bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary care prescribing patterns in Ireland after the publication of large hypertension trials
Authors: Kabir Zubair , Feely John , Bennett Kathleen 
Published: July 2007

What is already known about this subject • Between 2000 and 2004, three large hypertension trials were particularly important in choice of antihypertensive drug; LIFE, ALLHAT and VALUE.• Studies in the US and Canada have shown that subsequent prescribing patterns have been influenced through such publications. What this study adds • There was little or no effect of any of the trials on new antihypertensive prescribing in Ireland, except for a slight increase in new prescriptions for ACE inhibitors following ALLHAT, and calcium channel blockers following the VALUE trial.AimsThis study assessed prescribing patterns of antihypertensive therapies (AHT) before and after the publication of the LIFE, ALLHAT and VALUE trials between 2000 and 2005.MethodsThe Irish HSE‐PCRS prescribing database was used to identify those initiated any AHT. Any change 12 months before and after the trial publications was examined using a segmented regression analysis.ResultsThere was little or no effect of any of the trials on new AHT prescribing, except for ALLHAT where there was an increase in new prescriptions for ACE inhibitors, and VALUE with a slight increase in prescriptions for calcium channel blockers.ConclusionsOur findings show that there was little or no effect of any of the three clinical trials studied on new AHT prescribing patterns in Irish general practice. Future studies should assess any underlying barriers to implementing new evidence into clinical practice.
Interindividual variability in the concentration–effect relationship of antilymphocyte globulins—a possible influence of FcγRIIIa genetic polymorphism
Authors: Ternant David , Büchler Matthias , Bénéton Maud , Alván Gunnar , Ohresser Marc , Touchard Guy , Hurault de Ligny Bruno , Toupance Olivier , Watier Hervé , Lebranchu Yvon , Paintaud Gilles 
Published: July 2007

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • There is interindividual variability in the antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) effect, but there is no pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic study of this subject.• In addition, a time dependence of the pharmacokinetics of some therapeutic antibodies has been described.• ALGs may partly act by antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), but their mechanism of action in humans is not known. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Horse ALG pharmacokinetics can be described using a two‐compartment model with time‐dependent central volume of distribution.• After an initial concentration‐independent lymphocyte depletion, the concentration–effect relationship can be described using a physiological indirect response model.• The genetic polymorphism of FcγRIIIa at position 158 may influence the ALG concentration–effect relationship and these polyclonal antibodies may therefore act by ADCC.AIMSPolyclonal antilymphocyte globulins (ALGs) are currently used in transplantation, but the sources of interindividual variability of their effect are poorly understood. No pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) study of ALG is available. Moreover, the genetic polymorphism of FcγRIIIa, a receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulins involved in antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), may influence their concentration–effect relationship.METHODSFourteen kidney transplant patients treated by horse ALG were included in a prospective, noncomparative study. A population two‐compartment PK model including a time dependence of the central volume of distribution was developed. Total lymphocyte count was used as biomarker of effect. Concentration–effect data were described using a physiological indirect response model, combining concentration‐dependent and ‐independent inhibitions of lymphocyte input into the circulation. In addition, six kidney transplant patients in whom ALG concentrations were not available were included retrospectively. All patients were genotyped for FCGR3A.RESULTSBoth the PK and the PK–PD model described the data satisfactorily and showed high interindividual variability. Asymptotic T1/2‐α and T1/2‐β‐values were 1.3 and 25 days, respectively. The concentration of ALG leading to a 50% inhibition of lymphocyte input (IC50) was lower in FCGR3A‐V carriers than in FCGR3A‐F/F patients (383 ± 199 vs. 593 ± 209 mg l−1, P = 0.008).CONCLUSIONSThis is the first description of the ALG effect on lymphocyte count using PK–PD modelling. Our results show that part of the variability in their concentration–effect relationship may be explained by FcγRIIIa genetic polymorphism and therefore that horse ALG may deplete lymphocytes by ADCC.
Whose agenda? Issues of power and relationship when listening to looked‐after young people
Authors: McLeod Alison 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTListening to children and young people is for social workers a legal requirement, it is also believed to lead to better outcomes and is increasingly promoted in policy. The practice of listening is, however, rarely straightforward, and this is particularly the case with socially excluded groups. As a result, the voices of the marginalized are less likely to be heard. In this paper the author draws on interview data from a research study into communication between social workers and looked‐after children for the light it sheds on why effective dialogue with disaffected young people can be hard to achieve. It is argued that much that appears unsuccessful in an interaction can be understood in terms of power plays, with young people resisting the adult's agenda and trying to impose their own. True listening to disaffected young people requires time, so that a trusting relationship can be developed. It also demands an acceptance that the adult agenda may be flawed and a willingness to consider alternative possibilities. This can challenge the preconceptions, not just of individual workers, but of agencies and of national policy‐makers.
Family support, social capital, resilience and adolescent coping
Authors: Pinkerton John , Dolan Pat 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTAll too often young people are excluded in practice from the general policy and professional consensus that partnership and participation should underpin work with children, young people and their families. If working with troubled and troublesome young people is to be based on family support, it will require not only the clear statement of that policy but also demonstration that it can be applied in practice. Achieving that involves setting out a plausible theory of change that can be rigorously evaluated. This paper suggests a conceptual model that draws on social support theory to harness the ideas of social capital and resilience in a way that can link formal family support interventions to adolescent coping. Research with young people attending three community‐based projects for marginalized youth is used to illustrate how validated tools can be used to measure and document the detail of support, resilience, social capital and coping in young people's lives. It is also suggested that there is sufficient fit between the findings emerging from the study and the model to justify the model being more rigorously tested.
Young people's gendered interpretations of suicide and attempted suicide
Authors: Scourfield Jonathan , Jacob Nina , Smalley Nina , Prior Lindsay , Greenland Katy 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper aims to uncover gendered interpretations of various kinds of suicidal behaviour. Its empirical basis is focus group discussions with a range of young people, including users of social work services. In support of Canetto's research, the authors found some of the young people to be associating ‘successful’ suicides with masculinity and ‘failed’ suicide attempts with femininity. These feminized suicide attempts were subject to some fairly pejorative interpretations, such as being motivated by revenge or manipulation. There was no particular pattern of viewpoints in terms of the sex of respondents. The implications of these findings for social work are discussed.
The impact of family history of diabetes on risk factors for gestational diabetes
Authors: Retnakaran Ravi , Connelly Philip W. , Sermer Mathew , Zinman Bernard , Hanley Anthony J. G. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryObjective  Familial history of type 2 diabetes (FHD) represents a pathophysiologically unique risk factor for gestational diabetes (GDM), insofar as it encompasses both inherited and lifestyle elements. We thus hypothesized that the risk factors for gestational hyperglycaemia in women with FHD may differ from those in women without FHD.Design/patients/measurements  GDM risk factors were evaluated in 90 women with FHD and in 83 women without FHD, at the time of oral glucose tolerance testing in late pregnancy.Results  There were no significant differences between the two groups in ethnicity, prepregnancy BMI, the insulin‐sensitizing protein adiponectin, glucose tolerance status and area‐under‐the‐glucose‐curve (AUCgluc). In women with FHD, a multiple linear regression model of established GDM risk factors reconciled 35% of the variance in AUCgluc, with (i) previous GDM (t = 3·74, P = 0·0003) identified as a positive independent determinant and (ii) log adiponectin (t = –3·48, P = 0·0008) and, unexpectedly, parity (t = –3·19, P = 0·0021) emerging as negative independent covariates of AUCgluc. In contrast, in women without FHD, the same multivariate model reconciled only 15% of the variance in AUCgluc, with no significant variables identified. Interestingly, in the entire population (n = 173), parity significantly modified the relationship between FHD and AUCgluc (FHD–parity interaction: t = –2·29, P = 0·0235). Indeed, FHD was an independent determinant of AUCgluc in nulliparous women (n = 91), but not in parous women (n = 82).Conclusion  Established risk factors for GDM are relevant in women with FHD but may not be the principal determinants of gestational hyperglycaemia in women without FHD. Moreover, FHD may be more relevant to risk of GDM in nulliparous women than in parous subjects. These findings highlight the complex relationship between FHD and gestational hyperglycaemia, and may hold implications for selective screening for GDM.
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adult thalassaemic patients
Authors: Scacchi Massimo , Danesi Leila , Cattaneo Agnese , Valassi Elena , Giraldi Francesca Pecori , Argento Crocetta , D’Angelo Emanuela , Mirra Nadia , Carnelli Vittorio , Zanaboni Laura , Cappellini Maria Domenica , Cavagnini Francesco 
Published: July 2007

SummaryBackground and objective  Short stature and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) are frequent occurrences in thalassaemic children, while data on the prevalence of GHD in adult patients are lacking. Therefore, we elected to study the growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (GH–IGF‐I) axis in a large group of adult thalassaemic subjects.Design  Cross‐sectional study on the prevalence of GHD in 94 adult thalassaemic patients (69 with thalassaemia major and 25 with thalassaemia intermedia, 39 men and 55 women, aged 31·5 ± 6·8 years, on sex steroid replacement when necessary).Methods  All patients underwent GHRH (1 µg/kg as an i.v. bolus) plus arginine (0·5 g/kg as a 30 min i.v. infusion) testing. Severe GHD was defined by GH peaks lower than 9 µg/l, whereas partial GHD was defined by GH peaks ranging from 9–16·5 µg/l. Blood samples for IGF‐I, ferritin and pseudocholinesterase measurements were collected. Urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels were also assayed.Results  Severe GHD was demonstrated in 21 of the 94 patients (22·3%), while 18 additional patients (19·1%) displayed partial GHD. GH peaks were positively correlated with IGF‐I standard deviation score (SDS) (r = 0·22, P < 0·05), although 1 of the 21 patients with severe GHD showed normal IGF‐I SDS values, and 44 of the 55 patients with normal GH reserve displayed low IGF‐I SDS. A strong positive correlation (r = 0·48, P < 0·0001) between IGF‐I SDS and pseudocholinesterase was identified. No correlations were found between ferritin and UFC levels on the one hand and GH peaks and IGF‐I SDS on the other.Conclusion  Findings from this study demonstrate that GHD, either partial or severe, is not a rare occurrence in adult thalassaemic patients. GHD is associated with a higher prevalence of low serum IGF‐I levels, recorded also in patients with normal GH secretion. The lack of correlation between ferritin and both GH peaks and IGF‐I SDS suggests that mechanisms additional to iron overload, whose relevance cannot however be definitely ruled out, play a role in the pathophysiology of somatotrophin‐somatomedin deficiency in this clinical condition. The positive correlation between IGF‐I SDS on the one hand and GH peaks and pseudocholinesterase values on the other hand indicates that reduced liver protidosynthetic activity, in addition to somatotrophin secretory status, is a major determinant of the impaired IGF‐I production in thalassaemia. Therefore biosynthetic GH replacement therapy in GH‐deficient thalassaemic adults is worth considering.
The mechanism of boron tolerance for maintenance of root growth in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: CHOI EUN‐YOUNG , KOLESIK PETER , MCNEILL ANN , COLLINS HELEN , ZHANG QISEN , HUYNH BAO‐LAM , GRAHAM ROBIN , STANGOULIS JAMES 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTCultivar differences in root elongation under B toxic conditions were observed in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). A significant increase in the length and width of the root meristematic zone (RMZ) was observed in Sahara 3771 (B tolerant) when it was grown under excessive B concentration, compared to when grown at adequate B supply. This coincided with an increase in cell width and cell numbers in the meristematic zone (MZ), whereas a significant decrease in the length and no significant effect on the width of the MZ was observed in Clipper (B intolerant) when it was grown under excessive B supply. This was accompanied by a decrease in cell numbers, but an increase in the length and width of individual cells present along the MZ. Excessive B concentrations led to a significantly lower osmotic potential within the cell sap of the root tip in SloopVic (B tolerant) and Sahara 3771, while the opposite was observed in Clipper. Enhanced sugar levels in the root tips of SloopVic were observed between 48 and 96 h after excess B was applied. This coincided with an increase in the root elongation rate and with a 2.7‐fold increase in sucrose level within mature leaf tissue. A significant decrease in reducing sugar levels was observed in the root tips of Clipper under excessive B concentrations. This coincided with significantly lower root elongation rates and lower sucrose levels in leaf tissues. Results indicate a B tolerance mechanism associated with a complex control of sucrose levels between leaf and root tip that assist in maintaining root growth under B toxicity.
A stereo imaging system for measuring structural parameters of plant canopies
Authors: BISKUP BERNHARD , SCHARR HANNO , SCHURR ULRICH , RASCHER UWE 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTPlants constantly adapt their leaf orientation in response to fluctuations in the environment, to maintain radiation use efficiency in the face of varying intensity and incidence direction of sunlight. Various methods exist for measuring structural canopy parameters such as leaf angle distribution. However, direct methods tend to be labour‐intensive, while indirect methods usually give statistical information on stand level rather than on individual leaves. We present an area‐based, binocular stereo system composed of commercially available components that allows three‐dimensional reconstruction of small‐ to medium‐sized canopies on the level of single leaves under field conditions. Spatial orientation of single leaves is computed with automated processes using modern, well‐established stereo matching and segmentation techniques, which were adapted for the properties of plant canopies, providing high spatial and temporal resolution (angle measurements with an accuracy of approx. ±5° and a maximum sampling rate of three frames per second). The applicability of our approach is demonstrated in three case studies: (1) the dihedral leaflet angle of an individual soybean was tracked to monitor nocturnal and daytime leaf movement showing different frequencies and amplitudes; (2) drought stress was diagnosed in soybean by quantifying changes in the zenith leaflet angle distribution; and (3) the diurnal course of the zenith leaf angle distribution of a closed soybean canopy was measured.
Sex‐related Macrostructural Organization of the Deer's Brachial Plexus
Authors: Melo S. R. , Gonçalves A. F. N. , De Castro Sasahara T. H. , Fioretto E. T. , Gerbasi S. H. , Machado M. R. F. , Guimarães G. C. , Ribeiro A. A. C. M. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryWe describe the morphological organization of the deer brachial plexus in order to supply data to veterinary neuroclinics and anaesthesiology. The deer (Mazama gouazoubira) brachial plexus is composed of four roots: three cervical (C6, C7 and C8) and one thoracic (T1). Within each sex group, no variations are observed between the left and the right brachial plexus, though sex‐related differences are seen especially in its origin. The origin of axillary and radial nerves was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 in males and C8–T1 (radial nerve) and C7, C8 and T1 (axillary nerve) in females; musculocutaneous nerve was: C6–C7 (males) and C8–T1 (females); median and ulnar nerves was: C8–T1 (males) and T1 (females); long thoracic nerve was: C7 (males) and T1 (females); lateral thoracic nerve was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 (males) and T1 (females); thoracodorsal nerve was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 (males) and C8–T1 (females); suprascapular nerve was: C6–C7 (males) and C6 (females) and subscapular nerve was: C6–C7 (males) and C7 (females). This study suggests that in male deer the origin of the brachial plexus is more cranial than in females and the origin of the brachial plexus is slightly more complex in males, i.e. there is an additional number of roots (from one to three). This sexual dimorphism may be related to specific biomechanical functions of the thoracic limb and electrophysiological studies may be needed to shed light on this morphological feature.
Interstitial Cells of Cajal and their Role in Veterinary Gastrointestinal Pathologies
Authors: De Ceulaer K. M. G. , Van Ginneken C. J. D. , Philips W. A. , Weyns A. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThis study highlights the importance of intersitial cells of Cajal (ICs) in gastrointestinal disease. Human research is already considering IC pathologies but in veterinary research IC pathologies are rarely studied. Nevertheless, recent studies of ICs show a growing interest in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases and emphasize the consideration of this cell type in the pathophysiology of veterinary gastrointestinal malfunctions.
THE EFFECTS OF SYMPATHOMIMETICS ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM OF SHEEP
Authors: Pack R. J. , Alley M. R. , Davie P. S. , Kealey A. S. , Baxter S. , Allen R. , Dallimore J. A. , Lapwood K. R. , Crane J. , Burgess C. 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY1. Sheep hearts have been used to study the effects of P‐adrenoceptor (P‐AR) agonists in order to better understand the effects of common asthma treatment drugs on heart rate, cardiac power output and cardiac pathology. Hearts have been examined both in vivo and in vim.2. In whole anaesthetized sheep, isoprenaline, fenoterol and salbutamol induced dose‐dependent increases in heart rate. Hypokalaemia in response to salbutamol was accentuated in hypoxia. Many of these hearts showed significant myocardial lesions. Hypoxia alone caused no significant cardiac response.3. As expected, the β1‐AR agonist dobutamine caused dose‐dependent increases in heart performance (heart rate and cardiac power output). Both responses were blocked by metoprolol and propranolol. The β2‐AR agonist salbutamol caused dose‐dependent increases in heart rate and although cardiac output increased, cardiac power output remained unchanged as a consequence of the fall in peripheral resistance. The heart rate changes were blocked by metoprolol. Importantly, propranolol blocked both the heart rate response and the fall in peripheral resistance.4. Isolated atrial strips showed a right shift of their dose‐response curve to isoprenaline in the presence of the highly selective β2‐AR antagonist ICI 118 551 at concentrations above 1 × 10−‐8 mol/L.5. We conclude that the sheep heart shows many pharmacological characteristics of the human heart which makes it a good pharmacological model in addition to its being amenable to many common techniques available for humans.
Macroinvertebrate assemblages along a land‐use gradient in the upper River Njoro watershed of Lake Nakuru drainage basin, Kenya
Authors: Kibichii Samuel , Shivoga William A. , Muchiri Mucai , Miller Scott N. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA study was conducted in the upper reaches of the River Njoro watershed to test the impacts of changing land‐use patterns, from predominantly forest to pasture and agriculture, on benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Stream sampling sites were chosen to correspond to the main offstream land uses, including forests, grazing, small‐scale agriculture, and intensive agriculture. Physicochemical variables were measured at each sampling site, and from collected water samples. Sampled macroinvertebrates were identified, and taxon diversity, richness, evenness and dominance were estimated for each site. Higher mean temperatures were recorded at the grazed and cultivated sites, compared to the forested sites. Higher ammonia concentrations were characteristic of the grazed parts of the watershed, while higher mean total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentrations were observed at the intensively cultivated sites. Baetis and Simulidae composed 65% by number of all the invertebrates collected. They dominated the benthos of the cultivated sections of the watershed, where they formed up to 75% of the observed invertebrate numbers. However, higher mean diversities, richness and evenness were recorded at forested sites, with a few taxa (notably Lepidostoma hirtum, Potamon sp., Leptophlebia sp. and Helodidae) being restricted to these unpolluted reaches, although many other taxa were common to all sites. Our findings suggest that a change from forestry to agriculture and grazing land uses have affected the physicochemical environment of the River Njoro, leading to a reduction in the diversity and evenness of benthic macroinvertebrates.