bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antiviral efficacy of lamivudine versus entecavir in patients with hepatitis B virus‐related advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shin Hye Sun , Kim Seung Up , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Chon Chae Yoon , Baatarkhuu Oidov , Ahn Sang Hoon 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Little information is available about the antiviral efficacy of lamivudine (LAM) and entecavir (ETV) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, we compared the antiviral efficacy of LAM and ETV in these patients.Methods:  The medical records of 134 antiviral therapy‐naïve patients with HBV‐related advanced HCC (modified Union for International Cancer Control [UICC] Tumor, Nodes, and Metastases [TNM] stages III–IV) treated between January 2005 and September 2009 were reviewed. After HCC diagnosis, 87 (64.9%) and 47 (35.1%) patients received LAM and ETV, respectively.Results:  The mean age of patients (115 men, 19 women) was 53 years. Sixty‐five (48.5%) and 69 (51.5%) patients had TNM stages III and IV HCC, respectively. Treatment outcomes during follow‐up, including virologic, biochemical, and serologic responses and appearance of antiviral resistance, were similar in the LAM and ETV groups (all P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified Child–Pugh class, α‐fetoprotein, and TNM stage as independent predictors of overall survival (all P < 0.05). Antiviral agent type (LAM vs ETV) did not influence overall survival (median 9.6 months in LAM vs 13.6 months in ETV group; P = 0.493). HCC treatment was not interrupted due to HBV flare up in any patient.Conclusions:  The antiviral efficacy of LAM and ETV was similar and the type of antiviral agent did not influence overall survival in patients with HBV‐related advanced HCC. Thus, LAM, which is less expensive than ETV in Korea, might be sufficient to control HBV in these patients.
Non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension in HIV mono‐infected patients
Authors: Jackson Belinda D , Doyle Joseph S , Hoy Jennifer F , Roberts Stuart K , Colman John , Hellard Margaret E , Sasadeusz Joseph J , Iser David M 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Unexplained liver injury including fibrosis and portal hypertension has rarely been reported among patients with HIV in the absence of co‐infection with hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV). We describe a series of HIV mono‐infected patients with evidence of non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension.Methods:  HIV‐infected patients with evidence of portal hypertension who were anti‐HBV and anti‐HCV negative and HBV and HCV RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative were identified from patients managed by the Victorian statewide HIV referral service located at The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne. Portal hypertension was defined as either radiological or endoscopic evidence of varices, portal vein flow obstruction, or elevated hepatic venous pressure gradient (HPVG).Results:  Five patients were found to have portal hypertension. These patients were male, aged 41 to 65 years, with known duration of HIV infection between 11 to 25 years. All had been treated with antiretroviral therapy, including didanosine. Tests for metabolic, autoimmune, and hereditary causes of liver disease failed to establish an etiology for the liver injury. All had radiological or endoscopic findings of varices, and four patients had radiological features of portal vein obstruction or flow reversal. Only one patient underwent HPVG measurement, which was elevated. Non‐invasive fibrosis assessment revealed increased liver stiffness in three (out of four) patients, and no cirrhotic features were found on those who underwent liver biopsy.Conclusions:  To our knowledge, this is the largest published series of non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension in HIV mono‐infected patients in Australia. Further research is needed to understand what relationship, if any, HIV or its treatments might have on liver injury over time.
Gallbladder and gastric motility in obese newborns, pre‐adolescents and adults
Authors: Di Ciaula Agostino , Wang David Q‐H , Portincasa Piero 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Impaired gallbladder and gastric motility have been associated with obesity in adults. The timing of appearance of this dysfunction, however, is unclear.Methods:  Lean and obese subjects from three different age groups were studied noninvasively: 50 newborns (1–12 months old, six obese), 18 pre‐adolescents (7–8 years old, seven obese), and 99 adults (22–80 years old, 32 obese) classified according to standard normal tables and body mass index. Changes of fasting/postprandial gallbladder and gastric motility were assessed simultaneously by functional ultrasonography in response to milk (newborns and pre‐adolescents) and to a liquid test meal (adults).Results:  In newborns, fasting and postprandial gallbladder volumes and gastric emptying were similar between obese and lean subjects. In pre‐adolescents, obese subjects had a larger fasting gallbladder volume, with slower postprandial gastric emptying than lean subjects. In obese adults, the most evident dysfunction emerged, with larger fasting and postprandial residual gallbladder volume, and slower postprandial gastric emptying than lean subjects.Conclusions:  Obese subjects display abnormal gallbladder and gastric motility patterns, which first appear in pre‐adolescents and deteriorate in adults. Such abnormalities are absent in obese newborns. Functional ultrasonography can detect altered cholecysto‐gastric motility at the earliest stage. Our findings suggest an age‐related decline of motility, probably secondary to excessive fat and insulin‐resistance.
Atypical fractures associated with bisphosphonate use post‐renal transplantation
Authors: BURKE MICHAEL T , HOLLETT PETER R , GRAY NICHOLAS A 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTBone disease is a major cause of morbidity post renal transplantation. The authors present a case of adynamic bone disease and atypical fractures associated with the use of bisphosphonates following renal transplantation. The uncertain role of parathyroidectomy and bone mineral density scans is also reviewed.
Disseminated microsporidiosis with Encephalitozoon species in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: GEORGE BIBIN , COATES TOBY , MCDONALD STEPHEN , RUSS GRAEME , CHERIAN SAJIV , NOLAN JAMES , BREALEY JOHN 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTTo our knowledge, 5 cases of disseminated microsporidiosis with Encephalitozoon species have been reported worldwide in transplant recipients. George et al. present the first such case in Australia, to be reported and treated with good clinical recovery.
Hidden perils in a highly sensitized kidney transplant recipient
Authors: FORD SHARON , SUMMERS SHAUN , CANTWELL LINDA , MULLEY WILLIAM 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTHighly sensitised patients are at increased risk for antibody mediated rejection (AMR) and reduced graft survival. Highly sensitive assays for detecting recipient preformed anti‐HLA antibodies have been developed and identify high immunological risk donors. A 62yo male with end stage renal failure secondary to glomerulonephritis received a T‐cell crossmatch negative, deceased donor, renal transplant mismatched at 3 of 6 HLA loci. A donor specific antibody (DSAb) to DR17 (MFI 2073) was present. Given his advancing age, multiple medical comorbidities and broad HLA sensitisation the transplant was accepted, however, shortly before transplantation two atypical results were made available. Firstly a B‐cell crossmatch was performed and found to be negative in current serum but strongly positive in peak serum, secondly a further potential DSAb was predicted based on linkage disequilibrium with known donor HLA typing. The donor HLA typing would not be clarified until after the transplant. Despite the increased risk of AMR the transplant proceeded with pre‐emptive plasma exchange. The patient developed severe AMR requiring extensive therapy. Incomplete prospective donor HLA typing can generate uncertainty in the interpretation of the virtual crossmatch performed for deceased donor transplants. This may result in clinically relevant sequelae. Advances in antibody detection techniques need to be matched by timely donor HLA typing for its full benefit to be realised.
Flowering habit of two bamboo species, Phyllostachys meyeri and Shibataea chinensis, analyzed with flowering gene expression
Authors: HISAMOTO YOKO , KOBAYASHI MIKIO 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTwo bamboo species, Phyllostachys meyeri McClure and Shibataea chinensis Nakai, which each originated from one clone cultivated in the Fuji Bamboo Garden, Japan, exhibited single‐genet flowering and temporal changes in flowering and the regeneration process were investigated from 2004 to 2008 and from 2004 to 2011 in P. meyeri and S. chinensis, respectively. The clump of P. meyeri flowered when most mother culms were dead, followed by recovery with seedlings and survived rhizome system and a few culms continued to flower during 5 years, whereas S. chinensis flowered with mother culms alive, and most of the culms continued flowering in each spring until 2011. These processes were analyzed using expression levels of flowering promoting gene FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) homologues and flowering repressing gene TERMINAL FLOWER 1/CENTRORADIALIS (TFL1/CEN) homologues by the quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method. The expression level of FT homologues was highest in the leaves during full bloom in both species, decreased gradually over the next 2 years and vanished in 5 years in P. meyeri, but remained high for 3 years in S. chinensis. These results suggest that the expression level of FT homologues was related to flowering, irrespective of flowering behavior. Simultaneous expression of both genes was detected only in the inflorescences. The relationship between expression balance and flowering habit and inflorescence architecture is discussed.
Seasonal patterns of leaf production in co‐occurring trees with contrasting leaf phenology: time and quantitative divergences
Authors: ROSSATTO DAVI R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractNeotropical savannas (‘cerrados’) of Central Brazil are characterized by the coexistence of a large diversity of tree species with divergent phenological behaviors, which reflect a great diversity in growth strategies. In the present study time behavior and quantitative aspects of shoot growth, shoot mortality, and leaf longevity and production were analyzed in 12 woody species of contrasting leaf phenology, adopting a functional group approach where 12 species were categorized into three functional groups: evergreen, decidous and brevideciduous, according to their leaf phenology. Shoot growth and leaf production were seasonal for the three functional groups, differing in their time of occurrence, but being concentrated during the last months of the dry season. Shoot growth differed between evergreens and deciduous, as well leaf production. Evergreens had higher rates of shoot growth, produced a higher number of leaves and had longer leaf longevity (around 500 days against 300 days in deciduous and brevideciduous). Leaf longevity was associated with patterns of leaf production when accounting for all phenological groups studied. It was possible to identify different patterns of aerial growth in savanna phenological groups, providing evidence of great functional variability amongst the groups studied.
Primary central nervous system lymphoma masquerading as bilateral vitreous floaters
Authors: Tsanaktsidis G. , McNeill O. , Katelaris C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA 72‐year‐old female presented with a 6‐month history of bilateral floaters and visual blurring. Clinically, the posterior vitreous was cellular bilaterally, with no signs of subretinal infiltrates, retinal vasculitis, disc oedema or macula oedema. A vitreous biopsy and vitrectomy were scheduled following left cataract surgery because of the presence of a dense cataract. One month after cataract surgery, the patient developed signs of florid left arteritis involving the first‐order branches of the central retinal artery. A 23‐gauge vitreous biopsy and vitrectomy were performed, and preservative‐free triamcinolone was injected. Cytology of the biopsy demonstrated benign T‐lymphocytes and histiocytes suggestive of mild chronic inflammation only. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was normal as was lumbar puncture. Subsequently, the patient developed right upper motor neuron facial nerve palsy. MRI imaging on this occasion demonstrated multiple hyper‐intense white matter lesions. A third MRI was subsequently obtained due to new neurological deficits and demonstrated enlargement of the pre‐existing lesions. Brain biopsy confirmed the presence of primary cerebral lymphoma. The present case highlights the role of various tissue biopsies, including vitreous, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue, to establish an elusive diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma presenting as benign vitreous floaters.
Coexistence of renal malakoplakia and myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Kayembe B. , Sohawon S. , Duttmann R. , Oboy G. , Malarme M. , Noordally S. O. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMalakoplakia is a protean systemic chronic granulomatous disease that usually targets the genito‐urinary system and most particularly the bladder. Only in rare occasions do the kidneys get involved. Myelodysplastic syndrome is a heterogeneous clonal haematopoietic disorder characterised by either a hyper‐ or hypocellular bone marrow dysmyelopoiesis and peripheral blood pancytopenia. The synchronous association of these two unrelated disorders has never been reported. We report a 62‐year‐old woman who initially developed vague, relapsing gastrointestinal symptoms synchronous with renal malakoplakia and myelodysplastic syndrome.
When should iron chelation therapy be considered in patients with myelodysplasia and other bone marrow failure syndromes with iron overload?
Authors: Bird R. J. , Kenealy M. , Forsyth C. , Wellwood J. , Leahy M. F. , Seymour J. F. , To L. B. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractDespite the absence of a robust evidence base, there is growing consensus that effective treatment of iron overload leads to decreased morbidity and premature mortality in patients with good prognosis myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). Furthermore, new treatment modalities, including disease‐modifying therapies (lenalidamide and azacytidine) and reduced intensity conditioning therapies for allogeneic blood stem cell transplants, are offering the prospect of longer survival for patients with traditionally less favourable prognosis MDS, who might also benefit from iron chelation. This article proposes assessment of patients with MDS and related bone marrow failure syndromes to determine suitability for iron chelation. Iron chelation therapy options and monitoring are discussed.
Role of nitrogen fixation in the autecology of Polaromonas naphthalenivorans in contaminated sediments
Authors: Hanson Buck T. , Yagi Jane M. , Jeon Che Ok , Madsen Eugene M. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryPolaromonas naphthalenivorans strain CJ2 is a Gram‐negative betaproteobacterium that was identified, using stable isotope probing in 2003, as a dominant in situ degrader of naphthalene in coal tar‐contaminated sediments. The sequenced genome of strain CJ2 revealed several genes conferring nitrogen fixation within a 65.6 kb region of strain CJ2's chromosome that is absent in the genome of its closest sequenced relative Polaromonas sp. strain JS666. Laboratory growth and nitrogenase assays verified that these genes are functional, providing an alternative source of nitrogen in N‐free media when using naphthalene or pyruvate as carbon sources. Knowing this, we investigated if nitrogen‐fixation activity could be detected in microcosms containing sediments from the field site where strain CJ2 was isolated. Inducing nitrogen limitation with the addition of glucose or naphthalene stimulated nitrogenase activity in amended sediments, as detected using the acetylene reduction assay. With the use of fluorescence microscopy, we screened the microcosm sediments for the presence of active strain CJ2 cells using a dual‐labelling approach. When we examined the carbon‐amended microcosm sediments stained with both a strain CJ2‐specific fluorescent in situ hybridization probe and a polyclonal fluorescently tagged antibody, we were able to detect dual‐labelled active cells. In contrast, in sediments that received no carbon addition (showing no nitrogenase activity), no dual‐labelled cells were detected. Furthermore, the naphthalene amendment enhanced the proportion of active strain CJ2 cells in the sediment relative to a glucose amendment. Field experiments performed in sediments where strain CJ2 was isolated showed nitrogenase activity in response to dosing with naphthalene. Dual‐label fluorescence staining of these sediments showed a fivefold increase in active strain CJ2 in the sediments dosed with naphthalene over those dosed with deionized water. These experiments show that nitrogen fixation may play an important role in naphthalene biodegradation by strain CJ2 and contribute to its ecological success.
Extraocular lymphoma in the horse
Authors: Schnoke Allison T. , Brooks Dennis E. , Wilkie David A. , Dwyer Ann E. , Matthews Andrew G. , Gilger Brian C. , Hendrix Diane V. H. , Pickett Phillip , Grauwels Magda , Monroe Christine , Plummer Caryn E. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective To describe the clinical findings and prognosis for extraocular lymphoma in the horse.Procedures Retrospective medical records study of horses diagnosed with third eyelid, corneoscleral, conjunctival, and/or eyelid lymphoma from multiple academic and private veterinary institutions. Data collected from the medical records included signalment, clinical descriptions of the extraocular lesions, treatment, and treatment outcomes. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed with Fischer’s exact tests.Results Extraocular lymphoma involving the eyelid, third eyelid, cornea, sclera, and/or conjunctiva was diagnosed in 26 horses. Differences in signalment, unilateral vs. bilateral extraocular involvement, and single vs. multiple extraocular lesion locations held no significance in terms of outcome.Animals studied Horses with lesions localized to the eyelid or other nonextraocular cutaneous locations had a significantly higher chance of negative outcome when compared to the horses with no eyelid or cutaneous involvement (P = 0.019). Lesions to the third eyelid, corneosclera, and conjunctiva were either nodular or diffuse in nature. Nodular lesions when compared to diffuse lesions were associated with a higher chance of a positive outcome (P = 0.007). Surgical resection of the extraocular lesions as part of the treatment produced a statistically higher chance of a positive outcome when compared to horses where resection was not performed (P = 0.03).Conclusions The prognosis for clinical remission in horses with extraocular lymphoma is generally fair to good, as long as the affected tissues are completely excised, and there is no eyelid or cutaneous involvement. Horses diagnosed with the nodular form of extraocular lymphoma seem to have the best prognosis with complete excision.
Prospective clinical trial to compare standard colon‐reflecting with transmesocolic laparoscopic pyeloplasty
Authors: Shadpour Pejman , Nayyeri Reza Kaffash , Daneshvar Reza , Salimi Hormoz , Radfar Hadi 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Laparoscopic pyeloplasty has replaced open pyeloplasty as the new standard of care and we, among others, have even proven its applicability to redo surgery. The focus is now on limiting morbidity. One technical modification to this end is transmesocolic (TM) exposure of the PUJ.This randomized study pinpoints the objective benefits of TM exposure of the PUJ compared with standard colon reflection, and its results showed a 23% conservation in operating time.OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of colon‐reflecting (CR) and transmesocolic (TM) laparoscopic pyeloplasty approaches in a prospective randomized non‐selective setting.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Excluding only those patients with a history of abdominal surgery, all consenting patients scheduled for laparoscopic pyeloplasty of left‐sided pelvi‐ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction between December 2004 and November 2007 were randomized into one of two groups: laparoscopic pyeloplasty using the standard CR approach or laparoscopic pyeloplasty through the TM aperture.
All patients underwent dismembered repair by a single expert and were followed by diuretic renogram and urography at 4 months postoperatively and by annual diuretic renogram thereafter.
Four discrete task phases were timed for comparison: trochar to PUJ, dismembering and spatulation, stenting and anastomosis.
RESULTS
Sixty‐four patients were randomized into two groups, TM or CR, with 32 patients in each.
The groups were similar, with no significant difference in sex, age, initial renal function or body mass index. Forty‐seven patients were ≤15 years old.
The mean (sd) operating time was 23% shorter in the TM group, owing mostly to the much shorter trochar to PUJ phase (5.0 [3.2] min in the TM group vs 35.8 [10.3] in the CR group; P < 0.001). The mean hospitalization time was shorter in the TM group than in the CR group (2.9 vs 3.6 days; P < 0.001).
Thirty‐one of 32 patients in each group (96.9%) achieved a durable cure.
CONCLUSION
Transmesocolic exposure of left‐sided PUJ obstruction is superior to standard CR exposure, in that it saves anaesthesia time, hospitalization time and has lower morbidity with no compromise in efficiency, and could be considered as the new standard approach.