bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety of anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α agents in psoriasis patients who were chronic hepatitis B carriers: a retrospective report of seven patients and brief review of the literature
Authors: Fotiadou C , Lazaridou E , Ioannides D 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  Issues concerning the potential risks of reactivating chronic hepatitis B virus arise when the use of anti‐Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α (TNFα) agents is imperative in patients with concurrent psoriasis and hepatitis B virus infection.Objective  The aim of this study was to report the experience regarding safety in the management of patients with coexisting psoriasis and chronic hepatitis B with the anti‐TNFα agents: infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab.Methods  The psoriasis outpatient database of our dermatological department was searched for psoriasis and hepatitis B diagnoses and the medical records of these patients were reviewed for use of anti‐TNFα agents.Results  Seven cases (four women and three men) were identified, with mean age of 51 years (34–65 years). Three patients received adalimumab, three patients were given etanercept and one infliximab. All patients received lamivudin, 100 mg/day, which started 2 weeks before the initiation of anti‐TNFα medication and went on during the whole treatment period. Follow‐up period extended from 6–24 months. All patients were inactive HbsAg (+) carriers. Liver function tests – at baseline and at the end of follow‐up period – were within the normal range. There was no considerable rise in the viral load in any case, from baseline until the last available measurement, although a patient receiving infliximab showed an increase that reached 600 IU/mL.Conclusion  Successful treatment of psoriasis with anti‐TNFα agents in patients who are inactive HBsAg carriers is possible and could be safe under the conditions of concomitant lamivudin administration and intensive monitoring. Larger randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Use of emergency contraceptive pill by 15‐year‐old girls: results from the international Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children (HBSC) study
Authors: Gaudineau A , Ehlinger V , Gabhainn S Nic , Vayssiere C , Arnaud C , Godeau E 
Published: June 2010

Please cite this paper as: Gaudineau A, Ehlinger V, Nic Gabhainn S, Vayssiere C, Arnaud C, Godeau E. Use of emergency contraceptive pill by 15‐year‐old girls: results from the international Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children (HBSC) study. BJOG 2010;117:1197–1204.Objective  To describe emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) use and variation across countries/regions; and to explore personal and contextual factors associated with ECP use and differences across countries/regions.Design  Data were obtained from 11 countries/regions in the 2006 Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children cross‐sectional study.Setting  Data were collected by self‐report questionnaire in school classrooms.Population  The analysis is based on 2118 sexually active 15‐year‐old girls.Methods  Contraceptive behaviours were compared across countries/regions by chi‐square tests. Individual factors related to ECP use were investigated with separate logistic regression models. Multilevel random‐intercept models allowed the investigation of individual and contextual effects, by partitioning the variance into student, school and country/region levels.Main outcome measures  ECP use at last sexual intercourse.Results  ECP use rate varied significantly across countries/regions. Poor communication with at least one adult (odds ratio [OR] 1.62 [1.12–2.36], P = 0.011) and daily smoking (OR 1.46 [1.00–2.11], P = 0.048) were independently associated with ECP use in comparison with condom and/or birth‐control pill use. Sexual initiation at 14 years or later (OR 2.02 [1.04–3.93], P = 0.039), good perceived academic achievement (OR 1.69 [1.04–2.75], P = 0.035) and daily smoking (OR 1.63 [1.01–2.64], P = 0.045) were associated with higher levels of ECP use in comparison with unprotected girls. The country‐level variance remained significant in both comparisons.Conclusions  These data document the large heterogeneity in rates of ECP use between countries/regions. These differences could not be explained by individual or contextual factors, and raise further questions in relation to ECP access for adolescents and their education in its appropriate use.
Nerve growth factor attenuates oxidant‐induced β‐amyloid neurotoxicity in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease cybrids
Authors: Onyango Isaac G. , Ahn Jin‐Young , Tuttle Jeremy B. , Bennett Jr James P. , Swerdlow Russell H. 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 1605–1618.AbstractAlthough mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it is not fully understood how this dysfunction may induce neuronal death. In this study, we show that transmitochondrial hybrid cells (cybrids) expressing mitochondrial genes from patients with sporadic AD (SAD) have substantial alterations in basal upstream tyrosine kinase signaling and downstream serine‐threonine kinase signaling that are mediated by intracellular free radicals. This is associated with reduced tropomyocin receptor kinase (TrkA) and p75 neurotrophin receptor receptor expression that profoundly alters nerve growth factor signaling, increases generation of Aβ and decreases viability. Many of these observed effects in SAD cybrids would be predicted to increase risk of premature neuronal death and reduce resistance to stressors and add further support for the pathogenic role of mtDNA expression in the pathogenesis of SAD.
DHE Repression of ATP‐Mediated Sensitization of Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons
Authors: Masterson Caleb G. , Durham Paul L. 
Published: June 2010

Objective.—To investigate the mechanism by which adenosine triphosphate (ATP) causes sensitization of trigeminal neurons and how dihydroergotamine (DHE) represses this modulatory effect.Background.—Dihydroergotamine is an effective treatment of migraine. The cellular mechanisms of action of DHE in treating migraine attacks remain unclear.Methods.—In this study, neonatal rat trigeminal ganglia cultures were used to investigate effects of ATP, alpha, beta‐methyl ATP (α,β‐meATP), and DHE on intracellular calcium levels and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) secretion.Results.—Pretreatment with ATP or α,β‐meATP caused sensitization of neurons, via P2X3receptors, such that a subthreshold amount of potassium chloride (KCl) significantly increased intracellular calcium levels and CGRP secretion. Pretreatment with DHE repressed increases in calcium and CGRP secretion in response to ATP‐KCl or α,β‐meATP‐KCl treatment. Importantly, these inhibitory effects of DHE were blocked with an α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist and unaffected by a 5HT1B/Dreceptor antagonist. DHE also decreased neuronal membrane expression of the P2X3receptor.Conclusions.—Our findings provide evidence for a novel mechanism of action for DHE that involves blocking ATP‐mediated sensitization of trigeminal neurons, repressing stimulated CGRP release, and decreasing P2X3membrane expression via activation of α2‐adrenoceptors.
Increases in Neuronal Activity in Rat Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus Following Changes in Barometric Pressure—Relevance for Weather‐Associated Headaches?
Authors: Messlinger Karl , Funakubo Megumi , Sato Jun , Mizumura Kazue 
Published: June 2010

Objective.— To determine whether controlled changes in barometric pressure activate rat spinal trigeminal neurons as a possible animal correlate of headaches.Background.— Changes in weather accompanied by changes in atmospheric pressure are suggested to trigger primary headaches. Mechanisms that increase neuronal activity in the rat spinal trigeminal nucleus may parallel those that contribute to the generation of headaches.Methods.— Urethane anesthetized rats were placed in a climatic chamber, in which the air pressure could be selectively manipulated. The parietal cranial dura mater and the spinal dura mater covering the medulla were exposed. Electrolyte‐filled electrodes were introduced into the spinal trigeminal nucleus to record from neurons with receptive fields in facial areas and the cranial dura mater and/or the cornea and/or the temporal muscle. Arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored. The barometric pressure was lowered by 40 hPa during 8 minutes, kept at this level for 8 minutes and returned to the previous level.Results.— During lowering of the barometric pressure and the low pressure period a sample of neurons showed increased discharge rates. Group analysis revealed that it was the group of units with receptive fields in the cornea, but not in the dura mater or the temporal muscle, which was significantly activated when the animal was exposed to low atmospheric pressure. Exposure of the cranial dura and opening of the cisterna magna did not prevent an increase in activity. In another sample of units the activity recorded after infusion of the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside did not change under low pressure exposure. Arterial pressure and heart rate changed slightly during barometric pressure changes.Conclusions.— We conclude that distinct neurons in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, particularly with preferential afferent input from the eye, respond to lowering of atmospheric pressure. Similar mechanisms may contribute to the generation of headaches during changes in weather.
Remedies for Headaches in A Closet for Ladies and Gentlewomen (1608)
Authors: Domínguez‐Rodríguez Victoria , González‐Hernández Ayoze 
Published: June 2010

(Headache 2011;51:632‐636)Seventeenth‐century English closets were books containing a wide repertoire of household supplies targeted at female readers. Such volumes typically included medical recipes, as early modern women also used to be responsible for preserving and restoring the health of relatives and close neighbors. A Closet for Ladies and Gentlewomen (Sir Hugh Platt, 1608), in particular, incorporates 13 medicinal remedies devised for the therapeutic management of 3 different types of headaches: head‐ache, migraine and pain in the head. This article historically contextualizes the text, offers a valid classification of headaches in 17th‐century England, and describes the composition of the homemade pharmaceutical forms recommended to female caregivers, the guidelines for administration and its potential pain‐relieving effects.
A highly sensitive immunoassay for the detection of prion‐infected material in whole human blood without the use of proteinase K
Authors: Tattum M. Howard , Jones Samantha , Pal Suvankar , Khalili‐Shirazi Azedeh , Collinge John , Jackson Graham S. 
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND: The causal association of variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (vCJD) with bovine spongiform encephalopathy has raised significant concerns for public health. Assays for vCJD infection are vital for the application of therapeutics, for the screening of organ donations, and to maintain a safe blood supply. Currently the best diagnostic tools for vCJD depend upon the detection of disease‐associated prion protein (PrPSc), which is distinguished from normal background PrP (PrPC) by proteinase K (PK) digestion, which can also degrade up to 90% of the target antigen.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method was developed using unique antibodies for the detection of disease‐associated PrP in the absence of PK treatment. In combination with immunoprecipitation the assay was optimized for the detection of pathogenic PrP in large volumes of whole blood.RESULTS: Optimization of the assay allowed detection of 2 × 104 LD50 units/mL spiked in whole blood. Application of the assay to clinically relevant volumes enabled the detection of 750 LD50 units/mL in 8 mL of whole blood.CONCLUSION: By combining the use of a unique antibody that selectively immunoprecipitates PrPSc with glycoform‐restrictive antibodies we have developed a rapid assay for vCJD infection that does not require any PK treatment to achieve high levels of specificity in whole human blood, the most challenging potential analyte. The sensitivity of detection of vCJD infection is greater than the equivalent of a more than 2.5 million‐fold dilution of infected brain, providing a highly sensitive immunoassay compatible with blood screening.
MR and MRS Characteristics of Intraventricular Meningioma
Authors: Vučković Nada , Kozić Duško , Vuleković Petar , Vučković Dejan , Ostojić Jelena , Semnic Robert 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT Meningiomas are frequent intracranial, non‐glial tumors of adults. We present the unusual left lateral ventricular localization of meningioma in a 51‐year‐old man. The magnetic resonance (MR) images showed well demarcated, large mass of the atrium of the left lateral ventricle with transependymal extension into the left temporal lobe. MR spectroscopy revealed the presence of “choline only” spectrum, typical for extra axial neoplasms. The mass was completely resected. The diagnosis of transitional type intraventricular meningioma, with psammoma bodies, histologic grade I was made. Progesterone and estrogen receptors were negative.
Neuroplastic Changes in the Brain: A Case of Two Successive Adaptive Changes Within the Motor Cortex
Authors: Raz Eytan , Tinelli Emanuele , Guidetti Giulio , Totaro Porzia , Bozzao Luigi , Pantano Patrizia 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT We describe a case of neuroplasticity associated with both arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and stroke, which occurred in two successive events in the same patient. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during right‐hand movement in a young man with a left rolandic AVM detected activation of a region corresponding to the left premotor cortex. The AVM was embolized. A few hours after the last embolization session, the patient sustained an ischemic complication in the left subcortical white matter. A second fMRI detected a lower degree of left premotor cortex activation and strong activation of the contralesional right primary motor cortex and bilateral supplementary motor areas. One month later, in association with clinical recovery, the fMRI activation returned to that observed in the first fMRI, ie, selective activation of the ipsilesional left premotor cortex. This is, to our knowledge, the first description of two distinct functional cortical changes determined by an AVM and a stroke within the motor network.
Pituitary Adenomas Can Appear as Hypermetabolic Lesions in 18F‐FDG PET Imaging
Authors: Ryu Stephen I. , Tafti Bashir A. , Skirboll Stephen L. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE The 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F] fluoro‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) scan is commonly used in detection and staging of many malignant neoplasms. However, several benign or non‐neoplastic conditions avidly accumulate 18F‐FDG, causing ambiguity in interpretation of results. It is unknown whether pituitary adenomas uptake 18F‐FDG and appear positive in PET imaging. Here, we present 2 cases of benign pituitary adenoma with elevated metabolic activity in 18F‐FDG PET scan. METHODS Medical, neurologic, and psychiatric histories; physical examination findings; laboratory work up results; and pathologic and imaging studies were documented. RESULTS The 18F‐FDG‐PET images revealed foci of marked FDG uptake in pituitary adenomas of 2 patients. CONCLUSION Pituitary micro‐ and macro‐adenomas may present as hypermetabolic foci on 18F‐FDG PET scan.
Signal Changes in the Brain on Susceptibility‐Weighted Imaging Under Reduced Cerebral Blood Flow: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Fushimi Yasutaka , Miki Yukio , Mori Nobuyuki , Okada Tsutomu , Urayama Shin‐ichi , Fukuyama Hidenao , Togashi Kaori 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVES To reveal the characteristics of susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) under low cerebral blood flow (CBF) induced by hyperventilation (HV). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board. Informed consent was obtained. Six healthy volunteers (5 men, 1 woman; mean age, 29 years; range, 24‐33 years) underwent SWI and arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging under normal ventilation (NV) and HV at 3.0 T. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed on gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) of the frontal lobe (FL) and occipital lobe (OL). Intensities of ROIs were compared between NV and HV. Contrast of veins compared with adjacent cerebral parenchyma (CV) was also compared between NV and HV. RESULTS CBF during HV (CBFHV) was decreased compared with CBF during NV (CBFNV) (29.1 ± 4.6%). FL‐GMHV and OL‐GMHV showed significant signal decreases compared with FL‐GMNV and OL‐GMNV, respectively (P= .018, .017). CVHV was significantly increased compared with CVNV (164.1 ± 29.9%) (P= .00019). CONCLUSIONS SWI sensitively reflects HV‐induced decreases in CBF. The present results might assist in the interpretation of SWI in clinical practice, since CBF decreases might also influence signal changes on SWI.
Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography: The Interventional Neurology Perspective
Authors: Hussain S.I. , Wolfe T.J. , Lynch J.R. , Fitzsimmons B.F. , Zaidat O.O. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Cerebral angiography (CA) is increasingly used in clinical practice with advances in neurointerventional therapy. We present our CA experience performed by neurologists at an academic institution. METHOD CA performed between July 2005 and March 2008 was reviewed. Major neurological outcome was defined as a new neurological deficit lasting >24 hours or worsening of pre‐existing neurological deficit by 4 points on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Major non‐neurological outcomes were defined as any death within 24 hours of the procedure, vascular injury requiring surgery, arteriovenous fistula, or pseudo‐aneurysm formation and access site hematoma >5 cm, and/or requiring blood transfusion. RESULTS In total 661 angiograms were performed over 30 months. CA indications were ischemic stroke in 210/661 (31.7%), hemorrhagic stroke in 321/661 (48.6%), trauma for 16/661 (2.4%), presurgical epilepsy workup 95/661 (14.3%), and other conditions 19/661 (2.9%). Mean age of the group was 49 ± 18 years. Permanent neurological deficit occurred in .2% (1 patient) and reversible neurological deficits occurred in .2% (1/661). Major non‐neurological complications occurred in .9% (6/661). All these rates were less than established guidelines. CONCLUSIONS The safety and efficacy of CA performed by interventional neurologists is acceptable by current guidelines.
Transcranial Duplex Sonography and CT Angiography in Acute Stroke Patients
Authors: Bar Michal , Školoudík David , Roubec Martin , Hradílek Pavel , Chmelová Jana , Czerný Daniel , Procházka Václav , Langová Kateřina , Herzig Roman 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT Acute occlusion of cervical or intracranial arteries is the most common cause of ischemic stroke (IS). The aims of the current study were to compare the occurrence of acute pathologic findings in intracranial arteries using transcranial color‐coded sonography (TCCS) and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) performed within 3 hours of IS onset and to assess the correlation between the vascular findings on admission and the patient's clinical state on admission and 3 months after the IS. Forty‐five consecutive patients with an acute IS were included in the prospective study during an 18‐month period. All patients underwent CTA and TCCS within the first 3 hours of symptom onset. A high rate of pathologic findings in the intracranial circulation was found (70.9% in CTA and 77.4% in TCCS examinations). The CTA and TCCS findings with respect to the intracranial arteries were consistent in 87.1% of cases (Cohen's κ, .797). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values achieved with TCCS in patients with middle cerebral artery main stem occlusion were 92.3%, 94.4%, and 92.3% and 94.4%, respectively. There was no correlation between the patient's clinical status on admission and 3 months after the onset of the IS and the CTA or the TCCS findings (P > .1 in all cases). A substantial agreement was found between TCCS and CTA in the detection of pathologic findings in intracranial vessels in acute stroke patients. Both methods can be used for this purpose.
Atypical Megadolichoectasia Manifesting as Brain Infarction Rapidly Followed by Fatal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Tsutsumi Satoshi , Yasumoto Yukimasa , Ito Masanori 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT A 71‐year‐old female, without medical or family history for cerebrovascular disease, presented with basilar and bilateral carotid dolichoectasia manifesting as dysarthria and hemisensory disturbance, which resolved spontaneously within a day. She suffered brainstem infarction 28 months later, manifesting as drowsiness, dysarthria, and right hemiparesis. Her consciousness level progressively deteriorated to stupor within 4 days. Computed tomography taken on the 5th day confirmed cerebellar infarct in the perfusion area of the superior cerebellar artery but did not show subarachnoid hemorrhage. She died of acute respiratory failure on the 7th day. Autopsy demonstrated a tear in the lateral wall of the broad‐based aneurysm on the ectatic basilar artery and diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage. Vertebrobasilar ectasia is a dynamic vasculopathy that may rapidly progress in the affected basilar artery following an indolent clinical course. The prognosis for patients with vertebrobasilar ectasia may depend mainly on the pathological changes in the basilar artery.
The “Crowned Dens” Revisited: Imaging Findings in Calcium Crystal Deposition Diseases Around the Odontoid
Authors: Viana Sergio L. , Fernandes João L. , De Araújo Coimbra Pablo P. , De Mendonça José L. F. , Freitas Flávia M. O. , De Carvalho Barbosa Viana Maria A. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT The so‐called “crowned dens” is a peculiar manifestation of calcium crystal deposition diseases, either caused by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate or caused by calcium hydroxiapatite crystals, characterized by the presence of calcific deposits around the odontoid, often showing a crown‐like configuration on imaging. It has protean clinical and radiological pictures, and care should be taken to avoid misinterpretation and diagnostic errors. Although asymptomatic in many patients, this entity may present as a predominantly algic or febrile condition, and in some cases, signs of compression of the spinal cord may be the major complaint. The detection of calcifications in the periodontoid tissues is the key to the diagnosis, erosive osseous changes, and variably calcified soft‐tissue masses being occasionally associated. Computed tomography is the most important imaging study to be performed in this setting.
Clinical and Carotid Ultrasonographic Features of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas in Patients with and without Pulsatile Tinnitus
Authors: Yeh Shin‐Joe , Tsai Li‐Kai , Jeng Jiann‐Shing 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pulsatile tinnitus is a common symptom of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF). This study aims to characterize the clinical and ultrasonographic features of DAVF in patients with pulsatile tinnitus. METHODS We compared the characteristics of DAVF and carotid duplex sonography (CDS) results between 67 DAVF patients with and without pulsatile tinnitus. We also investigated the relationship between changes in tinnitus status and serial CDS changes in 25 DAVF patients with pulsatile tinnitus. RESULTS Pulsatile tinnitus was highly associated with the location and feeding arteries of DAVF (P < .001). The sensitivity of resistive index (RI; Norm, >.72) and end diastolic velocity (EDV; Norm, <21 cm/sec) of external carotid artery (ECA) in CDS study for diagnosing DAVF in patients with pulsatile tinnitus was 95% and 92%, respectively. Changes of RI and EDV of ECA also correlated with the changes of tinnitus status. CONCLUSIONS RI and EDV of ECA have high diagnostic sensitivity and reliability for detecting DAVF in patients with pulsatile tinnitus.