bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oligoclonal bands and immunoglobulin isotype switch during monitoring of patients with multiple myeloma and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation: a 16-year experience
Authors: Alejandre Mariel Emilce , Madalena Leticia Bibiana , Pavlovsky Miguel Arturo , Facio Maria Laura , Corrado Claudia , Milone Gustavo , Bresciani Pablo Diego , Fraind Susana Alicia , Pavlovsky Santiago , Pizzolato Marco Antonio 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background: Over the last 20 years, high dose therapy followed by hemopoietic stem cell transplantation has been employed in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). During 16 years of follow-up, the degree of tumor response and survival in 238 patients with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and changes in the serum protein electrophoretic pattern were analyzed.

Methods: Agarose gel electrophoresis with densitometric analysis and immunofixation were performed to evaluate serum monoclonal protein. IgM, IgA, IgG and β2-microglobulin (β2M) were quantitated. Urine protein electrophoresis with IF was performed on cellulose acetate gel using colloidal silver staining without concentrating.

Results: After 34 months of follow-up (range 1–160 months), eight patients (3.4%) showed a distinct monoclonal protein band that was different from their original isotype switch. This was observed to be a transient phenomenon (22.2 months). Thirty-seven patients (15.5%) developed oligoclonal bands (OB) between the first and the twentieth month after ASCT (mean 4.4 months), which persisted for 7.9 months (1–36 months). The mean overall survival time was statistically different (p<0.05) between the group with OB and the group without them. Mean values of serum albumin, β2M, and non-involved immunoglobulins did not show statistical differences.

Conclusions: The occurrence of OB could be a potential favorable prognostic marker after transplantation due to the prolonged survival observed. Close follow-up of anomalous protein bands, either in serum or urine, is essential due to the additional difficulty in interpretation when the therapeutic response and evolution are evaluated.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:727–31.
Disasters: where they find us
Authors: Bersch Carren 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Preparing for a natural disaster starts with a thorough understanding of the geography of your particular location, as well as its weather patterns. Early planning must also look beyond the disaster to examine the possible consequences of such a disaster. While no disaster/emergency preparedness planners like to think of the bleakest outcome (i.e., mass fatalities), building in solutions at the outset of a plan alleviates having to figure them out in the middle of an earthquake, a fire, or a hurricane. January's earthquake in Haiti holds lessons for anyone who is part of a first responder or healthcare profession, and those lessons have been hard ones for the world to learn.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:599–602.
Monographs on drugs which are frequently analyzed in therapeutic drug monitoring / Arzneimittel-Monographien für Medikamente, die regelmäßig im Rahmen des Therapeutic Drug Monitorings analysiert werden
Authors: Rentsch Working group “Drug Monitoring” of the SSCC: Katharina , Buhl Daniela , Eap Chin Bin , Fathi Marc , Jöchle Wolfgang , Magnin Jean-Luc , Thormann Wolfgang , Werner Dominique 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
In addition to the monographs which have been published in the past 4 years by the working group “Drug Monitoring” of the Swiss Society of Clinical Chemistry (SSCC) [1–4], new monographs have been written. The data presented in these monographs provide an overview of important information for the request and interpretation of results. Therefore, laboratory health professionals and the receivers of the reports are the targeted readers. In this series, several antiepileptic drugs are presented. Monographs on carbamazepine [1], lamotrigine [2], phenobarbital [2], and valproic acid [2] have been published previously. First, information about pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of these drugs (protein binding, metabolic pathways and enzymes involved, elimination half-life time and elimination route(s) of the parent drug and therapeutic as well as toxic concentrations) is given. Second, the indications for therapeutic drug monitoring are listed. Last but not least, important pre-analytical information is provided, including time points of blood sampling and time interval after which steady-state concentrations are reached after changing the dose. Furthermore, the stability of the drug and its metabolite(s) after blood sampling is described. For readers with a specific interest, references to important publications are given. The number of the monographs will be further enlarged. The updated files are presented on the homepage of the SSCC (www.sscc.ch). We hope that these monographs are helpful for the better handling of therapeutic drug monitoring and we are looking forward to comments from the readers.
Ein neues Antikoagulans zur Probengewinnung für Thrombozytenfunktionstests / A new anticoagulant for blood sampling tubes for platelet function tests
Authors: Wolf Johanna , Sigl Martin , Giannitsis Evangelos , Ivandic Boris 
Published: May 2010

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund: Thrombozytenfunktionsdiagnostik, beispielsweise zum Nachweis einer Acetylsalicylsäure (ASS)- und/oder Clopidogrelresistenz wird immer häufiger nachgefragt, ist aber aufgrund der schwierigen Präanalytik wenig verbreitet. Bei der Blutentnahme und Probenaufbereitung können Aktivierungsprozesse in einer Citrat-antikoagulierten Probe nicht vollständig vermieden werden. Für den Einsatz zur Vollblutaggregometrie prüften wir ein neues Blutentnahmeröhrchen mit Benzylsulfonyl-D-Argininyl-Prolyl-4-Amidinobenzylamid (Xipla®) als Antikoagulans (Thrombovette®, Probe & go, Osburg) unter klinischen Routinebedingungen.

Methodik: Wir untersuchten 46 Patienten mit ASS- und Clopidogreltherapie aus der kardiologischen Notaufnahme sowie 20 gesunde Probanden. Die Blutentnahme erfolgte mit Thrombovette® und Citrat S-Monovette® (Sarstedt AG&Co, Nümbrecht). Nach Transport mit einem Rohrpostsystem wurde im Labor eine Vollblutaggregometrie mit Kollagen und ADP (Endkonzentrationen 1 mg/L bzw. 5 μM) mit einem Vollblut-Lumi-Aggregometer Modell 560Ca (Chrono-Log, Havertown, PA, USA) durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse: Anhand des Normalkollektivs wurden Referenzbereiche und Entscheidungsgrenzen (Mittelwert – 2-fache Standardabweichung) für das Vorliegen einer Resistenz ermittelt. Damit ergab sich zum Nachweis einer durch ASS gehemmten Aggregation mit Citrat S-Monovette® und Thrombovette® jeweils ein positiv prädiktiver Wert von über 94%. Zum Nachweis der Clopidogrelwirkung wurden mit Thrombovette® 68,0% und mit Citrat S-Monovette® 53,3% erhalten. Die negativ prädiktiven Werte zum Nachweis der ASS-Resistenz betrugen für die Citrat S-Monovette® und Thrombovette® 75% bzw. 82,8%, für den Nachweis der Clopidogrel-Resistenz wurden mit der Thrombovette® 87,8% und mit der Citrat S-Monovette 83,3% gefunden.

Schlussfolgerung: Die Thrombovette® ist ein Blutentnahmesystem, das eine verbesserte Validität der Thrombozytenfunktionsdiagnostik zum Nachweis einer ASS- und/oder Clopidogrel-Resistenz erwarten lässt.
Decreasing tumor size of thyroid cancer in Germany: institutional experience 1995–2009
Authors: Machens Andreas , Dralle Henning 
Published: May 2010

ObjectiveDecreasing tumor size in a population over time is widely interpreted as a measure of effectiveness of cancer screening programs. Nonetheless, thyroid cancer size is rarely analyzed as a function of time. This study aimed to explore secular trends of thyroid cancer diameter in Germany.DesignRetrospective analysis of 1644 thyroid cancer patients from a large referral center for thyroid cancer (1995–2009).MethodsCalculation of largest tumor diameters for each type of cancer as a function of time periods and birth cohorts.ResultsOver the past 25 years, subdivided into 5-year periods by year of thyroidectomy (1985–1989; 1990–1994; 1995–1999; 2000–2004; 2005–2009), tumor diameters diminished from 25 to 16 mm (P=0.025) for medullary thyroid cancer and from 28 to 18 mm (P=0.017) for papillary thyroid cancer. This reduction was greater for hereditary medullary thyroid cancer (from 27 to 11 mm; P=0.088) than sporadic medullary thyroid cancer (from 23 to 19 mm; P=0.11). No decline was observed for follicular thyroid cancer (means of 45 to 42 mm; P=0.52). From the first (1921–1940) to the most recent birth cohort (1981–2000), tumor size fell from 22 to 10 mm (P<0.001) for medullary thyroid cancer, from 24 to 22 mm (P<0.001) for papillary thyroid cancer, and from 49 to 38 mm (P=0.011) for follicular thyroid cancer. The reduction of medullary thyroid cancers affected exclusively patients with hereditary disease (from 20 to 7 mm; P<0.001).ConclusionThe consistency and robustness of these data signify powerful secular trends toward smaller papillary, follicular, and medullary thyroid cancers. The causes and consequences of these trends warrant further investigation.
A hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at ultrasound does not indicate autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with morbid obesity
Authors: Rotondi Mario , Cappelli Carlo , Leporati Paola , Chytiris Spyridon , Zerbini Francesca , Fonte Rodolfo , Magri Flavia , Castellano Maurizio , Chiovato Luca 
Published: May 2010

ObjectiveThyroid ultrasound (US) scan is a valuable tool for diagnosing thyroid diseases. In autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US is related to circulating thyroid antibodies (Abs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid US for the detection of AITD in patients with morbid obesity.DesignThyroid US scans showing an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid were collected from 105 morbid obese patients (body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m2) and 105 non-obese patients (BMI≤30 kg/m2).ResultsA thyroid hypoechoic pattern at US was consistent with clinical/biochemical features of AITD in 90/105 (85.7%) non-obese patients and in 22/105 (20.9%) morbid-obese patients (P<0.0001). By performing a complete thyroid work-up, including clinical examination, thyroid morphology, serum hormones, and auto-Ab measurements, the discrepancy between the US pattern and the results of the thyroid Ab tests was justified in 6/15 non-obese patients, and only in 1/83 morbid obese patients. Thus, an unexplained hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US, defined as negative tests for thyroid Ab and absence of justifying thyroid disturbances, was found in 2/105 (1.9%) non-obese patients and in 68/105 (64.8%) morbid obese patients (P<0.0001).ConclusionsOur results suggest that i) morbid obesity may affect thyroid morphology, and ii) an hypoechoic pattern of the thyroid at US, a well-established parameter for diagnosing AITD, has a poor diagnostic accuracy when patients with morbid obesity are taken into account.
A 4‐Year Evaluation of the Peri‐Implant Parameters of Immediately Loaded Implants Placed in Fresh Extraction Sockets
Authors: Crespi Roberto , Capparè Paolo , Gherlone Enrico 
Published: May 2010

Background: The present study considers the correlation between the meaning of keratinized mucosa (KM) and the long‐term maintenance of endosseous root‐form dental implants placed in fresh sockets and immediately loaded.Methods: Twenty‐nine patients requiring extractions of ≥2 teeth in the maxilla and mandible were selected. One‐hundred thirty‐two maxillary and 32 mandibular teeth, in the incisor, canine, and premolar regions, were extracted. Implants were positioned in fresh sockets and immediately loaded. Based on the amounts of KM, implants were categorized as follows: KM ≥2 mm (group A) and KM <2 mm (group B). Clinical parameters (probing depth, modified plaque index, modified bleeding index, and gingival index) and marginal bone levels were followed at 4 years after implant placement. Comparisons between group A and B values were performed by the Student two‐tailed t test.Results: At 4‐year follow‐up, a survival rate of 100% was reported for all implants. The mean values of group B were significantly higher (P <0.05) than group A for the following parameters: gingival index (group A, 0.67 ± 0.09; group B, 1.01 ± 0.11); modified plaque index (group A, 1.18 ± 0.09; group B, 1.71 ± 0.12); and modified bleeding index (group A, 0.35 ± 0.05; group B, 0.78 ± 0.05). Gingival recession was significantly elevated in group B. In both group A and group B, up to 60% of gingival recession occurred within the first 6 months. For mean bone loss values, statistically non‐significant differences were reported between groups.Conclusions: At 4‐year follow‐up, the results suggested that the presence of mid‐buccal KM is not a critical factor in the maintenance of interproximal bone level around fresh socket implants immediately loaded. Conversely, less width of KM is significantly associated with more gingival inflammation, more plaque accumulation, and more gingival recession.
Screening to Identify Mental Health Problems in Pediatric Primary Care: Considerations for Practice
Authors: Brown Jonathan D. , Wissow Lawrence S. 
Published: May 2010

Objective: Few pediatric primary care providers routinely use mental health screening tools, in part because they may have concerns about whether screening is useful and how it will affect their practice. This study examined the extent to which screening in primary care would increase the identification of mental health problems among a diverse population of children and youth. Methods: Prior to the visit, the parents of 767 patients age 5 to 16 completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to report their child's mental health symptoms and impairment. Without viewing the screening results, each child's provider ( N = 53) completed a questionnaire to report whether the child or youth demonstrated a mental health problem. Results: Compared with providers, the screen identified twice as many patients with moderate symptoms and nearly 28% more patients with high symptoms. Among patients with high symptoms, providers failed to identify a problem among 78% of those who were Latino/Other and 55% of those who were African American compared with 27% of Caucasian patients ( p < 0.001). Providers were not more likely to identify patients with externalizing versus internalizing symptoms but were more likely to identify patients who demonstrated symptoms across multiple domains of functioning. Conclusions: Screening substantially increased the number of children and youth who would be identified as possibly having a mental health problem. Screening may have the most potential to increase the identification of problems among patients who have moderate mental health symptoms and those who are African American or Latino.
Sexual Maturation and Psychiatric Morbidity among Persons with Sickle Cell Anaemia in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital
Authors: Aina Olatunji F. , Fadaka Kate , Temiye Edamisan , Renner James K. 
Published: May 2010

Background: Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA), an inherited HbSS disease, is common in Nigeria with attendant high morbidity and mortality most especially in the setting of poor health care services. Impaired physical and sexual development is one of the prominent complications of SCA; and with attendant secondary psychiatric sequelae. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the haematology clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), among adolescent attendees (10–19 years) with SCA. Age and sex-matched controls were recruited from Action Health Incorporated (AHI), an NGO to promote adolescent health advocacy. The haemoglobin genotypes SS for subjects and AA for controls were confirmed with gel electrophoresis. Each subject and control was physically examined for the assessment of external genitalia (sexual) maturation using Tanner Staging Method, and were also evaluated with General Health Questionnaire—version 12 (GHQ-12). Results: In all, 136 adolescents with SCA and of equal sex distribution and equal number of controls were studied, with mean ages of 14.3 α 2.8 and 13.5 α 2.6 years, respectively. On GHQ assessment, 113 (83%) subjects and 25 (18.4%) controls had GHQ scores of ≥ 5, indicating probable presence of psychopathology. For both males and females, the subjects significantly lagged behind the controls in different areas of sexual maturation, with corresponding significant higher GHQ scores among the subjects. For example, in sexual maturation rate (SMR) stage 1 of pubic hair development, the mean ages for male subjects and controls were 11.9 α 1.5 and 10.7 α 0.9 years, respectively, with significant “ t” of 5.06 at p < 0.03*; for females: 13.0 α 2.6 and 10.4 α 0.6 years for subjects and controls respectively with significant “ t” of 4.36 at p < 0.04*. The corresponding GHQ scores were for subjects: < 5 for 6 and ≥ 5 for 20 of the subjects respectively; and for controls, the GHQ scores were < 5 for 9 and nil of controls for ≥ 5 score. The difference in GHQ scores for subjects and controls in this stage 1 pubic hair maturation was significant with χ2 = 16.15, df = 1, p = 0.00*. Conclusion: It is concluded that SCA subjects had significantly delayed sexual maturation and increased risk of psychiatric morbidity when compared to controls. The need for genetic counseling to reduce the prevalence of SCA was emphasized.
Effects of Antidepressive Treatment of Saint John'S Wort Extract Related to Autonomic Nervous Function in Women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Wan Hongyu , Chen Yulong 
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients usually manifest autonomic nerve dysfunctions and abnormal psychological behaviors. This study was to assess autonomic nervous system (ANS) response to different stressor as well as evaluate effects of antidepressive treatment of Saint John's Wort Extract in women with IBS. Method: Thirty women with IBS and 20 healthy women underwent serial ANS function tests. Five-minute-short-time heart rate variability (HRV) spectral analysis were assessed at a stress or resting recording period. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to measure their anxiety and depression conditions. After 8–weeks' antidepressant treatment, groups of IBS repeated the tests above. Subjects also completed a GI symptom diary once daily during the 2 weeks before therapy and for 2 weeks in the last scheduled therapy session. Results: IBS-group showed a higher score in HAMA and HAMD ( p < 0.01) and showed a significant increase in the low frequency band/high frequency band ratio (L/H) during the period in different stimuli ( p < 0.01), which was significantly different from pre-treatment. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of IBS were also relieved significantly. Conclusions: Antidepressive treatment can improve the conditions of psychology and the ANS reactivity to stress in patients with IBS.
Ethnic Disparities in Accessing Treatment for Depression and Substance Use Disorders in an Integrated Health Plan
Authors: Satre Derek D. , Campbell Cynthia I. , Gordon Nancy P. , Weisner Constance 
Published: May 2010

Objective: This study examined ethnic differences in accessing treatment for depression and substance use disorders (SUDs) among men and women in a large integrated health plan and explored factors potentially contributing to health care disparities. Methods: Participants were 22,543 members ages 20 to 65 who responded to health surveys in 2002 and 2005. Survey questions were linked to provider-assigned diagnoses, electronic medication, psychiatry, and chemical dependency program records. Results: Among women diagnosed with depression, Latinas ( p < .01) and Asian-Americans ( p < .001) were less likely than Whites to fill an antidepressant prescription. Among men diagnosed with depression, African Americans ( p < .01) were less likely than Whites to do so. Among women diagnosed with an SUD, African Americans ( p < .05) were less likely than Whites to have one or more chemical dependency program visits. Conclusions: Results demonstrated ethnic differences in accessing depression and SUD treatment among patients diagnosed with these disorders, which persisted after controlling for education, income, having a regular health care provider and length of health plan enrollment. Findings highlight potential gender differences in ethnic disparities, lower antidepressant utilization among Asian Americans, and the effects of co-occurring disorders in accessing behavioral health care.
The Prevalence of Hopelessness among Adults: Disability and other Related Factors
Authors: Hamzaoglu Onur , Ozkan Ozlem , Ulusoy Mahir , Gokdogan Feray 
Published: May 2010

Background: Hopelessness has become an important issue in the fields of health and social care. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of hopelessness and its association with the current health condition, disability, and other socio-demographic characteristics. Method: The cross-sectional study sampled a population of 501 adults in Bolu, Turkey. Questionnaires included the Household Questionnaire, the Health Condition Questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Brief Disability Questionnaire. Data were collected through face-to-face home interviews between September 29 and October 11, 2003. Results: The prevalence of hopelessness was 30.9%. It was higher among the literate (60.0%) ( p < 0.05), males (35.0%) ( p > 0.05), and agricultural workers and peasants (50.0%, 41.9%) ( p < 0.05). Almost half of the participants were disabled, and 44.6% of the subjects with disabilities were hopeless ( p < 0.05). Being without hope was statistically significant with gender, social class, perceived health, and disability ( p < 0.05). The risk of hopelessness increased in subjects with perceived bad health, lowered social class, and disability, compared with the reference groups. Conclusions: In this study, hopelessness prevalence was high and it was also associated with the current state of health, perceived health, disability, and some socio-demographic variables. It will be important to increase the number of studies related to hopelessness and associated factors for improved mental health services planning at population level.
Mineralogy and petrology serving society: challenges for the 21st century
Authors: Hovorka Dušan 
Published: May 2010

Mineralogy and petrology serving society: challenges for the 21st centuryOne of the topical problems of science in general at present is spreading the newest discoveries among population as well as among the decision-makers. "Mineralogical sciences" (mineralogy, geochemistry, petrology) affect the wide spectrum of human activities. Such an influence can already be traced in prehistory, and in the modern age the significance of the mentioned geoscience branches is on the increase. The author presents here a review of selected applications of mineralogical sciences in the development of mankind.
Luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Eu2+ in fluorites and apatites
Authors: Bodył Sabina 
Published: May 2010

Luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Eu2+ in fluorites and apatitesNatural samples of fluorite and apatite from granites, pegmatites, carbonatites and andesitic tuffs were investigated by steady-time spectroscopy to characterize the luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Eu2+. The luminescence of Ce3+ has been clearly seen in fluorite as 320 and 337 or 343 nm bands. In apatites, two distinct bands for two different Ca crystal sites were obtained: 340-380 nm for Ca(1) and 420-450 nm for Ca(2). The luminescence spectra of Eu2+ in the fluorite crystals were measured even at for low concentration of this element (0.11 ppm). For Ce3+, it has been showed that the crystal field strength depends more on the nature of the ligand than on the Me-ligand distances.