bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frühe antimykotische Therapiestrategien: empirisch oder diagnostisch gesteuert?
Authors: Heinz Werner J. , Weissinger Florian 
Published: April 2012

ZusammenfassungEine frühe antimykotische Intervention kann helfen, invasive Mykosen erfolgreich zu therapieren.1 Für eine Gruppe von Patienten mit hohem Risiko für eine Pilzinfektion wurde in den letzten Jahren eine Aspergillus‐wirksame antimykotische Prophylaxe etabliert. Ebenso wurden die diagnostischen Möglichkeiten verbessert. Die Sensitivität des Galactomannan (GM)‐Tests wurde verbessert, und auch zum Nachweis von Glucan, einem Polysaccharid der Pilzzellwand, steht mittlerweile ein Testverfahren zur Verfügung. Dies kann helfen, frühe, diagnostisch gestützte Therapieansätze zu entwickeln. Die Aspergillus‐PCR, eine weitere sensitive Methode, wird nun international standardisiert und ob ihres sinnvollen Einsatzes geprüft. Weiterhin findet die Strategie der empirischen Therapie bei Fieber in Neutropenie häufig Anwendung, wenn kein Keimnachweis möglich ist. Sowohl diese empirische Strategie als auch die diagnostisch gestützte antimykotische Therapie tragen dazu bei, den Einsatz von Antimykotika gezielter zu steuern. Diese Strategien stellen Alternativen zu einer prophylaktischen, und damit sehr frühen und breiten Anwendung systemischer Antimykotika dar. Die Möglichkeiten und die aktuelle Studienlage zur empirischen und diagnostisch gesteuerten Therapie sollen im Folgenden dargestellt werden.
Minimum inhibitory concentrations of amphotericin B against Candida krusei isolates from a French teaching hospital laboratory: a retrospective study over 8 years
Authors: Murat Jean‐Benjamin , Lebeau Bernadette , Chumpitazi Bernabé , Cornet Muriel , Maubon Danièle , Faure Odile , Quesada Jean‐Louis , Thiebaut‐Bertrand Anne , Timsit Jean‐François , Pelloux Hervé 
Published: April 2012

SummaryRecent studies have shown decreased susceptibility of Candida krusei to amphotericin B (AmB), in addition to its inherent resistance to fluconazole. The susceptibility of C. krusei to AmB was studied in the Parasitology–Mycology laboratory of Grenoble Teaching Hospital, France. Between 2003 and 2011, we analysed 200 C. krusei isolates from 130 patients. The isolates were mainly collected in intensive care, cardio‐thoracic and cancer/haematology units. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the E‐test method. The modal MIC was 0.5 μg ml−1; the MIC50 and MIC90 (MICs encompassing 50% and 90% of all isolates tested, respectively) were 0.5 μg ml−1 and 1 μg ml−1. The Cuzick’s and Kendall’s tests showed a significant increase in MIC values between 2003 and 2011 (P = 0.001 and P ≤ 0.001, respectively), regardless of age or gender. No statistical difference was reached with these tests when the first 100 or 50 data were excluded. Despite the increase observed in the first period of the study, our results confirm the low AmB MICs reported in previous studies. However, some authors have recently reported much higher MICs. This discrepancy cannot be explained by method biases and could reflect C. krusei epidemiological differences among populations.
Muscle development and differentiation in the urodele Ambystoma mexicanum
Authors: Banfi Serena , Monti Laura , Acquati Francesco , Tettamanti Gianluca , de Eguileor Magda , Grimaldi Annalisa 
Published: April 2012

Muscle differentiation has been widely described in zebrafish and
Xenopus, but nothing is known about this process in amphibian urodeles. Both anatomical features and locomotor activity in urodeles are known to show intermediate features between fish and anurans. Therefore, a better understanding of myogenesis in urodeles could be useful to clarify the evolutionary changes that led to the formation of skeletal muscle in the trunk of land vertebrates. We report here a detailed morphological and molecular investigation on several embryonic stages of
Ambystoma mexicanum and show that the first differentiating muscle fibers are the slow ones, originating from a myoblast population initially localized close to the notochord that forms a superficial layer on the somitic surface afterwards. Subsequently, fast fibers differentiation ensues. We also identified and cloned
A. mexicanum
Myf5 as a muscle‐specific transcriptional factor likely involved in urodele muscle differentiation.
Temporomandibular joint‐evoked responses by spinomedullary neurons and masseter muscle are enhanced after repeated psychophysical stress
Authors: Okamoto Keiichiro , Tashiro Akimasa , Chang Zheng , Thompson Randall , Bereiter David A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPsychological stress is a risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal pain of the head and neck; however, the basis for this relationship remains uncertain. This study tested the hypothesis that psychophysical stress alone was sufficient to alter the encoding properties of spinomedullary dorsal horn neurons and masseter muscle activity in male rats. Repeated forced swim conditioning increased markedly both the background firing rate and temporomandibular joint (TMJ)‐evoked activity of neurons in deep dorsal horn, while neurons in superficial laminae were less affected. Stress also increased the responses to stimulation of facial skin overlying the TMJ of neurons in deep and superficial dorsal horn. TMJ‐evoked masseter muscle activity was enhanced significantly in stressed rats, an effect that was reduced by prior blockade of the spinomedullary junction region. These data indicated that repeated psychophysical stress induced widespread effects on the properties of medullary dorsal horn neurons and masseter muscle activity. The effects of stress were seen preferentially on neurons in deep dorsal horn and included enhanced responses to chemosensory input from the TMJ and mechanical input from overlying facial skin. The stress‐induced elevation in TMJ‐evoked masseter muscle activity matched well with the changes seen in dorsal horn neurons. It is concluded that the spinomedullary junction region plays a critical role in the integration of psychophysical stress and sensory information relevant for nociception involving deep craniofacial tissues.
Origin matters: widely distributed native and non‐native species benefit from different functional traits
Authors: Knapp Sonja , Kühn Ingolf 
Published: April 2012

AbstractRecently, ecologists debated whether distinguishing native from non‐native species is sensible or not. One argument is that widespread and less widespread species are functionally different, whether or not they are native. An opposing statement points out ecologically relevant differences between native and non‐native species. We studied the functional traits that drive native and non‐native vascular plant species frequency in Germany by explaining species grid‐cell frequency using traits and their interaction with status. Native and non‐native species frequency was equally driven by life span, ploidy type and self‐compatibility. Non‐native species frequency rose with later flowering cessation date, whereas this relationship was absent for native species. Native and non‐native species differed in storage organs and in the number of environmental conditions they tolerate. We infer that environmental filters drive trait convergence of native and non‐native species, whereas competition drives trait divergence. Meanwhile, introduction pathways functionally bias the frequency of non‐native species.
Effect of topical anesthesia on evaluation of corneal sensitivity and intraocular pressure in rats and dogs
Authors: Kim Jury , Kim Nam‐Soo , Lee Ki‐Chang , Lee Hae‐Beom , Kim Min‐Su , Kim Hyung‐Seop 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective  To determine the effect of 0.5% proparacaine in tonometry by evaluating corneal touch threshold (CTT) and intraocular pressure (IOP).Animal studied  Nine rats (18 eyes, Sprague–Dawley) and 10 dogs (20 eyes, Beagle)Procedures  The IOP and CTT were measured in each eye before and after topical anesthesia with 0.5% proparacaine. The IOP was evaluated using Tonopen for dogs and Tonolab for rats. The corneal sensitivity was evaluated by CTT through a Cochet–Bonnet aesthesiometer.Results  The mean IOP was not significantly changed in rats or dogs before and after topical anesthesia. However, after application of proparacaine, CTT was significantly increased in both animal groups compared with that before application of proparacaine.Conclusion  From this study, topical anesthesia was found to significantly lower the corneal sensitivity but have little effect on IOP measurements. In ophthalmologic examination, topical anesthesia can be used to reduce corneal sensation without an effect on IOP.
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in glaucomatous beagles is not associated with mutations in p53 and NTF4 genes
Authors: Kato Kumiko , Sasaki Noboru , Shastry Barkur S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground  Glaucoma in humans is a second leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the world and can affect all age groups as well as all populations. The precise mechanism of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and progressive degeneration of optic nerve in glaucoma is not understood. It has been suggested that apoptosis is the common pathway that leads to the death of RGCs in glaucoma and that neurotrophin 4 (NTF4) protein plays a role in the protection of RGCs by activating tyrosine kinase receptors. Additionally, one previous study suggested that p53 codon 72 polymorphism (R72P) might have a greater susceptibility to apoptosis in some ethnic population. Glaucoma also occurs in dogs, and the primary glaucoma in beagles is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Although recently a candidate gene has been isolated, the mechanism underlying RGC death is not understood.Method  To understand whether the same p53 and NTF4 pathway mechanism is involved in a beagle model of glaucoma, we have isolated NTF4 gene from dog and analyzed both p53 and NTF4 genes for mutations in glaucomatous animals.Results  Our analyses failed to identify any disease‐causing mutations in both genes with the exception of two polymorphisms in NTF4 gene. However, these are not pathogenic changes because they are also present in normal animals and are not segregated with the disease.Conclusion  These results suggest that impaired neurotrophin signaling or compromised trophic support to the retina and p53‐mediated apoptosis may not be the underlying mechanism of RGCs death in a beagle model of glaucoma.
Association of RASSF1A genotype and haplotype with the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma in Japanese patients
Authors: Kawai Yoshihisa , Sakano Shigeru , Okayama Naoko , Suehiro Yutaka , Matsuyama Hideyasu , Hinoda Yuji 
Published: April 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) is a tumour suppressor and regulates cell cycle, apoptosis and microtubule stability. This is the first study to identify associations between RASSF1A polymorphisms and clinicopathological parameters and survival in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). RASSF1A genotyping may be useful for predicting the prognosis of the clinical course of CCRCC, and this finding might provide a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the development and progression of CCRCC. However, functional and prospective studies with a larger number of patients are needed to confirm the results.OBJECTIVE
To compare Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) genotypes or haplotypes with clinicopathological characteristics and survival rates of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The study cohort comprised 224 Japanese patients who underwent radical nephrectomy and had CCRCC confirmed by histopathological analysis.
Three common polymorphisms in the RASSF1A gene, 133Ala/Ser (G/T), ‐710C/T and ‐392C/T, were genotyped using TaqMan assays and haplotypes were analysed using appropriate software.
RESULTS
Patients with CCRCC with RASSF1A ‐710TT genotype exhibited a significantly higher tumour stage and higher stage grouping than those with ‐710CC or ‐710CT (P = 0.005 and P = 0.032, respectively).
There was no significant association between 133Ala/Ser or ‐392C/T genotype and clinicopathological characteristics.
RASSF1A 133Ala‐710T‐392T haplotype and ‐710TT genotype were significantly associated with poorer recurrence‐free survival rates (P = 0.038 and P = 0.007, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to identify associations between RASSF1A polymorphisms and clinicopathological parameters and survival in patients with CCRCC.
RASSF1A genotyping may be useful in predicting the prognosis of the clinical course of CCRCC, and this finding might provide a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the development and progression of CCRCC.
Functional and prospective studies with a larger number of patients are needed to confirm the results.
Ability of C‐reactive protein to complement multiple prognostic classifiers in men with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer receiving docetaxel‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Pond Gregory R. , Armstrong Andrew J. , Wood Brian A. , Leopold Lance , Galsky Matthew D. , Sonpavde Guru 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Retrospective analysis of clinical trialLevel of Evidence 3What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Serum C‐reactive protein (C‐reactive protein) is emerging as a potential novel prognostic factor in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).In the present study, a prospective trial was investigated retrospectively and a significant prognostic impact for C‐reactive protein that was independent of multiple published prognostic models was identified in men receiving docetaxel‐based chemotherapy for mCRPC. Prospective validation is warranted.OBJECTIVE
Given the recent emergence of C‐reactive protein levels as a novel prognostic factor in men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), we sought to evaluate the independent prognostic ability of C‐reactive protein in the context of published prognostic nomograms, risk grouping and disease state models in men receiving docetaxel‐based chemotherapy for mCRPC.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A large randomized phase II trial (CS‐205) of mCRPC patients who received docetaxel‐prednisone + AT‐101 (Bcl‐2 inhibitor) or docetaxel‐prednisone + placebo was analyzed retrospectively (n= 220).
Overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS) and measures of discriminatory ability were assessed in a hypothesis‐generating analysis using Cox regression and concordance probabilities.
Patients from both treatment groups were combined for this analysis because no significant differences in outcomes were observed.
Because some factors used in nomograms were not collected or defined differently, risk was estimated based on slightly modified versions of nomograms.
RESULTS
C‐reactive protein was independently prognostic for OS and PFS (P≤ 0.002) after adjusting for all modeled risk estimates and classifiers.
C‐reactive protein showed a concordance probability of 0.65 for both OS and PFS.
A 10‐factor modified prognostic model based on the TAX327 trial had the greatest observed discrimination ability for OS and PFS (concordance probability = 0.623 and 0.603, respectively) among the modified nomograms or classifiers.
Adding the TAX327 model risk estimates to C‐reactive protein did not substantially increase discrimination ability over C‐reactive protein alone.
CONCLUSIONS
Current prognostic classifications provide modest discrimination of outcomes in mCRPC receiving docetaxel‐based chemotherapy, highlighting the need for improved risk‐based models.
Baseline C‐reactive protein appears to be an useful, independent prognostic factor and prospective external validation is warranted.
Preoperative metastatic status, level of thrombus and body mass index predict overall survival in patients undergoing nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy
Authors: Spiess Philippe E. , Kurian Tony , Lin Hui‐Yi , Rawal Bhupendra , Kim Tim , Sexton Wade J. , Pow‐Sang Julio M. 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Little is known about the prognostic impact of body mass index (BMI) and obesity on patients with locally advanced kidney cancer. Previous studies suggest that clinical/pathological stage, the proximal extent of the tumour thrombus, direct vascular wall invasion, and preoperative performance status may all constitute important prognostic factors within this patient population.The present study shows that a patient's metastatic status, higher level of tumour thrombus, and lower BMI all constitute adverse predictors of overall survival in patients who have RCC with inferior vena cava tumour thrombus.OBJECTIVE
To determine which clinical variables, including body mass index (BMI), predict overall survival (OS) after nephrectomy with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumour thrombus.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
After institutional review board approval, a retrospective analysis of all patients (N= 100) undergoing nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy for RCC from 1989 to 2010 were reviewed. One patient was excluded owing to missing clinical information leaving 99 patients in the study cohort.
Patients were placed into one of two subgroups, based on their preoperative BMI (BMI ≤30 kg/m2 or BMI >30 kg/m2).
Complications, blood loss, level of tumour thrombus, side of tumour and follow‐up data were tabulated.
RESULTS
Fifty‐six patients had a BMI ≤30 kg/m2 and 43 patients had a BMI >30 kg/m2. Intraoperative complications occurred in 14% of those with BMI >30 kg/m2 and 5.4% of those with a BMI ≤30 kg/m2 (P= 0.171).
On multivariate analysis, a higher thrombus level (III/IV vs I/II) and the presence of metastatic disease at time of diagnosis was associated with a worse OS (P= 0.041 and P < 0.001, respectively).
The subgroup with a higher preoperative BMI had a significantly better OS (hazard ratio 0.42; 95% confidence interval 0.22–0.80, P= 0.009).
Similarly, our Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed an improved OS in the patient cohort with a BMI >30 kg/m2 (P= 0.016).
CONCLUSION
Important predictors of outcome in patients undergoing nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy for RCC with tumour thrombus include preoperative BMI, level of IVC tumour thrombus, and metastatic status at time of surgery.
Variables associated with corneal confocal microscopy parameters in healthy volunteers: implications for diabetic neuropathy screening
Authors: Wu T. , Ahmed A. , Bril V. , Orszag A. , Ng E. , Nwe P. , Perkins B. A. 
Published: April 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e297‐e303 (2012)AbstractAim  Corneal confocal microscopy is a promising screening method for diabetic neuropathy. Although much research in this field has been accomplished, we aimed to determine and confirm the known clinical and eyewear variables associated with the parameters of corneal confocal microscopy specifically in healthy volunteers, in particular associations with corneal nerve fibre length.Methods  Clinical characteristics, electrophysiological examination and a general clinical eye history were collected from 64 healthy volunteers. Corneal confocal microscopy was performed to determine corneal nerve fibre length, corneal nerve branch density, corneal nerve fibre density and tortuosity coefficient. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine clinical variables associated with corneal nerve fibre length parameters.Results  We observed that corneal nerve fibre length has a broad distribution in healthy volunteers (18 ± 4 mm/mm2, 95% confidence interval, 12.3–25.7 mm/mm2). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that HbA1c was the only independent clinical factor to account for variations in corneal nerve fibre length, independent of age and status of contact lens wear.Conclusions  This study does not provide convincing evidence that corneal nerve fibre length is independently associated with age or the wearing of contact lenses, and that these factors are therefore unlikely to hinder valid screening for polyneuropathies such as diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, the strong inverse association of corneal nerve fibre length with glycaemic exposure may support the use of this parameter to detect subclinical pre‐diabetic nerve injury.
Good choices, great future: An applied theatre prevention program to reduce alcohol‐related risky behaviours during Schoolies
Authors: QUEK LAKE‐HUI , WHITE ANGELA , LOW CHRISTINE , BROWN JUDITH , DALTON NIGEL , DOW DEBBIE , CONNOR JASON P. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. The contextual and temporal factors of post‐school celebratory events (‘Schoolies’) place young people at elevated risk of excessive drinking compared with other social occasions. This study investigates the impact of an applied theatre prevention program ‘Choices’ in reducing the risk of drinking and other risk behaviours during Schoolies celebrations.Design and Methods. Choices was delivered in the last term of Year 12 across 28 North Queensland schools. A total of 352 school leavers (43.1% male, mean age = 17.14 years) completed a questionnaire at Whitsunday Schoolies, Queensland, Australia on 23–24 November 2010. Nearly 49% of respondents had attended Choices. The survey included measures of alcohol use, illicit drug use and associated problems during Schoolies and a month prior to Schoolies.Results. After controlling for gender and pre‐Schoolies drinking, school leavers who attended Choices were significantly less likely to report illicit drug use (OR = 0.51, P < 0.05) and problem behaviours (OR = 0.40, P < 0.01) than those who did not attend Choices. There was, however, no intervention effect in risky drinking (i.e. drank on 5 or more days, typical amount five or more standard drink and binge drank on 3 or more days) at Schoolies (OR = 0.92, P = 0.80).Discussion and Conclusions. Delivery of a youth‐specific applied theatre prevention program employing a harm minimisation framework may be effective in reducing high‐risk behaviours associated with alcohol consumption at celebratory events, even if young people expect to engage in excessive alcohol consumption. [Quek L‐H, White A, Low C, Brown J, Dalton N, Dow D, Connor JP. Good choices, great future: An applied theatre prevention program to reduce alcohol‐related risky behaviours during Schoolies. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:897–902]