bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intracranial suppuration complicating sinusitis among children: an epidemiological and clinical study
Authors: Piatt Joseph H. 
Published: June 2011

Object
Intracranial abscess is a very infrequent complication of sinusitis among children. Case series, mostly small and focusing on surgical treatment, have appeared in the literature, but there has been no study on the epidemiology of this condition, nor has there been any large-scale study on the intensity of therapy or outcomes.

Methods
Data were drawn from the Kids' Inpatient Databases for 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006 and the National Inpatient Sample for 2001. Cases were defined by the conjunction between the diagnostic codes for intracranial abscess and those for acute or chronic sinusitis or mastoiditis.

Results
Eight hundred forty-seven hospital admissions were captured. Over the 10 years of the study, admission rates ranged between 2.74 and 4.38 per million children per year. Boys were affected much more commonly than girls. Black children were affected out of proportion to their presence in the population. The overall incidence seemed to peak in early adolescence. Sinogenic cases had a marked seasonal pattern peaking in winter, but no seasonal variation was seen for otogenic cases. Asthma comorbidity was more prevalent among sinogenic cases. The mortality rate was 2%, and death occurred only among sinogenic cases. Moreover, sinogenic cases tended to require more intensive therapy, as measured by the number of procedures, and there was a trend toward less favorable discharge dispositions. Older patients and black patients were less likely to be discharged directly to home. At least a quarter of the cases were managed without neurosurgical intervention. White patients were treated without neurosurgery more often than others.

Conclusions
Analysis of administrative data sets has yielded a descriptive picture of intracranial abscess complicating sinusitis among children, but the very low incidence of this condition impedes prospective clinical research directed at practical management issues.
Coagulation abnormalities in children undergoing epilepsy surgery
Authors: Pacione Donato , Blei Francine , Devinsky Orrin , Weiner Howard L. , Roth Jonathan 
Published: June 2011

Object
Surgery is increasingly used to treat children with refractory epilepsy. Before surgery, the authors routinely evaluated the coagulation profile to identify coagulation abnormalities not established by personal and family history, physical examination, and routine screening tests.

Methods
Thirty-nine consecutive children undergoing testing prior to epilepsy surgery were prospectively evaluated. The authors evaluated a detailed hematological history and an elaborative hematological panel including complete blood count, hepatic panel, anticoagulant levels, coagulation profile (prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, international normalized ratio, fibrinogen, thrombin time, von Willebrand antigen, ristocetin cofactor, factor VIII, and individual factor assays when indicated) and platelet aggregation studies (in the presence of adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, collagen, and ristocetin). Patient variables included tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), age at epilepsy onset, age at surgery, seizure frequency, number and type of antiepileptic drugs, recent or present ketogenic diet, and use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Results
Ten children (25.6%) had either coagulation or platelet function abnormalities. Abnormal coagulation was identified in 5 children, and abnormal platelet function was discovered in 6. A diagnosis of TSC was associated with a platelet function abnormality (p = 0.012), whereas children without TSC had a higher rate of coagulopathy (p = 0.041). None of the other characteristics reached statistical significance. In 2 patients (5.1%) with TSC and platelet aggregation abnormalities, the authors noted normal standard screening laboratory studies and an uneventful detailed personal and family history. One of these 2 patients developed a significant intraoperative bleeding complication.

Conclusions
A preoperative screening with standard laboratory studies and detailed history may not be adequate to fully examine underlying coagulation abnormalities in children with refractory epilepsy. Platelet aggregation studies should be considered in patients with TSC.
Undeveloped semiconic posterosuperior ligament and susceptibility to avulsion of the C-7 spinal nerve in Erb palsy
Authors: Huang Yi-gang , Chen Liang , Gu Yu-dong , Yu Guang-rong 
Published: June 2011

Object
In Erb palsy, the C-7 spinal nerve has been found to be more subject to avulsion than the C-5 and C-6 spinal nerves. This study investigated the morphological and biomechanical characteristics of the semiconic posterosuperior ligaments (SPLs) at the C-5, C-6, and C-7 spinal nerves in neonates.

Methods
Twenty-four brachial plexuses from 12 fresh neonate cadavers were used in this study. In 12 brachial plexuses from 6 cadavers, the following studies were performed with respect to the SPLs at the C-5, C-6, and C-7 spinal nerves: gross observation of morphological and histological characteristics; measurement of length, thickness, and width; and a semiquantitative analysis of collagen. In the other 6 cadavers, biomechanical tension testing was performed bilaterally on the C5–7 SPLs to assess the tensile strength of the ligaments.

Results
The C5–7 spinal nerves are fixed to the transverse process through the SPL, a structure not observed at the C-8 and T-1 spinal nerves. Except for the width of the SPL insertion on the spinal nerve, which was found to increase gradually from C-5 to C-7, there was no statistically significant difference in the dimensions of the C-5, C-6, and C-7 SPLs. The sectional area percentage of collagen was 51% ± 10% in SPLs for C-5, 51% ± 11% for C-6, and 41% ± 10% for C-7; and this percentage was significantly lower in SPLs for C-7 than for C-5 or C-6 (1-way ANOVA, F = 4.3, p = 0.02; Tukey honestly significant difference test, p = 0.04 and 0.04, respectively). Sharpey fibers were observed at the transverse process origin of the SPL at C-5 and C-6 but not at C-7. Biomechanical tension testing showed that the mean failure load was 6.6 ± 0.9 N for the C-5 SPL, 6.4 ± 1.0 N for the C-6 SPL, and 5.4 ± 0.9 N for the C-7 SPL, and the failure load was significantly lower in SPLs at C-7 than in those at C-5 or C-6 (1-way ANOVA, F = 5.1, p = 0.01; Tukey honestly significant difference, p = 0.01 and 0.048, respectively). Nine of 12 C-7 SPLs failed at their origin from the transverse process, while only 4 of 12 C-5 SPLs and 3 of 12 C-6 SPLs failed at the origin site.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that the lower density of collagen and absence of Sharpey fibers decrease the biomechanical properties of the C-7 SPL, and this may account for the higher frequency of avulsion of the C-7 spinal nerve (in comparison with the C-5 or C-6 nerve) in Erb palsy.
Temporoparietooccipital disconnection in children with intractable epilepsy
Authors: Mohamed Ahmad R. , Freeman Jeremy L. , Maixner Wirginia , Bailey Catherine A. , Wrennall Jacquie A. , Harvey A. Simon 
Published: June 2011

Object
Temporoparietooccipital (TPO) disconnection is described mainly in children with diffuse posterior quadrant lesions and concordant electroencephalography (EEG) findings. The authors report on 16 children who underwent TPO surgery, including 4 with no definite epileptogenic lesion and 8 with generalized electroclinical manifestations.

Methods
The authors conducted a retrospective review of clinical, neuropsychological, EEG, imaging, and histopathological data in 16 children with intractable epilepsy who underwent TPO disconnection and/or resection at their center between December 1998 and March 2010.

Results
Seizure onset occurred between the ages of 1 and 24 months, and TPO surgery was performed between the ages of 0.2 and 17 years. All children had refractory seizures, including epileptic spasms in 10 and tonic seizures in 7, and all had developmental delay. Twelve children had epileptogenic lesions on MR imaging, including 6 with posterior quadrant dysplasia. Four children had only subtle white matter signal change or unusual sulcation on MR imaging, associated with subtle but concordant EEG and functional imaging abnormalities. After a mean follow-up of 52 months (range 12–114 months), 9 children (56%) are seizure-free and 5 (31%) experienced seizure reduction of greater than 50%. Focal or regional background slowing on EEG was correlated with favorable seizure outcome. Five children showed developmental progress and 3 had acceleration in development following surgery. None of the children developed new motor deficits postoperatively.

Conclusions
Temporoparietooccipital disconnection is an effective, motor-sparing epilepsy surgery procedure for selected children with refractory focal or generalized seizures with localization to the posterior quadrant on 1 side, with or without a discrete lesion on MR imaging.
Use of Peritoneal Dialysis after Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease in Children
Authors: Santos Catarina R. , Branco Patrícia Q. , Gaspar Augusta , Bruges Margarida , Anjos Rui , Gonçalves Margarida S. , Abecasis Miguel , Meneses Carlos , Barata José D. 
Published: June 2011

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in children after surgery for congenital heart disease, and peritoneal dialysis (PD) is usually the renal replacement therapy (RRT) of choice, especially in very young children. The aim of the present study was to describe our experience of using PD to treat AKI after cardiac surgery. We retrospectively analyzed children 1 week to 16 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery during 2000 – 2008 and found the incidence of AKI treated with PD to be 2.3%. In the 23 patients treated with PD (13 male; average age: 29 ± 48.4 months; weight: 9.1 ± 8.1 kg), the indications for PD initiation were oliguria ( n = 13), anuria ( n = 9), and acidosis ( n = 1). The average time between cardiac surgery and AKI was 4.8 ± 16.8 hours, and between AKI and PD initiation, it was 12 ± 16.8 hours. Patients were treated for a mean of 4.8 ± 3.8 days. Two patients developed peritonitis, and mechanical dysfunction of the PD catheter occurred in 1 patient. In-hospital mortality was 43.4%. Patients treated with PD weighed less ( p = 0.004) and had longer bypass time ( p = 0.004), inotrope use ( p = 0.000), and mechanical ventilation ( p = 0.000). However, in a regression analysis, only cardiopulmonary bypass time (odds ratio: 1.021; 95% confidence interval: 0.998 to 1.027; p = 0.032) remained predictive of a subsequent need for PD. We conclude that PD is an efficacious RRT for AKI in children undergoing cardiac surgery and that, in this setting, bypass time is the strongest predictor of a subsequent need for RRT.
“NEPP” Peritoneal Dialysis Regimen has Beneficial Effects on Plasma Cel and 3-DG, but not Pentosidine, CML, and MGO
Authors: le Poole Caatje Y. , van Ittersum Frans J. , Valentijn Rob M. , Teerlink Tom , Lindholm Bengt , Wee Piet M. Ter , Schalkwijk Casper G. 
Published: June 2011

Background Standard peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions contain high levels of glucose and glucose degradation products (GDPs), both contributing to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). We studied the contribution to plasma GDP and AGE levels of 2 PD regimens that differ in glucose and GDP loads: high load [standard PD (sPD) using 4 glucose-lactate exchanges] and low load [1 amino acid exchange, 1 icodextrin exchange, and 2 glucose-bicarbonate/lactate exchanges (“NEPP”)]. Methods In a prospective crossover study (2 periods of 24 weeks), new continuous ambulatory PD patients were randomized to NEPP-sPD ( n = 23) or to sPD-NEPP ( n = 27). Results After the start of PD, absolute increases were observed in plasma levels of 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG, 220.4 nmol/L, p < 0.0001) and in Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML) in plasma proteins (0.02 μmol/L CML per 1 mol/L lysine, p < 0.0001). During the first 6 weeks, 3-DG tended to increase more with sPD treatment (p = 0.08), and CML, with NEPP treatment (p = 0.002). In both groups, Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL) in plasma proteins declined significantly with the start of PD. Treatment with NEPP resulted in higher levels of methylglyoxal (MGO) and lower levels of 3-DG and CEL. Pentosidine in the albumin fraction tended to increase less during NEPP treatment. Conclusions A low glucose and GDP PD regimen (NEPP) resulted in plasma levels of 3-DG and CEL that were lower than those with a glucose-based sPD regimen. Starting PD with NEPP was associated with a steeper increase in CML, and continuing treatment with NEPP resulted in higher MGO levels.
Compared with Younger Peritoneal Dialysis Patients, Elderly Patients have Similar Peritonitis-Free Survival and Lower Risk of Technique Failure, but Higher Risk of Peritonitis-Related Mortality
Authors: Lim Wai H. , Dogra Gursharan K. , McDonald Stephen P. , Brown Fiona G. , Johnson David W. 
Published: June 2011

Background The number of elderly patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is increasing worldwide, but the proportion of elderly patients commencing peritoneal dialysis (PD) is falling. The reluctance of elderly ESKD patients to consider PD may be related to a perception that PD is associated with greater rates of complications. In the present study, we compared outcomes between younger and older PD patients. Methods Using Australia and New Zealand Dialysis Registry data, all adult ESKD patients commencing PD between 1991 and 2007 were categorized into under 50, 50 – 64.9, and 65 years of age or older groups. Time to first peritonitis, death-censored technique failure, and peritonitis-associated and all-cause mortality were evaluated by multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis. Results Of the 12932 PD patients included in the study, 3370 (26%) were under 50 years of age, 4386 (34%) were 50 – 64.9 years of age, and 5176 (40%) were 65 years of age or older. Compared with younger patients (<50 years), elderly patients (≥65 years) had a similar peritonitis-free survival and a lower risk of death-censored technique failure [hazard ratio (HR): 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79 to 0.93], but they had higher peritonitis-related (HR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.68 to 3.18) and all-cause mortality (HR: 2.90; 95% CI: 2.60 to 3.23). Conclusions Not unexpectedly, elderly patients have higher peritonitis-related and all-cause mortality, which is likely a consequence of a greater prevalence of comorbid disease. However, compared with younger patients, elderly patients have superior technique survival and similar peritonitis-free survival, suggesting that PD is a viable renal replacement therapy in this group of patients.
Experiences with Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis in China
Authors: Xu Rong , Zhuo Min , Yang Zhikai , Dong Jie 
Published: June 2011

Objective About half the patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) in China need to be assisted by family members or home assistants. We explored whether these patients have a higher risk for peritonitis and death compared with self-care PD patients. Methods We prospectively followed 313 incident PD patients until death or censoring. This cohort was divided into assisted and self-care PD groups according to the independence of bag exchange. Data on baseline demographics, Charlson comorbidity index, biochemistry, and residual renal function were recorded during the first 3 – 6 months. The outcome variables were first episode of peritonitis and all-cause mortality. Results Of the 313 patients in this cohort study, 122 needed assistance in performing bag exchanges (86 from a family member, 36 from a home assistant); the remaining 191 patients did not need assistance. During a follow-up period averaging 44.5 months, 122 patients developed a first episode of peritonitis, and 135 patients died. Compared with patients having a family assistant, those with a home assistant had similar peritonitis-free and survival times, but a higher risk of mortality after adjustments for variables such as age, sex, Charlson comorbidity score, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and residual renal function. Furthermore, compared with self-care patients, assisted patients overall had a similar peritonitis-free time, but a higher risk of mortality, even after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions Based on our single-center experience in China, we conclude that assisted PD is a good option for patients with poor self-care ability. This result provides evidence for recruiting patients who need assistance to PD programs in China.
The Fluid Study Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Study on the Effects of Bioimpedance Analysis and Vitamin D on Left Ventricular Mass in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Su Winnie S. , Gangji Azim S. , Margetts Peter M. , Bosch Jackie , Yusuf Salim , Clase Catherine M. , Ganame Javier , Noseworthy Michael , Lonn Eva , Jain Arsh K. , McCormick Brendan , Brimble K. Scott 
Published: June 2011

Objectives We will evaluate the effects of bioimpedance analysis–guided fluid management to reduce volume expansion, of vitamin D3 supplementation, and of the combination of those techniques on decrease of left ventricular mass in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Design This multicenter randomized controlled trial, with a 2×2 factorial design, will be conducted at PD clinics affiliated with 3 Canadian teaching hospitals. Consenting PD patients 18 years of age or older will be included. Patients will be excluded if they have contraindications to bioimpedance or magnetic resonance imaging, life or technique expectancy of less than 1 year, peritonitis within the preceding 3 months, or serum calcium above 2.55 mmol/L. Intervention The study will randomize 70 patients to bio-impedance–guided volume management or to usual care and to vitamin D3 50,000 U weekly for 8 doses, and then 10,000 U weekly or to matching placebo. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome will be change in left ventricular mass at 1 year as determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The secondary outcome will be a composite endpoint of death, nonfatal cardiovascular event, and transfer to hemodialysis for dialysis inadequacy or ultrafiltration failure. Other outcome measures will include blood pressure, quality of life, 6-minute walk test, inflammatory and fibrotic markers and their association with peritoneal membrane transport properties, and residual renal function. Patients will be followed for clinical outcomes for up to 3 years. Conclusions This study will assess whether bioimpedance-directed volume management and vitamin D3 supplementation can improve left ventricular mass in PD patients.
Single Genome Sequencing of HIV-1 Gag and Protease Resistance Mutations at Virologic Failure during the Ok04 Trial of Simplified versus Standard Maintenance Therapy
Authors: McKinnon John E , Delgado Rafael , Pulido Federico , Shao Wei , Arribas Jose R , Mellors John W 
Published: June 2011

Background Ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/RTV) alone has been evaluated as simplified maintenance therapy for HIV-1 infection, but there are concerns about greater potential for emergence of protease inhibitor (PI) resistance. The OK04 trial evaluated maintenance therapy with LPV/RTV alone versus standard therapy (ST) with two NRTIs plus LPV/RTV in 205 patients, of whom 15 had virological rebound by week 48 (11 versus 4 patients, respectively). We developed a single genome sequencing (SGS) assay of HIV-1 gag and protease to assess the emergence of low frequency drug-resistant variants during virological rebound. Methods Plasma samples from 15 subjects at virological rebound were analysed by SGS of HIV-1 gag and protease genes. A total of 45 SGS sequences were planned per sample, providing 90% power to detect variants comprising >5% of the virus population. Results Overall, 521 single sequences obtained from 13 patients (range 4–48 sequences/patient) revealed similar frequencies of major protease resistance mutations in samples from the LPV/RTV alone (3/11) and ST (3/4) arms ( P=0.10), with a median number of minor protease resistance mutations of 3.0 versus 3.5, respectively ( P=0.23). Median number of gag PI resistance mutations were similar between the LPV/RTV alone and ST arms at cleavage sites (3.0 versus 2.5; P=0.83), non-cleavage sites (21 versus 16.5; P=0.71) and the transframe protein-p6 pol region cleavage sites (4.0 versus 3.0; P=0.6). Conclusions Although more subjects with simplified maintenance therapy with LPV/RTV alone had virological rebound compared to the ST arm, this was not associated with more frequent emergence of variants encoding PI resistance mutations in gag or protease detected by SGS.
Comparative study among clinical and commensal isolates of Enterococcus faecalis for presence of esp gene and biofilm production
Authors: Upadhyaya Giridhara PM , Lingadevaru Umapathy B , Lingegowda Ravikumar K 
Published: June 2011

Introduction: Because of increasing difficulty in treating enterococcal infections, effort is being devoted to understanding factors that are responsible for causing nosocomial infection, with a focus toward targeting these factors with new therapeutics. Evidence has emerged that the esp gene mediates biofilm formation in vitro, which helps the organism colonize and cause infection. Methodology: This study was conducted over a four-year period in a tertiary-care hospital. There were 200 clinical pathogenic strains isolated from nosocomial infections and 100 commensals from stool specimens of healthy individuals. The study compared the production of biofilm and detection of the esp gene among clinical and commensal isolates. Results: Among 200 clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis 65 (32.5%) isolates were positive for biofilm production and 60 (30%) for the esp gene by PCR. Among 100 commensal isolates, 16 (8%) and 14 (7%) were positive for biofilm formation and the esp gene, respectively. Five clinical and two commensal isolates produced biofilm without any amplification of the esp gene. Conclusion: The study shows a significant difference in production of biofilm and presence of the esp gene between clinical and commensal isolates (P < 0.002). Therefore, it can be concluded that biofilm production has an important role in causing nosocomial infection. Although detection of the esp gene correlates with biofilm production, it may not be the only factor determining the formation of biofilm since few isolates produced biofilm without the esp gene. Strains isolated from indwelling medical devices showed high production of biofilm and esp gene.