bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Connective tissue disorders in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension
Authors: Liu Fang-Chun , Fuh Jong-Ling , Wang Yen-Feng , Wang Shuu-Jiun 
Published: January 2011

Objective: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is caused by spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. An underlying connective tissue disorder has been hypothesized to cause dural weakness and predisposition to CSF leak. We conducted a case-controlled study to investigate the role of connective tissue disorders in SIH patients. Methods: We recruited 55 consecutive SIH patients (38 F, 17 M; mean age, 40.8 ± 9.8 years) and 55 age- and sex-matched control individuals (mean age, 38.0 ± 8.9 years) for this study. The connective tissue disorders were evaluated by: (i) Beighton hypermobility scores and revised diagnostic criteria for benign joint hypermobility syndrome; (ii) skin and skeletal manifestations of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS); and (iii) skeletal features of Marfan syndrome. Results: The frequencies of joint hypermobility according to Beighton scores >4/9 (SIH 23.6% vs controls 16.4%, P = 0.48) and revised benign joint hypermobility syndrome criteria (SIH 23.6% vs controls 34.5%, P = 0.29) did not differ between SIH patients and controls. Sixteen patients and 16 controls had one or more skin features of EDS ( P = 1.0). Nine SIH patients (16.4%) demonstrated the skeletal features of Marfan syndrome; this frequency did not differ from that of the control group (9.1%; P = 0.262). Only dolichostenomelia (disproportionately long limbs) was more prominent in SIH patients than in controls (34.5% vs 9.1%; P = 0.002). Conclusion: Compared with Western studies, the frequencies of connective tissue disorders were higher in our SIH patients. However, these frequencies did not differ between SIH patients and control individuals, except for dolichostenomelia.
Return-to-Play Rates in National Football League Linemen After Treatment for Lumbar Disk Herniation
Authors: Weistroffer Joseph K. , Hsu Wellington K. 
Published: January 2011

Background: There is a paucity of evidence demonstrating clinical outcomes of high-end athletes sustaining a treatment for lumbar disk herniation. Purpose: To evaluate the ability of a National Football League lineman to return to play after lumbar diskectomy. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: National Football League offensive and defensive linemen diagnosed with a lumbar disk herniation were identified by previously published protocols using multiple sources of the public record. Demographic and statistical performance data were compiled for each player both before and after treatment. Results: A total of 66 linemen (36 offensive and 30 defensive) met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-two were treated surgically, and 14 were treated nonsurgically. On average, this group had a body mass index of 35.4 and was 27.6 years old. Of those players treated surgically, 80.8% (42/52) successfully returned to play an average of 33 games over 3.0 years, with 63.5% (33/52) becoming starters after treatment. Conversely, only 28.6% (4/14) of linemen successfully returned to play after nonoperative intervention, which was significantly lower than those treated with a diskectomy ( P < .05). Of the linemen in the surgical cohort, 13.5% (7/52) required revision decompression, and 85.7% (6/7) of these players successfully returned to play. Conclusion: National Football League linemen have high return-to-play rates after lumbar diskectomy. Furthermore, because those linemen requiring revision decompression successfully returned to play 85.7% of the time, this cohort should not be denied surgical treatment after recurrent problems. Although the data in our study suggest that National Football League linemen who are treated surgically have superior outcomes to those treated nonoperatively, because of the limitations with the methodology used in this study, further prospective studies are necessary to accurately compare treatment effects and to determine the long-term prognosis for these athletes after retirement.
Diagnostic Values of 3 Methods for Evaluating Meniscal Healing Status After Meniscal Repair
Authors: Miao Yu , Yu Jia-Kuo , Ao Ying-Fang , Zheng Zhuo-Zhao , Gong Xi , Leung Kevin Kar Ming 
Published: January 2011

Background: The main diagnostic methods for evaluating repaired menisci include second-look arthroscopy, clinical assessment, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). None of the previous studies applied all 3 methods for each consecutive case nor made any systematic comparison among them. Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the diagnostic values of the 3 different methods in an attempt to propose suggestions for evaluating meniscal healing results. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Eighty-one patients (89 menisci), with a mean age of 25.4 years (standard deviation [SD], 7.7; range, 15-50 years), underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair, including 65 medial menisci and 24 lateral menisci. Follow-up evaluation for each meniscus included clinical assessment, second-look arthroscopy, and postoperative MRI, with a mean follow-up time of 25.4 months (SD, 6.0; range, 17.4-48.3 months). Defined criteria for unhealed meniscus were any symptoms such as joint-line tenderness, swelling, locking, or positive McMurray test for clinical assessment; cleft or instability on second-look arthroscopy; and grade 3 signal intensity shown at the repaired site on postoperative MRI. Results: Seventy-seven menisci were confirmed completely healed by second-look arthroscopy, with a total healing rate of 86.5%. Clinical assessment found 63 menisci healed, with a clinical healing rate of 70.8% (sensitivity, 58.3%; specificity, 75.3%; accuracy, 73.0%). By using the second-look arthroscopy as the standard, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, respectively, were calculated for MRI in 5 sequences: sagittal T1: 91.7%, 58.4%, 62.9%; sagittal proton density (PD): 83.3%, 40.3%, 46.1%; sagittal T2: 58.3%, 89.6%, 85.4%; coronal PD: 75.0%, 74.0%, 74.2%; and coronal T2: 41.7%, 98.7%, 91.0%. Conclusion: Second-look arthroscopy was the most dependable way to determine meniscal healing. Clinical assessment had obvious limitations in diagnosing healed menisci. On MRI examination, T2-weighted sequences had obviously higher specificity and accuracy, while PD and T1 had higher sensitivity. The diagnostic value could be improved by a combined application of different sequences.
Ex vivo–expanded DCs induce donor-specific central and peripheral tolerance and prolong the acceptance of donor skin grafts
Authors: Yamano Tomoyoshi , Watanabe Sho , Hasegawa Hiroyuki , Suzuki Toshihiro , Abe Ryo , Tahara Hideaki , Nitta Takeshi , Ishimaru Naozumi , Sprent Jonathan , Kishimoto Hidehiro 
Published: January 2011

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) are known to regulate immune responses by inducing both central and peripheral tolerance. DCs play a vital role in negative selection of developing thymocytes by deleting T cells with high-affinity for self-peptide–major histocompatibility complexes. In the periphery, DCs mediate peripheral tolerance by promoting regulatory T-cell development, induction of T-cell unresponsiveness, and deletion of activated T cells. We studied whether allogeneic DCs, obtained from bone marrow cultured with either Flt3L (FLDCs) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMDCs), could induce allospecific central and peripheral tolerance after IV injection; B cells were used as a control. The results showed that only FLDCs reached the thymus after injection and that these cells induced both central and peripheral tolerance to donor major histocompatibility complexes. For central tolerance, injection of FLDCs induced antigen-specific clonal deletion of both CD8 and CD4 single-positive thymocytes. For peripheral tolerance, injection of FLDCs induced donor-specific T-cell unresponsiveness and prolonged survival of donor-derived skin grafts. Tolerance induction by adoptive transfer of FLDCs could be a useful approach for promoting graft acceptance after organ transplantation.
Hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index predicts transplantation outcomes in pediatric patients
Authors: Smith Angela R. , Majhail Navneet S. , MacMillan Margaret L. , DeFor Todd E. , Jodele Sonata , Lehmann Leslie E. , Krance Robert , Davies Stella M. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractQuantifying the risk of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT)–related mortality for pediatric patients is challenging. The HCT-specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) has been confirmed as a useful tool in adults, but has not yet been validated in children. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 252 pediatric patients undergoing their first allogeneic HCT between January 2008 and May 2009. Pretransplantation comorbidities were scored prospectively using the HCT-CI. Median age at transplantation was 6 years (range, 0.1-20) and median follow-up was 343 days (range, 110-624). HCT-CI scores were distributed as follows: 0, n = 139; 1-2, n = 52; and 3+, n = 61. The 1-year cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) increased (10%, 14%, and 28%, respectively; P < .01) and overall survival (OS) decreased (88%, 67%, and 62%, respectively; P < .01) with increasing HCT-CI score. Multivariate analysis showed that compared with score 0, those with scores of 1-2 and 3+ had relative risks of NRM of 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.5-4.3, P = .48) and 4.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.7-12.1, P < .01), respectively. These results indicate that the HCT-CI score predicts NRM and OS in pediatric patients undergoing HCT and is a useful tool to assess risk, guide counseling in the pretransplantation setting, and devise innovative therapies for the highest risk groups.
Molecular and clinical features of the myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with JAK2 exon 12 mutations
Authors: Passamonti Francesco , Elena Chiara , Schnittger Susanne , Skoda Radek C. , Green Anthony R. , Girodon François , Kiladjian Jean-Jacques , McMullin Mary Frances , Ruggeri Marco , Besses Carles , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Lippert Eric , Gisslinger Heinz , Rumi Elisa , Lehmann Thomas , Ortmann Christina A. , Pietra Daniela , Pascutto Cristiana , Haferlach Torsten , Cazzola Mario 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Although approximately 95% of patients with polycythemia vera (PV) harbor the V617F mutation in JAK2 exon 14, several mutations in exon 12 have been described in the remaining patients. We conducted a European collaborative study to define the molecular and clinical features of patients harboring these mutations. Overall, 106 PVs were recruited and 17 different mutations identified. Irrespective of the mutation, two-thirds of patients had isolated erythrocytosis, whereas the remaining subjects had erythrocytosis plus leukocytosis and/or thrombocytosis. Compared with JAK2 (V617F)-positive PV patients, those with exon 12 mutations had significantly higher hemoglobin level and lower platelet and leukocyte counts at diagnosis but similar incidences of thrombosis, myelofibrosis, leukemia, and death. In a multivariable analysis, age more than 60 years and prior thrombosis predicted thrombosis. These findings suggest that, despite the phenotypical difference, the outcome of JAK2 exon 12 mutations-positive PV is similar to that of JAK2 (V617F)-positive PV.
Outcome in Renal AL Amyloidosis After Chemotherapy
Authors: Pinney Jennifer H. , Lachmann Helen J. , Bansi Loveleen , Wechalekar Ashutosh D. , Gilbertson Janet A. , Rowczenio Dorota , Sattianayagam Prayman T. , Gibbs Simon D.J. , Orlandi Emanuela , Wassef Nancy L. , Bradwell Arthur R. , Hawkins Philip N. , Gillmore Julian D. 
Published: January 2011

Purpose Chemotherapy in AL (primary or light chain) amyloidosis is associated with improved survival, but its effect on renal outcome has not been examined systematically. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy on clinical outcome among patients with renal AL amyloidosis. Patients and Methods We evaluated factors influencing survival among 923 patients with renal AL amyloidosis observed during a 21-year period, including 221 patients who became dialysis dependent. Factors associated with renal outcome were analyzed, including serum free light chain (FLC) response to chemotherapy using a simple subtraction formula applicable to all stages of chronic kidney disease. Patient survival and graft survival were analyzed in 21 renal transplantation recipients. Results Median survival from diagnosis for the whole cohort was 35.2 months. Magnitude of FLC response with chemotherapy was strongly and independently associated with overall survival (P < .001) and renal outcome. Evaluable patients achieving more than 90% FLC response had a significantly higher rate of renal responses and lower rate of renal progression compared with patients achieving a 50% to 90% response, whose renal outcomes were, in turn, better than patients achieving less than 50% FLC response (P < .001). Median survival from dialysis dependence was 39.0 months, and median survival from renal transplantation was 89.0 months. Conclusion Renal outcome and overall outcome in AL amyloidosis are strongly associated with FLC response to chemotherapy and are best among patients achieving more than 90% suppression of the amyloidogenic monoclonal component. Survival on dialysis was substantially superior to that previously reported, and renal transplantation should be considered in selected patients with AL amyloidosis with end-stage renal disease.
Fraudulence and the Gift Economy of Music
Authors: Drott Eric 
Published: January 2011

In his classic essay “Music Discomposed,” Stanley Cavell draws attention to the threat of fraudulence that pervades contemporary art music. With the erosion of convention, not only is the ability of listeners to comprehend new music called into question, so too is their ability to ascertain whether or not works are being offered in good faith. Yet Cavell's choice of the word fraudulent to describe this situation is provocative. In everyday parlance, fraud describes an act of deception undertaken for the material benefit of some individual at the expense of another. But when imposture is passed off as art, what reward does the perpetrator stand to gain? What does the victim stand to lose?
To flesh out the stakes involved in Cavell's notion of fraudulence, this article reframes the issue in terms of the peculiar economy of music. As Pierre Bourdieu and others have suggested, the art world is characterized by its disavowal of the market. Commercial transactions are disguised or renounced, while ostensibly altruistic gifts (of time, money, labor, or prestige) are valorized. Controversies involving pianist Joyce Hatto and composer Giacinto Scelsi are examined to show why fraudulence represents such a threat to the gift economy of music.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: from adolescence to menopause
Authors: Druckmann Réne 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is defined as excessive or prolonged uterine bleeding in premenopausal women that is not caused by pelvic pathology, medications, systemic disease or pregnancy. It is a common condition that can lead not only to physical symptoms such as iron deficiency, anaemia, cramps and fatigue, but also has significant psychological and social effects that impair a woman's quality of life. Progesterone is highly important in the regulation of menstrual bleeding and a progesterone-deficient anovulatory state is a common cause of DUB. There are a wide range of treatment options available including hormonal therapies (oral cyclical progestogens, depot progestogens, progestogen-releasing intrauterine devices, combined oral contraceptives, danazol, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues and hormone replacement therapy), non-hormonal therapies (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antifibrinolytic drugs) and surgery (hysterectomy and endometrial ablation). The choice of appropriate therapy should be based on factors such as the mechanism behind the DUB, which symptoms are most problematic, and the woman's need for fertility or contraception. However, there is currently a lack of clinical evidence to help support these decisions.
Antigonadotropic progestogens as contraceptive agents in women with contraindication to combined pill
Authors: Maitrot-Mantelet Lorraine , Agopian Anahid , Gompel Anne 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Synthetic progestogens belong to different pharmacological classes and are mixed steroids. They display different properties due to their various affinities to the different steroid receptors. In addition, the dosage used can modify their side effects. Normethyltestosterone used at minimal doses, also called progestogen only pill (POP), constitute the standard recommended hormonal contraception for women with vascular and metabolic contraindications to combined pill (COC). However, POP efficacy and gynecological tolerance are limited. We have developed for more than 20 years in France the use of two pregnane derivatives as contraceptive agents in women with contraindication to COC. Chlormadinone acetate and cyproterone acetate have different antigonadotropic potencies but remain neutral on vascular risk. We have analyzed the efficacy, vascular and gynecological tolerances in 187 women with systemic lupus erythematous with or without antiphospholipids. Venous thrombosis and arterial events rates were lower than those reported in the literature. The current experience in women with thrombophilia is similar as reported in a series of 150 patients. In addition, we have also used antigonadotropic progestins in women with hereditary angioedema (HAE) types I, II or III. HAE symptoms can be induced or worsened by COC. We could demonstrate a significant improvement of the symptoms in most women with HAE under antigonadotropic progestins. Gynecological and general tolerances were satisfactory. In conclusion, antigonadotropic progestins could have clinical positive benefits as contraceptive agents in women with contraindication to COC.
Biological responses of progestogen metabolites in normal and cancerous human breast
Authors: Pasqualini Jorge R. , Chetrite Gérard S. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
At present, more than 200 progestogen molecules are available, but their biological response is a function of various factors: affinity to progesterone or other receptors, their structure, the target tissues considered, biological response, experimental conditions, dose, method of administration and metabolic transformations. Metabolic transformation is of huge importance because in various biological processes the metabolic product(s) not only control the activity of the maternal hormone but also have an important activity of its own. In this regard, it was observed that the 20-dihydro derivative of the progestogen dydrogesterone (Duphaston®) is significantly more active than the parent compound in inhibiting sulfatase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human breast cancer cells. Estrone sulfatase activity is also inhibited by norelgestromin, a norgestimate metabolite. Interesting information was obtained with a similar progestogen, tibolone, which is rapidly metabolized into the active 3α/3β-hydroxy and 4-ene metabolites. All these metabolites can inhibit sulfatase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and stimulate sulfotransferase in human breast cancer cells. Another attractive aspect is the metabolic transformation of progesterone itself in human breast tissues. In the normal breast progesterone is mainly converted to 4-ene derivatives, whereas in the tumor tissue it is converted mostly to 5α-pregnane derivatives. 20α-Dihydroprogesterone is found mainly in normal breast tissue and possesses antiproliferative properties as well as the ability to act as an anti-aromatase agent. Consequently, this progesterone metabolite could be involved in the control of estradiol production in the normal breast and therefore implicated in one of the multifactorial mechanisms of the breast carcinogenesis process. In conclusion, a better understanding of both natural and synthetic hormone metabolic transformations and their control could potentially provide attractive new therapies for the treatment of hormone-dependent pathologies.
Chromatographic separation of Am and Cm
Authors: Kurosaki Hiromu , Clark Sue B. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
This paper describes the development of a radioanalytical procedure to separate Am3+ and Cm3+ that relies on chromatography with the TRU® resin available from Eichrom Technologies, Inc. Although the TRU chromatographic materials are not currently recommended for the separation of the trivalent actinides from each other, our work demonstrates their suitability. We explored parameters such as nitric acid concentration, column length, and flow rate; standard chromatographic parameters such as resolution, theoretical plates, and total separation time are reported for each variable. The advantages of the method described herein include use of a commercially available product and no application of an organic solvent during elution. Optimal resolution between the Am3+ and Cm3+ was achieved with the slowest flow rate.
Plutonium sorption onto hematite colloids at femto- and nanomolar concentrations
Authors: Romanchuk Anna Yu. , Kalmykov Stepan N. , Aliev Ramiz A. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
The surface-mediated reduction of Pu(VI) upon sorption onto hematite colloids is addressed in the paper that bring some new light on the mechanisms of interaction of Pu in high valence states with different Fe(III) oxides. We study the sorption of Pu taken at two different total concentrations around 10−9 and 10−14 M using 239Pu and short-lived 237Pu tracer. In order to conclude on the mechanisms of Pu sorption onto hematite, the kinetics of sorption of Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) at two concenrations is studied as well as its leching behavior. The rate limiting step in Pu(VI) sorption is its surface-mediated reduction. The experimental evidence of the polymerization of Pu(IV) on the surface taken at Pu total concentration of ∼10−9 M is presented based on the kinetics of sorption and leaching behavior.
Mitotane has a strong and a durable inducing effect on CYP3A4 activity
Authors: van Erp Nielka P , Guchelaar Henk-Jan , Ploeger Bart A , Romijn Johannes A , Hartigh Jan den , Gelderblom Hans 
Published: January 2011

ObjectiveThe effects of mitotane on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of co-administered drugs are mostly unknown. The aim of the present study was to describe the effects of mitotane on the PK of the phenotypic probe midazolam and of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib.DesignA serendipitous observation was made in two of nine patients who volunteered in a sunitinib pharmacokinetic study. Both patients were diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and were exposed to mitotane. The sunitinib PK study was designed to determine the relationship between CYP3A4 activity and sunitinib exposure using 7.5 mg midazolam orally as a phenotypic probe.Patient and methodsSerial blood samples for PK analysis of midazolam, 1-hydroxy-midazolam, and sunitinib were collected at steady-state sunitinib PK (between days 14 and 20). To confirm this observation in the mitotane-exposed patients, midazolam PK was evaluated in two additional patients with ACC and mitotane treatment.ResultsThe four mitotane-treated patients showed highly induced CYP3A4 activity, even after interrupting mitotane therapy months before study entry, reflected by decreased midazolam exposure compared with the other seven patients (mean AUC0–12 h (95% CI): 7.6 (5.5–9.7) vs 139.0 (95.1–182.9) μg×h/l respectively P=0.001) and increased 1-hydroxy-midazolam exposure (mean AUC0–12 h (95% CI): 409.6 (290.5–528.7) vs 35.0 (26.4–43.6) μg×h/l, P=0.008). Sunitinib exposure was decreased in the two patients who were co-treated with mitotane (267 and 268 μg×h/l versus 1344 (1079–1609) (mean (95% CI)) μg×h/l).ConclusionMitotane has a strong and long-lasting inducing effect on CYP3A4 activity, which will result in clinically relevant interactions with multiple drugs since many drugs are metabolized by this enzyme.