bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pneumonia among young infants in rural Southeast Asia (Bohol Island, Philippines)
Authors: Quiambao Beatriz P. , Ruutu Petri J. , Ladesma Erma A. , Gozum Lorena S. , Inobaya Marianette T. , Lupisan Socorro P. , Sombrero Lydia T. , Romano Vicente , Simoes Eric A. F. ,   the ARIVAC Consortium
Published: October 2009

SummaryObjective  To develop a clinical algorithm that can be used to identify pneumonia deaths in young infants in developing countries and estimate the disease burden in this population.Patients and methods  Infants younger than 60 days hospitalized with signs of severe pneumonia who underwent clinical, microbiologic and radiological evaluation were the subjects. Stepwise logistic regression and subtractive iterative process were used to derive the algorithm.Results  Three‐hundred and one infants had either clinical or radiographic pneumonia. The case fatality rate for 185 infants with radiographic pneumonia was 21%vs. 5% for clinical pneumonia. Age below 7 days was associated with an increased risk of dying. Among 7‐ to 59‐day‐old infants, poor feeding, cyanosis and absence of crackles were predictors of death from pneumonia. Using logistic regression, an algorithm consisting of any one of three clinical signs (cyanosis, poor feeding and abnormally sleepy) was developed in infants aged 7–59 days; 80% of deaths and 50% of those with radiographic pneumonia have at least one of these signs. It performed better than both the WHO case management algorithm and the IMCI algorithm.Conclusion  Radiographic pneumonia is a common and serious infection among infants below 2 months old in the Philippines. Cyanosis, poor feeding and abnormal sleepiness are simple signs that can be used by health workers to identify seriously ill infants who are most likely to die from pneumonia.
The social reality of migrant men with tuberculosis in Kathmandu: implications for DOT in practice
Authors: Kirwan Daniela E. , Nicholson Brian D. , Baral Sushil C. , Newell James N. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryObjective  To establish which of the many possible linkages between tuberculosis (TB), direct observation of treatment (DOTS), and the social reality of migrant workers in Kathmandu are the most relevant to the health outcomes and economic and social well‐being of these populations, and which are amenable to possible interventions and high‐yield policy changes.Methods  Fourteen semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted through an interpreter with male migrant TB patients aged 18–50 years recruited from three DOTS clinics in the Kathmandu valley in May 2005. The interviews were coded using constant comparison and analysed using a grounded theory method.Results  The economic burden of TB treatment is far greater than the financial reserve of migrants. Consequently remittances sent to families are reduced and migrants remain in debt long after treatment completion, tied to the treatment location paying off high interest loans. Forced to attend clinics far away from their home, and isolated by the stigma associated with TB, migrants are vulnerable without social support networks. Migrants find that daily clinic visits are incompatible with working schedules and important cultural festivals, which forces them into defaulting.Conclusion  The needs of migrant workers with TB living in Kathmandu are not being adequately met. Current service provision needs to be reviewed to build in greater flexibility and support for migrant men.
Lipoma treatment with a subdermal Nd:YAG laser technique
Authors: Goldman Alberto , Wollina Uwe 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground  Lipoma is the most common benign mesenchymal tumor composed of mature fat cells. The standard treatment for lipoma is excision. Many treatments have been described in order to minimize the scars produced by surgical excision. The treatment of lipoma using a subdermal laser produces an effective disruption of fat cells and results in a small scar.Objective  To evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous intralesional application of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser as an option for the treatment of lipoma.Methods  From January 2001 to November 2007, 20 patients (11 women and nine men) with lipomas were treated using a subdermal, pulsed, 1064‐nm Nd:YAG laser. After laser treatment, the oily solution, the product of laser action, was removed with a 2‐mm cannula using a negative pressure of 350 mmHg. Histology and cytology of the treated tissue were used to analyze the effects of the laser on the fat cells. Ultrasound was performed in some subjects before and after laser treatment.Results  Subdermal lipoma treatment using a 1064‐nm Nd:YAG laser resulted in complete or almost complete removal of the tumor in 100% of patients. Four partial relapses were observed that were treated successfully by the same procedure. Adverse effects were mild and temporary. The combination of a 1064‐nm Nd:YAG laser and removal of the cell debris by a suction cannula presented an effective therapeutic option for patients with lipoma.Conclusions  The treatment of lipoma using a 1064‐nm Nd:YAG laser is a minor invasive procedure which does not result in large scars. Laser treatment is an effective and safe option for cellular disruption.
Zoonotic sporotrichosis of lymphocutaneous type in a man acquired from a domesticated feline source: report of a first case in southern Karnataka, India
Authors: Yegneswaran Prakash Peralam , Sripathi Handattu , Bairy Indira , Lonikar Vrushali , Rao Rhagavendra , Prabhu Smitha 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground  Sporotrichosis is commonly encountered due to traumatic implantation of thorns or decayed vegetation with the dimorphic fungi, Sporothrix schenckii. Zoonotic spread of Sporotrichosis is rare and we describe here the first case of feline transmission of lymphocutaneous sporotrichiosis encountered in India.Methods  An excision biopsy of nodulo‐ulcerative lesion from the patients right elbow and forearm were collected for histopathology and portion of the specimen processed for mycological work up. Animal pathogenicity test performed in Swiss albino mice with intraperitoneal & foot pad inoculation. In addition an investigation of the ulcerative skin lesion from the domesticated cat was carried out.Results  Histopathology examination of tissue sample from the patient and feline lesion revealed granulomatous reaction and a few slender elongated yeast cells consistent with Sporotrichosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by culturing Sporothrix schenkii and demonstration of thermal dimorphism. Pathogenicity testing in mice lead to orchitis in 12–15 days and the organism was re‐isolated in pure culture. The patient was treated with oral saturated potassium iodide solution with complete resolution of the lesions.Conclusion  Close contact with infected domesticated feline can be a potential source of transmission for Sporotrichosis as evidenced in this report.
A case–control study of visual acuity in onychocryptosis
Authors: Hogan Aisling M. , Broe David , Stunnell Helen , Bobart Andra , Ridgway Paul F. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground  There are many theories surrounding the etiology of ingrown toenails (IGTN). Few factors have been formally assessed, but it is widely accepted that a poor nail cutting technique has a causative role.Aim  To investigate the hypothesis that decreased visual acuity may lead to inadequate nail cutting and the formation of IGTN.Methods  A prospective case–control study was performed. Near and distance visual acuity were tested on a population with IGTN (n = 19) and compared with that of an age‐ and sex‐matched control cohort (n = 24) who underwent epidermal cyst excision in the same tertiary referral center. Comparisons of visual acuity were made between groups by Mann–Whitney U‐test. Differences were taken to be significant if P < 0.05. Institutional Review Board approval was sought and granted.Results  No significant difference in visual acuity (near or distance) was demonstrated between patients with IGTN and the control group (P = 0.33).Conclusion  Visual acuity does not appear to play a significant role in the development of IGTN.
A histopathologic study of mechanic's hands associated with dermatomyositis: a report of five cases
Authors: Mii Sumiyuki , Kobayashi Ritsuko , Nakano Toshiaki , Harada Harumi , Okada Masato , Matsui Yukio , Fujii Takao , Eto Hikaru 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground  Mechanic's hand is a defined specific skin eruption associated with dermatomyositis; there are few reports concerning its histopathology. As mechanic's hand clinically resembles hand eczema, it is important to distinguish between these two conditions.Aim  To determine the characteristic clinical and histopathologic features of mechanic's hand, and to clarify whether these two conditions can be differentiated by histopathologic findings.Methods  We analyzed clinicopathologically five patients with mechanic's hands who visited our clinic between 2006 and 2007.Results  The clinical features of mechanic's hands were discrete hyperkeratotic erythema on the ulnar aspect of the thumbs and the radial aspect of the fingers. In all five cases, the histologic findings included marked hyperkeratosis, focal parakeratosis, psoriasiform acanthosis, and colloid bodies in the epidermis. There were mononuclear cell infiltrates around the blood vessels, and mucin deposition was observed in the dermis.Conclusions  The histopathologic findings of mechanic's hands are specific and different from those of eczema. A histopathologic examination is useful for the diagnosis of mechanic's hands associated with dermatomyositis and a high incidence of interstitial pneumonia.
Management of verrucous carcinoma of the hand: a case report
Authors: Gertler Ralf , Werber Klaus‐Dieter 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground  Verrucous carcinoma is a well‐differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma seen on mucosa and skin, including the hands.Methods  We report the case of a large verrucous carcinoma of the right palm which was completely resected with a fourth ray resection and remained without evidence of tumor recurrence or metastatic disease during follow‐up for 11 years. On this basis, we reviewed all 15 previously published cases of verrucous carcinoma of the hand to define the peculiarities of this uncommon tumor and to give diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations.Results  Verrucous carcinoma is defined by its characteristic clinical presentation as slowly but relentlessly enlarging “wart‐like” tumor, by the typical histologic finding of local invasion with only minimal, if any, dysplasia and by the unique biological behavior with low incidence of metastases and good prognosis. For proper diagnosis, both careful physical examination and deep surgical biopsy must be performed. Radical resection is the treatment of choice with histologically confirmed tumor‐free resection margins. Lymphadenectomy should only be performed in case of suspicious lymphadenopathy.Conclusions  Verrucous carcinoma may present a difficult diagnostic problem. After complete surgical resection, it has a good prognosis.
Propolis as an alternative treatment for cutaneous warts
Authors: Zedan Hatem , Hofny Eman R. M. , Ismail Sahar A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWarts are common problems affecting adults and children. Multiple treatment options are available, but no single therapy stands out as uniformly effective. Propolis and Echinacea are relatively safe immunomodulators with antiviral properties. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Propolis and Echinacea in treating different types of warts. In a single‐blind, randomized, 3‐months trial, 135 patients with different types of warts received oral Propolis, Echinacea, or placebo. In patients with plane and common warts treated with Propolis, cure was achieved in 75% and 73% of patients, respectively. These results were significantly better than those associated with Echinacea treatment or placebo. We conclude that Propolis is an effective and safe immunomodulating therapy for plane and common warts.
Injection drug use before and after liver transplantation: a retrospective multicenter analysis on incidence and outcome
Authors: De Gottardi Andrea , Hilleret Marie‐Noelle , Gelez Pascale , La Mura Vincenzo , Guillaud Olivier , Majno Pietro , Hadengue Antoine , Morel Philippe , Zarski Jean‐Pierre , Fontana Massimiliano , Moradpour Darius , Mentha Gilles , Boillot Olivier , Leroy Vincent , Giostra Emiliano , Dumortier Jérôme 
Published: October 2009

De Gottardi A, Hilleret M‐N, Gelez P, La Mura V, Guillaud O, Majno P, Hadengue A, Morel P, Zarski J‐P, Fontana M, Moradpour D, Mentha G, Boillot O, Leroy V, Giostra E, Dumortier J. Injection drug use before and after liver transplantation: a retrospective multicenter analysis on incidence and outcome. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 564–571. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract. Background and aims:  Injecting drug use (IDU) before and after liver transplantation (LT) is poorly described. The aim of this study was to quantify relapse and survival in this population and to describe the causes of mortality after LT.Methods:  Past injection drug users were identified from the LT listing protocols from four centers in Switzerland and France. Data on survival and relapse were collected and used for uni‐ and multivariate analysis.Results:  Between 1988 and 2006, we identified 59 patients with a past history of IDU. The mean age at transplantation was 42.4 yr and the majority of patients were men (84.7%). The indication for LT was for the vast majority viral cirrhosis accounting for 91.5% of cases, while alcoholic cirrhosis was 5.1%. There were 16.9% of patients who had a substitution therapy before and 6.8% who continued after LT. Two patients (3.4%) relapsed into IDU after LT and died at 18 and 41 months. The mean follow‐up was 51 months. Overall survival was 84%, 66%, and 61% at 1, 5, and 10 yr after transplantation.Conclusions:  Documented IDU was rare in liver transplanted patients. Past IDU was not associated with poorer survival after LT, and relapse after LT occurred in 3.4%.
Bronchiolitis obliterans following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a clinical update
Authors: Pandya Chirag M. , Soubani Ayman O. 
Published: October 2009

Pandya CM, Soubani AO. Bronchiolitis obliterans following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a clinical update. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 291–306. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an established treatment for a variety of malignant and non‐malignant conditions. Pulmonary complications, infectious and non‐infectious, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. The recent advances in prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications increased the significance of late non‐infectious pulmonary conditions. Currently, bronchiolitis obliterans is one of the most challenging pulmonary complications facing clinicians who are taking care of HSCT recipients. This report provides a clinical update of the incidence, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, and management of bronchiolitis obliterans following HSCT.
Successful unrelated donor cord blood transplantation for Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia
Authors: Kitko Carrie L. , Levine John E. , Matthews Dana C. , Carpenter Paul A. 
Published: October 2009

Kitko CL, Levine JE, Matthews DC, Carpenter PA. Successful unrelated donor cord blood transplantation for Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: e42–e46. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  GT, a rare disorder of platelet function, can lead to life‐threatening bleeding, particularly following the development of antiplatelet antibodies. Curative therapy includes HCT but previous reports are limited predominantly to matched siblings and have excluded CBT. Delayed or non‐engraftment of platelets because of antiplatelet antibodies might be particularly concerning after CBT for GT. Here, we report two successful unrelated cord blood transplants for GT. Recurrent life‐threatening bleeding was the primary indication for HCT, with one patient developing antiplatelet antibodies pre‐HCT. Bleeding risks associated with delivery of the conditioning regimen and the toxicity that follows should be carefully considered, including tunneled central venous line catheter placement, inclusion of B cell‐specific therapy to potentially decrease antiplatelet antibody production, and targeted busulfan dosing. This is the first report of successful unrelated cord blood HCT for GT and indicates that modifications to supportive care can improve the safety of this potentially curative therapy for patients with severe, life‐threatening disease manifestations.
The potential value of faecal lactoferrin as a screening test in hospitalized patients with diarrhoea
Authors: van Langenberg D. R. , Gearry R. B. , Wong H‐L. , Ward M. , Gibson P. R. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  Nosocomial diarrhoea is common and its investigation carries a significant healthcare cost. This study aimed to determine the utility of faecal lactoferrin (FL), a readily measurable marker of intestinal inflammation, in hospitalized patients with diarrhoea.Methods:  FL was quantified in consecutive faecal samples submitted to a hospital pathology laboratory. Patient data were extracted from hospital records. Receiver–operator curve (ROC) analysis was performed in a subset of patients where a decision about low or high likelihood of inflammation could be confidently made. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify associations with an elevated FL. Cost analyses were also performed.Results:  A total of 511 faecal samples from 433 patients (48% male, median age 67 years) was studied. Median FL concentration was 3.4 µg/mL (range 0–288). ROC analysis indicated an optimal cut‐off value of 1.25 µg/mL (sensitivity 92%, specificity 97%, negative predictive value 97%) compared with the manufacturer's cut‐off of 7.25 µg/mL (60%, 66% and 85% respectively). Multivariate analysis at the lower cut‐off minimized potentially confounding variables. Proton pump inhibitor use independently increased (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.5–3.8) and current smoking reduced (0.61, 0.38–0.99) the likelihood of an elevated FL. Only one out of 32 bacteriological positive samples would have been missed if FL was instituted as a screening test prior to microbiological assessment, which could have reduced laboratory‐related costs by up to 56%.Conclusion:  In hospitalized patients, a normal FL effectively excludes inflammatory diarrhoea and is proposed as a screening test prior to microbiological assessment of faeces. Prospective evaluation of this approach is warranted.
Post‐mortem drug concentrations
Authors: Kennedy M. C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractConsiderable changes occur in the concentrations of numerous drugs after death. Some concentrations increase, others fall and some do not change. Active agents, such as gamma hydroxybutyrate and alcohol, may be synthesized in the deceased body. Many published tables contain lists of therapeutic, toxic and lethal concentrations that are misleading. While the process of post‐mortem redistribution of drugs has been called a ‘toxicological nightmare’, it is still possible to obtain a lot of information from the integration of ante‐mortem history with the post‐mortem drug concentration.
Expected Extent and Potential Duration of the World Import Crunch
Authors: Van Bergeijk Peter A.G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAgainst the background of a collapse of world trade and predictions in March 2009 by IMF, WTO and World Bank of a relatively quick rebound, this paper analyses how major post 1980 financial crises have impacted on import volumes of individual countries. The article finds that on average imports contracted by 25% during a period of 5 quarters, but argues that this provides a minimum estimate only for the depth and duration of the present world trade collapse.
Why Challenge the Ivory Tower? New Evidence on the Basicness of Academic Patents*
Authors: Czarnitzki Dirk , Hussinger Katrin , Schneider Cédric 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYWhile often presumed in academic literature and policy discussions there is little empirical evidence showing that academic patents protect more basic inventions than corporate patents. This study provides new evidence on the basicness of academic patents using German professor patents linked to patent opposition data from the European Patent Office (EPO). Patent oppositions are the most important mechanism by which the validity of patents filed at the EPO can be challenged. Controlling for patent value, asymmetric information and diverging expectations between the opposition parties, the likelihood of a potentially litigious situation and the relative costs of opposition versus settlement, we find that academic patents are opposed less frequently than a control group of corporate patents. This suggests that academic patents cover rather basic inventions with a low immediate commercial value not threatening current returns of potential plaintiffs. The effect is weaker for academic patents filed in collaboration with the business sector, which suggests that those patents are evaluated as more applied by owners of potentially rival technologies.
Superstar Effects in Deluxe Gastronomy – An Empirical Analysis of Value Creation in German Quality Restaurants
Authors: Ehrmann Thomas , Meiseberg Brinja , Ritz Christian 
Published: October 2009

SummaryWe analyze whether superstar effects (disproportionate income effects) exist in the deep‐pocket market for quality gastronomy in Germany, and what factors determine the stars' rents. In quality gastronomy, the stars can be the restaurant chefs. Building on Rosen's (1981) and Adler's (1985) central theories on star effects, we explore two potential sources of stardom. Following Rosen (1981), we test if quality differences between the chefs' performances have a direct effect on financial rewards (“direct superstar effect”). Following Adler (1985), we assess the income effect of a media presence of chefs (“classical Superstar effect”). Through this, we deal with an economic issue of general interest: does it pay more to develop your skills in your core business to perfection, or to maintain the current level of skills and invest in self‐marketing? Analyzing a sample of 288 restaurants, for potential star effects by differences in quality, we find that higher quality increases chefs' revenues. Yet, revenues do not increase disproportionately, and achieving higher quality requires substantial investments in exquisite ingredients, excellent staff and prime ambience. This problem, also called the “agony of the stars”, has manifested itself in the bankruptcies of European three‐star restaurants in recent years. As regards potential star effects by differences in media presence, we observe a positive impact of TV appearances on financial rewards. Yet, these income effects are moderate as well, so there is neither a direct, nor a classical superstar effect in quality gastronomy. We argue that although both perfection of skills and self‐marketing have similarly positive income effects, self‐marketing seems both the less risky and the less stressful way to enhance income.
Impossible Trinity, Capital Flow Market and Financial Stability
Authors: Pak‐Hung Mo 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAs observed by Calvo (2002), the world financial market is wrought with systemic hazards that are largely independent to the individual countries affected. Systemic problem requires systemic instrument. Based on the Mundell‐Fleming model, we institute a capital flow market into an economy. After the additional market is introduced, countries can enjoy the benefits from opening their foreign exchange and capital markets but at the same time, be free from exchange rate volatility and financial crises as well as retain full autonomy in monetary and fiscal policies for maintaining internal balances. The ‘globalization hazard’ is resolved.