bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis with concurrent active pulmonary tuberculous infection: a case report
Authors: Liu Yen-Wen , Tsai Huey-Ru , Li Wen-Huang , Lin Li-Jen , Chen Jyh-Hong 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Introduction
In some particular endemic area, it is not uncommon to see patients with tuberculosis pericarditis. However, it takes a period of time from tuberculous pericarditis to constrictive pericarditis. There is still no report of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis concurrent with active pulmonary TB infection in a patient without previous pulmonary TB infection history. Therefore, we reported a TB constrictive pericarditis with rare disease progress.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 63-year-old Taiwanese man with tuberculous constrictive pericarditis concurrent with active pulmonary tuberculous infection presenting with progressive extremities edema, puffy face, abdominal distension and dyspnea on exertion found to be caused by right heart failure. The patient was cured by pericardial stripping and anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. We reviewed other cases of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis from the literature and described the peculiarities of this case.

Conclusions
Rapid diagnosis and treatment of constrictive pericarditis are crucial to reduce mortality. In some endemic areas, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection should be taken into consideration during diagnostic evaluations for constrictive pericarditis. Surgical intervention is still the treatment of choice when the patient has the symptoms or signs of pericardial constriction and right heart failure. Our case is a constant reminder that active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection does present itself with uncommon presentations.
Inflammatory fibroid polyp (Vanek's tumour), an unusual large polyp of the jejunum: a case report
Authors: Rehman Shafiq , Gamie Zakareya , Wilson Timothy R , Coup Andrew , Kaur Geetinder 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
We report the case of a 46-year-old man who presented with recurrent episodes of severe upper abdominal pain over a period of three months. A computerized tomography scan of his abdomen demonstrated a large non-obstructing jejunal mass. He underwent laparotomy and resection of a 13.5 cm tumour from the distal jejunum. Histopathological examination confirmed a large inflammatory fibroid polyp of the jejunum. The clinical presentation and microscopic features are discussed.
Central retinal vein occlusion: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Alasil Tarek , Lee Nahyoung , Keane Pearse , Sadda Srinivas 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Central retinal vein occlusion is one of the major causes of severe vision impairment and blindness in adults.

Case presentation
We present a case of unilateral ischemic central retinal vein occlusion in a 54-year-old woman with history of uncontrolled hypertension and open angle glaucoma. Laboratory tests including complete hypercoagulability and thrombotic workup were completed.

Conclusion
Our case illustrates an interesting presentation of unilateral ischemic central retinal vein occlusion, where hypertension and glaucoma were thought to be the main risk factors. Close follow up, tight blood pressure and glaucoma control are crucial to prevent similar scenario in the fellow eye.
Spontaneous corneal melting during pregnancy: a case report
Authors: Oh Joo Youn , Kim Mee Kum , Park Joong Shin , Wee Won Ryang 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Biomechanical changes in the cornea during pregnancy might lead to pathological conditions such as corneal perforation or melting.

Case presentation
A 33-year-old Asian female who underwent penetrating keratoplasty in both eyes developed corneal melting in the right eye and marginal keratitis in the left eye in her fifth month of pregnancy. Marginal keratitis in the left eye immediately subsided with topical steroid therapy. However, spontaneous corneal melting progressed in the right eye, despite oral steroid therapy and amniotic membrane transplantation. We performed tectonic penetrating keratoplasty and corneoscleral grafting in the right eye.

Conclusion
We advise caution in the ophthalmologic care of pregnant patients who have preexisting corneal thinning disorders or who have undergone multiple corneal surgeries, because physiologic changes during pregnancy might contribute to corneal changes leading to spontaneous melting especially in patients with compromised cornea.
Mesothelioma in an HIV/AIDS patient without history of asbestos exposure: possible role for immunosuppression in mesothelioma: a case report
Authors: James Cleve Orian , Woods Ashanti W , Arya Payam , Abuelgasim Khadega Ahmed , Heath Lekidelu Taddesse , Sitapati Amy 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
We describe a 41-year-old African-American male who initially presented in respiratory distress. He had a positive history of asthma, cigarette smoking, and only recent possible asbestos exposure six months prior to onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma was suspected after chest radiography and PET-CT, and confirmed by immunohistochemical tissue analysis. We postulate that immunosuppression enhances susceptibility to mesothelioma, since weakened immune systems are present in both HIV/AIDS patients like this 41-year-old man, and elderly patients who compose the population that classically presents with mesothelioma. Furthermore, immunosuppression may be a prerequisite to the development of mesothelioma.
Gestational choriocarcinoma diagnosed with spontaneous splenic rupture after pregnancy induced by in vitro fertilization: a case report
Authors: Yürüyen Mehmet , Yildiz Ozcan , Papila Cigdem , Tuzuner Nukhet 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Gestational choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant tumor of trophoblastic cells with a propensity to metastasize to various sites including lungs, vagina, brain, liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract, in descending order of frequency. A 29-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the hospital as an emergency with abdominal pain, hypotension, nausea and vomiting at about 6th month of a twin delivery after in vitro fertilization. Our case probably represents the first case of metastatic choriocarcinoma developed after in vitro fertilization, whether associted with or not, which was cured successfully after chemotherapy.
Presence of HER4 associates with increased sensitivity to Herceptin™ in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Sassen Andrea , Diermeier-Daucher Simone , Sieben Manuela , Ortmann Olaf , Hofstaedter Ferdinand , Schwarz Stephan , Brockhoff Gero 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Introduction
HER2 overexpression, or rather HER2 gene amplification, is indicative for Herceptin therapy in both metastatic and pre-metastatic breast cancer patients. Patient's individual sensitivity to Herceptin treatment, however, varies enormously and spans from effectual responsiveness over acquired insensitivity to complete resistance from the outset. Thus no predictive information can be deduced from HER2 determination so that molecular biomarkers indicative for Herceptin sensitivity or resistance need to be identified. Both ErbB receptor-dependent signalling molecules as well as HER2-related ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases, known to mutually interact and to cross-regulate each other are prime candidates to be involved in cellular susceptibility to Herceptin.

Methods
Using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridisation, we retrospectively investigated primary breast cancer tissues from 48 patients who were under Herceptin treatment. We quantified the gene copy numbers of all HER receptors and evaluated their coexpression profile. Moreover the HER2 phosphorylation state, the ratio of native to truncated HER2, p27(kip1) and PTEN expression were objects of this study.

Results
Above all markers investigated in this study Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis revealed a significant positive impact of HER4 (co-)expression on overall survival from beginning of antibody therapy. Both HER4 expression and HER4 gene amplification emerged as independent prognostic markers in Herceptin-treated breast cancer patients and responsiveness to Herceptin turned out to be more efficient if tumour cells show HER4 expression.

Conclusions
Although HER4 is known to potentially exert a tumour cell killing activity and in turn to have a favourable impact in breast cancer patients we demonstrate here the first time that HER4 expression prolongs overall survival in Herceptin-treated patients. Elucidating HER4 receptor function in the context of Herceptin treatment will advance the design of highly efficient receptor targeting. By then we need to extend the analysis of breast cancer by allowing for HER2/HER4 coexpression by which valuable additional prognostic and predictive information might possibly be revealed.
S-100B and neuron-specific enolase as predictors of neurological outcome in patients after cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous circulation: a systematic review
Authors: Shinozaki Koichiro , Oda Shigeto , Sadahiro Tomohito , Nakamura Masataka , Hirayama Yo , Abe Ryuzo , Tateishi Yoshihisa , Hattori Noriyuki , Shimada Tadanaga , Hirasawa Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Neurological prognostic factors after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients with cardiac arrest (CA) as early and accurately as possible are urgently needed to determine therapeutic strategies after successful CPR. In particular, serum levels of protein neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100B are considered promising candidates for neurological predictors, and many investigations on the clinical usefulness of these markers have been published. However, the design adopted varied from study to study, making a systematic literature review extremely difficult. The present review focuses on the following three respects for the study design: definitions of outcome, value of specificity and time points of blood sampling.

Methods
A Medline search of literature published before August 2008 was performed using the following search terms: "NSE vs CA or CPR", "S100 vs CA or CPR". Publications examining the clinical usefulness of NSE or S-100B as a prognostic predictor in two outcome groups were reviewed. All publications met with inclusion criteria were classified into three groups with respect to the definitions of outcome; "dead or alive", "regained consciousness or remained comatose", and "return to independent daily life or not". The significance of differences between two outcome groups, cutoff values and predictive accuracy on each time points of blood sampling were investigated.

Results
A total of 54 papers were retrieved by the initial text search, and 24 were finally selected. In the three classified groups, most of the studies showed the significance of differences and concluded these biomarkers were useful for neurological predictor. However, in view of blood sampling points, the significance was not always detected. Nevertheless, only five studies involved uniform application of a blood sampling schedule with sampling intervals specified based on a set starting point. Specificity was not always set to 100%, therefore it is difficult to indiscriminately assess the cut-off values and its predictive accuracy of these biomarkers in this meta analysis.

Conclusions
In such circumstances, the findings of the present study should aid future investigators in examining the clinical usefulness of these markers and determination of cut-off values.
Acanthosis Nigricans and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Achondroplasia and Hypochodroplasia due to FGFR3 Mutations
Authors: Alatzoglou Kyriaki S. , Hindmarsh Peter C. , Brain Caroline , Torpiano John , Dattani Mehul T. 
Published: July 2009

Background and Aims: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) has been reported in association with severe skeletal dysplasias due to activating mutations in FGFR3, including thanatophoric dysplasia, severe achondroplasia (ACH) with developmental delay and AN (SADDAN syndrome), and Crouzon syndrome with AN. There are isolated reports of patients with ACH and AN. In this series, we report clinical and biochemical data on five male patients, four with ACH and one with hypochondroplasia (HCH), who developed AN without SADDAN.
Methods and Results: We compared the results of a 1.75 g/kg oral glucose tolerance test performed in patients with ACH/HCH and AN with age-, sex-, and puberty-matched short children. Three of the patients were treated with recombinant human GH (dose range, 45–50 μg/kg/d), one patient had discontinued treatment 6 months before presentation, and one had never been treated. All patients had a fasting plasma glucose of less than 6 mmol/liter, and no patient had a plasma glucose greater than 7.8 mmol/liter at 2 h after ingestion of a glucose load. Although body mass index was higher in patients with skeletal dysplasia (28.9 ± 7.3 vs. 20 ± 0.6 kg/m2; P = 0.01), mean fasting plasma insulin concentration was greater in controls (14.4 ± 4.8 vs. 6.0 ± 4.5 mU/liter; P = 0.03), as was homeostasis assessment index for insulin resistance (2.5 ± 0.9 vs. 1.17 ± 0.8; P = 0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the development of AN in patients with ACH/HCH is not due to insulin insensitivity either on its own or secondary to treatment with recombinant human GH. Whether the AN is due to altered melanocyte function in these individuals remains to be established.
The development of acanthosis nigricans in patients with achondroplasia/hypochondroplasia is not due to reduced insulin sensitivity.
Glucocorticoids Are Preferable to Thionamides as First-Line Treatment for Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis due to Destructive Thyroiditis: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bogazzi Fausto , Tomisti Luca , Rossi Giuseppe , Dell'Unto Enrica , Pepe Pasquale , Bartalena Luigi , Martino Enio 
Published: July 2009

Context: Type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is a destructive thyroiditis usually responsive to glucocorticoids; however, recent surveys showed that many expert thyroidologists worldwide use thionamides for type 2 AIT patients.Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of methimazole (MMI) or prednisone (GLU) in type 2 AIT patients who had a short cure time according to a published predictive model.Design: This was a matched retrospective cohort study.Setting: The study was conducted at a university center.Patients: Forty-two untreated type 2 AIT patients with a predicted cure time ≤40 d were divided into two groups (MMI and GLU groups). After matching for the predicted cure time, patients in the GLU group were selected in a 1:1 ratio to patients in the MMI group.Intervention: Patients were treated with GLU or MMI for 40 d. Patients still thyrotoxic after 40 d continued glucocorticoids if in the GLU group or were switched to prednisone (MMI-GLU group) if in the MMI group.Main Outcome Measure: Time and rate of cure (healing) at 40 d were measured.Results: Patients still thyrotoxic after 40 d were 23.8 ± 9.3% in the GLU group and 85.7 ± 7.6% in the MMI group (P = 0.000). The GLU and MMI-GLU groups did not significantly differ in the nonhealing rate at 40 d (P = 0.730). When patients in the MMI group were treated with glucocorticoids, 94.1% patients achieved euthyroidism within 40 d. However, the global median cure time (MMI period + prednisone period) was longer (60 d, 95% confidence interval 53.5–66.5 d) in the MMI-GLU group than the GLU group (21 d, 95% confidence interval 15.1–26.9 d).Conclusions: Glucocorticoids are the first-line treatment in type 2 AIT, whereas thionamides play no role in this destructive thyroiditis.Glucocorticoids are the first-line treatment in type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis while thionamides play no role in this destructive thyroiditis.
Growth Hormone Excess Promotes Breast Cancer Chemoresistance
Authors: Zatelli Maria Chiara , Minoia Mariella , Molè Daniela , Cason Valentina , Tagliati Federico , Margutti Angelo , Bondanelli Marta , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria , degli Uberti Ettore 
Published: July 2009

Context: GH and IGF-I are known to promote breast carcinogenesis. Even if breast cancer (BC) incidence is not increased in female acromegalic patients, mortality is greater as compared with general population.
Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate whether GH/IGF-I excess might influence BC response to chemotherapy.
Design: We evaluated GH and IGF-I effects on cell proliferation of a BC cell line, MCF7 cells, in the presence of doxorubicin (Doxo), frequently used in BC chemotherapy, and the possible mechanisms involved.
Results: GH and IGF-I induce MCF7 cell growth in serum-free conditions and protect the cells from the cytotoxic effects of Doxo. GH effects are direct and not mediated by IGF-I because they are apparent also in the presence of an IGF-I receptor blocking antibody and disappear in the presence of the GH antagonist pegvisomant. The expression of the MDR1 gene, involved in resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, was not induced by GH. In addition, c-fos transduction was reduced by Doxo, which prevented GH stimulatory effects. Pegvisomant inhibited basal and GH-induced c-fos promoter transcriptional activity. Autocrine GH action is ruled out by the lack of endogenous GH expression in this MCF7 cell strain.
Conclusions: These data indicate that GH can directly induce resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs with a mechanism that might involve GH-induced early gene transcription and support the hypothesis that GH excess can hamper BC treatment, possibly resulting in an increased mortality.
Growth hormone (GH) can directly induce chemoresistance, likely involving GH-induced early gene transcription. GH excess can hamper breast cancer treatment, possibly resulting in an increased mortality.
Carrier Multiplication in CdTe Quantum Dots by Single-photon Timing Spectroscopy
Authors: Kobayashi Yoichi , Udagawa Takeshi , Tamai Naoto 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Carrier multiplication (CM) was observed in CdTe quantum dots (QDs) capped with tetradecylphosphonic acid (TDPA) at hν⁄Eg&gt;2.5 by picosecond single-photon timing spectroscopy, where hν and Eg are the excitation and the band gap energies, and the CM efficiency increased rapidly with the increase of hν⁄Eg. No CM was observed less than the threshold value of hν⁄Eg≈2.5, which is close to that of CdSe QDs. As compared to a previous report by Nair and Bawendi, our result suggests that CM is sensitive to the QD surface conditions.
Enhanced Adsorption of Protein Fused with Polymeric Material-binding Peptide
Authors: Matsuno Hisao , Date Takaaki , Kubo Yohei , Yoshino Yuta , Tanaka Naoki , Sogabe Atsushi , Kuroita Toshihiro , Serizawa Takeshi 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
A model protein was fused with the ELWRPTR peptide, which binds specifically to the isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (it-PMMA) film surface, and its adsorption on PMMA film surfaces was then investigated by surface plasmon resonance measurements. We found that the adsorption constant of the fusion protein for the it-PMMA film surface was 75-fold greater than that of native protein.
An in-depth analysis of complaints in an orthopaedic department in the NHS
Authors: Giles Sally J , Morris Michael , Cook Gary A 
Published: July 2009

Objective To undertake an in-depth analysis of all complaints over a 12-month period in an orthopaedic department in the NHS. Setting Department of Orthopaedics in a UK NHS Trust. Methods Sixteen complaints files and associated patient case-notes were retrospectively reviewed by an independent consultant orthopaedic surgeon and members of the research team. Results There were some common themes in the adverse events reported. For example, failure to obtain adequately informed consent and lack of information given to patients were the most common adverse events that were identified by the review process. There were 36 adverse events/complications in the sample, 30 were adverse events and six were complications. Half of the complaints reviewed (18/36) related directly to adverse events. The majority of the adverse events that were identified by this study and review of complaints (27/36) were covered by the adverse event list and should have triggered an incident report. Conclusion Adverse events are not being acknowledged and there is a need for more openness with patients. As such, a larger study is needed to explore the extent of these issues.
The frequency of HIV-I drug resistance mutations among treatment-naïve individuals at a tertiary care centre in south India
Authors: Kandathil A J , Kannangai R , Abraham O C , Rupali P , Pulimood S A , Verghese V P , Grant P , Pillay D , Sridharan G 
Published: July 2009

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) use in India requires information on baseline drug resistance mutations and polymorphisms in the protease (Pr) and reverse transcriptase (RT) genes of HIV-1 strains from treatment-naïve individuals. We report resistance predictor mutations and polymorphisms in the Pr and the RT sequence of non-clade B HIV-1 strains from ART naïve individuals. The genotypic resistance assay was done on 93 treatment-naïve individuals. The sequences were analysed by Stanford HIV drug resistance data for genotypic drug resistance analysis and REGA HIV-1 subtyping tool. Phylogenetic tree was generated with MEGA 4 for quality control. Ninety-two strains belonged to clade C and one to clade A (A1). Amino acid substitutions were seen at positions associated with drug resistance in Pr gene – 10, 24, 74 (each 3%) and position 82 (11%). Substitutions were seen at positions 41 (1%), 100 (1%), 101 (6%), 103 (2%), 179 (6%) and 181 (1%) of the RT sequence known to confer drug resistance in clade B. Polymorphisms in HIV-1 pol gene among treatment-naïve individuals were similar when compared with previous data. One strain each had Y181C substitution, T74S and E35G substitutions in the Pr and one had A98G, K101R and L210FL substitutions in RT.
Applying the Good Lives Model to Male Perpetrators of Domestic Violence
Authors: Langlands Robyn L. , Ward Tony , Gilchrist Elizabeth 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDomestic violence is a pervasive social problem that has devastating emotional, physical, psychological, and financial costs for individuals, families, and communities. Despite the widespread use of current intervention programmes, recent reviews have demonstrated that these have only a small impact on the reduction of recidivism. In this article, we briefly summarise the features identified in the literature that distinguish domestically violent men from those who do not engage in such behaviours. We then explore the most common interventions used to treat domestic violence offenders and discuss the limitations of these interventions, before outlining the assumptions of the Good Lives Model (GLM), a strength-based approach to the treatment of offenders. We discuss the advantages of using the GLM compared to existing approaches and finally, we consider future directions for the use of the GLM in domestic violence interventions.