bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of JAK2 V617F allele burden dynamics by hydroxycarbamide in polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia patients
Authors: Besses Carlos , Álvarez‐Larrán Alberto , Martínez‐Avilés Luz , Mojal Sergi , Longarón Raquel , Salar Antonio , Florensa Lourdes , Serrano Sergi , Bellosillo Beatriz 
Published: January 2011

SummaryThe modulation of JAK2 V617F allele burden dynamics was prospectively analysed in 47 patients (26 polycythaemia vera [PV] and 21 essential thrombocythaemia [ET]) treated with first‐line hydroxyurea (HU) and compared with the JAK2 V617F dynamics of a control group of 45 PV and ET patients. A partial molecular response (PMR), according to European Leukaemia Net criteria, was observed in 27/47 (57%) patients. Median time to PMR was 14 months (3–66) with a probability of PMR at 3 years of 57%. A significant decrease in JAK2 V617F allele load was observed at 36 months both in PV and ET patients, being the reduction in PV higher than in ET patients (P = 0·01). A haematocrit ≥0·45 L/L was associated with a higher probability of attaining a PMR (HR:3·4; 95%CI:1·02–11·6, P = 0·04). Control group showed a slight increase of JAK2 V617F allele burden over time. The reduction in the mutated allele load comparing treated patients versus controls was highly significant both in PV and ET, demonstrating a clear effect of HU on the JAK2 V617F allele burden. In conclusion, first‐line HU can attain PMR in more than 50% of newly diagnosed PV and ET patients, with a continuous decrease of the JAK2 V617F allele burden in PV patients during treatment.
Variability in salt tolerance of native populations of Elymus scabrifolius (Döll) J. H. Hunz from Argentina
Authors: Zabala J. M. , Taleisnik E. , Giavedoni J. A. , Pensiero J. F. , Schrauf G. E. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractElymus scabrifolius is a native C3 South American grass species. It is valued as forage species adapted to various environments in Argentina and is also a potential source of traits for wheat‐breeding programmes. Efficient utilization of native genetic resources requires extensive collection and characterization of available material. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize variability in salt tolerance within E. scabrifolius populations in Argentina. Specimens of E. scabrifolius were collected from a wide range of soils in Argentina, and most populations were found in saline environments with high sodium levels. Intraspecific variability in salt tolerance was estimated, and its relation to the salinity level of the populations’ natural environment was assessed. A principal component analysis based on growth data distinguished lines from saline and non‐saline habitats only under salt conditions. Results suggest that selecting under stressed environments is a reasonable strategy for breeding E. scabrifolius. Lines of saline origin had higher biomass under both control and saline conditions, suggesting that higher gains from selection would be obtained if germplasm from this origin was used, and tillering may be the most useful indirect selection criterion for improving salt tolerance. The association between salt tolerance, ion content and osmotic adjustment was also assessed. Salt‐sensitive lines accumulated high sodium levels in leaves. However, osmotic adjustment did not correlate with the maintenance of leaf elongation rates under salinity in the genotypes included in this study.
Effect of maleic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the dissolution of human pulp tissue – an in vitro study
Authors: Ballal N. V. , Mala K. , Bhat K. S. 
Published: January 2011

Ballal NV, Mala K, Bhat KS. Effect of maleic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the dissolution of human pulp tissue – an in vitro study. International Endodontic Journal.AbstractAim  To compare in vitro, the tissue‐dissolution capacity of 7% maleic acid (MA), 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (positive control) and 0.9% saline (NaCl) (negative control) on human pulp tissue.Methodology  Forty pieces of human pulp tissue, each weighing 0.026 g, were divided randomly into four groups (n = 10): (i) 7% MA solution, (ii) 17% EDTA solution, (iii) 2.5% NaOCl solution and (iv) 0.9% NaCl solution. The pulp tissue was placed in beakers containing the test solutions and then placed on a vibrator. Pulp tissue from the four experimental solutions was blotted dry and weighed after 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. The percentage of weight loss was calculated, and the data were statistically analysed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U‐test.Results  At all time intervals, 2.5% NaOCl dissolved pulp tissue significantly more than the other solutions (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the pulp‐dissolution capacity between 7% MA and 17% EDTA at any of the time intervals. NaCl (0.9%) did not have any effect on pulp tissue.Conclusion  Seven percentage of MA and 17% EDTA had minimal tissue‐dissolution capacity when compared to NaOCl.
A pyruvate formate lyase‐deficient Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain provides evidence for a link between fermentation and hydrogen production in green algae
Authors: Philipps Gabriele , Krawietz Danuta , Hemschemeier Anja , Happe Thomas 
Published: January 2011

SummaryThe green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has a complex anaerobic metabolism characterized by a plastidic hydrogenase (HYD1) coupled to photosynthesis and a bacterial‐type fermentation system in which pyruvate formate lyase (PFL1) is the central fermentative enzyme. To identify mutant strains with altered hydrogen metabolism, a C. reinhardtii nuclear transformant library was screened. Mutant strain 48F5 showed lower light‐dependent hydrogen (H2) evolution rates and reduced in vitro hydrogenase activity, and fermentative H2 production in the dark was enhanced. The transformant has a single integration of the paromomycin resistance cassette within the PFL1 gene, and is unable to synthesize PFL1 protein. 48F5 secretes no formate, but produces more ethanol, d‐lactate and CO2 than the wild type. Moreover, HYD1 transcript and HYD1 protein levels were lower in the pfl1 mutant strain. Complementation of strain 48F5 with an intact copy of the PFL1 gene restored formate excretion and hydrogenase activity to the wild type level. This analysis shows that the PFL1 pathway has a significant impact on hydrogen metabolism in C. reinhardtii.
Factors determining household expenditure for tuberculosis and coping strategies in Tajikistan
Authors: Ayé Raffael , Wyss Kaspar , Abdualimova Hanifa , Saidaliev Sadullo 
Published: January 2011

SummaryObjective  To investigate factors influencing expenditure levels and the use of potentially detrimental coping strategies among tuberculosis (TB) patients. For the purpose of the present study, potentially detrimental coping strategies included borrowing money and selling assets.Method  Questionnaire survey with an initial and a follow‐up interview of each adult new pulmonary TB case registered over a period of 4 months, conducted in 12 districts with DOTS in Tajikistan, one of the poorest countries in the world.Results  Patients and their households faced mean expenditures of US$ 396 related to a TB episode. In multivariate mixed‐effect regression models, the main determinants of out‐of‐pocket payments–either over the whole course of the disease or after enrolment in DOTS treatment–were ‘complimentary treatment’ besides the anti‐TB drugs, duration of hospitalization and treatment delay. Complimentary treatment mainly consisted of vitamins and rehydrating infusions. Sex showed no association with expenditure. To cope with the costs of illness, two‐thirds of patients employed a potentially detrimental coping strategy. TB patients raised on average US$ 23 through loans with interest, US$ 57 through loans without interest and US$ 102 through selling assets.Conclusion  The catastrophic out‐of‐pocket payments faced by TB patients are correlated with receiving complimentary treatment, delay to treatment and duration of hospitalisation. The widespread use of potentially detrimental coping strategies illustrates that TB constitutes a substantial risk of impoverishment. More parsimonious use of complimentary treatment and hospitalisation could reduce illness‐related costs for patients and should be carefully considered.
Lysosomal multienzymatic complex‐related diseases: a genetic study among Portuguese patients
Authors: Coutinho MF , Lacerda L , Macedo‐Ribeiro S , Baptista E , Ribeiro H , Prata MJ , Alves S 
Published: January 2011

Coutinho MF, Lacerda L, Macedo‐Ribeiro S, Baptista E, Ribeiro H, Prata MJ, Alves S. Lysosomal multienzymatic complex‐related diseases: a genetic study among Portuguese patients.The functional activity of lysosomal enzymes sialidase, β‐galactosidase and N‐acetylaminogalacto‐6‐sulfate‐sulfatase in the cell depends on their association in a multienzyme complex with cathepsin A. Mutations in any of the components of this complex result in functional deficiency thereby causing severe lysosomal storage disorders. Here, we report the molecular defects underlying sialidosis (mutations in sialidase; gene NEU1), galactosialidosis (mutations in cathepsin A; gene PPGB) and GM1 gangliosidosis (mutations in β‐galactosidase; gene GLB1) in Portuguese patients. We performed molecular studies of the PPGB, NEU1 and GLB1 genes in biochemically diagnosed Portuguese patients. Gene expression was determined and the effect of each mutation predicted at protein levels. In the NEU1 gene, we found three novel missense mutations (p.P200L, p.D234N and p.Q282H) and one nonsense mutation (p.R341X). In the PPGB gene, we identified two missense mutations, one novel (p.G86V) and one already described (p.V104M), as well as two new deletions (c.230delC and c.991‐992delT) that give rise to non‐functional proteins. We also present the first molecular evidence of a causal missense mutation localized to the cathepsin A active site. Finally, in the GLB1 gene, we found six different mutations, all of them previously described (p.R59H, p.R201H, p.H281Y, p.W527X, c.1572‐1577InsG and c.845‐846delC). Seven novel mutations are reported here, contributing to our knowledge of the mutational spectrum of these diseases and to a better understanding of the genetics of the lysosomal multienzymatic complex. The results of this study will allow carrier detection in affected families and prenatal molecular diagnosis, leading to the improvement of genetic counseling.
What is the long‐term relevance of clinically detected postoperative anastomotic urine leakage after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy?
Authors: Rebuck David A. , Haywood Samuel , McDermott Kelly , Perry Kent T. , Nadler Robert B. 
Published: January 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?The use of a drain to detect and evacuate anastomotic urine leakage after radical prostatectomy is a common clinical practice. The use of such drains, traditionally, attempts to avoid the short‐term risks of urinoma, ileus, and infection, but little is known on the long‐term complications of such leakage on functional outcomes, such as erectile function, continence, and bladder neck contracture.This study shows that after a mean of two years of follow‐up, patients with clinically detected anastomotic urine leakage after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy do not have worse erectile function, incontinence or risk of bladder neck contracture than patients who had no clinical evidence of leakage.OBJECTIVE• To determine whether patients with postoperative clinically detected anastomotic urine leaks are at increased risk for poorer erectile function, urinary incontinence and bladder neck contracture (BNC) after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.PATIENTS AND METHODS• A retrospective review of all patients undergoing RALRP from October 2005 until December 2009 by a single surgeon (R.B.N.) was conducted. Clinically detected anastomotic urine leak was defined as drain output consistent with urine at more than 24 h postoperatively. The presence of BNC was identified on cystoscopy.• Erectile function was measured with the Sexual Healthy Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire. Incontinence was measured by patient‐reported daily pad use.• Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Outcomes were assessed at the most recent follow‐up.RESULTS• Among 213 patients eligible for inclusion, 27 experienced an anastomotic urine leak (12.7%).• At a mean long‐term follow‐up of 24.2 months, there was no difference in SHIM scores (7.0 vs 13.1; P= 0.101), continence rates (87.5% vs 85.2%; P= 0.999) or risk of BNC (7.4% vs 3.2%; P= 0.268) between patients with and without postoperative anastomotic urine leaks, respectively.• The results did not change after controlling for covariates in a multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION• The present study suggests that patients with clinically detected postoperative anastomotic urine leaks do not necessarily have worse long‐term outcomes of erectile function, continence and risk of BNC.
Complications of radical cysto‐urethrectomy using modified Clavien grading system: prepubic versus perineal urethrectomy
Authors: Elshal Ahmed M. , Barakat Tamer S. , Mosbah Ahmed , Abdel‐Latif Mohamed , Abol‐Enein Hassan 
Published: January 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?It is expected there will be added risks of morbidity for patients undergoing urethrectomy with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Two surgical approaches were described for doing simultaneous cysto‐urethrectomy: pre‐pubic and perineal.Comparative analysis of the outcome of the two approaches using standardized assessment tools revealed that the pre‐pubic approach has a lower incidence of serious complications with shorter operation duration and shorter hospital stay.OBJECTIVES• To assess the impact of both prepubic and perineal urethrectomy on the complication rate and grade when cysto‐urethrectomy is planned.• To review the perioperative complications of radical cysto‐urethrectomy and grade them according to the modified Clavien classification system.PATIENTS AND METHODS• A total of 186 radical cysto‐urethrectomies were performed between 1984 and 2008• Patients’ charts were retrospectively reviewed, focusing on operation duration, hospital stay and complications arising.• According to this new classification, perioperative complications were stratified into five grades.RESULTS• Prepubic urethrectomy was done in 71 patients (group I) while perineal urethrectomy was done in 115 patients (group II).• The mean operation duration was significantly lower in group I than in group II (173.8 and 208.9 min in groups I and II, respectively; P= 0.003).• There were a total of 46 perioperative complications in 186 (24.7%) patients, 21 (29.5%) in the prepubic group and 25 (21.1%) in the perineal group.• There were 19 (90.5%) and 18 (72%) low‐grade (G1–3) complications in the prepubic and perineal groups, respectively, and two (9.5%) and seven (28%) high‐grade (G4–5) complications in the prepubic and perineal groups, respectively (P= 0.033).• The mean hospital stay was significantly lower in group I than in group II (14.5 and 17.6 days in groups I and II, respectively; P= 0.047).CONCLUSION• The prepubic approach has a lower incidence of serious complications with shorter operation duration and shorter hospital stay.
The implementation of rapid cooling and overnight hold of whole blood at ambient temperature before processing into components in Israel
Authors: Shinar E. , Etlin S. , Frenkel O. , Yahalom V. 
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND: The quality of blood components prepared from whole blood (WB) units rapidly cooled to 20 to 24°C and stored for prolonged periods using butane‐1,4‐diol “cooling plates,” and the factors that determine the functional activity of these cooling systems under various temperature conditions were investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Validation of the cooling systems functions, performed in different environmental temperature‐time schemes using WB‐mock units, were recorded and analyzed in 106 temperature curves, simulating environmental conditions of blood storage at the blood drives and transport to the blood services component laboratory. The quality of red blood cells, fresh‐frozen plasma, platelet concentrates, and cryoprecipitate units was studied on components routinely prepared in 2007 to 2009 from WB units collected in citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose‐adenine or citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose (CPD), rapidly cooled, and stored in ambient temperature for up to 22 hours postdonation using the cooling systems.RESULTS: Quality variables of blood components prepared from WB units rapidly cooled and held overnight for up to 22 hours postcollection, using both cooling systems, met the allowed ranges of American, European, and Israeli standards. Temperature validation of the cooling systems resulted in national standard operating procedures for the proper use in different ambient temperature ranges.CONCLUSION: The rapid cooling of WB and prolonged storage under different environmental conditions using cooling plate systems enabled standardization of blood storage at and transportation from all collection sites. It provided an efficient, reproducible, and cost‐effective way to ensure good quality blood components, while utilizing more efficient logistic and administrative means.
Treatment of Premenstrual Mastalgia with Tamoxifen
Authors: Messinis Ioannis E. , Lolis Dimitrios 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThirty‐four women with normal menstrual cycles but suffering from severe premenstrual mastalgia were randomly treated with either tamoxifen (10 mg daily) (18 women) or placebo (16 women) from cycle day 5 to 24 for six consecutive cycles. At the end of the treatment, 89% of the tamoxifen‐treated patients were free from the symptoms and the remainder experienced partial alleviation. In contrast, six patients treated with placebo showed only partial alleviation (38%)(p < 0.001). Twelve months after the end of tamoxifen treatment, 53% of the medicated women were still free of symptoms as compared with none of the placebo‐treated patients. These results suggest that tamoxifen is highly effective for the management of severe premenstrual mastalgia and should be useful for the treatment of this disorder.
Antenatal Health Questionnaire to Identify “Mothers with Emotional Disturbances” as a Potential Risk Group
Authors: Nordström U. Lennart , Dallas Jean H. , Morton Hugh G. , Patel Naren B. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAn important task in antenatal care is to identify mothers at risk during pregnancy, with the aim of minimizing morbidity and mortality. This paper describes the outcome of a health questionnaire distributed antenatally to 2086 primigravidae during the Tayside Infant Morbidity and Mortality Study 1980–81. The aim of this study was to test a health questionnaire, known to identify mothers with emotional disturbances, and investigate the outcome of their pregnancies. Two hundred and thirty‐eight mothers (11.4%) had a ‘positive’ score in this study. This rather small group of women had a significantly higher incidence of psycho‐social risk factors. The questionnaire return rate was high, more than 99%, suggesting that such a questionnaire could be used as a screening instrument to identify ‘risk mothers’.
Life‐Threatening Hemorrhage due to Uterine Vascular Abnormality
Authors: Jensen Helle , Petersen Karsten , Lent Sutan , Llum Lars , Olsen Carsten Rygaard 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA case is reported of a 25‐year‐old woman stricken with prolonged and life‐threatening menorrhagia from abnormal uterine vessels resembling hemangioma cavernosum. The condition was suspected at ultrasonic investigation. Hysterectomy was performed as an emergency operation.
Reproduction among 1975 Sardinian women and men diagnosed with major mood disorders
Authors: Tondo L. , Lepri B. , Baldessarini R. J. 
Published: January 2011

Tondo L, Lepri B, Baldessarini RJ. Reproduction among 1975 Sardinian women and men diagnosed with major mood disorders.Objective:  Disability varies in patients with major affective disorders [type I and II bipolar disorders (BPD) and recurrent unipolar major depressive disorder (UP‐MDD)]. It may include reproductive functioning, which has rarely been studied systematically.Method:  We compared information acquired over several years pertaining to marital/reproductive status among 1975 systematically evaluated, treated, and followed women (n = 1351) and men (n = 624) diagnosed with DSM‐IV type I (n = 300) or II BPD (n = 223), or MDD (n = 1452). We compared factors between patients with vs. without children and associated with fertility rate (children/fertile years × 100), using standard bivariate methods followed by multivariate modeling.Results:  Childless patients were younger at illness onset, more likely men, diagnosed with type I BPD, more educated, and unmarried, but similar in many aspects of clinical history to those with children. Fertility rate ranked: BP‐I < BP‐II ≤ MDD, and men < women. Mood‐disorder patients had 17% fewer children/person than in the comparable general population of Sardinia. Among mood‐disorder patients, fertility appeared to decline in Sardinia in recent decades, more in men than women.Conclusion:  Type I BPD was associated with lower fertility than BP‐II or UP‐MDD, consistent with their relatively high levels of other disabilities.
HIV Infection and Immune Defense of the Penis
Authors: Anderson Deborah , Politch Joseph A. , Pudney Jeffrey 
Published: January 2011

Citation  Anderson D, Politch JA, Pudney J. HIV infection and immune defense of the penis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65: 220–229Recent evidence that circumcision decreases HIV infection in heterosexual men by 50–60% has focused research on the foreskin as a target of HIV infection. In this review article, we discuss potential mechanisms underlying the circumcision effect and re‐examine the assumption that the foreskin is the principle penile HIV infection site. HIV target cells are present in the foreskin epithelium, but are also found in the epithelia of the penile shaft, glans/corona, meatus and urethral introitus. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect any of these sites and increase susceptibility to HIV acquisition by eroding the protective epithelial layer and by attracting and activating HIV target cells in the epithelium. The moist subpreputial cavity, which encompasses the entire penile tip in most uncircumcised men including the glans, meatus and urethral introitus, plays an important role in STI acquisition. Circumcised men have a lower rate of STIs that infect not only the foreskin but also other distal penile sites, especially the urethra. Likewise, the foreskin may trap HIV and HIV‐infected cells after intercourse thereby increasing the risk of HIV acquisition not only through the inner foreskin but also other sites covered by the foreskin. The subpreputial cavity also hosts a unique microbiome that may also play a role in HIV infection. We hypothesize that the penile urethra may be the primary HIV acquisition site in circumcised men and possibly also in non‐circumcised men because of the presence of superficial HIV target cells and a high incidence of STIs at this site. Both innate and adaptive immune defense mechanisms are operative in the lower male genital region. The penile urethral mucosa contains accumulations of IgA+ plasma cells and T lymphocytes and may provide a responsive target for future mucosal vaccines to prevent HIV sexual transmission.