bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WHAT IS THE FREQUENCY OF CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM DISORDER IN CKD?
Authors: Basturk Taner , Unsal Abdulkadir 
Published: September 2011

SUMMARYObjective: The objective of this paper is to detect the incidence of insulin resistance (IR) in Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) patients and the presence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with/without IR.Methods: We enrolled 113 patients with CKD. Biochemical parameters were investigated.Results: IFG was found 59.3% of patients with CKD. Age (p = 0.012), BMI (p = 0.036), TG (p = 0.008), HbA1c(p = 0.002), hs‐CRP (p = 0.015) levels were higher in patients with IFG. According to the results of Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 69% of patients with CKD had a detected carbohydrate metabolism disorder, 9.7% had DM, 59.3% had IGT. In patients with IFG 13.6% had DM, 31.8% IGT, in patients without IFG 4.2% had DM and 29.8% IGT. The mean HOMA‐IR and insulin levels were 3.03 ± 1, 97/11.9 ± 7.13. IR was detected 23% of patients with CKD. In patients with IR; FBG (p = 0.003), serum insulin (p = 0.001), TG (p = 0.05) and HbA1c (p = 0.004) levels were elevated. 31.3% of patients with IFG were found to be IR.Conclusion: Carbohydrate metabolism disorder and insulin resistance are found in patients with CKD. Most patients with CKD who are elderly, obesity or overweight offer targets for additional risk factors. For these reasons, screening for DM may be recommended.
RENAL TRANSPLANT ACCEPTANCE STATUS, HEALTH‐RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND DEPRESSION IN DIALYSIS PATIENTS
Authors: Østhus Tone Brit Hortemo , Preljevic Valjbona , Sandvik Leiv , Dammen Toril , Os Ingrid 
Published: September 2011

SUMMARYHealth‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and depression in chronic dialysis patients, accepted (n = 122) or rejected (n = 93) for renal transplantation (Tx), were compared, whereas dialysis patients with pending acceptance status (n = 86) were followed for a median time of 3.6 years to assess whether HRQOL or depression predicted the likelihood of receiving a transplant. Clinical significant depression was present in 30% of the study patients. Less depression and better HRQOL were associated with being on the waiting list for Tx after adjusting for comorbidity, age, gender and dialysis vintage. During follow‐up, 55% of the dialysis patients in the group with pending acceptance were transplanted. The likelihood of receiving a renal graft was based on comorbidity and not on impaired HRQOL or depression. Follow‐up studies should investigate whether improved renal health after Tx translates into further improvement of HRQOL and less depression. Whether clinical depression and impaired HRQOL will impact graft survival needs to be explored.
Frequency of anemia of inflammation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis requiring anti‐TNFα drugs and therapy‐induced changes
Authors: NICCOLI Laura , NANNINI Carlotta , CASSARÀ Emanuele , KALOUDI Olga , CANTINI Fabrizio 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Objective:  Primary: to evaluate the frequency of anemia of inflammation (AOI) in a clinical series of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) requiring anti‐TNF (tumor necrosis factor) agents. Secondary: to examine anti‐TNF therapy‐induced changes in AOI.
Method:  Prospective, follow‐up, 6‐month study of all consecutive, new patients with AS requiring anti‐TNFα drugs observed between January 2004 and December 2008. AOI was defined according to WHO criteria. Primary outcome measure: the proportion of patients showing AOI at baseline. Secondary outcome measures: the proportion of patients achieving resolution of AOI at the 6‐month visit; the proportion of patients achieving any improvement in haemoglobin (Hb); the proportion of patients with any improvement in blood results.
Results:  One hundred and six patients (42 women and 64 men; mean age: 46 years) with AS were evaluated. Sixteen of these (15%) presented with AOI at baseline. After 6 months therapy 13 patients (81%) resolved AOI while two presented an Hb level reduction. After 6 months therapy we did not find a significant statistical improvement in red blood cell numbers (P = 0.85) and transferrin (P = 0.08) levels. Hb, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), iron, ferritin, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) improved reaching statistical significance (P = 0.0002, 0.0001, 0.001, 0.014; 0.007, 0.004, respectively).
Conclusion:  We found 15% frequency of AOI among a selected series of patients with AS. After 6 months of anti‐TNFα therapy AOI resolved in the majority of patients with significant improvement of Hb, MCV, CRP and ESR levels.
Familial rheumatoid arthritis in patients referred to rheumatology clinics of Tabriz, Iran
Authors: HAJALILOU Mehrzad , NOSHAD Hamid , KHABBAZI Ali R. , KOLAHI Susan , AZARI Maryam H. , ABBASNEGHAD Mohsen 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Background:  The familial clustering of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in first and second degree relatives of patients supports the role of genetic factors. The proportion of heredity in its development is roughly 60%; however, most individuals closely related to someone with RA do not get the disease. Considering the lack of sufficient data on the familial aggregation of RA in Iran, we designed this study for clarifying the familial prevalence of RA.
Objective:  To determine the prevalence of RA among relatives of patients with RA and to evaluate the mean disease onset age in relatives.
Methods:  In a longitudinal study from July 2008 to July 2010, we followed 210 unrelated patients with RA and their first and second degree relatives (FDR+ and SDR+), by interviewing and physical examination of those with symptoms, to ascertain prevalence. Familial RA was defined by presence of at least two siblings fulfilling the 1987 ACR criteria for RA.
Results:  We demonstrated that 17.6% of patients have at least one affected relative. The prevalence of RA in the family of studied patients was 0.83% (42 people). Thirty‐two in FDR+ and 10 people in SDR+ (2.53% and 0.26% of all family), also 1.12% in female relatives and 0.39% in male relatives had RA. The odds ratio for FDR/SDR was 2.52. The mean age at disease onset in relatives was 42.30 ± 1.51 years in FDR+ and 34.40 ± 2.10 years in the SDR+ group (0.03).
Conclusion:  The risk of RA is greatest in FDR+ and is likely to be due to a combination of inherited and environmental factors.
Triple labeling with three thymidine analogs reveals a well‐orchestrated regulation of hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration
Authors: Wu Yizhou , Guo Fuzheng , Liu Jin , Xiao Xueyuan , Huang Lingyun , He Dacheng 
Published: September 2011

Aim:  After a two‐thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) in rodents, the remaining cells will proliferate and restore the lost liver mass within 7 days. Previous studies have proved that the residual hepatocytes proliferate in a synchronous manner. However, the existing data can not reflect the chronicle of individual hepatocytes proliferation during liver regeneration.Methods:  In this study, a combination of pulse and continuous labeling using three thymidine analogs, Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), Chlorodeoxyuridine (CldU) and Iododeoxyuridine (IdU), were used to analyze the cell proliferation of rat liver after PHx. This strategy allows us to follow an individual cell for more than one cell cycle and to define how many cells and which cells undergo multiple divisions.Results:  The residual hepatocytes clustered into three subpopulations to initiate the proliferation sequentially, and the corresponding percentage of each was 32%, 17%, and 36%. Meanwhile, the remaining 15% of hepatocytes never proliferated. In addition, the periportal hepatocytes were the first to respond to PHx stimulation and re‐proliferated synchronously at 54 h. Furthermore, at least 11% of residual hepatocytes were identified to divide thrice or more.Conclusion:  Based on the present analysis, we concluded a sequential model of the initial proliferation in residual hepatocytes, and for the first time, quantitatively elucidated the proliferation manner of three subpopulations during liver regeneration.
Audit Quality and the Market Valuation of Banks’ Allowance for Loan Losses*
Authors: Kanagaretnam Kiridaran , Krishnan Gopal V. , Lobo Gerald J. , Mathieu Robert 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe recent banking crisis has led market participants to focus on the adequacy and quality of banks’ balance sheet items such as the allowance for loan losses. Beaver and Engel (1996) document that the capital market prices the nondiscretionary component of loan loss allowance negatively and the discretionary component less negatively. Using data from the pre‐crisis period and three measures of audit quality, auditor type (i.e., Big 5 versus non–Big 5), auditor industry specialization/expertise, and audit and nonaudit fees paid to auditors, we examine the effect of audit quality on the market valuation of the discretionary component of the allowance for loan losses. We find that, relative to the nondiscretionary component, the market valuation of the discretionary component of loan loss allowance is higher for banks audited by Big 5 auditors than for banks audited by non–Big 5 auditors. We also find that the relative market valuation of the discretionary component of loan loss allowance is increasing in auditor expertise. Regarding the impact of fees paid to auditors, we find that banks paying higher audit fees have higher relative market valuation of the discretionary component of the allowance for loan losses, but banks that pay higher nonaudit fees do not.
Annual Reporting and Accountability by Municipalities in Canada: An Empirical Investigation*
Authors: Blanco Huguette , Lennard John , Lamontagne Sylvain 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPrior research regarding reporting and accountability by local governments in several countries has questioned the value of traditional annual reporting and the level of accountability to the public. This article reports on comparable research for local governments throughout Canada. The disclosure index methodology is used to evaluate the quality and quantity of information published in the annual reports and in the financial statements of Canadian local governments in 2003 with a comparison in 2005. Although all municipalities published audited financial statements, less than one‐third of municipalities published a comprehensive annual report in 2003. The results show an overall low disclosure index with significant improvements in 2005 compared to 2003 and significant differences across the country. The results, largely consistent with previously published international studies, raise questions about local government accountability and about the conceptual framework for local government reporting.
Reservoir Targeted Vaccine for Lyme Borreliosis Induces a Yearlong, Neutralizing Antibody Response to OspA in White-Footed Mice
Authors: Meirelles Richer Luciana , Aroso Miguel , Contente-Cuomo Tania , Ivanova Larisa , Gomes-Solecki Maria 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete
Borrelia burgdorferi
. The enzootic cycle of this pathogen requires that
Ixodes
spp. acquire
B. burgdorferi
from infected wildlife reservoirs and transmit it to other uninfected wildlife. At present, there are no effective measures to control
B. burgdorferi
; there is no human vaccine available, and existing vector control measures are generally not acceptable to the public. However, if
B. burgdorferi
could be eliminated from its reservoir hosts or from the ticks that feed on them, the enzootic cycle would be broken, and the incidence of Lyme disease would decrease. We developed OspA-RTV, a reservoir targeted bait vaccine (RTV) based on the immunogenic outer surface protein A (OspA) of
B. burgdorferi
aimed at breaking the natural cycle of this spirochete. White-footed mice, the major reservoir species for this spirochete in nature developed a systemic OspA-specific IgG response as a result of ingestion of the bait formulation. This immune response protected white-footed mice against
B. burgdorferi
infection upon tick challenge and cleared
B. burgdorferi
from the tick vector. In performing extensive studies to optimize the OspA-RTV for field deployment, we determined that mice that consumed the vaccine over periods of 1 or 4 months developed a yearlong, neutralizing anti-OspA systemic IgG response. Furthermore, we defined the minimum number of OspA-RTV units needed to induce a protective immune response.
Equine Botulinum Antitoxin for the Treatment of Infant Botulism
Authors: Vanella de Cuetos Elida E. , Fernandez Rafael A. , Bianco María I. , Sartori Omar J. , Piovano María L. , Lúquez Carolina , de Jong Laura I. T. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTInfant botulism is the most common form of human botulism in Argentina and the United States. BabyBIG (botulism immune globulin intravenous [human]) is the antitoxin of choice for specific treatment of infant botulism in the United States. However, its high cost limits its use in many countries. We report here the effectiveness and safety of equine botulinum antitoxin (EqBA) as an alternative treatment. We conducted an analytical, observational, retrospective, and longitudinal study on cases of infant botulism registered in Mendoza, Argentina, from 1993 to 2007. We analyzed 92 medical records of laboratory-confirmed cases and evaluated the safety and efficacy of treatment with EqBA. Forty-nine laboratory-confirmed cases of infant botulism demanding admission in intensive care units and mechanical ventilation included 31 treated with EqBA within the 5 days after the onset of signs and 18 untreated with EqBA. EqBA-treated patients had a reduction in the mean length of hospital stay of 23.9 days (P= 0.0007). For infants treated with EqBA, the intensive care unit stay was shortened by 11.2 days (P= 0.0036), mechanical ventilation was reduced by 11.1 days (P= 0.0155), and tube feeding was reduced by 24.4 days (P= 0.0001). The incidence of sepsis in EqBA-treated patients was 47.3% lower (P= 0.0017) than in the untreated ones. Neither sequelae nor adverse effects attributable to EqBA were noticed, except for one infant who developed a transient erythematous rash. These results suggest that prompt treatment of infant botulism with EqBA is safe and effective and that EqBA could be considered an alternative specific treatment for infant botulism when BabyBIG is not available.
Development and Evaluation of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Use in the Detection of Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle
Authors: Waters W. R. , Buddle B. M. , Vordermeier H. M. , Gormley E. , Palmer M. V. , Thacker T. C. , Bannantine J. P. , Stabel J. R. , Linscott R. , Martel E. , Milian F. , Foshaug W. , Lawrence J. C. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

As a consequence of continued spillover of
Mycobacterium bovis
into cattle from wildlife reservoirs and increased globalization of cattle trade with associated transmission risks, new approaches such as vaccination and novel testing algorithms are seriously being considered by regulatory agencies for the control of bovine tuberculosis. Serologic tests offer opportunities for identification of
M. bovis
-infected animals not afforded by current diagnostic techniques. The present study describes assay development and field assessment of a new commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects antibody to
M. bovis
antigens MPB83 and MPB70 in infected cattle. Pertinent findings include the following: specific antibody responses were detected at ∼90 to 100 days after experimental
M. bovis
challenge, minimal cross-reactive responses were elicited by infection/sensitization with nontuberculous
Mycobacterium
spp., and the apparent sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA with naturally infected cattle were 63% and 98%, respectively, with sensitivity improving as disease severity increased. The ELISA also detected infected animals missed by the routine tuberculin skin test, and antibody was detectable in bulk tank milk samples from
M. bovis
-infected dairy herds. A high-throughput ELISA could be adapted as a movement, border, or slaughter surveillance test, as well as a supplemental test to tuberculin skin testing.
Molecular Epidemiology of Carbapenem-Nonsusceptible Acinetobacter baumannii in the United States
Authors: Adams-Haduch Jennifer M. , Onuoha Ezenwa O. , Bogdanovich Tatiana , Tian Guo-Bao , Marschall Jonas , Urban Carl M. , Spellberg Brad J. , Rhee Diane , Halstead Diane C. , Pasculle Anthony W. , Doi Yohei 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Acinetobacter baumannii
is emerging as an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide. We report molecular epidemiology of 65 carbapenem-nonsusceptible
A. baumannii
isolates identified from hospitals in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Missouri, Nevada, and California between 2008 and 2009. All isolates were subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Select isolates then underwent multilocus sequence typing (MLST). While the PFGE patterns tended to cluster within each hospital, sequence types (STs) belonging to the clonal complex 92 (CC92) and the pan-European clonal lineage II (EUII; worldwide clonal lineage 2) were predominant in all hospitals. Of them, ST122 and ST208 were the most common and were found in four of the six hospitals. Isolates belonging to the pan-European clonal lineages I and III were identified in one hospital each. Carbapenemase-encoding genes
bla
OXA-23
and/or IS
Aba1
-
bla
OXA-51-like
were present among the majority of isolates. These findings suggest that carbapenem-nonsusceptible
A. baumannii
isolates found in U.S. hospitals constitute part of the global epidemic driven by CC92, but have unique STs other than ST92, which may be spreading by means of patient transfer between health care facilities within the United States.
Virulence Potential of Escherichia coli Strains Causing Asymptomatic Bacteriuria during Pregnancy
Authors: Lavigne Jean-Philippe , Boutet-Dubois Adeline , Laouini Dorsaf , Combescure Christophe , Bouziges Nicole , Marès Pierre , Sotto Albert 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

We compared the virulence properties of a collection of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU)
Escherichia coli
strains to urinary tract infection (UTI) strains isolated from pregnant women in a university hospital over 1 year. The
in vitro
and
in vivo
studies suggest that ABU strains presented a virulence behavior similar to that of strains isolated from cases of cystitis.
Expansion of the Midwestern Focus for Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis into the Region Surrounding La Crosse, Wisconsin
Authors: Lovrich Steven D. , Jobe Dean A. , Kowalski Todd J. , Policepatil Seema M. , Callister Steven M. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Anaplasma phagocytophilum
, the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), shares the same enzootic life cycle as
Borrelia burgdorferi
, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Although La Crosse, WI, is a well-recognized Lyme disease focus with an abundance of
Ixodes scapularis
vector ticks and the first documentation of HGA occurred in patients from northwestern Wisconsin, local transmission of
A. phagocytophilum
has not to date been documented. In this study, we evaluated DNA extracted from 201 ticks captured locally by a real-time PCR that targeted a unique region within
msp2
, and 24 samples (12%) yielded positive results. The PCR also detected
A. phagocytophilum
DNA in blood samples obtained from 53 patients with clinical abnormalities consistent with HGA, and sequencing confirmed that the DNA was recovered from the Ap-ha variant of
A. phagocytophilum
, associated exclusively with human infection. The findings therefore confirmed that the upper Midwestern focus for HGA endemicity now includes the regions immediately surrounding La Crosse, WI. The results also validated the utility of the real-time
msp2
PCR test for confirming acute HGA in the clinical setting.
Characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae Isolates from Infected Skin Lesions in the Northern Territory of Australia
Authors: Gordon Claire L. , Fagan Peter , Hennessy Jann , Baird Robert 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Corynebacterium diphtheriae
is commonly isolated from cutaneous skin lesions in the Northern Territory of Australia. We prospectively assessed 32 recent isolates from infected skin lesions, in addition to reviewing 192 isolates collected over 5 years for toxin status. No isolates carried the toxin gene. Toxigenic
C. diphtheriae
is now a rare occurrence in the Northern Territory.
Escherichia fergusonii Bacteremia in a Diabetic Patient with Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Lai Chih-Cheng , Cheng Aristine , Huang Yu-Tsung , Chung Kuei-Pin , Lee Meng-Rui , Liao Chun-Hsing , Hsueh Po-Ren 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Although
Escherichia fergusonii
has been identified for decades, it has rarely been recovered from clinical specimens and its clinical significance remains unclear. We describe a case of
E. fergusonii
bacteremia in a diabetic patient with pancreatic cancer. The isolate was confirmed by three commercial identification systems and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The patient's clinical condition gradually improved, and repeated blood cultures were negative after antibiotic treatment with an
in vitro
active agent (ceftriaxone).
Lethal Mutagenesis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Involves Shifts in Sequence Space
Authors: Perales Celia , Henry Michel , Domingo Esteban , Wain-Hobson Simon , Vartanian Jean-Pierre 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT
Lethal mutagenesis or virus transition into error catastrophe is an antiviral strategy that aims at extinguishing a virus by increasing the viral mutation rates during replication. The molecular basis of lethal mutagenesis is largely unknown. Previous studies showed that a critical substitution in the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) polymerase was sufficient to allow the virus to escape extinction through modulation of the transition types induced by the purine nucleoside analogue ribavirin. This substitution was not detected in mutant spectra of FMDV populations that had not replicated in the presence of ribavirin, using standard molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing. Here we selectively amplify and analyze low-melting-temperature cDNA duplexes copied from FMDV genome populations passaged in the absence or presence of ribovirin Hypermutated genomes with high frequencies of A and U were present in both ribavirin -treated and untreated populations, but the major effect of ribavirin mutagenesis was to accelerate the occurrence of AU-rich mutant clouds during the early replication rounds of the virus. The standard FMDV quasispecies passaged in the absence of ribavirin included the salient transition-modulating, ribavirin resistance mutation, whose frequency increased in populations treated with ribavirin. Thus, even nonmutagenized FMDV quasispecies include a deep, mutationally biased portion of sequence space, in support of the view that the virus replicates close to the error threshold for maintenance of genetic information.