bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MITEMCINAL (GM‐611), AN ORALLY ACTIVE MOTILIN RECEPTOR AGONIST, IMPROVES DELAYED GASTRIC EMPTYING IN A CANINE MODEL OF DIABETIC GASTROPARESIS
Authors: Onoma Mitsu , Ozaki Ken‐ichi , Yogo Kenji , Monnai Makoto , Muramatsu Hiroyasu , Kamei Kenshi , Kawabe Yoshiki , Hayashi Shuji , Shiga Toshihiko , Matsuo Saori , Suzuki Masami , Itoh Zen , Ōmura Satoshi , Takanashi Hisanori 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of mitemcinal (GM‐611), an orally active motilin receptor agonist, on delayed gastric emptying in a canine model of diabetic gastroparesis and to compare these effects with those of cisapride.Moderate hyperglycaemia was induced by a single intravenous injection of a mixture of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) and alloxan (50 mg/kg). Dogs that maintained moderate hyperglycaemia (fasting plasma glucose 200–300 mg/dL) without insulin treatment were selected and gastric emptying in these dogs was determined by the paracetamol method.One year after the onset of diabetes, there was no difference in the gastric emptying of normal and diabetic dogs. However, after 5 years, the diabetic dogs showed delayed gastric emptying. The motor nerve conduction velocity of the tibial nerve was significantly lower in diabetic dogs comapred with normal dogs at both time points.Histopathological examination at the end of the study showed that there were fewer nerve fibres in both dorsal vagal and tibial nerves of diabetic dogs comapred with normal dogs. The onset of delayed gastric emptying is thought to have occurred gradually, in parallel with abnormal autonomic nerve function induced by the long period of moderate hyperglycaemia.Oral administration of mitemcinal (0.125, 0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg) dose‐dependently accelerated delayed gastric emptying, significant at 0.5 mg/kg, in diabetic dogs, whereas cisapride (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg) had no significant effect. These results add to the existing evidence that mitemcinal is likely to be useful for treating diabetic gastroparesis.
Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in a South Indian Type 2 diabetic population—the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES) Eye Study 4
Authors: Pradeepa R. , Anitha B. , Mohan V. , Ganesan A. , Rema M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAims  To determine risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in an urban South Indian Type 2 diabetic population.Methods  The Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study is a large cross‐sectional study conducted in Chennai, South India. A total of 1736 Type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited for this study, which included 1382 known diabetic subjects (90.4% response rate) and 354 randomly selected, newly detected diabetic subjects diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test. All subjects underwent four‐field stereo retinal colour photography, graded by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol.Results  Of the 1736 Type 2 diabetic subjects photographed, photographs could be graded in 1715 subjects. Stepwise ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender (P = 0.041), duration of diabetes (P < 0.0001), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c; P < 0.0001), macroalbuminuria (P = 0.0002) and insulin therapy (P = 0.0001) were significantly associated with severity of DR. The risk for developing DR was 7.7 times (95% confidence interval 4.71–12.48, P < 0.0001) for elevated postprandial plasma glucose levels compared with 4.2 times (95% confidence interval 2.78–6.34, P < 0.0001) for elevated fasting plasma glucose when the fourth quartile values were compared with the first quartile glucose values.Conclusions  In South Indian Type 2 diabetic subjects, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, male gender, macroalbuminuria and insulin therapy were independent risk factors for severity of DR. Postprandial hyperglycaemia indicated a higher risk for DR compared with elevated fasting plasma glucose levels.
Prevalence of the diabetic foot syndrome at the primary care level in Germany: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sämann A. , Tajiyeva O. , Müller N. , Tschauner T. , Hoyer H. , Wolf G. , Müller U. A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAims  The diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is an important complication of diabetes mellitus resulting in amputations, disability and reduced quality of life. DFS is preventable. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of the DFS at the primary care level in Germany.Methods  This was a cross‐sectional study of the prevalence of DFS, associated factors and glycaemic control at the primary care level in Germany. We examined an unselected sample of participants with known diabetes who were insured by Deutsche BKK, a large healthcare insurer.Results  Three hundred and forty‐one general practitioners examined 4778 participants with diabetes mellitus: 366 (7.7%) participants (mean age 49 ± 16 years) had Type 1 and 4412 participants (mean age 66 ± 10 years) had Type 2 diabetes. DFS was diagnosed in 138 patients, resulting in a prevalence of 3.6%[95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9, 6.0] in Type 1 and 2.8% (95% CI 2.3, 3.4) in Type 2 diabetes. DFS was independently associated with age, duration of diabetes, height, current smoking and insulin therapy. There was no significant effect of glycaemic control on the risk of DFS. The prevalence of other abnormal foot findings was: peripheral neuropathy 9.7%, peripheral arterial disease 14.8% (absent dorsalis pedis), 12.4% (absent tibialis posterior), acute diabetic foot ulcer 0.8%, amputations of lower extremities 1.5%, and amputations limited to toes 0.5%.Conclusions  The prevalence of the DFS at the primary care level in Germany is 2.9%. Almost 50% of patients with DFS had major or minor amputations. Common risk factors such as hyperkeratosis and poor glycaemic control can be modified. Effective therapeutic approaches in addition to methods for primary and secondary prevention of DFS should be used more widely.
Queues with service speed adaptations
Authors: Bekker R. , Boxma O.J. , Resing J.A.C. 
Published: March 2008

In this paper, we consider various queueing models in which the server can work at two different service speeds. The speed of the server depends on either the number of customers or the workload. Our main interest is in the model in which service speed adaptations can take place only at the arrival instants of an external Poisson observer. Using insightful probabilistic arguments, we give the structure of the steady‐state queue length and workload distributions in the various models.In addition, in case the service speed can only be adapted right after departure instants based on the number of customers, we provide explicit and intuitively appealing expressions for the steady‐state distribution of the number of customers present.
β1‐ and β2‐Adrenoceptor polymorphisms and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Brodde Otto‐Erich 
Published: March 2008

Abstractβ1‐ and β2‐Adrenoceptors (AR) play a pivotal role in regulation of the cardiovascular system. Both β‐AR subtypes are polymorphic. There are two major single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the β1‐AR gene: the Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly β1‐AR polymorphisms. In vitro, in recombinant cell systems Gly49 β1‐AR is much more susceptible to agonist‐promoted downregulation than Ser49 β1‐AR, while Arg389 β1‐AR is three to four times more responsive to agonist‐evoked stimulation than Gly389 β1‐AR. There are three major SNPs in the β2‐AR gene: the Arg16Gly, Gln27Glu and Thr164Ile β2‐AR polymorphisms (occur in humans only in the heterozygous form). In recombinant cell systems Gly16 β2‐AR is much more susceptible to agonist‐promoted downregulation while Glu27 β2‐AR is rather resistant to agonist‐induced downregulation but only in combination with Arg16, that occurs naturally extremely rare. Thr164 β2‐AR is three to four times more responsive to agonist‐evoked stimulation than Ile164 β2‐AR. This review summarizes results from various studies on the possible relationship of these polymorphisms to cardiovascular diseases. At present it appears to be clear that, for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure, β1‐ and β2‐AR polymorphisms do not play a role as disease‐causing genes; however, they might affect drug responses. Thus, it might be possible, by assessing the β1‐AR genotype, to predict responsiveness to β1‐AR agonist and ‐blocker treatment: patients homozygous for the Arg389 β1‐AR polymorphism should be good responders while patients homozygous for the Gly389 β1‐AR polymorphism should be poor responders or non‐responders. Furthermore, subjects heterozygous for the Thr164Ile β2‐AR polymorphism exhibit blunted responses to β2‐AR stimulation. Finally, the Arg16Gln27 β2‐AR haplotype appears to be – at least in human vascular and bronchial smooth muscles – rather susceptible to agonist‐induced desensitization (in contrast to the recombinant cell system findings), and might have some predictive value for poor outcome of heart failure. However, future large prospective studies have to replicate these findings in order to substantiate their clinical relevance.
Assessment of drug‐induced liver injury in clinical practice
Authors: Isabel Lucena Ma , García‐Cortés Miren , Cueto Raquel , Lopez‐Duran JL , Andrade Raúl J 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCurrently, pharmaceutical preparations are serious contributors to liver disease, with hepatotoxicity ranking as the most frequent cause for acute liver failure and post‐marketing regulatory decisions. The diagnostic approach of drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is still rudimentary and inaccurate because of the lack of reliable markers for use in general clinical practice. To incriminate any given drug in an episode of liver dysfunction is a step‐by‐step process that requires a high degree of suspicion, compatible chronology, awareness of the drug’s hepatotoxic potential, the exclusion of alternative causes of liver damage, and the ability to detect the presence of subtle data that favour a toxic aetiology. Clinical and laboratory data may also be assessed with algorithms or clinical scales, which may add consistency to the clinical judgment by translating the suspicion into a quantitative score. The CIOMS/RUCAM instrument is considered at present the best method for assessing causality in DILI, although it could be improved through the use of large database of bona fide DILI cases for validation criteria.
Stroke secondary prevention and blood pressure reduction: an observational study of the use of PROGRESS therapy
Authors: Bugnicourt Jean‐Marc , Chillon Jean‐Marc , Canaple Sandrine , Lamy Chantal , Godefroy Olivier 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe Perindopril pROtection aGainst REcurrent Stroke Study (PROGRESS) showed the efficacy of blood pressure reduction in secondary stroke prevention. This anti‐hypertensive treatment (perindopril 4 mg daily plus indapamide 1.5 mg daily) is now routinely proposed to patients referred to our department for stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prescription of PROGRESS therapy during hospitalization and to identify the predictors of therapy discontinuation after discharge. Eligible patients admitted to the Amiens University hospital for acute stroke or TIA from January to April 2003 were included (n = 101). At 1 year, the use of PROGRESS therapy was evaluated by structured phone interviews. In addition, each patient’s general practitioner (GP) was also contacted to provide information. PROGRESS therapy was mentioned on the hospital discharge summary significantly less frequently after cardioembolic stroke (OR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.05–0.5; P = 0.001) and TIA (OR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02–0.7; P = 0.02). At 1 year, only 25.7% of patients were treated with optimal PROGRESS therapy (perindopril 4 mg daily plus indapamide 1.5 mg daily). Mention of PROGRESS therapy in the discharge summary was the main predictor of optimal PROGRESS therapy at 1 year (OR: 10.8; 95% CI: 1.3–88.3; P = 0.03). This study shows that mention of PROGRESS therapy in the discharge summary must be improved as it is associated with a higher use of these anti‐hypertensive agents 1 year after stroke/TIA.
Vasorelaxation induced by the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius and its constituents in rat aorta are partially mediated by the endothelium
Authors: Magalhães Pedro Jorge Caldas , Lahlou Saad , Jucá Davi Matthews , Coelho‐de‐Souza Lívia Noronha , Da Frota Pedro Thiago Tibúrcio , Da Costa Adriana Maria Gurgel , Leal‐Cardoso José Henrique 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPreviously, we reported that essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN) decreases blood pressure in normotensive rats, an effect that seems resulting from its vasodilatory action directly upon vascular smooth muscle. In the present study, we aimed to study the role of endothelium–nitric oxide pathway in the mediation of vasodilatory effects of EOCN and two of its constituents, methyleugenol and α‐terpineol, using rat isolated thoracic aorta and mesenteric vascular bed preparations. EOCN (1–300 μg/mL), in a concentration‐dependent manner, relaxed isolated endothelium‐intact aortic rings precontracted with KCl 60 mm, with an IC50 value of 26.7 (14.7–48.2) μg/mL. Either pretreatment of the tissue with l‐NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, or mechanical endothelium removal increased significantly the IC50 value to 66.6 (52.7–84.1) or 105.6 (91.3–122.2) μg/mL, respectively. In endothelium‐intact aortic rings precontracted with norepinephrine, EOCN (10–200 μg/mL) produced a vasorelaxant action which was decreased by the pretreatment of the aortic rings with methylene blue, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor. In mesenteric bed preparations perfused under constant pressure, EOCN reverted the reduction of mesenteric flow caused by KCl (60 mm), an effect that was attenuated by l‐NAME. Vasodilator responses to EOCN in mesenteric bed preparations were mimicked by methyleugenol and α‐terpineol, and were also significantly reduced in the presence of l‐NAME. In conclusion, EOCN has vasorelaxant effects in both a resistance vascular bed and in a conduit artery. They seem attributed, at least in part, to the actions of its main constituents methyleugenol and α‐terpineol and appear partially dependent upon the integrity of a functional vascular endothelium. Inhibition of other transduction pathways may be involved in the mediation of these effects.
Plasma antioxidant status in septic critically ill patients: a decrease over time
Authors: Doise Jean‐Marc , Aho Ludwig Serge , Quenot Jean‐Pierre , Guilland Jean‐Claude , Zeller Marianne , Vergely Catherine , Aube Herve , Blettery Bernard , Rochette Luc 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSevere septic states in humans are responsible for intense intravascular oxidative stress, which induces numerous adaptive mechanisms. We determined time sequence changes in total plasma antioxidant capacity (TAC) and major plasma antioxidant concentrations, which have not been fully explained in septic conditions. A cohort of 56 consecutive septic patients (septic shock n = 37, severe sepsis n = 19) and six healthy volunteers. We compared TAC and antioxidant levels in patients with one of two degrees of septic states, at the onset of illness, to those of healthy volunteers. Thereafter, over a 10‐day follow‐up, we observed daily the time sequence changes of the two septic populations in terms of TAC and antioxidants. At the onset, there was no difference between the three groups in terms of TAC values (healthy subjects 2.18 ± 0.04; severe sepsis 2.03 ± 0.07; septic shock 2.09 ± 0.09), then an equivalent time decline was observed in the two septic populations whatever the severity. TAC was statistically linked to uric acid, proteins in particular albumin and bilirubin (multivariate analysis), but no correlation was found with any vitamin (A, C and E). A sharp and persistent decrease in vitamin C concentrations was underlined. TAC, unaffected at first, deteriorated over time whatever the severity of the infection in these critically ill patients. TAC, unable to distinguish severe sepsis and septic shock, is unlikely to be a particularly useful outcome measure.
Fluoroscopy‐Guided Femoral Artery Puncture Reduces the Risk of PCI‐Related Vascular Complications
Authors: Fitts James , Ver Lee Peter , Hofmaster Patricia , Malenka David ,   for the Northern New England Cardiovascular Study Group
Published: March 2008

Background: In previous work by the Northern New England Cardiovascular Study Group, risk factors for vascular access site complications in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were identified and a regional effort to reduce these complications was initiated. As part of this effort we considered making a regional recommendation that location of the femoral head as seen on fluoroscopy (fluoro) be used to help determine the site of femoral artery puncture. Therefore, we assessed the use of fluoro to determine whether it actually reduced the rate of vascular complications and shortened length of stay.
Methods: Data were collected prospectively on 2,651 consecutive PCIs at Eastern Maine Medical Center from 2000 to 2003 including use of fluoro, vascular access site complications (bleeding, pseudoaneurysm formation, hematoma, embolic event or thrombus, A‐V fistula), and length of stay.
Results: Use of fluoro among eight interventionists was variable: 3 < 20%, 3 35–50%, 2 > 70%. Among all interventions, 48% were performed with fluoro to guide vascular access. The use of fluoro was associated with a significantly lower incidence of pseudoaneurysms (0.3% vs. 1.1%, P = 0.017) and any arterial injury (0.7% vs. 1.9%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in bleeding (1.6% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.69). For each physician, there were fewer vascular injuries when fluoro was used. Average length of stay was significantly lower among patients in the fluoro group (2.1 days vs. 2.4, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: We conclude that using fluoro to guide vascular access leads to lower complication rates and a shorter length of stay. This approach may become our regional standard of care.
Early Results of Balloon Dilatation of the Stenotic Bovine Jugular Vein Graft in the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract in Children
Authors: STEINBERG J. , DAVE H. , KNIRSCH W. , PRÊTRE R. , WEISS M. , HARPES P. , KRETSCHMAR O. 
Published: March 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the early results of interventional balloon dilatation of stenotic bovine jugular vein (BJV) grafts implanted for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in children.
Methods: From May 2001 to December 2005, 153 BJV grafts were implanted in children in our institution. An average of 16.9 (7.6–41.1) months after implantation, 17 balloon dilatations in a significant stenosis proximal (n = 1), distal anastomosis (n = 8), BJV valve (n = 3), or at multiple sites (n = 5) were performed in 15 children (male:female = 9:6) with a mean age of 3.9 (0.8–13.0) years. Balloon diameter was 75–133.3% (mean 100.3) of the original BJV size. Mean follow‐up was 8.8 (2 days to 22.8 months) months.
Results: In 10 interventions (58.8%) the instantaneous peak gradient was reduced below 50 mmHg. A balloon diameter ≥100% of the original BJV size correlated significantly with a successful intervention. No major complications, two minor (nonobstructive floating membranes at the dilatation site and one septicemia) occurred afterward. Freedom from reintervention after 6 months was 58.2% for all, 77.8% for dilatations of the proximal anastomosis and mixed stenotic lesions, and 33.3% for the distal anastomosis.
Conclusion: Balloon dilatation of stenotic BJV grafts is safe and can significantly reduce the pressure gradient in two‐thirds of interventions. Balloon diameters above the original graft size should be aimed for. The most frequent stenosis of the distal anastomosis tends to renarrow early after dilatation. Nevertheless, balloon dilatation should be considered in nearly every stenotic graft to gain time until a surgical or interventional graft exchange.
A double‐blind randomized clinical evaluation of enamel matrix derivative proteins for the treatment of proximal class‐II furcation involvements
Authors: Casarin Renato Corrêa Viana , Del Peloso Ribeiro Érica , Nociti Francisco Humberto , Sallum Antônio Wilson , Sallum Enilson Antônio , Ambrosano Gláucia Maria Bovi , Casati Márcio Zaffalon 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjective: The aim of the present randomized, double‐blind study was to evaluate the clinical response of proximal furcations treated with enamel matrix derivative proteins (EMD).Material and Methods: Fifteen patients, each with a pair of contralateral class‐II proximal furcation involvements, presenting probing depths (PDs) 5 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) were selected. The patients were randomly assigned to: control group (n=15) – open flap debridement (OFD)+24% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) conditioning; test group (n=15) – OFD+24% EDTA conditioning+EMD application. Plaque index (PI), BOP, PD, gingival margin position (GMP), relative vertical and horizontal clinical attachment level (RVCAL and RHCAL), vertical and horizontal bone level (VBL and HBL) and furcation closure were evaluated immediately before and 2, 4 and 6 months after the surgeries.Results: At 6 months, the RVCAL gains of the control and test group were 0.39 ± 1.00 and 0.54 ± 0.95 mm, while the RHCAL gains were 1.21 ± 2.28 and 1.36 ± 1.26 mm (p>0.05). The VBL and HBL gains of the control group were 1.04 ± 1.12 and 1.00 ± 1.79 mm, and 0.82 ± 1.82 and 1.17 ± 1.38 mm for the test group (p>0.05). In addition, a statistical difference was observed in the number of the remaining class‐II furcations between the test and control groups (p<0.05) in this period.Conclusion: It may be concluded that the use of EMD in proximal furcations did not promote a superior reduction in PD or a gain in clinical and osseous attachment levels, but resulted in a higher rate of class‐II to class‐I furcation conversion.
Clinical outcomes after treatment of intra‐bony defects with an EMD/synthetic bone graft or EMD alone: a multicentre randomized‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Jepsen S. , Topoll H. , Rengers H. , Heinz B. , Teich M. , Hoffmann T. , Al‐Machot E. , Meyle J. , Jervøe‐Storm P.‐M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectives: Comparison of the outcomes of a combination of an enamel matrix derivative and a synthetic bone graft (EMD/SBC) with EMD alone in wide intra‐bony defects.Material and Methods: Seventy‐three patients with chronic periodontitis were recruited in five centres in Germany. All patients had one wide intra‐bony defect of 4 mm. Surgical procedures involved microsurgical technique and the modified papilla preservation flap. After debridement, defects were randomly assigned to EMD/SBC (test) or EMD (control). Assessments at baseline and after 6 months included bone sounding, attachment levels, probing pocket depths, bleeding on probing and recessions. Early wound‐healing, adverse effects and patients' perceptions were also recorded.Results: Both treatment modalities led to significant clinical improvements. Change in bone fill 6 months after surgery was 2.0 mm (± 2.1) in the test group and 2.1 mm (± 1.2) in the control group. A gain in clinical attachment of 1.3 mm (± 1.8) in the test group and 1.8 mm (± 1.6) in the control group was observed. One week after surgery, primary closure was maintained in 95% of the test sites and 100% of the control sites. No differences in patients' perceptions were found.Conclusion: The results of the present study showed similar clinical outcomes following both treatment modalities.