bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magic Lite Chlamydia Immunoassay in Urogenital Samples and Urine versus Chlamydial Culture
Authors: Bygdeman S M , Johansson M , Jonasson J , Lidbrink P , Nilsson U , Teichert C , Viktorsson S 
Published: January 2017

Magic Lite Chlamydia assay (commercial test kit for the identification of Chlamydia trachomatis) was evaluated on urogenital samples and urine with chlamydial culture as the reference method. The sediment of the transportation buffer of specimens which were Magic Lite positive but culture negative or toxic was investigated for elementary bodies with fluorescein-labelled anti-chlamydial antibodies. The prevalence of chlamydial infection among the 577 men investigated was 13.7% as estimated by culture and direct immunofluorescence and 6.4% among the 173 women. In order to improve the sensitivity a cut-off value below that recommended by the manufacturer was used. The sensitivity of Magic Lite in male urethral specimens was then 60.8% and that in female urethral/cervical specimens 90.9%. The specificity was 99.6% and 100%, respectively. In urine specimens the sensitivity of Magic Lite was 63.3% (men) and 63.6% (women). The specificity was 99.4% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of Magic Lite on male urethral specimens was related to the number of inclusion bodies per well in culture and it was higher among men attending with clinical findings of urethritis (69%) than among asymptomatic men sampled as a screening procedure (36%) ( P < 0.05). Corresponding differences between the sexes and between those with and without symptoms were not noted for Magic Lite applied on urine samples.
Effect of Sexual Practices on T Cell Subsets and Delayed Hypersensitivity in Transsexuals and Female Sex Workers
Authors: Ratnam K V 
Published: January 2017

To determine whether ano-receptive unprotected sexual intercourse (SI) practised by transsexuals produces immunological abnormalities we compared delayed hypersensitivity skin tests (DTH) and T cell helper (CD4) and suppressor (CD8) subsets in 57 transsexuals and 69 female sex worker controls. The populations were matched for age, duration of prostitution, number of clients and previous use of antibiotics. Heterosexual males and females and transsexuals who practised protected SI, were also included as controls. All were HIV negative. There were significantly increased absolute CD4 and CD8 counts and decreased DTH and CD4/CD8 ratios in those who practised unprotected ano-receptive SI. These changes were unlikely to be due to any of the microbial agents tested. We conclude that ano-receptive sexual intercourse results in increased immunological abnormalities in these sex workers possibly as a result of rectal exposure to seminal alloantigens. These abnormalities could play an important role as co-factors in disease transmission.
When to Perform the Final HIV Antibody Test following Possible Exposure
Authors:   The British Co-operative Clinical Group, Waugh M A , Carne C A , Meaden J D , Arya O P , Radcliffe K , Shamanesh M , Pattman R S , Haye K R , Isaacson J R , Taylor P K , Goh B , Lawrence A G , Thin R N , Nayagam A T , Bignell C J , Willmott F E , Wilson J , Maw R D , McMillan A , O'Mahoney C , Mercy D , Dinsmore W , Nicoll A , Catchpole M , Harris J W 
Published: January 2017

Summary: The senior consultant and senior health adviser in all genitourinary medicine clinics in the UK were sent a questionnaire on HIV testing practice in seven clinical scenarios. For each scenario the recommended time interval between possible exposure and final HIV antibody test varied from a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of over 5 years. The results show 2 broad patterns: when the contact was not someone known to be HIV positive the commonest recommended time interval was 3 months; for a known exposure to HIV the commonest recommendation was 6 months. Only 16 out of the 151 clinics replying had a written policy setting out the interval to elapse between possible exposure to HIV and the final test for HIV antibodies. Variation of practice within clinics is less where written policies exist. Some staff in clinics are recommending inappropriately long intervals before the final HIV test.
Hospital Service Utilization by HIV/AIDS Patients and Their Management Cost in a Provincial Genitourinary Medicine Department
Authors: Nageswaran A , Kinghorn G R , Shen R N , Priestley C J F , Kyi T T 
Published: January 2017

Summary: The hospital management of 108 HIV/AIDS patients cared for by the genitourinary medicine department, Sheffield, UK between 1984–93 was retrospectively studied to quantify the services utilized by these patients and to detail the management costs (1993 price) of outpatient (OP) services, inpatient (IP) care, investigational services and therapeutic provisions. The services utilized and cost are presented separately for the different clinical stages of the infection and as per patient year. Of the 108 patients, 95 (88%) were males and 13 (12%) females; most males (76.8%) acquired the infection through homosexual exposure, while 46% of females acquired it heterosexually. The mean number of OP consultation per asymptomatic, symptomatic non-AIDS and AIDS patient years were 11.6, 16.4 and 32.8 respectively; the mean number of IP episodes for each of these clinical groups were 0.15, 0.83 and 3.88 with IP stays 0.7, 3.5 and 40.6 days per patient year respectively. The annual costs of OP care (£45.26 per consultation), drugs and investigations were, respectively £525, £213 and £153 per asymptomatic patient year, £742, £2097 and £224 per symptomatic non-AIDS patient year and £1485, £2928 and £382 per AIDS patient year. The average annual OP drug cost per patient year showed little change since 1988, However, in the AIDS group, contributions from differing drug classes showed significant changes; while the contribution of antiretroviral drugs fell from 80.2% of the drug cost per AIDS patient year in 1990 to 31.3% in 1993, that from antibiotics rose from 0.3% in 1990 to 26.4% in 1993 and other antivirals from 9.4% in 1988 to 22.6% in 1993. These changes were related to lower recommended daily dosage of zidovudine and to wider prescription of antibiotics for atypical mycobacterial infections and domiciliary gancyclovir for CMV infection. The costs of annual mean IP care, IP drugs, IP investigations and IP procedures per AIDS patient year were £5926 (£146 per IP stay), £2983, £282 and £145 respectively. The overall management cost of one AIDS patient year was £14 131 and lifetime AIDS management cost, based on a mean survival of 17 months, a little more than £20 000. The annual management cost of an asymptomatic and symptomatic non-AIDS patient year is approximately 1/14th and 1/4th of the cost of an AIDS patient year.
Epidemic Spread of Plasmid-Mediated Tetracycline Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in Zaire
Authors: Van Dyck E , Laga M , Manoka Abib Thiam , Behets F , Piot Peter 
Published: January 2017

Summary: A cohort of 650 prostitutes from Kinshasa, Zaire, was followed at monthly intervals for sexually transmitted diseases as part of an HIV intervention project. Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates, obtained during a period of 30 months, were auxoryped, serotyped and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Among 1085 gonococcal isolates tested, 725 (67%) produced β-lactamase (PPNG) and 323 (30%) showed plasmid-mediated resistance to tetracyline (TRNG). Over time, the prevalence of PPNG varied between 60 and 73%, while the level of TRNG increased from 11 to 45%.
Gonorrhoea as an Indicator of Altered Sexual Behaviour and as a Surrogate Marker of HIV Concern: A 13-Year Analysis in Newcastle
Authors: Wardropper A G , Pattman R S 
Published: January 2017

Summary: It has been proposed that changes in sexual behaviour arising out of concerns regarding HIV infection can be inferred by changes in the incidence of gonorrhoea. We have reviewed data on gonococcal isolates in Newcastle over the last 13 years and looked at changes in relation to HIV test requests, new cases of HIV infection and media campaigns. HIV testing has been available in the clinic since late 1985. There was a steady decline in cases of gonorrhoea from 1985–1991 and then as in other areas an increase in incidence was seen among homosexual and bisexual men. The majority of this recent increase was due to pharyngeal infection. Sexual behaviour may have changed but this cannot be purely attributed to HIV concerns. HIV testing began after the incidence of gonorrhoea in England was already falling and we found no relationship between trends in gonorrhoea, HIV test requests and new cases of HIV infection.
Strategic Management of Utilization of New and Renewable Energy in The Rural Areas of Tunisia
Authors: Chaibi M.T. 
Published: January 2017

In Tunisia, the rural people have the smallest amounts of energy available. Their energy is used mainly for basic needs, and it often comes from noncommercial fuels, especially wood. Therefore, the rural areas are facing severe and interrelated problems of energy and environment. The environmental impacts of intensified production processes aggravate the degradation of ecologic systems. The analysis of the energy situation in rural areas of Tunisia has shown that a growing energy consumption can be expected over the entire spectrum of economic and social activities. To cope with this crisis, technologies for energy requirements should not only meet energy needs; they must also be geared to particular economic, social and environmental conditions. Technically efficient, decentralized systems for the utilization of new and renewable energy can help in this by meeting the demand for higher quality energy. This article attempts to propose precepts upon which a strategy can be formulated for a rational use of renewable energy in the rural areas.
Evidence from the Scandinavian Tree Line Since the Last Ice Age
Authors: Karlén Wibjörn , Kuylenstierna Johan 
Published: January 2017

The focus of this paper is to investigate the possible correlation between changes in the Scandinavian climate and solar activity. Information about climatic changes in Sweden and Norway has been obtained from three sources: the carbon-14 dating of pine wood retrieved from above the present pine tree limit, studies of glacial sediments and the carbon dating of alpine glacier moraines. Alpine tree limits reveal that summer temperatures in general were warmer during the millennia following the last ice age. Superimposed on this general trend are fluctuations of a few hundred years duration. A period probably as cold as the last several hundred years occurred around 8200 years ago. Other severe cooling took place around 4500,2200 and 1200 years ago. The timing of major climatic events has been compared with solar activity as measured by carbn-14 changes and shows a good correlation with cold periods in Scandinavia for most of the last 8000 years. Deviations between carbn-14 anomalies and the climatic record may be due to volcanic eruptions increasing the concentration of sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere. A similarity between the periods of cold climate and carbon-14 levels indicates that solar variability may be an important factor for climate change.
Q-T interval prolongation and pleomorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia (`Torsade de pointes') in organophosphate poisoning: report of a case
Authors: Wang Ming-Hsi , Tseng Chuen-Den , Bair Shyi-Yann 
Published: January 2017

1 A 63-year-old woman presented with drowsy consciousness and dyspnea, followed by respiratory failure, after taking a bottle of parathion for suicide. 2 Sinus tachycardia was noted initially by ECG and Q-T interval prolongation with pleomorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia (`Torsade de pointes') occurred on the third day of admission. 3 Torsade de pointes was relieved by magnesium sulfate and atropine sulfate intravenously. Q-T interval returned to normal on the fifth day of admission. 4 Practicing physicians should be aware of this uncommon type of cardiac toxicity caused by organophosphate poisoning, Q-T interval prolongation and pleomorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia.
Poisoning with tilidine and naloxone: toxicokinetic and clinical observations
Authors: Regenthal R , Krüger M , Richter M , Preiss R 
Published: January 2017

The opioid analgesic tilidine and its metabolites were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-detection in serum from a 28 year-old woman who ingested 100 ml Valoron8N containing 6.94 g of tilidine and about 0.56 g of naloxone with suicidal intention. Data on the toxicokinetics of tilidine in severe poisonings are missing. Therefore we followed serum concentrations of tilidine and metabolites for 48 or 96 h and for the first time calculated basic kinetic parameters in a massive life threatening poisoning. Serum concentration of tilidine 3 h after ingestion was 38.1 mg/l which is about 70 times of the upper therapeutic level in man and about ninefold above toxic concentrations known so far. The concentration of nortilidine, the primary active metabolite at this time was 18.8 mg/l. The terminal elimination half life's of tilidine and nortilidine were explicit, prolonged with 23.9 and 13.9 h respectively. The competitive opiate antagonist naloxone, which is added as a part of the industrially produced preparation Valoron8N solution to minimise oral abuse is not able to prevent ventilatory depression in massive overdoses.
Elastic Wave Transmission between Walls in Framed Buildings
Authors: Steel John A 
Published: January 2017

The majority of framed buildings have joints between walls with a column running along the joint. Recent work has identified the importance of the column which generally reduces sound transmission between walls at high frequencies. In this work the effects of incident longitudinal or transverse waves as well as flexural waves at a joint with a column is studied together with the effects of an eccentricity. For incident flexural waves the importance of deformation of a column cross section due to shear forces on connected plates has been identified. In this work all of these properties are considered and effects on predicted sound transmission through framed buildings are demonstrated for each of the three wave types. Solutions for transmission coefficients for bending, longitudinal and transverse shear waves at inline, corner cross and tee joints are obtained. The results satisfy reciprocity conditions. It is important to know what properties of the column have greatest effect on transmission so that the overall performance of buildings can be improved. The effects of varying the column cross section, materials properties and eccentricity are studied. Of these, variations in column dimensions produce the largest changes in transmission while typical variations in material properties and eccentricity are not important.
Environmental Assessment Australia's New Outlook under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
Authors: Bates Gerry 
Published: January 2017

Environmental law in Australia owes much of its origins to British ancestry, but as a political federation of states and territories, Australia has also looked to other federal jurisdictions in the USA and Canada to help determine appropriate legal responsibilities for protection of the environment and management of natural resources. Environmental assessment of activities at Commonwealth level indeed was initially influenced by the American and Canadian models; but in recent years Australian governments have sought a more refined approach that reflects the realities of a new era of ‘co-operative federalism’ ushered in by the Inter-governmental Agreement on the Environment 1992. The promulgation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBCA) represents the conclusion of this search for the most appropriate statement of Commonwealth/state responsibilities for the environment; and represents the most fundamental reform of Commonwealth responsibility for the environment in the past 30 years. The Act, which came into force on 16 July 2000, replaces five existing statutes; the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cth); the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974 (Cth) (EPIP Act); the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 (Cth); the Whale Protection Act 1980 (Cth), and the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983 (Cth).1 The passage of the Act has been controversial because it appears to limit the legal responsibilities of the federal government to a narrow list of defined circumstances, omitting in the process some environmental issues in Australia that might appear to demand a national approach. The purpose of this paper is to describe the background and philosophy behind the new legislation, and outline the provisions for Commonwealth environmental assessment and approval of actions that might significantly affect the environment.
Endovascular Thermal Coagulation Using the Double-Helix GDC
Authors: Guglielmi G. , Ji C. 
Published: January 2017

An experimental study was undertaken to explore the possibility of treating this subset of aneurysms with thermal coagulation. Endovascular endosaccular thermal coagulation of experimental aneurysms was successfully performed using a radiofrequency electrical current applied to a novel device, the double-helix GDC. Theoretically this technique could be utilized in selected patients to occlude large and giant intracranial aneurysms.
Transvenous Treatment of Cranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas with Hydrogel Coated Coils
Authors: Klurfan P. , Gunnarsson T. , Shelef I. , Terbrugge K.G. , Willinsky R.A. 
Published: January 2017

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) with cortical venous reflux may become symptomatic due to venous congestion or intracranial hemorrhage. Venous congestion in the orbit can also occur resulting in proptosis, chemosis, double vision and progressive visual loss. The transvenous approach has been used for selective disconnection of the venous drainage to eliminate the venous congestion and future risk of intracranial bleeding and/or neurological deficit. Hydrogel coated coils (HydroCoil®) expand after contact with blood causing the coils to swell up to five to 11 times a standard 10-system bare platinum coil. Due to this property, HydroCoils could have an advantage over platinum coils in the transvenous approach to embolization of DAVFs. Ten patients with symptomatic cranial DAVF underwent a transvenous embolization using HydroCoils as the only embolic agent or in a combination with bare platinum coils. The patients' characteristics, symptoms, angioarchitecture of the DAVF, treatment, complications and results were analyzed. All the treated DAVFs were disconnected at the end of the procedure. All the patients with orbital symptoms had complete or significant improvement. There were no periprocedural complications. Nine patients had radiological follow-up showing cure. HydroCoils can be used effectively and safely to treat intracranial DAVFs transvenously. The volume expansion of Hydrocoils may have significant advantage over bare platinum coils given the large venous spaces that need to be filled. The use of HydroCoils may decrease the procedure time and consequently reduce the radiation dose to the patient.
Pseudoaneurysm of Internal Carotid Artery following Mandibular Reconstruction Treated by Covered Stent
Authors: Mejdoubi M. , Dekeister C. , Irsutti M. , Cognard C. , Paoli J-R. 
Published: January 2017

We describe the case of a 68-year-old woman who had a mandibular titanium plate reconstruction following surgery for a parotid carcinoma. Fifteen months later she presented bleeding episodes related to a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery located just above the bulb. This was probably related to the weakening of the arterial wall following friction with the mandibular plate and radiotherapy. We successfully obliterated this pseudoaneurysm using a covered stent. This rare diagnosis should be evoked in case of bleeding following a mandibular reconstruction. Stenting is an effective treatment strategy obviating the need for open surgery.
Three-Stent Placement for Treatment of Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Amistà P. , Barbisan D. , Beghetto M. , Cavasin N. , Zucchetta P. , Frego M. 
Published: January 2017

Pseudoaneurysm treatment with overlapping stents may be a useful technique to reduce flow and enhance thrombosis in the aneurysmal sac. We treated a pseudoaneurysm of the left carotid artery in a patient with a history of bilateral carotid thromboendarterectomy by placing three stents and overlapping them at the level of the aneurysmal neck. Nine month follow-up revealed almost complete pseudoaneurysm exclusion and patency of the carotid artery.
A Potential Pitfall in the Use of the Monorail System for Carotid Stenting
Authors: Pereira E. , Birnbaum L. 
Published: January 2017

The use of EPDs seems to be necessary for safe CAS. Though the monorail system may offer advantages for a single operator, we caution its use with certain aortic arch anatomies. In such anatomies, using an OTW system or at least a 300 cm filter wire or devices that support wire extension will remedy some complications, such as the loss of the guiding sheath. As in our case, the added advantage of a 300 cm filter wire enabled us to avoid a poor outcome or an emergency vascular surgery.
DEC-net: the development of the European register of clinical trials on medicines for children
Authors: Santoro Eugenio , Rossi Valentina , Pandolfini Chiara , Bonati Maurizio 
Published: January 2017

Background The need to register a clinical trial in a public database has been widely discussed in the last few years. Several general clinical trial registers have been developed, but none are dedicated to children. A web-based register of trials on drug therapy in children was therefore developed. Purpose The general objective of the project, called DEC-NET ( European register of clinical trials on medicines for children - drug evaluation in children) and supported by the European Community, is to provide the scientific community with a flexible tool for promoting communication and collaboration among researchers, disseminating clinical trial results and facilitating patient access and recruitment to trials. Methods We identified a set of trial data to be collected, including general trial information, recruitment information, eligibility criteria, clinical trial characteristics, location and contact information, study drugs, study sponsor and results. The system was set up to allow authorized users (working in Italy, Spain, France and UK) to enter, handle and monitor the trial information. Medical data dictionaries (ie, ICD-9 and ATC) were used in order to make the data-entry and the search and data analysis procedures easier. A multilingual approach in data handling and presentation made accessing trial information in English and in the language of the country where the study is located feasible. Search and browsing tools were set up to allow investigators, researchers, and citizens to freely search and browse the entire register and access the details of trials meeting the search criteria. Results The DEC-net register (http://www.dec-net.org) was opened for trial notification and consultation. Limitations DEC-net currently involves four European countries and is a pilot project. Conclusions It is hoped that what has been achieved so far represents only the beginning of a long-term project, and the next step will be to extend the register’s use to other European countries.