bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Classification and characteristics of Japanese patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis in a nationwide, prospective, inception cohort study
Authors: Sada Ken-ei , Yamamura Masahiro , Harigai Masayoshi , Fujii Takao , Dobashi Hiroaki , Takasaki Yoshinari , Ito Satoshi , Yamada Hidehiro , Wada Takashi , Hirahashi Junichi , Arimura Yoshihiro , Makino Hirofumi ,   the Research Committee on Intractable Vasculitides, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Introduction
We investigated the clinical and serological features of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) in Japan using data from a nationwide, prospective, inception cohort study.

Methods
In total, 156 Japanese patients with newly diagnosed AAV were classified according to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) algorithm with exploratory surrogate markers for AAV-related non-granulomatous pulmonary lesions, predefined as alveolar haemorrhage and interstitial lung disease (ILD), and their clinical and serological features were evaluated.

Results
Using the EMEA algorithm, we identified 14 patients (9.0%) with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), 33 (21.2%) with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), 78 (50.0%) with microscopic polyangiitis and renal-limited vasculitis (MPA/RLV), and 31 (19.9%) with unclassifiable vasculitis. The average ages of patients with EGPA (male/female, 5/9), GPA (12/21), and MPA/RLV (35/43) and unclassifiable (9/22) were 58.0, 63.6, 71.1, and 70.6 years, respectively. Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA and proteinase-3 ANCA positivity was 50.0% and 0% for EGPA, 54.6% and 45.5% for GPA, 97.4% and 2.6% for MPA/RLV, and 93.5% and 3.2% for unclassifiable, respectively. According to the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), cutaneous (71.4%) and nervous system (92.9%) manifestations were prominent in EGPA and ear, nose, and throat manifestations (84.9%) and chest manifestations (66.7%) in GPA. Renal manifestations developed frequently in MPA/RLV (91.0%) and GPA (63.6%). The average serum creatinine levels were 0.71 mg/dL for EGPA, 1.51 mg/dL for GPA, 2.46 mg/dL for MPA/RLV, and 0.69 mg/dL for unclassifiable. The percentages of patients with ILD were 14.3% for EGPA, 9.0% for GPA, 47.4% for MPA/RLV, and 61.3% for unclassifiable. Patients with ILD (n = 61) had significantly lower BVAS (P = 0.019) with fewer ear, nose, and throat and cardiovascular manifestations than patients without ILD (n = 95).

Conclusions
MPO-ANCA-positive MPA/RLV is the most common form of AAV in Japanese patients, and one-half of patients with GPA were positive for MPO-ANCA. ILD is an important clinical manifestation in Japanese patients with AAV. Unclassifiable vasculitis with MPO-ANCA positivity and ILD may represent a novel variant of MPA.

Trial Registration
The University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000001648. Registered 28 February 2009.
A preliminary evaluation of efficacy and safety of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Liu Xuebin , Zheng Pei , Wang Xiaodong , Dai Guanghui , Cheng Hongbin , Zhang Zan , Hua Rongrong , Niu Xinxin , Shi Jing , An Yihua 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Stem cell therapy has recently been introduced to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no data are available on the efficacy and safety of allogeneic Wharton’s Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell (WJ-MSC) transplantation in patients with T2DM. Here we performed a non-placebo controlled prospective phase I/II study to determine efficacy and safety of WJ-MSC transplantation in T2DM.

Methods
Twenty-two patients with T2DM were enrolled and received WJ-MSC transplantation through one intravenous injection and one intrapancreatic endovascular injection (catheterization). They were followed up for 12 months after transplantation. The primary endpoints were changes in the levels of glycated hemoglobin and C-peptide and the secondary endpoints included insulin dosage, fasting blood glucose (FBG), post-meal blood glucose (PBG), inflammatory markers and T lymphocyte counts.

Results
WJ-MSC transplantation significantly decreased the levels of glucose and glycated hemoglobin, improved C-peptide levels and beta cell function, and reduced markers of systemic inflammation and T lymphocyte counts. No major WJ-MSC transplantation-related adverse events occurred, but data suggest a temporary decrease in levels of C-peptide and beta cell function at one month after treatment, possibly related to intrapancreatic endovascular injection.

Conclusions
Our data demonstrate that treatment with WJ-MSCs can improve metabolic control and beta cell function in patients with T2DM. The therapeutic mechanism may involve improvements in systemic inflammation and/or immunological regulation.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR-ONC-10000985. Registered 23 September 2010
Assessing Species Boundaries and Sex-Associations in the GenusDrepanaporus(Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), With Comparison of the Utility of Cytochrome c Oxidase I and a Nuclear Molecular Marker, and the Description of a New Species ofDrepanaporus
Authors: Rodriguez Juanita , Dohlen Carol D Von , Pitts James P 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe taxonomy of the Antillean genus Drepanaporus Bradley (Pompilidae) is problematic because of sexual dimorphism and nearly uniform morphology of males across species. Species limits are not well understood, and sexes are not properly associated in all species. In this study, we reassessed morphology, and collected novel molecular data for the purpose of determining species boundaries and establishing sex-associations for all species. Two genes, cytochrome c oxidase (COI) and long-wavelength rhodopsin (LWRh) were amplified for 20 specimens of Drepanaporus, from both females and males. Using LWRh (including both introns and exons) and COI sequences, the relationships of Drepanaporus samples were reconstructed. Sequences obtained for COI showed unusually high divergences and putative introgression, and thus were not used for taxonomic decisions. Taxonomic changes were made based on the LWRh phylogenetic results. A new species of Drepanaporus— Drepanaporus bachata sp. nov—is described herein based on both molecular and morphological characters for both male and female specimens, and a key is provided for the genus for the three species now recognized. We also discuss the usefulness of mitochondrial and nuclear markers in Pompilidae for species delimitations and sex-associations.
An Ethnographic Study of Barriers to Cancer Pain Management and Opioid Availability in India
Authors: LeBaron Virginia , Beck Susan L. , Maurer Martha , Black Fraser , Palat Gayatri 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background.
The world's global cancer burden disproportionally affects lower income countries, where 80% of patients present with late-stage disease and have limited access to palliative care and effective pain-relieving medications, such as morphine. Consequently, millions die each year with unrelieved pain.

Objective.
The objective of this study was to examine barriers to opioid availability and cancer pain management in India, with an emphasis on the experiences of nurses, who are often the front-line providers of palliative care.

Methods.
Fifty-nine participants were recruited using a purposive, snowball sampling strategy. Ethnographic data collection included in-depth, semistructured interviews (n = 54), 400+ hours of participant observation, and review of documents over 9 months at a government cancer hospital in South India. Systematic qualitative analysis led to identification of key barriers that are exemplified by representative quotes.

Results.
Morphine is more available at this study site than in most of India, but access is limited to patients seen by the palliative care service, and significant gaps in supply still occur. Systems to measure and improve pain outcomes are largely absent. Key barriers related to pain management include the role of nursing, opioid misperceptions, bureaucratic hurdles, and sociocultural/infrastructure challenges.

Implications.
Interventions must streamline process details of morphine procurement, work within the existing sociocultural infrastructure to ensure opioids reach patients most in need, target unexpected audiences for symptom management education, and account for role expectations of health care providers.

Conclusion.
Macro- and micro-level policy and practice changes are needed to improve opioid availability and cancer pain management in India.
Calcium Phosphate Particles Induce Interleukin‐8 Expression in a Human Gingival Epithelial Cell Line via the Nuclear Factor‐κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Sakai Yu , Nemoto Eiji , Kanaya Sousuke , Shimonishi Mitsuru , Shimauchi Hidetoshi 
Published: April 2014

Background: Dental calculus is calcified plaque composed primarily of calcium phosphate mineral salts, and there is a clear association between the presence of calculus and the initiation/progression of periodontitis. However, it is still inconclusive whether dental calculus can be a direct causative factor. The authors examined the effect of nano/microsized calcium phosphate particles, which may be generated in the process of early precipitation and/or dissolution of calcium phosphate mineral, on the expression of interleukin (IL)‐8 in human gingival epithelial cells.Methods: Primary human gingival epithelial cells and/or a human gingival carcinoma cell line (Ca9‐22) were stimulated with calcium phosphate particles. Gene and protein levels were assessed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The activity of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB signaling was measured by an immunofluorescence assay to evaluate NF‐κB p65 nuclear translocation.Results: The results show that nano/microsized particles stimulate IL‐8 expression in human gingival epithelial cells at gene and protein levels. The activity to induce IL‐8 expression depends on the particle size: particles with a diameter of 200 nm are more effective than those of 40‐nm and 5‐μm diameters. Calcium phosphate particles (diameter 200 nm) stimulated NF‐κB activity. Pretreatment with BMS‐345541, an NF‐κB signaling inhibitor, inhibited the particle‐mediated IL‐8 gene induction, suggesting a requirement for the NF‐κB signaling pathway.Conclusion: These findings suggest that calcium phosphate particles, which may be related to calculus development, may act as a direct causative factor in the pathogenesis of gingival epithelium.
The influence of heterocyclic compound-PAMAM dendrimer complexes on evoked electrical responses in slices of hypoxic brain tissue
Authors: Potkin Vladimir , Shcharbin Dzmitry , Denisov Andrey , Paschkevich Svetlana , Bryszewska Maria , Petkevich Sergey , Kletskov Alexey , Lapotko Dmitri , Kazbanov Vladimir , Gurinovich Tatiana , Kulchitsky Vladimir 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe used complexes between a fourth generation polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer and one of two heterocyclic compounds — 1-(6-hydroxyhexyl)-3-(5-phenyl-isoxazole-3-yl)-urea or 5-phenyl-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid — to reduce oxygen consumption in transverse slices of the hippocampus taken from 4-week old male rats. In vitro electrophysiological experiments revealed that the inhibitory effect of the hypoxic state on the evoked responses was enhanced in the presence of the complexes. The data were analyzed in terms of the potential antitumor effects of these complexes.
The Chronotopic Dynamics of Ibsen’sPillars of Society: The Triumph of Industrialism, or How Drama Becomes History
Authors: Özdemir Erinç 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT:This essay aims to bring a socio-historical perspective to the current critical assessment of Ibsen’s Pillars of Society, which has been largely confined to the ethical and the cultural. Combining a Bakhtinian, chronotopic analysis with a Bakhtinian / New Historicist understanding of literary texts as inevitably or deliberately informed by historical processes, the essay argues that the socio-economic/socio-historical plot in the play is the larger, as well as more determining, dramatic component and force. It posits that industrial capitalism and technological modernization are the intertwined dynamics that propel the drama from beginning to end, forming its central axis of plot in the shape of the railroad enterprise.
A model of crystal-size evolution in polar ice masses
Authors: NG Felix , Jacka T.H. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn the deep ice cores drilled at the GRIP, NGRIP and GISP2 sites in Greenland and at Byrd Station and the summit of Law Dome in Antarctica, the mean crystal size increases with depth in the shallow subsurface and reaches steady values at intermediate depth. This behaviour has been attributed to the competition between grain-boundary migration driven crystal growth and crystal polygonization, but the effects of changing crystal dislocation density and non-equiaxed crystal shape in this competition are uncertain. We study these effects with a simple model. It describes how the mean height and width of crystals evolve as they flatten under vertical compression, and as crystal growth and polygonization compete. The polygonization rate is assumed to be proportional to the mean dislocation density across crystals. Migration recrystallization, which can affect crystal growth via strain-induced grain boundary migration but whose impact on the mean crystal size is difficult to quantify for ice at present, is not accounted for. When applied to the five ice-core sites, the model simulates the observed crystal-size profiles well down to the bottom of their steady regions, although the match for Law Dome is less satisfactory. Polygonization rate factors retrieved for the sites range from 10–5to 10–2a–1. We conclude that since crystal size and dislocation density evolve in a strongly coupled manner, consistent modelling requires multiple differential equations to track both of these variables. Future ice-core analysis should also determine crystal size in all three principal directions.
Successful Pregnancy Outcome Within Short Period of Remission From Choriocarcinoma Treated with Single Agent Chemotherapy - A Case Report
Authors: Habib Asma , Hossain Md. Mofazzel , Jahan Fauzia 
Published: April 2014

Gestational trophoblastic tumour/disease (GTT/GTD) is unique it cancer biology in that they result from aberrations of either a normal or an abnormal pregnancy. The most common antecedent pregnancy event to GTT is a complete or partial hydatidiform mole (HM). However, persistent trophoblastic disease or choriocarcinoma can follow a complete hydatidiform mole with an incident of approximately 8%, and after a partial hydatidiform mole with an incidence of approximately 0.5%. The exact proportion of cases of hydatidiform mole transforming to choriocarcinoma cannot be clearly estimated, approximately 3% to 5% of cases of complete hydatidiform mole. 1-3 Therefore, all patients with GTT need to be monitored so that the small proportion of persistent mole or choriocarcinoma can receive prompt treatment and elimination of their' disease. The recommendation stands as strict avoidance of pregnancy for at least one year after treatment of molar pregnancy or low risk non-metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumour. Pregnancy during this period of surveillance interferes with the sequential monitoring of abnormal trophoblastic activity by serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin levels and relapses become difficult to detect. The effect of single agent or combination chemotherapy on the totipotent oocytes usually wavers away during the recommended period of contraception. But in cases of pregnancy during the period of surveillance certain factors have been found to be associated with increased risk of relapse and teratogenic effects of the offspring. High risk/score (according to the FIGO scoring system ) and advanced stage Gestational trophoblastic tumour (GTT), short interval between pregnancy and remission from combination chemotherapy, poor compliance during the antenatal follow-up are linked with detrimental maternal and foetal outcome. Here we report a case of successful pregnancy outcome in a patient who conceived within 3 months of remission from choriocarcinoma treated by methotrexate as evidenced by 2 consecutive negative ?-human chorionic gonadotropin (?-hCG) values. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v40i3.18671 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2011 Vol.40(3):29-32
Comparative Study of Urinary Albumin Excretion in Pre-Eclamptic Women in Different Duration
Authors: Yousuf Nusrat Ara , Hussain M Anwar , Begum Khadija 
Published: April 2014

Pre-eclampsia is one of the important causes of maternal death in developing countries like Bangladesh. The analysis of 24 hour urine for protein excretion remains the best method of monitoring proteinuria in pregnancy. 24 hour urine collection is notoriously difficult to obtain when repeated analysis is needed in pre-eclamptic women .With this back ground, this study was carried out in BSMMU and DMCH from November 2004 to January 2005 to determine whether 12 hours urine collection for measuring albumin excretion in pre-eclamptic women can be a substitute for 24 hour collection. This study was performed on 40 women with pre-eclampsia who were admitted to the hospital. In each patient urinary albumin concentrations in two 12 hours samples (12 hour day and 12 hours night samples) were measured against the standard 24-hour albumin excretion. It was found that albumin concentrations in the 12-hour day and 12-hours night collections were close to the concentrations of the 24-hour collection. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v40i3.18672 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2011 Vol.40(3):33-36
Sero-prevalence of Transfusion Transmissible Infections Markers Among Blood Donors Attending the Blood Transfusion Department Of A Teaching Hospital in Chittagong
Authors: Aziz Rehana , Hyder Shameem , Deb Ajoy , Haque Mahmudul , Islam AQM Serajul 
Published: April 2014

As per Safe Blood Transfusion Law 2002 of Bangladesh and worldwide strategy of screening of Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) markers in blood donors of various categories is a must for the prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Syphilis and Malaria with a aim to decrease morbidity and mortality of the patients receiving blood and blood components. A total of 33,553 blood donors attending the Blood Transfusion Department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to December 2009 amongst which replacement or relative donors were 30868 (92%), voluntary donors 2685 (8%) and male donors 27722 (82.62%), female donors 5831 (17.38%). Among the donors 15133 (45.10%), were of age group between 18-25 years, 17809 (53.08%) were of age group between 26-45 years, and 611 (1.82%) were of age group between 46-60 years. The purpose of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, Syphilis and Malaria in blood donors in a Teaching Hospital at Chittagong, Bangladesh. Blood samples from selected donors were tested for HIV, HBV HCV and Malaria by Immunochromatographic (ICT) rapid test device, Syphilis by rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test device method. Screening procedures were in accordance with the manufacturers instruction in terms of adding serum, adding buffer and time duration of reading results. Screening result after compilation shows HIV was reactive in 7 (0.02%) donors all of which were male. HBV was reactive in 285 (0.849%) donors, out of which 272 (95.43%) were male and 13 (4.57%) were female. HCV was reactive in 23 (0.068%) donors, out of which 18 (78.24%) was male and 5 (21.76%) were female. Syphilis was reactive in 32 (0.095%) donors, out of which 29 (90.62%) was male and 3 (9.38%) were female. Malaria was reactive in 31(0.09%) donors all of which were male. By studing this prevalence, attention will be drawn towards severity of the situation so that effective measure can be taken to prevent further transmission of TTIs by blood transfusion. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v40i3.18673 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2011 Vol.40(3):37-39
Hematological and Biochemical Parameter Changes Related to Methotrexate Therapy
Authors: Hazra Samaresh Chandra , Choudhury Agha Masood , Khondker Lubana , Khan Md Shirajul Islam , Ahmed Nafiza 
Published: April 2014

A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the hematological and biochemical changes related to methotrexate in the treatment of lichen planus. A total of forty four patients with lichen planus, attendign at the department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangabandhu Seikha Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh durign the period of january 2009 to December 2010 were enrolled in this study purposively. Of them, 23 patients in group-A (case group) and 21 patients in group-B (control group) were selected randomly. The case group was treated with oral methotrexate and the control group was trated with betamethasone oral mini- pulse therapy. A decreasing trend of hemoglobin level and platet count was observed between two groups. An increasing trend of SGPT was observed among the case adn control up to 6th week of observation and then it decreased. This study also revealed abnormlity in platelet count and liver function test in both the groups. But the overall effects were less in cases than control. So it cand be concluded from this study that methtrexate can be used as an alternative saf drug therapy for the treatmetn of lichen planus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v40i3.18674 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2011 Vol.40(3):40-43
Efficacy of Oral Mini Pulse Betamethasone in the Treatment of Vitiligo
Authors: Khondker Lubna , Khan Md Shirajul Islam , Hazra Samaresh Chandra , Ahmed Nafiza 
Published: April 2014

Vitiligo is a multifactorial polygenic disorder with a complex pathogenesis, characterized by depigmented macules in skin. A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of oral mini pluse betamethasone in the treatment of vitiligo patients. The study was done in the department of Dermatology and Venerology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujjb Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh for duration of July 2009 to June 2010. Among thirty patients of vitiligo, most of the male patients (60%) and most of the femal patients (73%) were between 20 to 25 years. Majority of patients (70%) had been suffering from vitiligo for less than 3 years and 53% patients had family history. Twenty one (70%) patients had acro-facial type vitiligo and 23(76.7%) cases were progressive in nature. In this study, response was slight in 33.33%, moderate in 26.67% marked in 33.33% and excellent in 6.67% of cases after 12 weeks. Twenty percent (20%) of total patients were seen to be with clinical side effect. Among the side effects, weight gain 2(6.67%), and acene 2(2.67%) was most prevalent, others include general weakness 1(3.33%) and mild headache 1(3.33%). In conclusion, oral mini pulse betamethasone seems to be an effective treatment modality to arrest the progression of vitiligo and induction of repigmentation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v40i3.18675 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2011 Vol.40(3):44-47