bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toxic effects of brake wear particles on epithelial lung cells in vitro
Authors: Gasser Michael , Riediker Michael , Mueller Loretta , Perrenoud Alain , Blank Fabian , Gehr Peter , Rothen-Rutishauser Barbara 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Fine particulate matter originating from traffic correlates with increased morbidity and mortality. An important source of traffic particles is brake wear of cars which contributes up to 20% of the total traffic emissions. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential toxicological effects of human epithelial lung cells exposed to freshly generated brake wear particles.

Results
An exposure box was mounted around a car's braking system. Lung cells cultured at the air-liquid interface were then exposed to particles emitted from two typical braking behaviours („full stop“ and „normal deceleration“). The particle size distribution as well as the brake emission components like metals and carbons was measured on-line, and the particles deposited on grids for transmission electron microscopy were counted. The tight junction arrangement was observed by laser scanning microscopy. Cellular responses were assessed by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (cytotoxicity), by investigating the production of reactive oxidative species and the release of the pro-inflammatory mediator interleukin-8. The tight junction protein occludin density decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing concentrations of metals on the particles (iron, copper and manganese, which were all strongly correlated with each other). Occludin was also negatively correlated with the intensity of reactive oxidative species. The concentrations of interleukin-8 were significantly correlated with increasing organic carbon concentrations. No correlation was observed between occludin and interleukin-8, nor between reactive oxidative species and interleukin-8.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that the metals on brake wear particles damage tight junctions with a mechanism involving oxidative stress. Brake wear particles also increase pro-inflammatory responses. However, this might be due to another mechanism than via oxidative stress.
Does point of care prothrombin time measurement reduce the transfusion of fresh frozen plasma in patients undergoing major surgery? The POC-OP randomized-controlled trial
Authors: Urwyler Natalie , Trelle Sven , Theiler Lorenz , Jüni Peter , Staub Lukas P , Luyet Cedric , Alberio Lorenzo , Stricker Kay , Greif Robert 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Bleeding is a frequent complication during surgery. The intraoperative administration of blood products, including packed red blood cells, platelets and fresh frozen plasma (FFP), is often live saving. Complications of blood transfusions contribute considerably to perioperative costs and blood product resources are limited. Consequently, strategies to optimize the decision to transfuse are needed.
Bleeding during surgery is a dynamic process and may result in major blood loss and coagulopathy due to dilution and consumption. The indication for transfusion should be based on reliable coagulation studies. While hemoglobin levels and platelet counts are available within 15 minutes, standard coagulation studies require one hour. Therefore, the decision to administer FFP has to be made in the absence of any data. Point of care testing of prothrombin time ensures that one major parameter of coagulation is available in the operation theatre within minutes. It is fast, easy to perform, inexpensive and may enable physicians to rationally determine the need for FFP.

Methods/Design
The objective of the POC-OP trial is to determine the effectiveness of point of care prothrombin time testing to reduce the administration of FFP. It is a patient and assessor blind, single center randomized controlled parallel group trial in 220 patients aged between 18 and 90 years undergoing major surgery (any type, except cardiac surgery and liver transplantation) with an estimated blood loss during surgery exceeding 20% of the calculated total blood volume or a requirement of FFP according to the judgment of the physicians in charge. Patients are randomized to usual care plus point of care prothrombin time testing or usual care alone without point of care testing. The primary outcome is the relative risk to receive any FFP perioperatively. The inclusion of 110 patients per group will yield more than 80% power to detect a clinically relevant relative risk of 0.60 to receive FFP of the experimental as compared with the control group.

Discussion
Point of care prothrombin time testing in the operation theatre may reduce the administration of FFP considerably, which in turn may decrease costs and complications usually associated with the administration of blood products.

Trial registration
NCT00656396
Biodiversity of poly-extremophilic Bacteria: Does combining the extremes of high salt, alkaline pH and elevated temperature approach a physico-chemical boundary for life?
Authors: Bowers Karen J , Mesbah Noha M , Wiegel Juergen 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Bacterial microorganisms that grow optimally at Na+ concentrations of 1.7 M, or the equivalent of 10% (w/v) NaCl, and greater are considered to be extreme halophiles. This review focuses on the correlation between the extent of alkaline pH and elevated temperature optima and the extent of salt tolerance of extremely halophilic eubacteria; the focus is on those with alkaline pH optima, above 8.5, and elevated temperature optima, above 50°C. If all three conditions are required for optimal growth, these microorganisms are termed "poly-extremophiles". However, only a very few extreme halophiles able to grow optimally under alkaline conditions as well as at elevated temperatures have been isolated so far. Therefore the question is: do the combined extreme growth conditions of the recently isolated poly-extremophiles, i.e., anaerobic halophilic alkalithermophiles, approach a physico-chemical boundary for life? These poly-extremophiles are of interest, as their adaptive mechanisms give insight into organisms' abilities to survive in environments which were previously considered prohibitive to life, as well as to possible properties of early evolutionary and extraterrestrial life forms.
Survival potential of wild type cellulose deficient Salmonella from the feed industry
Authors: Vestby Lene K , Møretrø Trond , Ballance Simon , Langsrud Solveig , Nesse Live L 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Biofilm has been shown to be one way for Salmonella to persist in the feed factory environment. Matrix components, such as fimbriae and cellulose, have been suggested to play an important role in the survival of Salmonella in the environment. Multicellular behaviour by Salmonella is often categorized according to colony morphology into rdar (red, dry and rough) expressing curli fimbriae and cellulose, bdar (brown, dry and rough) expressing curli fimbriae and pdar (pink, dry and rough) expressing cellulose.
The aim of the study was to look into the distribution of morphotypes among feed and fish meal factory strains of Salmonella, with emphasis on potential differences between morphotypes with regards to survival in the feed factory environment.

Results
When screening a total of 148 Salmonella ser. Agona, Salmonella ser. Montevideo, Salmonella ser. Senftenberg and Salmonella ser. Typhimurium strains of feed factory, human clinical and reference collection origin, as many as 99% were able to express rough morphology (rdar or bdar). The dominant morphotype was rdar (74%), however as many as 55% of Salmonella ser. Agona and 19% of Salmonella ser. Senftenberg displayed the bdar morphology.
Inconsistency in Calcofluor binding, indicating expression of cellulose, was found among 25% of all the strains tested, however Salmonella ser. Agona showed to be highly consistent in Calcofluor binding (98%).
In biofilm, Salmonella ser. Agona strains with bdar mophology was found to be equally tolerant to disinfection treatment as strains with rdar morphotype. However, rdar morphology appeared to be favourable in long term survival in biofilm in a very dry environment.
Chemical analysis showed no major differences in polysaccharide content between bdar and rdar strains. Our results indicate that cellulose is not a major component of the Salmonella biofilm matrix.

Conclusion
The bdar morphotype is common among Salmonella ser. Agona strains isolated from the factory environment. The rdar and the bdar strains were found to be equally tolerant to disinfectants, while the rdar strain was found to be more tolerant to long-term desiccation and nutrient depletion in biofilm than the bdar strain. Cellulose does not appear to be a major component of the Salmonella biofilm matrix.
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction of the cardiac surgery patient; a point of view for the cardiac surgeon and cardio-anesthesiologist
Authors: Apostolakis Efstratios E , Baikoussis Nikolaos G , Parissis Haralabos , Siminelakis Stavros N , Papadopoulos Georgios S 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) is defined as the inability of the ventricle to fill to a normal end-diastolic volume, both during exercise as well as at rest, while left atrial pressure does not exceed 12 mm Hg. We examined the concept of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in a cardiac surgery setting.

Materials and methods
Literature review was carried out in order to identify the overall experience of an important and highly underestimated issue: the unexpected adverse outcome due to ventricular stiffness, following cardiac surgery.

Results
Although diverse group of patients for cardiac surgery could potentially affected from diastolic dysfunction, there are only few studies looking in to the impact of DD on the postoperative outcome; Trans-thoracic echo-cardiography (TTE) is the main stay for the diagnosis of DD. Intraoperative trans-oesophageal (TOE) adds to the management. Subgroups of DD can be defined with prognostic significance.

Conclusion
DD with elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure can predispose to increased perioperative mortality and morbidity. Furthermore, DD is often associated with systolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy or indeed pulmonary hypertension. When the diagnosis of DD is made, peri-operative attention to this group of patients becomes mandatory.
Complete abdominal aortic aneurysm thrombosis and obstruction of both common iliac arteries with intrathrombotic pressures demonstrating a continuing risk of rupture: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Filis Konstantinos A , Lagoudianakis Emmanuel E , Markogiannakis Haridimos , Kotzadimitriou Aikaterini , Koronakis Nikolaos , Bramis Konstantinos , Xiromeritis Konstantinos , Theodorou Dimitrios , Manouras Andreas 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Although mural thrombus in an abdominal aortic aneurysm is frequent and its role has been studied extensively, complete thrombosis of an abdominal aneurysm is extremely rare and its natural history in relation to the risk of rupture is not known. The case of a patient with a completely thrombosed infrarenal aneurysm is presented along with a literature review.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 56-year-old Caucasian man with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, presenting at our hospital due to critical ischemia of his right lower limb. Computed tomography and angiography demonstrated complete aneurysm thrombosis and obstruction of both common iliac arteries.

Conclusion
During the operation, systolic and mean intrathrombotic pressures, measured in different levels, constituted 74.5-90.2% and 77.5-92.5% of systolic and mean intraluminal pressure and 73-88.4% and 76.5-91.3% of systemic pressure, respectively. Our findings show that there may be a continuing risk of rupture in cases of a thrombosed abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Heart rate monitored hypothermia and drowning in a 48-year-old man. survival without sequelae: a case report
Authors: Lund Fredrik Koller , Torgersen Johan GR , Flaatten Hans Kristian 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Victims of severe hypothermia and cardiac arrest may appear dead. They are often unresponsive to on-scene resuscitation including defibrillation while profoundly hypothermic. Several cases of extreme hypothermia and prolonged cardiac arrest with good outcome have been published. We present a case of heart rate monitored (by pulse-watch) hypothermia, prolonged cardiac arrest and survival with complete recovery of neurological functions.

Case presentation
On December 22nd 2007 a physically fit, ethnic Norwegian 48-year-old male kayaker set out to paddle alone around an island in a Norwegian fjord. 3 hours 24 min into his trip the kayak capsized in 3.5°C seawater about 500m from the closest shore. The accident was not observed. He managed to call for help using his cellular phone. After a search and rescue operation he was found by our air ambulance helicopter floating, prone, head submerged, with cardiopulmonary arrest and profound hypothermia. He was wearing a personal heart rate monitor/pulse watch. Following extraction, he received cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transport by air ambulance helicopter to hospital. He was warmed on cardiopulmonary bypass from 20.6°C core temperature and return of spontaneous circulation was achieved 3h 27 m after cardiac arrest occurred. After 21 days of intensive care he was discharged from hospital 32 days after his accident. Testing revealed normal cognitive functions one year after the incident. He has returned to his job as an engineer, and has also taken up kayaking again. We provide heart rate and time data leading up to his cardiac arrest.

Conclusion
Hypothermia has well established neuro-protective effects in cardiac arrest, as our case also shows. Simple cardiopulmonary resuscitation without use of drugs or defibrillation, should be continued until the patients can be re-warmed, preferably using cardiopulmonary bypass. This approach can be highly effective even in seemingly lost cases.
Acute fulminant necrotizing amoebic colitis: a rare and fatal complication of amoebiasis: a case report
Authors: Gupta Shilpi Singh , Singh Onkar , Shukla Sumit , Raj Mathur K 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Acute Fulminant Necrotizing Amoebic Colitis is a rare complication of amoebiasis that is associated with high mortality. Only one to four such cases are seen per year in large hospitals of India, and only few such cases have been reported in the literature. The condition requires early diagnosis and surgical intervention. We recently cared for a patient who presented with acute abdomen with history of intermittent abdominal pain and diarrhea. Before presenting to our institution he was misdiagnosed as a case of inflammatory bowel disease and had been treated with steroids. On emergency exploration, extensive necrosis and multiple perforations in retroperitoneum involving entire colon were seen. Total colectomy with ileostomy was performed. Postoperative course was marked by septicaemia and multi-organ failure followed by death. This case report emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of acute FAC, and associated high mortality.
The co-occurrence of Toxocaraocular and visceral larva migrans syndrome: a case series
Authors: Paul Małgorzata , Stefaniak Jerzy , Twardosz-Pawlik Hanna , Pecold Krystyna 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Ocular toxocarosis associated with high peripheral eosinophilia and together with systemic signs of visceral damage has been reported sporadically. Eye infections caused by numerous migrating larvae of Toxocara parasites, probably due to re-invasion or delayed reactivation, and leading to a progressive loss of vision is relatively rare. We report three atypical cases of toxocarosis with the co-existence of ocular larva migrans syndrome and generalized signs of Toxocara infection in schoolboys.

Case presentation
Two children aged 8 and 14 years respectively, with symptomatic ocular and visceral larva migrans syndromes, and one 16-year-old adolescent with chronic multifocal eye invasion, characterized by severe granulomatous retinochoroiditis with unilateral blindness, chronic abdominal pain and generalized synthesis of total immunoglobulin E antibody are described. The three patients, heavily infected with Toxocara species were boys of Polish origin. Ocular location of the parasite was confirmed by the detection of intraocular synthesis of specific anti-Toxocara immunoglobulin G antibody in aqueous humour samples from the affected eyes. Immunological parameters of tissue eosinophilia, allergy or hypersensitivity reactions to the presence of the migrating Toxocara parasites were analysed. Irreversible eye complications were observed in the patients with high level of exposure to Toxocara species in a contaminated environment, with a suggestion of possible re-activation or re-infection by different species or strains of the parasite.

Conclusions
Wide promotion of sanitary education is strongly justified in children and adolescents in Toxocara endemic areas in order to reduce the potential risk of primary invasion or re-infection with the parasites, which can lead to a severe course or progression of the disease. A long-term clinical follow-up and more intensive anti-parasitic treatment is recommended in patients with subclinical and overt forms of toxocarosis to prevent later reactivation of the migrating larvae in tissues.
Twenty years of dysuria in a patient with Addison's disease: a case report
Authors: Nanci Gabriella N , Collier Millard J , Rose Sheldon H 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is an X-linked recessive disorder affecting approximately 1 in 21,000 males, and is estimated to be the cause of adrenal insufficiency in approximately 35% of patients with idiopathic Addison's disease. The disease is caused by defective beta-oxidation of fatty acids in peroxisomes that leads to elevated serum concentrations of very-long-chain saturated fatty acids. The accumulation causes a primary adrenal insufficiency and progressive neurological dysfunction. This article presents a case of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in its milder form, adrenomyeloneuropathy.
Brain abscess and epidural empyema caused by Salmonella enteritidisin a child: successful treatment with ciprofloxacin: a case report
Authors: Blázquez Daniel , Muñoz Miriam , Gil Celia , Ruibal Jose Luis , El Knaichi Firdaus , Aleo Esther 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Focal intracranial infections caused by Salmonella are rare, especially those produced by S. enteritidis. We describe the case of a 26-month-old girl who underwent surgery for a frontoparietal ependymoma and presented with epidural empyema and a brain abscess due to S. enteritidis following an episode of gastroenteritis. The child was successfully treated by surgical drainage along with 9 weeks of antibiotic therapy including ciprofloxacin.
Management of child with acute airway obstruction: a case report
Authors: Hasani Antigona , Thaqi Hajdin , Azizi Shefki 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIntroductionLaryngotracheobronchitis is a rare, but in severe cases may lead to laryngeal edema progressing to complete closure of the subglottis within a few hours, without prompt treatment.Case presentationWe present the case of acute airway obstruction caused by laryngotracheobronchitis in a 6-year-old boy, initially misdiagnosed and treated as foreign body aspiration. The treatment of airway obstruction in the child was managed with algorithm used in our institution.ConclusionThe aims of management of acute airway obstructions are firstly, to maintain and secure the airway and than, to establish a diagnosis. Institutions should have algorithms to manage children with acute airway obstruction.
Topical Calendula officinalisL. successfully treated exfoliative cheilitis: a case report
Authors: Roveroni-Favaretto Lúcia Helena Denardi , Lodi Karina Bortolin , Almeida Janete Dias 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Authors describe a case of recurrent exfoliative cheilitis that responded to treatment with a standardized topical preparation of Calendula officinalis L. An eighteen-year-old man was referred to UNESP - São Paulo State University, Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, São José dos Campos Dental School to investigate a chronic dry scaling lesion on his lips. The patient's main chief was aesthetic compromising. Corticoid therapy was suspended and Calendula officinalis ointment 10% for ad libitum use has been prescribed. The results presented allow the authors to consider Calendula officinalis L. as a potential therapy in cases of cheilitis exfoliative.
Inflammatory bowel disease serologies in ankylosing spondylitis patients: a pilot study
Authors: Mundwiler Matthew L , Mei Ling , Landers Carol J , Reveille John D , Targan Stephan , Weisman Michael H 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) share similarities and are classified as spondyloarthropathies. In IBD, anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA), anti-I2 (associated with anti-Pseudomonas activity), anti-Escherichia coli outer membrane porin C (anti-OmpC), anti-flagellin (anti-CBir1), and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) possess clinical significance. Because of the overlap between the two conditions, a pilot study was designed to compare the frequency of these antibodies in AS patients compared to normal controls.

Methods
Serum stored from 80 AS patients and 80 control subjects was available for analysis. ASCA, anti-I2, anti-OmpC, anti-CBir1, and ANCA studies were completed on all serum samples using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) methodology. The following analyses were performed: comparison of positivity based on the established values in IBD, median values, the number of subjects in each serology in the 4th quartile of a normal distribution, and the mean quartile sum of all the antibodies.

Results
There was no difference in positivity rates between AS and control groups with the established IBD values. The median anti-I2 response was significantly higher in AS than in controls (11.78 vs 7.86, p = 0.017). Significantly more AS patients had quartile scores of 4 for the following antibody responses: ASCA IgG (26% vs 13%, p = 0.016, OR = 2.49, CI 1.168 - 5.313), ASCA IgG and IgA (27% vs 12%, p = 0.006, OR = 2.9, CI: 1.342 - 6.264), and anti - I2 (25% vs 14%, p = 0.0424, OR = 2.15, CI: 1.018 - 4.538). The mean quartile sum of the antibody responses was elevated in AS patients when ANCA was excluded (10.526 vs 9.519, p = 0.03). When ANCA was included, this difference lost significance.

Conclusions
The data from this pilot study points towards mucosal dysregulation as an important pathway in AS. We were able to demonstrate that anti-I2 could play a pathologic role in AS. The elevated mean total antibody response being significant only with ANCA exclusion is consistent with the histopathological evidence that intestinal inflammation in AS is similar to Crohn's disease. To better define the roles of these antibodies in AS, larger studies with more precisely defined patient characteristics are required.