bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect on Peritoneal Dialysis Pathogens of Changing Topical Antibiotic Prophylaxis
Authors: Pierce Dwayne A. , Williamson John C. , Mauck Vicki S. , Russell Gregory B. , Palavecino Elizabeth , Burkart John M. 
Published: February 2012

Background Prophylactic gentamicin 0.1% cream has demonstrated efficacy in preventing both exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis attributable to gram-positive and gram-negative organisms; however, the effect of this practice on the gentamicin susceptibility patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from such infections is unknown. We therefore examined the effect of a change in our prophylactic topical antibiotic exit-site protocol (from mupirocin 2% cream to gentamicin 0.1% cream) on infection rates and susceptibility patterns. Methods This retrospective observational cohort study examined two periods of time: before and after the change in exit-site protocol. Each period was 30 months in duration, with a 2-month implementation period between, during which patient data were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and microbiology data were collected for each patient and episode of infection. Results Overall, 377 patients were evaluated. In the mupirocin period (MUP), 145 infections occurred in 79 patients, and in the gentamicin period, 145 infections occurred in 93 patients. No significant effect was found either in overall episodes of infection (0.53 per year) or in episodes of peritonitis (0.429 vs 0.375 per year), but episodes of ESI increased significantly (0.098 vs 0.153 per year; p = 0.024; odds ratio: 1.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.05 to 2.28). Episodes of Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis increased by 38% (0.018 vs 0.025 per year), and episodes of S. aureus ESI increased significantly by 150% (0.022 vs 0.055 per year; p = 0.03; hazard ratio: 3.00; 95% confidence interval: 1.09 to 8.26). Episodes of pseudomonal peritonitis declined by 68% (0.022 vs 0.007 per year), and episodes of pseudomonal ESI increased by 150% (0.007 vs 0.018 per year). The gentamicin susceptibility for gram-positive isolates demonstrated no significant change; however, the gentamicin susceptibility for Enterobacteriaceae decreased by 12% and for Pseudomonas, by 14%. Conclusions The significant increase in episodes of ESI and the decrease in susceptibility for both Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas isolates represent a concerning trend. Centers should examine trends in infection rates and in bacterial susceptibilities to determine the most appropriate agent for ESI prophylaxis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Radiographic Assessment of Carpal Depressions in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Normal Variants or Erosions?
Authors: BOAVIDA PETER , HARGUNANI RIKIN , OWENS CATHERINE M. , ROSENDAHL KAREN 
Published: February 2012

Objective.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and followup of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Carpal depressions are commonly observed in healthy children and in patients with JIA. The aim of our study was to further characterize these depressions in patients with JIA.Methods.A total of 29 MRI wrist examinations were analyzed. Depressions were classified according to morphology as either tubular or focal. Features including the presence of a vessel related to the depression, evidence of synovitis, bone marrow edema, or loss of joint space on a radiograph taken on the same day were recorded for each depression.Results.A total of 173 depressions were identified in 145 carpal bones. Forty percent were capitate depressions. A third were focal depressions and two-thirds were tubular. About 10% of tubular depressions and 30% of focal depressions were associated with features suggesting true erosions, with the remainder likely to represent vascular channels and normal variants.Conclusion.Radiologists and clinicians should undertake caution when assessing carpal depressions on MRI because the vast majority are likely to represent normal variants.
Parent and Child Acceptable Symptom State in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: FILOCAMO GIOVANNI , CONSOLARO ALESSANDRO , SCHIAPPAPIETRA BENEDETTA , RUPERTO NICOLINO , PISTORIO ANGELA , SOLARI NICOLETTA , PEDERZOLI SILVIA , VERAZZA SARA , MARTINI ALBERTO , RAVELLI ANGELO 
Published: February 2012

Objective.To explore the parent and child acceptable symptom state in juvenile arthritis (JA-PASS and JA-CASS, respectively) and estimate the JA-PASS and JA-CASS cutoff values for outcome measures.Methods.Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents completed a multi-dimensional questionnaire that included parent-reported and child-reported outcomes and a question about whether they considered the disease state as satisfactory. Additional assessments included demographic data, physician-reported outcomes, and acute-phase reactant levels. Stepwise logistic regression was used to assess contributors to JA-PASS and JA-CASS. Cutoff values of outcome measures that defined JA-PASS and JA-CASS were determined using both 75th percentile and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve methods. Testing procedures included evaluation of discriminative and construct validity of the satisfaction question and assessment of reliability of JA-PASS and JA-PASS cutoffs.Results.Of 584 parents, 385 (65.9%) considered their child in JA-PASS. Of 343 children, 236 (68.8%) considered themselves in JA-CASS. Significant contributors to being in either JA-PASS or JA-CASS were absence of active joints, better rating of overall well-being, and better physical function or health. Cutoff values yielded by 75th percentile and ROC curve methods were similar. Parent, child, and physician global ratings yielded the lowest percentage of false-positive misclassification and the best tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity. The satisfaction question showed good discriminative and construct validity and the JA-PASS and JA-PASS cutoffs were found to be stable over time.Conclusion.The acceptable symptom state is a relevant concept for children with JIA and their parents and constitutes a valid outcome measure that is potentially applicable in routine practice and clinical trials.
Dysregulation of the Microvasculature in Nonlesional Non-Sun-exposed Skin of Patients with Lupus Nephritis
Authors: IZMIRLY PETER M. , SHVARTSBEYN MARIANNA , MEEHAN SHANE , FRANKS ANDREW , BRAUN ALAN , GINZLER ELLEN , XU SHERRY X. , YEE HERMAN , RIVERA TANIA , ESMON CHARLES , BARISONI LAURA , MERRILL JOAN T. , BUYON JILL P. , CLANCY ROBERT M. 
Published: February 2012

Objective.Membrane endothelial protein C receptor (mEPCR) is highly expressed in peritubular capillaries of kidneys from patients with active and poorly responsive lupus nephritis (LN). We investigated the hypothesis that changes in the microvasculature are widespread with extension to the dermal vasculature.Methods.Skin biopsies from uninvolved skin (buttocks) were performed in 27 patients with LN and 5 healthy controls. Sections were stained with specific antibodies reactive with mEPCR, adiponectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and CD31; then assessed by enumeration of stained blood vessels (percentage positive blood vessels) blinded to knowledge of clinical information.Results.There was a significant increase in the prevalence of blood vessels that stained for mEPCR and ICAM-1 in patients compared to controls [94% vs 59% (p = 0.045) and 81% vs 67% (p = 0.037), respectively]. Adiponectin staining and CD31 staining were similar between the groups (45% vs 43% and 98% vs 92%). Dermal staining for mEPCR was greater in patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis than in those with membranous disease (96% vs 60%; p = 0.029). A composite of poor prognostic renal markers and death was significantly associated with greater expression of mEPCR staining.Conclusion.These data are consistent with the notion that in patients with LN, activation of the microvasculature extends beyond the clinically targeted organ. The insidious expression of this widespread vasculopathy may be a contributor to longterm comorbidities.
Aberrant Chondrocyte Hypertrophy and Activation of ß-Catenin Signaling Precede Joint Ankylosis inank/ankMice
Authors: LAS HERAS FACUNDO , PRITZKER KENNETH P.H. , SO ANTHONY , TSUI HING WO , CHIU BASIL , INMAN ROBERT D. , TSUI FLORENCE W.L. 
Published: February 2012

Objective.We assessed the role ofAnkin the maintenance of postnatal articular cartilage using theank/ankmouse (mice homozygous forprogressive ankylosis).Methods.We analyzedank/ankmice and wild-type littermates (8, 12, and 18 weeks old). Sections from decalcified, paraffin-embedded joints were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Articular chondrocyte size and cartilage thickness were determined using morphometric methods. Immuno-histochemical staining was performed with anticollagen X, antitissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), and anti-ß-catenin antibodies on fixed joint sections. Axin2 expression in paw joint lysates in wild-type versusank/ankmice were compared using Western blot analysis.Results.In all age groups of normal mice studied, calcified cartilage (CC) chondrocyte areas were significantly larger than those of uncalcified cartilage (UC) chondrocytes. However, similar chondrocyte areas (UC vs CC) were found in 12-week and 18-week-oldank/ankmice, indicating that hypertrophic chondrocytes were present in the UC of these mutant mice. Theank/ankmice showed an increase in CC thickness. Theank/ankUC hypertrophic chondrocytes showed diffuse immuno-reactivity for collagen X and TNAP. Increased ß-catenin activation was demonstrated by nuclear localization of ß-catenin staining inank/ankchondrocytes. Axin2 expression from paw lysates was downregulated inank/ankmice.Conclusion.We identified a previously unrecognized phenotype in the articular cartilage ofank/ankmice: collagen X-positive hypertrophic chondrocytes in the UC. It is possible that consequent to downregulation of axin2 expression, ß-catenin signaling was activated, leading to accelerated chondrocyte maturation and eventual ankylosis inank/ankjoints. Our studies shed new light on the contribution of a key signaling pathway in this model of joint ankylosis.
Les « désadaptés » : genèse d'un mythe non darwinien
Authors: Kohler Florent 
Published: February 2012

Résumé Postuler qu’a existé un processus d’hominisation signifie qu’à un moment donné est survenue une rupture. Parler de « rupture » implique, de manière tout à fait cohérente, qu’il y ait discontinuité. Or, s’il y a discontinuité, il est légitime de parler « d’hominisation ». La logique imparable de ce raisonnement repose sur sa circularité. Plutôt que de nous interroger sur la rupture effective, mieux vaut s’interroger sur les fondements cosmologiques de cette assertion, le réseau de stéréotypes dans lequel elle se trouve insérée. Pour ce faire, cet article analyse des discours scientifiques tenus en marge d’une spécialité (neurobiologie, ethnologie, linguistique), discours interstitiels qui ont le mérite de laisser apparaître la trame sous-jacente des représentations ancrées au sujet de l’origine de l’humanité. Nous pensons en effet que la trame narrative sur laquelle repose le scénario de « l’hominisation » s’affranchit de la perspective de l’évolution darwinienne pour s’inscrire de plain-pied dans le registre mythique. En ce sens, elle participerait de la construction d’une identité spécifique opposant l’homme à son contraire, c’est-à-dire l’animal.
Alexandre Lamfalussy et les tentatives de la BRI pour éviter un endettement excessif en Amérique latine dans les années 1970
Authors: Maes Ivo 
Published: February 2012

La crise de la dette en Amérique latine, qui éclate en août 1982, est la première crise financière mondiale de l’après-guerre. La BRI joue un rôle important dans la gestion de celle-ci. Le présent article étudie les efforts consentis par cette institution durant la seconde moitié des années 1970 pour limiter l’accumulation de la dette. Il montre qu’Alexandre Lamfalussy joue un rôle crucial à cet égard. En outre, les discussions sur la hausse des niveaux d’endettement déterminent la façon dont la BRI aborde la stabilité financière, centrée sur les aspects macroprudentiels. Dans le présent article, nous analyserons d’abord les origines de la sensibilité de Lamfalussy à la fragilité financière, pour traiter ensuite de la BRI et de son rôle, qui évolue au cours des années 1970. Nous nous pencherons alors sur la crise de la dette en Amérique latine, en étudiant comment s’accumule la dette, et aborderons enfin différentes initiatives destinées à limiter les prêts.
Le Comité des gouverneurs des banques centrales de la CEE et l'unification monétaire européenne
Authors: Scheller Hanspeter K. 
Published: February 2012

Cet article jette un nouveau regard sur le rôle que le Comité des gouverneurs des banques centrales des États membres de la Communauté économique européenne a joué dans le processus d’unification monétaire européenne. Créé en 1964 par une décision du Conseil ECOFIN comme un comité dont la mission limitée était de débattre et d’échanger des points de vue sur les questions pertinentes en matière de politique monétaire, il est progressivement devenu un forum pour la coopération des banques centrales européennes sans équivalent dans les autres domaines de la gouvernance économique dans la Communauté à l’époque. Vu les limites inhérentes de la coopération monétaire entre les banques centrales nationales, ces dispositions n’ont pas toujours permis de résister à l’impact négatif de facteurs sur lesquels les banques centrales n’avaient pour l’essentiel pas prise. Mais elles ont contribué à l’obtention progressive d’une stabilité monétaire intérieure et extérieure, en particulier au cours des années 1980, stabilité considérée ensuite comme suffisante pour reprendre la route vers la réalisation finale de l’UEM. Les résultats de la coopération en matière de politique monétaire et de change, et l’expérience qu’elle a permis d’accumuler, ont également servi dans le processus d’unification monétaire européenne. Sur plus de 30 ans de fonctionnement, le Comité des gouverneurs a favorisé les contacts étroits entre les banques centrales de la Communauté, ce qui leur a permis de développer des valeurs et des principes de base communs concernant le rôle et la poursuite de la politique monétaire dans une économie de marché. Ces valeurs et principes sont traduits dans le projet d’UEM élaboré par le comité Delors ainsi que dans les statuts du Système européen de banques centrales (SEBC) et de la Banque centrale européenne (BCE) qui ont été adoptés par la conférence intergouvernementale de 1990-1992 pratiquement sans modification importante et ont été joints sous la forme d’un protocole au « traité de Maastricht ». Le point de vue commun des gouverneurs des banques centrales, selon lequel l’UEM devait être construite sur un système bancaire central européen indépendant dont la mission univoque serait de garantir la stabilité des prix, a permis de résoudre une question délicate qui était jusqu’alors controversée au niveau politique depuis plusieurs années. Après plus de 10 ans d’expérience avec l’UEM, on peut dire que la conception du Comité de l’aile monétaire de l’UEM a passé son test pratique. Grâce à la solidité du cadre juridique et institutionnel créé par le traité de Maastricht pour la conduite de la politique monétaire européenne unique au sein de la zone euro, la BCE a pu réaliser complètement les objectifs de son mandat définis par le traité.
Intraoperative Cyclorotation and Pupil Centroid Shift During LASIK and PRK
Authors: Narváez Julio , Brucks Matthew , Zimmerman Grenith , Bekendam Peter , Bacon Gregory , Schmid Kristin 
Published: February 2012

PURPOSE:
To determine the degree of cyclorotation and centroid shift in the x and y axis that occurs intraoperatively during LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

METHODS:
Intraoperative cyclorotation and centroid shift were measured in 63 eyes from 34 patients with a mean age of 34 years (range: 20 to 56 years) undergoing either LASIK or PRK. Preoperatively, an iris image of each eye was obtained with the VISX WaveScan Wavefront System (Abbott Medical Optics Inc) with iris registration. A VISX Star S4 (Abbott Medical Optics Inc) laser was later used to measure cyclotorsion and pupil centroid shift at the beginning of the refractive procedure and after flap creation or epithelial removal.

RESULTS:
The mean change in intraoperative cyclorotation was 1.48±1.11° in LASIK eyes and 2.02±2.63° in PRK eyes. Cyclorotation direction changed by >2° in 21% of eyes after flap creation in LASIK and in 32% of eyes after epithelial removal in PRK. The respective mean intraoperative shift in the x axis and y axis was 0.13±0.15 mm and 0.17±0.14 mm, respectively, in LASIK eyes, and 0.09±0.07 mm and 0.10±0.13 mm, respectively, in PRK eyes. Intraoperative centroid shifts >100 μm in either the x axis or y axis occurred in 71% of LASIK eyes and 55% of PRK eyes.

CONCLUSIONS:
Significant changes in cyclotorsion and centroid shifts were noted prior to surgery as well as intraoperatively with both LASIK and PRK. It may be advantageous to engage iris registration immediately prior to ablation to provide a reference point representative of eye position at the initiation of laser delivery.
Change in Epithelial Thickness Profile 24 Hours and Longitudinally for 1 Year After Myopic LASIK: Three-dimensional Display With Artemis Very High-frequency Digital Ultrasound
Authors: Reinstein Dan Z. , Archer Timothy J. , Gobbe Marine 
Published: February 2012

PURPOSE:
To longitudinally follow epithelial thickness profile changes after myopic LASIK for 1 year to determine when and how epithelial changes occur and when epithelial stability is reached.

METHODS:

Epithelial thickness was measured with Artemis very high-frequency digital ultrasound (ArcScan Inc) across the central 10-mm corneal diameter in 11 eyes before and 1 day, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after myopic femtosecond LASIK. For each consecutive pair of time points, maps of the mean change in epithelial thickness and paired
t
test
P
value were plotted.

RESULTS:

Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was −3.34±1.51 diopters (D) (range: −1.50 to −5.13 D). Overnight, there was a central 5-mm zone of epithelial thickening (0.5 to 1.5 μm,
P
<.05) surrounded by epithelial thinning (4 to 6 μm,
P
<.05) extending to the 8-mm zone. Between 1 day and 1 month, the epithelium thickened within the 7-mm zone by up to 5 μm (
P
<.05) in a lenticular pattern with greater thickening centrally and progressively less thickening centrifugally. Between 1 and 3 months, the epithelium continued to thicken in the central 7-mm zone by approximately 1 μm (
P
<.05). No change in epithelial thickness occurred after 3 months (
P
>.05).

CONCLUSIONS:
A lenticular change occurred in the epithelial thickness profile, with more thickening centrally than paracentrally; 22% of the total increase in central thickness occurred overnight, 58% between 1 day and 1 month, and 20% between 1 and 3 months, with stability between 3 and 12 months. The lenticular epithelial changes contribute to the observed myopic shift after myopic LASIK during the first 3 months.
Vitamin D Inhibits Monocyte/Macrophage Proinflammatory Cytokine Production by Targeting MAPK Phosphatase-1
Authors: Zhang Yong , Leung Donald Y. M. , Richers Brittany N. , Liu Yusen , Remigio Linda K. , Riches David W. , Goleva Elena 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIt is estimated that 1 billion people around the world are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to various inflammatory diseases. However, the mechanism by which vitamin D reduces inflammation remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of physiologic levels of vitamin D on LPS-stimulated inflammatory response in human blood monocytes and explored potential mechanisms of vitamin D action. We observed that two forms of the vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3, and 25(OH)D3, dose dependently inhibited LPS-induced p38 phosphorylation at physiologic concentrations, IL-6 and TNF-α production by human monocytes. Upon vitamin D treatment, the expression of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) was significantly upregulated in human monocytes and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM). Increased binding of the vitamin D receptor and increased histone H4 acetylation at the identified vitamin D response element of the murine and human MKP-1 promoters were demonstrated. Moreover, in BMM from MKP1−/− mice, the inhibition of LPS-induced p38 phosphorylation by vitamin D was completely abolished. Vitamin D inhibition of LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF-α production by BMM from MKP-1−/− mice was significantly reduced as compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, this study identified the upregulation of MKP-1 by vitamin D as a novel pathway by which vitamin D inhibits LPS-induced p38 activation and cytokine production in monocytes/macrophages.
Indications for Vascular Grafts as Hemodialysis Access: Consensus from Experience in Italy
Authors: Tazza Luigi , Galli Franco , Mandolfo Salvatore , Forneris Giacomo , Di Dio Michele , Palumbo Roberto , Gallieni Maurizio , Bonforte Giuseppe , Carnabuci Antonio , Cavatorta Fosco , Aloisi Mauro , Carbonari Luciano 
Published: February 2012

Introduction In Italy, the use of arteriovenous grafts (AVG) is limited (1–5 %) due to different approaches to vascular access (VA) management as compared to other Countries, where guidelines (which may not apply to the Italian setting) have been produced. Therefore, the Study Group (GdS) on VA of the Italian Society of Nephrology produced this position paper, providing a list of 8 recommendations built upon current guidelines. Methods The most controversial and innovative issues of existing guidelines have been summed up in 12 different statements. We selected 60 Italian dialysis graft experts, nephrologists and vascular surgeons (PP1SIN Study Investigators). They were asked to express their agreement/disagreement on each issue, thus creating a new method to share and exchange information. Results Most of them agreed (consensus > 90%) on specific criteria set to choose AVG over native AVF (nAVF) and tunnelled venous catheter (tVC) and on the necessary conditions to implant them. They did not fully agree on the use of AVG in obese patients, in patients at risk of developing ischemia, on the priority of AVG as an alternative to brachial-basilic fistula with vein transposition, and in case of a poorly organized setting regarding graft maintenance. Keeping in mind that the nAVF should be preferred whenever is feasible, AVGs are indicated when superficial veins are unavailable or to repair a nAVF (bridge graft). An AVG is an alternative to tVC if the expected patient survival is long enough to guarantee its clinical benefits.