bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human NK Cells Display Important Antifungal Activity againstAspergillus fumigatus, Which Is Directly Mediated by IFN-γ Release
Authors: Bouzani Maria , Ok Michael , McCormick Allison , Ebel Frank , Kurzai Oliver , Morton C. Oliver , Einsele Hermann , Loeffler Juergen 
Published: June 2011

AbstractDespite the strong interest in the NK cell-mediated immunity toward malignant cells and viruses, there is a relative lack of data on the interplay between NK cells and filamentous fungi, especially Aspergillus fumigatus, which is the major cause of invasive aspergillosis. By studying the in vitro interaction between human NK cells and A. fumigatus, we found only germinated morphologies to be highly immunogenic, able to induce a Th1-like response, and capable of upregulating cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α. Moreover, priming NK cells with human rIL-2 and stimulating NK cells by direct NK cell–pathogen contact were essential to induce damage against A. fumigatus. However, the most interesting finding was that NK cells did not mediate anti-Aspergillus cytotoxicity through degranulation of their cytotoxic proteins (perforin, granzymes, granulysine), but via an alternative mechanism involving soluble factor(s). To our knowledge, our study is the first to demonstrate that IFN-γ, released by NK cells, directly damages A. fumigatus, attributing new properties to both human NK cells and IFN-γ and suggesting them as possible therapeutic tools against IA.
Obstructive Jaundice Expands Intrahepatic Regulatory T Cells, Which Impair Liver T Lymphocyte Function but Modulate Liver Cholestasis and Fibrosis
Authors: Katz Steven C. , Ryan Kristin , Ahmed Naseem , Plitas George , Chaudhry Umer I. , Kingham T. Peter , Naheed Seema , Nguyen Cang , Somasundar Ponnandai , Espat N. Joseph , Junghans Richard P. , DeMatteo Ronald P. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Although obstructive jaundice has been associated with a predisposition toward infections, the effects of bile duct ligation (BDL) on bulk intrahepatic T cells have not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to determine the consequences of BDL on liver T cell phenotype and function. After BDL in mice, we found that bulk liver T cells were less responsive to allogeneic or syngeneic Ag-loaded dendritic cells. Spleen T cell function was not affected, and the viability of liver T cells was preserved. BDL expanded the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), which were anergic to direct CD3 stimulation and mediated T cell suppression in vitro. Adoptively transferred CD4+CD25− T cells were converted into Treg within the liver after BDL. In vivo depletion of Treg after BDL restored bulk liver T cell function but exacerbated the degrees of inflammatory cytokine production, cholestasis, and hepatic fibrosis. Thus, BDL expands liver Treg, which reduce the function of bulk intrahepatic T cells yet limit liver injury.
Spectrum of magnetic resonance imaging findings in clinical glenohumeral instability
Authors: Jana Manisha , Srivastava Deep Narayan , Sharma Raju , Gamanagatti Shivanand , Nag Hiralal , Mittal Ravi , Upadhyay Ashish Dutt 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe glenohumeral joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body, and anterior instability is the most common type of shoulder instability. Depending on the etiology and the age of the patient, there may be associated injuries, for example, to the anterior-inferior labro-ligamentous structures (in young individuals with traumatic instability) or to the bony components (commoner in the elderly), which are best visualized using MRI and MR arthrography. Anterior instability is associated with a Bankart lesion and its variants and abnormalities of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL), whereas posterior instability is associated with reverse Bankart and reverse Hill-Sachs lesions. Cases of multidirectional instability often have no labral pathology on imaging but show specific osseous changes including increased chondrolabral retroversion. This article reviews the relevant anatomy in brief and describes the MRI findings in each type, with the imaging features of the common abnormalities.
Case report: Multimodality imaging of van Neck-Odelberg disease
Authors: Macarini Luca , Lallo Tania , Milillo Paola , Muscarella Silvana , Vinci Roberta , Stoppino Luca P 
Published: June 2011

AbstractSynchondrosis ischiopubic syndrome (SIS), also known as van Neck-Odelberg disease, is a syndrome characterized by an atypical ossification pattern of the ischiopubic synchondrosis. Its radiological features may mimic stress fracture, neoplasm, osteomyelitis, or posttraumatic osteolysis, causing problems in diagnosis, sometimes leading to unnecessary workup. We report two cases in which the correlation between the clinical and multimodality imaging data enabled the correct diagnosis of SIS.
Sonographic localization of nonpalpable testis: Tracking the cord technique
Authors: Vijayaraghavan S Boopathy 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the value of USG as a diagnostic tool to locate nonpalpable testis (NPT), using a new technique of tracking the spermatic cord. Materials and Methods: This technique was used in 197 instances of NPT over a period of 7 years. The presence or absence of the cord in the inguinal canal was recorded. The visualized spermatic cord was tracked down to the testis in extra-abdominal location. If spermatic cord was not visualized, the USG was extended up to look for intra-abdominal testis. The location and size of the testis were recorded, and the findings were compared with those seen at surgery. Results: The status of NPT was predicted by sonography in 191 instances. The testis was canalicular in position in 53, abdominal in 76, ascending in 5, ectopic in 8, and moving in 5 cases. There were three instances of tumor in the NPT and one case of torsion. The testes were atrophic in 36 instances. The testis was not visualized by USG in 10 instances. In four of them, spermatic cord was seen in inguinal canal, indicating vanished testes. In one patient, there was an atrophic testis with inguinal hernia. Diagnostic laparoscopy was necessary in only five cases and showed abdominal testes in two cases and the cord entering the internal ring in three cases. There were one false-positive and four false-negative results with this technique. Conclusion: USG, with the tracking the cord technique, is a sensitive diagnostic tool in NPT. It is useful for selecting the ideal therapeutic surgical approach and helps avoid diagnostic laparoscopy in most of the patients.
Ileosigmoid knot: A case report
Authors: Baheti Akshay D , Patel Darshana , Hira Priya , Babu Donald 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe ileosigmoid knot is an uncommon but life-threatening cause of closed loop intestinal obstruction. Its treatment is different from a simple volvulus in that it has to be operated upon immediately. Preoperative CT scan diagnosis and prompt treatment can lead to a good outcome. Findings of simultaneous ileal and sigmoid ischemia with non-ischemic colon interposed in between should, in an appropriate clinical setting, indicate this condition. The presence of the whirl sign, medially deviated distal descending colon and cecum, and mesenteric vascular structures from the superior mesenteric vessels that converge toward the sigmoid colon on CT scan help clinch the diagnosis.
A review of the utilization of fine needle aspiration in clinical practice and research in Nigeria
Authors: Malami Sani Abubakar , Ochicha Ochicha 
Published: June 2011

Background:Research and publications are critical to advancements in the quality of healthcare delivery. This article attempts to highlight the prospects and challenges of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology as a tool for research in Nigeria.Materials and Methods:Data available in local and international bibliographic databases for the period 1986–2005 (20 years) were collated and analyzed.Results:The theme of Nigerian FNA-focused studies correlated with the recognized disease patterns in the country which are tuberculous lymphadenitis, breast tumors and Burkitt's lymphoma. The accuracy of FNA in these situations was high and comparable to the experience in developed countries. It was found that the total number of articles published during two contiguous periods (1986–1995 and 1996–2005) had increased from 5 to 18. Also, in majority of cases, the articles were not published in specialized pathology journals.Conclusions:The utilization of FNA is apparently lagging in Nigeria. Given its potential in resource-constrained settings, we are of the opinion that it should be used more often in clinical and translational research.
Negative Powers of Laguerre Operators
Authors: Nowak Adam , Stempak Krzysztof 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe study negative powers of Laguerre differential operators in ℝd,d≥ 1. For these operators we prove two-weightLp−Lqestimates with ranges ofqdepending onp. The case of the harmonic oscillator (Hermite operator) has recently been treated by Bongioanni and Torrea by using a straightforward approach of kernel estimates. Here these results are applied in certain Laguerre settings. The procedure is fairly direct for Laguerre function expansions of Hermite type, due to some monotonicity properties of the kernels involved. The case of Laguerre function expansions of convolution type is less straightforward. For half-integer type indices. we transfer the desired results from the Hermite setting and then apply an interpolation argument based on a device we call theconvexity principleto cover the continuous range of ϵ 2 [−1/2, ∞)d. Finally, we investigate negative powers of the Dunkl harmonic oscillator in the context of a finite reflection group acting on ℝdand isomorphic to ℤd2. The two weightLp−Lqestimates we obtain in this setting are essentially consequences of those for Laguerre function expansions of convolution type.
Comparative Evaluation of Collagen Fibers in Odontogenic Keratocyst and Unicystic Ameloblastoma
Authors: Nayak Vaidhehi N , Donoghue Mandana , Selvamani M 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBackgroundOdontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is an aggressive cyst with neoplastic behavior and unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) is a neoplasm with cyst like behavior. Both odontogenic keratocyst and unicystic ameloblastoma show biologic behavior unlike other lesions in their respective groups. In the present study, the biological behavior of these lesions were assessed by studying the collagen fibers in their walls using picrosirius red (PSR) polarization method.MethodsCollagen fibers in 20 cases of OKC and 20 cases of UA were studied histologically by staining sections with picrosirius red dye and examining them by polarizing microscopy. Polarization colors of the collagen fibers of the lesions were recorded according to their width.ResultsWhile no differences were seen between the polarization colors of thin fibers (< 0.8 μ) in both odontogenic keratocyst and unicystic ameloblastoma, the polarization colors of thick fibers of odontogenic keratocyst were significantly more greenish-yellow as compared to the unicystic ameloblastoma which were predominantly yellowish-red.ConclusionThese findings suggest that odontogenic keratocyst is a more aggressive lesion than unicystic ameloblastoma by means of identifying abnormally packed collagen fibers in odontogenic keratocyst but not in unicystic ameloblastoma. Thus, the nature of collagen fibers as studied by the picrosirius red polarization method may be useful as a diagnostic tool to differentiate between the two lesions.
Phacoemulsificator and Sterile Drapes Contamination during Cataract Surgery: A Microbiological Study
Authors: Balestrazzi Angelo , Malandrini Alex , Montagnani Francesca , Nguisseu Chegoua Ghislaine Laure , Ciompi Leonardo , Zanchi Alessandra , Tosi Gian Marco , Martone Gian Luca , Motolese Ilaria , Fruschelli Mario 
Published: June 2011

Purpose To determine the microbial contamination of the irrigating fluids at the time of phacoemulsification after the use of topical povidone-iodine and antibiotics prophylaxis. Methods A total of 119 patients undergoing cataract surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients received 5 mg/mL levofloxacin starting from the day prior to surgery and topical and 5% povidone-iodine drops starting from 30 minutes before the surgery. At the end of each surgery, 2 samples of drainage liquids were sterilely collected from the drainage bags (DBL) and from the peristaltic pump single-cassettes (PCL) of the phacoemulsification machine. Search for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi was performed. Results Seventy-five patients (31.5%) revealed a growth of at least one microbial species (53 DBL and 22 PCL, 44.5% vs 18.5%; p<0.001). Sixty-six patients (55.5%) had at least one positive intraoperative solution. Overall, 111 microbial strains were collected: 82 (74%) Gram-positive bacteria, 20 (18%) fungi, and 9 (8%) Gram-negative bacteria. Thirteen staphylococcal isolates from PCL, compared with 52 out of DBL (11% vs 43.7%, p<0.001), fungi were essentially isolated from PCL. No significant correlation was found between microbial isolation and risk factors. No postsurgical infective complication occurred in the follow-up. Conclusions Evaluation of intraoperative fluids can provide evidence on sources or vehicles of postsurgical infections. Antibiotic prophylaxis and topical povidone-iodine can significantly contribute to minimize the risk of endophthalmitis.
Enhancement of VUV Emission from a Coaxial Xenon Excimer Ultraviolet Lamp Driven by Distorted Bipolar Square Voltages
Authors: Jou S. Y. , Hung C. T. , Chiu Y. M. , Wu J. S. , Wei B. Y. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractEnhancement of vacuum UV emission (172 nm VUV) from a coaxial xenon excimer UV lamp (EUV) driven by distorted 50 kHz bipolar square voltages, as compared to that by sinusoidal voltages, is investigated numerically in this paper. A self‐consistent radial one‐dimensional fluid model, taking into consideration non‐local electron energy balance, is employed to simulate the discharge physics and chemistry. The discharge is divided into two three‐period portions; these include: the pre‐discharge, the discharge (most intense at 172 nm VUV emission) and the post‐discharge periods. The results show that the efficiency of VUV emission using the distorted bipolar square voltages is much greater than when using sinusoidal voltages; this is attributed to two major mechanisms. The first is the much larger rate of change of the voltage in bipolar square voltages, in which only the electrons can efficiently absorb the power in a very short period of time. Energetic electrons then generate a higher concentration of metastable (and also excited dimer) xenon that is distributed more uniformly across the gap, for a longer period of time during the discharge process. The second is the comparably smaller amount of “wasted” power deposition by Xe+2 in the post‐discharge period, as driven by distorted bipolar square voltages, because of the nearly vanishing gap voltage caused by the shielding effect resulting from accumulated charges on both dielectric surfaces (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cross‐layer error recovery in wireless access networks: The ARQ proxy approach
Authors: Kliazovich Dzmitry , Redana Simone , Granelli Fabrizio 
Published: June 2011

SUMMARYWireless networks are being increasingly employed to provide mobile access to network services. In most existing standards, reliable transmission on the wireless medium is achieved through the introduction of ARQ schemes at MAC layer, a strategy which is also employed by TCP for reliable end‐to‐end data delivery. The paper proposes an approach to overcome the performance degradation deriving from the duplicate ARQ strategies implemented at the transport and MAC layers by introducing a cross‐layer solution to reduce un‐necessary transmissions on the wireless medium. Furthermore, the paper describes how the proposed scheme, called ARQ Proxy, can be deployed in three different wireless technologies (3G Long‐Term Evolution, Wi‐Fi, and WiMAX) and provides extensive validation of the achievable improvement through simulations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Underreporting of recognized adverse drug reactions by primary care physicians: an exploratory study
Authors: González‐Rubio Francisca , Calderón‐Larrañaga Amaia , Poblador‐Plou Beatriz , Navarro‐Pemán Cristina , López‐Cabañas Anselmo , Prados‐Torres Alexandra 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTPurposeThis study evaluated the magnitude of underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and investigated possible reporting patterns according to patient characteristics and the type of reaction based on the integration of information obtained from primary care electronic medical records (EMRs) and the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System.MethodsThis investigation was a descriptive retrospective study analysing ADRs recorded in 2005 in the EMRs from six health centers in Zaragoza (Aragon, Spain) with a covered population of 126,838 subjects. The associations between the probability of reporting and the reaction and drug type were studied using logistic regression models adjusted by age and sex.ResultsThe total number of ADRs recorded in the EMRs was 543, of which 65.7% were reported to the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System. Positive associations were found between the probability of reporting an ADR and advanced age of patients (OR for ≥76 years = 2.0; 95%CI 1.1–3.6), involvement of the reproductive system (OR = 7.9; 95%CI 1.02–60.2) and involvement of psychiatric disorders (OR = 4.0; 95%CI 1.4–11.6). Negative associations were found between reporting an ADR and early age of patients (OR for 0–14 years = 0.2; 95%CI 0.1–0.6) and the use of antimicrobial drugs (OR = 0.6; 95%CI 0.4–0.9).ConclusionsThis study tackles an important public health problem directly related to patients' safety and highlights the utility of EMRs for investigating the current significance of ADR underreporting. It also makes us think that primary care physicians seem to have selective reporting patterns based on their familiarity with the reaction type and the drug causing the reaction as well as on the age of patients. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical properties of new chalcogenide glasses from the GeSe2‐Sb2Se3‐PbSb2Te4 system
Authors: Vassilev Gergo , Vassilev Venceslav , Aljihmani Lilia 
Published: June 2011

AbstractNew chalcogenide glasses from the GeSe2‐Sb2Se3‐PbSb2Te4 system are synthesized for the first time and the region of glass‐formation in this system is outlined. The glass transition temperatures and the microhardness of some of the prepared glasses are determined. Based on the data from the measurement of the glass transition temperatures and the microhardnesses the elastic modulus and the thermo‐mechanical characteristics (volume and energy of micro‐voids) of the investigated glasses are calculated. A correlation between the properties and the composition of the glasses is established (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Story strength demands of irregular frame buildings under strong earthquakes
Authors: Van Thuat Dinh 
Published: June 2011

SUMMARYIrregular frame buildings with discontinuous columns in one or several stories have been vulnerable to collapses during strong earthquakes. This paper presents the investigation of the seismic response demands at irregular stories of such buildings in terms of story strength factor demand. In this study, a story strength factor was defined to represent the relative reserve strength against the formation of a story failure mechanism of the structure. In addition, a huge number of rigorous nonlinear inelastic dynamic time‐history analyses of various analytical models of 7‐story, 8‐story and 15‐story frame structures with discontinuous columns in one and two irregular stories were conducted under 29 strong earthquake records with various characteristics. The results show that the seismic response demands at irregular stories of the structures were well evaluated in terms of the story strength factor demand to avoid development of a story failure mechanism of the structures when subject to strong earthquakes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of morphine in needle procedures in children with cancer
Authors: Hedén Lena E. , von Essen Louise , Ljungman Gustaf 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground: The aim was to investigate whether children experience less fear, distress, and/or pain when they receive oral morphine vs. placebo before a needle is inserted in a subcutaneously implanted intravenous port when combined with topical anesthesia.Method: Fifty children 1–18 years of age who were treated in a pediatric oncology and hematology setting were included consecutively when undergoing routine needle insertion into an intravenous port. All children were subjected to one needle insertion following topical anesthetic (EMLA) application in this randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled study comparing orally administered morphine (n= 26) 0.25 mg/kg body weight with placebo (n= 24). The patients’ fear, distress, and pain were reported by parents, nurses and the children themselves (if ≥7 years of age) on 0–100 mm Visual Analogue Scales. In addition, observational methods were used to measure distress and procedure pain.Results: No differences between the morphine and the placebo group were found with respect to age, weight, height, physical status, sex, weeks from diagnosis, or weeks from latest needle insertion. According to, parents, nurses, and children, oral morphine at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg body weight did not reduce fear, distress or pain compared with placebo.Conclusion: We could not reject the null hypothesis that there is no difference between the oral morphine and placebo groups assuming an effect size of 15 mm on VAS. Therefore it seems that oral morphine at 0.25 mg/kg does not give any additional reduction of fear, distress or pain compared with placebo when combined with topical anesthesia in pediatric patients undergoing subcutaneous port needle insertion, and would not be expected to be of any advantage for similar procedures such as venipuncture and venous cannulation when topical anesthesia is used.
Time-dependent effect analysis of antipsychotic treatment in a naturalistic cohort study of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Kroken R.A. , Mellesdal L.S. , Wentzel-Larsen T. , Jørgensen H.A. , Johnsen E. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjectiveEvidence based treatment of schizophrenia as well as antipsychotic drug utility patterns have changed considerably in recent years and the present study aims to investigate the current level of unplanned hospital readmissions in a cohort of patients with schizophrenia, and to determine the risk-reducing effects of current antipsychotic drug treatment.MethodAn open cohort study included all consecutively discharged patients with schizophrenia in a 3-year period (n = 277). The treatment-dependent variables were entered in a multivariate Cox survival analyses with time to unplanned readmission as the dependent variable.Results11.2% of patients were readmitted within 30days of discharge, and 44.8% were readmitted within 12months. Antipsychotic monotherapy reduced the risk of readmission by 74.9%. Treatment in CMHC also had a risk-reducing effect. The prescription rate of clozapine in this sample was 10.1%.DiscussionThe over-all level of unplanned readmissions was in correspondence with the findings of others. Current antipsychotic drug treatment independently offers strong protection against unplanned readmissions. There may be a potential for further optimalizing antipsychotic drug treatment according to treatment guidelines.ConclusionsUnplanned readmissions are very common for patients with schizophrenia but antipsychotic drug treatment is associated with a strong risk-reducing effect in this regard.