bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health‐related quality of life in children with hepatitis C acquired in the first year of life
Authors: Nydegger Andreas , Srivastava Anshu , Wake Melissa , Smith Arnold L , Hardikar Winita 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAims:  The first aim of this study was to determine the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and compare HRQoL as reported by parents. The second aim was to ascertain parents' perceptions and concerns about current and future life for their child with HCV, and compare these findings with those reported by adolescents.Methods:  The study group comprised children attending a tertiary pediatric HCV‐clinic in Melbourne, Australia, who acquired HCV prior to 12 months of age by vertical transmission or blood transfusion. Two validated (parent‐ and self‐reported) questionnaires of HRQoL were completed (CHQ‐PF 50 and CHQ‐CF 50). Scores for children with HCV were compared with normative data (representative sample of 3119 age‐matched Victorian children). A study‐designed questionnaire relating to the impact of the diagnosis of HCV on parent and child perceptions of current and future health was administered.Results:  In total, 83% (19/23) questionnaires were returned. Physical and psychosocial summary scores were significantly lower in HCV than non‐HCV children (45.3 vs 49.6 and 44.0 vs 50.1, respectively). Nine out of 11 scale scores were significantly lower in children with HCV, most notably the General health (49.9 vs 77.1; P < 0.001) and Parent impact–emotional (45.6 vs 80.3; P < 0.001) scales. Children reported reduced physical functioning (82.8% vs 94.4%) but were otherwise less concerned than their parents about their future health.Conclusions:  Despite being “asymptomatic” on routine medical history, children with early acquired HCV have significantly poorer health status than community controls. These findings suggest the need for services currently available for adult HCV patients to support families and children with HCV.
Oligonucleotide microarray: A new rapid method for screening the 23S rRNA gene of Helicobacter pylori for single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with clarithromycin resistance
Authors: Chen Shaohua , Li Youming , Yu Chaohui 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Resistance to antibiotics in Helicobacter pylori is increasing and becoming a serious problem in eradication treatment. Resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin has been found to be associated with 2142 A‐to‐G, 2143 A‐to‐G and 2182 C‐to‐T point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to develop a new method to analyze single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) of 23S rRNA gene using oligonucleotide microarray and to determine the prevalence of each mutation in H. pylori‐positive patients.Methods:  Gastric tissue biopsy specimens were obtained from patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. After DNA extraction, asymmetric PCR was employed to prepare single‐stranded target DNA labeled with a fluorescent dye. The PCR products that amplified a portion of 23S rRNA from H. pylori isolates were hybridized on DNA microarray, specific for SNP genotyping and mutation detection. The optimal signal intensity and efficiency of hybridization were observed for capture probes in the detection of DNA sequence variation. The relevant mutation was confirmed by DNA sequencing analysis.Results:  Fifty‐four gastric biopsy specimens yielded H. pylori‐positive results and were studied to detect mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. There were no samples with A‐to‐G transition at position 2142. The 2143 A‐to‐G and 2182 C‐to‐T mutations were present in 11.11% and 12.96% of H. pylori strains examined, respectively. The relevant mutation was confirmed by analysis of DNA sequencing to be the same as that described at position 2142, 2143 and 2182 using oligonucleotide microarray.Conclusions:  Oligonucleotide microarray of the PCR product permits a rapid and accurate screening of SNPs of 23S rRNA gene from H. pylori. It is now possible to apply this hybridization technology in clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Hepatic resection compared to percutaneous ethanol injection for small hepatocellular carcinoma using propensity score matching
Authors: Cho Yong Beom , Lee Kuhn Uk , Suh Kyung‐Suk , Kim Yoon Jun , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Lee Hyo‐Suk , Hahn Seokyung , Park Byung‐Joo 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground:  Several surgical and non‐surgical therapeutic modalities have been used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There have been several studies comparing hepatic resection (HR) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for the treatment of HCC. However, there is still disagreement about the best treatment modality.Methods:  From 130 patients undergoing HR, 116 patients were individually matched to 116 controls from 249 patients undergoing PEI using propensity score matching to overcome possible biases in non‐randomized study. Survival analyses were undertaken to compare these propensity score‐matched groups.Results:  After matching by propensity score, the major clinical outcomes in the HR (n = 116) and the PEI (n = 116) groups were found to be similar. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival rates were higher in the HR group (94.8%, 76.5% and 65.6%) compared to the PEI group (95.7%, 73.5% and 49.3%) (P = 0.059). The cumulative 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year disease‐free survival rates showed the same trend (HR: 76.1%, 50.6% and 40.6%; PEI: 62.6%, 25.5% and 19.1%) (P < 0.001). However, when stratified by Child–Pugh classification, it was no longer the case in the Child B patients. Single intrahepatic recurrence was the most common pattern of tumor recurrence after both treatments.Conclusions:  Patients undergoing HR had a better survival profile than those undergoing PEI. However, when considering which technique to use for optimal HCC management, the individual patient's hepatic function must be considered.
Genetic polymorphisms of CD14 and Toll‐like receptor‐2 (TLR2) in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Wang Fangyu , Tahara Tomomitsu , Arisawa Tomiyasu , Shibata Tomoyuki , Nakamura Masakatsu , Fujita Hiroshi , Iwata Masami , Kamiya Yoshio , Nagasaka Mitsuo , Takahama Kazuya , Watanabe Makoto , Hirata Ichiro , Nakano Hiroshi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial disease resulting from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Identifying genetic variants that alter the innate immune response is highly relevant to understanding the pathogenesis of UC. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between CD14 and Toll‐like receptor‐2 (TLR2) genetic polymorphisms and chronic UC in Japanese patients.Methods:  The study population consisted of 102 chronic UC patients and 146 healthy control subjects. Polymorphisms in the promoter at C‐260T of CD14 gene were investigated by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism, and −196 to −174 del of TLR2 was investigated by allele‐specific PCR.Results:  The frequencies of CD14 TT and T carrier were significantly higher in UC patients than in controls (TT: OR = 3.98, 95% CI 1.82–8.71, P = 0.0005; T carrier: OR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.47–6.01, P = 0.002). In addition, TT and T carrier were more closely associated with distal colitis phenotype (TT: OR = 7.78, 95% CI 2.14–28.28, P = 0.0007; T carrier: OR = 6.30, 95% CI 2.71–14.58, P = 0.005), onset after 20 years of age (TT: OR = 5.28, 95% CI 2.18–12.79; T carrier: OR = 3.79, 95% CI 1.67–8.59), chronic continuous type (TT: OR = 4.26, 95% CI 1.56–11.64; T carrier: OR = 3.09, 95% CI 1.33–7.82), and fewer than two hospitalizations (TT: OR = 4.44, 95% CI 1.81–10.89; T carrier: OR = 3.26, 95% CI 1.43–7.27). There was no significant difference in TLR2 –196 to −174 del/del and del/ins carrier frequencies between UC patients and healthy controls. However, these frequencies were significantly higher in steroid‐dependant patients than in controls (del/del: OR = 6.08, 95% CI 1.41–26.21; del carrier: OR = 3.00, 95% CI 1.13–7.98).Conclusion:  The results suggest that existence of a mutation in the CD14 gene is associated with an increased susceptibility to developing UC, especially chronic continuous distal colitis phenotypes that develop after 20 years of age. Furthermore, polymorphism of TLR2 may be related to an increased risk of intensive types such as steroid‐dependent patients.
The influence of roller burnishing on the fatigue crack propagation in notched round bars—Experimental observations under three‐point bending
Authors: GARDIN C. , COURTIN S. , BERTHEAU D. , BÉZINE G. , BEN HADJ HAMOUDA H. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTRoller burnishing involves a local plastic deformation on the surface that permits the fatigue strength of structures to be increased. Crack propagation is delayed by the introduction of compressive residual stresses. In this way, the process is particularly useful in the presence of stress concentrators, for example in the fillets of crankshafts or in notched shafts.Crack propagation in round bars has been widely investigated, experimentally and numerically. However, the aim of the present work is to study roller burnished notched shafts (whose groove approaches the fillets of crankshafts) loaded in three‐point bending.Experimentally, a sequence of destructive interrupted tests has been performed to obtain the crack kinetics and shapes during fatigue life. Thus, the beneficial influence of roller burnishing has been confirmed on both crack initiation and propagation. Some cracks were even stopped by compressive residual stresses. Otherwise, the crack shape observed was very original : cracks propagated first at the edge of the coupon and then, into the depth of the shaft. Multicracking and crack closure have been pointed out and appear to be of great importance.
Limit load analysis of strength undermatched welded T‐joints under bending
Authors: ALEXANDROV S. , KOÇAK M. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTAn increasing amount of laser beam welded T‐joints (e.g. skin‐stringer) of aluminium alloys are now in use in advanced fuselage applications designed as ‘integral structures’ for weight and cost savings. It is known that weld joints generally show lower strength (undermatching) than base metal in both laser beam and friction stir welded joints of 6xxx series Al‐alloys. Damage tolerance considerations in terms of the residual strength of such joints require limit load solutions to be used in engineering fitness‐for‐service (FFS) analysis. The paper, therefore, provides an upper bound limit load solution in closed form for welded T‐joints (idealized) with strength undermatching and subject to a bending moment. In addition to the necessary requirements of the upper bound theorem, the kinematically admissible velocity field chosen leads to a stress field, which satisfies the equilibrium equations and some stress boundary conditions in the plastic zone. This is an advantage of the solution and, therefore, it is expected that the upper bound obtained is close to the exact limit load of such joints.
Fatigue strength evaluation of the Japanese railway wheel
Authors: OKAGATA Y. , KIRIYAMA K. , KATO T. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTFor the purpose of evaluating the fatigue strength of the Japanese railway wheel, fatigue testing was done on the actual size wheel, using a new resonance‐type fatigue‐testing machine. Because the maximum stress under the horizontal and vertical loads occurs at the wheel plate, the fatigue strengths of the wheel plate were measured and the safety factors versus design load were evaluated. Two kinds of typical Japanese railway wheel were tested and the results showed that their safety factors were larger than 2.4.
The effect of pramlintide on hormonal, metabolic or symptomatic responses to insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Amiel S. A. , Heller S. R. , Macdonald I. A. , Schwartz S. L. , Klaff L. J. , Ruggles J. A. , Weyer C. , Kolterman O. G. , Maggs D. G. 
Published: March 2007

Background:  Pramlintide, a human amylin analogue, is a potential new adjunctive therapy to insulin for patients with type 1 diabetes and insulin‐using patients with type 2 diabetes. Early clinical trials have shown a transient increased risk of hypoglycaemia in some patients at the time of initiating pramlintide therapy. This may be the result of combining the postprandial glucose, lowering effect of pramlintide with the existing hypoglycaemic potential of insulin without appropriate adjustment of insulin doses. However, the possibility that pramlintide may exert an independent detrimental effect on the physiological responses to insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia needs to be excluded.Methods:  We conducted three separate randomized, placebo‐controlled studies in patients with type 1 diabetes treated with adjunctive pramlintide. These studies utilized pramlintide at high doses (either 0.1–1 mg pramlintide daily or 0.1–0.8 mg pramlintide four times a day for 5 or 6 days) as well as doses closer to those anticipated for therapeutic usage (30, 100 or 300 µg three times daily for 14 days), and examined the hormonal, metabolic and symptomatic responses to an insulin‐infusion hypoglycaemic challenge conducted at baseline and after days of therapy.Results and conclusion:  Pramlintide had no effect on the counter‐regulatory hormonal, metabolic and symptomatic responses to hypoglycaemia. These findings demonstrated that pramlintide, when used as adjunctive therapy to insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes, has no independent effect on the response to hypoglycaemia.
Decreased insulin sensitivity is associated with the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with angina
Authors: Kwon K. , Choi D. , Koo B. K. , Ryu S. K. 
Published: March 2007

Background:  Insulin resistance has been proposed as an important risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis.Aim:  To evaluate the association of insulin resistance and coronary atherosclerosis, we investigated the correlation between insulin sensitivity and the degree of coronary stenosis in patients with angina pectoris.Methods:  The study population consisted of 74 subjects with angina (54 men and 20 women) aged from 31 to 73 years. Coronary angiograms were evaluated by three semiquantitative scoring systems (vessel score, stenosis score and extent score) to estimate the extent of focal and diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). Insulin sensitivity (KITT) was determined by the insulin tolerance test.Results:  There were significant correlations existed between KITT and all three coronary scores. Multivariate analysis revealed significant and independent correlations of all three coronary scores with KITT (vessel score: β = −0.349, p = 0.004; stenosis score: β = −0.487, p < 0.001; extent score: β = −0.481, p < 0.001), even in patients without diabetes mellitus (vessel score: β = −0.387, p = 0.008; stenosis score: β = −0.469, p < 0.001; extent score: β = −0.559, p < 0.001). KITT was significantly lower in patient with diffuse CAD than without diffuse CAD (2.13 ± 0.66 vs. 2.57 ± 0.79%/min, p < 0.05). However, KITT was not different between patients with and without focal CAD.Conclusions:  Insulin sensitivity has statistically significant and independent associations with the extent of coronary stenosis. These results suggest that insulin resistance may play a major role in the development of diffuse coronary artery stenosis.
Novel protein kinase C‐β isoform selective inhibitor JTT‐010 ameliorates both hyper‐ and hypoalgesia in streptozotocin‐ induced diabetic rats
Authors: Sasase T. , Yamada H. , Sakoda K. , Imagawa N. , Abe T. , Ito M. , Sagawa S. , Tanaka M. , Matsushita M. 
Published: March 2007

Aim:  Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications. PKC‐β is elevated in hyperglycaemic conditions, both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, pharmacological effects of a novel PKC‐β isoform selective inhibitor, JTT‐010 ((2R)‐3‐(2‐aminomethyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐3a‐azacyclopenta(a)inden‐8‐yl)‐4‐phenylaminopyrrole‐2,5‐dione monomethanesulphonate), on diabetic neuropathy were examined.Methods:  PKC inhibitory activity of JTT‐010 was evaluated with an enzyme assay. For the in vivo study, streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats were treated with JTT‐010 for 12 weeks and tail/sciatic nerve conduction velocity (NCV) evaluated. Hyper/hypoalgesia was evaluated using tail‐flick and formalin tests.Results:  JTT‐010 inhibited PKC‐βI and ‐βII with IC50 values of 4.0 and 2.3 nm respectively. For other PKC isoforms, IC50 values were 54 nm or greater. In STZ‐induced diabetic rats showing a reduction in tail/sciatic nerve conduction velocities, JTT‐010 (0.3–3 mg/kg) ameliorated the reduction of these velocities. In a formalin test, STZ‐induced diabetic rats had hyperalgesia in the first phase. JTT‐010 reduced nociceptive response at doses of 0.1 mg/kg or higher. Furthermore, STZ‐induced diabetic rats showed hypoalgesia in the second phase of the formalin test and tail‐flick test. JTT‐010 also ameliorates these symptoms at doses of 0.1 mg/kg or higher.Conclusions:  These observations suggest that PKC‐β contributes not only to diabetic hyperalgesia, but also to hypoalgesia and also contributes to defects in NCV. PKC‐β inhibitor, JTT‐010, may be beneficial in suppressing the development of diabetic nerve dysfunction, including hyperalgesia and hypoalgesia.
Oxidized LDL and small LDL particle size are independently predictive of a selective defect in microcirculatory endothelial function in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Woodman R. J. , Watts G. F. , Playford D. A. , Best J. D. , Chan D. C. 
Published: March 2007

Aim:  To explore the associations of LDL (low‐density lipoprotein) particle size and oxidized LDL with endothelium‐dependent function of the forearm microcirculation in diabetes.Methods:  Endothelium‐dependent function was examined in 43 middle‐aged men and women with type 2 diabetes and 10 age‐matched controls. All received aspirin to inhibit endothelial cyclo‐oxygenase. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured using venous occlusion plethysmography with separate administration of acetylcholine (ACh) and bradykinin (BK) into the brachial artery. Endothelium‐independent function was assessed using sodium nitroprusside (SNP). NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine (L‐NMMA) was co‐infused with ACh (ACh + L‐NMMA) and BK (BK + L‐NMMA) to assess non–NO‐mediated contributions to endothelium‐dependent function.Results:  Subjects with diabetes had impaired endothelium‐dependent and endothelium‐independent function compared with controls (p < 0.01 for ACh, BK and SNP). In multivariate regression analysis, LDL size (r = 0.41 and p = 0.007), oxidized LDL (r = −0.41 and p = 0.007) and duration of diabetes (r = −0.37 and p = 0.02) predicted FBF response to ACh independently of age, gender and systolic blood pressure. There were no associations between LDL size, oxidized LDL, duration of diabetes and FBF response to BK, SNP, ACh + L‐NMMA or BK + L‐NMMA.Conclusion:  In type 2 diabetes, small dense LDL particles, duration of diabetes and oxidized LDL may independently contribute to endothelial dysfunction of the microcirculation. These disturbances may occur via a selective defect, because ACh and BK activate endothelial NO synthase via different G‐protein signal transduction pathways.
Alanine aminotransferase and the 6‐year risk of the metabolic syndrome in Caucasian men and women: the Hoorn Study
Authors: Schindhelm R. K. , Dekker J. M. , Nijpels G. , Stehouwer C. D. A. , Bouter L. M. , Heine R. J. , Diamant M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAims  To study the association between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the 6‐year risk of the metabolic syndrome in a population‐based study in Caucasian men and women.Methods  The association of ALT with the 6‐year risk of the metabolic syndrome in 1097 subjects, aged 50–75 years, was assessed in the Hoorn Study with logistic regression analysis. Subjects with the metabolic syndrome at baseline, defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program, were excluded.Results  After 6.4 (range 4.4–8.1) years follow‐up, 226 subjects (20.6%) had developed the metabolic syndrome. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for developing the metabolic syndrome, adjusted for age, sex, alcohol intake and follow‐up duration was 2.25 (1.50–3.37) for subjects in the upper tertile compared with those in the lower tertile of ALT. This association persisted after additional adjustment for all the baseline metabolic syndrome features [1.62 (1.02–2.58)]. Among the individual components of the metabolic syndrome, ALT was significantly associated only with fasting plasma glucose at follow‐up.Conclusions  These data suggest that ALT is associated with risk of the metabolic syndrome in a general population of middle‐aged Caucasian men and women, further strengthening the role of ALT as an indicator for future metabolic derangement. These findings warrant further studies to elucidate the role of non‐adipose tissue fat accumulation in the pathogenesis of complications related to the metabolic syndrome.Diabet. Med. 24, 430 – 435 (2007)
The accuracy of cystatin C and commonly used creatinine‐based methods for detecting moderate and mild chronic kidney disease in diabetes
Authors: MacIsaac R. J. , Tsalamandris C. , Thomas M. C. , Premaratne E. , Panagiotopoulos S. , Smith T. J. , Poon A. , Jenkins M. A. , Ratnaike S. I. , Power D. A. , Jerums G. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground  The accuracy of measuring serum cystatin C levels for detecting various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetes is still unclear.Methods  In a cross‐sectional study of 251 subjects, a reference glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured using 99cTc‐DTPA plasma clearance (iGFR). Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent clinical and biochemical associations with serum cystatin C and iGFR levels. The diagnostic accuracy of cystatin C and commonly used creatinine‐based methods of measuring renal function (serum creatinine, the MDRD four‐variable and Cockcroft–Gault formulae) for detecting mild and moderate CKD was also compared.Results  In the entire study population the same five variables, age, urinary albumin excretion rates, haemoglobin, history of macrovascular disease and triglyceride levels were independently associated with both cystatin C and iGFR levels. A serum cystatin C level cut‐off > 82.1 nmol/l (1.10 mg/l) had the best test characteristics as a screening tool for detecting moderate CKD (< 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) when compared with creatinine‐based methods. At the upper threshold for mild CKD (< 90 ml/min per 1.73 m2), cystatin C also had greater diagnostic accuracy than creatinine, but had similar diagnostic accuracy when compared with creatinine‐based formulae for predicting renal function.Conclusions  This study suggests that the clinical and biochemical parameters associated with serum cystatin C levels are closely linked to those associated with GFR and highlights the potential usefulness of screening for moderate or mild CKD in subjects with diabetes by simply measuring serum cystatin C levels.