bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost of dengue and other febrile illnesses to households in rural Cambodia: a prospective community-based case-control study
Authors: Huy Rekol , Wichmann Ole , Beatty Mark , Ngan Chantha , Duong Socheat , Margolis Harold S , Vong Sirenda 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
The average annual reported dengue incidence in Cambodia is 3.3/1,000 among children < 15 years of age (2002–2007). To estimate the economic burden of dengue, accurate cost-of-illness data are essential. We conducted a prospective, community-based, matched case-control study to assess the cost and impact of an episode of dengue fever and other febrile illness on households in rural Cambodia.

Methods
In 2006, active fever surveillance was conducted among a cohort of 6,694 children aged ≤ 15 years in 16 villages in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. Subsequently, a case-control study was performed by individually assigning one non-dengue febrile control from the cohort to each laboratory-confirmed dengue case. Parents of cases and controls were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire to determine household-level, illness-related expenditures for medical and non-medical costs, and estimated income loss (see Additional file 1). The household socio-economic status was determined and its possible association with health seeking behaviour and the ability to pay for the costs of a febrile illness.

Results
Between September and November 2006, a total of 60 household heads were interviewed: 30 with dengue-positive and 30 with dengue-negative febrile children. Mean total dengue-related costs did not differ from those of other febrile illnesses (31.5 vs. 27.2 US$, p = 0.44). Hospitalization almost tripled the costs of dengue (from 14.3 to 40.1 US$) and doubled the costs of other febrile illnesses (from 17.0 to 36.2 US$). To finance the cost of a febrile illness, 67% of households incurred an average debt of 23.5 US$ and higher debt was associated with hospitalization compared to outpatient treatment (US$ 23.1 vs. US$ 4.5, p < 0.001). These costs compared to an average one-week expenditure on food of US$ 9.5 per household (range 2.5–21.3). In multivariate analysis, higher socio-economic status (odds ratio [OR] 4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–13.2), duration of fever (OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.3–3.5), and age (OR 0.8; 95%CI 0.7–0.9) were independently associated with hospitalization.

Conclusion
In Cambodia, dengue and other febrile illnesses pose a financial burden to households. A possible reason for a lower rate of hospitalization among children from poor households could be the burden of higher illness-related costs and debts.
Scientific writing: a randomized controlled trial comparing standard and on-line instruction
Authors: Phadtare Amruta , Bahmani Anu , Shah Anand , Pietrobon Ricardo 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
Writing plays a central role in the communication of scientific ideas and is therefore a key aspect in researcher education, ultimately determining the success and long-term sustainability of their careers. Despite the growing popularity of e-learning, we are not aware of any existing study comparing on-line vs. traditional classroom-based methods for teaching scientific writing.

Methods
Forty eight participants from a medical, nursing and physiotherapy background from US and Brazil were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 24 per group): An on-line writing workshop group (on-line group), in which participants used virtual communication, google docs and standard writing templates, and a standard writing guidance training (standard group) where participants received standard instruction without the aid of virtual communication and writing templates. Two outcomes, manuscript quality was assessed using the scores obtained in Six subgroup analysis scale as the primary outcome measure, and satisfaction scores with Likert scale were evaluated. To control for observer variability, inter-observer reliability was assessed using Fleiss's kappa. A post-hoc analysis comparing rates of communication between mentors and participants was performed. Nonparametric tests were used to assess intervention efficacy.

Results
Excellent inter-observer reliability among three reviewers was found, with an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) agreement = 0.931882 and ICC consistency = 0.932485. On-line group had better overall manuscript quality (p = 0.0017, SSQSavg score 75.3 ± 14.21, ranging from 37 to 94) compared to the standard group (47.27 ± 14.64, ranging from 20 to 72). Participant satisfaction was higher in the on-line group (4.3 ± 0.73) compared to the standard group (3.09 ± 1.11) (p = 0.001). The standard group also had fewer communication events compared to the on-line group (0.91 ± 0.81 vs. 2.05 ± 1.23; p = 0.0219).

Conclusion
Our protocol for on-line scientific writing instruction is better than standard face-to-face instruction in terms of writing quality and student satisfaction. Future studies should evaluate the protocol efficacy in larger longitudinal cohorts involving participants from different languages.
Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and mass balance of radiolabeled dihydroartemisinin in male rats
Authors: Xie Lisa H , Li Qigui , Zhang Jing , Weina Peter J 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackgroundDihydroartemisinin (DHA), a powerful anti-malarial drug, has been used as monotherapy and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for more than decades. So far, however, the tissue distribution and metabolic profile of DHA data are not available from animal and humans.MethodsPharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, mass balance, and elimination of [14C] DHA have been studieded in rats following a single intravenous administration. Protein binding was performed with rat and human plasma. Drug concentrations were obtained up to 192 hr from measurements of total radioactivity and drug concentration to determine the contribution by the parent and metabolites to the total dose of drug injected from whole blood, plasma, urine and faecal samples.ResultsDrug was widely distributed after 1 hr and rapidly declined at 24 hr in all tissues except spleen until 96 hrs. Only 0.81% of the total radioactivity was detected in rat brain tissue. DHA revealed a high binding capacity with both rat and human plasma proteins (76–82%). The concentration of total radioactivity in the plasma fraction was less than 25% of that in blood total. Metabolism of DHA was observed with high excretion via bile into intestines and approximately 89–95% dose of all conjugations were accounted for in blood, urine and faeces. However, the majority of elimination of [14C] DHA was through urinary excretion (52% dose). The mean terminal half-lives of plasma and blood radioactivity (75.57–122.13 h) were significantly prolonged compared with that of unchanged DHA (1.03 h).ConclusionIn rat brain, the total concentration of [14C] was 2-fold higher than that in plasma, indicating the radioactivity could easily penetrate the brain-blood barrier. Total radioactivity distributed in RBC was about three- to four-fold higher than that in plasma, suggesting that the powerful anti-malarial potency of DHA in the treatment of blood stage malaria may relate to the high RBC binding. Biliary excretion and multiple concentration peaks of DHA have been demonstrated with high urinary excretion due to a most likely drug re-absorption in the intestines (enterohepatic circulation). The long lasting metabolites of DHA (> 192 hr) in the rats may be also related to the enterohepatic circulation.
Tissue expression of Squamous Cellular Carcinoma Antigen (SCCA) is inversely correlated to tumor size in HCC
Authors: Trerotoli Paolo , Fransvea Emilia , Angelotti Umberto , Antonaci Giovanni , Lupo Luigi , Mazzocca Antonio , Mangia Anita , Antonaci Salvatore , Giannelli Gianluigi 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to investigate squamous cellular carcinoma antigen (SCCA) in serum and in tumoral and paired peritumoral tissues. We studied 27 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 55 with HCC: 20 with a single nodule < 3 cm (s-HCC) and 35 with a single nodule > 3 cm or multifocal (l-HCC).

Methods
Serum SCCA was measured by the ELISA kit, and in frozen tissues by immunohistochemistry, quantified with appropriate imaging analysis software and expressed in square microns. Continuous variables are reported as means and 95% confidence intervals. Comparisons between independent groups were performed with a generalized linear model and Tukey grouping. Pearson's correlation coefficients were determined to evaluate relations between markers. Qualitative variables were summarized as count and percentage. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05.

Results
Serum SCCA values in LC patients were 0.41 (0.31–0.55) ng/ml and statistically different from both HCC groups: 1.6 (1.0–2.6) ng/ml in s-HCC, 2.2 (1.28–2.74) ng/ml in l-HCC. SCCA in hepatic tissue was 263.8 (176.6–394.01) μm2 in LC patients, statistically different from values in s-HCC: 1163.2 (863.6–1566.8) μm2 and l-HCC: 625.8 (534.5–732.6). All pairwise comparisons between groups yielded statistically significant differences. Tumoral SCCA resulted linearly related with nodule size, showing a statistically significant inverse relation between the two variables (b = -0.099, p = 0.024).

Conclusion
There was no statistically significant correlation between tissue and serum levels of SCCA. The significantly stronger expression of SCCA in smaller compared to larger HCC could be important for early HCC detection. However, the increased expression in peritumoral tissue could affect the significance of serological detection.
Doppler ultrasonography and exercise testing in diagnosing a popliteal artery adventitial cyst
Authors: Taurino Maurizio , Rizzo Luigi , Stella Nazzareno , Mastroddi Massimo , Conteduca Fabio , Maggiore Claudia , Faraglia Vittorio 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
We describe popliteal arterial adventitial cystic disease which causes intermittent claudication in a young athletic man, with atypical manifestation, without loss of foot pulses on knee flexion nor murmur in the popliteal fossa. The findings obtained from Magnetic Resonance Imaging were non-diagnostic. The diagnosis resulted from Echo-Doppler ultrasonography along with peak exercise testing. Ultrasonography also provided useful physiopathological informations suggesting that a popliteal artery adventitial cyst can become symptomatic if muscle exertion increases fluid pressure within the cyst, enough to cause hemodynamically significant endoluminal stenosis. Rapid diagnosis is essential to prevent progressive claudication threatening limb viability. To guarantee this professional sportsman a reliable and durable outcome, instead of less aggressive management, we resected the involved arterial segment and interposed an autologous saphenous-vein graft.
Role of TRPV3 in immune response to development of dermatitis
Authors: Imura Kinichi , Yoshioka Takeshi , Hirasawa Tsutomu , Sakata Tsuneaki 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
Recently, it has been reported that the Gly573Ser substitution of transient receptor potential V3 (TRPV3) leads to increased ion-channel activity in keratinocytes. Our previous studies have indicated that the spontaneous hairless and dermatitis phenotypes of DS-Nh mice, which were newly established as an animal model of atopic dermatitis (AD), are caused by TRPV3Gly573Ser. Although this substitution causes hairlessness in several kinds of rodents, in our investigations, dermatitis developed in only a few animals. Here, we generated NC/Nga-Nh mice to elucidate the role of TRPV3Gly573Ser in NC/Nga mice, which is one of the most studied animal models of AD.

Methods
To establish and validate the new AD animal model, NC/Nga-Nh mice were generated using NC/Nga and DS-Nh mice, and their clinical features were compared. Next, T-cell receptor (TCR) Vβ usage in splenocytes, evaluation of bacterial colonization, and serological and histological analyses were carried out. Finally, repeated-hapten-application dermatitis was induced in these mice.

Results
NC/Nga-Nh mice did not develop spontaneous dermatitis, whereas DS-Nh mice displayed this phenotype when maintained under the same conditions. Serological analysis indicated that there really was a phenotypic difference between these mice, and TCR repertoire analysis indicated that TCRVβ haplotypes played an important role in the development of dermatitis. Artificial dermatitis developed in DS and NC/Nga-Nh mice, but not in DS-Nh and NC/Nga mice. Histological and serological analyses indicated that mouse strains were listed in descending order of number of skin mast cells: DS-Nh > DS ≈ NC/Nga-Nh > NC/Nga, and serum IgE levels were increased after 2,4,6 trinitrochlorobenzene application in these mice. Serum IgE level in DS-Nh mice was lower than that mesured in other strains.

Conclusion
Our results confirm the contribution of the TRPV3Gly573Ser gene to the development of repeated hapten dermatitis, but not spontaneous dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.
Treatment of multicentric Castleman's Disease accompanying multiple myeloma with bortezomib: a case report
Authors: Yuan Zhen-gang , Dun Xiao-yi , Li Yong-hua , Hou Jian 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology and characterized by various clinical manifestations and multiple organ involvement. It has been reported in association with POEMS syndrome and can progress to Kaposi's sarcoma or malignant lymphoma. The disease runs a more aggressive course and a poor prognosis. Optimal therapies have not been well established up to now. We here reported a case of rare MCD complicated with multiple myeloma who received bortezomib and achieved very good remission. To our knowledge, this is the first report on MCD in the setting of multiple myeloma with good response to bortezomib.
Topoisomerase IIα Amplification Does Not Predict Benefit From Dose-Intense Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Fluorouracil Therapy in HER2-Amplified Early Breast Cancer: Results of CALGB 8541/150013
Authors: Harris Lyndsay N. , Broadwater Gloria , Abu-Khalaf Maysa , Cowan David , Thor Ann D. , Budman Daniel , Cirrincione Constance T. , Berry Donald A. , Winer Eric P. , Hudis Clifford A. , Hayes Daniel F. , Friedman Paula , Ellis Matthew , Dressler Lynn 
Published: May 2009

Purpose We have demonstrated that patients with HER2-amplified tumors derive more benefit from higher doses of doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil [CAF]). Because topoisomerase IIα (Topo-IIα) is a target for doxorubicin and is coamplified in 20% to 50% of HER2-amplified tumors, we postulated that Topo-IIα copy number might account for the benefit from CAF dose escalation in HER2-positive tumors. To address this hypothesis, we examined Topo-IIα and HER2 copy number, CAF dose, and clinical outcomes in Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 8541. Patients and Methods Topo-IIα and HER2 copy number were measured by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using a triple-probe system, which includes Topo-IIα, HER2, and chromosome 17 (CEP17). Topo-IIα and/or HER2 were classified as amplified (≥ two copies/CEP17, deleted (≤ 0.67 copies/CEP17) and normal copy number (> .67 to < 2.0 copies/CEP17). Results Topo-IIα/HER2/CEP17 measurement was successful in 624 of 687 cases. HER2 was amplified in 117 cases (19%). Topo-IIα was amplified in 41 cases (7%) and deleted in 69 cases (11%). Topo-IIα amplification was highly correlated with HER2 amplification (39 of 41; P < .0001), HER2 by immunohistochemistry, and by dual-probe FISH. Topo-IIα was deleted in both the HER2-amplified (30 of 69; 43%), normal (22 of 69; 32%) and HER2-deleted tumors (17 of 69; 25%). Although Topo-IIα–amplified tumors were nearly always HER2 amplified, these tumors did not receive benefit from increasing the dose of CAF (P = .15). Conclusion The correlative companion study CALGB 8541-150013 does not support the hypothesis that Topo-IIα amplification is the mechanism behind benefit from increased dose of anthracyclines in HER2-positive breast cancer.
ATR Mutation in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Is Associated With Poor Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Zighelboim Israel , Schmidt Amy P. , Gao Feng , Thaker Premal H. , Powell Matthew A. , Rader Janet S. , Gibb Randall K. , Mutch David G. , Goodfellow Paul J. 
Published: May 2009

Purpose Mutations in the DNA damage response gene ATR (exon 10 A10 mononucleotide repeat) have been previously described in endometrial and other cancers with defective DNA mismatch repair. In vitro studies showed that endometrial cancer cell lines with A10 repeat tract truncating mutations have a failure in the ATR-dependent DNA damage response. Cell lines carrying A10 mutations fail to trigger Chk1 activation in response to ionizing radiation and topoisomerase inhibitors. We sought to determine the frequency and clinicopathologic significance of ATR mutations in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer. Patients and Methods The ATR exon 10 A10 repeat was analyzed by direct sequencing in 141 tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI-positive) and 107 microsatellite stable (MSI-negative) tumors. The relationships between mutations and clinicopathologic variables, including overall and disease-free survival, were assessed using contingency table tests and Cox proportional hazard models. Results ATR mutations were identified in 12 cases (4.8%; three cases with insertions and nine cases with deletions). Mutations occurred exclusively in MSI-positive tumors (P = .02), with an overall mutation rate of 8.5%. Mutation was not associated with age, race, surgical stage, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics grade, or adjuvant treatment. Multivariate analyses revealed a significant association with reduced overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.88; 95% CI, 1.64 to 9.18; P = .002) and disease-free survival (HR = 4.29; 95% CI, 1.48 to 12.45; P = .007). Conclusion Truncating ATR mutations in endometrial cancers are associated with biologic aggressiveness as evidenced by reduced disease-free and overall survival. Knowledge of ATR mutation status may hold promise for individualized treatment and targeted therapies in patients with endometrial cancer.
Phase I Trial of Daily Oral Polyphenon E in Patients With Asymptomatic Rai Stage 0 to II Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Shanafelt Tait D. , Call Tim G. , Zent Clive S. , LaPlant Betsy , Bowen Deborah A. , Roos Michelle , Secreto Charla R. , Ghosh Asish K. , Kabat Brian F. , Lee Mao-Jung , Yang Chung S. , Jelinek Diane F. , Erlichman Charles , Kay Neil E. 
Published: May 2009

Purpose To define the optimal dose of Polyphenon E for chronic daily administration and tolerability in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Patients and Methods Previously untreated patients with asymptomatic Rai stage 0 to II CLL were eligible for participation. Polyphenon E with a standardized dose of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was administered using the standard phase I design with three to six patients per dose level (range, 400 to 2,000 mg by mouth twice a day). Trough plasma EGCG levels were measured 1 month after initiation of therapy. Response was classified using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Working Group (WG) Criteria. Results Thirty-three eligible patients were accrued to dose levels 1 to 8. The maximum-tolerated dose was not reached. The most common adverse effects included transaminitis (33%, all grade 1), abdominal pain (30% grade 1, 0% grade 2, and 3% grade 3), and nausea (39% grade 1 and 9% grade 2). One patient experienced an NCI WG partial remission. Other signs of clinical activity were also observed, with 11 patients (33%) having a sustained ≥ 20% reduction in absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and 11 (92%) of 12 patients with palpable adenopathy experiencing at least a 50% reduction in the sum of the products of all nodal areas during treatment. Trough plasma EGCG levels after 1 month of treatment ranged from 2.9 to 3,974 ng/mL (median, 40.4 ng/mL). Conclusion Daily oral EGCG in the Polyphenon E preparation was well tolerated by CLL patients in this phase I trial. Declines in ALC and/or lymphadenopathy were observed in the majority of patients. A phase II trial to evaluate efficacy using 2,000 mg twice a day began in November 2007.
The Clinical Variability of Maternally Inherited Diabetes and Deafness Is Associated with the Degree of Heteroplasmy in Blood Leukocytes
Authors: Laloi-Michelin M. , Meas T. , Ambonville C. , Bellanné-Chantelot C. , Beaufils S. , Massin P. , Vialettes B. , Gin H. , Timsit J. , Bauduceau B. , Bernard L. , Bertin E. , Blickle J.-F. , Cahen-Varsaux J. , Cailleba A. , Casanova S. , Cathebras P. , Charpentier G. , Chedin P. , Crea T. , Delemer B , Dubois-Laforgue D. , Duchemin F. , Ducluzeau P. H. , Bouhanick B. , Dusselier L. , Gabreau T. , Grimaldi A. , Guerci B. , Jacquin V. , Kaloustian E. , Larger E. , Lecleire-Collet A. , Lorenzini F. , Louis J. , Mausset J. , Murat A. , Nadler-Fluteau S. , Olivier F. , Paquis-Flucklinger V. , Paris-Bockel D. , Raynaud I. , Reznik Y. , Riveline J. P. , Schneebeli S. , Sonnet E. , Sola-Gazagnes A. , Thomas J. L. , Trabulsi B. , Virally M. , Guillausseau P. J. ,   (GEDIAM, Mitochondrial Diabetes French Study Group)
Published: May 2009

Context: Maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) is a rare form of diabetes with a matrilineal transmission, sensorineural hearing loss, and macular pattern dystrophy due to an A to G transition at position 3243 of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (m.3243A&gt;G). The phenotypic heterogeneity of MIDD may be the consequence of different levels of mutated mtDNA among mitochondria in a given tissue.
Objective: The aim of the present study was thus to ascertain the correlation between the severity of the phenotype in patients with MIDD and the level of heteroplasmy in the blood leukocytes.
Participants: The GEDIAM prospective multicenter register was initiated in 1995. Eighty-nine Europid patients from this register, with MIDD and the mtDNA 3243A&gt;G mutation, were included. Patients with MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) or with mitochondrial diabetes related to other mutations or to deletions of mtDNA were excluded.
Results: A significant negative correlation was found between levels of heteroplasmy and age of the patients at the time of sampling for molecular analysis, age at the diagnosis of diabetes, and body mass index. After adjustment for age at sampling for molecular study and gender, the correlation between heteroplasmy levels and age at the diagnosis of diabetes was no more significant. The two other correlations remained significant. A significant positive correlation between levels of heteroplasmy and HbA1c was also found and remained significant after adjustment for age at molecular sampling and gender.
Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that heteroplasmy levels are at least one of the determinants of the severity of the phenotype in MIDD.