients, who are biochemical incomplete responders to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy
Authors: BABATIN M. A. , SANAI F. M. , SWAIN M. G. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundUrsodeoxycholic acid is widely used as the standard therapy for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis and other cholestatic liver diseases. Although it has been shown to improve biochemical markers and delay disease progression, its effect upon fatigue and pruritus, is at best uncertain.AimTo assess the safety and efficacy of methotrexate for treating symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis patients who were biochemical partial responders or non‐responders to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy.MethodsWe treated eight consecutive primary biliary cirrhosis patients with methotrexate who were followed in a single hepatology clinical practice, who were symptomatic, and who had had an incomplete biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Pruritus and fatigue were assessed at each clinic visit and graded from 0 (asymptomatic) to 4 (incapacitating).ResultsThe median dose of methotrexate was 13.75 mg/week (range 7.5–15) and the mean duration of methotrexate therapy was 49 months (range 11–126). At the end of follow‐up pruritus in six of seven patients had improved, and fatigue in all patients had improved with the addition of methotrexate therapy (pruritus: baseline 2.9 ± 1.1 vs. end of treatment 0.6 ± 1.5, P ≤ 0.0175, and fatigue: baseline 3.0 ± 0.8, vs. end of treatment 1.0 ± 0.8, P ≤ 0.0023). Improvement in symptoms was associated with a significant improvement in biochemical markers of cholestasis. No significant adverse effects of methotrexate were documented.ConclusionsMethotrexate should be considered as a potential additive treatment for symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis patients who are incomplete biochemical responders to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy.
Systematic review: proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for the healing of reflux oesophagitis – a comparison of esomeprazole with other PPIs
Authors: EDWARDS S. J. , LIND T. , LUNDELL L. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundNo randomized controlled trial has compared all the licensed standard dose proton pump inhibitors in the healing of reflux oesophagitis.AimTo compare the effectiveness of esomeprazole with licensed standard dose proton pump inhibitors for healing of reflux oesophagitis (i.e. lansoprazole 30 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, pantoprazole 40 mg and rabeprazole 20 mg).MethodsSystematic review of CENTRAL, BIOSIS, EMBASE and MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials in patients with reflux oesophagitis. Searching was completed in February 2005. Data on endoscopic healing rates at 4 and 8 weeks were extracted and re‐analysed if not analysed by intention‐to‐treat. Meta‐analysis was conducted using a fixed effects model.ResultsOf 133 papers identified in the literature search, six were of sufficient quality to be included in the analysis. No studies were identified comparing rabeprazole with esomeprazole. A meta‐analysis of healing rates of esomeprazole 40 mg compared with standard dose proton pump inhibitors gave the following results: at 4 weeks [relative risk (RR) 0.92; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.94; P < 0.00001], and 8 weeks (RR 0.95; 95% CI: 0.94, 0.97; P < 0.00001). Publication bias did not have a significant impact on the results. The results were robust to changes in the inclusion/exclusion criteria and using a random effects model.ConclusionEsomeprazole consistently demonstrates higher healing rates when compared with standard dose proton pump inhibitors.
The impact of hormonal contraceptives on blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate
Authors: Atthobari Jarir , Gansevoort Ron T. , Visser Sipke T. , De Jong Paul E. , De Jong‐van den Berg Lolkje T. W. ,   the PREVEND study group
Published: August 2006

AimIn short‐term studies, hormonal contraceptives (HC) have been suggested to induce a rise in blood pressure (BP) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE), while the effect of HC in renal function (GFR) is still under debate. Data on long‐term and withdrawal effects of HC use on these outcomes are, however, not available. We therefore studied whether the start and cessation of HC induce changes in BP, UAE and GFR.MethodsWe used data from the PREVEND Study, a prospective cohort of subjects aged 28–75 years. Eligible were women aged ≤ 45 years with complete clinical and pharmacy data on baseline and follow‐up screening (4 years later). Multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of HC on BP, UAE and GFR in those who started (n = 73), stopped (n = 117) or continued (n = 183) with those who never used HC (n = 286) as the reference group.ResultsBP increased among starters and fell in stoppers. These changes compared with never‐users were statistically significant, even after adjustment for relevant variables. UAE increased by 14.2% in starters (P = 0.074) and fell by 10.6% in stoppers (P = 0.021), while GFR fell by 6.3% in starters (P < 0.001) and did not change in stoppers. The effects of stopping HC on UAE and GFR were significantly different compared with changes among never‐users, even after adjustment for other variables (P = 0.023 and 0.036, respectively).ConclusionsThe start of HC was independently associated with worsening of BP, UAE and GFR, while stopping HC use resulted in an improvement. These data suggest that long‐term HC use (aged 28–45 years) may be deleterious from the cardiovascular and renal point of view, but stopping may result in correction of these effects.
Foster fathers: their experiences and contributions to fostering
Authors: Wilson Kate , Fyson Rachel , Newstone Simon 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThe paper reports some of the findings of an exploratory study that looks at foster fathers’ experiences of fostering and discusses their routes into foster care and their perspectives on their roles and tasks. The study collected quantitative and qualitative data by approaching all foster fathers registered with a single independent fostering agency based in south‐east England. They were asked about their personal and professional attributes, and their experiences of and views concerning the role of a foster father. The study discusses the foster fathers’ motivation to foster, and argues that what they see as the benefits and drawbacks of fostering, and how it fits into their own family lives, are all relevant to improving service recruitment, delivery and retention. The study produced some evidence about the distinctive and positive contribution that foster fathers see themselves making to the lives of the children they foster. Further research is needed to refine our knowledge of what this contribution may be. Such knowledge could potentially develop our understanding of the roles of fathers in child development more generally as well as fine‐tuning practice in matching what particular placements have to offer to the needs of individual children.
Preparation of youth in congregate care for independent living
Authors: Freundlich Madelyn , Avery Rosemary J. , Padgett Deborah 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on findings from a qualitative study that focused on the quality and adequacy of preparation of youth in congregate care for independent living. This study, conducted in New York, NY, USA, explored the extent to which youth feel prepared to leave care and the opportunities they are given to participate in planning and decision‐making regarding issues that personally affect their future. Interviews were conducted with professionals and young adults who had exited foster care after placements in congregate care settings. Both professionals and young adults stated concerns about the quality of independent living preparation. Many young adults stated that they were not ready to live independently and expressed concerns about failure of staff to begin preparing youth sufficiently in advance of their discharge dates. Young adults also reported limited opportunities to participate in the planning and decision‐making processes affecting them. Recommendations for improvement of independent living preparation are proposed.
Interleukin-18 overexpression as a hallmark of the activity of autoimmune inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Tucci M , Quatraro C , Dammacco F , Silvestris F 
Published: August 2006

Summary
The objective of this study was to explore the role of interleukin (IL)-18 in patients with inflammatory myopathies (IM) such as dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) in relation to the possible predominance of a Th1 immune response in their pathogenesis. Serum concentrations of IL-18, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4 and IL-6 were measured in six patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-18 expression was evaluated by in situ hybridization (ISH), whereas CD68, CD8 and CD83 were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to define the main producers of IL-18. Lastly, the expression of both IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 was also explored by IHC. High serum levels of IL-18 and IFN-γ, and conversely low titres of IL-4 and IL-6, were demonstrated in both diseases. In addition, IL-18 was overexpressed in muscle biopsy specimens from patients with IM. Both macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) surrounding either perivascular and perimysium areas in DM or endomysium in PM were the main producers of IL-18. Endothelial cells (EC), smooth muscle cells (SMC) and CD8+ T cells expressed a high content of IL-18R. Vessel cells overexpressed MCP-1 in parallel with IL-18R. High concentrations of serum IL-18 as well as muscular up-regulation of IL-18 and IL-18R suggest that deregulation of the IL-18/IL-18R pathway is a pathogenetic mechanism in IM. Measurement of IL-18 may thus predict the severity of both DM and PM.
Limitation of nesting resources for ants in Colombian forests and coffee plantations
Authors: ARMBRECHT INGE , PERFECTO IVETTE , SILVERMAN EMILY 
Published: August 2006

Abstract 1. This study examines limitation of nesting resources for leaf‐litter and twig‐nesting ants as a mechanism of diversity loss across an intensification gradient of coffee production in Colombia. Twelve farms were selected and classified into four management types: forest, polygeneric shade coffee, monogeneric shade coffee, and sun coffee (unshaded coffee monocultures).2. At each of the farms, four treatment subplots were established at the corners of each of 10 25 m2 plots: (i) twig augmentation (adding 10 empty bamboo twigs); (ii) litter augmentation (tripling existing litter profile); (iii) twig and litter augmentation; and (iv) no manipulation control, for a total of 480 subplots. A twig addition experiment was also performed on coffee bushes.3. The results showed significantly more ant colonies in the forest and monogeneric shade coffee litter augmentation plots after 4 months. Litter‐nesting ant species richness was higher in all three shade systems than in the sun coffee. The identities of ants nesting on coffee bushes were different from those in the soil level litter. Fewer species nested in bamboo twigs placed in litter in the most intensive systems.4. More ants nested in the resource addition treatments, and more ant species were found in forested habitats; however, a single mechanism cannot explain the observed patterns. It was concluded that a combination of bottom‐up and top‐down effects might lead to the loss of associated fauna with the intensification of these agroecosystems.
To be an intra‐guild predator or a cannibal: is prey quality decisive?
Authors: MONTSERRAT MARTA , JANSSEN ARNE , MAGALHÃES SARA , SABELIS MAURICE W. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract1. Many cannibalistic species are also intra‐guild predators. Such predators will often face the decision whether to consume a conspecific or a heterospecific prey from the same guild. This decision may depend on the relative quality and abundance of the prey but also on other factors such as relatedness by descent, prey‐specific defence and the probability of the victim harbouring shared diseases.2. Here, intra‐guild interactions among two cannibalistic species of predatory mites,Iphiseius degeneransandNeoseiulus cucumeris(Acari: Phytoseiidae) that belong to closely related genera were studied.3. Individuals ofI. degeneranswere offered a diet of conspecifics or heterospecifics. BecauseI. degeneransis capable of recognising kin individuals from non‐kin, and they were exclusively offered conspecifics that were either distantly related or non‐kin, it was expected that it would not refrain from cannibalising for reasons of possible relatedness.4. When corrected for numbers of victims eaten, survival, and juvenile development of predators fed with intra‐guild prey was higher than that of cannibals. This was probably caused by a higher quality of heterospecific victims, even though conspecific victims were larger and therefore potentially contained more food. This led to the prediction that the predators should strongly prefer heterospecific prey. This was indeed borne out in independent choice experiments. Thus, the choice of predators between heterospecific and conspecific prey is not only affected by avoidance of consuming conspecifics, but also by relative prey quality.