bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of medial acetabular wall bone stock in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip using a helical computed tomography multiplanar reconstruction technique
Authors: Liu Rui Yu , Wang Kun Zheng , Wang Chun Sheng , Dang Xiao Qian , Tong Zhi Qin 
Published: July 2009

Background: The technique of medialization has been used to reconstruct acetabula at the level of true acetabula in total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Appreciation of the bone stock in the medial acetabular wall is significant for making an optimal acetabular reconstruction plan and avoiding complications. Purpose: To evaluate the bone stock of the medial acetabular wall and its relation to the degree of subluxation in patients with DDH using computed tomography (CT). Material and Methods: Helical CT scans of 27 hips were obtained from 21 patients with osteoarthritis secondary to DDH who were scheduled for total hip arthroplasty. Eleven hips belonged to Crowe class I, while 16 hips belonged to Crowe class II/III. The raw CT data were reprocessed in various planes by scrolling multiplanar reformation (MPR). Acetabular opening, depth, and medial bone stock, as indicated by the minimum thickness of the medial acetabular wall, were measured in the transverse reformed MPR plane. Results: The minimum thicknesses of the medial acetabular wall in Crowe-I and Crowe-II/III hips were 3.8±2.1 mm and 7.1±3.1 mm, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the groups ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the bone stock in the medial acetabular wall correlated with the degree of subluxation ( R=0.69) and the acetabular depth ( R= ;− ;0.71). Conclusion: There was significantly more bone stock in the medial acetabular wall in patients with higher-degree subluxation than there was in the less-severe class. This difference should be taken into consideration when reconstructing acetabula in THA in patients with DDH using the technique of medialization.
Phylogenetic Analysis of ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase Subunits Reveals a Role of Subunit Interfaces in the Allosteric Properties of the Enzyme
Authors: Georgelis Nikolaos , Shaw Janine R. , Hannah L. Curtis 
Published: July 2009

AbstractADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) catalyzes a rate-limiting step in glycogen and starch synthesis in bacteria and plants, respectively. Plant AGPase consists of two large and two small subunits that were derived by gene duplication. AGPase large subunits have functionally diverged, leading to different kinetic and allosteric properties. Amino acid changes that could account for these differences were identified previously by evolutionary analysis. In this study, these large subunit residues were mapped onto a modeled structure of the maize (Zea mays) endosperm enzyme. Surprisingly, of 29 amino acids identified via evolutionary considerations, 17 were located at subunit interfaces. Fourteen of the 29 amino acids were mutagenized in the maize endosperm large subunit (SHRUNKEN-2 [SH2]), and resulting variants were expressed in Escherichia coli with the maize endosperm small subunit (BT2). Comparisons of the amount of glycogen produced in E. coli, and the kinetic and allosteric properties of the variants with wild-type SH2/BT2, indicate that 11 variants differ from the wild type in enzyme properties or in vivo glycogen level. More interestingly, six of nine residues located at subunit interfaces exhibit altered allosteric properties. These results indicate that the interfaces between the large and small subunits are important for the allosteric properties of AGPase, and changes at these interfaces contribute to AGPase functional specialization. Our results also demonstrate that evolutionary analysis can greatly facilitate enzyme structure-function analyses.
High therapy adherence but substantial limitations to daily activities amongst members of the Dutch inflammatory bowel disease patients' organization: a patient empowerment study
Authors: BAARS J. E. , ZELINKOVA Z. , MENSINK P. B. F. , MARKUS T. , LOOMAN C. W. N. , KUIPERS E. J. , VAN DER WOUDE C. J. 
Published: July 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 30, 864–872SummaryBackground  Adherence is important for successful treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Previous studies demonstrated high prevalence of non‐adherence.Aim  To assess IBD‐patients’ perceptions of therapy adherence and disease‐related functional status in members of the Dutch patients’ association of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (CCUVN).Methods  Inflammatory bowel disease‐patients completed anonymously a survey at the website of the CCUVN. Statistical analysis was performed using principal component analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results  The questionnaire was completed by 1067 patients [617 (58%) Crohn’s disease (CD) and 450 (42%) ulcerative colitis (UC)]. Mean age was 43 years (s.d. 13.7); women (66%). Of 920 patients currently using medication, 797 (87%) were adherent. Of the patients using 5‐ASA, 91% were adherent (527/582), vs. 96% using corticosteroids (316/330) and 97% (414/425) using immunosuppressives. CD patients (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.05–2.27), patients with duration of disease ≤8 years (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.49–3.39) were more adherent. Fifty percent of patients reported a low functional status and were limited in daily activities.Conclusion  This population‐based study shows high therapy adherence, but low functional status in Dutch CCUVN‐related IBD‐patients. The high adherence rate in this present study could be an effect of CCUVN membership.
Is intrinsic asthma synonymous with infection?
Authors: Dahlberg P. E. , Busse W. W. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryRackemann described the ‘intrinsic asthma’ population over 50 years ago as a unique subgroup that was characterized by onset of progressive loss of lung function beginning later in life, possibly after a respiratory infection. It has also been associated with a female predominance, aspirin‐sensitive bronchospasm, and nasal polyposis. While the aetiology is not understood, we propose that persistent respiratory infections play a central role in the development of intrinsic asthma.
Training health care providers in the treatment of tobacco use and dependence: pre‐ and post‐training results
Authors: Sheffer Christine E. , Barone Claudia P. , Anders Michael E. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRationale  Health care providers have an extended reach into the population of tobacco users. Increasing the number and variety of health care providers that deliver the evidence‐based, brief interventions for tobacco use prescribed by the Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline is likely to result in more tobacco users exposed to evidence‐based treatments and more successful quit attempts. Effective training is key to increasing provider performance and proficiency in this regard.Method  A 1‐hour didactic training was delivered to 1286 health care providers (185 physicians, 359 nurses, 75 dental providers and 667 other health‐related professions). Pre‐ and post‐training tests assessed provider attitudes, knowledge and behaviours. Paired samples t‐tests were used to compare pre‐ and post‐test results. Analysis of variance was used to test for significant differences among professional groups.Results  Prior to training, physicians engaged in more interventions and reported more knowledge and more positive attitudes towards treating tobacco use than the other professions. Post‐training, differences among physicians, nurses and dental providers were minimal. All professions reported significantly more knowledge and more positive attitudes on nearly all measures.Conclusions  A large potential benefit can be garnered from a brief, targeted, 1‐hour training in the brief, evidence‐based interventions for treating tobacco use and dependence. Increases in perceived knowledge and positive attitudes towards treatment among the professional groups suggest that trainees will perform interventions at higher frequency post‐training. Overall gains were highest for dental providers and nurses.
Validation of priority criteria for cataract extraction
Authors: Gutiérrez Susana García , Quintana Jose Maria , Bilbao Amaia , Escobar Antonio , Milla Emilio Perea , Elizalde Belen , Baré Marisa , Fernandez de Larrea MD MPH Nerea ,   The IRYSS Cataract Group
Published: July 2009

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Given the increasing prevalence of cataract and demand for cataract extraction surgery, patients must often wait to undergo this procedure. We validated a previously developed priority scoring system in terms of clinical variables, pre‐intervention health status, appropriateness of surgery and gain in visual acuity (VA) and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).Methods  Explicit prioritization criteria for cataract extraction created by a variation of the Research and Development (RAND) and University of California Los Angeles appropriateness methodology were retrospectively applied to a prospective cohort of 5257 patients on waiting lists to undergo cataract by phacoemulsification at 17 hospitals in Spain. Demographic data, clinical data and data related to surgical technique were collected by trained ophthalmologists. Patients were evaluated by their ophthalmologist before the intervention and 6 weeks afterward. They also completed, by mail, the Visual Function Index (VF‐14) before the intervention and 3 months afterward.Results  High‐priority patients experienced greater improvement in VA and HRQoL than those classified as intermediate or low‐priority (P < 0.0001), even after adjusting by VA and the VF‐14 score at baseline. The time to intervention was the same for high‐priority patients as it was for intermediate and low‐priority patients.Conclusions  The priority score we developed identified patients most likely to experience the greatest improvements from cataract extraction. Use of this tool could provide a fairer and more rational way to prioritize patients for cataract extraction.
Improvement in health‐related quality of life, independent of fasting glucose concentration, via insulin pen device in diabetic patients
Authors: Lee I‐Te , Liu Hsiu‐Chen , Liau Yi‐Ju , Lee Wen‐Jane , Huang Chien‐Ning , Sheu Wayne Huey‐Herng 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRationale and aims  Using an insulin pen may improve the quality of life (QOL) for diabetic individuals. However, glycemic control and its relationship to better QOL are controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between health‐related QOL and glycemic control in diabetic patients using insulin pen.Methods  All of the participants were diabetic patients receiving insulin therapy by syringe injection for longer than 1 month. One group of enrolled subjects changed over to use of insulin pen for 12 weeks, while the other group (age‐matched control subjects) continued to use syringe for insulin‐injection during the same period. Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and a 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) were assessed in both groups before and after the 12‐week study.Results  A total of 32 subjects in the insulin pen group and 33 subjects in the syringe group completed the assessment. In comparison with baseline, fasting glucose significantly decreased in the insulin pen group (−57 ± 14 mg dL−1, P < 0.001), and the reduction was significantly greater than that in the syringe group (P = 0.003). The summary scale of physical components but not mental components in the SF‐36 was significantly higher in the insulin pen group than in the syringe group (P = 0.037). This improvement was independent of the change in fasting glucose.Conclusions  Using insulin pen for insulin‐injection improved glycemic control and health‐related QOL in diabetic patients. The better functional health status as a result of physical improvement was independent of the glycemic control.
Seeking a new biomedical model. How evolutionary biology may contribute
Authors: Lewis Stephen 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRationale  The medical profession is not to blame for the limitations of the biomedical model with which it is often associated; the biology upon which that model is built is incomplete and bears some of the responsibility. Some of the more fundamental aspects of biological theory which are currently missing from the biomedical model need to be introduced in order to help provide a better description of the integrated biology involved.Aims and Objectives  By considering the biological nature of the individual human being as an organism, this article introduces a brief sketch of a new biomedical model of the individual as a biological entity. Core to this model is the idea of individual survival in the ‘struggle for existence’ introduced 150 years ago by Charles Darwin in ‘On the Origin of Species’.
Multidrug resistant gram‐negative bacilli as predominant bacteremic pathogens in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Shi S.H. , Kong H.S. , Xu J. , Zhang W.J. , Jia C.K. , Wang W.L. , Shen Y. , Zhang M. , Zheng S.S. 
Published: July 2009

Background. Bacteremias, which are often caused by gram‐negative bacteria, are the most frequently occurring infectious complications after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to investigate bacteremic incidence, pathogenic spectrum, risk factors for bacteremia due to multidrug resistant (MDR) gram‐negative bacilli, and its impact on mortality after LT.Methods. A cohort analysis of prospectively recorded data was done in 475 LT recipients, who were divided into 3 categories: cases with gram‐negative bacteremia, cases with MDR gram‐negative bacteremia, and cases without bacteremia as controls.Results. In 475 LT recipients, there were 152 (32.0%) patients with gram‐negative bacillus bacteremia in the first 6 months after LT. Out of 152 patients, there were 225 bacteremic episodes, which accounted for 69.7% in a total 323 bacteremic episodes. A total of 190 bacteremic episodes were caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Enterobacteriaceae, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter baumanii, all of which were the most frequent gram‐negative isolates in this study, and MDR bacilli constituted 56.3%. The most frequent source was intravascular catheters. There were 70 patients with MDR gram‐negative bacillus bacteremia. Independent risk factors for bacteremia due to MDR gram‐negative bacillus were as follows: post‐LT abdominal infection (P<0.0001, odds ratio [OR] 0.066, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.019–0.226), post‐LT reoperative episodes (P<0.0001, OR 10.505, 95% CI 3.055–36.121), or one or more episodes of acute rejection (P=0.042, OR 4.457, 95% CI 0.988–20.103). In the first 6 months after LT, MDR gram‐negative bacillus bacteremia‐related mortality was significantly higher than that due to antibiotic‐susceptible bacillus (38.6% vs. 14.6%, P<0.001).Conclusion. Post‐LT bacteremias caused by MDR gram‐negative bacilli are common, and associated with allograft acute rejection, post‐LT reoperation, and abdominal infection. The increasing isolates of MDR gram‐negative bacilli pose a great challenge for clinical treatment.
Central nervous system involvement in cryptococcal infection in individuals after solid organ transplantation or with AIDS
Authors: Davis J.A. , Horn D.L. , Marr K.A. , Fishman J.A. 
Published: July 2009

Background. Cryptococcus neoformans is an important pathogen of immunocompromised hosts. Manifestations of cryptococcal infection have not been compared between populations based on the nature of the underlying immune deficiencies.Methods. The Prospective Antifungal Therapy Alliance (PATH) is a registry that collects clinical data from patients with invasive fungal infections from medical centers in North America. Univariate analyses and group comparisons were conducted from the PATH registry for cases of infection due to Cryptococcus species occurring between March 2004 and April 2008.Results. A total 235 cases of proven infection due to Cryptococcus species were documented, all of which were due to C. neoformans (52 in solid organ transplant [SOT] recipients, 107 in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], and 76 with neither HIV nor organ transplantation). A total of 140 cases manifested as meningitis (25 in SOT recipients, 88 in HIV‐positive patients, and 27 in those with neither risk factor). Of individuals with cryptococcal infection, 44.2% of SOT recipients had central nervous system (CNS) disease, while 84.1% of those with HIV infection presented with CNS involvement (P=0.0265). SOT recipients receiving calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) were less likely to have CNS involvement in cryptococcal infection (40.1% versus 66.7%). Overall, 12‐week mortality for patients with cryptococcal infection in the PATH Alliance registry was 22.6% (21.2% for SOT, 15.9% for HIV‐infected patients, and 32.9% for patients with risk factors other than HIV infection or organ transplantation).Conclusions. In a prospectively assembled cohort of individuals with proven infection due to C. neoformans, CNS involvement was more common in individuals with HIV infection than in SOT recipients. The role of CNIs in the reduction of risk for CNS cryptococcosis remains to be defined. Overall survival of patients with cryptococcal infection in immunocompromised hosts has improved over time. Observed differences in the context of various host immune deficits provide a basis for further investigation of cryptococcosis and other opportunistic infections.
Leukotrienes are Auto‐/Paracrine Factors in the Bovine Corpus Luteum: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Korzekwa A , Lukasik K , Skarzynski DJ 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe aim of this study was to determine leukotrienes (LTs) functions in the bovine corpus luteum (BCL) during the oestrous cycle. In steroidogenic CL cells we examined the effect of luteotropic [LH, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)] and luteolytic (PGF2α, cytokines) factors on: the levels of LTB4 and C4, the expression of 5‐lipoxygenase (LO), LT receptors type I (LTR‐I) and LTR‐II, and the effects of LTB4 and C4 stimulations on the levels of progesterone (P4), PGE2, F2α and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites. Both luteolytic and luteotropic factors stimulated 5‐LO expression on days 2–4 and 17–19 of the cycle. Leukotriene receptors type I expression increased after PGE2 and tumour necrosis factor α with interferon γ (TNF/IFN) stimulation on days 2–4 of the cycle. Leukotriene receptor type II expression increased after PGE2α and TNF/IFN stimulation on days 2–4 and 17–19 of the cycle, and LTR‐II expression on days 8–10 of the cycle was unchanged after cell stimulation with any factor. Leukotriene B4 level increased after BSC incubation with luteotropic factors during all examined days of the cycle and after cytokine stimulation at early‐ and mid‐luteal stages, whereas luteolytic factors stimulated LTC4 secretion over the entire cycle. Leukotriene B4 stimulated P4 secretion at the mid‐luteal stage and stimulated NO secretion during all examined phases. Leukotriene B4 stimulated PGE2 secretion at the early‐ and mid‐luteal stage. Leukotriene C4 inhibited P4 secretion at the mid‐ and regressing‐luteal stage, stimulated NO (entire cycle) and PGF2α at mid‐ and regressing‐luteal phases. Leukotrienes modulate steroidogenic cells functions, depending on the stage of the cycle. Leukotriene B4 plays a luteotropic role stimulating P4 and PGE2 secretions; LTC4 stimulates the secretion of luteolytic factors and enhances the luteolytic cascade within BCL.
Expression of Oestrogen Receptor α and Oestrogen Receptor β in the Uterus of the Pregnant Swine
Authors: Knapczyk‐Stwora K , Durlej M , Duda M , Czernichowska‐Ferreira K , Tabecka‐Lonczynska A , Slomczynska M 
Published: July 2009

ContentsThe uterus is a well‐known target of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine acting molecules among which steroid hormones are of special importance. The objective of our work was to localize oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) mRNA and protein in the pig uterus throughout pregnancy (10, 18, 32, 50, 71, 90 days post coitum) using RT‐PCR, Western‐blot and immunohistochemistry. The present study is the first one to demonstrate the presence of ERs protein in the porcine uterus not only at the beginning but also at mid‐ and late pregnancy. In the pregnant swine, ERα was immunolocalized in the luminal epithelium (LE) and glandular epithelium (GE) and the myometrium of the uterus with differences in the intensity of staining at different stages of pregnancy studied. The LE and GE of pregnant swine stained for ERβ regardless of the day of pregnancy examined, whereas only a few cells within the myometrium showed a weak immunoreactivity. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of ERα and ERβ proteins on all investigated days of gestation. The expression of ERα and ERβ mRNA was detected by RT‐PCR in all examined samples corresponding to each of the consecutive stages of pregnancy. The obtained results show that ERα is more abundant in comparison to ERβ within the porcine pregnant uterus. The presence of ERα and ERβ in all compartments of the pig uterus during pregnancy may indicate direct action of oestrogens on proliferation and differentiation of these cells.
Evaluation of the treatment of non‐melanoma skin cancers by surgical excision
Authors: Pua Vernon SC , Huilgol Shyamala , Hill Dudley 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTA retrospective study of all non‐melanoma skin cancers excised by two dermatologists at a private practice in 2004 (excluding Mohs microscopic surgery cases) was conducted. Two hundred and forty‐one patients were treated, with a total of 453 tumours excised. The overall incomplete excision rate was 2.2% (10/453). For basal cell cancers, the incomplete excision rate was 1.54% (5/324) and for squamous cell cancers including Bowen's disease the incomplete excision rate was 3.9% (5/129). The majority of repairs were primary closures (82.6%). Although a significant proportion of the tumours were from the head and neck region (45.9%), this study demonstrated that careful patient selection, experience of the surgeon and adherence to recommended excision margins can achieve a favourable incomplete excision rate.
Indurated reticulate palmar erythema as a sign of paraneoplastic palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome
Authors: Preda Veronica A , Frederiksen Peter , Kossard Steven 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTA 62‐year‐old woman presented with a 6‐month history of polyarthritis. She had also noted a 2‐month history of indurated palmar erythema and increasing bilateral hand swelling and stiffness. A biopsy from the area of palmar erythema showed interstitial fibroplasia within the dermis and subcutis representing a palmar fibromatosis. This presentation appears to belong to the spectrum of palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome. Rheumatologists have recognised this syndrome as a paraneoplastic disorder and subsequent investigations in our patient revealed an elevated cancer antigen 125 and an inoperable ovarian carcinoma. Indurated palmar erythema is a sign that is not widely recognised by dermatologists as a clue for this paraneoplastic syndrome, and skin biopsy demonstrating dermal and subcutaneous fibroplasia may help in diagnosis in the absence of advanced signs of palmar fasciitis.