bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Chronic Tennis Elbow
Authors: Mishra Allan K. , Skrepnik Nebojsa V. , Edwards Scott G. , Jones Grant L. , Sampson Steven , Vermillion Doug A. , Ramsey Matthew L. , Karli David C. , Rettig Arthur C. 
Published: July 2013

Background: Elbow tenderness and pain with resisted wrist extension are common manifestations of lateral epicondylar tendinopathy, also known as tennis elbow. Previous studies have suggested platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to be a safe and effective therapy for tennis elbow. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical value of tendon needling with PRP in patients with chronic tennis elbow compared with an active control group. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 230 patients with chronic lateral epicondylar tendinopathy were treated at 12 centers over 5 years. All patients had at least 3 months of symptoms and had failed conventional therapy. There were no differences in patients randomized to receive PRP (n = 116) or active controls (n = 114). The PRP was prepared from venous whole blood at the point of care and contained both concentrated platelets and leukocytes. After receiving a local anesthetic, all patients had their extensor tendons needled with or without PRP. Patients and investigators remained blinded to the treatment group throughout the study. A successful outcome was defined as 25% or greater improvement on the visual analog scale for pain. Results: Patient outcomes were followed for up to 24 weeks. At 12 weeks (n = 192), the PRP-treated patients reported an improvement of 55.1% in their pain scores compared with 47.4% in the active control group ( P = .163). At 24 weeks (n = 119), the PRP-treated patients reported an improvement of 71.5% in their pain scores compared with 56.1% in the control group ( P = .019). The percentage of patients reporting significant elbow tenderness at 12 weeks was 37.4% in the PRP group versus 48.4% in the control group ( P = .143). Success rates for patients at 12 weeks were 75.2% in the PRP group versus 65.9% in the control group ( P = .104). At 24 weeks, 29.1% of the PRP-treated patients reported significant elbow tenderness versus 54.0% in the control group ( P = .009). Success rates for patients with 24 weeks of follow-up were 83.9% in the PRP group compared with 68.3% in the control group ( P = .037). No significant complications occurred in either group. Conclusion: No significant differences were found at 12 weeks in this study. At 24 weeks, however, clinically meaningful improvements were found in patients treated with leukocyte-enriched PRP compared with an active control group.
Visual Manifestations in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pal Sandip , Sanyal Debashis , Biswas Atanu , Paul Neelanjana , Das Shyamal K. 
Published: July 2013

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amnesia, though non-memory-cognitive domains like visual are also affected. We planned to study frequency of visual dysfunctions in AD and their relationship with dementia severity. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Cognitive clinic of Department of Neurology, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, between January 2007 and December 2010. 55 patients of AD were evaluated by neurological and neuropsychological assessments and by special tests for visual dysfunctions. Results: Common visual dysfunctions were visuo-constructional (87.3%), visuo-perceptual (63.6%), object agnosia(47.3%), prosopagnosia (45.5%), visual hallucination (27.3%) and simultanagnosia (12.7%). Symptoms of ventral visual pathway dysfunction were more common than that of dorsal pathway. MMSE score and number of visual manifestations had a good correlation. Conclusions: Visual dysfunctions are common in AD, elicitation of which helps us to understand the cause of disability so that appropriate steps can be taken.
Self-expanding Y stents in the treatment of central airway stenosis: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Gompelmann Daniela , Eberhardt Ralf , Schuhmann Maren , Heussel Claus P. , Herth Felix J.F. 
Published: July 2013

Background: Central airway obstruction (CAO) is a life-threatening situation. Stent insertion re-establishes patency of the central airways. Self-expanding metallic Y stents have been available since 2005, widening the spectrum of interventional bronchoscopic techniques. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients treated for CAO with a self-expanding metallic Y stent at the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg between May 2005 and January 2009. Results: A total of 43 patients aged 26–81 had a metallic Y stent inserted endoscopically for the treatment of CAO; 39 of these patients (90.7%) had CAO due to malignant disease, four patients (9.3%) due to benign disease. In all 43 patients, the Y stent was deployed without any complications. A longitudinal follow up was possible in 32 of the 43 patients. The stents remained in situ for an average of 107.1 days (range 1–640 days). In 29 patients with malignant CAO the stenosis was successfully overcome with a Y stent; 11 of these patients died within 6 weeks following stent insertion. On follow up the remaining 18 patients showed immediate improvement of dyspnoea. Eight out of the 18 patients (44.4%) tolerated the stent without problems, two (11.1%) required further stenting, six (33.3%) had complications such as increased secretions, cough, dyspnoea or granulation tissue formation. The stent was removed in one patient (5.6%) due to increased secretions, and in another (5.6%) as the stent was no longer required due to successful tumour-specific therapy. Conclusion: Placement of Y stents in symptomatic CAO allows for quick relief of symptoms. Severe complications are rare. Stent removal is possible after successful treatment of the primary tumour. However, the prognostic indicator for survival is the underlying malignancy.
Morphology, Surgical Techniques, and Outcomes in Patients Above 15 Years Undergoing Surgery for Congenitally Corrected Transposition of Great Arteries
Authors: Talwar Sachin , Ahmed Tammem , Saxena Anita , Kothari Shyam Sunder , Juneja Rajnish , Airan Balram 
Published: July 2013

Background: There is a paucity of data about morphology, surgical procedure, and results in older patients with congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (ccTGAs). Patients and Methods: Between January 2002 and August 2012, 15 patients (7 males), median age 25 years, range 16 to 41 years underwent surgery for ccTGA. Associated lesions were tricuspid regurgitation (TR; n = 5) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) with pulmonary stenosis (PS; n = 10). Surgical procedures included tricuspid valve replacement (n = 4), tricuspid valve repair (n = 1), lateral tunnel Fontan (n = 2), extracardiac Fontan (n = 2), Kawashima procedure (n = 1), bidirectional (BD) Glenn (n = 2), Senning + Rastelli procedure (n = 1), and VSD closure + left ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit (n = 1). The details of these procedures and outcomes were analyzed. Results: There were no early or late deaths. Mean follow-up period was 49.9 ± 26 months. All patients who underwent tricuspid valve replacement are in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I, with no progression of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. One patient who underwent tricuspid valve repair is in NYHA class III and has progressed to severe RV dysfunction. None of the patients undergoing single ventricle palliation had any complications related to the surgery. Both patients who underwent anatomical and physiological biventricular (BV) repair had no complications. Conclusions: Older patients with ccTGA present a challenge. Fontan/BD Glenn remains a good option for patients who presented with VSD PS. Both anatomic and physiological BV repairs provide acceptable results. Tricuspid valve replacement is safe for patients presenting with TR who have improvement in functional class, though the right ventricular function may not improve.
Subaortic Membrane and Aorto-Septal Angle
Authors: Barboza Laura A. , Garcia Flor de Maria , Barnoya Joaquin , Leon-Wyss Juan R. , Castañeda Aldo R. 
Published: July 2013

Background: Development of a subaortic membrane is not fully understood. Recurrence after surgical removal continues to be high. We sought to assess the differences in aorto-septal angles (AoSA) to possibly explain alterations within the left ventricular outflow tract, hence in subaortic membrane formation. Methods: A total of 113 patients who underwent subaortic membrane resection were matched by age and sex with 113 controls. The subaortic membrane resection group included isolated subaortic membranes (n = 34, group I), associated with ventricular septal defect (n = 29, group II), or patent ductus arteriosus (n = 50, group III). Results: Mean (± standard deviation) AoSA (in degrees) were not different between subaortic membrane groups I, II, and III but were steeper than their control groups (126.2 ± 9.2 vs 138.6 ± 7.0, 129.2 ± 9.9 vs 137.7 ± 10.0, and 126.2 ± 8.1 vs 135 ± 8.5, respectively; all Ps < .05). Additionally, group II had lower preoperative gradients (28.8 ± 20.7 mm Hg) compared to groups I and III (67.0 ± 32.9 and 66.2 ± 33.1 mm Hg, respectively, P < .001). Follow-up ranged from 3 to 132 months. In 22 (32%) patients, a subaortic membrane recurred. Early postoperative residual gradients and development of aortic regurgutation were associated with the need for reoperation ( P < .05). Conclusions: These findings suggest a contributing role of the AoSA in the development of subaortic membrane. Further rheological experiments are warranted. Whether the steeper the angle the higher the risk of recurrence may be revealed by longer follow-up periods.
Patient Age at the Ross Operation in Children Influences Aortic Root Dimensions and Aortic Regurgitation
Authors: Hörer Jürgen , Kasnar-Samprec Jelena , Charitos Efstratios , Stierle Ulrich , Bogers Ad J. J. C. , Hemmer Wolfgang , Hetzer Roland , Hübler Michael , Robinson Derek R. , Sievers Hans H. , Lange Rüdiger 
Published: July 2013

Background: The Ross operation provides the advantage of growth potential of the pulmonary autograft in the aortic position. However, development of autograft dilatation and regurgitation may occur. We sought to assess the progression of autograft diameters and aortic regurgitation (AR) with regard to patient age at the time of the Ross operation. Methods: Autograft echo dimensions from 48 children <16 years of age at the time of the Ross operation, who had follow-up echocardiograms at <20 years of age, were analyzed using hierarchical multilevel modeling. The z values of autograft dimensions were calculated according to the normal aortic dimensions. Mean follow-up was 5.1 ± 3.3 years. The mean age at the time of the Ross operation was 10.0 ± 4.3 years. Results: The mean z values of all patients showed a significant increase with follow-up time at the sinus (0.5 ± 0.1/year, P < .001) and the sinotubular junction (0.7 ± 0.2/year, P < .001) but not at the annulus (0.1 ± 0.1/year, P = .59). There was no significant difference in the z values of sinus and the sinotubular junction between younger and older children at implantation and with time. The initial annulus z value was significantly larger in younger children ( P < .0001), whereas the annual increase was significantly higher in older children ( P = .021). Age at operation has no impact on the initial AR grade ( P = .60). The AR tends to increase more quickly in older patients ( P = .040). Sinus and sinotubular junction dilate with time, regardless of patient age. Conclusions: Young children show larger initial annulus sizes than older children. However, annulus diameters tend to normalize in young children, whereas they increase in older children. Autograft regurgitation develops slowly, but significantly, and predominantly in older children. Stabilizing measures to prevent autograft root dilatation are warranted in adolescents, but they are not required in young children.
Intracellular NAD+ depletion enhances bortezomib-induced anti-myeloma activity
Authors: Cagnetta Antonia , Cea Michele , Calimeri Teresa , Acharya Chirag , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Tai Yu-Tzu , Hideshima Teru , Chauhan Dharminder , Zhong Mike Y. , Patrone Franco , Nencioni Alessio , Gobbi Marco , Richardson Paul , Munshi Nikhil , Anderson Kenneth C. 
Published: July 2013

Key PointsFK866 combined with bortezomib induces synergistic anti-MM cell death. Addition of low doses of NAD+-depleting agent FK866 overcomes bortezomib resistance in MM cells.
Foot-and-mouth disease virus-like particles produced by a SUMO fusion protein system in Escherichia coli induce potent protective immune responses in guinea pigs, swine and cattle
Authors: Guo Hui-Chen , Sun Shi-Qi , Jin Ye , Yang Shun-Li , Wei Yan-Quan , Sun De-Hui , Yin Shuang-Hui , Ma Jun-Wu , Liu Zai-Xin , Guo Jian-Hong , Luo Jian-Xun , Yin Hong , Liu Xiang-Tao , Liu Ding Xiang 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a highly contagious infection in cloven-hoofed animals. The format of FMD virus-like particles (VLP) as a non-replicating particulate vaccine candidate is a promising alternative to conventional inactivated FMDV vaccines. In this study, we explored a prokaryotic system to express and assemble the FMD VLP and validated the potential of VLP as an FMDV vaccine candidate. VLP composed entirely of FMDV (Asia1/Jiangsu/China/2005) capsid proteins (VP0, VP1 and VP3) were simultaneously produced as SUMO fusion proteins by an improved SUMO fusion protein system in E. coli. Proteolytic removal of the SUMO moiety from the fusion proteins resulted in the assembly of VLP with size and shape resembling the authentic FMDV. Immunization of guinea pigs, swine and cattle with FMD VLP by intramuscular inoculation stimulated the FMDV-specific antibody response, neutralizing antibody response, T-cell proliferation response and secretion of cytokine IFN-γ. In addition, immunization with one dose of the VLP resulted in complete protection of these animals from homologous FMDV challenge. The 50% protection dose (PD50) of FMD VLP in cattle is up to 6.34. These results suggest that FMD VLP expressed in E. coli are an effective vaccine in guinea pigs, swine and cattle and support further development of these VLP as a vaccine candidate for protection against FMDV.
Assessment of the genomic variation in a cattle population by re-sequencing of key animals at low to medium coverage
Authors: Jansen Sandra , Aigner Bernhard , Pausch Hubert , Wysocki Michal , Eck Sebastian , Benet-Pagès Anna , Graf Elisabeth , Wieland Thomas , Strom Tim M , Meitinger Thomas , Fries Ruedi 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Genome- and population-wide re-sequencing would allow for most efficient detection of causal trait variants. However, despite a strong decrease of costs for next-generation sequencing in the last few years, re-sequencing of large numbers of individuals is not yet affordable. We therefore resorted to re-sequencing of a limited number of bovine animals selected to explain a major proportion of the population's genomic variation, so called key animals, in order to provide a catalogue of functional variants and a substrate for population- and genome-wide imputation of variable sites.

Results
Forty-three animals accounting for about 69 percent of the genetic diversity of the Fleckvieh population, a cattle breed of Southern Germany and Austria, were sequenced with coverages ranging from 4.17 to 24.98 and averaging 7.46. After alignment to the reference genome (UMD3.1) and multi-sample variant calling, more than 17 million variant positions were identified, about 90 percent biallelic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 10 percent short insertions and deletions (InDels). The comparison with high-density chip data revealed a sensitivity of at least 92 percent and a specificity of 81 percent for sequencing based genotyping, and 97 percent and 93 percent when a imputation step was included. There are 91,733 variants in coding regions of 18,444 genes, 46 percent being non-synonymous exchanges, of which 575 variants are predicted to cause premature stop codons. Three variants are listed in the OMIA database as causal for specific phenotypes.

Conclusions
Low- to medium-coverage re-sequencing of individuals explaining a major fraction of a population's genomic variation allows for the efficient and reliable detection of most variants. Imputation strongly improves genotype quality of lowly covered samples and thus enables maximum density genotyping by sequencing. The functional annotation of variants provides the basis for exhaustive genotype imputation in the population, e.g., for highest-resolution genome-wide association studies.
Effectiveness of polaprezinc for low-dose aspirin-induced small-bowel mucosal injuries as evaluated by capsule endoscopy: a pilot randomized controlled study
Authors: Watari Ikue , Oka Shiro , Tanaka Shinji , Aoyama Taiki , Imagawa Hiroki , Shishido Takayoshi , Yoshida Shigeto , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Treatment of low-dose aspirin (LDA)-induced small-bowel injury has not been established. Polaprezinc, a chelate of zinc and L-carnosine, may be efficacious for such injury. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled study to investigate whether polaprezinc is effective against LDA-induced small-bowel injuries.

Methods
Consecutive patients under long-term (>3 months) LDA treatment and who agreed to participate in our study underwent initial capsule endoscopy (CE). Patients with LDA-induced small-bowel injury apparent upon initial CE (n = 20) were randomized into a polaprezinc (150 mg/day for 4 weeks) group and a control (no polaprezinc treatment) group. All underwent follow-up CE after 4 weeks. Changes in the number and characteristics of small-bowel mucosal injuries were compared within and between the two groups.

Results
The median number of reddened lesions and erosions/ulcers upon follow-up CE in the polaprezinc group significantly decreased (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the median number of reddened lesions and erosions/ulcers upon follow-up CE in the control group.

Conclusions
Co-administration of polaprezinc may be effective against small-bowel mucosal injury associated with long-term LDA therapy.

Trial registration
UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000003687.
Technology platform development for targeted plasma metabolites in human heart failure
Authors: Chan CY X’avia , Khan Anjum A , Choi JH Howard , Ng CM Dominic , Cadeiras Martin , Deng Mario , Ping Peipei 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Heart failure is a multifactorial disease associated with staggeringly high morbidity and motility. Recently, alterations of multiple metabolites have been implicated in heart failure; however, the lack of an effective technology platform to assess these metabolites has limited our understanding on how they contribute to this disease phenotype. We have successfully developed a new workflow combining specific sample preparation with tandem mass spectrometry that enables us to extract most of the targeted metabolites. 19 metabolites were chosen ascribing to their biological relevance to heart failure, including extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, insulin resistance, renal dysfunction, and cardioprotection against ischemic injury.

Results
In this report, we systematically engineered, optimized and refined a protocol applicable to human plasma samples; this study contributes to the methodology development with respect to deproteinization, incubation, reconstitution, and detection with mass spectrometry. The deproteinization step was optimized with 20% methanol/ethanol at a plasma:solvent ratio of 1:3. Subsequently, an incubation step was implemented which remarkably enhanced the metabolite signals and the number of metabolite peaks detected by mass spectrometry in both positive and negative modes. With respect to the step of reconstitution, 0.1% formic acid was designated as the reconstitution solvent vs. 6.5 mM ammonium bicarbonate, based on the comparable number of metabolite peaks detected in both solvents, and yet the signal detected in the former was higher. By adapting this finalized protocol, we were able to retrieve 13 out of 19 targeted metabolites from human plasma.

Conclusions
We have successfully devised a simple albeit effective workflow for the targeted plasma metabolites relevant to human heart failure. This will be employed in tandem with high throughput liquid chromatography mass spectrometry platform to validate and characterize these potential metabolic biomarkers for diagnostic and therapeutic development of heart failure patients.
Genetic characterization of EV71 isolates from 2004 to 2010 reveals predominance and persistent circulation of the newly proposed genotype D and recent emergence of a distinct lineage of subgenotype C2 in Hong Kong
Authors: Yip Cyril CY , Lau Susanna KP , Lo Janice YC , Chan Kwok-Hung , Woo Patrick CY , Yuen Kwok-Yung 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundEnterovirus 71 (EV71) is a common etiological agent of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. EV71 epidemics have been reported in Hong Kong in recent years, and yet the genetic information of EV71 strains circulating in our locality is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic evolution of these EV71 isolates in Hong Kong over a 7-year period.MethodsTwenty-two EV71 isolates from Hong Kong during 2004–2010 were included for phylogenetic analysis using partial VP2-VP3, 2C and 3D regions. Eight EV71 strains were selected for complete genome sequencing and recombination analysis.ResultsAmong the 22 EV71 isolates, 20 belonged to subgenotype C4 and 2 belonged to subgenotype C2 based on the phylogenetic analysis of partial VP2-VP3, 2C and 3D gene regions. Phylogenetic, similarity plot and bootscan analyses using complete genome sequences of seven EV71 isolates of subgenotype C4 supported that the “double-recombinant” strains of subgenotype C4 persistently circulating in Hong Kong should belong to a newly proposed genotype D. Further analysis revealed two clusters, subgenotypes C4b and C4a (proposed genotypes D1a and D1b respectively), with “genotype D1b” strains being predominant in recent years in Hong Kong. A distinct lineage of EV71 subgenotype C2 has emerged in Hong Kong in 2008. The evolutionary rate of EV71 was 3.1 × 10-3nucleotide substitutions per site per year similar to that of other enterovirus, such as EV68, but was relatively lower than those of echovirus 30 and poliovirus. Molecular clock analysis using VP1 gene dated the time to the most recent common ancestor of all EV71 genotypes to 1900s, while the EV71 “double-recombinant” strains of “genotype D” were detected as early as 1998.ConclusionsThis study provides the molecular basis for proposing a new “genotype D” of EV71 and assigning a discrete lineage of subgenotype C2. EV71 strains of “genotype D” have been circulating in Hong Kong for over 7 years, with “genotype D1b” being predominant.