bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of residual brain arteriovenous malformations after radiosurgery: diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced four-dimensional MR angiography at 3.0 T
Authors: Lim H K , Choi C G , Kim S M , Kim J L , Lee D H , Kim S J , Suh D C 
Published: February 2012

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of four-dimensional MR angiography (4D-MRA) at 3.0 T for detecting residual arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) after Gamma Knife® (Elekta Instrument AB, Stockholm, Sweden) radiosurgery (GKRS).
Methods: We assessed 36 angiographically confirmed AVMs in 36 patients who had been treated with GKRS. 4D-MRA was performed after GKRS and the time intervals were 39.4±26.0 months [mean±standard deviation (SD)]. 4D-MRA was obtained at 3.0 T after contrast injection, with a measured voxel size of 1×1×1 mm and a temporal resolution of 1.1 s (13 patients) or a voxel size of 1×1×2 mm and a temporal resolution of 0.98 s (23 patients). X-ray angiography was performed as the standard reference within 53±47 days (mean±SD) after MRA. To determine a residual AVM, the 4D-MRA results were independently reviewed by two readers blinded to the X-ray angiography results. We evaluated diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of 4D-MRA for detection of a residual AVM.
Results: A residual AVM was identified in 13 patients (13/36, 36%) on X-ray angiography. According to Readers 1 and 2, 4D-MRA had a sensitivity of 79.6% and 64.3%, a specificity of 90.9% and 100%, a PPV of 84.6% and 100% and an NPV of 90% and 81.5%, respectively, and a diagnostic accuracy of 86.1% for Readers 1 and 2, for detecting residual AVMs after GKRS.
Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of 4D-MRA at 3.0 T seems high, but there is still the possibility of further improving the spatiotemporal resolution of this technique.
CT in the clinical and prognostic evaluation of acute graft-vs-host disease of the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Shimoni A , Rimon U , Hertz M , Yerushalmi R , Amitai M , Portnoy O , Guranda L , Nagler A , Apter S 
Published: February 2012

Objective: To determine the role of abdominal CT in assessment of severity and prognosis of patients with acute gastrointestinal (GI) graft-vs-host disease (GVHD).
Methods: During 2000–2004, 41 patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute GI-GVHD were evaluated. CTs were examined for intestinal and extra-intestinal abnormalities, and correlated with clinical staging and outcome.
Results: 20 patients had GVHD clinical Stage I–II and 21 had Stage III–IV. 39 (95%) had abnormal CT appearances. The most consistent finding was bowel wall thickening: small (n=14, 34%) or large (n=5, 12%) bowel, or both (n=20, 49%). Other manifestations included bowel dilatation (n=7, 17%), mucosal enhancement (n=6, 15%) and gastric wall thickening (n=9, 38%). Extra-intestinal findings included mesenteric stranding (n=25, 61%), ascites (n=17, 41%), biliary abnormalities (n=12, 29%) and urinary excretion of orally administered gastrografin (n=12, 44%). Diffuse small-bowel thickening and any involvement of the large bowel were associated with severe clinical presentation. Diffuse small-bowel disease correlated with poor prognosis. 8 of 21 patients responded to therapy, compared with 15 of 20 patients with other patterns (p=0.02), and the cumulative incidence of GVHD-related death was 62% and 24%, respectively (p=0.01). Overall survival was not significantly different between patients with diffuse small-bowel disease and patients with other patterns (p=0.31). Colonic disease correlated with severity of GVHD (p=0.04), but not with response to therapy or prognosis (p=0.45).
Conclusion: GVHD often presented with abdominal CT abnormalities. Diffuse small-bowel disease was associated with poor therapeutic response. CT may play a role in supporting clinical diagnosis of GI GVHD and determining prognosis.
Paraspinal volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Bedford J L , Convery H M , Hansen V N , Saran F H 
Published: February 2012

Objectives: The processes involved in the treatment of paraspinal tumours by volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) are described here by means of an illustrative case.
Methods: Az single anticlockwise arc from gantry angle 179° to 181° was constructed using SmartArc (Philips Radiation Oncology Systems, Fitchburg, WI) with control points spaced at 2°. The dose prescription was 60 Gy in 30 fractions to cover the planning target volume (PTV) as uniformly as possible while sparing the 0.3-cm planning risk volume (PRV) around the spinal cord. The plan was verified before treatment using a diode array phantom and radiochromic film. Treatment delivery was on a Synergy linear accelerator with a beam modulator head (Elekta Ltd, Crawley, UK).
Results: Homogeneous dose coverage of the PTV was achieved with a D2% of 62.0 Gy and D98% of 55.6 Gy. Maximum spinal cord dose was 49.9 Gy to 0.1 cm3 and maximum dose to the spinal cord PRV was 55.4 Gy to 0.1 cm3. At pre-treatment verification, the percentage of the high-dose region receiving a dose within 3% and 3 mm of the planned dose was 98.8% with the diode array and 93.4% with film. Delivery time was 2 min 15 s and the course of treatment was successfully completed.
Conclusions: VMAT was successfully planned, verified and delivered for this challenging tumour site. VMAT provides a very suitable method of treating complex paraspinal tumours, offering a high-quality conformal dose distribution with a short delivery time.
Chemotherapy and Fingerprint Loss: Beyond Cosmetic
Authors: Al-Ahwal Mahmoud S. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Hand–foot syndrome (HFS) is a common adverse reaction to several chemotherapy drugs. Focus has been on the clinically relevant sequelae associated with this condition, with fingerprint loss receiving little attention. We report the case of a 53-year old male patient with terminal metastatic adenocarcinoma of the rectum involving the liver and lungs who developed grade 3 HFS while on capecitabine therapy. This resulted in his inability to process required government papers as a result of the loss of his fingerprints, imposing significant inconvenience and frustration on a person severely challenged by his deteriorating health. We believe clinicians should pay more attention to this possible outcome that can add additional stress in the lives of patients whose quality of life is already severely compromised.
Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Use and Periodontal Health in 15‐ to 44‐Year‐Old US Females
Authors: Taichman L. Susan , Sohn Woosung , Kolenic Giselle , Sowers MaryFran 
Published: February 2012

Background: It has been suggested that progestins may have an inflammatory component and/or increase in prostaglandin synthesis. Thus, extended progestin use may be associated with higher risk of periodontal diseases. This study investigates the association between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injectable contraception and the prevalence of periodontal diseases among US premenopausal females.Methods: Data for this cross‐sectional analysis comes from the 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. This analysis includes 4,460 US females (15 to 44 years of age) with complete DMPA usage and periodontal status data.Results: Current and past DMPA use was 4.1% and 12.0%, respectively. The prevalence of gingivitis was 53.9% for females who reported having used DMPA compared with 46.1% for DMPA never‐users. Females taking DMPA were more likely to be young, single, and non‐white, have a history of smoking, have lower levels of education and income, and have ≥1 live births and were less likely to visit the dentist. Using logistic regression, DMPA use was associated with an increased risk of gingivitis (odds ratio [OR] =1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09 to 1.67) and periodontitis (DMPA, OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.01 to 2.22) after adjusting for age, race, education, poverty income ratio, dental care use, and smoking status. A significant interaction between smoking status and DMPA use was also found (P = 0.029).Conclusions: This study suggests that DMPA use may be associated with periodontal diseases. Additional investigation is warranted as a result of the disproportionate usage of DMPA among low‐income populations who are at an increased risk for poor dental health.
Distinguishing Colonization From Infection With Staphylococcus aureus in Diabetic Foot Ulcers With Miniaturized Oligonucleotide Arrays
Authors: Sotto Albert , Richard Jean-Louis , Messad Nourredine , Molinari Nicolas , Jourdan Nathalie , Schuldiner Sophie , Sultan Ariane , Carrière Christian , Canivet Bertrand , Landraud Luce , Lina Gérard , Lavigne Jean-Philippe ,   the French Study Group on the Diabetic Foot
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE
To extend our previous work on evaluating the use of oligonucleotide arrays to discriminate colonization from infection owing to Staphylococcus aureus in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Patients admitted to 14 French diabetic foot departments for a DFU were screened for entry into the study. At admission, ulcers were classified based on clinical examination according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America system. Only patients with monomicrobial culture for S. aureus were included. In persons with an uninfected ulcer, a second wound bacterial specimen was obtained 1 month later. Using oligonucleotide arrays, S. aureus resistance and virulence genes were determined, and each isolate was affiliated to a clonal complex (CC).

RESULTS
S. aureus was initially isolated from 75 uninfected and 120 infected ulcers; 35 were methicillin resistant. A total of 44 (59%) strains from uninfected DFUs belonged to CC5/CC8 clones vs. 6 (5%) from infected DFUs (P &lt; 0.001). During follow-up, 57 (76%) of uninfected DFUs healed or had a favorable outcome; the strain in 49 (86%) of them belonged to CC5/CC8. Conversely, 18 (24%) had a poor outcome but not a single strain belonged to CC5/CC8 clone. Moreover, lukDE was significantly associated with a favorable outcome of the wound.

CONCLUSIONS
As suggested by our previous study, the use of DNA arrays appears to be a promising technique that might help distinguishing uninfected from infected wounds, predicting ulcer outcome and then contributing to a more adequate use of antibiotics.
Impact of Diabetes Among Revascularized Patients in Japan and the U.S.
Authors: Kohsaka Shun , Goto Masashi , Nagai Toshiyuki , Lee Vei-Vei , Elayda MacArthur , Furukawa Yutaka , Fukushima Masanori , Komeda Masashi , Sakata Ryuzo , Ohsugi Mitsuru , Fukuda Keiichi , Wilson James M. , Kita Toru , Kimura Takeshi 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE
Approximately 25% of patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have diabetes, and the diagnosis of diabetes roughly doubles the mortality risk associated with coronary artery disease. However, the impact of diabetes may differ according to ethnicity. Our objective was to examine the impact of diabetes on long-term survival among U.S. and Japanese patients who underwent PCI or CABG.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
For the current analysis, we included 8,871 patients from a Japanese multicenter registry (Coronary Revascularization Demonstrating Outcome database in Kyoto; median follow-up 3.5 years; interquartile range [IQR] 2.6–4.3) and 7,229 patients from a U.S. multipractice registry (Texas Heart Institute Research Database; median follow-up 5.2 years; IQR 3.8–6.5).

RESULTS
Diabetes was more prevalent among Japanese than U.S. patients (39.2 vs. 31.0%; P &lt; 0.001). However, after revascularization, long-term all-cause mortality was lower in diabetic Japanese patients than in diabetic U.S. patients (85.4 vs. 82.2%; log-rank test P = 0.009), whereas it was similar in nondiabetic Japanese and U.S. patients (89.1 vs. 89.5%; P = 0.50). The national difference in crude mortality was also significant among insulin-using patients with diabetes (80.8 vs. 74.9%; P = 0.023). When long-term mortality was adjusted for known predictors, U.S. location was associated with greater long-term mortality risk than Japanese location among nondiabetic patients (hazard ratio 1.58 [95% CI 1.32–1.88]; P &lt; 0.001) and, especially, diabetic patients (1.88 [1.54–2.30]; P &lt; 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Although diabetes was less prevalent in U.S. patients than in Japanese patients, U.S. patients had higher overall long-term mortality risk. This difference was more pronounced in diabetic patients.
Integrating an Automated Diabetes Management System Into the Family Management of Children With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Toscos Tammy R. , Ponder Stephen W. , Anderson Barbara J. , Davidson Mayer B. , Lee Martin L. , Montemayor-Gonzalez Elaine , Reyes Patricia , Link Eric , McMahon Kevin L. 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE
The study objective was to evaluate how the use of a pervasive blood glucose monitoring (BGM) technology relates to glycemic control, report of self-care behavior, and emotional response to BGM of children with type 1 diabetes and their parents.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Forty-eight children aged less than 12 years (mean 8.8 years) with type 1 diabetes were randomly assigned to one of two study groups, a control group (conventional care without technology) or an experimental group (conventional care with technology), and followed for 12 months. Families in the experimental group were given the Automated Diabetes Management System (ADMS), which automatically collects blood glucose (BG) values and sends to parent(s) a 21-day BG trending report via e-mail each night. Measures of glycemic control (HbA1c) were collected at baseline and at quarterly diabetes clinic visits; BGM effect and diabetes self-care behavior measures were obtained at the baseline, 6-month, and 12-month visits.

RESULTS
Children in the experimental group had significantly (P = 0.01) lower HbA1c at 12 months (7.44 ± 0.94, −0.35 from baseline) than controls (8.31 ± 1.24, +0.15 from baseline). Improvement in HbA1c was more profound in families using the ADMS more frequently. In addition, in these families, parents showed a significant improvement in BGM effect (P = 0.03) and children became more meticulous in diabetes self-care (P = 0.04). Children in both experimental and control groups experienced no change in their emotional response to BGM.

CONCLUSIONS
Using the ADMS 1–3 times/week may help children with type 1 diabetes improve glycemic control and gain diabetes self-management skills, as well as improve the BGM effect of parents.
Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study
Authors: Lowe Lynn P. , Metzger Boyd E. , Dyer Alan R. , Lowe Julia , McCance David R. , Lappin Terence R.J. , Trimble Elisabeth R. , Coustan Donald R. , Hadden David R. , Hod Moshe , Oats Jeremy J.N. , Persson Bengt ,   for the HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE
To compare associations of maternal glucose and A1C with adverse outcomes in the multinational Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study and determine, based on those comparisons, if A1C measurement can provide an alternative to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in pregnant women.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Eligible pregnant women underwent a 75-g OGTT at 24–32 weeks’ gestation. A sample for A1C was also collected. Neonatal anthropometrics and cord serum C-peptide were measured. Associations with outcomes were assessed using multiple logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS
Among 23,316 HAPO Study participants with glucose levels blinded to caregivers, 21,064 had a nonvariant A1C result. The mean ± SD A1C was 4.79 ± 0.40%. Associations were significantly stronger with glucose measures than with A1C for birth weight, sum of skinfolds, and percent body fat &gt;90th percentile and for fasting and 1-h glucose for cord C-peptide (all P &lt; 0.01). For example, in fully adjusted models, odds ratios (ORs) for birth weight &gt;90th percentile for each measure higher by 1 SD were 1.39, 1.45, and 1.38, respectively, for fasting, 1-, and 2-h plasma glucose and 1.15 for A1C. ORs for cord C-peptide &gt;90th percentile were 1.56, 1.45, and 1.35 for glucose, respectively, and 1.32 for A1C. ORs were similar for glucose and A1C for primary cesarean section, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery.

CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of associations with adverse outcomes, these findings suggest that A1C measurement is not a useful alternative to an OGTT in pregnant women.
Impaired Insulin Sensitivity as Indexed by the HOMA Score Is Associated With Deficits in Verbal Fluency and Temporal Lobe Gray Matter Volume in the Elderly
Authors: Benedict Christian , Brooks Samantha J. , Kullberg Joel , Burgos Jonathan , Kempton Matthew J. , Nordenskjöld Richard , Nylander Ruta , Kilander Lena , Craft Suzanne , Larsson Elna-Marie , Johansson Lars , Ahlström Håkan , Lind Lars , Schiöth Helgi B. 
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVEImpaired insulin sensitivity is linked to cognitive deficits and reduced brain size. However, it is not yet known whether insulin sensitivity involves regional changes in gray matter volume. Against this background, we examined the association between insulin sensitivity, cognitive performance, and regional gray matter volume in 285 cognitively healthy elderly men and women aged 75 years from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSInsulin sensitivity was calculated from fasting serum insulin and plasma glucose determinations using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. Cognitive performance was examined by a categorical verbal fluency. Participants also underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan. Multivariate analysis using linear regression was conducted, controlling for potential confounders (sex, education, serum LDL cholesterol, mean arterial blood pressure, and abdominal visceral fat volume).RESULTSThe HOMA-IR was negatively correlated with verbal fluency performance, brain size, and temporal lobe gray matter volume in regions known to be involved in speech production (Brodmann areas 21 and 22, respectively). No such effects were observed when examining diabetic (n = 55) and cognitively impaired (n = 27) elderly subjects as separate analyses.CONCLUSIONSThese cross-sectional findings suggest that both pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions improving insulin signaling may promote brain health in late life but must be confirmed in patient studies.
Pneumoesophagography and the appearance of masses in the caudal portion of the esophagus in dogs with spirocercosis
Authors: Kirberger Robert M. , van der Merwe Liesel L. , Dvir Eran 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Objective—To determine the usefulness of pneumoesophagography, compared with that of survey radiography, for characterization of esophageal pathological changes in dogs with endoscopically confirmed intraluminal Spirocerca lupi nodules in the caudal portion of the esophagus.
Design—Diagnostic test evaluation.
Animals—30 dogs with endoscopically confirmed spirocercosis.
Procedures—Dorsoventral (DV) and right lateral recumbent (RLR) thoracic survey radiographs were obtained for each dog. Endoscopy was subsequently performed, the esophagus was inflated with air, and left lateral recumbent, RLR, DV, and ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs were obtained. The amount of esophageal and gastric distention was recorded. Visibility, location, and surface characteristics of lesions and total length of esophageal involvement were recorded independently for each radiograph and modality and compared with each other.
Results—Survey DV radiographs were more reliable than survey RLR radiographs for detecting caudal esophageal pathological changes. Lateral pneumoesophagograms showed more esophageal air and had more visible nodules than did their orthogonal counterparts. Right lateral recumbent pneumoesophagograms allowed for evaluation of the air-filled stomach, particularly the cardiac portion, for additional pathological changes. Pneumoesophagography allowed the mural position (47% located dorsally) and surface characteristics of Spirocerca nodules to be determined. Six of 9 dogs with confirmed malignant disease had an irregular nodule surface suggestive of neoplastic transformation.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Pneumoesophagography was easily performed in dogs with spirocercosis and showed promise as a cost-effective and safe initial diagnostic procedure for further evaluation and characterization of suspected caudal esophageal lesions.
Transitional cell carcinoma involving the ductus deferens in a dog
Authors: Guerin Vincent J. , Hooft Krista W. Visser 't , L'Eplattenier Henry F. , Petite Audrey F. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Case Description—A 12-year-old neutered male Springer Spaniel was referred with a 1-year history of recurring urinary tract infections. Repeated treatment with appropriate antimicrobials selected on the basis of bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility results would result in clinical improvement, but recurrence of clinical signs was observed within days after discontinuation of treatment.
Clinical Findings—Ultrasound examination revealed a tubular, fluid-filled structure dorsal to the bladder that extended from the midlevel of the bladder to the cranial pole of the prostate. Mineralized foci within a heterogeneous prostatic parenchyma were also noted. Dilation of the right ductus deferens (DD) was observed during exploratory laparotomy.
Treatment and Outcome—Both DD were surgically removed, and the prostate was biopsied. The histopathological diagnosis was transitional cell carcinoma involving the right DD and the prostate. The dog was treated with meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg [0.05 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) for 9 months after diagnosis before being euthanized.
Clinical Relevance—Because the normal DD is rarely visualized during abdominal ultrasonography in dogs, identification of a tubular, fluid-filled structure dorsal to the bladder may indicate an abnormal DD. Transitional cell carcinoma of the DD should be included in the differential diagnoses of affected patients examined for clinical signs involving the urinary tract.
A comparative transcriptomic study of an allotetraploid and its diploid progenitors illustrates the unique advantages and challenges of RNA‐seq in plant species
Authors: Ilut Daniel C. , Coate Jeremy E. , Luciano Amelia K. , Owens Thomas G. , May Gregory D. , Farmer Andrew , Doyle Jeff J. 
Published: February 2012

• Premise of the study: RNA‐seq analysis of plant transcriptomes poses unique challenges due to the highly duplicated nature of plant genomes. We address these challenges in the context of recently formed polyploid species and detail an RNA‐seq experiment comparing the leaf transcriptome profile of an allopolyploid relative of soybean with the diploid species that contributed its homoeologous genomes.• Methods: RNA‐seq reads were obtained from the three species and were aligned against the genome sequence of Glycine max. Transcript levels were estimated for each gene, relative contributions of polyploidy‐duplicated loci (homoeologues) in the tetraploid were identified, and comparisons of transcript profiles and individual genes were used to analyze the regulation of transcript levels.• Key results: We present a novel metric developed to address issues arising from high degrees of gene space duplication and a method for dissecting a gene's measured transcript level in a polyploid species into the relative contribution of its homoeologues. We identify the gene family likely contributing to differences in photosynthetic rate between the allotetraploid and its progenitors and show that the tetraploid appears to be using the “redundant” gene copies in novel ways.• Conclusions: Given the prevalence of polyploidy events in plants, we believe many of the approaches developed here to be applicable, and often necessary, in most plant RNA‐seq experiments. The deep sampling provided by RNA‐seq allows us to dissect the genetic underpinnings of specific phenotypes as well as examine complex interactions within polyploid genomes.