bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND HEALTHCARE QUALITY IN LOCAL HEALTHCARE MARKETS
Authors: Damianov Damian S. , Pagán José A. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTWe develop a theoretical model of a local healthcare system in which consumers, health insurance companies, and healthcare providers interact with each other in markets for health insurance and healthcare services. When income and health status are heterogeneous, and healthcare quality is associated with fixed costs, the market equilibrium level of healthcare quality will be underprovided. Thus, healthcare reform provisions and proposals to cover the uninsured can be interpreted as an attempt to correct this market failure. We illustrate with a numerical example that if consumers at the local level clearly understand the linkages between health insurance coverage and the quality of local healthcare services, health insurance coverage proposals are more likely to enjoy public support. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrochemical biosensor for detection of formaldehyde in rain water
Authors: Ozoner Seyda Korkut , Erhan Elif , Yilmaz Faruk , Ergenekon Pinar , Anil Ismail 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBACKGROUD: This study describes the construction of an electrochemical formaldehyde biosensor based on poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐3‐methylthienyl methacrylate)/formaldehyde dehydrogenase/polypyrrole [poly(GMA‐co‐MTM)/FDH/PPy] composite film electrode. Formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FDH) was chemically immobilized via the epoxy groups of the glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) side chain of the polymer. Formaldehyde measurements were conducted in 0.1 mol L−1, pH 8 phosphate buffer solution (PBS) including 0.1 mol L−1 KCl, 0.5 mmol L−1 of NAD+ (cofactor of the enzyme) and 1 mmol L−1 of 1,2‐napthoquinone‐4‐sulfonic acid sodium salt (NQS) as mediator with an applied potential of − 0.23 V (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3 mol L−1 NaCl). Analytical parameters of the biosensor were calculated and discussed. The biosensor was tested in rain water samples.RESULTS: Sensitivity was found to be 15 000 per mmol L−1 (500 nA ppm−1) in a linear range between 0.1 ppm and 3 ppm (3.3–100 µmol L−1). A minimum detectable concentration of 4.5 ppb (0.15 µmol L−1) (S/N = 3) with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.73% (n = 5) was obtained from the biosensor. Response time of the biosensor was very short, reaching 99% of its maximum response in about 4 s. The biosensor was also tested for formaldehyde measurements in rain water samples. Formaldehyde concentrations in samples were calculated using the proposed biosensor with recovery values ranged between 92.2 and 97.7% in comparison with the colorimetric Nash method.CONCLUSION: The poly(GMA‐co‐MTM)/FDH/PPy) electrode showed excellent measurement sensitivity in comparison with other formaldehyde biosensor studies. Strong chemical bonding between the enzyme and the copolymer was created via the epoxy groups of the composite film. The proposed biosensor could be used successfully in rain waters without a pretreatment step. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Transfection of nuclear factor‐kappaB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat epigastric flap model
Authors: Uemura Takeshi , Tsujii Masaya , Akeda Koji , Iino Takahiro , Satonaka Haruhiko , Hasegawa Masahiro , Sudo Akihiro 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundNuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) is considered to play an important role in the response to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in flap surgery. To inhibit NF‐κB, synthetic double‐stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) was used as a decoy. The present study aimed to evaluate the suppressive effects of NF‐κB against I/R injury of experimental rat flap model.MethodsAn extended epigastric island flap was raised and ischemia was induced for 3 h. NF‐κB decoy ODN (group D) or single‐strand ODN (control; group S) was injected via the contralateral artery when the pedicle was clamped. Transfection efficiency was evaluated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labeled ODN. The effects of NF‐κB decoy ODN were analyzed in groups D and S, and an untreated group (group N).ResultsFITC‐labeled ODN was distributed over the entire flap. Mean survival rate of the flap was significantly higher in group D than in the other groups (group D: 57.9%; group S: 31.1%; group N 31.7%; p < 0.005). Injured muscle fibers, neutrophils and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase were significantly lower in group D. A real‐time polymerase chain reaction also demonstrated a tendency for suppression of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6.ConclusionsWe show that NF‐κB decoy ODN protected against flap necrosis as a result of I/R injury in rats. We also indicate that intra‐arterial injection of naked NF‐κB decoy ODN is effective for transfection into target organs. Therefore, transfection of NF‐κB decoy ODN represents a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of flap surgery in I/R injury. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is “black geode” sign a characteristic MRI finding for extracranial schwannomas?
Authors: Kato Hiroki , Kanematsu Masayuki , Ohno Takatoshi , Nishimoto Yutaka , Oshima Koji , Hirose Yoshinobu , Nishibori Hironori 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPurpose:To evaluate whether the “black geode” sign is a characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding for extracranial schwannomas.Materials and Methods:Forty‐three patients with pathologically confirmed extracranial schwannomas underwent preoperative gadolinium‐enhanced MRI. The black geode sign was defined as the appearance of enhanced outer and inner rings. MR images were retrospectively reviewed for size, configuration, and signal intensity of the lesions in addition to the presence of the black geode sign.Results:Gadolinium‐enhanced T1‐weighted images revealed the black geode sign in seven of 43 patients (16%). The thickness of inner rings (mean 0.6 cm, range 0.3–0.8 cm) was significantly greater than that of outer rings (mean 0.2 cm, range 0.1–0.3 cm) (P < 0.01). While outer rings were circular or elliptical in shape with smooth contours, inner rings had a lobular configuration with irregular thickness and contours. The degrees of enhancement were significantly stronger with inner rings than with outer rings (P < 0.01). In histopathological correlation of five patients who underwent total excision, inner and outer rings corresponded to peridegenerative areas and fibrous capsules, respectively.Conclusion:The black geode sign may be fairly specific to extracranial schwannomas on gadolinium‐enhanced MR images. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:830–835. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of corticospinal tract (CST) damage in acute stroke patients: Comparison of tract‐specific analysis versus segmentation of a CST template
Authors: Vargas Patricia , Gaudron Marie , Valabrègue Romain , Bertasi Eric , Humbert Frédéric , Lehéricy Stéphane , Samson Yves , Rosso Charlotte 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPurpose:To compare two techniques to assess corticospinal tract (CST) damage in stroke patients: tract‐specific analysis by probabilistic tractography and segmentation using a CST template.Materials and Methods:We extracted fractional anisotropy (FA) values, the FA ratio, and mean diffusivity (MD) in 18 stroke patients and 21 healthy volunteers matched for age and sex. We compared the two methods in order to determine their ability to detect 1) differences between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters of healthy volunteers and stroke patients, 2) the correlation between DTI parameters and clinical scores, and 3) the correlation between DTI parameters and blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) signals in a fist‐closure task.Results:FA values were higher with the tractography approach than with the segmentation method, but differences between the ipsilesional CST and the homologous region in healthy subjects were detected using both methods. In patients, clinical scores were significantly correlated with FA values and FA ratios with both methods. The BOLD signal was positively correlated with FA values for CST with the segmentation but not with the tractography approach.Conclusion:CST damage in stroke patients can be assessed by either probabilistic tractography or segmentation of a CST template. Although each method has advantages and limitations, both are sensitive enough to detect differences among stroke patients and identify specific correlations with clinical scores. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:836–845. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing liver function using dynamic Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI with a standard 5‐phase imaging protocol
Authors: Saito Kazuhiro , Ledsam Joseph , Sourbron Steven , Otaka Jun , Araki Yoichi , Akata Soichi , Tokuuye Koichi 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPurpose:To evaluate liver function obtained by tracer‐kinetic modeling of dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) data acquired with a routine gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced protocol.Materials and Methods:Data were acquired from 25 cases of nonchronic liver disease and 94 cases of cirrhosis. DCE‐MRI was performed with a dose of 0.025 mmol/kg Gd‐EOB‐DTPA injected at 2 mL/sec. A 3D breath‐hold sequence acquired 5 volumes of 72 slices each: precontrast, double arterial phase, portal phase, and 4‐minute postcontrast. Regions of interest (ROIs) were selected semiautomatically in the aorta, portal vein, and whole liver on a middle slice. A constrained dual‐inlet two‐compartment uptake model was fitted to the ROI curves, producing three parameters: intracellular uptake rate (UR), extracellular volume (Ve), and arterial flow fraction (AFF).Results:Median UR dropped from 4.46 10−2 min−1 in the noncirrhosis to 3.20 in Child–Pugh A (P = 0.001), and again to 1.92 in Child–Pugh B (P < 0.0001). Median Ve dropped from 6.64 mL 100 mL−1 in the noncirrhosis to 5.80 in Child–Pugh A (P = 0.01). Other combinations of Ve and AFF changes were not significant for any group.Conclusion:UR obtained from tracer kinetic analysis of a routine DCE‐MRI has the potential to become a novel index of liver function. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1109–1114. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship between cervical disease and infection with human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2
Authors: Zhao Youyun , Cao Xuan , Zheng Yi , Tang Jingfeng , Cai Wangxi , Wang Hanmin , Gao Yinglin , Wang Yefu 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPersistent infection with high‐risk HPV, particularly Type HPV 16 and 18, is necessary in the development of cervical cancer, but apart from HPV infection, other causative factors of most cervical cancers remain unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV 16 and HPV 18 and HSV 1 and HSV 2 in cervical samples, and to assess the role of HSVs in cervical carcinogenesis. Two hundred thirty‐three healthy controls and 567 cases (333 of cervicitis, 210 of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and 24 of squamous cell carcinoma) in cervical exfoliative cells were tested for HPV 16, HPV 18, HSV 1, and HSV 2 DNA using the triplex real‐time polymerase chain reaction method. In contrast to healthy women, positive rate of HPV is related significantly to cervical lesions (odds ratios (ORs) = 4.1, P < 0.01 for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; ORs = 24.9, P < 0.01 for squamous cell carcinoma), but not cervicitis (ORs = 2.3, P > 0.05). HSV 2 prevalence in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma was higher than in healthy women (ORs = 4.9, P < 0.05 for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; ORs = 4.7, P < 0.05 for squamous cell carcinoma). HSV 2 coinfection with HPV in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma was strongly higher than in healthy women (ORs = 34.2, P < 0.01 for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; ORs = 61.1, P < 0.01 for squamous cell carcinoma). The obtained results indicated that the presence of HPV is associated closely with cervical cancer, and that HSV 2 infection or co‐infection with HPV might be involved in cervical cancer development, while HSV 1 might not be involved. J. Med. Virol. 84:1920–1927, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Natural evolution of CD4+ cell count in patients with CD4 >350 or >500 cells/mm3 at the time of diagnosis according to HIV‐1 coreceptor tropism
Authors: Soulié Cathia , Charpentier Charlotte , Flandre Philippe , Nino Clément , Carcelain Guislaine , Simon Anne , Katlama Christine , Landman Roland , Brun‐Vézinet Françoise , Descamps Diane , Calvez Vincent , Marcelin Anne‐Geneviève 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe HIV‐1 coreceptor usage may play a critical role in AIDS pathogenesis and the X4‐using viruses are considered to be more pathogenic than the R5‐tropic viruses. These observations may influence the therapeutic decisions by asking for an earlier antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for the patients infected by the X4‐tropic viruses compared with those infected by the R5‐tropic viruses. The natural evolution of CD4+ cell count for 109 non‐treated patients infected by the R5‐ or X4‐tropic HIV‐1 viruses with CD4+ >350 and >500 cells/mm3 at time of diagnosis was compared until the initiation of an ARV regimen. The coreceptor usage was determined from the V3 env region sequence by Geno2Pheno (false positive rate 10%). A mixed linear regression model to analyse the CD4+ data with tropism as fixed effect in the model was used. Overall, 93 (85.3%) and 16 (14.7%) were infected by R5‐ and X4‐tropic viruses, respectively. The median age, baseline CD4+ cell count, and viral load were 34 years (IQR: 30–42), 523 cells/mm3 (IQR: 420–604), and 4.5 log10 copies/ml (IQR: 3.9–5.0), respectively. There was no statistical difference in time to progression between the patients harboring R5‐ or X4‐tropic viruses. The same results were observed for the sub‐group of patients with CD4+ cell count >500 cells/mm3. The virus tropism has no impact on the CD4+ cell count evolution in these HIV‐1 patients diagnosed with CD4+ >350 or >500 cells/mm3 suggesting that the tropism determination at time of diagnosis does not seem to be a useful tool to predict the clinical progression. J. Med. Virol. 84:1853–1856, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular epidemiology of recent HIV‐1 infections in southern Poland
Authors: Smoleń‐Dzirba Joanna , Rosińska Magdalena , Kruszyński Piotr , Bratosiewicz‐Wąsik Jolanta , Janiec Janusz , Beniowski Marek , Bociąga‐Jasik Monika , Jabłonowska Elżbieta , Szetela Bartosz , Porter Kholoud , Wąsik Tomasz J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe genetic diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) offers an opportunity to track the development of the epidemic across different populations. Viral pol gene fragments from 55 individuals of Polish origin with recent HIV‐1 infection identified in 2008–2010 in four Polish cities were analyzed. Viral sequences were compared with sequences from 100 individuals (reference group) infected before 2004. Viral spread among groups with different HIV transmission categories was compared using a phylogenetic approach. The majority of sequences from individuals with recent infection were subtype B (93%) within which four transmission clusters (18% of samples) were detected. Samples from men infected through sex between men and from persons infected through injecting drugs were broadly separated (P < 0.0001), while samples from individuals infected by heterosexual contacts were dispersed uniformly within phylogenetic tree (P = 0.244) inferred from viral sequences derived from individuals infected recently and the reference group. The percentage of samples from persons infected by heterosexual contacts which clustered with samples from men infected through sex between men was not significantly higher for those with recent infection (47%), compared to the reference group (36%). In conclusion, men infected by sex between men and individuals infected through injecting drugs appear to form separate HIV transmission networks in Poland. The recent spread of HIV‐1 among persons infected with subtype B by heterosexual contacts appears to be linked to both these groups. J. Med. Virol. 84:1857–1868, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Monitoring the emergence of resistance mutations in patients infected with HIV‐1 under salvage therapy with raltegravir in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A follow‐up study
Authors: Passaes Caroline Pereira Bittencourt , Guimarães Monick Lindenmeyer , Cardoso Sandra Wagner , Pilotto José Henrique , Veloso Valdilea , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Morgado Mariza Gonçalves 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe present study describes a follow‐up of a prospective and observational cohort of patients infected with HIV‐1 and treated with raltegravir for salvage therapy in Brazil. Two groups of patients were analyzed: switching from T20 to RAL (Group 1, n = 9) and salvage therapy containing RAL (Group 2, n = 10). Blood samples were drawn for CD4+ T‐cell counts and HIV‐1 viral load determinations. Protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase genotyping were performed at baseline and at the time of virologic failure. CD4+ T‐cells increased at 6 and 12 months in both groups; HIV‐1 viral load was continuously suppressed for Group 1, and for Group 2 it significantly decreased after starting a RAL‐containing regimen. Three out of 10 patients from Group 2 could not suppress HIV‐1 viral load. The mutations Q148H + G140S were observed for two patients and for the third patient only mutations to PR/RT inhibitors were detected. The genotypic sensitivity score (GSS) was analyzed for all patients of Group 2 and both patients who developed resistance to raltegravir presented a GSS < 2.0 for the RAL‐containing scheme, which could be associated to the lack of effectiveness of the proposed scheme. The present study describes, for the first time in Brazil, the close follow‐up of a series of patients using a raltegravir‐containing HAART, showing the safety of the enfuvirtide switch to RAL and the effectiveness of a therapeutic regimen with RAL in promoting immune reconstitution and suppressing HIV replication, as well as documenting the occurrence of resistance to integrase inhibitors in the country. J. Med. Virol. 84:1869–1875, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of B cells in liver fibrosis associated with hepatitis B virus harboring basal core promoter mutations
Authors: Mohamadkhani Ashraf , Bastani Faegh , Sotoudeh Masoud , Sayehmiri Kourosh , Shahnazari Parisa , Montazeri Ghodratollah , Poustchi Hossein 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe development of the liver disease in chronic hepatitis B with common viral variants can be determined through the interaction between the virus and the host immune response. B cells constitute half of the intrahepatic lymphocyte population with an impact on fibrosis. A proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL) has been shown to have a co‐stimulatory activity on B cells. For this study HBV DNA was amplified and then sequenced to show the presence of the basal core promoter (BCP) mutations in the serum from 57 patients with chronic hepatitis B. The range of IgD‐positive B cells was detected by immunohistochemistry in liver biopsies; and patients serum was assayed for APRIL levels by enzyme immunoassay. Twenty‐seven patients (47.4%) harbored the A1762T‐G1764A BCP mutations. Coefficients of logistic regression showed that the effect of increasing IgD‐positive B cells in rising odds of the liver disease is the same in the patients with BCP mutation A1762T‐G1764A and in the patients without mutation, nevertheless the effect of APRIL is not similar in these two groups of patients. Logistic regression in patients with BCP A1762T‐G1764A mutations demonstrated that increasing one score of APRIL decreased the odds of fibrosis stage about 8%. These results suggest that in infection with viral variants of hepatitis B virus, the population of IgD‐positive B cells may play a decisive role in later stages of the liver disease which is reduced by APRIL in chronic hepatitis patients with BCP mutations. J. Med. Virol. 84:1889–1896, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incidence of Alpha‐Herpes virus induced ocular disease in Suriname
Authors: Adhin Malti R. , Grunberg Meritha G. , Labadie‐Bracho Mergiory , Pawiroredjo Jerrel 
Published: October 2012

AbstractHerpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the corneal stroma is the most prominent cause of scar formation impairing visual acuity and HSV keratitis is the leading cause of corneal opacity throughout the world. Suriname lacked test systems for microbial causes of ocular disease, therefore a polymerase chain reaction‐based Herpes virus assay was introduced, enabling prompt recognition, and timely treatment, preventing progressive eye damage. The incidence and epidemiology of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1), type 2 (HSV‐2), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in ocular disease in Suriname was assessed. In a cross‐sectional prospective study, ocular swabs were collected from 91 patients with a presumptive α‐Herpes virus ocular infection attending the Academic Hospital between November 2008 and August 2010 and were tested by a PCR‐based α‐Herpes virus assay. Alpha‐Herpes virus ophthalmic infections were caused predominantly by HSV‐1 with a prevalence of 31%. The prevalences of VZV, HSV‐2, and a mixed HSV‐1/HSV‐2 infection were 4%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. The first reported annual incidence of herpetic induced ocular disease in Suriname was estimated at 11.4 per 100,000 person‐years (95% CI, 4.8–18.1). No clear age, ethnic or gender dependent difference in incidence was observed. The information obtained on α‐Herpes virus positive ocular infections and the distribution of subtypes provided the first insight in the South American situation of α‐Herpes virus induced ocular disease. J. Med. Virol. 84:1937–1942, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular characterization of group A rotavirus found in elderly patients in Ireland; Predominance of G1P[8], continued presence of G9P[8], and emergence of G2P[4]
Authors: Gunn L. , Feeney S.A. , Cashman O. , Collins P.J. , Coyle P.V. , O'Shea H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractRotavirus is a major cause of gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. There have been several recent reports concerning rotavirus isolation from adults, particularly in the elderly, presenting with gastroenteritis. In this study, the authors report on rotavirus outbreaks in five separate elderly care facilities between April, and June 2011 in Ireland. The following genotypes were detected; G1P[8] (n = 5/11), G2P[4] (n = 2/11), and G9P[8] (n = 2/11). Thus, similarities to previous reports were found in that G1P[8] predominated, G9P[8] was still detected but G2P[4] was detected for the first time in a geriatric population in Ireland. Here also described is the detection of Group 2 lineage IIC rotavirus in Ireland for the first time. J. Med. Virol. 84:2008–2017, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.