bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current management of hepatitis B virus infection before and after liver transplantation
Authors: Papatheodoridis George V. , Cholongitas Evangelos , Archimandritis Athanasios J. , Burroughs Andrew K. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe progress in treatment against hepatitis B virus (HBV) has substantially improved the outcome of all HBV‐infected patients. We systematically reviewed the existing data in the management of HBV transplant patients in order to assess the optimal regimen in the pretransplant setting, for post‐transplant prophylaxis and for therapy of HBV recurrent infection. All data suggest that an effective pretransplant anti‐HBV therapy prevents post‐transplant HBV recurrence. Pretransplant therapy has been based on lamivudine with addition of adefovir upon lamivudine resistance, but the use of newer, potent high‐genetic barrier agents is expected to improve long‐term efficacy. Moreover, it may lead to improvement of liver function, which sometimes removes the need for transplantation, although more objective criteria for removal from waiting lists are required. After liver transplantation, the combination of HBV immunoglobulin and one nucleos(t)ide analogue, mostly lamivudine, is currently the best approach, almost eliminating the probability of HBV recurrence. Treatment of post‐transplant HBV recurrence has been mainly studied with lamivudine, but it will be most effective with entecavir and tenofovir, which have a low risk of resistance. In conclusion, the newer anti‐HBV agents improve the treatment of HBV both pretransplant and post‐transplant. HBV immunoglobulin is still used in combination with an anti‐HBV agent for post‐transplant prophylaxis. Monoprophylaxis with one of the new anti‐HBV agents might be possible, particularly in patients preselected as having a low risk of HBV recurrence, but further data are needed and strategies to ensure compliance must be used.
A New Pulsatile Volumetric Device With Biomorphic Valves for the In Vitro Study of the Cardiovascular System
Authors: Lanzarone Ettore , Vismara Riccardo , Fiore Gianfranco B. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA pulsatile mock loop system was designed and tested. This prototype represents a versatile, adjustable, and controllable experimental apparatus for in vitro studies of devices meant to interface with the human circulatory system. The pumping system consisted of a ventricular chamber featuring two biomorphic silicone valves as the inlet and outlet valves. The chamber volume is forced by a piston pump moved by a computer‐controlled, low‐inertia motor. Fluid dynamic tests with the device were performed to simulate physiological conditions in terms of cardiac output (mean flow of 5 and 6 L/min, with beat rates from 60 to 80 bpm), of rheological properties of the processed fluid, and of systemic circulation impedance. The pulsating actuator performed a good replication of the physiological ventricular behavior and was able to guarantee easy control of the waveform parameters. Experimental pressure and flow tracings reliably simulated the physiological profiles, and no hemolytic subatmospheric pressures were revealed. The performance of the prototype valves was also studied in terms of dynamic and static backflow, effective orifice area, and pressure loss, resulting in their applicability for this device. Mechanical reliability was also tested over 8 h. The device proved to be a reliable lab apparatus for in vitro tests; the pumping system also represents a first step toward a possible future application of pulsating perfusion in the clinic arena, such as in short‐term cardiac assist and pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass.
Hybrid Cat Bonds
Authors: Barrieu Pauline , Loubergé Henri 
Published: July 2009

AbstractNatural catastrophes attract regularly the media attention and have become a source of public concern. From a financial viewpoint, they represent idiosyncratic risks, diversifiable at the world level. But for various reasons, reinsurance markets are unable to cope with this risk completely. Insurance‐linked securities, such as catastrophe (cat) bonds, have been issued to complete the international risk transfer process, but their development is disappointing so far. This article argues that downside risk aversion and ambiguity aversion explain their limited success. Hybrid cat bonds, combining the transfer of cat risk with protection against a stock market crash, are proposed to complete the market. The article shows that replacing simple cat bonds with hybrid cat bonds would lead to an increase in market volume.
Altered Interatrial Conduction Detected in MADIT II Patients Bound to Develop Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Holmqvist Fredrik , Platonov Pyotr G. , Carlson Jonas , Zareba Wojciech , Moss Arthur J. ,   for the MADIT II Investigators
Published: July 2009

Background: Changes in P‐wave morphology have recently been shown to be associated with interatrial conduction route used, without noticeable changes of P‐wave duration. This study aimed at exploring the association between P‐wave morphology and future atrial fibrillation (AF) development in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Trial II (MADIT II) population. Methods: Patients included in MADIT‐II without a history of AF with sinus rhythm at baseline who developed AF during the study (“Pre‐AF”) were compared to matched controls without AF development (“No‐AF”). Patients were followed for a mean of 20 months. A 10‐minute high‐resolution bipolar ECG recording was obtained at baseline. Signal‐averaged P waves were analyzed to determine orthogonal P‐wave morphology, P‐wave duration, and RMS20. The P‐wave morphology was subsequently classified into one of three predefined types using an automated algorithm. Results: Thirty patients (age 68 ± 7 years) who developed AF during MADIT‐II were compared with 60 patients (age 68 ± 8 years) who did not. P‐wave duration and RMS20 in the Pre‐AF group was not significantly different from the No‐AF group (143 ± 21 vs 139 ± 30 ms, P = 0.26, and 2.0 ± 1.3 vs 2.1 ± 1.0 μV, P = 0.90). The distribution of P‐wave morphologies was shifted away from Type 1 in the Pre‐AF group when compared to the No‐AF group (Type 1/2/3/atypical; 25/60/0/15% vs 10/63/10/17%, P = 0.04). Conclusions: This study is the first to describe changes in P‐wave morphology in patients prior to AF development. The results indicate that abnormal interatrial conduction may play a role in AF development in patients with prior myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.
Forbidden intimacies: Christian–Muslim intermarriage in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: CONNOLLY JENNIFER 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTAs a disadvantaged minority, Dayaks have turned to Christianity as a way to maintain their ethnic identity in the face of threats from their Muslim neighbors. Given Indonesian state policies' compelling conversion in the case of interfaith marriage, most anthropological analyses would attribute the anguish Christian Dayaks experience over such marriages to the threat it poses to their community‐building efforts. But Dayaks themselves anchor their concerns about intermarriage in religious and familial obligations, not in the maintenance of collective religious and ethnic identities. Drawing on the work of Fredrik Barth, I argue that understanding the nature of interfaith marriage and the fears it arouses requires anthropologists to consider not only the macrolevel of state policies and the median level of collective identities but also the more intimate emotional and experiential level of the family and the individual. [marriage, Indonesia, Islam, Christianity, ethnicity]
Risk Factors for Mortality of Bacteremic Patients in the Emergency Department
Authors: Lin Jiun‐Nong , Tsai Yen‐Shuo , Lai Chung‐Hsu , Chen Yen‐Hsu , Tsai Shang‐Shyue , Lin Hsing‐Lin , Huang Chun‐Kai , Lin Hsi‐Hsun 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Patients with bacteremia have a high mortality and generally require urgent treatment. The authors conducted a study to describe bacteremic patients in emergency departments (EDs) and to identify risk factors for mortality.Methods:  Bacteremic patients in EDs were identified retrospectively at a university hospital from January 2007 to December 2007. Demographic characteristics, underlying illness, clinical conditions, microbiology, and the source of bacteremia were collected and analyzed for their association with 28‐day mortality.Results:  During the study period, 621 cases (50.2% male) were included, with a mean (±SD) age of 62.8 (±17.4) years. The most common underlying disease was diabetes mellitus (39.3%). Escherichia coli (39.2%) was the most frequently isolated pathogen. The most common source of bacteremia was urinary tract infection (41.2%), followed by primary bacteremia (13.2%). The overall 28‐day mortality rate was 12.6%. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis showed age > 60 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29 to 4.92, p = 0.007), malignancy (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.44 to 4.91, p = 0.002), liver cirrhosis (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.02 to 4.26, p = 0.044), alcohol use (OR = 5.73, 95% CI = 2.10 to 15.63, p = 0.001), polymicrobial bacteremia (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.75 to 9.10, p = 0.001), anemia (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.34 to 4.03, p = 0.003), and sepsis (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.16 to 3.37, p = 0.019) were independent risk factors for 28‐day mortality.Conclusions:  Bacteremic patients in the ED have a high mortality, particularly with these risk factors. It is important for physicians to recognize the factors that potentially contribute to mortality of bacteremic patients in the ED.
Mesenchymal stem cell‐based therapy: a new paradigm in regenerative medicine
Authors: Satija Neeraj Kumar , Singh Vimal Kishor , Verma Yogesh Kumar , Gupta Pallavi , Sharma Shilpa , Afrin Farhat , Sharma Menka , Sharma Pratibha , Tripathi R. P. , Gurudutta G. U. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Mesenchymal stem cells and its characteristics
Experimental/preclinical MSC‐based studies
Clinical studies
Challenges and future prospects

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adherent fibroblastoid cells, present in bone marrow and many other tissues can be easily isolated and expanded in vitro. They are capable of differentiating into different cell types such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, endothelial cells and neuronal cells. Such immense plasticity coupled with their ability to modulate the activity of immune cells makes them attractive for stem cell‐based therapy aimed at treating previously incurable disorders. Preclinical studies have reported successful use of MSCs for delivering therapeutic proteins and repairing defects in a variety of disease models. These studies highlighted the in vivo potential of MSCs and their ability to home to injury sites and modify the microenvironment by secreting paracrine factors to augment tissue repair. Their therapeutic applicability has been widened by genetic modification to enhance differentiation and tissue targeting, and use in tissue engineering. Clinical trials for diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, graft‐versus‐host disease and myocardial infarction have shown some promise, demonstrating the safe use of both allogeneic and autologous cells. However, lack of knowledge of MSC behaviour and responses in vitro and in vivo force the need for basic and animal studies before heading to the clinic. Contrasting reports on immunomodulatory functions and tumorigenicity along with issues such as mode of cell delivery, lack of specific marker, low survival and engraftment require urgent attention to harness the potential of MSC‐based therapy in the near future.
Excess use of coercive measures in psychiatry among migrants compared with native Danes
Authors: Norredam M. , Garcia‐Lopez A. , Keiding N. , Krasnik A. 
Published: July 2009

Norredam M, Garcia‐Lopez A, Keiding N, Krasnik A. Excess use of coercive measures in psychiatry among migrants compared with native Danes.Objective:  To investigate differences in risk of compulsory admission and other coercive measures in psychiatric emergencies among refugees and immigrants compared with that among native Danes.Method:  A register‐based retrospective cohort design. All refugees (n = 29 174) and immigrants (n = 33 287) who received residence permission in Denmark from 1.1.1993 to 31.12.1999 were included and matched 1 : 4 on age and sex with native Danes. Civil registration numbers were cross‐linked to the Danish Psychiatric Central Register and the Registry of Coercive Measures in Psychiatric Treatment.Results:  Refugees (RR = 1.82; 95%CI: 1.45; 2.29) and immigrants (RR = 1.14; 95%CI: 0.83; 1.56) experienced higher rates of compulsory admissions than did native Danes. This was most striking for refugee men (RR = 2.00; 95%CI: 1.53; 2.61) and immigrant women (RR = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.45; 2.60). Moreover, refugees and immigrants experienced higher frequencies of other coercive measures during hospitalisation compared with native Danes.Conclusion:  Coercive measures in psychiatry are more likely to be experienced by migrants than by native Danes.
Markers of bone destruction and formation and periodontitis in type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lappin David F. , Eapen Bob , Robertson Douglas , Young Jenny , Hodge Penny J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim: To determine plasma concentrations of bone metabolism markers in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients and non‐diabetic and to evaluate the influence of periodontitis on biomarkers of bone formation in these patient groups.Methods: Plasma concentrations of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), C‐terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen and osteocalcin were measured in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients (n=63) and non‐diabetics (n=38) who were also subdivided on the basis of their periodontal status.Results: Diabetics had significantly lower osteocalcin concentrations, lower RANKL to OPG ratios and higher OPG concentrations (as shown by other researchers) than non‐diabetics. The ratio of RANKL to OPG was altered by the periodontal status. Osteocalcin had a negative correlation and OPG a positive correlation with the percentage of glycated haemoglobin in the blood.Conclusion: Because, osteocalcin, a biomarker of bone formation, is lower in patients with periodontitis and in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with and without periodontitis than in non‐diabetics without periodontitis, this might indicate that diabetics are less able to replace bone lost during active bursts of periodontitis and explain the greater severity of disease seen in studies of patients with diabetes.
Morphometric analyses of elastic tissue fibers in dermatofibroma: clues to etiopathogenesis?
Authors: Pongpudpunth Marinya , Keady Michelle , Mahalingam Meera 
Published: July 2009

Background: The etiopathogenesis of dermatofibroma (DF), a common benign fibrohistiocytic tumor, is debatable. The goal of this study was to ascertain the density of elastic tissue fibers in DF in an effort to investigate whether this provides an insight into its etiopathogenesis.Method: Three groups comprising eight cellular DFs, eight paucicellular DFs and eight scars (control group) were stained with a modified Verhoeffs‐van Gieson (without counterstain), and elastic fibers in three randomly selected fields within the lesional area/case semiquantitatively analyzed and examined in a blinded fashion.Result: The mean density of elastic tissue fibers in cellular DF was 6.81 (1.38–15.89); in paucicellular DF, 2.46 (0.14–5.79) and in scar, 2.95 (0.97–10.69). Overall, significant differences in density of elastic tissue fibers were observed only between cellular DF and the other two groups (vs. paucicellular variant, p = 0.03 and vs. scar, p = 0.05). Morphological changes observed included thickness, clumping, elongation and waviness (cellular DF) and margination of elastic tissue fibers (paucicellular variant).Conclusion: While the jury still appears to be out regarding the etiopathogenesis of DF, the reduction in density of elastic tissue fibers in the paucicellular variant compared with its cellular counterpart lends credence to the concept of evolutionary stages of DF.
Dermal mucinosis as a sign of venous insufficiency
Authors: Pugashetti Rupa , Zedek Daniel C. , Seiverling Elizabeth V. , Rajendran Priya , Berger Timothy 
Published: July 2009

Dermal mucinoses are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormal deposition of dermal mucin, an amorphous substance composed of hyaluronic acid and sulfated glycosaminoglycans. We describe two cases of dermal mucinosis in the setting of chronic venous insufficiency. Both patients presented with painful, edematous lower extremity plaques. Biopsies of all lesions showed striking dermal mucin deposition, a slight increase in small blood vessel density, slightly thickened vessel walls and no inflammation. Neither patient showed laboratory or clinical findings consistent with a secondary mucinosis such as thyroid dysfunction, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, granuloma annulare, graft‐vs.‐host disease or mucin deposition post‐ultraviolet or photochemotherapy treatment. Both patients were diagnosed with localized cutaneous mucinosis secondary to venous insufficiency. The clinicopathological features of this entity are described, and a pathogenic mechanism is proposed.Pugashetti R, Zedek DC, Seiverling EV, Rajendran P. Berger T. Dermal mucinosis as a sign of venous insufficiency.
Malignant eccrine spiradenoma: a new case report
Authors: Ben Brahim Ehsen , Sfia Mehdi , Tangour Monia , Makhlouf Ridha , Cribier Bernard , Chatti Samia 
Published: July 2009

Malignant eccrine spiradenoma is an extremely rare skin tumor of sweat gland origin. In most cases, it arises in pre‐existing benign eccrine spiradenoma.We report an additional case of malignant eccrine spiradenoma. The present case is of a 75‐year‐old man with malignant eccrine spiradenoma developed in the right shoulder. He had a 6‐year history of a recurrent mass that was removed 2 years ago. The patient then underwent a complete excision. The gross pathologic specimen showed a large cutaneous and subcutaneous multinodular tumor, measuring 6 cm in maximal dimension. Microscopically, there were two distinct morphological components: a benign eccrine spiradenoma and a malignant eccrine spiradenoma of low grade with extensive necrosis. Different histologic patterns were observed such as cylindromatous features.Morphological differentiation in malignant eccrine spiradenoma is variable, sometimes with almost complete loss of eccrine differentiation. Extensive sampling to look for a probable previously benign component is necessary. In the other hand, malignant changes can be easily missed without adequate sampling.Ben Brahim E, Sfia M, Tangour M, Makhlouf R, Cribier B, and Chatti S. Malignant eccrine spiradenoma: a new case report
Acquired perforating calcific collagenosis after topical calcium chloride exposure
Authors: Patel Rishi R. , Zirvi Monib , Walters Ruth F. , Kamino Hideko 
Published: July 2009

A 24‐year‐old healthy man presented with a 6‐week history of numerous umbilicated coalescing erythematous papules with some scale and crust on his anterior medial thighs. The eruption began 1 to 2 weeks after he spilled calcium chloride rock salts on his pants while salting the sidewalk during a snow storm. The salts dissolved and remained in contact with his skin for at least 4 hours until he was able to change clothes. A skin biopsy shows thick and thin collagen fibers with partial calcification in the papillary and upper reticular dermis associated with a sparse infiltrate of neutrophils, lymphocytes and mononuclear histiocytes. There are foci of transepidermal elimination of calcified fibers with adjacent epidermal hyperplasia and ortho‐ and parakeratosis. Von Kossa stain highlights calcification of the fibers, and trichrome stain confirms the fibers are collagen. A Verhoeff‐van Gieson stain shows no abnormality of elastic fibers. The patient was treated with topical betametasone diproprionate cream twice daily for 3 weeks, as well as a short course of oral levofloxacin and topical gentamicin cream. The lesions resolved over 3 weeks with residual scarring. We report a unique case of acquired perforating calcific collagenosis secondary to topical calcium chloride exposure.Patel RR, Zirvi M, Walters RF, Kamino H. Acquired perforating calcific collagenosis after topical calcium chloride exposure.
Multiple clustered dermatofibroma: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Gershtenson Platina Coy , Krunic Aleksandar L. , Chen Helen M. 
Published: July 2009

The presence of multiple dermatofibromas is rare and is defined as more than 15 lesions. Multiple clustered dermatofibroma (MCDF) is a distinct entity with only 12 reported cases in the literature. MCDF occurs in healthy individuals of both sexes in the first to third decades on the lower half of the body and portends an excellent prognosis. On histology, MCDF is consistent with benign dermatofibromas. We report a 31‐year‐old healthy Hispanic woman with a 14‐year history of slowly progressive MCDF located on her right hip initially misdiagnosed as dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. We believe this case represents the 13th report of MCDF in the literature and the second from North America.Gershtenson PC, Krunic AL, Chen HM. Multiple clustered dermatofibroma: case report and review of the literature.
Expression of cyclooxygenase‐1 and ‐2 in IL‐1β‐induced synovitis of the temporomandibular joint
Authors: Satoh K. , Ogura N. , Akutsu M. , Kuboyama N. , Kuyama K. , Yamamoto H. , Kondoh T. 
Published: July 2009

Background:  In this study, we analyzed the gene expression profile of fibroblast‐like synoviocyte (FLS) cultures from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to identify candidate genes associated with intracapsular pathologic conditions of TMJ. Cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 was one of the genes in FLS upregulated following stimulation by interleukin (IL)‐1β, a cytokine thought to play a key role in several pathological conditions. This study investigated the expression of COX‐1 and COX‐2 in cultured human FLS and rat TMJ synovium following stimulation with IL‐1β.Methods:  RNA was isolated from human FLS after IL‐1β treatment. COX‐1 and ‐2 expression was examined using a GeneChip and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in conditioned media from FLS were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Synovial tissues from TMJs of IL‐1β‐injected rats were examined for COX‐1 and COX‐2 expression by immunohistochemical staining.Results:  Following treatment of FLS with IL‐1β, expression of the COX‐2 gene increased up to 8 h and peaked at 4 h, whereas COX‐1 expression did not change. Stimulation with IL‐1β increased the level of PGE2 in conditioned media of cultured FLS in a time‐dependent manner up to 48 h. Immunohistochemistry showed a strong positive staining for COX‐2 in the lining and sub‐lining synovial tissues of the TMJ of IL‐1β‐injected rats. In contrast, staining for COX‐1 was the same in synovial tissues with and without IL‐1β injection.Conclusion:  These data suggest that COX‐2 expression stimulated by IL‐1β stimulates the production of PGE2 in FLS and plays important roles in the progression of inflammation in TMJ.