bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An alternative strategy for perinatal verbal autopsy coding: single versus multiple coders
Authors: Engmann C. , Jehan I. , Ditekemena J. , Garces A. , Phiri M. , Mazariegos M. , Chomba E. , Pasha O. , Tshefu A. , McClure E. M. , Thorsten V. , Chakraborty H. , Goldenberg R. L. , Bose C. , Carlo W. A. , Wright L. L. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryObjective  To determine the comparability between cause of death (COD) by a single physician coder and a two‐physician panel, using verbal autopsy.Methods  The study was conducted between May 2007 and June 2008. Within a week of a perinatal death in 38 rural remote communities in Guatemala, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Pakistan, VA questionnaires were completed. Two independent physicians, unaware of the others decisions, assigned an underlying COD, in accordance with the causes listed in the chapter headings of the International classification diseases and related health problems, 10th revision (ICD‐10). Cohen’s kappa statistic was used to assess level of agreement between physician coders.Results  There were 9461 births during the study period; 252 deaths met study enrolment criteria and underwent verbal autopsy. Physicians assigned the same COD for 75% of stillbirths (SB) (K = 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.61–0.78) and 82% early neonatal deaths (END) (K = 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.65–0.84). The patterns and proportion of SBs and ENDs determined by the physician coders were very similar compared to causes individually assigned by each physician. Similarly, rank order of the top five causes of SB and END was identical for each physician.Conclusion  This study raises important questions about the utility of a system of multiple coders that is currently widely accepted and speculates that a single physician coder may be an effective and economical alternative to VA programmes that use traditional two‐physician panels to assign COD.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a HIV‐1‐infected population from Southeastern Brazil in the HAART era
Authors: Pedro Heloisa S. P. , Pereira Maria I. F. , Goloni Maria R. A. , Pires Fernanda C. , Oliveira Rosângela S. , da Rocha Maria A. B. , Conceição Luciana M. , Fraga Valéria D. , Fenley Juliana C. , Cordeschi Talita , Machado Ricardo L. D. , Franco Célia , Rossit Andréa R. B. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryObjective  To evaluate retrospectively the microbiological profile of Mycobacterium species isolated from HIV‐infected patients attending the HIV/TB reference health care units in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil.Method  Retrospective evaluation of all HIV‐1 positive patients whose IAL‐SJRP laboratorial analysis was positive for Mycobacterium sp. after diagnosis of HIV Infection, from January 2000 to December 2006.Results  Of 198 patients, acid‐fast staining detected mycobacteria early in 41%. Culture revealed 52.5% to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT). 42.4% had non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and 5.1% had MT/NTM positive cultures. Eleven per cent of MT strains were resistant to at least one of the antimycobacterial drugs and 3.1% were multidrug resistant. 39.4% of isolated mycobacteria were NTM species.Conclusion  Our data may serve as a starting point for further comparisons with other Brazilian regions and other developing countries. The data may provide important clues to the future understanding, prevention and control of such co‐infections around the world.
Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis: a single‐center experience of living‐donor liver transplantation during two decades in Japan
Authors: Hori Tomohide , Egawa Hiroto , Takada Yasutsugu , Ueda Mikiko , Oike Fumitaka , Ogura Yasuhiro , Sakamoto Seisuke , Kasahara Mureo , Ogawa Kohei , Miyagawa‐Hayashino Aya , Yonekawa Yukihide , Yorifuji Tohru , Watanabe Ken‐Ichiro , Doi Hiraku , Nguyen Justin H. , Chen Feng , Baine Ann‐Marie T. , Gardner Lindsay B. , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: December 2010

Hori T, Egawa H, Takada Y, Ueda M, Oike F, Ogura Y, Sakamoto S, Kasahara M, Ogawa K, Miyagawa‐Hayashino A, Yonekawa Y, Yorifuji T, Watanabe K‐Ichiro, Doi H, Nguyen JH, Chen F, Baine A‐MT, Gardner LB, Uemoto S. Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis: a single‐center experience of living‐donor liver transplantation during two decades in Japan. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 776–785. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) results in liver cirrhosis. Therefore, some PFIC patients require liver transplantation (LT). Although three types of PFIC have been identified, their etiologies include unknown mechanisms.Patients:  A total of 717 recipients who underwent living‐donor LT (LDLT) at <20 yr old were enrolled in this study. Among these recipients, 14 PFIC recipients comprising 11 PFIC type 1 (PFIC1) and three PFIC type 2 (PFIC2) were evaluated.Results:  Three of 11 PFIC1 recipients died, while all three PFIC2 recipients survived. Eight of 11 PFIC1 recipients showed steatosis after LDLT. Among the eight steatosis‐positive PFIC1 recipients, seven showed severe steatosis and seven were complicated with steatohepatitis. Nine of 11 PFIC1 recipients showed fibrosis after LDLT, and eight of the nine fibrosis‐positive PFIC1 recipients showed severe fibrosis. In contrast to the PFIC1 recipients, the PFIC2 recipients did not show any steatosis or fibrosis after LDLT.Conclusions:  The clinical courses and outcomes of PFIC1 recipients after LDLT are still not sufficient owing to steatosis/fibrosis, unlike the case for PFIC2 recipients. As PFIC1 patients will require LT during the long‐term progression of the disease, further strategy improvements are required for PFIC1 patients.
Voriconazole and itraconazole in lung transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus (FK 506): efficacy and drug interaction
Authors: Kramer Mordechai R. , Amital Anat , Fuks Leonardo , Shitrit David 
Published: December 2010

Kramer MR, Amital A, Fuks L, Shitrit D. Voriconazole and itraconazole in lung transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus (FK 506): efficacy and drug interaction.  Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E163–E167. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  The aim of this study was to compare the extent of interaction between tacrolimus and itraconazole vs. voriconazole.Patients and methods:  This retrospective study included 60 lung transplant recipients who were treated with a tacrolimus‐based regimen; 40 received prophylactic itraconazole for the first six months following lung transplantation (LTX), and 20 were treated with voriconazole. All patients had at least 12 months of follow‐up. Tacrolimus levels and dosage requirements were compared during and after azole therapy. We assessed the rejection rate, fungal infection rate, and renal function during the study period.Results:  The mean tacrolimus dose during itraconazole treatment was 3.26 ± 2.1 mg/d compared with 5.74 ± 2.9 mg/d after itraconazole was stopped, p < 0.0001. Similarly, the mean tacrolimus dose during voricnoazole treatment was 1.75 ± 0.9 mg/d compared with 4.85 ± 0.38 mg/d after voriconazole was stopped (p = 0.002). Thus, the mean increase in the total daily dose of tacrolimus after itraconazole and voriconazole withdrawal was 76% and 64%, respectively. No differences in the rejection or fungal infection rates or renal toxicity were observed during the study period, although an increase in positive fungal isolates was noted during itraconazole therapy.Conclusion:  The tacrolimus dose was reduced more with itraconazole than with voriconazole, without an increase in the rejection rate and with renal function preservation.
Pleural controversy: Optimal chest tube size for drainage
Authors: LIGHT Richard W. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTIn recent years, a higher and higher percentage of patients with pleural effusions or pneumothorax are being treated with small‐bore (10–14 F) chest tubes rather than large‐bore (>20 F). However, there are very few randomized controlled studies comparing the efficacy and complication rates with the small‐ and large‐bore catheters. Moreover, the randomized trials that are available have flaws in their design. The advantages of the small‐bore catheters are that they are easier to insert and there is less pain with their insertion while they are in place. The placement of the small‐bore catheters is probably more optimal when placement is done with ultrasound guidance. Small‐bore chest tubes are recommended when pleurodesis is performed. The success of the small‐bore indwelling tunnelled catheters that are left in place for weeks documents that the small‐bore tubes do not commonly become obstructed with fibrin. Patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions are probably best managed with small‐bore catheters even when the pleural fluid is purulent. Patients with haemothorax are best managed with large‐bore catheters because of blood clots and the high volume of pleural fluid. Most patients with pneumothorax can be managed with aspiration or small‐bore chest tubes. If these fail, a large‐bore chest tube may be necessary. Patients on mechanical ventilation with barotrauma induced pneumothoraces are best managed with large‐bore chest tubes.
Proapoptotic effect of metalloproteinase 9 secreted by trophoblasts on endothelial cells
Authors: Xu Jingjing , Liu Haiyi , Wu Yuanyuan , Gong Xun , Zhou Qiong , Qiao Fuyuan 
Published: December 2010

AbstractAim:  During normal placentation, the uterine spiral arteries are remodeled to form high‐flow, low‐resistance vessels, which is necessary to meet the increasing demands of the fetus for blood and oxygen. Remodeling of uterine arteries is mediated by extravillous trophoblasts, which penetrate the arterial walls and induce the endothelial apoptosis. But the mechanism of endothelial apoptosis is not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigate the involvement of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) in trophoblast‐induced endothelial apoptosis.Methods:  MMP‐9 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into extravillous trophoblasts (TEV‐1) by lipofectamine. After transfection, the levels of MMP‐9 and Fas Ligand (FasL) mRNA were assessed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the intracellular or extracellular levels of these proteins were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Then, trophoblasts transfected with MMP‐9 siRNA or control siRNA were co‐cultured with endothelial cells, respectively, in a transwell system. The apoptosis of endothelial cells was detected with flow cytometry.Results:  MMP‐9 mRNA was significantly decreased in MMP‐9 siRNA‐treated cells as compared with the control. However, FasL mRNA appeared unaffected. After transfection with MMP‐9 siRNA, the intracellular and extracellular MMP‐9 proteins were both efficiently decreased, as the soluble FasL protein, while the intracellular FasL protein was increased. Trophoblasts transfected with MMP‐9 siRNA led to significant inhibition of endothelial apoptosis as compared with the control.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that MMP‐9 secreted by trophoblasts contributes to endothelial apoptosis via extracellular release of soluble FasL.
Neurological complications without eclampsia during pregnancy in Turkey
Authors: Yerdelen Deniz , Karataş Mehmet 
Published: December 2010

AbstractAim:  Some neurological diseases associated with pregnancy may develop initially during gestation, pregnancy may predispose the patient to some of these diseases or some may occur only with pregnancy. The aim of this study is to draw attention to the rare neurological diseases – other than eclampsia – that develop during pregnancy or the diseases initially described as associated with pregnancy.Methods:  Our sample comprised of 16 pregnant women who developed neurological disorders that are rarely encountered or initially reported during this phase, eclampsia excluded.Results:  The proportion of cerebrovascular diseases was 56%. The others included intracranial hypotension accompanied by seizures, cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, ophthalmoplegic migraine, hemiplegic migraine, spinal segmental myoclonus, acute motor axonal neuropathy and acute motor axonal neuropathy associated with ophthalmoplegia.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that by adopting a careful and correct approach and accurate neurological diagnosis, most of these patients could be treated successfully with good prognosis of the newborns.
Late bacille Calmette–Guérin infection with a large focal urinary bladder ulceration as a complication of bladder cancer treatment
Authors: Ströck Viveka , Dotevall Leif , Sandberg Torsten , Gustafsson Christina Kåbjörn , Holmäng Sten 
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)  Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Intravesical BCG treatment has been used worldwide for many decades but there are only a few published reports on persisting BCG infection of the urinary bladder.This is the first report on large tuberculosis‐like ulcers of the urinary bladder after intravesical BCG treatment. The finding results in a recommendation to take urine cultures for mycobacteriae in patients with unclear inflammatory lesions in the bladder after instillation of BCG.OBJECTIVE
To report a late bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) complication previously not described in the literature.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We reviewed our database with 858 patients treated with BCG from 1986 to 2008 and identified 13 male patients (1.8% of all male patients) who had a large tuberculous‐like bladder ulcer.
RESULTS
All patients had high‐grade tumours and seven had tumours invading lamina propria before BCG treatment. A solitary ulceration or inflammatory lesion, 10–50 mm in diameter, was seen at routine follow‐up cystoscopy 2–34 months (median 8 months) after the first instillation. Significantly more patients had been treated with BCG‐RIVM than with BCG‐Tice (10/320 vs. three of 454, P < 0.01). BCG was cultured from urine 3–34 months (median 14 months) after the last instillation.
So far, eight patients have been successfully treated with rifampicin and isoniazid. Nine patients are still tumour‐free 15–66 months (median 44 months) after the last transurethral resection before BCG treatment.
Another three patients had one to two non‐invasive recurrences. One patient had an invasive recurrence and underwent cystectomy. The present study is limited by biases associated with its retrospective design.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report on persisting BCG infections with large inflammatory lesions in the bladder. Treatment is effective and the oncological outcome is good.
Mycobacterial cultures of the urine should be performed in BCG‐patients with unclear inflammatory lesions in the bladder since a delayed diagnosis of a persistent BCG infection could result in a permanently reduced bladder capacity.
Large studies are warranted to study differences in efficacy and side‐effects between different BCG strains.
Effects of potassium channel modulators on myogenic spontaneous phasic contractile activity in human detrusor from neurogenic patients
Authors: Oger Stephanie , Behr‐Roussel Delphine , Gorny Diane , Bernabé Jacques , Comperat Eva , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel , Denys Pierre , Giuliano Francois 
Published: December 2010

OBJECTIVETo characterize the spontaneous contractile activity (SCA) developed by detrusor from patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) because the alteration of detrusor properties plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of detrusor overactivity, as well as to evaluate the role of KATP and KCa channels on this SCA because these channels regulate detrusor SCA in many species, including humans without overactive bladder (OAB).PATIENTS AND METHODSHuman bladder samples were obtained from 44 patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer with no known OAB symptoms and from 38 patients suffering from urodynamically diagnosed NDO. Detrusor strips with or without urothelium/suburothelium were mounted isometrically in organ baths filled with Krebs‐HEPES (37 °C; 95% O2/5% CO2). Strips were incubated with 10 µm pinacidil (KATP opener) followed by 10 µm glibenclamide (KATP blocker). In another set of experiments, strips were incubated with 30 µm NS‐1619 (BKCa opener) followed by 100 nm iberiotoxin (BKCa blocker) or with 100 nm apamin (SKCa blocker).RESULTSSCA occurred more frequently with larger amplitude and area under the curve in detrusor strips from NDO patients compared to control patients. The presence of urothelium/suburothelium did not significantly modify SCA in either patient population. Pinacidil markedly inhibited SCA of detrusor strips from control and NDO patients. This effect was reversed by glibenclamide. By contrast, NS‐1619 followed by iberiotoxin did not elicit any significant changes in SCA from NDO patients, contrary to control patients.CONCLUSIONSKATP and SKCa channels regulate SCA of NDO patients’ detrusor strips. By contrast, BKCa channels are not involved in the regulation of detrusor SCA in NDO patients, whereas they regulate SCA in control patients. These results should be considered in the development of K+ channels openers for the treatment of NDO. Moreover, SCA observed in vitro should be regarded as an in vitro modelling of human NDO.
First 500 cases of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy from a single UK centre: learning curves of two surgeons
Authors: Sharma Naomi Laura , Papadopoulos Alexandros , Lee Dominic , McLoughlin John , Vowler Sarah L. , Baumert Herve , Warren Anne Y. , Patil Vishal , Shah Nimish , Neal David E. 
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?The recent uptake of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy by urologists has led to questions about its implementation and results, particularly with reference to the learning curve. There have been several large studies, including from the USA, but as yet, no published data from a large series in the UK.This is the first published series of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy from the UK, and provides detailed outcomes from a single centre treating patients from an unscreened population. These outcomes suggest the learning curve for robotic prostatectomy is longer than has previously been suggested and highlights the importance of a structured mentoring program.OBJECTIVE• To study the outcomes and learning curve of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) in a single centre by two surgeons.PATIENTS AND METHODS• In total, 500 consecutive patients underwent RALP between 2005 and 2009 carried out by two surgeons. Using an ethically‐approved database, prospective data collection of demographic, surgical, oncological and functional outcomes (patient reported) was performed, with up to 4 years of follow‐up.• The learning curves of both surgeons were analyzed and, in addition, the first 100 and last 100 patients were compared to determine the effect of surgeon experience.RESULTS• The mean age of the patients was 61.5 years and mean preoperative prostate‐specific antigen was 7.0 µg/L. Clinical stages were T1 in 63.2%, T2 in 33.8% and T3 in 3.0% of patients. Median (range) operating time was 170 (63–420) min and median (range) blood loss was 200 (20–3000) mL, with significant improvements for both surgeons with increasing experience (P < 0.001 and P= 0.029, respectively).• Pathological stages were pT2 in 53.4%, pT3a in 41.6%, pT3b in 4.0% and pT4 in 0.6% of patients. Overall, the positive margin rate (PMR) was 24.0% and stage‐specific rates were 16.1%, 30.4%, 55.0% and 100.0% for pT2, pT3a, pT3b and pT4 disease, respectively. In the last 50 cases performed by each surgeon, the PMRs for pT2 and pT3a disease were 8.0% and 19.1% (surgeon 1) and 12.9% and 23.5% (surgeon 2).• At 12 months of follow‐up, 91.3% of patients were continent and, by 48 months of follow‐up, 75% of men with preoperative potency who underwent bilateral nerve‐sparing RALP were potent.CONCLUSION• This is the first report of two surgeons’ learning curves in a single centre and shows that key learning curve outcomes continued to improve during the series, suggesting that the learning curve for RALP may be longer than has been previously suggested.
The penis in diabetes: structural analysis of connective tissue and smooth muscle alterations in a rabbit model
Authors: Abidu‐Figueiredo Marcelo , Ribeiro Ilma C. , Chagas Mauricio A. , Cardoso Luiz E. M. , Costa Waldemar S. , Sampaio Francisco J. B. 
Published: December 2010

Study Type – Aetiology (case control)Level of Evidence 3bOBJECTIVE

To assess the volumetric density of collagen, elastic system fibres and smooth muscle cells in the corpus cavernosum (CC), corpus spongiosum (CS) and tunica albuginea (TA) in the penis of diabetic rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty‐six New Zealand white rabbits were used. Diabetes was induced at 8 weeks of age in 13 rabbits by i.v. injection of 100 mg/kg of alloxan. The remaining 13 rabbits served as a control group. After 10 weeks, the rabbits were killed using sodium thiopenthal.
Midshaft penile fragments were obtained and processed by routine histological techniques. Stereological analysis of collagen, elastic system fibres and smooth muscle was performed in 5‐µm sections by using a M42 test grid system.
Data were expressed as volumetric density (Vv; %). Collagen organization was evaluated by Picrosirius red staining under polarization.

RESULTS

In the TA of diabetic rabbits, thickness increased by 88% (P < 0.001) with an enhanced collagen turnover. Moreover, the elastic fibre content was 34% higher (P < 0.001). In the CC of diabetics, collagen was diminished by 45% (P < 0.001) with a more organized collagen.
The elastic fibres were decreased by 46% (P < 0.001). Diabetes induced a 11% increase in CS collagen (P < 0.024) with an enhanced collagen turnover.
Smooth muscle in the CC of diabetic rabbits was increased by 40% (P < 0.001), whereas, in the CS, it was decreased by a similar amount (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Penile tissues were affected differently by diabetes, possibly as a result of cellular heterogeneity.
These changes could have an impact on blood flow and tissue resistance, and therefore might adversely affect erection.
Diet and gender influences on processing and discrimination of speech sounds in 3‐ and 6‐month‐old infants: a developmental ERP study
Authors: Pivik R.T. , Andres Aline , Badger Thomas M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractEarly post‐natal nutrition influences later development, but there are no studies comparing brain function in healthy infants as a function of dietary intake even though the major infant diets differ significantly in nutrient composition. We studied brain responses (event‐related potentials; ERPs) to speech sounds for infants who were fed either breast milk (BF), milk‐based formula (MF), or soy formula (SF) during the first 6 months of life. Two syllables presented in an oddball paradigm elicited a late positive wave (P350) from temporal and frontal brain regions involved in language processes. All groups showed significantly greater response amplitudes to the infrequent syllable across sites at 3 months and frontally at 6 months, but significant discrimination at temporal sites was only observed at 6 months in BF infants. Decreases in response amplitudes from 3 to 6 months were greater for the frequently presented syllable, most prominent in BF infants, and greater in females than males. The results indicate greater syllable discrimination in BF than formula‐fed infants, but whether this can be attributed to dietary influences alone remains unclear. Feeding method and background factor differences between breastfed and formula‐fed infants may also contribute to the observed differences. The general absence of differences between formula‐fed groups is notable and suggests that milk‐based formula and soy formula equally support brain development and function during the first post‐natal 6 months. Finally, the results indicate gender differences in the development of neural and temporal processes involved in sensory discrimination, and suggest that at 6 months these processes are better developed in females.