bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No increased risk of hepatotoxicity in long‐term use of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Van Welzen BJ , Mudrikova T , Arends JE , Hoepelman AIM 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the incidence of hepatotoxicity in patients who had used nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) for at least 3 years.MethodsThe study group consisted of HIV‐infected patients under follow‐up at our clinic, who had continuously used an NNRTI‐containing regimen (efavirenz or nevirapine) for at least 3 years. Patients who had used protease inhibitors (PIs) for the same time span constituted a control group. Hepatotoxicity was graded according to the modified AIDS Clinical Trial Group grading system, using alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as a marker.ResultsOne hundred and twenty‐two patients on an NNRTI regimen and 54 PI‐using patients were included in the analysis. The mean follow‐up time was nearly 6 years. Eighteen NNRTI‐using patients (14.8%) developed a clinically relevant (≥ grade II) event of hepatotoxicity during treatment; five of them (4.1%) developed severe hepatotoxicity (≥ grade III). No significant difference in the hepatotoxicity rate was seen between NNRTI‐ and PI‐using patients (14.8 vs. 18.5%, respectively; P = 0.52) or between patients using efavirenz and nevirapine (13.8% vs. 16.7%, respectively; P = 0.51). A hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection was associated with an increased risk of the development of hepatotoxicity during NNRTI therapy [odds ratio (OR) 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33–4.24; P < 0.01]. Finally, we observed that more hepatotoxic events occurred during the first year of NNRTI therapy compared with the entire period after 1 year (6.6 vs. 2.8 events, respectively, per 100 person‐years of treatment; P = 0.04).ConclusionsLong‐term NNRTI use was not associated with a higher risk of clinically significant liver toxicity in patients who had been treated with NNRTI for at least 3 years.
Blood Epstein–Barr virus DNA load and risk of progression to AIDS‐related systemic B lymphoma
Authors: Leruez‐Ville M , Seng R , Morand P , Boufassa F , Boue F , Deveau C , Rouzioux C , Goujard C , Seigneurin JM , Meyer L 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundAIDS‐related lymphoma (ARL) remains the main cause of AIDS‐related deaths in the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. Although most ARLs are associated with the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), whether patients with high EBV burden are more at risk of developing ARL is unknown. This study investigated the relationship between high blood EBV DNA loads and subsequent progression to ARL.MethodsWe identified 43 cases of ARL diagnosed between 1988 and 2007 within two cohorts (ANRS SEROCO/HEMOCO and PRIMO) and for which stored serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were available within 3 years before ARL diagnosis. For each case, two controls matched for the cohort and CD4 cell count in the year of ARL diagnosis were selected. EBV DNA was measured in PBMCs and serum samples with a commercial kit.ResultsHigh levels of EBV DNA in PBMCs collected a median of 10 months before diagnosis were associated with an increased risk of developing systemic B lymphoma (adjusted odds ratio 2.47; 95% confidence interval 1.15; 5.32 for each 1 log copies/106 PBMC increase in EBV load) but not with primary brain lymphoma.ConclusionIn this study, HIV‐infected patients with undetectable EBV DNA in PBMCs did not develop ARL in the following 3 years, while high levels of EBV DNA in PBMCs predicted subsequent progression to systemic B lymphoma. Clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of developing systemic B lymphoma in HIV‐infected patients with a high blood EBV DNA load.
Neuromuscular failure is unlikely to explain the early exercise cessation in hot ambient conditions
Authors: Racinais Sébastien , Girard Olivier 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBaseline, postexercise (20 min cycling) and postexhaustion (incremental test) neuromuscular function was assessed in control (24°C) and hot (40°C) conditions. Heat affects the plantar flexors and knee extensors differently, but most of the effects of heat (e.g., M‐wave decrement) and fatigue (e.g., voluntary activation and H‐reflex decrement) were independent of each other. However, peripheral fatigue of the knee extensors was lower at exhaustion in hot than neutral environment (peak twitch decrement from baseline to exhaustion: −19% vs. −33%, p < .05). In addition, heat had no negative effect on transcranial magnetic stimulation responses during cycling, and neuromuscular failure is unlikely to explain the early exercise cessation in the heat (13 min 50 s vs. 17 min 9 s) that occurred when participants reached maximal perceived exertion (19.2 vs. 19.1, ns) with higher core temperature (38.7°C vs. 38.2°C, p < .05) and heart rate (184 bpm vs. 179 bpm, p < .05).
Forced expiratory volume is associated with cardiovascular and cortisol reactions to acute psychological stress
Authors: Carroll Douglas , Bibbey Adam , Roseboom Tessa J. , Phillips Anna C. , Ginty Annie T. , De Rooij Susanne R. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIt has been argued that blunted cardiovascular and cortisol reactions to acute psychological stress reflect a dysregulation of the neural system that supports motivation. We examined the association between forced expiratory volume in 1 s, an effort (hence motivation) dependent measure of lung function measured by spirometry, and cardiovascular and cortisol reactions to a battery of standard psychological stress tasks, assessed 7 years later. Irrespective of how it was expressed, low forced expiratory volume was associated with blunted heart rate and cortisol stress reactivity. The association survived adjustment for smoking, a range of anthropometric and sociodemographic covariates, and commitment to the stress tasks, as well as cognitive ability.
Response‐related negativities following correct and incorrect responses: Evidence from a temporospatial principal component analysis
Authors: Endrass Tanja , Klawohn Julia , Gruetzmann Rosa , Ischebeck Moritz , Kathmann Norbert 
Published: March 2012

AbstractTwo ERP components have been observed following correct and incorrect responses, the error‐related negativity (ERN/Ne) and the correct‐related negativity (CRN). The function of these components is still under debate. We used a visual size discrimination task at three difficulty levels and utilized a temporospatial principal component analysis (PCA) to examine whether ERN/Ne and CRN could be explained by one or more factors. While ERN/Ne decreased with higher task difficulty, amplitudes increased for correct responses at parietal electrodes. PCA revealed two temporospatial factors: a centrally distributed factor differing between correct and incorrect responses and a more frontoparietally distributed factor contributing to both ERN/Ne and CRN. These data support the notion that ERN/Ne and CRN might reflect a combination of two underlying processes: an error‐sensitive and an outcome‐independent aspect of response monitoring.
Migration and the accentuated ambivalence of motherhood: the role of ICTs in Filipino transnational families
Authors: MADIANOU MIRCA 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article is concerned with the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on Filipina transnational mothers' experience of motherhood, their practices of mothering and, ultimately, their identities as mothers. Drawing on ethnographic research with Filipina migrants in the UK as part of a wider study of Filipino transnational families, this article observes that, despite the digital divide and other structural inequalities, new communication technologies, such as the internet and mobile phones, allow for an empowered experience of distant mothering. Apart from a change in the practice and intensity of mothering at a distance, ICTs also have consequences for women's maternal identities and the ways in which they negotiate their ambivalence towards work and family life. In this sense, ICTs can also be seen as solutions (even though difficult ones) to the cultural contradictions of migration and motherhood and the ‘accentuated ambivalence’ they engender. This, in turn, has consequences for the whole experience of migration, sometimes even affecting decisions about settlement and return.
Transnational activities and aspirations of irregular migrants in Belgium and the Netherlands
Authors: VAN MEETEREN MASJA 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe literature on immigrant transnationalism and on irregular immigration suggests irregular migrants engage relatively little in transnational activities because of the obstacles associated with their legal and economic statuses. Drawing on participant observation and in‐depth interviews with a diverse population of irregular migrants in Belgium and the Netherlands, however, I shall demonstrate in this article that irregular migrants do indeed engage in various transnational activities. Moreover, I argue that a focus on aspirations helps to understand why irregular migrants either do or do not engage in specific transnational activities. Distinguishing between investment, settlement and legalization aspirations, I analyse whether and for what reasons irregular migrants carry out economic, social and political transnational activities. I conclude that future research on transnationalism and on the incorporation of irregular and regular migrants alike could benefit from contextualizing the agency of migrants by taking their aspirations into account.
Comparison of Distribution‐ and Anchor‐Based Approaches to Infer Changes in Health‐Related Quality of Life of Prostate Cancer Survivors
Authors: Jayadevappa Ravishankar , Malkowicz Stanley Bruce , Wittink Marsha , Wein Alan J. , Chhatre Sumedha 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveTo determine the minimal important difference (MID) in generic and prostate‐specific health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) using distribution‐ and anchor‐based methods.Study Design and SettingProspective cohort study of 602 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients recruited from an urban academic hospital and a Veterans Administration hospital. Participants completed generic (SF‐36) and prostate‐specific HRQoL surveys at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months posttreatment. Anchor‐based and distribution‐based methods were used to develop MID estimates. We compared the proportion of participants returning to baseline based on MID estimates from the two methods.ResultsMID estimates derived from combining distribution‐ and anchor‐based methods for the SF‐36 subscales are physical function = 7, role physical = 14, role emotional = 12, vitality = 9, mental health = 6, social function = 9, bodily pain = 9, and general health = 8; and for the prostate‐specific scales are urinary function = 8, bowel function = 7, sexual function = 8, urinary bother = 9, bowel bother = 8, and sexual bother = 11. Proportions of participants returning to baseline values corresponding to MID estimates from the two methods were comparable.ConclusionsThis is the first study to assess the MID for generic and prostate‐specific HRQoL using anchor‐based and distribution‐based methods. Although variation exists in the MID estimates derived from these two methods, the recovery patterns corresponding to these estimates were comparable.
Development and Status of Image Matching in Photogrammetry
Authors: Gruen Armin 
Published: March 2012

AbstractImage and template matching is probably the most important function in digital photogrammetry and also in automated modelling and mapping. Many approaches for matching have evolved over the years, but the problem is still unsolved in general terms. This paper describes the development of image matching techniques in photogrammetry over the past 50 years, addresses the results of some empirical accuracy studies and also provides a critical account of some of the problems that remain.
Although automated approaches have quite a number of advantages, the quality of the results is still not satisfactory and, in some cases, far from acceptable. Even with the most advanced techniques, it is not yet possible to achieve the quality of results that a human operator can produce. There is an urgent need for further improvements and innovations, be it through more powerful multi‐sensor approaches, thereby enlarging the information spectrum, and/or through advancements in image understanding algorithms, thus coming closer to human capabilities of reading and understanding image content.
Preclinical antiepileptic actions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—Implications for clinical trial design
Authors: Igelström Kajsa M. 
Published: March 2012

SummarySelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can reduce seizure frequency in humans, but no large‐scale clinical trials have been done to test the utility of SSRIs as potential antiepileptic drugs. This may be caused in part by a small number of reports on seizures triggered by SSRI treatment. The preclinical literature on SSRIs is somewhat conflicting, which is likely to contribute to the hesitance in accepting SSRIs as possible anticonvulsant drug therapy. A careful review of preclinical studies reveals that SSRIs appear to have region‐specific and seizure subtype–specific effects, with models of chronic partial epilepsy being more likely to respond than models of acute generalized seizures. Moreover, this preclinical profile is similar to that of clinical antiepileptic drugs. These observations suggest that SSRIs are promising antiepileptic agents, and that clinical trials may benefit from defining patient groups according to the underlying pathology.
Long‐term seizure outcome and risk factors for recurrence after extratemporal epilepsy surgery
Authors: McIntosh Anne M. , Averill Clare A. , Kalnins Renate M. , Mitchell L. Anne , Fabinyi Gavin C. A. , Jackson Graeme D. , Berkovic Samuel F. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryPurpose:  We aimed to assess long‐term seizure outcome and risk factors for seizure recurrence in a cohort of patients who have undergone extratemporal resection for management of refractory seizures.Methods:  Eighty‐one patients underwent extratemporal resection at Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia (1991–2004). Seizure recurrence was any postoperative disabling seizure (complex partial seizure [CPS] ± secondary generalization). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models examined potential preoperative and perioperative risk factors and the risk associated with early postoperative seizures (≤28 days postsurgery). The change between preoperative and postoperative seizure frequency was also measured.Key Findings:  Median follow‐up was 10.3 years (range 1–17.7). The probabilities of freedom from disabling seizures (on or off antiepileptic medication) were 40.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30–51) at 1 month, 23.5% (95% CI 15–33) at 1 year, and 14.7% (95% CI 8–23) at 5 years postoperative. Reduction of disabling seizures to at least 20% of preoperative frequency was attained by 57% of patients at 5 postoperative years. Of the preoperative/perioperative factors, focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type 1 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.90, 95% CI 1.08–3.34, p = 0.025) and incomplete resection (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.06–2.76, p = 0.028) were independent recurrence risks. After surgery, an early postoperative seizure was the only factor associated with higher risk (HR 4.28 [2.42–7.57], p = 0.00).Significance:  Distinction between subtypes of focal cortical dysplasia, which can be made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria, may be useful for preoperative prognostication. Early seizures after surgery are not benign and may be markers of factors that contribute to seizure recurrence. Most patients achieve substantial reduction in seizure frequency. Further study of the significance of this reduction in terms of surgical “success” or otherwise is required.
The early implementation of Trypanosoma cruzi antibody screening of donors and donations within England: preempting a problem
Authors: Kitchen Alan D. , Hewitt Patricia E. , Chiodini Peter L. 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasitic infection endemic in Central and Southern America, but is spreading into nonendemic countries with migration of infected individuals from endemic countries. The parasite is transmitted by transfusion or transplantation and donation screening is performed routinely in endemic countries to prevent transmission. In situations where migrants from endemic countries have settled in nonendemic countries and present as donors (blood or other cellular products), intervention is required to prevent transfusion or transplantation transmission.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A screening program for T. cruzi was developed and has been used successfully for over 10 years that includes donor selection and donation screening. Donor selection criteria to identify specific risk of T. cruzi infection were developed together with laboratory screening of donations for T. cruzi antibodies and the subsequent confirmation of screen reactivity.RESULTS: Since the introduction of T. cruzi screening in England in 1998, a total of 38,585 donors and donations have been screened for T. cruzi antibodies, of which 223 were repeat reactive on screening and referred for confirmation: 206 confirmed negative, 14 inconclusive, and three positive. Since the move in 2005 from donor qualification to donation release testing, 15,536 donations were collected and screened, of which 15,499 (99.8%) were T. cruzi antibody negative and released to inventory.CONCLUSION: An effective program to minimize risk of the transmission of T. cruzi infection via donations has been developed and implemented. Not only does the program minimize risk of transmission, it also minimizes the cumulative, and needless, loss of donors and donations that would ensue if permanent donor deferral alone was adopted.
A Comparison of Intracoronary with Intravenous Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: FU GANG , JIA LEI , ZHAO XIN , WANG YIBO , CHEN XIAOHUI , YANG YANG , LU NA , ZHAO WEI , HUI RUTAI , ZHENG YANG 
Published: March 2012

Background
: It is still debatable whether intracoronary (IC) administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) is superior to intravenous (IV) administration for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Methods:

We performed a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. A literature search was conducted for relevant trials. Primary end‐points were short‐term (1–3 months) and mid‐/long‐term (6/12 months) major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) (mortality, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization [TVR]). Secondary end‐points were thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade flow, TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) flow, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) within 2 weeks, and bleeding complication.
Results:

Twelve studies were included in the meta‐analysis. IC administration of GPIs did not decrease short‐term mortality (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.41–1.23, P = 0.22) and reinfarction rate (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.45–1.29, P = 0.31) compared with IV administration. There was a trend toward reduction of short‐term TVR rate in IC group compared with IV group but not reaching statistical significance (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.31–1.04, P = 0.07). IC administration of GPIs significantly increased TIMI grade 3 flow (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.06–2.06, P = 0.02) and TMPG grade 2–3 flow (OR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.53–4.51, P = 0.0004) compared with IV administration. No significant difference was observed in long‐term MACEs rate, LVEF, and bleeding complication between the 2 groups.
Conclusion:

IC administration of GPIs in patients with ACS undergoing PCI can significantly increase target coronary flow and myocardial reperfusion without increasing the risk of bleeding complication, but cannot improve clinical outcome compared with IV administration. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:223–234)
Ayahuasca Religions in Acre: Cultural Heritage in the Brazilian Borderlands
Authors: Labate Beatriz Caiuby 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe Brazilian ayahuasca religions, Santo Daime, Barquinha, and União do Vegetal, have increasingly sought formal recognition by government agencies in Brazil and other countries to guarantee their legal use of ayahuasca, which contains DMT, a substance that is listed. This article focuses on new alliances and rifts that have emerged between and among different ayahuasca groups as they have sought and in some cases achieved formal recognition and legitimacy at the state and national levels in Brazil and abroad. It presents a historical overview of the origin of the main ayahuasca religions, and their connections to the Amazon region and the state of Acre in particular, where the political environment has facilitated petitions seeking the elevation of ayahuasca as cultural and historical heritage in Acre and Brazil. This process has resulted in the active selection of certain symbolic, cultural, and historical elements and subtle changes in the ways various ayahuasca groups represent themselves in the public sphere. It also resulted in the reconfiguration of political alliances and a recasting of the historical facts regarding origins. The article reflects on notions of origin, place, authenticity, and tradition throughout the ongoing transformation of ayahuasca from “dangerous drug” to state and national heritage.
Personal Report: Significance of Community in an Ayahuasca Jungle Dieta
Authors: Hagens Bethe , Lansky Steven 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWhat is the potential significance of community in a prolonged dieta (10‐day restricted diet with regular ritual consumption of ayahuasca and other medicinal plants) in a remote jungle location in the Amazon basin of Peru? Pre‐dieta experiences including how participants join the community, cleansing routines prior to departure to Peru, sharing with the shaman one's personal intentions and health history, and prior experience with medicinal and entheogenic plants are introduced. Dieta rituals such as tambo housing, meals, hygiene and maintenance, music, ceremony preparations, ceremonial and everyday dieta etiquette, and post‐ceremony ritual and day of rest are considered. Bonding with the local support community and those who harvested and crafted the medicinal plant mixtures are evaluated in the context of both dieta and traditional indigenous goals of creating a spiritual practice community of love and trust that embraces people, plants, and all of earth and beyond.