bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Calcium and neurodegeneration
Authors: Mattson Mark P. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryWhen properly controlled, Ca2+ fluxes across the plasma membrane and between intracellular compartments play critical roles in fundamental functions of neurons, including the regulation of neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission and plasticity, and cell survival. During aging, and particularly in neurodegenerative disorders, cellular Ca2+‐regulating systems are compromised resulting in synaptic dysfunction, impaired plasticity and neuronal degeneration. Oxidative stress, perturbed energy metabolism and aggregation of disease‐related proteins (amyloid β‐peptide, α‐synuclein, huntingtin, etc.) adversely affect Ca2+ homeostasis by mechanisms that have been elucidated recently. Alterations of Ca2+‐regulating proteins in the plasma membrane (ligand‐ and voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels, ion‐motive ATPases, and glucose and glutamate transporters), endoplasmic reticulum (presenilin‐1, Herp, and ryanodine and inositol triphosphate receptors), and mitochondria (electron transport chain proteins, Bcl‐2 family members, and uncoupling proteins) are implicated in age‐related neuronal dysfunction and disease. The adverse effects of aging on neuronal Ca2+ regulation are subject to modification by genetic (mutations in presenilins, α‐synuclein, huntingtin, or Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase; apolipoprotein E isotype, etc.) and environmental (dietary energy intake, exercise, exposure to toxins, etc.) factors that may cause or affect the risk of neurodegenerative disease. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that promote or prevent disturbances in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis during aging may lead to novel approaches for therapeutic intervention in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and stroke.
Measuring clinical practice
Authors: Shah Rakhee , Edgar David , Evans Bruce J. W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe goals of this paper are to review techniques for measuring clinical practice within healthcare professions and to discuss possible applications of these techniques to primary care optometry. A review of the literature suggests a lack of systematic research investigating standards of clinical practice within optometry. It is argued that evidence‐based research to determine the content of typical optometric eye examinations would be valuable for several reasons: to evaluate the service provided to the public by the profession; setting priorities and assessing the outcomes of continuous education and training; to influence governmental and professional policy decisions; National Health Service General Ophthalmic Services issues; the equitable management of clinicolegal matters and consumer complaints; setting appropriate professional guidelines and developing undergraduate training. Evidence‐based studies within other healthcare professions have evaluated the content of clinical consultations. The literature reviewed reveals three main approaches: (1) abstraction of medical records, (2) use of clinical vignettes and (3) use of standardized patients (SPs) who present unannounced to clinics. In this review, we compare and contrast the use of these different methods in assessing the content of clinical consultations. It is clear from the literature reviewed that the use of SPs is the ‘gold standard’ methodology. Clinical vignettes can also provide useful data, especially if computerized.
Distribution of Auditory and Visual Naming Sites in Nonlesional Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients and Patients with Space‐Occupying Temporal Lobe Lesions
Authors: Hamberger Marla J. , McClelland Shearwood , McKhann Guy M. , Williams Alicia C. , Goodman Robert R. 
Published: February 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Current knowledge regarding the topography of essential language cortex is based primarily on stimulation mapping studies of nonlesional epilepsy patients. We sought to determine whether space‐occupying temporal lobe lesions are associated with a similar topography of language sites, as this information would be useful in surgical planning. Methods: We retrospectively compared the topography of auditory and visual naming sites in 25 nonlesional temporal lobe epilepsy patients (“nonlesional”) and 18 patients with space‐occupying lesions (“lesional”) who underwent cortical language mapping before left temporal resection. Results: Both groups exhibited a similar pattern of auditory naming sites anterior to visual and dual (auditory–visual) naming sites; no group differences were specific to auditory or visual naming sites. However, significantly fewer lesional (10 of 20) compared with nonlesional patients (21 of 25) exhibited any naming sites in the temporal region (p = 0.04). Although the proportion of naming sites on the superior temporal gyrus was similar between groups, naming sites were found on the middle temporal gyrus in 13 of 25 nonlesional patients, yet in only one of 18 lesional patients (p = 0.002). Across groups, patients with visual naming sites were older than patients without visual naming sites identified (p = 0.02). Conclusions: The precise location of essential language cortex cannot be reliably inferred from anatomic landmarks or patient‐related variables. As time constraints are a common quandary in stimulation mapping, the different patterns reported here for patients with and without space‐occupying lesions can be used to guide mapping strategies, thereby increasing the efficiency by which positive naming sites are identified.
Lamotrigine Therapy of Epilepsy with Angelman's Syndrome
Authors: Dion Marie‐Hélène , Novotny Edward J. , Carmant Lionel , Cossette Patrick , Nguyen Dang Khoa 
Published: February 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by developmental delay and a frequently refractory epileptic condition. Valproate, clonazepam and/or phenytoin are said to be the most effective antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) against the seizures in AS. Experience with the newer AEDs is very limited despite their better safety profile and tolerability. Considering its favorable side effect profile and its effectiveness against both partial and generalized seizures, we hypothesized that lamotrigine (LTG) might be more efficacious and better tolerated. Methods: Potential patients for this retrospective study were identified from the epilepsy clinics at Notre‐Dame, Sainte‐Justine, and Yale New Haven hospitals. Patients were included in the study if they had AS along with refractory seizures. The medical record of each patient was reviewed with interest on seizure types, previous AEDs and response to LTG. Results: Five patients (2M, 3F) were included in this study. Age at LTG ranged from 10 to 33 years old. All had ≥2 seizure types, mainly generalized tonic–clonic, myoclonic seizures, and atypical absences. Previously tried AEDs included valproic acid (5), benzodiazepines (5), phenytoin (4), carbamazepine (3), and topiramate (1). One patient had pancreatitis on phenytoin, one had worsened seizures on carbamazepine, and one developed hepatic encephalopathy on valproic acid. Three patients became seizure‐free with LTG (9, 20, and 36 months FU), one was seizure‐free for 1 year with subsequent loss of efficacy, and one showed >50% reduction in myoclonic seizures (20 months FU). No side effects were reported. Conclusion: LTG can be efficacious and well tolerated in patients with AS.
Prevalence and Pattern of Epilepsy Treatment in Different Socioeconomic Classes in Brazil
Authors: Noronha Ana L. A. , Borges Moacir A. , Marques Lucia H. N. , Zanetta Dirce M. T. , Fernandes Paula T. , De Boer Hanneke , Espíndola Javier , Miranda Claudio T. , Prilipko Leonid , Bell Gail S. , Sander Josemir W. , Li Li M. 
Published: February 2007

Summary: Purpose:The worldwide prevalence of epilepsy is variable,estimated at 10//1,000 people, and access to treatment is also variable. Many people go untreated, particularly in resource‐poor countries. Objective:To estimate the prevalence of epilepsy and the proportion of people not receiving adequate treatment in different socioeconomic classes in Brazil, a resource‐poor country.Methods:A door‐to‐door survey was conducted to assess the prevalence and treatment gap of epilepsy in three areas of two towns in Southeast Brazil with a total population of 96,300 people. A validated screening questionnaire for epilepsy (sensitivity 95.8%, specificity 97.8%) was used. A neurologist further ascertained positive cases. A validated instrument for socioeconomic classification was used.Results:Lifetime prevalence was 9.2/1,000 people [95% CI 8.4–10.0] and the prevalence of active epilepsy was 5.4/1,000 people. This was higher in the more deprived social classes (7.5/1,000 compared with 1.6/1,000 in the less deprived). Prevalence was also higher in elderly people (8.5/1,000). Thirty‐eight percent of patients with active epilepsy had inadequate treatment (19% on no medication); the figures were similar in the different socioeconomic groups.Conclusion:The prevalence of epilepsy in Brazil is similar to other resource‐poor countries, and the treatment gap is high. Epilepsy is more prevalent among less wealthy people and in elderly people. There is an urgent need for education in Brazil to inform people that epilepsy is a treatable, as well as preventable, condition.
Structural Determination of Two Active Compounds That Bind to the Muscarinic M3 Receptor in Beer
Authors: Yamaji Nahoko , Yokoo Yoshiaki , Iwashita Takashi , Nemoto Asuka , Koike Minako , Suwa Yoshihide , Wakimoto Toshiyuki , Tsuji Kuniro , Nukaya Haruo 
Published: February 2007

Background: It is known that beer accelerates gastrointestinal motility in humans. Our previous studies showed that beer congener stimulates gastrointestinal motility by directly stimulating the muscarinic M3 receptor. Further, we isolated 2 active compounds (compounds A and B) from beer by liquid chromatography. The objective of the present study was to identify the 2 active compounds that bind to the muscarinic M3 receptor in beer.Methods: Structural analyses of the active compounds were performed by fast atom bombardment mass spectra, 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. Active compounds were chemically synthesized from p‐coumaric acid and agmatine as starting materials. Binding activity to the muscarinic M3 receptor was used to confirm the activity of the synthetic compounds.Results: It was identified that 2 active compounds had the same structural characteristics: stereoisomers (cis‐isomer and trans‐isomer), molecular weight=550 and molecular formula=C28H38N8O4. Trans‐isomer (compound B) was identified as the known substance hordatine A, a kind of phytoalexin in barley, and cis‐isomer (compound A) was found to be a novel compound (tentatively referred to as aperidine). Both naturally present and chemically synthesized aperidine (compound A) and hordatine A (compound B) were demonstrated to have potent binding activities to the muscarinic M3 receptor.Conclusions: The 2 active compounds isolated from beer, namely aperidine (compound A) and hordatine A (compound B), have structurally and functionally been identified as active entities of binding to the muscarinic M3 receptor.
Effect of Chronic Dietary Ethanol Consumption on Colonic Cancer in Rats Induced by 1,1‐Dimethylhydrazine
Authors: Hayashi Nobuhiko , Tsutsumi Mikihiro , Fukura Masayuki , Yano Hirokazu , Tsuchishima Mutsumi , Takase Shujiro 
Published: February 2007

Background:The pathogenetic correlation between chronic alcohol consumption and development of colon cancer is not clear. The role of alcohol abuse in the carcinogenic action of 1,1‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH), which induces tumors in the colon, was evaluated.Methods:Twenty male rats were fed liquid diets containing ethanol or carbohydrates for 39 weeks. DMH (20 mg/kg body weight, once a week) was injected subcutaneously from the 5th to the 20th week. Pair feeding was stopped at 10:00amand DMH was administered at 02:00pm. Ethanol was not detected in the blood at the time of injection. Liquid diets were provided again at 05:00pmuntil 10:00amnext day. The animals were killed at the end of the 39th week, and the colons were removed for examination for the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by methylene blue staining. Tissue sections were stained for histology and cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) expression.Results:The number of ACF in colons obtained from ethanol‐fed rats with DMH was 24 (n=5, 4.4±2.5/rat), which was significantly (p<0.001) more than that of the other treated rats: only 3 (n=5, 0.6±0.5/rat) in the pair‐fed control rats with DMH, and none in the ethanol‐fed or control‐fed rats without DMH. Cytochrome P4502E1 staining demonstrated marked expression in the colon mucosa from ethanol‐fed rats, but not in the pair‐fed control rats.Conclusions:The increased expression of CYP2E1 induced by chronic ethanol consumption promotes the development of DMH‐induced colon cancer.
Social and Behavioral Characteristics of Young Adult Drink/Drivers Adjusted for Level of Alcohol Use
Authors: Bingham C. Raymond , Elliott Michael R. , Shope Jean T. 
Published: February 2007

Background: Alcohol consumption and drink/driving are positively correlated and many predictors of alcohol use also predict drink/driving. Past research has not fully distinguished the contributions of personal risk factors from the level of alcohol use in the prediction of drink/driving. As a result, the extent to which predictors are specific to drink/driving, versus due to a mutual association to alcohol use, is unclear.Methods: This study examined the unique and shared risk factors for drink/driving and alcohol use, and examined the attributable risk (AR) associated with predictors of drink/driving while adjusting for alcohol use. Study data were from a telephone survey of 3,480 Michigan‐licensed young adults who were drinkers. Four groups of drink/drivers were formed based on the prior 12‐month maximum severity of drink/driving: (1) never drink/driving; (2) driving at least once within an hour of 1 or 2 drinks; (3) driving within an hour of 3 or more drinks or while feeling the effects of alcohol; and (4) drinking while driving.Results: Lower perceived risk of drink/driving, greater social support for drinking and drink/driving, greater aggression and delinquency, more cigarette smoking, and more risky driving behaviors uniquely predicted drink/driving severity in models adjusted for alcohol use. The largest ARs were associated with social support for drinking and drink/driving and perceived risk of drink/driving.Conclusions: These results confirm that alcohol use and drink/driving share risk factors, but also indicate that part of the variation in these factors is specific to drink/driving. Implications for interventions to reduce drink/driving are discussed.
Determinants, differentiation, and development of short‐term marginal costs in dairy production: an empirical analysis for selected regions of the EU
Authors: Wieck Christine , Heckelei Thomas 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis work provides evidence on the determinants, cost differentiation, and development of short‐term marginal costs of dairy farms in important production regions of the European Union. The empirical study is based on the estimation of multi‐input multi‐output Symmetric Generalized McFadden cost functions using an unbalanced panel data set of the European Farm Accountancy Data Network. The results show considerable regional differences in the impact of the outputs, input prices, and fixed factors on marginal costs. Strong evidence can be found that marginal costs decrease over time and is further underlined by the development of derived regional aggregated short‐term supply curves. Marginal cost elasticities and correlation coefficients validate the hypotheses that a high degree of farm specialization, large milk output, and low milk prices are associated with lower marginal costs. Furthermore, the marginal cost spread in the data sample is analyzed. We show that milk output, milk yield, herd size, labor input, and fodder production can be attributed to significant marginal cost differentiation of farms, whereas for crop and animal output, grassland, stock of other animals, and depreciation only minor differentiation can be found.
Productivity change in Taiwan's farmers' credit unions: a nonparametric risk‐adjusted Malmquist approach
Authors: Chen Po‐Chi , Yu Ming‐Miin , Chang Ching‐Cheng , Hsu Shih‐Hsun 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article proposes an extended three‐stage DEA methodology similar to Fried et al. (2002) to improve the measurement of productivity growth when the assumption of free disposability of undesirable output does not apply. A directional distance function is used to construct adjusted Malmquist–Luenberger productivity indexes which simultaneously account for the impacts of undesirable outputs, environmental variables, and statistical noise. Panel data for 263 farmers' credit unions (FCUs) in Taiwan covering the 1998–2000 periods are employed to illustrate the advantages of this method. On average, the productivity of Taiwan's FCUs is found to have deteriorated over the 1998–2000 period. Although an improvement in efficiency has been observed, the major reason for the deterioration is found to be due to the regression of technology.
Clopidogrel‐mediated reduction of circulating tissue factor in patients with stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Stellbaum C. , Willich T. , Boltzen U. , Ayral Y. , Szotowski B. , Piorkowski M. , Schultheiss H.‐P. , Rauch U. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground:  Tissue factor (TF), the initiator of coagulation, circulates in blood and contributes to thrombosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). TF is present in the α‐granules of platelets. Therapy with clopidogrel results in inhibition of platelet degranulation. Whether clopidogrel affects circulating TF is unknown. This study examined the effect of clopidogrel on TF level in the blood of patients with stable CAD and ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as well as healthy controls.Methods:  Thirty‐three patients with CAD and twenty with STEMI were studied pre and post clopidogrel therapy (loading dose 300 mg, then 75 mg daily). All were treated with aspirin 100 mg/d. The control groups consisted of thirty healthy male volunteers also treated with clopidogrel and ten patients with CAD treated with aspirin only. TF concentration in blood drawn pre and 96 h post clopidogrel administration was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  Patients with CAD and STEMI had significantly more TF in blood than healthy controls. Clopidogrel reduced TF in stable CAD patients to levels seen in healthy controls. No alterations in TF were found in controls and patients with STEMI post clopidogrel therapy. Clopidogrel reduced sCD40L level in stable CAD patients, but not in STEMI patients. A correlation between TF and sCD40L was found for the combined CAD and control, but not STEMI group.Conclusion:  Clopidogrel leads to a reduction of not only sCD40L but also TF in stable CAD. The reduction of TF may lead to a reduced thrombogenicity, contributing to the benefits of clopidogrel therapy.
Mycophenolate mofetil in a case of relapsed, refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Ahmad Humayun N. , Thomas‐Dewing Rowena R. , Hunt Beverley J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA case of relapsing and refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to attempt to maintain remission. The possible use of MMF in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is discussed.
Different professionals’ knowledge and perceptions of the management of people with pancreatic cancer
Authors: JEFFORD Michael , JENNENS Ross , SPEER Tony , THURSFIELD Vicky 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground:  Pancreatic cancer is generally associated with a very poor prognosis. The knowledge, beliefs and opinions of clinicians caring for people with pancreatic cancer may affect preferences for particular therapies and may impact upon patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to conduct a postal survey of clinicians who consult patients with pancreatic cancer to assess their knowledge regarding the disease itself and the effectiveness of various treatments, and to gauge their opinions regarding aspects of management.Methods:  A 20‐item multiple‐choice questionnaire was mailed to medical and radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, general surgeons and hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgeons in Australia. Questions assessed knowledge of survival following surgery for resectable disease, and survival and response rate following chemoradiation for locally advanced disease and chemotherapy for advanced disease. Beliefs regarding the need for tissue diagnosis and perceptions of benefit of various treatment strategies were also sought.Results:  Overall, knowledge was fair (average knowledge score 4.1 out of 8); 56% of HPB surgeons and 55% of medical oncologists had good knowledge, compared with 39% of gastroenterologists and general surgeons. There were marked differences in opinion regarding requirement for tissue diagnosis before further management. There was considerable variation in opinion regarding the benefit of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.Conclusion:  These findings argue strongly for the development of evidence‐based guidelines. Multidisciplinary management teams may help educate individual clinicians and professional groups and are likely to result in improved outcomes for patients.
Clonal Spread of
mef
-Positive Macrolide-Resistant
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Isolates Causing Invasive Disease in Adults in Germany
Authors: van der Linden Mark , Al-Lahham Adnan , Haupts Stefan , Reinert Ralf René 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT

Isolates (3,845) obtained from German adults with invasive pneumococcal disease between 1992 and 2004 were investigated. Of these, 430 isolates (11.2%) were erythromycin A nonsusceptible. Macrolide resistance genotypes and multilocus sequence types were determined. Among the isolates, 35.6% were
erm
(B) positive and 63.5% were
mef
positive. Over the study period, the frequency of resistance rose significantly from 2.2 to 17.0% (
P
< 0.001). A serotype 14, sequence type 9 clone was the most widespread.