bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
C-Reactive Protein Level Measurement Improves Mortality Prediction When Added to the Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage Score
Authors: Di Napoli Mario , Godoy Daniel Agustin , Campi Veronica , del Valle Marta , Piñero Gustavo , Mirofsky Matias , Popa-Wagner Aurel , Masotti Luca , Papa Francesca , Rabinstein Alejandro A. 
Published: April 2011

Background and Purpose—
Hyperglycemia and inflammation are involved in the progression of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH)-induced brain injury, but their role in predicting clinical outcome is not clear. We sought to determine whether elevation of white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and blood glucose (BG) concentration at presentation prognosticate poor outcome in sICH patients.

Methods—
Between November 1, 2005 and October 31, 2009, 210 patients admitted to 2 intensive care units were prospectively consecutively evaluated after exclusion of patients with underlying inflammatory conditions. WBC, CRP, and BG were measured and ICH scores were calculated on first evaluation. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome was 30-day functional outcome using the Glasgow Outcome scale.

Results—

The median CRP concentration was 7.85 mg/L (interquartile range, 4.0–12.0 mg/L), median WBC count was 8.05×10
9
/L (interquartile range, 6.45–9.9×10
9
/L) and median glucose concentration was 7.66 mmol/L (interquartile range, 6.11–10.83 mmol/L). At 30 days, 63 patients (30%) were dead and 101 (48.1%) had poor outcome (Glasgow Outcome scale score, 1–3). Higher WBC (
P
<0.001), CRP (
P
<0.05), and BG (
P
<0.001) were associated with mortality on univariate analyses, but only CRP remained associated with mortality (
P
<0.005) after adjustment for multiple confounders. CRP improved mortality prediction when added to the ICH score. None of the markers tested had significant associations with functional outcome.

Conclusions—
Higher WBC, CRP, and BG are associated with increased mortality in sICH patients. Only CRP elevation portends higher risk of death independently of other indicators of sICH severity.
Virtual Reality in Stroke Rehabilitation
Authors: Saposnik Gustavo , Levin Mindy ,   for the Stroke Outcome Research Canada (SORCan) Working Group
Published: April 2011

Background and Purpose—
Approximately two thirds of stroke survivors continue to experience motor deficits of the arm resulting in diminished quality of life. Conventional rehabilitation provides modest and sometimes delayed effects. Virtual reality (VR) technology is a novel adjunctive therapy that could be applied in neurorehabilitation. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the added benefit of VR technology on arm motor recovery after stroke.

Methods—
We searched Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane literature from 1966 to July 2010 with the terms “stroke,” “virtual reality,” and “upper arm/extremity.” We evaluated the effect of VR on motor function improvement after stroke.

Results—
From the 35 studies identified, 12 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria totaling 195 participants. Among them, there were 5 randomized clinical trials and 7 observational studies with a pre-/postintervention design. Interventions were delivered within 4 to 6 weeks in 9 of the studies and within 2 to 3 weeks in the remaining 3. Eleven of 12 studies showed a significant benefit toward VR for the selected outcomes. In the pooled analysis of all 5 randomized controlled trials, the effect of VR on motor impairment (Fugl-Meyer) was OR=4.89 (95% CI, 1.31 to 18.3). No significant difference was observed for Box and Block Test or motor function. Among observational studies, there was a 14.7% (95% CI, 8.7%–23.6%) improvement in motor impairment and a 20.1% (95% CI, 11.0%–33.8%) improvement in motor function after VR.

Conclusions—
VR and video game applications are novel and potentially useful technologies that can be combined with conventional rehabilitation for upper arm improvement after stroke.
Amount of Meniscal Resection after Failed Meniscal Repair
Authors: Pujol Nicolas , Barbier Olivier , Boisrenoult Philippe , Beaufils Philippe 
Published: April 2011

Background The failure rate after arthroscopic meniscal repair ranges from 5% to 43.5% (mean, 15%) in the literature. But little is known about the amount of meniscal tissue removed after failed meniscal repair. Hypothesis The volume of subsequent meniscectomy after failed meniscal repair is not increased when compared with the volume of meniscectomy that would have been performed if not initially repaired. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods From January 2000 to December 2009, 295 knees underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair for unstable peripheral vertical tears. When present (219 cases), all anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears underwent reconstruction. Patients with multiple ligament injuries and posterior cruciate ligament injuries were excluded from the analysis. Thirty-two medial and 5 lateral menisci underwent subsequent meniscectomy after failed repair at a mean of 26 months postoperatively (range, 3-114 months). Five parameters were specifically evaluated: the amount of meniscectomy related to the initial tear, the ACL status, the appearance of chondral lesions, the time from the initial injury to meniscal repair, and the time from repair to meniscectomy. Results The posterior segment of the meniscus was involved in all tears and retears. Among failures, resection of the meniscal segments primarily repaired occurred for 17 medial and 2 lateral meniscal tears (52%); the tear extended in 5 cases (all medial menisci), and healing of some repaired segments led to a partial resection of the initial lesion in 35% of cases (10 medial menisci, 3 lateral menisci). The time from injury to meniscal repair was correlated with an increasing volume of meniscus removed ( P < .05) and with the presence of stage 2 or 3 chondral lesions at revision ( P < .03). All knees with extended tears (5 cases) and/or with significant chondral degeneration (8 cases) occurred in ACL-reconstructed knees. Among them, 50% (6 of 12) of ACL-reconstructed knees were ACL deficient. Conclusion There are few detrimental effects when repairing a repairable meniscal lesion, even if it fails. The amount of meniscectomy is rarely increased when compared with the initial lesion. This study supports the hypothesis that the meniscus can be partially saved and that a risk of a partial failure should be taken when possible.
The small GTPase Rac1 is a novel binding partner of Bcl-2 and stabilizes its antiapoptotic activity
Authors: Velaithan Rathiga , Kang Jia , Hirpara Jayshree L. , Loh Thomas , Goh Boon Cher , Le Bras Morgane , Brenner Catherine , Clement Marie-Veronique , Pervaiz Shazib 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe small GTPase Rac1 is involved in the activation of the reduced NAD phosphate oxidase complex resulting in superoxide production. We recently showed that Bcl-2 overexpression inhibited apoptosis in leukemia cells by creating a pro-oxidant intracellular milieu, and that inhibiting intracellular superoxide production sensitized Bcl-2–overexpressing cells to apoptotic stimuli. We report here that silencing and functional inhibition of Rac1 block Bcl-2–mediated increase in intracellular superoxide levels in tumor cells. Using confocal, electron microscopy and coimmunoprecipitation, as well as glutathione S-transferase–fusion proteins, we provide evidence for a colocalization and physical interaction between the 2 proteins. This interaction is blocked in vitro and in vivo by the BH3 mimetics as well as by synthetic Bcl-2 BH3 domain peptides. That this interaction is functionally relevant is supported by the ability of the Bcl-2 BH3 peptide as well as the silencing and functional inhibition of Rac1 to inhibit intracellular superoxide production as well as overcome Bcl-2–mediated drug resistance in human leukemia cells and cervical cancer cells. Notably, the interaction was observed in primary cells derived from patients with B-cell lymphoma overexpressing Bcl-2 but not in noncancerous tissue. These data provide a novel facet in the biology of Bcl-2 with potential implications for targeted anticancer drug design.
Presence of intestinal Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis(MAP) DNA is not associated with altered MMP expression in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Rath Timo , Roderfeld Martin , Blöcher Sonja , Rhode Annika , Basler Tina , Akineden Ömer , Abdulmawjood Amir , Halwe Jörg M , Goethe Ralph , Bülte Michael , Roeb Elke 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is suspected to be a causative agent in human Crohn's disease (CD). Recent evidence suggests that pathogenic mycobacteria and MAP can induce the expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP), which are the main proteases in the pathogenesis of mucosal ulcerations in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Within this study we assessed the prevalence of intestinal MAP specific DNA in patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis (UC), and healthy controls. We further analysed regulation patterns of MMPs in mucosal tissues of UC patients with and without intestinal MAP DNA detection.

Methods
Colonic biopsy samples were obtained from 63 Norwegian and German IBD patients and 21 healthy controls. RNA was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to study MMP gene expression in both pathological and healthy mucosal specimens. The presence of MAP DNA in colonic mucosa was examined using MAP specific PCR.

Results
MAP DNA was detected in 20% of UC patients and 33% of healthy controls but only in 7% of patients with CD. UC patients treated with corticosteroids exhibited a significantly increased frequency of intestinal MAP DNA compared to those not receiving corticosteroids. Expression of MMP-1, -2, -7, -9, -13, -19, -28 and TNF-α did not differ between UC patients with presence of intestinal MAP DNA compared to those without. MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13 were significantly decreased in UC patients receiving corticosteroids.

Conclusions
The presence of intestinal MAP specific DNA is not associated with altered MMP expression in UC in vivo. Corticosteroids are associated with increased detection of intestinal MAP DNA and decreased expression of certain MMPs. Frequent detection of MAP DNA in healthy controls might be attributable to the wide environmental distribution of MAP and its presence in the food-chain.
Porphyrin-magnetite nanoconjugates for biological imaging
Authors: Nowostawska Małgorzata , Corr Serena A , Byrne Stephen J , Conroy Jennifer , Volkov Yuri , Gun'ko Yurii K 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
The use of silica coated magnetic nanoparticles as contrast agents has resulted in the production of highly stable, non-toxic solutions that can be manipulated via an external magnetic field. As a result, the interaction of these nanocomposites with cells is of vital importance in understanding their behaviour and biocompatibility. Here we report the preparation, characterisation and potential application of new "two-in-one" magnetic fluorescent nanocomposites composed of silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles covalently linked to a porphyrin moiety.

Method
The experiments were performed by administering porphyrin functionalised silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles to THP-1 cells, a human acute monocytic leukaemia cell line. Cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium with 25 mM HEPES supplemented with heat-inactivated foetal bovine serum (FBS).

Results
We have synthesised, characterised and analysed in vitro, a new multimodal (magnetic and fluorescent) porphyrin magnetic nanoparticle composite (PMNC). Initial co-incubation experiments performed with THP-1 macrophage cells were promising; however the PMNC photobleached under confocal microscopy study. β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) was employed to counteract this problem and resulted not only in enhanced fluorescence emission, but also allowed for elongated imaging and increased exposure times of the PMNC in a cellular environment.

Conclusion
Our experiments have demonstrated that β-ME visibly enhances the emission intensity. No deleterious effects to the cells were witnessed upon co-incubation with β-ME alone and no increases in background fluorescence were recorded. These results should present an interest for further development of in vitro biological imaging techniques.
Identification of low-abundance proteins via fractionation of the urine proteome with weak anion exchange chromatography
Authors: Lu Chih-Ming , Wu Yu-Jen , Chen Cheng-Chi , Hsu Jue-Liang , Chen Jiing-Chuan , Chen Jeff Yi-Fu , Huang Chun-Hsiung , Ko Ying-Chin 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Low-abundance proteins are difficultly observed on the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) maps of urine proteome, because they are usually obscured by high-abundance proteins such as albumin and immunoglobulin. In this study, a novel fractionation method was developed for enriching low-abundance proteins by removing high-abundance proteins and progressive elution with salts of various concentrations.

Results
Stepwise weak anion exchange (WAX) chromatography, which applied DEAE-Sephacel resin with non-fixed volume elution, was used to fractionate urine proteome prior to performing 2-DE. Urine proteome was separated into four fractions by progressively eluting the column with 0 M, 50 mM, 100 mM, and 1 M NaCl solutions. Most of the heavy and light immunoglobulin chains appeared in the eluent. After the high-abundance proteins were removed, various low-abundance proteins were enriched and could be easily identified. The potential of this method for obtaining diversified fractionations was demonstrated by eluting the column separately with Na2SO4 and MgCl2 solutions. The 2-DE maps of the fractions eluted with these different salt solutions of identical ionic strength revealed markedly different stain patterns.

Conclusion
The present study demonstrated that this fractionation method could be applied for purposes of enriching low-abundance proteins and obtaining diversified fractionations of urine, and potentially other proteomes.
Factors associated with drug-related harms related to policing in Tijuana, Mexico
Authors: Volkmann Tyson , Lozada Remedios , Anderson Christy M , Patterson Thomas L , Vera Alicia , Strathdee Steffanie A 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Objective
To assess factors associated with drug-related harms related to policing among injection drug users (IDUs) in Tijuana, Mexico.

Methods
IDUs who were over 18 years old and had injected drugs within the last six months were recruited via respondent-driven sampling and underwent questionnaires and testing for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), syphilis and TB (tuberculosis). Random effects logistic regression was used to simultaneously model factors associated with five drug-related harms related to policing practices in the prior six months (i.e., police led them to rush injections; affected where they bought drugs; affected locations where they used drugs; feared that police will interfere with their drug use; receptive syringe sharing).

Results
Of 727 IDUs, 85% were male; median age was 38 years. Within the last 6 months, 231 (32%) of IDUs reported that police had led them to rush injections, affected where they bought or used drugs or were very afraid police would interfere with their drug use, or shared syringes. Factors independently associated with drug-related harms related to policing within the last six months included: recent arrest, homelessness, higher frequencies of drug injection, use of methamphetamine, using the local needle exchange program and perceiving a decrease in the purity of at least one drug.

Conclusions
IDUs who experienced drug-related harms related to policing were those who were most affected by other micro and macro influences in the physical risk environment. Police education programs are needed to ensure that policing practices do not exacerbate risky behaviors or discourage protective behaviors such as needle exchange program use, which undermines the right to health for people who inject drugs.
Natural evolution of desmoplastic fibroblastoma on magnetic resonance imaging: a case report
Authors: Kamata Yusaku , Anazawa Ukei , Morioka Hideo , Morii Takeshi , Miura Keiko , Mukai Makio , Yabe Hiroo , Toyama Yoshiaki 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) is a recently described tumor thought to arise predominantly from subcutaneous tissue or skeletal muscle. The natural evolution of this tumor on magnetic resonance imaging has never been described, to the best of our knowledge. We herein report a case of desmoplastic fibroblastoma arising in the thigh and show the longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Case presentation
A 60-year-old Japanese man presented with swelling of the medial side of his right thigh, and he complained of nighttime pain and slight tenderness. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 4 × 4 cm mass in the right thigh. Open biopsy was performed. The mass was diagnosed histologically as a benign fibrous tumor, and we maintained follow-up without surgical therapy. After one year, magnetic resonance imaging showed an increase in tumor size to 4 × 5 cm, but the histologic findings were the same as those obtained one year earlier. Resection was performed with narrow surgical margins. Pathologic diagnosis was desmoplastic fibroblastoma. Two years after surgery, the patient is free from pain and shows no signs or symptoms of recurrence.

Conclusion
The natural evolution of desmoplastic fibroblastoma is characterized by no changes in patterns on magnetic resonance imaging despite increasing size. This finding is clinically helpful for distinguishing desmoplastic fibroblastoma with increasing pain from the desmoid tumor.
An optimized microarray platform for assaying genomic variation in Plasmodium falciparum field populations
Authors: Tan John C , Miller Becky A , Tan Asako , Patel Jigar J , Cheeseman Ian H , Anderson Tim JC , Manske Magnus , Maslen Gareth , Kwiatkowski Dominic P , Ferdig Michael T 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe present an optimized probe design for copy number variation (CNV) and SNP genotyping in the Plasmodium falciparum genome. We demonstrate that variable length and isothermal probes are superior to static length probes. We show that sample preparation and hybridization conditions mitigate the effects of host DNA contamination in field samples. The microarray and workflow presented can be used to identify CNVs and SNPs with 95% accuracy in a single hybridization, in field samples containing up to 92% human DNA contamination.
Pituitary Incidentaloma: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: Freda Pamela U. , Beckers Albert M. , Katznelson Laurence , Molitch Mark E. , Montori Victor M. , Post Kalmon D. , Vance Mary Lee 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Objective:
The aim was to formulate practice guidelines for endocrine evaluation and treatment of pituitary incidentalomas.

Consensus Process:
Consensus was guided by systematic reviews of evidence and discussions through a series of conference calls and e-mails and one in-person meeting.

Conclusions:
We recommend that patients with a pituitary incidentaloma undergo a complete history and physical examination, laboratory evaluations screening for hormone hypersecretion and for hypopituitarism, and a visual field examination if the lesion abuts the optic nerves or chiasm. We recommend that patients with incidentalomas not meeting criteria for surgical removal be followed with clinical assessments, neuroimaging (magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months for macroincidentalomas, 1 yr for a microincidentaloma, and thereafter progressively less frequently if unchanged in size), visual field examinations for incidentalomas that abut or compress the optic nerve and chiasm (6 months and yearly), and endocrine testing for macroincidentalomas (6 months and yearly) after the initial evaluations. We recommend that patients with a pituitary incidentaloma be referred for surgery if they have a visual field deficit; signs of compression by the tumor leading to other visual abnormalities, such as ophthalmoplegia, or neurological compromise due to compression by the lesion; a lesion abutting the optic nerves or chiasm; pituitary apoplexy with visual disturbance; or if the incidentaloma is a hypersecreting tumor other than a prolactinoma.
The Predictive Value of Thrombelastography and Routine Coagulation Tests for Postoperative Blood Loss in Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Ozolina Agnese , Strike Eva , Vanags Indulis 
Published: April 2011

The Predictive Value of Thrombelastography and Routine Coagulation Tests for Postoperative Blood Loss in Open Heart Surgery
Introduction. Hemorrhage after cardiopulmonary bypass remains a clinical problem. Aim of the Study. Study was performed to compare efficacy of trombelastography (TEG) and routine coagulation tests in relation for postoperative bleeding after cardiac surgery in CPB. Materials and methods. Forty-seven adult cardiac surgical patients were enrolled in prospective study at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital in 2010. Blood samples for prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen level, platelet count were collected before surgery, at admission in intensive care unit (ICU) and 6, 12 hours after operation. Before induction of general anesthesia blood sample was collected to perform kaolin activated TEG (kTEG) and at admission in ICU - kTEG and heparinase- modified kTEG. Results. Correlation postoperatively was between kTEG reaction time (R) and APTT, as well as heparinase-modified kTEG maximum amplitude (MA) and platelet count. Significant correlation with postoperative bleeding showed heparinase-modified kTEG MA on admission to the ICU. The highest predictive value preoperatively showed kTEG alpha angle (A), APTT, platelet count and postoperatively kTEG MA, APTT on admission to ICU. Conclusions. Associated with bleeding are following TEG variables: preoperatively kTEG A, postoperatively kTEG MA and heparinase-modified kTEG MA. APTT and platelet count are also related to postoperative bleeding but to a lesser degree.
Primary spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: a symptom of idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
Authors: Yang Zhijun , Wang Bo , Wang Chungcheng , Liu Pinan 
Published: April 2011

Object
The authors aim to identify the characteristics of primary spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea and propose a hypothesis for its pathogenesis.

Methods
Between 2003 and 2009, 21 patients diagnosed with primary spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea underwent surgery in the authors' hospital. The clinical aspects were retrospectively reviewed, and their characteristics were analyzed.

Results
There were 18 women and 3 men, whose ages ranged from 37 to 74 years (mean 53 years). Body mass index (BMI) ranged from 22 to 58.8 kg/m2 (mean 31.2 kg/m2). Eighteen patients (85.7%) were overweight, and 18 (85.7%) suffered from headache or tinnitus before rhinorrhea. Radiological images revealed fully or partially empty sellae in 14 patients (66.7%). The preoperative intracranial pressure (ICP) ranged from 11 to 28 cm H2O (mean 17.6 cm H2O), while the postoperative ICP ranged from 21 to 32 cm H2O (mean 25.5 cm H2O, p < 0.01). An endoscopeassisted transnasal approach was chosen for the repair. Postoperatively, in 95.2% of patients a cure was achieved. Rhinorrhea recurred in only 1 patient, and a leakage from a new defect occurred in another patient 4 years after the operation. Both patients underwent additional surgery, which was successful. The follow-up period varied from 5 to 75 months with a mean of 34 months.

Conclusions
All patients had direct or indirect evidence of elevated ICP, most patients presented with symptoms of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and most patients were women and obese. Primary spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea may be due to IIH, and it is a rare symptom of IIH. When treating or monitoring these patients during follow-up, ICP should be controlled, and other symptoms of IIH should be noted.