bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risks and clinical features of colorectal cancer complicating Crohn's disease in Japanese patients
Authors: Yano Yutaka , Matsui Toshiyuki , Uno Hiroyuki , Hirai Fumihito , Futami Kitaro , Iwashita Akinori 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  No reports on the relative risk of development of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Japanese patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have been published. The present study aimed to investigate the relative risk and the clinical features of CRC complicating CD among patients managed at Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan (a tertiary referral center for inflammatory bowel diseases).Methods:  The clinical backgrounds were analyzed of 512 patients with CD who have been treated by our department during the last 20‐year period (1985–2005) (total 6212.6 person years at risk). The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) refers to the relative risk of CRC in the subjects as compared with that in a sex‐ and age‐matched healthy population.Results:  There were six cases with CRC. The SIR was significantly higher (3.2‐fold higher; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–6.9 P < 0.05) in the CD group than in the healthy population. The significant risk factors identified were female sex, mixed small and large bowel type, observation period over 20 years, onset of CD at less than 25 years of age, presence of anal disease, and positive history of surgery. The prognosis for the six cases with CRC was very poor (five cases died within 1.5 years).Conclusion:  The risk of CRC in longstanding CD in Japan was similar to that in Western countries. The necessity of surveillance in the management of CD would also need to be discussed in the near future, especially in CD patients with anal lesions or fistulae, and are particularly important in patients with a 20‐year or more history of CD.
Serum ghrelin levels in children with primary protein–energy malnutrition
Authors: Altinkaynak Sevin , Selimoglu Mukadder A. , Ertekin Vildan , Kilicarslan Buket 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: Ghrelin, an appetite‐stimulating peptide, increases in cachectic conditions. It probably reflects peripheral nutritional status and influences nutrient intake and growth. The aim of the present study was to determine serum ghrelin levels in children with primary protein–energy malnutrition (PEM) and to find if any correlation exists between serum ghrelin levels and the clinical presentation of those patients.Methods: Twenty‐eight children with primary PEM and 10 healthy children were included. Serum fasting ghrelin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay.Results: Mean serum ghrelin level of healthy children and those with PEM were 107.7 ± 40.1 pg/mL and 141.6 ± 123.8 pg/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). Ghrelin levels were independent of age and sex (P > 0.05). Ghrelin was negatively correlated with body mass index in healthy children (P < 0.01), but not in those with PEM (P > 0.05). Mean serum ghrelin level of children with moderate malnutrition was higher than that of children with severe malnutrition (199.2 ± 154.1 pg/mL vs 98.4 ± 74.3 pg/mL, P < 0.05). Mean serum ghrelin levels of patients with kwashiorkor, marasmic kwashiorkor, and marasmus were 127.9 ± 97.8 pg/mL, 138.7 ± 95.8 pg/mL, and 162.3 ± 185.0 pg/mL, respectively (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Serum ghrelin level is higher in patients with PEM, especially in those with marasmus, compared to healthy children. Although this observation suggests that ghrelin helps to fight malnutrition in children, it is obvious that further studies are needed to clarify the exact pathogenetic mechanism regarding this condition.
Clinical assessment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Yoshiyama Megumi , Kounami Shinji , Nakayama Keiko , Aoyagi Noriyuki , Yoshikawa Norishige 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been reported to be an etiologic pathogen of infection‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), but few case reports have been available to date.Methods: The clinical features of four childhood cases of M. pneumoniae‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (Mp‐HLH) were retrospectively assessed to obtain data that might be useful for early diagnosis and effective management. The previous English‐language literature pertaining to Mp‐HLH was also reviewed.Results: The patients were two boys and two girls, aged between 1 and 11 years of age. One patient was demonstrated to have concurrent infection with rubella. All the patients had typical radiographic features of M. pneumoniae pneumonia, and one patient also had encephalopathy as a complication. All the children underwent bone marrow examination because of antibiotic‐refractory fever, mild hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, hyperferritinemia and elevated levels of urine β2‐microglobulin. Cytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly in the present patients were relatively mild as compared to those in cases of other infection‐associated HLH such as Epstein–Barr virus infection‐associated HLH. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in prompt and complete resolution in two cases, and i.v. high‐dose gammaglobulin therapy achieved a complete response in another child. Spontaneous resolution under treatment with antibiotics alone was observed in one case.Conclusion: Although Mp‐HLH is a rare complication of M. pneumoniae infection, it should always be considered in patients with antibiotic‐refractory M. pneumoniae infections with cytopenia. Mp‐HLH might be effectively treated by corticosteroids or high‐dose gammaglobulin. To clarify the diverse clinical manifestations of M. pneumoniae infections, immunological interactions between M. pneumoniae and the host immune system should be further investigated.
Management and outcome in prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratomas
Authors: Okada Tadao , Sasaki Fumiaki , Cho Kazutoshi , Honda Shouhei , Naito Satsuki , Hirokata Gentarou , Todo Satoru 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present study was to retrospectively determine the clinical factors affecting the outcome after birth in prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCT).Methods: Six cases of prenatal SCT were identified from January 1985 until August 2005. A retrospective review of case‐notes and pathological reports was carried out. Clinical data during the perinatal period, operative findings, postoperative complications and follow up were evaluated in the patients with prenatally diagnosed SCT.Results: SCT presented as type I in two neonates and type III in four between 22 and 33 weeks’ gestation. Fetal intervention was not performed for any fetus. Five of six were delivered by cesarean section and the other was delivered vaginally due to small tumor size. Patients were born at between 29 and 39 weeks’ gestation and weighed from 1840 to 3500 g. All patients with type III SCT presented with related diseases, including bilateral hydronephrosis, neurological deficit of the communicating peroneal nerve such as paralytic talipes equines, bladder or bowel dysfunction, high‐output cardiac failure, or fetal hydrops in one of a set of fraternal twins. A baby with high‐output cardiac failure and fetal hydrops underwent urgent cesarean section at 29 weeks’ gestation and died 8 days after birth despite intensive care due to multi‐organ failure. In five cases, surgery was successful with good outcomes maintained at follow‐up of between 8 months and 14 years.Conclusions: Detailed ultrasound should be performed to rule out associated anomalies, and determine the presence or absence of hydrops in prenatally diagnosed SCT. Fetal hydrops, orthopedic impairment such as lower extremity weakness and swelling, and urinary incontinence are important clinical factors affecting the outcome after birth in prenatally diagnosed SCT. In particular, the present study indicated that the association of a fraternal twin and fetal hydrops makes it very difficult to treat SCT perinatally.
Neonatal rat hypoxia–ischemia: Effect of the anti‐oxidant mitoquinol, and S‐PBN
Authors: Hobbs Catherine E. , Murphy Michael P. , Smith Robin A.J. , Oorschot Dorothy E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: The production of oxygen free radicals after perinatal hypoxia–ischemia is thought to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the brain injury. Administration of anti‐oxidants may thus be neuroprotective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a mitochondria‐targeted anti‐oxidant mitoquinol (mitoQ) administered in the form of the prodrug mitoquinone, and an extracellular anti‐oxidant N‐tert‐butyl‐(2‐sulfophenyl)‐nitrone (S‐PBN; Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA), on neuronal survival in the rat striatum after acute perinatal hypoxia–ischemia.Methods: Mitoquinone at 17 μmol/L (n = 6) or 51 μmol/L (n = 6), or its diluent (n = 12), was continuously infused over 3 days into the right striatum of Sprague–Dawley rats. Infusion was via an Alzet micro‐osmotic pump (Alza, Los Angeles, CA, USA), stereotaxically implanted on postnatal day (PN) 7 under anesthesia. In another experiment, S‐PBN (100 mg/kg) (n = 8) or its diluent (n = 8) was administered in six s.c. injections every 12 h from the evening of PN7. Hypoxia–ischemia was induced on PN8 by right common carotid artery ligation under anesthesia, followed 2.5 h later by exposure to 8% oxygen for 1.5 h. On PN14 the pups were euthanased and 40 μm serial sections were cut through the entire striatum. The total number of medium‐spiny neurons within the right striatum was stereologically determined using the optical disector/Cavalieri method.Results: No significant difference was seen in the total number of striatal medium‐spiny neurons between the 17 μmol/L or 51 μmol/L mitoQ‐treated pups and their respective diluent‐treated controls. No significant difference was seen in the total number of striatal medium‐spiny neurons between the S‐PBN‐treated and diluent‐treated pups.Conclusion: Solely targeting mitochondrial oxidants with mitoQ, or extracellular oxidants with S‐PBN, is not protective for striatal medium‐spiny neurons after perinatal hypoxia–ischemia.
Elevated serum soluble E‐selectin levels in Korean children with measles
Authors: Park Eun Y. , Shim Jung Y. , Kim Deok S. , Shim Jae W. , Jung Hye L. , Park Moon S. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackgrounds: Measles is a highly infectious, acute viral illness characterized by high fever and generalized skin rash of which pathogenesis is uncertain. E‐selectin, a ligand of the cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CLA)+ T lymphocytes is highly expressed on vascular endothelium in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, but in the past there has been a lack of statistical data on its impact on patients with measles. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the serum soluble E‐selectin (sE‐selectin) levels are elevated in children with measles.Methods: Twenty‐five children with measles, 33 children with atopic dermatitis, 20 with atopic asthma and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum sE‐selectin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α levels were measured using sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Serum levels of sE‐selectin were found to be significantly higher in children with measles than in children with atopic dermatitis, atopic asthma and healthy controls. But it was not significantly correlated with the duration of rash or with the presence of a complication in children with measles. Serum TNF‐α levels were higher in children with measles than in children with atopic dermatitis. There was no correlation between sE‐selectin and TNF‐α levels.Conclusions: sE‐selectin levels are elevated in children with measles, which may imply that CLA+ T lymphocytes are associated with the development of measles rash.
Hypercholesterolemia in Thai primary school children: Relation to maternal and nutritional factors
Authors: Yamborisut Uruwan , Sungpuag Pongtorn , Wimonpeerapattana Wanphen 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: There is evidence to show that atherosclerosis can occur in young children and that elevated total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations are risk factors for atherosclerosis. The aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to investigate the influence of maternal and nutritional factors on blood cholesterol in primary school children.Methods: One hundred and ninety‐five population‐based mother–child pairs (obese child–overweight mother pairs, n = 60; obese child–normal‐weight mother pairs, n = 48; wasted child–overweight mother pairs, n = 37; normal‐weight child–normal‐weight mother pairs, n = 50), were enrolled in the study. Various anthropometric parameters were measured and serum lipids of subjects were further determined. Biological data and children’s eating behavior were obtained from the mothers through interviews.Results: Hypercholesterolemia was found in 64.6–65% of obese children, 24.3% of wasted children and in 56% of the normal‐weight children; whereas the proportion of children in all groups who had normal blood cholesterol levels was in the lower range. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that mother’s serum cholesterol (odds ratio [OR], 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–4.78), child obesity defined by weight‐for‐height Z‐score > +2SD (OR, 2.56; 95%CI: 1.33–4.98), and child’s energy intake ≥75th percentile (OR, 2.59; 95%CI: 1.01–6.66) were the significant factors associated with hypercholesterolemia in children.Conclusion: Hypercholesterolemia in school children is associated with familial factor, bodyweight and nutrient intake. Elevated blood cholesterol was also found in some of the normal‐weight and wasted children. Effective family‐based intervention programs are urgently needed to modify risk factors predisposing to coronary heart disease.
Ecological and evolutionary consequences of niche construction for its agent
Authors: Kylafis Grigoris , Loreau Michel 
Published: August 2008

AbstractNiche construction can generate ecological and evolutionary feedbacks that have been underinvestigated so far. We present an eco‐evolutionary model that incorporates the process of niche construction to reveal its effects on the ecology and evolution of the niche‐constructing agent. We consider a simple plant–soil nutrient ecosystem in which plants have the ability to increase the input of inorganic nutrient as an example of positive niche construction. On an ecological time scale, the model shows that niche construction allows the persistence of plants under infertile soil conditions that would otherwise lead to their extinction. This expansion of plants’ niche, however, requires a high enough rate of niche construction and a high enough initial plant biomass to fuel the positive ecological feedback between plants and their soil environment. On an evolutionary time scale, we consider that the rates of niche construction and nutrient uptake coevolve in plants while a trade‐off constrains their values. Different evolutionary outcomes are possible depending on the shape of the trade‐off. We show that niche construction results in an evolutionary feedback between plants and their soil environment such that plants partially regulate soil nutrient content. The direct benefit accruing to plants, however, plays a crucial role in the evolutionary advantage of niche construction.
Neutralizing antibodies against interferon beta: fluctuation is modest and titre dependent
Authors: Sominanda A. , Hillert J. , Fogdell‐Hahn A. 
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  Neutralizing antibody (NAb) titres may vary over time and thereby some patients can either lose or regain therapeutic effect of interferon beta (IFNβ). We assessed NAb titres in a large sample of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to identify the pattern of fluctuation during 1–3 years.Methods:  Data from IFNβ‐treated MS patients who had been tested for NAbs twice (n = 822) were analysed. NAb titres were compared between the first and the second samples across the critical NAb level of 150 TRU/ml, which we have previously reported to correlate with loss of bioactivity.Results:  Of patients with NAb titres high enough to indicate loss of bioactivity (>150 TRU/ml) in the first analysis 15% showed titres low enough to indicate a regained bioactivity. Conversely, 6% of those without detectable NAbs or NAb titres below the critical level of 150 TRU/ml had shifted to titres above this limit, indicating potential loss of bioactivity. Fluctuation did not differ between IFNβ preparation used, treatment duration or sampling interval.Conclusion:  A first NAb test is prognostic for the NAb status during the coming 1–3 years. Choice of IFNβ preparation had no influence on the chance of reverting to lower levels once NAb titres are high.
Disciplinary and Contextually Appropriate Approaches to Leadership of Teaching in Research‐Intensive Academic Departments in Higher Education
Authors: Gibbs Graham , Knapper Christopher , Piccinin Sergio 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis paper reports aspects of an international study of leadership of teaching in 19 departments with outstanding teaching records in 11 research‐intensive universities. Leadership was found to take different forms in different discipline areas, in different organisational cultures, and in response to major problems affecting the department. While most of the heads conceived of leadership of teaching in similarly sophisticated ways, and there were other common themes across contexts, how these conceptions were evident in action to support and develop teaching was highly context‐dependent. To illustrate this point, two departments are contrasted in terms of leadership activities found most frequently across all 19 departments. It is clear from this comparison that teaching excellence was achieved in entirely different ways involving widely contrasting leadership behaviour. The paper argues that advice and guidance for heads of department on their leadership of teaching should pay careful attention to the context rather than make assumptions about the general applicability of leadership theory or advice.
Academics or executives? Continuity and change in the roles of pro‐vice‐chancellors1
Authors: Smith David , Adams Jonathan 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe leadership roles of pro‐vice‐chancellors (PVCs) in the United Kingdom and elsewhere have evolved markedly over the last three decades while universities have been encouraged to shift towards more executive styles of leadership and decision‐making. The change does not only reflect changing institutional needs, however, but an accommodation of deeper historical continuities around institutional autonomy and academic values. Most PVCs are drawn from the ranks of professors; typically have an Oxbridge, London or big civic background; and most are male. The role gains authority through influence, rather than command, and depends on academic experience and credibility to be effective. PVCs maintain a complex corporate‐academic web balancing two, sometimes contradictory, roles: one firmly academic, concerning cross‐institutional responsibility for core academic values and mission; the other more bureaucratic or executive, focusing on the burgeoning demands of accountability. The research cautions against a simple model of executive leadership. Understanding the needs of academic leadership and the contours of its practices remains paramount.
Caffeic acid alleviates the increased lipid levels of serum and tissues in alcohol‐induced rats
Authors: Karthikesan Krishnamoorthy , Pari Leelavinothan 
Published: August 2008

AbstractEthanol is one of the most widely used and abused drugs that increases lipid levels in human and experimental animals. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of caffeic acid (CA) on alcohol‐induced alterations of lipid levels in serum, liver and kindey of Wistar rats. The alcohol toxicity was induced by oral administration of ethanol (7.9 g/kg/bw) for 45 days through intragastric intubation. The elevation in the levels of lipids upon alcohol administration was accompanied by a significant increase in the levels of cholesterol, phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG) in serum, liver and kidney. Oral administration of CA (12 mg/kg/bw) to alcohol fed rats significantly decreased the serum and tissue lipid levels to near those of the control rats. In conclusion, our study suggests that oral administration of CA to alcohol fed rats markedly reduced the accumulation of cholesterol, TG, FFA and PL in circulation, liver and kidney.
Cerebral malaria and epilepsy
Authors: Ngoungou Edgard Brice , Preux Pierre‐Marie 
Published: August 2008

SummaryMalaria, one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide, is responsible for more than one million deaths among African children every year. Its neurological form, known as cerebral malaria (CM) is a potential cause of epilepsy in malaria‐endemic regions of the world, primarily made up for the most part by the sub‐Saharan Africa. Herein, we review recent African studies that examine the association between CM and epilepsy. Three studies suggest a modestly strong association between CM and epilepsy. Furthermore, there appears little doubt that this association is causal. Speculative considerations that may explain this causal association are discussed in this review. Additional research is however required in order to determine the clinical and electrographic behavior, the underlying structural and molecular basis, and course and outcome of this condition.
Changes in GABAA receptor properties in amygdala kindled animals: In vivo studies using [11C]flumazenil and positron emission tomography
Authors: Liefaard Lia C. , Ploeger Bart A. , Molthoff Carla F. M. , De Jong Hugo W. A. M. , Dijkstra Jouke , Van Der Weerd Louise , Lammertsma Adriaan A. , Danhof Meindert , Voskuyl Rob A. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryPurpose:  The purpose of the present investigation was to quantify alterations in GABAA receptor density in vivo in rats subjected to amygdala kindling.Methods:  The GABAA receptor density was quantified by conducting a [11C]flumazenil (FMZ) positron emission tomography (PET) study according to the full saturation method, in which each animal received a single injection of FMZ to fully saturate the GABAA receptors. Subsequently, the concentration‐time curves of FMZ in blood [using high‐pressure liquid chromatography with UV detector (HPLC‐UV) or high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)] and brain (with PET‐scanning) were analyzed by population modeling using a pharmacokinetic model, containing expressions to describe the time course of FMZ in blood and brain.Results:  The GABAA receptor density (Bmax) in kindled rats was decreased by 36% compared with controls. This is consistent with a reduction of 28% in electroencephalography (EEG) effect of midazolam in the same animal model, suggesting that a reduced number of GABAA receptors underlies the decreased efficacy of midazolam. Furthermore, receptor affinity (KD) was not changed, but the total volume of distribution in the brain (VBr), is increased to 178% of control after kindling, which might indicate an alteration in the transport of FMZ across the blood–brain barrier.Conclusions:  Both the GABAA receptor density (Bmax), and possibly also the blood–brain barrier transport of FMZ (VBr) are altered after kindling. Furthermore, this study indicates the feasibility of conducting PET studies for quantifying moderate changes in GABAA receptor density in a rat model of epilepsy in vivo.