bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of structured scoring using the LA classification for esophagitis and endoscopically suspected Barrett's esophagus in a tertiary Asian endoscopy center
Authors: Wong Reuben‐KM , Yeoh Khay‐Guan , Gwee Kok‐Ann , Tay Hui‐Wen , Ho Khek‐Yu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim:  To determine the inter‐observer agreement and validity of the LA Classification in scoring the severity of esophagitis in Asian patients.Methods:  Video endoscopy clips were selected from 45 consecutive patients participating in reflux studies. The videos were viewed by endoscopists who then independently scored the presence, severity and distribution of esophagitis, including endoscopically suspected Barrett's esophagus (ESBE). Each video was discussed and a consensus on findings reached. Kappa (k) correlation was calculated to describe inter‐observer agreement.Results:  Thirty‐five clips were scored (no esophagitis 20%, grade‐A 54%, grade‐B 23%, grade‐C 3%, respectively and 10 clips were excluded for poor imaging). Excellent agreement was noted on the presence of esophagitis (mean k = 0.79, range 0.77–0.82). Fifteen patients (42%) had ESBE with a mean k of 0.48 (range 0.39–0.60). Inter‐observer agreement on the LA grade was good (mean k = 0.58, range 0.55–0.63), whilst in agreement between endoscopists and consensus grading, the mean kappa rose to 0.77 (range 0.73–0.81). There was a trend of increasing agreement as viewings progressed, with superior kappa correlation after 16 cases. Evaluation of the extent of esophagitis showed good k values using the alternative approach of grouping by circumferential extent (mean k = 0.64, range 0.60–0.67) at the lower categories of severity.Conclusions:  Scoring using the LA classification for esophagitis and the concurrence on the presence of ESBE showed moderate to strong agreement amongst Asian endoscopists. Our results also suggested that an alternative method of scoring esophagitis based on proportion of circumferential involvement was reliable. A learning effect was observed and reliable scoring was achieved after 16 patients.
Interferon‐induced thyroid dysfunction in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Jamil Khaleel M , Leedman Peter J , Kontorinis Nickolas , Tarquinio Lorenzo , Nazareth Saroja , McInerney Marion , Connelly Crystal , Flexman James , Burke Valerie , Metcalf Cecily , Cheng Wendy 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground:  Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon is known to be associated with thyroid dysfunction (TD) in 5–14% of patients. We studied the incidence, types, outcome and risk factors predictive of thyroid dysfunction.Methods:  A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients treated with interferon alpha (IFN) or pegylated interferon alpha (PEG‐IFN) ± ribavirin (RBV), who developed abnormal thyroid function tests (TFTs). These cases were compared with treatment‐matched controls to identify factors predictive of thyroid dysfunction. Statistical methods consisted of: χ2 test, Fischer's exact test, Welch's t‐test, and multivariate analysis.Results:  From a total of 511 patients, 45 cases with TD were identified (8.8%). Pegylated interferon alpha was associated with higher rates of TD than IFN (14.1% vs 6.0%, P = 0.0029). Female sex (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.1–7) and Asian ethnicity (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4–22) were independent predictors of developing TD. Cytology was obtained in 13 patients: benign follicular pattern (8); thyroiditis (3); and normal (2). Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies (P = 0.004) and earlier onset of dysfunction (P = 0.03) were associated with need for treatment. Sixteen patients had persistent TD by the end of the follow‐up period, predicted by female sex, non‐Asian ethnicity, prior history of TD and TPO antibodies.Conclusions:  Pegylated interferon alpha, female sex and Asian ethnicity are independent risk factors for TD. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies and earlier TD within the course of IFN are associated with the requirement for treatment. Thyroid function tests should be monitored during and after IFN‐based therapy. The most common cytological finding is a benign follicular pattern.
Iron status and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with haemodialysis versus patients with ischaemic heart disease
Authors: CHENG YI‐CHANG , KUO WEI‐WEN , WU CHIEH‐HSI , SHU WEN‐TONG , KUO CHIA‐HUA , HWANG JIN‐MING , HSU HSI‐HSIEN , CHEN LI‐MING , HUANG CHIH‐YANG , LEE SHIN‐DA 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYAim:  The study aimed to investigate whether imbalanced iron status in patients with haemodialysis coexisted with abnormal lipid profile, higher inflammatory status and altered growth hormone–insulin‐like growth factor (GH–IGF)‐I axis and to compare these biochemical markers with patients with ischaemic heart disease.Methods:  Serum samples for biochemical and immunological analyses were collected from 74 normal subjects, 138 patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and 115 patients on haemodialysis (HD).Results:  Compared with normal subjects, lower serum iron, lower total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC) and higher ferritin in HD patients coexisted with decreases in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and total bilirubin as well as increases in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukin (IL)‐6, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and IL‐10. Decreased IGF‐I and increased GH were found in HD patients whereas unchanged GH–IGF axis were found in IHD patients. Compared with IHD, much higher ferritin, lower TIBC, lower bilirubin and higher LDH levels were found in HD patients.Conclusion:  Imbalanced iron status in patients on HD coexisted with abnormal lipid profiles, increased anaerobic activity and higher inflammatory status, which suggests that imbalanced iron status in HD patients may play a deleterious role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Altered GH–IGF axis found in HD patients was more obvious than in IHD patients. This may imply that the GH–IGF axis system is modulated or adapted by HD.
Disturbed circadian motor activity patterns in postcardiotomy delirium
Authors: Osse Robert Jan , Tulen Joke H. M. , Bogers Ad J. J. C. , Hengeveld Michiel W. 
Published: December 2008

Aims:  More than 20% of patients of 65 years or older may develop a delirium after cardiac surgery. Patients with delirium frequently show a disturbed 24‐hr motor activity pattern, but objective and quantitative data are scarce. Our aim was to quantify motor activity patterns in elderly patients with or without a postcardiotomy delirium after elective cardiac surgery.Methods:  Wrist‐actigraphy was used to quantify 24‐hr motor activity patterns for a 5‐day period following cardiac surgery in 79 patients of 65 years or older. Clinical state was monitored daily by means of the Confusion Assessment Method‐Intensive Care Unit and the Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised 98.Results:  The activity Amplitude, and the daytime Activity/minute and Restlessness index were significantly higher and the daytime number of Immobility minutes significantly lower for the patients without delirium or with short delirium episodes, as compared to patients with a sustained delirium (>3 days).Conclusions:  Actigraphy proves to be a valuable instrument for evaluating motor activity patterns in relation to clinical state in patients with a postcardiotomy delirium.
Risk of developing schizophrenia among Japanese high‐risk offspring of affected parent: outcome of a twenty‐four‐year follow up
Authors: Nishida Atsushi , Sasaki Tsukasa , Harada Seiichi , Fukuda Masato , Masui Kanji , Nishimura Yukika , Ikebuchi Emi , Okazaki Yuji 
Published: December 2008

Aims:  Prospective follow‐up studies of high‐risk children may help clarify the etiological factors in schizophrenia. While studies from North America, Europe and Israel have estimated the risk of schizophrenia at 7–16% in the offspring of an affected parent, no data have been reported for Asian populations.Method:  We started a follow up of the offspring of Japanese schizophrenia patients in 1978. We investigated the estimated risk of schizophrenia in 51 high‐risk offspring at the 24‐year follow up. The effects of the parents' status, including history of psychiatric hospitalization and social functioning, on the risk in the offspring were also investigated.Results:  The cumulative incidence of schizophrenia was 13.7 % and the lifetime prevalence was estimated to be 13.5 ± 4.8%. The association between the psychiatric hospitalization in the probands and the risk of schizophrenia in the offspring was not significant, and the Global Assessment of Functioning score was significantly lower in the probands with a history of psychiatric hospitalization than in those without such a history.Conclusions:  The risk of developing schizophrenia in Japanese high‐risk offspring might be comparable with the Western results. The present study suggests that the severity of the disease or the level of social functioning may not significantly affect the risk in Japanese offspring.
Four cases of venous thromboembolism associated with olanzapine
Authors: Maly Radovan , Masopust Jiri , Hosak Ladislav , Urban Ales 
Published: December 2008

Aims:  Psychiatric disorders and treatment with conventional antipsychotic medications have been associated with venous thromboembolism, but only a few data on recent antipsychotics such as olanzapine are available.Methods:  We describe four subjects treated with olanzapine who developed venous thromboembolism, and were hospitalized at the University Hospital in Hradec Kralove during the period 2004–2006.Results:  We found a combination of several clinical and laboratory risk factors in our patients.Conclusions:  A cohort study or case–control studies are needed to better elucidate the possible role of olanzapine in etiopathogenesis of venous thromboembolism.
D2 receptor‐mediated inhibition of dopamine release in the rat striatum in vitro is modulated by CB1 receptors: studies using fast cyclic voltammetry
Authors: O’Neill Carmel , Evers‐Donnelly Alex , Nicholson David , O’Boyle Kathy M. , O’Connor John J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractCannabinoid CB1 receptors are highly expressed in the striatum where they are known to be co‐localized with dopamine D2 receptors. There is now strong evidence that cannabinoids modulate dopamine release in the brain. Using fast cyclic voltammetry, single pulse stimulation (0.1 ms; 10 V) was applied every 5 min and peak dopamine release was measured with a carbon fibre microelectrode. Application of the D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole, inhibited single pulse dopamine overflow in a concentration‐dependent manner (IC50: 3.25 × 10−8 M). The CB1 receptor agonist WIN55212‐2 (WIN; 1 μM) had no effect on single pulse dopamine release (93.9 ± 6.6% at 60 min, n = 5) but attenuated the inhibitory effect of quinpirole (30 nM; quinpirole 39.0 ± 4.2% vs. quinpirole + WIN, 48.2 ± 3.7%, n = 5, p < 0.05). This affect was antagonized by the CB1 receptor anatgonist [N‐(Piperidin‐1‐yl)‐5‐(4‐iodophenyl)‐1‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐4‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide] (AM‐251, 1 μM). Dopamine release evoked by four pulses delivered at 1 Hz (4P1Hz) and 10 pulses delivered at 5 Hz (10P5Hz) was significantly inhibited by WIN [72.3 ± 7.9% control (peak 4 to 1 ratio measurement) and 66.9 ± 3.8% control (area under the curve measurement), respectively, p < 0.05; n = 6 for both]. Prior perfusion of WIN significantly attenuated the effects of quinpirole on multiple pulse‐evoked dopamine release (4P1Hz: quinpirole, 28.4 ± 4.8% vs. WIN + quinpirole, 52.3 ± 1.2%; 10P5Hz: quinpirole, 29.5 ± 1.3% vs. WIN + quinpirole, 59.4 ±7.1%; p < 0.05 for both; n = 6). These effects were also antagonized by AM‐251 (1 μM). This is the first report demonstrating a functional, antagonistic interaction between CB1 receptors and D2 autoreceptors in regulating rat striatal dopamine release.
Leptin reverses long‐term potentiation at hippocampal CA1 synapses
Authors: Moult Peter R. , Milojkovic Bogdan , Harvey Jenni 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe hormone leptin crosses the blood brain barrier and regulates numerous neuronal functions, including hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Here we show that application of leptin resulted in the reversal of long‐term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal CA1 synapses. The ability of leptin to depotentiate CA1 synapses was concentration‐dependent and it displayed a distinct temporal profile. Leptin‐induced depotentiation was not associated with any change in the paired pulse facilitation ratio or the coefficient of variance, indicating a post‐synaptic locus of expression. Moreover, the synaptic activation of NMDA receptors was required for leptin‐induced depotentiation as the effects of leptin were blocked by the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, D‐aminophosphovaleric acid (D‐AP5). The signaling mechanisms underlying leptin‐induced depotentiation involved activation of the calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin, but were independent of c‐jun NH2 terminal kinase. Furthermore, leptin‐induced depotentiation was accompanied by a reduction in α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate (AMPA) receptor rectification indicating that loss of glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2)‐lacking AMPA receptors underlies this process. These data indicate that leptin reverses hippocampal LTP via a process involving calcineurin‐dependent internalization of GluR2‐lacking AMPA receptors which further highlights the key role for this hormone in regulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity and neuronal development.
Falls in somatic and dementia wards at Community Care Units
Authors: Fonad Edit , Emami Azita , Wahlin Tarja‐Brita Robins , Winblad Bengt , Sandmark Helene 
Published: December 2008

Introduction:  Falls and fall injuries are common problems for patients at nursing homes in Sweden. Impaired cognitive function, a poor sense of orientation and a high intake of medicine, can lead to an increase in falls among older people.Aim:  The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between falls and: fall risks, fractures, the use of physical restraints and the use of certain medications in somatic and dementia wards, respectively.Method:  The study design is ecological, and aggregated data regarding falls, fall risk assessments, fractures, the use of physical restraints and medication were collected between 2000 and 2003. The Pearson correlation analysis and regression analyses were used to investigate associations between fall risks, medication, fractures, wheelchair‐bound situations, bed rails and falls.Results:  The total number of reported fall incidents was 2651; of these, 737 incidents were registered in dementia wards and 1914 in somatic wards. Dementia wards and somatic wards differed regarding falls and fractures, as it was only in dementia wards that falls were associated with fractures. There was also a significant correlation between falls and assessed risk of falling, the use of certain medication, and physical restraints such as wheelchairs and bed rails in dementia wards. Falls at somatic wards were associated with the use of sleeping pills with benzodiazepines.Conclusion:  For dementia wards there were associations between falls and fractures, physical restraints and the use of certain medications. Fractures were associated with the use of neuroleptics, sleeping pills and sleeping pills with benzodiazepines. At somatic wards, falls correlated with the use of sleeping pills with benzodiazepines, and with the use of wheelchairs and bed rails.
Outcomes of Percutaneous Mechanical Thrombectomy of Arteriovenous Fistulas in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Jain Gaurav , Maya Ivan D. , Allon Michael 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThrombosis of arteriovenous fistulas is usually superimposed on underlying stenosis in the arterial anastomosis, draining vein, or central vein. Restoring the patency of thrombosed fistulas requires mechanical thrombectomy, in conjunction with angioplasty of the underlying lesion. We evaluated the success rate of percutaneous thrombectomy of fistulas at our medical center. We retrospectively queried a prospective, computerized vascular access database to identify 41 patients with thrombosed fistulas treated percutaneously. Technical success was defined as the ability to use the fistula for at least one dialysis session. Primary patency was defined as time to the next intervention, and secondary failure as the time to permanent fistula failure. Of the 41 thrombosed fistulas, 21 were in the forearm and 20 in the upper arm. Percutaneous thrombectomy was technically successful in 31 of 41 patients (76%). The technical success rate was similar for upper arm and forearm fistulas (85% vs. 66%, p = 0.43). An underlying stenotic lesion was present at the arterial anastomosis in 13 patients (31%), in the draining vein in 37 (90%), and in the central vein in 3 patients (7%). Twelve patients (29%) had concurrent stenoses at two locations. At 6 months, the primary patency was 20%, and the secondary patency was 54%. In conclusion, percutaneous treatment of thrombosed fistulas can restore fistula patency about three‐fourths of patients. However, the primary fistula patency is fairly short‐lived, and the fistulas require repeated interventions to achieve long‐term survival.
Ethanol Exposure Impairs LPS‐Induced Pulmonary LIX Expression: Alveolar Epithelial Cell Dysfunction as a Consequence of Acute Intoxication
Authors: Walker Jr James E. , Odden Anthony R. , Jeyaseelan Samithamby , Zhang Ping , Bagby Gregory J. , Nelson Steve , Happel Kyle I. 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Alcohol intoxication impairs innate immune responses to bacterial pneumonia, including neutrophil influx. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced chemokine (LIX or CXCL5) is a recently described chemokine produced by type‐II alveolar epithelial (AE2) cells which facilitates neutrophil recruitment. The effect of acute alcohol intoxication on AE2 cell expression of LIX is unknown.Methods:  C57BL/6 mice were given an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of ethanol (4 g/kg) or saline 30 minutes prior to intratracheal (i.t.) injection with 10 μg Escherichia coli LPS. In vitro stimulation of primary AE2 cells or murine AE2 cell line MLE‐12 was performed with LPS and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α).Results:  LIX protein is readily detectable in the lung but not in plasma following LPS administration, demonstrating “compartmentalization” of this chemokine during pulmonary challenge. In contrast to the CXC chemokines keratinocyte‐derived chemokine and macrophage inflammatory protein‐2, which are abundantly expressed in both lung tissue and alveolar macrophages, LIX expression is largely confined to the lung parenchyma. Compared to controls, intoxicated animals show a decrease in LIX and neutrophil number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following LPS challenge. Ethanol inhibits LIX at the transcriptional level. In vitro studies show that LPS and TNF‐α are synergistic in inducing LIX by either primary AE2 or MLE‐12 cells. Acute ethanol exposure potently and dose‐dependently inhibits LIX expression by AE2 cells. Activation of nuclear factor‐κB is critical to LIX expression in MLE‐12 cells, and acute ethanol treatment interferes with early activation of this pathway as evidenced by impairing phosphorylation of p65 (RelA). Inhibition of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling, but not ERK1/2 activity, in MLE‐12 cells by acute alcohol is likely an important cause of decreased LIX expression during challenge.Conclusions:  These data demonstrate direct suppression of AE2 cell innate immune function by ethanol and add to our understanding of the mechanisms by which acute intoxication impairs the lung’s response to microbial challenge.
OPRM1 Asn40Asp Predicts Response to Naltrexone Treatment: A Haplotype‐Based Approach
Authors: Oroszi Gabor , Anton Raymond F. , O’Malley Stephanie , Swift Robert , Pettinati Helen , Couper David , Yuan Qiaoping , Goldman David 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Individualized pharmacotherapy requires identification of genetic variants predictive of treatment response. In OPRM1, Asn40Asp has been reported to be predictive of response to naltrexone treatment. Nevertheless, the in vitro function of the polymorphism remains elusive and over 300 OPRM1 sequence variants have been identified to date. Therefore we used a haplotype‐based approach to capture information of other genetic variants that might predict treatment response to naltrexone in the COMBINE Study.Methods:  5′ nuclease genotyping assays (TaqMan®) were applied for 10 SNPs. Five‐locus haplotypes in 2 OPRM1 haplotype blocks were assigned to Caucasian participants. The relationship of the haplotypes to medication reflected by “good clinical outcome” was analyzed in 306 Caucasians treated without Combined Behavioral Intervention and with either naltrexone or placebo.Results:  A significant haplotype by medication interaction (p = 0.03) was found in OPRM1 block 1. Naltrexone‐treated alcoholics with haplotype AGCCC, the single haplotype carrying the Asp40 allele had the highest percent of good clinical outcome. When interaction of genotypes at each of the 5 loci comprising block 1 with medication was examined, only the Asn40/Asp40 and Asp40/Asp40 genotypes were found to significantly interact with naltrexone treatment. No haplotype by medication interaction was documented in OPRM1 block 2.Conclusions:  Our haplotype‐based approach confirms that the single OPRM1 locus predictive of response to naltrexone treatment is Asn40Asp in exon 1. A substantial contribution of any other OPRM1 genetic variant to interindividual variations in response to naltrexone treatment (at least in terms of good clinical outcome) is not supported by our findings.
Low Bone Mineral Density and Impaired Bone Metabolism in Young Alcoholic Patients Without Liver Cirrhosis: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Malik Peter , Gasser Rudolf W , Kemmler Georg , Moncayo Roy , Finkenstedt Gerd , Kurz Martin , Fleischhacker W. Wolfgang 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Osteoporosis is regularly mentioned as a consequence of alcoholism. Ethanol′s direct effect on bone‐modeling cells as well as alcoholism‐related “life‐style factors” such as malnutrition, lack of exercise, hormonal changes, and liver cirrhosis are discussed as potential causative factors.Methods:  In a cross‐sectional study, we have examined 57 noncirrhotic alcoholic patients (37 male, 20 female) aged 27 to 50 years. Patients suffering from comorbid somatic diseases and with co‐medication known to have an influence on bone mineral density (e.g., glucocorticoids, heparin, anticonvulsant agents, oral contraceptives) were excluded. We determined bone mineral density (BMD) by dual x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and the proximal right femur (femoral neck, total hip) as well as parameters of bone metabolism.Results:  In males but not females, BMD was significantly reduced in the lumbar region, as well as in the proximal femur (femoral neck, total hip). Nine male patients (24.3% of men) and 1 female patient (5% of women) had low BMD (defined as Z‐score ≤ −2.0). As expected, there was a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and BMD. Alcohol‐related factors (e.g., duration of abuse, consumed amount of alcohol per day) as well as smoking were not associated with a significant effect on BMD. All of the 20 women examined showed elevated estradiol levels, which may have served as a protective factor. In this study, 75.7% of the men and 90% of the women had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (plasma levels of 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D < 30 ng/ml).Conclusions:  Our study indicates that younger alcoholic patients without other diseases may suffer from an increased risk to develop low BMD and a disturbance of vitamin D metabolism. Nutritional factors or less exposure to sunlight may play an important role in bone loss in young alcoholic patients. BMD measurement and assessment of bone metabolism should be considered in all patients with chronic alcoholism.