bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High seroprevalence of human herpes virus 8 (HHV‐8) antibodies among vertically HIV‐infected pediatric patients living in Germany
Authors: Feiterna‐Sperling C , Königs C , Notheis G , Buchholz B , Weizsaecker K , Eberle J , Hofmann J 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundHuman herpes virus 8 (HHV‐8), a gamma herpes virus, is the etiological agent for Kaposi sarcoma (KS). HIV‐infected adults with advanced immunodeficiency are at risk. Prevalence data of HHV‐8 infection in HIV‐infected children living in non‐endemic areas are limited. Serologic studies indicate low seroprevalence rates of 3–4% for healthy children living in United States and Germany [1].Purpose of the studyThe aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of HHV‐8 antibodies among vertically HIV‐infected pediatric patients in Germany and to evaluate their association with age, gender, ethnicity, and other demographic factors.MethodsIn 2012, a multi‐center cross‐sectional study was conducted in four University Hospitals in Germany. Stored frozen serum specimens obtained from vertically HIV‐infected children and adolescents were tested for antibodies against lytic and latent HHV‐8 antigens. Data on patients' demographic characteristics and medical history were recorded.ResultsA total of 214 HIV‐infected children and adolescents (105 males, 109 females) were included. The median age was 10.2 years (range 1 months–22.6 years). A high proportion of these children (62%) was born in Western Europe, whereas 65% (139/214) of their mothers were born in countries outside Western Europe. The majoritiy (91%) of the children had been treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy and 55.2% (116/210) had a HIV‐viral load<50 copies/mL. The median CD4 cell count was 1000/L (range 3–4400). The overall seroprevalence of HHV‐8 antibodies was 23.8% (51/214). Seroprevalence rates did not show significant differences between age or gender. In the group of young children aged 1 month to 35 months, 19.4% (46/31) had HHV‐8 antibodies, compared to 25% (25/100) in children aged 36 months to 11 years, and 24.1% (20/83) children 12 years and older. In the study group, seroprevalence rates were significantly lower in children who were born in Western Europe (p <0.01) compared to those born in Africa, Asia, or Eastern Europe. Clinical symptoms of HHV‐8 infection were reported to be uncommon; only one child had a history of KS at 2 years of age.ConclusionsVertically HIV‐infected pediatric patients living in Germany showed a high HHV‐8 seroprevalence of 23.8%. These rates were higher as expected in the normal pediatric population. The findings suggest that HHV‐8 infection occurred already in the first years of life.
Changing spectrum of clinical presentation in visceral leishmania in HIV+patients: preliminary results from a clinical registry in Northern Italy
Authors: Cenderello G , Pasa A , Dusi A , Dentone C , Izzo M , Toscanini F , Del Bono V , De Maria A 
Published: November 2012

PurposeVisceral leishmania (VL) and HIV were related since the beginning of AIDS era but the impact of HAART has completely changed the pattern. Aim of the study is to describe the current presentation of this opportunistic infection.MethodsDemographics, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic findings were recorded in patients (pts) enrolled in the Ligurian registry for VL from January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2010. From these data we obtained the HIV+features. Statistical analysis was performed using: STATA 11.0 and SPSS software 13. Statistical significance was defined as a P value<0.05.Summary of resultsA total of 65 episodes in 55 pts (36 adult) were accumulated: median age 48.7 years (yrs) in adults (37.5 months in pediatric pts). All children were immunocompetent (ICC), adults included both ICC (17) and immunosuppressed (19) (ISS) pts. HIV was the leading cause of immunosuppression (10–59%) all pts. belonged to CDC stage C and they sustained 15 cases of infection; 4 were not on HAART and 4 on a failing regimen. Mean age in HIV +pts was 38 yrs, average CD4+count and HIV RNA at first diagnosis were respectively 135/l±101 and 6,974×104 cp/ml (0–2.8×105). No significant CD4 r differences at first diagnosis were present among who would not recur compared to those for whom a VL recurrence was observed. Main clinical presentations were: Fever (F)+hepatosplenomegaly 8, F+lymphoadenoathy 2, F+pancytopenia 2, thrombocytopenia 2, other 1. Detection of urinary antigen and serology (IFAT) were the most frequently used diagnostic tools (respectively in 14/15 and 11/15 pts). Bone marrow detection of intracellular parasites (Giemsa) was performed only in 4/15 cases. Liposomal amphotericin B was the most frequently (98.2% of cases) prescribed drug with 100% clinical cure. VL relapses (n°5) represented a crucial finding: they occurred in 3 pts and time to relapse presented a significant difference among ICC and ISS; CD4+cell numbers at VL recurrence were not different compared to those for the pts at baseline. Three deaths were reported, accounting for significant (15.8%) mortality.ConclusionsThe main findings can be summarized as follows: clinical presentation among HIV pts is heterogeneous with frequent recurrence and remarkable mortality. Moreover, the use of both serology and urinary antigens detection for diagnostic purposes allows a reliable performance and could be very useful in pts not eligible for bone marrow aspiration.
Why don't we treat chronic hepatitis C in HIV patients? Results from a cohort of HIV‐HCV coinfected patients from the southeast of Spain
Authors: Smilg Nicolás C , Moreno Hernández A , Vera Méndez F , Alcaraz Vidal B , Alcalde Encinas M , Jimeno Almazán A , Martínez Madrid O , Trujillo Santos J , Tornel Sánchez G , Vega Cervantes J , Mozo Cuadrado M , Belmonte Martínez L 
Published: November 2012

Purpose of the studyTo know the different reasons why we decide not to treat or to delay the antiviral treatment against HCV in HIV coinfected patients.MethodsProspective cohort of HIV and HCV coinfected patients, followed in the Infectious Diseases Department of the Santa Lucia Universitary Hospital (Cartagena, Spain) between 1/12/2011 and 28/02/2012 in which we made transitory elastography. We evaluated the main reasons that moved us to decide not to treat or to delay the antiviral treatment against HCV: social‐familiar‐laboral reasons; neuro‐psychiatric severe diseases; patient decision; low grade hepatic fibrosis; previous failure to pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) in no‐1 genotype patients; delay in the approval of the triple therapy with INF‐RBV and a protease inhibitor (boceprevir or telaprevir) by the Regional Sanitary Authority; active alcohol abuse; active diseases that contraindicate the antiviral treatment, incomplete study of HCV (VL of HCV, genotype, ILB28, abdominal ecography); previous intolerance against IFN‐RBV and severe thrombocytopenia (<50×109/L).Summary of resultsThe cohort included 109 patients, being 27 of them females (25%) and 82 males (75%), with a median of age of 45.8 years (SD: 6.2). In 98 patients (90%) we decided not to treat or to delay the antiviral treatment against HCV for one or more of the following reasons: 37 (34%) presented low grade hepatic fibrosis (<9.5 kpascal or F0‐F2); 19 (17%) had neuro‐psychiatric diseases; 18 (16.5%) were waiting for the approval of triple therapy by the Regional Sanitary Authority; 10 (9.2%) did not want to be treated; 10 (9.2%) had failure to IFN‐RBV in no‐1 genotype; 6 (5.5%) had social‐familiar‐laboral reasons; 6 (5.5%) presented active severe diseases; 4 (3.7%) were waiting to complete HCV study; 3 (2.8%) presented active alcohol abuse; 3 (2.8%) had previous intolerance against IFN‐RBV treatment and 2 (2%) had severe thrombocytopenia.ConclusionsIn our cohort of HIV‐HCV coinfected patients it was decided to delay or not to treat chronic hepatitis C in a significant proportion of subjects. The low grade of hepatic fibrosis measured with transitory elastography was the main reason for delaying the HCV antiviral treatment. The neuro‐psychiatric disease was the main clinical reason to not treat HCV. The delay of the approval of triple therapy treatment by the Regional Sanitary Authority was the most relevant non‐ clinical reason in our prospective study.
Assessment of Intestinal Peristalsis in Vitro
Authors: Pozzoli Cristina , Poli Enzo 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe protocol detailed in this unit is designed to assess intestinal peristaltic motility in the isolated small intestine in vitro and to measure the effects of drugs able to interfere with gut propulsive activity. The procedure is based on Trendelenburg's classic technique, described at the beginning of the 20th century in the isolated guinea pig ileum and, later on, extended to other intestinal preparations from the same animal and other animal species. This unit illustrates the basic procedures for setting up the intestinal preparation, recording peristalsis under near‐physiologic conditions, and testing the pharmaco‐toxicological effects of drugs and pollutants on the contractile behavior of the gut wall. The protocol allows evaluating the action of drugs affecting sensory and/or motor neurons of the enteric nervous system and how these neurons control the development of the motor program of the gut wall. This model can be exploited to investigate novel compounds undergoing preclinical development and both inhibitors and stimulants of gastrointestinal peristaltic activity, as well as environmental or alimentary pollutants, like xenobiotics and naturally‐occurring toxins, endowed with noxious activity with regard to digestive functions. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 54:21.11.1‐21.11.14. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
New and Emerging Technologies in Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Enckell Merit , Egede Andersen Jacob , Glisic Branko , Silfwerbrand Johan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMeasuring and testing activities have been performed from the beginning of the twentieth century within engineering. Early activities in structural health monitoring were damage identification in aerospace and mechanical engineering. Aircrafts and military vehicles needed monitoring, and a lot of sensors were developed for these purposes. It was also common to perform damage identification with rotating machines, which was called condition monitoring. Organized structural health monitoring (SHM) activities became more acknowledged in the last decades and emerged various engineering disciplines. Today, also many civil engineering structures are monitored continuously and provide true real‐time information of these structures.Technical development of sensory technology has been rapid and is still ongoing. Several new techniques are available on the market and provide higher performance and innovative, more reliable measurements.Fiber‐optic sensors, advanced NDT methods such as acoustic emission, radar‐based techniques, in addition to micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology together with advanced data acquisition techniques and database automation supply for beneficial SHM. This paper presents new and emerging technologies and new areas of usage; mostly for the civil engineering structures. It highlights their advantages and also brings up with challenges. Some real applications are presented in order to give a true picture about SHM with new and emerging technologies and complexity of the subject.
Intending or Pretending? Automatic Evaluations of Goal Cues Discriminate True and False Intentions
Authors: Ask Karl , Granhag Pär Anders , Juhlin Fredrik , Vrij Aldert 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThis research presents a novel approach to discriminating between true and deceptive statements about intended future behavior. Arguing that true intentions are goal‐directed, we predict that people who genuinely intend to pursue a reported goal will implicitly evaluate goal‐relevant cues positively, whereas people who do not intend to pursue the goal will not. Participants in an experiment were instructed to tell the truth about a planned future behavior (true intention) or to falsely report that same behavior to mask their actual mock‐criminal intention (false intention). As predicted, an evaluative priming task showed that participants with true intention exhibited implicit positive evaluations of cues relevant to the reported goal, whereas participants with false intention did not. Subsequent analyses showed that implicit positivity significantly discriminated between true and false intentions. The findings are discussed in terms of theoretical contributions and implications for the development of future detection tools. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Academic outcomes in childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zelko Frank , Beebe Dean , Baker Aimee , Nelson Shannen M. , Ali Aisha , Cedeno Adlin , Dina Blair , Klein‐Gitelman Marisa S. , Ying Jun , Brunner Hermine I. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo explore academic outcomes in childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) and their relationship to variables such as demographic and socioeconomic status, neurocognitive functioning, behavioral/emotional adjustment, and cSLE disease status.MethodsForty pairs of children diagnosed with cSLE and healthy best friend controls were rated by parents on a standardized scale of school competence. Information about participants' demographic and socioeconomic status was obtained, along with measures of cSLE disease activity and damage. All of the participants received formal neurocognitive testing and were also rated on standardized scales of behavioral/emotional adjustment and executive functioning.ResultsCompared to healthy controls, school competence was rated as lower in the cSLE group, although the groups did not differ significantly on indices of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or executive functioning. School competence ratings were correlated with reading and mathematics achievement test scores in both groups, and with ratings of mental self‐regulation in the cSLE group. School competence ratings were correlated with measures of cSLE disease activity and treatment intensity.ConclusioncSLE is associated with inferior parent‐rated academic outcomes compared to those noted in demographically‐matched peers, despite similar neurocognitive function. The adverse academic outcomes that distinguish children with cSLE from their demographically‐matched peers appear to be mediated by SLE disease activity and treatment.
Defining the aromatase inhibitor musculoskeletal syndrome: A prospective study
Authors: Singer Ora , Cigler Tessa , Moore Anne B. , Levine Alana B. , Hentel Keith , Belfi Lily , Do Huong T. , Mandl Lisa A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo define the musculoskeletal syndrome associated with use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), specifically, to describe its incidence, time to onset, risk factors, and clinical presentation.MethodsPostmenopausal women with hormone‐sensitive, nonmetastatic breast cancer starting AI therapy were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. They underwent complete rheumatologic evaluation and contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hands and wrists prior to starting AI, at 3 and 6 months. The primary outcome was change in grip strength.ResultsTwenty‐eight (54%) of 52 women reported new or worsening musculoskeletal symptoms. Two discontinued AIs due to pain. Mean time to symptom onset was 6 weeks (range 2–18 weeks), and 75% of symptomatic patients developed symptoms by 8 weeks. Later‐stage cancer and worse quality of life (QOL) pretreatment were significantly associated with symptom development. Sixty‐eight percent of symptomatic subjects had involvement of the hands; however, there was no difference in the mean change in grip strength (−2.9 kg versus −1.3 kg; P = 0.6). Among symptomatic subjects, 46% had evidence of focal tenosynovitis of the hands and feet on examination. Although some symptomatic subjects had new MRI abnormalities, Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scoring did not significantly change.ConclusionThe incidence of AI‐associated musculoskeletal syndrome is more than 50%, with most women developing symptoms by 8 weeks. The key finding in symptomatic women was focal tenosynovitis of the hands and feet, without evidence of autoimmune disease or systemic inflammation. Later‐stage cancer and poorer QOL were predictive of symptom development.
Does medication adherence itself confer fracture protection? An investigation of the healthy adherer effect in observational data
Authors: Curtis Jeffrey R. , Yun Huifeng , Lange Jeff L. , Matthews Robert , Sharma Pradeep , Saag Kenneth G. , Delzell Elizabeth 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectivePrior observational studies have shown an association between bisphosphonate adherence and fewer fractures. It is unclear if such studies reflect pharmacologic benefits or behavioral attributes, i.e., the healthy adherer effect. Our objective was to examine the association of therapy adherence and fracture risk among patients initiating therapies hypothesized to be favorable, unfavorable, or neutral toward fracture risk, in order to evaluate for a healthy adherer effect.MethodsIn this observational study, we identified patients within Medicare 2006–2009 data who initiated any of 3 medication groups within 9 months after an osteoporotic fracture as follows: 1) oral bisphosphonates (n = 2,507), 2) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; n = 2,420), or 3) angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or calcium‐channel blocker (CCB; n = 2,178). Cox regression analysis, adjusting for covariates, was used to compare fracture rates at the hip and major osteoporotic fracture sites (including hip, clinical vertebral, humerus, and wrist) during followup, comparing patients with high adherence versus low adherence within each medication group.ResultsThere were few baseline differences between those who had high adherence versus lower adherence. High adherence with bisphosphonates decreased fracture risk at both hip (hazard ratio [HR] 0.53, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.32–0.96) and major fracture sites (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45–0.80). High adherence with SSRIs suggested increased fracture risk at both hip (HR 1.58, 95% CI 0.97–2.57) and major fracture sites (HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.96–1.83). High adherence with ACE inhibitors/CCBs was neutral toward fracture risk at both hip (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.67–2.41) and major fracture sites (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.67–1.49).ConclusionIn this observational cohort of older individuals, the association between medication adherence and fracture risk differed by medication exposure, suggesting a limited role for the healthy adherer effect in observational studies of osteoporosis medications.
Validation of a novel multibiomarker test to assess rheumatoid arthritis disease activity
Authors: Curtis Jeffrey R. , van der Helm‐van Mil Annette H. , Knevel Rachel , Huizinga Tom W. , Haney Douglas J. , Shen Yijing , Ramanujan Saroja , Cavet Guy , Centola Michael , Hesterberg Lyndal K. , Chernoff David , Ford Kerri , Shadick Nancy A. , Hamburger Max , Fleischmann Roy , Keystone Edward , Weinblatt Michael E. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveQuantitative assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important for patient management, and additional objective information may aid rheumatologists in clinical decision making. We validated a recently developed multibiomarker disease activity (MBDA) test relative to clinical disease activity in diverse RA cohorts.MethodsSerum samples were obtained from the Index for Rheumatoid Arthritis Measurement, Brigham and Women's Hospital Rheumatoid Arthritis Sequential Study, and Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic cohorts. Levels of 12 biomarkers were measured and combined according to a prespecified algorithm to generate the composite MBDA score. The relationship of the MBDA score to clinical disease activity was characterized separately in seropositive and seronegative patients using Pearson's correlations and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to discriminate between patients with low and moderate/high disease activity. Associations between changes in MBDA score and clinical responses 6–12 weeks after initiation of anti–tumor necrosis factor or methotrexate treatment were evaluated by the AUROC.ResultsThe MBDA score was significantly associated with the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C‐reactive protein level (DAS28‐CRP) in both seropositive (AUROC 0.77, P < 0.001) and seronegative (AUROC 0.70, P < 0.001) patients. In subgroups based on age, sex, body mass index, and treatment, the MBDA score was associated with the DAS28‐CRP (P < 0.05) in all seropositive and most seronegative subgroups. Changes in the MBDA score at 6–12 weeks could discriminate both American College of Rheumatology criteria for 50% improvement responses (P = 0.03) and DAS28‐CRP improvement (P = 0.002). Changes in the MBDA score at 2 weeks were also associated with subsequent DAS28‐CRP response (P = 0.02).ConclusionOur findings establish the criterion and discriminant validity of a novel multibiomarker test as an objective measure of RA disease activity to aid in the management of RA in patients with this condition.
Adherence with bisphosphonate therapy in US veterans with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Richards J. Steuart , Cannon Grant W. , Hayden Candace L. , Amdur Richard L. , Lazaro Deana , Mikuls Ted R. , Reimold Andreas M. , Caplan Liron , Johnson Dannette S. , Schwab Pascale , Cherascu Bogdan N. , Kerr Gail S. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectivePharmacy Benefits Management program data for patients enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry were linked with clinical data to determine bisphosphonate adherence and persistence among US veterans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine factors associated with adherence.MethodsThe primary outcome measures were the duration of bisphosphonate therapy and the medication possession ratio (MPR). Patients with an MPR <0.80 were classified as nonadherent. Potential covariates considered in the analysis included patient demographics, RA disease activity and severity parameters, and factors associated with osteoporosis risk. Associations of patient factors with duration of therapy and adherence were examined using multivariable regression modeling.ResultsBisphosphonates were prescribed to 573 (41.5%) of 1,382 VARA subjects. The mean ± SD duration of therapy for bisphosphonates was 39.2 ± 31.4 months. A longer duration of therapy correlated with older age, more years of education, and dual x‐ray absorptiometry testing. The mean ± SD MPR of VARA subjects for bisphosphonate therapy was 0.69 ± 0.28; 302 (52.7%) were nonadherent. In multivariate analyses, nonadherence with bisphosphonate therapy was associated with a longer duration of RA disease (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.00–1.04) and duration of bisphosphonate therapy >32 months (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.04–2.57). Whites were less likely to have a low MPR compared with nonwhites (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30–0.88).ConclusionNonadherence with bisphosphonates was common in this cohort of RA patients and was associated with nonwhite ethnicity, a longer duration of RA disease, and a greater duration of bisphosphonate therapy.