bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infusion of allogeneic natural killer cells in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia in relapse after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Nguyen Stéphanie , Béziat Vivien , Norol Françoise , Uzunov Madalina , Trebeden‐Negre Hélène , Azar Nabih , Boudifa Ali , Bories Dominique , Debré Patrice , Vernant Jean‐Paul , Vieillard Vincent , Dhédin Nathalie 
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic donor natural killer (NK)‐cell infusion (NK‐DLI) is a promising immunotherapy for patients with hematologic disorders.CASE REPORT: This report describes the case of a patient who received a single haploidentical NK‐DLI for a relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. He underwent a cytoreductive, immunosuppressive regimen before NK‐DLI and received high‐dose interleukin‐2 in vivo for 8 weeks afterward.RESULTS: No major adverse effect was observed. Prospective phenotypic and functional studies of the NK cells showed major expansion of infused NK cells and, more importantly, of the alloreactive KIR2DL1+KIR2DL2/DL3–NKG2A– subset, which reached 117 × 106 cells/L on Day +14 after NK‐DLI, the greatest expansion of infused alloreactive NK cells reported so far. Infused NK cells conserved their lytic capacities against K562 target cells and primary AML‐mismatched blasts.CONCLUSION: We review the literature to clarify these data and to detail the indications for allogeneic NK‐DLI, the criteria for determining the most suitable donor, the types of conditioning regimens, and the procedures for selecting and activating NK cells.
Recovery of Pacemakers and Defibrillators for Analysis and Device Advance Directives: Electrophysiologists’ Perspectives
Authors: LOGANI SACHIN , GOTTLIEB MAIA , VERDINO RALPH J. , BAMAN TIMIR S. , EAGLE KIM A. , KIRKPATRICK JAMES N. 
Published: February 2011

Background: Following high‐profile device failures, the Heart Rhythm Society emphasized the need for postmarketing surveillance by recommending that physicians return all explanted devices to the manufacturer for analysis.
Methods: We conducted a national survey of electrophysiologists (EPs) regarding recovery for analysis of explanted pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (devices), and attitudes toward device‐specific advance directives to facilitate return of devices. Online survey invitations were sent in four waves from December 2008 to June 2009 to 300 e‐mail addresses from the Heart Rhythm Society member database.
Results: From 250 invitations, there were 95 responses (38%). Demographics included average age 50 years (range, 31–87); 95% male; 81% Caucasian. Only 23% reported returning all explanted devices to the manufacturers. Of all the respondents, 32% discarded >10 devices/year as medical waste, 42% stored devices in a box in the electrophysiology lab, and 10% donated at least 1 device/year to charity for reuse overseas. Sixty‐seven percent felt that it would not be helpful to have an advance directive specifying what the patient would want done with their device postmortem.
Conclusions: Few EPs return all explanted devices or send interrogation reports to the manufacturers, though nearly all said it was easy to do so. A majority either dispose of explanted devices as medical waste or store them in laboratories or offices, and a small percentage donate for reuse in underserved nations or to veterinary hospitals. This study suggests a need for initiatives such as educational campaigns to increase the retrieval and return of devices, either for analysis or reuse. (PACE 2011; 659–665)
Indications and Outcome of Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators for Primary and Secondary Prophylaxis in Patients with Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy
Authors: CALISKAN KADIR , SZILI‐TOROK TAMAS , THEUNS DOMINIC A.M.J. , KARDOS ATTILA , GELEIJNSE MARCEL L. , BALK AGGIE H.M.M. , VAN DOMBURG RON T. , JORDAENS LUC , SIMOONS MAARTEN L. 
Published: February 2011

Prophylactic ICDs for Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy. Background: Noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is a rare, primary cardiomyopathy, with initial presentation of heart failure, emboli, or arrhythmias, including sudden cardiac death. Implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) are frequently used for primary and secondary prevention in different cardiomyopathy patients, but data about ICD in NCCM are scarce. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate ICD indications and outcomes in NCCM patients. Methods and Results: We collected prospective data from our NCCM cohort (n = 77 pts, mean age: 40 ± 14 years). ICD was implanted in 44 (57%) patients with NCCM according to the current ICD guidelines for nonischemic cardiomyopathies: in 12 for secondary prevention (7 × ventricular fibrillation, 5 × sustained ventricular tachycardia [VT]) and in 32 patients for primary prevention (heart failure/severe LV dysfunction). During a mean follow‐up of 33 ± 24 months, 8 patients presented with appropriate ICD shocks due to sustained VT after median 6.1 [1–16] months. This included 4 of 32 (13%) patients in the primary prevention group and 4 of 12 (33%) in the secondary prevention group (P = 0.04). 9 patients presented with inappropriate ICD therapy: 6 (19%) in the primary and 3 (25%) in the secondary prevention group, at a median follow‐up of 4 (2–23) months. Conclusions: In our cohort of NCCM patients, an ICD was frequently implanted for primary or secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. At follow‐up, frequent appropriate ICD therapy was observed in both groups, supporting the application of current ICD guidelines for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death in NCCM. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 898‐904, August 2011)
Time‐ and Frequency‐Domain Characteristics of Atrial Electrograms During Sinus Rhythm and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: CHANG SHENG‐HSIUNG , ULFARSSON MAGNUS , CHUGH AMAN , YOSHIDA KENTARO , JONGNARANGSIN KRIT , CRAWFORD THOMAS , GOOD ERIC , PELOSI FRANK , BOGUN FRANK , MORADY FRED , ORAL HAKAN 
Published: February 2011

Ablation and Spectral Characteristics of Fibrillation. Background: Complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) have been considered to be helpful during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of CFAEs recorded during sinus rhythm (SR) and AF, and to determine their relationship to perpetuation of AF and clinical outcome.
Methods and Results:
Antral pulmonary vein isolation (APVI) was performed in 34 consecutive patients (age = 59 ± 10 years) with paroxysmal AF who presented in SR. Time‐ and frequency‐domain characteristics of electrograms recorded from the same sites in the coronary sinus (CS) were analyzed during SR and AF, before and during isoproterenol infusion. There was a modest correlation in fractionation index (FI: change in the direction of depolarization, r = 0.40, P = 0.001) and complexity index (CI: change in the polarity of depolarization, r = 0.41, P = 0.001), but not in the dominant frequency (DF) between SR and AF. There was no relationship between the DF and CI or FI during AF. Isoproterenol was associated with an increase in DF during AF (6.6 ± 0.9 vs 5.1 ± 0.6 Hz, P < 0.001) but had no effect on CI or FI (P = 0.6). A higher CI (58.3 ± 21.0/s vs 38.0 ± 21.0/s, P < 0.01), and FI (123.5 ± 44.8/s vs 75.6 ± 44.6/s, P < 0.01) during AF were associated with a lower likelihood of termination of AF during APVI and a higher probability of recurrent AF after ablation. Ratio of FI during AF to SR was also higher when AF persisted than terminated after APVI (29.7 ± 12.4 vs 19.1 ± 9.7, P = 0.002). However, time‐ or frequency‐domain parameters during SR were not predictive of termination or clinical outcome.
Conclusions:
Structural and functional properties of the atrial myocardium during AF contribute to electrogram complexity, which may indicate the presence of extra‐PV mechanisms of AF that are not eliminated by APVI. Mapping of complex electrograms in SR is not likely to be sufficient to identify drivers of AF. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 851‐857, August 2011)
Effect of bovine bone and collagen membranes on healing of mandibular bone blocks: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Cordaro Luca , Torsello Ferruccio , Morcavallo Sara , di Torresanto Vincenzo Mirisola 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the use of deprotenized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and collagen barrier membranes (CM) in combination with mandibular bone block grafts could reduce bone block graft resorption during healing.Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study has been designed. Twenty‐two ridges presenting horizontal alveolar deficiency (crest width <4 mm) and at least two adjacent missing teeth were included in the study. In the control group, one or multiple mandibular blocks were used to gain horizontal augmentation of the ridge. In the test group, DBBM granules were added at the periphery and over the graft. The reconstructions were covered by two layers of CM. Implants were placed 4 months after grafting. Direct measurements of crest width were performed before and immediately after bone augmentation, and immediately before implant placement.Results: Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in crest width between test and control groups at baseline and immediately after grafting. Mean augmentation at first surgery in the test group was 4.18 vs. 4.57 mm in the control group. Final gain obtained at the time of implant placement was 3.93 mm in the test and 3.67 mm in the control groups. The difference in mean graft resorption between test and control sites was statistically significant (0.25 mm in the test group vs. 0.89 mm in the control group, P=0.03).Complications seem to occur more often in the test group (complications recorded in three cases in the test group vs. one complication recorded in the control group). In all cases, implants could be placed in the planned sites and a total of 55 implants were placed (28 in the test group and 27 in the control group). All implants could be considered successfully integrated at the 24‐month follow‐up visit.Conclusion: The results from this study showed that the addition of bovine bone mineral and a CM around and over a mandibular bone block graft could minimize graft resorption during healing. On the other hand, the use of bone substitutes and barrier membranes in combination with block grafts increased the frequency of complications and the difficulty of their management.To cite this article:
Cordaro L, Torsello F, Morcavallo S, Mirisola di Torresanto V. Effect of bovine bone and collagen membranes on healing of mandibular bone blocks: a prospective randomized controlled study. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22, 2011; 1145–1150. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02093.x
Evaluation of a blended learning course for teaching oral radiology to undergraduate dental students
Authors: Kavadella A. , Tsiklakis K. , Vougiouklakis G. , Lionarakis A. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAims:  The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a blended course (a combined face‐to‐face and online instruction) on undergraduate oral radiology and evaluate it by comparing its educational effectiveness (derived from students’ performance and answers to questionnaires) to a conventional course’s. Students’ attitudes concerning the blended methodology were also registered.Methodology:  An original course was developed and implemented, and its electronic version was uploaded to an e‐learning educational platform. The course was attended by two groups of final‐year students, who were taught by either the conventional face‐to‐face methodology or the blended learning methodology. Students answered a series of questionnaires, before and after following the course, regarding their perceptions, attitudes and evaluation of the course. Additionally, they completed knowledge assessment tests and their grades (before and after the course) were compared. Educational effectiveness of the course was determined by analysing the results of the questionnaires and the tests.Results:  Students in the blended group performed significantly better than their colleagues of the conventional group in the post‐course knowledge test, and female students of the blended group performed better than male students. Students evaluated high the course content, organisation, educational material, and the blended group students additionally appreciated the course design and clarity of instructions. Students’ attitudes towards elements of blended learning (effectiveness, motivation and active engagement) were very positive. Most of the blended group students, who attended the face‐to‐face meeting (approx. 91%), evaluated it as helpful for summarising the subject and clarifying difficult issues.Conclusions:  Blended learning is effective and well evaluated by dental students and can be implemented in undergraduate curriculum for teaching oral radiology.
Prevention of erosive/abrasive enamel wear due to orange juice modified with dietary supplements
Authors: Wegehaupt FJ , Günthart N , Sener B , Attin T 
Published: February 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 508–514Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the erosive/abrasive enamel wear after contact with orange juices modified with different dietary supplements.Methods:  A total of 96 bovine enamel samples were prepared and allocated to eight groups (1–8; n = 12). Samples were eroded (120 s) in 200 ml of the following eight solutions: 1: water (control), 2: orange juice, 3: water + calcium effervescent tablet, 4: orange juice + calcium effervescent tablet, 5: water + 0.75 g acid/base regulating powder (Probase), 6: water + 0.375 g Probase, 7: orange juice + 0.75 g Probase and 8: orange juice + 0.375 g Probase. After erosion, the samples were brushed with 40 brushing strokes (load 2.5 N). Enamel wear was measured using surface profilometry after 20 and 40 cycles of erosion/abrasion respectively.Results:  Highest mean enamel wear (±SD) after 20 and 40 cycles of erosion/abrasion was observed for the unmodified orange juice (group 2) (0.605 ± 0.240 μm; 1.375 ± 0.496 μm respectively). The enamel wear in all other groups (3–8) was significantly lower (P < 0.0001 respectively) with no significant difference within these groups and compared with water (control).Conclusion:  Erosive/abrasive enamel wear induces by orange juice and tooth brushing could be reduced significantly by modification with free available dietary supplements.
Beta‐defensins: what are they REALLY doing in the oral cavity?
Authors: Diamond G , Ryan LK 
Published: February 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 628–635Initially identified as broad‐spectrum antimicrobial peptides, the members of the β‐defensin family have increasingly been observed to exhibit numerous other activities, both in vitro and in vivo, that do not always relate directly to host defense. Much research has been carried out in the oral cavity, where the presence of commensal bacteria further complicates the definition of their role. In addition to direct antimicrobial activity, β‐defensins exhibit potent chemotactic activity for a variety of innate immune cells, as well as stimulating other cells to secrete cytokines. They can also inhibit the inflammatory response, however, by the specific binding of microbe‐associated molecular patterns. These patterns are also able to induce the expression of β‐defensins in gingival epithelial cells, although significant differences are observed between different species of bacteria. Together these results suggest a complex model of a host‐defense related function in maintenance of bacterial homeostasis and response to pathogens. This model is complicated, however, by numerous other observations of β‐defensin involvement in cell proliferation, wound healing and cancer. Together, the in vitro, in vivo and human studies suggest that these peptides are important in the biology of the oral cavity; exactly how is still subject to speculation.
HCMV gB genotype and its association with cytokine levels in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Correia‐Silva JF , Resende RG , Arão TC , Abreu MHNG , Teixeira MM , Bittencourt H , Silva TA , Gomez RS 
Published: February 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 530–537Background:  Glycoprotein B (gB) has been implicated in determining the pathogenicity and clinical outcomes of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) disease.Objective:  The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of gB genotypes in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) and the relationship between it and cytokine levels in saliva and blood samples. The impact of these parameters on patients’ survival was also investigated.Methods:  Samples were obtained from 63 patients receiving an allo‐HSCT. HCMV gB genotyping was carried out by multiplex nested PCR. The cytokine levels were assessed using ELISA assay.Results:  A single or mixed genotype infection was detected in the saliva and blood of 36/63 and 52/63 subjects, respectively. Patients with gB2 in their saliva showed lower IL‐10 levels in comparison with patients without gB2. Reduced blood levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐1β were also found in recipients with the HCMV gB4 genotype compared with patients without it. Decreased IL‐1β and increased IL‐10 blood levels were associated with lower survival. However, HCMV gB genotypes have no impact on patient outcome.Conclusion:  Decreased IL‐1β and increased IL‐10 levels in the blood are associated with lower survival. HCMV genotypes are associated with different cytokine levels in saliva and blood.
Development of smooth pursuit eye movements in very preterm infants: 1. General aspects
Authors: Strand‐Brodd Katarina , Ewald Uwe , Grönqvist Helena , Holmström Gerd , Strömberg Bo , Grönqvist Erik , von Hofsten Claes , Rosander Kerstin 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAim:  To investigate early oculo‐motor development in a population‐based cohort of very preterm infants.Methods:  Early oculo‐motor development was prospectively studied by measuring smooth pursuit eye movements at 2 and 4 months corrected age in a population of very preterm infants born in Uppsala County 2004–2007. Eighty‐one preterm infants were studied, and 32 healthy term infants constituted the control group.Results:  The study group consisted of infants with a mean gestational age of 28 + 5 weeks. At 2 and 4 months corrected age, infants born very preterm showed lower gain (p < 0.001) and proportion of smooth pursuit eye movements (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. The boys showed higher gain of smooth pursuit eye movements at both 2 and 4 months corrected age, compared to girls.Conclusions:  Oculo‐motor development measured by smooth pursuit eye movements is delayed in very preterm infants at 2 and 4 months corrected age. This might be a risk factor or early indicator of later perceptual and behavioural impairment.
Designing new UK‐WHO growth charts: implications for health staff use and understanding of charts and growth monitoring
Authors: Wright Charlotte M. , Sachs Magda , Short John , Sharp Laura , Cameron Kirsty , Moy Robert J. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractNew pre‐school UK charts have been produced incorporating the new World Health Organization growth standards based on healthy breastfed infants. This paper describes the process by which the charts and evidence‐based instructions were designed and evaluated, and what it revealed about professional understanding of charts and growth monitoring. A multidisciplinary expert group drew on existing literature, new data analyses and parent focus groups as well as two series of chart‐plotting workshops for health staff. The first series explored possible design features and general chart understanding. The second evaluated an advanced prototype with instructions, using plotting and interpretation of three separate scenarios on the old charts, compared with the new charts. The first plotting workshops (46 participants) allowed decisions to be made about the exact chart format, but it also revealed widespread confusion about use of adjustment for gestation and the plotting of birthweight. In the second series (78 participants), high levels of plotting inaccuracy were identified on both chart formats, with 64% of respondents making at least one major mistake. Significant neonatal weight loss was poorly recognized. While most participants recognized abnormal and normal growth patterns, 13–20% did not. Many respondents had never received any formal training in chart use. Growth charts are complex clinical tools that are, at present, poorly understood and inconsistently used. The importance of clear guidelines and formal training has now been recognized and translated into supporting educational materials (free to download at http://www.growthcharts.rcpch.ac.uk).
Cloning, expression and characterization of a new aspartate aminotransferase from Bacillus subtilis B3
Authors: Wu Hui‐Jun , Yang Yang , Wang Shuai , Qiao Jun‐Qing , Xia Yan‐Fei , Wang Yu , Wang Wei‐Duo , Gao Sheng‐Feng , Liu Jun , Xue Peng‐Qi , Gao Xue‐Wen 
Published: February 2011

In the present study, we report the identification of a new gene from the Bacillus subtilis B3 strain (aatB3), which comprises 1308 bp encoding a 436 amino acid protein with a monomer molecular weight of 49.1 kDa. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that this enzyme is a member of the Ib subgroup of aspartate aminotransferases (AATs; EC 2.6.1.1), although it also has conserved active residues and thermostability characteristic of Ia‐type AATs. The Asp232, Lys270 and Arg403 residues of AATB3 play a key role in transamination. The enzyme showed maximal activity at pH 8.0 and 45 °C, had relatively high activity over an alkaline pH range (pH 7.0–9.0) and was stable up to 50 °C. AATB3 catalyzed the transamination of five amino acids, with l‐aspartate being the optimal substrate. The Km values were determined to be 6.7 mm for l‐aspartate, 0.3 mm for α‐ketoglutarate, 8.0 mm for l‐glutamate and 0.6 mm for oxaloacetate. A 32‐residue N‐terminal amino acid sequence of this enzyme has 53% identity with that of Bacillus circulans AAT, although it is absent in all other AATs from different organisms. Further studies on AATB3 may confirm that it is potentially beneficial in basic research as well as various industrial applications.Database
The nucleotide sequence data have been deposited in the GenBank database under accession Numbers AY040867.1