bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Household chemicals, persistent wheezing and lung function: effect modification by atopy?
Authors: Henderson J. , Sherriff A. , Farrow A. , Ayres J. G. 
Published: October 2007

The aims of the present study were to assess the effects of maternal use of domestic chemicals during pregnancy on wheezing and lung function in children aged ≤8.5 yrs and to explore the potential modifying effect of atopy.In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a cohort study, a maternal composite household chemical exposure (CHCE) score was derived. Wheezing phenotypes from birth to age 7 yrs were assigned on the basis of reported wheeze. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced midexpiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25–75%)) was measured at age 8.5 yrs; and atopy by skin-prick tests at age 7.5 yrs. Multinomial logistic and linear regression models assessed the relationship between wheezing outcomes, lung function and CHCE score, and interactions with atopy.Increased CHCE score was associated with early- (<18 months) and intermediate- (18–30 months) persistent and late-onset (>30 months) wheezing in nonatopic children (adjusted odds ratio per z-score of CHCE (95% confidence interval) 1.41 (1.13–1.76), 1.43 (1.02–2.13) and 1.69 (1.19–2.41), respectively). Increasing CHCE score was associated with decrements in FEV1and FEF25–75%.Higher domestic chemical exposure during pregnancy was associated with persistent wheeze and lung function abnormalities in nonatopic children. This may result from pre-natal developmental effects or post-natal irritant effects on the developing airway, but is unlikely to be mediated through increased hygiene in the home.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with fenfluramine exposure: report of 109 cases
Authors: Souza R. , Humbert M. , Sztrymf B. , Jaïs X. , Yaïci A. , Le Pavec J. , Parent F. , Hervé P. , Soubrier F. , Sitbon O. , Simonneau G. 
Published: October 2007

The aim of the present study was to describe a large cohort of fenfluramine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (fen-PAH) and its possible prognostic markers.The records of all patients with a diagnosis of fen-PAH evaluated at the present authors’ centre from 1986–2004 were retrospectively studied. Baseline clinical and haemodynamic data were collected, as well as survival times.The median duration of fenfluramine exposure was 6 months, with a median of 4.5 yrs between exposure and onset of symptoms. Nine (22.5%) out of 40 patients evaluated resulted positive for the presence of germline bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR)type 2 mutations. In these patients, the duration of exposure to fenfluramine was significantly lower than in patients without mutation. The median survival was 6.4 yrs, without significant difference between fen-PAH and a control group of idiopathic and familial pulmonary arterial hypertension patients referred to the present authors’ centre during the same time frame and treated identically. Duration of fenfluramine exposure showed no relation to survival, while cardiac index was the only independent predictor of multivariate analysis.Fenfluramine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension shares clinical, functional, haemodynamic and genetic features with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, as well as overall survival rates. Therefore, the present authors conclude that fenfluramine exposure characterises a potent trigger for pulmonary arterial hypertension without influencing its clinical course.
Impact of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on mortality of subjects hospitalised with pneumonia
Authors: Mortensen E. M. , Pugh M. J. , Copeland L. A. , Restrepo M. I. , Cornell J. E. , Anzueto A. , Pugh J. A. 
Published: October 2007

Recent studies suggest that statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may have beneficial effects for some types of infections. The present study aimed to examine the association of outpatient use of these medications on 30-day mortality for subjects aged >65 yrs and hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia.A retrospective national cohort study was conducted using the Department of Veterans Affairs administrative data including subjects aged ≥65 yrs hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia, and having ≥1 yr of prior Veterans Affairs outpatient care.In total, 8,652 subjects were identified with a mean age of 75 yrs, 98.6% were male, and 9.9% of subjects died within 30 days of presentation. In this cohort, 18.1% of subjects were using statins and 33.9% were using ACE inhibitors. After adjusting for potential confounders, current statin use (odds ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42–0.70) and ACE inhibitor use (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68–0.89) were significantly associated with decreased 30-day mortality.Use of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors prior to admission is associated with decreased mortality in subjects hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. Randomised controlled trials are needed to examine whether the use of these medications in patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia may be beneficial.
The perception of healthcare quality of elderly in the city of Bari, South Italy
Authors: Prato Rosa , Martinelli Domenico , Fusco Annarita , Panebianco Annarita , Lopalco Pietro Luigi , Germinario Cinzia Annatea , Quarto Michele 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
In recent decades in Italy, as in all the industrialized nations, the proportion of elderly subjects in the total population is constantly on the increase. However the increased life expectancy is not always paralleled by a true improvement in the quality of life.
In this context, it is essential to analyze elderly real health needs and the responses to these needs, especially in terms of healthcare, that the territorial services are perceived to offer.

Methods
In the period from June to September 2006 we selected randomly one General Practitioner (GP) for each district of the Bari Municipal Area and, form each GP, we randomly chose 25 patients over 65 years old (YO). We conducted phone interviews using a standard data collection questionnaire and, for each of the recruited subjects, the GP filled a data collection sheet.

Results
Although the mean age (73.6 years) of the population under study was quite high, the general state of health was judged good both by the G P- and by their elderly patients (>75%).
Notably, the great majority of elderly patients considered the healthcare they receive to be satisfactory (>60%): in particular, the GP was the true point of reference for this slice of the population for strictly medical problems as well as for advice. On the contrary, the patients attributed little value to social services, which were poorly known and scarcely used (8.5%). Public hospital facilities played a central role in second level healthcare in more than 30% of cases; private facilities covered by public health insurance were also very important. As possible solutions to the problem of loneliness, 36.6% of the patients declared that they approved of nursing homes.

Conclusion
Decision makers need to create services supporting the key role played by General Practitioners, who are well aware that their assistance is not sufficient to satisfy the health needs of the elderly.
Secondary breast lymphoma diagnosed by vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: a case report
Authors: Zagouri Flora , Sergentanis Theodoros N , Nonni Afroditi , Koulocheri Dimitra , Domeyer Philip , Dardamanis Dimitrios , Michalopoulos Nikolaos V , Pararas Nikolaos , Gounaris Antonia , Zografos George C 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Introduction
Breast lymphoma, either as a manifestation of primary extranodal disease or as secondary involvement, is a rare malignancy, and its diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment have not been clearly defined. On the other hand, Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) is a minimally invasive technique with ever-growing use for the diagnosis of mammographically detected, non-palpable breast lesions.

Case presentation
A symptom-free, 56-year-old woman presented with a non-palpable BI-RADS 4B lesion without microcalcifications. She had a positive family history for breast cancer and a history of atypical ductal hyperplasia in the ipsilateral breast four years ago. She reported having been treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma 12 years ago. With the suspicion of breast cancer, mammographically guided VABB with 11-gauge probe (on the stereotactic Fisher's table) was performed. VABB made the diagnosis of a non-Hodgkin, grade II, B-cell germinal-center lymphoma. VABB yielded enough tissue for immunohistochemistry/WHO classification.

Conclusion
This is the first case in the literature demonstrating the successful diagnosis of breast lymphoma by VABB, irrespectively of the level of clinical suspicion. It should be stressed that VABB was able to yield enough tissue for WHO classification. In general, lymphoma should never be omitted in the differential diagnosis, since no pathognomonic radiologic findings exist for its diagnosis.
Pathopharmacology of Excessive Hemorrhage in Mifepristone Abortions
Authors: Miech Ralph P 
Published: October 2007

Objective:To explain a pathopharmacologic mechanism that initiates an increase in hemorrhage following medical abortions with mifepristone.Data Sources:MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched (1990–July 2007). Key search terms were mifepristone, RU486, medical abortion hemorrhage, bleeding, inflammation, innate immune system, phagocytes, macrocytes, cytokines, interleukins, and nitric oxide.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated and all information deemed relevant was included for the information related to the development of the understanding of the pathopharmacology of mifepristone as the initiating cause of increased hemorrhage in medical abortions. Mifepristone's blockade of glucocorticoid receptors, prolonged generation of nitric oxide (NO), and postabortion vasodilatation of uterine vasculature by NO that favors excessive hemontiage were the criteria used to determine whether information was relevant for inclusion.Data Synthesis:Inescapable bacterial contamination of the decidua accompanies spontaneous, surgical, and mifepristone abortions and is routinely overcome by activation of the innate immune system. The combination of the induction of NO synthase (NOS) and local production of NO is one of the key features of the activation of the innate immune system's phagocytes. NO is a potent vasodilator and is associated with menstrual menorrhagia. Glucocorticoids prevent the overproduction of NOS and NO and thereby contribute to the control of hemorrhage in the postabortion phase.Conclusions:Blockade of the glucocorticoid receptors by mifepristone can result in an excess of NO that is theorized to be the cause of excessive hemorrhage seen in mifepristone abortions.
Multidrug-Resistant Ewingella Americana: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Pound Melanie W , Tart Serina B , Okoye Obiefuna 
Published: October 2007

Objective: To describe and report a case of multidrug-resistant Ewingella americana associated with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Case Summary: A 77-year-old female presented to her physician with shortness of breath and an initial assessment of pneumonia. Her past medical history included COPD, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, recent Mycobacterium avium infection, and Crohn's disease. Blood and urine cultures revealed no growth; however, a sputum culture later revealed multidrug-resistant E. americana. The patient was ultimately treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), with complete resolution of symptoms following a 10 day course. Discussion: E. americana is a rare gram-negative bacillus that has infrequently been reported to cause infection. This organism has been reported in humans in the blood, sputum, conjunctiva, wounds, and peritoneal fluid. In several of these cases, as well as in our case, this organism appeared to occur more frequently in immunocompromised patients. Although generally susceptible to most antibiotics, our patient's organism was resistant to all antibiotics tested, with the exception of TMP/SMX, ticarcillin/clavulanate, and cefotetan. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is only the second case of an E. americana respiratory infection, and the only one in which multidrug resistance has been reported.
Design students' experience of engagement and creativity
Authors: Reid Anna , Solomonides Ian 
Published: October 2007

The terms creativity and engagement are used broadly throughout the literature and are in common usage in our education and design language. Students, however, understand these terms in unexpected ways and this can sometimes cause a disjunction between the teacher's intention for the
learning activity and the ways in which the student may go about it.
In this article we tease out the relationships between engagement and creativity for student learning in design. Our data suggest that engagement relies on certain conditions and attributes that have to be met before a
student makes a personally meaningful commitment to study. Engagement here means some form of interlocking between the student and the task, or some form of attentiveness facilitated by the teacher or the environment. By creativity we mean the meshing between person, process and product which
is then appreciated by the broader design community. We suggest that understanding creativity as a complex attribute contributes to the nature and quality of student engagement with their learning and the profession.
Mapping Old Traces of the New. Towards a Historical Topography of Early Twentieth-Century Avant-Garde(s) in the European Cultural Field(s)
Authors: van den Berg Hubert 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
How can we outline the historical and geographical spread of the so-called “historical avant-garde” An examination of the historiographical status of a few movements that are commonly considered as part of this avant-garde illustrates the lack of a consensus. For instance, some accounts ascribe a pivotal or privileged role to cubism and expressionism, whereas others explicitly exclude them. Neither the self-understanding of the “historical avant-garde” nor the innovations of its literary, artistic, and political practices yield a satisfactory definition. Instead, we should start viewing the “historical avant-garde” as a network and map it out as a rhizomatic complex.
Schwebe der Körper, Stammeln der Sprache. Strategien literarischer und sexueller Subversion bei Julia Kristeva und Gilles Deleuze
Authors: Ebke Thomas 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Julia Kristeva and Gilles Deleuze, two key figures of French post-structuralism, developed paradigms of literary theory that revolve around a certain idea of subversion. Interestingly, both authors illustrate the subversive impact of modern literature with a view to a psychoanalytic reading of sexual “perversions”: Whereas Kristeva stresses the paradigm of fetishism, Deleuze underscores the subversive core of masochism. Kristeva's position is elucidated by way of James Joyce and Georges Bataille, that of Deleuze with Elias Canetti and Franz Kafka.
Bio-tech, NanoBio-Tech, SynBio-tech, NanoSynBio-tech? The changing face of biotech law? (Part I)
Authors: Wolbring Gregor 
Published: October 2007

AbstractFor everyone involved in the governance and economics of science and technology the subject becomes more and more complicated. Today's scientific news is increasingly faster replaced by even more astonishing news. New science and technology (S&T) fields and new S&T ‘buzzwords’ appear at an ever-increasing speed. ‘Biotech’ and genetic engineering are buzzwords for many decades with 43,000,000 and 2,230,000 Google hits respectively. In the last few years nanotechnology joined the rank of buzzwords with already 16,300,000 Google hits. The nano-visibility increase influenced the appearance of nano-bio fusion terms and vice versa. Nanobiotechnology generates 538,000; nanobiotechnology 603,000 and nanobio-technology 539,000 Google hits. DNA-Nanotechnology produces 35,700 hits. ‘Synthetic biology’ (synbio) stormed onto the scene in the last two years with already 964,000 Google hits. As the popularity of synbio increases one can expect ‘Nano-synthetic biology’, ‘Nano-synbiotechnology’ or similar terms to increasingly appear. In June 2007 a meeting created the ”Ilulissat Statement Synthesizing the Future a vision for the convergence of synthetic biology and nanotechnology”. The increasing appearance of fusion terms fits the increased move towards and discourse about converging different sciences and technologies. One influential event in this regards was the 2001 National Science Foundation and Department of Commerce (USA) workshop ””Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technology and Cognitive science (NBIC): Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance”. which coined the term NBIC. The workshop stated: ”The integration and synergy of the four technologies (nano-bio-info-cogno) originate from the nanoscale, where the building blocks of matter are established.”
Biobanks and Legislation in Switzerland – a data protection perspective
Authors: Mund Claudia 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe combination of health and lifestyle data with bodily substances and genetic information has led over the last few years to the creation of so-called biobanks. These biobanks are used to research a large number of diseases of modern civilization and their genetic interactions. One of the best-known projects in this respect is without a doubt the Icelandic biobank, operated since 1998 by a private pharmaceutical company, deCode Genetics, and set up with government support. The database contains family histories and medical records, as well as biological samples taken from a large section of Iceland's homogeneous population. The hope is that this data will allow a correlation to be established between genetic predispositions and the onset of widespread diseases. Other examples of population-based biobanks include the Estonian Genome Project, launched in 2001 by the Estonian Government, as well as the UK Biobank in the UK and PopGen in the state of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany.
Calcium Response to Retinohypothalamic Tract Synaptic Transmission in Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Neurons
Authors: Irwin Robert P. , Allen Charles N. 
Published: October 2007

Glutamate released from retinohypothalamic tract (RHT) synapses with suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurons induces phase changes in the circadian clock presumably by using Ca2+as a second messenger. We used electrophysiological and Ca2+imaging techniques to simultaneously record changes in the membrane potential and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in SCN neurons after stimulation of the RHT at physiologically relevant frequencies. Stimulation of the RHT sufficient to generate an EPSP did not produce detectable changes in [Ca2+]i, whereas EPSP-induced action potentials evoked an increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that the change in postsynaptic somatic [Ca2+]iproduced by synaptically activated glutamate receptors was the result of membrane depolarization activating voltage-dependent Ca2+channels. The magnitude of the Ca2+response was dependent on the RHT stimulation frequency and duration, and on the SCN neuron action potential frequency. Membrane depolarization-induced changes in [Ca2+]iwere larger and decayed more quickly in the dendrites than in the soma and were attenuated by nimodipine, suggesting a compartmentalization of Ca2+signaling and a contribution of L-type Ca2+channels.RHT stimulation at frequencies that mimicked the output of light-sensitive retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) evoked [Ca2+]itransients in SCN neurons via membrane depolarization and activation of voltage-dependent Ca2+channels. These data suggest that for Ca2+to induce phase advances or delays, light-induced signaling from RGCs must augment the underlying oscillatory somatic [Ca2+]iby evoking postsynaptic action potentials in SCN neurons during a period of slow spontaneous firing such as occurs during nighttime.
Variants in the Fat Mass–and Obesity-Associated (FTO) Gene Are Not Associated With Obesity in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Li Huaixing , Wu Ying , Loos Ruth J.F. , Hu Frank B. , Liu Yong , Wang Jing , Yu Zhijie , Lin Xu 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE— Recently, genome-wide association studies have provided evidence that several common variants within the fat mass–and obesity-associated (FTO) gene were significantly associated with obesity in populations of European origin. However, their effects in other ethnic populations remain to be elucidated.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— In this study, we examined the association between three FTO variants (rs8050136, rs9939609, and rs9930506) and obesity and related traits in a population-based study of 3,210 unrelated Chinese Han subjects from Shanghai and Beijing. In secondary analyses, we also tested for association with type 2 diabetes and related traits. Logistics regression and generalized linear models were used to test for additive and dominant effects of the risk alleles.
RESULTS— The minor allele frequencies of rs8050136, rs9939609, and rs9930506 in our population (0.12, 0.12, and 0.20, respectively) were substantially lower than those observed for populations of European descent (e.g., for CEU population of HapMap: 0.45, 0.48, and 0.45, respectively). Despite our study being sufficiently powered to detect effects similar to those previously reported, none of the FTO SNPs were found to be associated with obesity, overweight, BMI, waist circumference, or body fat percentage. In addition, none of the SNPs exhibited significant associations with fasting levels of plasma glucose, A1C, insulin, or β-cell function (estimated via homeostasis model assessment) under either an additive or a dominant model in the quantitative trait analyses. Analyses stratified by sex or geographical region did not change these observations.
CONCLUSIONS— Our data do not support that the FTO common variants are major contributors of obesity or type 2 diabetes in the Chinese Han population.
Weight-Loss Pharmacotherapy: A Brief Review
Authors: Huizinga Mary Margaret 
Published: October 2007

IN BRIEFThe medical treatment of obesity is aimed at decreasing appetite,alterating absorption of calories, and increasing thermogenesis. Two agents are available for the long-term treatment of obesity: sibutramine, a centrally acting anorectic agent, and orlistat, which blocks the absorption of fat by inhibiting the enzyme lipase. Agents approved for short-term treatment include the central anorectic agents phentermine and diethylpropion. Other agents,including endocannabinoid system antagonists, anti-epileptic agents, and combination therapies, are under investigation.