bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary infertility and health‐related quality of life in Upper Egypt
Authors: Hassanin Ibrahim M.A. , Abd‐El‐Raheem Taher , Shahin Ahmed Y. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of infertility on the health‐related quality of life and sexual function of infertile women in Upper Egypt.MethodThe Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire (QLQ) C30, version 2, and a visual analog scale were used to assess the quality of life and sexual satisfaction of 116 women with primary infertility and 116 fertile women with similar sociodemographic characteristics. We also looked for associations between the results and infertility duration.ResultsCompared with the fertile women, the women with primary infertility had significantly lower scores for both health‐related quality of life and sexual function, and their sexual function was the most disturbed during the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of their marriage.ConclusionWomen with primary infertility need to be treated medically and psychologically to improve their quality of life and sexual function.
Outcome of endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis patients: a Canadian experience
Authors: Al Badaai Y , Samaha M 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectives:To determine the effect on patients' quality of life of functional endoscopic sinus surgery performed for chronic rhinosinusitis within a tertiary care centre in Montreal, Canada.Methods:A prospective cohort study was undertaken. Subjects were consecutive patients with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis who had failed medical treatment and were undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Questionnaires assessing general health outcomes (i.e. the second version of the Short Form 12 questionnaire) and disease-specific outcomes (i.e. the Chronic Sinusitis Survey) were completed pre-operatively and a minimum of three months post-operatively.Results:A total of 152 patients were enrolled over a seven-month period, of whom 120 completed the post-operative surveys. The most common co-morbidity was asthma (40 per cent). Of the 120 patients with completed questionnaires, 72 per cent reported clinical improvement, 12 per cent reported deterioration and 15 per cent remained unchanged. The average improvement in Chronic Sinusitis Survey score was 17 per cent.Conclusion:Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis achieved a significant improvement in disease-specific quality of life after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. There was no significant improvement in general health related quality of life, as measured using the Short Form 12 questionnaire.
Norovirus disease associated with excess mortality and use of statins: a retrospective cohort study of an outbreak following a pilgrimage to Lourdes
Authors: RONDY M. , KOOPMANS M. , ROTSAERT C. , VAN LOON T. , BELJAARS B. , VAN DIJK G. , SIEBENGA J. , SVRAKA S. , ROSSEN J. W. A. , TEUNIS P. , VAN PELT W. , VERHOEF L. 
Published: May 2010

SUMMARYAlthough norovirus infection is generally known to be a mild disease, there is some evidence for severe outcome. An outbreak in a Dutch psychiatric institution, originating from pilgrims returning from Lourdes (France), provided an opportunity for performing a retrospective cohort study in order to identify risk factors for norovirus disease and excess mortality. Relative risks (RR) including 95% confidence intervals (CI) showed that attending the pilgrimage (RR 2·0, 95% CI 1·4–3·0) and age >70 (RR 1·7, 95% CI 1·2–2·2) were risk factors for symptomatic infection. In a subset of patients, for whom more detailed information was available, the use of statins was associated with norovirus disease when adjusted for underlying condition (adjusted odds ratio 3·9, 95% CI 1·2–13·0). Mortality was higher in cases infected during the pilgrimage compared to other residents (RR 20·9, 95% CI 4·7–93·8). Norovirus disease can lead to severe outcome. The newly identified risk of statins for contracting norovirus disease may have considerable consequences for the Western world and needs prospective confirmation.
Decreased prevalence and age-specific risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in The Netherlands between 1995/1996 and 2006/2007
Authors: HOFHUIS A. , VAN PELT W. , VAN DUYNHOVEN Y. T. H. P. , NIJHUIS C. D. M. , MOLLEMA L. , VAN DER KLIS F. R. M. , HAVELAAR A. H. , KORTBEEK L. M. 
Published: May 2010

SUMMARYTo estimate the change in the seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in The Netherlands, a study was conducted in the general population in 2006/2007, similarly designed as a previous study in 1995/1996. Testing 5541 sera for IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii showed a marked decrease of the overall seroprevalence to 26·0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 24·0–28·0], compared to 40·5% (95% CI 37·5–43·4) in 1995/1996. In women of reproductive age the seroprevalence decreased from 35·2% (95% CI 32·9–38·6) in 1995/1996 to 18·5% (95% CI 16·2–20·7) in 2006/2007, leaving the majority of pregnant women susceptible to primary infection with T. gondii and their babies to congenital toxoplasmosis. In participants aged ⩾20 years, Toxoplasma seropositivity was associated with living in the Northwest, living in urban areas, low educational level, consumption of raw pork, keeping a cat, and not having occupational contact with clients or patients. For younger participants, risk factors were keeping sheep or cattle, consumption of raw unwashed vegetables and putting sand in the mouth.
Re-emergence of rabies in dogs and other domestic animals in eastern Bhutan, 2005–2007
Authors: TENZIN  , DHAND N. K. , DORJEE J. , WARD M. P. 
Published: May 2010

SUMMARYWe report a major outbreak of rabies in dogs and other domestic animals that occurred in eastern Bhutan between May 2005 and November 2007. The outbreak peaked in February 2006 and subsided by the end of April 2006 with sporadic cases reported until November 2007. Rabies affected 18 of the 40 sub-districts in the three eastern districts of Bhutan. There were reportedly one human and 256 domestic animal fatalities. The outbreak affected cattle (n=141, 55%), dogs (n=106, 41%), horses (n=7, 3%) and cats (n=2, 1%). Rabies was primarily diagnosed by clinical signs but 36 cases were confirmed by fluorescent antibody test of brain samples. High densities and movements of free-roaming dogs might have been responsible for the rapid spread and persistence of the infection for a longer period than expected in dogs in eastern Bhutan.
Risk factors for sporadicCampylobacter jejuniinfections in children in a Greek region
Authors: MELLOU K. , SOURTZI P. , TSAKRIS A. , SAROGLOU G. , VELONAKIS E. 
Published: May 2010

SUMMARYA case-control study was conducted in the urban area of Attica, Greece to investigate risk factors for sporadicCampylobacter jejuniinfections in children aged <15 years. Over a 2-year period, 205 cases and 205 controls, matched by age group (<1, 1–4, 5–9, 10–14 years) and gender, were selected from the registries of the paediatric hospitals of this area. In conditional multivariate logistic regression analysis, ethnicity [odds ratio (OR) 5·06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·49–10·28], consumption of chicken the week prior to disease onset (OR 1·97, 95% CI 1·10–3·55) and playing in the garden (OR 1·83, 95% CI 1·05–3·19) were independently associated with disease occurrence; consumption of raw vegetables was a ‘protective’ factor (OR 0·48, 95% CI 0·27–0·85).
Serum antibodies toVibrio vulnificusbiotype 3 lipopolysaccharide and susceptibility to disease caused by the homologousV. vulnificusbiotype
Authors: BISHARAT N. , BIALIK A. , PAZ E. , AMARO C. , COHEN D. I. 
Published: May 2010

SUMMARYIn 1996 an outbreak of severe soft tissue infections caused byVibrio vulnificusunexpectedly erupted in fish consumers in Israel with relatively little morbidity in fish farmers. To test the hypothesis that recurrent exposure of fishermen to the virulent strain may have provided protection against severe or symptomatic disease, we investigated the association between the immune response toV. vulnificusbiotype 3 lipopolysaccharide (BT3 LPS) and disease susceptibility in fish farmers and fish consumers. Serum samples were tested for IgA and IgG of anti-BT3 LPS in fishermen and fish consumers who suffered fromV. vulnificusBT3 infections and their matched controls. Pre-existing levels of IgG (IgG0) of anti-BT3 LPS were significantly lower in diseased fishermen who developed disease associated with the homologous biotype, compared to controls. In multivariate analysis, levels of IgG0anti-BT3 LPS remained the only variable significantly associated with disease occurrence in fishermen. Higher levels of pre-existing IgG anti-BT 3 LPS antibodies may be associated with protection against severe or symptomatic disease with the homologous biotype in fishermen but not in subjects from the general public.
Identification of transcriptional networks responding to pyrroloquinoline quinone dietary supplementation and their influence on thioredoxin expression, and the JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways
Authors: Tchaparian Eskouhie , Marshal Lisa , Cutler Gene , Bauerly Kathryn , Chowanadisai Winyoo , Satre Michael , Harris Calliandra , Rucker Robert B. 
Published: May 2010

PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) improves energy utilization and reproductive performance when added to rodent diets devoid of PQQ. In the present paper we describe changes in gene expression patterns and transcriptional networks that respond to dietary PQQ restriction or pharmacological administration. Rats were fed diets either deficient in PQQ (PQQ−) or supplemented with PQQ (approx. 6 nmol of PQQ/g of food; PQQ+). In addition, groups of rats were either repleted by administering PQQ to PQQ− rats (1.5 mg of PQQ intraperitoneal/kg of body weight at 12 h intervals for 36 h; PQQ−/+) or partially depleted by feeding the PQQ− diet to PQQ+ rats for 48 h (PQQ+/−). RNA extracted from liver and a Codelink® UniSet Rat I Bioarray system were used to assess gene transcript expression. Of the approx. 10000 rat sequences and control probes analysed, 238 were altered at the P&lt;0.01 level by feeding on the PQQ− diet for 10 weeks. Short-term PQQ depletion resulted in changes in 438 transcripts (P&lt;0.01). PQQ repletion reversed the changes in transcript expression caused by PQQ deficiency and resulted in an alteration of 847 of the total transcripts examined (P&lt;0.01). Genes important for cellular stress (e.g. thioredoxin), mitochondriogenesis, cell signalling [JAK (Janus kinase)/STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways] and transport were most affected. qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) and functional assays aided in validating such processes as principal targets. Collectively, the results provide a mechanistic basis for previous functional observations associated with PQQ deficiency or PQQ administered in pharmacological amounts.
NF-κB mediates lipid-induced fetuin-A expression in hepatocytes that impairs adipocyte function effecting insulin resistance
Authors: Dasgupta Suman , Bhattacharya Sushmita , Biswas Anindita , Majumdar Subeer S. , Mukhopadhyay Satinath , Ray Sukanta , Bhattacharya Samir 
Published: May 2010

Fetuin-A, a hepatic secretory protein, has recently been implicated in insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. It is an endogenous inhibitor of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. However, regulation of fetuin-A synthesis in relation to insulin resistance is unclear. In the present paper, we report that both non-esterified (‘free’) fatty acids and fetuin-A coexist at high levels in the serum of db/db mice, indicating an association between them. For an in-depth study, we incubated palmitate with HepG2 cells and rat primary hepatocytes, and found enhanced fetuin-A secretion to more than 4-fold over the control. Interestingly, cell lysates from these incubations showed overexpression and activity of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB). In NF-κB-knockout HepG2 cells, palmitate failed to increase fetuin-A secretion, whereas forced expression of NF-κB released fetuin-A massively in the absence of palmitate. Moreover, palmitate stimulated NF-κB binding to the fetuin-A promoter resulting in increased reporter activity. These results suggest NF-κB to be the mediator of the palmitate effect. Palmitate-induced robust expression of fetuin-A indicates the occurrence of additional targets, and we found that fetuin-A severely impaired adipocyte function leading to insulin resistance. Our results reveal a new dimension of lipid-induced insulin resistance and open another contemporary target for therapeutic intervention in Type 2 diabetes.
Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography
Authors: Jonas Svensson 
Published: May 2010

Svensson J. Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography. Development and optimization of techniques for paramagnetic and hyperpolarized contrast media. Stockholm 2001. ISBN 91-628-5322-8. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) is a diagnostic method for imaging of vascular structures based on nuclear magnetic resonance. Vascular enhancement is achieved by injection of a contrast medium (CM). Studies were performed using two different types of CM: conventional paramagnetic CM, and a new type ofCMbased on hyperpolarized (HP) nuclei. The effects of varying CM concentration with time during image acquisition were studied by means of computer simulations using two different models. It was shown that a rapid concentration variation during encoding of the central parts of k-space could result in signal loss and severe image artifacts. The results were confirmed qualitatively with phantom experiments. A postprocessing method was developed to address problems with simultaneous enhancement of arteries and veins in CE-MRA of the lower extremities. The method was based on the difference in flow-induced phase in the two vessel types. Evaluation of the method was performed with flow phantom measurements and with CE-MRA in two volunteers using standard pulse sequences. The flow-induced phase in the vessels of interest was sufficient to distinguish arteries from veins in the superior-inferior direction. Using this method, the venous enhancement could be extinguished. The possibility of using HP nuclei as CM for CE-MRA was evaluated. Signal expressions for a flow of HP CMimaged with a gradient echo sequence were derived. These signal expressions were confirmed in phantom experiments using HP 129Xe dissolved in ethanol. Studies were also performed with a new CM based on HP 13C. The CM had very long relaxation times ( T1,in vivo/ T2,in vivo ≈ 38/1.3 s). The long relaxation times were utilized in imaging with a fully balanced steady-state free precession pulse sequence (trueFISP), where the optimal flip angle was found to be 180°. CE-MRA with the 13C-based CM in rats resulted in images with high vascular SNR (∼500). CE-MRA is a useful clinical tool for diagnosing vascular disease. With the development of new contrast media, based on hyperpolarized nuclei for example, there is a potential for further improvement in the signal levels that can be achieved, enabling a standard of imaging of vessels that is not possible today.
Impact of Education and an Antifungal Stewardship Program for Candidiasis at a Thai Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Apisarnthanarak Anucha , Yatrasert Apiwat , Mundy Linda M. ,   Thammasat University Antimicrobial Stewardship Team
Published: May 2010

Background.We evaluated the impact of education and an antifungal stewardship program for candidiasis on prescribing practices, antifungal consumption, Candida species infections, and estimated costs at a Thai tertiary care hospital.Methods.A hospital-wide, quasi-experimental study was conducted for 1.5 years before the intervention and 1.5 years after the implementation of an antifungal stewardship program. Inpatient antifungal prescriptions were prospectively observed, and patients' demographic, clinical, and administrative-cost data were collected. Interventions included education, introduction of an antifungal hepatic and/or renal dose adjustment tool, antifungal prescription forms, and prescription-control strategies.Results.After the intervention, there was a 59% reduction in antifungal prescriptions (from 194 to 80 prescriptions per 1,000 hospitalizations; P < .001). Inappropriate antifungal use decreased (from 71% to 24%; P < .001), a sustained reduction in antifungal use was observed (r = 0.83; P < .001), and fluconazole use decreased (from 242 to 117 defined daily doses per 1,000 patient-days; P < .001). Reductions in the incidence of infection with Candida glabrata (r = 0.69; P < .001) and Candida krusei (r = 0.71; P < .001) were observed, whereas the incidence of infection with Candida albicans (r = —0.81; P < .001) increased. Total cost savings were US$31,615 during the 18-month postintervention period.Conclusions.Implementation of an antifungal stewardship program was associated with appropriate antifungal drug use, improved resource utilization, and cost savings.
Fabry disease mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: genetic screening needed for establishing the diagnosis in women
Authors: Havndrup Ole , Christiansen Michael , Stoevring Birgitte , Jensen Morten , Hoffman‐Bang Jakob , Andersen Paal Skytt , Hasholt Lis , Nørremølle Anne , Feldt‐Rasmussen Ulla , Køber Lars , Bundgaard Henning 
Published: May 2010

AimsFabry disease, an X‐linked storage disorder caused by defective lysosomal enzyme alpha‐galactosidase A activity, may resemble sarcomere‐gene‐associated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The ‘cardiac variant’ of Fabry disease which only affects the heart may be missed unless specifically tested for.Methods and resultsWe evaluated 90 consecutively recruited HCM probands and their relatives. Probands without sarcomere‐gene mutations were tested for alpha‐galactosidase A gene (GLA) mutations. Of the 90 families, 31 (34%) had sarcomere gene mutations and were therefore excluded. In the remaining 59 probands, 3 (5%) had GLA mutations as follows. The first proband, a female with asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH), a significant left ventricular outflow tract gradient, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was heterozygous for a novel missense mutation (p.N139S). The second proband, a male with ASH and multiple episodes of ventricular tachycardia, was hemizygous for a missense mutation (p.A156T). His daughter was heterozygous, but had normal enzyme activity. The third proband was a female with ASH, and no other indices of Fabry disease. She was heterozygous for a GLA missense mutation (p.G271S). She had one affected daughter but her two other children were unaffected. The affected daughter had three children, of whom two were also affected—a boy aged 8 and a daughter aged 10 years.ConclusionThis is the first report of systematic mutation screening of GLA in HCM patients without sarcomere gene mutations. GLA mutations were found in 3/90 (3%) of HCM families and in 2/20 (10%) of females without sarcomere‐gene mutations. None of the probands presented other indices of Fabry disease. This, in combination with putative reversibility of cardiac changes by enzyme replacement therapy, supports systematic testing for Fabry disease. Enzyme measurements are sufficient in men, but genetic testing is needed in women.
Clinical trial: five or ten cycles of granulocyte–monocyte apheresis show equivalent efficacy and safety in ulcerative colitis
Authors: DIGNASS A. U. , ERIKSSON A. , KILANDER A. , PUKITIS A. , RHODES J. M. , VAVRICKA S. 
Published: May 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1286–1295SummaryBackground  Ulcerative colitis is characterized by leucocyte infiltration into the colonic mucosa. Granulocyte–monocyte apheresis depletes these cells.Aim  To assess the non‐inferiority of 5–10 apheresis treatments in patients with steroid‐dependent or steroid‐refractory ulcerative colitis.Methods  A total of 196 adults with moderate–severe ulcerative colitis were randomized 1:1 to 5 (n = 96) or 10 (n = 90) open label apheresis treatments. The primary endpoint was non‐inferiority of clinical activity index score after 12 weeks.Results  The intent‐to‐treat population comprised 82 and 80 patients for the 5‐ and 10‐treatment groups, respectively. The difference between the two groups in mean clinical activity index was 0.24 with an upper 95% confidence interval of 1.17, which was below a predefined non‐inferiority threshold of 1.33. Clinical activity index score improved from baseline in both groups (from 8.7 to 5.6 with 5 treatments, and from 8.8 to 5.4 with 10), with no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.200). Outcomes for the 5‐ and 10‐treatment groups were similar – Clinical remission: 44% and 40%, respectively (P = 0.636); clinical response: 56% and 59%, respectively (P = 0.753). The treatment was well tolerated in both groups.Conclusions  This prospective study comparing apheresis regimens in ulcerative colitis demonstrates that 5 treatments were not inferior to 10 treatments in steroid‐refractory or ‐dependent ulcerative colitis.
The existence of a relationship between increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels detected in premarketing clinical trials and postmarketing published hepatotoxicity case reports
Authors: LLANOS L. , MOREU R. , ORTIN T. , PEIRÓ A. M. , PASCUAL S. , BELLOT P. , BARQUERO C. , FRANCÉS R. , SUCH J. , PÉREZ‐MATEO M. , HORGA J. F. , ZAPATER P. 
Published: May 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1337–1345SummaryBackground  Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) profile in most drugs’ available information is based on both the incidence of alanine aminotansferase (ALT) elevations in clinical trials and published case reports.Aim  To assess the relationship between ALT elevations in clinical trials and the number of published case reports in the postmarketing setting.Methods  Hepatotoxic drugs were identified from product labelling and classified in high‐medium risk (Black Box Warning or Precautions section) or low risk (a statement in the Adverse Reactions section). Incidence of ALT elevations (≥3 × ULN) for drug (ID) and placebo (IC) treated patients in premarketing clinical trials and DILI published case reports were retrieved from product labelling and MEDLINE.Results  The median IC was 10/1000. The high‐medium‐risk drugs’ median ID was significantly higher compared with low‐risk drugs (17/1000 vs. 10/1000; P = 0.046). Chi‐squared test, absolute difference and odds ratio comparing ID and IC identified 35%, 51% and 77% of high‐medium‐risk drugs respectively. Less number of case reports were associated with low‐ than high‐medium‐risk drugs (1 vs. 7; P = 0.001). A high odds ratio in clinical trials (ID vs. IC) was the strongest predictor of published DILI case reports.Conclusion  A relationship between increased ALT incidence in premarketing clinical trials and postmarketing published case reports exists.