bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microcoil embolization through a downsized coaxial catheter system: An experimental study
Authors: Tajima T. , Yoshimitsu K. , Irie H. , Nishie A. , Hirakawa M. , Ishigami K. , Ushijima Y. , Okamoto D. , Honda H. 
Published: May 2009

Background: Most of the recently developed microcatheters for abdominal angiography still have large diameters at their trailing ends, and thus cannot be used for microcoil embolization in combination with a 3-French (F) system. Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro passage of microcoils through a newly developed 2-F microcatheter (Meister Cath Superselective Plus, MC6) that is compatible with a downsized coaxial catheter system (3-F system) in an experimental study. Material and Methods: We evaluated the passage of microcoils through MC6 within a blood vessel model using the saline flush technique. Six types of microcoils and 17 size variations (maximal curled diameter 2–10 mm, total length 20–140 mm) were used. We evaluated the passage and post-deployment shape of the microcoils as well as the volume of saline required to flush them. Results: In the experimental study, all microcoils passed through the MC6 and deployed in a satisfactory manner without catheter occlusion. The mean volumes of saline required to flush the TORNADO ( n=1), Reverse TORNADO ( n=6), HILAL ( n=1), Micronester ( n=3), VortX ( n=4), and C-Stopper Coil ( n=2) were 0.7 ml, 0.58±0.20 ml, 0.5 ml, 0.57±0.058 ml, 3.5±1.5 ml, and 0.70±0.14 ml, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean volume of saline required between the VortX and Reverse TORNADO ( P=0.029), and between the VortX and C-Stopper Coil ( P=0.031). The VortX required the greatest volume of saline. Conclusion: Microcoil embolization through a 3-F system appears to be feasible for the coils examined in this study.
Magnetic resonance appearance of cerebral cystic echinococcosis: World health organization (WHO) classification
Authors: Razek A. A. K. Abdel , El-Shamam O. , Wahab N. Abdel 
Published: May 2009

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) of the brain is an uncommon parasitic infestation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a classification of hepatic CE based upon ultrasonographic findings. Purpose: To evaluate whether the new WHO classification of hepatic CE can be used in the classification of cerebral CE. Material and Methods: The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of 17 patients (14 male, three female), aged 10–24 years (mean age 16 years), with pathologically proved cerebral CE, and who underwent pre- and postcontrast MR imaging, were retrospectively evaluated. The cysts were classified according to the new WHO classification and their clinical stages. The MR imaging findings were correlated to the histopathologic findings. Results: The fertile active cysts ( n=12) that showed protoscoleces appeared as unilocular cysts with no visible wall (cystic lesions; CL), unilocular spherical cysts with a clear visible wall (CE1), or as a unilocular mother cyst with multiple vesicles arranged peripherally along the cyst wall (CE2). The transitional form (CE3) ( n=2) containing scoleces showed multiple daughter cysts entirely filling the maternal cyst. The inactive cysts ( n=3) that had lost their fertility appeared as a “ball of wool” with collapsed membrane or had detached membrane with water-lily sign (CE4) and calcified lesions (CE5). Conclusion: The WHO classification of hepatic CE can be used in the classification of cerebral CE when evaluated by MRI, as it can differentiate fertile active cysts from the transitional and inactive forms of cerebral cystic echinococcosis. This information is essential for treatment planning.
Accuracy of 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging for the staging of prostate cancer in comparison to the partin tables
Authors: Augustin H. , Fritz G. A. , Ehammer T. , Auprich M. , Pummer K. 
Published: May 2009

Background: An accurate prediction of final pathological stage is essential for proper patient selection to determine who will experience maximum benefit from radical prostatectomy. In this context, the Partin tables represent one of the most widely used statistical prediction tools. Purpose: To compare the accuracy in predicting pathological stage in patients intended for radical prostatectomy between 3-Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Partin tables in a prospective trial. Material and Methods: 27 men with staging results from 3T MRI using a phased-array coil were compared in terms of staging accuracy with whole-mount-section histopathologic analyses as the standard of reference. Probabilities for pathological stages were estimated according to the Partin tables. Spearman rank correlation and discriminant analysis were calculated to assess relationships. Results: Histopathological evaluation revealed organ-confined disease (OC) in 21 (77.8%) and extracapsular extension (ECE) in six (22.2%) men. Three-Tesla MRI staging was accurate in all patients with OC and in four out of the six men with ECE. Accuracy of local staging was 85.2% (23 of 27). Sensitivity was 66.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.223–0.957) and specificity 100% (95% CI 0.839–1) for the detection of ECE. Findings of MRI and the Partin tables showed a Spearman rho of 0.780 vs. 0.254 for OC and 0.780 vs. 0.363 for ECE, respectively. Compared to the Partin tables, MRI revealed standardized canonical discriminant function coefficients of 0.992 ( P<0.001) vs. 0.205 ( P=0.432) for OC and 0.965 ( P<0.001) vs. 0.329 ( P=0.197) for ECE, respectively. Conclusion: 3T MRI showed a high accuracy for the staging of clinically localized prostate cancer, and it was significantly more accurate in predicting the final pathological stage than the Partin tables.
Medial temporal lobe atrophy increases the specificity of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in alzheimer disease with minor cerebrovascular changes
Authors: Zhang Y. , Londos E. , Minthon L. , Wattmo C. , Blennow K. , Liu H.J. , Bronge L. , Aspelin P. , Wahlund L.-O. 
Published: May 2009

Background: Although cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) contribute to the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD), they may not be specific. Relatively little is known about how they correlate with each other. Purpose: To identify the validity of the radiological linear measurements of brain atrophy in AD diagnosis by examining the correlation with CSF biomarkers and by examining if specificity could be improved in classification of AD from controls, when the linear measurements are combined with the CSF biomarkers. Material and Methods: 59 controls (20 male/39 female, age 73±8 years), 162 pure AD patients (49/113, 74±7 years), and 86 AD patients with minor cerebrovascular changes (CVC) (31/55, 77±5 years), aged between 52 and 94 years, were recruited from the Malmö Alzheimer Study. AD patients were subgrouped into “pure AD” and “AD + CVC” in order to clarify the possible influence of CVC on atrophy or CSF biomarkers in AD patients. Abeta42, T-tau, and P-tau in CSF were examined. Computed tomography (CT) linear measurements were performed, which included temporal horn ratio and suprasellar cistern ratio that reflect MTA. Results: Compared with the 14 significant correlations between the CT measurements and three CSF biomarkers in the pure AD group, there was only one significant correlation in the AD + CVC group and one in the control group. In particular, P-tau correlates with temporal horn ratio only in pure AD. When the CT measurements were added with CSF biomarkers as independent variables in discriminant analysis, the percentage of correct classification of AD + CVC from controls increased from 79.5% (only CSF biomarkers) to 84.6% (combined CT measurements with CSF biomarkers). However, little was changed in the pure AD group. Conclusion: P-tau correlates with the linear CT measure of MTA only in pure AD without CVC. Combined with the measure of MTA, the specificity of CSF biomarkers can be increased, but only in AD + CVC. The linear measurements of MTA are of value in AD diagnosis.
Introduction of endovascular embolization for intracranial aneurysms in a low-volume institution
Authors: Lindekleiv H. M. , Jacobsen E. A. , Kloster R. , Sandell T. , Isaksen J. G. , Romner B. , Ingebrigtsen T. , Bajic R. 
Published: May 2009

Background: Studies indicate a relationship between hospital caseload and health outcomes after both surgical and endovascular repair of intracranial aneurysms. Purpose: To evaluate outcomes after introduction of endovascular embolization for intracranial aneurysms in a low-volume regional university hospital. Material and Methods: Retrospective study of 243 consecutive patients treated for 284 intracranial aneurysms with endovascular embolization or surgical clipping from 2000 to 2006 at the University Hospital of North Norway. Postoperative complications were registered. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used for assessment of outcome. Results: The mean annual number of procedures was 39 (microsurgery 23, embolization 16). Seventy-four percent of patients with ruptured aneurysms and all patients with unruptured aneurysms had a favorable outcome (GOS 4 or 5) at 1 year follow-up. Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were more likely to experience postoperative complications than patients treated for unruptured aneurysms (42% versus 8% of the patients, P<0.01). The immediate incomplete occlusion rate (Raymond II–III) in the initial embolization procedure was 29%. Ten endovascularly treated patients and one surgically treated patient required retreatments due to residual aneurysm or neck remnants. Conclusion: The present study indicates that acceptable outcome from aneurysm treatment, both endovascular and microsurgical, is possible in a low-volume institution.
Why did I change when I went to therapy? A qualitative analysis of former patients' conceptions of successful psychotherapy
Authors: Binder Per-Einar , Holgersen Helge , Nielsen Geir Høstmark 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim: Much research has been undertaken to identify significant events and change processes in psychotherapy. Most of these studies use categories and concepts consonant with the researcher's particular theoretical affiliation. But how do patients themselves, retrospectively, give meaning to what they felt most important for their realization of change? The present study sought to identify specific experiences and reflections of former psychotherapy patients who described their previous therapy as successful. Methods: Semi‐structured, qualitative, in‐depth interviews with ten former psychotherapy patients, recruited through an advertisement in a local newspaper. A descriptive and hermeneutically modified phenomenological approach was used to analyse interview transcripts, technically carried out with the assistance of Nvivo 8 software. Findings: The different ways the participants gave meaning to change processes and events clustered around the following themes: (i) Being in a relationship with a wise, warm, and competent professional, (ii) Being in a relationship with continuity when suffering from feelings of inner discontinuity, (iii) Having assumptions and beliefs about oneself and one's relational world corrected, (iv) Creating new meaning and seeing new connections in one's life patterns. Discussion: Relates current findings to those of previous studies and addresses strengths and limitations of the study, including reflections on the possible influence of the researchers' theoretical and professional background. Replications of the study are proposed, with researchers of other theoretical affiliations, and with different groups of former patients.
Psychological experiences of renal transplant patients: A qualitative analysis
Authors: Amerena Penny , Wallace Patti 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIntroduction: Organ‐sourcing developments now permit increasing numbers of renal transplants. Recipients commonly experience negative affect pre‐ and/or post‐transplant yet research on patient experience is lacking. Aims: This study aims to develop theory based on the lived experience of recipients, and to guide psychological and support interventions by counsellors and professional carers for the benefit of patients. Methods: A sample of eight participants was interviewed about their transplant experiences. The interview data were analysed using grounded theory methodology. Uniquely the research was conducted by a renal transplant patient, which potentially adds interpretive insight. Results: The central finding is that the issues facing transplant patients before and after transplant may be summarised as living with paradox and conflict. Thus, recipients may need to juxtapose anger/sadness about losses with an adaptive attitude to making the most of a second chance at life, and negotiate a positive relationship with an ‘alien’ organ. Conclusions/implications: The study offers evidence‐based guidance to counsellors supporting recipients to adjust to a changing sense of self, and to form adaptive relationships with self, others and the new kidney. Finally the research recommends action on improving awareness of and access to counselling and other supports for renal transplantees, and the need for in‐depth experiential research in this expanding area.
A re‐examination of choking in sport
Authors: Hill Denise M. , Hanton Sheldon , Fleming Scott , Matthews Nic 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to re‐examine choking in sport. Using a grounded theory approach (Glaser & Strauss, 1967), qualitative data were gathered from four “experts” of applied sport psychology, who had published within the stress and anxiety literature, and worked extensively with athletes who had performed in highly stressful situations. The experts perceived that the contemporary definitions of choking in sport fail to reflect fully the experiences of “chokers”, and created a more detailed definition in response. They considered the choking process to consist of a stress response that culminates in a significant drop in performance – a choke, which psychologically damages the performer. It was also suggested that the choking process and its consequences were moderated by individual differences and type of sport. Accordingly, they recommended interventions that may alleviate choking and, importantly, generated characteristics that can be used to identify a choker. Such findings offer an extended understanding of choking in sport and provide a framework for future ecologically valid research.
Fast and accurate short read alignment with Burrows–Wheeler transform
Authors: Li Heng , Durbin Richard 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Motivation: The enormous amount of short reads generated by the new DNA sequencing technologies call for the development of fast and accurate read alignment programs. A first generation of hash table-based methods has been developed, including MAQ, which is accurate, feature rich and fast enough to align short reads from a single individual. However, MAQ does not support gapped alignment for single-end reads, which makes it unsuitable for alignment of longer reads where indels may occur frequently. The speed of MAQ is also a concern when the alignment is scaled up to the resequencing of hundreds of individuals.
Results: We implemented Burrows-Wheeler Alignment tool (BWA), a new read alignment package that is based on backward search with Burrows–Wheeler Transform (BWT), to efficiently align short sequencing reads against a large reference sequence such as the human genome, allowing mismatches and gaps. BWA supports both base space reads, e.g. from Illumina sequencing machines, and color space reads from AB SOLiD machines. Evaluations on both simulated and real data suggest that BWA is ∼10–20× faster than MAQ, while achieving similar accuracy. In addition, BWA outputs alignment in the new standard SAM (Sequence Alignment/Map) format. Variant calling and other downstream analyses after the alignment can be achieved with the open source SAMtools software package.
Availability: http://maq.sourceforge.net
Contact: rd@sanger.ac.uk
Pharmacokinetic comparison of orally‐disintegrating metoclopramide with conventional metoclopramide tablet formulation in healthy volunteers
Authors: FASS R. , PIENIASZEK H. J. , THOMPSON J. R. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryBackground  Oral tablet formulations of metoclopramide are effective therapies for gastroparesis and gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease; however, difficulty swallowing tablets or nausea/vomiting may reduce patient adherence to therapy. Because of this, a metoclopramide orally‐disintegrating tablet (ODT) has been developed.Aim  To evaluate the bioequivalence of a single administration of a 10‐mg metoclopramide ODT and a conventional 10‐mg oral metoclopramide tablet in healthy volunteers.Methods  In a randomized, single‐dose, crossover study, healthy volunteers received single administration of 10‐mg metoclopramide ODT and 10‐mg conventional metoclopramide tablet, with a 7‐day interval between treatments. Serial blood samples were collected before dosing and during 24 h post‐treatment.Results  Forty‐one volunteers completed both treatment arms. Metoclopramide ODT was bioequivalent to conventional tablets; 90% CIs for geometric mean treatment ratios of Cmax [91.6% (90% CI, 87.7–95.8%)], AUClast [97.3% (90% CI, 94.5–100.2%)] and AUCinf [97.6% (90% CI, 94.5–100.8%)] were within the predefined range. Of the 44 volunteers included in the safety analysis, 9 (20%) reported AEs after ODT, compared with 13 (30%) after conventional tablets.Conclusion  In healthy volunteers, single administration of 10‐mg metoclopramide ODT was well tolerated and bioequivalent to single administration of a conventional 10‐mg metoclopramide tablet.
Pathogenesis of chronic immune thrombocytopenia: increased platelet destruction and/or decreased platelet production
Authors: Nugent Diane , McMillan Robert , Nichol Janet L. , Slichter Sherrill J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryChronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a haematological disorder in which patients predominantly develop skin and mucosal bleeding. Early studies suggested ITP was primarily due to immune‐mediated peripheral platelet destruction. However, increasing evidence indicates that an additional component of this disorder is immune‐mediated decreased platelet production that cannot keep pace with platelet destruction. Evidence for increased platelet destruction is thrombocytopenia following ITP plasma infusions in normal subjects, in vitro platelet phagocytosis, and decreased platelet survivals in ITP patients that respond to therapies that prevent in vivo platelet phagocytosis; e.g., intravenous immunoglobulin G, anti‐D, corticosteroids, and splenectomy. The cause of platelet destruction in most ITP patients appears to be autoantibody‐mediated. However, cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐mediated platelet (and possibly megakaryocyte) lysis, may also be important. Studies supporting suppressed platelet production include: reduced platelet turnover in over 80% of ITP patients, morphological evidence of megakaryocyte damage, autoantibody‐induced suppression of in vitro megakaryocytopoiesis, and increased platelet counts in most ITP patients following treatment with thrombopoietin receptor agonists. This review summarizes data that indicates that the pathogenesis of chronic ITP may be due to both immune‐mediated platelet destruction and/or suppressed platelet production. The relative importance of these two mechanisms undoubtedly varies among patients.
Angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor‐/receptor expression in myeloproliferative neoplasms: correlation with clinical parameters and JAK2‐V617F mutational status
Authors: Medinger Michael , Skoda Radek , Gratwohl Alois , Theocharides Alexandre , Buser Andreas , Heim Dominik , Dirnhofer Stephan , Tichelli André , Tzankov Alexandar 
Published: May 2009

SummaryData on angiogenesis in the bone marrow of BCR‐ABL1‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients suggest an increase of the microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, but relations to the JAK2‐V617F status remain controversial. We performed immunohistochemical studies of MVD and VEGF‐expression in 100 MPN, including 24 essential thrombocythemia‐ (ET), 46 polycythemia vera‐ (PV), 26 primary myelofibrosis‐ (PMF), four myelodysplastic (MDS)/MPN‐ and 20 control reactive bone marrow cases, and correlated these findings with biological and clinical key data and the JAK2‐V617F status. We found significantly increased MVD, particularly that assessed by CD105, and VEGF expression in MPN compared to controls (PMF > PV > MDS/MPN > ET). We observed stronger association between CD105‐MVD and VEGF expression, fibrosis, and JAK2‐V617F mutant allele burden, compared to CD34‐MVD. MVD was strongly increased in MPN with high JAK2‐V617F mutant allele burden. Our study highlights the importance of newly formed CD105+ vessels in the bone marrow of MPN patients, and indicates that assessment of CD105‐MVD better reflects angiogenic activity in MPN. In addition, it provides evidence that despite the fact that angiogenesis is generally independent of the JAK2‐V617F status in MPN, new vessel formation might be linked to Jak2 effects in some cases with high JAK2‐V617F mutant allele burden.
Advances in the understanding of familial Mediterranean fever and possibilities for targeted therapy
Authors: Chae Jae J. , Aksentijevich Ivona , Kastner Daniel L. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryFamilial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a systemic autoinflammatory disorder characterized by seemingly unprovoked recurrent episodes of fever and serosal, synovial, or cutaneous inflammation. FMF is caused by recessively inherited mutations in MEFV, which encodes pyrin, and most of the mutations are present in the C‐terminal end of the protein encoding B30.2 domain. The FMF carrier frequencies are extremely high in several eastern Mediterranean populations. Pyrin is expressed in granulocytes, monocytes, dendritic cells, and synovial fibroblasts. Pyrin regulates caspase‐1 activation and consequently interleukin‐1β production through the interactions of its N‐terminal PYRIN domain and C‐terminal B30.2 domain with an adaptor protein, apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein with a caspase‐recruitment domain (ASC) and caspase‐1 respectively. Pyrin is cleaved by caspase‐1 and the cleaved N‐terminal fragment translocates to nucleus and enhances ASC‐independent nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation through interactions with p65 NF‐κB and IκB‐α. In addition to the regulatory role of pyrin for caspase‐1, the cleavage of pyrin provides an important clue not only in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of FMF but also in developing new therapeutic targets for FMF.